Chapter Nine:
It's Dangerous Business
A/N: Hey there! I hope you are all enjoying this FanFiction, even though the updates are a little late and irregular, which I deeply apologize for! I'm all settled in now so I should be updating frequently, at least twice a week, from now on until the story is finished. I no longer have a Beta, so if you see any mistakes please forgive me! Please read and REVIEW! Reviews make me very happy xD I couldn't really find a song to fit this chapter, but I ended up choosing 'It's Dangerous Business Walking Out Your Front Door' by Underoath.
I would like to dedicate the rest of this FanFic to PeruvianDarkness.
I've been up at this all night long
I've been drowning in my sleep
I've prayed for your safe place
And it's time for us to leave.
My knuckles have turned to white
There's no turning back tonight
Kiss me one last time
Around this turn where the cross will cast your shadow
The people will all gather
To remember such a day
Where the glames grew as high as trees
And the world stopped
It stopped for you and me.
I will now bring new meaning to the word alone
Endless nights of dreaming of life
And the days we should have spent here.
XXXX
"Sirius!" Harry exclaimed happily, melting into the older man's touch and hugging him back as tightly as possible.
"How have you been dear boy? Keeping well?" he asked rushedly, beaming down as he grasped Harry's shoulders tightly, a light film of tears of relief in his eyes.
"I'm fine, a little nicks here and there, but fine really...why haven't you been writing?" Harry asked, recoiling slightly with a look of detatchment.
Sirius frowned deeply, "At first we thought it were you that wasn't writing us,"
"You see Harry m'boy," Dumbledore began from behind them, "We have come to believe that any mail entering or leaving Durmstrang Instituition is being heavily monitored. Anything which comes in from Hogwarts or anybody associated with the alleged Order of The Pheonix is being destroyed, in our beliefs," he sighed heavily, but an emenant smile still there. "I was wondering when you were to use your safe passageway, we were beginning to worry,"
"Worry is a gross understatement Albus," Remus grinned as he to made his way to Harry to greet him back, hugging him tightly. "Now come in, I'm sure there's plenty for you to tell us," he and Sirius parted from the doorway and allowed Harry room to step into the too-familiar office.
Dumbledore conjured an empty chair for him to sit in between the two Marauder's. The old Headmaster folded his hands on the table top and smiled gently, "As I had mentioned before, we believe the mail is being monitored. It would do you well to cease attemptive contact with anybody outside of Durmstrang Instituition asides from using your safe passage as you have now. I know this must be difficult, Mister Potter, but it is the only way we can keep you even safer,"
"Keep me safer?" Harry whispered astonished, he laughed darkly and shook his head, his long raven fringer falling in front of his tired eyes, "I can hardly sleep at night out of fear of being ambushed! If ever I walk my own school corridors alone at anytime without my guard, I'm begging to be cursed! Youcall that safe?" he spat loudly, his hands gripped the sides of his seat.
"Guard? So you have made contact with others and are assured of their alliances?" Remus questioned softly from beside him.
Harry bit his lower lip nervously and shrugged, "Er, kinda," he took a deep breath, "There are the three Durmstrang boys I share accomodations with...they seem to like me, I mean I guess they're my friends and all. Though I've never asked them about their parents or where they stand in the War...but I don't think they pay any attention to it," he said thoughtfully.
"Guard though, you mentioned a guard. Are they somebody who can be trusted, Harry? It is of uptmost importance that you are not alone there, for that is when Voldemort will strike once he himself is ablhe enough," Dumbledore explained.
Harry swallowed, "I-I think I can trust him," he blushed, looking down at his hands in his lap.
"Who is he? We can do a background check as soon as possible, find the standings of his family,"
"No need to, we already know all of that," Harry mumbled.
Realization dawned on Sirius' face and he groaned lightly, placing his hands on either side of his temples, "It's Malfoy isn't it?"
"Er, I know it sounds bad but...there's so much more to it. I-I don't think it's my place to tell you how I can trust him-"
"Harry, this is your life!" Sirius yelled angrily from his seat, recieving a disdaining look from Dumbledore, "Harry," he whispered now, leaning over in his seat towards his Godson, "You must tell us everything,"
Harry sighed, he knew he would have to, he just didn't want to betray Draco's trust like that. He hoped he would understand. "Draco's Father changed his stance in the War during summer. He was forced to give the Unbreakable Vow to keep me safe, he has the markings of the Vow so I know he is not lying," Before Harry's confession could be questioned, he continued. He needed to tell them everything that had occured and as soon as possible, for he had his own questions he wanted answered.
When he was finished with explaining all the incidents and students he had come to a head with at Durmstrang, the three adults sat quietly about Dumbledore's desk. "Now I have a question to ask," he said sternly.
"Yes, anything Harry," Dumbledore bowed his head gently.
"When can I come home? I cannot stand being on constant alert, a-and I'm not too sure how much longer Voldemort is going to wait until he attacks," Harry explained his fears.
"Now Harry, you know that the earliest Trial date Fudge is making available for you is December 21st, and that cannot be changed. Though, I wish to assure you that I will do everything in my power to promise a safe trip home after a successful victory against the Ministry," Dumbledore said.
"Why is the Ministry so reluctant to help us, sir?"
"Because Fudge is a coward," Sirius growled coarsley.
"Now Padfoot-"
"Moony, it's true! It's the only goddamn reason they are trying to shutdown everything Dumbledore has worked for! The reason why they're trying to throw us all into Azkaban, because he's a bloody coward!" he yelled and then turned to Harry with a slight apologetic smile. "I never intended for you to be brought so deeply into this Harry, but I feel as though these things should not be kept from you. You're an adult now,"
"He is not, Sirius," Remus reprimended, "He is only fifteen! You can't expect him to..."
"I expect nothing of Harry besides for him to be safe, Rem. I only want the best for my Godson," he smiled softly, Harry was beaming back at him.
"So...what are we going to base the trial off of in December? I might as well know that much so I can do some research and preparation on my spare time," Harry groaned, "That is if I have any,"
Dumbledore nodded, "We will be presenting the same but hopefully with a stronger case m'boy, for we have much more time to collect others as witness' of your character. Is there anything you think should be added?"
"Er, can the fact that Durmstrang is a ridiculously dangerous place for me be made as a defense point?" Harry mumbled.
"That is probably the best point to make Harry, but I'm afraid that we have no evidence," Remus sighed, lowering his head.
"Just expressing the fact we believe it to be a dangerous place because of the believes of some of the students..."
"Most," Harry corrected.
"...Most of the students parents is not a very reliable source of information," Sirius explained.
"Erm, what if there was an act against my er, well being?" Harry suggested slowly.
"A What?" Sirius jumped up from his seat, "What happened? Who did it? Why weren't we informed of this?"
"Sirius, please," Dumbledore cut into him gently, "We were not informed because that is how Igor wanted it. To be kept in silence. Now Harry, what occurred that was harmful to your well being?"
All three pairs of eyes turned on Harry and he looked down towards his feet. "I-I'm not quite aware of the incident itself. It was rather extensive, temporary damage however seeing as I was in a coma for nearly seven days-"
"Seven days?"
"Sirius! Please, Harry continue,"
"Er, right. D-Draco has no doubt that it was Nyle Rosenburg and his gang of friends who did it. The Iron Lung was cast on me apparantly, though to not extreme extent, and an unknown dark curse which caused me to bleed from the inside out. Uhm, like I said I can't remember it at all so please don't ask me. Last thing I remembered was going to breakfast one morning, and then waking up the next week with Draco at my bedside," Harry explained nervously, he thought he'd leave out the parts in between where he had awoken to Draco's distressed tone, holding his hand so tenderly. That memory was all for himself.
Sirius and Remus were both red in the face whereas Dumbledore seemed to be contemplating the new bits of information he had recieve. "Harry, it was not wise for you to have come to us so late after this incident. If anything like this happens again, please travel to us as soon as safely possible," Remus said softly.
"Professor Lupin is right Harry, you should have informed us sooner,"
"I know sir, but I-I got caught up with things, lessons are so demanding there and-"
"Have you spoken directly to Headteacher Karkaroff?" Dumbledore cut Harry off abruptly.
Harry thought for a moment before slowly shaking his head, "Oddly enough, no. I would've thought given his status he would have approached me sooner but the only Professor there who seems to care about who I am is Greyback,"
"Ah yes, Fenrir is not as clever as Karkaroff and that much is for sure," Dumbledore mumbled.
"Clever, sir?" Harry inquired.
"Yes. You see, Igor in the past wave of this War had been imprisoned and released from Azkaban for being involved with Death Eater activities. He is intelligent enough to distance himself frmo you as to not cause any suspicion amongst any who may be paying attention," Harry nodded slowly in understanding.
"I-Is it alright sir if I see Hermione and Ron? I'd like to see them before I have to leave, I've only an hour till it'll get too dangerous to pass back through..."
"What Floo Network did you use Harry?" Sirius questioned.
"Fenrir's," Harry mumbled, ignoring the incredulous looks of the other men.
"Yes of course, I will go collect them myself. We cannot have you walking around the Castle, it will raise too much suspicion. Why don't you stay and chat with Remus and Sirius while I take leave,"
"Thank you, sir,"
Once Dumbledore had left the office, Harry was greeted once again by two stern faces of his Father's old best friends. "W-What is it?"
"We're just worried for you Harry is all," Remus whispered.
Sirius nodded, "James was like a brother to me, which makes you like a son Harry. I'm scared for you," he admitted.
"Don't worry, it's not so bad..." Harry trailed off. Life at Durmstrang had hit rock bottom and he was coping with it perfectly fine, or as good as could be. In his opinion, there was no way matters could get worse unless Voldemort showed up in the middle of Charms.
"Well, I must say that I am glad this Malfoy character is with you. Though, I cannot imagine Lucius turning his back on You-Know-Who. It sounds so unimaginable," Remus pondered.
"Yes Harry, are you sure he can be trusted?"
"Positive," Harry snapped strongly, "I have seen his Unbreakable Vow scars, the matching set I have no doubt are on his Fathers' hand. I may not like Lucius whatsoever, but I know I can trust Draco with my life,"
Remus and Sirius turned to one another and shared a knowing, dark look. They continued to speak along the lines of a lighter subject, suchas how Harry's lessons were going, until a shrill voice sounded in the doorway.
"Harry!" Hermione squealed.
Harry jumped up from his chair and beamed at his two best friends, taking them both quickly into his arms to embrace them. "How've you been mate?"
"Been keeping," he shrugged, "How's the school year going?"
"Boring - erm, wonderful as always!" Ron corrected after a stern sideways glance from Hermione, he began rubbing the back of his neck.
"What about you, Harry? How are all those classes at Durmstrang?"
"Absolutely brutal. Even Draco can hardly keep up with the daily assignments. And you would not believe some of the stuff they teach there! Some of its really wicked!" he grinned.
"Draco?" Ron hissed questioningly, "Don't tell me you're close to the Ferret,"
"Well, we're kinda in the same dormitory..."
"You're in the same House as him?" Ron screamed in rage, "How in the name of Merlin did that happen?"
"Mister Malfoy and Mister Potter have much more in common than they care to admit," Dumbledore's calm voice said from behind. This shocked Harry and he blushed, he couldn't help but think of his lips being caressed by Draco's soft, luscious, pink pair of... "No matter, I am quite apologetic to cut this meeting short but you say you had only an hour Harry?"
"Er, yessir,"
"I regret to inform you that we have exceeded our time limit. It is a half past that hour as of now,"
"Bollocks!" Harry swore, "Sir, can your fireplace get me to Fenrir's?"
"Most certainly, any passage can be made out of it just not in," Dumbledore said, stepping aside so that Harry could hug Hermione, Ron, Remus and Sirius once more.
"I'm real sorry guys, I promise to come visit again when I have the ti-"
"Harry, it is vital you do not make frequent trips here. It is too risky,"
"Dumbledore is right, Harry," Sirius said softly in agreeance, "As much as we would all like to see you, please only come when it's necessary and we will continue to try and write to you, maybe they will let one letter or two through," he added gloomily.
Harry solemnly said his goodbyes and stepped into the fireplace. He wished he had more time to visit with Ron and Hermione, for he hadn't realized how much he missed them until he had seen them. But time was of the essence now.
Upon Flooing himself back to Fenrir's office, he quickly surveyed the room to find that it was thankfully empty. He rushed out into the hallway and nearly collided with the invisible form of Draco, who quickly steadied him with both hands on his shoulders. He felt Draco embracing him from the otherside of the Invisibility Cloak and Harry melted into his touch. He even, without thought, brought his arms around the blonde too.
"I was so worried something had gone wrong," Draco whispered softly into his ear.
"What could have gone wrong?" Harry chuckled light-heartedly.
"I have heard of cases where Wizards have splinched themselves travelling Floo," he sniped back, and Harry could imagine the small scowl on his face. He smiled against the soft, velvety fabric of the Cloak.
"How did it go?"
"We should talk about it somewhere a little more private. Don't you think it'd be a little strange to be seen talking to myself, snogging the air?" Harry grinned.
"Snogging? Potter, are you thick enough that you cannot tell the difference between a hug and snogging?" Draco drawled thickly.
Harry laughed and quickly opened up the Cloak to let himself inside of it to. He was greeted by two, round pairs of surprised silver eyes gazing down at him. "My point is Malfoy, that we should be," he said, and with that pressed his lips as hard as he could so no mistake could be made as to what he was doing.
Draco sighed contently and kissed Harry chastely in return.
Glass chatters and comes to a halt
I thought we'd be there by now
I thought it would be so much quicker than this
Pain has never been so brilliant
I made sure you were buckled in
Now you can walk hand-in-hand
Hand-in-hand with me.