A/N: I don't know why, but it is getting harder and harder to crank out
chapters, mostly because of their length. I promise not to abandon this
story as I have done with others in the past. It will be about 37 chapters!
Can you believe it! That's the length of a full sized novel! Wow. I'm good.
Anyway, in this installment Adam finally gets to talk to Dumbledore and
Draco meets the gang for the first time on good terms (yay!) any more that
and I might as well start the chapter, which I will. In Which Fears are
Confirmed.
Chapter 14:
After his last class of the day Adam was feeling both drained and excited, a strange combination of emotion depletion and physical energy. For a long while after his last class left he sat at his desk staring out the window, thinking. A random quaffle flew past his window and he started. Standing he looked out the window. Ravenclaw tryouts were just about ending. He smiled, remembering the good old days of Quidditch, when the Snitch was not a ball, but a tiny golden bird. He laughed at the memories of himself and a younger Albus playing Quiddich with some other wizarding friends. You would never think it to look at him, but Albus was a terrific Beater. Adam wasn't so bad himself, actually. The captain's whistle brought him out of his revere. It was time for dinner.
In the Great Hall.
Dinner was, as it always is at Hogwarts, an extravagant feast of delectable proportions. AS it was winding down Adam caught Dumbledore's eye.
"We need to talk." Adam said it real quiet, and nobody heard, but Dumbledore smiled a little and nodded. When the feast was over he passed by Adam's chair.
"If I could talk to you for a minute in my office Adam." Adam nodds and follows Dumbledore out of the hall, telling Severus that he'll visit later; they both need a drink after the first day. He followed Dumbledore up the stairs to his office. The password this time was JuJu Bees, yet another muggle candy. Entering the office Dumbledore sat down behind his desk and Adam sat in the big plush chair in front of it.
"Would you like something to drink? I believe I have some lovely cognac-."
"Who's the replacement Divination professor Albus?" Dumbledore sighed and looked at him.
"You sure do cut to the chase, don't you my friend? Very well. She's another of your kind, an immortal."
"Albus," Adam's voice was deadly quiet, and Dumbledore looked at him, his expression somber. "Is it Cassandra?" Adam voiced his fear, and Dumbledore nodded once.
"Yes Methos. It is." With a mutter oath in a language far older than any heard in many a century, Methos stood and went to the window.
"Why Albus. You know how she will react when she sees me." It was true. Dumbledore did know. He knew all about Methos and the Horsemen, and had known for a long time. "It's not good for the children."
"I am sorry Methos, but she needs to be here. I need a reliable prophet and she's strong and she can fight. We're going to need that, I'm afraid." Adam was still looking out the window, his hand covering his mouth. "We need you too."
"I know. I can't leave know, anyway. IT will raise too many eyebrows. Not to mention that I want to see the downfall of that-," his next few words sounded like nothing more than gibberish to modern ears, but it was enough to make a Phoenician sailor blush. He was silent for a moment, still looking out at the growing stars. "I don't like it. She was too unpredictable around me the last time we met. But, I do trust your judgment Albus. It has never steered us wrong before, there's no reason to believe that it will now. If you think it it'll be for the best all around, then there really is nothing I can say, now is there." He was silent for a moment more.
"The last time she came into my life, she nearly destroyed it. I'll not let that happen again." He turned from the window and headed back to the door.
"Where are you going?" Methos paused and turned to Dumbledore.
"Damage control. I'm going to talk to Severus, explain the whole thing. He's the only one close enough to me that she would take her time to turn. I want to get to him first."
"Methos…Good Luck, though I don't think you'll need it. Severus is quite understanding despite all evidence to the contrary. And, like the cat you are, you always land on your feet smelling like roses. Everything will turn out right in the end." Adam stared at him for a moment, his dragon-eyes an impassive gray.
"I hope you're right Albus. I hope you're right." With out another glance Methos, the world oldest immortal, swept from the room like a bat out of hell.
In the Library:
In the back of the library, in a little corner all to their own, the famous Hogwarts trio, Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger, sat and conversed, in hushed tones, the latest topic of controversy, namely, Draco Malfoy. Ron looked at Harry in frank disbelief.
"Are you out of your mind Harry? Draco Malfoy?"
"You were the one who pointed out how he had changed, Ron. Hermione, you've seen it too." Hermione sighed.
"I know that Harry, but I still don't think it's a good idea, I mean, he was you worst enemy for four years."
"No he wasn't. Voldemort was. Draco was something different." Harry saw, but didn't respond to the wince that Ron gave at the name of his enemy.
"But Harry-."
"No! You didn't see him out there. You didn't see his face, or heard the way he talked. I can't explain it, but I know he's telling the truth. Please, just give him a chance." Herm sighed and Ron clenched his jaw.
"Ok Harry."
"No."
"Yes."
"No."
"Yes." Hermione glared at Ron. "Yes." She said again through clenched teeth. Ron looked over at Harry.
"Yes." Harry smiled at the antic of his friends. He looked up and saw a familiar blond head enter the Library.
"He's here. Ron," he paused while Ron looked at him, "be nice." Ron scowled but nodded, and the scowl faded into a smile. He hadn't seen Harry this worked up over someone since he tried to ask Cho Chang to the Ball. With that thought in his head he stared at Harry sharply, pieces in his head coming together to form a picture. Harry likes Draco. Oh Great Wizards! Hermione noticed his sudden attention.
"What is it Ron?" she whispered.
"I'll tell you later." He whispered back. Meanwhile Harry had stood and was walking forward to meet Draco. The two watched from their corner as Draco approached, a shy, bashful, and sincere smile on his lips.
"Hello Harry." Draco's voice was soft and held no malice. Ron was surprised, but then, he realized he shouldn't be. Harry would have never brought Draco to them if he hadn't been sure of Draco's true feelings.
"Hello Draco. We're all over here. Came on and join us."
"Ok." A smile grew on Draco's lips, and it made him appear human after all. He actually looked like he could be nice. Harry turned and led the way back to their corner. Ron studied Draco, and saw the look in Draco's eyes when Harry turned around. It was the same look that was in Harry's eyes before. Draco liked Harry. Heck, he could almost call it love. Ron had often heard that hate could be mistaken for love, and love for hate, and it happened not infrequently. Draco finally looked over at the group and caught Ron staring. Ron felt the blush creep up, but he smiled a little and nodded at him. Draco, caught by surprise, raised his eyebrows, but remembered himself enough to nod back.
"Well, normally I would introduce everyone, but you all know each other. Draco, I believe you have something to say." Harry turned to Draco. Hermione cut in.
"Before you do, please sit down. If you wanna be our friend, then you have to learn to relax." Draco smiled at her.
"Thank you Hermione." She smiled back. Draco sat and looked at Ron, a faint blush painting his features. "I would like to start by apologizing. I have been mean, rude, and downright vicious. I had no right or reason to insult either of you because of your parentage or you financial status.
"Hermione, I'm sorry. I should have never called you a mudblood. It's a nasty word and the word of a bigot. You are one of the smartest people I have ever met and I respect you for that. I never really cared about pure- bloods and muggle-borns. As I really see it, we all have magic, and be it from a wizard family or not, it all comes out the same. If family had anything to do with magical quality, there wouldn't be squibs.
"Ron, I owe you much more than an apology. I have insulted not only you, but your family, your intelligence, and pretty much every thing else about you. I have been truly deplorable, and I would truly understand if you never forgive me. I have never looked down on you because of money. I have, however, envied you because of your family. To have someone to love you so unconditionally, I would sell my right arm to get that. So again I say to both of you, I'm sorry."
They both stared at Draco for a moment, completely shocked. They had expected a complete load of bull, but while the wording was a little cliché, it was said with complete sincerity. Hermione spoke first once again.
"Of course I forgive you, Draco. But if you ever do it again, I will hex you to next Tuesday." She smiled to show she was kidding, and Draco hesitantly returned it. She reached her hand forward. "Friends, Draco?" Draco took the hand.
"Friends, Hermione." Anxiously he turned to Ron. Ron's face showed no emotion. He looked down at the ground before he spoke.
"Well, Malfoy. I expected no less. You used every single cliché in the book, and said them with enough honest sincerity to make it believable. I accept your apology, but forgiveness is something I cannot give you yet. But, I'm willing to make you a truce." He looked up at Draco now. "First off, have you apologized to Harry?"
"Yes, Ron, he has." Harry smiled at his friend's loyalty. Ron nodded and looked at Draco.
"I will try to be your friend, but you are on probation. One false move and I pound your face, got it?" Draco nodded, gulping. "Good." Suddenly Ron smiled real wide, his eyes glinting with humor. "Friends, Draco?" He extended his hand in the same manor that Hermione had. Draco looked at it, and then gave it a firm handshake.
"Friends, Ron." Harry smiled at all three, glad to finally have one less enemy, and a new friend all in the same person. Draco turned and smiled back at him, his face absolutely stunning when he smiled. Draco turned back to the other two, who were talking about the upcoming Quidditch season, or rather, Ron and Draco were talking and Herm was merely snuggling up to Ron. Harry looked at Draco. He understood Draco was attractive, and he had come to terms with his attraction to him, but he was safer before when they were enemies, because then they would never get friendly. Now, that they were friends, Harry had opened up a whole 'nother can of worms. How was he going to be able to hide how he felt about Draco now? From anybody? Pushing those thoughts away from him, he focused on the conversation.
Draco, on the other hand, was talking about Quidditch, but had long ago learned how to have conversations about and think about two totally different things. His mouth was talking of Chasers and Quaffles, but his mind was thinking of raven-black hair and emerald green eyes. Yes, Draco new he had it bad for the Boy-Who-Lived, which was why he had accepted Harry's offer in the first place. The only question was, how long before somebody else knew it as well.
TBC…
A/N: whew. That took way too long. Let me tell you, homework sucks. Tell me the truth, was it believable? Was it a little cheesy? It's a hard thing to write and gosh darn it I need them to be friends if they're going to get together soon…(hint hint) Anyway, I want to take this time and thank all of you who have reviewed, you all are wonderful. You keep me going on this story and through boring classes. I want to take this time to answer some questions posed;
CyanideQueen - Methos is a cunning, sneaky, manipulative bastard, of course he would be sorted into Slytherin, and was in the past. He was friends with Salazar Slytherin himself, in fact, but I will elaborate later in a different story.
Lady Cinnibar – ok. I won't tell. You're secret's safe with me.
Soumi – I'm glad you like my story. I like yours as well. I mean, come on, who doesn't love the annoying Ancient? Hmm? Answer me that.
WyldeHorse – thank you for your enthusiasm. Yes I do know Yaoi is another word for slash, but I can't remember how it's spelled most of the time, so….
Vampire Child – Thank you for your support, I mean it.
I want to say that I responded only to those who reviewed more than once, or asked questions. I would like to point out that I have read and appreciate everybody who takes the time to R/R. (Please, continue)
Ok, the next chapter might take a while, so be patient. In it we have Methos's History of Myths class, Plotting Twins, and a secret revealing conversation with Severus. Until next time, same crossover time, same crossover channel.
Chapter 14:
After his last class of the day Adam was feeling both drained and excited, a strange combination of emotion depletion and physical energy. For a long while after his last class left he sat at his desk staring out the window, thinking. A random quaffle flew past his window and he started. Standing he looked out the window. Ravenclaw tryouts were just about ending. He smiled, remembering the good old days of Quidditch, when the Snitch was not a ball, but a tiny golden bird. He laughed at the memories of himself and a younger Albus playing Quiddich with some other wizarding friends. You would never think it to look at him, but Albus was a terrific Beater. Adam wasn't so bad himself, actually. The captain's whistle brought him out of his revere. It was time for dinner.
In the Great Hall.
Dinner was, as it always is at Hogwarts, an extravagant feast of delectable proportions. AS it was winding down Adam caught Dumbledore's eye.
"We need to talk." Adam said it real quiet, and nobody heard, but Dumbledore smiled a little and nodded. When the feast was over he passed by Adam's chair.
"If I could talk to you for a minute in my office Adam." Adam nodds and follows Dumbledore out of the hall, telling Severus that he'll visit later; they both need a drink after the first day. He followed Dumbledore up the stairs to his office. The password this time was JuJu Bees, yet another muggle candy. Entering the office Dumbledore sat down behind his desk and Adam sat in the big plush chair in front of it.
"Would you like something to drink? I believe I have some lovely cognac-."
"Who's the replacement Divination professor Albus?" Dumbledore sighed and looked at him.
"You sure do cut to the chase, don't you my friend? Very well. She's another of your kind, an immortal."
"Albus," Adam's voice was deadly quiet, and Dumbledore looked at him, his expression somber. "Is it Cassandra?" Adam voiced his fear, and Dumbledore nodded once.
"Yes Methos. It is." With a mutter oath in a language far older than any heard in many a century, Methos stood and went to the window.
"Why Albus. You know how she will react when she sees me." It was true. Dumbledore did know. He knew all about Methos and the Horsemen, and had known for a long time. "It's not good for the children."
"I am sorry Methos, but she needs to be here. I need a reliable prophet and she's strong and she can fight. We're going to need that, I'm afraid." Adam was still looking out the window, his hand covering his mouth. "We need you too."
"I know. I can't leave know, anyway. IT will raise too many eyebrows. Not to mention that I want to see the downfall of that-," his next few words sounded like nothing more than gibberish to modern ears, but it was enough to make a Phoenician sailor blush. He was silent for a moment, still looking out at the growing stars. "I don't like it. She was too unpredictable around me the last time we met. But, I do trust your judgment Albus. It has never steered us wrong before, there's no reason to believe that it will now. If you think it it'll be for the best all around, then there really is nothing I can say, now is there." He was silent for a moment more.
"The last time she came into my life, she nearly destroyed it. I'll not let that happen again." He turned from the window and headed back to the door.
"Where are you going?" Methos paused and turned to Dumbledore.
"Damage control. I'm going to talk to Severus, explain the whole thing. He's the only one close enough to me that she would take her time to turn. I want to get to him first."
"Methos…Good Luck, though I don't think you'll need it. Severus is quite understanding despite all evidence to the contrary. And, like the cat you are, you always land on your feet smelling like roses. Everything will turn out right in the end." Adam stared at him for a moment, his dragon-eyes an impassive gray.
"I hope you're right Albus. I hope you're right." With out another glance Methos, the world oldest immortal, swept from the room like a bat out of hell.
In the Library:
In the back of the library, in a little corner all to their own, the famous Hogwarts trio, Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger, sat and conversed, in hushed tones, the latest topic of controversy, namely, Draco Malfoy. Ron looked at Harry in frank disbelief.
"Are you out of your mind Harry? Draco Malfoy?"
"You were the one who pointed out how he had changed, Ron. Hermione, you've seen it too." Hermione sighed.
"I know that Harry, but I still don't think it's a good idea, I mean, he was you worst enemy for four years."
"No he wasn't. Voldemort was. Draco was something different." Harry saw, but didn't respond to the wince that Ron gave at the name of his enemy.
"But Harry-."
"No! You didn't see him out there. You didn't see his face, or heard the way he talked. I can't explain it, but I know he's telling the truth. Please, just give him a chance." Herm sighed and Ron clenched his jaw.
"Ok Harry."
"No."
"Yes."
"No."
"Yes." Hermione glared at Ron. "Yes." She said again through clenched teeth. Ron looked over at Harry.
"Yes." Harry smiled at the antic of his friends. He looked up and saw a familiar blond head enter the Library.
"He's here. Ron," he paused while Ron looked at him, "be nice." Ron scowled but nodded, and the scowl faded into a smile. He hadn't seen Harry this worked up over someone since he tried to ask Cho Chang to the Ball. With that thought in his head he stared at Harry sharply, pieces in his head coming together to form a picture. Harry likes Draco. Oh Great Wizards! Hermione noticed his sudden attention.
"What is it Ron?" she whispered.
"I'll tell you later." He whispered back. Meanwhile Harry had stood and was walking forward to meet Draco. The two watched from their corner as Draco approached, a shy, bashful, and sincere smile on his lips.
"Hello Harry." Draco's voice was soft and held no malice. Ron was surprised, but then, he realized he shouldn't be. Harry would have never brought Draco to them if he hadn't been sure of Draco's true feelings.
"Hello Draco. We're all over here. Came on and join us."
"Ok." A smile grew on Draco's lips, and it made him appear human after all. He actually looked like he could be nice. Harry turned and led the way back to their corner. Ron studied Draco, and saw the look in Draco's eyes when Harry turned around. It was the same look that was in Harry's eyes before. Draco liked Harry. Heck, he could almost call it love. Ron had often heard that hate could be mistaken for love, and love for hate, and it happened not infrequently. Draco finally looked over at the group and caught Ron staring. Ron felt the blush creep up, but he smiled a little and nodded at him. Draco, caught by surprise, raised his eyebrows, but remembered himself enough to nod back.
"Well, normally I would introduce everyone, but you all know each other. Draco, I believe you have something to say." Harry turned to Draco. Hermione cut in.
"Before you do, please sit down. If you wanna be our friend, then you have to learn to relax." Draco smiled at her.
"Thank you Hermione." She smiled back. Draco sat and looked at Ron, a faint blush painting his features. "I would like to start by apologizing. I have been mean, rude, and downright vicious. I had no right or reason to insult either of you because of your parentage or you financial status.
"Hermione, I'm sorry. I should have never called you a mudblood. It's a nasty word and the word of a bigot. You are one of the smartest people I have ever met and I respect you for that. I never really cared about pure- bloods and muggle-borns. As I really see it, we all have magic, and be it from a wizard family or not, it all comes out the same. If family had anything to do with magical quality, there wouldn't be squibs.
"Ron, I owe you much more than an apology. I have insulted not only you, but your family, your intelligence, and pretty much every thing else about you. I have been truly deplorable, and I would truly understand if you never forgive me. I have never looked down on you because of money. I have, however, envied you because of your family. To have someone to love you so unconditionally, I would sell my right arm to get that. So again I say to both of you, I'm sorry."
They both stared at Draco for a moment, completely shocked. They had expected a complete load of bull, but while the wording was a little cliché, it was said with complete sincerity. Hermione spoke first once again.
"Of course I forgive you, Draco. But if you ever do it again, I will hex you to next Tuesday." She smiled to show she was kidding, and Draco hesitantly returned it. She reached her hand forward. "Friends, Draco?" Draco took the hand.
"Friends, Hermione." Anxiously he turned to Ron. Ron's face showed no emotion. He looked down at the ground before he spoke.
"Well, Malfoy. I expected no less. You used every single cliché in the book, and said them with enough honest sincerity to make it believable. I accept your apology, but forgiveness is something I cannot give you yet. But, I'm willing to make you a truce." He looked up at Draco now. "First off, have you apologized to Harry?"
"Yes, Ron, he has." Harry smiled at his friend's loyalty. Ron nodded and looked at Draco.
"I will try to be your friend, but you are on probation. One false move and I pound your face, got it?" Draco nodded, gulping. "Good." Suddenly Ron smiled real wide, his eyes glinting with humor. "Friends, Draco?" He extended his hand in the same manor that Hermione had. Draco looked at it, and then gave it a firm handshake.
"Friends, Ron." Harry smiled at all three, glad to finally have one less enemy, and a new friend all in the same person. Draco turned and smiled back at him, his face absolutely stunning when he smiled. Draco turned back to the other two, who were talking about the upcoming Quidditch season, or rather, Ron and Draco were talking and Herm was merely snuggling up to Ron. Harry looked at Draco. He understood Draco was attractive, and he had come to terms with his attraction to him, but he was safer before when they were enemies, because then they would never get friendly. Now, that they were friends, Harry had opened up a whole 'nother can of worms. How was he going to be able to hide how he felt about Draco now? From anybody? Pushing those thoughts away from him, he focused on the conversation.
Draco, on the other hand, was talking about Quidditch, but had long ago learned how to have conversations about and think about two totally different things. His mouth was talking of Chasers and Quaffles, but his mind was thinking of raven-black hair and emerald green eyes. Yes, Draco new he had it bad for the Boy-Who-Lived, which was why he had accepted Harry's offer in the first place. The only question was, how long before somebody else knew it as well.
TBC…
A/N: whew. That took way too long. Let me tell you, homework sucks. Tell me the truth, was it believable? Was it a little cheesy? It's a hard thing to write and gosh darn it I need them to be friends if they're going to get together soon…(hint hint) Anyway, I want to take this time and thank all of you who have reviewed, you all are wonderful. You keep me going on this story and through boring classes. I want to take this time to answer some questions posed;
CyanideQueen - Methos is a cunning, sneaky, manipulative bastard, of course he would be sorted into Slytherin, and was in the past. He was friends with Salazar Slytherin himself, in fact, but I will elaborate later in a different story.
Lady Cinnibar – ok. I won't tell. You're secret's safe with me.
Soumi – I'm glad you like my story. I like yours as well. I mean, come on, who doesn't love the annoying Ancient? Hmm? Answer me that.
WyldeHorse – thank you for your enthusiasm. Yes I do know Yaoi is another word for slash, but I can't remember how it's spelled most of the time, so….
Vampire Child – Thank you for your support, I mean it.
I want to say that I responded only to those who reviewed more than once, or asked questions. I would like to point out that I have read and appreciate everybody who takes the time to R/R. (Please, continue)
Ok, the next chapter might take a while, so be patient. In it we have Methos's History of Myths class, Plotting Twins, and a secret revealing conversation with Severus. Until next time, same crossover time, same crossover channel.