Tiger & Dragon
By loverstouch
Disclaimer: All the characters belong to J.K Rowling. The story is based on Rowling's work, but the plot of 'Tiger & Dragon' comes from my own sick brain.
Summary: In the summer after his fifth year Harry is taken from the Dursleys to live with the Malfoys. The next day the Daily Prophet's headline read 'Boy Who Lived Died In Death Eater Attack' …
Rating: R
This is my first "Slash" fanfiction and the first fic I have published at all, so please go easy on me.
The story begins in the summer after Harry's fifth year, which means yes; it is post OoTP, but has nothing to do with HBP.
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I'd like to thank Draeconin for being the beta for my story. I'm really grateful for your help.
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Hope you enjoy it!
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Chapter 13 - the punishment
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Tiger hadn't even stepped fully through the ancestor room to Malfoy Castle, when Lucius roughly grabbed him by the collar of his shirt and dragged him to the living room, all the while hissing angrily at him.
"I can't believe you were so foolish and let your cover slip. Do you realise what could have happened if I hadn't stopped you before you conjured your Patronus? How would you have explained that your Patronus has the same shape as Potter's? Lupin would have had recognized it!"
Tiger tried hard not to stop listening, because he knew that everything Lucius was saying was right. But at the mention of Remus, his thoughts wandered of to their conversation and Remus' hopeful expression when he had asked if Tiger was Harry. He had looked so miserable that it had hurt Tiger just to look at him.
By now they had arrived at the living room, and when Tiger snapped out of his thoughts, he found himself face to face with an angry looking Albus Dumbledore.
"Eh… P-professor?" he stammered, slowly backing away, but not too far, because Lucius was still standing behind him. He had seen Dumbledore this angry only once before, the day he faced Voldemort at the Department of Mysteries.
"Sit!" Lucius said sharply. Within seconds, Tiger sat in an armchair as far away from the two adults as he could get. Dumbledore and Lucius sat down opposite him, and watched him for a few moments, before Dumbledore spoke.
"I don't know what caused you to act like you did today."
Tiger flinched at his tone. His voice was calm, almost sad and disappointed, and it hurt Tiger because he knew it was because of him.
"I won't deny that your fast reaction probably saved Mr. Weasley and Miss Granger's lives, but the price could have been fatal."
"There is no price too high for saving your best friends," Tiger muttered to himself, while he bowed his head to avoid the stares of the other two.
"But there were other ways to save them," Dumbledore answered softly, almost reassuringly. Tiger looked back up; he hadn't wanted anyone to hear him. When their eyes met, Dumbledore's facial expression calmed a bit, and his next words were spoken without any hint of anger or disappointment. "I have to be honest to you, Tiger. I'm really proud of you for what you did today."
Tiger's mouth fell open, and Lucius gave Dumbledore a confused look. Before he could say anything though, Dumbledore continued.
"Of course not for the irresponsible behaviour of drawing your wand, but for your conversation with Miss Granger and Mr. Weasley, and especially Remus. I don't know how you did it, but he was full of life before I left the graveyard."
'He knows,' Tiger thought, half afraid and half relieved, though he didn't say anything.
"What impressed me was your interaction with Fudge and the Aurors. You really know how to talk."
"I would have called it foolish." Lucius spoke for the first time, his anger still evident. Tiger didn't meet his eyes, so he didn't see the smirk appearing on his face before he spoke again. "But now I would just call it Malfoyish." Tiger's head snapped up, and he saw an almost - proud? - looking Lucius. "You really know how to work with words."
"Thanks." Tiger smiled brightly.
"But don't think this will save you from your punishment." The elder Malfoy said sternly.
The smile died, and Tiger flinched slightly.
"But first we want to know how you fought the Truth Serum?"
Now it was Tiger's time to smirk. He leaned back in the chair and stated simply: "I didn't drink it."
"But we saw you drink it." Dumbledore spoke up.
"You gulped the whole contents of the bottle." Lucius added. The two adults looked at him in disbelief. How could he have not drunk it when everybody watched him?
"And you reacted just liked one does when they are under Veritaserum," Dumbledore continued, like an afterthought.
"You saw me drink it?" They both nodded. "And you saw me eat the candy the twins gave me?"
"Yes. Why didn't it work?"
"Because," Tiger began, pulling out the still-wrapped candy and unwrapping it to eat it, "it is still wrapped," he finished, after he'd obviously put it in his mouth. But when he showed the paper, the drop was still in it. "Don't believe everything you see." He smirked, and put the candy back in his pocket.
"That was really good. I couldn't see it," Dumbledore said.
"That is the idea."
"But how did you do it with the Potion?"
"I spilled it down my sleeve, so that no one saw it drip on the ground. And for the act of the unfocused eyes, I just licked up the last drop."
"But there was more then one drop left, wasn't there?" Dumbledore smiled at him with twinkling eyes.
"Yeah, I think it was the normal dose."
"Three drops?" Lucius asked, confused. "Then how could you have lied?"
"I didn't."
"But-"
"I told them what I believe is the truth." Tiger waited a moment for his words to sink in. When he saw Dumbledore smile and Lucius nod in understanding, he continued. "At first I didn't know if that would be enough to beat the potion. That's why I first tried to talk my way out of the questions, by letting them guess what I meant. Then when they asked me once again what my name was, I felt it inside of me to tell them that I am Tiger Emerald Ryan. It felt right to say it." He smiled at Draco, who had entered the room at the beginning of Tiger's explaining his trick with the candy, and was now sitting to his left with Spike in his lap. "I'm really Tiger Ryan." The two of them held eye contact for a moment, until Lucius spoke again.
"Okay, so you have a way to beat the Veritaserum. But it doesn't excuse your behaviour out there." He had adopted a stern expression again, and was now looking at Tiger indignantly. Tiger's smile faded when he saw Lucius' look. He looked to Dumbledore, and found an equally stern look on the old man's face.
"I won't get away without punishment?" Tiger asked in his sweetest, innocent little boy way.
"I'm afraid not," Dumbledore answered sympathetically.
Tiger's lips quivered dramatically before he hung his head, and awaited his punishment. There was a moment of silence in which Tiger almost thought he had succeeded with his little show, but then Dumbledore spoke again.
"Go to the library, Tiger, and wait there until Lucius and I discuss what to do with you." Tiger looked up at the headmaster and waited for more instructions. "You will find, there, an envelope with your OWL results, and a list of the subjects you can choose to take this year. There will also be a letter which explains to you what you have to consider in your selection." When Dumbledore stopped, Tiger nodded and left the room to do as he was told, and went to the library.
Upon entering the library, Tiger smiled when he saw the rows and rows of books, and felt the same calmness enveloping him that he had felt the first day he entered this room.
From where he stood, Tiger could see a thick envelope, with parchment and quill lying on his favourite table in front of the fireplace.
Tiger crossed the library and sat down in a comfortable armchair. He took the envelope and opened it. There were three letters, and Tiger began to read the first.
HOGWARTS SCHOOL of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY
Headmaster: ALBUS DUMBLEDORE
(Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlock, Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. of Wizards)
Dear Mr. Ryan,
Enclosed, please find your OWL results and a list of classes you can choose for your future education. Please consider the fact that you have to choose at least two, but not more then three advanced classes, and three to five basic classes. You must pick at least one main subject (Potion / Transfiguration / Charms / Defence Against The Dark Arts) for your advanced classes, and you cannot select new classes for your advanced classes. You also have to have specific notes to choose some subjects for advanced classes. There will be a remark on your results.
We hope we can comply with your wishes, and therefore guarantee the best possible preparation for your future life.
Yours sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall,
Deputy Headmistress
Tiger took the second letter, which contains his OWL results, and read it with a wide grin.
Transfiguration - Outstanding (accepted for advanced class)
Potions - Outstanding (accepted for advanced class)
Charms - Outstanding (accepted for advanced class)
Defence Against The Dark Arts - Outstanding (accepted for advanced class)
History Of Magic - Outstanding (accepted for advanced class)
Herbology - Outstanding (accepted for advanced class)
Astronomy - Outstanding (accepted for advanced class)
Arithmancy - Outstanding (accepted for advanced class)
Care Of Magical Creatures - Outstanding (accepted for advanced class)
Divination - Dreadful (not accepted for advanced class)
"Wow," was all Tiger could say.
"There is a great difference between hearing it and reading it, isn't there?" a smirking voice said from behind him.
Startled, Tiger turned around, and looked up into sparkling silver-blue eyes.
"Draco!" He smiled, and watch as the blond walked around his chair, and sat down opposite of him.
"Have you chosen your subjects yet?" the blond asked, while feeding his kitten some raw meat.
"No. I was just reading the letter, and my results. I don't even know what I can choose. What about you? Have you chosen what you will study for the next three years?"
"Yes, I received my letter the day before we rescued you."
"You mean kidnapped," Tiger said, smiling.
"Whatever. I've already received the confirmation that I got in all my chosen subjects." Draco smiled proudly.
"So what are your advanced classes?"
"Potions-"
"No, really?" Tiger commented, mock surprised.
"Defence Against The Dark Arts," Draco continued, as if he hadn't heard Tiger's comment, "and Transfiguration. What will you choose?"
"Potions and DADA in any case. I need it to become an Auror. And then, perhaps Charms. I think spells are still a lot more effective than transfigurations when I'm facing Death Eaters. Besides, I think even in basic Transfiguration, McGonagall will teach us enough to conquer with advanced classes. So what are the new subjects you have chosen? And what other basics do you have?" Tiger took the list of classes, and scanned it while Draco spoke.
"Charms, of course, then History of Magic, and Herbology. I also wanted to continue with Arithmancy and Astronomy, but there were a few last minute changes when I heard of two new subjects."
"Which?" Tiger asked curiously.
"Magical Healing and Wandless Magic."
"I've never heard about those subjects being taught in Hogwarts."
"That's because they're new; and there will only be two students in them."
"Two?"
"Yes; me and you."
"But why?" Tiger's curiosity had transfigured into confusion. "Why would they invent two new subjects just for us?"
"Because you will have to learn it, Tiger, and Draco wanted to keep you company." The two boys turned around to find Lucius and Dumbledore walking over to them. Dumbledore smiled at them with his typical twinkling eyes. "You said you wanted to learn Healing, and I think it isn't bad to know basic wandless magic. So I talked to Poppy, and she agreed to teach you Healing."
"Who will teach us Wandless Magic?" Tiger's curiosity was back.
"Me. But also Remus, when I'm otherwise occupied."
"Cool." Tiger smiled brightly at the thought of being able to spend more time with Remus. 'If Dumbledore is going to have Remus teach us wandless magic, then he must be okay with Remus finding out about me,'Tiger thought happily.
"Have you chosen your other classes?" Dumbledore asked, amused.
"I will take Potions, Charms, and Defence Against the Dark Arts for advanced classes, and Transfiguration, History Of Magic and Herbology for basics, besides Wandless and Healing of course." When Tiger was speaking, crosses appeared by the classes he had named, indicating what he had chosen.
"That's settled then." Dumbledore took the parchment and put it in his pocket. Then he turned back to Tiger. "Now for your punishment." Tiger shuddered at the abrupt change in Dumbledore's voice. "Lucius and I think it advisable that you continue with your study of Occlumency. After what happened today, I'm sure that there will be a few people who will be watching you closely, because you have given them a lot to think about."
"But Professor, I thought it was okay for Remus to know; otherwise you wouldn't let him teach me another subject, making it so that we were together longer than necessary?"
"It isn't because of Lupin that you have to learn it, Tiger." Lucius spoke for the first time since they had entered the library. "Don't you think that Severus will be curious to know who this mysterious Tiger Ryan really is? A boy who has an incredible knowledge about Potions, and who is obviously immune to Veritaserum?"
"Oh. I didn't think about him. Do you think he would try to enter my mind?" Tiger looked from Lucius to Dumbledore, and back to Lucius. He got his answer without them speaking. And he found out the main reason why he had to learn Occlumency. "It's because of Voldemort." He stated simply, and Dumbledore smiled in approval.
"You ruined his attack. He will want to know who you are."
"Have I got you into trouble?" Tiger asked Lucius, remorseful
"I will have to answer to him for that."
"I'm sorry. I didn't think about that."
"Anyway," Dumbledore said, interrupting the silence which had followed Tiger's apology. "One day you'll have to face him. No one knows when it will be or what the circumstances will be, but you'll have to be prepared."
"Lucius?" Tiger looked at the elder Malfoy surprised.
"I had to learn it after I became a spy. Voldemort is a master in Legilimency. He almost always knows when someone is lying to him. It was too risky to be at his side when I couldn't hide my true feelings."
"Snape taught you, didn't he?" Tiger asked with a smirk.
"How did you know?" Lucius looked at him, mildly confused.
"He told me the exact same thing in my first lesson." There was a moment's silence before Tiger spoke again. "Will you use the same method as him?" His voice was calm, if a bit fearful, and he bit nervously on his lower lip, which was still sore from that morning.
"What do you mean?" Draco asked Tiger from where he still sat, opposite him.
"No, my methods will be more - let's say - humane."
"Thanks." Tiger smiled faintly, before he turned to Dumbledore.
"Professor, I'm really not begging for it, but this doesn't seem like a punishment, but a necessity. Will there be any other consequences concerning my behaviour today?"
"You will see that there will be no time for other consequences this summer. You will want to be as prepared as possible for your sixth year."
'In other words I have to learn, learn, and learn some more.' Tiger groaned inwardly at the amount of work he still had to do to come up to his OWL results - especially in Potions.
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A/N – That's it for now. What do you think?