Title: Visions of Fire

Summary: AU, Part One of 'The Dark Tales' trilogy. Year Six. A little girl appearing out of nowhere in his bedroom was not exactly what Harry had expected on his sixteenth birthday. And what's this about leading a country to war? Slash, creature fic, Harry/Draco.

Pairing(s): Harry/Draco

Genre: Romance/Fantasy

Rating: Mature

Warning(s): * blood, sexual situations, dark elf! Harry, veela! Draco, strong language, character death, violence *

Author's Note: Enjoy, guys!

. . . .

Chapter Eight: Of Revenge and Freedom

. . . .

Draco Malfoy

October 19, 1996

He was dreaming of fire. Hot, scorching fire, its red flames bursting through windows and he was stuck. He had nowhere to run and he was suffocating, his lungs pressed and heavy against the dark and unnatural fire.

It was burning…burning…

He felt helpless to do anything about it, his mate was in the fire and he felt sadness.

Emptiness…

No…no…he could hear his screaming voice like a distant whisper far but near, close to his ear as he whispered one word, no…

The fire held him in place like a vice, unyielding and he could only watch as it burned.

No…

"NO!" Draco gasped out as he shot out of his bed; he looked around frantically his mind foggy from the sleep. He tried to control his breathing as he realized that he was in his dormitory and not in a horrible fire. He shivered, not wanting to think about it.

"Draco?" He jumped when he heard Blaise's sleepy voice in the darkness and he turned to the right where he knew the Italian's bed to be.

"You okay? I heard you screaming," Blaise said, his voice concerned.

"Yeah," Draco said, shakily. He berated himself internally for forgetting the silence spell. "I'm fine, just a night terror."

"You sure?"

"Yeah, Blaise, go back to sleep." Draco said, he hid his terror from his voice as he lay back down and covered his head.

Draco stared into the darkness not wanting to go to sleep after such a dram, it felt so real; so real, he could almost feel the fire licking at his flesh and burning him. He shivered, peeved by such a dream.

"It meant nothing," He whispered, firmly, into the dark. "It didn't mean anything."

Though Draco tried to convince himself, he knew that it did mean something; it meant danger.

Draco didn't go back to sleep that night.

. . . .

October 31st, 1996

The weeks leading up to Halloween were tense. Draco could even see the tension among the Slytherins as some were nervous that they were given such a huge task.

Draco sat at the Slytherin's table Halloween morning, nervousness bubbling in his stomach as he stabbed at his eggs. Blaise gave him a nervous glance and Draco felt bad for worrying him but he couldn't tell him what was to happen.

Blaise had every right to worry, anyways, since he was the only one who knew Draco was having nightmares every night since that first time and it was taking its toll on him.

He had dark bangs under his eyes and his skin was paler than usual. He knew Harry noticed as well but whenever his mate would bring up his health, Draco would distract him one way or another.

"Stop looking at me as if I'm about to drop dead, Blaise," Draco said, dully, looking up to glare at his best friend. "I'm fine."

"You say you're fine but you look like shit." Blaise sneered before he sighed, "Look, Draco, I'm not saying to tell me all your secrets but don't blatantly lie to me when we both know that you are far from fine. I think I am at least owed that much."

Draco flinched, the guilt that was already in the pit of his stomach growing larger at Blaise's words. He knew he could trust Blaise; he was his best friend after all; if he couldn't trust him than he couldn't trust anyone.

"I've been having nightmares," Draco confessed, gritting his teeth. "About a fire, most nights I don't sleep because of it. I think—I think it's a warning…something big is going to happen, Blaise."

Blaise looked at him; his eyes didn't reveal what he was thinking. "How about tonight? I know you and Potter are planning something to counterattack what I said was to happen."

Draco looked around to make sure there wasn't any eavesdropper near before he said, "We are, tonight."

"I see," Blaise said, coolly, his golden eyes cold. "And I wasn't privileged to this information because…"

"Blaise," Draco started, weakly. "It's not like that, really—"

"Then tell me how it is, Draco," Blaise hissed, getting up so quickly that he caused a few heads to turn in surprise. "When you feel like trusting me again, then you know where to find me."

"Blaise," Draco began to protest but Blaise would hear none of it as he stormed out of the Great Hall.

Draco groaned and placed his head into his hands, ignoring when a person slid in the vacant seat across from him.

"Trouble in paradise?" The voice was light and soft, Draco peeked through his fingers to see Theo sitting across from him, his head rested on his palms and his dark eyes lit with curiosity.

"You have no idea." Draco said, his voice muffled and his heart heavy, this was the worst time to be fighting with Blaise.

Things could only go downhill from here.

. . . .

"You and Potter have been awfully close this past month," Severus said to Draco, it was after Defense class that Severus had told Draco to stay back so he could speak with him.

Draco internally groaned, not in the mood for scrutinizing and false accusations that he was sure his godfather would surely begin to spout out.`

"Oh," Draco said, vaguely, leaning against the desk. "Have we?"

Severus glared at him, not liking his tone at all. "Your father is worried."

"My father is angry," Draco corrected with a sneer. "My father has never worried for me nor will he ever. Don't take me for a fool, Sev."

Severus bowed his head in agreement. "Be is as it may, your father is more concerned than you think."

Draco snorted, "Only because I sent a big 'fuck you' to him when he offered me a place at the Dark Lord's side."

Severus' face remained impassive not showing his emotion as he asked, carefully, "You do not wish to be a death eater?"

"Of course not!" Draco said, glaring at him. "I would never bow to that man nor should you. I know what you're doing, Sev, and just know that you can go to Harry if you need protection."

"Potter?" Severus sneered, disgust and rage in his eyes. "As if I would trust that fool with my life. That boy is a mere pawn for Dumbledore, Potter has no power."

Draco clenched his fist and narrowed his eyes, he didn't like when people bad mouthed his mate. "You'd be surprised."

Severus studied him carefully. "You know something, don't you?"

Draco gave a shrug, "Even if I did, I wouldn't tell you. I don't trust you, Sev."

Severus flinched at his words but said, "I have your best interest at heart, Draco."

Draco looked at him coldly, "I'm sure."

"Draco…" Severus sighed, feeling more tired than he looked.

"May I go now, Professor?" Draco snipped, turning away from his godfather. What he said was true, he couldn't trust a man that played for both sides, a man such as that was fickle and could turn on either side in a second if it benefited him. No, his godfather would have to earn his trust.

"You may." Severus said, resignedly.

"When you've realized the truth than, maybe, you will see it as I do." Draco said, cryptic as he made his way towards the door.

"And how do you see it?" Severus asked, curious.

Draco shot him a grin, "Harry will win this war."

. . . .

Draco knew when it began. They were all seated for dinner in the Great Hall and Draco barely took a bite of his food as anxiety gripped him tightly. His stomach rolled and he felt as if he was going to vomit at any minute.

He knew Valeria and Inala were already there, he could feel their presence near where Harry sat at the Gryffindor's table. He shook his head, slightly worried that two creatures could come and go as they pleased through the Hogwarts's ward as if it was nothing.

If Voldemort would ever find out this weakness, they would be doomed.

Pansy and the others assumed Death Eaters were sitting at the edge of the Slytherin table, near the Great Hall entrance, looking as nervous as Draco felt.

It was then that he felt a heavy pressure settle around him and he knew the attack had begun. He frowned as the weaker children fainted as the pressure became too heavy for them and the older student began to panic at the sight of first and second years dropping to the floor.

Draco watched as Dumbledore rose to his feet, silencing the frantic whispers as more students continued to fall to the ground.

Before he could speak, a chilling voice, almost hissing, began to ring around them. "Dumbledore, you have something of mine and I would like it returned."

Chaos ensued.

It started with a girl's terrified scream at the sound of the Dark Lord's voice so near before every student moved into motion, thousands of feet running to the entrance as the teachers tried to bring order to their students. Draco stood, trying to make his way to his mate; he only made it halfway before he was pushed to the side.

When the air got heavier and there was a loud boom that shook the whole castle, Draco felt himself be shoved multiple times as he was pushed out of the way. He could see Pansy and the others running out the Great Hall and he knew they didn't have much time.

"Harry!" He called out, close enough so that his voice could be carried over the chaotic screams and shouts. Harry turned to where he was standing and he shoved a third year out of the way as he said, "We have to move now!"

Harry nodded, turning to Hermione and Ron he told them something and they nodded before they held out their hands and in a blink of an eye, they were gone.

"Move it!" Draco snarled as he pushed another student out of his way and finally made it to the Gryffindor's table.

Harry grabbed his hand and he felt a much smaller hand in his other and he assumed it was Val's. He felt the air distort around him before he vanished, gone before anyone noticed.

. . . .

The mansion was just as Draco remembered it, standing tall and proud. Harry was next to him, gasping for breath at the lighter pressure that wasn't so tiring and Valeria had finally become visible. The night was calm and quiet; there was no Death Eater on watch which they had expected since most were with Voldemort.

"Okay, let's go. Hermione said we should have at least an hour to do this." Harry said, he looked around their surroundings. "We're at the edge of the ward but once we enter, we shouldn't have a problem since Draco is keyed into the ward."

Draco nodded, grabbing both their hands. "Both of you have to hold my hands so you can go through as well."

They walked to the ward and Draco could feel it, the familiar humming of magic but it felt odd, almost off. Draco couldn't put his finger on it. He shook his head, he had no time in figuring out what was wrong with the wards.

He moved forward and he knew when they passed it as magic flooded around him before settling, knowing Draco's own familiar aura. Draco sighed in relief, glad that the ward didn't alert Lucius that it was just infiltrated.

"Val!" Draco turned at Harry's panicked shout and found Valeria slumped on the ground with Harry kneeled in front of her.

"What happened?" Draco asked, as he kneeled next to the light elf.

"I don't know as soon as you entered with us, she swayed before collapsing," Harry said, frowning. "What happened, Val?"

"It feels like all my magic has been sapped, I feel so weak." Valeria said, her eyes half lidded.

Harry frowned before his eyes widened in horror, "Could it be that Lucius put a suppressor spell on the wards?"

Draco widened his eyes in surprise at Harry's words before he stretched out his palm and tried to form a ball of fire. He was shocked when not even a spark was formed.

"That bastard," Draco whispered as Harry growled, picking up Val and moving back out of the ward. "We don't feel the effect as much as Val does because we are only half creature but Val is full creature."

"Val, are you better?" Harry asked, concerned, as he laid her by a tree.

"Yeah, I'm fine." Val said, smiling weakly. "I think it would be best if I stayed here as lookout, there is no way I can pass those wards without feeling the effect of that spell."

"Okay," Harry said, instantly.

"Harry," Draco began, concerned for the little girl. "You sure that is a good idea?"

Harry gave him a reassuring smile, "Draco, Val is an Elder and I trust her. Don't underestimate my Elders; they are far too powerful to be brought down by Death Eaters."

Draco nodded, giving Val a smile which was returned before he grabbed Harry's hand and entered the ward again. He shivered, more aware of his creature side being suppressed as he made his way toward the mansion. They both pulled out their wands, feeling more vulnerable now that half their power was subdued.

"Draco," Harry began, nervously.

"Yes?" Draco looked at him, his eyes curious.

"There's a chance that you father could be here…" Harry said, looking at him intently trying to gauge his reaction.

"Yeah." Draco breathed out, his stomach coiling again in nervousness.

"If that's the case, then I'll look for the Horcrux and you settle things with your father." Harry said, smiling gently at his mate, he lifted his hand to Draco's face to brush a piece of Draco's hair out of his eyes.

"Harry," Draco looked at him in surprise.

"I know this is important to you and I want you to kick his ass." Harry smirked; they were now standing in front of the front door.

Draco stared at him for a moment, before he pulled Harry towards him and smashing his lips against his own. The kiss was messy and hot and all over the place, Draco tried to convey all his affection, devotion, gratitude and feelings to Harry the best way he could.

"Don't die on me, Potter." Draco gasped out as they pulled away before they got carried away.

"Don't plan to anytime soon," Harry returned cheekily before pecking Draco's lips once more before turning to the door. With a flick of his wand, the door exploded leaving only a big hole and dust in its wake.

"I never liked that door anyways," Draco said his hand tightened over his wand.

"Good thing I destroyed it then," Harry responded before he sent another silent spell that dropped the Death Eater that was running towards them to the ground.

Draco stepped through the ruined entrance and looked around, when he knew the coast was clear he turned to Harry, "The room is on the third floor, it is the only room there so you can't miss it."

Harry nodded, "Right, I'll go on ahead."

Draco nodded, watching as his mate made his way to the stairs before he went down the hall. Even with his suppressed senses, he knew his father would be in his study and no doubt he would have heard the commotion already.

He stared at the wooden door in front of him that kept him from the sole man he despised more than anything. He tightened his grip on his wand, his knuckles turning white.

With a wave of his wand the door exploded, he could spot the cold gray eyes of his father watching him as he stepped through the ruined door.

Draco felt rage fill his entire being, all he wanted was to see those eyes dead.

"I've been waiting for you, Draco."

"Have you?" Draco said, casually, he would play along for now.

"Have you come to beg for mercy?" Lucius smirked, his cane clenched tightly in his hand. "I did hope my little warning would reach you in a timely fashion."

Draco felt furious; his father was playing with him. He knew Lucius wanted him to snap and mindlessly attack him out of rage but he wouldn't give in.

"No," Draco said, slowly, as if Lucius was stupid. "I've come for your head."

Lucius' smug face instantly turned into an ugly scowl, sneering as he said, "My head? You think you can beat me, boy."

"I don't know," Draco confessed, his eyes narrowing sharply. "But I'll die trying. Even if it kills me, I will kill you."

"Crucio!" Lucius shouted Draco knew it was coming and instantly jumped out of the way of the unforgivable curse. He had expected Lucius to let his rage take over him once Draco goaded him.

He countered with a cutting hex and Lucius waved it away almost impatiently, Draco gritted his teeth, angered that his creature side was suppressed, his hands flexed wanting to see Lucius burn.

Lucius could see his annoyance and smirked, "Do you like the new addition to the wards, boy? I had expected you to come with an army of creatures but I was surprised when the ward only identified you."

So, he didn't know Harry was here? Good, that would be to Draco's advantage.

"You talk too much," Draco growled, throwing hex after hex. Hexes that wouldn't kill him but maim him as Draco wanted him to suffer as much as he did throughout the years.

"Reducto!" Lucius shouted, Draco levitated a chair to take the hit for him and winced when a piece of wood sliced his cheek, he clutched his cheek as it began to bleed. Lucius took advantage of this distraction and fired a Crucio and then a cutting spell towards Draco.

Draco cursed himself for being distracted, as the spells zoomed to him knowing he didn't have a chance to dodge this time.

He screamed in agony as the Crucio hit him full force, the force of the spell sending him flying to the wall as the cutting spell hit his leg, a large gash began to bleed profusely.

Lucius walked towards him, sneering. "You are weak, Draco, it's pathetic."

Draco could only pant, his muscles twitching in agony as the Crucio spell was lifted. He screamed again as Lucius threw him under the curse again, it felt like a burning under his skin slowly melting his insides.

Lucius was enjoying seeing his son writhe on the floor in pain, a smirk on his lips.

"I will spare you, Draco, if only you join the Dark Lord." Lucius said, kneeling in front of the boy.

Draco coughed and spat out some blood, glaring weakly at his father. "Never."

Lucius grabbed hold of his neck before standing to his feet. Draco grabbed at his father's tight grip helplessly trying to loosen the hold as his throat began to constrict. He dangled helplessly a few feet off the ground as Lucius glared at him.

"Such a disappointment," Lucius drawled, his grip tightening and Draco wheezed, desperate for air. "I will not kill you by my wand; such scum does not deserve that honor. I will watch as the life is drained from you as you suffocate, feeling as helpless as a muggle."

"Fuck…you…" Draco wheezed out, his vision blurring as he was being choked to death.

"I will be sure that your mother receives your body," Lucius paused to give him a twisted smile. "In pieces that is."

Draco felt dread as his vision began to darken, was this it? Was this how he was going to die? At the hands of his father? He never even told Harry that he loved him.

Harry…

Draco felt tears prick at the edge of his eyes as he thought of his mate and how heartbroken he would be.

'I'm sorry, Harry.' Draco thought, he felt weaker and weaker as he lost blood and his father's grip tightened around his neck, he knew he would soon he would lose consciousness.

It was then that he felt tightness on his left arm and he remembered, he could have cried in joy.

"Any last words, Draco?" Lucius said, knowing that he had won. He narrowed his eyes when Draco only glared fiercely at him and grabbed hold of his arms.

Draco smirked nastily, blood dripping down his chin. "It's over now, father, release the Kraken!"

Draco felt a sense of great satisfaction as Kraken sprung forward out of his sleeve to pierce Lucius with his poison, he relished how Lucius instantly paled and a look of horror came over his face as he let go of his grip on Draco causing the blond to fall to the ground before Lucius fell to his knees.

Draco fought off the darkness to watch as Lucius choked on his very breath before letting out a blood curdling scream before he slumped forward, dead before he even hit the ground. His eyes unseeing and dead, his face still morphed in horror at having been defeated so quickly and easily.

Draco breathed heavily, blood loss and his near death experience shocking his body. He fell on his hands and knees, as Kraken slid out of his sleeve and he gave the green viper a weak smile.

"Thank you…Kraken…" He gasped out, his vision blurring. "Find…Harry…" As soon as the words came out of his mouth, he slumped forward, his vision blackening and Draco knew no more.

. . . .

Draco woke up to a hand running through his hair and he felt warm and comfortable. He shifted, trying to figure out where he was and it was then that it hit him.

He had killed his father.

His father was dead.

Draco snapped his eyes open, looking around wildly to see that he was in the infirmary and Harry was sitting next to him.

"Harry?" Draco said, intertwining his hand with his mate's. Harry gave him a soft smile, leaning forward to kiss him on the forehead.

"Hey, princess." For once, Draco wasn't angry at the nickname just happy that he could hear his mate's teasing, warm voice again. "I'm so happy you're awake,"

"How long have I been out?" Draco winced, as he tried to shift his leg and pain shot through it. It seemed that Lucius had did damage to his leg with that nasty slicing curse.

"For three days," Harry explained, his hand never stopped combing through Draco's hair. "Madame Pomfrey was afraid you would slip into a coma."

There was a hiss and Draco looked down to see Kraken coiled up on his lap and he smiled, petting the snake on the head.

"Kraken," Harry began amusement and affection in his voice. "He didn't want to leave your side not even for a minute. He's been hear longer than I have. He told me what happened."

Draco nodded, looking at his snake who hissed at him. "Thank you, buddy, you saved my life." His only answer was another hiss and a flick of Kraken's tongue.

"Harry," Draco began, looking into those gorgeous eyes he loved so much. Well, he loved everything about Harry; his eyes, his mouth, his personality, even his damned hair. It only took a brush with death for him to realize it. "I—well…I—"

"Shh…don't waste your strength." Harry shushed him, placing a single finger onto his lips. "I know. I do too."

Draco smiled, he didn't know how Harry knew but he was happy, happier than he ever felt. But he knew, he could see it in the loving gaze in Harry's eyes that he did indeed love him. Even if Harry didn't, he had forever to convince his mate otherwise.

Draco couldn't ask for anything else.

"You did it, Draco," Harry said, with a smile after a moment of sweet silence. "You killed your father."

Draco leaned back against the headboard, his heart constricting as he thought of all the torture his mother went through from his father because of him and how much ridiculed he received from his father. Before he knew it, tears were dribbling down his cheeks as he let it all out. All the pain, anguish, and fear that he held onto for so long while he and his mother were trapped—imprisoned—under Lucius grip.

Draco sobbed in his hands, tears wetting the bed sheets as he looked at Harry with watery eyes, Harry sank down into the bed next to him pulling the veela tight to his chest. "I'm free, Harry."

Draco felt bad for drenching Harry's shirt with his tears but he couldn't stop it, he was so happy.

He was free; Lucius Malfoy no longer had a hold on him or his mother.

He was free.

. . . .