Hi everyone! I'm sorry for posting late.
I got so caught up in Flufftober on AO3 that I forgot to check in with the progress of my other fic. Not to worry though! I'm back on track!
If you haven't visited my Flufftober piece yet please do! It's called The Difference Between Love and Romance.
Bold and italics = parseltongue
Italics only = see end note
Chapter 26
Harry listened as his godfather described the morning of wandering as a stray dog to avoid discovery. He could even picture Snuffles meandering down the street pretending to nap on a random lawn for a minute or two before 'chasing a squirrel' into the Granger's yard.
"As soon as I was out of sight of the street, I changed back, apparated into the living room, and started snooping around. There were the expected advertisements for hotels and conventions and even sightseeing guides but I noticed a piece of parchment with the Hogwarts crest on it so I checked it over with magic and found Dumbledore's magical signature and a compulsion charm." Sirius told them. "What I read was absolutely appalling."
"What did it say?" Harry prompted.
"It detailed the current dangers of the wizarding world and possible ways to keep their family safe from Voldemort." Sirius' lips pinched closed. "One of which was giving Hermione a number of potions in her tea everyday. The letters held a promise of a good supply of said potions and I found the bottles in the bathroom cabinet. One is a suggestibility potion. There was also Nightmare Solution and the essences of hellebore, marigold and yellow hyacinth."
"Hyacinth...Hellebore?!" Remus whispered in outrage. "In small doses, hellebore grants relief from anxiety and paranoia but in large quantities it could cause them!"
"It also reacts badly with the fig in the Nightmare Solution." Sirius pointed out. "I also happen to know Marigold causes grief."
"You didn't touch it or take it with you... did you?" Harry asked, thinking quickly. "We need to get someone over there with some authority!"
"Would Dora do it?" Remus asked, feeling sick. He couldn't believe he'd missed something so horrible.
"I didn't, Harry... and I'll talk to her." Sirius promised, assuring them he hadn't implicated himself. "What did you decide about the artifacts Malfoy wants?"
"They aren't important to me or dangerous for him to have and the muggle world thinks they're lost to time." Harry told him, sadly confident in his choice. "So I've authorized Korlag to make the arrangements."
"What if Dora won't go against him?" Remus murmured in concern. "How far are we willing to take it?"
Sirius took a deep breath. "Perhaps I should speak with Andy first... to get a feel of her possible response."
"Who's Andy?" Harry asked. "For that matter, who's Dora?"
Sirius took a few minutes to detail his family tree for Harry, explaining that Narcissa had two sisters. One was the infamous Bellatrix Lestrange and the other was her complete opposite - a woman named Andromeda Tonks. Where Lestrange had followed her parents' direction to marry a worthy pureblood, Tonks had married a muggleborn wizard for love. Lestrange had borne no children while Tonks had a daughter whom she'd named Nymphadora. Harry chuckled at his godfather's description of the young woman's annoyance at her name.
"She answers to Dora but prefers to go by Tonks. She has an interesting ability." Sirius grinned. "She's a metamorph - can change her looks with her will. I'll introduce you if she agrees with our assessment of the situation."
Harry agreed and stood. "If you'll excuse me, I promised Dudley we'd go for a run before lunch."
Sirius nodded and hurried off to contact Andromeda. Neither noticed how distressed Remus had become.
As he gathered his things, Harry reflected on the events of the afternoon and sighed.
Harry had found Dudley in the middle of his warm up because he'd finished his homework about half an hour before. As Harry joined him, he filled his cousin in on all the progress that had been made overnight.
Dudley congratulated the young lord on his betrothal and new alliances before consoling him on his friend's ordeal. They, then, spoke of Dudley's classes and which defense forms he was most looking forward to. They finished their workout with a swim and hurried to meet the older men for lunch.
The meal went quickly and Harry was soon left on his own. He sat at his desk to contemplate the items he'd removed from the vault, which were both sitting beside the owl perch. He picked each of them up and marveled at the skillful workmanship that had gone into them. If he were offered these beautiful pieces, he'd be incredibly pleased. He debated the acceptability of both items and wondered if the scepter could be adapted to a less obvious form without losing its historical value, but the real question seemed to be - should he give both of them to Draco at once or hold one back for a later date?
That's when he'd realized that he had yet to sign the contract and return it. He had looked over the scroll again and knew he was being manipulated as the exorbitant amount of money Lucius was requesting was close to a quarter of the contents of his vaults. He knew he'd have to visit Lucius again and hurried over to confront him.
The conversation they'd had still weighed on Harry's mind. They'd come to an agreement on the monetary settlement because, not only was the money being designated specifically for Draco, but Lucius had offered to support a trial for Sirius if it could be arranged. As he was leaving, Harry found out that on top of everything else, Tom knew about Harry's elemental powers due to his late night temper tantrum.
Harry was disappointed in himself and hoped that the occlumency lessons would help hide his emotions but as he locked his trunk, he took a deep breath and reminded himself that everything would work out one way or another.
"Ziva has tea ready in the parlour for Master Harry, sir."
"The parlour? Why so formal?" Harry asked with a smirk.
"Lord Black has invited Mrs. Tonks and her daughter." Ziva told him. "He also suggested that the parlour is close to the floo room and would be convenient for your return to Hoggy-warts."
Harry chuckled and agreed but decided to change his clothes before meeting new people.
"Harry, this is Andromeda Tonks and her daughter, Nymphadora." Sirius grinned at his godson as the younger woman's hair turned red and she slapped his arm. "I told you about them this afternoon."
"I remember." Harry said politely, nodding at his guests. "Did you tell them about this summer's events?"
"Yes, Lord Potter, he did." Andromeda shook her head, quietly fuming. "And when Sirius told us what you found out at Gringotts, I immediately took my husband and daughter to the goblins to see if we had similar enchantments and we did!"
"Oh?" Harry's eyes widened as he sat down on a couch and took a teacup.
"My husband has been temporarily hospitalized because he's lived under the influence of potions since our first year of school!" She confessed, setting her cup on the coffee table as she perched on the armchair closest to her host. "Apparently, his magic and ability to absorb information were blocked by thirty percent. I found out today that certain potions were slipped into my food and drink during my school years to strengthen my emotional distance from my sisters and encourage me to leave the Black family in disgrace."
"The goblins found potions in my system that limit my ability to find emotional connection with certain types of people." Dora growled in frustration. "There were so many kids my age that I wanted to be friends with in school but they all found me annoying or uncomfortable to be around. There were subjects I wanted to explore but didn't because I didn't get along well with the teacher or the other students in those classes. I felt discouraged."
"Did you tell them about Hermione?" Harry asked his godfather as he took a biscuit.
"Yes, he did." Dora fumed. "I went over to the Granger house and found everything - the letters and the potion bottles and even a talisman that hung on her bedroom door. I brought everything to the ministry building and locked it in my desk drawer under a stasis charm. I'll search for her parents, next, and we'll get them to the goblins as soon as possible. We'll have to build a strong case against Dumbledore and hit the wizengamut with so much evidence they can't deny his guilt."
"Exactly what I wanted to hear." Harry grinned as he finished his tea and biscuit and stood up. "Now, I'm due back at school so I'll have to say goodbye for now... but it's been lovely meeting you and should you need to contact me, please don't hesitate. I have a private owlry due to the wizengamut seat so secrecy is assured."
He hugged Sirius and asked Ziva to have Remus and Dudley meet him by the floo to say goodbye.
As soon as Harry spun into his head of house's office, he saw she wasn't there so he grabbed a scrap of parchment and left a note. Then he hurried to Dumbledore's office and knocked, eager to pull off the act he'd planned.
"Ah! Harry!" Dumbledore cried with a wide smile. "It's so good to see you again, my boy!"
Harry tried not to chuckle at the old codger's overreaction. "Hello, sir, I just got back. Did you find that description of the founders' objects? Now that Dudley's well, I think I should help out with that task."
"Yes, yes... Come in!" Dumbledore nodded earnestly. "It's right here!"
Harry looked over the scroll the older man was spreading out over the desk.
"This account was written by one of the earlier Headmasters of the school. He tells of... well, go on and see." Dumbledore waved Harry forward and waited to see what he'd make of it.
"The writer must've been a Ravenclaw because the words are quite plain." Harry frowned and shook his head to refuse Dumbledore's silent offer of tea which he was pouring for himself. "The diadem is a silver eagle with an oval shaped sapphire set front and center of the design and a marquis shaped sapphire drops to the wearer's forehead. The lettering is legible script on a ribbon style strip which goes round the head and reads 'Wit Beyond Measure is Man's Greatest Treasure'. The Goblin-made sword is a single piece of pure silver with large rubies decorating the hilt. Below said hilt one will see letters spelling Gryffindor's full name."
"I recall seeing them in person while I was attending classes." Dumbledore's eyes twinkled. "They do look like that."
"When I see them, I'm almost certain I'll be able to think of better words to describe them." Harry scoffed. "Slytherin's contribution is a silver locket and accompanying chain. A serpent is depicted in green gems in the shape of a letter S for decoration - contents of locket are unknown. Hufflepuff gave a gold goblet or cup decorated with grass and a honey badger. Two hand-holds."
"Well, there you have it. Those are the objects left by the founders." Dumbledore shrugged.
Harry nodded feigning absentmindedness. "I guess I'll have to go over the rooms again and look for them. If you'll excuse me, I'd like to check in with my cousins."
"Oh, Harry?" Dumbledore called as he approached the door. "You said Mr. Dursley is well?"
"Yes." Harry answered carefully.
"Was it really so very dire?" The old man asked innocently.
"Perhaps not, Headmaster, but Dudley isn't used to this world and he doesn't yet feel completely comfortable with my uncles so when he woke from feverish nightmares and nobody he knew well was there..." Harry trailed off. "You must understand, sir... This summer we defended each other's lives. It was the first time he's ever done so for me and I felt I needed to be there to support him."
Dumbledore sighed but nodded, sympathetic to this sentiment. "Very well, my boy. Next time might go better."
Harry nodded and pulled the door open, quickly hurrying out into the hallway. Once out of sight of the headmaster's office, he breathed a sigh of relief. A quick tempus charm later and he was off running to try and meet Draco as he came out of the Charms classroom. He got there just as the bell rang and Harry watched his partner break into a smile when their eyes met.
"I got a letter at lunch." Draco murmured as Harry came closer.
"Oh?" Harry questioned playfully.
Draco hummed. "It seems our contract only needs to be sealed with a kiss."
"I have more than a kiss in mind." Harry grimaced as he heard the words come out of his mouth and saw Draco's blush. "Not what I meant. I promise. I have a gift for you."
Draco's eyes lit up. "Tonight?"
"Do you want to join us after dinner?" Harry asked, almost hesitant. "I need to check in with my cousins tonight and you already know everything I'll be telling them so you might be bored but I'd love to give you your betrothal gift."
"They do need to be filled in." Draco nodded reluctantly. "I don't mind being bored for a little while."
Harry pulled the blond in for a fast hug. "See you in the great hall."
Draco smiled and pushed him toward his suite. "Go. Blaise and Pansy are waiting for me. Luna knows."
Shaking his head, Harry chuckled. "What else is new?" He heard Draco laughing as he turned down a hallway.
"Harry!" Ginny's voice called out from his left.
He turned to meet her as she left the transfiguration classroom.
"Is it true?" She asked excitedly.
"Is what true?" He asked with a playful wink.
"What Luna told me, of course!" Ginny pushed his shoulder.
"I'll tell you later." He smirked. "After dinner... at the suite... I'll tell everyone."
She giggled and ran off.
The next person he ran into was Neville who instantly began telling him about the plants he was working with in the greenhouse with Professor Sprout.
"That's fascinating, Neville, really..." Harry interrupted. "I'm sorry, but I need to talk to Ron right now."
"Of course! I think he's in the dorms!" Neville grinned and hurried off toward the great hall.
Harry gave his password to the Fat Lady portrait and rushed up the stairs to find Ron and Hermione arguing in the boys dormitory.
"Ron!" Hermione had her back to the door and was shouting. "Why are you supporting this?!"
Curious to know exactly what she was objecting to, Harry got Ron's attention and placed a finger to his lips. He could see the reluctance in his best mate's eyes but he didn't let it stop him from doing what Harry wanted.
"Harry is my cousin, Hermione. He's my cousin and he's my friend." Ron said softly. "I may not always agree with him but I want him to be happy and safe."
"How is dating Draco Malfoy safe? How is leaving the school safe?" Hermione ranted, angrily waving her hands around. "Is it safe that he's missing classes? How can he be happy if he can't get a good job?"
"He's a Lord, Hermione! He was born into a good job... and so what if he's dating the blond Slytherin git." Ron gritted his teeth and glared at her. "So what? As long as he's not a git to Harry, I'm not going to say a word against their relationship."
"Thank you, Ron." Harry said, echoing Ron's glare and startling his former friend who whirled around to face him.
"Harry, I..." Hermione began.
He cut her off. "You lost your chance to have any kind of say in my decisions when you got on the Hogwarts Express September first and yelled at us instead of having a calm, intelligent conversation about things."
"But, Harry, don't you understand how dangerous it is out there?" Hermione asked, her desperate worry shown by the high pitched whine of her voice.
"Hermione, the only way I'll let you back in my life right now is if you voluntarily go to Gringott's and let them test you for spells and potions." Harry told her.
"But I can't, Harry!" She cried. "My parents won't take me to Diagon Alley because the Death Eaters might be out and they might come after us if we show ourselves!"
"Hermione... I'm sorry... you've been a huge part of my life and a great friend since the Troll incident in our first year but unless you get tested, I can't trust you." Harry explained. "I was found to have potions and spells in my system that I grew up under the influence of. We've been looking into the possibility of there being others. Maybe if you told your parents about it...?"
"Alright. I'll write to them." She looked sad for a moment but suddenly glared at him. "But if I'm not affected by any outside source?"
"If you're not under a potion or spell, I'll start spending time with you again." Harry swore, raising his right hand. "If writing to them doesn't work, would you let me ask Remus to visit at Christmas?"
Hermione nodded perfunctorily and left the boys dorm.
"You wouldn't have made that promise if you weren't sure." Ron muttered softly.
"No, I wouldn't." Harry told the redhead grimly. "We found potions and essences and even a charmed talisman... all inside her house, Ron. It's bad. We hope to find her parents and get them tested by Halloween."
"Find them?" Ron whispered in quiet rage. "You don't know where they are?"
Harry shook his head. "They're officially away 'attending some conventions' for their dentistry practice. I just hope they're alright."
A low whistle came from Ron's lips. "Do we know who gave them the potions?"
"Yes." Harry growled in the direction of the door. "There was a letter with his magical signature."
"Bloody hell!" Ron breathed.
"I know." The young lord gave a frustrated sigh. "With luck, they'll call her back from school and test her. We'll only know how extensive the damage is when she comes up positive and the goblins heal her."
"How are they going to pay for that?" Ron worried.
"They're not. I've already arranged it." Harry told him. "Before we go to dinner, Ron..."
The redhead frowned at his friend. "What?"
Harry hedged. "I need to tell my cousins something after dinner, but my best mate should know now."
Ron sighed. "You want to know which one I am...?"
"I really do." Harry replied hesitantly.
"I want to be your best mate, Harry. I do, but..." He trailed off.
"If there's a 'but' then you don't really want that." Harry was gutted.
"I can't help that I have doubts, Harry!" Ron reached out a hand to stop him from leaving the room. "We're family and I'm dead chuffed about it, but I can't help but feel like I don't really fit in your life anymore."
"If that's the way you feel, I should probably ask for a secrecy charm before I tell you about my betrothal to Draco." Harry murmured sadly, still wanting his friend to accept his new circumstances.
"Your what?" Ron asked in a shocked whisper.
"Come to the suite after dinner, Ron." Harry asked without repeating himself. "Please?"
Ron nodded numbly and followed a silent Harry to the Great Hall.
Harry tried to smile at Draco as they went to join him at the Gryffindor Table. "Hi. I almost forgot you'd be here."
Draco smirked at him. "A Slytherin doesn't shirk his debts, P... Harry."
The young Lord Potter felt his lips turn up with a small smile. "Good. Shall we eat?"
Ron remained silent but watchful as the feast went on and he followed along when Harry signalled that it was time.
"Draco, are you coming?" Harry asked the blond who quickly agreed.
The sitting area of the suite wasn't changed when they arrived so Harry wanted to shrug it off but he could tell that Draco was still worried.
Fred and George came along a few moments behind them and Ginny brought Luna soon after. When Zack arrived, he took one look at Luna, Draco and the gathering of Gryffindors and wanted to hurry past but Harry quickly got his attention. "Zack, I have news you'll want to hear."
Zack took a deep breath and sat on one of the new cushions beside the fire.
Harry asked if Zack had informed them about Snape's speciality in occlumency and that he would now be teaching it to them. When they confirmed that they knew, he related the news that Snape didn't have anything to do with the potions and spells that held Harry back. "He's Draco's godfather and I've chosen to trust him."
Everyone seemed to accept this, so Harry moved on, telling them to try and avoid being alone with Hermione and Dumbledore.
"Shit." Draco sighed.
"What?" Harry looked at his betrothed with wide eyes.
"Oh, I just became partners with her in Runes today. That's all." Draco shrugged.
Harry sighed with relief. "Oh, is that all? Just meet with her in the Library to avoid being alone with her."
Draco nodded. "Yes, except that dashes my plans to try and find out what happened to her during the summer."
"You were trying to help me." Harry smiled gently. "Thank you, Draco, but that's the next part of my news. We know her situation now and we'll need to hold back loads of information from both of them, which is why it's important that we learn occlumency. Until then, it's secrecy charms or I can't say more."
Luna stood and cast the charm.
When she finished, Harry went on. "Sirius went to the Grangers' house early this morning and we found out she's been dosed with potions too." He told them about Tonks and the evidence she gathered to bring Dumbledore to justice.
"Alright, I'll stick to schoolwork while we're partners." Draco murmured, taking pity on the poor girl. "You will add her to the class when she's cleared by the goblin healers, won't you?"
"Only if Dumbledore is no longer a threat." Harry answered. "If he is, I'll have to beg Snape to teach her separately from us."
Most of the room's occupants were nodding in agreement.
He gave them a brief overview of the Founders' objects and what Dumbledore had forced Tom to do. They were all suitably horrified by the situation and the Weasleys automatically wanted to call their parents but he told them Sirius would handle that as well.
"The last piece of news is a big one. I know Luna knows and has already shared it with Ginny." Harry grinned at them and held out a hand to Draco. "I told Ron but I'm not entirely sure he believed me."
"We're betrothed." Draco said simply as he took a place by Harry's side.
Luna rushed over to hug them both with Ginny in tow. Ron sat staring at them but Zack and the twins nodded in understanding.
"Because of the Headmaster, yes?" Zack asked.
Harry nodded. "He has the authority to try and separate us."
"But not if I move into the suite." Draco asserted, to support Harry's argument.
Zack nodded again. "If that's all, I'm off to bed."
As Fred, George and Ron moved toward the door, Harry checked the time. "Damn! There isn't much time. Come to my room. That's where your gift is."
Draco nodded and followed quickly behind Harry who flung open the door to reveal the changes that weren't previously noticeable.
Where a large bedroom with assorted furniture had once stood, there now existed a fair sized common room with two desks, a couch and two doors leading to bedrooms and one leading to a bathroom.
Harry smiled. "I told you the castle wouldn't force things." He rushed into the room where he could see his rucksack sitting on the bed. After pulling out both gifts, he brought them over to the couch. "These are for you."
Draco sat with a grin. He unwrapped the cloak pin first, reverently tracing the Celtic design. "A dragon!"
Harry could tell his betrothed really liked it as he attached it to his robe before opening the second gift.
Draco's eyes widened and he blushed intensely as he stuffed it in his bag before running off without a word.
Harry stared after him in confusion. "But I didn't even tell him about it!" He pouted but got ready for bed. "We didn't even kiss..."
Early the following morning, loud banging woke the inhabitants of Harry's suite, and when the young lord reached the door, he was surprised to find an irate Slytherin facing off with his elves.
"What's wrong, Blaise?" Harry demanded as he tied his bathrobe. "Is Draco alright?"
"I keep trying to remind myself that you weren't raised in our world. You weren't drilled in etiquette from birth the way we were." His betrothed's best friend had shock and disgust in his eyes. "Most of all, I'm trying to figure out why you thought that was an acceptable gift for anyone... much less the man you're becoming betrothed to. Even worse, he said he'd confessed his hesitation to live together before marriage and you give him...that!?"
Zack stared at the dark skinned boy. "Bloody hell, Potter, what did you give him?"
Harry blinked rapidly as he told his Hufflepuff cousin about the cloak pin. "The second gift was a historical artifact from my vault but he can't fully understand the gift because he left without letting me explain it."
Blaise's hands flexed into fists. "I'm here to get the explanation, Potter!"
"Alright, Zabini. Calm down." Zack attempted to take charge. "Let's have a seat. I'm sure this is just a misunderstanding."
"Tell me what you were thinking of, giving Draco a scepter as a betrothal gift?!" Blaise ranted.
"What's wrong with it?" Harry frowned. "It's a special scepter. It has magical properties and runic enchantments. If he'd given me another moment, I would have explained it all."
Zack stared at his new cousin. "I do wish you'd come to me first, Harry. I could've told you that a scepter - historic or otherwise - is a phallic symbol which is said to wish virility to someone and therefore not an appropriate gift unless you're planning on being the submissive partner."
Two feminine giggles were heard from the hallway and Harry knew Ginny and Luna had listened in to their conversation.
Harry huffed. "Well I didn't know that! It has charms and runes and parselmagic!"
Blaise glared at the young lord. "What kind of parselmagic?"
Harry glared back. "I will tell that to Draco."
"You'll tell it to me if you even want to get close to him again!" Blaise growled.
Harry sighed and grudgingly divulged the history of the scepter, to which Blaise gave a frustrated glare.
"Damn. That's some good magic. Draco will love every aspect of the bloody thing and it'll help him in so many ways."
"Let me tell him the specifics, Zabini." Harry commanded gently. "Please."
Blaise seemed much calmer as he nodded. "I will... but I'll be there with him." Harry quickly agreed and the Slytherin left, promising that they would be at breakfast.
Zack stayed behind to talk to Harry. "I understand the reasoning behind the gift, Harry... but isn't there some way to reshape it without losing the magic?"
Harry sighed. "I guess I'll have to ask the goblins. The goldsmith who created the scepter and imbued it with magic is long dead."
Zack nodded. "Do that. It may soothe your betrothed."
"Let's just get ready for class." Harry sighed as he walked back into his bedroom.
Breakfast was awkward to say the least, but it served a couple of purposes to attend. Harry was able to ask Ron to help him in class, asking some questions that would form a basis for the story they wanted Dumbledore to believe. He was also able to address an apology directly to Draco who assured his betrothed that any explanation would be met with an open mind. They ate silently and went to class.
Defense Against the Dark Arts class went quickly because Snape wasn't antagonizing any particular students. He simply collected the homework from the last session and discussed several types of attacks that could be used against an opponent.
"Physical spells are only one method an opponent could use to harm you." Snape intoned. "A few others would be...? Yes, Mr. Malfoy?"
"Mental?" Draco guessed. "There's still a spell, but it isn't a visible one and it doesn't cause physical damage."
"It is considered a psychic attack. Take five points for Slytherin, Mr. Malfoy... However, you may have ten if you can name the spell in question." Snape drawled.
"Legilimens." Draco told the class to get his points.
"What exactly does this spell do?" Snape paced in front of his desk and whipped his head to look at the new target. "Lord Potter?"
Harry didn't want to reveal exactly how much he knew so, after a moment of thought, he answered as if the question had been asked last year... "Read minds, sir?"
"The mind is not a book, to be opened at will and examined at leisure. Thoughts are not etched on the inside of skulls, to be perused by any invader." Snape glared at the young lord to avoid rolling his eyes. "The mind is a complex and many layered thing, Lord Potter." He turned to face the entire classroom. "It is true, however, that those who have mastered Legilimency are able, under certain conditions, to delve into the minds of their victims and interpret their findings correctly."
Harry signaled Ron who raised his hand. "Sir, that sounds really risky. Isn't there any way to block it?"
"That is an intelligent question, Mr. Weasley, and for asking it, you have earned one point for Gryffindor." Snape lifted his eyebrow in surprise. "The answer is yes. There is a practise called Occlumency and it is the only way to block a Legilimens. Sadly, Legilimency is frowned upon in a classroom setting and it is therefore illegal to teach either practise to minors. Moving on... Does anyone know another method of attack?" Snape asked his class.
Harry lifted his hand. "Collateral?"
"I am intrigued, Lord Potter. Please elaborate for us." Snape directed him.
"Well, if someone wanted to attack the school without attacking the school they might attack the forest which upsets the creatures and sends them running to the school in a panic and causes damage to the grounds or anyone in the way of the stampede." Harry pointed out. "That's called collateral damage so..."
Snape smirked. "In tactical terminology, Lord Potter, that would be called an indirect attack or a diversion."
Snape took control of the class at that point and moved them well away from the mind magic discussion that had taken place. He gave homework and sent the students on their way, but Harry and Draco stayed behind.
After ensuring the area was clear and warded with the muffling spell, Harry asked his teacher. "Sir, have you decided on a date for the occlumency lessons to begin or how often we should meet?"
"Not yet. The school year is still young, you understand." Snape answered. "I will let Draco know and I think that once a week will be sufficient."
"Very well, sir. Thank you again." Harry hesitated. "Oh, you might be interested to know that we've got information on several others being exposed to potions and spells."
Snape's gaze whipped up to the young lord's face. "Who?"
"Hermione and the Tonks family." Harry confessed. "We aren't certain yet, if Hermione's parents were dosed as well."
"I see." Snape replied quietly. "Please see yourselves out."
Draco nodded curtly to his godfather and pulled Harry out by the arm. "I have to meet Granger in the library but we can meet for lunch."
"Alright." Harry said. "Bring Blaise. He wants to be there while I tell you about the scepter."
Draco blushed and hurried off.
As expected, Granger had arrived at the library before him. He greeted her as he placed his bag on the table she'd chosen. Runes was one of his favorite classes so he got deeply involved in the conversation. As he looked through one particular book, he noted references to the man Blaise had told him Harry's gift had once belonged to. It was said that there were runic symbols on the lost scepter as well as Good King Dagobert's throne and crown. That's what Blaise had told him too. He'd need to examine the scepter to see the runes and interpret them. Granger hadn't been happy with him leaving early but the prospect of figuring out the explanation of Harry's gift for himself was overwhelming.
Blaise was in the dorm when Draco arrived and said nothing while Draco rummaged through his trunk but, when he pulled out the scepter, he took notice. "What's going on?"
"Two things." Draco smirked. "We're having lunch with Harry... and I want to see the runes on my scepter."
"He wants to be the one to tell you about the runes, Draco." Blaise frowned.
Draco pouted and explained what he'd found in the library book but Blaise wasn't having it.
"He's your betrothed, Draco. He gave it to you for a reason and his explanation was enough to convince me that you need to hear him out." Blaise said seriously. "Let's go."
Draco pulled the scepter out and put it in his pocket. Keeping a hand on it as they walked through the mostly empty common room Draco's attention was drawn to an older student who was trying to recapture her snake. He stopped in his tracks when he heard something strange.
"I'm not going back into that see-through cage! It isn't warm enough and no privacy for my babies!"
Draco stared.
Blaise saw how affected the blond was and asked what was wrong.
"I think I just understood that snake." Draco whispered.
Blaise asked him if he wanted to talk to the girl.
Draco considered this and, for the good of the Slytherin house, he nodded.
"I'm a little busy, Malfoy." Mallory Flint said as she came over. "What do you want?"
"I think you'll find it easier to get your viper into her terrarium if you refresh the warming charms and give her some more branches to hide in." He advised the quidditch captain's sister.
"What do you know?" She scoffed. "You've got an owl."
"Yes, but I have a snake at home." Draco informed her.
Blaise pointed out that the snake was slowly approaching them.
Draco took a deep breath and stepped to the side but the snake kept coming. It poked its head into his pocket and backed off a little.
"You do not speak but you understand."
A glance at Blaise told him he'd be able to speak to the snake if he tried while holding the scepter so he put a hand back in his pocket and spoke. "I speak."
Mallory's eyes widened and she stepped back in shock.
"Will you tell her?"
"I will." Draco said carefully before turning toward the older girl. "Harry is teaching me parseltongue. As we came in, I heard her say something about warmth and privacy and babies."
"Babies?" Mallory gasped. "I'll see to it right away! Wow! A parselmouth here in Slytherin!"
"I think we should go see Harry now." Blaise frowned and got the two of them to Harry's suite as quickly as their feet could carry them.
Draco paid no attention as Blaise knocked because he was looking closer at Harry's door. "Harry speaks to you..."
Sigmund woke as the door swung open. "He isss my master."
"Draco?" Harry asked as he took in the sight of his betrothed speaking parseltongue with his family guardian.
Blaise pulled Draco into the suite and explained what had happened.
"That's why I gave you the scepter, Draco. I know we have Suki and Shika and you'll want to talk to them as well as Nagini." Harry explained. "The scepter encourages rational thinking and moral behavior but it also gives whoever's holding it the ability to speak parseltongue."
Draco bit his lip. "So it wasn't meant to be sexual?"
Harry shook his head. "Not at all. Not that I don't want a sexual relationship. I do. I just don't think either of us is ready for that."
"Blaise told you the symbolism and he said Zacharias informed you what it means. I also told you about my creature inheritance." The blond shook his head. "I'm a submissive of my creature species."
"To me, it doesn't hold sexual connotations, Draco. I'd personally like any of our sexual interactions to be equal. Sometimes I'll be in charge and sometimes you will." Harry said gently. "If you want me to see if the goblins can reshape the scepter, I can write to Korlag."
Draco thought about it and nodded. "Alright. I would actually like it if it could be made into a bracelet or something that would be easier to carry around."
"I'll look into it." Harry held out a hand and they came together for a deep kiss.
Blaise's eyes teared up as he was the only witness to the blinding light and wind as the ground rumbled beneath them.
When they separated, Harry remembered that the elves had made food. "Lunch is going to be served in the little room that's part of the office."
Draco started to lead the way but Blaise excused himself and went to find Pansy.
"Would you prefer to eat in our personal sitting room, since Blaise isn't joining us?" Harry offered.
"I'd like that." Draco smiled. "I've told Blaise and Pansy about the betrothal contract, you know."
"Good. I'm glad they won't be blindsided if we have to make use of it." The young lord said softly as he led the way through the suite to the sitting room. "I'm glad you've got your friendships."
"Would you like to know how it went with Granger today?" Draco asked as he sat.
Harry nodded and, as they ate, they pleasantly talked about their plans.
Draco tried to keep from staring at the door that led to the room he would one day occupy.
"Would you like to see it?" Harry asked, innocently amused. "You can tell the elves how to decorate."
Draco chuckled. "Your class starts soon."
Harry sighed. "Will you still be here when I come back?"
"Yes. I can get my books and study here after I talk to the elves." Draco nodded with a smirk.
Harry grinned and grabbed his notebook on his way out the door.
Draco waited a few minutes and finished eating before calling Dobby. "Satin sheets and thick curtains for the winter." He directed the elf. "I'd like a small bookcase beside the bed and a shelf for my dragon statue to be displayed. The dresser should be easy to access and my desk will be out here."
"Master Harry Potter sir is going to be happy mister Draco is making himself a place here."
Draco smiled. He'd seen Harry's eyes light up when he promised to be here upon his return. As worried as Draco had been when the brunet had suggested the betrothal, he was getting used to the idea.
Snapes speech about Legilimency is a quote from Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. I added some words to fit this story. (ie- Lord Potter)