Well, here's the next chapter. I must admitt, I'm really happy with this story and it's reviews. You are all so wonderful.
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter (He belongs to Draco Malfoy...and vice versa(sp))
The Unicorn Prince
Chapter 9:
The Betrayal
The darkness of night had a fondness for playing tricks on one's senses. So it came as no real surprise that it was in a place festering with shadows seeming to crawl and writhe in some sick imitation of life, that the letter had directed him. He wasn't even surprised to find himself with company as he exited the safety of Hogwarts walls.
He simply met the other's blank eyes with a similarly dead expression, nodded slightly in acknowledgment, and carried on out the door.
The path they had been instructed to take wound through the Forbidden Forest. Often times the thin moonlight guiding their steps vanished all together; forcing them to continue in complete darkness.
It wasn't long before the complete lack of sound rang loudly in his ears, and his eyes darted from shadow to shadow, wide with a fear he had no control over.
The path at last opened up into a clearing, moonlight shown eerily on the half circle formation of stones lining the clearing.
At the very peak of the arch were two figures. One lounged against a particularly tall stone, while the other sat, comfortably perched, on a similar stone. Both figures were dressing in black robes with hooded cloaks obscuring their forms. A bone while skull mask peaked from beneath the shadows of their hoods, declaring them to be Death Eaters.
"You're both here, good. I'm sure my…guests…will be happy you cooperated." The cloaked figure leaning against the stone drawled, his voice unrecognizably muffled beneath the mask. "One of you will follow me; the other will remain with my companion for your instructions." With an elaborate swirl of his cloak, the Death Eater walked into the forest surrounding them.
With an unspoken agreement they stepped forward to accept their instructions. One fell short of the Death Eater perched on the stone; the other disappeared into the black forest surrounding them.
Fifteen minutes later the boy returned from his meeting with the first Death Eater, just in time to see the other apparate away.
He stopped in front of the other boy and they stared at each other for a moment in silence.
"We should start tonight." The boy said in a soft voice, as if afraid to awaken the forest.
The other boy nodded, his face grim, "Best get this over with." He agreed.
They stayed there for a moment longer before starting back towards the school.
As they left one shadow detached itself from the rest, moving into the semi circle of stones. His eyes were fixed on the disappearing figures. Once they were out of sight his eyes, the same radiance of the moon, lifted towards the sky.
"And so it begins." He intoned, a wicked smile curving his lips, "Dragon, my Dragon, this will be the beginning of your end. Will you loose your precious Prince so soon? Or will I get the chance to play with him too?"
He blinked slowly, his sharp ears picking up a slight sound within the forest, to which he returned his eyes. "Now, to return to my hunt." His smile turned feral and his eyes gleamed in fiendish delight as he replaced his hood over white-gold hair.
Meanwhile, two forms stole back into the castle and up the stairs to Gryffindor Tower. Before long they were standing in the pale light lofting from the window at the end of one of the five beds in the room.
A small figure lay curled on his side under a brand new blanket, sleeping the first peaceful sleep he'd had in days.
The two boys hardened their hearts against the sight, they had no choice; they had to do this.
"Hold the curtains back while I cast the first spell." The younger of the two instructed, taking out his wand and closing his eyes in thought.
When he opened them a new wall of determination had been erected behind his eyes. He barely whispered the spell the Death Eater had taught him.
It was one of four spells he would have to cast, and it would have to be done a total of three times. The Death Eater hadn't told him what the spells would do when combined, but he had explained their main purposes.
This first spell was a stabilizer, it would be the foundation the other spells and potions would build on, and it would root them down firmly in the target's mind.
The next spell he'd be even more vague about, saying only that it would make it so the 'curse' would only effect their Target, and no one else.
The Death Eater had tried to explain what the third spell was for, but he hadn't understood.
And the fourth spell was easy enough to recognize, it was a variation of a locking spell.
After the first round of the foundation spell had been cast, it was the other boy's turn.
The first boy held the bed curtains open as the other boy moved forward. First he set a vial on the bedside table, and then crawled onto the bed next to their victim.
With trembling fingers he unbuttoned the sleeping figure's nightshirt, and then peeled it away from the slight chest. He reached into one of his pockets and pulled out a piece of paper with a number of carefully sketched runes on it.
Next he picked up the discarded vial and pulled out the stopper. Careful not to touch the potion, the boy dipped a small stick into the clear solution; then carefully copied the runes onto the smaller figure's chest, neck, and forehead. At last he spread it generously over the sleeping teen's eyes before returning the vial to his pocket. "Wait two minutes before casting your next spell." He whispered, trying to ignore his trembling.
Once their jobs were done for the night, they redid the figures nightshirt, closed the curtain, and then slipped back into their own beds. Both tried not to let their guilt overwhelm them After all, it wasn't their fault. They had no choice.
The wind playing in your hair and curling around you like giant fingers of a protective hand was simply amazing. He knew he was safe when he was in the air, just as he heard the moonsong every night, sighing it's enchantment over the earth; weaving it's drams into peoples minds and hearts.
He was so engrossed in his spiraling dance he failed to notice his audience right off.
When he finally did notice, he slowed down and cocked his head to the side in curiosity.
The figure was familiar, but Harry couldn't quite put his finger on their identity, although it tickled the back of his mind. "I know you." He announced as he landed in front of the figure.
The figure smiled at him warmly, before he reached out and pulled Harry towards him. "Of course you do, I'm always with you." The moment Harry felt those arms twine around him; all he wanted to do was melt. It felt so right, being there.
But that wasn't what he was supposed to be doing; he should be flying at the moment. Pulling back he looked into his companion's face, wishing it wasn't so blurry. "You want to fly with me?" He asked hopefully.
"Forever, love." The figure breathed, taking his Firebolt from him and mounting it.
Harry climbed on after him, wrapping his arms around the man's slim waist and burying his face in the strong back before him. Then they were soaring, twisting through the sky like birds.
Harry came awake regretfully that morning; he wanted to stay pressed to that strong back, drinking in the feeling of being so close to that figure who was oh-so familiar.
Harry burrowed further under his new blankets, relishing the warm, silky texture of sphinx fur against his exposed flesh. The new bedding had come the night before, two hours before curfew. Ron had given him an odd look, but hadn't said anything.
Yawning widely, Harry sat up, his new blanket wrapped tightly around his shoulders. The rest of the dorm was coming to life slowly and before long he was the only one still in bed, watching everyone with heavy lidded eyes.
He paid close attention to Neville. The boy was thinner then he should be, and moved sluggishly. Harry also noticed the definite tremble in his hands. He was hunched over and refused to meet anyone's eyes.
Harry felt his heart twist painfully. He should have noticed sooner that the boy was in such turmoil. What kind of friend was he anyway? Obviously not a very good one.
He'd try to make up for it, though. He'd do whatever he could to see his friend smile again. Sadly, he had a feeling this might be harder then it sounded.
Neville was the first one to leave the room, not having said a word to anyone. Harry's concerned green eyes followed him out the door to where he disappeared down the stairs.
"Hey, Harry. You gonna get dressed mate?" Ron's voice pulled him back, and he blinked up at his taller friend. Slowly he unwound from his bed, not wanting to part from the welcoming warmth or the temptation to go back to sleep and spend more hours in the company (read as: arms) of his mysterious dream lover.
"I suppose." He agreed reluctantly, covering a wide yawn with his hand.
"Didn't get much sleep last night?" Ron asked in concern, having noticed Harry's ear splitting yawn.
Harry shrugged as he began unbuttoning his nightshirt. "I slept wonderfully for once; I just wish I didn't need to wake up yet." He admitted with a sheepish smile.
Ron chuckled in understanding just as three heavily burdened owls started to attack the closed window.
"My clothes!" Harry exclaimed, leaping over his bed to get to the window in his excitement.
Everyone in the room watched, amazed, as parcel after parcel landed on Harry's bed. "Merlin, Harry!" Ron exclaimed in disbelief, "What did you do? Buy the whole bloody store?"
Harry glanced up at his best friend through a veil of ebony bangs. He didn't like the tone of voice Ron had used, and he wasn't too fond of the expression on his face either.
"Not that it's any of your business, Ronald." He began coolly, "But I had a whole wardrobe that needed to be replaced. The rest of my order should be here tomorrow morning."
"There's more?" Seamus asked in disbelief, and Harry's eyes narrowed slightly.
"First the custom made Sphinx fur blanket, and now this?" Ron gestured to the packages littering Harry's bed, "Watch it Harry, we don't need another Malfoy around here, one's bad enough."
Harry's eyes widened and it felt like someone had clenched a hand around his heart and twisted, as he watched his once-again-jealous best friend stock out of the room in a fit.
A hand landing on his shoulder caused him to jump and look up into Seamus' sympathetic face, "Don't let it get to you, Harry. He didn't really mean it."
"Yeah, in a few days he'll realize what an absolute git he's being." Dean added.
Harry gave them a wavery smile to show he was okay and watched them walk out, too.
Harry's smile disappeared when they were gone and he looked back at the packages lying innocently on his new bedspread. The bitter taste of anger and pain tainted his once excited exuberance.
Why did Ron have to spoil everything? It wasn't fair that he got so jealous.
Ron had two parents who loved him and would do anything for him. He had six wonderful siblings, and who knows how many other family members not located at the Burrow. What did a few galleons matter when compared to that? Didn't he realize that Harry would give up everything in his Gringotts vault to experience what Ron had every day, for even one hour.
And now he couldn't even enjoy the high of new clothes for the first time in his life. It just wasn't fair!
Pushing the building resentment away, Harry quickly got dressed and headed down to the Great Hall.
He froze with his hand on the door to the Hall and cocked his head to the side as if listening.
His heart was hammering against his chest like a humming bird's winds against restraining hands; and he could feel something-his magic!-urging him to leave the castle. Something wasn't right.
Something was wrong, very wrong.
And whatever it was, it was in his forest.
Shaking his head of the strange thoughts, Harry pushed the door open and stepped inside.
Instantly he was conscious of the multiple pairs of eyes focusing on him; following him like a spotlight. He ignored the chills the sensation f being watched so closely gave him, and walked over to the Gryffindor table.
He walked passed a glaring Ron and an exasperated Hermione, and sat next to Neville instead.
"Hey Neville." He said in a low voice, forcing Neville to acknowledge his presence. The poor boy jumped and looked at him, as if startled that someone was paying attention to him - which made Harry feel even worse. "How are you holding up?"
The bigger boy tried to smile, but it was strained, and his eyes kept darting away, "About as well as can be expected, Harry." He muttered in a soft voice that had Harry straining to hear.
"Well, if you want to hand out later-" He trailed off ass Neville shook his head.
"No thanks Harry, I'd rather be by myself."
"Oh…" Harry said, completely thrown, "I-I understand. If…If you change your mind…" He trailed off awkwardly, he cheeks glowing slightly with embarrassment. He felt like such an idiot. Of course Neville would rather be alone.
Not sure what else to do, he slowly started eating. The strange pull of his magic was still tugging in the back of his mind.
Draco had an uneasy feeling all morning; it was slowly driving him mad, and making him jumpy.
Brushing his hair this morning had been extremely disturbing for the young Seer because his eyes kept shifting from silver, to milky white, then back again. As if his magic was preparing for a vision; only to decide it wasn't going to happen. It was a distinctly disturbing sight.
He'd taken great pains to avoid everyone's eyes all morning, and he could only hope they would return to normal before he was discovered.
His feeling of unease followed him to breakfast, where his attention was immediately caught up as Potter strolled in. What he saw had him blinking in surprise.
Potter was…flickering.
That was the only word he could think of to describe it. One second Potter looked normal, he'd he'd have a horn and the other exotic features Draco had noticed earlier. Then it would all disappear, only to return a few moments later.
No one else in the Hall seemed to think this was odd. The only person really paying attention was Professor Dumbledore. The frown on the Headmaster's face had Draco's stomach rolling unpleasantly.
Returning his eyes to Potter, Draco couldn't help but notice his sense of unease increase. He had a feeling whatever it was he sensed was wrong, it had something to do with Potter.
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