Chapter 1: In Love and War.
Minerva McGonagall could not quite believe that it had come to this.
She could understand that the Light was beginning to become desperate. She also understood that, despite the best intentions in the world, despite the fact that they were meant to set an example (and not only to the Wizarding world, but their enemies as well) that of course some corners might have to be cut.
But knowing this, accepting this over a wide spectrum, was very different to what it was like when faced with the reality of the situation. Could they all be so cold-blooded as to really do this? It was hard enough on everyone that there were several former Death Eaters in their ranks. But at least they had *chosen* the Mark, before regretting their decision. It was very different to what Infina was suggesting- no, *telling* them- what they were going to do with Harry Potter. And Harry was 16, *16,* and such a sweet young man, really. She was his Head of House, she was meant to be looking after him, keeping him as best she could from all of this, and not sending him into the middle of it. She literally felt sick. But for some reason she was keeping her protestations to a minimum. So was most of the Order, it seemed. They all looked uncomfortable, very unhappy with the idea, but they were not really speaking up against it.
Sirius Black, however, was absolutely furious. Although a member of the Order, and known generally to be innocent of the crimes he had been convicted of, Peter Pettigrew was still at large and so he had not been officially cleared. He had now entered into a terrible screaming match with Worren. Well, he was screaming, at least. Infina looked just as cold and calm as she usually did.
"You're not asking him, Worren!" he yelled. "Harry's not getting mixed up in any more of this! I can't even believe you would even think it! Harry's 16! He's still a *child!* I was appointed his guardian if anything should happen to Lily and James- and I'm telling you right here and now that you're not mentioning *one word* of this to Harry- do you hear me?!"
"Potter is over the age of consent, Black," answered Worren, as icily as ever. "It is therefore his choice who he enters into sexual relations with. And as for your second objection, may I just remind you that you lost any say over the matter when you were convicted of mass murder. You have no legal jurisdiction over the situation whatsoever."
"You're talking about using my *godson* as a *whore*!" hissed Sirius dangerously. He quickly turned and looked at the Headmaster, saying pleadingly, "you won't allow this, Albus- you won't, will you? Say something!"
"Albus and I have already talked about it, Black," put in Infina swiftly. "And yes, it's not pleasant, we'd rather it was another way- but we have to face reality. This is all we have."
Dumbledore spoke up then, tiredly: "there's no harm in asking Harry, Sirius. He can always say no."
"But you *know* that he won't!" shouted Sirius again. His banged his fists on the tabletop. "You *know* how he guilty he feels about it all, how he'll want to help in any way that he can..." here he broke off, and glared around the room. "And you, all of you- just sitting there! This isn't right! Can't you see that?? How can you just sit there calmly and let this- this *harpy* get away with it?!"
Most of the Order shifted uncomfortably in their seats. A few spoke up, albeit softly, murmuring how it didn't really seem fair to ask the boy. But they soon fell silent when there was a hesitant knocking on the door.
Harry Potter had arrived.
***
Harry didn't know why he had been called to this Order meeting.
He hadn't had any dreams of Voldemort's plans that week, which he was eternally grateful for. Even though there was a continual dull throb in his temple, he hadn't been waking up screaming the dorm down these last few nights. As Voldemort gained even more support over the last year, as well as speeding up all his plans, he was thankful to have even a few night's peace.
Harry was an unofficial member of the Order. Although his information was very useful to operations, he was only sixteen and still at school. Sometimes he was let in on some of the Light side's plans, but for the most part he was not let into the operations. It was safer that way, for everyone concerned. So since he had nothing to report, there was no real reason why he should be there.
A few seconds after knocking on the door to the Order Chamber, it swung open to admit him. Harry entered slowly and was disconcerted and slightly embarrassed to find the entire Order staring straight at him.
He looked round quickly, and decided immediately that something was... off. Everyone was there, everyone was accounted for; it was the expressions on their faces which struck him as- odd. Some were looking a bit- *ashamed* somehow; a few seemed embarrassed, and several, he noticed, were looking him up and down, as if searching for something. His eyes slid nervously around the room, to Professor McGonagall, who didn't look quite well, onto Professor Dumbledore, who looked as tired as always, but managed a twinkle in his direction, and finally to Sirius. Then the tentative smile on Harry's face instantly died, because Sirius looked- incredibly angry. Furious, even.
"Ah, Mr Potter," someone said, and Harry jumped slightly. He turned around to stare into the unyielding face of Infina Worren. Her voice had echoed unusually loudly around the completely silent room. Harry wasn't really sure what he thought about Miss Worren; he knew she wasn't the nicest person in the world, but he kept telling himself that perhaps 'nice' wasn't quite what they needed at the moment. She was a brilliant strategist, that he knew, and she had saved quite a few lives through her quick-thinking. And Dumbledore had no objection to her sharing control with him, so she couldn't be all bad, could she?
Harry thankfully slid into the empty chair Miss Worren signalled him to. He glanced round the table one more time, still struck by the strange way everyone was acting. Then Worren began to speak, and he turned his attention back to her.
"You're probably wondering why you are here, Mr Potter," Infina said. She gave him a short tight smile, which he supposed was meant to be reassuring. "Well, you won't be kept in the dark any longer. But what I am about to tell you must be kept in the strictest confidence. You are to tell no-one of what I am to tell you, Mr Potter- *no-one.*"
Harry nodded nervously, eyes shooting quickly to Sirius, as if to get some sort of clue from him. He was staring at Harry, eyes shuttered strangely. When he turned back again, Infina gave him another small smile that again did not quite meet her eyes. She continued.
"Two days ago, Draco Malfoy was questioned by me under Veritaserum. As you know, his father is a high-ranking Death Eater, and were hoping he had told Malfoy JR. some of Voldemort's plans."
Harry raised his eyebrows slightly. He didn't like Malfoy- hated him, really- and he was quite sure his entire family was Dark. Still, that course of action seemed slightly- extreme.
"Unfortunately, it seems as if his father has not told him much. We did learn, however, that Draco Malfoy plans to become a Death Eater when he leaves Hogwarts," here her face twisted into an ugly sneer, "and he's to receive the Mark on his eighteenth birthday. But then, Mr Potter- here it gets interesting- we asked him about *you.*"
"Me?" Harry said involuntarily, surprised.
"We were meaning to ask if he knew of any plans for you," Infina said. "He did not. But about you specifically, Mr Potter, he was a veritable well of information. It seems as if Mr Malfoy has rather-" here Infina's lip curled up slightly- "a *crush* on you."
Harry let out a shocked splutter of laughter before the reality of what Worren had just said dawned on him. His stomach seemed to jump to his throat before turning over and plummeting sickeningly down to his feet. He felt his mouth fell open of its own accord at the same time. "A- a CRUSH?!" he squeaked.
Worren did not seem fazed by his reaction. "Yes," she said. "I understand he's been... fixated on you for several months."
Harry wondered vaguely if he was in a terrible, awful dream. The walls of the room *did* seem rather fuzzy. Here was Miss Worren, Co-Head of the Order, telling him calmly that bloody *Draco Malfoy* liked him. Draco Malfoy, Death Eater-in-training, Slytherin, who was *horrible* to him every single day, who tried to get him into trouble all the time, tried to trip him up at every opportunity, hissed insults at him and spat venom in his direction whenever they met. Draco Malfoy, who apparently had a *crush* on him. It really was too terrible to even contemplate.
"But- Miss Worren," Harry said desperately, "he *despises* me. He hates me- I don't mean to say you've got it wrong, but- well, yes I am, actually. You HAVE got it wrong. I don't think the Veritaserum was working properly, or something..."
Infina looked less than pleased. "The thought had crossed my mind, Mr Potter," she said crisply. "I know all about your little... rivalry. I checked the dosage, I checked the serum itself. It was working perfectly."
"But- but- it doesn't make any *sense!*" Harry ground out. He looked desperately around the room, searching for anyone who would agree with him. His stomach turned over unpleasantly again when he saw that nobody would.
"Which brings us on to the real point of this meeting," continued Infina. "Mr Malfoy was wiped of his memory of the incident before being returned to his dorm. He therefore knows nothing of what took place. We wish to use this to our own advantage."
"What do you mean?" asked Harry cautiously. She couldn't mean that they wanted him to- no, surely not...
Infina did not beat about the bush. "We wish you to approach Mr Malfoy. We wish you to enter into a relationship with him. Flatter him, lie to him, pretend that you love him if you must. But, ultimately you will be after one thing- information."
Harry choked. "You want me to *sleep* with him??!" he managed to get out. He immediately felt himself turn bright red as he remembered where he was. Everyone knew! There was Snape, and McGonagall, and Sirius, of course. He had a sudden and utterly horrible vision of discussing different seduction techniques with Snape. My god, this was more than mortifying, he thought miserably. He felt himself flush even more. He wanted to disappear into the table.
"No," said Sirius quickly. "No, Harry. You don't have to do-"
"If you must," answered Infina coolly, as if Sirius had not even opened his mouth. "Mr Malfoy let us know that over the coming months he will be told more and more about Voldemort's activities. We would simply use the truth serum on him again, as some have suggested..." here she shot Sirius a swift, sharp look, "but you know that numerous memory charms tend to leave- side effects. These effects would arouse suspicion. However, we believe that Mr Malfoy, as young as he is, will open himself up to a lover almost as easily."
Harry swallowed hard. "But- I *hate* him," he said slowly. "I can't just act- I mean, I wouldn't be able to... I can't act as if I like him!"
"If you say so," said Infina. "I suppose, ultimately, that it is your decision. I can't force you into anything you don't wish to do. I'm telling you that if you do this you will probably save countless lives. If not-"
"Don't listen to her, Harry!" interrupted Sirius forcefully. "Of course you're not going to do it. I've already told her as much- don't let her try and make you feel guilty, try to trick you into something..."
Harry looked up at his godfather then, a determined set to his features. "I'm not a child, Sirius," he said softly, " and I can make my own decisions. And right now- right now I don't know what to decide." He turned to Infina. "I need some time to think about this. I'm sure you understand..."
Infina nodded quickly, and Harry got up slowly from his chair. He did not look at anyone as he went over to the door, put his hand on the handle. He stayed there for several moments, not moving at all, until quite suddenly he turned the doorknob, and pulled the door open.
"Harry..." Sirius called belatedly after him.
But the only answer he received was the faint clicking of the lock.
***
Uh-oh...
Minerva McGonagall could not quite believe that it had come to this.
She could understand that the Light was beginning to become desperate. She also understood that, despite the best intentions in the world, despite the fact that they were meant to set an example (and not only to the Wizarding world, but their enemies as well) that of course some corners might have to be cut.
But knowing this, accepting this over a wide spectrum, was very different to what it was like when faced with the reality of the situation. Could they all be so cold-blooded as to really do this? It was hard enough on everyone that there were several former Death Eaters in their ranks. But at least they had *chosen* the Mark, before regretting their decision. It was very different to what Infina was suggesting- no, *telling* them- what they were going to do with Harry Potter. And Harry was 16, *16,* and such a sweet young man, really. She was his Head of House, she was meant to be looking after him, keeping him as best she could from all of this, and not sending him into the middle of it. She literally felt sick. But for some reason she was keeping her protestations to a minimum. So was most of the Order, it seemed. They all looked uncomfortable, very unhappy with the idea, but they were not really speaking up against it.
Sirius Black, however, was absolutely furious. Although a member of the Order, and known generally to be innocent of the crimes he had been convicted of, Peter Pettigrew was still at large and so he had not been officially cleared. He had now entered into a terrible screaming match with Worren. Well, he was screaming, at least. Infina looked just as cold and calm as she usually did.
"You're not asking him, Worren!" he yelled. "Harry's not getting mixed up in any more of this! I can't even believe you would even think it! Harry's 16! He's still a *child!* I was appointed his guardian if anything should happen to Lily and James- and I'm telling you right here and now that you're not mentioning *one word* of this to Harry- do you hear me?!"
"Potter is over the age of consent, Black," answered Worren, as icily as ever. "It is therefore his choice who he enters into sexual relations with. And as for your second objection, may I just remind you that you lost any say over the matter when you were convicted of mass murder. You have no legal jurisdiction over the situation whatsoever."
"You're talking about using my *godson* as a *whore*!" hissed Sirius dangerously. He quickly turned and looked at the Headmaster, saying pleadingly, "you won't allow this, Albus- you won't, will you? Say something!"
"Albus and I have already talked about it, Black," put in Infina swiftly. "And yes, it's not pleasant, we'd rather it was another way- but we have to face reality. This is all we have."
Dumbledore spoke up then, tiredly: "there's no harm in asking Harry, Sirius. He can always say no."
"But you *know* that he won't!" shouted Sirius again. His banged his fists on the tabletop. "You *know* how he guilty he feels about it all, how he'll want to help in any way that he can..." here he broke off, and glared around the room. "And you, all of you- just sitting there! This isn't right! Can't you see that?? How can you just sit there calmly and let this- this *harpy* get away with it?!"
Most of the Order shifted uncomfortably in their seats. A few spoke up, albeit softly, murmuring how it didn't really seem fair to ask the boy. But they soon fell silent when there was a hesitant knocking on the door.
Harry Potter had arrived.
***
Harry didn't know why he had been called to this Order meeting.
He hadn't had any dreams of Voldemort's plans that week, which he was eternally grateful for. Even though there was a continual dull throb in his temple, he hadn't been waking up screaming the dorm down these last few nights. As Voldemort gained even more support over the last year, as well as speeding up all his plans, he was thankful to have even a few night's peace.
Harry was an unofficial member of the Order. Although his information was very useful to operations, he was only sixteen and still at school. Sometimes he was let in on some of the Light side's plans, but for the most part he was not let into the operations. It was safer that way, for everyone concerned. So since he had nothing to report, there was no real reason why he should be there.
A few seconds after knocking on the door to the Order Chamber, it swung open to admit him. Harry entered slowly and was disconcerted and slightly embarrassed to find the entire Order staring straight at him.
He looked round quickly, and decided immediately that something was... off. Everyone was there, everyone was accounted for; it was the expressions on their faces which struck him as- odd. Some were looking a bit- *ashamed* somehow; a few seemed embarrassed, and several, he noticed, were looking him up and down, as if searching for something. His eyes slid nervously around the room, to Professor McGonagall, who didn't look quite well, onto Professor Dumbledore, who looked as tired as always, but managed a twinkle in his direction, and finally to Sirius. Then the tentative smile on Harry's face instantly died, because Sirius looked- incredibly angry. Furious, even.
"Ah, Mr Potter," someone said, and Harry jumped slightly. He turned around to stare into the unyielding face of Infina Worren. Her voice had echoed unusually loudly around the completely silent room. Harry wasn't really sure what he thought about Miss Worren; he knew she wasn't the nicest person in the world, but he kept telling himself that perhaps 'nice' wasn't quite what they needed at the moment. She was a brilliant strategist, that he knew, and she had saved quite a few lives through her quick-thinking. And Dumbledore had no objection to her sharing control with him, so she couldn't be all bad, could she?
Harry thankfully slid into the empty chair Miss Worren signalled him to. He glanced round the table one more time, still struck by the strange way everyone was acting. Then Worren began to speak, and he turned his attention back to her.
"You're probably wondering why you are here, Mr Potter," Infina said. She gave him a short tight smile, which he supposed was meant to be reassuring. "Well, you won't be kept in the dark any longer. But what I am about to tell you must be kept in the strictest confidence. You are to tell no-one of what I am to tell you, Mr Potter- *no-one.*"
Harry nodded nervously, eyes shooting quickly to Sirius, as if to get some sort of clue from him. He was staring at Harry, eyes shuttered strangely. When he turned back again, Infina gave him another small smile that again did not quite meet her eyes. She continued.
"Two days ago, Draco Malfoy was questioned by me under Veritaserum. As you know, his father is a high-ranking Death Eater, and were hoping he had told Malfoy JR. some of Voldemort's plans."
Harry raised his eyebrows slightly. He didn't like Malfoy- hated him, really- and he was quite sure his entire family was Dark. Still, that course of action seemed slightly- extreme.
"Unfortunately, it seems as if his father has not told him much. We did learn, however, that Draco Malfoy plans to become a Death Eater when he leaves Hogwarts," here her face twisted into an ugly sneer, "and he's to receive the Mark on his eighteenth birthday. But then, Mr Potter- here it gets interesting- we asked him about *you.*"
"Me?" Harry said involuntarily, surprised.
"We were meaning to ask if he knew of any plans for you," Infina said. "He did not. But about you specifically, Mr Potter, he was a veritable well of information. It seems as if Mr Malfoy has rather-" here Infina's lip curled up slightly- "a *crush* on you."
Harry let out a shocked splutter of laughter before the reality of what Worren had just said dawned on him. His stomach seemed to jump to his throat before turning over and plummeting sickeningly down to his feet. He felt his mouth fell open of its own accord at the same time. "A- a CRUSH?!" he squeaked.
Worren did not seem fazed by his reaction. "Yes," she said. "I understand he's been... fixated on you for several months."
Harry wondered vaguely if he was in a terrible, awful dream. The walls of the room *did* seem rather fuzzy. Here was Miss Worren, Co-Head of the Order, telling him calmly that bloody *Draco Malfoy* liked him. Draco Malfoy, Death Eater-in-training, Slytherin, who was *horrible* to him every single day, who tried to get him into trouble all the time, tried to trip him up at every opportunity, hissed insults at him and spat venom in his direction whenever they met. Draco Malfoy, who apparently had a *crush* on him. It really was too terrible to even contemplate.
"But- Miss Worren," Harry said desperately, "he *despises* me. He hates me- I don't mean to say you've got it wrong, but- well, yes I am, actually. You HAVE got it wrong. I don't think the Veritaserum was working properly, or something..."
Infina looked less than pleased. "The thought had crossed my mind, Mr Potter," she said crisply. "I know all about your little... rivalry. I checked the dosage, I checked the serum itself. It was working perfectly."
"But- but- it doesn't make any *sense!*" Harry ground out. He looked desperately around the room, searching for anyone who would agree with him. His stomach turned over unpleasantly again when he saw that nobody would.
"Which brings us on to the real point of this meeting," continued Infina. "Mr Malfoy was wiped of his memory of the incident before being returned to his dorm. He therefore knows nothing of what took place. We wish to use this to our own advantage."
"What do you mean?" asked Harry cautiously. She couldn't mean that they wanted him to- no, surely not...
Infina did not beat about the bush. "We wish you to approach Mr Malfoy. We wish you to enter into a relationship with him. Flatter him, lie to him, pretend that you love him if you must. But, ultimately you will be after one thing- information."
Harry choked. "You want me to *sleep* with him??!" he managed to get out. He immediately felt himself turn bright red as he remembered where he was. Everyone knew! There was Snape, and McGonagall, and Sirius, of course. He had a sudden and utterly horrible vision of discussing different seduction techniques with Snape. My god, this was more than mortifying, he thought miserably. He felt himself flush even more. He wanted to disappear into the table.
"No," said Sirius quickly. "No, Harry. You don't have to do-"
"If you must," answered Infina coolly, as if Sirius had not even opened his mouth. "Mr Malfoy let us know that over the coming months he will be told more and more about Voldemort's activities. We would simply use the truth serum on him again, as some have suggested..." here she shot Sirius a swift, sharp look, "but you know that numerous memory charms tend to leave- side effects. These effects would arouse suspicion. However, we believe that Mr Malfoy, as young as he is, will open himself up to a lover almost as easily."
Harry swallowed hard. "But- I *hate* him," he said slowly. "I can't just act- I mean, I wouldn't be able to... I can't act as if I like him!"
"If you say so," said Infina. "I suppose, ultimately, that it is your decision. I can't force you into anything you don't wish to do. I'm telling you that if you do this you will probably save countless lives. If not-"
"Don't listen to her, Harry!" interrupted Sirius forcefully. "Of course you're not going to do it. I've already told her as much- don't let her try and make you feel guilty, try to trick you into something..."
Harry looked up at his godfather then, a determined set to his features. "I'm not a child, Sirius," he said softly, " and I can make my own decisions. And right now- right now I don't know what to decide." He turned to Infina. "I need some time to think about this. I'm sure you understand..."
Infina nodded quickly, and Harry got up slowly from his chair. He did not look at anyone as he went over to the door, put his hand on the handle. He stayed there for several moments, not moving at all, until quite suddenly he turned the doorknob, and pulled the door open.
"Harry..." Sirius called belatedly after him.
But the only answer he received was the faint clicking of the lock.
***
Uh-oh...