Disclaimer I don't own Harry Potter... sad but true.
A/N Thanx to all who have reviewed. Here's chapter 3.. enjoy!
Chapter 3- The 5th Marauder
The early morning found four excited people heading towards the infirmary, chatting wildly.
"I can't believe he's your son. That's just too damn cool!" Sirius said, throwing his hands in the air. "Does anyone know where Peter is?"
"When I got up this morning he was already gone," James said with a shrug.
"Oh."
"This really is exciting. I can't wait to meet him. Did he seem nice?" Remus asked, clutching a book about veela that Harry might like to read, seeing as what happened last night.
"Well, he is my son, so of course he's nice. I wouldn't raise him to be a nasty little bugger now would I?" Lily stated matter-of-factly.
"Well, no, of course not. I was mostly referring to James' contribution to the upbringing of young Harry," Remus responded with a chuckle. Which earned a "hey man, that's not cool" from James.
When the foursome walked into the infirmary they were greeted with the sight of Harry sitting up in bed refusing to eat whatever Madame Pomfrey was trying to feed him. He had his arms folded over his chest and his nose stuck in the air. Every time the Matron would push the spoon to Harry's lips, he would tighten them and move his face to the other side. Lily walked up behind Pomfrey and tapped her on the shoulder.
"Let me have a go."
"Good luck Miss Evans, he's as stubborn as a mule."
"I can think of one thing he inherited from James," Sirius said under his breath to Remus; who tried his best not to laugh.
Lily sat down on the bed where Madame Pomfrey once was and scooped the oatmeal like substance out of the bowl and placed it at Harry's lips.
"Come on Harry, open up for mummy."
Harry glared at her.
"Don't make me do the airplane, love."
Harry, admitting to defeat, sighed a heavy sigh, unfolded his arms, and opened his mouth. Lily scooped the food into his mouth and refilled the spoon, giving him another mouthful. After the oatmeal was gone, she picked up a napkin and dabbed his mouth.
"I can't believe you just did that," Harry said with a chuckle.
"What was that stuff anyway?" James asked while pulling up a chair.
"She said it was something that would make my senses more in tune. Something about my body being tired and needing a little help."
"Then why didn't you want to eat it?" Remus asked stepping up. "Oh, I'm Remus by the way.
Harry smiled.
"I know. Well, it looked like Oatmeal. I bloody hate oatmeal."
Seeing as it was the only thing the Dursleys would feed him, he had taken a vow never to eat it again. And now here he was, having his mother feed it to him. Maybe he didn't hate it so much anymore.
"Hey, I'm Sirius. Glad to see you're doing well...... and looking hot."
Lily smacked him, James laughed, and Remus shook his head.
"Sorry about him."
"No, it's okay. I had a feeling he would say something like that. One time, I had a girlfriend that cheated on me then dumped me for this guy, so I went to Sirius for advice. Yeah, I know... I don't know why so don't ask me. Well anyway, his great advice was to shag her new boyfriend."
"Ha! Yeah that does sound like something I would say."
"Oh, lord. Sirius, what is wrong with you?!"
"Lily, I swear... you should expect these things from me by now."
"Well, what did you do then?" James asked, leaning in from his place in the chair.
"Uhhh...." Harry blushed. He really didn't want to tell them. Especially his mum. He fumbled with his words until James' jaw dropped.
"Sweet Merlin. You did it, didn't you."
"Well, it seemed like a good idea at the time. I was a boyfriend scorned."
"HARRY JAMES POTTER I CAN NOT BELIEVE YOU DID THAT! YOU WILL NOT TAKE ANY MORE ADVICE FROM HIM, NO MATTER WHAT THE CIRCUMSTANCES. AND SIRIUS JULIAN BLACK, YOU WILL NOT, AND I MEAN WILL NOT, GIVE HIM THAT KIND OF ADVICE IN THE FUTURE. DO YOU UNDERSTAND ME!?"
"Yes, ma'am," both men said in unison.
James and Remus were just standing there looking very amused. There was a long silence before anyone spoke again.
"I'm sorry for yelling, but that was just ridiculous."
A week later had the Marauders in Potions. Hurray for all. Sirius and James were complaining about how much they hated potions, while Lily and Remus were going over last weeks work. Harry was just happy that the teacher wasn't Snape, although he was in the class. 'I guess I just can't escape the bastard,' he thought while waiting for Professor Octavian to arrive. Everything, so far, had been going well with Harry. The book that Remus had provided was much help, and his parents were nothing but supportive. In front of the school, of course, he couldn't call them mum or dad, but while in their dorm or in the common room it was the opposite. Harry had felt awkward, and didn't know how to address them. That is until James pulled him aside and said that if he didn't start calling him dad soon he was going to start questioning his patronage.
So here he was, sat in double potions with the Slytherins (some things never change) waiting for the professor to arrive. That weird pulling sensation in his chest was acting up again. At random times of the day, he would feel this tightening in his chest. It was nothing painful, just enough pressure for him to notice. Sometimes it would cause his breath to catch in his throat, then other times it would just be a light tickle. Madame Pomfrey said that she nor Professor Dumbledore knew what kind of powers he would have, so he figured that this was one of the veela things that he just had to get used to. Harry did know that his allurement was strong enough for him to need to take a potion every morning to keep the people off of him. One time he forgot to take it before he got out of bed, and hadn't realized it until passing Sirius' bed, when he promptly got pulled in and pinned down by the man himself. Sirius didn't let go until Remus called for him. Something inside of him clicked and he let go. He apologized non stop for 3 days, made Remus sit with him every time he was round Harry, and made James carry a stick just in case he needed to be beaten off of the veela with it. Harry was snapped out of his ravine by the sound of Octavian's voice.
"Evans and McNair."
"Potter and Malfoy."
"DAMN!!!"
"Not you James, Harry."
"Phew...." James leaned down and whispered to Harry, "Sorry son."
On the contrary, Harry was anything but sorry. It felt like his stomach was doing jumping jacks and he didn't know why. All he knew was that he was happy about this arrangement, yet nervous at the same time. 'What if he's just like Draco....'
"Black and Lupin."
"Hey how come they get to be together? Why can't I be with Lily?"
"No, I will not have you two making out in my class again."
"Will I never get to live that down?"
"No, your foolishness caused your cauldron to explode, turning all the Slytherin's hair purple."
"Well, I'll have you know, that had nothing to do with the act of my love and I making out."
"I'll put that away for future reference. But for now Potter, you'll be paired with Crabbe."
"DAYUUMMM!!"
Once the class had finally been split into pairs, Harry got up and walked over to Malfoy's work station. He was drop dead god be damned gorgeous. Shaggy white-blonde hair, sparkling baby blue eyes. Sweet Jesus have mercy, because there's no way that something that devastatingly handsome can't be sinful. He gingerly pulled out the chair and sat down, not wanting to do something to annoy the elder Malfoy. What Harry didn't see was Lucius smiling at him as he sat. He had kept his head down, not wanting to make eye contact, afraid of what he might see.
"My, you are a shy one aren't you?"
Harry snapped his head up, surprised by the kind tone in Lucius' voice.
"I don't believe we've met, I'm Lucius Malfoy," he said in a sexy pur, as he extended his hand.
Harry took it.
"H-Harry Potter," 'wow, you're being nice.... oh merlin, his hand is so soft. Chills, I felt chills.'
"I'll get the supplies, shall I?"
"Umm, okay."
Lucius got up smoothly and sauntered over to the supply room, where a line had formed. He was a nervous wreck. His Harry was his partner for today, the whole class. 'He's so shy. I love it. Now just keep it cool Malfoy, you can do this, don't screw it up. You only get one mate, and if he goes screaming for the hills you're screwed.' Lucius collected the ingredients and made his way back to Harry, who was now looking in the book as to how to start the brewing process. He smiled when Harry looked up at him and blushed. 'How am I ever going to keep my hands off you?'
"So what's the first step?"
"We need to add the base oil and get it to a boil, then add in 5 tablespoons of finely sliced cadbury root," Harry said, trying his hardest to sound like he knew what he was doing.
"Right then, I'll start the chopping and you get the oil boiling, okay?"
"Yeah, okay." Harry was surprised that Malfoy wanted to do some of the work. 'Where did you go wrong, Lucius Malfoy? Goddamn! You've got a nice ass. sigh this is going to be a long day.'
Half way into the potion making and all was well. Malfoy was actually nice. Not just nice, but pleasant. He was kind and witty. He reminded Harry of Sirius from time to time. Like the way he moved his shaggy blonde hair out of his eyes, and when he touched Harry's arm when he was laughing. Harry was finishing up slicing the toad liver when he glanced over at Sirius and Remus. Sirius was sliding his hand down Remus' back and stopped at his waist. After checking to see if anyone was looking, he slid his hand into Remus' back pocket and squeezed. Remus didn't even seem to notice. Harry did, and in the process of noticing, sliced his finger open.
"Ssss.. Ahhh..... blast."
"Good lord, Harry. How did that happen?" Lucius said as he took Harry's hand and pulled it towards him. "Don't let your finger get near any of the ingredients."
"Okay." 'Yeah, go figure. More worried about the potion than me.'
"If any of the ingredients get into the cut that could be bad news for your poor finger."
'Oh... maybe not.'
"Here, let me see," Lucius said as he began to examine the harmed appendage. Still holding the finger in one hand, he reached into his bag and pulled out a water bottle. After washing out the wound, he ripped a piece of cloth off of his own shirt and tightly wrapped Harry's finger. Before releasing his finger, be brought it to his lips and placed a light kiss on it.
"There, that bandage should help it get better."
"The kiss is what made it better, actually.... Ummm... I mean, thanks," Harry said, blushing a red the Weasleys would be proud of. "So, why did you have the water bottle?"
"This potion I have to take gives me severe dry mouth, so the water bottle helps."
'Hey, I have the problem too... not a bad Idea.'
Lucius smiled and moved a piece of ebony hair out of Harry's eyes. That only caused the poor boy to blush more. The blonde chuckled and changed the subject, fearing that if Harry blushed any more, his head would surely explode.
"So, are those two together?"
"Uh? What?.... oh them... ya know what, they won't say if they are or not. I think they are afraid of what James would say. But really, he knows and is just waiting for them to say something."
"Does he care if they're gay?"
"Good heavens no. He's quite happy about the union actually. Said that if he were gay he would want his friends to accept it, so yeah. Lily thinks it's just too cute, but also wonders why they think that her and James would be upset."
"You and James are close then?" Lucius asked, feeling the jealously rising in his chest.
"Yeah, I mean, we're family so...."
"Oh, so you are related?" 'Pheww'
"Yeah, we are," Harry said with a smile, sensing Lucius' jealousy.
"So, are you seeing anyone then?" 'Way to be blunt Malfoy, you ass.'
"No.. I'm not." 'Care to take care of that for me?'
"Oh? Why not?" ' thank you Merlin.'
"I haven't found the one... until just recently that is." Harry didn't know why he said that, it just came out. But yet he didn't want to retract it.
Lucius wanted to jump for joy. His mate felt it too....Hallelujah. Some one up there loved him, really loved him.
"Are you seeing anyone?"
'Oh no.' "Well... lord... yes and no."
"Oh." Harry's face fell. It hurt. And he felt jealous as hell. He was never jealous. What made this any different?
"Well, you see, it's hard to explain...."
"You don't have to, it's okay."
Lucius felt like shit. 'No, love, I want you.... she's lame I swear!'
The bell rang. Harry took the sample of their potion up to Octavian's desk and got out of there as fast as possible. If he had just turned around he would have seen Lucius falling to his seat, with his head in his hands shaking with silent sobs. But he hurt too much. Harry started down the hall and didn't stop until James grabbed his shoulder and spun him around just in time to see a tear fall down Harry's cheek.
"Come on Harry, let's go to the dorm and we can talk."
Harry was sitting in his dorm with his mum, dad, Sirius and Remus. Lily was sat next to Harry, rubbing small circles on his back trying to calm him down. For some reason Harry just wouldn't stop crying. James had went down to the kitchens and brought him some chocolate, but that didn't help. Remus tried soothing him with words.. Nope no dice. Sirius even went as far as telling lewd jokes (much to Lily's dismay) yet nothing seemed to work. Finally, after almost an hour, Harry calmed down.. Well if you consider quiet sobbing and non stop hiccuping calm, then yes he was calm.
"Okay Love, what happened?"
"I don't hiccup know.."
"Was he being a bastard? He has a tendency to do that," Sirius said with a frown on his face. "At least now he does... becoming jaded, that one."
"How so?" asked Harry, before taking a drink of water.
The Lucius Malfoy we all know and love to hate, isn't the Lucius Malfoy the Marauders knew. He's not the evil one, Narcissa is. As a young boy, and a teenager, Lucius was quiet, calm, and an all around decent guy. "Raised by his Grandmother more than his own parents," Sirius said during the conversation. "He's a veela, yet his parents see it fit to force him to wed Narcissa. She isn't his mate, he's even told them this. But they wont hear it. She's noble, beautiful, and pure... that's all they need to know to wed the two. You'd think being part veela themselves they'd understand, but no. I suppose since they aren't veela enough to have the inheritance then they just think he can deal with it. Shame really."
"Oh...." Harry said, trying to understand what was going on.
"So.. What did he say to make you so upset?" Remus asked, after handing him another tissue.
"I'm not really sure."
"Well, what were you talking about? What did he say right before you got upset?"
"He asked me if I was seeing anyone, and I told him no. Then I asked him if he was seeing anyone and he said yes and no and I ran out before he could explain.... now that I think about it, it's stupid really. I'm such an ass. He probably hates me now..." Harry said, putting his head in his hands, sobbing again. "I don't even know why I'm freaking out!"
"I think I know..."
Everyone looked to Lily for the answer. Really it wasn't a surprise that she knew, seeing as she knew everything.
"I think I know too," said Remus. Well that wasn't much of a surprise either.
"Why don't I ever know?!" Sirius asked, shaking James by the shoulders.
"Really, mate, I gave up trying to know a long time ago.."
"If you two were done, I'd like to tell you what Remus and I know..."
"Go on dear.."
"Thank you. Now, Harry... I think Lucius is your mate."
"Yeah that makes sense Harry. The fact that he asked you if you were seeing anyone... hardly even knowing you... that's bold. He's never that bold. Oooohh Harry.... You got yourself one of the most wanted men in the school. Lucky guy," Sirius said in a sing song voice.
"Sirius, I don't know if you realize this or not, but you just knew something," James said, looking proud.
"Oh man, I did!"
"Congrats mate! I'm so proud," James proclaimed, wiping away a fake tear.
Harry blushed. " Really? You think he knows? a nod from Sirius. Wow, that means now all of the swinging bachelors are taken... whatever shall the female population do?"
"All of us are taken?"
"Yeah, I don't think Remus will take too kindly to somebody else touchin' his man," Harry commented with a smirk that would make Malfoy proud.
"W- what do you mean?"
"Oh come on Siri, admit it.. I know," James said, pointing to himself.
"Admission is the first step to recovery."
Sirius paled and started to sputter. Remus sighed and sat next to Sirius. Here goes nothing.
"Okay, we've been seeing each other since the party you had at your place over the summer, James," Remus said, taking his boyfriend's hand.
"And it's getting serious... no pun intended," Sirius added.
"Why didn't you tell me? Did you honestly thing I would be mad? Really, lads, you know me better than that."
"Yeah, we know Jamie. It's just.. Well I guess we were still not sure of it ourselves.... and if you knew it would make it completely real."
"And now I think we're ready for it to be real..." Remus added.
"Well good, cuz I've been waiting for you to tell me for months now."
"You've known that long?"
"Yeah, you forgot to put silencing charms on your bed the first week of class."
"Bloody hell, sorry Jamie."
"I mean come on lads, how could I get mad..... My son is going to shag and bond with Lucius Malfoy of all people.... your shag fest is music to my ears compared to that."
"Umm, dad, why do you hate him so much? From what Sirius says, he's an okay guy."
"Oh I don't hate him at all.. Neither does Lily I don't think."
"Nope, I have no problem with him... C.Z. can be pretty cool sometimes too. It's the Black girls that are a pain in my side..."
"Oh.. Then why did you get all mad when you thought you were paired with him?"
"Cuz he owes him money...." Sirius said from his position of laying on Remus' chest. At some point in time they had laid down together and were now trying their hardest not to make out.
"You owe him money? Why?"
"He beat me in a card game."
"Why don't you just give him the money, James really," said Remus.
"Yeah, it's not like you owe him a lot anyway."
"How much does he owe?"
"Ten galleons."
"Only ten galleons.. Dad just pay the man."
"No, I wont."
"Why not?"
"It's the principle of the thing."
"He beat you."
"But I had my perfect hand... there is no way he could beat me without knowing my perfect hand.... and the only way for him to know was if he saw, which means he cheated... which makes the game null and void. So I owe him nothing."
"James, I've beaten you before."
"I know Siri, but that's okay because you know my perfect hand, he does not so he cheated and that's that."
"Umm.. Can we talk about me again... I'm the distressed veela, remember?"
