Chapter 40 – When you thought things couldn't get worse …
Over the past month that Harry had been working for and with the Elven Council, it had become a common sight to see both Harry and Draco at the table surrounded by what can only be called an avalanche of paperwork. It had, in fact, become a bit of a game for the other inhabitants to try to remove something from the table without being hit by one of the multiple small throwable items that were always in reach. Not surprisingly, after Blaise was stupid enough to take one of the completed medical files thing it was empty, everyone had a new – and very real – reason to fear the dark.
Today, however, the table was empty and neither of them were in the room.
"You don't think they got lost, do you?" Sirius asked worriedly.
Everyone who heard him turned their heads to look at him incredulously.
"Sirius," Remus eventually sighed, "they have each walked to these rooms often enough to be able to find their way in their sleep. It is highly unlikely that they both forgot how to get here."
"Not to mention Harry would just shadow them here if that were the case," Hermione stated as Sirius opened his mouth to respond.
To everyone's amusement, Sirius' jaw snapped shut at her announcement and silence once again prevailed in the room.
Several minutes passed and Sirius had once again opened his mouth, only to be interrupted by the door opening and one of the missing teens walking in looking exhausted.
"Where in the world have you been?" Sirius exploded before the door managed to close. "Do you have any idea what time it is?"
"Last I checked it was half past five," Draco drawled as he removed his tie and placed it on his bag, "and that was as I was leaving the Headmaster's office – where I have been since after my last lesson today."
"I guess that means you don't know where Harry is then," Remus sighed as he rubbed his eyes.
Draco looked at the table and back to Remus in confusion.
"What on Earth are you talking about?" he asked. "Harry is on the table."
Sirius spun around then sent a glare at Draco.
"That isn't funny," he growled. "Something could be wrong with him and here you are making jokes."
Draco rolled his eyes in exasperation and walked over to the table, ignoring the rant Sirius had worked himself into in favour of dipping his finger into the black fruit bowl that was in the middle of the table.
Remus and Hermione blinked in surprise.
"Wasn't the fruit dish clear glass at lunch time?" Blaise asked in confusion.
"It was …" Remus agreed causing everyone to look at the item in question.
Once again Draco stuck his finger into the bowl, only for a single black paw to follow it out, playfully batting at it. Draco murmured something so softly that no one heard what he said but after a few seconds wait, a small black head topped with familiar ears appeared over the bowl's rim until a pair of green eyes were peering at the small gathering at the entrance.
Blaise, Hermione, Remus, Severus and Sirius watched incredulously as Draco scratched the head with the tip of his finger. The feline stood up and stretched, revealing a once again clear glass bowl.
"You mean that he was there the entire time?" Severus moaned in annoyance. "Why didn't he say anything?"
"He wouldn't have heard you," Draco explained. "Because he isn't going to be available tomorrow even though it is supposed to be his day free from the Elven Council, he was up until late last night and early this morning seeing to those individuals that want him to do a thorough physical on them. I put silencing charms on the bowl when I looked up to see him asleep in it."
"Wait, wait, wait, wait!" Sirius exclaimed waving his hands around his head frantically. "What do you mean he isn't going to be available? You aren't going to try keeping him from his family, are you?"
"Sirius," Draco sighed, "sometimes I really worry about you. It would be impossible for me to keep him from his family unless I don't want to see my family as well. To refresh your old man memory, he and I have to go to the Ministry to sort out the Weasley issue."
Sirius calmed down and smiled sheepishly.
"I guess I overreacted a touch, huh?" he asked.
"If that was you over reacting by a touch," Severus drawled, "I would hate to see you in a complete panic."
"I thought everyone knew Siri was a drama queen," Harry mumbled sleepily.
"We did," Remus stated with a smirk at his best friend, "we just weren't expecting him to go so far so fast."
"We should probably start keeping an eye on his sugar intake," Hermione added with a soft frown.
"Sounds good," Harry mumbled, snuggling into Draco's side. "We'll start planning his meal plan after I get …"
Everyone, including the still somewhat pouting Sirius, chuckled as they realised that Harry had once again fallen asleep.
"I've never seen him this tired before now," Hermione murmured as she watched her brother snuggle into his mate.
"He probably never has been," Blaise responded. "Mother said that he hasn't missed a single appointment with her and spends a fair amount of time with the girls on top of working with the Elven Council."
"He had been doing a large amount of paperwork as well," Remus mentioned with a thoughtful frown. "Not all of it to do with the patients he has, or is, seeing."
"He mentioned that the Guild Heads were sending him some things to go through for when the Elven Council start their investigations," Draco said as he rubbed small circles on Harry's back.
"Speaking of which," an unexpected voice said, making them jump and Harry to wake with a hiss.
Albus laughed at the unamused looks he was getting from the room's occupants as he made his way further into he room.
"I apologies for having woken you in such a manor, my dear boy," he said to Harry as he sat at a random seat. "I just received the most unusual missive delivered by the most amusing creature I've yet to come across."
"And I apologise for how I reacted," Harry responded, rubbing his eyes. "I'm afraid I've not been sleeping much the past few days."
"So I've heard," Albus soothed. "If the problem is in the furniture, tell me and I will change it to something better suited."
"Thank you for the offer, but the furniture is more than acceptable," Harry smiled. "I just have a lot running through my mind. I'm also trying to not be too annoying by demanding kittens."
Draco, who had been drinking at that moment, inhaled and started to cough as soon as the liquid touched his lungs.
"I don't think he was expecting that Sweetie," Hermione laughed.
"Wasn't the point of those potions Evangeline requested Sev make to stop that?" Sirius asked.
"They just stop the fertility of the recipient," Hermione stated, "hence why we have been free from hormones the last month. They do nothing for the desire."
To the amusement of everyone present, Sirius had covered his ears and closed his eyes and they could hear him chanting something about innocence to himself.
"What was the message you received Headmaster?" Draco asked.
"Oh yes!" Albus exclaimed with a clap of his hands, "forgive my wondering attention, dear boy."
He looked at Harry and smiled.
"Miss Evangeline wishes to convey that you have finished as Healer so have the next two weeks free to prepare for the beginning of the investigations. She also wishes you well tomorrow and requests your presence for lunch in a few days."
"Thank you for playing messenger for her," Harry replied. "I will write a reply after the evening meal. I have a rather strong craving for fish right now."
With that said, both Harry and Hermione vanished from the room: supposedly for the kitchen
~~~ineednewwintersocks~~~
Draco looked around the room he and Harry had been led into with annoyance. There were no windows and nothing provided for their entertainment during their wait. Thankfully, whoever had the smart idea to put them in here had provided a chaperone that wasn't a Dominant.
"How much of our book do we have to go before it is finished?" Harry asked out of the blue.
"We have half the book left," Draco responded in confusion. "Why?"
"I guess it is too soon to discuss which one we will read next, huh?" Harry pouted.
Draco chuckled and moved until he was kneeling in front of Harry's chair.
"Are you bored with the book we are reading now?" he teased.
"Of course not," Harry smiled. "The one we are reading is interesting for what it is. You just seem a little anxious for some reason so I thought getting you to focus on something else would help."
Draco smiled lovingly at the younger boy and placed a hand on Harry's cheek.
"You would be right on both counts Beloved," he responded. "I do not appreciate how we were just dumped into this glorified holding cell as if we were criminals when I know neither of us have done anything wrong. There is also the fact we should have been in there already -or someone should have come in to explain what is happening concerning us."
"I know Draco," Harry soothed. "I'm familiar with how these things should go, but you have to give them some slack: Those running this place are human, after all, and we both know that humans are a little slow when it comes to how things are supposed to be done. They don't have the same beginnings as we do, nor do they have the time – or the inclination in most cases – to improve their relationship with magic."
Draco chuckled at his mate's words and rose to his feet. He closed his eyes, inhaled deeply and, for the first time in a long while he opened himself completely to the magic surrounding him. Snapping his eyes open, he gazed down at Harry with eyes the colour of mercury.
"May I?" he asked, holding out his hand.
Harry smiled and place his hand in Draco's. As he was pulled to his feet, Harry too opened himself to the magic surrounding them and allowed himself to be pulled into an innocent – yet tender – dance guided by the melody of magic itself.
~~~I'masap~~~
In a room attached to the one Harry, Draco and their 'guard' were being held, stood a red-faced spluttering man, several people of non-descript sex in Ministry garb and a team of four individuals of various creature inheritances who all wore the same insignia on their cloaks.
"They have you there, Minister Fudge," the smallest of the group stated in a voice that sounded like small chimes in the wind. "They are being treated as though they are criminals – all because the red-haired females who put forth the accusation have not yet arrived."
"It isn't as though they need to be present for proceedings to begin," another rumbled from deep in his chest. Compared to the previous speaker, he was a giant built on strong, sturdy lines. "We all know that this was a farce anyway. The name "Weasley" always makes anyone who knows of a submissive feel like locking them in as secure a place as can be found."
"One, that is not how we do things here," the Minister bumbled, "and two, that is a female from a respectable family you are talking about."
"If they are so respectable," the first Council member to speak asked, "then why are they not here?"
"Maybe an Auror should go see if they are alright," one of the cloaked wizards suggested.
"Actually," the smooth voice of what seemed to be the youngest Council member sounded, "since this concerns one of ours, we will do this our way."
"Which means," the second Councilman continued in his deep growl, "that we take the process to them. You may come, of course, but we now have the only say in what happens since your system has failed three times already."
While Cornelius was spluttering unintelligently, one of the council members vanished and reappeared soon after with an unamused vampire and a softly giggling demon.
"Before anything, I want introductions," Draco snarled, "so I know who I will be warning the Clans of disrespecting court etiquette. I will go first, shall I? I am Draco, Heir of the Malfoy Clan and a Dominant Vampire."
"Harry James," Harry said shyly from beside his mate, "submissive shadow-cat demon: son of James Potter and Lily Potter nee Evans."
"I am Zelenia," the smallest of the group introduced herself in her chime-like voice, "Half pixie and in a wonderful triad."
"Alastair," the largest member rumbled. "Gargoyle and sexless."
"Ezra," the only Council member that hadn't spoken stated softly, "Mated submissive fae."
"I am Sephtis," the smooth-talker stated with a respectful bow. "incubus and happily mated to Ezra. The red-faced spluttering male is the so-called Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge. The other five are unknown to us so we simply call them A, B C, D and E."
Harry giggled and bowed in the direction of the older individuals as Draco watched them all with narrow eyes.
"It is lovely to meet you," Harry stated, "Please excuse Draco, he doesn't like that we are going to the house of someone who tried to take me from him."
As if agreeing with the younger male, Draco growled possessively, causing Harry to giggle once more.
"Let's do this then," Zelenia stated.
"Before we go," Ezra spoke, "I must ask … Young Harry, you are a healer correct?"
"I am," he replied without hesitation.
"Do you swear to do your best if you have to heal Miss Weasley?"
Harry sent her a look so scathing that she stepped closer to her mate for comfort.
"I am a Master Healer," he bit out, "apprenticed by Lady Evangeline herself. I vowed that anyone who came to me while injured – mentally, physically or emotionally – would be treated. I am NOT going to break my vow over a female that not even Harpy's would want to be associated with."
"And if she tries anything, I will break her arm," Draco said with an undercurrent of happiness. "It isn't as though Harry can't fix it for her afterwards."
"Now see here!" Cornelius spluttered. "You can't just …"
He went quiet at the glare he received from those present.
"This," Harry stated as he turned to Draco, "is another point against any of our kittens attending any school in this country. The would be better off home schooled."
"Come now; surely schools here aren't too bad," one of the Wizengamot members stated, revealing they were female.
"That one is 'C'," Sephtis stage-whispered as Harry opened his mouth.
"The very first thing to happen when I arrived at the school Draco is attending was a male student announcing his intent to claim me as his, even though I was not his to claim."
"In front of the entire school, myself included," Draco growled, pulling Harry to his chest.
Harry relaxed into Draco's hold and nuzzled his shoulder soothingly.
"Then, some un-educated female tried to claim Draco as hers AFTER the headmaster, Potions Master and both my uncles announced our mateship, up-coming bonding and explained – in detail with references – acceptable and non-acceptable behaviours towards both him as a courting dominant and myself as a courted-yet-unclaimed underaged submissive. They even handed out leaflets that the Librarian created on the current Laws and Rights of Creature Matings."
Harry paused and used his shadow to get a drink for both him and Draco, making the humans flush at the reminder of yet another thing they had neglected to provide.
"Said female then proceeded to lie about not getting an information booklet to read before attending the school," Draco sneered softly as he remembered the girl, "which almost resulted in the Deputy Headmistress in getting investigated for dereliction of duty only for the girl to admit that she may have got the information but neglected to read it."
"Then," Harry continued, "there is the fact this school does not hold specialty classes for those who are more promiscuous than their peers."
"You can't expect us to believe you agree with that practice!" another voice exclaimed.
Harry glared at the speaker, only just registering the murmured 'A' from Sephtis, who was thoroughly enjoying himself.
"Of course, I do," he bit out coldly, "I would rather my kittens keep their dignity and become properly trained in the art of seduction and work in a clean, safe environment until they find a person who can keep up with them, than have them be bent over the closest horizontal surface while everyone in the office has a go at them."
Harry turned his glare at the Minister who was spluttering out denials at his words.
"I'm not stupid," Harry said coldly. "I am a submissive and a Master Healer on top of that; I know what happens if someone isn't trained for a position form a young age. My first year of apprenticeship was spent dealing with European witches and wizards who became the office stress relief when the boss discovered they had been sexually active during school and assumed that was the job they were there for. Now, are we going to sort this waste of time out, or do the Ministry employees wish to make even bigger idiots of themselves?"
"I know the place," Alistair stated as he placed a hand on the heads of two of the humans that had yet to speak, "just follow my signature."
Almost immediately, he and his 'volunteers' vanished.
With a shrug each, the remaining individuals with creature heritage grabbed one of the remaining humans and vanished in their individual forms of instant transportation. At the other end, Harry was quick to check on the passengers – who were all dry-retching from the foreign forms of travelling. When he was finished ensuring they were suffering nothing but a bout of travel sickness, his attention turned to the run-down, lop-sided hodgepodge building they had arrived before and his nose wrinkled in disgust.
"Figures you would be one of those high-maintenance submissives'," one of the ministry workers who had yet to speak scoffed. "What's the matter? The lack of golden edging making you uncomfortable?"
"I was raised in an orphanage," Harry replied, distractedly, "so gold edging would make me more uncomfortable. The air here is full of pain, fear and blood – both old and new."
Harry's ears perked up at the same time the others with advance hearing tilted their heads and, before any of them could react, both Harry and Ezra ran for the house: The others, led by Draco and Sephtis, close behind. Without slowing or consulting with the other, both submissives gathered their magic and proceeded to destroy the front door.
As one being they ran through the house, ignoring the spluttering Minister as he tried telling them they were going to be arrested for this. They stopped before a door that had a heavy lock on it. Before they could do anything drastic: such as blow up this door as well, Alastair reached between them and grasped the lock, causing it to fall apart in his hand.
Without thanking the massive being, they ran into the room without hesitation while everyone else gathered at the doorway and gaped at what lay before their eyes.
"A respectable family, huh?" Draco stated with an odd gleam in his eyes and steal in his voice.
