Disclaimer: The only thing I own is the story. I'm not making any money from this.
Author Notes: As I said in the summary, this fic is SLASH/YAOI, aka Homosexual relationships. If you are a homophobe or this is not your cup of tea, please leave and don't fill my mail inbox with flames. The story follows the books till OotP, from then on is AU. Though, after reading Deathly Hallows I've decided to keep some facts about them, so from chapter 8 onwards the fic has spoilers of both. The sixth and seventh book.
AWAKENINGS
Chapter 10
"Focus Potter! Or you'll be detected the moment you try to get closer to his mind!"
Harry was tired, Draco was supposed to be back the next day and he was nervous, besides even though they had started the training Snape had still not told him about his past and those secrets he said he had.
"I'm trying!"
"You're not trying hard enough then!"
Snape was also exhausted, this was much more complicated than occlumency and much more dangerous too. He decided that it was better if they stopped and finally talked about his past, maybe that would help Harry, the problem was that his past and his secrets were not pretty.
"Go sit down Potter and drink that potion, it'll help you recover your energy"
Harry nodded and did as he was told, Snape drank some cool water and sat in front of him, it was time to get everything straight, for he had felt the pressure on his mind and knew soon Harry would be able to enter.
"It is time to talk Potter…"
Harry knew this was his cue to put the silencing charms and securing the door, he did and then turned to look at Snape.
"We will make one thing clear first though… No matter what I say, you will stay silent until I finish, no part of this talk will leave this room and always remember I am the only one who can teach you this"
"I understand"
Harry put the empty vial on the table and took some fresh water.
"As I told you before, I loved your mother… I first met her when we were children, she used to live near my own house. I was the one who told her she was a witch and since then told her everything I knew about the magical world. In exchange she heard and became my only friend…"
Harry felt touched, for Snape to say these things surely took a great deal of courage.
"However, our friendship created a distance between her and your aunt, she was a muggle and for me she was unimportant. As time passed the bad feelings between her and us grew stronger and at the end your mother and her sister distanced from each other, that distance grew even deeper when she was accepted into Hogwarts"
He emptied his glass and summoned some firewiskey, which told Harry things would get just more and more complicated as the tale continued.
"She was sorted into Gryffindor and I, as you know, into Slytherin… That was what started to distance us from each other. I was taken under Lucius wing, but what really tainted our friendship was my allegiance with Avery and Mulciber, two soon to be Death Eaters… I tried to fix things, but as you already know, I just made everything worse, from then on you already know more or less what happened"
Snape drank a large gulp of his drink and continued.
"What you don't really know is what happened after we left school… Lily got married to your father, and then there were you. Pettigrew betrayed your father, but the one who gave Voldemort the information he needed… That was me"
Snape stayed silent for a moment, waiting for Harry to say something, but he just waited for Snape to continue, he would hear the whole story first.
"I heard Trelawney's prediction and told him what I managed to get, not everything but enough for him to make his move… I never thought he would go after you, before that, when I realized what I had done I went to Dumbledore and asked him for help, told him everything I knew and asked him to protect your mother and her family"
He had left the glass over the table and was clenching his fists, Harry didn't know what to think, these memories hurt but they obviously hurt Snape even more.
"He couldn't, Voldemort went after you and we all know the results… I didn't know what to do anymore, I once again went to talk with Dumbledore. I didn't know what I wanted, if forgiveness if punishment… I just wanted to die right then, I still feel like it from time to time… Your mother was an amazing woman Potter, and I killed her"
"Voldemort killed her…"
"For me is the same… I as good as led him to her"
Harry said nothing he would have his turn soon, but he was starting to understand the man little by little.
"You have her eyes, exactly her eyes… I couldn't look at you"
Snape stood up and walked to the window, he turned his eyes to the dark depths of the forest.
"Sometimes… I still can't"
"I'm not my father… I'm not my mother either"
He didn't turn his face, just crossed his arms and closed his eyes.
"I am aware of it… Now more than ever"
Even though the conversation was difficult, there was no real tension between them, but it was clear that after that night everything would be different.
"I told him I would protect you, he promised not to say a word about it… Since then I watched you, I was almost always aware of what you did. I convinced myself that you were completely your father… I wouldn't dare to look beyond that"
The man opened his eyes once again, but still wouldn't look at his student.
"I gave him every bit of information I got, he always dealt with it perfectly… But then he came back from wherever he went with that blackened hand and extremely weak. I don't know what possessed him to use that ring"
Harry didn't know how he knew, but was completely aware of the utmost importance of this part of their talk. He knew that whatever Snape was about to tell him, it was the turning point of their future battle against Voldemort.
"This will not leave this room Potter, as it is imperative for Voldemort not to know about it… This information must not leak into his mind, or we are as good as dead"
Harry just nodded, even though the man couldn't see him, or so he thought. Snape was looking at his reflection in the window.
"Dumbledore is dying, the curse is eating his body slowly and it is impossible to cure… The headmaster plans to use his death to fool him…"
This time he turned to look at him directly in the eye, and for the first time in the whole conversation Harry felt fear and nervousness.
"The mission Voldemort plans to give Draco is to kill Albus Dumbledore… He doesn't expect him to succeed and so Dumbledore asked me to do it for him"
This was it, Snape fell silent and awaited for Harry's reaction, even though the boy had his doubts about the old man, he liked him and felt deep respect for him. To know that he would be killed by the same man he was confiding in right now would surely be a huge shock.
"Will you do it?"
It was not the reaction he expected but he didn't show his own shock.
"I must, Draco's soul is still pure… I will not allow him to stain his soul by that kind of act"
"And yours?"
Harry was being awfully mature and calmed, and somehow that scared the man.
"I will help a man to die peacefully and without pain, letting the curse keep going will make him suffer unnecessarily… And if it is not me, then other Death Eater will do it, and they will not be merciful, they will play with him and humiliate him before it… I will not let that happen"
Harry stayed silent for longer time and then stood up too, slowly he walked towards his teacher and stood besides him, looking out the window too.
"If you're waiting for me to hate you, then go sit down. I understand Dumbledore more than I used to, he plans his own movements and says nothing to anyone, and no matter what you say if you know about them, he will do as he planned anyway. He already decided, there's nothing we can do about it, if it is your destiny to end his life, then you'll fulfil that destiny… I don't like it, I wish I could somehow help him and ensure his life, but I'm nothing more than a more or less good wizard"
Snape was speechless, Harry surprised him everyday more and more and something inside of him was leading him to comply at his every word.
"You made mistakes, but who hasn't? At least you regret them, others still keep making them… Whatever happens with the headmaster is something he himself prepared beforehand. Don't blame yourself for something you really can't control professor"
Harry turned his face to look at him and smiled sadly, no matter how many dangers and bad situations he had gone through, he knew Snape had suffered ten times even more.
"I know there must be more, but I don't want to know… The information I know right now is enough, put the rest in the pensieve"
"You trust me completely"
It was a statement.
"I do professor, and I should have since the first day I met you… I regret not trying to know you better"
Snape snorted and turned his back going back to the couch and to his drink.
"I never gave you a reason to, neither did Draco… As you say, it must have been destiny, we needed to know now and not before"
"Guess I agree with that… I know it's not use, but I wish things could be different, I would like for Dumbledore to see a world free from Tom's tyranny"
They stayed silent for a long while, with too many things in their minds to try and say something. Now that Harry knew Snape's past and the reasons behind his actions he felt a little scared to practice with him, for he would pry inside that mind and would see things that he may not want to.
"Go get some rest Potter, we will continue this tomorrow"
Harry understood and nodded, Snape was tired and clearly affected by everything that had been said. He also needed some time alone to really process everything he had heard, as he saw it just one very disturbed man had made everything just too complicated.
"Good night professor"
He was about to tell him to get some rest too, but it was not his call, besides, he knew the man would not do it. Harry left the office and closed the door behind him softly, it was really late and he wanted to be up early to see Draco when he came back.
-.-.-
The man was looking out the small window in his cell, grateful that the Dementors had been taken form Azkaban by Voldemort, he saw the river and felt nostalgic. He then turned his face upwards and noticed there was full moon, and knew the howls he was hearing were not ordinary wolves.
Soon my lord… I'll be there soon…
He could feel his presence and a smile formed in his face, it was not an evil one as many would think, no this one was of true happiness. He could feel also how something that was his since ancient times was getting nearer, soon he would be fully equipped to go to his lord's side.
-.-.-
Pansy couldn't sleep, and so she had gone to the Astronomy tower to try and calm herself down, another one had awakened but was not from her side, though, he was her friend. She sighed and closed her eyes, getting the thick blanket tightly wrapped around her, it was very cold.
"Pansy?"
She turned her face surprised but smiled lightly when she saw her friend enter the room, he was taller now and she suspected he would grow even more, after all, back then he used to be very tall.
"Gregory… You couldn't sleep either?"
He shook his head and approached her, he was carrying a comforter, it was much larger and thicker than the blanket she was using and he helped her get under it with him. He loved her, but not in a romantic way, she was one of his best friends and the sister he never had.
"I'm worried… I'm sure you know how much my Lord means to me… I regained my memories last night, their own awakening is near"
"I know Greg, and they will wake up soon… I had an idea but I think there is no need to use it"
Goyle looked at her and rolled his eyes.
"Meddlesome woman, you never learn do you? Have you forgotten the last time you wanted to 'help'?"
"I do, but that time I deserved it… This time, is necessary for us to do something, well it was… I consulted the oracle, they both will wake up very soon"
He looked out the window and sighed worriedly.
"Voldemort has no chance of winning the war once they have awakened… And that's exactly the problem here…"
"That he's the last of our worries"
"Exactly"
He embraced her and let he rest her head over his chest, Draco would be back soon and they knew Voldemort had asked him to do something horrible.
"Do you miss it?"
"What thing?"
"The sea?"
"Yeah, but I love here too… It's nice"
He laughed softly and looked up to the ceiling covered in magical glowing stars.
"And my clothes are dry more often than not"
"True, and I once heard he also felt the same, but loved his place just too much to really do something about it"
They laughed at that and started talking about the past and the good memories, trying to keep the horrors that took their lives in the previous war.
-.-.-
"I'm home"
Sirius raised an eyebrow at that greeting, one would think his pet had died or something by the tone of voice. He was in the kitchen getting something to eat, Bill entered the kitchen and was greeted by a not very understandable 'hello', since Sirius had his mouth full with a chicken salad sandwich.
"Swallow first please… You look ridiculous like that"
Sirius shrugged but did so anyway.
"What's with you though? You sound like your favourite pet just died"
"I'm just tired, we're too tense waiting for the moment he attacks"
Sirius nodded and took another bite of his sandwich, he understood completely the feeling for it was like being in the battlefield right before the attack started.
"You're just waiting for the moment everything blows up…"
Bill left the bags with food he had been carrying over the table and started to take the things out, putting everything in their right place and avoiding Sirius' eyes the most possible.
"There have been a few raids but not very important, it looked more like they were looking for something than trying to kill muggles or so"
"There are myths about certain magical artefacts, but I never thought Voldemort was the kind to believe such things"
Bill didn't really know what to think about it and he was not in that group of investigation either, he finished and got himself a cup of tea with the water Sirius had already boiled a moment before.
"Well, he is insane after all… It wouldn't surprise me if he actually believed in that"
He sat down and as he had done many times before looked down at his cup and nursed it, avoiding the other man's eyes. Sirius left the rest of his food on the plate and stood up, walked behind Bill and grabbed his shoulders hard.
"Ouch!"
He smirked at the face of clear pain the redhead was showing, it was exactly as he had predicted, the man was so tense that he was surprised he could keep moving.
"You need to get rid of these, or you will be useless for the order"
"I'll visit St. Mungo's as soon as I can, now please let go of me"
But Sirius did not this was a chance for Bill to come clean, besides he had also been looking at his friend with other eyes.
"No, there's no need for that when I can do exactly the same job for free"
Bill felt his face burn and lowered it more.
"I don't think that's a good idea Sirius, just let me go to St. Mungo's…"
"Stop complaining and do as I say, I'm the old and wise one; besides you won't go till the moment you really can't stand the pain… Also you won't be bothered here, you will be able to rest without problems"
Bill had to stop the small laugh at the comment of old and wise, finally he sighed in unwelcome defeat for he couldn't think of any more excuses, this wouldn't help at all with the problem that was really bothering him and had him so tense.
"Sirius… This is not going to help me, just let me be"
But the man pressed harder making him surrender and unable to interrupt him.
"I told you already, if you want to know ask, if you want so say, say it… Do not just keep it all inside, or you though I was too stupid to notice the truth?"
"Please…"
"No… Come with me"
Before he could do anything Sirius was already dragging him upstairs and to his room, once there he sat him on the bed and headed to the bathroom.
"Take your shirt off and lay on your stomach"
Sirius tone of voice was commanding, and even though Bill was a man who didn't do as he was ordered just because, he was too nervous to actually oppose. He took off his sweater and shirt off and laid on his stomach resting his head on a soft pillow. Sirius came out of the bathroom with a vial containing a white liquid and with a towel.
"Put a pillow under your stomach that will keep your spine straight"
Bill wanted to laugh at Sirius words he was everything but straight, but he did as told anyway. He felt the other man covering his bottom with a towel and putting a part of it inside, he guessed to protect the clothes from getting dirty.
"Done, now close your eyes and try to relax, I'll take care of the rest"
He guessed Sirius wouldn't keep talking about his problems so he could relax somehow, but Bill knew that the subject was far from being forgotten. He felt something cold on his back and soon the strong hands of Sirius Black were working on the knots invading his back and shoulders.
"This will probably hurt, but bear with for a while please"
Bill just nodded and let the other man do as he pleased, he didn't have the energy nor the will to stop him now, and if he had to be honest with himself, he actually liked it; if at least for a while he could have those hands touching him. Sirius worked thoroughly on Bill's back, going from the lower back to the shoulders and then back down again. He could feel the muscles relaxing little by little, one part at time, thanks to the potion the job was easier and faster, and Bill soon felt his tension leaving him completely.
"Bill, we have been sharing this house for a long while now… But we really haven't actually getting to know each other. I have some secrets I wouldn't talk about, but they're not many so if you want to know something just ask. I would like to know more about you too, you're a nice man and I'm sure you too have your share of interesting stories to tell"
He opened his eyes for a moment and then closed them again, he felt his back tense a bit again but Sirius wouldn't stop his massage so whatever tension he felt was promptly undone.
"I don't have any secrets, what you see is what I am… The only thing I wanted to keep secret was revealed the day I ended my relationship with Fleur"
"You say it like it was something bad, like a disease or something"
Bill stayed silent, he actually felt somewhat like that but also knew it was not his fault, in these cases you are what you are and you have to learn to live with it.
"I want to be normal Sirius"
"You are normal, what you have to do is to embrace that part of you and learn to be happy with it… As many have done already, being gay is not a crime is just like being magical or not. The problem is not you, is the rest… For example, for muggles, being gay is something terrible, but also it is so being a wizard as you already know. Wizards and witches also have their misconceptions, Remus knows very well about that"
Sirius knew that in Remus' case his condition was a problem, a disease, but it was not his fault and still people rejected him for it. However the example fitted anyway, he wanted Bill to understand that he shouldn't be ashamed of what he was.
"Remus is ill Sirius…"
"But it is not his fault, and even if he is, he's still a gentle and good man who only wants a chance to do something with his life. He has all the right to be happy, and so do you"
Sirius finished and cleaned Bill's back with the towel, he stood up and sat at the end of the bed.
"I'm sorry but I don't think it's that easy, you can't force yourself into someone, no matter how much you like them"
Bill had put his shirt and grabbing his sweater he walked towards the door, he decided it was better to leave before things got too complicated. He didn't expect Sirius to grab him by his wrists and push him against the wall next to the door.
"As I told you before, if you want something ask for it"
And before he could do anything the older man was kissing him deeply, he was too startled to react and just when he was about to respond Sirius ended the kiss, opened the door and pushed him out.
"But it seems some times you have to just take what you want without asking, or you'll never be able to get it"
And with that he closed the door and put a locking spell on it, yes he wanted the other man and it was clear to him the Bill also felt the same. Problem was, that if they acted on their emotions without talking about them first, everything could go downhill from there. He knew perfectly he wanted to get the man into his bed, but he also wanted Bill to act not upon his desires but upon he feelings. If they were going to do it, it had to be for the right reason.
-.-.-
Draco arrived at the school an hour earlier than expected which was perfect for him, that way Harry wouldn't be waiting for him and he wouldn't have to answer to questions. He wanted to see him, to be with him, but he knew there would be questions and he really didn't want to answer them, just to think about what he had to do sickened him. He walked towards the stairs and then to the dungeons, he wanted to go to bed and sleep and never wake up till everything had ended.
He was tired and the last thing he wanted was to see Snape, that's why he clenched his fists and actually growled when he heard the door to the office being opened and his name called. He turned to look at his godfather and soon felt bad for his previous thoughts, the dark rings under the man's eyes and his more than usual pale skin told him clearly how bad things were for him too.
"Draco, please come in"
He nodded and entered the office, he soon was greeted with tea and food.
"Is everything alright Severus?"
"I don't know, there is too much going on to be able to tell"
Creepy words if he had ever heard some, and he had. Draco took out his wand and placed strong silencing charms and before Snape could ask him what was all that about he answered.
"I have to kill the headmaster"
He already knew, but hearing it from Draco made it so real it scared the shit out of him.
"I guessed it would be that… What are you planning to do?"
"Follow my orders"
Snape looked at him and knew perfectly well that wouldn't happen, Draco would not be able to carry on with his mission.
"Will you tell him?"
"I don't know, I don't think so"
Draco had no touched the food and had barely taken a sip of his tea, not really hungry and actually feeling like throwing up.
"Would you prefer if I told him?"
"No…"
"He must know"
"I know"
He felt like crying; this was just too much, he wasn't an assassin and he, even though he usually said he didn't, respected Dumbledore. Besides, he knew that even if he actually followed Voldemort and went against the headmaster to kill him, he would lose.
"Harry will hate me again, there's no way he would forgive something like this"
"You may be surprised Draco, he understands much more than he let people know"
Draco raised his head and looked at his godfather and head of house, and he felt hope grow in him.
"Go get some rest, do not tell anyone about your meeting and even less about your mission… Talk with Potter as soon as you can Draco, it will be for the best"
He stood up and walked towards the door but before opening it he looked at his professor.
"You trust him unconditionally"
"I do"
"Good"
With that Draco left the office heading towards his house and hopefully to his bed, he wanted to sleep and forget everything even if just for a while.
-.-.-
Harry woke up suddenly grabbing his chest, more like his pyjamas but he could feel how hard his heart was beating. But what surprised him the most was that could feel it, he felt Draco's presence in the school and knew he was back from home. He had heard about couples who shared a feeling so deep that they could feel each other, but he never thought they were one of those. He knew he loved Draco but they had been together less than a year, just a few months and he already could feel him, it was something that scared him a little.
But he also knew something, that a love so strong made you a stronger person and that it also could be just what they needed to destroy Voldemort, maybe that was what Dumbledore always talked about. His mother had died protecting him, that kind of love was so strong that if it hadn't been because of the horcruxes, Voldemort would be dead by now. If he managed to destroy all the horcruxes then he and Draco would be able to finish him once and for all.
But there was something that had been bothering him since he learned how the horcruxes were created, that he may have to sacrifice himself in order to finish Voldemort. That thought scared him and didn't want to ask the headmaster in fear of his answer, also he didn't know how the rest would take that information.
"Harry!"
He was abruptly brought back from his inner thoughts by Ron's voice.
"What?"
"Man! I called you like five times already… What's gotten you so lost?"
"Oh, nothing really… Don't worry"
Ron raised an eyebrow and crossed his arms over his chest.
"As if I would believe that"
"Don't ask then, please… I don't want to talk about it, it's… Complicated"
Ron sighed but didn't ask, he knew Harry wouldn't say a word if he didn't want to.
"As you wish Harry, but you'll have to tell someone sooner or later, don't keep shit inside you"
"Ron-"
"Now come on! Or you'll be late for breakfast!"
Harry smiled thankful for Ron's simple mind it always helped him to feel better, he stood up and got ready to go downstairs. They found Hermione there and the three of them left to the Great Hall, his mind though was not there, it was down in the dungeons thinking about his blonde snake.
"Seems that Malfoy still hasn't come back"
Harry didn't look to the Slytherin table, he already knew Draco was not there, and even though he understood what he must have been going through it still unnerved him. He followed his friends to their table and sat down, it was almost like a robot, something he did everyday, every week, every month. He ate, mostly because he knew Hermione would nag him if he didn't, but he definitely was not hungry.
"Harry? Are you alright?"
"Yeah, just a bit tired… I've been training a lot"
Not a lie, not the real truth either, but Hermione bough it and that was the idea.
"I'm going, I need to get some things ready before classes…"
Before either of his friends could say a word he stood up and left the Great Hall, with a lot of eyes over him but only a few really knowing what had the boy in that state. Pansy sighed and continued eating, Blaise looked up to and exchanged looks with Neville, Goyle just shook his head and kept eating his meal with gusto.
-.-.-
Snape opened his door knowing already who was the one at the other side, he was expecting this visit.
"Come in Potter"
"Thank you professor"
"Take seat and drink this"
It was an order and it made him feel uneasy, which it shouldn't given the fact that he was the teacher there. Harry obeyed anyway and drank whatever potion the man was feeding him.
"You are too trusting"
"I can trust you completely"
Snape didn't answer but the words made him feel proud of himself, and it scared him, he had never been one to hope for the good graces of someone else, even less a student. There were only two who had made him feel like that before, one was Harry's mother and the other was currently Remus. But Harry was a completely different matter and he didn't like it, but he couldn't push the boy away either for he knew that would be detrimental for their future.
"I need to talk with him"
"He will talk to you when he feels he is ready for it"
"I already know his mission"
"And you should not, and for my sake, Draco's and yours, you will not tell him you already know or who told you… He is my godson and I want him to keep trusting in me"
Harry nodded, but the problem remained, he knew Draco very well, and the boy would not tell him a thing.
"What do I do then?"
"Wait, there is not much you can do right now… Keep training, we must be ready, Voldemort has been getting more and more secretive"
"Do you know when he will get his followers out of prison?"
"Soon, Greyback was sent to patrol the area… I am sure he has been heard but he will not be found"
"What do you mean? Who's Greyback?"
Snape narrowed his eyes and Harry noticed the hatred emanating from the man.
"He is the responsible for Remus' current problem…"
"Oh"
Harry understood now the feeling of his teacher, if Snape didn't do it first he would take the beast's life himself.
"Anything else?"
"Not much, he is keeping the raids at the minimum though and would not go himself"
Harry frowned and hummed.
"He's scared"
"It would seem so, I am not sure why though…"
"Probably because of the horcruxes, I'm sure he at least knows about the book"
Harry stood up and went to the door, his first class was potions but he didn't want to get there with Snape, and was sure the man wouldn't want that either.
"The snake's the key professor, the moment he starts protecting it then he will attack"
Snape nodded, knowing quite well that fact and saw the boy leave his office and lead his way to the classroom.
-.-.-
As he had suspected Draco had not gone to classes that day, at least he never showed up for those the two houses had together. He got even more worried and after his last class he left the castle, took his broom and went to fly alone over the forbidden forest. It didn't help much tough, his mind was completely focused on Draco and what he could be doing. He turned and was so distracted that lost balance and fell down right into the forest.
"Fucking shit!"
The fall had not been that high, he had been very close to the trees and the branches helped to stop his fall, but it hurt anyways. The problem was that he didn't know how far into the forest he was and what kind of creatures he could find there.
"Oh damn… Now this is bad"
He heard movement and turned fast taking his wand out even faster, he felt a bit relieved when all he saw was a few thestrals and nothing more. He wasn't scared of the dark creatures since they were used to humans, or that was what he though. When one of them snarled menacingly and showed its teeth he knew those were not tamed, or that they had been startled when he fell. The thing is that he was getting scared and that was never something good when facing wild animals.
"I'm not going to hurt you… I just want to get out"
Not even him understood why was he talking to them as if they could comprehend what he was saying, he was surprised though, when he saw them scatter very fast, when he turned around he understood the reason, Fluffly was there, the three heads showing their very sharp fangs and ready to attack.
"Double fuck"
He took a step back, slowly hoping the animal would see that he was not a threat and would let him go, but the dog approached him.
"Come on Fluffly, you know I'm harmless…"
Once again he was talking to an animal as if it were a person, his surprise though was great when he noticed the dog was not growling anymore and had actually assumed a docile posture. Not hearing his sense of self-protection he approached the animal and noticed that the nearer he got the more submissive the animal became.
"Fluffy?"
The dog was huge it could easily rip him in two if it wanted to, but it didn't. The dog just lay down and actually moved his tail happily Harry felt more confident and dared to touch the animal and the reaction left him perplexed, as the dog it was , the animal turned around showing its belly to him and waiting for the boy to pet him.
"Man, Ron will never believe this… Hell, I doubt even Dumbledore himself could believe this… Cool"
He took his wand and called his broom, which soon came flying towards him and once he had it let it rest against a tree. He felt relaxed and completely protected, it was clear the animal had come to protect him from the thestrals. He stayed there giving the huge animal the attention it asked from him.
-.-.-
Draco was just too nervous, he needed to talk with Harry but he also was scared shitless about it. He sighed and decided to go out for a while, the lake had always been a favourite and so he headed there. He could hear it, the soft and melodious singing of the merpeople, which actually surprised him, out of the water he shouldn't be able to hear it, even less enjoy it. As far as he knew their voices out of the water were not precisely the melody of a songbird.
Who cares… It's nice
He stopped just next to the water, and the melody was even clearer there, he closed his eyes and let himself be soothed by those beautiful voices. He was so distracted that the noise of the giant squid splashing the on the surface startled him. The animal was known to be docile and if it was not annoyed it wouldn't do anything to you. But Draco noticed something different this time. The animal was actually looking at him in awe, if you could call the way the enormous eyes were openly staring at him that.
"Umm… Hello?"
The animal moved one if its tentacles softly towards him, Draco tensed a bit, thinking that the squid would attack him, but soon the tension disappeared when he noticed the animal was just trying to get near to him, nothing in its behaviour demonstrated anger. Actually the animal seemed to be getting very submissive. Draco reached slowly to it and touched the tentacle carefully, it didn't feel as gross as many would think, it was slippery but not like if you were touching something gooey.
"You seem very nice… I thought you were quite dangerous"
It was true though, the animal was not fond of people even if it was a peaceful being, he usually scared the student not to get to close to the lake. He was still caressing the offered tentacle curiously when he heard another noise, this time he was not startled, somehow having the animal close gave him a sense of security.
"Welcome my lord… We are very pleased to have you visiting us"
Now that was something completely out of character, merpeople would never call a human, and even less a wizard 'lord'.
"I don't understand… I am not your lord, I'm a wizard not a merman"
The one talking to him, who seemed to be the king looked at him wide eyed and lost. Obviously that was not the answer he was expecting.
"But-"
The giant squid reacted and pushed the merman underwater very fast, which was making Draco even more confused, the rest of the merpeople just put one hand over their hearts, inclined their bodies a bit and then went underwater too.
"What the…"
He was sure he saw the squid looking at him with innocent eyes, it had been a very bizarre experience but it actually helped him stop thinking about his mission and what to do with Harry.
-.-.-
In another place, a house that used to belong to a fine man and his family, there was a figure that resembled a man but was not entirely. Voldemort was sitting in an armchair, Pettigrew right at his feet and Greyback at his side.
"Do you have any news?"
"Yes my lord… Now that the dementors are with us they have to make change of shifts more often, midnight is the best time to attack"
Voldemort had Nagini at his side and was caressing her softly, his eyes narrowed in thought and after a few minutes he looked at the cowering man at his feet.
"Wormtail, go back to Bellatrix's house, get everything ready to receive my followers. Malfoy's house is no longer safe"
"Right away my lord"
With that Pettigrew apparated away, leaving just the half snake man and the vicious werewolf.
"You will lead the attack, close to full moon you're more useful during those days. I will be waiting three days from now Greyback, and I don't want any mistakes"
"I will bring them all back"
With that the wolf also apparated away.
"Finally Nagini, I will reign once again, and this time will be forever. The boy will not stand a chance"
His laugh sounded more like a hiss and so followed his pet.
-.-.-
Lucius was ready, he had regained all his power and he knew that soon he would be reunited with his lord, he looked out the window and could feel it, the power that was getting nearer and nearer.
"Soon, very soon… This time we will not be defeated my lord"
He smiled softly, he missed his lord for more reasons than ever this time, for he had been the one to bring him to this world again.
-.-.-
Harry had finally been able to see Draco, but they had not talked that much, just a few words and obviously during the extra defence classes, but Draco would avoid him the most he could. It had been a month already and he was getting frustrated, he had tried to talk with Pansy but there was not use, she would not tell him anything and Blaise would become plain weird every time he tried to talk with him.
"I don't get it Hermione… Too many things had been happening lately, really weird stuff and I need to talk with Draco about it!"
"You can't push him Harry, he will talk to you the moment he feels he's ready"
"You're repeating Snape"
She made a face but said nothing about it, the man was right after all and so was she.
"You should be getting ready to practice, now that the snow is receding and there's only rain the matches will resume"
"I know, actually the next match will be held next Saturday, I don't know what I will do…"
"Slytherin?"
"Yes, Draco and I play the same position, as a seeker and as a Gryffindor I can't fail myself and the team, but I am just too distracted"
She hummed, he had a point but she also knew Harry would focus the way he should, once he got into a broom it was like watching someone else.
"Don't worry Harry, everything will be fine, you'll see and I hope this match will help you two to relax a little and finally talk, even if it is to yell at each other"
"For the first time since I play, I'm hoping for Draco to try and do something during the play… At least I would know he is still the same Draco I know"
She laughed softly but also understood completely her friend's words.
"Now go, I'm sure the team will be thrilled to go out and practice"
He smiled and nodded standing up and leaving upstairs to tell Ron about the practice and let him gather the whole team.
-.-.-
"Draco, I know you are scared but you really need to tell him…"
"And then what? Hear him say that I'm insane and that what I was sent to do will not happen, that he will not let me? I don't want to lose him Severus"
Snape gave him another tea with a bit of calming potion and sat in front of him.
"Look, I shouldn't tell you this but I think it will help you… Potter and I have been training almost everyday and during those times he have seen things that would have made him stop coming. I told him things that could have destroyed all the work I have done with him… But he didn't left., he didn't accuse me of being a murderer even though I am… He still trust in me even when he knew I was the one who told Voldemort about a secret that lead him to his parents… Trust in him Draco, you have not yet done any of the things I have, you are still pure"
"I doubt that Severus"
"Since when have you started to doubt yourself so much Draco?"
"Since I was sent to kill a man who does not deserve to die"
Snape sighed and shook his head, this was just too complicated and Draco was not helping any.
"Sometimes there are things that can not be stopped Draco… You should go with your team, it will help you to clear your mind, and get ready"
"I know… Next match is against Gryffindor"
"You say it like it was the end of the world, I have faith in you Draco… If there is someone who can play at Potter's same level that's you"
Draco gave him a half smile and finished his drink.
"Are you encouraging me to play foul game?"
"I am doing not such thing Draco, I am just telling you to play at your best"
But the expression on his face was clear, do whatever you can to win, no matter what, and if possible, do throw him off his broom. Draco smiled a bit more evilly this time, he loved Harry and would not hurt him, but this was qidditch and all was fair there.
-.-.-
The week passed quite fast, Harry had decided not to tell anyone about his encounter with Fluffy but would go to visit the animal every time he could, the dog would behave as a puppy when he visited and even though Harry liked the animal it found it just too estrange. That same animal had tried to kill him during his first year in Hogwarts.
"Harry, are you listening?"
He turned his face to the board in front of him and blushed, Ron had been explaining his strategy for the game for a long time now, and only him had not been able to completely grasp everything, he was just too distracted.
"I'm sorry Ron… I have too many things in my head these days"
"That's why we keep playing because it helps you to let things go for a while"
"Sorry"
Ron sighed and the rest just shrugged, the strategy was mostly for the rest of the team since Harry's job was to look for and catch the snitch. They knew this match would be the hardest of all, not only because it was Slytherin and they were used to play rough, which were Ron's thoughts but also, and this was something some on the team knew already, because of the tension between Harry and Draco. As Pansy had told Draco, a lot of people already knew or suspected, and those in the team who knew were wondering if their captain would play at his best, or would he be influenced by the other seeker.
"Anyway, this is the whole strategy… And be always aware of their tricks and fouls"
With that Ron finished the meeting and the rest of the team stood up and went into the showers, the practice had been very hard and tiring but they all felt there was no way they would lose, even if Harry for some reason didn't catch the snitch. Harry stayed back, looking absently to the board Ron had used and even though he understood everything that was described there it also was like reading a complete foreign language.
"Harry… Are you alright?"
"Yeah, just worried…"
"Have you know anything new about him?"
"A few bits, but not too much to really do anything yet… Our main course of action is still getting everyone well trained"
"Which is going pretty well as far as I know… Harry, I'm not as stupid as most people think. Even thought I don't like him, I know you and Malfoy are now friends, and even Seamus who's usually not that observant has noticed the tension between the two of you… Can I know what happened?"
Harry didn't know how to explain it to Ron, he couldn't tell him they were in love yet he wanted them to try to get along better so Ron won't try to actually kill Draco. But he couldn't just tell Ron anything, he was his friend, his best friend and they were supposed to trust each other.
"I can't tell you that much Ron… The most I can tell you is that his trip back home was not precisely a family reunion"
"Oh…"
"Exactly"
"I'm not going to ask the details, but I can see the problem a bit better… Have you talked with Snape?"
"Yeah, but it's Draco the one I need to talk to… I know he won't betray us, that's for sure, but we need the information to form a plan of action"
It was not precisely a lie, yes he knew what Draco was sent to do, but to start a plan of action he first needed Draco to come clean. He needed the trust the other boy had in him and letting him know that Harry already had known would not be beneficial.
"Well, as I see it, even without the information we still can make a plan. I may not know what happened but if there's something I'm sure of is that he is planning to attack the school. So, the first thing to do is to reinforce the wards and protect the secret passages to the town and the Shrieking Shack"
Harry looked at his friend and for the first time in a long while he smiled happily.
"Man, I happy to have you on my side… I bet they don't have good strategists, they would have taken Hogwarts already if they had"
"That's Ron Weasley to you"
The redhead smiled showing him the V sign and then stood up to go to the showers too. The game would be the next day and they always preferred to go to sleep earlier than usual to be fully rested and ready for the show.
-.-.-
"Draco, are you even listening to me?"
Blaise was looking at him with his arms crossed over his chest and tapping the floor with his foot. They were ready to go into the pitch and start the game, the rest of the team had just left and Blaise had stopped Draco for a moment.
"I am, I will not fail Blaise… I know what my duty is and what I must do"
"And for my minds sake I hope you're talking about the game"
"I am… Now shut up and let's go"
They followed the rest of the team and entered the field, Gryffindor and Slytherin, seven facing seven, green and red. Tension was the order of the day and could be sliced with a knife almost. Madame Hooch stood between them and signalled the two captains to get closer, Draco and Harry did as told and looked at each other in the eyes.
"Shake hands captains!"
They hesitated for a moment but finally grasped each other's hands and shook them once.
"Be ready to lose again Malfoy"
"Be ready to feel your first defeat Potter"
They smiled arrogantly but for those who knew them the best it was clear that behind those arrogant words and challenging look, was a friendship that would not be broken by the result and a game that would not be affected by their feelings.
-.-.-
TBC
Ok, in the next chapter I will reveal finally the anime show I did this fusion with and the identities of the ones involved in it. I've given a lot of clues in this chapter, so if any of you have already guessed I ask of you not to say anything in your reviews. You can hint, but not straight out say it, please, bear with me and my desires of suspense XD
Thank you all for your loyalty and I'm once again sorry for taking so long to post a new chapter, you know, real life always finds a way to screw your plans from time to time.