Fic: From This Body's Habitation... (2/3)
Title: From This Body's Habitation... (Part two of three)
Author: timeywimeyball
Fandom: Harry Potter
Characters/Pairing: Harry Potter, Draco Malfoy, the Malfoy clan at large, Luna Lovegood, Cho Chang; Harry/Cho, Harry/Draco
Rating: PG-13, thus far
Spoilers: The heptalogy itself, plus limited elements from the fanwork Journey To The Place Of Ghosts
Summary: One conversation steered Harry towards his choice of House- but that conversation was changed and with it, the fate of the wizarding world...
Disclaimer: The characters, nor the setting, are mine- they are JKR's, no matter how much I may have twisted them. Further acknowledgements go to the writer/artist winkout, and to the poet Jay Wright. AU abounds throughout.
A/N: This being the part in the tale where our protagonists gladly throw themselves into the plans and schemes that had, previously, only rumbled ominously in the background.
Part One | Part Two| Part Three
Harry woke late, the sunlight streaming through the gaps in the drapery, illuminating the scene as he groggily pulled on a dressing gown, leaving the other figure in the bed behind him. He quietly crossed the room, leaving silently.
Making his way down to the small dining room, Harry was surprised to see Lucius Malfoy still at the table, reading the morning edition of the Daily Prophet, a plate containing the fragments of breakfast before him, and an ashtray sporting the still smoking stub of a cigar.
“Good morning, Harry.” Lucius said pleasantly enough as Harry took a seat, a house elf bustling to serve him.
“Good morning.” Harry responded, as he drank from the cup of freshly brewed tea, trying to wake himself up. He'd recognised that weakness in himself some time ago, and had learnt how to deal with it- copious amounts of caffeine.
“Thank you again for arranging things last night.” Harry said at last, as he felt his mind start to catch up with his body.
“A welcome honour, my dear boy.” Lucius said with his best paternal smile, as if a reporter from the Daily Prophet was in the room with them both. “As your patron, it is only responsible of me to ensure that your first social gathering of this kind is a success- in time, I am sure you will be able to arrange matters yourself, or to appoint someone to that effect.”
“How was it received? In the social section, I mean?” Harry asked, gesturing to the copy of the Prophet, as he recognised Lucius' tone- one that indicated he had something important to talk about, but was keeping up the small talk all the same, as a matter of habit- and so he helped himself to a platter of bacon, one of the food stuffs only served when he was at the Manor.
“It was received well- much was made of the fact that it was hosted here at the Manor, rather than at the old Black town house, which you inherited.” Lucius said in faintly mocking tones, and Harry snorted in indignant agreement.
“There is a point in their simplistic writing, though,” Lucius said, his tone shifting slightly, and Harry snapped his eyes round to the older man with sudden intensity. “You might well want use of the Black townhouse over your next year, for use during the winter and Easter breaks.”
Harry nodded slightly, thinking over Lucius' carefully worded suggestion- one that would both give Harry some autonomy and also distance Lucius from events if they went...wrong.
“That would be a good idea, and very helpful to my task. Thank you for suggesting it, sir.”
“Anything to help a fellow warrior for what is right in this world.” Lucius said neutrally, folding the newspaper up and laying it on the table, turning to study Harry carefully. “It would be best if the townhouse was prepared by your own house elves- or rather, elf. But Kreacher is an efficient house elf, and I am sure he will serve you well.”
“I'm sure he will- I'll see it to straight away, and make sure everything is ready there as soon as I can.”
“You might wish to see to your guest upstairs first- a gentleman does not leave a guest to simply find the fireplace on their own.”
Harry felt himself turning red at Lucius' words, and he quickly tried to stammer out a reply, but Lucius held up a hand with an indulging quirk of his lips.
“Harry- what you did last night was your choice. And, I presume, Miss Chang's too.”
“Of course she- how did-?”
“No, I was not spying on you- I respect the privacy of my family, friends and allies in that manner.”
“I, well, I mean to say-”
“Harry, please- I do not mean to embarrass you.” Lucius said, with all the calm he could muster. “I will not lecture you on your romantic liaisons, although I will advise you if you ask for it. Instead, I will speak to you as one Slytherin to another.”
Harry nodded tersely, not trusting himself to speak without making a fool of himself again.
“Our House has long made it's loyalties known- many alumni had taken the Mark in the last war, and I suspect many more will do so again, when the Dark Lord makes his presence known again.” Lucius said, his hands folded in front of him as he spoke. “Your task is to work doubt into the other Houses, so that your generation will either side with us, or to have enough doubt that they will hesitate to side with our enemies.
“And this is where your guest upstairs comes into things.” Lucius said, watching Harry intently for a reaction.
“What do you mean...?”
“The House of Ravenclaw have never been fiercely dedicated to one side or another- they were so in the last war, and will be again. And your task will be that much easier if there is already someone in Ravenclaw who is sympathetic to you.”
“But, I already have Luna.”
“And Miss Lovegood will, I am sure, prove to be a valuable ally- in the future.” Lucius said firmly, cutting off any further protest Harry might have had. “For now you need someone who is well placed with her House. Someone intelligent, who has gained accolades for their House, and who is well liked.”
“I understand...” Harry said, light dawning as he spoke to Lucius.
“I see you do.” Lucius said with an approving nod, making to stand. “I shall not detain you any further, but I hope to speak to you later today- I have further information you might find useful. Information on the families of your fellow students, books and supplies that may prove useful.”
“Thank you again.” Harry said earnestly, and Lucius smiled tightly in reply.
“Save your thanks until I find out whether my words of wisdom to the Minister pay off- there is still an empty teaching post at Hogwarts, and I intend to make it an appropriate appointment.” Lucius said, gathering up his cloak and hat, touching the brim as he left the small dining hall. “My regards to Miss Chang, of course.”
--
Harry landed heavily on Draco's bed, grinning widely as his dorm mate scowled at him for upsetting the notes he'd been carefully laying out.
“You great oaf. I had just finished arranging-”
“Whatever. Only Umbridge's homework.”
“And Flitwick's, too. He's no pushover.”
“Yes, but Umbridge is the key.” Harry said with a grin, before turning to cast some charms to ensure their privacy, enclosed by the hangings of Draco's bed.
“Oh, this is about the task.” Draco said dryly. “Why, I never would have guessed you'd be thinking about it.”
“Shove it, Draco.” Harry said cheerfully enough, leaning in close, his voice low despite the charms he'd just cast. “Umbridge will drive students to us. We'll be quiet. We wont make any announcements- but people will know. They'll think we're the only ones who can help them study real defence.”
“Will we get enough students, though?”
“We'll get enough.” Harry said confidently, all but pressing against Draco in his eagerness to impart this news. Draco shoved Harry backwards with a scowl, but even then, his expression betrayed him, revealing a tight smile.
“Think about it, Draco- we'll be subverting the school from within. From under the Headmaster's gaze! Changing the attitude of his charges, his students, so they'll willingly study the Dark Arts...even consider siding with the Dark Lord! Tell me it's not exciting, and I'll call you a rank liar.”
“It does have a certain charm to it...” Draco admitted with a smug smile, which Harry returned with a grin of his own, rarely seen since his first year at Hogwarts, when he'd learnt the value of keeping his thoughts and emotions to himself.
“We'll have the school by the throat.” Harry said, moving closer again, his eagerness and anticipation contagious.
“By the jugular.” Draco said, putting his arm around Harry in a display he'd never put on in public, but which Harry couldn't help but beam at.
“We'll crush the breath out of them. Them, then the Muggles.” Harry said, his gaze drifting away slightly, before snapping back to Draco's face, inches from his. “Just like your father said it would be.”
Draco made a disguised noise, flinging himself back, away from a perplexed Harry. “Had to ruin the mood, didn't you?”
“What?”
“You don't think brining up someone's father-” Draco began, before cutting himself off, dismissing the notion with a wave of his hand. “Never mind. Just go to sleep, Harry. We'll talk in the morning.”
--
The first party held at the rejuvenated Number Twelve Grimauld Place was a small affair, a Christmas dinner between an eclectic mix, before splitting up, with a half dozen adult guests occupying one of the parlour's downstairs, hosted by Narcissa Malfoy, and busy enjoying the contents of the drinks cabinet.
Upstairs, in one of the recently renovated bedrooms, a similar number of Hogwarts students lounged about in their finery, most drinking from a stash of Butterbeer Harry had purchased a couple days ago, while Luna declined that, and instead chose to partake of a potion she had bought while she, Harry and Draco had been on their last trip to Knockturn Alley, a little over a week ago.
Luna had subsided from her latest long lecture about the domestic espionage habitually employed by the Ministry, and Nott was openly wondering about the return of the Dark Lord in guarded tones, his presumed theory regarding the recent mass breakout from Azkaban debated with passion by Boot, when Cho cornered Harry, hissing that she needed a word with him.
All but dragging him out into the hallway, she turned a half guarded expression on him, but he kept his temper down at that sight, reassuring himself that she was all but an open book to him- cunning beat intelligence any day, as he and Draco had often said to one another with sly smiles.
“Harry...this isn't about what I think of you.” Cho began, and Harry limited himself to a raised eyebrow. That was enough to make her redden, he noted with some pride. “It's about this...association you've started.”
“The study group, you mean?” Harry asked lightly, and she nodded.
“You say you have to learn the Arts to know how to...deal with them. But were you suggesting...what I thought you were?”
“That we practice them, you mean?” He asked, and she visibly flinched, although she kept resolute, and simply nodded.
“But...how are we to practice?”
“Who are we going to practice with?”
“...yes.”
“Who do you want to practice with, Cho?”
“With you. I mean. If...”
“Of course I want to. Who else would I study the Dark Arts with?” Harry asked, taking her hand in his with a reassuring smile he had long practised.
She looked away, her expression turning mutinous, dangerous at last.
“I thought you'd already...studied...with Draco.”
“You think I'm like that?” Harry asked sharply, his grip shifting onto her wrist, grasping now, shifting position to pin her against the wall. “You think I'd 'study' with Draco?”
“I didn't say that.” She said, pain and fear passing across her features before she schooled herself into impassiveness.
“You did.”
“...I'd be a better student than he would, anyway.” Cho said rebelliously, not even trying to move out of his grip, instead meeting Harry's gaze, hurt and anger equally clear in her eyes. Harry controlled his own expression at that sight- perfect. She was in the perfect state of mind to learn...
“Then come study with me.” Harry said, all but crushing Cho against the wall, doing his best to silence her into obedience by kissing her, idly wondering if it was possible to bruise someone's lips. He wondered if he'd find out tonight.
“Now?” Cho said when he broke the kiss, and he resisted the urge to growl his frustration at not being able to manipulate things to his advantage and kept his reply short.
“Now.”
Harry didn't leave any room for further debate, hurrying to find an empty room, dragging Cho behind him like a comet's tail. He had his wand, and he was just aching to try out the Cruciatus Curse again. It didn't matter that he'd already studied and practised it already.
This was another chance. One he was going to seize.
--
“This is more than a study group.”
It wasn't a question. It was a statement, flatly delivered, hiding the emotions that were close to the surface.
“What makes you say that, Granger?”
“Because, Potter, I have eyes, and I have a brain. I know that you meet with others from this group outside of the times we've arranged. Because I know you hate Umbridge as much as I do.”
Harry narrowed his eyes at that, focusing on the Gryffindor who had sat herself opposite him unannounced at the table in the library opposite him. She never spoke so freely about her opinions, but instead let her beliefs be known through action- even if it was ineffectual activism, rather than any reasonable action. And for that, he had a grudging admiration for her.
She'd never, in all the weeks since she'd joined the 'informal study group' of his, had said why until now, and so Harry took in the insufferable know it all with a level gaze as he considered his next words as carefully as he could.
“And what...do you think this inner circle, if such a thing existed, does?”
Granger sniffed with hauteur, looking at Harry as if he'd asked her how to make a first year potion. “Your main group learns Defence. It stands to reason that the inner circle learns the Arts themselves. Know thy enemy.”
Harry nodded, fractionally. “Well, it's a nice theory, I suppose...”
Granger glared at him, but didn't snap out a reply, and Harry hurried to use her natural respect for the codes of silence in a library to give him a chance to think. She was right, after all- there was an inner circle, as it were. How would they react if he brought Granger in? Should be bring her in?
Of course he should bring her in- it was a chance to turn her, and gain an ally inside Gryffindor itself. He could use her lust for knowledge, use it to draw her in until it was far too late to back out. And he didn't hate her on principle- he hated Muggles, not Muggleborns, after all- and her intelligence and talent would make her a powerful ally.
If she could be turned.
The others, though....Luna wouldn't truly care, one way or another. Draco would take some...convincing. Chang had wrapped herself around his finger without any effort needed on his part, so desperate was her attempt to believe him something he was not. Nott would scowl, but not say anything outside of a few pointed comments.
“Well?” Granger hissed at him.
“We'll see, Granger. We'll see...”
--
“I still don't like it.” Draco said after the last of their smaller 'study group' had left the Room of Requirement.
“You never like anything.” Harry retorted, snapping back freely, now that they were alone.
“Oh, boys. You're so silly...” Luna said as she tidied up a stack of books into an order that made sense only to her.
“I'm just saying that her mind is closed. No one our age is that skilled an Occlumens!”
“And you're just that good a Legilimens, are you?” Harry retorted, picking up his own bag and over-cloak, headed for the door.
“Wait just one minute-” Draco said, catching Harry's arm as Luna breezed past them. “I learnt it from my parents- she's got Muggles for parents. The only way Granger could have learnt it is from a Professor. And that means Dumbledore taught her Occlumency!”
Draco's voice was a hoarse bark of desperation and, yes, fear. Harry could see that, as plain as he could understand the language of snakes. But he didn't have time for Draco's paranoia- at least Luna's was mildly entertaining and distracting.
“I've got to go, Draco. I'm meeting Chang in-”
“I don't care what that half blood bitch has to-”
Draco was cut off, the air rushing out of his lungs as he was slammed back into the wall, Harry's arm pressed into his stomach, his wand at Draco's throat.
“You forget what I am, Draco?”
“No.”
“Liar.”
--
Harry stifled his temper, as he glared at the person standing next to him. He glanced at the others, but they were spread out, far enough away not to overhear him if he spoke in quiet, controlled tones, like a Slytherin should.
“This isn't the time to get second thoughts about this. We're in this together now.”
“But...this is more than just learning about the Dark Arts.” Cho said, the conflict within written plainly on her face. “This is using them, Harry- using an Unforgivable!”
“Against someone who's already used them on students.” Harry snapped back, struggling to keep his voice low. “It is only just- it's only fair.”
“But...I...”
“We've already practised together, haven't we?” He asked, struck by the decision to change tack with her. She flushed red, and nodded.
“Yes, but that was...”
“Don't tell me you didn't like it.”
“I...” She gulped, then nodded. “I did. But this is...different.”
“We're doing it for the good of your friends- surely you can see that?” Harry said, lying easily enough as he appealed to her intelligence and her sense of duty towards her friends. “We have to do this for them.”
“...aright then. I'll do it.”
“That's my girl.”
Harry turned from her, catching the eye of the others- Draco, looking faintly amused by proceedings; Luna, poking at a hole in her sleeve; Nott, looking impatient to begin; and Granger, who was, worryingly, blank faced and dead eyed.
Maybe she was just upset about her friends being tortured by Umbridge- it was probably the only reason she agreed to go along with the plan, after all. But Harry was nothing if not eager to seize an opening.
“Remember, don't drop your Disillusionment Charms at any time. Charm your voices so she doesn't recognise us. And remember- you have to mean the spell when you say it.” Harry said with a nod towards the door. “Right- let's be about it.”
--
It was unusually hot for a spring month, Harry thought distantly as he strode out of the house behind him, the woman by his side remaining silent, but with a wide eyed, glazed over look to her face as the flames started to take on a life of their own and consume the building.
Neither of them was bothered by the yells of panic and then the screams that followed as they walked out to meet the man who waited out in the street, who nodded to the two of them in greeting.
“Well, Bella- how was he?” Lucius asked, speaking in a rare manner, blunt and direct.
The woman laughed, and smiled- a parody of movement of skin over bone with too little in-between the two- before replying.
“Harry preformed marvellously. A credit to our House- not one doubt, if ever one could have one dealing with Muggles. And to think of what they did to him- he kept phlegmatic at all times. Petrified them. Cruciatus. Incendio.”
“Excellent, Harry- excellent.” Lucius said with a small smile, before he returned his tone to business once again. “We shall take the portkey back to the room at Hogsmeade- Bella will ensure she is sighted by the Muggles in the area, so no one will suspect you.”
“Thank you, sir.” Harry said, slightly out of breath, his eyes wide, glazed over.
Lucius withdrew an item from his pocket- a small hand mirror- and murmured the charms needed to change it into a Portkey, and Bellatrix took the opportunity to speak to Harry, her hands on his shoulders, her gaze as fiery as the blaze behind them.
“When the time comes, take the Mark. You will always work to expunge the taint of Muggles from your blood, but there is no better cause. That, I always remembered. In all my years in Azkaban- that kept me going. Through fire, we shall purify our blood.”
Harry nodded once in understanding, before taking the proffered Portkey from Lucius, and being taken away, back to a private dining room in Hogsmeade, a world away from the fire's now spreading through the quiet Muggle suburb of Privet Drive.
--
They couldn't feel the warmth of spring, this deep underground. Even the heating regulation charms that kept most of the Ministry building at a comfortable temperature year round weren't working here.
Harry wondered if that was the way the Unspeakables liked their part of the Ministry. Or maybe they did it to discourage visitors.
It didn't matter, Harry thought, doing his best to shake off his distracting thoughts. He was down here, and he had to find the right way, or else everything he was doing here was all for naught.
Behind him, two steps of footsteps followed as he forged his way deeper into the Department of Mysteries. He felt a swell of pride and reassurance at that sound. Draco and Luna would go wherever he did, he knew. Together, they had used the Cruciatus Curse on a Professor, driving the toad half insane.
It had been then that the first hints of a Prophecy had been dropped by Granger. Accidentally, it seemed- she never mentioned it again, and seemed furious with herself that she had mentioned it at all. She was obviously playing a game of her own, much as Harry was. So Harry had did his own research, and he had dug deep.
His digging had led here.
The Hall of Prophecy, and on one of these shelves, that stretched into the seemingly endless darkness, contained the fate that had been whispered about him for so very long...
Luna spotted it first, calling Harry over with an excited whisper. It felt warm in his hand when he picked it up, looking at Draco with an ecstatic smile plastered across his face.
There was no one else in the world he wanted to share this with.
--
“You've changed since...since you've come back. From the Easter break. For a long time before that, even.”
He didn't deny this.
“I don't know...what you did over the year. While I was...too blind to see.”
Of course she didn't know. How could she, when she had freely admitted to her failings in that regard?
“But I don't like it.”
He kept his silence.
“I can't...stay like this.”
Her voice took a turn for the bitter.
“Of course, you've got Draco.”
He'd always had Draco. Had it taken her this long to realise that?
“So I'm leaving you. Before you...drag me down with you.”
“Cho...before you go. Just remember who you think I am. And ask yourself...who else are my friends?”
She didn't say anything, but a look of fleeting terror crossed her face before she rounded the corridor and vanished from view and from his life.
--
It was their last night of their school year at Hogwarts, and the three of them sat in the Room of Requirement in comfortable silence.
They had all taken their OWLS. They had spent a year changing the student body, subverting it from within. They had all loved and lost. They had been to their last trip to Hogsmeade for the year, shortly after they had finished their OWLS, making a clandestine trip to torture Pettigrew.
They had all taken part in it, although Harry had done the most. They may have all learnt spells they had wanted to practice on a live target, but it meant the most to Harry, really.
Now they sat on a comfortable sofa the room had provided, a growing stack of empty bottles growing as their feet as they contemplated the successes that lay ahead, and remembered fondly what they had achieved in the past year.
“It's going to be soon, isn't it?” Luna asked from the other side of Draco, and Harry nodded, before he remembered that she couldn't see that.
“Yes. This summer...you'll stay over at the Manor. And then we'll be summoned. We have more than proven ourselves, after all.”
“Good...” Luna said, and Harry was sure she had lain her head on Draco's shoulder, judging by the smirk he was now sporting. This was confirmed when he spoke up in the insufferably smug tones that still came so easily to him.
“Think I'd be the envy of the whole school if anyone else walked in here?”
“Sod off, Malfoy.” Harry snapped, reaching out for Malfoy's hand as he did so, gripping it tightly. “I don't share.”
“What, not even with-”
“No. No girls, Draco.” Harry said, fully aware of how drunk he sounded.
“Spoil sport.”
After a long moment, Luna spoke up again. “What about other guys?”
“Good thought, Luna.”
“No. It's not.”
Luna giggled, before rising to her feet in a remarkably stable manner that belied the number of bottles she'd added to the pile at their feet. “I should sleep, before I leave for the train. That way I'll be ready for the Ministry tricks at the station.”
The two of them murmured agreement, before being silenced as Luna didn't head for the door, instead pausing long enough to look at them with an odd expression on her face, before she kissed them both. Draco managed to look both stunned and smug, but Harry felt only perplexed and baffled as Luna turned and left without another word.
“That Luna- always full of surprises.” Draco said unnecessarily. Harry decided to shut him up before he started drunkenly rambling on and also put the expression on Luna's face- longing? Fear? Grief?- out of his mind by seizing the chance he had with Draco, while he was drunk enough to be able to write it off if he had to, but sober enough to remember.
He was pleasantly surprised when Draco returned the kiss with as much heat as he'd put in his. More pleasant surprises followed through the rest of the night, one at a time, each building on the other, until much later, when they hastily returned to their dorms, so questions could be avoided come the morning.
--
Harry walked into the clearing, part of him still wishing he had his wand in hand, his grasp firm enough that his knuckles would turn white. But the sound of footsteps behind him emboldened him- he couldn't back out now. Not now. Not if he was going to emerge from his unscathed. Victorious, with them at his side.
From the other side, stick thin and swathed in robes, a figure only half real stepped into the clearing. No wand clutched in it's hand, but no fear crossed it's features, only triumph and power.
“Potter.” It hissed in greeting, and Harry bowed in reply.
“Lord Voldemort.”
“You and I have clashed, many times in your life. But I hear of your...changing attitudes.” Voldemort said, slowly approaching Harry. “Heard it from some the children of my loyal followers- but not from all.”
“I am the child of two members of the Order- it would be foolish for me to declare such a change. My allegiances hidden, I can do so much more.”
“You are cunning- as was our founder.” Voldemort said with an approving hiss. “But why come to me? Let me hear your reasons from your own tongue.”
“I have no love for Muggles. And I have seen the foolishness of the Ministry first hand- they have no place governing our affairs- they need to be replaced by someone who knows what power is.”
“And who is that?”
“You- with me at your side.”
“Very good, boy...” Voldemort said, his voice filling with triumphant tones. “Together, we shall subvert the prophecy- we shall show that we are not the pawns of mad seers and prophets. We forge our own destiny- for ourselves, and for this land.”
Voldemort lifted his gaze from Harry, and turned to look at his companions.
“And who else has come before me? Speak, and let your reasons be heard.”
“I come to pledge my name to your cause, as my father has before me. In the name of purity, and of power in the hands of those who deserve it.” Draco said, his voice the tone of one reciting from a passage from an un-memorised book.
“I come to rid us of the Ministry, of their corruption and oppression. I come for my comrades, my friends, my brothers.” Luna said, her tone the same calm one she used, even when discussing the objects of her intense, blazing paranoia.
“And shall the three of you bear my Mark, and obey my every command?” Voldemort asked of them.
“We shall.”
“And shall you know me as your Lord and Master?”
“We shall.”
“Then come...and take your mark of devotion to me.”
Harry knelt before the half real figure, pulling up the left sleeve of his robes and baring his forearm, holding it upright as Voldemort drew his wand from the folds of his robes, and slowly lowered it to the bare, unmarked flesh.
“Morsmorde.”
The word was hissed, and Harry bit down as he felt pain sear his arm, as he heard the sizzling of his flesh being seared, and trying to resist the urge to gag as the stench assailed him, as his body jerked in a spasm of pain.
“Rise, my Eater of Death.”
“My Lord.” Harry said reverently, as he rose to his feet, fighting the impulse to sway as best he could.
He stepped back, keeping the sleeve of his robe hitched up, not wanting to let it rest on the still burning flesh, Draco stepping up to take his place.
He watched as Draco took the mark, only the slight twitching of lips giving him away as his flesh was burnt, the smell of scorched flesh reaching Harry easily.By the time Luna had taken the Mark, her lip bleeding as she bit into it, Harry was nauseous, fighting the urge to empty his stomach of the meagre contents form his last half eaten meal.
Voldemort surveyed the trio, his face twisted into a grotesque mask of gloating triumph. “Now, my loyal Death Eaters- you shall meet your brothers and sisters in this noble cause.”
Author: timeywimeyball
Fandom: Harry Potter
Characters/Pairing: Harry Potter, Draco Malfoy, the Malfoy clan at large, Luna Lovegood, Cho Chang; Harry/Cho, Harry/Draco
Rating: PG-13, thus far
Spoilers: The heptalogy itself, plus limited elements from the fanwork Journey To The Place Of Ghosts
Summary: One conversation steered Harry towards his choice of House- but that conversation was changed and with it, the fate of the wizarding world...
Disclaimer: The characters, nor the setting, are mine- they are JKR's, no matter how much I may have twisted them. Further acknowledgements go to the writer/artist winkout, and to the poet Jay Wright. AU abounds throughout.
A/N: This being the part in the tale where our protagonists gladly throw themselves into the plans and schemes that had, previously, only rumbled ominously in the background.
Part One | Part Two| Part Three
Harry woke late, the sunlight streaming through the gaps in the drapery, illuminating the scene as he groggily pulled on a dressing gown, leaving the other figure in the bed behind him. He quietly crossed the room, leaving silently.
Making his way down to the small dining room, Harry was surprised to see Lucius Malfoy still at the table, reading the morning edition of the Daily Prophet, a plate containing the fragments of breakfast before him, and an ashtray sporting the still smoking stub of a cigar.
“Good morning, Harry.” Lucius said pleasantly enough as Harry took a seat, a house elf bustling to serve him.
“Good morning.” Harry responded, as he drank from the cup of freshly brewed tea, trying to wake himself up. He'd recognised that weakness in himself some time ago, and had learnt how to deal with it- copious amounts of caffeine.
“Thank you again for arranging things last night.” Harry said at last, as he felt his mind start to catch up with his body.
“A welcome honour, my dear boy.” Lucius said with his best paternal smile, as if a reporter from the Daily Prophet was in the room with them both. “As your patron, it is only responsible of me to ensure that your first social gathering of this kind is a success- in time, I am sure you will be able to arrange matters yourself, or to appoint someone to that effect.”
“How was it received? In the social section, I mean?” Harry asked, gesturing to the copy of the Prophet, as he recognised Lucius' tone- one that indicated he had something important to talk about, but was keeping up the small talk all the same, as a matter of habit- and so he helped himself to a platter of bacon, one of the food stuffs only served when he was at the Manor.
“It was received well- much was made of the fact that it was hosted here at the Manor, rather than at the old Black town house, which you inherited.” Lucius said in faintly mocking tones, and Harry snorted in indignant agreement.
“There is a point in their simplistic writing, though,” Lucius said, his tone shifting slightly, and Harry snapped his eyes round to the older man with sudden intensity. “You might well want use of the Black townhouse over your next year, for use during the winter and Easter breaks.”
Harry nodded slightly, thinking over Lucius' carefully worded suggestion- one that would both give Harry some autonomy and also distance Lucius from events if they went...wrong.
“That would be a good idea, and very helpful to my task. Thank you for suggesting it, sir.”
“Anything to help a fellow warrior for what is right in this world.” Lucius said neutrally, folding the newspaper up and laying it on the table, turning to study Harry carefully. “It would be best if the townhouse was prepared by your own house elves- or rather, elf. But Kreacher is an efficient house elf, and I am sure he will serve you well.”
“I'm sure he will- I'll see it to straight away, and make sure everything is ready there as soon as I can.”
“You might wish to see to your guest upstairs first- a gentleman does not leave a guest to simply find the fireplace on their own.”
Harry felt himself turning red at Lucius' words, and he quickly tried to stammer out a reply, but Lucius held up a hand with an indulging quirk of his lips.
“Harry- what you did last night was your choice. And, I presume, Miss Chang's too.”
“Of course she- how did-?”
“No, I was not spying on you- I respect the privacy of my family, friends and allies in that manner.”
“I, well, I mean to say-”
“Harry, please- I do not mean to embarrass you.” Lucius said, with all the calm he could muster. “I will not lecture you on your romantic liaisons, although I will advise you if you ask for it. Instead, I will speak to you as one Slytherin to another.”
Harry nodded tersely, not trusting himself to speak without making a fool of himself again.
“Our House has long made it's loyalties known- many alumni had taken the Mark in the last war, and I suspect many more will do so again, when the Dark Lord makes his presence known again.” Lucius said, his hands folded in front of him as he spoke. “Your task is to work doubt into the other Houses, so that your generation will either side with us, or to have enough doubt that they will hesitate to side with our enemies.
“And this is where your guest upstairs comes into things.” Lucius said, watching Harry intently for a reaction.
“What do you mean...?”
“The House of Ravenclaw have never been fiercely dedicated to one side or another- they were so in the last war, and will be again. And your task will be that much easier if there is already someone in Ravenclaw who is sympathetic to you.”
“But, I already have Luna.”
“And Miss Lovegood will, I am sure, prove to be a valuable ally- in the future.” Lucius said firmly, cutting off any further protest Harry might have had. “For now you need someone who is well placed with her House. Someone intelligent, who has gained accolades for their House, and who is well liked.”
“I understand...” Harry said, light dawning as he spoke to Lucius.
“I see you do.” Lucius said with an approving nod, making to stand. “I shall not detain you any further, but I hope to speak to you later today- I have further information you might find useful. Information on the families of your fellow students, books and supplies that may prove useful.”
“Thank you again.” Harry said earnestly, and Lucius smiled tightly in reply.
“Save your thanks until I find out whether my words of wisdom to the Minister pay off- there is still an empty teaching post at Hogwarts, and I intend to make it an appropriate appointment.” Lucius said, gathering up his cloak and hat, touching the brim as he left the small dining hall. “My regards to Miss Chang, of course.”
--
Harry landed heavily on Draco's bed, grinning widely as his dorm mate scowled at him for upsetting the notes he'd been carefully laying out.
“You great oaf. I had just finished arranging-”
“Whatever. Only Umbridge's homework.”
“And Flitwick's, too. He's no pushover.”
“Yes, but Umbridge is the key.” Harry said with a grin, before turning to cast some charms to ensure their privacy, enclosed by the hangings of Draco's bed.
“Oh, this is about the task.” Draco said dryly. “Why, I never would have guessed you'd be thinking about it.”
“Shove it, Draco.” Harry said cheerfully enough, leaning in close, his voice low despite the charms he'd just cast. “Umbridge will drive students to us. We'll be quiet. We wont make any announcements- but people will know. They'll think we're the only ones who can help them study real defence.”
“Will we get enough students, though?”
“We'll get enough.” Harry said confidently, all but pressing against Draco in his eagerness to impart this news. Draco shoved Harry backwards with a scowl, but even then, his expression betrayed him, revealing a tight smile.
“Think about it, Draco- we'll be subverting the school from within. From under the Headmaster's gaze! Changing the attitude of his charges, his students, so they'll willingly study the Dark Arts...even consider siding with the Dark Lord! Tell me it's not exciting, and I'll call you a rank liar.”
“It does have a certain charm to it...” Draco admitted with a smug smile, which Harry returned with a grin of his own, rarely seen since his first year at Hogwarts, when he'd learnt the value of keeping his thoughts and emotions to himself.
“We'll have the school by the throat.” Harry said, moving closer again, his eagerness and anticipation contagious.
“By the jugular.” Draco said, putting his arm around Harry in a display he'd never put on in public, but which Harry couldn't help but beam at.
“We'll crush the breath out of them. Them, then the Muggles.” Harry said, his gaze drifting away slightly, before snapping back to Draco's face, inches from his. “Just like your father said it would be.”
Draco made a disguised noise, flinging himself back, away from a perplexed Harry. “Had to ruin the mood, didn't you?”
“What?”
“You don't think brining up someone's father-” Draco began, before cutting himself off, dismissing the notion with a wave of his hand. “Never mind. Just go to sleep, Harry. We'll talk in the morning.”
--
The first party held at the rejuvenated Number Twelve Grimauld Place was a small affair, a Christmas dinner between an eclectic mix, before splitting up, with a half dozen adult guests occupying one of the parlour's downstairs, hosted by Narcissa Malfoy, and busy enjoying the contents of the drinks cabinet.
Upstairs, in one of the recently renovated bedrooms, a similar number of Hogwarts students lounged about in their finery, most drinking from a stash of Butterbeer Harry had purchased a couple days ago, while Luna declined that, and instead chose to partake of a potion she had bought while she, Harry and Draco had been on their last trip to Knockturn Alley, a little over a week ago.
Luna had subsided from her latest long lecture about the domestic espionage habitually employed by the Ministry, and Nott was openly wondering about the return of the Dark Lord in guarded tones, his presumed theory regarding the recent mass breakout from Azkaban debated with passion by Boot, when Cho cornered Harry, hissing that she needed a word with him.
All but dragging him out into the hallway, she turned a half guarded expression on him, but he kept his temper down at that sight, reassuring himself that she was all but an open book to him- cunning beat intelligence any day, as he and Draco had often said to one another with sly smiles.
“Harry...this isn't about what I think of you.” Cho began, and Harry limited himself to a raised eyebrow. That was enough to make her redden, he noted with some pride. “It's about this...association you've started.”
“The study group, you mean?” Harry asked lightly, and she nodded.
“You say you have to learn the Arts to know how to...deal with them. But were you suggesting...what I thought you were?”
“That we practice them, you mean?” He asked, and she visibly flinched, although she kept resolute, and simply nodded.
“But...how are we to practice?”
“Who are we going to practice with?”
“...yes.”
“Who do you want to practice with, Cho?”
“With you. I mean. If...”
“Of course I want to. Who else would I study the Dark Arts with?” Harry asked, taking her hand in his with a reassuring smile he had long practised.
She looked away, her expression turning mutinous, dangerous at last.
“I thought you'd already...studied...with Draco.”
“You think I'm like that?” Harry asked sharply, his grip shifting onto her wrist, grasping now, shifting position to pin her against the wall. “You think I'd 'study' with Draco?”
“I didn't say that.” She said, pain and fear passing across her features before she schooled herself into impassiveness.
“You did.”
“...I'd be a better student than he would, anyway.” Cho said rebelliously, not even trying to move out of his grip, instead meeting Harry's gaze, hurt and anger equally clear in her eyes. Harry controlled his own expression at that sight- perfect. She was in the perfect state of mind to learn...
“Then come study with me.” Harry said, all but crushing Cho against the wall, doing his best to silence her into obedience by kissing her, idly wondering if it was possible to bruise someone's lips. He wondered if he'd find out tonight.
“Now?” Cho said when he broke the kiss, and he resisted the urge to growl his frustration at not being able to manipulate things to his advantage and kept his reply short.
“Now.”
Harry didn't leave any room for further debate, hurrying to find an empty room, dragging Cho behind him like a comet's tail. He had his wand, and he was just aching to try out the Cruciatus Curse again. It didn't matter that he'd already studied and practised it already.
This was another chance. One he was going to seize.
--
“This is more than a study group.”
It wasn't a question. It was a statement, flatly delivered, hiding the emotions that were close to the surface.
“What makes you say that, Granger?”
“Because, Potter, I have eyes, and I have a brain. I know that you meet with others from this group outside of the times we've arranged. Because I know you hate Umbridge as much as I do.”
Harry narrowed his eyes at that, focusing on the Gryffindor who had sat herself opposite him unannounced at the table in the library opposite him. She never spoke so freely about her opinions, but instead let her beliefs be known through action- even if it was ineffectual activism, rather than any reasonable action. And for that, he had a grudging admiration for her.
She'd never, in all the weeks since she'd joined the 'informal study group' of his, had said why until now, and so Harry took in the insufferable know it all with a level gaze as he considered his next words as carefully as he could.
“And what...do you think this inner circle, if such a thing existed, does?”
Granger sniffed with hauteur, looking at Harry as if he'd asked her how to make a first year potion. “Your main group learns Defence. It stands to reason that the inner circle learns the Arts themselves. Know thy enemy.”
Harry nodded, fractionally. “Well, it's a nice theory, I suppose...”
Granger glared at him, but didn't snap out a reply, and Harry hurried to use her natural respect for the codes of silence in a library to give him a chance to think. She was right, after all- there was an inner circle, as it were. How would they react if he brought Granger in? Should be bring her in?
Of course he should bring her in- it was a chance to turn her, and gain an ally inside Gryffindor itself. He could use her lust for knowledge, use it to draw her in until it was far too late to back out. And he didn't hate her on principle- he hated Muggles, not Muggleborns, after all- and her intelligence and talent would make her a powerful ally.
If she could be turned.
The others, though....Luna wouldn't truly care, one way or another. Draco would take some...convincing. Chang had wrapped herself around his finger without any effort needed on his part, so desperate was her attempt to believe him something he was not. Nott would scowl, but not say anything outside of a few pointed comments.
“Well?” Granger hissed at him.
“We'll see, Granger. We'll see...”
--
“I still don't like it.” Draco said after the last of their smaller 'study group' had left the Room of Requirement.
“You never like anything.” Harry retorted, snapping back freely, now that they were alone.
“Oh, boys. You're so silly...” Luna said as she tidied up a stack of books into an order that made sense only to her.
“I'm just saying that her mind is closed. No one our age is that skilled an Occlumens!”
“And you're just that good a Legilimens, are you?” Harry retorted, picking up his own bag and over-cloak, headed for the door.
“Wait just one minute-” Draco said, catching Harry's arm as Luna breezed past them. “I learnt it from my parents- she's got Muggles for parents. The only way Granger could have learnt it is from a Professor. And that means Dumbledore taught her Occlumency!”
Draco's voice was a hoarse bark of desperation and, yes, fear. Harry could see that, as plain as he could understand the language of snakes. But he didn't have time for Draco's paranoia- at least Luna's was mildly entertaining and distracting.
“I've got to go, Draco. I'm meeting Chang in-”
“I don't care what that half blood bitch has to-”
Draco was cut off, the air rushing out of his lungs as he was slammed back into the wall, Harry's arm pressed into his stomach, his wand at Draco's throat.
“You forget what I am, Draco?”
“No.”
“Liar.”
--
Harry stifled his temper, as he glared at the person standing next to him. He glanced at the others, but they were spread out, far enough away not to overhear him if he spoke in quiet, controlled tones, like a Slytherin should.
“This isn't the time to get second thoughts about this. We're in this together now.”
“But...this is more than just learning about the Dark Arts.” Cho said, the conflict within written plainly on her face. “This is using them, Harry- using an Unforgivable!”
“Against someone who's already used them on students.” Harry snapped back, struggling to keep his voice low. “It is only just- it's only fair.”
“But...I...”
“We've already practised together, haven't we?” He asked, struck by the decision to change tack with her. She flushed red, and nodded.
“Yes, but that was...”
“Don't tell me you didn't like it.”
“I...” She gulped, then nodded. “I did. But this is...different.”
“We're doing it for the good of your friends- surely you can see that?” Harry said, lying easily enough as he appealed to her intelligence and her sense of duty towards her friends. “We have to do this for them.”
“...aright then. I'll do it.”
“That's my girl.”
Harry turned from her, catching the eye of the others- Draco, looking faintly amused by proceedings; Luna, poking at a hole in her sleeve; Nott, looking impatient to begin; and Granger, who was, worryingly, blank faced and dead eyed.
Maybe she was just upset about her friends being tortured by Umbridge- it was probably the only reason she agreed to go along with the plan, after all. But Harry was nothing if not eager to seize an opening.
“Remember, don't drop your Disillusionment Charms at any time. Charm your voices so she doesn't recognise us. And remember- you have to mean the spell when you say it.” Harry said with a nod towards the door. “Right- let's be about it.”
--
It was unusually hot for a spring month, Harry thought distantly as he strode out of the house behind him, the woman by his side remaining silent, but with a wide eyed, glazed over look to her face as the flames started to take on a life of their own and consume the building.
Neither of them was bothered by the yells of panic and then the screams that followed as they walked out to meet the man who waited out in the street, who nodded to the two of them in greeting.
“Well, Bella- how was he?” Lucius asked, speaking in a rare manner, blunt and direct.
The woman laughed, and smiled- a parody of movement of skin over bone with too little in-between the two- before replying.
“Harry preformed marvellously. A credit to our House- not one doubt, if ever one could have one dealing with Muggles. And to think of what they did to him- he kept phlegmatic at all times. Petrified them. Cruciatus. Incendio.”
“Excellent, Harry- excellent.” Lucius said with a small smile, before he returned his tone to business once again. “We shall take the portkey back to the room at Hogsmeade- Bella will ensure she is sighted by the Muggles in the area, so no one will suspect you.”
“Thank you, sir.” Harry said, slightly out of breath, his eyes wide, glazed over.
Lucius withdrew an item from his pocket- a small hand mirror- and murmured the charms needed to change it into a Portkey, and Bellatrix took the opportunity to speak to Harry, her hands on his shoulders, her gaze as fiery as the blaze behind them.
“When the time comes, take the Mark. You will always work to expunge the taint of Muggles from your blood, but there is no better cause. That, I always remembered. In all my years in Azkaban- that kept me going. Through fire, we shall purify our blood.”
Harry nodded once in understanding, before taking the proffered Portkey from Lucius, and being taken away, back to a private dining room in Hogsmeade, a world away from the fire's now spreading through the quiet Muggle suburb of Privet Drive.
--
They couldn't feel the warmth of spring, this deep underground. Even the heating regulation charms that kept most of the Ministry building at a comfortable temperature year round weren't working here.
Harry wondered if that was the way the Unspeakables liked their part of the Ministry. Or maybe they did it to discourage visitors.
It didn't matter, Harry thought, doing his best to shake off his distracting thoughts. He was down here, and he had to find the right way, or else everything he was doing here was all for naught.
Behind him, two steps of footsteps followed as he forged his way deeper into the Department of Mysteries. He felt a swell of pride and reassurance at that sound. Draco and Luna would go wherever he did, he knew. Together, they had used the Cruciatus Curse on a Professor, driving the toad half insane.
It had been then that the first hints of a Prophecy had been dropped by Granger. Accidentally, it seemed- she never mentioned it again, and seemed furious with herself that she had mentioned it at all. She was obviously playing a game of her own, much as Harry was. So Harry had did his own research, and he had dug deep.
His digging had led here.
The Hall of Prophecy, and on one of these shelves, that stretched into the seemingly endless darkness, contained the fate that had been whispered about him for so very long...
Luna spotted it first, calling Harry over with an excited whisper. It felt warm in his hand when he picked it up, looking at Draco with an ecstatic smile plastered across his face.
There was no one else in the world he wanted to share this with.
--
“You've changed since...since you've come back. From the Easter break. For a long time before that, even.”
He didn't deny this.
“I don't know...what you did over the year. While I was...too blind to see.”
Of course she didn't know. How could she, when she had freely admitted to her failings in that regard?
“But I don't like it.”
He kept his silence.
“I can't...stay like this.”
Her voice took a turn for the bitter.
“Of course, you've got Draco.”
He'd always had Draco. Had it taken her this long to realise that?
“So I'm leaving you. Before you...drag me down with you.”
“Cho...before you go. Just remember who you think I am. And ask yourself...who else are my friends?”
She didn't say anything, but a look of fleeting terror crossed her face before she rounded the corridor and vanished from view and from his life.
--
It was their last night of their school year at Hogwarts, and the three of them sat in the Room of Requirement in comfortable silence.
They had all taken their OWLS. They had spent a year changing the student body, subverting it from within. They had all loved and lost. They had been to their last trip to Hogsmeade for the year, shortly after they had finished their OWLS, making a clandestine trip to torture Pettigrew.
They had all taken part in it, although Harry had done the most. They may have all learnt spells they had wanted to practice on a live target, but it meant the most to Harry, really.
Now they sat on a comfortable sofa the room had provided, a growing stack of empty bottles growing as their feet as they contemplated the successes that lay ahead, and remembered fondly what they had achieved in the past year.
“It's going to be soon, isn't it?” Luna asked from the other side of Draco, and Harry nodded, before he remembered that she couldn't see that.
“Yes. This summer...you'll stay over at the Manor. And then we'll be summoned. We have more than proven ourselves, after all.”
“Good...” Luna said, and Harry was sure she had lain her head on Draco's shoulder, judging by the smirk he was now sporting. This was confirmed when he spoke up in the insufferably smug tones that still came so easily to him.
“Think I'd be the envy of the whole school if anyone else walked in here?”
“Sod off, Malfoy.” Harry snapped, reaching out for Malfoy's hand as he did so, gripping it tightly. “I don't share.”
“What, not even with-”
“No. No girls, Draco.” Harry said, fully aware of how drunk he sounded.
“Spoil sport.”
After a long moment, Luna spoke up again. “What about other guys?”
“Good thought, Luna.”
“No. It's not.”
Luna giggled, before rising to her feet in a remarkably stable manner that belied the number of bottles she'd added to the pile at their feet. “I should sleep, before I leave for the train. That way I'll be ready for the Ministry tricks at the station.”
The two of them murmured agreement, before being silenced as Luna didn't head for the door, instead pausing long enough to look at them with an odd expression on her face, before she kissed them both. Draco managed to look both stunned and smug, but Harry felt only perplexed and baffled as Luna turned and left without another word.
“That Luna- always full of surprises.” Draco said unnecessarily. Harry decided to shut him up before he started drunkenly rambling on and also put the expression on Luna's face- longing? Fear? Grief?- out of his mind by seizing the chance he had with Draco, while he was drunk enough to be able to write it off if he had to, but sober enough to remember.
He was pleasantly surprised when Draco returned the kiss with as much heat as he'd put in his. More pleasant surprises followed through the rest of the night, one at a time, each building on the other, until much later, when they hastily returned to their dorms, so questions could be avoided come the morning.
--
Harry walked into the clearing, part of him still wishing he had his wand in hand, his grasp firm enough that his knuckles would turn white. But the sound of footsteps behind him emboldened him- he couldn't back out now. Not now. Not if he was going to emerge from his unscathed. Victorious, with them at his side.
From the other side, stick thin and swathed in robes, a figure only half real stepped into the clearing. No wand clutched in it's hand, but no fear crossed it's features, only triumph and power.
“Potter.” It hissed in greeting, and Harry bowed in reply.
“Lord Voldemort.”
“You and I have clashed, many times in your life. But I hear of your...changing attitudes.” Voldemort said, slowly approaching Harry. “Heard it from some the children of my loyal followers- but not from all.”
“I am the child of two members of the Order- it would be foolish for me to declare such a change. My allegiances hidden, I can do so much more.”
“You are cunning- as was our founder.” Voldemort said with an approving hiss. “But why come to me? Let me hear your reasons from your own tongue.”
“I have no love for Muggles. And I have seen the foolishness of the Ministry first hand- they have no place governing our affairs- they need to be replaced by someone who knows what power is.”
“And who is that?”
“You- with me at your side.”
“Very good, boy...” Voldemort said, his voice filling with triumphant tones. “Together, we shall subvert the prophecy- we shall show that we are not the pawns of mad seers and prophets. We forge our own destiny- for ourselves, and for this land.”
Voldemort lifted his gaze from Harry, and turned to look at his companions.
“And who else has come before me? Speak, and let your reasons be heard.”
“I come to pledge my name to your cause, as my father has before me. In the name of purity, and of power in the hands of those who deserve it.” Draco said, his voice the tone of one reciting from a passage from an un-memorised book.
“I come to rid us of the Ministry, of their corruption and oppression. I come for my comrades, my friends, my brothers.” Luna said, her tone the same calm one she used, even when discussing the objects of her intense, blazing paranoia.
“And shall the three of you bear my Mark, and obey my every command?” Voldemort asked of them.
“We shall.”
“And shall you know me as your Lord and Master?”
“We shall.”
“Then come...and take your mark of devotion to me.”
Harry knelt before the half real figure, pulling up the left sleeve of his robes and baring his forearm, holding it upright as Voldemort drew his wand from the folds of his robes, and slowly lowered it to the bare, unmarked flesh.
“Morsmorde.”
The word was hissed, and Harry bit down as he felt pain sear his arm, as he heard the sizzling of his flesh being seared, and trying to resist the urge to gag as the stench assailed him, as his body jerked in a spasm of pain.
“Rise, my Eater of Death.”
“My Lord.” Harry said reverently, as he rose to his feet, fighting the impulse to sway as best he could.
He stepped back, keeping the sleeve of his robe hitched up, not wanting to let it rest on the still burning flesh, Draco stepping up to take his place.
He watched as Draco took the mark, only the slight twitching of lips giving him away as his flesh was burnt, the smell of scorched flesh reaching Harry easily.By the time Luna had taken the Mark, her lip bleeding as she bit into it, Harry was nauseous, fighting the urge to empty his stomach of the meagre contents form his last half eaten meal.
Voldemort surveyed the trio, his face twisted into a grotesque mask of gloating triumph. “Now, my loyal Death Eaters- you shall meet your brothers and sisters in this noble cause.”