Chapter 14 Upside Down

Disclaimer: Unfortunately, nothing is mine. Everything belongs to JKR.

Warnings: Violence, adult language, slash-y elements (HD, naturally)

A/N: As they say; no apologies, no excuses. Many thanks to my faithful and patient readers and reviewers! This chapter may seem a little disjointed as my computer decided to go against my writing and completely deleted the almost-ready work. Things will be explained better in the next installement, no fear.

As it turned out, if was not yet safe for Harry to be changed back after the weekend. Which, of course, was why Draco attended his classes with a furry ferret in tow, safely tugged inside the pocket of his robes with only a small head peeking out. Luckily for everyone, Harry quite liked being stuffed in the pocket, warm and cosy as it was. Sometimes, however, he got bored during class as he couldn't really do anything, such as write notes or interact otherwise, and smoothly wiggled free without Draco noticing.

Snape had nearly had a heart-attack once as a certain ferret had suddenly climbed up his leg with unbelievable agility for such a clumsy looking creature. After that, the Potions Master had issued Harry a month's worth of detention to be served once he was fully human again and demanded Harry was kept in a roomy cage on Snape's cage during Potions class. Faced with the glare of utter death, Draco had meekly agreed, despite Harry's ireful twittering.

The other students had quickly found out about Harry's new form – though the real reason behind the transformation was kept secret – and were constantly cooing over the ferret. Harry preened under the attention, bashfully batting his eyes for his female audience and thus, earning himself tons of sweets that people kept sneaking to him behind Hermione's vigilant gaze. A clever boy, the blonde had mused, watching as a third year Hufflepuff stealthily dropped a cookie in front of Harry, plopped on the table in the Great Hall, while her friends were distracting Hermione.

No-one had seen Nott after he was sent to Dumbledore's office. The elderly Headmaster had told the school population that Nott had been "punished accordingly for his hideous crime of nearly killing his fellow class mate". Draco knew the other boy had almost been sent to Azkaban by vengeful Aurors who had shown up, but in the end, Harry had vetoed against it. The soft-hearted fool of a Gryffindor, Draco had snorted. Instead, Nott was immediately expelled from Hogwarts as Snape had promised and was sent to another school on the other side of Europe with Ministry officials keeping him tightly in the leash. That bastard would have deserved a far worse punishment. I would have recommended being thrown into a pit with bloodthirsty hippogriffs. Or perhaps into a lake full of piranhas and pissed-off alligators. Or -

"You've got that dreamy look on your face again, Draco," Pansy's accusing voice broke through Draco's giddy thoughts. "Are you thinking about proper punishments for Nott yet again?"

"What, me?" Draco scowled, crossing his arms. "No. Of course not."

Harry's squeak from his lap sounded rather disapproving. Draco directed his scowl towards the glaring ferret. "Come on, Harry, the guy almost killed you. Don't you think he deserves a little more than an expulsion from a school?"

Pansy and Hermione, sitting on the other side of Draco, scoffed at the same time. How do they do that? "Don't be ridiculous, Draco. Yes, what Theodore Nott did was unforgivable, inexcusable, even though he didn't actually mean to kill Harry. And he's not getting off that lightly. His reputation is in shrewds, his family name down in the deepest puddles of mud after the Daily Prophet," Hermione's nostrils flared a bit at the mention of the newspaper, "published that article about Nott attacking Harry. He's going to be lucky if he gets a job as a floor sweeper of the Three Broomsticks."

Draco sighed, almost dropping his head into his hands. "Yeah, I know. But still... "

He had been so scared, so fucking scared. Watching Harry's life slip away, second by second while there was absolutely nothing he could do about it was terrifying for Draco. Seeing the deadly bluish hue on Harry's pale face, the crusted blood on his lips – Draco shook his head, determinedly banishing the morbid thoughts away. Harry's okay now. He's alive and – well, he's a ferret, but alive nevertheless, and Nott is never going to lay his hands on him again.

Harry chittered softly, as if sensing Draco's thoughts, and rubbed his cheek against Draco's hand. Draco gave a little, fond smile, lightly petting the ferret.

Blaise tutted. "Harry has you so wrapped around his finger, Draco."

The others chuckled while Draco issued a frosty glare at Blaise. He didn't stop petting Harry, though. It didn't matter what others thought; if Draco wanted to keep the ferret close by and pet him all day long, he goddam would.

"Don't mind the idiot, Harry," he practically cooed before catching himself, threateningly narrowing his eyes at anyone who dared to snicker. His most sinister glare of death didn't seem to be working properly anymore, though. Even Hermione was snorting behind her hand covering her mouth, and Pansy was leaning against the other girl, her face hidden from plain view. Nevertheless, her shaking shoulders revealed her silent laughter.

Oh for god's sake.

He stood up in the midst of tittering, lifting his chin proudly. "Come on, Harry. Let us go and visit Remus," he sniffed, gathering Harry into his arms. He strode out of the Great Hall, leaving bursts of outright laughter in his wake. Those fools.

Harry squirmed in his hands, his short claws lightly raking against Draco's robes. Draco scowled at the image of impatience the ferret projected. "You want to walk yourself?"

Harry nodded, staring at Draco demandingly with his green button eyes, apparently fully expecting Draco to follow his orders. Maybe Blaise is right. Draco snorted to himself, gently lowering Harry to the floor. Before the surprisingly quick ferret could scramble off, the blonde flicked his wand and a narrow collar of green leather with a tiny bell attached to it materialized around Harry's neck.

Draco was subjected to a loathing glare from the floor, but he stubbornly stood his ground. "Don't you give me those eyes, Potter. If I don't hear where you are, I'm going to lose you when you scurry around."

The ferret gave a scolding sound accompanied with a fierce grimace, but left the collar alone. Draco felt an amused grin tug his lips, listening to the soft tingle of bells as Harry skittered away, nosing around the corridors like a real ferret would do. A few first years appeared from nowhere – Draco was certain they had some sort of point-me-to-the-nearest-fluffy-and-cute-thing-spell going on – and they busily gathered around Harry like a bunch of enthusiastic fans, giggling and making inane cooing noises.

"Break it up, people," Draco ordered wearily, smacking his wand against his thigh. "Nothing here to see. Move along, move along." When the first years dared to scowl at him, not backing down, Draco narrowed his eyes threateningly. "Now."

The fans squeaked as one and scattered like mice. Draco smiled with dark satisfaction. I still have the power. He silently cackled inside his mind, shaking his head. "Come now, Harry. Remus' quarters are just around the corner."

"Draco." Remus' gaze automatically lowered to the floor where Harry twittered at the werewolf. "And Harry. How nice of you to drop by. Come in, boys."

Draco quickly bent down to grab the ferret by the middle and carried him inside. Harry looked up with a scowl, chittering irately, but burrowed deeper into the folds of Draco's robes nevertheless. The blonde knew the corridors of Hogwarts were awfully chilly and draughty, especially for a ferret, and wrapped his cloak protectively around Harry's slightly shivering body before sitting down on a sofa.

"Some tea, Draco?" Remus offered, a smile on his face that made him seem years younger. "I was just going to have some myself."

"Thank you," Draco said politely, giving a small smile of his own. There were few adults that he felt he could actually trust and who, in turn, treated him as equal, and Remus was quickly on his way to becoming one of those few people. He was so tranquil even in dire situations and ready to give a person another chance – even though Draco had been utterly disrespectful towards him in third year, Remus had not said a bad word about Draco. Instead, he had been kind and understanding, even to the point of inviting Draco to the weekly dinners shared between the werewolf and his all-but-in-blood son.

Soon enough, there was a tray with a steaming pot of tea, two cups, a plate of chocolate biscuits and a small bowl of raisins and sliced bananas for Harry on the table. As the scent of his treats reached Harry's twitching nose, he poked his head out of Draco's robes and let out an excited trill. You'd think I don't give him enough food. Draco snorted with a shake of his head as he picked the zealous ferret up and placed him on the table. Eager little bugger.

"His appetite is very good, I see," Remus remarked, voice laced with amusement. His amber eyes were sparkling with joy as he watched Harry devour his snack with alarming speed.

"Yes," Draco said dryly, taking a sip from his cup."You could say that."

There was a moment of comfortable silence, Remus and Draco quietly enjoying their teas and biscuits before Remus lowered his cup to the table with a soft clink. Draco raised his eyes to meet with the werewolf's amber ones. "Have you heard anything from your mother, Draco?"

"Other than that she's still alive and well, no." Narcissa had sent a carefully warded and protected letter with her trusted raven a few days back, letting Draco know that she was still in France, residing with some almost forgotten relatives in order to stay safe.

"It's probably better that she spends some time abroad," Remus said musingly, leaning back in the armchair. Draco wriggled his bum a bit on his own squishy armchair, idly pondering how come the guest accommodation seemed to be somewhat better and more luxurious than the student accommodations. "The name of a Malfoy may not be of advantage anymore."

You got that right. Once, there had been a time when Draco had carried his heavy surname and legacy with abnormal amount of pride, but now... He still was a proud Malfoy, a proud Black, a proud pureblood, but something had changed. His world wasn't that black and white anymore. I remember Harry saying once that most of the people don't see the grey in the middle. I guess he's right.

He gave Remus a wry smile. "That might be true, yes. I suppose it's more safe if she doesn't return from France until things get at least a little settled down here." Or at least until Voldemort is defeated. Draco, though, knew for certain that his mother would never succumb to hiding like a quiet little mouse for that long time. She's pretty much climbing to the walls by now, I'm sure. "However, she's enthusiastic to move to Hogsmeade when she gets the chance. There are some houses on sale that would meet at least some of her standards." His grin turned crooked. "Even though none of them are not even half as grand as any of our Manors or holiday homes. But she insists on purchasing something new, something that's not a possible Death Eater meeting centre."

Remus inclined his head. "Your mother is a smart woman. I'm sure she'll make the right choices in the end."

"Like my father would not?" Draco asked, his voice quiet and sombre.

The werewolf hesitated for a brief second, and Draco felt instantly alarmed. "What? Is my father alright?"

"No, nothing like that, Draco," Remus soothingly hastened to say, placing his cup on the table. "According to our Order reports, he's doing fine."

"For a Death Eater," Draco muttered darkly, eyes downcast.

"Draco." Remus gave a weary sigh. "True, he is a Death Eater, but he may not be... unredeemable, as they say."

Draco snorted scornfully, lifting his gaze to eye Remus with disdain. "Do you seriously think my father could be redeemed? That's bullshit," he spat out harshly, almost making Remus flinch. "Your way of thinking is far more Gryffindorish than I thought."

My father, redeemed? Draco ground his teeth together, refusing to even think that kind of possibility. No. He may care for me and my mother, but he can't step down from the path he chose for himself. The path he planned for me. The blonde felt his fists being tightly clenched without him noticing. But he didn't want you to be a Death Eater, did he? A hopeful voice whispered into his ear. He let you and Harry go. He allowed you to be free to do what you want, sacrificing himself in the process.

"Draco?" Remus' voice was concerned, and Draco felt a hand squeeze his knee. "Are you quite alright?"

"Yeah," he gasped, his voice strained and laboured. "I'm fine."

Funny, the same voice murmured again, how that sounds like Harry.

"I'm sorry you've had such a hard life, Draco. I should have paid more attention when I was here to teach... "

Draco forced a flimsy smile. "I appreciate the concern, I really do, but honestly. There would have been nothing you could have done that year. I was an egoistic bastard then, eager to be a Death Eater like the rest of family, eager to judge everything by the cover." He shook his head. "I can't believe how childish I was then."

"You were a child, that's all." Remus' eyes glowed with something Draco couldn't really point his finger at. Was it... pride? "And look at you now. A young man ready to stand by what you believe is right. You've got your whole life ahead of you, Draco. A wonderful life to do what you want."

If I survive the war, that is. Draco sighed. "I sure hope so."

"Do you have any plans for the future?"

Draco gave an elegant shrug. He had some small plans, something he'd like to do with his life after school, but nothing was for certain yet. "I'd like to become a Potions Master one day, actually, maybe open a Potions store or something like that."

"That's a very good thought," Remus appreciated, nodding his head. "I've often heard Professor Snape praise you for your Potions skills."

Draco perked up a little. "Really?"

The werewolf chuckled softly. "Professor Snape doesn't do praise a lot, does he? But yes, he has let it slip occasionally that you have been one of his best students for years."

A prideful feeling swelled inside Draco's chest. I mean, I know I'm simply the best, but still. "That's very nice of him. Though now that I'm working with Harry, I must seem -"

As Draco's thoughts suddenly swivelled to Harry, he came to realize that something was missing - the soft tinkle of bells.

Immediately, he cast a searching look around the room to locate the black ferret. Apprehension rapidly mounting, he noted that Harry was nowhere to be seen or heard. "Harry? Harry, where are you?"

Remus rose from his armchair in one, fluid motion, looking around with a wrinkled forehead. He called for Harry as well, but received no response whatsoever. Draco's gaze hit the door to Remus' quarters and he felt his heart jump at seeing the way the door was slightly ajar, just enough for one snoopy ferret to slip through unnoticed. "Damn him and his ridiculous curiosity!"

Well well well, what do we have here?

Harry's nose twitched with bubbling excitement as his eyes sought out the crack of door. Allowing his ferrety side's curiosity to take over, he threw a quick glance over his shoulder to ensure that Remus and Draco were still engaged in the conversation and wriggled his slim body through the narrow gap.

Freedom, here we come! He silently cackled, letting out a cheery squeak as he bounced across the empty corridor with enthusiasm only a ferret could muster. He knew it was irresponsible for him to sneak out, but after being under Draco's unwaveringly watchful eyes for days, he yearned some much-needed liberty. And his zealous ferrety side could not agree more.

It's not like I can't take care of myself, he thought disdainfully, swiftly slinking behind an armour in order to avoid a chattering group of young Hufflepuffs passing by. Yes, I'm a damn ferret but not a child. There is a difference, isn't there? Harry frowned. There must be.

Peeking his head out to make sure it was safe, he dashed from behind the armour and started to make his way down the corridor, stopping from time to time to investigate fascinating items such as burnt pieces of playing cards carelessly left dallying on the floor. He even found a rather trampled leg of a chocolate frog. Treasures, he though with glee, barely restraining himself from snatching the piece of chocolate with him for safekeeping. Ugh, gross.

Sometimes, it was strange being a ferret, way too strange. Harry could control himself if he wanted to, but that didn't mean he couldn't feel his ferret side's urges. At least I'm not locked in a cage now to wait for my possible execution. He shuddered at the thought. Those were the worst weeks of my life, I'm sure. Though the company wasn't that bad if you don't count the rough beginning... Harry chittered amusedly.

Even though Draco had been vigilant at the point of annoying the hell out of Harry – I mean, a collar? Come on! - he had also been wonderful and understanding at the same time, plunging himself across the inevitable hardships Harry seemed to encounter regretfully often. Having visions about his father, getting attacked by his classmate... And still, Draco stood by Harry's side like an unfaltering rock - not all would be able to do that. A feeling akin to wonder and adornment filled Harry's mind. Bloody Slytherin, making me feel like a first year girl with a crush.

Halting his bouncy, aimless progress, Harry looked around with interest. And now, where the hell am I? The corridor he now stood in didn't ring any bells with its appearance. Though, of course everything looks different from a ferret's point of view...

Deciding it may be the time he should haul himself back to Remus' quarters and get ready to receive some nasty scolding from Draco, he turned around and started to jog down the path he had just came from. A slight creak, barely audible, however, from behind him made the ferret whirl back around. What the hell?

With bafflement, he stood and stared as a small piece of wall right in front of him was being pushed forward like a hidden door. A stench of damp, mouldy air reached Harry's sensitive nose and he grimaced. Warning bells ringed inside his head, loud and irritating, but he still stayed rooted to his place. A hidden passageway to Hogwarts?

A shadowy figure stepped out from inside the wall with fluid grace, soon followed by two others. Harry tilted his head upwards, realizing with quickly spreading horror that he was standing in the feet of three Death Eaters. Death Eaters! In Hogwarts! I have to alert -

Before he could bolt, however, one of the looming figures clad in black crouched down and grabbed Harry with ease. Harry let out a screech of fear, struggling in the painful grip.

"Well, what do we have here?" a rough voice sneered. "Just the thing we came for, isn't it? It seems that the Daily Prophet wasn't lying after all. Potter was turned into a ferret."

No shit? Harry furiously wriggled in the hold, making the Death Eater cuss and twist his arms in order to avoid from being bitten. Take that, you scum!

"Oh for Merlin's sake, Yaxley," a smooth voice drawled out. "It is just a small, mangy ferret. Do try to control it."

Mangy? A flame of anger fuelling Harry's actions, he bared his teeth and viciously sank them into the soft skin just about in his reach. The Death Eater holding him, Yaxley, let out a startled yelp, promptly dropping Harry to the floor. Harry, a little dazed from the fall, scrambled to his feet as fast as he could and attacked the nearest pair of legs with vigour. Locking his jaws around the ankle of his victim, he tried desperately to hang on as the owner of the legs cried out in pain, shaking the leg wildly in an attempt to throw the ferret off. Shit shit shit, this can't be good, Harry thought, panic-stricken and mouth full of ankle, Death Eaters in Hogwarts! How the hell did they found a passage to the castle? Where is everybody? Goddamnit, I'm just a ferret! I can't hold three Death Eaters on my own!

And to prove that, the Death Eater in question gave his leg a particularly robust shake and Harry lost his grip, toppling to the floor with a shrill squeak. Backup, where's my backup!

Another set of hands curled around his aching middle, lifting him up in the air again. Harry received a jolt of surprise as he was met with the silvery eyes looking down on him, clouded and narrowed. Lucius Malfoy. "This is ridiculous." Something fleeting sparkled in those cold eyes. "Finite Incantatem Translatum," he quietly crowed and Harry's heart nearly jumped into his throat in sudden fright.

No! he cried out in silent protest even as he felt the magic start changing him back. No! The potion!

In seconds, he was ungraciously sprawled on the floor in his human form, wearing the clothes he had worn the day he had been to Hogsmeade, and the frosty coldness Harry knew wasn't from the chilly floor slowly began to creep across his chest. Completely ignoring the Death Eaters around him, he gasped for breath and squeezed his eyes tightly closed, his teeth starting to chatter alongside with the tuncontrollable trembling of his hands.

"What's wrong with him?" the third Death Eater snappishly asked. "Is he that afraid of us?"

A heavy hand landed on Harry's shoulder and his eyes flew open. Warmth seeped from the touch, sweet warmth that crept across his body like a thick blanket. Not really thinking, Harry spun around and grabbed the person whose hand was on his shoulder, burying himself against the body behind him. He couldn't suppress the small sigh of relief that escaped his lips as the warmth spread, chasing away the deadly coldness.

"Potter!" an appalled voice cried out, and Harry froze, aghast. He looked up with great amount of apprehension, straight into the widened eyes of Lucius Malfoy whom he was cuddling at the moment. "What are you doing, boy?"

"I... " Harry swallowed, feeling a disorientating mix of fear, confusion and mortification. But he didn't let go of Lucius in fear of the cold.

"Something's wrong with the boy," Yaxley remarked, his voice dripping superciliousness. "I'm sure he wouldn't openly snuggle with a Death Eater."

He and the other Death Eater Harry distantly recognized as Dolohov guffawed loudly, and Harry ducked his head in embarrassement. What I wouldn't give for a wand now.

Lucius grabbed Harry's arms with a disdainful grimace, trying to wrench him off and Harry gasped in desperation, clinging into the Death Eater with all the energry he could muster. "No!"

Lucius appeared greatly flustered for once. "Potter! Stop this instant!"

"No – I can't! It's so cold -"

"Harry!"

Everybody froze as one as the new voice, bewildered and alarmed, joined in. Harry twisted his head without losing his fierce grip on Lucius' black robes, staring at Draco. The blond Slytherin was standing there, his eyes wide and his mouth slightly open in bafflement at the probably rather unexpected sight of Harry pressed up against his father. Then his eyes narrowed and his arm shot up, aiming his wand against the Death Eaters.

"Oh look," Dolohov sneered., whipping his own wand out to point it at Draco threateningly. "It's the littlest Malfoy. The blood-traitor."

"Dolohov," Draco said coldly, giving no sign of fear. "Yaxley. Father."

"Draco." Lucius' voice was definitely strained now, hollow. With a thumping heart, Harry noticed how Lucius gripped his wand, hidden behind Harry from plain view, so tightly his knuckled were almost white. Harry opened his mouth to warn Draco, but then Lucius' eyes flashed at him with warning and Harry blinked. Lucius held his gaze for the briefest of moments before breaking away, leaving Harry rather bemused. Did something just happen?

"You foolish boy." Yaxley had an ugly smile on his face as he bared his teeth. "Coming here to save your precious little Gryffindor – pathetic."

"It's good, then," Draco drawled with a quirk of his eyebrow, "that our views on what's pathetic are so different. Quite frankly, I think following a crazed half-blood blindly around like obedient dogs is pathetic."

Bright dots of red appeared onto Yaxley's cheeks and he sputtered. "You little -"

"Expelliarmus!" cried out Dolohov suddenly, making Harry jump against Lucius. Caught unaware, Draco's wand slipped from his hand and clattered on the floor behind the Death Eaters. Draco's now empty hands clenched on his sides and he hissed. Yaxley let out a triumphant laugh.

"Now I'm going to teach you a little lesson, you little traitor," he murmured, a wild glint in his eyes as he raised his wand. Harry tensed, feeling his eyes go wide – he was just about ready to leap and tackle Yaxley even if it did mean losing his source of warmth, but then Lucius sneaked an arm around his waist and quickly swung him to be pressed up against Lucius' side instead of his front. In that same, rapid movement, Lucius revealed his wand and slashed it violently across the air – once, twice.

Yaxley and Dolohov dropped like two ragdolls, tumbling to the floor without a noise.

Harry stared at them, safely tucked away at the crook of Lucius' elbow. He blinked. Okay. Now I'm confused.

Draco didn't remain frozed for long. He leapt forward and yanked Harry away from Lucius with one, forceful jerk. Harry cried out as the freezing coldness started its immediate spreading, struggling against Draco's arms that wrapped themselves around him. "No, Draco! Please – it's cold -"

"I'll get you to Professor Snape, Harry -"

Harry gnashed his teeth together to stop them from chattering. "No," he laboriously hissed. "Lucius – he can stop the coldness – please, Draco!"

A look of bewilderment flashed in Draco's eyes. "Harry, you don't know what you're saying -"

"Draco." Harry gathered his strength to lift his head from Draco's shoulder. He could feel the coldness soon turning to liquid fire. "I don't k-know what's going on, but Lucius... He m-makes the potion stop. P-please, Draco," he harshly whispered, swallowing around the coldness. "I won't m-make it to the i-infirmary."

Draco hesitated for a split second, then Harry felt himself being gently thrust into the warmth. He closed his eyes, incoherently murmuring in contentment as the thick layer of ice covering his skin started to melt again. Hesitant arms wound around his middle torso and the warmth increased, making Harry utter a sigh of happiness. For the time being, nothing but the solid warmth encircling him mattered.

"What's wrong with him, Draco?"

"Don't you speak to me," came an answering hiss, vicious and hurt. Harry cracked his eyes open a little, taking a peek. Draco was standing in front of them, his eyes spitting fire and his wand pointed straight at Lucius. "You came here to kill Harry, didn't you? Or me?"

Harry heard Lucius sigh wearily. "No, Draco, I am not here to kill you or Potter. I swear on my family's name."

Draco's pose relaxed slightly, but his eyes remained suspicious and chilly. "Then what are you doing here? And why doesn't Harry feel the potion when he's in contact with you?"

"The Dark Lord recovered a secret tunnel leading from the edges of Hogwarts' wards straight into the castle," Lucius spoke in a low tone. "He send myself, Yaxley and Dolohov to investigate if we could infiltrate the school." He paused. "What is this potion you keep repeating?"

"A dampening potion." Draco gazed at his father as if to judge if the information would be harmful or not to reveal. "A powerful potion that dampens a magical connection between two wizards. Harry... overdosed." He grimaced, sending an apologetic look at Harry. "That's why Harry was a ferret. To keep the potion ineffective while we look for a solution."

Lucius was silent for a moment, then his body somewhat tensed against Harry's. Like he's just realized something. "I see."

"Why are you here, father?" Draco whispered then, his hand shaking just a bit. His voice cracked slightly, as if he was struggling to keep it steady. "Why are you here now?"

Harry looked away, feeling like he was an intruder of a family matter.

"Dragon," Lucius murmured, his voice tinged with a feeling Harry couldn't recognize. "The time has come for our family to make a stand."

"What stand?" Draco's face was impassive, but Harry could tell the blonde was struggling beneath the smooth surface.

"To make a stand," came the whisper, "for survival. For our legacy. For us. " He paused again. "A stand against the Dark Lord."