SPOILER WARNINg: This story is a sixth year fic that follows on from the events of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. As a conseqeunce this story contains *major* spoilers for book 5. You have been warned.
Revised Version Posted 22nd June 2003
SNAKE HEALER: THE MALFOY MUGGLE LOVER
CHAPTER 1: ARRIVAL
Harry caught only a brief glimpse of the port key's destination, but the marble hallway he saw was sufficient to tell him that he was most probably going to Malfoy Manor not Hogwarts or Voldemort's hideout. The brevity of this glimpse was due to the deep trance he fell into the moment he arrived, so whilst his body was conveyed along with the portkey, his mind remained at Privet Drive for all but a few seconds.
Thus it was a very confused Harry that found himself watching the whole of Privet Drive from the safety of behind number three's hedge. It wasn't until later that he realised what exactly had happened, and why exactly he found himself in next-door's garden, released from the stunner and with Snape and Malfoy nowhere in sight. Initially he put down it down to some long overdue good luck. That was until he noticed the tall, serpentine figure of Lord Voldemort striding along Privet Drive, wand in hand, presumably towards number four. Harry was surprised to see that he was without a retinue of Death Eaters, except for the skulking Wormtail, who Harry guessed never left his master's side. Unsurprisingly he didn't bother to knock, blowing the door in instead, just as Harry remembered him doing all those years previously during the attack that killed his parents. Harry followed the Dark Lord, and his servant, into the home of the Dursleys, pulled towards him by some magical force that made Harry realise he was having a vision.
"Where is he?" Voldemort hissed distastefully as he strode into the living room. Dudley, who had been watching television, was the only person in the room, presumably because Vernon and Petunia were in the garden, taking advantage of the sunshine. Dudley took one look at the intruder and tried to hide behind the chair, screaming, something Harry hadn't thought possible after his cousin's voice had broken several years previously. It looked as if he was far too scared too answer, a fact that soon became apparent to dark lord, who roared, "Answer me," in a particularly nasty tone of voice that caused both Wormtail and Dudley to cower even more.
"He's gone," Harry's cousin stammered, quaking in fear as what little courage he possessed left him, "A man came for him."
Voldemort's expression immediately became darker and more murderous, causing Dudley to shake even more, "Who?" his tone just as murderous as it was previously.
"I didn't see," the fat boy stuttered, crouching lower behind the armchair, trying in vain to ensure that no part of his body was visible to the murderous monster that stood before him.
"Perhaps you want a little reminder," an evil grin graced the dark lord's lips as he cast the Cruciatus Curse on the fat muggle, causing him to scream out in pain. Harry grimaced in pain too. He felt the curse through his scar connection.
"Stop!" the shrill voice of Aunt Petunia rang out from the kitchen doorway, she sounded nearly hysterical. Voldemort didn't drop the curse, but merely looked towards Petunia as she spoke, "He was a man, with long greasy black hair and black eyes." she described, although she looked scared it didn't show in her voice.
If it was possible the dark lord's expression got even angrier, "Snape," he hissed. It was clear that Voldemort did not like the Potions Master. He dropped the curse and Dudley's screams died. The muggle didn't have any relief, though, as the dark lord immediately cast another curse. Harry was disturbed, yet unsurprised to see the dark lord's mood brighten slightly as a familiar green light emerged from Voldemort's wand accompanied by another scream of terror from Dudley. The light hit Dudley on his left side, causing him to stop quivering, for the first time since he had seen the dark lord, and fall silent. He was dead, an expression of pure terror etched on his face. There was a moment of silence.
"Dudley!" a voice screamed loudly from the kitchen doorway. A hysterical Aunt Petunia and an enraged Uncle Vernon stood side by side glaring daggers at the dark lord, the man's gun trained on the monster that had killed their son. Their expressions of fear had been replaced by those of hate and anger.
"What have you done to my son, freak?" Aunt Petunia screeched loudly, she seemed to be close to tears, yet at the same time filled with a hatred that Harry had never seen before.
"That useless lump," Voldemort sneered. Harry was disturbed to notice that for once he and the dark lord agreed on something, "I killed him."
There was a momentary pause followed by a shriek of fury. Aunt Petunia's emotions had fought a bitter battle played at across her face, resulting in her fierce hatred from her son's murderer suppressing the tears that had been threatening to flow. This shriek, however, was accompanied by the stupidest thing she could have done; she charged, intending to attack Lord Voldemort physically. Despite the dark lord's shock that someone would dare attack him, she didn't stand a chance. Voldemort didn't even need to lift his wand, as Petunia ran straight into the path of the three gunshots, that her husband had fired at his son's murderer, after he had forced him out of his hate filled reverie by his wife's shriek of rage. The giraffe-like woman shuddered three times as each bullet hit her in the chest before falling to the floor dying instantly. The third shot had got her directly through the heart. It was a complete accident.
"Petunia," Uncle Vernon cried, running to the body at a speed that Harry was surprised his uncle could manage. He crouched down by his wife's dead body and started to cry, great heaving sobs mourning the death of his beloved wife. Something stirred within Harry, for the first time he felt sorry for Vernon Dursley, sorry for the death of his wife and son. Even if he'd never actually liked them, they didn't deserve to die. But most of all he was sorry that it was his unwanted intrusion in Vernon's life that had caused this. He felt incredibly guilty standing there, watching him cry over the death of his beloved wife and son, especially when he was the root cause of it all. Vernon didn't cry for long though, for once again Lord Voldemort said those fateful words that caused a burst of green light to erupt from his wand, killing the target instantly. Harry consoled himself with the thought that Uncle Vernon didn't even know what had happened.
"Pitiful," Voldemort sneered before disapparating. It was a comment that only managed to enrage Harry further. Wormtail shot the dark mark into the sky before following his master.
Harry woke up to find himself lying in a large four-poster bed with emerald green curtains. Both Snape and Malfoy were standing by the bed, their usual sneers absent. Harry even swore that he even saw a hint of concern in Lucius' eyes.
"What happened?" Malfoy asked. It was clear from his tone of voice that he knew Harry had experienced a vision.
The raven-haired boy debated for a few seconds about whether to tell them the truth. He trusted Snape. Even if the potions master didn't actually like Harry, his past record showed that he didn't actually want him to come to harm. It was Lucius' presence that confused him, he knew that Malfoy had indeed been trying to save him from the dark lord, that was obvious, but he didn't know why. One thing was certain, he didn't trust him or believe his supposed reason for helping him. "He killed them. Dudley first, then Petunia, then Vernon," he replied deciding to tell the truth, both men had tried to help him so he owed it to them, "He found out that Snape was behind my rescue, but he doesn't even know that anyone else was involved."
"Good, everything went as planned," Malfoy remarked, his face expressionless. He could still detect the hint of concern in the blond's eyes, something that confused him, after all he had no reason to be concerned, the plan had worked and Voldemort did not even suspect that he was involved in his rescue.
"I suppose the death of my family was part of the plan," he said bitterly pushing aside the mysteries that preoccupied him, "I may not have liked them, but they didn't deserve to die."
"The death of your relatives was not part of the plan, Potter," Snape scolded, his sneer returning to is face as he spoke, "But it was to be expected, the dark lord would not pass up the opportunity to kill them."
"You knew it was going to happen," Harry yelled, letting his dislike for his potions professor get the better of him. It was an accusation, not a question, "You could have saved them."
"Use your brains, Potter," Snape sneered. He was using his normal classroom tone, the one designed to make you feel as though you were stupid, "Can you imagine a muggle willingly use a portkey, your relatives in particular? Even if we had wanted to take them they wouldn't have come."
Harry had to admit that he did have a point. They Dursleys would be as willingly to accompany him into the magical world, as he would be willing to enter the dark lord's lair, even if it would have saved their life. But, still he could have removed them by force. It wouldn't be that difficult, requiring only a few simple spells. He was about to argue this point, but Lucius Malfoy spoke first.
"Even if we had rescued them, they couldn't come here. The wards wouldn't allow them in, they're muggles."
It wasn't the conclusiveness of this argument that made Harry drop the matter; they could have after all enchanted the portkey to take them to a different destination. It was the recognition that there were more practical matters to discuss induced by the realisation that he didn't actually know where 'here' was. He thought it was most probably Malfoy Manor, but he didn't know for certain. Then there was the issue of where exactly he was going to stay. Dumbledore wouldn't let him stay with the Malfoys, and if Snape left him with Lucius, he would just owl the headmaster and tell him. He knew he'd be removed instantly, and placed elsewhere.
"Where are we then?" he asked, finally getting out of the bed he had awoken in.
"Malfoy Manor," Lucius replied firmly, "You will be staying here for the rest of the summer, this is your room."
He had been expecting Lucius to say that, but even so to hear him actually say it was depressing. It only confirmed how bad his current plight was. He knew he couldn't remain at Malfoy Manor, he would most likely end up dead, seriously injured or at worst a mindless zombie, either willingly or not, in the dark lord's service. Even if this promise did exist and Lucius actually obeyed the promise, however unlikely this was, and did not turn Harry over to his master, he knew that the Malfoys would try to convert Harry to the dark side at all costs. Not only would it guarantee his favour with the dark lord, but they had also probably deluded themselves into thinking that it was the only way Harry could survive.
"Does Professor Dumbledore know this?" he asked, the answer to this was obvious, but still it had to be asked.
"No," Snape replied in a tone that bore no argument, "And you are not to tell him, there is a spy among the Order. As long as the headmaster knows where you are you are not safe."
"Safe from who?" Harry sneered. He thought the potions master's argument was ridiculous he wasn't safe wherever he went and if anything he was more at risk at Malfoy Manor. Just because he trusted Snape it didn't mean he would follow his orders without question, "I don't call living with a death eater safe. What's to stop him from handing me over to Voldemort the moment you turn your back?"
"My life," Lucius commented, responding to the question he had directed at Snape, "If the dark lord found out I was hiding you, my life would be forfeit. And if I brought you to him he would be most interested in how you came into my care, and I am sure you would not hesitate to tell the truth, something, which would have me killed. Besides the Ministry knows you're here, both my movements and the manor are monitored as part of my parole." Harry thought over the man's argument for a few seconds. The fact he could find no flaws with the argument did not calm his fears. Perhaps he was being far too suspicious, but when it came to the Malfoy Family, Harry could never be too careful. He should have found the knowledge that the Ministry know his whereabouts comforting now that Fudge had finally admitted Voldemort's return, but then the fact they were most likely going to do nothing as a result of it was chilling in the extreme.
"That still doesn't give me a reason to trust you. You did try to kill some of my friends just a few weeks ago." he insisted, giving Malfoy a short glare. Snape started to protest, presumably saying that he could trust his accomplice, but the blond silenced him.
"Perfectly true," Malfoy replied, he spoke with a somewhat sweeter tone than before. It was, however, a tone that did not sound in the least bit faked, "You are wise to not be trusting, but I am willing to offer my word."
Harry thought for a few moments, considering his position, before rejecting the offer, as insufficient. He knew he was trapped here for now, Snape and Malfoy wouldn't leave him alone until he had agreed to live with the Malfoys for the rest of the summer. He had no intention of remaining here for any length of time, but still he had to give the impression that he was willing to stay. This still meant that he would have to spend a short time in the Manor until he was rescued by Dumbledore, or he escaped, sufficient time for Lucius to harm him. Alone a simple promise wasn't sufficient; he knew that Lucius would be perfectly willing to break his word. Yet, the offer brought to mind a way of ensuring that Lucius would keep his word come what may and that Harry wouldn't be harmed, even if the worst came to the worst, and he had to remain with the Malfoy's for the whole summer. He remembered something he had read while researching the nature of Wormtail's wizarding debt towards him. Something that Ron had mentioned several times, and that he and Hermione had filed away in case it came in useful in scenarios such as his. Harry didn't even bother to consult Snape's opinion before replying. He knew the potion's master, would disagree with his proposal, saying he was being too cautious, but then he could never make Snape happy whatever he did.
"Not good enough," he replied firmly, "I want a wizard's bond, guaranteeing that no dark witch or wizard, especially Voldemort, will harm me while I am living here, and that you will not seek to turn me to the dark side."
"That is acceptable," Malfoy replied. He was smirking, but it was not a malicious expression, instead he seemed vaguely impressed by Harry's suggestion. Snape didn't look impressed though, if anything he looked shocked, "I trust you know the incantation."
Harry thought for a few moments before nodding, and grabbing his wand, which had been placed on his bedside. Walking up to Lucius Malfoy, he looked him directly in the eyes, which were just as guarded and emotionless as those of his son. Together they spoke the incantation, which created the bond. Once the ritual was complete Harry felt the bond form between them, the guarantee that he would come to no harm while residing at Malfoy Manor.
Snape still wasn't completely happy though, "There is the final matter of your appearance," he said, "We cannot have anyone discovering that Harry Potter is living at Malfoy Manor, especially considering the loyalties of the usual guests. You will have to put under disguise for the duration of the summer."
To say that Harry wasn't happy with this proposal would have been an understatement, and not only because of the horror of looking in the mirror and seeing someone else looking back. He should have realised that a disguise would be on the cards, not only was it essential for his safety as Snape had said, but it made sure that he would actually remain at the Manor for the whole summer. After all, who would believe he was Harry Potter, if he looked like someone else. As unhappy as he was about the proposal, he knew that protesting it would be pointless. He was pretty sure they would create the disguise whether he agreed to it or not.
"Fine, as long as it's only temporary" Harry sighed, resigned to his fate, "I don't like it, but it's not as though my opinion makes any difference,"
Snape got a vial of a potion out of his robes and handed it to Harry, who downed it instantly, trusting Snape not to poison him. Scowling at the taste, he waited for the potion to take effect before walking over to the mirror, which was on the other side of the room.
The figure that scowled back at him looked completely different. Much to his disgust it was recognisably a Malfoy, with silky platinum blond hair, and a pale, pointed face. He didn't look exactly like Lucius and Draco though, his eyes hadn't changed, his scar was still there and the face was more rounded. Naturally, the hair was ungelled, making it fall down across the face, in a way that Harry thought looked much better than the gelled look.
This chapter has taken longer than it normally would to write, but then this is the fifth draft of it. The idea of using the Dursleys deaths as the starting point was inspired by Romilly McAran, whose review mentioned their deaths. I hadn't even thought of mentioning them again until then, but once I thought of writing their deaths I felt it neccesary to do so. The rest flowed from there. Some of you may have issues with my characterisations of the Dursleys, Petunia in paticular, but I do see them as being brave people. Vernon did stand up to Hagrid in book one, and although they may not love Harry they do love each other like any normal family.
Many of you commented on the fics originality. It is based on an idea I had, about a year ago just after I had started reading HP fanfic, which incorparated Harry as Lucius' son as a minor part of broader plotline. It wasn't until I read "It's a Fact, Kid" by "Silver Wolf"(Who is on my favourite authors list), that I returned to my previous idea, incorporating the background story into a new plotline and turning the Harry as Lucius' son into the major plotline.
Thank You all for reviewing the prologue, the response has been overwhelming, and your comments are much appreciated. I have also taken some of your comments into account and uploaded a revised version about a week ago, a big thank you goes to Nimloth and Dark Blood whose reviews created the revised version. I'm not going to do indiviual review reponses simply because there are far too many of you.
Now, I'm sure you've guessed this but it is worth clarifying. The potion Snape gave Harry is the antidote to the potion altering Harry's appearance. So when Harry looks in the mirror at the end of the chapter he's seeing his true appearance. Naturally, Harry won't find out what the potion was for another couple of chapters. I decided to use a potion rather than a spell to alter his appearance simply because everyone (including myself in another of my fic's) uses a glamour spell in their Snape fics, and its getting rather cliche.
Last of all, I want to plug my other fic, which features a dark(but not evil)! Harry. It's a fifth year fic, If you are interested check my authors page.
Finally, before I get asked, this will not be Slash. In fact, I do not intend to pair Harry at all.