Disclaimer: Harry Potter does not belong to me. It belongs to the wonderful people at Warner Brothers and Bloomsburg and Scholastic and of course J K Rowling. Although the other day Ms. Rowling did mention that she might consider selling it to me….
Harry: Really?
Me: *long suffering sigh* no not really….
Summary: Harry Potter's life is about to change forever when he finds out the truth about his mother and makes a decision that can and will effect the entire wizarding world. TR/OC HP/DM and various other pairings.
Warning: This is Slash, which means two guys in a relationship in case you didn't know. This story will have other plot lines but if this bothers you than leave now. This will also be MPreg, which means that a male character will become pregnant. While I don't plan on going into intense detail this is an element of the story and if this bothers you than you should also stay away.
Authors note: This is my second attempt at fan fiction and my first attempt at slash. Criticism is welcome but if you plan on giving me a review about how wrong male/male relationships are and that is the only problem that you have with the story then please don't write the review. I have given you fair warning about the nature of this fic. SLASH and MPREG. A hundred Million thanks to my bets Moonchild!
Chapter four: Seeing Red
Harry had come to a decision… he had to get the hell out of that house. After Jennifer's explanation he could only think of possible ways to escape… and his chance came only a few days later during the promised Diagon Alley visit, except he didn't take it.
The moment they set foot inside the Leaky Caldron it seemed as though everyone were avoiding them, which was quite strange compared to the treatment that Harry usually endured. It was just Jennifer and Harry… the trip was meant to cheer up Harry who had been acting practically brooding the past few days. It wasn't exactly cheering him up as much as it was causing him to redefine the word "anxious".
When they entered Madam Malkin's to buy Harry's clothing, the owner took one look at Jennifer and scurried into the back room. Jennifer, Harry noted, seemed miffed at her behavior but not in the least bit surprised.
"Madam," Jennifer called coldly. "I do believe that we are in need of some assistance."
The owner opened the door cautiously and Harry noticed that her wand was very obviously placed in a holster at her waist. "Yes, I'm sorry, of course Ms. Grind-."
"I don't want to hear any excuses!" Jennifer barked. "Mr. Potter requires a new wardrobe… charge it to my account." She turned on her heels and stalked to the door that led back into Diagon Alley. She reached for the doorknob and then turned swiftly to glare at Madam Malkin. "Do make sure that Harry is well taken care of. I expect him to be ready within the hour." Her voice drifted away once the door was slammed shut.
Madam Malkin's shoulders sagged with relief. She turned to stare at Harry and after a few moments she looked as though she had come to a decision about something. "I could owl Albus Dumbledore if you'd like Mr. Potter…." She said timidly, like she was expecting Harry to whip his wand out for the very suggestion.
Harry's eyes brightened for a moment before he remembered everything that he had been through in the past few days. Could he really go back to his own world knowing everything that he did now? Could he leave knowing that Sirius would be on the opposite side of the war? Then again, could he stay? Could he turn his back on everything he knew? Could he pretend that he had never been friends with Ron or Hermione? Harry realized that he couldn't do any of these things… he couldn't stay but he couldn't go either. Harry could only see one possibility left…
…He would spy on both sides, and come to a decision as to who was trustworthy later. As for now, he had a relative who was willing to buy him things, and to teach him.
Did he want her to owl Albus Dumbledore?
"That's alright, Madam… I was thinking about getting something in green." Harry said quietly.
Madam Malkin hesitated for a minute before she rushed to show Harry their latest selections.
Jennifer left the robe shop in a huff. How dare that woman call her by her maiden name! She had half a mind to march back into that shop and teach her some respect … but she had business to attend to and supplies to acquire. She hurried down the Alley and to a sharp left… originally she had wanted to bring Harry with her into Knockturn Alley but after his admission of hatred for the place she thought it might be a little too much too soon.
She entered a shop on her left and smiled briefly as the familiar smell hit her. She glanced at the store owner who was looking at her as though she had risen from the dead.
Quickly remembering his manners the man bowed and took her hand in his, "Mrs. Riddle, I had thought, had heard of your untimely death but I suppose I must check my sources more carefully."
"Mr. Borgin, as delighted as I am to see you, I'm afraid I haven't dropped in for a social call. I believe that you received an invite to a gathering at the manner this evening though."
"Yes, by immediate owl, Mrs. Riddle. I've already sent my consent," Mr. Borgin said thankfully.
"I need to pick up a few supplies on beginners Dark Arts." Jennifer said, and noticing his surprised look she decided to elaborate a bit further. "We have picked up a new student for the summer… bright fellow. Give me everything I may need, Mr. Borgin… and do make it quick…. I have several other stops today."
The owner nodded and ducked behind the counter and into a back room, quickly gathering all of the supplies he had for beginners Dark Arts, checking twice that he had everything. After all Mrs. Riddle was not one to upset… and if she didn't extract her revenge than her husband certainly would.
"Is this everything I require?" Jennifer asked regarding the pile distrustfully.
"These are all of the materials that I carry for beginners, Mrs. Riddle. Of course I don't carry potions ingredients or talismans from outside of the country…."
"I am well aware of what you do and do not carry, Mr. Borgin." Jennifer snapped. "How much does this come to?"
Mr. Borgin swallowed painfully as he added the numbers in his head. The items that he was selling to her were quite expensive. "No charge, Mrs. Riddle."
Jennifer smirked as she shrunk the items to fit in her pocket… she didn't expect anything more.
Harry stared at Jennifer questioningly as she strode into the shop with her hands empty. She gave him a half smile and politely asked him if he had gotten everything he might need.
Harry nearly fell off of the platform that he was standing on. She was in a considerably good mood… Harry didn't know whether he should be feeling relieved or nervous. He debated on his history and he decided that perhaps being nervous was a good thing.
Jennifer pulled out her wand and shrunk the packages before turning to Harry and asking if there was anywhere else he would like to go.
Harry turned and looked out of the window in Madam Malkin's robe shop and down the road at the Quidditch supplies shop.
Jennifer followed his gaze and nodded curtly, "Let's check out the latest broom model then shall we?"
The crowd parted in the Alley almost as though they had known that Harry and Jennifer were on their way to the Quidditch store.
One child was reluctant though, "…But Mum! I want to check out the broom again, did you see it has an acceleration of 200 miles per hour in eight seconds…." The boy's voice rifted away and as Harry and Jennifer neared the window they could hear the child's mother scolding him.
"I saw, Sam… but we have to be getting home now… you know how your Father likes us to be early these days."
"Dad told us to spend the day out of the house!" The boy, Sam, protested.
Harry cast curious eyes on the pair and he caught the Mother staring at Jennifer fearfully.
The boy, too, had followed his Mother's eyes over to Jennifer. He appeared confused for a minute before recognition sparked in his eyes, "Mum… isn't that the woman from Father's old newspaper?"
The woman was dragging him off into the direction of the Leaky Caldron, "Of course not, Sam… we really have to be getting home now."
Harry watched them disappear into the pub before turning to look at Jennifer questioningly.
Jennifer, who had of course noticed the spectacle, said quietly, "The Fitzgerald's… an old family." Then she turned to stare at the display in front of Quality Quidditch Supplies pointedly.
Harry's eyes widened in delight at the new broom on display:
Silver Arrow 2004
This old model has been improved upon and brought back by the International Association of Quidditch; its sleek handle provides fast turning and easy control for the modern Quidditch player. The take off time is the fastest we've seen yet with 200 mph acceleration in 8 seconds, and its assortment of protection charms is the greatest. Price on request.
Jennifer watched Harry admire the broom and she put a light hand on his shoulder. She nearly laughed as Harry jumped from being jolted out of his reverie. "Well let's go inside and get you one of these…. Perhaps Draco could use one as well?"
Harry looked from the display to Jennifer in shock. He thought of all the Quidditch matches that he could win on it… and he imagined himself flying circles around Malfoy. Then he realized who would be purchasing the broom for him and he sighed. "My Firebolt is in fine condition."
"Don't you want this broom?" Jennifer asked confused.
"I don't need it." Harry mumbled and Jennifer didn't hear him. Loudly he said, "I'm still rather attached to my own broom… maybe in a few years I'll get a new one."
Jennifer shifted her attention from the broom to Harry and then she turned to look down the road at the Cauldron shop. "I still need a solid gold number 3 caldron… and a few other items. I was wondering if you might be able to pick that up for me." She pulled out a pouch and handed it to him.
Harry took it and was surprised by its weight. "I can do that."
Jennifer gave Harry the first genuine smile that Harry had received from her. "Thank you, Harry… you know I was beginning to worry about you, but I think that you'll do just fine."
Harry turned toward the Cauldron shop thinking numbly, 'That's what worries me.'
It was late afternoon when the Portkey that Jennifer and Harry used transported them in front of Riddle Manor… and it was the first time that Harry had had an outside view of the home… if you could call it that. He shivered involuntarily at the luminous structure and for a moment it seemed as though the house welcomed him. It was an intense feeling, like that of coming home after years of absence. He glanced at Jennifer who seemed immensely pleased with the house's reaction.
She pulled something out of her pocket and used her wand to enlarge it. Harry recognized the package as his robes. "Change into your new dress robes and cloak… tonight is your introduction."
Harry turned to ask, 'introduction to what?' – When the door opened and he saw Malfoy waiting for them.
Once they were inside Malfoy took a hold of him with one hand and grabbed the packages in the other. "We'll see you at seven, Jennifer." Malfoy said politely before he dragged Harry up to their rooms.
Once Harry was hauled into the room by a strangely enthusiastic Draco Malfoy, he detached himself from the tight grip on his arm. "…Introduction to what, Malfoy?"
Malfoy looked confused for a moment before he seemed to understand what Harry was talking about. "It's an introduction into the wizarding society."
"I don't understand… wasn't that what the sorting was for?" Harry asked blinking owlishly.
Draco quirked an eyebrow at him in amusement, "No the sorting was for the purpose of sorting you." At Harry's glare he explained what kind of introduction. "Your 15th birthday is this summer, right? Mine was back in January… and usually a pure blooded wizard has something of a coming out party – no, Potter, not that kind of coming out. Your parents hold it for you, or the people who consider themselves your guardians… and they introduce you to the wizarding world as an adult. You meet employers and shop owners, friends of your parents - stuff like that. Basically you start to make connections with people you might need something from later in life. Don't worry you have another two years before you have to work with or contact any of these people. It is also an ideal time to choose a partner. You don't have to…" Draco added noticing the increase of panic that had made its way across Harry's features. "I wasn't able to – since my party was cancelled due to unconventional circumstances. Bloody Triwizard Tournament ruined quite a few things… you would have gotten an invite though I'm sure." Draco said sincerely and at the look of disbelief that Harry shot him he continued. "I would have needed you to be there when I chose you as a partner, wouldn't I have?"
Harry blanched. "Exactly how long have you had this fixation on me?"
"I guess what they say about Gryffindors is correct – if it isn't some sort of life endangering mystery they wouldn't notice it if it danced naked in front of them. I've been trying to get your attention since I was eleven, Potter… though it didn't turn into anything physical until a year and a half ago probably."
"You've liked me since we were thirteen?" Harry said faintly. "Really wouldn't have guessed that one… what with you having been a total bastard toward me. My mistake, obviously you attempting to kill me should have tipped me off straight away. I mean we all try to kill the one's we love at one point or another."
"…Yes, definitely…." Draco said not noting Harry's sarcasm.
Harry looked like he was going to be sick. "I think you need counseling, Malfoy, if that is your idea of a healthy relationship." Then Harry sat down on the bed heavily, almost crushing the packages as he did so.
Draco stood in front of Harry and waved a hand in front of his face, when he received no response he knelt in front of him. "Potter… Harry, look at me." Draco commanded. "I never said that I wanted a healthy relationship with you, all I said is that I wanted you. I mean, can you honestly picture me in a normal relationship? That isn't to say that I would treat you badly… I just… shit I'm really not that good at this you know? I know that I want to be with you when you're ready – not that I plan on easing off any time soon – and I certainly wouldn't outright force you into anything. Believe me if that's how I wanted it you would already be sleeping with me… I have enough blackmail material on your friends to keep you in my bed for a very long time. But I don't want your submission, I want you."
Harry looked into Draco's eyes not really shocked by the strong emotion there. His words and his emotions matched so much that Draco Malfoy would have to have been an academy award winner if he was lying. This didn't do anything to alleviate Harry's fears, if anything they increased.
Harry turned away from Draco first. "I won't…."
Draco stood up and his features became guarded again, and Harry found himself wishing he hadn't spoken. "You won't what, Potter?"
Harry stood and walked over to Draco, and said clearly so that Malfoy would hear him, "I won't be anything less than your equal." Then, being driven by some unknown emotion, Harry reached forward and grasped Draco's hand and shook it.
Draco held on to Harry's hand a moment longer than necessary, "Never."
"I guess it doesn't take a troll to help create the most unlikely friendship." Harry commented thoughtfully.
"…A troll?" Draco asked frightfully.
"It's a long story – and it's not really mine to tell." Harry said sadly. "If this is my party I should be able to invite anyone I want, right?"
"If you're thinking of inviting Weasley and Granger, then you're out of your mind."
"Why can't I? They're my friends." Harry said stubbornly. "If they really want my loyalty then I have to be allowed to keep my friends."
"If you invite either of them here they'll be dead in a moment," Draco sneered.
"Why? …Because they don't believe in the 'cause'? I don't exactly believe in it and I'm still alive."
"That's because you're Lord Voldemort's grandson! Remove your head from your ass, Potter; I'm trying to help you. You aren't taking these people seriously enough. One order from their master and your friends would be dead."
"So I'll request an audience with Voldemort and ask him to put my friends on the 'do not kill' list." Harry said stubbornly.
"Oh yes – I can see that meeting going well. 'Lord Voldemort… I was wondering if I could invite my Muggle-loving and Mudblood friends over. No? You don't think that human sacrifice is appropriate at this type of party, but you promise to let me know when the next Death Eater meeting is.'"
"Don't call her a Mudblood! If it weren't for Hermione, I'd be dead."
"She's inferior," Draco said quietly.
"No she isn't! She's the top of our class and the most brilliant witch I've ever met." Harry said fiercely.
"No one has ever explained to you what it means to be a wizard, have they?" Draco asked in astonishment. "We're not just Muggles with powers, you know – we're much more than that. We are superior beings and we even offered them a chance to coexist as our servants and they refused. So we broke away and created a better world, a wizarding world. We don't just do magic tricks Potter – we control life and death to such an extent that we should be immortal, but we're not. You know why that is? …Bad blood. We mixed with them and we lost some of our powers. The sorcerers of our past were immortal, as we were meant to be, until we punished ourselves by screwing Muggles. And the Gods took our powers away for doing it. Why do you think that we have squibs and Mudbloods now – we are being punished, the Mudbloods especially. They have to leave the world they grew up in and enter our where they'll never reach our full potential. Lord Voldemort has a vision, Potter, – one where we as the superiors, finally take our place at the head of the life cycle. We won't kill all the Muggles of course – just the ones who speak out. It isn't anything but a new government, and hopefully by finally proving that we are worthy of leading the world we can gain our lost powers back. Potter… we can become immortal."
"And what will happen to Hermione?" Harry asked swallowing hard.
"What she doesn't have in innate magic she makes up for in intelligence. Maybe they'll make an exception for her if she marries into a pureblood family."
"Do you think that if she agreed to that that they would treat her as an equal?" Harry asked, his mood brightening a bit.
"Anything is possible – I suppose it depends on what family she married into."
"Then she should come to this party, right? She should make the right contacts now before it's too late." Harry said quietly not realizing that he was speaking as though the dark side was going to win the war.
"That is what Granger's own party would be for." Draco said evenly.
"But she won't have one, right? 'Cause her parents are Muggles and they don't have any connections. If she came then I could choose her as my partner and she'd be alright." Harry said, forming a plan in his mind… not noticing the look of pure hurt that passed over Draco's face.
"I didn't realize that you felt that way towards the Mudblood."
"I don't," Harry said offhandedly, not bothering to correct Draco on the use of the word Mudblood. This time Harry did notice the relief cross Draco's face. Harry, coming to a decision, asked the question that had been on his mind since Draco had traced patterns on his skin in bed. "…Why?"
Draco didn't need Harry to explain what he meant. "You're loyal to your friends, attracted to danger, the best Quidditch player that I've seen and you're sexy as hell."
"Oh," Harry said quietly – trying to figure out why Malfoy calling him sexy didn't repulse him as much as it should have.
"Is keeping Granger safe that important to you?" Draco asked suddenly.
"Yes," Harry said firmly.
"Then stay away from her. Tell her not to draw any attention to herself… tell her to leave the country."
"Tell her to run?" Harry sneered.
"I'm trying to help you, Potter. The only way to keep her safe is to keep her quiet."
"I refuse to tell my friends to leave England."
"Then don't tell them, Potter, do whatever you want – but if you want to guarantee their safety then you'll tell them not to draw any negative attention to themselves." Draco rubbed his temple; just talking to Harry about keeping Granger safe was giving him a headache. "You had better get dressed… the guests will be arriving in an hour."
"Fine then leave… I'm not going to change in front of you." Harry said stubbornly.
Draco smirked and walked over to the wardrobe. He pulled out a package and left to change in the bathroom down the hall.
Thirty minutes later Harry was trying and failing, to his irritation and to the mirror's amusement, to get his hair into some semblance of order. So when a firm knock could be heard from the other side of the door, he paid it no attention.
A minute later someone knocked twice.
Harry threw the comb he was using onto the dresser, stalked over to the door and pulled it open with such a great force that the wood shock on its hinges.
"I'm not ready yet –." Harry practically growled before he realized that it was his godfather and Narcissa who were standing in the door. Ignoring Sirius completely he turned to Narcissa, "Draco isn't here, Mrs. Malfoy… is there something that I can help you with?"
Narcissa glanced at Sirius briefly before answering, "Actually I was sent by Draco who seemed to think that you might require some help with your hair."
"I keep trying to tell him that it is a fruitless effort…" The mirror said sadly.
Harry turned around and glared at the mirror, daring it to say more. When it remained silent Harry stepped away from the doorframe to allow Narcissa access to the room. Once she was inside Harry went to shut the door in Sirius' face – only to find his foot in the way.
Harry scowled. "Is there something that you need?"
Sirius stepped inside of the room and closed the door behind him. "I thought we might be able to talk."
"I would love to talk, but I am in the middle of something." Harry said in a falsely sympathetic voice, and turned back to look at Narcissa.
"I need to make you understand –."
"I don't want to understand why you would do this. I don't want to know why you would lie to your best friends for years. I don't want to know why you think that your reasons for joining the Death Eaters are more important or excusable than anyone else's. The point is that you lied, to me, to Ron, and to Hermione. Hermione trusts you, you know? And all this time you were thinking of ways to kill her." Harry gave Sirius the most disgusted look he could muster and he walked over to Narcissa who was standing near the dresser.
"The problem is that it just refuses to lie flat." Harry said staring into the mirror then looking back at Narcissa who looked completely lost. "My hair refuses to stay flat," Harry clarified.
She looked astonished that Harry could ignore Sirius. "Well… um…."
Sirius growled suddenly and pointed his wand at the door. Harry watched impassively as he coated the door with wards, including one that wouldn't let Harry out of the room.
Sirius turned back toward Harry. "I've been very lenient with you, Harry. It must be hard to have your whole world turned completely upside down… and I'm sorry that I wasn't there from the beginning, that I couldn't be a real parent. I'm sorry that I didn't turn to Jennifer when everything happened, I'm sorry that I went after Pettigrew. But I'm not going to sit back while you kick me out of your life without giving me so much as a chance for explanations. I'm not making excuses about being a Death Eater – it's what I am, and I'm also your godfather."
"You're only my godfather because my parents thought that you were on our side." Harry said roughly.
Sirius laughed; it wasn't a pleasant sound. "Your father knew, Harry… he knew that I worked for Lord Voldemort, of course he never said as much, but he knew that I disappeared from the school three times a year. He saw me clutch my arm in pain. But he also knew where my loyalties laid. He knew that if anything happened that I would die for him, and for Lily and for you. I believed in Lord Voldemort's cause but I was loyal to James above everyone else. I don't know if he knew about Pettigrew or Remus but he knew that I wore Voldemort's mark. I didn't know Voldemort's plans to go to Godric's Hollow on Halloween, had he told me I would have tried putting a stop to it… I suppose that is why he didn't tell me. I didn't know that Peter would betray James; in fact I believed that he wouldn't be able to. We had made a wizarding pact many years ago, the four of us, which stated that harm would come to whoever broke it.
"I don't know how Peter wormed his way out of a wizarding pact… but it doesn't matter. In the course of two days I lost everything, my friends and my freedom. At first I refused to go crawling to Dumbledore… he would force me to tell him things that I couldn't; secrets that weren't mine to tell. So I went after Peter. I wanted to kill him for killing James and Lily, I won't lie about that. And when Peter shouted for the entire street to hear that I had betrayed Lily and James, my chances of staying under Dumbledore's care and having him believe that I was loyal to him were squashed. I was shipped off to Azkaban for twelve years. "
"And then you showed up at Hogwarts." Harry said quietly. "You convinced Hermione and Ron and me that you were innocent and we convinced Dumbledore. You're back in Dumbledore's good graces because of me."
"Yes. Remus and I had it planned, it is a lesser known fact that he had come to visit me that year as well – right after Fudge. I told him that Pettigrew was at Hogwarts and that he was masquerading as a rat. Remus said that he would apply for the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher and I would escape from Azkaban. There was no point in doing it sooner… we didn't have any proof of Peter's whereabouts."
"The whole time Professor Lupin…." Harry said faintly.
"Yes, from the beginning. On Halloween he was supposed to make sure that Pettigrew stayed in the common room and he did, but that portrait refused to let me in without a password – it wasn't always like that. Back in our days we could sweet talk our way into any portrait-guarded room… Dumbledore had increased security since my break from Azkaban. Then Remus came to me with another plan… and this one was perfect. He had heard that Buckbeak was having an appeal… and that it was fixed so that the hippogriff was going to die. He also had gotten the map from you by then and he knew that Peter was alive and living inside Hagrid's cabinet. It was a perfect plan… we knew that you would go down to see Hagrid so Remus went down the night before and trapped Peter in a milk jug. And I waited outside… I thought it might be hard to find you under the Invisibility Cloak but that was solved when Ron came running out from under it. Remus was sitting at his desk watching it all on the map, he was waiting for the right moment – but he made one crucial mistake. He forgot to wipe the map.
"Had everything gone as planned, I would have been a free man and Remus and I would be free to seek out Lord Voldemort - It didn't hurt that Peter would also pay for handing Lily and James their deaths.
"Remus never forgot about the full moon. It was a last ditch effort in order to save me from the Dementor's Kiss. Unfortunately we lost Peter that night as well, and you know the rest from there." Sirius said taking a deep breath.
"It was all an act – that night at the Shrieking Shack, all of it then? Professor Lupin thinking that you were a traitor… the way he pretended that he didn't know how you escaped from Azkaban?" Harry asked evenly.
"Yes it was… but I still would have died for you, Harry."
Harry ignored him. "Why didn't Lupin look for Voldemort after he was fired then? And if he knew it was the full moon then how was he supposed to help you in wolf form?"
"Remus couldn't go alone… he was too weak after the year at Hogwarts… we were supposed to go together but after everything that happened Dumbledore kept close tabs on me… he would have known if I had gone in search of Voldemort. And in answer to your second question – he wouldn't have transformed. He didn't most of the time; when he was at home he would use magic in order to stop the cycle… It wouldn't cure him but he wouldn't have to go through the painful transformation."
"He would use Dark magic?" Harry asked.
"Yeah… but he couldn't do that under Dumbledore's nose so he went through the transformation… that was why he was too weak to seek out Voldemort on his own."
"Dumbledore would have noticed that it was the full moon and that Remus hadn't changed that night."
"Probably but we were willing to explain how he did that."
"I don't understand why you didn't just explain it to me before."
"And you would have understood? When was I supposed to tell you? Should I have told you in a letter, through the Floo network… in front of your friends?"
Sirius did have a point… they never really did have a chance to speak alone for a long period of time.
"Harry you have to believe me when I tell you that I will never let any harm come to you. Even if Lord Voldemort and Jennifer decided tomorrow that they wanted to kill you again… even if Dumbledore decided that he wanted you dead."
Harry looked at Sirius sharply. "Would he do that?"
Sirius shrugged. "Stranger things have happened."
Harry shook his head in an attempt to clear it from all of the things that he had just learned, but he couldn't find fault in any of what Sirius said, except…. "How can you hate Hermione?"
Sirius looked surprised. "I don't hate Hermione."
Harry sighed impatiently. "But you think that Muggle-borns shouldn't be allowed to learn magic?"
Sirius hesitated, "I also think that Hermione is the exception to that rule. She has adapted so well to the wizarding society that I can't help but think of her as a witch. And she knows so much about our culture it's like she was raised as a witch as well."
"Then what about me?" Harry asked bitterly. "I was raised as a Muggle… and I don't know nearly enough about the wizarding world as she does. I didn't know anything about this introduction and I didn't even know that we aren't prejudiced against same sex couples. What else don't I know?"
Sirius leaned over and grabbed Harry's chin forcing Harry to look at him. "It is my fault that you don't know any of that… and it is a mistake that I plan to fix. I am supposed to spend the summer looking for you… but since I've already found you I thought I might spend it being a godfather."
"Draco says that Muggle-borns don't have as much magic as we do… is that true?" Harry asked.
Sirius let go of Harry and sighed. "Yes it is true… Hermione will never reach your full potential… though I don't think that anyone else will. You are very powerful, Harry… with some training you could become the most powerful wizard of our age. Hermione… has the potential to become as powerful as Dumbledore… I've felt it. That is why I believe her to be the exception to the rule… and even if she wasn't that powerful I still wouldn't hate her. There is just something about her that draws you to her."
Harry feeling a little more at ease said: "It could be S.P.E.W."
"Do I want to know what spew is?" Sirius asked thoughtfully.
"…Considering everything… you probably wouldn't."
"Uh uh… now I'm interested… come on what is 'spew'?" Sirius said with a look of mischief in his eyes.
Harry relented. "…Alright, I'll tell you - but only if you promise that you won't try to hurt her for a Muggle idea."
"I've already told you that I wouldn't hurt her."
"Yeah I know and against all known logic I believe you." Harry said quietly.
"We're all right then?" Sirius asked uncertainly.
"Yeah… but if you have any more important secrets then I think that you should tell me now."
Sirius exchanged a look with Narcissa, and it didn't go unnoticed by Harry.
He looked back and forth between Narcissa and Sirius. "What is it?" Harry asked when it became clear that neither of them were going to say anything.
Sirius massaged the bridge of his nose and asked in a tight voice, "What do you consider important?"
"…Anything that has the potential of changing my life."
Sirius winced, "Well there is one thing… but it's over now."
This time Narcissa winced.
Harry looked back and forth between them before he realized something. "You two didn't used to date, did you?" He asked in bewilderment.
Sirius offered Harry a weak smile. "You might say that."
"What else might I say?" Harry said tightly.
"Harry… Sirius, Lucius and I were together for several years before Azkaban." Narcissa said quietly.
Harry whipped his attention over to her. "You were what? Is that normal too?"
Sirius had the grace to blush. "Not really… I mean it does happen once or twice a century… legally that is."
"So the three of you are married?" Harry asked confused.
"No we aren't married." Sirius said softly.
"Oh… oh," Harry looked at Sirius sadly for a moment. Then he turned to glare at Narcissa who gasped in surprise at the emotion there. "Is my godfather not good enough for the almighty Malfoys?"
Narcissa was on the verge of tears. "Of course he is good enough… Harry, you don't understand… I don't even understand all of it."
"So it's Mr. Malfoy who hurt Sirius then? Is that the reason you didn't come back here, Sirius, is that the reason you lived off of rats? Was it because of him?"
"You lived off of rats?" Narcissa said, tears finally spilling over. "That is it! I'm divorcing Lucius… I am sick and tired of his holier than thou attitude. If he can't fix things then I refuse –…"
Sirius grabbed Narcissa and held her while she began to sob.
Harry took down the wards that Sirius had put up with a surprising ease – he figured that Sirius must not have really been trying too hard to keep him in the room when he put them up. Harry slipped out of the room and into the hallway where an irritated Draco Malfoy was waiting on the other side.
"Why couldn't I get into our rooms?" He asked annoyed.
Harry shrugged, "Sirius had them warded. Did you know that he and your parents were dating?" Harry accused.
Draco's eyes widened in shock, "THEY WHAT!"
Harry was extremely pleased with Draco's reaction. It felt good to know that someone else was out of the loop as well. "Yep… are you ready? I have a party to go to." Harry said steering Draco away from their room.
Draco was staring at the door, doing an accurate impression of a fish out of water.
"By the way… I like these dress robes better than the ones that you wore at the Yule ball. They make you look older." Harry said suddenly feeling that all was right with the world.
Draco snapped his mouth shut and gave Harry an award-winning smile. "Of course they do. They're made out of silk you know… and the shoes are Italian leather… do you like my shoes?"
The corners of Harry's mouth twitched into a smile. "Of course… it wouldn't be complete without the shoes."
Draco looked as though his birthday had come early. "And your robes look nice as well…" He said almost as an afterthought. "Of course your hair…." He clicked disapprovingly.
"Yes… I heard you sent your mother to fix it."
"Yes I did… did she not make it to our room?"
"No she did… she is still in there with Sirius." Harry said indifferently.
Draco's eyes widened and he moved to run back in the direction of their room but Harry kept a firm hold on his arm. "We can't go back now… we'll be late."
"But my mother… and Sirius Black…." Draco said incoherently.
Harry nodded happily, taking comfort in Draco's discomfort. "Don't forget about your father…."
Draco looked as though he were going to be sick.
Harry and Draco stood waiting outside of the ballroom entrance, where they had been for the last several minutes. Draco raised his hand to reach for the door handle but Harry knocked it away – for the twelfth time. "You do realize that you have to go in there at some point tonight?"
"Of course I realize that." Harry snapped.
"Well you know what they say? There is no time like the present…."
"I'm sure that whoever says that is not preparing to walk into a room of people who used to want him dead to discuss his plans for the future."
"Where is that Gryffindor courage?" Draco sneered.
"I think that I left it in the Gryffindor common room… if you'd like I can go back to Hogwarts and get it."
"Fine… stay out here and lurk. I'm going to join the party." Draco reached for the door, and unsurprisingly Harry knocked his hand out of the way again.
"Don't leave me out here," Harry hissed. "And I don't lurk."
"You are being completely unreasonable, Potter. I did not dress in leather boots so that I could stand in an empty corridor with you. Besides I need to have a lengthy discussion with my father."
Harry's eyes dashed back and forth along the corridor. "Do you really think that it is empty?"
"What?" Draco asked in exasperation.
"The corridor, do you really think that it is empty? I thought I heard something –."
Draco took advantage of Harry's moment of distraction and he opened the French doors of the ballroom.
Harry steeled himself and allowed Draco to drag him into the hall without looking like a prat. He leaned over and whispered into Draco's ear. "I hate you."
Draco leaned over and whispered back, "I'd be disappointed if you didn't." He steered them over to Lucius Malfoy who was trying his best to look welcoming when it was blatantly obvious that he despised Harry.
Harry looked over at Lucius' right, trying very hard to ignore the still silence of the hall – despite it being filed with hundreds of people. There was a blond haired man on Lucius' right, Harry was sure he had never seen this man before in his life and yet no one felt the need to introduce Harry to him.
Feeling like an utter idiot he reached forward and extended his hand to the stranger. "I'm Harry Potter…."
The man turned to Harry and took his hand hesitantly while the crowd waited with bated breath. "I do believe we have already met Mr. Potter. My name is Lord Voldemort… but you may call me Grandfather."
Harry's eyes widened in shock… it was true that he hadn't run into Voldemort since the night that he had arrived but still that was only a week ago. Could someone really change so drastically in such a short amount of time? Harry got his answer when he looked into the stranger's eyes – they were the color of blood.
Harry dropped the hand as though it had burned him… and he found himself wondering why it didn't. Voldemort's touch, his very presence, was supposed to make his head feel like it were about to explode. And while his touch had caused Harry pain his first night there – that had been it.
"Why doesn't it…?" Harry asked quietly.
"…Feel like I've driven thousands of tiny red hot knives through your skull?" Voldemort supplied almost sinisterly. "At first Jennifer thought it prudent to cast a spell on the room that we had gathered in… it would numb the pain – unless I had touched you… but now…. I've regained most of my powers back and I believe now that I no longer need the strength I was gaining from our connection… that my side has closed itself. I think that you will find that magic comes easier to you now than it had before… now that you are no longer sharing it with me."
"I WAS SHARING MY MAGIC WITH YOU?" Harry hissed angrily, not noticing that it had come out in Parseltongue.
Voldemort regarded him curiously realizing that Harry wasn't aware of that he had switched languages. He glanced over at the crowd of people who were staring at Harry in fear. 'Good,' Voldemort thought, 'they should fear him… for he will be more powerful than any of us could ever imagine. And with him on my side we will finally regain order.'
Harry closed his eyes when he realized that he had spoken snake language in front of a hall full of people involved in the Dark Arts. First I introduce myself to Voldemort then I start to speak his language… I wonder what else I can do to ensure that I am seen as a complete idiot….
Narcissa and Sirius appeared in the hall, dressed in what looked to be the most expensive robes in the hall (next to Voldemort of course, whose robes looked to Harry as though they were made of imported Chinese silk), and a few moments later the introductions started.
Then Jennifer entered… and she looked like a goddess. She wasn't dressed in robes… she was wearing a gown made of the softest looking material that Harry had ever seen – the sleeves were made out of silver silk and gathered at the top of her shoulders. The dress was low cut… the hem was elegant – not too conservative but not too revealing.
But it was the actual dress that made one want to bow at her feet. It was a deep emerald green, and it was laced down the front with silver thread crisscrossed over the beige bodice of the shirt. She had a silk cloak, the same color as the dress, clasped at her neck with a silver snake. The cloak fell off her shoulders to reveal the front of the dress but when she turned her back to Harry it touched the ground.
She was wearing thin heeled sandals made of the finest silver leather and her hair was curled and tied loosely at the top of her head so that some of the dark red curls escaped the enclosure and fell to her neckline.
Harry couldn't help but feel like she was about to pull out her wand and send them all to Hell.
She may, or may not, have been fooling the guests, but she wasn't fooling Harry. It didn't matter what she looked like, she was dangerous, and more than a little versed in the Dark Arts. Harry could feel it, and he supposed it was a lot like a Veela trance.
The hall was silent and the only thing that Harry could hear were the compliments when Jennifer went around greeting everyone leaving Harry last.
"I give you my grandson, Harry Potter." She said clearly. "May you help him where I can not?"
After that each person came to Harry separately and formally introduced themselves, in front of Jennifer – who stood to Harry's right, and Voldemort – who stood to Harry's left. They explained their line of business and offered their services whenever Harry felt he might need them.
When the night was almost through Harry thought he might collapse from trying to remember what everyone did and who everyone was. He had met Ministry members, Vampire hunters (for sport – their fangs were used for a number of illegal potions), shop owners, teachers (not from Hogwarts), thieves – apparently the best in their profession, if you needed it they got it, spell writers, and he even met a Potions mistress.
Just when he thought the party was coming to a close Jennifer leaned over and whispered something in his ear. Harry, thinking that she was asking if he was ready to meet with another person, nodded at whatever she had said to him.
A moment later Jennifer had a glass of champagne in her hand and it was raised in the air as though she were preparing to make a toast. Everyone in the room had their eyes fixed on her.
"I do realize that this is the moment that most of you have been waiting for. Harry has given me consent…" She briefly looked at Harry who was trying to remember exactly what he had given consent for.
Draco's eyes flashed from Harry's to Jennifer's again.
"… To announce his chosen partner…"
Harry thought he would have remembered giving her approval to do something like that. Draco met his eyes and he smiled painfully, knowing what was next.
"…Draco Malfoy." Jennifer said in delight. Then she motioned for Harry and Draco to join her side.
Harry walked toward her numbly all the while thinking that he had finally gotten his answer. This definitely qualified as idiotic.
When Draco and Harry reached Jennifer's side she motioned for them to carry on and Harry had the worst feeling of trepidation forming in his stomach.
"I didn't – I mean… that is. I never told you…." Harry whispered into Jennifer's ear. Jennifer ignored him, except to take his hand in hers and give it a painful squeeze.
Draco leaned forward and whispered, "We have to kiss now, Harry…."
Harry closed his eyes painfully and he could feel Draco leaning forward…
… And then the French doors to the ballroom were slammed open and Harry and Draco (along with the rest of the people) turned to see who it was.
"… Lupin…!" Harry cried in delight, his favorite teacher couldn't have chosen a better moment to appear.
Remus Lupin didn't appear to be happy, nor did he acknowledge Harry, as he strode up to Voldemort, who was standing quite near Harry.
"What is it, Remus? You do realize that you are extremely late." Voldemort said impatiently.
"I'm terribly sorry, my Lord… but something has happened." Lupin looked sideways at Harry, "Perhaps we should discuss it in private?"
"Remus, you have already interrupted us… if something has happened then I suggest you tell me now."
Lupin sent another look in Harry's direction and leaned closer to Voldemort speaking in quiet tones. But Harry heard him, and the words made his knees feel weak.
"My Lord, there was an accident. Dumbledore had sent us all on errands this past summer… and one of them went terribly wrong. Hagrid and the Headmistress of Beauxbatons were sent to contact the giants and we just received word that they were killed. The giants won't be joining Dumbledore's side… now would be the time to –."
Harry stopped listening to the rest. Draco moved to support Harry, who shrugged him away. "No… no," Harry whispered.
Draco was trying to offer his condolences but Harry didn't hear any of it.
Hagrid was dead.
His first real friend, the man who had rescued him from the Dursley's was dead.
And Dumbledore sent him there.
Dumbledore had sent Hagrid on this mission, and he had known the risks. Harry remembered that Hagrid was excited about the trip.
Hagrid hadn't deserved to die!
Harry felt the most deep seated hatred that he had ever felt. He hadn't felt this way when he'd found out that his parents were murdered and he hadn't felt this way when he had thought that Sirius Black had betrayed his parents. And it was directed toward Albus Dumbledore… he was going to pay.
To the amazement of the guests the ballroom started to shake. When they looked around to locate the source what they saw would be forever imprinted in their minds.
Harry Potter was floating three feet above the ground.
Harry looked around at the guests, who were all staring at him fearfully, and he let out a short, cold laugh that sent chills down even Draco's spine. Remus' words were echoing through his mind and the more Harry listened to it, the more he heard the words 'we just received word that they were killed….' The higher he rose off the floor. He was fifteen feet off the floor when he realized that he could no longer see any of the guests. His vision was completely caked over.
In fact all Harry could see, no matter which way he turned or how many times he blinked, was red.
Author's note: Here it is… chapter four. If the ideas that I have introduced to you are a bit too radical I just want to remind you that this is a Mystery. The next chapter will be out sooner than this one. Thank you to everyone who reviewed.
PeachDancer82: The ending is going to be a little complicated.
Death: I hope this chapter answered your review.
Croc: Thank you!
Bad-ass-Cinderella
Malfoy Snogger: I don't know how to respond to your review without giving away most of the plot! I'm glad you think that Harry's believable; it was hard to think of a way to get them together, and one that hadn't been done ten times over.
Shinigami: Sirius and Lucius had a fight the night before James and Lily died. They won't tell me what happened yet, but I have an idea. Getting Harry back to Hogwarts will be difficult!
Black*Plague: I'm sorry this took so long, I hope that the length helps make up for it.
Coriander: Thanks.
Bubblebabe: I can't tell you! …Mostly because I haven't written that section yet and it might change.
Someonesgurl
Malfoy Angel
HPIceAngel: The slash will come soon!
Anonymous: Even if Harry didn't have the baby he wouldn't have to be a Death Eater. Thank you for reviewing.
She-Who-Is-Not-To-Be-Psyc: I promise that we'll see a different view of Dumbledore when Harry goes back to Hogwarts. I don't think that he is evil and he won't be in this story, unless Jennifer, Voldemort, or one of the Death Eaters is talking about him. You might be a little confused, considering I just said that Harry wanted to kill Dumbledore, but wait for the next chapter – I don't think that Harry will feel that way for long. He's grieving – It's a process. Draco won't actually change. He is just trying to show Harry that he can be nice to him. And I am out of my mind, but only on days that end in 'y'!
ShaeLynn: All flames will be sent by direct owl to you!
Grrrinning Golden Retriever: Remus makes his glorious appearance at the end of this chapter, I haven't finished the fifth chapter yet but I am almost certain that he will have a larger role. The angst will stop when they are back together.
Kinetic 44: I think that I answered most of your questions in this chapter. More will probably be answered when Remus talks to Harry.
Madkornfan: Thank you and yes Remus will be in this fic.
Tess
Xirleb70: But I'm sure that the homework will be back for another round!
Kathi C: That's okay, in the first draft of this I wrote that Harry grabbed Draco's arm in a handshake… Thank the gods for Moonchild.
Frizzy: Thank you! Yes, I know, sometimes I have to pinch myself when I get the reviews to a chapter. I never expected it to get this kind of response! Besides your one to talk... how many reviews does Magnetic Attraction have these days?! (I love that story)
Wild Kat
Jay
Misha: You know your review just gave me an idea for a chapter! I'm not sure when it would fit in the story line though.
Thank you to everyone who reviewed and I'm really sorry if I missed anyone!