Broomsticks and the Big Apple

Broomsticks and The Big Apple

Chapter 11

“Serpensortia!” A snake shot from Draco’s wand and hissed at Professor Masterson. Draco wanted to use the Cruciatus curse or possibly even the life ending Avada curse, but as a Minister he knew he shouldn’t, though he hadn’t discounted it either. Regardless, he knew his serpent that sprang from his wand, was a nasty bugger with a vicious temper and a deadly bite.

“I could call this snake off, if I wanted to Draco, but I won’t, because I want to prove to you that I wish no harm upon you. Do what you will to me, I won’t fight back.”

“Da-Mr. Malfoy? No! Please, he’s important to me. Don’t hurt him!” Hans yelled.

“Get out of here kid, you don’t know this man like I do.” When Draco refused to drop his wand on Nathaniel, who was now backed up into the corner of the room with the snake edging closer and bobbing it’s head, ready to strike, Luke put himself between the snake and Nathaniel.

“What are you doing, Han’s get back!” Draco could see the snake about to strike Han. It lunged and Draco’s eyes grew wide as he prepared to cast the spell, killing the snake. Nathaniel’s one hand came forward, holding the boy around the collarbone while the other arm was extended straight out at the snake, his index and pinky fingers pointing directly into the snake’s cold black eyes. Draco stood in horror and shock as Nathaniel opened his mouth and spoke parsentongue to the snake.

“ShhhhssssyyyyISSSHHH!” He chanted and the snake retreated and rolled over, playing dead.

“Evanesca!” The snaked disintegrated and Draco watched as the boy he knew as Hans, cowered into Nathaniel. Nathaniel wrapped his arms around Luke and hugged the boy.

“Shhh, it’s alright. Go on now. Draco isn’t going to hurt me. We are just going to talk, that’s all.” Luke reluctantly got up and stared at his father, as he left the room. Draco sensed something very familiar behind those eyes. The way he looked at him gave him shivers.

“I’m sorry Hans. That was not meant for you by any means.” The boy didn’t look at him again and left the room.

“You saved my employee,” Draco said.

“Is that a thank you?” Nathaniel said with a smirk.

“I…Yes…” Draco said hesitating.

“Your welcome. Brave boy you have there. He stepped in front of that snake like it was nothing.” Draco thought it odd that he called him “his boy” but he had already admitted it was his employee so he ignored the inconsistency. Besides, it was clear that Hans had formed some kind of close relationship with Nathaniel.

“You’re a parselmouth?”

“For many years now. I’d dare say, that your skills at the Dark Arts, pale in comparison to mine, for obvious reasons. My lighter magic is nearly nonexistent though. That is why I teach History of Magic.”

“Why not teach Dark Arts at Coney Island?” Draco said in a snotty tone.

“Draco, neither of us has forgotten what happened the last time we saw each other.”

“Your damn right!” Draco shot back with venom.

“I want to make amends. I want us to be brothers,” Nathaniel said with a sincerity that Draco struggled to dismiss but couldn’t for some reason.

“I think you stopped seeing the Healer way too soon, if you think that’s ever going to happen.”

“I haven’t stopped seeing the Healers. It’s an ongoing transformation. In fact they suggested that you and I come in for family counseling.”

“Is that supposed to mean something to me Nathaniel?”

“When we spoke, before Lucius showed and the well and all of that, you offered to help me. You said you would be there for me.”

“Yes, the well. The well that you tried to throw me down? Is that the well you are referring to? You are seriously delusional if any of what I said applies. What you did to my wife in the pond and in her mind, when you had the bloody amulet?”

“I was a monster. I have spent years trying to change though. I’m not asking for forgiveness, at least not right now. I just want a chance to prove to you that I can be a brother to you. Perhaps in time you can forgive me and we can start a new.”

“What about all the murders! How are you fucking teaching here? Children! You’re teaching children! What kind of fucked up country is this? Why would they let you teach for god sakes?”

“I’ve never murdered anyone in my life, except Elizabeta.”

“The Aurors found their bodies Nathaniel. I don’t know what kind of elfshit you’re spewing out right now, but they found the bodies in shallow graves allover the property.”

“Yes, Draco. I was raised by vampires. I took Veritserum at my hearing. The truth came out. I never murdered anyone but a vampiress, who was a mass murderer. Each time I would make friends with a lady friend or even a male friend, she would kill them. I did use the Wallacia stone on her victims, but only so I could block the visions of their torment from their minds, before they succumbed. She tred to close though…killing a witch that I had enamorate affections for, and then your wife showed up with Potter. Elizabeta was going to kill your wife first and then feast off the blood of the boy wizard for months, slowly draining his life. I had to think fast. I put Potter in the well to hide him, and then your wife…well…Once I entered her mind I knew who she was, and what I did after that in order to get back at you, I am not proud of.” Draco paced the room in front of Nathaniel, who was still sitting in the corner of the room as to appear less intimidating. “Let’s talk about the issue at hand though,” Nathaniel finally said.

“I’m done talking. Stay away from my family and stay away from me,” Draco said angrily.

“I know where you can find Luke.”

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Luke went back to the Dragon Witch. He brewed the invisible potion and waited. When it was done he guzzled it down and watched as his body disappeared. He rocked uncontrollably on the bed, tears rolling down his cheeks. He felt alone. Really alone. How could Draco treat his brother like that? Luke loved Scorpius. Sure, he annoyed the fuck out of him at times and generally hated the fact that he was this popular quidditch star, when he knew he was every bit as good as his older brother, but he loved him nonetheless. He would never hurt him. Not like Draco wanted to do to Nathaniel. If he could only talk to Scorpius, perhaps he would feel better.

Luke couldn’t stop the tears as he ran through the lobby and out the doors. He knocked into an elderly witch on accident and she looked horrified that some invisible force had knocked her bags from her hands, as she fanned herself to keep from fainting at the oddity of it. He ran through the halls and combed the school for Scorpius. He needed his big brother. Finally, he spotted him leaving the Transfiguration classroom.

“Scorpius, psst. It’s me, Luke,” Luke said tugging on his robes.

“Luke? I can’t see you.” Scorpius said.

“Can you…can we…talk for a minute.”

“We can talk as long as you like bro. I hate my next class and was going to cut it anyway.”

Scorpius walked into an empty classroom, closing the door behind him and Luke followed.

“Scorpius, I’m not…What I mean to say is…I’m..Oh I dunno why I came.” Scorpius reached out and found his Luke’s shoulder and held him in place so he couldn’t leave.

“You missed me?” Scorpius said gently.

“I’m falling apart Scorpius.” Luke began to cry again at that and Scorpius slinked an arm around Luke and pulled him next to him, as they sat side by side on a pair of desks.

“That’s because you miss all of us. Mum and Dad and…me even. You’re just a kid, like me. We still need our family Luke. I know I act all tough, but I don’t have it all figured out either. I’m just as bloody fucked in the head as you.” Luke laughed at that and Scorpius smiled, knowing that he was reaching his brother. He had thought about what he would say to Luke, should he show up and had decided that he wouldn’t try to hold him down and force him to come back, but would try to talk to him. Scorpius too had issues. He had thought about running away after he was expelled and Hermione was at his throat for every insignificant thing. He sucked it up and went on with life and things did get better. He had a girlfriend he loved, his parents were acting much cooler these days, and even though he was still failing Potions, he was doing okay in his other classes. It wasn’t perfect, but it was still good.

“I can’t come back, Scorpius.”

“Why not?”

“Because of what I’ve done to them. I can’t look Mum in the face. It was hard enough looking Dad in the face.”

“What do you mean looking Dad in the face? Did Dad talk to you too?” Luke ignored the question and pressed on to other matters.

“Did you know that Professor Masterson’s real name is Nathaniel and that he’s our Uncle?”

“What!?” Scorpius said looking like he’d been hit by a bludger that Luke knew that name.

“Did you ever hear of Nathaniel?” Luke asked and Scorpius paused, unsure how he should proceed. He decided to tell him the truth.

“Yeah, Luke. I knew about Nathaniel.”

“How did you know? I’d never heard of him until recently.

“I was a baby when Nathaniel was around. He did some bad stuff to Mum and I was there one time. I had nightmares of Mum drowning in a lake and finally after having the same dream for a week straight, Dad told me why I was having the dreams. After that, the dreams went away. I hadn’t thought about Nathaniel since.”

“He seems really nice, like he’s changed.”

“Don’t let Dad hear ya say that. He’d like to kill him.”

“Yeah, he sicked a snake on him and it almost bit me, but Nathaniel is a parseltongue.”

“What!? Fuck me! How is it that you are the one who is supposed to be lost, but I’m the one that is actually lost.”

“Scorpius…How do I come home?” Scorpius leaned his head against Luke’s and answered his little brother.

“You just have to suck it up and be a man, Luke. You have to take your punishment. Trust me though; everybody just wants to hug you to death. It must be because you’re like the next Messiah or something, because I’m positive Dad would lock me in my room until I was twenty, if I had done what you did.” Luke laughed again and Luke laughed with him. A comfortable silence fell over the brothers.

“I kissed Drew Weasley,” Luke finally said.

“Yeah? Good for you dawg! Was it sick?”

“What do ya mean, sick?”

“You know...You’ve been out of circulation too long. You know, was it dope? Phat? Boss? Was it bloody good or not?” Scorpius chuckled.

“Yeah it was fucking awesome,” Luke said with a dreamy look upon his face, although Scorpius, couldn’t see it.

“So are you coming back or not? I’m fucking failing bloody Potions. The Professor is a right foul git, bloody Mr. Know It All, prick. I can’t make a fucking Shrinking Potion to save my life. It kept turning orange and the Professor failed me.” Luke was almost rolling on the floor laughing as both brothers laughed and horsed around in the empty classroom.

“That means the potion was poisonous, Scorpius. That’s why he got so mad. I can brew it for you right quick, if ya want? Just stuff it into a vial and present it when you get to class. It will last for two days, before it turns orange and becomes toxic.”

“Thanks bro, I really owe you.”

“Yes, you do and it’ll cost you a thousand galleons.”

“For real?”

“Hell yes! I don’t get paid until the end of the week and I’m broke. Dad cut me off, or something. The bank people are acting weird. I had to get a job.”

“You have a job?” Scorpius couldn’t believe it. They were rich, they didn’t have to work.

“Come on, let’s go make the potion before the class is in use by Professor Dickhead. I need some ingredients anyway.”

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“What do you mean you know where Luke is?” Draco yanked Nathaniel to his feet by his collar and held him close to his face. “What did you fucking do to my son!?”

“Me? I’m not the one who just called a snake on him. That was all you brother.” Draco literally collapsed on the floor. He fell on his arse and just sat there, dumbfounded. Nathaniel sat down across from him and stared at his brother, waiting for the realization to sink in that Hans was Luke and Luke was Hans.”

“Why didn’t you tell me that was him? I could have snatched him and taken him home!”

“Think about what you just said. If I told you while he was here, then sure you could have grabbed him and made a mad dash for home, but it wouldn’t fix Luke. Now you know who he is, yet he doesn’t know that you know. Seems to me a beter place to start mending fences.” Draco thought about it and damnit, Nathaniel was right. As much as he hated that his wicked brother knew more about his own son and his thought process, then Draco himself did, he had to ask.

“What has he confided in you?”

“See this isn’t so hard is it? You and I conversing, like two normal brothers concerned about their son and nephew’s wellbeing. Come to counseling with me Draco. Bring Hermione too.”

“Cut the shit and just tell me already, Nathaniel. I don’t know what kind of sick and warped mind game you are trying to play with my family now, but I won’t let you hurt Luke.” Nathaniel grabbed Draco by the shoulders at that and shook him.

“NO GAMES, Draco! I want you to be my brother in the truest sense of the word. This is for real. I’ve changed. I’m willing to prove it to you, but can you please, please just let me in and at least consider for a moment that I’m being real?”

Feeling worn out, Draco sighed and let his guard down. “Can you just tell me what he told you? I love my son and I want to help him. If you know something, please just tell me.”

“He’s becoming a man and your wife still treats him like a boy.” Draco looked up at Nathaniel and that cold Malfoy stare took over once again.

“How dare you comment on how my wife raises our son. She is a damn good mother!”

“Of course she is. I wasn’t insulting Hermione.”

“Don’t say her name again. I don’t want my wife’s name rolling off your tongue, ever again!”

“All right, okay. I can see this is going to take more time and I’m prepared to do that, for as long as it takes to repair our relationship,” Nathaniel said.

“So he left because of Hermione?” Draco finally asked after taking a breather and calming himself down once again.

“Not just Hermione. He says that you think he’s soft. He mentioned that you never play quidditch with him, or that he is never asked.”

“I just assumed he didn’t want to play. I bought him a broom. Does he even fly it?” Draco wasn’t really talking to Nathaniel as much as he was just thinking aloud. Nathaniel sensed that and therefore did not answer him, but just let Draco unload. “I suppose I could take him out. I think it’s great that he likes quidditch and wants to play!”

“Maybe you could work with him on potions too. He’s quite the Potion’s Master, for real.”

“You think I don’t know that about my son? Potions was my favorite subject too.”

“Did you consider maybe helping him with his invisibility potion? He’s really stuck. I don’t really know much about potions, but I told him that you do.”

“I never got involved with his love of potions, because I am that good at potions. I didn’t want to show him up or anything, make him doubt himself.”

“Don’t you get it? Luke has been compared to Hermione his whole life. Now that he’s becoming a man, he wants to be like the man he looks up to….you Draco. He needs to see how he is like you. I believe that is what this whole thing is about.” Draco thought about it and he knew Nathaniel was right.

“So he made the invisibility potion, because that’s how he feels. Invisible. I can’t believe I didn’t see this as the cry for help that it was.” Draco bolted upright and dusted off his trousers. He turned to leave but then stopped and looked at Nathaniel.

“I don’t know where we stand, and I can’t think about it now, but thank you for calling that snake off my son. He could have died and it would have been all my fault. I hope he can forgive me.” Nathaniel nodded and smiled and watched Draco leave.

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Two hours later Draco found Han’s standing at his post at the door of the Dragon Witch Resort and Spa. Draco had waited in anticipation for his son’s shift to start. Hermione had taken the day off since the Malfoy’s had arrived and she and Narcissa had were spending the day at the spa inside the hotel, getting their hair and nails done and catching up. She wanted to comb the streets for Luke instead, but Draco had talked her into it. He knew he would tell Hermione this evening about Luke in order to ease her mind, but he feared she would want to go to him immediately and throw her arms around him, and Draco couldn’t have that. He needed time to bond with Luke. He was torn on what to do. Since Draco was his employer, and had already taken an interest in Hans, he knew he could get away with getting close to Luke. If Hermione took a sudden interest in the boy, Luke would surely smell a rat, and might take off, and all hope of ever getting Luke to come home on his volition, would be dashed.

Draco approached his son who was back in his Han disguise. He had an idea and he hoped it would play out well for him and Luke as Father and son.

“Han’s could you come with me please? I’d like to talk about what happened at school with Professor Masterson today.” Luke gulped hard. He had thought about not coming back to work after the whole incident, but he needed the money for his potions, and he was curious to know whether or not, Nathaniel had dimed him out to Draco. It didn’t seem that he did.

“Yes, Sir Mr. Malfoy,” Luke said in character of Han. Draco smiled. He never knew his son was such a good actor. Draco felt he got that from him, as Hermione was a terrible liar. They didn’t speak in the elevator and Draco noticed that Luke looked nervous. He observed the boy and now that he knew it was Luke behind the disguise, he didn’t know how he hadn’t seen it before. His eyes were the same, and he was the same height, and his hands were in every way, Draco’s hands. When the elevator opened up, Draco stepped out and Luke followed. This was Draco’s lab, which took up the entire basement of the building. Back when he built the place, he had considered getting back into Potions on a grander scale. He wanted to open up a pharmaceutical chain, but his work at the Ministry and his kids and all of it, became too cumbersome of a load to carry, so something had to go and unfortunately it was his dream of brewing the wizarding worlds greatest medicines and potions. He thought Luke would impressed with the lab. It was an all white room, with lab tables and cauldrons and vials and a fifty-foot wall, of every ingredient under the sun for brewing potions. He even had obscure items like dragon’s teeth and horns, rare plants and flowers, some that only bloomed once a decade and even a vial full of unicorn hair. He watched, as Luke’s eyes grew wide. He truly was like a kid in a candy store. Draco sat down at his desk and motioned for Luke to take a seat across from him. Draco casually lit up a cigarette.

“How are you doing in your Potions class at Westwitch?” He took a slow drag off the cigarette.

“I got an Outstanding last term.” Luke reached for the pack of Marlboro Lights on Draco’s desk and Draco stiffened. He had given Hans a cigarette the very first night he had met him. Oh, Hermione would Avada his arse if she ever found out. He watched as Luke lit up the cigarette.

“That’s good to hear. You know, Hans, you probably shouldn’t smoke at your age. For someone your age, it could stunt your growth. I wasn;t thinking when I gave you one the first time.”

“I’m already as tall as you, I don’t think that matters,” Luke said with a smirk that was all too familiar to Draco. He really was witty and quick with the comebacks.

“True, however, I wasn’t really talking about height. You want to please a woman someday right?”

“What do you mean? Are you saying that my willy won’t grow…Oh!” Luke stamped the cigarette out in an ashtray and Draco too, put his out. He definitely had to quit smoking, sooner rather then later. That gave him an idea.

“So, normally I would ask my son Luke to help me with this potion that is troubling me. But, he still isn’t home, much to our dismay and loss. I was hoping that perhaps, I needed a fresh, young perspective. Would you be interested in helping me?”

Luke leaned back in his chair and stretched his arms across the back of his chair and the chair next to him. Draco almost burst into laughter at seeing his son emulate him so flawlessly. Draco used this tactic in meetings all the time. It was a way to appear more confidant, and allowed him to successfully control the conversation, to steer it the way he wanted. Body language was so important in accomplishing ones goals in a negotiations type setting and Luke, like Draco, seemed to exude confidence naturally.

“Depends what the potion is I suppose,” Luke finally replied after leaving Draco to stew and wonder.

“It’s a potion to quit smoking. So far, I haven’t had much luck. I want to quit you see, but it’s hard,” Draco lied. He had only just thought this idea up, and even though he was quite sure he could brew this particular potion on his own, he wanted Luke to do it with him. It would give them something enjoyable to do together, something they both liked.

“Sure, I’ll brew it for you. Piece of cake.”

“I was hoping we could work together, you and I. I’m a bit…” Draco paused searching for the best lie. “…protective over my potions, so I’d want to assist.” Luke nodded as if he completely understood that frame of thinking.

“Right then. Let’s get to it. Is this a good time, or do you wish me to man the door in the lobby?” Draco smiled. His plan was going to work.

“Follow me.” They dawned lab coats and rummaged through the potions shelves, each gathering the ingredients they thought they would need for the task at hand. When they were done, they both sat down next to each other and did a visual inventory of the others ingredients list.

“You have crushed peppermint leaves. I don’t think that will be necessary,” Luke said in a very serious tone, completely losing his German accent and unaware of it. Draco couldn’t have been more pleased.

“Ah, but that is the finishing touch,” Draco said. “It’s for taste. People don’t like to drink concoctions that taste like a worn out quidditch sock.” Luke chuckled at the image he got in his mind.

“True. I hadn’t thought about that.”

“Yes, it’s those finishing touches, taste and texture and color, that make or break a potion. You can add all the right ingredients and make a spectacular potion, but if you don’t package it and market it to the consumer properly, then you may as well dump it down the sink.”

“I hadn’t thought of that. But, peppermint leaves isn’t the right choice of ingredients.” Draco looked stunned to hear his son say that. “ Muggle Peppermint oil or even cinnamon, would work better. The leaves would make the texture lumpy and would color the potion green and I think this potion should be the color of…” Luke began to think and so did Draco.

“Sparkling blue sapphires,” father and son said, at the exact same moment. Luke craned his neck in Draco’s direction and Draco stared at Luke, bewildered. Both were quite shocked to have uttered the same words, verbatim.

“I think I’m going to like working with you. That’s saying something too, because I never like working with partners,” Luke said, reaching for something on the table where their ingredients lay spread out. Draco smelled smoke and turned to see Luke smoking again.

“I thought we talked about smoking and why it isn’t good for someone your age?”

“How will I know if the potion we are making actually works, if I don’t get addicted to the cigarettes just like you?” Draco rubbed his finger between his eyes, watching his young son, smoking muggle cigarettes. Of all the potions he had to choose, why did he choose this one? Outsmarted, by his thirteen-year-old son, who was smoking like a chimney, right in front of him. He needed help. He needed a way out of this, without letting Luke know that he was not Hans. Help arrived in the voice of an angel. His wife.

“There you are Dragon. So what do you think? I had to get away from your mother, so I came and found you. I love seeing you in the potions lab again! Reminds of Hogwarts and how sexy you looked in your robes, with a bubbling cauldron between us.Even if you were a complete arse back then.” Hermione gushed and spun in circles, showing off her new hairdo. Draco knew that Hermione would never have revisited that particular memory of him, around either Luke, or Scorpius, and Draco thought Luke looked nervous, with Hermione’s presence and by the comment she had just made about Draco being sexy.

“Your hair looks lovely Hermione. Never better,” Draco said giving his wife a quick peck on the lips and running his hand through her hair. It was completely straight and really did accentuate her pretty face, though, Draco had grown fond of her bushy mane over the years. Hermione turned her attention now, to the strong smell of smoke that wafted in the air.

“Smoking? Hans isn’t it? You are too young to smoke.” Hermione reached for her wand and zapped the cigarette away. It disintegrated into thin air. She then, reached into her handbag and sprayed perfume into the air. Both Draco and Luke covered their noses.

Hermione to the rescue, Draco silently thought as he choked on the flowery aroma.

Review!?

Thanks to all the new reviewers and readers of the Broomsticks series! Wooohoooo!! I was also glad to see that. I will probably write Merlin’s Coven chapter tomorrow morning so look for that update soon. Thanks to Starrynite45, Rygirl824, Dani, ucdevil, smurphy,eliza jane, Lux, paigey07,mrs. Malfoy, ladyvoldemort87,swfap88,jen hofflman,windskii,Natalia Potter,Litto Star, sexylala,AquarianDutchess, BabyDark,sidnerella, Violi,the fiutureMrsJohnnyDepp,Gigglegirl89,crissiicullen18,LoveDM, Wanna Bet on a Bear Hug, Ancient and Forever, and Mrs Hermione Jane Weasley!! You all are such GREAT reviewers!! Thank you so very much. Thanks to all the readers and reviewers! I have some quidditch and some teen romance and some other stuff coming up in this story….and wow Christmas too! :P Christmas in July, gotta love it hehehehe