Alliances

Chapter 4

Snape stepped out into the morning light of Spinner’s End and watched the sun rise over. He grasped a cup of hot coffee in his hand as he stepped out onto his porch. It was quiet, and the light was slowly spreading out dispersing the night’s shadows. Spinner’s End was one of the many places he had been in the last couple of years. The Dark Lord kept him very busy with various potions and other dark deeds requiring his personalized touch. He had made Spinner’s End Unplottable, and here is where he retreated to when he felt he needed a rest. It was a part of Snape’s daily routine to take his morning cup of tea out and to greet the sun as it first rose over the horizon. It was very peaceful, and calming to watch the night retreat from the sun’s rays. Early in the mornings, before the students were up he could take time to himself to reflect on his plans for the day.

Of course, there weren’t any students here, nor would there be any ever again. That phase of his life was over. Never again would he have to face smug Gryffindor brats, or fumbling ragamuffin Hufflepuffs. He was finished with smart aleck Ravenclaws, and backstabbing punk Slytherins. Never again would he have to face an exploding Longbottom concoction. No more detentions, or staff meetings, or any of the other inane indignities he had to put with, during his day to day life as a Hogwarts' professor. He was finally free of all of that. Yes, those years were over. Whatever the future held, teaching was not going to be apart of it.

Snape thought on all this as he watched the sunrise. “Damn you Dumbledore. Damn you to Hades.”

“Now, now Severus you’ve already killed the man once. There is little point in cursing his name now. He can’t get any deader than dead,” a thin drawl carried over the air.

A tight lipped smile crossed Snape’s face as he turned to the speaker. “Lucius, don’t you have something better to do with your time than to disturb my morning absolutions. Last I checked you were missing an heir and several junior officers. I bet the Dark Lord is none to please with you.” Completely furious would be a more accurate description. Voldemort’s faith in Lucius had been very shaky ever since he liberated him, along with several other Death Eaters from Azkaban. In the grand pecking order of Death Eaters, Lucius Malfoy’s status was not as high as it once had been. Between his failure to obtain the prophecy, and the whole ‘Riddle Diary’ incident, his favor with Voldemort was low. He was barely on the fringe of the inner circle nowadays. This latest little fiasco might be just the final nail in his coffin with the Dark Lord.

“It’s about that matter that I called upon you today Severus. I was wondering if you would happen to know anything that would be useful in locating our wayward youngsters? You after all have been in a mentor capacity to many of them. I’m sure with your close association with them; you probably have a better idea than I would of where they might happen to have gotten themselves off to. No doubt, they’re off partying at some wild club or some other such lark, but still business is business after all.”

Snape looked at his old schoolmate with fondness and a grudging respect. Not only had he managed to minimize the severity of his son and a significant amount of younger Death Eaters gone missing to a wild party prank, he had also managed to slip in an insinuation that somehow Snape himself was the mastermind. Snape had to give Malfoy credit. He kept a cool head.

It wouldn’t work of course. Snape, had finally succeeded where many other Death Eaters had failed and managed to kill Dumbledore. It would take more than a few baseless accusations from Lucius Malfoy for him to lose face with the Dark Lord. “I can’t say that I’d know where the whereabouts of your son could be Lucius,” he replied, emphasizing the relationship between Lucius and Draco. “As you’re aware, I never had the delight of having children of my own, and am not as well versed in certain aspects of pureblood family magic, but as memory recalls shouldn’t there some sort of tracking charm or blood ritual that you can perform to be able to find children of your blood?” Snape parried with a condescending smirk. He cupped his morning coffee in both hands and swirled it around for warmth. He rarely got to dance wits with such a satisfying partner.

“Yes, of course there are spells. However, it would seem that those have been neutralized. I can’t speak for the others, but I’m sure Draco did it months ago avoid detection by that meddlesome Auror cousin of his, something Tonks. On the Black side of the family, her mother married a Muggle and now the daughter is in the Order. It’s only smart for Draco to have taken steps to avoid capture through blood ties. It would endanger any of his future missions.” Lucius calmly replied. “Anyways, it’s only been a couple of days. I’m sure that wherever Draco is he has everything well in hand. He’ll be back covered in the blood of 10 Muggles, and all of his young companions will be well trained up.”

The sad part of that statement, Snape decided, was he couldn’t tell if Lucius actually believed that or if he was just trying to cover his own skin. There was something to be said about the powers of self-delusion.

“Of course, you’re right Lucius. I’m sure that wherever Draco is he’s got everything well in hand.” Snape said without a hint of irony.
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Elsewhere in Godric's Hollow, Draco Malfoy was slowing waking up. He had stayed up into the wee hours of the night last night talking with various Slytherin's and making plans. As he awoke on the day, he thought about the events of the night before and a slow smile came to his face. He had waited so long, and now everything was finally going to plan. In the morning light he slowly started to stroke himself as he whispered a name, "Harry."
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When the same morning light came through Harry Potter's window, the first thoughts through his mind were about the night before. It was during moments like this that left Harry seriously questioning his own sanity. When he thought about his actions from last night he wanted to Obliviate himself with his own wand. There was no way he could look Malfoy in the eye ever again. He had been all shivery and trembling, practically melting in the other man's arms. Hell he might as well put on a dress and start going by Harriett, he couldn't have acted more like a women if he had tried.

What would Ron say, or Hermione, or anyone for that matter. I mean it had been Malfoy, Malfoy of all people. He's probably laughing it up with the other Slytherins right this second. They're probably having a huge laugh at stupid, needy Harry Potter. Some brave leader I've turned out to be. The guilt and pressure were making Harry's thoughts spin around in circles in his head.

He rolled over and tried to squash his morning wood into the mattress. Curse his stupid pecker, and curse Draco Malfoy, both were nothing but trouble. Then the answer came to him in a flash of brilliance, Hermione. And with that, Harry bounced off the bed and quickly got dressed. He had a brief moment of hesitation, before he stepped out of his room, but it was fairly early yet, and he was hoping that no one was about yet.

He quickly made his way down to the fireplace and threw in a handful of Floo Powder. "Distaff, Grimmauld Place," he said and waited impatiently for Hermione to answer.

After a little time had passed, he heard a familiar voice reply, "Distaff, Gamma-Hotel-23, here."

"Phoenix, Papa-Hotel-23. Distaff I need your help on something for Operation Dragon Claws. Sorry it's so early, but do you think you could pop over, just um...you alone please?" Harry stammered and tried not to sound too guilty.

After a heavy pause, Hermione replied, "Harry, err Phoenix, I'll be there in five minutes. I just have to tell someone where I'm going. Distaff out," and with that Hermione cut the connection. It was a long five minutes that had Harry nervously pacing back in forth in front of the mantle biting a ragged thumbnail. Deciding to not waste anymore time, he briefly connected with the ward magic on Godric's Hollow. Everyone was scattered through out the house and grounds, and there was no unusual magical activity occurring. When Hermione finally came through the fireplace Harry let out an audible sigh of relief. He tried not to noticeably fidget as they did identification protocols.

"Okay Harry, what's wrong?" Hermione asked once Harry assured her that the room was secured.

"I know the Ministry's supply of Time Turners was destroyed back in fifth year, but do you know where we can get access to one? Or maybe a spell that will duplicate the effects," Harry asked a little desperately.

With a slow blink, Hermione considered her friend. "I'm not sure Harry. There might be something, but it would take a lot of magic to do something like that. And you still haven't answered my question, what's going on?" Hermione was extremely curious by nature, and Harry's behavior was definitely setting off all kind of alarms in her head. She had not seen her friend so visibly upset in a very long time.

"It's just that, I've done something incredibly stupid. And I think it's best for everyone involved if I go back and fix it that's all. Yes that is to say, my credibility is now shot to hell. It could damage all the important negotiations that are going on right now. It's for everyone's best interest really. It could damage Operation Dragon Claws, and the war effort. Hell, it could change the tide of the war. What if Voldemort found out as well? This could be disastrous on so many levels. Everyone is going to die, because I made out with Draco Malfoy," Harry's voice had been visibly rising as he worked him up in a frenzy of worry and dread during his little monologue. When he got to the part about kissing Malfoy, Hermione's mouth dropped open as she could only stare at her long time friend in shock. Harry realizing that he had let the Kneazle out of the bag so to speak quickly shut his mouth. There was dead silence in the early morning light, and then Hermione started to let out chocked giggles. Harry's face turned bright red, and he tried to clamp down on his rising anger and humiliation. "It's not funny Hermione."

"Oh Harry, stop being such a Drama Queen." This sent Hermione off into another fit of giggles, as she realized her unintended pun.

"I'm glad to know my angst is so amusing to you. I'll make a mental note to put you on the Obliviate list along with Blaise and Crabbe. So that's a no on the Time Turner then?"

"Blaise and Crabbe too? Why is it that I always miss out on all the good Slytherin orgies? Although, Crabbe Harry? That's just yucky," Hermione said before finally collapsing in a nearby chair, overcome with her laughter.

"I'm glad my pain tickles you Hermione," Harry said in an artic voice.

Visibly collecting herself Hermione replied, "It's not that, but don't you think that you are blowing things up just a little bit. It's not like there is a huge stigma against homosexuality in the Wizarding World, like there is in the Muggles. No one will respect you any less because you like boys, it's not like it's even a secret. Ron and I've known since fourth year."

"What do you mean you've known since fourth year? I haven't done anything with a guy so how could you have known," Harry replied indignantly.

"Well honestly Harry, you didn’t think anyone was going to buy all of that, ‘insides count more than outsides’ stuff. I mean I have just two words to say about that, Cedric Diggory."

Harry flushed and defensively crossed his arms across his chest. "Anyways, I'm not upset about the guy factor," he said quickly changing the subject, "It's that it's Malfoy. How do I know this isn't some elaborate plot? Or even worse, just some petty game to him. I mean he did just come straight from the loins of Voldemort Land."

Harry went over to Hermione who was sitting on the couch. He sat down on the floor next to her, and rested his head on her lap like they used to do sometimes in the Gryffindor common room. This had always been a comfortable position for both of them to talk in. Hermione slowly stroked Harry's hair as she thought of the right advice to give her troubled friend.

"How does anyone ever know anything like that Harry? You should just listen to what your heart tells you. Harry you have some of the best instincts of anyone I've ever met. I think you already know exactly what to do. Something must have felt right, after all you did snog him last night. It’s going to be okay Harry, you're just feeling a little insecure this morning that’s all. It’s always scary to start a new relationship.”

"I think I have the right to be wary, all things considered."

"So are you never going to be with anyone ever? I hope not Harry, for your sake. Ron and I are very happy together, and we want the same thing for our best friend. Harry, don't live your life alone, too afraid to be hurt. That's not the Harry we all know and love; the Sorting Hat put you into Gryffindor for a reason Harry."

Harry turned his face into Hermione's lap and mumbled something against her legs.

"What was that Harry?"

"I said, everyone I love dies," he mumbled hugging her to him tightly.

"Oh Harry, I know it seems that way, but you know that's not true. I think the question you should be asking yourself is 'Would your parents, Sirius, or Dumbledore want you to spend the rest of your life alone?' If you did that Harry, Voldemort would win, even if you killed him tomorrow, he’s spirit would still win if you lived your life without love. Don't let him have that Harry, don't let their sacrifices have been empty ones."

Harry was silent for a bit, before standing up and pulling Hermione into a tight hug. "Thanks, 'Mione."

"No problem, Phoenix," she joked.

"Does Ron really not have a problem with you know stuff?" Harry asked.

"Well to be honest Harry, he might have a problem with the whole Malfoy thing. I mean the Weasleys and the Malfoys have been at each other's throats for generations. That isn't going to change overnight. But as for the whole gay thing, Ron isn't stupid. Actually, he was the one that pointed out all the signs to me. We didn't say anything because clearly you were in some sort of denial, and we decided to let you come to us when you were ready to deal with it. But I don't think anyone was more relieved than Ron when you and Ginny split up in sixth year. I think the only one who didn't see that one coming was you Harry. Why do you think he's always yammering on about Charlie to you?"

"Well Charlie is wickedly cool, and he does have that bitchin' earring, and those dragon leather pants," Harry shivered.

"Don't forget sexy six pack abs, tight bun-buns as well," Hermione replied.

Harry bust into laughter, "You said bun-buns."

Hermione blushed, and then started to giggle. “Shut up Harry.”