"Draco! Draco! I know what the first task is!" Sirius announced giddily as he entered the chamber of Lucius. He didn't notice Lucius sitting opposite of Draco's bed.
"The first task, Sirius? You know of it?" Lucius drawled.
"What? What first task?" Sirius asked trying to look confused.
"That one you were supposed to tell Draco… let me guess, the first task you know of is the task I prepared for that wretched boy, is it not?" Lucius enquired standing up regally.
"Of course not. I don't know what you're speaking of Lucius, you're one odd bloke, you are."
"Well, I'll leave you and Draco alone. I know you two will plan for something to help that insolent boy, but I assure you, whatever you do the boy is going to die. I promise I will destroy him," Lucius said snottily then he turned his back on the two other gods and made his graceful exit.
"Odd bloke that one, I don't know how you can stand being around your father Draco, he's the most arrogant god ever…" Sirius' babble was halted when he became aware that Draco wasn't awake. He went near Draco and inspected him. Draco looked really weak and the ethereal glow he had on him was faint. "Uh oh, not good," Sirius thought and then he started healing the god of love, pouring all his knowledge in medicine on the face of the younger god fatally wounded by the distrust of the younger god's one true love.
Miles and miles away, at the foot of the mountain where the gods and goddesses dwell, after long months of journeying, Harry finally reached the temple of the god of beauty. But even before his right foot stepped on the doorstep of the temple, a loud angry voice welcomed him.
"Ah and the wretched ungrateful lad finally decided to visit my humble temple," Lucius' loud angry voice had a hint of sarcasm in it as well. He sent various kinds of snakes to block the entrance of the temple thus preventing Harry to enter, "You shall not taint my sacred temple with your filthiness you ruddy mortal."
"B..but, I came here, my lord, to ask for forgiveness…" Harry stuttered. He felt really frightened that the wrath of Lucius is directed to him, "And I want to have my husband back, my lord," he boldly added after a moment of silence. He fearfully eyed the hissing snakes in front of him praying to whoever god or goddess on his side to protect him.
The biggest snake hissed angrily at him as Lucius' furious voice boomed again, "You think it is that easy? After wounding your husband, my son the god of love, who took you as his spouse even if you are nothing, you think it is easy to forgive? Are you even aware that you are not worthy of my son's love? The only way you shall be worthy of such love is by earning it! My son has given you his love once, for nothing but trust, now you shall have to earn it by showing diligence and hard work."
"Whatever you ask of me, my lord, I will do it," Harry continued pleading.
"Very well," Lucius' voice then had a hint of slyness and cruelty in it, "Your first task is…"
"Harry…" Draco whispered groggily after being revived by Sirius' healing powers.
"Draco! Oh my dear darling nephew, how are you feeling?" Sirius asked perkily trying to hide his worry.
"A bit… dizzy… what did you do to me?" Draco tried to sit up while rubbing his temple like it would make his lightheadedness vanish.
"I healed you of course!"
"I still feel weak."
"I know. You'll have to rest for a few more days."
"Harry…"
"Is about to face the first task your father planned for him."
"What? What do I do Sirius?"
"You know the chamber of secrets don't you?"
"Yeah, that's where he keeps his grains, food for his birds."
"That's Harry's first task."
"What?"
"He has to arrange the grains, your stupid father is cruel I know…"
"What? He doesn't need to 'arrange' that! The birds will eat it anyway even if it's in chaos."
"Anyway, here's what you are to do…"
Harry found himself in a dark chamber surrounded by various grains with Lucius voice booming furiously, "You shall arrange these grains and I expect it to be finished this evening… Now, go on and start working. I still have to go to the Underworld to exchange beauty secrets with Ginny."
When Lucius' furious voice faded, Harry heard himself sobbing helplessly, "I shall never see my husband again… Oh Draco… I'm so sorry, I love you so much…"
After a few minutes, about millions of little spiders arrived in a line. They started separating and arranging the grains and Harry watched in awe when he saw the chaotic chamber fell orderly and grew somewhat luminescent.
"I don't believe this! I'm dreaming! I shall wake up any minute from now and face Lucius. He shall inflict upon me a very cruel punishment that shall lead to my demise…"
After finishing the tasks given to Harry, the little spiders vanished and were replaced by a big spider. He eyed Harry carefully and said, "My name is Aragog and the little spiders who helped you are my children. We were instructed to aid you in your first task. I wish you good luck, m'lord, in your other tasks." With this Aragog vanished.
TBC…
November 25, 2005
