AN: Hey all, I'm back!!!! Well after a rather busy 2 week holiday I'm
finally able to update again!!!! sorry its taken soo long, but apparently
you need the ability to connect to the internet to surf the net. Something
that wasn't in my talent list for the past two weeks. Soooo, Thanks to Kass
and Meagan for the beta work!! Luv ya guys!! And also to the reviewers!!!!
Thankyou Henio41 x2, black-ravenrose, Serpentiana, High?D, Tabiku Tab
Iakkin, Shadowface, ds, Darkfire1, hardcore, Jack Sparrow's Only Love, Lady
Phoenix Slytherin, hpstoryguy, athenakitty, su, Green-Eyed Serpent, SeXy
StAr GoDdEsS, Kage Mirai x2, Lilysunshine x12 – thankyou!!!! , Wonapalei,
Moonfairyhime, ShatteredxDream, sunny smiles, Theoddguy, lampshadesrgreat –
love ur name!!! lol, Oracle, syclike,
And now, the next chappie!!!
Greater Inheritance
Chapter 16 – A Small Tiff
"My dear Son! It's been too long, Draco."
Harry and Draco stopped dead at the sound of the silky voice coming from down the corridor. They quickly retracted their hands before Draco turned to face Lucius Malfoy.
"Lucius." Draco's face was arranged into an icy glare as he surveyed his father. "You must be the defective Death Eater."
"Yes, well, the Dark Lord has no chance of winning, hence, in exchange for my providing information, I have demanded sanctuary." Lucius calmly responded.
At this, Harry came to stand in front of Draco protectively. "Then I suggest you return to wherever you are staying, or people may think you're playing both sides." Harry said coldly.
"But how could I pass up the opportunity to see my beloved son, whom I haven't seen in weeks." Lucius replied calmly again, which irritated Harry no end.
"I'm sure you've lasted longer before. Term time is much longer, and we have yet to reach halfway through this term."
"Harry, what are you doing?" Draco gritted out under his breath, loud enough for only Harry to hear. Harry ignored him.
"But my recent experience has clearly shown what is important to me." He seemed sincere, which led Draco to believe that Voldemort was involved somewhere in all this.
"But what is more important is staying in your provided chambers, lest students see you and your secret be revealed, Lucius." A new voice entered the corridor as Severus joined them.
Lucius looked calculating as the Potions Master before nodding. "Of course. The need to see my son has blinded me. See me at your convenience, Dragon, I shall be waiting." He gave a short nod to Draco and Harry before grasping his cane, turning on his heel and swiftly returning to his rooms.
Snape watched the elder Malfoy like a hawk until he was out of site.
"And you two! Back to Slytherin. I don't want to see you out of dorms after curfew with him around."
Both boys turned back on to their path but were stopped again by the professor's voice.
"I don't know what he's trying to achieve by doing this but he certainly doesn't mean well. Do not meet with him, Draco. Evening boys." And with that Snape strode down the same corridor as Lucius had turned.
"What the hell do you think you were doing?" Draco's face morphed into a sneer as he took a glance at Harry before following their previous course.
"I –Drake." Harry stuttered before catching up. "I-I'm sorry.'
Draco sighed heavily as he picked up his pace and Harry tried to keep up.
Quickly they found themselves on the Slytherin corridor. Harry looked at Draco sadly.
"Draco, I'm sorry. I just don't want to loose you." Harry said earnestly as he caught Draco's arm.
"Harry. You should know by now I can bloody well defend myself. So just back off!" It came out harsher than Draco wanted, but at the moment he was too annoyed to care.
"Look Draco, you should know as well that I started out a Gryffindor and are therefore prone to act before thinking. But please, can you see why I want to protect you. I know I'm just paranoid but please. I'm sorry!" Harry tried to step closer but Draco took a step back and removed Harry's hand from his arm.
Draco looked at Harry a moment, his face devoid of emotion before taking a deep breath and another step back. "Goodnight, Harry."
And then Draco took another step as Harry's world seemed to stand still. He watched as Draco turned and walked down to the Slytherin common rooms, leaving Harry alone in the corridor. He finally came back to reality as the deafening silence reached his ears.
"FUCK!!! Me and my stupid mouth!! Fucking Gryffindor tendencies!" Harry yelled into the corridor as he made his way into his room to pick up the nearest object and ditch it at the opposite wall.
Vaguely he noticed some of the objects in the room begin to rattle and so tried to resettle himself and get a hold of his magic. Dropping to sit cross legged in front of the lounge, he resolved to meditate a little, to calm his emotions and to get a better grip on his magic. His control had been lapsing too easily lately.
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Late into the night, Harry had calmed himself enough to prevent grievous damage and worked on his hold. But he couldn't focus. His thoughts ran rampant with one standing out from the rest. Draco wouldn't be staying tonight.
Harry hadn't been a night without him for several weeks. The start of term seemed so far away and with Halloween only a week away. But Draco hadn't come back. What if he didn't come back? Was he that angry with Harry?
Needless to say, Harry got very little sleep that night as he tossed and turned for hours only to fall into a fitful sleep, have nightmares ranging from something happening to Draco to Draco doing something to him, before he awoke again 10 minutes later drenched in sweat.
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Harry rose even earlier the next morning for his jog. This did nothing to relieve his tension though and only served to make him even more tired than he was before.
He dragged himself back to his room to ready himself for the day before making his way to the common room to wait for Draco.
An hour and a half later, Harry had seen various students move around but no Draco. Still he patiently waited.
"I suggest you leave him be for today, Potter."
Harry's head whipped around to see Blaise Zabini approach him.
"He's still pretty angry. You definitely embarrassed him in front of his own father. Yes Potter, I know he's here. So just leave him be. He'll cool off soon. And besides, he already left."
Harry nodded quickly and said his thanks as he quickly left for the Great Hall. There was no sign of Draco there as he dejectedly sat in a seat and picked at some breakfast. He caught Hermione looking at him curiously, a hint of sadness in her eyes, but he shook his head and made his way to his first class of the day alone.
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Draco didn't sleep well that night as he found his bed uncomfortable and unnaturally cold. There was no Harry in it to keep him warm.
He shook his head to clear the thought away. He wasn't especially angry with Harry but just melancholic as he lay looking at the canopy of his bed.
It was 5:30 so he decided to get an early start for the day as he dressed and left for the library, making a pit stop at the kitchens for some breakfast.
Three quarters of an hour later, he couldn't stand the library any more. He needed to work something out. Taking up his book bag, he made his way to his father's rooms.
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"Harry Potter!! Harry Potter!! Harry Potter!!!! Master Draco be looking for Master Malfoy!!!"
"WHAT!?" Harry looked down at the elf, luckily the corridor was empty so far.
"Master Draco be looking for Master Malfoy!"
"Lucius?!"
"Yes, Harry Potter! Master Malfoy!"
"Go back to him, quickly! Remember, defend him as best you can. Please Dobby."
"Of course Harry Potter!" Dobby disappeared in another pop. Harry stood stunned in the middle of the corridor. What should he do?
"He can defend himself, and besides, Dobby is there. He can defend himself."
"Harry?"
"Hermione!" Harry turned to see the head girl head his way.
"Harry, what's the matter? Who can defend himself?"
Harry sighed and Hermione thought he looked so forlorn. She took his hand in her own and waited for Harry to answer.
"Draco. He's gone to see Lucius. He's the defective Death Eater. He arrived last night."
"What happened?"
Harry drew her along the corridor a small ways and entered an empty classroom. He sat on one of the desks as Hermione stood before him.
"We met up with Lucius in the corridors last night. And I-...I acted the macho Gryffindor and did all the talking and stood in front of Draco to protect him."
"You hurt his pride, and in front of his own father." Hermione sighed sadly.
"And now he's gone to see Lucius. No one except Dobby and I know."
"Dobby? How does he know?"
"I asked Dobby to watch Draco since the Christmas card attack. He came and told me Draco was looking for Lucius' rooms."
"Harry, Lucius can't do anything whilst in the castle without Dumbledore knowing. There would be portraits in his room, and he would have had his wand confiscated. It isn't likely that Mr Malfoy has wandless magic like Draco otherwise we would be in fear of Lord Lucius and not Voldemort. If Mr Malfoy was stronger than Voldemort then he would have gotten rid of him years ago himself. Draco is strong though. Wandless wizards have to be extremely powerful to master it so Draco should be fine, even if Mr Malfoy tried something."
Harry nodded quietly, she'd addressed all his fears and allayed them. But it was the fears he hadn't yet thought of that scared him. All the other scenarios that might eventuate.
"He'll be fine, Harry. Now come on. We've got class to get to." Harry reluctantly let himself be dragged to class.
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"My Dear son, My Dragon! You came!" As soon as Draco had entered the room, Lucius had been on his feet and coming to envelop him in a hug.
"Drop the act, Father." Draco took a step to the side.
"Draco. Can't a father greet his son after so many months of being apart?"
"You don't care that much for me father. Don't try and fool me." Draco took a seat by the fire and waited for the older man to sit across from him.
"Very well then." Lucius sat. "Would you like a drink?" he motioned to a crystal decanter.
"This is a school father. Its hardly appropriate to serve alcohol to a student"
Lucius shrugged and poured himself a glass. "How go your studies?"
"Why are you here?"
"I am here because I no longer believe in Lord Voldemort. He has become crazy, and no longer cares for the views his old follower's hold so dearly." Lucius sat back in the elegant leather chair as he looked at his son with a carefully moulded façade.
"You expect me to believe that?" Draco looked at his father evenly, one eyebrow raised in question.
"Why shouldn't you. It's the truth." Lucius continued to stare levelly with his son.
"Because I know you well enough to know that you'd never go against the Dark Lord."
"What of Mr Potter. You've come to be quite close. I hope your emotions have not clouded your judgement."
"Hardly. I know what I'm doing. And I'm sure the Dark Lord will be pleased with my work."
"The Dark Lord? You've sided with Lord Voldemort?"
"Don't act so surprised. You've raised me up to this path. And I intend to serve my Master well."
"I'm sure he will be pleased then."
"So what are you planning to achieve by being here."
"Gauge Dumbledore's usefulness to the Order and if he is a plausible target."
Draco looked at him for a few moments as Lucius continued his emotionless façade. "You wouldn't tell me your mission so easily so don't even bother trying to fool me, father. I have lessons to attend so I shall take my leave." Draco turned his back and walked to the door.
"Believe what you will, my Dragon."
Draco didn't even pause as he left the room making sure to lock the door again and he made his way to class.
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"Harry, stop fidgeting!" Hermione admonished as he sat beside her in transfiguration whilst he looked between the clock and the door and then occasionally the book on every third loop. That wasn't what was annoying Hermione. It was the constant bouncing of his knee and the tap of fingers on the table.
"Sorry." Harry stopped his knee and fingers only to start biting his nails.
"Harry. He'll be alright." Hermione took the hand he was biting and laced her fingers with his.
"I can't help it alright. I'm not used to someone important to me being able to defend themselves, and not being there with him doesn't help." Harry for once was truly scared.
Hermione didn't know what to say, so kept quiet, squeezing his hand but not letting go. She went back to reading. Harry went back to looking at the clock, running his hand through his hair and looking at the door.
It was on the 79th loop, when Harry was looking at the clock that the door opened.
"I trust you have a reason for being late, Mr Malfoy?" McGonagall's voice disturbed Harry's thoughts.
Harry's head snapped up as he looked for Draco. As soon as he'd found the blonde haired, Harry was on his way to standing but Hermione pulled him down.
"Stay!" Hermione whispered harshly and Harry glared heatedly at her before looking back to Draco.
"I was speaking with Professor Snape." Draco drawled as he took an empty seat next to Blaise.
"Do you have a pass?" McGonagall questioned further.
"No."
McGonagall's face was set in a frown, "Get a pass next time Mr Malfoy. Page 394."
The next thing anyone in the class heard was Harry's head hitting the table with a dull thunk.
Hermione caught Draco's eye, but his face showed nothing. Soon he turned away and brought his book out.
"See Harry. He's alright." Hermione soothed as Harry brought his head back up as he looked straight over to Draco. He watched the blonde for a few moments, totally ignoring everything else in the room.
"MR POTTER!!" Harry looked above him to find McGonagall looking down on him, her face angry. "Would you kindly pay attention."
Harry nodded mutely, pulling his book in front of him.
Draco watched as Harry seemed in his own little world, staring at him. McGonagall had yelled his name three times before he'd snapped out of it. He was worried, Draco concluded as Harry pulled his book in front of himself. But how'd he know?
For the rest of the day, Harry repeatedly tried to approach Draco but the blonde would shake his head and continue on. All Harry wanted to do was say sorry and make sure he was alright. But at the moment he was being denied even that.
They sat separately at dinner and afterwards, Draco disappeared with Blaise and Nott. Harry went to his room and tried desperately not to think of Draco. Eventually he came across the parchment Sev had given him on the Animagus potion. He decided to focus on this as he brought out his cauldron and set to work.
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Draco sat alone in his room after asking Blaise and Theodore to leave him alone for a while. He had done most of his homework for the day and any minor assignments. But now his thoughts stayed on Harry. He couldn't stand speaking to Harry today, and he knew Harry was desperate to do so. But he couldn't. There were too many things running through his head.
Maybe tomorrow.
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Harry diligently brewed the potion but Draco was still in his thoughts. He shook his head as he bottled a sample. Cleaning up a bit, he left the potion in the cauldron and left to find Snape.
He found him in his office marking again. He knocked loudly before walking straight in.
Snape looked up, his trademark glare set in place, to see who'd entered his office. That glare was increased another ten notches as he spied Harry Potter coming closer.
"WHAT the hell did you do to him?" Snape seethed as he stood to his full height behind his desk.
"Draco, oh, well, you were there." Harry said dejectedly as he remained standing, his head hanging low, his hand running through his hair.
"Would you like to explain yourself?" Snape whispered in his deadliest tone of voice.
"I forgot he's not helpless like those in Gryffindor. I defended him and now he's pissed at me. He won't talk to me."
"Then you'd best keep that in mind in future."
"I know he can easily take care of himself but, I want to protect him. You even asked me to protect him. Now I have no chance because I can't even get near him." Harry was almost close to tears.
"Then I suggest you work on your relationship with Mr Malfoy. If anything happens to him I will hold you to blame." Harry nodded mutely, he would hold himself to blame too. "Now. What do you want?"
"I made the Animagus potion. You asked to check it before I took any."
"Indeed." Snape held his hand out for the potion. After a few moments of checking it, Severus handed it back. "Perfect. Did you keep the rest?" At Harry's nod he continued, "Bring it to me and I shall bottle it. Take it now."
"Now?" Harry questioned as he received the potion back.
"Yes. I would like to know your form." Snape's tone held no discussion in it so Harry shrugged and downed the potion.
Immediately he felt the liquid burn down his throat and then settle in his stomach. He felt his insides move and bones reshape as he squeezed his eyes closed. It wasn't painful but it felt incredibly disturbing as he shrunk slightly and fell down on to four paws. His hearing and sight increased dramatically as finally everything seemed to stop. Harry opened his eyes for the second time and looked around for Snape. He found him standing behind his desk still, but he was deathly pale as his eyes were wide and his mouth hanging open.
Curious at Severus' reaction, Harry started looking at himself. At first glance and his arms and body, he thought he was a dog, a very strange one at that. His fur was the same colour as his hair, the same midnight black but now it was very shiny as the light reflected off it. He was completely black except for his paws, which were a blood red. He quickly looked back to Sev who seemed to finally get over his shock and conjured a mirror. Looking at his reflection, he also found his ears to be the same blood red. In appearance, he looked exactly like a Doberman yet only taller and more muscular and sinewy. And then he noticed his eyes, his usual bright emerald green eyes.
He looked again to Snape for an explanation.
Snape caught on to his meaning eventually. "You're form, Mr Potter is that of the Cnn Annwn. From Celtic mythology, the Cnn Annwn were said to be the Hell Hounds of the Otherworld and pets to the Lord of Night Hunt, Gwyn Up Nudd. Gwyn Up Nudd is what you might call the Grim Reaper of Celtic Mythology as it is him that collects the souls of the dead and takes them to the Triple Goddess in the Otherworld."
The Cnn Annwn nodded its head, asking for more information.
"That is all I know, Mr Potter. I understand that Miss Granger is the walking encyclopaedia."
Harry growled, his teeth bared and the hackles on his back rising; Snape quickly backed up to the wall behind him.
"However, there is one difference. The Cnn Annwn usually have red eyes. You seemed to have retained your green eyes." Snape took a seat at his desk to compose himself.
Suddenly, Harry's head whipped around to the door. Before Harry could transform, a knock had sounded and the door opened.
"Uncle Sev, do you have a moment?" Harry could smell Draco's scent so powerfully that he had to sit down from the intoxication.
Draco looked down to his left to find the Cnn Annwn sitting and staring at him.
"GOOD LORD!" Draco jumped as he near fell over the chair in his haste to back away. All was silent as eventually the Hell Hound stood and walked to Draco. He sniffed him again, before nuzzling his nose into Draco's hand. Eventually, Draco worked up the courage and he ran his hand down Harry's head, neck and down to his shoulders.
"Why is there a Cnn Annwn in your office, Sev?" Draco asked quietly as he continued to stroke the coarse black fur.
"Never mind Draco. What did you wish to speak about."
"I'm a bit confused," Draco started as he knelt down in front of the Hell Hound continuing to stroke it.
Harry closed his eyes in time for Draco not to notice their colour.
"Does this have anything to do with Mr Potter?"
"Yeah. I.... I'm not angry with him, just, I don't know." Draco sighed as he finally sat on the ground, his back to the wall and Harry sitting in front of him.
Snape waited for Draco to continue.
"In the corridor last night, you were there. I'm not defenceless like those Gryffindorks. I guess I just forget that he's still adjusting to Slytherin." Draco reasoned.
"Perhaps you should work it out tomorrow with Mr Potter then. I'm sure that he is more than eager to drops to his knees and beg for forgiveness." Snape said, happy in the knowledge he would get away with it if Harry didn't want to reveal himself.
"I planned to." Draco smiled as the Cnn Annwn wagged its tail. "You think it's a good idea? Then it must be."
Draco moved his hand to scratch behind its ear and immediately the Hell Hound turned to goo as Harry cocked his head to the side and leaned into the touch. "What is it with dogs and being scratched behind the ears?"
Snape shook his head as he shuffled the papers on his desk. "Was that all, Draco?"
"Yeah! Thanks uncle Sev." Draco stood up and the Hell Hound looked at him, his ears drooping. "And thankyou." Draco stood before the Cnn Annwn and bowed. "Goodnight Sev. "
Draco closed the door and Snape looked back to Harry. "You may turn back now."
Harry cocked his head to the side in silent question.
"Imagine yourself in your usual form, being able to stand straight, flex your arms. Imagine this and it will be so."
Harry concentrated and moments later felt the disturbing feeling again as his insides moved and changed. A minute later he stood as he was before he transformed into the Cnn Annwn.
"Whoa. That was so strange." Harry shook himself to dispel the last of the disturbing feelings under his skin. "And Draco isn't angry at me!" Harry smiled broadly.
"Indeed. So DON'T screw up!" Snape dismissed him with a wave of his hand as he went back to his work.
"Thanks, Severus. Goodnight."
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I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry!!! Next chap all will be right with the world once more!!!
Don't forget to review!!!
Cheers EverWinter
And now, the next chappie!!!
Greater Inheritance
Chapter 16 – A Small Tiff
"My dear Son! It's been too long, Draco."
Harry and Draco stopped dead at the sound of the silky voice coming from down the corridor. They quickly retracted their hands before Draco turned to face Lucius Malfoy.
"Lucius." Draco's face was arranged into an icy glare as he surveyed his father. "You must be the defective Death Eater."
"Yes, well, the Dark Lord has no chance of winning, hence, in exchange for my providing information, I have demanded sanctuary." Lucius calmly responded.
At this, Harry came to stand in front of Draco protectively. "Then I suggest you return to wherever you are staying, or people may think you're playing both sides." Harry said coldly.
"But how could I pass up the opportunity to see my beloved son, whom I haven't seen in weeks." Lucius replied calmly again, which irritated Harry no end.
"I'm sure you've lasted longer before. Term time is much longer, and we have yet to reach halfway through this term."
"Harry, what are you doing?" Draco gritted out under his breath, loud enough for only Harry to hear. Harry ignored him.
"But my recent experience has clearly shown what is important to me." He seemed sincere, which led Draco to believe that Voldemort was involved somewhere in all this.
"But what is more important is staying in your provided chambers, lest students see you and your secret be revealed, Lucius." A new voice entered the corridor as Severus joined them.
Lucius looked calculating as the Potions Master before nodding. "Of course. The need to see my son has blinded me. See me at your convenience, Dragon, I shall be waiting." He gave a short nod to Draco and Harry before grasping his cane, turning on his heel and swiftly returning to his rooms.
Snape watched the elder Malfoy like a hawk until he was out of site.
"And you two! Back to Slytherin. I don't want to see you out of dorms after curfew with him around."
Both boys turned back on to their path but were stopped again by the professor's voice.
"I don't know what he's trying to achieve by doing this but he certainly doesn't mean well. Do not meet with him, Draco. Evening boys." And with that Snape strode down the same corridor as Lucius had turned.
"What the hell do you think you were doing?" Draco's face morphed into a sneer as he took a glance at Harry before following their previous course.
"I –Drake." Harry stuttered before catching up. "I-I'm sorry.'
Draco sighed heavily as he picked up his pace and Harry tried to keep up.
Quickly they found themselves on the Slytherin corridor. Harry looked at Draco sadly.
"Draco, I'm sorry. I just don't want to loose you." Harry said earnestly as he caught Draco's arm.
"Harry. You should know by now I can bloody well defend myself. So just back off!" It came out harsher than Draco wanted, but at the moment he was too annoyed to care.
"Look Draco, you should know as well that I started out a Gryffindor and are therefore prone to act before thinking. But please, can you see why I want to protect you. I know I'm just paranoid but please. I'm sorry!" Harry tried to step closer but Draco took a step back and removed Harry's hand from his arm.
Draco looked at Harry a moment, his face devoid of emotion before taking a deep breath and another step back. "Goodnight, Harry."
And then Draco took another step as Harry's world seemed to stand still. He watched as Draco turned and walked down to the Slytherin common rooms, leaving Harry alone in the corridor. He finally came back to reality as the deafening silence reached his ears.
"FUCK!!! Me and my stupid mouth!! Fucking Gryffindor tendencies!" Harry yelled into the corridor as he made his way into his room to pick up the nearest object and ditch it at the opposite wall.
Vaguely he noticed some of the objects in the room begin to rattle and so tried to resettle himself and get a hold of his magic. Dropping to sit cross legged in front of the lounge, he resolved to meditate a little, to calm his emotions and to get a better grip on his magic. His control had been lapsing too easily lately.
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Late into the night, Harry had calmed himself enough to prevent grievous damage and worked on his hold. But he couldn't focus. His thoughts ran rampant with one standing out from the rest. Draco wouldn't be staying tonight.
Harry hadn't been a night without him for several weeks. The start of term seemed so far away and with Halloween only a week away. But Draco hadn't come back. What if he didn't come back? Was he that angry with Harry?
Needless to say, Harry got very little sleep that night as he tossed and turned for hours only to fall into a fitful sleep, have nightmares ranging from something happening to Draco to Draco doing something to him, before he awoke again 10 minutes later drenched in sweat.
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Harry rose even earlier the next morning for his jog. This did nothing to relieve his tension though and only served to make him even more tired than he was before.
He dragged himself back to his room to ready himself for the day before making his way to the common room to wait for Draco.
An hour and a half later, Harry had seen various students move around but no Draco. Still he patiently waited.
"I suggest you leave him be for today, Potter."
Harry's head whipped around to see Blaise Zabini approach him.
"He's still pretty angry. You definitely embarrassed him in front of his own father. Yes Potter, I know he's here. So just leave him be. He'll cool off soon. And besides, he already left."
Harry nodded quickly and said his thanks as he quickly left for the Great Hall. There was no sign of Draco there as he dejectedly sat in a seat and picked at some breakfast. He caught Hermione looking at him curiously, a hint of sadness in her eyes, but he shook his head and made his way to his first class of the day alone.
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Draco didn't sleep well that night as he found his bed uncomfortable and unnaturally cold. There was no Harry in it to keep him warm.
He shook his head to clear the thought away. He wasn't especially angry with Harry but just melancholic as he lay looking at the canopy of his bed.
It was 5:30 so he decided to get an early start for the day as he dressed and left for the library, making a pit stop at the kitchens for some breakfast.
Three quarters of an hour later, he couldn't stand the library any more. He needed to work something out. Taking up his book bag, he made his way to his father's rooms.
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"Harry Potter!! Harry Potter!! Harry Potter!!!! Master Draco be looking for Master Malfoy!!!"
"WHAT!?" Harry looked down at the elf, luckily the corridor was empty so far.
"Master Draco be looking for Master Malfoy!"
"Lucius?!"
"Yes, Harry Potter! Master Malfoy!"
"Go back to him, quickly! Remember, defend him as best you can. Please Dobby."
"Of course Harry Potter!" Dobby disappeared in another pop. Harry stood stunned in the middle of the corridor. What should he do?
"He can defend himself, and besides, Dobby is there. He can defend himself."
"Harry?"
"Hermione!" Harry turned to see the head girl head his way.
"Harry, what's the matter? Who can defend himself?"
Harry sighed and Hermione thought he looked so forlorn. She took his hand in her own and waited for Harry to answer.
"Draco. He's gone to see Lucius. He's the defective Death Eater. He arrived last night."
"What happened?"
Harry drew her along the corridor a small ways and entered an empty classroom. He sat on one of the desks as Hermione stood before him.
"We met up with Lucius in the corridors last night. And I-...I acted the macho Gryffindor and did all the talking and stood in front of Draco to protect him."
"You hurt his pride, and in front of his own father." Hermione sighed sadly.
"And now he's gone to see Lucius. No one except Dobby and I know."
"Dobby? How does he know?"
"I asked Dobby to watch Draco since the Christmas card attack. He came and told me Draco was looking for Lucius' rooms."
"Harry, Lucius can't do anything whilst in the castle without Dumbledore knowing. There would be portraits in his room, and he would have had his wand confiscated. It isn't likely that Mr Malfoy has wandless magic like Draco otherwise we would be in fear of Lord Lucius and not Voldemort. If Mr Malfoy was stronger than Voldemort then he would have gotten rid of him years ago himself. Draco is strong though. Wandless wizards have to be extremely powerful to master it so Draco should be fine, even if Mr Malfoy tried something."
Harry nodded quietly, she'd addressed all his fears and allayed them. But it was the fears he hadn't yet thought of that scared him. All the other scenarios that might eventuate.
"He'll be fine, Harry. Now come on. We've got class to get to." Harry reluctantly let himself be dragged to class.
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"My Dear son, My Dragon! You came!" As soon as Draco had entered the room, Lucius had been on his feet and coming to envelop him in a hug.
"Drop the act, Father." Draco took a step to the side.
"Draco. Can't a father greet his son after so many months of being apart?"
"You don't care that much for me father. Don't try and fool me." Draco took a seat by the fire and waited for the older man to sit across from him.
"Very well then." Lucius sat. "Would you like a drink?" he motioned to a crystal decanter.
"This is a school father. Its hardly appropriate to serve alcohol to a student"
Lucius shrugged and poured himself a glass. "How go your studies?"
"Why are you here?"
"I am here because I no longer believe in Lord Voldemort. He has become crazy, and no longer cares for the views his old follower's hold so dearly." Lucius sat back in the elegant leather chair as he looked at his son with a carefully moulded façade.
"You expect me to believe that?" Draco looked at his father evenly, one eyebrow raised in question.
"Why shouldn't you. It's the truth." Lucius continued to stare levelly with his son.
"Because I know you well enough to know that you'd never go against the Dark Lord."
"What of Mr Potter. You've come to be quite close. I hope your emotions have not clouded your judgement."
"Hardly. I know what I'm doing. And I'm sure the Dark Lord will be pleased with my work."
"The Dark Lord? You've sided with Lord Voldemort?"
"Don't act so surprised. You've raised me up to this path. And I intend to serve my Master well."
"I'm sure he will be pleased then."
"So what are you planning to achieve by being here."
"Gauge Dumbledore's usefulness to the Order and if he is a plausible target."
Draco looked at him for a few moments as Lucius continued his emotionless façade. "You wouldn't tell me your mission so easily so don't even bother trying to fool me, father. I have lessons to attend so I shall take my leave." Draco turned his back and walked to the door.
"Believe what you will, my Dragon."
Draco didn't even pause as he left the room making sure to lock the door again and he made his way to class.
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"Harry, stop fidgeting!" Hermione admonished as he sat beside her in transfiguration whilst he looked between the clock and the door and then occasionally the book on every third loop. That wasn't what was annoying Hermione. It was the constant bouncing of his knee and the tap of fingers on the table.
"Sorry." Harry stopped his knee and fingers only to start biting his nails.
"Harry. He'll be alright." Hermione took the hand he was biting and laced her fingers with his.
"I can't help it alright. I'm not used to someone important to me being able to defend themselves, and not being there with him doesn't help." Harry for once was truly scared.
Hermione didn't know what to say, so kept quiet, squeezing his hand but not letting go. She went back to reading. Harry went back to looking at the clock, running his hand through his hair and looking at the door.
It was on the 79th loop, when Harry was looking at the clock that the door opened.
"I trust you have a reason for being late, Mr Malfoy?" McGonagall's voice disturbed Harry's thoughts.
Harry's head snapped up as he looked for Draco. As soon as he'd found the blonde haired, Harry was on his way to standing but Hermione pulled him down.
"Stay!" Hermione whispered harshly and Harry glared heatedly at her before looking back to Draco.
"I was speaking with Professor Snape." Draco drawled as he took an empty seat next to Blaise.
"Do you have a pass?" McGonagall questioned further.
"No."
McGonagall's face was set in a frown, "Get a pass next time Mr Malfoy. Page 394."
The next thing anyone in the class heard was Harry's head hitting the table with a dull thunk.
Hermione caught Draco's eye, but his face showed nothing. Soon he turned away and brought his book out.
"See Harry. He's alright." Hermione soothed as Harry brought his head back up as he looked straight over to Draco. He watched the blonde for a few moments, totally ignoring everything else in the room.
"MR POTTER!!" Harry looked above him to find McGonagall looking down on him, her face angry. "Would you kindly pay attention."
Harry nodded mutely, pulling his book in front of him.
Draco watched as Harry seemed in his own little world, staring at him. McGonagall had yelled his name three times before he'd snapped out of it. He was worried, Draco concluded as Harry pulled his book in front of himself. But how'd he know?
For the rest of the day, Harry repeatedly tried to approach Draco but the blonde would shake his head and continue on. All Harry wanted to do was say sorry and make sure he was alright. But at the moment he was being denied even that.
They sat separately at dinner and afterwards, Draco disappeared with Blaise and Nott. Harry went to his room and tried desperately not to think of Draco. Eventually he came across the parchment Sev had given him on the Animagus potion. He decided to focus on this as he brought out his cauldron and set to work.
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Draco sat alone in his room after asking Blaise and Theodore to leave him alone for a while. He had done most of his homework for the day and any minor assignments. But now his thoughts stayed on Harry. He couldn't stand speaking to Harry today, and he knew Harry was desperate to do so. But he couldn't. There were too many things running through his head.
Maybe tomorrow.
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Harry diligently brewed the potion but Draco was still in his thoughts. He shook his head as he bottled a sample. Cleaning up a bit, he left the potion in the cauldron and left to find Snape.
He found him in his office marking again. He knocked loudly before walking straight in.
Snape looked up, his trademark glare set in place, to see who'd entered his office. That glare was increased another ten notches as he spied Harry Potter coming closer.
"WHAT the hell did you do to him?" Snape seethed as he stood to his full height behind his desk.
"Draco, oh, well, you were there." Harry said dejectedly as he remained standing, his head hanging low, his hand running through his hair.
"Would you like to explain yourself?" Snape whispered in his deadliest tone of voice.
"I forgot he's not helpless like those in Gryffindor. I defended him and now he's pissed at me. He won't talk to me."
"Then you'd best keep that in mind in future."
"I know he can easily take care of himself but, I want to protect him. You even asked me to protect him. Now I have no chance because I can't even get near him." Harry was almost close to tears.
"Then I suggest you work on your relationship with Mr Malfoy. If anything happens to him I will hold you to blame." Harry nodded mutely, he would hold himself to blame too. "Now. What do you want?"
"I made the Animagus potion. You asked to check it before I took any."
"Indeed." Snape held his hand out for the potion. After a few moments of checking it, Severus handed it back. "Perfect. Did you keep the rest?" At Harry's nod he continued, "Bring it to me and I shall bottle it. Take it now."
"Now?" Harry questioned as he received the potion back.
"Yes. I would like to know your form." Snape's tone held no discussion in it so Harry shrugged and downed the potion.
Immediately he felt the liquid burn down his throat and then settle in his stomach. He felt his insides move and bones reshape as he squeezed his eyes closed. It wasn't painful but it felt incredibly disturbing as he shrunk slightly and fell down on to four paws. His hearing and sight increased dramatically as finally everything seemed to stop. Harry opened his eyes for the second time and looked around for Snape. He found him standing behind his desk still, but he was deathly pale as his eyes were wide and his mouth hanging open.
Curious at Severus' reaction, Harry started looking at himself. At first glance and his arms and body, he thought he was a dog, a very strange one at that. His fur was the same colour as his hair, the same midnight black but now it was very shiny as the light reflected off it. He was completely black except for his paws, which were a blood red. He quickly looked back to Sev who seemed to finally get over his shock and conjured a mirror. Looking at his reflection, he also found his ears to be the same blood red. In appearance, he looked exactly like a Doberman yet only taller and more muscular and sinewy. And then he noticed his eyes, his usual bright emerald green eyes.
He looked again to Snape for an explanation.
Snape caught on to his meaning eventually. "You're form, Mr Potter is that of the Cnn Annwn. From Celtic mythology, the Cnn Annwn were said to be the Hell Hounds of the Otherworld and pets to the Lord of Night Hunt, Gwyn Up Nudd. Gwyn Up Nudd is what you might call the Grim Reaper of Celtic Mythology as it is him that collects the souls of the dead and takes them to the Triple Goddess in the Otherworld."
The Cnn Annwn nodded its head, asking for more information.
"That is all I know, Mr Potter. I understand that Miss Granger is the walking encyclopaedia."
Harry growled, his teeth bared and the hackles on his back rising; Snape quickly backed up to the wall behind him.
"However, there is one difference. The Cnn Annwn usually have red eyes. You seemed to have retained your green eyes." Snape took a seat at his desk to compose himself.
Suddenly, Harry's head whipped around to the door. Before Harry could transform, a knock had sounded and the door opened.
"Uncle Sev, do you have a moment?" Harry could smell Draco's scent so powerfully that he had to sit down from the intoxication.
Draco looked down to his left to find the Cnn Annwn sitting and staring at him.
"GOOD LORD!" Draco jumped as he near fell over the chair in his haste to back away. All was silent as eventually the Hell Hound stood and walked to Draco. He sniffed him again, before nuzzling his nose into Draco's hand. Eventually, Draco worked up the courage and he ran his hand down Harry's head, neck and down to his shoulders.
"Why is there a Cnn Annwn in your office, Sev?" Draco asked quietly as he continued to stroke the coarse black fur.
"Never mind Draco. What did you wish to speak about."
"I'm a bit confused," Draco started as he knelt down in front of the Hell Hound continuing to stroke it.
Harry closed his eyes in time for Draco not to notice their colour.
"Does this have anything to do with Mr Potter?"
"Yeah. I.... I'm not angry with him, just, I don't know." Draco sighed as he finally sat on the ground, his back to the wall and Harry sitting in front of him.
Snape waited for Draco to continue.
"In the corridor last night, you were there. I'm not defenceless like those Gryffindorks. I guess I just forget that he's still adjusting to Slytherin." Draco reasoned.
"Perhaps you should work it out tomorrow with Mr Potter then. I'm sure that he is more than eager to drops to his knees and beg for forgiveness." Snape said, happy in the knowledge he would get away with it if Harry didn't want to reveal himself.
"I planned to." Draco smiled as the Cnn Annwn wagged its tail. "You think it's a good idea? Then it must be."
Draco moved his hand to scratch behind its ear and immediately the Hell Hound turned to goo as Harry cocked his head to the side and leaned into the touch. "What is it with dogs and being scratched behind the ears?"
Snape shook his head as he shuffled the papers on his desk. "Was that all, Draco?"
"Yeah! Thanks uncle Sev." Draco stood up and the Hell Hound looked at him, his ears drooping. "And thankyou." Draco stood before the Cnn Annwn and bowed. "Goodnight Sev. "
Draco closed the door and Snape looked back to Harry. "You may turn back now."
Harry cocked his head to the side in silent question.
"Imagine yourself in your usual form, being able to stand straight, flex your arms. Imagine this and it will be so."
Harry concentrated and moments later felt the disturbing feeling again as his insides moved and changed. A minute later he stood as he was before he transformed into the Cnn Annwn.
"Whoa. That was so strange." Harry shook himself to dispel the last of the disturbing feelings under his skin. "And Draco isn't angry at me!" Harry smiled broadly.
"Indeed. So DON'T screw up!" Snape dismissed him with a wave of his hand as he went back to his work.
"Thanks, Severus. Goodnight."
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I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry!!! Next chap all will be right with the world once more!!!
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Cheers EverWinter