OLD MAGIC

Chapter 26: A Nasty Way to End A Holiday

The next day rose cloudy and cold, the sun had vanished and there were signs more snow would fall before the day was over. It was a bit of a let down to Draco after all the fun and joy they'd had yesterday but there were guests still around and new rounds of conversation to enjoy so it wasn't too bad.

Snow did fall by that evening, but fortunately, the guests had left just ahead of it. Harry and Draco spent the evening cruising the internet for fun rather than study. Draco was endlessly fascinated by all the cool things muggles made and used as well as all the great programs about nature, science, and technology. He spent hours asking Harry questions. Fortunately, the boy-who-lived didn't mind and answered all to the best of his ability.

~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~

Over the next few days until New Years, they spent time on the internet and playing outdoors. But there was one thing that Harry was doing that Draco hadn't been aware of. On the second day after the guest had left, he watched as Harry began dressing after breakfast, in a strange outfit.

"What is that you're wearing and what are you planning to do in it?" Draco asked.

The outfit was solid black, made of cotton, with rollback cuffs, a collar and odd looking buttons that fastened the shirt. The pants were even stranger as they weren't slacks or athletic pants. He wasn't certain what they were but they ballooned a bit from Harry's legs and had elastic bands that pulled it tight against his waist and ankles. It looked oriental. He'd seen something similar when he'd been to China with his parents.

Apparently, while he and Snape were engrossed in learning about muggles on the laptop that first week, Harry had been off doing something interesting, though what it could be he hadn't a clue.

"This is my martial arts clothing," Harry responded, pulling on some soft black boots. "Come watch and you'll see what I've been up to while you were surfing the web."

Fascinated, Draco quickly dressed in warmer clothing and followed Harry downstairs. They paused to get heavy cloaks on then went out the back door. Harry led the way to the barn. Inside a man waited. He wore the same outfit as Harry and stood on soft green mats that now covered a large section of the barn floor.

After closing the door behind them, Harry walked to the edge of the mat, took off his shoes and cloak then stepped on the mat and paused within arms distance of the man and bowed. The man bowed back.

"Sifu, this is my friend, Draco Malfoy. He wishes to observe my training. Is he permitted to stay?" Harry asked formally.

The man stared at Draco, studying him thoroughly which made the boy feel uncomfortable and unwilling to meet his eyes. There didn't seem to be anything threatening about the man that Draco could discern but he could feel the barely leashed power the man exuded just standing there with his arms loose at his side. The fellow didn't appear very dangerous, being rather short in stature and lean in body. But he was very muscular and stood lightly on the balls of his feet as if he was ready to attack at a seconds notice. His eyes were a dark brown and he wore his doe colored hair cropped short to his head. His skin color was a nut brown though Draco couldn't determine what nationality he might be.

"He may stay. Are you ready?" The man said in a pleasant tenor voice.

"Yes sir."

"Hai!" The teacher barked suddenly making Draco startle as the pair were suddenly sparring in quick, fast movements.

He could see Harry was very good at this form of fighting which Draco realized he had seen while in China and on the internet. As he watched, he saw Harry succeed in dropping his teacher to the mat at least once and holding the man at bay for a long period before his teacher expertly dropped Harry to the mat on his back, the man's arm across Harry's throat. It had happened all so fast that Draco only realized at that moment that he'd been holding his breath. He let it go with a whoosh.

Harry heard him and gave him a cheeky smile as his teacher released him and helped him to his feet. Then his attention was back on his lesson. The two bowed then took a defensive posture and were at it again.

The two worked out for over an hour. Draco never noticed the time passing, totally fascinated by the beauty and deadly grace of the pair sparring. When they finally stopped, Harry and his teacher bowed once more.

For the next thirty minutes, Harry's instructor show him some new techniques and had the boy run through them before he was satisfied. They bowed to each other again, the teacher sent a small smile toward Draco then simply apparated away.

Draco blinked in shock. The man was a wizard!

Mouth still open, Draco turned to Harry but couldn't say anything. Harry laughed at his friend's expression as he used a towel to wipe sweat off his face and neck.

"Yes he's a wizard but he was born into a muggle family. His parents are both martial arts teachers and taught him since he was very young. Despite learning he was a wizard, he never stopped using and training in the art. It makes him a very dangerous man. He can pluck a wand from your hand before you could utter a spell."

"Wow! That's incredible."

"There are more wizards like him that have been trained in various forms of muggle fighting but in some cases they've given it up for a wand and spells...a bad mistake to my mind."

Draco frowned. "You're right, that is a stupid thing to do. If you have other fighting abilities you shouldn't stop using them simply because you can do things magically."

Harry smiled. "You only say that now. But before you knew more about muggles, you would have been just like them, yes?"

Malfoy's face blushed red. "Uhm...you're right about that. Using muggle methods was thought by purebloods to be beneath them. Glad I don't think that way now. Can you teach me that and all the other things I bet you've been taught?"

"Sure, but it will take a long time to reach my level and we'll have problems getting away to practice," Harry reminded him.

Draco's face fell then firmed in determination. "We'll find a way."

Harry slapped Draco on the back. "That's the spirit. There is much I can teach you though using guns might be difficult as I still don't know enough about them to know what to purchase. We'll have to ask Darius. He's the one who taught me to shoot."

Draco's head came around quickly so he could stare at Harry. "You know how to shoot a muggle weapon?"

"Yes."

The boy rolled his eyes. "They certainly made sure you were prepared."

"You don't know the half of it," Harry sighed. "Come on. Time for lunch."

Draco's mind was in awhirl as he waited for Harry to put on his shoes then his cloak. On the way back to the house, he thought about how the two of them could get together for training when they returned to Hogwarts. There must be someplace they could meet in secret and he wouldn't rest until he found it. Whatever it took, he wanted to be just as prepared as his friend was.

~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~

During the next few days, Draco got his wish. He joined Harry for most all the lessons his friend was taking. The only ones he was forbidden to see were the magical ones. Draco simply wasn't ready for those but Snape softened the boy's disappointment by promising to give him the training in mind protection as he had Harry. That cheered Draco up.

He needed it as he felt totally inadequate next to Harry. It did no good to remind himself that Harry had years to train, it still made him anxious to be just as good.

Archery was difficult and frustrating for him but using knives proved to be something he had a natural knack for so they focused more on that. As for martial arts training, he was a long ways from Harry, he realized ruefully, as he nursed the numerous bruises and sore muscles he sported from just a few days practice. But it felt good to be learning other ways to defend himself. Though he did have a better grasp on magical spells and flying a broom compared to his peers, he wasn't as strong physically. Working with Harry would ensure he would be very soon.

~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~

New Year's arrived swiftly and soon it would be time for the two to return to the real world. Draco found he dreaded this most of all. How were they supposed to appear as if they'd been kidnapped?

Snape was just as concerned but all his questions were deftly diverted into other subjects. The only thing he got from Hagrid was not to worry. When the time came they would have legitimate injuries and an explanation as to what had happened to them.

Well time was up!

After a wonderful but calm, New Year's Eve and another fabulous dinner and wizarding fireworks display, the morning after brought anxiety and the time for the final guests to leave, even Harry, who needed to catch the train to return to Hogwarts for school starting the next day.

Agatha provided a large breakfast for all then handed Snape, Draco, and Harry a package. Snape and Draco's package resembled a pack of crumbled and dry crisps. They stared at her in puzzlement.

She smiled in amusement. "When you're home and alone, only then whisper Engordo. It's a variation of the engorgement and restoring charm. It will return my surprise to its original form but for now, it will appear as something you might have been given as a joke by your captors. Also, Rubeus will be the one to carry your presents and belongings to Hogwarts for you."

"How ingenious!" Snape said in admiration. "Thank you for having us. It was a wonderful holiday, we won't soon forget.

"You are most welcome, Severus...Draco. I hope in the future we may do this again. In the meantime, do keep each other safe."

"We will try, Agatha," Snape said. Draco hugged the half giant tightly and whispered his own thanks. Then the two said farewell to all those who were seeing them off, including Harry. Oddly Hagrid was missing from the group as was Magorian and his centaurs.

"So what are your plans for returning us?" Snape asked Agatha.

"Aahh...as to that, only Rubeus can answer. He's waiting for you both in the barn. Safe journey to you both," she said warmly though her eyes were sad.

Harry gave Draco a warm hug as well. "See you at Hogwarts later tonight or tomorrow morning in case you're both detained by the aurors for questioning. Don't worry, everything will work out fine."

"I hope so. Later then," Draco said, afraid but working hard not to show it. He pulled away and went to Snape's side. They both traded worried looks but said nothing as they waved goodbye to everyone then, wearing only the clothing they'd arrived in, turned and headed for the barn.

~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~

Stepping through the open barn door, they were greeted by Hagrid, Magorian, Firenze, Ronan, and surprisingly, Gringott, the goblin.

"Alright then, here's where we have to make yeu look like yeu spent a lot of time in rough quarters. Sorry for the pain yere about to suffer but I know Madame Pomphrey will fix yeu right up," Hagrid said, grimly.

"First, though..." Gringott spoke in his gravely voice, "...we have a demand letter for you to take with you. The elders have thought long and hard about this and they feel it is time for wizards to know how we of the forest feel about their war and our part in it. We don't expect anything to come of it but at least they can't say we didn't warn them."

Snape's eyebrows rose in surprise. "I thought you all wanted to remain hidden and unknown. Why would you desire giving wizarding kind a warning?"

"One is to cover your time away and two, if the plan to get rid of Voldemort is successful, then we need to insure our wishes be known when Harry begins his campaign to educate them on muggles. All of us know, the boy won't wait until he's older to begin changing the world so we thought it best to jump aboard in the beginning," Gringott explained.

Snape found himself nodding halfway through the goblin's explanation. "Sound reasoning and you're right. He'll start the moment he thinks the time is right. But that won't save me from what I face with the Death Eaters."

Hagrid gave him a bleak smile and responded, "Yere right Severus. That's why Ronan will be taking yeu to the gates of Riddle Manor where we have spied the dregs of Voldemort's minions. As I'm sure yeu know, not many of the smart ones are left so yeu shouldn't have too much difficulty convincing them about yere whereabouts. Since yeu are considered one of Voldemort's favorites, what yeu say should be believed. I would suggest yeu tell them we want nothing to do with them and that yeu serve as an object lesson as to what will be done if they enter our woods. I'm sorry yeu'll have to be roughed up much more severely than Draco, though for yere ruse to work."

"Do not be concerned. I have suffered far worse. But it must be thorough or they won't believe it. They are rather stupid you know," Snape warned with a grim smile.

"Not to worry, it will be," Hagrid said equally grim. He gave Snape a warm handshake. "I am glad we were able to ease yere burden even for a little while."

Snape returned the shake. "Thank you for having me. I truly enjoyed it. Now let's get this over with."

"As yeu wish." Hagrid went to the boy and looked down at him with warm and sympathetic eyes. "It grieves me to do this to yeu, young fella but tis necessary."

Draco swallowed his fear and stared up at Hagrid bravely. "I know sir. Do what you have to. I too enjoyed my stay. Thank you for giving me back the joy of the season. I will cherish it always."

Hagrid smiled, hugged the boy, put a rolled scroll into his shirt then stepped back. "Ready yourselves!" He barked suddenly.

With that as the only warning, wandless magic was used to rip and tear at Snape and Draco. Draco gasped and cried out at the sudden pain that seemed to strike him everywhere but did his best to withstand the attack meant to help him.

It was grueling and nasty but fast. When the attack stopped, Draco sported bruises, cuts, a dirty body, leaves and grass in his filthy hair, rope burns and sores on his wrists and ankles, and a black eye. His clothing was barely covering his body and was ripped, torn, and filthy with blood, dirt and the smell of smoke.

Snape looked far worse. His face looked like a raccoon with twin black eyes, a serious cut above one eyebrow, a dirty face and hair, multiple bruises, and the same rope burns as Draco. Drag marks could be seen on his back and legs, the clothing there nearly stripped off him. They had made it appear as if he'd been dragged over the ground.

Staring down at himself, Snape nodded but felt something more was needed. Talking through a fat lip that was slowly bleeding, he said, "I will have to have a broken ankle to explain why I didn't try to run."

Hagrid winced but nodded and made a gesture. A loud snap filled the air and Snape gasped, dropping hard to the ground, his ankle at an unnatural angle. Draco quickly went to his side in concern. But Snape shook him off. Hissing in pain, he managed to grit out, "It's alright, Draco. I'll be fine." He looked up at Hagrid who had come to stand over him. "Thank you, that will do." The half giant nodded, his face grim.

"Come on, Draco. Time for yeu to leave." Hagrid announced, picking Draco up like a sack of flour into his huge arms then carrying him toward the waiting centaur, Firenze. Before he was hoisted up on the centaur's back, Draco's legs and ankles were suddenly tied up with ropes then he was tied to the centaur to prevent him from falling off.

Moving to the boy's face, Hagrid leaned down and said, "I'll be there waiting for yeu at Hogwarts. Since no one can approach a centaur unless they allow it, I'll be the one doing that." Draco sighed in relief and nodded though it was awkward from his upside down position.

Without further words, the centaur headed out the open door and immediately began running toward the forest at a brisk clip. Poor Draco had to keep his mouth clamped shut or suffer his teeth being painfully bounced together, possibly chipping some of them or cutting his lip though that might be a good idea. The hard bouncing was already making his chest hurt and he could feel the cold biting into him. He was certain he would be frozen by the time he got to Hogwarts.

Behind him, Snape was receiving the same treatment as he was placed on Ronan and tied in place. So he wouldn't suffer needlessly, Hagrid tightly wrapped Snape's ankle that he had realigned then tucked another scroll into the man's torn shirt, tying it to a piece of shirt to insure it wouldn't fall out. Magorian would remove it when they arrived at their destination, for he would lead the way to Riddle Manor with several other centaurs as guards.

As soon as Snape was secured, the pair of centaurs took off in the opposite direction of Draco.

"I'm sorry they had to suffer pain. It had been such a wonderful holiday. To end it in such a manner seems obscene," Harry murmured, having come up behind Hagrid while he was putting Snape aboard Ronan.

Hagrid looked down at his foster son and gently ruffled the boy's hair. "Aye, it is but they have their memories and all their hurts will be healed quickly enough unlike poor muggles who have to suffer weeks of pain while they heal."

"That's true. We are lucky that way," Harry agreed.

"Ye best be off, me lad. Don't want to keep Darius waiting," Hagrid said, lightly.

"I know...just wanted to give you a last minute hug before leaving," Harry said, smiling. Hagrid lifted the boy into his arms so he could hug the half giant's neck. "Love you!"

"Love yeu back," Hagrid murmured warmly then put Harry down. The boy ran off to meet Thiralon, the Hippogriff, waiting near the lake's edge. The creature would fly Harry to the edge of the forest where Darius was waiting for him to take him to London in his car. Wine was tucked into his shirt and his trunk was shrunk and tucked into a pocket of his clothing along with the package his mum had given him. Flying overhead was Hedwig who hooted once then flew off. She would meet him at the train station where she would get in her cage for the ride to Hogwarts.