Disclaimer: NOT MINE! NOTHING IS MINE EXCEPT FOR LOKI, THOR, VECTOR, LEO,
AKIRA, KAZUKI, AND RIN! AND OTHER OCS IN FUTURE CHAPTERS! THE HOUSE-ELVES
BELONGS TO ME TOO!
First time attempting to write a Harry Potter fic so be kind and R&R. And no one beta-ed this so don't mind my grammar mistakes.
Warning: This will be SLASH! Meaning 2 guys in THAT kind of relationship!
Spoilers: Books 1-4, ignore 5
Pairings: Main - Severus/Sirius Others - Harry/Kazuki and Leo/Draco
Languages:
"blah blah blah" - English
'blah blah blah' - Japanese
------------------------------------------------------------------
19. Lucius Malfoy was kidnapped?
(Posted 02/26/04 – Thursday)
------------------------------------------------------------------
"So this is the Hogsmeade you've been telling me about," Loki said, turning his head side to side as he absorbed the scenery. "Not too shabby, but small town, isn't it?"
"It's the last Wizarding town that exists today," said Draco.
"This is a very popular sight for Hogwarts students who want to take a break from the school surroundings," Harry said, inhaling the scent of grass, people, and the very stores. "Though it's a pity only third-years and up can come."
Loki nodded. "No matter how wonderful a place could be, it begins to feel like a cage if you don't go out once in awhile."
"Makes you wonder if Snape is really mad from hiding in the dungeons all these years," said Ron.
"Ron!" said Hermione, hitting his arm. "Don't say that."
"That hurt," said Ron.
"I'm not involving in a couple's spat," said Ginny. "Hey Colin, let's go walk a bit. I want to visit Zonko's."
"Sure," said Colin. "Meet you guys at the Three Broomsticks later."
"Kay," said Loki. "Enjoy your date!"
They simultaneously rolled their eyes, waved, and left.
"Sorry but it's true," Ron said to Loki. "Snape is hell-bent on torturing us students with his lessons and he scares Neville."
"Funny," said Leo. "The students at Sakura loved Mr. Snape's lessons."
"You serious?" said Ron.
"Yup, Uncle's popular in my old school," said Loki. "He has this mysterious personality going on that drove people crazy. The crazy turns into obsession and last year, I had about three different stalkers, trying to get information about Uncle from me. It was fun."
"It was fun being stalked?" Theodore said, fitting into the group easier than Ron after a week of sharing a room with the Japanese.
"Yea," said Loki. "Instead of them pissing me off, I pissed them off by doing my disappearing act. Or I could always lead them in circles."
"So that was why we got lost so many times last year when we went on field trips," said Leo. "You knew you were being followed."
"Of course," Loki said, rocking on balls of his feet and ginning like an idiot.
Leo grabbed him around the neck and gave him a hard rub on the head. "Those outings ruined my favorite pair of sneakers."
"Ouch, ouch, ouch," Loki said, trying to pry open Leo's arm. "Help me! Help me! Someone! Anyone! There's a child molester touching me! Ouch!"
Loki was shrieking in gibberish by then and Harry covered his ears since he was the closest. Hermione giggled, Theodore laughed silently, and Ron was freaked. Wizards and witches stared wide-eyed at Leo, hearing child molester, but the Hogwarts students ignored it.
Thor noticed the spectacle and came over to them. "Behave yourselves."
Leo released Loki and he stumbled before catching himself. Ron was even more freaked in the presence of another Snape in close proximity. Harry, Hermione, Theodore weren't worried as they saw the tiny upward twitch at his mouth.
"The people here don't take your jokes as lightly as back home, little monkey," said Thor. "Keep your insane character in check."
"But Bro, I'm outside," said Loki. "You know how being outside affects me."
Thor sighed and smoothed the bangs hanging down his brother's forehead. "I know exactly how it affects you. Why do you think I call you little monkey. It wasn't for your brown skin and long arms."
Loki paused. "Oh."
"That was your first warning," said Thor. "One more outburst like that and you're not coming to Hogsmeade again."
The Auror on leave walked away.
"That's harsh," said Ron.
"It's no problem," said Loki. "That was just words and he won't act on it. He's a big softie underneath the layers and layers of bitterness."
"That's deep," said Harry.
"His family is dysfunctional," said Leo. "I thought you figured that out by yourself."
"Err," said Ron.
"That's not a nice thing to say about your friend's family," said Hermione.
"His family is dysfunctional as well," said Loki. "That's the bond between us, Kazuki, and Akira. All our families are messed-up in different ways but still messed-up. I guess the same goes for Lightning and Jr."
"You're right," said Harry. "We're kids with issues."
"My life isn't as intricate as yours," said Draco. "I don't have a Dark Wizard attempting to take my life every year."
"You too Theo," said Loki.
"What do you mean?" said Theodore.
"My instinct tells me you're like us," said Loki. "Not to mention your appearance and stuff screams that your home life-style sucks."
"That's pretty much it," said Leo. "It's a human's innate need to connect with people socially. The ones who are denied usually becomes a hermit or commit suicide. We have no interest in either so we banded together."
Theodore was speechless.
"I'm hungry and thirsty," Loki said as he slipped a hand into the Slytherin's to prevent bolting. "Where's that Three Broomsticks place?"
The owner, Madam Rosmerta, have had many strange customers in her time but this bunch took the number one slot. They had to combine two tables to fit everyone. Beginning with Loki and to his right was Theodore, Draco, Leo, Hermione, Ron, Harry, and back to Loki. Everyone was satisfied with the seating and Leo took a second to start his wireless laptop.
"So, what would it be?" said Rosmerta. "Will it be butterbeer for you cute youngsters?"
Loki frowned at butterbeer and smiled at being called cute. "Butterbeer sounds so ugh. Do you have iced coffee?"
"Odd request but yes, we have iced coffee," Rosmerta said, hardly believing a student NOT getting a butterbeer.
"Make that two iced coffees," Leo said, entering his passwords. "I'm going to need the extra energy if you're ingesting sugar."
"Hit him for me, Jr.," said Loki.
Rosmerta was shocked when Draco, Lucius' son and heir to the Malfoy fortune, hit the stony boy next to him playfully. What really took the cake was the small smile Leo gave the blond, transforming him into a handsome boy-man. The curvy woman nearly had a heart attack when it resulted in a brilliant grin from Draco.
"I'll have cherry-flavored pop in a glass with ice," said Harry.
"What's a pop?" asked Theodore, hand trapped in Loki's death-grip.
"Muggle drink," said Draco. "It's very tasty. I'll have one in grape."
"It's a nonalcoholic, flavored, carbonated beverage that is commercially prepared and sold in bottles or cans," said Leo. "You should try it but be careful. It can be addictive and Loki drinks them by the dozen."
"It's great," said Loki. "Until the buzz wears off and I crash."
"You crash hard," Harry said, remembering his birthday party. "It took a bucket of cold water to wake you up last time."
Rosmerta laughed.
"I'll have the same as Draco," said Theodore.
"I'll have the same as Harry," Ron said, always trying to prove his loyal friendship with the Boy-Who-Lived. "If Harry likes it, then it must be okay."
"I'll have the same," said Hermione.
"Alright, that's two iced coffees, three cherry soda pops, and two grapes," recited Rosmerta. "You want anything else? Would you like something to eat?"
Loki's stomach grumbled.
"I take that as a yes," said Rosmerta.
"We'll have a slice of all the pies and cakes you have," said Leo. "It would take Loki forever to pick one so we'll just eat whatever we feel like. Bring enough forks for us."
"Are you sure?" said Rosmerta. "We have a lot of pies and cakes here."
"Can we afford it?" said Hermione.
"Don't worry," said Draco. "It's my treat."
"We don't need your daddy's dirty money," said Ron.
Loki mentally counted to ten and said in his most polite tone, "Red, I am at my limit here. One more word against my friends or family and I'll have to hurt you. I don't care that you're Lightning or Hermes' friend because I would hurt you and when I say hurt, I mean really hurt you. I can make your life and your family miserable."
"Go bring our order," barked Leo and Rosmerta left unwillingly.
"What can you do?" Ron said, snorting.
"I can do a lot," Loki said, smiling grimly. "One, I can have your father and brother, Percy, fired from the Ministry. Two, I can have your house taken away. Three, I can have the goblins fire your eldest brother William. Four, I can have your other brother Charlie fired. Do I need to go on?"
Ron turned pale, causing his freckles to stand out.
"That's why you shouldn't pick a fight with Loki," said Harry.
"You're supposed to be on my side," said Ron. "I've been your friend longer and you picked his side. He's Snape's nephew."
"There you go again with my family," said Loki. "Don't you learn from your mistakes?"
"I'm not picking anyone's side," said Harry.
"So you only show your true colors when Kazuki isn't here," said Leo. "It's typically. You strike me as the ignorant, chivalrous kind of guy but since Hermione is here, you must be gay."
"What did you say?" Ron said, red face clashing horribly with his hair.
"You're in love with Kazuki but can't do anything about it because Harry loves Kazuki too," said Leo. "You have low self-esteem because you think you're nothing but a follower of Harry. Even before that, you were overshadowed by your older brothers, which is normal in a large family. Someone has to be neglected and who else but the average or non- distinguished one such as yourself."
"That's going too far," said Hermione.
"Hermes, you're smart," said Loki. "You should know better. A person shouldn't verbally attack someone's family or friends. His reasons for not liking Slytherins are fallacious but that's wrong. He can't judge us."
No one spoke when Rosmerta returned with their drinks and three trays of food levitating behind her.
'We've got e-mail from Kazuki and Akira,' Leo said, giving his laptop to Loki. 'It's something you might find interesting.'
'Is it a separate e-mail from them both or not?' Loki said, finally letting go Theodore's hand.
'One e-mail from Kazuki's laptop,' said Leo.
Loki's eyebrows furrowed thoughtfully as he read. 'You're right. I do find this interesting.'
"They're not switching to English anytime soon," Harry said, drinking his soda.
"I hate it when they do this," said Draco.
"Do what?" asked Theodore, tentatively sipping his purple drink. "Hey, this is good."
"Loki and his friends have been close for many years," said Draco. "They've had adventures that rival Harry's and they laugh about them like they're nothing. They have inside jokes that outsiders can't begin to comprehend and that mean secrets."
"Them speaking Japanese is like a signal that it's something we shouldn't ask about," said Harry.
"Then they're not treating you like real friends," said Ron. "Real friends don't keep secrets from each other."
Harry shook his head. "It's not that. I haven't proven myself as trustworthy or capable of keeping those secrets yet."
"We don't know what we have to do to earn their complete trust," said Draco.
"That sounds like our Head of House," said Theodore. "He would never completely trust the Slytherins because he doesn't know which children are devoted to their parents and You-Know-Who."
"Voldemort," said Harry, Loki, and Leo, then the Japanese continued talking in their native language.
"Yup," said Draco. "Loki lives with him so it's obvious they share some traits."
The door to the Three Broomsticks opened and Blaise came in. He glanced at the dim exterior and saw Loki's table. He walked straight to them, pulled a chair from another table and sat between Theodore and Draco.
"I have important news for you from my father," Blaise said to Draco. "We need to speak in private."
"Just whisper it to me," said Draco. "There are ears everywhere anyway so it won't make a difference."
"Well, it's about your father," Blaise said lowly.
At that moment the door banged open and the Minister of Magic, Fudge, was here. He had two Aurors with him and he spotted Draco.
"Mr. Malfoy, something occurred a few hours ago," Fudge said, wiping sweat from his chubby face with a handkerchief. "It was a terrible thing that happened. It was terrible what happened to Mr. Malfoy senior."
Draco shot a quick look at Blaise. "What happened?"
"Lucius Malfoy was kidnapped," said Fudge.
Draco, Harry, Hermione, Ron, Theodore and everyone else in the place gasped, choked, or surprised. Leo and Loki shared a casual look.
"Kidnapped?" said Draco, recovering. "How the hell did he get kidnapped?"
"From witnesses, there was a sudden explosion in his office," said Fudge. "He was in there for a minute before it happened and his secretary was positive she heard him yell. Inside was in disarray and he was nowhere."
"Does my mother know?" Draco said faintly, gripping Leo's arm.
"Yes, a messenger has already been sent to your home," said Fudge. "We have our best Aurors on the job so you can rest-assure that we'll find your father using all the resources we can."
The Minster left. Some customers left with him, possibly to get details from the man and to spread the word.
"Was that what you were going to tell me?" Draco asked Blaise.
"Yes," replied Blaise. "My father sent an express owl to me about this."
"Ha! He got what was coming for him," said Ron.
"I am ashamed of you," Hermione said, doing a fine impression of Molly Weasley. "This is serious business. Draco's father may be a rotten person but he's still his father."
"I don't know whether to be happy or sad," said Draco.
"Hermione's right," said Harry. "He's still you father no matter what."
Leo extracted his arm from Draco's hold and readjusted to wrap it around the smaller boy's shoulders.
'You make a cute couple,' said Loki.
'Shut up,' said Leo, resting his chin on top of Draco's head. "Your father will be okay."
McGonagall and Thor came into the Three Broomsticks.
"Mr. Malfoy, are you feeling alright?" McGonagall asked kindly. "We saw the Minister. Did he tell you?"
"Yes," said Draco.
"Just now," said Hermione.
Thor was entertained at Draco cuddling to Leo and watching Theodore introducing grape soda to Blaise.
"Jr. will be fine as long as Leo's with him," said Loki.
The door opened again. This time it was Severus and Sirius.
"We know," Harry said, seeing his godfather about to ask.
"Loki," said Severus. "The idiot Fudge mentioned a symbol painted on the wall as he's telling the residents of Hogsmeade the facts to be in the limelight."
"What symbol was it?" Loki said, shutting down Leo's laptop.
"An upside-down triangle with a dot in the middle," said Severus. "You know what it represents?"
"No, but Leo and I can look into it if you want," said Loki.
"Yes, that was what I wanted from you," said Severus.
Sirius pulled the Potions Master out before he could say more.
'I must be the best liar to fool Uncle,' said Loki.
'You're not the best but you are a good liar,' said Leo.
"An upside-down triangle with a dot," thought Harry. "Why does that seem so familiar? I swear I've seen something like that before. It was in the summer but where? Wait! Wasn't it on jewelry?"
------------------------------------------------------------------
Go on! Nothing to see here! Click the Next button for second Interlude!
First time attempting to write a Harry Potter fic so be kind and R&R. And no one beta-ed this so don't mind my grammar mistakes.
Warning: This will be SLASH! Meaning 2 guys in THAT kind of relationship!
Spoilers: Books 1-4, ignore 5
Pairings: Main - Severus/Sirius Others - Harry/Kazuki and Leo/Draco
Languages:
"blah blah blah" - English
'blah blah blah' - Japanese
------------------------------------------------------------------
19. Lucius Malfoy was kidnapped?
(Posted 02/26/04 – Thursday)
------------------------------------------------------------------
"So this is the Hogsmeade you've been telling me about," Loki said, turning his head side to side as he absorbed the scenery. "Not too shabby, but small town, isn't it?"
"It's the last Wizarding town that exists today," said Draco.
"This is a very popular sight for Hogwarts students who want to take a break from the school surroundings," Harry said, inhaling the scent of grass, people, and the very stores. "Though it's a pity only third-years and up can come."
Loki nodded. "No matter how wonderful a place could be, it begins to feel like a cage if you don't go out once in awhile."
"Makes you wonder if Snape is really mad from hiding in the dungeons all these years," said Ron.
"Ron!" said Hermione, hitting his arm. "Don't say that."
"That hurt," said Ron.
"I'm not involving in a couple's spat," said Ginny. "Hey Colin, let's go walk a bit. I want to visit Zonko's."
"Sure," said Colin. "Meet you guys at the Three Broomsticks later."
"Kay," said Loki. "Enjoy your date!"
They simultaneously rolled their eyes, waved, and left.
"Sorry but it's true," Ron said to Loki. "Snape is hell-bent on torturing us students with his lessons and he scares Neville."
"Funny," said Leo. "The students at Sakura loved Mr. Snape's lessons."
"You serious?" said Ron.
"Yup, Uncle's popular in my old school," said Loki. "He has this mysterious personality going on that drove people crazy. The crazy turns into obsession and last year, I had about three different stalkers, trying to get information about Uncle from me. It was fun."
"It was fun being stalked?" Theodore said, fitting into the group easier than Ron after a week of sharing a room with the Japanese.
"Yea," said Loki. "Instead of them pissing me off, I pissed them off by doing my disappearing act. Or I could always lead them in circles."
"So that was why we got lost so many times last year when we went on field trips," said Leo. "You knew you were being followed."
"Of course," Loki said, rocking on balls of his feet and ginning like an idiot.
Leo grabbed him around the neck and gave him a hard rub on the head. "Those outings ruined my favorite pair of sneakers."
"Ouch, ouch, ouch," Loki said, trying to pry open Leo's arm. "Help me! Help me! Someone! Anyone! There's a child molester touching me! Ouch!"
Loki was shrieking in gibberish by then and Harry covered his ears since he was the closest. Hermione giggled, Theodore laughed silently, and Ron was freaked. Wizards and witches stared wide-eyed at Leo, hearing child molester, but the Hogwarts students ignored it.
Thor noticed the spectacle and came over to them. "Behave yourselves."
Leo released Loki and he stumbled before catching himself. Ron was even more freaked in the presence of another Snape in close proximity. Harry, Hermione, Theodore weren't worried as they saw the tiny upward twitch at his mouth.
"The people here don't take your jokes as lightly as back home, little monkey," said Thor. "Keep your insane character in check."
"But Bro, I'm outside," said Loki. "You know how being outside affects me."
Thor sighed and smoothed the bangs hanging down his brother's forehead. "I know exactly how it affects you. Why do you think I call you little monkey. It wasn't for your brown skin and long arms."
Loki paused. "Oh."
"That was your first warning," said Thor. "One more outburst like that and you're not coming to Hogsmeade again."
The Auror on leave walked away.
"That's harsh," said Ron.
"It's no problem," said Loki. "That was just words and he won't act on it. He's a big softie underneath the layers and layers of bitterness."
"That's deep," said Harry.
"His family is dysfunctional," said Leo. "I thought you figured that out by yourself."
"Err," said Ron.
"That's not a nice thing to say about your friend's family," said Hermione.
"His family is dysfunctional as well," said Loki. "That's the bond between us, Kazuki, and Akira. All our families are messed-up in different ways but still messed-up. I guess the same goes for Lightning and Jr."
"You're right," said Harry. "We're kids with issues."
"My life isn't as intricate as yours," said Draco. "I don't have a Dark Wizard attempting to take my life every year."
"You too Theo," said Loki.
"What do you mean?" said Theodore.
"My instinct tells me you're like us," said Loki. "Not to mention your appearance and stuff screams that your home life-style sucks."
"That's pretty much it," said Leo. "It's a human's innate need to connect with people socially. The ones who are denied usually becomes a hermit or commit suicide. We have no interest in either so we banded together."
Theodore was speechless.
"I'm hungry and thirsty," Loki said as he slipped a hand into the Slytherin's to prevent bolting. "Where's that Three Broomsticks place?"
The owner, Madam Rosmerta, have had many strange customers in her time but this bunch took the number one slot. They had to combine two tables to fit everyone. Beginning with Loki and to his right was Theodore, Draco, Leo, Hermione, Ron, Harry, and back to Loki. Everyone was satisfied with the seating and Leo took a second to start his wireless laptop.
"So, what would it be?" said Rosmerta. "Will it be butterbeer for you cute youngsters?"
Loki frowned at butterbeer and smiled at being called cute. "Butterbeer sounds so ugh. Do you have iced coffee?"
"Odd request but yes, we have iced coffee," Rosmerta said, hardly believing a student NOT getting a butterbeer.
"Make that two iced coffees," Leo said, entering his passwords. "I'm going to need the extra energy if you're ingesting sugar."
"Hit him for me, Jr.," said Loki.
Rosmerta was shocked when Draco, Lucius' son and heir to the Malfoy fortune, hit the stony boy next to him playfully. What really took the cake was the small smile Leo gave the blond, transforming him into a handsome boy-man. The curvy woman nearly had a heart attack when it resulted in a brilliant grin from Draco.
"I'll have cherry-flavored pop in a glass with ice," said Harry.
"What's a pop?" asked Theodore, hand trapped in Loki's death-grip.
"Muggle drink," said Draco. "It's very tasty. I'll have one in grape."
"It's a nonalcoholic, flavored, carbonated beverage that is commercially prepared and sold in bottles or cans," said Leo. "You should try it but be careful. It can be addictive and Loki drinks them by the dozen."
"It's great," said Loki. "Until the buzz wears off and I crash."
"You crash hard," Harry said, remembering his birthday party. "It took a bucket of cold water to wake you up last time."
Rosmerta laughed.
"I'll have the same as Draco," said Theodore.
"I'll have the same as Harry," Ron said, always trying to prove his loyal friendship with the Boy-Who-Lived. "If Harry likes it, then it must be okay."
"I'll have the same," said Hermione.
"Alright, that's two iced coffees, three cherry soda pops, and two grapes," recited Rosmerta. "You want anything else? Would you like something to eat?"
Loki's stomach grumbled.
"I take that as a yes," said Rosmerta.
"We'll have a slice of all the pies and cakes you have," said Leo. "It would take Loki forever to pick one so we'll just eat whatever we feel like. Bring enough forks for us."
"Are you sure?" said Rosmerta. "We have a lot of pies and cakes here."
"Can we afford it?" said Hermione.
"Don't worry," said Draco. "It's my treat."
"We don't need your daddy's dirty money," said Ron.
Loki mentally counted to ten and said in his most polite tone, "Red, I am at my limit here. One more word against my friends or family and I'll have to hurt you. I don't care that you're Lightning or Hermes' friend because I would hurt you and when I say hurt, I mean really hurt you. I can make your life and your family miserable."
"Go bring our order," barked Leo and Rosmerta left unwillingly.
"What can you do?" Ron said, snorting.
"I can do a lot," Loki said, smiling grimly. "One, I can have your father and brother, Percy, fired from the Ministry. Two, I can have your house taken away. Three, I can have the goblins fire your eldest brother William. Four, I can have your other brother Charlie fired. Do I need to go on?"
Ron turned pale, causing his freckles to stand out.
"That's why you shouldn't pick a fight with Loki," said Harry.
"You're supposed to be on my side," said Ron. "I've been your friend longer and you picked his side. He's Snape's nephew."
"There you go again with my family," said Loki. "Don't you learn from your mistakes?"
"I'm not picking anyone's side," said Harry.
"So you only show your true colors when Kazuki isn't here," said Leo. "It's typically. You strike me as the ignorant, chivalrous kind of guy but since Hermione is here, you must be gay."
"What did you say?" Ron said, red face clashing horribly with his hair.
"You're in love with Kazuki but can't do anything about it because Harry loves Kazuki too," said Leo. "You have low self-esteem because you think you're nothing but a follower of Harry. Even before that, you were overshadowed by your older brothers, which is normal in a large family. Someone has to be neglected and who else but the average or non- distinguished one such as yourself."
"That's going too far," said Hermione.
"Hermes, you're smart," said Loki. "You should know better. A person shouldn't verbally attack someone's family or friends. His reasons for not liking Slytherins are fallacious but that's wrong. He can't judge us."
No one spoke when Rosmerta returned with their drinks and three trays of food levitating behind her.
'We've got e-mail from Kazuki and Akira,' Leo said, giving his laptop to Loki. 'It's something you might find interesting.'
'Is it a separate e-mail from them both or not?' Loki said, finally letting go Theodore's hand.
'One e-mail from Kazuki's laptop,' said Leo.
Loki's eyebrows furrowed thoughtfully as he read. 'You're right. I do find this interesting.'
"They're not switching to English anytime soon," Harry said, drinking his soda.
"I hate it when they do this," said Draco.
"Do what?" asked Theodore, tentatively sipping his purple drink. "Hey, this is good."
"Loki and his friends have been close for many years," said Draco. "They've had adventures that rival Harry's and they laugh about them like they're nothing. They have inside jokes that outsiders can't begin to comprehend and that mean secrets."
"Them speaking Japanese is like a signal that it's something we shouldn't ask about," said Harry.
"Then they're not treating you like real friends," said Ron. "Real friends don't keep secrets from each other."
Harry shook his head. "It's not that. I haven't proven myself as trustworthy or capable of keeping those secrets yet."
"We don't know what we have to do to earn their complete trust," said Draco.
"That sounds like our Head of House," said Theodore. "He would never completely trust the Slytherins because he doesn't know which children are devoted to their parents and You-Know-Who."
"Voldemort," said Harry, Loki, and Leo, then the Japanese continued talking in their native language.
"Yup," said Draco. "Loki lives with him so it's obvious they share some traits."
The door to the Three Broomsticks opened and Blaise came in. He glanced at the dim exterior and saw Loki's table. He walked straight to them, pulled a chair from another table and sat between Theodore and Draco.
"I have important news for you from my father," Blaise said to Draco. "We need to speak in private."
"Just whisper it to me," said Draco. "There are ears everywhere anyway so it won't make a difference."
"Well, it's about your father," Blaise said lowly.
At that moment the door banged open and the Minister of Magic, Fudge, was here. He had two Aurors with him and he spotted Draco.
"Mr. Malfoy, something occurred a few hours ago," Fudge said, wiping sweat from his chubby face with a handkerchief. "It was a terrible thing that happened. It was terrible what happened to Mr. Malfoy senior."
Draco shot a quick look at Blaise. "What happened?"
"Lucius Malfoy was kidnapped," said Fudge.
Draco, Harry, Hermione, Ron, Theodore and everyone else in the place gasped, choked, or surprised. Leo and Loki shared a casual look.
"Kidnapped?" said Draco, recovering. "How the hell did he get kidnapped?"
"From witnesses, there was a sudden explosion in his office," said Fudge. "He was in there for a minute before it happened and his secretary was positive she heard him yell. Inside was in disarray and he was nowhere."
"Does my mother know?" Draco said faintly, gripping Leo's arm.
"Yes, a messenger has already been sent to your home," said Fudge. "We have our best Aurors on the job so you can rest-assure that we'll find your father using all the resources we can."
The Minster left. Some customers left with him, possibly to get details from the man and to spread the word.
"Was that what you were going to tell me?" Draco asked Blaise.
"Yes," replied Blaise. "My father sent an express owl to me about this."
"Ha! He got what was coming for him," said Ron.
"I am ashamed of you," Hermione said, doing a fine impression of Molly Weasley. "This is serious business. Draco's father may be a rotten person but he's still his father."
"I don't know whether to be happy or sad," said Draco.
"Hermione's right," said Harry. "He's still you father no matter what."
Leo extracted his arm from Draco's hold and readjusted to wrap it around the smaller boy's shoulders.
'You make a cute couple,' said Loki.
'Shut up,' said Leo, resting his chin on top of Draco's head. "Your father will be okay."
McGonagall and Thor came into the Three Broomsticks.
"Mr. Malfoy, are you feeling alright?" McGonagall asked kindly. "We saw the Minister. Did he tell you?"
"Yes," said Draco.
"Just now," said Hermione.
Thor was entertained at Draco cuddling to Leo and watching Theodore introducing grape soda to Blaise.
"Jr. will be fine as long as Leo's with him," said Loki.
The door opened again. This time it was Severus and Sirius.
"We know," Harry said, seeing his godfather about to ask.
"Loki," said Severus. "The idiot Fudge mentioned a symbol painted on the wall as he's telling the residents of Hogsmeade the facts to be in the limelight."
"What symbol was it?" Loki said, shutting down Leo's laptop.
"An upside-down triangle with a dot in the middle," said Severus. "You know what it represents?"
"No, but Leo and I can look into it if you want," said Loki.
"Yes, that was what I wanted from you," said Severus.
Sirius pulled the Potions Master out before he could say more.
'I must be the best liar to fool Uncle,' said Loki.
'You're not the best but you are a good liar,' said Leo.
"An upside-down triangle with a dot," thought Harry. "Why does that seem so familiar? I swear I've seen something like that before. It was in the summer but where? Wait! Wasn't it on jewelry?"
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