Viper Weed (Remix)

Chapter 4


Lucius Malfoy was not a happy man. Granted, he was filthy rich, had a large house and grounds a beautiful wife and a handsome son. However, he also had a connection to the Dark Lord burning into his arm, several severe legal accusations from members of the wizarding world, and a mission that he was getting nowhere with.


The pain in his arm didn't bother him. It was still excruciating, but he had become used to its surprises. The lawsuits didn't bother him. He was a Malfoy, and had enough power, prestige and money to sort that out. No, it was his mission that was really bothering him.


A few weeks ago his Master had called him to his side, whispered a few choice orders and sent him away. Lucius had searched and searched until he had finally collapsed with exhaustion. This was getting nowhere, and getting him nothing. There was no sign of the beast from anyone, no matter how much the papers had mentioned sightings and names. As it turned out, most of the names weren't even real. How the hell was he supposed to find a giant snake- like plant anyway?


With a sigh Lucius headed into his study. His body ached and his mind was exhausted. However, he was a Malfoy, and pulling all emotion off his face he put his mask on and apparated to the Dark Lord. This report was going to hurt.

---

Harry and Hermione entered the Potions classroom in a flurry of clothes and books, drawing the attention of the entire class, including an irritated Snape who was in the middle of explaining the day's potion.


"We're sorry we're late, sir." Hermione said quickly.


"Five points each." He said before turning back to the class at large. Harry and Hermione scurried to their seats next to Ron. For a moment every pair of eyes in the room was fixed on Harry and his different appearance, and there were many openly curious or sneering stares.


"Today we will be brewing a particularly complicated potion, so it is of the utmost importance that you pay attention to what I tell you, unless something…unfortunate should happen. Although the likelihood of anything of that nature happening is somewhat lessened by Mr Longbottom's absence from the class this year." Snape said in his usual, quiet, calculating voice.


"We will be brewing a diluted version of the Helldancer potion today. Can anyone tell me the effects of the Helldancer?" Hermione immediately put up her hand, but as always, Snape passed her over and instead chose Malfoy.


"The Helldancer induces a deep fit of rage in the user, similar to bloodlust, but the mind stays completely focussed. It is much stronger as it effects not only the body, but the magic as well, amplifying the strength. If used for too long there is a cost of some of the life force of the user. Dark Wizards often used the Helldancer in wars, as the ingredients themselves are not too hard to obtain. However, it takes the user a long while to recuperate, and if the user takes too large a dose there is a possibility of death." Draco said smugly.


"Very good Mr Malfoy. Ten points to Slytherin." Snape said equally smugly. "The ingredients to be used are Dragon's blood, Belladonna, Hellebore, rat spleen, and Snapdragons, which happen to be a cousin of the Viper Weed. I will write the instructions on the board for you. Once again, any mistakes are on your own head."


He carried on talking, and began to write on the board, but Harry was unable to concentrate anymore. He had tuned out the moment Snape had mentioned Snapdragons. The muggle variety was harmless, but the wizarding version was very similar to the Viper Weed, only less harmful and more thoroughly researched.


Harry's knuckles clenched and went white against the table. He could feel something like anger building in his chest, but this was different, more primal and far more powerful.


"Finnigan pair with Zabini, Lavender with Nott, Granger with Bulstrode, Potter with Malfoy, Weasley with Crabbe…" Snape continued to list off the names, and Harry rose mechanically from his seat and moved over to the empty seat beside Draco.


"Morning sunshine. I take it you dislike Snape's choice of ingredients." Draco said conversationally. "Well that's just too bad." He smirked and Harry looked at him blankly, trying to control the feeling in his chest.


"Do you want to chop or stir Potter?" Draco said with surprising generosity for him, but Harry knew it was just because he knew that Harry would dislike either.


"Stir." Harry said tightly.


"Are you sure? Because Snape's right. You really don't want to mess up the Helldancer. It's called that for a reason you know." Draco said teasingly. Harry only nodded and forced a thin smile.


Getting the ingredients was bad. Harry couldn't stop looking at those Snapdragons, all dried up. Soon it got much worse, because Draco started chopping them up and then pulverising them, and Harry had to remind himself several times not to lunge at the other boy and try and mortally injure him.


Harry began mixing carefully, taking care to stir correctly, in the right direction the right number of times. Draco for his part made sure that the ingredients went in at the right times. They worked in silence for half of the lesson until the time came to put the Snapdragons in.


"You have to do it. I can't help with this." Harry said through his clenched teeth.


"What? I have to add them steadily, and you have to stir. I can't do both at the same time." Draco said impatiently, because the time to add them was drawing near.


"I can't. Look, get Pansy to do it or something. I can't help you." Draco just shot him an incredulous look.


"What the fuck are you on about Potter? Stir the damn potion!"


"No." Harry said through gritted teeth.


"Potter, what the fuck is wrong with stir-" Draco began, only to be cut short by Harry's fist closing around his neck.


"Trust me on this one Malfoy. I am this close to putting you in the potion."


"Merlin's beard Potter, let me down will you?" Draco hissed quietly. Harry obliged, and was surprised to see the other boy edge further away from him. Draco quickly asked Pansy to help, and then the Snapdragons were in and stirred in, and Harry could take over again. Harry found himself equally surprised that Draco hadn't called Snape over, but the other boy had changed in this past year and lost some of his bitterness, and now just treated Harry with simple disdain. They worked in silence once more before Draco spoke.


"I thought that for a moment…" He began before trailing off and giving Harry an odd look.


"What is it Malfoy?"


"You…your eyes just looked creepy then. When you threatened me." Harry looked at the other boy's face, trying to analyse the emotion behind those slate grey eyes, but the other boy had shut off everything.


"Just one of the perks of being half plant." Harry tried to jest, but it came out without humour, so instead he turned his attention back to trying not to overturn the potion and attack the potions master.


When the lesson drew to a close, Snape called for the samples of the potion to be brought up to his desk. The glass vials all ranged from a pale red to such a deep red that it was almost black. Harry and Draco's potion was on the latter end of that scale.


"Now, one of the students will sample the potion." Snape's eyes ranged over the class, and finally came to rest on Harry.


What the bloody hell is he playing at? You'd think he was trying to make me kill someone, what with using Snapdragons and now testing it one me! What if he wants to get me expelled? No…he wouldn't do that, he needs to study me for results of the plant. What then?Then Harry caught on. He's doing the experiment. Damn him. Damn him to hell.


"Mr Potter. I hope for your sakes that you brewed the potion correctly."


Harry rose slowly, shaking with repressed anger. That feeling in his chest was growing, and he could feel his eyes narrowing, his fingers tensing, and he hadn't even drunk the damn thing yet. Finally he made it to Snape's desk, and looked the man full in the face. He was sure that if the other man hadn't shut his emotions off his face what he would be seeing is fear now.


He took his vial containing a deep red liquid and looked at it. In front of him, Snape was erecting a shield that separated Harry from the rest of the class. The vial practically glowed with such a deep red. It looked like congealing blood, reminding Harry that in a moment he would be drinking the blood of his kindred, his fellow plants. That burn in him flared up suddenly, and now it was mixed with the feeling of the magical pull that he'd felt when Draco had done magic. Only this time it was much stronger. Snape was obviously not taking any chances with the shield.


"Drink, Potter." Snape said offhandedly.


And, in a fit of deep rage, Harry did. For a moment there was nothing, and then something exploded behind his eyes. The world looked like it was drenched in the same potion he'd just drunk. The feeling in his chest spread out to the rest of his body, and he felt the most in-tune with his magic, the most powerful he'd ever felt. And he felt like he needed to get to Snape. To tear…to rip to maim, to do the same that the man had done to his plants.


With a start he realised that he could still feel the pull of the magic from the shield. Right now that was the only thing standing in between him and Snape. With a howl that rang through the classroom with his evolved voice Harry crashed into the barrier, trying to get every bit of available skin against it. Then, when he was sure he had latched on properly, he began to pull back, pull the magic into him, and it flowed into his veins like raw energy.


In front of him Snape let out a hoarse yell and clutched the edge of the desk to keep from falling backwards. The man struggled for a moment but then the resistance suddenly gave way, and Harry felt the magic pouring freely into him. Harry roared, and the shield shattered, shards flying out and then zooming back towards him, absorbing into his flesh everywhere they hit.


He took a moment to pause and survey the surroundings. Everyone in the class was silent, frozen in fear all eyes fixed on him. With a smile, Harry's attention slid to the unconscious potions master who now lay slumped across the desk. He crossed swiftly; lifting the man's head and looking at his pulse, wondering where to start.


It was then that he realised that something was wrong. There was something about the smell of the man, the way his pulse moved, his irregular breathing, and it all hit him at the same moment that Snape jerked upright, throwing a vial full of clear liquid in his face. Harry jumped backwards, and shook himself like a dog, his hair sticking out at odd angles. He made a move towards the potions master, but then he realised that the rage was fading down to a manageable level, tracing back to his chest.


"The unfortunate part of the Helldancer is that salt water combats the effects, reducing the enraged user to a normal level." Snape paused to smirk at Harry, but Harry did not miss the way the man swayed slightly. "Class dismissed. Apart from you Mr Potter."

---

Harry stood panting breathlessly beside Snape's desk. The older man had resumed his seat and had slumped slightly out of his usually perfect posture, betraying how bad he was really feeling.


"It seems that you are displaying some very dangerous tactics Mr Potter." Said Snape thoughtfully.


"You shouldn't have provoked me then." Harry said bitterly.


"You knew full well that I was going to implement some experiments." Snape snapped.

"I somehow doubt that it was with Dumbledore's permission, sir." Harry shot back, adding the ‘sir' on as an afterthought.


"Five points," Snape said absentmindedly. "And I can assure you that it was with the Headmaster's complete permission. In fact, he was the one who suggested it, although I believe that future experiments should be conducted outside of the classroom."


"I took down your shield." Harry said quietly, mulling the information over.


"Yes, it would appear so. One of the adaptations of larger plants is the absorption of magic from their victims. It would seem that you too share this capability, although I would hardly call myself a victim." Snape continued to look thoughtful, not really paying attention to what he was saying.


"Sir? Can I go now?" Harry asked.


"Yes, yes. But do not, under any circumstances attempt that on any fellow student." Harry turned to go but remembered he had something to ask.


"Can I have my wand back now?"


"Yes, I have been instructed to give it back to you. I don't support the idea however." Snape said, handing him his wand and turning back to marking his papers.

---

Harry hurried to catch up with the others, who had travelled out to the grounds by Hagrid's hut for Care of Magical Creatures. He was surprised to find Draco lounging outside the potions classroom for him when he left though.


"Potter." Draco greeted him.


"Malfoy. What are you doing here?" Harry asked, suspicious.


"I'm supposed to escort you around, remember? Dumbledore's punishment for me." Draco replied carelessly, already walking away. Harry followed him silently, and after awhile the other boy began talking again.


"What you did in potions was quite impressive." Draco gave Harry a calculating look. "How did you break Snape's shield? He's a powerful wizard, you shouldn't have been able to."


"I…I don't really know." Harry answered, replaying the scenario in his mind.


"Come on Potter, you must have some idea." Draco pushed.


"I just…absorbed his magic. I could feel it, and where it was coming from." Harry stuttered.


"Could you do it again? Say, if I were to do magic now?" Draco asked, curiously, but there was a hint of something in his eyes that Harry didn't like. Harry did a quick mental calculation and then picked his answer.


"No. I mean I doubt it. I think it was a one time thing." He said unconvincingly.


"Really." Draco replied, before withdrawing his wand and muttering something under his breath. This time a silvery dragon sprung from his wand, glowing and glittering in the light.


As soon as Draco muttered those words Harry felt the familiar tug in his chest, and he had to fight hard not to act. He just wanted to reach out, snap his jaws shut on that dragon then turn to its master.


Harry realised that Draco was watching him very carefully, and tried to school his expression into one of neutrality, but since he'd turned his attention to the blond he couldn't help staring hungrily. Then, with a jolt, he realised that Draco had flicked his wand, and the dragon glided gently over to him, hovering around his head. Harry couldn't restrain himself.


His jaws snapped shut over the tender thread of magic, and he could feel it running over his tongue, down his throat and into his veins. His eyes glowed unnaturally, and he turned to the boy beside him.


Draco looked positively edible. He'd backed up against the wall when the first tug came, his heart beating fast. As Harry watched, a light sheen of sweat broke out over his skin, and the emotionless slate grey eyes became stormy and wild, not breaking from his own stare.


Harry lunged suddenly at him, pushing him up against the wall and pressing close. Then his mouth was on his neck, biting and sucking, the magic flowing off him in streams. Draco's breathing had slowed now, and Harry could see he was fading quickly. He clawed at the boy's flesh, drawing more and more magic out, feeling the need to do so grow.


That all stopped when his mouth closed over Draco's soft lips. He pulled him into a passionate kiss, and the boy dazedly responded. Then Harry felt the most unpleasant feeling, the feeling of his magic being sucked back out of him, pouring into the boy he'd become entwined with, only it wasn't horrible, because Harry suddenly knew that it was keeping Draco alive.


More and more of Harry's magic poured out, until it reached a critical moment where he felt weak, and he slumped. However, Draco's arms had instinctively reached around him, and soon Harry was slammed against the wall and so many inches of blessed flesh pressed against his, heat and magic running back into his body.


The exchange flipped backwards and forwards a few more times until both boys were on their knees in each other's arms. Harry caught his breath for a moment, and then he finally dared to open his eyes. What he saw made his heart skip a few beats.


Draco had transformed. His eyes had become the colour of molten silver and the pupils had shrunk to tiny pinpricks. His skin had paled, as had his hair, and he was looking at Harry with a mixture of predatory hunger and wonder. Harry had no doubt that his own unnatural eyes reflected the same urges.


"What the fuck did you just do Potter?" Draco whispered.


"I don't know. But you've…changed." Harry whispered back, suddenly very aware of how close their lips were, and how Draco's breath ghosted over his face. He could smell the other boy, a mix of lemon and expensive cologne, and feel the heat of him through his clothes.


"Get…get off me. Now, Potter." Draco muttered. Harry was quick to comply, shuffling backwards and watching as the other boy stood and brushed his clothes off. Draco used a mirror spell and examined his features carefully.


"I need to speak to my father. You'll have to find your own way to lessons Potter." Draco said quietly before stalking off. Harry just looked after him despairingly. He had the feeling that something had just gone very wrong.

---


A/N: Thanks to everyone for the Reviews and the emailed suggestions! Please keep them coming.

For those who have asked, Dream Red told me that Amour In A Bottle was currently on hold for an indefinite time as the person that was co-writing was now offline. I'm sure if anyone wanted to offer to help by becoming the new co-author that Dream Red would hear you out.

ta,

Juno