Life Renovations
Chapter Thirty-two
Summer's End 2
"That was awkward," Sirius ventured when they were outside of the apartment building. Both Harry and Dudley looked at him incredulously.
"You-" Harry stopped and ran a hand through his hair then glared at him. "Sirius, why didn't you tell me Aunt Petunia hated you for a specific reason before we went up there? It's no wonder she hates wizards and magic!"
On top of that Harry could feel Dudley's righteous anger from the hurt his mother endured because of what Sirius had done. What kind of student/teacher relationship could they have if the student resented the teacher? Would Dudley decide against becoming a wizard because of this? Harry knew how stubborn Dudley could be.
"Dammit, Padfoot!" Harry snarled.
Several people around them looked at Harry warily and quickly passed the three men. Some even ventured out onto the street to keep as far away from Harry as possible as they moved passed. Dudley touched Harry's arm warily and Harry blinked at him in surprise.
"It's fine. Let's just go to wherever you were going to take me. This won't affect my decision," Dudley said coolly while he glared at Sirius.
"Good," Harry told him, and then he turned and got into Sirius' face. "But this discussion is not finished." Sirius nodded quickly; relieved he had a slight reprieve from the argument he knew would happen between himself and his godson.
"Are we going to walk or do you want to Apparate, Harry?"
"We'll Apparate to Fred and George's store so that we won't waste any time." Harry hoped Ron wasn't there. He really wasn't in the mood to interact with him at the moment. He took the lead and led them to a nearby alley and then from there they Apparated with Harry taking Dudley by side-along.
Dudley leaned against the brick wall in the alleyway when Harry let him go and took a deep breath. "That felt really weird. Like my body was turned inside out then back again in a split second." Dudley took another breath then pushed away from the wall. Harry was nodding to him.
"Yeah, that's Apparition." Dudley watched him turn and look at the opposite wall. "Do I have to keep this stupid glamour on?"
"You're talking to a wall," Dudley said, thinking that his cousin might really be insane.
"Yes," a disembodied voice answered from where Harry was looking. Dudley blinked several times but could not see who had spoken. "We do not-"
"Show ourselves to humans… I know. Honestly, it's not like the Wizarding World doesn't already know that Draco and I are something else." Harry rolled his eyes then turned back to Dudley who had been looking around intently to where the voice had come from. "My bodyguards," Harry told him in way of an explanation, but Dudley didn't believe him. Harry must have realized this because he rolled his eyes. "Brumek, Ozemir can you please show yourselves for a second to prove to my cousin that I'm not really insane."
Dudley moved his gaze back to where Harry was looking then gasped when two tall men appeared. One was the same guy who'd been with Harry last week and the other was shorter and had really fine white hair. This one smiled and waved while the other simply glared, then they both vanished.
"There. Happy now? Good," Harry said before Dudley could even answer. Harry began to stroke his bare neck and made a hissing noise. Dudley backed himself up against the wall again when a black snake suddenly appeared, coiled around Harry's neck, and hissed back.
"What the bloody hell? Is that a viper? You have a fucking viper around your neck, Harry!"
"This is Lovely. She's my familiar." Harry grinned darkly. "She's not harmless." Dudley began to sputter. But Harry ignored this. "C'mon. I'm sure Sirius Apparated straight into the store." Harry turned around and headed out of the alleyway. Dudley found his feet moving only after he received a rough push from one of Harry's invisible bodyguards. He was sure it was from that Brumek bloke. He seemed like an arse.
Dudley caught up with Harry just as his cousin was entering the store with a sign that announced Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes. He didn't have time to look around the street because Harry reached back and quickly pulled him the rest of the way in and away from the door. "Don't linger at the door unless you feel like being turned into something," Harry explained as they walked further in.
Suddenly Harry stopped, and Dudley began to worry when Harry started to growl lowly. Dudley saw that Harry was staring at a red headed boy who looked to be around their age. He was staring back at Harry with a look of intense loathing. The redhead seemed kind of familiar to Dudley, but he couldn't place where he'd seen the boy before.
"What the hell are you doing here?" the boy behind the counter snapped.
"Once again I have to remind you that I am a stock holder." Dudley's eyes widened. "I can come and go as I please. Not that it's any of your bloody business." Harry turned his back on Weasley and looked around. "Oi, Fred? George?" Dudley just stood back and watched, thinking it would be better to be silent and simply observe. This was Harry's territory and if Harry wanted him to know what was going on he'd tell him.
Another young man with bright red hair popped his head out from behind an aisle to Dudley's left. This man was also kind of familiar and he made Dudley uneasy for some reason. A grin broke out across the bloke's face when his eyes landed on Harry.
"Harry!" The man excused himself from the customer he was helping and quickly made his way to them.
"George, you didn't have to leave your customer," Harry replied with a grin.
"Ah, they understand. It's Harry Potter! You always come first, mate."
"Please don't start that in front of Ron," Harry hissed. "His jealousy already knows no bounds."
"Sorry, Harry. But it's the truth. Everyone loves you."
"That can't be true. After everything the Prophet has been reporting this summer…"
"Ah well…" George moved closer to Harry, his lips moving close to the brunet's ear. "To tell the truth, a lot of people don't believe that you have joined-" Harry lifted a hand, his eyes going wide.
"We can talk about this later. Where's Fred? Did you get Draco's message?"
"You mean the highly pompous summons? Yeah. Fred's there now." Dudley snorted. Pompous summonsing seemed to fit perfectly with his ideas about Harry's fiancé. His laughter brought the red head's attention to him. "Who's this then? He's familiar."
"This is my cousin, Dudley. Turns out he's a wizard. Dudley, this is George Weasley. He owns the store and is a very good friend of mine."
"Err… Hi." Dudley stuck out his hand, but flinched when he saw the hard glare George was giving him.
"You're the little shite who-"
"We'll talk about that later as well. Just be nice to him, alright?" Harry asked softly. George stared at Harry for a moment then let out a deep breath.
"Alright! Merlin Harry, don't look at me like that with those eyes." George then grabbed Dudley's hand from where he'd dropped it back to his side, gave it two pumps then released it.
"Didn't Sirius come in here?" Harry asked.
"No. Haven't seen him lately." George raised his hand to wave at a couple of nice looking witches who entered the store. They gawked a bit upon seeing Harry, but he just ignored them.
"He was supposed to meet us here," Harry said, frowning.
"Oi, Ronnikins. Did you see Sirius?"
"No, and don't call me that," Ron snapped back.
"Gods, he just keeps getting worse every day. It's his own fault, and Finnegan's… Speak of the Devil."
Harry and Dudley turned back to the door to watch another boy walk in and Dudley heard Harry growling again. He looked just in time to see George throw an arm over Harry's shoulders. He was close enough to catch what the red head whispered into his cousin's ear. "Don't go losing your temper or I'll have no choice but to get Draco here right quick. And I really don't want to do that. Draco's no fun to be around when he's pissed beyond control."
"That bloke can be fun?" Dudley finally ventured to speak.
"Oh loads." George, Harry, and Dudley watched as Seamus walked in and stopped three feet in front of Harry.
"Look who it is." He sneered and studied Harry from head to toe. "Harry Bloody Potter. Getting ready to send us all to Hell, Harry? Where's your new friend? Off planning more Death Eater raids?" Seamus' eyes continued to roam over Harry's body in a way that made Harry want to skin the bastard. No one was allowed to look at him like that except for Draco. "That snake around your neck is pretty ugly. Matches your soul now, yeah?"
Dudley clenched his fists. "Don't talk to Harry like that!" he spat.
Harry and George turned and looked at Dudley in surprise, but he was too busy glaring at Finnegan. He'd also noticed the way the Irish wizard was looking at his cousin. Harry masked his pleasure and surprise over having Dudley stand up for him. He crossed his arms over his chest and smirked at the poor misguided Gryffindor standing in front of him. "Tell me, Seamus. Have you ever wondered when you were going to die?"
"I'm sure he thought he was dying when Draco was beating him to death last week," George put in.
"I've heard from a reliable source," Harry continued and walked towards Seamus, smirking when Finnegan backed away. "You should keep a look out for a sinister glowing green mark hovering over your head."
"You- you can't threaten me, Potter!" Seamus cried out as he continued to back away his eyes wide with fear. "I'll go straight to Dumbledore!"
Harry lowered his chin to his chest and started to chuckle lowly. The sound produced goose bumps to all who heard it. When Harry looked up, still laughing, his glamour was gone and his eyes gleamed like bright emerald fire. "Oh, please do. Please. Run, hop, skip or whatever to Dumbledore. Cry on the sodding old man's shoulder for all I care." Harry looked down and studied his nails. "But it wasn't a threat."
"It was a threat if I ever heard one!"
Harry turned his back on Seamus and glared at Ron. "It was a promise," he hissed quietly to himself. George, being right beside Harry, heard this and raised his eyebrows. So this was what the Ukatae were like when embracing their Dark natures.
"Harry," he murmured and prodded Harry's shoulder, grinning. "Stop it. You're seriously giving me a hard on."
Dudley nearly choked on his tongue. Harry looked at George and blinked. Then he started laughing. He laughed so hard that he soon had tears falling down his cheeks. Ron stood with his mouth open like a fish for a moment, before he came around the counter. He planned to go after Seamus who had wisely fled the store, but George grabbed his arm as he passed.
"No. You're going to stay here and mind the store," George said lowly while Harry put up his glamour once more.
"But-"
"No. You wanted to work here, so work! I'm going out with Harry here. If you leave after Finnigan then consider yourself banned from the store until you grow a brain, little bro."
Ron was so angry that he couldn't form one coherent word. His face turned dark purple and his mouth opened and closed like a gold fish. Finally he ground his teeth together and shoved passed Harry and Dudley back to the counter. Harry looked at the offended shoulder Ron had touched and brushed away the invisible dust left behind.
"You sure you want to go with us?" Harry asked, looking at George. "I'm just showing Dudley around, letting him get a feel of our world."
"Hell yes! This'll be fun."
"You know," Dudley ventured, and gulped when Harry pierced him with a stare. Dudley pointed at Ron. "He looks just like Dad did when he got very angry. His face is like an overgrown purple plumb."
Harry chose to take that comment the way Dudley had meant it, which was to lighten the mood. He was sure Dudley hadn't realized until the words had left his mouth that that was very much a sore subject with Harry. Seeing the look of chagrin and embarrassment on Dudley's face did a lot to ease Harry's nerves.
"I want to go to Madam Malkin's, but first we need to find Sirius. I wonder where he went," Harry said as they left the store and ventured out onto the street.
"Maybe he went to the bank…"
Dudley tuned Harry and his friend out as they stood discussing where Mr. Black could be and soaked up the atmosphere and visuals around him. He was amazed. He had never seen anything like it. Stores lined the street with hardly a crack in between. Some buildings were two, three stories high with a store on each floor built from wood and old stone like he expected buildings from the medieval times had looked. The street was also full to brimming with witches and wizards dressed in highly colorful dresses and robes. Some also wore hats that he thought had simply been made up for the sake of evil witches for Halloween. Obviously that stereotype had been taken from the magical world and twisted. People were smiling all around, though some passed by in hurried fashion, faces creased with worry as their eyes roamed around the street looking for something or someone.
He also noticed the amount of attention Harry received and wondered why. There was not one person who passed who didn't look for longer than necessary at Harry, and his cousin had hidden his non-human traits once again. Harry continued to talk to George and was seemingly ignoring all the looks and nods thrown his way.
"Um, Harry? Why does everyone stare at you? Do you know all these people?" he asked
Harry snorted. "Course not."
"But they definitely know our Harry." George dropped back to stand next to him. "Let me tell you a little story, Duds. I'll just skim over his life and pin point the important events…"
Harry groaned and began to walk towards Madam Malkin's, only looking back once to make sure Dudley and George were still following, which they were. Dudley, he noticed, was hanging off of George's every word. As they walked down Diagon Alley, Harry was very much aware of his surroundings, and even though he didn't look it, he was watching everything and everyone around him. Already he spotted three Order members following them around, but they didn't concern him very much. There wasn't much the Order could do to him now anyway, not with Brumek and Ozemir always watching his back.
He looked back at one of the Order members. The wizard had the audacity to smirk at him and suddenly Harry had a strong urge to go chase down those Order members and rip their heads off right there in the middle of the street. He looked down at his growing claws and tried to push those urges away. Killing people in the middle of a crowded street would not help his cause in any way, but... it would be so much fun.
Those deadly thoughts were knocked from his mind when Sirius suddenly popped up and threw an arm around his shoulders and dragged him to his side. "Where were you?" Harry asked.
"Gringotts."
"No more deposits into my account I hope."
"No, I've learned my lesson." Sirius grinned. "I grabbed some money to buy a present for Luce."
Harry smiled. It was still a little strange to think that Sirius was married to Lucius Malfoy, and the fact that they were both very happy together. "That reminds me. What did you say today to make Lucius curse you?"
"Oh that." Sirius shrugged and laughed. "I love getting Lucius riled up. One of the easiest ways to do that is to display my affections for him in public. And you know how he is… so uptight, intent on maintaining the Malfoy standards and all that tripe. He hates PDA, so of course he got mad when I kissed him in front of all of you." Sirius turned clear eyes onto Harry. "You are very lucky, pup. Draco doesn't seem to have a problem showing people how much he loves you. So lucky…" he sighed and looked heavenward, and missed Harry's blush. "So why were you looking like you wanted to do murder just a minute ago?"
Harry's goofy grin instantly died a horrible death. "We're being followed by the Order. I hate the fucking Order! It's such a lie!"
"Don't worry, Harry. The Order is breathing its last breath. We'll destroy it soon enough," Sirius whispered. Harry nodded.
"I had no idea…" He heard Dudley murmur as the four of them entered Madam Malkin's. Harry took in Dudley's awed expression over the deeds he had done and allowed himself to internally gloat just a little bit. He liked the fact that Dudley was learning just how significant his life really was.
"What are we doing here, Harry? Didn't Draco buy enough to last several years the last time you were here?" George inquired.
"Please don't remind me. And he wants to go to Paris before school starts to get more clothes. I think I'll kill myself before that happens," he shot over his shoulder.
"Mr. Potter! Hello!" Madam Malkin waved cheerfully as she rushed through the store to meet Harry and his party.
"Good afternoon, Madam Malkin." Harry gave her a warm smile and waved back.
Dudley, still reeling from the revelations George had imparted to him, just watched as the owner of the shop came forward and practically fawned over his cousin. After everything George had said, it was no wonder why Harry was getting so much attention. Harry was an honest to God bloody hero! He was practically royalty. Dudley was feeling pretty stupid and insignificant all of a sudden.
"Would you like me to clear the store for you, Mr. Potter? I would be happy to do it."
"No!" Harry gasped and waved his hands in front of his face. "Draco shouldn't have asked you to do that the first time."
"I assure you, I have no problems doing it," she replied with a soft smile.
"No thank you. We're just here to get my cousin a cloak for everyday use. Nothing too extravagant… but I don't want him looking like a pauper either. Oh, and put this on my account, please." Madam Malkin's smile widened.
"Of course!" She turned to Dudley, who wasn't paying attention to their conversation and was busy ogling the clothing around him. "If you'll follow me Mr., err…." Harry had to nudge his cousin before Dudley realized he was being spoken to.
"Dursley," he stammered and shrugged when Harry looked at him oddly.
"Well come along, Mr. Dursley and we'll get you set up." Dudley nodded and followed the lady to a back section where there was a large assortment of cloaks of every size, color, and patterns. "What color are your eyes?" Madam Malkin jerked his chin down so that she could have a look then hummed to herself and began routing through the cloaks. "Hazel. Plenty of colors to choose from then."
Dudley stood there and looked around waiting for her to make a choice. Since he wasn't buying and all the robes she was rummaging through all looked fairly decent, Dudley knew he wouldn't care which one she picked. Instead his attention was directed to his cousin, Mr. Black, and George Weasley. The three wizards had their heads close together and they seemed to be in an intense discussion. Occasionally one of them would raise their heads and peer at the door. Dudley shivered when he caught sight of Harry's face wearing a particularly dark look when he raised his head.
"Here you are. Try this one, Mr. Dursley."
Dudley turned back to Madam Malkin who held out a dark chocolate colored cloak with black lining and a silver clasp. Dudley didn't even have to put it on to want it. He tried it only to make sure it fit. Which it did, and perfectly. He smiled. "I'll take it."
"Wonderful."
"Can I wear it out?"
"Of course, Mr. Dursley. It goes on Mr. Potter's account. There is no need to pay at the counter."
"Thank you," he stammered, wondering just how wealthy Harry was.
Madam Malkin smiled before disappearing elsewhere. Dudley made his way back to his group. Once again feeling uncertain when all three turned and gave him a once over; all three wizards wearing skeptical masks over their faces. Finally Sirius nodded and turned to Harry.
"He'll do."
"Yeah." Harry grinned lopsidedly. "You actually don't look too bad, Big D." Harry felt he had every right to tease his cousin with the name. Harry planned to take full advantage and tease and taunt (lightheartedly, of course) as much as possible. "But it's so weird to see you in wizard apparel. Even if it is just a cloak. What do you think, George?"
"I reserve the right to hold judgment until further notice." Harry snorted. "Where to now?" George asked when they left the shop.
"Err…" Harry frowned and scratched the back of his neck. "I hadn't really thought about it. I mean I was going to show Dudley your store, which he really didn't get to look at all that much. Rather wait until Ron isn't there. And then here… later tonight we're going to the Den, of course… Ollivander's, if he chooses us…" Harry shrugged then said to Dudley, "there are other places, but I don't want to show you those unless you choose to become a wizard."
"What's Ollivander's?" Dudley asked.
"Where you get your wand," Sirius told him.
"We could show him Quality Quidditch Supplies."
"Brilliant!" Harry exclaimed. "I can't believe I didn't think of that. It's my favorite shop after all. And I can get a good look at the FireboltX."
"It's wicked! Are you going to get one?" George and Harry went on to take the lead, completely engrossed in a discussion over the newest broom, leaving Dudley to walk behind with Sirius.
"So have you made your decision yet?"
Dudley was startled for a moment, and then nodded. "My mind is pretty much made up."
Dudley figured it would do him no good to stay mad at the man over some stupid prank he'd pulled when he was younger. If his mum hadn't married his father, then he would never have been born after all. But he did promise himself that he would find out exactly what happened.
Sirius stopped Dudley from following Harry. "Remember, what you see around here is only half of it. Everything isn't all sunshine with us. We are basically at war, even though sides have been changed." Sirius discreetly motioned to a man a yard away that was pretending to window shop. "Not a friend," he whispered, and then he pointed to another man who was staring directly at them and Sirius noticed Dudley was getting most of the man's attention. "Also not a friend. Your cousin is a very powerful being now and he has powerful enemies…. Though I'm pretty sure no one can get to him, not really. I believe Draco would raze the earth should someone try to hurt him. I hope you realize just how lucky you are to still be alive, by the way."
"Yes, I know. I realize that… about everything you've just said. And about the danger…" Dudley shrugged. "My life's boring and I figured it was heading nowhere anyway. Harry's friends said they're kept on their toes because of the danger. I kind of like that idea."
Sirius stared. "That's a very foolish and reckless thought." He then grinned broadly and Dudley had the feeling he'd just passed a huge test with this bloke. "I like it! You surprise me."
"I think that's good also. Usually I'm very predictable."
"Why did you agree to this in the first place? Why are you trying to be part of Harry's life now? Do you honestly think you deserve it?" Sirius was seriously curious and wanted to make sure Dudley wasn't here just for kicks.
"Mr. Black, I know I don't deserve anything from Harry. I know that-Look, when my father left, I promised myself to become a different, better person. That's what I'm doing. That's why I'm trying to keep an open mind with all this," Dudley said, sweeping his gaze across Diagon Alley. "I'm taking this seriously. I don't want to disappoint Harry, Mum, or myself anymore."
Dudley looked over Mr. Black's shoulder and noticed the two men who been pointed out were now together and decidedly closer to them. Dudley wasn't sure whether or not he should point this out but when the wizards closed in some more, Dudley figured he'd better. "Err… Mr. Black? Those men you showed to me who are not friends seem to be getting closer."
"Are they now?" Sirius asked without turning to look.
Dudley nodded. "But they're still acting like they're only shopping. Wait… they're staring right at me."
Sirius cursed but did not look back. "I don't know how they could have found out so fast, but they must know who you are," he murmured and threw an arm over Dudley's shoulders and began to walk. "We knew this was going to happen sooner or later. Just not this soon."
Dudley looked over his shoulder for a second. "They have their wands in their hands now."
Sirius cursed again and drew his wand. "Can't believe they'd try to come after you now, cheeky bastards. Well, kid, you wanted danger, now you've got it. You see that shop with the broom over the sign. You run straight there. Harry should be inside. You stick to him. Understand?" Dudley nodded. "I'll be right behind."
Sirius pushed and Dudley took off straight for the Quidditch shop though he looked over his shoulder as he went and saw Mr. Black waving at the men who had been following him. Dudley was almost to the door when he caught sight of two more wizards approaching Mr. Black from behind, both with their wands pointed at him.
"Hey! Mr. Black, watch out!" Dudley yelled and started to run back to him. He figured if he were going to make up for all of his misdeeds, now would be the good time to start. "Harry!" he yelled back over his shoulder and hoped his cousin heard him.
He ran into one of the wizards just as he spoke some weird word. As the wizard fell, a blue light flew from the tip of his wand and hit a witch who was quickly passing. She fell down to the ground unconscious. Dudley turned just as the other wizard pointed his wand at him, but Sirius cast Expelliarmus just in time to save Dudley from getting cursed.
Harry ran out then. He hadn't heard Dudley's call, being too engrossed with his inspection of the new broom and talking to George about it, but Ozemir had made him aware of the trouble going on outside. A vicious snarl tore from his lips as he raced out of Quality Quidditch Supplies and his blood boiled when he saw four Order members had gathered and were now circling Dudley and Sirius. He was nearly beyond control as he took the first step towards the group. The wind picked up into hurricane proportions and whipped through Diagon Alley scaring all those who hadn't already fled from the brewing trouble, and the rest of the Alley's patrons made haste to vacate the area. Only a small few hid within the shops around to watch the goings on. They were sorely disappointed. The doors were all suddenly locked and any and every window blackened when Brumek snapped his fingers, allowing no one to be able to see what was happening outside. Brumek did not want any humans to see any more power that the young one was displaying and would display. He didn't bother about Harry's friends. They knew what the young one was capable of, and they would keep their mouths shut about it or else. Ozemir hurried over to the unconscious witch and revived her. She looked about confused for a moment before running away without a thank you.
"STOP!" Harry yelled, and the Order members were easily and instantly cast immobile. George nearly had a heart attack when the road was hit several times by lightning over and over again. At least the lightning wasn't anywhere near where all this was going on. He thanked Merlin the Alley was deserted now. He didn't fancy himself or anyone else getting hit by Harry's furious temper.
"I'm going to rip every one of you to shreds," Harry growled as he slowly approached the Order members, walking easily through the turbulent winds. George sighed in relief when the lightning stopped.
"Harry, we're all right! You need to calm down now!" Sirius cried over the wind and jogged over to his fuming godson to try and block his way; but Harry ignored his words and pushed passed him. Dudley shook himself out of his stupor just as Sirius grabbed his arm and dragged him over to George.
"Watch him. I'm going to get Draco."
"Do you think that's a good idea?" George asked, still watching as Harry circled his frozen prey. "Draco will go mental."
"He shouldn't. They weren't after Harry. They decided to come after Dudley here."
"Still… Dud's is Harry's kin and Draco will take that as a direct action against Harry, ya know."
Sirius ran his hands through his hair as he sighed. "Yeah, you're probably right."
"Shouldn't we stop Harry?" Dudley asked and pointed. George and Sirius turned just as Harry picked up one of the Order by the neck and raised him a foot over his head as if he were a weightless doll. Dudley rubbed his eyes to make sure he wasn't imagining what he was seeing.
"Hmm… What's the first thing I should do to you mindless pigeons?" What do you think, Lovely? What should I do to them? Harry hissed and roughly shook the wizard in his grasp. Lovely raised her head from under Harry's chin and fixed her eyes on the frozen Order member in her master's hand.
You should let go of your inhibitions and do what comes naturally, Master.
Harry laughed in delight. Yes, you are right.
"The only one who has the power to calm the young one is his mate," Brumek announced from beside Sirius. The wizards turned to look at him; the Ukatae had spoken with an odd tone. Sirius looked around for the other guard and caught sight of Ozemir leaning against a wall, grinning and obviously having a wonderful time watching Harry lose his control.
Sirius turned back to George and Dudley. "Then it can't be helped. We need Draco."
"But what happens when Draco gets here and he loses control?"
"We're damned if we do and damned if we don't." Sirius shrugged. "Keep Dudley safe."
George nodded just as Sirius Apparated to Malfoy Manor. "We need to distract Harry until Draco can get here… Oi, Harry? What do you plan to do to them?"
"I'm going to suck them dry," Harry replied calmly, his eyes never leaving the frozen wizard within his grasp. He began to bring the wizard closer to his face and Dudley jumped forward.
"Hey, Harry! I've… uh… I've made my decision! Do you want to hear it?"
Finally Harry turned to look at Dudley and George, but he did not drop his intended victim. There was a frown on his face. "I imagine you want to go home now and forget about your magical inheritance. You haven't even been here for an hour and already you've been attacked." He turned back to the human he held and growled. "Fucking bastards."
"Actually, it's the opposite. I want to go get my wand now. Can you take me?" Dudley breathed a sigh of relief when Harry quickly shot him a grin. However, Harry did not drop the wizard.
"Honestly?"
"Yeah." Dudley and George moved forward slowly, pushing through the wind. "It's actually been exciting. Why don't you take me to get my wand now?" George had to give it to Dudley. He was doing a bang up job of distracting the irate Ukatae. But it didn't last long for Harry's attention returned to his captive and the three other frozen wizards lying around him.
"No, not now. After I've had my fun with this trash, then we'll go." His claws grew and began to imbed into the wizard's throat.
"He's seriously pissed," Dudley said.
"Definitely in the mind to kill those wizards. We can't let that happen. It'll ruin everything." George and Dudley moved forward until they were standing right next to Harry. "Listen, mate. You can't kill them. Remember the plans you've made. You kill them and you go straight to Azkaban, or worse. Your plans will be worthless then."
Harry laughed. "Azkaban cannot hold me, George."
"Nevertheless… Aren't you trying for unity? You can't do that if people think you'll kill without a thought."
"It's in my nature to kill as such. And I want to kill these humans, very slowly."
George sighed. It was pointless trying to talk some sense into the Gryffindor. Harry was definitely in full Ukatae mode. Both of his guards, Brumek and Ozemir looked incredibly pleased with their charge at the moment. They were just standing there watching. George noticed they'd hidden the pointy ears and shortened their hair. But other than that they looked the same.
"Can't you do anything?" George yelled, pulling Dudley with him as he approached the Ukatae guard.
"Why would we do that?" was Brumek's reply and he was smirking.
"Yes. Our little youngling is growing up. I'm so pleased," Ozemir said then sighed happily.
"What about the wind? Can you make it stop?"
"I don't want to. Let's not, Brumek. The young one's power is thrilling, isn't it?" he asked breathlessly. It was clear by Brumek's smirk that he was in a rare good mood due to Harry's display. He turned to Ozemir and his smoky eyes swept up and down Ozemir's slim form leaning against the wall. Ozemir's eyes widened in surprise. Brumek had never looked at him in that way before. A slow seductive smile graced Ozemir's lips as violet eyes locked with granite. Brumek's gaze sharpened and he took one step towards the flushed Scholar before stopping himself.
"No," he said more to himself and then turned his back on Ozemir and looked at George. "No. We'll do nothing. The young one is allowed to express himself however he wants."
"You two are mental." George rolled his eyes while Dudley stared at the Ukatae with incredulity. He had not learned yet exactly what they and Harry were and knew nothing about their natures, so he was understandably shocked at their attitudes.
Luckily Draco and Sirius returned then along with others. Sirius had convinced Draco to bring Tom and Hermione as well. He figured Tom and Hermione would be able to calm both Harry and Draco down if Draco lost his control as well. But Draco wasn't going to lose it and he immediately went to his mate and ripped the wizard Harry was holding out of his clawed hand. Everyone winced as Harry's claws ripped deeper gouges into the wizard's neck as he was forcibly pulled away. Draco threw the wizard down like trash before he grabbed Harry's shoulders roughly and hissed in his face.
"That's not what I expected Blondie to do," George said.
"He's not mad at Harry, is he?" Dudley asked.
"No. If he's angry at anyone it's the Order," Sirius explained. "I convinced Draco to hold his anger in check until in private. He's only distracting Harry."
"Are you alright?" Hermione asked Dudley as she came to stand beside him. "Sirius said they were after you."
"Hmm? Oh yeah. I'm fine thanks," he answered, then immediately went back to watching Harry and Malfoy. Harry was looking at the ground where the immobile wizards lay and growling at them.
"Look at me!" Draco snapped and shook Harry again. Once he had emerald eyes burning onto him Draco shook his head. "What do you think you are doing losing control in public like this?" he hissed, fully aware that he was being hypocritical though not bothered by it because he needed Harry to be calm. "You know better! You're putting everything we've worked for, everything we hope to achieve in jeopardy!"
"But they're asking for it," Harry whined. "They've been asking for it ever since we got here, Draco."
Draco's gaze softened and he caressed Harry's face. "I know, love. I know. But you can't kill them now. However," Draco lowered his voice and went on quickly when Harry's frown deepened, "I'll take these bastards home with me and you can play with them when you get home. And maybe you'd like to torture Aunt Trix a little too. You'd like that, yeah?" Harry's bright smile was answer enough.
Ozemir clapped his hands excitedly and came to stand beside Brumek, who refused to look at his fellow guard. Falde and Talyn came to join their comrades, and they looked pleased as well. Everyone except Harry and Draco looked at the elder Ukatae curiously.
"Just listen to them… they are completely Ukatae now!" Ozemir gushed and his comrades nodded.
"What do you mean? They were already Ukatae," Hermione said.
"Yes, but they still held lingering human traits," Talyn explained. "The human conscious. Now their consciences are Ukatae. Do you think your friends would think to take those humans," she pointed to the frozen wizards lying near the young Ukatae's feet, "home to be killed just because they're angry with them if they were still like they were before becoming Ukatae?"
"Even after the transformations they weren't like this," Tom mused.
"No, I suppose not," Hermione answered. Her eyes began to water as she watched Draco quickly drag the immobile wizards together and then he cast a Ukatae circle around them. He kissed Harry and told him to behave just before disappearing back to the manor with their prisoners. Falde and Talyn disappeared along with Draco.
"Blood, death, torture… The Ukatae are like children when it comes to these things. Like it's a child's game. I think that's what makes them so Dark and deadly," Tom speculated. He hoped Harry and Draco would let him watch and perhaps participate in the torture that would surely go on once Harry returned to Malfoy Manor. He was beginning to miss it. Moody had died too quickly.
"From now on, they'll be completely Ukatae. No more humanity left within," Brumek said. Sirius, George, Dudley, and Hermione looked at him in shock. His voice was just bursting with pride.
"But don't worry," Ozemir said when he caught sight of Hermione's forlorn look. "They are still your friends. They're just a little more blood thirsty."
Brumek snorted. "A little bloodthirsty?" he muttered.
"Quiet… I'm trying to make her feel better."
Hermione's eyes widened and her voice rose to hysterical proportions. "So is it now that they're going to be mindless dark creatures that only thrive in chaos and destruction?" Tom put a hand on her shoulder and squeezed, though he said nothing. He would, of course, enjoy seeing that.
"Excuse me, human… Do we look mindless to you? We still have beating hearts!" Brumek snapped. "If we were really that evil I'd rip your head and every other human's head off I see here without a thought. But we do have control and a conscious… just not a human one. Be calm already!"
"Come on, Dudley!" Harry called and waved his cousin over. "Let's get your wand!"
Hermione and Tom walked over to Harry with Dudley. "You're alright now, Harry?" Tom asked.
"Perfectly fine." Harry turned his eyes to Hermione. "Don't look like that, Mione. It can't be helped. And it's not like they're innocent. Who knows what they would have done to Dudley had they been able to take him. As far as I'm concerned no one in the Order is innocent. Dudley is the innocent one and they were coming after him. Just like they went after you, Luna, Dean, and Neville. They don't deserve mercy."
By this time the wind had calmed down, the shops' doors were unlocking, and people were starting to come back out. It wouldn't take long before Diagon Alley was teaming with patrons again. Especially when word spread about what had happened. People wouldn't be able to contain their curiosity and would make the trip to the Alley just to see if they could discover more about what had gone on.
"I know Harry. It's just happening so fast."
"I'm sorry and I'll try to control myself around you."
"There will be no need for control when you are around me, I assure you," Tom said and grinned along with Harry.
"You're incorrigible," Hermione replied with an eye roll. "Come on. We need to get to Snape Manor." She hooked her arm through the one Tom held out to her, they both smiled at Harry and then Apparated away. Harry still had trouble sometimes believing how close those two had grown together. Especially considering who the two of them were.
"Why don't these people seem afraid of you?" Dudley asked, referring to the remaining customers of Diagon Alley.
"Are you afraid of me?"
"Am I breathing?"
Harry snorted. "I guess it's because they don't know what I'm capable of now. They only know about the Boy-Who-Lived, Savior of the Wizarding World." Harry leaned in closer to his cousin and whispered, "a lot of people can't believe that I've gone Dark. It would mean the end of the world to them." He shook his head and sneered. "Stupid idiots."
Harry turned and began walking down the street and Dudley made sure to keep close to him. It was clear to Dudley that if he wanted to remain safe he would need to stick to Harry like glue. At least until he learned how to defend himself properly. People were understandably giving them a wide berth. As he observed, Dudley realized that he was wrong and so was Harry. People were afraid of him.
They made it to Ollivander's without a problem, but before they went in, Harry drew Dudley to stand beside the door. "You sure? You're absolutely certain?"
Dudley rolled his eyes. "Yeah, I'm sure. I don't want to have to say it again."
"Explain why," Harry demanded in a harsh tone that had Dudley flinching.
"Because I like what I've seen and how I feel right now."
Harry nodded and finally pushed open the door, allowing Dudley to walk in ahead of him. Sirius and George followed after Harry, both unusually quiet. Harry was sure they were still letting the shock of his complete transformation sink in. Harry was feeling very, very happy at the moment, and he knew it was because he had prisoners waiting to be killed. He knew before today he wouldn't have been so happy to have people tortured and killed, but now he felt completely like a Dark being, he understood his nature now and accepted without worry. What did he have to worry about? He was Ukatae. He could do anything. He wasn't human, he had power. He could do anything…
"Mr. Potter. Nice to see you again. You haven't broken your wand have you?" Mr. Ollivander asked after coming to the front when he heard the bell on the door go off.
"No. My wand is just fine," Harry replied with a genuine smile.
"Oh. Good, good. It would have been a terrible shame."
Harry was going to tell the man that he really didn't need his wand anymore, but decided against it. The less people who knew that the better. "We're here to pick up a wand for my cousin."
The old wizard raised an eyebrow in surprise. "Cousin, eh? Did not see that one coming."
"Tell me about it," both Harry and Dudley answered together, and then looked at each other in amusement.
"Well let me see…" Mr. Ollivander gave Dudley the once over, nodded, the moved to go look over the long slim wand boxes along the wall behind him. "Hmm… We'll start with oak, I think." He lifted his hand far above his head and brought down a dusty black box. "Oak, 10 ½ inches, unicorn hair, and rather bendy…" He opened the box and held it out to Dudley who reached out without hesitation to pick the wand up. He flexed his fingers around it before shivering uncontrollably as a warm prickly sensation wrapped around his entire body. Dudley hadn't ever felt anything so brilliant.
"First one." Mr. Ollivander nodded and smiled. "Very good. Very good, indeed."
"You're good, Mr. Ollivander," Harry replied.
"I am, yes. That will be thirteen Galleons."
Dudley watched Harry pull out a velvet sack bursting with money. Harry then pulled out a handful of large gold coins. "These are Galleons," Harry said to him as he counted out thirteen coins and laid them on the counter.
Once out of the shop, Dudley studied his wand, and then looked at Harry. "That was unexpectedly simple."
"What? Did you expect pomp and circumstance? Expect the Minister of Magic himself to come down and give you a wand?"
Dudley ignored his sarcastic tone. "There's a Minister of Magic? Like the Prime Minister?"
"Sure. And just like any politician, he's useless. He's dragging our nation through the mud."
"Harry…" Sirius came up and wrapped his godson in a one armed hug. "Don't get yourself worked up again. Besides, that's on the agenda as well. Relax."
Harry sighed. "Yeah, alright."
"Mum!" Dudley burst through the door, excitement clearly written across his face. "Mum!" Harry followed after him, shut the door, and started to discretely cast protection wards around the place.
"What is it? What's wrong, Dudders?" Petunia rushed into the living room from the kitchen, but stopped short when she saw the smile on her son's face. She approached him and he lifted his wand up to show her. Harry chucked. It was like a new toy, it seemed. That thought wiped the smile off Harry's face.
"It's not a toy, Dudley. You can't treat a wand like you have with your other possessions. You can't just get bored with it and throw it away. It's a part of you now… another limb. A wand cannot be used callously. It must remain on your person always. Do you understand? This is not a game."
"I understand, Harry."
"It is good to see you excited again though. I assume everything went well," she said smiling at both her son and nephew now.
"Yeah!"
Harry and Dudley decided to keep her in the dark about what happened with the Order members. Nothing bad happened so there wasn't a need to get Petunia worked up about it. "Harry took me to the Wizarding market and there were dozens of shops full of wicked things… and flying brooms!"
Once again, Harry started to chuckle. After Ollivander's, Harry had dragged his cousin back to Quidditch Quality Supplies and gushed all about the Firebolt Express and surprisingly he and Dudley had bonded again over the broom and over Harry explaining the game of Quidditch. Harry was surprised about how enthusiastic Dudley was over the game once he'd understood the rules. Harry, Dudley, Sirius, and George had gone to a café for an early supper and they'd all gotten into a discussion over the Wizarding game and by the time they left Dudley couldn't wait to play Quidditch.
Harry had Sirius and George distract Dudley and hurried back to the store and ordered Dudley a Firebolt as a surprise. Draco would surely kill him for that, but he didn't care. He couldn't believe how much fun he'd had with Dudley during these few hours and how easy it was to get along with him now. Though he was sure a lot had to do with the fact that Dudley was a mite bit scared of him. But that only added to Harry's pleasure. Which was a very strange feeling.
"I'll tell you all about it later, Mum. We just came back so I can change before we go to this Wizarding club." Dudley turned and leered at Harry. "He keeps complaining about being away from his darling Draco."
"Shut up!" Harry said, blushing and staring at his toes. The soft smile never left Petunia's face as she watched Dudley hurry through the flat to his room to change.
"Harry… Thank you."
Harry looked up in surprise and confusion. "For what?"
"I haven't seen him genuinely happy like this in so long… and you are giving us a chance…" Petunia's eyes filled with water. "I don't understand you. Why are you being so kind to us?"
"Because I can. Because I want to. I don't exactly understand why though. I don't really want to look into it. Not now."
Petunia nodded, as there wasn't much else to say. She understood what he was thinking. He had decided to keep them in his life. There would be time for them to get to know each other and figure out why.
Harry?
Harry was immediately alert upon hearing the anxiety in his mate's voice. Petunia was perplexed when her nephew looked suddenly very worried. "Excuse me, Aunt Petunia. I need to speak to Draco," he said and she nodded as Harry turned away and sat on the couch. She became concerned when his eyes glazed over and he stared off into nothingness. How was Harry talking to Mr. Malfoy? She supposed it was another power he possessed, and thought to ask him about it later.
Harry sat down and ignored everything around him. What's wrong?
I've done something incredibly stupid. Harry's alarm doubled when Draco's tone was clearly laced with panic.
The reception area of St. Mungo's was relatively empty when Draco arrived, which greatly surprised him, though he did not let it show on his face as he strode up to the reception desk. Once there he stared blankly at the Welcome Witch behind it who had her face hidden behind a copy of Witch Weekly and it looked like she was prepared to ignore the world until her shift ended. It was the same witch who dared to touch Harry the time they'd come to get his eyes fixed. Draco glowered as his claws grew. He was not in the mood for this. Not after having to go to Diagon Alley to retrieve those bastards who dared go near Harry.
He set his claws upon the desk and drew them across the surface and watched as the witch shuddered upon hearing the screeching sound his claws made. The witch dropped her magazine and her eyes widened upon seeing Draco.
"Now that I've acquired your attention. Have Healer Bluemoon notified that I am here to see her."
"Mr. Malfoy, the Healer-In-Charge is extremely busy. Perhaps you would like to make an appointment."
Draco swallowed the enormous urge he had to impale the stupid witch. If she knew who he was then she should know better than to decline a Malfoy anything. "No, I would not like to make an appointment. I do not need an appointment. You tell Bluemoon I'm here and she'll be more than happy to see me."
"I'm sorry, Mr. Malfoy. Without an appointment-"
"Let me ask you a question," Draco began lowly, spreading out his fingers on the counter and leaning forward. "Do you like your job? No, never mind… of course you don't like your job. Who would?" he sneered down at her. "How about the fact that you are alive and well, hmm? If you want to continue to live a healthy and pain free life, I suggest you alert Bluemoon of my presence. Immediately."
The witch backed up her chair in fright and immediately began nodding her head. "I'll just get her then, Mr. Malfoy. Sorry to make you wait."
"Very good. And for future reference… never say no to a Malfoy. Is that understood?"
"Y-Yes, s-sir! I'm sorry, sir!"
Draco turned on his heels and walked away from the reception desk. It didn't take very long at all before Amortia appeared, and as usual she had a big smile on her face. "Draco! Whatever are you doing here?"
"To see Mr. Lovegood. I wanted to see if I could heal him myself. And to take another sample of blood if my healing abilities will not work on him."
Amortia smiled. "Of course."
"I feel kind of stupid for not thinking about trying to heal him before now. But I've only ever healed Harry. And this would be a different type of healing altogether," he went on as they made their way through the hospital. Draco shrugged, "I thought I might give it a try."
Amortia glanced at him and her grin widened. "Did Harry send you?"
"No. The sexy arse is quite busy misbehaving in public. Why do you ask?"
Amortia laughed. "You're not exactly friends with the Lovegood girl," she explained while waving away a couple of people waiting for the lift, making sure she and Draco had it all to themselves. "And you're not exactly the type of person to go around freely helping those who have no meaning for you."
"Harry loves Looney." When Amortia raised an inquiring eyebrow, Draco shook his head. "Familial love. Stupid Gryffindor tendencies…"
"I see."
"And Tom was the one who suggested I might be able to help Lovegood with my power."
"Did he?" Amortia sounded surprised. "Why would he care?"
Draco shrugged. "He didn't give a reason. It was an offhand suggestion."
Amortia led Draco through a corridor and into a private ward holding the special treatment patients and into Mr. Lovegood's private room, which also included a private waiting area for family and good friends.
"Hello, Luna. I've brought you a visitor." Amortia went over to the bed and began waving her wand over Mr. Lovegood's comatose form, frowning as she did so. There had been no improvement, and it seemed his body was getting worse. Nothing she or the other Healers did could stop his body from shutting down part by part.
"Draco! It's lovely to see you!" Luna sent an airy wave his way from where she sat by the window. Draco ignored the fact that he'd never given Looney permission to use his first name.
"Lovegood," he replied curtly. Draco didn't want to hang around any longer than absolutely necessary and once Amortia nodded to him, he walked over to the bed and placed his hands onto Mr. Lovegood's chest, not bothering to inform Luna what he was trying to do to her father.
"It won't work," Luna said softly and smiled sadly at Draco when he looked up in surprise at her. "Nothing will work. This is supposed to happen. I'm old enough now."
Amortia sat down in the extra chair across from Luna. "What do you mean?" she asked softly. "You knew your father was going to get sick? You're old enough for what?" Amortia waved for Draco to continue with what he was trying to do.
Luna stared off over Amortia's shoulder, her eyes unusually wide and round and sighed. "We wanted to stay at home, you see, because this can't be stopped. But Dumbledore, once he found out Daddy was ill, convinced Daddy that being cared for here was best. Daddy thought about it and eventually agreed because he didn't want Death Eaters to get to me before it was time. Silly Daddy! So here we are." Luna turned her attention back to the window. "But I'd really like to go home. And if Daddy were awake, I'm sure he'd say the same thing. He only came here so that I could be safe. If he knew about the kidnapping, he'd want us to go home. It's almost time. Soon, Dumbledore will not be able to touch me."
Amortia was having trouble digesting what Luna was saying, or rather what she wasn't saying. She did understand that Mr. Lovegood, if he hadn't been in a coma, would have wanted to go home to die. That was understandably clear.
"Nothing. Nothing is happening," Draco murmured in frustration after a few minutes. He couldn't feel the illness inside Mr. Lovegood, could not feel any pain, nothing.
"Thank you for trying," Luna said, and then went back to staring out of the window. Draco watched her for a minute with a frown on his face. Why was she taking this so well? Her father was going to die. Didn't she care?
"Draco, a private word." Amortia and Draco left the room. "Something strange is going on," she said once the door was shut behind them. They were in the small waiting room that Amortia had securely warded to keep anyone from overhearing their conversation.
"This concerns Looney Lovegood. Of course it's strange."
"Be serious please." Draco stared blankly at her. He was being completely serious. "I think Luna and her father should be moved back home."
Draco sighed and swept away a lock of hair that had fallen over his eye. "Harry would kill me if I allowed that to happen. The Lovegoods have more protection here, being surrounded by all these patients and Healers."
"But they need a better environment. Luna said Dumbledore convinced her father that he should come here instead of staying at home. It's obvious nothing can be done for Mr. Lovegood unless a new cure is found. He doesn't need to be here for that."
"What do you suggest I do, Bluemoon?" Draco snapped impatiently. "Looney needs protection from Dumbledore. She can't have the best protection if she's left home alone with an invalid father."
Amortia smiled mischievously at him and Draco knew he would not like what was about to be said. And then he felt the amusement coming off her in waves and guessed exactly what she was thinking. He began to shake his head, looking positively horrified.
"No! No, no, no, no. No!"
"Stupid Bluemoon and her stupid ideas!" Draco snarled as he made his way through Malfoy Manor, heading straight for his father's private study.
"It's not really a stupid idea, young one," Talyn said from behind him.
"You're not supposed to be seen or heard!" He snapped without turning around. "For once follow the rules."
Talyn gasped and then began to pout, but did as was ordered and reverted back into her Shadow, while Falde mentally laughed. Though he found it telling that Talyn immediately obeyed the young one without pause. He had a feeling she hadn't obeyed willingly. Excitement, an emotion he hadn't felt in so long, filled him. He itched to find those marks. He still had not inspected the marks and had planned to do it as soon as Draco returned from the hospital. But since the young one was in such a foul mood, he decided to wait until both young ones were together and a bit calmer.
Draco walked on, stewing in his thoughts until he came to his father's private study. He knocked on the door and waited. When Lucius opened the door, he raised an eyebrow upon seeing the annoyed look in his son's eyes.
"Well? What has been done about Severus' position as Head of Slytherin?"
"It has been secured," Lucius drawled. "Anything else?"
"Yes there is," Draco ground out. He really, really did not want to do this and the only reason why he was accepting Amortia's ridiculous suggestion was because Harry would be very pleased with him for allowing it. Draco would make sure he was rewarded for this. Oh yes and the reward would be monumental. Harry wouldn't be able to walk for a bloody week by the time he was finished with the green-eyed demon. "The Lovegoods will be residing with us until Looney goes to school and her father has died."
"Excuse me?"
"Have the house elves make up a room for them. Bluemoon is bringing them in an hour."
Draco nodded once to his father and then Apparated away. Lucius blinked at the spot where his son had been standing. The Lovegoods? What the blazing hell was going on here? Lucius suddenly frowned when he realized he'd just been given a direct order to follow by his son. Lucius sniffed and shut himself back into his study. He would be having a word with Draco the next time they met. Draco may be a very powerful Dark creature now, but he would need to be reminded that Lucius was still his father and he would not tolerate such disrespect.
Draco realized this once he'd Apparated into Severus' manor. He knew his father was probably furious, and he wasn't so stupid to think he would get away with it either.
"It didn't work," he said as way of greeting once he'd entered Severus' potions lab down in the bowels of the Manor. Hermione's shoulders dropped at his words and to distract her Draco handed over the new vial of blood he'd gotten from Mr. Lovegood before departing St. Mungo's. It did the trick, as she immediately squared her shoulders and got to work.
Tom eyed Draco for a moment, taking notice of the blond's tense shoulders and the permanent sneer gracing his face. "Something wrong?"
Draco hissed before answering, drawing to him the eyes of Hermione, and of Severus who had been ignoring him for a potion. "The Lovegoods are being moved into Malfoy Manor for their ease and protection." Hermione began to nod as if she knew that would happen all along. Draco bit down on a scathing know-it-all comment.
"And why does this have you so bothered?" Tom ventured, knowing full well that keeping Draco's mind on the topic would only anger him.
"Because Loony is crazy! Because I'm only allowing it to please Harry."
"You don't want to please Harry?"
"No! I mean, yes… I'm just…."
"You're not used to caring so much for another person," Severus said softly, understanding perfectly.
"It doesn't feel like me."
Hermione snorted and rolled her eyes. "Harry wouldn't want you to do things just to please him if it makes you uncomfortable or makes you feel like you are not being true to yourself."
"And I know this, Hermione. But I still can't help myself when it comes to him. I don't mind it. I like to please him, but…"
"What's so bad about Luna, anyway?"
"She's crazy!" Draco exploded throwing his hands up in the air for emphasis.
"Tom's crazy too… You are. Don't glare at me," Hermione said when Tom narrowed his eyes on her. "You get along fine with Tom. Besides, Luna's not really crazy. She's just different. It's obvious she sees things others do not. Just because we can't see it doesn't mean it's not there. It doesn't mean she's crazy."
"Very true," Tom agreed.
Draco's swirling silver eyes narrowed on the Dark Lord and he snarled, "don't act like you know anything about Lovegood! You're only agreeing with Hermione because you're in love with her."
Total silence.
It seemed as if all four persons in the room stopped breathing and the temperature dropped drastically. Hermione found herself shivering. She supposed that could have been from the look both Tom and Draco were giving each other rather than the temperature drop. She felt warmth at her back and instantly leaned back against Severus' chest. For warmth and protection. It was understandable why she was frightened. Angry, both Tom and Draco could do a lot of damage.
"Don't say such things, Draco," she whispered and was comforted when Severus wrapped an arm around her waist.
Tom's face reflected all the rage he felt and he slowly drew his wand. "I suggest thinking before you speak. Do not presume to know how I feel for anyone, baby Malfoy. You can't feel my emotions. I'm strong enough to block you. And if you ever say anything about my friendship with Hermione again I'll find some way around the Wizard's Oath I took and I will kill you. Is this understood?"
Draco's face was contorted with two expressions. Shock at himself for losing his temper and control, for having said such a thing. And fury at being called baby Malfoy and being threatened. However, he did not doubt Tom's abilities and knew that if Tom wanted to, he could probably find a way around the Oath even though no other wizard had ever accomplished such a feat… But this was the Dark Lord.
"You love her," Draco said simply, unsure why he wasn't apologizing like he should and continuing on with this line of discussion.
"Not like that," Tom hissed and before he did something stupid, he stored his wand and quickly left the potion lab. Hermione pulled away from Severus and looked at her lover. When he gave her a soft smile and nodded, she smiled back and then rushed after Tom. She glared madly at Draco as she passed him.
"Well done, Draco. Well done." Severus' voice dripped with disdain. He sneered at his godson before turning back to his potion. He knew full well what Draco's insensitivity could have produced concerning Tom Riddle. Hopefully Hermione would be able to sort the Dark Lord out.
Draco took in a shuddering breath before lowering himself onto a stool across the room, and stared at Severus' tense shoulders. He twisted around on the stool after a minute, placed his elbows on the worktable and lowered his head into his hands.
Harry?
What's wrong?
I've done something incredibly stupid.
Hermione rushed out of the potion lab, every cell in her body screaming furiously at Draco Malfoy as she rushed after the Dark Lord, hoping with all her might that Draco had not ruined everything. Tom, despite being the Dark Lord, was very delicate now, having just recently regained his right mind and soul. And he was eighteen. His emotions, ones he'd probably never allowed himself to experience before, must be running rampant. She couldn't allow Tom to close himself off as he had the first time he'd been young and had become an easy target for Dumbledore to manipulate. Closed off, they couldn't get Tom to open up and enjoy life, enjoy the family he finally had and reach the goal he'd always wanted. Hermione wanted that above all else. She wanted Tom to know he had a family and was supported and to be truly happy with his existence. Having his feelings thrown back in his face like that could only affect him in a very negative way.
"Tom!" she cried out when she saw him down the corridor, preparing to climb the stairs.
Tom stopped but did not turn and face her. "I'm not fit company right at the moment, Hermione," he said stiffly as she came up to him.
"Tom… Please look at me," Hermione implored. Tom closed his eyes and felt lower than he'd ever felt before. He felt like a coward. Hermione huffed and rounded him until they were face to face and she touched Tom's arm. "Draco's a git. We all know this. He has no right to talk about other people's feelings."
"I don't want to talk about this or him," Tom replied in a low dark voice that had Hermione shivering again. He moved away and continued up the stairs. Hermione worried her bottom lip for a second before following.
"You need to relax!" she said in false cheer as she bounded up the steps beside him. "Let's go out."
"I don't need you worrying about me!" he spat and finally turned to face her. "I don't need anything from you!"
"I see." Tears sprang to her eyes upon hearing the disdain dripping from his voice. "Draco says one inaccurate thing, has you thinking about how you've been feeling, and you're going to push all that away because it scares you."
"I am the Dark Lord in case you have forgotten," he hissed. "Nothing scares me."
The look he was giving her was so full of disgust that she gasped. She didn't realize all that disgust displayed on his face was for himself and in no way for her.
"I guess it was only a matter of time before you remembered I'm a Mudblood," Hermione said softly.
Tom cursed and grabbed her arm when she made to leave him. "I don't ever want to hear you say that about yourself again."
"You're hurting me," she replied flatly. Tom lightened his grip but did not let go.
"He's right, you know?" he said and Hermione's eyes widened.
"You're… You're in love with me?"
Tom shook his head. "I'm not capable of such an emotion. But Draco made me realize that I'm letting other kinds of feelings overrule everything else. Feeling like that makes a wizard weak! I cannot be seen as weak!"
"No one would ever think of you as weak," Hermione replied sternly. "And if they do we'll just have to show them how very wrong they are."
A slight grin formed on Tom's face before his eyes turned curious. "Why did you befriend me? You, Harry, Draco… You were all set to die by my hands, you know."
"Yes. We were quite certain of it." Hermione sniffed, giving him a disapproving look before taking his arm so that she was leading him down a corridor. "And when you made that alliance with Harry and Draco, we were all aware that you had only ceased fire because you needed something," she ended when they reached the Floo Room. "Malfoy Manor. I'll be right behind you."
"You haven't answered my question."
"All in good time. Off you go."
Tom mumbled something under his breath that sounded something like know-it-all surrogate mothers, and Hermione just grinned as she watched the green fire whisk him away. She sighed in relief and then followed directly after and found Tom waiting. She didn't speak to him; she simply smiled and made sure he followed beside her. Every once and a while he'd look over at her with an inquiring quirk of his brow, but Hermione simply smiled and continued on until they were standing outside of his door.
"And what are we doing here?"
"Let's go in and I'll show you."
Hermione had a wicked glint in her eyes that was beginning to unnerve him. He stood there staring at the closed door, while Hermione waited for him to open it. He very much wanted to know what she was planning before he opened the door. He was a young man after all and a sudden blush crossed his face as several indecent images appeared in his head. Each one just as disturbing as the next. Hermione was a lovely young woman, but he didn't think of her like that. He could never think of her like that.
"Get your mind out of the gutter, Tom Riddle. I'm not about to go in there and have my wicked way with you!"
Tom was so relieved he blew out a breath and then immediately opened the door allowing Hermione to precede him into his darkened quarters.
"I realize you are still Lord Voldemort, the Dark Lord…" she faced him in the dark, "but is it necessary for you to live in this darkness day and night."
Tom smirked. "I'm not in here day and night." He waved his wand and the room was immediately illuminated from the half dozen candles and oil lamps set about.
Hermione made a noncommittal sound and approached his closet. "Have you burned the muggle clothes Draco bought you? I hope you haven't."
"What does that have to do with the question I asked you and are you going to answer said question?"
"Of course I will," she called out from within the large walk in closet.
"Well?" Tom's patience was slipping and by the laughter he heard, he knew that Hermione knew so as well. He resisted the urge to roll his eyes and instead chose to sit down and wait, wondering what the Gryffindor was up to.
"Here we are!" She came out holding a blue silk shirt and black slacks, both of which had fit almost too snugly for comfort when Draco had made him try the clothes on.
"Here we are what?"
"Put them on. Honestly." She shook her head in exasperation.
Tom narrowed his eyes on the offending garments. "No."
"Yes."
"I will not." Tom crossed his arms over his chest and began to glare at the witch. He was the Dark Lord. No way in hell was he going to voluntarily wear muggle clothes out. The only reason why he tried them on was because Draco wouldn't shut up otherwise, and the blond could be really very annoying when he got started.
"You will if you want an answer to your question." Hermione set the clothes on his bed. "I'm going to get changed. I'll expect you outside of my room in twenty minutes." With that she left him gaping after her and quietly shut the door.
Tom went back to glaring at the clothes. "I'm not going to do it!" he snapped.
A/N: Edited 10/20/2011