Of Potions and Wings

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Draco was already up and waiting by the time Blaise and Pansy came out of their respective dorms, Blaise at six-thirty, Pansy at six-forty-five.

 


Blaise’s eyes fell to Draco’s waist and he grinned. “So, it’s today, is it? Well, it’s as good a reason to not make us wait for you as any, I suppose.”

 


Draco chuckled. “I can’t wait until seven to leave today; we need to be at breakfast before Sev.” He told them. “Let’s go, he’ll be heading there at seven, as usual.”

 


Blaise and Pansy fell into step beside him. “So, today’s the day you’re officially engaged.” Pansy said lightly. “Allow me to be the first to offer my congratulations.” She said, as they headed toward the Great Hall at a brisk pace.

 


Draco flushed and nodded, smiling widely. “Thank you, Pansy. Severus and I appreciate it.”

 


“My congratulations on your uncoming nuptials, as well. I think the two of you suit each other very well. He’s seemed happier since he started pursuing you. You’re good for him.” Blaise told Draco.

 


Draco inclined his head. “Thank you, Blaise. You two know that your approval means the world to me.”

 


“Why wouldn’t we approve, honestly, Draco?” Pansy asked as they took their seats. “You’re both happy, so obviously this can only be good for all involved. We want you to be happy above all else.”

 


Draco dished himself up some eggs and ham, avoiding the bacon today, and began to eat.

 


After a few minutes, a hush descended over the Great Hall, and Blaise and Draco shared a grin.

 


Draco stood, turning to the doors, to see Severus standing there, dagger in hand. He held his breath as the man strode toward him and slipped the dagger into the sheath Draco wore at his waist, then wrapped his arms around the blond and kissed him heatedly.

 


Draco clutched at his shoulders for an anchor, as his breath was stolen. Draco heard applause start up, first from the table right beside them, then from the Head Table, and then, surprisingly enough, from the Gryffindor table. Soon everybody in the Great Hall was clapping for them.

 


Severus broke the kiss and traced his lips with a finger. “You’ll wear my claim until lunch.” He ordered, and Draco nodded dazedly.

Draco looked over to the Gryffindor table and shared a grin with Potter, who was smiling and clapping enthusiastically.

 


Severus let him go and headed for the Head Table.

 


Draco sat back down, still smiling. “That man really knows how to kiss.” He said, then began eating again.

 


“Congratulations, Draco. He’s quite a catch.” Millicent Bulstrode called from two seats down.

 


“Thank you.” Draco answered. “I know.”

 


More congratulations were called out, Draco responding to each one with a few warm words.

 


Once breakfast began winding down, Harry, Hermione, Ginny, Neville, and even Ron made their way over to where Draco sat.

 


“We wanted to offer our congratulations.” Harry said with a smile.

 


“Yeah.” Ron said. “I may not like Snape, but it looks like you’re good for him. Congratulations.”

 


Harry beamed at Ron, who flushed, especially when Hermione leaned over to kiss his cheek.

 


Draco smiled at the group of Gryffindors. “Thank you all. I suppose now would be a good time to ask if you’d all like to attend the wedding? Yes, even you, if you can be civil the entire time.” Draco interrupted when Ron opened his mouth.

 


The redhead closed it with a snap, nodding. “I can be, if you can be. If Harry’s gotten along with you for so long, you can’t be all bad.” He said pragmatically.

 


“We’d love to, if Professor Snape doesn’t mind.” Hermione said.

 


Draco smirked. “We discussed the guest list over the weekend, and he said he didn’t mind me inviting whomever I want, provided they won’t start trouble. I think I can trust you all to be on your best behavior for a few hours.” He said lightly.

 


Ginny smiled at him. “We’ll be there.” She said.

 


Harry nodded. “See you around.” He said, then the group turned and left together.

 


Draco blew out a breath. “Did I just make nice with a bunch of Gryffindors?” He asked Pansy.

 


Pansy smirked. “And invited them to your wedding.” She pointed out. “The world must be coming to an end.”

 


Blaise chuckled. “They’re not so bad. They can be taught, and besides, Potter has some hidden depths to him.” He commented.

 


“He does, at that.” Pansy agreed mildly.

 


*****

 


Draco knocked on Severus’ office door, hearing the man bid him enter, and walked in. “It’s lunch time.” He announced, holding out the dagger by the blade.

 


Severus took it with a smile. “So it is. Why aren’t you in the Great Hall?” He asked, slipping the dagger into his desk drawer for the time being.

 


Draco quirked a brow at him.  “Why aren’t you?” He shot back.

 


Severus sighed and looked down at the papers littering his desk. “I can’t seem to find a good stopping point in my research at the moment. I hate to walk away from an unfinished task.” He told the blond.

 


Draco sighed and sat down. “Call for Pippy and order tea. For two, as I won’t be leaving until you’ve eaten something.” He told the man.

 


Severus sighed. “Pippy.” He called out in a resigned tone.

 


Pippy appeared.

 


“Tea for two, please.” He requested and the elf bobbed her head and disappeared, reappearing only moments later with a tea service for two, then leaving and coming back with a plate of small sandwiches.

 


“Pippy is glad to see that Master Severus is looking after hisself now!” She squeaked, then left with a small ‘pop.’

 


Draco gave him a stare and a raised eyebrow.

 


“I know.” Severus sighed. “I’ll eat.” He poured himself a cup of tea and took a few sandwiches, poring over his notes as he ate.

 


Draco fixed himself some tea and took some sandwiches as well, leaning back in his chair to watch Severus.

 


“You can leave, you know. It’s bound to be terribly boring, just sitting there watching me work.” Severus allowed. “I am eating now.”

 


Draco chuckled. “I’d rather stay. I like watching you, no matter what you’re doing. You’re gorgeous to me.” He said simply.

 


“Then you need your eyes checked.” Severus said, and Draco could see the faintest flush on his cheeks.

 


Draco smiled. “No, they work just fine. I just find beauty where others don’t care to. I look deeper, that’s all.”

 


Severus let out a soft sound of incredulity and his eyes flicked up to meet Draco’s for just a moment, before training themselves on the papers in front of him once again. He hummed and made a small notation, frowning.

 


Draco sipped at his tea, looking around the office. His eyes landed on the caged rabbits and he smiled as he noticed that they’d both been given food and water. “So, have you named the rabbits yet?” He asked in amusement.

 


Severus’ eyes snapped up to rest on his face, and the man’s lips twitched. “Dumb and dumber.” He responded.

 


Draco grinned. “Ah, high praise, coming from you.” He teased.

 


Severus shook his head. “Why would I name them? They’re hopefully going to be dead soon. There’s really very little point in naming them. If I did, I might find myself mourning thier deaths, rather than celebrating them, as I should be, seeing as how it will mean less time spent with Potter.” He spat the name.

 


Draco licked his lips. “Speaking of Potter, I’ve invited some of his friends to the wedding. I’m sure you noticed the group that came up to the Slytherin table to offer congratulations, right?”

 


“It was impossible not to.” Severus replied in a measured tone.

 


“I’ve invited them all to the wedding.” Draco told the man.

 


Severus’ eyes narrowed. “All?” He replied.

 


Draco nodded.

 


“Even Longbottom?” Severus drawled.

 


Draco smirked. “It’s hardly going to be a Potions class, what could he possibly do? You did say I could invite anyone.” He pointed out.

 


Severus sighed and rubbed at his face with one hand. “Yes, perhaps I should have placed some restrictions on the guest list after all.” He drawled.

 


“Too late now.” Draco said lightly. “Don’t be too upset with me, I’m sure it’ll all work out fine. He’s a Pureblood, he’ll be respectful and tactful. I’m most worried about Weasley, and he’s agreed to play nice.”

 


Severus just shook his head. “Well, I suppose I will survive the ordeal, no matter who shows up.”

 


“I need your measurements, and I need to know who will be standing with you at our wedding.” Draco said.

 


Severus stood. “Go ahead and take my measurements, then. And I have already asked your father, Poppy and Minerva to stand with me. Albus will be officiating.” He said, as Draco conjured a tape measure and a notepad and set the two to work taking the man’s measurements.

 


“Good, I’ll gather everyone tomorrow and we’ll go get fitted for wedding robes.” Draco said, as the tape measure and quill stopped. He stood. “Give me a kiss, then I’ll go.” He said.

 


Severus stood and leaned over the desk, kissing Draco gently. “Go, then.” He said against Draco’s mouth. “And try not to spoil our wedding further in the meantime.”

 


Draco smiled, tracing the line of Severus’ jaw with a finger. “It’ll be the happiest day of your life, no matter who’s there. I’ll make sure of it.” He promised. “I love you.”

 


“And I love you.” Severus said, sitting back down.

 


Draco left, shutting the door behind him with a soft ‘click.’

 


*****

 


Harry knocked on the door to the Defense classroom, his throat making a strange clicking noise as he swallowed nervously.

 


“Come in.” Lucius’ voice called out.

 


Harry entered the room and smiled. “Here I am.”

 


“Very good.” The man put down his quill and stood. Harry noticed that his hair wasn’t tied back anymore, and had to admit that he liked it loose better than he liked it tied back. “I cleared these lessons with the Headmaster, and he agreed to them, though he did say he hopes you never have to use any of the spells I am prepared to teach you.” He told the Gryffindor.

 


Harry nodded. “I hope I don’t have to, too, but it’s better to have them and not need them than need them and not have them, right?” He asked.

 


Lucius smiled, rounding the desk. “Exactly. Now, you have some experience with Dark Arts already, thanks to Severus’ lessons, so these spells should come to you easily enough. You already know what feeling you need to tap into.” He said.

 


Lucius waved his wand, and a practice dummy materialized at the far end of the room. “We’ll use that for pacticing some of them. Unfortunately, the only way to be sure you’re doing most of them right is to test them on a live subject. And to answer your question before you ask it, yes, some of them will kill the subject. Others will cause pain. Knowing that, do you have what it takes to learn them anyway?” He asked, coming up behind Harry.

 


Harry nodded, resolutely. “I can do it.”

 


Lucius smiled. “Very well. I brought along some peices of parchment we can transfigure into rats. As we will not be using them for anything other than practice, I will not be putting much effort into the transfiguration, so they will not be alive, they will merely simulate it. That should put your conscience at ease.” He said mildly.

 


Harry smiled. “It helps.” He answered.

 


“The first spell you will need to learn is a Death Eater favorite, created by Severus himself. The incantation is ‘sectumsempra,’ and the wand movement is a quick slash, following the path you want to spell to take. It is a slashing curse, and will cause rapid blood loss, and, if the wound is severe enough, invariably leads to death unless treated quickly.” Lucius said.

 


Harry squared his shoulders and raised his wand. He felt Lucius come up behind him and froze as the man pressed himself against Harry. “Back straight, Mr. Potter. Widen your stance.” He ordered, kicking Harry’s legs a bit futher apart. “These spells will tire you out quicker than most, be prepared for it. A wider stance means you will be more likely to keep your feet afterward.” He said, his breath hot against the back of Harry’s neck.

 


Harry shivered.

 


“Well, go on.” Lucius prompted, stepping back a bit.

 


Harry waved his wand across his chest, shouting “Sectumsempra!” The spell hit the dummy and sliced open a deep gash along its chest.

 


Lucius hummed in approval. “Very nice. You’ve got good aim. That wound would undoubtedly prove fatal.” He noted, walking over to Harry’s side.

 


Harry gulped, feeling a strange sort of pride at earning the man’s approval, even though it came from causing what would be a fatal wound in a battle situation. The whole scene seemed a bit surreal to Harry, but he shook himself and focused.

 


Lucius fixed the dummy. “The next spell is the entrail-expelling curse.” He said.

 


Harry made a face, and the man laughed.

 


“Yes, it’s not exactly a pretty sight, but it is, nevertheless, effective.” He said simply. “The wand movement is a sharp flick to the side at waist height and the incantation is ‘expulso.’” He explained. “Let’s see it.”

 


Harry waved his wand and cast the curse. It left a small tear in the dummy at waist height.

 


“No.” Lucius said, moving to stand behind Harry and grabbing his wand hand. “The flick needs to be bigger and sharper than that. Like so,” He guided Harry’s wand in the proper movement, then released his hand. “Again.”

 


Harry duplicated the movement and spoke the curse, and a huge gash opened at the dummy’s waist.

 


Lucius nodded, coming back to stand beside Harry. “Very good. The next few spells need a living target, so...” He transfigured a piece of parchment into a rat. “The next curse is a migraine curse. It may not sound like much, but migraines are very nearly incapacitating for most, so this curse is effective. ‘Crotaphos’ is the incantation, and all you have to do for this one is point your wand at the target. It’s easy, but a good defense when you don’t have time or energy to waste finding a better curse. It will distract your opponent, and, as I’ve said, will likely incapacitate them.”

 


Harry nodded. “All right.” He pointed his wand at the rat. “Crotaphos.”

 


The rat began squeaking and curled up on its side, sratching at its neck.

 


“That is the desired reaction. However, if we allow it to, the rat will take its own head off. The counter for the migraine curse is ‘relevium.’” Lucius said softly, casting the counter on the rat. “It’s not pleasant in the least. Have you ever had a migraine?” Lucius asked, glancing at Harry.

 


Harry shook his head. “Not that I’m aware of, Sir.”

 


“Hm. It is not merely a headache, as most people who have never suffered one would have you believe. It is an intense headache, with sensitivity to light, sound, temperature and in some cases, nausea and vomiting. Draco inherited a tendency toward migraines from his mother, and Severus brews him a very strong pain-reliever for them. Without that pain-reliever, Draco would be stuck in bed for hours every time a migraine struck, which for Draco, occurs when he is stressed or has missed two meals in a row.” Lucius explained.

 


“Wow. And I thought all this time that he was just an attention-seeking prat.” Harry said, seeing Draco in a new light.

 


Lucius laughed. “To be sure, Draco can be a bit of a drama queen, but he is also delicate of constitution, like his mother.” The man explained. “He plays up most of his illnesses to their fullest, but the migraines are real.”

 


Harry nodded.

 


“The next curse,” Lucius changed the subject, “is one that Draco has already used on you, though it did not get through your clipeo. The blood-boiling curse.” He told Harry.

 


Harry’s mouth dropped open. “He tried to cast that on me?!” He asked in shock.

 


Lucius smirked. “Knowing that your shield would block it, but yes. That’s why I was so upset with him. It’s a very dark curse, as its only goal is to cause intense pain, much like the cruciatus, and death with prolonged exposure. Why it is not listed as an unforgivable, I do not know.” He said. “The wand movement is the same swish-and-flick you use in a wingardium leviosa, the only difference is the incantation: ignis vena.”

 


“Does it really boil the blood?” Harry asked, raising his wand.

 


“Slowly.” Lucius confirmed. “The victim of the curse will go mad from the pain within fifteen minutes, twenty if they have an unusually high pain threshold. Within thirty minutes, the blood will have burnt itself out, and there will simply be nothing left but vapor in the veins, and the victim will die.” He told Harry.

 


Harry gulped. It sounded like an awful death, and he didn’t really want to do that to a rat, even one that wasn’t truly alive. “What’s the counter?” He asked.

 


Lucius inclined his head. “A simple finite incantatum will end the curse, but it must be cast by the person that cast the curse in the first place.” He told Harry. “Don’t worry, this rat is in for a much quicker and merciful death.”

 


Harry nodded and turned his attention to the rat. “Ignis vena!” He cast, watching as the rat began to run around madly, squeaking in pain. He cast finite, but missed the first two times, and finally managed to hit the rat with the third casting. He blew out a breath, shaking his head. “That’s horrible.” He said weakly.

 


“It’s a bad way to go, for certain. But several of the Death Eaters are deserving of such an end.” Lucius told him softly, utterly calm.

 


“Were you?” Harry asked, just as quietly.

 


Lucius’ shocked grey eyes met his, then they seemed to unfocus slightly as the man turned his thoughts inward. “I was the most ruthless Death Eater in the first part of the war, rivaled only by Bellatrix. My knowledge of Dark curses and human anatomy saw to that.” He confessed. “I murdered, raped and tortured countless Muggles and quite a few Muggleborn wizards and witches as well, and I took pleasure in the acts I performed at the Dark Lord’s behest.” He sighed. “When Draco was first handed to me, I had an epiphany as I held him. I imagined anyone doing to him the things I had done to others, and the very thought sickened me. I was in too deep at the time to get back out, or so I believed. I used my position as the Dark Lord’s right hand to get out of the more unpalatable atrocities, and then you defeated him, and I was free. I managed to use my charm and money to keep myself out of Azkaban, where I rightly deserved to be. When he came back, mad and out for your blood above all else, I began to look for another way. Once Narcissa left me, I was free to turn to Dumbledore without being found out, and I did so at once. But, for my acts when the war first began, the blood-boiling curse would be a fitting end for me.” He finished, eyes focusing on Harry again.

 


Harry licked his lips. “That you can admit that proves that you’ve changed enough to not warrant that death, I think.” He told the man.

 


Lucius smiled. “It’s kind of you to say that, but I will never truly absolve myself of the sins I have committed.” He said. “Now, the last curse for tonight: the heart-attack curse. An easy death, to be sure, but death all the same. The incantation is ‘cor impetum,’ and the movement is like so,” He demonstrated, his wand tracing an arc in the air, followed by a jab toward the victim.

 


Harry copied the movement, frowning when Lucius shook his head.

 


“No. Make sure the arc you start with travels over your heart, or the curse will merely cause the victim’s heart to skip a beat and continue, rather than stop altogether.” He advised.

 


Harry waved his wand again, and Lucius nodded.

 


“That’s it.” The man said approvingly.

 


Harry cast the curse on the rat, and the rat fell over, unmistakeably dead. Harry pressed his lips together. “Well, it worked.” He said tonelessly.

 


Lucius laid a hand on his shoulder. “There will be casualties in this, as there are in any war. There is no escaping that fact. The only thing you can do is ensure that your side suffers fewer casualties than the other side. That is why I am teaching these spells to you. You will need to be willing to kill, or you will be killed. That is the simple truth of the matter. And I hope you will forgive me for saying so, but your death would pain me, even though I don’t know you that well. You’re a singular young man, and I admire you greatly. I have no desire to see you dead.”

 


Harry grinned. “Well, that’s good. I have no desire to be dead.”

 


Lucius nodded, letting his hand fall from Harry’s shoulder, trailing down his arm on the way down. “I will see you tomorrow, then. Sleep well, Mr. Potter.”

 


Harry nodded. “You, too, Sir.” He said, then left the room. He paused outside the door, replaying that last, lingering touch in his mind. ‘If I didn’t know any better, I’d say he was flirting with me!’ He headed back toward Gryffindor tower, flushed. ‘It’s just not possible. There has to be another explanation for it.’ He told himelf firmly.