Emerald and silver

Chapter 31


As soon as Draco appeared beside James, after a reassuring nod, he disappeared again to pop up at Malfoy Manor and began his search. After satisfying himself in the knowledge that Draco was indeed able to apparate without problems, James headed inside to join the Dark Lord and the rest of his followers in order to find out what was going on.

He entered the room where everyone was congregating to see a sight he thought was not going to happen in the near future least of all today. Something he hoped to never see but knew was inevitable, the Dark Lord in an uncontrollable rage. He approached warily hoping to give his magic time to cloak the room and Voldemort with tranquility before they faced off. It was a struggle to keep the barriers in place that guarded and protected his mind, feeling even more tension and pain flare the closer he came to Voldemort. On top of the rage he felt being discharged was the additional surges of pain caused by the multiple unforgivable curses being caste by Voldemort in an effort to vent his rage. However to James, it was not a relief but instead more torture, almost enough for him to collapse and lose consciousness because of it. Masking his emotions as well as the agony of his suffering from his face, James stepped into view, squared his shoulders and faced Voldemort. Then speaking in parseltongue so no one else could understand his conversation, he hissed, “SSSTop! I cannot help you if you render me unconciousss.”

“Help! Help! It’sss becaussse of you thisss isss happening in the firssst place,” Voldemort hissed back. Because he was blinded by his rage instead of bothering to explain why it was James fault he simply reacted.

“Crucio!”

Before the word even left the Dark Lord’s lips, James had ensconced himself in a protective barrier that was impenetrable. The force of the spell Voldemort sent was so strong it rebounded off James’ barrier in several directions and hit multiple death eaters that had been too close for their own safety; they fell to the floor screaming in agony.

Still speaking in parsletongue James said, “Did you get that out of your system? Enough that you might be able to tell me what’s going on?”

Voldemort took a long look at James as if measuring his worth then suggested that the two of them adjourn to the adjoining room for privacy. Then, almost as an after thought, he released the spell of pain paralyzing the few followers that had been too stupid to move out of the line of fire.

As soon as the two men were in the other room behind closed doors, the Dark Lord explained all that had transpired that night. He himself had only been informed this morning that some low-level followers had been discovered and targeted by that insipid group of Dumbledore’s, apparently taking it upon themselves to be judge and jury; without proof, without trial, and without ministry support or conviction. Voldemort likened it to an old fashion lynching. He was of the opinion that it was James’ fault because of the inactivity.

“Obviously,” he said, “if we are not out there asserting ourselves, they think we are running scared or in hiding, making us easy targets.”

James could tell that Voldemort didn’t give a rats arse about the eleven families that were tortured by the Order. What upset him was the fact that they had dared to cross him. He wanted retribution and a show of power; instead of an eye for an eye, he would smite the enemy completely. James knew it was completely out of his control at this point. The results would be a blood bath and there wouldn’t be a damned thing he could do about it. On top of it all, Voldemort insisted James lead the battle and that he thought it was time that Draco prove his loyalties as well by being right out in front next to the Emerald Dragon. James let Voldemort continue his rant for another half an hour before he said anything. He knew he had to let him release some of his anger before he would be able to hold anything resembling a conversation with him, let alone trying to rationalize with him in any capacity. Finally he saw his opportunity when the Dark Lord let slip that they didn’t really know who was responsible for last nights attacks. He jumped at his chance grabbing on with both metaphorical claws.

“Well I believe that our first step should be to find out who the responsible parties are. I’ll of course lead the interrogations; as soon as we find out the what and the whys, we will retaliate. I’ll start by speaking to the survivors. Were there any captives?”

“No. You should know by now that the lower levels never act without a direct command no matter the situation. Pathetic really. One would think they had no brain of their own.” Voldemort snarled.

“Well, if you are ready, the sooner we start, the sooner we have some answers,” James said as he headed to the door where all of Voldemort’s followers were waiting. He knew he had to keep them busy and take charge or Voldemort would digress to his fall back of war, attack and torture.

James wandlessly threw open the double doors and stepped to one side to allow Voldemort to precede him. After all he was the Dark Lord; it wouldn’t do to have the rest of his followers think he didn’t have the utmost respect for him. Taking the situation in hand, he held only those with information and the inner circle, releasing the lower echelons to their everyday jobs after informing them of the need to come back during their lunch break for orders. After all it wouldn’t do to have over half of the ministry missing and/or late for work; they didn’t need the opposition to truly know how many were recruited to their side, yet. Now was the time for information gathering and planning, something the Emerald Dragon had proved time and again he excelled at. He knew he really didn’t need all of the inner circle there until he made a dion ion on what their strategy would be; however, he also knew including them on the planning would only strengthen their allegiance to him, oops to the Dark Lord, of course. Plus he needed to keep Lucius busy so he wouldn’t go back to Malfoy Manor and find Draco.

James was exhausted. It had been a long day and it wasn’t even late afternoon yet. He had finally dismissed everyone after giving them their orders and was now heading back to his rooms. He had found out that the attacks were on five families that had some how been discovered as followers. The attackers were Kingsley Shacklebolt, who seemed to be the leader, Mundungas Fletcher, Sturgis Podmore, and two others that no one seemed to know the names of. The first plan of action was to protect the remaining followers and their families from a similar fate. Those that had relatives in the inner circle would be moving into their houses with them. James had realized a long time ago that the members of the inner circle were the more prestigious, intelligent and wealthy of the old pureblooded wizarding families. It would only make sense that these families had stronger wards and protections on their homes for various reasons.

James also assigned the three followers that were the best at warding to increase the protection charms on any followers homes that needed it, starting with the followers that could not be temporarily relocated. He assigned a team of five, he called them his Reapers, they possessed stealth, power and were extremely discreet. They had yet to fail in retrieving any thing he requested. Their task was to bring in the three identified attackers and make it seem as if they had vanished. James did not want the disappearances to be able to be linked with them.

James had spoken separately to Severus Snape to find out what information he knew. After hearing that Severus knew nothing, he sent him on a fact-finding mission to see who in the Order had any knowledge. He knew someone in the Order had instigated the attacks, as he had recognized those names as being members.

Now James found himself waiting on the sofa in his room for Draco to return. As soon as the meeting drew to a close, he had sent a warning tingle to Draco’s mark; it was their signal, letting him know his father was on his way home and for him to leave. He had no sooner laid his head onto the back of the sofa when he heard the door open and close with a click. Opening his eyes he saw Draco staring coolly back at him.

“ Did you find anything useful?”

Draco didn’t answer right away, too caught up in seeing the Emerald Dragon sprawled out on the sofa. He finally registered that he had been spoken to.

“Um, no. Nothing useful.”

“I thought you were going to try and bring the book with you?” James asked.

Thinking fasracoraco answered, “I couldn’t. I remembered that that book as well as some others have wards on them so that they can’t leave the room, let alone the house. I didn’t have time to disable the complexity of the ward either.”

“Okay. Are you hungry? Should I send for a late lunch? We really didn’t have time for breakfast before I was summoned this morning,” James said, wondering why Draco was still standing near the door to theioms.oms.

“Yes. That sounds good.”

James got up off the couch and approached Draco. He brought his hand up and gently caressed his cheek. Draco stiffened but otherwise remained unmoved. James was thoroughly confused by that reaction after the night the two had spent together.

“Are you all right? Did something happen at the manor?”

“Why ever would something be wrong, Emerald Dragon?”

James was momentarily stunned by that response, until Draco came closer and wrapped his arms around James’ waist. James didn’t hesitate to lean in and capture the blonde’s lips in searing kiss, more conformation that everything was okay. James registered somewhere in the back of his mind that this kiss was different from any they had shared before but wrote it off as them still being new and still discovering each other.

James wrapped Draco up in his embrace and reached under his shirt seeking skin. Things heated quickly after that, clothes were removed at an alarming pace as Draco took over and maneuvered them to the sofa. He pushed James down with a confidence and dominance he had never displayed before. As much as James was enjoying this controlling side of Draco, he had a strong desire to taste his skin to taste him in every way.

Despite his enjoyment, James didn’t hesitate to flip Draco under him and start kissing down his chest and abdomen in search of his goal. Draco seemed not to mind the sudden change and responded by sinking his hands deeply, gripping almost violently at James’ hair, encouraging him to his destination faster. James grasped Draco’s rigid length in his hand, stroking up once, slowly lowering his head to take it deep into his throat.

He stilled suddenly starring at the unmarred flesh of the blonde’s groin and hips. Immediately he knew something was terribly wrong. Not wanting to give himself away he continued stroking the hard flesh in his hand while concentrating on the mark he had placed on Draco. Despite sending jolts to the mark that should be visible on Draco’s thigh, the man beneath him didn’t react. Suddenly he knew without a doubt that this man was not Draco. With a wave of his hand, he stunned the man and cast a sleeping spell that only he could release.

He jumped up off of the couch, redressed himself in the clothes that had just been removed and headed out of his room, locking the door behind him with the strongest locking spell he knew. He quickly made his way to the apparition point at the front of the mansion. Connecting his thoughts and magic, he apparated to closest possible point of where he felt his connection with Draco. Upon arriving he immediately recognizing his location as the apparition chamber of the dungeons in Malfoy Manor. He kept his rage under the surface, knowing it would not help his search for Draco. James found him hanging chained to the wall in the same chamber he had been in the last time, only this time he was merely unconscious, not bloody and bruised. Rushing to his side he reawakened him. As the blonde slowly regained consciousness, James released him from the last manacle around his waist. Then he slowly lowered him to a sitting position on the floor with all of his weight leaning against James.

“Draco are you alright?” James asked. His rage momentarily taking a back seat to the concern for the man in front of him.

“Yes. I think so.”

“What happened?”

“The last thing I remember is the tingle signal you sent me. I was making my way to the apparition point outside when I heard a noise and then nothing, everything is blank after that. How did you know to look for me anyway?”

“I didn’t at first. You were back at our rooms or so I thought. You were acting peculiar but I thought maybe something happened that upset you. Then you started coming on to me and a few minutes later we were naked on the couch…”

“If you tell me you fucked this other guy, I’m going to kill him and then castrate you!” Draco said, not quite sure whether to be angry, upset, or laugh at how ironic the universe is. After all it could be his karma catching up to him.

“Possessive much? But to answer your question no, nothing happened past me looking down at your nude body and not seeing the mark, just before I was about to…” James said with a quiet chuckle. “Then I stunned him and put him to sleep, so I could find you.”

“Oh my hero,” Draco exclaimed in sweet soprano. “But this is becoming a habit, you rescuing me from my fa…Lucius. So he didn’t have time to register the fact that you found him out?”

“How can you be sure it’s Lucius? And yes, he is oblivious.”

“Who else could it be considering the wards to the manor are currently only keyed to allow Malfoys, Voldemort, and the Emerald Dragon. Oh yeah and Severus. The only time the wards are lowered to allow others is when we are entertaining a large number of people.”

“That makes sense. So how do you want to handle him?”

Draco stood brushing off his robes, turned to James and replied, “Lets go I’ll decide on the way.”

The two made their way to the apparition chamber, apparated, and quickly made their way back to their rooms in the Dark Lord’s mansion. Upon entering Draco saw a mirror image of himself, naked and prostrate on the couch, with a jutting erection. He turned his head towards James and raised a slender eyebrow while smirking at the slight flush that started creeping up James’ cheeks. He knew it wasn’t the naked image of him that made him blush; more like the embarrassment and anger of almost being fooled. Satisfied he turned his attention back to a polyjuiced Lucius and magically redressed him, while discreetly sending a wandless impotence charm his way. Knowing that his father would quickly figure out he had been hexed and then perform the necessary charms to counteract the impotence, Draco placed a second charm on his father that caused intense burning after orgasm. As far as he knew, it didn’t have a counter but it did eventually wear off after about the twentieth orgasm. Momentarily satisfied with his revenge, Draco turned his full attention back to James.

“Draco I believe you have every right to decide what his punishment should be. Keep in mind several things; he was told by Lord Voldemort not to come near you for the remainder of the summer. We don’t know his actual purpose for coming here disguised as you but he has shown me a huge disrespect. Not only by trying to deceive me but also whatever his nefarious plans for me were whether they be espionage or with the intentions of a personal assault. Also consider the fact that once we’ve bonded you too will be considered his superior and this could be considered a personal affront to you as well, though he is not yet aware of our situation.”

With a small smile playing at the corners of his mouth, thinking of what he should do to punish his father for his transgressions against The Emerald Dragon, it steadily becomes a full blown smirk.

“Well it’s obvious. If he didn’t know before, he knows now that we have, at least on some level, a relationship. I want you to awaken him up but leave his body immobilized and follow my lead.”

James uttered the spells necessary to leave Lucius in ate ate where he could not speak or move but could hear and observe. With a pointed look at James, Draco moved from his position in front of the raven-haired man to come up flush behind him and wrapped his arms firmly around his waist while resting his chin on his shoulder. James responded by moving one arm down to cover Draco’s while the other went up and reached slightly behind him to enable him to run his fingers through white blonde silken tresses and settle on the neck attached to it. They were ready; ready to play this little game to confuse, deceive, intimidate, punish and uncover any secrets this wizard would knowingly and unknowingly divulge to them.

“Well, my Emerald Dragon, who do you think this little interloper is invading our space, committing fraud, disguising themselves as me? Should we use the Vertisirium to find out their true intentions or do you think entering their mind would achieve better results? However I’m left wondering if it even truly matters. They’re obviously not very good, to even think that you would not discover they were not really me. Maybe you shouldn’t even question them; just drain their magic and throw them in the dungeon.”

While letting his remarks sink in to their victim’s brain and waiting for James to reply, Draco began nuzzling his face in his lover’s neck with little nips and kisses here and there.

“I don’t know luv, I think I should pick their brain, so to speak. Obviously someone must have put them up to this. There is no way anyone would be stupid enough to infiltrate my rooms, to try to deceive me for what ever purpose on their own.”

Draco’s hands began roaming underneath the shirt James was wearing, stroking the warm smooth skin and occasionally dragging his nails down the taunt abs, causing fine, barely noticeable tremors to run through his lover’s body.

With a breathy moan Draco whispered in his ear, “I can think of several things we could do to pass the time while were waiting for the potion to wear off to reveal the identity of this Judas.”

“What did you have in mind?” was James breathless reply.

“Let me show you, My Lord,” Draco said, playing his part perfectly. Knowing that his act and this show of exhibitionism was burning firefire that much hotter within James.