Chapter 20: Interlude
Pairing: HP/LM
Rating: R
Warning: Slash, angst, M/M, Mpreg
Disclaimer: Not mine, though I wish they were. Sigh, if wishes were Harry Potter characters I'd have my own personal Harem. The Thistleton Hotel really exists and I have never been in there. I am not making any money out of this and use the Hotel name purely because it was in the right local and I liked how it looked from the outside. Trust me, if you try to sue me, it won't get you any money cos I'm dirt broke already! Oh yes, Leech Root I got from the wonderful fic called the Mirror of Maybe, by the Goddess Midnight Blue. All credit goes to her for that.
Archived: ask please
Feedback: Desperately needed…
A/N: Hi all, Sorry for the long wait. I know, I've been sorely neglecting this fic lately, and basking about lazily enjoying my first real holiday in months. Sorry about that. But, here ya go, the next chapter at last! Credit and dedication of this chapter goes to Lori and her sister, I'm sorry, but you never told me your name, only your sister's! for sending me the most touching review ever and well, making me feel sooo guilty for not writing and updating that I just had to, if only to make Lori feel better. I'm going to be ignoring book 5 that is OotP for the rest of this fic becuas eit just does not fit in to my plans. Sorry. But on the plus side, there will not be any spoilers so....
Kudo's for betaing this fic goes to Ruhgozler as usual, especially since she did it rather fast and had to put up with countless silly stupid mistakes. Thanks Linda, you are a treasure! OK, things are moving along rather fast in this chapter, I'm speeding up the timeframe a little cos we've been stuck on the same bloody day for several chapters now. And well, I need to move on. Also, this chapter is significantly longer then usual so that must make some of you glad. So, I hope the time change and the POV changes don't confuse you too much. Like I said in the first chapter and numerous times already, I know I suck. Sorry! Thanks to all those who've reviewed. It means a lot to me. If I don't acknowledge some of you here, it's cos for some reason, I cannot view some of my reviews from you all. FFnet is messing up. So I'm sorry. But I really appreciate it though. It's the reviews that keep me writing. I swear! Well, them and the bloody bunnies taking over my brain. LOL.
ChristinaLupin01442: Thanks! Um, and to all the MWPP as well as the trio.
Caroline Hal, HollyT, JamieLynnPotter, Elly, Sela, TommyBoy 182, Teraki Wufang, Lucius Sikilmiltuile, Momma-dar: Well, here ya go... Hope you enjoy it!
Crysta-Astra: Thanks, Well, you've certainly pleased me. And I know what you mean. I'm mainly a Sev/Harry shipper as well, but got sucked into this ship.
Saavik: Exactly the reaction I was hoping for. And Draco felt the same way as well. Eh, We are slashers, not het-ers, right?? LOL
Hisastrea: Thanks for the head's up. I know I make that mistake, I can never tell the difference between the two ie. when to use on and when to use the other. I think it might be driving my beta mad! Sorry! But glad to know you like this. Here's the next chapter.
Dark-One Shadowphyre: I know it's possible. I do it all the time too. LOL. Thanks!
Kana-Chan, Jaded Secrets, Petunia, The angel Charlie: Thanks!
Chantal Malfoy: Ummm not for a while yet. Sorry. I need to establish a relationship, kill of Voldie and then, well... you get the picture. Sorry!
And to all the others that I've missed. Thanks so much for your reviews!!
Well, here's the chapter, enjoy!! And please, let me know what you think! Lori, good luck with the results dearie.... I hope this cheers you up.
/blah/ means Italics...
Suite 7310, Thistleton Hotel, Bayswater, London, Summer 1995
Lucius's POV
A faint smile on my face, I listen and watch from the door of the bedroom, the spell I cast allowing me to see through it. It's funny how much like animals we are, our actions, our instincts, our very behavior mirrors them so much. I wonder how come we think ourselves the better species sometimes. Look at the two of them. Sure, Draco is bound but I can just see the wheels turning in his head as his mind adjusts to the things he has learned today and he figures out how to deal with them all to the best of his advantage. Harry is circling around him, almost like two alpha males fighting for top position and weighing each other's abilities and strengths.
A few days ago, I would have rushed out cursing immediately had I seen anyone even think of binding my child. Today, I sat back and was almost.... proud as I watched my protégé pull out his wand, his intentions clear on his face. I need to teach Draco not to lose himself in thought like that, even when shocked. Although I presume Potter's had to learn that the hard way and really, those lessons one can never forget.
These past few weeks have given me a greater understanding of the psyche behind the 'Boy-Who-Lived'. Last night's revelry was very educational and it is as if some kind of truce was reached between the two of us. The way his mind works, the twists and turns, all interest me for some reason. He obfuscates like a Slytherin and can out think many people I know, certainly a good number of people currently working for the Ministry for sure! Given his background and history, the pain and loss he has gone through, it is no small miracle that he isn't another Dark Lord or hasn't gone barmy like Dumbledore.
Instead, he embraces life as much as he can and tries to protect it, not for himself, for he thinks he can never have a normal, proper life, but for the people he cares about. For Granger so she will not fear living in the Wizarding world because of her bloodlines, for Weasley, so his family will not lose their dear ones to the war, even for Severus so he will be free of the spying and the lies and the darkness and be able to live for himself. He even fights for his parents and for his godfather and that werewolf because it is their cause and he wishes to protect them.
Slytherin cunning mixed with Gryffindor conviction, how utterly refreshing and scary all at the same time. No wonder Voldemort wants this boy dead. He's going about it the wrong way though. Oh no, he would never have had this much trouble in the first place if the boy's parents hadn't been killed. Funny that. He created his own nemesis without even knowing it, and now turned that nemesis into his personal white whale. Oh, it is going to be incredibly interesting so see how it all unfolds. There can only be one ending of course, with Severus, Dumbledore and I as well as the boy on the same side, Voldemort will fall, spectacularly. All that remains to be seen is to ensure he falls hard enough to satisfy my revenge.
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Over the next few days, the suite at Thistleton was remarkably unscathed, given that two of the three occupants hated each other at some point in their lives or other. Of course there were minor misunderstandings and many arguments as well as battles of wit. Definitely. However, most of the barbs weren't poison tipped as usual and they got along fine. Draco joined in the training sessions, sometimes being taught by Lucius and Harry, other times learning together with Harry, and occasionally, joining Lucius in teaching Harry what he himself was taught at a far younger age. You don't become the almost-adopted-son of Voldemort without having been taught by all the other Death Eaters. No, that just was not done.
Harry grew comfortable around the other two, enjoying the constant battle of sarcasm with Draco and learning more about Lucius as well. They would venture out on town once in a while, still putting up the facade of searching for himself, and Draco as well as Lucius would endeavor to cultivate Harry's appreciation for London, bringing him to all their favorite places. Their mannerisms changed slightly as well as they talked to Waz, relaxing their guard more and becoming more open. He absorbed not only the sights and sounds of London, but also the gestures and character of the two Malfoys. In some ways, although it felt downright weird to think so, it was more comfortable for him to talk with the Malfoys than to talk to Ron or Hermione.
With the other members of the Gryffindor trio, he sometimes had to hide things or to couch his speech in such as manner as to not arouse any suspicions. He especially had to hide his Slytherin side from them, after the Tri-Wizard fiasco and all, he refused to risk their friendship anymore. Besides, how do you talk to someone about your fears and worries when they haven't even experienced half of what you had gone through? With the Malfoys, they more or less understood. Heck, Draco had been attending torture sessions and Dark Revels since he was 12, and come on, what can be scarier then the knowledge that your mother was sleeping with Voldemort for Merlin's sake. And they appreciated his Slytherin side and already knew about his Gryffindor tendencies so not much problem there. And Lucius, well, that man was a bloody Death Eater and slightly more approachable then Severus, especially since Draco entered the picture. That boy could twist his father around his little pinky to get anything. Sometimes it made him wish he had someone who cherished him like that, and he would just watch wistfully as father and son interacted and he would pay specific attention to Lucius, as he treated his son exactly as a loving father would.
Draco on the other hand, had never had more fun in the summer . Oh yes, he had been pampered and spoilt his whole life. But ever since he started Hogwarts, the underlying tension that surrounded his home made it impossible to enjoy himself. Escape to his 'friends' manors did not help matters much, seeing as Crabbe and Goyle couldn't carry on a conversation with a muggle hat much less and enchanted one like the Sorting Hat. And Pansy, *shudder* lets just not go there. He still made sure to check his bed every night while staying close to several unblocked exit routes. That witch had arms clingier then Devil's Snare and was ten times more unpleasant than leech root!
For the first summer since school, he had fun exchanging insults with Potter and spending time with his father. Ever since he made his decision, he absolved himself of the guilt of deserting his mother and instead, threw himself into the benefits of his choice. He spent time not only learning new hexes and defenses, something which was always fun to him, but also learning more about his father, things that his uncertain loyalties of the past prevented the two from sharing. Potter was an able conversationalist, as well as opponent in their constant battle and the time the both of them spent together was entertaining if not downright enjoyable. All in all, it was shaping up to be a rather interesting as well as rewarding summer. Hmmm, he just might have to reward Pettigrew for being such a coward and chucking this assignment off to him. And, being nice to that miserable rat might just make Wormtail cower in fear for weeks, waiting for the other shoe to drop.
Lucius on the other hand had mixed feelings. He loved that he was able to spend more time with his son and get to know him better. He also was relieved about the decision Dray had made and he no longer dreaded it. Waz, was like all his animals, a delight, and Potter, well, he was an adequate companion, more mature and intellectual then many his age, even slightly more then Dray, although he would never admit it aloud nor to either of the young men occupying his suite. Teaching the two was entertaining, especially the larks the boys would get up to, hexing each other and rivaling for his attention. And when Dray was sleeping or occupied elsewhere, Potter and he had had some interesting discussions. Apparently they shared many things in common, not only a love for animals but also an interest in sports, Quidditch especially. What they didn't exactly agree on, they argued about rationally and logically, sometimes convincing the other, other times graciously bowing out. It was fascinating to be able to discuss all of this openly. Severus was too taciturn and too controlled to even partake in similar debates and well, he was not close to anyone else. Dray was slightly too young in his opinions and thinking as well as mirrored most of his own thoughts to be a competent opponent.
He enjoyed that aspect of their stay in London. But something was confusing him, the answer to his quandary stubbornly remained just out of his reach, escaping his senses totally. Every so often, he would watch Potter interact with Dray, smiling at his son's antics and smirking when Dray scored a particularly good point. However, there were times when sharp jabs of /something/ would ruin those moments, times when Dray and Harry would be good naturedly wrestling, or sitting together on the sofa, heads bent close together as they talked and argued about something or other. If only he could peg that feeling as being jealous that Potter was getting so close to his son, but that was not it at all. In fact, at those times, he felt almost angry /with/ his son instead of angry /for/ his son. It was altogether puzzling. And he hated not knowing why he was feeling a certain way. Those thoughts about Potter's attractiveness he could at least peg as natural, seeing as he had not been with his usual nighttime companions lately, and he was more or less confined to such close surroundings with the same person day after day. It was only natural to feel some semblance of attraction for a young nubile man. Yes, purely natural and utterly expected. Yes.... Natural....
Merlin, he couldn't wait for September to come around, though, he felt oddly torn about that fact as well. No, that was just because he didn't want to be separated from Dray so soon. He would be perfectly glad to see Potter off under Dumbledore's protection again. Well, except he'd probably miss their talks and debates every once in a while. Naturally. A perfectly, absolutely natural reaction.
TBC....
