Author: enchanted nightingale

Beta Reader: pussycatadamah

Timeline: Book 4, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Pairs: Harry/Lucius

Disclaimer: The characters belong to J.K. Rowling. I merely use them in my plot for fun.

Chapter thirteen

Snape's mood was sour. He had been driven out of his office again last night. He was irked that he let Lucius dictate his actions once more. Yet he still had to confront the blond. On some level the Potions Master felt a bit disturbed that he was helping Lucius break a dozen laws by condoning and not reporting the tryst he had with Potter. And the Gryffindor, he had been the greatest surprise to Severus and the man hated admitting he had been wrong, hated it with a passion. The Harry Lucius was smitten with was an attention starved kitten, that had claws and could fight back when the situation called for it. He looked more confident now, not arrogant (Severus' ears were still ringing from the dressing down Lucius had given him and all Snape's previous notions were dispelled about Harry's childhood years), he wore better clothes, outfits that actually fit. He got rid of the glasses, he started studying more. The change was evident in him. Lucius maintained that it was all Harry. Severus knew that Lucius had played a role there, he and the eldest Weasley son who had taken the green eyed teen under his wing.

The dark haired man peered at the children sitting around the house tables. There was noise, especially with the added students from the two other European schools. Still, the last Potter had his nose buried in a book, along with Granger, the two muttering in low tones. The youngest Weasley son was not seated near them and Severus could not honestly say that was a bad thing. That kid was completely immature and he had apparently been dragging Potter down with him.

No, the change was not bad. Severus just hoped it had not taken an affair with Lucius to make this happen but one could not have everything. He briefly considered the reactions Lily and Potter would have had. This connection between Lucius and the teen would have appeared even if the boy's parents were alive. James Potter would have been livid. As for Lily, he had honestly no idea. The red haired witch had always been unpredictable. The one thing Severus was certain of, Lucius would have faced castration had Lily been alive; she had always been protective of her baby and Harry being a teen would have not deterred her.

Hermione was having fun debating theories with Harry. The change in the young wizard was for the better, according to her at least. She loved having someone to talk with. Going on adventures with Harry and Ron was fine, well exciting and terrifying really, but she wanted someone to talk to, someone to understand her. She had not lied to Harry when she had told the raven haired wizard that she viewed him like a brother. A younger, constantly curious and mischievous brother. In her opinion, Harry was worse than a cat with his curiosity and tendency to get into trouble. And despite the change in the green eyed teen, the new clothes, the attention to his studies, Hermione felt that there was something more going on. Harry was more confident now, something she was reluctant to attribute to Bill Weasley's influence alone. She did not want to pry though. As of this year, Harry was under so much scrutiny that he had little privacy, so few secrets and Hermione did not want to put more pressure on him. She could not help but worry though about how she could help him. She knew that just standing by his side was good enough for now. Their long talks had been helping apparently. Harry was rather open with her already. He had teased her when she finally had the courage to tell him about Viktor Krum asking her out. That date, her first date, was a private tour to the Durmstrang ship with lunch included. Harry had been supportive and even helped her with her hair and chosen what to wear.

"Bill's influence," Harry replied when the witch commented on his sense of style. "So, I guess the Bulgarian is also taking you to the Yule Ball?"

Hermione had blushed. "He has not asked yet."

"I bet after the date he will," Harry had commented and he had been right, as Hermione later found out.

Viktor had asked her to the Yule Ball and she had accepted. Harry had been happy for her and had advised her not to tell Ron, something she had already been considering. They had been in a corner in the library, far enough from Mrs. Pince so that the librarian would not scold them for speaking. The library was a haven for them as the Tower was so loud most of the time and they had little privacy there.

"He will find a way to ruin it for you," Harry told her.

"I'll let him find out that night along with the rest of the school."

"Do you have robes already?" Harry asked.

Hermione had grinned. "I went with my mother. You?"

"Bill," Harry replied.

"You two are awfully close."

"Hm, I guess."

"Harry?"

"Hm?"

"Who are you taking to the Yule Ball? I have heard rumours, outrageous ones at that…"

"Bill," Harry had cut her off.

"What!"

"Bill Weasley. He asked me first and I accepted."

Hermione had been shocked by the revelation.

"Are you and him…?" she had trailed off.

"Just friends," Harry assured her. "Bill is straight, mostly, I think."

"And you are not?" Hermione had asked.

"I fall in love with a person," Harry had replied and it had Hermione in a pensive state ever since.

The witch knew she would stick by Harry; she had made up her mind. The thought that the teen was gay was nothing to her; she just accepted it as a part of Harry, like his green eyes. What she worried about was the reactions from others, Ron mostly. He had gotten the message lately and he had not hounded them that much. He still tried to get Harry's attention, but Harry had been true to his word, he had not forgotten how the red head had behaved or that he had not really apologized for the things he said. They were drifting apart and while it saddened Hermione, she also felt a bit better for some reason.

"Hermione," Harry poked her cheek, and the witch returned to the present and the very crowded Great Hall.

"Sorry, my mind drifted," Hermione replied.

"Was the adventure any good?" Harry teased.

"Wouldn't you like to know?" the witch replied, making Harry laugh.

The Twins were perceptive. They had to be to pull off so many pranks and never get caught. They knew how to plan, how to observe, how to think. That was why they realized that Bill and Harry's friendship hid something more. They had noticed the change in Harry, and unlike most people, they had seen it starting from before the green eyed teen's fourth year in the castle. Harry had been subtly changing since he returned to Hogwarts for his third year. They had seen Bill and Charlie leave Rosmerta's pub together and they thought something was up, same with the way Harry disappeared all the time. Without the Map they had no idea what the teen was up to and they respected Harry enough to not trail him.

"They are giggling again," George muttered. They had been subtly eyeing Hermione and Harry.

Fred nodded. His eyes sought Ron.

"He's an idiot," George commented.

"Unfortunately," Fred agreed. "Do you think he knows it?"

"He might suspect," George replied.

"But it is already too late," his twin sighed. "At least Harry looks better. He put on weight, does not look so thin anymore."

"And he gained height too."

Fred shot one last look at Harry, glad that the teen was flourishing that year despite everything.

Then his attention was diverted as Lee Jordan came in and drew the twins into a talk about a prank.

McGonagall was feeling older that year. She always felt like this when her students were in danger and one particular lion of hers had found himself in the middle of things for yet another year. The moment Harry Potter was announced as a Champion her heart skipped a beat with fear and dread and pity too. That boy had the worst luck. She had tried to find a way to help but she had been unable to do so. In the end Harry had managed to show everyone that he had it. Those spells he had used, they had been obscure. She recalled growing up with tales of enchanters and how they used words, not simple spells to cast. Books on that art were rare because enchanting took power, and apparently the green eyed Gryffindor had the magical power to actually cast them. It had earned him first place and glowing praises from the international magical community, not that he knew this. McGonagall realized that Harry had not read the paper at all that year, or the one before that.

Flitwick was seated next to her and he followed her gaze easily.

"Mister Potter?" he asked the Transfiguration professor.

Minerva sighed and nodded.

"He is amazing," the small professor commented. "Those enchantments during the First Task. I wonder how he got the Unspeakable's to allow him."

The cat Animagus blinked.

She was not the only one. The other teachers were listening in, Dumbledore and the other two Headmasters as well.

"Enchanters need to have a permit to use the spell," the Charms professor revealed. "The Department of Mysteries grants those permits. And I have to tell you the Unspeakable's are a curious bunch. I wonder how that boy convinced them."

"I had no idea," Minerva commented.

Nearby Dumbledore was pondering on that little bit of information. It appeared that Harry was evolving that year and growing in leaps and bounds. He knew of the teen's friendship with Curse Breaker Bill Weasley but he was not as quick as others to say that the redhead was responsible. Something else was at play here. But as long as Harry looked happy and safe, Albus was not willing to snoop and meddle. He was going to trust the boy and hope for the best.

… Malfoy Manor…

Lucius was glaring at the book Harry had given him. The title was roughly translated as 'Hestia's Maidens'. It contained information about the people who are surrounded in sex magic, people like him and Harry. And the information was disturbing.

"One more year," Lucius muttered with some worry.

He had one more year until he had to consummate his relationship with Harry. The magic was getting stronger with every encounter they had and the energy needed to be let out.

Still, all the blond could think was that it was still too soon. Harry was so young still.

"Damn this," the man sighed and rubbed his temples.

End of chapter