I really don't know why, but as I edit I keep humming to myself "I've got a lovely bunch of coconuts, tweedley dee dee, there they are standing in a row, bum bum bum." Now I have this uncontrollable urge to watch Lion King. Just wanted to share my emotional instability with you all. That was it.
HDHDHD
Draco scowled as he marched along by Harry's side.
It wasn't that he particularly minded being frightened half to death, watching his almost friends get sucked into the earth, running for his life, or jumping off a cliff into a raging rapid. No, that was fine. He was a Malfoy, he knew how to adapt. No, what really pissed him off was the fact that Harry had hesitated before calling him his boyfriend. What did he think he was? His fairy Godmother? Worse, Harry didn't seem to realize he'd made any sort of error. Could he possibly be that ignorant? He glared at the messy haired boy marching besides him. Well, yes, actually, he could.
"Draco?" Ha! Five minutes of walking in silence before he notices. Bloody ignorant savage. "You ok? Look, I'm sorry… I didn't think today would end up quite so… well, quite so like this."
"Really?" Draco questioned starkly. "Were you, perhaps, hoping someone else would be here with you? That I would be the one to get pulled into a comatose sleep and you would be able to continue on with your precious Granger?" Even as he ranted, his arm shot out to prevent Harry tripping over a root. "Or maybe you were hoping not to introduce me at all?" He grabbed Harry's arm to pull him away from the precariously balanced pile of rocks that seemed to spring up out of nowhere. "Practically maul me to death in front of my Godfather," he held up a branch for Harry to walk under, "and you can barely admit to knowing me in public!"
"That's not how it is at all!" Harry protested angrily, pulling his wand to banish the spider attempting to bond with Draco's hair. "I didn't know if you would want me to announce to strangers the status of our relationship!" Harry jumped down a small incline, turning to help Draco down as well. "I love you. You know I love you." He kicked the loose stones out of his way so Draco wouldn't trip. "You're the one who refuses to announce your feelings for me!" They held hands to brace each other against the current as they crossed a river. "And I didn't maul you," Harry sounded hurt, even as he reached down to help Draco up a hill. "I thought you liked what we did!"
Draco flushed. "I did," he snapped, detangling Harry's cloak from a briar patch before it tore. "But that was days ago and we have barely spoken to each other since!"
"And that's my fault?" Harry sounded angry as he passed Draco a canteen to drink.
"Yes!" Draco knew he was unfair, but he couldn't help this feeling any more than he could stop himself passing Harry an apple.
"Perhaps it is no one's fault?"
"BUTT OUT!" They turned in unison to glare at the intruder briefly before turning back to each other. Draco was really angry now, as he added fighting in front of an unknown audience to Harry's List of Faults. He had started the mental list when he was thirteen, and added to it daily even as he crossed others off.
"You two work well together. Very complimentary – light and dark."
Draco rolled his eyes. "Whatever," he mumbled, grabbing his Harry's arm to yank him out of the way of a spell.
"Yeah, like Draco would ever admit we're good together." Harry glared back at Draco before he petrified the tree that was attempting to bite the blond.
"You do realize, of course, that I have put you two through an obstacle course. While neither of you acknowledged my attempt, you managed to avoid every trap successfully by working together?"
At this, Harry and Draco turned to the speaker. Rather than the Elvin guard they were expecting, a lone man stood leaning on a tree, watching the squabbling duo with interest. Dark hairs, flowing halfway down his back, dark eyes, muscular build. The man looked like a tree pretending to be a man. Once he noticed he had their attention, he smiled. "Prince Phinneas," he greeted. "Pleasure to meet you, Harry and Draco. I must admit, I thought you would be arriving the same way as your friends."
"Are they all right?" Harry stepped forward sounding anxious. Draco rolled his eyes. Excellent negotiation skills Potter.
Phinneas smiled again. "Let's do business."
HDHDHD
Voldemort was not a nice man.
One would think, after all the work he had done to maintain his immortality, all the innocence he had stolen, the lives he destroyed, and the pain he inflicted, that this fact would be common knowledge. However, as he gazed at the man kneeling before him, he could not help but wonder where the confusion came from. "Tell me," he hissed out, enjoying the way the man trembled. "Do you find it amusing to inform your Lord that two of my followers are missing? Did you think, perhaps, I would enjoy knowing Harry Potter remains safely under the protection of his deranged headmaster, while I sit here alone?"
"No…no, my Lord." The man was practically crying in his sincerity.
He gazed at the cowering man before him. "Wormtail," he began abruptly. "Three times of late you have knelt before me. Three times you have displeased me with your news. I am giving you one last chance for redemption." Wormtail looked up at this news, pathetically eager to escape death. "You will bring me Harry Potter by Christmas." Wormtail went white. Voldemort enjoyed the increase in fear for a moment before continuing. ""You will bring me Harry Potter. Or, you will die."
"Ye – Yes, My Lord." Hastily, Wormtail kissed the robes In front of him before backing away, trembling with mixed emotions. He started running the minute he left the room. Voldemort listened to the sound of his feet scurrying down the hall. He almost wished Wormtail failed in this mission. He was rather fun to punish.
"Lucius?"
"My Lord?"
"Still no word on Parkinson or the Thompson boy?"
Lucius sighed. "No my Lord. No word, no sign, nothing. I went to the Parkinson house myself, but there are no signs of struggle."
"Lucius?"
"My Lord?"
"Your son is at Hogwarts as well?" Lucius nodded slowly. Always a good sign when his minions showed consideration in their responses, Voldemort thought. "Very good. Have him discover Thompson's last whereabouts." Lucius nodded again with a murmured acceptance. "And Lucius? He is to help Wormtail. I want your son to become close to Harry Potter. Close enough that he can convince him to leave the security of the castle. Is this understood?"
"Yes, My Lord."
Voldemort nodded. "Excellent." He was back on track.
HDHDHD
Charlie Weasley only had one sister.
Never before had this fact brought him such a feeling of gratitude and frustration. Gratitude that he didn't have to deal with these continuously changing mood swings; and frustration because if he had learned how to deal with hysterical women by now, he could handle Pansy Parkinson. Well, he thought so anyway.
"I mean, I knew he was bad," Pansy paced in front of the fireplace. "Everyone knew he was bad. And that his work was dangerous." Her face fell and she flung herself into Charlie's arms. He patted her back absently. Suddenly she pulled back and slapped him soundly across the face. Glaring at him as she angrily demanded, "Why are men so bloody stupid? Thinking he could just kidnap… I had no idea, I swear!" She looked at him desperately, pleading with him to believe her. Resigned, he opened his arms again, only staggering slightly when she launched herself at him. She pulled back to smile at him brightly. "But at least now I don't need to worry about being forced into getting the Dark Mark." Charlie smiled back. He must be getting used to her, he thought, as he barely blinked when she burst into sobs. "But he was my father…"
Charlie sighed. As good as it felt to hold her, he knew he had no way of helping Pansy through this alone. Hestia knew Lucius would be gone today, and was off on some mission with Hagrid. Something about etiquette lessons, whatever that meant. She would be back by six, since Lucius was due in at seven. Ah jeez, what would his mother do in a situation like this? His mother! Of course!
"Marlin!"
The house elf appeared instantly. "Yes, guest of Mistress?"
Charlie grinned at the elf. "I'm taking Pansy to visit with my mum. If we're not back when Lucius gets here, can you send us a warning and we'll come right back?"
"Certainly, friend of Mistress."
Charlie thanked him with a nod. Turning back to Pansy he cuddled her close. My, she really was soft. "Pansy, love? Hold onto me tightly, and think only of me, ok?" Pansy nodded obediently, her head still pressed into his neck. Turning on the spot, he apparrated to Grimmauld Place. His breath whooshed out in relief. Ha! Apparently Dumbledore was as lack in his wards concerning side-along apparition as Lucius was in not making sure his guests had free will to leave the manor. It really was quite cozy there – much preferable to this dank and dreary hole.
"Wotcher Charlie!" Charlie looked over to see Tonks sitting at the table, a half eaten plate of food in front of her. He felt Pansy stiffen in his arms at the voice and absently stroked his hands up and down her back to soothe, even as she tightened her arms around his shoulders. She made no move to step away and he made no move to release her.
"Hey Tonks," he grinned. "Mum around?"
At these words Pansy lifted her head to smile at him. "Charlie, you brought me to your family?" He nodded his head in bemusement. She really had a pretty smile.
"CHARLIE WEASLEY WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO THIS POOR GIRL!" Pansy and Charlie jumped as their moment was shattered. Ignoring him completely, Molly stepped forward and gently pulled the tear stained girl with her into the kitchen. "There there dear. You just tell me what happened, and I'll fix it."
Charlie scratched his head in exasperation as his mother led his… well, led Pansy away. Now what? Sighing, he settled down at the table, stealing Tonk's plate of food. May as well eat while he waited to take her home. Er… back to the Malfoy's, that is.
HDHDHD
Morgana walked slowly through the corridors of Azkaban prison. Smiling and nodding at the cheerful inmates, she noted the improvements made on this upper level. Fresh paint, curtains, clean and healthy prisoners helping each other out. Much better than how it was before. A Death Eater stopped in front of Morgana to inform her he had learned to sew, and was helping make outfits for a small ill-equipped orphanage. He burst into tears when she patted his head and told him how proud she was. Yes, things were much better on this level.
Sighing, she walked down to the lower level.
A monster guarded the door. Golden skin, wide protruding eyes, full wings with feathers as sharp as knives, and claws growing from elongated hands and feet. She smiled as the monster transformed into a slight young girl with waist length blonde hair and sparkling blue eyes. It was imperative that only fully transformed Veela guard the prisoners on the lower level. The prisoners so drunk on love for power, or fame, or love of self, they could not even allow the beauty of the Veela to touch their dark souls. The dark souls Voldemort desperately wanted released.
"He visited, you know? Your young Mr. Potter. Came in with his family and approved of all the changes."
Morgana smiled gently. "Yes, young Harry has a pure spirit. He would not approve of needless suffering. Even from those he so desperately fights against."
"The stars aren't twinkling this week."
Morgana sighed heavily. "No, they hide their shine behind the clouds. Soon, though, a rain will come and cleanse some of the clouds away."
The blonde Veela nodded. She looked up the stairs and over towards the window. "The scent of rosemary is in the air."
"Unusual for so late in winter." They looked at each other in complete understanding. Morgana looked over towards the cages other winged monsters guarded. "Our guests?"
"They shift quite a bit this week. Their arms have pained them." Morgana nodded and turned to go.
"Morgana?" She paused, and looked into shadowed blue eyes. "The storm grows closer."
She inclined her head in agreement. "Do not fear the coming of the storm, my dearest. Fear the eye of the storm and the false security it brings." Morgana walked away without another word.
HDHDHD
It took two days of negotiation before the Woodland Elves agrees to enter the other side of the river. They would relocate to the Forbidden Forest, and work with the magical creatures within to protect the grounds of Hogwarts. It was another three days before the Elves agreed to return Hermione, Ron, and Sirius. Harry and Draco fought for them – literally. For the price of one unworthy was to expand one's skills. Harry and Draco learned to respect their surrounding in a way that put Hagrid to shame. They were taught to listen to the whisper of the wind, and how to create a healing poultice from herbs scattered about. They also learned how to move swiftly and silently, leaving the barest of traces to their presence. Naturally, they had to test these newly developed skills, and were thus covered in bruises as they trekked back to the castle grounds.
"I still don't understand," Hermione snapped out. She was quite insulted to be labeled unworthy, and demanded Harry and Draco not tell anyone she had not passed a test. "Why could they teach you and Draco but no one else?"
"Well," Harry began. "I suppose these skills will be useful in battles held outside. Help me gain as much an advantage as possible."
Hermione raised her eyebrow at the Slytherin walking next to Harry. Draco shrugged before reaching over to grab Harry's hand. "I go where he goes. I love him."
Ignoring Hermione's huff of breath and Sirius' snort of laughter, Harry stopped dead and pulled Draco to him. The kiss was gentle this time. Sweet, almost innocent. They took their time exploring each other, absorbing the light sighs and murmurs. They both blushed as they pulled away and resumed walking.
They were smiling too hard to notice the beady eyes hiding in the underbrush watching them… or hear the muffled click of paws as the rat followed them inside.