You can probably guess what I'm going to say...

SORRY! I've had no inspiration lately and I've been revising for my exam so I've had no time to seriously think about what comes next...

But finally I had an idea so... here it is!

This chapter is basically the replacement for Slughorn's party, but because he's not in this fic I just changed it to something else

Enjoy! Sorry for wait again!

X

Chapter Forty Three

Harry's POV

"Since when has there been a Christmas dance?" Ron squeaked while Hermione and several other girls "ooh-ed" and "ahh-ed" over the sign in the common room.

Harry groaned and hit his head against the notice board.

"Let's not go," he mumbled.

"Oh, come on, Harry!" Hermione said through a cheesy smile.

"Hermione, you're a girl," Ron lectured. "Girls find dances cute and exciting. It's different for boys."

Hermione crossed her arms.

"How so?"

"Well... it... um... they don't... Oh, it just is, okay?" Ron huffed and dragged Harry over to the sofa.

"So we're definitely not going?" Ron asked relieved.

"No. I can't repeat the Yule Ball," Harry groaned.

* * *

"I hear there's a school dance going on this weekend."

"Mmhm."

A pause.

"School dances involve dancing."

"Yeah."

"Who are you going to dance with?"

Harry said nothing. He and Ron had decided that they would go, just without dates. It was much more appealing to go to a dance with their friends than sit in the common room doing Snape's homework. However, only yesterday, Lavender Brown had asked Ron to go with her, so now Harry was left without a date. If he could he would take someone to save the humiliation but he knew it would make Lucius angry.

"I'm going with no one," he grumbled, fidgeting slightly against Lucius' chest which he was leaning on.

"I'm happy," Lucius said with a smirk. "Only I get to dance with Harry Potter."

"I guess you do... even though we've never danced."

The man pushed Harry off and sat up.

"Is that a hint?" he asked slyly.

Harry's eyes widened. "No! Honestly, I don't mind not going with anyone, I hate dancing anyw–"

But Harry was cut off as he was hauled up by Lucius.

"Now, pay attention; I'm going to give you some lessons."

"Honestly, you don't have to..." Harry muttered, embarrassed about his lack of dancing knowledge.

"You're right, I don't have to," – he pulled Harry close and whispered in his ear – "but I want to." Lucius then wrapped one arm round Harry's waist and pulled him even nearer so Harry was practically crushed against the man's chest; the other hand found Harry's hand and entwined their fingers together. Harry didn't know what to do with his free hand so he rested it on Lucius' shoulder.

"Follow my lead," the man murmured.

"Pfft, I'll try," Harry said smirking.

Lucius started moving, side to side, occasionally backwards and forwards.

After a number of minutes where Harry and Lucius just stared at each other, the man spoke.

"You're keeping up with me very well," Lucius said softly.

"Well, this isn't all that hard," Harry said grinning.

Lucius chuckled deeply, Harry feeling the vibrations on Lucius' chest.

"Not yet anyway..."

Suddenly, the man pushed Harry away and spun him round under his arm. Then, before Harry could steady himself, Lucius had lowered Harry so his head was about two feet away from the floor, his arm wrapped tightly under Harry's back for support. Harry felt his fringe fall back off his face and his grip on Lucius' shoulder tightened.

"Erm..."

"Still easy?" Lucius grinned.

"I suppose this is a bit more... complex," Harry said, his head straining as he tried to keep it from lolling back.

"A bit complex?" Lucius asked. "So you think you could do this to me?"

Harry shrugged, a cheeky grin threatening to emerge. There was no way Harry would be able to hold Lucius' weight as easily as Lucius held his; the man had thick, broad muscles and was probably twice Harry's weight.

"By all means, have a go," the man whispered to Harry who was still bent over backwards. Lucius pressed a deep kiss to the hollow of Harry's throat before standing up straight and pulling Harry up with him.

"I'm fine, honestly," Harry said as he moved to get out of Lucius' dance hold, but the man held tighter.

"I dare you try," he said, eyes narrow.

"Well, don't blame me if you fall and crack your head open," Harry said grinning.

"Don't worry, I will."

Harry shuffled nervously and put his hand round Lucius' back. He then took Lucius' other hand in his own and began moving forwards and backwards. However, it was hard to lead with a man two times the size of you.

"You're not cooperating!" Harry growled after a number of steps in which Harry found himself panting slightly due to the effort.

"I don't know what you mean," the man said smiling.

"Hmph." Harry decided to try the other move which he knew he would fail at anyway; at least he could get it over and done with quickly.

He pushed at Lucius' chest, forcing their intimacy apart. He then tried to spin Lucius in the same way he had been twisted.

It resulted in Harry being very tangled, somehow leaning back on Lucius' chest, his arms crossed and the man's arms wrapped round his waist.

"What happened?" he asked baffled.

Lucius nibbled the shell of his ear.

"You failed."

Harry frowned and pulled away. With a haughty sniff – worthy of Lucius himself – Harry resumed his original position – Lucius, surprisingly, acting very docile letting Harry place his hands where he needed them.

Then, Harry put his arm further up Lucius' back and leant forwards over Lucius. Harry saw the man's blonde hair dust the ground and sniggered.

"What?" Lucius asked, trembling slightly from having to keep himself supported.

"You're hair is like a broom."

Lucius bared his teeth and Harry thought of a vampire as the perfect incisors gleamed up at him.

Harry started quivering as he tried to hold this position, but his feeble arms just couldn't hold onto Lucius' weight and, without warning, they gave way, leaving Lucius to fall to the ground.

Harry jumped back, alarmed and stared at Lucius who had his eyes closed.

"Erm, Lucius?" Harry asked fearfully, but received no reaction. Did that fall knock him out? He made his way to stand next to the unconscious man.

"Cooey?" Harry prodded Lucius' ribcage with his toe but, again, obtained no response.

Oh Merlin, what do I do?

He knelt next to Lucius and tried to shake the man awake.

Now Harry was panicking. He couldn't very well get Madame Pomfrey down here. What would he say caused the fall? That they were slow dancing and Harry managed to 'drop Professor Malfoy'?

Shakily Harry stood up and was about to turn away to find some water to splash over the man's face, when a tight grip enclosed round Harry's ankle, pulling him on top of Lucius' chest.

Relief flooded Harry's veins as he smiled at the man who still had his eyes closed.

"You can open your eyes now," Harry said grinning.

"No I can't," the man murmured. "I'm still unconscious."

"But you just grab–!"

"That was a subconscious movement."

"You're talking," Harry pointed out, wondering what the man's game was.

"I'll only wake up once my true loves kisses my lips."

Harry snickered and positioned himself over the man, his hands either side of Lucius' head. Then he leant in slowly and captured the man's lips with his own. He felt the man smile through the kiss which made Harry smile back.

However, before Harry could start using his tongue Lucius had rolled over, Harry now underneath him.

"Why thank you, my handsome prince," Lucius said as he put his forefinger under Harry's chin and his thumb on his bottom lip.

"Anytime...Sleeping Beauty," Harry said with a smirk. "Ha! Didn't think that through did you? I got to play the man for a change." And he stuck his tongue out.

Bad idea.

Lucius had grabbed Harry's tongue between his thumb and forefinger and pulled it out further.

"Actually I thought it through very well. After all, I am rather beautiful, therefore it's only fitting that I play the Sleeping Beauty and, at the end of this, I believe I'm on top. Therefore, I am 'playing the man' as you put it."

Harry tried to move his tongue but Lucius had a scarily strong grip on it.

"Thaths noth thair," Harry tried to say.

"That seems to be your favourite line to use against me," Lucius said acting hurt.

Harry folded his arms and looked away, sulking that he couldn't win against the man.

"Oh, do stop your frowning," Lucius said. "I can't take you seriously when you scowl, especially now that your tongue still happens to be in my grip." And Lucius wiggled it side to side, obviously having fun.

Harry continued frowning until Lucius let go of his poor tongue.

"Thanks," he said, making sure to keep his tongue to himself.

"Any time."

Lucius' POV

Lucius watched Harry who was sitting out on his own, watching his friends dancing with their partners. Lucius immediately regretted banning Harry from taking anyone; the poor boy was sitting out on his own, sipping some pumpkin juice.

A number of girls had asked Harry to dance but he had turned them all down. Lucius was touched but he felt awful that Harry couldn't join in with the rest of his peers. So, at one of the dance breaks where it was busy, Lucius beckoned Harry to follow him outside where lanterns were hanging on fir trees. He pulled Harry round the corner so they were out of sight.

"You can dance with someone," Lucius said quickly. "I felt awful watching you sit out on your own."

"Yeah, well it's a bit late now," Harry mumbled. "Lost my chance, haven't I?"

Lucius sighed. "I'm sorry, I just get so... jealous, sometimes, that I can't control myself."

"I've noticed."

Lucius smiled, trying to put some sympathy in it.

"I'll see you tomorrow, now get back in there," he said.

"Actually, can't we just wait out here? Maybe you can show me some new moves?" Harry asked.

Lucius was taken aback by Harry's request but, nonetheless, nodded.

"Of course," he said through a grin.

Lucius took Harry's left hand in his own, and with the other one wrapped it around Harry's waist, heaving the boy towards him. He felt Harry rest his head against his chest and smiled before nuzzling his nose in the boy's black hair.

However, the hair didn't seem to be as... wild as it usually was.

"Have you tried taming your hair?" he asked. "For a school dance?"

"Um... maybe..." came the muffled reply.

Lucius moved his hand from the boy's waist up to the mop of ebony hair and ran his fingers through it, giving it back its life.

"Don't do it again," Lucius warned.

"Yes, Professor."

Lucius' hand crept back down to Harry's back which was covered with a white shirt and black waistcoat.

"You look dashing, tonight, Harry," he whispered, caressing Harry's hand he was holding.

"Why thank you," Harry said, looking up to meet Lucius' gaze. "You don't look too bad yourself. Oh, but where's the cane?"

Lucius chuckled.

"I didn't bring it. Catches too much attention."

"Right," Harry said sceptically.

Lucius then leant into kiss Harry on the lips and he saw Harry leaning up to meet with him. However, some murmured voices outside the castle door caught his attention.

"Leave me alone!" came a low hiss. "I don't need your help!"

"I promised your mother I would look after you, Draco, and that is what I plan on doing!" a second voice snarled.

Lucius looked at Harry who had wide eyes. The boy then mouthed, "Snape and Draco?"

Lucius nodded and crept closer, listening in.

"...was chosen! Not you, me! You're just jealous!"

"How dare you insinuate that I would try and steal your moment!" Snape growled. "You are young, Draco, and naive on how easy it is to kill!"

Lucius' heart felt like it had risen to his throat. Draco? A killer?

A soft hand on his made Lucius jump, but he realised it was only Harry. He gave the boy's hand a gentle squeeze and continued to listen.

"...Dark Lord isn't forgiving, Draco. If you fail at this you will hold the same fate as your father!"

"No I won't! I'm stronger, I don't have anything to draw me back!"

There was a sound of scuffling and Lucius guessed that Draco had pulled out of Snape's grip and stormed back into the castle. A low sigh told Lucius it was Snape still out here, so, pulling himself out of Harry's grip he stormed round the corner and faced Snape.

"Good evening, Lucius," Snape said without looking up.

"I'd like an explanation, Severus," Lucius said. "What is my fate, according to the Dark Lord?"

His old friend looked up wearily.

"I think you can probably guess; he wants your blood, Lucius."

Lucius cleared his throat and nodded, jumping again when he felt Harry next to him.

"So I'm guessing Draco told him about..." He trailed off, knowing Snape would know what he meant.

"Yes. To say he is angry is an understatement. I've never seen him so mad or deranged." Snape took a shaky breath. "He placed several of us under Cruciatus, Draco included."

Lucius felt his eyes well up. "I'm so sorry," he whispered.

"Well, what is done is done. Good evening Lucius, Potter."

And he swept back into the castle leaving Lucius to cry. Cry like he had never cried before.

He felt his knees buckle and he collapsed, his sobs coming out unevenly.

However, before he could gather himself together, he felt a warm pair of arms encircle him, bringing him towards a smaller body. The fatherly action made Lucius sob harder.

What a fool he was! Crying in front of a boy who had no family at all...

"H-Harry..." he panted.

"Ssh, don't talk," Harry said pulling Lucius closer.

Is this what it felt like to be held? To be comforted?

Lucius took a deep breath and looked up at the cloudy sky.

"Forgive me."