A/N
This is the fourth part, even though it's only Chapter 3. If you did not heed my summary, and read the first parts before, then do so, or this will make no sense. Can I be bothered to disclaim this? Yeah, of course. It's all JK's apart from the characters I made up. Thanks if you reviewed Chapter 2, your feedback is, as ever, greatly appreciated.
Chapter 3. In which Fleur spills the beans, and poor Draco is put through an ordeal he'd rather forget.
Harry raised his wand, and pointed it at the Christmas tree. The guests crowded closer round, all except Dumbledore, who was cleaning his dentures with a toothpick. Harry's Christmas decorations had long been the stuff of legend in the circles he moved in, which tended to be very exclusive circles.
"Nativitatus," he said, closing his eyes and hoping for the best.
William and Rebecca Potter gasped. Harry opened his eyes.
"Would you look at that?" said Remus.
"Amazing," said Ginny.
"Awesome," said Fred.
The tree was covered in bright, twinkling lights of every colour in the spectrum. Thick wreaths of tinsel wrapped themselves around the branches. Then, there were the ornaments. And what ornaments they were! Reindeer, sleighs, stables, angels, the whole nine yards, all glistening and sparkling in the soft light. At the top was the crowning glory, an angel, complete with halo and robes of white silk. The angel looked down at them, and winked at Harry.
"Blimey," said Harry. He was lost for words.
"I think I smell burning," cried Hermione, spoiling the moment for everybody. She grabbed Harry by the forearm, and pulled him out of the room.
"Well I think it's rather special," said Molly Weasley, peering at the branches. Mary was standing next to her.
"Look at that," said Mary, pointing. Three kings on camels were making their way along one of the branches.
"Incredible," said Molly, moving in closer to get a better look. The kings waved at her.
"It's perfect," said Rebecca, her mouth wide open.
Remus wheeled Dumbledore over, "What do you think sir?" he asked, loudly.
Dumbledore didn't appear to be paying much attention to the tree, being much more absorbed with his new toothpick.
"I have a little bit of salmon stuck that I can't quite reach," complained Dumbledore.
"That's nice Albus, but take a look at the tree."
"What tree?" Dumbledore looked around the room, as if startled.
"This one," said Remus, pointing to the tree.
Dumbledore's mouth fell open, "I, I say," he began, "that's really awfully good. Top notch stuff. Was it you Remus?"
"Was it me what?"
"Did you do this? Oh, I say," Dumbledore was veritably quivering with undisguised excitement, "look at the tiny little angels. They're ever so sweet."
"It was Harry," said Remus, "he did this."
"Harry who?"
"Harry Potter, you remember Harry?"
"Yes, are we at his house then?"
Remus nodded, "Yes," he said.
"Then where are the Dursleys?"
"They've ... gone away for a while," said Remus. Rebecca, Andy and William were standing nearby, watching them with interest. Remus beckoned them over, "Albus, I want you to meet some people."
"Who are they then?"
"This is Harry's son, William, and his daughter, Rebecca, and this is Andrew Weasley. They go to Hogwarts too."
"Do they by Jove? Well, I'll be buggered," said Dumbledore, "who are you then?"
"Remus Lupin, you remember me?"
"Wonderful," Dumbledore grinned with pleasure, "I thought Remus Lupin was at Hogwarts?"
"I am," said Remus, "I'm a teacher now."
"Nonsense," said Dumbledore, "Remus Lupin is a second former. All this is too much for me. What's for dinner."
Remus nodded to the children, "Chicken, I think," said Rebecca.
"You're Harry's daughter?" Dumbledore extended a finger, and prodded her on the chest. Rebecca nodded.
"Yes sir," she said.
"Well, doesn't that just take the biscuit. Of all the things. Tell me, Rebecca, your mother, does she cook?"
"Very well sir," said Rebecca.
"Good, I'm hungry."
As if on cue, Hermione came back into the room, banging on a little gong, "Ladies and Gentlemen, boys and girls," she began, "if you'd like to make your way through to the dining room, dinner is now served."
"I'm very hungry," quavered Dumbledore, as the guests started to file slowly out of the room.
"Can I push him sir?" asked William.
"Go ahead," said Remus, "and I'm off duty, you don't need to call me sir."
Dumbledore turned to observe William as he grasped the handles of his bath chair, "Take care young man," he said, "it has a tendency to backfire."
"Ignore him," said Remus.
"Who are you then?" Dumbledore asked William.
"William Potter sir."
"Harry's son?"
"Yes sir."
"How extraordinary, I thought Harry Potter was a second former," said Dumbledore, looking confused.
"I'm a second year," said William, "so's Andy."
"Who's Andy then?"
"My friend," said William, "this is him," Andy smiled at Dumbledore.
"Well I'll be. You're the spitting image of Ronald Weasley young man," said Dumbledore, evidently pleased at his powers of deduction.
They wheeled him across the hall, and into the dining room, where most of the rest of the guests were already seated. Dumbledore was duly slotted into place between Remus and Hermione, grinning from ear to ear at the prospect of food, and he was not the only one. At the top of the table, Fleur was watching the roast chickens as if they contained the secret of life itself. Occasionally she would lick her lips, and a little cooing sound would escape from her mouth.
"Are we all here?" asked Harry, taking up the carving wand.
There was a whooshing sound as Sirius turned back into himself, "I know I am," he said.
"We're one short," said Hermione, looking round the table, "where's Ron got to?"
Ron returned from the lavatory, wiping his hands dry on his robes. Fleur smiled at him as he took her place next to her.
"Sorry," he said, "call of nature."
"Thank you Ron," said George, "I'd never have guessed."
"Talking about guessing, guess who I met in the Bull today," said Fleur, as Harry waved his wand at the chickens, and shouted 'carvatus!'
"Who?" asked Ron, taking a sip of wine, "Have you been consorting with strange men again?"
"Ron," exclaimed Fleur, running a hand through his hair, "you know how men are ... drawn to me."
Ron unfolded his napkin, and nodded gravely.
"Who did you meet then?" asked Sirius, looking interested.
"Draco Malfoy," she said.
Ron coughed loudly. Harry dropped a chicken leg on the tablecloth, and Hermione looked scandalised.
"Draco eh?" said Harry, forcing a smile, "I was just thinking about him earlier."
Ron glared at him, "What did Malfoy want?" he asked, "more to the point, what the hell is he doing in Titherne?"
Fleur smiled, "Now, it's interesting you should say that..."
* * * * * * * * * * *
"Who then?" asked Draco. The stranger's grip was cold on his shoulder.
"Are you aware of the existence of ... Ron Weasley?" asked the stranger, pronouncing the last word slowly, enunciating every letter.
Draco couldn't help but nod, even though the very presence of the stranger in the bar was making him feel sick.
"Why do you want him?" asked Draco.
The stranger removed his hand from Draco's shoulder, and struck him across the side of the face. His fingers felt like ice where they touched Draco's skin. He looked up at the mirror above the bar. There were three long red marks on his cheek.
"Do not make me angry Draco."
"I was only..."
"I reveal my motives to no man," said the stranger, "least of all a treacherous little ferret like you Draco. Do not make me angry again."
Draco felt goose pimples rising on his arms. Thoughts were whirling through his brain, and he felt unprotected, vulnerable. Somehow this stranger had the power to make him feel like he had done when he had been a child, wringing his hands, waiting for another punishment from his fearsome father.
"I'll try not to," said Draco, putting his hand to his cheek. The stranger returned his hand to Draco's shoulder.
"Do we, have an understanding?"
"About what?"
"A trade, a fair deal, an exchange," said the stranger, his voice harsh as ever, "I get what I want, that is, this Weasley, and you get what I can give you?"
"What's that?"
"Power beyond your wildest dreams Draco. The world will be yours to control, to conquer, even to destroy, should you wish it."
Draco was unconvinced, "What if I refuse."
There was a rustling as the stranger reached into his robes, and next instant, Draco felt what was unmistakably the tip of a wand prodded into the small of his back.
"Crucio," the stranger whispered.
* * * * * * * * * * *
Hermione stared at Fleur in disbelief.
"What do you mean, he was looking for me?"
"Exactly what I said," said Fleur, "he seemed most insistent about it."
"What could Draco Malfoy want with you Hermi?" asked Harry, passing plates loaded with chicken around the table, "Help yourselves to vegetables everyone," he added.
"I couldn't possibly imagine," said Hermione, though recollection was slowly dawning on her.
"Is there something you're not telling us Hermione?" asked Sirius, who looked enthralled.
"Unless he's, well, he, you know we went out together for a while?"
"When?" asked Remus. This came as news to him.
"After Hogwarts, for about six months. We went on holiday together, round Europe, and to the Caribbean," said Hermione.
"You didn't slee..." began Ron, but a poke in the ribs from Fleur silenced him.
Hermione shook her head, "No Ron, nothing like that happened, though we shared a sleeping bag one night in the Tyrol."
William and Rebecca's mouths were open as wide as they would go. Sirius reached for the pepper mill.
"Then what happened?" asked Remus.
"We split. It was, a bit messy," said Hermione, "his father found out he was dating a ... mudblood you see."
Neville frowned, "That bastard," he exclaimed. Harry shot him a death ray glance that silenced him.
"Then, about three years later, after I'd had William, when I was pregnant with Rebecca, he came round to our house."
"When we were living in London?" asked Harry. Hermione nodded.
"His father had just died, I think he rather hoped to get back together again," she went on. The entire company, with the exception of Albus Dumbledore, who was chewing on a carrot, were hanging on her every word.
"And you?"
"Told him ... in no uncertain terms, I might add, to get lost," said Hermione.
"Well I'll be," exclaimed Remus.
"You never told me about this," said Harry.
"I, never ... felt the need, I guess," said Hermione, "I never knew what happened to him after that. I never even thought about him till Fleur brought it up just now."
"Well," said Sirius, "that was enlightening. Will someone pass the cabbage?"
* * * * * * * * * * *
Draco stared up into the eyes of his assailant. They were haunted eyes, full of anger, pain, and fear. He was lying on the floor of the pub, having slipped and fallen from his stool.
"You didn't much care for that, did you Draco?" the stranger said.
Draco shook his head.
"Would you care for me to get angry with you again?"
Draco shook his head. The stranger took a step forward. Draco still could not see his face, it was in shadow from his voluminous cloak.
"Let us not fight again Draco," said the stranger. He proffered his hand, but Draco didn't take it. There was a look of pure, unadulterated hatred on his face. He could still feel twinges of pain from the Cruciatus Curse. Nobody had ever used that on him before. He suddenly understood why it was so feared.
"I shall trouble you no longer Draco," said the stranger, tucking his wand back into his robes, "you have vexed me, and I have no wish to be angry with you. I shall return for you though. You may be assured of that."
With these words, he turned, and stalked out of the pub.
"Are you okay mate?" asked the barman, peering over the bar at Draco, who was still lying spread-eagled on the floor.
"Wha ... what happened?" coughed Draco, getting to his feet, and dusting off his cloak. The pub had come back to life again, in the background the roar of the crowd from the TV could once more be heard. There was a thwack as a dart struck home.
"Dunno mate. One minute, there you were, the next, you'd fallen off your stool. Are you sure you're okay?"
"I'll be fine," lied Draco, "I'll be fine."
A/N
Whew, that part was hard to write. Thanks to all my reviewers. As you can see, I'm churning this fic out at a rate of knots now that I have become very absorbed in it. Actually, I'm six chapters ahead of you, and I know what's happening! I know the answers! To Kayara Impossibly Long Middle Name That I Can't Remember Potter, who was desperate to see Sirius in this, happy now? Don't worry, he'll be back, in a big way. 10 points to whoever is first to guess whom Draco's new acquaintance is. Why is he so intent on getting hold of Ron? Can Fleur keep her big mouth shut? Above all, what will happen next? These questions will be answered soon. Keep the reviews coming, I love reading them!
This is the fourth part, even though it's only Chapter 3. If you did not heed my summary, and read the first parts before, then do so, or this will make no sense. Can I be bothered to disclaim this? Yeah, of course. It's all JK's apart from the characters I made up. Thanks if you reviewed Chapter 2, your feedback is, as ever, greatly appreciated.
Chapter 3. In which Fleur spills the beans, and poor Draco is put through an ordeal he'd rather forget.
Harry raised his wand, and pointed it at the Christmas tree. The guests crowded closer round, all except Dumbledore, who was cleaning his dentures with a toothpick. Harry's Christmas decorations had long been the stuff of legend in the circles he moved in, which tended to be very exclusive circles.
"Nativitatus," he said, closing his eyes and hoping for the best.
William and Rebecca Potter gasped. Harry opened his eyes.
"Would you look at that?" said Remus.
"Amazing," said Ginny.
"Awesome," said Fred.
The tree was covered in bright, twinkling lights of every colour in the spectrum. Thick wreaths of tinsel wrapped themselves around the branches. Then, there were the ornaments. And what ornaments they were! Reindeer, sleighs, stables, angels, the whole nine yards, all glistening and sparkling in the soft light. At the top was the crowning glory, an angel, complete with halo and robes of white silk. The angel looked down at them, and winked at Harry.
"Blimey," said Harry. He was lost for words.
"I think I smell burning," cried Hermione, spoiling the moment for everybody. She grabbed Harry by the forearm, and pulled him out of the room.
"Well I think it's rather special," said Molly Weasley, peering at the branches. Mary was standing next to her.
"Look at that," said Mary, pointing. Three kings on camels were making their way along one of the branches.
"Incredible," said Molly, moving in closer to get a better look. The kings waved at her.
"It's perfect," said Rebecca, her mouth wide open.
Remus wheeled Dumbledore over, "What do you think sir?" he asked, loudly.
Dumbledore didn't appear to be paying much attention to the tree, being much more absorbed with his new toothpick.
"I have a little bit of salmon stuck that I can't quite reach," complained Dumbledore.
"That's nice Albus, but take a look at the tree."
"What tree?" Dumbledore looked around the room, as if startled.
"This one," said Remus, pointing to the tree.
Dumbledore's mouth fell open, "I, I say," he began, "that's really awfully good. Top notch stuff. Was it you Remus?"
"Was it me what?"
"Did you do this? Oh, I say," Dumbledore was veritably quivering with undisguised excitement, "look at the tiny little angels. They're ever so sweet."
"It was Harry," said Remus, "he did this."
"Harry who?"
"Harry Potter, you remember Harry?"
"Yes, are we at his house then?"
Remus nodded, "Yes," he said.
"Then where are the Dursleys?"
"They've ... gone away for a while," said Remus. Rebecca, Andy and William were standing nearby, watching them with interest. Remus beckoned them over, "Albus, I want you to meet some people."
"Who are they then?"
"This is Harry's son, William, and his daughter, Rebecca, and this is Andrew Weasley. They go to Hogwarts too."
"Do they by Jove? Well, I'll be buggered," said Dumbledore, "who are you then?"
"Remus Lupin, you remember me?"
"Wonderful," Dumbledore grinned with pleasure, "I thought Remus Lupin was at Hogwarts?"
"I am," said Remus, "I'm a teacher now."
"Nonsense," said Dumbledore, "Remus Lupin is a second former. All this is too much for me. What's for dinner."
Remus nodded to the children, "Chicken, I think," said Rebecca.
"You're Harry's daughter?" Dumbledore extended a finger, and prodded her on the chest. Rebecca nodded.
"Yes sir," she said.
"Well, doesn't that just take the biscuit. Of all the things. Tell me, Rebecca, your mother, does she cook?"
"Very well sir," said Rebecca.
"Good, I'm hungry."
As if on cue, Hermione came back into the room, banging on a little gong, "Ladies and Gentlemen, boys and girls," she began, "if you'd like to make your way through to the dining room, dinner is now served."
"I'm very hungry," quavered Dumbledore, as the guests started to file slowly out of the room.
"Can I push him sir?" asked William.
"Go ahead," said Remus, "and I'm off duty, you don't need to call me sir."
Dumbledore turned to observe William as he grasped the handles of his bath chair, "Take care young man," he said, "it has a tendency to backfire."
"Ignore him," said Remus.
"Who are you then?" Dumbledore asked William.
"William Potter sir."
"Harry's son?"
"Yes sir."
"How extraordinary, I thought Harry Potter was a second former," said Dumbledore, looking confused.
"I'm a second year," said William, "so's Andy."
"Who's Andy then?"
"My friend," said William, "this is him," Andy smiled at Dumbledore.
"Well I'll be. You're the spitting image of Ronald Weasley young man," said Dumbledore, evidently pleased at his powers of deduction.
They wheeled him across the hall, and into the dining room, where most of the rest of the guests were already seated. Dumbledore was duly slotted into place between Remus and Hermione, grinning from ear to ear at the prospect of food, and he was not the only one. At the top of the table, Fleur was watching the roast chickens as if they contained the secret of life itself. Occasionally she would lick her lips, and a little cooing sound would escape from her mouth.
"Are we all here?" asked Harry, taking up the carving wand.
There was a whooshing sound as Sirius turned back into himself, "I know I am," he said.
"We're one short," said Hermione, looking round the table, "where's Ron got to?"
Ron returned from the lavatory, wiping his hands dry on his robes. Fleur smiled at him as he took her place next to her.
"Sorry," he said, "call of nature."
"Thank you Ron," said George, "I'd never have guessed."
"Talking about guessing, guess who I met in the Bull today," said Fleur, as Harry waved his wand at the chickens, and shouted 'carvatus!'
"Who?" asked Ron, taking a sip of wine, "Have you been consorting with strange men again?"
"Ron," exclaimed Fleur, running a hand through his hair, "you know how men are ... drawn to me."
Ron unfolded his napkin, and nodded gravely.
"Who did you meet then?" asked Sirius, looking interested.
"Draco Malfoy," she said.
Ron coughed loudly. Harry dropped a chicken leg on the tablecloth, and Hermione looked scandalised.
"Draco eh?" said Harry, forcing a smile, "I was just thinking about him earlier."
Ron glared at him, "What did Malfoy want?" he asked, "more to the point, what the hell is he doing in Titherne?"
Fleur smiled, "Now, it's interesting you should say that..."
* * * * * * * * * * *
"Who then?" asked Draco. The stranger's grip was cold on his shoulder.
"Are you aware of the existence of ... Ron Weasley?" asked the stranger, pronouncing the last word slowly, enunciating every letter.
Draco couldn't help but nod, even though the very presence of the stranger in the bar was making him feel sick.
"Why do you want him?" asked Draco.
The stranger removed his hand from Draco's shoulder, and struck him across the side of the face. His fingers felt like ice where they touched Draco's skin. He looked up at the mirror above the bar. There were three long red marks on his cheek.
"Do not make me angry Draco."
"I was only..."
"I reveal my motives to no man," said the stranger, "least of all a treacherous little ferret like you Draco. Do not make me angry again."
Draco felt goose pimples rising on his arms. Thoughts were whirling through his brain, and he felt unprotected, vulnerable. Somehow this stranger had the power to make him feel like he had done when he had been a child, wringing his hands, waiting for another punishment from his fearsome father.
"I'll try not to," said Draco, putting his hand to his cheek. The stranger returned his hand to Draco's shoulder.
"Do we, have an understanding?"
"About what?"
"A trade, a fair deal, an exchange," said the stranger, his voice harsh as ever, "I get what I want, that is, this Weasley, and you get what I can give you?"
"What's that?"
"Power beyond your wildest dreams Draco. The world will be yours to control, to conquer, even to destroy, should you wish it."
Draco was unconvinced, "What if I refuse."
There was a rustling as the stranger reached into his robes, and next instant, Draco felt what was unmistakably the tip of a wand prodded into the small of his back.
"Crucio," the stranger whispered.
* * * * * * * * * * *
Hermione stared at Fleur in disbelief.
"What do you mean, he was looking for me?"
"Exactly what I said," said Fleur, "he seemed most insistent about it."
"What could Draco Malfoy want with you Hermi?" asked Harry, passing plates loaded with chicken around the table, "Help yourselves to vegetables everyone," he added.
"I couldn't possibly imagine," said Hermione, though recollection was slowly dawning on her.
"Is there something you're not telling us Hermione?" asked Sirius, who looked enthralled.
"Unless he's, well, he, you know we went out together for a while?"
"When?" asked Remus. This came as news to him.
"After Hogwarts, for about six months. We went on holiday together, round Europe, and to the Caribbean," said Hermione.
"You didn't slee..." began Ron, but a poke in the ribs from Fleur silenced him.
Hermione shook her head, "No Ron, nothing like that happened, though we shared a sleeping bag one night in the Tyrol."
William and Rebecca's mouths were open as wide as they would go. Sirius reached for the pepper mill.
"Then what happened?" asked Remus.
"We split. It was, a bit messy," said Hermione, "his father found out he was dating a ... mudblood you see."
Neville frowned, "That bastard," he exclaimed. Harry shot him a death ray glance that silenced him.
"Then, about three years later, after I'd had William, when I was pregnant with Rebecca, he came round to our house."
"When we were living in London?" asked Harry. Hermione nodded.
"His father had just died, I think he rather hoped to get back together again," she went on. The entire company, with the exception of Albus Dumbledore, who was chewing on a carrot, were hanging on her every word.
"And you?"
"Told him ... in no uncertain terms, I might add, to get lost," said Hermione.
"Well I'll be," exclaimed Remus.
"You never told me about this," said Harry.
"I, never ... felt the need, I guess," said Hermione, "I never knew what happened to him after that. I never even thought about him till Fleur brought it up just now."
"Well," said Sirius, "that was enlightening. Will someone pass the cabbage?"
* * * * * * * * * * *
Draco stared up into the eyes of his assailant. They were haunted eyes, full of anger, pain, and fear. He was lying on the floor of the pub, having slipped and fallen from his stool.
"You didn't much care for that, did you Draco?" the stranger said.
Draco shook his head.
"Would you care for me to get angry with you again?"
Draco shook his head. The stranger took a step forward. Draco still could not see his face, it was in shadow from his voluminous cloak.
"Let us not fight again Draco," said the stranger. He proffered his hand, but Draco didn't take it. There was a look of pure, unadulterated hatred on his face. He could still feel twinges of pain from the Cruciatus Curse. Nobody had ever used that on him before. He suddenly understood why it was so feared.
"I shall trouble you no longer Draco," said the stranger, tucking his wand back into his robes, "you have vexed me, and I have no wish to be angry with you. I shall return for you though. You may be assured of that."
With these words, he turned, and stalked out of the pub.
"Are you okay mate?" asked the barman, peering over the bar at Draco, who was still lying spread-eagled on the floor.
"Wha ... what happened?" coughed Draco, getting to his feet, and dusting off his cloak. The pub had come back to life again, in the background the roar of the crowd from the TV could once more be heard. There was a thwack as a dart struck home.
"Dunno mate. One minute, there you were, the next, you'd fallen off your stool. Are you sure you're okay?"
"I'll be fine," lied Draco, "I'll be fine."
A/N
Whew, that part was hard to write. Thanks to all my reviewers. As you can see, I'm churning this fic out at a rate of knots now that I have become very absorbed in it. Actually, I'm six chapters ahead of you, and I know what's happening! I know the answers! To Kayara Impossibly Long Middle Name That I Can't Remember Potter, who was desperate to see Sirius in this, happy now? Don't worry, he'll be back, in a big way. 10 points to whoever is first to guess whom Draco's new acquaintance is. Why is he so intent on getting hold of Ron? Can Fleur keep her big mouth shut? Above all, what will happen next? These questions will be answered soon. Keep the reviews coming, I love reading them!