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WARNING: Blaise and Ron set up, Creepy Marcus Flint, skittish Percy, kinda chivalric Viktor Krum, UST infatuation between Reg and Harry, Malfoy sneakiness, Voldemort evil and Bella crazy, Fred and George being...Fred and George, and implications of twincest.
Disclaimer: We have no claim on Harry Potter nor any characters or locations thereof. We gain only amusement from writing this.
Blaise Zabini watched the flaming redhead subtly from underneath long dark lashes. There was something about the restless energy that the other teen practically bled that attracted him. It was strange truth be told. He was not the kind to seek out anything but a quiet, calm corner yet he was drawn to this firestorm in human form. "You're fidgeting again."
"Huh? Oh sorry." Ron put the quill he'd been twirling between his fingers down on the table and forced his foot to stop tapping against the wooden floor. He didn't do it on purpose, it was just impossible to be still. He shot the dark skinned Italian an apologetic grin. Ron wanted to dislike the Slytherin, out of principle if nothing else but it was difficult. Zabini was always polite and he always did his share of the work...Not to mention that he was really easy on the eyes too.
There, that grin. It did strange things to his gut, sent it flipping and twisting and turning somersaults. He knew well enough to know he found the redhead attractive, he'd grown nicely into the long lanky body though none could say he was heart-stoppingly handsome. It was boyish charming good looks and an easy nature when not angry. There were times when Blaise would feel as if he were only a moth drawn to the flame. "You can not stand having to be still can you?" It wasn't condemnation, merely a curious inquiry of one who truly wanted to know.
"Not really no. I try to but it's like there's lightning underneath my skin, just longing to get out and moving helps." Without him knowing it Ron's fingers started to tap against the parchment rolls in front of them. "Being still is being captured, caught...I don't like it." Blue eyes met gorgeous, deep dark ones and a shiver went up Ron's spine. "It's no big deal."
"Hmm," Blaise ran a finger along the spine of a book. "It makes sense. You are not made for quiet, idyllic corners but rather to stand in the storm and face it head on. There is nothing wrong with it, in fact it is...intriguing." A wealth of other meaning weighted that word, meaning Blaise did not yet feel comfortable voicing aloud. Especially as he was unsure which team the redhead played Keeper for.
Ron's eyes widened and he felt himself go red and inwardly cursed his pale complexion that showed even the slightest blush. "Intriguing huh?" He gave Zabini a long look before looking down at the book on the table. "There is nothing wrong with the calm quiet either, it has just never been able to keep me interested before."
Signal received, loud and clear. Blaise's lip curved up with just a hint of challenge. "Perhaps you have simply never encountered the right calm. Perhaps we can fix that."
"Perhaps." Ron agreed with a nod, a small smile playing on his lips as the other's accented voice wrapped around him like warm honey. His fingers found the quill again and Ron started twirling and fidgeting but the smile stayed.
Blaise just marked down a note, his lips still curled up, and thought that it was rather nice, being the calm beside the storm.
Straightening his robes, making sure there was not a single seam out of place Percy breathed deeply and clutched the folders in his hands tightly. He didn't like having been assigned to the Department of Magical Games and Sports. Especially not for this particular event. Percy truly loathed Quidditch and he didn't understand why he had been assigned to be the one to pull this tournament together. He was not a sportsman. Still he couldn't imagine questioning an order from the Ministry so here he was, getting ready to face what he hated...And feared.
Taking another deep breath he opened the door and stepped into the conference room where the people from the designated teams were waiting.
Viktor Krum looked up from where he was very nearly glaring at one Marcus Flint, Keeper for England's Quidditch team. The man made his hackles rise, there was simply something highly unsavory about him that set Viktor on edge. The door opening however drew his attention as did the redhead entering the room. He looked somewhat familiar. Viktor's head tilted as he tried to place where he'd seen such features before.
Percy pointedly ignored Flint's not so discreet sneer and walked over to the empty seat. "Good day Ladies and Gentlemen, thank you so much for coming to this meeting to plan the outlines for the Unity Tournament." Percy placed the folders on the table and sat down. "My name is Percy Weasley and I will be your liaison to the Ministry in this matter."
Ah. Viktor placed the redhead's features now. He was brother to Harry Potter and Hermione's best friend. Viktor had kept in touch with Hermione and Fleur. The owls he had sent to Harry had all failed to deliver their letters but that had been explained by Hermione a few weeks into the summer after the Tournament. He should likely try to contact Harry again as Hermione had mentioned in her last letter that the other champion could now send and receive letters with no difficulties.
He studied this Weasley as he outlined the purpose and aim of this tournament and couldn't help but notice that the other man looked as if he'd rather be anywhere but here. Even more he'd drawn a nasty sneer from Flint that made Viktor actually want to growl at the Keeper.
Marcus, for his part, was lazily inspecting Percy. He'd lost some weight since last he'd seen the uptight redhead but that tight little arse still looked as good as it had when he'd been buggering it in his final year. Maybe he might be able to nail Weasley one last time, if he cornered him.
Feeling his skin crawl Percy wanted to walk out of the conference room and hide away in his tiny little closet of an office. Flint kept looking at him and Percy felt the urge to squirm under that superior gaze. No one had ever hurt him the way Marcus Flint had and Percy couldn't get over it. He couldn't forgive. He continued the meeting, feeling even more stiff and awkward than usual and when the tempus charm on his wand pinged, signaling that the meeting was over for this time he almost felt like dropping to his knees in thanks.
Viktor didn't like the slimy expression on Flint's face as Mr. Weasley concluded the meeting and hurried from the room and he liked it even less when he saw the other man follow the redhead. Brushing off the French team's liaison with a vague comment about speaking to her later he went to locate the redheaded Ministry worker and, if necessary, drive Flint off.
Marcus followed Percy into a corridor where the lighting charms were wearing off and suddenly moved to cut the redhead's avenues of escape off. "Hello again Weasley."
Percy stiffened and to his shame he took a few steps backwards, looking for a way to pass the other man. His heart felt like it was lodged in his throat. "What do you want Flint? If you have anything you want to discuss regarding the tournament it will have to wait until the next meeting. I'm quite busy so if you excuse me..."
Marcus tsked. "You always did have a mouth on you, though I do recall putting it to good use once or twice, you little tightass." He smirked. "Tell me, you found anyone willing to learn just how tight that arse is since seventh year?" He moved closer, the paling face and slight fear in the air intoxicating. He saw Percy open his mouth to retort and tensed intending to lunge, before anything could happen an accented voice broke in on them.
"Mr. Veasley? Iv I may haff a vord please?" Viktor was at the end of the hallway but he knew that if necessary he could get to where Flint was an throw him off in an instant.
"Off course Mr. Krum." Percy's voice was filled with relief and he pushed past Flint quickly, moving to the end of the corridor where Krum was. "Walk with me please, we can talk on the way." Percy just wanted to get the hell away from there as quickly as he could.
"Ov course." Viktor fell into step beside the redhead, aware of Flint's angry glare following them. "I apologize iv I am taking too much ov your time. I know you are very busy. There is a section ov the contract that I vished to ask about. The translators, vill there be one vor each team or vill a vew vork vith several teams?"
"Don't apologize, I'm here to help." Percy was leading Krum to his office, every step he took away from Flint made it easier to breathe. "There will be a group of five translators working with several teams if that is acceptable to you." He kept his tone of voice short and professional. He would not break down in front of a complete stranger, especially not a Quidditch player.
Viktor nodded. "It is vine. Ve vill not take up too much ov the translators time in anycase. My team vill not need much beyond lodgings, food, and a place to practice." They reached the redhead's office and Viktor extended a hand, "Thank you vor your time, Mr. Veasley."
Percy looked at the hand as if it was going to bite him before he remembered his responsibilities and his manners and so he slowly reached out his own hand. Krum's hand was large, dry and calloused and for some reason it felt strangely comforting. Percy shook it briskly and let go quickly. "Anytime Mr. Krum, it's what I'm here for."
He slipped into his office after nodding goodbye to Krum and closed the door behind him, leaning against the smooth surface of the door for a while to compose himself. Why did Flint have to show up again just when he was starting to get his bearing back? Percy placed a hand on his flat stomach before pulling it away and shaking his head. The past was the past and he had work to do.
Viktor frowned just a bit. He didn't like the way the redhead had...run. That was the only description he could think of that fit. Perhaps not literally but Percy Weasley had taken flight in a very polite way and it bothered him that the redhead even felt that running was necessary. It bothered him more thinking that it likely had been because of Flint, there was something there but he couldn't quite put his finger on it. He headed out, catching sight of Flint arguing with the English team's manager on the way before the Keeper was dragged out and away from the building. He nodded in satisfaction, feeling more comfortable returning to his hotel knowing that Flint would not be bothering their redheaded liaison anymore today. He walked along the wizarding street towards an owl post office. He wanted to send a letter to Hermione, perhaps she would know if Flint and Percy Weasley had any past together. He also wanted to send a letter to Harry Potter apologizing for not doing so sooner and offering friendship. He ducked into the post office and headed to the letter station, red hair and warm skittish brown eyes ghosting through his mind as he picked up a quill.
Regulus moved behind Harry and nudged the youth's stance into a more correct form then showing him a lunge. "That will make it smoother and easier to execute."
Harry did his best to ignore the heat radiating from the body behind him and the way his skin tingled where Regulus put his hands on him to show him the proper moves. He did his best to repeat the lunge, keeping his wrist relaxed and putting the force behind the lunge in his body. "Like this?"
Every training session was growing more and more difficult for Harry. His feelings for the older wizard only grew and he knew without a doubt that it was much more than a crush. Everytime he was alone with Regulus he was scared he would say or do something that would give away the way he felt. Harry couldn't let that happen, no matter how he felt he valued Regulus friendship too much to lose it. Something he knew would happen if he gave himself away.
The DADA professor nodded, his eyes examining Harry's movements for any flaws and his brain fighting over just how wrong it was to be admiring the youth's form in a less than pure way. The more time he spent in Harry's company the more he wanted to spend and not as just the professor or the friend but that was a dangerous, distracting road that he didn't feel would be right to go down. Not now for certain. Not while Harry already had so much on his shoulders. He couldn't burden the young man like that. He cared too much to add another weight to those shoulders.
"That's just right." He moved away, putting a little more distance between himself and temptation. "Now go through the forms I showed you earlier."
Harry continued to move, swing, lunge and strike around the room they used for training. He was extremely aware of Regulus' eyes on him and he couldn't help but wish that the other would look at him because he wanted him. Not because he was a student...Perhaps a friend. It wasn't just physical, the attraction Harry had for Regulus. Sometimes during the day he could read something or hear something and think 'I have to tell this to Regulus' or 'I wish Regulus could have seen this.'. Harry wanted to share his life with the other...Such as his life was.
"When do you think I'll be ready to go a match against you?" Harry grinned and wiped the sweat off his brow with the hem of his t-shirt, showing a generous sliver of his stomach as he did so.
Regulus swallowed hard and tore his gaze away from the stretch of flat muscled belly with significant effort, focusing on the question. "A real match? You've a good solid year to go. A teaching match, three to four months."
"A year?" Harry barely refrained from groaning. "I guess I will just have to work harder then. Improve quicker and show you what I've got." He got in position again, tilting the blade towards the ground. "Okay one more time."
Regulus chuckled as the youth went through the exercises. "It takes three to four years to learn to use all the basics in swordplay. Most pureblooded families teach their children from the time they're old enough to hold a small sword so you're operating at a disadvantage. Even if you had the mental knowledge for all the forms, you still have to build up the muscle memory and physical stamina. Siri and I have you on the 'fast track' lessons but it will still take a year before you could face, say Draco Malfoy and have a chance to win on skill alone."
"I work well at a disadvantage so no worries there." Suddenly a slow grin spread over Harry's features. "I'll make a bet with you. I won't even attempt going after you or Sirius, I know I have years of training before that but I bet you that I can beat Malfoy in six months time." Harry continued going through the forms as he spoke with Regulus. "I understand that he's the perfect little pureblood and that he probably held a sword before he could crawl but I'll still be able to beat him."
The man lifted a brow. "Is that beating him on skill alone, no tricks or deliberately pricking his temper to get him to make mistakes and no dumb luck, or just beating him?"
"Would I do that? Deliberately pissing him off?" Harry's eyes were large and very, very innocent. "And yes, I mean beating him in skill alone...I promise to play by all the right rules, boring as it is."
Regulus met Harry's innocent gaze flatly. "You would do it in a heartbeat if it meant showing him up. What would be the terms of this bet? What do I get if you lose?"
"I'm sure we can come to some sort of an agreement. What would you like?" Harry decided to ignore the comment about showing up Malfoy, mostly because it was the truth.
"Well what are you wanting, if you win?" A curious brow lifted.
Oh Harry could think of a million things he wanted if he won but none of them could be voiced in proper company. "Mmm, not sure yet but I'm certain I can think of something."
Regulus tsked. "We will keep it simple then. No money but a favor owed as the reward."
"Deal." Harry walked over and held his hand out so that they could shake on it. "A favor owed it is, money is no fun anyway." He nibbled on his bottom lip. "Now can I at least taunt Malfoy enough so that he'll agree to the fight? It will be difficult to beat him if he won't fight me."
"Harry, you and he dislike each other so deeply you wouldn't have to taunt. All you'd have to do is walk up to him and ask for a match. He'd leap at the chance to ply his blade against you." Regulus took the youth's hand, ignoring the flashfire tingle that went through him from the contact with a great deal of effort.
Harry felt warmth rush through him at the simple contact and he had to force himself not to pull back, or even worse...Throw himself at Regulus. "Good, now back to training. I've got a bet to win."
The man laughed and swept his hand out, "By all means." Then he leaned against the wall to watch Harry practice.
Narcissa was nearly twitching with nerves and somewhat infuriated. That monster was in her home, her home and there was nothing she could do about it without putting her husband and son in danger. This was supposed to be a peaceful Yuletide with just her family but that thing ordered Lucius to open their home to him and the rest of his minions. It made her furious.
Lucius shot his wife an apologetic look but there wasn't much he could do. Voldemort held his son's fate in the palm of his hand and as long as he did Lucius would dance to his tune.
Voldemort sat in the ballroom, holding court. He could feel and practically smell Narcissa's annoyance, it was delicious. He licked his lips and placed his hand on the pale blond head of her only son only to see the flash of fury in those blue eyes. Narcissa Malfoy was a beautiful woman but she had never taken his mark, never proved herself completely. This was a test for her too. Voldemort much preferred the dark beauty of her sister. Bellatrix was a beautiful weapon and completely loyal. She would hold a high place in his court when this...Silly rebellion had been crushed.
"So my sweet Draco." Voldemorts fingers tightened in blond hair to the point of pain. "Are you ready to prove yourself to me? Are you ready for your first mission as my soldier?"
"I am milord." Draco was kneeling on the floor of his own home, bowing to the Dark Lord's will.
Narcissa bit her tongue, literally and held herself still when she'd have liked nothing more than to pull her wand and cast Voldemort's own favorite curse at him. Her baby deserved better than to kneel at a madman's feet.
Bellatrix came forward at her Master's beckoning gesture, a golden cup in her hands, and knelt on his other side, barely glancing at her nephew. "As My Lord requested." She held the cup up to Voldemort.
"Thank you Bella dear." Cold knuckles brushing over her cheek before taking the cup. "This Draco is something very important to me. It's imperative that it is guarded at all times and kept safe." Red eyes bore into wide, gray ones. "This is Helga Hufflepuff's cup, a holy," Thin lips tilted upwards in a parody of a smile at the word 'holy'. "relic and I place it in your hands Draco. Keep it safe...You do not want to know what will happen if you fail me."
"I will not fail you milord." Draco stayed kneeling, he hadn't gotten permission to get up yet.
"Good boy." The hand was back in his hair, running down Draco's cheek and neck in an icy caress.
Narcissa felt her gorge rise at the sight of that disgusting bastard's hand on her son. She longed to just rush forward and snatch her baby boy out of the insane dark wizard's reach but she knew that her own sister's wand would be the first one to hex her should she do so. As it was she had blood in her mouth from biting her cheek so hard in search of control.
Lucius felt helpless, it was a feeling he very much hated. What kind of a father was he? That he couldn't even protect his own son and keep him safe? Lucius watched Voldemort touch Draco with his usual impassive expression but inside, in the deepest parts of his mind he was roaring.
Draco was finally allowed to stand and he stepped back from the 'throne' where Voldemort was sitting as quickly as he could without being rude. He was both relieved and bewildered by the mission he had gotten. He was glad that he wasn't sent to kill someone, Draco honestly didn't know if he could do that. Guarding a cup didn't seem like much of a mission though, what could be so difficult about that? And why was the cup so important to Voldemort anyway?
Regulus looked up at the knock on his classroom door. He'd declined an office so even though it was long after classes gave out that day he was still in the classroom grading papers and making himself available to any students who might have questions. He lifted a questioning brow when he saw Draco in the doorway. "Mr. Malfoy, what can I do for you?"
Draco clutched the strap of his shoulder bag tightly and walked further into the classroom. The term had just started again after Christmas break and Draco had never been so happy to leave his home. It didn't feel like home anymore, not with Voldemort being there, watching every move. Watching the cup had turned out to be more difficult than Draco thought it would be, it seemed as if it was feeding on Draco's own energy, leaving him listless and tired all the time. When he managed to get some sleep he only dreamed about the cup and how it was being filled with blood from his dying family and friends. "I'm not really sure professor, you said I could come to you if I had problems right?"
Regulus set his quill down and nodded turning completely towards Draco. "Yes. What can I help you with?"
"I was...I was entrusted with something over the Holiday and I need you to tell me what it is." Draco was never unsure or hesitant like this and he hated the feeling. It was just a fucking cup but Draco knew that it was important to Voldemort and if it was then it could be used against him somehow. Draco needed to help, needed to feel like he was doing something right. He reached into his back and pulled out the heavy golden cup wrapped in black velvet. Draco unwrapped it and set it in front of Regulus.
Regulus' brows rose. "Voldemort gave this to you?" He leaned close, a faint expression of distaste on his face as he felt the negative draw from the cup, and inspected it. He flicked his wand and had silencing charms up and a locking charm on the door to avoid interruption and discovery.
Draco nodded. "He said that it's my initiation a mission to prove my loyalty." Draco looked at the seemingly innocent cup. "I didn't think it would be a big deal, it's just a cup but there's something very wrong with it. It drains all my energy and strength." He ran a hand through his hair in frustration. "I shouldn't be here, I should guard the bloody thing and keep silent but I really think it needs to be destroyed. That's more important then my safety."
"You've no idea how important." Regulus tapped the cup with his wand testing it. "If I'm correct this is Helga Hufflepuff's cup, and an item that holds a piece of Voldemort's soul."
"His soul?" Suddenly the cup seemed even more revolting. Draco shuddered it had taken forever for him to get warm after Voldemort had touched him, knowing that a part of him was in this cup that Draco had with him everywhere now made him feel dirty. Draco knew that feeling like that was irrational but he still felt it. "What should we do?"
"We'll destroy it of course." Regulus took the velvet and wrapped the cup up again. "It will have to wait for the weekend but we'll destroy it."
"Okay, right...Very well then." Draco felt relieved that the horrid thing would be destroyed but he was worried too. He wanted to help he really did but he didn't fancy dying just yet. "He's living at the mansion you know...Voldemort. Mother and father has practically been reduced to house elves. Will they be safe if we do this?"
Regulus lifted his eyes to Draco's. "It depends on how loyal Lucius can convince him they are but it's dangerous. Especially for your mother."
Draco fiddled with the strap of his back, looking down at the cursed cup. "Father has played loyal for over a decade now, I have faith in him and mother...She would want us to do this. If there is a chance to weaken Voldemort, then she would want us to take it." Suddenly responsibility weighed heavy on his shoulder and Draco thought that he finally began to understand what kind of pressure his father lived under.
"I have no doubt your mother would happily take a wand to Voldemort herself, and with extreme prejudice at that." Regulus slipped the cup down and out of the way. "You look terrible Draco. Go to your dorm and try to get some sleep."
"A Malfoy never looks terrible, we are too gorgeous for that." A silver blond eyebrow rose but the corner of Draco's mouth kicked up, showing that he was joking...somewhat. He really was tired though. "I'm leaving, thank you for listening to me cousin." Draco had considered going to Severus but his godfather was still giving him the silent treatment.
Regulus inclined his head and lowered the silencing charm and locking spell. "Take care Draco."
"You too professor." Draco already felt lighter without the cup weighing him down both physically and emotionally. He looked forward to a full nights sleep, Goyle's snoring be damned. "Goodnight." Draco slipped out of the classroom and headed towards his dorm room and some rest.
The DADA professor rubbed the back of his neck. He'd best tell Severus about this as Lucius and Narcissa should be prepared for what would be coming.
Lucius looked more disheveled than he ever had. His hair and clothes were still perfect but he had dark shadows beneath his eyes and a slight tremble that hadn't been there before. "You need to take Draco away after this, you need to hide him Severus." Lucius gripped his cane tightly. "Voldemort will not show any mercy when he finds out, he will kill my son. He needs to be somewhere where Voldemort can't find him...Please Severus." Lucius never begged, never said please but it was his son's life on the line.
Severus swirled the potion vial he held, inspecting the liquid within broodily. "Calm yourself Lucius. The old coot knows of Draco's idiocy and I do not doubt he's planned for this contingency." He sighed and set the phial before moving to sink into the deep chair by the hearth. "You know I'll protect Draco Lucius. He's my godson no matter how bloody angry I am at him for taking the mark in some misguided plot to assist us."
Lucius sighed and his shoulders dropped. "Thank you Severus. I don't trust Dumbledore, as much as he's on the side of light he doesn't have any trouble treating his pawns as expendable. I trust you. You have been my best friend, my brother for years. I trust my heir, my only child with you."
The potions master bridged his fingers. "What of you and Narcissa? As she's never 'joined' the Death Eaters she's always been viewed with suspicion by the Dark Lord, might he blame her?"
"I don't know, I hope that I will be able to convince him that it's this school and Dumbledore that turned Draco but I just don't know." Lucius looked tormented. "I wish I could send her away too but it would cause too much suspicion. I just hope that I will be able to protect her." He paced the floor nervously. "If I get found out, if Voldemort kills me, please do your best to get her out of there. I know I'm asking much Severus...But it's my family."
"Lucius, you and Narcissa are my family as well. You do not even have to ask." Deep black eyes met the worried gray of the blond man.
"Thank you brother." Lucius stilled and placed his hand on Severus' shoulder. "I need to get back, he keeps tabs on everything I do...Thankfully he still trusts the two of us, as much as he trust anyone that is."
"Take care Lucius. Watch your back and may Circe guard you and Narcissa well." Severus inclined his head to his bloodbrother as the blond left. He stood up and went to find Regulus. They needed to arrange a safehouse for Draco. He walked down the Hogwarts halls, mind preoccupied so that he didn't notice that he was on a collision course until he slammed straight into Sirius Black.
Sirius' eyes widened and he flung out a hand, grabbing Snape's robes in search of balance as the collision had knocked him off his. Once he'd regained his equilibrium he looked at Snape but the snarl that was on the tip of his tongue faded at the odd, unguarded expression in his old nemesis' eyes. He knew he'd probably regret asking this but, "Snape? Did someone wreck your lab? You look..." he trailed off unsure of how to finish that statement.
Snape opened his mouth to shoot off a scathing reply but then stopped. He hated Sirius Black with fiery passion but the man was a member of the Order of the Phoenix, one more trusted and with more connections to the light than Severus could risk forming. He'd also shown lately that he'd been less than pleased with Dumbledore and the old man's machinations. Perhaps this Black was the one he needed most to speak with about keeping his godson safe. "Black, I have something to speak with you about."
The Dark Lord was sitting in his usual throne like chair listening to Goyle drone and on about some raid he and the others had done against a muggle friendly community in the Wizarding world. As much as he loved a good muggle baiting Voldemort really wasn't listening, Goyle could make any subject boring. Voldemort stroked Nagini who was curled around his chair when something went through him. He closed his eyes and a small venomous smile appeared in thin lips. So that was how it was then, just as he's suspected. It was a shame though, Draco really was a beautiful boy. He could have become great under Voldemort...Now he was dead.
The fake cup was destroyed, a humorless chuckle escaped Voldemort. He wondered what the little do-gooders would do when they realized that the cup was a fake, a simple copy. The original one, the one containing a part of his soul was safe and sound and would remain so.
Voldemort turned his head to his pet snake. "Get me Lucius, my prized Death Eater has some explaining to do."
Narcissa was in her sitting room talking with her husband about their horses when she spotted Nagini slithering into the room. "Lucius, I do believe you're being summoned." She held an iron grip on her reactions and emotions, knowing the snake would pick up on the slightest shift.
"It appears so yes." Lucius leaned forward and kissed his wife's cheeks before following the large snake, his polished boots clicking against the marble floor as he went.
He walked into the grand ballroom and sunk down onto one knee in front of the Dark Lord. "You wanted to see me milord?"
"Yessss." Red eyes looked Lucius over carefully, the blond looked as cook and composed as usual but one should never judge by appearances only. "It seems I have been betrayed. The mission I gave Draco...he has failed it, he has turned the cup over to my enemies."
Lucius looked down on the floor, his heart clenching but he remained still.
"Naturally I have to wonder...How did Draco get these ideas? How come he thinks he could betray me so easily? Is he alone with such thoughts?" Voldemort's voice was even colder than usual.
"I would never betray you milord!" Lucius looked up at him. "You have my undying devotion."
"Do I?" Voldemort licked his lips. "I will give you one last chance Lucius, I cannot surround myself with untrustworthy allies. You will bring Draco here, and you will kill him in front of me to prove that your place is here, at my side."
Lucius' insides was screaming at him in horror and fear but he simply nodded. "I will do so, he stopped being my son the second the turned against you."
"We'll see." Voldemort said and dismissed the blond.
Bellatrix slipped up beside the dark wizard and gazed up at him as Lucius left the room. "My Lord would you like me to discover if my sister is loyal to our cause?"
"Just keep a close eye on her for now but be ready to take action." He looked at the dark haired witch. "I can trust you can't I Bella?"
"Of course My Lord." She knelt by his side. "I would do anything you asked of me. Anything." Her eyes glimmered with a sycophantic zeal.
"Good." Long, skeleton like fingers came to rest on top of her head. "We will triumph Bella and anyone in our way will be crushed under the soles of our boots." Yes they would triumph and the world would burn.
She leaned into his hand. "I eagerly anticipate it Master." She would happily step into hell for him and when they won the day and set the world alight they'd make it hell for those who'd opposed them.
The house looked...Well dreadful was to put it mildly. Draco looked up at the crooked building with something close to horror. Was he really supposed to live here? It was bad enough he was forced to hide underground like some sort of worm. Couldn't he at least hide in some sort of style? He followed Dumbledore as the old wizard walked up and knocked on the door. Draco didn't understand why he had to leave Hogwarts, and he most certainly didn't understand why he needed babysitters. Apparently a Malfoy was not to be trusted. He clutched the bag with his belongings and waited for the door to open, he was somewhat curious as to find out who the Order had gotten to watch over him.
The door opened and revealed a redhead grinning from ear to ear. "Hey Gred! Our delivery of dragon scales is here!" The Weasley twin who'd answered the door stepped aside, eyes twinkling madly. "Enter at your own risk."
"You hate me right?" Draco turned to Dumbledore. "You hate me and you sent me here to spare Voldemort the trouble of hunting me down because you know I will off myself within a week of living here...With them."
"Aww, that hurt." Another redhead popped up, looking over the other redhead's shoulder. "Here me and Forge open up our home to a poor little drakeling and we get nothing but abuse. My poor heart is breaking."
"There, there Mr. Malfoy. Fred and George are among the best we have. Their intelligence and inventions have won many battles against Voldemort." Dumbledore twinkled.
Draco was still horrified. "I still think it's because you hate me."
The first redhead reached out and flicked Draco's pointy little nose softly. "Nah if the Master Bumblebee hated you he'd just ignore you. Come on to the back then and we'll go over the," gasp, "rules." Then he gave Dumbledore a bright smile, "Unless you need to tell us anything before we get the dragon settled?"
"No, no I need to get back to Hogwarts. Take care of young Mr. Malfoy and send a patronus if there's anything you need or wonder about." Dumbledore clapped Draco's shoulder happily before he stepped away and disapparated.
Draco felt the sudden urge to run after the old wizard and beg him to take Draco with him.
"Come now drakeling, no reason standing there looking as if we've taken your lolly away. Come inside, we really don't bite unless you want us too." George grinned and reached out to pull Draco over the threshold.
Fred slung his arm over Draco's shoulders from the other side and lead the blond into the back where the kitchen was. Well the kitchen for food anyway. "Now Gred and I here aren't what you'd call too big on rules. Where would be the fun then? There's just a few to know. One! Don't go into the experiment labs when I or my brother aren't there. We don't want you getting blown up or turned into a salamander or anything."
"Why would I want to go anywhere near your labs?" Draco pulled his snarkiness around him like a cloak. He felt terrible unsure and so he turned to his breeding and upbringing as a pureblood to anchor him in some way.
"So stiff and correct, we need to do something about that don't we Forge?" George ruffled Draco's hair much to the blonds' annoyance.
"Yes Gred we must. I do believe we'll have to teach this little dragon the fun in flying." They reached the kitchen and guided the blond to sit at the solid oak table where tea was already set up. "Okay rule number two! You need to stay in the boundaries of the property. It's a big property so you won't be cramped or anything but this is to keep Moldyshorts from getting his clammy hands on you." Fred sobered just a bit. "George and I don't hate you. No matter how much of a prat you've been to our little brothers and our baby sister, we don't hate you. Don't even dislike you really and why is that you might be asking?" he turned to look at his brother.
"And as your gracious and charming hosts we're of course happy to answer that." George rested his elbows on the table and looked at Draco. "We can't hate or dislike what we don't know now can we? You walk around with your nose in the air acting like the king of pricks, that's easy to see but we don't know you. Me and Forge are all about giving people a fair chance."
Draco didn't know how to respond. He had only seen the clownish, silly side of the Weasley twins and judged them solely on that, writing them off as a couple of losers. Maybe there was more to them than that though. His mind was in chaos, a few days ago he had been the prince of Slytherin with everything he wanted at his fingertips and now he was here, hiding with two people that he had never really given a chance. How could they not hate him, he had been a git to their whole family since he was eleven.
"We know you can't be evil incarnate though, cause you just essentially kicked evil incarnate in the bollocks. So you can let us get to know you if you want little dragon or if you want you can act the prat," Fred tilted his head as if wondering why anyone would want to do that. "Either way you'll be safe here. Plus you don't have to play to anyone's expectations of you. You don't have to be the son and heir of Lord Malfoy, the prattish Slytherin Prince, or Harry's rival. You can just be Draco."
Draco didn't think that he'd ever been just Draco, not even when he was by himself. He wasn't sure he knew who just Draco was. He looked down at his hands resting on the tabletop. "I'm grateful you have agreed to take me in, for now let's just focus on me not killing you in your sleep and go from there." Draco's tone lacked its usual bite.
George looked over Draco's shoulder and locked eyes with his brother, it was clear the drakeling was confused despite his snarkiness. George shrugged, he had always enjoyed a challenge, it would be interesting to peal away the layers and see Draco Malfoy as a normal human being.
Fred just barked out a laugh and winked at the blond. "You don't know us any more than we know you little dragon. You know the Hogwarts troublemakers, The Twins," he make the quote gesture with his fingers, "but you don't know Fred and George. Bet you can't even tell us apart but here's a little secret, no set of twins is truly identical even soul twins. I have my own little quirks, tells, and gestures and so does George."
George nodded. "Despite popular belief we are two separate beings, with different likes and dislikes." He flashed Draco a grin.
Draco looked between them, he really couldn't tell them apart but part of him looked forward to getting to know them better. It was a very small part so far but at least it was a start. "Well, I don't think we'll be getting bored with each other." He said at last and let his stiff shoulders relax some.
"No, I don't think boredom will be a problem." George agreed smiling.
"Nope." Fred grinned again just as a small chime went off. "Well I'll let Georgie show you to your room I have a product in development to check up on." He got up, waggled his fingers at the two of them and trotted off into the bowels of the house. He knew George would give Draco a good tour and run down of the house areas, possibly even a map in case the blond got lost cause they had a habit of making their properties into subtle labyrinths just for the fun value.
George watched his brother go, an appreciative gleam in his eyes at the way Fred moved before he grabbed Draco's luggage and motioned for the blond to follow him. "You'll have your own bedroom with your own bathroom too. Lucky you eh?"
Draco rolled his eyes but followed obediently. When they reached the room where he would stay he was pleasantly surprised, there wasn't a spot of Gryffindor red in the room instead it was decorated in pale blue and green tones.
"If you get lost or need something just holler our room...s are just down the hall. We'll come to the rescue in a flash." George ruffled Draco's hair again, chuckling as the blond glared at him. "I'll leave you to get settled but as I said, just call if there's anything you want."
Draco let out a breath when the redhead left and closed the door behind him. He said down on the soft bed and stared out into the room. This would take some getting used to but maybe it wouldn't be completely horrible after all.
TW'S A/N: I apologize for the wait. All I'll say is that I've been in a funk. However I am sorry to inform you all that I have been considering completely leaving FFnet. I've been thinking about it a lot for a while now and for a number of reasons, though the recent purge has definitely pushed it to the edge. If I do decide to leave Revelations of a Return will no longer be updated here. It will, however, be posted on another site which is better equipped for posting collaborations and fics of a more mature nature. That's only if I decide to leave FFnet, it's still up in the air right now though it won't take much to have the penny drop.
Thank you for reading and those of you who review, it is more appreciated than I can properly express in words even if I don't always manage to reply individually (usually because I lose track of who I have and have not answered).