Dancing With Both Eyes Closed

By: warwithdarkness

Paring: HP/DM or DM/HP as a main pairing, others will most likely pop up later.

Rating: M for Mature

Warnings: slash, relationships between two males (of the sexual kind), violence, language, AU, angst, character death

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or anything related to it.

Chapter Three

Confusion Leads to Tears

With a moan of slight pain Harry landed on the hard cobblestone street beneath him. 'Why can't I ever land properly when I use these things,' Harry thought to himself as he moved slowly to his feet.

Dusting off his jeans, he made sure that the vile Brian had given him and his wand weren't broken before taking a look around. He was in an alleyway filled with trash of various kinds. Only only three legs were holding up a moldy couch by the green dumpster and a tabby cat was nestled on top of one of its disgusting cushions. Food was all over the ground and rats were scurrying along taken bits of it here and there.

'He could have sent me somewhere cleaner.' Harry reflected as he gingerly maneuvered around a pile of something brown. With it quick look down to the opening of the alleyway he did recognize the building the he could see on the other side of the street, so with a sigh he popped off the lid to the potion and took it all in one swing. At first Harry felt nothing but the cool sliding of the liquid down his throat and into his stomach, but then his skin tingled as the illusion settled over his body. Looking down Harry saw his skin pale pink instead of the light brown his skin was. Grinning, he walked towards the opening of the alleyway.

It was nighttime, though Harry wasn't surprised since it was almost midday back in Montana, and street was barely lit. Glancing up and down the street, Harry caught sight of the entrance to the Leaky Cauldron—Or what used to be the Leaky Cauldron.

The dark façade was still there, but the sign that swung gently in the breeze read 'Wailing Banshee'. Frowning, Harry cautiously began to walk towards the door. As he got closer he could hear the sounds of laughter, yelling and music coming from inside. He tried to look through the windows but they were too dirty for him to see anything other than the black silhouettes of people moving around inside.

'This is your last chance, Potter. You walk through that door and there will be no turning back. You step through that door and you will see this through.' Harry took a deep breath, his good eye focused on the door in front of him, hoping that there might be just one little sign that would give him a reason to return back to Montana. 'You'll have to face it sometimes, old boy.' Harry sighed and with one last look around the street, he moved his hand to open the door—

But someone beat him to it.

The door swished open, the noise from inside bombarding his ears. Wincing, he fought back the instinct to cover them and looked at the man who was standing on the other side.

'You've got to be shitting me.' Harry gaped, his mouth wide open as he stared at the man standing on the threshold. Ice blond hair, blue eyes, sharp features and fantastically dressed, there was no way this could be anyone other than Draco Malfoy. Harry's eye unknowingly traveled his year mates lean body. In a moment of insanity, he thought that he had set eyes on an angel.

"Get out of the way, cyclopes."

The illusion shattered into a million pieces as his face twisted into a sneer. Blinking stupidly, Harry said nothing as a man appeared andwrapped himself around the blond and began to nibble on the other's ear. It was then that Harry noticed the various purple spots on the blond's pale neck.

Harry was not surprised to find Malfoy literally being eaten by the black haired man. During his sixth year he had found Malfoy with Seamus snogging behind the one-eyed witch.

"Try not to be too hard on him when you see him."

Biting back a remark that would have clearly caused a scene and would give the blond hints to his identity, Harry stepped aside.

"That's what I thought," Malfoy smirked, stepping out of the Wailing Banshee and sauntering a few feet away with the man molded to his body, "Freak." And with a pop he was gone.

'Still a bastard even after all these years. Not surprising, though I do wish I could have cursed him till he was pleading for mercy.'

Last they had met, they had not parted in the best of terms, even if Malfoy had defected to their side. Dumbledore eventually had to send them to different parts of Hogwarts to vent their anger on something other than each other.

"You slimy, conniving, little ferret!"

"What did you call me, Potter?"

"You heard me, Malfoy! I can't believe you would do that!"

"Don't be a fool, you ill-bred, detestable bastard!"

"You're the bastard, Malfoy! He died and you tell her she is better off without him? You insensitive arsehole!"

"It's been weeks, she needed to get over it! Don't act all righteous, Chosen One! She was wallowing away in—"

"SHE JUST TRIED TO KILL HERSELF, MALFOY!"

Shaking his head and trying to control his anger so that his magic wouldn't start to seep out, he walked up the two steps to the door and pushed all thoughts of Malfoy from his mind.

'What a…fine establishment.' Harry thought to himself as he looked around. This was no longer like the family friendly Leaky Cauldron that he so well remembered, but a place where adults indulged a little. Wizards and witches alike where drinking in large quantities and some were obviously picking up companions for the night.

Shaking his head in disgust, Harry tried to blend in with the crowed as he ambled over to the bar. The dwarf behind the counter was filling up several glasses with a liquid that seemed to shimmer in the candlelight, before he walked over to Harry. It was then that he noticed that he seemed to walking in mid-air.

" Wha' will ye 'ave?" The dwarf asked as he threw his white beard over his shoulder.

"What do you have?" Harry inquired, his good eye scanning the room for anyone who looked like they'd be willing to talk a bit with him.

The dwarf blinked, his beady eyes staring at Harry. "Ye're not from a'ound 'ere are ye?"

Startled, Harry said, "No, no I'm not."

The dwarf was silent for a moment before he asked, "Ye accent tis strange."

Harry bit back a laugh at his foolishness. 'Way to go, Harry, brand yourself as an outsider the moment words leave your mouth.'

"Ah, what have we here. A foreigner?" A wispy voice murmured in his ear, before a body fell into the stool Harry was standing beside.

"No, not really." Harry stated, his eye locked on shocking purple eyes of the man that had sprawled himself elegantly on the flimsy barstool.

The stranger grinned, shining white teeth glinting oddly. "Hmm, been away from home long, lovely?"

Harry's face fell slightly at his words.

"Lovely, isn't it, Harry?"

"Lovely if you are a sadistic bitch of a fucking snake faced bastard."

…joyous laughter…

"My, my, Harry! You do have quiet a dirty mouth don't you?"

"Go to hel—"

"Are you all right, love?"

"Yes, I'm fine. You must be blind to call a scarredhalf-blind man lovely." The man smile wavered, but he reached over and gently patted him on his waist. Harry tried to stop the flinch but couldn't, and the purple eyed man drew away.

"Get something light for my friend here, eh Quentin?" The stranger asked the dwarf who nodded and floated away. "So how long has it been before you set foot on this green isle?"

'Five.' "Seven years." Harry stated, his fingers caressing his wand that was hidden beneath his sleeve, the magic giving him confidence.

"Quite a while, then. Do you know what happened then?" When Harry gave him a blank look, the man sighed. "Well, Hogwarts fell right before Harry Potter killed You-Know-Who thus ending the war that had lasted for years. You must have left right before it broke out, love. The old castle was practically destroyed and many people died by the end of the battle. After the war it was abandoned and any hope of reconstructing the building was dashed. Supposedly, the Death Eaters that had been found there left nasty traps for people to find…"

'Hogwarts fell? How—"

"Hmm, anyway, Potter disappeared and the wizarding world began to repair itself." The man smiled a bit sarcastically and tossed his head back looking back out at the crowd. "I'd say we fell deeper after the war, you know. So many great wizards and witches died, and those who came into power, I think, weren't necessarily the purest of people, if you catch my drift?" Harry nodded, surprised at the easy flow of information. Quentin, the dwarf, set down a brown liquid in front of him and told him it was butterbeer before turning away to help a man who was surrounded by empty glasses. "Anyway, there are still groups out there that are trying to put us back to where we were before the war, but with so many groups vying for power in our weakened state, nobody can get much done." The man took a long swig of his drink before turning his purple eyes towards the silent Harry. "There are rumors abound, you understand, that Harry Potter is alive and that he will return to set this country right. If he were alive, why didn't he come back sooner?"

"Maybe he couldn't." Harry whispered his voice cracking at the obvious sorrow in the other man's voice.

"What do you mean, love?" The man inquired, a new light shinning in his eyes.

"Maybe it was better for everyone that way." He said, his one eye staring into the still full glass of butterbeer.

"You talk like you still think he is alive." The purpled-eyed man smiled as he gently brought his hand to rest on Harry's hand on the bar. Startled, Harry jerked his hand away, not liking the way that the man's magic caressed his own, just like his smooth skin touched Harry's. "You need not be afraid, Harry Potter, Severus Snape waits for you at the place where it all began."

"I don't know what you're talking about." Harry said evenly, his good eye locked onto the man's purple eyes.

"Such a master, aren't you? I shouldn't be surprised, you were taught by the best." And with that the man got to his feet, standing alarmingly close to Harry's stiff body, tossed some coins on the bar, before leaning in and brushing his lips against Harry's cheek. "Remember, the angel guarding death does not accept those who haven't fulfilled their destiny, Harry. Watch for those who whisper of the carnival, they wish to stop you." And with that the man pulled away and walked around the immobile brunette.

"What's the code, Potter! If you deem it safe—"

"The angel guarding death does not accept those who haven't fulfilled their destiny. I got it, Moody. No need to drill it into me any more. And yes, I know, constant vigilance."

"You mock me now, boy, but that will end up saving your life!"

"Wait, who are—" Harry turned around to ask the man, but he was gone.

Harry walked out of the Wailing Banshee, his head down watching his feet. 'What the hell was that? How did he know? Who was he?' Harry thought frantically to himself as he walked slowly in his chosen random direction. 'How did he know I was Harry Potter? Even with the illusion potion my real face and body don't resemble what I used to look like. This is insane. I can't believe that I've been here for less than an hour and I've already met some weird individual who knows more than he should about me and that fucking code.' Harry kicked a stone on the sidewalk, causing it to hit the metal trashcan that was on its side. 'And Hogwarts fell…How? There were so many powerful people there to hold it! Hermione, Snape, Minerva, Flitwick, the vampires, the Weasley family, and so many more! How many of them died? Who died?' Harry's mind went into overdrive. Question after question popped up in his head and he couldn't stop them. He could feel his magic start tingle along his skin, mixing with the illusion that hid who he really was.

"Severus Snape waits for you at the place where it all began."

Stopping suddenly, Harry looked around, swearing that he heard the man from earlier speaking in his ear. Shaking his head, Harry though, 'The place where it all began? Where what began?'

"Move it, man." A husky voice rumbled from behind Harry. Turning around and coming face to face with a dirty old man, Harry mumbled an apology and stepped aside.

'Wait! Dirty old man! Where it all started! I'm an idiot!'

And with a pop, Harry disappeared, leaving a confused old gentlemen looking around in confusion.

Golden leaves fell from the trees as the wind rustled their tops as Harry reappeared in the garden, landing with a startled yelp in the large fountain with a mermaid statue pouring water out of a vase.

"Stupid fountain." Harry grumbled to himself as he clambered out of the thigh deep water. With a wave of his hand his clothes where clean, the magic visibly crackling at the tip of his fingers as he took a quick look around.

It hadn't changed much in the last six years since he had been there, rather the only difference that he could see were the new set of benches that lined the vine covered rock wall at the far left side of the garden. The numerous plants were well groomed, as usual, and the many water fountains were still in use. Looking farther into the distance, Harry saw the outline of the large stone building standing proudly as the sun rose up behind it.

"You mean to tell me that this place will be our headquarters? A who—"

"Shut it, Malfoy! The people here are respectable and are on our side, so—"

"We don't have time for this, the meeting starts in three minuets, Ron! We are going to be late."

"Sorry, Hermione."

"Hmph."

"Don't say a word, Malfoy."

"Whatever, boy-wonder."

Shivering as the wind blew right through his clothes, Harry began the trek up the path and to the building.

"It starts here, ladies and gentlemen. The beginning of the end."

"Must you be so dramatic, Headmaster?"

Wrapping his arms around his slim torso, Harry quickened his steps, his head lowered to make sure he didn't trip.

"We'll keep our silence, Dumbledore. What is said or done here will not leave this building. We may be whores, but we protect those in our care."

"I know, Vivian, but you must understand—"

"I understand, you dirty old man! We know what we are getting into. We understood the moment you asked us for sanctuary. I comprehend your choice of locations and why the safety of your people is your first priority. Who would look for the Order of the Phoenix in a whorehouse? Now that you are here, my people will guard yours with their lives."

"That is what I am afraid of, my dear."

Blinking his eyes, Harry tried to stop the tears from coming. Neither Dumbledore nor Vivian had survived to the end of the war. Vivian was killed protecting those she swore she would die for and Dumbledore sacrificed himself to—

"Excuse me, sir, can I help you find something? We're not open till three this afternoon." A woman's voice said kindly from in front of him. Looking up, Harry saw a beautiful young woman with long brown hair looking at him sweetly. She was covered in a flowing blue robe that glitter in the morning sunlight.

Taking a deep breath, Harry whispered, "I'm looking for Severus Snape," At that, the woman's eyes visibly widened, "in the place where it all began."

"Of…Of course! If you'll follow me inside I shall tell him of your arrival." With that he woman motioned for him to follow her along the path, her steps quick and her face set in determination. When they reached the building, she opened the door and let him inside. "Wait here, sir." She turned and started to walk away before stopping and asking, "If I might inquire, what is your name?"

Harry thought for a moment, before saying, "Tell him his impudent and inconsiderate student has arrived."

The woman stared at him blankly, her blue eyes seemingly searching his soul, before she turned and left without another word.

The small foyer where Harry was standing hadn't changed at all since he had last been there. The coat rack was still in the corner, the small table beside the door still held freshly cut roses from the garden, the coo-coo clock still hung on the wall, and the photograph of Vivian and the women and men under her employment still hung from a rusty nail in the wall.

Taking a deep breath, Harry could smell the incense and candles that some of the girls insisted to use so long ago when the Order first started so that they could mask the smell of the cigars that Charlie had become so fond of.

"Why the hell do you smoke those things anyway? They're nasty!"

"I don't know, to tell you the truth."

"Well stop then! You'll die of lung cancer."

"Ginny, don't worry about. It'll be fine, really."

"So the whelp has finally graced us with his presence?" Jerked out of his memories, Harry jumped, pulling out his wand, magic literally humming along his arm. "I think you getting paranoid in your old age. Now take off that illusion so I can see what has become of the great Harry Potter."

Harry's good eye narrowed at the man who stood in the doorway. Instead of the long, flowing black robes he used to wear he was dressed in casual Muggle clothes. His hair was now littered with gray, but in general he looked the same as he did five years ago, hooked nose and everything.

With a glare, Harry murmured the spell and the illusion crumbled, falling away into millions of tiny pieces. Closing his eyes he let Snape examine him, let him have his fill before speaking.

"You're half-blind, aren't you?" Snape murmured in the kindest tone that Harry had ever heard escape his lips. Nodding minutely, Harry opened his eyes and ran a hand through his white streaked hair. He really didn't know what to say, so he said nothing at all. Snape and Harry stared at each other for several minuets before Snape spoke once more. "We spent a long time looking for you, Potter. Granger wouldn't give you up for dead."

Eyes widening, Harry felt the tears well in his eyes and fall down his cheeks. His whole body began to shake and he fell to his knees, his silent tears turning into sobs.

'It's too much! The memories, the confusion, the people I loved, the guilt…I left and they needed me. Brian, is this worth it? Is it worth coming back?'

Harry didn't realize when long arms lifted him off the ground and carried him out of foyer and up the stairs.

Author's Note: My longest chapter yet! w0ot! If you are curious about the man that Draco was with and the purple-eyed man…well…You'll find out within the next few chapters. I don't want to give away all of the information about Harry's past in one chapter, I want to spread it out over the whole story. All will be revealed! Trust me! I want to thank my reviewers for the encouragement! Thank you guys and gals so much!

Don't forget to review! I would be much obliged.