It's Just 12 Inches of Wood

It’s Just 12 Inches of Wood by The Coven

Author: Graballz

Beta: tas

Author's note--And time marches on! Here is the next chapter, roughly on schedule (though to the neglect of our other Coven story as well as my own personal stories...), and I think it's only fair to give you WARNINGS for language (cursing, of course!), a fight, and another cliff-hanger.

However, we are interested to know your opinion on this chapter and what you'd like to see happen, so please let us know?

A couple of quick notes: My apologies...I didn't intend for the end of Chapter 13 to be that much of a cliff-hanger, (sorry, Lilith, SM, Diania, Debbie, and everyone else who was upset by the cliffie!) but this time...I think the end of Chapter 14 is, so here's warning...

And *gulp* I really, really hope that Robert Thomas lives up to your expectations of the "big bad albino werewolf" (as SapphireMatiria put it!)

Also, we couldn't be in Germany and not have at least one *actual* word of German (besides town names), so the word in German is "chef", for those of you (like me!) who don't speak German. One of our Coven authors IS German, however (yay and thank you, ZooArmy!) and she is the our resident expert.

Obviously (and hopefully you picked up on this in the last chapter) Robert Thomas is a collector of beauty, and Draco's gorgeous. I think we all understand what Harry's thinking and feeling, so I guess the question is....what's going to happen?

Read And Find Out...and enjoy!!!

~Graballz

Chapter 14

Jump and Fall

The man sitting in the chair was instantly recognizable as the man from the photo Ollivander had given them, though a few years older. His snow-white hair was perfectly styled, and his suit was impeccably pressed. His eyes, while unsettling in the photograph, were downright disturbing to see in person, as they were the ruby color of freshly spilled blood.

Both Harry and Draco flinched automatically upon first sight of their host; though Draco caught himself, so his flinch was internal, whereas Harry’s reaction was completely visible. Draco’s Slytherin mind immediately began calculating the damage done, the offense Thomas would take, and what it would cost them in terms of their mission when the man began to chuckle.

“Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy,” Robert Thomas mused, his fingers resting lightly against each other in front of his chest, his elbows resting comfortably on the arms of his massive chair. “It is not every day that two wizards of such distinctive stature darken my doorway; welcome to my home.”

“Thank you, Mister Thomas,” Draco murmured deferentially, feeling a distasteful flash of annoyance shoot through him at having to grovel in order to make up for Harry’s faux pas.

“I am well aware of my resemblance to a certain Dark wizard,” Thomas continued smoothly, his mouth twisting into what might pass for a smile. “Mister Potter, given your history with him, I certainly do not begrudge you your reaction. No offense is taken, so you may stop your calculating and groveling, Mister Malfoy.”

Draco blinked, taken aback to the point that he floundered for a second, not having an immediate response. Harry shot him a furrowed-brow look, which meant that he would question later why Draco had been calculating and groveling.

“Now, I know the next question you have for me that you will not deign to ask is,” Thomas chuckled darkly, “how I could have known that. You are more like your father than you know, and I would have known your relation regardless of your last name. And not just because of the physical resemblance.”

“Mister Thomas, perhaps we should discuss the reason the boys are here,” Remus broke in hastily, casting a concerned glance at the frozen blonde.

“Mister Ollivander has decided that it is again time for more of my hair and blood,” Thomas said emotionlessly. “We shall see if what he has is worth the cost.”

“We didn’t bring anything with us,” Harry stepped in, physically putting himself between Thomas and Draco. “Ollivander said that you would let us know what your price would be.”

“He was correct,” Thomas eyed the Gryffindor.

“So…what do you want?” Harry asked bluntly when the werewolf fell silent. Behind him, he could practically feel Draco’s flinch, knowing that it meant he had done something wrong (again) but the words were out and he couldn’t very well take them back.

To their surprise, Robert Thomas gave a deep belly-laugh, though his flat abdomen didn’t shake.

“I see that the rumors about the Chosen One being raised by Muggles are true,” he smiled sardonically, and Harry narrowed his eyes. Draco reached out and laid a soft hand on his shoulder blade, silently telling him to restrain himself. “And with that query, he shows that he is indeed a Gryffindor; now, one would think that muttering comments under one’s breath about the employees of one’s host is unbecoming of Gryffindor nature.”

Draco drew in a sharp breath; Thomas had heard Harry’s comment about the age of the boy who had ushered them in! He could hear the faint amusement—as well as the readiness of their host to take offense this time—in Thomas’ voice; the Slytherin would have to be very politic and careful in his answer. It had been quite some time since he had played this game, but Draco steeled himself for the self-hatred that would come later, when he was alone.

“My—partner meant no offense, sir,” Draco stepped up beside Harry, facing the leader. “Your staff all have very—youthful appearances; no doubt because of the impeccable care given here, as well as diligent attention to diet and fitness. It is admirable, sir.”

“Very well done, Mister Malfoy,” Thomas nodded approvingly, and Draco just barely controlled himself not to show how disgusted he was. “Worthy of your father at least. I am inclined not to reject your offer out-of-hand. Return tomorrow morning. That will be all. Good day.”

He flicked his wrist in a dismissive manner, spinning the chair around, abruptly ending their conversation. Behind them, the massive doors opened again, and the boy appeared, motioning them out of the room with a cheerful smile.

Harry didn’t know what the hell to think. He renewed his definite assertion that the werewolf was crazy and considered abandoning the mission right then; just taking Draco back to England and telling Ollivander that the werewolf could go fuck himself. He knew the blonde well enough by now that he could tell Draco was upset; if Harry had to guess, it was the continued references to Lucius. He resolved to ask as soon as they were back at Hermunduren.

“Breakfast will be provided around nine,” the silver-haired boy said as he escorted them away from Thomas’ office. “You will be dining with Mister Thomas. If you wish to have dinner before you leave, there is a café near the rail station. On behalf of our people, I’d like to thank you for coming, and we will see you tomorrow.”

With that, the boy closed the door behind him, and the trio found themselves outside the castle, staring down the street towards the station.

“Well…that went well,” Remus commented, and Harry threw him a black look.

“Well? Well? THAT was ‘well’? What the hell?” The Gryffindor exploded, and Remus shushed him quickly.

“All of these people will not hesitate to take information back to him,” the professor whispered urgently. “Do not give them an unflattering report.”

“Fine,” Harry grouched, reaching for Draco’s hand as they made their way back to the station.

They were just about to the train when Emily appeared out of nowhere. Harry’s eyes narrowed—but he refrained from commenting—when the girl’s eyes lit up upon seeing Draco.

“You’re coming for breakfast tomorrow?” She asked happily by way of greeting.

“They are,” Remus nodded at the two. “I unfortunately have a prior engagement, but it is not me whom your brother has business with, after all. I was just showing them the way today.”

“Do not trouble yourself,” Emily gave Remus a wink. “I will enjoy showing them the way tomorrow and however long they are here.” The professor gave a wan smile in return. “See you then,” she said, touching Draco’s cheek in parting, pretty much ignoring Harry completely.

“I’ll just bet you will,” Harry muttered under his breath as they boarded. They were the only passengers. “Show us the way…hmph…over my dead body.”

“Be careful; they might take that as a challenge,” Draco joked weakly.

“Not directly,” Remus reminded them. “This is a pacifist group, after all. Robert Thomas does not believe in direct confrontation.”

“Yes, I know,” Draco’s nose wrinkled. “He prefers mind rape.”

“What?” Harry gasped, growing more alarmed when Remus didn’t appear to disagree. “Leglimency?”

“No,” Draco sighed, shaking his head. “Subtle Slytherin games; the kind I was raised to play. That was one of the best things about leaving home; I could leave all of that behind. I know I still act subversive at times, but I really hate it and I try not to.”

“Like when he was mentioning your father?” Harry held Draco’s hand in both of his, giving sympathy.

The blonde nodded. “Or when he was looking for groveling, even after he told me I needn’t,” Draco curled his lip, pulling his hand away as he crossed his arms tightly over his chest. “He was reminding us that he had the upper hand; he must have learned that trick from my father.”

“Whatever he said,” Remus leaned forward suddenly, catching Draco’s eye, “it was nothing compared to what he could say if angered. He was generous today; you did well, Draco.”

“No, I performed just like he wanted me to,” Draco snarled. “Yes, he was generous today, and I am fully aware of the complexity of the game, Lupin. Do not lecture me on Slytherin matters.”

“He wasn’t trying to—” Harry began in Remus’ defense, stopping when the professor shook his head slightly.

“He can’t make you feel any way unless you let him,” the older man said softly. “Don’t give him that power over you, Draco.”

“What?” Harry was thoroughly lost, turning back and forth. The blonde ran a troubled hand through his hair, sighing through his nose.

“I feel dirty,” he confessed. “I all but fell down and kissed his feet; it’s the situation with the Dark Lord all over again, minus the death threats. When—once he was gone, I swore I’d never be controlled like that again, but here I am, bending over and taking it without even a fight.”

“Then let’s not go back!” Harry jumped to his feet, enraged. He was angry that Draco had been made to feel that way, and he wanted to show Robert Thomas just what happened when he made Harry Potter mad. “Or let’s go back and kick his ass!”

The Slytherin just shook his head morosely, clamming up. He tightened his arms around his torso, leaning back and away from Harry in his chair, staring without really seeing. Remus reached up and grasped Harry’s arm, pulling him back down.

“Just because he is a pacifist does not mean he does not know how to fight,” Remus cautioned. “You are better off running far, far away and never coming back.”

“Run? You want us to RUN? Like cowards?” In Harry’s mind’s eye, he saw Snape fleeing school grounds the night Dumbledore died, dragging Draco along with him. He knew now that neither Snape nor Draco were, in ANY sense of the word, cowards, but he still felt the frustration he had felt that night.

“No, I want you to run to keep yourselves safe,” Remus replied ominously. “To stay whole and healthy and sane. To keep your relationship intact.”

“Remus, what are you talking about?” Harry stared hard at his former professor. “What are you not saying?”

“Harry, I never told you this,” Remus glanced at his knees, ashamed. “Do you remember when I wanted to go with you, Ron, and Hermione? You yelled at me, refusing to let me run out on Tonks and Teddy. Well…what you don’t know is that, for a few days, I DID run out on them. After you refused to let me come, I contacted Thomas; he arranged safe passage for me out of England to come to Wartburg. It took me a few days to realize exactly what I had done, and I went back. But I have to live with the fact that I DID abandon them, at least for a little bit.”

“He just let you come back?” Harry raised an eyebrow skeptically, feeling his heart drop.

“He’s not a dictator, Harry,” Remus said. “Association with his group is voluntary, and there is nothing for him to gain by making it involuntary. Anyone who lives in the commune is there of their own volition, and anyone who leaves is allowed.”

“But—but there has to be SOMETHING illegal going on there! Some kind of catch! It’s too…weird!” Harry exclaimed.

“No,” Remus replied quietly but firmly. “It’s all legal and legitimate. I’m only human, Harry. I might be a werewolf, but that doesn’t make me immune to temptation. I can see their mindset; why this community appeals. I don’t completely agree with their ideals and methods, which is why I don’t live there and why some are less than friendly to me. I am one of them who chooses not to be part of their group; Thomas accepts that, though some of his followers have a harder time with that mentality.”

“His price,” Harry snapped his fingers and pointed. “His cost. That’s the catch. I know what everyone’s insinuating, and there’s no way in hell he’s getting Draco. Pacifist or not, he’ll have to kill me before I allow that.”

“Robert Thomas is a man who gets what he wants,” Remus said.

“Not this time,” Harry promised, frowning ferociously. Draco was still being aloof, but Harry clamped his hand down on the blonde’s knee. “Not this time.”

“Perhaps he won’t want Draco,” Remus suggested, hoping to calm Harry down a bit. He hadn’t meant to get his former student so riled up in the first place, but at least now Harry had a better understanding of the man he was dealing with. “If you go to breakfast and it turns out he does, you can always say no and walk away.”

“That’s true,” Harry murmured. “And Remus? I don’t think less of you; you came back, and that’s what’s important.” The two Gryffindors hugged, and then they arrived at Eisenach, changing to the Gotha-bound train. Remus had arranged to stay overnight at the university since it was their first night; he would have to return home to England the following night, he told them, but Tonks was aware that he had planned to stay in Germany tonight.

Remus walked them back to their room, the corridors eerily silent in a stark contrast to before. He bid them goodnight and went to his own room.

*

Harry shut the door and immediately pulled Draco into a full-body hug, ignoring the rigidity of his lover. He smoothed his hands over the blonde’s hair and back, and gradually Draco relaxed enough to wrap his arms around Harry’s waist in return.

“I love you,” Harry whispered against Draco’s hair.

“But I’m unclean,” Draco protested, the anticipated self-loathing rising up inside him, just as he anticipated. “I just…I might as well have been a whore.”

“Stop that right now,” Harry snapped uncharacteristically. “You are NOT a whore and you are NOT unclean! Robert Thomas is the foulest kind of jerk around; he was just being a prick the entire time. Don’t let him make you feel this way, Draco.”

“I can’t help it,” the blonde whispered in horror. “I was trained…”

“You were trained to feel bad?” Harry shot back. “You were trained to hate yourself? Fuck that, Draco. You are a beautiful person, inside and out, no thanks to your parents. You can be so much more than that; I’ve seen you be so much more than that. Don’t be like them, Draco. Don’t hate yourself.”

Draco leaned against Harry more heavily, feeling the Gryffindor’s arms tighten around him as Harry supported his weight, kissing his temple. He hated feeling slimy and dirty, cheap and disgusting; he didn’t want to feel like that, but he WAS upset with himself for going along with Thomas’ conversation.

This is what he wants. He’s just like your father. Don’t give it to him.

“You’re right, Harry,” Draco said at last. “I’ll try.” He suppressed a shudder, drawing back to smile at his lover. He was rewarded with Harry’s grin, which helped him let go of his destructive feelings. “I think I’d still like to shower, though.”

“Want some company?” Harry perked up hopefully, and Draco only hesitated for the briefest instant before nodding. They walked to the bathroom together. The electric shower was warm in an instant, but they ended up snogging so long, grinding their slick bodies together, that the freezing temperature finally drove them back to the bed to finish what they had started.

Sated and comfortably wrapped around each other, Harry and Draco closed their eyes, hoping to be rested by the time morning came, and they’d have to face Thomas again.

*

The trip back to Wartburg Castle was almost more intimidating than the first one because Remus was not with them. Emily met them once again at the rail station, and while she was once again primarily focused on Draco, she did include Harry in the conversation as well, leading them to a private dining room.

They had been expecting a grand table that could potentially seat hundreds, so when Emily opened the door to a small round table set for three, Harry’s brow furrowed. He had been picturing a cross between the Great Hall and the dining room at Malfoy Manor, he supposed, but once again, Emily bid them farewell as they entered the room.

Draco knew it was yet another test, and so he stood behind one of the chairs, motioning for Harry to do the same. They were kept waiting for another five minutes before the door opened again, revealing their host.

“Good morning, Mister Potter, Mister Malfoy,” Robert Thomas smiled as he entered the room.

“Mister Thomas,” Draco nodded, and the three men all sat down at once.

“I have a question,” Harry opened the conversation, to which Thomas gave an amused nod. “You said before that you have a price; I just want you to know that if it’s Draco, forget it. I don’t want to waste your time or ours, so if the price is going to be too steep, I’d appreciate it if you’d let us know now, and then we can be on our way without disturbing you.”

Draco’s eyes widened as he accepted the teapot from Thomas and poured his own tea. He lifted the cup to hide the smile that threatened to break out over his face at hearing his lover’s firm tone in his defense. His grey eyes slid surreptitiously to their host, who actually looked a bit uncomfortable.

Serves him right, Draco thought triumphantly. Go, Harry! Way to give him a taste of his own medicine; knocking him off his game like that.

“Mister Potter, you believe that I want to possess your partner?” Thomas asked slowly, his tone incredulous.

“Yes,” Harry nodded, casting a slightly panicked look at Draco. “I…I think so, anyway. I’m pretty sure.”

“Now why on earth would you think that? I’m curious,” instead of taking offense, Thomas cocked his head to the side.

“Because you have a reputation for liking beautiful things, and he’s—well, beautiful,” Harry choked a bit, glancing fondly across the table.

“I see,” Thomas’ face shut down, and he seemed displeased. “You are one of those who believe that I somehow enchant the people who live here and keep them here against their will, aren’t you?”

“I—I think it’s a bit strange here, yes,” Harry was caught completely off-guard with the abrupt conversation change, and he grasped for a diplomatic answer while trying not to lie. “I don’t know that I’d want to live here, but…”

“And do you think that you would not be allowed to leave if you were to get up right now?” Thomas’ voice was sharp now. “Do you think that I would call legions of expendable warriors to detain you? Watch while you slaughter them all single-handedly because they are so dim-witted as to attack you one by one, even if they have you surrounded? Do you believe, Mister Potter, that you are the good guy and I am the bad guy?”

“I don’t know,” Harry answered honestly, blinking.

“Fool,” Thomas spat at him. “Do not make the mistake of underestimating me as a stereotypical villain; I am not one of your ‘run of the mill’ bad guys.”

“So you ARE a bad guy, then?” Harry raised an eyebrow.

“To YOU, I am because that makes you the hero,” Thomas stuck his nose in the air. “A role you are most inclined to play as often as you can, as my sources inform me.”

“Your sources are wrong,” Harry snapped back, flushing. He glared at the table instead of at their host, fighting the urge to jump up and strangle him. In a flash, Harry realized that Thomas was starting on HIM this time, instead of Draco. He WANTED Harry to be angry and reactive! If he could get Harry upset, then the Gryffindor would be more likely to act without thinking, and with a natural, devious politician like Thomas, that would be as good as suicide. With difficulty, Harry reigned in his anger and met Thomas’ eyes, though he couldn’t pretend NOT to be upset.

“We know not to underestimate you,” Draco interrupted in a low voice, casting Harry a glance that both approved and disapproved of the Gryffindor’s actions. “And of course you don’t have an army of expendable warriors; this is a pacifist community. We are not here to slaughter or antagonize; we are here on business, so perhaps we could switch to that topic of conversation in hopes it will be easier on the digestive system?”

Draco hoped his suggestion would be taken, not only because he didn’t want to watch Thomas goad Harry, but also because he knew that when the werewolf was through with his lover, he would start in on Draco again. The blonde didn’t want to be there any longer than necessary, and if it meant starting the business negotiations now, so be it.

“That entirely depends, Mister Malfoy,” Thomas replied, dropping all pretense.

“On?” Draco arched an eyebrow and waited. The werewolf motioned with his hand, and a far door opened. The young boy from before appeared, carrying three covered plates. He deposited one in front of each of them quietly, almost reverently, and departed, taking the lids with him. The delicious aroma of three perfectly cooked German breakfasts wafted over them, and Draco had to admit it was distracting. With difficulty, he managed to recapture their host’s eye and attempt to stare him down to get him to answer.

“On your preferences,” the werewolf said casually, picking up his utensils. “Please eat; der Chefkoch here is a magician, no pun intended.”

“My preferences? Could you be a bit more specific?” Draco deftly cut one of the sausages without looking and hummed in approval upon putting it in his mouth.

“Here is my price, Mister Potter, and no, it is not possession of your partner per se, though I must agree wholeheartedly with you regarding his countenance,” Thomas turned to Harry suddenly, catching the Gryffindor off-guard. Draco frowned as he continued to eat, knowing that the werewolf was not simply changing the topic of conversation. There was a point to everything he said; it was just well-hidden and subverted, like any good Slytherin’s would be, and Draco paid close attention so as not to miss or misinterpret it.

“The boy who was in here earlier is Jarvis Trennen Thomas, my son,” Thomas gave Draco a meaningful look before turning back to Harry. “So no, Mister Potter, I do not have CHILDREN working for me; child labor was outlawed many, many years ago, and whatever you may think of me, do not—and I repeat, do NOT—label me an abuser of children. He has a ‘youthful appearance’, as you put it, Mister Malfoy, because he IS a youth. He is here by choice; what father would begrudge an opportunity to be closer to his son?”

Draco pressed his lips into a thin line, quickly setting his knife and fork down on the sides of his plate so that he wouldn’t drop them. His eyes flashed, but he willed himself not to show any other outward signs of his anger at the dig Thomas made at Lucius.

Harry actually growled in his throat at the comment, having just swallowed a bite of his breakfast roll. His nostrils flared, resentful on Draco’s behalf, and the Boy Who Lived glared fiercely, daring Thomas to continue in that line.

“What do you know about albino werewolf genetics?” The older man took a sip of tea as Draco shook his head mutely, indicating that he knew nothing about that topic. “We are, historically, an aberration of nature; a mutation, if you will. Lycanthropy itself is bad, but add to it the rare DNA of an albino, and strange things happen. I appear much younger than I actually am; albinos age differently than regular wizards, as do werewolves. Your professor, Remus Lupin, is a victim of this. Had he not been infected as a young child, he would not have the haggard air about him befitting a man twenty years older.”

“He’s aged faster?” Harry interrupted, his brow furrowing. “And you’ve aged slower?”

“If you care to put it like that, yes,” their host nodded. “Mister Lupin always appears tired, which is not surprising, considering the energy it takes to resist the bestial impulses. That is why, Mister Potter, WEAPON trains werewolves to embrace their nature; accept it and learn to control it—without chemical alteration.”

Wolfsbane, Draco thought.

“My sister is, in actuality, about ten years younger than I am, though neither of us look our age,” Thomas continued, smiling faintly. Draco took that as a good sign that he truly loved his sister.

“Is that important?” Harry asked, and Thomas’ mouth widened.

“Apparently not to you, Mister Potter,” he murmured.

“You must be around…seventy?” Draco guessed. “If you founded the community when you were our age, and that was fifty years ago…”

“Very good,” Thomas nodded but didn’t give any indication to correct the numbers. “I still felt like a youngster in the presence of your father, and he was much more politically-minded and business-savvy than I; I learned much from him.”

“He was a very smart man,” Draco said neutrally, his eyes going flat.

“Mister Thomas, make your point,” Harry exhaled through his nostrils, concerned emeralds flicking to his partner. He was sick and tired of the underhanded references to Lucius.

“My point is this,” the werewolf said sharply. “I was lucky enough to find a woman whose genetic makeup did not interfere with either of my abnormalities, though they both passed to my son, as you can see. His mother is dead now, but that is not the concern.

“My sister, Emily, has both the werewolf AND albino genome, though hers is recessive, hence why she is not an albino. Regardless, she cannot mate with just any man because of the unpredictability of the interaction between albino and non-albino genes. She, however, needs an heir, as I have one, in order to continue our society. Hers has been a hard, lonely life, though I have tried to give her the material comforts she deserves,” Thomas’ face grew sad and upset. “She desperately wants a child, and she would make a terrific mother. Most men, however, either do not have genetically compatible DNA, or they find out about me and run the other way.”

Draco sucked in a sharp breath, suddenly aware of where this might potentially be heading, and his stomach began to churn.

“You, Mister Malfoy, have neutrally compatible genetics, and Emily tells me that you seem fond of her, are you not? Mister Potter, as I said before, I do not wish to possess your partner myself, but my price is that I want you to give her a child, Mister Malfoy.”

In spite of his expectations, both of Draco’s eyebrows shot up at hearing the man say it out loud. Harry’s mouth dropped open in shock.

“WHAT?!” He screeched, and both Draco and Thomas winced. “You want Draco to WHAT?!”

“How would this arrangement work?” Draco dodged, keeping his eyes on Thomas as he reached across the table for Harry’s hand. He could tell the Gryffindor was upset by the way Harry squeezed his fingers punishingly, and Draco could feel a slight tremor in his partner. “I need more information before I can give you a decision.”

“You and my sister would—have relations,” Thomas coughed delicately, eyeing their joined hands. “I would ask that you remain here for her until the baby is born; that way, she will not be alone in her endeavor. As you can see, I am in want of nothing, save for what I cannot give Emily; you need not worry about supporting the child financially. You would be welcome, of course, to live here with them or visit as often as you like, depending upon how involved you would like to be in your child’s life.”

“You want Draco to stay HERE?! For NINE MONTHS?! You’re out of your fucking mind!” Harry exploded, his grip tightening painfully on Draco’s hand.

“Werewolf pregnancies gestate differently,” Draco twitched Harry’s hand to get the Golden Boy’s attention. The blonde tried to recall the different chapters on werewolves they had learned at Hogwarts, though the focus of those lessons had been more on the transformation and murderous demeanor than on breeding and reproduction. “Don’t they?”

“That depends,” Thomas ignored Harry’s outburst, though his contemptuous glance was evident. “If she is in human form, the pregnancy is the same as any other witch’s: nine months. A wolf’s gestation period is a little more than sixty days, or two months.”

Harry froze in shock, blinking rapidly and wondering if he had misheard. Did Thomas just imply that Draco should sleep with his sister IN HER WEREWOLF FORM?

“Artificial insemination,” Harry blurted out suddenly, making both wizards turn to him. “Muggles do it all the time when they can’t get pregnant. You take some of Draco’s…” he blushed bright red, “and put it in Emily. It’s a quick procedure, and then she’s pregnant.”

“Not an option,” Thomas shook his head emphatically. “I will not have my sister shamed into—”

“There’s no shame in it,” Harry interrupted.

“I said no,” the werewolf growled.

“Why not?” Harry shot back, but Thomas turned back to Draco expectantly.

“Does Emily know what you are asking of me?” The Slytherin’s voice was quiet, in deliberate contrast to Harry’s temper.

“Not in such specific terms,” Thomas admitted. “She has an attraction to you, and I had my people research your genealogy last night, to see if there were any obstacles in your genetics. There are not, which means that your cooperation is the last necessary ingredient. She will not refuse to take you to bed, if that is what you are worried about. As I said, Emily has wanted a child for a very long time.”

“Will she approve of your method? This business transaction? My agreement to lay with her in exchange for wand ingredients from you? Will she not feel cheated or cheapened in some way? I will be frank with you, Mister Thomas; I do not love her,” Draco stared at him intently.

“She does not have to know,” Thomas replied. “Even if you were to tell her, it would not bother her. Having something implanted inside her, however,” he snarled, throwing a glare at Harry, “WOULD effectively cheapen her; she is not a virgin, though she has not been with a man in a long time.”

“Why can’t one of your werewolves here do it?” Harry spat back. “Why does it have to be Draco?”

“Because, Mister Potter, the genetics are all-important,” Thomas hissed. “Jarvis has a pureblood mother. She was British as well, actually, and if I am not mistaken, he has two half-sisters that attended Hogwarts with you. Do you know the Greengrasses?”

“Daphne? Daphne Greengrass?” Draco blinked incredulously. “You slept with her mother?”

“She and her husband were divorced quietly,” Thomas explained. “She fled to Germany shortly after the younger girl was born.”

“Astoria?” Draco knew Daphne’s little sister vaguely; she was also in Slytherin, but what unnerved Draco the most was that she was the spitting image of Daphne. Though she was two years younger, they could have been twins, and towards their final years, Draco had accidentally mistaken her for Daphne on several occasions. Neither girl had ever indicated that their home life had been anything less than typical, but upon reflection, Draco realized that, as pureblooded Slytherins, of course they wouldn’t have shown any affectedness.

“That sounds right,” Thomas nodded thoughtfully. “Lovely girls, from what their mother used to say. Sadly, she died giving birth to Jarvis Trennen.”

“Aren’t you afraid that the same might happen to your sister?” Harry pointed out.

“That is a risk, yes,” Thomas acquiesced. “It depends on which form she is in. Her human body is more fragile than her werewolf form, so there is less risk of death if she gives birth in her transformed state.”

“And if I refuse?” Draco pursed his lips and waited. Thomas was silent for a bit, finally giving a small sigh.

“Then you return to Mister Ollivander and tell him that you failed,” the werewolf replied. “Does the son of a Malfoy have that capability?”

“I am not perfect,” Draco snapped. “I have failed before, and while I do not like it, I am capable of admission when the situation warrants.”

“No,” Harry spoke up suddenly, giving Draco’s hand another squeeze. “You’re not a failure, Draco, and you never have been. This is an unfair proposition, and you don’t have to sit here and listen to these backhanded comments about your family. We’re out of here.”

As Harry stood, he knocked against the table, causing the dishes to clatter. Both Thomas and Draco were on their feet a second later, and Harry went around the table to stand next to his partner, putting his arm around the blonde’s shoulders.

“Consider it, Mister Malfoy,” Thomas said as Harry pulled Draco towards the door. “Bodily fluids for bodily fluids.”

“Get bent,” Harry retorted angrily over his shoulder, flinging the door open and dragging Draco down the hallway. He half-expected to hear running footsteps coming after them, but the corridors were silent. As they neared the entrance to the castle, Emily appeared from a side room.

“Draco? Harry? What’s wrong? Is everything al—”

“Get away from him and get out of my way!” Harry pulled his wand, pointing it threateningly at the young woman as she tried to reach for Draco in concern. He wrenched the blonde around, putting himself between them, and left the castle, muttering under his breath.

“Harry, wait! Harry, stop!” Draco found his footing and balked unexpectedly.

“What? Let’s go. We’re leaving,” the Gryffindor stared at his partner incredulously.

“Shouldn’t we at least talk about this?” Draco put his hands on his hips.

“What is there to talk about? There’s no way in hell you’re sleeping with her! Now let’s go,” Harry moved to take Draco’s arm, but the Slytherin pulled back.

“You’re not my master, Potter,” Draco resented Harry’s presumption and control. “You don’t get a say in who I do or do not sleep with!”

“Excuse me?” Harry reeled backwards as if Draco had slapped him. “Am I mistaken in assuming that my boyfriend would be faithful to me and ONLY me?”

“Your boyfriend?”

“Well, yeah,” Harry’s brow furrowed, and the corners of his mouth twitched downward. “You told me you loved me yesterday; I assumed that meant we were, you know, together. Forgive me for not jumping for joy because my boyfriend wants to sleep with a woman!”

“Now wait a minute,” Draco held his hand up. “I never said that; I only said I wanted to discuss this.”

“But that’s the problem,” Harry protested unhappily. “What is there to discuss? I thought the answer was pretty damn clear: hell no. But apparently I’m wrong. The fact that you even want to discuss this makes it worse.”

“We came here for a reason,” Draco reminded him. “We have a job to do, remember?”

“That should not include sleeping with some werewolf chick,” Harry’s lip curled. “Or sleeping with anyone. Ever.”

“Oh, so it was only okay when you and I had sex in the cave? Is that it? Or when Ash was flirting with YOU? When we fucked in Ollivander’s office, was that just part of the job too, Harry?” Draco had tried to be the calm, patient one, but his fuse had reached the end.

“NO!” Harry yelled, exasperated. “That’s not what I’m saying!”

“No, what you’re saying is that there is a double standard,” Draco clarified, crossing his arms over his chest defiantly.

“I love you,” Harry screamed in frustration. “And I don’t want you sleeping with HER!”

“Well, that’s not your call, is it?” Draco’s words were cold and cutting. Harry couldn’t believe his ears as he stared at the blonde, desperate for some sign that Draco didn’t mean what he was saying.

“Fine, go ahead; sleep with her,” Harry laughed bitterly. “I guess I was wrong when I thought you were different from Aiden.”

“What did you just say to me?” Draco’s eyes widened, and his arms dropped to his sides, clenched into fists.

“You heard me,” Harry cracked his own knuckles, watching the blonde warily as Draco began to inch closer. “I guess I have a bad habit of falling for guys who don’t want to be with only me.”

“Don’t you DARE compare me to him!” Draco warned angrily, two spots of color blazing on his cheeks.

“Then prove that you’re different,” Harry shot back. “Because from where I’m standing, it sure looks like you’re considering sleeping with her for some stupid hairs and a vial of blood. He wants you to IMPREGNATE her, Draco! Make a KID! What kind of an exchange is that? If you do this, there will forever be a child here from YOUR line, whether you want to acknowledge that or not. A little piece of YOU will be out here, walking around. Granted, I walked in on Aiden getting a blow job from another guy, but it’s the same concept: infidelity.”

Draco blinked as the proverbial light bulb went off over his head. He saw the underlying hurt and fear in Harry’s words for the first time; Harry had been burned badly before because he trusted the wrong person, and he was terrified that it was happening again! Draco heard the insecurity in Harry’s voice, and it broke his heart.

Well, it’s YOUR fault, you right bastard! YOU are the one who is causing this! You’re so upset because he compared you to Aiden, but he’s right. How is it different? The result is still the same: Harry gets hurt. You don’t fucking deserve a good guy like him!

Draco felt knives of shame stab him over and over as he understood Harry’s perspective. The blonde bit his lip, opening his arms.

“Come here,” he commanded gruffly. “I’m sorry; I understand what you’re trying to tell me now.”

Harry was hesitant in stepping towards him, which sent another wave of guilt over Draco that the Gryffindor was second-guessing his behavior now because of Draco’s words and actions. Before, Harry wouldn’t have hesitated to jump into his arms; their previous talks had made that clear. Now, though, Draco knew he would have to be the one who jumped, and if Harry didn’t catch him…well, then, he deserved the fall.

*

Author's note--*grimace* Well, fair warning and all. About the werewolf stuff: I have absolutely no background knowledge of albinos, werewolves, or genetics. (SO not a science person) so all of that was pretty much made up. I do have an idea (a masterful theory, if you will) about werewolves and pregnancy, which I will happily share with you at a later date...

But right now, I really want your opinion on this chapter; you know, what you think about the unexpected turns it took and what you think is going to happen...as well as what you want to happen. Just in case anyone is worried, a quick reminder that this story is in the Harry/Draco section for a reason: Harry and Draco belong together forever, period, no questions. So don't worry about them breaking up or Draco choosing the kid over Harry and leaving Harry or something like that...but aside from that, what do you think will/want to happen?

I'm sure that you probably have some questions about Robert Thomas and his whole 'pacifist' thing, as well as the background of werewolves...so please ask them, and trust that they will be answered!

A quick note about Harry bottoming (for Argo!): I personally don't see Harry as a bottom or Draco as a top EXCEPT in very specific situations/stories/contexts. I think that, in a 'neutral' setting, Harry would top and Draco would bottom, and that is also my favorite to write. That being said, there was just something about this story that called out for Harry to show how much he trusted Draco in return for Draco's trust in him.

Apologies to anyone who doesn't like bottom!Harry (like I said, I generally don't either) but I hope that you'll stick with us, and we will definitely give warnings if Harry ends up bottoming again. And even if you didn't like it, I hope you can at least appreciate how it enhanced the boys' relationship and trust in each other for this particular story line.

In answer to "who was sitting in the chair" and "is that it"....lol Well, after this chapter, you know who was sitting in the chair, and no, this is NOT it!! While the group as a whole has more or less dissolved, there are a few of us who are still around and are determined to finish our WIPs satisfactorily. That means that the story won't end until we've done all of the adventures we want the boys to go on. (And we still have at least three more that we want to write!)

"How does a whole group disappear?" Good freaking question. And the answer is...life happened, I guess. One by one, everyone's actual lives started taking over more and more, pulling them away from the fanfiction world, so there are only a couple of us who are still writing the actual chapters. That being said, if anyone wants to join and write with us, please let us know!!!! (Email me at graballz@gmail.com)

And I just want to reiterate that I tried really hard with this chapter not to go the 'traditional' route and instead, give a new and different plot twist to get out of...and I hope you enjoyed!

SO MANY THANK YOUS to everyone who has reviewed!!! We love you guys so much, and we really appreciate that you take time to tell us what you think! (and for this chapter, we have a special interest in what you think is going to happen/what you want to happen to resolve this situation)

THANK YOU so much for reading! Hope you'll come back!

Love,
Graballz