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: Ritual-magic speak! Mentions of non-school-approved things! Bad press! In-school chaos! Ministry strikes! Cliffhanger!

Thank you, dear readers, for the hits, reviews, alerts and favorites. You are truly too kind, to follow me this far, what with the very long wait between updates. You shall be rewarded. This I guarantee. Please allow this to tide you over for a while, with Chapter 21 not too far behind. I am getting more of my chapters fleshed out now, so writing them is getting easier. Patience is all I ask.

-X-

Draco surveyed the room, an elegant table stocked with everything he could possibly need for any ritual. It stretched far beyond the House Tables in the Great Hall and there was a myriad of live animals and plants at the farthest end. Harry whistled beside him and began to peruse the items, stopping at a salamander and giving him an incredulous look.

"Are we really going to sacrifice a live animal?" He looked green at the idea and Draco shrugged.

"Probably not for this one. I would use a live salamander to activate a ritual of creation. A swan to use dreaming as a tool against my enemies. Of course, rituals that dictate live sacrifices mostly require years of preparation, cleansing, and chastity. When you sacrifice live animals, you must understand that they have a life, which means they have a spark of power. If you don't want that power to actively harm you, for instance, it happened to Fanus the Fortuitous and he wasn't very fortuitous or sane afterward, you must honor it and prove that you are worthy of using it. Sacrificing life isn't lightly considered in the Wizarding world."

Draco brushed his hands over the salamander's cage and unhooked the latch. The creature opened one yellow eye and drew its lips back. He shook his head and let the door swing open. Harry was right beside him, gathering the creature out with gentle, cautious hands. It spat out sparks as it ran from his cupped hands and into the fireplace against the Room's far wall.

"Your mother was very brave for doing what she did."

Harry's hand dropped down to his and he squeezed it hard. Draco stared at the smooth stone floor.

"I know. Thank you, Draco."

He squeezed back and then coughed, dropping Harry's hand and grabbing the book he gathered from Severus.

"I'll read this. We need to know exactly what to do. It doesn't look like it will need a live sacrifice so... If you want to play hero to the defenseless, require these... creatures... to be elsewhere." Draco waved a hand at the various animals and ignored Harry's reverberating laughter. He conjured a chair, requiring a comfortable place to read and settled down, absorbing himself in the written word as surely as a Ravenclaw.

-X-

"Well, we can't do the ritual until tomorrow morning at least. We need a powerful daylight hour and the sun is setting. That's not a cooperative hour for summoning. If I wanted to end something, instigate something or balance something, we could do it. Now, we'll have to wait until tomorrow morning at the earliest. If we miss that, then we have the hours of eleven, one and three. Shit." Draco snapped the book closed after memorizing the page number and set it on the fireplace mantle.

"At least we can find it." Harry said, rising from his own chair. It was rather boring sitting around while Draco read once the animals were all set free. "So, now what?"

"We draw the basic circle. We can't formally put the lines down until tomorrow but we can get the skeleton. Then, we get Scieran's journal. I want to try to guess when the third exchange is. Father could use any number of rituals to expand the time between the second and third exchange."

"So far it's been sunrise and sunset. That's significant, isn't it?" Harry asked quietly as he took a piece of chalk for himself. He wasn't sure what he was doing, but Draco's mind was fixed and Harry found it easy to channel the same image and actions through his mind and body.

"Yes. It's very significant. There are only a few more left. Sunrise to activate, sunset to stabilize the parts, there is only one step left and that's the ending or the anchoring. There are only a few good times to do this. I think Scieran's ritual decreed the moment between eleven fifty-nine and midnight. Time is supposed to suspend temporarily, at least according to ancient Arithmancy. It's a premium time for ritual magic. The Witching Hour, as I know the muggles call it, also has very powerful ritual bases."

Harry nodded, eyes fixed on the white lines he was drawing on the stone floor. He was careful not to connect any of the inner workings to the outer shell. He looked up when Draco's hand was trailed with a white stripe and he connected it with his own. Draco's silver eyes were contemplative but more warm than cool.

The moment broke as soon as it happened and he sat back on his haunches to study the large circle. It was easily large enough for Ron to stretch out laying down with his arms and legs extended and still not able to touch the edges. It looked insanely complicated in the center, at least six minor circles, five touching the rim and one in the center. There was an awful lot of lines, runes and Latin words he couldn't decipher. Draco had stood up and walked around the circle and then nodded. He grabbed a silver dish from the table and laid it in the center circle. He stood over it, a foot on either side of the shallow bowl and his eyes grew distant.

Harry stood up and stretched and set the chalk back down. He didn't understand ritual magics, but he was intimately familiar with ritual blood magic, though this would be decidedly different. He rubbed his arm where it was sliced those scant few years ago and waited until Draco was satisfied.

It was weird, being able to sense what Draco was doing but not being able to understand completely. He could see images of what he imaged happening, but it was the briefest of flashes. Water and blood swirling. The lines rising and twisting around them. The circles containing faceless people. He supposed it made sense to Draco.

"Alright. We can go." Draco stepped out of the ritual circle and raised an eyebrow when he didn't move. He walked over to the mantle and retrieved the book, pocketing it in the largest space available on the robe."Well? Potter? Let's go."

"Where to?" He asked, falling in step beside Draco. The blond shrugged and then bit his lip.

"Do you want to get some of your clothes? I mean, the house elves always get clean things, but do you want something out of your room? We might be in the Hospital Wing for a while."

Harry's eyebrows rose considerably and he knew Draco could feel his surprise. The blond rolled his eyes and stepped out of the Room of Requirement, stopping in the middle of the hall.

"Yeah, we can head up to the Tower. I'd like some things." He said, taking Draco's hand and leading him to Gryffindor Tower. He hoped this wasn't about to be like the snake in Eden. Hopefully, it wouldn't be, but he wasn't sure how many people knew where he'd been lately, knew where Draco had been lately, and that they had been together lately.

Maybe he should have sent a warning before bringing the Prince of Snakes up.

-X-

Pansy nodded, passing along information down the table. She was very self-conscious of the empty place at her right, plate empty and untouched. She could see Blaise in her periphery, seated at the farthest edge, turned back so he was talking to those Ravenclaws he'd attached himself to. Her fingers itched to take her wand in hand and make him suffer more. Political attacks with long-stretching consequences seemed to slide off Blaise. His manipulation, she was positive, was the only reason he could be called Slytherin.

Theo across from her was watching him too. They both knew Blaise knew where Draco's rooms were. It was easy to guess that he passed this information along, but they couldn't be sure. Others in Slytherin may follow Draco, but there were always opportunists. Prefects knew where to find him, and at least the upper years in the Houses, but she couldn't think of many who could bypass Hades. It made her shiver to think that someone was right now sitting at one of those tables, blood of Zeus in their veins. Surely, that would have given them power, but she couldn't think of many students who were on par with Potter. Draco was the next strongest wizard their age. She needed to get a better list, make connections.

"Pansy."

She looked up to see Theo and raised her brow.

"The Head Girl would like to see the Seventh Year Slytherin Prefects."

She nodded and he stood up with her. They both made sure their badges were visible and pasted cool, unaffected looks on their faces. They garnered a bit attention as they made their way over to the Gryffindor table but it was brushed aside when Granger rose, scroll in hand and her badge bright. The Slytherins followed her out of the Hall, stopping at an alcove.

"Harry sent this to me. Draco's found a ritual to locate his wand, but they can't do it until tomorrow. What are your free periods?"

"He found a way?"

Granger nodded, looking a bit nervous and anxious, but Pansy knew it was mostly for Potter.

"Yeah. Harry doesn't say much, except that it is very important that we don't tell anyone. I think..."

"If Draco found the ritual, we know what to expect." Theo said, not unkindly. "It won't be that dangerous; don't worry."

"I'm sure." Granger said, eyes cool but she nodded and smiled softly all the same. "Anyway, there are a few premium times for rituals tomorrow. We'll have to figure out the specifics, but it can be done."

"Right. Thank you, Granger." Pansy smiled, taking Theo's arm and letting him lead her back to the dungeons.

-X-

"Oh, thank God, everyone's at dinner." Harry said as he pulled Draco into the empty Gryffindor Common Room. Draco seemed split between fascinated and appalled as he looked at the mess the Common Room was in. There were a few cats lying about, a few knit hats, an abandoned cloak and more parchment then he'd even used in seven years scattered along every surface. He rubbed the back of his head nervously.

"Potter, I am never, ever coming here voluntarily again."

"It's not that bad." Harry said, moving toward the boys' stairs and seeing Draco follow him with a disgusted shudder.

"Right, and Tartarus is just a sauna." Draco griped back, lifting the ends of his cloak as it upset parchment and touched Gryffindor-infected areas. Harry rolled his eyes.

"I've seen the Slytherin Commons. How you can live in a dungeon, under the lake of all places? It's just creepy down there."

"Creepy? You can slay a Dark Lord but the Slytherin Commons is too creepy?" Draco asked, disbelief and reluctant amusement lighting his voice and features.

"I'm not afraid of your common room. Well, I suppose I'm a bit afraid... of it flooding... Not because of anything else."

"That's like being afraid of Gryffindor Tower falling off, scarface." Draco swatted at the back of his head and Harry dodged it by ducking into the Gryffindor Seventh Years Dorm. He didn't have to look at Draco to know that he was even more disgusted. The room wasn't that much of a mess, if the fact that a hurricane had obviously been through were excluded. Neville's potted Devil's Snare had grown since he'd last been here. He hoped it wasn't because it ate his toad or anything else.

"There's not much I need." Harry said, opening his trunk and pulling out some clothes. He grabbed his satchel he used Horcrux-hunting with Dumbledore when they were forced to stay out longer than a single night. He stuffed them in there and pulled a few knickknacks into the bag. He could see Draco in the corner of his eye, checking out the other boys' things. He poked at the Devil's Snare, snatched a bit of chocolate from Ron's stash, stared blankly at the football posters Dean had on the wall and snorted as he uncovered Seamus' alcohol.

"Well, Potter, my year mates beat out yours when it comes to interesting things. Candy and alcohol are as private as Gryffindors get?"

"No." Harry rolled his eyes. "We're just better at hiding the really illegal stuff."

"Gryffindors better than Slytherins at smuggling contraband?" Draco asked condescendingly. The blond studied his bed and then hopped on, folding his arms behind his head and lounging on the dark red sheets. "I'll believe that when Longbottom beats my Potions' grade."

"Oh yeah? Well, Slytherin, we happen to have quite a bit of contraband hidden in this room-"

"First Years could find this stuff." Draco interrupted. "Longbottom's got porn in his Herbology textbooks, Weasley has merchandise from his brothers' store stuffed in the bed, Thomas has his sketchbook jammed between the canopy and the bed frame, and Finnegan has an assortment of kinky wizard sex items from Lace and Leather stuffed in his trunk."

Harry stared at him, mouth open in shock before he glared.

"How do you know this? Did you read my mind?" Draco scoffed.

"Potter, I'm Slytherin. I told you we do contraband. Severus is the one who checks the dorms for inappropriate items. If you don't have a decent warding and disillusion spell, you'll be scrubbing cauldrons for years. McGonagall probably knows about this stuff."

Harry frowned at him, thinking about that briefly.

"You never said what I've got stashed away." He noticed, smirk starting to spread on his face as Draco's pale cheeks pinked.

"You're magically stronger than I am." He snapped. "I bet Dumbledore wouldn't even be able to find your stuff."

Harry hummed his agreement and rolled his eyes. He sat on the bed, ignoring Draco's protest and fished under the mattress until he pulled a simple box out. He felt the bed dip as Draco moved to sit beside him, knees folded under him as he stared at the box.

"I couldn't even sense that." He said, hands demurely in his lap but his eyes were soft in curiosity.

"Yeah. I've kept this really secret. The most important things in the world to me are in this box." Harry smiled, setting it on his lap and tapping the lid twice. It clicked open and Harry lifted the lid. He pulled out an assortment of pictures, newspaper clippings and other papers. He pulled out a light blue diary and let Draco look through them. "It's mostly pictures of my parents. Some of them as kids, some as adults. There's some from the old Order. There's even a few from their wedding. I found their wedding announcement, my birth announcement... I even found my mother's journal from fifth year."

"Wow." Draco said softly, looking at the picture in his hands. The young face of his mother was scrunched in anger as she yelled at someone off camera, but every so often there was the flash of twin heads of black-hair tossing something back and forth. "This is amazing."

"Yeah. I found some of it at my old home. The ruins were still there but I scavenged around until I found a hidden magical box. It didn't have much in it, but it still means a lot."

Draco nodded, feeling that same throat-clenching sensation he got every time Harry talked about his parents with him. Even if Harry never knew them, he still felt connected to them and it only strengthened every time he found something of theirs. All the memories did was force Draco to think about how close he'd been to losing his parents in the War and how soon he would lose his father.

"Maybe..." He began gently, handing the pictures back. "Maybe we can find a way to pull the memories of your childhood out of your subconscious magic and put them in a Pensieve."

"I'd like that." He agreed, shutting the box and placing it in his satchel. "I think I'm ready. Do you want to head up to the Hospital Wing, down to the kitchens then back up or back to your rooms?"

"My rooms so I can get a few books, then the kitchens, then the Hospital Wing." Draco said, dusting off his robes. "The sooner the better. I'm probably going to get sick breathing all this self-righteous air."

Harry just barely missed hitting him in the back of the head as the blond disappeared down the stairs.

-X-

Daily Prophet Special Evening Edition

Ministry Mistrial!

Does A Death Eater Live With Our Children?

A Rita Skeeter Exclusive

Readers will recall the Trial of Draco Black, former son and heir of Lucius Malfoy, in which our Hero Harry Potter's testimony set him free. Mr. Black was convicted of being a Death Eater under duress and pardoned for his crimes in the Second Voldemort War under the penalty of house arrest and further testimony at any subsequent Death Eater trials. Even current Headmaster Albus Dumbledore came forward with evidence for Mr. Black's release. Readers will also recall that both of these gentlemen, Mr. Potter and Headmaster Dumbledore, expressed their desire to have Mr. Black free and able to walk the halls of Hogwarts to complete his education.

However, shocking new evidence has come forward! A source, who would like to remain nameless for confidentiality reasons, has approached this journalist, unable to keep their silence any longer. I was presented with Pensieve-transcribed memories and full-graphic photos which shed new light on the trial of Draco Black, former Malfoy heir. When I asked why this evidence was not brought forward, the source described threats and extortion of the foulest nature.

"Fear," My source stated, obviously shaking as they described these threats, "has kept me silent but I cannot afford silence any longer. This Death Eater walks with children, lives beside innocents. If any harm came to the children of Hogwarts, I would have only myself to blame."

This reporter was patient as she listened to this story. However, her thoughts were on the Ministry and our Savior. Could threats of such dire nature have forced the release of this criminal? What extortion has kept this criminal from the cells of Azkaban? For I assure you readers that there is no other place as deserving.

If descriptions of a graphic nature are too upsetting, please desist reading any further. This portion of the article has been charmed for of age wizarding folk.

The memories began with severe acts of torture. Young children no older than those attending Hogwarts were being repeatedly held under the Unforgivable Curse, Cruciatus Curse, by the Death Eater Draco Black. Many of these children were never discovered or came forward at the trials. It is believed that some of these children are dead. Other memories included the witnessing of multiple rapes, murders and other various tortures. From these memories it has also been established that Mr. Black was responsible for the death of several muggles, children and witches. The photographs have captured moments of torture as well as Mr. Black healing many Death Eaters. He is also caught at one point incanting the spell to create the Dark Mark over the bodies of a prominent wizarding family.

These memories and photographs have been verified as real. Has Mr. Black pulled the wool over the eyes of the Wizarding World? What Dark Magic brought the Savior and Boy-Hero under his spell? What threats have silenced the Ministry?

I encourage Readers to take action! Mr. Black must be brought to Trial under the full Wizengamot! He must take responsibility for these actions! I ask Readers to petition the Ministry to re-examine all freed Death Eaters cases! We cannot, for the safety of our children, allow Death Eaters such as Mr. Black to roam freely!

This has been a Rita Skeeter Exclusive.

-X-

"Silence!" Headmaster Dumbledore rose from his seat, sending sparks into the ceiling. "I must ask for your silence."

"But Headmaster-!"

"He's living here-"

"He's plotting-"

"No one's seen him or Harry in days-!"

"Death Eaters-"

"Silence!"

A hush flooded the Great Hall. This was not the kindly Headmaster. This was the Light Wizard who defeated Grindelwald, who terrified You-Know-Who, who led the Order of the Phoenix.

"Mr. Black has been safely ensconced in the Hospital Wing. He has not been able to preform any manner of harm to a single student since his arrival. Need I remind you all that both myself and Harry Potter have spoken on his behalf, as well as a number of Order members, some even your own parents? Mr. Black is not dangerous. He will answer this article and any Ministry summons as surely as any of you would. He has been tried and found innocent. There is no Dark Magic, no extortion, no bribe, no threat that could silence the world, or Voldemort would have had a far easier time conquering the Light. I will advise each student here to remember that Mr. Black has the endorsement of myself and Harry Potter. He is also the Head Boy with full support of the Head Girl, Ms. Hermione Granger. Any harm done to him will result in a severe punishment. Now, I ask you all to please commence with dinner and I will ask the Prefects to escort the students to their respective Common Rooms at the meal's conclusion. The Halls will be watched and I encourage no student to be in them tonight."

With that, the Headmaster nodded to the students, Professors McGonnagall and Snape rising together and following the Headmaster out of the Great Hall. The whispers of the students chased their heels. Many eyes, from all House Tables, were drawn to the empty seat at the Slytherin table.

-X-

"Keep them out here. We cannot chance them getting loose in the school. Auror Dukate, keep them here. Aurors Shacklebolt and Jones, follow me inside."

"Yes, sir."

His eyes were set on the illuminated windows of the castle. Inside, his prey was waiting. Soon, he would have him brought down and all he desired would come to pass.

-X-

"Severus, go find Draco and Harry. Tell them the entire situation and bring them up to my office. Minerva, they've brought Dementors with them. I need you to supervise the students and make sure they are all safely in the Common Rooms. No exceptions. After, join me in my office. I've felt the Ministry trip the wards and Kingsley has alerted me. The Minister is on his way up with two Aurors. I will meet them and escort them to my office. Quickly, to your tasks."

Severus nodded once, face pale and drawn, moving hurriedly upstairs toward the Head Boy's quarters. That was the last place they were reported being and he was positive they would be either there or in the Hospital Wing. Minerva shifted forms beside him, darting off down the hallway. He took a deep breath, shielding his thoughts and emotions behind a mask. It wouldn't do for the Minister to know that his corruption was dangerously close to being exposed.

He opened the doors with a flick of his wand and watched the trio advance on his castle.

-X-

"I can't believe the elves spoil you like that." Harry complained as he carried the tray of chocolate desserts Draco had liberated from the kitchen.

"I can't believe you've never taken advantage of being Harry Potter. Honestly, I would have done more than ask politely for a glass of juice and sandwiches. Imagination, Potter, and charm. That's what gets me everything in life." Draco chattered as he cleaned out the tray he'd taken. It was considerably smaller but had richer sweets than Harry's. He licked his fingers clean as the filling started to pour out, looking for all the world like a pleased cat.

"Charm? Really?" Harry asked in disbelief.

"Just because I've never used it on you doesn't mean I don't have it."

"Whatever. Are we really going to eat all of this?"

"Of course! It's wasteful if we don't."

"If I didn't know better, I'd say you're not really Draco."

"Manners, Potter. Those are manners. Perhaps I can teach them to you."

"Shut up, prat." Harry rolled his eyes and picked up one of the smaller chocolaty treats. He popped it in his mouth just as Snape appeared from around the corner.

"Draco!"

"Severus! Merlin! Don't do that!" Draco shouted, dropping the platter on the ground and sending Harry into a coughing fit. He moved and thumped Harry's back hard, reassured when the boy waved him off and coughed into his hand, noticeably able to breathe again.

"There's no time." Snape took his arm and began to steer him down the corridor. Harry hastened after them, worried by the man's change in attitude. "The Prophet has just released an article smearing your trial. They claim to have new evidence and believe that you have used Dark Magic and extortion to manipulate your verdict. Aurors have come to the school. They've brought Dementors, Draco. They're here to arrest you."

"What?" Harry shouted. "They can't arrest him! He was pardoned! I gave testimony! Hell, Dumbledore spoke for him! What could they possibly have to negate that?"

"Pensieve memories and photographs! The Ministry doesn't need reasons to arrest Death Eaters, Potter! Nor do they need reasons to arrest Dark Wizards! Malfoys are hardly prime examples of Light Wizards. The entire Wizarding World believes you are being manipulated!"

"They can't arrest him! I won't allow it! I thought the Ministry was free of Dementors!"

"Not for Death Eaters. They just keep them on tighter leashes and further out of sight."

"Sev, they... they're not really going to..."

"You're an adult, Draco. There isn't much we can do."

"What about me? Can I do anything?"

"Potter, you are under Dark Magic. Supposedly."

"But I'm soul bound to him! Surely there's a law or something that binds us!"

"Not to my recollection. The Headmaster may know one but I do not."

"Oh Merlin."

"I won't let this happen Draco. I won't." Harry grabbed his hand but Draco suddenly stopped, dragging both him and Snape to a halt. "Draco?"

"They're going to take me." He said, quietly and calmly. "There might be a law but they won't believe it. As far as they're concerned, you're only here as a by-product. They won't even take you with me. They're going to demand my wand. Once I am unable to produce it, the trial will have to be put off. I'll be sitting in prison. That gives you time to fight this."

"Draco. They may not care about the wand."

"They'll have to. Dumbledore is still Chief Warlock. They'll have to if they don't want to cause a scandal. The Ministry isn't as blind as when Fudge was Minister and Scrimgeour loves law and politics. He'll push this trial through even if I'm found innocent again. Sev, do you have a vial?"

Wordlessly, Snape handed over an empty vial and Draco uncapped it, holding out his left wrist. Snape drew out his wand and tapped it, a thin cut appearing. Harry gasped and glared but Draco shook his head, letting his blood fill the vial. Snape healed the cut and Draco capped the vial.

"Listen, Potter, you'll have to take this and do the ritual. Don't argue with me about this. You're the next strongest person in the ritual. It has to be you because you're tied to my magic as well. Get Severus or someone else to stand in your spot. Have Granger read the book. I need you to do this for me, Potter. Please?"

Draco offered the vial. Harry blinked furiously, holding back futile tears. His anger was all but encompassing. He took it with a jerky nod and put it in his pocket. Draco handed over the book next and Harry shoved that in his rucksack. Draco stared at the bag, knowing that the only chance they had at finding his wand was now in Harry's hands. He sighed and took Harry's hand, lacing their fingers together tightly.

"Headmaster's office?"

Snape nodded, his just as jerky as Harry's.

-X-

"Headmaster Dumbledore."

"Minister Scrimgeour. Aurors Shacklebolt and Jones. I wish that we could have been meeting for a more pleasant reason, but I am afraid we are not."

"No, Dumbledore. We aren't." Scrimgeour smiled tightly, waving the Aurors to the door and approaching the desk. Dumbledore stood and shook the hand he was being offered. "We've come for Black."

"I must only commend the Ministry for such a timely response. My students with subscriptions to the Daily Prophet have just received the evening edition."

"We can't afford to sit behind desks while the threats are stalking the halls with innocent children." Scrimgeour shook his head and narrowed his eyes. "Can we assume that the boy is on his way here or will we have to tear apart your castle?"

"There will be no need for that." Dumbledore said softly but intently. "I have sent a Professor to collect him from the Hospital Ward."

"Hospital? Hiding, is he?"

"No. He is the victim of a curse designed to punish disowned sons." Dumbledore answered, catching the subtle glee and satisfaction the man was feeling. He couldn't recall being this disgusted by a person since Severus had reported the prophecy to Voldemort and killed Lily and James through his actions.

"I've always said that family was Dark." Dumbledore remained silent. "You're not going to try and stop me from taking him?"

"He is out of my reach. There is nothing I can do but ensure a fair trial."

"He'll get one. It will follow all of the laws. There won't be any doubt this time around of innocence."

"No, there will be no shadows of doubt this time. All the evils of man are exposed by the light of justice. I am certain that there will be no lack of justice in this trial."

A knock interrupted them and Dumbledore's blue eyes darted toward the door.

"Come in."

The door swung open.