Journey

*****Before I forget, I just wanted to remind people that the character's will probably be out of character, mostly because this is the 10th century, and I had to weasle them around to make them fit the story. If you dont' like it, deal.

Draco Malfoy hated his father's castle, just as much as he loved it. He had been prisoner there for far too long. But he loved the look of it, and the power that came with the title Lord. The title that would be his. And he had plans. Wonderful pl Id Ideas to make it increase in size, to up productivity. As was his right as the Malfoy heir. The only Malfoy heir.

Had he been paying more attention he would have heard the snapping of twigs behind him in the forest. But as usual, he was thinking too many thoughts, distracted by his ideas to worry much about sounds in the forest. Before Draco knew exactly what was happening, he was being pulled into the darkness of the trees.

The blade was cool upon his neck. If Draco knew better, he would have been afraid of the powerful arms holding him capture. But his pride overruled his fear, his curiosity, and more over the sudden rush of warmth that was racing up his spine. The man had a hard chest, covered in a harsh wool cloth. His arms were heavy, powerful, but quick. "If you promise not to run away I will let you go."

Draco didn't reply. He was too enraptured by the hard silky voice in his ear. The moist breath on his cheek. He nodded only slightly before he felt the hand give way. Wildly he tried to push away, but the taller man was holding him again within a matter of seconds. "I told you not to run away." The voice was no longer smooth, but hitched with anger. "I just want to know some information."

The hand was gone from Draco's mouth, but the knife was still held firmly at his throat. "What do you want to know?"

"About the Malfoy heir. Ho I f I find him?"

Draco didn't answer right away. He wanted to turn around and see this would be captor. Obviously the man had no brains whatsoever to believe that Draco was anything but the heir. "Why do you want to know?"

"It is none of your business." The statement left no room to be argued with. "I was told the boy-"

"Boy!? The Malfoy heir is not a boy."

Draco was sure he heard a chuckle. "Alright then. Not a boy, but this man I have heard is ugly beyond reasonn."

"I am...I mean, he is not ugly." Damn his pride, Draco thought savagely. If he coully kly keep his h shh shut.

He was turned then, to face the man holding him so tight. When he looked up he caught the most brilliant green eyes he had ever seen. Lips full and smirking, tousled black hair that seemed to have no particular place to go. He was the most beautiful creature Draco had ever seen. "Is that so?" He paused. "I am Potter. Harry if you like. And you are?"

"None of your concern."

Harry suddenly frowned. There was no doubt in his mind that this was the Malfoy heir. But he hadn't expected him to be so enticing. He was far from sickly or sallow. His skin was on the pale side, but he was tall, lean, and had obviously spent some time doing some sort of manual labor. Perhaps learning to fight, as his father did. His hair was golden blonde, with gray eyes tinted with silver. He had delicate features for a man, but he was young still, and Harry could see he still had a bit of growing to do. He released his hold on the long arms. "Ah, well if that is the case, I am sure I will be able to tell who he is. I have been told he is sickly, and I suspect a nurse would be following after him every where he went. Poor thing."

"I am not sickly!" Draco bellowed, knowing he was acting like a child. Then quite suddenly, as the smile on Harry's face became evident, he knew he had walrighright into the trap. "Damnation."

"Ah, I see. You are him then?"

"I am Draco Malfoy, yes. And what do you want of me?"

"My toy to take you on a small journey. It has come to my Lord's attention your father has been letting his knights raid our villages and I have come to take you until he has agreed to make them stop."

"And if I don't go with you?"

Though Harry was dressed in peasant clothes and not his knightly armor, Draco realized that he was stcarrcarrying his sword, and easteast two daggers, the one in his hand, and another at his belt. Harry rested his hand over the sword. "I believe I can convince you to go with me."

There was always the alternative tn awn away. But Harry was fast, Draco could tell hat already. Screaming might help, but he had wandered far away from the castle, and no one might find him before Harry had cut his throat. Ah, and that was a nasty thought, being killed by this gorgeous man. "You will kill me when my father refuses." Draco said, holding his chin high.

"I can assure you that you can trust me. I do not like to kill unless need be, and unless you are hiding a sword under you fancy silk clothes, I do not believe you can do me any harm."

Draco didn't hear the teasing in his voice. He jumped at Harry, but Harry caught him easily and held him out. Draco had always thought of himself as strong, quick, brave. But this man, this...this...Potter...was making him feel childlike and feminine. He struggled, kicking Harry's knee as hard as he could. Either Harry hadn¡¦t been expecting it, or it had hurt more than Draco thought it would, but H let let him go, doubling over in pain. Draco took off, and was sure he was going to make it, when Harry's bigger body was on top of him and they were rolling in the dirt.

When they stopped rolling, Draco was under Harry, and his eyes (just moments ago filled with laughter) were as hard as marble, and just as cold. "You will come with me, brat, even if I have to drag you kicking and screaming."

"Malfoys do not give up." Draco ground out, feeling his anger surge. How dare this peasant of a man, lower in status and brains, talk to him like that. Treat him like this. "I would rather die than go with you, Potter."

There was a spark in Harry's eyes, something between lust and laughter, "trust me, Malfoy, you are better off to me alive than you are dead."
R/R R/R Please?