A/N: Well, chapters are coming a bit easier, now that I've broken my block, but they'll also be coming a bit slower than what they were back in the beginning. Between work, and school (whatever persuaded me to go back, I'll never know), writing time is a bit crunched, but I promise, I do get time to sit down and type away.

Dedication: to all the people who have read and reviewed my stories. Despite the 'on hold' status of 'Blood and Promises' and 'Puddle of Mud' I have continued to get reviews, and am extremely grateful. They will be finished, I swear it. I don't know when, but they will be. The response to 'Death Seeker' is awesome, and there'll be new parts to that, as soon as I get them typed up. Again, you guys are too awesome for words. Thank you. (I feel like I've just given a speech at the Academy Awards… scary thought)

Everything Changes

by T.K. Yuy

Chapter 12- Like a Tropical Fish

The hearth crackled welcomingly as he shuffled out into the hall, totally oblivious to his nuditiy. And the dark-haired man sitting in the living room with that morning's Daily Prophet.

"Ahem."

Draco jumped and ducked into the kitchen.

"Oh," he said, poking his head out the door. "How the bloody hell did you get in here?"
"I solomly swear I'm up to no good." Sirius put his hand over his heart and raised his left hand for the added effect. "Don't worry, Malfoy; It aint nothin' I aint seen before."

"Should I be scared?"
"No, why?"

"Because I just got a mental image of Professor Lupin chasing you arround the Gryffindor Commons with a pair of scissors."

"Ah, yes. Moony was not pleased when I walked in on him and Severus that one time."

"Okay, that was not something I needed to know about my godfather. Coffee?"

"Yes, please. Is Harry planning on getting up?"

"Sirius, it's 8 o'clock on a beautiful-or so Harry's snitch clock says- Saturday morning. Of which I remind you there is a Slytherin vs. Gryffindor game. The Gryfs had practice at 6:30.

"Ah, of course. Tell me, why aren't you with him?

"Gryffindor Quidditch strategy is one thing I am not priviledge to as Harry's Mate. Unfortunately."

"Then why did he leave the Invisibility cloack out?"

"Ginny dropped it off this morning, before they left for the Pitch."

"Ginny doesn't play on the House Team, Malfoy."

"She does during practice."

Sirius grew quiet, and took a sip of the steaming coffee Draco handed him.

~!*!~

"Shit! Heads up Gin!" Zia shouted, praying that the red-headed Chaser saw the bludger that was changing its course of direction.

"I see it!"

Nathalie's beater club connected with the offending ball and it sailed clear over the goal posts. Ginny continued on her way, passing the quaffle to Seamus, who neatly tossed it through the tallest goal post. Ron swore and punched the air as Harry caught the snitch.

"Bloody hell, Seamus! Are you sure you haven't played for Slytherin before? That was one sneaky shot!"

"Nah, Ah'd never play for those wankers, even if me life depended on it. Besides, they'd pro'ly eat me alive, those ruddy bastards play dirty."

"That shot wasn't very 'clean' either, Finnigan." Hermione laughed.

As if they'd been summoned, the Slytherin team appeared on the horizon of the Pitch, with scowls on their faces. Obviously they were pissed at something.

"Potter!" Crabbe yelled. "Whe's Malfoy?"
"I left him at 6 o'clock, how the hell should I know where he is now?" retorted Harry, watching the bludgers that Zia had charmed to return to their box start shaking, "And he's your Captain, so why are you out here without him?"
"He never showed up in the Commons, that's why!" Zambini spat, mounting his broom, "Now tell us where he is!"

"I'm right behind you, Zambini, and if you would be so kind as to remove yourself from my Mates face so I can greet him properly."

Blaise was literally shoved out of the way as Draco pulled his broom up along side Harry's, careful not to get too close. He knew their energies were starting to mix, and he wasn't entirely sure how the two Firebolt Mach IVs would react. Harry put a hand on his knee as he leaned over to kiss his lover, the other reaching up to brush aside the hair in his face. The Gryffindors gave eachother high-fives, while the Slytherins looked disgusted with their Captain. The red and gold clad team made their way off the Pitch, giving Harry sound claps on the back as they went.

"That," Terry said, spitting down on Ginny's back as she was dismounting, "is by far the most disgusting display I've ever seen. No offense, Malfoy, but you're taste in Mates leaves something to be desired, that's for bloody sure."

Terry didn't even have half a second to react, before he was thrown off his broom by an invisible blast. He hit the ground below with a sickening thud, and as the rest of the Team turned to look at Draco, they saw him smirking, eyes just changing back to their normal ice-like glare. He snorted and motioned for the Nimbus to come to his hand, and in a few quick seconds, it was polished and good as new.

"I think we need a new Chaser, don't you? Crabbe, go get Madam Pomfrey; Terry's got a broken arm, dislocated shoulder, and two cracked ribs. Goyle, fetch me Madam Hooch, if you please. I have a few questions. The rest of you, start running laps. Push yourselves to the limits of your brooms. I want to make sure we can at least out run the Gryffindor team."

~!*!~

Severus didn't look up when the door opened, but a chair pulled itself out across from him, deep green robes fluttering as the person sat down. He flicked his wrist at a private store cabinet behind him, and a small brown bottle with a 6-pointed red star on it floated over.

"I'm surprised you got in here without any problems." he said, still not looking up from his papers.

"Why would I have problems? I was a student here at one point, and I am a Protector. With Teek coming to the match, Albus thinks we should buckle down on security."

"He would, the daft fool. Nothing can touch either of them, you know that, and so does he."

"That doesn't mean it's not a good idea. Sirius and Remus also agree."

"Lupin always agrees with Black, Severia. He always has. Just as you and I hardly ever see eye to eye on most issues. Our Godson being one."

"And Ormand being another." she countered, uncorking the bottle and taking a small sip, "You've added something to it."
"Glad you noticed."

"What is it?"

"The Founders Blood I got from you the other day."

She bolted out of her seat and as her chair toppled over, he finally looked up. It was then that she noticed how his hair wasn't greasey, and pulled half back with a green leather tie. His face was also a bit softer, and he wasn't quite as pale as she remembered.

"Are you insane?! Founders Blood is meant at a healing aid, and as a Power amplifier and suppressant! Crimson's create their own!"

"Yes, but as Humans we do not. We're not getting any younger, Severia; certain measures must be taken to ensure that we will live long enough to see their child attend Hogwarts. You know how important it is for them to complete their Union, and produce a full and pure-blood heir."

"Lucius is probably turning over in his grave, knowing that Draconis will bring something so pure into the world. It's just not in the Malfoy nature to be 'pure'."

"Luckily it is in the nature of all Noir Veela."

Severia didn't comment. She knew what her brother was implying, but it was nearly impossible for Her to come. Absolutely impossible. She righted her chair and sat back down, taking one of the papers he'd already graded from the desk. He didn't look up.

"You spoil him, Severus."
"Who? Draco? He just knows what he's doing."

"Because you've been teaching him since he could properly hold a knife, and understand the difference between tasting and smelling!"

"Yes, well, he is my Godson, what was I supposed to do? Sit there and wait for him to come to Hogwarts before teaching him anything? Lucius wouldn't have even listened to a suggestion like that."

"True, but he doesn't deserve these marks."
"He brewed all the potions used last night."

"With help from Harry. And Hermione."

"Ms. Granger got the same mark, in case you're about to comment."

"I wasn't, but it's good to know."

"I'm not playing favorites, the other Houses just think I am."

"And now there is a handfull of Gryffindors who know better."

"I'm not worried about them."

"But you're worried about more than just the Necromancers coming to Hogwarts, am I right?"
"Of course. After that obvious display of Union that occurred last night, the Slytherins are starting to doubt Draco's authority. The Quidditch team questioned him about his where abouts this morning, and Terrence Ballera made quite a comment in regard to his choice of Mates. The fact that he spit on the Weasely girl didn't make matters any better, but that's besides the point."
"So I heard. Blew him right off the broom, eh? Sounds like Draconis is finally starting to acknowledge the Power he can pull from being both Dragon and Veela. Being Harry's grounding doesn't help matters much either."

Severus nodded and stood, finished with his papers. He removed the tie on his hair, cast a simple spell, and smirked as his once light and floaty hair became greasy and his face hardened. Severia smirked right back and returned her chair to it's rightful place in front of the desk.

"When is she arriving?"
"We don't know. Albus says it could be anytime between now and the start of the match."

"Well, then I guess we can't take a quick trip down to town."

"What do you need from town?"
"I have to pick something up. You have a problem with that?"
"Not at all, I just find it a bit odd. Why couldn't you have gotten it yesterday?"
"Because I only ordered it yesterday. I received an owl this morning to tell me it's finished."
"Care to tell me what it is?"
"No."

"And why not?"
"Because you're my sister, and I don't want to hear you bitch to me about being stupid."

"It has something to do with Ormand, doesn't it? That's the only time I've every bitched about you being a moron."

"You've never exactly called me a quote-un-quote 'moron' before, but yes, it does have to something to do with Ormand."

Severia just rolled her eyes and walked out of his office, taking her black cloak (which she'd hung on the hook by the door) with her. She knew that her brother didn't give two rats asses about what she thought about his lover, and she didn't really care who he was seeing. What she did care about was the mess he would be in when Ormand showed his true colors.

He's a member of the Council of Order, for fuck's sake! They're never what they appear to be, Severus, you know this, and yet you still fool around, playing Ormand's games. I can't pick up the pieces this time, regardless of how much I may want to.

~!*!~

"Draco Malfoy."

The Slytherin looked up from the book he was reading, only to find the Head Girl (a Ravenclaw no less) staring down at him. He marked his page with a frown.

I'd rather it be Granger. he thought, knowing that Harry heard him.

Well, you know how studious she is, and now that she's playing Quidditch…

What a kick in the balls.

"Can I help you with something?" he asked, standing and pushing a stray hair out of his face.

"The Headmaster requests your presense in his office immediately."

"What for?"
"Even if I knew, you should know I'm not allowed to tell you."

I'll meet you there. he heard Harry say, I have a few questions of my own to ask Albus.

"If you'd follow me please."

"Look, I'm not stupid, I know how to get to the Headmaster's office."

"10 points for your tongue. Unless you want more points taken, I'd watch your mouth if I were you."

"You take points from me, and you're taking points from every House, but of course you knew that already, didn't you?"

Without waiting for a reply, Draco disappeared, and with a *pop*, appeared in Harry's lap in Dumbledore's office. The Headmaster didn't say anything, but the raised eyebrow said enough. Harry made his lover tea, and was just about to ask a question when Nathalie walked in.

"I suppose you're here to ask about that pendant Hermione pointed out yesterday." she asked of him, pouring herself tea.

"I was, yes. Care to tell us more about the Protectors, Professor?"

"If I may?" the Headmaster asked in return, holding his hand out to Nathalie.

"Of course, Albus."

She handed him her ring, and took a seat on the edge of his desk, like it was the most natural thing in the world to do. Draco wrapped an arm around Harry's back, the other holding his arm, and as the age-wizened Wizard cleared his throat to speak, he laid his head on the dark-haired mans shoulder.

"Necromancers, as you both well know, are not the most popular Witches and Wizards in the world. *Nathalie snorted* In fact, their 'popularity' has caused their numbers to plummet."

"When were they ever large in number?" Harry asked, deadly serious, despite the sarcastic wording he used.

"Ages ago, when Hogwarts was still new, and people didn't have a proper reason to fear them." supplied Nathalie.

"And what happened?" now it was Draco's turn to ask questions.

"Godric Gryffindor died."

All four heads turned to the shelf where the Sorting Hat sat, and Dumbledore nodded in approval.

"I was there, you know, sitting on his Head,

When the Darkness came and went,

Once it struck him dead.

It wasn't very pleasant,

beeing tossed away like that,

Then again, I am just a Hat.

"A Hat that can see, and a Hat that can hear,

But more importantly,

I am a Hat who can tell you when Darkness nears.

It's a Power granted me, from that fateful night,

when the world stood still,

waiting for him to make the Darkness turn to Light.

When the Gryffindor Lion brought the Head Skull,

She ordered the Hospital Wing clear,

thus making the MediWizards life rather dull.

For hours and days they tried,

but he would not rise.

Ageless Spirits told them, 'I refuse to be granted eternal life.'

'I will live on through my Heir, carried now by my beloved wife.'

So they placed his body in the ancient Hall of Kings,

Where all four Founders were met,

And given wings.

"From that day forth,

the Skulls were hated and feared by all.

How could they hunt down those who did their best,

Those who had laid Godric Gryffindor to rest?!

They should've brought him back,

or so many would say to thee,

but then what would he lack?

The noble and brave of heart

were torn the day, another of theirs

would part.

"Gwendolyn Gryffindor,

gave birth to the perfect Heir, you see.

So perfect in fact,

that the world nearly shouted out with glee!

She was all her father was,

brave and self-less, stong in mind,

but above all that,

she was beautiful and kind.

She attended Hogwarts,

ran through these very halls,

but when she became Headmistress,

Everything began to fall.

"Slytherin was favored now,

above the other three,

and what's a Hat to do when thrown into such a row?

I was asked in secret, if I was right,

in sorting her to the Lions House,

where all was supposed to be good and Light.

I said 'I cannot tell a lie, she belonged in Gryffindor then,

but things have changed, and I'm sorry if

I cannot tell you when'.

"She fought like a Gryffindor,

and thought like a Slytherin,

But when she finally fell,

it was once again the Skulls who did not do so well.

They tried, as they had for her father,

to bring her back to the Land of the Living,

'I promise you, my line will continue,' she told them,

'and I ask that you keep on giving,

so that you may bring him to the Hall one day,

and rid yourselves of all this

Death and Decay'."

"What she meant, we will never know,

because that is just the way some riddles go.

Time passed quickly,

Heirs had come and gone,

but one thing remained the same.

There is only One that can right the wrongs, and turn Darkness into Light.

Be it Gryffindor or Slytherin, no-one can be sure,

but when the time does come, you can bet he will be Pure.

"Pure in Heart,

Pure in Mind,

Pure in Spirit, of which he will find,

is bound to the one of Noir's blood,

with two Crimson stars to be his guides."

After the Hat finished its story, Harry stood from his seat to look Dumbledore straight in the eye before he spoke again. Nathalie knew the look on his face all too well. She'd grown up with it as a permanent fixture on Kain's own face, and it was not a look that she liked.

He knows the Hat's talking about him and Draco, and he knows that the Crimsons are the Snape twins, but does he know about Genevieve? she asked, watching the dark-haired Wizard for any sign of an answer.

"Why'd she favor Slytherin, Albus?" asked Harry, the dark green color around his pupils starting to glow.

"Why do you think she favored Slytherin, Harry? You are the-"
"My being the Gryffindor Heir has nothing to do with Slytherin! That's really why Voldemort wanted my father and I dead, isn't it? Because we're not just Gryffindors, but Slytherin's too!"

Draco felt his eyes widen, and then saw nothing.

~!*!~

"Mr. Potter, while I completely understand who –and what- you are, I cannot allow you in that room!"

"Madaam Pomfrey, I assure you, if you don't unlock that door now, I will blow it off its fucking hinges!"

"That kind of language, Mr. Potter, is not acceptable! Remove yourself from my Hospital Wing this instant!"

"I have to see Malfoy!"

"You'll do nothing of the sort, now please leave."

She moved to usher him out of the Hospital Wing foyer, when the doors burst open, a ring of white light washed over them, and before Madaam Pomfrey could utter a sound, Draco threw himself into Harry's arms.

"Oh Gods, Harry!" he cried, "It was horrible! He- He killed her! And the baby… they-they saved him."

"I know, Draco, I know."

He held him for a bit longer, before the Slytherin Quidditch team stormed in, dressed for a Match (which Harry was also dressed for), and carrying Malfoy's uniform. They were still short one Chaser.

"Excuse me, but Mr. Malfoy is not well enough to-" started Madaam Pomfrey.

"I'm plenty well enough to play, Madaam. It was merely a nightmare, nothing more, nothing less. I'm awake now, and my Power is back to a stable level, so in all rights, I should be fine. Zambini, my uniform please?"

"Who's our third Chaser?"
"She's waiting in the locker room." Harry said, taking it as his cue to put on his best Quidditch face and head out to the Pitch with the rest of his team.

"How the hell do you know, Potty?!" demanded Goyle, who was nervously adjusting the collar of his uniform.

"I know, Goyle, because she's a friend of mine, not to mention a relief Chaser for the Gryffindor team."

He didn't wait around for an answer, and knew that Draco could handle it.

~!*!~

The reaction was about what she expected, if not a little better, but Draco's attitude towards the whole situation made it funny. He didn't have a problem with it at all, and made sure that she was well protected. Not that she needed to be protected, she was a Weasely, and had inheirited some of the genes that made Fred and George terrific Beaters.

"I can't believe there's a fucking Gryffindor on the Slytherin team!" she heard someone in the crowd shout.

She was quite aware of the opinion Slytherin now held of Draco, but as the quaffle was released, she took off like a bullet, and made her way towards the Gryffindor goal. Ron was, to say the least, not happy with the situation either.

"She knows all my bloody moves, Harry!" he shouted, after Slytherin had scored, only 2 minutes into the game.

"Then make up some that she doesn't know, Ron!" retorted Hermione, who was busy chasing after her.

"You know what to expect, she's your sister for fuck's sake!" Dennis spat, watching Nathalie and Zia beat down one of the Slytherin Beaters.

"YES!" they shouted, giving eachother a high five, "One down, and one to go!"

The game lasted hours more, both teams matched perfectly, despite Slytherin only having one Beater (as Goyle had been knocked out early in the game), but both were starting to tire, and the Snitch had yet to make an appearance. Even Madaam Hooch didn't know where it was, and she was the referee!

Harry, this is taking too long, and both teams are exhausted. Draco tried.

I know, but I haven't seen the Snitch, and neither have you.

Can't we just call it a draw? Please, Ginny's better than my other Chasers, and she's nearly falling off her broom.

I already talked to Madaam Hooch. The only way she'll end the game is if the weather turns extremely crappy, Voldemort shows up and starts blowing people up, one of us passes out, or we catch the fucking Snitch.

What a lovely list of options.

You're telling me.

"Guys, I hate to state the obvious, but we're wiped out." Ginny said as she sided up with them. "And I feel like a tropical fish in a glass bowl. Everyone's looking at me. Draco, are you sure the Slytherin green and my hair don't clash?"

Both seekers laughed, clapping her on the shoulder, and were about to turn to Madaam Hooch, to once again try and get the game stopped, when a roar cut through the air like a bomb going off. Harry's eyes narrowed as they caught sight of Crabbe giving Zambini a smack on the back, and then caught Zia falling to the pitch below. Nathalie was not happy.

"Mr. Crabbe, you will keep your Beater Club to yourself, you find yourself off the Pitch before you can say Bludger." Madaam Hooch reprimanded, "50 points from Slytherin for the foul."

Zambini glared daggers at the Gryffindor Captain, who raised an eyebrow in return. He knew exactly what was going to happen next.

"And Harry Potter catches the Snitch! Gryffindor WINS THE MATCH!!" Hannah (who had taken over for Lee Jordan) shouted over the pitch.

"Where the bloody hell did it come from?!" complained the Slytherins as they made their way to the locker room.

"I don't know, but Potter fucking cheated!"

"I doubt that."

They all turned to the door, only to see a girl, not much older than themselves, with short brown hair all spiked up, and dressed in dark grey robes and a black cloak standing there, arms crossed. Her blue eyes flashed in warning behind her small silver framed glasses, and as she stood up straight, they noticed the way Power seemed to flow off her.

"Mr. Potter, and Mr. Malfoy, had no prior knowledge of the Snitch's appearance, of which I might add was my own doing."

"Who the fuck're you?" demanded Zambini.

"A fellow Slytherin, who is not very happy with your performance, Blaise."

Again she let her eyes flash, and Blaise backed up into his locker. He knew there was something familiar in the crowd, and now he knew what it was.

"Teek… I-"
"Save it for someone who gives a shit, sweet heart, cause I don't wanna hear it."

I'll talk to you later, Blaise.

I didn't know you were here, or I would've never-

I said I'd talk to you later.

She turned and left, and Zambini let out the breath he didn't even know he was holding.

~TBC~

Well, another chapter done. Like always, I live off feed back, so fire away. And ignore my poor attempt at poetry where the Sorting Hats monologue is concerned. I can't write poetry to save my life.

TK