Lord of Shadows Arc, Book One: Prince of Darkness

Well, more of you reviewed, thank you! I would like to remind you of my Yahoo! list, found at:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/lord_of_shadows

I will be posting a contest there in the next coupla days (maybe tomorrow?), so you may wanna check it out. . .

We are now a little more than halfway through Book I. . . so yes, a bit more is coming. . .^_^

Thank you again to everyone who reviewed, and now, on with the wonderful smu-- I mean, the deep, thought provoking. . .oh, alright, I admit it. . . on with the SMUT!!!

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Do not make the mistake of equating Light and Goodness, or Darkness and Evil. This is an example of a useful metaphor taken too far. Such beliefs have caused my family much pain, for the belief of mortals has a great effect on the structure of Heaven. So remember, lest you twist the knife in our sides. There is indeed Good in Light, and Evil in Darkness. But remember too, there is Evil in Light and Good in Darkness.

What then, is the difference between Good and Evil, if it isn't Light and Dark? The Difference is Love- the Love borne by the darkest angels rivals that of the brightest. And even the brightest angels have their dark sides-- indeed, even I am the Angel of Chaos. Even laughing, joyful Raphael is a Prince of Hades, and sweet Gabriel is the Angel of Vengeance, just as Uriel, Overseer of Tartarus, is also the Angel of Music. So then, discard your notions of Light and Darkness, and know only Love. This is the only compass you will ever need, and the only Law you need follow.

From: Michael, On Light and Darkness

* * *

Albus Dumbledore sat behind his desk, waiting. Before him on the desk sat an empty Pensieve, its markings dark and dormant. To all outward appearances, he seemed calm, almost tranquil. But inside his head echoed a constant refrain: They should have been back half an hour ago.

He was beginning to consider Apparating to the Ministry when Professors Lupin, Snape, and McGonagall appeared, all looking rather worse for wear. The latter two went directly to the Pensieve, pulling out luminous silver thoughts and dropping them in. Lupin, however, sniffed the air, and made a beeline for a side cabinet, from which he removed three shot glasses and a bottle of Jameson. Placing the glasses on the desk, he soberly filled each to the brim with the amber liquid then, after carefully putting the bottle down, picked up the first glass and shot its contents down his throat, grimacing at the burn in his throat. The second glass followed the first, and then the third.

"Are you sure that's what you want?" Snape asked, not used to the sight of his colleague drinking anything remotely alcoholic.

"Dammit!" Lupin slammed the third glass-- now empty-- down onto the table, and picked the bottle up to refill the first. "Of course it isn't! But what I do want--" he growled at Snape, grimacing. "What I do want I can't have. So I'll just have to make do with what I don't want." He gave a self-mocking sneer, raising his glass to the other. "Cheers."

Harry, Draco, Hermione and Neville appeared, just as Lupin was getting ready to refill another glass. Seeing the students, he decided he probably shouldn't set a bad example for them, though to be honest, a big part of him really didn't care at the moment.

"Was the ritual a success?" Dumbledore asked tentatively, not understanding any of this.

Draco nodded, fiddling with a strange, burning arrow.

"Yes Sir, it was just very . . ." he noticed the thoughts swirling in the Pensieve. "Well, you'll understand when you see."

The last two groups – those who had guarded the doors-- arrived, Molly Weasley and the twins carrying Luna Lovegood and Ginny Weasley to the infirmary, where Madam Pomfrey could confirm that they were merely exhausted, and not suffering from a stray curse.

Draco half carried Harry to a chair, pulling him down into his lap, while Neville and Hermione added their recollections to the Pensieve, followed by Ron and Blaise.

"Headmaster, I have to leave." Snape said. "I may not be called tonight, but I know I'll be called tomorrow, and I need to be well rested."

Dumbledore nodded. "Is there anything I can do for you before you go?"

Snape threw an unreadable glance in Harry's direction.

"No, Sir, I just need some sleep. Minerva, if you could go relieve Tonks, I will inform Ms. Parkinson that she may stand down, and then retire for the night." Professor McGonagall nodded as he continued. "When were we planning on meeting tomorrow?"

Dumbledore folded his hands on the desk. "Perhaps after lunch? That will give you time to be summoned and return, the rest of you will have time to recover, and I will have the chance to read these memories."

"Very well, I will see you then." Snape turned to sweep out of the rooms, but was stopped by a soft voice.

"Wait, Professor, I just . . . I'm sorry." Harry was trying without much success to sit up straighter in Draco's lap. "I should have known, I know it was my responsibility, and if you want out, I'll do everything I can . . ."

Snape's eyes were unreadable.

"We will discuss this later, Potter. When you can put more than two thoughts together at once." With a swirl of robes he was gone, and Harry was back to leaning his head on Draco's chest.

"I'll go and relieve Tonks," Professor McGonagall said, hurrying after her colleague.

Dumbledore looked over those who were left. To the last, they looked half-asleep on their feet, with red-rimmed eyes and flushed cheeks.

"I suppose most of my questions will be answered once I go over the memories. Do any of you have any immediate needs?"

"Sleep," Ron moaned, just as Harry sleepily exclaimed, "Food!"

Dumbledore smiled gently, eyes twinkling.

"Then I suggest you all get back to your respective beds. Harry, I'll have Dobby bring the two of you something to eat, and I'll see all of you back here tomorrow after lunch."

The assembled company trudged out, stifling yawns and grumbling stomachs.

"Why, oh why, does Dumbledore's office have to be so far away from the dungeons?" Blaise groaned, wearily plodding down the corridor with the other students.

Ron looked at Hermione. "If you'd like," he offered hesitantly, "you can take the shortcut through Gryffindor Tower. That is, if Harry and Malfoy don't mind. . ."

Harry made a slight sound that might have been a non-committal grunt. Draco simply shook his head. "No, we don't mind if you cut through. . ."

The halls were quiet, most of the students were still in the Great Hall at the Hufflepuffs' party, and everyone else was far too exhausted to make conversation. The Fat Lady looked surprised to see Blaise and Draco with the others, but allowed them in when Ron gave her the password. As they passed through, Draco, Harry and Blaise turned to a door on the left. Saying goodnight to Ron and Hermione, they stepped through into Draco and Harry's sitting room.

Draco dropped Harry into a chair facing a round table laden with food as Blaise continued through to the door opposite the one from Gryffindor Tower.

"Good night, you two," he said with a wry smile. "Try to get some sleep tonight." He stepped through the door into the Slytherin common room, and closed it softly behind himself.

At the table, Harry was helping himself to a bowl of soup as Draco dove into a salad. Neither spoke for a while, too consumed with filling their overly long empty stomachs. Finally, while gnawing on a chicken bone, Draco remembered they could speak mind to mind now.

So, why are you so upset about Uncle Sev'rus being part of our Coven?

Harry looked up from his pumpkin juice, then began nibbling on some cheese.

Because he didn't get a chance to refuse, which means that neither did he give his consent.

Draco thought on this a moment. Neither did anyone else, but you don't seem too upset about that.

Harry shrugged, biting his lip.

Yes, but there's a good chance that if they'd been asked, they would have said yes anyway. That isn't the case with Professor Snape. Draco felt a sort of bitter sadness beneath those words, and knew Harry was thinking of the Pensieve incident the previous year.

I mean, Harry continued, the whole point of this exercise was to keep a bond from being forced on a person- you. But now, I've gone and done precisely that to the people I most respect and admire in the world. Of course I'll give all the others a chance to leave, if I can find a way, but they already know that. Professor Snape . . . well, he hasn't a very high opinion of me. . .

Draco leaned over, wrapping his arms around Harry.

You know, Harry, both the Headmaster and Uncle Sev'rus had three months to look over the ritual, just as we did. And I remember that every time they did, which averaged about once a week, you would ask very pointedly, "Is there anything I'm missing?". And each time, they said no. This is no more your fault than it is theirs, and I'm not really sure that it's such a bad thing anyway . . .

Not such a bad thing?! Harry looked aghast. Draco, can't you feel them there? Hermione, and Uncle Moony and Snape and all the others?

Draco chuckled. I've never heard you call him 'Uncle Moony'. . . And haven't you noticed, it's not as if we're aware of every thought they have. I'm sure we could send messages if we wanted to, but in the meantime, their private thoughts are still private. And did you notice, they're not the only ones there. Watch this. Draco ran his thoughts over the little nubs in his mind, and then poked the one that felt "yellow". Giggles overtook both of them as though they'd just heard the greatest joke in the world.

"Um," Harry spoke aloud, trying to catch his breath from the giggling fit, "we're also bonded to a bunch of non-corporeal beings?"

Draco nodded.

"That was Raphael, I believe. . . very effective at ruining angst, it seems."

Harry pushed himself out of the chair. "That reminds me, since we've got this Coven-thingy anyway, we're supposed to find physical members to sort of replace, or stand in for the non-physical. . . any ideas?"

Draco rose and took his hand. "Not now. I do think we should have some more . . . parity between your House and mine, however."

"Agreed," Harry opened the door that led to the bedroom. "I was thinking perhaps that … Zabini. . ." Harry stopped, eyes wide, as he took everything in. This was the first time he saw the room Draco had slept in for the past month, and it was nothing like he'd expected.

Lit by what seemed to be a hundred candles, the room was furnished in dark sapphire and amethyst shades, with cream and teak highlights. Immediately, his eyes were drawn to the enormous bed, bedecked with numerous pillows and soft, inviting sheets. He noted that there was no canopy on this bed, so they could see straight to the ceiling, which was charmed like the one in the Great Hall, allowing them to see the night sky. This charm, however, also labeled the constellations, stars and planets, and around the edges, they could see symbols showing the degrees of separation between different heavenly bodies.

"Oh, wow," Harry breathed, impressed. He brought his eyes back down to meet Draco's. "It's beautiful!"

Draco grinned.

"Glad you like it- I've been working on it since I moved in. It was alright before, but lacking that. . . Malfoy touch."

"Hmm, speaking of Malfoy touches. . . " Harry nuzzled Draco's neck, licking the sensitive spot over his jugular.

"Ohh, has my lion woken up?" Draco carefully shut the bedroom door behind them.

"Mmm, food helps." Harry brought his lips up to Draco's, kissing him softly. "However, as much as I'd very much like to go further than this tonight, I don't think I can. . ."

Draco mock scowled as they walked over to the bed.

"You wretched tease!"

Harry laughed, pulling off his clothes and falling into the bed.

"I'm not a tease if I follow through. Which I plan to do, once I've had some sleep. . ."

Draco frowned, following suit into the bed. "You promise?"

Harry smirked, then reached up and pulled Draco's mouth to meet his.
Of course I promise.

* * *

Snape's face betrayed nothing as he left his latest encounter with Voldemort. He had managed to get about five hours of sleep before being called, much more than he'd expected, and now three hours later, he was left to ponder the unexpected side effects of the previous night's work. He had, with his skill at Occlumency, been able to keep things from Voldemort before, but to lie outright? He would have considered it impossible, had he not just done precisely that. And then, during the bit of Cruciatus that everyone got that morning . . .

"Wait a moment, Professor," the smooth voice of Lucius Malfoy interrupted his musing. "I'd like a word with you, if you have a moment . . ."

Snape slowed his steps, allowing the other man to catch up with him. "Lucius?"

The other man smiled. "If you have the time, would you like to have breakfast at the Manor?"

Snape pulled a watch on a chain out of a pocket. "I suppose I can spare an hour." Reaching the edge of the wards, both Apparated, appearing in the grand foyer of Malfoy Manor.

"Aren't you glad I'm keyed into these wards?" Snape asked wryly. "Otherwise the walk here from the edge of the grounds would have taken most of my time."

"The only reason I bothered to ask," Lucius replied. Together, they walked through a hall to the breakfast room, helping themselves to eggs benedict, poached salmon, and cups of Viennese coffee.

"So," Snape said, as they settled down. "What did you wish to talk to me about?"

Lucius sipped his coffee. "My son," he replied, adding a few drops of cream. "How is he?"

Snape thoughtfully chewed some salmon.

"He's doing quite well, despite some people's efforts. His marks are as good as ever-- even better in Transfiguration and Defence Against the Dark Arts, from what I hear. Slytherin had their first game against Ravenclaw last month, he caught the Snitch in record time. . ."

"And Potter? What is the nature of their relationship? Does he treat Draco well?" Lucius' concern never reached his voice or manner, but Snape could sense it anyway.

"Potter has surprised even me in his consideration for your son," he said, choosing his words with care. "His influence alone has completely changed Gryffindor's collective attitude toward Draco. They make quite an effective team."

"They are… working together?" Lucius wasn't sure if he was surprised.
Snape gave a faint snort.

"I believe everything Lipinski and Nott saw was staged, including the 'coolness' between your son and Potter. . . House politics at Hogwarts have become quite interesting these past few months, and Potter and your son are right in the midst of it."

Both were silent for a few moments.

"Why do you ask?" Snape was genuinely curious, concern for others was not something Voldemort valued.

Lucius sighed, and placed additional silencing spells around the room.

"When Narcissa and I went on our honeymoon, one of our stops was at Delphi. Contrary to popular belief, the Oracle still resides there, and we paid her a visit."

"But Narcissa is a Black. . . doesn't she have their inheritance?" Snape frowned in thought.

"She does," nodded Lucius. "But the Blacks only know the fate of those currently living. The Oracle has no such limitation, and we wanted to know about any future children. So we asked her." His eyes clouded in thought.

"What did she say?" Snape prompted.

Lucius sighed again.

"She said that at long last, the Prince of Darkness was returning to the world. We would have but one child, a son, and he would be wed to the Prince, to love him for all time. . .You know my family history, Severus, you know how long we, and others, have been waiting. . ."

Snape nodded. His family, too, was one who knew the difference between Darkness and Evil.

". . .and so, as soon as we returned home, we started work to help what she said to come true. That is why I allowed the ritual to be initiated, all those years ago. But now, somehow it's gone wrong. . . Draco's wed to Potter, not the Dark Lord . . ."

"No, it can't be," Snape said, pouring himself more coffee. "The Oracle has never been wrong. However, it has been found that the clearer her prophesy sounds, the more convoluted it is. Maybe she meant something else."

"Maybe," Lucius seemed unconvinced. "But I don't know what or who else she could have meant. . ."

They conversed for a little while longer, before Snape had to take his leave and return to Hogwarts. There, he took a long soak in his tub, trying to not think about anything that had happened in the past twelve hours.

* * *

Harry woke slowly, content in the knowledge that it was Saturday, and he could sleep for as long as he liked. Light played upon his eyelids, bright and cheerful, which was odd, since he always kept the curtains around his bed closed. The next thing he noticed was that his pillow was unusually firm, though it also smelled extraordinarily good. Like Draco smelled. . .

With a smile, Harry opened his eyes. The mid-morning sun shone merrily through the ceiling. His pillow lay somnolent in his back, silver eyes hidden beneath silver trimmed eyelids. Harry wondered whether to put his glasses on, but then realised that, with his plans, he'd just have to take them off soon anyway. He did, however, lean over carefully to fetch his wand. He concentrated for a moment, then pointed the wand at his mouth and whispered "Increbresco". A faint tingle spread through his mouth, and Harry deemed it safe to perform the charm on others, so he repeated the process on Draco. His former pillow mumbled something sleepily as the magic washed through his mouth, then fell back to sleep.

Harry returned his wand to the bedside table with a grin, then ventured a peek inside his beloved's dreams.

Ahh, perfect, he thought, pulling back out. Earlier that morning, Harry had been troubled by dreams of a Death Eater meeting, and Voldemort had been in a particularly foul mood. But Draco had been there every time he woke, holding him tightly and whispering gently into his ear. It was time to show his appreciation.

Harry leaned down, brushing his lips over Draco's before moving down to softly nuzzle his neck as one hand caressed his stomach and side. He smelled and tasted so good. . .

Draco twisted, moaning. Taking this as evidence of success, Harry moved farther down, pushing the sheets off them as he did. Sunlight sparkled on Draco's pale alabaster skin as on new-fallen sow, and Harry couldn't resist tasting every inch. A rosy nipple was soon bathed by an eager tongue, while its brother was teased by nimble fingers.

"Oh, Harry. . ." Draco moaned, his dream meshing perfectly with reality. Harry grinned, shifting to kneel between Draco's legs, his mouth now tracing the other's well-defined torso while the hands kept the nipples occupied. His mouth moved even lower, tongue dipping into Draco's bellybutton, and Draco dimly began to realise that his dream felt unusually real.

Harry's hands swept down Draco's flank to cup and squeeze his most beautiful bottom, as the mouth continued its southward motion, skipping mos most obvious peak to nibble playfully on Draco's inner thigh.

"Guh, Harry, you damn tease. . ." Draco moaned, wishing that both Dream Harry and real Harry would get to the point. Harry chuckled, nuzzling the thick thatch of silver-blonde hair that grew between Draco's legs, breathing in deeply of the scent that was so wonderfully, uniquely his beloved. A frustrated growl reached Harry's ears, and he gave in, licking the underside of the thick, red shaft before taking it in his mouth.

With this, Draco became fully awake, eyes wide as he arched off the bed. "Oh, gods, Harry. . ."

Mmmm, Harry thought aloud. You taste good . . ."

"Harry. . ." Draco struggled for coherency, losing his mind as his eyes met Harry's, watching as his prick appeared and disappeared within that glorious mouth. "Oh, Harry, when did you learn . . ." He lost his mind again as one of Harry's hands began to gently message his balls.

Twins gave me advice on everything. . . Harry pulled back to give special attention to the head, sucking hard and tonguing the slit, delighting in the taste of Draco's pre-cum. I've only been waiting to do this for. . . well, since the summer, at least. . .well worth the wait, I'll tell you . . .

Draco couldn't make much sense of what Harry was saying, although at that moment, very little would have made sense to him. He could feel a pressure rising rapidly within him.

"Oh, gods, Harry, I'm going . . . I'm go . . ."

Righto. Harry deep-throated Draco, burying his nose in Draco's pubic hair and swallowing around his prick. With a scream of "Harry!" Draco came, pumping his seed down Harry's eager throat.

Draco collapsed back on the bed as Harry licked his lips, giving one last kiss to Draco's softer, but still semi-erect manhood.

"Oh, that was yummy!" he proclaimed contentedly, scooting back up in the bed. He leaned down and Draco tasted his own essence for the first time in his life as Harry tongue danced with his own, the sheer eroticism of the moment making him hard all over again.

That was. . . Draco struggled for words as their mouths devoured each other's. That was bloody amazing. . . best wake-up call I've ever had . . . His legs thrust upward, grinding their erections together. They moaned in unison, and then Harry rolled over, pulling Draco on top of himself, never breaking the kiss.

Finally, they had to pull back for oxygen. This gave Harry just enough presence of mind to notice something and frown.

"What's wrong, love?" Draco asked, kissing his nose.

Harry scowled. "Voldemort's trying to get into my head again, ruddy bastard. . ."

"Hm." Draco wiggled thoughtfully on Harry's hips, causing him to bite his lips. "Do you suppose it works the other way round?" he asked with a wicked grin. "I mean, if you feel when he's really angry, do you suppose he'd feel when you're extraordinarily happy?"

Harry thought about this a moment. "Well, I suppose there's only one way to know," he answered, grinning now as well.

"Right then," Draco leaned down to devour Harry's mouth once more. I was thinking, he continued in their thoughts, what you did to me last night made me really, really happy. . . Do you think perhaps I could reciprocate? Harry groaned aloud at the mere thought of Draco inside him. Of course. . . would serve the bastard right, waking us up so many times this morning . . .

Draco pulled back. "Are you sure?" he asked, not wanting rush this.

Harry bucked his hips impatiently.

"Of course I'm sure. I had a grand time last night as well, I only hope you have as much fun with me."

"Well, then, I think since this is your first time in this position, you should turn over like you had me do last night." Draco picked up his wand, summoning the jar of lube they'd used only eight hours before.

Harry turned over beneath Draco, making sure to rub his rear against the other's straining erection.

"Harry," he hissed. "I'm trying to be gentle, but you're not helping here. . ."

Harry snickered, arching his back once more for good measure, before settling down to enjoy the other's ministrations.

Draco coated his fingers with the contents of the jar, and ran them along the cleft of Harry's arse, paying special attention to the rosette sheltered within. Harry gasped at the feel of the slick fingers touching him so gently, yet firmly. Draco found himself growing harder still as one hand caressed Harry's arse, and the other delved within. Biting his lip, his gently breached the pucker with one finger, as he remembered Harry doing to him the night before. Harry's muscles clenched involuntarily around Draco's fingers, then relaxed, allowing the finger to move freely into his depths. Both groaned at the sensation – Harry at the feeling of being breached, Draco at the tightness around his finger. Once Harry had loosened up a bit around the one finger, Draco added a second. Again, they both groaned, and this time Draco sought out that magical spot inside Harry which would make him see stars.

"Oh!" Harry suddenly exclaimed, pushing back.

Found it! Draco thought triumphantly, teasing the spot mercilessly with his fingers, but too slowly to bring Harry to climax. Now he added a third finger, returning straight back to that spot, playing Harry as he played his violin.

"And now, love…" he said, withdrawing his fingers and coating his weeping erection. "…now I shall make you sing!" Gently, he pressed himself against Harry's entrance, his head slowly breaching the tight ring of muscle.

Harry whimpered in delight as he felt himself being slowly filled with Draco's hardness. He pushed back eagerly, taking Draco all the way in, moaning aloud in rapture.

"Damn!" Draco exclaimed as Harry's tightness enveloped his cock. He bit down hard on his cheek and gripped Harry's hips to hold them still, afraid this would all end far too quickly.

"Draco. . ." Harry moaned, loving the feel of Draco in him, but impatient for him to move.

"Oh, Harry, if I move right now, this will all end rather quickly. . ." Draco used all his will to pull himself back from the edge. Finally, he thought he might have a bit of control again, so he slowly pulled back, eliciting a whine from Harry. With a grin, he thrust back in, and as promised, Harry sang.

"Oh!" he moaned, and Draco snickered.

Very much like my violin, he thought. Only so much better . . .

Again he thrust, a bit harder this time and found, to his delight, that Harry now moaned "Oh!" at a higher pitch-- a minor third higher, in fact.

Reminiscent of the choral movement of Ravel's ballet, Daphnis et Chloë . . . Draco thought, bemused.

"Get your mind off fucking ballet, and back to fucking me!" growled Harry.

Draco chuckled.

"Just trying to prolong the moment, love. Wouldn't do to finish that far ahead of you . . ."

With the next thrust, Harry tightened his muscles around Draco's cock, causing them both to moan at the same time. Draco barely registered that together they sounded a major third before he thrust again, completely forgetting all his musical training, and lost himself in the feel of Harry's velvet heat wrapped tightly around his desire.

Harry too, lost himself in the feel of being filled so completely by Draco's hot, hard cock.

"Oh, yes, Draco! Harder, fuck me harder!" Harry leaned forward to lift his arse higher, allowing even easier access to his depths.

Draco's eyes rolled back in his head as he complied, speeding up as he pounded into Harry's sweet, tight arse. It was just too perfect . . .

Sensing their impending climaxes, Draco reached around, taking Harry's long neglected erection into his hand, and squeezed. Harry was now torn between thrusting back onto the incredible prick sliding into him, or pushing forward into that delightful hand. Draco stroked Harry's erection in time with his own thrusts, finding that the feel of Harry's heavy head in his hand only pushed him further to the brink. He bit his lip again, wanting Harry to come first.

Harry had been holding back as much as he could, wanting to prolong the moment for as long as possible, but now, between the hot hand around his cock, and Draco's amazing prick in his arse, he found it a lost cause. With a final crescendo, the dam within Harry broke, and he came, screaming.

"Draco, angel, I love you!"

His muscles clamped down around Draco who, hearing his scream, finally lost any semblance of restraint and pumped into his tightness one last time before emptying himself into Harry's body with an answering shout of "Harry, my heart!"

They collapsed onto the sheets, gasping for breath and unmindful of the mess they'd made. Draco pushed himself halfway off Harry's back, not wanting to crush his beloved. Both sighed, sated for the moment.

Draco nuzzled Harry's shoulder

"Did the arch-bastard get that?" he mumbled, smiling sleepily.

Harry's face grew distant, and then he started to giggle. "Oh, yeah, he did. . . I almost feel bad for him . . .almost. . ."

Draco grinned. "It seems fair to me-- he gives you headaches, you give him blue balls."

"He'll think twice before trying to get into my head again, I assure you." Harry said, still giggling.

"Mission accomplished." Draco murmured, before rolling over to pick Harry's watch up off the bedside table. "Well, we've got four hours before lunch. Fancy another go or five?"

"Or five?!" Harry laughed into the pillow. "Actually, I'd fancy a bath at the moment. We reek of sweat and sex."

"Right, sex in the bath!" Draco exclaimed happily, sliding out of the bed.

Harry rolled his eyes, scooting over to follow. "You are insatiable, angel."

Draco paused in the middle of a cat-like stretch, his face troubled.

"I'm no angel, Harry," he said quietly, thinking of past school holidays.

"You're my angel," Harry replied softly, standing up and wrapping his arms around Draco's waist. "It doesn't matter what you've done in your past, under your father's direction.I think we both saw last night that not all angels are bright and fluffy." He kissed Draco's shoulder. "You are exactly what I need, and exactly who I love."

Draco turned around within his arms to face him. "Hm, you're right. Uriel was pretty dark . . . I guess that happens when you preside over Tartarus. . ."

Harry kissed him softly. "On the other hand, remember that Mr. Cheerful, Raphael, is technically a 'Prince of Hades'. And then there's Michael, who among other things, is the Angel of Chaos. . ."

"True, true," Draco conceded. "And sweet Gabriel is an Angel of Vengeance . . ." he returned Harry's kiss. "So, the bath. And let's see if the angels wrote anything on those parchments about Coven-bonds last night, and we can think about who we want to ask to join in . . ."

He deepened the kiss, addicted to the taste of Draco.

Sounds like a good idea to me. . .

They moved into the bathroom. Harry caught his breath when he saw the bathtub, which resembled a small pool, surrounded by many taps, much like the one in the prefects' bathroom. Ledges were cut into the sides, so one could sit comfortably, and still be submerged up to the shoulders, if one filled the tub that high. Off in one corner there was a shower, and in another, a sink and toilet. As Harry made his way to the latter corner, he read some of the labels charmed on to the taps, written in Draco's distinctive hand. Cinnamon, Mint, Rosemary, Sage, Lilac, Cherry, Sandalwood, and Chocolate, among others.

"Scented water?" he asked, smiling slightly.

Draco grinned. "Some. Others are flavoured and some are actually the real thing—like the one that says chocolate syrup . . ."

Harry's eyes grew wide. "We could literally bathe in chocolate syrup if we wanted to? What kinky bastard thought that up?"

"I'm sure I don't want to know. . . let's try the cinnamon-flavoured one today. Unless you'd prefer something else?"

"Nah, that sounds good."

Draco turned the Cinnamon-labelled tap on, and steaming water gushed out, filling the room with a spicy scent, and left to fetch the parchments from the night before, as Harry took care of morning business. Soon, both were luxuriating in the hot water and looking over the envelopes, having charmed the parchments to be waterproof.

"Alright," said Draco, opening the first. "This is from Raphael. . . 'The Eternal Family or Best Friends Forever' . . . Maybe. . ."

Harry opened the second. "From Gabriel, 'Advice for my Little Brothers' . . .I think this is a definite maybe as well. . ."

Draco opened the next. "From Uriel, 'Music of the Night: Songs of Death and Life' . . .oh look, he's written out an entire score for us. . ."

Harry looked over his shoulder.

"Ohh, they're duets for two male voices. . ."

"Yes, and look at the names—all Underworld entities: Hecate, Maat, Osiris, Anubis, Morrigan, Persephone, Azrael . . . Lucifer? Wow. . ."

Harry was impressed. "Well, I think it's a definite no for now, but that's pretty cool . . ."

"Yeah," Draco put the papers back into the envelope and set it aside as Harry opened the next.

"From Michael, 'On Light and Darkness, or the Evil in Light and the Good Night'. Huh, well, I think that's a maybe, possible no for now. . ."

Draco agreed and picked up the next. "From Haniel, ah, yes, 'Considerations of Coven-Bonds', I think this is a definite yes. . ."

Harry nodded in agreement as he opened the last envelope, "Finally, from Metatron, we have 'On the Nature of Angels and Mortals'. Well, I suppose that's descriptive enough. . . a maybe-no? I think we should start with Haniel's, let's see what guidance she can give us. . . "

"Sounds like a good plan," Draco said, as Harry shifted over to sit in his lap. "She writes, 'My dearest friends, I trust that you are reading this only after having had a good sleep, and something to eat . . .'"

An hour later, they had abandoned the bath due to what Draco termed "impending prune-ey-ness", had thrown on some clothing, and were now settled around their sitting room table, munching on fresh fruits and discussing what Haniel had written.

"So, first off," Draco said, "she gave us a timetable for when we must have the inner-most ring of the Coven completed."

"No more than two years, and no less then one," Harry replied, nodding. "So, we've got time—between twelve and twenty-four months, although she did say that, if we choose the right people, we won't be able to finish before seven months have passed. . ."

Draco squished a grape in his mouth.

"That implies that there's at least one person we would want to add who won't be available until then . . . but that also means we'll have some time to think this over . . ."

"Even so, I think we should at least come up with a preliminary list-- after all, each member of the Coven will then be entitled to a Circle of their own. . . and I think that the time for their formation was pretty much the same. . ." Harry peeled off a piece of orange, wiping the juice from his chin. "You said you wanted an equal number of Slytherins?"

Draco frowned thoughtfully.
"Well, one more at the very least. We've got eight places to fill-- and the only person I can think of to fill the 'Mother' role would be Mrs. Weasley. . ."

Harry nodded. "I think that's a good idea. . ." he pulled out a scrap piece of parchment and wrote her name down. "Remember that Sirius was there as one of your witnesses, so his place should be taken by someone who you know well, and who matches his energy."

"Except that they should be alive, of course. . ." Draco noted dryly. "He was something of a prankster, wasn't he?"

Harry nodded, interested to see whom his husband thought of.

"Well, that takes a bit of cleverness and slyness. . . and the slyest person I know whom I also trust is already a part of the Coven, Uncle Severus. . . but after him, I'd have to say Blaise fits the description. . ."

"So, Zabini for Sirius?" Harry asked, quill poised. Draco nodded, biting into a chunk of watermelon as Harry wrote down the Slytherin's name.

"That takes care of the two mortals, provided they agree, of course. . ." Harry smiled. "Now, what about the angels?"

Draco frowned.

"Metatron wrote that Gabriel's place is usually taken by a female. . . so either Ginny Weasley or Pansy. . ."

Harry nibbled on the end of his quill.

"Does Pansy take Divination? ?" he asked thoughtfully.

"Yes, and she's quite good, actually. . . she's pretty sharp with a tarot deck," Draco chuckled in remembrance. "She did a reading for Goyle once. He'd been pestering her with all sorts of inane questions, and finally thought he'd trick her by asking her who his true love was, since he didn't have one. But she pulled out a few cards and announced that indeed, he didn't have one, he had two, and both were Gryffindors. He never asked her anything again, but she swears to this day it was a true reading, and not just her frustration."

Harry nodded, catching glimpses of the memory. "She sounds like she'd do well in Gabriel's position. Should I put her down?"

"If you're sure you don't want Ginny. . ." Draco said.

Harry chewed another piece of orange as he wrote.

"It's not that I don't want her," he said, wanting Draco to understand. "It's that this is your Coven, too, and if Pansy fits the criteria better, then my friendships shouldn't bar her."

Draco nodded. "That being said, I think Ron's a shoe-in for Michael."

"Agreed," Harry said, writing his friend's name beneath Pansy's. "Not that I want to favour the Weasleys, but can you think of anyone better than the twins for Haniel?"

Draco smirked, shaking his head. "Considering all the advice they and that lovely bird gave us? No, not really . . ."

Harry wrote down their names as well. "That leaves Metatron, Uriel, and Raphael. . ." he said. "I think, for Uriel, we should ask Firenze . . ."

Draco lifted an elegant eyebrow. "I don't know him that well, really. . . but I certainly have no objections. In fact, for some reason I have the feeling it's important to have non-humans in the Coven as well."

"Yeah, me too," Harry said. "You notice in all the writings, they never specified human. I met Firenze in my first-year, and I've admired him ever since. I don't know if he'd agree, the relationship between centaurs and humans isn't exactly a good one, but we can at least ask him. . ."

"Then it's agreed, we'll ask Firenze to be in Uriel's place." Draco frowned. "I really haven't any ideas for Metatron, but for Raphael, I'd like to ask Todd."

Harry raised his eyebrows, putting down the quill. "Silversman? He's a little young. . ."

"I know, I know. . ." Draco frowned. "But I can't think of anyone else. And he does fit—Raphael is, among other things, the Angel of both Youth and Knowledge. If Todd doesn't match that, no one will. Raphael, in the first role, will protect him from getting in over his head, as will you and I, and don't forget Mrs. Weasley and Uncle Severus. He'll have a lot of people looking out for him. And besides, we do need someone to balance Granger. . ."

Harry snickered.

"True. . . how about this, we place a temporary bond on him that only lasts one year. Every year from now until he's of age, we have to ask him again. Once he's of age, we'll ask him one last time, and if he accepts, then we can put a permanent bond in place. It may not be as strong, but I'm loathe to have him make some sort of life-altering decision this early. I'd rather give him the chance to change his mind as he grows."

Draco thought this over.

"That's a good solution, but he already has made life-altering decisions in some ways, simply by choosing to sit with me."

Harry nodded as he wrote Todd's name down.

"That leaves Metatron, but we've got some time. Besides, some people may not agree, so we'd have to think of more people anyway . . ."

Both were quiet for a few minutes, lost in thought, before Draco broke the silence.

"You didn't want to put Dumbledore somewhere, then?"

Harry frowned.

"Too much power in one place," he said. "I think he should be independent of us . . ."

"That and you don't exactly trust him at the moment, do you. . ." Draco added.

"Well," Harry bit his lower lip, "that's part of it, yes. . . but only a small part. I mean I've never had any reason to be fond of any member of your house, have I, but here I am, about to ask them to be part of my new family. . . But the fact remains that as both Headmaster of Hogwarts and the head of the Order of the Phoenix, he needs to remain separate, for practical and ethical reasons. It would be a severe conflict of interest, don't you think?"

"But aren't you both working toward the same ends?" Draco was confused. "Where's the conflict?"

Harry shook his head. "Yes, we both want to see the end of Voldemort. But he's our headmaster—it's one thing for a professor to be a part of a Coven, since they have another overseer, so to speak, in the headmaster. But if that headmaster were to join, who's to prevent us from abusing that power?"

"You mean, a sort of 'check and balance", then?" Draco asked.

"Precisely," Harry replied. "We need Dumbledore to remain separate if only to make absolutely sure that we don't become the very thing we're trying to stop. Too much power could well go to our heads, and then we'd be no better than Voldemort."

Draco nodded, understanding, then changed the subject. "Well, then, Junior, fancy a walk through the woods before lunch? We've got a couple of hours. . ."

Harry grinned at the thought, and several minutes later, a black stag and a shining silver fox were chasing each other through the Forbidden Forest, not noticing the unicorn that tracked their progress.

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Magical psychologists have long linked human personas to the archetypes of the ancient gods. For this reason, a motherly woman may be described as an "Isis", while a courageous man may be classified as a Horus, or, if possessing a short or violent temper, a Horus-Set. Other types include Thoth, Ma'at, Anubis, Morrigan, Hecate, Persephone, Demeter, Pan, Baccus, Mercury, and any other divinity you can think of. Some people, however, may be further linked to various angels.

It is true that in many ways, angels are simply modern incarnations of the old gods. After all, Michael was once called Mercury, and before that Hermes and even Thoth. But I think it plain that while much, indeed all, of Thoth remains in Michael, they are understood to have differing personalities. Moreover, where all mortals may be classified using the ancient god archetypes, not all can be classified with the angelic ones, since these are at once more specific, and more overlapping.

Let me explain it this way. The Great Divine is too large to be understood by the mortal mind-- it is for this reason that mortals divide Divinity up into pieces, usually as gods and/ or angels. This is why there is no true monotheism, except among pagans. As soon as you try to focus on the overriding reality, your mind is overloaded. And so even the most evangelical Christian is guilty of idolatry, since they worship ink on paper as their God. At least the pagans are honest about the whole thing. . . But back to the point, one can then consider angels (and every pantheon and spirit) as pieces, or facets, of the Greater Divine.

Now, mortal souls are made of the same stuff as angels, only their "pieces" are smaller. But sometimes, to help in their work, an angel will mingle a piece of itself with the piece of the greater Divine, with the result that the person is not only the manifestation of some aspect the Greater Divine, but also is a manifestation of the angel. . .

For instance, believe it or not, both Draco and Ron are manifestations of different parts of my brother Michael. Ron is the manifestation of the General of the Divine Hosts Aspect, while Draco is the manifestation of the Aspect of the Angel of Passion. Likewise Harry is the manifestation of one of my siblings. . .

From: Metatron, On the Nature of Angels and Mortals

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Ai, it is the reviews I crave
As the whore craves the little pills of her owner.
Feed the addiction, before I waste away
Pining for the fix only you can give.

^_^