The Contract

Disclaimer: They aren't mine -- damnit


Chapter Two: Bonding and Memories.

Lucius led the boys down a long corridor to a great stone door. Several wards were dropped before the door opened with a long unused creaking noise. With barely a glance at one another, Harry and Draco followed the blonde man down several flights of stairs before coming to yet again another door.

“Mr. Malfoy, where are we?” Harry asked as they entered an ornate sunlit room. He could not figure out how there was sunlight in a room this deep underground.

“We are in the oldest part of Malfoy Manor. " Draco answered before his Father could. "Our ancestors used this room for all bonding ceremonies. The sunlight is magic, of course, much like the Great Hall at Hogwart’s. For eons, we have used this room for births and funerals. Now we will use it to bind our magic with the terms of the contract.” Harry nodded, sincerely hoping he would wake soon from this nightmare.

“And what shall I do?”

Lucius shuddered with controlled fury. “You will kindly shut your mouth until told to do otherwise.” Harry and Draco nodded.

“Enter the stone circle.” The boys did. “Face one another, hold right hands, and repeat after me.” The Boys did.

“I pledge my magic for the term of one year to honor the terms of the contract set before us.” The boys repeated the statement.

What neither heard was the other say was "Please love me." Just before a flash of light surrounded the two and flashed out to the edge of the circle for a moment then returned to the two men. The bonding was complete.

“In one year, you will return here for the rite of the Wizard's Debt for which I owe." He paused for a moment to swallow the bad taste that had crept into his mouth at the acknowledgement. "You will also, the same day, be released from this bond. Now, I will be leaving you here at the Manor for the next week. When I return, you will have consummated this bond and learned how to live with what you have agreed.” With a flourish of robes, Lucius left the room.

“Pet, you can let go of my arm now. Follow me to our wing. Consummation will wait until you have been cleansed.”

Harry looked at him, but did not speak. Any cleansing he had in the past was never quite this ominous.

As Harry followed his new Master, he found himself thinking back to the end of school.

Memories



Professor Dumbledore had spent the year explaining about the Horcruxes. When he left the Headmaster’s office to have dinner, never did he think that his life would end up here.

He had just left the great hall when he heard, “Potter, a word if you have time.” The speaker had been Draco Malfoy, alone in the foyer of the great castle. “Alone, if you don’t mind.” He had not looked at his friends with the usual disdain, just requested that he have a private moment.

After reassuring his friends that he would be fine, he followed the beautiful blonde out into the evening. Standing very close to one another without speaking for a moment, the two looked across the front lawn, still beautiful in the evening light. “Down by the water?” Draco asked. Without assurance, he walked, Harry following out of curiosity.

When finally, they arrived at the appointed place, Draco turned to face the smaller brunette. “Harry, I would appreciate it greatly if you would end this war with the Dark Lord. There is enough to be going on with this summer with coming of age and all, and I would rather not be marked by that lunatic.” He said it without emotion. Just assumed that that Harry would fill in the blanks or ask questions.

“Sorry if I seem to have taken my time with that. I just happen to not have a clue as to how to accomplish it. There are things that I have to find and I don’t know where to look.”

“You could look at Godric’s Hollow. Your parents knew where they were and secured all but four of the seven pieces. You have already destroyed three. The fourth one is…” and he handed Harry the silver locket. “Now, as I was saying. Perhaps you could hurry this little war along?”

Harry nodded mutely. The locket was the Horcrux. He had a Horcrux in his hand and Draco Malfoy had just told him where the others were hidden.

Blonde hair flashed in Harry’s peripheral vision. Lucius Malfoy stepped from the tree and looked at the odd couple. “Hello Draco, Harry. Did you deliver the information as you were asked?” Draco nodded. “Harry, do you have any idea how to destroy the Horcrux?” Harry shook his head.

Taking a deep breath, Mr. Malfoy continued. “There is a potion, Severus has been working on for months, that should assist you with that endeavor.”

“I’m sorry, but I don’t understand why you are helping me, if in fact that is what you are doing.” Harry said, looking from father to son.

Draco touched his arm. “Harry, I told you. There are things scheduled this summer in which I do not wish to participate and others that I would like to look forward to. Father and I spoke and decided that this was the most expedient way to end this war. Please let us help you.” The last bit was whispered in Harry’s ear and made him shiver.

Lucius Malfoy touched his other arm, “I know we have had our differences, but there are promises made which will be fulfilled this summer and the Dark Lord is making it impossible for me to honor a promise. This simply will not do. Once the Horcruxes are secured and destroyed, he will be left weak. Within twenty four hours, he will be on the verge of death. He will summon his inner circle and I will be glad to bring you. You can end this rather quickly and with no additional deaths. But, unfortunately, you are the only one who can do this.”

Harry nodded. He wanted this to end. He wanted to come back to the school next year and finish his education. He wanted to turn seventeen without complications. “I need to think about this overnight. Can you meet me here tomorrow, after breakfast?” The Malfoys nodded. “Thank you for the opportunity, even if I don’t understand it.”

Draco smirked, “You will, Harry, I promise you.”

As the three turned to leave, Harry paused, “Sir,” they returned the few steps to the gathering, “will you swear a blood oath that this is not a trap of some sort and you will not be leading me to my death or allowing me to be lead to my death? Will you swear on your life and magic that this is on the up-and-up?”

Both Draco and Lucius knelt before Harry Potter. Each gave their oath on their magic that this was not a trap. At the end, Harry was satisfied. With a quiet “Thank you.” The meeting ended.


~~~TBC~~~

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Author's Note: Please remember that this is a work in progress. I will be glad to notify anyone of an update and hope to update at least three times a week. Of course, the easiest way to get an update is to just add it to your favorites.

As this story progresses, quickly, there will be what is knows as "squick" but you will always be warned. This is also slash, my now third attempt at detailed sex between two men. Enjoy and please if you have a suggestion, let me know!