Warning: Profanity, little bits of violence, gratuitous
embarrassment, and SLASH! So watch out! If you're a parent, and
you don't want your child to read this...turn back now!!!
A/N: I, Moira McDuff, own NOTHING - I do not own nor do I claim to own ©Harry Potter, I am not getting paid for this story, and I don't need any lawyers harassing me for money I don't have. *nods*
Authors note: Today, I just read the article in which Warner Bros.' Lawyers have 'eluded' that HP Slash-fiction may be inappropriate for minors, thus - all of it should be taken down. *shakes head sadly* What a world we live in. I could go on for pages about how I feel on this topic, but then my story would probably be taken down...*laughs* So, if you're wondering why my warning and A/N is a bit longer than usual...that's why. I just hope those lawyer know what they're getting into...cause we're not going down without a fight!!
*Throws fist up into the air and tries to look menacing*
Yeah...well, you know.
~*~
Harry lay on his bed lost in his own thoughts. The past few days had been, well, odd seemed an appropriate word. And as much as he didn't want to think about himself, or do any sort of deep introspection - the afternoon's events had raised so many warning flags, that it deemed necessary. Not only for his own sanity, as he felt it was slipping, but for his safety as well. There were so many questions...
...and the majority of them involved one person.
What was it exactly that had prompted him to offer a truce in the first place? Exhaustion? Boredom? Guilt? All of the above? Who knew...he sure as hell didn't. Half of him was relieved Draco hadn't accepted his offer, and the other half...disappointed? Angered? Frustrated? BAH! Nothing made any sense.
A few days ago, everything made sense. Everything was clear - his role in life had been laid out for him by the Wizarding World, and even though he was more than a tad bitter about the whole arrangement, he could accept it. He could understand it. He was good; Draco was bad. Cut and dry. And now...
...things were complicated. No more black and white - only shades of gray. The 'Golden Boy' of Gryffindor was acting and thinking more like a Slytherin every day. He had hurt, betrayed, and mislead people he cared about. His intentions were more than just 'playful', they were borderline malicious...and he was enjoying it.
When had he changed so much that he couldn't even recognize himself?
The obvious answer was lying on his chest, its gold and silver strands reflecting the late afternoon light, providing a cool comfort to his unsteady mind. But Harry wasn't concerned with the obvious - he was more concerned with the uneasy feeling in his stomach whenever he thought about...
...the blonde Slytherin who was still, at the moment, lying in a hospital cot in the Infirmary. Another twinge of guilt tugged in his chest, and for once, Harry was grateful for it. Maybe he hadn't changed so much after all.
He glanced over at the clock.
5:25
Only little more than a half hour till dinner, and the dorms were unusually quiet. Not that Harry minded, really...he needed the time to think.
On a whim, he pulled out a piece of parchment and his quill and started a list.
Things I like: Quidditch, Charms & Transfiguration, The Amulet, Pulling pranks, Ron's smile, ButterBeer, Exploding Snap, Hogsmeade, Chess, Halloween, Hermione's glare, Christmas...
He sat back and looked it over. Besides 'The Amulet', everything else seemed normal. Nothing hugely different stuck out, and a relieved sigh escaped him. So he began another list.
People I care about: Sirius, Dumbledore, Ron, Hermione, Mom & Dad, Remus, Draco, Hagrid, McGonagal, Nearly Headless Nick, Seamus, Neville, Ginny, The Weasleys...
"DRACO?"
Harry's eyes snapped back to the place where he had written that...THAT name. Why the hell did he write Draco's name? And how did he somehow get in front of Hagrid? And WHEN did he start using Draco, er...Malfoy's first name? Immediately, he scratched it out.
He didn't care about Malfoy...right?
He couldn't. He just...couldn't. Not after everything they've been through - it just wouldn't make any sense. By all logic, he should hate the bastard. In all the time he's known Malfoy, never once had he proved redeemable...not that he really gave the slimy git a chance, but still. The only good thing about Malfoy was that he was such an easy target. Well, that, and he was true to himself. And he was powerful. And...
"Damnit..."
Harry crumpled up the parchment and threw it off the end of his bed.
~*~
Ron's chest felt as though it were about to explode, but he didn't care. He had been running around the school for the past half hour in a desperate search for Harry, and why he hadn't thought to look in the dormitories, the most obvious of places, he didn't know. Everything had happened so quickly, he hadn't time to think things through properly.
This was huge. This was bigger than huge - it was amazingly huge, and it was all because of them.
He managed a proud smirk between breaths.
'Must find Harry...'
He rounded the corner, skidding and on one leg, and sprinted the last few feet to the Gryffindor Portrait. Breathless, and in serious pain, he panted out the password.
"Ph...Ph...Pixie sticks!"
The painting swung open, and he darted inside. Jumping two steps at a time, Ron made it to the dormitories in record time. As he reached the door, he paused a moment to catch his breath - one hand against the cool stone wall, supporting most of his weight. The inside of the sixth-year's dorm was visible from where he stood, and for a moment, due to the stillness of the room, he didn't think Harry was there.
And then he saw him.
Shirtless, with his head bent back over the end of his bed, lay Harry - completely oblivious to Ron's gaping presence. His fingers lazily drew circles upon his chest; invisible figure eights formed upon his torso, and his fingers were not alone, it seemed. There, clasped between two fingers, was a chain...a necklace of some sort. Ron couldn't completely tell what it was; but in all truth, Harry's necklace was the furthest thing from his mind.
The day had started out so good.
Ever since he and Hermione's conversation, Ron had made a note of every time he thought of Harry in...THAT way. And he had done so well! Only once he had caught himself gazing a bit too long, and he quickly directed his attention elsewhere. He had started to believe that there really was nothing wrong with him, and that his dreams had been just that - dreams.
Until now...
Air was coming harder and harder to breathe in; it felt as though his chest had tightened considerably. Breath was almost painful, and it caught in his throat every time. His stomach, once grumbling from lack of sustenance, now felt - queasy, and fluttery. The knot that had formed in the pit of his stomach pulled, causing his knees to give out and buckle beneath him.
Merlin, what was happening to him?
Silently, Ron pulled back from the doorway and pressed himself against the wall. Air was coming easier now, and he took advantage - gulping in deep breaths - his chest overly extending itself. He closed his eyes and tried to think of something...anything...anything other than the boy that lay a few feet away.
After mentally checking himself, Ron slowly crept back down the stairs and began running in place - making a bit more noise than he had a moment ago.
"Harry! Hey, Harry!"
He flew up the stairs, again, and rounded the corner into the dormitory. Mentally, he smiled to himself. It had worked - and Harry was up and looking at him curiously. Now all he had to do was keep the act up, and not let on...
"Harry! Thank Merlin you're here! I've been looking all over the castle..."
"What's wrong? Is everything alright?"
"Everything's more than right! Everything's perfect!" Ron caught his breath and sat down across from his friend. "You're never going to guess what happened."
"What?"
"We made history."
"What?!"
Carefully, Ron checked the room. "Are we alone?"
Without hesitation, Harry closed and locked the door and set a silencing spell. "We are now. Go on, what happened?"
Grinning like the madman he was, Ron eagerly divulged the afternoon's events.
"You know the prank we pulled on Malfoy? Well, apparently it had a huge effect on the rest of the school."
Harry eyed him suspiciously. "How do you mean?"
Ron spoke slowly, relishing in the dramatics, "Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff and SLYTHERIN have united!"
"United...?"
"...against Malfoy!" The redhead was practically jumping out of his skin. "All the Houses, they've gotten together, formed some sort of truce for the day! Isn't it brilliant?!"
"Truce...against Malfoy...what? I don't understand."
Ron rolled his eyes. "Gods, you can be so thick sometimes. Haven't you been listening?"
"Yes, I've been listening...but you're not making any sense. What's Malfoy got to do with a truce?"
"They're all ganging up on him! Ever since this morning in Potions, word got 'round - spread like wildfire - everyone wants a piece of him!"
"What, like, exploit him?"
"Exactly! Well, more like exploit the information he let out." Ron was grinning.
A small smirk was beginning to form, causing the edges of Harry's lips to curl up.
"I can understand three of the Houses, but Slytherin? Why would they...?"
Ron looked at him thoughtfully, "I expect they're ashamed of him. He told all his dirty little secrets, put them to shame...bit of a disgrace in the Slytherin House now." He shook his head quickly, "But what does it matter? Everyone's in on it!"
"Wow." Harry sat back and took it all in. "And we're responsible for this...alliance..."
"Yeah! Brilliant, isn't it?" He smirked, mirroring Harry and leaned back as well. "It's going down at dinner, tonight."
"What's going down?"
"The rest of the prank!" Ron sighed, exasperated. As brilliant as Harry was, he really could be thick sometimes.
"Lord, you mean they're going to do more to him?" His eyes grew wide. "He won't be expecting..."
"...nope. He doesn't expect a thing." Ron rubbed his hands together.
A wave of panic rushed through him, causing Harry's chest to tighten.
"What are they going to do?" His voice cracked a bit, though Ron didn't notice. "I mean, what are...we...going to do?"
"First," Ron lowered his voice and leaned forward, "There's a spell you need to memorize..."
~*~
The Great Hall was all a-buzz with anticipation by the time Harry & Ron made their appearance. The sight was almost inspiring, had the circumstances not been so unsettling. Red, blue, green and yellow, once segregated to their own tables, were now happily distributed amongst each other. Although, the Slytherins were hardly enthusiastic to meet and greet the other Houses, they still had smiles plastered on their faces. It was ironic, really - the alliance. For years, none of the Houses could get over their grudges to align against Voldemort...but Draco, now that was someone they could unite against.
There was definitely something amiss, and the teachers weren't blind. Each of them had curious expressions, but none, save one, had any clue as to what was to come. Unfortunately, he was in little position to stop it.
Hermione had saved them a seat at the Gryffindor table, and was waving them over hurriedly.
"Get over here! He'll be here any moment." Her voice was low.
The two quickly sat in their reserved places. Harry had been seated only a moment before an enthusiastic young Hufflepuff by the name of Gregory Plumb slapped him on the back.
"Exciting, isn't it Harry? All of us here, together..."
"Yeah...exciting." Harry forced a smile. But haven't we always been here, together?
"This is going to be SO great..." Gregory bounced off, eager to share the joy with anyone who would listen to him.
Ron sniggered and Hermione smacked him playfully. Harry sighed as he watched the two of them. Ron's delight was to be expected, but it was surprising to see Hermione so enthused about a prank of this magnitude, that broke who knew how many rules...even if Draco was on the receiving end.
'Malfoy! His name's Malfoy!' He cursed himself silently. Why was he so paranoid about this? He hadn't been so uneasy this morning, and this was just an extension of that. Malfoy deserved whatever came to him...
"How is this going to work, again?" Harry desperately tried to make sense of the situation, even though Ron had explained it five times already.
"Harry! I've explained this five times already!" Ron shot him a look. "When Malfoy comes in, all of us - on Pansy's signal - will perform the spell we talked about earlier. You still remember it?"
He nodded.
"Right, then."
Harry stabbed at his food for a few moments. "Won't we all get into trouble?"
Surprisingly, it was Hermione who answered, "I had thought of that, too. But really, what could they do? If ALL of us perform the spell, which we all will as I understand it, then the Professors will have to take off an equal amount of points from each House. Thus, leaving everyone exactly where they were before - no one better or worse."
"It's brilliant, really." Ron managed to speak through mouthfuls of food. "I'm surprised no one's thought of it before. Hey!" He nodded to the front of the Hall. "Zabini alert!"
~*~
Blaise Zabini had been staked out at the front of the Hall, trying to look inconspicuous while keeping an eye out for Draco. The majority of students had kept an eye on him, waiting for a sign that would alert them all to what was now known as "Draco Statum" - or - Dragon Status. It was corny, but everyone seemed to love it.
A small voice called into Blaise's left ear and he put his hand up to it, blocking out the noise of the Hall. His partner in crime, Antonio Bastien, who was staked out just beyond the Infirmary, was reporting in.
"The Dragon is in flight."
Blaise smiled as he replied, "Affirmed. Fly home, Bastien." He turned to Pansy, who was awaiting his signal at the Slytherin table, and winked. She smiled, and nodded to Rebbekah Ronsum at the Ravenclaw table, who in turn nodded to Ron, who in turn nodded to Erik Armstrong at the Hufflepuff table. Though everything had been thrown together in a last-minute ditch effort, the four Houses worked together like a well-oiled machine.
This was much, MUCH bigger than Harry could've imagined. It was huge. And he alone felt responsible for it. Sure, Ron & Hermione could take some credit, but ultimately it had been his idea. And this...all of this had sprung up and grown from the one seed he planted.
Or was he being egocentric? Perhaps this was bound to have happened, regardless of his actions. Had he just been the catalyst? Maybe Malfoy had this coming a long time before Harry's quest for revenge...
Regardless of who initiated it, everything had unfolded into this moment, and it was inspiring. Ron was right; this was a day that would go down in student history. The day they all united in a prank of cosmic proportions. It was a proud moment...so why did he suddenly feel sick to his stomach?
A loud murmur echoed off the walls, and then it fell silent.
Harry looked around at the faces of his fellow students. The Hufflepuffs were crouched down, their eyes barely lifted and aimed at the front doors. The Ravenclaws were simply sitting, acting casual - yet it was fairly obvious they were too looking towards the doors. His Gryffindors did little to hide the obvious amusement they were taking in the situation, and were leaning in to get a closer look. And the Slytherins...were stoic. Not moving, not even hinting an emotion. They sat rigid, with a look of distaste. And the ringleader, not surprisingly, was Pansy Parkinson - who looked seedily through slitted eyes at the front doors; Crabe and Goyle sat on either side, their expressions mirroring her own.
Harry frantically looked to the Professors, searching for a sign, a clue, SOMETHING that would indicate their awareness of what was about to happen. But other than a few odd glances over the Hall, the majority of Professors were happily eating their dinner, blissfully unaware. He looked to Dumbledore...surely HE knew what was going on. Dumbledore always knew. But the old wizard's attentions were directed elsewhere.
Harry followed Dumbledore's line of sight across the Head Table...past McGonagal...past Trelawney...before finally landing on...Snape. A pair of cold, merciless black eyes met his gaze - staring straight at him, staring right through him.
Harry wanted to look away, but couldn't. He was locked there, unable to break contact with the Potions Master - whose eyes spoke to him. Deep in his mind, he heard his Professor's voice.
~Do something~
What? What can I do?
~You can stop this~
Harry forced his eyes closed and turned away. His head was spinning.
I can't stop this. I don't even know if I want to...
~If not you, then whom?~
~*~
There had been only a handful of times the Great Hall had been this silent. No one dared breathe, as their interruption might disrupt the whole plan. Only the occasional clang of a fork hitting a plate could be heard. It was the calm before the storm. A pin could've dropped.
And then, in the distance, were footsteps. Faint, at first...then louder, growing in strength. Soon, it evolved into the all-too- familiar 'Malfoy' strut. It would only be seconds before he emerged into sight...
Harry was running out of time.
He looked to Ron, and then to Hermione. Both held the same expression - delight. Their eyes alight, full of playful mischief...mouths turned up ever so slightly...waiting. Waiting for their prey. Waiting for Draco. Had it only been a few days when that exact same look made his knees weak, and had sent his heart soaring? Were these the same people? Was he the same person?
When had everything changed?
His stomach churned and the bile rose in his throat. Something wasn't right. This morning, it was right...a day ago, a year ago...it was right...but now...
It sickened him.
He glanced up at the clock.
6:03
A microsecond later, he had made up his mind.
"I can't do this..." He shot up, making to leave.
A hand reached out and pulled him back down. "Wait!" Ron hissed at him, "Sit down! You'll ruin it!"
Harry struggled to get his arm free. "Get off, Ron!" But the redhead's grip tightened along with his face.
It was then that Pansy gave the signal.
~*~
Time slowed down.
The next few seconds passed as though they were days, as Harry struggled to get free from his friend's grip. Vaguely, out of the corner of his ear, he heard a voice call out...
"Decresco Perquam!"
In reality, it wasn't one voice, but many voices, that had called out the familiar charm. An eerie blue light filled the room, and suddenly, Harry found himself free from Ron's clutches. Not because Ron had let go, but because his hand was suddenly too small to have much of a grip. Where a normal sixteen year old's hand had been, lay a tiny, miniaturized version.
Harry snatched his arm away as he looked, in shock, at the small figure that sat before him. It was Ron, but it wasn't. Same red hair, same blue eyes - which were staring at him with such fury that Harry had to take a step back - same everything, except he was no more than a few feet high. In fact, EVERYONE had shrunken themselves.
Everyone, that is, except him.
He stood there, a giant amongst his miniaturized classmates, and HE was the one getting stares. It would've been funny, had Malfoy not waltzed into the Great Hall at that very moment.
6:04
~*~
As Draco rounded the corner, a very odd sight, followed by an equally odd thought, greeted his arrival.
'Why is the Hall completely empty?' He wasn't THAT late for dinner, was he?
Ah...another prank at my expense.
"Oh, Ha-HA...very clever. 'Let's all disappear, make Malfoy think we've left him...' Personally, I would have hoped for a more...creative approach. After this morning, I was expecting more than...THIS" He drawled on, baiting a 'seemingly' empty room, and started forward...but stopped mid-step. His brows furrowed.
Something wasn't right.
On reflex, like a deer leaving the safety of the woods, his survival instincts took over and he assessed his surroundings. He looked to the Head Table, only to be met by frightened and confused stares. And there, out of the corner of his eye, was Potter. Standing alone, looking at him with a mixture of horror and...regret?
He opened his mouth to speak...
...but was cut short by an irritatingly high voice to his left.
"Hello, Draco..."
He whipped around, only to find no one there. A small giggle emanating just below him captured his attention, and lowered his gaze. There, tugging at her curls and swaying like a bloody child, stood an amazingly ugly creature that looked astonishingly like Pansy...
It giggled again. "Did you get my 'get well' card, Drakey?"
Sweet mother of GOD...it was Pansy! But she was...she was...
"A Midget?"
"We prefer the term, 'little people', if you don't mind..." The sickeningly sweet voice called out.
Suddenly, out of nowhere, came the rest of them. Hoards of 'little people' came swarming out from behind the tables...arms up, as if wanting to be held...giggling and shrieking with laughter...pointing...calling out his name...their little voices echoing throughout the hall...
"What's the matter, Draco?"
"Thought you liked 'em short!"
He took a step back; eyes wide with terror and repulsion...their helium afflicted voices echoing in his mind.
"What?...No!...Stop..."
But they kept coming. Closer and closer they drew...screaming and laughing and pointing...and then, a booming voice called out, filling the Great Hall. Draco braved a sigh of relief, believing it was Snape coming to his rescue...only there was no rescue.
It was his own voice.
But it had been twisted, sped-up, and made to sound like a child...mirroring the evil child-like voices that now surrounded him.
He had anticipated harassment, name calling, and the usual blows- to-the-ego that came along with embarrassment...but this...was unexpected.
"I WET MY BED TILL I WAS TWLEVE."
Whether it was - the upset of witnessing his House betray him, the shock of hearing his own voice call out the things no one was ever to know about, or the day's events combined - that caught him off guard, he wasn't sure. Whatever it was, it had gotten the better of him, and he wasn't ready for it...
"I'VE NEVER BEEN ABLE TO BRING A GIRL TO ORGASM."
More insults were called out, but Draco couldn't hear them...they were a soft echo to the whirlwind of thoughts and curses now storming within his mind. In a tactical move of defense, he shut down.
"I FIND MIDGETS AND LITTLE PEOPLE STRANGELY EROTIC."
Everything had gone numb, and his mind reverted back to that of when he was a child...desperately trying to protect what was left of his sanity.
"MY MOTHER ONCE CAUGHT ME WANKING OFF TO A PICTURE OF PROFESSOR FLITWICK..."
'This isn't real. It couldn't be real. This isn't happening. I'm still knocked unconscious, lying in the Infirmary, asleep in my bed. This isn't real. This isn't happening.'
"I...I'M AFRAID OF MY FATHER..."
'...What?...' He opened his eyes and watched in torturous slow motion as the shrunken figures laughed...but he heard nothing...only his own thoughts, now random in their patterns. '...Harry forgot to mention that one...'
Mouth agape, he turned to where Harry was still standing, that look of regret still plastered all over his face.
'...Harry?...'
Silver eyes desperately searched for green, but all he found was black. He had looked away.
"I...I'M AFRAID OF MY FATHER..."
'...please...'
"I...I'M AFRAID OF MY FATHER..."
Whether the pranksters had truly put his last words on repeat, he didn't know...but it was all he could hear. It was all that mattered. It was all he would ever amount to...a scared little boy, too afraid to face his demons alone...
Alone.
And he truly was. Alone, in the one moment he could admit he was weak. The one moment he allowed himself to seek out help...and no one came.
Had Draco's tunnel vision not been focused on Harry, he would've seen Severus making his way over...but he didn't. Instead, he focused all his pain...all his fury, onto Potter. The boy prophesized to save the Wizarding World who couldn't...wouldn't come, not even now, to his aid...
He closed his eyes as a soft chuckle escaped his parched lips, barely audible, unable to compete against the screaming laughter that was still echoing off the cold, stone walls of the Great Hall...
~It was too much~
Long, howling laughter sprung from his belly, wracking his body with its waves. It grew in strength and muscle, echoing out of his head and eerily into the Hall. It battled for dominance - and it won. The contending died as its creators retreated - a few transforming back into their original form...eyes wide...
~It was just enough~
Draco laughed as hard as his body would let him. Wild, fanatical laughter filled the Hall...and only after it had bounced back off the wall could the bitterness behind it be heard.
~It was perfect~
Students were popping back up, returning to their normal height, unable to believe the scene that was playing out before them. A few were backing up, tripping over the overturned benches...others stood transfixed, unable to blink.
Pansy's eyes grew wide with terror and recognition. She quickly found her footing and scampered back behind some of the newly grown Slytherins, all of whom shared her fear - and rightly so.
Even Severus had slowed his approach.
It was at that moment Harry forced his eyes open, and finally saw what had stopped their laughter...what had caused their silence. He saw the black figure that had suddenly appeared.
~oh gods~
"Hello, Draco..."
The young Slytherin, still chuckling, snapped out of his reverie just long enough to address the voice that had called out from behind him...
"Hello, father..."
...before fainting dead away.
It was 6:06
~*~
Author's note: This chapter took WAY too long to write. I don't know how many drafts I had...but you could ask Fran! She knows... *laughs* Anyway, I hope you liked it! I'm finally pleased with it.
Thanks:
Icarus: Yes, my sense of humor has a bit of an odd quirk to it...*laughs at herself* Glad you appreciate it! Hey, fabulous work on 'Hagrid's Hut', by the way...*wink wink, nudge nudge*
Ben: Thank you hon! I'm glad you liked it. *grins* And in response to your question, girls 'piddle' themselves as opposed to 'wanking off'. I'd go into more detail, but I don't think you'd want that...and don't feel bad if you don't get it. *laughs* It's a bit of an inside joke that I had to put in there...
Jekyll: *laughs her arse off* Yeah, kind of a scary thought, isn't it? Draco and Flitwick...*shudder* Your review cracked me up! And hey, thanks for kickin' Snape for me!
Greenie: Thank you dearest! I know it's taking me an awfully long time to get Harry to say those magic words, but he will! I promise! *grins at ya* And yes, Draco is quite mad...well, he will be at least...*laughs maniacally*
Tarathol: *laughs her arse off again* I always thought periwinkle blue was under-rated, myself...*chuckles* I can't begin to thank you for your review! It has to be one of the nicest I've ever received. Thank You!! *bows*
Morri: *grins at ya* Well, if it makes you feel any better, I wrote the majority of this story in a sleepy state! *laughs* So no worries if the reviews are sleep-induced. I'm always diggin' yer vibes!
Lyra: It's going to be a Harry/Draco fic...but there will be Harry/Ron parts...does that make any sense? *laughs* Hope that cleared some things up for ya!
Franalamadingdong: *giggles at the new nickname she came up with* Don't read my story from the start!!! Please! I beg you! It's not as consistent as I'd like it to be...*pouts* But thank you for your loverly review and e-mail! I always look forward to 'em. Man, do you realize you've been my inspiration throughout this ENTIRE thing?!? Wow...I guess I just realized it. *sniff sniff* Are we having a moment? *laughs* Love ya babes!
A/N: I, Moira McDuff, own NOTHING - I do not own nor do I claim to own ©Harry Potter, I am not getting paid for this story, and I don't need any lawyers harassing me for money I don't have. *nods*
Authors note: Today, I just read the article in which Warner Bros.' Lawyers have 'eluded' that HP Slash-fiction may be inappropriate for minors, thus - all of it should be taken down. *shakes head sadly* What a world we live in. I could go on for pages about how I feel on this topic, but then my story would probably be taken down...*laughs* So, if you're wondering why my warning and A/N is a bit longer than usual...that's why. I just hope those lawyer know what they're getting into...cause we're not going down without a fight!!
*Throws fist up into the air and tries to look menacing*
Yeah...well, you know.
~*~
Harry lay on his bed lost in his own thoughts. The past few days had been, well, odd seemed an appropriate word. And as much as he didn't want to think about himself, or do any sort of deep introspection - the afternoon's events had raised so many warning flags, that it deemed necessary. Not only for his own sanity, as he felt it was slipping, but for his safety as well. There were so many questions...
...and the majority of them involved one person.
What was it exactly that had prompted him to offer a truce in the first place? Exhaustion? Boredom? Guilt? All of the above? Who knew...he sure as hell didn't. Half of him was relieved Draco hadn't accepted his offer, and the other half...disappointed? Angered? Frustrated? BAH! Nothing made any sense.
A few days ago, everything made sense. Everything was clear - his role in life had been laid out for him by the Wizarding World, and even though he was more than a tad bitter about the whole arrangement, he could accept it. He could understand it. He was good; Draco was bad. Cut and dry. And now...
...things were complicated. No more black and white - only shades of gray. The 'Golden Boy' of Gryffindor was acting and thinking more like a Slytherin every day. He had hurt, betrayed, and mislead people he cared about. His intentions were more than just 'playful', they were borderline malicious...and he was enjoying it.
When had he changed so much that he couldn't even recognize himself?
The obvious answer was lying on his chest, its gold and silver strands reflecting the late afternoon light, providing a cool comfort to his unsteady mind. But Harry wasn't concerned with the obvious - he was more concerned with the uneasy feeling in his stomach whenever he thought about...
...the blonde Slytherin who was still, at the moment, lying in a hospital cot in the Infirmary. Another twinge of guilt tugged in his chest, and for once, Harry was grateful for it. Maybe he hadn't changed so much after all.
He glanced over at the clock.
5:25
Only little more than a half hour till dinner, and the dorms were unusually quiet. Not that Harry minded, really...he needed the time to think.
On a whim, he pulled out a piece of parchment and his quill and started a list.
Things I like: Quidditch, Charms & Transfiguration, The Amulet, Pulling pranks, Ron's smile, ButterBeer, Exploding Snap, Hogsmeade, Chess, Halloween, Hermione's glare, Christmas...
He sat back and looked it over. Besides 'The Amulet', everything else seemed normal. Nothing hugely different stuck out, and a relieved sigh escaped him. So he began another list.
People I care about: Sirius, Dumbledore, Ron, Hermione, Mom & Dad, Remus, Draco, Hagrid, McGonagal, Nearly Headless Nick, Seamus, Neville, Ginny, The Weasleys...
"DRACO?"
Harry's eyes snapped back to the place where he had written that...THAT name. Why the hell did he write Draco's name? And how did he somehow get in front of Hagrid? And WHEN did he start using Draco, er...Malfoy's first name? Immediately, he scratched it out.
He didn't care about Malfoy...right?
He couldn't. He just...couldn't. Not after everything they've been through - it just wouldn't make any sense. By all logic, he should hate the bastard. In all the time he's known Malfoy, never once had he proved redeemable...not that he really gave the slimy git a chance, but still. The only good thing about Malfoy was that he was such an easy target. Well, that, and he was true to himself. And he was powerful. And...
"Damnit..."
Harry crumpled up the parchment and threw it off the end of his bed.
~*~
Ron's chest felt as though it were about to explode, but he didn't care. He had been running around the school for the past half hour in a desperate search for Harry, and why he hadn't thought to look in the dormitories, the most obvious of places, he didn't know. Everything had happened so quickly, he hadn't time to think things through properly.
This was huge. This was bigger than huge - it was amazingly huge, and it was all because of them.
He managed a proud smirk between breaths.
'Must find Harry...'
He rounded the corner, skidding and on one leg, and sprinted the last few feet to the Gryffindor Portrait. Breathless, and in serious pain, he panted out the password.
"Ph...Ph...Pixie sticks!"
The painting swung open, and he darted inside. Jumping two steps at a time, Ron made it to the dormitories in record time. As he reached the door, he paused a moment to catch his breath - one hand against the cool stone wall, supporting most of his weight. The inside of the sixth-year's dorm was visible from where he stood, and for a moment, due to the stillness of the room, he didn't think Harry was there.
And then he saw him.
Shirtless, with his head bent back over the end of his bed, lay Harry - completely oblivious to Ron's gaping presence. His fingers lazily drew circles upon his chest; invisible figure eights formed upon his torso, and his fingers were not alone, it seemed. There, clasped between two fingers, was a chain...a necklace of some sort. Ron couldn't completely tell what it was; but in all truth, Harry's necklace was the furthest thing from his mind.
The day had started out so good.
Ever since he and Hermione's conversation, Ron had made a note of every time he thought of Harry in...THAT way. And he had done so well! Only once he had caught himself gazing a bit too long, and he quickly directed his attention elsewhere. He had started to believe that there really was nothing wrong with him, and that his dreams had been just that - dreams.
Until now...
Air was coming harder and harder to breathe in; it felt as though his chest had tightened considerably. Breath was almost painful, and it caught in his throat every time. His stomach, once grumbling from lack of sustenance, now felt - queasy, and fluttery. The knot that had formed in the pit of his stomach pulled, causing his knees to give out and buckle beneath him.
Merlin, what was happening to him?
Silently, Ron pulled back from the doorway and pressed himself against the wall. Air was coming easier now, and he took advantage - gulping in deep breaths - his chest overly extending itself. He closed his eyes and tried to think of something...anything...anything other than the boy that lay a few feet away.
After mentally checking himself, Ron slowly crept back down the stairs and began running in place - making a bit more noise than he had a moment ago.
"Harry! Hey, Harry!"
He flew up the stairs, again, and rounded the corner into the dormitory. Mentally, he smiled to himself. It had worked - and Harry was up and looking at him curiously. Now all he had to do was keep the act up, and not let on...
"Harry! Thank Merlin you're here! I've been looking all over the castle..."
"What's wrong? Is everything alright?"
"Everything's more than right! Everything's perfect!" Ron caught his breath and sat down across from his friend. "You're never going to guess what happened."
"What?"
"We made history."
"What?!"
Carefully, Ron checked the room. "Are we alone?"
Without hesitation, Harry closed and locked the door and set a silencing spell. "We are now. Go on, what happened?"
Grinning like the madman he was, Ron eagerly divulged the afternoon's events.
"You know the prank we pulled on Malfoy? Well, apparently it had a huge effect on the rest of the school."
Harry eyed him suspiciously. "How do you mean?"
Ron spoke slowly, relishing in the dramatics, "Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff and SLYTHERIN have united!"
"United...?"
"...against Malfoy!" The redhead was practically jumping out of his skin. "All the Houses, they've gotten together, formed some sort of truce for the day! Isn't it brilliant?!"
"Truce...against Malfoy...what? I don't understand."
Ron rolled his eyes. "Gods, you can be so thick sometimes. Haven't you been listening?"
"Yes, I've been listening...but you're not making any sense. What's Malfoy got to do with a truce?"
"They're all ganging up on him! Ever since this morning in Potions, word got 'round - spread like wildfire - everyone wants a piece of him!"
"What, like, exploit him?"
"Exactly! Well, more like exploit the information he let out." Ron was grinning.
A small smirk was beginning to form, causing the edges of Harry's lips to curl up.
"I can understand three of the Houses, but Slytherin? Why would they...?"
Ron looked at him thoughtfully, "I expect they're ashamed of him. He told all his dirty little secrets, put them to shame...bit of a disgrace in the Slytherin House now." He shook his head quickly, "But what does it matter? Everyone's in on it!"
"Wow." Harry sat back and took it all in. "And we're responsible for this...alliance..."
"Yeah! Brilliant, isn't it?" He smirked, mirroring Harry and leaned back as well. "It's going down at dinner, tonight."
"What's going down?"
"The rest of the prank!" Ron sighed, exasperated. As brilliant as Harry was, he really could be thick sometimes.
"Lord, you mean they're going to do more to him?" His eyes grew wide. "He won't be expecting..."
"...nope. He doesn't expect a thing." Ron rubbed his hands together.
A wave of panic rushed through him, causing Harry's chest to tighten.
"What are they going to do?" His voice cracked a bit, though Ron didn't notice. "I mean, what are...we...going to do?"
"First," Ron lowered his voice and leaned forward, "There's a spell you need to memorize..."
~*~
The Great Hall was all a-buzz with anticipation by the time Harry & Ron made their appearance. The sight was almost inspiring, had the circumstances not been so unsettling. Red, blue, green and yellow, once segregated to their own tables, were now happily distributed amongst each other. Although, the Slytherins were hardly enthusiastic to meet and greet the other Houses, they still had smiles plastered on their faces. It was ironic, really - the alliance. For years, none of the Houses could get over their grudges to align against Voldemort...but Draco, now that was someone they could unite against.
There was definitely something amiss, and the teachers weren't blind. Each of them had curious expressions, but none, save one, had any clue as to what was to come. Unfortunately, he was in little position to stop it.
Hermione had saved them a seat at the Gryffindor table, and was waving them over hurriedly.
"Get over here! He'll be here any moment." Her voice was low.
The two quickly sat in their reserved places. Harry had been seated only a moment before an enthusiastic young Hufflepuff by the name of Gregory Plumb slapped him on the back.
"Exciting, isn't it Harry? All of us here, together..."
"Yeah...exciting." Harry forced a smile. But haven't we always been here, together?
"This is going to be SO great..." Gregory bounced off, eager to share the joy with anyone who would listen to him.
Ron sniggered and Hermione smacked him playfully. Harry sighed as he watched the two of them. Ron's delight was to be expected, but it was surprising to see Hermione so enthused about a prank of this magnitude, that broke who knew how many rules...even if Draco was on the receiving end.
'Malfoy! His name's Malfoy!' He cursed himself silently. Why was he so paranoid about this? He hadn't been so uneasy this morning, and this was just an extension of that. Malfoy deserved whatever came to him...
"How is this going to work, again?" Harry desperately tried to make sense of the situation, even though Ron had explained it five times already.
"Harry! I've explained this five times already!" Ron shot him a look. "When Malfoy comes in, all of us - on Pansy's signal - will perform the spell we talked about earlier. You still remember it?"
He nodded.
"Right, then."
Harry stabbed at his food for a few moments. "Won't we all get into trouble?"
Surprisingly, it was Hermione who answered, "I had thought of that, too. But really, what could they do? If ALL of us perform the spell, which we all will as I understand it, then the Professors will have to take off an equal amount of points from each House. Thus, leaving everyone exactly where they were before - no one better or worse."
"It's brilliant, really." Ron managed to speak through mouthfuls of food. "I'm surprised no one's thought of it before. Hey!" He nodded to the front of the Hall. "Zabini alert!"
~*~
Blaise Zabini had been staked out at the front of the Hall, trying to look inconspicuous while keeping an eye out for Draco. The majority of students had kept an eye on him, waiting for a sign that would alert them all to what was now known as "Draco Statum" - or - Dragon Status. It was corny, but everyone seemed to love it.
A small voice called into Blaise's left ear and he put his hand up to it, blocking out the noise of the Hall. His partner in crime, Antonio Bastien, who was staked out just beyond the Infirmary, was reporting in.
"The Dragon is in flight."
Blaise smiled as he replied, "Affirmed. Fly home, Bastien." He turned to Pansy, who was awaiting his signal at the Slytherin table, and winked. She smiled, and nodded to Rebbekah Ronsum at the Ravenclaw table, who in turn nodded to Ron, who in turn nodded to Erik Armstrong at the Hufflepuff table. Though everything had been thrown together in a last-minute ditch effort, the four Houses worked together like a well-oiled machine.
This was much, MUCH bigger than Harry could've imagined. It was huge. And he alone felt responsible for it. Sure, Ron & Hermione could take some credit, but ultimately it had been his idea. And this...all of this had sprung up and grown from the one seed he planted.
Or was he being egocentric? Perhaps this was bound to have happened, regardless of his actions. Had he just been the catalyst? Maybe Malfoy had this coming a long time before Harry's quest for revenge...
Regardless of who initiated it, everything had unfolded into this moment, and it was inspiring. Ron was right; this was a day that would go down in student history. The day they all united in a prank of cosmic proportions. It was a proud moment...so why did he suddenly feel sick to his stomach?
A loud murmur echoed off the walls, and then it fell silent.
Harry looked around at the faces of his fellow students. The Hufflepuffs were crouched down, their eyes barely lifted and aimed at the front doors. The Ravenclaws were simply sitting, acting casual - yet it was fairly obvious they were too looking towards the doors. His Gryffindors did little to hide the obvious amusement they were taking in the situation, and were leaning in to get a closer look. And the Slytherins...were stoic. Not moving, not even hinting an emotion. They sat rigid, with a look of distaste. And the ringleader, not surprisingly, was Pansy Parkinson - who looked seedily through slitted eyes at the front doors; Crabe and Goyle sat on either side, their expressions mirroring her own.
Harry frantically looked to the Professors, searching for a sign, a clue, SOMETHING that would indicate their awareness of what was about to happen. But other than a few odd glances over the Hall, the majority of Professors were happily eating their dinner, blissfully unaware. He looked to Dumbledore...surely HE knew what was going on. Dumbledore always knew. But the old wizard's attentions were directed elsewhere.
Harry followed Dumbledore's line of sight across the Head Table...past McGonagal...past Trelawney...before finally landing on...Snape. A pair of cold, merciless black eyes met his gaze - staring straight at him, staring right through him.
Harry wanted to look away, but couldn't. He was locked there, unable to break contact with the Potions Master - whose eyes spoke to him. Deep in his mind, he heard his Professor's voice.
~Do something~
What? What can I do?
~You can stop this~
Harry forced his eyes closed and turned away. His head was spinning.
I can't stop this. I don't even know if I want to...
~If not you, then whom?~
~*~
There had been only a handful of times the Great Hall had been this silent. No one dared breathe, as their interruption might disrupt the whole plan. Only the occasional clang of a fork hitting a plate could be heard. It was the calm before the storm. A pin could've dropped.
And then, in the distance, were footsteps. Faint, at first...then louder, growing in strength. Soon, it evolved into the all-too- familiar 'Malfoy' strut. It would only be seconds before he emerged into sight...
Harry was running out of time.
He looked to Ron, and then to Hermione. Both held the same expression - delight. Their eyes alight, full of playful mischief...mouths turned up ever so slightly...waiting. Waiting for their prey. Waiting for Draco. Had it only been a few days when that exact same look made his knees weak, and had sent his heart soaring? Were these the same people? Was he the same person?
When had everything changed?
His stomach churned and the bile rose in his throat. Something wasn't right. This morning, it was right...a day ago, a year ago...it was right...but now...
It sickened him.
He glanced up at the clock.
6:03
A microsecond later, he had made up his mind.
"I can't do this..." He shot up, making to leave.
A hand reached out and pulled him back down. "Wait!" Ron hissed at him, "Sit down! You'll ruin it!"
Harry struggled to get his arm free. "Get off, Ron!" But the redhead's grip tightened along with his face.
It was then that Pansy gave the signal.
~*~
Time slowed down.
The next few seconds passed as though they were days, as Harry struggled to get free from his friend's grip. Vaguely, out of the corner of his ear, he heard a voice call out...
"Decresco Perquam!"
In reality, it wasn't one voice, but many voices, that had called out the familiar charm. An eerie blue light filled the room, and suddenly, Harry found himself free from Ron's clutches. Not because Ron had let go, but because his hand was suddenly too small to have much of a grip. Where a normal sixteen year old's hand had been, lay a tiny, miniaturized version.
Harry snatched his arm away as he looked, in shock, at the small figure that sat before him. It was Ron, but it wasn't. Same red hair, same blue eyes - which were staring at him with such fury that Harry had to take a step back - same everything, except he was no more than a few feet high. In fact, EVERYONE had shrunken themselves.
Everyone, that is, except him.
He stood there, a giant amongst his miniaturized classmates, and HE was the one getting stares. It would've been funny, had Malfoy not waltzed into the Great Hall at that very moment.
6:04
~*~
As Draco rounded the corner, a very odd sight, followed by an equally odd thought, greeted his arrival.
'Why is the Hall completely empty?' He wasn't THAT late for dinner, was he?
Ah...another prank at my expense.
"Oh, Ha-HA...very clever. 'Let's all disappear, make Malfoy think we've left him...' Personally, I would have hoped for a more...creative approach. After this morning, I was expecting more than...THIS" He drawled on, baiting a 'seemingly' empty room, and started forward...but stopped mid-step. His brows furrowed.
Something wasn't right.
On reflex, like a deer leaving the safety of the woods, his survival instincts took over and he assessed his surroundings. He looked to the Head Table, only to be met by frightened and confused stares. And there, out of the corner of his eye, was Potter. Standing alone, looking at him with a mixture of horror and...regret?
He opened his mouth to speak...
...but was cut short by an irritatingly high voice to his left.
"Hello, Draco..."
He whipped around, only to find no one there. A small giggle emanating just below him captured his attention, and lowered his gaze. There, tugging at her curls and swaying like a bloody child, stood an amazingly ugly creature that looked astonishingly like Pansy...
It giggled again. "Did you get my 'get well' card, Drakey?"
Sweet mother of GOD...it was Pansy! But she was...she was...
"A Midget?"
"We prefer the term, 'little people', if you don't mind..." The sickeningly sweet voice called out.
Suddenly, out of nowhere, came the rest of them. Hoards of 'little people' came swarming out from behind the tables...arms up, as if wanting to be held...giggling and shrieking with laughter...pointing...calling out his name...their little voices echoing throughout the hall...
"What's the matter, Draco?"
"Thought you liked 'em short!"
He took a step back; eyes wide with terror and repulsion...their helium afflicted voices echoing in his mind.
"What?...No!...Stop..."
But they kept coming. Closer and closer they drew...screaming and laughing and pointing...and then, a booming voice called out, filling the Great Hall. Draco braved a sigh of relief, believing it was Snape coming to his rescue...only there was no rescue.
It was his own voice.
But it had been twisted, sped-up, and made to sound like a child...mirroring the evil child-like voices that now surrounded him.
He had anticipated harassment, name calling, and the usual blows- to-the-ego that came along with embarrassment...but this...was unexpected.
"I WET MY BED TILL I WAS TWLEVE."
Whether it was - the upset of witnessing his House betray him, the shock of hearing his own voice call out the things no one was ever to know about, or the day's events combined - that caught him off guard, he wasn't sure. Whatever it was, it had gotten the better of him, and he wasn't ready for it...
"I'VE NEVER BEEN ABLE TO BRING A GIRL TO ORGASM."
More insults were called out, but Draco couldn't hear them...they were a soft echo to the whirlwind of thoughts and curses now storming within his mind. In a tactical move of defense, he shut down.
"I FIND MIDGETS AND LITTLE PEOPLE STRANGELY EROTIC."
Everything had gone numb, and his mind reverted back to that of when he was a child...desperately trying to protect what was left of his sanity.
"MY MOTHER ONCE CAUGHT ME WANKING OFF TO A PICTURE OF PROFESSOR FLITWICK..."
'This isn't real. It couldn't be real. This isn't happening. I'm still knocked unconscious, lying in the Infirmary, asleep in my bed. This isn't real. This isn't happening.'
"I...I'M AFRAID OF MY FATHER..."
'...What?...' He opened his eyes and watched in torturous slow motion as the shrunken figures laughed...but he heard nothing...only his own thoughts, now random in their patterns. '...Harry forgot to mention that one...'
Mouth agape, he turned to where Harry was still standing, that look of regret still plastered all over his face.
'...Harry?...'
Silver eyes desperately searched for green, but all he found was black. He had looked away.
"I...I'M AFRAID OF MY FATHER..."
'...please...'
"I...I'M AFRAID OF MY FATHER..."
Whether the pranksters had truly put his last words on repeat, he didn't know...but it was all he could hear. It was all that mattered. It was all he would ever amount to...a scared little boy, too afraid to face his demons alone...
Alone.
And he truly was. Alone, in the one moment he could admit he was weak. The one moment he allowed himself to seek out help...and no one came.
Had Draco's tunnel vision not been focused on Harry, he would've seen Severus making his way over...but he didn't. Instead, he focused all his pain...all his fury, onto Potter. The boy prophesized to save the Wizarding World who couldn't...wouldn't come, not even now, to his aid...
He closed his eyes as a soft chuckle escaped his parched lips, barely audible, unable to compete against the screaming laughter that was still echoing off the cold, stone walls of the Great Hall...
~It was too much~
Long, howling laughter sprung from his belly, wracking his body with its waves. It grew in strength and muscle, echoing out of his head and eerily into the Hall. It battled for dominance - and it won. The contending died as its creators retreated - a few transforming back into their original form...eyes wide...
~It was just enough~
Draco laughed as hard as his body would let him. Wild, fanatical laughter filled the Hall...and only after it had bounced back off the wall could the bitterness behind it be heard.
~It was perfect~
Students were popping back up, returning to their normal height, unable to believe the scene that was playing out before them. A few were backing up, tripping over the overturned benches...others stood transfixed, unable to blink.
Pansy's eyes grew wide with terror and recognition. She quickly found her footing and scampered back behind some of the newly grown Slytherins, all of whom shared her fear - and rightly so.
Even Severus had slowed his approach.
It was at that moment Harry forced his eyes open, and finally saw what had stopped their laughter...what had caused their silence. He saw the black figure that had suddenly appeared.
~oh gods~
"Hello, Draco..."
The young Slytherin, still chuckling, snapped out of his reverie just long enough to address the voice that had called out from behind him...
"Hello, father..."
...before fainting dead away.
It was 6:06
~*~
Author's note: This chapter took WAY too long to write. I don't know how many drafts I had...but you could ask Fran! She knows... *laughs* Anyway, I hope you liked it! I'm finally pleased with it.
Thanks:
Icarus: Yes, my sense of humor has a bit of an odd quirk to it...*laughs at herself* Glad you appreciate it! Hey, fabulous work on 'Hagrid's Hut', by the way...*wink wink, nudge nudge*
Ben: Thank you hon! I'm glad you liked it. *grins* And in response to your question, girls 'piddle' themselves as opposed to 'wanking off'. I'd go into more detail, but I don't think you'd want that...and don't feel bad if you don't get it. *laughs* It's a bit of an inside joke that I had to put in there...
Jekyll: *laughs her arse off* Yeah, kind of a scary thought, isn't it? Draco and Flitwick...*shudder* Your review cracked me up! And hey, thanks for kickin' Snape for me!
Greenie: Thank you dearest! I know it's taking me an awfully long time to get Harry to say those magic words, but he will! I promise! *grins at ya* And yes, Draco is quite mad...well, he will be at least...*laughs maniacally*
Tarathol: *laughs her arse off again* I always thought periwinkle blue was under-rated, myself...*chuckles* I can't begin to thank you for your review! It has to be one of the nicest I've ever received. Thank You!! *bows*
Morri: *grins at ya* Well, if it makes you feel any better, I wrote the majority of this story in a sleepy state! *laughs* So no worries if the reviews are sleep-induced. I'm always diggin' yer vibes!
Lyra: It's going to be a Harry/Draco fic...but there will be Harry/Ron parts...does that make any sense? *laughs* Hope that cleared some things up for ya!
Franalamadingdong: *giggles at the new nickname she came up with* Don't read my story from the start!!! Please! I beg you! It's not as consistent as I'd like it to be...*pouts* But thank you for your loverly review and e-mail! I always look forward to 'em. Man, do you realize you've been my inspiration throughout this ENTIRE thing?!? Wow...I guess I just realized it. *sniff sniff* Are we having a moment? *laughs* Love ya babes!