Chapter Nine-Lucius enter Harry & Neville Inner Circle
Harry is having a bad day no make that a bad fucking week. It has been a two days since he sent his letter to Draco. And to his disappointment, Draco has not gotten back to him. I hope he has not rejected me. To top off his bad mood, the Headmaster strongly suggested that Harry must see him tonight after dinner. And as much as he tries to delay it Harry will have to go and sit the old fool. Harry chose to wait as late as possible to speak with the Headmaster, he can use the excuse of meeting his friends for dinner to make a quick escape. Harry stops in front of the Headmaster office door about to knock when he notices that it is cracked, not enough to see inside but enough to hear.
"You say he has not spent any time with you since school has started?" He heard the Headmaster ask.
"No sir, he is spending more time with Longbottom, they've been very secretive. And, every time I try to touch him he backs away. We know they spent the rest of the summer together. Also, Harry and Longbottom are quick to defend each other. Before Neville would shy away from confrontation but since the year started, it is as if he will take on anyone who tries to belittle him." Harry knows that was Ginny. She has tried on numerous occasions to get close to him; he is constantly rebuffing her advances. Also, whenever Ron or Hermione are around Neville, Hermione mostly tries to show she is much smarter than Neville.
The next person to speak is Ron "I can tell you they study a lot, though. I saw them in the library a few days ago. I was looking for Hermione; they were talking about plants. I doubt they noticed me."
That is where Ron is wrong, Harry and Neville were discussing their mates when they saw him trying to sneak around the corner. They quickly changed the subject so that he would not overhear their conversation.
"Ms. Granger, I trust you made sure the Dursley's did what was required of them this summer?" Dumbledore asks.
"Yes, I spoke to them personally. I made sure they slipped the potion into his daily water intake. I also told them to be extra hard on him since it was his last summer with them. They were quite eager to comply." Hermione eagerly replies. "Umm. Professor, I meant to ask you a question."
"Yes, Ms. Granger what is it?"
"Is it true that Neville and Harry are ranked the top two students in Hogwarts?"
"I'm afraid it is true, Ms. Granger," Dumbledore tells her. "It seems Harry and Longbottom decided to retake their O.W.L.S. before the start of the term and scored exceptionally well."
Harry wish he could see the expression on Hermione's face. "Sir," She says meekly. "Is it too late for me to retest they way they did?"
"I am afraid so Ms. Granger,"
"B-," She begins but is cut off by Dumbledore.
"If you applied to retest before the start of the school year, it would have been fine. However, since the semester has started it is too late." Dumbledore tells her. "Now lets us get back to the task at hand," He says stopping any other questions Hermione might have had. "What else can you tell me of Mr. Potter and Mr. Longbottom's relationship."
Harry hears a gasp in the room, "Do you think that is what it is?" Ron asks. If Harry is not mistaken, there is disgust in his voice. "Do you think they are together, as in sleeping with each other?"
"Maybe, he was given enough of the Amortentia potion, and he should be completely in love with me, not that bumbling idiot Neville," Ginny snaps. "Something must have gone wrong."
Harry would have laughed if he could. Oh, Merlin, they think Neville and I are in love, wait until I tell him, he will laugh his bloody arse off.
"Forget about that," Ron says. "Do you think he found out about the money we took from his vaults?" He asks.Good old Ron is always thinking of himself.
"Please, Potter is too stupid to know anything, besides we covered our tracks. Isn't that right Headmaster?" That is from Hermione. "I have no bloody idea how he cheated on the retest!"
"You are correct Ms. Granger. As his magical guardian, I can authorize others to go into his vaults." He replies. "However, it is an offence to cheat on any magical exams, the consequences is the loss of magic and live the remainder of your existence as nothing more than a squib."
That must have pleased Hermione, "Well then Professor allow me to investigate. And once I find evidence that he and Longbottom cheated we can turn him in after we have gotten all of his money."
"Very well, Ms. Granger."
"Is the Marriage Contract between him and Ginny still valid? I want to make sure that after we kill him or have him thrown out of the Wizarding world there will be nothing stopping my family or us from getting his money."
"It is my boy. Once Mr. Potter defeats Lord Voldemort, Ginny will marry him. We will do away with him before she has any heirs. You family will not need to worry about finances for the remainder of their lives. Also, you will all be gloriously praised for helping Mr. Potter for riding the world of Lord Voldemort." Dumbledore continues. "And, Ms. Granger, will be the next Minister of Magic. And, I will still be seen as the Greatest Light Lord the Wizarding world will be at our feet. I do not want my legacy to be the man who helped Harry Potter defeat Voldemort."
"How much longer do we have to pretend to like him? It's very daunting. It's times like this I'm very glad that he is with Longbottom more than us." Harry hear the utter distaste for him in Hermione's voice. "When do we move to the next step?"
Dumbledore begins to speak, and Harry can hear the glee for their plan in his voice. "I have sent Mr. Potter a message letting him know I would like to talk with him." Thinking Harry takes a chance by stepping closer to the small crack door and inched it open just a bit giving him a better chance to spy inside Dumbledore's office without being seen. Severus would be proud of me if he could see me now. He peeks through the door just in time to see Dumbledore opens a drawer on the side of his desk and pulls out a few parchments.
"This is a copy of his will," Dumbledore begins. " When he comes in to see me tonight I will get him to sign it, his tea will be drugged, and he will have no knowledge of what happened. Harry trusts me completely, he would never doubt my intentions."
Harry covers his mouth so that he would not make a sound at Dumbledore's plans to get him to sign a false will.
"What if we get him to marry Ginny before he defeats Voldemort. Then we wouldn't have to wait until it is over. We could just kill him in during the battle." Ron asks.
There are so many things wrong what Ron just said. First of all, he said Voldemorts name when he usually cringes when Harry says. And the fact that they all suspects that Harry is going to marry Ginny willingly is truly beyond him.
"That is a splendid idea, my boy." Dumbledore praises Ron. "Voldemort's broken soul that is inside of Harry has to be killed by the man himself. If one of us is around Harry when the two finally meet in battle. Then we can make sure that both Harry and Voldemort is dead. Voldemort will be completely human. Until then neither can die."
"Do you know where the other souls are?" Asks Ginny. It would be better if we find and destroy them first," asked Ginny.
"Besides Harry, the diary and Nagini, I have not been able to locate the other Horcruxes." Dumbledore replies. "But we cannot find the without Harry. I have an idea of where they are located." He continues.
"Do you know what they are?" Hermione asked
"Since you will be the ones to help Harry on the hunt for them, I see no reason by not telling you. Marvolo Gaunt's Ring, Salazar Slytherin's Locket, Helga Hufflepuff's Cup, and Rowena Ravenclaw's Diadem." He told them.
"The question is how are we going to get Harry to look for them without tipping our hands," Ron asks. They all sit in silence for a few minutes.
Harry took the chance to sneak off without being seen or heard. He quickly makes his way to the dungeons. Harry needed to find a way to not sign that Will. How dare they. Harry could not wait to enact his revenge. Harry realizes he is going to need help to follow through with his plans. He opens the door Severus's classroom without knocking or announcing himself. He could not wait until this weekend; he need to tell Severus and Remy everything. What he needed to do he will require their help.
"Professor," He calls out. "Is there a way you can get in touch with Remy? I must speak with you both." He says impatiently to Severus in a way of greeting.
"Yes, I often entertain him into my private quarters," Severus answers as he creased his eyebrows and looked up at Harry, as he remained seated behind his desk.
"Can you do it without Dumblefuck finding out?" He is seething.
Severus raises a perfectly arched eyebrow. "Of course. I am a spy Potter. How do you think I leave the school without students realizing?"
Harry closed his eyes, takes in a deep breath to calm his rising anger. "Can you do it tonight?" He asks ignoring Severus's sarcasm. "What I was not ready to reveal to tell you both, I am now prepared to trust you with my secrets." Harry, continues before Severus can ask any more questions. "There are others that I need to inform, can we meet in your quarters after dinner. That way it will not look suspicion to have us all meeting together."
"Of course." Severus gets up from his desk and walks over to Harry and cups his face with his hand. Harry does not flinch when Severus touches him. There is no need the older man has no sexual designs on him, Severus see's him as a father does a son. Severus lifts Harry's head for him to look in his eyes. "Whatever it is we will fix it." Bending down he gave Harry a chaste kiss on his forehead right by his fading scar.
Again, Harry soaks up the affection. He nods his head turns and leave Severus's classroom. Now he just need to find Neville and Luna. It's time to put things into action.
Harry gets to Severus's private quarters before Luna and Neville. He knocks on the door. Severus opens the door promptly and lets him in. Severus quarters surprises Harry. It has the look and feel of a high-rise muggle apartment Harry has only seen on muggle television. There are three bedrooms. The walls were painted brown with white trim. The sofa is chocolate brown leather big enough for two to relax comfortably. They are soft blue and silver throw pillows arranged neatly in each corner. There is a kitchenette off to the left side of the room, it is big enough to accommodate a dining table with eight chairs. To the right is the fireplace with two leather wingback chairs in front of it. Soft candles are lit all around the room.
The room has an inviting atmosphere something Harry did not expect from Severus Snape, the snarky potion's master. While Harry is taking in the room, Severus disappears. When he reappears, Remus is with him. Remus quickly walks over to Harry and pulls him into the tightest hug. Harry hugged him back.
"Oh, Remy I'm so sorry," Harry whispers into his chest. "I didn't know what to say."
"It's ok cub. I'm here. You don't have to say anything just let me hold you. I've missed you so much."
"I've missed you too Remy."
They stand in the same spot holding each other for what seemed liked hours and not minutes. Remus did not want to let his cub go. Remus feels as if he let Harry down by not doing everything he could to protect him enough. He is smart and intuitive and let's not discount a Marauder. And yet, Remus did not see Dumbledore's manipulations. Remus's thoughts are interrupted when there is a knock at the door. Severus jerks his head to the left indicating they should take their reunion to another room. Remus and Harry moves and goes to one of the empty bedrooms looking doors while Severus went to answer the door to his private quarters.
Harry did not have time to take in the décor of the room. Soon after, Severus came and got them. When they walked out Neville, Luna and the Weasley twins are there. Harry is not sure what the twins are doing here.
"George…Fred…what are you two doing here?"
"Come on Harrykins..." starts Fred.
"…you were going to have a party…." continues George.
"…and not invite us…." They say together.
"How did you know I was going to be here?" Harry asks.
"That can easily"…. George replies.
".…be explain later Harrykins…" Fred goes on.
"…..don't you think you and Neville…" George continues.
"…you should drop your…." Fred picks up from where George leaves off.
"Glamor…" They finish together as they hug him.
"You can trust them" Luna assures him."They are my shield and your guards. They have been here since the beginning of school. Lady Hogwarts keeps them from hidden from all eyes and ears. They are on your side."
Harry looks at the twins it was a relief to know that he could still trust some Weasley. It hurt Harry to think he might have lost their friendship. "Before we do that is this room safe," Neville asks.
"Lady Hogwarts along with Professor Snape has warded the room. We also have a warning if someone is approaching the door." Luna replies.
Neville and Harry look at each other then drops their glamor everyone in the room gasps. Harry gaze travels around the room. Luna and the twins are smiling happily while Severus and Remus look on with shocks on their faces. Although he felt comfortable in the room, Harry did not release his wings. Harry feels the only one that will see his wings should be his mate. Harry also controlled his Veela thrall, after spending time with the Founders, Salazar taught him, and Neville how to control their thrall on other. Besides Harry feels he has enough issues keeping his mate from finding out who he is, having an admire is not what he needs at this point. He did not want anyone to touch them. There is a whistle from one of the twins, Harry can tell who they are by the differences in their voices. "Harrykins you are hot!" Fred tells him.
"Neville, wow!" You grew, exclaimed George.
That had the whole room chuckling, "Hey hands off he's practically a married man." Harry tells the room.
"Found yourself a mate did ya?" Fred says wagging his eyebrows suggestively.
Neville blush, the banter, seems to break the tension in the room. Harry turns from Fred and Neville and looks at Remus, who takes the opportunity to pull Harry to the side. "Cub, you came into your creature inheritance? A Veela at that, I didn't know James had creature blood." Remus's questions quickly.
"That is one of the reasons why I wanted Neville here. What we have to say involves our magical inheritance. I'm sorry Remy. I did not know the right way to tell you everything that is going on with me."
Remus looked at his Cub "I guess that Dumbledore does not know?"
"No, he does not. And, after what I just heard today he damn sure will never know if I can help it."
"Why don't you tell us what's going on Harry."
Remus walks Harry to the leather sofa and they both sit down for the first time. Remus pulls Harry into a one arm hug and places a kiss on his hair. He takes a deep breath. "It all started on the night of my birthday. Like every year…" He and Neville take turns telling their side of the story. They did not leave anything out. He looked at Severus directly when he tells them about being the heirs of the founders and the owners of Hogwarts. No one says a word or interrupts them. Until Harry gets to the parts, he heard when he on the train, and what he heard in Dumbledore's office.
The wolf inside Remus is growling ready to tear the room apart, and then go after Dumbledore ready to protect its cub. Severus now knows that he definitely made a deal with the devil, the Headmaster has been up to no good. For an unexplained reason, Severus thinks that Lucius should hear this, but not because they are both spying for the old coot. It is as if Lucius will have more of a pivotal role in whatever is about to happen from this night forward. Severus addresses the room before anyone else can say anything else.
"Harry I think there is someone else we need to include in this conversation. You can trust him."
"Who is it?" He asked.
"Lucius Malfoy…He is also a spy for the light side. He's never trusted Albus wholly, but there was no other way out for him. He became a spy to protect his family."
Harry hopes he masked his shocked expression, his mates father is a spy for the light side no less. Why must fate torture me so? Harry mentally whines. This decision will not only affect Harry it will also affect Neville, he turns to his big brother asking for guidance. "What do you think Nev.?"
Neville turned to Severus and asks him. "Will he swear an oath on his magic that anything we say will stay between us? And, he will aid us in bringing down Dumbledore and Voldemort?" For the first time, no one flinches at hearing Voldemorts name which brings a lot of hope to Harry. "We are brother's not in words but in blood, and we will protect each other even from those who claims to care about us. Remember that." He says menacingly.
Harry watch Severus and everyone in the room could not believe that this is Neville Longbottom the boy that usually cowers at the sound of his name. Severus clears his throat to dispell the quiet that entered the room. Severus nods his head "He will do anything to protect his family."
After some time and thought, "Will he able to come tonight. The sooner we get this done the better we can plan." Harry asks.
"I will fire call him now" replies Severus. He get up and walks over to the fireplace. Throwing some floo powder into it. Green flames flare quickly. "Malfoy Manor, Lucius Malfoy Study" he calls out. A room with books and expensive furniture appears. Seating at his desk is Lucius Malfoy with his head down writing something down.
(A/N This part will be from Lucius Perspective)
Lucius Malfoy, pureblood Veela sits at his desk reviewing ledgers of a muggle business deals, that will be beneficial to his family vaults. He hears his fireplace flares and looks up to see Severus's face in the fire flames.
"Ah, Severus, my good friend to what do I owe this pleasure?" Lucius says please to see his friend and brother in all but blood.
"A few things have come to light, I wonder if you will be able to come through. It is a matter emergency." Severus tells him sounding a bit cryptic.
"Is Draco alright? Cissa and I have not gotten any owls or calls from the Headmaster." Lucius worriedly asks.
"Yes, Draco is fine. This is of another matter." Says again sounding just as suspicious as before. But Lucius is relieved that Draco is fine.
Lucius sighs in relief. "Let me inform Cissa and I will be right there."
"I will leave the floo open."
Lucius calls for a house elf. And tells them to inform his wife he was going to Hogwarts to see Severus. With that taken care of he quickly steps through the floo into Severus private quarters. He is not expecting to see the others there. The Weasley twins, Lupin, the blond girl he remembers from the Ministry, a Veela and an Elf he does not recognize.
Confusion shows his face, "Severus what's going on?"
"Before we reveal anything you must swear an oath on your magic that what you are about to hear or see will not be repeated unless given permission by those in this room."
Glancing around the room and it's occupants, Lucius can tell that whatever is going on involves the Veela and the Elf. He trusts his brother that whatever he needs to hear is imperative and will never jeopardize the safety of his family. Afterall Severus's mate is also in the room. Lucius nods his head accepting Severus's request, then repeats the oath.
"I Lucius Abarax Malfoy, swear that whatever I hear, or see, and say tonight in this room will not be repeated unless authorized by the occupants in this room. So mote it be" A glow went through the occupants in the room. It shows that his oath is accepted.
"Now with that out of the way, will someone tell me what is going on? Lucius demands.
"Lucius, I would like to introduce you to Duke Slytherin and Duke Gryffindor. Better known as Harry Potter and Neville Longbottom."
After hearing the names of who they were, Lucius did the most un-Malfoy and Slytherin thing.
He fainted!
"I really did not see that coming" is what Lucius heard when he came to. "Do you think we should have given him a calming draught before we say anything?" Asks another voice. Lucius is disoriented for a minute. It takes him a minute to figure out where he is. Severus asks him to come to his quarters. Others he did not know is in the room. A Veela and an Elf is there then introduced to him. What are their names again?
He opens his eyes to see Severus kneeling over him looking very concerned.
"Lucius are you alright? You took quite a fall."
Lucius opens his mouth to say yes he was, but what came out is, "Potter and Longbottom? Severus, did I hear you correct?"
"I see you're awake. Do you require a calming draught before we continue? I don't want you to faint again." Lupin says as he walks back into the room with smelling salt. Lucius can also see the man trying to hold back a smile.
"Malfoy's do not faint, I simply lost my balance," Lucius tells the room on a whole. Not only is he still feeling a bit confused he can see the others trying to hold back their chuckle at his little slip.
"Yes, and I'm a jester in disguise. Says a snarky reply. "Are you quite sure Lucius? " Severus asks with a raised eyebrows.
Lucius starts to feel irritation creep up his spine. "Severus, I do not suffer from heart failure. I can handle whatever else you have to say."
Lucius glances around the room to the other occupants. Potter and Longbottom are sitting together at the table in the kitchen. On the sofa sits the Weasley twins in between them is the blond, what was her name? Ah, Lovegood. She is a powerful witch in her own right. Lupin and Severus moved to sit at the table beside Potter and Longbottom.
Lucius follows their lead and gracefully sit in an empty chair. Turning his gaze towards Potter, he takes in the boy's features. Potter is beautiful. As a Veela himself he was not affected by the allure of a Veela, but he can appreciate beauty when he see's it. Lucius stares at Potter as if looking for something else, something that is not evident to everyone else. A strange feeling, inheritance aside Potter, will change a course in all their lives. A throat cleared; turning to the sound he faced Lupin, who arched a brow at him.
"Lupin correct me if I am wrong. James Potter was not a Veela during our time at school or Frank and Alice for that matter?"
Remus shakes his head "I am not sure about Frank and Alice. James, on the other hand, was not a Veela or had any other creature inheritances unless he hid it from Sirius and I. We all had our own secrets," He says looking at Severus. Well, intones Lucius. Are they finally ready to say they are together. Raising a perfectly arch brow at Severus to see his brother in all but blood blushing.
"Is anyone going to enlighten me on why my presence was required?" Lucius drawls changing the subject from further embarrassing Severus.
Severus begins to tell the story. "It all started on Potter's I mean Harry's birthday…." Once Lucius is all caught up with everyone else he did not know what to say. Everyone that reheard the story is still amazed that Neville and Harry were descendants of the founders.
"Well, that is quite a tale." Everyone who is able to respond just nods their heads. "I presume that there is more?"
It is Lovegood who speaks next "The prophecy is fake, the one Dumbledore told Harry is a lie." He did not faint this time, but his mask did fall. But he had to ask.
"What do you mean the prophecy is fake? How do you know?" Lucius rushes out his questions.
"Our Luna is a seer," One of the Weasley twins responds. Lucius could not tell which one answered his questions to him they looked exactly the same.
"I knew Ms. Lovegood had a hidden talent. How were you able to hide it from the Headmaster?" Asked Lupin
"He never looks at what is in front of his face. His focus is only on Harry, the war and defeating Voldemort," she replies effortlessly. Her tone was pleasant as he remembers at the Ministry, even in anger she remains calm. He wonders if she had more than just seer blood. She has a way of calming those around her.
Getting back to the conversation "The world knows there is a prophecy. But no one knows what is says. I was only told by the Dark Lord to retrieve it nothing else," He explains.
"The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches ... born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies ... and the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal, but he will have power the Dark Lord knows not ... and either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives ... the one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord will be born as the seventh month dies ..." Potter says with a distant look in his green swirling eyes.
"How do you know that?" Severus asks. "I never heard the whole thing only the first half. It's another thing I need to apologize for." Severus stops then takes a gulp of air in letting it out slow. Closing his eyes then opening it again. "It was I who told the Dark Lord about the prophecy, I found out too late that the prophecy was about you and your mother. I even begged him to spare her life. And, I have lived with that guilt every day. To know I caused their death."
Lucius watches Potters reaction to the news. For whatever reason, Lucius feels drawn to care for he boy as a father would a son. "I don't blame you, Severus," Potter whispers. "I put the blame on Voldemort and Dumbledore. They pulled us all into their shit. Bloody cowards!" P—no Harry yells. "Dumbledore told me the night Sirius went through the veil, and then he sent me off to with those bastards to be beaten into submission." Lucius has never heard Harry speak that way, his anger towards the Headmaster is new to him.
"Was that the night you also destroyed his office, Harry?" One of the redheads asks. Harry nods his head "That was mental," He continues with a smile on his face.
"If the prophecy is fake what is the real one?" Lucius asks bringing the subject back to the reason he is here.
Again the lovely blonde, Lovegood speaks for the group.
"Two with the power to vanquish the Dark Lords approaches…. Born as the seventh month dies ...They will be equals, Brothers in arms and blood…they shall vanquish the snake and the false Lord of the light, they will have power the Dark Lords knows not ...they will fight and conquer… They will rebuild their home…. Neutral and Light shall prevail…. Two with the power to vanquish the Dark Lords will be born as the seventh month dies..."
The room is silent, each person absorbing the words just uttered. Lucius is not sure what to say or what to think. All these years he had a feeling that Dumbledore is more than he says he was. Lucius looks to his brother Severus, who lived and carried the guilt of Lily Potter's death. Of hiding his relationship with his destined mate from the world. The Malfoys having to walk around and pretend to spurt words they do not believe in. The shitstorms his family receives from because of the pretentious life they have to lead. Lucius has so many questions, so many concerns for his family and friends. Lucius is worried about what is to come, but he knows that the outcome will bring about change. Here he sits with the youngest and the bravest minds of the new age of the Wizarding world. Life as Lucius Malfoy knows it is about to change.
"Well, Merlin bloody fuck!" Potter say breaking the silence and Lucius thoughts and silently I agree with him.