DISCLAIMER: Harry Potter and all other characters and locations belong to J. K. Rowling.


Chapter 4 – Lion's Pride

Albus Dumbledore raised his head slowly, foggy blue eyes falling on the dark form seated elegantly before him. The aches running through his body seemed to intensify in the presence of Voldemort, making him feel older then he had ever felt. The chains binding him released, allowing him to move away from the damp hard stones he had been bound too. A straight-backed chair appeared before him and he was gestured towards it with the tip of the slender wand clutched between bony fingers.

"Good Afternoon Tom." Albus rasped, raising his hand politely to cover his mouth as he started coughing.

"My my Albus, that's quite the cough you've developed. Perhaps your stay in my dungeons hasn't been very healthy for you. Of course it's too dangerous to move you. I'd hate to bring the Pride down on my head now wouldn't I?" Voldemort murmured before chuckling, soulless eyes creeping over his former headmaster like a snake watching a small mouse. "Its funny though, for every few snakes that slither into my lair a lion manages to creep past my guard. Your young Gryffindors are becoming careless in their search for their lost Saviour. Day by day I watch as another injured lion is dragged before me and sentenced to Azkaban. I'll admit I have no idea how you drew young Malfoy to the light. I quite enjoyed watching the tantrum Lucius threw, he reminded me of a child who'd lost his favourite toy, but no matter. I'm sure you'll be saddened to hear that young Draco now resides with Harry. Astonishing pair really." He mused; watching for the reaction of the wizard perched before him.

"Everyone has greatness within them Tom. Sometimes it merely takes another to bring it out." Albus whispered, drawing himself up in the chair. His hands shook as he reached for the steaming cup of tea offered to him. Raising the warm porcelain, he mentally wished Harry luck in dealing with the arrogant Malfoy. He had never been able to make Lucius see the light but Draco had always peered hopefully into the brightness cast by Harry. Together they could free themselves; alone they would fall into the darkness and be consumed.

"Perhaps, but with greatness comes responsibility. Factor in their ages, their hatred, their childhoods, and what do you get? It may take a few months, maybe even years, but eventually they will fall before me and grovel. Then I shall complete my takeover with two of the world's strongest wizards under my hand. I will hold their leashes yet Albus, mark my words." Voldemort growled, tea sloshing over the tray as he slammed his half full cup down.

"Remember everything I ever tried to teach you Tom. You wouldn't be here if it were not for the lessons I gave you, the professors that assisted you in your studies. Together we provided you with the knowledge to survive and live in this world. You took what we had taught and played with it until it was unrecognizable. The only leashes you'll ever clutch are those of the individuals who don't understand what it is to be loved. To care for another no matter what blood runs through their veins is not a gift but a courtesy." Albus whispered harshly, the eyes that had once twinkled brightly glowed with a ferociousness rarely seen. "No matter what you do, greatness will never stumble as long as it's supported by love and friendship. Remember that in the days ahead, and let it be the last thing you think of as you die." The dainty cup was set in the puddle of cooling tea next to its twin. Albus carefully rested a hand on his knee as he held the back of the chair for support, struggling to his feet. Moving back to stand against the wall, his eyes rested on the figure seething before him, he winced as the chains reached out and dragged him tight against the wall. He let his head fall back once again to rest against the stone. Ignoring the stirrings and movements as the dark lord stormed out of the cell and slammed the door behind him.

"Good luck Harry. Good luck Draco. Remember, friendship can be found where one least expects it, as can love." Sighing deeply, he sent his mind back to the good years of his life as the thudding sound of boot heels dissipated.


The large house set neatly in London surrounded by other houses of its like seemed to be a summerhouse for a well off family at first glance. One would never believe it was a meeting place for one of the most respected organizations in the wizarding world. Its walls gleamed with an unnatural light, like the house itself was alive. In darker circles it was whispered to climb its walls meant you were waking up in the middle of nowhere with the headache from hell and completely naked. But then again, those were just the rumors.

The headquarters of the Lion's Pride was lit dimly by several carefully placed candles. Here, you would not find the older wizards and the Aurors trained by professionals. Few knew of its location, members, or leaders, only that it pulled off operations and counterstrikes that made the strongest and best-trained wizards draw back and gawk in awe. Of course, when you were young you believed you were invincible. Hermione, smiled as a magic door flashed into appearance and spat out several figures, each automatically straightening and swiping invisible dust from their black robes. A figure separated from the pack and headed her way, extending a hand in greeting. Nodding her head, she greeted Dean, allowing herself to be pulled into a hug and slapped on the back heartily.

"Hermione." "Dean. How have you been?" She asked, absently pulling the thin gold chain out from under her robes, the neat charm on the end writhing beneath her fingers. Seeing her actions the wizard also pulled his chain from beneath his robes, making sure it could be clearly seen by all. The charms were linked to the house and several other artifacts within the house. All had to be present in order for the gating charms to work properly. Each charm was a carefully crafted lion, a very thin silver snake wrapped around its neck like a collar. On more then one occasion it had been apparent that Harry could talk to these snakes, whisper orders and secrets that no one else would hear or understand.

"Well, I suppose. Wrist doesn't ache anymore so Pansy thinks it's healed enough for me to go back into action." Dean said, shaking his sleeve back so Hermione could view the thin scar crawling around his wrist.

"That's good. Ron and I have a strike planned. We found several of Harry's books and believe you make the perfect candidate to lead this particular attack." Raising her eyes, she searched for Ron in the crowd, eyebrow rising in question as he met her gaze. Observing the shake of his head, she turned her attention back to Dean. The meeting couldn't begin until the few stragglers had arrived; it always drove her nuts to have to repeat everything to several individuals because they hadn't been paying attention to important dates and times.

"Excellent. Does it involve brooms? Harry was always the best at planning aerial attacks. I still remember the one he led at that Chudley Cannons match. I think we honestly out flew both teams." Dean chuckled at the memory fondly.

"Actually it does. However this one isn't so public, it's a simple in and out. Ron and I will explain it in a few minutes." Hermione gave a small smirk at the happy look on the wizards face as she moved away. His thoughts obviously in the past with Harry as they protected thousands of innocent people from a Death Eater attack at a Quidditch match.

"Attention everyone," Ron called, standing on a dais before the packed room. "Could I please have everyone rise and place their hand on their tag?" The room was full of mutterings and shuffling as everyone rose and drew charms from beneath their robes. Dutifully wrapping fingers around the small golden figure they all wore about their necks. For a moment the house seemed to buzz before a harmonious hum filled the air. Plain black robes became marked with a gold lion crouched over the hearts. Hoods edged with thick gold fur rivaling the mane of any lion shimmered into place. A ring appeared on the right hand middle finger, a simple band etched with several words in Latin. Wands were pulled from sheathes and pointed at the floor, a black ribbon twined around the hilt, a small crystal panther dangling from the end.

"I call this meeting of the Lion's Pride to order. Let us take a moment to remember the past fights and feats of our fallen comrades before discussing the latest developments." Ron addressed the mass of people, all under the age of 17. The room fell silent as minds relived past battles and counterstrikes, all led and participated in by fearless people. Hermione rose to stand next to Ron before the quiet group, eyes carefully checking the charm around every neck and the position of the gold lion lounging across each chest.

"Thank you, before we begin we have some very tragic news we have to inform you all of. Draco Malfoy was captured and is presumed a prisoner of Azkaban."


Draco woke slowly, trying to raise a hand to brush the stiff hair away from his eyes only to find he couldn't move. He drew in a deep breath to scream but was stopped when a hand was slapped over his mouth, a pair of emerald eyes rimmed with dark circles narrowed as they glared down at him.

"I have been taking care of you for the past two days, if you dare scream I'll knock you out and leave you to fend for yourself." Harry rasped, slowly removing his hand from the blond's mouth.

"Potter?" Draco hissed, eyes widening as he stared in shock at the figure hovering over him. "Everyone thinks your dead!" The hand that hovered within the vicinity of his mouth was slapped back down a little harder then necessary. He could only stare in wonder as the boy-who-lived placed his other hand over his own eyes and sighed deeply.

"Could you tell me anything that's not obvious?" He muttered dryly, ignoring the warm puffs of breath beating against his hand like the wings of small-trapped butterfly.

"Um, your hair is utterly horrible. Adorable, but terribly horrible." Draco stated against the hand resting over his mouth. He watched as the hand was removed and Potter stood slowly, moving to claim a chair wrapped in Gryffindor red. The other wizard sat elegantly in the chair, looking every bit the leader he was reputed to be.

"Tell me anything that could be of use in getting us out of here." Harry growled, flashing his teeth in a way that wasn't quite human. Fists clenching against the arms of the chair.

"The Order of the Phoenix believes you're alive. However, they think that Voldemort has you locked within his own personal dungeons." Draco watched in satisfaction as Potters eyebrows rose in disbelief. Sure, the Order of the Phoenix was well known but they would never make information like that public.

"Death Eater's know about the Order of Phoenix, tell me something else." Harry demanded, ignoring the fact that the Slytherin was rolling his eyes at him. Draco stopped to think about what he could use too get the other wizard to believe him. Some information was too secretive, other information was too public. Smirking suddenly he wiggled his finger in a gesture to move Potter forward. The other wizard approached slowly, allowing himself to fall to rest on his knees next to the bed. Draco wrapped an arm quickly about the neck, fingers burying themselves in the dark hair.

"Grimmauld Place used to belong to your godfather, Sirius Black. After his death you gave it to the Order so they could continue to use it as their headquarters." Draco whispered against Potter's ear, delighting in the tremble that ran through the body of the other. He kept his arm where it was, eyes narrowing over the dark head as they met those of a guard who was watching the whole seen aptly. He allowed Harry to pull free slowly, the other obviously trying to register what he had heard. Draco watched in amusement as Potter turned around to face him, mouth hanging open in shock.

"Who do you work for?" Harry snarled, eyes blazing in shock as he tried to figure out where the other wizard was coming from. Few people knew about Grimmauld Place, fewer knew that Harry had given the house to the Order of the Phoenix for them to use as they saw fit. He was unprepared for the words that tumbled from Malfoy's mouth.

"I work for the Order of the Phoenix."


A/N: Thank you to everyone who took the time to review. Glad everyone is enjoying it and hopefully I'll be able to update more frequently and lengthen the chapters in a little while. Thanks again!

scardi – The chapters will eventually get longer, right now I'm working at bringing another fic of mine to a close. Once I've ended it I'll be able to devote more time to Dying Flames.
SlytherinGoddessRoseThorns – lol, hopefully I'll be able to make it a little less depressing as it progresses.
BreathingFlames – I'll try and watch myself. lol, I freely admit I'm punctuation happy so that's a start.