Author's Random Ramblings: Whee! I am v. v. v. happy this week! We had
almost the entire week out of school since in NC, we get two inches and
it's an automatic crisis. Anyways, it froze over and I was able to go
sledding with my friends. It was so fun! Especially since we were even
able to go sliding down the main roads, as they were all iced over.
Anyways, I'll be spending this weekend recuperating from my many bruises
that I have acquired. Yeah, I sort of slid right into a huge cement
manhole and then an iron lamppost. It really hurt! On a brighter note,
I'm sure many of you will be pleased to know that I have currently finished
writing Chapter 9 in my notebook and that I have up through Chapter 7 typed
but not edited.
Chapter 5
"Hey Harry!" yelled Seamus with a grin as Harry stepped out of Flourish and Blotts, a parcel of books in his hands. Smiling, Harry hurried over to where Seamus, Dean, and Ginny were standing.
"Hey guys!" said a breathless Harry, "You're here too?"
"You bet!" said Dean with a smile, "Hey, anyone want to check out Fred and George's new store? I hear they've got some cool stuff!"
Ginny's eyes brightened with excitement, "Ooh, Let's go! Coming Harry?"
Harry shook his head regretfully, "I'll be along but I have to go to Madam Malkin's first."
Ginny shrugged, "Your loss. Come on guys, let's go!"
Harry watched as Ginny, Seamus, and Dean ran off into the distance. Sighing, Harry stepped into the dusty store and found Draco already waiting for him, a rack of robes at his side.
"Alright, I'm here," said Harry awkwardly, "Now what?"
Draco's smile widened, "You're late. Come on Potter, we've got to get to work." Harry frowned, "What do you mean, Malfoy?"
"We are going to pick out a new wardrobe for you," said Draco reasonably, "Look at you, wearing all those ragged castoffs. How could anyone believe you are the famous Harry Potter?"
"What's wrong with my clothes?" asked Harry defensively, "You don't see me complaining about your wardrobe so lay off!"
"That's because I have taste, Potter," snorted Draco disdainfully, "Look at your outfit. That t-shirt was made for someone ten times your size and those khakis are wrinkled and the knees are worn through!"
Harry looked down self-consciously, "Why are you doing this, Draco?"
Draco's expression softened and the arrogant mask melted away, "I never thought I'd say this, Harry, but you're beginning to grow on me. You aren't a bad kid and I do care about the way you look. Now get the hell into that fitting room!"
***
Half an hour later, Harry left the store, wearied but loaded with packages. Malfoy, to Harry's surprise had good fashion sense and hadn't picked anything too outrageous for Harry to wear. Even more to Harry's surprise, Malfoy had insisted on paying for the whole, mad venture. Harry shook his head, ah well; it wasn't like he cared what Malfoy did with his own money.
"Harry!" Draco yelled, "Behind you!" Harry whipped around, wand in hand, but it was two late, the masked Death Eater had already begun to cast a spell.
"EXPELLIARMUS!" roared Draco and the Death Eater's wand flew out of his hand, knocking the man down. Harry cursed loudly and grabbed the fallen wand. Two other masked Death Eaters ran out of the shadows and rushed towards Harry and Draco. Draco raised his wand but the Death Eater was faster, "Crucio!" Draco screamed and fell to his knees, writhing in pain.
"Stupefy!" yelled Harry and his spell hit the other death eater square in the chest. Draco crawled to his feet and grabbed his own wand. A steel blade flashed in the Death Eater's hands. There was no time; Draco was going to die unless Harry could do something, but what?
Harry raised his hand out to Draco. "NO!" he screamed. Ice-cold power flowed through Harry's veins, leaving him chilled to the bone. Harry screamed in pain as dark, bluebell flames shot out of his fingers, hitting the Death Eater in the chest. The man screamed and crumpled in a pile next to Draco.
The Death Eater Draco had disarmed grabbed the knife beside his fallen comrade and brought it down to stab Draco. Frantically, Draco scrambled out of the way and tried to get his wand ready. The knife flashed again and neatly knocked the wand out of Draco's hands. Desperately, Harry tried to summon the power he'd had when he knocked out the other Death Eater, but it wouldn't come.
Suddenly, a clear voice cried out, "Stupefy! Impedimenta! Stupefy!" The Death Eater was knocked off his feet and thrown up against the brick wall. Harry crawled over to Draco and knelt over him, checking for a pulse. Draco smiled weakly. Harry looked up to see their rescuer.
The man had a shining mane of soft, gold curls that fell down his back. He had beautiful dark blue eyes and a face that was more beautiful than handsome. He was tall and well built in a graceful, muscular way.
He held out a hand to help Harry and Draco up. I'm Apollo," smiled the man warmly, "Phoebus Apollo. And you are no doubt Harry Potter, I am your Dark Arts teacher this year."
"Th-thanks," gasped Harry weakly, "you saved his life!" Apollo shrugged gracefully and helped Harry and Draco up.
"It was nothing," he replied.
"Oh Harry!" cried Mrs. Weasley in a hysterical voice as she hugged Harry tightly, "You're okay!" Behind her trailed Moody, Tonks, Lupin, the Weasley children, Hermione, and a crowd of Aurors.
"What happened?" growled Moody, "We heard screams and detected an Unforgivable Curse so we came to investigate."
Draco turned and shook off Crabbe and Goyle who had also come running and was now supporting Draco between them. Crabbe moved away but still held tightly on to Draco's arm, steadying him. Goyle took one step back and crossed his arms; hiding the wand he inevitably had out, in good, bodyguard position. "They attacked Harry and when I tried to warn him, they also came after me," gasped Draco.
Ron stepped up, and shot Draco a furious look, "I don't believe him! What the hell were you doing with Harry anyways, Malfoy? You can't expect he's innocent, his father's a Death Eater, arrest him!"
Mrs. Weasley frowned at Ron, "Ron! Stay out of this!" Ron opened his mouth to protest but Lupin and Tonks held him back.
Moody turned to glare at Draco, "Malfoy, eh? A bad bunch, the lot of them, but we'll see if you're telling the truth, boy." Draco met Moody's glare evenly. "Stop it!" said Harry furiously, "Don't you see, he saved my life! Those men attacked us and Draco saved my life!"
Moody frowned, "We'll see soon enough. Men, take these boys to the Ministry and get these men into St. Mungo's Criminal Ward. I want them under the highest security, you got that?"
Strong hands seized Draco's shoulders pushing Crabbe and Goyle away. Silently, they escorted him and Harry through the door of a small, run down store that Draco had never noticed before on his frequent trips to Diagon Alley. Quickly, they were led through the back door and down into the basement where to their surprise, there was a lift.
"Level 2, the Department of Magical Law Enforcement," said the Auror who had a hold of Draco's left shoulder. Immediately, the lift began its silent descent, a moment later, they stepped out into a carpeted hallway. Swiftly, they were led through a side door and into an Interrogation Room much like the ones Muggle policemen use today except for the fact that the room was protected by several layers of magical wards, effectively cutting off any chance of escape.
"Are you okay?" asked Harry timidly as the door closed behind them and they were left alone.
Draco smiled ruefully, "Yes, thanks to you. What do you think they're going to do?"
Harry shrugged, "We were acting out of self defense, the law is on our side. Don't worry Draco; Dumbledore will get us out in no time. I bet Moody just took us here because he had no other choice."
"Do you know how many people would love to see me in Azkaban?" asked Draco emptily, "I don't just mean Ron, my father had a lot of enemies, and many of them would do anything to see me killed or put away for the rest of my life."
"Don't worry, Dumbledore wont let anything happen to either of us," said Harry reassuringly, "What happened back there anyways? Who were they really after?" Draco stared blankly at the white walls of the room, "I don't know. All I know was that when I saw the Death Eater coming out of the back street right at you and I had to warn you. The rest was a blur. We were lucky those Death Eaters were rookies, probably just recruited, otherwise we would be dead."
Harry nodded wearily, "I wondered that they would dare attack us on a public street like Diagon Alley."
"What are we going to tell the Ministry?" asked Draco curiously, as he took a seat at one of the chairs set out behind the long, narrow interrogation table.
"It's not like we have anything to hide," shrugged Harry nonchalantly, "We were attacked and fought back in self defense."
"Your friends are going to ask a lot of questions, you know," remarked Draco, "I don't mean the Aurors; I mean Weasley and Granger. They will both want to what the hell happened. School starts in three days, what are we going to do? Are we just going to pretend we are still enemies?"
"I don't see how we cannot tell anyone that we're friends now," replied Harry moodily, "I can't hide things from Ron and Hermione for much longer, nor do I want to. They are my friends, Draco."
"Do you have any idea what would happen to me in Slytherin once everyone finds out about us?" asked Draco gently, "I'm already in trouble Harry. I've betrayed Voldemort, the only two people I trust now in that entire House are Crabbe and Goyle. I'm not saying don't tell your friends, I just want to know that they can keep a secret. I don't want this to be public knowledge yet, do you get my drift?"
Harry nodded solemnly, "I understand, don't worry, Ron and Hermione are completely trustworthy. You know, you should really try to get to know them better. I think that they'll like you as long as you aren't the big prat you were before."
Draco was just about to reply to that when the door opened and Tonks stepped in. "Sorry if I'm interrupting," she began, "but Moody wants to see you now, Draco." Gracefully, Draco rose from his chair and followed Tonks out the door without another word.
***
An hour later, Harry sat across from Fudge in his office, waiting expectantly. "Hi Harry," began Fudge nervously, "I have just read your report and everything seems in order, it seems a pretty clear cut case for self defense. I just wanted to ask you, did you know that one of the Death Eater's who attacked you and young Master Malfoy is dead? We just got the report back from St. Mungo's a few minutes ago. There is no explanation for the death; only that he was dead when they found you in Diagon Alley. It seems like his heart just failed unexpectedly. It could be just a natural death, but under the circumstances, I have to ask you about it."
Harry shook his head genuinely confused, "I have no idea, Minister. I really don't."
Fudge sighed with disappointment, "Ah well, it doesn't matter now. You might have to come back in for another hearing but we'll try to work something out.
Harry sighed with relief, "Thank you Minister."
Fudge smiled suddenly, "You were lucky that those three Death Eaters were relatively inexperienced. Otherwise, you might have been, well let's just say not with us anymore."
Harry smiled wanly, "I always seem to have the closest brushes with death.
Fudge looked away uncomfortably, "Well then, Nymphadora will escort you back to Hogwarts. I am sure that Dumbledore is just dying to know about what happened." Fudge's lips twitched in a bitter, ironic smile but didn't say anything more as Tonks led Harry out the door.
***
Draco was already seated by the time Harry made it to Dumbledore's office. He felt tired suddenly and wished that he were back in the Gryffindor Common Room. Taking a deep breath, Harry stepped into the now familiar office. At once, he recognized the man standing beside Dumbledore, Harry froze; it was the same mysterious man who had rescued them. Harry glanced at Draco; silently he opened the door between their minds and asked, "What's going on?"
At once, an annoyed voice echoed through his head, "How should I know, we've been waiting for you, hurry up, and stop staring at me." Abruptly, Harry looked away from Draco and took a seat across from Dumbledore, carefully looking away from his eyes.
"Harry," began Dumbledore with a gentle smile, I wonder if you could please explain to me what happened in Diagon Alley today. I've already heard the story from Professor Phoebus and Draco, but I would like to hear it from you?" Harry glanced curiously at the man Dumbledore had referred to as Professor Phoebus.
Dumbledore followed Harry's gaze, "Ah, yes, I have forgotten to introduced you, haven't I? Forgive me, Harry, I am a little scattered brained of late. This is Professor Phoebus; he is our new Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor who just arrived this morning from Paris. It was very lucky that he found you two after he left the Floo Station, otherwise, you guys might be dead." Harry smiled shyly at Professor Phoebus and Draco glanced at him curiously.
"Thank you, Professor," said Harry graciously, "I appreciate it."
"It was my pleasure, Harry," replied Professor Phoebus with a slight smile, "After all, how could I not interfere?"
"Now Harry, would you like to tell me your story?" asked Professor Dumbledore gently. Harry met Dumbledore's eyes for a moment before quickly looking down again. In an empty voice, Harry began to describe to Dumbledore exactly what had happened in Diagon Alley and afterwards when they had been taken to the Ministry. Finally he was finished. For a moment, the room was dead silent.
At last Dumbledore said, "I guess you are right, Professor Phoebus. I didn't want to believe it, but now." Harry frowned as he looked from Dumbledore to Professor Phoebus.
"What's wrong?" asked Harry curiously, "What didn't you want to believe?"
"It has something to do with that damned Prophecy, doesn't it?" said Draco finally; "Artemis said something about the heir of Apollo." Draco looked straight into Professor Phoebus' eyes as he said that last part; Professor Phoebus flinched and looked away nervously. Draco then turned that calm, icy gaze on Professor Dumbledore.
"I think Harry should hear this from me, if you please, Professor," said Draco calmly, "After all, it is my story to tell." Dumbledore nodded gravely. Draco sighed and steepled his fingers in a businesslike manner, in a calm collected voice, he began to tell the story of his meeting with Artemis and what he had learned from it.
"The point is, Harry," finished Draco patiently, "is that I think you are the heir of Apollo. Which means we are going to be the instruments of Lord Voldemort's downfall."
"There was another prophecy," said Harry slowly, "One that was made about me. It says that I'm supposed to destroy Voldemort, can both of them be true?"
"Yes," spoke Professor Phoebus suddenly, "The other prophecy could be considered an addition to the one Draco talked about. You see, Harry, divination is a very imprecise art if you don't understand it. What we have here is a case of an unfinished prophecy. The one Draco heard was made two thousands years ago by the Fates, but it was not complete. Your prophecy happens to help complete the other one."
"How do you know so much, Professor?" asked Harry suspiciously.
Apollo looked away uncomfortably, "From Draco's prophecy you learned that he is the heir of Artemis and that she came to find him. Did it ever occur to you that Apollo might be alive as well?"
"I was wondering about that part," admitted Harry, "But how does that answer my question?"
"I am Apollo, the High Priest of the Fates, I told you in the alleyway, have you forgotten?" said Apollo gently, "I have been searching for you ever since Voldemort first appeared. I guess I should have figured out long ago that you were my heir but I just couldn't accept the inevitable until Dumbledore contacted me this summer to tell me about that other prophecy."
"You are Apollo?" whispered Harry, "How did you live so long when you are supposed to be dead if you are truly human?"
Apollo smiled mysteriously, "Ambrosia some call it, or the Elixir of Life. It grants immortality to the drinker. History tells you that the Olympians were a coven of powerful wizards that set themselves up as gods. What history leaves out is that we also possessed the Philosopher's Stone. We were truly gods in every sense of the word."
"So you are the other twin," said Draco, "I thought you were when I first came in, but I didn't know for sure. Artemis wrote much about you in her journals."
"Yes, we were very close," answered Apollo with a sigh, "Alas, Artemis has grown distant and cold, even from me. But to return to Harry, I have something to tell you. Fudge told you that one of your attackers died. You killed him."
Harry froze with shock, "What? How could I? What do you mean?"
"My power is in Divination as Draco and Artemis' power is in nature," explained Apollo, "One of the reasons I didn't believe you were my heir was because you have no talent in divination whatsoever. However, you have a greater gift, you are a necromancer. You can pierce the veil between life and death and when you felt that rush of power and saw those flames in your fight, that was your necromancy awakening for the first time."
"I didn't mean to kill him!" whispered Harry in a horrified voice, "No, you're wrong, I can't be a necromancer! If I was Sirius wouldn't be dead!" Harry bolted for the door and Draco rushed after him. Apollo moved to follow but Dumbledore held up his hand, stopping Apollo in mid stride.
"Let him go, Apollo," said Dumbledore wearily, "He has had a tough day."
***
Draco found Harry huddled in a corner of the Room of Requirement. He took a seat beside Harry and leaned back against the wall with a sigh. After a moment, Draco spoke, "That was the first time you've ever had to kill, wasn't it? I'm sorry, if I had been stronger, maybe you wouldn't have come to this."
Harry looked up and Draco could see silent tears slipping rebelliously down Harry's cheeks, "I didn't mean it."
Draco was silent for a moment before he spoke, "I was twelve years old when my father and I were attacked on our way home from London. We fought off and killed our attackers and I cried then. Later on, my mother said that to kill someone, even a stranger, kills a small part of your heart. Don't become like me, Harry. I like you because you have a heart, a conscience. I only have a big, gaping hole where my conscience should have been. It scares the shit out of me sometimes."
"Don't you see, Draco," cried Harry desperately, "I already am a monster. When I killed that man, I felt nothing, nothing at all."
Draco sighed, "You didn't know you killed him and now that you do know, you do feel something don't you?"
"But I did," whispered Harry, "I knew in some small part of my heart what had happened and I felt nothing but cool satisfaction at what I had done. Who am I, Draco?"
Suddenly Draco kissed Harry softly on the lips, making Harry stare at him with surprise. Suddenly, Harry was on top of him and they were kissing passionately. Draco ran his slender fingers up and down Harry's back as he left a trail of butterfly kisses down Harry's neck. Their mouths' met again and Harry felt his tongue dance with Draco's. Draco pulled back first, gasping for air.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to," whispered Draco as he stumbled to his feet, "Forget what happened, my head was screwed up over the fight and I wasn't thinking clearly." Draco stumbled quickly to his feet and raced out into the hallway.
***
Harry stared at the open door, letting what just happened slowly sink in. He had let Draco kiss him; even kissed Draco back and yet had not been completely disgusted by it. Harry shuddered as he remembered the feel of those soft, satiny lips against his own. He rested his head against his arm and thought seriously, for the first time in the past two weeks about his developing relationship with Draco. Harry hated to admit it, but he had spent almost the entire two weeks with Draco. They had fenced together, studied together, even talked. He'd barely even noticed Ron and Hermione at all anymore. What was wrong with him?
"Harry?" asked a voice tentatively. Harry's head snapped up and he watched with growing disbelief and horror as Hermione took off his Invisibility cloak.
"Hermione!" gasped Harry in a strangled voice.
***
Draco ran blindly through the empty halls. Opening the door to the boy's bathroom, Draco stumbled in and turned on the faucet. Splashing his face with cool water, he washed his hands. Draco leaned his forehead against the cool surface of the mirror. Calm down, he told himself, think, what just happened? He had just kissed Harry Potter! The thought swirled in his head until Draco could not ignore it anymore. What would his family think if this ever got out? The Master Malfoy having a snog session with Harry Potter, he'd be excommunicated for sure! And yet Draco had enjoyed it. He wanted, no needed, to feel Harry's lips against his own again. Draco buried his face in his hands. He had to calm down, to think, it was just a kiss, right? It meant nothing, he hadn't been thinking clearly. But try as he might, Draco couldn't convince himself that he didn't care.
***
End
Ah, happy, happy day! Their first kiss! Or rather first real kiss, not including the dream ones here. Frown* Do you think it might be just a little bit rushed? I was worried about that when I first wrote it. Tell me what you think in your reviews. If need be, I shall change it. Also, I have another question. I know I rely mostly on dialogue to get my points across, but would you rather have me write in less dialogue and more just descriptions of what the characters are thinking? Have I stayed pretty much in character throughout the story to this point? I really want to know what YOU think right now.
Thanks to Kiocci, RikuNghts, and the usual gang who reviewed. I really appreciate the support! ^_~
Chapter 5
"Hey Harry!" yelled Seamus with a grin as Harry stepped out of Flourish and Blotts, a parcel of books in his hands. Smiling, Harry hurried over to where Seamus, Dean, and Ginny were standing.
"Hey guys!" said a breathless Harry, "You're here too?"
"You bet!" said Dean with a smile, "Hey, anyone want to check out Fred and George's new store? I hear they've got some cool stuff!"
Ginny's eyes brightened with excitement, "Ooh, Let's go! Coming Harry?"
Harry shook his head regretfully, "I'll be along but I have to go to Madam Malkin's first."
Ginny shrugged, "Your loss. Come on guys, let's go!"
Harry watched as Ginny, Seamus, and Dean ran off into the distance. Sighing, Harry stepped into the dusty store and found Draco already waiting for him, a rack of robes at his side.
"Alright, I'm here," said Harry awkwardly, "Now what?"
Draco's smile widened, "You're late. Come on Potter, we've got to get to work." Harry frowned, "What do you mean, Malfoy?"
"We are going to pick out a new wardrobe for you," said Draco reasonably, "Look at you, wearing all those ragged castoffs. How could anyone believe you are the famous Harry Potter?"
"What's wrong with my clothes?" asked Harry defensively, "You don't see me complaining about your wardrobe so lay off!"
"That's because I have taste, Potter," snorted Draco disdainfully, "Look at your outfit. That t-shirt was made for someone ten times your size and those khakis are wrinkled and the knees are worn through!"
Harry looked down self-consciously, "Why are you doing this, Draco?"
Draco's expression softened and the arrogant mask melted away, "I never thought I'd say this, Harry, but you're beginning to grow on me. You aren't a bad kid and I do care about the way you look. Now get the hell into that fitting room!"
***
Half an hour later, Harry left the store, wearied but loaded with packages. Malfoy, to Harry's surprise had good fashion sense and hadn't picked anything too outrageous for Harry to wear. Even more to Harry's surprise, Malfoy had insisted on paying for the whole, mad venture. Harry shook his head, ah well; it wasn't like he cared what Malfoy did with his own money.
"Harry!" Draco yelled, "Behind you!" Harry whipped around, wand in hand, but it was two late, the masked Death Eater had already begun to cast a spell.
"EXPELLIARMUS!" roared Draco and the Death Eater's wand flew out of his hand, knocking the man down. Harry cursed loudly and grabbed the fallen wand. Two other masked Death Eaters ran out of the shadows and rushed towards Harry and Draco. Draco raised his wand but the Death Eater was faster, "Crucio!" Draco screamed and fell to his knees, writhing in pain.
"Stupefy!" yelled Harry and his spell hit the other death eater square in the chest. Draco crawled to his feet and grabbed his own wand. A steel blade flashed in the Death Eater's hands. There was no time; Draco was going to die unless Harry could do something, but what?
Harry raised his hand out to Draco. "NO!" he screamed. Ice-cold power flowed through Harry's veins, leaving him chilled to the bone. Harry screamed in pain as dark, bluebell flames shot out of his fingers, hitting the Death Eater in the chest. The man screamed and crumpled in a pile next to Draco.
The Death Eater Draco had disarmed grabbed the knife beside his fallen comrade and brought it down to stab Draco. Frantically, Draco scrambled out of the way and tried to get his wand ready. The knife flashed again and neatly knocked the wand out of Draco's hands. Desperately, Harry tried to summon the power he'd had when he knocked out the other Death Eater, but it wouldn't come.
Suddenly, a clear voice cried out, "Stupefy! Impedimenta! Stupefy!" The Death Eater was knocked off his feet and thrown up against the brick wall. Harry crawled over to Draco and knelt over him, checking for a pulse. Draco smiled weakly. Harry looked up to see their rescuer.
The man had a shining mane of soft, gold curls that fell down his back. He had beautiful dark blue eyes and a face that was more beautiful than handsome. He was tall and well built in a graceful, muscular way.
He held out a hand to help Harry and Draco up. I'm Apollo," smiled the man warmly, "Phoebus Apollo. And you are no doubt Harry Potter, I am your Dark Arts teacher this year."
"Th-thanks," gasped Harry weakly, "you saved his life!" Apollo shrugged gracefully and helped Harry and Draco up.
"It was nothing," he replied.
"Oh Harry!" cried Mrs. Weasley in a hysterical voice as she hugged Harry tightly, "You're okay!" Behind her trailed Moody, Tonks, Lupin, the Weasley children, Hermione, and a crowd of Aurors.
"What happened?" growled Moody, "We heard screams and detected an Unforgivable Curse so we came to investigate."
Draco turned and shook off Crabbe and Goyle who had also come running and was now supporting Draco between them. Crabbe moved away but still held tightly on to Draco's arm, steadying him. Goyle took one step back and crossed his arms; hiding the wand he inevitably had out, in good, bodyguard position. "They attacked Harry and when I tried to warn him, they also came after me," gasped Draco.
Ron stepped up, and shot Draco a furious look, "I don't believe him! What the hell were you doing with Harry anyways, Malfoy? You can't expect he's innocent, his father's a Death Eater, arrest him!"
Mrs. Weasley frowned at Ron, "Ron! Stay out of this!" Ron opened his mouth to protest but Lupin and Tonks held him back.
Moody turned to glare at Draco, "Malfoy, eh? A bad bunch, the lot of them, but we'll see if you're telling the truth, boy." Draco met Moody's glare evenly. "Stop it!" said Harry furiously, "Don't you see, he saved my life! Those men attacked us and Draco saved my life!"
Moody frowned, "We'll see soon enough. Men, take these boys to the Ministry and get these men into St. Mungo's Criminal Ward. I want them under the highest security, you got that?"
Strong hands seized Draco's shoulders pushing Crabbe and Goyle away. Silently, they escorted him and Harry through the door of a small, run down store that Draco had never noticed before on his frequent trips to Diagon Alley. Quickly, they were led through the back door and down into the basement where to their surprise, there was a lift.
"Level 2, the Department of Magical Law Enforcement," said the Auror who had a hold of Draco's left shoulder. Immediately, the lift began its silent descent, a moment later, they stepped out into a carpeted hallway. Swiftly, they were led through a side door and into an Interrogation Room much like the ones Muggle policemen use today except for the fact that the room was protected by several layers of magical wards, effectively cutting off any chance of escape.
"Are you okay?" asked Harry timidly as the door closed behind them and they were left alone.
Draco smiled ruefully, "Yes, thanks to you. What do you think they're going to do?"
Harry shrugged, "We were acting out of self defense, the law is on our side. Don't worry Draco; Dumbledore will get us out in no time. I bet Moody just took us here because he had no other choice."
"Do you know how many people would love to see me in Azkaban?" asked Draco emptily, "I don't just mean Ron, my father had a lot of enemies, and many of them would do anything to see me killed or put away for the rest of my life."
"Don't worry, Dumbledore wont let anything happen to either of us," said Harry reassuringly, "What happened back there anyways? Who were they really after?" Draco stared blankly at the white walls of the room, "I don't know. All I know was that when I saw the Death Eater coming out of the back street right at you and I had to warn you. The rest was a blur. We were lucky those Death Eaters were rookies, probably just recruited, otherwise we would be dead."
Harry nodded wearily, "I wondered that they would dare attack us on a public street like Diagon Alley."
"What are we going to tell the Ministry?" asked Draco curiously, as he took a seat at one of the chairs set out behind the long, narrow interrogation table.
"It's not like we have anything to hide," shrugged Harry nonchalantly, "We were attacked and fought back in self defense."
"Your friends are going to ask a lot of questions, you know," remarked Draco, "I don't mean the Aurors; I mean Weasley and Granger. They will both want to what the hell happened. School starts in three days, what are we going to do? Are we just going to pretend we are still enemies?"
"I don't see how we cannot tell anyone that we're friends now," replied Harry moodily, "I can't hide things from Ron and Hermione for much longer, nor do I want to. They are my friends, Draco."
"Do you have any idea what would happen to me in Slytherin once everyone finds out about us?" asked Draco gently, "I'm already in trouble Harry. I've betrayed Voldemort, the only two people I trust now in that entire House are Crabbe and Goyle. I'm not saying don't tell your friends, I just want to know that they can keep a secret. I don't want this to be public knowledge yet, do you get my drift?"
Harry nodded solemnly, "I understand, don't worry, Ron and Hermione are completely trustworthy. You know, you should really try to get to know them better. I think that they'll like you as long as you aren't the big prat you were before."
Draco was just about to reply to that when the door opened and Tonks stepped in. "Sorry if I'm interrupting," she began, "but Moody wants to see you now, Draco." Gracefully, Draco rose from his chair and followed Tonks out the door without another word.
***
An hour later, Harry sat across from Fudge in his office, waiting expectantly. "Hi Harry," began Fudge nervously, "I have just read your report and everything seems in order, it seems a pretty clear cut case for self defense. I just wanted to ask you, did you know that one of the Death Eater's who attacked you and young Master Malfoy is dead? We just got the report back from St. Mungo's a few minutes ago. There is no explanation for the death; only that he was dead when they found you in Diagon Alley. It seems like his heart just failed unexpectedly. It could be just a natural death, but under the circumstances, I have to ask you about it."
Harry shook his head genuinely confused, "I have no idea, Minister. I really don't."
Fudge sighed with disappointment, "Ah well, it doesn't matter now. You might have to come back in for another hearing but we'll try to work something out.
Harry sighed with relief, "Thank you Minister."
Fudge smiled suddenly, "You were lucky that those three Death Eaters were relatively inexperienced. Otherwise, you might have been, well let's just say not with us anymore."
Harry smiled wanly, "I always seem to have the closest brushes with death.
Fudge looked away uncomfortably, "Well then, Nymphadora will escort you back to Hogwarts. I am sure that Dumbledore is just dying to know about what happened." Fudge's lips twitched in a bitter, ironic smile but didn't say anything more as Tonks led Harry out the door.
***
Draco was already seated by the time Harry made it to Dumbledore's office. He felt tired suddenly and wished that he were back in the Gryffindor Common Room. Taking a deep breath, Harry stepped into the now familiar office. At once, he recognized the man standing beside Dumbledore, Harry froze; it was the same mysterious man who had rescued them. Harry glanced at Draco; silently he opened the door between their minds and asked, "What's going on?"
At once, an annoyed voice echoed through his head, "How should I know, we've been waiting for you, hurry up, and stop staring at me." Abruptly, Harry looked away from Draco and took a seat across from Dumbledore, carefully looking away from his eyes.
"Harry," began Dumbledore with a gentle smile, I wonder if you could please explain to me what happened in Diagon Alley today. I've already heard the story from Professor Phoebus and Draco, but I would like to hear it from you?" Harry glanced curiously at the man Dumbledore had referred to as Professor Phoebus.
Dumbledore followed Harry's gaze, "Ah, yes, I have forgotten to introduced you, haven't I? Forgive me, Harry, I am a little scattered brained of late. This is Professor Phoebus; he is our new Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor who just arrived this morning from Paris. It was very lucky that he found you two after he left the Floo Station, otherwise, you guys might be dead." Harry smiled shyly at Professor Phoebus and Draco glanced at him curiously.
"Thank you, Professor," said Harry graciously, "I appreciate it."
"It was my pleasure, Harry," replied Professor Phoebus with a slight smile, "After all, how could I not interfere?"
"Now Harry, would you like to tell me your story?" asked Professor Dumbledore gently. Harry met Dumbledore's eyes for a moment before quickly looking down again. In an empty voice, Harry began to describe to Dumbledore exactly what had happened in Diagon Alley and afterwards when they had been taken to the Ministry. Finally he was finished. For a moment, the room was dead silent.
At last Dumbledore said, "I guess you are right, Professor Phoebus. I didn't want to believe it, but now." Harry frowned as he looked from Dumbledore to Professor Phoebus.
"What's wrong?" asked Harry curiously, "What didn't you want to believe?"
"It has something to do with that damned Prophecy, doesn't it?" said Draco finally; "Artemis said something about the heir of Apollo." Draco looked straight into Professor Phoebus' eyes as he said that last part; Professor Phoebus flinched and looked away nervously. Draco then turned that calm, icy gaze on Professor Dumbledore.
"I think Harry should hear this from me, if you please, Professor," said Draco calmly, "After all, it is my story to tell." Dumbledore nodded gravely. Draco sighed and steepled his fingers in a businesslike manner, in a calm collected voice, he began to tell the story of his meeting with Artemis and what he had learned from it.
"The point is, Harry," finished Draco patiently, "is that I think you are the heir of Apollo. Which means we are going to be the instruments of Lord Voldemort's downfall."
"There was another prophecy," said Harry slowly, "One that was made about me. It says that I'm supposed to destroy Voldemort, can both of them be true?"
"Yes," spoke Professor Phoebus suddenly, "The other prophecy could be considered an addition to the one Draco talked about. You see, Harry, divination is a very imprecise art if you don't understand it. What we have here is a case of an unfinished prophecy. The one Draco heard was made two thousands years ago by the Fates, but it was not complete. Your prophecy happens to help complete the other one."
"How do you know so much, Professor?" asked Harry suspiciously.
Apollo looked away uncomfortably, "From Draco's prophecy you learned that he is the heir of Artemis and that she came to find him. Did it ever occur to you that Apollo might be alive as well?"
"I was wondering about that part," admitted Harry, "But how does that answer my question?"
"I am Apollo, the High Priest of the Fates, I told you in the alleyway, have you forgotten?" said Apollo gently, "I have been searching for you ever since Voldemort first appeared. I guess I should have figured out long ago that you were my heir but I just couldn't accept the inevitable until Dumbledore contacted me this summer to tell me about that other prophecy."
"You are Apollo?" whispered Harry, "How did you live so long when you are supposed to be dead if you are truly human?"
Apollo smiled mysteriously, "Ambrosia some call it, or the Elixir of Life. It grants immortality to the drinker. History tells you that the Olympians were a coven of powerful wizards that set themselves up as gods. What history leaves out is that we also possessed the Philosopher's Stone. We were truly gods in every sense of the word."
"So you are the other twin," said Draco, "I thought you were when I first came in, but I didn't know for sure. Artemis wrote much about you in her journals."
"Yes, we were very close," answered Apollo with a sigh, "Alas, Artemis has grown distant and cold, even from me. But to return to Harry, I have something to tell you. Fudge told you that one of your attackers died. You killed him."
Harry froze with shock, "What? How could I? What do you mean?"
"My power is in Divination as Draco and Artemis' power is in nature," explained Apollo, "One of the reasons I didn't believe you were my heir was because you have no talent in divination whatsoever. However, you have a greater gift, you are a necromancer. You can pierce the veil between life and death and when you felt that rush of power and saw those flames in your fight, that was your necromancy awakening for the first time."
"I didn't mean to kill him!" whispered Harry in a horrified voice, "No, you're wrong, I can't be a necromancer! If I was Sirius wouldn't be dead!" Harry bolted for the door and Draco rushed after him. Apollo moved to follow but Dumbledore held up his hand, stopping Apollo in mid stride.
"Let him go, Apollo," said Dumbledore wearily, "He has had a tough day."
***
Draco found Harry huddled in a corner of the Room of Requirement. He took a seat beside Harry and leaned back against the wall with a sigh. After a moment, Draco spoke, "That was the first time you've ever had to kill, wasn't it? I'm sorry, if I had been stronger, maybe you wouldn't have come to this."
Harry looked up and Draco could see silent tears slipping rebelliously down Harry's cheeks, "I didn't mean it."
Draco was silent for a moment before he spoke, "I was twelve years old when my father and I were attacked on our way home from London. We fought off and killed our attackers and I cried then. Later on, my mother said that to kill someone, even a stranger, kills a small part of your heart. Don't become like me, Harry. I like you because you have a heart, a conscience. I only have a big, gaping hole where my conscience should have been. It scares the shit out of me sometimes."
"Don't you see, Draco," cried Harry desperately, "I already am a monster. When I killed that man, I felt nothing, nothing at all."
Draco sighed, "You didn't know you killed him and now that you do know, you do feel something don't you?"
"But I did," whispered Harry, "I knew in some small part of my heart what had happened and I felt nothing but cool satisfaction at what I had done. Who am I, Draco?"
Suddenly Draco kissed Harry softly on the lips, making Harry stare at him with surprise. Suddenly, Harry was on top of him and they were kissing passionately. Draco ran his slender fingers up and down Harry's back as he left a trail of butterfly kisses down Harry's neck. Their mouths' met again and Harry felt his tongue dance with Draco's. Draco pulled back first, gasping for air.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to," whispered Draco as he stumbled to his feet, "Forget what happened, my head was screwed up over the fight and I wasn't thinking clearly." Draco stumbled quickly to his feet and raced out into the hallway.
***
Harry stared at the open door, letting what just happened slowly sink in. He had let Draco kiss him; even kissed Draco back and yet had not been completely disgusted by it. Harry shuddered as he remembered the feel of those soft, satiny lips against his own. He rested his head against his arm and thought seriously, for the first time in the past two weeks about his developing relationship with Draco. Harry hated to admit it, but he had spent almost the entire two weeks with Draco. They had fenced together, studied together, even talked. He'd barely even noticed Ron and Hermione at all anymore. What was wrong with him?
"Harry?" asked a voice tentatively. Harry's head snapped up and he watched with growing disbelief and horror as Hermione took off his Invisibility cloak.
"Hermione!" gasped Harry in a strangled voice.
***
Draco ran blindly through the empty halls. Opening the door to the boy's bathroom, Draco stumbled in and turned on the faucet. Splashing his face with cool water, he washed his hands. Draco leaned his forehead against the cool surface of the mirror. Calm down, he told himself, think, what just happened? He had just kissed Harry Potter! The thought swirled in his head until Draco could not ignore it anymore. What would his family think if this ever got out? The Master Malfoy having a snog session with Harry Potter, he'd be excommunicated for sure! And yet Draco had enjoyed it. He wanted, no needed, to feel Harry's lips against his own again. Draco buried his face in his hands. He had to calm down, to think, it was just a kiss, right? It meant nothing, he hadn't been thinking clearly. But try as he might, Draco couldn't convince himself that he didn't care.
***
End
Ah, happy, happy day! Their first kiss! Or rather first real kiss, not including the dream ones here. Frown* Do you think it might be just a little bit rushed? I was worried about that when I first wrote it. Tell me what you think in your reviews. If need be, I shall change it. Also, I have another question. I know I rely mostly on dialogue to get my points across, but would you rather have me write in less dialogue and more just descriptions of what the characters are thinking? Have I stayed pretty much in character throughout the story to this point? I really want to know what YOU think right now.
Thanks to Kiocci, RikuNghts, and the usual gang who reviewed. I really appreciate the support! ^_~