Cheating time, Unwilling fate.

Chapter 12

Harry wandered into the parlor after a brief shower. The rest of the family was already present and they looked torn between anticipation and extreme worry. Lucius was sitting between Denise and Sirius who looked he tumbled out from his bed straight into the Potter’s house; His mother was fussing over Lucius telling him he looked oddly flushed and needed to get out a bit. Lucius caught his eye and made a pleading face. Harry smirked and shook his head.

“Good morning.” He murmured and sat down. Harry filled his cup with tea and took a bit of toast.

Charlus nodded to him and put down his tea.

“Harry, are you all right?” Dorea asked worriedly.

Harry gave a noncommittal shrug chewing down his toast. “I wasn’t hurt too badly. Lucius was under Cruciatus for more than ten minutes though.” Dorea and Denise gasped.

“Oh dear! He needs proper rest. He shan’t come with us to Diagon Alley today. Harry you need to come with us then, to get some new robes for him.” Harry nodded in acceptance. Lucius sighed in relief and shot him a grateful glance.

“What happened last night Harry?” Charlus finally asked the question he was waiting for. Harry took out the coin he had in his pocket. He had attached it to a silver chain. He handed it to Charlus.

“It’s the portkey that Abraxas managed to land on me.” Charlus’s hand holding the coin- locket jerked. “I have switched the location to Potter Manor. Wear it always. In case you are ever hurt badly you will be transported to the Manor automatically. I guess we should get more for everybody else.”

Charlus nodded.” It’s a good idea. I would get them. I asked Healer Brooker to come and see Lucius at the manor today.”

Harry tilted his head. He could see that everybody had kept their ears on their conversation. He sighed. “The portkey took me to a dark circular chamber in the middle of a dozen Death Eaters. Voldemort offered me a chance to join him in the fight for pureblood supremacy and I refused. We dueled and he tried to kill me. I managed to portkey out and thus escaped. I came back to Malfoy manor.” He took another swallow of his tea and looked around. Everyone except Lucius and Charlus wore a shocked expression. Lucius wore a blank expression but Harry could read the awe in his slightly widened eyes. Charlus had a look of resigned determination. Harry smirked. “Did you guys think I was joking when I said that I could duel with the best and survive unscathed?”

That broke the tension. They went back to their breakfast. Harry noticed the glances they kept shooting at him throughout though.

“What do you think of these?” Denise had picked up a dressy pink robe.

Harry held out lavender frilly robe to her then picked a dark blue gown in velvet. “Try these.”

Dorea chuckled at his selection. “I think the last trips we had through these doors had a fruitful effect. Your choices are beginning to look decent.” Harry ran though the men’s selection they had been offered and chose a few robes for his fiancé. Denise came out then dressed in the blue gown.

“Oh my dear! You look utterly ravishing”, Dorea almost crooned. Harry smiled. He had managed a very small amount of time with his sister so far. Today he was going to rectify that mistake. He helped her choose a few more robes for herself; one a shimmering red dress glowing with fairy stars sewn into the fabric; other a white fleece gown with an almost transparent wrap and another a pure black gown with white bust line studded with black stars. When Denise came out dressed in the red dress almost all the customers stared at the beautiful belle.

Harry smiled. “You look so beautiful that you are never allowed to wear that dress…..” Denise glared at him “……..unless you have a three bodyguards escort.” He smirked.

Denise gave a twirl and a mock glare in his direction and then ran to him. “Thank you. Madam Rosie (the shop owner) told me you ordered these from Italy for me.” Harry nodded. She hugged him.

Dorea smiled as she saw the two chattering away. The future Harry had tried so hard to forget about by coming here sounded too grim for her not so aged ears. She had felt happy as her grandson tried to adjust himself to the family he had never had. When he had arrived he had looked like a much younger and famished version of her only son. Now he looked well fed and carried himself with almost a royal grace. Still, she had wondered whether he had too many of her genes. Unlike James he was too sneaky and almost displayed a Slytherin like tendency to hoard his secrets at times. At other times he was like Charlus, stubborn and brave to the end point. Her grandson must be slightly off his rocker too; the way he spoke so casually about the encounter with the Dark Lord was almost frightening. He spoke so matter of factly as if he did that every day; it was not an encouraging sign of the coming times.

She looked down at the gowns he had ordered for her. They were beautiful and suited her well. As she looked at Denise in her shimmering red dress she was struck by how much Denise looked like her mother. Raphunzel had a red dress studded with stars too; which she had worn to her coming out party. Her mother showed in her face and figure clearly; though her face had something’s of her father too. The way she held her chin, the half smile on her face, the arch of her neck and shoulders depicted Charlus in her. She smiled.

“She iz beautiful………like herr muther, is she not.” Madam Rosie murmured as she helped her with the sash on her dress.

Dorea nodded glancing once more at the children. Harry has wound his arm around Denise’s shoulders almost unconsciously, as she looked through new laces and ribbons for her hair. He wore a fond half smile as his sister prattled on and on. They looked like a perfect brother and sister pair; their innocence and fondness for each other shining through.

Harry walked back into his rooms in the evening. He was tired but happy. Any other self respecting teenager boy would have run away screaming at the prospect of shopping with his grandmother and aunt even if the rest of the world thought them his mother and sister. A pureblood wizard equivalent would have endured the day with mild disdain. ‘Not me’ he mused. Harry who had never had any family to shop with him before had savored the day almost childishly.

It’s so disbelieving as he thought ‘I have a sister now’. He had begun to think of Hermione as his sister in his previous life. She was smart, precise and annoying in a big sister like way. The way he felt about Denise was similar and dissimilar in many ways. She was smart and precise too but not annoying. She looked so innocently fragile that his overprotective senses went into overdrive whenever he was near her. Maybe this was the way Ron had felt about Ginny. He sighed quietly as he looked towards his bed. Lucius was sleeping peacefully in his bed. He smiled as he got in beside him and lay down. He will rest his eyes just for a while.

Harry woke up ensconced into a pair of arms he associated with Lucius lying next to him. Somebody was in his room. He turned toward a slightly squeaking elf. It was Mipsy, a slightly young elf who was terrified of him for some strange reason since his arrival. At all time she stood at a good five foot away.

“Master wants yous to come for dinner little masters.“ she said shakily. Harry nodded to her. She popped out quickly.

He let Lucius sleep and quickly freshened up. As he reached the dinner hall, he heard raised voices. He quickly entered and found Felicia at the dinner table. His good mood soured immediately.

She glared at Alex as he entered. His eyes turned cold at the sight. She shivered under his cold gaze for a second and turned back to Charlus. “My husband and I no longer want to let our son remain engaged to your heir. We have decided to break the contract…………..”

Charlus huffed angrily and looked at his son who had just taken a seat. His face was like flint as he glared at their guest. Then he smirked. “The contract is unbreakable…..at least till they are nineteen Felicia. Then the children would decide whether or not they wish to get married or not; not you or your husband. Till then, Lucius is ours. It will hold in courts.” He bit out.

His son smirked and gave him a mock salute. Felicia who had watched the interplay fumed. “My son would not stay here by his discretion against his parents’ wishes. Call him. I wish to speak to him without interference.”

Alex answered this time. “He’s indisposed.”

“He would see his mother.”

Charlus slammed his wine glass on the table. “For goodness sake woman. Your own husband tortured his blood son with Cruciatus for god knows how long. He is resting and he will not agree to see you. Please stop wasting our time and understand. Your son is not coming back. Legally we have rights to him. The unbreakable contract was approved by both you and your husband before and it would not be broken by you at any cost. The sooner you understand this, the better. Stop spoiling our appetites and leave.”

Alex watched as she threw him a wrathful look and stomped out of the hall. Charlus summoned a house elf to keep an eye on her till she left the manor. One could never be too careful. He sighed and drained his glass.

“Something stronger Mipsy.” The elf summoned a whiskey and poured him a generous amount.

“That woman is as polished as a cardboard.” Denise muttered. The people at table snorted.

“How’s Lucius?” Charlus asked.

“Sleeping like a baby.” Harry answered. “He might wake up in the night though.”

“Take care of him. He slept though the day too. The healer gave him some pretty strong potions. He would be all right in a few days.” Harry nodded and began working on his chicken.

“You have quite the eye for dresses. Denise wouldn’t stop raving about your selection.” Sirius muttered with a twinge of jealously. Harry smirked.

“She is my little sister. Of course, I am going to spoil her.” He slashed back.

Sirius put his hands in the air in the classic pose of surrender. “No need to get angry.” Harry smirked. Denise giggled and pecked Sirius on cheek. The fake anger on his face melted to be replaced by a goofy grin. Almost everybody at the table shuddered. An in love Sirius was way even worse than the pranking Sirius. This was serious Sirius who nobody but James knew how to deal with.

After dinner Charlus called him in his office with Dorea. They discussed Felicia’s appearance in detail with the contract. Harry had designed the unbreakable clause for this situation originally. He had known that the elders Malfoys hadn’t survived the wrath of Voldemort in his timeline and he had made sure to play his cards right. Lucius was now under his control and so was the future Malfoy estate and monies. For all the people on his ‘to save’ list the elder Malfoys sure never made it on. Too bad for them. When he finally emerged from the chamber he was thoroughly exhausted. He threw himself in the bed as quickly as he could manage.

******************

Harry woke next to Lucius. Today was going to be the last day for him at Potter Manor. The next day was September 1 and he would be going to Hogwarts with the rest of the teenagers in the house. ‘Last day of a long and pleasant holiday’ he thought as he stretched and snuggled himself into the other boy. Lucius cracked an eye open and tightened his arms around Harry.

“Good morning.” He murmured.

“Good morning,” Harry answered sleepily. “How are you feeling?”

“Much recovered. Well enough to come with you today. I have heard you are a decent shopper.” he teased.

Harry smiled lazily at him. “If you want a dress too……..” the rest of his sentence was silenced as Lucius kissed him.

“You are feeling kinky.” Lucius asked lightly. Harry snogged him this time. They lay breathless in each other’s arms for a while occasionally kissing.

Harry had controlled himself for the last few days. Cruciatus exposure for a long time had left a profound effect on Lucius’s body. Healer Brooker had been horrified when she had scanned his body for injuries. The list of his internal injuries was long and ghastly. Harry was horrified when he had found out. The Malfoy mask had hidden too much pain and a horde of injuries from prying eyes, himself included. They had yet to talk about his injuries but now that he knew, he was ashamed and kept himself under tight control to avoid hurting the other boy.

Lucius had been ordered for complete bedrest while he healed. He was put on a strict potion regimen for the next entire month. Harry had indulged in occasional kiss or two but otherwise he was content to let Lucius sleep undisturbed. His fiancé had insisted he couldn’t sleep without him and therefore they slept together in the same bed. Harry maintained a no disturbance policy though; which was driving his fiancé spare and made him a bit aggressive at the moment. He plunged his hands inside Harry’s bedclothes.

Harry grabbed his roaming hands. “You need rest at the moment.”

“I am done resting. I need you.“ Lucius almost growled. He kissed the other boy hard. Then he began to lick his neck. Harry stopped him. “I need you, Harry. I love you.” The last words were a mere whimper. Harry’s body stiffened. Lucius noticed.

“Do you love me?” he asked in a whisper.

“Yes.” Harry chocked out with an effort.

Their eyes locked. “You do not mean that. You have to mean the words, Harry.” Lucius said forcefully.

Harry looked away. Lucius left the bed. Harry winced as the bathroom door slammed.

Lucius disrobed quickly and threw himself in the bathtub. It was an old habit. In the past whenever he was too injured after his father sessions, Tabby his elf would pour healing salves in the bathtub for him. He would lay there in the warm water healing quietly while the water just took his tears. He hadn’t cried in front of anyone since he was seven but in the quite of his bath there was no one to judge as he fought through his pain. Now there was nothing to heal. His injuries had become a thing of the past as Alex came into his life. He had been looked after, sheltered and protected against those who meant him any harm. His heart had attached itself to the other boy without him conscious of it but he knew it wasn’t reciprocated. Alex cared about him and that was it. There was nothing more he could expect. He let out a sob. Tears fell in the water.

Harry stood beside the door. He thought he heard a sob. His jaw clenched. He knew it was wrong to let the other boy believe there was more to their relationship than a simple contract. He had grown fond of Lucius. It was the truth. Still, a part of him missed Ginny and his old life. He had imagined that by coming here he would be free of obligations and trials that had plagued his life before. The trials were less but emotions were high here. He was torn between his past and present lives and emotions. He wasn’t in love with Lucius yet and he knew it. Despite his brain telling him to lie he couldn’t do it. He sighed and left the rooms.

The trip to the Diagon alley was turning out to be non-descript. The alley was choked full of students shopping for the term. The group of Dorea, Charlus, James, Narcissa, Denise, Sirius, Remus, Peter, Lucius and Harry sat in front of the Forteque’s ice cream parlor relishing their ice creams. Dorea and Charlus took a seat beside James. Lucius had chosen a seat beside Sirius and Denise. He had thoroughly avoided Harry. Harry didn’t push him either. The group had also picked up on the slight tension between the two but they wisely refrained from commenting. Alex could throw quite a temper tantrum if provoked, as they well knew. Harry was warring between his conflicting emotions. Lucius brooded in silence.

Dorea suddenly spied a pretty red headed girl coming in their direction; the same redhead who her sons have fought over not many weeks ago. James slightly stiffened. That was the only indication he gave of noticing the red head. He deliberately turned towards Narcissa and held her hand. Narcissa smiled slightly and squeezed his hand.

“Hi Mr. and Mrs. Potter.” Lily Evans aka James’s future wife greeted the elder Potters. Harry jerked, startled out of his thoughts. He looked up and his breath caught in his throat. He was seeing his mother for the first time. He was speechless as he hungrily took her in. For all the pictures he had had of Lily there wasn’t any of her school years. She looked amazing to his eyes. Her eyes were exactly like his but her face was hers alone. The muggles who followed her here must be his grandparents.

As Dorea greeted her and her parents, Harry jumped to his feet. “Hi, I am Alex Potter and this is my sister Denise Potter.” He took her hand in his and gave it a quick kiss. Dorea smirked. Harry pulled out chairs for his maternal grandparents. They smiled at him.

Lily’s eyes widened comically at the introduction. “I didn’t know that James had a brother and sister.”

Harry smiled charmingly. “We were abroad for quite a while and just returned. We would be joining Hogwarts as a seventh year this year. James made head boy.” he thumped the poor boy. James made a noise somewhere between choking and whimpering. Harry smirked. James stood up to greet Lily.

“Hi Lily.” He said seriously, “I heard you are head girl this year. Congratulations!” he shook her hand and sat down hurriedly gripping Narcissa’s hand back.

Lily looked at him in disbelief. She started to wonder what in the blazes was wrong with James Potter when she spied him holding Narcissa’s hand. Her gaze widened even more. James Potter was holding a girl’s hand in front of his parents. ‘Is he engaged or something.’ Her furious mind whirled with thoughts. ‘The James Potter’ who had asked her out countless times and was turned down before was possibly engaged to Narcissa freaking Black; and he has an equally attractive brother who was busy ogling Malfoy of all people. She sighed. ‘I did not just think of James Potter as attractive.’ She furiously tried to rein in her wayward thoughts.

She turned to her parents. While she was busy thinking her parents had ordered and were happily engaged in a conversation with Alex Potter. As she listened she found that the boy was intelligent and knowledgeable about the muggle world unlike many purebloods. He spoke well and had a pleasing manner. She suddenly felt jealous of the way he kept shooting glances in Malfoy's direction. The glances weren’t of new love but full of lust and yearning, a potent combination in itself. It had the potential to grow into love quickly given chance. Lily shivered. James had thrown similar glances in her directions before and she had ignored him. ‘Was it too late for her?’ Something in her heart snapped painfully with the realization.

Lucius observed the interactions coolly. He had guessed that the proper pureblood mask that Alex wore in front of his parents was just that, a mask. After all, the boy had grown up with muggles and squibs. Now observing him interacting so familiarly with the muggles he had little doubt left. Lily on the other hand was a different matter. Certain warmth diffused Harry’s eyes whenever he looked at her. Lucius wasn’t fooled. He wanted that warmth in those eyes directed at him and he had trouble controlling the jealous expression from his face. Harry was blissfully oblivious.

James was seething. Harry was instantly endeared to Lily’s parents by his knowledge of the muggle world. Alex had treated them with kindness he had never bothered with. He had never cared before to learn anything about muggles before even when he was trying to woo Lily for all those years. He realized just how condescending his behavior towards Lily was before. That didn’t mean he would forgive his brother looking at her like that like he wanted to drink in her very sight. Looking at his brother ‘The beautiful bastard’ charming her parents he felt bitter and inadequate. ‘If only I was him.’ He thought.




Images for Denise's dresses

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