Cheating time, Unwilling fate.

Chapter 13

It was that time of the year again. Time to conjure his mask back on his face. Lucius did it every year effortlessly. Only this year it was harder for him. Emotions he had never felt before ran through him this time. He would be staying with Alex this year. As an actively courting couple Alex and he were allowed a suite in the oldest parts of the castle, the Villa Iugo wing (the courting couple’s wing). Still he had to deal with the budding minions of the Dark Lord while in the charming company of his Slytherin acquaintances. His father could be counted on to provide an intimidating distraction or two too. It was going on to be an interesting year. He looked in the mirror. He looked like the perfect Malfoy heir that he always did; Only he knew how much he had changed in the last two weeks on the inside.

A pair of arms wrapped around him. “Do you remember when we first met?” Harry murmured in his ear. Lucius didn’t turn but stared at his reflection in the mirror coolly. Harry sighed and caught his tense shoulders. “Since I first saw you, I knew I wanted you. I grew up apart from my family but I had people who took care of me. I had someone I loved before I came back here. I cannot just forget her Lucius. You have to understand. I like you very much, that is the truth Lucius. With time I may grow to love you even. Give me time that’s all I am asking.”

Lucius relaxed a bit letting himself lean back into Harry’s arms. “We have all the time in the world” he murmured. Harry nuzzled his head into his hair and inhaled the musky aroma that was his fiancé’s signature.

Harry bought his palm on his right side right where his nipple was and pinched. Lucius wriggled wildly but Harry didn’t let him go. Harry pressed his lips to his left ear and whispered, “Yes, we have.”

Lucius grabbed his hair from the side and bought him down for a scorching kiss which left both of them breathless. He backed them onto the couch and proceeded to snog his fiancé senseless. Harry moaned; Giving one more teasing bite to Harry’s ear, Lucius began to nip and kiss his way down slowly revealing Harry’s body. He took his time to pay special attention to his sensitive spots.

Harry looked up into the grey eyes through his eyelashes to gauge their reaction to the new experience. Lucius looked sinful on top of him, with the clenched fists and predatory eyes. Licking his lips, Harry grinned lazily and was rewarded with a sharp smack. It served only to increase the lustful haze his mind seemed to have drifted in. He grabbed a fistful of the blond hair and bought the head down for a bruising kiss. Their bodies intertwined as their minds focused on devouring each other.

They were so wrapped into each other at the moment that they didn’t notice the Marauders frozen into the doorway. Each boy was tinged pink while they found themselves incapable of interrupting the couple. Denise who had followed moments behind them froze at the scene; she quickly recovered and herded them out of the doorway silently closing the door behind them.

“Boy!” Peter breathed. “That was……..”

“My brother and his betrothed and you all are perverts”, Denise muttered angrily.

Remus let out a low whistle. “Hot that’s what your brother is.”

Sirius huffed indignantly, “That’s my line Moony.”

Remus smirked. “You could say the same for the hot blond. Boy, if I was attracted to guys……..”

“Alex would tear you from limb to limb with his bare hands for ogling his fiancé……….” Sirius deadpanned.

“He would die happy, at least.” Peter quipped.

The group stared at each other for a second. Then as if on cue they burst into laughter.

James laughed weakly. He tried to dispel what he had witnessed from his mind’s eye. Lucius looked delectable all flushed and wild, dominating his brother like that. He hardly knew what to do with all the new feelings it had generated into him. After days of continuous denial one thing was now confirmed to him. He was attracted to the blond beauty and it wasn’t Narcissa he was attracted to. It was Lucius. He already had a hard time adjusting the imperious blond being as a submissive to his brother. As a dominant he was downright seductive. He had never looked twice at him before except to torment but now he had become the something that his brother cherished. He wanted Lucius for himself; not for a relationship but a quick tumble in the sack. It was pure lust he reasoned to himself. He exhaled.

Try as he might he couldn’t not resent the fact that Alex had literally taken over his life and he was helpless to stop him. He himself was a bit immature but that wasn’t a crime. He had never believed in the pureblood supremacy that Alex seemed to thrive in. All the parties and mingling was something that his mother did for fun; it wasn’t his cup of tea. His father was too serious for him; until his brother came into the picture his father had given him quite a bit of rope. Now both of them expected whatever standards their dear Alex had come up with. Lucius was just another in a long series of conflicts.

He grabbed Sirius around the middle and started to haul him to the breakfast room. It was almost nine. They would be leaving for school sometime shortly after ten. Harry can take his bloody time coming to breakfast.

As the group entered they found the adults already seated. Dorea looked up, “Where are Alex and Lucius?”

Peter gave an embarrassed laugh while Sirius snorted then burst into a dog bark like laugh. Denise tried to scowl but failed. James made a face. It was Remus who answered, “They will be here shortly.” Then added in an undertone “Remind me to accidently walk into your brother’s rooms often.” James scowled at his friend.

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

“Remember to write and take care of your brother and sister.” Dorea reminded James. They were at King's Cross.

Her son scowled. “Geez mum. He is seventeen and older than me. He can take care of himself.” Remus and Peter’s families were there too fussing over their respective sons judging by their expressions of mock suffering. The Blacks were somewhere at the other end where Slytherins abounded.

Dorea sighed and turned toward her other son. Harry smiled reassuringly and kissed her on the cheek. “I will take care of all these crazies.” He said gesturing at the Marauders.

“Hey.” Sirius, Remus and Peter cried indignantly.

Harry messed Sirius’s hair fondly and grabbed Remus in a one armed hug. “You know I think of thee like my brothers.” He smirked as he winked at Peter. So far the mousy haired boy hadn’t shown any inclination of leaning towards the dark side and Harry didn’t believe in punishing before the crime. He had so far very lenient with his treatment. Remus and Peter were treated the same by him and as the adopted members of his family. He had kept a sharp eye so far and he was satisfied. Peter was a Marauder and will remain so if he could help it.

Sirius scoffed. “I am going to be your brother you idiot.”

Remus stiffened. Harry smirked and smacked Sirius playfully. The others relaxed. Sirius had been the only one who succeeded in insulting him to his face and get away with it. On the other hand Sirius had gotten away with way too much where Harry was concerned.

‘He allows him liberties he hadn’t yet allowed to even Lucius.’ Remus mused. The boy was everything he thought James would be if he deflated his large ego a bit and matured. Alex had accelerated the maturing bit but he could recognize the jealous glances that James threw in the boy’s direction. Alex seemed to know all this but he wisely chose to ignore them.

His parents had chosen to make him sit down and give him a serious talk this summer. Voldemort had launched his attacks but they were hushed up by the ministry. It was dangerous times they were living in and they ensured that he understood it.

Alex had been kind to him and he chose not to hate the boy just because he was looking out for his family. He had initially felt revolted when the arranged contracts were signed but quickly recognized it for the brilliant maneuver it was. In the background of his knowledge he had realized what Alex was trying to do. It had both cemented the family fortunes and survival in the coming times and he had begun to appreciate the quite determined young man.

James was too Gryffindor to realize how close to breaking point the tensions between the dark and the light sides had reached. He had successfully dissuaded James from a number of foolish pranks. The ones he couldn’t stop he encouraged Sirius to give Alex a little warning. Alex had appreciated it. Even if they didn’t talk much they had developed an understanding. After Alex had returned from a shopping trip with his mother and sister after the infamous Malfoy dinner, he had found a huge gift pack on his bed containing numerous robes (both casuals and formals) and a deed of bequeath of a small estate in his name. It wasn’t very big but enough to live on comfortably even if he never had a job in his life.

Upon his protest Alex told him he had done the same for Peter. He was both silenced and touched at the gesture. He knew that Peter’s family was even less well off than his and he accepted his gift with as much grace as he could. A much reluctant Peter then tried to help James in his pranks. It seemed that Peter’s loyalty was leaning toward Alex more these days but he didn’t abandon James outright. He was straddling the fences so to speak.

Remus smiled at the comradeship displayed before him. Alex was now trying to restrain Sirius from trying to mock snog his fiancé in a tease of this morning. Lucius was smirking in his icy blond manner he had perfected when his notice was caught by another couple approaching the Potters.

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

Harry was laughing as he fended off a pucker faced Sirius away from Lucius. It didn’t help that the said blond was making wide cow eyes at Sirius behind his back and smirking. Denise was shaking her head at the antics of her fiancé. The Marauders were enjoying themselves when Remus’s gaze hardened staring at something behind him. Charlus’s face stormed with anger. He turned and found himself looking at the rapidly approaching older Malfoys. He gripped Lucius tightly around the middle. He wouldn’t put it past Abraxas to kidnap his son even in front of so many witnesses and then claim he only wanted to talk to his son in private.

“Do you have your portkey with you?” he whispered. Lucius acquiesced. He looked at his father’s questioning gaze and nodded. The Marauders and their families crowded around the pair with Charlus and Dorea at the front.

“Hello Abraxas, Felicia. I see you have recovered from your illness.” Charlus greeted icily. His hand gripped his wand inside his robe.

Abraxas smiled though his eyes were shining with suppressed rage. “We wanted to bid our son and his intended goodbye before they left for school. After all it is his last year there.” He looked directly at his son as he said it.

Lucius shuddered inwardly but faced his father solemnly. “Thank you father, mother,” He nodded politely. “I would enjoy Hogwarts with my fiancé this year.” Alex dropped a kiss on his brow mockingly.

Alex caressed his cheek as he would do to a pet. Lucius’s insides bristled at the gesture but he knew to play along. “I would enjoy your kindness”, Alex said with a lazy drawl. Alex’s other hidden hand rubbed soothing circles on Lucius’s back. There was a promise and a challenge in his gaze as it met Abraxas. The message was clear. Lucius was his. He would be damned if he let this slimeball take his Lucius away from him. Lucius sighed inwardly. He wasn’t meant to be anything but possession in his father’s view. So Alex treated him like one in front of him. If anyone apart from family knew Alex cared for him then efforts to separate them would turn vicious.

Abraxas nodded at Alex and left with his wife. It was as he had feared. Alex treated his son like a new toy at the moment; nothing more. He knew the boy wasn’t brought up with the standard light cocktail of love and acceptance. Still, he had hoped to find some attachment but the way he held his son indicated one of an owner defending his property not a lover. He was disappointed. It was however not a moment to show his weakness. Perhaps he should wait for something to develop. He knew that the severance of family ties from his son had left son dependant entirely on his fiancé and his son was anything but proudly independent. He could not approach his son as his parent legally anymore, but perhaps a little enticement through someone else could sway him. He should approach Regulus soon. He nodded to himself.

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

Lucius relaxed slightly but kept his stoic face. The comforting weight behind him shifted away as the group surrounding him scattered. Alex’s eyes held an apology. He tilted his head and gave acceptance. They had a show to put on. Alex gripped him possessively and gave him a bruising kiss.

Lily halted in her tracks. Alex Potter was snogging Lucius Malfoy in full public view. Her friend Alice giggled. “Look at them. Aren’t they cute?” Lily stared at her friend with wide eyes. Yes they were cute and incredibly hot. Gosh! They were probably the two hottest guys in the school.

Her family came to stand beside her and her mother giggled………..she actually giggled looking at the pair who was garnering quite a bit of attention. Her father smiled. “Isn’t that James’s brother we met yesterday?

Before Lily could answer, Petunia, her sister who had been coaxed into coming to send her off for the last time with her parents wrinkled her nose in disgust. “Aren’t they both boys?”

Alice turned to her sister with an expression she reserved when Lily had done something stupid. “Silly notions you have”, she muttered, “They were engaged over the summer and courting actively. It’s perfectly acceptable to have same sex pairings in our world. We have magic. One of them can carry the babies too.”

Petunia looked horrified. Her parents were amused by this tidbit. As they moved to greet the Potters the pair broke apart. Lily caught Alex’s glittering eyes. They were brilliant green just like her. ‘Just like mine’ she mused. Petunia looked nothing like her. But if she had had a brother, perhaps he would have had her eyes. She felt affection for him surge inside her.

Alex smiled at her and took her hand. “Hello Lily, Mr. and Mrs. Evans.” He nodded to her parents. The adults began conversing. Lily looked at the blond hanging off his arm. They looked adorable but the way Alex was holding Lucius indicated in pureblood custom that Lucius was the submissive one in the relationship. Lily had found the boy quite uncaring of the pureblood ideology yesterday. The attitude today mystified her.

As Alex moved to talk to her parents she dragged James aside. “Why is your brother holding his fiancé like that? It feels so wrong.”

James looked at her astonished. Lily was talking to him; civilly too. Of course it had to be about his fucking perfect brother. His face flared in anger. He growled in a low voice, “Lucius’s family wants to break the engagement. Right now they are just pissed. If they think Alex is attached to him they would try harder; perhaps even killing Lucius to hurt him.”

Lily swallowed. She understood perfectly. Over the years in the Hogwarts she had witnessed the quite medieval practices the purebloods lived by. Alice who had heard the explanation too added quickly. “We never discussed this.” They nodded to each other.

As Alice turned to greet Denise, Lily squeezed his hand lightly. “Congratulations on your engagement.”

James looked at her. The Malfoys showing up wasn’t entirely unexpected. He would have to watch himself too to avoid the danger he was facing with the Blacks. They were a dangerous breed of dark family and he had to tread carefully. Lily could be hurt in the backlash if he wasn’t careful. He may be a bit immature but he was nobody’s fool.

James stared at her lips. Their interactions so far had been him chasing her all over Hogwarts over the years and her turning him down left, right and center. Now, she looked as if she was wishing she hadn’t. He kissed her hand and smiled softly.

“Thank you. It was an arranged match though. My family got scared of me remaining eternal bachelor if all the good ones had snapped up for marriage contracts. Narcissa is an understanding girl.” There were many things that he wanted to say still but he stopped himself. Lily nodded and moved to greet Denise. He sighed.

“Why did you have to go and ruin my life Alex? Why?” He muttered in a low voice.

“Because I was trying to protect you.” A quite voice answered in his ear. His brother had come to stand by him without his notice. “From you being used by Dumbledore and others like him. Light and dark factions are clamoring for support. A conflict is brewing James. You have till nineteen to make up your mind. Then if you don’t want to marry her, I would not force you and I would kill anyone who would try to. Stand with your family until then James.” James started at the sincerity in his brother’s voice.

He looked in his brother’s eyes and nodded. Alex smiled and started to walk back but James gripped his arm. “I am attracted to Lucius.” He blurted out.

Alex’s eyes widened. He fixed his gaze on James to find out whether he was joking. He was not. He was serious. “Don’t try to seduce him James. Never hurt him or I would make your life really miserable.” His gaze softened. “Thank you for telling me.”

James sighed and nodded. Then he smirked, “If you die or leave him can I marry him instead of Narcissa?” Alex laughed. They were going to face many things into Hogwarts and they were going in as a united front.

Charlus and Dorea watched the interaction carefully. It seemed that the dangers had finally knocked some sense into her wayward son. They seemed to have reached an understanding as they laughed and joked with the rest of the group. It was a united family that was going to face the world.