Disclaimer: Cara on his onesie.
Thanks to:
Angel174: Aye, I've for ages debated about Draco but I think he adds a nice element of humour, kind of like the annoying little brother only he's the annoying hostage lol. And don't worry, when I was writing the scene I was getting all misty eyed, as I had to play the song behind me to help with my writing.
Sykoticstalker27: Ah you gotta love Draco, he's our comedy relief lol. And that zipper mouth isn't a bad idea, I'm sure Harry would love that idea. Thanks, I tried to make it a chapter where you remember it the most. And I'll try my best on the Snape front, he's fun to play with lol.
Linda: Aw I didn't get your last review but Woo got this one lol. That was exactly the reaction I was aiming for with the proposal, my work here is done, Never underestimate the power of emotional scenes lol.
Arigazi: Lmao well it had to happen didn't it, you can't have Malfoy tied to a chair and NOT have him fall over, it would be illegal surely? And you can't blame Snape really, he hasn't a chance to practice on his people skills lol. That proposal was hard work mind, I wrote one and went 'nah, cheesy' so it had to be typed up all over again. And tell me about it, that song is my favourite.
Jenna: Is it strange when you feel proud you made people cry? Lol ah well, just me then (grins). And careful, you're going to make my head expand lol. I really want to find a way to get my pictures up now as so many of you have requested them.
Elrohir Lover: Evil Draco, how else can you have him lol! And don't worry, I was a little upset about the AJ thing but I thought, hey, I have so many other better reviewers that he isn't worth my time really. Plus I LOVE your pic idea, the whole wolf shadow thing is very cool. Let's see, Wiccan Birthday presents (ponders) Well you could get him a pentacle necklace, they're always nice (Mine's a tad on the HUGE side lol) Or there's a Book of Shadows for him to keep his records of everything in. What else...hmm well there is always the idea of an athame/dagger (Athame: A dagger only used to cut air, NEVER sharp) but you might have to see how his parents like that idea. As for the movie I believe it should be in June, I think it's the 5th woo lol. Oh and (Catches Kiss) LMAO.
~*~
Chapter 22 – Scotch on the Rocks
"Head's up!" Bill Weasley called as he popped open a bottle of champagne and everyone gave some form of cheer.
The table had been levitated back into the kitchen and everyone was now drinking happily as they celebrated the smiling couple sat practically on top of one another. Glasses were filled with the bubbling alcohol as cheerful chatter filled the air and even Snape would give a little smirk as he joined in the festivities.
"To Harry and Cara!" Arthur said as he raised his glass and everyone raised their glasses.
"To Harry and Cara!" They all said and clinked them all together.
The animagi grinned at his fiancé, which the blonde returned happily before they both leant in to kiss one another. Remus smiled at them from across the table and as he leant sideways to grab another glass he caught Snape watching them also.
"Perfect aren't they?" The werewolf said to the Potion's Master who looked over at the source of the voice. He nodded slowly as a little smirk jumped to the corner of his mouth.
"I remember feeling like that." The limp haired man said as he returned to watching the two and Remus's eyebrows shot up in shock.
"Since when have you been in love?" He asked then cringed at his choice of wording. Snape smirked a little as he watched the tawny man give him an apologetic look.
"I'm afraid to say it was one-sided Lupin but even then it was exhilarating."
Remus suddenly felt a great pity for the man so he turned his whole body to face the man.
"Well tell me about her...or him...if, you know, it doesn't hurt too much." The werewolf said calmly as he sipped his champagne. Snape eyed him warily for a moment before sighing and turning in his seat.
"I do not think you will like what I'm about to tell you." The man said slowly and Lupin lowered his glass.
"I was always useless around her. Even when I tried to say something nice an insult leapt from my wicked tongue." Snape seemed to spit out his words in frustration at his teenage self's way of dealing with his horrid life.
"She stood up for me but all I could do was let pure-blood pride speak for me."
Remus placed the glass back onto the table, watching it for a moment before turning back to the quiet man before him.
"Lily." He said simply and after a couple of minutes Snape nodded.
"I think you knew her well enough to understand her generosity and courage...just look at her son." They both turned to Harry who had just finished a conversation with Fred that was obviously a little personal as the animagi pulled a grinning face and pushed at the red head's shoulder.
"I beg you not to tell Harry though Lupin...we've only just made it to an understanding, I highly doubt he could forgive me for this."
Remus nodded as he watched the pained look fill Severus's coal black eyes.
"Is that why you hated James so much?" He asked but the man gave a small chuckle as he sipped a little of the scotch he had gotten for himself.
"No, James Potter did that purely on his own." Even though it was a jab at his best friend Remus gave a little smile.
"I'm not a strong man Lupin but the day I told myself to let Lily be happy and not cause her and her new boyfriend trouble I felt proud of myself for a fleeting moment. Then of course I was just pissed off and moped more then usual."
They both gave little laughs as they looked at one another. With a smirk Snape raised his shot glass as Remus raised his wineglass.
"To love...for there never was a more harsh bitch then her."
"May she continue to make sad old men like us."
They clinked their glasses together as they chuckled lightly.
~*~
Cara smiled as he watched the exchange between the two older men but his attention was soon pulled back to his mate who had kissed his neck lightly once to get his attention.
"What're you doing love?" The black-haired man whispered intimately into the werewolf's ear.
"Watching a friendship form." The blonde said vaguely as he placed his glass to Harry's lips, the man in turn smiling as he sipped the drink offered to him by his fiancé.
Throughout the night everyone gradually either grew drunker or sleepier but Cara would glance down at his engagement ring grinning like a madman. Harry's words kept coming to him and he'd find himself kissing the animagi suddenly, not that Harry minded.
"Well I think we should begin to retire to bed." Dumbledore said as he stood creakily, others following his lead as they all slowly said their final congratulations to the couple at the door.
"Silencing charm." Remus whispered to the couple with a wink and Snape let out a little laugh as he followed the werewolf, holding onto the man's shoulder for support as the alcohol began to infect them.
Harry raised an amused eyebrow as he watched the two stumble up the stairs, one tripping every now and again causing the other to splutter out a laugh.
"You know Cara, I reckon Snape's getting his first taste of having a friend." The animagi said as the two men finally made it their respectful rooms' amongst their giggles.
"It's kind of unnerving watching adults drunk." Cara said as he pulled at his mate's hand, leading him upstairs. Stopping briefly to fill a glass with scotch they carried on to their room but Harry went into the room that held the scowling Draco in it.
"What's going on down there? I think, and if it's true it's deeply disturbing, but I think I heard Professor Snape GIGGLING as he spoke about some bloody stairway."
Smirking Harry righted the chair the man was tied to before placing the glass by the bedside table.
"Just celebrating, there's a drink for you." Grinning wickedly he left the room with Malfoy calling 'But my hand's are tied up!'
~*~
Harry closed the door inaudible behind him and muttered a silencing charm until he looked over to the bed where Cara was sat, a serene smile across his perfect features. "Hey love." The animagi whispered and instead of answering Cara stood and made his way quickly to the man, pressing his lips against his as they both then began to fumble towards the bed.
"I love you." The werewolf said as he ran his fingers through the lengthening ink black hair of his mate.
Smiling Harry laced their the fingers of their left hands together, admiring the rings they both wore as they shone in the candle light.
"I never imagined...I never dared to hope..." The blonde tried to say but he couldn't really get the words out. Harry however understood perfectly and kissed the man lightly.
"This is us for the rest of our lives now...scared?" The darker man asked quietly and Cara shook his head.
"Not with you around." He said with a teasing lilt to his tone. They kissed again, slowly unbuttoning one another's shirts as they placed loving kisses on the revealed flesh. They fell back onto the bed with a little bounce.
"When do you want the ceremony to be?" Harry asked as he pulled back from kissing his fiancé's hipbone.
"Soon, whilst we seem to be in this semi-peace time...you never know what might happen in this battle that could put off the wedding for months."
The animagi nodded as he moved back up Cara's body, kissing his path up to the man's lips until they slowly began to celebrate their engagement in a more intimate way.
~*~
Draco tried shuffling his chair towards the glass on the bedside table, reaching it eventually then tried tipping the container to swallow some of the liquid by holding the edge of the glass between his teeth. He managed to get a little but the rest just tipped down his shirt so placing it back on the table he sighed.
A knock sounded before the head of Albus Dumbledore poked around the door.
"Good evening Mr Malfoy." He said kindly and the blonde raised an eyebrow at him.
"Good evening Sir, I would stand but I'm a little tied up right now." The man drawled and Dumbledore chuckled as he sat himself on the bed.
"That was a bad joke even for you Draco." The man chuckled as he riffled around his pockets before extracting a muggle sweet bag.
"Can I tempt you with a Pear Drop Draco?" He said and the ex-Slytherin pondered for a moment before opening his mouth for the man to pop one in.
"I'm guessing you came here for a reason or do you randomly walk into the rooms offering people sweets?" Malfoy said around the fruity candy in his mouth. "Yes of course. I came to ask if you knew anything about this battle that the Death Eater's have decided to start?" The aged man said as he placed a sweet into his own mouth.
"All I know is that it's basically my dear ol' dad and the ever delightful Aunt Bella leading it. WHY they feel compelled to avenge a deceased man is beyond me but what with Father funding me I think it shows a little gratitude to do as he asks."
The man suckled the pear drop a little more as the man across from him nodded vaguely.
"You do realise that I can untie you but you have to be on your best behaviour. You already know what I can do Mr Malfoy but I would strongly suggest staying on Harry's tolerable side."
The blonde nodded as the man untied him.
"Figured as much, still a hostage though right? That's the way this all works isn't it?"
Dumbledore nodded solemnly. He moved forward and began undoing all the ropes binding the younger man.
"I'm afraid so Draco, we can't risk you telling the Death Eater's of...well anything you've seen here."
Draco shrugged as he gave a grateful sigh, rubbing his wrists and as he collapsed onto the bed.
"You mean risk telling them of Potter's weakness." He said as he shut his eyes.
"Indeed...I cherish both Harry and Cara like they are my own...I will not hesitate to eliminate anything that threatens them Mr Malfoy, please don't force me to."
They both stared at one another as they came to an understanding before Dumbledore bowed and left. He heard a lock in the door click as he was left to his own thoughts...until a banging started.
It came from his far wall and for a moment he tried to think who might be in that room...when the moaning started. Startled he ran over and pounded on the wall.
"Potter! Potter you missed a wall! Stop, you're going to traumatise me!"
The banging only continued, only this time he could hear laughter.
~*~
Thanks to:
Angel174: Aye, I've for ages debated about Draco but I think he adds a nice element of humour, kind of like the annoying little brother only he's the annoying hostage lol. And don't worry, when I was writing the scene I was getting all misty eyed, as I had to play the song behind me to help with my writing.
Sykoticstalker27: Ah you gotta love Draco, he's our comedy relief lol. And that zipper mouth isn't a bad idea, I'm sure Harry would love that idea. Thanks, I tried to make it a chapter where you remember it the most. And I'll try my best on the Snape front, he's fun to play with lol.
Linda: Aw I didn't get your last review but Woo got this one lol. That was exactly the reaction I was aiming for with the proposal, my work here is done, Never underestimate the power of emotional scenes lol.
Arigazi: Lmao well it had to happen didn't it, you can't have Malfoy tied to a chair and NOT have him fall over, it would be illegal surely? And you can't blame Snape really, he hasn't a chance to practice on his people skills lol. That proposal was hard work mind, I wrote one and went 'nah, cheesy' so it had to be typed up all over again. And tell me about it, that song is my favourite.
Jenna: Is it strange when you feel proud you made people cry? Lol ah well, just me then (grins). And careful, you're going to make my head expand lol. I really want to find a way to get my pictures up now as so many of you have requested them.
Elrohir Lover: Evil Draco, how else can you have him lol! And don't worry, I was a little upset about the AJ thing but I thought, hey, I have so many other better reviewers that he isn't worth my time really. Plus I LOVE your pic idea, the whole wolf shadow thing is very cool. Let's see, Wiccan Birthday presents (ponders) Well you could get him a pentacle necklace, they're always nice (Mine's a tad on the HUGE side lol) Or there's a Book of Shadows for him to keep his records of everything in. What else...hmm well there is always the idea of an athame/dagger (Athame: A dagger only used to cut air, NEVER sharp) but you might have to see how his parents like that idea. As for the movie I believe it should be in June, I think it's the 5th woo lol. Oh and (Catches Kiss) LMAO.
~*~
Chapter 22 – Scotch on the Rocks
"Head's up!" Bill Weasley called as he popped open a bottle of champagne and everyone gave some form of cheer.
The table had been levitated back into the kitchen and everyone was now drinking happily as they celebrated the smiling couple sat practically on top of one another. Glasses were filled with the bubbling alcohol as cheerful chatter filled the air and even Snape would give a little smirk as he joined in the festivities.
"To Harry and Cara!" Arthur said as he raised his glass and everyone raised their glasses.
"To Harry and Cara!" They all said and clinked them all together.
The animagi grinned at his fiancé, which the blonde returned happily before they both leant in to kiss one another. Remus smiled at them from across the table and as he leant sideways to grab another glass he caught Snape watching them also.
"Perfect aren't they?" The werewolf said to the Potion's Master who looked over at the source of the voice. He nodded slowly as a little smirk jumped to the corner of his mouth.
"I remember feeling like that." The limp haired man said as he returned to watching the two and Remus's eyebrows shot up in shock.
"Since when have you been in love?" He asked then cringed at his choice of wording. Snape smirked a little as he watched the tawny man give him an apologetic look.
"I'm afraid to say it was one-sided Lupin but even then it was exhilarating."
Remus suddenly felt a great pity for the man so he turned his whole body to face the man.
"Well tell me about her...or him...if, you know, it doesn't hurt too much." The werewolf said calmly as he sipped his champagne. Snape eyed him warily for a moment before sighing and turning in his seat.
"I do not think you will like what I'm about to tell you." The man said slowly and Lupin lowered his glass.
"I was always useless around her. Even when I tried to say something nice an insult leapt from my wicked tongue." Snape seemed to spit out his words in frustration at his teenage self's way of dealing with his horrid life.
"She stood up for me but all I could do was let pure-blood pride speak for me."
Remus placed the glass back onto the table, watching it for a moment before turning back to the quiet man before him.
"Lily." He said simply and after a couple of minutes Snape nodded.
"I think you knew her well enough to understand her generosity and courage...just look at her son." They both turned to Harry who had just finished a conversation with Fred that was obviously a little personal as the animagi pulled a grinning face and pushed at the red head's shoulder.
"I beg you not to tell Harry though Lupin...we've only just made it to an understanding, I highly doubt he could forgive me for this."
Remus nodded as he watched the pained look fill Severus's coal black eyes.
"Is that why you hated James so much?" He asked but the man gave a small chuckle as he sipped a little of the scotch he had gotten for himself.
"No, James Potter did that purely on his own." Even though it was a jab at his best friend Remus gave a little smile.
"I'm not a strong man Lupin but the day I told myself to let Lily be happy and not cause her and her new boyfriend trouble I felt proud of myself for a fleeting moment. Then of course I was just pissed off and moped more then usual."
They both gave little laughs as they looked at one another. With a smirk Snape raised his shot glass as Remus raised his wineglass.
"To love...for there never was a more harsh bitch then her."
"May she continue to make sad old men like us."
They clinked their glasses together as they chuckled lightly.
~*~
Cara smiled as he watched the exchange between the two older men but his attention was soon pulled back to his mate who had kissed his neck lightly once to get his attention.
"What're you doing love?" The black-haired man whispered intimately into the werewolf's ear.
"Watching a friendship form." The blonde said vaguely as he placed his glass to Harry's lips, the man in turn smiling as he sipped the drink offered to him by his fiancé.
Throughout the night everyone gradually either grew drunker or sleepier but Cara would glance down at his engagement ring grinning like a madman. Harry's words kept coming to him and he'd find himself kissing the animagi suddenly, not that Harry minded.
"Well I think we should begin to retire to bed." Dumbledore said as he stood creakily, others following his lead as they all slowly said their final congratulations to the couple at the door.
"Silencing charm." Remus whispered to the couple with a wink and Snape let out a little laugh as he followed the werewolf, holding onto the man's shoulder for support as the alcohol began to infect them.
Harry raised an amused eyebrow as he watched the two stumble up the stairs, one tripping every now and again causing the other to splutter out a laugh.
"You know Cara, I reckon Snape's getting his first taste of having a friend." The animagi said as the two men finally made it their respectful rooms' amongst their giggles.
"It's kind of unnerving watching adults drunk." Cara said as he pulled at his mate's hand, leading him upstairs. Stopping briefly to fill a glass with scotch they carried on to their room but Harry went into the room that held the scowling Draco in it.
"What's going on down there? I think, and if it's true it's deeply disturbing, but I think I heard Professor Snape GIGGLING as he spoke about some bloody stairway."
Smirking Harry righted the chair the man was tied to before placing the glass by the bedside table.
"Just celebrating, there's a drink for you." Grinning wickedly he left the room with Malfoy calling 'But my hand's are tied up!'
~*~
Harry closed the door inaudible behind him and muttered a silencing charm until he looked over to the bed where Cara was sat, a serene smile across his perfect features. "Hey love." The animagi whispered and instead of answering Cara stood and made his way quickly to the man, pressing his lips against his as they both then began to fumble towards the bed.
"I love you." The werewolf said as he ran his fingers through the lengthening ink black hair of his mate.
Smiling Harry laced their the fingers of their left hands together, admiring the rings they both wore as they shone in the candle light.
"I never imagined...I never dared to hope..." The blonde tried to say but he couldn't really get the words out. Harry however understood perfectly and kissed the man lightly.
"This is us for the rest of our lives now...scared?" The darker man asked quietly and Cara shook his head.
"Not with you around." He said with a teasing lilt to his tone. They kissed again, slowly unbuttoning one another's shirts as they placed loving kisses on the revealed flesh. They fell back onto the bed with a little bounce.
"When do you want the ceremony to be?" Harry asked as he pulled back from kissing his fiancé's hipbone.
"Soon, whilst we seem to be in this semi-peace time...you never know what might happen in this battle that could put off the wedding for months."
The animagi nodded as he moved back up Cara's body, kissing his path up to the man's lips until they slowly began to celebrate their engagement in a more intimate way.
~*~
Draco tried shuffling his chair towards the glass on the bedside table, reaching it eventually then tried tipping the container to swallow some of the liquid by holding the edge of the glass between his teeth. He managed to get a little but the rest just tipped down his shirt so placing it back on the table he sighed.
A knock sounded before the head of Albus Dumbledore poked around the door.
"Good evening Mr Malfoy." He said kindly and the blonde raised an eyebrow at him.
"Good evening Sir, I would stand but I'm a little tied up right now." The man drawled and Dumbledore chuckled as he sat himself on the bed.
"That was a bad joke even for you Draco." The man chuckled as he riffled around his pockets before extracting a muggle sweet bag.
"Can I tempt you with a Pear Drop Draco?" He said and the ex-Slytherin pondered for a moment before opening his mouth for the man to pop one in.
"I'm guessing you came here for a reason or do you randomly walk into the rooms offering people sweets?" Malfoy said around the fruity candy in his mouth. "Yes of course. I came to ask if you knew anything about this battle that the Death Eater's have decided to start?" The aged man said as he placed a sweet into his own mouth.
"All I know is that it's basically my dear ol' dad and the ever delightful Aunt Bella leading it. WHY they feel compelled to avenge a deceased man is beyond me but what with Father funding me I think it shows a little gratitude to do as he asks."
The man suckled the pear drop a little more as the man across from him nodded vaguely.
"You do realise that I can untie you but you have to be on your best behaviour. You already know what I can do Mr Malfoy but I would strongly suggest staying on Harry's tolerable side."
The blonde nodded as the man untied him.
"Figured as much, still a hostage though right? That's the way this all works isn't it?"
Dumbledore nodded solemnly. He moved forward and began undoing all the ropes binding the younger man.
"I'm afraid so Draco, we can't risk you telling the Death Eater's of...well anything you've seen here."
Draco shrugged as he gave a grateful sigh, rubbing his wrists and as he collapsed onto the bed.
"You mean risk telling them of Potter's weakness." He said as he shut his eyes.
"Indeed...I cherish both Harry and Cara like they are my own...I will not hesitate to eliminate anything that threatens them Mr Malfoy, please don't force me to."
They both stared at one another as they came to an understanding before Dumbledore bowed and left. He heard a lock in the door click as he was left to his own thoughts...until a banging started.
It came from his far wall and for a moment he tried to think who might be in that room...when the moaning started. Startled he ran over and pounded on the wall.
"Potter! Potter you missed a wall! Stop, you're going to traumatise me!"
The banging only continued, only this time he could hear laughter.
~*~