The crisp night air felt cool against his face. Whenever he would breath, a puff of white steam would surface, and the crunch beneath his feet helped him to feel at home in the tundra. Warmth from the hand in his own was foreign, however.
The small group hurriedly made their way across the street in hopes of not drawing too much attention to themselves. On this day in years prior, it would have been difficult to turn one's attention toward them, for the roads would be lively kilometres around. Ever since that fateful day, things hadn't been the same, and not a soul was celebrating this evening.
It's Christmas, Harry thought as he huffed. Where is everyone? He knew the answer to the question already, but something had to be said to fill the silence in his mind. Who knew; maybe, if he pretended to be ignorant, then the knowledge would fade from existence.
Ahead of him, Mr. Malfoy turned and looked back. "Quickly," he whispered. "We haven't much time for this." Harry could feel more than see Malfoy nod beside him at his father's words. Then, too, Harry nodded, and they continued on their way at a swifter pace.
Stopping just before a crowd of people, they hid behind a brick wall as the danger passed. Harry couldn't help but overhear them as they spoke delightfully among one another.
"I suppose you've heard about Azkaban's latest residents."
"Why, yes, the Weasleys! Truly a shame, those ones. I would have expected better from a Pureblood family."
"Especially from one descended from the House of Black."
With an agitated jerk, Harry lowered the hood of his robe around his face. He really did not want to hear of the fate bestowed upon his friends and allies. Just as he was in hiding, he had hoped the Weasleys had been wise enough to not fight the new regime. Obviously, courage was their downfall, and though he would never spite their bravery, he wouldn't commend it, either.
Malfoy was tugging him along by the time Harry had noticed the people were gone. One frustrated grunt later, they had moved to where they stood in front of a door. Mr. Malfoy knocked fervently, not once pausing in his motions. Time was of the essence now, and they could not afford to waste any of it simple waiting.
It opened to the sight of Snape with his usual scowl. Not even bothering to question the group before he let him in, Snape stepped to one side and closed the door right behind them.
"Lucius," he said with a warning. "What in Merlin's name is he doing here?" Recognising that Harry was in the spotlight, Malfoy let go of his hand and walked off to an unobtrusive corner.
"Severus, I‒"
"Don't you 'Severus', me, Malfoy." Snape pulled out his wand and was pointing it at Mr. Malfoy's neck. No one in the room questioned that he would use it without hesitation. Not after the night at the Astronomy Tower. "You have until I count to five to tell me why you are here. Otherwise, I shall summon the Dark Lord and he will decide what to do with you." He lifted the arm that wasn't holding his wand and drew the sleeves up to his elbows. The Dark Mark stood vibrantly against his pale skin, and for the first time, Harry didn't shudder. He had seen it enough times in the past few months to have gotten used to it.
"One."
"Severus, you have to believe me, I‒"
"Two."
"I didn't know what to do with him. Just showed up and‒"
"Three."
"‒ we've got a plan, see. W-we're going to use him to‒"
"Four."
"‒ conceive an heir for the Dark Lord!"
Snape's hand hovered over the tattoo on his forearm. He looked about a breath away from making contact, but had paused as if intrigued by Mr. Malfoy's words.
"What did you say?"
"I-I said that we're going to conceive an heir for the Dark Lord by having Draco mate with the Potter boy."
Mr. Malfoy was beyond frightened, Harry could tell. And why wouldn't he be? It was up to Severus Snape, the man who had killed Albus Dumbledore in cold blood, as to whether the three of them lived or died. But it seemed to be working. Ever so slowly, Snape dropped his arm and continued to stare at Mr. Malfoy.
Then he lowered his wand as well. "Do you really expect me to believe that Lucius? I know quite well what you're up to."
"You do?" Mr. Malfoy swallowed hard and cautiously moved a pace back.
"Yes," said Snape. "And since I know you can't possibly do what you're thinking of doing without me, I'm going to help you."
Eyes wide, Mr. Malfoy slumped to the ground from exhaustion as Snape left the room
"Father!" Malfoy called out and rushed to his side, only to be shooed away.
"I'm fine, Draco. Just very, very relieved. " He put a hand to his breast and simply breathed.
Snape returned with a vial in his hand. "This," he said, handing it to Harry who, before now had been pretty much ignored. "This is your first dose of the Polyjuice Potion. I have brewed it specially to last for long periods of time, so long as you drink it all.
"The total time you have between when you drink it and when it wears off is approximately 24 hours."
"24 Hours!" Harry all but shouted. "How did you manage that?"
The Potions master did not smile, as others might have in the same position. "I have my ways," he said simply. Then he turned back to Mr. Malfoy. "I trust you will keep him safe from harm and out of the Dark Lord's sight."
Mr. Malfoy nodded. "Of course, Severus. But, may I ask, just whose sample it is that you put into the potion?"
"Her name is of no importance," Snape said suddenly, causing Harry to jump a bit. "But I'm sure Mr. Potter will come to know who she is sooner or later."
Pleasantries aside, Snape and Mr. Malfoy left for a more private room to conduct the technical aspects of their plot, leaving Harry and Malfoy alone in Snape's front room. Malfoy was sitting on a lounger, peering at all the trinkets that lined the room while Harry stood their awkwardly. He didn't feel it was right to sit down, but neither would it have been appropriate to continue standing there.
Never one to follow any pre-set options, Harry took the third choice and settled himself right outside the door to the room Snape and Mr. Malfoy were in. With a stealth he didn't know he had, Harry leant down and attempted to listen through the bottom of the door. Curiosity was going to cost him, however.
"What are you doing?" Malfoy's voice boomed behind him. He had approached in a way so as Harry could not see nor hear him, and as such, Harry was startled.
"Malfoy," he whispered harshly. "Shut up."
Malfoy snorted. "You aren't really in a position to be making demands, Potter." While he was correct, Harry didn't much care. He was trying to figure out just what Lucius's plan was, and Malfoy was getting right in his way.
"Oh, you are a bad boy, Potter. Listening in on other people's conversations."
"Malfoy, I said shut it."
"Oooh, I'm so scared. Ickle Potter threatening me. Not so tough without your wand, though, are you?"
Harry took a quick look back, then swiped his leg behind Malfoy's, causing the other boy to fall to the ground with a thud.
"Oh, God dammit!" Malfoy shouted, and then the door opened.
"Draco," Mr. Malfoy said as he looked at his son. "What do you think you are doing? We're trying to have an important discussion here." Then he spotted Harry on the ground as well with his head close to the door.
"I think," said Snape as he stepped through the threshold. "Our discussion is over. We both know all that is needed to know."
Mr. Malfoy nodded. "Yes, I think so, too. Boys, let us be off."
Standing up, Malfoy turned an accusing finger at Harry. "Father, he‒"
"Now is not the time, Draco," Lucius hissed. "Now, come along, grab Harry, and let's go." Not wanting to disobey his father, Malfoy picked Harry up by one arm.
"Get up, Potter, or I'll drag you all the way back to the manor." Harry had the urge to spit in his face, but supressed it and instead stood up. Brushing himself, off, Harry could only growl in annoyance as Malfoy grabbed his hand again.
"Farewell, Severus," Mr. Malfoy said before they disapparated.