Disclaimer in Part 1
Ok, chapter two is up!!! It's kinda long, but....by the way, I have no idea where the Carpathian Mountains are other than in Eastern Europe in general, just pretend they're by Romania, k?
Drachkan Castle was hidden deep in the Carpathian Mountains near the Rumanian borders, an ominous looking ruin whose dark walls thrust into the blood-red sky like a dragon's tooth. There was no greenery around it, only rocks, as if anything living couldn't bear to take root in such a threatening atmosphere. Harry didn't blame them. Given a choice, he would rather not be here as well. He reached out and touched the cool, moss-covered decaying stone, unable to keep a slight expression of distaste from his bright green eyes.
This is the best you could do? I mean come on, you're arguably the most powerful wizard in the world and yet you choose this -
He broke off at the scornful look Draco shot at him, biting down on his lip so hard that it bled. He wasn't about to risk invoking his volatile dragon's wrath now, not when he finally had him. Or had him as much as he was ever likely to. Harry's eyes narrowed at that thought, much as he enjoyed having Draco at last he wanted something more than just his body. He wanted his heart.
His obsession had started in his sixth year. That's when he'd first realized how fascinating Draco was, that's when he'd started wondering just why Draco was the way he was, became consumed by the need to know what kind of life had created such a cold, bitter, vicious thing. He'd silently stalked the Slytherin through the halls, watching his every move, memorizing every line of that face, every inflection of that oh-so-familiar voice, aching to penetrate his mystery. He put so much time into it, studying Draco Malfoy until he knew him as well as he knew himself - it was hard work, actually. And then it had deepened from just curiosity into something else, something more binding, something that felt almost primal. It was around then that he realized how much he wanted Draco, needed him even, and it wasn't through lust. No, nothing so trivial as lust. Love wasn't even strong enough to describe what he felt for Draco, it was beyond that. It was as if he'd been waiting his entire life to find him and now that he had - well, there was no way he could let him escape.
Harry had a feeling that somewhere deep inside him Draco felt the same or he wouldn't've chosen Harry as his ally or agreed to Harry's terms, but - he scowled at Draco as he drew some sort of design on the decrepit castle gates with his wand - he certainly didn't show it.
Well. Harry had no intention of letting things stay that way.
Draco beckoned to him and he sauntered over, idly kicking at a few small rocks that happened to be in his way. He followed Draco through the imposing oak doors and found himself in the Great Hall. Harry drew up short in surprise.
The place might look run down and ready to collapse from the outside, but Drachkan's interior was something completely different. The icy stone walls were shrouded in rich tapestries of the most vibrant colors, luxurious furnishings were strewn all over the heavily carpeted floors, and a soft light that seemed to be coming from nowhere suffused everything in a soft golden glow. It was more comfortable than anyone could've believed possible to judge from the ramshackle facade, but then again, that was the purpose of enchantments. To deceive.
Draco smiled slightly at Harry's obvious astonishment but didn't linger. He headed away to the massive central staircase, Harry just a breath behind him.
They climbed for what seemed like an eternity, up staircases so narrow they were forced to walk single file, staircases that were invisible so they had to feel their way up them, staircases that curved in spirals, staircases that would randomly relocate to another part of the castle. Harry was starting to wonder how many bloody staircases the place could possibly hold when they suddenly emerged into a circular room that seemed to be at the very top of the castle.
It's walls were in fact large windows that were open to the air, offering a panoramic view of the bleak mountain landscape around them. Harry walked over to one of them and stared out wearily at the desolate countryside, drumming his fingers absently against the cold stone sill, wondering what was going to happen now. He glanced over at Draco, who was standing in the exact center of he room apparently lost in thought, his gaze turned inward. He seemed to sense Harry's eyes on him and beckoned o him.
You're being initiated tonight.
Harry raised his eyebrows.
Draco nodded curtly. Oh, don't worry, you won't be just another minion if that's what you're worried about. He seized Harry's right wrist, regarding the pale unblemished skin with a slight furrow between his brows. Branding his followers with a mark that would bind them to him was a rather useful trick of Voldemort's, one I've seen fit to adopt. Harry followed Draco's glance to his inner left forearm where the ghost of the Dark Mark could sill be seen on the fair skin, a reminder that Draco himself had once been a suppliant. Harry brushed it lightly with his fingertips; Draco jerked his arm away, a slight flush creeping across his pale skin. He didn't like being reminded of that part of his past; masters don't like to recall when they were servants.
And what's your Mark, then?
Draco gave another one of his faint smiles. A dragon.
Suddenly Draco pulled Harry close against him, his hands holding Harry in an inescapable grasp, capturing Harry's mouth with his own in a fierce kiss. Harry leaned into it, kissing back passionately, enjoying the fierce possessiveness of Draco's touch even as he noticed it's unexpected tenderness. He allowed himself an inward smile, maybe Draco really did share Harry's feelings. That kiss certainly made for a very strong case.
They broke away from it, sucking air into their starved lungs, but neither pulled away. Draco cupped Harry's face gently in his hands, looking deep into his eyes.
Are you ready?
Harry leaned his forehead against Draco's. Yes. I'm yours, to do with as you like.
* * *
They stood in a circle, their faces shrouded by their heavy black cowls, the new generation of Death Eaters now united under a new Dark Lord. Who stood in their center, his features illuminated by the silvery light of the moon, making him look like some otherworldly angel come to earth. Harry though that he'd never looked so beautiful.
Draco drew out his wand and pointed it at an intricately painted picture of a human heart, it's grotesque beauty seeming to pulse on the floor.
A deep violet fire sprang up, bathing the scene in a weird glow. Draco turned to Harry, his face an expressionless mask.
You come to us willingly?
Harry kept his green eyes fixed on Draco's silver ones.
You are willing to follow a path most others would shun, willing to be ruthless and cruel, using any means to achieve your ends, willing to rule by fear and to embrace the Darkness?
Draco put his face very close to Harry's and it was all Harry could do not to flinch from the intensity in that gaze.
You are willing to be faithful to me for as long as you might live no matter what I might call on you to do, and do you swear never to betray me?
Harry's voice was tinged with a kind of savage eagerness as he answered.
Draco's eyes remained fixed on Harry's for a moment before he turned away to face his minions. Harry, watching him, was struck by the amount of control he could exert so effortlessly over this group of dark wizards mostly older than himself. Even though he was only nineteen Draco seemed to have the ability to inspire fear and awe in others - probably something he'd inherited from the Malfoy bloodline.
This is Harry Potter, he said, his voice soft but easily heard. He is here to join us, and I have accepted him. Let it be so.
The circle of dark robed beings nodded their acceptance of their master's decision, concealing any surprise they might have felt. Draco turned back to Harry and seized his right wrist, turning it so that the vein-laced skin showed upward, then pressed his wand tip against it, sending what felt like an electric shock through Harry.
Insingnio engravas Dracosmodre! he cried and Harry felt his body shudder from the sudden jolt of pure power that flooded through him. It was agony, it was ecstasy, was there really any difference between the two -? It was burning, it was freezing, Harry felt like he was being lifted out of his body to some place beyond feeling where he could just float in the Void around him, feeling the motion of the entire cosmos - he opened his mouth to cry out -
- and was right back in the tower room of Drachkan Castle, staring up at Draco. He dropped his eyes to his wrist and there it was - a tiny dragon with it's wings outstretched and snarling up at him. It was beautiful, in a very fierce, aggressive sort of way.
Draco grabbed his wrist and shoved it into the magical flames. Harry hissed softly at the sensation, although the flames didn't hurt him they filled him with a strange prickling sensation. When Draco pulled his hand out he noticed that the Mark had gone a deep, shiny black. Draco pressed his lips briefly against it before dropping Harry's wrist.
Silver and green eyes met and locked.
Are you ready for this? Draco raised one eyebrow very slightly.
Harry smiled, a smile whose cold harness looked very unnatural on him.
Teach me. Teach me everything.
Ok...there goes Chapter 2!! So is this so overblown it's laughable or is it actually somewhat decent...it felt kinda extravagant in this chapter, but maybe that' s just my paranoia. Thanks to everyone who reviewed so far, I really appreciate it!!!!