sh_mods (sh_mods) wrote in slash_heaven, @ 2006-08-01 23:09:00 |
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Current mood: | amused |
Entry tags: | alisanne, drarry, tswltbwl |
HP/DM, The Spy Who Loved The Boy Who Lived: 19/35, NC-17
Original poster: alisanne
Title: The Spy Who Loved The Boy Who Lived: 19/35
Author: alisanne
Rating: NC-17
Summary: There is a plot to capture Harry Potter, and an unexpected person steps forward to save him. Can Harry really trust Draco over his friends?
Genre: Action/Adventure, Drama, Romance,
Warnings: Alternate Universe, Graphic language, Slash (Yaoi), Violence, Graphic sex (overall)
Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Chapter 4, Chapter 5, Chapter 6, Chapter 7, Chapter 8, Chapter 9, Chapter 10, Chapter 11, Chapter 12, Chapter 13, Chapter 14, Chapter 15, Chapter 16, Chapter 17, Chapter 18.
Disclaimer: The characters contained herein are not mine. No money is being made from this fiction, which is presented for entertainment purposes only.
Smooches and thank yous to, knightmare_shad and sevfan for the use of their beta reading skills. All mistakes are mine.
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
~
Ginny Weasley watched her brother carefully as he walked down to breakfast in front of her. He seemed normal, but something was... off. More off than the day before, even. He seemed different, as if someone had taken her bumbling brother and replaced him with this suave stranger.
He’d apologized for missing Quidditch the evening before immediately upon seeing her, and she’d simply nodded her acceptance and turned away. Maybe he had been tired, who was she to say? All she knew was, this person was not her brother, and she didn’t know what to do about it.
She wished she could talk to Hermione, but she was clearly appreciative of the new Ron. Hell, why not? Ginny thought. He was opening doors for her, holding her chair out for her. Hell, he’d even carried her books for her on the way to breakfast.
Ginny rolled her eyes. Maybe she was being too suspicious. After all, Ron might have learned some manners over the years. It just seemed to be quite sudden, in her opinion. Not that anyone had asked her...
She snorted under her breath as Ron solicitously offered Hermione another scone. Glancing up, she saw Draco watching the Gryffindor table closely. Biting her lip, she considered her options. Perhaps she could discuss it with him.
~
Professor McGonagall pursed her lips and carefully closed her book just as the Headmaster walked into the staff office.
“Albus?” she said, glancing at the clock on her wall. “You’re early for the meeting.”
Dumbledore nodded. “That I am, Minerva,” he said, smiling. “I wished to speak with you ahead of time.”
She nodded, and placing her book down, stood up and walked over to the conference table. There, she took her regular seat and poured herself some tea.
“Would you like me to pour you a cup as well, Albus?” she offered.
He nodded his thanks and took the seat at the head of the table, watching as Minerva added a dollop of cream, and two sugars to his cup. He accepted it gratefully and taking a sip of the tea, sighed and then spoke.
“Minerva, Severus will be attending this meeting this evening, and I wanted to speak to you privately before he got here.”
She inclined her head as she made her own tea.
“You know that Severus and Remus are involved with one another?” Albus asked delicately.
She smiled. “Ah yes, I did know that. It is wonderful, isn’t it?”
Dumbledore nodded. “Yes, it certainly is,” he said. “And I know that they are serious about each other. They have both assured me of that.”
“Then what is bothering you?” she asked, recognizing the look on his face.
“I would like to see them bonded, Minerva,” he said softly. “They have both been through so much... They deserve some happiness.”
The Transfiguration professor nodded. “That would be wonderful if they were able to do that,” she agreed. “However, that would be almost impossible, given the law at the moment. Remus is... well you know, of course. Unless they lied about Remus’ condition.”
Dumbledore nodded sadly. “Yes, I know. I have been doing my utmost to get those archaic laws changed, but...”
“But the Wizengamot is not known for its progressive ways,” Minerva finished. “Have Severus and Remus indicated that this is their wish?” At his hesitation, she shook her head.
“Albus! It is all well and good to encourage them, but what can we do? It is illegal for a werewolf to marry or bond.”
Dumbledore shook his head. “I know, Minerva. And you misunderstand what I want,” he said. “Obviously, it would be difficult for them to bond, but I believe that it would be worth their while to pursue it. In fact, I think it is imperative that they pursue it.”
She sat back, considering. When this man used words such as imperative, it was usually more than just a personal wish. “Why? What is so urgent?”
“I am concerned about the upcoming war,” he said slowly. “Concerned that Severus will be vulnerable, will take too many chances, if he has no one to live for, so to speak.”
She sighed. “That is their decision to make, though, Albus,” she admonished gently. “It is a potentially dangerous thing for them to do. It could expose Remus to much possible ridicule, or worse, attack, and Severus, as you know, is a private man. We simply cannot interfere.”
“I have no desire to interfere, Minerva,” he said. “I simply hope that you will aid me in urging them to make this a more official union. Plus, it will be a good example for others who might be contemplating such a thing in the future.”
She sat back again, crossing her arms, a suspicious look on her face. “Others? What others?”
He waved a hand. “I meant no one in particular,” he said. “There could be students, for example, who are in a similar predicament and who may be contemplating their options. It would serve as a good example.”
“Students? Such as?” she asked, eyes narrowed.
“No one specific, my dear,” he said. Selecting a piece of shortbread, he bit into it. “These are delicious, aren’t they?”
She rolled her eyes.
“Fine, don’t tell me,” she said, picking up a pumpkin tart. “And by all means, Albus,” she said, “feel free to urge them. Gently, but firmly would be my recommendation, however.”
“And I can count on your help?” he asked.
She nodded, just as the door opened and Severus walked in. Seeing people already there, he shut the door and stalked to the table, pouring himself some tea.
“How goes the training, Severus?” Albus asked, twinkling merrily at him.
Severus sighed. He suspected that the old man knew how much that twinkling annoyed him, and that he did it deliberately.
“They are working hard, I’ll give them that,” the Potions master replied. Snagging a slice of pumpkin cake and placing it on his plate, he settled back and sipped his tea. “They shall master it soon. Remus is assisting.”
“Excellent!” Dumbledore said.
Minerva frowned. “So close to the full moon?” she asked. “Is that not dangerous?”
Severus shook his head. “Normally, it might be,” he admitted. “But that Wolfsbane concoction that he brought back from Africa has been able to all but eliminate his symptoms. I am still working to isolate the ingredients and discover its secrets.”
“Worthwhile research indeed,” Dumbledore said, sharing a meaningful glance with Minerva. “It might make someone like Remus into a full member of society instead of having to hide. Think of it! The world would open up for him. Why, he could get a job out in the open, perhaps even marry or bond. And it could be potentially life altering for so many.”
“Yes,” Severus agreed, a thoughtful look on his face. “For so many.”
Dumbledore smiled and changed the subject, satisfied that he had at least planted a seed.
~
Ron fingered the wand in his pocket, watching through the window, eyes narrowed, as Hermione practically flirted with Malfoy. She laughed, touching the Slytherin’s arm lightly, and Ron saw red.
How dare they be laughing, out in the sunshine, while he had to be inside in a make-up class? That poncy git was taking everyone from him. First Harry, who Ron knew wouldn’t be gay but for Malfoy, and now Hermione.
Things were gradually becoming a bit clearer, and he knew that he’d received instructions of some sort. There was something that Ron had to do as concerned Harry, but every time he tried to remember specifics, it slid away. Things seemed to be coming to him as he needed them to, and that was all right with him. All he knew was, he had to get Harry alone somehow.... He blinked, clearing his eyes. He’d had some sort of a vision last night that hovered on the edge of his consciousness....
Focusing again on the cozy scene outside, he frowned. He knew that Draco and Hermione had Arithmancy together, a class that he did not share with them, and so it was reasonable for them to be chatting. But did they have to look so comfortable together? He knew, intellectually, that they were probably waiting for Harry to join them... yes, there he was.
Harry, accompanied by Blaise, walked up to them, looking pleased. As he settled next to his boyfriend, Harry touched the blond’s arm lightly. Malfoy gave him a small smile as Hermione looked on fondly. It was all quite domestic. Ron seethed some more. Then it came to him.
A Portkey. He’d been given a Portkey, but for whom?
The group looked quite cozy, particularly when Pansy, Lavender and even Ginny joined them. It was quite a collection of people out there when Ron finally heard what his professor was saying to him.
“Mister Weasley!”
Ron jumped and then turned to face the front of the class. “Yes, Professor Flitwick?”
“Pay attention! I am not repeating this for my edification. YOU are the one who missed my class to go into London. I am doing this because the Headmaster asked me to, so you will pay attention!” The diminutive, elderly man turned towards the board, resuming his talk about Shield Charms.
Ron sighed and glanced out the window once more. Gritting his teeth, he decided that he knew who the Portkey was for.
Malfoy. It has to be Malfoy. That way I can finally talk to Hermione and Harry, and things will be back to normal. Ron smiled. Yes, that was probably the answer. Once Malfoy was gone, things would be back the way they should be.
~
Lavender sighed and turned her face up towards the sun. It was an unusually warm day for fall in Scotland, and just about everyone was outside taking advantage of it.
Pansy had invited her to leave her room to get some fresh air, and she’d agreed, shocked when they sat down to join a group with both Slytherins and Gryffindors. Lavender was a bit nervous, but there was no fighting, to her happy surprise. In fact, everyone was getting along famously.
When Pansy had explained that Harry and Draco had gotten over their differences and were good friends, Lavender’s eyes widened.
“Why are you telling me this?” she asked. “Shouldn’t this be a secret?”
“We trust you, Lavender,” Hermione said. “Because we know where your loyalties lie.”
Lavender blushed prettily. She’d forgotten that Hermione had heard her defend Harry to Zacharias.
The group settled and chatted quietly, the girls all talking about the upcoming seventh year winter ball, the boys discussing Quidditch.
When Ginny pulled out a Playwitch, the girls gathered around her, oohing and ahhing over the pictures.
“Look! An article about Oliver Wood,” cooed Pansy. “Wish I’d been more than a first-year when he was here.”
“Mmm, we all do!” Lavender agreed. “They say he’s the best Keeper the Falmouth Falcons have ever had. I love the way he grips his broom!”
As the girls sighed and giggled, Harry and Draco were glancing at each other longingly. After a few minutes, Hermione couldn’t help it. Rolling her eyes, she whispered a spell that tingled over them. At Harry’s inquiring look, she shrugged.
“It’s a new charm I learned,” she said sheepishly. “It doesn’t make you invisible, exactly, it just makes it so that people’s eyes slide right over you. As long as there’s no outright snogging it should be fine, but this way you can hold hands at least, and no one will know.”
“Thanks, Hermione,” Harry said gratefully, linking his arm with Draco as he leaned against him.
Draco was looking at the Playwitch magazine, a thoughtful look on his face. “Hey... Lavender, do you have a subscription to that?”
Looking up, she nodded her head. “Yes, I do. At first, my parents wouldn’t let me, but I talked them into it.”
Draco leaned closer. “Did Zacharias ever borrow any of them from you?”
She looked down at her hands and shook her head. “No. Why would he even want to, though? It’s for girls.”
“And you keep them? Do you ever throw them out?”
She shook her head again, this time looking up at Draco, puzzled. “I keep them all,” she said. “I have quite a collection, too.”
Draco turned to Harry. “I guess that means he wasn’t responsible for the broom attack, then?” he said. “Unless he had access to another magazine.”
Harry nodded. “Yeah, I forgot about that. And no one had a chance to ask him about that before the Veritaserum wore off.”
“Whoever did it needed a copy of Playwitch to transform, though. And, from what I’ve seen, girls tend to hold on to them.”
Hermione was listening, but her attention was caught by Ginny, who was fidgeting. “Ginny?” she whispered.
The redhead looked up at her guiltily.
“Do you know something?”
Ginny sighed and then, noticing Harry and Draco’s attention on her, she nodded slowly. “It was me,” she blurted.
“What was you?” Hermione asked.
“I was responsible for the ‘attack’ of that fake broom, but it really wouldn’t have hurt anyone. It was just charmed to chase after Harry.”
Harry blinked. “But, but why, Ginny?” he asked.
She blushed and then looked up at him pleadingly. “I... I still thought that there was a chance that you could like me, Harry,” she said, a bit desperately. “I thought that if I could rescue you and prove that I was brave, that you might be interested in me again. That was... Well, I knew you and Draco were involved, but I thought that it was just a fling... you know, that it wasn’t serious.”
Looking down, she continued. “I never meant to hurt anyone! It couldn’t have hurt anyone. It was charmed to chase and never catch you, Harry!”
She looked up again, only to meet Draco’s angry glare. The blond was clearly seething.
“How dare you?” he said softly. The cold tone in his voice made her shiver.
She started to answer, but he spoke over her. “Because of your reckless, stupid stunt, Harry was placed in danger, and Snape had to work a complicated bit of magic that drained him for a long time, making Harry vulnerable to attack. Are you really that stupid?”
“Draco!” The blond’s mouth snapped shut as Harry admonished him.
“Are you going to defend her too?” Draco muttered under his breath. “What is with you and the Weasleys?”
Harry shook his head and deliberately linked his fingers with Draco’s.
“No, I’m not defending anyone but you,” he murmured. Turning to Ginny, he said, “Ginny, Draco’s right. That was a really stupid thing to do. What if someone had fallen off their broom, trying to avoid that thing?”
She flushed. “It wasn’t like I planned for it to hurt anyone,” she said, almost in tears. “All I can say is that I’m sorry.”
Hermione shook her head. “Ginny, we have to report this. Professor Snape has been investigating...”
As the entire group looked on, Ginny sprang to her feet. “I didn’t mean it, I tell you!” she cried. “Why don’t you get that, you bunch of self-satisfied...”
With a sob, she turned and ran back towards the school, tears blurring her eyes. Hermione stood to follow her, but Harry shook his head.
“Let her go, Hermione,” he said sadly. They all watched as she disappeared inside.
Ginny ran through the main doors and then up to the Gryffindor tower as if Dementors were after her. As she neared the portrait hole, she ran smack into a solid figure who went, “Oof!”
Familiar arms surrounded her, and she looked up into Ron’s blue eyes. “What’s wrong, Ginny?” he asked.
~
Severus was quiet when he returned to his quarters that afternoon. He looked around the space, wondering when it had started to feel so empty. He spent just about every night and morning in Remus’ rooms, and now his home was starting to feel foreign to him.
Albus’ words reverberated in his mind. ‘...he could get a job out in the open, perhaps even marry or bond. And it could be potentially life altering for so many.’ Severus sighed. Would Remus want that with him?
They had discussed continuing their arrangement, they had even discussed living together, although neither man had taken it any further. Albus’ hints had not gone unnoticed.
Severus had been spending every spare moment working on a way to convert the Wolfsbane that Remus had brought back with him into a permanent cure. The concoction was a miracle, allowing Remus a virtually normal life, but it had ingredients that Severus had been unable to identify as of yet, and since Remus had to take it everyday, they were rapidly running short of it.
He has one, perhaps two, months’ supply of it at the most. Then he’ll have to leave and get more, Severus reminded himself. And the Potions master did not want his lover to undergo the potentially perilous trip. Particularly since he would have to travel outside of Ministry channels, and that was dangerous.
Picking up his potions notebook, he walked towards his lab. Perhaps he would have better luck isolating the ingredients today. He smiled as the vision of Remus from that morning came back to him. His lover had been warm and sleepy and very affectionate. It had been all Severus could do to leave.
I have to cure him, Severus thought. Even if we end up not being together, I simply have to cure him. He deserves no less.
~
“Ginny, what’s wrong?”
Ron was being quite sympathetic, and it was like a soothing balm to Ginny after the anger and the hurt looks the others had been subjecting her to. Eyes still watering, Ginny allowed Ron to guide her, finally collapsing onto a large chair in the corner of the common room. Voice low, she spilled her guts to her brother.
He made the appropriate noises and reassured her that she wasn’t an awful person.
“I think it was totally understandable,” he said, patting her hand. “Sounds like Malfoy was a bit of a prig today. It’s not as if he’s never done anything mean in the past to Hermione, or Harry, or even me. I think your wanting Harry to see you as a viable alternative to Malfoy really is a good thing.”
“You do?” Ginny looked up, tears drying on her cheeks.
“Of course,” Ron said. “And you didn’t even know that they were serious back then. I get why you did it, Ginny.”
Ginny sighed. “Thanks, Ron,” she said. “I appreciate the support. But now my problem is that they’re going to report me to Snape and Dumbledore. I tried to tell them that the broom wouldn’t have hurt anyone, but they just weren’t hearing me.”
Ron rolled his eyes. “They have too much time on their hands,” he said.
A crafty look crossed his face. “Say, maybe I can fix this. There’s, umm, a test that Dumbledore wants me to conduct. He wants me to try to activate a Portkey and see if he can configure the wards to block it. I’m supposed to give it to someone to test. Maybe I could give it to Malfoy? Give you a chance alone with Harry?”
Ginny shrugged. “I think they’re pretty devoted, though, Ron,” she said doubtfully. “I don’t think that I could separate them...”
Ron shook his head. “I don’t mean try to separate them romantically, Ginny,” he said. “I mean, maybe while Malfoy is gone, if you could talk to Harry and tell him your side, then he won’t report it. Or if he does, he’d explain your extenuating circumstances to Dumbledore. With him on your side they probably wouldn’t punish you too badly, or at all.”
Ginny nodded. “You really think that could work?” she said hopefully.
Ron smiled. “It’s worth a try, anyway.”
“We have to do it quickly then, so I can have a chance to talk to Harry,” Ginny said, jumping up. “Did Dumbledore give you the Portkey already?”
Ron nodded, holding up his wand. Ginny frowned.
“Your wand? But, that’s strange. It leaves you sort of vulnerable...”
Ron shrugged. “It’s okay,” he said. “I’ll manage, believe me. Let’s go do it now.”
~TBC in Chapter 20