Sorry all! You'll be happy to know that I'm working on another Death Note Harry Potter crossover though! It's currently one of the most fascinating mixes for me.

Mistress Slytherin

Chapter 8

The Grimm

Harry squinted as he walked onto the pitch hearing the roar of cheers rise up around him. It sounded like madness to him. If it were at all possible he would have missed the match all together- but…he glanced towards the teachers stands and saw Severus clapping proudly beside Lucius Malfoy, a small smile lifting the corner of his lips. No matter his views on education Severus was a fierce competitor and a match against Gryffindor was just the thing to keep his mind from …darker thoughts.

You destroy everything you touch.

He swallowed thickly

The incident with the boggart had been deemed too horrible to talk about, all those involved agreed that out of respect towards Harry (though he believed it was mostly due to pity) that they would act as if it had never happened. He and Severus had agreed that no words were needed; the wounds were too fresh and too deep. So they'd gone back to their daily lives and Harry once again turned to his studies in a desperate attempt to avoid thinking about it. Even Tom had been rendered speechless when Harry relayed the events.

Things were different though, he'd be a blind fool not to see it.

Severus no longer visited him in the store rooms. In fact the only time Harry saw the man was when they were dueling or during potions. Severus' eyes were haunted most days, as if all the healing he'd done over the last few years had been destroyed.

And it was his fault.

Harry sighed and looked away from the stands. At least Severus seemed a bit more cheerful today, and hopefully spending the day with Lucius would help as well. He and Lucius were good friends and knew each other better than Harry could ever hope to know them- not that he was jealous or anything. He scowled at the stray thought and mounted his broom as the whistle sounded signaling the beginning of the game.

Idly he scanned the area for the snitch as the game began not really paying attention to it at all just wanting to find the snitch and get out of the cold air; it was looking like a storm was brewing…

A large drop smashed against his cheek making him wrinkle his nose in annoyance. Great.

Seconds later he was battling high winds and heavy rain cursing bad weather and the game of Quidditch for all it was worth. Lightning illuminated the sky and thunder boomed so loudly that it made his chest ache. If he wasn't on non-speaking terms with Magic right now he might ask her why exactly it was that he couldn't simply make the storm go away-

There!

A flash of gold in the distance had him shooting toward it without a thought swerving this way and that around players and balls alike- but then something odd happened.

An eerie sort of silence filled the air and darkness swept over them all. Harry shivered at the sudden chill in the air and felt his eyes widen as a feeling of dread overcame him.

A scream pierced the air and Harry was suddenly surrounded by the dark wraith-like creatures.

He's here your majesty!

One of them sighed their voice a deep rattling rasp as a skeletal finger lifted and pointed into the distance. Harry turned slowly and realized for the first time how high he was completely surrounded by dark swirling clouds. He dived down easily the game forgotten as his eyes gazed in the direction the Dementor had pointed him in.

His breath caught in his throat as deep soulful grey eyes peered up at him from along the edge of the forbidden forest. Dark inky black fur surrounded the time worn eyes and the great black dog stood tall gazing at him for a long moment as he descended.

A grim…

One of them whispered.

Perhaps he came to greet his majesty?

Another shivered.

"EXPECTO PATRONUM!" Harry jerked as the bright light flared over him sizzling along his skin before fading around him. The Dementors shrieked and fled from him in a wave leaving him feeling slightly nauseous.

Blearily he looked up and caught Severus' gaze. Dark, haunted eyes- He clenched his jaw and directed his broom back up continuing the game. The crowd gave a cheer and Harry felt his heart ache. Fifteen minuets later he stood on the field clutching the snitch triumphantly in his hand swearing to quit Quidditch next year as he shivered violently.

Yet as he caught sight of Severus' nearly care free expression as he proudly congratulated his team he knew that he would never quit if it brought that smile to his dear friend's face.

"Careful that's quite a weakness you have there." Lucius Malfoy said from behind him. Harry spun on the man and narrowed his eyes. Of course he remembered their deal at the station, and Tom had agreed that he should let Lucius Malfoy in on Voldemort's return. Tom seemed certain that the dark lord would be making a move soon though he was still restless to find his 'other half' as it were. But Harry didn't have to like it, not one bit. Voldemort hadn't told him not to tell anyone but he'd rather not risk pissing the man off, especially if he was as immortal as the books said the philosopher's stone would make him.

"Would you care to have tea with me Mister Malfoy?" He asked casually. Silver eyes widened and then narrowed in glee.

"That would be delightful Harry." He said smiling slightly. A cheer went up and Harry smiled as Severus strode towards him cheeks flushed and eyes glinting with competitive glee.

"Come Harry, it's time for a celebration." He said smirking devilishly in the direction of the defeated Gryffindors.

"I'll be up in a second Severus, Lucius wanted to go over some minor details regarding my tutors." Harry said smoothly. Severus quirked and eyebrow and shook his head slightly.

"Harry as much as I appreciate your dedication to your schooling I feel it's my duty to inform you that you need a break." He said gazing down at him. Harry's breath caught in his throat at the man's concern and he nodded slightly though his smile was more of a wince than anything.

"Don't worry Severus I won't keep him long, go on and join the snakes before they get jealous." Lucius said laughingly. Severus snorted and shook his head before turning on his heel and making his way towards the crowd of Slytherins.

"Come on then Lord Malfoy, there's a spot in Greenhouse two that will do nicely." Harry said easily. Lucius scowled at the slight rain but followed him down the path anyway. "We can't risk anyone hearing what I'm about to tell you." Harry said quietly though he knew that Lucius could hear him. Geenhouse two is where the sound sensitive plants are kept; they will mute our voices so that no one can hear us." He said opening the foggy glass door and following Lucius in.

"My, my, you are quite sly aren't you?" Lucius said smirking. Harry snorted.

"You don't know the half of it." Harry said easily before snapping his fingers.

"Young master Potter sir!" Dobby greeted happily as he popped into existence.

"Hello Dobby, tea for two please?" Harry said as he pulled off his gloves.

"Right away sir!" Dobby said glancing warily at Lucius.

"You still have that bloody elf?" Lucius said quirking an eyebrow. Harry smirked.

"Trust a Malfoy not to even notice the loss of a house elf." He teased lightly as he peeled off his cloak and began casting several charms on his clothes to return them to an immaculate state. "Dobby is a good elf when he's not trying to protect me." he said smirking slightly.

"Ah yes, I believe Severus might have mentioned something about that." Lucius said with a smirk. Harry rolled his eyes as the steaming tea set appeared.

"Will yous be needing anything else sirs?" Dobby said with a bow. Lucius shook his head.

"No thank you Dobby, you may return to the kitchens." Harry said neutrally. He knew that if he didn't say it specifically that the elf would be tempted to hover and listen. Dobby's ears fell a bit but he bowed and popped out without argument.

"Tell me Potter has our mutual friend agreed to allow you to give me what information you have?" Lucius said leaning forward eagerly. Harry pursed his lips and sighed as he poured them both steaming cups of tea.

"Yes…and no." He said smiling faintly at the annoyed look that crossed Lucius Malfoys expression. "He is alive." Harry said easily. "I know that much for sure, I met with him during my first year." He said sitting in his seat. Lucius Malfoy's face slackened before a slow smile curled his lips and triumph lighted his eyes.

"I knew it!" He said nearly feverishly. Harry sighed slightly.

"Unfortunately we cannot find him." He said annoyed. The Malfoy patriarch stiffened.

"Cannot find him?" He asked curiously. Harry nodded and slowly took a sip of his tea.

"Where do you think it was that I kept disappearing to this summer Lord Malfoy?" he inquired easily. "I was looking for him, though not of my own violation of course, the truce I have with him is tenuous at best." He said absently. Malfoy gazed at him for a long moment.

"I see, and tell me Harry." He said leaning forward his gaze intent. "What did you think of him?" He asked knowingly. Harry's mind was drawn involuntarily to that night, the seductive all encompassing power that had wrapped around him and through him. He shuddered in memory of it, he knew from Tom that that had only been a fraction of Voldemort's true power.

"He is power in its rawest form." Harry said softly his eyes distant with memory. "He is brilliant- and teeters on the edge of madness." He shivered. "There isn't an ounce of humanity left in him." He nearly whispered. "What madness is it that causes Dumbledore to wish that I would fight against such a thing?" He sneered. The thought had plagued him for some time. "I am nothing when compared to that." He said shaking his head.

"None of us are Harry." Malfoy said with a distant smile on his face. "If only you had met him when I did you would know that. He was…enchanting, charismatic. He had even the most stoic of politicians in his hands like soft putty with just a word. It was beautiful to watch." He said with a sigh. Harry tilted his head to the side and smirked slightly.

"If I didn't know any better I might say you had a crush on him." Harry said teasingly. Lord Malfoy stiffened slightly and scowled.

"If I didn't know any better I'd say you were jealous." He returned. Harry snorted in his tea effectively scalding himself. Malfoy chortled slightly and Harry scowled. "The only question is, are you jealous of him, or of me?" Lord Malfoy asked obviously thoroughly enjoying the conversation.

"I'll pretend that this conversation never happened." Harry said rolling his eyes. "Now if there's anything else…?" He offered.

"Hmph, teasing you isn't nearly as fun as teasing Draco." Malfoy said with a sniff. Harry snorted. "So he is alive." He said seriously the abrupt change nearly throwing Harry off. Harry nodded.

"Alive and most probably well, still, it is of imperative that we find him and that not a word of this gets around." He said pointedly. Malfoy snorted.

"Yet you told Bella of all people?" he said incredulously.

"Madam Le Strange is both locked up in Azkaban and criminally insane, no one would believe her ramblings." Malfoy nodded.

"True." He said before sighing and standing. "Will you let me know if you find anything?" Harry rose an eyebrow.

"Come lord Malfoy you'll have to do better then that." He said with a smirk. Lord Malfoy scowled a bit before slowly smirking and leaning forward, too close for comfort in Harry's opinion.

"A kiss then?" He smirked. Harry stumbled back his face turning pink.

"How did I know that would come back to haunt me?!" He muttered to himself wiping a hand down his face. Lord Malfoy threw back his head and let out an amused laugh.

"I take it back; you are quite a bit more amusing to tease than Draco, I just have to work harder for it." He said shaking his head delightedly before standing. "I suppose I must say farewell then Harry Potter." He said tilting his head in a slight bow. Harry huffed and shook his head as he stood.

"Remember Lord Malfoy, not a word of this to anyone." He said seriously. Lucius' face became serious as well.

"Of course, I've been playing this game for a long time Harry, I know better than to do anything more than that which I am instructed to do." He said with a tilt of his head. "It is for your sake that I worry, Severus would be devastated if anything were to happen to you." He said pointedly. Harry nodded.

"I will be careful Malfoy you know that." He said with a nod.

"Very well then, I believe you have a celebration to attend to, do take care." He said with another tilt of his head.

"Yes I will, and send Lady Malfoy my regards." Harry said thinking fondly of the woman. Lucius Malfoy's expression seemed to soften slightly as he nodded and Harry refused to think that the pain in his chest was anything more than a result of his being outside in the cold for too long.

Shaking his head slightly at the odd feeling he turned to the tea tray and nearly jumped when gray eyes caught his through a foggy bit of glass. Dark, thick fur surrounded the seemingly knowing gaze and Harry felt just a bit unsettled- until that is he saw the great shiver the creature gave off. It looked to be starving and Harry stomach groaned in sympathy. Glancing at the full tray of assorted goodies he smiled slightly and looked back at the dog lifting his finger to his lips. The dog cocked its head to the side in question and crouched slightly.

"Dobby?" He called softly. The elf appeared immediately looking wide-eyed and concerned until he noticed that Lord Malfoy was gone.

"Is Harry Potter needing something?" He asked curiously. Harry placed his hand on his stomach sheepishly.

"Could I bother you for something to eat? I'm really very hungry after the game…something with meat? I feel like I could eat a whole ham!" he exaggerated slightly. Dobby's eyes widened in glee and he jumped up and down excitedly. Harry's appetite had been suffering lately due to his hectic schedule and well…the rift that had begun between himself and Severus. His heart ached slightly and he had to swallow against it as Dobby popped excitedly away. Carefully he crept through the warm green house and opened the door whistling lowly. For a moment there was nothing but the sound of the storm before slowly, hesitantly the large grim slinked out from the shadows towards him.

"There we go…" he said gently. "I'm not going to hurt you…poor creature." He sighed once the dog was standing hesitantly before him. The dog looked half starved and entirely frightened and confused as it shivered before him.

"Come on, in out of the rain." He tisked allowing the dog to slink past him dripping wet. The voice cooed inside him sympathetically and Harry shut the door closing the storm out before turning to the great dog. When he raised his wand the dog flinched visibly and part of Harry clenched in understanding.

"Just a drying charm." He soothed before gently swishing his wand and casting the charm causing the dogs fur to stand up on end drawing a slight chuckle from him when the sopping dog turned into a rather fluffy fur ball. The log snuffled and sneezed before huffing and shaking its body until its coat lay flat around him. The dog tilted his head to the side and crouched wagging its tail slightly drawing another chuckle out of Harry just as a large pile of steaming foods appeared on the magically enlarged table. Harry stared at it in shock before looking down at the grim which was practically drooling.

"Well it's a good thing you're here." He said before cautiously moving towards the pile and lifting a tray in amusement. "I didn't think he would actually give me a whole ham…" He said shaking his head slightly as he set the tray down on the floor. The dog sniffed hesitantly and gave a low whine.

"Go on." Harry said smiling. "There's no way I'm eating all this." He said gazing hesitantly at the food. The dog gave a low growl before pouncing on the ham ravenously. Harry sat down and began to fill a plate for himself and ate slowly as he watched the dog enjoy his meal. When the creature got down to the bone Harry took one of the empty trays and began filling it with food emptying out a bowl so that he could fill it with juice for the dog. When he set them down the dog looked up at him in amazement and adoration.

"You haven't eaten for a while have you?" Harry said softly in understanding. "I know what that's like." He said his gaze darkening slightly. The dog gave a low growl as if sensing his mood and Harry smiled slightly as a thought came to mind.

"You know, magic calls me the master of all creatures light and dark." He said softly causing the dog to still. "She keeps going on about me being a prince of some sort." He chuckled tightly. "She says I'll be a king some day you know that? Me, Harry Potter-phhtt! I grew up in a cupboard for merlins' sake!" He said shaking his head. "At any rate I wouldn't be any kind of king if I didn't protect those who look up to me as a leader now would I?" He said smiling slightly. Finish up your food and I'll take you somewhere where you should be safe for a while, if you'd like then once winter break comes along I'll take you to my apartments- as long as you promise not to chew up my furniture that is he half-scolded. The dog yipped lightly and his tongue lolled out of his head causing Harry to laugh.

"Alright then it's settled!" he said feeling a little less lonely.