Question: Hello! I have a quick question, for my readers. So can you take a second to read and then maybe lemme know? Okay, I most certaily am not promising - because my promises have a habit of falling through to the worst extent. However, I am dabbling with another Lucius/Harry - a spin off of this. But, there is definitely no guarantees that it'll ever be completed - or even pushed further. But, ah, okay to my question. What do you think of Mpreg, if done correctly - anyway? Lemme know if you can and thank you all for reading! It's been great. :)
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
After making the arrangements the night before, Harry slid out of the bed at five o' clock in the morning and quickly dressed and fled the bedroom and to Gryffindor to wake up the other members of the Quidditch team.
Harry knew he was pulling an Oliver and he got a handful of nasty glares for banging on the doors and making all the players rise up from their dream induced sleep. He had to point his wand at the new beater, "If you want me to replace you then say so now- otherwise get your arse downstairs in ten minutes."
Not surprising, every one of the bitching Quidditch players found themselves in the common room giving him the dirtiest of looks.
If looks could kill, thought Harry with idle amusement.
He was unperturbed and turned on his heel and led the way out. Mary, who had become quite fond of Harry, rushed to his side as she pulled her hair back in a ponytail. "I think I can overcome the bludgers!" she said, excitedly.
"You will overcome, not think about it." said Harry, brightly.
"So, you came off suspension?" asked Katie, stifling a large yawn. "Th- thank god! Captain isn't for me."
Ron sighed, "Wh- why you making us get up so early? We've been practicing."
Harry smirked, "Cause, I want to see for myself what you're doing and I need to help Mary out here. Besides, I've not practiced for two weeks and like hell are you going to get over 300 points from Ravenclaw to win the damn game. I think you're forgetting just how good Cho Chang actually is."
"You're better!" declared Ginny, who had been half asleep, and walking with her fingers curled around Ron's robe.
"But she's good." said Harry. "I have to stay better by practicing. The more she practices the closer she gets to my level."
Katie grumbled and stifled another tearful yawn, "I- I - I hate it when you m- m- make sense."
The two new beaters just nodded their agreement and lumbered behind Harry and the rest of the players. It wasn't even completely daylight when they met the cool outside air.
"I can't believe we're doing this." mumbled Adrian Wagner, a burly fifth year that was almost double the size of Ron.
"I can." said Katie. "He got it off Oliver; he was the captain before Angelina. Boy, he was ruthless."
"And Harry isn't?" asked Scott Rawlings, the replacement beater who wasn't as large and burly as your average beater but he could hit it without hitting himself and he was a swift flyer with a Nimbus 2000.
Harry laughed out loud, "I'm still standing here, girls."
"Oye! Who you calling girls?" growled Adrian.
Harry smirked, "Well, then? Show me you're not." He received a bruising punch from Ginny on the shoulder.
"Kind of hard to show you I'm not, when I most certainly am a girl!" scowled Ginny.
Harry smirked, "Get your arses in the sky."
"Its dark!" complained Katie. "Not even Oliver made us fly in the dark."
"Do I look like Oliver?" asked Harry. "Just think of the darkness as rain or some other obstruction."
Each one of the players exchanged looks.
"You're crazy!" said Ron, but he was pulling his broom around to mount it.
Harry summoned the box of balls and flipped them open. "I'm counting to five if you're not in the air-" He didn't have to finish, everyone cursed at him and then shot up into the night air, except for Mary, who was giggling.
"What do you need me to do?" she asked, happily. Her eyes glittered in the vague darkness.
"Well, I've had this routine I wanted to put you through - Adrian!" shouted Harry. "Come here a moment, I need your help..." He looked up to the sky, and waited for the beater.
Harry and his team did not return from the field until eight o' clock. They were all sore and bruised from Harry's vigorous work out.
Katie shoved Harry teasingly, as Ginny kicked him in the arse. Ron just grumbled and stifled a yawn, "I'm sleeping in History of Magic and there's nothing Hermione can say or do that will make me change my mind."
Harry laughed and took off before he could get abused any longer back to Lucius' rooms.
Harry was in a cheerful mood when he entered the rooms, to see Lucius fully dressed and food was already covering the small dining table.
"Quidditch Practice, this early?" asked Lucius in disbelief, "how long have you been outside?"
"Since five fifteen. Took fifteen minutes to round them all up." said Harry lightly, as he placed his broom up and then peeled his clothes off.
"There's clean clothes in the bathroom. You don't have to go to classes till Monday, but you're still coming with me."
Harry stuck out his tongue and smiled, before pulling his hair out of the ponytail and heading for the bathroom.
When he came out he stood in front of the long mirror and adjusted the black leather trousers that had emerald green gems going up the sides and around the waist where the belt would normally go. He was wearing an emerald green silk that tucked in and buttoned up, and on the back of it was a black dragon with the greenest of eyes.
"Heh, the Quidditch team's gonna kill me." said Harry, smiling pleased with himself as he took the brush to his hair and then changed his earring. Lucius had come back in for a couple things. "I conveniently forgot to tell them we had practice again tonight - and tomorrow morning and tomorrow night-"
Lucius arched an eyebrow, "You have a death wish, don't you?"
Harry laughed, "They can kill me afterwards, right now though, I want to win."
"You certainly have the Slytherin ambition." commented Lucius, sauntering over. He stood behind Harry and stared at him from the mirror in front of them. "You look like a Slytherin as well." He said as an afterthought. "I missed you this morning..." He pulled the Gryffindor's hair to one side and kissed him behind the ear and then along the neck. "First time you've I've never woken you to sliding on top of me." He grabbed the teen's hips and pressed himself into his backside.
Harry grinned devilishly, "There's always lunch-"
"Indeed." said Lucius opening his mouth and nibbling against the grooved area between the neck and shoulder.
For three straight days, Harry did nothing but practice with his team. He was practically obsessed, and even Ron was beginning to question his sanity.
However, by Saturday morning Harry's peppy attitude had changed completely and was replaced by Quidditch nerves. It was only because of Lucius' touch that kept his mind and body from having a nervous breakdown.
The man had rolled over on top of Harry, grabbed his wrists, raised them above his head, and told him to hold onto the bed post. He brushed wet amorous kisses along Harry's vulnerable body. He also ran his hands and fingers all over until he was whimpering and moaning in his slightly loud and beautiful way that caused Lucius' senses to burn with a craving desire.
-
When Harry finally headed for the Entrance Hall, he met his team. Mary was bouncing up and down between Adrian and Scott, while Ron was leaning against the wall staring straight ahead at a stone statue not really looking at it. Katie looked as if she had seen better days.
Ginny and Mary were the only two who looked normal, well, except for Mary's excited behaviour. She hugged Harry upon seeing him. Hermione came over and offered a piece of toast with jam on it.
Harry shook his head, "I just ate." She glared at him. "I did! Ask Lucius!" He insisted pointing to the man who was heading for the Great Hall.
He looked back, "Yes, Miss Granger, he ate." He smirked and proceeded through.
"See." said Harry, sticking his tongue out.
The Quidditch game lasted for two hours, Harry watched as Mary swerved all the bludgers without flinching or shaking in fright. His chasers were seamless and although Scott accidentally sent a bludger toward Ginny instead of Terry Boot, they did exceptionally well and Cho Chang didn't have a chance, for the moment Harry saw the snitch he was after it and snatched it before the girl could get within a foot of him.
It was only natural that afterwards a humongous party, was thrown in Gryffindor, one in which Harry stayed for about four hours before running off to find Lucius.
The rest of November flashed by like a bolt of lightning. Harry returned to classes in full and there was one other game; Slytherin versus Hufflepuff, before the beginning of December blew through in its famously frosty way.
As the sky opened up and threatened the world with tumbling porcelain white snow, Harry found himself curled up underneath a blanket with his best friend Hermione half asleep on the floor between Lucius' legs with his head against the man's foot. Hermione was laying curled up with her head against Harry's thighs and a book on her chest. The aristocrat in question was on the sofa and Severus was in one of the armchairs with a cup of tea. The crackling fire had lulled boy into a gentle doze.
The room was content and nothing dramatic had happened, which was just fine for the occupants that would have been involved. A flutter of wings however, startled Lucius out of his conversation with Severus. He glanced up to see an unfamiliar owl flying toward him with a letter attached.
Hermione blearily opened her eyes at the noise and squeaked, "That's James' owl."
Harry jerked hearing his father's name and raised his head when the owl stopped at Lucius and not Harry. "Chase?"
The chestnut coloured owl hooted to Harry in recognition as Lucius untied the rolled up letter. Chase fluttered to Harry nipped him on the head and then settled against his shoulder.
"He must want a reply." said Harry, confused. He stroked just underneath the owl's neck with one finger; Lucius unravelled the letter and read it swiftly.
Dear Lucius, Draco, and Severus,
I would like to extend an open invitation for you three to join my wife, son, Remus, Sirius, and I for Christmas Holiday at the Potter Manor. I know my son would enjoy having your presence and company on such a magical holiday and I would like the chance to continue apologising in a more warm way than using words. If you agree please respond as soon as possible so that I may make arrangements for a port-key sent before beginning of the holiday.
My wife and I would be delighted for your presence and my son even more. I do hope that if you accept, and hope that amends can be made rather than childish feuds and rivalry and yes, I do mean you Severus. I have a feeling I'm going to be in a lot of your company and you mine, we might as well make the best of it. It will be much more tasteful than the summer, when I was completely blind to the going-on's around me. I do know that Remus and Sirius are looking forward to the visit and I am sure that something in my manor could accommodate each and every one of you.
Also, if my son is with you, which I have no doubt he is, would you let him know that I love him and that Hermione is welcome to join. I hold no hard feelings towards her from the Three Broomsticks incident; for I deserved everything she gave me plus more. Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
Lily and James Potter
Severus stared at the letter, while Harry looked hopeful. Hermione was giggling over the end. "Sounds much more promising than going skiing with my parents, although, I might have to stay with them a couple days after Christmas..." she winced. "Mountains, thin skis?" she shuddered.
Harry chuckled, and glanced up at Lucius who picked up his quill and quickly wrote down a reply.
"Severus?" Lucius glanced up from the parchment, "You're going, right?"
The dark man remained silent, for a moment and then sighed under the gaze of his friend, "Do I have a choice?"
"Not really." said Lucius, smiling vaguely.
Severus scowled but it was half-hearted, "Then why bother asking?"
"To amuse myself."
Severus rolled his dark eyes, "You've been around Harry for far too long-"
Harry sniggered and pressed his mouth against Lucius' thigh, "So you're coming?" asked the boy, shyly.
"Of course, we are." he glanced at Hermione, who was still mumbling about the ridiculous death defying sport that her parents had a love for, "I suppose your babbling about dangerous muggle sports has me convinced you are attending as well?"
Hermione blushed and nodded, "Definitely!"
"What about Draco? He might not want to come."
"He'll deal with it." said Lucius, folding the letter and handed it to Harry who tied it to Chase, who'd been sitting still and coo'ing against him the whole time.
With one last nip the owl flew away. Harry smiled and turned to look at Hermione. "Can you believe my parents actually try to get me to sign up for rugby on skis?"
Harry laughed out loud, his forehead pressed in against Hermione. He was having a hard time concealing his large smile and it became even more strained when Lucius' fingers ran through his hair as he resumed his conversation with Severus.
Hogsmeade was dazzling, Harry stood there between Ron and Hermione staring around the chilly atmosphere. The shops had caps of snow and the icicles hung over elegantly. The scent of cinnamon and Christmas like spice filtered the air heavenly. There was soft Christmas music playing everywhere by a charm and crunching could be heard all around them from those passed by. Children of all ages picked up balls of snow and chucked it at their best friends or the nearest funny looking wizard before rushing behind a stand to hide.
Christmas was most definitely flowing around him. His hair was pulled back low and he was wearing jet black jean trousers with white trim in thick strips and his shirt underneath his half zipped thin leather jacket was white, long sleeved, and it clung to his toned body. In one ear was a white diamond while the other ear was a coiling silver snake.
His mind was doing cartwheels; what was he going to get a man who had everything? This question had been harassing him for a week and now that he was here in the beautiful little village of Hogsmeade, he had to figure out within the next five hours otherwise Harry would be in an even worse predicament.
Ginny and Luna ran up to Harry, Ron, and Hermione throwing snowballs there way. One hit Hermione on the side of the head, the other smacked right into Ron's face while the third that was directed at Harry went above his head when the teen ducked.
"Ahh, poo!" squealed Ginny. "I'd hoped to get you back for all the early morning practices." sulked the female Weasley.
Harry stuck out his tongue and smirked, "Come on guys! I have five hours."
"Isn't that long enough?" asked Ron, incredulously.
"I've been trying to figure out for a week what to get Lucius and I have yet to actually succeed in coming up with something that doesn't sound so damn hokey." declared Harry. He helped Hermione get the snow bits out of her curly hair. She was glaring ruefully at Luna, who smiled sweetly.
"I'm sure he'll be satisfied with anything." suggested Ron, swallowing thickly.
Harry snorted and shook his head, "Not good enough for me. I dunno - come on!" He grabbed Hermione's hand and led the way, when she flicked her wand over her shoulder.
"Acquazzone snowball!" Before anyone knew what was happening about a hundred freezing cold snowballs formed from the nearest patch of snow attacked the two rebellious fifth year girls, causing loud squeals and shouts of horror when they were covered and pelted.
"Yeah, let's go!" said Hermione, smiling deviously.
Two hours later, and Harry was beyond frustration. He refused to stop off at the Three Broomsticks and instead, said goodbye to his friends and headed off on his own. He weaved in and out of shops, some of them as soon as he entered he scowled and walked out.
Sighing he trudged through the chilly snow, his white boots covered slightly with matching snow. He passed the Hogs Head Inn and stopped when he saw a shop he'd never been in before. It stood two buildings down from the dark and shady pub and it had beautiful Venetian style windows. There was no name on the front at all. The only thing that gave Harry permission to walk in was the 'open' sign on the hard oak door. The building was white brick and it seemed to glow against the fallen snow. It looked more like a house than it did a shop and when Harry entered his mouth dropped open in astonishment.
Whatever shop this was, it was incredible. There were glass cases everywhere with jewels, gems, crystallized cups, and sparkling swords. There were chandeliers hanging from the ceiling and it cast a rainbow shadow across the crème coloured carpeted floors. A long glass counter with the most expensive jewels and items sat at the right front side. Then there was a hallway next to the counter that lead into a place of furniture. He saw no one behind the counter, and wondered if they were in the back. He walked along the rows and his eyes fell on items of gorgeous prestige. He stopped in front of a case and did a double take when he saw sitting on the glass shelf the exact same item that was residing in Dumbledore's office right now. It was a gorgeous gleaming Gryffindor Sword, with the beautiful red ruby hilt and his name in the exact same lettering along the sharp pointed blade.
"Famously crafted copies." The voice was silky and so soft that it caused Harry to jump in fright. He whirled around to see a man staring at him with glowing blue eyes and long silvery grey hair. He had a fair few of wrinkles along his exceptionally tanned skin and his chin had an indent. He was very skinny, and about the same height as Harry. "They're not real, but they're close." The man smiled, "Weston Watsmith at your service, Mr. Potter." He said holding out his hand.
Harry smiled back, "Thank you Mr. Watsmith."
"Oh, no please, it's Weston. I already feel old as it is. No need to make it worse."
The younger wizard laughed, "As long as you call me Harry then."
Weston beamed, "Excellent! So, what can I do for you on this fine snowy morning?"
"I'm looking for a gift. I just - I stumbled upon this shop. I've never seen it before."
"Watsmith's is known mostly to the age old wizards. I believe your father may know about me but I have a feeling your mother does not."
"Well, you might want to try a name outside your shop. This place looks more like a house."
"Ah, but the more people who discover this place the less rare the items inside will be."
Harry stared at him and looked around, "How do you make a living then?"
Weston Watsmith chuckled; his eyes twinkled in a way that would make Dumbledore jealous. "Oh, Harry, have you checked the prices on my glorious items? One sold item is enough money to last me comfortably for two years or more."
Harry glanced over his shoulder and noticed a white tag on the Godric Gryffindor replica sword, 4,000 was written in perfect numbers. "Wow." said Harry, "It's a good one." He admitted. "Did you craft this?"
"Of course I did. I crafted everything in this shop."
"How? I didn't think it ever left the Headmaster's office."
"It never has. I asked for a look over sixty years ago and he happily agreed. When I got to the school I was even more excited to find that several other rare and wondrous artefacts that I had been looking for resided there as well."
Harry bit his lip and glanced over his shoulder, "Wow, you're an amazing crafter."
Weston looked as though he were blushing. Harry had never met an old man who blushed before, unless it was Dumbledore being complimented on his earmuffs or socks. "Thank you, Mr. Potter. I bet your manor has lovely artefacts."
"We do." said Harry, and his eyes glittered. "Maybe if you can help me, I could help you."
Weston's eyes lit up like diamonds, "Oh, you would be so kind?"
Harry smiled, "It would be the least I could do, if I come out of here with what I need and want."
He clapped his hands together childishly, "Excellent! Weston would be honoured to help you Harry. Now, I need to know, what you are looking for."
"Something for a proud, aristocratic Slytherin, who already has everything."
"Your companion Mr. Malfoy, I presume?"
Harry inclined his head. "That would be the one."
Weston grinned, "You know, I might have just the thing. I have had it for forty-five years but no ones ever bought it. One of my favourite crafts too." Harry followed the man around the room, his eyes falling on the precious replicas that lined the cases.
They got to the front and Weston moved around behind the long glass counter cases. He slid a small door back, as Harry walked up and stared down into it.
He saw immediately, what Weston was looking at. His mouth opened in awe, if there was one thing that Lucius would appreciate more than anything, it was something of this nature. It was a pocket watch but it was unlike anything he had ever seen before. It was an immaculately beautiful plated silver with gold trim around the face. The hands were glowing green serpents with the reddest of eyes. The numbers were roman numerals and glowing silver and when you turned it over the name Salazar Slytherin was imprinted underneath a coiling black and emerald green serpent that was moving slightly and continuously opening its mouth, sticking its forked tongue out in a hiss. The name was scrawled as if it were the real handwriting of Salazar. The chain was gold plated and small ringlets.
"Wow!" breathed Harry, as Weston grinned.
"Beautiful isn't it?"
"No one's bought this?"
"No, no one. It's a pity; I have quite a few Slytherin possessions that I handcrafted. It was a very nice challenge; the snake didn't want to cooperate with me."
"What happened to the real watch?"
Weston smiled sadly, "I do not know, it disappeared just weeks after I got a hold of it. This was just weeks after the young Lord Voldemort left school."
Harry was mildly surprised that Weston said the wizard's name without flinching, "Tom Riddle?"
"Yes, you know his real name? Ah, I shouldn't be so surprised, should I? You did save us all, you ought to have information about Tom Riddle that no one ever knew."
"I have a bit of information-" said Harry slowly, "But, not as much as one would think. I try hard not to dwell on the past."
"Yes, yes, I don't blame you son! Well? What do you think?"
"Definitely." whispered Harry, picking up the watch that was light weight and fit just inside his palm. He turned it over several times.
"Thirty five hundred galleons, but I'll take one thousand off, for you Harry if you like."
"I can afford full price Weston." said Harry, with a Slytherin like smirk. "What else have you got? Place that aside, I'm buying it."
Weston beamed, and placed it on top of a soft velvet cloth, before proceeding to pull out several artefacts such as jewel incrusted goblets. Weston pulled out a photograph book that had replica pictures of the real item. He saw the pocket watch and he saw the cups and then the various rings.
One stood out to him more than the rest, this one was plated gold with S shaped diamonds all around the top of the ring, in the middle of the ring was a small serpent shaped emerald and underneath it was S. Slytherin.
It was the most gorgeous piece of jewellery Harry had ever seen in his life. But, he thought giving Lucius a ring would be overdoing it, even if it was gorgeous.
"Let me see that ring." He pointed to it.
"Ooh, that's one of the most expensive pieces in my shop. I only ever made two, nearly impossible this was. I don't have the magic left in me to make a third." He pulled it out and Harry looked it over.
"Wow,"
"Ten thousand even. I might part with it for eight."
Harry bit his lip, "The price is not what's bothering me." He said with honesty. "But, would it be too much to ask, to put this away for me? I'll put half of it down now if you like?"
Weston's bushy eyebrows shot up into his hairline, surprised at the request, "Hold onto it? Dear, Harry I doubt anyone would come in here and purchase this ring. No one has in all the years I've had it."
"My luck likes to toy with me sometimes." He told Weston. "But, believe me, when I can, I'm coming back for it. The deposit should seal that."
Weston grinned, "I believe you Harry, and yes, I will set this aside personally. In fact, I doubt I will ever put the second ring out. So you will be the only person to ever possess such a ring when you come back."
Harry beamed, "Thank you. I'll take that pocket watch now."