1Lost But Not Yet Broken
Chapter 12: Immaturity's Amateur
An: I'm sooooooooooooooooooooooo very sorry! I know, I know, I said I wouldn't take so long to update this chapter and I have made myself out to be a liar. Well you'll be happy to know that I am getting a new computer, one that doesn't freeze every time I try to open Word..
An: Oh for everyone who hasn't realized it yet where I was formerly known as Mystic Dragon1 I am now Sinful Wolf, not that you didn't notice from the ahem author name right next to the title on
Warnings: Ron (need I say more) meet Hermione (cause I remembered) more Sev bashing by evil Dumbledore. Grrr. OH and something else that I have no idea and hope to come up with as I type. LoL.
Where has my heart gone
An uneven trade for the real world
I want to go back to
Believing in everything and knowing nothing at all
I still remember the sun
Always warm on my back
Somehow it seems colder now
Where has my heart gone
Trapped in the eyes of a stranger
I want to go back to
Believing in everything
I still remember...
Fields of Innocence: Evanescence
Lucius Malfoy sat comfortably in a large plush high back chair, a goblet of rich Chardonnay wine lay carelessly upon his open palm. His pale silverish hair glittered under the crackling flames of a roaring fire. However, Lucius' mind was a multitude of thoughts and memories, among them – his son.
As he sat beside the fire's warmth the pale skinned man sipped his wine and thought of his son and all that had happened since his friend had brought a fallen angel to their fold. A boy who had been thrown a bad card and had suffered unanimously because of it, yet, he held such a naivete and fragility. Lucius could not help but chuckle as he compared that poor raven haired angel to his little dragon. Draco, so different yet similar to Harry, however his Draco had never suffered, never felt the pain of humiliation and terror, never known what it was to not be loved, because Lucius and Narcissa had made it a point to lavish their only child with love and necessities. However, his platinum blond boy was just as fragile as Harry; Draco held an innocence stemming from a whole heart where Harry's stemmed from broken and shattered pieces that somehow continued to find a way to beat.
Lucius smiled a soft gentle smile as memories resurfaced of a time when little Harry was still trying to learn the fundamentals of reading and yet was so utterly confused by his situation. Yes, Lucius remembered the first time in which he realized that Draco and Harry were meant of meet whether in this time or the next their souls would never be apart for, they were the strength to each other's frailty.
"No, no Harry, the "g" curves to the left not the right, that's a "q"." Chastised an energetic Draco, who was rapidly becoming frustrated with his friend.
Harry had quickly mastered reading but had a bit of difficulty grasping the art of scripture. Harry understood the words and what he read but would many times write the letters incorrectly even though he knew how to make the words up. Sometimes an "A" would be an "O" or and "S" a "Z", however, Draco was determined to help the nine year old raven haired boy learn to do it correctly; Even if he had to rip his hair out in the process.
"I am sorry Draco...." Harry quieted down immediately after he saw the look on the blond boy's face. Many times during their odd relationship, Draco had become mal tempered with Harry because of his habit of apologizing for every little infraction. As sweet and innocent as Draco was, he had a wicked temper to rival a banshee. Harry kept his gaze down, while trying to sort out his confusion as to why these people even bothered to teach him anything. Suddenly, he felt a soft hand on his shoulder but the raven haired boy could not hold back the flinch at the unexpected touch. He turned to see Draco, having completely ignored the flinch, smiling brightly at him. His blond locks swaying in every direction as he jumped like a rabbit.
"Don't worry Harry you'll get it. I'll help, although Uncle Sev says I'm bad at writing. But then again Uncle Sev says I could write a book on bad grammar, so I guess that I'm pretty good at writing bad huh?" Draco said.
Harry nodded mutely and tried yet again to write out his current obstacle. He felt the blond watching him but continued in his task. Draco wanted him to do it right and he would not fail him. Since the night that the blond and he had fallen asleep together, Harry had become adamant about being at Draco's side. Over time, he had begun speaking with out being asked although mildly. It was hardly anything to really spark a conversation; he was no longer afraid to ask questions, well, instructive questions anyway, and tended to try hard to please the people that he currently resided with.
Suddenly a loud squeal resounded through the room causing Harry to stop during his writing.
"Look Harry! You wrote the whole sentence correctly! That's great." Draco said enthusiastically as he beamed at the raven haired boy's work. Harry gave Draco a small ghost of a smile at the vigorous blond.
From the corner of the room lay a soft high back chair, Lucius sitting comfortably in it a book in his hand and his eyes softly watching the interaction of the two boys. He smiled softly as he noticed the small smile that graced the raven haired boy's lips, and then quietly returned to his book.
Lucius shook his head, attempting to clear out the clutter of old memories. The platinum blond man stood gracefully from his position, setting his goblet down on the side table. A smile graced his full lips as he remembered that ghost of a smile that had resided on the raven haired boy's lips. Truly, were they meant to meet, whether in this life or in the next Lucius knew without a doubt that his son was meant to find such a friend as Harry Potter.
Lucius could not help but laugh quietly to himself as he strolled towards to the bookcases. "To think that a Death Eater would grow to care for the boy-who-lived; this world is truly unpredictably ludicrous." Lucius snickered lightly at the thought; he hoped that both boys' were doing well at Hogwarts and that Harry wasn't too overwhelmed by the new environment. Then again, when living with Severus Snape as your guardian, you are pretty much prepared for anything.
Pale silver blue eyes roamed the book shelves, up and down, side to side, minute after minute these searched and searched to no avail. With a surprised gasp, Lucius began knocking each book off the shelf desperately searching for his current objective. Many upturned furniture and minutes later the tall slender man sank into his cozy armchair. His bones felt heavy and immobile, his body bore the weight of a thousand lifetimes that have never known contentment. His hair spilled across his face as his hand came to cover his face. Through the slit of two open fingers and wide silvery eye looked on towards the brick wall. His breathing was erratic as if he had ran a great marathon, his hair disheveled and a small bead of cold sweat, not sweat from sudden nervousness or stress but the kind that embodied sheer terror and disbelief, ran down the side of his face.
"The diary – where is the diary?"
Silence – a deafening silence that could drive the sane to scream and the unfounded to cry. It was a silence devised within stupor but most of all it was a silence that could be called unnatural, an abomination amongst the laws of sound for nothing could be so near non existent than the moment that Ronald Weasley's fist contacted with Harry Potter's jaw.
The red head slowly but effectively removed his hand from the affected area and could only stare in shock and trepidation as Harry slowly moved his head back to it normal position. There had been no gasp, no whimper, no exhalation of pain what so ever. Simple a chilling stoic silence, unmoving and unyielding. Ron slowly took a step back as he stared into those cold emerald eyes. Only a tiny trail of crimson blood flowed from Harry's mouth where the skin had begun to turn green and blue. However, Ron did not notice this; neither did Seamus or Jacob, all they could see were the cold rigidness of those eyes. If they had seen anger, fury, pain, even hate, it would have calmed their nerves to a sense of normalcy, but they saw none of it. There was nothing but an empty void within burning emerald eyes. Eyes like the devil, who would stare at you from the dark woods drawing you in and drowning you in his trance.
"What the hell?" cried Ron, his growing trepidation at the unwavering stare growing every second. Even the surrounding Slytherins could not help but feel the weight of that stare. They saw the emptiness, the lack of accusation, the raven haired boy had eyes like the midnight tiger whose roar filled the sky with anguish and yet, knew no warmth, no love, no feeling.
Vaguely did any of them hear the quick steps and purposeful steps of the Slytherin and Gryffindor heads of house. Hardly, did any recall the tall dark haired professor of Slytherin forcefully grab the red headed assailant nor do they recall the elderly stoic woman of Gryffindor step in front of the red head's other two companions. Nothing, not until those endless emerald eyes closed and Harry Potter moved away from the scene, sitting calmly next to Draco Malfoy. The small trail of blood and large forming bruise completely ignored by the ebony haired boy.
With that, sound erupted like a violent volcano, whispers and snickers littered the room creating a flock of rapidly repeating sounds. All mingling, all merging, all about one thing – Harry Potter; the previous silence, a non-existent thought compared to the loud bravado of gossip and interest.
However, Draco ignored them all, his thoughts shifting from anger to concern for his friend. Noticing the tickling blood and the forming bruise the blonde's eyes widened, springing him from his seat to care for his injured friend.
"Harry! You're bleeding!"
Slowly, the raven haired boy wiped away the offending crimson with a small swish of his finger, staring mesmerized by the fluid as if the idea of him bleeding were a foreign thought or is it reality. He could here the whispers of the Slytherins around him as they asked Draco if he was okay.
He heard the sound of Draco's frantic voice and turned to greet it. "Harry, come on, let's go to the hospital wing. You might have hurt something else if you're bleeding. Harry, please." Draco was on the verge of tears but held them back valiantly, not wanting to show weakness amongst his peers. He could see his Uncle and another professor yelling quite loudly at the three Gryffindors but were too far to be heard. Turning back to his friend, he hard many of the older Slytherins enquire about Harry, the blond merely ignored them and continued to speak to the raven haired boy. Finally, after what seemed like forever did he receive a response, as the boy turned the deep emerald eyes towards him.
"Draco?"
"Yes Harry, are you alright?"
"Are you okay Draco?"
"........Of course I'm okay! You took the hit for me. Now answer me, are you okay?"
"Yes."
"No you're not! You're bleeding and you face is swelling! Come on we are going to get you looked at."
Draco went to grab Harry and pull him from the table when suddenly a loud booming voice resounded from the teachers table.
"SILENCE!" said Dumbledore as his voice boomed powerfully yet calmly through out the great hall. He had been watching the entire event from the dais of the teacher's table. A smile on his face but a dark gleam in his eyes as he looked at Harry and Draco through out the sorting; it was apparent that Albus Dumbledore was not happy about Harry being in Slytherin or being friends with Draco Malfoy.
"Since the feast has apparently concluded, will all respective houses head to their dormitories? Mr. Malfoy please escort Mr. Potter to the infirmary. Mr. Weasley, Mr. Finnigan, and Mr. Donigan I will speak to you three after your Head of House has dealt with your transgressions.
After his announcements, the whole of the great hall moved silently towards their dormitories. Whispers of the earlier events continues as the walk to the dormitories was slow and a mass of moving bodies heading for the land of Morpheus, while Draco took Harry to the Hospital Wing.
The trek was slow and quiet as the rest of the students headed for their beds. It seemed the too quiet hall gave the two inseparable friends time to ponder on the earlier events. Or rather Draco ponder on the stupidity of one Ronald Weasley.
Before he was able to enter a heated debate between himself and Dragon, the sudden sound of quiet footsteps at the other end of the hall caused both boys to stop abruptly. They watched as a shadow stretched out of proportions by the decrepit candle light crept into view. Harry stood firmly by Draco's side, his body tense and ready for any threat. The blond boy was grateful to his raven haired companion for the added protection, but was comforted by the fact that he had always been assured that Hogwarts was a safe place. Draco was not a weak individual, no far from it. However, it was his child like innocence and soft demeanor that made seem delicate physically. The truth is that, Draco kept Harry rooted to reality; everyday showing the affection starved boy new ways to care, to laugh - to feel.
"Hello." the voice was sweet and feminine and yet familiar at the same time. The figure didn't move but that didn't give any change in the duo's stance of defense.
"I was looking for the library and got lost." it was a mediocre excuse that any Slytherin could of seen through, especially so late in the night.
"Who are you?" Draco asked his voice short and arrogant.
The shadow stepped out of the darkened area and into the moonlight. The blond immediately remembered her as the petit girl on the train earlier in the evening who had been searching for her cousin. He recalled that she had been sorted into Ravenclaw, her bushy hair seemed a bit more stale now that it was in a low ponytail but that didn't help with its natural frizz.
"I'm Hermione Granger. I think I remember you from the train. I'm in Ravenclaw." Hermione smiled at the two her eyes depicted childish curiosity and intrigue.
Draco let out an audible sigh; something he learned from his father."I'm Draco Malfo-"He didn't get to finish what he was saying because Hermione finished it for him.
"Draco Malfoy and Harry Potter. Kind of hard not to remember you too with all the commotion." Hermione says smiling.
She walks towards them and noticed Harry's more than formed bruise. "He hit you hard didn't he." Hermione said rasing a hand to touch the black and blue flesh.
The touch was soft and cool against the warm skin. Harry flinched at the contact. He had never dealt with women before. Narcissa was probably the only one he knew but even then he had never allowed her to physically touch him. Having been deprived of the tender touch of a caring female; living his life with the only female touch being that of a harsh smack or beating from Petunia Dursley. Harry did not know what a small gesture had no repercussions, viewing all feminine touch as conniving and having a second agenda; not that he didn't suspect that of masculine touch, however, he was slowly becoming accustomed to being praised or caressed, especially by Draco. Draco's thoughts had traveled a similar direction during th exchange thus, when he saw Hermione inching her face closer to the raven haired boy's face, he couldn't help the cold dread that crept up his spine.
"My mother always did this when I got hurt." Hermione said before she leaned in and kissed his cheek. However, the soft plump lips never even so much as brushed skin before Harry had violently pushed her away. Such was the force of his push that the petite girl hit the wall hard before sliding to the ground. The bushy haired girl stared in object horror as Harry struggled to control himself. Power cackled and sparked from his very aura as conditioned instinct took control over rational thought.
However, all Hermione could do was stand and run as quickly as possible back to the Ravenclaw dorms, leaving a distraught Draco with an equally panicking Harry. The raven haired boy grabbed at his temples trying desperately to control what could not be controlled, his pale eyed companion's screamed fell on deft ear, as his world darkened inch by inch, plummeting him into agonized oblivion.
Severus entered the headmaster's office, a dark scowl plain on his features as he recalled the night's earlier events. The nerve of the Weasley boy to assault one of his Slytherins when unprovoked, it made his blood boil in fury. However, he knew that the boy would only suffer a minor punishment, now more than ever since it was clear to the tall slim man that Albus Dumbledore had not been happy about Harry Potter's sorting.
"Ah Severus, thank you for coming. There is a matter of a Mr. Potter that I wish to discuss" said the long bearded man softly, all ill contempt properly hidden from his tone.
"If you are enquiring as to why Mr. Potter has been sorted into Slytherin, then I suggest you ask that insufferable hat that you so enjoy keeping" said Severus snidely.
Dumbledore studied Severus briefly before retorting, "now Severus I merely wanted your opinion on the matter. After all the boy did defeat Voldemort, who knows what thing go through his young powerful mind."
'Oh, I can think of a few. Draco this, Draco that. Mostly Draco actually' thought Severus, fighting back the smirk that threatened to appear at the headmaster's own "supposed" ignorance.
"The boy is in my house, thus he is in my favor. It is clear that he has evidently befriended young Mr. Malfoy. The best we can do is watch the boy closely."
"Hmm, Severus I do hope you are not keeping anything from me. After all if I recall you and Lucius Malfoy are very good friends..."
"Were. Lucius Malfoy and I are nothing more than beneficial acquaintances. My time as your spy has created an unknown rift between us. After all and ambitious man as Lucius would not have appreciated my efforts to be the Dark Lord's second above him during the first reign."
"No, I suppose not" Dumbledore's voice held a mild skepticism that immediately told Severus to tread softly when Lucius ever came to Hogwarts.
"Severus, do you remember the agreement that was contracted upon your release to my services?" asked Dumbledore.
Severus narrowed his eyes and kept his voice even. This was not a good sign.
"Yes."
"I want you to begin it's preparation today. How long will it be until it is done?"
"In proximity, three to four months."
"Good. You are excused, please make sure that Mr. Potter is well cared for."
Severus understood the underlines in that last remark perfectly 'keep him towards our side or you'll suffer', nodding the ebony haired man left the offending office for the safety of his dungeons. However, he quickly recalled that Harry and Draco were most likely on their way to the infirmary and decided to make sure his young charges were well; especially a certain emerald eyed boy.
An: well there you have it chapter twelve. I know it's crap I really didn't like how this chapter came out. Frankly it was suppose to open for the next chapter and allow me to speed up time again. sigh Next chapter will conclude the last two scenes and maybe some info on what lucius is doing oh and did I forget yeah the diary.
An: I'm going to try and not take so long to update. I have a new computer the problem is finding time. I really apologize for having you wait. Thus why I make sure my chapters are more than five pages in length. This one is actually eight so I hope it's a nice lengthy chapter for your compensation.