~~~~~~~Misguided Intentions~~~~~~~
Disclaimer: Anything that is canon belongs to JKR. Anything that isn't be me own. :)
Cheers to everyone reading and reviewing! :hugs hugs hugs:
Kim - No, they're in no way ready to go back yet...still alot more they've got to do before that might happen...and dont worry bout Siri trust me on this one :grins:
Icy - heh yes have to admit, I do love that stargazing scene dont I? :dreams romantically: ah young love....
Demeter - agreed on Peter. I dont think if he was what people think of him back then James, Siri nor Remy would have put up with him. They only want to kill him now because of the betrayals...but I'm of the opinion that back then he wasn't anything close to a whinging, annoying git :P
Silmarien - oi that was I think the worst part bout the chapter trying to come up with a Quidditch match and having so few words to do it in! :groans: Believe me, I could have made a whole chapter on nothing but a match, but me Totoro shaped plot bunnies wouldn't allow it (glares at her muse Scabbers, who never did manage to get off her desktop and be replaced with the that sexy Slytherin Severus instead :pouts:)
Oh, for note of reference since it was brought up to me on this point....I did use Arthur Weasley as the keeper for the Gryffindor team, however I am convinced that there was no way Arthur and Molly could have been at school at the same time as the marauders. Bill and Charlie are atleast mid to late 20's, therefore going on this fics dates, they'd have to have been at Hogwarts during or right after the marauder's themselves, rather then Arthur and Molly having been at Hogwarts at that time. If anyone else has any positive dates either in birth or whatnot for any of the Weasley's other then Fred, George, Ginny, Ron and Percy, it would be much appreciated. (PS Ser - where did you find those dates anyway? I have searched everywhere but cant find a single reference for them :sigh:)
~~~~~CHAPTER EIGHT: Boil, Boil, Toil and Trouble~~~~
It was now halfway into December, and snow covered the castle in white cottony drifts. Snowball fights, snowmen and hums of yuletide cheer were beginning to fill the outside and inside castle, making for a very festive mood. Even the Slytherins were doing their part in the occasional snowball fights and all round jovial attitudes. Despite the fact Voldemort was an ever present threat, the over all mood atleast within Hogwarts seemed as if he was far far away at the moment.
"Hey Flyer list's going up today, you and Dray signing or what?" James said lazily as 4 of the boys were lounging out in the commons after dinner. Remus was off with Severus somewhere, and Sirius was out doing a detention with Sierra for a stunt he'd pulled a few days back involving some Filibuster Fireworks and Lucius Malfoy's cauldron.
Harry looked up from his transfiguration homework slightly confused. "List? What list Prongs?" he said. He'd gotten used to calling the others by their nicknames now, and finally learned to remember to answer to his own new nickname. Flyer or Flyboy as he was sometimes called in jest wasn't as bad as what James had first picked for him...Goldy.
"You know, the list. Who's staying and who's going for Yule hols?" James said now yawning. "We talking bout this yesterday remember Flyboy? What....you're getting memory loss already?" he said now with a grin.
"Ugg no, didn't forget. Transfiguration homework on the brain that's all. Actually, we haven't quite discussed it yet...have we Dray." Harry said giving Draco a quick glance.
"Right, we haven't. Got a week atleast to decide anyway. Why the hurry?" Draco said glancing over at James.
James shrugged. "No reason, just wondred if you two were going home to your families or not for the holidays."
"Our...families...err..right. Um..we're not...exactly sure yet...we'll let you know when we decide." Harry said and noticed Peter was looking over at him with another one of his strange looks, but quickly turned away when Harry saw him.
Peter was beginning to worry Harry just a bit. For a bit after that night a few weeks back in which Peter and Harry kissed, then Harry had dashed out, things were a bit on the tense side between them. Harry had finally explained to Peter that, although he was the one who started it, he was really sorry for leading Peter on like that. It had been a spur of the moment reaction, and though he really did like it, he just wasn't ready for that kind of commitment.
In the end though after much apologies and whispers, Harry and Peter agreed not to say anything to anyone else bout what happened. Only Harry, Peter and Draco would know, and Peter did seem to understand to Harry's relief. They were no longer tense round each other, though things had gotten even more estranged between Peter and Draco. Draco simply didn't speak to Peter unless he had to, and visa versa. Luckily none of the others even noticed it, so everything seemed back on par.
Harry and Sirius had finally come to terms with each other as well. No longer angry round each other, and the fact that Sirius seemed to totally ignore Remus and Severus's relationship now, life was getting pretty much back to normal far as normal could be for a boy like Sirius Black. His pranks and such became a bit worse for the wear, targeting Lucius Malfoy and the Slytherin's even more then before, but so far noone had been really hurt by it and the laughs were well worth the few detentions.
As for Remus and Severus's relationship in general, it seemed to be going very well. Severus had improved in not only potions but Defense Against the Dark Arts nearly treblefold, although he still needed work on his wand waving skills far as Transfiguration and Charms. Their midnight meetings in an old unused classroom between Harry, Remus and Severus was something they all looked forward to weekly, and after discussing it with the other 2, Harry decided it was time to bring Draco into their weekly meetings as well.
James and Lily seemed to be getting closer all the time, and it was more then clear now that Lily wasn't all as innocent as she seemed thanks to James's teachings. She enjoyed the occasional prank pulling with the marauders actually, and didn't fret as much bout the boys as she used to now that Harry and Draco seemed to show some responsibility with them. It had always been her worst fear that one of them would do something totally drastic enough to get killed, or worse...expelled, and was grateful for the fact Harry and Draco almost kept them in mild check.
As for the explanation of the invisibility cloak to James, Harry had told him simply that he'd seen them one night disappear under it when they didn't know he was looking. James had seemed a bit surprized that Harry had seen them, but he didn't say anything other then that he had to promise to keep it a secret, which Harry was happy to do. He said that a friend of his dad's had a cloak like that once a while back which was how he knew what it was, and in the end thankfully James bought that story like a charm.
Peter was the only one Harry actually was worried bout, in the respect that of them all, he seemed to be watching Harry and Draco alot more then he used to. It wasn't anything major, just little comments made, or glances at the two of them sometimes that had Harry worried. Of the 4 marauders, Peter was going to be the one he'd have to watch the most, atleast with what he was saying. It was almost as if Peter was beginning to realize that Harry and Draco weren't what they seemed, and they were going to have to be more then careful now.
It was this reason that Harry needed to talk to Draco bout this current problem, and quickly. "Dray need to talk allright?" Harry said in french.
"Now? But I"m in the middle of homework and...." Draco said back in french almost automatically at this point, then glanced up to see the expression on Harry's face. With a quick nod he closed his book and got up. "We'll be right back guys, need to talk bout what we're going to do after all for the holidays." he said in english, then followed Harry out of the portrait hole.
"Where are we going, why not just talk in the dorm?" Draco said following Harry downstairs now.
"Didn't want to talk there, I'll explain it in a bit." Harry said now glancing over his shoulder and kept heading towards the astronomy tower. After a few minutes the boys arrived in the small classroom that Harry, Remus and Severus used during their meetings, and Harry quickly shut the door behind him and Draco, locking it with the alohamora spell. He also put up some silence charms just in case anyone might be able to overhear them.
"Allright Harry, what's going on? What's all this for?" Draco said indicating the door and such.
"Precautions that's all Draco. We have some serious problems here I think..." Harry said walking over towards the window.
"Sirius? What's he done now?" Draco said slightly confused.
Harry groaned and rolled his eyes. "Not Sirius you git...I mean serious, as in a major problem." he said exasperated.
"Oh...yeah..I knew that. So what's the problem?" Draco said sitting down on the windowsill now and looking at Harry.
"Sheesh Dray, I think we've been here way too long, you're getting weird. Hanging out with Sirius I think a bit too much, it's rubbing off on you." Harry said sitting down next to him on the windowsill and shaking his head.
"I am not! And look who's talking Flyboy...you're even worse then I am! You're the one always off with Remus and Severus these days. I think they're rubbing off on you, making you all studious and boring." Draco said with a grumble.
"Oh hell just forget it. Listen, I think Peter might be on to us...I'm not sure but...we'll he's giving us odd looks and asking me alot of really odd questions lately." Harry said.
"Really? I haven't noticed anything odd from him...not since...well...that night..." Draco said looking down now at his hands.
Harry sighed. "It was hard enough what happened, then having to explain it all away to him like it meant nothing was worse. He was so crestfallen, even though he did understand...." he said quietly.
"He did though right? That it couldn't mean anything to you....and....well..." Draco said back questioningly.
"That's the point Draco, it did mean something...just not in the way he thought it would is all. It meant alot to me though, I finally realized what I really want, not that it does me any good now. There's noone here I can even risk going out with..." Harry grumbled.
"Well...what bout...I mean...that is...I"m sure we'll get home soon Harry, then you can date whatever guy you want..." Draco said squeezing his eyes shut for a moment and taking in a breath.
"Yeah, I guess you're right. That's going to be even more explaining to do when we do get home...or if...." Harry said gazing out the window to the lake and barely seeing the reflection of the setting sun so vividly on the water.
"We will get home Harry, I"m sure we will. That blasted Mirror of Eris...Era whatever cant keep us here forever." Draco said in a surely tone, a remembrance of his old self now.
"Yeah, you're right, we will." Harry said thoughtfully and turned to face Draco now. "Anyway, why I wanted to talk was...well besides Peter who I'm sure is convinced by now we're not what we say we are, if we dont suddenly come up with some 'family' to send us presents....well...you see where I"m going with this?"
Draco thought for a moment and nodded. "Agreed, this is a problem. If we do sign the list and stay, and noone sends us anything it will look very strange. We've told them we have parents, but over the last few months we've never gotten posts from them, never packages or anything. It's no wonder Peter suspects something, he's the one who would too." Draco said halfway annoyed now.
Harry nodded. "He's the outsider really so he has alot more time to observe what goes on. I"m sure he's noticed our lack of everything, but if we dont atleast get some gifts from our supposed 'family'...well I cant think how we'd explain that away. Obviously we have to stay too, we've nowhere else to go." Harry said sullenly.
Draco again did some quick thinking on all this. "Harry...I think it's time we paid a little visit to Dumbledore. Maybe he can come up with something, he always has before anyway."
Harry looked up at Draco in almost surprized, yet pleased shock now. "Merlin, I didn't even think of that! Of course Dumbledore will know what to do for us! Come on then, let's go see him right now!" he said jumping off the windowsill and heading towards the door.
"Harry wait for me atleast!" Draco called then came up behind him quickly as Harry unlocked the door with haste. "Come on then, it's almost curfew and we dont need to get caught by Filch." Draco said with half a shudder. Back in this time Filch was even worse he thought then in their own time, actually using some of his 'detention' techniques still.
Not more then 5 minutes later they arrived outside the stone gargoyle and realized they didn't even know the password. After bout 5 or 6 guess however, this weeks password was revealed to be "Licorice Twists", and they bolted up the steps to Dumbledore's office, both of them hoping he wasn't busy.
"Professor? Are you here?" Harry called just as they skidded into his office only to find it empty. "Oh no! He's not even here!" he said dejectedly and sighed.
"Who's not here then?" a voice said from a doorway off to the right and Albus Dumbledore stepped into the room with a smile. "I take it you boys needed to see me?"
"Yes sir, we do. Harry and I have a problem and we have to discuss it with you at once." Draco said matter of factly whilst crossing the room to sit down in a chair near Dumbledore's desk.
Harry did the same in sitting down near the desk and began to tell Albus what the problem was. He explained everything and a bit more bout the holiday issue, even bout the fact he was concerned that possibly Peter was noticing the strange absenteeism of family and such. He didn't mention why Peter had his reasons though, maybe because Harry wasn't even sure why himself.
"So you see professor that's what the problem is. What are we going to do? If we stay and get nothing from anyone, we can hardly explain why our supposed 'parents' seemingly forgot such a holiday event. If we go well...there isn't anywhere to go is the problem." Harry said with a sigh.
"Hmm, yes I can see this is an issue we have neglected till now. I should have contrived to atleast have you both sent something over the past few months to allay any suspicions but I really hadn't thought you'd both be here this long." Albus said with a slight frown.
"Well we are still here, so what are we going to do now?" Draco said grumbling.
"No matter, things can be arranged, yes I'm sure of it. Tell me boys, would you rather stay at the castle during the Yule holidays or would you prefer to leave it for a while?" he asked.
"Err...well...actually I hadn't planned on leaving to be honest. What do you think Draco?" Harry said turning to Draco now.
"You mean spend the holidays apart? I'd go with someone and Harry would go somewhere's else?" Draco said though he was looking at Dumbledore rather then Harry when he said that.
"You would prefer to stay together I take it Mr. Malloy?" Albus said with a slight twinkle in his eyes.
Draco nodded quickly. "Well, I mean...it's just that I'm getting used to having Harry round and I wouldn't want to be sent off to some stranger without atleast one person I know."
Harry was a bit surprized at Draco's reaction however. He'd assumed that, although they had been getting to be 'real' friends the past few months, that he'd want the break away from everyone. Apparently he thought wrong, and somehow he was actually happy that Draco wanted him with him over the holiday break.
"I wouldn't mind that either professor, not being separated either that is. But where would we go and with who?" Harry said turning back to face Dumbledore now.
"Leave the arraignments to me boys. Do not sign up on the list that was put up, and if the others ask say you are going to spend the holidays with your families. Hopefully that will make things a bit easier on you far as alleviating some suspicions. Now I suggest you head back to your dorms, and I'll keep you updated as to plans as I make them." Albus said with his usual smile and twinkle in his eyes.
"Thank you professor." Harry said and Draco nodded his head in thanks as well.
The two of them began to head back to the commons then, Harry feeling a bit more relieved then when they'd left. He was curious though about something, and decided that though he really wanted to know the answer to his questions, some things would just have to wait till the right time presented itself. And now that they were practically back at the Fat Lady, this wasn't the time.
Harry gave the Fat Lady the password, "Golden Years", created because Lily was still obsessed with that muggle singer David Bowie, and the two of them went back inside. Sirius was back from detention now and lying across one of the couches, James was absent assumably over in Lily's room, and Remus was most likely off with Severus still. Peter was silently reading over in an overstuffed armchair by the fire reading and was the only one to notice the two boys come back.
"Have a nice walk you two?" he said gazing at Harry for a moment, then back down to his book.
"Mmm, yeah. We decided finally what to do this holiday." Harry said sitting down on another sofa, Draco sitting next to him. Something in which Peter did notice but chose to ignore.
"Oh? What did you decide then?" Peter said closing his book now and turning to face Harry.
"We're going to go home after all. It'll be nice to see our parents again, right Dray?" Harry said turning to Draco who nodded and leaned back against the sofa.
"So...where's home then?" Peter said.
"Surrey." Harry said at the same time Draco said, "Buckinghamshire."
Peter looked at them strangely then. "I thought you said you lived near each other?" he said keeping his gaze on Harry now.
"Er, we were neighbors in France. Draco's family moved back to Buckinghamshire after we got back from France, that's all. My parents moved to Westcott whilst his parents moved to ah...where was it again Draco? I never could remember where they ended up after France..." Harry said glancing at Draco who had his eyes closed for some reason.
"Buckingham you git, how could you forget that. They have to stay by the royals when they're in England you know." Draco said crankily.
"Oh right, forgot bout that, it has been a while since we were last in the UK you know." Harry said a bit taken aback by that statement. What had the royal family to do with anything far as Malfoy's were concerned he wondered? Just another question Harry would have to have answered when they did get some time away from Hogwarts.
"Well that's great that you're from Surrey Harry, I'm from Dorking myself. Maybe we can see each other over the hols if you're not too busy. It's only bout a mile or so tween the two towns." Peter said then with a hope in his eyes.
Before Harry could answer however Draco interrupted. "I"m going to bed, I'm tired. You two can finish talking if you want." Draco said getting up now and heading up the stairs without looking back at either Peter nor Harry.
"What's annoying him eh? Looked like you two had a decent chat, did you two have a row or something?" Peter said watching as Draco disappeared.
Harry shook his head, "No, not that I recall. Dont know why he's upset right now." he said with a shrug of his shoulders.
"He's still jealous then." Peter said suddenly then and turned back to Harry.
Harry was surprized by that, "J-jealous? Jealous of what?" he stammered out.
"Of what happened that night." Peter said with a shrug and glanced towards Sirius, who from the sounds of his snores was more then fast asleep luckily.
"Peter...I thought we went over this. Draco isn't jealous of anything, he and I are friends, nothing more. Never will be..." Harry said shortly then, though a part of him was beginning to wonder why exactly that almost hurt when he said it.
"Suit yourself Harry but I know jealousy when I see it. I'm not angry at you Harry for what happened. I suppose it was a normal reaction for him dashing off like that and you to be concerned. Heck I would have done the same thing most likely if I saw the person I liked kissing someone else." Peter said shrugging again and turned back to his book now.
"What on earth are you talking bout Peter? Draco doesn't like me...not in that way anyway!" Harry said sharply.
Peter looked up from his book again right into Harry's eyes and gave a little sigh. "I'm not stupid Harry, it's a bit obvious how he does feel for you. I should know because I still feel the same way. I was serious about the holidays too, if you're going home then maybe we can atleast get together for a day. I promise I'll behave." he said with a half smile.
Harry didn't know what to make of this. "We'll...we'll see Peter. I'm not exactly sure yet what my ah parents have planned for us this break. I'll owl you though allright?" he said.
"Sounds great. If you come over to my house I can show you the new litter of pups that Hunter and Sereity just had. Dad sent me a picture of them and they are adorable. I'll show you the picture in the morning so you can see them."
"Sure Peter, I'd like that." Harry said then faked a yawn. "You know, think I"ll turn in too. I"ll finish up the homework in the morning. Luckily tomorrow's Saturday and no classes." he said standing up and stretching as well. "You coming up?"
"Nah, I want to finish this book before bed. I'll lend it to you when I'm done if you want, it's not half bad for a muggle book. It's by this bloke named Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, and the main character is a bit of a detective and such. His name is Sherlock Homes." Peter said glancing down at the book.
"Sounds good then, I like mysteries. Would love to read it thanks." Harry said then headed towards the stairs. "Night Wormtail."
"Night Flyer. Sleep well." Peter said watching as Harry went up the stairs with a thoughtful expression on his face. He wasn't giving up just yet on Harry, now that he knew for sure that Harry was interested in guys and not girls. The fact that it hadn't even crossed Harry's mind bout Draco's part in all this was a good sign too, it meant that Draco wasn't as much a threat to Peter as he first thought.
Turning back to the book in his hands he held it reverently. *If only I could be more like you Mr. Holmes...subtle, secure...able to move silently and strike just as deadly. To be able to get what I want without the pains of pretense...What I would give to be able to have a magic like that....and to have Harry appreciate me for it...* Peter's mind thought like a silent prayer, a wistful expression on his face.
A cauldron in an old house littered with rubbish and rotted furniture, began to boil just then. A dark man in a cloak moved silently and swiftly towards it, stirring it with a giant silver spoon that had a snake with green jewelled eyes for a handle. The cauldron held a potion that was unlike anything anyone had seen before. It was an ancient potion that could foresee when someone on the side of good and righteousness, someone with pureblood, was thinking things they shouldn't.
The man put the spoon down on the lip of the cauldron and whispered a few well chosen words, and the potion inside started to boil and tumble furiously for a moment. When it settled down an image, hazy and misted but enough to be seen, appeared. The man saw such a wistful expression on this lads face and chuckled eerily to himself, and with a small nod took the spoon and erased the picture quickly.
*Sometimes I think it's just all too easy....*
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Ah yes..for those dying for that snogging scene between Harry and Draco :gazes up: I've never let you guys down afore now have I? I know I'm dragging this out again...as someone did say before (glances at Icy with a grin) I'm just tired of them going from 'I-hate-your-guts' to 'I'll-love-you-forever-so-kiss-me!' scene. I do apologize however if anyone thinks I"m moving too slowly :sigh: but there's just so much 'plot' to this as well as the 'romance' that I have to do this delicately...or atleast I"m trying to :sigh:
As for my use of Yule rather then Christmas....personally I think JKR is a bit biased on her assumption that all witches/wizards would celebrate only Christmas. She has written in that there are all races of them (Dean being black and Cho obviously oriental in nature), then she shouldn't assume all witches/wizards are Christian/Catholic, etc. Far as I see it why shouldn't they just all be pagans since they follow the 'old world ways' and not the modern times? Henceforth I will prefer using Yule which covers alot more ground in paganism then Christmas...I do hope noone will object to that though :sigh: (personally meself I was raised a cross between Jewish and Pagan...)
2002-04-11 12:05:06 AM