DISCLAIMER: Harry Potter and all other characters and locations belong to J. K. Rowling.
Chapter 23 – Don't Cry Over Spilt Tea
Severus Snape sat in front of the small table in his personal kitchen. Steam wafting off the warm cup of cinnamon tea resting before him. His gaze was focused on the paper sitting on the table, eyes carefully taking in each word as his mind struggled to find the solution to his newest problem. It was only seven forty three; he still had an hour until he had to appear at the Great Hall for breakfast. The sudden bellowing of his name had him turning to look in the direction of his sitting room. His eyes closed as the bellow was repeated, rising and picking up his cup he headed towards the door, knowing what awaited him. His gaze fell upon the figure clothed entirely in black, pale hair catching the firelight as cold eyes shifted to look at him.
"Good morning Lucius." Severus murmured, moving across the room to sit down in the chair next to the blazing fire.
"It is not a good morning, have you seen the Daily Prophet? My son was bound to the boy-who-lived. Do you know what this means Severus? Do you know what this means?" Lucius Malfoy roared, cane thumping against the floor with every word.
"Its not the end of the world Lucius." Severus said, sipping carefully at the warm tea.
"Not the end of the world! Do you have any idea what the Dark Lord wants me to do! My son became bait as soon as he found out that they had been bonded! We all know that the Potter boy is going to die. When he does he'll be taking my son with him. So I'll give you two options Severus; find a way to break the bond or I'll tell my Lord exactly what you've been doing." Lucius hissed, moving forward in a threatening manner. Severus sat back in his chair, black eyes widening as he sucked in a deep breath. The tea sloshed over the brim of the cup, splattering against the floor and the fabric of the chair he was sitting in.
"The bond can't be broke Lucius, the familiar bond lasts forever. Besides their magic essences have already begun to merge, there's nothing we can do now." He murmured, frowning as he dabbed futilely at the spilt tea.
"I don't care, I suggest you figure something out." Lucius snarled, placing his hands on the chair arms and pushing his face closer to Severus. "And I suggest you do it soon." Swirling around he stormed into the shadows and vanished, leaving a stunned Severus sitting quietly in the shadowed room. Severus swallowed and let his head drop back against the chair wondering where Lucius had disappeared too and what he was going to do.
Harry swung blindly at the individual who was poking him in the back persistently. Groaning, he pulled his face from the pillow and rolled over, glaring at Draco who was looming over him.
"What?" He muttered, peering up at him, eyes taking in the black trousers and navy sweater the blonde was wearing. Running a hand over his eyes, he grabbed the hem of Draco's sweater and tugged gently, pulling him down to sit on the bed.
"We've got class in an hour, if you want breakfast you've got to get up now." Draco murmured, fingers carding through the soft black hair.
"I don't have class. I never handed in my class choices so I wasn't included on the program lists." Harry grumbled, cuddling into Draco's form and relaxing beneath the caressing fingers.
"Guess again. Severus brought your schedule by last night." Draco murmured, smiling as Harry whimpered and pulled the pillow over his face. "He also said Dumbledores agreed to let you remain in Slytherin house, not to mention your class schedule is exactly the same as mine. Now get up." Draco stated, pulling the pillow from Harry's hands and whacking him with it before leaving the room. Harry whimpered again, slowly rolling out of bed and padding towards the bathroom, grimacing at the cold bite of stone on his bare feet. It may have been early but he wasn't prepared to let Draco go anywhere without him. His fingers twisted the taps, adjusting the water so it was the perfect temperature. He winced as he stepped under the water, feeling the soft sting of the drops. His mind began to race as he thought of everything that had happened yesterday. The Gyffindors were fine with him being bound to Draco, but he didn't think the rest of the world would be so lenient. Sighing he climbed out of the shower and began to prepare for his first official day back.
Draco was perched upon the bench before the Slytherin table, his eyes taking in the growing heap of letters piling up between his and Harry's plate. The Great Hall had been flooded with owls since the pair arrived, it seemed that almost as soon as the doors had swung open some alarm had gone off informing everyone they were about to sit down for breakfast. Draco placed a calming hand on Harry's knee as his bonded tore yet another letter open, eyes scanning the words sprawled across the page.
"I don't know why you insist on opening them, you know they aren't going to be any good." Draco whispered, fingers rubbing gently as he watched Harry tear in to another piece of folded parchment.
"I have to know." Harry whispered, fingers fumbling at the seal of a particularly thick looking letter.
"Know what? That everyone thinks you're a traitor and I'm a deatheater in training." Draco hissed, pulling the letter from the trembling fingers and tossing it onto the table. He pushed the pile of letters to the opposite side of the table, waving a fine boned hand at an owl that was hovering above the table. Ignoring the protests from Harry, he began to pile food onto his plate and set it in front of Harry, placing a fork between the cold fingers. "Eat something so we can get out of here."
"Draco, it' s important to know what everyone is thinking. That way we're prepared for any possible situations that may arise." Harry said, carelessly plowing his fork through the scrambled eggs cooling on his plate. Draco sighed and pulled the fork from Harry's fingers, scooping up some of the eggs and holding them before his mouth. His eyes narrowed when Harry refused to open his mouth and accept the offering.
"We aren't leaving and you aren't opening any more letters until you eat something!" Draco snarled, slamming an open palm against the top of the table. The Great Hall fell silent as students and staff turned to look at the arguing pair. The slight clink of metal on porcelain had people's gazes searching for the offender, turning away from Draco and Harry. "I promise you we'll open every letter this evening, but not now. Not now Harry." Draco whispered, fingers rising to run along the edge of Harry's cheek. Warm blue eyes met sorrowful emeralds. Harry nodded and pressed his face into Draco's hand, raising a finger and resting it on Draco's cheek.
"Fine, sorry." Harry whispered, taking the fork from Draco's hand and placing the eggs in his mouth. Draco closed his eyes and smiled slightly, reopening them to watch as Harry diligently cleaned his plate. Picking up a fork he began to fix a plate for himself, knowing that he would need all his strength to get through the day.
Ginny Weasley trotted down the hall towards the hospital wing, books clutched to her chest as she peered anxiously over her shoulder. Slowing down she smiled and said hello to Madame Pomfrey, giving a slight wave before hurrying towards the reclining form of Ron.
"Where the hell have you been?" Ron hissed, tearing the quidditch magazines from Ginny's hands.
"I had class Ron, remember, its Monday." She returned, jerking back and glaring at him, arms crossed over her chest and tapping one booted foot loudly.
"So you couldn't drop them off before you went to breakfast?" Ron snarled, cringing when the mediwitch shushed him. Ginny rolled her eyes and began to slowly walk around the room, fingers picking up a copper stirring rod and spinning it between her fingers.
"Harry came to Gryffindor Tower last night." Ginny murmured, setting the long piece of copper down.
"What?" Ron shrieked, hands sinking into his red hair and pulling lightly, blue eyes following the form of his sister.
"He came to speak with Hermione but everyone else was just as happy to see him. Seamus and Dean acted liked they used too." Ginny smiled as her mind replayed the pair's dramatic performance. "Harry spoke with her in the boys dorms so none of us know what they spoke about. Both came down smiling though, so whatever it was it was apparently good."
"That traitor! First he goes and lives with the bloody snakes, not to mention the fact that he beat me up! Then they all go and welcome him with open arms! Damn Gryffindor spirit!" Ron roared, fists pounding the bed next to him.
"Well Ron…you may have deserved it." Ginny murmured softly.
"Deserve it? What did I do to deserve it?" Ron growled.
"You hurt Malfoy. If you haven't noticed Harry loves him not to mention the fact that they are bound together." Ginny stated, moving to stand at the end of Ron's bed, fingers grasping the brass footboard. "I've got class now so I have to leave but I'll visit later. Oh, Hermione said she was going to bring your homework by." Giving him a little wave, she fled the room before Ron could get past the whole Harry loving Draco thing.
Harry was staring out the window of the Ancient Runes classroom. He was doodling idly with his quill, ignoring the professor lecturing at the front of the class. Turning slightly he looked at Blaise who was sitting in front of him. Blaise was slumped over in his chair; textbook standing up right to hide the fact his face was buried in his arms. Draco on the other hand was scribbling madly, emerald ink flowing smoothly across the page. Harry rolled his eyes and turned back to gazing out the window. His eyes narrowed as a movement caught his attention. The form of an owl nearing the tower they were currently sitting in had him burying his elbow in Draco's side. Harry ignored the glare Draco shot at him, nodding at the approaching owl. Both of them watched the owl draw closer, wings flapping hard. The massive Eagle Owl came through the window, halting the professor's lecture and startling the students. The bird landed casually on the desk in front of Draco, extending its leg so the red envelope could be removed. The whole class held their breath as the envelope unfurled and rose to hover above the desk, floating innocently before the pair.
"DRACO LUCIUS MALFOY! I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING BUT I SUGGEST YOU CEASE ALL CONTACT WITH THAT POTTER BOY. I HAVE NEVER BEEN SO ASHAMED IN MY ENTIRE LIFE. I HOPE YOU DO AS I'VE ASKED BEFORE COMING HOME FOR CHRISTMAS. IF NOT-" The cold voice stopped immediately as a black blur struck it. Claws and fangs worked in tandem to completely obliterate the howler. The students looked at the pale face of Draco, some flinching as the panther snarled and flashed glistening fangs.
"Professor, may I please be excused?" Draco whispered, the words seeming to bounce around the hushed room.
"Yes Mister Malfoy, you are dismissed. Please take Mister Potter with you." The professor murmured, eyes focused on the panther seated atop a pile of shredded parchment. Draco nodded and gathered his books, jamming Harry's quill and unused parchment inside his book bag. He rushed from the room, finger automatically sinking into the thick black fur beneath his fingers. The pair tore through the halls, students scattering before the frothing panther and the perfectly composed Malfoy. The Slytherin common room was empty as Draco stormed in, tossing his bag against the wall and throwing his bedroom door open. Draco flopped fell onto the bed, burying his face in the soft blankets before allowing his calm façade to fall. The tears rolled down his cheeks as he tried to muffle the sobs he was emitting.
"I hate my father." He whispered, fists gripping the velvet beneath his finger.
"I know." Harry murmured, climbing onto the bed and pulling Draco's heaving form into his arms. Draco pushed his face into the crook of Harry's neck, unabashedly wiping his nose on the sweater Harry was wearing. Draco curled into Harry, absorbing all the warmth and comfort his mate could provide. His thoughts tortured him until he felt darkness pull him under.
Severus Snape was sitting quietly in the office that adjoined the potions classroom. His eyebrows drawn together in concentration as he carelessly slathered an F across the paper before him. The slow creak of a door had him turning to look in the direction of the classroom. His fingers closed around his wand as he rose and moved carefully to peer around the corner, eyes searching for any danger that might be lurking in the shadows. Black eyes paused as the shadows shifted, revealing the form of a panther he had come to know over the past few weeks. The panther glided forward, emerald eyes locked with startled black orbs.
"Its almost curfew Potter. I would also love to know what you are doing in my class. I highly doubt you've just discovered a love for potions so please leave immediately." Severus stated, eyes following the slinking form of the black cat. The panther paused before resuming its forward prowl, causing Severus to take a step back before he remembered the new sense of trust he was supposed to have for Harry. The panther lunged forward, whiskers quivering as he swung a soft paw at Severus's robes.
"Yes, Lucius Malfoy came to visit me this morning. He wanted to talk about the bond and Draco. He demanded I find a way to break the bond before the Dark Lord kills his son. He also threatened to inform him that I was spying for the Order. There was also some mention of bait." The panther hissed softly, eyes locked with the potions professor. Severus nodded, as if he agreed with whatever the panther was saying. He watched as the emerald eyes glowed before the massive panther melded with the shadows and vanished.
"Remember curfew Mister Potter!" He snarled, knowing it was most likely a lost cause. Sighing he returned to his desk, reclaiming the quill and dutifully returning to his marking.
Damian slid through the shadows, all senses working to guide him carefully through the dark corridors of the school. Stopping to sniff at each door, hoping there was some chance Lucius Malfoy had left something of importance before vanishing. He paused in a shadowed alcove, knowing the moonlight couldn't shimmer along his coat and give away his presence. His ears picked up the low murmur of voices. Sliding closer, the panther crouched in a corner, emerald eye focused on the figures standing in the center of the abandoned hall. Narrowing his eyes, he watched Dumbledore speak with Remus Lupin.
Remus Lupin shook his head and waved his hands around for emphasis. The wizard before him was considered one of the greatest wizards to ever become head master of Hogwarts, but sometimes he was left wondering how bad all the former head masters must have been if Dumbledore was supposed to be the best.
"It's preposterous! I will not have James's son bound to the son of a known deatheater." Remus snarled, balling his hands into fists.
"There's nothing we can do about it. They've been bound together for too long to separate them. Severus has informed me that they are already showing signs of full magic bonding. Basically the familiar bond is growing and changing depending on what the boys are feeling and their needs. If things keep progressing as they have been there's no telling what could happen." Dumbledore claimed, fingers tugging on the front of his bright blue robe.
"They're that far along?" Remus whispered, hands rising to rub his face in distress. "I'm too late. I never thought they would bond completely so fast. When are you planning on telling them?" He murmured, eyes searching the older wizards face.
"I've decided its best not to tell them until we figure out what we're going to do about it." Dumbledore muttered, waving his hand in a gesture to follow. Neither saw the panther slide out of the shadows, tail striking the air as he watched the pair walk down the hall and disappear down a corridor.
A/N: Thanks to everyone who reviewed. I'm working now so I'll be updating every weekend when I have the chance. It took me twelve hours to unpack completely. Thanks again!
Redmeadow - Don't worry, Hermione will have to earn her keep.
SlytherinGoddessRoseThorns - Thanks for suggesting the fic, it was wonderful. Have you read 'Draco Malfoy and the Heart of Slytherin'? I highly recommend it.
Morgan Eddsil - More Weasleys to come in future chapters.
Natasha AKA Tash - I wasn't planning on taking the fic that far unless I do sequel. I guess you can consider Draco and Harry of equal power due to the reason they can easily transfer magic back and forth through the bond.