My Dear Volaticus
by kittenvks
Disclaimer: I own nothing
warnings: HPDM, slash, yaoi, homosexuality. Don't like it? Don't read it. Flamers to the left.
Chapter Eleven: The Diary and The Waiting
The first day that Draco was gone, Harry had gone to see Dumbledore. The older wizard let him know not to worry, Seamus had seemed to move on now, having accepted Draco's statement to him that Harry was in his rooms. Sick, of course. The amesouer going to the Volaticus in a time of need could only mean that Harry had made his choice. Harry smiled, feeling a bit relieved but still gained permission to stay in Draco's rooms,
"As much as I am against it, Harry, I'd much rather you be...shall we say, spending time, with Draco as to have a needy and angry Volaticus of his stature storming about my castle." Dumbledore said, Harry just beamed back at him in gratitude.
"How come Nott and Seamus never got their own rooms?" Harry asked, suddenly realizing this.
"It seems that Mr. Malfoy and Lucius come from a particularly powerful line of Volaticus, Harry. They've been known to be a bit vicious in defense of their amesouer. I would not have any of my students harmed, so I chose to place him away from the other Slytherins."
"You knew, didn't you, sir?" Harry asked, noticing the dreaded twinkle in the Headmaster's eye.
"Merely suspected, Harry, that is all. I've met a few Malfoys in my time. They usually have the same reactions to their amesouers, except for Lucius. I suspected that Narcissa was never made for him, and now I know. It's a bit like muggle children really, as I've learned throughout the years."
"How's that, sir?" Harry asked, genuinely curious.
"It seems that little muggle boys like to 'pull the pigtails' of the muggle girl they're besotted with. I'm not sure how being mean is a way to attract one person to another, but it seems to work in all walks of life," Dumbledore replied, "now, shouldn't you be on to breakfast?"
Harry nodded and left, thanking the Headmaster again before heading off to the Great Hall. As he walked to his table he noticed Blaise first, sitting all alone at the Slytherin table. He looked quite a bit different, without Draco there. He seemed lonely and dejected, twirling the Malfoy ring around his finger absently. His coal black eyes darted up, catching Harry's with question in them. Harry gestured for Blaise to sit with him at the Gryffindor table and the 'you can not be serious' look of distaste on his face made Harry chuckle as he took his seat.
"Whatchya laughin at, Harry?" Neville asked, filling his plate.
"Blaise being... well, Blaise, I suppose." Harry chuckled, shaking his head and filling his own plate.
"Oy, mate," Dean said, grinning, "you gonna make friendly with all the Slytherins or just Malfoy?"
"I think he's a bit more than 'friendly' with M-Draco," Ginny teased, getting a blush from Harry. Dean smirked,
"What's it like, Har?"
"What's what like, Dean?" Harry asked absently, watching some of Draco's other friends enter the Great Hall and begin questioning Blaise with furor. Blaise merely looked bored, shooing them away. Harry snickered at the reaction, he was the opposite of Draco in every wat that Blaise was the opposite of Ron.
"You know, having the famous... or shall I say, infamous, Slytherin Ice Prince between the sheets?" Dean sneered, causing Ron to nearly choke and Hermione to bat at Dean with her fork,
"Dean! How rude!" she scolded. Harry was bright red with embarrasment, staring at the other Gryffindors. Several looked curious while the others merely looked disgusted. Quite a few seemed like they couldn't care less either way and weren't really paying attention to the conversation. Harry was grateful for those people the most.
"That's none of your business Thomas," a cool voice drawled, startling Harry who squeaked as he looked up into the blackened eyes of Blaise Zabini. Blaise merely arched an eyebrow, looking cooly down at Harry.
"Blaise, change your mind?" Harry asked, gesturing at the seat across from him.
"Never, I merely came to remind you to put your gift in water, as instructed." Blaise said, gesturing to the owl post that was beginning to fly in. Harry looked and then turned back to Blaise and nodded,
"Thank you."
"You're welcome," Blaise replied, turning and gliding away with an uncaring swagger. Everyone watched him go, looks of curiosity or fear on their faces. Blaise was the quiet Slytherin, Draco's right hand man, who always stood nearby. He didn't fight or yell often, and because of the times that he did, no one really wanted to mess with him.
"Creepy bloke, that one." Ron muttered, sipping his juice.
"He's not so bad, Ron. He is Draco's best mate you know."
"He's a cut throat sort of man, I think," Dean said dreamily, staring after the Slytherin as he left. Ron choked again, turning to bat his hand at Dean himself,
"None of that, Thomas, go about your breakfast- I'll have no more Slytherins marching around us and spreading their evil little diseases. You've all gone nutters, eat your breakfast."
This brought a laugh from everyone as their owls began arriving. Harry had another green stick. He stared at it a moment, turning it in his hand. It appeared to be just part of some plant- nothing special. He wondered again what it was.
"What's that?" Hermione asked, leaning over to look at it. Ginny moved herself to look as well. Harry shrugged,
"I dunno yet. I think it's supposed to be a surprise... or something."
"Ooh Harry, where'd you get that?" Neville asked, reaching out his hand. Harry willingly gave it to him as the smaller Gryffindor looked it over appraisingly. "Very nice, really. Malfoy must be really in love with you, Harry- these are hard to find."
"What is it?" Harry asked, realizing Neville knew what it was. He wasn't sure why he hadn't thought of that before, Neville was the Herbology nut of the Gryffindor house. Neville blanched, staring at him,
"you don't know?" he asked, looking down at the green stick before looking back up to Harry.
"No, I don't. Draco says it's a surprise." Harry replied, taking the stick back and examining it again. Still just a green stick.
"Then I won't be the one to tell you," Neville said with some finality in his voice, grinning, "it will be a surprise." He conjured a glass of water, setting it dutifully in front of his friend and Harry placed it in the glass- glaring.
"Spoil sport," he muttered.
"That is exactly what I'm avoiding being," Neville said pointedly, biting into a muffin. Harry returned his attention to the rest of the package that the black eagle owl had delivered. There was a letter and a book. Opening the letter, and turning himself so that Hermione and Ginny's peering eyes could see, Harry began to read:
Mon Amour,
I miss you already, and wish I could have spent more time with you this morning. However, Father came by and we had to leave a bit earlier than expected, so I let you rest. I hope that Finnigan prat is leaving you alone, I saw him as I left this morning, attempting to woo someone else, so I assume that is the case. Blaise is under instruction to keep an eye on you, so do try to stay out of trouble- he's highly accomplished in the art of hexing and shows no mercy.
With this letter I have sent two gifts, a journal that belongs to me and your normal gift. As for the journal, I send it so that you will not miss me- as I hope you do. Stay safe and don't forget to study. I will return as quickly as possible.
All my love,
Draco
Harry looked down to the journal in his hand, the same crest as the Malfoy family book on the front of it, engrained in the dark leather. It was obviously a newer book than the other, and appeared to be nothing special at first, something Harry suspected was a charm. No one else had even glanced at the thing yet. Probably a notice me not charm, he thought. The book's spine had an entricate design of entertwined snakes burned into it and a simple leather strap kept it closed.
"Oy, what's that?" Seamus asked, having just arrived. Harry started a bit, not realizing anyone was watching him.
"Gift from Draco," Ron said, smiling at Harry, "what is it?"
"Looks like a journal," Ginny said quietly, scooting quickly away. Harry nodded, giving her a reassuring look.
"It's okay, Gin, it's just Draco's. See the crest?" he said, holding the book up and showing it to her. She squeaked as it glowed, turning the crest silver.
"What's it doing?!" she asked, leaning into Ron who grunted at her and leaned away.
"It's just recognizing me, Gin, hold it. It's okay, I promise." Harry said, holding the book out a bit for her to take, but not coming too close. Ginny cautiously peered over at it, reaching her hand out to touch it slowly. Nothing happened. She glanced nervously up at the understanding looks everyone was giving her and slowly took the book. As she did, the silver in the crest immediately disappeared. She turned it over, inspecting it.
"It feels normal."
"Looks normal too." Ron said reassuringly. Ginny fingered the latch and opened it, tracing one of the pages with her finger.
"It's empty Harry." she said, turning it to show him the blank pages. Harry nodded, he had expected that. Taking the book back, he closed it and watched it glow again before reopening it and flashing the pages back at her- not long enough to read any of it though. It was personal, afterall.
"See? It's just a charmed book, nothing more." he said quietly as Draco's familiar scroll appeared on the pages. She nodded and Harry closed the book, setting it next to him and watching the crest fade back to normal.
"That's actually kind of neat," Ginny said, touching the journal softly. Harry smiled, glad that Draco's gift no longer frightened her. He'd have to warn Draco about that later.
"I like it." Hermione said, nodding her head.
"Of course you do, it's a book." Ron teased, dodging a biscuit. They all laughed as another owl came, dropping another letter into Harry's lap. He looked down at it in confusion, not recognizing the owl. On top of the raggedy looking envelope was a black paw print. He smiled, flashing it to Hermione, Ron, and Ginny who watched him expectantly as Harry tore the envelope, opening the letter,
Prongslett,
I hope to see you all soon. Stay safe, do not reply.
All our love,
Moony and Padfoot
"He's coming," Harry said, leaving it at that and shoving the letter in his robes along with the other things the post had delivered that day.
"Oh, Harry, did he say when?" Ginny cried excitedly.
"Or where?" Ron asked, watching curiously.
"Well here obviously," Hermione retorted.
"Here is a big castle with lots of places to hide," Ron snapped.
"It doesn't say anything other than that he's coming. They both are."
"The Fall holidays are almost here," Hermione pointed out, "he'll probably wait till then." They all nodded, this made sense. There would be less students there to find them out and report them. Of course, Draco would be back by then too. Harry smiled, wondering how Sirius and Draco would get along.
The days seemed to pass slowly, creeping by. Between the Golden Trio and of course, Ginny, they managed to keep the Marauder's Map nearly always activated and with one of them watching it closely for any sign of Sirius, Remus, or Draco. Harry stayed in Draco's rooms as much as possible, finding that he missed the snarky man much more than he thought was possible. He had even taken to wearing Draco's cloak in those three days, as it smelled like him and was some comfort. Every morning Harry received another green stick by owl, but hadn't received any more letters from either Sirius or Draco. Harry was growing a bit desperate, huddling under the covers at night in Draco's bed, reading over the Malfoy's journal. It really was a window into Draco's soul and Harry felt a mixture of guilt and a feeling of being flattered whenever he opened it. Dumbeldore had called off classes for the rest of the week, much to everyone's (except Hermione's) delight. He had given a brief speech about ending inter-house rivalry and celebrating their freedom in the eye of the upcoming darker days of war, stating that the children needed to find their own freedom and beliefs amongst each other.
Harry had awoken early this particular morning, on the fourth day of Draco's absence. He had curiously rearranged his vase of green sticks, watching to see if they'd do anything but they did not. Then, he'd curled back under the thick duvet, wrapping himself in Draco's cloak and opening his journal. He'd had a terrible nightmare the night before, involving Voldemort being absolutely furious with Lucius and Draco both, using every painful hex he could imagine, including the Cruciatus on both Narcissa and Bellatrix. Harry was still shaken up a bit, remembering Voldemorts orders to kill both of the Volaticus'. Currently he was reading over a rather long description of himself that Draco had put in the journal, all of it flattering but quite a bit more sexual than he had ever actually said. There was definitely no doubting Draco's sexual attraction to him now and Harry blushed bright red even though there was no one there to see him. One particular sentence toward the end, however, grabbed his attention.
"...I can only hope that one day, Father will travel back to Romania and find his own amesouer, so that even he can experience the kind of warmth that I do with only Harry..."
Harry scowled, Lucius' amesouer was in Romania? Why had he not gone after them? Then Harry remembered what Draco had said, he'd stayed to care for Draco. Having an idea, Harry quickly jumped up and grabbed a piece of parchment- jotting down a quick note to Snape, before sending it off with a school owl. He'd sent Hedwig off with a note to Draco that morning when he'd first woke up before he'd went to see Dumbledore about his vision. He wanted, no needed, Draco to be safe. Voldemort was out for his blood and it shook him to his very core. Dumbledore had reassured him repeatedly that Draco would be fine.
Descending the stairs quickly and rushing to the Great Hall for breakfast, Harry hoped and prayed he would see his beautiful white owl today- returning with an actual letter from Draco. Upon entering the Great Hall, a bit late from reading Draco's journal, Harry immediately spotted Blaise again. The other Slytherins were no longer bothering him and he sat alone, the space next to him empty. Harry rushed up to the Slytherin table, ignoring the Gryffindors calling for him and sat down in Draco's normal spot. Blaise turned, a thorough tongue lashing ready, and sighed,
"Oh, s'just you. What do you need, Harry? Is something wrong?"
"No. Well, yes. Sort of. Have you heard from Draco?"
"No, I haven't. Not a peep since he left, why?" Blaise asked, glaring at Pansy who was trying to eavesdrop on their conversation.
"I'm just really worried...I'll have to tell you later, I guess," Harry whispered, glaring at Pansy and the other Slytherins as well. Blaise rose from the table, gesturing for Harry to follow and he did. They walked outside, where the air was cool and the sky was already lit up by the morning sun. It was too early for anyone to walk up on them here.
"Go ahead," Blaise said, making a rolling gesture with his hand.
"See, I can see what Voldemort sees," Harry rushed. Blaise's eyebrows shot up, "not like, all the time, but sometimes. It's usually in the form of a really bad nightmare- because of my scar. He's really really sodding angry with Lucius and Draco right now, he's ordered a whole lot of Death Eaters to hunt him down."
"Does Dumbledore know this?" Blaise asked quietly, a look of worry on his face. Harry nodded,
"he thinks they'll be fine. Says they're too smart to get caught. I sent Draco an owl anyway, to warn him. I hope she comes back today..."
"He's right you know. Lucius is a vicious and cold blooded man when it comes to Draco, and Draco will take any Death Eater whom actually sides with Voldemort as a direct threat to your safety- they can handle those bumbling fools. You needn't worry about that," Blaise said, opening the door and waiting for Harry to go through- like a gentleman of course.
"Just... let me know, if your ring tells you anything. Please, I need to know." Harry said, walking through. Several smaller first and second years stared at them in awe- leaving and entering the Great Hall. Blaise gave them all a scathing glare while Harry smiled and they scampered off, still watching over their shoulders.
"I will immediately contact you if they alert me to anything," Blaise said, walking back into the Great Hall, "do not fret so about it, though Draco would be flattered; Lucius would deem it foolish."
The owl post was arriving now so Harry quickly went back to his seat, watching for Hedwig. He didn't see her anywhere in the mass of feathers. His friends were already there.
"You alright, mate?" Ron asked, watching Harry curiously.
"Have you seen Hedwig?" Harry replied. Ron shook his head.
"I did, this morning. She didn't have a letter though, Harry, sorry," Ginny said, biting into a biscuit.
"Are you sure?" Harry asked, feeling like he would vomit. Ginny nodded and Harry went back to watching the post.
"Has something happened Harry?" Hermione asked, taking her copy of the Daily Prophey as it arrived and setting it aside for now, watching her friend. Harry quickly explained the nightmare and they all began to watch the owls with Harry until they were all gone, not even Draco's classic black owl with a gift. Harry sighed, looking down and looking at all the other students. His friends did as well, all of them just now noticing the hushed chatter and whispers over Daily Phrophets throughout the school. A feeling of dread sank into Harry's stomach as Hermione snatched up her copy, unrolling it and checking it out,
"Oh. Oh, Harry," she said softly, handing him the paper.
There on the front page was the Dark Mark the Death Eaters usually left behind in smoke, moving about as its snake tongue slithered. The skull seemed to be laughing at Harry. Below it, scattered on the ground was the rubble of what had been a small grouping of muggle housing, according to the article. Harry stood, shaking, and readying himself to run when he saw it. In the top right hand corner was something no one else had noticed, Hedwig sailing through the air, Harry's letter still attached firmly to her talons. Harry read over the article, talking about the attack the night before, and the strangely large amount of blood that didn't appear to be muggle in origin at all. The author, Rita Skeeter, speculated that some Death Eaters had been mangled in the destruction of their own spells.
Harry had just enough time to register in his mind that Blaise was running along the table to him when he fainted, falling into the Slytherin who had just reached them. Blaise scowled, pulling Harry away from the table as Ron jumped up, scooping his best friend into his arms and shouting he'd take him to the infirmary. The other two, Hermione and Ginny, stood and followed behind their friend dutifully. Blaise was the only one left standing there, glaring down the curious glares of the rest of the school as a final owl, black and silken swooped into the Great Hall. He held out one arm and the black eagle owl greatfully landed, hooing softly. Blaise nodded,
"Hello, Adduco, you're late."
When Blaise entered the infirmary, in a flourish of green and silver, Harry was holding tightly to Hermione who was soothingly rubbing his back while Ron and Ginny stood gaurd.
"We're all going to stay here with you over the break, Harry," Ginny said and the others nodding, stating that they would as well.
"You guys don't have to do that- you're supposed to leave tomorrow," Harry said, his voice breaking a bit.
"Yes, we do. We're your friends, this is what friends do." Hermione cooed, petting his hair.
"You people are all very sappy, it's disgusting frankly," Blaise sneered, looking disgusted, "now look here, Potter, Adduco has arrived. Flew in just as you fainted and he has a gift for you." Blaise gestured to the black owl who was holding out a leg, waiting for Harry to take the letter. He quickly did, smiling,
Mon Amour,
Pay no attention to the drivel Rita Skeeter writes- you should be aware of this now, of all people. Hedwig arrived early this morning, and I sent her safely on her way. I know you are worried, and you need not do that. I am fine. I will admit that I was at the muggle homes when they attacked, travelling through. The blood that was spilled was not my own, so fret not. I will be arriving sooner than expected, the same day that everyone else is leaving. Know that I am okay, and will continue to be so.
I am flattered that you miss me this much, my love, as I miss you as well. I can not wait to hold you in my arms again. Be safe, mon amsouer, be careful. I have retrieved your gift successfully and Father says that my wings have grown to their full extent. I can not wait for you to see them.
Father will be arriving tonight, before myself, as I still have a few things to work out. Do not worry about that, either, and stop scrunching your face at this letter- it's unbecoming of you. (at this Harry laughed, straightening his facial features which indeed had been scrunched up at the idea of Lucius leaving Draco on his own) Tell Blaise to be ready for my return. This is the last piece of parchment that I brought with me, and I would much rather write you than him. I cannot wait to see you again, I hope you take great joy in your gift. Je t'aime, mon amour.
Until then,
Draco
Harry took the green stick that had been in the letter and looked it over lovingly. He still had no idea what it was but he liked it so much more at this moment, a sign that Draco was okay.
"What's jay tame?" Harry asked, looking around at his friends who looked just as confused as he did. He looked at Blaise who shrugged and then realization dawned on him.
"Not jay tame, je t'aime," he said, shaking his head, "s'I love you, in french."
Ginny and Hermione cooed while Ron gagged, Harry blushed, and Blaise just stood back, a look of distaste on his face for their sappiness, muttering something about sappy Gryffindors and Hufflepuff.
"Draco says he'll be back sooner than he thought. Says you should be ready, Blaise, do you know what that means?" Harry asked, eyeing the dark skinned Slytherin. Blaise nodded,
"I do. I told you he was fine, Draco is not one for forsaking his own safety."
"Lucius will be back tonight, too." Harry added, carefully folding the letter back up and putting it in his pocket.
"Ah, excellent, then everything went a bit easier than planned. There is no need to worry, Lucius would never leave one of us without knowing we were safe."
"I hope you're right, Blaise." Harry said wistfully, grinning a bit now. Blaise just nodded curtly and strolled out.
"Still creepy." Ron muttered.
They were all sitting in the Great Hall for the leaving celebration, eating and chatting jovially amongst themselves when Lucius Malfoy strolled in, looking for all the world as if he had never left. He nodded curtly at Harry before taking his seat at the Head table and eating himself. When dinner was over, Harry followed him into the hallway.
"Lucius!" he called and the man slowed his step and came to a stop, waiting patiently for Harry to catch up.
"Yes?"
"Draco... he's okay, right?" Harry asked, shifting his weight from foot to foot.
"Do not look so nervous, Harry, it's unbecoming of someone to be so deeply associated with the Malfoy line," Lucius scolded, causing Harry to stand up straighter and make eye contact, "and yes, Draco is well, he sends his love." With that, he assumed the conversation was over, turning to leave before Harry stopped him again.
"Lucius, sir, I was wondering; do I have your blessings to be with Draco? I mean, his amesouer?" he asked, doing his best to sound like Draco and stand like Draco for the elder Malfoy. Lucius smiled genuinely at him, bowing a bit. This was a change for Lucius and Harry took a quick and wary step back.
"Of course, Mr. Potter. I was not aware that you were going to so closely follow our traditions- I am, flattered."
"Of course, Mr. Malfoy," Harry said, trying to hide his joy, "I would do anything for Draco."
"I see that. Do try to behave yourself, Harry. I am going to retire to my quarters now, I am fated to deal with Narcissa's divorce tomorrow afternoon, you understand."
"I do, Lucius. Sleep well, and good luck." Harry replied, bowing a bit himself. He wasn't sure why, but it seemed appropriate. Lucius smirked at him, shaking his head slightly.
"I will, though luck is not needed where that... woman is concerned. Goodnight, Harry."
"Goodnight, Lucius." Harry replied, as they both turned and went their seperate ways. Just around the corner Blaise was waiting for him with his friends, a mischievious smile on his face.
"I think you just bonded." Ron said, shivering. Harry smiled, looking over at Blaise who nodded his agreement,
"You did well, Potter, very well."
AN: Some truly exciting shit is about to go down. I'm bringing in the twins! YAY for the twins! Yay for Molly in all her fury, I'm telling you, it's about to get cool. I'm very excited, Harry's going to show his Marauder bloodlines :)))