Chapter 24
You aint seen nothing yet...
DSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDS
"Malfoy, can you please stop crying? I wont tell you everything is going to be fine, but you dug your own grave." Harry sat across from the blonde haired boy in the "Looney Bin". It amused him for a moment as he realized Draco was the first Slytherin to come here since he took up residence in the cozy library. Draco, seeming to finally calm down, wiped his face and looked up at him. His expression was mostly embarrassment, though there was still a bit of anger. "Good, if hes mad theres less chance of him crying again." Harry thought.
"Damn you Potter, why did you have to do that. You know im never going to come back from something like that." His fists were clenched but it was obvious that he had admitted defeat.
"I was going to have a regular duel until you cheated. You started off not playing fair so I wasn't going to give you the chance to do it again."
"Fine, I know ive done most of this to myself. I wont apologize, but you are the victor and I will leave you alone from now on. I want to ask you though; why did you defend me at the end?"
"Draco, you saw what happened second year. While I'm sure you have no qualms about it happening to me, I'm not the type to let it happen to anyone else. Even you don't deserve what happened to me. There is another reason though, as im sure your snake brain can tell."
"Blasted Ravenclaws, clever enough to twist peoples arms when you have to. What do you want?"
"What I mostly wanted was for you to leave me, and my friends, alone. This is obviously pointless as you have already agreed and quite honestly are not in a position to be bullying anyone anymore."
"Of course, that much was obvious. What is it you really want?"
"I want you on my side. Your complete loyalty to myself and my cause."
"What?" Said the blonde, laughing for a moment. "You think I can join the light side? My father would kill me without hesitation if I did such a thing, as I'm sure you are well aware."
"Draco, Im not on the light side, or the dark side, or any side but my own. I want to get rid of Voldemort-" Draco cringed at the name "-so that I can be left the bloody hell alone."
"What do you expect me to do to help you? Im not stupid, I can see that the Dark Lord was insane. My father only followed him to be close to the power but I'm just a fourth year and I can see this time around things arent going to end well. I know nothing of how close he is to returning or about anything going on with my fathers plans."
"That is fine, in fact I do not even know myself what use you will be. I guess I should just simply ask you to be ready. If you're lucky, I wont need anything from you. Most likely though you will be of some help to me."
"Is there anything for me out of this?"
"Besides-"
"Im not going to do it just because its the right thing to do, and you know it. Thats not the way this world works."
"Fine, I can promise that Ill make sure you come out clean in the end. If you don't screw things up that is. If you help me you'll be a hero, or at least redeemed for the most part, but If you try to play both sides of this I will know and I will not hold back."
"Somehow I knew you would say that. What if I need help? Im willing to be your spy but I'm not a martyr."
"Yes, I will do my best to make sure you survive as well. I want you to know that your father might be a different story."
"Lucius is an arrogant arse that has had it coming for years. My mother is the only one that ever cared for me."
"Is she a Death Eater too?"
"No, she has convinced everyone, including my father, that she is of no use but to look pretty. She never even went to the meetings."
"Good, she should be fine then. Now I know we are both loving this conversation-"
"Yeah right, and id like to say I dont need you to defend me from the other children before we end this conversation."
"I had no intention of really doing anything. Maybe if its in front of me I would have to, but for the most part my words should have been enough to keep the people who would attack you most away. Im sure you can deal with the others."
"Fine, but before I leave I also need to know why you seem so confident about all this. It is the only reason I'm agreeing to this.. Partnership."
"I would only tell you if you made a magical oath, something I doubt you would be willing to give. My initial plan was to make you give one before I told you anything at all, but I think showing trust is more affective than distrust. This is not something that I share with just anybody, and only offer it to you as it would convince you to join my side without any conviction." Draco was quiet for some time, staring at Harry. It was clear he had gotten the boys full attention. Harry did not actually want to tell him but was confident that he had manipulated the boy enough that he would not anyway. Giving your own secrets to ones spy unnecessarily was asking for trouble.
"No, I don't want to know. Perhaps this shows my trust in you, but the truth is that the Dark Lord would easily torture whatever it is out of me if he grew suspicious. The less I know, the better." It took quite a bit of willpower for Harry to keep from grinning.
"Good, if that is all I don't wish to keep you occupied any longer."
"Don't disappoint me, Potter. We are not friends, and never will be, but still I have thrown all my eggs into your basket by doing this."
"The same goes to you."
Nothing more to be said, Draco gave him one last stare before turning and leaving the room. Harry immediately found himself being hugged by Luna, who had sat in silence the whole time.
"That was a very risky move Mr Potter. Do you think it will be worth it?" Was her first question after releasing him.
"The worst thing that could happen is Tom figures out we arent ever going to be friends, is it? Im not in a position to sit by and do nothing, I have to make moves or that bastard will be too far ahead for me to catch up."
"Are you sure you aren't just being overconfident because of the curses power?"
"You tell me all the time that I shouldn't rely on it. If I cant trust your judgement then whose can I trust?"
Luna stared at him for several moments with a blank expression, long enough that Harry grew nervous he said something wrong. He was not expecting the sudden hug and kiss on the cheek, although he really should have, and grew quite red afterwards. Luna herself was very sheepish and had trouble looking at Harry, whom was staring at her himself now. Harry gave her a hug in return and, trying to break the awkwardness, asked if she heard anything from Neville about the Tournament. They were both eager to change the topic and talked at length about what secret the golden egg could contain.
Luna once again showed her perceptiveness, at least over Harry, and pointed out that Neville convincing them to add swimming to their exercise routine might be a big hint. Both were quick to agree that the next task would be taking place in the lake, and planned to find things that could help Neville in the water. Deciding to make the most if the opportunity they agreed to do their best to teach him things without letting Neville know they were on to him. Despite the conversation itself being far from anything of a romantic nature they both had been thinking mostly of the kiss. Luna was simply embarrassed that she had made Harry uncomfortable, as he was still not a very emotional person despite how outgoing he had become since second year. Harry was more worried about how he didn't respond to Luna, who he thought must have been hurt.
Luckily the two were able to forget about it when others began to arrive. By the end of the night the two pranksters had already begun their plan to fool Neville, Luna having talked extensively about several aquatic magical creatures she knew of. Harry had smoothly interjected that he wondered if they could try some diving during their morning swims. Neville seemed oblivious to the plot, thought the twins noticed something off.
Most at Hogwarts went to sleep feeling well, knowing the threat of a crazy man had been thwarted. Harry was however not fortunate enough to be one of them. His sleep was filled with dreams of a place that was becoming more like a memory than a dream...
DSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDS
Crackling sparks of electricity scorched the rocks all around the man Harry observed. Somehow the wooden shield the warrior held was being used to deflect the bolts away even as the little, in comparison to before, blue drake spit out more. They both looked back up the narrow cliff walkway they were on, feeling a bit of panic at the sight of an even bigger dragon made of crumbling rock watching them and waiting. The man tried his best to fight, being pushed back more and more until the stoney dragon struck. With a massive leap it jumped and grabbed them, squeezing the life out of his body. Harry could see its stone scaled cracking and falling into the depths below as it roared in triumph before flames brought him back to the small bonfire from before.
It seemed the man had made some progress, memories of fighting through disgusting sewers coming to mind. However his progress had been altered after finding a key down below that seemed to interest the man far more than Harry would expect if he didn't already know of the mans travels. It would seem that the key was meant to fit many locks, in particular one that lay in a tower near a flooded city. It opened to a ledge on the side of a deep chasm with a nearby ramshackle walkway leading to the other side. Directly in front was a terrifying cave that the man avoided to instead explore the well lit fissure. Partyway down the narrow path they came across what seemed to be the corpse of a stone dragon, items glowing next to corpses right in front of its maw. With some skill they were able to dodge out of the way after it awoke from their looting, but ended up having no choice but to move forward away from it. There they encountered several blue Drakes that shot lightning from their maws and swooped at them with short bursts of flight. Their spells were able to blast apart two and knock another off the cliff before running out of magic and healing drink.
Harry was amused to see the quick little dance the man gave as he gazed down at the weapon and shield they acquired. As he lifted the sword, something inside of him glowed and moved into the glistening metal. When he swung it a trail a light, very faint and barely visible without looking for it, followed the path of the blade. It seemed that it was enchanted somehow to harness magical energy. The man sheathed it and went to sit before the flames, meditating for a few moments until the bonfire glowed brighter. A ball of light began to expand from the man himself in response. After both lights died down the warrior stood again, taking out his sword and giving it another swing. This time the trail of energy was a bit darker, telling Harry that the man did something when he stared into the fire that made himself stronger. Harry would think at length about what could be the cause, though all he could tell for now was that it must do with the light the man absorbed when he killed monsters or the undead.
Feeling somewhat useless, Harry took his time studying the movements and techniques used by the battle mage. He carried a shield in his left hand and had a small staff on his hip he used to cast spell. In the other he had wielded a regular longsword, now replaced by the slightly smaller enchanted blade he just plundered. His armor was lighter than when he began, but still covered in chainmail with a few choice pieces of rusty plate scavenged from enemies to provide protection to some of the more vital areas. It was all covered with a dark brown cloak that Harry saw stop arrows and even weak spells. On the inside were even some clever pouches and straps the man used to carry useful and important items. He was somewhat amused to see the warrior collected keys, keeping a large keyring on his person. From what he could tell, such a collection would actually be priceless in this land of locked doors and collapsed passages. Harry made sure to remember to look up magical lock picking methods, maybe even the regular method if he had time.
At the end of the run-down and smelly looking cave that they had begun venturing down they could both make out a large hulking figure. Hefting his sword the man strode forward with his shield at the ready, watching for other dangers. One of the boards underfoot cracked, causing the large figure to turn around. Upon seeing them it threw its head up and let out a massive roar before lunging forward. Down the cavern several more howls could be heard, followed by the thudding of several more set of heavy feet.
The Ogrid creature was slow thankfully, not even requiring him to back up to be ready. It came straight for him, swinging a club recklessly. The warrior dodged neatly underneath it and jabbed his blade up underneath its armpit into the chest. It reeled away, the sword pulling out, before giving another yell and charging again. Showing great dexterity the man managed to slash it harshly across the chest while dodging its second swing, shuffling around towards its back where he stabbed it several times. With one final roar the beast fell to its knees and disappeared, a large pile of putrid rubbish left in its place.
Harry was amazed as he observed how the man proceeded down the tunnel. Several more of the fearsome creatures lurked in the darkness and rotting wood. Most came in groups, leaving the warrior little room for error. For the most part he dispatched them with his sword, but two glowing blasts of light finished one off that had been particularly difficult to defeat. However if Harry thought the cave was a strange sight, the massive cavern at the end was unbelievable.
It opened on a cliff at the top of what could only be described as an entire city built out of scrap wood fixed to the rock walls. All over he could see movement, in the distance strangely dressed men and closer what appeared to be some sort of vile, malformed demon with small wings and and a large mouth. Above the rock opened up to show what appeared to be the bottom of the city walls themselves. Below lay a swamp with more of those evil looking beings and enormous slugs wiggling in the mud. As much as this all got to Harry, it did not seem to effect the man at all. With barely a pause he jogged forward, coming across a chest which he pilfered yet another key from. Without delay he was down a ladder nearby, followed by several more as he made his way to the swamp. Those strange creatures were waiting below, but proved all but useless as fighters. The man dodged around their chunky forms and skewered them easily.
As he neared the bottom Harry found they had a bit of a decision. One way lead downwards to the swamp, the other leading towards the rest of the town, which they had only seen the outskirts of. With a chuckle the man looked back and up, right at where Harry was watching him from, and raised his shoulders in a shrug. Placing his sword point first into the wooden planks, he spun it like a top until it began to fall. It fell right in the direction of the town which seemed to be enough for the man who picked up his blade and ran up the creaking planks.
After a long time spent carefully dodging around the darts of the locals waiting ahead, the man had managed to kill all of the annoying undead in the area. The sack-hooded men used some sort of blowgun with darts covered in a foul poison that made him sick almost immediately upon being pricked. They had been guarding an area of the grand cities sewer system still left intact. Below were several more problems; small red dogs that of all things breathed fire. Tired and appearing to be low on the healing liquid, the man started to use his spells. There was not much variety or excitement in their casting, but it was interesting to see how limited the spell was. Even ten meters above the dogs they were still able to dodge out of the way from the quick moving arrows sometimes. Before long they were all dead however and the knight proceeded down another ladder to collect a glowing rock from one of their bodies. Further down a side passage was a corpse sitting up against metal grating. In its chest glowed a strange looking spiked ball of almost solid looking energy. They, or the man at least, had come across them before. A woman below their home fire would take it and make their healing liquid more powerful, all of which confused Harry greatly besides a basic understanding of cause and effect. It pulled from the body and dissolved into the mans hand, who looked at his empty gloves for a moment before standing up and moving on.
It seemed that he did not feel up to fighting through the rest of the shanty town, no matter what treasures it could have. Below was the direction he knew to go, and so made his way towards the bubbling swamp. Mostly he traveled by ladder, but at one point had to jump aboard a haphazard wooden lift that spun like a water wheel and ride it down. Bizarrely the wheel seemed to be powered by nothing as no mater flowed below and it was made entirely of wood.
A few more of the swamp demons were waiting at the bottom but easily dispatched. For a moment the warrior stood at the edge of the sludge not wanting to step in, but there was no path across. It seemed he would have to walk into it and eventually took the first step.
It was not too deep, but Harry was thankful he did not have to trudge through it himself. On his way through the waters, towards the white banks of a strange looking hill in the distance, he was accosted by a couple of the demons again. The sludge slowed him down, but he managed to defeat them with only a mild burn from the chaotic flames they spewed. Under another piece of the crumbling sewer was the welcoming sight of another bonfire. The man walked up to it and plopped down in front of its warm glow.
Its flames glowed brighter and brighter, comforting and warming Harry. Both himself and the man were soon lost in its entrancing glow, though only one would have to wake back up to the nightmare. He was thankful to have a companion for however long though, even if he could not interact with them and was ignorant of why they watched him. Anything was better than the loneliness, trapped in the dark by oneself.
DSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDSDS
Task two is up next. Let me know what you think and thank you very much for reading.