Title: Harry Potter and the Rise of the Dark Legacy
Author: enchanted nightingale
Beta Reader: pussycatadamah
Pairs: Harry/Lucius (eventually), Ron/Hermione, Neville/Ginny, Remus/Tonks
Disclaimer: The characters belong to J.K. Rowling. I merely use them in my plot for fun.
Chapter 7
November 5th:
Slytherin Common Room:
Draco practically ran back to the common room in the dungeons, his mind going into serious overdrive.
He mumbled the password hurriedly and stormed his way inside the almost empty common room; only a handful of older years were up this time of the night. He needed to speak to someone; where was Blaise? He decided to try out the dorms.
Going straight to his dorms, he ignored Crabbe and Goyle who were still up and wanted to speak to him about one thing or another and left, banging the door behind him.
Draco grimaced in irritation and returned to the prefect room he occupied. He tried to sit still, think about what he had seen rationally, but his mind could simply not process anything other than 'Potter has pointy ears and long hair'.
How? When? Why?
He paused his passing, exhaled and started passing again.
Hair, he could grow, everyone could, even Potter. There where spells for that, he knew. It was not unusual. His father had long hair; most pure-blooded aristocrats had long hair, right? When that had happened he had no idea. And why he had long hair, or why he had not noticed before.
'Glamour,' his mind supplied absently.
But still…
"Draco?" Blaise poked his head in the room.
The blonde turned to glare him.
"What?" he snapped at his friend.
The other teen frowned. "Is something wrong?" Blaise asked. "You stormed in like your gold lost its value or something."
"Where were you?" the blonde asked.
"Kitchens," Blaise told him. "Nott wanted a snack and nagged me to go with him."
Draco wanted to tell someone, he really, honestly did. But he could not. He took a few breaths and his anger deflated. It was hardly Blaise's fault after all; he would probably need to make it up to him later.
'What a mess!' the blonde teen sighed mentally. He ran a hand through his tamed hair, messing them a bit.
"Don't mind me Blaise," he told his best friend. "I'm just tired and irritated from my rounds."
"Are you sure?" his friend inquired.
"Yes," Draco lied easily; rubbing his eyes tiredly. "I'll just go to sleep now, maybe I'm just cranky."
Blaise did not seem to believe him but nodded anyway and left with a muttered 'goodbye'.
When Draco was alone again he groaned and dropped on the bed.
'This is not happening.'
Draco decided to wait and see. He would observe Potter for a while, maybe research on glamour spells and such; and perhaps on the pointy ears.
'Honestly! Pointy ears?' he scoffed. 'Who has pointy ears these days?'
He groaned. Nothing was going right for him these days. First the odd headaches, then his unease when he was close to his father and godfather, and now this with Potter.
"Wait and see," the teen repeated to him-self.
November 6th:
Unknown Location:
Bellatrix Lestrange was almost humming with excitement. Her master was in a good mood. He had summoned them earlier in his Chamber. She tried to even the fabric of her long, black gown, and then pulled her black cloak tighter around her body. She was restless, had been for some time. She turned to her husband, the man standing stoically beside her in equally tasteful robes.
"Rodolfo," she whispered. "Have you any idea what could happen? Master is pleasant today."
The man opted for a grunt one would expect from Crabbe.
Rabastan, the younger Lestrange sibling eyed his sister in law with open scorn as she rambled on and on about her 'master', all the while comparing the female to an errand pet. Finally he looked away; fearing he would snap at her if this went on.
"Calm yourself," Rodolfus told him.
"I am calm," Rabastan replied.
His brother smirked. "And Severus is all sun and roses."
"The sarcasm was well noted," Rabastan hissed.
Rodolfus glanced at his wife and then back to his sibling.
"There is going to be a mission abroad soon. Something about gathering more allies," he began. "I thought you might be interested."
Rabastan nodded. "Thank you. Tell me, is there room for another?"
"I believe Dolohov and Jugson also want to join, why?"
"How can you stand her?" the younger wizard asked.
Rodolfus Lestrange offered no reply as Lord Voldemort took his seat among them. The followers knew not to speak after that.
The sibling paid attention as the man welcomed his servants. He gave a speech that had his audience captivated. Even after all the experiments and the alterations, even in this new, snake like appearance it seemed that he was capable of manipulating people, charming them and luring them into his ranks. Words of grandeur and wealth and prosperity easily spilled from that serpentine mouth and the older generation of Death Eaters listened just as captivated as the newcomers.
Rabastan listened carefully, but the glamorous words did not reach him. It was a common occurrence lately. He rarely felt the way he used to towards the Dark Lord like he did when he was younger. The admiration and hero worship towards the man said to bring wizards to their former glory, give power to the diminishing pure blooded lines and the promise of a better future had been muddied when he was sent to the Longbottom residence all those years ago. That was the very beginning of the doubt…
'No, earlier,' Rabastan remembered.
It was when Regulus Black had disappeared without a trace and word.
He was no fool. He knew Regulus had not been very faith full to the Dark Lord, but he never expected for the young wizard to meet such an end. It was cruel indeed that heirs of such fine blood were killed. Regulus was hardly the only aristocrat to back down. It was a waste of fine and a personal tragedy to the younger Lestrange, since Regulus had been his lover. Though the possibility of a union between them was doubtful, as the Blacks had already procured a match with the Lestranges in that generation and another was not necessary, it had been acceptable.
'And fun,' Rabastan's memory supplied unhelpfully.
Rodolfus eyed his younger sibling that seemed lost in thought and certainly not attending the speech the Slytherin descendant gave, but then again neither did he.
Next to him, his wife was listening at their leader with rapture and it disturbed him. She had always been strange in her behaviour. After all, she and her three sisters had come only after their older brother had been deemed insane from birth and killed in a freak accident before the boy hit puberty.
No, the insanity was not the problem, neither her obsession with the Dark Lord. He had come to terms with that during his stay in Azkaban and it seemed funny that he felt saner after his escape than before. He had observed Rabastan enough to know that his brother was disgusted by Bellatrix (not that they were getting along before Azkaban either, his mind supplied) and not as enthralled with their leader and his cause.
And it seemed that these thoughts were not his alone.
He had seen how Lucius Malfoy had been tortured over something as trivial as lack of information. Seeing the proud aristocrat brought to his knees and tortured like that had not been a sight he wanted to see any time soon. He had felt worse for his friend than he did when his own wife Bellatrix had been under the 'Cruciatus'.
'Probably because she enjoyed it,' Rodolfus thought wryly.
He saw Lucius raise his eyes to meet his. He frowned at his brother in law but went back to staring at their leader.
He snapped back to attention when Lord Voldemort dismissed the larger body of Death Eaters and only the Inner Circle remained.
"My mossst loyal," the snake like wizard greeted.
'Here we go,' Rabastan thought as he got on his knees on the cold, humid, stone floor. He heard his joints pop and his a grimace. 'It's going to be a long, long night.'
November 7th:
DA, Great Hall:
Ron was standing aside, watching the group consisting of first to third year Gryffindor's that he had been assigned to teach. According to Hermione's schedule he was to teach first years the 'Expelliarmus' spell and they were already practicing it, but not with the results he could hope for. They thought it a game the first years at least. The second years were rather serious, but none could do it on the first try, like Harry had done on Lockhart. The third years were much better and less hopeless about it.
Tonks, the adult supervising the lesson for the day, sauntered over to him.
"They are hopeless," the Auror commended, bobbing her violet haired head.
Ron grunted in complete agreement with the pink haired witch.
"I can see that. But it's just one spell. They were better with the summoning spells and a list of jinxes Flitwick gave us," the teen told her. "After they master this one Harry suggested a shield spell of sorts; Mione is searching on that idea."
"Most shielding spells need a stable magical core that usually develops after a witch or wizard reaches fifteen and even later," Tonks told him. "Won't that be a problem?"
"That's why we are searching on it," Ron told her. "How come you are here Tonks? Shouldn't you be at the Ministry or something?"
"I'm meeting Remus afterwards," the metamorphomagus admitted sheepishly.
Ron grinned at her.
"Stop that!" Tonks scolded him. She had received enough smiles from various members of the ginger haired clan already, some -like Molly and Bill- being more easing than others. She really could do without the younger Weasley son joining the fray.
The teen ignored the command. "No I won't! It's good you guys are giving this relationship thing a try. We were betting how long it would take for Moony to stop being so stubborn."
"There was a bet?" the Auror demanded.
Ron watched amusedly as her hair turned red from her anger.
"Yeah," the youngest Weasley son admitted, not in the least bit repentant.
"The twins?" the witch asked.
"Nah. Their bets are all about Harry these days, with the new looks and everything. The current one is how long it will take him to get laid."
Tonks choked. That was one bet she wanted to know nothing on. Especially since she knew who Harry was more likely to end up with.
Ron saw her pale and was about to answer her, when one boy instead of disarming his opponent caused him to turn a toad like green colour. He rushed to help before something worse happened.
Tonks watched with amusement as the Gryffindor prefect yelled at them and tried to minimize the damage. She decided to wait a bit before helping the teen.
Room of Requirement:
When Harry returned to the Room for another lesson, he found Ailill ready, sword in hand. He absently rubbed the bruises he had acquired the previous nights he had trained with the Wood Elf.
"Again?" he asked.
Ailill arched an eyebrow. "Need you ask?"
Harry sagged. "I had hoped to get a break for a night. I'm black and blue all over! Again!"
His instructor smirked. "Well, then… You better learn to do more than dodge, boy. I will not go easy on you."
The teen was tempted to stick his tongue out but he was certain the Elf would cut it off. So Harry settled for simply glaring at Ailill, which seemed funny to the Elf. Somehow, almost everything Harry did seemed funny to the Wood Elf and it was making the teen angry. When he had demanded rather heatedly for the Elf to stop doing that Ailill had laughed.
"When you get my age you have to get my kicks somehow. Toying with the young ones is classified as a way to pass time."
"Damn immortals," Harry had grumbled, earning another throaty laugh from Ailill.
"It could be worse," Ailill told him.
"I very much doubt it."
Then his mentor grew serious. "What is going on with Malfoy? You are keeping your distance, right?"
Harry nodded with a frown.
"No need to tell me twice," he replied sullenly. And it was the bitter truth. Harry had not approached the blonde professor since that awkward morning. Instead he avoided him, or rather did not go out of his way to meet the wizard like he used to. He hated doing this as he missed the scent Lucius had around him and it was making him restless on several occasions. Still, Harry endured because the older Elf had been rather convincing when he warned the teen away from the Defence professor.
"I think I do, Harry. You see what happened last time."
"We just slept together, nothing happened!" Harry told him, his voice raising. He had been insisting on this insane argument ever since Ailill confronted him in the lesson they had directly after the teen spent the night caring for a battered Lucius Malfoy. Ailill had been in a right state that afternoon, after rigorous practice, which made the teen feel even worse. He had been yelled at for half an hour straight; maybe even longer.
After that Ailill had gone to great lengths to explain to Harry exactly why he should have limited contact with his intended mate and the consequences should the teen slipp up and moved forward with the bond. He explained that there were steps Elves took when courting a mate.
The first one was much like human courting. Walks in the park, tokens of appreciation, gifts and the like, all were included in that stage.
After that there was a more physical aspect, but it did not involve intercourse just yet.
Then the families would meet, exchanging gifts of special meaning to their member, discussing the dowry and meeting each other. In cases of political marriage, contracts were made to stop conflict or to settle future matters of interest.
The third step involved the blessing of the Elder council, but in the modern days it was only done where royalty were concerned. Ailill had expressed his loss at what would happen in Harry's case since he was the only representative of his branch in quite some time. While the Council had no say in the affairs of Dark Elves, Harry was young and everything was possible.
Then, the actual mating bond was something the Elves held dear and should not take place in the heat of passion, even if the matches were already known. Some were reported to have gone awry after the bond; the pair had not been ready and the bond twisted, making them cold to each other and in the end they spent their years in misery until one of them died and the other lived on. It was rare, but precautions were taken.
"Magic has a strange mind and even we, Elves, are not privy to its workings," Ailill had told Harry when the teen asked how a bond based on love could go so horribly wrong. "But then again it could be superstition," Ailill had added. "But no one wishes to take that chance. Harry, after you have completed a part of your studies you will be able to properly appreciate the wonder of having your own mate and how to protect him properly. Also you need to learn what a bond entails. Be patient. You can still see him, but the distance is a precaution. You are a teenager after all. Even Elfin teens are rather rebellious."
So Harry had decided to at least listen to what the Wood Elf told him, for a while that is and most probably until Lucius approached him.
'Maybe I should get him another present?' the teen Elf thought. He shook his head. 'I really need to read up on the courting steps.'
"Focus Harry," his teacher demanded. That was all the warning Harry got before Ailill attacked.
Harry gulped and blocked.
"Pathetic," Ailill commented as he attacked again.
Harry winced as he felt the strength of the second attack. His teacher was very good, better than the national fencing team he remembered watching in a video in elementary school. His attacks were relentless, never giving him an opening or at least a chance to regroup. He was able to hold longer against Ailill, but he still ran out of breath early and usually ended up with a lot of bruises.
Soon the pattern took place and Harry was flat on his back, the sword knocked several feet away from him and his opponent/instructor landed a purposely painful blow to his ribs.
"Unless you feel the pain you cannot learn," Ailill had stated from day one. "Don't just fight with your eyes. Use your Aura sensing. Try to confirm my intent. Some blows are worse than others. In a wizard duel you could choose to be hit with a minor spell, and dodge a more serious one, or use the minor one to follow up with an attack of your own. It could very well win a duel this way. With a sword it is basically the same principle."
"But I cannot focus on Auras while I'm fighting!" Harry protested.
"You mean yet," Ailill smirked. "Get up and get your weapon."
Harry stood with a wince.
"Again," the red haired Elf said.
November 8th:
Morning, Slytherin Common Room:
"Does Draco seem odd to you lately or is it just me that thinks that?" Pansy finally asked the teens around her.
"Thank you!" Avery muttered. And many other heads bobbed to affirm that.
"Something definitely happened," Millicent agreed.
"But what?" Blaise cut in. He abandoned his homework in favour of the subject that bothered all of them. He had noticed how his best friend had been behaving. He was tense almost all the time, which was a bit too much, even for a Malfoy.
"Has he said anything?" Pansy asked
"Nothing at all," Blaise replied.
"Should we confront him?" Millicent offered.
"I'd rather face a dragon," Nott replied.
"No one can outwit a Malfoy," Pansy quoted.
The others snorted and then chuckled. They had heard that expression and others like that plenty of times from Draco as they were growing up.
"What we need is a solid plan," Millicent mused.
"Some way to trap him," Pansy continued.
"And make him speak," Blaise finished.
They grew silent.
"That will be a problem," Theo said for them.
Their faces fell and all of them tried to think of a way to make Draco tell them what was wrong.
The object of their musing just then left his room and saw all his year mates gathered in the Common Room, sitting together and looking deep in thought, even Crabbe and Goyle. With a shrug he ignored them and went out. He had little time before breakfast ended so he could make use of the quiet the library offered. He could get a snack from the kitchens during his free time.
Afternoon, Hogwarts Library:
Draco eyed Madam Pince for almost an hour, contemplating whether he should approach her with his questions and ask her for help. Seeing her reprimand a group of first years for dropping one of the books they were holding, he winced and backed down from the idea. The woman was more likely to yell at him. Not even the Ravenclaw's, or Granger for that matter, were exempt from her foul mood and if Granger stood few chances than he had stood none. If he had been interested in school matters the woman would help, he knew that, it was the matter of extracurricular studies and the nature of his self appointed 'project' that would get him little help.
"Dead end," he whispered disgustedly.
He pushed the books away from him and glared, as if that way it would budge and give him some answers.
Giving up he left, intending to continue this on another day.
'Perhaps ask a Ravenclaw to help me,' he thought as he gathered his things and headed for the kitchens.
Room of Requirement:
The members of the original DA were gathered around the room, opting not to meet in the Great Hall this time. They had all received messages through their coins and were really excited. It had been a while since they had met like this, since Madame Pomfrey had taught them those healing spells.
"Do you know what Harry wants?" Dean asked his former girlfriend.
Ginny shrugged, enjoying how Neville's arm tightened around her waist and the shy Gryffindor glaring at the Thomas boy.
"Honestly? I have no idea," Ginny replied.
"Must be good," Susan Bones guessed. "It usually is."
The others nodded.
Harry Potter came soon after. He was dressed in casual clothes, not even bothering with the standard school uniform. He had his wand in his palm and played with it like it was a baton. He seemed lost in thought.
"Harry?" Hermione asked.
He blinked.
"Is everyone here?" he asked.
"Yes," Ron told him, "And we are all anxious to hear what is going on."
"Is it another demonstration?" Seamus asked. "New spells and the like?"
"Nope. Just an idea of mine. I wanted to ask your opinion on this."
"What is it?" Hermione asked.
"You know how nobody is allowed to go outside much and Quidditch was banned," Harry stated.
Many nods answered his statement.
"I asked the Headmaster for a favour in order to rectify that," Harry replied.
Earlier, Dumbledore's Office:
Harry waited patiently on the chair before the Headmaster's desk. Fawkes was perched on the back of old wizard's chair and cocked his head at the teen in silent inquiry. The portraits on the office walls, at least those who were awake, were giving him not so subtle looks. The teen sighed and the phoenix flew from his perch to rest on the Elf's leg. The warmth made Harry smile.
"Hello Fawkes. How are you?"
The phoenix trilled and Harry felt the magic of the creature respond to him. He smiled and petted the immortal creature.
The Headmaster came upon that scene.
"I'm sorry about the delay, Harry my boy, but something came up." He peered over his half-moon spectacles. "But it seems Fawkes kept you company."
"He did sir," Harry replied.
"Can you understand Fawkes, Harry?"
The teen considered it. "Not understand exactly. I cannot talk to him like I talk to snakes or that Sphinx, but it is more like a general awareness. Like I have with other creatures, like Hedwig," Harry replied.
Dumbledore smiled and nodded. He took his seat behind his clustered desk.
"Would you like some tea, Harry? It is that time I usually drink a cup or two," the old wizard offered.
"I would not mind," Harry answered.
"Good."
Dumbledore called for an elf from the kitchens that delivered the tea and some pastries.
The teen barely contained the urge to roll his eyes when the house elf recognized his kind despite the glamour he wore, but it seemed the Headmaster found it amusing.
"I have wanted to talk to you my boy. Ailill has been telling me that you are moving along nicely in your studies and your duelling skills have improved."
"He did mention I am not so hopeless anymore," Harry admitted.
"He is not an Elf to give out compliments even to those worthy of them," Dumbledore responded.
Harry had nothing to add to that.
"I am glad this gives you a better chance against Tom, my boy. I will not hide from you that difficult times approach us. The attacks during Halloween caused both damage and chaos. It seems that not even the Order is ready enough to take Voldemort and his followers just yet. And I am not speaking just in numbers."
The teen noticed that his headmaster looked tired. "Can't the Aurors help?"
"I'm afraid not. Elections are coming and it is imperative that the new Minister for Magic is not like Fudge or under Voldemort's thumb. I have been to the Ministry almost every day for long hours. I find the task wearyiing, but in the end I hope it will be worth it."
Harry nodded. "Why did you ask to see me then? Shouldn't you be resting, sir?"
Dumbledore smiled kindly. "Thank you for your concern my boy and I probably will after our talk." He tried some of his tea. "As you know, I have certain Order members and professors check in on the DA sessions to ascertain the progress the groups are making and the results astound me my boy."
"Sir?"
"I am proud of you and your friends Harry, proud and glad that with your hard work our losses can be minimized at least among the children."
"I am glad for that sir," Harry admitted. "Most of them want to protect their families and friends. Now most of them they are at least safe from Dementors and Inferi and perhaps they can buy enough time to get out of a Death Eater's way."
"It is quite a feat, Harry, trust me. As it is a feat that the school is more united than in the past." Blue eyes were shining now with pride and happiness. "Even the shunned house, Slytherin, is being accepted."
Harry frowned. "I think you are going somewhere with this sir, but I am not exactly sure where."
Dumbledore smiled.
"It is not a Triwizard tournament again, right? You are not sending us to Durmstrang or Beauxbatons, are you?" Harry asked suspiciously.
The Headmaster laughed. "No my boy, that would be too much, even from me. No. It is something else. And leaving the school is not needed."
Harry leaned forward in his seat expectantly.
End of scene
Hermione shook Harry out of his daydream.
The teen saw every other face in the room staring at him expectantly.
"End?" Ginny asked.
Harry grinned.
"Dumbledore granted us permission to hold an inner school duelling competition."
The noise from whoops of joy and clapping and cheering was deafening.
Lucius' Rooms
:The owner and current occupant of the rooms was lounging on a recliner close to the fire, contemplating the letter he held in his hands.
It had arrived with the morning mail, brought by his wife's personal owl. Seeing who it was from he had opted not to open it at the table or before his classes for the day were done.
Lucius was feeling nervous. Usually, when his wife wanted something she contacted him with the house owls. And he knew it would not be about money, Narcissa had kept her dowry and he had helped her invest it. He would not fall into the same trap as the Parkinson's, when Valeria Parkinson, nee Bullstrode, had started spending obscene amounts of gold. She had lasted only two years, as long as the patience of her husband. Luckily for his friend, Dasia Parkinson, nee Goyle, his second wife and Pansy's mother, did not make the same mistake. As for Lucius, he had decided to think ahead. Also he was lucky. Narcissa had been a long time friend of his. They at least liked each other enough to be amicable. So, for Narcissa sending him a letter so formally something serious was going on.
He poured himself a glass of fire-whiskey and settled n front of the fire.
ooo
Dear Lucius,
I know this letter was delivered in a way that has probably got you worried. You needn't worry, nothing is wrong. On the contrary, something is right.
Our marriage is only in papers but you are a dear friend of mine and I wanted to tell you. The fireplace just did not seem proper. You know of my many lovers, but lately I found someone I care more about and not just for gratification or fun. Shocking, isn't it? I am willing to bet you would not think that of me. I can almost see you smiling. His name is Meinrad Gertrad. He's the Ambassador for the German Ministry for Magic. We met at a dinner party hosted by Zabini. At first I was pleasantly surprised by his intellect. You would find him charming, with his shoulder length black hair, black eyes and bronze skin, he's half Egyptian; exotic I know.
I am telling you all these for a reason. He asked me to go with him to Germany. He was called back to his country to take over as Minister for Magic. He accepted the position and he will be leaving after New Year's. He has a Mansion in outer Berlin, he plans that we stay there.
In case you are wondering, Draco knows about him. I think he suspects Meinrad is special to me but not the extent of it. I wanted to tell you first. We agreed it would be that way when that time came. It has come.
Lucius, my husband, my friend, I would like a divorce.
That sounded odd, didn't it? I am afraid I cannot write it any other way. I love you Lucius. Maybe not as a lover, because let us face it, we never were lovers, but you are my best friend, the one I can confide to. I know I am lucky we were betrothed. Had it been anyone else my fate would have not been so kind. So I really want to thank you for all these kind years we spent together. And I am really sorry for the trouble I am causing with a request like this.
I know divorce is just not acceptable in our circle, our world, but I am a Black, and my family…We are a tad insane, my Lucius, but by now you know that. We, Blacks, follow our hearts desires. I did follow mine when I married you, my dear friend. I continued to follow my heart when I gave birth to my son, when we raised him together, even though our parents had both passed away for quite a while. But now my heart tells me to follow Meinrad. And you know me Lucius. I'm not that cold a woman. I think he makes me happy. He told me I make him happy. He is not like us, he is a 'Light' wizard, or borderline, but it does not matter anymore. I found I do not really care about the distinction. I know what you may think that I must be going soft, but though I am a Black from birth and a Malfoy by marriage, I do not think that is so important any more. Funny how life changes…
I just wanted to tell you. I have not told anyone else. I did not even tell Meinrad yet. I want you and Draco to give me your blessing. It sounds silly, and overly emotional, I know, but you two are my family. There are no more Blacks alive. Bellatrix, my sister, she is no longer sane, or safe to confide to. My other sister, Andromeda, she is estranged. You are family Lucius. Your opinion counts. I want to talk to you first. We could later decide what or how we tell our son.
I will be waiting you and our son at home for the Yule holiday.
Love,
Your friend Narcissa
ooo
Lucius lowered his hand that held the letter and opted to just drink the rest of the glass he somehow still held in his other hand.
End of chapter
A/N: Just to clarify something, Draco had no idea Harry is an Elf but he will start looking into it.