Mercury And Emeralds-Part Four
By Dreamer
We had been flying for hours, trying to reach my mansion. At first we had stayed fairly close together, separating only when we were going to fly through a cloud. After a while we had grown tired of this game of hide-and-seek and flown apart in silence, each thinking silently.
I was trying to guess the thoughts that flitted through Harry's head; after all he was the boy that lived. And strangely enough, the boy that lived seemed interested in me, me of all people, Draco Malfoy. Was he crazy? For all he knew, I could be leading him into an elaborate trap. On the other hand, I would have returned his kiss if I was trying to trick him. Maybe he knew that and was trying to test me to say whether I'd betray Hermione and cheat on her. Maybe, but that's kind of unlikely. The way he kissed me was so soft and gentle. If he had been testing me, he could have just jammed his mouth against me. His way, it was more like a promise of a kiss than an actual kiss. On the whole, I wasn't too worried. If he was gay, big deal, I showed him that I wasn't interested. If he was testing me, I showed him that I do care for Hermione, and I wouldn't two-time her.
Yes, on the whole I was more worried about the fact that I was beginning to regret how hastily I responded to him. It might have been interesting to see what he would have done if I had returned his kiss. After I pushed him away, his eyes had been so big and panicky, as if he didn't even know why he had done that. He looked almost as shocked as I was.
I wonder what exactly has happened to make me so attractive to Gryffindors. First Hermione kisses me and then Harry. Who'll the next person to fall victim to my deadly charms? I thought half-seriously. After all, it was definitely strange that two Gryffindors had sought me out of their own accord without me doing anything to encourage them. Whatever it was I liked it. Hermione was so sweet and loving and kind that I had to save her, I couldn't let the one person in the world that cares about me die. And Harry-well Harry was definitely appealing with his huge emerald eyes and ebony black hair. After he kissed me, he had looked so innocent and at the same time defiant. WAIT A SECOND, WHAT WAS I THINKING? I mean, sure Harry changed and has a nice body now and sure, he has a beautiful face but still! It's Hermione I love. Hermione, Hermione, Hermione. I chanted her name to myself as if it were a charm that would stop me thinking about Harry and about how truly desirable he was.
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I glanced sideways at Draco. His silhouette was all I could see of him at the moment since a cloud separated us. Just then he emerged from behind it, his milky-white hair pulled behind his face, exposing his visage fully for the first time. Normally he had some of his bangs falling over his face; they made his features stand out. Right now he looked so clean-cut, more like a statue than a person did. It was as if he had been cut out of marble. He looked good like this, very reliable. As a rule, he looked really dangerous, not so much handsome as hot. I thought it over and came to the conclusion that one of the most attractive things about Draco was how many different sides he has to his personality. The fact that he was almost too sexy to be real didn't hurt either, I thought with a smile pulling at the edges of my lips. I remembered what it had felt like to kiss him, his soft lips against mine. I know that I was a little bit hasty, I mean maybe I should have asked him if he was gay but the setting was so perfect, how could anybody resist? His slimly muscular body against mine, pushing me into the wall, his face barely an inch away. I could see the very pupils of his shimmering mercury eyes. Anybody in my situation would have reacted the same way. On the other hand...he did help kidnap Hermione and he does have a Death-Eater for a father. And as if that wasn't bad enough, I have a girl friend, a beautiful girl friend from Ravenclaw. Ravenclaw, not Slytherin. And Draco seems to truly love Hermione although he did hesitate before pushing me away. And he is extremely attractive. And he rejected me so I had better not try it again.
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I had managed to convince Potter that there was no need to inform the Weasel but he had insisted on sending an owl to somebody, he didn't tell me whom. I left a quick note for Professor Snape and didn't tell anybody else. My flying was a bit off because I was too worried about Hermione. I knew that she was safe from rape but I wasn't so sure about torture. When you consider that my father had often hurt me and that I was his own son, it seemed more than likely that he would love to abuse a Mudblood. I winced at how easily the word sprang to my lips. If I don't want to insult Hermione I'd better get used to calling Mudbloods muggle-born instead. I glanced down at the countryside beneath us. Just then I heard Harry yell.
Draco, look out!
A big, metal contraption with two wings was coming towards me! I pulled the handle of my broom down and rolled sideways. I avoided the nose but was hit on the side of my head by a wing. I let go of my broom and fell, spiraling downwards, too stunned to scream.
#########
I had watched in horror as the wing of the plane hit Draco. I couldn't understand why he had let go of his broom but I didn't have time to think as he was falling towards the ground. And looked as if he was about to get a lot more personal with the ground than he wanted. I kicked my Firebolt down and hurtled after him. I was going as fast as I could but I still couldn't reach him. That's when I had a brilliant idea. I stopped trying to catch him and went after his falling Firebolt instead. I caught it easily and swooped back so that I was flying above Draco. The expression on his face was strange. He looked so peaceful, so resigned as if it didn't matter to him if he lived or died. That was even more infuriating than his usual smirk. I called out to him, trying to attract his attention.
Hey Draco! Think fast you stupid git! I threw the broom to him and glided back up. He caught it easily and grasped its handle. His only problem now was that he had been falling for quite a while and that the pull of gravity might be too strong for his Firebolt. He managed to get the broom to slow his fall but then they both plummeted down and I watched him with a sick heart, knowing that there was no chance that I would be able to intercept them in time. Luckily he was right above a haystack as in about 50cm above the haystack. He fell into the haystack with his Firebolt still clasped to his chest. I watched, half-expecting him to come crashing out the bottom of the wagon that the haystack was stored in.
When no Draco appeared, either from the top or the bottom, I flew downwards to check. I dismounted near the haystack and casually poked it with the handle of my broomstick. The hay stirred and a disheveled head poked out of the top of the hay-stick.
Give me a break Potter. First a metal thing that belongs to mortals hits me, then you don't manage to catch me, then my Firebolt doesn't help and then I crash into a pile of hay. And (this is the worst part of all from my point of view) my hair gets messed up! he groaned. I did a double take at his last complaint and then I smiled, glad to have him alive even if he was complaining.
Well, look at this way, at least you're alive. Besides your hair always looks weird, like you have at least a gallon of oil on it. I suggested, hoping to cheer him up. It didn't work. He gave me a panicked look and then ran his hand through his hair.
What are you talking about Potter? My hair feels fine to me! he snarled irritably while quickly picking stalks of hay out. I was struck by how much lighter than the straw his hair was. Compared to the hair, the straw was honey-colored. Then he gave me a worried look. I felt my heart sink. If the look on his face was any indication, he had just realized that something was very wrong. He wordlessly held out the remains of his Firebolt. It had snapped in two.
Harry, we have a problem. Apparently I broke my Firebolt by trying to make it pull me up. And as a magical item, it can't be mended by magic. We'll either have to do this by hand or go the rest of the way to my mansion by foot. He explained, still sounding confidently superior despite all that had just happened. I examined his broom. He was right, there was no way that we could mend it. I sighed with exasperation. Yet another obstacle.
Do you even know how to dress or act like a normal Muggle? I demanded angrily. Probably not, after all he was a spoiled rich boy who had house-elves to all his work for him and he despised mugg- well, used to despise Muggles. I had to correct myself mid-sentence.
As a matter of fact, no I don't Potter but I have a better idea. He coolly replied, unflustered. I had to admire how quickly he had managed to recover after being hit by a plane and falling into a haystack. He then pointed out to the next field where a bull was tethered.
My eyes widened. Surely he couldn't be suggesting that we ride a bull? I thought. Apparently he was as he had a huge grin on his face. Before I could do anything to stop him, he walked towards the bull and taking his wand out, pointed at the bull while muttering under his breath. I watched with fascination as the bull changed into four bulls. Draco looked critically at the four bulls and then made another pass with his wands, this time changing the bulls into horses. He plucked a gray stone from the gravel and enlarged it to become a black boulder. To finish it, he hollowed it out and harnessed the four horses to the carriage without doing anything except waving his wand. I was impressed since I couldn't remember learning this in school. I hadn't thought that he was any good at his classes either, well except for Potions and that I had always thought was due to Snape.
He smiled briefly at the amazed look on my face and then he turned to me and asked sarcastically
"Is that good enough for you? I can't act like a normal mortal but I figure that I should make a pretty good lord."
He looked at himself and flicked his wand quickly. His robes changed to a loose white silk shirt falling open at his chest and black silky trousers that were flared ever so slightly at the bottom. He also had on soft leather boots without any laces or straps. My jaw dropped. I had never known that Draco could look this. this hot! He looked drop-dead gorgeous. I just couldn't believe that this was the same boy that had taken every available opportunity to tease me. He looked like a model of the perfect man; he had exactly the right combination of good looks, nonchalance and flattering clothing. I wiped my admiration off my face, as Draco looked me up and down appraisingly. It was as if he was judging me. Or to be more precise, my body. For some reason, his scrutiny made me nervous, perhaps reminding me that I had kissed him rather suddenly and that he might have gotten the wrong idea about me from that kiss. I crossed my arms defensively over my chest and stared at him. He looked amused and then with a flick of his wand replaced my robes with a outfit similar to his own except that the shirt was a pale, golden-green and the trousers were a dark forest green. The boots were the same tan color though. I looked at myself and glanced at him, horrified.
" Get rid of these clothes! I look effeminate. Dress me in some jeans or corduroys or whatever but get me out of these clothes."
His smile disappeared as he retorted "Well, really Potter, you are gay so does it really matter if you look effeminate? Besides, it's almost exactly the same as my outfit"
"Yes, but the difference is that you can pull that style off. The clothes look good on you. You look really sexy an-" My voice trailed off mid-sentence as I realized what exactly I had just said. My cheeks flushed with embarrassment. Draco raised a slender eyebrow at me.
"Thanks for the compliment Potter. Sexy is an adjective that normally I use to flatter girls with but I suppose that one must take what one can get." He languidly drawled, sounding for a moment like the old Draco that I knew. I wasn't sure how to respond. After all he looked so virile, so athletic yet refined, very elegantly attractive. Draco definitely looked sexy and hot and handsome and anything else you can think of. However, I wasn't sure if he liked me telling him that. I was pretty that I just looked like a fool. I snuck a quick peek at him. Oh yes, he was definitely so hot that he made lava seem cool. And the problem was that I was unbelievably attracted to him. No, wait that was one problem. The biggest problem was that he was trying to save Hermione from his Death-Eater father and that I was attracted to him. After all, it should be easy to save Hermione but who's going to save me from Draco who's trying to save Hermione from his father who wants to give her to Voldemort who wants to? What does Voldemort want to do with her?
Draco rudely demanded.
Well what? I shot back, glad that he seemed to have forgotten what we were talking about.
Do you want to or not? He replied, rolling his eyes as he did so. What? What was he talking about? Did Draco Malfoy just proposition me? That would be interesting but he likes Hermione. Too bad. But if that wasn't it then what does he mean? Seeing the bemused look on my face, he clarified matters.
Well do you want to pretend to be my servant? At least that way you won't have to wear those clothes. I said impatiently. Although you look pretty good in them I added to myself. Potter had been standing there, looking as if I had just asked him to jump off a cliff or something. I liked the way Harry was dressed at the moment but the idea of ordering around the Boy who Lived was quite a tantalizing idea.
No thanks, I'll stick with these clothes. How come you managed to do all that though? I thought that your father only taught you Dark Magic. He remarked.
It's true that he does teach me Dark stuff but he says that I should also know normal stuff like that StatusEnhance spell I cast just now. It's just a variant of the basic Cinderella spell. You know mice into men and pumpkins into carriages. Or in our case a bull into four horses and a rock into a carriage. I explained.
Except that we aren't wearing glass slippers. He jokingly commented. I smiled.
What about servants? Don't lords travel around with huge retinues? He asked. My smile disappeared. I hadn't thought of that. And I wasn't sure how to turn anything into people, even if they were only mice. However, after a moments thought I came up with a solution.
I'll cast an Illusion spell. Illusions are my strong point. They reach into the minds of anybody that sees us and tangles up the section of the brain that is responsible for deciphering the messages that our eyes send so that the person will think they see what shape we cast the Illusion in. I thought about what I had just said and added reassuringly, It's a lot simpler than it looks, really it is. You don't even need a wand. Harry looked at me doubtfully. I stared back until he dropped his eyes. Pleased at having won that staring contest I turned to the carriage and began to cast the Illusion.
First I thought about what exactly it was that I wanted everybody to see. Then I focused on the details, getting every single button right. Then I thought about what kind of actions they would perform and what they might need to say. Finally I visualized the background. When I was positive that I couldn't make it seem more real, then and only then did I blink. After I blinked the people just appeared out of thin air, fashioned from the very dust particles that surrounded us. I glanced at Harry and was pleased by the astounded look on his face. Hero-worship from anybody was nice and I was getting sick of only showing off to the Slytherins.
Well come on. The sooner we start, the sooner we'll get there. I commented flippantly, stepping into the carriage as I did so. Harry hesitated a second and then followed me.
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2 hours later.
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We had finally arrived at a hotel. Unfortunately it was a mortal hotel. Oh well, any port in a storm' as the saying goes. I walked inside after our coachman' opened the door for us.
May I help you? The muggle at the reception desk asked. I flashed her a brilliant smile.
My friend here and I need a room for the night. I told her.
Do you have a reservation? She inquired while playing around with a square plastic block in front of her that also had a rectangular block with keys in front of it.
I curtly confessed. Harry moved just a little bit closer to me.
How many rooms will you be needing? She asked delicately. I opened my mouth to tell her we wanted two rooms but before I could get a word out Harry jumped in.
We'd like one room with a double bed please. He said smugly as he slipped his arm around my waist.
I was horrified. I would have countermanded his order if the look on the muggles face hadn't been so priceless. She looked even more upset than I was. It had to be then that my twisted sense of humor kicked in.
He said, one room with a double bed. I repeated softly. I then turned to Harry who was standing right next and gave him a quick kiss on the edge of his mouth. The muggle swallowed and then arched her eyebrow.
Very good sir. She commented and then deposited a wooden key tag and key in the palm of my hand.
I walked off with Harry, his arm still around my waist. My amusement was rapidly and instead of thinking about the look on that muggles face I was thinking about what an idiot I had been to pretend that I was interested in Harry. For one thing, it meant that I would have to share a room with him and as an only child I wasn't used to sharing anything. For another thing, it meant that he would have a perfect chance to try to seduce me and the idea of sleeping with Harry was pretty tempting. Never mind. I can sleep on the bed and he can have the floor. That should make it fair since it was his idea to share one room. Don't worry Hermione, I thought, we'll be there soon.
Authors Note: So, what did you think? Please tell me whether you think Harry should seduce Draco and how explicit (what rating it should need) the next part should be. Also tell me if I should continue this slash version.