Beyond Appearances

Title: Beyond Appearances


Author: Liadyn Malfoy


Archived: Fanfiction.net & adult-fanfiction.org


Summary: Harry and Draco are returning to Hogwarts for their seventh year. Though this year is different. Alliances are formed and together they learn that there is always something beyond the appearance and that everyone wears a mask.


Rating: NC-17


Pairings: Harry/Draco, Ron/Hermione...may be others!!


Beta: Candlewyk


Disclaimer: Hey There Guys!!! I know you already know this but I have to tell you again. I don not own Harry Potter or anything related to him. I'm not making money off of any of my stories. I just do this for the fun of it.




Chapter Five


Confrontations




After spending roughly an hour and a half in the bookstore Harry and Hermione emerged back out onto the streets of London. Hermione carrying several new books that each happened to be at least a foot thick and Harry carrying the book that Hermione insisted that he buy. She had claimed that he would love it and that it was fantastic but seeing as though it had been recommended by the queen of study herself he put very little faith in it.


Within minutes they arrived back at the Optometrists. Hermione stood outside while Harry ran in and payed for his stuff. When he came back out he slid his glasses and contacts into the bag that contained his book.



"Well, let's go shopping."


"Were they ready?"


"Yes."


"Well, let's see them then." Hermione urged, coming to a halt. "Put them on."


"No."


"What? Why not?"


"It's a surprise. You're not allowed to see until everyone else does." Harry grinned.


"No way! You know I hate that." Hermione wailed. "Please just show me."


"Nope! Consider this payment for telling me that I have no sense of fashion."


"But it was the truth, Harry." Hermione argued. "Ask anyone at Hogwarts and they would have told you the same thing. Aren't you glad it was me who told you. It could have been a complete stranger. Let me do the same with your glasses, then if they look horrible you can change them before anyone else sees them."


"Nice try, Hermione but you still have to wait." Harry chuckled. "Oh and I appreciate the confidence that you have in me."




"Harry Potter, you are horrible!" Hermione cried, sulking. "You are a mean, mean person."


"Now who's being melodramatic?"


"Don't you dare, Harry. Don't you dare."


"Are we still going shopping or am I too mean?"


"Don't push your luck, Harry." Hermione warned, picking up her bags. "Or you may find yourself in a school girl's uniform, with pigtails, and a lollipop in your mouth."


"Do you think I would look good in a skirt?" Harry asked, following her. "Although I would definitely have to shave my legs. I couldn't possibly walk around in a skirt with hairy legs now can I?"


"Only if you want to be in Slytherin." Hermione remarked. "You would fit right in with Bulstrode and Parkinson."


"Yuck!" Harry grimaced. "Too much info!"


"Consider yourself lucky Harry, you've never had the misfortune of being partnered with either of them during potions." Hermione shuddered.



"Suddenly Malfoy looks a whole lot more appealing." Harry smirked.


"Hey look!" Hermione cried, pointing to her right. "That place looks interesting."



The shop was small and stuck between two large department stores. In the window were two mannequins, each one wearing a pair of khaki shorts and a fitted sleeveless shirt. They also had a surfboard resting under their arms. A sign above the door read "California Wave".


Harry raised an eyebrow. "A surf shop in downtown London? I've heard of urban kayaking but don't you think that this is a bit extreme?"


Hermione rolled her eyes and went inside. Giving in, Harry followed.


The store was brightly lit and filled with clothing racks, leaving just enough room to browse between them. On the back wall was a variety of surfboards on display and there were also several displays along the counter containing earrings and chains.


"I think we've just hit the jackpot!" Hermione squealed, looking through one of the racks. "This place has awesome clothes and they would look perfect on you."


Harry sighed and followed behind her thinking 'And so it begins'. As she worked her way through each clothing rack she placed all the clothing she liked in Harry's arms, whether or not it was for him or not. Soon he was staggering under a large mound of clothing.


"Ah, Herm', maybe we should try these on first before you move on to the next rack."


"You're right. We'll try these on then finish." She grinned running off to get two change rooms.


Harry groaned and followed her trying to hold onto all the clothing.


After quickly speaking with the cashier Hermione led them into the change rooms and sorted out the clothing, placing the items into two piles. One for herself and one for Harry. Harry soon found himself staring at a large pile of clothes.




"Hermione, do I really need all this?" Harry asked, picking up one of the outfits.


"Just relax and enjoy this." Hermione scolded from inside her cubicle.


"How can I relax when I know I'm going to be the one carrying most of the bags." Harry mumbled, going into his change room.




One by one Harry tried on all the outfits. After the better part of an hour they emerged from the change rooms.


"Make sure you check the sizes on the pants that fit. That way we don't have to try on the other clothes we find." Hermione called over her shoulder as she began going through the last couple of racks. Luckily for Harry she wasn't as pleased with them as the others and only came back with a couple of outfits. After checking the sizes Harry added them to the pile.


"Are we done yet?"


"We just have to get you some accessories and we're done."


"Accessories?"


"Chains." Hermione said, pointing to the displays.


Harry sighed in relief. Chains he could handle. Accessories he didn't want to think about. Hermione would have him wearing matching earrings and nail polish.


Carefully they picked through several displays, picking out several different necklaces. Most of them were black and silver but there was a couple of colorful ones thrown into the mix.


"Oh Harry, look at these earrings." Hermione cried, moving over to the earring displays. "They would look absolutely amazing on you."


"No way, Hermione."




"Please Harry."




"Just because I listened to you and got several holes punched through my ears does not give you the right to dress me up and arrange my jewelry." Harry argued.




"Of course not. Being your best friend gives me that right." Hermione replied. "Please, Harry!"


"No!"


"I promise I won't bug you again if you buy them." Hermione pleaded. When she saw that Harry wasn't about to change his mind she switched her tactics. "Can you buy them, Harry? Can you buy them, Harry? Can you buy them, Harry? Can you buy them, Harry? Can you buy them, Harry?"


"Fine! If I buy them will you leave me alone?"




"Yeah, of course...will you buy them, Harry? Will you buy them, Harry? Will you buy them, Harry?"


"YES! YES! FOR THE LOVE OF MERLIN, YES!" Harry shouted, stomping his foot.


"Thank you, Harry. You are the best!" Hermione grinned, triumphantly and snatched enough earrings for all the holes in his ears.


Once that was done Harry dragged Hermione to the front of the store where their purchases were waiting. After paying the cashier, they headed back out onto the street and as predicted Harry ended up carrying the majority of the bags.


"Remind me not to go shopping with you again!"




"It wasn't that bad and besides we're almost done." Hermione grinned. "All you need now is a jacket. Luckily for you I know the perfect place."



Luckily for Harry it didn't take long for Hermione to pick out a jacket. In the end she settled for a black leather jacket that stopped about mid-thigh, saying that it would compliment a lot of the outfits that she had picked out.


Harry couldn't help but grin as they left the shop. They were finally done. No more shopping. Still grinning, he turned to Hermione, "What do you say to getting a bite to eat?"


Checking her watch she agreed. "We still have time before we're expected back."




Harry was about to suggest they try the Italian restaurant that he'd seen on the way, when a disturbance across the street caught their attention. Due to the time of day the streets of London were packed. Harry watched as the large group of people bristled as several of them were pushed aside, revealing the cause of the disturbance.



Almost instantly panicky grey eyes locked with Harry's. Harry could feel his eyes widen in surprise and his jaw drop.


"Malfoy?"


The sound of several loud pops caused Harry to break eye contact for a moment. When he glanced back he caught a glimpse of Malfoy's pale hair disappear around the corner.



A gasp from Hermione caused his attention to shift to her. He was about to ask what was wrong when a flash of white in the crowd caught his attention. It didn't take long for him to realize what was going on. He'd know those masks anywhere. The Death Eaters were in London.


Grabbing Hermione by the arm he pulled her into a side alley. If he had any luck at all then they had yet to be noticed. With Hermione behind him, Harry peered around the corner, watching the Death Eaters movement. Surprisingly they didn't come in their direction, instead choosing the same direction that Malfoy had taken. Voldemort was after Malfoy? What the hell was going on?


Without waiting any longer he turned and set his packages at Hermione's feet.


"Stay here!"


"What?" Hermione gapped, watching as Harry cast a spell to prevent anyone from entering the alley, as well as having the extra bonus of keeping her inside. "Harry James Potter, don't you dare leave me here!"


Ignoring Hermione's screams, Harry took off in the direction that the Death Eaters had taken. It didn't take long to find them. The street that they had taken ended abruptly after 15 minutes. The only thing at the end was a few trees and a couple benches. Harry ducked into one of the side alley's in order to watch what was going on.


He barely had enough time to duck into the alley before the spells started to fly. Harry watched in amazement as Malfoy managed to dodged the majority of the spells. Unfortunately he wasn't quick enough to dodge them all. Only one spell managed to get through the blonde's defenses. As Malfoy's screams filled the air, Harry immediately identified the spell. Cruciatus.


Taking aim he threw a stunning spell out at Malfoy's attacker. He watched as the spell hit it's target before darting back into the alley. To his relief Malfoy's screams came to a stop. Carefully he once again peered around the corner. The Death Eater that he had hit was slumped on the ground, while the others were looking for who had cast the spell. Out of the corner of his eye he could see Malfoy getting to his feet, but instead of using the chance to run he sent more spells out at the remaining Death Eaters, causing the fight to start all over again.


Harry slumped against the wall. "Idiot!" he muttered. "Why can't they ever take the easy way out?"




With a sigh he glanced back at the group of wizard. Shaking his head he left the protection of the alley and calmly started to walk toward the fight, sending off stunning spells. After taking down several Death Eaters, he entered the scene. He watched as Malfoy stopped in his movements and stared at him as though he had grown two heads. Unfortunately one of the Death Eaters noticed his distraction and sent another spell at the Slytherin. Quickly casting a shield around Malfoy, Harry took care of his attacker.


"What do we have here, gentlemen?" Lucius grinned, stepping forward and removing his mask. "Looks like we've managed to pull Harry Potter out from underneath Dumbledore's skirt."


The Death Eaters behind him chuckled at the remark.




"You're pushing your luck, aren't you Malfoy?" Harry snapped, addressing Lucius. "Attacking people out in the open, not to mention in the presence of muggles. Rather stupid if you ask me."




"Not the way I see it!" Lucius smirked. "Not only do I get to kill my traitorous son but I get to kill The-Boy-Who-Lived as well."





"You can try!" Harry laughed.


Lucius bristled at Harry's laughter and began sending spells off at them at a frantic pace. Still laughing Harry cast an anti-tracking spell around himself before turning and running toward Malfoy. Malfoy's eyes widened in surprise as Harry tackled him. The moment that they made contact Harry apparated the two of them back into the alley where Hermione stood, still banging on the barrier.




As Harry and Draco crashed to the ground in a pile of limbs, she jumped around in surprise. "How the hell did you do that?"




Her question went unnoticed as Draco started to struggle to get out from under Harry. "Potter you idiot! Get the hell off me!"





"Excuse me for saving your ass!"


"I never asked you to tackle me and apparate at the same time."


"Apparate!" Hermione gasped. "You can't apparate!"


Harry sighed and turned to Hermione. "Dumbledore taught me to apparate last year, Hermione."


"What? Why didn't you say anything?"




"Cause no one was suppose to know!"




"As much as I enjoy the family reunion, would you mind releasing me from this prison!" Malfoy snapped, kicking the barrier.


"Oh no, you're not going anywhere!" Harry snorted. "Not until you tell me what they hell was going on out there!"


"Like I'd tell you anything." Malfoy snorted.


"Why were they trying to kill you?"


"None of your business."


Harry growled, pinning Malfoy with a glare. "I now it's difficult but could you please grow up!"


"What? You want a thank you?" Malfoy sneered. "Well forget about it!"



"I just saved your ass!"


"No one asked you to butt in, but you always have to be the hero, don't you Potter?"


Harry began to advance on Malfoy when Hermione grabbed him by the arm. "He's not worth it Harry, let's just get out of here! Dumbledore's probably heard about the attack by now!"


"You're right." Harry sighed. There was going to be a lot of explaining to do. His eyes once again landed on Malfoy, and a grin spread across his face. At least he wouldn't have to do it alone.


"What the hell are you looking at me for?"


"You're coming with us!"


"Like hell I am!" Draco growled.


"Harry, you can't possible mean taking him to the Burrow." Hermione gasped. "Ron is going to freak!"


"Then we'll take him to headquarters!" Harry smirked, approaching Malfoy.


"You stay the hell away from me, Potter." Draco shouted, backing away from the Gryffindor.


"We can do this the easy way or the hard way, Malfoy!" Harry warned. "I have no problem resorting to force.




"Yeah, try it!"


"Alright!" Harry smirked, quickly casting petrificus totalus on the blonde.


Draco stiffened as the spell hit him and fell to the ground. Chuckling Harry levitated both Malfoy and his packages.


"You should probably go back to the Burrow first, Hermione. Just to let everyone know that we'll be at Headquarters." Harry quickly instructed, before apparating himself, Malfoy and the packages.


Hermione sighed and picked up her stuff. "There goes the idea of having a nice peaceful evening!" she muttered before apparating back to the Burrow!