Life Renovations
Chapter Eleven
Wizards Still?
Draco remained close to Harry while they walked down Diagon Alley and they were always touching, brushing their fingers together, glancing at each other and keeping calm as they spotted several Death Eaters throughout the day. Draco's actions were clear to anyone who knew him; he was publicly announcing his relationship with Harry. The message he silently announced was unmistakable. Harry Potter was protected and belonged to Draco Malfoy. Harry only found this very amusing and went along with it.
"This whole situation is strange," Blaise commented on their way to Gringotts, having spotted a number of Death Eaters in and out of the mid day shopping crowd.
"You're telling me. For the first time in sixteen years, insane men with white masks aren't after me. It's a little hard to accept."
"You don't have to accept it, Harry. You should just enjoy it for now," Hermione said, looking over her shoulder at him. She and Pansy were walking ahead, and Pansy continued to hold onto Hermione's arm, much to the Gryffindor's surprise.
Hermione surmised by the way the boys behind were grinning at them, that Pansy was doing this intentionally to show where she stood, now that Harry was momentarily free from Voldemort and the Death Eaters. Even though in Pansy's case, Hermione could tell the Slytherin had not completely come to terms with everything, yet for Draco's sake Pansy and Blaise were purposely announcing their new relationship with the Gryffindors in a very public place, just as Draco and Harry were letting the public get a firsthand look at them as a couple.
"We'll be reading about this in The Daily Prophet tomorrow," Harry commented as they climbed the steps to the Wizarding bank.
"That's good. I love making headlines. They better get my good side."
"Of course they will, Draco," said Harry as he leant back a bit to stare at Draco's fine arse.
"Come on, Harry. It's going to happen a lot from now on. Might as well get used to it."
"If I haven't been able to get used to it before, when there were plenty of times to do so, do you really think I'm going to start getting used to it now?"
"He's got a point there, mate," Blaise said to Draco.
Once inside the bank the group separated. The Gryffindors took one cart, while the Slytherins took another.
"Don't worry about the Galleon's today, Mione. I'm making you do this so I'll pay."
"But Harry, I couldn't let you…"
"Yes you can and I'm not taking no for an answer. What I should do is make Draco pay for us since it was his idea in the first place."
"Draco made a valid point. You know you're not going to make him pay."
"Yeah, right." Harry hopped out of the cart when it stopped outside his vault. Once inside, he filled three medium pouches with money, enough which would usually have lasted him six months. Looking around the vault before he left, he wondered what the other vault looked like. In here, there wasn't anything but money, and he hoped when he received his Inheritance the other vault might contain more personal objects belonging to the Potter family. He was eager to learn as much as he could about his family, both his father's family and his mother's biological family.
"Here, Mione." Harry handed her a filled pouch once he returned to the cart. She stared wide-eyed at it.
"Harry! This is way too much. I'm sure I'll have money left over from this."
"This is Draco we're talking about. We're putting our money in his hands basically. By the time he's finished with us, we probably won't have a penny left to our names. And by the way Blaise twitched whenever Draco or Pansy started to say something about shopping, I'm figuring Blaise has had experience shopping with those two. I think we should prepare ourselves."
Hermione snickered. "Yeah, you're probably right."
The trip back to the surface wasn't as bad as the trip down, but still, they spent the rest of the time going up in silence, clutching the edges of the cart with white knuckled fists.
"I'm never going to get used to that either," Harry commented while he and Hermione stood outside of the bank waiting for the Slytherins to finish their business. Hermione nodded in agreement; she was afraid to open her mouth as her stomach had yet to settle.
"Hermione?" she turned to look at him, concerned because he sounded anxious.
"What is it, Harry?" she moved so that they were side by side and put her head on his shoulder.
"Do you think people will listen to me? If I have something important to say, I mean."
"People have always listened to what you say, despite their opinions of you. And when you've shown everyone how strong you've gotten-"
"I'm not that strong, Hermione. I almost let the Dursleys destroy me. Sometimes, I still feel like I believe everything they ever said to me. It's hard to forget."
"You are strong, Harry. Stronger than most. You've been through a lot, yet you're still looking forward. You're becoming you, Harry, and you're finished letting people push you around. As odd as it sounds, people won't be able to keep from being drawn to you now because of that. And since Voldemort's return, you've become more popular than even Dumbledore."
Harry made a noncommittal sound and slouched against one of the columns that lined the steps of the bank, staring out at the passing crowd. He began to notice the looks shot his way, and as time passed, more people stopped to stare. Harry raised his eyebrows as the crowd began to gather.
"You see, Harry? They can't help it when it comes to you."
"Yeah, I do see." Harry pushed off the column and straightened his back and shoulders. There was no time like the present to start showing people he intended to change. He just wished he weren't standing there in grubby jeans and a t-shirt.
"Ready, Harry?"
Harry smiled and turned to Draco, taking the hand the blond held out to him. "Yeah. Let's get to Madam Malkin's. I want to get into some robes."
Hermione beamed at him. "That's it, Harry. You'll show them."
Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions was doing very good business that day, and was simply packed by the time the group arrived. Harry frowned, not particularly fond of the idea of having to select a wardrobe with a store full of onlookers at his back. Draco began rubbing the back of Harry's neck in a motion meant to soothe. And it worked. Harry was soon boneless. He felt the need to curl up and start purring. Weird.
Draco smirked, having heard that. "Not to worry. I'll take care of this. You wait here." And then he disappeared into the store for several minutes.
"What's going on?" Harry asked Blaise.
"He enjoys this, throwing his money and power about. It's great fun for him," Blaise answered and then grinned when people started exiting the store. Soon, the departing mass of bodies trickled down to one and Draco was standing there grinning at him.
"Everything's ready, let's go." He grabbed Harry's hand and dragged the sputtering brunet into the empty store.
"How did you manage this?" Harry asked as he and the others were taken to the back of the store where three attendants stood in line to wait on them. "What did you do to get them to close the store for us?"
"I am a Malfoy, after all. If you're going to ask questions, make sure they are not stupid ones." Draco skirted out of the way just in time to miss being slapped upside his head. "Besides, all I did was drop some Galleons and mention your name. So it's really on you."
"Draco…" he groaned as Madam Malkin led Harry onto a measuring dais with Hermione taking the dais beside him. Blaise and Pansy were already running around the store with an attendant, choosing fabrics and robe designs for the two Gryffindors.
"Pansy, you cannot be serious!" Draco snapped when he saw her pick out a set of peach dress robes for Hermione. A tongue was stuck out his way, and Pansy went back to her selecting. Draco rolled his eyes then looked back up at Harry who was standing there with legs apart and his arms held out from his sides while Madam Malkin took his new measurements. His face was lined with barely restrained impatience.
"Hermione and I don't want to leave here looking like idiots, Draco. We trust you with this and if you so much as-"
"I know, Harry." Draco briskly walked away to join his fellow Slytherins, waving at his soul mate as Harry continued to rant.
"And I suggest you tell Pansy that Hermione would rather die than wear that bright green robe thingy…" Harry trailed off and his eyes widened when he realized the owner of the shop was standing only a foot away. "Oh, err…no offense, Madam Malkin."
Harry blushed and looked at Hermione, who gave him a reproachful look that quickly faded into soft giggles. But Madam Malkin wasn't offended. She found the whole ordeal incredibly amusing. Especially as she remembered Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy were enemies, everyone knew that, and now to see Gryffindors and Slytherins shopping together, and on friendly terms… it just tickled her Hufflepuff yellow. It gave her hope for the future. If those two houses could unite, what would happen if the entire Wizarding World united? What great things would happen then?
"Not to worry, Mr. Potter. I agree. Those green robes would look ghastly on Miss Granger." Madam Malkin turned to Hermione. "You're suited to more beautiful colors, dear."
"Thank you, Madam Malkin," Hermione replied, flattered. Then quietly said to Harry. "Still, you should watch what you say, Harry." Scolding finished, she jumped down from the dais as her measuring was finished. Harry was right behind her and they joined the Slytherins.
"Oh gods." Harry grabbed Hermione's arm in a death grip as his face went pale at the sight of Draco, Pansy, and Blaise standing around a large pile of clothing. "Maybe we should run, Mione. You go first, I'll cover you."
Harry was being completely serious, and when Mione didn't look like she was going to run, he took off alone making a break for the door, and was only five steps to freedom when someone grabbed him from behind.
"Let go!"
"No you don't," Draco breathed in his ear, which wasn't fair as every time Draco managed to do that, Harry lacked the ability to be able to fight against him. "Nice try. I forgot how fast you could be."
"I don't think I can stand to try on all those robes, Draco."
"You only have to try on a quarter of the garments. The rest will resize themselves with your new measurements. This will be painless."
Harry very much doubted that. Still he sighed in resignation. "Fine."
"Don't pout."
Harry scowled and took up his place beside Hermione, listening to the Slytherins argue about what the Gryffs were going to try on first.
"I can't believe you ran off without me!" Hermione nearly shrieked.
"Well you took off with Draco and left me to the Slytherins!" Harry snapped back.
"Children, no fighting now. It's bad manners to cause a scene in public," Pansy chided, coming forward to thrust some robes into Hermione's arms.
"If that's true, prepare to see a lot of bad manners in the future…" Harry disappeared into a dressing room, as well as Hermione, and Pansy looked at her best friend.
"What does he mean?"
"Harry is scheming," He answered simply. Pansy frowned and stepped closer to him.
"Listen Draco, directly after sending you that owl, my father approached me about a mission for the Dark Lord."
Draco was immediately alert; he slid on his cold mask and looked at Pansy with a stare so cold it would make even the warmest man shiver. "I'm listening."
Pansy tried to act like she wasn't affected by 'the look'. But he knew she was and that made all the difference. "No need to get defensive. That's what's so strange about all this. The Dark Lord wants me to continue our friendship. Like he thought I stopped being friends with you because of your betrayal." Pansy rolled her eyes. "I have more loyalty than that for my best friend, Draco, and you know it so you needn't look at me like that! The only reason why I'm telling you this is because the Dark Lord wanted me to. He wants you to know he's checking up on you and Potter. But that's all. All I'm supposed to do is tell him what we get up to."
"Thank you for telling me, Pansy. I need to talk to Harry about this." Though Draco had been sending Harry the information even as Pansy spoke, he knew they would have to discuss it when they were alone and in more detail.
"Why would you even think of telling him? He doesn't need to know," Pansy hissed. Beside them, Blaise sighed and looked heavenward. What was it about today that could strip all of Pansy's common sense away?
"Pansy, perhaps you are unclear as to what has happened recently," Draco began in a smooth drawl, his anger carefully concealed from everyone except Harry, whom he told to remain in the dressing room. Harry started to protest, but Draco's complete attention had returned to Pansy.
"Yes, Draco, I am unclear. You haven't told me everything." Pansy's hands went to her hips as she glared. "You've made a drastic change with yourself! It's hard to imagine you've willingly become friends with Gryffindors."
"Pansy, I've already told you...I don't keep secrets from Harry."
"It's that bond! Did you ever think that maybe this bond thing is a scheme of Dumbledore's? He must have come up with a way to brainwash you." She looked to the side as if seeing Dumbledore right there in the store making a brainwashing potion. "You would never say these things under normal circumstances!"
"Yes I would!" Draco lost hold of his patience for a moment, but quickly reined it in and lowered his voice. "I would. I do. And Dumbledore had nothing to do with Harry and me being bonded."
"I…. just don't understand," Pansy said softly, shaking her head. "I need to go now." Pansy ducked her head and ran from the store.
"Dammit…"
"No worries mate." Blaise came over and gave Draco's shoulder a friendly pat. "She's just confused. Eventually, she'll see reason and get over it."
Draco knew Blaise was right. Pansy was always very stubborn and it took a lot to convince her of things. "I'll write her a long detailed letter tonight. Hey, Blaise?"
"Drake?" the two turned towards the dressing rooms when Hermione stepped out in plum colored velvet robes. She blushed a little but turned in a circle at Draco's hand signal, and laughed softly when Blaise gave her two thumbs up. They watched her disappear into the dressing room before Draco spoke again.
"I was only wondering why you're taking this so well. I can understand why Pansy is having a hard time accepting this but you're taking it too well, Blaise. Why?"
"There you go again, getting all defensive. I came on my own, Draco. I came with Pansy because I was worried about you." Blaise dropped one hand on Draco's shoulder and seconds later, a loud growl started to come from Harry's dressing room.
"Harry!"
The growling stopped. "Sorry, Hermione," came the muttered reply. And then a little more softly, yet still audible to the two Slytherins, "but Zabini needs to keep his hands off!"
Draco smirked, his eyes shining with delight at finally catching Harry displaying some of the insane possessiveness he'd been displaying recently.
"Yeah, that's why I'm taking it so well," Blaise laughed. "I've known you for years, Draco. We've slept in the same dorm room for nearly seven of those. Do you really think I never noticed you were in love with Harry Potter? I was actually kind of relieved for you when Pans and I walked into the Leaky and I saw Potter was with you as well."
Draco's mouth opened and he started to sputter. Blaise merely laughed, then quirked an eyebrow when Harry's dressing room door opened. The Gryffindor stepped out with a scowl, but Draco was more attentive to the robes he was wearing.
"Very nice, Potter." Blaise approached and dusted invisible lent off of Harry's shoulders, making a show of inspecting every inch of him. "Very nice, indeed." He looked at Draco and raised an eyebrow in appreciation.
"You will remove your hand now, Blaise."
At least he said it with a smile, Harry thought. "I'm wearing these robes out, and I'm not going to try anything else on. Hermione, you done?"
"Yes please, Harry!" Hermione fell from her dressing room with her muggle clothes already back on as if she'd just been waiting for the signal.
"You two are helpless!" Draco exclaimed, circling his soul mate, admiring the dark green robes and the way they hugged Harry in all the right places. "We haven't even started. There's loads more places to go."
"Hell no, Draco! I'm not getting any more clothes today. I don't even need all the clothes I'm getting now."
"We'll stop for today if you promise we can go out again tomorrow."
Harry wanted to decline, but he knew if Draco didn't get his way, he would keep them out all day. "Deal. Now we can go check out the Malfoy Manor library before it gets too late," Harry said as he walked to the counter where Madam Malkin waited with the bill, leaving everybody to catch up to what he was saying.
"Malfoy Manor? Harry we can't go there…."
"Why not? It's your home, right? The wards will let you in, thereby allowing me access as well. I'm sure Lucius wouldn't mind." Harry grinned at all their stupefied faces. "We're only going to the library, after all."
"Harry, the Dark Lord is there…" Blaise whispered.
"Yes, I know."
They paid their bill and departed, leaving with Madam Malkin's promise to have the rest of their purchases to the Leaky Cauldron by business closing hours.
"You've gone ill, haven't you, Harry? No one wants to go where the Dark Lord is," Blaise sputtered on their way down the street.
"I do."
"Harry, we're not going there." Draco grabbed Harry's arm and dragged him to a shadowed area beside a store. "How do we know the Dark Lord isn't luring us into a false sense of security?"
"Because Severus would have said something." Harry grinned when Draco frowned. They both knew that to be completely true, and Draco knew he was losing. Harry turned into Draco so their chests were together, and Draco shifted forward until Harry was pressed against the cobblestone wall. "We're not completely defenseless, Draco. We do have wands."
"Much good those will do against the Dark Lord…" Draco sighed and pressed his face against Harry's neck. "You're being an idiot Gryffindor again. This will not end well."
Draco cursed. He was inside the Entrance Hall of his home, Malfoy Manor. Half of him was happy to be home but the other half, the part he was paying more attention to, was telling him to stupefy Harry and drag him back to the Leaky Cauldron. How did he let the idiot Gryffindor manipulate him into this? Ah, right. It had been the short snogging session in the alleyway, which Harry instigated by setting his hands to roam free all over Draco's body. Really, how was Draco supposed to think clearly with Harry trying to overcome his will with his hands and mouth?
Never heard you complain once.
If I did that I'd be an idiot like you, wouldn't I?
"Draco? Whatever are you doing here, darling?"
Draco mentally cursed and turned to look at Narcissa Malfoy. His forced smile faded when he saw whom his mother was standing next to. Unconsciously, Draco shifted to block Harry from view.
"Hello, Mother. Aunt Bellatrix. I'm surprised to see you here," Draco replied coldly, silver eyes narrowed dangerously. "I thought you were in Egypt, or was it France this time? I can never remember."
"We're more surprised than you, darling," Narcissa responded, quirking an eyebrow at her son's healthy and rather glowing appearance. Lucius had told her their son had been having a hard time of it. She hadn't really cared but Narcissa did wonder why her son looked so much stronger and more assured than before. Why had Lucius lied to her?
"Who is your little friend, Draco?" Bellatrix asked, walking towards them. "And why are you hiding him?"
Draco wanted to pull his wand, imagining several bad scenarios unfolding if his aunt were to see Harry.
Don't panic. That's the last thing we need to do. Lestrange is not going to attack me here. She loves Voldemort too much to go against his wishes.
How do you know so much about her?
I've had years to study my enemies. I know a lot more than you think I do about Voldemort and his supporters.
It took a moment, but Draco finally moved. Both Narcissa and Bellatrix approached, both with narrowed eyes. Narcissa was frowning at Harry, but Bellatrix was grinning.
"And who are you?" It was obvious she was delighted to see fresh meat she could get her claws into.
Harry wanted to smirk. He knew he looked different with the longer hair, the new wizard robes on, and without his glasses. And he made sure his hair hung low over his brow, concealing his scar, so it was amusing to see neither witch recognized him. Not until Bellatrix leaned in to stare into his eyes. Harry remained perfectly still and kept his eyes blank, and reveled in the shock appearing in Lestrange's eyes when she finally realized who he was.
"Well, well, well…." Lestrange looked delighted, but she backed away at the same time, wariness creeping into her eyes. "If it isn't little Harry Potter. My, how you've changed. Hasn't he, Cissa?"
"Yes, he has." She pinned her son with a hard stare. "Draco, why have you brought him here?"
"He really had no choice, Mrs. Malfoy," Harry replied.
Draco recognized the changed tone and wanted to squeeze his eyes shut. Harry was getting into that mode where he took charge of the situation and Draco found him irresistible whenever that happened. Now, finally, it was up close and personal but now was definitely not the time to be thinking about dragging his soul mate to the floor right in front of his mother and aunt, even if he didn't like either woman and didn't give a shit about what they thought of him anymore.
"You forced my son here?" Narcissa looked startled.
"Not exactly…" Harry started to smirk and Draco discreetly stepped on his foot.
"And why are you here?" Bellatrix asked lowly. She had an itch to wrap her hands around Potter's throat and her nephew looked like he knew it too the way he was staring at back at her while fingering his wand. Bellatrix had to admit it was a delightful change for her nephew, to seem so assured around her now. Of course Potter knew because those expressive green eyes told her so. There was no fear in them, only the returned thoughts of wanting to do her harm. He seemed darker somehow, and the power coming off him wasn't the same as she remembered last time they'd met. It's wasn't completely that nauseating light magic anymore. Interesting. It was a neutral that bordered on Dark.
"We need to use the library."
"The library? Whatever for, darling?"
"That's our business," Harry said firmly.
"Is Father here?" Draco asked before Narcissa was allowed to react to Harry's bluntness.
"Lucius is in his study with our Lord," She replied with a sniff and was surprised when Potter grinned.
"Lovely! Can you have them informed we are here? We'll be in the library."
Draco went along with Harry, understanding the need for a show of unity, and it was well worth it when he glanced at the two witches as he and Harry walked away. He'd never seen Bellatrix Lestrange speechless before, and his mother looked outraged. Yet they did nothing. Harry and Draco were allowed to go on as if they owned the place.
Draco looked at Harry from the corner of his eye. "This isn't about going to the library, is it?"
Harry snorted. "When have I ever liked going to the library? Hermione had to threaten me anytime she wanted me to go." They spoke quietly, and paused every time a Death Eater passed them. Harry's wonderment grew as each and every one of the Death Eaters passed without making moves to attack. There were even a few who greeted Harry and Draco by surname. "No, this is about the game Voldemort has developed. I want to know what he's playing at."
"Rushing into things is not the best way to go about it…" Draco held his hand up as if to stop his own thoughts. "Oh, right, this is Gryffindor's Golden Boy I'm talking to."
"Funny," Harry deadpanned, earning him a smirk. "We're here now, so it doesn't matter. And you're doing this with me, so doesn't that make you part Gryffindor?" Harry snickered when he felt Draco's outrage. "Maybe not. I wouldn't like you very much if you were a Gryffindor anyway." Harry looked into surprised silver eyes. "I prefer you as a cunning ambitious snake."
"If we weren't within one hundred feet of the Dark Lord, I would drag you to my room, lock the door, and the library would be forgotten."
"I really hadn't planned on going to the library in the first place-" Harry gasped when he was pulled into an alcove and Draco pressed against him.
"Not the point," Draco hissed.
"No. No, I feel your point," Harry moaned as Draco's growl echoed in his ears and he thrust his own hips forward. And then Draco's hand slid down into his pants and Harry had to bite back a cry when those long pale fingers brushed against his cock.
"But…I thought…" Harry's eyes rolled to the back of his head when Draco took him entirely into his grasp and began moving his hand in a torturous pace. "…not…good idea…Voldemort…Mmm, Draco."
Draco stared at Harry's mouth. Wet lips, partially opened called to him, and when he saw a pink tongue dart out to wet those lips, Draco lunged and captured Harry's tongue with his mouth and began to suck on it, drawing out the sexiest mewling noises Draco had ever heard. He spent minutes doing just that; sucking, licking, and kissing noises from Harry's throat while he continued to caress Harry's cock at a leisurely pace.
When Draco pulled back, Harry let his head fall back against the stone wall, hearing nothing but his heavy breathing and feeling nothing but Draco in his mind and his hands on his body. He couldn't stop the cry from escaping his lips when he suddenly felt his pants drop and Draco's mouth took the place of his hand. Harry's hands fisted in the cloth on Draco's shoulders, but quickly traveled up to sink into the soft blond hair as Draco eagerly brought Harry over the edge.
Harry tried to thrust forward, but Draco's hands held him firmly in place, enjoying Harry's frustration at not being able to set the pace. The Slytherin was very talented with his tongue and soon he had Harry screaming as he came. Draco shuddered as he swallowed Harry's orgasm, through the bond feeling all of Harry's pleasure, and he exploded in a mind numbing force after being slaughtered by both his lust and Harry's overwhelming reaction. That was a first. Coming without having been touched at all.
For a minute they couldn't move, Draco had to lean his head against Harry's thigh to regain his breath. Harry's eyes were closed and his head was still thrown back, and when Draco looked he swore he could see the pulse at his throat throbbing wildly.
Fuck! Harry hissed, not realizing he was speaking Parseltongue. Fuck, that's never felt so good!
He gasped when Draco, who happened to feel a very positive effect from the hissing noises, was suddenly ravaging his mouth. Draco's teeth, lengthening without notice, sank into Harry's bottom lip and his knees went weak when he tasted the rush of blood flow into both their mouths. It was as if something took over their minds with that first heady taste of blood, and there was only one thing they wanted.
"I'm taking you to my bed," Draco panted against his mouth.
"Here, right now." Harry rubbed his hard cock against Draco's to prove his point. Both wondered how they could even be so hard again after just having a release. They were not complaining.
"No. I want you in my bed!" Draco hissed. His eyes glazed with the building lust, driving them both crazy with the need to consummate the bond.
Draco, I want you now! Right now!
Harry had managed to relieve Draco of his outer robes, and the top buttons of his black silk shirt popped off as Harry ripped the shirt open to reveal Draco's pale toned torso. Harry's tongue started a slow descent of exploration, starting at the shell of Draco's ear. Here. Now. Even though Draco couldn't understand Parseltongue, the message was clear, and he wasn't in the right frame of mind to resist. Perhaps, under the circumstances, it was fortunate they froze their movements when a shout echoed throughout the hallway and the alcove they sequestered themselves in.
"Lucius!" There were rapid footfalls on the dark marble floor.
"Ah, Severus. Let me guess," came the reply of Lucius and Harry's eyes went wide with surprise because the voice came from very near the entrance of the alcove. "You're looking for Draco and Potter, aren't you?"
Harry's suspicions were confirmed when Severus' footsteps came to stop just outside of their hideaway and they began fixing their clothing and hair, both extremely pissed that they'd been interrupted, again.
"Yes. I was told they've come here," Severus silky voice was low with the threat of pain when he found the boys.
"Here they are. Boys? Care to explain to us why you're here?"
Harry groaned and rubbed his face with his hands. He was listening to us?
My father is a pervert! Draco sounded outraged and horrified.
No wonder Sirius had a thing for him.
"You know where they are?" Severus asked.
Harry squared his shoulders and prepared to meet his doom. It was funny. He wasn't afraid of Death Eaters or Voldemort, but he was afraid of his uncle. Severus Snape could always get under his skin.
"Here," he sulked and walked out of the shadows of the alcove. Severus raised an eyebrow at the state he and Draco were in, and their flushed faces had yet to return to normal. It wasn't hard to figure out what they were doing, especially since their lips were red and swollen and they both still had a far off look about them.
"What the fuck did you think you were doing, coming here? Both of you!" Severus immediately barked.
Harry gaped at the man a moment, surprised by Severus' choice of words. Then he straightened his back bone. "I want to know why he was eavesdropping!" he demanded, pointing to Lucius, trying to get out of a lecture for as long as possible. In his mind he heard Draco laugh at his obvious attempt at subterfuge.
Lucius Malfoy did not look apologetic, in fact he was smirking. "This is my home, Potter. The fault is your own for not taking yourselves off to somewhere more private."
"I tried that," Draco murmured.
Hussssh…
Draco glared at Harry after he made a fool out of himself by trembling in front of his father and Severus.
"Excuse me, I would like an answer. Miss Granger came to me in a fit state, claiming you two had come here…and I trusted her to keep an eye on you!"
"It wasn't Hermione's fault!" Draco quickly said, trying to keep the Gryffindor witch in good graces with his godfather. Lucius' mouth nearly dropped open when Draco started to stand up for a Mudblood. Harry glared at him as if he knew exactly what Lucius was thinking. "We were going no matter what she did, and we had to stun her before we could go."
"You stunned her?" Severus hissed and took a threatening step forward. Lucius raised an eyebrow, but said nothing.
"She was going to stun us first! Blaise helped us out by distracting her with a tickling spell. We stunned her and left before she could chase after us. It's not like we left her alone stunned and we were coming here no matter what," Harry explained.
"Why?"
Harry and Draco looked at each other and thought about whether they ought to tell the truth or make something up. It didn't take long to come to a decision. "I wanted to poke around and see what I could see," said Harry with a shrug.
"I never knew you had a sense of humor, Potter. I found that quite funny."
"He's not joking, Father."
"Voldemort has basically given me an invitation, right Lucius? By having Pansy tell us her purpose for him."
"Not exactly an invitation, Harry," Lucius said slowly. If Potter were determined to us his first name, then Lucius would do the same. Besides, it wasn't as if he wouldn't be seeing a lot of him. And he did owe him. Might as well get to know the boy if he planned to cultivate him into a proper spouse for his son.
"But it is. And I wanted to see how serious Voldemort is about not killing me. I couldn't see a better way than marching up to Malfoy Manor and looking around."
"You should have told me first and then owled Lucius. The Dark Lord is here now."
"Should we be worried?" Draco asked, crossing his arms over his chest. "I thought we were free. This is my home, after all. I was not told to stay away, Father. It's only natural that I bring Harry home with me at some point."
"You two have some nerve…." Severus started.
"Together, yes they do." Lucius looked pleased. "Draco, you have never acted with such recklessness before. I thought you were supposed to help Harry think things through."
"Some things don't need thorough examining," Harry said, studying his cuticles in pure Draco fashion.
Draco shrugged his shoulders in a Harry move, horrifying his father. "He's right. Harry was very convincing about this."
"I'm sure he was…" Lucius drawled, looking the younger wizards up and down. Harry lost his cool and started blushing and earned the Malfoy's patented Silver Smirk.
"Well now your journey has come to a close. We have things to discuss at my manor." Severus turned to Lucius. "As Draco's father, you'll most likely want to be there as well."
"Is this about the bond?" Harry asked.
"Finally," Draco huffed when his godfather nodded.
"You may not be so eager once we're through," Severus replied gravely, effectively putting a damper on Harry and Draco's good mood. Lucius studied them for a moment before nodding.
"I'll meet you in the Entrance Hall. The Dark Lord awaits word on why these two are here. I doubt I'll be long."
Severus led Harry and Draco down one direction of the hallway, while Lucius went the opposite direction.
I wanted to see your bed-err, room. Harry's face was gloomy when Draco looked at him. The blond grinned and wrapped an arm around Harry's shoulders. Harry immediately leaned into the warmth of his soul mate.
Oh, we're coming back. Now that I know we aren't going to die upon sight, we're definitely coming back.
Harry brightened at the promise. And then he laughed. "Should we have told Lucius about Sirius being there? He doesn't know Sirius is my godfather, does he?"
"No, we're not going to tell him," Draco hissed. "I can't wait to see the look on his face." He smirked maliciously. "We should have someone hide in the shadows with a camera."
"Are you holding a grudge?"
"Damn straight, I am."
"Why didn't you tell him about Sirius?" Harry asked his uncle. Severus snorted.
"Severus has a deeply twisted sense of humor," Draco told him.
They arrived at the Entrance Hall then, relieved to find it empty of Death Eaters. As relieved as Harry was to be able to walk around free, it was unnerving and it was another thing Harry wasn't sure he'd get used to. That is if it lasted long enough for him to get used to it. There was no telling what Voldemort was up to.
Lucius didn't take long at all to return to them, and before the young wizards could ask their questions, they were rushed off to Snape Manor. There the meeting was to be convened in the Family Parlor. Sirius had yet to arrive so they waited for him there while drinking tea.
"I can't believe you have a Family Parlor," Harry said to Severus.
"Why not?"
"Don't sound so offended, Sev. I've often wondered the same. It's not like you're a family man, after all," Lucius pointed out, and then glanced at the old grandfather clock standing beside the fireplace. "Weren't we going to discuss something, Severus."
"As soon as the last member of our party arrives."
"Who might that be?"
"Harry's godfather," Draco answered.
"And who is that? You are deliberately stalling."
Someone Apparated in down the hall. "Oi!"
"I'll retrieve him. Never imagined I would ever allow him past my wards," Severus murmured as he stood to find his undesired guest and lead him back to the parlor.
If Severus, Harry, and Draco were expecting to see a grand reaction from the two former lovers, they were very much disappointed. Sirius walked in behind Severus and immediately spotted Lucius. He halted in his stride and stared at the lithe form of his ex-lover. Lucius' eyes widened in surprise for a only a split moment before they fell to half mast. "Black." He crossed his legs at his ankles and relaxed back against the sofa, watching Sirius carefully through heavy lidded eyes.
Sirius' eyes narrowed. "Malfoy," he spat back with venom and proceeded to take the farthest seat away from Lucius, which happened to be beside the two-seat sofa Harry and Draco occupied. Lucius' smirk grew as Sirius sat and went on to ignore him.
Ha! Your godfather is mad at my father. I wonder what happened.
Do you think they had to break up when your family made the arranged marriage? I can see Sirius staying mad about something like that. Especially if the relationship was serious.
I haven't a clue about any of it. My father failed to tell me he once had a male lover.
Harry felt Draco's resentment rising and began to play with his fingers. Draco, you told me Lucius is sorry for that. Besides, he's here now to show you support for whatever Severus is about to tell us. At least he's trying.
Draco didn't reply, but he did relax and let Harry continue to play with his fingers.
"Harry, your birthday is next week. And until that time, the unbreakable, non-negotiable magical bond that you're under cannot go into the last stages of completion."
"Unbreakable? Non-negotiable? We're bonded forever then?" Harry asked heatedly; not upset by this fact and happy to know Draco felt the same way. But he was upset that this was a major thing to happen to a person, especially when it happens without said persons knowledge or consent. That's what ignited Harry's temper. "Who comes up with this shite? Do bonds like these just pop up out of nowhere and pick random unsuspecting victims?"
"Well yeah, basically," Sirius said.
"It's a bit more complicated than that," Lucius said, not being prepared for the conversation topic but still knowing a bit about soul mate bonds. "Soul mate bonds are only attracted to those with power enough to handle them. Muggles will never go through a bond transition like the one you're going through. Yes, they can find their soul mates and there would be a connection, but there would be no actual bond. They cannot talk telepathically, nor be empathic to their partners as strongly as you two are."
Harry pushed to his feet and started to pace back and forth in front of the fire, a scowl on his face. Draco sat back and because he was thinking the same as Harry, he didn't try and calm his mate down. Besides, he so enjoyed watching the fire light up Harry's emerald eyes when the Gryffindor was on a tirade. It was all that power thrumming around Harry; spiraling, coiling, and pushing out in waves…Draco had always been affected by Harry's emotions, one way or another, but now when it happened, Draco just wanted to shove him against the nearest wall and snog the Gryffindor senseless. And snog was the lightest term possible for what Draco really wanted to do.
Harry abruptly stopped pacing and stared wide eyed at Draco, who merely lifted an eyebrow, smiled and continued to send Harry images of what he'd like to do to Harry's body. He hadn't realized he was sending, but wasn't bothered when it became apparent that he was. And then his mouth went dry when Harry's eyes changed from cold anger to a burning pit of desire. He should be used to it, but Draco couldn't stop the gasp that left him when Harry sent him his desire full force. Dropping his eyes to the ground, Draco shifted in his seat, trying to ignore his full hard on.
"Would you like to hear what happens on Harry's birthday?" Sirius asked, grinning madly, apparently over the fact that Lucius was in the same room with him. "Or should we leave the two of you alone?"
"Padfoot…" Harry looked pained, but he did sit back down. He chose a seat away from Draco. He had the urge to crawl in Draco's lap and wasn't sure he had the power to restrain himself. When seated, Harry nodded to his godfather and uncle, ready to hear what else they had to say.
"In a week you will receive your full powers, Harry, and both of you will go through changes that come from having this particular bond."
"What changes? Which particular bond?" Draco thought this was where the bad news was going to rear its ugly head.
"We'll get to that in a moment." Draco glared at Severus, who seemed to want to take his bloody time telling them about the bad news. "It's been written that once one of the partners of the bond reaches adulthood, the bond will activate completely for both, even if the other partner hasn't reached their majority. The reason why you two can communicate with your minds already is because you are both powerful wizards." Severus stopped his explanation and looked to Black, who was now glaring at Lucius, apparently no longer in the mind to just ignore his ex lover. Severus wasn't going to get support from that side of the room
"Moreover," he went on, "the transformation should begin at midnight on the thirty-first and I'm afraid the process will be painful."
"Of course it will," Harry muttered darkly.
"Are you going to tell me what you mean by changes and transformations?" Draco demanded.
"Yes, I'm curious about that as well. Are you saying my son is going to turn into something?"
Severus and Sirius exchanged an uncertain look. Severus picked up a book lying on the table beside his chair. "This book can explain far better than I can. Because of the type of bond you have, there is relatively little information. We'll be learning as we go along." He handed the book to Draco.
"You mean as Draco and I go along." Harry moved to sit beside Draco again and leaned over to get a better view of the title, which read, Rare Bonds And How To Spot Them by Miranda Hobbleglobe. Draco held his breath and opened to the page Severus had book marked. He and Harry stared at the chapter title in horror.
"Magical Creature bond? Is this a joke?" Draco asked faintly.
"Creatures…? This is a joke, right?" Harry asked, wide eyes shooting over to Severus. "This has to be a joke!"
"I'm afraid not, Harry."
"Please tell me we're not going to turn into Flesh Eating Slugs or centaurs or something," Harry begged with wide eyes.
"No, pup. It would be something like sirens, vampires, Elves, Veela, fairies," Sirius had the nerve to grin at them here. "Or even dragons…"
"Dragons?" Harry and Draco yelled, both going pale.
"Not exactly dragons. It's more complicated than just turning into a Hungarian Horntail," Sirius explained unhelpfully.
Lucius actually smiled. "I see you haven't changed."
"No one asked you, Malfoy!"
"I think I'm going to be sick," Harry whispered.
"The bond can also mix creatures to come up with a new species," Severus reluctantly added.
"Definitely going to be sick." Harry only managed to say this before he regurgitated the contents of his lunch all over his new shoes.
Draco cleaned up the mess with a wave of his wand and began rubbing Harry's back in soothing circles, all the while glaring at Severus and Sirius.
"It's not our fault!" Sirius exclaimed under that glare.
"So we could become some freakish half-breed creatures, is that what you're saying?"
"It's entirely possible," Severus replied with a heavy sigh. This seemed worse than having to tell a child their parents were being tortured. The looks on their faces portrayed their fear.
"Will we even be wizards anymore?" Harry asked in a small voice.
"We can't determine that until the thirty-first for sure. But you will be magical."
"Is there anything else, Severus?" Lucius asked, leaning forward in concern. Harry continued to stare at the floor, looking horribly pale, shaking and with a stricken look on his face. Lucius wondered what he was thinking.
"It says, depending on what we're turning into, that our power will increase; also the amount depending upon the transformation," Draco read from the book, always looking for the advantage.
"I don't want any more power! I've just gotten used to what I do have." Harry's voice shook along with his hands. Everyone looked at him in concern.
"Harry?"
"I'm okay, Draco," He whispered back, and allowed Draco to pull him against his chest, so they were both lounging back on the sofa. Harry buried his face in Draco's chest and squeezed his eyes closed. He was so afraid. They were going to turn into freaks, just like Vernon Dursley always said he was. Draco's arms tightened around him until he was sure his ribs would break.
Stop thinking like that, idiot Gryffindor. We're not going to turn into freaks. Besides, that pig man and his family are the only freaks I know.
Lucius stood up suddenly, seeing the distress his son and Harry were in. Well, especially Potter. He didn't know the boys entire story, Severus had yet to fill him in, but there was something going on with Harry, and everyone in the room knew about it except him, which wasn't something he was fond of, being in the dark.
"Severus, whiskey should be in order right about now."
"That's the first good idea you've had, ever," Sirius sniped at Lucius.
If Draco weren't so worried about Harry, he would have found this funny, as his father merely grinned at Black, who quickly turned his head away and glared at the ground.
Severus summoned his Firewhiskey and passed out five glasses, each with a good portion of whiskey. Harry stared at his for a moment before knocking it back in one go.
"I don't feel any better," Harry murmured. He turned over so he could lay on Draco, stomach to stomach and hooked his hands behind Draco's neck before burying his face in the blond's hair and closing his eyes.
"You really shouldn't have given him that. His stomach's empty remember?"
"Hmmm." Severus studied his nephew curled up in Draco's arms. "He'll get food and one of his nourishment potions when I return you to the Leaky Cauldron."
I don't want to hear any more, Draco.
Draco couldn't be sure if Harry was talking about information on the bond, or he just didn't want to hear anything at the moment. He turned worried eyes on his godfather as he wrapped his arms more securely around Harry. Before anything could be done, Draco felt Harry's magic come together in a concentrated area around the two of them, releasing an unnatural wind throughout the parlor. A moment later, there was a pop and Harry and Draco were no longer in Snape Manor.
"What just happened?" Sirius barked, jumping to his feet.
"Harry Apparated them."
"That's impossible. He's never been taught!" Sirius pushed his hands through his hair and began to pace.
"They've probably splinched themselves," Lucius commented dryly.
Sirius spun around on him. "That's right, Luce," he growled. "You've always got something positive to say. Shows everyone how much you care, right?"
Lucius' gray eyes darkened. "You never listened long enough to hear, did you?"
Sirius' nostrils flared in fury. "Are you really going to stand there and try to BLAME ME?" the Animagus roared.
Severus sighed and rolled his eyes. "Now is not the time for this. We need to find Harry and Draco."
"You've lost them?" Remus appeared in the doorway looking more ragged than usual. "Not good." Remus lent against the doorframe and took a deep breath.
"Moony, what's wrong? Something happen?" Sirius ignored Lucius and went over to Remus, who began nodding.
"You've just come from the Order, I assume. What has Dumbledore decided to do?" Severus asked with an acute sense of dread. Remus straightened and looked at the other wizards.
"He plans to 'secure' Harry and Draco and take them to a safe house. One only he knows about. Towards the end of the meeting Moody charged in and exploded, yelling about how Harry voluntarily went to Malfoy Manor." He looked at Lucius, who nodded. "He and Dumbledore are making their way to the Leaky Cauldron now."
"Why didn't you go straight there?" Lucius demanded.
"Because, Malfoy, I thought they would be here. This is where Severus said they would be."
"We need to get to the Leaky Cauldron. Harry and Draco, by some miracle, would have gone there if anywhere when they Apparated. Lucius you can't be seen in Diagon Alley by Moody or Dumbledore or they'll assume you're involved and try to capture you." Lucius coldly glared at Severus for his lack of faith in a Malfoy. "Return to Malfoy Manor and I'll send word when I've found them." Severus said as they all walked to the Apparition point.
"Where will you take them once you've found them?" Remus asked. There weren't many options at this point. Not many places Dumbledore wouldn't think to look.
"Until something else has been found, they'll have to stay at Malfoy Manor."
"What?"
"Remus, it's the only place safe enough from Dumbledore. He will not go there and even if he does, he would have no luck getting through the ancient Malfoy wards," Sirius confirmed, though the idea left a bad taste in his mouth.
"You can't be serious? What about You-Know-Who?"
"The Dark Lord will not touch them," Lucius assured. "He was more curious than anything about them earlier, and not one Death Eater looked at them in any wrong way." Sirius snorted at that. "Fine, I concede. Some of the wizards would like revenge for being beaten by a child time and again, but they've restrained themselves on the Dark Lord's orders. The boys will be safe."
"At this point we have no other choice," Severus said, then he Apparated to the Leaky Cauldron.
"And we really allowing this?" Remus asked his long time friend. Sirius and Lucius' eyes locked.
"My godson will be safe there? Do you promise?"
"Why should I promise? Would you believe me?"
Sirius jaw clenched tightly before he reluctantly nodded. This seemed to mean something to Malfoy, Remus saw, because Draco's father's shoulders relaxed minutely and he smirked. Remus was amazed to see that it more resembled a smile.
"Yes, I promise. Harry will be safe with Draco at the manor."
After this was said, Sirius nodded and Apparated without another word.
Lucius stared at where Sirius had just been. "He hasn't forgiven me…" He was speaking more to himself but Remus decided he wanted a word in as he'd been there to pick up the pieces of Sirius' shattered heart and put his friend back together again.
"Would you?" he asked roughly, staring at Lucius blank look. When he didn't get an answer, Remus glared before Apparating away, leaving Lucius alone with his thoughts.