Chapter Sixty-Nine
Sunday, September 20th
Gabriel woke the next morning feeling a little sore, but rather happy. Grinning, he went through his morning routine, trying to keep his mind on what he was doing and not on the feeling of Draco's hands on his body. Gabriel was looking forward to some time alone in the shower, but he'd slept in and most of the other boys were up and using the bathroom. Feeling good, and maybe a bit flirty, Gabriel dressed up a bit. The other boys had left for breakfast, so he took his time getting ready.
Gabriel strutted into the Great Hall, dancing slightly to music as always, his green and purple plaid kilt swaying around his thighs. His tight black tee-shirt clung to his chest and black Doc Martins completed the outfit. Gabriel smirked across the hall at Draco's shocked look and swayed his hips a little more with each step. "Good morning," he greeted, sitting down between Draco and Ivy and pouring himself a cup of tea.
"Good morning." Ivy giggled. "You look very nice this morning."
"Thank you, Ivy, and may I say that shade of blue looks ravishing on you," Gabriel replied making Ivy blush.
"Good morning, interesting choice of outfit." Draco took a sip of tea and kept his eyes on his paper.
"Do you think so?" Gabriel said innocently as he spread his legs so his half-bare thigh was pressed against Draco's. Smirking, he took a sip of tea and hummed softly. "I love jasmine tea."
Draco swallowed and forced himself to focus on his paper and breakfast. "You made the paper again," he said casually, knowing Gabriel didn't read the Prophet. "Apparently you were kidnapped and raised by Death Eaters. Rita Skeeter cautions us that at any minute you could go crazy and start killing everyone."
Gabriel snorted as he dished himself some bagel and lox. "Well, I was debating between going on a killing spree or going to the library to study this afternoon."
Blaise laughed, choking on his coffee. "Can we join you?"
"For which?" Gabriel asked spreading cream cheese on his bagel.
"Unfortunately, Mr. Dragonheart will be otherwise occupied this afternoon," Professor Snape said handing Gabriel a lavender-colored note. "The headmaster wants to see you; the time and password are in here."
Gabriel sneered at the note. "What does he want?"
"I don't know, but I will be there," Severus said placing a hand on Gabriel's shoulder and giving it a gentle squeeze.
"Thank you, Professor Snape."
Severus inclined his head and swept out of the room.
"I wonder what the old man wants," Pansy whispered.
"I have no idea, maybe he's going to take me out of sixth year classes," offered Gabriel turning back to his breakfast.
Draco, Blaise and Pansy shared a knowing look. So far the Headmaster had left the Boy-Who-Lived alone, but they had been waiting for him to come and talk to Gabriel. For several minutes everyone quietly enjoyed their breakfast, then Lucius Malfoy's owl landed before Draco. The owl was regal – a beautiful eagle owl, its feathers a tawny gold and its gaze fierce. Calmly Draco took the scroll and offered the owl a bit of bacon. She snatched it up and flew off. "I guess he doesn't require a reply," Draco muttered under his breath.
Taking a deep breath, he unrolled the scroll.
Dearest son,
Your dedication to your future makes me proud. I will do anything I can to support you; you only have to let me know. Please remember that a Malfoy never submits to anyone.
Father.
Draco rolled his eyes. So he can be with Gabriel as long as he doesn't take it up the arse. As if his father didn't bow and submit to a snake-faced madman. He jumped slightly when Gabriel put a reassuring hand on his leg. Rolling up the scroll, Draco carefully tucked it into an inner pocket of his robes. Looking around the Great Hall he noticed the others all busy with whatever they were doing and unaware that his life had just changed phenomenally. Taking a deep breath, Draco leaned over and placed his lips against Gabriel's ear.
"My father is fine with me starting a relationship with you." Smirking at Gabriel's shudder, he continued, "I guess the Slytherin in him likes the idea of his son being with the Savior of the Wizarding world."
Gabriel snorted at the title and turned his head, placing his lips a breath away from Draco's. "And do you like the idea of being with the Savior?"
"I like the idea of being with you," Draco whispered. "Kiss me. I want everyone to know you're mine." Gabriel obediently closed the distance between them and pressed his lips to Draco's. The kiss was soft and chaste; lasting only a moment, but it was long enough for most of the Great Hall to turn towards them in shock.
"Happy?" Gabriel asked as they turned back to their breakfasts.
"Rather," Draco said smugly.
Deciding to spend the morning alone, Gabriel and Draco hid among some trees on the shore of the lake. It was a lovely day out. The sun shone brightly, and the breeze was cool, letting them know it wouldn't be long until winter moved in.
"Tell me about yourself," demanded Draco, as he sat down on the grass.
Gabriel chuckled. "Ask me a question and I'll answer it, but I'm not just going to rattle on about myself."
Draco huffed, but lay back and asked, "What is your favorite place to visit?"
Gabriel groaned. "That's a really hard question. Every place has something unique about it. However, I like going to Switzerland and India to visit family." Propping himself up on an elbow, Gabriel looked down at Draco.
Reaching out, Draco took hold of the necklace Gabriel wore, "What does this mean? Where did you get it?"
Gabriel's face closed off a bit as he answered. "It means I will always be protected and I have help if I need it."
Draco sat up, looking carefully at the necklace. Quickly he realized the platinum and gold was an amulet, he could feel the subtle ancient power running through it. Etched into the metal was a dragon and unicorn curled into a yin yang symbol, with a phoenix wrapped around the outside framing them. "I've seen this somewhere before," he said absently. "Where is it from?"
"Sorry, that's a secret," Gabriel replied softly. Draco scowled, his gray eyes narrowing in irritation. "What does your father's letter say?"
"Fine, we will agree to have secrets." Draco pouted as he lay back down.
"If no one could tell you what to do, what would you choose to do with your life?" Gabriel asked changing the topic and hoping to get Draco back into a good mood.
Draco looked into the emerald green eyes suspiciously, but then let it go and settled back closing his eyes. "I want to become a Potions Master, which I can do, but if it is up to me then I'd focus on healing potions and medical research." Draco paused for a moment and then continued. "I also want a family, kids and stuff, maybe a couple of pets." He shrugged, keeping the rest of his dreams to himself.
"That sounds brilliant. I hope you get to make your dream come true," Gabriel said softly.
"What about you, what do you want?" Draco asked.
"I want to be with my family. I want a husband and children. Right now I don't know what I want to do professionally, but there are so many options, so who knows what I'll wind up doing." Gabriel grinned in a self-deprecating way. "Knowing me, I'll do a bunch of different things over my lifetime."
Draco chuckled and asked another question. For a while they asked simple questions: favorites – colors, flavors of ice cream, animals and such. Then Draco asked, "What is your best childhood memory?"
Gabriel wrinkled his brow in concentration. "That's hard; some of them are simple things. I wasn't treated well at my relatives' house, so when I went with my family I had a lot of firsts which stand out in my memory. However, I think my best moment was when my Dad and Baba asked me to be their son. We were in India visiting Ria's family. Vincent and Mudiwa had gone away for the weekend and when they came back I was crying because I wasn't sure that they would return." Gabriel blushed. "We sat under a large mango tree and they held me and told me they would never leave and asked if they could adopt me. I think it is the first time I felt completely loved and safe."
"Wow, I was going to tell you about riding a broom for the first time. It doesn't seem as special now," Draco said shyly.
"I've never ridden a broom, is it fun?"
"It's brilliant," Draco said, his eyes lighting up. "When I fly, I feel free and able to do anything. I was five the first time. It was a child's broom, but my dad ran next to me the whole time, making sure I was safe. He used to be really great." Draco closed his eyes as his face filled with sadness.
"I'm sorry that he's changed." Gabriel reached out and linked his fingers through Draco's, offering support and comfort. They lay there for a long time, quietly enjoying each other's company.
At one o'clock, Gabriel stood in front of the gargoyle that guarded the Headmaster's office. Sighing he said, "Treacle toffee," and stepped on the revealed staircase.
"Welcome, Gabriel. Please come in and sit down. Would you like some tea or a sherbet lemon?" Dumbledore greeted jovially.
Gabriel looked around the room. Remus and Sirius were there, along with Severus; the handsome black Auror who'd come to camp on his birthday; Mr. and Mrs. Weasley and the twins. "Good afternoon," Gabriel said politely as he walked towards where the twins were sitting. "I'm fine, no tea for me." Settling himself between the twins on a bright, flowered couch, he said hello to those he knew and waited. Only a few moments later, Professor McGonagall entered the Headmaster's office.
"Well, now that we are here we can get started. Gabriel, the people you see before you are members of the Order of the Phoenix, a group dedicated to stopping Voldemort and his Death Eaters," Dumbledore said with pride, his eyes twinkling madly. "Now I know there are bound to be some questions for you and as Arthur and Molly have been so patient, I would like them to go first."
"Why didn't you tell us?" accused Mrs. Weasley. "You knew we had been looking for you."
"I didn't know I had been born Harry Potter until I was eight, and by then my legal name was Gabriel. As for why no one else told you, it was to protect me," Gabriel answered, his voice without emotion.
"Why did they need to protect you from us?" Mr. Weasley asked placing a comforting arm around his wife.
"You saw me that first year; don't you remember what I looked like? How thin I was? How shy I was around people and about them touching me? Anyway, that was a whole year before you were even looking for me." Gabriel crossed his arms over his chest defensively, preparing to defend his family. All of the Weasleys gasped at this bit of information. Frantically they looked at each other, silently trying to figure out if this was true.
"What's important right now is that we have Harry Potter back with us where he should be," Dumbledore said sagely, trying to refocus the conversation.
"Why did it take you a year to tell us, Albus?" Mrs. Weasley asked, hurt in her voice.
Dumbledore sighed, putting on a mask of sorrow and regret. "I didn't know, Molly. The wards only fell after he'd been gone a year."
"We all thought you were checking on him," snarled Remus.
"It's something I have regretted every day since I found out he was missing."
"Knowing the truth would have changed the entire investigation," Kinsley said, shocked that Dumbledore had lied to them all.
"Why did you leave?" asked George.
"The Dursleys hated me and were cruel. My aunt was complaining to my uncle about the gypsies, calling them freaks – which is what she used to call me – so I decided to see if they would want me," Gabriel answered calmly.
Even knowing about Gabriel's past, Sirius and Remus both snarled at Gabriel's answer. The others gasped in shock, some even glaring at the Headmaster.
Albus cleared his throat; he needed to change the topic of conversation. "We cannot change the past, and the future is coming upon us quickly. Gabriel needs training to meet his destiny. Now, his professors tell me that he is doing quite well in his classes, despite not having started at eleven," Dumbledore began, effectively changing the topic. The adults completely ignored Gabriel as they heatedly discussed his future and education.
Gabriel snorted and leaned back on the couch. The twins settled in beside him and began whispering.
"You know far more than..." Fred began.
"... they think you do," George finished. Gabriel smiled; the twins always talked together when they were really excited about something.
"Don't try...''
"...and deny it…"
"…we won't tell."
"We want to offer..."
"...our assistance."
"With what?" Gabriel asked curiously.
"Well, we think pranks..." George started gleefully.
"...can be more than just fun," Fred finished with an evil chuckle.
Gabriel smirked. "That's brilliant, tell me more."
"We have these firecrackers..."
The three boys talked during the rest of the meeting completely ignored by the adults, with the exception of Remus and Sirius, who grinned at the three boys curled towards each other in heated conversation, and Severus, who glanced at them suspiciously from time to time.
An hour later the adults finally stopped talking, satisfied with their plans. "How does that sound to you?" asked Dumbledore eagerly.
Gabriel looked up from what he and the twins were doing. "I don't know. It's rude to eavesdrop on someone else's conversation, so I wasn't listening."
Blushes and nervous laughter followed this statement as they realized they had completely left Gabriel out of their plans. "Sorry about that, my boy; we are going to begin training you more extensively after the winter break. This gives you time to learn more of the basics before getting into more complicated magic."
Gabriel raised an eyebrow. "I'll need a list of what you want to teach, who will be teaching me, and at what times. I'll send it to my fathers for their approval and let you know."
"Excuse me, young man, but who says you have any say in this?" Kingsley demanded.
"Is the Auror department in the habit of forcing training on minors without parental consent?" Gabriel asked.
Most of the adults looked at him in shock; Severus, however, was looking at him with pride. Gabriel had to stop himself from grinning.
"But… but you're different," stuttered Kingsley.
"Does that mean I am not given the same consideration or protection as the other students of this school?"
"We didn't mean to imply anything of the sort," Dumbledore insisted. "The training we want you to do is for your safety."
Gabriel snorted. "Please, I'm not stupid. You want to train me to destroy Voldemort for you. Well, my parents should have a say in what you're teaching me and how much time you expect me to spend training, especially if I'm supposed to continue with my regular class load."
No one could respond to that and just looked at each other helplessly.
"Give me a timetable and I'll be happy to send it on to my fathers for them to look over. Until then, I think we're done." Gabriel stood gracefully and walked to the door. "Have a good afternoon."
"'Bye, Gabriel," chimed the twins together.
"'Bye, Fred, 'bye, George, I'll owl you."
Gabriel wanted to go to the Room of Requirement, but he knew people would be looking for him, especially Severus and Draco. Thirty minutes ago he'd left the Headmaster's office and stormed into the Slytherin common room. He went to his dorm, changed into black cotton exercise pants and a black tee shirt with a picture of Kali on the front, grabbed his weapons bag and stereo, and stormed back out again. Despite the fact that the common room was mostly empty, Gabriel was sure Draco and Severus knew about his odd behavior. He'd found an empty classroom, and after turning his stereo up so it was blasting the music, he began to work off his temper. Thankfully he had enough training to force himself to stop and stretch properly before beginning, because he was planning on pushing himself. Afro Brazilian rhythms echoed through the room, the wild drums helping him push his body and flow through the movements.
Draco had left the library as soon as the third year told him about Gabriel's behavior. He wasn't sure where to start looking, but remembering Gabriel had asked about space to work out, he planned on checking empty rooms in the dungeons. As he searched the lower dungeon, Draco saw Severus standing in the hallway seemingly staring at a door.
"Professor Snape, is everything all right?"
"Hello, Draco. I think we are fools."
Draco's eyebrows rose in surprise, he'd never seen his godfather so distracted. Walking closer, he turned and looked at the door. "Oh Merlin, he's amazing!" Severus had charmed the door so he could see through it, and there was Gabriel in all his glory. He was a blur of motion. Draco guessed he held two swords, but Gabriel's movements were so fast Draco couldn't get a good look at them. Sweat glistened on his face, his chest heaving as he kept up with the movements. He appeared to float across the floor as he attacked invisible targets. Lights flashed from the weapons in his hands. Draco tried to figure out what the colors meant, or if there was a pattern.
As if sensing his godson's confusion Severus said, "I think they are spells, not full spells, but as if he normally casts through the swords and is thinking of what he would cast, but he isn't really intending to."
"Are those swords made like wands?" Draco asked in amazement.
"No, I've held them; they're just oak," Severus replied, his voice a hoarse whisper.
"Do you know how powerful he is?"
"I've never thought to look, have you?"
Draco paused while he watched Gabriel cartwheel three times and bounce up, blades ready. "Yeah. I've looked at his aura. Most of the time it doesn't look powerful at all, but every now and then it will pulse with a bright golden light."
"Well, shall we?" invited Severus as he turned his focus to be able to see the magical energy. Neither man could speak, as Gabriel's aura was revealed to them. The sixteen-year-old boy was surrounded by bright, clear, golden light, which sparkled with rainbows like sunlight on freshly fallen snow. It was so awesome, neither one could do anything but watch. Slowly they saw Gabriel's aura glow and begin to spike with wild, bright flashes of color.
"He's losing control of his magic," said Severus as he changed his focus. Gabriel was still training, his movements clean but tainted with anger.
"We have to get to him," Draco exclaimed as he reached for the door handle. The door was locked, and as if he could sense their presence Gabriel turned towards the door. His green eyes glowed with power and the air shimmered around his body. Violently, he gathered up his things, grabbed onto the teardrop of amber that hung around his neck, and vanished.
"Bloody hell!" Draco yelled as the door opened and he fell into the room. The air was alive with magic, and Draco could feel Gabriel's presence in the room. It made him giddy and comfortable at the same time. "Where did he go? Is he okay?"
Severus rubbed his temples. "He's fine and he went to train with an old friend. Come along, you can help me with some potions for Madam Pomfrey."
Draco snarled in frustration as he followed his godfather back to his room; he hated not knowing what was going on. Gabriel had better have a good explanation, he thought, and then realized that to ask he would have to explain how come he and Severus were spying on him. Draco's scowl deepened. Merlin's scrote!* He wouldn't be getting any answers anytime soon.
Gabriel landed with a thud, his anger and frustrations making him lose focus. Normally he never got this angry, but the past three weeks and been more difficult than he'd thought they would be and the meeting today simply pushed him over the edge. Twirling, he heard the door open as Lysander rushed into the room.
"Gabriel..." Lysander began, trailing off as he felt the power and agitation coming off his friend.
Stalking towards the vampire Gabriel snarled, "I need you to fuck me or fight me. I don't care which but it needs to be hard and fast and now!"
Lysander started to smirk and then the scent of Gabriel hit him making his eyes flutter. Power, life, and magic mixed with the fragrance of hot, rich blood. Lysander's teeth lengthened; he hadn't eaten yet today and the smell was making him hungry. Pulling in all of his self-control, he opened his blue eyes. "I'm more than happy to fight you, Gabriel, but I need to feed first."
Gabriel brought up his hand, his fingers glowing softly. "Too bad. If you can pin me down, then you can eat." Throwing a spell, Gabriel followed quickly behind it kicking Lysander in the stomach.
Lysander growled, fangs glinting in the light. "You asked for it, little boy."
Punches, kicks, and spells began to fly. Gabriel put all of his anger and frustration into each strike. Since his birthday, he'd been pretending to be something he wasn't. Sirius and Remus had kept close watch over him and 'taught' him about the benefits of being a wizard. Now, at school it was a constant put-down to squibs, Muggles and Muggle-borns – to the extent that they hid, trying to act and be just like the magically-raised. Seamus said last week was the first time they had ever played a Muggle game at Hogwarts. This afternoon had just pushed him too far, and the anger and frustration he'd kept stuffed inside of him couldn't be held in for one more minute. He was jerked out of his thoughts as Lysander hit his jaw and sent him across the floor. Rolling over his back, he jumped onto his feet and flinched at the feral look on Lysander's face; maybe he had pushed the vampire a bit too far. Oh well, it was too late now.
Running, Gabriel leapt, his shoulder hitting Lysander just under his ribs and sending them both to the ground. Before they even stopped moving, the two men were locked in a wrestling match.
"I will have your neck, Little Angel," hissed Lysander.
Gabriel shuddered, not sure if it was more excitement or fear, and focused on getting away. Twisting, Gabriel got his hands under him and managed to push up enough to scramble out from under the strong blond. He was almost free when an iron hand gripped his ankle and pulled him back. Gabriel kicked out, making contact with a firm chest and managed to get away. Back and forth they fought each other, until thirty minutes later Gabriel felt exhaustion seep into his body. He had managed to purge his anger, and now he was emotionally and physically drained. Lysander seemed to sense this and with a wicked smirk he pounced on the raven-haired boy and effortlessly pinned him to the floor. Their eyes locked; slowly, Lysander reached his hand across Gabriel's chest and gripped his chin, turning it to the side exposing the vulnerable neck.
Gabriel stiffened, but then relaxed. After all, it was his fault they were in this position. Lysander growled low in his throat as the boy beneath him became compliant. Slowly he lowered his mouth and lapped at the salty skin, his eyes fluttering closed at the feeling of Gabriel's heartbeat under his tongue. Lysander pulled back just enough to fully extend his fangs and to give Gabriel time to protest. He wasn't completely lost, he was two hundred years old after all, but he remembered the taste of Gabriel's blood and wasn't going to pass up an opportunity for more. When Gabriel didn't protest, Lysander struck, sinking his fangs into the warm, supple flesh beneath him. Moaning, he gripped Gabriel tighter as the powerful, delicious fluid coated his tongue and ran down his throat, energizing his entire body. Gabriel had gasped in pain at the strike, but was now moaning and writhing in pleasure. Lysander moved his leg so Gabriel could rut his hard cock against his thigh. Few knew of the pleasure a vampire's bite could bring.
Drinking deeply, Lysander lost himself to the pleasure and vitality of Gabriel's blood. Gabriel clutched at him, rolling his pelvis, seeking friction. Lysander could feel and taste how close he was to coming. Giving a few hard sucks made Gabriel scream out his pleasure as his body convulsed, coming hotly between them. Lysander licked the wound closed, his body feeling thick and languid with contentment. Shifting to the side, Lysander lay down draped across Gabriel's sated body; both fell asleep on the hard floor.
Gabriel moaned. His body hurt, he desperately needed a loo, and something was pinning him to the ground. Slowly he opened his eyes, trying to get his bearings. Seeing Lysander sleeping on his shoulder brought everything back in a rush and he flushed hotly in embarrassment.
"There is nothing to be embarrassed about," Lysander drawled, his voice heavy with sleep.
"I should have been in better control," Gabriel argued. "I have been training for Hogwarts. I knew what I'd have to do."
Lysander sat up a bit so he could see Gabriel. "Despite all your training you are only sixteen. You're allowed to get angsty."
Gabriel rolled his eyes and sat up, groaning as his body protested the movement. He grimaced as his clothes pulled on his bits, his come having dried and stuck them there. "Gross! I need a shower."
Lysander wrinkled his nose. "Seriously, you reek something awful."
"Thank you for that," Gabriel snarked. "Can I take a shower before I go?"
"'Course you can. Come on, I have some clothes you can wear, too," Lysander said standing up. "I want you to know that you can come here any time you need to. I can always use a snack as delicious as you." Lysander laughed as Gabriel blushed again.