Emerald and silver

Chapter 28

Draco and James had been flying for over an hour when they arrived at their next destination. The blonde looked around noticing the seclusion of the location and the beauty. They stood in a glade surrounded by trees; the floor of the glade was covered in lush green grass and a myriad of wild flowers popping up all over the entire area in a vast array of colors. To the north along the edge between the wood and the glade ran a stream only a few feet wide and a few feet deep. Upon closer inspection Draco noticed hundreds of different species of butterflies floating from flower to flower.

“Where are we?” Draco asked, the awe evident in his voice.
“I’m not sure exactly. I have only ever been able to find this place when I’ve been in my dragon form. I’ve tried unsuccessfully in my human form to locate this place. I also have never seen any evidence to indicate that anyone else has been here either. I have been coming here for the past year when I am in need of solitude to think clearly on things. Just to be safe however I put up wards after we landed so that we will be warned if anyone approaches. After we eat the lunch that we brought with us, you could try your animungus form again.”
“I’ve tried it so many times before and nothing has happened. What makes yoink ink I will have any success this time?”
“Because I am going to show you in your mind what your form is and what it looks like. After seeing your animagus appearance, you’ll have something on which to concentrate on.”
“You know what my form is? How?”
“I have seen it. Seeing other’s forms and magical abilities is another thing that came naturally after my change. I am also able to see the human form of someone while they are in there animagus form.” “Why didn’t you show me before?”
“ I didn’t think you were ready before. You are much stronger now, magically and physically; I think you can handle it.”

As much as James wanted to wrap his arms around the blonde and kiss him, he was not sure if Draco was ready after the discoveries of the morning. So instead he walked over and stood beside him, raised his hands to Draco’s head, leaned in and whispered, “Are you ready?”
Draco’s senses were on fire just being near James but feeling his touch sent electricity through his body, making him want to give in to his urges and instincts. ‘But I won’t give in, not until I have the answers to my questions,’ he thought to himself.
“Yes, show me,” Draco answered.
Suddenly the blonde’s head was filled with the image of a swirling mist, slowly the mist began to dissipate leaving behind the most amazing creature. It almost didn’t look real, looking as if it was made from pure silver. Draco would have thought the image a statue if it hadn’t turned around so that he could see two of the bluest eyes, shimmering like when the sun strikes the surface of water. Everything was silver, the scales, the wings, the claws and the single row of spikes cascading down the dragon’s back. The only things that were not silver were the creature’s eyes and the tips of its wings. Draco took in every detail in his mind, knowing it was critical for transformation, before he reopened his eyes to stare back into two familiar gold and green orbs.
“I’m a dragon,” he stated, with awe in his voice.
“Yes. Now that you’ve seen, can you not feel it?”
“I’m ready.”
“Yes, I know you are. Close your eyes. Envision and feel the change.”

James watched as Draco transformed into the most beautiful creature he had ever seen. He conjured a mirror so that Draco would be able to see himself.
“Open your eyes and see for yourself.”
James walked up behind the Silver Dragon and slowly reaching out his hand, lightly running his fingertips over the silver scales. He trailed his fingers up the center of the dragon’s back where his wings connected and gently ran both of his hands over the edges of the dragon’s wings. James heard the dragon let out a low growl but knew it was non-threatening.

Draco stood amazed, looking at his reflection in the mirror when he felt gentle fingers run down the scales on his sides. He stood transfixed, not staring at himself but at the reflection of James behind him, now running his fingers up his spine. He couldn’t believe how erotic a simple touch could be. It was almost too much when he felt James hands caressing both of his wings and he let out what he felt was a deep moan but sounded like a growl coming from his dragon form. He closed his eyes again and pictured his human form then changed back. When he was certain he had transformed back completely he launched himself at James and tackled him to the ground.
James knew he could easily throw Draco off of himself at any time but he didn’t fight. He was amused seeing the blonde be this aggressive; he liked it. Draco pinned James’ arms up over his head against the ground and leaned down, taking his lips in a possessive kiss while rubbing his rock-hard erection against the raven-haired man’s thigh, to let him know exactly what he had done to him. Draco broke from the forceful kiss to catch his breath, brushed his lips up against James’ ear and said, “Did you know what you were doing to me? Did you do it on purpose?”
Finally understanding that Draco was referring to the touch he had given the other man’s magical form, James looked deeply into Draco’s eyes so that his sincerity could be seen.
“No, I didn’t know that it would cause this type of reaction. I wasn’t trying to cause any type of reaction. You were just so breathtaking, I couldn’t stop myself. I was drawn to you.”
“Good answer,” was all the blonde said as he released the other man’s arms and brought his lips down for a less possessive but more passionate kiss. James kissed back with equal passion and wrapped his now free arms around Draco pulling him in closer. Draco once again was the one to break the kiss.
“I want this. I want you but I need some of my questions answered first and I don’t think that the conversation is going to be short or simple.”
He leaned down for a quick chaste kiss before he rolled off of James and sat up completely.
“Yes, we still have a lot to do this afternoon before we are able to talk about things this evening. Let’s eat lunch and I’ll tell you what we are going to be doing for the remainder of the day.”
James noticed how uncomfortable Draco looked trying to sit still in his aroused state and felt sympathy for he, too, was in a similar state. As the two began eating their lunch from the packed basket they had brought with them, James began discussing what he had planned for the remainder of the day.
“When we are finished eating, we will change into our magical forms and you will follow me to the northern dragon sanctuary; that, too, can only be found in our dragon forms. No humans may enter, not to mention the fact that they will only communicate with their own kind.”
“I thought that that place was only a myth. No one’s ever seen it before, only dreamed about the place?”
“Well originally I went to Romania in my dragon form to speak to the dragons that they have held captive there and they informed me how to find it.”
“When they told you, did they know that you were a human?”
“Yes, they are extremely intelligent creatures. They have taught me a great deal about magic not written in any books. They know how rare it is for a wizard to have a magical creature as their animagus form; being a dragon is even more rare. Even though we are not truly dragons, they still consider us to be one of them.”
“Did they say if there had even been any others?”
“Two of the Hogwarts founders had the same ability; to become dragons, as well as other magical creatures.”
“They were polymagus? Which founders?”
“Salizar was both a dragon and a basilisk. Godderick was both a dragon and a gryffin. Even though I’ve had the ability to do different types of magic, like seeing others animungus forms, the dragons are the ones that taught me how to use it.”
The two finished their lunches and, after cleaning up, decided it was time to leave. James couldn’t help himself, being in this place that was special to him and sharing it with Draco. He grabbed the blonde, pulled him tightly to his chest and kissed him firmly on the mouth but delving no deeper than a chaste kiss. When he was released, the blonde could only stare in shock at James, feeling both the passion and the spontaneity of the kiss. That was the first time James had ever shown his dominance over him, and it left him wanting more.
“Transform and follow me,” James said, as he quickly shifted into his dragon form.
Once Draco had also transformed they both took off in to the sky, a stunning silver dragon following an entrancing emerald dragon.


Chapter 29

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Later the Same Evening


Draco was standing in the bathroom of the hotel they would be staying in for the night, letting the hot water from the shower stream down his body. His mind was running over the events from the day. It had been an absolutely amazing experience entering into the Dragon realm. He could remember everything he had learned there; specific magic he could do that all dragons can perform. It is commonly known that dragons can breath fire but not so commonly known that their breath can freeze things as well. Dragons can look into human’s minds and know what their heart desires and feels. They also have the ability to call upon ancient magics that can pause time and, though they never use it, they can also reverse time. Draco spent hours learning the lessons that had already been taught to James. The blonde had been introduced to the ancient one, who had immediately acknowledged him as being one of them. James explained later what a high honor that was. The ancient one had spent time teaching Draco to see within himself to his own heart, to be able to know what his true feelings were. While it easy to see into others, it is very difficult to see into oneself.

While he was able to remember in detail all that he had been told and taught, his memories of the realm he had been in were fuzzy at best. He had no doubt that he would be able to, in his dragon form, find his way back there again but if he were to try and write down or describe to someone else what that place was like, or the location, he knew he never would be able to.

Finishing his shower, he stepped from the stall, grabbed a towel and dried himself off. He dressed and left the room to join James at the table in the suite that was laden with the food that had been ordered. After handing the blonde a glass of wine, the two sat and silently ate their meal each lost in their own thoughts. It wasn’t until dinner was finished and they had moved to the sofa in the other room that the much-awaited conversation began.
“I don’t know where to begin. It might be easier if you have questions, to ask them and I’ll try to answer them as honestly as I can,” James said sincerely.
“ I’ve been thinking, for a while, about what I would ask you. It makes no sense to ask you why you’ve made any of the choices you’ve made so far. The past can’t be changed. The choices you’ve made have led you to where you are now. So, I suppose my first question is are you where you want to be?” Draco asked as he stared deeply into James eyes.

“No. Even though my life is better now than it has ever been in the past, I know it’s only a matter of time before things change. I’ve been keeping all of his followers so busy searching and retrieving dark artifacts, I have made them believe they are necessary for our success. Also our slow infiltration of the ministry, so that we will have the political power to overthrow anyone that might try to stand in the way. It has so far diverted their attentions away from the mindless torturing and killings of the not so distant past. All the death eaters are too busy and excited by our achievements to notice and our continued success has kept Voldemort content for now. He is so pleased with my enthusiastic and prosperous methods, he allows me control. He sees complete victory within easy grasp. However, I don’t think he will be content forever. He has a dark soul. I feel the darkness pour out of him whenever I am near him. I think my presence near him is what keeps him at bay. The ancient one told me when I am near him, my powers submerge with his and neutralize him; we balance each other out. In a way the scar that I received from him bonded us together. When we are in a close proximity to each other, say the distance of his mansion, our magics seek each other out. In some ways he has been there for me in a way no one else ever has. My family abused me and Dumbledore used me as a pawn. In his own way. I believe Voldemort actually cares for me. He has kept me safe and taught me more than I would have ever learned under Dumbledore. I honestly think that old coot was afraid of my power and knew one day I would be more powerful than him; that is why he strived to control me. But he betrayed me and turned away from me when I needed him most; I’ll never forgive him. This short respite of peace we are experiencing will not last; I have felt Voldemort’s restlessness. He feeds on others misery and pain, he feeds on death. While I have come to understand and agree with some of the pureblood philosophy and the need to keep our world separate from the muggle world, the way to accomplish that is not through domination and death. I know eventually I’ll have to act, but what I’ll do I have no clue. I need to know more about our bond. While I know I’ll have to find a way to defeat him, I would rather it did not result in my death as well. But if it is necessary, I am prepared to take that step. The other problem is the rest of his followers. Once he’s gone, I have no doubt that someone else will try to fill his shoes and continue to lead through the path of death and destruction. There are too many people involved in this war for it to just disappear with the death of Voldemort,” James finished his heart weighed down with the burden of it all.

Draco sat quietly through everything James was telling him as he poured out his heart. The blonde could feel the honesty and sincerity of his words as he spoke them. He studied James as he sat silently across from him on the couch. By all outwards appearances, a distant observer would have no idea of the magnitude of the conversation being held. James’ face betrayed none of the emotional turmoil he was feeling but Draco could feel his every emotion. Apparently feeling other’s emotions was one of his inherent skills; it only took a little guidance from the ancient one to bring these abilities to the surface. It was amazing how the dragons had the power to know all of the abilities of any being, even if theng tng themselves were not yet aware of it.

“You know you can trust me?” Draco replied sincerely.

“I know but are you sure you can trust me? Are you sure you want to take that risk?” James said as he stared intently back at Draco.

Draco knew that whatever direction their relationship was going to take from this point, depended on how he answered James’ question. With every word that the raven-haired man had confided in him, he knew that it was from complete trust and yet if he could not convince James that he also trusted him completely without any reservations, it would all end here, tonight.
“Since the day you released me from my father’s control, I have been doing what I want for the first time in my life. I believe that life is about risks and I will not let that stand in my way to keep me from what I want. Any risks I take now I do so willingly and with both eyes open. Now that you know that you have someone on your side, truly, with no plots or ulterior motives, what are you going to do to minimize the risks for both you and me?”

The air between them that had been crackling with intense uncertainty immediately shifted to a flood of relief and gratitude. A slow smile made its way across James features.
“I have been thinking about my link to Voldemort for a while but have yet to make any conclusive discoveries. I have not uncovered a single idea to help break or change it. Yet, I have come across several references in some of the older books I have read concerning bondings. I have been through all of the books in the mansion as well as most of the libraries from members of his inner circle and still have discovered nothing other than vague references. I thought I would find some descriptive books on ancient bonding rituals. I know they are still performed amongst the older pureblooded families. Voldemort even alluded to the fact that that was what he had planned for me when I finally picked someone.”

“You’re right. I’ve been present at a few ceremonies myself over the years. You know why they perform these rituals don’t you?” Draco asked with a scowl on his face and an edge to his voice.

“From your tone, I’m guessing it has little to do with eternal love and commitment.”

“Definitely not,” Draco scoffed. “As soon as I was old enough to fully understand what, in my father’s opinion, it meant to be a Malfoy, it was also explained to me about my arranged marriage and the full purpose of the ritual.” Draco paused, looking deeply into James’ eyes. “It is used to guarantee bloodline foremost, ensuring that the bride is unable to sleep with anyone other than her spouse until an heir is conceived and carried to full term. This in turn guarantees that the child is legitimate as well as faithfulness ruling out the possibility of a scandal or any resulting problems in inheritance where lineage is concerned. That is the main purpose the ritual, but there are a lot of minor conditions woven into the binding spell. Each one is different depending on the family and what the current patriarch considers as important. Most spells are performed with the condition that it will only be broken upon death. It gives the man pretty much free reign to do as he wishes including but not limited to taking lovers on the side. The women have no choice but to remain faithful until the first heir is born. After that, as long as they remain discreet and do not become with child by another man, they have a little more leeway in their control.”

“Why? How?” James asked, somewhat troubled by this new information.

“The binding spell insures compliance by causing miscarriage, often leading to death if the magic does not recognize the fetus as being of correct magical signature (not of the bonded spouse.) It attacks the fetus, causing the body to reject the dead or diseased fetus. The binding spell also prevents the women from casting any anti-fertility spells or taking similar potions to prevent pregnancy by making them extremely and violently ill. This guarantees the continuation of the family line. Obviously, knowing the consequences, most women choose not to have liaisons for that reason. However the spell, evolves over time in most cases . As long as the heir to the family remains healthy and lives long enough to take over the family, in my case either my father would have to die or I turn fifty, the consequences for unfaithfulness become less severe, it no longer causes death just mental instability. The binding spell mostly leaves the women with the mindset of what is best for the family. The perfect trophy wife.” Though Draco’s face did not betray his true feelings on the matter, his voice laced with disgust gave him away.

“Kind of like a magical prenuptial agreement,” James said as certain things started to piece together.

“A what?” Draco asked bewildered.

“A prenuptial agreement is the muggle way of enforcing a spouses compliance, though it can be broken with much less severe consequences. Instead of death it usually leaves the person on the receiving end destitute. Most also include clauses for infidelity.”

“You know, now th thi think about it, every pureblooded family that still practices these rituals refer to their family bibles and not some book in their libraries. That is probably why you’ve not come across one. Only those with family blood can access the book. Only on a few rare occasions when father was explaining different things or teaching me of our ancestors was I even allowed to look in it. The Malfoy family bible resides in his office. He does not even bother to lock it away since only those of our lineage can open it; even mother cannot accesses it. But I imagine her family, the Blacks, had one as well, that she would have access to if she needed some information from it. All old pureblood families would have a family bible though, depending on the family, the contents would be different. I don’t imagine the Weasley’s book contains bonding rituals enabling them to control their spouses.” Draco said still deep in thought.

James thought about the book Voldemort had given him containing his family history, the history of the Potters, and wondered if it was his family’s bible. He had yet to even open it to look at, not thinking it contained anything important other than the ancestors of the Potter line. Voldemort had already told him he was a direct descendant of Goderic Gryffindor. At the time he thought the information inside would be of little use to him. But if it were the Potter family bible, it might yet prove useful. He also wondered how Voldemort had gotten a hold of it. However, that was the least of his problems at the current time. Turning his attention back to Draco he said, “It would be almost impossible to look at everyone’s family bibles. Not only would it take too long but I think we would be hard-pressed to convince everyone to share their families secrets.”

“I don’t think we need to see them all. I think the majority of the bonding ritual spells came from one source and evolved into what they are currently being used for. We only need to find out who was the originator or creator of the first spell and then find out what family line is currently in possession of that ancestor’s bible,” Draco replied.

“From what I’ve read, if I remember correctly, Salizar Slytherin was the creator of the first bonding spell. Other than Voldemort, I have no idea who is a descendant that could hold a family bible of his line. But now that I think about it, how else would he have been able to develop the dark mark to brand and bond his followers to him. Without the proper research material to start from, not to mention the fact that part of his spell is spoken in parseltongue, which is an ability that few possess and one that Slytherin is well known for.”
“Do you think Voldemort would let you look in his Family bible?” Draco asked as the significance of the information was revealed to him.

“Well, if I’m subtle about it, without asking him for it directly to cause suspicion. If you’re willing, I have an idea that might work,” James replied as he concentrated on the blond to see his reaction.

“I take it this idea involves me,” Draco said as a slow realization of what James’ possible plans involving him would entail.

“Suppose I were to tell Voldemort that I had chosen you to be my life partner. Informing him we had discussed the intricacy’s of bonding rituals but, because I refuse to comply with the Malfoy bonding ritual, we decided to create something we both would be satisfied with in the outcome. I could ask his advice and knowledge of the subject confessing I had yet to find any conclusive information in all that I had read so far. If he actually has the original information, I am sure he will be all too willing to share it with me for what he believes my intended purpose to be. He has been urging me in this direction for the past six months. I have no doubt that once we have the necessary information, we can adjust the spell or learn what we need to create a new spell to deal with my link to Voldemort. The only problem is will we have enough time for all of our plans to come to fruition before anyone becomes suspicious of our motives. That ane fae fact that we will probably have to complete the bonding ceremony. Therefore this decision is completely up to you; I am not going to force you to do anything you’re not completely willing to do.”

James scooted over on the couch so that he was almost touching the blonde, reached forward, and grabbed his hand. Looking deeply into his eyes he asked, “Draco are you willing to bond with me, spend the rest of your life willingly linked with mine?”

With a calculating coolness on his features he responded, “Are you asking me this so that you can break your bond with Voldemort or because this is what you want, to be linked to me thisthis lifetime?”

“Truthfully, both. I told you before that I would never lie to you; I don’t have any intentions of ever breaking your trust in me. I would be honored if you deemed me worthy enough to take this type of commitment together. If you were anyone else I wouldn’t even be asking right now. You are the first person I have ever even considered a future with. My biggest concern and fear is if we complete this bond but are not able to break the link I have with Voldemort. What will that mean for you? I have no right to ask you to take such a risk.”