It's Just 12 Inches of Wood

It's Just 12 Inches of Wood by The Coven

Author: ScorpioPhoenix

Beta: DracaMalfoy, Graballz

Hi all! DracaMalfoy here. As a group The Coven decided to rewrite Chapter Five. The author that had written Chapter Five decided to leave the group. As a whole we decided that it didn't flow with the rest of the story. This is the new Chapter Five. We hope you enjoy it!

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Chapter 5

Killer Fashion

Harry turned around and stared at Draco. “What did you say?”

Draco rolled his eyes. “I said, yes, Potter. It’s an affirmative confirmation of something. Usually means the party is in agreement to what was asked or stated.”

Harry heaved a sigh. “I know what yes means, Malfoy. I just didn’t know you knew how to use that word without a lot of animosity or argument.”

Draco pursed his lips and brushed away real dirt from his clothes. “If this is how you woo friends Potter, it’s no wonder you don’t have any. I don’t count Granger or Weasley as any sort of real companions.”

Harry held up his hands. “You know what, forget it! I’m sorry I even asked!” He turned and stalked away, his hands shoved in his pockets.

Draco watched him go, anger now swelling in his chest, making it tight with anxiety. He could just Apparate home, but somehow the idea of going home to the Manor didn’t appeal to him. He was still wound up from the journey and being at the Manor would only serve to make him restless.

He would get his own drink. He didn’t need Potter to have a drink! It wasn’t like they were friends or anything.

He marched off after the Gryffindor, who had already disappeared down the street.

**********

Harry mumbled angrily under his breath. Stupid Malfoy! He always had to ruin everything. Always had to get a dig in on his friends or call him stupid in some sort of way. He must have been out of his mind to think that they could actually sit down together socially and act like normal people.

Harry glanced up and saw the back entrance to the Leaky Cauldron. Harry really wanted a drink, but he didn’t really want to go the Leaky. The dingy dark pub catered to mostly older witches and wizards, and more than likely, they would all want to stare at him or shake his hand if he went in there.

Nope, some other place would have to work for tonight.

Harry glanced to his left and saw the entrance to Knockturn Alley. He smiled to himself as he remembered getting lost down there his second year and Hermione trying to trick Mister Borgin about finding out what Malfoy was up to.

He scowled when he thought of Malfoy.

Harry vaguely recalled seeing a small pub down there. Maybe he could get a drink there. No one would really want to talk to him in Knockturn Alley, would they? Everyone may even leave, which would be even better.

Harry headed down the winding street, looking for some sort of drinking or eating establishment. Several of the shops looked dark or even deserted, but a few still were open with customers scurrying out of them and heading home.

Harry saw Borgin and Burkes and he immediately looked around for the pub. He didn’t see anything that he remembered, but there was a small lit window of a shop further down the lane. Two wizards had just left and one held a goblet in his hand. As Harry watched, the wizard downed it and the two walked off together.

Harry made his way to the shop front. The sign outside said, “The Excalibur.” He took a breath and pushed the door open, not sure what he was going to find inside.

The place was dimly lit, but clean. Several tables were set about and a bar was serving home to several wizards and a few witches.

No one even bothered to turn and look at him.

Harry took that as a good sign and he entered the pub. He casually pulled his wand and cast a Disillusionment Charm over his scar. A house-elf popped into view.

“Will Master be wanting a table?”

Harry nodded.

“Will Master be expecting company?”

Harry snarled, “No.”

The elf seemed pleased with his response because it brightened considerably. “Does Master want company?”

Harry looked down at the elf, wondering what type of place this was. “Ummm…not at the moment, no.”

The elf looked disappointed, but then brightened again. “Master is most good-looking. Company may be wanting Master anyway.”

The elf bowed low and escorted Harry to a quiet corner. The elf snapped its fingers and a roll of parchment appeared, displaying the food items being served. Harry realized that he was starving.

“Steak and kidney pie. With a pint.” The elf nodded and disappeared.

Harry looked around and saw that a wizard at the bar was staring at him. Harry frowned and the wizard smiled. He nodded at him and then turned to his companion.

The front door opened again and Harry grimaced when he saw the blond hair.

**********

Draco had heard of this place.

The placed served everyone but had a large clientele of gay wizards and witches. The establishment could only be seen by someone who was gay or bi-sexual. Or you had to come with a friend who was. Or if you entertained thoughts of someone.

Draco entered and was immediately accosted by a house-elf. He decided he wanted to sit at the bar, but then noticed Potter in the corner. He smirked to himself. So…Potter was here…which meant…

Draco pointed to a table instead.

The elf was positively delighted with Draco’s choice.

Draco sat down in front of Harry, smirking broadly. “Well, Potter. I guess we’ll be having that drink together after all.”

Harry nodded slowly. “I suppose so.” The elf returned with Harry's food and drink and left with Draco's order. Harry picked up the grog and drank heartily.

Draco winced at the display. “You are so common, Potter. Have you ever had wine before? Or anything that doesn’t come out of a barrel?”

Harry eyed him irritably. “You know, you can find another table. If you came over here to natter on about my food choices-“

Draco raised his hand to silence him. “Not at all, Potter.” He smiled with half his teeth showing. “I came to natter you about…your other choices.”

Harry frowned and began to dig into his food. “What?”

Draco leaned back. “You have no idea about this place, do you?”

Harry had a sinking feeling in his stomach. He glanced up at the blond, who was looking entirely too cheerful about something.

“I’m sure you’re about to tell me.”

Draco smirked and smiled happily when the elf brought his order. “This is a gay wizard’s pub.” He picked up his glass of wine and sipped it cautiously. “You’re gay.”

Harry spluttered into his grog. “Just because this is a gay place, doesn’t mean that I am. I just came in here because it had a place to drink.” He completely missed the fact that Draco was also was in here.

Draco picked up his knife and fork, looking at his basket of fish and chips approvingly. “Au contraire, Potter. Only those who are inclined to dabble in same sex activities can see this place. I heard about it from Marcus Flint.”

Harry’s mouth fell open. “Marcus Flint? Your Quidditch captain? He’s gay?” Harry laughed loudly at that. “That troll?”

Draco frowned. “That 'troll' as you say was shagging YOUR Quidditch captain as well.”

“Wood??”

Draco almost laughed at the look of incredulity on Harry’s face. “Yes, I caught them my first year in the Slytherin locker room one night. That was the night that I learned what a Stinging Hex felt like.”

Harry was gobsmacked. “You’re joking! I can’t believe this! Wood never…he hated the Slytherins! You should have heard him when we had to play your team.”

Draco grinned. “Well, now you know why he hated us so much. It was Flint that he hated. But it didn’t stop him from shagging him though. Completely dysfunctional if you ask me. To shag someone you hate.”

Harry felt heat rising to his face. He’d had an erection over Malfoy just the other day. God, how mortifying!

Then the full of what Draco had said, hit him full blast.

“This is a gay pub? And only gay wizards can see it?”

“Catching on now, are you?”

Harry stared pointedly at Draco. “And you’re in here because…you like the decorations?”

“I’m not gay, Potter.”

“Neither am I!”

“However, I have…thought…about it.”

Harry raised an eyebrow. “Thought about it? This place can pick up your…thoughts?”

“Yes. So I’ve never done it. But I’ve thought about it. I mean…blokes fell all over me at school. I just never gave them the time of day.”

“You got propositioned at school? By who?” Harry was genuinely curious.

“Well, Flint of course. But as you said, he WAS a troll. That Ravenclaw bloke, Michael Corner-“

“He dated Ginny! That git!” Harry was aghast.

“Yes, which was exactly why I’d never let him touch me. Zacharias Smith…”

Harry snorted then. “That stuck-up bloke! Figures…he should have been right up your alley.”

Draco looked affronted. “I’m not stuck-up, Potter. Just because I happen to have nice things and care about what I look like does not make me stuck-up.”

“Whatever, Malfoy. Believe what you want. You’re a stuck-up, whiny git. Always have been, always will be."

Draco puffed up like an angry cat. “You’re an attention-seeking, boorish peasant, Potter!”

Harry bristled in anger. “Attention-seeking?? You’re one to talk, Malfoy! Everything you’ve ever done has been to gain attention! Buckbeak, buying brooms so you could get on the Slytherin team-”

“My father bought those brooms! I had nothing to do with that!”

“You ran home and cried to Daddy like you always did, Malfoy! Talk about path-”

The elf appeared at the table looking disapproving. “Masters…Tiffy is having to tell you that shouting is not allowed. It is upsetting the other masters and mistresses.”

Harry closed his mouth with a snap and looked around the pub. Several people were looking in their direction. Harry felt his face growing hot and he lowered his eyes quickly.

“Sorry,” he murmured.

Draco rolled his eyes but didn’t say anything else. He picked up his glass of wine and downed it, still looking angry.

An awkward silence descended on the two young men and Harry went back to poking in his meal. Draco had ordered fish and chips, a rather plain dish for someone of Draco’s stature, but he had been eating it steadily. Now, he didn’t touch the basket anymore.

Harry was about to speak again, when a shadow fell over the table.

Harry looked up to see the wizard who had been staring at him earlier, looming over the table.

The man gave Harry a smile and then looked at Draco. Draco glowered back and the wizard grinned even harder.

“You two look like you could use some fun,” he said gruffly. He was a large man, heavily muscled and bald-headed. He looked to be about thirty. He jerked his head towards the bar and another wizard sat on the stool, watching them with a feral grin.

“I’m Willem and that’s my mate, Claude. He has a thing for…blonds.” He eyed Draco with appreciation and Draco’s eyes widened in dismay. “I, on the other hand, love green eyes.” He turned back to Harry, who was now looking alarmed.

Harry looked at Draco, who was cringing in his seat. “Ummm…thanks…but no thanks.”

Willem frowned. “Now…don’t be like that. I know we look…not as good as the two of you. But believe me…I can give a wicked blowjob. Can make you come in less than twenty seconds. And Claude can touch your prostate with his tongue.”

Harry and Draco gaped at one another across the table. Draco mouthed ‘my prostate’ and Harry whispered “twenty seconds.”

They both looked at Willem and then at Claude, who raised his goblet to them.

Harry felt his cock stirring slightly. Oh…bloody hell!

“I’m sorry, I don’t give my prostate to strange men in bars,” Draco said haughtily, sitting up straighter and sneering at the man. Harry had to bite his lip to keep from laughing at the look on Willem’s face.

“How 'bout at home then?” He asked, and Harry could tell that he was absolutely serious with the question. He snickered as Draco’s face paled even further.

“I meant, I don’t have sex with strangers…anywhere.” He said tersely.

Willem looked annoyed and then he swung his gaze to Harry. “How about you then?”

Harry felt his cock still trying to listen to the conversation. It would be nice to get a spectacular blow job, but how to do it without alerting Malfoy. He knew the Slytherin would never let him live it down if he took this guy up on his offer.

Harry tilted his head slightly and smiled at the man. “Tonight’s not a good night…ummm…Willem. Another time, perhaps.”

Willem grinned at him and pulled a small card from his pocket. “Here’s my number. I’ll remember you…Emerald Eyes. Owl me, it’ll be worth it.”

He sneered at Draco, who sneered back in defiance. Willem headed back to the bar and began talking to Claude, who nodded and stood up. They left their seats.

Draco snarled at Harry. “What the hell was that, Potter? You would actually let that troll touch you? Some stranger? And you said you weren’t gay!”

Harry tipped his drink back. “I still like women too.” He said cheerfully.

Draco took a deep breath. For some reason, he was pissed that Harry didn’t tell that guy where he could get off. It was like Harry was actually CONSIDERING the offer.

“You can’t be that hard up that you’d really take him up on 'that', Potter. I mean…come on. You’re…Harry Potter. Surely any number of your fans would…take care of that for you.”

Harry made an irritated noise. “I’m not hard up, Malfoy. And I want someone who DOESN'T know who I am. I’m tired of ‘fans’! It’s not about me, anyway; it’s about the scar with them!”

Draco was surprised, but he didn’t let on. Harry was standing up. “I’m tired…and you know Ollivander is going to have some crazy thing for us next. Are you done?” He gestured at the half-eaten plate in front of Draco.

Draco no longer had an appetite anyway. He stood also and watched as Harry threw a couple of Galleons on the table.

They left the pub and headed up the street back towards Diagon Alley. They hadn’t gone far when they heard a low groan coming from a side street. Harry pulled his wand and headed in the direction of the noise.

“Potter? Where the hell are you going?”

“Someone might be hurt and need help. I’m helping.”

Draco rolled his eyes as Harry trudged off. Is this what the Gryffindor did? Charge in to save the day all of the time? But he found himself following behind the Savior, his wand drawn.

Draco rounded the corner that Harry had just disappeared around. He almost walked up the Gryffindor’s back, as Harry had stopped dead in the center of the alley.

“Bloody hell-” Draco started as he pulled himself away from the man. “Why do you keep doing that?”

But Harry didn’t answer and Draco peered around him to see what had captured the prat’s interest so completely.

Willem was kneeling down on the ground in front of Claude, the shorter man’s cock in his mouth. Claude was groaning in pleasure, his hands gripping the wall behind him.

As they watched, Willem swallowed the man’s entire length and sucked noisily. Claude grunted loudly and reached down to pat his partner on the top of his head.

This seemed to be a signal for Willem, because the man sped up, sucking and swallowing quickly.

Draco stood mesmerized as he watched the scene in front of him. It reminded him of the night he’d caught Flint and Wood in the locker room. He hadn’t been able to see much, because Wood’s back had been to him and obscured Flint’s erection, but this was vivid and alive in front of him.

Pansy had given him blow jobs of course, as had a few of the other girls at school, but he’d never thought about what it really looked like from an observation standpoint. He’d never witnessed any of his friends in sexual acts either, so this was a brand new experience for him.

The cock slid in and out easily enough, and Willem had his eyes closed as his large mouth surrounded the soft flesh. His rough hands were gripping the other man tightly, keeping him still against the alley wall while Willem worked his tongue and lips expertly over his partner’s length. Claude was panting heavily, which was a signal for most men that an explosion was imminent.

Draco felt a tightening in his own loins, the blood racing to fill his manhood. He swallowed hard and glanced at Harry, who still hadn’t moved a muscle.

Harry’s mouth was parted slightly and his large green eyes were alight with excitement and a savage lust that Draco found…intoxicating. Potter’s breathing had increased as well, and Draco audibly sighed when Potter’s pink tongue suddenly appeared and brushed across his dry lips, wetting them until they glistened lightly.

A strangled gasp recaptured Draco's attention, and he jerked his head to watch. Willem had pulled back from the cock, even though his mouth was still on it. The cock was living flesh and blood, spurting in spasmodic movement, and Draco saw the white fluid land expertly Willem’s mouth.

Claude was whimpering now, his body tense and rigid, but his knees were shaking. His cock pulsed again and Willem’s throat worked as he swallowed his lover’s essence. His large hands had gripped the cock tightly and he was stroking it, as if coaxing the rest of the seed out.

One long shuddering groan from Claude and Willem sat back on his haunches, smiling smugly. Claude was gasping for breath, still supported by the wall, and he reached to pull his lover up. Neither man paid any attention to Harry or Draco, who they had to know were standing merely ten feet away from them. Claude’s lips reached Willem’s and they began to kiss, embracing tenderly.

“Potter-”

Harry turned his head sharply at Draco's whisper, and Draco's mouth fell open at the sight of Harry’s intense expression. The Gryffindor’s eyes had darkened to the color of tropical storm clouds, and they burned with an all-consuming desire, that enveloped Draco and threatened to suffocate him.

Draco’s cock stiffened so painfully at that moment, he actually thought something had been cut off. He resisted reaching down to stroke himself…fix himself…because that would be completely inappropriate. Draco also resisted the urge to look at Harry’s crotch area to see if he had been affected by this…unseemly display.

“Malfoy,” Harry rasped out and Draco was spooked at how husky the man’s voice sounded. Harry moved towards him slowly and Draco’s mouth fell open when Harry’s hand settled firmly on his cock.

His cock lurched, like it was trying to leap out of his pants and into Harry’s hot palm. Draco knew it was hot because he could feel the heat searing through his clothes. He opened his mouth to demand that Potter take his hand away immediately, but all that came out was a horribly aroused moan!

Harry pushed Draco against the stone wall of the building, and Draco wondered what the hell was wrong with his hands and feet, because his hands weren’t pushing Harry away and his feet carried him easily to the wall’s crumbled surface. His mouth wasn’t working properly either, because no words of “Stop!” or “No!” surfaced at all; in fact, his lips were now touching Harry’s in some sort of desperate puckering motion.

Draco’s hands were finally moving, and his brain shouted in relief. Finally, this was going to end when they were going to shove Potter away and hex him until his skin fell off. So Draco and his brain were equally stunned and appalled when his hands reached for Potter’s cock, curious to see what was going on down there.

Another horrible moaning sound followed, and Draco wasn’t sure who had made the noise.

Potter’s cock was hard against his hand, and Draco felt Potter’s body moving against him, pressing him into the wall. A wetness touched the skin of his neck, and Draco’s breath hitched as the wet tongue swiped his neck again.

Draco’s hand moved again on Potter’s cock, rubbing hard against Harry’s rutting body. He couldn’t think at all once Harry’s hand sneaked past his pants and underwear’s defenses. Draco whimpered; his cock was in Potter’s hand, unimpeded by cloth.

One of Draco's hands was clutching Potter’s cock while the other one tightened around Harry’s head and his lips were still puckering, kissing the skin of the other man’s cheek.

And the ground was starting to shake, and Draco’s heart was beating so loudly that he couldn’t hear anything. Something was building inside of him, and Harry’s hot breath was in his ear, and that moaning was growing louder and louder, and Draco was almost there because Potter’s hand was a blur inside his pants, jerking him so frantically and then...

“Hey!!”

Draco twitched. There was a witch standing near them in the alley holding a basket.

Harry fell back, almost dragging Draco with him because his hand was caught in his pants. He jerked his hand out quickly, and Draco put himself back together, his orgasm dying a horrible death.

Draco managed to note that Potter was amazingly fast with a wand, and he quickly cast two Disillusionment Charms on them.

Harry bolted from the alley, jostling the witch as he brushed past her. Draco sprinted after him a second later, not even noticing if Willem and Claude were still there.

The witch threw up her hands in defense, frowning at them. She showed no signs of recognizing either one of them.

“Get a room!!” She shouted after them.

Harry raced out of Knockturn Alley, Draco barely keeping up. They burst out onto Diagon Alley, almost knocking over an elderly wizard whose hands were full of bags from Madam Malkin’s.

“Sorry!” Harry shouted, but he didn’t stop running. They headed for the Apparition and Floo points.

Harry skidded to a stop at the Apparition station. Draco raced up behind him, trying to catch his breath.

Harry looked at him with a big grin on his face. “That was close,” he said. “I don’t think she saw us though.”

Draco frowned at him. “Well we wouldn’t have been in that situation in the first place, if someone had kept their hands to themselves!”

Harry’s smiled faded a bit. “Oh. Well, sorry about that. I..guess I got carried away.”

Draco huffed. “Carried away? I told you I wasn’t gay, Potter! And you ignored my wishes!”

“You didn’t say no, Malfoy! And you were into it!”

“I was not! I didn’t want you or your disgusting boy toys to gang up on me!” Draco hissed, suddenly realizing that he and Harry were practically shouting at each other about the sex they almost didn't have.

Harry’s face drained of color. “You…you thought that I would hurt you or something?”

“You’re not known for your rational judgment, Potter!”

It came out as a whisper, but Draco might as well have shouted it from the rooftops, given the expression that crossed Harry's face. Harry looked as if he’d been slapped, and Draco suddenly felt uneasy. He hadn’t meant to come off so mean, but he was smarting from almost getting caught and his thwarted orgasm.

Harry stepped back from Draco. “Fine, I’m sorry for that, Malfoy. It won’t happen again.” Harry’s cold tone held a note of finality to it, which caused Draco’s uneasiness to turn to silent panic.

He turned his back to Draco and moved forward in the line of wizards to Apparate.

Draco didn’t move, but watched Harry step forward.

The witch behind him gave him an impatient nudge. Draco shot her an annoyed look. She glared and Draco moved forward.

When it was Harry’s turn, he stepped into the spot. He glanced sadly at Draco and then lowered his eyes, disappearing without another word. Draco felt sick with regret over what he had said to Harry.

**********

The next morning, Draco arrived at Ollivander’s to find that Harry hadn’t shown up yet.

Ollivander was bristling with outrage at some piece of parchment he was holding, his eyes squinting at the writing. He crumpled the paper in disgust.

“The stupid Ministry is making it more and more difficult to bring in materials. They are putting restrictions on certain woods now! How am I to make wands if I can’t get the wood I need?”

Draco was leaning against a counter, his mind on the events from the day before. “Hmmm…” he said, not really listening.

“But there are always ways around certain things,” Ollivander continued conspiratorially. “It’s always good to have friends in certain areas. That’s the mission for today, in fact. I need you to check on a friend of mine.”

Draco nodded absently, still thinking of Potter’s lips and hands on him.

“Malfoy!”

Draco jerked and his coffee mug overturned, spilling coffee all over the stack of blank wand order forms.

Ollivander hobbled over and glared at the mess. “Clean that up! And get your head out of the clouds! You’ll need your wits about you today.”

Draco cast a Cleaning charm on the forms. “Wits? For visiting a friend of yours? What’s wrong with your friend?”

“Nothing’s wrong with him,” Ollivander answered gruffly. “He’s my contact for the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures."

"Wait, what does that have to do with wood?" Draco was confused.

"Wood? Oh, the Ministry thing! Nothing! The paper from the Ministry reminded me that I need to to go and check on a contact of mine from INSIDE the Ministry, but it has nothing to do with wood," Ollivander grunted. "He works with magical creatures. He sometimes has…things for me. He’s overdue for another shipment. I haven’t heard from in over a week.”

Draco frowned. “What sort of…things?”

Ollivander gave Draco a dark look but Draco stared back at him evenly. “Things that I wouldn’t normally be able to get on my own.”

Draco knew what that meant; He wasn’t Lucius Malfoy’s son for nothing.

The door opened and Harry entered, yawning. “Sorry I’m late. Bit of a problem at the house last night. Still finding things that are hiding in that old place.”

Ollivander grunted and Draco took the opportunity to give Potter a quick once-over. He wore Muggle jeans and a hooded sweatshirt. Entirely appalling outfit, but he looked smashing in it.

Draco took a large gulp of the scalding coffee that was left in his cup and promptly burned his tongue. He relished the feeling, instead of thinking about Potter’s stupid outfit.

Ollivander waved a piece of paper at Harry, different from the Ministry parchment he had crumpled. “You two are going to Cornwall. Check in on Nicodemus Macnair.”

Harry and Draco both frowned together. “Macnair?” Harry asked testily. “As in, the Death Eater Macnair?”

“His nephew.”

Harry was shaking his head fiercely, and Draco was inclined to agree.

"Are you out of your mind, Ollivander?" Harry snarled.

“I’m not going!” Draco said roughly at the same time.

Ollivander glared at both of them. “You’ll be going if I say you’re going. Nicodemus is no Death Eater. He’s my contact for some of the ingredients from creatures like the Demiguises, only more regulated and dangerous. He’s a good kid. Had nothing to do with his uncle and that mess. He was in Hufflepuff, for Merlin’s sake!"

Draco made a face, and Harry seemed to deflate some. They both knew that, in order to keep the job, they would have to go.

“Hufflepuff? Well, I guess that’s all right then,” Harry acquiesced, taking the parchment from him. It was a letter from Macnair to Ollivander, listing what ingredients the wandmaker could expect in the next shipment, as well as an address. “What exactly are we checking for?”

“As I was telling young Malfoy here, I haven’t heard from him in over a week. He was supposed to send me some fresh Veela hair, but I haven’t received anything. He hasn’t responded to my owl either.”

Harry’s face changed to one of concern. “You think something bad has happened, then?”

“Who knows, but that Nicodemus often has strange creatures that he ought not to. He’s like that Hagrid. Always been drawn to the most dangerous ones...and he knows he shouldn’t have them, but…”

Ollivander trailed off, looking forlorn. Harry finally turned and looked at Draco for the first time that morning. His expression was unreadable, but Draco sort of hoped that Harry would ignore the words that were spoken the night before.

Harry shoved the parchment in his pocket. “We’ll be going then, Ollivander.”

Draco picked up the bag that carried their supplies. He’d brought more things to refill it with when he arrived this morning.

Ollivander nodded without speaking and he shambled back to his numerous shelves.

**********

They had to use the Floo Network to get them to the address on the parchment, which turned out to be a small tavern in Cornwall. The tavern was manned by a witch named Agatha, who informed them that Nicodemus lived in a country house about two miles away.

“Mind the Muggles,” she called after them. “Not many here in this part, but occasionally they will show up.”

They began to walk, and Draco was mindful of the awkwardness between the two of them now. Harry hadn’t said much on the journey, but he didn’t seem angry, just indifferent.

Draco decided to end the silence. “So what problem turned up at your house, Potter?”

Harry glanced at him and then turned away. “A boggart. There was one there before, but Remus had gotten rid of it. Or at least I thought he had. But one turned up last night, and I had to deal with it.”

“So you had another Dementor attack then?”

Harry looked at him again. “No. I’ve gotten over that fear. Facing so many of them over the last couple of years has taken the shock away. It was something different this time.”

“What was it?”

“It was nothing. Drop it.”

Draco felt the coldness wash over him. “I was just making conversation, Potter; you don’t have to bite my head off.”

Harry turned hard green eyes to him. “Well, I certainly don’t want to hurt you or anything,” he snapped.

“Look, Potter…about that-“

“We’re here,” Harry interrupted. Draco looked up and saw a large house standing at the end of the lane.

The house looked quiet and deserted, but Draco’s nerves were singing in alarm. He pulled his wand, just as Harry pulled his.

“Careful now,” Harry hissed softly as they entered the gate, which was pulled shut. Harry could feel the wards shimmering around the house. Most likely the house was invisible to Muggles.

They crossed the yard, and Draco noticed the overgrown grass. “How long did Ollivander say he hadn’t heard from this bloke?”

“At least a week.”

“Does grass grow that fast?”

Harry cast an quick appraising glance at the yard as they approached the steps. “This is about the right amount of growth for having been untended for a week. Of course, it could be that he just hasn’t taken the time to care for the yard.”

"How'd you know that, Potter?" Even in the ominous atmosphere, Draco was genuinely curious.

"The Muggles who raised me used me for a lot of chores, including yard work," Harry said shortly, his attention focused solely on the front door, indicating that he did not want to continue that particular line of conversation.

Draco’s sense of foreboding increased. They climbed the steps slowly and Harry looked at the darkened windows. Draco headed to one of them and tried to peer inside. He couldn’t see inside because the windows had been charmed to stay black.

Harry looked at him inquisitively and Draco shook his head. Harry nodded and approached the door, several hexes in the front of his mind, ready for casting.

Draco returned to his right side and Harry flicked his wand with an “Alohomora.”

The smell assaulted them the minute the door opened. Draco almost gagged, but Harry moved forward, quickly casting a Bubblehead Charm on both of them.

The living room was in state of complete chaos. The sofa had been torn apart and the stuffing had been strewn all over the floor. Pictures were ripped from the walls, tables were overturned. Harry clutched his wand tightly in trembling hands. It must have been a hell of a fight.

There was a low mewling sound coming from the kitchen and they moved in that direction.

As they entered, there were several boxes of various sizes sitting on the floor. They were stamped with

DEPARTMENT FOR THE REGULATION AND CONTROL OF MAGICAL CREATURES

Suddenly a ball of hissing fur flew from the top of the refrigerator and landed right on Draco’s chest.

Draco shouted and pushed the creature away. It landed with a thud on the floor and Harry spun around with his wand pointed at it.

A bloody kneazle crouched by the foot of the stove, its eyes glittering malevolently. Two of its legs were missing and several patches of fur were gone.

“What the fuck is wrong with that thing?” Draco hissed, wiping his shirt off. He felt violated.

Harry peered at it but didn’t get to close. “It looks like something has been at it. Eating it or something.”

Draco shuddered and moved away from it. Draco didn’t like cats.

Harry was walking towards the boxes.

“Be careful, Potter!” Draco said anxiously.

Harry leaned over an open box. There was nothing in there but some straw.

“There’s nothing in this one. Maybe it ate on the Kneazle.”

“Probably ate Macnair too.” Draco said viciously.

A cage rattled and Harry looked towards the back of the kitchen. There were two of them, one containing a large brightly colored bird and the other one had a small blue bird.

Both looked miserable.

Their cages were filthy and their food dishes were empty.

Harry noticed bird food nearby and he started towards the cages. “Poor things,” he muttered.

Draco was looking around the kitchen and saw the birds. “That’s a Fwooper, isn’t it?”

“A whatter?”

“A Fwooper. It sings or something. I heard they are bright like that.”

The Fwooper opened its mouth, but nothing came out.

“Well, this one can’t sing,” said Harry. “Or at least its voice isn’t working properly.”

“They are sold with Silencing Charms, from what I heard. Don’t remember why.”

Harry looked at the bird. “Well, let’s leave it on. I don’t want any trouble from that thing.”

Harry put food in their dishes and cast a quick Scourgify on the cages.

The blue bird opened its mouth and let out a horrifying shrieking sound. Harry and Draco clapped their hands over their ears, and the bird kept shrieking in one long continuous horrible sound.

“Bloody hell!” Harry shouted over the noise of the bird. Who knew that such a small bird could make such a sound?

The kneazle hissed in outrage and fled from the kitchen.

“Shut that thing up, Potter!” Draco gasped, his hands slammed against his head.

Harry pointed his wand at the bird. “Silencio!”

The bird kept shrieking, the noise changing into something else entirely.

Draco pointed his wand then. “Finite Incantatem!”

The bird kept going, its little blue body shaking in the effort.

The Fwooper ruffled its feathers and opened its mouth. Draco's spell had hit the wrong cage. A slow pretty song erupted from its mouth.

Harry looked at Draco for a moment, his ears filling with the sound of the bird. His jaw went slack and he begin gibbering in a language Draco had never heard before.

“Potter!!” Draco shouted. The song was coiling around his brain and he began to feel very strange.

Drool poured from Harry’s mouth and he fell back against the table, turning it over. The table fell onto the remaining boxes, splintering two of them. Harry rolled onto the floor and continued shouting in whatever language had entered his mind.

Fwoopers make you insane, a small voice inside Draco’s brain reminded him, and Draco managed to remember one last spell, aiming it at the Fwooper this time. “Silencio!!!”

The spell worked. The Fwooper’s mouth stayed open, but thankfully nothing was coming out anymore. Draco’s brain seemed to clear and he looked quickly at Harry, who was stretched out on the floor, with his eyes crossed.

The little blue bird kept shrieking.

Draco rushed over to his fallen partner, shoving the table out of the way and kicking salt and pepper shakers across the room.

“Potter,” Draco said, shaking him roughly. “Get up!”

Harry was still shouting and Draco was terrified that he was now insane and Draco would have to get him back to Diagon Alley like this somehow...

Draco held him tightly and Potter suddenly went quiet. Draco stared down at him fearfully, praying that he hadn’t died or anything. Potter’s eyes seemed to clear and he took a great shuddering breath.

“What the fuck was that??” He sputtered out, struggling out of Draco’s arms.

“I remember now why those birds are silenced.” Draco said wearily. “Their singing drives you insane.”

“And that other one?”

“No idea. It won’t shut up.”

Draco helped Harry to stand up and he was surprised that he was still conscious of the man’s heat and how good he had felt when he held him.

“Come on,” Harry said as he straightened out his clothes. He looked down at the mess on the floor and the splintered boxes. A piece of parchment was sticking out of one of the boxes.

Harry picked it up and scanned it. “That’s a Fwooper, all right.”

Draco leaned over his shoulder. “A manifest? Well, that would have been helpful a moment ago.”

Harry was reading the list. “What’s a quintaped?”

Draco found the name of the other bird, ignoring Harry's question because he didn't know but didn't want to admit that he didn't know. “That’s a Jobberknoll. It sings when it dies.”

“It's dying?”

“Must be. It makes no sound until its death.”

“And a lethifold?”

Draco paled. “There’s a lethifold in here?”

“It’s here on the list.”

Draco held his wand up. “I’ve heard of those. They're, like…killer clothes or something.”

“Clothes that can kill you?” Harry glared at Draco skeptically.

“I don’t know!" Draco huffed. Right then, he reminded Harry of Hermione, who absolutely LOATHED having to admit when she didn't know something. "You were friends with that Hagrid oaf. Didn’t he teach you anything about this kind of stuff?”

“He never mentioned that one. And he’s not an oaf,” Harry added.

“Whatever! Well, that’s probably what ate the Kneazle and Macnair.”

Harry looked incredulous. “Some clothes ate Macnair??”

Draco was about to respond that Potter was an idiot, when the Jobberknoll stopped shrieking. It keeled over in its cage and didn’t move anymore.

It was then they heard the slow dragging sound right outside the kitchen door.

Draco’s voice cracked slightly as he said, “That sounds like clothes dragging across the floor!”

Harry rolled his eyes. “Shut up, Malfoy. And even if it is, we can beat a shirt, don’t you think?”

Draco hissed irritably at him and they both headed towards the door with wands at the ready.

Harry pushed the door open carefully and they looked out into another sitting room.

A hand closed around Harry’s ankle and he let out a yelp.

“Pleaseee…” a weak voice called. “Help me…”

Harry’s eyes dropped to the floor and he gasped in horror. Clutching his ankle was the hand of man...

A half-eaten man, whose entrails were dragging across the carpet. Both of his legs were missing.

Harry’s brain was shutting down and he felt a wave of nausea hit him. He felt Draco at his side and the other man was not faring much better.

“Merlin…” Draco groaned and his hand went up to his mouth. He turned towards the kitchen and began retching horribly.

Harry tried to stay grounded. This man needed help in the worst way and Harry had no idea what to do.

He wasn’t the best with Healing Charms, but he did know a few. But there was so much blood in the room, that Harry wasn’t sure if it would help at all. He needed to go to St. Mungo’s immediately.

“Does your Floo work?” Harry asked, being careful to not look at the man’s missing half.

He nodded weakly.

“Draco!! Floo St. Mungo’s now! Get a Healer here!”

Draco didn’t answer, but the retching had stopped.

Harry kneeled down next toMacnair. “We’re going to get you some help, okay? You’re going to be all right.”

The man looked so grateful that Harry felt bad they hadn’t looked for him sooner.

“We came for Ollivander. He was worried.”

The man nodded again and then his faced changed.

"Behind you," he whispered, his lips trembling in fear.

Harry twisted around and a large black cloth flew at his head.

Darkness fell around him and Harry felt the cloth tightening his hold on him, covering his face. A painful stinging sensation began and Harry jumped up and began beating at his face, trying to pull the cloth away. He heard his wand clatter to the floor.

“D-fr-co!” But his voice was muffled and the cloth grew tighter.

Harry panicked and he shuffled around the floor, unable to see, fearful he would step on Macnair. He stumbled into a bookcase and a rain of books fell down upon him. He shouted in pain as the tomes fell on him and he was knocked to the floor.

Unconscious.

**********

Draco rinsed his mouth out with water from the tap.

Half a man?? That was the most disgusting thing he’d ever seen.

And he’d seen some stuff.

Voldemort living at his house had not been a picnic.

He heard Harry shout about a Healer and Draco hurried to the front room and the fireplace.

He had to move furniture out of the way to get to it and he grabbed a handful of Floo powder and tossed it in.

“St. Mungo’s! Emergency Room!”

A pretty witch’s face appeared in the fire, but the sound was distorted when she spoke. “What is the status of your emergency?”

“I’ve got half a man here. He’s been eaten by something. We need a Healer here, now!”

“Name.” Her face flickered, and Draco worried that it would close.

“Nicodemus Macnair.”

"Sir, this Floo connection appears to be dysfunctional," the witch was no longer smiling, and Draco pieced together what she said.

"There's a tavern about two miles down the road!" He shouted, panicking as her face began to fade. "It's in Cornwall!"

“We’ll send someone right away,” he heard faintly before the fireplace went dead of its own accord.

Draco ran a hand through his blonde hair, praying that the witch had gotten enough information to reach them.

He stood up and felt the strangest feeling of being watched.

He saw the Kneazle in the corner, its fur raised and its eyes glaring.

“Stupid thing,” Draco snarled. “Letting your legs get eaten.”

The Kneazle hissed, spraying spittle into the air and its hackles rose.

Draco frowned at it. “I’m not going to hurt you. I don’t even like you-“

A sudden noise from behind him had Draco whirling around.

A creature with five legs and reddish-brown hair was schlumping up behind him. Its body was slung low and round and Draco wasn’t sure what it was. It reminded him of a spider...a very ugly, very giant mutant spider.

Its mouth was dripping blood and Draco saw part of a lower intestine in its stained teeth.

Draco raised his wand and the creature jumped directly at Draco. Draco barely had time to get his hex fired off before he was hit full in the chest by it. They both toppled over an overturned coffee table.

Draco landed flat on his back and his wand flew from his hand. The creature was snarling and Draco felt one of its legs digging painfully into his abdomen. Its teeth snapped dangerously close to his face. Draco raised his knee and pushed it off.

The creature rolled to the side clumsily and Draco scrambled to his feet. He grabbed his wand and sent a Body-Bind hex, but the creature darted out of the way, its legs flapping wildly.

It disappeared over the back of the sofa and darted into the room that Harry was in.

“Harry!!!” Draco shouted as he leaped over the armchair.

The sound of screaming filled the air and Draco bolted into the room.

Harry lay on the floor covered in books with a black cloth over his head. Draco could see it was wiggling like a Flobberworm.

Macnair was screaming and Draco immediately saw why. The creature was sitting on his back and was gnawing at the back of his head.

“IMPEDIAMENTA!!”

The creature was blasted from Macnair’s back and flew across the room, crashing into a cabinet.

Draco rushed to Harry and grabbed hold of the cloth. It struggled violently in Draco’s hands and he shuddered in revulsion.

Yanking with all of his might, Draco ripped the cloth from Harry’s face, wincing at the blue tint. He quickly shoved his wand at Harry’s chest and shouted, “ENERVATE!”

Harry coughed hard and he looked up at Draco, confusion in his eyes. “What happened?” He sat up, pushing books from his body. Then he blinked rapidly, remembering what had happened.

“That fucking shirt!!!”

Draco had focused solely on getting Harry to breathe again, completely forgetting about the lethifold. He turned his head and saw it slithering across the floor towards Macnair again. He raised his wand, but Harry was already on his feet, his wand out and he shouted “INCENDIO!!”

The cloth emitted a small shriek and thrashed wildly about, fire igniting all over its leathery body.

The quintaped had recovered from its flight across the room. It was standing on its five legs again and it let out a bellow of rage.

Harry twisted around to stare at the new creature. “What the-”

“It’s quick, Potter.” Draco said, “Watch out.”

The quintaped watched them warily and it moved back away from them, considering its options.

Harry nodded at Draco and the two of them walked towards it, skirting the burning lethifold and Macnair’s bloody torso. Draco moved to the left of it and Harry moved to the right.

It looked at Harry and then at Draco, trying to decide what to do.

Harry nodded at Draco and they both cast simultaneous stunning spells in rapid succession; low sets and high ones.

The creature tried to duck out of the way, but was hit with a low stunner. It dropped to the floor with a nasty thud and didn’t move.

Harry sighed in relief and Draco walked over to it and cast “INCARCEROUS.”
Ropes sprang out and bound the creature.

The sound of the kitchen door opening from one room over caused Harry to whip around, aiming reflexively; the hex flew from his lips so fast that he didn’t even see what it was that was coming.

There was a thump and then no movement.

Harry dashed to the kitchen and winced.

The Healer lay on the floor, out cold.

“Fuck.”

He revived the woman, who sat up rubbing her head. “Well, that’s some welcome.” But she wasn’t angry. Draco breathed a sigh of relief that she had found them.

She hurried to tend to her charge and Harry walked to the front porch.

A few minutes later, Draco followed behind him, holding their pack.

“I took the liberty of taking a few items. Ollivander may be able to use them. I took the Jobberknoll, and got some feathers from that Fwooper.” He held up a piece of charred cloth.

“This was all that was left of the shirt.”

Harry scowled.

Draco looked out across the yard. “The Healer is taking him to St. Mungo’s. I signed for it. They’re going to get someone to come here and get the animals. There are more that are unaccounted for. Who knows what else is in that house…or escaped.”

Harry turned and faced the house, leaning on the railing. “Thanks, Malfoy. You saved my life in there. Taken out by a shirt.”

Draco grinned. “Well, your fashion is killer anyway. Maybe it was trying to tell you something.”

Harry snorted. “Yeah, I guess I could use a change. Hermione has said so often enough.”

Draco turned to look at Harry and Harry looked back.

Draco wanted to tell him he was sorry, that he hadn’t meant what he had said the night before, but words weren’t coming. He knew that Harry wouldn’t have done anything so vile; he was just unnerved by how willing he’d been to make out with him in a dirty back alley, with two other strange men watching.

“Potter-"

The Healer came to the front door and called out, “I’m taking Mister Macnair now. Will you stay until someone from the Ministry comes?”

Harry nodded at her.

He looked back at Draco expectantly, but the moment had been broken.

**********

Author's note--The reviews that begin with HPObsession23 down to Lilith are for the old Chapter 5 that no longer exists. Apologies to those who liked it and were waiting for the siren part, but Chapter 5 was not satisfactory to the authors of The Coven. There WILL be a siren part at some point, so you can still look forward to that.

As it is, please tell us what you think of the new and GREATLY improved Chapter 5. We understand that some might be upset about the change, but we would respectfully request that you do not leave a comparison review. The old Chapter 5 no longer exists, so please review this chapter based on its merit alone and not the way it compares with the old chapter. Thank you.

~Graballz