Chapter 6
Dog was growling like a pissed off lawnmower, the kids on the couch in the middle of the room with the rival magical creature representatives on either side of the room like a battlefield. Poor Harry was in the middle of all of them.
Lexie resisted the urge to crinkle her nose. She could practically taste the 'I'm-better-than-you-an-I-want-to-rip-your-throat-out-but-that-would-be-a-waste-of-energy' vibes that were pulsing from the creatures on either side. The testosterone was so thick you could hardly see through it.
There were three each; three vampires and three werewolves all hyped up and ready to spill blood on their carpet in the classic gang fight style in dramatic muggle movies. But this was no movie. Her heart beat fast and it scared her because she knew that everyone could hear it. She was in the lion's den with lots of lions, which had very little patience.
Dog was in her lap, hissing softly, just his presence enough to control her panic. Damian had a hand on her knee as a small comfort and Draco smiled in her direction. Niki was hugging his thin frame, watching her daddy fearfully out of the corner of her eye, squeezing the life out of Dragon.
Harry stood facing them, the rivals on either side. The leaders of each stepped forward. To Lexie's right, closest to Draco, was a large dark man, with loose black trousers and smart emerald shirt. He resembled Kingsley somewhat, Lexie thought, only there was no trace of warmth in his stance, face or eyes.
The vampire on the left was his opposite. He was average height with brown hair and boring features. The only things unusual were the liquid grace he held, the insane smile and the eye patch covering one chocolate brown eye on the right.
The vampire's smile unnerved her more than the werewolf's height. 'If anyone belonged in the nuthouse' Lexie decided 'it should be him.'
Her dad seemed immensely frail in their presence, and Lexie was suddenly afraid. Not even Dog could slow her heart down.
She had known Harry Potter for three years of her life. After a year, she called him Dad and never doubted it. He was kind and sweet, but for an adult in his prime, he was feeble. Whenever Damian wanted him to do some cool magic trick like Fred and George, Dad had always said that he was too old to do it. Said he wasn't powerful enough. He couldn't play Quidditch like Ginny or Oliver; he doesn't win eating contests like Uncle Ron, or do neat tricks like Hermione. He didn't work in the Ministry or work with goblins or dragons or rare man-eating plants. He didn't work at Hogwarts like Auntie Luna, or even have a love life. He wore glasses, and said that after the war, no spell could ever fix his eyesight and was stuck with dorky glasses.
Their father didn't do anything.
People stare at him, in the Wizarding world, and people with cameras follow him. He was respected but he said that people only respected him for things nearly out of his control. His only redeeming quality was the stories he told of Dark Wizards, and three headed dogs and magic swords. He wasn't the hero in his made-up stories. He was Harry.
How could he possibly stand a chance against these men who could kill him with almost no effort?
The werewolf tossed his head back, breaking the terse silence. "We were not informed that you acquired a werewolf resident in the last month Mr. Potter" The low growl was the only emotion present. The vampire's gaze was steady. Harry stared straight ahead, gaze somewhere above the children's heads, stance steady, portraying absolutely nothing. "I did not believe that either of the parties present needed to be informed of Mr. Malfoy's stay here."
The vampire's smile suddenly vanished at being indirectly addressed. "And did you not think that this would be a problem?" again, the vampire's voice differed from his rival's. It was higher, lighter, and seductive as his counterpoint's was menacing. Harry's voice was neutral. "I see no problem here."
The atmosphere shifted with emotions and power that only Lexie could not identify. Even Niki seemed hyperaware of her surroundings. The goons on either side sifted restlessly. Draco shifted Niki onto Damian's lap.
Lexie suddenly figured out that somehow, the power in the air seemed drawn to her father. And was growing. "All I see" he continued. "Is two schoolyard rival's, fighting over a toy. My kids are not toys and can make their own decisions. Any other decisions, I make for their health. Do not make my house a battlefield for a power struggle; for we all know that here, I have more political power than both of you combined."
The werewolf snarled, baring his teeth and the vampire mirrored him, speaking out. "We put up alerts for a reason. We do not want our kin to be influenced by them."
"Nor do we," came the fierce growl. "It is unseemly for a lycan to be in the vicinity of a bloodfang"
An electric current ran through the room, like the air before a lightning storm. Harry began speaking only his voice was several degrees cooler. "I must bring to your attention, Mr. Truxen that your werewolf was a wizard before he was turned. As it is unknown at the present time, who turned him, when and where, you have no authority over him. The Aurors put him in my care. The fact that he is in the vicinity, in a government approved house, does nothing but give my complete guardianship, according to the contract that you signed six years ago."
"And as for influence of culture Mr. Minacet; as you remember, any culture than you chose to introduce to Damian when he was younger, backfired, which is why you signed complete guardianship of him over to me, to raise him. Damian has not been your concern for six years and I can only assume of your reasons for taking an interest now."
Mr. Minacet's eyes glowed. "Are you implying-"
"That you are using a fifteen year old as a power play pawn? That having Damian back would leave Draco still locked up here and not boosting the werewolf's publicity when the Wizarding world knows that Draco Malfoy is alive and a wolf? That the Pack would use Draco to boost their status and power in the Wizarding world to hold the authority to drive you out? That the Clan would hold Damian, my adopted son, to use to boost their status as friends of Harry Potter? ...Why, I would imply nothing of the sort. You're both too classy for that." There wasn't an ounce of mockery in his speech. "Who Damian Garcia is friends with is not your concern for Draco Malfoy is one of my patients and I will not have anyone in this house affected by this."
"In other words" Harry raised his chin and his voice "You both have no more business here and I will see you out"
Truxen, the werewolf, sprang forward in a rush of movement to block his exit to the door. "You believe you are so tough Mr. Potter, because you stopped the Dark Lord. You may have the Wizarding world under your thumb but we are not bound by your society's rules."
"On this" Mr. Minacet's smile was back firmly in place. He sauntered over to stand beside his rival. Their goons shifted closer. "We completely agree. Pick one Potter, so we can leave you in peace."
"You are bound. By the contract made after the first dark war. You sided with Voldemort once, hopeful to retain rights through power. When the second war came, you picked the winning side but, turmoil and mutiny now will result in public ostrasizing and distrust. Do not break the balance." was Harry's thoughtful reply. Damian shifted Niki onto the space between him and Lexie.
Truxen scoffed. "We would never harm them, especially the young one, but here the rewards outweigh the risks." Draco and Damian were on the edges of the couch. Harry nodded. "I would never choose between the Pack or the Clan. I would never choose between my tenants. If you want my continued support they stay. If you don't want word of this to extend to the Ministry of Magic then they stay."
Minacet smiled. "are you threatening us Potter?" he sounded gleeful, like he was a child that got it's favorite toy.
Harry turned to face the two head on, his back to the couch. "Only your intentions." The vampire preened and the werewolf looked close to breaking something. Damian's eyes glowed and Draco shifted his weight. "You efforts were in vain, I'm afraid. Goodnight to you both."
The creatures' eyes narrowed and Lexie blinked, and the entire scene was different. Harry was surrounded on all sides but Draco and Damian were in front of Harry, shielding him. Damian was a mask of cold fury, wand hand shaking; Harry had his wand out, the energy Lexie now identified as powerful magic surged around him in waves, and Draco's stance was hunched like a wild animal's, he was the only one making any sound. He was snarling, teeth bared and a strangled sound left his throat shocking the room.
"Go" It was soft, breathy and broken, but the dangerous tone left nothing out. "Go!" Louder, clearer, an order that expected to be followed. His voice cracked but Draco stood taller, his glare like ice and the wild intensity that rolled off of him and burned hot as fiendfyre, had even Truxen shifting back slightly. "GO!"
The sidekicks were the first to leave, and then Truxen followed slowly. Minacent stayed only to look Harry in the eyes. "This is not over Harry Potter. This is not a threat or a warning, but a promise." His smile would scare Lexie, but his parting laugh would haunt her for years.
The door shut with a soft click and then Draco became uncomfortable. He couldn't remember actually being hugged in his life. But he was being hugged, by Harry, who looked like he was on the verge of tears or laughing hysterically. "You did it Draco! You spoke! You talked!"
Harry's smile was infectious, and his body was warm and he had that ridiculous feeling of being safe again. He was also happy. He did it! He had done it! "I'm so proud of you!" Draco blushed. He looked Harry in the eyes and bit his lip at all that he saw. Hesitantly, slowly, he reached up and put his arms around Harry's neck and hugged him back.
He was floating, lost in his own safe little bubble of happiness, hugs and Harry.
Damian collapsed onto the couch and grinned at Niki who peered close to his face. Lexie quietly asked him why he was smiling like that. He nodded toward the two men, and whispered "I love being right."
Later when Niki was put to bed and Harry and Draco were downstairs, Damian snuck into Lexie's room. She shined a torch in his face. "Alright shark tooth, talk. What are you right about?" He batted the light away from his eyes and sat on the edge of her bed.
And he talked. When he finished, Lexie hit him with the torch. "What the bloody hell was that for!"
She glared. "For trying to get granddad to interfere. Besides, Draco's like us. It's that just a bit weird?" Damian rubbed his head. "It's different. He knew Draco when they were our age. They have a connection. And I think that when Draco recovers, they really could make each other happy. Just look at Riley. Son of a drug dealer. He saw things, and after a year here and two years at Hogwarts—he's prefect and has a girlfriend. Anything can happen. We just need time."
"I hope you're right."
"Of course I am" He sounded confident, and looked it, but she felt in her heart that he was scared. About what, she could only guess.
Later, she dreamt of falling into nothingness, high-pitched laughter ringing in her ears long after she'd woken up.
…
Sometimes I go crazy with names. Who can figure out what the baddies' names mean? Anyway, Draco talked! Yayyayyayyay! Who thought it was going to be "Harry" or some romantic crap? Nope! He's a Malfoy; of course his first word in six years is going to be an order. Good chapter? Bad chapter? REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW
Review and you get uh… um… all I own is a laptop and a bipolar cat. You get my adoring love and kindness?
P.S. You know your mind is a messed up place when you start having dreams about you going on adventures with the Scooby-doo gang, the Avatar the last air bender gang, the Animorphs gang, and the harry potter gang, all searching for at the same time, Good Omens, a book about angels and demons. My mind had also made, completely out of the blue, Jake and Marco from Animorphs gay. 0_0
….I is going to get some sleep.