Thanks once again to my reviewers. You have all been most kind.
Disclaimers et al in part 1
Chapter 8 - You Say Potato, I Say...
Lucius was sitting in his study in front of a blazing fire. He sipped his brandy as a small smile played across his lips. All his plans were coming to fruition.
In actuality, he would have preferred to wait for another year or so but Draco was becoming less... pliable lately. Lucius knew it wouldn't be much longer before his son would come into his own. Until then, Lucius would do what he thought best... or at least, the most advantageous.
The thought of a child that carried the heritage of both the Potter and the Malfoy lines was a heady one indeed. Both families were quite old and powerful, at least, magic-wise. And while the Malfoys usually moved more behind the scenes, the Potters were the ones leading the charge. Shy and retiring they weren't.
He would raise this child his way. He hadn't decided whether or not to take the child away from his, and he was sure it would be male, parents, especially Potter. Lucius had hoped that Potter would have already disposed of Voldemort but no matter. Harry Potter's destiny was to defeat that crimson-eyed snake. It was his, Lucius Dimitri Malfoy, to raise the next one to power. This child, this child born of hate, would rule the wizarding world... and Lucius would rule him.
Severus opened one eye when he felt something brush across his cheek. "I don't remember you being this awake in the morning when we were students," he said, looking at Moria.
"I've had my tea this morning," she smiled, "although I wish it had been something stronger."
"Speaking with Lucius this morning?" At her nod, he continued. "I thought you'd given up changing his mind."
"That's not what I need to speak to him about," she said. "It's Harry."
"Don't tell me that 'Perfect Potter' has found an advocate in you."
"He's far from perfect," she said, slapping his arm. He scowled at her as he turned over and sat up. "And I'll play advocate for both boys. Somebody needs to. Merlin knows no one else is doing it."
"I think Albus might disagree with you," he told her.
"Albus Dumbledore is conniving old man who'll use whomever and whatever he has to to win this war," Moria said. "You more than anyone should know that. As to my talk with Lucius about Harry. If I know my brother as well as I think I do, as soon as the news becomes public, he will host a very large party. What Harry knows of wizarding etiquette is abysmal."
"He's Gryffindor," Severus snorted. "His etiquette, wizarding or otherwise, is abysmal. Being raised by muggles certainly didn't help." He looked at her. "You intend to tutor him." It wasn't a question.
"With some help from Draco," she nodded, "if for no other reason than in memory of Lily."
"I'd forgotten you two were friends," he said. "You might consider telling Harry that little tidbit. It might help the two of you get along."
It was then he noticed that she was already dressed. "Have you been up long?" he asked.
"Not very long," she said. She gently kissed him. "The house elves brought breakfast. It's spelled to keep warm."
"Meet me in Hogsmeade next weekend," he said, taking her hand.
"All right, on Sunday," she agreed. "I'd better leave before I change my mind." She kissed him again then headed out of his bedroom and chambers.
Climbing out of bed, Severus pulled on his robe and walked into his sitting room. He poured himself a cup of tea and, as he drank, wondered just how weird his life was going to get.
Lucius was sitting in the small dining room when Moria returned to the Manor. She poured herself a cup of tea then sat down next to him.
"I was beginning to wonder if you'd planned on returning," he said quietly.
"Hush," she told him. "I'm over the age of consent," "well over," he muttered, "and I'll thank you to stay out of it."
"Touchy this morning," he said. "What's wrong? Not get it out of your system?"
"Or maybe you need to," she smiled. "I could share. I'm sure Severus wouldn't mind." That got her a smirk. She turned serious. "I need to talk to you."
"Oh?"
"It's about Harry," she said, "and before you get in a huff, it's not about the bonding."
"Then what is it?" he asked.
"Harry needs a tutor for our world," Moria said. "After the bonding, like it or not, for all intents and purposes, he will be a Malfoy. You wouldn't want him to embarrass you the first time he went out in public, would you?"
"It would reflect back on me in either case," he mused. "All right. Do what you can before the bonding. We'll see what else needs to be done after that."
"You might also consider taking Draco to Diagon Alley to get his robes on Saturday," Moria suggested. "I plan on taking Harry the weekend after that. I'll take them both to pick them up and do some Christmas shopping the day after school ends for the holidays."
"And everything else?" Lucius asked.
"Will be taken care of," Moria said. "By the time the bonding day arrives, everything will be ready."
"Good," Lucius said. "You don't want to disappoint me."
She stuck her tongue at him. "Go threaten someone who might actually be afraid of you," she told him.
That got a chuckle out of him. "I know you'll take care of everything," he said. He finished his tea then stood up. "I have some things to take care of." He kissed her cheek then walked out of the dining room.
Harry was sitting at a table in a little used part of the library when Draco found him. Harry was startled when the blond sat down and started to get up but Draco stopped him.
"Don't go," he said. "I just want to talk."
"So talk," Harry said.
"I just wanted you to know that I don't agree with my father about this... this bonding," Draco said. "I didn't know anything about it before he announced in Dumbledore's office."
"That's what your aunt said after you left Saturday night," Harry told him. "Why did you agree if you didn't want it?"
"My father is a very powerful man and a very powerful wizard," Draco said. "I'm not strong enough to go against him, at least not yet. Someday, though, I will be." He looked at Harry. "Have you told your godfather about what's going on?"
Harry shook his head. "If I did, he'd go after your father," he said. "He'd end up dead or back in Azkaban."
"Harry, I know you don't like me," Draco said, "but we're going to need each other to get through this. It would be better for both of us."
"A united front, you mean," Harry said.
"Exactly," Draco said. "We may not be able to stop the bonding or the baby but we can decide the rest of our future."
"Like how we'll live after the bonding and how we'll raise our child," Harry said. He hadn't realized that Draco had been thinking about some of the same things he had been.
"By the time the baby gets here, we'll be of legal age," Draco said. "As long as we stand together, they won't be able to do anything."
The teens smiled at each other. "Very slytherin of you," Harry said.
"If there is one thing being my father's son has taught me is how to get what I want," Draco said. "It will have to be done subtly so my father doesn't realize what's happening until it's too late."
"What about your Aunt Moria?" Harry asked. "Will she help us?"
"I think so," Draco answered. "She's against the bonding but she can't stop it, either. She has made it clear to Father exactly how she feels, though. She's helping with it so he doesn't go overboard."
"Overboard?"
"If my father thought he could get away with it, our bonding would be the highlight of the social season." Both boys shuddered at that thought.
"I realize we won't be able to hide this forever," Harry said, "especially after I... you know, start to look like...."
"The word is pregnant," Draco smirked.
"I know what the word is," Harry scowled. "I'm just having trouble using it when I'm talking about myself. As I was saying, I want to hide it as long as we can. We can do damage control when it comes out."
"Wouldn't it be better if we announced it ourselves?" Draco asked. "That way, we would have some say in what...." He stopped himself. "What am I thinking? The minute any reporter gets their greedy little hands on this, it'll be a free-for-all, no matter who announces it."
"I know," Harry sighed. "It's not going to be easy, is it?"
"Not for a long time," Draco said with an answering sigh, "a very long time." Neither teen spoke again for quite a while.
What neither of them noticed was the pair of eyes watching them.
When Draco returned to his room, he saw his father's owl sitting on the back of his desk chair. Taking the note from its leg, Draco gave the owl a treat and some water then sent it on its way. He sat on his bed and opened his letter.
'Draco,
On my visit this Saturday, we shall be visiting Diagon Alley. At that time, we shall be choosing your dress robes for the ceremony and picking out the ring you will give to your mate during the ceremony. We will also dine at the Tea Room. Dress appropriately. I will pick you up at two p.m. Your aunt will make the same trip the following weekend.
Father'
'My mate?' Draco thought. 'Can't even say his name, Father?' He chuckled. By the time everything was said and done, his father wouldn't know what hit him.
Harry, Ron and Hermione had barely sat down when Hedwig appeared. Harry took the note attached to her leg then gave her a piece of bacon. She nipped him playfully then flew out of the great hall.
"Who's the note from?" Hermione asked.
"Well, seeing as how I haven't opened it yet," Harry said. Ron just snorted. He unrolled the parchment.
'Harry,
Don't worry about the note. It's spelled so only you can read it. Father is taking me to Diagon Alley this weekend to fit my robes for the ceremony. He said Aunt Moria will take you the following weekend. I need to know if you would be prefer a ring or bracelet as a bonding symbol. I'd prefer a bracelet but we can do rings if you'd rather. If you can, meet at the same place in library tomorrow.
D.'
"Well?" Ron asked.
"It's nothing important," Harry said. "Just some information that Dumbledore wanted me to find out."
"That mysterious project?" Hermione asked.
"Yes," Harry said, "and, no, I still can't tell you about it. You know I would if I could. Don't I always." Well, almost always. "Come on. We've got potions this morning." They quickly finished their breakfast and headed for class.
TBC
So who do you think saw Draco and Harry together? And what do you think he/she will say?
Still looking for the baby stuff.
Disclaimers et al in part 1
Chapter 8 - You Say Potato, I Say...
Lucius was sitting in his study in front of a blazing fire. He sipped his brandy as a small smile played across his lips. All his plans were coming to fruition.
In actuality, he would have preferred to wait for another year or so but Draco was becoming less... pliable lately. Lucius knew it wouldn't be much longer before his son would come into his own. Until then, Lucius would do what he thought best... or at least, the most advantageous.
The thought of a child that carried the heritage of both the Potter and the Malfoy lines was a heady one indeed. Both families were quite old and powerful, at least, magic-wise. And while the Malfoys usually moved more behind the scenes, the Potters were the ones leading the charge. Shy and retiring they weren't.
He would raise this child his way. He hadn't decided whether or not to take the child away from his, and he was sure it would be male, parents, especially Potter. Lucius had hoped that Potter would have already disposed of Voldemort but no matter. Harry Potter's destiny was to defeat that crimson-eyed snake. It was his, Lucius Dimitri Malfoy, to raise the next one to power. This child, this child born of hate, would rule the wizarding world... and Lucius would rule him.
Severus opened one eye when he felt something brush across his cheek. "I don't remember you being this awake in the morning when we were students," he said, looking at Moria.
"I've had my tea this morning," she smiled, "although I wish it had been something stronger."
"Speaking with Lucius this morning?" At her nod, he continued. "I thought you'd given up changing his mind."
"That's not what I need to speak to him about," she said. "It's Harry."
"Don't tell me that 'Perfect Potter' has found an advocate in you."
"He's far from perfect," she said, slapping his arm. He scowled at her as he turned over and sat up. "And I'll play advocate for both boys. Somebody needs to. Merlin knows no one else is doing it."
"I think Albus might disagree with you," he told her.
"Albus Dumbledore is conniving old man who'll use whomever and whatever he has to to win this war," Moria said. "You more than anyone should know that. As to my talk with Lucius about Harry. If I know my brother as well as I think I do, as soon as the news becomes public, he will host a very large party. What Harry knows of wizarding etiquette is abysmal."
"He's Gryffindor," Severus snorted. "His etiquette, wizarding or otherwise, is abysmal. Being raised by muggles certainly didn't help." He looked at her. "You intend to tutor him." It wasn't a question.
"With some help from Draco," she nodded, "if for no other reason than in memory of Lily."
"I'd forgotten you two were friends," he said. "You might consider telling Harry that little tidbit. It might help the two of you get along."
It was then he noticed that she was already dressed. "Have you been up long?" he asked.
"Not very long," she said. She gently kissed him. "The house elves brought breakfast. It's spelled to keep warm."
"Meet me in Hogsmeade next weekend," he said, taking her hand.
"All right, on Sunday," she agreed. "I'd better leave before I change my mind." She kissed him again then headed out of his bedroom and chambers.
Climbing out of bed, Severus pulled on his robe and walked into his sitting room. He poured himself a cup of tea and, as he drank, wondered just how weird his life was going to get.
Lucius was sitting in the small dining room when Moria returned to the Manor. She poured herself a cup of tea then sat down next to him.
"I was beginning to wonder if you'd planned on returning," he said quietly.
"Hush," she told him. "I'm over the age of consent," "well over," he muttered, "and I'll thank you to stay out of it."
"Touchy this morning," he said. "What's wrong? Not get it out of your system?"
"Or maybe you need to," she smiled. "I could share. I'm sure Severus wouldn't mind." That got her a smirk. She turned serious. "I need to talk to you."
"Oh?"
"It's about Harry," she said, "and before you get in a huff, it's not about the bonding."
"Then what is it?" he asked.
"Harry needs a tutor for our world," Moria said. "After the bonding, like it or not, for all intents and purposes, he will be a Malfoy. You wouldn't want him to embarrass you the first time he went out in public, would you?"
"It would reflect back on me in either case," he mused. "All right. Do what you can before the bonding. We'll see what else needs to be done after that."
"You might also consider taking Draco to Diagon Alley to get his robes on Saturday," Moria suggested. "I plan on taking Harry the weekend after that. I'll take them both to pick them up and do some Christmas shopping the day after school ends for the holidays."
"And everything else?" Lucius asked.
"Will be taken care of," Moria said. "By the time the bonding day arrives, everything will be ready."
"Good," Lucius said. "You don't want to disappoint me."
She stuck her tongue at him. "Go threaten someone who might actually be afraid of you," she told him.
That got a chuckle out of him. "I know you'll take care of everything," he said. He finished his tea then stood up. "I have some things to take care of." He kissed her cheek then walked out of the dining room.
Harry was sitting at a table in a little used part of the library when Draco found him. Harry was startled when the blond sat down and started to get up but Draco stopped him.
"Don't go," he said. "I just want to talk."
"So talk," Harry said.
"I just wanted you to know that I don't agree with my father about this... this bonding," Draco said. "I didn't know anything about it before he announced in Dumbledore's office."
"That's what your aunt said after you left Saturday night," Harry told him. "Why did you agree if you didn't want it?"
"My father is a very powerful man and a very powerful wizard," Draco said. "I'm not strong enough to go against him, at least not yet. Someday, though, I will be." He looked at Harry. "Have you told your godfather about what's going on?"
Harry shook his head. "If I did, he'd go after your father," he said. "He'd end up dead or back in Azkaban."
"Harry, I know you don't like me," Draco said, "but we're going to need each other to get through this. It would be better for both of us."
"A united front, you mean," Harry said.
"Exactly," Draco said. "We may not be able to stop the bonding or the baby but we can decide the rest of our future."
"Like how we'll live after the bonding and how we'll raise our child," Harry said. He hadn't realized that Draco had been thinking about some of the same things he had been.
"By the time the baby gets here, we'll be of legal age," Draco said. "As long as we stand together, they won't be able to do anything."
The teens smiled at each other. "Very slytherin of you," Harry said.
"If there is one thing being my father's son has taught me is how to get what I want," Draco said. "It will have to be done subtly so my father doesn't realize what's happening until it's too late."
"What about your Aunt Moria?" Harry asked. "Will she help us?"
"I think so," Draco answered. "She's against the bonding but she can't stop it, either. She has made it clear to Father exactly how she feels, though. She's helping with it so he doesn't go overboard."
"Overboard?"
"If my father thought he could get away with it, our bonding would be the highlight of the social season." Both boys shuddered at that thought.
"I realize we won't be able to hide this forever," Harry said, "especially after I... you know, start to look like...."
"The word is pregnant," Draco smirked.
"I know what the word is," Harry scowled. "I'm just having trouble using it when I'm talking about myself. As I was saying, I want to hide it as long as we can. We can do damage control when it comes out."
"Wouldn't it be better if we announced it ourselves?" Draco asked. "That way, we would have some say in what...." He stopped himself. "What am I thinking? The minute any reporter gets their greedy little hands on this, it'll be a free-for-all, no matter who announces it."
"I know," Harry sighed. "It's not going to be easy, is it?"
"Not for a long time," Draco said with an answering sigh, "a very long time." Neither teen spoke again for quite a while.
What neither of them noticed was the pair of eyes watching them.
When Draco returned to his room, he saw his father's owl sitting on the back of his desk chair. Taking the note from its leg, Draco gave the owl a treat and some water then sent it on its way. He sat on his bed and opened his letter.
'Draco,
On my visit this Saturday, we shall be visiting Diagon Alley. At that time, we shall be choosing your dress robes for the ceremony and picking out the ring you will give to your mate during the ceremony. We will also dine at the Tea Room. Dress appropriately. I will pick you up at two p.m. Your aunt will make the same trip the following weekend.
Father'
'My mate?' Draco thought. 'Can't even say his name, Father?' He chuckled. By the time everything was said and done, his father wouldn't know what hit him.
Harry, Ron and Hermione had barely sat down when Hedwig appeared. Harry took the note attached to her leg then gave her a piece of bacon. She nipped him playfully then flew out of the great hall.
"Who's the note from?" Hermione asked.
"Well, seeing as how I haven't opened it yet," Harry said. Ron just snorted. He unrolled the parchment.
'Harry,
Don't worry about the note. It's spelled so only you can read it. Father is taking me to Diagon Alley this weekend to fit my robes for the ceremony. He said Aunt Moria will take you the following weekend. I need to know if you would be prefer a ring or bracelet as a bonding symbol. I'd prefer a bracelet but we can do rings if you'd rather. If you can, meet at the same place in library tomorrow.
D.'
"Well?" Ron asked.
"It's nothing important," Harry said. "Just some information that Dumbledore wanted me to find out."
"That mysterious project?" Hermione asked.
"Yes," Harry said, "and, no, I still can't tell you about it. You know I would if I could. Don't I always." Well, almost always. "Come on. We've got potions this morning." They quickly finished their breakfast and headed for class.
TBC
So who do you think saw Draco and Harry together? And what do you think he/she will say?
Still looking for the baby stuff.