Master and Apprentice
4th of December, 1999.
"I need to head to Diagon Alley," Draco said.
"I guess we can head over," Harry said. "Just let me grab my glamour. We might as well get robes for your parents' party as well."
"About that," Draco said as he followed Harry upstairs. "I think we should go ahead with your plan. It will give you the right in with the Dark Lord and it doesn't really matter to me unless you are too obvious about it."
"I can be subtle," Harry said. "Don't worry the other guests won't notice a thing."
"I don't know if that speaks for your sneaky side or your sheer power," Draco said.
"You will be carrying Fozii so your robes should match him," Kato said as he walked out of his bedroom. They headed back downstairs so Kato could inform Charlie where they were off to. He placed a hand on Draco's shoulder and teleported them to Gringotts
Draco walked quickly well aware of the fact that Kato was following closely behind him. He moved in and out of Apocatheries both in Diagon Alley and Knockturn Alley. They sent the ingredients home with Misty before heading for the rest of the stores that Draco wanted to visit.
Kato scanned the crowd. He saw Death Eaters moving around. Wands were drawn. "Shields!" Kato commanded sharply and Draco turned around with a shield raised in front of him. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw how Kato moved away from him and cast his own shield. Their shields connected, splitting the alley in two. The Death Eater's spells connected with the shield and shattered. People ran screaming and tried to hide behind the glowing barrier. Fire spread over houses. "Okaaz Strun Iiz," Kato shouted. Above them, clouds drew in and rained icy water down on the flames quenching them.
Aurors showed up and the battle ensued. Kato broke the larger shield and started moving through the battle. Whenever a person got injured or taken down they were quickly sent either to St Mungo's or Malfoy Manor. He didn't want to lose his standing with the Dark Lord so he had to protect his people somehow. This way he made sure there were as few injured as possible.
Lord Voldemort looked upon his followers as they came walking back defeated yet seemingly unharmed. "Report!" he said harshly.
"Baby Malfoy was there," Lord Nott said. "He and another man protected the crowd. They ruined the entire attack. We accomplished nothing because of them."
Voldemort looked at Lord Nott with a bored expression. "You were given explicit orders to find a suitable day for this attack. When Master Kato Peverell and his apprentice are present is not an appropriate day," he said coldly. "How did so many of you escape the Aurors? Or did you all run with your tails between your legs?"
"Someone must have sent us here, my Lord," Rabastan said. "My opponent disappeared and a stray stunner hit me. I woke up here."
"If I may my Lord," Lucius said. Voldemort motioned for him to continue. "Master Peverell is trying to keep a neutral stance publicly. He can't simply ignore an attack nor can he run from one. He can however send certain people through my wards an ability I have granted him since he tutors my son. You Death Eaters are all on that list just in case he ends up in a fight with one of us."
Voldemort pointed his wand at Lucius. The Crucio was to mark his displeasure more than hurt the Lord. "You should have told me, Lucius," he said. He rose from his throne and looked out at the gathered Death eaters. "Kato Peverell is not to be touched," he said calmly. "If he is present, avoid attacking or wait until he has left," he said. "He will be informed that any Death Eater who does not follow these directives is fair game."
"May I ask a question, my Lord?" Avery asked.
"Speak."
"Why is Kato Peverell so important?" Avery asked. He felt the intrusion into his head and his memories were ripped through until Voldemort found what had happened earlier that day. "The simple answer is this," Voldemort said. "He has power unknown to anyone else. I want that power." He turned around slowly. "Fail me again and face the consequences," he said. He walked out of the room slowly. All things considered, the failed attack had been good. He now knew that Peverell was looking out for his people and that young Malfoy was learning powerful magic from him. It would be interesting to meet him.
…
Kato and Draco had finally finished speaking to the Aurors. They walked over to Twilfitt and Tattings and stepped inside. Draco quickly caught the eye of Mr Twilfitt and the two of them disappeared off to handle his robes. Draco had been going there since he was little so he had a good relationship with both owners.
Kato walked around for a bit until he was standing face to face with the same man who had insulted him several years earlier. It was clear on the man's face that he recognised Kato was well. His smile was stiff. "Welcome to Twilfitt and Tattings," he said. "How can I be of service today?"
Kato raised an elegant eyebrow. "I am attending the New Year's celebration at Malfoy Manor this year," he said. "I need something befitting heir Malfoy's Master that still shows who I am."
"I see…" the clerk looked around for a bit. "Maybe something a little more refined is in order." He moved around and held up one robe heavier than the next.
"You need something that speaks of your status of course so an under robe of velvet is the most appropriate. Not that you would know. Just let me handle this and you'll be fine."
Kato was standing in place with his arms crossed over his chest. His patience was quickly running dry. He had better things to do with his time. At least at Madam Malkin's, she listened to his requests. "I need something I can move in," he said calmly. He was ignored. Then he was pushed into a changing room and the clerk tried one robe after another on him. He could see the appeal of several of the robes if he wasn't a fighter and needed to move around. He would feel claustrophobic in most of the robes the clerk wanted him to wear.
Draco walked into the fitting room maybe half an hour later and sighed heavily. "Get rid of it," he said. "All of it." He gave the clerk a look worthy of his mother.
Mr Twilfitt walked in after him and raised an eyebrow. "Tricky customer?" he asked as he saw the robes.
"More like he isn't listening to his customer," Draco said calmly. He walked up to Kato and took a good look at him. "He needs something that is easy to move in yet elegant. He doesn't want a heavy robe and he wants full range of motion."
Mr Twilfitt looked at Kato and studied the clothes he was wearing. The design wasn't modern, but it had a certain flare that had to be this man's signature. With a customer like this, he would never let his employees deal with it. "You should have told me we had a Special," he told the clerk.
The clerk blushed deeply. He knew how peculiar his employees were about their Special customers. The thought that he might have cost them one was not a good one. "I apologise most deeply Mr Twilfitt," he said.
"Shoo away with you," Mr Twilfitt said before turning back to Kato. "I need to know just what your range of movement is if you request full range. It means so many different things to different people," he said.
Kato walked off the podium and waved Draco over. "A demonstration," he said.
"If you will," Mr Twilfitt said. His eyes widened as Kato spun around. His foot stopped only an inch from Draco's face despite the difference in their height. "I see," he said. "Well, then we are going to have to create something unique for you. A fancier robe usually reaches further than an everyday robe. In your case, we will have to add that length without interrupting your movement." He walked around Kato a few times. "We could use a more Asian-inspired pattern with kú or hakama and a tightfitting top with a shorter sleeve haori over top. If we tie that at the waist you will still have full movement and the sleeves will not get in your way. If I use inspiration from what you are already wearing here today. I am sure we could make something that simply screams you."
Kato bowed his head. "Thank you," he said.
"Master can speak to dragons," Draco pointed out.
"Simply marvellous," Mr Twilfiit said. "I might have to speak to a few colleagues of mine. This will get expensive though."
"Not a problem," Kato said. He could tell that Mr Twilfitt was nearly ecstatic. He hadn't created a new pattern in quite a while most people wanted to keep to what was modern and not stick out too much. Now he was challenged with making something that could pass for modern but was based on ancient Chinese and Japanese clothes. He loved it. He took measurements and made sure that his customers were pleased before they left. He had been paid a fabric budget in advance. He loved it when he had money to move around with. He also realised that the robes should probably match some. He needed to use the same fabric for at least something in both Draco's and Kato's outfits showing that they were indeed master and apprentice.
28th of December, 1999.
Kato and Draco were placed side by side as both Mr Twilfitt and Miss Tatting fixed the last on their robes. Draco turned to his Master. "You look fantastic, Master," he said. "Harry would suit in this style as well you know."
"Harry?" Mr Twiulfitt said.
"My cousin Harry Potter," Kato said. "And Draco is right. He would look really good in this as well. Maybe one day."
"It was such a shame he didn't come to us for his wedding," Miss Tatting said. "Though I must say Miss Lee's robes for the wedding party were quite lovely. A breath of fresh air if you ask me."
"We could use someone like her," Mr Twilfitt said. "I'm no youth anymore and I wouldn't want it all to fall apart on me."
"She is a good friend of Harry's," Kato said. "I could always mention something to him."
"Why not," Mr Twilfitt said. "Send the girl here. I shall see what she can accomplish." He looked them up and down. "There we go," he said. "All done. I'm quite happy with this I must say. You look amazing."
Kato bowed. He walked up to a mirror and looked himself over. He was going to sow runes into the clothes himself. With a bit of work, they would never break. He was aided in taking the clothes off and everything was packed away. Kato called Misty and she brought the boxes home.
Harry sat down next to Charlie once they were back. "Now that is dealt with," he said. He smiled as Keyara drew lines on a paper.
"No attack this time?" Charlie asked.
"No," Harry said.
"So how is this going to go?" Charlie asked.
"Want to be in on a rehearsal?" Harry asked. "I'll have to give him pointers. Draco does not have a submissive personality and I need him to act like he does. He is a good actor so I'm sure he can manage."
"It might be good," Charlie said. "Then we can show him what you mean not just ask him to imagine it."
Harry chuckled. "Oh, I'm sure we could show him loads of things he doesn't want to see," he said.
"Later today once Keyara has gone to bed," Charlie said.
"Sure," Harry said as he moved closer to their daughter. He laid down on his stomach and smiled as she moved so he could see exactly what she was doing. She handed him a green pen and pointed at the paper. "Dwagon," she said.
"I'll see what I can do," Harry said.
…
Draco was standing in the family living room after dinner. He could hear Harry saying goodnight to Keyara. He was nervous. He wasn't sure how important it was for Harry to trick the Dark Lord, but he still didn't want to mess up.
Charlie came walking up the stairs. He leaned against the wall and chuckled. "You know you'll be fine," he said. "Just listen to Harry and you'll do great."
"If he wasn't firmly bonded and married to you we wouldn't be doing this at all," Draco said. "Sure I'm not into him, but I know he wouldn't have batted an eye at flirting with someone like me in Skyrim."
Harry walked out of Keyara's room. He looked from Charlie to Draco. "So, to start with we establish rules," he said. "I will not touch you beneath the waist. You will not look me in the eye when speaking to me. I'm thinking you might as well look at Qozul when you are speaking to me that gives you something to focus on. He created an illusion of Qozul over his shoulders the way he would be carrying the dragon on the day.
"Okay, that's easy. And no hands beneath the waist is more comfortable," Draco said. "I need more subtle things than that though. I don't know how observant the Dark Lord is."
"Our goal should be to make Lucius question things. We need the right expression on his face," Harry said.
"Then I have to be insanely convincing. He knows you wouldn't use that clause. He knows you are married to Charlie. I even told him about the bonding," Draco said.
"I guess we'll have to see how good an actor you are then," Harry said. He stood relaxed and smiled at Draco.
"Let us show you what he means," Charlie said. "Know that I only know about these things through Rhavaniel."
"Ria liked to dominate," Harry said. "No one dominates Rhavaniel and we spent a fair amount of time together."
"Keeping to the rules Harry set," Charlie said. He walked up to Harry and placed his hand on Harry's neck.
Draco's eyes widened when Harry's entire stance changed. He still looked confident and comfortable, but there was something else there. Something he wasn't quite sure how to put a finger on. He saw how Charlie pushed for the forward motion before Harry walked. So much of this was body language between them. He was close to Harry or Kato, but not like this. A part of him was uncomfortable as he watched them move. Harry smiled up at him and bowed. "Heir Malfoy," he greeted him.
Draco took a deep breath. This was going to take a lot out of him. A part of him wondered if it wouldn't be easier if they simply switched bodies for the night, but he wasn't sure he could hold the calm confidence that Charlie had either. He could see based on the way they moved how small touches showed possessiveness and dominance without spelling it out for everyone. If Kato only acted that way so the Dark Lord could see, it would be perfect.
31st of December, 1999.
Charlie was sitting on his and Harry's bed with little Keyara as Harry got dressed. They had been outside and built snow forts. Keyara who had never seen snow before that Christmas had been overjoyed.
"You look beautiful," Charlie said.
Harry chuckled. "I hope that is a good thing," he said. He put his glamour on and took a deep breath. He kissed Keyara on the forehead. "I'll see you, tomorrow sweetie," he said. He pulled back and built up an aura around himself. Charlie stood up and walked up to him. He stepped into that aura and blinked. "Whoa," he said. "That is potent." He leaned in and kissed Harry. "If this was aimed at me I'd be a puddle on the floor right now. I think maybe you are overdoing it just a bit."
"You are attracted to me," Kato said. "Draco is not. I have to overdo it a bit."
"Is he sure about this?" Charlie said. "You'll be messing with his head."
"As long as we keep to all other rules set, he'll be fine," Kato said. "It was his idea. He couldn't manage the mindset without it. We have tested before now, love. I'm not going to surprise him that much."
"Good luck and be careful," Charlie said.
"We'll be perfectly safe. The wards at Malfoy Manor like me," Kato said. He walked out of the bedroom and walked up to Draco.
Charlie saw how stiff shoulders relaxed as soon as Kato stopped next to Draco and focused his aura on Draco only. They walked outside and called for Qozul and Fozii. With a ping to the wards, they were gone. Charlie looked back at his daughter. "What do you say about a bath?" he asked and she giggled happily.
Kato landed with Draco in the entrance hall of the manor house. Draco led them to the banquet hall where his mother always held these parties. Narcissa greeted them happily as they arrived. She hugged her son. Kato took her hand and kissed it as he bowed. "Lady Narcissa you look like a crystal flower in full bloom," he said. He could feel eyes on them. He noticed the Dark Marks and the source of that magic. The Dark Lord looked quite dashing. If he couldn't clearly see the glamour he would have found the man attractive. Tom had been a good-looking man so it wasn't that surprising.
Draco moved away from Kato and his stance changed naturally to what was more common for him as he walked up to a group of friends. He smiled at Pancy and bowed to Astoria. She was healing quickly and it showed. Kato spoke to one guest after another. He didn't stay standing still. The dancing started and he was approached by Daphne. He brought her out on the dance floor and spun her around. She was one of those in the know, but she also knew to keep quiet. He moved from her to several of the older ladies who had husbands who either refused to or couldn't dance.
The evening carried on quickly.
"I would like to introduce you to someone," Lucius said softly as he managed to catch Kato alone.
"Of course," Kato said. He motioned for Draco to join them, and they headed towards a secluded corner. Kato bowed deeply as he passed the wards. "My Lord," he said calmly. Voldemort wasn't alone, but the people Kato could see wouldn't survive what was to come so he saw no issues with continuing their plans. He sat down without being offered and motioned for Draco to join him. He placed his arm on the back of the couch and rested his hand along Draco's neck and shoulder. His fingers moved lazily and Draco did nothing to move away from him.
"I am glad you could join us," Voldemort said.
"I am glad I was invited," Kato said. "I don't have much time for such frivolities, but every once in a while it is nice to relax. His hand moved down and rested on Draco's back so Draco could lean back into him.
"And young Malfoy is turning out to be a good apprentice?" Voldemort asked.
"He is a delight," Kato said. "I have understood I have you to thank for that."
"Your skills precede you," Voldemort said. "I must say I am curious. If you wouldn't mind I think everyone would like a demonstration later."
"Of course, we can do that," Kato said. "Isn't that so Draco?" he asked with a slight twitch of his writs.
"Certainly Master," Draco said softly.
Internally Draco was smirking because he could see his father's face from how he was sitting, and Lucius looked stiffer than usual.
Bellatrix looked like Voldemort had leashed her right before Kato walked up to their table. She was frothing at the mouth. "I want to fight him, my Lord," she said.
Voldemort raised an eyebrow.
Kato just gave him a curious smile. "I am not worried," he said confidently. "It is solely up to you. I will not damage what is yours." He could tell that his calm demeanour was putting everyone except for Voldemort on edge. He was glad. That meant it was working. He wanted to defer to the Dark Lord and no one else boosting the madman's ego while establishing that he couldn't be stepped on.
"Once the stroke of midnight has passed," Voldemort said. "I will allow you to return to the festivities for now."
"Thank you," Kato said calmly. He tapped Draco's back and rose with him. They walked together out on the terrace. From that angle, no one else would have been able to see that Harry was guiding Draco. The Dark Lord was still watching though. Kato reached out and placed his hand on Draco's cheek. "Given me half a minute," he breathed. The illusion was aimed very specifically at the small group. "Say something snarky."
"Pleased with yourself are you?" Draco said. He felt Kato's hand move just a bit.
"You just slapped me," Draco said. He felt the hand on his shoulder pushing him down. Kato was putting magic behind it. The hand moved from Draco's shoulder to his hair once his knees hit the ground. Then Kato moved so he was covering the view for those still watching. "Your father is about to burst," Kato said.
"How long do we stay out here?" Draco asked. The magic Kato had been using to make their little act work had dwindled. "About fifteen minutes I'd say. Maybe a bit more. You should look spotless once we leave so you might want to fix your hair."
"Father really bought it?" Draco asked. "I can stand back up right?"
"Yes, and yes," Kato said. "I'm making sure no one else can walk out here, and they can't see us if they are looking outside."
"Father is going to be pissed at you," Draco said. He conjured a mirror and fixed his hair. "Is that really what you wanted?"
"He'll be fine," Kato said. "I did try to tell him that you are an excellent actor after you got arrested in Romania. He wasn't amused then, and he won't be now either. He needs to be convincing though. The way he acts will do more than the way we act for convincing Voldemort."
"I guess that is true," Draco said. "So you just want to leave him hanging?"
"If I do that you won't be able to go back home until this is all dealt with," Kato said.
"I'll live," Draco said. "I have potions to work on."
Kato leaned on the railing. "If only I could get that last bit of the rune array to fall into place, we could finish this," he said with a sigh.
"Your unwillingness to sacrifice my father is commendable," Draco said.
"I will act if I'm forced," Harry said. "Another attack like Hogsmeade and I can't just sit on my hands any longer."
"I know," Draco said. "And so does Father." He looked towards the door. "Can we head back inside now?" he asked.
Kato sighed. "You can," he said. "I'll stay out here a moment longer."
"Sounds like a bad idea," Draco said. He walked quickly towards the doors and threw them open. The patented Malfoy mask that everyone in his family learnt how to put up when needed was firmly in place. He made his way over to his friends and used them as a shield whenever his father tried to get close.
Lucius walked out on the terrace and looked around. He was fuming. His eyes moved over the empty space before he headed back inside. He knew Kato was still there. The wards would have told him if he left. He didn't want to think that Harry would go back on his word, but his eyes had seen things he couldn't simply unsee. What if Charlie was in on it?
The fact that Draco wouldn't allow him a word alone with him didn't help matters. He just wanted to know that his son was alright.
Midnight approached quickly.
Everyone gathered and reached out to hold hands. Kato smirked. In the circle stood two with more power than the rest. Right now he had to make sure he didn't show himself to be more powerful than Voldemort. Draco watched his master as power gathered in the circle. He could just go all out, but he was pretty sure Kato couldn't. People around him were looking his way and he just smirked.
Voldemort looked over at the Malfoy heir. He was showing a lot of potential. He looked across from him at the boy's Master. There was the one he really wanted to get a feeling for. He released his power into the circle and people around him swallowed thickly.
Once Kato knew what he was aiming for he did his best to just land himself beneath that mark. The amount of focus he had to put into not releasing too much power made it look like he was pushing himself. Voldemort smiled victoriously as Kato's power joined the rest. He had managed.
"To the new year," Lucius said.
"To the new year."
1st of January, 2000.
The magic was released and the wards glowed faintly.
Lucius tried to catch his son once the circle broke, but Draco slipped away from him and walked up next to Kato. "People will leave now and then I guess it is our turn," Draco said. "Wand and magicka?" he asked.
"I won't shout," Kato said. "Let's make it entertaining shall we."
The guests who were not Death Eaters moved out. Even family members of Death Eaters seemed to be sent away. It suited their plans just fine. Kato walked away from Draco and turned to face him. "Face me Draco," he said.
Draco raised his gaze and looked Kato in the eyes for the first time since they arrived at Malfoy Manor. He drew his wand.
"Our Lord has asked that I demonstrate just what I have been teaching the Malfoy heir," Kato said. "Shield yourselves. We will not be holding back." He drew his own wand and bowed to Draco.
Draco bowed back and the two of them were casting. Fire spread from Kato's left hand as he cast several spells with his wand. He sidestepped whatever spell Draco had sent his way and threw up a shield to catch the bouts of lightning heading straight for him. The elements raged as Draco and Kato cast spells and destruction magic. A rune appeared on the floor and Kato stepped back into it. He rolled backwards and threw out a cloud of ice. His familiar appeared and rushed straight at Draco. The dragonfly appeared above him; he caught it and crushed it. He rushed forward and struck at Draco. Their wands went away and they fought hand to hand with magicka swiping between them. Kato swiped Draco's legs out from under him, but Draco didn't stay down he shot fire at his Master and knocked him back. Kato moved forward. He stopped holding his punches as he outpaced Draco. He showed everyone in the room what being trained by a pair of Khajiit meant even if they didn't understand that was what was happening.
Draco hit the floor with a pained groan.
Kato straightened his clothes and flipped Draco over with his foot. "Heal yourself," he said calmly but sternly. He faced Voldemort and smirked. "Good enough, my Lord?" he asked.
"Quite what I expected," Voldemort said. He raised an eyebrow as Draco stood up having clearly managed to heal himself quite well. "I do not regret our arrangement," he said.
Kato bowed. "Anything to please," he said.
"Let me fight him, my Lord," Bellatrix said. "I'll show everyone here that his fancy tricks are nothing compared to real magic."
"Go ahead," Voldemort said.
Bellatrix cackled as she rushed down towards Kato. She pointed her wand at him. "Crucio," she said giddily.
The spell impacted with Kato who just kept moving forward. An ice spear appeared in his hand and he moved closer to Bellatrix despite the pain. He drew his wand and cast spell after spell. Some Draco had taught him some he had found in the books from the Black Library and some Severus had taught him. He broke Bellatrix's hold on her spell and increased the speed of his casting. She was forced back step by step as he moved closer. She tried to keep up with him, but she found herself at a disadvantage she hadn't been ready for. The fire he cast burned. The ice froze her skin and the lightning hurt as badly as a Cruciatus Curse. She might have underestimated him just a little bit, but she couldn't admit that. She cast worse and worse spells at him. The Cruciatus Curse did nothing to him as far as she could tell and it angered her beyond belief. She cast spell after spell even letting the spells he was casting at her impact until she raised her wand. "Avada Kedava," she screamed.
Kato fell backwards out of the spell's path and rolled to get himself back on his feet. "Gron Qeth Mah," he shouted and Bellatrix collapsed. He grimaced at the mess of spells she had been hit with. "Draco, make sure your Aunt doesn't die from this foolishness," he said. "Unless of course, my Lord wishes differently," he said with a slight bow.
"I would prefer to keep her alive," Voldemort said. "Remove only what needs to be removed."
"Yes, my Lord," Draco said. He knelt next to his Aunt and removed one nasty curse after another. Most of the spells Kato had cast weren't in themselves dangerous, but together they could cause great harm if left untreated. He finished and rose from his position.
"A healer and a good fighter," Voldemort said. "You will be valuable to my ranks once your Master has finished with you."
"Thank you, my Lord," Draco said. He didn't raise his gaze. He felt Kato walk up next to him.
"With your permission, we take our leave," Kato said. He wrapped his arm around Draco. "Until next we meet," he said. He teleported them back to Ennerdale.
"I need a shower," Draco said. "Are you alright? You took a lot of those spells head-on."
"Do you want to check?" Harry asked. He felt Draco's magic wash over him.
"I'd ordinate rest and I have no idea how you simply have no traces of anything she did to you though I guess you simply counter as you go."
"You have to be quick to catch me," Harry said. "But rest sounds pretty good. See you after noon sometime tomorrow." He waved as he walked into his bedroom and closed the door.
"At least you don't look like you have been through hell and back," Charlie said.
"True enough," Harry said. He walked into the bathroom and started pealing the fancy robes off slowly. He could tell when Charlie joined him. "Show me," he said.
Harry chuckled. "Sure, I can give you the highlights," he said. He reached out and ran his hand down Charlie's cheek as he showed his husband just what he and Draco had been up to.
"So Lucius is cracking at the seams," Charlie said. He watched Harry stepping into the shower and turning it on.
"He'll be fine after some memories and a drink," Harry said. He washed his hair before walking out of the shower while drying himself with a spell. He stepped into the bedroom. "Charlie?" he said.
"Someone has been naughty."
Harry moved down to his knees. He lowered his gaze. A small smile played on his lips. He knew he was going to enjoy this. He wondered just what Rhavaniel had actually shared with Charlie because Ria could get very inventive. His head was pulled back by the hair and he closed his eyes.
"How about we start your punishment," Charlie said.