A/N: Thanks everyone for the great reviews, I'm glad you're enjoying the story. I will be explaining the mechanics of Harry being able to conceive in one of the upcoming chapters.
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter
Chapter 3: Gravity
The train ride back to Hogwarts was thankfully uneventful due to Harry's newfound ease with wards, for he only needed to visualize what wards he required and they shimmered into existence seconds later. He had yet to confront Ron and Hermione about the true nature of their friendship, but he wasn't in any rush to do so either. Just imagining their adamant denials and false pledges of loyalty was enough to give him a headache.
It was hard to say when he first realized something had gone wrong with their friendship, there were numerous little hints over the years that he always chose to ignore. Now that he knew the truth about their actions he wasn't able to say with any certainty that they had ever had a true friendship. They were players and he was a pawn, just another piece for Dumbledore to manipulate in the game of life.
The moment that truly destroyed his every illusion of their association was right before Christmas. Harry, who had just returned to the common room after a quick flight to relieve the building frustration from their failure to permanently rid the world of the uh-oh Oreo called Moldy Fart, had overheard a conversation between his two friends that rocked him to his core. His best friends, the two people who had been there through every single life threatening moment of the last five-and-a-half years, were immersed in a heated discussion about which of them should receive the majority of his assets when he inevitable died in battle. He remained frozen in place listening to their mercenary machinations for what seemed like ages before he forced himself to turn and leave the common room once more. He remembered heading straight to the room of requirement where he ended up analyzing every conversation they'd ever had until the sun fell and rose again on a new day.
Harry had begun pulling away from them after that day, not that they noticed or cared. Now there was nothing left of the once golden trio, and Hermione and Ron had not spoken to him since Riddle had been defeated. He did know that the two of them would be hanging all over him and once again pretending to be his friends in a pathetic attempt to soak up every last drop of fame-by-association that they possibly could. Well, he refused to let them. He was going to demand to be sorted again when they got to the castle, and once he was firmly ensconced in Slytherin they would no longer want anything to do with him. They might even go so far as to accuse him of turning dark.
To shake off his depressing thoughts Harry pulled out The Comprehensive Guide to Being an Ichobas, which Remus had bought for him at Flourish and Blotts during their shopping trip earlier that week. The majority of the text was dedicated to firsthand accounts of living as, or with, an Ichobas. The rest of it consisted of facts and figures, as well as the history of the Ichobas gene. Harry flipped to the beginning of the firsthand accounts and started reading, the world around him faded as he lost himself in the tales.
The sudden scream of the whistle as the train arrived at the Hogsmead station startled him so much that he ended up leaping from his seat with his wings stretched out wide behind him in response to the perceived threat. His tail puffed up, along with all of the hair on his body, making him appear to have stuck his finger in a light socket. Harry took a few minutes to calm himself down so that he could retract his wings. He then retrieved his book from the floor where it had fallen, placed it back in his trunk, dismantled the wards, and finally departed the train.
Harry kept watch for his former friends as he made his way through the throng of people milling around the carriages. Just as he arrived at the boarding area he heard Hermione's strident tone not too far away and quickly dove into the nearest carriage. Unfortunately he accidentally caught his foot on the edge of the frame and ended up sprawled face down across the lap of the current occupant.
A blush spread over him as he raised his head to look into the amused gaze of Draco Malfoy.
"Errm...Hi." He stammered nervously.
"I always knew that you would fall for me, Potter." The soft rumble of Draco's voice sent unfamiliar sensations shooting through Harry, making his blush deepen another degree.
The downfall of a certain maniacal oppressor had had an obvious effect on Draco. He looked more at peace and unguarded than Harry had ever seen him before. In addition to that were the physical changes – Draco would always be fair skinned, but his skin now sported a noticeable tan that greatly enhanced the already captivating beauty of his liquid silver eyes. The muscles in his lean body were now more defined than they were the previous year, and Harry was pressed so close against Draco that he could feel the play of those muscles with every breath Draco took. The sensation was intoxicating and Harry surprised himself by letting out a soft purr.
The jerk of the carriage as it started to move broke Harry from his daze and made him realize that he had been lounging across Draco's lap for a few minutes while he checked him out. Draco now bore a bemused expression as they peered into each other's eyes while the carriage rocked gently as it traveled onward. The reality of the situation finally hit Harry, he was now trapped with Draco until they arrived at Hogwarts in an hour's time.
Harry tried to scramble off his lap but only suffered more embarrassment when Draco had to grab him to prevent him from falling. All rational thought left him6, he let out an animalistic cry of frustration and started struggling against Draco's lap. Draco clutched him tighter in response and started stroking him from his head down to his lower back.
"Hush now, my little cat. It's alright. It might be best if you stay right where you are and get some rest considering how clumsy you currently seem to be."
Harry stilled and tilted his head in confusion. He had been hoping that he would finally be able to befriend Draco this year, but figured it would take some fancy footwork to make that happen. He had doubted he'd even be able to get Draco to remain in his presence long enough for it to be remotely possible. Now here he was, held in place on Draco's lap while the older boy gently caressed him.
Although he fought it for as long as he could, the constant soothing motion of Draco's hand was starting to lull him to sleep, and inevitably he succumbed to temptation.
Draco was amazed at the sight of a sleeping Harry Potter cuddled snugly in his lap. He was quite positive that he must still be asleep in his bed, and at any moment he would awaken from this sweet dream to the nightmarish reality of his family manor that still seemed to echo with maniacal laughter. The manor had been host to Voldemort for the last year of the war, so the downfall of the Dark Lord had been a huge relief for the Malfoy family.
Although the Dark Lord was using Malfoy Manor as his headquarters, Lucius Malfoy was not a true believer a true believer in Voldemort or his beliefs and so he was not negatively affected by the Dark Lord's death. Many people believed that Lucius was a cruel man who tortured others for fun, but Draco knew that his father was actually very warm and loving. When Draco had returned home for Christmas break during his first year at Hogwarts his father had called him into the library for a conversation that set the course of his life until Harry triumphed last year.
"Son, I know you have never understood why I instructed you to act so cruel and pompous when you're in public or at school, and I now believe that you are finally old enough for me to explain it fully. My parents raised me to believe that we Malfoys were better than everyone else, and though I did not agree with that sentiment I let my parents mold me into the visage of the person they wanted me to be.
You see my father, Abraxas, was a cold man who met disagreement with the back of his hand, so I acted as they wished while silently vowing never to make my son suffer as I did. Unfortunately that was not a vow that I could completely satisfy. Son I know how hard it must be on you to hide who you truly are from the world, but believe me that it is the only option right now.
When I was about fifteen my father started talking about an extremely ingenious pureblood who was going to change the wizarding world for the better. I did not pay much mind to it at first, but when I came home that summer Abraxas told me that I was to be conscripted into Lord Voldemort's group of followers known as Death Eaters. For the first time since I was a young boy I refused to bend to Abraxas' will. When I woke up two days later I had seven broken bones, three cracked ribs, and that repulsive mark upon my arm.
After that I was under the control of the mark but I was lucky to be strong enough to hold fast to my beliefs. You are going to hear people label me a murderer and they will be correct. However, what most people don't realize, is that I used my talent for legilimency to ensure that I only ever took the lives of those who had done evil themselves, such as rapists and murderers. I refused to participate in any other Death Eater activities, which only served to raise me higher in the Dark Lord's esteem.
This brings us back to why I wanted to talk to you. When the Dark Lord fell I knew deep inside that he was likely return one day to once again wreak havoc on our world, and there have been many whispers of late that indicate his return is imminent. I am considered his right hand man, and it is because of this that we must act in a certain way to ensure our safety. There are many in the Dark Lord's ranks who would love to see me cast out and themselves placed in my position. This is why you must act so in contrast to your true personality whenever you're not at home.
There is only one person in the world who has any chance of defeating the Dark Lord and that's Harry Potter. I know that you've had a fascination with him since you were a young boy, and you probably would have become friends if he hadn't been alienated by your public persona from the moment you met. I must ask you to not do anything to change the situation, in fact it might be best if you encouraged him to become your enemy. When the Dark Lord returns he will be intent upon Mr. Potter's death, and if you're a known ally of the boy then everything in his power to abuse that connection. If you somehow manage to resist his wishes it will mean our death. He will then use some kind of ruse to bring the boy to your aid and into his grasp. I fear that, if he manages to kill Mr. Potter, there will be no hope left for the wizarding world. As I said I hate to ask this of you, but I'm sure you understand why the restrictions I have placed upon you are so vital."
Draco had heeded his father's word, and his rivalry with Potter raged on relentlessly. At some indeterminate point in the last six years Draco's fascination with Harry had morphed into affection, and then love. With that love came heartbreak every time Draco saw hatred burning in Harry's eyes. Yet Draco continued to encourage Harry's disfavor because it allowed him to be close to Harry. As much as he despised the emotion behind it, he lived for the moments when all of that fire and passion was directed solely at him. During these moments the rest of the world faded away and they were each the center of the other's universe.
Draco scratched behind the two furry black ears that sprouted from the top of Harry's head, smiling when the boy purred loudly in his sleep and snuggled deeper into his embrace. The Dark Lord was no longer an issue which meant Draco could finally be who he truly was, and he was going to take full advantage of that fact. Harry was obviously part neko so Draco was going to make sure that Harry's creature instincts imprinted on him. Now that Draco finally had Harry in his arms he was never going to let him go.
A/N: I am not completely happy with this chapter, so please review and let me know what you think. All constructive criticism is welcomed.
