/.../ = telepathy
Disclaimer: Don't own. Literally.
Flame and Steel: Harry's surprise.
As Harry Potter stepped out of the grate, he wondered why he was there. "Hermione," he said, "this had better be important! You know Voldemort's still at large."
"You want to hear this. I found a very good source on Draco's location. He's in Japan. However it is vital that you meet my source. Follow me." And with that, Hermione led Harry to her office. Steel was waiting there. "Where is Flame, Steel? I asked you both to be here."
"Yes Sensei, her class just got out, she'll be hear in a moment."
"Thank you. This is my friend, and also a friend of your father's, Harry Potter." Harry starred in shock at how much this first year looked like Draco. One thing caught his attention. She had his vibrant green eyes. Then Flame came in.
"Sorry, did I miss any—" She stopped. It too was astounding. He looked just like her. People always knew her dad and sister were related, and thought she was just a friend. However, this guy not only looked just like her, he was also the right age to be her father. Harry couldn't believe it. He would have sworn someone made a female version of himself if it weren't for her eyes. They were the same gray rimmed with forest green Draco had.
"Flame, this is Harry. Harry, I'd like you to meet Flame and Steel Malfoy. Draco's daughters." Draco? Kids? This was too weird. "There's more, come to Dumbledore's office later, and I'll tell you about the situation."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ (Saturday) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This is what'll really change Hogwarts for good. Flame and Steel met outside the Great Hall. They bowed to each other, and together they did several stretches, both in perfect unison. Then Flame started same wild dances, with a wide variety. A few were slow and deliberate, but most were fast and exuberant. Steel did some fighting routines, mostly with blades. Once they finished, they did some relaxing exercises. Then Flame strapped on mini targets. There were millions of the little things, all over. Steel pulled out a bow and several quivers full of arrows. She checked the string and made sure it was in good condition. Finally, Flame started a new dance. Some times she was slow and taunting, only to speed up a split second later. Steel started shooting arrow after arrow at the targets. She shot them sitting, kneeling, standing, laying down, and shifting positions. She shot at different angles, all of them insuring she could hit a target no matter what. By the time they were done, it was lunch time and all the targets had several arrows in them. They bowed again and went to lunch.
"Flame and Steel Malfoy, please come up to the teachers table after you finish your meal." They walked up after a few bites.
"Why did you do that?" Dumbledore asked them quietly.
"We do this every Saturday, though we usually start at dawn and finish at dinner."
"It helps us polish our skills."
"Ah, well in that case, you may go. We thought you were trying to kill each other."
/Just who does he think we are? We're sisters, so why not?/
/Flame, cool it. We'll just have to find a room to do our routines in. /
/Fine. /
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ (The next week) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
/Flame? /
/Yeah? /
/Do you know why we need to speak with Professor Dumbledore? /
/No. You? /
/Would I be asking if I knew? /
/Good point. / The girls had found a room to practice in. It was packed with weapons and books on dancing and fighting techniques. One wall was completely covered with mirrors like a dance studio, and it had a great stereo system. Throw in the fact it was out of the way, it was a perfect location.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ (Dumbledore's office) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Draco, I'm so glad you could come."
"Good to be back. Now, what did you want to see me about?"
"For several reasons, one of which is your daughters. Earlier today, they met outside the Great Hall, with weapons. Once there, they started strange routines. We thought they were trying to kill each other! They claim they do this every Saturday."
"That's because they do. During term, it's an all day thing, and on holidays it's a Saturday morning ritual. You will know when they're trying to kill each other, because it sounds like two cats tearing each other to shreds. It takes months to get them back on their feet...
************************* (Flashback) **********************
Draco was washing the dishes when he heard Flame and Steel arguing. Something about racket and not being able to concentrate. He sighed. It had all started when Flame got a stereo for her 8th birthday. That was only two weeks ago. Since Flame was playing her stereo so loud, Steel claimed it was infringing on her meditation. Therefore, it was hurting her fighting performance. No one knew if it was true, but that's what she said. When were they going to stop?
"Girls! Stop fighting!" There. That should settle them. Draco froze suddenly. It sounded as if two cats were trying to kill each other. Big cats. He ran out to the back yard, were Flame and Steel were squabbling a few minutes earlier. It was an atrocious sight. Blood every where. Flame had broken her legs a couple of times, while Steel's arms looked like Harry's when Lockhart removed all his bones in his arm. Actually, Draco wasn't sure which twin was which, the damage was so great. He ran to the phone and called the emergency room. About six months later, both girls were fine and still grounded because of the incident.
************************ (End Flashback) *********************
"But why?"
"Steel wishes to become one of the best warriors, no matter the style of fighting. Flame is trying to be the best dancer. These routines make them help each other to become the best. They fight because they're siblings."
"Oh."
"Now, let me guess, you want to know what's happened to me?"
"Draco, we've been waiting eleven years for an opportunity to find out what happened. Please, just tell us."
"Who else is going to be there?" They had just reached Dumbledore's office, so he only opened the door. Inside were Harry and Hermione.
"Perfect. Let me guess, you want to know why I left?"
"Please?"
"Fine. If you must know, it's because of the girls that I left." And Draco started to tell the full story. "Remember the battle at the beginning of the seventh year? And the huge party after it? Somebody spiked all the punch and butterbeer. Therefore, everyone was drunk. I don't want to talk about that, but about Christmas break, I started feeling ill. I was hurling at the slightest thing." He shuddered. "I still hate worshipping the porcelain bowl. Anyways, I thought something might be wrong, like a side effect. It was, but not the kind I was expecting."
Hermione spoke up. "You were pregnant."
"Right."
"But what does this have to do with me?" Harry finally had to ask. "Why couldn't you tell me?"
"That's a little complicated. Remember that I can sense other people's feelings. Try to recall when I asked you all those rhetorical questions...
*********************** (Flash back, Draco POV) ***************************
I hope he won't turn me away. I love with all my heart. My dearest Harry looks up at me as I approach. He seems distracted, and radiates hate. Is it possible that my dearest despises me? It's been a while since we saw each other. "Harry, how was your Christmas?"
"Okay, I guess." He's lying; I sense that he hasn't been okay for some time.
"Harry, how would you react if you found out that one of your friends was pregnant?"
"Hermione's not pregnant is she? Or Ginny?"
"No, it was a rhetorical question."
"Well, I suppose I'd support them any way I could." Wrong. You wouldn't. Some thing was not right here, but I can't put my finger on it. I gotta get out of here. The room is stifling. Gotta get out.
"I'll see you later then."
"Later."
************************(Flash back and Draco pov over)*****************
"I thought you might of helped, but you already have enough on your plate, saving the world from Voldemort that they would just get in the way." Harry was shocked, to say the least. Not help, they were his kids! He had a hand in creating them, and he would have helped raise them! Besides, Flame and Steel seemed alright. Draco continued. "Plus Ron hated me, and Hermione barely tolerated me. However, it would be wrong to never tell you, so I sent Nenya to Dumbledore to ensure that you met Flame and Steel...
*****************(Flashback)********************
"Tousan! Tousan! Look at what I drew!"
"Mine too! Mine too!" Two little girls ran to their father. Draco squatted to look at their pictures. The girls' personalities were obvious. Steel's was the three of them surrounded by weapons. Flame's was the family surrounded by dancers. It was clear the two were twins. Both long limbed and slim, they were both the same height. However, Steel had pale silver hair, while Flame's was jet black. Just like Harry's...
"Wow! They are both subarashi!"
"Yeah!"
"Tousan, could you tell us about our other Tousan?" this question was coming up more and more often. He'd have to ensure that they met him. Maybe, he could see about sending them to Hogwarts. It would give away where he was, but maybe by then it would be time.
"Maybe later, but now it's time for you nap. No arguments!" He added as Flame opened her mouth to protest. They trooped off to bed. Draco walked to his desk, where Nenya was sleeping. He started his letter.
Dear Professor Dumbledore,
I hope this letter reaches you well. I'm sorry for disappearing so quickly after graduation, but if I didn't, I never would have left. However, I'm not writing for idle chit chat. As you know, I have two little girls, about the age of five. Their names are Flame and Steel. I have a favor to ask of you, but please do not tell any one. In about six years, when they are eleven, can they please attend Hogwarts? You can check, they've had telepathy since they were two and have done lots of magic. Why would I wish to send them to Hogwarts? They've been asking about their other father. I need some more time before I see him again, but I should be ready by then. Who is their other father? Why, none other than Harry Potter. Please, do not tell him. I will not give you our location until you give me your answer.
Sincerely,
Draco Malfoy
***************************** (End of Flash back) **************************
"I still have the letter you sent me." Said Professor Dumbledore. "I remember that day...
****************************** (Flash back) *****************************
Dumbledore was worried. It had been five years since Draco disappeared and not a word from him. Harry had been searching frantically for him, and what about the twins? Albus was startled out of his reverie by an owl knocking his window. He only knew one owl that would knock so politely like that... Dare he hope? Could it be Draco? But why, after so long? Dumbledore opened the window and let the owl in. Sure enough, it was Nenya. He took the letter and read. Flame and Steel. What strange names, but they were the normal unique names Draco tended to use for things. No doubt named for his two favorite paintings. Flame, the dancer, and Steel, the warrior. Yet, why couldn't he have told Harry? After all, they were his children too. Dumbledore sighed. He'd just have to wait.
************************** (End Flashback) ******************************
"You mean you knew about the girls when you hired me?!" Hermione shrieked.
"Only their genealogy. Nothing else." Dumbledore could see Hermione was getting pissed. And she had every right to be.
"Then again you were asked not to tell any one." Harry pointed out.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ (Leave them for a sec, now to the Twins!)~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Flame, do you think that Harry Potter guy is really our dad? He does look just like you." Uh-oh, Flame thought. She knew exactly where this was going. 'Tousan may have thought that they're huge fight a few years ago was about noise, but it was about this. That Flame wanted to know her other parent and truly see that she belonged in the family, while Steel, being Daddy's little girl, wanted to know how big of a jerk he was. How he left 'Tousan by himself when he found out about the girls and that 'Tousan never wanted to see him again. No one knew that Flame had found their 'Tousan's journal a few months before the fight. It talked about how badly he was tortured and how, together, Harry and his art saved him from a deep depression. He didn't even know he was slipping until he stayed with Harry the summer before their sixth year.
"Yeah, don't really know what he's like."
"What are you saying?" Steel had a temper, opposed to popular belief. And she was losing it.
"Nothing. I'd better go, lot's of home work to do." And with that Flame fled.
End of chapter 3. Sorry for not answering reviews, but check out my new story that I'll be posting soon. It'll be called 'Flame's World' It's sad, but it's all about Flame. Please read and review!!!
Disclaimer: Don't own. Literally.
Flame and Steel: Harry's surprise.
As Harry Potter stepped out of the grate, he wondered why he was there. "Hermione," he said, "this had better be important! You know Voldemort's still at large."
"You want to hear this. I found a very good source on Draco's location. He's in Japan. However it is vital that you meet my source. Follow me." And with that, Hermione led Harry to her office. Steel was waiting there. "Where is Flame, Steel? I asked you both to be here."
"Yes Sensei, her class just got out, she'll be hear in a moment."
"Thank you. This is my friend, and also a friend of your father's, Harry Potter." Harry starred in shock at how much this first year looked like Draco. One thing caught his attention. She had his vibrant green eyes. Then Flame came in.
"Sorry, did I miss any—" She stopped. It too was astounding. He looked just like her. People always knew her dad and sister were related, and thought she was just a friend. However, this guy not only looked just like her, he was also the right age to be her father. Harry couldn't believe it. He would have sworn someone made a female version of himself if it weren't for her eyes. They were the same gray rimmed with forest green Draco had.
"Flame, this is Harry. Harry, I'd like you to meet Flame and Steel Malfoy. Draco's daughters." Draco? Kids? This was too weird. "There's more, come to Dumbledore's office later, and I'll tell you about the situation."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ (Saturday) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This is what'll really change Hogwarts for good. Flame and Steel met outside the Great Hall. They bowed to each other, and together they did several stretches, both in perfect unison. Then Flame started same wild dances, with a wide variety. A few were slow and deliberate, but most were fast and exuberant. Steel did some fighting routines, mostly with blades. Once they finished, they did some relaxing exercises. Then Flame strapped on mini targets. There were millions of the little things, all over. Steel pulled out a bow and several quivers full of arrows. She checked the string and made sure it was in good condition. Finally, Flame started a new dance. Some times she was slow and taunting, only to speed up a split second later. Steel started shooting arrow after arrow at the targets. She shot them sitting, kneeling, standing, laying down, and shifting positions. She shot at different angles, all of them insuring she could hit a target no matter what. By the time they were done, it was lunch time and all the targets had several arrows in them. They bowed again and went to lunch.
"Flame and Steel Malfoy, please come up to the teachers table after you finish your meal." They walked up after a few bites.
"Why did you do that?" Dumbledore asked them quietly.
"We do this every Saturday, though we usually start at dawn and finish at dinner."
"It helps us polish our skills."
"Ah, well in that case, you may go. We thought you were trying to kill each other."
/Just who does he think we are? We're sisters, so why not?/
/Flame, cool it. We'll just have to find a room to do our routines in. /
/Fine. /
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ (The next week) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
/Flame? /
/Yeah? /
/Do you know why we need to speak with Professor Dumbledore? /
/No. You? /
/Would I be asking if I knew? /
/Good point. / The girls had found a room to practice in. It was packed with weapons and books on dancing and fighting techniques. One wall was completely covered with mirrors like a dance studio, and it had a great stereo system. Throw in the fact it was out of the way, it was a perfect location.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ (Dumbledore's office) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Draco, I'm so glad you could come."
"Good to be back. Now, what did you want to see me about?"
"For several reasons, one of which is your daughters. Earlier today, they met outside the Great Hall, with weapons. Once there, they started strange routines. We thought they were trying to kill each other! They claim they do this every Saturday."
"That's because they do. During term, it's an all day thing, and on holidays it's a Saturday morning ritual. You will know when they're trying to kill each other, because it sounds like two cats tearing each other to shreds. It takes months to get them back on their feet...
************************* (Flashback) **********************
Draco was washing the dishes when he heard Flame and Steel arguing. Something about racket and not being able to concentrate. He sighed. It had all started when Flame got a stereo for her 8th birthday. That was only two weeks ago. Since Flame was playing her stereo so loud, Steel claimed it was infringing on her meditation. Therefore, it was hurting her fighting performance. No one knew if it was true, but that's what she said. When were they going to stop?
"Girls! Stop fighting!" There. That should settle them. Draco froze suddenly. It sounded as if two cats were trying to kill each other. Big cats. He ran out to the back yard, were Flame and Steel were squabbling a few minutes earlier. It was an atrocious sight. Blood every where. Flame had broken her legs a couple of times, while Steel's arms looked like Harry's when Lockhart removed all his bones in his arm. Actually, Draco wasn't sure which twin was which, the damage was so great. He ran to the phone and called the emergency room. About six months later, both girls were fine and still grounded because of the incident.
************************ (End Flashback) *********************
"But why?"
"Steel wishes to become one of the best warriors, no matter the style of fighting. Flame is trying to be the best dancer. These routines make them help each other to become the best. They fight because they're siblings."
"Oh."
"Now, let me guess, you want to know what's happened to me?"
"Draco, we've been waiting eleven years for an opportunity to find out what happened. Please, just tell us."
"Who else is going to be there?" They had just reached Dumbledore's office, so he only opened the door. Inside were Harry and Hermione.
"Perfect. Let me guess, you want to know why I left?"
"Please?"
"Fine. If you must know, it's because of the girls that I left." And Draco started to tell the full story. "Remember the battle at the beginning of the seventh year? And the huge party after it? Somebody spiked all the punch and butterbeer. Therefore, everyone was drunk. I don't want to talk about that, but about Christmas break, I started feeling ill. I was hurling at the slightest thing." He shuddered. "I still hate worshipping the porcelain bowl. Anyways, I thought something might be wrong, like a side effect. It was, but not the kind I was expecting."
Hermione spoke up. "You were pregnant."
"Right."
"But what does this have to do with me?" Harry finally had to ask. "Why couldn't you tell me?"
"That's a little complicated. Remember that I can sense other people's feelings. Try to recall when I asked you all those rhetorical questions...
*********************** (Flash back, Draco POV) ***************************
I hope he won't turn me away. I love with all my heart. My dearest Harry looks up at me as I approach. He seems distracted, and radiates hate. Is it possible that my dearest despises me? It's been a while since we saw each other. "Harry, how was your Christmas?"
"Okay, I guess." He's lying; I sense that he hasn't been okay for some time.
"Harry, how would you react if you found out that one of your friends was pregnant?"
"Hermione's not pregnant is she? Or Ginny?"
"No, it was a rhetorical question."
"Well, I suppose I'd support them any way I could." Wrong. You wouldn't. Some thing was not right here, but I can't put my finger on it. I gotta get out of here. The room is stifling. Gotta get out.
"I'll see you later then."
"Later."
************************(Flash back and Draco pov over)*****************
"I thought you might of helped, but you already have enough on your plate, saving the world from Voldemort that they would just get in the way." Harry was shocked, to say the least. Not help, they were his kids! He had a hand in creating them, and he would have helped raise them! Besides, Flame and Steel seemed alright. Draco continued. "Plus Ron hated me, and Hermione barely tolerated me. However, it would be wrong to never tell you, so I sent Nenya to Dumbledore to ensure that you met Flame and Steel...
*****************(Flashback)********************
"Tousan! Tousan! Look at what I drew!"
"Mine too! Mine too!" Two little girls ran to their father. Draco squatted to look at their pictures. The girls' personalities were obvious. Steel's was the three of them surrounded by weapons. Flame's was the family surrounded by dancers. It was clear the two were twins. Both long limbed and slim, they were both the same height. However, Steel had pale silver hair, while Flame's was jet black. Just like Harry's...
"Wow! They are both subarashi!"
"Yeah!"
"Tousan, could you tell us about our other Tousan?" this question was coming up more and more often. He'd have to ensure that they met him. Maybe, he could see about sending them to Hogwarts. It would give away where he was, but maybe by then it would be time.
"Maybe later, but now it's time for you nap. No arguments!" He added as Flame opened her mouth to protest. They trooped off to bed. Draco walked to his desk, where Nenya was sleeping. He started his letter.
Dear Professor Dumbledore,
I hope this letter reaches you well. I'm sorry for disappearing so quickly after graduation, but if I didn't, I never would have left. However, I'm not writing for idle chit chat. As you know, I have two little girls, about the age of five. Their names are Flame and Steel. I have a favor to ask of you, but please do not tell any one. In about six years, when they are eleven, can they please attend Hogwarts? You can check, they've had telepathy since they were two and have done lots of magic. Why would I wish to send them to Hogwarts? They've been asking about their other father. I need some more time before I see him again, but I should be ready by then. Who is their other father? Why, none other than Harry Potter. Please, do not tell him. I will not give you our location until you give me your answer.
Sincerely,
Draco Malfoy
***************************** (End of Flash back) **************************
"I still have the letter you sent me." Said Professor Dumbledore. "I remember that day...
****************************** (Flash back) *****************************
Dumbledore was worried. It had been five years since Draco disappeared and not a word from him. Harry had been searching frantically for him, and what about the twins? Albus was startled out of his reverie by an owl knocking his window. He only knew one owl that would knock so politely like that... Dare he hope? Could it be Draco? But why, after so long? Dumbledore opened the window and let the owl in. Sure enough, it was Nenya. He took the letter and read. Flame and Steel. What strange names, but they were the normal unique names Draco tended to use for things. No doubt named for his two favorite paintings. Flame, the dancer, and Steel, the warrior. Yet, why couldn't he have told Harry? After all, they were his children too. Dumbledore sighed. He'd just have to wait.
************************** (End Flashback) ******************************
"You mean you knew about the girls when you hired me?!" Hermione shrieked.
"Only their genealogy. Nothing else." Dumbledore could see Hermione was getting pissed. And she had every right to be.
"Then again you were asked not to tell any one." Harry pointed out.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ (Leave them for a sec, now to the Twins!)~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Flame, do you think that Harry Potter guy is really our dad? He does look just like you." Uh-oh, Flame thought. She knew exactly where this was going. 'Tousan may have thought that they're huge fight a few years ago was about noise, but it was about this. That Flame wanted to know her other parent and truly see that she belonged in the family, while Steel, being Daddy's little girl, wanted to know how big of a jerk he was. How he left 'Tousan by himself when he found out about the girls and that 'Tousan never wanted to see him again. No one knew that Flame had found their 'Tousan's journal a few months before the fight. It talked about how badly he was tortured and how, together, Harry and his art saved him from a deep depression. He didn't even know he was slipping until he stayed with Harry the summer before their sixth year.
"Yeah, don't really know what he's like."
"What are you saying?" Steel had a temper, opposed to popular belief. And she was losing it.
"Nothing. I'd better go, lot's of home work to do." And with that Flame fled.
End of chapter 3. Sorry for not answering reviews, but check out my new story that I'll be posting soon. It'll be called 'Flame's World' It's sad, but it's all about Flame. Please read and review!!!