Disclaimer: Sadly, none of the characters you recognise from the Harry Potter books/ movies belong to me. I'm only playing with them...
Author's Note: A few of you already asked me where Voldie had disappeared to- well, this chapter should answer that question... Have fun!
Beta: Thank you, jharad17, for your patience!
37. ONE LUNATIC MEETS THE OTHER
Harry woke silently. The only time he screamed upon waking was after remembering what they had done to him, and this time he hadn't dreamt of them. The connection to Voldemort had once again flared to life and haunted him with visions of raids and torture.
"Is something the matter, Harry?" Draco lifted his head a bit drowsily and peered into Harry's face. "Are you okay?"
"I had a nightmare, but I'm fine. Let's go back to sleep, okay?" Harry murmured, and the blond's arms pulled him a little closer before he drifted off to sleep once more.
Harry lay awake for a long time, half-heartedly practised Occlumency and cried silently so as not to disturb the two peacefully sleeping blonds, one on either side of him. It was almost uncommonly cruel that he could see everything perfectly well in his visions since he saw them through Voldemort's eyes.
His thoughts wandered to the day he had experienced in Lucius' body and through his eyes. He tried to remember everything he had seen with Lucius' eyes, but he failed miserably. The images, vague and uncertain, flickered and disappeared nanoseconds after Harry had finally pinpointed them. The only one he remembered clearly was Draco. Could that be a sign? Would he remember Lucius as well if he had seen him instead?
His stomach churned almost painfully, and his throat constricted as the guilt overwhelmed him once more. How could he have forgotten to see Luc? The blond had gone without sight for one whole day, and as thanks Harry looked at everything but him!
But he had always remembered Draco, and Draco was probably right in saying that he and Lucius looked quite alike. Alike maybe, but not the same. How could he have been so thoughtless? Of course, Lucius said that he didn't mind and wasn't angry or disappointed, but Harry couldn't help feeling angry and disappointed at himself. He should have remembered. End of discussion. He swore that one day he would make up for it.
Harry was rather proud of himself when he managed a carefree smile to great the two grumpy blonds when he woke them up for an early breakfast.
"Tell me again why exactly we are up," Lucius demanded, staring sulkily around the scarcely populated Great Hall and at the few early-risers who deemed it necessary to sprout their good humour and show everyone how bloody awake they were - how he hated them!
"Because this way we can go to Hogsmeade," Harry explained patiently.
"The first carriage doesn't go for another two hours," Draco complained.
"So? We don't have to rush," Harry returned indifferently, sipping his tea before adding a bit more milk. "And we can walk just as well. A bit of fresh air won't harm you."
"It's raining, Harry," Lucius informed him with another moody look at the cloudy ceiling. "And I really don't feel like walking around in wet clothes all day."
"Have you ever heard of Water-Repelling Charms and Drying Charms?" Harry asked him sweetly. "I heard that they are used for these occasions, Winter."
"Why do you call me that, anyway?" Lucius asked, perhaps a bit too testily, and Harry winced.
"I won't call you that anymore if it bothers you."
"I don't mind, Harry." Lucius gently kissed his temple. "I just want to know why you call me that and why you call Draco 'Ice.'"
"Because Draco's eyes were always like two shards of ice, and he can freeze anyone with his glare." Harry laughed with a fond smile at the other boy. "He's the Ice Prince of Slytherin. And I call you Winter because firstly, you are Dray's father, and secondly, you sometimes are just as cold and harsh as he is, and I'm sure just as impeccably beautiful as the deepest winter."
"Ah."
"Is that all you have to say?" Harry asked, a bit uncertainly. "You don't like it."
Lucius chuckled. "I'm just not very eloquent so early in the morning after being thrown so rudely out of bed. I like it, and I'm flattered, Snow White. See, you both belong to me. You two make me complete for what is Winter without Ice and Snow? And you are as pure and beautiful and innocent as snow, just not as cold." He grinned. "But we will work on that."
Kissing his cheek, Harry laughed and continued his breakfast.
Once they were finished, Harry clapped his hands happily and got up. "Come on, we'll pick up Severus, and then we can go."
"What?" Lucius asked indignantly. "Why do you want him to come with us? I thought we could enjoy the day together - alone."
"Oh, stop pouting, Lucius," Harry chastised him. "Sev has no one in this time, and I want him to get out and not just sulk in his rooms. If he bothers you, you can go on your own. I won't stop you."
"You are in an exceptionally generous mood today, aren't you?" Lucius mocked him. "Slept on a pea?"
"When did you find time to read another fairytale?" Harry asked.
"I helped him to read Braille, yesterday," Draco offered. "We read that one when you were with your parents. But really, Harry, are you sure you are okay? Did you have another nightmare? Do you want to talk about it?"
"You had a nightmare?" Lucius asked in concern. "Why didn't you tell me? I wouldn't have been so petulant if I had known."
"Honestly, you two, would you stop treating me like a bloody china doll?" Harry rolled his eyes. "I'm fine, but I have a bad feeling, and I would feel better with Severus around. Can we go now?"
"Well, then come on, featherweight." Draco took a hold of Harry's hand. "I'm sure Severus is just waiting for you..."
"Oh, be quiet," Harry retorted. "Save your sarcasm for someone else. You know that I'll get Severus to come."
Draco chose to not reply to this, knowing that the black-haired boy was right, and just quietly followed Harry and Lucius to Severus' rooms.
"Something wrong?" Severus greeted them, inspecting Harry more closely than the others. "No? Then you can leave. I'll be glad to see you in the far off future."
"Are you working on a potion?" Harry asked innocently.
"Yes, and it needs my undivided attention, so if you would go?" Severus sneered, almost tapping his foot impatiently.
"What kind of potion?"
The Potions Master sighed. "It's for you, Harry. What is it you want? I really have better things to do."
"I'll help you," Harry declared, stepping into the room, almost tumbling over a chair. "You keep rearranging your things. I get the feeling you don't want me here."
"Oh, and I thought you were hopelessly oblivious," the tall wizard snapped. "And you can't help me with the potion."
"But you do so much for me already," the black-haired boy returned softly. "Why shouldn't I be able to help you? I'm not totally incompetent."
Severus sighed again. "You'll be getting in my way, Harry, you know that."
"But I want to help." Harry stomped his foot. "I'll scrub your cauldrons."
"I supervised detentions last night, Harry," Severus argued. "Why don't you tell me what you really want, since I obviously won't be allowed to work."
"I want you to come to Hogsmeade with us," Harry said at once with his most pleading smile.
"I have to get some ingredients anyway," the professor answered. "You could have simply asked me."
"No ingredients, no books about potions or Dark Arts." Harry shook his head. "You can get something nice for Rudolphus, though."
"Like a souvenir?" Severus sneered. "If you hadn't noticed, he's here as well. He can get himself anything he wants."
"Ever heard of the concept of presents? Where you think about what you could give to someone you love so that they know how much you care about them?" Harry teased him.
Severus shook his head unwillingly. "He doesn't expect me to get him anything."
Harry laughed, taking his hand and tugging him out of his rooms. "All the better! This way it will be a pleasant surprise."
"Why did you have to drag me along when you have two Malfoys to keep you company?" Severus complained, futilely trying to free his hand.
"Remember to smile, sunshine," Harry teased him.
"You're testing my patience," Severus growled. "And I'm close to killing you."
"You're too afraid of Remus." Harry shrugged. "Oh, wait, shouldn't you be afraid of Draco, too?"
"I'm not afraid of werewolves," the Potions Master hissed, glaring as Harry hummed in disbelief.
"I never knew that," Draco intervened.
"There's nothing to know since I'm not afraid of stupid werewolves," Severus spat, glowering at Draco now, as he made the same disbelieving noise.
"That's very prejudiced, you know?" Harry said mildly. "Werewolves are not stupid."
Severus sneered. "I beg to differ. They certainly must be lacking some intelligence when they're not clever enough to not walk around under the full moon and thus avoid the sharp teeth of wolf-like creatures."
"Don't be mean," Harry reprimanded. "It wasn't Remus' fault. He was only a kid."
"I have other reasons to doubt his intellect. He's a Gryffindor, for one," he retorted, and Harry swatted his arm, since he wasn't tall enough to hit Severus over the head.
"You will not insult my godfather."
"Hey, you didn't protest when he insulted me," Draco complained.
"You can defend yourself," the blind boy stated. "Plus, it wasn't your fault you were outside."
"Don't blame yourself, imp," Severus said gruffly. "Draco can look after himself - at least I thought so. Now, where are we going?"
"Hogsmeade," Harry said with a grin, dodging the hand that went to grab his neck.
"Cheeky brat," Severus complained. "You know what I meant."
"Honeydukes." Harry smiled. "We can try all the new things."
"Actually they are more like old, you know?" Draco offered.
Harry laughed. "Doesn't stop me from eating them. Come on, Luc, tell me what you see."
"A black-haired beauty," Lucius purred, tugging Harry away from Severus and wrapping an arm around his slim waist. "I only see you, Harry."
Harry blushed, ducking his head and murmuring a quiet thank you before he changed the subject, making sure to include Lucius in the conversation since he didn't want him to feel left out. Lucius seemingly found great amusement in whispering suggestive - and mostly very naughty - things into his ear, which made him blush and giggle randomly, especially as Draco - so as not to miss out on all the fun - tickled his side and pinched his ass. Severus rolled his eyes and pointedly looked away more than once.
But he wasn't to be ignored, either, and Harry helped him find a present for Rudolphus that wasn't a book or a potion - Severus had certainly tried to convince Harry of the advantages of these presents. Instead, they found a nice, not to mention dangerous and handy set of daggers, and one of which was infused with poison, so as to soothe Severus' bruised ego.
"It's still not very romantic," the smallest Slytherin demurred.
"I guess I should buy some sex toys?" Severus asked sarcastically.
Harry groaned, shaking his head futilely. "See, that's exactly why I get images of you having sex. Merlin, Sev, I don't want to think about that. I'll get nightmares."
"Revenge is sweet." Severus smirked.
But Harry didn't answer, gasping softly as he pressed his hands to his forehead, and screwed his eyes shut. A moment later, Lucius grasped his left arm tightly.
"I knew it," Harry whispered. "He laid low for too long." - /Nightmare, I need you!/
/I'm right here, little master./ The dragon soared from one of the trees she had perched on earlier, landing gracefully on his shoulder and wrapping herself around his neck. /The evil one is coming, isn't he? I hope he brings his snakey toy: It makes fighting so much more exciting and artful when you can insult your opponent./
She gave a dragon laugh, clicking her teeth in excitement.
"I have to go," Lucius said, already turning around. "I forgot that I have a meeting."
"Don't lie, Luc." Harry stepped closer to him. "Voldemort has summoned you and he's in a hurry. He won't have time to torture you, so you should go. Keep your cover, okay? But don't lie to me."
"I will protect you, lovely." Lucius briefly pressed his lips to Harry's. "And I'm sorry for lying; it was a reflex."
"I understand, Winter. Be safe." Harry reluctantly let him go, before he resolutely turned to the two ex-Death Eaters. "He's gathering his Death Eaters. I think he will attack Hogsmeade. We need to evacuate the students and call for reinforcements."
"How much time do we have?" Draco asked, even as he sent a Paralysing Curse at Avery so that his father wouldn't be last to appear before Voldemort - it was never wise to appear last.
"Five minutes, if we're lucky," Harry murmured.
"That's not enough time to get them back into the castle," Severus stated evenly. A worried frown marred his face as he quickly wound his hair into a braid so it wouldn't get in his face.
"I know. Get them as far away as possible. I'll draw up a shield," Harry murmured, sitting down cross-legged onto the soft grass that grew around an old oak tree. "The attack is for me. If he had wanted to hit the Hogwarts population as a whole he would have waited until later."
"How do you know that he will attack here?" Draco asked while Severus strode off to herd the students back to the castle.
"He was talking about me last night, gathered information about me. I just know," Harry answered lowly. "Draco, I need to concentrate. Can we leave those questions for later?"
"Of course." Draco placed a careful kiss on Harry's temple before he went over to the Three Broomsticks in order to inform his fellow students of a likely attack without causing a mass panic.
At first, the students were sure he was drunk, then they thought that he had a very bad sense of humour. Finally, when he grabbed both Lily and James by an arm and dragged them through the room, telling them that he would not risk losing Harry because of their stupidity, they panicked. Tables and chairs were pushed over, glasses, bottles and plates smashed on the floor, and third years were more often then not pushed aside or to the floor as the crowd pressed forward. Madam Rosmerta, in all her blooming youth, gave shriek after shriek before she suddenly disappeared with the other adults. Draco didn't care to find out where they had hidden, but just hoisted the last two girls from the floor and impatiently pushed them out of the pub.
A long, not at all orderly line quickly moved towards the castle. The two thirteen-year-old girls joined it immediately, and even found a Hufflepuff perfect who took them under her wing. From his position, Draco could make out Lily and the Marauders just passing the last of the houses, and guessed correctly that they had lost precious time by stopping and trying to talk to Harry. From the other shops, pubs and houses, people joined the throng. Most were students, but a few inhabitants of the town still considered Hogwarts their best bet in case of an attack. Some of the braver ones followed Severus back to where Harry was still sitting in deep concentration. All in all, they were a defending force of about twenty against the mass of Voldemort's army.
"The teachers will come and help us," a man in his late forties muttered, and some nodded to reassure themselves.
"I floo-called my husband," a wiry looking brunette informed them with an air of importance. "He works in the Ministry as an Auror. They will come soon."
"Not soon enough," Harry whispered. "Voldemort is here."
A blue dome flared to life that enveloped Hogsmeade like a giant bell, closing just after the last student had escaped.
Utter silence settled over the deserted village, broken suddenly by simultaneous, uncountable pops of Apparation. Harry knew that they were now surrounded by Death Eaters. One of the fighters for the light gasped in horror, probably reconsidering the rash decision to defend the town instead of just himself. Harry would have liked to say something reassuring, but his throat felt dry, and he had to strain just to keep up the confident facade.
He was not afraid just because they were outnumbered, or because Voldemort was here. He could take on Voldemort; he was sure of that. The Voldemort in his time had been much more powerful, more vicious and even less human. The power that radiated off the current Dark Lord was but a feeble shadow of the power he would achieve in the future, and thus no real threat to Harry. No, he wasn't afraid of their power.
He was afraid of his own memories.
Serpentine laughter. Sibilant Taunting. Hurtful hands. Dirty kisses. Pain. Laughter. Humiliation. Betrayal.
Draco gently squeezed his hand before letting go once more, so that Harry could move freely. It wasn't much comfort; Harry knew that if Draco had taken him in his arms, and maybe kissed him, and told him something loving, he would have been as calm as the deepest ocean. But it helped to remind him of where he was and dim his anxiety to a mere flutter of nervousness and fear.
The Death Eaters had closed their ranks in the short moment it took for Harry to compose himself. Some cleverly used house walls, dustbins and other objects for cover, though most felt safe enough in the sheer force of their numbers. A few had tried to send curses after the fleeing students, but they just harmlessly bounced back from Harry's shield and the Death Eaters soon gave up and joined their comrades in circling the small group of Light fighters.
"Do we have a strategy?" Severus asked calmly, letting his eyes wander over the black-robed circle - his younger self was amongst them somewhere.
"We don't attack. Under no circumstances will we attack," Harry ordered, loud enough for everyone to hear. "In fact, I will handle this. Just make sure that no one gets in my way."
"Are you sure you have this under control? Do we have a back-up plan?" Severus asked sceptically.
"See that broken sign that's lying behind us on the ground?" Harry replied calmly. "I turned it into a portkey. That's our back-up plan. How many?"
"More than five dozen." Draco answered warily, then stiffened when Voldemort stepped out of the ring of his followers.
The villagers shifted nervously, and one gasped in horror, whispering to herself.
"Harry Potter, I presume," the skeletal man with insanely burning red eyes hissed. "I've heard about you."
"I heard about you, too, Voldie, and I'm not impressed," Harry answered softly, also stepping forward. "Were you bored? Is that what this is all about? Didn't you have anything better to do? What do you suppose I should do now, bow down to your almighty presence? Or do you have any illusions that you will be able to kill me now, when I already defeated you? Pathetic, disappointing, boring."
"Watch your mouth, boy," Voldemort hissed. Angry sparks spouted from the wand held tightly in his claw-like hand.
"Oh, haven't you been told? I'm blind," Harry returned mockingly. "Can't watch anything. So the only one you have to blame for my insolence is yourself."
"Indeed, I will enjoy killing your parents and destroying you bit by bit," the Dark Lord almost purred. "And then I will kill you. The knowledge of my triumph over you will sweeten every single one of your meaningless escapes. Run, little Harry, run."
"Are you afraid of death, Voldemort?" Harry asked, making a conscious effort to relax again.
"Not as much as you should be," the snake-like man retorted.
Harry smiled humourlessly. "I wish I was afraid, actually, because what is a day worth if you always have one more day? When you have to see your friends and family die, one after the other? Who wants to live forever? Oh, except for lunatics without friends, of course." He bowed mockingly. "Now, I suggest we get this over with. I have a busy schedule. I'm sure you are also trying to get a life and such things, so we should move this along. Unless... you want to give up? We could drink a coffee together. I wouldn't even try to poison you."
"Are you crazy?" Voldemort spluttered, quite undignified, and Harry laughed in his face.
"Sometimes I am. It makes life much more interesting, and you have no idea how much fun it is to confuse people. It's rather more artful than scaring them, but I guess we each have our preferences. Now, how about that coffee?"
/Harry, stop making friends with him. I want to give his little pet a good tongue lashing - and I mean that quite literally/ Nightmare whined, digging her claws into Harry's shoulder. /And besides, he's ugly. If I have to choose between an ugly Slytherin and two good-looking Slytherins, I want the good-looking ones. At least they don't stink, even though they are a bit retarded. Water dragon, don't make me laugh!/
Harry sighed. "Fine, you heard her, Voldie. It's your last chance for a peaceful retreat."
"Why should I retreat, Potter?" Voldemort hissed contemptuously. "You are outnumbered, four to one. Your pathetic little army doesn't frighten me... I heard you have a thing for my Lucius. Do you expect him to change sides now?" He laughed. "Or didn't you know he's a Death Eater?"
"Voldiepoo, I'm from the future. I know all your Death Eaters, most of them better than you do," Harry returned softly. "Did you think to shock me with this little revelation? Why should I care about Lucius? He has a nice body and a lot of money. Do you think I love him? Oh, poor you, such naivete. I like them dangerous, that's all."
"Lucius!" Voldemort shouted, and one of the black-cloaked figures stepped out of the ring of his comrades, then bowed gracefully.
"My lord?"
"Since you obviously failed to bring that little brat over to our side, I'll leave you the honour of killing him," Voldemort hissed. "Don't disappoint me again."
"As you wish, My lord," Lucius said without emotion. He prayed to his ancestors that Harry would be able to defend himself, just like he had demonstrated in his duel with Draco. "Avada Kedavra!"
He was relieved when he managed to muster enough hate for the curse to work that a green beam shot towards his boyfriend. Harry's words had hurt, after all, though he knew that Harry had only said what he did because he didn't want to endanger Lucius. That was the reason, right? Harry would never think that he had nothing to offer but a nice body and money. Would he? No. Harry loved him.
Harry made a complicated motion with his hands, seemingly twisting the green light and redirecting it so that the spell hit the ground instead, and left a small, smoking sinkhole. He than brandished his wand and, with a non-verbal curse, Lucius' wand was wrenched from him and flew into Harry's outstretched hand.
"I'm running out of steam for this pitiful foreplay," Harry said. "It's your turn, Tom."
"I will crush you," Voldemort hissed. The first of his curses sizzled from his wand, aimed straight at Harry's chest. The spell vanished into thin air before it reached Harry. Voldemort's other curses came to the same end.
Nightmare, on the other hand, had much more success, and her vicious attacks on the giant snake soon left their marks.
Nagini sought refuge in flight and the Dark Lord hissed in anger, trying to stop her without success. Nightmare followed, putting a happy roll in the air, briefly attracting the attention of everyone.
Harry attacked, taking advantage of Voldemort's distraction.
For a while, the two wizards seemed to be almost equal in strength and skill. Both Death Eaters and villagers watched with more awe than fear as balls of light and rays of magic soared from one wizard to the other. Harry's shoulder was burned badly by one of Voldemort's curses, and he twisted one ankle when he had to dodge another.
But the Dark Lord's situation was worsening with every second. His powers were waning. Harry's curses shot so fast towards Voldemort that they were barely perceivable as separate beams of light, and though the Dark Lord managed to block, deflect and dodge some of them it became clear that he was hopelessly outclassed by Harry's skill. Soon, he had given up the offensive, then his defenses broke down completely, and he went down.
Crouching down next to the Dark Lord, Harry sneered. "Run, Voldemort, run!" Harry repeated the man's earlier words mockingly. "You cannot win against me, and if you are not gone on the count of three, I will kill you."
"This is not the end," Voldemort hissed before he Disapparated.
"The same goes for you," Harry called loudly, now addressing the Death Eaters. "I suggest you go before I think better of it. Azkaban has a lot of rooms available, and I hear they are not very comfortable."
The Death Eaters exchanged quick, furtive looks, but then obediently followed Harry's advice and Disapparated as well.
"Why did you let them go?" a woman with large purple earrings and matching eyes exclaimed indignantly. "They are Death Eaters!"
"Some of them are only children, and I will have no part in filling Azkaban to the brim," Harry answered. "It could be fatal to change the future so drastically."
"But they are Death Eaters," the woman protested weakly, not understanding what Harry was talking about.
"Leave him alone," Draco ordered, moving towards the smaller boy.
"Don't," Harry said tonelessly. He sank to the ground as the shield around Hogsmeade collapsed, allowing the teachers to invade the village and join the three time-travellers and the rest of their tiny defensive army.
Draco's steps halted, and his arms froze mid-air as he watched helplessly when Harry began to shake.
A moment later, Harry whispered, "Can you hold me now?"
Draco immediately enclosed him in his arms. "It's okay now, featherweight. It's over. You are safe; he's gone. They are all gone. No one will hurt you. Take deep breathes, all right? You are in control. Shh, don't cry. It's okay. I'm here now."
"Lucius, Draco. Where is Lucius?" Harry sobbed. "Merlin, he'll be so angry."
"Hush, calm down," Draco murmured, scooping him up to carry him. "I'll bring you back to the castle, and you'll take a little nap, and when you wake up again, he'll be there. Trust me."
Harry whimpered into his neck. "Voldemort will hurt him."
"He will come back, Harry," Draco promised. He returned Severus' nod, sure that the older man would handle any questions from professors and Aurors who had arrived at last, and who were now inspecting the site of crime.
Draco pushed through the teachers and past Dumbledore, who didn't refrain from offering him a lemon drop, which he happily declined, and then walked back to the castle. There, the whole student body was waiting for news. He was immediately swarmed when they caught sight of him, and James and Lily had problems getting close enough to talk to him with so many others blocking the way.
"Is he okay?" Lily asked, worried, glaring at some random Ravenclaw who had been keeping her from her son. "What happened?"
"He's only exhausted and a bit upset," Draco answered, glad that Harry had cried himself into an exhausted sleep and didn't have to feel all of those curious eyes on him. "I'm sure Dumbledore will tell you everything when he comes back."
"What happened to his shoulder?" James asked, noting the tear in Harry's robes.
"Burning Curse," Draco said shortly. "I really should get Harry away from here, James."
"Yeah, of course." James nodded, stepping aside. "You have it under control, right? There's a hundred and ten per cent possibility that I'll see him again, completely healed and happy, yes?"
"Yes." Draco smirked. "I'm sure he will come and see you as soon as he's slept it off - once I let him go, that is."
With that, he carried Harry through the crowd of students and to the Head Boy's room, which they now shared with Lucius. He gently placed Harry on the huge bed and freed him from his robes to take a look at the injuries he had sustained. The shoulder wound looked quite vicious, the flesh charred, and he extracted Harry's healing bag from under the bed and carefully smeared some healing salve on the burn. He coaxed Harry to swallow a mild Pepper-Up Potion, which would support his natural recovery, but wouldn't hinder his sleep. Draco then took off Harry's boots, wondering briefly why he hadn't noticed that Harry was wearing them instead of his usual sneakers, and inspected the slightly swollen ankle before bandaging it with a sigh. Lastly, he changed Harry's blindfold, and then his clothes into comfortable pyjamas before he tucked him into bed and readied himself for a long wait.
He was glad that Harry was still asleep when Lucius returned, for the older blond had certainly seen better days, and Harry's fine nose would have easily picked up the scent of drying blood, grime and sweat. Even if he hadn't noticed that, he would have been suspicious of the heavy limp in Lucius' step.
Nonetheless, the first question Lucius asked was about Harry, and if Draco hadn't stopped him, he would have surely woken the smaller Slytherin while trying to convince himself that he was fine.
"Sit down," Draco ordered sternly, pointing towards the chair. "You'll only worry Harry, if he finds you in this condition."
"I'm fine, Draco," Lucius snapped. "Stop poking me."
"You are as bad as Harry," Draco returned, handing him a Pain-Relief Potion. "Drink this. I'm not letting you near Harry before I've fixed you up. And, in your condition, it won't be difficult to have my way."
As Draco cleaned one of his deeper wounds with a strong antiseptic, Lucius grimaced in pain. "Do you even know what you are doing?" he asked sceptically.
"Not really, but I'm rather good at improvising," Draco gave back sarcastically. "Now hold still."
"The Dark Lord wasn't pleased," Lucius said softly as Draco was tending to the last of his bruises. "I never truly realised how much power Harry wields. He threw the Dark Lord around like a rag doll."
"Harry seldom uses all his power," Draco said with deliberation. "He didn't today."
Lucius shook his head lightly. "No, I guess not. I finally know, though, why he's afraid of losing control. He doesn't appear to be the type for homicide, but he has a temper to be reckoned with."
Draco chuckled. "It's always the quiet ones, right?"
Lucius also laughed a little before he turned serious again. "He knows that I didn't want to kill him, doesn't he?"
"Of course. He's more worried about your reaction to what he said," Draco reassured him. "And that the Dark Lord would hurt you, too. But I guess, for that, it's too late now."
"It wasn't too bad." Lucius shrugged nonchalantly. "And I was not the only one he Crucioed and misused as a practising doll."
"You are a good father," Draco said abruptly. "I didn't mean what I said about Severus being a better father than you ever were. You are a great father - well, maybe that's a bit strong. But I could always look up to you and be proud of you. You always did the right thing for our family."
"Ehm, thank you?" Lucius asked uncertainly. "You aren't going to kiss me again, are you?"
Draco laughed and shook his head. "I just wanted to tell you that you always put forward a good example for me, and I really respect you. I mean, you never coddled me or anything, but you were there when I really needed your help... I think this might work."
"How good to know that I'm not an abominable father," Lucius said wryly, raising one eyebrow. "Obviously, I'm now expected to return the sentiment and tell you that you are the best son I could ever wish for. But I have to tell you that your complimenting skills are mediocre at best and, if anything, I've found you very annoying and obtrusive these last few months."
"What did I tell you?" Draco grinned, "You've been a good example for me... I guess we should wake Harry so he can know for himself that you're alive and not angry with him. Sometimes he has a rather wild imagination..."
Lucius rolled his eyes. "You don't say." Lucius stood up from the chair and approached the small, black-haired Slytherin on the bed, but before he sat down next to Harry, he turned to Draco once more. "By the way, I'm sure that this will work."
Harry woke to gentle fingers combing through his hair, and he gratefully leaned into the touch before his eyes snapped open, of course to no avail: he still couldn't see. "Lucius?"
"Yes, I'm back, Snow White," Lucius assured him. As the ex-Gryffindor began to cry softly, he carefully kissed Harry's forehead. "I'm sorry for shooting the Killing Curse at you. It would have killed me if you hadn't blocked it."
"I'm sorry," Harry said desperately. "I'm sorry for saying all those things, and for taking your wand and..."
"Hush." Lucius put his index finger on Harry's lips to silence him. "I have no reason to be angry. You did the absolutely right thing, and I know you only said what you did to protect me."
"I'm sorry," Harry repeated, littering kisses across Lucius' face. "I'm so sorry. He hurt you, and it's my fault. I shouldn't have made him angry. I got you into trouble."
"Shh, now calm down, Harry," Draco said sternly. "You protected a lot of innocent people, us included. No one was hurt, and no one blames you. You are not responsible for the Dark Lord's actions, okay?"
Harry took a deep breath, burying his head in Lucius' expensive black robes, ones that had survived the fight and the torture without so much as a matted spot or slightly frayed hems. "I'm sorry for annoying you. I know it's not my fault."
"Good, Harry." Draco captured one of his milky hands to squeeze it reassuringly. "It's okay, though. You never need to apologise for wanting someone else to say it. That's what we're here for."
"But Harry, please, never ask the Dark Lord to go out with you again," Lucius complained. "I'll get an inferiority complex if I have to compete with that maniac."
Harry laughed, kissing him timidly this time. "I promise, if you promise not to lie to me again."
"Deal," Lucius returned with a small smirk, then kissing Harry much more fiercely. "But would you mind giving me my wand back? I had to ask Severus to Apparate me, and I'd rather not repeat that experience."
"Yes." Harry smiled gently, kissing Lucius again. "I love you," he said against Lucius' lips.
"I do, too, but I would still like my wand," Lucius replied in slight confusion. "You know, the wood one."
"I have two," Harry said, confusing the two blonds even more.
"Two what, Harry?" Lucius asked, then mouthed to Draco: "Did he hit his head?"
"Two wands." Harry smiled. "Remember the wand I had when I came here? It's yours. I didn't know until now whom it belonged to. I thought it was from one of my spies, but instead it's yours. It's the same one I took from you today. You gave me your wand, Winter."
"I did?" Lucius returned. "You mean to tell me that my future self is running around without a wand right now?"
"Oh. Yeah. That, too, Lucius," the blind boy admitted, bowing his head. "I'll give you back your wand now."
Lucius stopped him as he made to get up from his bed. "Harry, no, stop, rewind. Now tell me what's so great about the idea that you have my two wands."
"It means that you still care about me in the future," Harry whispered. "It means that I won't come back to you sitting in Azkaban because you were a Death Eater. It means that you were on the Light side or at least helped me so that even if you are in custody now, I can get you out again because I have a proof of your... positive involvement in the war."
"Wait, you didn't know that?" Lucius asked, realisation dawning on his face. "I thought you would never have given me the tiniest chance if you didn't know I was on your side."
"That's not how love works for me." Harry smiled dryly. "If I had had a choice, I certainly wouldn't have chosen to fall in love with both Malfoys."
Lucius held Harry a bit tighter. "Of course I'll still care about you, my Harry," he said with a sigh. "And of course I'll be on your side. I have yet to decide if I want to become a spy for Dumbledore, like Severus, but I promise you, I will always protect you and do everything I can to help you. You will always be mine, and I will always be yours."
"I wasn't sure," Harry confessed.
"That's why you didn't feel safe, wasn't it?" Draco asked. "Why didn't you talk to us? We could have told you."
"It was not only that," Harry protested. "It was also that Voldemort is out there, and that he has sent me visions all the time, and I was never sure if he would attack or not."
"Is it better now that you know that I will love you in the future, and now that you showed the Dark Lord that it would be best to keep away from you and everyone you hold dear? Do you feel safe now? Safe enough for...?" Lucius asked gently and only a tad bit eagerly, which he hid well enough.
Harry cocked his head in thought before he nodded with a shy smile.
"Then we will plan something nice for you," Draco declared.
"You don't want to now?" Harry asked confused, and this time Draco kissed him while Lucius answered.
"You need to rest, Harry, and we don't want this to be a hurried release of sexual tension. You are far too special for that. I think we can wait a bit longer so to make it a memory you will always want to remember."
"Thank you." Harry sighed, snuggling into the two blonds.
"I guess you would like to cuddle." Draco smirked at the expression on Lucius' face, and Harry nodded happily. "Then we will get changed while you warm the bed for us."
Harry snuggled deeper into his pillow by way of reply, and by the time the two blonds returned, he seemed fast asleep, so entangled in the blankets that Draco feared that he would strangle himself in his sleep. Draco gently righted the blanket, allowing Harry to wrap around his pillow so he wouldn't try to hide in his blankets again.
As Lucius slipped into bed behind Harry, spooning around him, Draco offered, "Do you need another pain relief for the night?"
"I'll be fine." Lucius sighed, tucking Harry's head under his chin. "I thought Severus would have to take the brunt of the Dark Lord's wrath, though, with his older self standing right next to Harry. How come he doesn't know that Severus will change sides?"
"Harry's magic," Draco explained. "I don't know the details, but he used a very complicated memory charm which doesn't keep us from remembering the Severus from the future, but keeps us from doing anything about it. Any time someone wants to tell Voldemort about Severus' betrayal, they immediately forget it, and when Voldemort wanted to punish Severus, he forgot why."
"He can do that?" Lucius asked in awe.
Draco nodded. "He used the magic of Hogwarts in connection with that spell. All of Hogwarts' secrets stay inside of Hogwarts. I think it's part of one of the wards, and Harry only activated it, or maybe changed it a little bit to suit his own needs."
Lucius furrowed his brow. "Is he one of the heirs? I thought only the heirs can play with the wards."
Draco shook his head. "I don't think it has anything to do with blood, or the Dark Lord would have conquered Hogwarts a long time ago. It's all about the character: The founders must find you worthy to be their heir. Harry has the character traits of all four founders. He's as cunning as a Slytherin, brave like a Gryffindor, as loyal as a Hufflepuff and clever like a Ravenclaw."
"Like Dumbledore," Lucius suggested. "Dumbledore can only manipulate the wards, and know so much, because Hogwarts found him worthy."
"Yes, I guess, you could say that," Draco stated, slipping into bed on Harry's other side. "However, Harry has access to even more of the wards because he can speak Parseltongue. The Dark Lord would be a real threat if he wasn't a Slytherin through and through..."
"I'm glad Harry isn't a complete Slytherin," Lucius murmured. "He's perfect how he is now."
"Thanks," Harry murmured sleepily, though with an impish grin. "I'm enough of a Slytherin to listen in on your conversations, though."
Draco scowled. "I thought I told you to sleep." He tugged the pillow out of Harry's grip so he could nestle Harry more easily into his arms.
"You told me to warm the bed," Harry corrected. "You said nothing about sleeping."
"Well, I'm telling you now: sleep," Draco grumbled. He gave Harry's bottom a light slap before rubbing it soothingly. "You'll need it for what we have planned."
"Should I be scared?" Harry asked teasingly.
"A little bit." Lucius chuckled. "But Draco is right. Sleep, Snow White, so that we can kiss you awake."
Review? You know you want to...
(Next chapter: Lemons! I'm still not sure how much I will cut out so as not to offend the site or the rating, but I'll put the link to the full version on my profile.)