Icarus Syndrome

Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoat Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.

Warnings: Violence! Demon! Draco is a Drama Queen. A Mizuchi is a Japanese river-god or maybe river-demon. One or the other. Look it up because I can't remember. It does not possess the powers I have attributed to it, but thought it fit in too well to be bypassed.

Thank you, dear readers, for the hits, reviews, alerts and favorites. I've passed the 20,000 hits mark! Thank you guys so much!

NOTICE: I am sorry to say that the next update will not be for quite some time. I will not have a secure Internet connection for several months. I may update again in late July or August. I will have secure access in September, so until then, I will focus instead on completing this story and working my way through the ones that are listed on my profile. This story will be completed.

-X-

“Get out? What?” Draco asked, rising to his feet and quickly putting the bench between them. He just knew it was an offer too good to be true.

“You get to stay here, live peacefully, whatever. I get your body and I'm no longer stuck in that nasty mirror. It's a win-win situation, Draco. You don't really need your body if you're here, do you?” The being asked, moving faster than Draco could see and pulling him against its body. He could feel a hard torso against his back and tried to squirm away. “You would be happy here, Draco.”

“I could be happy in my own world too! I can't trust what you say!” He snarled, wrenching violently. The being hissed, arms going around his waist and a hand wrapped around his throat.

“You don't have a choice anymore, Draco. You don't know how to get back and I'm certainly not sending you. Now, agree. Say yes, Draco. Tell me yes!”

“No!” Draco snarled, feeling his magic rise inside him and attack the being holding him. “Go to hell, you parasite!”

“Not very nice, Draco!” The being tightened its grip on his throat and Draco struggled to breathe. He couldn't catch a breath, couldn't break its hold. What looked like fingers felt like a single cord of muscle and he couldn't get his fingers between it and his neck. Spots of color and light began to dance across his vision. “If you die, it's all the same. I won't get your magic, but I have plenty of my own.”

Draco tried to use his magic to pull the being off but as he got weaker, the magic faded away. He was going cold, arms losing their strength. The being's hot breath was all over his neck and he could smell death on it.

“You should have said yes, Draco.”

-X-

He had had enough! He threw both his arms out and pushed the water around him. It fell back, pushing and writhing against his shield but Harry forced it still. He walked forward, making the shield move with him. That serpent was around here somewhere and he needed to find it! He began to run, expanding his shield gradually. He felt small relief when he found Draco, but it was short-lived when he saw that the nasty creature had its tail wrapped around that pale throat. He saw red.

Silver-white lights flew from his wand, arcing into scythes as they flew, slicing the serpent's tail just above Draco's shoulder and just below the monster's head. Whatever trance the creature had Draco in, it was destroyed.

“Harry!”

Never had his name sounded as sweet.

-X-

Draco sucked in a breath, coughing and sputtering as the hand fell away. Blood stained his clothes and the being hissed in pain. The world around them faded to black and a rush of memories flooded into him. He remembered everything! The world came back into focus and he stared into emerald green eyes. Gratitude and warmth flooded through him.

“Harry!”

Snarled hissing made him freeze. Fear filled him when he saw the ghostly white serpent coiled around him. It was very, very angry. He winced and gasped as it tightened its grip on him.

“Get off him!” Harry shouted, wand casting more of those white scythes he saw Severus use. They struck and the serpent only crushed him harder. He felt his ribs protest the motion and cried out. His magic responded and tore at the snake but it faltered again when breath was forced out. “Let him go!”

“The price will be paid!” It hissed, even Draco didn't need a translation spell for that. Living in the pool, the mirror, must have taught the thing some intelligence and where nature fell short, magic gave wings. The serpent lunged past whatever shield Harry was using to keep the water away and it pulled Draco with it. Water flooded his nose and mouth, filling his lungs and making him slip unconscious.

-X-

Harry dove after it, forcing the magic farther and farther. He had more magic than a person could feasibly channel now. There wasn't a drop of it he was willing to hold back if it meant getting Draco safe and free. He screamed a wordless battle cry and pushed the water over the banks of the pond. The serpent was stranded halfway toward the shore and Harry ran after it, chain-casting the cutting curse Snape had taught him. Each came very near to Draco, but none hit him.

“Draco!” He ran upwards, watching as the serpent pulled him before its head with the bloody remains of his tail. Long, white fangs were revealed as lips drew back and they brushed over Draco's neck.

“Stay back. I will kill him.” It threatened.

“You won't. I won't let you.” Harry vowed, raising his wand and moving it like he was holding a whip. Sprays of blood flew everywhere as he let his magic work by intention alone. Hissed screams and cries rent the air and Harry moved quickly, grabbing Draco's arm as the serpent writhed in pain. Draco wasn't breathing and that thought alone terrified him. Harry steeled himself, knowing there was very precious time left. He couldn't have chanced it before but now... “Avada Kedevra!”

The green light swallowed the serpent and it fell into a dead, bleeding heap on the ground. Harry immediately dropped to Draco's side, pressing down on his chest and breathing air into his lungs. His CPR training hadn't been a skill he expected to put to use anytime soon, but one never knew and right now he was immensely grateful that Hermione had forced him to learn. He heard a rib crack, but Hermione explained that it could happen, especially to an amateur, and it was better to have a live, hurting person than a dead, uninjured one. Grey-silver eyes blinked open and he began to cough out the water he had swallowed.

“Oh God, Draco. I'm going to lock you up and never let you leave. You're in so much trouble.” Harry swore as he felt tears pour down his face. God, he had been so afraid. The howling emptiness from earlier had been replaced and Draco's magical core, though weak, was pulsing next to his own.

Draco tried to think of something appropriate to say but he felt weak, dizzy and nauseous. He hurt all over, his mind felt like it had just been brutally violated, which it had, and he couldn't have said something nasty to Harry if his life depended on it. He ignored the tears cutting tracks down his face and tried to communicate his gratitude, pain, irritation and happiness all at once.

“Potter, I fucking hurt all over.” He whispered. His throat was sore and his ribs ached so much. Harry nodded quickly, eyes wide and panic making him move clumsily. He was casting numbing spells and gathering Draco up in his arms, jostling his bruised or cracked ribs. Draco sucked in a breath and let it out in a hiss.

“I'm sorry. I'm shit with healing spells though. We need Pomfrey. God, this is going to cause so many questions. This is all your fault! I'm so going to yell at you later but right now you're hurt and I can't stand it.” Harry babbled, scaling the rest of the pond easily. The carcass of the snake was floating on the water as it began to refill the pool. The entire room looked as if it had been ground zero for a typhoon. “You are never coming here. Ever. Again.”

“Can't. No guide.” He whispered, arms loosely hung about Harry's neck. He dropped his eyes, seeing the bare torso he was cradled against. “Why are you naked?”

“Not naked. Couldn't swim with all those clothes.” He answered shortly. Draco's hot breath was on his neck and it only made his pace quicken.

“Sorry.” Draco said finally. “I just wanted some answers. I thought...I didn't realize I had questioned the mirror until it attacked me.”

“You've done some stupid shit but this has to take the prize. That big row earlier...You just wanted a way out of the room without alerting me, didn't you?”

“Yeah.” He admitted, resting his head on Harry's warm shoulder. He was freezing. “I know you didn't want to, but thank you for telling me about the War and for giving me space. I meant what I said, I really did, but...I needed a plausible reason. I didn't think you would let me come back here without you.”

“You're never going anywhere without me again.” He vowed, anger coloring his words. Draco let out a scratchy chuckle.

“Even the shower, you pervert?”

“Yes.” Harry hissed, tightening his grip on Draco. The blond was shivering and who knew what that serpent had done to him in the trance. Who knew how long Draco had stayed below without breathing? “I'm never letting you out of my sight.”

Draco hummed, wrapping his arm more firmly around Harry' neck. He was really cold and Harry was so warm. He'd agree to anything the Gryffindor had to say so long as he was warm. Harry felt him shiver and held him closer, slipping his arm that was supporting his torso under his wet shirt.

“I'm sorry.”

Harry increased his pace to the hospital wing.

-X-

“That should treat the cracked rib. You won't be doing any heavy labor any time soon, Mister Black. These two potions should care for your throat and light-headedness. Your mind's a fair bit damaged, but it's well out of my expertise. Your godfather will be contacted and he'll have to care for it.” Pomfrey said as she handed potions to Harry and brushed her hands together. Her robes were still parted to show off her nightclothes and she hadn't been very happy with either of them when they roused her from her sleep. She was decidedly less pleased when they refused to say how it had happened.

“I'll give you a salve for the bruising in the morning. Stay warm and get some sleep.” She instructed Draco, readjusting the permanently charmed warming blankets. Draco nodded, eyes drooping from sleep. Harry thanked the nurse as she breezed out and back to bed.

He wished she had given him the bruising salve now because there was a very dark circle around Draco's neck and it hurt to see it. He set the potions on the bedside table and sat on the edge of the recently expanded bed.

“Draco? Can you stay awake long enough to take these?” He asked, helping the boy sit up against the pillows.

“Yeah. Just really want to sleep soon.” He said softly, wiping his eyes hard. He took the first potion he was handed and drank it down, not bothering to linger over the flavor or think about it. Harry handed him the next bottle and it was drank just as quickly. “Thanks.”

“Just sleep, okay? I'm not going anywhere.” Harry said as Draco laid back down. The bed was almost as large as a queen size now so it would be fairly easy to sleep right at Draco's side, just in case. He couldn't think of anything that could happen, but he hadn't imagined Draco slipping out and getting attacked by a giant snake. He'd love to know what that monster had been doing in the Mirror of Truth, but they wouldn't be able to find it again anyway now that their guides were gone. He'd grown fond of the stone creatures and it was a little sad not to have them around any longer.

Harry moved under the blankets and set his glasses aside. Draco immediately turned into his side, arms latching around his right arm. He gave the blond a small smile and closed his eyes, feeling Draco's pulse, magical and physical.

-X-

Draco moaned in pleasure. Even though his throat hurt, his torso ached and his mind felt like someone had shot holes through it, he had never felt better. His cheek was pressed against a cotton-covered chest and strong arms were laced about his waist. He was tucked into Harry like he belonged there and he savored the feeling while Harry was heavy with sleep and unaware.

It was this feeling he craved. This was how he knew that he was bent, gay, whatever term it was labeled. Dreams too numerous to count had begun and/or ended with this sensation. Arms locked about his waist. A chest rising and falling with breath to rest against. Legs tangled with his, long and thick with muscle. A rough chin, strong jaw and lips unstained with gloss, adornment or overly full. Of course, his dreams had included other things with a lot less modesty and innocence but they were things not to think about when pressed against Harry Potter. Definitely didn't want Harry to get the right idea about the wrong thing.

But it was nice to savor this sensation, to soak in the comfort and security he felt. Of course, he could feel Harry begin to awaken and he really didn't want caught. Slipping away wouldn't help, not with the hold Harry had about his waist, but he could at least roll a bit away. He tried to slowly turn away from the warm body, skin cooling now that he didn't have a personal heater. Harry's arms were still around him, but at least he wouldn't have to worry about what Harry would think.

“Don't.” Harry turned, squeezing his waist and pulling him tight against his chest. He could feel every bit of Harry pressing into his back and clenched his teeth together to keep back the groan that had threatened to spill from his lips. He brought his hand down and pinched Harry hard on his arm.

“Get off, Potter. Let me go.” He pushed and wriggled, no longer caring that Harry would wake up. He wanted him to let him go, not cling like Devil's Snare. “Get up, you git!”

“Shhh. Sleep.” Harry whined back, letting go of the grip on his hip to cover his mouth. Draco's eyes brightened in outrage. He tried to force Harry's hands away but was thwarted. He wedged his hands between his back and Harry's torso and pushed with his magic. Harry yelped as they clattered to the ground in a heap beside the bed.

“You are such an arse!” Draco shouted, rising to his feet and quickly putting the bed between them. Harry groaned, grabbing the edge of the blankets and pulling them down over him. Draco snarled in outrage and lit the edge of them on fire with a silent spell. Harry scrambled out from under them and doused them with conjured water, and stared at Draco like he was quite insane.

“What the hell is your problem? Lighting me on fire? Honestly?” Draco's hands went to his hips and he gave him the darkest glare he could muster.

“I woke up with you wrapped all around me, smothering me! You wouldn't move and covered my mouth when I protested! You...You...Leech! Molester! Pervert!” Draco shouted. “And don't be such a queen, I only set the sheets on fire, Hero.” Silence settled between them. Abruptly, Harry began to laugh. Draco growled, fingers itching to cast painful spells.

“Not much of a cuddly sleeper then?” Harry asked, green eyes lit with amusement. Draco snarled and flicked his fingers. Harry gasped and clutched his ear. “What the hell was that?! That hurt, you wanker!”

“Disciplinary spell I was taught by one of my nannies. Smarts, doesn't it?” Harry sneered at him and rubbed his ear. “That spell pissed me off so much as a kid.”

“Prat.” Harry said as he looked at the burnt sheets. “What are we supposed to do with these?”

“Get a house elf to take care of it.” Draco said indifferently. He rubbed at his throat and winced at the soreness he encountered. Harry was immediately at his side, eyes wide and worried.

“Does it hurt bad? It looks awful. Do you think Pomfrey's up so we can care for it?” His fingers came up and touched the edge of the bruised skin, the lightning in his touch made Draco shiver a moment.

“Let's hope. I have no intention of spending the day cooped up here as an invalid.” Draco said, pushing aside Harry's hands and heading to the bathroom. He could feel Harry only a step behind him the entire way and when he looked in the mirror, Harry stood as a silent statue behind him. “Are you honestly going to follow me about all day?”

“Not all day.” Harry said, leaning back against the closed door. Draco heaved a sigh of relief that was cut off as Harry said, “For the rest of your life.”

“No.” Draco said very matter of factly. “I will accept you as my guard. I will accept you as a friend. I will not accept you hanging about and stalking me!”

“It's hardly stalking. After last night, I told you that you would go nowhere without me. I'm stuck to you. Permanently. Forever. This curse binds us together and I am not moving. You were nearly killed last night, Draco. You would be dead now if I wasn't there. If I hadn't found you, not only would you have died, but so would I and your father. You have more responsibilities than just yourself now. Be aware of them and quit protesting this! Nothing's going to change and the sooner you accept that, the sooner we can do something useful!”

Draco's mouth dropped open and he stared at Harry in disbelief. No one but his parents and Severus had ever given him such a verbal lashing. Guilt and disappointment washed through him and he stared at the floor. Tears burned in his eyes but he refused to let them fall. Damn Harry for doing this to him!

“Let it out. Let it out, Draco. No one can see.” Harry said soothingly as his arms gently encircled his waist. Draco buried his face in his hands and took ragged breaths, refusing to cry. He couldn't show that kind of weakness. Not in front of anyone anymore. “Just let it out.”

“No.” He protested weakly. If he cried, he was just proving that he was still that little immature, spoiled brat who was whining earlier. He wasn't that kid anymore. He had grown up, moved past it. “I'm not a kid. I realize you're here to stay, I just can't-”

“I know. I know. But believe it. I'm here to stay. Even if there was no magic to keep me here, I'd stand at your side, Draco. This Curse can't change basic nature. I've always been drawn to you.” Draco gave a watery laugh and pulled out of Harry's hug. He wiped his eyes casually, and sniffed a few times before he began to clean his face of the evidence and straighten his hair.

“When the pool attacked me, I woke up in this other world. Mother and Father were taking me to a dinner at the Ministry. He knew I was gay and not only did he accept it, he still loved me, still was proud of me. I was the Head of the Unspeakables. I was a Department Head at the Ministry.” He said yearning and astonishment in his voice. “Anyway at the dinner, I discovered that that world's Draco Malfoy was engaged to marry the new Minister, that world's Harry Potter.”

Harry laughed in faint disbelief and smiled.

“Figures. I told you I've always have been drawn to you. It even holds true in alternate realities.”

“Shut up. But while I was there, this creature took your shape. It was promising me that I could live here in paradise, forever happy instead of this world. It kept telling me I belonged there. I couldn't remember this world or what made it so terrible. I wanted to take its hand and live there forever. But something held me back. I knew I couldn't trust that thing and I was right. Nothing but a Mizuchi demon.” He gave another watery laugh and grabbed the comb to deal with his hair.

“I'm glad you didn't trust the thing. I don't know what I'd do if you had accepted.”

“Died. You would have died.” He said flatly. “You and Father would have died. And I wouldn't have known or cared. I wouldn't have remembered either of you.”

“But you didn't trust it. You're still here.” Harry said, nimbly taking the comb from trembling fingers and carding it through silver-white hair. The strands felt like silk against his fingers and the motions seemed to soothe Draco.

“I wanted to trust it. It was a very tempting offer.” Draco admitted softly. Harry raised a brow at Draco's expression in the mirror.

“Even marrying me? Or is that what made it so tempting?” Harry teased. He gasped and clutched his ear, glaring at Draco's smug expression. Long, narrow fingers plucked the comb from his hands, expertly pulled back his hair and tied it off with a green ribbon. Harry rolled his eyes.

“There should be fresh uniforms in here for the both of us. We'll get salve for my neck, shower, have breakfast and get ready to face the school. I'm certain that between Pansy and Granger our assignments are prepared for us. I'm not wasting anymore of my time acting the helpless invalid.”

Harry's eyebrows rose at the ease Draco took command of their day but wisely chose not to protest. Draco frowned slightly but was pleased with the lack of protest. He led them out of the bathroom, nerves a little tight with how close Harry was following him. Madam Pomfrey was ready for them, immediately giving both of them a quick scan and handing Draco a bottle of salve with explicit instructions on how to apply it. She only paused long enough to give them both a stern lecture on curfews and how if they hadn't been patients she would have them serving detention with Filch.

Draco bore it with patience, after all this was the woman in charge of his health. He really didn't need to piss her off. Harry made the niceties for both of them and they were back in Draco's private room. Harry palmed the jar off him and shoved him onto the bed with a stern look and slight magic. Draco rolled his eyes but tilted his head up, barring his throat obediently.

“Getting your jollies, Potter?” He asked partly jokingly and partly nastily. Harry gave him a flat stare that made him regret the jab.

“You're hurt, Draco. I'm hardly getting off on seeing you like this.” Harry said, holding the unopened jar. Draco's eyes fell to the ground and he bit his lip.

“I know. I really know but I just don't like...I'm not used to any of this...I can take care of myself.” Draco said softly, giving Harry a briefly apologetic look. Harry rolled his eyes and flicked his forehead.

“Idiot.” He said fondly, opening the jar as Draco sputtered. “Shut up, would you? Tilt your head back and take your shirt off so I can get everything.”

“Are we...intruding? Because if we are, we can always come back later...” They both turned back and saw the nervous Gryffindors and Slytherins standing in the doorway. Hermione had bit her lip and looked at them with the same nervousness that was in her voice. Pansy smiled like a crocodile.

“No, please, continue. You know how I've always wanted to watch.” She purred as she ushered them inside. Draco rolled his eyes and continued unbuttoning the pajamas. Harry had blushed but Draco ignored him and cleared his throat with a raised eyebrow.

“Weren't you just demanding I do something? Well? Come on, Potter, I want this taken care of.” Draco said haughtily. Harry nodded and gestured with his hand, multiplying the chairs they had into extras. “We'll be ready for breakfast soon.”

“Oh, Draco, what happened? I thought you were in this room for the night.” Pansy asked as she came up to see what they were doing that involved a stripshow. The bruises along his throat and torso were shockingly dark against his pale skin. Hermione had gasped as well, and the boys weren't much better, gaping at the bruises.

“I decided to go for a stroll, nice little walk around the lake. I always told you that squid had it out for me.” Draco said as Harry began to rub the salve into the bruises. They began to slowly vanish as he worked it in, small counter-clockwise circles as directed.

“Really?” Ron asked aghast.

“Of course not.” Harry snorted. “This little prat decided to slip his leash and is suffering the consequences.” Draco protested immediately but futilely.

“Didn't realize you were such a Dom, Potter. Lucky thing you were already in the hospital wing.” Theo said, giving Harry a disapproving stare. Harry gaped at him and colored. Draco dissolved into light laughter with Pansy not far behind. Hermione had blushed darkly and Ron frowned in confusion.

“Dom? What the hell in that?”

“I could teach you.” Pansy said, smiling lewdly and throwing back her shoulders. Ron opened and closed his mouth, brilliantly red and mouth moving like a goldfish. Hermione glared darkly and pushed herself between them.

“Aw, Gryffindors are cute aren't they?” Pansy said, not offended with the way Hermione was staring at her. Draco hummed his agreement and let her wrap her arms around his shoulders. The Gryffindors in question shared exasperated looks and then Harry gave him a look. He sighed and pulled himself from Pansy. She winced in sympathy as she saw his scarred back “Oh Draco.”

“Not now Pansy. Potter, let's go.” Draco tilted his head back and Harry began to rub the salve back in, the group quiet and solemn now. Draco's eyes darted through them and he gave a quiet sigh, catching Harry's eye and seeing the understanding and approval. “Alright. The truth. I kind of gave Potter the slip and made the ferret take me back to the mirror room. I accidentally did something I wasn't supposed to, I wound up being held hostage by a Mizuchi demon and Potter came to my rescue. Potter killed the thing and saved the day.”

“Draco.” Harry said, voice stern and eyes hard. “That's hardly how it happened-”

“Potter.” Draco said, trying to get the message across without saying it aloud. Harry sighed and nodded. “Right. Anyway, we'll be out and about later. Is anyone keeping track of our assignments?”

“Of course.” Hermione said primly. She looked like she wanted to object the sudden change but Draco's secrets were his own and he was obviously healing and relatively fine so there wasn't much she could do, even if he were to accept that help. “I've got the notes for Arithmancy, Advanced Charms and Ancient Runes, Draco. I also have the assignments chronologically dated and the time alloted before return.”

“We've kept track of the notes in everything else, Draco. The advanced classes weren't as easy, but if you don't mind the notes we've...borrowed from Ravenclaw.” Theo said, purposefully keeping his eyes away from the Gryffindors.

“Ron and I have all of your assignments too, Harry.” Hermione said, ignoring the very obvious innuendo.

“Thanks guys. I don't know what I'd do without you.” He gave them a grateful smile and returned to healing Draco's torso.

“Yes, thank you.” Draco agreed. Hermione coughed softly and pulled his eyes towards her.

“I've also kept track of the Head duties, along with the Prefects schedule. Would you like to review all of the meeting's notes?”

“Yes, I would like that.” Draco said slowly, giving her a quick nod and faint tug at the lips.

-X-

“It doesn't hurt as much anymore. Earlier it felt like someone had cut holes into it.”

“A fairly adequate description as that is what has appeared to have occurred. It was a Mizuchi demon?” Severus sat before them in the chair. Draco nodded. “Mizuchi demons are not known for their mental attacks so I must surmise that this is a by-product of the creature living in the Mirror.”

“That's what I thought.” Draco agreed. “I've never heard of them doing anything like this.”

“It will take some time to patch the holes and to adhere the memories into their proper places. The creature essentially cut the anchor loose on your mind and let it drift. It will take at least two days' sessions to heal the damage.” Severus drew his wand and intoned the word that dropped him in Draco's mind. The damage looked far more severe perceived through the human mind. He began to tug and pull, dragging threads of memories apart and reattaching them. “I cannot say what effect this will have on the bond, Draco. There may be no evidence that anything has changed or shifted until it settles down and Lucius' ritual is complete.”

“I understand, Severus.”

-X-

Harry slumped in the chair, watching the two still Slytherins. Snape had quite matter of factly ushered all out before they had breakfast and gave Harry such a dangerous glare that he had retreated to the bathroom before the words could fly. He would rather spare Draco than fight with Snape, especially when the man was going to try such a demanding mental exercise before breakfast. So, he was left with little else to do than content himself with the promises of his friends for later.

He found himself missing the stone creatures and the conversation they provided. Of course, it would be better compared to this. He hadn't been able to feel Draco's damaged mind, like he could his magic, but he could feel Snape's magic mucking about and it grated. It felt like there was a headache building that would run him over as if he'd been in front of the Hogwarts Express full steam.

He hoped they finished soon.

-X-

Narcissa stood in the doorway, sunlight spilling into the darkened room around her. She could see over the gardens, toward the stables and then far beyond, where the forest grew thick and wild. Among the flock of Pegasus, a thestral stood, staring straight at her. Leathery wings spread open as if caught in a wind and the feathered wings of white opened around them. The black creature snorted, striking the ground with a clover hoof and tossing its head back.

“Narcissa?”

She watched the creature mingle about the flock, besmirching the purity.

“Narcissa?”

She stepped back into the room, shutting the door and closing the curtains, plunging the room in darkness.

“Yes, Lucius. I am ready.”

She took his hand and let him lead.

-X-

“The magic has split.” He smiled at the tapestry, watching as crimson red filled his name, and began to change the gold stitching silver. His sweet glorious name was becoming one of the ancient nobility, blood of blood, passed through generations of the purest of the pure. The Malfoys were reaching their end. A family of Darkness. It had taken so long to destroy them, but soon it would be done. The power, money and influence that came with it were much coveted prizes.

He would meet with Lucius tomorrow, to finally lay the lines straight and clean before the man. Rita would ensure that any protections Lucius had tried to extend through his wife were void. Narcissa Malfoy, nee Black, was little more than a tool, a puppet for her husband. Whatever Lucius had tried to do by bequeathing his son the Black surname through his wife would be torn to shreds by a frightened public.

Fear and confusion would ensure that Draco Black would be brought to trial yet again. The Ministry would be forced to make an example of the boy. No Death Eater who had walked off free would be left alone. Trials would be re-examined. The fervor would be the spark needed to ignite the bonfire. The Wizarding World would fall in line behind him, an eager and righteous public greasing the gears to his newest political machine.

A force unstoppable and all it would take to awaken this great beast, to free this dream, would be one single Dark family.

Scrimgeour smiled as he set the glass down, staring out his window at the stately, but disarrayed, grounds of his once great family. This was a world more of his choosing. This was a world of politics and the politician who could both ignite fear and provide the authority to quench the resulting blaze would triumph.

-X-

Draco could feel the memories move, settle and fill the space Severus placed them. When the creature cast his mind into the body of the other Draco, it had cut all but the most basic portions of his memories. The holes he'd felt were the memories that had overlapped and were left with no place to settle. Memories over memories, crowded about until it strained at the edge of his mind.

It was odd feeling both Severus working and Harry monitoring. He couldn't feel Harry's mind like he would be able through Legilimancy, but he could feel the sensation of another's thoughts just on the edge of his perception, moving constantly. The few times he'd tried to grab it, it slipped away before his magic could reach.

He felt Severus' presence slowly pull away, still work to be done, but he said that it was damage that could take days. It might be time they couldn't afford to spend. With no way of knowing what Father or Mother were planning, they were blind with their throats bared for slaughter. Severus would have to condense what he could do into making it work. He would have to.

“Draco?”

He looked up into Severus' dark eyes, the faint stirrings of mistrust and distance gone. He was glad the man had given him time and space. It allowed him to think rationally about what he had witnessed and to put most of it behind him. There was hesitation now, though, that was never there before and it still cut into him.

“I'm fine, Severus.” He said heavily, rubbing at his temples. He can see Harry scowling and obviously wanting to quell his own headache but he doesn't want to look as if he was avoiding Severus. “It hurts worse than before so that must mean it's getting better.”

Severus smiled in his odd, cruel way that he had only seen in his childhood before smoothing down a few stray hairs from his temple.

“Impertinent child.”

“You'll stop by again tomorrow? At the same time and chase off what few people in this world I can find that tolerate both my acidity and Potter's oafishness?”

“The same time.” Severus agreed and he stood there silently, seemingly on the verge of saying something but unsure how to begin it.

“I...have thought about what you've said and what I've seen. My mother wouldn't have sent you a Patronus in return if she thought you would be malicious against her. The Manor would be closed to you if Mother or Father thought you would harm them. So, you must have been allowed entrance by her Patronus, if you are correct that they were being watched.” He looked up to meet his godfather's face, trying to convey what he was trying to not say, not with Potter in the room.

Severus nodded once, comprehension bright behind his dark eyes. They exchanged one more glance and then Severus swept out of the room, cloak and robes billowing about him and then vanishing as the door closed.

-X-

“So, what now? A rest or a headache potion?” Harry asked. “I'm willing to go for both.”

“We've...we have time to rest.” Draco agreed. He looked up, slightly hopefully. Harry sighed.

“Git. I'll be right back.” Harry began to walk toward the door and then stopped, hand reaching for the door frame. Draco felt Harry's magic pulse and an golden line traced the frame. “Don't try to leave. I'll know.”

Draco scowled, slightly amused and irritated, but Harry disappeared through the door and he slumped back against the pillows and grimaced. His head hurt unbelievably, but he'd suffered worse and could stand it long enough for Harry to return with a potion.

“Well, you're still here. That's progress.” Harry had two vials in his hands and handed one off to Draco who grabbed it tightly. “You're welcome by the way.”

“Stuff it, Potter.” He uncorked it and swallowed it without tasting. He could feel it working instantly, closing his eyes and relaxing as the pain eased. He feels Harry's weight hit the bed and his body instantly turn to accommodate him. This together thing seemed easier on his body than his mind.

“Draco?”

“Just lie down, Potter and set an alarm for an hour and a half.” He said, curling a hand under a pillow and kicking off the shoes he'd pulled on earlier. He let his eyes slip closed, feeling Harry's back and warmth near him a small moment later. The warm blankets were pulled back over him and he sighed into his sleep.

-X-

Harry lay there silently, turning to face Draco when he felt him finally slide into a deep, heavy sleep. He had one hand under the pillow and the other he had rested by his cheek, fingers curled into the softness of the pillow. His mouth was parted open slightly as he breathed, hair falling over his cheek and forehead. He had really pale skin, the white of the pillows and blankets making it seem even paler. He didn't have freckles, spots or any of the other marks associated with teenage years.

He brought a hand up, careful not to touch his skin as he moved the silver-white strands away from his face. They were as fine as air and smooth as water, but he honestly expected that. Draco took real good care of himself, pampering himself without any second thoughts. Keeping up appearances was probably ingrained in his very blood. He could see the faint scars along Draco's neck that curled up just under his ear. He hadn't been able to see the marks as a whole yet, but they were very thin and would have been unnoticeable if he wasn't aware of what he was looking at.

He wondered if they bothered Draco as much as his scar bothered him. The Slytherin had taken care to hide them from his friends and seemed very nervous about them. But, he wondered if he saw something in them to love as well. The spell Lucius had cast, it was cast of love, protection and faith. Those marks, as painful and ugly as Draco saw them, were marks of his father's love and willingness to do everything in his power to protect his son. He drew his hand back and cast a wandless tempus spell. Red numbers, shaped like a digital muggle alarm face, rose over his hand and he paired it with a wandless alarm spell. The numbers hovered over him as he closed his eyes and joined Draco in a deep sleep.