Fugit Draconis: Prelude
By JadedDana
"Hey Harry, I promised Colin I'd meet him for butterbeer at 2, but I'll
catch up with you this evening, okay?" With a quick grin, Ginny gave Harry a
quick one-armed hug and then skipped to meet her boyfriend. Harry's face fell
as he looked ahead of him at Ron and Hermione, who, although only about 5 feet
away, were very caught up in their own world. As the arm around Hermione's
waist started to drop just a little lower, Harry ducked into a nearby shop. He
could clearly tell when he wasn't wanted, and this was one of those times.
At the beginning of this year, Ron and Hermione had started dating.
Harry had been glad for them. Had being the key word. It was, as anyone
would have expected, a volatile relationship, and Harry wasn't sure which was
worse, when they were fighting, and he was stuck trying to listen to both sides,
or when they were together, and he was most definitely third wheel. It didn't
help that Parvati and Lavender were dating Dean and Seamus, respectively,
leaving Harry alone more nights than not with Neville as the only other sixth-
year Gryfindor. And while Neville was great, Harry missed his friends.
Harry groaned as he realized what store he'd ducked into-a bookstore.
Trust him to try and avoid Hermione in the one place that reminded him most of
her. He tried to think of what to do with the rest of his afternoon in Hogsmeade.
He could head over the Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes, visit the twins, but he
didn't really feel all that up to joking. He could go to the Quidditch supply store,
but then he might run into Dean, who had become the new keeper, and Harry
didn't want to talk to any of his Housemates right now. He didn't want to talk to
anyone. All he really wanted was his old life back-back in third year, when
they were the Terrible Trio and no one could defeat them, back before Cedric and
Hagrid.Harry turned around. Maybe in a bookstore at least they would let him
alone for a while. No one would expect him there, after all.
He wandered into a remote aisle, which looked like no one had been
down it for quite a while. It also gave him a great view of both the door and the
owner's desk, without being obvious. A great place to hide out for a while. He
glanced idly over the shelves-Potions texts. No wonder no one had been in this
corner of the store in ages-most likely, no had EVER been over here except
Snape and Malfoy. Speak of the devil Harry thought to himself as the blond
Slytherin entered the store, his arrogant sneer raising Harry's hackles
immediately. Harry ducked quickly so the other boy wouldn't see him.
Luckily, Malfoy bypassed the books entirely to head straight for the
owner's desk. He whispered something to the man, who just nodded and
headed into a small storage room. Malfoy just stood tapping his foot
impatiently. After about 30 seconds, he pulled his backpack out and started
looking through it as if he was expecting something to be missing. Come to
think of it, what was MALFOY doing with a backpack? Normally only the
Muggle-born students were seen with backpacks. All the Wizarding children
used book bags which were worn over the shoulder instead of on the back. And
why would he need either in Hogsmeade, unless he were planning to smuggle
something back into the school? And why on earth would Malfoy need
something from the storeroom of a run-down bookstore? This was something
which definitely needed investigating.
The man came out of the storeroom and handed Malfoy a small package
wrapped in brown paper. Malfoy handled it gingerly as if afraid to touch it too
much as he slipped it into the backpack. He handed the man a velvet pouch of
what looked like quite a sizeable sum and headed for the door without a
backward glance. Harry was determined to follow, but he paused for a moment.
At the beginning of this year, the Headmaster had pulled Harry aside and
suggested, in his usual roundabout way, that Harry carry his Invisibility Cloak
with him everywhere he went but especially when he was off school grounds.
Should there be an incident like there almost was fifth year, Harry would stand a
much better chance at getting to Hogwarts and calling for help if he wasn't
visible to the naked eye. Most of the professors were now aware that he had the
Cloak, but it was worth it to be able to carry it on his person for occasions just
like this. Harry just managed to catch the door before it shut-he hoped that the
owner didn't notice the door hovering open several moments longer than it
should have.
For almost an hour and a half, Harry followed Malfoy from store to store,
becoming more and more confused. At the robe shop, Malfoy picked up several
outfits which, if he didn't know better, would have passed as Muggle styles. At
Gringotts, Malfoy went to his father's vault to get several bags of Galleons.
Harry, who had, invisibly, tagged along, was amazed at the vault. It contained
hardly more coins than Harry's did, but it was practically overflowing with
strange and doubtless priceless items. Harry was so enchanted with a dragon
statuette of solid emerald that he was almost locked in the vault. Malfoy didn't
just leave, though-he had the sacks exchanged, although Harry didn't hear
what type of money he wanted in exchange. It was most definitely the most
bizarre trip around Hogsmeade, including his first one.
Finally, Malfoy seemed to have finished all his mysterious errands. He
walked towards a deserted alley-which was quite odd for Hogsmeade, come to
think of it-and started looking around nervously. It almost made Harry
nervous to see the normally collected Malfoy looking ruffled. Unconsciously,
Harry started to move closer to the other boy.
Malfoy had swung his bag around and was sorting through it. After a
moment, he pulled out the package he'd picked up in the bookstore. He made
several nervous glances around before securing his bag. He started to unwrap
the brown paper. Harry, by this point feeling insanely suspicious, was only a
few feet away.
He threw back the hood of the Invisibility Cloak and reached for Malfoy's
forearm just before the stunned-looking Slytherin brushed his fingers on the
now-unwrapped book cover. "Malfoy, what are you-" Harry's words ended
abruptly as he felt the sickening tug behind his belly button, and the alley was
once again empty.
The moment Harry's feet touched ground again, his wand was out. It
took him three complete spins around to realize that there was no one else in the
room except him and Malfoy. Malfoy, whose face was alternating between the
twin red spots on his cheeks-that only happened when he was furious-and
deathly palour-Harry had only seen that once, when the eleven year old boy
had been terrified in the Forbidden Forest. By the time Harry had stopped
spinning, Malfoy had drawn his wand as well and was pointing it warily at
Harry. His mouth opened, closed, then opened again. Just as he was about to
speak, Harry beat him to it.
"What the HELL just happened, Malfoy? Where are we? Portkeys are not
allowed for students, as a PREFECT you should know that-for this very reason!
What is going on?" Harry advanced until his wand just brushed Malfoy's chest
when he inhaled. "Is this some stupid Junior Death Eater plan to kidnap me?
Because you see to be missing your backup, MALFOY, and I can take you alone."
Malfoy's eyes flared as he answered. "This is your own damn fault,
POTTER. What could have POSSIBLY possessed you to grab someone who is
about to Portkey out? And why couldn't I.bloody hell. How would someone
like YOU get an Invisibility Cloak? That explains, well, a lot.What were you
THINKING, Potter? What am I going to do now?" The last was all but a
whisper, and his eyes drifted to the wall behind Harry's head.
"Malfoy. Where are we?" Harry's voice had lowered several decibels.
Malfoy returned his gaze to the dark-haired boy. "That is none of your
business, because you will not be staying here. Let me just reactivate this
Portkey and you can just go back to your happy Gryfindork life and forget this
ever happened."
Harry sneered. "Not a chance, Malfoy. I don't know what you're up to,
but I WILL find out." He turned partially from the boy, looking at the
surroundings. They were in a cabin of some sorts. The window to Malfoy's left
showed several bare tree-tops and a faint glimmer of water in the distance. A
river, perhaps? A lake? Harry spun swiftly as he heard a rustling from Malfoy.
Malfoy's expression was strangely friendly, which filled Harry with
dread. He noticed that the book was still held in Malfoy's right hand, still almost
completely wrapped in the brown paper. Malfoy smiled, just a touch. "No,
Harry, you won't. Obliviate!" Before the stunned, lost look disappeared from
Harry's face, Malfoy tossed the book at Harry, wrapper side open. Harry
automatically reached for it.
Harry looked around. He was standing an alley on the outskirts of
Hogsmeade. He felt the cold breeze and reached for his Cloak, only to realize it
wasn't there. Oh, well. He must have left it in his room again. In his hands he
held a copy of Quidditch Through the Ages, still wrapped in brown paper. Now
why would I buy this, Harry wondered-I already have two copies? He shrugged. It
looked nicer than either of his editions, though. He absentmindedly tucked it
into his bag, wondering who it was he had heard just a moment ago. Although
he couldn't place it, the voice sounded familiar, and he had a nagging feeling in
his gut that it had been important. He began to walk towards Madame
Rosmerta's, all the while the words still running through his head: "Goodbye,
Potter."
Fin.
By JadedDana
"Hey Harry, I promised Colin I'd meet him for butterbeer at 2, but I'll
catch up with you this evening, okay?" With a quick grin, Ginny gave Harry a
quick one-armed hug and then skipped to meet her boyfriend. Harry's face fell
as he looked ahead of him at Ron and Hermione, who, although only about 5 feet
away, were very caught up in their own world. As the arm around Hermione's
waist started to drop just a little lower, Harry ducked into a nearby shop. He
could clearly tell when he wasn't wanted, and this was one of those times.
At the beginning of this year, Ron and Hermione had started dating.
Harry had been glad for them. Had being the key word. It was, as anyone
would have expected, a volatile relationship, and Harry wasn't sure which was
worse, when they were fighting, and he was stuck trying to listen to both sides,
or when they were together, and he was most definitely third wheel. It didn't
help that Parvati and Lavender were dating Dean and Seamus, respectively,
leaving Harry alone more nights than not with Neville as the only other sixth-
year Gryfindor. And while Neville was great, Harry missed his friends.
Harry groaned as he realized what store he'd ducked into-a bookstore.
Trust him to try and avoid Hermione in the one place that reminded him most of
her. He tried to think of what to do with the rest of his afternoon in Hogsmeade.
He could head over the Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes, visit the twins, but he
didn't really feel all that up to joking. He could go to the Quidditch supply store,
but then he might run into Dean, who had become the new keeper, and Harry
didn't want to talk to any of his Housemates right now. He didn't want to talk to
anyone. All he really wanted was his old life back-back in third year, when
they were the Terrible Trio and no one could defeat them, back before Cedric and
Hagrid.Harry turned around. Maybe in a bookstore at least they would let him
alone for a while. No one would expect him there, after all.
He wandered into a remote aisle, which looked like no one had been
down it for quite a while. It also gave him a great view of both the door and the
owner's desk, without being obvious. A great place to hide out for a while. He
glanced idly over the shelves-Potions texts. No wonder no one had been in this
corner of the store in ages-most likely, no had EVER been over here except
Snape and Malfoy. Speak of the devil Harry thought to himself as the blond
Slytherin entered the store, his arrogant sneer raising Harry's hackles
immediately. Harry ducked quickly so the other boy wouldn't see him.
Luckily, Malfoy bypassed the books entirely to head straight for the
owner's desk. He whispered something to the man, who just nodded and
headed into a small storage room. Malfoy just stood tapping his foot
impatiently. After about 30 seconds, he pulled his backpack out and started
looking through it as if he was expecting something to be missing. Come to
think of it, what was MALFOY doing with a backpack? Normally only the
Muggle-born students were seen with backpacks. All the Wizarding children
used book bags which were worn over the shoulder instead of on the back. And
why would he need either in Hogsmeade, unless he were planning to smuggle
something back into the school? And why on earth would Malfoy need
something from the storeroom of a run-down bookstore? This was something
which definitely needed investigating.
The man came out of the storeroom and handed Malfoy a small package
wrapped in brown paper. Malfoy handled it gingerly as if afraid to touch it too
much as he slipped it into the backpack. He handed the man a velvet pouch of
what looked like quite a sizeable sum and headed for the door without a
backward glance. Harry was determined to follow, but he paused for a moment.
At the beginning of this year, the Headmaster had pulled Harry aside and
suggested, in his usual roundabout way, that Harry carry his Invisibility Cloak
with him everywhere he went but especially when he was off school grounds.
Should there be an incident like there almost was fifth year, Harry would stand a
much better chance at getting to Hogwarts and calling for help if he wasn't
visible to the naked eye. Most of the professors were now aware that he had the
Cloak, but it was worth it to be able to carry it on his person for occasions just
like this. Harry just managed to catch the door before it shut-he hoped that the
owner didn't notice the door hovering open several moments longer than it
should have.
For almost an hour and a half, Harry followed Malfoy from store to store,
becoming more and more confused. At the robe shop, Malfoy picked up several
outfits which, if he didn't know better, would have passed as Muggle styles. At
Gringotts, Malfoy went to his father's vault to get several bags of Galleons.
Harry, who had, invisibly, tagged along, was amazed at the vault. It contained
hardly more coins than Harry's did, but it was practically overflowing with
strange and doubtless priceless items. Harry was so enchanted with a dragon
statuette of solid emerald that he was almost locked in the vault. Malfoy didn't
just leave, though-he had the sacks exchanged, although Harry didn't hear
what type of money he wanted in exchange. It was most definitely the most
bizarre trip around Hogsmeade, including his first one.
Finally, Malfoy seemed to have finished all his mysterious errands. He
walked towards a deserted alley-which was quite odd for Hogsmeade, come to
think of it-and started looking around nervously. It almost made Harry
nervous to see the normally collected Malfoy looking ruffled. Unconsciously,
Harry started to move closer to the other boy.
Malfoy had swung his bag around and was sorting through it. After a
moment, he pulled out the package he'd picked up in the bookstore. He made
several nervous glances around before securing his bag. He started to unwrap
the brown paper. Harry, by this point feeling insanely suspicious, was only a
few feet away.
He threw back the hood of the Invisibility Cloak and reached for Malfoy's
forearm just before the stunned-looking Slytherin brushed his fingers on the
now-unwrapped book cover. "Malfoy, what are you-" Harry's words ended
abruptly as he felt the sickening tug behind his belly button, and the alley was
once again empty.
The moment Harry's feet touched ground again, his wand was out. It
took him three complete spins around to realize that there was no one else in the
room except him and Malfoy. Malfoy, whose face was alternating between the
twin red spots on his cheeks-that only happened when he was furious-and
deathly palour-Harry had only seen that once, when the eleven year old boy
had been terrified in the Forbidden Forest. By the time Harry had stopped
spinning, Malfoy had drawn his wand as well and was pointing it warily at
Harry. His mouth opened, closed, then opened again. Just as he was about to
speak, Harry beat him to it.
"What the HELL just happened, Malfoy? Where are we? Portkeys are not
allowed for students, as a PREFECT you should know that-for this very reason!
What is going on?" Harry advanced until his wand just brushed Malfoy's chest
when he inhaled. "Is this some stupid Junior Death Eater plan to kidnap me?
Because you see to be missing your backup, MALFOY, and I can take you alone."
Malfoy's eyes flared as he answered. "This is your own damn fault,
POTTER. What could have POSSIBLY possessed you to grab someone who is
about to Portkey out? And why couldn't I.bloody hell. How would someone
like YOU get an Invisibility Cloak? That explains, well, a lot.What were you
THINKING, Potter? What am I going to do now?" The last was all but a
whisper, and his eyes drifted to the wall behind Harry's head.
"Malfoy. Where are we?" Harry's voice had lowered several decibels.
Malfoy returned his gaze to the dark-haired boy. "That is none of your
business, because you will not be staying here. Let me just reactivate this
Portkey and you can just go back to your happy Gryfindork life and forget this
ever happened."
Harry sneered. "Not a chance, Malfoy. I don't know what you're up to,
but I WILL find out." He turned partially from the boy, looking at the
surroundings. They were in a cabin of some sorts. The window to Malfoy's left
showed several bare tree-tops and a faint glimmer of water in the distance. A
river, perhaps? A lake? Harry spun swiftly as he heard a rustling from Malfoy.
Malfoy's expression was strangely friendly, which filled Harry with
dread. He noticed that the book was still held in Malfoy's right hand, still almost
completely wrapped in the brown paper. Malfoy smiled, just a touch. "No,
Harry, you won't. Obliviate!" Before the stunned, lost look disappeared from
Harry's face, Malfoy tossed the book at Harry, wrapper side open. Harry
automatically reached for it.
Harry looked around. He was standing an alley on the outskirts of
Hogsmeade. He felt the cold breeze and reached for his Cloak, only to realize it
wasn't there. Oh, well. He must have left it in his room again. In his hands he
held a copy of Quidditch Through the Ages, still wrapped in brown paper. Now
why would I buy this, Harry wondered-I already have two copies? He shrugged. It
looked nicer than either of his editions, though. He absentmindedly tucked it
into his bag, wondering who it was he had heard just a moment ago. Although
he couldn't place it, the voice sounded familiar, and he had a nagging feeling in
his gut that it had been important. He began to walk towards Madame
Rosmerta's, all the while the words still running through his head: "Goodbye,
Potter."
Fin.