A Flower's Magic

Summary: Translated from Umbre77's. Captured by Voldemort, Harry has no other choice than accepting defeat. But Draco Malfoy, for his part, doesn't want to die! Even if it means changing the past to save himself! Slash

PS: This takes place before the Deathly Hallows

Author's Note: okay, so I hope this chapter will be to your liking. The story is a bit stagnant, but it will accelerate in… 2 chapters (so about a month…).

Good news, this week I finished chapter 20! I'm going to start chapter 21!

Another good news, as punishment for making a friend read an entire fic (I wanted an advice and she was tortured by the pairing of Harry and…) I have to write a HPDM with, as main character, a manly wolf (special request). Though, in the end, I find it convenient because I wanted to give you a HPDM as a goodbye gift. So I have two goodbye fics… Damn, my retirement seems so far away!

I don't know when I'll post it but I'll try to get a maximum down… but it will come!

So we'll see each other…

Translator: Layrel, I own nothing!

Beta reader: Little Karma

oOo

Chapter 3: Augustus Poiret

The Great Hall decorated for Christmas, in twenty years, had quite changed. When in Voldemort's time, it had no Christmas tree and the magical ceiling showed only heavy clouds and rain, in 1971 a fine snow powder was falling and huge Christmas trees adorned the room. A huge smile broke on Harry' face upon the sight. Next to him, Malfoy was walking slowly with his hands in his pockets and a petulant look.

"Come on, Drake," said Harry, smiling, "don't make such a face. It's only borrowed clothes. Plus, you almost managed to pull the crest off, it's barely noticeable."

"Stop lying, Promise." Replied Malfoy. "It's unmistakable! Fuck, thankfully my father's not here, he would have had a heart attack!"

Harry snickered lightly. He was wearing the Ravenclaw crest and even if nothing was further from his own house, he didn't care. Malfoy, on the other hand, was cursing loudly the badger's crest that was still firmly attached on his clothes.

"Such disgrace, I tell you!"

"Drake, smile! Even if, technically, our parents aren't here, the professors still are. And I bet with such a face, they will recognize your father in a second!"

"You're one to talk, with your hair and spectacles!"

"I can't take my glasses off but you can smile. So do it!"

The blond sighed but pulled off a big fake smile. Harry laughed and continued on. The four tables were completely empty, but the professors were all present. They were all watching them walk forwards, along with the four students left.

"Drake, Ash!" started Dumbledore. "We were waiting for you! Come, sit down!"

Harry listened and found the closed chair he could. He ended being next to a tall and thin man, about 6"5. In front of him, professor Slughorn offered him a smile.

"Hello, young man. And you are…?"

"Ash Promise. Nice to meet you."

"Horace Slughorn. I am the head of House Slytherin and potions professor. Do you like potions?"

"A little." Answered Harry. "I wasn't very skilled for my first teacher, but the second one seemed to believe I had a certain talent for it…"

"Really? That's interesting. And who were your professors?"

Harry blanched, catching Dumbledore's attention.

"Come now Horace, leave the young boy eat. He seems to be starving."

"Oh yes, sorry…"

"That being said," intervened McGonagall, "I still do not know where you come from."

"America" answered Malfoy.

"Amelia Geer sent them." Continued Dumbledore. "They are just passing through, Augustus is supposed to pick them up soon…"

"Augustus?" asked McGonagall. "Poiret? That old fool?"

"There, there, Minerva, a little respect for Augustus. It s true his ideas are not always sound, but he is no fool all the same…"

Dumbledore gave the mashed potatoes to an interested Harry.

"No fool?" continued McGonagall. "Are we still talking about Augustus Poiret? The one who managed to blow up a Gringotts vault? The one who amused himself by trying to tame a dragon to become his… what was it? His horse?"

"Hmm, yes, I have to admit his ideas are not always good, but he is a great wizard. And, this is a request from Amelia, I cannot in good conscience refuse, can I?"

The head of Gryffindor seemed to leave it at that and grumbled. Harry, for his part, was vaguely wondering if they would be staying with this Augustus Poiret for a bit, before meeting with their mysterious teacher. From the face Malfoy was pulling, he was afraid of that.

"So you won' be staying then?" asked the small Gryffindor present.

"No." answered Malfoy. "We have a long journey in front of us."

"That's cool!" said the Ravenclaw. "I'd like to travel too!"

"In muggle schools, sometimes you have field trips." Intervened Harry.

"Really?" asked the Ravenclaw. "They're lucky!"

"Well, it depends." Said Harry. "Because if you don't like the destination, you don't have a choice, the trip is mandatory so you have to go."

"But how can you not like a destination?"

"Imagine that the trip can be in the middle of a volcano." Said the Hufflepuff.

"But that's impossible!"

"And why not?"

"Because that's dangerous!"

"So?"

The adults laughed in front of their argument.

"Actually, I was thinking of a place where the weather is bad." Intervened Harry. "Or a forest, for example. Would you like going on a trip in the Forbidden Forest?"

"Oh yes!" said the Gryffindor.

"Oh no!" exclaimed the three others.

Once more, laughter was heard.

"You seem to get along well with kids, Ash." Signalled his neighbour, the tall man.

"Yes, pretty well. I find them amusing." Answered Harry, smiling.

"There is something useful." Said the Headmaster.

All looked at him, questioning, but he simply served himself some chicken and started eating. Draco and Harry exchanged a puzzled look. The twinkle in his eye had not gone unnoticed.

oOo

An empty Hogwarts could be interesting when you were a student there. You could walk along without worrying much. Every nook and cranny belonged to you. But when adulthood showed up, being alone in Hogwarts turned out to be agony – at least for Draco and Harry. Even if they had come to an agreement, they couldn't prevent disputes, especially given the boredom they suffered. Neither of them knew what to do while waiting for Augustus Poiret.

From what Dumbledore said, he should come before the end of Christmas break and bring them to his home. There, the mysterious teacher, a certain Fixe, would lead them to the place where they would live. The old headmaster steadfastly refused to be more precise.

Annoyed after another argument with the blond who was now his combat partner, Harry went out on the grounds, ignoring the ambient cold. He was still wearing the Ravenclaw uniform given to him and it was not the best for walking outside. As he walked in the snow, he heard the delighted cries of the children and naturally headed towards them. A smile spread on his lips when he saw Hagrid playing with the kids.

"Well, there are some who aren't bored here." He whispered, looking at the thick snow wall the half-giant had built.

He sat down on an old log and watched them. Quickly, he started laughing in front of the faces the children were making. He almost envied their innocence. After a moment, Hagrid left the kids to their game and came up to him.

" 'ello, Ash." He said.

"Hello, Hagrid. How are you?" answered a smiling Harry.

"Ve'y good, 'nd ya?"

"Good… I'm a bit bored!"

"Yeah, Hogwarts isn't 'eally animat'd du'ing the 'olidays. 'tis a pity you 'ave to leave before the students com' back. I'm sure you'ld 'ave some fun."

"I'm sure." Answered Harry.

He heard footsteps behind him and noticed Draco coming in his direction. The latter sat heavily next to him with a sigh.

"That's where you were hiding." He said, annoyed. "Hello, Hagrid."

" 'ello, Drake"

Harry laughed inwardly. Seeing Malfoy greet Hagrid politely was one unusual sight.

"Won't you stop laughing?" hissed the blond. "I'm making efforts here. We agreed on a truce didn't we?"

"I thought it was a peace treaty?"

The blond shrugged.

"It's the same thing anyway." He said, watching the students. "Damn, the luck they have…"

Harry jumped at that. He agreed with him, but it was surprising to know they were thinking the same.

"Yes, I'd like to be like them…"

Draco looked at him with a hint of surprise but nodded.

"Hey, aren't you cold?" asked Hagrid.

"Hmm?" said Draco. "Oh, not really, Ash is a powerful hot-water bottle…"

"Hey!" complained the brown haired boy, only then noticing that they were stuck together. "You're the hot-water bottle, idiot! I fell hot every night because of you!"

The blond lifted an eyebrow, making Harry nervous. What? Had he said something wrong?

"M. Promise? M. Manfred?"

They both turned around to see McGonagall heading their way.

"Yes?" asked Harry as he stood up.

"Augustus has arrived."

The two young men looked at each other. They were finally going to meet the famous Augustus Poiret!

"Oh, well… Goodbye, Hagrid." Said Harry to the half-giant.

"Bye." Said the man, kindly. "I'm happy to have met you two. Good luck with him!"

They thanked him then followed the head of Gryffindor in the snow.

"In your mind, P…romise, how is this Poiret?"

"I don't know but we'll see pretty soon. What I'm wondering is how is the next person…"

Draco nodded and both quickened their steps to get in the castle. McGonagall led them to the headmaster's office, where they entered after knocking. There, a man of big stature, with a face covered in thin scars, was roaring with laughter in front of an amused Dumbledore.

"Always ready for a joke, Albus." Said the man.

He stopped talking when he saw them entering and looked them over. His brown eyes scanned them from top to bottom as Harry and Draco did the same. Augustus Poiret was a muscled man, with a thick and overwhelming body. He wasn't really tall, but physically strong. Harry vaguely wondered if Hagrid would be hurt after a punch from Poiret. He wouldn't be surprised if he were.

"So here are the two boys I have to take home for a day. Well… they're skinny like a pair of chicks. Do you feed your students?"

"Yes, very well even. But these two are special."

"Oh I don't doubt that if you want me to take them to You-Know-Who…"

McGonagall frowned at that.

"But, oh well, I don't discuss orders, especially when you're the one asking. So brats, ready to go?"

"Yes." Answered Harry as Draco said: "Have to."

"Good, so let's go. I left our means of transport outside, in front the gates."

"Oh, professor, about my box…"

Harry shut up as the headmaster indicated it with a hand.

"I took the liberty of placing the object in its place. It will wait for you here; I think it is for the best… If its owner was to… 'ask' someone to make sure it was still here and it wasn't, that would be bad, would it not?"

Harry frowned then conceded the point.

"Yes it would. Please watch over it." He said.

"I will." Promised the headmaster. "Good luck to you. I will await your return on the 1st of September 1977. Farewell."

"Farewell."

Augustus Poiret hadn't waited for them. He had already left the office and the two young men had to run after him.

"Do you realise we're leaving with someone we don't even know to meet someone else named Fixe in some unknown location?"

"I do." Answered Harry.

"And that doesn't frightens you?"

"Not really…"

"You're crazy, you know that?"

Harry simply laughed in answer. They exited the castle at the same time and hastened along the path leading to the gates. Augustus Poiret was not far in front of them.

"What is the mean of transport, do you think?"

Harry shrugged. He had no idea. As long as it wasn't a dragon…

When they arrived to the gates, though, Harry couldn't help laughing. Next to him, Draco had blanched, if that was possible.

"Ash… Tis is a joke, right?"

"I don't think so, Drake…"

"But…"

"We have no other choice."

"Yes but…"

"No!"

The blond let out a long sigh.

"Mercy, please everything but that!"

"You're afraid of hippogriffs, kid?" asked Augustus. "If that's the case maybe you shouldn't train under Fixe…"

"I'm not scared!" exclaimed the blond. "Let's just say we're not… on good terms."

Harry just laughed as he bowed in front of the animals. The latter responded and he approached it.

"You're being ridiculous, Drake. A hippogriff is not dangerous, you just have to bow before anything else!"

"Put on the cloak on its back." Said Augustus as Harry was going to climb. "We're going to Bulgaria and you could get cold."

The brown haired boy nodded and put on the thick purple cloak. A sensation of intense warmth surrounded him instantly and he shivered in satisfaction. Magic was awesome. Without hesitation, he jumped on the back of the animal, surprised to fell a saddle underneath him. Augustus had been thoughtful.

"Come on, Blondie. Only have to bow and that's it!"

Draco threw him a hateful glare then sighed. Cautious, he approached the last hippogriff left and bowed. He waited at least five minutes before the walking chicken deigned answer him and he approached, still as distrustful.

"Pet him a bit." Advised Harry, perched on his steed. "He noticed your suspicion so he does the same. Go on!"

The blond rolled his eyes at that but listened and petted the animal's neck with a trembling hand. He jumped a bit at the softness of the feathers and the hippogriff quickly turned its head towards him. Draco had a vague movement backward but upon seeing he wasn't attacked, kept his petting. Contrary to his beliefs, it wasn't awful at all. He quickly took pleasure in putting his hand on the animal's neck, then its' back. Seeing that, Augustus stepped closer.

"Ok, you can get on, he trusts you. Put the cloak on before!"

Draco obeyed and wrapped himself in the cloth. Then, though with a little hesitation, he climbed on the hippogriff. The latter let out a piercing screech but didn't kick out. Draco relaxed slowly and wriggled a bit to find a good position.

"Good, now that we're all set, let's go. Hold on tight and don't fall asleep! Go!"

He clapped thrice with his hands, and in a supple movement, the three hippogriffs took off. Draco and Harry both let out a surprised cry. The former was more worried while the second was clearly enjoying himself, but they didn't care. They were both too busy watching Hogwarts fall in the distance. They would be back in three years, if everything went well.

oOo

The castle had quickly disappeared, despite their best efforts to see it for as long as possible. They both knew that leaving Hogwarts would be difficult, especially since they were both eager to start on their mission, to kill Voldemort, once and for all. But Dumbledore's words were wise and they accepted to leave to come back stronger, more ready.

Even if they knew hippogriffs flew rapidly, Harry knew they would not arrive in Bulgaria before a while. He was also surprised the ministry accepted that mean of transportation. His surprise quickly vanished when Augustus asked them half an hour latter to fly above the clouds, and they went higher.

For having once stole a flying car, Harry was happy for the cloaks, otherwise they would have frozen, more so in Bulgaria which wasn't known for its warm temperatures.

The flight, the movement of the wings and the wind allowed no conversation, which bothered him greatly. First because he grew bored, and second because he was dying to ask a million questions about Fixe. Who was he? How would they train? Did he really know enough about horcruxes? Would he be able to take out the one in his body without killing him?

That last question, before any other, troubled him. Harry had no wish to die, quite the contrary. He wanted to live; especially knowing he had a chance to save his parents, his godfather, Remus and everyone else. Of course, nothing would ever be the same. He wouldn't become friends with Ron and Hermione. He would probably never be able to call James and Lily Potter 'mom and dad'. But he would be able to know them, talk to them, watch them bring up another him… How weird it would be to have a little Harry Potter under his eyes, see him grow up, mature surrounded by his parents… And if by some misfortune they died, he would bring him up himself! No way would he leave himself to Petunia and Vernon! After all, he also had his family's blood in his veins! He would be able to look after himself, thank you very much!

But for that, he had to live and conquer the thing within himself. Vanquish Voldemort… a shiver of excitement ran down his back and he had to contain himself from growling menacingly. This time, he would succeed. He was more than one step ahead of the dark Lord. He knew precisely where was each horcrux. And most of all, he knew how to destroy them. He would fail this time… because now, they would be no turnings back possible. They would be no second time travel.

"We're above the ocean!" shouted Augustus, making him jump. "So if you have the smart idea of falling down, don't do it now!"

Harry burst out laughing upon hearing that. The man seemed to be quite peculiar. He vaguely wondered how he would die… After all, if he had never met him, there must be a good reason, right? His face grew sombre. Would he be able to handle the nightmares this Voldemort would give him? Was their link present in this time too? He feared that it was, which wasn't reassuring.

Sighing, he glanced at Draco. The latter was hung on his hippogriff and looking straight ahead of him, looking thoughtful. Since the beginning of their journey, and even if they had had a few altercations, Harry had noticed how changed he was. Draco was calm, silent. Of course, he was still as arrogant and vain as ever, but he didn't despise him anymore. He didn't look at anyone like they were lesser than him. Whatever he had faced in Voldemort's dungeons, it had deeply changed him.

"He's also alone now…"

Harry shivered. They were alone, that was true. Neither of them had anyone, currently. They were the last survivors of a time that would never come to pass. That simple fact drove them to get along well with each other. Neither wished to cut their last link to their past.

"At least, he's bearable now…I wonder how long it will last…"

Feeling himself being observed, Draco turned his head in his direction. He lifted an eyebrow, questioning, and Harry waved him off. There was no use in trying to talk during the trip. Also, he had no wish to confess to the main interest that he wanted him to stay as close as possible because he felt lonely… No, he would never tell his thoughts to Draco Malfoy!

oOo

Augustus told them to start descending towards the ground as the night had fallen a long time ago. Harry's eyes were shutting on their own and he vaguely wondered if they were there. Bulgaria was far away but hippogriffs were fast. With some luck, they would be able to sleep in warm beds.

And, in fact, as they were leaving the protective cover of the clouds, Harry noticed a thick and dark snowy forest. However, inside, he could guess a triangle of light emitting from a small house. Augustus waved and the hippogriffs rushed towards the house. Harry tightened his grip on his animal's neck and heard Malfoy grunt in wariness not far away. When they finally landed, Harry almost got knocked off. His frozen body was the only thing that kept him saddled. Next to him, Draco didn't seem any better.

"We're there, finally" said Augustus. "Pooh, come on kids, up! I'm sure a hot meal and a bed will sit better with you!"

Dazed, they watched Augustus jump swiftly from his saddle. He was still fresh and was whistling as if they had just had a simple walk in the park.

"We look like two old men," blew Draco, next to him. "Especially when he's like this!"

Harry strongly approved. It was true, he felt old when looking at Augustus. The man had taken his saddle of the hippogriff. He cast some spell on it and it flew towards the house.

"Come on brats, get down!"

Getting off their saddles involved a lot of whimpers and some grumbling. Augustus quickly rid the hippogriffs of the saddles. Then, he told them to go home and the three animals obeyed, stamping on the ground. They disappeared in the forest, under the tired but thankful eyes of the two boys.

"For a first flight, that was cool." Yawned the blond. "Long, tiring, but cool."

"Yeah." Answered Harry. "Damn, I'm dead tired…"

His neighbour nodded strongly.

"And you're only seventeen?" asked Augustus, watching them. "You're not very resilient. Fixe will have it tough with you two!"

The two young men exchanged a glance, worried: training promised to be painful!

Augustus shrugged and waved at them to go inside. Neither of them moving, he sighed and led the way. Instantly, they followed.

Augustus' house was pretty and warm. When they entered, they both had an impression of warmth and softness surrounding them. Instantly, they relaxed, relieving their sore muscles.

"You must be starving." Told them Augustus. "My elf should have something to eat, come on."

The two boys didn't hesitate in following him in the hallway, then the living room. There, a table was set for three, full of steaming and delicious-looking food. They both had a hard time waiting for the permission to be sited and throw themselves at the food.

"It's not going to run away. Eat slowly or you'll get sick!" told them Augustus.

They listened, though with some difficulty. Everything was delicious, almost too much. They couldn't stop and quickly, their stomachs were full to the extreme, as their mouths refused to open to eat anything more.

"Well… What was I saying, the old man isn't feeding you!"

They both laughed upon hearing him talk about Dumbledore in such a way.

"But well, he's a good wizard so we won't criticise hmm? Drink now…"

Two magnificent cups appeared in front of their plates.

"It's wine." Said Augustus. "I make it myself. It's supposed to have digestive qualities… I don't know about it, I just drink it and that's all! But with everything you ate, you might throw up during the night… So drink it all."

Once again, although with more precaution, they listened. The red liquid seemed good and sugary, and they drank it to the last drop.

"Fixe should be here tomorrow." Stated Augustus. Except if she comes on foot, but I doubt it… Anyway, I 'll show you your room. You seem dead on your feet."

He got up to lead them through the house and Harry, like Draco, felt like he would never be able to get up, he felt that good. His belly was full and the wine gave him a feeling of well-being and sleepiness. He still followed, with great difficulty.

"Here's your room." Said Augustus. "I only have two, so you'll sleep together. Alright?"

They both shrugged. They had slept together at Hogwarts and it hadn't bothered them, far from it. Neither would want to confess it but sleeping together felt oddly soothing. Frightened as they were of this time, by the loss of their loved ones, they unconsciously hang on to the other. Being next to each other during the night was reassuring.

"Good night, brats." Continued Augustus. "I left some pyjamas on the bed. Sleep well!"

They nodded and entered the room. It was smaller than the one at Hogwarts, but oozed a feeling of comfort and protection. Without any embarrassment, they both changed in the pyjamas, facing each other. Finally, they fell on the bed. Lying on their backs, one next to the other, they stared at the ceiling.

"Potter?" whispered Draco, as if he thought Augustus was still here.

"Hmm?" answered Harry, eyes half closed.

"Aren't you scared at all? About Fixe? And Augustus? And… what awaits us?"

Harry kept silent. He looked at the ceiling a short moment, then sighed. Quietly, he turned towards his neighbour.

"I am scared." He said. "I'm terrorised. But I prefer to forget about it… otherwise it would be worse."

Next to him, Draco turned to face him and nodded.

"We'll help each other, right? You'll help me?"

"Yes." Answered Harry. "And you'll help me too."

The blond approved and they smiled.

"It's weird." Whispered Harry. "We stuck together like desperates…"

"Ah… you noticed."

"Of course. It's a relief to know I'm not the only one dependant on the other…"

Draco made face pure made in Malfoy and shrugged, looking indifferent. Harry only laughed. He moved a bit to get the covers from under him and Draco did the same. Soon, they were both tucked in the bed.

"Good night, partner." Said Harry. "Tomorrow, we'll get down to business."

"Good night." Answered Draco.

They smiled at each other and closed they eyes. It only took them seconds to fall asleep.

To be continued…

Two for the price of one! There are not completely corrected so be merciful... Anyway, Merry Christmas ;)

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