DISCLAIMER: Harry Potter and all other characters and locations belong to J. K. Rowling.
Chapter 24 – Silent Truces
Draco woke slowly, one arm stretching across the bed in a reflexive movement, searching out the warm form that should have been curled up next to him. His eyes slid open when his hand encountered nothing but cool sheets. Whispering tempus, he scowled at the bright glowing numbers dancing above his head, two sixteen. Crawling unhurriedly from the warmth of the blankets, he pulled on a thick terry cloth robe, delighting in the texture and heat it immediately provided. Plodding quietly out of his chambers, he stopped in the doorway to admire the silent figure sitting on the floor before the fire.
"Harry, what exactly are you doing?" Draco murmured, gliding toward the other wizard, wincing at the cold stone beneath his feet. Emerald eyes turned to peer at him. A strong hand was held out unwaveringly to him in silent invitation.
"I'm opening the last of these letters." Harry whispered, pulling Draco into the chair he had been leaning against.
"It's two in the morning Harry." Draco complained, watching as Harry scrunched a piece of parchment into a ball before tossing it into the happily crackling fire.
"I know." Harry grinned sheepishly. Eyes focused on the flames that had swallowed every single letter shortly after it had been read.
"I also recall something about you waiting for me before opening the rest of them." Draco stated, fingers curling into the dark hair and pulling Harry back to lean against his legs. Hands smoothed gently before dropping to the thin shoulders and massaging.
"I remember that too." Harry murmured, eyes closing in ecstasy as he pressed his shoulders harder against the strong fingers. Draco shook his head but moved forward and placed a light kiss on the nape of Harry's neck, smiling slightly when Harry whimpered beneath his lips. Giving the same spot a quick nip, he returned his concentration to easing the tension from his mate's frame.
"Did you learn anything of interest? Besides the fact you're supposedly shacking up with an apprentice to the Dark Lord." Draco muttered dryly.
"Actually I did, apparently if I'm converting people to the good side then I'm equally as capable of killing Voldemort. Other then that, nothing of interest, although I did learn several new words which I'm sure would get me kicked out of class should I feel the need to use them." Harry chuckled, hands reaching to catch Dracos and pull them together across his chest. Draco locked his fingers across Harry's sternum, settling his chin atop the dark hair.
"Well, I suppose that's good." Rising stiffly, he laced his fingers through Harry's, and pulled him back towards the bedroom. "We have class in several hours and I do need my beauty sleep." Draco grumbled, shedding the robe and hurriedly wiggling beneath the thick coverlet. He buried his face in the crook of Harry's neck as the other boy joined him beneath the blankets, closing his eyes and wishing for only sweet dreams.
It was fairly warm out for one of the first days of fall, though the wind had a slight chill; the sun was warm against the black school robes. Draco carefully fixed his Slytherin scarf, stroking the material before returning his attention to the lesson at hand. Hagrid marched along before the amassed group of Slytherins and Gryffindors, his booming voice echoing in the densely wooded forest. He sneered as the half giant led them on, searching for god knows what while keeping up an inane stream of chatter. Draco stumbled but was caught by Harry. Harry smiled and retained his grip on Draco's smooth hand, tugging him on.
"Of all the stupid creatures he could possibly show us, he has to drag us half way through the goddamn forest to get us there." Draco grumbled, clutching at Harry's hand as he stepped carefully over a decaying log.
"Someone got up on the wrong side of the bed this morning." Harry whispered playfully, tugging on Draco's hand again. Rolling his eyes, Draco pulled his hand free and watched as Harry bounded away, aiming for a small pack of Gryffindors. He curled his lip as Harry threw an arm around the shoulders of Dean and Seamus, almost knocking them over with the force of his greeting.
"Damn Gryffindors, how the hell they can be so bloody cheerful this early is beyond me." Stated Blaise, flinging open his arms to keep from kissing dirt after his pant leg got caught on a vicious looking root.
"I agree." Draco muttered, eyes on Harry as he allowed Blaise to use his arm for balance while he attempted to free himself. The sudden whoops of laughter had both Slytherins rolling their eyes and sneering. Shaking his head, Draco's eyes caught a sudden movement, he turned his head in time to see Millicent Bulstrode trip and smash into the ground. Draco elbowed Blaise and nodded at the fallen Slytherin, eyes widening and mouths dropping as Neville Longbottom raced to her side and freed her gently from the brush. Both watched as the pair continued on, Slytherin clinging to the proffered arm as they continued along the invisible path.
"Now that's what happens when Gryffindors befriend Slytherins." Blaise announced contemplatively, one hand carefully smoothing his hair. Draco chuckled but returned to watching the shoving match going on between Harry and Dean.
"I suppose, but I highly doubt it'll happen again. Besides Millicent Bulstrode was never a snake, she always resembled a leech to me." Muttered Draco, hissing as a thorn tore at his finger. Narrowing his eyes, he carefully eased the injured digit into his mouth.
"Hey, do you think if we make nice with the Ravenclaws they'll take Pansy?" Blaise whispered, grinning winsomely at the thought.
"She'd eat them alive." Draco said, continuing the dangerous trek through the thick forest while maintaining a watchful eye on Harry.
Harry was sprawled across the thick rug before the fire, Draco's feet resting on his back. His eyes were focused on the text before him, quill-scribbling notes on anything relevant to the essay he was trying to complete. Rubbing the bridge of his nose with numb fingers, he almost poked himself in the eye when faint yelling began in the hallway outside the common room. The Slytherins sat quietly but the yells only got louder. Harry squirmed from beneath Draco's feet and strolled leisurely across to the entrance portal. Throwing the panel wide, he leaned into the corridor.
"Harry!" Seamus and Dean bellowed joyously, seconds before they flattened Harry against the wall.
"We've been looking everywhere for you!" Dean yelled inches from Harry's face. Harry cringed and tipped his head back, eyes focused on the broomstick growing closer to his face with every word.
"Why exactly were you looking for him?" Draco snarled, fingers caressing his wand hopefully. Harry's eyes were nearly crossed as the broom handle inched forward.
"Why we wanted to have a scrimmage game of quidditch but we just couldn't play without Harry." Seamus said, sniffling heavily and running his index finger beneath his eye, wiping away an imaginary tear.
"Yes, wouldn't know where to start." Dean sniffled plaintively, doing his best to give Harry puppy eyes. Harry grinned and looked at Draco, questioning silently with his eyes.
"Alright, you can play but on two conditions. It's Slytherin versus Gryffindor. Also, no keeping score or deliberately injuring other players." Draco stated, crossing his arms over his chest. Harry shoved the pair off him and gave Draco a hug before dashing towards their bedroom. "We'll meet you on the quidditch pitch in half an hour." Draco said, making a shooing gesture with his hand while trying to make sure Harry didn't injure himself in his excitement. Rolling his eyes, Draco slammed the portal closed in the ecstatic faces of the Gryffindors.
Severus Snape sat in his personal chambers, books piled up around him. His dark eyes scanned paragraph after paragraph, each text getting him no further then the one before. The book he currently held was on bonds; marriage bonds, blood bonds, family bonds, mating bonds and variations of the familiar bond. However, current circumstances were like nothing any witch or wizard had ever recorded before. A wizard in his animagus form bound to another wizard was almost impossible to believe but somehow Potter had managed it.
"Yes, and look where that got us." Snape grumbled, fingers reaching for another tome. "Shouldn't have been possible. He had to go and do something else that would be impossible for a normal person and look where it got us." Sighing heavily, he snapped his fingers and waited for the crack of a house elf. Grimacing at the creature's enthusiasm, he demanded a cup of tea. Lucius had ordered him to find a way to break the bond. The familiar bond was forever and thus impossible to break, in certain circumstances there were loopholes but the question was: could he find one? The bond between Harry and Draco was altering and changing everyday. There was no longer a way of telling what type of bond it most resembled or would resemble when it finished growing.
The fact that their magic's were joining and the pair were more likely growing in power meant disassembling the bond would be very difficult. Chances were high the bond had grown metaphysically as well, entwining strands thickened and pulsing with power, new threads creating new trails and smaller bonds. Severus Snape closed the book and set his cup of tea on the cover, eyes staring blindly into the brilliant flames dancing in his fireplace.
Hermione perched in the Gryffindor stands, eyes following the swift and sure maneuvers of the quidditch players. So far everything was going well. No one had been injured and the players were being at the very least courteous. There had been a few small tussles but none ended in a trip to the hospital wing. Clapping softly at the sudden dives done by the seekers, she watched as Harry and Draco dropped straight towards the ground, holding nothing back. The fast weaving was as artful as a dance, teasing and tempting with every twist and turn. She smiled when she watched the bonded pair halt the chase and return to higher sky, taking up the silent vigil. Checking the time, she sighed and stood up, gathering the folds of her cloak around her. She wanted to go over her essay before handing it in, waving at the players; she turned to leave but stopped when her eyes met those of Remus Lupin.
"Professor Lupin." Hermione murmured, adjusting her cloak.
"Hermione." The older wizard smiled, eyes softening as he looked at his former student. Hermione stared into those sad eyes before nodding her head and brushing by him, continuing her path and silently wishing the older wizard good luck; heaven knows he'd need it.
Draco swiveled his head, pale eyes searching frantically for the illusive golden ball. He paused in his search to observe Harry, who's eyes were focused on the Gryffindor stands. Draco followed the path of Harry's gaze and looked at the figure sitting alone on one of the wooden benches. He set his eyes to searching for the snitch once again. His mind stretched and wrapped around Harry's, encircling the shining ball of magic.
Who is it? He questioned, tilting his head slightly while observing the chasers whipping about beneath him.
Remus Lupin. Harry's voice was strangely cold; lacking the warmth it always seemed to emit when speaking of the older wizard.
I thought you liked him. Draco murmured mentally, trying to read the feelings traveling along the bonds.
I don't know anymore. I overheard him speaking with Dumbledore last night. He seemed really frustrated over our situation but I didn't really understand what he meant. Harry whispered. Draco sensed the confusion his mate was struggling with.
We don't have a situation! Draco growled, clenching his fingers tighter around his broom handle, eyes narrowing. Why must everyone refer to it as a situation like it's a bad thing or something!
Don't really know but if you'll excuse me, I have a snitch to catch! Harry whooped, pushing the broom into a steep climb. Draco swore and took off after the other seeker. Quickly catching up, the pair flew neatly side by side, neither gaining nor losing ground to the other. The snitch dropped into a sharp dive, hovering above the thick green grass. Draco extended his hand, fingers wiggling as if he could already feel the rapid pulse of golden wings against his palm. His dream was broken when he heard a soft rumble, whipping his head about he peered in shock at the sight that met his eyes. Damian crouched precariously on Harry's broom. Draco yelped in surprise when the massive black cat lunged, paws ruthlessly pinning the snitch to the ground as he landed. The Gryffindors erupted in cheers as they landed their brooms.
"I'm pretty sure that's cheating." Blaise grumbled, fingers attempting to smooth his wind swept hair. Draco nodded in agreement but couldn't help smiling at the smug look on the panthers face.
"Doesn't rule twenty three in the quidditch rule book say something about altering ones form to better their chances at winning?" Draco hollered, waving his broom around in a playfully threatening manner. The sound of someone clearing their throat had everyone turning. For one moment the students stared at the teacher before shaking off their stupor. The Gryffindors nodded and offered up various pleasantries, ignoring the Slytherins who were closing ranks.
Harry peered around the legs of the Slytherins. Sighing he shifted slowly, standing behind Draco who was leaning against his broom elegantly, staring the older wizard down.
"To what do we owe the pleasure of your company Mister Lupin?" Draco purred. Harry rolled his eyes and put his hands on either side of the blonde's waist, shifting him so he could observe the other wizard.
"Hello Remus." He stated, putting no emotion into the greeting.
"Hello Harry." Remus Lupin said, giving a small smile. "I was wondering if I could speak with you?" Harry stood still, gazing thoughtfully at the other wizard, ignoring Draco who had placed his hands atop Harry's.
"Sure." Harry murmured, giving Draco a nudge in the direction of the school. Waving at the Gryffindors and Slytherins, Harry began a slow pace away from the group of quidditch players.
"What can I do for you Remus?" Harry questioned, running a hand over the warm shaft of his broom.
"I wanted to talk to you about the familiar bond. I'm so sorry I was unable to help you this summer. Your father would be so proud that you've mastered the animagus transformation. However, when one is granted with such power, they must be careful how they use it. You should no better then to go out alone and not tell anyone where you are going." Remus murmured, folding his hands behind his back as he walked along next to Harry. "I don't know how well you're doing connected to Malfoy but no need to worry about it. Dumbledore has Severus working on a way to disable the bond. In no time at all you'll be free of the little prat."
"Draco is not a prat." Harry snarled, eyes narrowing as he gazed into the distance. "I suggest you watch yourself when speaking of my mate."
Remus Lupin stopped and stared at Harry. The young wizard continued to stroll down the path, broom swinging negligently from side to side.
"Mate!" Remus gasped, his hands clasping and unclasping.
"Yes. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to be getting back to the Slytherin dorms." Harry stated, swirling about to give Remus a nod before turning back around.
"Wait Harry! Please explain this to me, I don't understand. Are you saying that you've completely bonded to Draco?" Remus wondered, staring at the back of the wizard who had stopped in the middle of the path.
"Perhaps not fully…but I love him." Harry whispered, turning around to look at one of his father's oldest friends. Remus ran a hand across his face nodding his head slowly as he struggled to wrap his mind around he young wizards words.
"I suppose it doesn't really surprise me. Are you okay with loving him?" Remus murmured, regarding the other wizard closely.
"He makes me happy and looks after me like no one else ever has. Why don't you have lunch with us on Saturday? Once you meet him you'll see that he's really nice." Harry looked hopefully at Remus, emerald eyes sparkling.
"Alright, send me an owl telling me when and I'll see you there." Remus watched as the Harry walked back towards the castle, broom resting upon his shoulder. Sighing, Remus closed his eyes and wondered what the world was coming too.
Pansy shifted slightly, feeling overly hot in the thick black robes she was wearing. They were truly ugly in her opinion but what she thought didn't matter. The doors flew open behind her and she immediately dropped to her knees, forehead pressing against the cold floor. Her ears picked up the soft hiss of cloth on stone, she gulped deeply as the figure moved around her to take the throne like chair before her.
"Your father has been trying to get me to allow you into my ranks for the last few months. I had thought you to young but perhaps you can be of service after all." Voldemort's cold voice echoed through the small space. Pansy cringed, but did her best to show no emotion. Years of training came into play as she whispered her thanks and did her best to act the perfect deatheater.
"Young Mister Malfoy is in your house at Hogwarts. Certain steps must be put into place to ensure that the young Malfoy falls into my hands. I fear that Lucius has become quite attached to his son and will not part with him so easily."
"What do you wish of me my lord?" Pansy choked softly, eyes trained on the dark stone beneath her fingers.
"I believe that you'll need to enlist the aid of another individual. I will trust your judgment but know that if you get caught your life will be forfeit. You'll receive my plans when I believe the time is right, until then you are to listen for anything that could be of use to me. You are dismissed." Voldemort hissed, Pansy shivered and bowed deeper, nose pressed against the stone.
"Thank you my lord." She whispered, acknowledging his power and superiority. She had done the Parkinson family proud, swallowing deeply she smiled. She had been entrusted with a very important task, she only hoped she could complete said task without risking her own life.
A/N: Thank you to everyone who reviewed my last chapter. I'm sorry it took me so long to update but I worked overtime and I've been doing a lot of running around lately. My mother also slipped and broke her leg on Wednesday so I didn't have a lot of time to write. My thanks and apologies to everyone.
Dreaming Sensations – The next few chapters will have more information on the full magic bond.
astride – I think I managed to answer most of your questions in this chapter but anything else of significance will be covered in the next few chapters.
black colour vision – I guess the body absorbs the clothes or something like that.
silver woman – I wouldn't say Dumbledore is exactly evil…more like the crazy old nut everyone enjoys picturing him as.
SltherinGoddessRoseThorns – lol, I agree totally overused…but just cause I hinted doesn't mean that's how its going to end.
Serpent91 – This story is going to consist of 30 chapters and an epilogue, so don't start panicking on me yet.
evilsadisticbutterfly – Thanks for pointing out that error, I'll fix it when I have time.