Distribution: Just Ask
Rating: PG 13 for now but will move up to R in later chapters.
Disclaimer: J.K. Rowling owns everything except the plot and the original characters, creatures, etc. The language Quenya and most anything elven related is the creation of J.R.R. Tolkein.
Authors Note: As always, I want to thank my partner in crime Zenura Ravenscar. Without her support I would've never had the courage to write a single sentence. I'd also like to thank the dedicated fans who gave me so many wonderful reviews for my other fics. I hope you enjoy this as much as the others.
Chapter 11
Of the trio snuggled together in bed, it was Remus who awoke first that morning. Sirius and Drakkara, upon hearing the alarm clock go off, had merely snuggled closer into each other to lessen the assault on their ears. Knowing that neither his mate, nor his best friend could function without coffee, the werewolf tried to get out of bed.
As he moved to get up, Remus found a hand firmly attached to his backside and unwilling to let go. Realizing the hand was a bit too large to be his mates', not to mention she was facing the wrong way, the tawny-haired man lifted one golden eyebrow in amusement. "Gonna have a talk about this later Padfoot old boy." He muttered, reaching back and firmly removing the other mans hand from his posterior.
Remus dropped the wandering hand as soon as he was out of reach and chuckled aloud when it found its way into its previous position, this time around Drakkaras' pert bottom. "Really gonna have to talk about this." As was to be expected from the sleeping man and woman, the only response Remus got to his statement was his mate nuzzling her face deeper into Sirius' pectoral muscles, and Sirius burying his face into Drakkaras' long hair.
Shaking his head, Remus opened the tenth chamber of his mates' trunk and went inside. In one of the rooms, he found a small kitchenette with a muggle style coffeemaker and the grounds, milk, and sugar to prepare the womans favorite morning beverage. Several minutes later, the werewolf levitated a tray with the pot of coffee, milk, sugar, and three cups up the ladder ahead of him and into the bedroom.
With the scent of freshly brewed coffee wafting around their noses, Sirius and Drakkara blearily opened their eyes and turned toward Remus, who was pouring himself a cup. "Ooh, coffee. Remy you are an angel. What time is it?" Drakkara asked, sitting up after casually removing Sirius' hand from her rump.
Leaving the animagus in bed, blushing faintly over his unconscious groping, the raven-haired woman stood and strolled over to sit beside her mate on the small couch in their bedroom, kissing the amber-eyed man lightly on the lips in greeting. "It's six-thirty Pretty Girl. Just enough time for us to have a cup of coffee, shower, and dress before breakfast starts." Remus answered her question before turning his amused face on the still blushing Sirius. "Oh get over it Padfoot, you only put your hand on her arse after I removed it from mine. Come over here and get some coffee."
With his face as red as any Weasleys' hair, Sirius pushed the blankets off of himself and came over to join the couple, trying to recover his dignity by jokingly lifting Drakkara from her seat and sitting down in her place, reseating her in his lap. "Good morning my dears." He greeted both in a laughing tone.
Exchanging a look, Drakkara and Remus decided three could play this game and put down their cups to snuggle with their friend. The woman leaned in and kissed Sirius in a bit more than friendly way, then settled back down into his lap and watched her mate do the same, causing Sirius to splutter. The trio ended up all leaning against each other as their shared laughter overcame them, and finally calmed down enough to enjoy their coffee, Drakkara still sitting in the raven-haired mans lap.
With a full cup of caffeine in their systems, they retired to the two bedrooms for showers. Remus took his in the master bathroom connected to their bedroom, and Drakkara took hers in her trunk, the tenth chamber holding not just the lab, office, greenhouse, and hobby room but a fully equipped one bedroom apartment as well so that she could travel in perpetual comfort.
Refreshed from their showers, the trio met again in their common room to admire each other's clothing before heading down to the Great Hall. Sirius was dressed ultra-casually in black jeans and a navy blue tee shirt since he would be walking around in his animagus form all day, though the casual clothing didn't diminish his dramatic good looks in the slightest.
Remus had chosen his favorite of the outfits Hermione had chosen during their shopping trip, the green silk shirt and tan suede pants with their coordinating belt and boots. He'd thrown on a loose robe in the same tan of his trousers, with a moss green border of runes around the hem, collar, and cuffs. With his honey brown hair loose and flowing down past his collar, waving slightly back from his right ear to show off his earring, Remus looked quite handsome.
Drakkara herself had chosen a silvery gray ankle length skirt that flowed around her legs, and a long sleeved, tightly fitted, scoop-necked blouse in burgundy. Her familiars were coiled around her neck and waist in place of a necklace and belt, giving the woman an exotic look. She'd pulled her long black hair into a heavy french twist at the back of her head, and held it there with a pair of garnet studded gold combs. She was wearing the pair of earrings that matched the ones Sirius and Remus wore, and topped it all off with a sleeveless black robe. "I hate robes! Why in the name of Merlin does Albus think all teachers should wear robes?" She muttered, adjusting the shoulder seam on one side.
"I suppose it's to make us look more professional. All the students have to wear their uniform black robes, at least we get to choose our colors and styles." Remus answered, chuckling at his lovely mate.
The woman grunted in displeasure, she hadn't liked the student robes any better than she liked the ones her wardrobe now held. "Must ask Severus where he gets his robes, at least they have that dramatic billowing effect. Come on guys, I'm hungry and I want more coffee."
Obligingly, Sirius transformed into Snuffles and stepped up to Drakkaras' right side. Remus placed her left hand in the crook of his right arm, and they exited their rooms together, pausing to greet Lily on the way out. The DADA corridor was on the fifth floor of the castle, so they had to make their way down the grand staircases to the ground floor, a task that wasn't made any easier by the shifting flights of stairs.
Finally making it to the Great Hall, they entered via the teachers' door at the front of the hall and took their places at the table. "Good morning Remus, Drakkara, and you of course Snuffles. How was your first night back?" The overly cheerful headmaster asked them as they took their seats, leaning around Severus to twinkle at them.
Remus and Drakkara made a slight effort to sound cheerful, or at least fully awake as they returned the Headmasters' greeting, wishing they could get away with barking as Sirius had done. Someone had had the unmitigated gall to place a pot of tea beside Drakkaras' plate and she turned to the potions master with a pleading gaze. "Want to trade Severus? I can not get through this mornings lessons on tea." She asked, gesturing towards the coffeepot beside the man.
Throwing her a highly amused smirk, as he'd been the one to switch his tea with her coffee when he first sat down, the potions master handed over the coffee and took the tea in its place. Gratefully, Drakkara poured coffee for herself and Remus, then loaded the plate in front of her with eggs, bacon, sausage, and pancakes and set it on the floor between herself and Remus for Snuffles.
The large dog yipped his thanks and dug into the pile of food as another golden plate appeared in front of the Defense Mistress. Concentrating on her coffee and the artificial energy it would provide her, Drakkara only took a small bowl of fruit and a couple pieces of toast for her own breakfast.
By the time Remus and Drakkara had finished their coffee and started on their meal, it was eight o'clock and the late risers from among the students began to flow in looking harried. This group included Harry and Ron, with Hermione practically dragging them along. Following behind the trio was Ginny, looking nervously at her feet, cinnamon brown eyes on the light gray and cream striped kitten who was strolling casually beside her.
The youngest Weasley didn't stop at the Gryffindor table with her brother and friends, but kept walking until she reached Drakkara at the head table. "Kara, umm, Professor Vanimaer. Zephyr refused to stay in the dorms when we came down, can you ask him why he wants to follow me?" The girl asked nervously.
Drakkara felt the kittens weight jump up into her lap as Ginny was speaking. Zephyr had grown a bit since coming home with the girl and was now the size of an adolescent kitten. After giving Ginny a nod and smile, the raven-haired woman looked down at the ball of fur in her lap and spoke to the kitten. "Zephyr, Ginny wants to know why you wouldn't stay in the dorms. Familiars aren't technically allowed in the classrooms, which is where she'll be going after breakfast."
"I don't wish to leave my fire child Drakkara. This place is very large and may hold many dangers to her. I will remain at her side for her protection." The kitten mewed back.
The violet-eyed woman took a small piece of sausage from one of the plates and fed it to the kitten as she repeated his words to his companion. "Well, it seems we have a slight problem. Zephyr refuses to leave you Ginny, he wants to protect you from any dangers in the castle." Drakkara turned her eyes on the Headmaster, leaning forward to see him around Severus. "Albus, I highly doubt we can keep him in the dorms if he doesn't want to stay there. He's strong enough now to use his element to levitate out the window and down to the ground where he could just come back in and scent around until he found Ginny. Would you give the okay for him to attend classes with her?"
The headmaster nodded his agreement for the elemental cat to attend classes with his companion and passed the word down the table to the other professors. Ms. Weasleys' cat was to be allowed into classes with the girl unless he caused a disruption, whereupon he would be sent packing to Professor Vanimaer. Drakkara made sure the kitten understood the message and Zephyr promised to behave unless there was something drastically wrong, then he would act to protect his companion or leave to find Drakkara so she could handle the situation.
Once Ginny had been reassured, she went back down to the Gryffindor table and sat beside a blonde haired boy that looked to be around her age, Zephyr trailing behind her. Drakkara greeted her godson by way of a wave of love and happiness through their bond, which was readily returned from the bespectacled teen along with a grin as he turned to wave at her.
The rest of the breakfast hour passed quickly and soon both professors and students were leaving the hall, heading for their first classes of the day. Remus and Drakkara seemed to have drawn the short straw as their first and second period classes contained the two groupings of new first years.
As the pair walked back up the grand staircase to their classroom with Snuffles trailing behind Drakkara commented, "You know, when we were students, I didn't realize how hard the professors busted their bums just to see each class twice a week. We're scheduled from nine in the morning until six in the evening every day with only the one hour lunch break. Not to mention the time we spend grading papers and overseeing detentions. Explain to me again just why we wanted to be teachers Remy?"
"Because it's a fulfilling job, we like kids and we're good with them, and at least at Hogwarts, it pays well." The werewolf stated as he opened the door to their classroom. They wandered into the empty room and Drakkara lazily conjured a large cushion for Sirius to lay on while the other two were teaching.
She nodded her agreement with her mate as they sat down and opened their lesson book. "True, on all counts." She would've continued speaking, but the first of their students, the Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw first years began coming in and taking their seats. Remus and Drakkara exchanged a fond look and took a couple of deep, calming breaths. Their shared career as DADA professors was about to officially begin.
* * * * * * * * * *
For Harry, Ron, and Hermione, their first class was a piece of cake. Somehow, they had ended up with Divination or Ancient Runes as their first period and so as they headed off after breakfast, the boys bid Hermione good-bye on the second floor as they split off toward the north tower. Seamus and Dean joined them, along with the divination 'prodigies' Lavender Brown and Parvati Patil.
Professor Trelawney started the year off in her usual dramatic style, making several vague predictions and one truly awful one in which Harry met his doom in the form of a black serpent. Lavender and Parvati of course patted the bespectacled teens' hand in sympathy over his sure death in the near future, while Ron, Dean, and Seamus stifled their laughter behind their hands.
"Could this year have started off any worse mate? Double Div, Double CoMC without Hagrid, Double Potions, and Double History, and except for this one they're all with the Slytherins. And why are all the required OWL courses doubled this year? I'm beginning to agree with Fred and George, fifth year sucks." Ron stated in a whisper as he and Harry pretended to study their textbook as ordered by Professor Trelawney.
The raven-haired teen nodded an emphatic agreement. Looking over their schedules at the breakfast table, Harry had noticed that indeed all of their classes were doubles, and most with the Slytherins. That meant far too much time spent in the same rooms and corridors with Draco Malfoy as far as he was concerned. The strange look he'd received from his Slytherin rival on the train was still weighing on his mind.
After an interminable length of time, the two-hour divination class ended. Harry, Ron, and the rest of the Gryffindors from that class met up with their single friend who'd had the sense to take Ancient Runes, and they wandered outside to Hagrids' hut where Professor Grubbly-Plank would be teaching Care of Magical Creatures.
The Gryffindor fifth-years stood in loosely formed groups around the front of Hagrids cabin, waiting for their Slytherin counterparts to saunter down from the castle. It seemed that Professor Grubbly-Plank was starting their year off easily. There were a few crates sitting beside the cabin, each labeled 'Bowtruckles'. As Hermione informed them, a bowtruckle was a small creature that resembled a wooden stick figure and was normally found in trees bearing wand wood.
The bushy haired girl was explaining the properties of their creature of the week when the Slytherins made their appearance. At the head of the group was Draco Malfoy, the lauded Silver Prince of Slytherin. In unison, Harry and Ron groaned when they saw the sneering, aristocratic face of their rival and realized his silver-gray eyes were focused on them. "Alright Harry, Ron, remember what we promised each other. We're not going to let Malfoy get to us this year, no matter what he says to egg us into a fight." Hermione said quietly as the Slytherin contingent approached them.
The trio purposely turned their backs on Draco and his friends and waited for the first sneering insults to pass their rivals lips. They didn't have to wait long. "Well Potter, first day of classes. Tell me, have you, Weasel, and the Mudblood decided what kind of trouble you're going to get into this year to maintain your celebrity? If you're planning to get yourself killed I'd like to know so I can get a good seat. It's my right and duty as your rival to be on hand to laugh at your demise."
Ron growled, his face turning a deeper shade of red than his hair. He started to turn and face the Slytherin boy but was held back by Hermione. Harry drew a calming breath before he turned to glare at the blond. "Malfoy, stuff it. We're not gonna fight with you this year, you're just not worth the effort. You may think of yourself as my rival or nemesis or whatever, but let's face facts. Voldemort is my rival and nemesis, not you. You're my comic relief, a royal pain in my arse that just happens to be fun to practice new hexes on. Go find someone else to piss off Malfoy, cause you're not going to get your jollies here."
As the rest of the Slytherins were positioned slightly behind their leader, they didn't see what Harry saw in the blond teens' eyes upon hearing the Gryffindors comments. Draco Malfoy had flinched at hearing of his low status in Harry Potters' life, and his silvery eyes had actually lost their hard glint and misted over with sadness. For a split second, the hard mask of the Malfoy heir had fallen away and revealed Draco, and Draco had just had his feelings hurt badly.
The pain in the Slytherin boys' eyes was gone an instant after Harry saw it, and the mask was firmly back in place. Draco tilted his head slightly to the side and started to reply, but just then Professor Grubbly-Plank made her appearance and began the class. Her directions to the students forestalled any more verbal sparring between the scions of Slytherin and Gryffindor and the two groups separated to fetch their bowtruckles and begin the lesson.
* * * * * * * * * *
Harry went through the lesson on bowtruckles in a semi daze, his thoughts turned inward. His hands held the stick-like creature and attempted to draw it on a piece of parchment, but his mind reflected on his encounters with Draco Malfoy. He thought about their meeting on the train at the end of the previous year. Malfoy had been in fine form then, his usual disgustingly superior self. The blond boy had been confident in his position with the return of the Dark Lord, and had seemed happy about the prospect of death to Muggles and Muggleborns at Voldemorts' hand.
The bespectacled teen wondered what had changed over the summer to cause his rivals masks to slip, at least where Harry was concerned. Twice now, Harry had seen real feeling in the blondes' eyes. First had been the sincere apology for his comments on the train, and now Draco had been hurt by the Gryffindors retaliation to his insults. Harry decided to keep a close eye on the Slytherin during their inevitable future encounters, to see if those silver eyes would say something to him that the mouth wouldn't, or couldn't.
The raven-haired teen snuck a glance across the yard at the boy who'd held his thoughts through the last hour, wondering what was going on inside the Slytherins head. Surprisingly, his emerald eyes met and locked with silver ones, as Draco had been giving Harry a sidelong glance at the same time. Once again, there was emotion in Dracos' eyes, emotions that Harry couldn't discern the meaning of, as they'd never been directed at him from the other teen before.
* * * * * * * * * *
Draco Malfoy inwardly cursed himself and forced his eyes off the face of the Boy-Who-Lived. He had to be careful, the pale teen thought, so careful not to let Harry see more than a glimpse behind his Malfoy mask. The last few months since school ended had been a real eye opener for the Slytherin Prince. He'd now seen first hand the terror that was his fathers master, had seen the great Lucius Malfoy crawl forth on his knees to kiss the Dark Lords robes like a dog and receive the Cruciatus curse as his reward.
Having seen what he had, Draco had come to the decision that it was most definitely not what he wanted from his life. Through some very discrete eavesdropping, Draco had learned much during the past two months. He'd heard his father speaking with the snake-like Dark Lord about a prophecy that somehow concerned Harry Potter. And while secretly watching a Death Eater meeting held in the Malfoy gardens, he'd seen his father and several others hit with the Cruciatus for being unable to obtain the prophecy for their Lord.
He'd learned more than just Voldemorts efforts to get at the prophecy though. He'd heard about other plans in the works, like envoys sent to the giants, vampires, and werewolves. He knew that there were tentative plans to attack Azkaban prison once word from the Dementors arrived, but what intrigued him most was what he'd learned about, and from, his mother.
Narcissa Malfoy, known to the public as a radiantly beautiful and utterly useless piece of arm candy for Lucius Malfoy, was much more than she appeared. Much of what he'd learned about life as a Death Eater had come from his mothers actions and seemingly offhand comments. In a truly Slytherin fashion, she'd shown her only son the horror of the Dark that lay buried under the façade of glory and power.
As his hand drew a sketch of the bowtruckle in Vincent Crabbes' massive fist, Draco thought over two particular memories of his summer. The first scene to play in his mind was one he was sure his mother had arranged for him to see and hear; though he doubted she knew what the subject of it would be.
**Flashback**
Draco was about to turn the corner and descend the staircase into the entrance hall of Malfoy Manor, responding to a summons from his mother, when he heard his father shouting. "How? How in the name of Merlin did she do it Narcissa? You knew her, knew her secrets, so tell me how in the depths of Dark Hell did Drakkara Vanimaer survive in hiding all these years! She was supposed to be dead, she should have been dead! We looked for her for months; just to be sure the bloody be-damned witch was dead. So tell me now Narcissa, how did your 'dear' friend Drakkara survive to come back just when it would hurt our side the worst?"
"What are you raving about Lucius? Drakkara died with the Potters, you told me so." Narcissa had replied in a confused voice. Draco sat down against the wall on the second floor landing and peeked around the corner in order to see the conversation between his parents.
Lucius looked like a wild man. His billowing black robes were in tatters; his long silver blond hair tangled with dirt and debris, his body shivering uncontrollably. Draco could see his father clenching his jaw as he spoke again, his voice frustrated and angry. "As it turns out, my dearest wife, your friend is very much alive. Severus was able to report this to our Dark Lord as she has returned to Hogwarts and that muggle-loving fool Dumbledore. I asked you before Narcissa, I'll only do it once more. What secret power does Drakkara Vanimaer hold that made her such a threat to us years ago, and has let her survive all this time in order to come back and oppose us again. If you know, I suggest that you tell me, or the consequences of your secrecy will be dire."
The Malfoy lord had stalked forward during his speech and was now looming over a cowering Narcissa, using his far superior height and mass to threaten the small woman. "Lucius, please, I don't know anything about any secret power I swear! She was my friend yes, but I was never as close to her as Lily Evans. I swear to you that Drakkara never told me what made her so powerful. Lucius, she knew I was betrothed to you from our first year at Hogwarts, and she knew you supported the Dark Lord, she would never trust me with her secrets because she knew I would tell you anything!"
Draco was shaking in fear for his mother as it looked as if his father was going to strike her. The blond teen had felt the force of Lucius Malfoys' anger before, and let out a relieved breath when the mans tightly clenched fist lowered back to his side. "What you say is true. The Vanimaer wench was too Slytherin to trust my betrothed with her secrets, despite your friendship. Go about what you were doing Narcissa, I will be in my study and I do not want to be disturbed."
Even the memory of his fathers uncontrolled rage made Draco shudder. Thankfully, his next memory was far less terrifying.
**Flashback**
Draco was sitting in the spacious limousine across from his mother on the way to Kings Cross station. The teen was happy to be going back to school; happy to be leaving the constant state of fear he'd been living in for the last two months. The further they got from Malfoy Manor, the more both mother and son were able to relax. They arrived at the station about half an hour early, and Narcissa Malfoy guided her son through the barrier to platform nine and three-quarters.
The petite blonde woman had scanned the platform warily before taking hold of Dracos' shoulder and leading him into a deeply shadowed alcove. Once hidden from view, the Malfoy heir had looked into his mothers' sapphire blue eyes and seen the real Narcissa Malfoy for the first time.
Narcissa Black-Malfoy had knelt before her child and taken his hands in hers, looking him directly in the eye. "Draco, you're a smart young man. I know you've seen and heard a lot this summer, and thought everything through. You know you have a decision to make this year, a decision that no child should have to make. You've seen where following in your fathers' footsteps will lead you, the only question that remains is whether that is the path you want to take."
Draco opened his mouth to try and form a reply, but his mother lifted one dainty hand and pressed her fingers over his lips. "No Draco, my precious son, don't try to answer me now, just listen to me. I've tried by best to show you the reality in which we live, the horror that lies just beneath the surface of wonderful things. You may not think you have a real choice in what you become Draco, but you do. You must think very hard about where you want to stand in the times ahead."
"If you decide that you are better than a groveling minion to an insane monster, then I can give you hope. When I was a student at Hogwarts, I was friends with two of the most powerful witches in my generation. Lily Evans was one, and she made the ultimate sacrifice to save her child, Harry Potter. The other was a rather mysterious but truly formidable woman named Drakkara Vanimaer." Narcissa paused here, apparently lost in a memory.
The blonde woman shook her head to clear it and continued speaking. "I know you overheard your father and I arguing about Drakkara earlier this summer, so I won't explain. Drakkara, my dearest and most sorely missed friend, will be at Hogwarts this year, as your Defense professor. Draco, if you don't want to be a Death Eater, she is your best, I dare say your only hope. If you go to her and tell her that you don't want to become another Lucius, she will do everything in her power to protect you."
The teen removed his mothers' fingers from his lips to reply. "But mother, how can she protect me from Father, if I should decide I need protection that is."
Narcissa shook her head, seemingly amused. "You're a true Slytherin son, hedging your words even to your own mother. My life rests in your hands Draco, and I give it to you willingly in hope of protecting you. If you repeat what I am about to tell you to Lucius, he will kill me, have no doubt. Drakkara Vanimaer has power and influence far beyond your father or even the Dark Lords' wildest imagination. I won't be specific, as it would betray her trust in me, but know that this much is true. If Drakkara Vanimaer gives you her protection, then you will never be forced into something you don't want for as long as she lives."
People were beginning to crowd onto the platform, and Narcissa looked around, knowing she must finish quickly. "Time flies my precious son, and so must I. You have been my one true light in life, since the day you were born. I beg you Draco, don't let your light burn out. Think hard about everything you witnessed this summer, and remember all I've said to you. I love you Draco, and I hope and pray you will make the right decision. I beg you my sweet baby, go to Drakkara, let her help you."
Finished at last, Narcissa Malfoy pulled her son into a tight embrace and peppered kisses over his cheeks and forehead. With a last whispered "I love you" she pulled back from the utterly astonished teen and proceeded to shock him even more by changing form right in front of him. A large blue jay took wing from the place she'd been standing and disappeared into the sky.
A bell ringing loudly from inside the castle jolted Draco out of his thoughts. The two-hour CoMC class was over and everyone was gathering up their things to go back into the castle for lunch. The blond quickly stuffed his parchment drawing and other supplies into his bag and stood, allowing Crabbe and Goyle to take their places on either side of him, and the other Slytherins to fall in behind them.
All through lunch in the Great Hall, Draco thought over his mothers' words at the station, and how a change in his allegiances would effect the Slytherin house as a whole. Since his first year in the Serpent house, he'd been the leader of those around him. Now a fifth-year, with leaders of the older students gone, Draco was the single most influential student in Slytherin house.
Draco had always done his best to be seen as a younger version of his father, the cold and powerful Lucius Malfoy. He'd done a good job, the blond thought. Everyone except Harry Potter and his sidekicks either feared or respected the Slytherin Prince. If he suddenly dropped the act and the masks that went with it, he was in for a dangerous fall from grace. The silver-eyed teen knew that most of the students in his house were children of Death Eaters, destined, as he was, to become followers of Voldemort themselves.
He risked a short glance over to the Gryffindor table, his eyes drawn to the lowered head of Harry Potter. The cutting words from earlier that day still pained when he remembered them. Draco really had wanted to be friends with the emerald-eyed boy, but took Harrys' rejection in Slytherin fashion and become his worst rival, well besides Voldemort that was.
His mother had told him to trust in her old friend for protection, but Draco was hesitant. He didn't know this Drakkara Vanimaer, hadn't even recognized her on the train, but he had noticed her close relationship with Harry. Flicking his silvery-gray eyes away from the Gryffindor and up to the head table, he looked closely at the woman Narcissa Malfoy trusted with his life.
Professor Vanimaer was an extremely beautiful woman. Sitting up at the head table between the werewolf and the potions master, laughing merrily at something her teaching partner was saying to her, something that was making Professor Snape scowl even more than usual. Draco knew that the DADA professor had to be a powerful witch if Voldemort and Lucius Malfoy feared her, but the blond teen didn't see anything extraordinary about the raven-haired woman.
Draco decided to reserve judgement on this Professor Vanimaer until he'd been able to observe her and take his own measure. The blond teen was confused; he felt as if he were being pulled in two directions. Until this summer he'd always wanted to be exactly like his father, but Lucius had fallen in his sons eyes, and a new force within him was pulling him to see who Draco Malfoy could become without the older mans influence.
As if being pulled on a leash, the boys gray eyes wandered back to the Gryffindor table and landed on bespectacled boy again. "Mother puts her trust in her old friend. Perhaps I should put mine in my old enemy. Would you help me Potter? If I dropped my masks for you, would you set our past aside and help me find myself? Would you be my friend Harry?" Draco lowered his eyes again as those thoughts played through his mind, lighting a spark of hope in his heart.
* * * * * * * * * *
Unbeknownst to Draco, a pair of vibrant amethyst colored eyes had observed his inner monologue, using the boys' eyes and body language to determine the direction of his thoughts. Drakkara casually leaned toward her fellow Slytherin and questioned in a low voice. "Severus, you have the fifth year Gryffindors and Slytherins next don't you?"
Arching a dark eyebrow, the potions master nodded in reply. "Keep a close watch on Mr. Malfoy, you may need to cover for him. Unless I'm missing my guess, the boy is taking his first steps away from Lucius' influence and his masks are faltering." She continued in a serious tone though she kept her body language loose and seemingly carefree.
Severus turned his obsidian eyes on the silver blond teen, trying to discern what his former classmate had seen. A burst of laughter from the Gryffindor table provided confirmation of Drakkaras' suspicions as Dracos' eyes darted up from his plate and zeroed in on Harry Potter for a second before the boy managed to recover and form a sneer at the whole table in general. "I believe you're right Drakkara. Draco has always been excellent at hiding his true emotions, what I just witnessed is quite unusual for him." The greasy-haired man replied.
"I thought it might be. He's a Malfoy after all, and Narcissas' son on top of that. I believe it might be beneficial for us to speak more about this and other topics later, in a more private setting." The violet-eyed woman commented, hoping her colleague would accept an offer of help from her in dealing with the politics of their former house.
The potions master was in full agreement, knowing that dealing with his Slytherins would be especially difficult this year. "I have already arranged for any detentions I hand out during the next two weeks to be handled by Filch. Perhaps after the first stages of Lupins potion are completed we can discuss Mr. Malfoy and those other topics you mentioned. I will meet you in your office at seven o'clock this evening." Severus replied in an offhand manner before standing and leaving the hall as the bell signaling the end of the lunch hour sounded.
* * * * * * * * * *
Drakkara followed in the dark eyed mans wake a moment later with Remus and Snuffles beside her. "I swear, they must give extra lessons in the Slytherin common room on being covert. I heard every word you and Severus said to each other and I can honestly say I only understood about half of it." Remus said as they walked toward their classroom, giving his mate a curious glance.
Sirius barked his agreement with the other man and Drakkara chuckled at them both. "I'll translate in the classroom. We should have a few minutes before the sixth years come in." She replied, not wanting to be overheard.
Remus shook his head in slight bewilderment but sped up his steps so that they would reach the classroom faster. When they entered, Drakkara left the door open and ushered the Marauders into their office. She shut the door behind her and locked it, then placed a silencing spell over it. "Aren't you being just a tad paranoid Kara?" Sirius asked, having transformed back into himself once the door was shut.
The raven-haired woman sat down on the edge of her desk and replied, "Not a bit Paddy-love. When it comes to discussing Slytherin politics one can never be too careful. I'll give you the short explanation now, you'll hear the details tonight if you sit in while Severus and I talk about it."
"We were actually speaking a bit more clearly than we should have, but we knew the only ones who could hear us were the two of you and Albus. Basically, Draco Malfoy is heading for trouble. Right now, he's the most powerful person in Slytherin house. As such, his every word and gesture is under scrutiny from his housemates." She began, speaking quickly, as they didn't have much time.
"From what I've gathered in talking to Harry, Ron and Hermione, up until now Draco has been like a miniature Lucius, which means he wears a mask of cold, sneering indifference to everything. Earlier I was watching the Slytherin table and I saw his masks down. He was showing his inner turmoil and kept looking at Harry. In his position, showing emotion is bad enough, but combine that with not being able to keep his eyes off Harry and you have a disaster in the making. If the other Slytherins see him slipping they'll put two and two together and realize, as Severus and I have, that their leader is thinking about changing loyalties." Drakkara pinched the bridge of her nose between her thumb and forefinger, a headache forming at the mere thought of what could happen to the boy if that happened.
Remus and Sirius exchanged glances, realizing that the blond teen was in a precarious position and their friend was right to be worried about him. "Okay, still not understanding everything, but we get the basic picture. If Malfoy Jr. makes it obvious he's thinking about changing sides the other Slytherins will notice. They'll tell their Death Eater parents and word will get back to Lucius and Voldemort right?" The animagus asked.
Drakkara nodded, "That will be the start of it yes. From the point when the other Slytherins notice something is off the situation will escalate. Lucius will pull Draco home at the first opportunity and depending on how the boy acts he could end up either wearing the mark, disowned, or dead. But it won't stop there, the whole of Slytherin house will be in chaos with at least three factions trying to gain control within the house."
"Good Merlin, they're kids for crying out loud, not politicians! A fifteen year old boy could end up dead, a bunch of kids dividing into factions, it's insane!" Sirius exclaimed angrily.
Still sitting on her desk, Drakkara gave a deep sigh of sadness. "It is insane Siri, but it has every possibility of happening. We don't have any more time to talk about it now, but this is basically what Severus and I are going to be talking about tonight. We're going to have to figure out how to stop the avalanche before it starts and at the same time help and protect Draco if he decides to go against his father." It was a somber couple and an equally dejected looking dog who exited the office a minute later and began teaching their sixth year advanced class.
* * * * * * * * * *
At six o'clock that evening, classes ended for the day and once again the staff and students gathered in the great hall for a meal. Drakkara and Remus were chatting amiably with Albus about their first day when Severus Snape swooped into the hall with his normal dramatic flare. The potions master treated the assembled student body with one of his more potent death glares as he took his seat beside the DADA Mistress.
"Drakkara, I hope you keep a bottle of potent liquor in your storeroom, I believe we are going to need it." The greasy-haired man said by way of greeting. Drakkara arched an eyebrow at her colleague and he allowed her to see the frustrated exhaustion in his dark eyes.
Figuring that Severus had had a rough time with his last two classes the raven-haired woman nodded. "You can have your choice of brandy, scotch, or fire whiskey, but not until we're finished with the first stages of the potion. Remus and Snuffles would like to be included in our discussion so I thought we might use the sitting room of our suite to talk."
The onyx-eyed man gave a sharp nod of agreement and settled down to attempt to enjoy his meal. The two DADA professors and the potions master made quick work of their dinner and left the hall as soon as they'd finished. Drakkara, Remus, and Snuffles stopped for a few moments on their way out to talk with the Gryffindor trio. They made pleasant conversation for a few minutes and said good-night to the teens while also giving Severus time to take care of something in the dungeons before he came up to their rooms.
Even having spent a few minutes with their favorite teens Drakkara and the two Marauders still made it back to their classroom and office before the potions master. The raven-haired woman waited in the office for Severus, sending her mate and friend up to their room. About ten minutes later, precisely at seven, the Slytherin head of house arrived with the book on stones, a few rolls of parchment, and a self inking dict-o-quill in hand.
Drakkara laughed a bit when she saw that her colleague had come fully prepared to learn and take notes on the potion they were brewing. "My goodness Severus, one would almost think you were attending a class. Come on up to the suite, I'll let you into the trunk so you can get a feel for the lab while I change out of these damned teaching robes and into something more practical."
"I believe this might just turn into a class Drakkara. After all, I am quite unfamiliar with both the potion we're making and most of the ingredients we'll be using. I admit some of this parchment is for taking notes, but there are a few rolls here already filled with my own notes and questions about the book that I thought you might be able to clarify for me." The potions master replied in a surprisingly pleasant voice.
The pair ascended the stairs, continuing their conversation. When they reached the portrait guarding the entrance to the suite however, Severus paused mid-sentence. He examined the portrait of Lily Evans surrounded by animals. "Well, I certainly recognize Lily, Black, and Lupin. I assume the stag is Potter, but where is the rat, and who are the blue jay and the cobra?" He asked.
The violet-eyed woman smiled at the portrait as she replied, "As if I would allow Wormtail in this portrait. The cobra is Spectre, my animagus form. The jay is another of my friends, but you'll have to make your own assumptions as to which because I'm sworn to secrecy."
She whispered the password to Lily and ushered Severus into the suite. Remus or Sirius had already moved the magical trunk out of the bedroom and it was opened to the tenth chamber. Assuming that the two men were already inside, Drakkara stepped in herself, followed by the potions master. They found both Remus and Sirius in the potions lab, poking around in the storeroom. "Oh eww! Remy, she's got a bottle of troll snot over here! What the hell kind of potion uses troll snot?" They heard Sirius call out.
"I dunno, probably the same potion that uses the manticore piss I just found. I don't even want to know how or why she acquired that!" The werewolf replied in a disgusted voice. The conversation between the two men caused both Drakkara and Severus to burst into laughter.
The werewolf and animagus responded to the new sounds by exiting the storeroom with almost identical appalled expressions. "Actually, those ingredients are used in several different potions, but never together in one, they react rather badly to each other. And no Remy-love, you really don't want to know how I got the manticore urine." The raven-haired woman got out between chuckles.
Sirius shook his head sadly at the pair of potion makers. "You two are disturbing. You actually like working with this stuff? And you Snape, you're bloody well laughing! Do you realize that's a sign of the apocalypse? Just ask Trelawney, she'll tell you!"
Not even Severus could resist another fit of laughter at the escaped convicts' dramatic speech. "Yes, she probably would, just as she spent an entire year seeing the grim every time your godson entered her classroom. But I assure you; I do laugh upon occasion. Sometimes it doesn't even involve the utter embarrassment and humiliation of Gryffindors. Now, Drakkara I suggest you retire to whichever compartment in this thing houses your clothing and get changed, we have work to do."
Drakkara gave the three men a mock serious look. "Quite right. Severus, you'll find my work notes on Lupins Hope in the filing cabinet over there, why don't you look over the first stage. And all three of you, do endeavor not to kill each other while I'm gone won't you?"
She left the lab, snickering at the looks she'd gotten over her last comment. Severus immediately went over and removed the folder full of notes labeled Lupins Hope and immersed himself in the pages of neat writing. The potions master quickly realized that Drakkaras' style of note taking was far more thorough than his own. With his nearly photographic memory for anything relating to potion making, the greasy-haired man did not need to make note of each ingredients properties and what they would do when combined with others as his former classmate did.
As he read through the copious amount of notes, Severus began issuing orders to the Marauders. "Black, we need the size twelve pewter cauldron set up over the…" He looked up and took in the five workstations with their different sized fire pits. "Over the third work station. Lupin if you would, go into the storeroom and bring out a gallon bottle of water labeled as 'running water, magical surrounding, full moon'."
With a shared glance and shrug of their shoulders, Remus and Sirius did as they were told. After they'd finished their first tasks, the potions master ordered the water into the cauldron and the fire lit to heat the water to a simmering boil. By the time Drakkara returned, dressed now in a pair of blue jeans and a red tank top, the three men had mostly set up the workstation for the task ahead.
"Nicely done you three, thanks. Severus, have you gotten a proper overview of what we'll be doing tonight?" The violet-eyed woman asked, taking an apron of dragonhide from its space on the wall and putting it on over her outfit.
Severus shed his billowing black robe, revealing a loose fitting black tunic and cotton trousers and then took another apron from the wall, putting it on as he replied, "Your notes are quite meticulous Drakkara. Tonight's work seems easy enough; how long will it take to brew?"
The violet-eyed woman stood back from the still heating cauldron after testing its temperature with a muggle thermometer. They had a few minutes until they could begin so she used the time to explain. "The potion takes six days to brew, that's why I wanted to start tonight. Each stage needs to be completed approximately twenty-four hours after the previous one, which is convenient, though the final two stages will take longer than the others will. It's a relatively easy potion, at least for those with some skill."
She went over to the filing cabinet where Severus had replaced her notes and opened the top cabinet while muttering a complicated password in her native tongue. It seemed even her filing cabinet held secrets as the drawer slid out to reveal contents different than it had when the potions master opened it. Drakkara flipped through the parchment rolls until she came across one tied with a sapphire blue ribbon that had a moonstone dangling from its end. Untying and unrolling the parchment as she walked back to the three men she handed it to Severus and said, "This is the completed recipe, take a look. I'll go get our first stone ingredients."
Leaving the men to peruse the recipe for her potion, Drakkara disappeared into the storeroom, going into a hidden chamber where she kept the vast array of stones she used as potion ingredients. While she was gone, Severus studied the recipe intently, marveling at the simplistic, yet utterly complex nature of the potion they were about to brew. After giving the potions master a few minutes to take in the information Remus asked, "What can you tell me about it Severus? How hard did she have to work to come up with this potion?"
Severus stood up and looked Remus in the eye. "I've always said that potion making is an art form Lupin, and that is true. Inventing new potions is a labor of love for the art, or in this case, for you. Drakkara is a skilled potion maker, but she never would have been able to make this without a strong bond of love for you. This is a work of art in itself, a masterpiece that any potions master would strive for a lifetime to create."
"Not to mention that this is the most Slytherin potion I've ever seen. Technically, most any Hogwarts student to pass their Potions NEWT could brew this. She must have experimented for years to come up with something this powerful that would also be so simple to make that most of the werewolf population could do it themselves." The man was slowly shaking his head as he looked over the recipe again.
Sirius and Remus were rather stunned by the other mans sincere and eloquent summation. A bit befuddled by one statement Sirius felt the need to ask. "Why do you say it's the most Slytherin potion you've ever seen if it's so simple to make? Slytherins are the most bloody complex people in the world."
The dark eyed man nodded in agreement to the animagus' last statement and replied. "It's simple to make, and most people will never understand the hidden complexity in this potion. Only a Master, someone who understands the properties of each ingredient and why and how they interact together will see the true beauty and Slytherin cunning that went into this. Some of these ingredients have never been used together in a potion before because they react violently to each other, yet Drakkara has used her stones and other things to slip the volatile ingredients in without causing the explosive and dangerous reactions."
None of the three men had noticed their female friend return to the lab with her jars of crushed stone and she was able to listen to Severus' lecture as well, smiling as he complimented her on her Slytherin qualities. "Yes, I got quite good at ducking and running when I started using those ingredients, until I figured out how to sneak them past each other." She broke in, coming over to set her burdens down.
Severus looked down at the woman from his superior height, waiting until she was looking at him to speak. "Drakkara, I will never doubt your worth as a Slytherin again. I honestly can not wait to see how exactly you managed this. Whether you want the title or not, I am going to see to it that you receive that honorary membership into the Potion Masters Guild that we were discussing a few weeks ago. I can't make the nomination myself due to my position, but I'm on good terms with several other masters who can make the nomination in my stead."
The dour, sarcastic mans words left Remus and Sirius gaping, and Drakkara blushed faintly. "Severus, I believe that is the nicest thing you've said to me in years and I thank you for both the compliment and the nomination. Lots of titles always look nice, and the contacts will no doubt prove quite useful in the future. But enough bolstering my ego, we have work to do, and there's the prospect of a nice glass of scotch to end the day once we're finished here."
That said, Drakkara got down to business. As the three men would only be watching this time around in order to get a feel for the technique and learn the proper preparation, she had them drag over some stools to sit on while they observed. The raven-haired woman set about chopping, stirring, slicing, and grinding her ingredients in a casual manner, chatting easily about the potion and why she was doing things this way or that.
Severus took a few notes as he watched, but he soon found that just listening to her proved more useful. She did more than instruct, she was telling them the story of the potions development complete with the humor and drama that came with her failed and sometimes explosive experimenting. By the time she finished off her work for the evening by sprinkling some amethyst powder over the top of the softly bubbling liquid, her friends and colleague had a thorough understanding of this stage of the potion and how it came to be.
As they cleaned up and exited the trunk Remus gave his mate a smile and said, "I have to say Kara-love, I've never enjoyed a potions lesson before in my life. You're a great teacher Pretty Girl."
"Perhaps I should send Mr. Longbottom to you for his potions lessons Drakkara. It might save both my dungeons and my sanity." Severus commented, only half joking. He too had realized that the raven-haired woman had a knack for teaching that he himself did not and wondered if the skill was something that could be learned.
Drakkara laughed with Remus and Sirius, having heard about the walking disaster that was Neville Longbottom anywhere near a cauldron. "I might be persuaded, at least to tutor the boy. Harry and Ron could certainly use some additional lessons to prepare for the OWLs and Neville could join them. That is, if it wouldn't offend you Severus." She replied with a smile.
The potions master raised an eyebrow and smirked. "Offend me? You're offering to take the three worst students I've ever had the displeasure of teaching and attempt to turn them into halfway competent potion makers, and you think I'll be offended? Woman, if you can get those three through their OWLs with at least an Acceptable grade I will attend next terms welcoming feast wearing the Gryffindor quidditch uniform with a smile on my face."
The mental pictures that followed Severus' proclamation caused the other three to burst out laughing and keep them in fits until they were gasping and clutching their stomachs. "Oh Merlin, you have to do it Kara! I'll help, Remy will help! Hell if you tell the rest of the staff they'll help too! What do we get if they pass with an O Snape?" Sirius exclaimed through his gasping chuckles.
Severus sneered at his nemesis and replied, "I do not believe that is humanly or magically possible Black. In fact, I cannot bear to even think of it, as it would mean having them in my class for an additional two years. But if the impossible should come to pass, we will discuss it just before I kill myself."
Drakkara had managed to control her giggles while Severus and Sirius were talking and retrieved a bottle of scotch from the second compartment of her trunk. She conjured up four glasses and poured out the liquor while the men settled into the armchairs or in Remus' case, relaxed onto the couch beside her. When all four were holding their first two fingers of the dark liquid Drakkara raised her glass in a toast. "Well, here's to the end of our first day of classes. May the future ones prove much easier!"
In an unusual show of relaxed amiability between the Severus, the Marauders, and Drakkara, the four clinked glasses and took a long drink of the potent scotch. "Thank Merlin for good liquor, I certainly need it after this afternoon. Any class containing Malfoy, Potter, and Longbottom deserves a stiff drink, but I think it's prudent to say that todays lesson is worthy of becoming severely drunk." The potions master stated, leaning back in his armchair with a groan.
Curious looks were aimed his way from Sirius and Remus, while Drakkara nodded sympathetically. "I thought it might be bad, but at least you were forewarned. What happened?" She asked.
"As you anticipated, I had to cover for Dracos' lack of emotional control. I arrived at the classroom well before the students so that I could observe any interaction between the Gryffindor Trio and Draco. My best guess is that something occurred between Malfoy and Potter during their CoMC class before lunch. Draco attempted to provoke Potter just outside the classroom, though his comments were nowhere near as biting as they could have been. Potter merely sighed and said something about having already told him to piss off because they weren't going to bother fighting with him anymore." The potions master began.
The onyx-eyed man drained his glass and poured another two fingers of scotch before he continued. "The situation went downhill from there. I began the class, having them brew the draught of peace. Malfoy is seated one row behind Potter in my class and the damned boy kept looking at the back of Potters head with hope and hurt of all emotions written all over his face. About half way through the class, right around the time he should have been trying to throw a little something extra into Potters cauldron I noticed that Mr. Zabini was watching Draco rather closely, as if he were confused by him."
Severus shook his head in frustrated anger. "I can not believe Draco has lost his control so quickly. I stepped into Zabinis' line of sight and caught Dracos' eye. I could not do much to tell the boy he was being watched, so I gave him a questioning look and indicated that he should attempt to ruin Potters potion, then stepped out of the way so that he could see Zabini who was still watching him. Draco must have gotten the point because his masks came back up and he had Goyle distract both Potter and Weasley so that he could make an addition to the potion. He managed to keep control of himself for the remainder of the class, but if he keeps slipping it won't be long before he gets into serious trouble."
Finished with his recitation, the potions master relaxed a little more and took a sip from his glass, watching the contemplative expression on his fellow Slytherins' face. "Speaking on the side of caution, I'll say that Mr. Zabini may suspect something is 'wrong' with Mr. Malfoy. If I remember right, his parents, Antonius and Gianna remained neutral throughout the last war, though Giannas' family leaned toward whatever the ministry was doing. Is it safe to say that the Zabini family is still relatively neutral?" Drakkara asked her fellow Slytherin.
The potions master replied in a confident voice, "I believe Antonius has been cautiously approached, but is adamant about staying out of the conflict. That said, Blaise Zabini is probably the best Slytherin to have noticed Dracos' problem."
The violet-eyed woman nodded her agreement. "Alright, if Mr. Zabini is any kind of Slytherin, he'll want to observe Draco for a while and confirm what he only suspects now. Is he the type to point out what he's noticed to the others or will he keep it to himself until he's certain?" She asked.
Severus thought about the question for a moment before he responded. "If the situation were anything other than the way it is right now, I believe Blaise might approach one of the other Slytherins. However, it seems that his fathers' political neutrality has caused a bit of strife among the more prominent fifth years. From what I've noticed in watching that group both last night and today, Mr. Zabini is now only a fringe member of the group rather than being in the thick of it as he has been since their first year. I will cautiously say that Blaise would no longer feel confident about sharing information with his friends and will keep what he knows to himself for a while."
"Well, that gives us some time doesn't it? The others in that group are Pansy Parkinson and Millicent Bulstrode, not the brightest girls I've ever met; and Crabbe and Goyle are possibly even more dimwitted than their fathers." Remus commented, not liking the pensive expression his mate was wearing.
The head of Slytherin answered with a raised eyebrow. "You're only half right Lupin. Crabbe and Goyle are first class dunces true enough, but the Misses Parkinson and Bulstrode are far more cunning than they let on. Millicent is quite like her mother in everything except looks. You would remember Visceria Corsail, as she was the Head Girl in our third year. Pansy on the other hand is an exact replica of her father when it comes to intellect."
Drakkara was thinking hard, matching up the people she'd gone to school with to the children she would be teaching this year. "Merlin, I hate Slytherin politics. Out of the group of fifth years we're concerned with, at least two of them will end up marked, and the girls will end up married to Death Eaters if they don't become followers themselves."
"Quite right Drakkara. But we can't allow ourselves to get sidetracked right now. Our main concern is Draco. He needs to regain his poise before the others notice what is going on and inform their parents." Severus replied, bringing them back to the subject at hand.
After draining the remainder of her scotch and pouring another, Drakkara spoke again, though it seemed she was thinking aloud rather than addressing any of her companions. "Right, Draco. We have to do something soon, but what? Out of the four of us, I'm the only one who could approach him and warn him to be careful. But if it got back to Lucius that I was showing a special interest in his son, Draco would have to answer for it and I'm not sure he could come up with a believable excuse for his contact with me. Any ideas Severus?"
The potions master closed his eyes and thought hard about the best way to approach Draco before he replied. "The only other person who could conceivably warn Draco and get through to him is Potter. It is Potter who seems to make him lose his composure after all, and unfortunately those two have most every one of their classes together this year. But even if your godson would agree to speak with our little prince, it might prove more dangerous for both boys than if you were the one to approach him Drakkara. If you told Draco that you were friends with his mother then he could pass that on to Lucius as his excuse for your interest in him."
Pinching the bridge of her nose to stave off the throbbing in her head, Drakkara agreed with her colleague. "You're right Sev, it would be far too dangerous for them both if Harry were to get involved, at least until Draco has stabilized his position in Slytherin. We don't have time to come up with any other candidates; this has to be resolved immediately. Remy and I have the fifth years tomorrow afternoon; I can hold Draco back at the end of class and speak with him."
Sirius had been listening quietly to the discussion between the two Slytherins, amazed at their thorough analysis of the situation and the details they remembered of the childrens parents that aided them in understanding the teenagers. Now he had an idea, one he felt they should hear, so he spoke up. "You know, Narcissa is my cousin, and I never had a problem with her until she married Malfoy. Until now I didn't think any of her traits had been passed on to Draco, but if he's even thinking about doing something Lucius wouldn't approve of then I was wrong."
The animagus refilled his glass with scotch before he continued. "You two have both noticed that Draco is mainly losing his cool around Harry, and I was thinking that maybe we could use that, if Harry is willing to cooperate. Once we get this thing with his masks settled and we don't have to worry about a political war in the dungeons we should talk to Harry about attempting to at least try a truce with Draco. If we could find a way to give them some time together without anyone watching, Harry might be able to help Draco make up his mind."
"My God, that idea actually has merit. Black, I'm surprised at you. But do you think your golden child would lower himself to a truce with the Slytherin Prince? I'll be frank with the three of you this once, but don't expect such a display from me again. Draco is my godson, and I would like nothing better than to see him away from his father and firmly on the side of Light. If you can convince Potter to help Draco I will do whatever it takes to make sure he has the opportunity." Severus stated, revealing his secret relationship with the Malfoy heir.
Both Remus and Drakkara agreed with the idea and planned to invite Harry up to their suite over the weekend and talk to him about secretly befriending his rival. "You know, the four of us are sitting here conspiring to end the worst schoolboy rivalry since…well, since us. It seems hypocritical to ask them to put their past aside when three of us can't even call each other by our first names. What do you say Sirius, Severus, can the three of us lay the past to rest?" The werewolf asked, casting his golden eyes between the infamous pair of rivals.
The two men looked at each other, gauging their counterparts willingness to bury the hatchet. They seemed to come to a silent agreement after a long moment because Sirius spoke in an even tone. "I don't know how well this will work, but I'm willing to try if you are." He paused, then offered his hand to the potions master. "Hi, I'm Sirius Black."
Obsidian eyes flicked down to inspect the hand being held out to him then locked back on the intense blue gaze of his long time nemesis and took the animagus offered hand. "Severus Snape." He completed the new beginning between them by introducing himself.
Remus got up from the couch and walked over to join them. He too offered Severus his hand and introduced himself, giving the potions master a smile when it was taken in a firm grip. The three men stood in a nervous silence after sealing their truce, unsure what to say to each other. A girlish squeal of delight from the couch broke the tension and they all turned to raise curious and amused eyebrows at their female companion.
Drakkara was bouncing in her seat, her hands clasped together and a brilliant smile lighting her face. "Oh how wonderful! I never thought I'd see the three of you trying to get along, I'm so happy! Ooh, I wonder if Albus is still awake, he'll be so pleased!" The raven-haired woman attempted to get up and move to the fireplace, most likely to fire-call the Headmaster and inform him of the miracle that had just taken place, but stumbled about half way across the room and landed smartly on her behind.
They couldn't help it; it was impossible for the three men not to laugh until they cried over the womans drunken exuberance. "I guess she was too busy the last fourteen years to develop a tolerance for alcohol." Remus commented between fits of laughter.
"She's the only woman I know who can get sotted by drinking butterbeer." Sirius added, flopping back into his armchair and clutching his aching stomach muscles.
Severus shook his head and went over to the woman who was still sitting on the hard floor rubbing her bottom and pouting. He smirked down at her and held out his hand to help her up. "Come along Kara, up you get. Your behind won't feel any better until it's off the floor. You should know better than to drink more than two shots of hard liquor with your low tolerance for alcohol. I distinctly remember you passing out from a single shot of fire whiskey after the Yule Ball in our fifth year."
His last comment was spoken merely for the entertainment of the two Marauders who promptly started giggling again. "Oh shut up the lot of you. It's not my bloody fault and besides, I can hold my liquor just fine under the right circumstances. Namely as long as I've just eaten and I'm not stressed out." She continued pouting but allowed Severus to help her up and lead her back to the couch.
The greasy-haired man couldn't help gracing the others with a genuine smile as he spoke. "Well, I believe we've accomplished everything we set out to do, so I'll take my leave and let you two deal with our drunken friend. I hope you have a pleasant night, and I will see you in the morning."
Drakkara, Remus, and Sirius bid the potions master goodnight, and the werewolf escorted him down to the classroom so that he could lock up behind the Slytherin. When Remus returned, the trio gave in to the exhaustion of a long and trying day, murmuring goodnights and retiring to their respective bedrooms.