The Contract

Chapter 33 – Lucius’ Journal and assorted gifts.



The day went exactly like Draco had planned it, well, to some extent. After Harry repaired the Potions classroom and Severus’ quarters, he was exhausted. He had to fuse his magic with the castle’s to allow the completion of the project.



Severus had been at breakfast, reluctantly, when he remembered that Draco’s plan included him and Remus. Draco refused to be around Harry while he was repairing the classroom as the level of magic needed made his body ache. So it was that Draco and Severus went to the Manor. Changing the wards and Floo to allow someone other than himself, Severus and Harry, he allowed the Auror team to come in. Aurors Mad-Eye Moody, Shacklebolt, Maples, and Tonks arrived a moment after they stepped out of the Floo. Draco had fallen into Severus when Moody arrived. Severus would have laughed under different circumstances. Composing himself, Draco walked in the center of the group of people to the study.



Moody’s magical eye could detect no physical barriers inside the drawer, but did note that there was a false bottom on the drawer with what looked like a lock. It took Kingsley and Tonks several moments to cast revealing spells around the desk to look for magic. While there were a few booby traps, there was nothing life threatening to a Malfoy.



Finally, a go ahead was given. Everyone was on high alert for Draco’s actions. He walked slowly around the desk and opened the drawer. He pulled the whole drawer out and set it on the desktop. Clearing out the papers and other miscellaneous items, he saw the lock. It was not for a key, it was for blood. Rolling his eyes as the ridiculous irony of the use of blood to unlock something, he grabbed a letter opener.



Severus snatched it away before he could prick his finger with it. “Do you wish you poison yourself?” He asked. “Lucius always kept the letter opener container filled with poison. Don’t be an idiot.” His words were laced with concern rather than being harsh.



Draco looked horrified, mumbling something about ‘I forgot,” and pulled his hand away, coming to rest on the bulge of his belly at the thought of poisoning himself and his children.



Moody handed him a pocketknife. Which he took with shaking hands and pricked his finger. Three drops of blood and the lock released. A few more revealing spells, a couple of curses, which had to be removed, and Draco was allowed to take the book. It was a beautiful, dark leather, bound journal. There was no lock on it and no curses that were discernable.



Although Severus did do a few quick scans to be certain that it was not another Horcrux. All the world needed was for Lucius Malfoy to return. Once it was cleared, Draco pocketed it and with a few words of thanks, they returned to the foyer.



Moody, Shacklebolt and Tonks left first. Maples waited a moment for them to leave. “Draco, I want you to know that there is a lot more going on with your situation than you realize right now. It may be best for you to stay here and not return to Hogwart's.”



“And what do you think Harry would think if I just abandoned him?”



“We could get him, send him here?”



“He hyperventales any time this ‘place’ is mentioned. I have to go back to him.”



“Then take this.” He handed the amulet, not to Draco but to Severus. “Check it over. Its an emergency Portkey for two to a safe house. Only Remus and Severus know about it.” Pausing, he added. “Look, I just want the two of you safe. You can’t be safe at Hogwart's anymore. There are too many variables that are not in control. Don’t be out without an escort. Don’t continue to think you are in charge of your’s or Harry’s lives. You aren’t. I swear, I only want my g… Harry to be safe.”



Severus eyed the man, putting together the misstated words and wondered if it were possible, but said nothing.



“Thank you for the Portkey, I will keep it close to me and Harry and do my best to stay on guard.” Nodding to Severus who assumed he knew that he had read the letter to Remus, Auror Maples stepped into the Floo.



Severus was consumed with curiosity for additional information and wanted Remus to set the time as soon as possible. Seeing Draco without the normal glamour had revealed that he was showing much more than he had the night before.



Before they entered the Floo, Severus asked, “Draco, your pregnancy seems to have taken a jump in size.”



Draco’s hands went to the bulge. “Yes, I woke up this way. I only have three month left anyway, and with two babies, I knew I would get large, but this is a few inches of growth in twelve hours or so.”



“Did you allow Potter so sleep in your bed?”



“Yes, HARRY did sleep in my bed and held me – only held me.” Draco finished.



“Perhaps reuniting the children with their other father has made a difference in their growth.” Thinking quietly for a moment, he asked the question, “What are you going to do? Obviously you have not told him he is to be a father. Will you just let him figure it out?”



“I plan to have a sit down with him this evening after he apologizes to you and the school for his temper tantrum.”



“Is humiliation wise at this point? I mean he already kneels at your command, what more will you do?”



“The Headmaster told me that there were certain things that I had to do in order for Harry to be normal again. Once Remus and I had left Dumbledore’s office, he told me that it would only be for a short time. I would probably have to…er… spank him once or twice to get his attention, but otherwise, harsh, forceful words should suffice for what I needed to accomplish.”



“Did he tell you anything else?” Severus asked with caution.



“Yes, he said that the collar could not be removed or Harry would suffer the loss of his mind. I didn’t really understand it, but I am sure it has something to do with the magic involved with the Ritual.”



“Did I misunderstand, or did Lucius secure the collar?”



“Yes, he did. Just before he r..r…” taking a deep breath, he forced the words out, “raped him.”



Severus put the pieces of the conversation together, “The Headmaster gave you different instructions than Remus?” Draco nodded. “And you believe that Remus has better advice than Albus?” Draco nodded again. “I offer this advice to you. Do what feels right. Harry will respond to you.



“This is not to be repeated, but I must tell you, Draco. If you care for Harry Potter as much as you say you do, get the collar off his neck. I believe it to be a dark object and the sooner it is removed, the sooner you both can heal.”



“But the Headmaster said…”



Looking at the smaller man, Severus continued, “Do not retell me what the Headmaster said. I am informing you of my feelings, and those are to get that collar off of his neck.”



With a sly grin at the emphatic nature of the request being made, Draco finally said, “I’m glad you feel that way. I completely agree, but I don’t know how to get it off yet. That’s one of the reasons I wanted this journal. I want Harry to be Harry again. I loved seeing him laugh and happy. I want to be the reason he is happy. Even if we fight, I think we could make up and still be okay afterwards. Babies aside, I love him, Severus, I truly do.”



“Then get him to a point that he can return that love.”



“I will, I swear it. Please let Remus know?” Severus nodded.



“What do you think about that Auror? He seems to know more than he is letting on.”



“I agree, Draco, however, he is correct. You must stay alert when in public. Promise me?”



“I promise, Severus.” Turning, he called the elves. He gave a few quiet instructions including additional thanks for their continued work. The dining room was to be stripped. Nothing would be kept from that room, from the wallpaper, flooring, ceiling panels, and chandeliers, to the table and chairs, to the rest of the set of dishes and cutlery that were used that night. He would shop later and send in replacements. Before leaving, he reset the wards to prevent anyone except himself, Severus, Remus, and Harry getting in.



The elves happily set about tearing out that room. When they were finished, the walls, floor and ceiling were the only things left.



Both Draco and Severus returned to Hogwart’s with praise for Harry. Ron had to play in the Quiddich match, and Remus took over the supervision. They were pleasantly surprised when they opened the door and found Harry playing Remus in chess.



A quick look at Harry told Draco that he was exhausted. Draco took pity on him and promised that they would spend Monday shopping instead. Reaching a hand out to him, he called for his lover to join him; thanked Remus and both left the room for a nap. Hermione left when they returned.





Draco undressed Harry slowly while Harry did the same for him. They crawled under the covers together, but just as Draco was getting hard, yet again, he heard Harry’s soft snore and knew that he was asleep. He cuddled with Harry a bit longer before gently slipping from the bed to allow Harry to spend the next few hours resting.







Draco read the journal. The twists and turns in his father’s life were difficult to read and part of the time he was forced to go back and reread some passage to put it all in order. The thought that Lucius was not sane forced its way through several times, but he also realized that if what he read were true, Lucius could be breaking a spell to reveal this knowledge; almost like a man coming out of the Imperious curse.



Draco determined one thing, however: They were in danger.



He had to get the collar off Harry, no matter what the headmaster said. He called to an elf to ask Hermione to come to him.



Hermione arrived shortly there after and they huddled together for three hours trying to put the journal’s information in order. When they finished, they looked to one another. “Draco, we have got to tell someone about this.”



“And who would believe that Albus Dumbledore and Lucius Malfoy were partners in all this nonsense with Harry? No one Hermione. Not yet anyway. But I do agree with you. Harry is in trouble. We have got to protect him. Keep him here in the castle at all costs. I’ll bet you a month’s allowance that the next thing we know, Dumbledore will try to send the two of us away.”



Hermione looked at him for a moment. “Its already happening. Scrimgeour has demanded custody of Harry, which the Headmaster refused. But, now, knowing this, I wonder for just how long he will allow you to stay. We need to get this information to Professor Snape and Molly. She’s been itching for a go at Professor Dumbledore since Harry was first put in this situation and she found out that he was involved… and it wasn’t even at this level.” They agreed to discuss it more later, but they needed to get ready for dinner. It was with a heavy heart that she left the room, tucking a full magical copy of the journal away for safe keeping. She would send it to the Weasleys as soon as possible.



When Draco finally entered the bedroom, it was almost time for dinner. He looked at his sleeping prince for a moment before lying down with him. He brushed the dark locks off his face. Whispering, he declared, “Love, I swear, I will figure out a way to keep you safe and sane. I swear to you.”



Pausing a moment, he said a bit louder, “Harry, love, wake up. It’s time for dinner. Use the loo and come back to me.” Harry’s cock was full and heavy. Draco watched as crawled to the loo, cringing at the way Harry allowed himself to be humiliated. He longed for the man Harry would be when they could bond again, when the brunette would show his spine, but for now, he simply accepted the situation.



As Harry closed the door, Draco told him that if he came then, he would not be allowed to cum later. “Yes sir,” was the reply.



It was with a heavy heart he tried to make his erection go down. His hand was raised to strike when Draco opened the door. “Don’t do that!” He said. “Let it go. You will not injure yourself, period. For your sheer stupidity, you will remain hard.”



Draco knelt before him and Harry felt an instant tightness around his cock and balls. “I have been told that you perform well under pressure. Let’s see how much pressure you can take.” He stuck the tip of tongue out to the slit of Harry’s hard cock and pushed it in as far as it would go before his lips closed around the head. He and Harry’s eyes were locked, as Draco tasted him. Pulling away, returning to his feet, he looked into the green eyes and smirked.





Harry groaned. Draco smiled. “You will remain hard until after we return here tonight. If you do as told, and submit yourself to my instruction for the next hour or so, I will make your life wonderful. If you choose not to, I will keep this pressure on you until tomorrow night, at which time you will have another opportunity to please me.”



Gulping at the thought of remaining like this, he said, “Yes, Sir. Draco, will I have to crawl to you after I apologize tonight?”



Draco seemed to think it would be best, but decided that he could retain some dignity as long as he knelt on the floor at Draco’s feet. And he didn’t even want Harry to do that but Albus had insisted that it was necessary. Getting dressed, somewhat gingerly, they made their way to the Great Hall.



Everyone was already at dinner, the hall packed to the brim when they walked in, hand in hand, in full dress robes. Harry’s covered his erection, while Draco’s glamour made his appear to fall flawlessly over the bump in his belly. It took no encouragement for Harry to escort Draco to the Slytherin table and move forward to the head table.



After speaking to the Headmaster, he walked to the front of the dais and got everyone’s attention. “I would like to offer my apologies for my behavior since returning to school. I know it has been reprehensible and I will not be repeating my actions.” Turning, he said, “Professor Snape, please accept my apologies for the tantrum that caused the destruction of your classroom and living quarters. I have repaired it, but that does not excuse my actions. I apologize.”



“Thank you for that, Mr. Potter. Apology accepted.” It was all the professor had to say to him before returning to his meal.



Harry took that as his dismissal and returned to Draco. He dropped the last eight to ten feet and crawled to the blonde, before sitting with his head in his lap and his arms around the calf of the man he loved. Patting his head and finger feeding him, Draco praised his bravery at the apology and acceptance of his place.





Across the hall, Seamus Finnegan had lost his temper as well. Seeing Harry as a cowed dog crawling to his master, he could not keep quiet. His voice flew across the hall until there was a ‘THWACK’ sound, followed by a ‘THUD’ and an “I told you not to do that Finnegan. Next time you’ll remember my warnings. He’ll do what is best and you’ll leave him alone or have me to deal with.”



And when Draco looked up and across the hall to see Ron’s face, Ron nodded once as an acknowledgment while Seamus Finnegan lay sprawled against the wall holding his cheek from where Ron had hit him.



Harry just wanted to go back to their quarters and be praised more… perhaps get to please his Draco as well.