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 38 – Scrutiny

Neville and Harry met to buy books. The young Longbottom was the first person to see the green eyed Gryffindor, save from Draco Malfoy who had returned to Malfoy Manor the day before. Neville was an observant teen; he had to be while growing up. He noticed that Harry was kind of glowing, not an actual glow but his confidence... Something had changed during summer, sometime between the birthday party and now and it had Harry become more confident and more light-hearted. It was a nice change to see the green eyed teen so cheerful and not like the weight of the world rested on his shoulders.

"First 'Flourish and Blots' and then maybe ice cream?" Harry haggled with Neville.

"I also need a new telescope," Neville said.

"But we will get ice cream," Harry insisted and the Longbottom heir nodded eagerly.

And it was during their visit at Florean's ice cream parlour that the two Gryffindor's met with Draco Malfoy and Blaise Zabini. There were no available seats for the two Slytherin's and Harry, knowing about Draco's liking for ice cream waved at them. Neville was just as surprised as the two Slytherin's. Yet Malfoy walked up to them, Zabini right behind him.

"Potter," the blond Slytherin muttered.

"We have two empty seats here," Harry simply said. "You and your friend could join us."

Zabini and Neville looked rather incredulous while Draco let out a long suffering sigh.

"You do realise that this is not keeping a low profile?" he asked the green eyed teen.

"Could you really go back to hexing me in the corridors?" Harry asked, making Zabini arch an eyebrow as there was obviously something he was missing. Longbottom, the dark eyed Slytherin noted, did not look as surprised at the casual way Potter was talking to Malfoy. For rivals they were being surprisingly civil, those two.

"Just sit with us," Neville spoke up. "There's no reason why we should not sit together and enjoy the day."

"Draco?" Zabini turned to the blond who sighed and moved to accept the invitation. "This is odd," Blaise muttered before he too, took a seat.

After the two Slytherin's were served and Neville and Harry had continued making small talk with Draco occasionally offering his opinion, Blaise finally said what was on his mind since Potter invited them to sit together.

"This is weird," Blaise commented. He turned to Harry. "I thought you hated Slytherin's."

"No, he doesn't," Neville spoke up.

"Just most of you have been prats and Draco here, your captain," Harry admitted. "Since before Hogwarts actually. We met at Madam Malkin's..."

"I was eleven!" Draco protested.

Zabini allowed a smile on his face. Yes, he recalled Draco at that age. "He was a huge prat, that is true."

"No ganging up on me!" the blond protested.

"It's half the fun," Harry teased and the ice was broken easily after that, their little get together becoming warmer and friendlier as tales about escapades were exchanged between the four teens. They did not notice how some of their fellow Hogwarts students that passed them by, once they recognised the unlikely quartet, had stared aghast at the improbable group. Or if they did, no one commented on it as they were having fun.

"I have to ask," Blaise finally said at the two Gryffindor's. "That whole deal at first year, when you took the House Cup right out of our fingers."

As one the two Gryffindor's blushed.

"That is an interesting story," Harry admitted. "Are you sure you want to be eating when I tell you?" the teen questioned the two Slytherin's.

Draco and Blaise shared a look and seemingly agreed. Then Harry and Neville shared what they knew about the Philosopher's stone and the two Slytherin's were left gaping.

As Draco returned to Malfoy Manor with Blaise in tow, he found it weird that Potter was not there. The green eyed teen had left two days ago, spending some of the last days of summer with his godfather. It was his father that greeted them both, the man ready to leave and dressed rather impressively. Blaise greeted Lucius politely and once the older wizard left he whistled.

"Your father is a very attractive man," Blaise commented. "And even he looked better than usual."

"Blaise!"

"What?" the other Slytherin said, "I do have eyes you know."

Draco groaned. "He's my dad."

Blaise rolled his eyes. "Fine. Where do you reckon he's going?"

This Draco did not find difficult to predict. "He has a date with his lover," he said. "Want some iced tea?"

"No, I'm still full from that ice cream. What did possess Potter to motion us over though? He looked friendly."

"Yes well, Weasley was not around if you noticed," Draco muttered.

"He has not been for a while now," Blaise agreed. "Longbottom is much better company, a great laugh too. Did you know those two had a sense of humour?"

Draco knew about Potter but he had not even suspected Neville knew how to have fun or be funny. Life was full of surprises it seemed.

"I kind of like them," Blaise randomly said.

"Potter and Longbottom?"

The Zabini wizard nodded. "Don't you?"

Draco shrugged and Blaise gave him a scrutinising look. "You know why Potter was nice and it's not because of Weasley not being there. There really is something going on."

"Blaise..." Draco wanted to groan, he really did. And he wanted to curse Potter because it was all his fault. Blaise was not stupid and he was a friend; Draco hated lying to him. But this was bigger than him, involving both Potter and his father. Blaise would not let this go, he was worse than a dog with a bone when he wanted to be. Draco hated having stubborn friends on occasions like this.

"Let me tell you what I think," Blaise interrupted whatever lie Draco wanted to say to him. "I think that something is up with Potter and you. I'm not simple minded, I do not believe that you can go from being rivals to being... amicable bordering on friendly. Want to know what I think? I think you have met Potter during this summer break and you have spent time together, alone. And considering that you are my friend and that the few times you met a person I did not know was your meetings with your father's lover..."

Draco sucked in a breath. "Blaise..."

"Draco, I know this may sound crazy but please, don't lie to me. Is Potter your father's lover?"

The blond wizard stayed silent. If he lied now to Blaise, the other teen would know. But he could not confirm it either; the vows he had taken to assure his father all those months ago assured secrecy. In the end, his silence was answer enough.

"Mordred and Morgana," Blaise muttered mouth slightly agape. "Your father and Potter!?"

Draco sighed. "I cannot deny or confirm your guess," he finally said.

Blaise was left staring. "No wonder you were freaking out." He shook his head. "I bet your father has you under oaths too."

Draco stayed silent.

"I'll have that ice tea after all," Blaise said.

The blond wizard rolled his eyes and snapped his fingers for a house elf to come while trying to find a way to convince Blaise to keep silent. He need not have worried.

"This is serious, isn't it?" Blaise said after a few minutes. "I mean, I cannot see your father doing something without thinking it first. Potter... he can be impulsive, but your father is too composed. The sex magic basically is at work here, there's no other way those two would end up close, much less together."

Draco levelled him with a hard look. "Under oaths here," he pointed to himself.

"Right," Blaise muttered. He gave Draco a considered look. "As far as stepfathers go, Potter is really not that bad. That's all I'm saying. And Draco... I won't tell anyone else, I promise. I'll even vow this for you," he finally said and changed the subject.

Inwardly, Draco agreed with that statement. His father really could have done worse than Potter. Before Blaise left for the day, Draco did take him up on his word and made him vow magically not to reveal anything about what he found out to another.

Platform nine and three quarters was packed with parents that were trying to see their kids off. Still, there was a bit of a standoff when Sirius Black and Remus Lupin arrived, accompanying the Boy-Who-Lived. The sight of the last male Black, a man who was previously thought to be a Death Eater, a man who had successfully escaped Azkaban was quite an interesting subject, as well as the tragedy that landed him in the wizard prison.

However, Harry pretended to be oblivious to it all, greeting his godfather and Remus warmly, promising to keep in touch with them both. Hermione and Neville were the only ones that approached the green eyed wizard and spoke to Sirius and Remus like they were normal people. Since Remus was a known werewolf, not many people were eager to get close enough to ask questions.

"Harry!" Hermione greeted the teen warmly, her parents following with smiles at Sirius and Remus.

"Are you all set?" Remus asked Harry.

"I did not forget anything and if I had I bet you will mail it to me," the teen assured the man that had once been his professor.

"You better get on the train, find good seats," Sirius said as he drew Harry in for a last hug. "I'm going to miss you pup," he told his godson.

"Siri!" Harry half-heartedly protested but hugged back all the same. As he did that he noticed that Lucius was there, seeing his son off. And that the blond wizard had noticed Harry as well, if the smouldering look he was giving him was any indication.

He also heard the audible growl that escaped. Harry sighed. Remus had been the first to find out that he and Lucius had finally had sex. The full moon had been close when Harry returned from Malfoy manor and Harry had been drenched in Lucius scent after sleeping with the man for so long. It had taken seconds for Remus to notice the change in his scent and a minute to realise what it meant. The werewolf had not been happy and Sirius, who had been present to view Remus' explosive temper had been equally angry. It had taken every persuasive power Harry had and even some he did not have to keep the two men from going after Lucius and tearing him limb from limb. It had taken hours to calm them down and keep them from Flooing to Malfoy Manor and even then it had taken a day and a very long and embarrassing conversation to convince his two godfathers (yes he counted Remus as a godfather as well) that Lucius had not done anything he did not want him to do.

"Down Harry," Remus muttered low enough for only Harry to hear. He too had noticed Malfoy senior and the looks he was subtly giving Harry.

"Can't help myself," Harry whispered back.

Remus squeezed him.

One good thing that had come out of that horribly embarrassing conversation/rant was that both Sirius and Remus were now aware that Harry was actually in love with Lucius and that the blond man was equally affected by the teen. Remus was a sucker for romance stories and the dog Animagus really loved his godson. In the end that had been why both men decided to let Harry be in charge of his relationship with Lucius, swearing not to interfere as long as the teen was happy.

"If he hurts you," Sirius had said to his godson, "All bets are off. He will be reminded just how demented Blacks can be."

Remus had backed Sirius up on this.

Harry, once again, was glad that these two men cared for him that much. He still was not used to people caring about his happiness.

"Um, the train is starting," Neville piped up and the sombre mood was broken by frantic attempts to board the Hogwarts Express on time.

The train was but a blob on the horizon when Lucius, who had still to leave the platform, approached Sirius and Remus. The two men glared him something fierce.

"Malfoy," the dog Animagus growled impressively well but Lucius would not let himself be intimidated by a display like this one.

"Black, Lupin."

"We have a lot to talk about," Remus commented, his face calm but his amber eyes flashing.

Lucius arched an eyebrow. "Do we? Whatever happened between me and him." He was not about to speak Harry's name in such a public setting where it was not safe and they could be overheard.

"You are right," Remus agreed before Sirius could open his mouth and say something scathing about the blond wizard. "But we are worried and you can agree that we are reasonable in asking for reassurances about his wellbeing."

"I believe I know a private place we can discuss this as civilised adults," Lucius replied, ignoring how Sirius was glaring daggers at him and how Remus was trying to keep from attacking him. They all knew that they loathed each other and all three men knew that the only thing that was keeping them civil both in private and in public settings was that they cared for Harry's opinion. So they would try, for Harry, to be adults and talk this through. Because as much as Sirius and Remus loathed Lucius Malfoy, they knew that the man would not be going anywhere for a long time to come. The same way Lucius knew that Harry cared for his godfather and the werewolf, who he also thought as his godfather. They had a lot of ground to cover and they would never trust each other, but they could plan to keep Harry safe.

"You've changed."

Hermione's observation made both Harry and Neville stop reminiscing about the Abraxan race they had watched together during the weekend Harry had spent with the Longbottom heir. Harry had admittedly not sent many letters to the witch. Hermione had been busy, travelling to France with her parents and she had been unable to keep much contact with him. Still, they had talked more than he had with Ron. The friendship with that particular Weasley was over as far as Harry was concerned.

Harry looked at the witch at the same time Neville did.

"Sorry," she said. "I didn't want to interrupt you but... I just noticed you look changed, different..." she trailed off.

Harry blinked. "Different how?" he asked. Inwardly he wondered what the perceptive witch had noticed. Was there a way people could tell he was no longer a virgin? He hoped it was not so. Neville suspected it but the shy Longbottom heir would not dare ask. Bill, that Weasley had known, Harry would never keep it from his closest confidant. In extension to Bill, his girlfriend Fleur knew as well. Sirius, his darling godfather, knew but pretended it was a lie and Remus knew as well, he had smelled the change on Harry the moment the teen had arrived at Grimmauld Place after his week with Lucius. Draco and Snape, Harry supposed they also knew. Snape would hear about it from Lucius and Draco had seen Harry around the Manor, the two of them had even gone to the grounds to fly for a bit one morning. The green eyed teen focused back on Hermione. On her robes was pinned the 'Prefect' badge, said badge also worn by Harry.

"Something about you," Hermione mused. "You seem more..." she was searching for just the right word to find and it was eluding her.

"More?" Harry asked.

"Confident?" she said as if she was unsure that was the right word. "Comfortable? Less highly strung?" Hermione shrugged.

Harry regarded Hermione carefully, half expecting and half dreading her judgement. She was his oldest friend now that Ron had practically bowed out of their friendship. Other people had come in, feeling that stinging void and now Harry was better, over that failed friendship. He was hoping that his new life, the new priorities in his life, his new self really, would not make his oldest remaining friend walk away. He would live, yes, he knew that much now, but he did not want to lose Hermione; he liked the bossy witch.

"Bad Change or good change?" he asked her.

Next to him, Neville was likewise waiting for her answer. Neville knew that the smartest witch in Gryffindor, and perhaps the entire school, was in the dark about many things in Harry's life, many things he knew through a twist of fate that had brought him and the green eyed Gryffindor closer. The Longbottom heir knew that Harry's best friend was in fact Bill Weasley and he did not mind one bit, realising that they would need more time if they were to be closer friends in the future. So far, Neville was content, his rapport with Harry being more than he had with any one else, ever.

"I'd say change is good," Hermione commented, "you study more, eat better... You are calmer too."

Harry, here, avoided a snicker; apparently, sexual frustration added to his restlessness. Lucius had been amused and overly eager to explain why Harry was highly strung all the time and he had been rather helpful calming Harry down. Yes, the teen decided to stop thinking about it. Blushing would only make him look guilty and a boner... Well, he did not fancy being stared at in the middle of the Great Hall, during breakfast and when Hermione could hex him for being a pervert. Still, Harry fleetingly thought, he did not regret it, any of it and he had managed to persuade Lucius to stop regretting it as well (not the sex, Lucius hardly regretted that, but the blond wizard had maintained that he felt like a pervert for sleeping with Harry before he turned seventeen).

"So, the verdict is that we prefer this, less grumpy version of Harry?" Neville asked.

Hermione smiled a bit even as Harry pouted at the word grumpy.

"He's Harry," the witch said.

Neville nodded. "So, did you finish Sprout's assignment?" he asked, eager to talk about his favourite subject.

End of chapter.