Disclaimer: We have no claim on Harry Potter nor any characters or locations thereof. We gain only amusement from writing this.
Warning: Destined mates, creature fic, angst from the puppies. After the last book only EWE and Sirius and Remus very much alive. Discussion on Snape's creature blood, shape-shifting. Remus and Sirius angst, Hermione friendship and mention/implication of Romione though there's no kissing or other stuff. Possible OOC but not too sure since a free and miserable Sirius probably acts differently than a confined and miserable Sirius. Dumbledore alive and kicking.
AN: Here we are with chapter eleven; Snape and Harry make their first move of matching up a Weasley dragon handler with a certain pale, evil blond.
Please enjoy.
SOULSONG
Chapter Eleven.
Charlie stepped through the Hogwarts gates, a little concerned since Snape had requested some more dragon's blood and some more horn shavings for his potions. As both weren't used often as ingredients except in Wolfsbane potions or potions for advanced healing, he was worried that something bad had happened at the school and since Snape wouldn't answer his questions he'd spent the three days it took to collect the blood and shavings in a tizzy of worry that one of his family had been hurt or possibly Harry or Hermione, who were practically family.
Draco eyed his godfather and continued to bottle the Pepper Up potion. "I don't understand why you asked me for help with this," he motion towards the cauldron with potion. "You can brew Pepper Up potion in your sleep. Don't tell me Potter is turning your brain to mush." Draco had thrown of his robes and rolled up his shirtsleeves due to the heat of the room.
"Has it not perhaps occurred to you that, as it goes faster with two hands, I wish to complete tasks more quickly so I can spend time with my mate?" Snape lifted a brow at his godson. "And there is also the added benefit of preparing you for your apprenticeship."
He really wanted the apprenticeship so Draco bit his tongue around the snarky comment that really wanted to slip about regarding his godfather's mate. Honestly Potter wasn't that bad but old habits were hard to break and riling Potter up was so much fun. "That may be true but I wish we could have brewed a less boring potion."
"Much of what a potioneer must do to procure the money to get his materials is boring Draco. Madam Pomfrey needs these for the epidemic of colds sweeping the school and so they must be brewed." Severus looked over at Draco, "You do realize I don't need Legilimency to know what you're thinking in regards to Harry yes? You've complained about him often enough since first year on that I can nearly guess the exact words rolling through your mind. You might wish to gain some creativity in your insults." He began crating the potions for transport to the infirmary.
Draco snorted. "I'm plenty creative when I wish to be, it's just that dear old Potter isn't worth the work." He threw Snape a glance. "And you, I thought we'd agreed you keep both bird and human beak out of my head. As long as I don't say it out loud it doesn't count...I still can't believe I won't be rid of the boy wonder even after school is over, still practicing potion under you might just make the company worth it." Draco helped Snape crate the potions and he rolled his sleeves down so that he wouldn't have to look at the evidence of his folly any more. "Do you, do you think it will ever fade away?" He pressed his hand to his covered forearm.
Snape didn't bother to roll his own sleeves down and glanced at the mark that, while still clearly there, was no longer the vivid black. It was like a faded muggle tattoo, always there but the color and sharpness dulled. "Doubtful, unless you wish to undergo the muggle method of tattoo removal. With Voldemort dead all it is now, is ink under the skin."
"Do you know how sensitive skin Malfoys have?" Draco looked shocked. "I would never let a muggle machine anywhere near my person." He rubbed his arm again. "It's just another mark I'll have to live with I suppose, another cause for gossip and believe me, people do gossip." Draco stretched. "Doesn't bother me though, I'm better then they think I am and I will prove it."
"Do you know I honestly cannot decide if you get more arrogance from your mother's side of the family or your father's?" The tone was gently musing as the second crate was swiftly filled. Snape looked up as a knock came on the door, "Yes?"
It opened and Charlie Weasley stepped in, two crates in his own arms, "Snape, I don't suppose you'd tell me why you needed more dragon's blood and horn shavings again so soon?"
"They're not precisely for me." Severus wiped his hands clean as he turned to face the redhead, "I'll be taking Draco on as my apprentice after the summer and as such he'll need appropriate ingredients."
The set of the wide, muscled shoulders eased, "Well that explains it then." His gaze lit on Draco curiously as he walked over and set the crates of shavings and blood on the table. He did remember the blond from the fight against Voldemort and his forces but he wasn't the kind to hold a grudge, especially not when he knew the offending party was remorseful over their actions. "You'll have a lot on your plate working under this one," he angled his head towards Snape, "especially as I hear he won't be teaching at Hogwarts anymore."
"I know, aren't I lucky? All that charm and pleasantness focused solely on little old me." Draco grinned at his godfather and looked at the Weasley underneath his lashes. Despite his last name the redhead was gorgeous, strong muscles, tanned skin and that telltale red hair shone like it was lit up from the inside. Draco had noticed the man during the final battle and afterwards when everyone was trying to cope with what had happened. The man had been a like a solid rock for his family, Draco had envied that right then, he had wanted a pair of arms to crawl into as well.
Charlie chuckled, "Actually I was referring to the fact that he won't have the slave labor of Hogwarts students to clean the cauldrons anymore." The redhead rather liked the way the grin made Draco look more approachable and friendly. He'd noticed the blond from across the battlefield after it was over and seen him standing stiff and alone as his father and mother were taken into Auror custody and had felt a deep surge of compassion for the Slytherin prince. No one should be left alone after such an upheaval.
"Oh Merlin no..." Draco paled and turned to Snape again. "I'm telling you right now that I won't be cleaning any cauldrons except the ones I've used...You and your mate can clean and bond more over the leftover potions, at least Potter is used to scrubbing your cauldrons."
Severus lifted a brow, "The beauty of being a potion master rather than an apprentice is that I can order you to do whatever I like that involves the process of potions, including cleaning all the cauldrons, or you have to find another master."
Charlie let out a loud booming laugh at Draco's horrified expression, "I wouldn't worry too much about it Mr. Malfoy. The huge piles of cauldrons that are cleaned during detentions are the students' cauldrons. I found out in seventh year that Severus is too paranoid to let any student clean one of his own cauldrons."
Draco heaved a sigh of relief and gave Snape a teasing look. "Paranoid...Well that does sound like the Severus Snape I know." To his horror Draco felt almost tongue tied in Charlie's company. He didn't get flustered or tongue tied, it never happened and now he didn't really know how to deal with it.
Severus hummed and shoved one heavy crate of the potions into Draco's arms, "Just for that you can deliver the potions to Poppy. Perhaps, if he has the time, Mr. Weasley might assist you and carry the second crate up." He gave a questioning look to Charlie, who just looked from Snape to Draco for a moment before grinning in understanding.
"Sure, I've got the time. Since I needed to deliver the blood and shavings I took a week of leave to sooth Mum's demands that I come home for a visit so I've all the time in the world." He picked up the second crate with one hand and looked over at Draco, "What do you say Mr. Malfoy, think you can stand my company for the walk to the hospital wing?"
He carried the crate with one hand...Draco felt his mouth go dry at that display of casual strength. He himself was staggering under the weight of his crate but he'd rather bite his tongue off than show any signs of struggling. "Well since you are helping me and saving me a second trip I suppose I can endure your company." The words were dry but the glitter of Draco's eyes showed that he was joking.
"Good, now the both of you get out of my sight," Snape pointed at the door.
Charlie chuckled and held the door open for Draco, "Such a sweet nature he's got our Snape, butter wouldn't melt in his mouth."
"The really sad thing is that he is practically a teddy bear these days compared to how he used to be...Potter has softened him up." Draco shook his head mournfully and nodded his head in thanks that Charlie held the door open.
The redhead smiled and fell into step beside Draco. "I'm glad actually. Both of them have been waiting a lifetime for happiness and freedom, it's about time fate cooperated for them."
Draco waited until the door had closed behind them before speaking. "I'm happy for them too, Severus and Potter both. I've known Severus my whole life and he's never been this happy...Potter is good for him but if you tell them I've said that I will use all my evil genes and take you out."
"Your secret is safe with me. Besides you and Harry have such a healthy pick and peck going on, it'd be a shame to see it end," it was dead pan sarcasm at its best.
"Don't know what you're talking about." Draco put his pointy nose in the air. "Potter's practically my bosom brother, we're that close." His eyes went to Charlie's hands again and to his annoyance he couldn't help but wonder how such large, strong hands would feel touching him.
"Well Ron would be shocked to hear that," Charlie slanted a glance over at Draco; well aware of the silver eyes practically molesting his hands. Not that he minded that. It was always nice to be admired by a good looking person. "I wonder though, did you take the Seeker position on the Slytherin team just because it was something Harry did or did you really want to be a Seeker?"
"I always wanted to play Quidditch, I flew a broom before I could walk and the walls of my room were plastered with Quidditch pictures." Draco gave a wistful little smile. "I didn't join because of Potter but it doesn't matter now, I'm not good enough to play professionally...I'll keep it on the stands from now on."
"Eh never let your skills dry up even if you don't play professionally. I never chose to play professionally but I still fly; only now my opponents are a little more dangerous than your typical Bludger." Charlie grinned widely, "Especially the females during nesting season. I still think Dumbledore and the Ministry were on some sort of botched up potion when they decided on that for the Tri-Wizard tournament's first task."
"Oh I'll never stop flying, it's in my blood. I simply won't pursue it in a professional sense." He gave the redhead a sly look. "And I don't think it was just during the Tournament that Dumbledore dipped a little too deep into the cauldron, he's seemed to be in a constant potion fume haze in my eyes. Still, I can't imagine dealing with dragons like that daily, what's it like?"
"It's amazing. Dangerous and rewarding, the first time you even see one of the dragons on the reserve is breathtaking and then you learn little by little just how their hierarchy works. They'll do anything to protect their clan, sacrifice their lives or a wing, and the one who are crippled in such a way aren't left to fall by the wayside, all the rest of the clan helps care for them for the rest of their lives. A mother dragon is danger and fury combined but if she trusts you and lets you get close enough to see her with her clutch or the kits, nothing will put a wider smile on your face than to see the little fireballs playing with each other and tumbling over their own tails. No dragon, of any species or gender, will harm an egg or a kit. Mother dragons have no problem letting other dragons near but any other species gets a single warning blast before Mama or the babysitter gets serious. They'll even protect and care for infants not their own species, one time one of the handler's daughters got out of her playpen and somehow got into the cave of a nesting Horntail and rather than eat her like a lot of the new handlers thought she would, the mother Horntail just nuzzled Gerta and curled up around her until Gerta's mother came calling." Charlie chuckled. "That was quite a sight, a little toddler being carried by the seat of her diaper by a humongous Horntail straight to her mother's arms and the dragon just going back to her cave. Humans could learn a thing or two from dragons."
Draco had listened in fascination both to the story and the smooth lull of Charlie's voice. "I was just thinking the same when you spoke. Ironically your dragons seem to know much more about humanity than most humans." Draco was glad that he carried the crate with potions because he felt the urge to rub the ugly mark on his arm as he spoke. It had become a nervous habit of his, one he didn't appreciate.
"Well they've had a lot longer to get it right." Charlie smiled, "Most dragons live a good thousand years from hatching to death and they're closer to their instincts and Magic herself than we are. By comparison humans are just coming out of the egg developmentally. There are a few 'bad' dragons though, they don't come round often but when they do it's not pretty. It's usually a male on the edge of falling into old age that's lost his mate."
"I wouldn't call them bad then...heartbroken, lonely and on the edge in every sense of the word but not bad." Draco felt a wave of sympathy for those old lonely dragons, in a way he could understand them going crazed after living so long together with someone just to be left alone. He shook his head to get the sad thoughts out. "Ah, here we are." He said as they walked through the door of the infirmary.
Poppy eyed the redhead following Draco in suspiciously before shaking her head, "Never thought I'd see the day Charlie Weasley entered here uninjured."
Charlie laughed and set the crate he carried down where he knew she liked to have them for unpacking. "Nice to see you too Poppy and I wasn't all that bad was I?"
She lifted a brow, "Your record has only been broken by first Severus and then Mr. Potter. Yes you were that bad and you didn't have the excuse of a Dark Lord after you."
He grinned sheepishly, "So technically the record of 'Most injuries cause by his own stupidity' still goes to me right?"
"Absolutely, well Mr. Malfoy put that crate down unless you're wanting to stand round here all day assisting me?"
"Putting it down right now Madam Pomfrey." Draco flushed and placed the crate on the table Poppy had motioned at. He flexed his aching hands and were embarrassed by how his muscles trembled when Charlie hadn't even broken a sweat. "Just here to deliver."
Poppy nodded and raised a brow at Charlie as if asking what they were still doing there then.
The redhead chuckled and grabbed Draco's wrist to tug the blond out of the infirmary before she put them both to work. Once out of the hospital wing Charlie couldn't help but laugh. "I swear sometimes that if Voldemort had just faced Poppy he'd have run off with his tail between his legs. The woman is positively frightening without trying to be."
Draco smiled too. "She's truly, truly scary...Not quite in par with Voldemort but she can certainly hold her own." Draco's smiled dimmed when he thought about the Dark Lord and the things he had made him do...No, nothing could be more frightening than that. "Last time I 'volunteered' she had me draining puss out of boils, I'd rather not have a repeat performance."
Charlie hummed, "There are more disgusting things trust me little dragon." He released Draco's wrist.
"I know that Red, that doesn't mean I want to spend the one day off from school doing it." Draco snapped back and felt a rush of anger that he missed the other's touch.
Rather than become insulted or angry over being snarled at, Charlie just chuckled again. "No I can't see that you would. Not to mention 'Malfoy' and 'boils' generally don't go together in the same sentence, your Dad would probably raise hell if they did." He looked over at the blond, "How are your parents doing by the by?"
"Hm, well the Ministry still hasn't released our vaults at Gringotts, Father has lost most of his business partners and deals and Mother is no longer welcome in what's considered polite society." Draco straightened himself and stood tall. "We're Malfoys; we'll always come back better and stronger than before. Thank you for asking though."
Charlie frowned, "You should talk to Harry about your Mum's private vault at least, he won't be likely to want to help your father directly but he would your mother. She helped him, didn't really have to but she did, and that's not the sort of thing Harry forgets." Off Draco's look he shrugged, "My father and yours don't like each other much...well at all and it wasn't helped when Lucius dumped Riddle's diary into Ginny's school things but fact of the matter is this, I'm not my Dad, you're not yours and your Mother saved the life of someone I consider another brother. She should at least get to keep her own money and if 'polite' society decides to visibly snub her some more I'd use that sneaky brain of yours to remind them that if it wasn't for your Mum the war might very well have been lost in the end. As Voldemort had the Elder Wand, only its true master would have been immune to it and that was Harry."
"I don't need Potter's help to take care of my family; I can do it on my own." Draco spoke quietly. "We'll be back on top again soon, you'll see."
"Well I don't doubt that, or that you can take care of your family on your own. You just shouldn't have to. It's not right that your mother is being punished, she didn't do anything but survive and even risked that survival to help Harry." Charlie's voice was casual, the tone of accepted belief. "Can't say I blame you not wanting to look for help though, especially not from Harry. I'd probably cut my own tongue out before I asked help from my own personal rival from school. Bloody hell I hated that prat."
"I don't hate Potter, I don't think I ever did but I don't need to be more indebted to him than I already am. I need to know that I can take care of my own whether it is right or not. Mother knows that and she understands." Draco sighed. "She and Father had to beg to let me finish my schooling here, apparently they frown on letting Death Eaters that plotted to kill the Headmaster back...I'm not going to let them beg or humiliate themselves again, especially not on my behalf. It has nothing to do with some sort of school boy rivalry."
Charlie paused in his step and just stared at Draco for a minute before shaking his head, "I can't believe I'm having to remind a Slytherin about this, Ron'll kill me, but Draco should your mother ever need help that Harry can provide she won't have to beg, she'll hardly have to ask. Harry owes your mother. She put herself at needless risk to save his life, just as Harry did for my sister in his second year. My family doesn't like to think about it but Ginny owes Harry a life debt and in the same way, Harry owes your mother a life debt." He reached out and tugged on a bit of blond hair, "Remind your Mum of that but please, by sweet Circe, don't tell Ron I said anything about it."
Draco stepped away, tense and white faced. "You don't get it, there's no way you could. I don't give a fuck about saint Potter, what he owes and what he can do for my Mother. I need to do this on my own, to take care of her and try to make up what I made her go through. If I can't do it then...You don't get it." Draco gave a short nod. "Now please excuse me but I need to get back to my dorm, thank you for the help."
Charlie moved so that he was very much in the way, "You were named well. I do get it Draco, and I apologize for making you think I don't," he met the younger man's eyes steadily, "call it a bi product of who I am but I hate seeing such struggle and being unable to offer even thin comfort. If you ever want an ear though, feel free to floo-call at Fireball's Den and if you tell me to just sit and listen, then that's what I'll do or if you seek advice or even just distraction I'll offer what I can. And before that pride of yours raises its hackles, I'm offering because I like you and I'd like to see or hear from you again, no other reason." He tugged on a bit of Draco's hair again and then skirted around the blond to head for Hagrid's to give the half-giant a report on Norberta.
Draco watched the redhead go with a thoughtful expression. The bad thing here was that he really did want to talk to Charlie Weasley again, to get to know him better. Oh by Merlin's lacy thong, he was helplessly attracted to a Weasley, it didn't matter that the Ministry had control of their money; his father would cut him off anyway if he ever found out. Draco groaned and decided to go for a ride on his broom instead; he needed to clear his head.
The door of a nearby classroom opened when the blond had vacated the corridor and out stepped Hermione Granger, who was pursing her lips in thought. Ron would throw a fit if he suspected his brother fancied Malfoy but at the same time, Draco, for all that the little ferret made her want to hex him brainless, had also suffered during the war. As much as she hated to admit it, Draco deserved a bit of happiness himself not to mention Charlie was right about it being unfair that Narcissa was being punished. She sighed and lifted her eyes up to the ceiling, muttering about how she had to be crazy to even be thinking this before she went to find Harry.
Harry was playing with Teddy outside since it was the day after the full moon. He wanted to give Sirius and Remus a chance to rest up, even with his mate and the Wolfsbane the moon still took its toll on Remus and Harry figured that the least he could do was watch Teddy so they could get some sleep. Right now he was sitting on a bench, watching Teddy chase after his conjured butterflies, giggling as they dissolved into glitter whenever he caught one.
"You're wonderful with him Harry." Hermione settled herself on the bench beside her friend. "You'll make a good parent one day."
Harry startled at the voice but turned and smiled at his friend. "Don't know about that but Teddy is very easy to love, look at him he's just like a puppy tripping over his own feet...I blame his daddies."
She giggled, "Well his Mum was rather clumsy too if you recall." She watched Teddy catch another butterfly. "I overheard an interesting conversation between Charlie Weasley and Malfoy a little bit ago. First, you know that you owe Malfoy's Mum a life debt right?"
"I'm aware of that yes." Harry nodded, keeping one eye on Teddy to make sure he didn't skitter out of sight. "I've even spoken to her, asked her if I could repay it somehow but she declined." He glanced over at Hermione before returning his attention to the toddler. "Soooo, how were Malfoy and Charlie getting along then?" Harry did his best to sound casual."
"Merciful Heaven save us but yes, Charlie is interested in Malfoy. But the thing that really got my attention was, the Ministry is still holding all of the Malfoy's accounts frozen, including Lady Malfoy's."
"What?" Harry turned fully towards Hermione now. "That's not right; they promised they wouldn't keep any of the confiscated vaults once the trials were over. As much as it baffles me even Lucius was completely cleared except for a fine...The Ministry has no legal grounds to keep control over the Malfoys funds."
She nodded, "I know and who knows how many other families who have been cleared are in a similar situation."
"I'm going to floo call Kingsley and see if I can get any clarity in what's going on. It doesn't matter what happened, the war is over and these people have rights too...No Teddy get down from there." Harry turned back towards the toddler who was doing his best to climb a tree. "What is it with you and squirrels?"
Hermione giggled, "Canine remember Harry?" She got up and took Teddy from him, "Why don't you go do your flooing and I'll look after Teddy," she pursed her lips, "you haven't given him any sugar have you?"
"No sugar, I promise. Does he look as if he needs it?" Harry tickled the squirming, giggling little boy in Hermione's arms. "Thank you for watching him Mione. I'll go floo Kingsley, I just hope I get him directly and not his idiot secretary like last time." Harry rolled his eyes, hugged his friend and started to walk towards Severus' quarters. He knew he could use the floo there without any dorm mates hanging over his shoulder.
Severus was just finishing the task of cleaning out the cauldron he and Draco had used when he felt his mate enter the quarters. He heard Harry activate the floo for a fire-call and felt the righteous indignation that he knew accompanied his mate when he was on a quest to right a wrong. Finishing his task, he moved to the living area to watch and listen to Harry speak to Kingsley Shacklebolt.
Kingsley smiled in the flames at Harry. "Mr. Potter, calling for more information about the workings of the creature blooded laws?"
"Not this time unfortunately Minister." Harry gave Kingsley a tight lipped smile. "It has come to my attention that the Ministry is still in control over the Malfoy family's vaults, that not even Lady Malfoy has her own private vault returned to her. Why is this? I thought you said all riches and properties were to be returned after the trials. Are there more families who have not gotten their vaults back?" Harry didn't want to sound accusing but this was a serious matter. "Former and suspected Death Eaters will have it hard enough in the coming years without the Ministry taking away their means of survival."
The Minister blinked then frowned, "I wasn't aware of this Mr. Potter I assure you. It is and always has been Ministry procedure to release the vaults of an accused upon acquittal. I'll have to contact our notification liaison in the investigations department, it's his job to make sure the goblins know that the wizard whose accounts are frozen has been fully acquitted. The goblins take care of everything after that."
"Thank you Minister." Harry bowed his head. "I'd be very happy if you would look into things, I know things are still very chaotic and you're doing an excellent job. No matter what happened during the war these people have been acquitted and should get their funds back. Thank you for taking the time to speak to me."
"Harry I try to make a point of always making at least some time for old comrades in arms, especially ones who've nearly cocked up their toes on the world's behalf. Speaking of, give Snape my best and let him know that the offer is still open."
Severus rolled his eyes. He appreciated Kingsley as a leader and warrior but by Merlin the man was stubborn in his quest to get him to come and head the potions training for the Auror department.
"I'll do that Minister, give my love to Mrs. Shacklebolt and take care. Don't let them devour you over there." Harry smiled and ended the floo-call. He got up from the floor and looked over his shoulder. "I suppose you heard that?" Harry had felt his mate's presence and as always it was like a soothing caress.
Severus left the doorway and came over to stand before his mate, "I did yes. He wants me to head the training in potions for the Aurors. I'm not about to do it. I've spent long enough teaching dunderheads who have the honest excuse of childhood how not to explode their cauldrons; I'm not moving on to adults who should know better."
Harry chuckled. "Aw, but that would mean more time teaching Ron for example, can't believe you're not jumping on that chance." His eyes twinkled. "No, I'm counting on you and me and Ireland, no Ministry just yet for either one of us." Harry stood on his toes and kissed his mate softly. "Did you hear about the vaults too? Did you know that the Malfoys wealth was confiscated?"
The older man scowled even as his arms went around his mate, "I knew they would be confiscated but not that they were still frozen. Draco hasn't told me. How did you hear of it?"
"I heard it from Hermione who in turn had heard Charlie and Malfoy talk...You know this place, secrets don't stay secrets for long." Harry leaned against Severus. "Lucius Malfoy is not my favorite wizard in the world but lady Malfoy saved my life, she and Draco deserve to move on, there's no reason for them to not get their funds back."
Severus chuckled and brushed his lips over Harry's mate mark, "He won't thank you for it. If I know my godson he'd planned to reverse their fortunes completely on his own and his pride won't be particularly happy if he discovers you had a hand in seeing that his family's vaults were returned."
"I won't tell him if you don't." Harry hummed happily at his mate's touch. "Malfoy is a stubborn little bugger, I wouldn't put it past him to actually succeed in building up a new fortune for his family but the point is he shouldn't have to, not when the vaults should have been returned long ago. I'd do this for anyone who was in the same position though...Can't stop myself it seems."
The potion master clucked his tongue, "I'll have to do something about that altruistic crusader streak of yours I see."
"Hmm, the crusader streak comes with the package I'm afraid. You'll just have to grit and bear it." Harry grinned and bit down on Severus' earlobe.
Snape's hands went to cup his mate's arse, "Minx. Do you have to get back to your godson or are you mine for the rest of the day?"
A slow, slightly naughty smile spread over Harry's face. "All yours love, Hermione offered very kindly to take Teddy, who am I to refuse such a generous offer?"
Severus leaned in and caught Harry's mouth with his, lifting him up and walking to the bedroom, kicking the door shut.
AN: Thank you so much for reading; we would absolutely love to hear what you think. See you next chapter.