DISCLAIMER: Harry Potter and all other characters and locations belong to J. K. Rowling.
Chapter Eighteen - Diagon Alley
Harry awoke with a start, the dagger stowed beneath his pillow flashing up to rest against the delicate stretch of pale skin above him. Blinking, he stared into Draco's startled eyes and internally cursed. He pulled the blade back and returned it to its hiding place, using his other hand to ease the blond's body down next to him. "Don't ever do that again Draco," he warned, amazed at the guilt he felt for putting such fear in the other's eyes. Tracing his hand soothingly down the length of the blond's back, he closed his eyes and dropped his head back onto the pillow.
"Harry? What's going to happen today?" Draco asked softly, setting his head carefully down on the raven-haired wizard's chest. His fingers entangled themselves in the light shirt Harry wore, balling into a fist when the guard's hand glided back and forth over the small of his back.
Inhaling deeply, Harry opened one eye and peered at the top of the blond's head. "We'll leave for Diagon Alley after breakfast; it's roughly a three-hour ride so we should arrive at your father's around twelve o'clock."
"And then?" Draco persisted.
Groaning in defeat, Harry wrapped his arms tightly around Draco's waist and rolled them both over. He settled his weight gently on top of the blond, bracing himself on his elbows. His fingers stroked the pale hair gently, sliding through the soft locks as he gazed into wide blue eyes. "I don't know," he breathed, lowering his mouth toward Draco's. The first swipe of his tongue was a gentle request, the second a silent demand.
Draco wrapped his arms around Harry's neck, pinning the guard against him as he tangled his fingers in the unruly mass of dark hair. He tipped his head up, exposing the graceful line of his throat as the raven-haired wizard slid lower in the bed. His eyes slid shut and he whimpered under the light pressure of Harry's lips, fingers tugging ruthlessly. "Harry," he hissed. The sudden sound of the door swinging open had him freezing, his pale eyes popping open.
"Oops," Ron yelped, frozen in the doorway with one hand on the knob. Whirling around, the redhead presented them with his back. "Everybody is ready to eat breakfast. We're just waiting on the pair of you."
Harry snorted and pressed his face into the pillow beside Draco's head. "We'll be down in a minute." He bit out, shutting his eyes as the blond beneath him wiggled nervously. "Thank you, Ron."
"Really sorry, Harry!" Ron called over his shoulder as he lunged back out the door and slammed it in his wake.
"Do you like Ron?" Draco asked into the stillness, unconsciously rubbing circles on the raven-haired guard's shoulders.
"Right now . . . I could probably kill him." Replied Harry, rolling off the blond. He slid from beneath the blankets and padded across the room, pushing the shuttered window open a crack.
Behind him he heard the bed creak, signaling Draco's departure. Resting his head against the wall next to the window, he breathed out heavily and pretended he didn't hear the squeak of the door hinges. Shaking the urge to seek Ron out and kill him off, he spun around and left the room. Returning seconds later to retrieve the dagger and sword stashed within reach of the bed.
XxXxX
Breakfast had been a quick affair; sausages, eggs, and toast drowned with coffee and tea as Harry badgered the entire team into getting ready to depart. Twenty minutes after the raven-haired guard had originally planned to leave, the entire group found themselves gathered in the road before the inn. Among the recognizable Lion mounts, five new horses stood; all of them looking overweight and completely out of shape.
"I am not riding that mule." Pansy declared, finger leveled at the long-eared animal standing lazily in front of her. As if sensing her disdain, the animal flattened its ears and let loose a hiccuping bray.
"Technically, it's a donkey." Hermione called over her shoulder. She frowned as Ron chuckled, shaking her head in warning as she bent to check her gelding's hooves.
Narrowing her eyes, Pansy shot the bushy haired witch a disbelieving glare. "There's a difference?" She snapped, crossing her arms over her chest as Harry stepped up to adjust the animal's girth.
"Well, for a start, a mule is a cross between a mare horse and a jack ass or a stallion and a jennet. A donkey is-"
"Thank you, Hermione!" Harry said loudly, rolling his eyes as he cut the witch off in mid-lecture. Shooting Pansy a quick look, he shortened the stirrups before moving off to check the other four animals that he'd rented from the inn's owner.
Two donkeys, a pair of draft horses, and a long-legged bay had been the only animals the wizard had been willing to part with for the day. As soon as the proprietor had pointed the animals out, Harry could have sworn he heard the complaints and objections he'd get ringing in his ears. He'd shrugged the feeling off though and paid the man, internally reminding himself that they only had to travel three more hours.
With that thought, he assigned Blaise and Pansy the donkeys while allowing Snape and Draco to have the gentle Percherons. The skittish bay went to Seamus, who would have to purchase a new mount while they were in Diagon Alley.
Five minutes later, everyone was mounted except for Pansy and Harry. "Please, just get on the damn donkey." Harry hissed, hands planted on his hips as he stared at the angry witch.
"I will not." Pansy snarled back, mirroring Harry's position as they faced off in the middle of the narrow street.
"If you don't get on the donkey, I'll put you on it." Harry stated firmly, a note of finality ringing in his voice.
"I'd like to see you try!" Pansy snapped back, smirking as the raven-haired guard hung his head and sighed. Her eyes widened and she jumped back with a squeal as the guard lunged for her, his hands locking around her waist before she could put the long-eared animal between them.
Plunking the witch down in the saddle, Harry stepped back and crossed his arms. "Remember, I asked you nicely the first time." He said as he stalked over to where BlackHeart stood. Tossing the reins over the hippogriff's head, he slipped his foot into the stirrup and swung up into the saddle. "Everyone ready? Great, let's get this little circus on the road."
XxXxX
"Sweet civilization!" Pansy cried, her eyes locked on the buildings before them. A beatific smile transformed her face as she straightened in the saddle, urging the donkey to a faster pace in her eagerness to reach Diagon Alley. "As soon as we get home, I'm going shopping." She announced.
"I'm having a bath." Blaise grumbled, wincing as he shifted his sore bottom in the hard saddle. Not only was his butt aching from the jarring four hour ride, he was also covered in mud due to a disagreement he'd had with his mount. "A very long one."
Harry smiled bitterly, tightening his grip on the reins as they entered the crowded road leading into the large city. "Formation, please." He called over his shoulder, swinging his cloak back so the hilt of his sword was visible. The shifting of animals behind him was loud as the guards scrambled into position and made sure their weapons were easily reachable.
"I thought we'd never get here." Ginny stated, slapping her mare gently on the neck as the horse pranced nervously.
"I figured we'd get here, but definitely not so soon." Ron mumbled, dropping his chin onto Hermione's shoulder.
"You have to admit, it was better than some of previous jobs we've done." Neville remarked, soothing Tip with a soft word and a light touch on the withers.
"We were attacked by griffins, attacked by starving wolves, attacked by werewolves, lost the carriage and our supplies over a bridge, and lost two horses. How could that possibly be better than our last three missions?" Hermione demanded, consoling her gelding with a quick scratch. Her question was met with thoughtful silence as they progressed further into Diagon Alley.
People turned to look at the group as they bodily made their way down the road. Greetings were called out and people waved in recognition as they remembered certain members of the Red Lions from previous trips to Diagon Alley. Hogwarts guards were always appreciated among the locals for they always came bearing wild tales and amazing stories.
By the time they reached a narrow side street, the horses were sweating and warm from dancing anxiously. Both Pansy and Blaise seemed ecstatic to have reached their destiny, smiling and talking politely to the guards while Severus looked on with a sneer.
"Thank Merlin!" Pansy cried dramatically as she pointed at the set of open gates leading up to the Malfoy's townhouse. "I thought we'd never arrive."
Harry led the way through the large gates, BlackHeart gliding forward with his neck arched arrogantly. Pursing his lips as he inspected the house, the raven-haired wizard shook his head in bemusement. The town house was a massive red brick affair with large windows and a forbidding set of gargoyles sitting atop the roof. Rolling his eyes over the sheer magnitude of the place, he dismounted and gave the hippogriff a quick pat before moving to help Draco down from his oversized mount.
He stood behind Draco as the blond slid carefully off the massive draft horse. Once the other wizard's boots were safely planted on the cobble stone driveway, he stepped back and folded his arms to prevent himself from grabbing the blond.
"You're not leaving, are you?" Draco asked quietly, shuffling nervously. He turned absently and began to stroke the big black horse's nose, afraid to meet Harry's burning emerald eyes.
"No, not right away." Harry murmured, shooting an anxious look at the double doors that remained closed. Stepping forward quickly, he placed one gentle hand on Draco's shoulder and the other on the hand stroking the Percheron. "I won't leave without saying goodbye."
The blond leaned back against the guard's chest, snuggling between the folds of the dark cloak he wore. "You promise?" He whispered, twining his pale fingers with Harry's tanned ones.
"Promise." Harry breathed, pressing a gentle kiss to the top of Draco's head. The quiet creak of the door opening had him stepping smoothly back and clasping his hands at the small of his back. Chewing on his bottom lip, he raised his gaze and peered at the tall blond standing on the stone steps. Giving a brief nod of greeting, he bit out a command and saluted sharply, knowing that his team had followed his example and raised one of their hands to their forehead.
"Draco!" The blond said warmly, barely glancing at the rag tag group respectful standing before him. Opening his arms, he laughed as Draco threw himself into his arms and buried his head against his chest. "Rough trip?" He asked jovially, pale eyes locked with Severus Snape's.
Mission complete, Harry thought, turning around and catching up the reins of the draft horse and BlackHeart. Vaulting easily into the saddle, he spun the dark hippogriff around and nudged him toward the gates at the end of the short driveway. "We've got rooms at the Leaky Cauldron," he reminded the group in a harsh voice. Adjusting his grip on the reins, he glanced at Hermione who rode next to him. "Don't even start."
"What?" Hermione queried, hitching one of her eyebrows. "I wasn't going to say anything."
Fighting the urge to look over his shoulder, Harry kept his eyes determinedly forward. "Goodbye, Draco." He mumbled, sliding his fingers into the soft feathers of BlackHeart's neck for solace. The almost inaudible snort the witch riding to the left of him gave had him rolling his eyes. "Let it be, Hermione."
"It's your decision, Harry." The witch said defensively, exchanging a look with Ginny.
Narrowing his eyes, Harry maneuvered his mount into the busy street. "Fred, George, after getting something to eat for lunch, I'd like you to return the rented horses. Seamus and Ron, you'll come with me to look at some horses." He ordered, directing the fidgeting hippogriff around a cart moving slowly up the center of the road.
'Yes sir' was chorused by the mentioned members of the Red Lions as the rest nodded in affirmation. Their arrival at Diagon Alley meant they got a couple days off to do whatever they wanted before turning around and journeying home. Shopping, drinking, and sleeping were high on everyone's priority list as the sign swinging over the Leaky Cauldron's door came into view. Another job successfully completed, especially the one they had just performed, was deserving of a cold drink and a long nap.
XxXxX
Harry silently followed the house elf down the dark corridor, his hand resting on the hip where the hilt of his sword should've ridden. As a gesture of respect and trust the blade had been left with Hermione at the inn. Already the weapon's absence was making him nervous, his fingers drumming against his muscled thigh.
The owl from Lord Malfoy had been unexpected, its message raising eyebrows and sparking theories among the relaxed Lions. With a frown, Harry had left the Leaky Cauldron immediately to tend to the matter; concern over Draco's safety making him jog the entire way.
Ahead of him the small house elf stopped and raised a hand to knock lightly upon a door, waiting for permission to enter before swinging the portal open. Stepping into the shadowed room, Harry's eyes sought out the individual he had come to see. He bit his lip when his roving eyes fell upon Severus Snape, the greasy haired wizard still sporting a pair of black eyes. Across from the disgruntled chaperone, the tall blond wizard sat.
"Lord Malfoy." He greeted, bowing deeply. Straightening slowly, he tipped his head back and observed the pair before him with empty eyes.
"Mister Potter, I believe." Lucius Malfoy stated, glancing at Severus for confirmation. The sharp nod the other gave put a small smile on his lips as he returned his gaze to Harry. "I heard you had quite an interesting journey, Severus was just telling me all about it."
Narrowing his flashing green eyes, Harry shot Snape an evil glare before returning his attention to the senior Malfoy. "Slightly more adventurous than usual, my lord." He relaxed his stance as the blond smiled.
"Would you be willing to perform a second job for me?" Lucius asked, standing and walking away from the fireplace. He paused next to a small table and lifted a bottle of scotch from the silver tray that it sat upon. Without asking, he poured three snifters of the liquor and handed one to Severus and one to Harry. "There's a matter I'd like dealt with as soon as possible."
"It would depend on the job." Murmured Harry, lifting the glass to his mouth and taking a cautious sip.
"Severus has informed me of Draco's abduction and subsequently your rescue of him. This is the second time such an attempt has been made. So far, I believe I've been quite tolerant and understanding about the entire thing. However, this most recent attempt has led me to the conclusion that certain . . . individuals, shall we say? Need to be dealt with in a manner befitting their actions." Lucius drawled smoothly, perching himself gracefully in the chair before the fire. Arching a slender brow, he peered at the raven-haired guard.
Harry nodded slowly, meeting eyes exactly like Draco's. "You'd like me to abduct him for you?"
"No, I want him to disappear." The words fell into the silence as the blond settled himself closer to the fire. Taking a generous sip of his scotch, he smiled. "Understood?"
"There's a small matter of payment." Harry said quietly, ignoring the shocked look on Severus' face as he accepted the lurid offer. Tossing back the scotch, he placed his empty glass on a side table and planted his hands on his hips.
Lucius followed Harry's example and finished his drink quickly. Rising, he prowled around the guard and halted behind his desk. "I believe you'll find this quite acceptable," he muttered, scribbling a number down on a piece of parchment and sliding it toward the raven-haired wizard.
Flicking his eyes down to the scrap of paper, Harry nodded once and held out his hand to seal the deal. "How do you want to do this?" He questioned, giving the blond's hand a brief shake before stepping back from the heavy desk.
"You'll complete the job and then owl me. Once I've gotten proof that Lord Voldemort is dead I'll have the money transferred into your Gringotts account. Acceptable?" Lucius returned, pretending he couldn't see Severus' widening eyes or reddening cheeks.
"Perfectly," Harry said, as if he accepted offers to kill people every day. Unconsciously rubbing his thigh, he began to move toward the door.
"Oh, and Harry? I'd like your team to remain in Diagon Alley for Draco's birthday party. A little extra security just in case another attempt is made to take my son." Stated Lucius, seating himself behind his desk.
Bowing formally, Harry straightened and gave a sharp nod. "I'll inform them, my lord."
Shooting Snape a challenging look, he slipped quietly from the room and left the large manor. Making no attempt to bite back the maliciousl grin that rode his face, the guard strolled onto the main street of Diagon Alley and headed toward the inn where his team waited. He'd just been paid an outrageous sum do something he'd been planning on doing as soon as he got the chance. Life was good.
A/N: Thank you to everyone who took the time to read and review.
Crystal Malfoy - Yep, Harry's going to be a werewolf.
Linthilde - lol, I'm glad you liked it. Looking back over the story I'm able to see what you were talking about. The nobles do come off as being quite a lot younger but I suppose I'm going to have to say it had a lot to do with their upbringing. I mean they probably lived really sheltered lives and so would come off as being naive and younger, time and battle not having the influence on them as it has had on the guards.
MAnny2003 - Harry's going to do what he thinks is best, which isn't necessarily a good thing.
PleiadesWolfe - lol, the rogue werewolf will eventually be named.
Cheezewhiz - I like to think I always know where a story is going before I begin writing, otherwise what's the point? Everything else comes as I go, such as the carriage crash and Harry getting bitten. I'll try to make Harry look a little bit stronger and smarter for the last few chapters, though I believe he's going to end up looking quite stupid in chapter nineteen.
IamNOTme - lol, hint taken.
Hyper Hippie - Harry is definitely a werewolf after having taken such a serious bite. I'm sorry to have to say it . . . but this story is coming to a close. Three more chapters to go and it's over.
silverrayne13 - lol, maybe one or two but I think everything after this is going to be easy sailing.
MyOriginalIntent - The difference in the boys status is going to play a major role in what happens over the final three chapters.
JediMasterWithAPen - lol, I do seem to love bashing Pansy.
NinjaoftheDarkness - Yes, he is adorable cute, It's an unarguable fact!