MINE

Thanks go to Strife who helped me with my punctuation. All other mistakes would be mine.


Chapter Four


Dear Harry,

That box sounds odd. Why would your relatives have a box full of wizarding pictures? Have you had a chance to look through them yet? Sorry I didn’t write back straight away, but father and I had to go to some Death Eater estate. Supposedly . . . he died in his sleep. Old Voldie ordered father to gather any dark artifacts from the place. We managed to pick up quite a few books, that may help in the fight against old snake face.

Can’t you go to the Weasley’s or Grimmauld Place? You shouldn’t be taking that abuse Harry. I’d love to have you here, but Voldemort has been visiting quite regularly.

Did the ‘greeting’ break anything this time? I can send my owl with some healing potions if you need it. Please don’t be the stubborn Gryffindor, and not ask for help when you need it.

As for your cousin, I am glad he’s not as much of a git towards you. He can do magic you say? You’ll have to ask Dumbledore why he didn’t receive a letter also. Maybe he could get some training somehow. Does your aunt and uncle know?

Have you narrowed down what spell you’ll use on your uncle after your birthday? You’ll be of age finally. My advice is to make sure it’s long lasting and painful.

I must sign off now Harry. Please take care of yourself, and keep in contact with me so I know that you’re okay.

Draco


~*~


Draco,

It’s been two weeks since I’ve been here, and I’m already wishing I was back in school. Normally, I would probably be at the Burrow by now, or planning on it, but the Weasleys have gone to Romania to visit Charlie, and his husband Jayden. Ron was looking forward to it, seeing the dragons that Charlie trains. Grimmauld Place has been off limits since Voldemort found out about it through Bellatrix and Narcissa’s memories. I guess Sirius managed to obliviate them before he died. I had thought the location was safe under a ‘fidelius charm’, unless one of the order members had let something slip, or had a tracking device placed on them by a one of Voldemort’s lackeys. You’ll have to ask Lucius about that.

The pictures are rather odd. By the looks of them, they are distant relatives of the Evans’. Some are group shots of a reunion. A woman in the picture looks remarkably like my mum. It looks like mum wasn’t muggle born after all. What’s curious, is that there is a man . . . a rather good looking man, with dark hair and long wings, rather like angel wings, but very dark. There’s also a few pictures of mum’s look-alike kissing this man. There are news clippings about this same woman . . . her name was Shera Evans. She was banished from their village when her husband found out she was having an affair, and was pregnant with the other man’s child. The date on the clipping was in the 1700\'s. Aunt Petunia knew of the shoe box, but not about the contents. She told me she tried to dispose of it several times, but it would appear back with her again.

With Dudley, I’ve given him my first and second year books to read, and have helped him with some spells . . . without the actual wand waving, obviously. Aunt Petunia knows, and tries to give us some time to study, by taking uncle out of the house every day.

This also helps, that Uncle Vernon has less chance to lay a hand on me. Nothing broken, but more bruises. Funny thing is . . . and it pisses him off more, is that the bruises disappear by the next day. I’m not so fevered anymore, but I find my tastes are more picky. I’ve been eating plain bread, fruit, and drinking plenty of water. I’ve also changed a bit in appearance. My hair is a darker color . . . almost totally black now. I’ve grown a couple of inches and my face has narrowed a bit. I also do not need my glasses anymore. The lights seem to bother my eyes though, as well as on very sunny days.

As for my uncle . . . I’m thinking of several spells to use. But I also don’t want to end up in Azkaban for hexing him. He’s not worth it. I would like to get my aunt away from him though. Dudley tells me when I’m not here, she gets the brunt of the abuse.

Merlin! I can’t believe I wrote this much. I still have to write the weekly note to the Order. Thank you for keeping my confidences Draco. You’ve been a great brother. I’ve been thinking of that ritual lately, when we bonded as brothers. I still have that scar on the palm of my hand where we connected, our blood and magic binding. I still do not regret it.

Thinking of you,
Harry


Harry finished writing in the journal, careful to hide it away when he was done. He wrote a quick note, then met Vernon in the kitchen, where he read it over first, before they went to the shed. Harry tied the rolled note to Hedwig’s leg, pet her on the head a few times, then let her out to deliver his weekly Order letter, to tell them he was okay.

“You will lock it in when it gets back. I will check when I get back from work tonight,” Vernon warned, pulling Harry out by the collar of his shirt. “You will do yard work, and it better be done when I get home.”

Harry went back in the shed to gather some gardening tools, as he heard his uncle’s car drive off. Aunt Petunia soon came out, purse in hand. “Harry, I’m off to work at the seniors home. Sandwiches and juice are in the fridge for you and Dudders. It’s going to be a hot day today, so make sure you rest a bit, and change into something cooler than your jeans,” she said, giving him a tired smile.

“Thank you Aunt Petunia,” Harry smiled, following her into the house to change into a pair of cutoff jeans and tank top, and to retrieve his sunglasses that Dudley got for him the other day. He enjoyed this weekly chore. He liked being outdoors, working on the yard, feeling a sense of freedom outside of his rooms.

He began in the front yard, mowing and trimming the grass, then went on to weed the garden. Dudley sat on the front steps, watching Harry, and talking about the magical world. Harry knew Dudley would help, but Vernon may find out from the gossiping neighbors, and Dudley didn’t want him to be abused more because of it. He usually helped in the backyard though, away from wandering eyes. What Harry didn’t realize though, was that there were plenty of people that watched him work, especially the young girls, and the few boys that looked on hungrily, as he worked shirtlessly in the front yard, his shirt discarded during the mowing of the lawn. He was not overly large, but his body was toned, the play of muscles glistening under the sweltering sun. Over the past few weeks he’s noticed that he’s lost some of his bulkiness from years playing quidditch, and the intensive training he’s been going through. He was glad the changes he was experiencing didn’t make him too slender or girlish. He was slowly getting used to some of the changes and hoped there weren’t too many more in store for him.

Harry had just doused himself with the hose to cool off and clean up, before he sat down with Dudley in the backyard for some lunch, when he heard the front doorbell through the open screen door.

“I’ll get it,” Dudley said, getting up. “Sit down and eat.” Harry eagerly complied, crossing his trainer clad feet at the ankles, and leaned back on the chair, chewing his first bite of apple.

“I’ve been worried about you, and your lazing around in the sun,” A voice said from the doorway.

Harry looked up to see Dudley looking at him questionably, with two blonde men standing beside him. Draco and Lucius Malfoy, dressed in muggle clothing. “You shouldn’t be here,” Harry said, getting up. “If my uncle comes home and sees you, he’ll have my hide.”

“Your uncle will be busy all afternoon, giving tours of the company to perspective buyers,” Lucius smirked, looking around the immaculately kept back yard.

“You okay Harry?” Draco asked, looking Harry over for any injuries. “We brought some healing potions if you need it.”

Harry looked worriedly to Lucius, who was also looking him over. “You promised you wouldn’t say anything Dray,” he quietly said, looking back at Draco.

“I didn’t tell him Harry,” Draco said.

“He did not break his word Harry,” Lucius said. “Voldemort knows of your abuse, as does some of his inner circle. Only Severus and myself know, other than Draco, from the Order.”

“So, why are you here?” Harry asked. “Not that I don’t mind seeing you, but no one from the Order usually checks up on me.”

“I explained to dad some of the changes you’ve been going through, the shoe box, and Dudley. We wanted to see the changes ourselves,” Draco replied.

“Were you bruised yesterday?” Lucius asked.

“Yes,” Harry quietly replied.

“His arm also had a large burn on it, from the stove burner,” Dudley said, ignoring the glare from Harry. “Sorry Harry, they needed to know.”

“And you feel nothing now?” Lucius asked, picking up Harry’s arm to look closer at it.

“No.”

“And you need the sunglasses most of the time now?” Lucius asked, motioning to the glasses perched on the top of his head.

“Bright sunlight, or the lights inside bother me, especially the flourescent lights in the kitchen. It gives me a wicked headache,” Harry replied.

“Your hair is quite a bit longer too,” Draco said, sifting his fingers through the back of Harry’s hair, that now rested just past his shoulders. “Really soft too.”

“Do you know what’s happening to me Lucius?” Harry asked, leaning into Draco’s touch.

“Many young wizards and witches go through a change on their sixteen, or seventeenth birthday. Some are just magical power boosts, as others gain some kind of inheritances like veela or vampire. Your changes can be any number of those things. Veela have a slender frame, beautiful in features . . . and you certainly are a sight to behold,” Lucius grinned, looking at Harry’s face and body, and the blush that rose up on his face. “Vampires are very sensitive to sunlight. When you are practicing your wandless magic, is it easier?”

“Yes, and I find I don’t need to say the spell sometimes, but just think it. I’ve been practicing with Dudley. I can do most first and second year spells wandlessly now,” Harry said, banishing his apple core in thin air. “So, I’m turning into more of a freak now, right?” He asked, looking out at the gardens.

“You were not before, and you never will be, a freak Harry,” Lucius said, stepping close to cup the side of Harry’s face with his hand. “You are an exceptionally gifted and powerful wizard. You will never be a freak,” he softly added.

“Thanks Lucius,” Harry said, returning the smile. “How’s Remus?” He quietly asked.

“How . . . ?”

“I can smell him on you,” Harry smirked.

“No one knows yet Harry,” Lucius whispered back, not bothering to deny the fact to Harry. “Your senses have become sharper?” He asked, a little bit more loudly as he stepped back.

“My eyesight, hearing, sense of smell, and tastes are getting stronger every day. I also see colors around certain people.”

“Colors? Since when Harry?” Draco asked.

“Since this morning. It’s kind of distracting really. Draco, you have kind of a fushia glow about you, as Lucius, yours is darker . . . fuller.”

“What about your cousin?” Lucius asked.

“A pale pink.”

“And your aunt and uncle?” Draco asked.

“Uncle Vernon, there is nothing, while Aunt Petunia’s is white.”

“What does that mean Harry?” Dudley asked, trying to see the colors around their guests.

“It means that Harry can see other people’s magic . . . their auras. The darker the color, the stronger they are magically,” Lucius replied.

“And my mum?” Dudley asked.

“She is a squib. No magical abilities whatsoever,” Draco explained, remembering the lesson from Defense classes about magical abilities.

“I’ve also talked to Albus about your cousin Dudley here,” Lucius said, seeing Harry look out at the garden again, deep in thought.

“Why don’t you talk to Dudley about it, while I finish the yard,” Harry said, taking the few steps down from the porch. “I have to finish it before Uncle Vernon comes home.”

“I can help you Harry,” Dudley said, getting up.

“No, Lucius can tell you better what’s going on. I’ve done this myself before, I’ll do it again,” Harry replied, motioning for the two of them to sit down.

“I can help you Harry,” Draco offered.

“And get dirt under those nice clean nails,” Harry teased. “I think not. I’ll just mow the lawn, then you can talk to me while I weed the garden.”

Draco sat on the step, and watched Harry push and pull the gas powered lawn mower, while the other two talked behind him. It was no hardship watching his brother’s physique as he went back and forth in front of him. He knew plenty of wizards back at school that would love to be in his place, like Seamus Finnigan from Gryffindor, and Sean Riley from Slytherin. He waited until Harry stowed away the machine, and gave Hedwig a tender ruffle under the chin, who had just flown in, then joined him on the ground.

“Just use some of your wandless magic Harry. It would save you loads of time,” Draco said, watching Harry kneeling over the garden, occasionally throwing a weed into a bucket at his side.

“I do sometimes, but I find it’s relaxing doing it the old fashioned way,” Harry shrugged.

“Well, the ‘old fashioned’ way is very dirty,” Draco smirked.

“Yes, it is,” Harry grinned, reaching out to smear some dirt on Draco’s cheek before the blonde knew what he was about.

“I can’t believe you did that,” Draco shrieked, the corner of his lips quirking up.

“Well, now that you’re dirty, maybe you can get off your arse and help me,” Harry laughed.

Lucius looked over at Harry and Draco, when he heard his son’s shriek, then his laughter. He was amazed when Draco actually knelt down beside Harry, to help pull out weeds, and the occasional, accidental flower. It was a sight he never thought to see, his son doing menial work.

“They’re good friends, aren’t they?” Dudley asked, happy to see Harry laughing.

“They weren’t always, but Harry saved Draco’s life one day, playing quidditch. Draco had gotten hit on the head with a bludger, and he was falling unconscious off his broom, when Harry caught him, and flew him straight to the infirmary in the school. His fast thinking saved his life. In front of others they are still rivalries, in private and in the company of close friends, they are close, like brothers. Harry has helped Draco become a better person,” Lucius replied. “He would have never dirtied his hands a year ago, like he is now,” he smirked.

“Can you get Harry out of here?” Dudley asked.

“I’ve asked numerous times, and was told he had to stay here for a bit longer. Voldemort is hunting for him, and this . . . believe it or not, is the safest place for him,” Lucius said.

“But he’s not safe from my father,” Dudley said, looking down at Harry, who had just put a flower behind Draco’s ear in jest. “Why can’t he go to that school of his early?”

“They are re-warding the school and grounds right now. It takes several weeks, as there are so many layers to each part of the school to ward. With him staying here, it also makes the blood protection stronger, keeps you and your mother safe as well.”

“As selfish as this sounds, I like having him here. We were never close, and there are a lot of things I need to atone for with him, on how I treated him over the past years. We will never be close like he is with Draco there, but I hope to be his friend. He’s been helping me quite a bit, explaining some things about the wizarding world,” Dudley said.

“He’s taught quite a few students back at Hogwarts many things to help them magically. It wouldn’t surprise me if he were to become a professor of some kind in the future. As for you,” he smiled, looking from Harry to Dudley, “Albus has requested you come to Hogwarts for a week to see how strong your magic is, and for you to pick out a wand.”

“When?” Dudley asked.

“In about a weeks time,” Lucius replied. “Your father has been told that a new sports facility will be opening, and that we are interested in you becoming a spokesperson for this new venture, after we saw your last boxing competition. I will be coming back tonight to talk about the facility with your parents, and how we want you, to represent us. He agreed.”

“He’ll want to come along,” Dudley said.

“He’ll be busy with new contracts at work,” Lucius smirked.

After arrangements were made, and goodbyes were exchanged, Dudley and Harry finished off the yard, then carefully put the tools away before going into the house. Harry snatched up a few apples for his supper as he made his way upstairs to take a shower, and change into a clean pair of jeans and tank top. He dressed for comfort, as he would be working on the back deck, applying the yearly coat of stain, later that day.

By the time Dudley got out of the shower, Aunt Petunia was home and already preparing supper, with Harry at her side, cutting vegetables for the stew that he would not be eating that night.



After Vernon had his fill of supper, he went up to Harry’s room. Harry heard him coming and braced himself for the inevitable beating. “Should I start the staining now, Sir?” Harry asked, getting up to try to walk past his uncle, who stood in the doorway of his room.

“You did not finish your work today boy,” Vernon sneered, pulling on Harry’s arm to drag him out of the room.

Harry was halfway down the stairs, when he felt the push from behind him. He couldn’t catch the railing in time, before falling down the remaining six stairs. He lay at the bottom of the stairs, his body stinging in pain from the fall. He was just mentally cataloguing his injuries of new bumps and bruises, when he was hauled to his feet and dragged to, and out, the door.

“Clean off the driveway and sidewalk,” Vernon ordered. “There are grass and muddy footprints. Make sure it is spotless. We have important people coming over tonight.”

Harry wordlessly got out the hose, trying to ignore the pains all over his body from the fall. He reached up to his cheek, feeling a gash where his cheek hit the bottom stair. He knew who was coming over and why. Dudley had told him after the Malfoys left.

He cleaned off the driveway, and sidewalk, then wandlessly did a quick dry spell on the grass edge and flowers, so he or anyone else wouldn’t track any more mud. He rolled the hose in the garage, and went out to the back yard to gather his brushes and stain, then slowly set to work on the deck.


~*~


“Boy, get the door,” Harry heard, bellowed by his uncle a couple of hours later. He put his brush down and rolled his eyes, his sunglasses hanging from the front of his shirt.

“Yes, Sir,” Harry replied, wiping his hands on the cloth hanging from the belt loop of his jeans.

Harry’s head then was wrenched to the side, as the flat of Vernon’s hand hit Harry’s still rather sore cheek. “Don’t take that tone with me, Boy. You’ll respect me. Now answer the door,” Vernon glared.

Harry hung his head down as he answered the door. He immediately smelled Lucius, then inhaled deeply the new scent before him. Lucius had brought someone with him. Harry moved a bit closer, as he slowly looked up, licking his lips, as the intoxicating scent took over his senses, to meet the obsidian eyes of one Severus Snape. A Severus Snape that looked good in black fitted pants, and a burgundy button down shirt tucked in at the waist, the top two buttons undone. His hair, away from the boiling cauldrons, looking soft and shiny in the loose ponytail at the back.

“Ah, do come in,” Vernon greeted, elbowing Harry to the side. “Don’t mind the boy, he was working in the back,” he added, glaring at Harry.

Harry nodded and went out to the back porch, the scent of Severus still with him.

“It’s a beautiful evening. Do you perhaps have a back porch to sit, while we discuss the details?” Lucius asked, after seeing the effects Harry had on his long time friend.

“Of course,” Petunia smiled, leading them through the kitchen to the side screened in porch. “It is rather a beautiful night. Shame to waste it. I’ll see to our refreshments, while you make yourselves more comfortable.”

After everyone was seated again, Lucius and Dudley kept Vernon’s gaze away from Harry, talking of plans for Dudley’s future, a front for him to visit Hogwarts. Of course, there will be pictures taken of Dudley, but in a facility that does not actually exist. He had brought Severus along so he could see the changes in Harry, to help determine what type of heritage he would be getting. That was one thing he was sure of, but just didn’t know the kind. He didn’t expect to see new bruises, and the cut on the cheek, so soon after just seeing him that afternoon. It was also interesting to see the interaction between Harry and Severus, when they were greeted at the door.

Lucius would not have been surprised to hear Severus’s thoughts at that moment. Severus watched Harry, the voices near him droning on, adding the occasional comment or glance to the others when needed. He was told of some of Harry’s changes, but to see them, left him enthralled. He was beautiful, even with the bruising. His hands clenched at his side, thinking of inflicting some bruises of his own on the whale of a man sitting across from him. When Harry had answered the door, his height almost equal to his, his body reacted instantly to the vision before him. And when those startling green eyes, which were a brighter green, locked with his, and the tongue darted out to lick those lips, he wanted to slam Harry to the wall, to press his body to his, as he ravaged those lips. He was thankfully interrupted out of his erotic daydream, when Lucius handed him his drink.

“So, how long did you say, Dudley would need to be there?” Vernon asked.

“A week for the promotional ad campaign,” Severus replied, turning his gaze to Vernon. “If he’s interested, we have a full training curriculum where he could learn more on boxing techniques, anatomy, and medicine. All very beneficial to be a great boxer. What better way to know the strengths and weaknesses of ones body.”

“Sports medicine, that would be something I would be interested in,” Dudley said. “I won’t be able to box forever. Is there extended training if I wish to further my studies in a specific field?”

“Yes, there are several schools, or institutions that specialize in healing,” Lucius replied, seeing that Dudley’s interest to study medicine was sincere.

“And, if he is accepted, he already has a sponsor that will pay for his tuition and books,” Lucius said. Harry had taken Lucius aside before they left that afternoon, and had said he would pay for what was needed for his cousin. Harry had more than enough money, with his parents, Sirius’s, and his share of Weasley’s Wizarding Wheezies, in his vaults.

Severus thought he contributed enough to the conversation, and turned his attention back to Harry. He was surprised to see the cut on his cheek almost healed, the swelling gone down, and the bruises diminishing. A warmth spread through his body as he watched Harry reach up to tie the back of his hair at the nape of his neck, then pull up the front of his shirt to wipe the sweat from his brow. He licked his lips as he saw the wide expanse of Harry’s tanned chest and stomach, his eyes following the light dusting of darker hair, from his navel into the loose waist band of his jeans. The jeans themselves were a temptation, as they hung low on his hips, with the many tears in the denim showing skin, as he reached and kneeled down in front of him.

“So, we will be back in two days Dudley, to take you to our facilities,” Lucius smiled, getting up and nudging Severus’s shoulder to get his attention. “The young man there, is welcome to visit also,” he added, motioning towards Harry.

“No, we need the boy here. Petunia here needs help around the house, and as you can see, the boy is busy working on the deck. We would be lost without him here,” Vernon oily smiled, leading the two of them to the front door.

“Nice try Lucius,” Harry sighed under his breath, after hearing their whole conversation through the screen as he worked.

The rest of the day, Harry was left alone to finish staining the deck, then prepare for bed as his aunt and uncle made plans with Dudley downstairs. He slept peacefully that night, with images of Severus over him, slowly kissing him, hands undressing him, as those lips moved lower down his neck. A warm hand slid down his stomach to his erection, slowly stroking the length.

As Harry slept, his own hand stroked his cock in time with his dream Severus’. He gave a low moan as he came, the feel of soft lips, still on his lips from the dream kiss. He sighed softly, as he rolled onto his side while sleeping, snuggling deeper under the thin blanket.


tbc

Note: Thank you all so much for the reviews. I live for them! Just a quick response on one from anitpyro who reviewed on Sept. 27/05.....Poppy couldn\'t read what was wrong with Harry, because his magic was blocking the scan, showing nothing much out of the ordinary for a growing young man. Rick is a friend of Dudley\'s, nothing more. He is a person that won\'t be in the fic again, besides just a mention of him. Dudley is not gay....sorry. I\'ve recieved quite a few comments on Dudley being nice.... I\'d like to think we all grow up at some time in our lives.

Thanks again for all the support and eager requests for more. The story is about 17 chapters long I believe and finished in written form. Just typing it out, sending chapters out to Strife to beta, then making her and a few more adjustments on my end before I get it out to you.

~tas