DISCLAIMER: Harry Potter and all other characters and locations belong to J. K. Rowling.

Chapter Twenty-Two - Secrets and Deals

Draco reached out a hand and steadied himself as his feet slammed into the hard marble floor, one slender eyebrow arching as he glanced around the foyar of Malfoy Manor. Straightening his cloak with a flick of his wrist, he turned to stare at his father's retreating back.

"I thought I was going to Durmstrang," he stated calmly, rolling his eyes and gliding after the older wizard. He passed silently down the hall in Lucius' wake, a trail of dried mud and grass marking the path he took. Somewhere within the sprawling house, a clock began to chime the time away, each gong reverberating through the thick stone.

Lucius flicked a passive look over his shoulder, his hand tightening on the head of the silver cane he carried. "I lied." He returned, sweeping into his office and heading toward the massive desk that occupied one entire corner of the room. The traveling cloak he wore was tossed thoughtlessly onto one of the chairs sitting before the fire as he stalked by, the dark cloth sliding over the back to pool on the seat.

"You believe you're capable of teaching of teaching me?" Draco asked in amusement, flopping gracefully into one of the tall chairs across from his father's desk. Arching both his eyebrows, he swung his heels up onto the dark wood and clasped his hands together. "Did mother talk you into this?"

Frowning, Lucius pulled out the bottom drawer of his desk and removed the bottle of Fire Whiskey he kept hidden there. Plonking it down on the dark wood, he glared at his son. "Where is the flute?"

"My flute? Why, I suppose it's in my trunk." Draco murmured innocently, watching as his father poured a snifter of the liquor. Around his neck, the silver chain containing the Dragon's Maw seemed to grow heavier, as if trying to remind him of its presence.

"Don't be smart with me, boy." Lucius hissed, wrapping his long fingers around the small glass and taking a cautious sip of the whiskey. He arched an eyebrow and glanced at the small clock hanging above the fire before slumping deeper into the comfortable chair. "The flute that was in the little room on the third floor."

"You mean this flute?" Draco queried, hooking a finger through the silver chain and pulling it out from under his Quidditch jersey. At the apex of the metal, the golden ring and the miniature flute swung back and forth, clinking gently together. Releasing the necklace, he leaned back in the chair and studied his father's relieved features. "How did you come to be in possession of the Dragon's Maw?"

"That flute has been passed down through seven generations of Malfoys, each heir holding and playing the instrument in hopes that the Mage Dragons would return." Lucius murmured into his glass of whiskey. A tiny smirk played across his face and he lifted the alcohol in a toast. "To you, Draco, summoner of the last clan of Mage Dragons."

"Why was it so important that the dragons be called back?" Questioned Draco, his fingers closing around the flute. The tiny bumps and ridges of the keys bit lightly at the pads of his fingers, making him jump slightly and drop the instrument.

"Something about correcting a mistake. The real reason was lost long ago, every generation after Reginald Malfoy was more interested in the power that the Mage Dragons would bring when they returned. They're an extremely powerful species, every witch and wizard wanted some part of them." Lucius responded after a moment of deep thought. The blond threaded his fingers through his long tangle of hair and tugged gently on it, peering at his son. "Have you tried to command them?"

It was that question that gave away his father's reason for wanting the flute. Smiling sweetly, Draco lifted one shoulder and tipped his head to the side. "I called them, didn't I? That guarantees me a certain level of power over them." His father didn't need to know that Harry was the one who could command them. That would spoil all their fun and ruin the surprise. "Why is it so important that I be able to command them?"

Lucius sighed and rubbed his forehead before swinging his own heels up onto the desk and propping them atop a stack of parchment. "Voldemort learned of the Dragon's Maw through some old tomes; when he found out that our family held it, he told me to bring it to him. He plans on using the dragons to complete his takeover of the wizarding world. No one would expect to be attacked by a clan of magic using dragons."

"That crazy fool actually thinks that the Mages will listen to him?" Throwing back his head, Draco laughed at the shadowed ceiling; the mere thought of the proud and powerful Mage Dragons obeying Voldemort's every command was just to much. Still chortling softly, he cupped his chin and looked over the desk at his father. "Does he know that merely holding the flute won't be enough?"

"He thinks to speak with them using parseltongue," Lucius volunteered, a small smile playing across his face. He swirled the remainder of the whiskey it his glass, watching the amber liquid slosh against the walls of its confines. Eyebrows drawing down, he glanced at his son who was currently studying his nails with a look of distaste. "Did Potter try and communicate with them?"

"Harry said it was like trying to speak duck to a chicken or something like that." Narrowing his eyes to better peer at the dark gunk packed under his nails, the younger blond frowned and shook his head. Straightening in his seat, he pulled his feet from the desk and rose. "If you have no more questions, I'd like to go and get cleaned up."

"I'll see you at dinner in two hours. Your mother will be there as well." Lucius warned, watching his son glide from the room. Sighing heavily, he tipped his head back and closed his eyes.

Draco closed the door of his father's office, stepping away from the dark wood with a relieved sigh. He rolled his shoulders as he strode down the hall, pushing away the tension that had crept upon him while he'd been speaking with his father. His sire would be none to happy when he learned that Draco couldn't completely command the dragons. Oh, they listened to him well enough but it was Harry whose orders they followed. A door opened down the hall and a small house elf came stumbling out, its thin arms quivering beneath the mound of laundry it carried.

He tripped the elf as he passed by, knowing that the little creature would have no idea who its attacker had been, especially since he was supposedly still at Hogwarts. A knowing smirk slid across his face as he walked into his bedroom, slamming the door behind him to announce his return to the manor. In the center of the room, a pile of trunks and books rested, appearing slightly forlorn in the neat and organized chamber.

"Pippy!" He bellowed, setting his hands on his hips. Counting the seconds that passed, he frowned when the elf failed to appear. Gritting his teeth, he stormed into the bathroom that adjoined his bedroom and yanked his clothes off. The soiled clothing landed on the floor, obscuring the silver and green tile pattern that marched around the room. Drawing a deep breath, he screamed for the house elf again before twisting the tap for the tub and clambering into the deep marble basin.

Propping his head on the lip of the bathtub, he peered up at the ceiling as he tangled his fingers in the chain around his neck. He needed to tell Harry what was going on, immediately. Slipping his toes beneath the stream of warm water, he allowed himself to relax. Voldemort hardly knew anything about the Mage Dragons; that might give the raven-haired wizard all the advantage he needed. Silently hoping it was enough, he sunk deeper into the soothing water and closed his eyes.

XxXxX

Harry crashed to his knees and rolled across the hearth of Dumbledore's office, his forehead coming to rest against the wooden leg of a high-backed chair. Closing his eyes, he flipped himself over onto his back and ran his hands over his face. Sliding one of his bright green orbs open, he peered at the ceiling through his spread fingers and grimaced. He'd been back to Hogwarts for half a second and already he needed a trip to the Infirmary.

Green flames whooshed up in the fireplace and Dumbledore appeared, his face set serenely as he lifted his robes and stepped over Harry's prone form. Fawkes trilled in greeting, tilting his shimmering head and fluttering his wings at the older wizard's arrival. Pausing next to the phoenix, the Professor reached out and gave the bird a light pat before continuing to his desk. "Alright, my boy?" He asked, settling into his chair with a sigh of contentment.

"I've been better." Harry replied simply, climbing fluidly to his feet and shaking his long Quidditch cloak out. He peered around the office for a moment before gliding toward the headmaster's desk and dropping into one of the adjacent chairs. Crossing his arms, he slid his fingers along the wand tucked into the top of the Quidditch pants and observed the wizard sitting across from him carefully. "Why did you let Lucius take Draco?"

Dumbledore clasped his hands together and leaned forward, placing his elbows on the top of his desk. "Lucius Malfoy has decided that Draco's future lies at Durmstrang, and as his parent, he has every right to transfer his son where he chooses."

"Do you actually believe that?" Harry demanded, chin jutting out as he gritted his teeth. He fisted his hands in the stained cloth of the cloak, pushing down the urge to jump to his feet and yell and scream over the older wizard's decision. Instead, he took a calming breath and moved his fingers to the arms of the chair, Draco's words floating through his mind.

"I believe that Mister Malfoy has his son's best interests at heart." Dumbledore answered calmly, opening the top drawer of his desk and removing a small silver bowl. He offered the dish of candies to Harry, frowning when the raven-haired youth lifted a hand in silent refusal. "Now, would you care to tell me what happened with those dragons? The last I had heard, Mage Dragons were no longer an existing species."

"They're supposedly the last of their kind." Muttered Harry, his lashes dropping down to cover his eyes as he watched Dumbledore pick through the bowl of coloured candies. "When the hunters came for them, they fled across the ocean. They've been hiding since then, waiting for a call."

"You believe that the Mage Dragons were summoned?" Dumbledore asked in interest, the candy being conveyed to his mouth halting against his lips. A thought seemed to cross his mind, his eyes losing some of their twinkle. "Harry, do you believe that it was Lord Voldemort who summoned the dragons? If their sudden appearance can't be explained or if they're doing his bidding . . . I'm afraid I'll have to call in the Dragon Hunters. Keeping a dozen dangerous dragons of unknown origin alive would be extremely risky."

Harry chuckled and leaned back in the chair, stretching his legs out before him and steepling his fingers. "What would a clan of dragons over five hundred years old know of our war?" Sneering slightly, he crossed his legs at the ankle and tipped his head. "Mage dragons are dangerous only to those who would attempt to harm them; besides, I'm sure Lord Voldemort has nothing of interest to offer them."

"And you do?" Dumbledore asked around the candy he was sucking on. His fingers went back to the dish for another, stirring the brightly coloured spheres absently.

"Of course, my protection." Harry stated, tapping the tips of his fingers together. He hid his smirk behind his hands as the older wizard stilled. "If I were you, Professor, I'd make sure I went straight to the Ministry tomorrow morning and arranged a decree citing the Mage Dragons as a protected species, or something like that."

"I can see you've become quite attached to those dragons over the last few days, my boy, but under Ministry law they're still supposed to be killed on sight." Dumbledore explained, pushing the bowl of candies away and straightening in his chair. Frowning, he looked around the room and scanned the portraits, noticing the nods of agreement the former headmasters were exchanging.

"Well I suggest you get that changed immediately." Harry announced, drawing his legs back under him and rising slowly. Rolling his shoulders in an effort to relieve the tension that had been building in the muscles, he relaxed his body and planted his hands on his hips. "If a single scale on any of those dragons is harmed . . . I'll make Voldemort look like a first year Hufflepuff."

"Now, Harry-"

Harry held his hand up to stop the older wizard's protests, arching a dark brow as he swept his cloak aside and stepped back behind the chair he'd been sitting on. "They're mine. Mine to guard; mine to protect; and mine to love. Should something arise that would threaten their safety, I'll make them vanish. Of course, seeing as they're under my protection, I'll have to go with them."

Dumbledore sighed and nodded, accepting Harry's terms and unsubtle warning. "Good night, my boy." He murmured, running a hand down his beard as he slumped deeper into the large chair he was ensconced within.

Not batting an eyelash at the headmaster's dejected posture, Harry bowed his head. "Good night, Professor." Turning, he marched toward the door on the opposite side of the room, ignoring the slight tinge of guilt he felt for pushing the older wizard into a corner. The door opened before Harry could get to it; a shocked Severus Snape nearly dropping the large bag of parchment and letters he clutched at the sight of the raven-haired wizard.

"Potter!" The Potions Master yelped, arms tightening around the bulging bag. His eyes narrowed to slits as he took in the Gryffindor's disheveled appearance.

"Professor," Harry greeted, sliding around the dark-haired wizard and loping down the steps. Grinning at the soft roar of outrage that followed him down the stairs, he set his course for Gryffindor Tower. The halls and staircases were a confusing maze that had taken him three years to master, the ever-changing decor allowing one to easily become lost.

After arguing with the Fat Lady over the password, Harry was grudgingly allowed to enter the Gryffindor Common Room. He frowned upon finding the usually busy room silent, the fire in the hearth nothing more than ashes. Shrugging his shoulders, he climbed the staircase up to the sixth year dorms and pushed his way into the room he shared with the four others Gryffindor sixth year males.

"Thanks a lot, guys." He muttered, glaring at the heap of dirty clothes and books piled atop his bed, none of which belonged to him. Shaking his head, he shoveled the stuff onto the floor before going to his trunk and withdrawing the bag that held all of his bathroom stuff. Picking through the clean clothes contained within his wardrobe, he withdrew a pair of pair of pants and a soft green shirt.

In the bathroom, he set his stuff on the counter and stared into the mirror. His face was covered in dirt and a grass stain stretched across his chin, making his gleaming eyes appear even brighter. Puzzling over the mark, he shook his head and headed toward the curtained shower stalls. Trying to remember exactly when he'd rubbed his chin all over the ground was pointless, there had just been to many occasions when he'd fallen or been shoved by Draco. He turned the water on and sighed at the warmth that rushed over his skin. Turning his face into the water, he closed his eyes and concentrated on getting clean.

A soft touch against his mind several minutes later had him opening his eyes and peering around. Running his tongue over his lips, he pushed his dripping bangs back and clambered to his feet. He froze with his hand on the tap as the light caress was repeated, a feeling of concern and fear stealing through his head. It took him a minute to process the emotions, figure out exactly what was going on.

"They're here," he whispered, smiling as he turned the water off and slipped from behind the shower curtain. Drying off quickly, he dressed and raced out into the bedroom, chucking his stuff onto his bed before barreling out the door.

He knew where they would go. Black Lady and Silverhawk would return to the first place they'd ever seen him and the rest of the clan would follow. Running down the hall, Harry panted for breath and prayed that he'd arrive at the Quidditch pitch before the Mages did. If he was right, there was currently a game going on; that would explain the absence of students in the dorm and halls. Gasping for breath, he staggered to a halt on the edge of the pitch and looked at the cheering students occupying the stands.

High in the sky above the Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff Quidditch players, a flash of gold could be seen moving amongst the clouds. Biting his lip to contain his laughter, he watched as the dragon with the bright metallic hide dropped from the sky, a blur of blue and green and purple. F'lor and Druid followed closely, their wings held against their bodies as they fell gracefully from the slowly darkening sky. The rest of the clan spiraled after the three males, circling over the stunned professors and students. Their appearance had silence falling over the rowdy bunch before pandemonium broke out.

Throwing back his head, Harry laughed and watched in amusement as the students crammed into the stands fled in fear and horror. Still chuckling, he walked out on to the Quidditch pitch as Basta landed gently upon the short grass, his golden talons biting into the earth. Hissing and rumbling in pleasure, the dragon ambled forward and lowered his head, meeting Harry's emerald eyes with glowing orbs of an identical green.

"Welcome to your temporary home." Harry breathed, extending a hand to scratch the Mage's chin. He watched as the rest of the clan landed gracefully, their arrival sending the students still on the pitch fleeing toward the castle. Wincing as a clump of perfectly manicured grass went flying, he leaned his head on the scarlet dragon's shoulder and sighed. "Don't set the grass on fire and try and avoid knocking the hoops over. Merlin knows Hooch is going to have my ass after seeing the damage you've already done."

A/N: Thank you to everyone who took the time to read and review. Anyway, while I was working on the first part of this chapter, I got up to answer the phone. It was for my brother of course, so I went out to the garage to tell him the phone was for him but what came out was ' the flutes for you'. And now my dad thinks I'm nuts.

henriette - lol, I think you nailed their relationship in one sentence better then I have through the entire story. Draco can call the dragons, but whether or not they'll obey once they arrive is anyones guess.
RavenclawBest - I adore Lucius and hate having to betray him as an evil, mindless killer (which is why he usually ends up being a fairly decent guy in my stories). I think I answered some of your questions in this chapter, however, some of them are unanswerable.
Beth Weasley - lol, Technology: its fun to play with until it starts screwing around with you. I hope to see your sketch soon, hopefully once I do I'll be able to finally name your dragon (unless you'd like that honour?)
misstree - The dragons stay at Hogwarts is definitely going to be interesting, but that's all I can say.
TorringMay - I'm a happy-ever-after type of person, I don't think I could spend hours working on a love story only to tear them apart and leave them like that. I can't claim all of the dragons personalities as my own. Several of my readers were kind enough to donate a dragon to me, and from their descriptions I was able to piece together the type of personality that dragon would have.
E-San - lol, I adore writing and can't even stand the thought of abandoning one of my babies. I've noticed that there are a lot of dragon stories floating around but finding completed ones is very hard.
PleiadesWolfe - I didn't realize how close we were to the major battle until I read your review. In a handful of chapters we will indeed be seeing the major battle, which surprised me greatly.
NinjaoftheDarkness - lol, I'll see what I can work out.
GryffieGurl - The dragons might seem less protected but now Harry has a chance to safely play around with the bond he has with Basta, not to mention his friends will be able to help him guard them.