Title:Game Without Tears

Disclaimer: I do not own, wish I did, but I don't. I only own my plot line. Full disclaimer, first chapter.

Author: ShaeLynn Teelle

All other information: See first chapter.

Polite constructive criticism welcome. FLAMES WILL BE FED TO THE DRAGON IN MY BED.

Chapter 30: Nightmare About to Come True

"Alright, first lesson. The history of magic."

A quiet snort interrupted her and Morgana looked up at those assembled before her. Harry, Vincent, and Gregory were staring at her in shock. Pansy had a weak smile on her face and Draco was in his chair, smirking at Daphne whose hand was covering her mouth lest another snort of laughter escaped her.

Morgana smiled indulgently at the group, "This is not going to be any history that you know of. For example, where does magic come from?"

No one raised their hand or made a sound.

Draco's ancestor grinned at the group, "I am, by far, not the first witch to ever emerge. There have been many that bore and created magic before me. The question I asked is the first lesson I'm going to teach you. Where does magic come from. Magic is a physical manifestation of emotions. Every creature, every person, and a great many plants, bare magic. That does NOT mean everything baring magic can DO magic. The results that a wizard or witch gets from doing a spell is the PHYSICAL manifestation of emotions.

"The reason a Muggle or a squib is unable to perform magic at will is because they do not have a will strong enough to produce the right kind of emotion whenever they wish it. A witch or wizard has a stronger force behind their will that allows them to perform magic. Different emotions give strength to different spells. A wizard's emotions run higher than a Muggle's or a squib's. It may not look like they have stronger emotions constantly running through them than your average Muggle, but underneath the surface it is like constant sparks.

"Now, wizards have more control over some emotions than witches, but in the same line, witches have more control over other emotions. You may notice throughout your years that there are more women in one field of magic, just as there are more men in another field. This does not pertain to every branch of magic a person can go in to. Neither is this the rule, it is merely the norm. There are, of course, exceptions to the norm, two of which happen to be in this room."

Though Morgana made no mentions of names, nor any other indication of whom she was speaking of, four sets of eyes turned towards the two that sat side-by-side in identical chairs. Harry glanced about at the others before shaking his head slowly and looking down at his hands, Draco hadn't looked away from Morgana and it was his voice that broke the silence and took his fellow Slytherins' attention away from his lover.

"Lady Morgana, you said that Muggles and Squibs bore magic. How?"

"You have likely never heard of the occurrences before, Draconis, just as most purebloods haven't. Harold James might have heard more of such happenings, but knowing how he was raised—" At this Harry tensed and brought his gaze back to Morgana, his expression devoid of emotions. "—he might be just as ignorant on this as the rest of you. There are reported cases of mothers, fathers, lovers, and even children doing things that they should not be able to do.

"It has, with the advances of science, been reduced to adrenaline rushes that lent strength, or to those more religiously inclined, it is a miracle. Instances where a man or son becomes trapped beneath a car and the mother or partner is able to lift the car enough that the one trapped can be moved to safety. Or the parent or older sibling who sees a young child fall into a river or lake and jumps in after them to save their life, somehow having the strength to reach the child through danger and pull them back to safety when no one else could have.

"These are only some of the more spectacular things that Muggles have done. However, there is a plethora of small things that no one really thinks about, even squibs, who often are at the very least, aware that there is magic out in the world. A woman, hundreds of miles away from home, or loved ones, knows that something has happened. A man, walking in a forest or a field, suddenly stops, knowing without knowing, that there is danger. He looks down to see a poisonous snake, or some other creature that could easily kill him.

"These are warnings of a person's innate magic. Many people, Muggles and Wizarding folk alike, call it a sixth sense, something that rather just happens. The same traits apply to most animals and a great deal of plants, though with plants, it is used very differently. Only magical animals, like post-owls and other familiars or magical animals have control over their innate magic. How else would they be able to find a person that they have never seen."

"My lady," Pansy began tentatively. "You said that different emotions can better control different spells. I have an idea of what you mean, but could you explain it a bit more?"

"Of course, Amelie Ann."

Pansy started slightly at the use of her middle names, but did not interrupt.

"Compassion, love, acceptance, and other positive emotions fuel healing and shielding spells. The more neutral emotions power every day spells. Fear is a high factor in defensive spells, however, it can be a fear that even the castor is unaware of consciously. Destructive spells are fueled by anger, hatred, and other negative emotions. If a person, even for an instant, is unable to feel any emotion, for that instant, the person would be unable to cast any form of spell.

"Once a witch or wizard is subconsciously able to control the amount of emotion needed to perform a spell, they will always be able to control that amount of the emotion. Now, the reason why some spells take practice, and lots of repetitious performance is because the person cannot yet control the emotion and amount that is needed,. Once they can control it, they no longer have difficulty controlling the spell."

"Does that mean that emotions can create a spell without any conscious thought?" Draco asked quietly, wondering how much more could be done just based on emotions.

"Yes and no, Draconis. I believe Harold James would be a good example in this case."

Everyone's attention turned to Harry who sat, staring at Morgana. The Slytherins watched the black-haired Gryffindor in confusion, having never really heard of his exploits in uncontrolled magic. Finally Harry sighed and nodded.

"I blew up my Aunt Marge—" Only Draco noticed Harry's hands clenching at the name. "—before third year. I also destroyed most of the things in Dumbledore's office at the end of fifth year."

Gregory stared at Harry, mouth agape, while Vincent and Pansy looked at him in surprise. Daphne and Draco just nodded, Daphne because she knew how powerful he was from the DA and Draco had always suspected that Harry was more powerful than most knew.

"Those outbursts were completely based upon extreme emotions. Normally only fear and anger are able to create unfocused magic like that. When other emotions are used there must be a way to direct what the spell is to do. Most often it is simply words that are combined with wand movements, but words alone can be a direct focus when the words help to convey the emotions that the person wants to use."

"I don't suppose there's an emotion that can focus any spell to work," Harry said quietly, almost afraid of the answer.

Morgana turned understanding eyes to Harry when she answered, "It wasn't just your mother's sacrifice that saved you, Harold James. Her emotions of fear for your safety and the love she held for you created the focus for a spell using her words and thoughts regarding you at that moment. She didn't want you to die so in that moment your mother created a spell that would save you from Voldemort."

"But Voldemort used my blood when he was brought back. Does that mean he has the same—"

"Harold James, the spell was not to stop the Killing Curse, it was to stop Voldemort from killing you at that moment. The spell itself is no longer present, it is only her love that still lives on in you. If you were hit with the Killing Curse at this moment, nothing would save you unless someone else made the same kind of sacrifice with equally intense emotions towards you."

"So," Daphne began quietly in the stillness that followed Morgana's explanation. "Love can be the focus to create any spell?

"In essence, yes, however," Morgana cautioned, one hand raised. "Just the one emotion is not enough to create the spell without words to help focus the intent. Usually a spell created out of love holds a lot of fear, most often for the safety of the other person. The stronger the emotions for a person are, the less words you need, but the more words that are used in situations where a spell is created based on emotions, the more focus there is for the spell to do what the creator wants."

"Can the spell be used to… destroy something?" Harry asked very quietly.

"Yes. If the intent and focus is right, the spell can be used to destroy even the essence, the soul, of something… or someone."

"Can you teach me?" Harry blurted out suddenly, then, flushed when he looked at his lover. "I mean, I know these lessons were for Draco and the rest of us are just… here, but can you teach me, sometime, how to create a spell to destroy something that much?"

"Yes, Harold James. I can and will teach you how to accomplish that," Morgana answered sadly, but her eyes held complete understanding in them.

\/\/\/\/\/

After a few hours, the other four Slytherins returned to their own rooms and beds, promising to try to keep any visitors away for the next morning so Harry and Draco could sleep. There was quiet for a bit between the two young men and the spirit as Morgana waited, knowing there was something on Draco's mind. Finally, Draco stood from his place at the large table and went to the bookshelf that held the school books of the suite's occupants.

Draco moved some aside and pulled out the Mo'Ask Tan'I Dan from behind them. He brought the book back to the table and looked at Harry from the corner of his eye. The Gryffindor was looking between Draco and the book in curiosity, but there was something in his eyes that said he had a good idea of what the book was.

"Lady Morgana, I was wondering if you might know the language this book is written in," Draco asked quietly and opened the book to one of the first full pages.

"Ah, I see you have found the language of the Potions Magi. That is a very old book, Draconis. I had thought all written in that language had been lost."

"Can you read it? Would you be able to tell me what it says?" Draco asked eagerly, his posture attentive and nearly bouncing where he sat.

"Yes. Is there no books to translate this though? I thought that every Potions Master was required to learn the majority of the language at the beginning of their studies."

"Professor Snape is not able to read it. I think through the years the language has been altered. Any word I've seen in other potions texts that is in here is meshed together with several others. With Pansy's help I was able to break much of what I could find in other books apart into ingredients that are in here, but there are some words and entire sections that have eluded all our efforts this year," Draco admitted quietly, not sure where the conversation would continue to go.

"I see. Gather together what you have uncovered and I will help you as much as I can."

Draco eagerly went back to the bookshelf and pulled out his notebooks and pens. When he turned around he found himself face to face with his lover, the sudden prescence causing him to drop some of the pens. Harry bent down and scooped them off the floor, slowly handing them to the blond.

"May I help, Draco?"

"I thought you didn't like potions?"

"I was never really given the chance to find out whether or not I could make them correctly, much less whether I could enjoy making them. Besides, you're not making any tonight, just writing down information on them."

Draco smiled and nodded, "Thank you, Harry."

The two returned to the table and Draco opened two of the notebooks. He gave the one with the words listed to be deciphered to HarryaHarryHarrtHarhhh so the Gryffindor could fill them in as they learned them. Draco pulled the one with the complete potions written in front of him and pushed the book in front of them both. Morgana floated herself up onto the table top, sitting with her legs crossed in front of the book so she was looking at the pages upside down. Harry laughed quietly in surprise, both at the spirit and at his lover's expression. Draco blinked heavily, not sure he was actually seeing what he thought he was.

The spirit looked up and smirked at him, "I wasn't raised with pure-blooded etiquette, Draco. I was born to a simple family that was able to do more than the ones around us. Magic wasn't spoken of then except in feared whispers so I was raised as any other peasant child would be. I have since adopted much of the nobler etiquette, but even I can relax every now and again. Now, let us get back to this book."

With that and Draco's still occasional shocked glances at his ancestor, the spirit set about finding out the words that Draco and Pansy were unable to learn and explaining what they were. The group found a handful of pages that were illegible but for a few phrases. Morgana told him the titles to some books to look for that might have the potions rewritten in them, but she was not certain they even existed where they would be available as the language seemed to be generally lost. Near morning, they were over half-way through the book when Morgana read the name of a potion and the two men stopped everything.

"But there is no cure for Lycanthropy," Harry breathed out nearly inaudibly.

"There is no cure for born-Lycanthropy, the kind obtained through a parent when a child is first conceived, but a bitten affliction can be dealt with."

"Why would a potion like that be lost? Why wouldn't it be known all over the world and be used for everyone that gets bitten?" Harry nearly shouted, pushing away from the table and beginning to agitatedly pace.

"This potion is one of the most difficult to brew correctly because it needs more than just the correct ingredients. I don't know why or when it was abandoned, but it is possible to make," Morgana spoke soothingly, not knowing why it bothered the Gryffindor so much.

Then, as Harry continued to pace, Draco quietly explained about Remus and Bill Weasley whom had been bitten by a werewolf in human form a year previously when a small group of Death Eaters had attacked Hogwarts itself by way of a secret passage that had been forgotten by even the Headmaster. Morgana was rather astonished when Draco went on to explain how werewolf's were treated in society and the difficulties they faced as well as the Ministry restrictions.

"Morgana, you said the potion needs more than just the right ingredients. What did you mean?" Harry asked when he had finally calmed enough to think rationally without ranting.

"The potion is difficult to make. The brewer does not need to be a Potions Magi to accomplish it, but they must show an aptitude that not everyone encompasses. That in itself limits who can correctly make the potion. The other difficulty is that the brewer must use some of his or her own blood to prove their intent. The potion must be made by someone that is at least familiar with the person and genuinely bears the werewolf no ill will. If there is any form of friendship or affection between them it is even better.

"These limitations shrink the number of those able to correctly and effectively brew the potion by the thousands. And even further, because of the use of their blood in the potion, a bond is formed between the brewer and the recipient. It is nothing major, just an extra sense that will tell one if the other is anywhere near them and also if they are in heavy distress at any time."

"The use of blood in a potion is strictly monitored by the Ministry," Draco said quietly, almost to himself. "They keep a list of any potion that involves any form of blood and you must petition the Ministry with exact reason why you wish to in order to be able to do so legally. It can be done without the petition, but anyone caught brewing one is banned from making potions again."

"I do not believe the Ministry would know about this potion if it has been lost for so long that no one even knew of it's existence. Perhaps Dumbledore would know if it was on their list. I believe some of the other ingredients are controlled substances or nearly impossible to get as well," Morgana continued.

"It needs to be made. I… Is it possible? If the Ministry is not aware of the potion and has no restrictions against it specifically, is it possible to make?" Harry asked urgently.

"It is possible. I would have to obtain some of the more difficult ingredients, but there are some that even I would have no clue as to where to find them. I will speak with Dumbledore about the potion in the morning. When I return tomorrow night I will bring the ingredients I can obtain with me. The others your Potions Master should have as they tend to keep such controlled substances as long as they are useable, once they can obtain them. However, there is one ingredient that I do not know if it can be found. The potion must be drunk from a hollowed-out Basilisk fang. Specifically one from the roof of the mouth. I do not—"

"I have one," Harry interrupted, his eyes firmly meeting Morgana's even as both Draco and the spirit stared at him in shock.

"How is that possible? The last recorded Basilisk that was found and dismantled for ingredients was a hundred and fifty years ago at twenty feet long. The ingredients were so quickly bought at outrageous prices and hidden away by the Potions Masters. They believed that Basilisk to be the largest one in existence at the time and none have been found since that any of my descendants have heard of."

"It wasn't recorded. No one else heard of it except a small select group of people."

"Who? And h-how do you know about it?" Draco stuttered out, still in shock.

In answer Harry pulled up the sleeve of his right arm and let his glamours drop completely. There, just below the crook of his elbow where the scar was from the night Voldemort regained a body, was the puncture scar from the Basilisk fang. It had healed completely from the phoenix tears Fawkes had shed on it, but the scar still showed the entry wound of the poisonous fang. Draco moved to his side, his fingers brushing both scars on his arm, never having seen either before.

"What is this from, Harry? What happened?"

"That was from second year. I went after Ginny into the Chamber of Secrets when she was taken down there. The monster in the Chamber was a Basilisk. A Basilisk that had been there since the school was opened or something." Harry's eyes met Morgana's, "Hundreds of years ago. I killed it. The only piece I kept was the fang that was stuck into my arm poisoning me. That was five years ago. I'm sure it's rotted rather nicely by now. I doubt many of the pieces would be usable for anything."

"We were only in second year then. How did you manage to kill it?" Draco breathed out, realizing that Harry was doing things that nearly got him killed long before he had ever thought his lover was.

"As Professor McGonagall liked to call it, and had been happening since even our first flying lessons. Sheer dumb luck. If Fawkes, Dumbledore's Phoenix, hadn't shown up, I would have been killed in the first few minutes I was down there."

"I'm glad you survived, Harry. I'm thankful for it."

Harry smiled at his lover and nodded, understanding what Draco wasn't able to say out loud to him, but showed through his eyes. And Harry wondered how he had ever managed to believe that those eyes were always cold and hate-filled as he leaned in for a chaste, but perfect kiss.

\/\/\/\/\/

Draco woke suddenly, his body shaking and his breathing erratic. He wrapped his arms about himself and took deep breaths to calm the trembling. It was the first nightmare Draco'd had since Harry had begun staying overnight. He looked to the empty side of the bed, remembering that Harry had said he was waking early to speak to Professor Lupin about the potion. Draco wasn't expecting to see a small paper box sitting on the pillow next to him. The box was folded from a thin piece of paper and Draco had never seen anything like it.

Inside the box was a rough-cut, red stone. He pulled the stone from the paper box, curiosity distracting him completely from his nightmare. When he looked back at the paper, he noticed writing on the inside. Unable to resist, Draco carefully unfolded the paper to find a note from Harry.

-I went to go see Remus. I hope to be back before lunch, but if not I'll be in the Great Hall. This stone is a red jasper. It's a good protection stone, but just in case, there's some extra charms and spells fused with it. Please have this on you or wear it at all times. I know you can take care of yourself, but a little extra help never hurts. I'll see you later.-

Draco smiled and enclosed the stone in his hand. He concentrated for a moment and could feel the energy of the spells and a heat that reminded him specifically of his lover. He waved his hand and the time appeared in the air beside him. It was nearly the hour for lunch and the Slytheirn had the urge to go and find Harry. He dressed and entered the main room just as Harry did from the hallway.

Pansy and Vincent were asleep on their couch, Pansy with her head resting against Vincent's shoulder. Gregory and Daphne were sitting at the table talking quietly. Draco only paid a brief glance at the two couples before his attention was back on Harry as the Gryffindor came over to him.

"Hey," Harry said quietly when he stopped a foot or two away.

"Good morning," Draco smiled at him.

"You're awake early." It was stated, but there was a question in Harry's eyes.

"Nightmare."

Draco's answer had Harry wincing. Daphne had told him about the nightmares that all five of them had from the things they had been forced to do. She hadn't known what Draco's were about, but did know that he routinely had them every night. Harry, having seen much of what Draco had done under Voldemort's gaze, had a good idea of how horrible those nightmares were for him.

"You haven't had one of those for a while, have you?"

"Not really. Not since you started staying… overnight."

Harry offered Draco a weak smile and took one of his hands, closing the distance between them more until they were only inches apart. "Well, since you're awake, would you like to come have lunch in the Great Hall with Remus and I?"

"Sure," Draco answered and leaned in until their lips met.

It didn't last for very long, but when they pulled apart they were aware of complete silence around them and the feel of eyes. They turned and saw that the other two couples were watching them and sometime in those brief moments Hermione had entered the suite and was watching them with wide eyes.

"Okay, that's more than cute. Much more than cute," Hermione said into the quiet and began fanning herself.

"Hermione!" Harry shouted, turning bright red for a moment.

"Sorry, Harry," she replied, unrepentant. "I can't help it if I've suddenly found something that's a turn-on."

Harry could form no reply as his mouth opened and closed before he hung his head. At that Pansy burst out laughing and even Gregory started to chuckle quietly.

"Come on," Hermione urged. "It's lunch time and I, for one, am hungry."

The five Slytherins nodded and followed her out the door, Draco nearly dragging Harry behind him as his head was still bent. As soon as they entered the hallway though, Harry's head lifted and he was no longer blushing, but had an air of authority about him. Draco held his lover's hand as they walked and Hermione came up on Harry's other side, linking one arm through his.

"Ron's temper has evened out for the moment," Hermione began conversationally, as thought the fight between Harry and his friend had never happened. "We've refrained from informing Mrs. Weasley, but that's only to give him a chance to apologize on his own. You know how Ron is."

"Yeah, a right git sometimes."

"He'll get over it. He always does. Now, let's just enjoy lunch while we can. Fred and George won't be showing up until later tonight so this meal's safe at least."

The off-hand comment even pulled a chuckle from Draco as Harry was laughing freely. Then, they had reached the Great Hall where the other four Slytherins were waiting as they had gotten ahead of the slow-moving trio. Their entrance garnered the same response as the last time, but the Slytherins paid little mind to it.

There were less people in the hall than the last meal they had eaten there and the conversations started up a bit quicker. Draco was once again ensconced at the same table as Mrs. Weasley, but the only fuss she made was that he and Harry needed to eat more. They were sitting further down the table than the last time and Remus was on Harry's other side, talking quietly.

Half-way through the meal a single owl arrived in the Great Hall. It circled the diners once before angling itself towards Draco. When the owl got close enough Draco recognized it and his eyes widened. As the small box it had clutched fell towards him Draco pulled away from the table, making sure Harry was out of the way as well.

The box landed in the middle of his pasta and before anyone could move to pick it up, Draco spoke. "Don't touch it."

The slight disruption had Dumbledore at Draco's side moments after the box landed.

"What is going on, Mr. Malfoy?"

"That was my father's owl. Whatever is in the box isn't likely to be something good. I don't know how he…"

At that moment the box vanished, taking the plate and pasta with it. Draco just sat there for a moment, staring at his cleared place at the table. He only turned away once Harry placed a hand lightly on his shoulder. Dumbledore waved his wand once and a clean plate appeared where the other had been. No one said anything else as the Headmaster ushered Draco back to his meal.

Mrs. Weasley fussed over him for a bit until Draco resumed eating, albight slowly. Draco didn't notice that he had paled horribly when he had recognized the owl, nor did he notice the shaking of his hands when he sat down, but everyone else in the Hall did.

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