Title: Trick of Fate

Author: I_nv_u50

Pairings: Harry/Draco

Disclaimer: I wish they were.

Rating: PG13 'cause Draco's a jerk.

Summary: Harry depressed, and Lily is getting depressed just knowing he's upset. So, naturally, Lily and James go down to earth to try and cheer Harry up. How they do it comes as a surprise to everyone – themselves included.

Categories: Romance, Humor

Warnings: Slash, of the m/m variety. Mmmm…

Author's Notes: 'Bout time. Hmph. Draco and Harry are sulking 'cause I won't get graphic enough for them. I try to keep my stories PG13… Then they go and complain about the other muses. Heh. Idiots. Anyway, this chapter sees… other stuff… O.o; some things get explained, etc etc… dunno when the next chapter's going to be out. I'll try for a month or so, unless inspiration suddenly hits (oh please do) … other than that, I hope you enjoy this one ^^

Please review!! ^^

James floated idly down the hallway, looking around in a kind of curious boredom. The stone corridors had not changed a bit since when he was last here, except a few of the paintings had been switched around. The paintings were watching the decidedly empty space where he and Lily were suspiciously, seeming to sense that something different was there, but not fully knowing what.

But then, it wasn't to be expected that these main corridors had changed; they were the most used, and it would be improper to have random bricks melt away when you were in a rush for class. The back hallways were rarely used, and had no such problem. The shapes and directions changed as easily as if a subtle wind had blown them into disorder, and James could fondly recall many nights with the other marauders exploring the shifting passages.

Lily shimmered into sight beside him, to the surprise of a painting, whose lady squawked and fell back a few steps.

"What's up Lil?"

"Nothing… Just remembering."

James grinned and flickered into sight, going to stand next to her as she studied the painting. "Was this here a few years back?"

Lily gave him a Look. "No. It was in the Charms Corridor."

"Ah yes. And of course I would be expected to remember it there." James laughed and floated up to where she couldn't hit him, before gliding out of sight again.

Lily followed his lead just in time, because someone was walking swiftly towards them, in quick strides that billowed his cloak around his heels.

James' breath caught, and Lily automatically gave him a glare, prohibiting him from tormenting the other man.

"Leave him, James. We still need to find Harry." Lily spoke decisively, hoping the topic would distract James long enough for him to temporarily forget about Severus. Obviously, the tactic wouldn't work for too long, but Lily was counting on his anticipation to help her out.

It worked. James shoved Severus to the back of his mind, decided that Severus shouldn't be allowed any more importance than that, and continued to drift along the passageway, in the vague direction of the Gryffindor common rooms.

Harry yawned, and tried to look interested as Hermione prattled on about something or other. He had started out mildly interested, but she had suddenly gone off on a tangent completely unrelated to the previous topic, and now he was just confused and bored. She possibly knew this, but ignored the fact; probably thinking it was in Harry's best interests that he know this.

What 'this' was exactly, Harry truly had no clue.

Or rather, he preferred not to listen to the clues. It was beginning to toll on him, the tiring façade that he displayed now, and he was almost too exhausted to notice when Hermione stopped and indignantly called his name.

Currently, Harry was trying to place those feelings, or presences. He wasn't entirely sure which they were yet, but they were coming closer, and it was starting to weigh heavily on him.

"Harry!"

Harry started out of his reverie. "What?"

"I've been calling your name for the last five minutes!"

Harry was sure Hermione was exaggerating, but he refrained pointing this out to her. "Sorry. I was just thinking about something…"

Hermione's expression immediately got concerned. "Are you all right? You haven't been sleeping too well lately, and you almost never eat at regular times."

Harry shrugged dismissively. "I'm fine. It'll just take a while to get adjusted."

"To what?" Now Hermione only sounded curious.

"To those beings around me, those things…" Harry trailed off, seeing Hermione's blank look, and it hit him suddenly. What he felt was not felt by all other wizards, like he had presumed. He smiled quickly, and before Hermione could get over her surprise and talk about it, Harry fled.

He had to think.

James found him. James could find anyone he wanted to in the castle, all it took was a few words of wisdom to a certain painting on the fifth floor, and a map, very similar to the Marauders' portable copy came up. After that, it was merely a question of James remembering the hallway's favorite changes to find their way to Harry.

Harry wasn't anyway that could be found without the map, so he was surprised and slightly troubled by the fact that the two things, that no one else felt, were following him. He knew this as simply as he had known how to fly, utterly instinctive. He glanced up from studying the map and looked blankly into the air.

"What are you, and why are you following me?"

The space slightly to his left shimmered like the air was too hot, and he looked at it quickly, but the second he focused on it, the shimmering was gone, even though he could still feel the thing there.

::Don't look directly at me…:: breathed a voice quietly, and Harry's heartbeat sped up as adrenaline surged through his limbs. Fight or flee?

Harry was understandably curious though, and since the presence of these things didn't feel particularly threatening, he looked straight ahead, ignoring the flickering air to his left.

Out of the corner of his eye, still desperately trying to avoid looking directly at the place, he saw a figure begin to emerge, one that looked strangely like himself, but far more insubstantial. There was also a lady's figure, although she was still quite hazy in appearance, but that didn't matter. Harry could guess who they were by the man's physical appearance alone.

He gaped at his parents.

Draco scowled and fidgeted, shifting his weight as he waited. Crabbe and Goyle had gone to go get him food, since the arrival of his… Draco wasn't sure what to call them yet. There were multiple things, he was sure, but he wanted to make sure they would hear him if he called them those particular names.

He sighed and started pacing, ignoring the hunger pangs that were beginning to make themselves felt in his stomach. Malfoys weren't supposed to be submitted to inferior mortal aches and pains, it was against the rules. Draco scowled at nothing.

Stupid Potter, telling him to go to sleep and then actually expecting him to do it! Draco had considered it for maybe a half second, then decided against it. Just because they were his reluctant guardian angels (supposedly), it was still no reason for him to listen to them. He didn't have any problems, his life was going marvelously, except for the damn toes, and Draco was half willing to overlook that. After all, if you denied or ignored something's existence, it ceased to be.

Or so his mother said.

It was only a matter of time though, before curiosity started to overwhelm his indignation. If they had been sent for a reason, what was it? There had to be a logical explanation somewhere, because even Draco could see that they weren't happy about guarding him, and he rarely noticed other people's feelings. Not because he was unobservant, but because he cared so little.

The real question was, he decided, were they reluctant to guard him because what they were guarding him from was so horrific? Or was it something completely different?

"So you see, that's why we're here." James finished off, glancing sideways at his son. Lily had taken to hovering around the two, wanting to get closer, but unsure about how Harry would take it. It was a big shock, to tell the truth. He even understood Harry's slightly tense set of his shoulders.

Harry blinked at him, his eyes still surprised and wary, cautiously dealing with people who were supposed to be dead. "So you're guardian angels," he repeated slowly. "And you're not here to protect me but someone who shall remain unnamed because its against the rules for anyone else to know…"

"That's right," Lily told him softly. "We asked to guard you, because there's not much Voldemort can do against angels, but Michael wouldn't let us."

"Michael?"

"He's one of the head angels…. Assigns us things to do and stuff. You're not supposed to know that technically…" Lily answered.

"Oh…" Harry replied softly, obviously thinking  about something else. His tone had turned coaxing when he spoke again. "So you won't tell me who you're guarding? Not even a hint? The smallest little clue?"

James grinned proudly. "Nope. However, if you're really my son, you should find out by Christmas."

Harry searched his face silently, then gave a small smile. "Can I get help?"

Lily shook her head before James could answer. "No. Sorry Harry. Only we can tell people about us, you won't be able to speak about us unless we've already told the people."

"So who are you going to tell?" Harry asked curiously, filing away the information. "Anyone I know?"

James shared a look with his wife, then sighed. "I want to tell Moony and Padfoot," he started, "but Lily's not sure. We also want to tell Dumbledore, but he's going to try and persuade us to tell him who we're protecting, so that'll have to wait a while. Other than that, no one else knows…"

"Except him" Lily said shortly, scowling.

Harry blinked at her, surprised. "Who? Me?"

"No, the boy we're protecting."

Harry's eyes widened behind the glasses. "So you're guarding a boy? What house is he in?"

James smirked and floated up until he was standing "Sorry. That's enough clues for one day. We'll give you some more later." He paused, and looked as if he were about to say something else, when a distracted wince flickered across his face, and he looked away towards the main part of the castle. Lily floated up as well and echoed his distracted expression.

Harry stared at them, confused. "What's wrong?"

"Sorry Harry, we have to go. We'll be sure to see you again. Remember," Lily paused, and a tender look entered her eyes, so alike Harry's in colour and shape. "I know we haven't said it yet, but we love you. We accepted this job because of you…"

James nodded in agreement, sparing Harry a glance that was as loving as it was teasing. "We have to go. See you around, Harry."

The two grinned at him, and vanished.

Harry sat there still, his face in an expression of both shock and somewhat disbelief. To hear those words… he ignored the burning in his eyes, because crying was something he didn't want to do. It demeaned the declaration somehow, made it far more emotional than it should have been.

He loved his parents, and he had always known that they had loved him as well… but they weren't alive anymore. It couldn't be so easy, it never would be as easy as it would have been if they had lived. He slid a hand through his hair and sighed. He would enjoy having his parents with him for the time they were, he would enjoy it more than words could possible describe. He'd love it, at the very least, having both parents around in ways that he had dreamed of since almost before he could remember. Those nights in the cupboard had seemed so much more comforting when he imagined what his parents had been like, in a bitter sweet kind of way.

He couldn't afford to get to close though. He still doubted that they'd be around forever. They weren't even protecting him. He knew they would if they could, but if the person they were supposed to be guarding was in danger at the same time, they'd have an obligation to fulfill. He understood that much at least.

He stood up, reminding himself not to get too dependent on their company. They wouldn't always be around, and they would always have a commitment to protect the one they had been assigned first.

Draco scowled at the two, both of whom were staring blankly back at him. "Crabbe," he said coolly, trying to keep his temper. "What have I said about letting Pansy near me?"

Goyle stepped in with the answer. "You said not to let her near you."

"Right." Draco said, then gestured to the girl who was eyeing him spitefully from where she sat on his bed. "Then what is she doing here?"

Crabbe shrugged. "She said she had food for you."

Draco stared at him incredulously. "And you believed her?"

Crabbe shrugged again, at a loss for a reply. Draco sighed, then scowled again, directing it towards the girl on his bed. "Pansy, would you please get off my bed."

"No," Pansy said shortly. "You've been ignoring me lately and I have a right to know why."

"All right," Draco said amiably, suddenly smirking. He held up a hand to tick off the reasons, trying to ignore the Potters who were floating in the corner of his room and watching him with disbelieving expressions. He had called them on a whim, wanting to see if what they had said about their communication was true. It had been. They weren't pleased about being interrupted with their precious son for no good reason.

"First of all," Draco continued, holding up one finger in exaggeration, "you're a slut. Second of all, I don't like you. Third of all, you have rotten taste in clothes. Fourth of all, you're boring. Fifth, I need a challenge now. Sixth, Blaise is better looking than you."

Pansy's face had crumpled into lines of despair and fury sometime between the first and second reason. "How dare you!" she gasped, sounding sort of breathless.

Draco watched impassively as she ran from the room, her face scrunched into a furious mask that was probably all too real. He had dumped her before, but she was persistant enough to get them back together, even though he never treated her differently, whatever she claimed they were.

Draco turned to his two henchmen. He briefly wondered what they would do if he outfitted them like henchmen, then thrust the hought out of his mind. He didn't want to imagine any male form in spandex, especially those two. "You can go."

They shuffled from the room chuckling stupidly over the scene they had just watched. Draco had no doubt about whose side they were on. They didn't like Pansy either, but whether it was because he didn't like her, or because they honestly felt that way, he wasn't sure. He couldn't bring himself to care either.

He sighed and sat down on his bed, staring at the two guardians who were still floating by his ceiling, an expression of intense dislike on his face.

They echoed it, although it wasn't so much dislike as it was too similar to disgust.

"That was cruel," James remarked offhandedly as he drifted down to hover a few feet above the floor. "Do you treat all potential girlfriends like that, or just the ones you know will come back?"

Draco scowled at him. "It's none of your business. You have to protect me from what's going to go wrong, not from people who won't hurt me."

Lily's face softened with pity or sympathy. Draco couldn't tell which, and as he hated both, he didn't really care. All that mattered was that it was directed at him. He opened his mouth to say something scathing, because disgust was far better than pity, but Lily spoke before he could.

"Are you so sure about that, Draco?"

He stared at her, blinked, and paled. "What do you mean?"

Lily exchanged glances with her husband, speaking glances that told how much they understood and loved each other. With a sigh, she turned back to face Draco.

"Are you really sure they won't hurt you if given the chance, Draco? You don't treat them at all nicely, and human nature has a way of turning on anyone they pretend to like." James' face darkened as Lily spoke, obviously remembering something. Lily continued, without looking away from the pale blonde. "It's usually people who are closest to you who betray you, Draco. My whole family, both living and dead, knows what it feels like to be betrayed by someone you trusted. Maybe you should start treating them better. Either that, or reevaluate your friendships. I'd suggest you make up with Pansy first."

As Draco's expression turned disbelieving, Lily shrugged. "Then again, it's up to you. We're only here to advise you and help you out of problems you get into by not listening to us. Do what you think is best." She shrugged, and vanished.

James stood up, actually walking on the ground for once, and he stopped in front of the Slytherin, bending down slightly until they were on eye level. "What my wife won't say, but I will, is that you shouldn't forget who rose up a few months ago, Malfoy. He manipulated one of my friends into betraying us, one of my closest friends. Would people who aren't as close to you allow themselves to be manipulated for the same reasons? Or would they do it purely for revenge? Treat them better Draco, all of them." James stood up straight and grinned down at the stunned blonde, his dark expression disappearing as if it had never been there. "After all, Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. And that girl, Pansy, she looked like she was very upset. You don't have to like her, but my suggestion is go apologise or something. Make her think about forgiving you."

With that last bit of advice, James disappeared as fast as his wife had.

Draco sat on his bed, still somewhat stunned, unable to believe the fact that his friends might turn on them, and disturbed in more ways than one by the idea that he wasn't all that close to his friends. He pushed the idea away, not liking the way it made him feel. He considered the idea of apologising to Pansy, and even though it tasted bitter on his tongue, he would make some overtures of peace. He couldn't, wouldn't believe that his friends would betray him, but if the guardians were right…

He didn't have a choice.