A/N: This is a long chappie - 9 pages! Whoa! More than my max of 6! And it's not crap! Well, I like to think it's not crap and whatnot. Anyways, go me! But it's that time again!! Replies to reviews! Even though I do it every chapter. =) :
Ann: I'll update as soon as I can. Oh yeah, Valencia's bossy lil' attitude...I'm going to explain why Lucius is actually listening to Valencia. Next chapter is the Big Talk!! *Hehehe, I always wanted to do that* Christmas is always a rather insane time of the year. I still have to wrap all the gifts and deliver them in two days. And I'm at my dad's house so I have to travel back down to give them all to my friends and family. o.0 Er...better get started.
Realm of darkness: Thank you. If you keep your eyes peeled, there might even be something posted on Christmas Day. ;)
MinaXP: Doomo arigatou! *blushes* I wouldn't call it exciting per se, just because I'm one of those people who's over-analytical and constantly annotating things and looking for symbolism. That makes me the perfect English student! lol I try my best to come up with original plots, but they feel somewhat cliché to me. But managing to get Lucius on a farm…even I can see that's bloody original.
Prongs: Even I'm glad I updated! lol I have these chapters sitting in my head going 'Write me write me!' I think it's one of the better things I have written…though I seem to have a knack for writing slash, as I have been told. Me personally, I've got a few other chapters for fics that have kinda fallen to the wayside as I about the quality of the story. ^__^ I am writing this and reading more Harry/Draco - at the moment, it's Trading Spaces by SnippyandSnarky. So long as it's Harry/a Slytherin, I'll read it. I'm just picky about the quality of the fic.
Plaastra: Yeap, I just had to put some more fluff in there. Lucius holding Harry, that's the kinda fluff I do enjoy with no shame. But hey, I'm 19 and spend my nights writing slash. Who am I to say? *smiles* You know what? The actual imagery and humour of that line didn't hit me until I went back and read it again. Then I couldn't stop laughing. But that does come from experience. I still stand by my credo that goats are best for cheese or in curry 11 years later. Ruddy stubborn blaggarts, that's what they are. *grumbles* Oh yes, Prongs, Nimori or Maeglin Yedi - I love her 'Sleeping with the Enemy' fic! - all, excellent HP/LM writers. And that is how you spell 'Plumerais' - all those years of French class since Gr. 4 were worth something. Damned conditionnelle.
Chapter 6
It was the clink of cutlery being placed on a table that made Lucius lurch up from the couch abruptly. His back wasn't thanking him in the slightest. He gritted his teeth, feeling a twinge of pain go shooting through. Sleeping on this couch was becoming more hazardous by the night. Lucius took a quick breath, blinking a bit owlishly at the blank…damnit, what the hell was that strange black box called?
// You know Lucius, it helps if the television is on. \\
He looked back to see Ernesto with the…whatever it was, in his hand. A button was pressed and suddenly pictures appeared out of nowhere on the screen. Lucius jumped slightly, glaring at it. It was some morning show…thing. What ever it was, those people seemed too bloody cheery and perky for their own good.
Ernesto had a rather sour face. // Yeah, they annoy me too. You'd better get out of here before Valencia, \\ Ernesto jabbed a thumb towards the kitchen. // Find you asleep on her, \\ Ernesto snickered. // Prized couch. \\
Lucius didn't need to be told twice. He picked up the pillow and blanket and made his way back up to the bedroom as Ernesto headed into the kitchen. It had been one week. One week had been sleeping on that couch, and waking up just in time to avoid a scolding from Valencia. That woman was more like Molly Weasley in more ways that he cared to admit, minus the large brood of children.
And Harry was still avoiding him, he had to look after the blasted goats all week and he had only Ernesto to talk to. If there one thing that was a definite benefit from this, it was that he picking up Spanish from constantly being in Ernesto's company.
He made his way up the stairs slowly; why did everything seem to be moving from side to side? Shaking his head slightly, he steadied himself. He definitely had to find somewhere else to sleep. He must have gotten a total of seven hours sleep for the week. One hour a night in between the springs and lumpy padding digging in at uncomfortable spots, and the nightmares. Not to mention the nightmares.
His skin chilled as he grasped the bedroom doorknob. Hopefully Harry wouldn't be in there; Lucius didn't think he could face him again after this long a time. He steeled himself with a breath, twisted the doorknob and pushed the rectangle of wood. The bedroom looked the same. Sunny, airy looking and -
Lucius found his eyes immediately riveted to the most beautiful thing he had seen all week - the perfectly made bed, with the covers turned back just enough for him to slip in under and curl up in a warm cocoon. There was a part of his mind that was whispering to him, that it seemed a bit contrived. That bed was made far too perfectly, and the way it was turned back; definitely to accommodate him, not Harry's slightly smaller frame.
The rest of Lucius was pointedly ignoring it as he walked over to the bed. His joints ached from being in strange angles all night, his neck had a crick from the abnormal height he had kept it when sleeping, and his back…well he had far too many complaints to even start on that one. And this was all on top of working around the farm.
Surely it wouldn't be that bad if he simply laid down for a bit and took a very…quick nap.
And that was the last thing Lucius thought of as his head hit the pillow.
Harry glanced at the clock mounted on the bathroom wall. Forty minutes had passed since Lucius had come into the room. Surely it had to be safe for Harry to move now. Merlin knew leaning against this bathroom door was far from comfortable. Harry waited until the minute hand had ticked away five more times before he lifted himself off the door, hearing the wood creak from the relief.
He opened the door a crack, and stuck his head out, looking at the bed. Lucius was sprawled across the bed and out like a light. Harry opened the door a bit more and tiptoed over; wincing as he hit the spots on the floor creaked and squeaked under his tread. But none of it disturbed Lucius. Once he reached the bed, Harry lifted Lucius' feet and placed them under the blankets and managing to push the older wizard a bit more on the bed. Then he pulled the blankets up and tucked Lucius in.
Harry left his hand at the slightly fraying hem of the blanket before he reached out with a hesitant hand and smoothed back Lucius' hair from his forehead. A smile made its way to Harry's face as the strands ran across his fingers; it was incredibly soft, softer than he had even imagined. His fingers slowly traced the outline of Lucius' ear, almost reluctant to stop the contact, and started down the jaw. He could feel the bones just beneath the flesh, the unyielding hardness a contrast against the soft warmth of -
He snatched his hand back and stood up hastily as he heard a creak come from outside the door. Sure enough, it was opened a few seconds later.
// Harry, \\ Valencia stuck her head in the room. // What's taking- \\
// Lucius is still sleeping. \\ Harry said as he made his way to the door. // He's very tired. \\
Valencia gave something of a disapproving sniff. // He hasn't been staying up all night, has he? \\
// He can't sleep well. \\
Valencia paused for a moment. // He's got insomnia? \\
Harry looked at her puzzled. That was definitely a new word. // What was that? \\
// In-som-ni-a. \\ Valencia said it slowly. // He can't sleep easily, restless- \\
Harry nodded his head. // Can't we just let him sleep? \\
Valencia nodded her head, a sudden, grave look on her face. // It's good that you picked up Spanish fairly quickly. Lucius will be another matter altogether. \\
// Is something wrong? \\ Harry asked, brow furrowed together; what could possibly happen now?
// We'll discuss it over breakfast, \\ Valencia said as she started for the staircase.
Harry followed after her nervously. Suddenly, the kitchen didn't seem so welcoming and homey when he walked in it. It seemed like a strange contrast, that didn't fit at all, and it made him more than nervous. He sat down on the edge of his chair gingerly, looking between Ernesto and Valencia.
// Don't worry, you're not in trouble, \\ Ernesto said. // If we hurry now, everything should be fine. \\
Harry felt his heart give a strange lurch. // Trouble? \\
// You've been here for a month, now, \\ Valencia said. // But you didn't come in on a passport, did you? \\
// No, \\ that was all Harry said; how could he even tell them how he and Lucius ended up here? There was no way that he possibly could. He wasn't even sure himself.
// There're two things we can do, \\ Ernesto said with a glance at his wife. // We can either inform the British consulate, and have the both of you sent back -\\
Harry swallowed hard. Wouldn't that be nice? Just walk up to the consulate and say, 'We have two of your citizens here. Want them back?'? The people at the consulate would be very confused as to where he and Lucius had come from, considering that British wizards didn't usually bother with Muggle government. Taxes were paid to the Ministry for Magic and then dispersed to the respective levels of governments in the U.K., henceforth making the Wizarding population invisible to Muggles. He and Lucius would seem like citizens that materialized out of thin air.
// Harry! \\ A pair of fingers were snapped under his nose.
// Sorry. Um, I don't think that is the best option. \\ Harry paused. // Besides, there's nothing in Britain that I would really miss. \\ Those had to be some of the hardest words he had ever said.
// Then the other option we have is to adopt you. \\ Valencia said, glancing at Ernesto once more.
// What about Lucius? \\ Harry asked; it seemed that they were skirting around something.
// Harry, just how old is Lucius? \\ Ernesto asked.
// I don't know. Thirty? \\ he suggested.
Ernesto gave a doubtful snort at that, while Valencia glared at him.
// Lucius' case is a bit different. Since he is older than 18, \\ Valencia gave a wry, displeased smile at saying something so obvious. // It complicates things a bit. \\
Harry remained silent for a moment. There was a very real possibility that Lucius would be sent back while he just might remain in Spain. // Can we claim asylum or something? \\
Ernesto shook his head. // Unless you're seeking political refuge or asylum…\\ he trailed off, holding up his hands. // Britain isn't one of those countries that applies. \\
Harry held his hands in his head; life sure did like to kick him around far too much. // How long does it take? \\
// A few months. \\ Valencia said quietly. // But Ernesto and I have to go to Madrid to get the paperwork. There is an office out here, but they mess things up to much, and we don't want to leave something this important. We'll bring back all the papers and see just what the best option for you both is. Technically, you both could be deported at this very moment for being illegal aliens. \\
Harry groaned and closed his eyes. This was getting worse with every word they spoke. Feeling a pat on his shoulder, he looked up to see Ernesto smiling at him.
// We'll do what we can. But it's a long drive up to Madrid. \\
// You're going in the truck?! \\ Harry gaped at them both.
// There are some things we need to bring with us when we're coming back. \\ Valencia said. // We should be back in a week or so. \\
// Such as? \\ Harry demanded, suddenly feeling the need for answers.
// Sheep. We're getting into wool now. Maybe mutton. We'll see how it goes. \\ Ernesto paused before giving Harry a grin. // Ever try to shear a sheep, Harry? \\
// Ernesto! \\ Valencia said sharply. // Can we leave the farm in you and Lucius' hands for when we're gone? \\
// Sure, \\ Harry said with a shrug. // We can handle it. If you two did it before we came, it can't be that hard. \\
Valencia rose from her seat, Ernesto following after her. Harry rose a few moments following them to the front porch. Ernesto was starting up the truck, which gave a rusty, dust filled cough before sputtering to life. Valencia watched Ernesto got in before she looked back at Harry.
// You'll be fine here on your own? \\
// I'll be fine. Don't worry. Lucius is here with me. \\
// He's fast asleep. \\ Valencia said.
// I've been through worse. Don't worry. \\ Harry paused, as Ernesto honked the horn. // I think you'd better go. \\
Valencia looked at him, looking ready to burst into tears. She hugged him tightly, managing to squeeze all the air from his lungs. // We'll figure something out, so you can stay with Lucius. He's all you've got left of home, isn't he? \\
All Harry could manage was a small nod; every single cell in his body was determined to fill his vacated lungs with oxygen. Valencia let him go abruptly - Harry immediately wheezed, his lungs grateful for the necessary air - and quickly made her way to the truck, slamming the door as she got in and buckled up. Harry simply stood there, watching as the beat up blue truck started making its way down the dirt road. He watched until it disappeared over the hill before surveying the farm. He stood there for a few moments before he let his arms drop and he went back inside, putting away the breakfast things. He wasn't all that hungry anymore, and with Lucius fast asleep, he would have plenty to do around here.
The sound was faint, but loud enough to wake him up. Lucius scowled and turned away from it. Sleep - a very nice, undisturbed sleep - was not something he was quite willing to relinquish at the moment. But it came again, this time, stronger and more…warbling. Cracking an eye open, Lucius saw the sun streaming in, the window wide open, with a breeze blowing past the curtain. And perched right on the windowsill was a tiny bird.
Lucius sat up and watched it for a bit before taking a deep breath and stretching. No more crick in his neck, no more-
"Erm? What is it? Is it that evil pig?"
Lucius looked down at the sound too see Harry lift his head and blink blearily, looking for the source of the noise.
"Er," Lucius clearing the frog in his throat. "It's not the pig."
"Good," Harry mumbled sleepily, head going to rest on the pillow. Then he jerked it back up suddenly, surprising Lucius. "Ernesto and Valencia aren't here." Harry's head flopped back down, face first into the pillow.
"I beg your pardon?" Lucius asked in a quiet voice.
"Mrmtsfo…" Harry didn't say anything, as if thinking better of it. Then he raised his head once more. "Just make breakfast or something to eat. Just give me ten more minutes of sleep."
Lucius watched as Harry curled up into a ball, drawing the blankets closer around him. So much for waiting for a reply. And yet again, Harry had left him floundering to his own devices. Just how on Earth was he supposed to make breakfast?
He rose and made his way down the kitchen, looking through the room carefully. He was hungry now, and Harry certainly wouldn't be waking up anytime soon. It was up to Lucius to feed himself at the moment. Besides, Valencia had made it look so easy. And if a house elf could do something basic, then so could Lucius Malfoy. Lucius smirked smugly to himself as he opened the large white door to the fridge and started looking through things. Was there nothing he couldn't do?
Harry opened and eye and looked at the clock. It was ten forty five in the morning; so much for only ten more minutes of sleep - an hour was more like it. "And I get to do it all over again today." Harry groaned as he closed his eye.
He didn't want to get up at the moment. His muscles were sorer than they had ever been; worse than playing Quidditch for sixteen hours straight. Or, at least, that what he figured it'd be something like. He made his way to the bathroom, washed his face, brushed his teeth, changed and made his way down the stairs. He paused, hearing a loud clang followed by a muted curse. He crept up to the corner and peered into the kitchen.
It looked like a tornado had hit that room. Harry wasn't too sure what to start on - the mess that covered the counter? Or the disaster on what was the stove? And the toaster oven….well, it looked broken and he didn't know how Lucius managed that one.
"Lucius?" Harry asked as he walked into the kitchen.
The blond haired wizard whirled around. Harry had to fight back the snicker at threatened to rise. Lucius was spattered in batter - well, what Harry assumed to be batter - and was currently holding a mixing bowl in one hand and a spoon in the other. Lucius scowled at him as he promptly dumped the bowl back on the counter.
"How dare you ask me to make breakfast!?" Lucius seethed in a grumble.
"Then why did you try?" Harry asked, walking up to the counter and dunking a finger in the batter. He tasted it, trying to not choke. "What did you put in this?" he managed in a cough.
"The point is I tried. Never let it be said that I didn't," Lucius frowned. "If you breathe a word of this to anyone-"
"Heavens no," Harry said. "Besides, who'd believe me if I told them Lucius Malfoy was attempting to make breakfast in a Muggle kitchen, the Muggle way."
"Bloody inconvenient, that's what it is," Lucius grumbled. "There's nothing that's instant about these pancakes!"
Harry was hard pressed to not laugh as Lucius thwapped the empty pancake mix box with the spoon in his hand. "You just sit down. I'll clean up the mess and cook." Harry said, taking the spoon from Lucius' hand and snagging a cloth from the sink.
"If you think-" Lucius began.
"Oh just sit down," Harry said, pushing him towards the table in a slightly irritated voice. "And clean up. How you managed to cover yourself in that much batter…"
Lucius stormed to a seat, glaring at Harry. Harry didn't say anything as he cleaned off the countertops and dumped the batter down the sink. It didn't take him long, and ten minutes later, he had started the beginnings of a small breakfast. The pancakes were cooking, the kettle coming to a boil, and the biscuits baking in the toaster over. The table was set neatly with plates, mugs and cutlery that gleamed of domesticity in the sunlight. Harry stood by the stove, watching Lucius every so often, twirling the spatula in his fingers and making the pancakes. When he had just started the second one, he cleared his throat and spoke quietly.
"Ernesto and Valencia are gone for the week. They went up to Madrid."
"They simply left like that?" Lucius asked, arching an eyebrow in doubt.
"Well, it's either they do something or we get deported," Harry said watching Lucius' expression -nothing else save for disgust at the sticky bits of batter he was wiping off himself. "They're trying to get us citizenship or something like that."
"Did they say when they would be returning?" Lucius demanded, scowling at a particularly stubborn spot on his shoulder that he was trying to pick off.
"A week," Harry's lips quirked up into a small smirk. "They're bringing back sheep."
Lucius froze for moment, glancing at Harry. "Sheep?"
"Yes, sheep," Harry paused for a moment. "You know sheep? Those animals that we shave off every once in awhile so-"
"I know what a sheep is," Lucius grumbled, stretching slightly. "And Merlin knows, they'll be just like the goats and I'll have to whack them."
Harry's eyes flickered to where Lucius was rubbing the small of his back. "Sore?" he asked.
"I'm fine," Lucius said, leaving off his back to drum his fingers against his knee.
"It's probably because you've been sleeping on the couch all week," Harry said quietly. "You didn't have to, you know. Don't you think you were overreacting just a bit?"
Lucius' eyes flickered to Harry but he didn't say anything for a long moment. "And share the same bed with someone who's disgusted by me? Or fears me? I think not; I suffered enough of that Narcissca to want it willingly."
"Oh," Harry didn't think Lucius would have been able to see his face from that far a distance. "I wasn't disgusted at you."
"Really? Was it the hay? Or perhaps it was the sky, in all its blueness?" Lucius demanded in slightly angry tone.
Harry turned from the pan, watching Lucius for long moment. "I was disgusted at myself. Not you Lucius."
"Indeed," Lucius sneered.
"I was disgusted at myself," Harry repeated, ignoring Lucius' tone. "For feeling guilty."
The sneer dropped away from Lucius' expression. "Guilty?"
"For not wanting to see you. I knew you were going to ask me questions. I didn't know if I had or even wanted the answers." Harry paused, flipping the pancake on the griddle. "I still don't know. But it certainly not fair to you to act like a mulish prat."
"I learned to get along with you after three weeks and then you," Lucius said the word rather pointedly. "Become rather difficult to live with. As if you weren't already."
"I've had a lot on my mind," Harry said with a shrug. He looked back at the pan quickly. Now he felt simply even worse. "Lucius?"
"Yes?"
"There's something I should tell you…" Harry said quietly, looking back at the older man.
"And it would be?" Lucius asked in a patient voice.
"That…I-I've been watching you sleep for the past week." Harry could feel face go red from embarrassment. He at least owed it to Lucius to be honest with him.
Lucius was watching Harry with a decidedly curious expression. Harry looked away quickly, his face probably turning a deeper shade of red.
"Have you?" Lucius finally said.
Harry nodded his head with a deep breath, steeling himself. "You've been talking in your sleep."
The silence went from rapidly closing sore spot to a wide gaping chasm once more. When Harry dared to look back at Lucius, he found the blond man staring intently at his hand which was simply lying on the table.
"Lucius?" Harry asked quietly.
Lucius jolted from his stupor. "What did I say?"
"Things…I couldn't hear all of it. You said 'no', 'please', and 'don't' a lot though."
Lucius' eyes closed as he gave a heavy sigh. Harry could have sworn the colour was draining from Lucius' face. "Did you hear anything else?"
"No," Harry said with a small shake of his head. He paused before he spoke again. "You were weeping one night."
Lucius didn't say or do anything beyond linking his fingers and cupping his chin in a hooked thumb. His grey eyes became misted over and before Harry could get a good glimpse into them, Lucius lowered them, veiling his expression with his eyelids. Harry looked back at the stove and quickly finished off the pancake and took the kettle off before he made his way to the table.
Harry could barely see Lucius' eyes. He reached out and touched Lucius' hand lightly. He was surprised when Lucius jerked away from him. Harry could see that his expression was hard, just before Lucius turned away from Harry.
"Don't." Lucius said in a harsh voice.
"Don't what?" Harry asked. "You're lacking on specifics."
"Just….don't." Lucius repeated once more, before walking away from the table.
"Lucius," Harry called after him. "Lucius!" he tried again as he was deliberately ignored. Harry swore and rose from his seat going after him. "Lucius wait!"
Lucius was already halfway up the stairs when Harry burst into the hallway. He charged up the stairs, catching up with Lucius at the upper landing, grabbing his hand. Lucius ripped it away, still not looking at Harry, and started to walk away.
"Damnit Lucius!" Harry exclaimed, grabbing his wrist again and locking on with an iron grip.
"I said bloody well don't!" Lucius snarled, twisting his hand, and still not looking at Harry. "Now let me go, you insufferable brat!"
"No. I'm not going to let you run away from this, whatever it is." Harry said, his lips fixed in a grim, determined line. "Look at me Lucius." Lucius stubbornly looked ahead. "Would you just look at me damnit?! I want to help you, but I can't if you don't let me!"
Lucius didn't do anything for a long moment before his shoulders slumped slightly, barely perceptible, and he turned slightly before turning back around to not look at Harry.
"Lucius," Harry asked in low voice, relaxing his grip and taking Lucius hand in both of his. "Let me help you."
"I can't," Lucius said in a husky voice.
"Why not?" Harry asked, his own throat starting to close up.
"You look like him." Lucius said in a whisper.
"Like who?" Harry said after a long moment.
Lucius didn't say anything, but Harry swore he heard the sound of a stifled sob. Merlin knew he had made enough of them to know it when he heard it. He stroked Lucius' hand with his thumbs soothingly. This was as much contact that he dared at the moment. It seemed like a small eternity before Lucius finally spoke.
"Like the boy I raped."
