A/N: Dragenphly, would you quit predicting accurately what happens
next?????? Damn, are you sure you ain't a frigging Seer??? NO ONE READ
DRAGENPHLY'S REVIEW!!!!!! Oh, and Dragenphly, would you quit giving away
the plotline?
B/N: I agree! You should be careful or soon they will be dragging you off to Hogwarts to take over Trelawney's job... but is that necessarily a bad thing? Oh well, just watch what you say, you are ruining the element of SURPRISE!
A/N: Lady Silverene, we do not work well under such horrible pressure, so I'm not writing any more... wait, I just finished another chapter. FUCK!
B/N: Oooh, evil people who threaten us to write more, I am shaking. No really, I am, it's kinda cold in here. But you know, killing the author and beta = NO STORY!!!!!! Think about it.
A/N: Athenakitty. Yes, yes, soon, and is he watching? EWWWWWW.
B/N: Tsk, tsk. Dirty-minded people, thinking that the evil dude is perving on our heroes... what's up with that?!
Chapter 24
Jacques and a young attractive male (his assistant) came to Hogwarts in a flurry of excitement. Five hours and only twelve of the twenty two people needing measurements taken later, Harry was about to tear his hair out by the roots. "Jacques, about how long do you think this'll take?" Harry asked, exasperated, at around four in the afternoon.
Jacques looked up from his notepad and quill. "About another four hours, Master Potter. Please, send in your parents. I am done with Misters Zambini and Finnegan." Blaise and Seamus hopped down from the tailor's stools with identical sighs of relief and ran from the room. Lily and James walked in confidently, heads held high.
"Ah, Lord and Lady Potter. I was most displeased to hear of your demise, and the fact that you are standing in front of me seems to dispel any of those awful rumors." Jacques led the two of them to the stools and ordered his assistant to tend to Lily while he measured James.
Forty minutes later, he finished with them, finally deciding on a design, cut and color that would compliment the both of them, while accommodating their personal taste and preference.
Jacques brushed a hand across his forehead, getting a quick breath in between customers. *They will be so pleased and I'm going to make a fortune!!!* he thought excitedly. Harry muffled a snicker as he and Draco walked out with his parents.
Exactly four hours and fifteen minutes later, Jacques called Harry, Draco, Severus, Alanna, and Remus into Severus's quarters. "Well, I have made the measurements and you have all picked out styles and colors. You will look wonderful, if I do say so myself. Now, whose bank account will I be charging these to?" he asked, bills in hand.
Harry immediately held out his hand, but Severus, Alanna and Draco stopped him. "Jacques, I will be paying for my own robes," Severus stated.
"I will pay for mine as well," Remus said. Jacques handed them their bills.
Draco mulled it over. "I'll pay for my robes as well as Blaise's robes." Jacques handed him the two bills.
Alanna took the bills, sorting through them. "Shotgun the demigods and demigoddesses with the exception of Lily and James." She handed the last seven to Harry. "These are for you, love."
Harry took them quickly, scanning the bills. "What is an acceptable form of payment?" he asked, scratching his scar thoughtfully.
"We generally just bill the accounts, so if you'd fill in your account number there at the bottom, I could just send the money order to Gringotts and they'd take care of it."
Everyone filled in the required information at the bottoms of the slips then passed them back to Jacques. He thanked them profusely for their time and business, and with an order to his assistant, they Flooed back to their store.
Harry collapsed against the couch, Draco quickly pulling him into an embrace. Idly, Harry toyed with the cobalt blue streaks framing his soul mate's face. "Is it always that insane?" he asked, sighing.
Draco and Severus stared at each other, incredulous. "Was that insane?" Draco asked, confused. Harry shook his head wearily and lightly punched his shoulder. "Hey!" Draco protested, rubbing the offended shoulder with a pout.
*I can't kiss it and make it better this time, love,* Harry thought sadly. Draco kept pouting. *You remember what happened last time, don't you?* Draco's pout turned into an evil grin.
*Oh, I remember all right. That was when I gave you that incredibly large hickey on the side of your neck and- what do you know!* Draco pulled back the collar of Harry's silk shirt. *It's still there!*
Severus stared at the large, purple mark on Harry's neck and grinned. "I have no wish to hear of how that got there," he said lazily, smirking at the sudden, fierce blush that swept across his nephew's face.
"Um, Alanna? I don't mean to be rude, but I didn't know you had a bank account here at Gringotts." Harry turned around, the unasked question in his eyes.
"Actually, we are wealthier than you, Harry. We have one bank account that we use when we come to Earth, and it has all of the money we have earned throughout the last thousand years or so. In fact, I was the one who set up my son Merlin's account. If Morgan Le Fay had ever bothered reproducing, her heirs would have had the same amount as well." Alanna studied her fingernails. "Do you have any more questions, Harry?" Harry shook his head mutely. "Good. It's almost time for dinner, so let's go!" With that, everyone exited the Dungeons and headed to the Great Hall, ready for food.
On Sunday morning, Madam Trelawney decided to descend from her Tower and graced everyone with her presence during lunch. She sat, immediately to the right of Dumbledore, her beads and bracelets jangling in a dissonance of horrific proportions. Harry winced from the Slytherin table as she chatted and laughed, her creaky falsetto just adding to the din.
Professor Trelawney finally looked up and realized that practically no one was sitting at their House tables any more. "Albus!" she shrieked. "What is going on? Bad times are ahead of us, Albus!" Severus and Remus rolled their eyes in unison at her outburst. "And you two! You instigated this!" she yelled, flinging her arm at the shocked teachers.
Harry stood up, rolling his eyes. "Come on, Draco, Ginny, everyone. Let's eat elsewhere." They stood up, en masse, and headed down to the Kitchens for lunch and to get away from the batty woman's ramblings.
Monday morning, Ginny had had enough. First, Professor McGonagall had cornered her in the hallway, asking her, with transparent politeness, when she and Harry would be returning to Gryffindor Tower where they belonged. After that, Professor Trelawney had pounced on her and read her palm- over her loud protests. Then, the woman had the gall to announce, quite publicly, that she would suffer the same fate as Harry- imminent death- if she didn't stop the foolishness and return to her Table and her Tower.
She quickly and silently climbed the ladder into Trelawney's classroom, carrying a large cage covered with a blanket. Seeing that no one was around, she uncovered the cage, revealing small black imps with wings. "Come, my minions," she crooned softly, reveling in this new power of hers- to conjure these small black creatures, creatures loyal only to her and ready to do her bidding. "Come and fly for me," she whispered, unlatching the cage door. The five dozen imps streamed from the cage opening and hovered in front of her, awaiting their orders.
"Now, this is what I want you to do, my lovelies." Still whispering, she laid out her plan, grinning evilly. Oh, the bat was going to pay.
Two hours later, while Draco and Harry were seated in the Library, completing the latest Potions assignment, they heard a blood curdling shriek resonating through the corridors. "What in the world?" Harry asked, jumping up and sprinting into the hallway. He jumped back as a screaming, sobbing streak flew past him. "Huh?"
The blur shot around the corner, still babbling incoherently. Harry and Draco walked down the hallway, intrigued by what was going on. The turned the corner and stopped, flabbergasted. Professor Trelawney was sitting against the wall, collapsed in a heap, and sobbing her eyes out into Dumbledore's robe hem.
"We're all going to hell, Albus! I read it in the tea leaves and then the crystal ball and then in my Tarot cards. We're all going to die and burn in Hell and Satan will torture ME personally," she gasped, fainting. Dumbledore stared at her and then scooped her up into his arms.
"Professor! What's going on? Do you need any help?" Harry asked, trying to appear concerned when all he wanted to do was curl up into a little ball and laugh hysterically.
Behind him, Draco let out a strangled cough. "Headmaster Dumbledore, do you need assistance?" he asked, still coughing. Harry turned around to see a very red Draco gasping for breath.
Harry quickly pounded him on the back. *Quit laughing, you fool!*
*I can't help it, Harry. This is too priceless! She's actually gone insane!* Draco, with one last cough, straightened up, the redness in his face slowly fading.
"No, boys, I think I can handle this. Please return to whatever you were doing." Dumbledore turned, and hunched over slightly from the unconscious bundle in his arms, carried the Divinations Professor to the Hospital Wing.
Harry and Draco waited until he was out of ear shot and they collapsed into a heap on the floor, laughing uncontrollably.
"Did you- HAHAHAHAHAHAhaha - see her???" Harry gasped, rolling into a sitting position and shoving Draco off of him at the same time.
Draco sat up as well, gasping for air and holding his stomach. "Oh- hahahahaha- shit, I- heheheheheheehehe- thought I was going to bust a gut!" They sat there, laughing hysterically, for almost fifteen minutes before calming themselves enough to actually stand up.
Once having suitably calmed themselves, they stumbled back into the Library, arms around each other's waists, still giggling and chuckling.
Professor Dumbledore was not present for lunch or dinner that day. For some reason, during dinner, Ginny was not her usual perky self. Instead of talking and laughing with Luna and Emily, like she usually did, she sat by herself, idly toying with her food.
*Gin, what's wrong?* Draco and Harry asked simultaneously.
Her head shot up and she stared at them nervously. *No-nothing,* she stuttered, chewing on her lip in anxiety.
*Bull shit, Gin. Tell us,* Harry demanded, staring her straight in the eye.
*Fine, you know how Trelawney was an ass yesterday?* she asked, toying with her braided hair.
*Yeah, what of it? The woman is insane. Don't fret over it, sis,* Draco told her. For some reason, this made Ginny burst into tears.
*I know she's insane!* she wailed mentally, broadcasting so loudly she attracted the attention of every telepath in the vicinity. *I MADE her that way!*
*WHAT?* asked Severus, Remus, James, Lily, Harry, Draco, Emily, Blaise, Ron, Hermione, Dudley, Seamus, Eric, Godric, Salazar, Alanna, Xander, Olivia, Gaila, Michael, Raphael, Rowan, Gabrielle, Nicholai and Damien simultaneously.
Ginny buried her head in her arms. *I can create little flying imps- it's one of my demon powers. Well, I created about sixty of them and set them loose in her classroom, with the orders to make every divination tool to give her the same reading: That we're all going to die and burn in Hell and that Satan would be roasting her personally. She went insane!*
The entire Hall was silent, and then peels of laughter shook the rafters. Everyone unable to hear the conversation just stared, confused, as thirty people collapsed, rolling on the floor laughing. Even Severus couldn't keep his normally dour face and started chuckling. *Oh MY GOD!!!* screeched Alanna, falling from her chair from laughing so hard. *That's incredible! I have to remember that one and use it later on!*
Draco slapped her on the back. *Good one!* he cheered, grinning widely. Harry sat on the floor, holding his aching sides, unable to keep from howling with laughter.
*No, it was WRONG!* Ginny yelled, tears falling freely from her eyes. *I SNAPPED her MIND!*
*Um, Ginny?* Severus asked cautiously. *She was already batty. Her uncontrollable Divination skills made her lose her mind long before you were born. Don't worry about it. Seriously.*
Ginny stared at him, her face flushing with anger. *But I tipped her over the edge! She thinks we are ALL GOING TO BURN IN HELL!!!!!!*
Severus lost it completely and slid from his chair onto the floor, tears of mirth streaming from his eyes. *Must uphold... dignity,* he thought before Apparating straight to his quarters before everyone saw him make a fool of himself.
Ginny sat there, still stewing. *It was WRONG!* she insisted stubbornly. *I NEVER should have done it!*
*Virginia Weaseley Potter Malfoy, she got what was coming to her. Stop berating yourself,* Draco ordered sternly before collapsing onto the floor next to Harry.
Ginny sat still, shocked. *Virginia Weaseley Potter Malfoy, I like the sound of that,* she thought happily to herself, finally taking a bite of food.
Harry and Draco sat up from where they had rolled on the floor, bumping their heads on the underside of the table. *OW!*
Professor Dumbledore walked into the Great Hall and stared at the snickering Demigods and Elementals. "I'm glad to see you all in such hearty spirits, but I'm afraid I have some extremely bad news," he boomed, waiting for the Hall to fall silent.
Five minutes later, everyone had quieted enough for him to continue. "I'm afraid that Professor Trelawney has fallen ill and had to be taken to St. Mungo's for observation. We have no idea when she will return, of if she will ever be well enough to come home to us. In the meantime, Professor Firenze will teach all Divination classes for the remainder of this term, and until she is well enough to continue teaching. I would like a moment of silence in commemoration of a wonderful teacher."
The Hall fell dutifully silent. *Um, Draco?* asked Olivia and Gaila. *What kind of teacher was she, really?*
*Only a batty old fraud. So, she's in St. Mungo's for mental health issues. I WONDER why?* he asked sarcastically. *Maybe they've finally realized she's insane?*
Harry sniggered, trying unsuccessfully to hide it as a cough.
"On a much lighter note, the Winter Holidays will begin on Friday, the Eighteenth of December, which is the week after the Yule Ball. The trains will be departing from Hogsmede at ten o'clock in the morning and at noon the Nineteenth, which is a Saturday. All students who are staying for the Winter Holidays will need to see their House Heads and place their names on the sign up sheets in their Common Rooms. That is all and enjoy your dinners." Dumbledore sat down at the Teacher's tables.
"Harry, you are staying, right?" Emily asked hopefully.
"Of course. It's not like he can go anywhere else," Draco answered, buttering a roll.
Harry rolled his eyes. "Thanks a million, Draco. Make me feel unwanted, why don't you!" Everyone snickered as he elbowed his soul mate in the ribs. Draco pretended to die a horrible, painful death and fell off the bench with a crash.
Professor McGonagall glared at them. "Mister Potter, may I have a word with you, please?" she asked primly. Harry rolled his eyes and, standing up, followed her from the Hall.
Draco stared after him, worried. He stood up and tried to follow them only to have McGonagall slam the doors in his face. *Uncle Sev, you need to get back here!* he yelled, Severus Apparating instantly to his side.
She turned to Harry, angry. "Mister Potter, I must insist you remove yourself from his company! Why do you insist on abandoning your House and sleeping, eating, and spending all your time with the Slytherins? They are a bad influence!"
Harry stared at her, fury creeping into his expression. Suddenly, his features tilled, becoming an icy mask. "Who I associate with is none of your concern, and I will sleep and eat with whomever and wherever I choose. You have no say in the matter, Professor. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to eat my dinner, with my friends." He turned as if to walk away from her.
McGonagall's hand shot out, grabbing his arm. "Now you listen here, Mister Potter. You will move your belongings back to the Gryffindor Dorms as well as Miss Weaseley, and you will eat at the Gryffindor Table. Do I make myself clear?"
Harry stared at her, his expression unreadable. Suddenly, McGonagall gasped, her fingers gripped by an icy fist. Unseen fingers slowly peeled her fingers from Harry's arm, hyper extending each digit until she almost cried out with pain.
"Do not cross me, Professor. I know more about magic than you could ever hope to learn. In fact, I am only here to continue training to face Clautius and win." Harry released her hand with a look, and she instantly grabbed her wrist, massaging the aching tendons.
"You will be expelled for this, Potter," she spat, glaring daggers at him. A sudden noise behind Harry had them both turning and staring.
Alanna, Xander, Severus, Lily, James, Remus, Draco and Ginny stood behind Harry in the doorway. "If he is expelled, we all leave with him," Alanna announced grimly. As one, the rest of the Demigods, Demigoddesses, as well as Harry's group of friends stood and calmly joined the group in the doorway.
"We go as well," Emily announced, speaking for everyone. "And I don't think you'd want us to leave Hogwarts practically defenseless."
"And, listen here, McGonagall, keep your hands off my son!!!" Lily yelled, grabbing Harry and pulling him into her arms. Harry willingly stood in her embrace, resting his head against both of his parents' shoulders.
Dumbledore stood up. "No one is leaving or being expelled. Due to the extenuating circumstances, Minerva, Harry and Ginny will remain in the Slytherin Dorms, as unorthodox as it seems. They are happy there and are readily accessible to Severus, Lily, and James should the need arise. Why are you attempting to change a good thing? Why is this bothering you so much now?"
"He's in MY house! Why must he go to Severus for help? Why couldn't he come to me? I'm his Head of House and he went elsewhere for help! Do you know how that reflects on me??" she yelled, forgetting that she was in the middle of the Great Hall.
Severus cocked an eyebrow. "Maybe because of the face that he's my NEPHEW???" he asked loudly.
Minerva stared at him. "You only treated him as if he were scum for the last six years! Why now? Why the change?"
Harry stared at her angrily. "Really, Professor," he spat. "Where were you while I was having nightmares? Where were Ron and Hermione? They both told me to leave them alone and stop my screaming! You never once helped me when I spent the night having vision after vision. Uncle Severus made Potions, which helped even though he treated me horribly. You never did anything!"
McGonagall stared at him, her mouth opening and closing. She turned on her heel and strode from the Hall, her robes swishing behind her. Harry stared after her and, with a scowl that could curdle milk, allowed Draco to lead him back to the Slytherin Tables.
Thursday night, at around eight o'clock, Jacques Flooed back to Hogwarts with twenty two dress robes and delivered each of them personally. He made everyone try them on so he could make any last minute alterations in order to ensure a perfect fit.
Harry tried his on, while standing on an impromptu stool in their dorms. The heavy ebony silk outer cloak swirled from his shoulders to his feet, held together at the neck by a silver chain with a silver clasp in the shape of a panther. The cloak covered an old Muggle style black tuxedo with tails and a forest green vest.
Draco walked into the room at that moment and stopped dead in his tracks. *Oh my GOD he's hot,* he thought numbly. Harry turned around and smiled slowly, a gesture that melted Draco's insides. *Ohhh can't wait to peel him out of those robes and - is that a TUX???* he thought incoherently.
Harry smirked. *Draco, it's your turn,* he thought mischievously as Jacques nodded his approval and let him get off the stool. He stood to the side, anxious to see what his soul mate would be wearing.
Draco numbly climbed up, his feet on autopilot as he stared at his incredibly handsome soul mate. *Could you wear your hair long and tied back?* Draco asked, looking him over with a critical eye. *You're hot as hell now, but I think it would make you look positively sinful...* he trailed off as Harry ran his hands through his spikes, removing the green and silver and adding inches to the length. Finally, his thick, wavy locks were past his shoulder blades and he tied it back with a conjured silver and emerald clasp. Draco's eyes widened. *Ummm, y- yeah, like- like that,* he stuttered.
Harry laughed, music to Draco's ears. *Uh man, I have it BAD,* Draco thought miserably.
*Well, but look at who you fell for. You have excellent taste, Dragon.* Harry preened in front of a full length mirror, eyes sparkling.
Draco laughed, not even noticing the onyx three piece tuxedo with a wine and steel vest that Jacques had charmed onto him, and looked at himself in the conjured mirror. He gasped. "Merlin I look good!" Jacques handed him the outer cloak, a steel colored silk with a wine colored satin lining. He slung it around his shoulders and let it hang gracefully to his feet. He closed the clasp on the platinum chain- a burnished silver wolf with icy blue eyes, and hopped down from the stool, coming to stand next to Harry in front of the mirror.
"Correction, Mister Malfoy, WE look good," Harry gravely intoned, and grinned as he slung his arm around Draco. "Jacques, you're a miracle worker," he exclaimed, turning around.
"I was nothing, Masters Potter and Malfoy. I am pleased that you like it." The man bowed and left, carrying the rest of the robes under his arms.
Saturday morning, Draco awoke at an ungodly hour, convinced something was wrong. He sleepily stood up. *Why am I in my own bed?* he wondered, before remembering everything that had happened. *Damn it, I'll never get used to sleeping without him next to me,* he muttered mournfully.
A soft whimpering sound had him racing to Harry's bed. *Oh no, not again,* he thought anxiously as he felt sudden terror radiated from Harry's mind. *Not another one. Hang on, Harry, I'm coming.* He ripped open the curtains, to hear shrieks of terror, intermixed with moans.
"No, Uncle Vernon, I won't - STOP, PLEASE GOD STOP! Oh please, help me, anyone, anybody please stop him. AUNT PETUNIA, PLEASE HELP ME!!!!" Draco dove onto the bed, broadening the link between them and forcing Harry out of his dream and into wakefulness.
"Dr- Draco? What?" Harry asked, his eyes only half open.
"What did I tell you bout silencing charms?" Draco asked silkily.
Harry's eyes widened. "Ummm, what are you talking about?" he lied, completely awake. *OH SHIT OH SHIT OH SHIT.*
Draco smirked evilly. "You have forgotten that I can see your thoughts, Love. Let's see, Sev and I promised that we'd hex you into the middle of next week. Not only did you put up silencing charms, you partially blocked the link so I couldn't hear you mentally."
Harry blushed and idly stared at his comforter, playing with the threads. "And what are you going to do about it?" he asked in a low voice, unable to meet Draco's eyes.
Draco scowled. "I-"
Ginny rushed into the room. "Come on, get out of bed! We have a game against Dragon's Fang here in an hour!" Harry and Draco jumped up and raced for the bathroom.
*This isn't over, Potter. We will talk about this,* Draco promised Harry mentally. Harry shivered.
Everyone rushed to the locker room after warm-ups, ready for the game. Draco opened the floodgates in his and Harry's minds that linked everyone together, giving everyone a pep talk. Harry stayed silent, still shaken by the dream. He kept reliving bits and pieces of the memories that bubbled and boiled below the surface of his consciousness.
*Harry? HARRY!* Draco yelled, shaking him from his memories. Harry's head shot up, and he blinked rapidly.
"Yes?" he asked aloud, focusing on the task at hand.
*Are you ready? We have to go!* Draco pulled Harry to his feet and shoved his broom into his hand. Harry's fingers closed automatically around the handle and he pushed off, shooting out the door. Draco followed him, worried. *What is wrong, Harry?* he asked. Harry refused to answer, instead landing in front of the Dragon Fang captain. They shook hand briefly and the Referee, unwilling to make yet another speech about fair play, just released the Snitch, Bludgers, and Quaffle as quickly as possible.
The two teams shot off the ground and the game was on. Harry half heartedly shot the Quaffle at the Keeper, surprisingly scoring a goal. Draco tailed him, scowling. *What the fuck is wrong with him???* he snapped to Ginny, who just shrugged. *If he can't keep his mind on the game then we're going to have to replace him!*
Harry scowled slightly. *I heard that, you know. I am a part of this link. And we are winning,* Draco shot the Quaffle into the Goal, scoring another ten points, *so I don't see the problem.*
*Get your act together, Harry, or we'll put in Johnson, Bones, or Andrews!* James yelled, as he dove for the Snitch.
*What's the point? You're gonna catch the little stupid Snitch anyway, so the game's as good as over. And, we shut them out!* Harry yelled back as Ginny scored yet another goal. Not even fifteen minutes had past and they were already up by almost seventy points. Two minutes later, James caught the Snitch and they were up by two hundred and ten, having let the other team score a goal because they felt bad.
The teams shook hands and Harry led the way back to the locker room, anxious to get away from his prying soul mate. He rushed into the shower, stripping on the way and giving all the female members of the team an unintentional free show.
Draco flew into the locker room just in time to see a half naked Harry Potter dart into the shower. *OH no you don't, Potter! Get back here and explain why the hell your brain is up your ass today!*
*What??* snapped Harry, stalking out of the shower as naked as the day as he was born, sopping wet.
Draco swallowed and closed his eyes. *Would you please either cover up or go back into the shower?* he begged, trying to grasp a tenuous control over his hormones.
*You wanted to talk, so fucking talk, damn it!* Harry walked right up to Draco and grabbed his chin, forcing him to open his eyes and look his soul mate straight in the eye.
Draco gasped at the pain and anguish in his eyes.*Harry, talk to me, What's wrong?* he pleaded, needing to understand why Harry was in pain.
*Why do you always have to get involved, Draco?* Harry asked wearily. *Aren't I allowed to simply have a bad day?*
*Maybe I want to get involved because I care about you?* Draco countered, wrapping Harry in his arms.
Harry stiffened and pulled away. *Just, I don't know, just let me be. You know, I used to dealing with everything on my own. I'm sixteen, not six. I don't need your help all the time.*
Draco stared at him, incredibly hurt. *You know, Potter, that's the meanest thing you've ever said to me. Even calling me Ferret didn't hurt that badly. I just want to help because I care. Is that too hard for you to accept?*
Harry sighed. *I'm not used to help. I always had to do things on my own, so I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you, but I'm used to dealing with the things that bother me by myself and - I don't know how to explain it and I think right here isn't the best of places to be talking about this.* He turned and walked back into the shower, Draco appreciating the extraordinary view from behind.
*Oh you like that, don't you?* Harry growled, shaking with repressed laughter. He turned the water back on with a flick of his wrist.
Draco turned strawberry red. *Shut up, Harry,* he growled.
Harry's laughter echoed off the walls as he gave Draco a visual of EXACTLY what he was doing to himself. Draco turned and ran out of the locker room, his face burning with a mixture of embarrassment and lust. *Damn you, Harry...*
Five uneventful hours later, filled with Harry refusing to talk and Draco alternating between swearing, pleading, and giving him the silent treatment, they decided to get ready for the Yule Ball. Silently they dressed, standing in front of the same full length conjured mirror as they completed the transformations from Gothic and sexy to classy and absolutely sinful.
"I must say, Draco, I think we're going to be the best dressed there," Harry said, his voice subdued and he truly looked at the both of them in the mirror.
Draco simply nodded. He had removed the cobalt streaks in his hair, and was once again a platinum blond. He had grown his hair out to past his shoulders in the back, leaving a few chin length face framing wisps in the front and securing the rest with an onyx silk ribbon.
Harry stood next to him, his hair once again shoulder blade length and tied back with a silver and emerald silk ribbon. "Hmm," he mumbled, staring at his reflection. "Don't you think it's missing something?"
Draco turned and stared at Harry questioningly. A smirk settled onto Harry's face with ease. "Maybe... wings?" he teased.
Draco turned a fiery scarlet and ducked his head. "I'm never going to live that down, am I?" he asked, shaking his head.
Harry laughed and hugged him. "It's ok, you know. I did realize exactly how hot I was with the wings and when you grew them you looked almost as good as you do now." Harry ruffled his hair, mussing it. Draco snarled and batted his hand away, rushing to the mirror and summoning a brush.
"Damn it, Potter, you've gone and ruined it!" he complained, focusing on getting his hair to lie flat. Harry walked over and grabbed the brush, sitting Draco down on the edge of his bed.
"Sit still, dork," Harry instructed. Draco was about to open his mouth to protest, but the soothing lull of having someone else brush his hair sent him into a daze. Five minutes later, Harry tied Draco's hair back into a neat ponytail at the nape of his neck. "There, all better," he said smugly, aware of the effect he had had on his soul mate.
Still dazed, Draco allowed Harry to pull him up and steer him out the door. He lay his head against Harry's shoulder as Harry Apparated them straight to the entrance of the Great Hall. "Wakey wakey, Love," Harry gently whispered into Draco's ear. "We can't go in with you looking all dazed, can we? They'll wonder what we did and why the planet didn't blow up."
Draco turned around and stared at him, blinking. "Too bad that's not the reason I'm dazed," he complained wistfully. Harry chuckled and pushed open the doors.
The strains of Brittney Spear's "Drive Me Crazy" hit their ears and they stared, grimacing, at the gyrating bodies in the center of the floor.
*Oh my god, Harry, what is this?* Draco hissed in anguish, covering his ears to escape the noise.
*Brittney fucking Spears. Just great. Who else do they have- Fucking Shania Twain?* he hissed angrily, curling his nose in disgust. *Hmm, I wonder if she'd play Toxic or Slave. That would definitely make the night worthwhile.*
*What songs are those?* Draco wondered.
*Only some of the dirtiest, sexiest songs I've ever heard. Definitely worth dancing to,* Harry promised, dragging his reluctant soul mate into the Great Hall. Almost half the Hall turned to look at them, some even stopping mid gyration to check out the two incredibly sexy guys waltzing through the doors.
They quickly strode over to the Slytherin Tables and Harry stopped in midstep, staring at his parents. They had stood up at his and Draco's arrival and he stared at them, astonished. *Oh WOW, Draco, we aren't the best dressed. I feel downright shabby.* Lily stood next to James, both their eyes sparkling.
Harry took in what his mother was wearing. *Oh my god, Draco, she's beautiful, just like all the pictures Uncle Sev showed us from their Yule Balls.* Harry walked over to his mother, eyes wide with wonder. Draco walked next to him, agreeing whole heartedly. Lily Potter was simply stunning. Jacques had really done wonders. She was draped in a floor length ebony velvet evening gown that molded to her body from the sweetheart neckline to her mid thighs before flaring gracefully down to her toes. Instead of material, eight strands of diamonds glittered on her shoulders, four on each, serving as straps for the dress. Her hair was upswept into a messy bun with flame colored ringlets escaping and cascading down to the middle of her back.
James stood next to her, impressive in open silk onyx formal robes with an onyx and cobalt blue tuxedo underneath. He wrapped his arms around his wife, who held his arms open. Harry flung himself into their arms. *You two look incredible,* he mumbled, grinning widely.
Lily held her son at arms length, staring intently at his formal attire. *You look wonderful, Harry.* She sniffed, dangerously close to tears, Harry just hugged her. *I'm sorry, son, I don't mean to cry, but it just hit me exactly how much we've missed. I never got to see you grow up and now you-* she broke down into tears.
Harry and James held Lily. *Shh, Mum, it's all right. Please don't cry.*
Still sniffing, Lily grinned at him. *My baby, all grown up,* she though fondly, smoothing his hair. Harry mentally cringed but sat down next to her and James at the Slytherin Table, with Draco beside him.
A shadow loomed over them and Harry turned, poised for a flight or fight. He let out a small sigh of relief when he saw that it was only Severus, Remus, Neville and Luna, all in formal robes, except for Luna, who wore a floor length ice blue satin gown.
"Hey, you guys look great!" Harry exclaimed happily, shouting a little to be heard over the noise.
Luna wrinkled her nose. "You know, I hate to say it, but the music leaves something to be desired."
Severus coughed, hiding a chuckle. "Indeed, Miss Lovegood, I couldn't agree more."
Harry stared at them, amusement shining in his eyes. "Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" he asked Draco in a low voice.
"I'm thinking we blow this place and go somewhere fancy, how about you?" Draco asked, in an equally low tone.
Harry grinned and kissed him lightly on the lips. "I love it when we think alike." *Mum, Dad, change of plans. How about we go to Paris or Cairo or somewhere equally nice for the evening? The whole group?*
Lily and James turned and stared at him, shocked and excited. *Everyone? All twenty two of us?*
*I don't want to waste a really nice set of clothing, you know,* Harry drolly replied. Lily started laughing.
*Well, I haven't been to Paris or Cairo since our honeymoon, for that matter. I know of several restaurants and clubs we could go to that would be acceptable,* James thought excitedly.
*Oh wow, I've NEVER been to Paris. Gran wouldn't let me because she said it was too dangerous,* Neville said excitedly.
Alanna and Xander finally made their appearances, with the rest of the Demigods in tow. *What'd we miss?* Alanna asked, slinging her arm around Xander's neck and kissing his cheek.
*This sucks and we're getting out of here,* Severus bluntly stated.
Alanna's mouth opened in an 'oh' of surprise. *What? Don't you want to shake your butt to the whole teenybopper thing?* she asked sarcastically.
*Nope,* Seamus thought, coming up behind them with Blaise. *Where are we going?*
*Paris? Buenos Aires? Cairo? You name it, we could go there,* Draco replied cheekily.
*Let's keep it simple, people. How about Paris for dinner and Cairo for clubbing afterward?* Alanna suggested, examining her perfectly manicured nails. *I know a really good restaurant in Paris and we are definitely dressed correctly to go there. And, I know several upscale clubs in Cairo where the music is incredible, the drinks are- well, what are we waiting for? Let's get everyone and go!* Quickly, she mentally called ahead, apparently talking to the manager and maitre de of the establishment. *All set,* she announced thirty seconds later. *They have room and are preparing a conference room for us.*
*Em, Eric, where are you?* Harry called, searching for the last of their group.
*She's in the bathroom and won't come out,* Eric replied hurriedly. *She's been in there for over an hour!*
*Have not! I've only been in her for about... let's see, forty two minutes and fifteen seconds. And I'm almost done.* Emily sounded a little bit stressed. *Ginny, could you help me?*
*Sure thing Em. I'll be right there,* Harry heard his sister reply. *I just have to finish spelling myself into my dress. It's a bitch to zip up!*
*Ok, you two, hurry it up, would ya? We're getting out of here and heading to Paris for dinner and then to Cairo for dancing. This party bites.*
*That sounds like fun... I like it!* Emily called back. Five minutes of Brittney Spears Hell later, the last three finally showed up.
Ginny, Emily, and Eric strode into the Hall as if they owned the place. Ginny, in a backless sweetheart neckline forest green satin dress, Harry and Draco walked over to her and each held out their arms. Laughing, she took both of them and they strolled to the Slytherin Tables and stood next to Alanna and Xander, Emily and Eric bringing up the rear in matching black and silver. Emily's gown, while still decidedly on the punk side, was incredibly stylish, and Eric looked very interesting to say the least in a black silk shirt, pants, and a tuxedo jacket slung over one shoulder. Somehow, he was missing his tie and vest.
To the shock of everyone in the Great Hall, the group Apparated immediately, heading for parts known to no one but themselves. They reappeared in front of an upscale restaurant in the heart of Paris, Le Che', and Alanna ushered them inside. "Come on, Pierre is waiting for us. Let's go."
Three hours later, they sedately strode back out, having had one of the best and most expensive meals of Harry's life. Alanna quickly placed an Apparation sphere around everyone and they Apparated straight to Cairo. They spent the next five hours club hopping: dancing, drinking, talking, and having the time of their lives. They stumbled out of the last club Alanna had recommended and Harry checked the time. *OH shit, it's 3 in the morning, guys. We have to get back, the Headmaster- heehee Head Master. I just got that!*
Alanna groaned and giggled. *Shut it, dork!*
Xander poked his soul mate in the ribs.*Lana, you're a funny drunk, heehee, Head Master...*
*ANYWAY, the big guy at the school is gonna be pissed!* Harry finished, still giggling.
Lily and James had to be interrupted, because they were wildly making out, leaning up against the wall of a nearby building. Gaila and Olivia just stared at them oddly before walking over to Rowan and making her break them up. Rowan took great delight in conjuring a megaphone and screaming, "THIS IS THE PDA POLICE! DISENGAGE AND STEP AWAY FROM EACH OTHER!!!!!" They sprang apart, looking sheepish, and Alanna grabbed Lily's arm.
"Come on, Little Sister, we have to go! Big D is gonna pitch a fit that we're out so late!" Lily and James obediently followed and they all Apparated straight to Hogwarts, everyone in different stages of inebriation. They stumbled into the Great Hall, Severus quickly downing a sobriety potion and giving some to all the students and to Alanna, Xander, Lily, James and Remus.
Not as minute too soon, Dumbledore ran into the Great Hall, looking furious. "WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN????" he thundered.
"Relax, Headmaster," Alanna drawled, and in the background, Draco and Harry snickered. She shot a glare at them and continued. "I took them to see the sights. You know, the ones in Paris and Cairo."
Dumbledore's mouth opened and closed several times and he stared at them incredulously. "PARIS??? CAIRO???" he shook his head mutely. "I won't even ask," he muttered and walked off.
Harry elbowed Draco. "You think he's mad because we forgot to invite him?" he asked in all seriousness. Draco fell over laughing, Olivia, Gaila, Michael, Rowan, and Damien following suit.
"Ok, people, let's get to bed," Severus smirked, his lips twitching with a repressed smile. *Dumbledore clubbing... why is that image both insanely funny and incredibly scary at the same time?*
Harry and Draco pretended to go to their dorms, but, after everyone was asleep, they Apparated to the Chamber of Secrets at Draco's insistence. "Ok, I'm awake and here. What is it now?" Harry asked after lying comfortably on the couch, his head propped on Draco's lap.
"You wanna tell me what is going on? I've waited all day and you still haven't explained why you refuse to accept help." Draco played with Harry's hair.
*Ok, fine, Dray,* Harry switched to telepathy. *If you were treated as badly as I was from age two to eleven, then had the entire fate of the Wizarding World dumped exclusively on your shoulders. Wait, this is sounding wrong. I'm trying to say...* Harry fell silent, thoughts whirling.
Draco waited patiently for him to find the right words to express himself. *I guess what I'm trying to say is that it feels like I'm a failure every time I get help from someone else. I've been on my own for so long and the teachers here, McGonagall and Dumbledore especially, have made me feel like I have to face everything on my own, and it's to the point where I expect to deal with everything on my own rather than ask for help. Does that make any sense?*
Draco frowned. *I swear I'm gonna kick them all. What the hell are they trying to do? Make sure that you die? No one can stand on their own without support from others.*
Harry shifted uncomfortably. *Oh come on, Draco. It wasn't that bad. I'm still alive, aren't I?*
*You don't treat people like that, Harry- leaving an infant to fend for himself against a fucking child molester and then expecting that same person to save you entire way of existence. It's so stupid!* Draco seethed, furious. *It just isn't right!* visions of torturing Dumbledore for his stupidity, Voldemort for killing Harry's parents and Vernon Dursley for obvious reasons slammed through the link.
Harry sat up, and wrapped his arms around Draco. *You know, I had to live with it and I'm not homicidal.*
*You should be, Harry, you should be.* Draco wrapped his arms around Harry. Suddenly sleepy, he transfigured the couch into a large, king sized bed complete with blankets and pillows. *Go to sleep,* he commanded. Harry was all too happy to comply.
The next week, the last week of school before Winter Holiday, was a flurry of activity. Alanna officially announced Wednesday afternoon that she had taught them all to the fullest of their abilities and that they were full fledged Elementalists. Everyone cheered, and Harry and Draco clapped enthusiastically. *Damn, you two, * Alanna thought in amusement. *You made a year long course go by in half the time. What am I going to teach for the next semester?*
Harry walked over the Alanna. *I have an idea, * he thought privately to her, excluding everyone else. Draco sulked, being cut out of the connection. Harry explained his idea to Alanna, and by the end of it, she was grinning broadly and nodding.
"Excellent! Everyone, Harry has had an idea, which is going to be a surprise to everyone else. Just be back next semester, same time and place." Excited whispers broke out amongst the twenty students in the Room of Requirement.
"All right," Draco demanded once they left the classroom. "Tell me what that was all about!"
"Love, I can't. It would ruin the surprise and part of your Christmas present," Harry said mysteriously, smirking.
Draco sulked for the rest of the day.
Thursday, Harry firecalled his parent's Lawyer, Gareth McKnight, and asked him if he was available Saturday morning.
"Yes, Lord Potter, I would be happy to assist you. May I ask why I am needed?" the estate lawyer asked curiously.
"I'm completing a blood binding ritual and would like my sister to be added as someone who can access my vault. I also have several other requests."
"Yes?"
"Are you sitting down?" Harry asked calmly.
"Actually, yes, I am."
"My parents are alive." McKnight's mouth dropped open in shock.
"Are you- are you sure?" he asked, incredulous.
"Yes, and you're going to meet them on Saturday. I want them to be re- added as part owners of the vault, and have full access to any accounts. I also have found out that Sirius Black is not only innocent, but still alive as well and I would like to recreate the Black Fortune from my own funds. I would also like Draco Malfoy to be added in as someone who can access my vault as well."
McKnight looked flabbergasted, but nodded. "I'll have the necessary paperwork drawn up and have it ready Saturday morning. I assume you will be at Potter Manor?"
Harry frowned. "No, we have some training to do over break and will be at school all Holiday long."
"I will be in the Great Hall at eleven o'clock on Saturday morning. Is that acceptable?" McKnight asked, writing in a notebook.
"Excellent, Mr. McKnight. We will be expecting you." Harry closed the fire connection in Severus's quarters and stretched. *Saturday is going to be fun,* he thought mischievously.
Friday came, in Harry's mind, all too soon. He, Draco, Emily, Eric, Blaise, Seamus, Neville, Luna and Ginny, as well as all the demigods and demigoddesses had signed up to stay for the Winter Holidays at the request of Alanna. Harry was a little disappointed because he wanted to visit Potter Manor and Merlin's Castle and all those other places he had supposedly inherited.
*Hmmm, Draco?* Harry asked once the last of the students leaving had boarded the train for King's Cross.
*What?* Draco asked idly, as they sat in the Slytherin Common rooms with everyone else who had stayed.
*Do you have the Book?* Harry asked, absently brushing his soul mate's hair. Draco sat at his feet, just about reduced to a purring, boneless mass at his soul mate's careful ministrations.
*Wha- what book?* Draco asked dazedly, his mind only focused on how good it felt.
*The Blood Binding Ritual Book!* Harry sniggered. *Really, Draco, one would think I was doing something else to you with the way you're out of it.*
*Hey, since that part of our relationship has been put on hold until we can find a way NOT to blow anything up, I take pleasure where I can get it.* Draco stretched, catlike, and Harry watched, bemused, as Draco wriggled this way and that, popping each vertebra until he sagged back, satisfied. "Ohhhh, that felt so GOOOD," he moaned aloud, earning curious stares from everyone in the room.
Ginny snickered. "Everything all right over there?" she asked, looking up from her book.
"Fine, fine," Harry said distractedly. *Come on, Draco, I want that book. Let's go.*
Grumbling, Draco allowed himself to be pulled to his feet. *Why now?* he asked.
*Because I want to do the ceremony tomorrow. I've even asked Mr. Gareth McKnight to draw up the paperwork, you poof.*
Draco snickered. *Look who's calling who a poof, faerie.*
*I'll have you know that I am NOT homosexual,* Harry protested arrogantly.
*Your soul mate is a male, dear. You are gay.*
*No, because I'm not attracted to other men, or women for that matter.*
Draco cocked an eyebrow. *What does that have to do with anything?* he wondered.
*I'm DRACOsexual. I'm ONLY attracted to you, you dolt.* Harry grinned and, linking arms with his soul mate, they went to find the book. *Tomorrow's gonna be fun.*
A/N: WHOOO HOOOOO another chapter done. Yes they will have sex and it will be soon, how soon, I dunno. So, what did you think? (sings)Trelawney's gone, Trelawney's gone yippee! Trelawney's gone! YIPPEE! I've had way too much sugar today and I have laryngitis so I can't talk so I'm getting all my insane chatter out on paper. So, let's see: Oh yea, read and review for me, as I love your words of wisdom, ramblings, and crack dreams. No death threats, though. I stop writing for days after those cuz I'm too upset and depressed to even dream of typing anything happy and I promised to retire suicidal Harry. So, I can't bring him back... maybe Draco? Naw, he's too happy and cute. Ginny'd just flambé' whatever is bothering her, and Seamus would blow it up, same as Emily and Eric and Blaise. Neville's too kind and Luna's too spacey. Oh well, damn. So I'm sitting here listening to Yellowcard and typing and yeah, please please please review. I would really like that. Oh, and I'm working on drawing ( illustrating) for my story, like Harry with wings and Draco with wings and them in the tuxes and maybe Lily and James and a group picture, that would be incredible, or maybe individual shots, anyone interested in seeing them? As soon as I actually finish them and all I'll figure out a way to maybe get them as part of the story or email them out or yeah, something.
B/N: Do you see what you have done?! You send death threats and she gets upset! You damn pixies! Leave her alone, go away! No, wait, don't go away.... review first, then leave! Ok, ok, I will stop making the poor readers feel bad *mumble*stupidgoddamnfrigging*mumble* Well then, until next time! Love and presents (I ran out of cookies)! TTFN!
Preview: Blood-binding Ritual!
B/N: I agree! You should be careful or soon they will be dragging you off to Hogwarts to take over Trelawney's job... but is that necessarily a bad thing? Oh well, just watch what you say, you are ruining the element of SURPRISE!
A/N: Lady Silverene, we do not work well under such horrible pressure, so I'm not writing any more... wait, I just finished another chapter. FUCK!
B/N: Oooh, evil people who threaten us to write more, I am shaking. No really, I am, it's kinda cold in here. But you know, killing the author and beta = NO STORY!!!!!! Think about it.
A/N: Athenakitty. Yes, yes, soon, and is he watching? EWWWWWW.
B/N: Tsk, tsk. Dirty-minded people, thinking that the evil dude is perving on our heroes... what's up with that?!
Chapter 24
Jacques and a young attractive male (his assistant) came to Hogwarts in a flurry of excitement. Five hours and only twelve of the twenty two people needing measurements taken later, Harry was about to tear his hair out by the roots. "Jacques, about how long do you think this'll take?" Harry asked, exasperated, at around four in the afternoon.
Jacques looked up from his notepad and quill. "About another four hours, Master Potter. Please, send in your parents. I am done with Misters Zambini and Finnegan." Blaise and Seamus hopped down from the tailor's stools with identical sighs of relief and ran from the room. Lily and James walked in confidently, heads held high.
"Ah, Lord and Lady Potter. I was most displeased to hear of your demise, and the fact that you are standing in front of me seems to dispel any of those awful rumors." Jacques led the two of them to the stools and ordered his assistant to tend to Lily while he measured James.
Forty minutes later, he finished with them, finally deciding on a design, cut and color that would compliment the both of them, while accommodating their personal taste and preference.
Jacques brushed a hand across his forehead, getting a quick breath in between customers. *They will be so pleased and I'm going to make a fortune!!!* he thought excitedly. Harry muffled a snicker as he and Draco walked out with his parents.
Exactly four hours and fifteen minutes later, Jacques called Harry, Draco, Severus, Alanna, and Remus into Severus's quarters. "Well, I have made the measurements and you have all picked out styles and colors. You will look wonderful, if I do say so myself. Now, whose bank account will I be charging these to?" he asked, bills in hand.
Harry immediately held out his hand, but Severus, Alanna and Draco stopped him. "Jacques, I will be paying for my own robes," Severus stated.
"I will pay for mine as well," Remus said. Jacques handed them their bills.
Draco mulled it over. "I'll pay for my robes as well as Blaise's robes." Jacques handed him the two bills.
Alanna took the bills, sorting through them. "Shotgun the demigods and demigoddesses with the exception of Lily and James." She handed the last seven to Harry. "These are for you, love."
Harry took them quickly, scanning the bills. "What is an acceptable form of payment?" he asked, scratching his scar thoughtfully.
"We generally just bill the accounts, so if you'd fill in your account number there at the bottom, I could just send the money order to Gringotts and they'd take care of it."
Everyone filled in the required information at the bottoms of the slips then passed them back to Jacques. He thanked them profusely for their time and business, and with an order to his assistant, they Flooed back to their store.
Harry collapsed against the couch, Draco quickly pulling him into an embrace. Idly, Harry toyed with the cobalt blue streaks framing his soul mate's face. "Is it always that insane?" he asked, sighing.
Draco and Severus stared at each other, incredulous. "Was that insane?" Draco asked, confused. Harry shook his head wearily and lightly punched his shoulder. "Hey!" Draco protested, rubbing the offended shoulder with a pout.
*I can't kiss it and make it better this time, love,* Harry thought sadly. Draco kept pouting. *You remember what happened last time, don't you?* Draco's pout turned into an evil grin.
*Oh, I remember all right. That was when I gave you that incredibly large hickey on the side of your neck and- what do you know!* Draco pulled back the collar of Harry's silk shirt. *It's still there!*
Severus stared at the large, purple mark on Harry's neck and grinned. "I have no wish to hear of how that got there," he said lazily, smirking at the sudden, fierce blush that swept across his nephew's face.
"Um, Alanna? I don't mean to be rude, but I didn't know you had a bank account here at Gringotts." Harry turned around, the unasked question in his eyes.
"Actually, we are wealthier than you, Harry. We have one bank account that we use when we come to Earth, and it has all of the money we have earned throughout the last thousand years or so. In fact, I was the one who set up my son Merlin's account. If Morgan Le Fay had ever bothered reproducing, her heirs would have had the same amount as well." Alanna studied her fingernails. "Do you have any more questions, Harry?" Harry shook his head mutely. "Good. It's almost time for dinner, so let's go!" With that, everyone exited the Dungeons and headed to the Great Hall, ready for food.
On Sunday morning, Madam Trelawney decided to descend from her Tower and graced everyone with her presence during lunch. She sat, immediately to the right of Dumbledore, her beads and bracelets jangling in a dissonance of horrific proportions. Harry winced from the Slytherin table as she chatted and laughed, her creaky falsetto just adding to the din.
Professor Trelawney finally looked up and realized that practically no one was sitting at their House tables any more. "Albus!" she shrieked. "What is going on? Bad times are ahead of us, Albus!" Severus and Remus rolled their eyes in unison at her outburst. "And you two! You instigated this!" she yelled, flinging her arm at the shocked teachers.
Harry stood up, rolling his eyes. "Come on, Draco, Ginny, everyone. Let's eat elsewhere." They stood up, en masse, and headed down to the Kitchens for lunch and to get away from the batty woman's ramblings.
Monday morning, Ginny had had enough. First, Professor McGonagall had cornered her in the hallway, asking her, with transparent politeness, when she and Harry would be returning to Gryffindor Tower where they belonged. After that, Professor Trelawney had pounced on her and read her palm- over her loud protests. Then, the woman had the gall to announce, quite publicly, that she would suffer the same fate as Harry- imminent death- if she didn't stop the foolishness and return to her Table and her Tower.
She quickly and silently climbed the ladder into Trelawney's classroom, carrying a large cage covered with a blanket. Seeing that no one was around, she uncovered the cage, revealing small black imps with wings. "Come, my minions," she crooned softly, reveling in this new power of hers- to conjure these small black creatures, creatures loyal only to her and ready to do her bidding. "Come and fly for me," she whispered, unlatching the cage door. The five dozen imps streamed from the cage opening and hovered in front of her, awaiting their orders.
"Now, this is what I want you to do, my lovelies." Still whispering, she laid out her plan, grinning evilly. Oh, the bat was going to pay.
Two hours later, while Draco and Harry were seated in the Library, completing the latest Potions assignment, they heard a blood curdling shriek resonating through the corridors. "What in the world?" Harry asked, jumping up and sprinting into the hallway. He jumped back as a screaming, sobbing streak flew past him. "Huh?"
The blur shot around the corner, still babbling incoherently. Harry and Draco walked down the hallway, intrigued by what was going on. The turned the corner and stopped, flabbergasted. Professor Trelawney was sitting against the wall, collapsed in a heap, and sobbing her eyes out into Dumbledore's robe hem.
"We're all going to hell, Albus! I read it in the tea leaves and then the crystal ball and then in my Tarot cards. We're all going to die and burn in Hell and Satan will torture ME personally," she gasped, fainting. Dumbledore stared at her and then scooped her up into his arms.
"Professor! What's going on? Do you need any help?" Harry asked, trying to appear concerned when all he wanted to do was curl up into a little ball and laugh hysterically.
Behind him, Draco let out a strangled cough. "Headmaster Dumbledore, do you need assistance?" he asked, still coughing. Harry turned around to see a very red Draco gasping for breath.
Harry quickly pounded him on the back. *Quit laughing, you fool!*
*I can't help it, Harry. This is too priceless! She's actually gone insane!* Draco, with one last cough, straightened up, the redness in his face slowly fading.
"No, boys, I think I can handle this. Please return to whatever you were doing." Dumbledore turned, and hunched over slightly from the unconscious bundle in his arms, carried the Divinations Professor to the Hospital Wing.
Harry and Draco waited until he was out of ear shot and they collapsed into a heap on the floor, laughing uncontrollably.
"Did you- HAHAHAHAHAHAhaha - see her???" Harry gasped, rolling into a sitting position and shoving Draco off of him at the same time.
Draco sat up as well, gasping for air and holding his stomach. "Oh- hahahahaha- shit, I- heheheheheheehehe- thought I was going to bust a gut!" They sat there, laughing hysterically, for almost fifteen minutes before calming themselves enough to actually stand up.
Once having suitably calmed themselves, they stumbled back into the Library, arms around each other's waists, still giggling and chuckling.
Professor Dumbledore was not present for lunch or dinner that day. For some reason, during dinner, Ginny was not her usual perky self. Instead of talking and laughing with Luna and Emily, like she usually did, she sat by herself, idly toying with her food.
*Gin, what's wrong?* Draco and Harry asked simultaneously.
Her head shot up and she stared at them nervously. *No-nothing,* she stuttered, chewing on her lip in anxiety.
*Bull shit, Gin. Tell us,* Harry demanded, staring her straight in the eye.
*Fine, you know how Trelawney was an ass yesterday?* she asked, toying with her braided hair.
*Yeah, what of it? The woman is insane. Don't fret over it, sis,* Draco told her. For some reason, this made Ginny burst into tears.
*I know she's insane!* she wailed mentally, broadcasting so loudly she attracted the attention of every telepath in the vicinity. *I MADE her that way!*
*WHAT?* asked Severus, Remus, James, Lily, Harry, Draco, Emily, Blaise, Ron, Hermione, Dudley, Seamus, Eric, Godric, Salazar, Alanna, Xander, Olivia, Gaila, Michael, Raphael, Rowan, Gabrielle, Nicholai and Damien simultaneously.
Ginny buried her head in her arms. *I can create little flying imps- it's one of my demon powers. Well, I created about sixty of them and set them loose in her classroom, with the orders to make every divination tool to give her the same reading: That we're all going to die and burn in Hell and that Satan would be roasting her personally. She went insane!*
The entire Hall was silent, and then peels of laughter shook the rafters. Everyone unable to hear the conversation just stared, confused, as thirty people collapsed, rolling on the floor laughing. Even Severus couldn't keep his normally dour face and started chuckling. *Oh MY GOD!!!* screeched Alanna, falling from her chair from laughing so hard. *That's incredible! I have to remember that one and use it later on!*
Draco slapped her on the back. *Good one!* he cheered, grinning widely. Harry sat on the floor, holding his aching sides, unable to keep from howling with laughter.
*No, it was WRONG!* Ginny yelled, tears falling freely from her eyes. *I SNAPPED her MIND!*
*Um, Ginny?* Severus asked cautiously. *She was already batty. Her uncontrollable Divination skills made her lose her mind long before you were born. Don't worry about it. Seriously.*
Ginny stared at him, her face flushing with anger. *But I tipped her over the edge! She thinks we are ALL GOING TO BURN IN HELL!!!!!!*
Severus lost it completely and slid from his chair onto the floor, tears of mirth streaming from his eyes. *Must uphold... dignity,* he thought before Apparating straight to his quarters before everyone saw him make a fool of himself.
Ginny sat there, still stewing. *It was WRONG!* she insisted stubbornly. *I NEVER should have done it!*
*Virginia Weaseley Potter Malfoy, she got what was coming to her. Stop berating yourself,* Draco ordered sternly before collapsing onto the floor next to Harry.
Ginny sat still, shocked. *Virginia Weaseley Potter Malfoy, I like the sound of that,* she thought happily to herself, finally taking a bite of food.
Harry and Draco sat up from where they had rolled on the floor, bumping their heads on the underside of the table. *OW!*
Professor Dumbledore walked into the Great Hall and stared at the snickering Demigods and Elementals. "I'm glad to see you all in such hearty spirits, but I'm afraid I have some extremely bad news," he boomed, waiting for the Hall to fall silent.
Five minutes later, everyone had quieted enough for him to continue. "I'm afraid that Professor Trelawney has fallen ill and had to be taken to St. Mungo's for observation. We have no idea when she will return, of if she will ever be well enough to come home to us. In the meantime, Professor Firenze will teach all Divination classes for the remainder of this term, and until she is well enough to continue teaching. I would like a moment of silence in commemoration of a wonderful teacher."
The Hall fell dutifully silent. *Um, Draco?* asked Olivia and Gaila. *What kind of teacher was she, really?*
*Only a batty old fraud. So, she's in St. Mungo's for mental health issues. I WONDER why?* he asked sarcastically. *Maybe they've finally realized she's insane?*
Harry sniggered, trying unsuccessfully to hide it as a cough.
"On a much lighter note, the Winter Holidays will begin on Friday, the Eighteenth of December, which is the week after the Yule Ball. The trains will be departing from Hogsmede at ten o'clock in the morning and at noon the Nineteenth, which is a Saturday. All students who are staying for the Winter Holidays will need to see their House Heads and place their names on the sign up sheets in their Common Rooms. That is all and enjoy your dinners." Dumbledore sat down at the Teacher's tables.
"Harry, you are staying, right?" Emily asked hopefully.
"Of course. It's not like he can go anywhere else," Draco answered, buttering a roll.
Harry rolled his eyes. "Thanks a million, Draco. Make me feel unwanted, why don't you!" Everyone snickered as he elbowed his soul mate in the ribs. Draco pretended to die a horrible, painful death and fell off the bench with a crash.
Professor McGonagall glared at them. "Mister Potter, may I have a word with you, please?" she asked primly. Harry rolled his eyes and, standing up, followed her from the Hall.
Draco stared after him, worried. He stood up and tried to follow them only to have McGonagall slam the doors in his face. *Uncle Sev, you need to get back here!* he yelled, Severus Apparating instantly to his side.
She turned to Harry, angry. "Mister Potter, I must insist you remove yourself from his company! Why do you insist on abandoning your House and sleeping, eating, and spending all your time with the Slytherins? They are a bad influence!"
Harry stared at her, fury creeping into his expression. Suddenly, his features tilled, becoming an icy mask. "Who I associate with is none of your concern, and I will sleep and eat with whomever and wherever I choose. You have no say in the matter, Professor. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to eat my dinner, with my friends." He turned as if to walk away from her.
McGonagall's hand shot out, grabbing his arm. "Now you listen here, Mister Potter. You will move your belongings back to the Gryffindor Dorms as well as Miss Weaseley, and you will eat at the Gryffindor Table. Do I make myself clear?"
Harry stared at her, his expression unreadable. Suddenly, McGonagall gasped, her fingers gripped by an icy fist. Unseen fingers slowly peeled her fingers from Harry's arm, hyper extending each digit until she almost cried out with pain.
"Do not cross me, Professor. I know more about magic than you could ever hope to learn. In fact, I am only here to continue training to face Clautius and win." Harry released her hand with a look, and she instantly grabbed her wrist, massaging the aching tendons.
"You will be expelled for this, Potter," she spat, glaring daggers at him. A sudden noise behind Harry had them both turning and staring.
Alanna, Xander, Severus, Lily, James, Remus, Draco and Ginny stood behind Harry in the doorway. "If he is expelled, we all leave with him," Alanna announced grimly. As one, the rest of the Demigods, Demigoddesses, as well as Harry's group of friends stood and calmly joined the group in the doorway.
"We go as well," Emily announced, speaking for everyone. "And I don't think you'd want us to leave Hogwarts practically defenseless."
"And, listen here, McGonagall, keep your hands off my son!!!" Lily yelled, grabbing Harry and pulling him into her arms. Harry willingly stood in her embrace, resting his head against both of his parents' shoulders.
Dumbledore stood up. "No one is leaving or being expelled. Due to the extenuating circumstances, Minerva, Harry and Ginny will remain in the Slytherin Dorms, as unorthodox as it seems. They are happy there and are readily accessible to Severus, Lily, and James should the need arise. Why are you attempting to change a good thing? Why is this bothering you so much now?"
"He's in MY house! Why must he go to Severus for help? Why couldn't he come to me? I'm his Head of House and he went elsewhere for help! Do you know how that reflects on me??" she yelled, forgetting that she was in the middle of the Great Hall.
Severus cocked an eyebrow. "Maybe because of the face that he's my NEPHEW???" he asked loudly.
Minerva stared at him. "You only treated him as if he were scum for the last six years! Why now? Why the change?"
Harry stared at her angrily. "Really, Professor," he spat. "Where were you while I was having nightmares? Where were Ron and Hermione? They both told me to leave them alone and stop my screaming! You never once helped me when I spent the night having vision after vision. Uncle Severus made Potions, which helped even though he treated me horribly. You never did anything!"
McGonagall stared at him, her mouth opening and closing. She turned on her heel and strode from the Hall, her robes swishing behind her. Harry stared after her and, with a scowl that could curdle milk, allowed Draco to lead him back to the Slytherin Tables.
Thursday night, at around eight o'clock, Jacques Flooed back to Hogwarts with twenty two dress robes and delivered each of them personally. He made everyone try them on so he could make any last minute alterations in order to ensure a perfect fit.
Harry tried his on, while standing on an impromptu stool in their dorms. The heavy ebony silk outer cloak swirled from his shoulders to his feet, held together at the neck by a silver chain with a silver clasp in the shape of a panther. The cloak covered an old Muggle style black tuxedo with tails and a forest green vest.
Draco walked into the room at that moment and stopped dead in his tracks. *Oh my GOD he's hot,* he thought numbly. Harry turned around and smiled slowly, a gesture that melted Draco's insides. *Ohhh can't wait to peel him out of those robes and - is that a TUX???* he thought incoherently.
Harry smirked. *Draco, it's your turn,* he thought mischievously as Jacques nodded his approval and let him get off the stool. He stood to the side, anxious to see what his soul mate would be wearing.
Draco numbly climbed up, his feet on autopilot as he stared at his incredibly handsome soul mate. *Could you wear your hair long and tied back?* Draco asked, looking him over with a critical eye. *You're hot as hell now, but I think it would make you look positively sinful...* he trailed off as Harry ran his hands through his spikes, removing the green and silver and adding inches to the length. Finally, his thick, wavy locks were past his shoulder blades and he tied it back with a conjured silver and emerald clasp. Draco's eyes widened. *Ummm, y- yeah, like- like that,* he stuttered.
Harry laughed, music to Draco's ears. *Uh man, I have it BAD,* Draco thought miserably.
*Well, but look at who you fell for. You have excellent taste, Dragon.* Harry preened in front of a full length mirror, eyes sparkling.
Draco laughed, not even noticing the onyx three piece tuxedo with a wine and steel vest that Jacques had charmed onto him, and looked at himself in the conjured mirror. He gasped. "Merlin I look good!" Jacques handed him the outer cloak, a steel colored silk with a wine colored satin lining. He slung it around his shoulders and let it hang gracefully to his feet. He closed the clasp on the platinum chain- a burnished silver wolf with icy blue eyes, and hopped down from the stool, coming to stand next to Harry in front of the mirror.
"Correction, Mister Malfoy, WE look good," Harry gravely intoned, and grinned as he slung his arm around Draco. "Jacques, you're a miracle worker," he exclaimed, turning around.
"I was nothing, Masters Potter and Malfoy. I am pleased that you like it." The man bowed and left, carrying the rest of the robes under his arms.
Saturday morning, Draco awoke at an ungodly hour, convinced something was wrong. He sleepily stood up. *Why am I in my own bed?* he wondered, before remembering everything that had happened. *Damn it, I'll never get used to sleeping without him next to me,* he muttered mournfully.
A soft whimpering sound had him racing to Harry's bed. *Oh no, not again,* he thought anxiously as he felt sudden terror radiated from Harry's mind. *Not another one. Hang on, Harry, I'm coming.* He ripped open the curtains, to hear shrieks of terror, intermixed with moans.
"No, Uncle Vernon, I won't - STOP, PLEASE GOD STOP! Oh please, help me, anyone, anybody please stop him. AUNT PETUNIA, PLEASE HELP ME!!!!" Draco dove onto the bed, broadening the link between them and forcing Harry out of his dream and into wakefulness.
"Dr- Draco? What?" Harry asked, his eyes only half open.
"What did I tell you bout silencing charms?" Draco asked silkily.
Harry's eyes widened. "Ummm, what are you talking about?" he lied, completely awake. *OH SHIT OH SHIT OH SHIT.*
Draco smirked evilly. "You have forgotten that I can see your thoughts, Love. Let's see, Sev and I promised that we'd hex you into the middle of next week. Not only did you put up silencing charms, you partially blocked the link so I couldn't hear you mentally."
Harry blushed and idly stared at his comforter, playing with the threads. "And what are you going to do about it?" he asked in a low voice, unable to meet Draco's eyes.
Draco scowled. "I-"
Ginny rushed into the room. "Come on, get out of bed! We have a game against Dragon's Fang here in an hour!" Harry and Draco jumped up and raced for the bathroom.
*This isn't over, Potter. We will talk about this,* Draco promised Harry mentally. Harry shivered.
Everyone rushed to the locker room after warm-ups, ready for the game. Draco opened the floodgates in his and Harry's minds that linked everyone together, giving everyone a pep talk. Harry stayed silent, still shaken by the dream. He kept reliving bits and pieces of the memories that bubbled and boiled below the surface of his consciousness.
*Harry? HARRY!* Draco yelled, shaking him from his memories. Harry's head shot up, and he blinked rapidly.
"Yes?" he asked aloud, focusing on the task at hand.
*Are you ready? We have to go!* Draco pulled Harry to his feet and shoved his broom into his hand. Harry's fingers closed automatically around the handle and he pushed off, shooting out the door. Draco followed him, worried. *What is wrong, Harry?* he asked. Harry refused to answer, instead landing in front of the Dragon Fang captain. They shook hand briefly and the Referee, unwilling to make yet another speech about fair play, just released the Snitch, Bludgers, and Quaffle as quickly as possible.
The two teams shot off the ground and the game was on. Harry half heartedly shot the Quaffle at the Keeper, surprisingly scoring a goal. Draco tailed him, scowling. *What the fuck is wrong with him???* he snapped to Ginny, who just shrugged. *If he can't keep his mind on the game then we're going to have to replace him!*
Harry scowled slightly. *I heard that, you know. I am a part of this link. And we are winning,* Draco shot the Quaffle into the Goal, scoring another ten points, *so I don't see the problem.*
*Get your act together, Harry, or we'll put in Johnson, Bones, or Andrews!* James yelled, as he dove for the Snitch.
*What's the point? You're gonna catch the little stupid Snitch anyway, so the game's as good as over. And, we shut them out!* Harry yelled back as Ginny scored yet another goal. Not even fifteen minutes had past and they were already up by almost seventy points. Two minutes later, James caught the Snitch and they were up by two hundred and ten, having let the other team score a goal because they felt bad.
The teams shook hands and Harry led the way back to the locker room, anxious to get away from his prying soul mate. He rushed into the shower, stripping on the way and giving all the female members of the team an unintentional free show.
Draco flew into the locker room just in time to see a half naked Harry Potter dart into the shower. *OH no you don't, Potter! Get back here and explain why the hell your brain is up your ass today!*
*What??* snapped Harry, stalking out of the shower as naked as the day as he was born, sopping wet.
Draco swallowed and closed his eyes. *Would you please either cover up or go back into the shower?* he begged, trying to grasp a tenuous control over his hormones.
*You wanted to talk, so fucking talk, damn it!* Harry walked right up to Draco and grabbed his chin, forcing him to open his eyes and look his soul mate straight in the eye.
Draco gasped at the pain and anguish in his eyes.*Harry, talk to me, What's wrong?* he pleaded, needing to understand why Harry was in pain.
*Why do you always have to get involved, Draco?* Harry asked wearily. *Aren't I allowed to simply have a bad day?*
*Maybe I want to get involved because I care about you?* Draco countered, wrapping Harry in his arms.
Harry stiffened and pulled away. *Just, I don't know, just let me be. You know, I used to dealing with everything on my own. I'm sixteen, not six. I don't need your help all the time.*
Draco stared at him, incredibly hurt. *You know, Potter, that's the meanest thing you've ever said to me. Even calling me Ferret didn't hurt that badly. I just want to help because I care. Is that too hard for you to accept?*
Harry sighed. *I'm not used to help. I always had to do things on my own, so I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you, but I'm used to dealing with the things that bother me by myself and - I don't know how to explain it and I think right here isn't the best of places to be talking about this.* He turned and walked back into the shower, Draco appreciating the extraordinary view from behind.
*Oh you like that, don't you?* Harry growled, shaking with repressed laughter. He turned the water back on with a flick of his wrist.
Draco turned strawberry red. *Shut up, Harry,* he growled.
Harry's laughter echoed off the walls as he gave Draco a visual of EXACTLY what he was doing to himself. Draco turned and ran out of the locker room, his face burning with a mixture of embarrassment and lust. *Damn you, Harry...*
Five uneventful hours later, filled with Harry refusing to talk and Draco alternating between swearing, pleading, and giving him the silent treatment, they decided to get ready for the Yule Ball. Silently they dressed, standing in front of the same full length conjured mirror as they completed the transformations from Gothic and sexy to classy and absolutely sinful.
"I must say, Draco, I think we're going to be the best dressed there," Harry said, his voice subdued and he truly looked at the both of them in the mirror.
Draco simply nodded. He had removed the cobalt streaks in his hair, and was once again a platinum blond. He had grown his hair out to past his shoulders in the back, leaving a few chin length face framing wisps in the front and securing the rest with an onyx silk ribbon.
Harry stood next to him, his hair once again shoulder blade length and tied back with a silver and emerald silk ribbon. "Hmm," he mumbled, staring at his reflection. "Don't you think it's missing something?"
Draco turned and stared at Harry questioningly. A smirk settled onto Harry's face with ease. "Maybe... wings?" he teased.
Draco turned a fiery scarlet and ducked his head. "I'm never going to live that down, am I?" he asked, shaking his head.
Harry laughed and hugged him. "It's ok, you know. I did realize exactly how hot I was with the wings and when you grew them you looked almost as good as you do now." Harry ruffled his hair, mussing it. Draco snarled and batted his hand away, rushing to the mirror and summoning a brush.
"Damn it, Potter, you've gone and ruined it!" he complained, focusing on getting his hair to lie flat. Harry walked over and grabbed the brush, sitting Draco down on the edge of his bed.
"Sit still, dork," Harry instructed. Draco was about to open his mouth to protest, but the soothing lull of having someone else brush his hair sent him into a daze. Five minutes later, Harry tied Draco's hair back into a neat ponytail at the nape of his neck. "There, all better," he said smugly, aware of the effect he had had on his soul mate.
Still dazed, Draco allowed Harry to pull him up and steer him out the door. He lay his head against Harry's shoulder as Harry Apparated them straight to the entrance of the Great Hall. "Wakey wakey, Love," Harry gently whispered into Draco's ear. "We can't go in with you looking all dazed, can we? They'll wonder what we did and why the planet didn't blow up."
Draco turned around and stared at him, blinking. "Too bad that's not the reason I'm dazed," he complained wistfully. Harry chuckled and pushed open the doors.
The strains of Brittney Spear's "Drive Me Crazy" hit their ears and they stared, grimacing, at the gyrating bodies in the center of the floor.
*Oh my god, Harry, what is this?* Draco hissed in anguish, covering his ears to escape the noise.
*Brittney fucking Spears. Just great. Who else do they have- Fucking Shania Twain?* he hissed angrily, curling his nose in disgust. *Hmm, I wonder if she'd play Toxic or Slave. That would definitely make the night worthwhile.*
*What songs are those?* Draco wondered.
*Only some of the dirtiest, sexiest songs I've ever heard. Definitely worth dancing to,* Harry promised, dragging his reluctant soul mate into the Great Hall. Almost half the Hall turned to look at them, some even stopping mid gyration to check out the two incredibly sexy guys waltzing through the doors.
They quickly strode over to the Slytherin Tables and Harry stopped in midstep, staring at his parents. They had stood up at his and Draco's arrival and he stared at them, astonished. *Oh WOW, Draco, we aren't the best dressed. I feel downright shabby.* Lily stood next to James, both their eyes sparkling.
Harry took in what his mother was wearing. *Oh my god, Draco, she's beautiful, just like all the pictures Uncle Sev showed us from their Yule Balls.* Harry walked over to his mother, eyes wide with wonder. Draco walked next to him, agreeing whole heartedly. Lily Potter was simply stunning. Jacques had really done wonders. She was draped in a floor length ebony velvet evening gown that molded to her body from the sweetheart neckline to her mid thighs before flaring gracefully down to her toes. Instead of material, eight strands of diamonds glittered on her shoulders, four on each, serving as straps for the dress. Her hair was upswept into a messy bun with flame colored ringlets escaping and cascading down to the middle of her back.
James stood next to her, impressive in open silk onyx formal robes with an onyx and cobalt blue tuxedo underneath. He wrapped his arms around his wife, who held his arms open. Harry flung himself into their arms. *You two look incredible,* he mumbled, grinning widely.
Lily held her son at arms length, staring intently at his formal attire. *You look wonderful, Harry.* She sniffed, dangerously close to tears, Harry just hugged her. *I'm sorry, son, I don't mean to cry, but it just hit me exactly how much we've missed. I never got to see you grow up and now you-* she broke down into tears.
Harry and James held Lily. *Shh, Mum, it's all right. Please don't cry.*
Still sniffing, Lily grinned at him. *My baby, all grown up,* she though fondly, smoothing his hair. Harry mentally cringed but sat down next to her and James at the Slytherin Table, with Draco beside him.
A shadow loomed over them and Harry turned, poised for a flight or fight. He let out a small sigh of relief when he saw that it was only Severus, Remus, Neville and Luna, all in formal robes, except for Luna, who wore a floor length ice blue satin gown.
"Hey, you guys look great!" Harry exclaimed happily, shouting a little to be heard over the noise.
Luna wrinkled her nose. "You know, I hate to say it, but the music leaves something to be desired."
Severus coughed, hiding a chuckle. "Indeed, Miss Lovegood, I couldn't agree more."
Harry stared at them, amusement shining in his eyes. "Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" he asked Draco in a low voice.
"I'm thinking we blow this place and go somewhere fancy, how about you?" Draco asked, in an equally low tone.
Harry grinned and kissed him lightly on the lips. "I love it when we think alike." *Mum, Dad, change of plans. How about we go to Paris or Cairo or somewhere equally nice for the evening? The whole group?*
Lily and James turned and stared at him, shocked and excited. *Everyone? All twenty two of us?*
*I don't want to waste a really nice set of clothing, you know,* Harry drolly replied. Lily started laughing.
*Well, I haven't been to Paris or Cairo since our honeymoon, for that matter. I know of several restaurants and clubs we could go to that would be acceptable,* James thought excitedly.
*Oh wow, I've NEVER been to Paris. Gran wouldn't let me because she said it was too dangerous,* Neville said excitedly.
Alanna and Xander finally made their appearances, with the rest of the Demigods in tow. *What'd we miss?* Alanna asked, slinging her arm around Xander's neck and kissing his cheek.
*This sucks and we're getting out of here,* Severus bluntly stated.
Alanna's mouth opened in an 'oh' of surprise. *What? Don't you want to shake your butt to the whole teenybopper thing?* she asked sarcastically.
*Nope,* Seamus thought, coming up behind them with Blaise. *Where are we going?*
*Paris? Buenos Aires? Cairo? You name it, we could go there,* Draco replied cheekily.
*Let's keep it simple, people. How about Paris for dinner and Cairo for clubbing afterward?* Alanna suggested, examining her perfectly manicured nails. *I know a really good restaurant in Paris and we are definitely dressed correctly to go there. And, I know several upscale clubs in Cairo where the music is incredible, the drinks are- well, what are we waiting for? Let's get everyone and go!* Quickly, she mentally called ahead, apparently talking to the manager and maitre de of the establishment. *All set,* she announced thirty seconds later. *They have room and are preparing a conference room for us.*
*Em, Eric, where are you?* Harry called, searching for the last of their group.
*She's in the bathroom and won't come out,* Eric replied hurriedly. *She's been in there for over an hour!*
*Have not! I've only been in her for about... let's see, forty two minutes and fifteen seconds. And I'm almost done.* Emily sounded a little bit stressed. *Ginny, could you help me?*
*Sure thing Em. I'll be right there,* Harry heard his sister reply. *I just have to finish spelling myself into my dress. It's a bitch to zip up!*
*Ok, you two, hurry it up, would ya? We're getting out of here and heading to Paris for dinner and then to Cairo for dancing. This party bites.*
*That sounds like fun... I like it!* Emily called back. Five minutes of Brittney Spears Hell later, the last three finally showed up.
Ginny, Emily, and Eric strode into the Hall as if they owned the place. Ginny, in a backless sweetheart neckline forest green satin dress, Harry and Draco walked over to her and each held out their arms. Laughing, she took both of them and they strolled to the Slytherin Tables and stood next to Alanna and Xander, Emily and Eric bringing up the rear in matching black and silver. Emily's gown, while still decidedly on the punk side, was incredibly stylish, and Eric looked very interesting to say the least in a black silk shirt, pants, and a tuxedo jacket slung over one shoulder. Somehow, he was missing his tie and vest.
To the shock of everyone in the Great Hall, the group Apparated immediately, heading for parts known to no one but themselves. They reappeared in front of an upscale restaurant in the heart of Paris, Le Che', and Alanna ushered them inside. "Come on, Pierre is waiting for us. Let's go."
Three hours later, they sedately strode back out, having had one of the best and most expensive meals of Harry's life. Alanna quickly placed an Apparation sphere around everyone and they Apparated straight to Cairo. They spent the next five hours club hopping: dancing, drinking, talking, and having the time of their lives. They stumbled out of the last club Alanna had recommended and Harry checked the time. *OH shit, it's 3 in the morning, guys. We have to get back, the Headmaster- heehee Head Master. I just got that!*
Alanna groaned and giggled. *Shut it, dork!*
Xander poked his soul mate in the ribs.*Lana, you're a funny drunk, heehee, Head Master...*
*ANYWAY, the big guy at the school is gonna be pissed!* Harry finished, still giggling.
Lily and James had to be interrupted, because they were wildly making out, leaning up against the wall of a nearby building. Gaila and Olivia just stared at them oddly before walking over to Rowan and making her break them up. Rowan took great delight in conjuring a megaphone and screaming, "THIS IS THE PDA POLICE! DISENGAGE AND STEP AWAY FROM EACH OTHER!!!!!" They sprang apart, looking sheepish, and Alanna grabbed Lily's arm.
"Come on, Little Sister, we have to go! Big D is gonna pitch a fit that we're out so late!" Lily and James obediently followed and they all Apparated straight to Hogwarts, everyone in different stages of inebriation. They stumbled into the Great Hall, Severus quickly downing a sobriety potion and giving some to all the students and to Alanna, Xander, Lily, James and Remus.
Not as minute too soon, Dumbledore ran into the Great Hall, looking furious. "WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN????" he thundered.
"Relax, Headmaster," Alanna drawled, and in the background, Draco and Harry snickered. She shot a glare at them and continued. "I took them to see the sights. You know, the ones in Paris and Cairo."
Dumbledore's mouth opened and closed several times and he stared at them incredulously. "PARIS??? CAIRO???" he shook his head mutely. "I won't even ask," he muttered and walked off.
Harry elbowed Draco. "You think he's mad because we forgot to invite him?" he asked in all seriousness. Draco fell over laughing, Olivia, Gaila, Michael, Rowan, and Damien following suit.
"Ok, people, let's get to bed," Severus smirked, his lips twitching with a repressed smile. *Dumbledore clubbing... why is that image both insanely funny and incredibly scary at the same time?*
Harry and Draco pretended to go to their dorms, but, after everyone was asleep, they Apparated to the Chamber of Secrets at Draco's insistence. "Ok, I'm awake and here. What is it now?" Harry asked after lying comfortably on the couch, his head propped on Draco's lap.
"You wanna tell me what is going on? I've waited all day and you still haven't explained why you refuse to accept help." Draco played with Harry's hair.
*Ok, fine, Dray,* Harry switched to telepathy. *If you were treated as badly as I was from age two to eleven, then had the entire fate of the Wizarding World dumped exclusively on your shoulders. Wait, this is sounding wrong. I'm trying to say...* Harry fell silent, thoughts whirling.
Draco waited patiently for him to find the right words to express himself. *I guess what I'm trying to say is that it feels like I'm a failure every time I get help from someone else. I've been on my own for so long and the teachers here, McGonagall and Dumbledore especially, have made me feel like I have to face everything on my own, and it's to the point where I expect to deal with everything on my own rather than ask for help. Does that make any sense?*
Draco frowned. *I swear I'm gonna kick them all. What the hell are they trying to do? Make sure that you die? No one can stand on their own without support from others.*
Harry shifted uncomfortably. *Oh come on, Draco. It wasn't that bad. I'm still alive, aren't I?*
*You don't treat people like that, Harry- leaving an infant to fend for himself against a fucking child molester and then expecting that same person to save you entire way of existence. It's so stupid!* Draco seethed, furious. *It just isn't right!* visions of torturing Dumbledore for his stupidity, Voldemort for killing Harry's parents and Vernon Dursley for obvious reasons slammed through the link.
Harry sat up, and wrapped his arms around Draco. *You know, I had to live with it and I'm not homicidal.*
*You should be, Harry, you should be.* Draco wrapped his arms around Harry. Suddenly sleepy, he transfigured the couch into a large, king sized bed complete with blankets and pillows. *Go to sleep,* he commanded. Harry was all too happy to comply.
The next week, the last week of school before Winter Holiday, was a flurry of activity. Alanna officially announced Wednesday afternoon that she had taught them all to the fullest of their abilities and that they were full fledged Elementalists. Everyone cheered, and Harry and Draco clapped enthusiastically. *Damn, you two, * Alanna thought in amusement. *You made a year long course go by in half the time. What am I going to teach for the next semester?*
Harry walked over the Alanna. *I have an idea, * he thought privately to her, excluding everyone else. Draco sulked, being cut out of the connection. Harry explained his idea to Alanna, and by the end of it, she was grinning broadly and nodding.
"Excellent! Everyone, Harry has had an idea, which is going to be a surprise to everyone else. Just be back next semester, same time and place." Excited whispers broke out amongst the twenty students in the Room of Requirement.
"All right," Draco demanded once they left the classroom. "Tell me what that was all about!"
"Love, I can't. It would ruin the surprise and part of your Christmas present," Harry said mysteriously, smirking.
Draco sulked for the rest of the day.
Thursday, Harry firecalled his parent's Lawyer, Gareth McKnight, and asked him if he was available Saturday morning.
"Yes, Lord Potter, I would be happy to assist you. May I ask why I am needed?" the estate lawyer asked curiously.
"I'm completing a blood binding ritual and would like my sister to be added as someone who can access my vault. I also have several other requests."
"Yes?"
"Are you sitting down?" Harry asked calmly.
"Actually, yes, I am."
"My parents are alive." McKnight's mouth dropped open in shock.
"Are you- are you sure?" he asked, incredulous.
"Yes, and you're going to meet them on Saturday. I want them to be re- added as part owners of the vault, and have full access to any accounts. I also have found out that Sirius Black is not only innocent, but still alive as well and I would like to recreate the Black Fortune from my own funds. I would also like Draco Malfoy to be added in as someone who can access my vault as well."
McKnight looked flabbergasted, but nodded. "I'll have the necessary paperwork drawn up and have it ready Saturday morning. I assume you will be at Potter Manor?"
Harry frowned. "No, we have some training to do over break and will be at school all Holiday long."
"I will be in the Great Hall at eleven o'clock on Saturday morning. Is that acceptable?" McKnight asked, writing in a notebook.
"Excellent, Mr. McKnight. We will be expecting you." Harry closed the fire connection in Severus's quarters and stretched. *Saturday is going to be fun,* he thought mischievously.
Friday came, in Harry's mind, all too soon. He, Draco, Emily, Eric, Blaise, Seamus, Neville, Luna and Ginny, as well as all the demigods and demigoddesses had signed up to stay for the Winter Holidays at the request of Alanna. Harry was a little disappointed because he wanted to visit Potter Manor and Merlin's Castle and all those other places he had supposedly inherited.
*Hmmm, Draco?* Harry asked once the last of the students leaving had boarded the train for King's Cross.
*What?* Draco asked idly, as they sat in the Slytherin Common rooms with everyone else who had stayed.
*Do you have the Book?* Harry asked, absently brushing his soul mate's hair. Draco sat at his feet, just about reduced to a purring, boneless mass at his soul mate's careful ministrations.
*Wha- what book?* Draco asked dazedly, his mind only focused on how good it felt.
*The Blood Binding Ritual Book!* Harry sniggered. *Really, Draco, one would think I was doing something else to you with the way you're out of it.*
*Hey, since that part of our relationship has been put on hold until we can find a way NOT to blow anything up, I take pleasure where I can get it.* Draco stretched, catlike, and Harry watched, bemused, as Draco wriggled this way and that, popping each vertebra until he sagged back, satisfied. "Ohhhh, that felt so GOOOD," he moaned aloud, earning curious stares from everyone in the room.
Ginny snickered. "Everything all right over there?" she asked, looking up from her book.
"Fine, fine," Harry said distractedly. *Come on, Draco, I want that book. Let's go.*
Grumbling, Draco allowed himself to be pulled to his feet. *Why now?* he asked.
*Because I want to do the ceremony tomorrow. I've even asked Mr. Gareth McKnight to draw up the paperwork, you poof.*
Draco snickered. *Look who's calling who a poof, faerie.*
*I'll have you know that I am NOT homosexual,* Harry protested arrogantly.
*Your soul mate is a male, dear. You are gay.*
*No, because I'm not attracted to other men, or women for that matter.*
Draco cocked an eyebrow. *What does that have to do with anything?* he wondered.
*I'm DRACOsexual. I'm ONLY attracted to you, you dolt.* Harry grinned and, linking arms with his soul mate, they went to find the book. *Tomorrow's gonna be fun.*
A/N: WHOOO HOOOOO another chapter done. Yes they will have sex and it will be soon, how soon, I dunno. So, what did you think? (sings)Trelawney's gone, Trelawney's gone yippee! Trelawney's gone! YIPPEE! I've had way too much sugar today and I have laryngitis so I can't talk so I'm getting all my insane chatter out on paper. So, let's see: Oh yea, read and review for me, as I love your words of wisdom, ramblings, and crack dreams. No death threats, though. I stop writing for days after those cuz I'm too upset and depressed to even dream of typing anything happy and I promised to retire suicidal Harry. So, I can't bring him back... maybe Draco? Naw, he's too happy and cute. Ginny'd just flambé' whatever is bothering her, and Seamus would blow it up, same as Emily and Eric and Blaise. Neville's too kind and Luna's too spacey. Oh well, damn. So I'm sitting here listening to Yellowcard and typing and yeah, please please please review. I would really like that. Oh, and I'm working on drawing ( illustrating) for my story, like Harry with wings and Draco with wings and them in the tuxes and maybe Lily and James and a group picture, that would be incredible, or maybe individual shots, anyone interested in seeing them? As soon as I actually finish them and all I'll figure out a way to maybe get them as part of the story or email them out or yeah, something.
B/N: Do you see what you have done?! You send death threats and she gets upset! You damn pixies! Leave her alone, go away! No, wait, don't go away.... review first, then leave! Ok, ok, I will stop making the poor readers feel bad *mumble*stupidgoddamnfrigging*mumble* Well then, until next time! Love and presents (I ran out of cookies)! TTFN!
Preview: Blood-binding Ritual!