Fathers, Godfathers, and Godsons...Oh My

Chapter 24

Thunder rolled, lightening crashed and rain poured as the skies bubbled and churned all around. Harry wiped his goggles, trying to see through the chilled mist and hunt for the snitch. He was up high, as was the Hufflepuff seeker, but he was focused.

In the stands Draco and his House jumped around in rain gear and cheered as chasers and Bludgers zipped
through the field. Draco looked up, wiping his hair out of his face and grinning as he watched Harry. A golden shimmer caught his eye and he jerked around. Two seconds later Harry spotted it and the chase was on. Through the pitch, past the players and around the tower, then high up into the clouds they chased after it. The Gryffindor Tower roared and the Slytherin Tower booed. But it was impossible to see. Lighting crashed everywhere, blinding Harry.

The Hufflepuff seeker was out in front, though he jerked and stiffened as he was struck by lightening, falling back and out of the clouds. Harry breathed hard and looked around, not having any idea where the snitch had flown to. Shivering from a sudden chill in the air, his eyes widened, seeing the darkly shrouded figures and gasping. Oh no. He spiraled down into the clouds, trying to elude whatever it was. He remembered it from the train. The fear that had paralyzed him and that horrible scream. No. Not again.

Draco grew quiet, looking up into the sky and frowning to himself. It felt decidedly cold all of a sudden. The roar and cheers of the crowd had become a distant din. Not that the late autumn wasn’t so, but it was something else. Like his soul was freezing and it felt familiar. His eyes moved to the hot chocolate Hen was carrying, the twin frowning and tapping her cup on the stand. It was frozen solid. Cassie slapped his back and cheered the Gryffindors on but he wasn’t hearing her, focused on that thought that nagged at the back of his mind. It was like an itch that he couldn’t quite scratch. An annoyance that festered and grew along with his fear. His eyes widened and his throat closed up as he spotted a swirl of black cloth in the distance. Dementors. Harry!

Cassie frowned, “Draco? You okay?” He looked at her, eyes wide and mouth moving but no sound escaped. He couldn’t hear her over the blood rushing through his ears, he couldn’t see her over the frost that had glazed his eyes and he couldn’t speak because of the nameless fear, “Draco??”

Harry dodged and weaved, eluding one before a second would cross his path and give chase. He tried everything he could think of, climbing impossibly high and fast before diving into the cloud cover. But it did no good. It’s like they could follow him without sight. He spun away from one and ran right into the other, his body and mind shutting down as he stared into that dark hood of death. A scream rang sharp and true tore through his mind and soul...and he fell.

A Hufflepuff pointed even as the fried seeker chased the snitch, no longer looking at the game. Soon a scream echoed, realizing something was falling. More stood to their feet, diverted from the game and many praying they weren’t seeing what they knew they were seeing. What could they do? What could anyone do? You did not fall from such a height and live.

Draco had to speak. He couldn’t see or hear but he had to speak. Two words, the most important ones of his life and for once he wasn’t going to freeze when it mattered most. Draco’s face twisted as anger at his own weakness curled inside and he slammed both hands into the tower, his mind free at last, “ACCIO...BROOM!”

The Ravenclaws all jumped and whipped around to stare at him. But he ignored them, his hand out, his face set, ready. His broom shot into his hands from his room and he wasted not a second, taking off into the sky. Dumbledore jumped to his feet, shock and horror racing over his face as he lifted his wand to slow Harry’s decent. He was rocked back as Draco flew past and high up into the air, passing the hurling Gryffindor before plummeting after him and using gravity to help him along. Draco! Harry! Albus was frozen. He couldn’t save them both.

Draco propped himself up, both arms out and ready to catch the raven haired boy as the ground seemed to
come up to meet him. He got to Harry first and grabbed him, wrapping his arms around him tightly, one hand going to his broom and pulling up with all he had. They were both going to crash and die, or they were both going to live.

Hermione screamed and covered her eyes, the broom shooting from perpendicular doom to a parallel line nine inches from the ground and moving at an incredible rate. Fred and George gave chase, ignoring the game. A roar went through the crowd that had nothing to do with the Hufflepuff catching the snitch. Ron’s pale face flushed before he crumpled to the ground. But it was okay, Draco breathing for the first time and holding onto his brother, allowing himself to relax and his broom to slow.

***

Over and over the thought pulsed through his mind. Both of them. He’d almost lost both of them. But he would dwell on fear later, letting rage flow through him, “I was assured that the Dementors would be maintained beyond the perimeter of the school...the board of governors and the ministry of magic both assured me that a safe distance would be kept...and now I find them attacking students...not once but twice. Two of them almost died, minister and I hold you responsible.”

Fudge shifted uneasily in his chair, “I realize one is your charge-...”

Rising to his feet, the firelight gleaming off his glasses, “They are both my charge and do not forget again.”

Paling, knowing Albus’ reputation of a fair man did not mean he was any less dangerous. Indeed, he was both respected and feared for his power, “Headmaster...surely you understand the nature of them...they are not exactly easy to control.”

Glaring, leaning over his desk and resting the palms of both hands on the surface, “I will have my students safe or I will have your head, sir.”

Aurora was sitting in the chair hidden by shadows, fingers interlaced and her calm belied by the molten fire in her eyes, “And I will more than help facilitate it’s removal.” Fudge spun around, startled. He hadn’t known she was there. Judging by the shock that flashed in Albus’ eyes he hadn’t either, “You know, minister, someone like myself and Albus could truly help your career...or bury it. And I’m sure out of the goodness of your heart you only want what’s best for the Boy-That-Lived.”

Hermione’s eyes widened, standing just outside of the door and hearing every blessed word. Ron looked like Christmas had come early. Neither of them were fond of Minister Fudge, by reputation an idiot that rode on the coat tails of others. They were both wanting to inquire about the boys but Madam Pomfrey had been insistent. Only Albus was allowed to see them right now.

Fudge wiped at his temple nervously, “Dumbledore, Mistress, we have Aurors patrolling the grounds, all of them knowledgeable with the patronis spell, I am sorry but there’s not much more I can...except to give you sanction to teach the most vulnerable students the same...I’m sorry but it’s all we’re capable of...”

Albus sat down slowly in his chair, nodding to himself even as the Minister rapidly retreated. A shot of amusement spiked when the man tripped over the children waiting, no doubt embarrassed, “Come in. Miss Granger, Mr. Weasley...other than frightening politicians did we have business, Mistress?”

Aurora smirked at the both of them and stood gracefully, “As a matter of fact, yes. But not that you were aware of. The Council has approved.”

Albus visibly started, “So soon?”

“Albus, you are well aware that I do not like things like this to be dragged out. Approval merely requires enough signatures, there is no time frame of appeal. He will be happy as his brother is and that is good enough for me. It is official, save for the child choosing his name or leaving it the same.”

She offered a sealed parchment and he took it with slightly shaking hands. Eyes sparkling, “I will inform him at once.” She nodded and swept out of the room, patting Hermione on the head on her way out, “...Now...is something amiss?”

Hermione acted as the ring leader, “We’d like to see Harry...”

Ron piped in, “...and Draco. Y’know, make sure the git’s okay-ow!” Hermione smacked him before rolling her eyes and turning a beseeching gaze on the headmaster.

Smiling to himself and standing, “I was actually just going to see them. Perhaps you’d like to accompany me?”

Both nodded in agreement and followed after the Headmaster. Glancing at one another, they picked up the pace. He could really move when he wanted to. But Albus slowed as they neared the hospital wing, students quietly passing with subdued expressions. They wandered down the corridor slowly, stopping just shy of the hospital to see Draco throwing on shoes and tossing Harry his while silently moving his broom from under the hospital bed. Hermione hid a gasp behind her hand and Ron held his breath to keep from snickering out loud. Harry quietly whispered, “She’ll hear us...”

Shaking his head, “No she won’t. Just shut up, potato head.”

They both grinned at one another and crept for the windows, Albus raising an eyebrow at that. Pomfrey was going to go through the roof. Moving back a pace, turning so his voice carried down the hall, “This way Mr. Weasley...Miss Granger...” The two mentioned students looked to the Headmaster in question but he just chuckled and his eyes twinkled.

Twin yelps and scuttling feet were heard, beds creaking as they both threw themselves in and pulled the covers up to their chins to hide their fully dressed state. Draco hastily stashed his broom under the bed as Albus burst into the hospital and clapped his hands together, “Ah boys! Feeling better I hope?” The two of them exchanged guilty looks before nodding mutely, “Excellent. I’ve brought you visitors...well, we’ll just have Poppy take a last look at you to be sure you’re all fit and then you can go climb out the window, yes?” Albus turned with another chuckle while Gryffindor and Ravenclaw alike started to blush.