It's official, I'm in love with reviewers

As well as Lucius (obviously)

I'm skipping ahead a few days cuz I just want them to get to Hogwarts, so that should be in the next chapter or two xD

Again, THANK YOU! These thank you's of mine must be pretty meaningless now that I'm saying them so much but I can't stress enough how much reviews have helped this story xD

So I'll keep saying it until I finish (which is obviously going to be a while) xP

Enjoy ^_^

x

Chapter Twenty Five

Harry's POV

Harry watched as Lucius put his cloak on and grabbed his cane. He then turned to face Harry.

"Goodbye, then," Lucius said, looming over him.

"Bye," said Harry quietly. It had been a while since he'd had the house to himself while Lucius was at work. However, there was only a few more days left until school began and then Lucius' work would be at Harry's school.

"Do I not get a goodbye present?" whispered the man, stroking a leather clad finger down Harry's jaw.

Harry smirked at Lucius' little suggestion.

"I suppose so."

He felt the leather fingers move to his mouth and there the thumb gently lowered his bottom lip. Then he felt the familiar shape that was Lucius' mouth crash down on his; the tongues intertwined like pieces of thread.

After his "goodbye present" Lucius stepped out the front door without another word to Harry.

Turning around, Harry made his way to his bedroom; it was still early and he figured another hour's sleep would do him some good.

As he lay his head down he thought about his holiday with Lucius; it had been his first holiday ever, let alone abroad. Sure he'd been to the Quidditch world cup with Ron's family and Hermione, but that was more of a camping weekend to see a sport. This holiday had been abroad and relaxing – just what he'd needed to calm down about everything.

He fell asleep thinking about the beach and him and Lucius in the waves...

A loud knock disturbed his dreams and he shot up in bed looking around. It was lighter than before so he must have been asleep for quite a while.

There was no one in his room, but he'd already suspected that – the sound had come from downstairs...

Quietly he crept out of his room, through the hallway and down the stairs into the entrance hall where he saw a head of blonde hair, though it was not as long as his fathers.

"Potter?" gasped Draco.

Before Harry could explain or even raise his wand, Draco had already cast his spell.

"Petrificus Totalus!"

There was nothing Harry could do to block the attack and he felt the blue jet of magic hit his chest before he fell backwards onto the hard floor.

"What the hell are you doing in my house?" the blonde boy screeched, though he obviously didn't want an answer, else he may have taken the spell off of Harry.

Draco ran out of the hallway into the study, where Harry guessed he was contacting Lucius through the Floo Network.

And, sure enough, after five minutes of lying on the stone floor, Harry saw Draco returning looking very smug.

"You're in for it when Father gets home, Potter," he said with a sneer, and he kicked at Harry's ribs; the spell prevented Harry from voicing his pain. "Thinking of finding some evidence to try and lock my family away again?" Harry saw Draco raise his foot just above Harry's face and was convinced his head was going to be mince meat, but the blow never came.

"What's going on here?" came Lucius' hiss, and Harry saw Draco's foot recede.

"Potter was sneaking around our house, Father!" exclaimed Draco, his voice slightly giddy.

"I thought I told you to only visit on weekends?"

There was a small pause. Then, "How could you think of that when Harry Potter is lying beneath your feet?" Harry couldn't see Draco's face but could tell he would look outraged.

However, he could see Lucius who was looking down on him with an exasperated expression.

"Draco, I need to explain something to you," Lucius said calmly. He waved his wand and Harry found he could move again. He got up clumsily, gasped slightly at the pain in his ribs, and took two steps away from both of the Malfoys.

"What's going on?" demanded Draco.

"Earlier this summer, I had a few words with Albus Dumbledore about this so-called war and how I don't want you to have the same fate as me," Lucius said holding Draco's shoulders.

"So?"

"So I gave the man some information about the Dark Lord in return for swapping sides and was offered a place at Hogwarts for the Defence Against the Dark Arts post."

Harry watched Draco's face through the explanation; he looked disgusted.

"How could you?" he asked incredulously.

"I did it for you, Draco! You have no idea of the shadow the Dark Lord cast over my life, and you would have suffered more than I!"

"That doesn't explain why Potter is in our house!"

Both blondes turned to look at Harry who felt extremely uncomfortable under a double silver-eyed stare.

"I am tutoring him and teaching him spells for the battle ahead of us under Professor Dumbledore's request," Lucius said, his eyes on Harry.

"But why was he here while you were at work?" persisted Malfoy.

"He's been..." Lucius cleared his throat. "Mr Potter has been staying here –"

"WHAT?" Harry flinched at Draco's protest but Lucius looked on the verge of breaking his calm manner. "Potter almost got you arrested and sent to Azkaban! Do you not remember-?"

"Do not challenge my intellect, Draco," said Lucius through narrow eyes. "I appreciate that but, as Potter has realised also, in these times we must learn to forgive if we are to stand a chance. I will have no more on the matter!" He added as Draco opened his mouth to argue.

"I'm not staying here if that good-for-nothing, scar-faced, infamous half-blood is around," hissed Draco glaring at Harry who glared back. "It's me or him," growled Malfoy.

Harry looked pleadingly at Lucius to let him know he didn't want Lucius to choose him; Draco would never let him forget it and probably dedicate his school days to torturing and humiliating Harry.

"For the greater good of the Wizarding World and under Albus Dumbledore's orders, I must insist Potter stays. I'm doing this for our future, Draco," Lucius said solemnly.

Harry didn't like the way Lucius pronounced his name; he knew it was to convince Draco that he and Lucius were nothing more than two people forced to stay with each other, but Lucius made it sound as though he still despised him. It made Harry's heart hurt just thinking about it. Though he remembered the reason for the lie and felt better about how persuading Lucius seemed.

"Fine," said Draco through his teeth. "I'll leave now then."

"No you will not!" Lucius said harshly. "Just because we have another person in this house does not mean you have to leave, and you won't." Harry remembered how much Lucius still cared for his son, so was not surprised at what Lucius said next. "If you still want to stay here, I can't deny it to you – it is, after all, partly your house too."

"I'm not staying here if he's here," Draco snarled, jerking his head towards to Harry.

"You will hardly see him, I promise you. Besides," Lucius said, "you practically live in your room while here anyway."

Harry felt like clearing his throat or waving his arms around to indicate he was still in the room.

"This is ridiculous," Draco muttered.

"I have been very lenient with you, Draco," Lucius hissed in his son's ear. "You seem to have forgotten who you're talking to."

Harry saw fear flicker for a mili-second in Draco's eyes, but it was soon replaced with defiance.

"Sorry, father," Draco said. "You really seem passionate about helping the Chosen One and the light side. How does the Dark Lord feel about this all?"

"How dare you –"

But Lucius was interrupted by a knock at the door.

Harry heard the man swear under his breath while glaring at the front door.

"Wait here," Lucius said to both boys.

Harry tried to ignore Draco's glares as Lucius crossed the hall to get the door but Draco was making it so obvious that, in the end, Harry snapped.

"Look, this wasn't my idea!" he shouted in a whisper. "I wanted to stay with the Weasleys!" Not.

"What happened to that plan, then?" Draco asked snidely. "Have they finally seen you for the fraud you really are, Potter?"

Harry couldn't be bothered to fight back or make up any more lies so he turned his attention to the door Lucius had just opened and gasped.

Severus Snape stood in the doorway.

Of course! Lucius had asked Snape to make a potion for their... urges. Harry smirked to himself: they'd conquered their problem by themselves.

The two men made their way over to Harry and Draco, and Harry shuffled uneasily: he was in a room with three angry Slytherins, two of them sending venomous glares his way.

"Draco, I need a private word with Severus and Potter, please excuse us," Lucius said without looking at Draco.

"What?" Malfoy cried out. "Why?"

"I need to discuss the undercover work which I don't want you to know about, especially if you're so dedicated to the Dark Lord." Harry was still amazed at how fluently Lucius could lie.

Draco gave a humourless laugh that scared Harry and turned to the stairs.

* * *

"You were very callous with Draco, Lucius," Snape observed once they were in the living room. Snape was occupying the armchair while Lucius and Harry took up the sofa.

"Yes, well, I could have said the same thing about you and Harry many a time," Lucius said with a sigh. He had his head in his hands and Harry felt like comforting him, but then he remembered they were not alone.

"You ought to be careful what you say, you could influence him," Snape pointed out. "Do you really need to keep Potter here? Instead of your own son?"

Harry lowered his head and fiddled with the sleeves of his shirt. Snape had always managed to make him feel insignificant and unwanted.

"I don't care what you have against Harry, Severus," Lucius said coldly, glowering at the man. "I'd much rather have someone who feels something towards me in this house rather than someone who would leave were it not for blood ties."

Ha, Harry thought bitterly, glaring at Snape. That shut you up, you slimy snake.

"Anyway, about the potion, Lucius," Snape said. "I've been very busy and haven't got round to collecting the ingredients, let alone brew the wretched thing."

"Say no more, Severus," Lucius said waving his arm about. "We found a ... solution."

"You did?"

Harry thought he saw admiration in the onyx-coloured eyes, but then he remembered who those onyx eyes belonged to. Snape must have just been sceptical.

Harry glanced at Lucius and saw the man was looking at him.

"I won't ask what it is," Snape said sneering.

"Thank you," Lucius said, and Harry saw a schoolboy grin on the man's face. "It's been a while, Severus; would you care to stay for dinner? I see no need for me to return back to work."

Harry glowered at Lucius. This was just what he needed: Draco and Snape, the two people he most hated from his school, eating with him.

"As much as I hate being in the same room with Potter for more than a second, I think I will have to accept your generous offer."

Harry stared angrily at his Professor and was tempted to try and conjure up some of his wandless magic to make the greasy head explode but thought better of it. He decided that he would respect Lucius' friends even if he... disliked them.

"Good, I shall inform Draco. Please try not to kill each other while I'm upstairs."

After Lucius had left, Harry was left with Snape. The silence was agonising so Harry spoke.

"Good summer, Professor?" he asked timidly.

Snape appeared not to have heard.

Another silence while Harry tapped his hands on his knees trying to think of something to say.

"What do you want for dinner? I was thinking something ordinary, unless you want something more interesting than beans on toast... How about a roast? I can make a start now –"

"Enough with your petty small talk, Potter," Snape snapped finally. "Listen, I do hope you know what you've gotten yourself into."

Harry was taken aback by Snape's sudden concerned tone. "What do you mean?"

"Just, be careful of the paparazzi and the students when you get back at school. One rumour can change a life."

Before Harry could fully appreciate Snape's words, Lucius was back with a fed up looking Draco.

"Dinner, I think. Yes?" Lucius asked, clasping his hands together.

Lucius' POV

Dinner should have been pleasant.

Lucius had his best friend, his son and his lover with him, and Harry had made an excellent roast dinner - what more could he want?

A conversation would be nice, Lucius thought to himself angrily.

If there was any talk, it was between Lucius and Severus about Hogwarts; Draco and Harry merely glared at each other. Although, Lucius noticed that Harry had tried making conversation at the start of the meal but was only ridiculed by Severus. Therefore that put a stopper to Harry's forced words. Draco had said nothing all evening and merely prodded his food grumpily, similarly as Lucius had at the Weasleys.

Finally the awkward meal ended and Lucius noticed Harry wasted no time in clearing the plates away and evacuating to the kitchen to wash up.

"I don't like this," Draco said, speaking finally.

"What?" Lucius asked.

"Why is Potter washing up? He's acting as though he lives here, making dinner, cleaning up... I find it odd," said Draco, his grey eyes narrowed.

"Well, part of the deal in letting Potter stay here was that he should work for his training lessons," Lucius said. "I do not do things for free."

It had felt like a long time since he had last said those last seven words and he remembered using them to threaten Harry... when Harry had hated him.

"You've changed," Draco sneered. "My father would never give into someone elses orders, especially from that crackpot Dumbledore."

Lucius stood up abruptly, spilling a glass of wine.

"What has gotten into you?" he snarled. "Who do you think you are, talking to me like that?"

"I'm not a little boy any more, Father," Draco spat, standing up too. "I'm taking care of things myself."

There was a silence while Lucius tried to stare his son down. He won of course; Draco looked away and said, "I'll be in my room."

"Lucius, you must be more careful with Draco!" Snape said urgently when Draco had gone. "He seems to be yearning for the chance to prove himself independant, and I have a horrific feeling that he wouldn't think twice about... telling our Master."

"I don't know how to get through to him any more!" Lucius said, slumping back down onto his chair. "He no longer holds any respect for me."

"Then let me," Severus offered. "I am his Godfather afterall."

Lucius nodded wearily. "You are welcome to try."

Severus swept out of the room and Lucius got up and made his way to the kitchen.

When there he found Harry standing very still and stiff leaning over the sink which was filled with bubbly water.

"Harry?" he asked.

"Yes?" came the croaky reply. Lucius knew that voice too well; even in that one word he could understand what it meant.

"Why are you crying?"

"I'm not!" the boy said with a sniff which just confirmed Lucius' theory.

He moved behind Harry and turned him around. Indeed, there were tear track marks on his pale cheeks and his eyes were bloodshot.

"You have been crying," Lucius stated.

"I haven't!" Potter snapped. "I just... got splashed with the washing up water."

"You've never been able to tell a successful lie to me," Lucius said shaking his head.

"Just let me clean up!" And he turned away viciously.

"No, I'm not going to be ignored by anyone else tonight," Lucius said, and he grabbed Harry by the shoulders and pulled him towards him again.

"Let-me-go!" Harry said trying to shake Lucius off.

"No!" All he got for an answer was soapy water splashed in his face.

Immediately he let go of Potter and wiped his eyes. He then looked at Harry who was staring at him and Lucius burst out laughing.

"What?" Harry growled.

"That was a very interesting move," Lucius said with a chortle, wiping bubbles off his hair.

"Oh shut up," Harry said folding his arms.

"Look, I know how you think your splitting my family up but it was only a matter of time before it fell apart on it's own."

"It's not just that..." mumbled Harry. "I just felt like an idiot whenever I said anything because Snape would laugh cruelly and Draco would smirk, I don't belong with your friends or family."

Lucius felt like laughing again. "And how do you think I felt when I went to the Weasleys?" he asked exasparatedly. "I don't belong with your friends either."

Harry bit his lip.

"I heard what Draco said; I must look like a maid or a wife or a cook cleaning up after everyone, why not give me the uniform?" he said bitterly.

"Now there's an idea," Lucius said grinning. The thought of Harry in a cute little maids outfit was making his skin prickle.

"I'm trying to make a point!" the boy said.

"Point taken," Lucius said hurriedly, and he pulled Harry in for a kiss.

Lucius lifted Harry onto one of the surfaces and they continued their kissing, Harry wrapping his arms round Lucius' neck.

"I'm sorry I'm so paranoid," Harry mumbled while Lucius worked on his neck.

"Understandable," he breathed. "Just promise me you'll-"

A gasp and the sound of china hitting the floor.

Lucius jumped and whipped round to find a stunned looking Draco.

*Dun-dun-dun!!!*

Um, I need another vote =/

Sorry xD

Would it be better to modify Draco's memory or for Draco to have to live with it and keep it a secret?

=O