DISCLAIMER: Harry Potter and all other characters and locations belong to J. K. Rowling.
Chapter Four - Death Eaters and Gryffindorks
Harry watched the second year Slytherin flee down the hall as if a pack of Hades finest hunting hounds were on his heels, leaving the raven-haired demon standing silently before a portrait. Smiling at the sweet taste of fear, he shifted his attention to the painting. With a small flex of his aura, he could easily be inside the office of Severus Snape. That would, however, raise questions. Deciding that remaining in the hall until the Professor returned was the best course of action, the Retriever sank to the floor and slumped gracefully against the opposite wall.
His eyes drifted closed, nostrils flaring as he breathed deeply in. The smells of the dungeon were amplified by his heightened senses. Mildew, moss, wet stone, mold, and dozens of other scents all vying for his attention. Within the maze of walls, water dripped rhythmically. Each quiet tap ringing like thunder in his ears. The approaching thud of boots brought him to his feet, dragging his eyes open and turning his head to watch as Professor Severus Snape stalked unhappily down the hall toward him. Parting his lips slightly, he inhaled, testing the scent of dark magic woven through the wizard's aura.
Severus Snape frowned angrily as he came to an abrupt stop before the younger wizard, hands tightening in the dark folds of his cloak. He looked his newest student up and down before spinning to face the entrance to his office. "Put your tie on correctly." Assuming that his order would be completed as quickly as magically possible, he stepped closer to the painting and snarled his password. The portrait creaked and began to slowly swing inwards, its movement hastened with a hard shove from the Professor.
"Yes, sir." Lifting his hands, Harry ran his fingers down the length of silk and tugged it into place. With his glowing orbs still locked on the wizard's back, he crookedly knotted the tie. Without further thought, he trailed Professor Snape into the shadowed office. His nostrils flared and his pupils dilated as a barrage of smells struck him. Crinkling his nose, he searched for the source and found himself staring at a crowded rack of glassware. Vials and jars filled with various potion ingredients were haphazardly packed together, their scents working to camouflage the smell of demon.
Sneering at the awkwardly knotted tie and the tangled mass of hair, Severus directed his newest pupil into a stiff wooden chair. "Sit," he barked. Gliding to the rack of potions, he subtly palmed a vial filled with a clear liquid and spun around. His eyes narrowed upon the raven-haired boy, fingers tightening on the thin glass bottle as he impatiently watched the young wizard stride arrogantly forward. "Hurry up, boy. We don't have all day."
Bowing his head, Harry curved his digits around the top of the chair and slowly settled himself. His eyes were hooded as he observed the professor, his chest rising and falling slowly. The urge to growl and flash teeth at the order was pushed down, curiousity consuming him as the wizard began to prepare a tray of tea. "Sorry, sir."
Smirking at the contrite expression pasted upon the young male's face, Severus carefully added several drops of veritaserum to the second cup of tea. He slid the vial into his pocket and dropped it, his fingers seeking out the worn handle of his wand. The wood slid into his palm and with a slight twitch of his wrist, the tea in the second cup swirled slowly. Smiling evilly, he carried the pair of cups toward his desk and offered one to the young wizard. "Drink this," he ordered before turning away.
Harry watched in confusion as the Professor spun and meandered toward a bookshelf, halting before the dusty tomes and lifting his cup to his mouth. Slitting his eyes, the Retriever ran a finger over the lip of his cup as the wizard turned to look at him, putting his back against the cracked spines. Shifting nervously, he lifted his own cup to his mouth and inhaled deeply. His nose tingled alarmingly at the sweet scent hidden beneath the harsh odor of peppermint; the smell completely unnoticeable to anyone without the nose of a wolf. Curling his lip, he took a tentative sip of the liquid, flicking his gaze to the professor's in an attempt to gauge his reaction. The triumphant smirk that curved the Potion Master's lips was quickly hidden by the porcelain cup, the wicked gleam in his dark eyes shielded by lowered lashes.
"Your name is Harry?" Severus Snape asked casually, propping himself up with a pointy elbow placed on an old Potions text. He took a slow swallow of tea, watching the raven-haired wizard carefully.
"Yes," Harry answered carefully. The realization that his lips and gums were slowly going numb had him calmly placing the teacup on the desk before him and sliding forward in his seat. He ran his tongue over his lips, fighting down the urge to throw up the small amount of drugged tea he had unwittingly consumed.
"And your last name?" Snape asked, beginning the interrogation in earnest. Gliding forward, he paced slowly toward the younger male, eagerly awaiting his response. His prowl was brought to a halt when blazing emeralds were raised slowly, narrowing dangerously upon him. "Your last name?" He asked more forcefully, shuffling in place as the dark-haired wizard shook his head.
Clenching his jaw, Harry shook his head in an attempt to shake off the affects of the tea. His mind wanted to answer the question, his response already curving his lips even as he fought the compulsion. Focusing his mind, he closed his eyes and drew upon his powers. The magic that was uniquely his rose up and consumed him, pushing through his body and burning away anything that didn't belong within his flesh. When the rush faded, the urge was gone, replaced with anger and a burning need for revenge.
"Your little trick will not work on me, Severus Snape." Purred Harry, rising gracefully to his feet and closing the distance between them in a few short strides. Tipping his head to the side, he breathed in slowly and savored the sour taste of demon magic wafting from the wizard's skin. He leaned closer, pressing his face into the crook of the Potions Master's neck and giving a lightning quick swipe of his tongue. Glass shattered as the teacup the professor had held struck the floor, the small shards skittering across the stone. A wand tip appeared suddenly against his temple, the hard point indenting the pale skin in a threatening touch.
Face twisted in a scowl of disgust and outrage, Severus increased the pressure on the wand while swiping at the damp spot on his neck. "How dare you?" He snarled, giving another forceful jab with the wand. Stepping backwards, he took a deep breath and narrowed his eyes. "I don't know what school you attended before Hogwarts but that little . . . that was completely unacceptable." Gritting his teeth, he shifted his fingers on the wand within his hand and took a slow step backwards.
Smiling tauntingly, Harry slid backwards and held his empty hands out before him. He wiggled his fingers, waiting patiently for the wand to be completely withdrawn. His breathing slowed and his pupils dilated in preparation for attack, the aura surrounding him flaring. "And your little addition to my tea wasn't?" The widening of the professor's eyes had him chuckling softly and tipping his head to the side. "Of course, had you offered me sugar I might not have noticed." The taste of black magic and demon was ripe upon his tongue, souring his mouth and breath.
Jaw dropping in shock, Severus stared at the raven-haired youth. "I did no such thing," he gasped. Clenching his wand, he circled Harry slowly and backed toward his desk, putting the dark wooden table between them. The white glow cast from the candles perched precariously about the room did little to chase back the shadows creeping in on him; thin tendrils of darkness stretching toward the trailing end of his cloak.
"Ah, but you did." Harry purred, slinking into the thickening shadows. He shifted through the darkness, easing around a copper cauldron and stepping lightly over a dust covered tome. As he moved, the shadows clung to him, wrapping themselves around him in a concealing blanket. "Perhaps your hand just slipped?" He offered suggestively from a corner, his voice no more than a whisper. The fingers of his right hand drifted over to the silver band wrapped around his left wrist, running over the charms dangling from the metal. Focusing his gaze on the candle resting right behind the greasy-haired wizard, he exhaled smoothly and smirked as the flame died suddenly.
The sudden death of the candle perched almost directly behind him had Severus wheeling around and leveling his wand on the heavy shadows. "What do you want?" His voice was overly loud in the silence, the suspicion easily heard. Gritting his teeth as he waited for a response, he narrowed his eyes.
Smiling in triumphant, Harry silently congratulated himself. "Upon your forearm is a tattoo; a skull with a snake sliding from its mouth. I wish to know who it belongs to." The shock on the wizard's face was laughable, as was the way his widened eyes leapt to where the aforementioned mark was hidden. Gliding free of the shadows, he tipped his chin back and pushed up his sleeves. "Who placed that mark within your flesh, Severus Snape?"
"I don't know what you're talking about." The Professor hissed, glancing around the room in an agitated manner. Without thinking, he adjusted the cuff of his robes, pulling the cloth down as far as it would go. The knowing look that slid across the raven-haired boy's face had him freezing, his hand falling away from the cloth. "Get out."
Hissing unhappily, Harry hunched his shoulders. He took a prowling step forward before halting, the Headmaster's firm words and rules flicking through his mind. Ducking his head, he flashed his sparking orbs at the wizard before returning to the shadows. "As you wish, Professor Snape." Halting just within the portal, he rested his palm upon the wood and peered over his shoulder. "You cannot lie to me and I will have my answer. Should you suddenly develop a sense of preservation, I suggest you seek me out." With that said, he pushed through the door and stepped out into the welcoming shadows.
As soon as the portrait thudded closed behind him, he let loose a grumbling snarl. His eyes were narrowed in anger, his shoulders hunched aggressively as he strode down the dungeon passage. Giving a rasping hiss, the raven-haired demon stretched his arms out, allowing the tips of his fingers to graze the damp walls. He expanded his aura sharply, sending it pulsing through the walls and slamming into the castle's wards. Emerald orbs flashed as the broiling magic warred with the castle's ingrained defenses, pressing and seeking any quarter. As they had last night, Hogwart's ancient wards rose up and overwhelmed him, shoving his wavering magic back into his aura where it belonged.
Cursing loudly, he let his hands fall back to his sides and rubbed the tips of his fingers against the rough cloth of the pants he wore, erasing the burning sensation coursing through the digits. He reached the section of wall that hid the Slytherin dorms and tipped his head, standing quietly as he listened for Draco's voice among the buzzing whispers. Seconds later he straightened and pursed his lips before shaking his head and sniffing delicately. A smile bloomed upon his lips as he found Draco's scent intertwined with several others. With little thought to the task he was supposed to be performing, he followed the wafting trail. He wound his way through the maze of halls, his nose lifted and his nostrils flared.
The number and volume of voices increased as he climbed the heavy stone stairs that led upward from the bowels of the castle. Competing with the clamour of voices was the overwhelming press of magic. Auras flared as he slipped around students, their magic responding to his proximity and powers. His very presence seemed to be unnerving to many of the students, clearing him a path and easing his way through the crush of bodies. He unerringly followed Draco's scent, finally finding the blond standing with his arms crossed arrogantly over his chest with three other students. The three were not of Slytherin House; where Harry's robes were green and silver, the trio wore red and gold.
Gliding forward smoothly, he came up behind Draco and halted next to him, observing the three individuals angrily blocking the blond's path. His arrival increased the building tension, making the trio shift nervously and glance over their shoulders. "Draco," he greeted softly, folding his arms across his chest and widening his stance. "Is everything alright?" The barely veiled threat was accompanied with a narrow eyed glare.
Draco arched a sliver of an eyebrow and shot the raven-haired wizard an amused smirk. Lifting one pale hand, he indicated the two wizards and witch. "Allow me to introduce you, Harry, to the Gryffindorks." His haughty drawl had the trio gasping in outrage and narrowing their eyes, their wands shakily leveled at the blond's chest.
"Shut up, Malfoy " The redhead snapped, his face flushing the same brilliant shade as his hair. Teeth gritted, the wizard shifted his wand and leveled it at Harry's chest. "Another Death Eater? I don't know what Dumbledore was thinking when he agreed to let him stay. He should have sent him crawling home like the snake he is."
"That's actually quite amusing, especially since it's coming from the mouth of a Weasel." Draco purred, tilting his head and chuckling lightly when the redhead screwed his face up and took an angered step forward. After listening to the red and gold draped wizard sputter for several seconds, the blond offered the bushy-haired witch a condescending look and shook his head. "I really thought you had him better trained than this, mudblood."
The witch gasped, her face paling. Beside her, the plump wizard firmed his lips and shook his head. "Don't call her that, Malfoy " His voice was shaky but the tip of his wand remained steadily pointed at Draco's chest.
"Oh? And what are you going to do about it, Longbottom?" Draco questioned tauntingly, swirling his dark robes slightly. Moving his innocently widened eyes back to the redhead, the blond arched an eyebrow. "Not going to stick up for your girlfriend?"
"Ferret!" The redhead hissed, lunging forward and swinging wildly at the blond's face. The wand he held was seemingly forgotten, falling from his hand as he lurched forward. His clenched fist was caught centimeters from Draco's nose, the hand wrapped around his wrist tightening slowly. Mouth hanging open in shock, he tugged futilely against the grip as his gaze traveled up the arm. When he found himself peering into flashing emeralds, he gave a small shrug and balled his other hand up, sending it flying toward the raven-haired male's face.
"Ron !" The plump wizard yelped, bumbling forward. He was brought to an abrupt stop when the tip of a wand materialized in front of him, the point directed unwaveringly at his right eye.
Pushing the wand closer to the wizard's dilated pupil, the blond shook his head in warning. "Don't move." He ordered, turning his head to watch the brawl. His amusement over the entire situation was obvious; excitement and glee making his blue orbs dance and shimmer.
Harry bit back a snarl as the redhead's fist slammed into his jaw. Shaking the blow off, he spun on his heel and gave the taller wizard a hard shove, sending him careening into the nearest wall. Before the wizard could recover, he wrapped his hand around his throat and pinned him against the gray stone. "That wasn't very nice," he breathed. Running his tongue along the inside of his mouth, he carefully probed the damaged flesh. The sweet coppery taste of blood had him frowning and increasing the pressure of his hold, lifting the redhead's feet slowly from the floor.
"Put him down " The witch cried, brandishing her wand. Her eyes were wide and her breathing was overly fast, her robes stirring as she vibrated with fear. Seeing that the newest Slytherin had no intention of listening to her demands, she drew a deep breath and flicked her wand.
The cool brush of magic along his spine had Harry flinching and glancing over his shoulder, his moment of inattention allowing the redhead a chance to sock him directly in the ear. Snarling as pain erupted in his skull, the raven-haired demon released the wizard and reeled away, pressing his hand to side of his head. His eardrum reverberated from the blow, the pain consuming him as the trio fled to safety. By the time he was able to open his eyes, the hall was empty save him and Draco. "May Hades take your soul," he hissed between his teeth, cradling his ear. Gritting his teeth, he tugged experimentally on the lobe.
"Are you alright? I didn't actually think he'd be stupid enough to hit you." The blond said, stopping next to him and resting a hand on his shoulder. He pulled Harry's hand away from his ear and carefully inspected the obviously stinging appendage. Frowning, he shook his head and stepped back. "It looks okay."
Harry nodded even as he straightened, rolling his shoulders to ease the stiffness from them. He blew a calming breath out between his teeth and began to fix the robes he wore. His ears were extremely sensitive and even the lightest blow applied to the side of his head had the potential to do serious internal damage. Though he could still hear a faint ringing, he was able to make out the burble and buzz of voices across the castle. "It's fine."
"I could have handled them without your assistance," Draco said, his voice tinged with annoyance. "Weasley's too stupid to remember how to use his wand and Granger's afraid to break the rules."
"I'll remember that for next time," murmured Harry.
"See that you do," Draco sniffed, leading the way down the hall.
Falling in next to the blond, he replayed everything that had just happened and frowned. He knew enough about the wizard culture to pass among them but the part of the conversation he had arrived for had him confused. Glancing at the blond, he pursed his lips. "Tell me, Draco, what exactly is a Death Eater?" Harry asked casually, continuing to stroll forward even though the blond had come to an abrupt stop. He arched an eyebrow and glanced over his shoulder, a sense of triumph filling him as he stared into the horrified blue orbs focused on him. Stopping, he spun slowly on his heels and crossed his arms, his hand cupping the silver bracelet. The charms slid between his fingers, the metal cool and soothing. When the silver hunting hound came to rest between his thumb and index finger, he stilled.
"Pardon?" Draco hissed between his teeth, glancing around the empty hall. When the raven-haired demon calmly repeated the question, the blond stared at him before slowly beginning to shake his head. "Who are you?"
A/n: Thank you to everyone who took the time to read and review. I apologize for the wait but I've been very busy. Over the past few weeks, I've moved in with two of my best friends and purchased a ferret. Braxton keeps me very busy but his arrival has returned me to the computer and my stories.
WhiteDragonShiro - Harry dosen't know who the demon he's looking for is, but we all know that it is Voldemort. Neither Snape or Malfoy is a demon, their auras have just been contaminated with dark demon magic from acquiring the Dark Mark and being in Voldies presence.
sbkar - I don't really know why I write Draco with blue eyes. I think I started writing him with gray eyes in APH but then someone told me had blue eyes and ever since then I've been sticking with that.
SlytherGirl - Harbinger is now my primary fic and I should begin to update more frequently.
Intrepid Archer - Given the chance, wouldn't you check Harry out?