DISCLAIMER: Harry Potter and all other characters and locations belong to J. K. Rowling.
Chapter Nine – Lovers Tiff
The first rays of sunlight were stretching across Ludwyn's Lake when Harry landed BlackHeart. Long strokes of feathered wings stirred the loose snow resting around the courtyard behind the Wolves Run, forcing Harry to shield his eyes with the back of his hand. As the dark wings snapped closed, he threw his leg over the animal's wide withers and slid gently to the ground. His boots had barely brushed the packed snow before the back door of the pub flew open, heralding the arrival of Ron and Hermione.
"Well?" The bushy haired witch asked in a breathless voice, her long black cloak fluttering in the brisk morning breeze. Ron drew to a halt beside her, his blue eyes dancing merrily as he waited for the other wizard's response.
Harry shook his head and ran his stirrups up, catching the trailing reins and gesturing for the pair to follow him into the stable. "The forest seems to be completely empty. I didn't see or hear anything that would lead me to believe there's a pack of werewolves running loose." He stated as he guided the large black animal down aisle. His fingers flew over straps and buckles, quickly freeing BlackHeart of the saddle and bridle. Resting a palm upon the smooth beak, he opened a stall door and clucked his tongue in invitation.
"Not one measly wolf?" Ron questioned, disappointment visible on his freckled face. Heaving a deep sigh, he shook his head and prowled toward the feed room, returning moments later with a bucket of water and the stiff bodies of several squirrels. "That's strange."
Hermione buried her hands deep in the pockets of her robes, fingers absently brushing the wand hidden within the cloth. Looking thoughtful, she propped one shoulder on the stable wall and watched Harry tend his mount. "You think the lack of prey is due to a food shortage. That all the deer and rabbits left first and the predators are merely following them."
Harry nodded as he ran a hand over one silky flank, fingers absently combing through the hippogriff's fluffy winter coat. "The trees were stripped of bark and it has been snowing fairly heavily in this area for the past few weeks. Any edible food is buried deep and possibly unreachable." He murmured, frowning as his cold digits caught in a small tangle of matted hair. Sighing, he examined the patch of knotted fur before beginning to work his fingers through it.
"That's to bad." Ron grumbled, rubbing the hilt of his sword with a gloved hand. Peering wistfully in the direction of the barn doors, he leaned back against the stable wall and rapped his head on the wood.
"I imagine you'll want to leave this morning then?" Hermione questioned, huddling deeper into her cloak as her breath misted the air in front of her. She shot a glare at Ron as the redhead mumbled something rude and rubbed the back of his head.
"Yes, we've already lost one day and I don't want to lose another." Harry murmured, biting his bottom lip as he fought with the tangled hair. A shake of his head and a mournful sigh were the only warning he gave as he drew a short blade and cut the knot from the black hippogriff's hide, ruining the perfectly maintained coat.
"I'll go and wake everyone, Ron, you can start breakfast." The witch said, giving a firm nod of her head and turning to leave. She paused on her way out to place a loving pat on the muzzle of her horse, tugging lightly on the gelding's forelock.
Gaping, Ron followed the witch. "I don't know how to cook!" He called at her retreating back, spinning around and shooting a wide-eyed look at Harry as he walked backwards from the barn.
Grinning, Harry shrugged his shoulders and placed a final pat on the dark hippogriff's side, ignoring the warning hiss the animal emitted. Tossing the saddle blanket over the leather saddle for protection, he left the stall and slid the bolt closed. He swept his gaze down the row of stalls and made sure everything was in place before leaving the stable, closing the doors softly behind him.
XxXxX
The kitchen was a seething mass of activity. Members of the Red Lions were scrambling to grab cups of coffee and tea while glaring distrustfully into the bowls Ron had placed before them. Doubtful looks were exchanged as spoons were dipped into the thick slop, stirring the grungy looking mixture in careful examination.
"And your sure this is porridge?" Dean asked, tipping his spoon and watching as the mixture dribbled back into his bowl. His lips trembled as Seamus snickered, the Irish wizard pushing his untouched bowl away and claiming a cup of steaming coffee.
Narrowing his pale eyes, Ron grit his teeth and ladled another scoop of the gritty mixture into an empty bowl. "Yes, I'm sure it's porridge." He bit out, ignoring the looks of disbelief his friends were exchanging. Shaking his head, he spun around and dipped the ladle into the porridge pot, raising it to his mouth and taking a small mouthful.
Harry entered the kitchen quietly, his arrival lost among the gales of laughter and whoops of amusement as Ron raced from the crowded room, his face screwed up in revolt. "What happened?" He asked, his murmur bringing silence to the kitchen.
"Ron's trying to kill us," George reported, raising his coffee cup in greeting.
Harry grinned and walked to the stove, glancing into the pot before shaking his head and withdrawing his wand. Tapping the rim of the metal, he vanished the slop inside and collapsed into the chair Fred offered him. A cup of tea was placed in front of him before his bottom had touched the wooden seat. "I want everyone ready to leave in an hour." He stated, pointing at the sugar and wiggling his fingers as Ginny pushed it toward him slowly.
Heads were nodded in acknowledgment of the order, alerting him to the fact that Hermione had informed the group while she was waking them. Leaning back in his chair, he ran warming fingers through his hair and sighed, weariness creeping up on him quickly. "Trunks should be loaded as soon as possible. All of the horses need to be checked over before we leave, I don't want any loose shoes. Tack and harnesses should all be looked over, any tears in the leather need to be repaired."
"We're sticking to the original route?" Ginny asked, dropping the folded map onto the center of table. She arched an eyebrow as Harry nodded, fiddling with a fork sitting forgotten among the porridge bowls.
"Yes," Harry replied, collecting the map and running a hand over the parchment to knock loose any crumbs clinging to the back. He grinned as several disappointed groans filled the room, everyone who'd spent half the night trying to find a safer path to Diagon Alley rubbing their eyes tiredly. Shaking his head as the group settled down, he closed his eyes and slid deeper into the chair he sat on.
XxXxX
Draco clomped down the stairs behind Blaise, his hands jammed into his pockets. He narrowed his eyes as he heard the laughter drifting up from the kitchen, hands balling into fists in anger. Ignoring the worried look his friend shot over his shoulder, he raised his chin and pasted a smug smile on his face.
"Good morning," he murmured as he entered the busy kitchen, glancing around in search of the Red Lions leader. Gritting his teeth as he found the wizard slumped in a nearby chair with his eyes closed, he waved a pale hand and caught the attention of half the table. "Could someone please pass me a cup of tea?"
His voice was greeted by an immediate barrage of hellos and queries of how he'd slept. Smiling sweetly, he shot a hooded look in Harry's direction and found shining emeralds watching him closely. Answering several select questions, he settled into an empty chair next to Seamus, pretending he hadn't noticed the chair Fred abandoned beside Harry.
"I slept wonderfully. How could I not when I know I'm being protected by such good guards." He purred, leaning suggestively close to the Irish wizard next to him. His fingers brushed against Seamus' as he accepted the dainty tea cup from the wizard, blinking innocently at the contact.
"I slept well, too." Blaise responded, widening his eyes as he gazed at the blond. Frowning as his friend merely grinned and raised a hand to brush at his carefully styled hair, he accepted a cup filled with coffee from George.
"We leave in an hour, Draco, be ready." Harry said tersely, his tea cup thudding hollowly on the wooden table where he placed it. The blond's obvious snub had him stiffening, one of his hands dropping to rest on the hilt of the dagger he wore. He rose slowly, the toe of his boot connecting with Seamus' shin in warning.
Jumping at the firm tap, the wizard looked around before shooting to his feet as Harry stepped over his outstretched legs. "I'll get the carriage ready." He yelped, frantically attempting to remember anything he had done that might cause the raven-haired wizard's anger.
"As soon as possible, Seamus." Harry bit out, leaving no room for argument or goofing around. He paused behind Draco, mouth opening as if he was going to say something. Shaking his head, he closed his mouth and left the room silently.
"That was abrupt." Ginny said from her side of the table, eyes on the door swinging slowly back and forth. Shaking her head, she raised her cup and drained the last drops of liquid from the bottom before placing the empty cup next to Harry's.
"He was out all night, he's probably just tired." Neville piped up, covering a yawn as he began to stand. Stretching his arms over his head, he scooped up his cloak from the back of the chair he'd been sitting in and headed in the direction Seamus had fled. "I'm going to get Tip and Top ready."
"Harry always gets the best jobs." Dean grumbled, "he should really learn to delegate." Casting a longing look at the steaming teapot, he clambered to his feet and left the kitchen, the cloak he wore billowing in a wind of his own making.
"So what's for breakfast?" Blaise asked, eyebrows raised as he looked into one of the bowls sitting on the crowded table. He wrinkled his nose at the runny looking gunk, shooting a puzzled glance at George.
"Porridge." The red haired wizard grinned, wiggling his eyebrows and offering the noble a spoon.
Draco declined with a shake of his head, sitting back in his chair and crossing his arms as he glared at the tabletop. He sighed as the conversation around him picked up, everyone drinking the last bit of liquid in their cups so they could join the rest of the group in preparing to leave. Rubbing his eyes, he muttered his excuses and left the kitchen.
XxXxX
The courtyard behind the Wolves Run was packed with horses and people. Snorts and the ringing of shod hooves on the hardened ground filled the air, disturbing what should have been a peaceful morning. Draco was perched on the bench of the carriage, his heels drumming against the wood as he watched his guards move fluidly from pub to stable. His anger at Pansy had driven him to seek solace outside of the carriage, preferring the cold wind and stiff wood to the warmth and comfort found inside.
"Are you sure you want to ride up there?" Neville called as he maneuvered the thestrals into place. His fingers danced over straps and buckles, assuring himself that the team was secured properly and safely.
Draco nodded and tucked his chin into the collar of the dark robe he wore. Upon his hands he wore thick gloves with a special warming charm placed on them, which would keep his fingers from numbing with the biting cold. "I like it here, besides, you're better company then Pansy at the moment. Not to mention you've got loads of stories."
Neville chuckled and adjusted the hood of his cloak. Knotting the long reins around the handle of the brake, he walked a slow circle around the big, black carriage. "I'm glad you find me amusing." He called loudly, immediately regretting the comment as Harry appeared leading BlackHeart.
"Ready?" The raven-haired wizard asked, shoulders hunched slightly against the cool breeze. Behind him, the dark hippogriff raised its sharp beak and screeched, wings opening and fanning the air loudly.
"We're good to go." Neville muttered, his gaze downcast as he climbed up onto the bench and gathered the reins into his hands. He shot the blond next to him a warning look, knowing better then to yank on Harry's chain when he was in a bad mood.
Harry nodded sharply and turned on the balls of his feet. He peered around slowly, confirming that each member of his troop was present and ready to go. Nodding to himself, he flipped the reins over the gaping beak of BlackHeart and mounted swiftly. "Move out!" He bellowed, his sudden shout spooking several of the horses and sending them wheeling around in fright.
"Ride carefully!" Remus hollered from the safety of the pub's backdoor. Next to him, Sirius raised a hand and waved wildly, his shouts of farewell echoing through the courtyard. The pair huddled together, the wind tearing at the robes and cloaks they wore.
Draco flipped up his hood, lifting a hand and wiggling his fingers goodbye as the carriage lurched forward. Smiling at the excitement he felt, he darted wide eyed looks around as the caravan moved slowly through Haardein. The streets were relatively empty, most of the townspeople having sought shelter within their homes or shops."So where are we heading?"
"We follow this road until we cross the bridge in Versil, then we head into White Forest." Neville murmured, his hands tight on the leather he held. His eyes were narrowed as he focused on keeping the plunging, dancing thestrals quiet within the traces.
"White Forest?" Draco asked in interest, clinging to the edge of the bench as the carriage rocked its way down the uneven road. He leaned over the edge and glanced down the side of the black vehicle, his eyes meeting George's inquiring gaze. Grinning playfully, he waved at the guard and chuckled when the redhead hitched an eyebrow before returning the gesture.
"A really big, really dark forest that seems to always be covered in snow. It's said that even on the hottest summer day you'll still find ice hanging from the branches and the streams frozen over. Then again, the forest is mainly made up of birch trees, which could account for the name." Replied Neville, frowning as he tugged on the left rein. The portly wizard shook his head and sighed as Top ignored the pull, continuing to lumber straight toward a large pothole.
Bobbing his head in understanding, Draco leaned back and made himself comfortable. They still had a long journey ahead and he was going to enjoy every minute of it, especially using every chance he could to get back at Harry for leading him on.
XxXxX
Harry shifted in the dark leather saddle he'd secured atop BlackHeart. He fiddled with the reins resting lightly in his palms, ignoring the unhappy growls the hippogriff was loosing every time his head was yanked on. Sighing, he tossed a quick look over his shoulder and frowned as he saw Draco wave at someone riding beside the slowly moving carriage. Gritting his teeth, he clenched his legs around his mount's sides and waited for the dark animal to respond. In an angered movement, the hippogriff screamed and threw its long wings open, giving a quick succession of hops as he attempted to dump Harry in the dirty snow.
"Are you all right, Harry?" Hermione called, her gelding dancing eagerly as he watched his companion bounce around before him. Sighing in agitation, the witch tightened her grip on the reins and pulled the animal to a halt.
"I'm fine." Harry called bitterly, straightening in his saddle as BlackHeart stopped bucking and stood quietly beneath him. Closing his eyes, he dropped his reins and buried his fingers in ebony feathers. The soothing touch of soft feathers had him shaking his head and silently apologizing to the hippogriff. "Just got a little excited, that's all."
"You're sure?" Hermione murmured, her brows drawn down as she moved her mount forward. She glanced behind her and saw the same confused look on the faces of Neville and Ron. When Harry was on Blackheart, the hippogriff was as steady as a rock, trusting his rider to guide him safely.
"Positive." Harry muttered, making a soft kissing sound. The light noise brought the black hippogriff's head up, beak parting as he tilted his head. Reaching forward, Harry stroked the smooth plane, his fingers rubbing firmly. BlackHeart rumbled softly, tail swinging as he shook his head and returned to stalking gracefully down the center of the road.
"Alright." Hermione whispered, nudging her horse forward. Snorting happily, the animal frisked after the hippogriff, his tail lashing back and forth. Adjusting the long folds of her cloak, she darted a quick look at Ginny and found the other witch chewing her lip in thought. The slow grin that spread across the redhead's face had her arching a brow and pushing her mount closer to the mare her friend rode. "What?"
Smiling smugly, the red-haired witch leaned back in her saddle and rubbed her hands together. "Someone's in a tiff and I know why." She sang quietly, grinning as the raven-haired wizard riding ahead of her tensed in his saddle. Shifting toward Hermione, she smirked and whispered conspiratorially. "A quarrel between our young lovers."
"Ginny! Scout ahead!" Harry hollered, smiling as he heard the witch's disgruntled snort.
"We're still in town, Harry!" Ginny protested, burying the lower part of her face in the collar of her robe so he wouldn't see her grin. Rolling her eyes at Hermione, she tapped her mare lightly and loped forward.
"I don't care, ride ahead." He responded, arching an eyebrow as she trotted by him, a knowing smirk plastered on her face as she glanced at him. Sighing, he patted BlackHeart on the neck and wondered how he was going to throw the witches off the scent.
A/N: Thank you to everyone who took the time to read and review!
Crystal Malfoy – lol, I'll always consider a readers ideas, especially when they're offering an idea I hadn't thought of or have been playing around with. I think it's an excellent idea and by using it will only add another angle or dimension to the story.
Animejo – I kind of wanted this story to be more romancy then anything I've written so far, so I'm glad it's reading that way. This story is progressing slowly which is something I regret but hopefully it'll liven up within the next few chapters.
NinjaoftheDarkness – You can never be to evil, or can you? lol
LandUnderWave – lol, I'm sure it will be quite lively.
Peaceful Angel – Some of my best ideas come when I haven't had any sleep or too much. I'm practically drooling to write this idea that popped into my head but I just don't have the time.
Draco is my king – Finding new ideas is probably one of the hardest things we fanfic writers have to do. Some ideas are just to over done and others have to be carefully written. If you can do it right though, you'll definitely have fun with it.
wizli – And he's only just begun flirting!
PleiadesWolfe – Bingo!