Runaway Wizard 57
Fanfiction is being stubborn so this is only posted here for now. This is nearly the last chapter. I'm looking at two more chapters and an epilogue just now.
Title: Runaway Wizard
Chapter: 57
Rating: Mature
Disclaimer: Except for the few original characters, all characters in this story are the property of J. K. Rowlings, who has kindly allowed me to play with them.
Warnings: Probably a little of everything. Fighting, Living on the streets with everything that entails, Spanking, Bondage, Blood, Gore, Bad Language, and Pissy Snape.
Parings: H/D eventually
Beta: 50ftqueenie Brit picker: purpledodah
Banner code for RW
I've decided not to include the actual funeral service. I'm not good at that sort of thing so I'd have to draw on several religions to do anything and I don't feel that that is appropriate. So I'm not. You get a wake.
.
Lady Augusta was a bit surprised when Molly Weasley showed up, announcing, “Well, Arthur has refused to come, but he didn't object to me being here. So, what can I do?” Augusta had immediately put her in charge of planning the wake.
Molly had chuckled and said, “Not fit for public consumption?”
Augusta had sputtered indignantly, then snapped, “You're as respectable as I am, Molly Prewett Weasley, and you know it. It's just that you are so much better with food than I am. I'm a Hostess, idiot woman.”
Molly had understood the capital letter and nodded. “So you are. Any idea what sort of menu you want?”
They'd put their heads together and set up a menu and a schedule of duties that took the onus off Lucius, Severus or either of the boys. They all had other problems to deal with.
.
Lucius segregated himself in his quarters as did Draco. They wouldn't show themselves again until the funeral service. Harry stayed with Draco and Severus with Lucius.
Neville played 'fetch and carry' for Augusta, while Ron and Hermione shuttled between rooms, doing their best to comfort their friends and help Augusta and Molly.
The result was controlled chaos and funeral arrangements in less than a day.
Lady Augusta had made up the funeral list and given it to Lucius for approval. He'd glanced through it, added a name or two and removed a few, then handed it back to her. She didn't like the slightly stunned expression in his eyes but kept her peace at Severus' nod.
Draco spent part of the evening crying on Harry's shoulder. Harry did his best to comfort Draco, patting his back and making the sort of comforting noises he though appropriate. When Draco fell asleep, Harry put him to bed with a bit of help from Mimsey and Gerard. He crawled in behind him and held him all night.
Morning was miserable for everyone. Robes had to be found or fitted and arrangements made for people to come and go with relative ease. The duties of House could not be ignored but neither Draco nor Lucius was of a mind set to deal with it, so the duties devolved on others. Mainly Lady Augusta and Molly although Ron, Hermione and Neville did a great deal as well.
Finally the morning came. Harry found himself at the floo entry, greeting people he barely knew and probably didn't want to.
Hermione was set up in the main ballroom as a hostess. She was in charge of receiving all the mourning gifts and recording the contributor. Ron stood by to help her.
Molly stayed in the main dining room, overseeing the huge buffet and the attendant house elves.
Neville moved from his Gran to Lucius and Draco and back. Lady Augusta had set herself up as another hostess, in charge of what she called 'over sight'. In other words, if you didn't know that to do, you asked her. She also kept social rivals apart.
When he was called, Harry returned to their quarters to bring Draco back down for the short ceremony.
As they were returning to the public rooms, Harry over heard Severus and Lucius talking. Lucius had just said, “We need to draw him out into the open. You have any ideas?”
Severus replied, “A few, we'll have to discuss at least three with Harry and Draco.”
Harry just knocked on the doorframe and said, “You'll discuss them all with me. And with Draco.” He raised an eyebrow at Severus then glowered at Lucius. “Do not think you will get away with leaving me out of this.” The look in his eyes made Severus blink.
Draco just grunted and pulled Harry away.
Lucius glanced at Severus then sighed. “I really didn't want him involved.”
Severus snorted then snapped, “Lucius, he's been involved in this mess all his life. Don't insult him by trying to wrap him in cotton wool. Now, come on. We have to do the pretty, whether we like it or not.”
So they went downstairs and stood around in the main ballroom while people offered condolences, sincere and not so. Harry stayed at Draco's side and Severus at Lucius'.
Harry winced when Mad-Eye Moody stumped in, but Moody just bowed to Draco and growled, “Sorry for your loss.” Draco bowed back, thanked him then watched as he went away. He nodded to Lucius and Severus but didn't approach them. What he was doing here was anyone's guess.
There were several more scenes like that; someone Harry barely knew would come up, make some sort of polite observance of condolence and leave. Neither Draco nor Severus knew that Molly and Augusta were taking turns warning anyone they thought might make a scene.
At noon, Draco, Harry, Severus and Lucius took the small box of ash and disappeared into the depths of the house. They were watched by solemn, sorrowful eyes. Several of Draco and Harry's close friends followed them to the door then stood waiting for them to come back up.
They were only gone a half hour. They returned to the group red-eyed and stern faced. No one knew exactly what had gone on in the crypt and no one ever would. But all four of them were wearing Vendetta bracelets.
They had declared vendetta on Thomas Marvolo Riddle, Lord Voldemort over Narcissa's ashes.
Molly eyed Augusta and sighed, “That fool.”
“Lucius?” Augusta eyed Molly right back.
“No, You-Know ... blast it! V-Voldemort. He's a dead man walking.” She straightened her robes with a flick of her wand. “I'm for the buffet. You?”
“Me, also. I'm starved. Being nice to idiots does that to me.” They walked off together, well satisfied with the progress of the day.
.
Ron watched as the small family group settled in chairs around a small coffee table. He walked over to Lucius and nodded to him. “I remember when I was with you in France. I was all ready to get up on my Weasley pride and get snarky about the clothing. She told me to let you enjoy buying robes for me. She said Draco had too definite ideas to let you shop for him. She was right. And the robes do look very good on me.” He smoothed a hand down the lapel of his over robe. “I bet she was the one to make Draco go with me.” with that he started to turn the looked back over his shoulder. “Oh, and I'd appreciate getting a Vendetta of my own.”
Lucius smiled slightly. “Thank you for that memory. I'll see that Draco sends you one as soon as he can make it.”
And it went on for most of the afternoon. People came to the family with pleasant memories of Narcissa to tell them.
Mixed in with the near strangers, close friends gave their memories. Hermione and Neville both had a nice memory and asked for Vendetta. They got the same reply as Ron.
Finally, at about 6:00pm, Lucius rose, thanked everyone for attending and said that the family was retiring. He invited the remaining guests to stay for supper, then led the way up the stairs.
Molly sat at the right hand side of the head of the table while Augusta took the foot. Only about twenty people stayed for supper and they were a subdued group. They ate quickly and left quietly.
Augusta checked on all of them and made sure that Ron, Hermione and Neville were taken care of then left. Molly followed as soon as she was sure the kitchen, dining room and ballroom were clean.
.
Harry woke on Monday morning early and had to think for a moment to realize that he and Draco had to rush to get back to Hogwarts. He rolled over and shook Draco.
“Wake up. If we don't get going, we're going to be late.”
Draco just sighed, “I'm awake. If we make a mad dash, we could eat at Hogwarts.” He eased out of bed then groaned. “Why am I sore?”
Harry got up too, saying, “You've been as tense as a ... something really tense. Tomorrow we run. Then tai chi, yoga, meditation and a hard work out. We need to be up at five.”
“Ok. We're training then?” Draco stepped into the shower.
Harry followed him. “Yup. Hard. I think I know what Papa is up to. And we better be ready.”
Draco frowned as he shampooed Harry's hair. “What was Moody doing here?”
“I've thought about that. Same thing Lupin was doing. Making sure we weren't planning on doing anything stupid.”
Harry turned to rinse his hair. He and Draco jockeyed for position for a moment then Draco kissed Harry and guided him into position. “Stand still.”
“Sorry. I don't think we're planning anything stupid. Are we?”
Draco laughed in a way that denied mirth. “We're planning on making Tommy boy do something stupid. I'm not sure what yet, but Father had that look in his eye.”
“What look?” Harry shifted to open the shower door and snag two towels, one for himself and one for Draco.
“The look you get when you're pissed and planning something nasty.”
“Mmmm. That one.” Harry just finished drying his hair and went to get dressed.
Draco followed, braiding his hair. It wasn't long enough to braid more than two twists but he'd been growing it, with Lucius' permission. Braiding it kept it from flopping in his eyes at the wrong time and he refused to cut it short.
Harry was just finishing up braiding his hair with help from Mimsey. She used a drying charm on it then braided it, finishing off with a silver clasp.
“There. You is done. Now. Dressing.” Mimsey pointed to a pile of clothing on the foot of the bed. “Master Harry.” She pointed to another. “Master Draco.” then she just left.
Draco watched her pop away. “She's in a huff.”
Harry started putting on his dragon hide trousers. “Apparently below stairs is in a mess. Molly let the kitchen elves get away with a sloppy job and Cook is in a temper. I heard them talking under the windows.” Draco gave him a blank look. “You were still asleep. Cook is making the whole household help her disassemble everything and scrub it. At the top of her lungs. I think I'm glad we decided to return to Hogwarts for breakfast. Finish dressing and let's get out of here before we get put to work.”
Draco dressed as quickly as Harry did.
They were both wearing dragon hide; boots, trousers, vest and cloak. Their cloaks were lined Harry's in green and Draco's in sapphire blue.
They were also armed; wand, of course, or in Harry's case the staff. Draco carried his Christmas knives and a short sword. Harry carried a sword and targ, the sword belted to his waist and the targ slung over his back. Harry was also wearing heavy steel bracelets, worn as bracers but available metal to make throwing pins or anything else he could think of.
Their shirts matched the lining of their cloaks and all their buckles were silver. They looked like they were ready to start, and end, a fight at the drop of an insult.
They tromped down the stairs, their boot heels clicking on the marble.
Lucius and Severus greeted them at the bottom. Lucius handed Draco three plain gold bracelets. “These are for Ron, Hermione and Neville.” He looked the two over. “You look good. Remain calm, control your sorrow. Remember that you are both Malfoys with all that that means.”
Draco just nodded, but Harry said softly, “Yes, sir, I'll remember. No outbursts.”
“Exactly.” Lucius patted them both on their shoulder then stepped back.
Harry couldn't hold back a smirk. “You look rather ... martial. Very nice.”
Lucius and Severus were wearing clothing much like Harry and Draco's except that they both wore open fronted battle robes instead of cloaks. Lucius' robes were lined in light grey tussah silk while Severus' were lined in black satin.
“You'll wear your robes.” Severus nodded to an elf, who sidled closer. “Send for their robes.”
The elf disappeared and returned with Gerard and Mimsey who both had their arms full of robes.
“Master Lucius, Headmaster Dumbleydore is saying they is not to wear battle robes unless they is duelling.” Gerard blinked once.
“I don't care what that senile old fool said, they will be wearing full gear.”
Harry just shrugged, took off his cloak, put on his robes and put his cloak back on. Draco didn't argue either.
Lucius tossed a handful of floo powder into the fire and barked, “Hogwarts Great Hall!”
Severus stepped into the resultant gush of green flames, followed quickly by Draco then Harry.
They stepped out of the huge fireplace behind the Slytherin table, one by one.
Harry and Draco flanked Severus. Severus clapped his hands then nodded at Minerva. She used her wand to create a loud bang. Everyone in the hall was already looking at the trio so silence was easily obtained.
Severus declared in his best classroom baritone. “We, the families Black, Malfoy, Potter, and Snape declare Vendetta upon the house of Riddle and all his adherents, known and unknown. We will wreak havoc upon them body and soul, blood and bone, unto the last man and woman. Mercy will only be granted to underage children and proven non-combatants. It is spoken, so it will be.”
Draco and Harry both shouted, “So mote it be!”
Severus then strode to his place at the high table while Harry and Draco went to sit with the Gryffindors.
As Severus settled into his place at the end of the table, Professor McGonagall stood. “Everyone! Before we return to our food, there's another announcement to be made. I'm sorry to say that Headmaster Dumbledore will not be returning to Hogwarts. He is not in good health and is retiring to his home. I will be Headmistress for the remainder of the year. Then someone will be appointed by the Board of Governors as a permanent replacement. Thank you. That is all.” She sat back down and picked up her cup of tea with a hand that barely trembled at all.
Severus looked at her for a moment then said softly, “I take it that the tests were positive?”
“Yes, he is in second stage. Well past when he should have retired.” She sighed.
“He is rather old, you know.”
“I do. But ... I'm not sure I'm up to the jobs. I'm still going to have to teach and be Head of House for Gryffindor. I don't know how he did it.” She sipped her tea, frowning worriedly.
“He didn't do that good a job, actually. He never learned to delegate. I'd suggest that you inform the seventh year prefects to keep an eye on the common room. And get Madam Pomfrey to do most of your paperwork. She has the time and she'll know what to handle herself and what to pass on to you. Let me know if you need my help.” Severus returned to his bacon with a slight smirk.
“Thank you, Severus. You do have a way of putting everything into perspective.” Headmistress McGonagall returned to her breakfast in a much better frame of mind.
.
Harry settled beside Ron and took the platter of bacon right out of his hand.
“Hey! I'm not done with that.” but Ron grinned at Harry.
“Yes, you are. I'm hungry ... and armed.” Harry grinned right back.
Hermione gave Draco a searching look but didn't say anything.
Draco looked right back, smirking a bit. He took one of the bracelets out of his robe and tapped it with his wand. “Vendetta.” It glowed a bit then reformed itself into a Vendetta bracelet. He did this twice more then handed one each to Ron, Hermione and Neville.
Neville put his on without comment while Ron just chuckled a bit. Hermione put hers on, shaking her head.
They all ignored the stares of the other students although Harry did roll his eyes at one girl and glare at Collin Creevey. The girl was gazing at Draco with adoration written across her face. Collin was taking pictures with a flash and Harry had multi-coloured blobs dancing across his vision.
Finally Ron got up and took the camera out of Collin's hands. “That's enough. Take your camera and go develop what you've got. We'll see them before you do anything else with them. Got me?” Ron glowered at Collin with amazing fierceness and Collin nodded vigorously before scurrying out the door.
Harry grinned at Ron then said, “Come on. Ron, start wearing your duelling robes. Here.” Harry handed Ron his sword and targ. “I don't want to see you without those. Sleep with them.”
Ron just nodded. “Ok.”
Hermione held out her hands for her weapons, remarking, “Tell Professor Snape I'll be a bit late. I have to change my robes.”
Neville took his weapons without comment, following Hermione out the door with Ron on his heels.
Draco looked after them. “You think they'll be late?”
Harry considered that for a moment then snapped, “Dobby!” The elf popped in. “Go help Ron and Neville with their duelling robes. Hermione will need help to, find a female elf to help her.”
Dobby nodded, said, “Reports is being on your desk in your rooms.” and left again.
Harry whimpered a bit but gamely told Draco, “Remind me to read those before Friday.”
Draco just tugged on his sleeve to get him going, saying, “Ok. Come on, we'll be late telling Severus that the others will be late.”
Harry shook his head at that but kept up with Draco, robes and cloak billowing behind him.
.
Severus Snape was a formidable looking man. He was over six feet tall, 6'6” in his boots, with a stern visage and piercing black eyes. Now, dressed in battle robes, he was downright terrifying. A sixth year Hufflepuff burst into tears as he walked by her in the corridor. He sneered at her and swept on.
He nearly laughed when he overheard Harry say, “I don't care. I'll fucking crush him like a bloody bug. He made you cry and that is not allowed. Now, Snape is here.”
Severus flicked his wand and the doors to the Potions Lab slammed open.
“Today, we will be brewing Liquid Fire potion. Can anyone tell me what it is used for?” He flicked his gaze from face to face impatiently. “No? Well. It was in the chapter I assigned for today’s reading.”
Hermione, who had given up holding up her hand when Professor Flitwick had explained that they all knew she knew the answer and her frantically waiving hand discouraged others, nodded to him and waited.
Professor Snape sighed then nodded back. “Miss Granger? As if I didn't know that you've read it all and several other sources.” He glowered around. “You all might take a page from Miss Grangers copy book. Read, remember. There is a war coming and we're all right in the middle of it. So. Liquid Fire potion.”
Hermione just sighed. “It's Wizarding Napalm. It burns anything not metal or hard rock. Oh, or glass.”
“Very good. Napalm?” he shook his head. “Never mind. I would like you to write up everything you know about that and give it to me. Now.” he turned to the black board and the formula appeared. “This is very volatile so I will not like any pranking. If I so much as suspect you're thinking about any sort of foolishness, you will regret it. Your children will regret it. Do I make myself clear.”
Harry barked, “Perfectly, sir.”
Severus gave him a tight smile. “Well? Get too it.”
Everyone scrambled for ingredients.
Severus stalked the room like a Fury keeping an eye on every cauldron. “A fail for the day, Mr. Langly. That was three seconds from blowing up. Get out.” The boy, a Ravenclaw, gathered his things and left quietly.
By the end of the four hour class half of it was gone. They got a fail for the day and had to write 18 inches on where they'd gone wrong.
This was one thing that Severus had changed in his teaching, he'd stopped demanding long essays when Hermione had asked why he went for quantity instead of quality. Now, you'd better get your facts straight quickly and properly. Or else. Most essays still looked like they were bleeding.
In Transfiguration class McGonagall just started on transfiguring common items into weapons. Her lecture was simple, don't try to transfigure something small into something big, use like materials if they're available, but above all, Don't die. She spent the rest of the two hour class demonstrating what she was talking about. She told them that the next class they would practice what she'd demonstrated.
Charms was also interesting. Professor Flitwick proved that he really was a Past Master at duelling. He just handed out a sheet of parchment with a rather long list of charms, hexes and curses on it. He told them that everyone in his classes would either know them all or be confined to Hogwarts until they did. He also asked Harry for a copy of The March of Cambreadth. Harry just gave him a copy of the sheet music without comment.
As Harry and Draco walked through the school various students offered quiet condolences which were accepted with dignity.
On Friday they decided to eat lunch in their quarters and sent Dobby to invite Ron, Hermione and Neville to dine with them. He popped out and returned quickly with a huge tray of food and told them that their friends would be down shortly.
Harry sighed and took a cup of tea from Draco. “Well, things are looking up. With Dumbledore gone McGonagall has ... gotten her head out of her arse. Things are starting to jell. Thank Merlin.” He sighed. “Has Papa said anything about his plans yet?”
“No.” Draco eyed the food hungrily but waited, it would be intolerably rude to start without the others. “Why did you have that sheet music?”
Harry grinned. “Professor Flitwick asked me for it right after he heard it. I forgot about it for a long time, but Mimsey reminded me. It took a while to find it. In fact, I had to have it written out by a specialist. Wonder what he's going to do with it?”
Draco thought for a moment. “Well, maybe he wants the choir to learn it for some reason. We do have one, you know. But Dumbledore never made much use of it. Just at the leaving feast and most everyone is already stuffed and sneaking out when they come out. Shame too, they're really fairly good.” He brightened at a knock on the door.
“Hello. We're just coming on in, don't bother to getup.” Hermione stuck her head in the door then just walked in.
Neither Draco nor Harry objected to this. In the wizarding world it was considered very rude to just walk into someone's home without knocking, even family. Here at Hogwarts, however, things were a bit different, students could and did just wander in and out of each other's rooms.
Draco occupied himself with handing out plates and cutlery, saying, “Help yourselves. You're last Ron.”
Ron looked indignant. “Hey! I resemble that.”
Harry just chuckled and poked him.
They ate in silence, quietly content to just be for a while.
When they were finished, Neville brought up the question that they all needed answered. “Ok, what does Lucius have planned. I really want to kill Tommy boy hard.”
“I know, but ... prophesy says I'm the one. Sucks, but there you are. We have to get me close to him. We need to find out how many minions he has left. Not canon fodder, real fighters.”
Draco sucked on a finger for a moment. “I think that's what Father is working on now. There's no sense in going off half cocked, it'll just get people killed. People that don't deserve it. So ... for now, we keep our heads down, do our work, keep training and wait.”
Ron nodded. “I'd really love to pick his brains, but he won't tell anyone anything until he's sure. Unlike Dumbledore who never told anyone anything for any reason. Idiot. There's lost intel out there that we really need to know.” He sipped his tea for a moment. “Well, no sense in beating a dead horse. We'll just have to suck it up and deal.”
Hermione pulled a roll of parchment out of her bag. “I really hate using parchment. It's ... just messy. I really would rather use a biro and regular paper.”
Harry leaned over to get another sandwich. “What are you working on?”
“Napalm.” Hermione made a face, her quill wasn't taking ink properly because she hadn't cleaned it before she put it away.
Harry decided abruptly to be an instigator. “Well, just use the damn biro and paper then. It's not like it's class work. Need any help?”
Hermione shook her head. “I need to get some books, that's what I'm doing now, making my outline. I'll order them from that little place down Shortway. I can borrow Hedwig? Right?”
Harry nodded. “Sure.” He settled back to lean against Draco. “I miss Aspis. But he won't wake up again until late April or early May.”
Draco just patted his leg. “It's ok. He's fine.”
Harry grumbled a bit then turned to training. “We're in good shape, great actually. We need to concentrate more on combat techniques and less on conditioning. Less running, more fighting. And we need to establish a routine, train until each one of us takes their role in the fight without thought. Ron, you and Hermione...” Harry nodded at her. “are one team. Draco, you and Neville are another.” Draco started to object but Harry held up his hand to stop him. “No, Draco. I have to get to Tommy quickly. Hopefully he'll get caught up in trying to kill me and forget to direct his troupes. I'd like to make sure that Severus and Lucius workout together, but ...” He stopped to think for a moment then shrugged. “They're grown men, they can take care of themselves.”
Ron nodded while both Hermione and Neville looked worried. Draco sneered genially at them both.
“Stop it. Harry's right. Father is grown up and perfectly capable of taking care of himself ... and us. Much better than Dumbledore would ever be. Now ... Has anyone read the charms list?”
Ron just groaned then said, “Yes. Hermione, copy this ...” Hermione just handed him a sheet of paper. “Oh, thanks. What do we do with this?”
Hermione sneered at him, then said loftily, “Check off the ones you already know. Tick it if you know it well, X it if you know it but not well. Leave it blank if you don't know it. Do it now and give them back to me. I'll make up a list and pair us all off for each spell. Someone who knows it with someone who doesn't. Hopefully, there won't be all that many we don't know.”
So they all settled down to work on their lists. After giving them to Hermione they worked on homework.
They went on in this fashion for three weeks, working out hard on combat techniques under the supervision of Snape and Flitwick and transfiguration with McGonagall. Lucius kept them in the loop with his plans. The Order of the Phoenix, or The Flaming Chicken Idiots as Harry called them, sent Kingsley Shacklebolt and Alastor Moody to work out with them too.
Moody turned out to be just as nuts as everyone said he was. But he was a good combat teacher, despite the lack of a leg. Harry grumbled about his paranoia, then beat the crap out of him at hand to hand. Moody just laughed and said Harry still had a few things to work on.
He also admitted that he really wouldn't like to be on the wrong side of any of them. Especially Neville and Hermione. He ended by saying sagely, “It's the quiet ones and the smart ones that can really fuck you up. The smart ones will run rings around you, and the quiet ones will kill you while you're trying to figure out whether they're even mad or not.”
Shacklebolt spent their time together teaching Auror level spells, since it turned out that they all knew all the spells on Flitwick's list. He was a bit annoyed that the whole group seemed to know a great deal more about dark arts than he was comfortable with. He and Harry actually had a bit of a confrontation about it. Harry ended the whole argument by snapping, “Well, since I'm the poor fool who has to do the dirty deed, I'll do it my way or the whole lot of you can go to hell. You go kill him, if you're so damn smart.”
Moody just snickered and remarked, “Boy's right. All this shite about allowing them to see the error of their ways came from Dumbledore and we all know he's gone childish. So ... learn all that from Malfoy?”
Harry nodded. “Yes, and Severus. Professor Flitwick taught me a couple of real nasties. But ...” he glanced at Draco who nodded. “I also learned some real nasty stuff from Merlin's book. And I know the difference between dark arts and dark intent. So get over yourselves and either help or go away.”
Moody laughed even harder. “Got Merlin's book, you say?”
Harry just shrugged. “I got it. Never you mind how, not your business. But, if you swear a Wizard's Oath not to tell, I'll show you something.”
Draco smirked, adding, “We ought to invite Minerva and Fillius in on this. I think they have a right to know.”
Harry agreed so they got the two professors down to the training room in the dungeons that McGonagall had set up. It was better than their old one as the walls were covered with protective charms and the door couldn't be opened without knocking first.
A sharp knock let them know that their other trainers had arrived. Draco let them in then returned to Harry's side.
“Ok, Potter, show us your secret.” Moody and Shacklebolt both looked at Harry.
Ron just shook his head. “Swear first.”
The two Order members exchanged 'humour him' looks and promised. Professor Flitwick looked annoyed then announced, “That won't do. I do believe Harry wants a Wizarding Oath. Which I will gladly give.”
Headmistress McGonagall held up her wand and gave her oath, as did Professor Flitwick. Their oaths were both acknowledged by a brilliant flash of gold at their wand tip.
Hermione pinned Moody with a frosty glare that she'd copied from Snape. “We're waiting.”
Shacklebolt started to refuse, they could all see that, but Moody glared at him murderously and he swore. The ball of gold was very small but the oath was fixed. Moody swore and got a ball the size of a football.
Harry nodded. “Shacklebolt, that oath sphere was very small, I'm not sure I'm really confident in that oath. But ...” He looked directly into Moody's real eye. “I'll trust you, for now. Do understand that, if you break your oath, I'll break you. We clear?”
Kingsley Shacklebolt was suddenly well aware that Harry had changed dramatically from the boy he knew. He was harder, colder and much more in control of himself. He was also much better at hiding things. His face smoothed over and he offered the rest of the room a slightly apologetic smile.
“Ok, lets get to what you're all here for.” Harry took his wand out of his holster, demonstrating how it worked and waved it. “I don't think you'll realize what you're looking at.” He smirked happily, he was going to love this.
He enlarged the wand into a staff and jumped Ron from behind with a yell of, “CONSTANT VIGILANCE!” Ron yelped and shot a hex back. From there on, it was chaos as Harry battled his friends using the staff and the mildest forms of the Irish spells he knew.
Flitwick actually hopped up and down, clapping his hands. McGonagall blinked owlishly at Harry's use of transfiguration to produce blunt throwing pins, while Moody analyzed Harry’s magic with his eye. Shacklebolt just whimpered softly at Harry's power.
The combat was over when Neville got in a proper Jelly Legs at Harry and tripped him. Hermione promptly jumped on him and started tickling him. Ron grabbed his kicking legs and sat on them, pinning him down.
Moody yelled, “Enough! Get up!” which they did, with Draco pouting because he hadn't had a chance to join in. “I'm impressed, Potter. All Irish? The staff won't respond to anything else?”
Harry nodded as he reduced the staff and tucked it away. “And no one else can touch it now. When I first got it, everyone handled it a bit. But it wasn't long before no one could touch it without getting zapped. Now, explain to me how some of these spells got declared dark.” Harry pulled a list out of a pocket and handed it to Moody. “All any of the professors know is, the Ministry says so.”
Moody glanced down the list. “Give me a quill, boy.” Harry handed him a pencil instead. “Pencil?” Moody fingered the paper with some curiosity. “Hmmm.” He checked several spells on the list then grumbled while he wracked his brains trying to translate the Irish into English or Latin. “The spells I've ticked are all blood based which the Ministry, in its infinite wisdom, has declared dark.” the sarcasm dripped off that last sentence.
Harry nodded. “Yeah, fine. But that's only true if the blood is unwillingly given. Otherwise, it's either donated willingly or the casters own. The others?” Harry handed the list back.
Shacklebolt took the list from Moody and glanced over it. “They're all considered too powerful for ordinary wizards so they're on the 'dark' list. Which only got called that at the start of the Grindelwald war.” He paced, thinking. “I really ... I want to go to the Ministry and do some research. I won't tell anyone anything, but I have a few concerns that I need to check up on.”
Harry just waved him away. “Fine. As long as you don't endanger our plans, I don't care.”
Shacklebolt came back much later that evening and visited Harry and Draco in their quarters. He admitted that he'd only made the oath because everyone expected it of him and had planned to tell someone about what was going on. He also said that, while he was convinced their idea was outrageous even though he wasn't sure what it was, he wouldn't interfere with it. Or help. He left after promising to keep quiet.
Draco rolled his head back and forth on the back of the couch. “Well, Shacklebolt is a lost cause. I wonder how many members of the Order will back us up and how many will fuck us up.”
“No idea. I just hope Papa doesn't do something monumentally stupid.” Harry rubbed Draco's shoulder. “How are you doing?”
“Ok. I guess. I've stopped feeling like bursting into tears every second.” Harry patted him. “It's only every other now.”
“I'm so sorry. I wouldn't have thought she'd ever get ... I mean ... she was one of Tommy's, right?” Harry sounded so baffled that Draco just sighed.
“Tom knows no loyalty, except to him. He has none of his own. She was a way to punish Father and me, nothing more. That's what I realized and why I would not serve him.” He sighed then turned to smile at Harry. “Besides, you're much prettier than he is.”
Harry laughed and kissed him. “I'd love to do more.”
Draco snarled wordlessly and flounced on the couch. “I'm sure Dumbledore knew exactly what would happen once we settled in again.” They were both angry with Hogwarts and Dumbledore. It seemed that there was a curse or hex or something that kept them from doing more than making out. They could sleep together, wank if they wanted but any true intercourse was impossible.
Needless to say, they were both not real happy.
.
Headmistress McGonagall watched as the student body hurried down the corridor, her presence causing an eddy much like a rock in a stream. None of them knew that she was wearing spell resistant robes and carrying a gladuis. She knew the war was beginning, the death by torture of Narcissa Black Malfoy had insured that.
She remembered when Lucius had been a smiling boy, arrogant as all Malfoys were, but generous to his friends and fairly tolerant of muggles, muggle-born and squibs. She also remembered Abraxus. She had gone to Hogwarts with him and never liked the cruel, cold-hearted; she censored her thoughts as inappropriate to her station.
Harry had relieved her mind quite a bit. He still had rough edges but they were mostly due to a lack of variety in his opponents. She, as the new head of the Order Of the Phoenix, would see to it that he had plenty of new opponents, if Voldemort gave them time.
She had a definite difference in her attitude to Harry's training. She thought it was wise to give him all the training he needed, childhood be damned. He was much better off with less childhood and more life.
She decided to leave the martial arts teaching to Moody, who would also be able to provide proper sparing partners for all.
.
Lord Voldemort sat in his chair and gloated. He'd shown House Malfoy that he was their master, that he would give and he would take away. He as very satisfied with himself and let everyone know it.
He thought it right that Avery be rewarded, so he gave him some money and a few trinkets. Avery was suitably awed and impressed.
Pettigrew hadn't returned yet, but that was fine. The man was a whimpering mess anyway. Voldemort thought he might chose a new favourite. But he did so enjoy Peter's screams. Maybe he should pick a new favourite and just keep Pettigrew as a pet. Make him stay as a rat, and keep him in a pocket. It was an idea.
.
Lucius sat in his library and wrote a letter. It was to Avery, and he'd had to address it to Mr. Avery. He was furious enough that he wasn't going to use the man's first name ever again. And he was glad that the man's son was in France for the foreseeable future. But Mrs Avery was on his 'list' as well.
He decided to deal with her first.
You'd think that, as a pureblood and a traditionalist, Lucius would honour women. It wasn't so. He viewed women as warriors if they comported themselves as such. Or traitors. Mrs. Avery was a traitor to his family and he was going to extract vengeance. For himself, Draco and Harry. He had hoped that Narcissa would eventually soften in her views and return to his side. Now that was impossible, and he was pissed.
He summoned an owl, and spent a bit of time giving the bird treats and petting it. Then he sent it on its way.
When Mrs. Avery came to tea, he greeted her coldly. He even had to ask her her first name, which turned out to be Helen.
He observed all the niceties, asking after Avery and her health, remarking that the weather was turning remarkably mild for the time of year. Helen drank her tea, after casting a not so surreptitious spell on it. He smirked into his cup. He wasn't about to poison her - just yet.
Finally, as sweat was beginning to darken the area of her top beneath her arms, most unattractively he thought, he remarked, “You know that I am quite put out with you, do you not?”
“Excuse me?” Helen couldn't control her stammer but did manage to put down her cup without it rattling in the saucer. “I'm sure I don't know what you're talking about.”
“Oh, but you do. Narcissa was last seen, alive, at your Christmas Ball. The last time she was seen at all was at Hogwarts. As an inferi. I am not happy. When you get home...” He was amused to see her heave a sigh of relief. “Oh, yes, you will be going home. And all in one piece. I do so love watching people squirm. It adds to the thrill, you see.” He put down his cup. “Not all tortures are physical. I shall be dropping by from time to time. Too bad you don't have any children at home. Oh, and tell Tommy boy that I am seriously thinking of buying a derelict mansion to give to Harry for his majority. Riddle Manor. Quite run down, a nearly total wreck. Ask him why he is such a poor property owner.” Lucius gave Helen a smile that would have frightened a shark. “Now. Why don't you run along and tell Avery that I will have his head. Sooner or later. Go visit Umbridge. She is an interesting person.” His smile turned truly nasty. “Tell your lord that he has made a great mistake.” He stood and watched as Mrs Avery made her way out of the room. She was well aware of the insult offered by being escorted to the floo by a very young house elf.
She didn't put the hints together until she and her husband were analyzing everything for the third time. When she did, she just gasped, “Oh, Merlin. The only Riddle I can remember hearing of is that Thomas Riddle from Little Haggelton, North Yorkshire that Merope Gaunt ran off with. She was never heard of again but he showed up home claiming to have been duped somehow. You don't ...”
Avery turned the colour of clabbered milk and hushed her quickly. Then he locked himself in his study and spent the rest of the afternoon dispatching every owl they owned.
.
Lucius smiled to himself, swallowed the antidote and had another cup of tea. Avery was going to watch his wife die, slowly. Severus walked in to sit beside him.
“Is she gone already?” It was very unusual for tea to last less than an hour, but Helen Avery had only been at Malfoy Manor about 45 minutes.
“I found that I could not bear her presence. She is an insipid cow.” He scowled at a plate of cakes.
“But then Avery is an idiot and just as insipid.” Severus took a cake. “Stop scowling like that, those poor cakes have done nothing to offend you so.”
Lucius put the plate down. “But they were in her presence. She might even have touched one with her glance.” Lucius frankly pouted.
“Well, then, we must take our just revenge and eat them all.” Severus finished off the cake and took another.
Lucius also took one, contemplated it for a moment then ate it. “I do hope Lord Moldyshorts has an aneurysm or something. Killing my wife is completely beyond the pale. I have to admit that I am ... furious. And offended.”
Severus shook his head, making a lock of hair brush against his cheek. “I'll admit to a bit of disappointment. You would think he would manage something a bit more ... imaginative ... and subtle.”
“Yes, you would think so. But then, he is common as a mud fence, isn't he? I do thank you for that poison by the way. And the antidote.” He paused for a moment. “Severus ... did you forget to mention any side effects?”
Severus smirked. “One ... but then it is easily taken care of.”
Lucius gave his friend a sultry look. “Then perhaps we should ... retreat?”
“Indeed.”
What they got up to next made all the house elves blush.
.
The Ministry, in its wisdom, chose to ignore the report of an inferi in Hogwarts. The DMLE turned a blind eye to Lucius' goings on. In fact, he was subtly encouraged. If he asked for information, he got it. The fact that gold exchanged hands was ignored.
Lucius spent a great deal of time in his study, thinking and planning. He also sent owls all over, collecting information, offering bribes and rewards and doing deals of all sorts. This on top of keeping the Malfoy, Potter and Black interests in hand.
He was up to his ears in work, but when Minerva McGonagall contacted him, he went at once.
“Madam McGonagall, how may I help you?” Lucius flicked his wand to remove soot from his robes and nodded to Fawkes. He settled in a chair and waited.
He didn't have long to do that as Minerva just handed him a sheet of parchment. Closely written lines covered it. “That is a list of all the previous DA professors and what happened to them. As you know, the curse on the position has been removed, thanks to Harry. Your efforts are also greatly appreciated. Now ... frankly, I'm at my wits end. No one will take the position.”
Lucius looked at the list, it was very long, and some of the things that had happened to the professors were outrageous. “I don't understand exactly what I am to make of this.” He looked up and waited for the headmistress to enlighten him.
“I'm hoping that you will consent to take the position for the remainder of the year. The Ministry has declined to allow any of their Aurors to teach.” She gave him a bland look which he returned.
Lucius, who had been worried about leaving Harry and Draco on their own to train, just snorted inelegantly and said, “Minerva, you're actually going to ask a self-confessed, how-abet reformed, Death Eater to teach Defence Against the Dark Arts? Have you lost your mind?”
“No, I have not, thank you very much. And who better to teach than a practitioner. Now ... yes or no.”
Lucius considered how this might fit into his plans, and decided that it was more than convenient. “I'll do it. On two conditions.”
Minerva McGonagall was nobody's fool. “What are they?”
“No interference with my subject matter, and I get to use other professors as subjects. I do not agree with using students to demonstrate combat spells on.”
He waited only a moment before she agreed, “Fine. That is agreeable. Also, do you want quarters here, or would you prefer to return to Malfoy Manor every evening?”
He considered that offer carefully then sighed. He'd miss his tea. “I shall require rather extensive quarters, as I am sure that Draco and Harry will stay with me as much as they will stay in their quarters. I am also sure that Neville, Ron and Hermione will stay over as well. And, I need an office suitable to my station.” At the headmistresses glower he stated, “I still have the affairs of three families to oversee and papers to grade.”
“I see. I'll assign you to guest quarters then. They've not been used in at least a century but it won't take long to clean them. As to grading papers, have your sons help you. They're both capable of grading anything below fifth year. Use a cheat sheet.” At his raised eyebrow she explained, “Give multiple choice tests and supply your grader with a list that contains only the question number and the correct answer. But you will need to grade all essays yourself.”
Lucius stood and offered his hand across the desk. “Well, it seems we are in agreement. I'll be bringing my own elf of course. Expect me tomorrow morning. Breakfast, shall we say?”
Headmistress McGonagall stood and shook his hand. “Very well. Breakfast tomorrow. Send your elf to speak to the Hogwarts Headelf. His name is Pappy. He'll make all the arrangements you need. If your quarters do not suit in any way, let me know.”
Lucius bowed slightly, and left via floo to give Tuggy instructions on packing.
Tuggy took the news that they were going to live at Hogwarts with good grace. He didn't care where they lived as long as Lucius was happy. He remembered the bad old days when all Malfoys viewed elves as nothing more than useful nuisances. He packed up Lucius' wardrobe and his bed. Tuggy was well aware that Lucius was evil if he didn't have enough sleep. He also packed up an extensive list of books. It took him all of thirty minutes.
It took him another hour to get the quarters in shape, nearly half of it arguing with Pappy. That elf had a list of 'elveses cannot be doing that's' that left Tuggy ready to strangle him.
“Master Lucius, sir. Tuggy is being having troubles with Pappy of Hoggywartses.” Tuggy gave Lucius his best 'sorry elf' look and waited.
“Stop looking at me like that. Tell that elf I want to see him right now.” Lucius settled into a chair with a stern glower on his face.
It didn't take Tuggy long to return with Pappy.
Lucius looked at the elf for a moment then said in a silky voice, “You do know that I will be teaching, do you not?”
“Yes, master, you is to be teaching. But ... the rules...” Pappy twisted the hem of his tea towel in his hands.
“Yes, the rules. Do you have any idea why they are in place?” Lucius raised an eyebrow at the elf.
“No, master, Pappy only knows that Headmaster Dumbleydore said.” The elf looked even more worried.
“Headmaster Dumbledore is a sanctimonious old fart. I do not wish to hear his name again. My sons will be bringing three elves between them. I will be bringing one. They are to be accommodated, not interfered with. If they ask you to do something detrimental to Hogwarts, come to me. Otherwise ... we are preparing to fight a war, and do not have time for all this petty quibbling. Do you understand?”
Pappy blinked several times, then nodded. “Yes, master, Pappy is understanding.” He popped away under Tuggy's irritated glare.
Tuggy nodded once, then popped out to finish his work.
Lucius was contemplating nothing, meditation did sooth him and he found himself doing it more and more.
“Excusing me, sir, we is set up. Is you wanting to go now?” Tuggy waited for Lucius to make a decision.
“We will. I think I would like to join the other professors for supper. Inform Headmistress McGonagall.”
Tuggy popped out and into the heads office. McGonagall replied that Lucius was most welcome to join them. She also said that she would introduce him at the meal.
.
Draco immediately caught sight of his father and hissed softly. Harry glanced at the head table then asked, “Now why is Papa sitting at the professors table with that smug self-satisfied expression on his face?”
Hermione gasped, “Only professors sit at the head table.”
Ron scoffed, “Well, guests do too.”
Neville just smiled a bit and kept his silence, sometimes it was nice to be the quiet one, a person heard a great deal if no one paid much attention to one. He settled in a seat and happily waited for the revelation.
When she was sure everyone was in the Great Hall Headmistress McGonagall tapped her water goblet with her spoon. Everyone obediently turned to look at her. “Thank you. I have wonderful news for Hogwarts. One of our alumni has agreed to return for the rest of the year. So ... Students, I am very pleased to present you with our new Defence Against the Dark Arts professor Lucius Malfoy.”
Lucius stood. There was some polite clapping from most of the tables, but someone boo-ed. Ravenclaw table turned as one to look at the boy. Lucius just smirked at him.
“Well. That was lukewarm, at best. But ... I never expected to be liked. I prefer to be respected. So, detention tomorrow night for Mr. ...” Professor Malfoy turned to Headmistress McGonagall who provided the name. “Knighton. You will find that I take my professorial training from my good friend, your Potions Professor, Severus Snape.” He looked around again. “I am not someone to be trifled with.” He smiled pleasantly then finished, “I'm also hungry.”
Headmistress McGonagall gave the unfortunate Knighton a look that promised doom and misfortune then said, “Well, tuck in everyone.” and sat down to eat her own meal.
Harry smirked at Draco who smirked right back. Hermione and Ron both gave a silently laughing Neville dirty looks. Neville was just very pleased with himself, it wasn't that often that he stole a march on his friends and he was enjoying the feeling.
Title: Runaway Wizard
Chapter: 57
Rating: Mature
Disclaimer: Except for the few original characters, all characters in this story are the property of J. K. Rowlings, who has kindly allowed me to play with them.
Warnings: Probably a little of everything. Fighting, Living on the streets with everything that entails, Spanking, Bondage, Blood, Gore, Bad Language, and Pissy Snape.
Parings: H/D eventually
Beta: 50ftqueenie Brit picker: purpledodah
Banner code for RW
I've decided not to include the actual funeral service. I'm not good at that sort of thing so I'd have to draw on several religions to do anything and I don't feel that that is appropriate. So I'm not. You get a wake.
.
Lady Augusta was a bit surprised when Molly Weasley showed up, announcing, “Well, Arthur has refused to come, but he didn't object to me being here. So, what can I do?” Augusta had immediately put her in charge of planning the wake.
Molly had chuckled and said, “Not fit for public consumption?”
Augusta had sputtered indignantly, then snapped, “You're as respectable as I am, Molly Prewett Weasley, and you know it. It's just that you are so much better with food than I am. I'm a Hostess, idiot woman.”
Molly had understood the capital letter and nodded. “So you are. Any idea what sort of menu you want?”
They'd put their heads together and set up a menu and a schedule of duties that took the onus off Lucius, Severus or either of the boys. They all had other problems to deal with.
.
Lucius segregated himself in his quarters as did Draco. They wouldn't show themselves again until the funeral service. Harry stayed with Draco and Severus with Lucius.
Neville played 'fetch and carry' for Augusta, while Ron and Hermione shuttled between rooms, doing their best to comfort their friends and help Augusta and Molly.
The result was controlled chaos and funeral arrangements in less than a day.
Lady Augusta had made up the funeral list and given it to Lucius for approval. He'd glanced through it, added a name or two and removed a few, then handed it back to her. She didn't like the slightly stunned expression in his eyes but kept her peace at Severus' nod.
Draco spent part of the evening crying on Harry's shoulder. Harry did his best to comfort Draco, patting his back and making the sort of comforting noises he though appropriate. When Draco fell asleep, Harry put him to bed with a bit of help from Mimsey and Gerard. He crawled in behind him and held him all night.
Morning was miserable for everyone. Robes had to be found or fitted and arrangements made for people to come and go with relative ease. The duties of House could not be ignored but neither Draco nor Lucius was of a mind set to deal with it, so the duties devolved on others. Mainly Lady Augusta and Molly although Ron, Hermione and Neville did a great deal as well.
Finally the morning came. Harry found himself at the floo entry, greeting people he barely knew and probably didn't want to.
Hermione was set up in the main ballroom as a hostess. She was in charge of receiving all the mourning gifts and recording the contributor. Ron stood by to help her.
Molly stayed in the main dining room, overseeing the huge buffet and the attendant house elves.
Neville moved from his Gran to Lucius and Draco and back. Lady Augusta had set herself up as another hostess, in charge of what she called 'over sight'. In other words, if you didn't know that to do, you asked her. She also kept social rivals apart.
When he was called, Harry returned to their quarters to bring Draco back down for the short ceremony.
As they were returning to the public rooms, Harry over heard Severus and Lucius talking. Lucius had just said, “We need to draw him out into the open. You have any ideas?”
Severus replied, “A few, we'll have to discuss at least three with Harry and Draco.”
Harry just knocked on the doorframe and said, “You'll discuss them all with me. And with Draco.” He raised an eyebrow at Severus then glowered at Lucius. “Do not think you will get away with leaving me out of this.” The look in his eyes made Severus blink.
Draco just grunted and pulled Harry away.
Lucius glanced at Severus then sighed. “I really didn't want him involved.”
Severus snorted then snapped, “Lucius, he's been involved in this mess all his life. Don't insult him by trying to wrap him in cotton wool. Now, come on. We have to do the pretty, whether we like it or not.”
So they went downstairs and stood around in the main ballroom while people offered condolences, sincere and not so. Harry stayed at Draco's side and Severus at Lucius'.
Harry winced when Mad-Eye Moody stumped in, but Moody just bowed to Draco and growled, “Sorry for your loss.” Draco bowed back, thanked him then watched as he went away. He nodded to Lucius and Severus but didn't approach them. What he was doing here was anyone's guess.
There were several more scenes like that; someone Harry barely knew would come up, make some sort of polite observance of condolence and leave. Neither Draco nor Severus knew that Molly and Augusta were taking turns warning anyone they thought might make a scene.
At noon, Draco, Harry, Severus and Lucius took the small box of ash and disappeared into the depths of the house. They were watched by solemn, sorrowful eyes. Several of Draco and Harry's close friends followed them to the door then stood waiting for them to come back up.
They were only gone a half hour. They returned to the group red-eyed and stern faced. No one knew exactly what had gone on in the crypt and no one ever would. But all four of them were wearing Vendetta bracelets.
They had declared vendetta on Thomas Marvolo Riddle, Lord Voldemort over Narcissa's ashes.
Molly eyed Augusta and sighed, “That fool.”
“Lucius?” Augusta eyed Molly right back.
“No, You-Know ... blast it! V-Voldemort. He's a dead man walking.” She straightened her robes with a flick of her wand. “I'm for the buffet. You?”
“Me, also. I'm starved. Being nice to idiots does that to me.” They walked off together, well satisfied with the progress of the day.
.
Ron watched as the small family group settled in chairs around a small coffee table. He walked over to Lucius and nodded to him. “I remember when I was with you in France. I was all ready to get up on my Weasley pride and get snarky about the clothing. She told me to let you enjoy buying robes for me. She said Draco had too definite ideas to let you shop for him. She was right. And the robes do look very good on me.” He smoothed a hand down the lapel of his over robe. “I bet she was the one to make Draco go with me.” with that he started to turn the looked back over his shoulder. “Oh, and I'd appreciate getting a Vendetta of my own.”
Lucius smiled slightly. “Thank you for that memory. I'll see that Draco sends you one as soon as he can make it.”
And it went on for most of the afternoon. People came to the family with pleasant memories of Narcissa to tell them.
Mixed in with the near strangers, close friends gave their memories. Hermione and Neville both had a nice memory and asked for Vendetta. They got the same reply as Ron.
Finally, at about 6:00pm, Lucius rose, thanked everyone for attending and said that the family was retiring. He invited the remaining guests to stay for supper, then led the way up the stairs.
Molly sat at the right hand side of the head of the table while Augusta took the foot. Only about twenty people stayed for supper and they were a subdued group. They ate quickly and left quietly.
Augusta checked on all of them and made sure that Ron, Hermione and Neville were taken care of then left. Molly followed as soon as she was sure the kitchen, dining room and ballroom were clean.
.
Harry woke on Monday morning early and had to think for a moment to realize that he and Draco had to rush to get back to Hogwarts. He rolled over and shook Draco.
“Wake up. If we don't get going, we're going to be late.”
Draco just sighed, “I'm awake. If we make a mad dash, we could eat at Hogwarts.” He eased out of bed then groaned. “Why am I sore?”
Harry got up too, saying, “You've been as tense as a ... something really tense. Tomorrow we run. Then tai chi, yoga, meditation and a hard work out. We need to be up at five.”
“Ok. We're training then?” Draco stepped into the shower.
Harry followed him. “Yup. Hard. I think I know what Papa is up to. And we better be ready.”
Draco frowned as he shampooed Harry's hair. “What was Moody doing here?”
“I've thought about that. Same thing Lupin was doing. Making sure we weren't planning on doing anything stupid.”
Harry turned to rinse his hair. He and Draco jockeyed for position for a moment then Draco kissed Harry and guided him into position. “Stand still.”
“Sorry. I don't think we're planning anything stupid. Are we?”
Draco laughed in a way that denied mirth. “We're planning on making Tommy boy do something stupid. I'm not sure what yet, but Father had that look in his eye.”
“What look?” Harry shifted to open the shower door and snag two towels, one for himself and one for Draco.
“The look you get when you're pissed and planning something nasty.”
“Mmmm. That one.” Harry just finished drying his hair and went to get dressed.
Draco followed, braiding his hair. It wasn't long enough to braid more than two twists but he'd been growing it, with Lucius' permission. Braiding it kept it from flopping in his eyes at the wrong time and he refused to cut it short.
Harry was just finishing up braiding his hair with help from Mimsey. She used a drying charm on it then braided it, finishing off with a silver clasp.
“There. You is done. Now. Dressing.” Mimsey pointed to a pile of clothing on the foot of the bed. “Master Harry.” She pointed to another. “Master Draco.” then she just left.
Draco watched her pop away. “She's in a huff.”
Harry started putting on his dragon hide trousers. “Apparently below stairs is in a mess. Molly let the kitchen elves get away with a sloppy job and Cook is in a temper. I heard them talking under the windows.” Draco gave him a blank look. “You were still asleep. Cook is making the whole household help her disassemble everything and scrub it. At the top of her lungs. I think I'm glad we decided to return to Hogwarts for breakfast. Finish dressing and let's get out of here before we get put to work.”
Draco dressed as quickly as Harry did.
They were both wearing dragon hide; boots, trousers, vest and cloak. Their cloaks were lined Harry's in green and Draco's in sapphire blue.
They were also armed; wand, of course, or in Harry's case the staff. Draco carried his Christmas knives and a short sword. Harry carried a sword and targ, the sword belted to his waist and the targ slung over his back. Harry was also wearing heavy steel bracelets, worn as bracers but available metal to make throwing pins or anything else he could think of.
Their shirts matched the lining of their cloaks and all their buckles were silver. They looked like they were ready to start, and end, a fight at the drop of an insult.
They tromped down the stairs, their boot heels clicking on the marble.
Lucius and Severus greeted them at the bottom. Lucius handed Draco three plain gold bracelets. “These are for Ron, Hermione and Neville.” He looked the two over. “You look good. Remain calm, control your sorrow. Remember that you are both Malfoys with all that that means.”
Draco just nodded, but Harry said softly, “Yes, sir, I'll remember. No outbursts.”
“Exactly.” Lucius patted them both on their shoulder then stepped back.
Harry couldn't hold back a smirk. “You look rather ... martial. Very nice.”
Lucius and Severus were wearing clothing much like Harry and Draco's except that they both wore open fronted battle robes instead of cloaks. Lucius' robes were lined in light grey tussah silk while Severus' were lined in black satin.
“You'll wear your robes.” Severus nodded to an elf, who sidled closer. “Send for their robes.”
The elf disappeared and returned with Gerard and Mimsey who both had their arms full of robes.
“Master Lucius, Headmaster Dumbleydore is saying they is not to wear battle robes unless they is duelling.” Gerard blinked once.
“I don't care what that senile old fool said, they will be wearing full gear.”
Harry just shrugged, took off his cloak, put on his robes and put his cloak back on. Draco didn't argue either.
Lucius tossed a handful of floo powder into the fire and barked, “Hogwarts Great Hall!”
Severus stepped into the resultant gush of green flames, followed quickly by Draco then Harry.
They stepped out of the huge fireplace behind the Slytherin table, one by one.
Harry and Draco flanked Severus. Severus clapped his hands then nodded at Minerva. She used her wand to create a loud bang. Everyone in the hall was already looking at the trio so silence was easily obtained.
Severus declared in his best classroom baritone. “We, the families Black, Malfoy, Potter, and Snape declare Vendetta upon the house of Riddle and all his adherents, known and unknown. We will wreak havoc upon them body and soul, blood and bone, unto the last man and woman. Mercy will only be granted to underage children and proven non-combatants. It is spoken, so it will be.”
Draco and Harry both shouted, “So mote it be!”
Severus then strode to his place at the high table while Harry and Draco went to sit with the Gryffindors.
As Severus settled into his place at the end of the table, Professor McGonagall stood. “Everyone! Before we return to our food, there's another announcement to be made. I'm sorry to say that Headmaster Dumbledore will not be returning to Hogwarts. He is not in good health and is retiring to his home. I will be Headmistress for the remainder of the year. Then someone will be appointed by the Board of Governors as a permanent replacement. Thank you. That is all.” She sat back down and picked up her cup of tea with a hand that barely trembled at all.
Severus looked at her for a moment then said softly, “I take it that the tests were positive?”
“Yes, he is in second stage. Well past when he should have retired.” She sighed.
“He is rather old, you know.”
“I do. But ... I'm not sure I'm up to the jobs. I'm still going to have to teach and be Head of House for Gryffindor. I don't know how he did it.” She sipped her tea, frowning worriedly.
“He didn't do that good a job, actually. He never learned to delegate. I'd suggest that you inform the seventh year prefects to keep an eye on the common room. And get Madam Pomfrey to do most of your paperwork. She has the time and she'll know what to handle herself and what to pass on to you. Let me know if you need my help.” Severus returned to his bacon with a slight smirk.
“Thank you, Severus. You do have a way of putting everything into perspective.” Headmistress McGonagall returned to her breakfast in a much better frame of mind.
.
Harry settled beside Ron and took the platter of bacon right out of his hand.
“Hey! I'm not done with that.” but Ron grinned at Harry.
“Yes, you are. I'm hungry ... and armed.” Harry grinned right back.
Hermione gave Draco a searching look but didn't say anything.
Draco looked right back, smirking a bit. He took one of the bracelets out of his robe and tapped it with his wand. “Vendetta.” It glowed a bit then reformed itself into a Vendetta bracelet. He did this twice more then handed one each to Ron, Hermione and Neville.
Neville put his on without comment while Ron just chuckled a bit. Hermione put hers on, shaking her head.
They all ignored the stares of the other students although Harry did roll his eyes at one girl and glare at Collin Creevey. The girl was gazing at Draco with adoration written across her face. Collin was taking pictures with a flash and Harry had multi-coloured blobs dancing across his vision.
Finally Ron got up and took the camera out of Collin's hands. “That's enough. Take your camera and go develop what you've got. We'll see them before you do anything else with them. Got me?” Ron glowered at Collin with amazing fierceness and Collin nodded vigorously before scurrying out the door.
Harry grinned at Ron then said, “Come on. Ron, start wearing your duelling robes. Here.” Harry handed Ron his sword and targ. “I don't want to see you without those. Sleep with them.”
Ron just nodded. “Ok.”
Hermione held out her hands for her weapons, remarking, “Tell Professor Snape I'll be a bit late. I have to change my robes.”
Neville took his weapons without comment, following Hermione out the door with Ron on his heels.
Draco looked after them. “You think they'll be late?”
Harry considered that for a moment then snapped, “Dobby!” The elf popped in. “Go help Ron and Neville with their duelling robes. Hermione will need help to, find a female elf to help her.”
Dobby nodded, said, “Reports is being on your desk in your rooms.” and left again.
Harry whimpered a bit but gamely told Draco, “Remind me to read those before Friday.”
Draco just tugged on his sleeve to get him going, saying, “Ok. Come on, we'll be late telling Severus that the others will be late.”
Harry shook his head at that but kept up with Draco, robes and cloak billowing behind him.
.
Severus Snape was a formidable looking man. He was over six feet tall, 6'6” in his boots, with a stern visage and piercing black eyes. Now, dressed in battle robes, he was downright terrifying. A sixth year Hufflepuff burst into tears as he walked by her in the corridor. He sneered at her and swept on.
He nearly laughed when he overheard Harry say, “I don't care. I'll fucking crush him like a bloody bug. He made you cry and that is not allowed. Now, Snape is here.”
Severus flicked his wand and the doors to the Potions Lab slammed open.
“Today, we will be brewing Liquid Fire potion. Can anyone tell me what it is used for?” He flicked his gaze from face to face impatiently. “No? Well. It was in the chapter I assigned for today’s reading.”
Hermione, who had given up holding up her hand when Professor Flitwick had explained that they all knew she knew the answer and her frantically waiving hand discouraged others, nodded to him and waited.
Professor Snape sighed then nodded back. “Miss Granger? As if I didn't know that you've read it all and several other sources.” He glowered around. “You all might take a page from Miss Grangers copy book. Read, remember. There is a war coming and we're all right in the middle of it. So. Liquid Fire potion.”
Hermione just sighed. “It's Wizarding Napalm. It burns anything not metal or hard rock. Oh, or glass.”
“Very good. Napalm?” he shook his head. “Never mind. I would like you to write up everything you know about that and give it to me. Now.” he turned to the black board and the formula appeared. “This is very volatile so I will not like any pranking. If I so much as suspect you're thinking about any sort of foolishness, you will regret it. Your children will regret it. Do I make myself clear.”
Harry barked, “Perfectly, sir.”
Severus gave him a tight smile. “Well? Get too it.”
Everyone scrambled for ingredients.
Severus stalked the room like a Fury keeping an eye on every cauldron. “A fail for the day, Mr. Langly. That was three seconds from blowing up. Get out.” The boy, a Ravenclaw, gathered his things and left quietly.
By the end of the four hour class half of it was gone. They got a fail for the day and had to write 18 inches on where they'd gone wrong.
This was one thing that Severus had changed in his teaching, he'd stopped demanding long essays when Hermione had asked why he went for quantity instead of quality. Now, you'd better get your facts straight quickly and properly. Or else. Most essays still looked like they were bleeding.
In Transfiguration class McGonagall just started on transfiguring common items into weapons. Her lecture was simple, don't try to transfigure something small into something big, use like materials if they're available, but above all, Don't die. She spent the rest of the two hour class demonstrating what she was talking about. She told them that the next class they would practice what she'd demonstrated.
Charms was also interesting. Professor Flitwick proved that he really was a Past Master at duelling. He just handed out a sheet of parchment with a rather long list of charms, hexes and curses on it. He told them that everyone in his classes would either know them all or be confined to Hogwarts until they did. He also asked Harry for a copy of The March of Cambreadth. Harry just gave him a copy of the sheet music without comment.
As Harry and Draco walked through the school various students offered quiet condolences which were accepted with dignity.
On Friday they decided to eat lunch in their quarters and sent Dobby to invite Ron, Hermione and Neville to dine with them. He popped out and returned quickly with a huge tray of food and told them that their friends would be down shortly.
Harry sighed and took a cup of tea from Draco. “Well, things are looking up. With Dumbledore gone McGonagall has ... gotten her head out of her arse. Things are starting to jell. Thank Merlin.” He sighed. “Has Papa said anything about his plans yet?”
“No.” Draco eyed the food hungrily but waited, it would be intolerably rude to start without the others. “Why did you have that sheet music?”
Harry grinned. “Professor Flitwick asked me for it right after he heard it. I forgot about it for a long time, but Mimsey reminded me. It took a while to find it. In fact, I had to have it written out by a specialist. Wonder what he's going to do with it?”
Draco thought for a moment. “Well, maybe he wants the choir to learn it for some reason. We do have one, you know. But Dumbledore never made much use of it. Just at the leaving feast and most everyone is already stuffed and sneaking out when they come out. Shame too, they're really fairly good.” He brightened at a knock on the door.
“Hello. We're just coming on in, don't bother to getup.” Hermione stuck her head in the door then just walked in.
Neither Draco nor Harry objected to this. In the wizarding world it was considered very rude to just walk into someone's home without knocking, even family. Here at Hogwarts, however, things were a bit different, students could and did just wander in and out of each other's rooms.
Draco occupied himself with handing out plates and cutlery, saying, “Help yourselves. You're last Ron.”
Ron looked indignant. “Hey! I resemble that.”
Harry just chuckled and poked him.
They ate in silence, quietly content to just be for a while.
When they were finished, Neville brought up the question that they all needed answered. “Ok, what does Lucius have planned. I really want to kill Tommy boy hard.”
“I know, but ... prophesy says I'm the one. Sucks, but there you are. We have to get me close to him. We need to find out how many minions he has left. Not canon fodder, real fighters.”
Draco sucked on a finger for a moment. “I think that's what Father is working on now. There's no sense in going off half cocked, it'll just get people killed. People that don't deserve it. So ... for now, we keep our heads down, do our work, keep training and wait.”
Ron nodded. “I'd really love to pick his brains, but he won't tell anyone anything until he's sure. Unlike Dumbledore who never told anyone anything for any reason. Idiot. There's lost intel out there that we really need to know.” He sipped his tea for a moment. “Well, no sense in beating a dead horse. We'll just have to suck it up and deal.”
Hermione pulled a roll of parchment out of her bag. “I really hate using parchment. It's ... just messy. I really would rather use a biro and regular paper.”
Harry leaned over to get another sandwich. “What are you working on?”
“Napalm.” Hermione made a face, her quill wasn't taking ink properly because she hadn't cleaned it before she put it away.
Harry decided abruptly to be an instigator. “Well, just use the damn biro and paper then. It's not like it's class work. Need any help?”
Hermione shook her head. “I need to get some books, that's what I'm doing now, making my outline. I'll order them from that little place down Shortway. I can borrow Hedwig? Right?”
Harry nodded. “Sure.” He settled back to lean against Draco. “I miss Aspis. But he won't wake up again until late April or early May.”
Draco just patted his leg. “It's ok. He's fine.”
Harry grumbled a bit then turned to training. “We're in good shape, great actually. We need to concentrate more on combat techniques and less on conditioning. Less running, more fighting. And we need to establish a routine, train until each one of us takes their role in the fight without thought. Ron, you and Hermione...” Harry nodded at her. “are one team. Draco, you and Neville are another.” Draco started to object but Harry held up his hand to stop him. “No, Draco. I have to get to Tommy quickly. Hopefully he'll get caught up in trying to kill me and forget to direct his troupes. I'd like to make sure that Severus and Lucius workout together, but ...” He stopped to think for a moment then shrugged. “They're grown men, they can take care of themselves.”
Ron nodded while both Hermione and Neville looked worried. Draco sneered genially at them both.
“Stop it. Harry's right. Father is grown up and perfectly capable of taking care of himself ... and us. Much better than Dumbledore would ever be. Now ... Has anyone read the charms list?”
Ron just groaned then said, “Yes. Hermione, copy this ...” Hermione just handed him a sheet of paper. “Oh, thanks. What do we do with this?”
Hermione sneered at him, then said loftily, “Check off the ones you already know. Tick it if you know it well, X it if you know it but not well. Leave it blank if you don't know it. Do it now and give them back to me. I'll make up a list and pair us all off for each spell. Someone who knows it with someone who doesn't. Hopefully, there won't be all that many we don't know.”
So they all settled down to work on their lists. After giving them to Hermione they worked on homework.
They went on in this fashion for three weeks, working out hard on combat techniques under the supervision of Snape and Flitwick and transfiguration with McGonagall. Lucius kept them in the loop with his plans. The Order of the Phoenix, or The Flaming Chicken Idiots as Harry called them, sent Kingsley Shacklebolt and Alastor Moody to work out with them too.
Moody turned out to be just as nuts as everyone said he was. But he was a good combat teacher, despite the lack of a leg. Harry grumbled about his paranoia, then beat the crap out of him at hand to hand. Moody just laughed and said Harry still had a few things to work on.
He also admitted that he really wouldn't like to be on the wrong side of any of them. Especially Neville and Hermione. He ended by saying sagely, “It's the quiet ones and the smart ones that can really fuck you up. The smart ones will run rings around you, and the quiet ones will kill you while you're trying to figure out whether they're even mad or not.”
Shacklebolt spent their time together teaching Auror level spells, since it turned out that they all knew all the spells on Flitwick's list. He was a bit annoyed that the whole group seemed to know a great deal more about dark arts than he was comfortable with. He and Harry actually had a bit of a confrontation about it. Harry ended the whole argument by snapping, “Well, since I'm the poor fool who has to do the dirty deed, I'll do it my way or the whole lot of you can go to hell. You go kill him, if you're so damn smart.”
Moody just snickered and remarked, “Boy's right. All this shite about allowing them to see the error of their ways came from Dumbledore and we all know he's gone childish. So ... learn all that from Malfoy?”
Harry nodded. “Yes, and Severus. Professor Flitwick taught me a couple of real nasties. But ...” he glanced at Draco who nodded. “I also learned some real nasty stuff from Merlin's book. And I know the difference between dark arts and dark intent. So get over yourselves and either help or go away.”
Moody laughed even harder. “Got Merlin's book, you say?”
Harry just shrugged. “I got it. Never you mind how, not your business. But, if you swear a Wizard's Oath not to tell, I'll show you something.”
Draco smirked, adding, “We ought to invite Minerva and Fillius in on this. I think they have a right to know.”
Harry agreed so they got the two professors down to the training room in the dungeons that McGonagall had set up. It was better than their old one as the walls were covered with protective charms and the door couldn't be opened without knocking first.
A sharp knock let them know that their other trainers had arrived. Draco let them in then returned to Harry's side.
“Ok, Potter, show us your secret.” Moody and Shacklebolt both looked at Harry.
Ron just shook his head. “Swear first.”
The two Order members exchanged 'humour him' looks and promised. Professor Flitwick looked annoyed then announced, “That won't do. I do believe Harry wants a Wizarding Oath. Which I will gladly give.”
Headmistress McGonagall held up her wand and gave her oath, as did Professor Flitwick. Their oaths were both acknowledged by a brilliant flash of gold at their wand tip.
Hermione pinned Moody with a frosty glare that she'd copied from Snape. “We're waiting.”
Shacklebolt started to refuse, they could all see that, but Moody glared at him murderously and he swore. The ball of gold was very small but the oath was fixed. Moody swore and got a ball the size of a football.
Harry nodded. “Shacklebolt, that oath sphere was very small, I'm not sure I'm really confident in that oath. But ...” He looked directly into Moody's real eye. “I'll trust you, for now. Do understand that, if you break your oath, I'll break you. We clear?”
Kingsley Shacklebolt was suddenly well aware that Harry had changed dramatically from the boy he knew. He was harder, colder and much more in control of himself. He was also much better at hiding things. His face smoothed over and he offered the rest of the room a slightly apologetic smile.
“Ok, lets get to what you're all here for.” Harry took his wand out of his holster, demonstrating how it worked and waved it. “I don't think you'll realize what you're looking at.” He smirked happily, he was going to love this.
He enlarged the wand into a staff and jumped Ron from behind with a yell of, “CONSTANT VIGILANCE!” Ron yelped and shot a hex back. From there on, it was chaos as Harry battled his friends using the staff and the mildest forms of the Irish spells he knew.
Flitwick actually hopped up and down, clapping his hands. McGonagall blinked owlishly at Harry's use of transfiguration to produce blunt throwing pins, while Moody analyzed Harry’s magic with his eye. Shacklebolt just whimpered softly at Harry's power.
The combat was over when Neville got in a proper Jelly Legs at Harry and tripped him. Hermione promptly jumped on him and started tickling him. Ron grabbed his kicking legs and sat on them, pinning him down.
Moody yelled, “Enough! Get up!” which they did, with Draco pouting because he hadn't had a chance to join in. “I'm impressed, Potter. All Irish? The staff won't respond to anything else?”
Harry nodded as he reduced the staff and tucked it away. “And no one else can touch it now. When I first got it, everyone handled it a bit. But it wasn't long before no one could touch it without getting zapped. Now, explain to me how some of these spells got declared dark.” Harry pulled a list out of a pocket and handed it to Moody. “All any of the professors know is, the Ministry says so.”
Moody glanced down the list. “Give me a quill, boy.” Harry handed him a pencil instead. “Pencil?” Moody fingered the paper with some curiosity. “Hmmm.” He checked several spells on the list then grumbled while he wracked his brains trying to translate the Irish into English or Latin. “The spells I've ticked are all blood based which the Ministry, in its infinite wisdom, has declared dark.” the sarcasm dripped off that last sentence.
Harry nodded. “Yeah, fine. But that's only true if the blood is unwillingly given. Otherwise, it's either donated willingly or the casters own. The others?” Harry handed the list back.
Shacklebolt took the list from Moody and glanced over it. “They're all considered too powerful for ordinary wizards so they're on the 'dark' list. Which only got called that at the start of the Grindelwald war.” He paced, thinking. “I really ... I want to go to the Ministry and do some research. I won't tell anyone anything, but I have a few concerns that I need to check up on.”
Harry just waved him away. “Fine. As long as you don't endanger our plans, I don't care.”
Shacklebolt came back much later that evening and visited Harry and Draco in their quarters. He admitted that he'd only made the oath because everyone expected it of him and had planned to tell someone about what was going on. He also said that, while he was convinced their idea was outrageous even though he wasn't sure what it was, he wouldn't interfere with it. Or help. He left after promising to keep quiet.
Draco rolled his head back and forth on the back of the couch. “Well, Shacklebolt is a lost cause. I wonder how many members of the Order will back us up and how many will fuck us up.”
“No idea. I just hope Papa doesn't do something monumentally stupid.” Harry rubbed Draco's shoulder. “How are you doing?”
“Ok. I guess. I've stopped feeling like bursting into tears every second.” Harry patted him. “It's only every other now.”
“I'm so sorry. I wouldn't have thought she'd ever get ... I mean ... she was one of Tommy's, right?” Harry sounded so baffled that Draco just sighed.
“Tom knows no loyalty, except to him. He has none of his own. She was a way to punish Father and me, nothing more. That's what I realized and why I would not serve him.” He sighed then turned to smile at Harry. “Besides, you're much prettier than he is.”
Harry laughed and kissed him. “I'd love to do more.”
Draco snarled wordlessly and flounced on the couch. “I'm sure Dumbledore knew exactly what would happen once we settled in again.” They were both angry with Hogwarts and Dumbledore. It seemed that there was a curse or hex or something that kept them from doing more than making out. They could sleep together, wank if they wanted but any true intercourse was impossible.
Needless to say, they were both not real happy.
.
Headmistress McGonagall watched as the student body hurried down the corridor, her presence causing an eddy much like a rock in a stream. None of them knew that she was wearing spell resistant robes and carrying a gladuis. She knew the war was beginning, the death by torture of Narcissa Black Malfoy had insured that.
She remembered when Lucius had been a smiling boy, arrogant as all Malfoys were, but generous to his friends and fairly tolerant of muggles, muggle-born and squibs. She also remembered Abraxus. She had gone to Hogwarts with him and never liked the cruel, cold-hearted; she censored her thoughts as inappropriate to her station.
Harry had relieved her mind quite a bit. He still had rough edges but they were mostly due to a lack of variety in his opponents. She, as the new head of the Order Of the Phoenix, would see to it that he had plenty of new opponents, if Voldemort gave them time.
She had a definite difference in her attitude to Harry's training. She thought it was wise to give him all the training he needed, childhood be damned. He was much better off with less childhood and more life.
She decided to leave the martial arts teaching to Moody, who would also be able to provide proper sparing partners for all.
.
Lord Voldemort sat in his chair and gloated. He'd shown House Malfoy that he was their master, that he would give and he would take away. He as very satisfied with himself and let everyone know it.
He thought it right that Avery be rewarded, so he gave him some money and a few trinkets. Avery was suitably awed and impressed.
Pettigrew hadn't returned yet, but that was fine. The man was a whimpering mess anyway. Voldemort thought he might chose a new favourite. But he did so enjoy Peter's screams. Maybe he should pick a new favourite and just keep Pettigrew as a pet. Make him stay as a rat, and keep him in a pocket. It was an idea.
.
Lucius sat in his library and wrote a letter. It was to Avery, and he'd had to address it to Mr. Avery. He was furious enough that he wasn't going to use the man's first name ever again. And he was glad that the man's son was in France for the foreseeable future. But Mrs Avery was on his 'list' as well.
He decided to deal with her first.
You'd think that, as a pureblood and a traditionalist, Lucius would honour women. It wasn't so. He viewed women as warriors if they comported themselves as such. Or traitors. Mrs. Avery was a traitor to his family and he was going to extract vengeance. For himself, Draco and Harry. He had hoped that Narcissa would eventually soften in her views and return to his side. Now that was impossible, and he was pissed.
He summoned an owl, and spent a bit of time giving the bird treats and petting it. Then he sent it on its way.
When Mrs. Avery came to tea, he greeted her coldly. He even had to ask her her first name, which turned out to be Helen.
He observed all the niceties, asking after Avery and her health, remarking that the weather was turning remarkably mild for the time of year. Helen drank her tea, after casting a not so surreptitious spell on it. He smirked into his cup. He wasn't about to poison her - just yet.
Finally, as sweat was beginning to darken the area of her top beneath her arms, most unattractively he thought, he remarked, “You know that I am quite put out with you, do you not?”
“Excuse me?” Helen couldn't control her stammer but did manage to put down her cup without it rattling in the saucer. “I'm sure I don't know what you're talking about.”
“Oh, but you do. Narcissa was last seen, alive, at your Christmas Ball. The last time she was seen at all was at Hogwarts. As an inferi. I am not happy. When you get home...” He was amused to see her heave a sigh of relief. “Oh, yes, you will be going home. And all in one piece. I do so love watching people squirm. It adds to the thrill, you see.” He put down his cup. “Not all tortures are physical. I shall be dropping by from time to time. Too bad you don't have any children at home. Oh, and tell Tommy boy that I am seriously thinking of buying a derelict mansion to give to Harry for his majority. Riddle Manor. Quite run down, a nearly total wreck. Ask him why he is such a poor property owner.” Lucius gave Helen a smile that would have frightened a shark. “Now. Why don't you run along and tell Avery that I will have his head. Sooner or later. Go visit Umbridge. She is an interesting person.” His smile turned truly nasty. “Tell your lord that he has made a great mistake.” He stood and watched as Mrs Avery made her way out of the room. She was well aware of the insult offered by being escorted to the floo by a very young house elf.
She didn't put the hints together until she and her husband were analyzing everything for the third time. When she did, she just gasped, “Oh, Merlin. The only Riddle I can remember hearing of is that Thomas Riddle from Little Haggelton, North Yorkshire that Merope Gaunt ran off with. She was never heard of again but he showed up home claiming to have been duped somehow. You don't ...”
Avery turned the colour of clabbered milk and hushed her quickly. Then he locked himself in his study and spent the rest of the afternoon dispatching every owl they owned.
.
Lucius smiled to himself, swallowed the antidote and had another cup of tea. Avery was going to watch his wife die, slowly. Severus walked in to sit beside him.
“Is she gone already?” It was very unusual for tea to last less than an hour, but Helen Avery had only been at Malfoy Manor about 45 minutes.
“I found that I could not bear her presence. She is an insipid cow.” He scowled at a plate of cakes.
“But then Avery is an idiot and just as insipid.” Severus took a cake. “Stop scowling like that, those poor cakes have done nothing to offend you so.”
Lucius put the plate down. “But they were in her presence. She might even have touched one with her glance.” Lucius frankly pouted.
“Well, then, we must take our just revenge and eat them all.” Severus finished off the cake and took another.
Lucius also took one, contemplated it for a moment then ate it. “I do hope Lord Moldyshorts has an aneurysm or something. Killing my wife is completely beyond the pale. I have to admit that I am ... furious. And offended.”
Severus shook his head, making a lock of hair brush against his cheek. “I'll admit to a bit of disappointment. You would think he would manage something a bit more ... imaginative ... and subtle.”
“Yes, you would think so. But then, he is common as a mud fence, isn't he? I do thank you for that poison by the way. And the antidote.” He paused for a moment. “Severus ... did you forget to mention any side effects?”
Severus smirked. “One ... but then it is easily taken care of.”
Lucius gave his friend a sultry look. “Then perhaps we should ... retreat?”
“Indeed.”
What they got up to next made all the house elves blush.
.
The Ministry, in its wisdom, chose to ignore the report of an inferi in Hogwarts. The DMLE turned a blind eye to Lucius' goings on. In fact, he was subtly encouraged. If he asked for information, he got it. The fact that gold exchanged hands was ignored.
Lucius spent a great deal of time in his study, thinking and planning. He also sent owls all over, collecting information, offering bribes and rewards and doing deals of all sorts. This on top of keeping the Malfoy, Potter and Black interests in hand.
He was up to his ears in work, but when Minerva McGonagall contacted him, he went at once.
“Madam McGonagall, how may I help you?” Lucius flicked his wand to remove soot from his robes and nodded to Fawkes. He settled in a chair and waited.
He didn't have long to do that as Minerva just handed him a sheet of parchment. Closely written lines covered it. “That is a list of all the previous DA professors and what happened to them. As you know, the curse on the position has been removed, thanks to Harry. Your efforts are also greatly appreciated. Now ... frankly, I'm at my wits end. No one will take the position.”
Lucius looked at the list, it was very long, and some of the things that had happened to the professors were outrageous. “I don't understand exactly what I am to make of this.” He looked up and waited for the headmistress to enlighten him.
“I'm hoping that you will consent to take the position for the remainder of the year. The Ministry has declined to allow any of their Aurors to teach.” She gave him a bland look which he returned.
Lucius, who had been worried about leaving Harry and Draco on their own to train, just snorted inelegantly and said, “Minerva, you're actually going to ask a self-confessed, how-abet reformed, Death Eater to teach Defence Against the Dark Arts? Have you lost your mind?”
“No, I have not, thank you very much. And who better to teach than a practitioner. Now ... yes or no.”
Lucius considered how this might fit into his plans, and decided that it was more than convenient. “I'll do it. On two conditions.”
Minerva McGonagall was nobody's fool. “What are they?”
“No interference with my subject matter, and I get to use other professors as subjects. I do not agree with using students to demonstrate combat spells on.”
He waited only a moment before she agreed, “Fine. That is agreeable. Also, do you want quarters here, or would you prefer to return to Malfoy Manor every evening?”
He considered that offer carefully then sighed. He'd miss his tea. “I shall require rather extensive quarters, as I am sure that Draco and Harry will stay with me as much as they will stay in their quarters. I am also sure that Neville, Ron and Hermione will stay over as well. And, I need an office suitable to my station.” At the headmistresses glower he stated, “I still have the affairs of three families to oversee and papers to grade.”
“I see. I'll assign you to guest quarters then. They've not been used in at least a century but it won't take long to clean them. As to grading papers, have your sons help you. They're both capable of grading anything below fifth year. Use a cheat sheet.” At his raised eyebrow she explained, “Give multiple choice tests and supply your grader with a list that contains only the question number and the correct answer. But you will need to grade all essays yourself.”
Lucius stood and offered his hand across the desk. “Well, it seems we are in agreement. I'll be bringing my own elf of course. Expect me tomorrow morning. Breakfast, shall we say?”
Headmistress McGonagall stood and shook his hand. “Very well. Breakfast tomorrow. Send your elf to speak to the Hogwarts Headelf. His name is Pappy. He'll make all the arrangements you need. If your quarters do not suit in any way, let me know.”
Lucius bowed slightly, and left via floo to give Tuggy instructions on packing.
Tuggy took the news that they were going to live at Hogwarts with good grace. He didn't care where they lived as long as Lucius was happy. He remembered the bad old days when all Malfoys viewed elves as nothing more than useful nuisances. He packed up Lucius' wardrobe and his bed. Tuggy was well aware that Lucius was evil if he didn't have enough sleep. He also packed up an extensive list of books. It took him all of thirty minutes.
It took him another hour to get the quarters in shape, nearly half of it arguing with Pappy. That elf had a list of 'elveses cannot be doing that's' that left Tuggy ready to strangle him.
“Master Lucius, sir. Tuggy is being having troubles with Pappy of Hoggywartses.” Tuggy gave Lucius his best 'sorry elf' look and waited.
“Stop looking at me like that. Tell that elf I want to see him right now.” Lucius settled into a chair with a stern glower on his face.
It didn't take Tuggy long to return with Pappy.
Lucius looked at the elf for a moment then said in a silky voice, “You do know that I will be teaching, do you not?”
“Yes, master, you is to be teaching. But ... the rules...” Pappy twisted the hem of his tea towel in his hands.
“Yes, the rules. Do you have any idea why they are in place?” Lucius raised an eyebrow at the elf.
“No, master, Pappy only knows that Headmaster Dumbleydore said.” The elf looked even more worried.
“Headmaster Dumbledore is a sanctimonious old fart. I do not wish to hear his name again. My sons will be bringing three elves between them. I will be bringing one. They are to be accommodated, not interfered with. If they ask you to do something detrimental to Hogwarts, come to me. Otherwise ... we are preparing to fight a war, and do not have time for all this petty quibbling. Do you understand?”
Pappy blinked several times, then nodded. “Yes, master, Pappy is understanding.” He popped away under Tuggy's irritated glare.
Tuggy nodded once, then popped out to finish his work.
Lucius was contemplating nothing, meditation did sooth him and he found himself doing it more and more.
“Excusing me, sir, we is set up. Is you wanting to go now?” Tuggy waited for Lucius to make a decision.
“We will. I think I would like to join the other professors for supper. Inform Headmistress McGonagall.”
Tuggy popped out and into the heads office. McGonagall replied that Lucius was most welcome to join them. She also said that she would introduce him at the meal.
.
Draco immediately caught sight of his father and hissed softly. Harry glanced at the head table then asked, “Now why is Papa sitting at the professors table with that smug self-satisfied expression on his face?”
Hermione gasped, “Only professors sit at the head table.”
Ron scoffed, “Well, guests do too.”
Neville just smiled a bit and kept his silence, sometimes it was nice to be the quiet one, a person heard a great deal if no one paid much attention to one. He settled in a seat and happily waited for the revelation.
When she was sure everyone was in the Great Hall Headmistress McGonagall tapped her water goblet with her spoon. Everyone obediently turned to look at her. “Thank you. I have wonderful news for Hogwarts. One of our alumni has agreed to return for the rest of the year. So ... Students, I am very pleased to present you with our new Defence Against the Dark Arts professor Lucius Malfoy.”
Lucius stood. There was some polite clapping from most of the tables, but someone boo-ed. Ravenclaw table turned as one to look at the boy. Lucius just smirked at him.
“Well. That was lukewarm, at best. But ... I never expected to be liked. I prefer to be respected. So, detention tomorrow night for Mr. ...” Professor Malfoy turned to Headmistress McGonagall who provided the name. “Knighton. You will find that I take my professorial training from my good friend, your Potions Professor, Severus Snape.” He looked around again. “I am not someone to be trifled with.” He smiled pleasantly then finished, “I'm also hungry.”
Headmistress McGonagall gave the unfortunate Knighton a look that promised doom and misfortune then said, “Well, tuck in everyone.” and sat down to eat her own meal.
Harry smirked at Draco who smirked right back. Hermione and Ron both gave a silently laughing Neville dirty looks. Neville was just very pleased with himself, it wasn't that often that he stole a march on his friends and he was enjoying the feeling.