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Harry found himself wandering around the lake aimlessly it was his usual haunt now that his friends had apparently gone completely of the bend. He shook his head trying to ignore the reflection in the water that revealed a too thin boy with a haggard expression and dark circles under his eyes. He knew he knew that he was being attacked but his friends would just exchange looks and move on with the conversation. They didn't believe him that he was being poisoned but they were fully confident he could bring down the darkest wizard in a century. Perfect.
He sighed as he sat down at the base of the tree and contemplated the vast water before him. What was he going to do? Deatheaters were already attacking him and the year had barely begun, he believed Draco to be the Deatheater to blame with Snape helping with whatever potion they were feeding him. He rarely ate or drank now a day, asking Dobby to bring his food or grabbing it himself quickly. He could still feel the effects in his system and wished they had just killed him off.
He found his body unnaturally hot and uncomfortable… he brought his hand into a fist and clenched it tightly hoping that the self inflicted wounds from his nails would help him bring his fractured mind together. Crazy people didn't know that they were crazy right? Right? He shook his head again and found it made him dizzy. He had only a glass of water today so it was easy to reason out why.
Harry felt his lids starting to lower and snapped himself to attention by digging his nails into his hands. It was the only solution that seemed to work with any success was inflicting pain on himself. Then he could get a quick burst of energy and would help clear his mind. They were starting to get to him, the visions had changed to disturbing dreams that he couldn't withstand. They were attacking him on a different level now and he had no defenses.
Sure he had his share of crushes and interests but nothing strong enough to move his soul. These nightmares however were more than he was able to tolerate. They were filled with long limbs, tangled hair and gasping breaths mixed with low moans. He was disturbed as each time he dreamed the faces and voices became more familiar until he realized he was dreaming of nothing less than Lucius Malfoy and Voldemort…together…sexually…with him. This new type of warfare he was too vulnerable to and until he came up with a solution there was no choice but for him to avoid it all together.
Despite the fact that he had one option, Dreamless Sleep, there were problems with that course of action. Some of the dangers were addiction, dependency, and the danger of either brewing or stealing the potion. However as his few hours of sleep dwindled his reasons slowly faded as his mental stability was shredded further.
XXX
Draco Malfoy was watching from a distance, it was easy to see that Potter's sanity was slowly eroding but he was unsure of what the consequences would be. He was interested to see what the reactions would be but had no more time to watch Potter. He had informed them that his mission was completed and so had new work to do. He had however been watching Potter enough to overhear a few conversations between Potter's friends. It seemed that Hermione would convince Ron every time that he got suspicious that Potter was simply in his 'genius zone'. Whatever that was.
What had truly gotten his attention was that Granger seemed to be of the opinion that Potter was a latent genius. That didn't sound right from her. Weasley was used to being told he was wrong whenever he expressed his opinion to her and so noticed nothing. Draco however couldn't help but wonder who else was in the Dark Lord's plans.
When he had the opportunity he had chanced taking a hair from Granger's hair, only to watch as it lengthened and changed color. The finding made him smirk slowly. So he wasn't the only one ensuring that the Golden Boy would not be in the right state of mind for the foreseeable future. Who else was helping the process? Something told him that the hair was familiar but merely saved it and moved on with his day. After all…he did have work to do.
XXX
Harry lay curled in his bed with his bloodshot eyes staring widely into the darkness. It seemed he had finally gone off the bend. He was wide awake, the blood pooling in his palms confirmed that. He was now starting to think of them, the three of them; together when he was awake…he was seeing it.
He lay shaking on the bed as he stared up at the ceiling he could almost hear the internal clock that was keeping track of his sanity ticking off the seconds he had left. He tossed and turned, threw off his sheets, roamed the room like a wraith. He would have gone out into the halls, heading either for the room of requirement or the kitchens, but in his current state he was sure he had a high chance of getting caught. So instead all he could do was stay in his bed…and wait.
XXX
Lucius was pleased as he read over the latest letter from his son. It seemed that the Malfoy heir was doing both his father and his lord proud by continuing to supply Harry with the love potion. He was slightly started to read of Harry's supposed mental instability, but then again his son never did have the highest opinion of Potter's intelligence.
That brought his focus to the other notes in the letter, suggesting that Hermione was not herself. He smirked at that, he was sure that his son would notice but their Lord had not held the same opinion. Of course one did not simply tell the Dark Lord 'I told you so' no matter how close they were with him. He refolded the letter and decided he would deliver it to Voldemort in person; he was overdue for a visit as it was.
Voldemort turned when the door to his study opened. There was only one amongst his number who could enter without fear and this proved once again true as Lucius stepped in. In his hand he held a letter which Voldemort could only assume was from his son. "Good news?" He asked with a smirk.
Lucius bowed his head in answer as he held out the letter "Of course, Draco would not risk the shame and embarrassment of failing his mission."
Voldemort read over the letter, his eyes thoughtful as a small frown came onto his face "What is this about Potter's instability?" His red eyes looked up and demanded an answer from his long time, if subservient lover.
Lucius gave an elegant shrug "Draco has never held the highest esteem of Harry's intelligence." He said 'Harry' purposefully, to remind Voldemort that they were attacking the boy on a different front now.
When he saw no response he poured himself a brandy as he said out loud "One would think you would at least call our future lover by his first name." His silver eyes looked up into red ones, he was subservient that was true, but he was still a Malfoy.
Voldemort sneered and shook his head "That is too tender a term, we have merely found a vulnerable weakness to attack, it will prove beneficial in the end. "
Lucius once more regarded Voldemort "Even then, the potion does not create love only encourage it, if it is expected for the plan to work we should welcome him with some warmth."
The Dark Lord looked up with attention at this and neared his lover with long powerful strides as he cupped Lucius's chin roughly "I think that you are perhaps too eager to welcome him to our bed…perhaps I am merely a second choice?"
Lucius had learned long ago not to be cowed by his dark Love's shows of anger "Of course not." He said, his tone showing just how foolish he believed that thought to be. "After all why have a boy when you can have a Dark Lord?" He smirked and noted that his response relaxed his lover.
Voldemort turned away and said "True…though I do suppose he could have his charms if he was only rid of that ridiculous Gryffindor attitude."
Once again Lucius gave a shrug as he stepped forward "That potion has many abilities on the mind, perhaps we could …reeducate him in our tryst."
He wrapped his arms around his lover and whispered into his ear "Now enough about the boy…pay attention to me…"
XXX
Draco was once again keeping a sharp watch on his target: Potter. He almost felt as if he knew that young savior more than his friends did at this point, for all the attention they paid to him at least.
He would watch as Potter slipped away from casual conversations, meals, homework, or any time the tirade would get together, and each time he went to the same tree near the lake. Draco had known from his Father's responses to his letters and concerns that he did not think Draco's assessment of the Savior's deteriorating mental health to be serious. Now however he was wishing they had, he had written another letter to his father, warning him to make his move soon, but he did not think it would be soon enough.
XXX
Harry sat beneath the tree he had become overly familiar with and wondered at his surprising calm. Of course he knew that eyes were always watching him, that he was being attacked, if not outright poisoned by the enemy, and that his every step was haunted by that same enemy. However instead of his usual panic he was deadly calm. After all, when one had a plan, a firm destination in mind, it was hard not to be calm.
XXX
Draco was almost ashamed by the amount of concern he was feeling when he could not find hide nor hair of Potter anywhere. Of course his disappearance had been noted by his friends, but Draco had merely thought them uninformed. He would find Potter and continue his observations.
However after a full day of searching he came up with the same result they had, though he defended he had put more effort into it before admitting defeat. Potter was gone. He hurriedly penned a letter to his father, hoping that whoever else was working for the Dark Lord on this matter would assist him.
XXX
Lucius looked up from his letter and frowned when he saw the agitated state of his Lord and Lover. "Draco says that he has tried everything he can to locate the boy, but it seems as if he has simply vanished."
Voldemort said nothing but turned sharply to look at Lucius, only around his lover would ever reveal even the slightest emotions he was feeling. This much was obvious by the puzzlement on his face "Even with our connection I cannot find him…"
This time it was Lucius's turn to be surprised as he said "So he has really vanished?"
There was only stoic silence from the Dark Lord to answer Lucius's question…indeed, Harry Potter was gone.
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