Pairing: HP/LM

Rating: R

Warning: Slash, angst, M/M, Mpreg

Disclaimer: all characters from Harry Potter belong to JK Rowling and Warner Brothers. I'm just an obsessed maniac who is also an insomniac thanks to the voices in her head.

Archived: ask please

Feedback: Desperately needed.

A/N: OK, I would just like to point out that if you were to chopped my head of and render me ala Sir Nicholas, then I wouldn't have been able to type out this chapter. You know, fingers passing through the keyboard and all. Oh well. Thanks so much for all your reviews, here's the end to the torment. So, please, I beg you, call of the hitmen okies?? Anyways, the next chapter is already done and betaed but I'm not gonna post it yet cos I'm fishing for reviews, yes, I know, I'm sad. But I really need some ego massage here and what can I say, its the reviews that keeps me going. This story is gonna go on from here into Harry's POV and then, the chapter after that. dun dun duunnn, the showdown chapter!! That's when it really gets interesting, so please people, don't lose interest now! Enjoy this chapter. Many thanks again to Linda and Lillian without whom I would have scrapped the chapter and taken even longer to update! Cheers! Remember, read and then REVIEW!!!!

Flashback, Hogwarts grounds, Lucius's POV

A visit with Albus Dumbledore, the last thing on my to-do list for today. I wonder what's eating at Waz though; he has been handling himself admirably today even with the upset at the Alley. Poor thing must still be wary of humans by the way he reacted today. Still, after the false start, he followed me along quietly and unobtrusively while I conducted my business, it was only when we reached Hogwarts when he tried to run away. Probably the proximity of the Forbidden Forest drawing him I guess. Maybe I'll make a short stop there after I'm done so he can run and play again. He must be missing his home greatly.

Sighing, I enter the school and head towards the headmaster's office. The corridors were silent and seemed to be missing the bustle and hustle of the students. I quicken my pace, wanting to get this onerous errand over with as soon as possible so I can finally return home and fully relax again with Waz. What would I do without him I wonder? At the gargoyle, I snarl out the password, earning me a strange look from Waz. Of course, he probably isn't used to seeing stone gargoyles leap out of the way like that and walls opening up revealing stairs. Reaching down, I rub his head lightly to comfort him and proceeded to Dumbledore's office.

" Ah, Lucius, and what can I do for you today? Oh my, and what a magnificent creature you have here. I wonder, would you mind if I took a closer look?" Dumbledore remarked upon my entry. Before I could say anything, he then reached down and lifted Waz' head, turning it this way and that, stroking the white marking on his forehead and then looked deep into the animal's eyes. Curiously, Waz did not react at all but instead sat quiescent, allowing the old wizard's ministrations.

Finally, the Headmaster of Hogwarts released my new pet and gestured for me to sit down. As he strode back to his seat behind his desk, I noticed that the twinkle that had been missing from his eyes since the dratted boy's disappearance had returned full force.

"Albus, I trust something of import has occurred. Have you found the boy then? Or heard word of him? Many factors would be very interested to know." I said as I took my seat.

Chuckling, the old reprobate ignored my questions and instead of answering, offered me tea and sweets and then said, " If I may ask Lucius, where did you find this creature? He looks to me an amazing specimen. Very uncommon markings. Very uncommon indeed. Interesting isn't he?"

Knowing the man's eccentricities, I quickly explained that I found Waz in the Alley and how I took him home and had been caring for him ever since. Surprisingly, the wizard's expression grew grim when I mentioned the panther's condition when I found him. Pushing that aside though, I turned to the reason why I came to see him and asked, "Albus, He is greatly anxious to know about the boy. Do you know where he is or not? I've been given the task of finding him and You-Know-Who has forbidden me to return unless I've found Harry Potter. What do you want me to do?"

At this, the old man's jollity returned and he said with that insufferable smile on his face, " Why Lucius, tell him the truth of course, that Harry's in safe hands, and will be returning to Hogwarts when the term begins. Tell Voldemort that I had Harry hidden somewhere safe as he was no longer safe with his muggle relatives." Smirking lightly, Dumbledore leaned back in his chair, laced his hands behind his head and looked as if he didn't have a care in the world.

"So you've found the meddlesome boy then? You know where he is? Severus told me everyone in the order was out looking for him high and low! Why didn't you tell me this earlier? Albus, how can you expect me to spy for you if you give me insufficient information! Dumbledore, you go too far sometimes!!" and my anger took hold of me, again, Lucius Malfoy is nothing but a tool to be used and abused.

Almost shaking with rage, I barely heard Dumbledore when he quickly reassured me that he had no idea where Harry Potter was until just this afternoon. Slightly mollified, but still irked, I haughtily asked him, "Well, where was the boy and where is he now? Why on earth did he run away from those muggles then? Irresponsible brat. Always causing trouble and never thinking of the consequences."

Imagine my shock when Dumbledore looked at me, beamed and said, " Where was the boy? Why, he was with you apparently. Where is he now? Sitting at your feet and listening intently to our conversation. Why did he run away? That we have to ask him though I have a faint idea. So, why don't you remove the collar from... Eihwaz did you say? And we shall hear from Harry Potter himself."

Stumped, I looked down at Waz and was trapped in his green, green eyes. Feeling somehow betrayed, I reached out and removed the collar, my mind refusing to process what had just happened. As if in a daze, I watch as the animal I had poured my heart out to these past few days slowly morphed back into the green eyed savior of the world.

Pulling my dignity and pride around me like a shroud, I tuned back into the conversation where Dumbledore was telling the young man that I was a spy for the order just like Snape was. As Potter nodded understanding, I tried to comprehend what had happened but failed miserably. All I know was the creature I had found to be a kindred spirit, the only living being in the world that seemed to understand me and empathize with me was a sham. Again, I am destined to be alone and used... my lot in life.

Regrouping quickly, I scornfully asked, " So Potter, decided to recklessly risk your life by doing some undercover work? Didn't you think of the consequences of your actions? Foolish brat. I bet you wanted to earn more glory by capturing the right hand man of the Dark Lord! Well, too bad for you, I made sure Dumbledore granted me immunity before I agreed to spy for him. So, you made the entire wizarding world worried about you and search for you for nothing you rash boy."

Glaring daggers at me, the boy opened his mouth to answer me but he was interrupted by the Headmaster. " Yes Harry, I too would like to know why you ran away from the Dursley's. What happened? When Severus went to investigate, all he found was your uncle lying drunk in the living room, bottles strewn around the house and your trunk in the cupboard under the stairs. There was no trace of your aunt or your cousin. And now Lucius tells me about the condition he found you in. Tell me Harry."

And so, the boy reluctantly started his tale. Instead of a willful reckless boy, he turned out to be an abused and tortured boy. Oppressed and neglected by his own relatives, thrown out and then forced to travel with those injuries only to find himself smack dab in the middle of danger just as he was so close to safety. Oh, my poor, poor Waz. Wait, what am I thinking? This isn't Waz, this is Harry Potter, the Boy-Who-Lived. Waz didn't, never did exist. But then, Waz' eyes looked at me out of Potter's face. Those expressive eyes that drew me to the animal in the first place. Confusion filled my senses again. I cared for Waz. He was my friend. But I loathed Harry Potter, for without him, Voldemort would still be incorporeal.

Uncertain how to react, I fell back on my usual procedure and arrogantly said to Dumbledore, " Well, now you have your savior back, I will return to Voldemort and get my torture done with. Make sure you don't lose him this time around Dumbledore, I'll be sure not to pick up any strays of the street in the future." Standing up, I move to leave but was stopped by Dumbledore.

" Lucius, wait, I know of a way to avoid the Crucio for the time being."

Intrigued, I sank back in my seat and waited. I'd be foolish not to at least listen. Anything to avoid unnecessary pain.