Draco knew Harry was coming, as Storm and Lunte's ears lifted and noses twitched for a second before their heads were placed back down. Leaning over the edge of the hay loft he silently watched Harry put the horses away.
"Draco?" he called into the lantern lit barn "Co?"
"I'm up here," I replied and couldn't help but smile at the loving look he was giving me.
"What's wrong this time?" he chuckled as he pulled me into his arms.
I looked down a lump in my throat had formed, "the ring, who was it meant for?" I hated myself for beating around the bush like this but my fear embraced me so tightly I couldn't bear to blurt the truth.
"What do you mean co?" asked Harry confused for a moment.
"Dragon diamond, its very rare, something of royals," commented Draco turning the band around and around again.
"It's been in the family for generations," replied Harry.
"I don't mean to hurt you by saying this but were poor; we could sell this and live comfortably for years and years… I love you Harry but I want to know why?" replied Draco it hurt so badly for him to suggest selling his engagement ring and the look on Harry's face turned from kind to a bit dark.
"Are you saying that I could never afford this, and selling it! That's completely out of the question Draco. Even mentioning such a thing, and you say you love me!" Shouted Harry pulling away from Draco.
"I do, I do love you, I'm sorry Harry," pleaded Draco tears streaming from his eyes.
"I can't believe you would say that," Harry was in such a state of shock "don't I do enough to provide for us? DON'T I?"
"Yes, yes," Draco whimpered watching Harry in pure terror, it was almost enough to make him run.
"I need to cool down before I do something we would both regret," growled Harry walking from the barn.
Draco fell to his knees watching him walk away, sobs wracked his body. A few minutes passed and the sobs grew into tears, the fear compelled him to hide. It was one of the few things he was good at. Checking to see if his knife was still in his boot he tightened his cloak and exited the barn with Lunte and Storm on his heels.
The wintery air was refreshing and Draco gulped in a few mouthfuls, the wolves walked beside him not playing like normal. Something was sombre about their lupa and that felt the instinct to stay close. Storm turned his head towards the boot prints in the snow. Draco knew that was the way Harry had taken and kneeled so he was level with the wolf.
"If you want to look after him Storm I don't blame you. Find us," he indicated to Lunte and himself "when Harry has calmed," then hugging the male wolf he stood and walked towards the hedged gateway. Some time away from the magical cottage would help him gain come confidence back.
Draco had no doubt that Harry would come for him with Storm when he was ready, and if he got too cold he could always return to the barn.
Whispering open to the hedge he walked out into the dark forest, Lunte protectively at his side. "I love you Harry, I hope when you find out who I am you will forgive me, and the light we both created."
The hedge closed cutting Draco off from the sanctuary, turning to the forest he began to walk, not even twenty minutes away the hackles on Lunte rose and she growled back the way they had come. Drawing his knife he knew that if whatever Lunte was growling at was a threat he would have to fight. He was too far away from Harry and terror filled him as two men like shapes emerged from the brush each carrying a sword… giving a scream of terror. Lunte pounced at the man on the left, Draco fearful couldn't move he was frozen to the spot as he watched the largest man smash Lunte's skull with the back of his sword. The wolf yelped and didn't move again. Discrediting the young wolf they advanced on Draco who finally regained his senses and ran…
Meanwhile at Malfoy castle
King Lucius watched wide eyed as a familiar black carriage drove in through the royal gate, war had been declared and lords were being drawn in to speak matters of armies with their king. It never occurred to Lucius that high Lord Voldemort would be the first to answer the call, let alone at all.
Heading down to the entrance hall to welcome one of his most powerful lords, he watched the dark haired man exit the carriage and give an almost insulting bow.
"Your royal majesty's," Lord Voldemort spoke so cold Queen Narcissa had to resist turning her eyes away "I come to your aid in whipping out the kingdom of Potter, but as always for a price."
The king nodded "perhaps once settled Lord we can discus matters further."
"Perhaps not," hissed Voldemort "I need not settle in, I rested on the ride. Tea perhaps though."
King Lucius was inclined to remind the Lord to whom he spoke but knew the battle ahead could not be won without the aid of his men and strangely enough woman. "To the study then."
Once settled into the throne like chairs of King Lucius' private study, and tea before them did the Lord speak "I have several thousand warriors all trained for battle, and several more thousand serfs waiting to be called in from the fields, as well as a few hundred mediwitches, all to be commanded in the army against Potter but in return for my assistance and my men and woman whom I command on my free land I wish for a payment."
"What kind of payment Lord Voldemort?" asked Lucius curious to know for the order of thousands of warriors and healers sounded almost too good, and then the answer came.
"Your son, the darling princess Draconis," smirked Lord Voldemort his eyes gleaming against the setting of the sun. King Lucius was right it was too good to be true.
Narcissa on the other hand was shaken, she dropped her tea cup and spoke without the king's consent, "The princess she is still not well enough…"
"Dear highness," Lord Voldemort gave a polite waving bow "your son made several appearances for the Potter royals, and I do not wish to whisk him away till the war is over, a simple contract will suffice. Now majesties I bid your approval to make rest and leave you to your thoughts."
'Who does he think he is?' thought Lucius angrily 'making claims and demands then disrespecting my wife and seemingly dismissing us.' While on the outside he merely waved off the snake and did it with a vast amount of arrogance, inwardly smirking.
"Lucius?" asked Narcissa quietly.
"We'll give Severus one month more then we'll contract the lord to our peasant boy," Lucius didn't like the idea but that gave him some time to drill a lifetime of lessons into the boy if gods forbid the real Draconis was not found…