Sorry for delay.
Things happened I had no control over that made me depressed and retreat into my shell.
But we're not here for that.
Please enjoy the next chapter. Mistakes are mine and mine alone.
Chapter 15.
Panic coursed through Draco's body. What was he going to do? He was in the heart of the lions den with no way out.
"Fear not, little dragon." The dragon in the painting jerked its head towards the depths of the caves. " Hide behind me. And what ever happens...DO NOT interfere..."
Draco grabbed his bag. Quickly crawling forward he saw that the gap between the picture and the wall was big enough to hide him. The voices were getting louder by the second. Making a face at the state his trousers were going to be in afterwards, Draco huffed and squeezed into the small gap.
"...Well? Have you managed to find it?" Ginny's voice was loud in the empty corridor.
"You've got to give me time, Gin." Said a male voice, that was not Harry.
Ginny shifted where she stood. "We've been over this, Carter. I don't have time. People are noticing that Harry's not the same. He's showing signs of resisting the potion. The potion's effects are wearing off faster than I can brew it. For my plan to work. I need him on side...For now."
Not Harry-Carter- huffed through his nose, "I'm just saying we need to be more careful. That cranky, old Care-taker nearly caught me the other afternoon breaking into his office. And Dumbledore's been giving me looks. He knows it was us who broke into Snape's stores before Christmas. Are you sure the quill's here?"
All this for a quill? Intrigued, Draco shuffled forward just a little bit. In the shadow of the painting he could make out two sets of legs stopping at the door. The dragon shifted on its perch causing some loose rocks to move. At the sound Ginny turned from the door to face the painting.
"How, in Merlin's beard, did you manage to loosen your cover? Again?" The dragon growled deeply. Ginny came closer, reaching down to retrieved the cloth from the floor. "We'll just cover you up,hmm..?" The dragon let loose a roar that Draco could feel through the canvas.
"I don't see why you need to cover him," said Carter. "It's just an old picture." Draco frowned hearing the new-comer and shuffled forward so he could see.
A boy, in Hufflepuff robes, was leaning against the door-frame of the newly- weds quarters. Draco's eyes widened as he caught a glimpse of his face...
...It was Harry. Or a dead ringer for him. The boys' hair was a lighter shade, more brown than black. His eyes were a dark blue to Harry's own green, his face was a little more rounded and obviously he was missing the famous scar, but a part from that, it was Harry standing there in Hufflepuff colours.
Ginny turned away from the painting, folding her arms, "You know why. This...mangy thing," She kicked the frame of the painting, the dragon snarled in return, "has heard all of our talks over the last few months. It could rat us out. It could ruin everything. Everything!"
"So we'll find a way to destroy it for good. Dump it into the Black Lake or something." Carter stepped forward resting a comforting hand on her shoulder and squeezing. "Don't get yourself into a state,Gin. You know I don't like seeing you unhappy."
Ginny sniffed, "I'm unhappy because my so-called husband doesn't care about me. I've told him time and again we don't need to stay here anymore to finish our schooling. Harry has more than enough money to make sure I'm settled comfortably with a nice big house, a rose garden, all the newest fashions and a guarantee of being first reserve for a Quidditch team of my choice. Once I'm perfectly happy then Harry can do whatever he wants. He can go off and defeat You-Know-Who for all I care."
"Are you sure you want that? I mean...If Potter doesn't survive, you'll be all alone."
Ginny thought about it for second before answering, "Yes...It will be hard for the first couple of years. All alone in a big empty house with loads of money as my only companion." A sigh. "I'll have to play the grieving widow for a while. But I'm sure, given time, someone else will come along to help me love again." She lifted up onto her tip-toes, her arms going around Carter's neck, her face inches from his, "Can you think of anyone?"
Carter's hands journeyed lower to rest on the red-heads waist, drawing her close. "I think so."
A smirk from the red-head, "Oh? And that would be?"
The Hufflepuff closed the gap, "Me."
From his hiding place, Draco watched in horror as Ginny and her secret boyfriend exchange kisses before opening the door and hurrying inside. He caught a glimpse of the wood shimmering before a wave of magic spread through-out the whole corridor.
With a magical ward in place alerting Ginny to any enemies that stumbled into the hallway, Draco figured he was going no-where for the time being. With a frown he shuffled back into the shadows, as far as he could go, curling up into a ball and resting his head on his knees.
The charm around his neck grew warm and the area around him went fuzzy...
When Draco opened his eyes again the light had dimmed some-what. Had he spent the whole morning behind a stupid painting? With a soft groan he tried to work out the cramp in his legs when he heard soft footfalls approaching. He held his breath, waiting for the alarms to sound and the She-Weasel to storm out, screaming her head off.
But nothing happened.
"So this is where you're hiding, old friend." Said a new voice. Another male voice. "I was worried so I came looking. Why did you not answer me?"
A light rustle was heard as the cloth was pulled off the picture again. The dragon yawned before answering, "It was not my intention to disobey you, young warlock. If I had safe passage between here and there then I would have gladly joined you at your retreat."
"It was not safe? Why are you out here and not inside? What happened, Kilgharrah?"
"The young witch happened." Snarled the dragon, "I did what you asked : Made sure I was placed in the boys' room. I kept an eye on him when I could. But I could do nothing to stop the witches' temper. The boy's her target when things do not go to plan."
The visitors eyes narrowed dangerously, "Go on."
The dragon sniffed and looked away,"Many times I have heard her delightful tones though the wooden barrier. The most recent involved getting joint access to the boy's vault. He refused ,on the grounds he did not know how it was done. She screamed at him ,there came a loud thud, followed by a shout of pain." Yellow eyes turned back, full of sorrow." It turned out she'd hit him across the face with a heavy book. His nose ran like a red river and she did nothing, just left him on the floor while she headed off to play."
The visitor clenched his fists, glaring at the warded door. "If I'd known how bad it was going to be I would never had gone through with it. My counter-curse should have worked but I was blocked. It was powerful ancient magic, and that is worrying." A sigh and then the sound of a body hitting the floor. "I need to figure this out and fast. You'll help me, won't you old friend?" The dragon bowed its head. "Thanks." Another glance at the door. "Well...I have a few moments before I'm detected. Tell me everything. Leave nothing out."
The dragon sighed deeply, "You will not like it."
"I'll be the judge of that. Go on, Kilgharrah."
Kilgharrah looked him square in the eyes, before drawing himself up to his full height. "Very well...In brewing a powerful love potion, to make the Potter boy completely dependant on her, the young witch improvised many of the ingredients and as a result has been slowly poisoning him. She wants the fame and riches that go with his name. Nothing more, nothing less. She's discovered she needs two things for this to happen. One is the boys' blood, which she has thanks to the constant beatings, and the other is a rare and dangerous item, thought lost during the dark times of Uther Pendragon's reign. Only two are left. You have one sealed in your vault over-seas, the other..."
"No..."
Yellow eyes narrowed, "Yes, young one. The last Forgers Quill is here in the castle. You must find and destroy it before it falls into her hands, or Harry Potter will die."
"I cannot let that happen. There's too much a stake. Argh! Think, Dollop-head, think!" A beat and then..."You said it's a love spell..."
"I did, young warlock." The dragon replied, waiting to see where this was going.
"This is great! It's a good ,old fashion, love spell. One with a good ,old fashion counter-charm." A grin. "Love's first kiss."
Behind the painting Draco's eyes widened.
"Ahh... Well, there are many young maidens..."
"Oh no...I don't think a maiden will do. I'm pretty sure Harry's heart lies with someone else." Draco felt his cheeks heat up. Surely they couldn't mean..? The new-comer felt a shift in the magical bubble around them. A knowing smirk appeared on his face, "May I try something?" Blue eyes flickered to the edge of Kilgharrah's painting.
Kilgharrah, eyes following to the edge of his painting ,returned the smirk with a bow of his head. "Of course, young warlock."
Draco felt the magic in the air shift before 'Warlock' spoke."...O Draca. Fer Draca cume ."
Draco felt his muscles move with-out his permission. To his horror he found himself crawling out of his hiding place. He closed his eyes, expecting to hear screeching, but when none was forthcoming he opening them again and found himself staring into sea-blue eyes that crinkled with amusement.
"Hello. You're probably wondering how I was able to do that." Draco nodded dumbly. "Well first off, I didn't use an Unforgivable on you, I would never do that. Ever." Draco relaxed a little. "I'll let you into a little secret..." They leaned closer, travel cloak getting dusty on the stone floor and whispered, "I'm a Dragon Lord." He put a finger to his lips and grinned. "Neat,huh?" Another nod from fair-haired wizard. 'Warlock' cocked his head a little and hummed, "So...little dragon, why are you not in class?"
"I...I took a wrong turn?" 'Warlock' raised a brow. Draco sighed, shoulders slumping. "Fine. I was worried about Potter. Happy?"
'Warlock' smiled. "See? That wasn't hard. Was it?"
"No...How..?"
A shrug, "I told you. I'm a Dragon Lord. I can speak to dragons. Any form of dragons, really...From the Chinese Fireball to Wyverns, to even,paintings." A gentle nod to the old dragon perching on his rocks. "I command, you follow. Simple."
"I don't like it. What if you're bad, you could command me to hurt my nearest and dearest. I tell you now, I won't kill."
'Warlock' frowned, "I wouldn't dream of it! That's not what I'm about...Hold on a minute! We're getting off track. I'm here to help."
"Really?"
"Yes! I'm here to see Dumbledore..." A look passed his face, he glanced at the locked door. "I'm running out of time. My magic can't hold off the wards for long. I need to get moving and YOU need to find Mr Potter."
"Why?"
A sneaky grin, " This love spell is not going to break itself." Draco nibbled his lower lip, a flush creeping up his cheeks. "It's alright, little dragon. I have it on good authority your advances won't be rejected." 'Warlock' made a shooing gesture. "Off you go now."
Draco nodded, feeling the old dragon magic making his limbs move on their own. He was about to leave when he asked: " Do you know where Harry is hiding?"
'Warlock' looked thoughtful, finger tapping his chin before he grinned and nodded, "Whenever I skipped on my chores I would go to the local Tavern-" Kilgharrah snorted into his wing, 'Warlock' frowned at him. "However...seeing as there are no such places within Hogwarts' walls, I suggest the nearest alternative. Say...the kitchens..?" Draco nodded, turned and headed back down the corridor.
'Warlock' titled his head watching the retreating form of the young dragon. "You know...we might be able to pull this off. Funny how history repeats itself. 'two sides of the same coin, coming together for a common cause'."
Kilgharrah was surprised, "You remembered. I'm touched, young warlock."
"Of course. I'm not that..." A shake of the head, "No...Mustn't get side-tracked. Where was I? Oh yes!" A clap of hands, "Right! Well then, can't sit about here all day. Must be off. Things to do." A groan and a cracking of knees. "Ooh...I'm old. Do you mind if..?"
"Of course not. Who am I to refuse a Dragon-Lord?"
"Thank-you, old friend. Dumbledore's expecting me. Can't be late!"
When Draco chanced a glance back he found no sign of 'Warlock' and the dragon's painting was empty save for a small light waving in the distance. Shaking his head in bemusement, the fair-haired teen hurried towards the kitchens.
Thank-you for reading. xx
( "...O Draca. Fer Draca cume ." - possible meaning 'oh dragon. come here dragon.' )
