Challenged by: damnedqueen
Rating: M
Must include at least two of the following: voyeurism; sleepwalking; parselmouth; masturbation
Pairing: Draco/Harry
Genre: Romance/Angst
Summary: Draco's been having strange dreams always wakes up away from his bed lately. His dreams seem to be prophetic and eventually lead him to Godric's Hollow… and to one Harry Potter..
Previously:
The house was a medium-sized house with white windows and a stone foundation. The lawn was unevenly kept and there was a neat gravel path leading up to the door of the house.
It was the house from his dreams. It existed. Now, the question remained, who lived in it?
Chapter 2: Harry
Draco's heart pounded in his chest as he studied the house. He was afraid to knock on the door, but he felt compelled to. Nervously, he walked up to the door of the house. He'd thought of an excuse already. He would ask for directions back to the main path, claiming that he'd gotten lost, because he was just visiting. Tentatively, Draco knocked on the door of the house.
He heard voices, one female, one male and possibly another male. The voices were muffled, so he couldn't make out what they were saying, but their tones were cautious, hesitant. Finally the door opened.
Draco quickly fixed his nervous gaze to the ground. "Um, sorry to bother you, but could you possibly tell me how to get…" His voice died in his throat, as he looked up to see the face of none other than his rival, "Potter!"
"Malfoy!" He responded, equally as shocked.
Both stood in horrified shock for a few moments, enough time for Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger to appear in the doorframe as well. "Malfoy!" Ron sputtered, "What the hell are you doing here!"
Hermione stayed silent, but also looked at Draco questioningly.
Draco shook his head and regained his composure. "None of your business Weasley. Who does this house belong to?" He demanded.
"None of your business," Harry shot back at Malfoy.
Harry was honestly quite curious as to Malfoy's sudden appearance. He wanted to know why the Malfoy heir was suddenly at his door. Decidedly, Harry resolved not to evoke any conflicts, so he could figure out why Malfoy was there. He hadn't seen Malfoy since the incident at Hogwarts and now believed that Malfoy was not a cold-blooded murderer. He didn't like Malfoy, but he felt that he should act like Dumbledore would have, and try to help Malfoy if he needed it.
"The sign said Godric's Hollow. Is it… is it referring to Godric Gryffindor?" Draco asked curiously.
"It's none of your business, but yes. It did belong to him," Harry replied, "Why are you here Malfoy?"
"Why are you here Potter? And with the Mudblood and the Weasel," Draco retorted, refusing to give up his information.
"That's none of your business," Harry replied, ignoring Malfoy's name-calling.
Hermione and Ron had been told of what had happened that night at Hogwarts, and while they didn't completely believe Malfoy, they trusted their friend and consequently, trusted his judgement. Decidedly, the two took Harry's lead and did not start any conflicts.
"Well you're obviously stalking me, so I want an answer," Draco said dangerously.
He took a step closer, so he was closer to the trio, invading their space. He wanted answers and he would get them, even if it took forever. He needed to know the meaning behind his dreams.
"Au contraire, Malfoy, I think you're stalking us!" Harry replied, eyes flashing challengingly.
"Yeah!" Ron agreed full-heartedly, "It's probably for the Death Eaters."
"Oh yeah?" Draco growled, "and how can you be so sure?"
"Because it's you Malfoy," Hermione replied, as if it were obvious.
"Well, I'm not," Draco affirmed, "Now why are you all here?"
"We're not telling you Malfoy," Harry said firmly.
"Well, I'm not telling you exactly why I'm here either then," Draco replied decidedly.
"Fine," Harry said stubbornly.
The trio and Draco stood in tense silence for a few moments. Draco surveyed the trio stoically, fighting his curiosity. But he wanted, no, needed, to know.
"At least tell me who this house belongs to," Draco pleaded, flushing.
"Why do you want to know so badly?" Harry asked, curious as to why Malfoy was so intent on finding that out.
"Because… I recognize this house from somewhere," Draco lied vaguely, blushing at the memory of his dream.
Harry was intrigued. Malfoy's cheeks were colouring as he responded and he seemed desperate to know who the owner of the house was. He was pretty sure that it was not for Death Eater work, because Death Eaters were far more discreet than Malfoy was being. He studied Malfoy's flushed face. He was frowning, possibly at his inability to hide his emotions and he was gripping his robes nervously.
Harry decided to test Malfoy a little before telling him. "Where did you see this house before?" He asked.
Harry's curiosity was tested even more as Malfoy's blush deepened. He didn't seem to know how to answer because he paused, brows furrowing in confusion. Finally, Malfoy replied, "I don't know. I just remember this house."
"In a book?" Hermione asked.
"No. Maybe," Draco replied, "just tell me who this house belongs to!"
Harry paused, studying Malfoy. "It's my house Malfoy. This is where my parents were murdered," Harry finally said.
Harry was puzzled at the reaction he received after he revealed the house's owner. Malfoy's eyes widened in shock, and he paled. Then he looked very disturbed, and he frowned deeply, contemplating something unknown to Harry.
"Where there any owners before your parents or after they were murdered?" Draco tried desperately.
"I don't know. There may have been a few owners, but they didn't really own it. It's rightfully mine, although they may have crashed since it hasn't been lived in for 16 years," Harry answered, "why?"
"Oh, nothing." Draco frowned, looking at his feet, pausing. "Yeah. It must have been someone else's before you came here." He said decidedly.
Hermione and Ron were looking at each other puzzled. Ron understood that Harry didn't want to start a fight, as did Hermione so they were letting him do all the talking. But it intrigued all of the members of the trio. Hermione touched Harry's arm, "Hey Harry, Ron and I are going to finish setting up. Call us if you need us okay? Bye Malfoy."
Draco nodded.
Harry stepped outside hesitantly. "Look Malfoy. I don't want to start any sort of argument right now, just so you know. Let's step outside for a few minutes, okay?" Harry suggested.
"Fine Potter." He agreed.
"I… are you okay Malfoy?" Harry asked tentatively.
"I'm fine." Draco snapped, "why?"
"At the tower that night. I was there," Harry admitted, "I don't think you would've killed him."
"And how do you know that?" Draco demanded, suddenly defensive, "I was just about to before the others burst in. I would have."
"I don't think so," Harry said flatly.
"Well… I could if I tried!" Draco retorted indignantly.
"You were lowering your wand when they burst in," Harry informed Draco dryly.
"Well, you try holding a wand for 5 minutes while Dumbledore rambles on and on!" Draco sputtered, flushing.
Harry just raised his eyebrows at Draco, locking his emerald green eyes with Draco's stormy mercury ones. The pair walked in silence for awhile.
"Where are you staying right now?" Harry asked softly.
"That's none of your business," Draco retorted rigidly.
"You're staying in this town aren't you?" Harry persisted.
Draco didn't reply, which gave Harry all the answer he needed. "I thought so," He nodded.
"I didn't say anything," Draco said.
"You don't have to. By not saying anything, you confirmed that you are in fact staying here. Is where you're staying safe?" Harry asked.
Draco hesitated, "Yeah."
"Are you sure? The Order could help you keep safe if you wanted," Harry offered.
Harry intended to follow through with things he knew Dumbledore would have wanted. Somehow, he knew that protecting Malfoy was one of them. Strangely, he actually wanted to. He would feel responsible if he turned down someone in need of help, and Malfoy was no exception. His perception of his rival had changed during their sixth year at Hogwarts. He no longer harboured as much of the immature hatred he had had in their previous years.
Draco scoffed, "I'm already perfectly safe, thank you. I don't need any help from your precious order."
"I was just offering," Harry shrugged easily.
"Well I didn't need Dumbledore's help and I certainly don't need yours, Potter." He shot back.
"Fine. Fair enough," Harry shrugged, "So, why are you so interested in my house?"
"That's personal. I'm not telling you." Draco replied.
Draco studied Harry calculatingly. What was he trying to pull? He was definitely no Dumbledore, and yet he was trying to act like him. Maybe the old goat's death had affected him, making him bloody insane. But he needed some answers. Obviously, his dream lover wasn't Potter, Weasley or Granger, so someone else had to have lived in Godric's Hollow. Or maybe they had yet to move in.
"Well, if you do need help, just know that I'm willing to help," Harry said.
"I don't need your help, Potter." Malfoy repeated coldly, stalking off.
Malfoy sped up his pace and Harry followed. "Why are you following me Potter?" He hissed.
Harry stopped, momentarily. "I don't know, Malfoy." He paused, uncertain.
Perhaps it was because Dumbledore's death had influenced him, or perhaps it was his own heart. But Harry knew that if he let Malfoy walk away, he wouldn't see him again. It was an ominous feeling and he intended to prevent whatever was going to happen. Something terrible was going to happen.
"Look Malfoy," Harry called desperately, "I'm sorry. I won't try to help you anymore. I know that you can take care of yourself. I just have this…"
"Hero complex," Draco supplied.
"Yeah." Harry grinned sheepishly, "Anyway, I don't think I hate you anymore and I have bigger fish to fry now. I propose a truce between us. I don't want to fight with you anymore. I don't think you want to be friends and I'm not sure that I want to be either, but at least lets stop fighting over stupid things."
Draco eyed Potter wearily, trying to figure out his angle. But all he saw in the Gryffindor's bright green eyes was sincerity and a glimmer of desperate hope. Draco frowned, contemplating what a truce would mean. He didn't want to fight either. Potter was right, there were bigger fish to fry. He had problems much more important that stupid Potter.
After a long pause, Draco met Potter's gaze squarely and said, "Fine. Truce."
Harry held out his hand and they shook hands, gripping hard. Harry grinned at Malfoy, who frowned.
"Don't expect me to hold your hand, skip merrily and pick flowers now that we're not enemies," Draco said guardedly.
"Have I ever done that normally!" Harry asked in mild disbelief.
There was a short pause, then both boys started chuckling.
"D'you wanna explore for a bit Malfoy?" Harry asked, "I just got here yesterday, and I need to learn my way around."
"Sure, why not? That's what I was doing before I found your house. I just arrived here yesterday as well," Draco replied.
"Can we bring Hermione and Ron along?" Harry asked.
"Ugh. I have to be civil to them too?" He groaned.
"Of course not. It would help this whole truce thing though," Harry replied, "Hang on. Let me allow you through the wards first."
"There are wards here?" Draco asked, surprised.
"Yeah. Only those that don't mean any harm can enter. My mother left some blood magic here when she was killed. And I added a few wards as well. If you meant any harm to us, you wouldn't have been able to see this place. But since you saw it, you obviously mean no harm. However, if Voldemort was passing by, he wouldn't see anything," Harry explained, "pretty cool, huh?"
"Yeah. Are the wards really powerful then?" Draco asked, impressed.
"The best," Harry grinned.
"Harry, why's he allowed in here?" Ron suddenly asked, coming out from another room in the house.
"I allowed him." Harry replied, shrugging, "We're going to do some exploring. Do you guys want to come along?"
"Uh, sure, but why is Malfoy here?" Ron asked, utterly confused.
"We decided on having a truce. Our other problems are bigger, so there's no point in creating more stress," Harry replied reasonably.
"But are you sure it's safe?" Hermione asked, from beside Ron.
"You don't see me killing you, do you?" Draco said sarcastically.
"Yeah, otherwise, the wards wouldn't have allowed him to see us," Harry reassured them, ignoring Draco's statement, "so, exploring then gang?"
"Sure…" Ron and Hermione agreed cautiously, eyeing Draco suspiciously.
So they set off, walking along the paths until they reached the main road.
Ron simply ignored Malfoy, while Hermione cautiously spoke to him occasionally. Harry spoke with Malfoy the most comfortably out of the three but it was still rather awkward. They made light conversation, as they passed the many landmarks of the village.
For the most part, the village was a lot like Hogsmeade, but bigger. There were sweet shops, cafes, clothing stores, grocery stores and even a small theater. Finally they stumbled across an oddity; they were in front of an extremely old looking library. It looked ancient.
"Hey, let's check this out," Harry suggested.
"Why?" Draco questioned, "it's just an old library. And an ugly one at that."
"Research," Harry replied, "this library probably has far more books than Hogwarts and we may find something useful."
"Ugh, why?" Draco asked, "Of all the things we've passed. Sweet shops, cafés… we come here! Granger's affected you way too much. Let's go somewhere else."
"Well, our research isn't for school," Harry shrugged, "and if it bugs you that much, we'll go where you want to go next."
"Fine," Draco agreed.
The quartet went inside. An old librarian was sitting at a desk, leafing through a copy of Witch Weekly. She looked up as she saw the teenagers enter. "How may I help you?" She asked kindly.
"Oh, we're just going to look around." Hermione replied, smiling, "This library looked interesting from the outside and I just love books."
Draco rolled his eyes at Hermione's statement, but didn't say anything. He didn't need to cause an argument just yet.
"Alright dears," The librarian responded warmly with a smile, "if there's anything I can help you with, feel free to ask."
"Nice lady," Ron commented.
"Yeah. She reminds me of your mom actually, Ron." Harry mused.
Hermione nodded in agreement. Draco just rolled his eyes and shrugged, "What are you looking for? Maybe I can help. Then we can get out of here quicker."
"Why? Do you dislike libraries or something?" Harry asked.
"No, I just don't see why we're here of all places," He replied.
"We have to do some research, that's all," Hermione explained.
"What about? What for?" Draco asked curiously.
"Well…er, you can help us research if you want," Harry said finally, "We're looking for information on Godric Gryffindor.
He decided that he would let Malfoy feel included, but not tell him about the horcruxes, or why they really needed to know about Godric Gryffindor. Fortunately, Draco took this information completely the wrong way.
"Ugh! I knew you were a Gryffindor, but this is ridiculous! I was going to offer my assistance, but now, I refuse! You Gryffindors are always way too patriotic to your house." Draco exclaimed dramatically, looking disgusted.
Harry had to fight back a laugh as he answered Malfoy, "We're not being patriotic, Malfoy."
"Then why are you researching Gryffindor?" Draco challenged.
"To find some of his relics. McGonagall said that if we found some of his relics and did a project on them, she'd count them as bonus marks when we got back," Harry lied, trying not to laugh.
"Yeah!" Hermione agreed enthusiastically, "We really need the extra marks."
"You're serious," Draco stated in disbelief.
"Er, yeah! Of course!" Ron replied earnestly.
"Want to help?" Harry asked, grinning.
"Hell no," Draco responded, looking mortified, "I'm looking for quidditch stuff."
With that, Malfoy rolled his eyes and walked off muttering something along the lines of, "bloody Gryffindors… fucking patriots."
The quartet was silent for awhile, all engrossed in different books for a good half-hour. Granger took several notes, as did Potter and Weasley, much to Draco's annoyance. Finally, he decided to break the silence. "Hey Potter. I'm bored. My turn to choose where we go," He told him.
"Okay. Fair's fair," He replied with a shrug, "We haven't found much anyway. So, where do you want to go Malfoy?"
"I'll see. I haven't found anything all that interesting yet…maybe the sweetshop or a café," Draco replied, "I think I should get the next several picks though seeing as how you dragged me here for hours."
"It was an hour at most!" Ron immediately retorted, "You have no sense of time, Malfoy."
"Neither do you Weasel. Your timing in quidditch is terrible. You never block the quaffles on time," He shot back maliciously.
Ron coloured immediately, glaring at Malfoy. "I do not! You're lying Malfoy. We beat your sorry asses, in case you've forgotten."
"And it was no thanks to you. It was all because of your seeker," Draco pointed out.
"It was not! I blocked several quaffles! And yeah, our seeker helped us win because the Slytherin one was so incompetent that it was no contest for our seeker," Ron growled.
It was Draco's turn to colour, and he glared menacingly at Ron. But before he could cut Weasley down more, Potter stopped them. "Hey stop it you two. We haven't even had this truce for three hours yet and we're already fighting. Knock it off! We don't need all this stress at a time like this," Potter reasoned.
"My truce isn't with them," Draco replied, "it's with you."
"Well, if you can't be civil to my friends, then it's hard to keep a truce," Harry stated darkly.
"But he's annoying," Draco said as if it explained everything, "You, I can handle. Hell, I can even handle bloody Granger. But Weasley!"
"Fine. Just don't be uncivil in front of me," Harry stated, "Now let's keep exploring."
"Fine." Ron and Draco said rigidly.
The four left the library tensely only to be further stressed. They were greeted by a horrible sight. There was panic all around. People were running frantically into the safety of their homes and there were panicked shouts everywhere. The Dark Mark was hovering over a single house towards the edge of the village.
Draco's blood ran cold as he saw the Dark Mark in the sky. It was in the area where he was staying. He had to find his mother.
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
A/N: Hey all! I hope you enjoyed chapter 2 of Visions. Is it moving a tad too fast? Anyway, I eagerly await your feedback. :) Please review! I don't know whether or not I should continue and it would really help having some sort of feedback. :P I can also be reached via livejournal at loofa-serpent.livejournal. com/ minus the spaces. I friend all, so feel free to friend me:) Anyway, I look foward to hearing from you all, and I hope you enjoyed chapter 2.
Cheers!
-Serpentilia
Oh! Before I forget! Would anyone like to beta for me? I currently don't have one. I've edited this chapter briefly, and I'm fairly good at english (english being the only language I can speak fluently :P), but still, I think having one would be good. lol. Alright. I'm done. XD
