Title: Toxin
Disclaimer: Simply borrowing...
--
Chapter: Three - Onus probandi
--
pirate – thanks for reviewing
A/N: The translation for the previous chapter was "The times change, and we change with them". Not much on the romance plot in this chapter, but this chapter is important for many more to come, so bear with me here please. Please note that is not a slash (you'll understand later).
--
Harry was awake in his room staring through the darkness at the devoid wall. The dark green curtains didn't permit any light to flood into the room. When Hermione knocked, Harry was sitting at the head of his bed, legs tightly drawn to his chest.
Harry didn't answer Hermione, and so she entered, thinking he was still asleep. She saw Harry sitting in his bed, his dull emerald eyes wide with despair.
"Harry? Another nightmare?" she asked softly.
He nodded slowly. Hermione walked over to Harry and sat down by him. She wrapped her arm around his shoulders and placed her head on his shoulder gently.
"The Dursleys. He killed the Dursleys," Harry said almost incoherently.
Hermione raised her head and wiped away his tear. Strange, she thought, here's Harry crying for the Dursleys. Three people who easily fit into a list of people Harry despised, including Malfoy, Skeeter, and Fudge.
"I fucking hate them but they're my family, Hermione. My only remaining link to my parents beside Remus and Dumbledore."
Harry stared Hermione in the eyes. She could see his eyes dance with fury.
"I'm just so tired," he said, almost in a whisper.
Hermione nodded. She discerned little wrinkles that had made their way into Harry's forehead, the dark circles that seemed to impose upon his eyes, the under-eye bags that drooped onto Harry's high cheekbones.
She didn't say anything but hugged him closer and rested her head on his shoulder once more. He followed suit and they sat in silence until-
"Harry, mate, have you seen Hermione?" Ron stepped into the room, rubbing his half-asleep eyes. As soon as he moved his hands away, he stood stunned, confronted by the scene in front of him. It shouldn't have bothered him. It really shouldn't. And yet it did.
"Found her," he said lamely. With that, he turned around and walked out of the room.
Harry and Hermione pulled apart, and both their somber expressions were slowly modified into small grins.
"Do you still love him?" Harry asked, hinting at Hermione's everlasting attraction, no matter how small it was before, to Ron.
"I think so," Hermione replied with a perplexed manifestation.
"Well, we'd better get ready. We're going to be late," Harry said, standing up. He reached over, gave Hermione a kiss on the cheek and walked off to the bathroom. He opened the door and turned to look at his best friend.
"Thanks. And in case you care, I think he's starting to notice you as a female," Harry said tenderly. He winked then closed the door behind him.
Hermione walked downstairs to discover Ron biting into what looked like a spoonful of butter. Under his right elbow lay a slice of bread. He hadn't seen her come in. She walked up to the counter and made some coffee. She took a seat directly in front of Ron. He ignorantly stared right past her head and at the stark white cabinets.
It was only when Hermione pulled the spoon out of his hand and dumped the remainder of its contents on his flaming red hair did he recover from his stupor.
"Prove to me that you care about me," Hermione requested Ron as he jumped up and stood at eye level with her.
He looked at her for a while. Then, with a step towards her, he placed both his shaking hands on her cheeks and kissed her. Years later, Hermione would swear that she was floating on air at the moment.
However, at that moment, she pulled away.
"That's not enough Ron," she told him somberly, her eyes still closed. She opened her eyes and looked Ron in the eyes. She knew he wanted her, but she wasn't able to give herself to him until she knew it wouldn't just be a childish adoration, as Ron was so prone to. She picked up her bag and cloak and left the room. Ron still stood there, watching the closed door as he had the day before.
"Ron, you ready? We're going to be late for the third time in two days!" Harry yelled, as he ran down the stairs.
Ron nodded absent-mindedly and apparated.
Harry got out of the elevator on the second floor once more and made his way into the cramped room. He went straight to the back to hear the updates for the day from Moody. It turns out he was a bit early. Only one other person was there – Moody.
"Harry! Good. I've been meaning to speak with you," Moody growled. "You're to carry the burden," he said cryptically.
"Burden of what?" Harry asked, slightly baffled.
Moody studied Harry for a moment, then proceeded.
"Sirius' innocence. Or rather, I want proof. And you're going to find it," he grumbled, in a very low voice. "The burden of proof," he added, not sounding quite like the usual moody Moody.
Harry stared at the scarred man.
"Wormtail's dead," he said quietly.
"Constant vigilance," Moody repeated his favorite phrase. "Peter Pettigrew was spotted by the Greek Ministry. You are going there."
Harry's hand shot up to his scar. He gritted his teeth against the pain.
Harry cursed himself, thinking that he should have known that Wormtail would pull another disappearing act.
"Alone?" Harry questioned.
"No. Rouge, Dugarmon, and Skelin are in staying behind. We have other things to deal with here. Pettigrew is more of a personal issue, you understand," Moody replied. He observed Harry once more, furrowing what little eyebrow hadn't been blasted off.
"Kalipso is to come with you, for defense. She was born there and knows the area."
Harry's eyes gave off a little sparkle that was quickly dulled by a warning glance from the aging Auror.
"You're leaving on Friday. The details are on your desk. Kalipso has the same package. Don't mention this to anyone else. Order members are aware. Don't be surprised if you run into a few of them there."
Harry nodded obediently.
"Professor," Harry called, still not being able to shake off that habit. "I had another dream," he said slowly.
"The Dursleys are... dead," Harry hesitated. He watched Moody intently, but was incapable of reading the stoic expression.
Then slowly, Moody nodded. "I'll pass on the message," he replied, in a slightly softer tone.
Harry made his way to his desk and found a manila package on it. He opened it carefully and read.
Potter, Kalipso.
Friday, September 7, you will fly to the Apollo Inn in Greece. A hotel room has been provided already.
You are to report every evening via Owl Post. Keep messages short and cryptic.
You may return as soon as you have found Peter Pettigrew. Do NOT stray from the assignment.
Harry finished reading and took out the remaining contents. Harry presumed these were for Oliana's sake. There was a picture of Pettigrew in his human form and Animagus form. Another sheet contained known habits of the rat, just some helpful details. Harry looked at the list he had helped to compile. He glanced over it and then watched it go up in tickling flames in his hand.
Once the ashes disappeared, Harry picked up a second manila envelope and read through his current assignment.
He blinked in surprise when he discerned the name on the page.
Potter.
Tuesday, September 4, you will accompany the senior Aurors to the interrogation of Lucius Malfoy, notorius Death Eater.
Malfoy's father was caught? Harry thought surprised.
It took him a while to register why he even cared. Not being able to discover an answer, he rose and moved to Tonk's cubicle.
"Tonks?" he called the attention of the slightly-older woman.
Tonks was sporting long platinum blonde locks today.
"Trying to blend in at the Malfoy Manor?" Harry joked.
"Actually, yes," Tonks grinned.
"Malfoy has locked himself in the basement of his mansion," Tonks said apathetically. "His wife, however, is missing. I decided to get myself into Narcissa mode since that's how we're entering the premises."
"Oh," Harry said, doubting it would be that easy.
Tonks stood up, knocking over an inkpot in the process and pointedly ignoring it.
"Let's go. We're meeting the Kingsley there," she said.
They met with the rest on the outskirts of the Malfoy Mansion territory. The group consisted of only Tonks, Harry, and Kingsley Shacklebolt. Seeing Shacklebolt once more reminded Harry of the time they rescued him from the Dursley's and it sent an unexpected jolt of pain through his heart.
Apparently, Moody had not yet told the other members of the Order about their demise as they seemed oblivious. Harry decided to keep at that way, at least in the meantime.
Tonks wasted no time taking on Narcissa's appearance. She entered the grounds with no trouble. Within moments, a cry for help was heard and amidst all the chaos, Harry found himself walking into a large room containing only a king size bed and a desk, both extremely luxurious. His shoes hit hard against the stone floor, he moved toward the other side of the bed. A full head of platinum blonde hair contrasted wholly with the black sheets it rested on. Harry felt a wave of pity come over him. His adversary stared at him with a glare that sent shivers up Harry's spine.
"Get out," Draco Malfoy drawled in a manner that hadn't changed over the couple years.
"You're coming with me," Harry stated.
"Potter, the only way I'd come with you is if I lost full control of my body and sanity," Malfoy answered.
"You can't stay here," Harry declared.
"Oh, and are you going to stop me?" Malfoy demanded.
"No."
Harry paused for a moment.
"You don't want to stay here," Harry told him.
"And you would know?"
"Yes."
Malfoy simply raised a groomed eyebrow.
"Both your parents are gone. Everything will be confiscated by the Ministry. The house will be left in ruins," Harry replied calmly, perfectly aware of what had happened downstairs even though he wasn't there. "This is the last place you want to be."
Malfoy rose to his feet indolently.
"This is the only place I'm wanted," he glowered. He pulled back the sleeve of his robe to reveal his pale skin. "I didn't join the Dark Lord."
Harry scrutinized the man who had been so strident in their years at school.
Not quite hearing what he himself was saying, Harry opened his mouth.
"You can stay with me."
Malfoy snorted. Below them, a shout was heard, followed by a bang. Malfoy closed his eyes and swallowed hard.
"You don't have much of a choice," Harry said warily.
Malfoy breathed deep. He opened his eyes slowly and stared at the man he had despised for so many years. He glared and then walked out of the room. Harry noted some of his prior strut was gone. Harry took a deep breath and followed, loosening his grip on his wand ever so slightly.
Hermione and Ron wouldn't be pleased with this arrangement at all. In fact, Harry knew that he wouldn't be either.
--
Disclaimer: Simply borrowing...
--
Chapter: Three - Onus probandi
--
pirate – thanks for reviewing
A/N: The translation for the previous chapter was "The times change, and we change with them". Not much on the romance plot in this chapter, but this chapter is important for many more to come, so bear with me here please. Please note that is not a slash (you'll understand later).
--
Harry was awake in his room staring through the darkness at the devoid wall. The dark green curtains didn't permit any light to flood into the room. When Hermione knocked, Harry was sitting at the head of his bed, legs tightly drawn to his chest.
Harry didn't answer Hermione, and so she entered, thinking he was still asleep. She saw Harry sitting in his bed, his dull emerald eyes wide with despair.
"Harry? Another nightmare?" she asked softly.
He nodded slowly. Hermione walked over to Harry and sat down by him. She wrapped her arm around his shoulders and placed her head on his shoulder gently.
"The Dursleys. He killed the Dursleys," Harry said almost incoherently.
Hermione raised her head and wiped away his tear. Strange, she thought, here's Harry crying for the Dursleys. Three people who easily fit into a list of people Harry despised, including Malfoy, Skeeter, and Fudge.
"I fucking hate them but they're my family, Hermione. My only remaining link to my parents beside Remus and Dumbledore."
Harry stared Hermione in the eyes. She could see his eyes dance with fury.
"I'm just so tired," he said, almost in a whisper.
Hermione nodded. She discerned little wrinkles that had made their way into Harry's forehead, the dark circles that seemed to impose upon his eyes, the under-eye bags that drooped onto Harry's high cheekbones.
She didn't say anything but hugged him closer and rested her head on his shoulder once more. He followed suit and they sat in silence until-
"Harry, mate, have you seen Hermione?" Ron stepped into the room, rubbing his half-asleep eyes. As soon as he moved his hands away, he stood stunned, confronted by the scene in front of him. It shouldn't have bothered him. It really shouldn't. And yet it did.
"Found her," he said lamely. With that, he turned around and walked out of the room.
Harry and Hermione pulled apart, and both their somber expressions were slowly modified into small grins.
"Do you still love him?" Harry asked, hinting at Hermione's everlasting attraction, no matter how small it was before, to Ron.
"I think so," Hermione replied with a perplexed manifestation.
"Well, we'd better get ready. We're going to be late," Harry said, standing up. He reached over, gave Hermione a kiss on the cheek and walked off to the bathroom. He opened the door and turned to look at his best friend.
"Thanks. And in case you care, I think he's starting to notice you as a female," Harry said tenderly. He winked then closed the door behind him.
Hermione walked downstairs to discover Ron biting into what looked like a spoonful of butter. Under his right elbow lay a slice of bread. He hadn't seen her come in. She walked up to the counter and made some coffee. She took a seat directly in front of Ron. He ignorantly stared right past her head and at the stark white cabinets.
It was only when Hermione pulled the spoon out of his hand and dumped the remainder of its contents on his flaming red hair did he recover from his stupor.
"Prove to me that you care about me," Hermione requested Ron as he jumped up and stood at eye level with her.
He looked at her for a while. Then, with a step towards her, he placed both his shaking hands on her cheeks and kissed her. Years later, Hermione would swear that she was floating on air at the moment.
However, at that moment, she pulled away.
"That's not enough Ron," she told him somberly, her eyes still closed. She opened her eyes and looked Ron in the eyes. She knew he wanted her, but she wasn't able to give herself to him until she knew it wouldn't just be a childish adoration, as Ron was so prone to. She picked up her bag and cloak and left the room. Ron still stood there, watching the closed door as he had the day before.
"Ron, you ready? We're going to be late for the third time in two days!" Harry yelled, as he ran down the stairs.
Ron nodded absent-mindedly and apparated.
Harry got out of the elevator on the second floor once more and made his way into the cramped room. He went straight to the back to hear the updates for the day from Moody. It turns out he was a bit early. Only one other person was there – Moody.
"Harry! Good. I've been meaning to speak with you," Moody growled. "You're to carry the burden," he said cryptically.
"Burden of what?" Harry asked, slightly baffled.
Moody studied Harry for a moment, then proceeded.
"Sirius' innocence. Or rather, I want proof. And you're going to find it," he grumbled, in a very low voice. "The burden of proof," he added, not sounding quite like the usual moody Moody.
Harry stared at the scarred man.
"Wormtail's dead," he said quietly.
"Constant vigilance," Moody repeated his favorite phrase. "Peter Pettigrew was spotted by the Greek Ministry. You are going there."
Harry's hand shot up to his scar. He gritted his teeth against the pain.
Harry cursed himself, thinking that he should have known that Wormtail would pull another disappearing act.
"Alone?" Harry questioned.
"No. Rouge, Dugarmon, and Skelin are in staying behind. We have other things to deal with here. Pettigrew is more of a personal issue, you understand," Moody replied. He observed Harry once more, furrowing what little eyebrow hadn't been blasted off.
"Kalipso is to come with you, for defense. She was born there and knows the area."
Harry's eyes gave off a little sparkle that was quickly dulled by a warning glance from the aging Auror.
"You're leaving on Friday. The details are on your desk. Kalipso has the same package. Don't mention this to anyone else. Order members are aware. Don't be surprised if you run into a few of them there."
Harry nodded obediently.
"Professor," Harry called, still not being able to shake off that habit. "I had another dream," he said slowly.
"The Dursleys are... dead," Harry hesitated. He watched Moody intently, but was incapable of reading the stoic expression.
Then slowly, Moody nodded. "I'll pass on the message," he replied, in a slightly softer tone.
Harry made his way to his desk and found a manila package on it. He opened it carefully and read.
Potter, Kalipso.
Friday, September 7, you will fly to the Apollo Inn in Greece. A hotel room has been provided already.
You are to report every evening via Owl Post. Keep messages short and cryptic.
You may return as soon as you have found Peter Pettigrew. Do NOT stray from the assignment.
Harry finished reading and took out the remaining contents. Harry presumed these were for Oliana's sake. There was a picture of Pettigrew in his human form and Animagus form. Another sheet contained known habits of the rat, just some helpful details. Harry looked at the list he had helped to compile. He glanced over it and then watched it go up in tickling flames in his hand.
Once the ashes disappeared, Harry picked up a second manila envelope and read through his current assignment.
He blinked in surprise when he discerned the name on the page.
Potter.
Tuesday, September 4, you will accompany the senior Aurors to the interrogation of Lucius Malfoy, notorius Death Eater.
Malfoy's father was caught? Harry thought surprised.
It took him a while to register why he even cared. Not being able to discover an answer, he rose and moved to Tonk's cubicle.
"Tonks?" he called the attention of the slightly-older woman.
Tonks was sporting long platinum blonde locks today.
"Trying to blend in at the Malfoy Manor?" Harry joked.
"Actually, yes," Tonks grinned.
"Malfoy has locked himself in the basement of his mansion," Tonks said apathetically. "His wife, however, is missing. I decided to get myself into Narcissa mode since that's how we're entering the premises."
"Oh," Harry said, doubting it would be that easy.
Tonks stood up, knocking over an inkpot in the process and pointedly ignoring it.
"Let's go. We're meeting the Kingsley there," she said.
They met with the rest on the outskirts of the Malfoy Mansion territory. The group consisted of only Tonks, Harry, and Kingsley Shacklebolt. Seeing Shacklebolt once more reminded Harry of the time they rescued him from the Dursley's and it sent an unexpected jolt of pain through his heart.
Apparently, Moody had not yet told the other members of the Order about their demise as they seemed oblivious. Harry decided to keep at that way, at least in the meantime.
Tonks wasted no time taking on Narcissa's appearance. She entered the grounds with no trouble. Within moments, a cry for help was heard and amidst all the chaos, Harry found himself walking into a large room containing only a king size bed and a desk, both extremely luxurious. His shoes hit hard against the stone floor, he moved toward the other side of the bed. A full head of platinum blonde hair contrasted wholly with the black sheets it rested on. Harry felt a wave of pity come over him. His adversary stared at him with a glare that sent shivers up Harry's spine.
"Get out," Draco Malfoy drawled in a manner that hadn't changed over the couple years.
"You're coming with me," Harry stated.
"Potter, the only way I'd come with you is if I lost full control of my body and sanity," Malfoy answered.
"You can't stay here," Harry declared.
"Oh, and are you going to stop me?" Malfoy demanded.
"No."
Harry paused for a moment.
"You don't want to stay here," Harry told him.
"And you would know?"
"Yes."
Malfoy simply raised a groomed eyebrow.
"Both your parents are gone. Everything will be confiscated by the Ministry. The house will be left in ruins," Harry replied calmly, perfectly aware of what had happened downstairs even though he wasn't there. "This is the last place you want to be."
Malfoy rose to his feet indolently.
"This is the only place I'm wanted," he glowered. He pulled back the sleeve of his robe to reveal his pale skin. "I didn't join the Dark Lord."
Harry scrutinized the man who had been so strident in their years at school.
Not quite hearing what he himself was saying, Harry opened his mouth.
"You can stay with me."
Malfoy snorted. Below them, a shout was heard, followed by a bang. Malfoy closed his eyes and swallowed hard.
"You don't have much of a choice," Harry said warily.
Malfoy breathed deep. He opened his eyes slowly and stared at the man he had despised for so many years. He glared and then walked out of the room. Harry noted some of his prior strut was gone. Harry took a deep breath and followed, loosening his grip on his wand ever so slightly.
Hermione and Ron wouldn't be pleased with this arrangement at all. In fact, Harry knew that he wouldn't be either.
--