Shaking in Armor

The Struggle – Lucky Boy Confusion


Harry sat at the end of the large wooden table only used for holiday dinners and Order meetings, today it was the later. As a result of Dumbledore's death Harry had nor only been inducted into the Order but found himself leading meetings as often as Mr. Weasley did. Along with Harry's induction followed those of Fred and George and, after much pleading, Hermione and Ron. Everyone except Ginny, who was more than living up to the description of her hair. She was literally fire red as she banged on the door and screamed to be part of the meeting. Harry had tried to run the meeting with her banging, Mad eye had even put up silencing charms, but nothing seemed to to silence her. Molly Weasley looked ginueingly embarrassed which Harry had to admit was quite a feat to achieve with the mother of Fred and George.

“Why don't we just let her in?” Moody growled as Ginny broke yet another on of his silencing charm. His hair was frazzled and he seemed like he was about to cry out frustration. It's not everyday an established auror's charms are broken by a 15 year old girl.

“Why should she be let in! We had to wait until we were 17 and we'd lost Dumbledore!”Ron yelled throwing his hands in the air. Harry nodded in approval of his friends statement.

“Because before you were 17, we weren't in a war Ronald.” Molly snapped at her son.

“Bull shit! I am the fucking war and I had to wait. I've been doing most of the actual fighting and I'm was underage.”Harry said rising.

“You're still 16, Harry.” Lupin pointed out calmly.

“My 16 is a hell of a lot different than Ginny' s 15. Fuck my 16 is a hell of a lot different than Fred and George's 18! Besides I'm 17 in 2 hours.” Harry said siting down. He rubbed the back of his neck. He wasn't going to win this battle. All the noise was giving him a head ache.

“Will everyone just SHUT UP!” He screamed. And they did. The room was completely silent. But Harry's plea was not the reason. The traitor had arrived. He was thinner than the last time Harry had seen him. Everyone was tense as he nodded silently at Harry and took his seat. Ron was gawking and Hermione scrunched her face in the way she always does when she's trying to figure something out. Time for some explanations.

“ Everyone there is something you should know. Snape was under a wizards agreement to fulfill Malfoy's mission if Malfoy couldn't complete it, which is to say kill Dumbledore. He had informed Dumbledore of this and Dumbledore had told him to do it, that was the way it needed to happen to finally prove Snape's loyalty to Voldemort and so that he would no longer be under suspicion of being a double agent.” Hermione nodded but everyone seemed confused by Harry's muggle reference.

“Working for both sides.” Hermione explained and everyone nodded except Ron, who had sunk low in his chair and was sending steady death glares at Snape who was glaring right back.

“How do you know this Harry?” Hermione asked. It was Snape's turn to answer. He broke his silent eye war with Ron and cleared his throat.

“When I allowed Mr. Potter to see my past, I also allowed him to see this important information so as to secure goodwill when I returned Miss. Granger.”At this Ron sat up.

“Why didn't you tell us Harry?”

“I wasn't sure if it was true, and knew I wouldn't know until he came to an order meeting or failed to ever show up again.” Harry explained, Ron nodded suspiciously and leaned back again.

“So Severus what has happened. We've had no contact inside the ranks for weeks.” Tonks said. Her hair was a soft golden color and her hand rested on her belly. She was 7 months pregnant and had never looked happier.

“I have come to ask a sort of favor.” Snape said cautiously. Ron made a huffy noise to which Molly smacked him lightly in the chest.

“ Draco Malfoy has become for lack of a better word, inflicted with a certain , condition that forbids him to take the Dark mark.” Snape looked briefly at Harry, who had leaned forward obviously intrigued. “Unfortunately with the failure of his mission he and his family are in great danger if he does not take the mark. Therefore he has agreed to take the mark tomorrow evening. I need the Order to kidnap him during the ceremony but before he takes the Mark.”

“Also Malfoy will always be able to enter the grounds where as if Snape was found out his ward pass would be revoked. Malfoy's can't.” Hermione pointed out shaking her finger in the was she always did after making a good point.

“That is correct Miss. Granger.”

“What is this condition?” Lupin asked. If Malfoy was a werewolf they might have sway over the rest of their kind.

“ Nothing of your sort, Mr. Lupin. It is a rather fragile condition. Will you accept the raid? ” Snape asked looking at Harry.

“ Of course we will.” Arthur said nodding. “ Of course this is such short notice. We must get a team together at once. Of course none of the children can participate.” A large chorus of groans and whining erupted before Snape quieted them.

“As you know the Malfoy wards are very strong. The only way to get in is to have the blood of a Malfoy that was willingly given. I have the blood and the instructions to make the potion allowing entrance, I'm sure Miss. Granger and Miss. Lovegood will be capable of brewing this.” He handed Hermione the instructions and a large container of blood. “Mr. Malfoy was kind enough to give me enough blood to get 3 people through the ward, but even with this large amount of blood the intruders must be around Draco's age, height, and gender.”

“ But that means...”Molly said softly.

“They must be teenagers ages 16 to 19.”

“But they must have an adult with them. Oh shut up Ronald.” Molly said worriedly. Suddeningly this mission had become very important to Ron. The teens cheered at their first real Order task. Snape smiled.

“Luckily that wont be a problem.” Snape said looking at Lupin, who in turn squirmed in his seat.

“Me?”

Unless you want you're wife to go.”

“Never! Shes pregnant she could not-” Remus said standing and putting a protective hand on Tonk's shoulder. Tonks seemed to be throughly enjoying her husbands protectiveness but she pulled him back down in any case.

“I'm a Black so I have entrance and so does my family.” She said sweetly. Harry smiled remembering that Narcissa Malfoy was once Narcissa Black. Lupin nodded as a sign he would go. But Molly remained fuming.

“ I refuse to put my children in the face of danger for some no good future death eater.” She proclaimed red faced.

“Ah. Alas were you not listening at all Molly. Draco has no desire to be a death eater. He has over the years seen as much if not more than I have. He is smart and clever and he is more than willing to help.”

“I'll go.” Harry announced.

“No you wont. We can't risk your life before final battle.” Mad eye said gruffly.

“No. Mr. Potter must go. He is the only one besides myself, that Mr. Malfoy will trust to take him out safely.” Quizzical looks and an enlightend one from Hermione flooded the table. Shit, Snape thought. “You see, Mr. Malfoy thinks that Mr. Potter has much more power than he actually has. He believes that Potter is the leader and the power behind the Order. He will only go with Potter.” Snape recovered quickly and his explanation appeased everyone except for Hermione, who kept giving him knowing looks.

“So I'm settled then.” Harry said dismissing protests by the elder group. “ I'll pick the others by the strongest in the DA. Hermione and Luna can't go because of their sex but they will need to be their to distribute potions as I'm sure they are time based.” He looked at Snape for confirmation which he got in the form of a curt nod. “ So Ron Fred and George would be the obvious choices.” Ron pulled his elbow in in victory. Fred and George looked pleased enough and while the adults seemed less pleased they nodded that those choices .

“I almost neglected to mention. We will also be bringing Blaise Zabini and Pansy Parkinson. While they are not as useful as Mr. Malfoy, Mr. Malfoy will not abandon his friends so easily and an argument will waste time that you will not have.” Harry nodded. With all major arguments settled the group set to work figuring out the best place to enter the manor and how to increase their speed in doing so. Apparently there was a rather large skylight above the main table in the dining room thats wards were considerably weaker in order to allow ventilation for the fumes always associated with dark magic. As the room's ceilings were very high and most of the team was made of esteemed quidittch players, Ron had suggested using brooms in conjunction with speed spells. This was universally excepted and soon the plan was set. After dusk they would all fly and land on the top of the manor near the skylight. Hermione and Luna would add the final ingredient to the potion and then they would simply break the remaining wards and the skylight and drop into the meeting. Snape was hesitant to put his name behind the location that would be attacked but he assured them that he would try and let them know if the location was different.
With the meeting wrapping up Snape said his final goodbyes and everything was back to normal. Still uneasy about putting her children in danger Mrs. Weasley shooed all of the teens including Ginny who had snuck in behind Snape. Ron practically hopped up the stairs in excitement. When they were safely in their room Ron flopped on his bed and squealed in excitement.

“What the hell Ron.” Not a question just a general statement of disbelief at his friends excitement. Ron squirmed again before sitting up.

“We're going on a a mission!” He exclaimed. Harry nodded still worried about his friends level of excitement. “ And I'm going to get laid!”

“WHAT?!” Harry clamped his hand over his mouth he didn't mean to say that so loud but Ron only laughed.

“I have thought long and hard-” Ron began.

“Pun intended?”

“Very much so. About laying that Slytherin.”

“What ? You can't have sex with Malfoy. You just can't!” Harry said feeling hot inside. He recognized the feeling but couldn't place it.

“ Nah though I wouldn't mind getting some of that too. Zabini. God that body!” Ron said getting undressed. Harry turned a way and climbed into his bed.

“Ew, Ron. Spare me details.” Harry said closing his eyes. He wouldn't sleep tonight but he could at least try. After a few minutes of silence Ron spoke up again.

"You gonna sleep?"

"Probably not. I wish I could though make the time go faster."

Ron sat up and tossed Harry a bottle. Harry looked at it curiously before unscrewing the top and sniffing.

"Sleeping serum?"

"Two sips guaranteed sleep for as long as you need it. Already took some myself." Harry sniffed again, vile stuff, but the sleep was tempting. Oh why not. He took the sips and put the top back on. He laid back in bed. Again Ron spoke up.

“Don't worry Harry you can have Malfoy all to yourself.”

Before he could respond he heard Ron's all to familiar snore and then potion induced sleep gripped him.

*

Harry woke up early to the cries of Hermione. He rubbed his eyes and opened them slowly only to meet Ginny's large blue eyes. "HAPPY BIRTHDAY HARRY!" She said loudly.

"What the hell Ginny. Get out of my bed!" Harry yawned pushing her off. She hit the ground with a soft thud and an over exaggerated yelp. Harry rolled his eyes and turned to see Hermione with her legs up in the air and a very shocked and blushing Ron between them. Ron looked back and forth between Harry and Hermione.

After a few seconds of unbridled embarrassment Ron fell back laughing. Harry matched him laugh for laugh and recovering albeit slowly Hermione joined in.

"I think my penis actually crawled inside me!" Ron said between laughs. Ron and Harry laughed harder than ever but Hermione abruptly stopped and got up from Ron's bed. She straighten out her clothes and sniffed as she exited.

" Oh Ronald you always say the wrong thing." Ginny said getting up from the floor. She glared at Harry as she dusted herself off.

"Snape's here to lead us to the Manor." She said smiling.

"Us? Ginny, you aren't going." Harry said sternly. Ginny smiled mischievously and then practically pranced down stairs.

"She is not coming." Harry said staring at the door. Ron hastily agreed, he was the last person who wanted Ginny to ruin the first mission they went on. They took turns taking showers and soon were on their way down stairs where the rest of the team was congregated.

"Tell are you moving at such a tremendously slow pace to annoy me, Mr. Potter?" Snape said looking anxiously at the clock.

"Well you know Sev anything for you." Harry said dreamily. Ron laughed but Snape moved his hand and he snorted in an effort to stop.

"I'm not going to hex you so close to a mission, Mr. Weasley. It will take approximately 4 hours of flying to get to the Manor and"

"Whoa there 4 hours it's a bit early to be leaving then isn't it?" Ron asked, Harry nodded but stopped as everyone glared at them.

"I'm afraid to ask but what time is it?" Harry asked.

"Five pm, Harry." Shit. I cant believe I slept through my birthday. He shot Ron a look that would have killed Voldemort on it's own.

"Lets just go okay?" Remus said and everyone said goodbye. Molly choked back tears as she watched her three youngest boys mount their brooms. Harry looked at her tears in contrast with Tonk's understanding smile and felt the need to say something...reassuring.

"Tonight we're doing something extraordinary." Harry started shyly. With everyone looking at him he cleared his throat and began to speak more clearly. "Tonight we risk our lives for someone we have all at one time hated. And I suppose if this goes wrong the question on everyone's mind will be 'Why did we risk it for someone so worthless?' The reason is simple. While Voldemort wants a war, we recognize this for what is. A struggle. This is more than a simple fight. This is more than gathering intelligence. This is rescuing someone from a fate that was chosen for them by birth. This is doing what is right."

"If your quite done Mr. Potter. I have places to be." Snape said after a moment of silence and with last farewells they set off.

*

It was 9 o'clock and they had landed just outside the wards of the Malfoy Manor. Snape gave Harry a potion and began to speak.

"Sadly I must leave you now. I can say that I have thoroughly not enjoyed your company. Mr. Potter the potion I gave you will indicate the spot best to land on the Manor's roof by exuding a bright purple glow over the spot." He gave shrank his broom and stood looking at the team. they did seem fairly organized, Snape thought. The speech had been an impressive show of how dedicated Harry was to this mission and Snape had no doubts that the young man would not stop at anything to achieve success. His mark began to burn and he knew it was time.

"Good luck." He said before apperating to the Manor.

"Well we should get started." Harry sighed. He popped the vial open and drank the contents. He scanned the grounds for the glow and once he found it he motioned for the others to follow. They flew swiftly under notice me not charms and once they had found it they all made a swift quiet landing.

"Hermione, Luna silencing charms now. Fred, George unpack. Harry and Ron come with me." Remus whispered taking charge for the first tie since they'd set out. Remus led them towards a sky light a little to their left and together they peeked in.

The room was dark except what looked like a moving sea of black and the bright lines of candles. The path led to large chair where a young man with chestnut hair sat. Harry's scar burned and he bit his lip to keep in the gasp he almost let out. Remus looked at him a question on his face. Harry nodded and Ron stuck out his tongue.

"Gross he's almost attractive." Ron whispered. Remus nodded and sighed.

"Looks like we're in the right place." he stood and walked back towards the girls. Ron followed leaving Harry at the window. He wanted to follow but his eyes were glued to the trio that had just walked into the room. A tall boy with long brown hair stood to the right and a black haired beauty to the left. In the middle stood, to be greatly cliched the fairest of them all. Draco Malfoy's normally slicked back hair fell unceremoniously into his eyes. He seemed almost like he had given up on hope. Harry didn't know how that thought came to mind but as soon as he thought it, it felt right. He stood tall and his body was lean under the robes he wore even from this far away he was handsome. Harry found himself seeing why Luna had agreed with Ron on Malfoy's looks. But then the blonde stumbled a bit but the girl, Pansy Parkinson he'd assumed, held him up. Oh great the prick is drunk. But even drunk the trio made headway and Harry realized they might not have as much time as they had anticipated. He pulled himself away from the window and made his way to the group.

"Their in the room. All three of them are walking towards Voldemort." Hermione nodded and added the last ingredient to the last bottle. They all fizzed, Hermione set her stop watch and they waited. 15 seconds. 30 seconds. Harry went to see how far they had gotten. Malfoy was at the podium and Voldemort was seemed to be cupping his face.

"Hermione...We don't have much time." Harry said warily. he looked back and forth. The potions were still fizzing. "Hermione!" Voldemort had taken Malfoy's arm.

"Just drink them!" Luna said her voice high and anxious. "Hurry, you'll have less time now." They all grabbed potions and chugged them.

"This is about getting the ferret and his friends and getting out alive. Don't do anything stupid." Lupin said. "On three. One. Two. Three! Deprimo!" All five men cast at the window. It shattered instantly and they swooped down into battle.

Harry was diving and throwing every curse he had ever learned at anyone in black. He had watched Malfoy and his friends retreat to the left. He held ground until the designated fighters, Lupin and Fred, had taken positions. He then reversed on his broom, a trick he'd practiced at the burrow a few summers ago, shouting curses ahead of him. As he neared Malfoy, he heard Fred's voice.

"Wanna ride, Babe?" Arg. That boy would never grown up. He reversed faster and pulled up in front of Malfoy. Before he stopped he heard Malfoy whisper his name. The name was foreign in his ears. Malfoy's vice was sweet and soft, Harry could feel his blood shift downward. Maybe I am gay. He thought with a shock. Shaking his head he knew he didn't have time to think about anything like that right now.

“George! There’s no time for that! Grab Parkinson and go!” He yelled over the commotion. Lupin and Fred were losing ground fast as the Death eaters got over the initial shock.

He saw Malfoy give the okay to Pansy to go with George and saw that Zabini was more than happy to get behind Ron. With both of them headed out he turned his attention to Malfoy, whose eyes were blazing like molten silver and whose cupid bow lips were slightly parted and wet. More downward headed blood.

“Come on, Malfoy. We don’t have much time.” He said. Malfoy looked over his shoulder and quickly climbed one on behind Harry. Harry could feel the potion wearing off and knew he would have to be fast.

"Hold on." He breathed as Draco wrapped his arms around Harry's waist. It was tight but not uncomfortable hold Draco's body felt right against his and Harry surged with new energy. He took off faster than he ever had before and Draco buried his head in Harry's shoulder blades. Oh this was so much more than getting out alive. Harry thought as they breached the surface. Luna and Hermione were on their brooms and ready to go. Remus and Fred broke surface moments later and they all zoomed off into the distance.

Just as his adrenaline began to slow a cruciatis cursed zoomed by his head and narrowly missed George and Parkinson. Shit. Harry looked back and saw that one death eater had followed on a broom and was much more skilled than they at fighting while on them. Harry felt Draco release one arm from his waist and then something rather hard poked Harry in the back. Oh my god, he thought but then realized it was Draco's wand.

Malfoy shot a curse back at the Death eater but missed. Then a bright red beam of light hit the man square in the chest and he went tumbling down. Emerging from the trees to their right, a very smug Ginny Weasley appeared.

"Aren't you glad I came now?"

~


Yeah! Longer than usual for me but thats my excuse for taking two days. Also I really wanted an order meeting and the fight and a little aftermath. Hope you enjoyed this mucho much. I'm off till thursday so I should be updating like crazy so if I'm not email be big balls of hate. Love and review.
Ally