The Rebellion

All characters, and other related texts are the intellectual property of J.K Rowling, and her associates as the copyright holders. I have made no money from the publishing of this story.



Chapter 18: The first training days.



Draco started down the well-traveled steps into the dark cellar the Blacks had used as a potion lab years earlier. He knew Sirius's mother indulged herself in dark magic, so it wasn't like something he hadn't been used to. He lit his wand as he went deeper, the rickety wooden steps creaking under his feet. Draco paused momentarily to cast a cleaning charm in the stairwell, ridding it of the cobwebs and dust.



When Draco came into the cellar proper, he found an old light switch on the post that was at the end of the stair railing. He flipped it on with a flick of his finger, waited until his eyes adjusted to the bright light, and then proceeded to inspect what he had to work with. There were shelves and shelves of old potions ingredients. The dust so thick on some, it was hard to tell what was in them. He gave a good look around, and saw several types of eyeballs floating in preservative liquids. There was preserved bat spleens, rat stomachs, hippogriff gizzards, lizard tails, the list went on and on. Most were ruined though, as the preservative solution had went sour. The dried ingredients looked to be in good shape, as the preservative charms hadn't worn off. He saw several long locks of unicorn hair, held together with leather bands that were hanging from the ceiling.



Draco turned to the rear wall and saw a long set of bookshelves containing every kind of book on potions one could ever want to read. There were books on both light and dark potions, and some that the Malfoy library only wished it held. He pulled seven of the oldest, and most rare books from the shelves, placing them on a nearby workbench. He pulled a string overhead, turning another light on over the bench, giving him enough light to read by. He quickly thumbed through the books, seeing potions listed that would make his mouth water. Two of the books were on magical potions theory, and were written in the most easy to understand text he had seen. The explanations were superb, and he knew that Harry would gain greatly by reading them. A thought hit Draco next, knowing that he had seven books, and that seven was the luckiest, and most magical number, he may just use the memory charm they had just tried out on them.



"Remus said to wait, but I had no problems with remembering the book earlier, and I had no bad after effects from doing the charm either". Draco said aloud to himself, as he gazed at the seven books in front of him. He knew he would have to talk himself into doing it. "Wait a minute, dammit! I'll only be able to memorize six of these if my theory is correct, shite"!



Draco had almost forgot that he had already memorized the one upstairs, and six more was all he was willing to try. He picked the one he thought he could do without memorizing that evening, and put it aside. He stood up, took the stool he was sitting on, placed it farther out onto the cellar floor, and then quickly transfigured it into a large chintz chair. He then set down with the six books still within reach on the edge of the workbench.



Draco retrieved the first book, one of the old tomes on magical potion theory, and placed it in his lap. He retrieved his wand, tapped the books cover, and incanted the memory charm. The book acted exactly like the first one had. First it glowed brightly, the cover flipped open, the pages flew by at an alarming rate, the back cover slapped shut, and the glow dissipated. Draco sit still for several moments, keeping his breathing even, he then slowly reached up to massage his temples. Finally, the entire contents of the book flooded into his mind. He could remember every potion, every theory, and every method written inside the old texts. At this, he gave a huge grin, and reached over for the next dusty tome.



=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=



Harry and Remus had had a very good time watching the movie 'The Covenant'. The so-called 'Sons of Ipswich' could all use wandless magic, which both wizards gave a snort about. One could only do wandless magic if they were very powerful, or studied it over a few years. Even then, if one was not powerful enough, one could only do mediocre spells. Harry did like the part where the boys levitated the SUV into the air, and landed it behind the muggle police. He would have to keep that in mind, it may become useful. Also, Harry thought, where in the hell did they hear about his name from in that scene? When his name was mentioned, Harry looked at Remus, who himself was looking astonished at what he had heard. Evidently, the books author, or some movie executive was a wizard or a witch.



After Harry and Remus watched a second movie called 'Road Trip', in which they had a barrel of laughs watching the muggles in their plight, they started to wonder about Draco not coming back up to join them.



"Er Remus, how do you think it's going downstairs with Draco? I haven't heard any noises coming from down there in some time". Harry asked with his concern plainly showing.



"Well, I'd say he's busy, and ensconced in his work to be totally honest. If your that worried, go check on him". Remus said politely, but hid a grin that he was finding hard to hold back.



"I'm not worried, he's a grown man, and he can take care of himself"! Harry exclaimed with a huff. He then noticed that Remus was taking the piss with him. "Alright, I think I'll just go and see if he wants a butterbeer, how's that"?



"Sure Harry, he might like one, go ahead". Remus said with a snort.



Harry looked at Remus for several seconds, grabbed a bottle of butterbeer, and headed to the door that led to the cellar. He opened the door as quietly as possible, and slipped inside. He crept down the squeaking stairs, and finally, into the cellar itself. He looked around, and saw Draco slumped over a book in his lap. At this, Harry's eyes bugged out, and he ran over to his husband, concern dripping off of him. He placed his hand on Draco's shoulder and gave it a slight shake.



"Draco, are you OK, wake up"? Harry said with a nervous tone to his voice. Draco's head lolled to one side with slobber dripping from his mouth onto the back of an old potions book. Harry quickly noticed five others setting on the floor beside the chair Draco was in. "Oh no, he wouldn't have, would he"? Harry said out aloud. He shook Draco again, and he still couldn't revive him.



"REMUS, HELP! GET DOWN HERE, I THINK SOMETHING HAS HAPPENED TO DRACO"! Harry shouted at the top of his lungs.



Harry grabbed the book in Draco's lap and threw it over onto the workbench beside him. He then reached out and brought Draco's head to his shoulder, cradling him as he waited for Remus. Finally, he heard the cellar door open, and Remus's quick steps making their way down the stairs.



"What is it Harry, what's wrong"? Remus asked, with an edge that clearly stated that he had already knew what might have happened. "I hope he wasn't foolish enough to attempt what I was afraid he might do". Remus finished with a shake of his head as he looked at the scene before him.



"Remus, you don't think he used that spell again do you? There's six books laying here, five on the floor, and one I removed from his lap". Harry gravely said. He was hoping he was wrong, and what if Draco had damaged his mind while pulling off this stunt.



"I'm afraid he may have, Harry. Pick him up, and take him upstairs to bed. I'll be right behind you to see about him. If he comes around tonight, he'll most likely have one hell of a headache. I'll need to get him a pain potion, and maybe something for nausea". Remus stated, highly upset the blond teen had not listened to his warning.



Harry cast the ‘Mobilicorpus’ charm on his husband, made his way out of the cellar, and then upstairs to their room. He lay Draco on the bed, and quickly began to take his clothes off. He hastily fetched some silk pyjamas from Draco's wardrobe, and had Draco dressed before Remus arrived.



Remus walked into the room, taking notice that Harry had already gotten Draco ready for bed. He calmly walked over to Harry and patted him on the back. "Here Harry, hold these two potions while I revive him. Be ready to give them to him as soon as he awakes". Remus then walked over to the edge of the bed, aimed his wand at Draco's chest, and clearly said aloud "Enervate".



When the spell hit Draco, his eyes flew open, and he set bolt upright in the bed. At once, his hands flew to his head, and a huge cringe formed onto his face. Harry rushed to his side and offered the anti-nausea potion to him first. As soon as Draco had it down, he handed him the pain potion, which he gratefully accepted. After both potions had been down for a few minutes, Draco lay back onto the pillows, and then looked at both wizards who were standing to his right, and scowling at him.



"All right, I took a chance and screwed up! I thought I could handle memorizing seven books. I was always told that seven is the most magical number, and the luckiest. Counting the old tome on memory charms, I memorized six books on potions. Really, I feel all right after the potions I drank, no harm done". Draco remarked as he slid out of bed. When he started to stand, his head swam, and the memories of all the pages he had committed into his brain began to flow. He quickly set back onto the mattress and closed his eyes. "Well, not quite all right, but close"!



"That's all right Draco, but it was a dangerous thing to do. It could have turned out much worse. I think you best stay in bed until tomorrow, and rest. It's getting late, and I'd say Harry is ready to crash himself". Remus commented as he looked around to Harry for his take on the subject. Harry hadn't said anything; he just looked at Draco, his lips sealed tight. At this, Remus turned and left, closing the door behind him.



Harry paced two full circles before he finally spoke. "Draco, you're my husband, so I feel highly entitled to say this, DON'T YOU EVER FUCKING DO ANYTHING THAT STUPID AGAIN"! Harry said, as he looked at Draco with burning eyes. Finding Draco like that had scared him to death, but then pissed him off. Harry knew the worry had shaved off a few years of his life. "Of all the stupid, and irresponsible things you could do, you just couldn't wait, you had to be the best, just like a Slytherin, just like always! I wonder if you have actually changed one bit, still the arrogant snob most likely, and I refuse to put up with it"!



Draco set staring at Harry for a moment, then his cold Malfoy mask slid over his face, and he stated evenly, "Potter, your going to receive my first lesson this evening". At this, Harry gawked at Draco, his mouth hanging agape. "First Potter, you will not yell at me like I am some three year old twit! Second, your little temper tantrums might get you somewhere with others, especially the Gryffindors, since we all know how low their IQ's really are, but you will NOT undertake it with me! It was you who attempted the spell FIRST, I might add, and it was also you who figured that you would easily get by with it, just like always. Everyone is always so afraid to make their golden-boy mad because of his great temper, well I assure you, I am not, nor have I ever been! You will NOT talk down to me Potter, nor will you yell. You WILL learn to control your temper, especially around me, as I for one will not have it now that we are married! I will not take your abuse, and I most certainly will not take it from your friends! I apologized like any grown up would have done, to Remus, and to you. Even though Remus is a Gryffindor, he at least has a modicum of decorum about him. He does not act as if a gaggle of troll's reared him. In your case however, knowing who the muggles were who reared you, I am prepared to give you some leeway. With me, you will learn to get over your arrogant self, and control your temperament, and words towards me. If you do not, you will most certainly find yourself sleeping on the couch! Do I make myself perfectly clear"?



Harry stood for a moment looking, again, like a pole-axed steer. His mouth was working, but no words would come out. He then harshly turned, balled up his fist, and slammed it into the plaster of the wall. After knocking a good size hole in the plaster, he turned to look at Draco, who was still sitting in the bed with the same indifferent expression on his face, his arms crossed over his chest.



"Very good Potter, hit it again! I assume that wall has done you a great injustice. Hitting that wall will not change the fact about how you act out. If you let your temper keep overriding your rational thoughts, you will loose to Voldermort single-handedly. Now, after all is said and done, is that what you want? Do you also want to loose your husband over your little temper tantrums"? Draco calmly asked with his practiced Malfoy drawl.



Harry stared at Draco again, then down at his hand. He began to shake, and suddenly, something broke inside. He hurriedly walked to the edge of the bed, and fell to his knees on the floor. Kneeling there beside his husband, he began to cry. "I'm so very sorry Draco, I don't know what comes over me sometimes. Instead of being worried like I should have been, my first worries turned into rage, and then into accusations. My mind has always been bad to over-think things, and I don't really know what causes it. I shouldn't have overreacted like that, I just always seem to snap and lash out. I was very worried about you when I found you, and even after I brought you up here. Then, after I snapped, all I could think of was how you cut a few years off my life from the fright I was in. I do love you Draco, and I will learn to control my temper. It's just that I was really worried that you could have really hurt yourself mentally, or physically by doing what you did".



"I'm sorry Harry, but somebody needed to test this. I can say that I wouldn't recommend over three books a day, since after the fourth, I had a bad time with it. I think either of us three could take on three books a day with only a light headache. This spell will help us win the war, which I am satisfied with. What I have learned in those six potions books has me on equal, or greater footing than Severus is at the moment. I also know some ways now to improve the Wolfsbane potion a good extent, to where one will only need to drink it once a month I think". Draco finished with a grin. "I'm tired now though Harry, and just want to get some rest".



"Yea, I'm tired too". Harry said, as he undressed. He then crawled into the bed, beside his husband, and turned off the lights. "My Dragon, let's get some sleep, yea? I'm proud of you for what you've done, but please, don't forget to let us in on any future tests? I don't know what I would do if I lost you, especially after I've just finally found you".



At Draco's nod, Harry pulled the blond teen over to him, allowing Draco to lay his head on his shoulder. It wasn't very long until both young wizards were asleep, readying themselves for the next day.



=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=



Severus Snape stormed into the infirmary, his black robes billowing behind him. He went to the beside of his oldest friend and mentor, Albus Dumbledore, and began to set out several potions phials and bottles. "Headmaster, I need to speak with you before you take any sleeping potions. It is most urgent that I do so in private". Snape finished as he looked over his shoulder at Madam Pomfrey.



"Yes, yes, that would be all right Severus. If you would Poppy, we will only be a moment". Dumbledore said as he looked hesitantly at the old medi-witch.



Madam Pomfrey gave a loud "Humph", turned on her heel, and made her way towards her office. On her way there, both men could here her mumbling under her breath about the indignity of being ordered about in her own hospital ward. As soon as Poppy was inside, she went directly to the small window over her desk that overlooked the ward. There was a small crack in the windows casing, that the wizened medi-witch placed her ear against, to listen in on their so-called private conversation.



"Headmaster, I ran into three people at Gringotts today, one being Remus Lupin. He had two younger boys with him, claiming that he was there with them under your orders". As Dumbledore started to speak, Snape held up his hand, cutting the old headmaster off. "I thought something was amiss, so I finally turned to follow them. The goblins held me up before I could confront them, and had me wait outside the office of a Mr. Griphook. I eavesdropped on the last bit, and found a wedding ceremony just finishing up. Headmaster, I broke in and found that my Godson, Draco Malfoy had just married that so-called hero of yours, Harry bloody Potter! Before I could do anything to stop it, Potter cast a choking spell upon me, and I'm not too sure if it wasn't wandless, and Draco plus Remus had to beg him to release me"!



"How did he release you Severus, by wand or his hand"? Dumbledore enquired.



"Well, he used his wand! That's beside the point Headmaster, where did he learn that spell? It is definitely not taught here, and you said yourself that you removed any of those types of books from the school library"! Snape hissed out.



"Beside the point Severus? If Harry had been using wandless magic, he would have been out from under the magical bind I had placed upon his magic when I rescued him from the Potter's home that night. No, he is not as dangerous as he could be. When he comes into his inheritance next year, I plan on strengthening the one on him now. We can't have him getting that much power Severus, we would never be able to control him, nor make him do any of the deeds we need him to do for the Order. My guess is that he has learned that spell from that Malfoy whelp; none of that family has ever been any good"! Dumbledore said as he spat out the last sentence. He must have forgotten who he was speaking to when he made his last comment.



"Really Headmaster, not any good eh? That IS my Godson you're speaking of at this moment, and I'll have you know, he is much better than that bloody excuse of a child that everyone calls a 'golden-boy', or now 'the chosen-one', and that I can tell you"! Snape snapped out, and finished with a loud huff. His displeasure with Dumbledore was clearly written upon his face. Who did the Headmaster think he was, talking about his Godson in such a fashion.



Dumbledore grimaced slightly, and then quickly schooled his features. "Yes Severus, I'm sorry about that. I really did mean his father and mother. Draco will make a wonderful young man after he's grown up".



"Don't patronize me old man, I know what you truly think of Draco, or any Slytherin for that matter. If it weren’t for Lily, I would not be in this mess right now. I only spy for you over Voldermort killing her after he guaranteed me that he wouldn't. Now, what are we to do about the Potter brat marrying my godson"?



"Well Severus, now that I am now running the Wizengamot again, I shall bring this up at the next meeting. I will request an investigation into the marriage, looking for any loopholes to get it annulled. I do not foresee any problems, as we will not have to worry about either of them being around the ministry. The next meeting is scheduled in a week, and I shall take care of it then. Right now though, you need to find out where Remus is, and what exactly is going on. Also, you need to stop by the Dursley's, and check on our young Mr. Potter. If Draco is there, drag him back to his mother"! Dumbledore exclaimed. He was getting upset with all of this while he was feeling ill.



Severus scowled at the old Headmaster over his orders. He hated going into the muggle world for anything, especially having to deal with Potter's family. He never did like Lily's sister, and he despised the Potter boy himself. Snape finally began to feed several potions to the old man laying in the bed before him. He held back the sleeping potion that Madam Pomfrey had called for, in order to wait for any other orders, or questions from Dumbledore.



"Severus, what exactly was the curse that hit me, and how long will it be before I'll able to be up and about"? Dumbledore asked, already wanting to get back to hunting the horcruxes.



Severus thought about the question for a few minutes before answering. He was actually going to enjoy delivering this spot of bad news, as he had had enough of the old mans bigotry for one day. He thought that this would most likely knock the wind out of the old man's sails. "Headmaster, the curse that hit you is called 'Creeping Death'. It starts at some point on the body, and slowly kills each portion it spreads to. As it looks, you have touched a cursed object, and it started by killing a finger, then spread to your hand. Now it is traveling up your arm, killing the limb slowly. It would have made it to your torso by tomorrow, and that would have killed you. The potions I am giving you will slow the travel of the curse, but will not stop it. The black you see is necrotic tissue now, or simply put, it's dead. You see Headmaster, there IS no cure, and you will die around the end of the coming school year, or slightly thereafter. There IS NO counter-curse, nor potion for this. Simply put, I am only buying you more time". Snape finished with a smirk, while looking on at the now, deathly pale, Dumbledore.



The old Headmaster looked ahead at Snapes words, the sun was beginning to set outside the large plate glass windows of the infirmary. The old man looked as if someone had struck him on the head with a maul. At that moment, he knew that he had royally fucked up. What good did the ring and wand do him now, if he had only a little less than a full year to live. All his plans had come to a crashing halt, and he would never garner the wealth and power he so craved. He had been offered the position of Minister of Magic several times, but he always turned it down. He knew he would never get his way fully while Voldermort roamed the earth. He had intended on taking the job, after he cleared the way, by getting rid of Voldermort, and the Potter brat first. Now though, everything he had done had come to naught. "Is that so Severus? Well then, if you please, can you hand me that sleeping elixir"? He took the phial he was handed, drank it in one large gulp, and handed the empty phial back to the potions master. "Well Severus, it seems I am ready to take the next great adventure a little sooner than I had hoped". With this last remark, Dumbledore lay back on the bed and went into a potion-induced sleep.



Madam Pomfrey quickly moved away from the window, went out of her office, and watched the surly potions professor leave the ward. She then quickly checked on her patient, and swiftly returned to her office. Once inside, the medi-witch picked up a quill, and began to write a letter to one of her favorite students, Harry Potter. She just hoped that the school owls would find him on such a short notice. Pomfrey knew that the boy needed this information as soon as possible. She had guessed all along that the headmaster was becoming unhinged. It seemed to her that he would stop at nothing now, to obtain his goals, and she would not allow him to destroy one of her favorite students, and friend. As soon as she had penned and sealed the letter, she headed swiftly to the owlery.



=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=



Rufus Scrimgeour was not having a good day at all. He had not heard anything back, as of yet, from Albus Dumbledore about Harry Potter. He knew that Dumbledore had finagled the Wizengamot into obtaining the money from the Lestranges vault to repay the Potter boy, but he still knew in his heart that Dumbledore was guilty as sin. He would however, let this slide, if he could get Potter to appear in public with him, and the sooner the better. Last night, he had been up working with the auror department. It seemed that since the Daily Prophet had printed the story about Potter, someone, most likely the death eaters, had tried to burn the newspaper's building to the ground. Someone though, had warded it against such attacks, and only minor damage had been done. However, there was the turmoil about the Brockdale Bridge that was really bothering him. Twelve muggle automobiles went into the cold river, killing everyone. He knew the death eaters were responsible for this too, and he dreaded seeing the muggle Prime Minister about it. He had not made his visit yet, and was waiting for any ministry success to report to him before he did so. At this thought, Scrimgeour grabbed his hat, cane, and cloak, and made his way to the fireplace to floo to Hogwarts. He was going to go and have himself a visit with the old codger to see what was really going on that Fudge didn't know about. Right before he started to throw the floo powder in, he had to hold himself back as he snorted about this. Fudge, what a joke he was, and corrupt too. He had to think about this, as he had almost asked Fudge to stay on and help! Scrimgeour shook his head at the thought, threw the floo powder into the large marble fireplace in his office, stepped inside, and called out "Hogwarts, Headmasters office"!



=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=



Remus Lupin felt like shite, well hammered shite would have been a better word. The full moon was tonight, and he totally dreaded it. The new memory spell Harry had found was the highlight of his day, he would not deny that. Maybe, that would help them, or others, to find a cure for Lycanthropy. The possibilities were endless, he thought.



Remus had just taken his last dose of Wolfsbane as the sun began to set outside his barred window. He had checked the wards earlier, and the locks on his door. He made his way to the straw-filled, wooden box, in the corner of the small room, and lay back. He knew that within another hour or so, the full moon would show through the window, and he would change into the beast within. His joints ached, and he felt feverish now as it was. He tried to wipe the sweaty hair out of his eyes, but his hand trembled too much. Finally, he just lay back and waited, thinking of the two young men in the master bedroom.



He had heard the loud words after he left, as his hearing was very keen right before he turned. He noticed though, that the shouts only came from his cub, and he knew he was going to have to have a long talk with Harry over his temper. He hated to say this, but the Weasleys had been a very bad influence on him, especially Ronald. That, and the Headmaster, who let him get by with everything this side of murder. His relatives deserved part of the blame too, along with himself. Oh yes, Remus knew he was partly to blame for never speaking up about it before. He also felt the blame for not stepping in and trying to rear Harry himself. He would have, if he hadn't had a problem during each moon cycle. Some wizarding family should have reared Harry, and Remus truly knew this. He never could understand Dumbledore's insistence on leaving the boy there, as he knew all about Petunia from Lily. He was glad that Petunia had finally changed, but it had already hurt Harry to grow up in that.



Dumbledore’s claim about blood protection and wards was flawed, and Remus knew it. All it really took was some of Lily's blood to be placed in the foundation of the house he stayed at, or Petunia's blood for that matter. The wards would then hold as if the person was there. Lily's blood could have been drawn that night, even though she was dead. He also knew that Harry was correct about the assumption of Voldermort now carrying Harry's blood. If Voldermort had wanted, he would have been able to walk through any blood wards that Albus would have used. What was the old man playing at, trying to bluff Voldermort into thinking he couldn't reach Harry? Bluffing with a human body, and bluffing at cards were two totally different things. Remus would not allow any more interference from Dumbledore, nor anyone else for that matter, as he had made up his mind the other day.



At this last thought, the full moon showed itself through the barred window, and Remus began to violently shake. His eyes glazed over, and changed to a more golden hue. His joints began to pop, and his limbs began to stretch. Hair grew over most of his body, and his face became wolf-like. The wolf in him whimpered at the pain, but accepted it. As the final part of the transformation happened, Remus set up on the straw mattress and gave a loud, and long howl.