A/N: THANK YOU AGAIN to everyone who wrote back in my moment of crisis!!!!! I got seven copies of chapter 4, so now I have one and have rectified the situation. So, I NOW HAVE all chapters and have them on two separate CDs, one for me, one for my final beta, who is almost done with chapter 11. So, thank you again and enjoy the chapter!!!!
Oh yeah, not much happened last chapter for a very good reason: I think they deserved a rest and for ONCE something really good happening to them, don't ya think? Oh and the binding ritual I actually found most of it in a Wiccan spell book, so if you didn't like it, oh well. It's the real deal....
Goldenserpent: Maybe.... I'm not telling ;)
Vividian:... Thanks a lot, I feel so good now that you called a chapter I worked really hard on 'boring'... But, don't they deserve a sort of boring day considering all the shit I'm about to put them through (and have put them through?)
Dragenphly, texasjeanette, silverdreams: Thank you for renewing my confidence, and thanks for the praise. At least SOME people like my writing. "sniff". Just kidding, Vividian. You know I think you're cool.
Chapter 26
Harry and Draco appeared in the Great Hall. "Oh shit," Draco swore tiredly.
"Exactly," Harry said, exhausted and sickened by what he had felt. He wrapped his arms around his soul mate, shaking his head. "Don't worry, Dray. We'll get him out of there," Harry promised.
Draco looked him in the eye. "Really, Harry? How can we fight that? We ran from it!" He pulled out of Harry's arms, pacing back and forth. "We just fucking RAN! We could have taken him on, but we ran!"
A single tear streaked down Draco's face. "We left him there, Harry. That's my FATHER and he's suffering and a prisoner and we left him there!"
Uncle Sev, you need to get here now, Harry called anxiously as he wrapped his arms around Draco's shaking form.
Severus appeared next to him, Ginny in tow. "What- Draco!" he yelped, pulling the two of them into a hug. "What's going on?"
Almost hysterical, Draco dumped the entirety of what had just happened onto his godfather. Severus's face turned bone white and he stared at Harry, his mouth trembling. Harry? he asked weakly, amazed to feel tears starting at the corner of his eyes. What- I don't understand. What is that? What did you feel?
Harry only needed one word. "Clautius," he growled, holding Draco in his arms. Severus sagged slightly, sitting down on the nearest thing- the Ravenclaw bench.
"How- what- how are you going to help Lucius?" Severus finally asked, stumbling over the words. One of my oldest friends- we were friends before Hogwarts, and before I even MET Lily- and he's being hurt. What do we do?
"I don't know," Harry admitted. "Somehow we need to lock him out of Lucius's mind and set up shields, but Clautius is too damn powerful. Do you think we could do the same thing we did for Laurel to him?" Harry asked suddenly, hit with inspiration.
"That might work, but it would have to be a mental shield put into his mind, not a physical shield." Severus stood up, debating the finer points of the idea out loud.
"Harry, I feel horrible," Draco whispered, several more tears making their way down his face. "I've hated him since you came and rescued me when I should have KNOWN! He's my FATHER and I didn't even know! I didn't even think that he was acting differently, and he's been imprisoned, and Clautius had been calling the shots since he came home! How could I miss that?" Harry shuddered and Apparated them straight back to their room. For hours he held his soul mate, letting him cry out his frustrations and terror.
Love, I promise, we will get him back, Harry assured him over and over. At last, he fell into an exhausted sleep. Harry sat up all night, just watching over him.
While he didn't particularly feel like getting into the Christmas spirit, the next day, Harry was determined to find the perfect gifts for his adopted and real family. Making mumbled excuses to Draco and Ginny, he Apparated to Hogsmeade and began avidly shopping. Three hours later, he had exhausted the stores and was no closer to finding anything for anyone, with the exception of Seamus! For his housemate he had bought the Magical Kama Sutra, as a gag gift. But, he had no luck with anyone else! This is ridiculous! he snapped wearily, sitting in The Three Broomsticks, nursing a Butterbeer.
What is? Draco asked, walking in and joining him.
I can't find anything for anyone for Christmas! he wailed mentally. Checking himself, he asked, concerned, Are you all right?
Draco snickered, shrugging. I'll survive. Well, what did you have in mind? he asked good naturedly.
Harry frowned. I already have an idea for everyone, but I can't find what I'm looking for. Harry suddenly slapped his forehead. Duh! Demigod, I'll just MAKE it all! He drained his Butterbeer in one gulp and, leaving five sickles on the table, Apparated straight back to Hogwarts.
Draco shook his head, grinning slightly. Bottoms up! he thought dourly as he finished his Butterbeer, his anger and frustration returning full force. Bitching about it isn't going to help Father any, he thought with a grimace. Placing five sickles next to Harry's money, he Apparated as well.
Harry sat in the Chamber of Secrets, diligently working on his Christmas gifts. "Ok," he mused aloud. "List, check. Gift basics, check. Wrapped gift for Seamus, check." Harry read over the list once more, frowning slightly.
"All right, for Draco.... I think a pair of miniature dragons should do it. Now, to make them...." Harry concentrated, focusing his magic on the space between his hands. A silver and scarlet dragon roughly the size of a small owl appeared, fast asleep. (Everyone together: AWWWWW)
Draco decided to poke his mind in, checking up on Harry. Hey, Love, what are you doing? Harry panicked.
Out out out out! Harry shoved Draco from his consciousness. I'm doing Christmas presents!
Draco pouted, but Harry ignored him and put up a slight shield. Nope, not coming in, he thought firmly. Draco pouted some more, and Harry started to giggle. You're so CUTE when you do that! he sent his soul mate. Draco glared at him and retreated, sulking.
Harry stared down at his creation, smiling. Draco's going to love this. Gentle puffs of smoke wafted from his- definitely a little boy- nostrils. Grinning, Harry conjured a pillow and set the tiny dragon on top of it. "And to think that it will only double in size by the time it's full grown, making it the perfect size for a pet." Concentrating again, he created a female version in green and gold. He placed them both in the magical cage with Isis, who promised to look after the infants until the morning of the 25th.
And, Harry thought, the second part of Draco's gift in the planning stages. I'm sure that, if I set this up right, I can get us to a place where we can bond. All right, note to self: Find a spot at least 100,000,000 light years away from any civilizations and set up a place that isn't too shabby... he blanked out for a minute, fantasizing.
He sat still afterwards, dragging his mind out of the gutter. "Hmmm, Ginny," he mused, picturing exactly what he wanted for his sister. Two velvet cloaks appeared: one black and one deep crimson. He put a viridian silk lining in the black and a silver satin lining in the crimson, adding silver clasps to both. "She's probably going to wear these everywhere if I know her so..." he added an all weather impervious charm to both. He stepped back and looked them over, satisfied. They wrapped themselves in a big box with a red silk ribbon.
"Now, for Luna... oh yeah!" he focused his magic, creating two miniature Icy Sanddragons, one blue, the other pink. The tiny wingless dragons walked around the room regally, looking for some sand to curl up in. Trails of glistening ice followed them, covering the floors. "All right, now where to put them..." he trailed off, scratching his head. Would Isis be upset?
He poked his head into Isis's cage, searching for his cobra. "Issssssissssss?" he asked hopefully. Beside him, the two Sanddragons flopped into the cage, falling onto the sand. Immediately, they curled up into little balls, yawning heavily. Within seconds, they were asleep, curled around each other on sandy blocks of ice. Isis slithered up, staring at them.
"More petsssssss?" she hissed, staring at the newcomers curiously. "Masssster, thossssssse ssssmell funny. And why are they covered in icssssse?"
"They're an invention of a friend, and I made them real for her," Harry explained.
"Oh. Sssssso long asssssss they don't freeze my ssssssand dunessssss too much. It'ssssss only for two sssssunsssss, right?"
"Yessssss. Thank you, Issssssisssss." Harry popped back out of the magical cage, stretching his back.
"Hmmmm, what to get for Professor Lu- I mean Remus- I have to remember that he wants me to call him that."
Hey, Draco, where was the Founder's Hall? Harry asked Draco, opening the connection between them. Waves of frustration and anger washed over him and he bit back a grin. Oh yes, Draco was most definitely sulking.
Draaaacoooo, Harry drew out his soul mate's name, feeling Draco snort and cover a grin. I'll be damned if I let you stay angry at me for having the time, patience, and caring to make you a Christmas present.
Hmmmph. Draco shut Harry out, pouting. You promised we'd never put up shields between each other again.
Christmas doesn't count! Harry protested. Come on, where was the frigging Hall? He Apparated right next to Draco. Draco jumped a foot in the air, looking peeved.
"Don't DO that!" Draco snapped, glaring daggers at Harry.
"I won't do it anymore if you tell me where the fucking Founder's Hall is!" Harry protested, snickering.
Draco turned around in a huff, scowling. Harry got an evil glint in his eye.
WHAM! Harry tackled Draco, taking him to the floor. "Wha-- HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! GET OFF, POTHEAD!!" Draco shrieked at the top of his lungs, laughing breathlessly as Harry's nimble fingers attacked his ribs mercilessly, tickling him.
"Where's the Hall?" Harry demanded. Breathless giggles were his only answer. Draco managed to flip Harry over, and rolled on top of him, attacking his attacker with vigor.
It was Harry's turn to laugh and wriggle away from his soul mate, to no avail. "Dra- hahahahHAHAHA- Draco, stop! I - OH NO YOU DON'T!" Harry flipped Draco over and they continued to roll across the floor. Finally, Harry pinned Draco to the floor, straddling his pelvis, still giggling. He didn't realize that Draco had gone completely still, his eyes hazed with lust.
Harry looked down when he felt something poking him and realized that his position was having an interesting effect on his soul mate, if the pure, unadulterated desire radiating off of him was any indication. "Oh, oops," Harry muttered, sliding off of Draco. He sat next to Draco, who was breathing rather heavily. "Are you all right?"
Draco looked up and said, "I will be once I do this," and pounced on him, flipping Harry over and straddling him. He leaned down, ghosting his lips over his shocked soul mate.
"Draco..." Harry trailed off as Draco's lips captured his own in a searing kiss, slowly rotating and grinding their hips together. "Draco..." Harry moaned, his breath coming in short gasps. Draco smiled devilishly down at him.
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING?????" came the shocked and scandalized yelp behind them. They shot into a sitting position, Draco still straddling Harry's lap, to see Severus standing in the doorway.
"Ummm yes?" Harry asked. Draco, should we? he asked Draco privately. Draco grinned and nodded.
"You two- we haven't figured out how to keep the planet from exploding!" Severus snapped, glaring down at them. Harry and Draco counted to three, and leapt up, tackling the startled professor. "WHAT THE - AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! STOP!!!!!!!" he gasped, tears falling down his face as the two of them knocked him to the ground and pinned him, tickling him without mercy.
"THIS IS FOR INTERUPTING US, SEVVIE!!!!" Draco howled, laughing insanely. Harry snickered, holding Severus's arms, pinning him to the floor as Draco attacked his ribs and stomach. Severus twisted and wriggled, trying to escape. Finally, he threw them off of him and lay in the fetal position on the floor, still laughing and holding his chest and stomach. "Oh.... I think you broke a rib," he gasped, struggling into a sitting position.
Laurel grinned impishly in the back of his mind. Want me to kiss it and make it better? she asked, running phantom fingers up and down the hurt areas. Poor Baby, she cooed, her hands traveling lower. Severus stiffened, his cheeks turning pink. Harry and Draco watched, disbelieving as he stuttered incoherent syllables and Apparated immediately.
"What just happened?" Harry asked, confused.
Draco shook his head, grinning. "Laurel," he said, explaining it all.
Harry's face scrunched up. "EWWWW! I did NOT need to think about that!" he moaned, resting his head on Draco's lap. Come on, Draco, show me the Founder's Hall, please????
Fine, but you owe me one, Draco muttered. Harry sent him an image of exactly how he'd repay him, and Draco blushed crimson. Let's go.
They Apparated to the Fourth Floor, right in front of the painting. Well, here it is. Gonna pay me back now? Draco asked impishly. Harry turned Draco around to face him and slowly brushed a stand of hair away from his face, leaning in.
Yes, Harry ghosted over his lips and gently sucked on the bottom one, begging for entrance. With a gasp, Draco opened his mouth, grabbing the front of Harry's viridian silk button down shirt. Harry gently slid his tongue into Draco's mouth, making him purr with pleasure. Taking a step backwards, still locked at the lips to his soul mate, Harry stepped into the painting, taking Draco with him.
They found themselves in the same long hallway Draco had stumbled into. Breaking the kiss, Draco led Harry into Salazar Slytherin's old quarters. "I found the journal here, lying on the table. It was so weird, almost as if it were waiting for me," Draco explained.
Harry's brow furrowed. "Were you thinking anything?" he asked suspiciously.
"Yeah, that I wanted to help you. That's how I found the painting and I think how it let me in." Draco walked over to the bookshelf and studied the titles avidly.
"What do you mean- let you in?" Harry asked, confused.
"It was strange the first time- almost as if something was appraising me as I went through the painting and didn't let me enter until it knew I posed no harm," Draco said absently, finding another Potions Journal and leafing through it. "What are you looking for?"
"Weird. I didn't feel anything when we went through just now," Harry muttered.
"I know, me either. I think it likes you."
"Or maybe just because I'm a direct heir and you're not," Harry mused.
"So, what are you looking for?" Draco asked again.
"I know there's the original Wolfsbane potion in the first journal you found and it said to see volume two page three sixty for a cure, so I'm going to give the cure as an option for Remus."
Draco looked up. "And I found it. Are you sure he'd want a cure, though? I mean, the lycanthropy is an integral part of who he is."
Harry snatched the book from Draco's hands and scanned the ingredients. "I know and that's why I'm giving him a choice. I'm making two potions for him and it's up to him to choose which one he takes. The one is a complete cure. The other will give him complete control over his transformations, making them painless. It'll essentially give him all the ability of a born werewolf."
Draco raised his eyebrows, looking over Harry's shoulder. "And how do you propose you do that?"
"It'll have all the ingredients of Wolfsbane but will have the permanence of the cure."
Draco grinned, impressed. "Oh."
"Come on!" Harry grabbed Draco's hand, pulling him from Slytherin's rooms. "Let's explore!" Grumbling, Draco allowed Harry to drag him bodily from Slytherin's rooms and back into the hallway. Grinning, Harry pulled him into the next door, which happened to belong to Rowena Ravenclaw. They spent an hour looking through her rooms. Draco found an interesting crystal ball that glowed as if the insides were made of fire. He pocketed it and they resumed their exploration. Helga Hufflepuff's rooms didn't hold anything of immediate interest so they walked further, coming to the last door, which looked as if gold and scarlet had thrown up all over it.
"I wonder whose room is behind this door." Draco muttered sarcastically. Harry rolled his eyes and pushed open the ornate door with a huff.
Gryffindor's rooms were even gaudier than the door. "How in HELL did Slytherin put up with this?" Draco moaned, shaking his head. "It looks like Christmas decorations gone horribly wrong."
Harry grinned. "Maybe this is why they had separate rooms?" He looked over the fireplace and his grin grew even wider. "Hey! Those are COOL swords!" he walked over and grabbed one from the wooden holder over the dark stone fireplace. Draco followed him and grabbed the other one, running his fingers over the ornate pommel and hilt.
"Hey, it's got the crest of Hogwarts on it!" Draco exclaimed, staring at the jeweled hilt in awe.
"Well, you did find it in Hogwarts school as well as in the room of one of the Founders," Harry drolly replied, rolling his eyes.
"Prat," Draco muttered.
"En guarde!" Harry yelled, clumsily brandishing the sword. Draco stared at him coolly.
"Oh really. Is that how you killed the Basilisk? By waving one of those around and hoping the pointy end went in?" Draco circled Harry and calmly slapped away the brandished sword.
"I'd like to see you do better," Harry snapped, glaring.
"I've had lessons since I was four. I'm SURE I can do better." With that, Harry playfully lunged at Draco, taking him by surprise. Deftly, Draco parried, smirking. Again, Harry lunged ungracefully and again Draco knocked his attack aside. "Come on, Harry," Draco smirked. "I know you can do better than that."
Harry lunged a third time, tripping over something and landed on his stomach. "FUCK!" he screamed, accidentally slicing Draco across the stomach. "What the FUCK!"
Draco grabbed his wounded stomach, his face white. "You- you hit me! You actually hit me!" he yelled, bordering on hysterical. "Twelve years of lessons and you bloody hit me!"
Harry picked himself up off the floor, grimacing in pain. "I think I sprained my ankle," he complained, limping.
"You sprained your ANKLE!!! You almost cut me in half!!!!!" Draco screamed at him, clutching his stomach.
"I am so, so sorry, Draco." With that, Harry limped over and pried Draco's fingers away from what he was sure would be a gushing wound. "You dork!" Harry yelled, smacking Draco upside the head. "It's just a scratch!"
Draco pouted. "Kiss it and make it better?" he asked hopefully. Harry sighed and, with a kiss, healed it.
Harry turned around, scowling. "What did I trip on?" he asked aloud, scanning the room. He saw a small tail peeking out from under the coffee table. "What the..." he darted forward, catching the tail and dragging out a baby griffin. "Got ya!" he exclaimed triumphantly. The griffin growled and promptly closed its teeth on Harry's finger. "YAAAAH!" he yelled, dropping the tiny winged lion. It scurried away from him and hid behind Draco.
Draco stared down at the infant crawling behind his feet. "Hello, little one," he cooed, bending down. "Did that great oaf scare you? I'm sure he didn't mean to." The miniscule griffin purred and arched against his ankle. He picked it up and it cuddled into his arms.
Harry glared at Draco. "The little thing bit me!" he snapped, pouting.
"You pulled the poor thing's tail," Draco retorted, cuddling the baby closer.
Harry pouted even more. "He bit me, Draco! Kiss it and make it better?" he asked hopefully, holding out the red and bleeding finger.
Draco stared at it with repugnance. "It has Griffin slobber on it."
Harry's face fell. "Please?" he begged, still holding out the aforementioned finger.
Draco stared at it for a minute more before sighing. He gingerly kissed the tip of his own finger and touched Harry's finger quickly before jerking back. "I need my whole hand sterilized now," he complained, scrunching up his nose in disgust.
Harry pouted and the griffin glared at him. "What?" Draco asked, confused. He looked down. "Not you, too! What did I do?" Harry just glared at him. The griffin scampered out of Draco's arms and disappeared through a door. Intrigued, Draco followed, only to come running out two seconds later.
"What?" Harry asked.
"There's a whole bloody colony of them in there! Hordes!" Draco gasped, hiding behind Harry.
Harry shrugged and walked in, Draco trailing behind him. It was true: there were almost two hundred Griffins in the mile wide room. "How in the world did this room get so big?" he wondered.
Well, Heir to my master, it would be because Godric expanded it so we would have room to breed and live. A cool voice spoke up in Harry and Draco's minds and they tensed.
Who's there? Harry asked suspiciously.
An ancient Griffin stood from where it had been reclining on a scarlet mattress and strode regally over to them. I spoke, young Master. I and my family serve you and this school faithfully.
Harry raised his eyebrows. Your Master is Godric Gryffindor, not me. And he is- was here, so how can you serve me?
I serve you on order of Master Gryffindor. He came to me and ordered me to do so, just three weeks ago. It is no longer his place to have anything to do with this school, the same as Master Gryffindor's Mate, Slytherin. They are here to help and assist, nothing more. Since you are the most powerful and true Heir, I serve you.
Harry was extremely confused, and started to ask a question, but Draco elbowed his ribs. Just smile and nod, Harry. If you question him it would be an insult, he instructed privately.
Harry smiled and nodded. Thank you. I don't mean to be rude, but do you have a name?
My name... it has not been uttered for many centuries, since Master Gryffindor was last alive. It is Galileo, named after Master's old friend the inventor and Muggle scientist who was exiled.
Very well, Galileo, I am honored. Harry half bowed.
And I am honored to have another Demigod as my master. The griffin prowled back to his previous perch, shoving a little one off the fluffy mattress. You can call me to your side whenever you wish, but I would like to remain in this room with my family.
As you wish, Galileo.
Draco walked over, picking up the little one and setting it upright on another perch about four feet from the floor. It curled up and then rolled on its back, exposing its belly, begging to be petted. Draco absently scratched its stomach, and it caught his index finger with its paws and drew it to its face, sucking on his finger with gusto. Draco stared down at the little griffin, disgust and a smile of delight warring over his features.
Harry groaned. "Should I leave you here to play with your new friend?" he asked with a smirk. Draco jumped and turned around; his face stained a rosy pink.
"I'm coming, I'm coming," he huffed. He turned back around. "Would it be all right if I came and visited?" he asked Galileo. The ancient Griffin nodded.
They walked back out of the room and into the living room. "That little Griffin has you whipped, Draco," Harry teased as he picked up both swords, conjuring a carrier for the two heavy weapons. He walked out of Gryffindor's rooms, Draco trailing behind him, trying to think up a good retort for the whipped remark.
Harry spent the rest of that day and night perfecting the two potions for Remus. Draco had to pull him bodily from the Potions Lab at three in the morning while the potions simmered for three hours. Harry protested while they walked all the way to the Dorms, too tired to Apparate. Draco tucked him in, ordering him to get six hours of sleep and he'd tend to the Potions. The last thing Harry remembered was Draco setting him into the same healing accelerated sleep that Alanna had used on the both of them in the beginning of the summer.
Six hours later, Harry awoke completely refreshed and ready to finish up with the presents. After spending time showering and changing, he Apparated to the Potions Lab to find Draco bottling the two Potions "Good morning, sleepyhead," Draco called, grinning. "They're done, finally."
"Good, now you're going to get some rest," Harry responded, taking the bottles from Draco.
Draco pouted. "Nope, cuz I got the same amount of sleep you did and used the accelerated sleep on myself. I'm fine and a bit wired, actually."
"Oh. You want to go shopping, since these are done?" Harry asked.
"You still have presents to get?" Draco asked curiously.
Harry grimaced. "Yep. You?"
"I've been done for ages. You really give meaning to the word procrastinate. It's the twenty-third of December for shit's sake."
"Thanks a lot." Harry walked away. "I'm going to Diagon Alley and London, if anyone asks." He Apparated straight away, leaving Draco behind.
Five hours later, Harry was finally done with his shopping. He quickly banished his bags to his rooms and called Alanna and Xander. Hey, you two, I need your help, he called.
What's up? Alanna asked.
I figured out the way to bond without blowing anything up but I need some help setting it up. He felt Alanna's and Xander's interest spike and they Apparated to his side in the middle of Diagon Alley.
"Do tell, little brother," Alanna drawled.
"All right, but you can't tell Draco," Harry pleaded.
"Why the fuck not?" Xander demanded.
"Duh, what's in less than two days?" Harry asked, exasperated.
Xander and Alanna looked at each other, grinning evilly. "Christmas present?" they both asked in unison.
"Yup, so are you going to help me?" Harry asked, sliding his gaze back and forth between them.
"Of course. Lead the way, oh intelligent one."
"Well, you see, it's like this..." With that, Harry Apparated them, and a hefty chunk of atmosphere, to the moon.
"I think we need to be as far away from any nearby planets as possible, so if you could point me in the direction of deep space, I think that would work."
Alanna and Xander pondered that, and their faces broke into sunny smiles. "I think you got it, little bro! Damn, so we could have been doing the Sharing all along, and not just waiting till we were in spirit form..." Alanna trailed off, musing.
Harry stared at her in shock. "You mean you haven't done that at all????" he asked incredulously, then clapped his hand over his mouth as he realized what he had said.
"Umm, too much information," he said desperately. "Don't answer that, please." Alanna and Xander chuckled, they joined hands and Apparated to the furthest point away from Earth they could manage.
Draco walked down the Dungeons corridor, looking for his Godfather. Uncle Sev? he called cautiously, not wanting to disturb... anything. Just my luck if I caught him with my soon to be Aunt Laurel, Draco thought with a smirk as he stood in front of Severus's quarters.
Yes? came the neutral reply. Draco sighed in relief.
Where are you?
In my quarters, why?
Can I come in or am I interrupting anything?
Yes, you may, and no, you are not interrupting anything, Severus responded with amusement.
Draco knocked, and the door opened. Severus stood on the other side, an eyebrow raised. "Thanks, Uncle Sev," he sighed and walked over to the couch, sitting down with obvious relief.
"I know this isn't a social call, so what's going on?" Severus asked skeptically.
"To coin a phrase from Alanna, this is really freaking me out," Draco stated wearily, slouching.
"What is?" Severus asked absently, going back to grading the last of the seventh year midterm exams.
Draco rolled his eyes, becoming more visibly agitated by the second. "The issue with my Father, what else?"
Severus sighed. "Draco, what else could you have done? You aren't bonded, and thus don't have a chance in Hell of defeating him, or so Alanna says. I'd trust her judgment on this one."
Draco scowled. "But I RAN, Sev. I just FUCKING ran. I didn't even try to help him. We just got out of there as fast as possible, with no regard to - my Mother! Now we have to go back! I left her there with those madmen!" Draco jumped up to Apparate, terror and fury plain on his face.
Severus grabbed his arm. "Oh no you don't." He grimly pulled his arm and dragged his wriggling Godson back to his seat. "I am NOT going to have you pull a Gryffindor on me and get yourself killed!"
Draco turned to him, tears threatening to spill. "But she's my Mother," he begged.
"And, if I know Narcissa, she wouldn't want you rushing headlong into danger to save her. Besides, she's survived twenty-five years as a Death Eater's wife and Death Eater herself. It's not like she doesn't have experience with facing Evil and surviving. I know for a fact she has met Clautius before. He used to come to Death Eater meetings before Voldemort's body died the first time."
Draco sat back, crossing his arms over his chest. "So I sit here and do nothing?"
"I think we need a plan, and I think it'll take much, much more than rushing in headlong and simply removing him from the Manor. We have to find a way to get him out of your Father's head."
"All right, let's start planning. I want him out of there as fast as possible."
The two Slytherins put their heads together, passing ideas back and forth. We need a Gryffindor, they thought simultaneously. Someone dumb enough but brave enough that rushing headlong into danger wouldn't faze him/her.
How about we call everyone and figure this out? Draco suggested.
Good idea. Severus sent out the call, and within minutes, everyone, including the Staff and students who had remained were there in Severus's quarters. He grudgingly expanded his living room to fit everyone and the discussions began in earnest.
Harry sat in deep space, talking to Alanna and Xander. So, anything within the radius of 100,000,000 light years?
Nope! You're good to go! came the cheerful response from both of them.
Finally. It only took us five tries. So, any suggestions on how to build a room, or house, or planet or anything?
Umm, think of what you want and will it into being? came the obvious reply.
Oh, right. Alanna and Xander could feel Harry talking to someone.
Alanna Apparated to Xander's side. I think, dearest, the thought of bonding has pushed out his ability to comprehend rational thought.
Xander smirked. Lana, you're talking to a guy. I understand EXACTLY how the poor boy feels. Going without sex is just ... torture.
She rolled her eyes. Come on, let's see what he's come up with. They Apparated to Harry's side.
He's made a ... planet, Xander said, surprised. A sphere roughly one tenth of the size of Pluto hung in midair covered in blue and green swirls. They Apparated to the surface to find Harry standing with his hands extended in front of a mansion.
Harry, when we said create something and will it into being, we weren't talking about a whole bloody planet. You do realize that it will explode when you bond, right?
Actually, it won't, Harry replied, his face screwed up in concentration. Anxiously, he worried his lower lip.
What are you talking about? Xander demanded. You create a sphere of pure energy when you bond, and everything around you goes KaBOOM!
If we put the sphere around the PLANET, it won't explode, Harry reasoned, putting the finishing touches on the enormous manor in front of him.
That sounds like it'd work. Your parents just exploded Jupiter and then rebuilt it.
Harry snickered. So you let THEM explode a planet but not us. You really aren't fair. He walked forward and opened the door, holding it open. Do you want to come in?
Sure. Let's see what you've created. This should be interesting. They walked inside.
"All right, so we have that Potion that Harry created. But, all the demigods are dispersed and in training, so how are we going to get enough power to kick him out of my Father's head long enough to put shields in place?" Draco asked for the twentieth time.
"And for the last time, Mister Malfoy, we don't know. Wait- where's Alanna, Xander, and Harry?" Professor Sprout asked in confusion as she stared around the room.
Draco scratched his head. "He said something about being in Diagon Alley if anyone needed him, but that was twelve hours ago. I don't think he's still there. He feels much further away than that."
"Well, where is he?" Dumbledore demanded. "Why did he go off on his own? He knows that the Death Eaters are growing in strength and number. We have to find him!"
Severus laughed. "I don't think you understand, Headmaster. Harry could take all of them on and win, no question about it. He could destroy Voldemort quite easily as of right now. You don't have to worry about his safety."
Dumbledore stared at him, confused. "But- but-" he sputtered.
Severus sighed. "Headmaster, this is what being a demigod means. Mortals pose no threat to us. Harry could destroy Voldemort RIGHT NOW, but he wouldn't be solving the problem. Clautius would just get another mortal to do his dirty work, and it would start all over again."
Dumbledore just stared at him blankly, all twinkle gone from his eyes. "I don't understand," he said finally.
Emily spoke up from the corner, where she was sitting on her father's lap. "Think of it this way, Professor. Take Voldemort's power and multiply it by - what- three or four? That's how powerful a Veela or Elf or Drow or Vampire is. Multiply that by two and you get Dragons. Multiply that by two, you get one of the weakest Demigods or Demigoddesses. Put that on an exponent of ten, and you get Alanna and Xander. Put that number on an exponent of ten and you get Clautius, Harry, and Draco. Voldemort is not the issue, Clautius is. Clautius is the Dark Lord in the Prophesy, not Voldemort."
"But Voldemort gave Harry the scar!" Professor Sinistera yelled angrily.
"So?" Emily asked reasonably. "Whose orders was he acting under? Who gave him his powers? Who's his master?"
"That is true, but Voldemort was the one talked about in the Prophesy," McGonagall said firmly.
"And who gave the Prophesy?" Severus asked drolly. "How do you know that Trelawney isn't just completely insane?"
"Look, this is getting us nowhere," Draco broke in. "Back to the situation, people. How do we get Father out of Clautius's clutches?"
Everyone ignored him, too intent on arguing over whom was the bigger threat: Clautius or Voldemort.
Alanna walked into one of the prettiest rooms she had ever seen. "Harry, this is lovely," she gushed. "But, I'm confused. Why did you make so many rooms? Only you and Draco will be coming here."
That's what you think, Harry thought privately. In truth, every pair of the Demigods had rooms here, for one specific purpose. I think they'll like this, he thought privately, already mentally adding nameplates over the doors. Alanna and Xander can have this one and Draco and my room is down the hall, and Mum and Dad's is next to this one... yay! Ok, build silencing charms into the walls also.
"I made so many for a reason and I'm not telling, so there." Harry crossed his arms, smirking.
"Fine then, be that way!" Alanna smirked, tossing her hair. Harry quickly sent a surge of magic throughout the house, finishing it.
Xander just laughed, shaking his head. With identical smirks, they Apparated straight back to school, landing in the Great Hall.
Draco's head shot up. "They're back." Harry, Alanna, Xander, get to Uncle Sev's quarters right away.
Within seconds, the three grinning demigods were in the center of Severus's quarters. "Hey, all, what's up?" Alanna asked eagerly.
"I want my Father back," Draco said angrily, "and THEY keep arguing and won't plan anything!"
Alanna stared at Draco. "What's up with your father, little bro?"
Harry scowled. "Clautius has control of his mind. That's why he had Draco tortured and tried to kill him over the summer."
Xander spoke up. "Hey, Draco, why don't we wait to plan for two days, all right?"
"But- but, he's being hurt and my Mum is there too and why do we have to wait??" Draco pleaded, confused.
"Draco, in two days, things will change and we will have a much better way to defeat Clautius. Just trust me on this one, please?" Alanna asked, smirking at Harry.
Harry blushed, getting what they were talking about. "All right, Alanna, you made your point." He wrapped his arms around Draco and Apparated them to their rooms.
Harry, please tell me what's going on! Draco begged.
Ok, but I'm blaming you for ruining your Christmas present.
Draco scowled. How is my Christmas present part of saving my Father?
Well, I figured out how to bond and not blow anything up and- Harry was cut off by Draco's whoop of excitement and a crushing hug.
Can we now? Can we now? Can we now? Can we now? Draco babbled on, his eyes sparkling.
Anyway, before you interrupted me, we can bond, but not yet, and as soon as we bond, we will be able to fight off Clautius and save your father.
How about now? Now? Now? Now? Now? How about now? Can we now? Now? Harry resisted the temptation to slam his soul mate on the head, rendering him unconscious.
This is why I wanted to spring this on you Christmas afternoon. I wanted it to be a SURPRISE.
Draco pouted. It was a surprise, all right. Now, instead of telling me about it, SHOW ME!!!! he demanded, knocking Harry onto his bed and pouncing on him. Show me, please?
Harry grinned impishly. "No."
Draco pouted. "Please?"
Harry sighed. "No."
"Please???" Draco pouted even harder and bent down over his soul mate, ghosting his lips over Harry's. Almost against his will, Harry arched slightly upwards, capturing Draco's lips with his own.
"No," Harry whispered against Draco's mouth. "We wait. Besides, it'll only be thirty hours or so. Wait."
Draco sighed and slid off of Harry reluctantly. "Why do we have to wait?" he asked, pleading.
"As of right now, I have no idea, but it better have been a good reason," Harry growled, rolling over. "Go to sleep."
Draco sighed. "Do I have to? I just want to lay here and finally be able to fantasize about-"
Harry cut him off with a groan. "Go to SLEEP, Draco," he snapped half heartedly.
Draco grumped but rolled over and closed his eyes.
Finally, Harry thought in relief as he closed his eyes, his arms unconsciously moving to embrace his soul mate.
.
The next day passed in a flurry of excitement as the entire castle prepared for Christmas. Lily and James refused to let anyone in their rooms, even Harry, saying that they had tons of gifts to wrap. They also forbade Harry from getting them any presents, saying that having him back and the reinstatement as his legal guardians was more than enough.
Draco pestered Harry all that day as well, asking him incessantly when they would bond and where.
At nine o'clock that evening, in the Slytherin Common Room, Harry finally snapped. "Because I plan on being with you there for more than it takes to have sex ONCE, or TWICE, or even more than TWENTY-FOUR HOURS and I want to have CHRISTMAS with my PARENTS!!!!!!!!" he yelled angrily.
Everyone's heads whipped around and whispered giggles broke out. Severus walked over to them, smirking. "You figured it out, then?" he asked with a grin.
Harry stared back at him. "Yes, I figured it out when no one, including two, thirty billion year old demigods could."
Alanna laughed at him. "Well, little brother, you think like a mortal. We just figured that eighty years was no big deal to go without Sharing. You poor mortals, however, only live for eighty or so years, so it's all you got."
Draco sat next to Harry, processing the original statement. "So, it's a sex marathon, then?" he asked hopefully.
Alanna and Xander busted up laughing, as did Emily, Eric, Neville, Luna, Seamus, and Blaise. Severus just stared at his Godson, flabbergasted.
"What?" Draco asked innocently. "It was a valid question. I want to know what I'm getting myself into." Severus gave up and started laughing with everyone else. "Why are you laughing, Uncle Sev? You're going to have to go elsewhere to complete your bond, too," Draco said with a grin. Severus stopped laughing and stared at him.
Harry broke it up with a laugh. "Ok, it's time for good little people to go to bed, which includes me and you and everyone else in this room, Draco."
Eric laughed. "Yeah, you need your rest for the 'ahem' long day you have tomorrow."
Harry flipped him the bird and walked into his room, grinning. I can't wait for tomorrow, he thought with a smile.
A/N: Ok, I'm sorry this took so long but I'm studying for finals. MAY 8th is the last one!!!!!!! Well, I have almost two weeks to go after that before my state exam for my EMT license, which is the 24th of May. Oh, and I got a 69 out of 70 possible points on my first final so I'm really really happy about that. SO, the next week I'm probably not going to type very much. Again I apologize, but school comes first and I need to study.
Oh oh oh! I'm working on a new plotline, nothing to look for in the next week, or even two, but I'm typing a little at a time when I get writer's block for this story. It's titled "The Lesser of Two Evils" and I'm going to complete it in one chapter, probably only about 50 pages or so, maybe a little less, maybe a little more. So, yeah. And, after this book. "Of Gods and Men" is done, the sequel will be started right away. A tentative title will be "A Fine Line Between Heaven and Hell" and I'm looking at between forty five and fifty five chapters. So, that's the plan.
B/N: Yellow!!!! As in YELLOW CARD, duh! How is everybody, hmm? You all are looking fabulous right now, and I love what everyone has done with their hair! .....................Well, now that the pleasantries are over with, WAHOO! SEX MARATHON! YAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAY! I'm so happy, I think I could cry. Of course, we will be brining you ALL the juicy details (Harry and Draco looking scandalized in the corner)!
And now, a word from our sponsors: the Rent-a-Demigod Center, located in scenic "Under World." It is at this completely legal ware house that you can pay a certain fee for a specified amount of time with your favorite Demigod!
Oh yeah, not much happened last chapter for a very good reason: I think they deserved a rest and for ONCE something really good happening to them, don't ya think? Oh and the binding ritual I actually found most of it in a Wiccan spell book, so if you didn't like it, oh well. It's the real deal....
Goldenserpent: Maybe.... I'm not telling ;)
Vividian:... Thanks a lot, I feel so good now that you called a chapter I worked really hard on 'boring'... But, don't they deserve a sort of boring day considering all the shit I'm about to put them through (and have put them through?)
Dragenphly, texasjeanette, silverdreams: Thank you for renewing my confidence, and thanks for the praise. At least SOME people like my writing. "sniff". Just kidding, Vividian. You know I think you're cool.
Chapter 26
Harry and Draco appeared in the Great Hall. "Oh shit," Draco swore tiredly.
"Exactly," Harry said, exhausted and sickened by what he had felt. He wrapped his arms around his soul mate, shaking his head. "Don't worry, Dray. We'll get him out of there," Harry promised.
Draco looked him in the eye. "Really, Harry? How can we fight that? We ran from it!" He pulled out of Harry's arms, pacing back and forth. "We just fucking RAN! We could have taken him on, but we ran!"
A single tear streaked down Draco's face. "We left him there, Harry. That's my FATHER and he's suffering and a prisoner and we left him there!"
Uncle Sev, you need to get here now, Harry called anxiously as he wrapped his arms around Draco's shaking form.
Severus appeared next to him, Ginny in tow. "What- Draco!" he yelped, pulling the two of them into a hug. "What's going on?"
Almost hysterical, Draco dumped the entirety of what had just happened onto his godfather. Severus's face turned bone white and he stared at Harry, his mouth trembling. Harry? he asked weakly, amazed to feel tears starting at the corner of his eyes. What- I don't understand. What is that? What did you feel?
Harry only needed one word. "Clautius," he growled, holding Draco in his arms. Severus sagged slightly, sitting down on the nearest thing- the Ravenclaw bench.
"How- what- how are you going to help Lucius?" Severus finally asked, stumbling over the words. One of my oldest friends- we were friends before Hogwarts, and before I even MET Lily- and he's being hurt. What do we do?
"I don't know," Harry admitted. "Somehow we need to lock him out of Lucius's mind and set up shields, but Clautius is too damn powerful. Do you think we could do the same thing we did for Laurel to him?" Harry asked suddenly, hit with inspiration.
"That might work, but it would have to be a mental shield put into his mind, not a physical shield." Severus stood up, debating the finer points of the idea out loud.
"Harry, I feel horrible," Draco whispered, several more tears making their way down his face. "I've hated him since you came and rescued me when I should have KNOWN! He's my FATHER and I didn't even know! I didn't even think that he was acting differently, and he's been imprisoned, and Clautius had been calling the shots since he came home! How could I miss that?" Harry shuddered and Apparated them straight back to their room. For hours he held his soul mate, letting him cry out his frustrations and terror.
Love, I promise, we will get him back, Harry assured him over and over. At last, he fell into an exhausted sleep. Harry sat up all night, just watching over him.
While he didn't particularly feel like getting into the Christmas spirit, the next day, Harry was determined to find the perfect gifts for his adopted and real family. Making mumbled excuses to Draco and Ginny, he Apparated to Hogsmeade and began avidly shopping. Three hours later, he had exhausted the stores and was no closer to finding anything for anyone, with the exception of Seamus! For his housemate he had bought the Magical Kama Sutra, as a gag gift. But, he had no luck with anyone else! This is ridiculous! he snapped wearily, sitting in The Three Broomsticks, nursing a Butterbeer.
What is? Draco asked, walking in and joining him.
I can't find anything for anyone for Christmas! he wailed mentally. Checking himself, he asked, concerned, Are you all right?
Draco snickered, shrugging. I'll survive. Well, what did you have in mind? he asked good naturedly.
Harry frowned. I already have an idea for everyone, but I can't find what I'm looking for. Harry suddenly slapped his forehead. Duh! Demigod, I'll just MAKE it all! He drained his Butterbeer in one gulp and, leaving five sickles on the table, Apparated straight back to Hogwarts.
Draco shook his head, grinning slightly. Bottoms up! he thought dourly as he finished his Butterbeer, his anger and frustration returning full force. Bitching about it isn't going to help Father any, he thought with a grimace. Placing five sickles next to Harry's money, he Apparated as well.
Harry sat in the Chamber of Secrets, diligently working on his Christmas gifts. "Ok," he mused aloud. "List, check. Gift basics, check. Wrapped gift for Seamus, check." Harry read over the list once more, frowning slightly.
"All right, for Draco.... I think a pair of miniature dragons should do it. Now, to make them...." Harry concentrated, focusing his magic on the space between his hands. A silver and scarlet dragon roughly the size of a small owl appeared, fast asleep. (Everyone together: AWWWWW)
Draco decided to poke his mind in, checking up on Harry. Hey, Love, what are you doing? Harry panicked.
Out out out out! Harry shoved Draco from his consciousness. I'm doing Christmas presents!
Draco pouted, but Harry ignored him and put up a slight shield. Nope, not coming in, he thought firmly. Draco pouted some more, and Harry started to giggle. You're so CUTE when you do that! he sent his soul mate. Draco glared at him and retreated, sulking.
Harry stared down at his creation, smiling. Draco's going to love this. Gentle puffs of smoke wafted from his- definitely a little boy- nostrils. Grinning, Harry conjured a pillow and set the tiny dragon on top of it. "And to think that it will only double in size by the time it's full grown, making it the perfect size for a pet." Concentrating again, he created a female version in green and gold. He placed them both in the magical cage with Isis, who promised to look after the infants until the morning of the 25th.
And, Harry thought, the second part of Draco's gift in the planning stages. I'm sure that, if I set this up right, I can get us to a place where we can bond. All right, note to self: Find a spot at least 100,000,000 light years away from any civilizations and set up a place that isn't too shabby... he blanked out for a minute, fantasizing.
He sat still afterwards, dragging his mind out of the gutter. "Hmmm, Ginny," he mused, picturing exactly what he wanted for his sister. Two velvet cloaks appeared: one black and one deep crimson. He put a viridian silk lining in the black and a silver satin lining in the crimson, adding silver clasps to both. "She's probably going to wear these everywhere if I know her so..." he added an all weather impervious charm to both. He stepped back and looked them over, satisfied. They wrapped themselves in a big box with a red silk ribbon.
"Now, for Luna... oh yeah!" he focused his magic, creating two miniature Icy Sanddragons, one blue, the other pink. The tiny wingless dragons walked around the room regally, looking for some sand to curl up in. Trails of glistening ice followed them, covering the floors. "All right, now where to put them..." he trailed off, scratching his head. Would Isis be upset?
He poked his head into Isis's cage, searching for his cobra. "Issssssissssss?" he asked hopefully. Beside him, the two Sanddragons flopped into the cage, falling onto the sand. Immediately, they curled up into little balls, yawning heavily. Within seconds, they were asleep, curled around each other on sandy blocks of ice. Isis slithered up, staring at them.
"More petsssssss?" she hissed, staring at the newcomers curiously. "Masssster, thossssssse ssssmell funny. And why are they covered in icssssse?"
"They're an invention of a friend, and I made them real for her," Harry explained.
"Oh. Sssssso long asssssss they don't freeze my ssssssand dunessssss too much. It'ssssss only for two sssssunsssss, right?"
"Yessssss. Thank you, Issssssisssss." Harry popped back out of the magical cage, stretching his back.
"Hmmmm, what to get for Professor Lu- I mean Remus- I have to remember that he wants me to call him that."
Hey, Draco, where was the Founder's Hall? Harry asked Draco, opening the connection between them. Waves of frustration and anger washed over him and he bit back a grin. Oh yes, Draco was most definitely sulking.
Draaaacoooo, Harry drew out his soul mate's name, feeling Draco snort and cover a grin. I'll be damned if I let you stay angry at me for having the time, patience, and caring to make you a Christmas present.
Hmmmph. Draco shut Harry out, pouting. You promised we'd never put up shields between each other again.
Christmas doesn't count! Harry protested. Come on, where was the frigging Hall? He Apparated right next to Draco. Draco jumped a foot in the air, looking peeved.
"Don't DO that!" Draco snapped, glaring daggers at Harry.
"I won't do it anymore if you tell me where the fucking Founder's Hall is!" Harry protested, snickering.
Draco turned around in a huff, scowling. Harry got an evil glint in his eye.
WHAM! Harry tackled Draco, taking him to the floor. "Wha-- HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! GET OFF, POTHEAD!!" Draco shrieked at the top of his lungs, laughing breathlessly as Harry's nimble fingers attacked his ribs mercilessly, tickling him.
"Where's the Hall?" Harry demanded. Breathless giggles were his only answer. Draco managed to flip Harry over, and rolled on top of him, attacking his attacker with vigor.
It was Harry's turn to laugh and wriggle away from his soul mate, to no avail. "Dra- hahahahHAHAHA- Draco, stop! I - OH NO YOU DON'T!" Harry flipped Draco over and they continued to roll across the floor. Finally, Harry pinned Draco to the floor, straddling his pelvis, still giggling. He didn't realize that Draco had gone completely still, his eyes hazed with lust.
Harry looked down when he felt something poking him and realized that his position was having an interesting effect on his soul mate, if the pure, unadulterated desire radiating off of him was any indication. "Oh, oops," Harry muttered, sliding off of Draco. He sat next to Draco, who was breathing rather heavily. "Are you all right?"
Draco looked up and said, "I will be once I do this," and pounced on him, flipping Harry over and straddling him. He leaned down, ghosting his lips over his shocked soul mate.
"Draco..." Harry trailed off as Draco's lips captured his own in a searing kiss, slowly rotating and grinding their hips together. "Draco..." Harry moaned, his breath coming in short gasps. Draco smiled devilishly down at him.
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING?????" came the shocked and scandalized yelp behind them. They shot into a sitting position, Draco still straddling Harry's lap, to see Severus standing in the doorway.
"Ummm yes?" Harry asked. Draco, should we? he asked Draco privately. Draco grinned and nodded.
"You two- we haven't figured out how to keep the planet from exploding!" Severus snapped, glaring down at them. Harry and Draco counted to three, and leapt up, tackling the startled professor. "WHAT THE - AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! STOP!!!!!!!" he gasped, tears falling down his face as the two of them knocked him to the ground and pinned him, tickling him without mercy.
"THIS IS FOR INTERUPTING US, SEVVIE!!!!" Draco howled, laughing insanely. Harry snickered, holding Severus's arms, pinning him to the floor as Draco attacked his ribs and stomach. Severus twisted and wriggled, trying to escape. Finally, he threw them off of him and lay in the fetal position on the floor, still laughing and holding his chest and stomach. "Oh.... I think you broke a rib," he gasped, struggling into a sitting position.
Laurel grinned impishly in the back of his mind. Want me to kiss it and make it better? she asked, running phantom fingers up and down the hurt areas. Poor Baby, she cooed, her hands traveling lower. Severus stiffened, his cheeks turning pink. Harry and Draco watched, disbelieving as he stuttered incoherent syllables and Apparated immediately.
"What just happened?" Harry asked, confused.
Draco shook his head, grinning. "Laurel," he said, explaining it all.
Harry's face scrunched up. "EWWWW! I did NOT need to think about that!" he moaned, resting his head on Draco's lap. Come on, Draco, show me the Founder's Hall, please????
Fine, but you owe me one, Draco muttered. Harry sent him an image of exactly how he'd repay him, and Draco blushed crimson. Let's go.
They Apparated to the Fourth Floor, right in front of the painting. Well, here it is. Gonna pay me back now? Draco asked impishly. Harry turned Draco around to face him and slowly brushed a stand of hair away from his face, leaning in.
Yes, Harry ghosted over his lips and gently sucked on the bottom one, begging for entrance. With a gasp, Draco opened his mouth, grabbing the front of Harry's viridian silk button down shirt. Harry gently slid his tongue into Draco's mouth, making him purr with pleasure. Taking a step backwards, still locked at the lips to his soul mate, Harry stepped into the painting, taking Draco with him.
They found themselves in the same long hallway Draco had stumbled into. Breaking the kiss, Draco led Harry into Salazar Slytherin's old quarters. "I found the journal here, lying on the table. It was so weird, almost as if it were waiting for me," Draco explained.
Harry's brow furrowed. "Were you thinking anything?" he asked suspiciously.
"Yeah, that I wanted to help you. That's how I found the painting and I think how it let me in." Draco walked over to the bookshelf and studied the titles avidly.
"What do you mean- let you in?" Harry asked, confused.
"It was strange the first time- almost as if something was appraising me as I went through the painting and didn't let me enter until it knew I posed no harm," Draco said absently, finding another Potions Journal and leafing through it. "What are you looking for?"
"Weird. I didn't feel anything when we went through just now," Harry muttered.
"I know, me either. I think it likes you."
"Or maybe just because I'm a direct heir and you're not," Harry mused.
"So, what are you looking for?" Draco asked again.
"I know there's the original Wolfsbane potion in the first journal you found and it said to see volume two page three sixty for a cure, so I'm going to give the cure as an option for Remus."
Draco looked up. "And I found it. Are you sure he'd want a cure, though? I mean, the lycanthropy is an integral part of who he is."
Harry snatched the book from Draco's hands and scanned the ingredients. "I know and that's why I'm giving him a choice. I'm making two potions for him and it's up to him to choose which one he takes. The one is a complete cure. The other will give him complete control over his transformations, making them painless. It'll essentially give him all the ability of a born werewolf."
Draco raised his eyebrows, looking over Harry's shoulder. "And how do you propose you do that?"
"It'll have all the ingredients of Wolfsbane but will have the permanence of the cure."
Draco grinned, impressed. "Oh."
"Come on!" Harry grabbed Draco's hand, pulling him from Slytherin's rooms. "Let's explore!" Grumbling, Draco allowed Harry to drag him bodily from Slytherin's rooms and back into the hallway. Grinning, Harry pulled him into the next door, which happened to belong to Rowena Ravenclaw. They spent an hour looking through her rooms. Draco found an interesting crystal ball that glowed as if the insides were made of fire. He pocketed it and they resumed their exploration. Helga Hufflepuff's rooms didn't hold anything of immediate interest so they walked further, coming to the last door, which looked as if gold and scarlet had thrown up all over it.
"I wonder whose room is behind this door." Draco muttered sarcastically. Harry rolled his eyes and pushed open the ornate door with a huff.
Gryffindor's rooms were even gaudier than the door. "How in HELL did Slytherin put up with this?" Draco moaned, shaking his head. "It looks like Christmas decorations gone horribly wrong."
Harry grinned. "Maybe this is why they had separate rooms?" He looked over the fireplace and his grin grew even wider. "Hey! Those are COOL swords!" he walked over and grabbed one from the wooden holder over the dark stone fireplace. Draco followed him and grabbed the other one, running his fingers over the ornate pommel and hilt.
"Hey, it's got the crest of Hogwarts on it!" Draco exclaimed, staring at the jeweled hilt in awe.
"Well, you did find it in Hogwarts school as well as in the room of one of the Founders," Harry drolly replied, rolling his eyes.
"Prat," Draco muttered.
"En guarde!" Harry yelled, clumsily brandishing the sword. Draco stared at him coolly.
"Oh really. Is that how you killed the Basilisk? By waving one of those around and hoping the pointy end went in?" Draco circled Harry and calmly slapped away the brandished sword.
"I'd like to see you do better," Harry snapped, glaring.
"I've had lessons since I was four. I'm SURE I can do better." With that, Harry playfully lunged at Draco, taking him by surprise. Deftly, Draco parried, smirking. Again, Harry lunged ungracefully and again Draco knocked his attack aside. "Come on, Harry," Draco smirked. "I know you can do better than that."
Harry lunged a third time, tripping over something and landed on his stomach. "FUCK!" he screamed, accidentally slicing Draco across the stomach. "What the FUCK!"
Draco grabbed his wounded stomach, his face white. "You- you hit me! You actually hit me!" he yelled, bordering on hysterical. "Twelve years of lessons and you bloody hit me!"
Harry picked himself up off the floor, grimacing in pain. "I think I sprained my ankle," he complained, limping.
"You sprained your ANKLE!!! You almost cut me in half!!!!!" Draco screamed at him, clutching his stomach.
"I am so, so sorry, Draco." With that, Harry limped over and pried Draco's fingers away from what he was sure would be a gushing wound. "You dork!" Harry yelled, smacking Draco upside the head. "It's just a scratch!"
Draco pouted. "Kiss it and make it better?" he asked hopefully. Harry sighed and, with a kiss, healed it.
Harry turned around, scowling. "What did I trip on?" he asked aloud, scanning the room. He saw a small tail peeking out from under the coffee table. "What the..." he darted forward, catching the tail and dragging out a baby griffin. "Got ya!" he exclaimed triumphantly. The griffin growled and promptly closed its teeth on Harry's finger. "YAAAAH!" he yelled, dropping the tiny winged lion. It scurried away from him and hid behind Draco.
Draco stared down at the infant crawling behind his feet. "Hello, little one," he cooed, bending down. "Did that great oaf scare you? I'm sure he didn't mean to." The miniscule griffin purred and arched against his ankle. He picked it up and it cuddled into his arms.
Harry glared at Draco. "The little thing bit me!" he snapped, pouting.
"You pulled the poor thing's tail," Draco retorted, cuddling the baby closer.
Harry pouted even more. "He bit me, Draco! Kiss it and make it better?" he asked hopefully, holding out the red and bleeding finger.
Draco stared at it with repugnance. "It has Griffin slobber on it."
Harry's face fell. "Please?" he begged, still holding out the aforementioned finger.
Draco stared at it for a minute more before sighing. He gingerly kissed the tip of his own finger and touched Harry's finger quickly before jerking back. "I need my whole hand sterilized now," he complained, scrunching up his nose in disgust.
Harry pouted and the griffin glared at him. "What?" Draco asked, confused. He looked down. "Not you, too! What did I do?" Harry just glared at him. The griffin scampered out of Draco's arms and disappeared through a door. Intrigued, Draco followed, only to come running out two seconds later.
"What?" Harry asked.
"There's a whole bloody colony of them in there! Hordes!" Draco gasped, hiding behind Harry.
Harry shrugged and walked in, Draco trailing behind him. It was true: there were almost two hundred Griffins in the mile wide room. "How in the world did this room get so big?" he wondered.
Well, Heir to my master, it would be because Godric expanded it so we would have room to breed and live. A cool voice spoke up in Harry and Draco's minds and they tensed.
Who's there? Harry asked suspiciously.
An ancient Griffin stood from where it had been reclining on a scarlet mattress and strode regally over to them. I spoke, young Master. I and my family serve you and this school faithfully.
Harry raised his eyebrows. Your Master is Godric Gryffindor, not me. And he is- was here, so how can you serve me?
I serve you on order of Master Gryffindor. He came to me and ordered me to do so, just three weeks ago. It is no longer his place to have anything to do with this school, the same as Master Gryffindor's Mate, Slytherin. They are here to help and assist, nothing more. Since you are the most powerful and true Heir, I serve you.
Harry was extremely confused, and started to ask a question, but Draco elbowed his ribs. Just smile and nod, Harry. If you question him it would be an insult, he instructed privately.
Harry smiled and nodded. Thank you. I don't mean to be rude, but do you have a name?
My name... it has not been uttered for many centuries, since Master Gryffindor was last alive. It is Galileo, named after Master's old friend the inventor and Muggle scientist who was exiled.
Very well, Galileo, I am honored. Harry half bowed.
And I am honored to have another Demigod as my master. The griffin prowled back to his previous perch, shoving a little one off the fluffy mattress. You can call me to your side whenever you wish, but I would like to remain in this room with my family.
As you wish, Galileo.
Draco walked over, picking up the little one and setting it upright on another perch about four feet from the floor. It curled up and then rolled on its back, exposing its belly, begging to be petted. Draco absently scratched its stomach, and it caught his index finger with its paws and drew it to its face, sucking on his finger with gusto. Draco stared down at the little griffin, disgust and a smile of delight warring over his features.
Harry groaned. "Should I leave you here to play with your new friend?" he asked with a smirk. Draco jumped and turned around; his face stained a rosy pink.
"I'm coming, I'm coming," he huffed. He turned back around. "Would it be all right if I came and visited?" he asked Galileo. The ancient Griffin nodded.
They walked back out of the room and into the living room. "That little Griffin has you whipped, Draco," Harry teased as he picked up both swords, conjuring a carrier for the two heavy weapons. He walked out of Gryffindor's rooms, Draco trailing behind him, trying to think up a good retort for the whipped remark.
Harry spent the rest of that day and night perfecting the two potions for Remus. Draco had to pull him bodily from the Potions Lab at three in the morning while the potions simmered for three hours. Harry protested while they walked all the way to the Dorms, too tired to Apparate. Draco tucked him in, ordering him to get six hours of sleep and he'd tend to the Potions. The last thing Harry remembered was Draco setting him into the same healing accelerated sleep that Alanna had used on the both of them in the beginning of the summer.
Six hours later, Harry awoke completely refreshed and ready to finish up with the presents. After spending time showering and changing, he Apparated to the Potions Lab to find Draco bottling the two Potions "Good morning, sleepyhead," Draco called, grinning. "They're done, finally."
"Good, now you're going to get some rest," Harry responded, taking the bottles from Draco.
Draco pouted. "Nope, cuz I got the same amount of sleep you did and used the accelerated sleep on myself. I'm fine and a bit wired, actually."
"Oh. You want to go shopping, since these are done?" Harry asked.
"You still have presents to get?" Draco asked curiously.
Harry grimaced. "Yep. You?"
"I've been done for ages. You really give meaning to the word procrastinate. It's the twenty-third of December for shit's sake."
"Thanks a lot." Harry walked away. "I'm going to Diagon Alley and London, if anyone asks." He Apparated straight away, leaving Draco behind.
Five hours later, Harry was finally done with his shopping. He quickly banished his bags to his rooms and called Alanna and Xander. Hey, you two, I need your help, he called.
What's up? Alanna asked.
I figured out the way to bond without blowing anything up but I need some help setting it up. He felt Alanna's and Xander's interest spike and they Apparated to his side in the middle of Diagon Alley.
"Do tell, little brother," Alanna drawled.
"All right, but you can't tell Draco," Harry pleaded.
"Why the fuck not?" Xander demanded.
"Duh, what's in less than two days?" Harry asked, exasperated.
Xander and Alanna looked at each other, grinning evilly. "Christmas present?" they both asked in unison.
"Yup, so are you going to help me?" Harry asked, sliding his gaze back and forth between them.
"Of course. Lead the way, oh intelligent one."
"Well, you see, it's like this..." With that, Harry Apparated them, and a hefty chunk of atmosphere, to the moon.
"I think we need to be as far away from any nearby planets as possible, so if you could point me in the direction of deep space, I think that would work."
Alanna and Xander pondered that, and their faces broke into sunny smiles. "I think you got it, little bro! Damn, so we could have been doing the Sharing all along, and not just waiting till we were in spirit form..." Alanna trailed off, musing.
Harry stared at her in shock. "You mean you haven't done that at all????" he asked incredulously, then clapped his hand over his mouth as he realized what he had said.
"Umm, too much information," he said desperately. "Don't answer that, please." Alanna and Xander chuckled, they joined hands and Apparated to the furthest point away from Earth they could manage.
Draco walked down the Dungeons corridor, looking for his Godfather. Uncle Sev? he called cautiously, not wanting to disturb... anything. Just my luck if I caught him with my soon to be Aunt Laurel, Draco thought with a smirk as he stood in front of Severus's quarters.
Yes? came the neutral reply. Draco sighed in relief.
Where are you?
In my quarters, why?
Can I come in or am I interrupting anything?
Yes, you may, and no, you are not interrupting anything, Severus responded with amusement.
Draco knocked, and the door opened. Severus stood on the other side, an eyebrow raised. "Thanks, Uncle Sev," he sighed and walked over to the couch, sitting down with obvious relief.
"I know this isn't a social call, so what's going on?" Severus asked skeptically.
"To coin a phrase from Alanna, this is really freaking me out," Draco stated wearily, slouching.
"What is?" Severus asked absently, going back to grading the last of the seventh year midterm exams.
Draco rolled his eyes, becoming more visibly agitated by the second. "The issue with my Father, what else?"
Severus sighed. "Draco, what else could you have done? You aren't bonded, and thus don't have a chance in Hell of defeating him, or so Alanna says. I'd trust her judgment on this one."
Draco scowled. "But I RAN, Sev. I just FUCKING ran. I didn't even try to help him. We just got out of there as fast as possible, with no regard to - my Mother! Now we have to go back! I left her there with those madmen!" Draco jumped up to Apparate, terror and fury plain on his face.
Severus grabbed his arm. "Oh no you don't." He grimly pulled his arm and dragged his wriggling Godson back to his seat. "I am NOT going to have you pull a Gryffindor on me and get yourself killed!"
Draco turned to him, tears threatening to spill. "But she's my Mother," he begged.
"And, if I know Narcissa, she wouldn't want you rushing headlong into danger to save her. Besides, she's survived twenty-five years as a Death Eater's wife and Death Eater herself. It's not like she doesn't have experience with facing Evil and surviving. I know for a fact she has met Clautius before. He used to come to Death Eater meetings before Voldemort's body died the first time."
Draco sat back, crossing his arms over his chest. "So I sit here and do nothing?"
"I think we need a plan, and I think it'll take much, much more than rushing in headlong and simply removing him from the Manor. We have to find a way to get him out of your Father's head."
"All right, let's start planning. I want him out of there as fast as possible."
The two Slytherins put their heads together, passing ideas back and forth. We need a Gryffindor, they thought simultaneously. Someone dumb enough but brave enough that rushing headlong into danger wouldn't faze him/her.
How about we call everyone and figure this out? Draco suggested.
Good idea. Severus sent out the call, and within minutes, everyone, including the Staff and students who had remained were there in Severus's quarters. He grudgingly expanded his living room to fit everyone and the discussions began in earnest.
Harry sat in deep space, talking to Alanna and Xander. So, anything within the radius of 100,000,000 light years?
Nope! You're good to go! came the cheerful response from both of them.
Finally. It only took us five tries. So, any suggestions on how to build a room, or house, or planet or anything?
Umm, think of what you want and will it into being? came the obvious reply.
Oh, right. Alanna and Xander could feel Harry talking to someone.
Alanna Apparated to Xander's side. I think, dearest, the thought of bonding has pushed out his ability to comprehend rational thought.
Xander smirked. Lana, you're talking to a guy. I understand EXACTLY how the poor boy feels. Going without sex is just ... torture.
She rolled her eyes. Come on, let's see what he's come up with. They Apparated to Harry's side.
He's made a ... planet, Xander said, surprised. A sphere roughly one tenth of the size of Pluto hung in midair covered in blue and green swirls. They Apparated to the surface to find Harry standing with his hands extended in front of a mansion.
Harry, when we said create something and will it into being, we weren't talking about a whole bloody planet. You do realize that it will explode when you bond, right?
Actually, it won't, Harry replied, his face screwed up in concentration. Anxiously, he worried his lower lip.
What are you talking about? Xander demanded. You create a sphere of pure energy when you bond, and everything around you goes KaBOOM!
If we put the sphere around the PLANET, it won't explode, Harry reasoned, putting the finishing touches on the enormous manor in front of him.
That sounds like it'd work. Your parents just exploded Jupiter and then rebuilt it.
Harry snickered. So you let THEM explode a planet but not us. You really aren't fair. He walked forward and opened the door, holding it open. Do you want to come in?
Sure. Let's see what you've created. This should be interesting. They walked inside.
"All right, so we have that Potion that Harry created. But, all the demigods are dispersed and in training, so how are we going to get enough power to kick him out of my Father's head long enough to put shields in place?" Draco asked for the twentieth time.
"And for the last time, Mister Malfoy, we don't know. Wait- where's Alanna, Xander, and Harry?" Professor Sprout asked in confusion as she stared around the room.
Draco scratched his head. "He said something about being in Diagon Alley if anyone needed him, but that was twelve hours ago. I don't think he's still there. He feels much further away than that."
"Well, where is he?" Dumbledore demanded. "Why did he go off on his own? He knows that the Death Eaters are growing in strength and number. We have to find him!"
Severus laughed. "I don't think you understand, Headmaster. Harry could take all of them on and win, no question about it. He could destroy Voldemort quite easily as of right now. You don't have to worry about his safety."
Dumbledore stared at him, confused. "But- but-" he sputtered.
Severus sighed. "Headmaster, this is what being a demigod means. Mortals pose no threat to us. Harry could destroy Voldemort RIGHT NOW, but he wouldn't be solving the problem. Clautius would just get another mortal to do his dirty work, and it would start all over again."
Dumbledore just stared at him blankly, all twinkle gone from his eyes. "I don't understand," he said finally.
Emily spoke up from the corner, where she was sitting on her father's lap. "Think of it this way, Professor. Take Voldemort's power and multiply it by - what- three or four? That's how powerful a Veela or Elf or Drow or Vampire is. Multiply that by two and you get Dragons. Multiply that by two, you get one of the weakest Demigods or Demigoddesses. Put that on an exponent of ten, and you get Alanna and Xander. Put that number on an exponent of ten and you get Clautius, Harry, and Draco. Voldemort is not the issue, Clautius is. Clautius is the Dark Lord in the Prophesy, not Voldemort."
"But Voldemort gave Harry the scar!" Professor Sinistera yelled angrily.
"So?" Emily asked reasonably. "Whose orders was he acting under? Who gave him his powers? Who's his master?"
"That is true, but Voldemort was the one talked about in the Prophesy," McGonagall said firmly.
"And who gave the Prophesy?" Severus asked drolly. "How do you know that Trelawney isn't just completely insane?"
"Look, this is getting us nowhere," Draco broke in. "Back to the situation, people. How do we get Father out of Clautius's clutches?"
Everyone ignored him, too intent on arguing over whom was the bigger threat: Clautius or Voldemort.
Alanna walked into one of the prettiest rooms she had ever seen. "Harry, this is lovely," she gushed. "But, I'm confused. Why did you make so many rooms? Only you and Draco will be coming here."
That's what you think, Harry thought privately. In truth, every pair of the Demigods had rooms here, for one specific purpose. I think they'll like this, he thought privately, already mentally adding nameplates over the doors. Alanna and Xander can have this one and Draco and my room is down the hall, and Mum and Dad's is next to this one... yay! Ok, build silencing charms into the walls also.
"I made so many for a reason and I'm not telling, so there." Harry crossed his arms, smirking.
"Fine then, be that way!" Alanna smirked, tossing her hair. Harry quickly sent a surge of magic throughout the house, finishing it.
Xander just laughed, shaking his head. With identical smirks, they Apparated straight back to school, landing in the Great Hall.
Draco's head shot up. "They're back." Harry, Alanna, Xander, get to Uncle Sev's quarters right away.
Within seconds, the three grinning demigods were in the center of Severus's quarters. "Hey, all, what's up?" Alanna asked eagerly.
"I want my Father back," Draco said angrily, "and THEY keep arguing and won't plan anything!"
Alanna stared at Draco. "What's up with your father, little bro?"
Harry scowled. "Clautius has control of his mind. That's why he had Draco tortured and tried to kill him over the summer."
Xander spoke up. "Hey, Draco, why don't we wait to plan for two days, all right?"
"But- but, he's being hurt and my Mum is there too and why do we have to wait??" Draco pleaded, confused.
"Draco, in two days, things will change and we will have a much better way to defeat Clautius. Just trust me on this one, please?" Alanna asked, smirking at Harry.
Harry blushed, getting what they were talking about. "All right, Alanna, you made your point." He wrapped his arms around Draco and Apparated them to their rooms.
Harry, please tell me what's going on! Draco begged.
Ok, but I'm blaming you for ruining your Christmas present.
Draco scowled. How is my Christmas present part of saving my Father?
Well, I figured out how to bond and not blow anything up and- Harry was cut off by Draco's whoop of excitement and a crushing hug.
Can we now? Can we now? Can we now? Can we now? Draco babbled on, his eyes sparkling.
Anyway, before you interrupted me, we can bond, but not yet, and as soon as we bond, we will be able to fight off Clautius and save your father.
How about now? Now? Now? Now? Now? How about now? Can we now? Now? Harry resisted the temptation to slam his soul mate on the head, rendering him unconscious.
This is why I wanted to spring this on you Christmas afternoon. I wanted it to be a SURPRISE.
Draco pouted. It was a surprise, all right. Now, instead of telling me about it, SHOW ME!!!! he demanded, knocking Harry onto his bed and pouncing on him. Show me, please?
Harry grinned impishly. "No."
Draco pouted. "Please?"
Harry sighed. "No."
"Please???" Draco pouted even harder and bent down over his soul mate, ghosting his lips over Harry's. Almost against his will, Harry arched slightly upwards, capturing Draco's lips with his own.
"No," Harry whispered against Draco's mouth. "We wait. Besides, it'll only be thirty hours or so. Wait."
Draco sighed and slid off of Harry reluctantly. "Why do we have to wait?" he asked, pleading.
"As of right now, I have no idea, but it better have been a good reason," Harry growled, rolling over. "Go to sleep."
Draco sighed. "Do I have to? I just want to lay here and finally be able to fantasize about-"
Harry cut him off with a groan. "Go to SLEEP, Draco," he snapped half heartedly.
Draco grumped but rolled over and closed his eyes.
Finally, Harry thought in relief as he closed his eyes, his arms unconsciously moving to embrace his soul mate.
.
The next day passed in a flurry of excitement as the entire castle prepared for Christmas. Lily and James refused to let anyone in their rooms, even Harry, saying that they had tons of gifts to wrap. They also forbade Harry from getting them any presents, saying that having him back and the reinstatement as his legal guardians was more than enough.
Draco pestered Harry all that day as well, asking him incessantly when they would bond and where.
At nine o'clock that evening, in the Slytherin Common Room, Harry finally snapped. "Because I plan on being with you there for more than it takes to have sex ONCE, or TWICE, or even more than TWENTY-FOUR HOURS and I want to have CHRISTMAS with my PARENTS!!!!!!!!" he yelled angrily.
Everyone's heads whipped around and whispered giggles broke out. Severus walked over to them, smirking. "You figured it out, then?" he asked with a grin.
Harry stared back at him. "Yes, I figured it out when no one, including two, thirty billion year old demigods could."
Alanna laughed at him. "Well, little brother, you think like a mortal. We just figured that eighty years was no big deal to go without Sharing. You poor mortals, however, only live for eighty or so years, so it's all you got."
Draco sat next to Harry, processing the original statement. "So, it's a sex marathon, then?" he asked hopefully.
Alanna and Xander busted up laughing, as did Emily, Eric, Neville, Luna, Seamus, and Blaise. Severus just stared at his Godson, flabbergasted.
"What?" Draco asked innocently. "It was a valid question. I want to know what I'm getting myself into." Severus gave up and started laughing with everyone else. "Why are you laughing, Uncle Sev? You're going to have to go elsewhere to complete your bond, too," Draco said with a grin. Severus stopped laughing and stared at him.
Harry broke it up with a laugh. "Ok, it's time for good little people to go to bed, which includes me and you and everyone else in this room, Draco."
Eric laughed. "Yeah, you need your rest for the 'ahem' long day you have tomorrow."
Harry flipped him the bird and walked into his room, grinning. I can't wait for tomorrow, he thought with a smile.
A/N: Ok, I'm sorry this took so long but I'm studying for finals. MAY 8th is the last one!!!!!!! Well, I have almost two weeks to go after that before my state exam for my EMT license, which is the 24th of May. Oh, and I got a 69 out of 70 possible points on my first final so I'm really really happy about that. SO, the next week I'm probably not going to type very much. Again I apologize, but school comes first and I need to study.
Oh oh oh! I'm working on a new plotline, nothing to look for in the next week, or even two, but I'm typing a little at a time when I get writer's block for this story. It's titled "The Lesser of Two Evils" and I'm going to complete it in one chapter, probably only about 50 pages or so, maybe a little less, maybe a little more. So, yeah. And, after this book. "Of Gods and Men" is done, the sequel will be started right away. A tentative title will be "A Fine Line Between Heaven and Hell" and I'm looking at between forty five and fifty five chapters. So, that's the plan.
B/N: Yellow!!!! As in YELLOW CARD, duh! How is everybody, hmm? You all are looking fabulous right now, and I love what everyone has done with their hair! .....................Well, now that the pleasantries are over with, WAHOO! SEX MARATHON! YAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAY! I'm so happy, I think I could cry. Of course, we will be brining you ALL the juicy details (Harry and Draco looking scandalized in the corner)!
And now, a word from our sponsors: the Rent-a-Demigod Center, located in scenic "Under World." It is at this completely legal ware house that you can pay a certain fee for a specified amount of time with your favorite Demigod!