A/N: Hey. I know I told everyone on my profile I wasn't going to start another story, but if this plot bunny didn't get released, it was threatening to go rabid on me..shudder...something along the lines of making my elves whip out wands and start hexing each other...not a good thing...This is my first attempt at a Harry Potter fic. Also my first slash one, too. Let me know what you think. Post HBP, seventh year. Spoilers for book 6...be warned.
Chapter One
Serpents and Lions
Althea blearily opened one eye at the sound of the banging on the door. She glanced at the digital clock on her nightstand. 7:37 a.m. She groaned. "Oy! Are you gonna get that!" Her roomate Serena hollered from her own bed up in the apartment's loft.
"Yeah, you're the only one who could get visitors this bloody early!" Serena's sister Jewel concurred groggily.
The banging resumed and Althea climbed out of her warm bed to answer the door. She ran a hand over her curls, in a vain attempt to keep them from looking totally untended. A glance in the mirror and she gave up. Ringlets the color of polished mahogany seemed to have a horrid life of their own. Another bout of knocking, and she was at the door. "Hey, I'm up. Gimme a sec!"
Looking the rest of her appearance over, she shook her head. Black silk sleep pants hung loose about her lithe frame, swishing pleasantly. The only part that made her groan was her cobalt blue tank top. She should have grabbed a long sleeved shirt and thrown on a couple Concealment Charms. Her forearms were covered by a fine vining pattern which turned into a serpent at her elbows and wound their way up to her shoulders. The head of each was placed so it appeared to be calmly snuggling up to her and resting on her collarbone. The real stunner was the one on the right side of her face. A great viper came from the back of her neck, up her cheek, and stopped at her temple, where it opened it's mouth as if to strike at her very eye. It's mouth was made to follow the lines of her eye so the creature's fangs were actually tattooed on her eyelid. The patterns bore no color, only black shading to make contrast.
It was too late to do anything now, so she clicked open the deadbolt and slid the door aside. She gasped at the sight of who was standing in the hallway. "P..Professor McGonagall..? What are you doing here?"
Minerva McGonagall, indeed stood in the hall, dressed in muggle attire. "Good Morning, Althea. Record time in opening the door, I might add. Only took seventeen minutes this time."
Althea blinked. Eyes, strangely the same color as her hair, glanced up and down the hallway. "Um. You should probably come in." She stepped aside to let McGonagall pass. "What in Merlin's name brings you all the way out here?" The Headmistress said nothing, just gazed about the apartment. The entire thing was all together in one room, except one door which led to the bathroom. One corner held a kitchen with an island and four barstools. Another was the home of Althea's bed, set diagonally in the corner, draped with a large patchwork, denim quilt, and some sort of brown furry throw-blanket. At the foot of the bed was an old Hogwarts trunk. The third area was obviously for entertainment as it was equipped with any electronic amenity a Muggle could want and a large plush sofa.
It was the final corner which showed the true nature of the three occupants of the apartment. Two more trunks, bearing the monikers of a school in Japan, and three brooms, two Nimbus 2001's, and a Firebolt, stood proudly amongst moving pictures of family and friends. McGonagall smiled. "You have a very nice place here." She glanced at the staircase which led to the loft where the two other girls slept.
"Thanks." Althea replied warily. "Would you like something to drink Professor? Water, tea, coffee?"
"Do you have any of that delicious white grape juice?"
Althea nodded. She made herself a cup of coffee, had it been any stronger it probably would have tried to escape the mug, and brought a glass of juice to McGonagall. "You never answered my question."
"I assume you've kept up with current happenings?"
"Yeah. I'm sorry about Dumbledore. I went to the funeral."
McGonagall stared at her in suprise. "I didn't see you there."
"I know. So is that what brought you here?"
"Partly, yes. I have something I want to ask you." She took a long sip of her juice. "As Headmistress I am in charge of staffing the school. At first we were all unsure of whether the school would reopen this year or not, but we all think it is best for the students." It seemed that for the first time McGonagall really stopped to take in her drastically altered appearance. A brief cloud of sadness seemed to pass before her eyes, but it was gone quickly and she resumed her line of speech. "We once again find ourselves in need of a Defense Against the Dark Arts Teacher. I was hoping you would consider the position."
Althea's eyes widened. "You want me to do what! I can't go back there. As much as I hate to be on the run like I am..." She sighed in frustration.
"Believe me. If I could come up with a better solution I would, but the students need the best teacher possible right now. And contrary to popular belief, Hogwarts is the safest place to be." McGonagall paced back and forth a bit. "I'm really in a bind right now, Althea. The war is going very badly. I don't know how long the Order can hold out."
Gracefully hopping up onto one of the barstools, Althea watched her with sympathetic eyes. "I knew I couldn't avoid it for long." She stood up slowly. "I...I need the Order's solemn oath to protect me from the Death Eaters. You know what would happen if..." She let the statement hang suspended between them. McGonagall gave her a sharp nod. "My second condition is no one is to know who I really am. I have taken my mother's maiden name, and the rest of my heritage is an off limits topic. Tall tales travel too fast in the wizarding world." Another nod, and Althea grinned. "Right then. You've got yourself a professor."
They spent the next hour discussing topics of study, and Althea informed the Headmistress which textbooks the students would need. She was just showing her out when her two roomies made their appearance. The two sisters made their ways slowly down the stairs. At first glance, the two asian girls appeared to be twins, but there was actually a four year difference between the two sisters. Serena was the elder of the two, and she occasionally frowned at the exuberance of her younger sister Jewel, who took everything as a new adventure.
"Mornin', Thea. Who's your guest?" Serena asked sleepily as she poured herself a cup of the strong-enough-to-wake-the-dead coffee. Jewel on the other hand had pulled a Pepsi from the fridge.
"This is Minerva McGonagall, Headmistress of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Professor McGonagall, this is Serena and her sister Jewel. The infamous Hirishito sisters."
McGonagall smiled and inclined her head to them. "It is a pleasure to meet you girls."
Jewel grinned. "Hogwarts? Ah yeah. That's the school you graduated from isn't it, Thea?" At Althea's nod she continued. "Sorry to hear about the loss of your Headmaster. Dumbledore was one hell of a great wizard."
"Thank you, my dear. What school did you attend?"
"Orimagi's Academy of Sorcery in Japan. Our father is a professor there. Although our mother is from London originally. I believe she is a former Hogwarts student as well. Alista Zahn would be her maiden name." Serena replied between sips of coffee.
"Ah yes, Ravenclaw, and a damn fine Quidditch player at that. How is your mother?"
"Quite well. Her and father are currently vacationing in Bora Bora."
"Well, I must be going. I will see you at school on the first of September then?" Althea nodded. "Very good. I will inform the others of your conditions. Farewell, Professor Montrose." McGonagall placed her empty glass on the counter and Disapparated with an audible crack.
"Professor, eh?" Jewel lifted an eyebrow. "Spill."
Number Twelve Grimmauld Place was buzzing with activity. Harry had left the Dursley's only two weeks after school ended, and with Ron and Hermione in tow, went to Godric's Hollow to begin the long journey to his destiny. Things had been tough at first, and seeing the overgrown ruins of his parents' home hit him hard. The trio had slowly picked their way around, looking for any sort of clue to point them in the right direction. And find a clue they sure did, but not in the form they had anticipated.
Harry had found a shaking, sobbing, Draco Malfoy curled up near the remnants of an gazebo in the backyard. He was clutching a velvet-wrapped pouch to his chest and trembling pitifully. At first he had wanted to hex the shaking form, but then he remembered the last few moments he had seen Draco. The way Dumbledore had spoken to him seemed true now. Draco was no sadistic bastard, just a terrified young man trying desperately to please his father.
He had knelt in front of the curled up blond and placed a gentle hand on his arm. "Draco?"
The blond's voice was raspy and shook. "I knew you'd come here eventually."
Ron and Hermione had found the pair. Ron had immediately drawn his wand, but Hermione held him back. Harry had glanced up at them briefly, then returned his attention to Draco. "Why are you here, Draco?"
"Couldn't do it. I don't want to be like my father anymore...it's sickening...the torture..." He lifted pleading eyes for the first time to Harry. "I know I may not deserve your help, but...I did bring something to prove my sincerity..." The velvet bundle was placed in Harry's arms.
"What..?" Harry opened the package carefully. His breath caught at the sight of Helga Hufflepuff's chalice. "One of Voldemort's Horcruxes. Merlin Draco! How did you get a hold of this?"
"I'd rather not talk about it, but because of what I did, I cannot go back. They would kill me on sight."
Now Harry stood in one of the bedrooms of Grimmauld Place, looking over the still sleeping form of his former nemesis. Draco had slept for four days straight when they brought him back. After a good hot shower and being subjected to Molly Weasley stuffing him to the brim with food, he seemed much improved. He almost felt sorry for having to wake the blond boy up, but the Order was calling a session in the kitchen.
He crept over and sat down on the edge of the bed. "Hey Draco." A gentle shake was all it took for the grey eyes to open. "The Order's meeting in the kitchen. Do you want to come this time?" The past few meetings were when he was still weak from his escape from Voldemort's clutches. The blond grinned and Harry felt his heart flutter. Why does he always do that to me?
"Yes. I'll be there in a minute." Draco sat up and gave a cat-like stretch. He caught Harry's stare at his bare chest and smirked. He wasn't sure when he had fallen for the raven haired boy, but he knew he had fallen hard. I will seduce you yet, Harry Potter. I am rather used to getting what I want.
"Um..right. I'll meet you downstairs." Harry stood up and headed for the door.
"Save me a seat." He grinned as the other boy nodded numbly. After Harry left, Draco gave another languid stretch and slid out of bed. He still couldn't believe he was on the side of Light now. School was going to be tough, especially with mini Death Eaters in his House. No Snape to protect him either. Snape was still with the Light, but no one would believe that now. No thanks to his mother, that is. Draco sighed and pulled on a shirt before heading downstairs.
He tiptoed past the portrait of Sirius's Mother. That woman was seriously scary. When he reached the kitchen he found Harry had indeed saved him a seat next to him. As he took said seat, he glanced around the room at the Order of the Phoenix. Ron and Hermione sat across the table from him, along with the rest of the Weasley clan, minus Ginny, who was not of age yet. Fleur sat next to her husband Bill Weasley, and on her other side sat Tonks and Remus Lupin. He grimaced. Tonks's hair was neon blue. Mundungus Fletcher was surrounded by his usual cloud of rancid smoke.
The door opened and Minerva McGonagall filed in, followed by Hagrid, Neville Longbottom, and Mad-Eye Moody. Also a few Aurors he didn't know came in. McGonagall took her usual place at the head of the table and glanced around the room.
"As some of you know, I recently traveled to the States to recruit a new Teacher for this year's Defense class. I am pleased to say she has accepted and will also throw her support to the Order." This was met with a few grins. "Now onto other business. Kingsley. I believe you had several things to say."
Two hours later, all but a handful of the Order were dismissed. McGonagall said there was no reason for them to stay any longer. All that was left was to come up with a transport schedule for the new professor. Harry eyed her suspiciously for a moment, but relented. They filed out of the kitchen towards the fireplace so Neville could Floo home.
"See you at school in two weeks." Neville grinned as he stepped into the emerald flames and was gone. The rest of the group trudged up the stairs to their respective beds. Hermione was rooming with Ginny, and began filling her in on the points of the meeting, Bill and Fleur were across the hall from them. The other two bedrooms on that florr were the Twin's, who were staying for a week, and Charlie and Percy, who had to leave in the morning. Percy had finally made amends with his family and was now their insider at the Ministry. Up the next flight of stairs, the three boys had their room. Ron had ben reluctant at first to share a room with Draco, but they had finally seemed to come to an agreement of sorts.
Their room had been enlarged slightly to accomodate the three beds. Ron walked over to his, sat down, then got back up. "Hey mate, I'm not tired yet. I'm gonna go talk with my brothers 'fore they have to leave." Harry nodded.
"Alright, Ron."
Meanwhile, Draco had shed his shirt and pants again and had crawled into bed. He snuggled down into the soft mattress with a pleased sigh. He watched Ron leave and a smirk crept across his face. Grey eyes turned to where Harry stood, placing his glasses on the night stand before removing his shirt. Draco barely supressed a groan. Quidditch and training for the war had done wonders for his body. "Hey Harry..."
The other boy turned around. "Hmm?"
"You didn't have to take me in that day in Godric's Hollow. You had plenty of reasons not too. After all I haven't been all that friendly to you or the others in the past. I guess what I'm trying to say is thanks."
Harry smiled gently. "You're welcome Draco. Just don't get too soft on me. I wouldn't know what to do if you weren't still arrogant, self-centered, and thoroughly annoying." The two shared a laugh.
"Gee thanks Potter. I didn't realize I was all that bad..."
"You were."
"Come over here." He patted the empty space next to him. "I'm not really tired, and conversing across the room could strain my delicate voice."
"If that would be all it takes to shut you up.." Draco gave an indignant snort. Harry crawled into bed with the Slytherin. "Better?"
"Much." Draco purred, a smirk crossing his face.
Harry shuddered at the tone of his former rival's voice. "So..um..what did you want to talk about?"
"It seems to have slipped my mind..." I have you right where I want you. With that thought still in his mind, Draco pounced. Before the Boy-Who-Lived had the chance to yelp, he was pinned to the mattress by one very insistent blond. Draco wriggled his body against the one beneath him and was rewarded with a gasp. He was already aroused and could feel Harry's body responding as well. This is mutual, then...I had thought so.
"What are you doing, Draco?" Harry's voice was breathy. Merlin! He's hard! I can feel it against my stomach! That thought went straight to his groin.
"I'm seducing you, Potter. Cat and Mouse games aren't my style." With that said, he claimed the other boy's lips in a searing kiss. He moaned when Harry's tongue flicked across his lips requesting entrance. Draco complied and their tongues entwined in a sensual dance causing soft moans to emit from both boys.
They were interrupted all too soon by the door opening. A cry of "Merlin!" and a thud later, both boys looked up. Draco sat up, still straddling Harry's hips, and glanced at the prone form of Ron. "Do you think he's dead?"
"Probably."
Draco chuckled. "Looks like we traumatized the Weasel."
Harry only smiled and pulled Draco back down. "Now where were we..?" The Gryffindor purred and licked gently along the other's jawline. "We have awhile before he wakes up."