Unexpected Things
Chapter XIV
Unexpected Things
Chapter XIV
Harry should have known it would happen. He expected nothing less from Lucius Malfoy actually. Why would the man risk his life without something equal in return?
Lucius, for his part, looked at Harry with amusement in his gray eyes. “Well…what say you Potter?”
“You can have it when I’m done with it,” he blurted out.
He knew Lucius. The man didn’t want something lesser than that. But how could he promise to give something that precious to Lucius who was the epitome of evil himself, aside of Voldemort? Well, he was confidence that he could win it back from Lucius. Let Lucius had the fun for a while, it wouldn’t hurt after all.
“And why would I want something that I don’t even know what it is?” Lucius asked in a cool voice.
“I’m pretty sure that you would love to have it.” There, he had caught Lucius’ interest. “Something much more valuable than those dark art items you hide in your drawing room. After all none of those hold a candle a relic of Hogwarts Founder.”
The change in Lucius’ expression was so fast, from disinterested to openly curious before he masked his expression once again in his cold indifference mask. “A relic that belonged to Hogwarts Founder?” the man asked.
“Yes,” Harry nodded. “It’s either Hufflepuff’s Cup or Ravenclaw’s diadem.”
“Ravenclaw’s diadem,” Lucius muttered in low voice but Harry still could hear it.
Harry was positive that Lucius’ mind was already working on the possibility of what he could achieve by having the diadem. It was said to enhance the wisdom of the wearer, right? Maybe Lucius would start planning on how to conquer the wizarding world. A man like him wouldn’t want to stay as a follower forever. No, if Lucius could, he would have thwarted Voldemort a long time ago.
He smirked. “Careful Lucius,” he warned. “You’re showing too much emotion right now.” Lucius was always in control. He never allowed anything to show so blatantly on his face. To do so was very uncharacteristically of him.
Lucius gave him a murderous glare but Harry had become immune of those said glares unfortunately. “Aren’t you a bit too trustworthy Potter? What make you think that I will give it to you instead of keeping it for myself?”
“The relic is useless to you as long as the curse isn’t lifted yet.” Harry replied. “And if you keep it that way then Voldemort will know about your betrayal.”
“My betrayal?” Lucius said frostily.
“Remember the diary, Lucius? I will destroy the curse and after that you could have the relic all to yourself.” Harry reminded him.
“I-“
“You’re what?” He interrupted. “You will not betray Voldemort. Is that what you’re going to say? If you were such a loyal servant, Lucius, shouldn’t you be rotting away in Azkaban to defend your belief of pureblood superiority rather than pleading Imperius and abandoning your said Dark Lord?” Harry said in bored voice before leaning forward to whisper into Lucius’ ear. “Surely you don’t want to spend you entire life kissing his robe? Someone with your pride Lucius isn’t made to be a servant. He is made to be the king.” He pulled back to see that Lucius was staring at him with hard calculating eyes.
“And what if you break your promise?”
Harry raised his eyebrow. “Are you kidding me? Look at who’re talking to.”
“Dumbledore’s Golden Boy,” Lucius drawled. “But then again, the same boy had just told me a few minutes ago to cast Imperius Curse.” The sarcasm in his tone was obvious.
“Now that you’re saying it like that, you’re right actually,” he said, shrugging. “However the possibility that you will running away with the relic is greater so we will take our chance here.”
Lucius was still staring at him, as if complementing the whole situation.
“So, is it a deal then?” he dared to ask.
“Fine,” Lucius said finally.
“Thank you,” he said. “Do inform me about the situation later.” He kissed Lucius once more, got up from the man’s lap and bid him goodnight.
Lucius didn’t seem to care about his departure maybe because the man was already too engrossed in his plotting. But that was fine. Lucius might entertain himself with the idea of having Ravenclaw’s diadem but Harry thought the chance of Bellatrix having Hufflepuff Cup was bigger since the diadem had been missing since the founder’s era and he had actually witnessed how Tom stole the Cup from Hepzibah Smith.
The idea actually came after his DADA class. Harry was in the library, thinking about the possible places where Voldemort could hide his remaining Horcruxes, when Ginny came there. She was looking for a textbook for DADA homework. Then she remarked that Lucius was actually a decent teacher even though she hadn’t forgotten about the fact that it was him who gave her the cursed diary.
Tom’s diary! Of course. Harry cursed himself for didn’t think about this before. If Voldemort entrusted the diary to Lucius and Regulus had Slytherins Locket with him then Voldemort might entrust the next Horcrux into one of his Death Eaters hands and there was no one who was more devoted than Bellatrix Lestrange.
Now, where did she hide it? Her residence was out of the question since Harry knew that Aurors raid Death Eater’s places constantly. She would hide it somewhere else. Somewhere safe…Gringotts. That’s the reason he asked for Lucius’ help. Harry knew that the goblins didn’t care about the status of their customers. He used to be confused as to why Sirius could draw money from Gringotts but had to use mail order to buy Firebolt for him.
So, his plan was for Lucius to disguise himself as Bellatrix then go into her vault to retrieve the cup. He came about it because he knew that he had Polyjuice Potion and since Bellatrix had been in Lucius’ house often enough, he could easily obtain some of her hair. He was a bit confused as to why Lucius was so adamant that it was Ravenclaw’s diadem in her vault but he supposed that the promise of wisdom certainly was in higher leverage than food some kind of food related artifact.
Well, he had done his part. Now, he only needed to wait for Lucius’ action. He could only hope that the man wouldn’t take a long time.
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Friday, Harry, Ron and Hermione went to their first dueling class excitedly. He truly wanted to know what Lucius would teach. The class was located at the part of Hogwarts he never went to. They entered the class and froze in the spot. For it was not the classroom they were used but more like a stadium. The ground was surrounded by spectator seat, much like a coliseum, Harry thought. And the ceiling was charmed to show a blue sky.
Lucius was already in there. The man waved his wand then a chair plus desk appeared on the ground. “Have a seat,” he ordered. The students did so. “I believe all of you have done your homework about the protocols of dueling so I wouldn’t waste my time to repeat it again.”
Although most of the students, especially those in Slytherin thought that Lucius was going to favor the house of snake they were proven wrong. His words were harsher to the other houses, yes, but not his punishments. He didn’t tolerate anyone who disturbed his teaching. Snape would turn blind eye if Malfoy or Parkinson taunted Gryffindor in his potions class. Snape also wouldn’t care if Slytherin sabotaged Gryffindor potion. But not for Lucius. After Parkinson and Zabini found themselves scrubbing the floor of owlery for one-week straight no Slytherin dared to tempt their luck.
“Hogwarts will hold NEWT preparation test at the beginning of February. That mean we’re going to have Dueling Class until Christmas holiday. After that, we’re going to focus on NEWT test material.” Lucius said. “For next week and the rest of our lesson we’re going to have dueling tournament.”
The class went riot hearing this and only Lucius’ glare managed to silence them all. “We will draw names randomly for the duel. And Professor Flitwick will assist us. As for homework, I want you to give a list of twenty spells, charm, hexes or jinxs that can be used in dueling. Now you’re dismissed.”
As he did at Wednesday, precisely at 8 P.M, he was already in the front of Lucius’ quarters and the man seemed already predicted his arrival.
“Hello Lucius,” he said then kissed him. “So, how is the project?”
“I don’t have any idea of what you’re talking about Potter,” Lucius said.
It was his way of telling that he hadn’t made any progress yet, which Harry understood. After all, with his time tied up teaching, Lucius didn’t have time to go to Gringotts. So he spent about one hour talking, arguing, and making out with Lucius. Lucius even called his personal house elf to serve them beverage and drink.
“If you try to free my house elf again Potter I will make you pay,” Lucius threatened.
Harry dismissed him. “You were cruel to Dobby so it’s your fault.” He retorted. “But why don’t you use Hogwarts house elf?”
“Hogwarts house elves are bound to whoever the currents headmaster is,” Lucius replied icily. “I wouldn’t want them running back to Dumbledore, reporting that I try to kill you here.”
“If you say so Lucius.” He said, eyeing the treacle tart and the warm chocolate drink the elf had brought meanwhile Lucius had his wine. Seducing a wealthy man definitely had it own perks, Harry mused as he bit into his treacle tart.
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Quidditch tryout came the next week. Katie Bell had graduated from Hogwarts so that meant Gryffindor team lacked one chaser.
Harry looked at the application form in his hand. The list was quite long even though he only needed one person. Professor McGonagall had given him the list, stressing that she would love to have the Quidditch Cup once again in the office rather than Severus’. And that since this was Harry’s last year at Hogwarts, he should build a strong foundation for the Gryffindor Quidditch team next year. Honestly, her obsession about Quidditch was sometimes even worse than Oliver Wood’s and that was saying something.
Much like the last time, the field was full of people, both of Gryffindor students and unwanted people, like Romilda Vane. Harry turned to look at his team. Ron, Ginny, Demelza, Coote and Peakes all had come to watch. In the end he chose Maria Montgomery, one of the Montgomery sisters, as the new Chaser.
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“Today we’re going to learn how to transfigure one animal being into another animal,” Professor McGonagall said in front of the classroom.
At their desk, each of the students had a cage with a white mouse inside.
“Watch and learn,” the witch ordered. “Anima Verto.” And the white mouse inside the cage transformed into yellow canary.
Hermione as usual listened with full attention but Ron, Harry was surprised to see, lifted his hand.
“Mr. Weasley,” McGonagall called him.
“I’m just wondering Professor,” Ron said. “If the spell can used on human. For example…if we transfigure someone into ferret.”
The entire class minus Hermione burst into laughing. Ernie, who sat near Harry, was clutching his stomach. They all still remembered very well about the incident from their fourth year when the fake Moody turned Malfoy into ferret.
McGonagall, as Harry knew she would, didn’t find the whole situation funny. “That’s enough or I will deduct points from both houses.” That effectively silenced them all. “Another version of this spell could be used to transfigure human into animal.” She explained after a few moments of silence.
A whisper of excitement broke from r the students but they were silenced once again. “It’s take time, concentration and a lot of magical power to do it. And I would not appreciate it at all if one of my students here,” McGonagall’s eyes flashed dangerously here, promising punishment for anyone who dared to toy with the spell, “were to practice this spell for fun. The spell is dangerous and any mistake can render the person to trapped forever in both human and animal form.”
The students gulped hearing this. “So I hope we’re clear in this matter,” she stared at them all to see if they had understood her warning before continued the lesson. “Now, I want all of you to practice the spell.”
Soon, the class was full of students muttering Anima Verto. Hermione as the first who succeeded. Her canary flying happily inside the cage. A further survey told Harry that Ron had turned his white mouse into yellow mouse with canary wings.
“Five points to Gryffindor for Miss Granger,” McGonagall said.
Canary was okay but it would be fun if they could transfigure the animal into something else, Harry thought. Well, maybe a lion. Snickering, he waved his wand. “Anima Verto.”
What happened next shocked Harry so much because a second later a male lion had stood tall on his desk. The cage crushed beneath his paws when the transformation took place. The lion roared, causing a few students nearby to shriek in fear.
“Finite Incantatem.” Harry cried out. The lion changed back into white mouse that soon escaped. Not that Harry cared about that, he was more concerned about the livid McGonagall who was making her way towards him.
“Mr. Potter,” she said angrily. “What is the meaning of this?”
“I don’t know Professor.” Harry replied. “I only said the spell like you told us to do.”
“It’s true Professor, I saw him.” Hermione defended him. Beside her, Ron nodded his head.
“Are you sure you didn’t do something Mr. Potter?” McGonagall asked.
“Well, I just thought that it would be fun if we could transfigure the mouse into lion. Then it just sort of happened,” Harry said nervously.
McGonagall pursed her lips. “Please stay behind after class Mr. Potter.”
Hermione and Ron threw him a worried look when they left the class along with other students.
“I want you to explain what had just happened there.”
So Harry told her. McGonagall looked lost in thought when he finished his story. “Mr. Potter,” she began. “You have to be very careful from now on. Earlier when you only thought of transfiguring lion for fun, your magic saw it seriously and made it happen. This usually occurs when the wizard is particularly powerful. So, start practicing spell to control your power better.”
“Yes Professor,” Harry replied.
“You may go now.”
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That’s the reason why he spent the next few days with Hermione and Ron the room of requirement. After hearing McGonagall command, Hermione insisted that he should start practicing now before something more dangerous than lion occurred.
At first, Hermione told him to transfigure apple into tree. The tree sprout out with ripe apple fruit on it. She then had him to practice again and again until he could control the growth of the tree simply based on his thought. Then she decided to do Aquamenti spell for Charms class. She was only satisfied after he could manage the volume of water that flowed out from his wand.
After that, she ordered him to practice spell from DADA class. “You have to control it Harry. You wouldn’t want your spells being too strong when you’re dueling someone.”
“What?” Ron declared. “It’s dueling Hermione! We’re supposed to beat our enemies!”
“Not our enemy Ron,” Hermione admonished him. ”But our opponent who is also our classmate.” She stressed out the last word.
“I wouldn’t mind at all to knock Malfoy and his idiot twins off,” Ron grumbled.
Harry sighed. “I know about that. I don’t want my spell to hurt someone.”
Hermione’s feature softened. “I know Harry.”
“But why this happen suddenly?” Ron asked. “I know that you’re getting more powerful after you beat you know who but now…” he trailed off before his face broke into a wide grin. “Blimey Harry maybe you get magical power boost again. Whoa! We could destroy those stupid Horcruxes easily!”
“There’s nothing such as magical boost,” Hermione retorted. “That would be ridiculous. Wizard’s magic develops as he grows. What happens when they have power outburst is usually accidental magic.”
Harry left them to their usual bantering. But deep inside he was also curious. It’s true he got more powerful after he beat Voldemort but not to this extent. Speaking of which, he was quite sure that his power boost happened after he wore that Slytherins Locket.
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Harry knew something was different when he entered Lucius’ quarters that night. He had made it into habit to come to Lucius‘ place each night he had DADA lesson. So Lucius had became accustomed with him showing up three times a week. Lucius led him to his study and told him to wait there. The man appeared again a moment later carrying a black box.
“It’s Hufflepuff Cup,” Lucius said, as if blaming him for the cup being in Bellatrix’s vault instead of the diadem. His disappointment was obvious for Harry. Then again, what was with those Slytherin who always thought of Hufflepuff as the loser?
“Helga Hufflepuff was still one of Hogwarts founder.” Harry stated calmly.
Lucius chose to ignore his statement.
Harry opened the box. There was a small golden cup with two finely wrought handles with a badger engraved on the side. Exactly liked he saw in the Pensive. The cup also radiated dark magic. Harry closed the box and the presence of dark magic disappeared.
“I will return it you after I’m done with it.” Harry said. “Now tell me about your adventure at Gringotts.”
“There’s nothing to tell Potter. The goblins didn’t suspect anything. I entered her vault, deflected the trap there and replaced the cup with the fake one. Although I had to transfigure it from fake diadem I’ve prepared.” Lucius acidly said.
Harry was impressed. He even didn’t think as far as to replace the cup with the fake one. He truly had to congratulate Lucius for his idea.
“What kind of curse the dark lord place on the cup Potter?” Lucius suddenly asked.
The man must have wracked his brain trying to find out, maybe even testing it few times. But Harry couldn’t tell him yet. Maybe after he destroyed the Horcrux in the cup first.
“I will tell you later when I return this to you,” he said, walking over to straddle the man. “Now, let’s use our time here for something much more productive, shall we?”
Lucius kissed him hard before pulling back and said. “For once, you do use your brain Potter.”
Author’s Note:
Hi. It’s me again. As usual give me reviews okay, it give me a boost to write another chapter, your opinion about the story, what you expect would happen next, etc. Whenever I feel lazy to write the next chapter I usually go to read the reviews.
Now for the question. Male pregnancy? No in this story. Harry and Lucius will have children using surrogate mother and will be blood adopted so they will resemble them physically. The divorce? Well, Lucius liked Narcissa but he liked power much more and Harry had plenty of it.
Further than kissing? The answer is no. Harry wouldn’t let Lucius to do anything before he got the man’s ring on his finger. I actually write this after I read so many stories in which Harry and Lucius went to bed only after one kiss. What I mean is, in real life, would someone sleep with married man without knowing that he would divorce his wife for sure? If the worst happen, she could stay as third person forever and her children will have no inheritance or rights in law.
As usual, you can request the scene you would like to happen. If I could write it without ruining the storyline I will write if for you.