Indelible

Did I mention I finished THE ERLKING? I did, except at HPFAN because it wont let anyone update right now. I hate the Title of this Chapter.

It might be a bit confusing. But I’m going to call him ‘Harry’ when he is around people who know that he really is Harry. He’ll be ‘Dorian’ when he is around people who don’t know.

Also, Severus is a double agent. He protects Harry because, like canon, he loved Lily and Harry is Lily’s son. But Severus doesn’t know that Harry is Dorian, and he doesn’t know that Marvolo is Voldemort either. That’s why Severus is a bit insolent towards Voldemort. As for his loyalties, Severus isn’t loyal to either side, until they win. He will protect Harry, for Lily’s sake, but he won’t necessarily be on Harry’s side. Right now, he’s content to straddle the fence, so to speak, and play both sides until he’s caught out. Voldemort suspects him. Dumbledore trusts him implicitly, and Harry plain doesn’t like him.

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Russian is underlined and bold
Tom, in Harry’s head is italic
Harry, in Harry’s head is bold
Voldemort, in Harry’s head is underlined
Parseltongue is bold and italic
Merfolk speak is underlined and italic

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Words: 3,647
Chapter 10
Splash
September 12th 1995.

Almost two weeks had passed and the Headmaster continuously attempted to get Harry alone. It pissed Tom off to no end, and Dorian always tried to stay within distance of Remus or Draco. The blond teenager had taken to being a dominant fiancé rather well. He glared at anyone who touched or looked at Harry inappropriately, whenever Dumbledore requested a meeting with Harry, Draco would go along and quote passages of the Doctrine of Married and Affianced Rights. That meant Dumbledore couldn’t be alone with Harry, at least not without Draco, without punishment. Draco was also enjoying the dark look on Tom’s face whenever red eyes looked at the engagement ring on Harry’s finger.

“Dorian,” Albus greeted with a smile. The man practically ran through the corridor to catch up with the boy. Dorian gave him a dirty look. Draco’s hand tightened on Dorian’s arm, and they kept walking. “Mr. Grey, I insist you slow down.”

Dorian stopped walking and turned around to face the elderly man. “What is it you want with me Headmaster? You’ve become my constant shadow these past few days.”

“My fiancé and I would like to know why.” Draco drawled, folding his arms across his chest and narrowing his eyes suspiciously.

Albus smiled, his head tilted to one side slightly and he waved his hand in a dismissive manner. “Come now boys. Can’t a Headmaster take an interest in his pupils?”

Dorian snorted, “they have a word for people like that, Sir.” He sneered, and Draco chuckled.

Dumbledore’s face took on a pinched expression for a second, but then he smiled at them once more. “Detention, Mr. Grey. Tonight, with me.” He walked past them, humming under his breath and Dorian swore.

“You think we could get Remus or even Snape to cover my detention tonight?” Harry frowned and Draco reached out to hug the smaller boy.

“Professor Snape,” the blond corrected out of habit. “Doubt it. Maybe we can get one of them to ‘accidentally’ barge in?” Harry shrugged and Draco tightened his hold. “Come on, let’s go back to our rooms. I think you need a hug from Tom.”

Later that night, Harry warily made his way to the Headmaster’s office. He stood at the bottom of the stone steps eyeing the gargoyle with distaste and distrust. Without speaking the password, the gargoyle jumped to one side and Harry hesitantly climbed up the steps.

“Ah there you are.” Dumbledore said merrily. He watched Dorian from behind his desk, with his fingers steepled together and tucked beneath his chin. “How have you been, my boy?” Dorian rolled his eyes and entered the room fully. He wasn’t at all pleased to be there, but he didn’t want to seem cowardly, running back to Voldemort or Tom and begging them to get him out of this detention.

“Fine.” He muttered, reluctantly adding, “Sir.”

“Good, that’s good. Have a seat.” Harry slumped into one of the overstuffed chairs in front of the desk. He slouched down low, and scowled slightly. “Now, for your detention I thought we could get to know one another better. How about that? I’ll ask some questions and you can ask me questions as well. Would you like to start, Dorian?”

Dorian snorted, “Sure. Do we really have to do this?”

“Now, now, that isn’t very nice. My turn then.” He paused and rubbed his hand over his chin, brushing down his beard. “How did your mother die?”

“That’s really none of your business.” Dorian hissed. He narrowed his eyes, trying not to panic and reached out to Voldemort through their link. “Marvolo, how did Emily Grey die?”

He felt mild annoyance float back towards him, and then frustration as Voldemort tried to think of something on the spot. Strangely no one had thought of an answer to that question. But then again, most people were well mannered enough not to ask something so personal when barely acquainted. “Tell the old man Voldemort sent an envoy to Russia. Your mother was one of those he attempted to recruit. Most joined him, but she refused and was killed. It should make him believe you hate me sufficiently.”

“Is that what we want though? What if he decides I’d make a good boy wonder?” But Voldemort didn’t answer. Tom was strangely silent as well.

So Dorian answered the Headmaster. After he had finished speaking, he looked at Dumbledore with a scowl. The man was staring at him, a calculating look on his face, as if trying to determine if Dorian was making it up. “Why do you want to know?” Dorian asked hostilely.

“As I said, my boy, I want to get to know you better.” Dumbledore smiled. “My turn again.”

“Fire away,” then Dorian muttered something in Russian, which was rather insulting, but Dumbledore didn’t know that. Voldemort had cast a spell on him so he would be able to speak and understand Russian fluently, which was a good idea considering he had supposedly lived in Russia all of his life.

“How do you feel about the war against Voldemort?” Dorian opened and closed his mouth a few times, but no sound came out. That had been rather blunt. Dumbledore either seriously suspected him, or he was getting desperate.

Before either could speak again, Remus burst through the doors to the Headmaster’s office. “Albus, quick, come, Peeves.” He panted, not making much sense but Dumbledore stood up and began to leave the room anyway. As Remus followed him out, he turned back to Dorian and gave a wink.

Harry slumped down further in the chair and frowned. He still couldn’t feel Tom. When Dumbledore didn’t come back after ten minutes, Harry left the office. The moment he stepped foot off of the staircase towards the office, Tom’s presence flooded back into his mind again.

“What the fuck?” He muttered.

“I believe the old man has warded his rooms. No one, such as us, or those under the Imperious, can be affected by mind curses while there. Irritating, interfering man! I suppose he thinks he’d do someone a favor? Lifting a mind control? I wish he were dead.” Tom snarled. He paced around in their private Chamber, glaring at the walls and kicked water up at their floating bed.

“Calm down,” Harry told him. With a sigh, Harry walked away from the office and made his way to his own rooms. “I wish he were dead too,” Harry muttered as he approached the portrait. The portrait was of Thetis, surrounded by fairies, sitting on a tree swing. The branches of the willow tree moved occasionally, swatting at the fairies that flew out of reach. Thetis smiled at Harry. She was a woman at that moment, but when Harry smiled back she changed, becoming the mirror image of Lord Voldemort. Harry spat the password and, giggling, Thetis changed back and allowed him entry.

Thetis was a shape-shifting god, from Greek mythology. After many years, and numerous attempts a mortal managed to seduce and woo her. She kind of got on Harry’s nerves, mainly because she never turned into Tom. Just Voldemort, and it was sort of annoying, cause Harry was in love with Tom! He had pointed that out to her once, a week ago, and she had sort of half shrugged, changed into Dumbledore and started to cackle silently. Tom had wanted to set her on fire, but Remus wouldn’t let him.

“I don’t like that portrait.” Tom complained, before materializing and throwing himself down on the sofa beside Harry. Harry turned to look at the other boy and smiled. He ran his hand over Tom’s face and chin, before his fingers forced Tom to close his eyes. “What are you doing?”

“Memorizing you.” Harry answered with a soft smile.

“I’ll be here forever.” Tom whispered pulling Harry into his arms.

The brunette relaxed into the grasp, but whispered back, “no one stays with me forever Tom.”

Suddenly Harry’s bedroom door swung open and Blaise and Draco walked out, talking quietly. Tom disappeared silently and Dorian sat up from the sofa. “Hey guys.”

“How was detention?” Draco asked, moving to pull Dorian into a hug.

“You really are engaged?” Blaise asked, slightly unbelieving.

Draco chuckled, but Dorian was the one to answer. “Yes, of course we are. And we’re very much in love, thanks for asking.” Draco chuckled again. At Dorian’s words, a loud shriek echoed from the bedroom. The brunette looked startled and turned to the blond with wide eyes.

“That’s Pansy. She’s been like that since I confirmed our engagement.” He kissed Dorian’s cheek softly. Another wail followed the first, along with some loud sobbing. The girl actually wheezed once or twice, sniffled and started coughing, and then wailed again. Dorian’s eyes were still wide, and they turned to look at the still open door. Pansy was sprawled across his bed, sobbing, with her face in her hands.

“I feel really guilty.”

“Don’t love.” Draco whispered, “We can’t help loving each other.”

Blaise snorted. “Ok you two are not for real. I’m actually starting to choke on all the fluff in this room.” Draco just sneered at his long time friend. They sat on the sofa together, Blaise on one end and Draco at the other. Dorian sat on Draco’s lap.

They spoke about random things, all the while wincing whenever Pansy shrieked again. Tom would occasionally say something to Harry who would laugh and answer out loud, forgetting about Blaise for that moment. Then Harry would whisper what Tom said to Draco, who also laughed. Blaise watched them all for a few minutes before jumping to his feet.

“You’re insane,” he muttered as he headed to the door. “You’re all bleeding crazy.” Pansy wailed again. “You’re not much better off, Parkinson,” he cried through the open door before slamming it after him. In her portrait, Thetis changed into Blaise, and made a show of storming around the wood, smacking her swing and telling her fairies they were insane. Harry decided she was growing on him.

XXX

September 16th 1995.

The group of Slytherin’s made their way out to the Black Lake. They had Care of Magical Creatures with the Gryffindor’s first thing that day. Dorian sighed and stayed close to Draco’s side. He really didn’t like the way some people’s eyes lingered on him, and Draco was oh-so-good at making unwanted attention go away.

The Gryffindor’s glared as the Slytherin’s got closer.

Rubeus Hagrid grinned at them all, and waved. “Gather ‘round, class.” He said, his words barely understandable because of his thick accent. “Today we be learnin’ bout Merfolk.” A few people gasped in surprise or awe, and many stepped away from the Lake. Merfolk weren’t the nicest race of creatures. “Now, now, don’t fear, class. They ‘re severely misunde’stood creatures.”

Two mermaids lifted their heads out of the water. Both were female. Their heads were a mix between snake and fish, and unlike the fairy tales they didn’t look the slightest bit like a human. Scales covered their faces, chests and stomachs. Some of the boys in Gryffindor pointed at their breasts and nudged each other while giggling. The mermaids looked a little pissed off at that. Their tales were scaly as well, and began just below their belly buttons. Each carried a spear, and their hair flowed behind them like seaweed, in green or brown.

Dorian nudged Draco and leant over to whisper, “I have lingered in the chambers of the sea, with sea-girls wreathed with seaweed gold and brown, till human voices wake us and we drown.”1 Draco gave a half smirk back and continued to watch the Merfolk.

“Who ca’ tell us bout Merfolk?” Hermione raised her hand and Hagrid nodded at her.

“Merfolk, often called mermaids or mermen, are sea creatures. Unlike their fictional counterpart, Merfolk are cruel and dislike humans. They cannot speak about water, and they resemble a cross between a fish, and a snake. Their eyes,” everyone looked closely at the faces of the Merfolk, “are slitted, and like a reptile’s they close sideways, covered by a thin membrane rather than ‘eyelids’. Merfolk are similar to Kelpies, in that if someone stumbles across them, they will more than likely eat them. However, they are governed by a ruler, and never attack their own species, which is a noble attribute.”

The Merfolk positively beamed at the last sentence, taking it as the compliment it was intended to be. At Hermione’s words, some of the boys in Gryffindor got a look on their face. It could be described as menacing, or cruel, and it was obvious that whatever they were thinking would not have a good result.

As the lesson drew to a close, Hagrid allowed the students to come closer in groups of three to shake hands with the Merfolk. Dorian and Draco stepped forward, the last two Slytherin’s to approach the Merfolk. As they were meant to be in groups of three, Hermione walked forward to join them. Dean Thomas, a Mudblood, got there before her.

“Hi,” he said with a smirk.

”Hello,” Dorian said politely. He bowed to one of the mermaids before reaching his hand out for them to take. The creature shook his hand softly, then her grip tightened and she began to screech. Draco turned towards her, and then looked at Dorian. He was just in time to see Seamus sneak past Hagrid and shove Dorian forward. The mermaid had been trying to warn him.

With a splash, Dorian fell into the Lake. As per Hermione’s information, the two mermaids descended upon him. While on land, he was safe from them, but now he had strayed into their territory without permission, and that made him fair game.

When Dorian didn’t surface immediately, Draco went to dive in after him but Hagrid pulled him back. “’Ey, Takaliteh,” he called to the mermaid who held her hand over Dorian’s mouth, “let ‘im go, yeah?” He waved his hand towards himself, as if calling Dorian forward. The boy’s green eyes were wide with fear, and his arms flailed wildly as he tried to claw his way to the surface. He couldn’t breathe!

Dean and Seamus snickered softly, nudging each other and glaring at the Slytherin’s in turn. “Death Eater,” they hissed together. One more dead Death Eater wouldn’t cause anyone heartache, they decided and kept chuckling.

“Go back ta th’ Castle,” Hagrid shouted, turning around to glare at the laughing duo. “You two go ta Snape’s office.” The students left, except Draco.

Hagrid jumped into the Lake, and began to wade after Dorian. “Let ‘im go, you hear?” Hagrid shouted as he swam after them. More Merfolk came, there were about six now, all of them hovering around Dorian, who was slowly going limp.

“Look what we have here.”

“Pretty, pretty, looks so yummy.”

“Give us a taste, yes, yes, let us taste the pretty.”

They all spoke quickly, their voices sounding slurred as if they were either very drunk, or very hungry. Dorian bit the hand that was clamped over his mouth. The mermaid let go and swam backwards. Dorian swam as quickly as he was able, trying desperately to get to Hagrid. A hand clamped over his ankle, and pulled him back down. Dorian screamed, and sucked in a lung full of water.

Choking, he barely heard the merman coo with delight. “Such a yummy looking human, and so powerful. Oh yes, we shall enjoy you.”

Dorian’s eyes bled to red, and Tom growled as he hissed out the incantation for the Bubble-Head Charm. Now, able to breathe properly, Tom concentrated on getting Harry’s body away from these animals. A handful of Stunning Charms, and Cutting Hexes later, Tom cast the levitation charm on himself, and literally flew up out of the Lake. Hagrid grabbed him out of the air, when Tom cancelled the charm.

Green eyes met Draco’s gray ones, and the blond ran to keep up with Hagrid’s brisk pace. Dorian was placed on one of the beds in the hospital wing, and Hagrid turned to Draco.

“Look Malfoy, I know you don’ like me, but your fiancé nearly died, he did.” Draco just nodded, too shaken by what had happened to his friend to speak. “Ima get the Headmaster. You tell Poppy what happened.” Draco nodded again. Hagrid left.

When the giant was out of earshot, Tom appeared beside the blond and spoke. “Harry’s sleeping, I can’t even hear him in my head. We have to get out of here. Madame Pomfrey will know who Dorian is if she is allowed to check him over. Get Harry back to your rooms, and Remus will make sure he’s ok.” Tom sounded worried, and scared and it was enough to make Draco shake in fear as well.

“He’s ok though?” The blond asked, reaching out to squeeze Harry’s hand. The boy in the bed didn’t move. He lay, pale and wet and still and Draco squeezed the hand harder to see if Harry would flinch. His shoulder length hair was pasted to Dorian’s face, wet and stringy and Draco chuckled softly cause he knew Harry would be pissed that his hair would dry frizzy.

“I’m sure he’ll be fine. Keep a closer eye on him.” Tom chided with a frown. He disappeared just as the door to the infirmary opened and Severus Snape stormed inside.

“I have Thomas and Finnegan in my office right now, and neither will tell me what is going on.” He looked at his godson, and Draco sobbed.

He knew the Dark Lord was wary of Snape, but the man had been a part of Draco’s family for years and Draco trusted him with his life.

”Your fiancé?” Severus asked and Draco nodded.

“They pushed him into the Black Lake. He was nearly drowned by six Merfolk, and those two did nothing but laugh and call him a Death Eater.” Draco’s hands clenched and his knuckles turned white. “Punish them. Tell me you’ll punish them.”

“They endangered a student’s life, by all rights they should be expelled. But you know how Dumbledore favors those Gryffindor’s. I will try Draco.” Severus squeezed Draco’s shoulder lightly. “Would you like me to get Madame Pomfrey?”

“NO!” Draco shouted before clamping his free hand over his mouth. “No, Mr. Hayes doesn’t trust many people, especially those working for Dumbledore. He has Professor Lupin trained to care for Dorian. Could you help me bring him to our rooms?”

Without answering, Severus picked Dorian up bridal style, and walked from the infirmary. Draco followed him, a scowl playing across his face. Those Gryffindors would pay, even if it were the last thing he did. Harry was his best friend, he had not always been, but he was now, and no one got away with harming someone a Malfoy considered theirs.

Thetis looked at them curiously, but opened without the password, her eyes lingering on Dorian’s pale face. She looked like Voldemort again, but Snape didn’t notice. He was too busy staring at the strange scar on the boy’s forehead. Before he could ask, Draco said, “fell out of a window and landed on his head.” Snape rolled his eyes at that and muttered something insulting about clumsy idiots, and then he left the room.

“Don’t call me an idiot, stupid greasy man!” Harry hissed in Russian when the door closed behind Snape. He had woken up as he was laid down on his bed and Draco was explaining about his scar. It was just he and Draco now. When Draco left to find Remus, Harry was alone with Tom, who wrapped his arms possessively around the younger boy’s waist and pressed soft kisses to his hair.

“Your hair is wet.”

“No duh!” Harry snorted and Tom bit his ear lightly.

”Never scare me like that again.” His arms tightened and he let out a shaky breath. “I thought I had lost you.”

Harry turned in Tom’s arms, so that they were face to face. “Try not to get killed by Merfolk. Just added it to my list.” He leant forward and pressed a soft kiss to Tom’s nose then his lips. “I love you.”

“I love you also.” Tom whispered back.

“Wake me when Remus and Draco get here.”

When the werewolf arrived, with the blond in tow, no one was heartless enough to wake either boy that lay, sleeping in each others arms, on the bed. Remus cast diagnostic spells he had learnt in Hogwarts (mostly to heal himself after the full moons) and Draco crawled onto the bed, on the other side of Harry, and slowly ran his fingers through Harry’s hair.

“Do you love him?” Remus asked quietly. If Draco did, Tom was not likely to let them continue to pretend to be engaged.

“Not like that. It’s like Harry is a part of me, very close to me, but I don’t want to do the things Tom does to him. Yeah, I like to hold him and kiss his cheek and wrap my arm around his waist, but I do that because I know he likes to be touched like that. He’s very affectionate. He’s my best friend, and the thought of anyone hurting him, even Tom, is enough to make me want to kill someone in cold blood. Which is strange, cause I’m not really the killing type. I think of Harry as family, I suppose.” He wrapped his arm around Harry’s waist, mindful of Tom’s arm and snuggled close to Harry’s back.

“So,” Remus said with a teasing smile, “the Malfoys are that kind of family.” Draco frowned, momentarily, then caught on to what Remus was suggesting and laughed softly.

“Wouldn’t you like to know.” He muttered. He yawned, and vaguely heard Remus leave the room before he fell asleep.

XXX

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1 I have lingered in the chambers of the sea, with sea-girls wreathed with seaweed gold and brown, till human voices wake us and we drown. – T.S. Eliot, Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock. At least that’s how I think it goes. It’s been a long time since I read Eliot.

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Hey, thanks for reading. It’s been so long since I updated this, I actually don’t remember half of what I wrote in the previous chapters. Good thing I’ve had up to chapter 14 planned out for ages then.

Please review.

And if you have time, check out my new fiction. THE LAMBS: a Fenrir/Harry fiction.
A society of werewolves hasn’t got a lot to be afraid of, expect perhaps The Lambs, a collection of elemental-magic-wielding werewolf hunters. If that wasn’t important enough to worry about, the werewolf Alpha, Fenrir, has to figure out how to kidnap the Lambs’ Heir, Harry. Harry just happens to be Fenrir’s mate, who doesn’t believe in the existence of werewolves, because his parents decided ‘if he didn’t know about it, it can’t kidnap and mate with him’. AU non-magic.