Come the Maëlstrom

Chapter Thirty Two

Lucius was happy. For the first time in his life, he could boast that he was perfectly content and happy. The past week had been filled with dates and just forgetting that there was anything wrong.

Of course Harry had cast a few charms on them so they didn't appear quite the same, but Lucius considered it a small price to pay for not being harassed in public.

They had gone to have dinner in a quiet little restaurant not far from the apartment and then a play for their first one. The second date, was his first movie. On the third date, they'd gone to this little pub that featured jazz music; Lucius had thought was especially nice as they'd both never heard jazz before. But while he couldn't stand it, Harry had loved it. They'd only left for dinner after Harry had bought something called a CD for later on. Lucius wasn't all that sure that the shiny disc could do much of anything. They had gone to see a movie again for their fourth date. But where the first movie was actually good, the second one was horrible. Lucius didn't even last ten minutes before he stomped out and demanded a full refund for both tickets. The manager was being pissy and it took an awful lot of talking on Harry's part to save the man's life and get a refund. There were exceptions to every case. And while magic was out of the question, he wasn't exactly averse to using his bare hands on that particularly infuriating Muggle.

Today's date had been taking in the historic sites of Muggle London and neither one of them dared visit any wizarding ones. While they had changed their appearances, all it would take was one careless spell to unravel the charm and expose them. They would be picked out far too fast and be fending off the subsequent rumours for ages. All in all, Lucius thought the Muggle sites weren't that bad; barring obnoxious Muggles with their bratty overly loud children who clung together in a large group like lost sheep. At the moment, they were heading home on the Underground. It was fairly late at night, and the car they were in was empty. Compared to how crowded it was when they left in the morning, Lucius preferred it this way. Harry had shifted in his seat and snuggled in under Lucius' arm.

"Did you have fun today?" Harry asked, eyes wandering from advertisement to advertisement.

"Yes, barring the tour guide's insistence that she was always correct." Lucius replied.

Harry's lip tugged upwards into a smile. "You have to remember that she's a Muggle. She doesn't know what really happened at the Tower that night."

Lucius snorted. "Yes, because we all know that the botched memory charm accounts for the conflicting stories of what occurred. It doesn't take much to put things together."

"Why, it sounds like you want the Muggles to find out." Harry said in mock shock.

"I don't. I just can't believe that someone would elect to be that stupid and blind."

"It could be worse you know."

"Indeed. They could be a Neanderthal, arms hanging down to the ground and staring at one another with jutting jaws and vacant expressions."

Harry broke out laughing suddenly. Lucius looked at him, startled for a moment, before he smiled. Their tour guide for Big Ben had looked very much like a Neanderthal. With the wide mouth, toothy grin, protruding ears, and a slight jut to jaw, it was very hard to miss the resemblance. The only thing missing was a club and the skin of some animal. Most of the group had been snickering under their breath as he led them on, talking without a clue.

"All he needed was the pose." Harry continued.

Lucius watched as Harry slipped from his seat and stood in the aisle, hunching his shoulders and using the swaying of the car to mimic the man.

"And over here are some sculptures discovered by Lord Elgin and brought back from Greece," Harry said with a monotone voice and listless vague gesture of one floppy hand. "Not that the Greeks covered up nudity or much of anything."

"It's much easier to appreciate the human form with out tactful bits of cloth in places." Lucius replied.

Harry straightened up and gripped the pole closest to him as the train went through a curve, tilting slightly on the rails. When it straightened out, Harry held onto the pole with his other hand, watching Lucius. Lucius looked at him expectantly, but Harry didn't say anything; all he did was smile.

"Can I help you with something?" he finally asked.

"I'm just glad you had fun today." Harry said. "I know it mustn't be easy what with Ginny and all."

There was a damper on a good mood if he ever saw one. Harry seemed to realise it too, since his smile disappeared.

"I didn't mean to –" he began.

Lucius held up a hand, making him stop. "We've put it off long enough. And dare I say the issue of you having a small chat with Draco has yet to arise, has it?"

"I was going to get around to that…" Harry said evasively as he stretched his arms.

The slight chafing sound Harry's hands made against the metal reached his ears. Lucius didn't arch an eyebrow, simply regarding Harry for a moment.

"I know it makes you uncomfortable, but it needs to be done." Lucius said finally.

"I know, I know." Harry replied a bit irritably. "Here's our stop."

Bright tiles greeted him through the window as the train left the tunnel and came to a stop. They stepped out and walked out into the night air. It was a bit cool with a bit of a bite to it. Harry stepped closer to Lucius, wrapping an arm around his waist. Lucius didn't reply but wrapped an arm around Harry's shoulder. Nothing was said until they were just outside the main doors to the apartment building.

"Really, I didn't mean to spoil the whole mood." Harry said finally. He fumbled for the keys in his pocket. "Merlin, I have horrible timing."

"It needed to be spoiled," Lucius said easily. "We have to sit down and have a very frank talk about this situation."

Harry nodded his head. "You know, I never told you the reason why I went to the Ministry that day."

"I have no doubt it was for some great purpose."

"Of course. I doubt Ginny would look at it that way."

Lucius looked at him questioningly. Harry simply smiled.

"Call it my gift to you."

"I'd like to have some idea of what it is."

"Yeah, I bet you would."

And with that, Harry grinned and pulled Lucius in for a kiss. Lucius let his hands drop to Harry's hips and pull him in a bit more. Harry's lips parted and his tongue darted out to flick against Lucius'. Lucius parted his lips willingly and let Harry's tongue in. It slid against his; wrapped around it, teased and promised of things that could be done.

Lucius was quite enjoying it when the sudden cawing of a bird interrupted. It was loud, nearby and had a particular sound to it. He broke off from the kiss quite suddenly looking around.

"What is it?" Harry asked in a somewhat husky voice.

Lucius looked back to find Harry's face a bit flushed but entirely predatory. Of course, the look would have been completed if those dilated pupils were filled with lust rather than confusion.

"Did you hear that?" he asked while looking around.

"Hear what? The bird?" Harry was looking around now as well.

Lucius nodded his head. "It was a raven."

"Really?" Harry frowned a bit. "That'd be the first raven I've seen here since I moved in."

Lucius looked sharply at Harry before he placed a hand against the small of Harry's back and urged him forward quickly. "Inside. Now." He murmured.

Harry looked at Lucius in puzzlement and curiosity but opened the door. Lucius walked in after him and it wasn't until they were in the elevator that Lucius relaxed a bit.

"Care to tell me what all that was about?" Harry asked, leaning against the elevator door as it took them to the third floor.

"McGonagall isn't the only unregistered Animagus."

Harry spluttered for a bit and started pacing. "How did you know that? Snape?"

"Yes," Lucius replied. "He was always vague about her animal form. Bellatrix however…"

"Bellatrix?" Harry repeated after a moment. "Damn it, damn it, damn it. Clever bastards; lying low for so long… must have fooled the Ministry into thinking they aren't a serious threat any more."

"A foolish mistake on their part," Lucius said as the elevator arrived with a clang and the doors opened.

"I'm with you on that one," Harry agreed. They started walking down the hall. "That raven was Bellatrix?"

"She has a very distinct caw. I would suggest you be on your guard and we don't leave the house any more."

Harry nodded his head. "I'd better double check my wards then, shouldn't I?"

"That would be an excellent idea," Lucius replied. "I would hate to have to break my parole in the house; that would necessitate some difficult questions."

"Lucius," Harry suddenly grabbed his arm. "What if someone's already in the apartment and waiting to ambush me?"

"The only way to reach help would be to get to the fireplace," Lucius replied after a moment.

Harry swore and drew his wand. "You'd better draw yours too. If it does come down to that, we'll deal with that problem later."

Lucius nodded his head in agreement as they reached the apartment door. Harry unlocked it and pushed the door open, leaving the keys in it still. The vestibule was still the same as they left it, lights out with the closet door open a crack. A faint glow of light came from the living room, but Harry had purposely left the light on. Harry stepped in slowly, Lucius behind him.

They checked upstairs first and found nothing. When they came down, the same empty living room greeted them. Harry breathed a very audible sigh of relief.

"Looks like no one is –"

"Took you two long enough to get back."

Harry whipped his wand out at the sound of the voice and blasted a hex right at it. A moment later, he groaned as it hit with the wall and left an impact mark.

"Damn it Draco, did you have to do that!"

Draco was peering over the side of the couch, looking between Lucius and Harry. Lucius was trying to figure out what Draco was doing here.

"I almost blasted your head off you idiot!" Harry snarled as he walked over to the wall and inspected the damage.

Lucius just looked at his son expectantly. Draco sat up on the couch, looking a bit sleepy but otherwise alert. He also looked like he had been waiting here for a long time.

"Where have you two been all day? I get here at a respectable hour in the afternoon, only to find you aren't here. And as it's almost midnight now, I think some explanation is in order."

Only Draco could sit there in someone else's house and still act so imperious. Lucius glanced at Harry, who was still bemoaning the state of his wall, and sat down on the couch.

"We were out on a date." He said simply as he made himself comfortable.

"A date?" Draco looked between him and Harry. "For that long?"

"As it was a particularly good date, yes," Lucius settled back against the cushion. "Now I find myself wondering why you came here?"

"Tonks said you were here. At least for a day or so more."

Lucius nodded his head as he stretched an arm along the top of the couch. "And whatever it is you have to say couldn't wait until I arrived back at the manor?"

"Don't be callous about this." Draco said accusingly.

"I'm not being callous; I'm simply waiting to hear what you have to say."

"You certainly look callous enough," Draco snapped as he rose, running a hand through his hair. "For one moment, just try to think of how this is for me. If Potter's father was still alive and you caught us in bed together, I think you'd be out for his blood."

"Hey!" Harry looked over angrily.

"Oh, use your head Potter!" Draco chided with exasperation. "It's called a hypothetical situation."

Harry grumbled and came and sat down beside Lucius, tucking his wand away just inside his shirt. Lucius didn't say anything as Harry reclined against him, simply watching Draco still.

"You do raise a very valid point." Lucius replied.

"Then I'm glad you're not expecting me to be entirely rational about this," Draco paced, rubbing the nape of his neck. "Even though I have been trying very hard to be."

"I thought you would have gone to the Prophet by now," Harry said a bit petulantly with his arms crossed. "But 'Mione said you wouldn't."

"Maybe the mudblood isn't so stupid," Draco muttered. "Rita Skeeter's two-bit, twisted and biased perspective on this situation is not needed at all."

"Would you stop calling her mudblood?" Harry said in a peevish tone. "She has a name! It's Hermione! Her-my on-ne! Hermione!"

Draco's eyes flickered towards Lucius and Lucius nodded his head very slightly. Draco's eyes widened in surprise for a moment, but it vanished away. Draco sat back down at his end of the couch, looking at them with a hard glare.

"Obviously, you two are together, and no amount of bitching on my part will change that," Draco paused and took a deep breath. "So, what I want to know is why you two picked each other."

Lucius remained silent, unsure of how to reply to that. It wasn't so much that they consciously picked each other, but this had happened. And while they hadn't gone digging for the reasons of their attraction, they both just seemed to know. It wasn't vocalised at all, like something sacrosanct and only implied about.

"Well?" Draco demanded.

Lucius glanced down and found Harry looking up at him, with amused seriousness evident in those green eyes.

"Honestly," Harry said finally, looking away from him to Draco. "He's the best shag I ever had."

Draco went positively green in the face and Lucius gave a small cough, hinted with a smile. Draco's lips frowned and he gave Harry an accusatory look.

"You call that a reason?"

"Call it one of many then," Harry said with a light shrug. "I can't quite put it into words."

"Bullshit."

"Well, you know what, fine. If you want us to feed you some line about how we were meant for one another, that we're soul mates or that we're desperately in love and gonna get hitched, then you're bonkers." Harry replied easily, and a bit angrily.

Draco's brow furrowed as he looked between them for a long moment before he spoke one word. "'Us'?"

"Yes, 'us'," Lucius watched Draco's face carefully. "In this case, meaning two people Harry and I."

Draco snorted and still looked between them. Then he asked the one question Lucius was not expecting at all.

"And are you planning to get married?"

Lucius gave a small frown, but Harry gawked at Draco like he had grown another limb.

"Don't stare at me like that," Draco said irritably. "With Mother disappearance, I figured it was only a matter if time before you found someone else. And you've found someone already. Now, just answer the question."

"So far marriage is not in the picture," Lucius said simply. "That might change in the future, it might not." He shrugged.

"Do you want to get married Potter?" Draco asked. "To Father?"

"Not particularly. If anything, I think I would avoid it. Marriage that is," Harry shrugged. "Maybe one day I'll want to marry Lucius, but I'm content with the relationship as it is at the moment."

"Avoid marriage?"

"Well, maybe that's a lie," Harry paused and thought. "Maybe if I was drunk enough and I couldn't keep my hands off him. We could get a quickie wedding somewhere." A small grin crept onto Harry's face. "Maybe in a situation like that. Can two wizards get – "

Lucius nodded his head, making Harry's grin grow wider.

"Would you be serious, Potter!" Draco snapped. "And Merlin knows that is not another mental image that I need," He shuddered for a moment. "If you think I'm the biggest of your problems, maybe you should take a closer look at things. Once someone finds out about this and goes to the Daily Prophet or Witch Weekly, I'll seem like nothing."

"I know, but after talking with 'Mione, I don't think a better bunch of people could have found out. I know you'll all keep your mouths shut." Harry sat up and looked at Draco intently. "What I have wanted to apologise for was not telling you sooner. Why do you think I invited you over so much? But it never seemed like a good time."

"I would imagine. When is a good time for one to tell a person they're sleeping with that person's father?" Draco said dryly as he crossed his arms.

Harry rubbed the back of his head. "See my dilemma?"

"You know," Draco snorted. "This would have to be the one time you actually used your head and everything blew up in your face."

"Tell me about it," Harry looked nervously at Draco. "So you're still not mad?"

"It's lessened to a peeve." Draco finally said. "The practically uncontrollable urge to hex you senseless has long past. You can thank Blaise for that."

"Great!" Harry grinned before he pulled Draco into a momentary hug.

The younger Malfoy got a baffled look on his face. "What the hell was that for?"

"I'm just really relieved," Harry said. "I thought it would be another blow up like last time."

"Yes, well, perhaps you're not as sluttish as I originally thought you were." Draco finally said.

Harry grinned. "Why don't you stay for a bit? We can open a bottle of wine."

"Since when do you have wine?" Lucius asked.

"It came with the place. Previous owner said it was a gratuity. I don't know the first thing about wine so I didn't touch it. Plus we've been eating out all week, so what would we use it for?"

"Well, go get a bottle and some glasses," Draco said as he reclined in his seat. "I'm not done interrogating you both."

Lucius groaned inwardly as Harry rose and went into the kitchen. This was definitely going to be a long evening.

"Holy, I thought Draco would never shut up." Harry muttered as he closed the door to the bedroom.

"Since when did he become so determined to dig around into my life?" Lucius mused as he sat down on the edge of the bed.

"Got me. I think he dug up way too much," Harry walked over to the bed and flopped down face first. "Merlin, half those questions… God, could he have wanted any longer answers?"

"Yes, your response of, 'Um, I like his hair' was quite inspired."

"Well Draco never specified what attribute of you that I like and he only said emotional the second time. Besides, you do have nice hair." Harry sat up suddenly, staring at the window intently. "Hey, do you hear that?"

He watched as Lucius cocked his head and then crept over to the window.

"It's the raven again." Lucius finally said. "I really don't like this."

Harry rose. "I'll be right back. I'm going to send an owl to Severus."

"Send one to Tonks. Have her come immediately." Lucius called after him.

Harry nodded his head and quietly made his way past the guest bedroom, down the stairs to the solarium. Draco had been too tired to Floo home, so Harry set him up in the guest bedroom. He found himself glad that Ron had gone back to The Burrow last week. Mrs. Weasley had been glad to have Ron back, and Ron found it easier, since Ginny was back at Hogwarts, to implement their plan from a much more supportive base. He had just grabbed a handful of Floo powder when Percy stepped out of the fireplace, asking to see Ron. He had a few people in tow, and Harry could only hope it was a good thing. He'd tried firecalling, but Mrs. Weasley said he was very busy and wasn't home as much.

He sighed as he entered the solarium. Hedwig gave a hoot from her stand. Harry smiled and grabbed the parchment and pen on a clipboard attached to the stand. He scribbled out two short letters, rolled and sealed them and addressed them to the respective person. He walked over to Hedwig's stand when he heard the caw of the raven again. It sounded shrill and demanding, as if someone wasn't doing something they were supposed to be doing.

"All right Hedwig," he said quietly. "I need you to take these to Snape and Tonks. I think someone might try to stop you. Don't let them, all right?"

Hedwig gave a serious hoot as Harry opened the large window and she soared out into the night sky. Almost immediately, he saw a raven take off from a tree and set off after Hedwig. He gritted his teeth and drew his wand, aiming a jinx at the bird. It gave a loud pained squawk that made him smile in grim satisfaction. He closed the window and hurried back up the stairs.

"You were right; some raven just started after Hedwig when I sent her off." Harry said as he entered the bedroom again, seeing Lucius peering out the window.

"Yes, I saw your impeccable aim from here." Lucius replied in dry amusement.

"Thanks," Harry came over to his side. "You don't see anything else out there, do you?"

"Nothing," Lucius glanced at him. "Though you should be worrying about a possible note from the Ministry about using magic in front of Muggles."

"If I get one they're bloody idiots," Harry groused. "It's almost three thirty in the morning. If there is a Muggle out there, they're probably so roaring drunk that they'll think they're imagining things."

Lucius chuckled and stepped away from the window. Harry watched as the blond made his way to the bed and sat down. Harry looked out the window one last time before he came over to the bed as well. He sat down and stripped off his socks, before going to work on his shirt buttons.

"Harry?" Lucius said after a moment.

"Yeah?" Harry asked, pausing and looking at Lucius.

"If we may have that talk now…"

Harry sighed and let his hands fall from his shirt buttons. "Yeah, might as well. I don't think I'm going to be able to sleep much tonight."

He watched as Lucius rested his elbows on his knees, linking his fingers and cradling his chin with his thumbs. Harry leaned back on the bed, bracing himself with one hand. His other hand went up and removed the tie from his hair before he ran a hand through it a couple times. It felt much better loose rather than tied up.

"While I can't say that I am pleased with young Miss Weasley's action," Lucius began. Harry had to resist the urge to snort. "I will understand if you wish to give her your support. It would appear strange if you suddenly supported me."

"Hmph, I can't say that I'm happy with what she's doing as well," Harry said. "I was talking to Ron, and we both agree that something's not right with Ginny. She's a completely different person, like someone changed her character."

"Changed?" Lucius echoed.

Harry nodded his head. "When Ron invited me over to dinner, there was a huge blowup afterwards with him and her… that was not Ginny. I mean, Ron said it himself. She was acting like a selfish bigoted bitch. And the thing is, she's so convinced that it was you, but Ron told me that before she said she wasn't sure who she saw do it."

"Interesting," Lucius finally said. "What factor could have changed her opinion so much, so drastically?"

"Octavia." Harry said finally with a sneer of displeasure. "Octavia Miller."

"Octavia Miller?" Lucius repeated. "Who, in Salazar's name, is that?"

"Octavia Miller; apparently, she had an older sister at Hogwarts. She and Ginny met at 9 ¾." Lucius arched an eyebrow in disbelief. Harry shifted on the bed, looking at him now. "Lucius…"

"There is only one prominent Miller family at the moment in the Wizarding world; they run the most successful Wizarding bakery in England. Their daughter is 23 and currently looking to expand the family business."

"But how can you be sure that there isn't a Muggleborn Miller at Hogwarts."

"Lucrezia Miller. She's very particular, since she's had people attempting to use her surname for illegal matters. She keeps track of all witches and wizards with the same surname. One Miller family has two boys, both due to enter Hogwarts in three years and the only other wizarding Miller family has a son who graduated Hogwarts ten years ago and little girl who will start in a year."

"Does she keep track of Squibs?"

"There are no Miller Squibs." Lucius paused for a moment. "Harry?"

Harry didn't say anything he had been taking very deep breaths as he attempted to calm himself while Lucius was talking. It wasn't working at the window started rattling and the night table started rocking unsteadily. He rose from the bed and paced back and forth, attempting to work off some of the anger.

"Just how do you know all this?"

"Lucrezia approached me two years ago, asking if I would be interested in financing her venture. We reached an agreement, but she determined it would have to be at a later date when it was fiscally more viable. She cited that as a chief reason for being very careful when starting new ventures."

Harry ran a hand through his hair with a displeased growl. "Someone's setting you up."

"And quite cleverly too." Lucius said after a moment. "Though I would imagine that Miss Weasley might have inadvertently made it easier for them."

"Then I wouldn't be surprised if they go to great lengths to see that you are found guilty," Harry didn't say anything for a long moment. "You've got how many months left? Five?"

"About that amount. Come March…" Lucius trailed off.

"Can't the proceedings be dragged out for that long? You've been tried once; isn't there something that prevents you from being tried again?"

"No," Lucius shook his head. "At this point, the best thing would be to simply get this over with. Should it prove unsuccessful, and Miss Weasley attempts to try it again, I can simply appeal; and my appeal would be bolstered by the previous verdict of not being found guilty."

"Sounds like it wastes a lot of time." Harry grunted. "I mean, someone could easily fix the system so –"

He stopped as he heard a knock come from the door downstairs. A frown came to his face as he walked to the bedroom door and opened it slightly, to make sure he wasn't hearing anything. Sure enough, the knock came once more, sounding more insistent. He closed the door, coming back to the bed to sit down. The windows gradually stopped rattling and the night table settled down.

"Someone is knocking on the door," he whispered. "Just let them knock; whatever it is, it can wait until morning."

They sat there for a moment, not saying anything, as the knocking continued, not stopping. It kept on for a few more minutes before it stopped. Harry scowled wondering what could have made the knocking stop when Lucius spoke to him in a hushed voice.

"What kind of wards did you set up?"

"Someone needs express permission to come into the house. I have to say they can come; sort of like a verbal password."

Lucius' brows furrowed. "And if someone in the house has your express permission? Could they invite someone in?"

Harry's brows furrowed in puzzlement. "No, I don't think so."

But he couldn't hide the worried tone and they both rose and went to the guest bedroom opening the door. The bed was rumpled and conspicuously empty. Harry swore and hurried for the stairs, Lucius behind him. Even now, he could hear the sound of murmurs at the front door.

"Draco!" he called as he scrambled down the stairs. "Don't!"

He jumped the last few steps and hit the floor with a thud, hurrying around to the front door, drawing his wand. He turned the corner, coming to an abrupt halt. Draco lay crumpled on the ground, surrounded by figures in black robes and white masks. He couldn't see the faces except for the one in the middle. He recognised the figure with that blonde hair with darker streaks in it. But those dark blue irises now shone with a glittering hate and triumph.

"Harry Potter." The words were spat out. "How kind of you to welcome us into your home."

Harry didn't say anything, steadily backing away. He made it to the corner when Octavia raised her wand and aimed it at Draco.

"Ah, no fleeing anywhere now, or poor Draco here will suffer for it." She tsked in a mocking tone.

Harry stopped moving, still holding his wand. Octavia's eyes landed on it and she motioned curtly to her left for someone to take it. A short figure stepped forward, and Harry caught the momentary glimpse of a silver hand.

"Pettigrew!" he spat, feeling his anger rise.

Peter stopped for a moment, looking back to Octavia. "Mistress Malfoy?"

"You idiot!" she seethed. "You incompetent idiot!"

Harry looked back at Octavia in disbelief; that was Narcissa Malfoy? Well, it certainly explained a lot about Ginny's change in behaviour. And why no one had been able to find her, at least. She'd changed her appearance to look like a 16 year old.

"Forgive me Mistress!" Peter ran back to Narcissa's feet and started grovelling.

"Get off me!" she kicked at Peter.

Harry found it a bit strange to see a diminutive 16 year old kicking at a fat, balding 36 year old man. But he had a rather strong urge to kick Peter as well. He watched this and felt fingertips brush against his back for a moment. Lucius was still hidden by the corner. He felt them move down in short imperious motion. It didn't take a genius to figure out. He swallowed and watched as Narcissa kicked Peter off and ordered him to stand up. He was just getting to his feet when Harry dropped to the ground, causing the remaining Death Eaters to draw their own wands. He kept a tight grip on his own wand just in case.

"Expelliarmus!"

Harry watched as a series of wands went flying from unprepared hands. He scrambled forward, getting to his feet. He kicked Peter squarely on the tailbone, sending him flying straightforward into Narcissa. He grabbed Draco, picking him as best he could. From the corner of his eyes, he could see the other Death Eaters coming in closer to him.

"Incendio!" he cried, making a sweeping motion with his wand.

The Death Eaters jumped back, trying to get their wands and hastily trying to out the intense fire on their robes. Harry struggled to his feet and found Lucius beside him. Lucius picked up Draco and slung him over his shoulder as if he weighed nothing. Harry cast a quick accio and wands came flying to his hands. He managed to keep a grip on them all and opened the front door.

"Follow me!" he said.

Lucius nodded his head and Harry flung the wands as far as he could in the opposite direction as they hurried for the stairwell. The door closed with a bang and Harry sealed it shut before hurrying down the stairs. He could hear Draco groaning as he was jounced on Lucius shoulder, but he didn't have time to pay attention to that now. The front doors were probably being watched and the back doors probably were as well. There weren't many Death Eaters left roaming free, but it was the most dangerous few that were.

"Which way now?" Lucius asked as they came down into the lobby, and Harry looked around, still a bit unsure as he sealed the door shut.

"No way is good," Harry said in a frustrated voice. "And if they came through the front, they've probably eliminated the cameras. But they could be waiting in the back, which is even worse and –"

"Pick one!" Lucius ground out, as distant bangs sounded from the stairwell they just left.

"Front!" Harry said as he ran forward.

He held the door open and Lucius went through it, before they stepped out into the street, feeling the acute nip of coldness in the air. Harry just looked both ways, before opting on the brightly-lit side. Hopefully, something would still be open and they could hide out there for a bit, and get their bearings.

"Are you sure you know where you're going?" Lucius demanded as they hurried down the street.

"No bloody clue; but somewhere safe is a good idea!" Harry exclaimed.

"Then stay put and I'll Apparate us to the mansion!"

"I think that would be the obvious place! What about Hogwarts?"

"You can't Apparate into Hogwarts!" Lucius came to a stop and ducked into an alleyway. "Salazar, he's getting fat." He grunted as he slipped Draco from his shoulder.

Harry bent down quickly and woke Draco up. Draco started but Harry clamped a hand over his mouth with a warning look in his eyes. Draco nodded his head slowly a moment later and Harry removed his hand.

"What were you thinking!" Harry hissed a moment later.

"Me? You obviously have faulty wards if I can –"

Harry had wound himself up for a stinging reply but was stopped as he was cuffed right on the head as was Draco. Lucius was frowning down at them with a disgusted look that said, "Some where else, another time". Harry rubbed the back of his head, thinking for a moment.

"I think it's pretty obvious that they want me," he said. "So I'll lure them away and you both get help."

"No one's going to believe Father if he shows up saying you've been kidnapped. They'll think he did it. It should just be me. If anything, he can stay with you and –"

"Aha!"

Harry looked up to find a gleaming white mask. He didn't even think, raising his wand and uttering the first curse he could think of. The Death Eater reeled back with shriek, scrabbling at the mask in an attempt to rip it off. The three of them rushed to their feet and left the alley onto the other street it led to. Harry could hear the sounds of chase behind them.

"Park." He managed as he veered off down another side street.

Lucius and Draco fell in behind him and it took a few minutes before they reached the park and Harry made a direct beeline for a thick clump of bushes. He lay flat on his back, attempting to not breathe so hard as Lucius and Draco settled beside him. He's probably run at least twenty blocks in less than ten minutes.

"All right, they're coming," Draco whispered. "I'll lure them away. You both stay here. And don't get any nasty ideas about heroics, Potter."

And with that the younger Malfoy was gone with a rustling of branches. Harry sat up a few minutes later as the Death Eaters came into the park. He watched silently as Narcissa gave a few orders that the rest obeyed and obediently fanned out, searching. It didn't take long for him to hear the sounds of Draco fighting some of them. He made a motion forward, but was stopped by Lucius grabbing his arm with an iron grip.

Harry looked over at him, opening his mouth to say something, but Lucius shook his head with a warning look. It seemed very difficult for him to sit back and not respond at all to the sounds of fighting coming from so close by. He sat beside Lucius, listening as a few Death Eaters came back and talked quietly among themselves. Harry could feel Lucius tense beside him. And when the Death Eaters disappeared to either side of the large clump of bushes. He had a bad feeling and motioned that they should leave their spot and try to slip away. Lucius nodded and they crawled out as quietly as possible. They were just getting to their feet when the smell of something burning came. They looked back and found the bush they had been hiding in was glowing a foreboding orange red.

"This way." Harry said quietly as he pointed to a path.

Lucius nodded and they started only to find it blocked by two Death Eaters. They fired curses and tried to take another path leading away from the park only to find that it too was blocked. Harry realised with a sinking feeling that they had been caught in a very classic pincer movement that now closed into a circle around them.

They drew in closer together, eyeing the Death Eaters warily. The Death Eaters were looking at them, eyes glaring from behind the masks. One of the Death Eaters finally cracked and cast the first spell. Harry couldn't fully keep track of what happened after that. All he knew was that he was firing spells, curses, jinxes, whatever would do the most damage while ducking and trying to keep his body intact. Everything was lost in frenetic battle.

The ground and asphalt became pockmarked and increasingly difficult to move over. Harry had just ducked to the side of a nasty slashing curse when his foot caught in a small crater and he sprawled to the ground, skinning his forearm on the asphalt to the side.

"Obscura!"

There wasn't anything he could do as the curse hit him square in the face and everything went pitch black. He fought down the momentary panic that threatened to grip him and pretended to panic, giving a cry of anguish and feeling around his eyes in a panic. When he felt hands on him and a triumphant laugh, he knew a body was close by. He wasted no time, jamming the tip of his wand against the nearest body part.

"Incendio maxima!" he yelled.

The pained scream was accompanied by a bright burst of heat that seared against him and he scrabbled back as fast as he could. But he could still feel the heat against his leg and he rolled in the dirt, trying to pat it out as best he could.

Then there were more hands on him, pinning him down to the ground. He struggled, managing to free a limb every so often, but it was only pinned back down. He wanted to call for Lucius, but who knew how they would handle that particular information and use it against him. He settled on swearing vehemently, uttering as many curses he could think of sprinkled in between, feeling the anger rising within him. There were increasingly peculiar sounds coming from all around him, especially grunts of pain from the people holding him, but he continued to struggle, curses still streaming from his mouth.

"Shut him up! Control him before he gets out of hand!" Narcissa shrieked her voice oddly nasal.

That was the last thing that Harry heard before something hit him hard on the head and he slumped into unconsciousness.