Thank you so much for those of you who have reviewed. hugs all You're great and I wouldn't be able to keep going without all of you. So, without further ado, here's the disclaimer. :P
Disclaimer: I do not own nor will I ever. Nothing I have written or will write in this story is purely mine, the idea may be but the rest is not. None of the characters are mine.
Chapter 25
"Sirius!" Atani shouted, walking into his room. The black haired man was sprawled out on his bed, one leg dangling over the edge. He jolted awake with a grumble, "Sirius wake up, I need to talk to you."
He rubbed his eyes and sat up in bed, "Hmmm?" He questioned, yawning.
"You know what that fool did, don't you?" He growled, Sirius nodded, "I had a nightmare last night so I went and told him and he just brushed me off after I told him what father sent me!"
Sirius listened calmly, brushing his hair out of his face, "The minute I found out that Dumbledore was making you stay in Gryffindor tower I sent a letter to your father and Lucius, they should be taking care of it." Atani nodded, "Come here Atani, let me give you a hug." He said, opening his arms to him.
Atani walked over and wrapped his arms around his neck, letting him hug him, "I couldn't even see Drac after I had that nightmare, I didn't have any comfort." He paused, "I hate him, I hate that fool." He bit his lip for a moment, "And I know who the spy is."
Sirius blinked, "Have you told your father yet?" He asked, stroking his hair.
Atani shook his head, "I just found out last night. I overheard Snape and Dumbledore talking, they didn't know I was there. He's trying to find out what father is planning."
"I'll tell him what you've told me, Dumbledore is monitoring your mail."
He nodded, "I know, that's why I had Veneficus take my letter to Drac so he could mail it."
Sirius smiled, "That's good. I'll send a letter tonight telling them what you've told me. Hopefully this whole thing will be straightened out soon."
Atani sighed and nodded, "Thanks, I'm going to go get some dinner, you should too. Hopefully he doesn't try to make me sit at the Gryffindor table like he did this morning." He said before turning around and walking out.
Sirius watched him go, shaking his head. He was not happy about the way Atani was being treated and wondered what Atani would do if he was pushed far enough. The boy was obviously not happy with what was going on and he was afraid what would happen if the Dark Lord's son snapped.
Atani tied his long hair back as he made his way to the great hall. He wanted to see Draco and he wanted to see him now. He was afraid of himself, of what he would do to Dumbledore the next time he tried to make him do anything he didn't want to. He froze as a pair of arms wrapped around him from behind.
"Why so tense?" Draco's voice asked softly in his ear.
He immediately relaxed, leaning back against him, "God I've missed you."
He laughed softly, kissing his shoulder, "It's only been a night." He paused, "I missed you too." He let him go, turning him around so they were face to face, "You didn't sleep well last night, you've got bags under your eyes." He stated, brushing his hands over his face.
"Had a nightmare."
He nodded, "The password is serpentis savium. If you have another one you had better come see me. Hell, the minute it's lights out take your cloak and come down. Hopefully they won't notice if you're gone."
Atani nodded, "Alright Drac, I will. I promise. Hopefully it won't be long before Lucius gets this straightened out."
The two boys walked to the great hall and immediately took a seat at the Slytherin table. Dumbledore gave Atani an odd look, one that told him to go sit at the Gryffindor table. When Atani didn't comply he looked away, there was something in his eyes that said he was afraid to say anything to him in front of the whole school. As they were eating an owl flew in through the window and landed in front of Dumbledore, every last pair of eyes was on him as he took the letter from the pitch black creature. His eyes lost their twinkle for a moment as he looked at the seal and he quickly got to his feet, walking out of the great hall without another word.
"Wow, I wonder who's seal that was."
Draco chuckled, "With our luck it'll be your father's."
Atani smiled, "I hope it is. That did look like an owl he would use."
A few minutes later Sirius came over to the table, a smile on his face, "Guess who the letter was from." He said softly to the two boys.
"My father?" Atani asked with a laugh, not really expecting it but something in him saying the answer was right.
He pouted, "How did you know?" Atani shrugged, "Anyway, I have no idea what's in the letter but Dumbledore looked scared when he went up to his office. I wonder what was written."
"This is going to be great. I can't wait to find out what he wrote." Atani looked ecstatic at the prospect of his father's letter. He really wanted to go home, he missed him already, but he had Draco so he was happy, "I can't wait to see him over Christmas!"
Draco laughed, "Want to go home already?"
He looked at him sheepishly, "A little."
"Yeah, but then you'll want to come back here after awhile, just to break the monotony."
He smiled, "You're probably right." He paused then, "What if whatever's in that letter gets me expelled, or worse?" He looked a bit panicked at the thought.
"Breath Atani, breath." Draco said, petting his hair soothingly. The black haired boy took a deep breath, calming himself, "You know your father wouldn't do that to you."
He sighed, "I know."
"Good, now finish your dinner." He said, going back to eating.
Atani smiled slightly and finished eating, "I can't go back there." He said softly, "I can't go back into that tower."
"You know the password?" He asked before taking the last bite of his food.
"Yes."
He smiled, "Alright then, let's get your stuff and we'll move you back where you belong."
The two boys smiled and got up, Sirius went with them, smiling, "I'll help." He said happily, he had a lot of energy after his nap.
The three of them began to make their way through the halls towards Gryffindor tower. As long as they had the password the portrait had to let them in. As they walked upstairs Dumbledore came rushing down the hall, only to stop right in front of them. He looked upset, the twinkle still gone from his eyes. He didn't speak for a moment, standing there silent before them; the letter he had received was clutched in a shaking hand. Atani raised an eyebrow, crossing his arms over his chest.
"What's wrong professor?" He questioned, mock concern in his voice. He didn't care what Dumbledore thought of him right then.
As the older wizard looked at Atani there was what almost looked like a spark of fear in his eyes. Sirius blinked as Dumbledore stared at Atani, his blue eyes not leaving the young man.
"Anything you have to say to me can be said in front of them." Atani said calmly before Dumbledore had a chance to speak.
"You're not Harry Potter, you're an impostor!" He accused, causing Atani to burst into laughter. Sirius and Draco looked at him then at Dumbledore, waiting for one of them to speak. It was Dumbledore who spoke first, "Where is he? Where's Harry?"
"Are you going senile sir? I'm the same person I was last year and the year before that and the year before that. What would I do with myself?"
"You aren't! This letter proves it!" He said, holding out the letter.
Atani raised an eyebrow, "Oh? It does? How so?" He questioned, "How does a letter prove who I am and who I am not?"
"It's from Voldemort; he said that you will join him. Harry Potter would never join the man who killed his parents."
Atani snorted, "You don't know me…sir. I'm going to get my things then go to the Slytherin dorms. Don't you dare try to move me to another house again. You have no idea the kind of threats I was given during my stay here. If I have another nightmare I'll tell you, even though you didn't seem that interested in the last one. Other then that leave me alone. You don't know me, you never have and you never will so don't pretend that you do." He paused and smiled, "There is a point where you push things too far, you're dangerously close, see to it that you don't cross that line." He said before continuing to walk, leaving a dumbfounded Dumbledore standing there clutching the letter.
"I wonder what was really in that letter." Draco said as they walked.
"I'll see about finding out." Sirius replied, "Hopefully he won't burn it before I can find out. You boys go take care of Atani's stuff and I'll see about the letter." He said before walking away.
Atani and Draco made their way into the tower, stepping inside the gold and scarlet common room, "Disgusting!" The blonde exclaimed the moment they were within.
"My sentiments exactly, wait until you see their dorm." He said, leading him upstairs.
A sound of disgust came from Draco when he saw the large room, "How can they live like this? I have enough trouble with just you." He teased.
"Hey!" Atani exclaimed, punching his arm lightly, "That wasn't very nice, I can't be that bad!"
He wrapped his arms around him, "You're not, let's get your stuff and go. I can't stand these colors anymore." Atani nodded in agreement and the two of them gathered up his trunk to take it down to the dungeons, "God, what do you have in this thing?" He laughed, grabbing one side of the trunk.
"Same thing you have in yours unless father left me something. I haven't gotten a chance to look." He said as they took the trunk down the stairs leading back to the common room, "I'll look later tonight, I want to know what in that letter."
They made it out of Gryffindor tower without any harassment and down into the dungeons. Sirius was waiting for them outside the door to the common room, holding the letter in his hand. Atani smiled as Draco said the password. Sirius followed them in, looking excited about getting a hold of the letter. Once they had Atani's trunk back where it belonged the three of them sat down on Draco's bed and Sirius began to read the letter he had taken from Dumbledore.
You'll get to find out what's in the letter next chapter, well, at least most of it. Next chapter will be a short one; it's mainly just going to be the letter and maybe a sweet scene with Draco and Atani. Keep reviewing and I'll keep writing. I need to work on a few of my other pieces though but right now this one is my priority. Anyway, click that little button and tell me what you think.