Harry Potter and the Daoine Sìth

This fiction is beta'd by smirking_muse

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Chapter Three:

Draco Malfoy was thrilled. This had been one of the most fascinating and wonderful nights of his life, and it wasn't over yet! He had joined in the Beltane celebration of the Daoine Sìth, witnessed the Queen bless the potion that would enable his parents conceive another child, and watched the Centaurs of the Forbidden Forest and the Unicorns (!!) prance through the sacred smoke of the Beltane bonfires. Most importantly, he and Severus had discovered where Harry Potter had disappeared to all those years ago.

Additionally, he and Snape were going to spend the night with Gyre-Carlin and Harry. IN THEIR HOME! Could things get any better? Oh, but they did! He had just found out that he would be spending the night with Harry Potter, in Harry Potter's room— innocently though, of course.

For the first time in his life, he did not regret disobeying Professor Severus Snape.

Draco and Snape had been transported with faery magic into the mound under the old Hawthorn tree. Now Draco was following Harry's pert little bum through the maze of halls to where they would sleep. Yes, indeed, life was fabulous! Draco could hardly contain his glee, and he had to work extremely hard to keep his Malfoy mask of indifference firmly in place. After all, Malfoys do not skip down hallways! It simply would not be dignified.

As Harry led Draco through a series of passages outlined by polished, winding tree roots, Draco went over the evening's events to permanently inscribe them into his memory. He and Harry had not had a chance to continue their conversation from earlier. There had been too much to do and see. They had eaten, drank, and danced the rest of the night away. Draco had not been too overwhelmed to notice that there were very few male faeries, and most of the males that had been present at the celebration were decidedly human-looking with no wings at all. He had come to the conclusion that they were human and resolved to ask Harry about it. He had also noticed that the Sìth had very little modesty, many of them running around naked or nearly so. Draco had been mortified at first. Seeing so many beautiful nude females in one place wreaked havoc with his libido and caused him untold embarrassment. After all, where does one look when speaking with a naked girl? He had a feeling that Harry was enjoying his discomfiture, for whenever he introduced Draco to one of the unclothed maids, there was a twinkle in his green eyes.

The Beltane Celebration had been a truly wondrous experience, but Draco was extremely tired and glad that he and Harry would soon be alone. He desperately wanted to get to know the other boy better.

For a few moments, he believed that he would have to wait even longer to get Harry alone. As soon as they had entered the mound, Severus had tried to question Harry and the Queen. Gyre-Carlin had not allowed Harry to answer any of Snape's inquiries. She had thwarted the ill-tempered man by telling him that the two boys were tired and that they could have this conversation in the morning. Snape had been not been pleased. Severus Snape could be dogged determined when he wanted to, so Draco anticipated that Gyre-Carlin would not be getting much sleep this night. After all, the mystery of how Harry came to live with the Sìth, become one of them – well, that was simply too big a mystery to simply let drop.

Draco, however, had no compunction in heading off to bed with Harry and had followed after the dark-haired boy without an argument.

They soon arrived at a large, round wooden door. Harry glanced up shyly at Draco before swinging the door open and waving Draco through. Draco had never seen anything like it before. As soon as he walked in, the room had illuminated with a soft glow. Where exactly the light was coming from, Draco could not determine. The room was round in shape, and the walls were the same polished, deep-earth colour with gnarled roots winding through them. On the far side of the room on a platform beneath a large window, there was a huge bed, covered in soft, silky bed linens and mounds of pillows in all different shades of green, from pale mossy to the deepest emerald. It was quite beautiful. Draco became extremely curious to see what the window looked out to and would have— if he had not been distracted by the other boy.

Harry had followed Draco inside and stood beside him. A snow-white owl hooted balefully from the corner of the room before flying off and landing on Harry's shoulder. Draco gaped as he recognised the owl. “Your owl,” he whispered. Harry nodded.

“Hedwig. She found me shortly after I disappeared,” Harry said as he gently stroked her breast. “Did you hunt, girl?” The owl cooed at him, blinked her golden eyes and nipped his ear affectionately before she flew back to her perch. Harry wandered over to a large tank on the left side of the room. Draco followed him, his eyes trying desperately to take in every detail. He was temporarily startled by a soft hissing sound coming from the tank. Draco was surprised even further when Harry hissed back. He moved closer to investigate. Harry reached into the tank and a large, black snake wound its way up the boy's arm. Draco gasped as Harry and the snake continued making hissing noises.

“You're speaking to it!” he blurted out.

Harry giggled, turning his head to look at Draco. “Yeah,” he said. “I discovered I could talk to snakes a long time ago.” Harry looked at Draco nervously. “My teacher said some wizards believe that's a sign of a dark wizard. He told me Voldemort could speak to snakes too. But my mother says it's a precious gift, and I shouldn't try to hide it.” Draco silently agreed with Gyre-Carlin.

The snake hissed again, its head having reached Harry's shoulder; the reptile nodded toward Draco as its topaz eyes locked onto the blond boy. Draco assumed the snake was glaring at him and swallowed thickly. Harry snickered again and hissed something back at the creature.

“Draco, I'd like to introduce you to Snape,” he said with a wicked grin.

“Snape?!” he asked, incredulously. “You named your pet snake Snape?”

Harry's grin widened further. “Yeah, he's a snarky git, too,” he laughed. Draco stared at the faery boy, his mouth hanging open. He could not imagine what Professor Snape would have to say about his namesake. “I thought the name suited him. He's very opinionated and stubborn,” Harry continued, his eyes worriedly flicking between the snake and Draco. “Don't you like snakes? I mean, with you being Slytherin and all, I assumed… I'll put him back.”

“No,” Draco finally managed to answer. “It's alright. I was just trying to imagine the other Snape's reaction.” Harry laughed again, and Draco joined him this time.

“He won't bite me, will he?” Draco asked tentatively. Harry shook his head, so Draco leaned in further. The Snake was black with a deep blue, almost black, zig-zag stripe down its supple back. “He's very beautiful. He's an Adder, yes?” Draco inquired, reaching out to touch the ebony scales.

“Yes, he is. An Adder I mean. That's another reason I named him Snape. His tongue is poisonous in more ways than one.” The snake hissed indignantly at the two boys. Harry smiled wryly and hissed back.

“What's he saying?”

“He's upset because he thinks we're ignoring him.”

Draco glanced up at Harry, “You jest.”

“No. I told you he's a temperamental git,” Harry said as he put the snake back in the tank.

“Harry, I want to be here when you introduce Snape to Snape.” Draco said mischievously. “It'll be brilliant!”

The two boys shared another laugh before Harry yawned widely. He wandered over to a large wardrobe, beside the door they had entered from, pulled out a pair of deep blue silk trousers, and handed them to Draco. “These are too big for me, so they should fit you. Do you need a shirt?” Harry asked blushing slightly. Draco took the soft garment and shook his head. “Right then, I'll use the loo first.” The boy grabbed another pair of trousers and strode through a door on the right side of the room, leaving Draco alone.

Draco quickly divested himself of the clothes he had been wearing for the past two days and slipped the borrowed trousers on. They were a bit snug in the hips, but not uncomfortably so. They were the softest things he had ever felt. Curious about his new surroundings, he wandered around the room trying not to be rude, but his need to know more about this new Harry Potter led him to snoop. By the window on the right side of the room, he noticed a desk with parchment, quills, and ink pots strewn across it. There was a book lying open beside them face down to hold its place. Alongside the desk was a large bookcase filled with old and new leather-bound tomes. He walked briskly over to it and looked at the titles. To his surprise, a lot of them were school books— the very same books he had been studying from at Hogwarts. Interested, he looked at the title of the book on the desk, A Study in Advanced Defensive Magicks by P.D. Strongwood. Draco's eyes grew large in surprise. This was a seventh year text. Obviously, Harry was studying magic and was far ahead of Draco in his education. He glanced at the parchment beside the book noting the title of the essay, ‘The Many Uses of the Patronous Charm;’ Draco was itching to read more and would have if Harry had not re-entered the room.

“Making yourself at home, Draco?” he asked with a quirked eyebrow.

Draco flushed in embarrassment. “Sorry…” he mumbled half-heartedly.

“No, it's alright. Toilet’s free, and there are towels if you want a shower,” Harry said, ignoring the other boy's snooping. Draco's face lit up at the prospect. He hadn't thought of it earlier, but now that Harry mentioned it, he realised he hadn't had a proper wash in days.

“A shower would be bloody fantastic!” Draco practically skipped to the loo, except that Malfoys didn't skip.

~~~~~~

Severus Snape was not a man to be deterred. However, he was left completely frustrated from all his attempts to get answers from the fae Queen. It was simply maddening! As he followed the bewitching woman to his sleeping chambers for the night, he had been determined to get answers, at least to her part in this tale. He would not be put off again!

The infuriatingly beautiful woman stopped in front of a large, round wooden door with no handle. She touched the centre and it opened. Snape raised one dark brow and swiftly entered, robes billowing behind him. He noticed right away that he had entered what were obviously the Queen’s private chambers. They were quite magnificent, and normally he would have been fascinated, but he was determined to remain focused this time. Glancing around quickly, he strode with purpose to a grouping of chairs nestled in the corner of the room, well away from the bed piled with pillows and surrounded by sheer blue bed hangings. No, he would not let himself be distracted again. He plunked himself down in one of the chairs gracelessly, crossed his arms over his chest, and turned to Carlin, raising one dark brow and glaring at her expectantly.

Gyre-Carlin was still standing by the door, watching him with an indulgent smile. Vexing woman! She glided across the room and sat gracefully in the chair opposite his. Arranging her flowing dress, she raised her own elegantly shaped brow and waited.

“Well,” Snape growled.

“Well what, Severus?” she asked.

Snape set his face into his best, ‘I am a person of authority, and you will obey me and do as I say' Professor snarl, and snapped petulantly, “Well, am I going to get any answers from you at all? I believe I have been more than patient enough, your Highness.”

The woman had the nerve to laugh! By Merlin, if he was not timorous of her powers, he would be pacing and raging.

“Please call me Carlin,” she simply told him. Severus narrowed his eyes but nodded his head. She gave him another indulgent smile. “Alright, Severus, where would you like me to begin?” She rose, moving to a table against the wall, set out two crystal glasses, and filled them with a rich, amber liquid. Snape kept his eyes on her as she settled back in her chair and handed him a glass. He set it down, untouched.

“Ask your questions, Severus. I shall do my best to answer them,” she said nonchalantly as she took a dainty sip from her glass.

Well, now that he was given the opportunity, where did he begin? There were so many questions that needed answering. How did Harry come to be here? Why is he now Sìth? Why was he kept here, away from the wizarding world? Then there was James Potter and his Sìth daughter. Why had Carlin expected them tonight? On and on his questions went.

“Why have you kept knowledge of Harry's existence a secret?” Snape asked, deciding that this question would encompass many of the concerns pertaining to Potter. “When you found the boy, why did you not return him to Hogwarts?”

“Ah, right to the heart of the matter, Severus,” the Queen intoned amusedly. She angled her head slightly to the side as though thinking before proceeding to answer.

“As I told you earlier, when Harry arrived in the meadow, he was seriously injured, and it was lucky that I was expecting him.” Snape nodded, remembering the earlier conversation. “We did what we could for him, healed what we could. However, despite our efforts, he still hovered close to death. My only hope in saving the poor child was to call on the ancient magic of the Daoine Sìth.” She paused for a moment, her expression weary and far way. “I had to bring Harry to the Seelie Court*1, to Queen Mab*2.” Severus gasped in shock. Mab was legend the world over— even the Muggles told tales of her deeds and misdeeds. Carlin nodded, acknowledging his reaction. “Mab is the most powerful of the Daoine Sìth. I knew that her magic could save Harry. Unfortunately, after Mab examined Harry, she came to the conclusion that the only way to save the boy was to infuse him with Sìth blood.”

“By Merlin!” Severus whispered. “That is why he is now Daoine Sìth.”

Carlin nodded. “Mab created a potion mixed with my blood and hers.” Severus gasped again. “Harry was unconscious for a fortnight, and each day, I watched as he changed. Little by little, hour by hour, he took on the traits of the Sìth until he became that which you saw tonight.”

“And you claimed him as your son,” Snape said quietly.

Carlin shook her head. “Yes and no. Lily's love and magic protected Harry when it mattered most, Severus. Her blood still flows within his veins; mine and Mab's only added to it. I would not have him deny her, nor would I disrespect her sacrifice, by usurping her place. Lily Potter is and shall always be Harry's mother in his heart. I claimed him as my dalta, Severus, my foster son.”

Snape felt the sting of tears in the corners of his eyes. He took a deep breath, surprised to discover that Lily’s blood in Harry mattered to him. “But you could have claimed him.” he said, looking up at her.

“Aye, I could have,” was all she said.

Snape reached for his glass and took a large gulp of the amber liquid.

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Draco wandered out of the bath after the most remarkable shower, though it had not really been a shower at all! When Draco had entered the room, he had been shocked to discover that the shower was a small waterfall in corner of the room surrounded by polished river stone. The water gently cascading from the top was warm and smelled of minerals, as if coming from a natural spring. Which, Draco supposed, it did. The soap was scented with fresh camomile and honey. Needless to say, Draco had enjoyed his bathing experience very much. Now, as he came back into the bedroom refreshed, he had no other thoughts except to spend time with Harry.

The dark-haired boy was standing before the large window, illuminated by a soft blue light. Draco stood still and just stared at the faery. Harry was truly gorgeous. Long gone was the skinny, bespectacled, awkward boy, and in his place was this elegant, lithe, androgynous creature, which possessed grace, strength, and confidence. Draco yearned to discover all the secrets that were this new Harry Potter. He wanted to map out each feature and facet of the green-eyed wonder, to befriend him, to posses him, and to make the boy his own. Draco imagined what it would be like to kiss those full, ruby lips, to touch the other boy's skin, his hands roaming wherever they wanted. An image of Harry as he had first seen him standing beside the Queen, nude, came to Draco's mind, causing a not so unwelcome twitching to begin in his groin.

“Are you going to stand over there all night?” Draco jumped, blushing at his unspoken fantasies.

Donning his cool and confident Malfoy mask, Draco walked over to stand beside Harry. Once again, his breath was stolen from him when he first glimpsed what lay beyond the widow pane…

They were looking down upon a faery glen with a deep pool of water surrounded by lush grass, meadow flowers, shrubs, and plant of all kinds. All underneath the great old Hawthorn tree. It was astounding, unbelievable, incredible!

“I'll take you down there tomorrow,” Harry's soft voice interrupted Draco's wild thoughts. “We can have a swim in the pools. Would you like that?”

Would he like that? Merlin's balls, what a silly question! “That would be acceptable,” Draco said with an air of indifference.

Harry snickered. “I wondered when he'd show up.” Draco raised a pale brow as he pulled his eyes away from the window to look at his companion. “Malfoy, I mean. I was wondering when he'd make an appearance.”

“What are you on about?” Draco asked.

“Well,” Harry said with an amused lilt to his voice, “When I knew you were coming tonight, I was expecting the pompous arse I knew at Hogwarts. You surprised me, is all. I rather enjoy spending time with Draco, though, so I guess I'll just have to put up with Malfoy every now and again.”

Harry wandered over to the bed and lay down, turning on his side to face Draco. His wings rested behind him like an ethereal cape. He patted the empty spot beside him. “I hope you don't mind sharing? The bed’s enormous, and I don't take up much room.” Draco had to stop himself from running and leaping onto the mattress; instead, he raised his chin and walked calmly toward Harry.

“I'm sure I'll manage,” he sniffed haughtily as he slid into the bed opposite Harry. The light in the room immediately dimmed. Draco sat up and looked around in surprise.

“The tree knows when I'm ready to sleep,” Harry stated simply, attempting to put the blond boy at ease. Draco nodded as he lay back down. He wriggled down into the soft bed linens, making himself comfortable, and closed his eyes with a great weary sigh.

Draco could feel Harry's eyes on him, studying him. He glanced over at the dark-haired boy. “You are staring again,” he groused.

“Sorry,” Harry whispered. “I don't mean to. I know it's rude, but I can't help it. For a long time, I never thought I would see anyone from Hogwarts again. Besides, I catch you staring at me too, you know.”

Draco blushed but rolled to face the other boy. “Yes, well, you have wings! Furthermore, you've been missing for years. I believe I'm entitled to stare at you.” Harry chuckled softly. “Speaking of missing,” Draco locked his eyes with Harry's, “Why did you stay away so long, Harry?”

Harry wrinkled his nose, the corners of his mouth turned up slightly in a gentle grin. “I had to wait for you to find me, Draco,” he answered cryptically, as he yawned and closed his eyes for sleep. “'M tired.”

“Oh, no you don't, Harry Potter.”

~~~~~~

It took Severus several moments to compose himself before he could continue the conversation he had been having with Gyre-Carlin. Learning that the Potter boy had been changed by blood-magic using the blood of two of the most powerful Daoine Sìth was shocking to say the least. It explained quite a bit about why the boy had remained with the Sìth all this time. He imagined it would have taken time to learn to control the new magical influence, not to mention the physical changes. However, Potter appeared to have mastered the new attributes, and it certainly did not excuse the fact that no one had contacted the wizarding world and let them know the boy was safe and alive.

“Why did you let no one know where the child was, Carlin?”

The Queen gave Snape a look of utter disbelief. “Do you honestly believe your world would have let Harry be? That they would have allowed the child to heal and learn about what he was?” Carlin stood and began pacing in front of Severus. She turned and fixed him with a steely glare. “NO!” she said forcefully, pointing a finger accusingly at the Potion's Master. “The wizards would have been clamouring all over this meadow attempting to get their hands on the boy hero!” She shook her head vehemently. “That was something I could not have allowed, Severus.”

Severus found he could not deny the truth in her words. The wizarding world would have vaulted the child to unimaginable heights without any concern for the child's needs or well being. However, Snape was positive that Dumbledore could have protected the boy, guided him, and kept the Ministry at bay.

“Be that as it may, Carlin, the fact remains that the boy is healed, and he appears to have assimilated his new powers. Would it not then have been appropriate to let us know he was alive? At the very least, could you have contacted the Headmaster? You know as well as I that Dumbledore would have protected the boy until Harry could manage on his own in HIS world. For, despite whatever you have done to change him, Harry is and always will be a wizard first!”

Carlin placed her hands on her hips and sneered down at Snape. “‘A wizard first!’ Ha!” she scoffed at him. “That boy knew nothing about the wizarding world until he received his Hogwarts letter. And despite what you might believe, Severus Snape, he was treated abysmally by the family your Albus Dumbledore chose to raise him! He was abused and starved, treated as a slave instead of as a child that needed to be loved and cherished! I would no more trust Dumbledore with Harry than I would Fudge!”

Snape snorted in disbelief, shaking his head.

Carlin placed her hands on the armrests on either side of the chair Severus was sitting in. She leaned in close to the man and hissed, “If you do not believe me, ask your precious Dumbledore about the wretched excuses for guardians he placed Harry with all those years ago.” Snape felt his face infuse with warmth due to her proximity and anger, as he became aroused. He glanced away, embarrassed by the untimely feelings.

She stood up and stormed across the room to look out the large window. “Harry spent less than a year in your world, Severus. He is more Sìth than wizard.” She turned around to face Snape, and her features softened. “Even so, I agree that his place, for now, is in the wizarding world. Since he first arrived here, I have been preparing him for his return. But there are several important things about Harry you must now understand, Severus Snape.” Having calmed herself, she walked back toward the seating area and stood directly in front of Snape, forcing him to look up at her. “The potion Mab used on Harry did change him. However, he is not a full Sìth. As you might know, male Daoine Sìths are very rare. There are perhaps one or two born a century, which is why we, the female Daoine Sìth, take human mates. The potion used on Harry that night is only ever used on our own offspring, and therefore, only on female infants.” Carlin reached out with her hand and gently touched Snape's face. “As a result, a croí*3, Harry is a rare individual, a true half-breed, and with that he will face many challenges. This is why I waited for you to come to us; Harry is approaching his quickening. It is a time when each Sìth comes of age and their magic reaches its full potential. He will find his mate.”

Surprising himself, Severus leaned into her touch. “I have read that the Sìth dream of their mate for almost an entire year before their coming of age,” he told her. “Has Harry been experiencing dreams?” Carlin nodded sadly.

“Aye.” She ran her hand down his arm and grasped his hand in hers. Carlin gently encouraged Snape to his feet. “Come, Severus, it is time for bed. We can finish this discussion in the morning when the boys are present.”

Carlin guided him to the bed, where he stopped short. “I am not sleeping with you!” he stammered.

“Of course you are, you foolish wizard.”

Snape gaped at her. Bewitched! By Merlin he was!

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*1 The Seelie Court is the ‘royal’ or good court of the faeries. The opposite is the Unseelie court or the Sluag – the court of the un-forgiven dead.
*2 Queen Mab is the queen of all faeries and the same Mab from the tales of King Arthur and Merlin.
*3 a croí is pronounced ah kree and means my heart.
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