Chapter Seventy-eight

This is a Draco-centric chapter.

December 5th, 1996. Professor Snape's quarters

Draco, Blaise and Pansy sat quietly in Severus' living room, their bodies slumped against the deep green couch.

"That was the hardest workout yet," Blaise moaned.

Pansy rolled her eyes. "You say that every time we train with Professor Snape."

"And every time it's true!"

Draco grinned at his friends. "We need to head back soon, but right now how are things going? All three of us are in the book club, and seem to have easily made friends from other houses, but what about the other clubs you're in?"

"Granger and I are partners in the Latin club, and she's been willing to partner with me in other classes," Blaise said sounding a bit embarrassed.

"Blaise, you're not some diseased creature who should be shocked at someone's kindness!" Pansy snapped her eyes flashing.

"I know." Blaise held his hands out in front of him to stop her attack. "However we all know that Slytherins have been treated as scum for centuries, and I'm shocked at how quickly that is changing."

"Truly things have changed very quickly," drawled Draco. "Between the clubs, and Gabriel bouncing around the school, one wouldn't believe the rivalries we all expected to continue with this year."

"I would have to say Granger has also been a huge influence. Being Muggle-born and so bookish and clever the rivalries never meant much to her, and now she's a force of nature," Pansy mused. "Granger approached me and several other purebloods asking for our help to create a Wizard Culture booklet."

"What for?" Draco sneered.

"Apparently most Muggle-borns don't know anything about things we take for granted."

"Well that makes everything clear," Draco snapped, irritated at Pansy's half-answer.

"Shut-up, you poof."

"Bitch."

"Cock-sucker."

"Whore."

"Can we please get back to the discussion?" Blaise interrupted. Once, he had let them go just to see how long they could call each other names before repeating themselves, it had taken over thirty minutes.

Pansy fluffed her hair and turned so she faced Blaise. "As I was trying to explain, Muggle-borns, and those raised without benefit of our upbringing, have no idea about the language of flowers or courtships, ancient holidays and such."

"Charlie Stilton," Draco whispered. "He gave that one Muggle-born a bouquet of flowers and she blushed and thanked him, but never gave him permission to court her. He was devastated and she looked shocked when he didn't approach her again."

"Exactly," Pansy squealed. "If she had known, they could be married right now!"

"I've always seen the Muggle world as a mystery, but never thought that Muggle-borns would see our world the same way." Blaise ran a hand through his soft curls. "It's almost curfew, Draco, how is the plan coming along?"

Draco sighed and his face became closed off. "Gabriel has a plan, and I'm trying to help him survive it; there's far too much Gryffindor in him for his own good."

Pansy placed a small, pale hand on his thigh. "Draco, what if he doesn't succeed?"

Draco's eyes turned to gray ice, his voice cold and factual. "It depends on how things go. I know of plenty of places to hide, and we have enough money and knowledge of the Muggle world to survive, if we need to. However, it might look like I've handed Gabriel to the Dark Lord on a silver platter, and if the Dark Lord wins I'll be a hero."

"I hate to ask," Blaise began softly, "but what if Gabriel wins, and somehow dies?"

Draco stood and walked to the door. "Again, we have money and hiding places. However, it's obvious to everyone, especially his family, how much I love him. I'm sure we'll be protected. Anyway isn't that part of the reason we're all in the clubs?"

Pansy watched Draco leave, his robes snapping around him. "Good going, Blaise!"

"Draco admitted he loves him."

"Boys are so stupid." Pansy allowed herself a moment to feel sorry for herself being surrounded by the hapless creatures. Oh well, at least some of them were rather pretty to look at. Pansy walked to the Slytherin dorms with images of strong hands, wicked smiles and red hair fluttering through her mind.

"Mr. Zabini is there a reason you're cluttering my sitting room?"

Startled, Blaise looked into the black eyes of his mentor. "Sorry, Professor Snape, I'm just… I'm an idiot."

Snape blinked slowly, his lip twitching just a bit. "You're a teenager, it's expected."

"I knew he wasn't using Gabriel, or at least just using him." Blaise muttered as if he hadn't just been insulted. "But love, wow, I just didn't see that coming."

"Perhaps you have been too preoccupied with the demands of your own hormones."

Blaise blushed and buried his face in his hands. "She's too young, and I don't really see her in a sexual way, I'm mean she's lovely, but I don't want to touch her like that." His brown eyes pleaded with his professor to understand. A soft nod was all the encouragement he needed to continue. "I know in my heart that she is mine, that we belong together. That someday she will come and claim me and I will follow her to the ends of the earth."

Severus' lips twitched at the innocent declaration. "I shall let her parents know of your intentions."

"Thank you, sir. Do you think, maybe, they would let me be her friend for now?"

"I will ask. Now go to bed."

"Yes sir, thank you sir." Blaise stumbled over his tongue and feet as he left Severus' quarters.

Draco carefully pulled the drapes and sat on the bed staring at his boyfriend. Gabriel was sprawled on his stomach, his black curls spread against the green silk sheets. A tear slipped down Draco's soft white cheek… he couldn't lose him. Draco slowly slid the sheet down the muscular back, exposing the tight round arse coved in orange pajama bottoms. Draco smiled; one of Gabriel's siblings must have picked them out for him.

For a long while Draco just stared at the perfection before him. When he couldn't stand it any longer Draco reached out and gently ran a finger over the firm swell of Gabriel arse. Merlin Draco loved his arse! They had made love every chance they'd got since their first time. Sometimes it was quick and rough and others gentle and slow, each touch conveying the depth of emotion they felt.

Draco had yet to bottom. Oh, he wanted to, there were times he would suck Gabriel's long, thick cock and imagine how it would feel sliding in his arse. He would reach down and wank himself, coming hard, as Gabriel spilled down his throat.

Draco's hand rubbed harder causing Gabriel to whimper and shift in his sleep. There had been several times he'd almost begged Gabriel to take him, like last night when Gabriel had licked and sucked at his hole until he'd come screaming, his cock untouched. But every time he held back; he just wasn't ready to trust someone that much. He loved Gabriel and trusted him with so much, but that last step, being so vulnerable and exposed – Draco just couldn't bring himself to cross that line.

Before he could delve deeper into these thoughts, Gabriel stirred. "You fuckin' me?" Gabriel's voice was rough and slurred as he was barely awake.

Draco chuckled. "I would like to think you wouldn't have to ask if I was fucking you… or are you implying I'm small?"

Gabriel smiled, his eyes still closed, and wiggled his bum. "Invitation?"

"I think you need sleep more than sex."

"Doesn't make sense."

Draco settled at the head of the bed and began running his fingers through his boyfriend's raven locks. Within seconds Gabriel was sound asleep. Grabbing the Russian Potions book from his night stand Draco continued to pet Gabriel while reading.

Hours later Draco froze, as he carefully re-read the page. He began to shake. Desperately he got a hold of himself and slid out of bed, and quietly left the dorm. Moments later he was banging on his godfather's door. He didn't know how long he'd knocked before the door flew open.

"What's wrong?" Severus demanded.

"I think I can save him!"

Quick hands reached out and pulled Draco into the room. When the door shut, Severus sat Draco down on the couch. "Slowly explain why you had to wake me up in the middle of the night."

"I was reading this potions text and I've found a potion that might keep Gabriel alive when he battles the Dark Lord."

"Explain."

"This is the journal of Bogdan, a Potions Master who lived around the time of the Founders. He traveled across Russia and into Siberia and met with many shamans. One of them used this potion to aid his ability to travel to the spirit world and heal broken souls. It takes two weeks to make, and I don't know how much time we have before the Dark Lord attacks."

Severus held out his hand. "Let me see that."

Draco handed over the book, and nervously waited.

His black eyes boring into Draco's, Severus said, "I have everything needed to make the potion, except Unicorn's Breath, which needs to be used within minutes of harvesting."

"I'm growing Unicorn's Breath with Gabriel and Neville for Herbology. Do you think it will work?"

"Individually the ingredients all help with mental focus, clarity, and protection, however I have no idea what they will do once combined."

"Can we start on it tomorrow?" Draco pleaded.

"Certainly."

"I don't want to tell Gabriel until we have it made. I don't want him to get his hopes up or stop looking for other options."

Severus considered this for a moment. "All right, however once the potion is finished you will tell him. Come here tomorrow, correction tonight, after dinner and we'll get started."

Draco jumped up from the chair and embraced his godfather enthusiastically. "Thank you so much, Uncle Severus."

"You are quite welcome," Severus answered hugging Draco tightly.

December 6th, 7am

Draco woke with a gasp, which bled into a groan. Merlin, he could wake up this way every day for the rest of his life. Reaching down he threaded his fingers into Gabriel's damp hair. Slowly he opened his eyes and nearly came at the sight of the freshly showered gypsy bobbing up and down on his cock. Draco's slender fingers flexed, tangling further into the wet curls as he tried not to force Gabriel's head down, and whimpering as Gabriel pulled off.

Draco opened his eyes as Gabriel chuckled darkly. "Don't worry, I'm not stopping, I just wanted to let you know it's okay if you fuck my mouth."

Draco's eyes widened and for a moment he froze. Before he could even consciously think about it he was reaching down with his other hand and forcing Gabriel to take his aching cock back in his mouth. Having done this before, Draco knew what his boyfriend could take and was soon thrusting into the wet heat, as Gabriel sucked and licked enthusiastically. As he got closer to coming Draco blushed; there was something about fucking Gabriel's mouth that made him talk and he couldn't stop himself.

"Your mouth is so hot and wet," he whispered roughly. "Yes, Merlin, yes, lick my cock just like that. Your red lips look so good wrapped around me. You're mine, made to suck my cock. Oh…yes…suck me…Gabriel… ohohoh!"

Draco arched off the bed plunging deep into Gabriel's mouth and hitting the back of his throat as he came. Gabriel sucked and licked every last drop of come out of him. Thoroughly spent, Draco collapsed onto the bed.

Gabriel lay down beside him, green eyes sparkling with happiness. "Good morning."

Draco arched an eyebrow. "Apparently."

Gabriel beamed and reached out, running his fingers through the silvery blond locks. "I know you need more sleep, but I don't think you want to miss breakfast."

"What time is it?"

"Well, I started at six, so six-o-one?"

Gray eyes narrowed dangerously. "You should run."

Gabriel laughed carelessly. "Please… as if you could move right now." Leaning over Gabriel kissed his pink lips. The kiss was full of love and sweetness and Draco sighed in bliss as Gabriel pulled away. "I'm going to get dressed, you should get up." With a flick of his fingers the silencing charm was removed and Gabriel stood.

Draco stretched, watching his lover get dressed, knowing that he was wearing a very proprietary look on his face. Oh yes, the fine specimen of wizard was his, and he had no intention of sharing.

"You have that look again." Gabriel smiled indulgently as he finished buttoning up his robe.

Draco ignored him. "Where are you going so early?"

"I need to check on our Herbology project, and I wanted to see how Tatiana is doing, she was running a bit of a fever last night. I'll see you in the Great Hall for breakfast."

"Okay."

As Gabriel left the room he called out. "It's quarter to seven."

"Bloody hell!" Draco cursed throwing back the covers and heading to the showers. An hour was barely enough to get ready!

December 6th, 9pm

Draco's face was blank as he carefully shredded the mullein. The base of almond oil and lavender was simmering beside him and in precisely three minutes the mullein and mugwort would need to be added. The potion was very precise but not complicated. For the next hour Draco was completely focused on the Shaman's Potion. Holding his breath Draco added the last ingredient. Translucent white petals floated into the cauldron and the potion swirled in a rainbow of colors.

"It looks exactly as the book described, well done."

"Thank you, Uncle Severus." Draco fastened a lid on top of the cauldron and set it up on the shelf. "It will be okay here? The instructions say to let it set undisturbed for fourteen days."

Severus quirked an ebony eyebrow at his godson. "This is my private laboratory, of course it is safe."

Checking his clock Severus wrote the time on a piece of parchment and set it in front of the cauldron. "At precisely ten in the evening on the twentieth your potion shall be done."

"Do you think it will work?"

Severus sighed and pulled the scared boy into his arms. Sometimes he forgot how truly young they all were. "Yet again, I do not know. The potion looks like it will work to help stabilize and strengthen Gabriel as he heals the Dark Lord's soul, but I really don't know. I did make my own batch so we could have one to test."

Draco relaxed in his godfather's arms and for the moment allowed himself to feel safe and hopeful. Later he would begin to search again for anything that could help save his lover's life.