Funerals and Weddings

For disclaimer, summary, story codes and other information, please see the prologue.

Chapter the Fiftieth: Plans of Defence
13 January

“Thank you for coming, gentlemen,” Dumbledore welcomed the three boys to the meeting after they were settled in his office. They sat in chairs arranged in a semi-circle in front of Dumbledore’s desk: Snape, Blaise, Draco, Harry.

“Draco, have you told Harry about your most recent dream?” Dumbledore inquired.

“Yes, sir,” Draco replied.

“Ah, good, then we are all on the same page. Severus, if you would please share with them what we discussed earlier, after viewing Draco’s vision in the Pensieve?”

Snape looked as though he completely disagreed with Dumbledore’s request, but he complied.

“The Headmaster and I are fairly certain that we recognise the village from Mr. Malfoy’s vision as one in Dublin. It’s been many years since either of us were there, hence the lack of absolute surety. If we are correct, the shopping district and the residential area are part of the same village.

“We are almost positive that your dream was actually a vision, Mr. Malfoy. I had just returned from a Death Eater gathering when you knocked at my door this morning. The Dark Lord called us to explain his plan for an attack on a village. He would not reveal where the attack was to take place, but I do know it is planned to occur in four days time. As I am excused from participating in the attack due my duties here at Hogwarts and the attack being scheduled to occur on a weekday, I was dismissed before the Dark Lord gave his instructions to the Death Eaters chosen to participate.”

“Therefore, your vision is of great value to the Order,” Dumbledore added. “Together with Professor Snape’s knowledge of when the attack is to happen, we will be able to mount a solid counter-attack and, with luck, prevent the vision from becoming reality. So on behalf of the Order, Draco, I thank you sincerely for sharing this information with us immediately.”

Draco looked pleased. “Thank you, sir. I was frustrated that I couldn’t identify the village—and of course I had no idea when it might happen. I’m glad that Professor Snape was able to fill in the missing pieces to make my vision useful.”

“Now, I asked you all to come to this meeting for a few additional reasons. First of all, Harry, I want you to begin your Occlumency lessons with Draco right away. Your connection with Voldemort needs to be severed.”

Seeing Harry nod, he continued:

“Secondly, it is unfortunate, but Professor Snape reports that Tom is aware of your decision not to join him, Draco.”

Snape nodded and looked seriously at Draco, who had paled slightly. “When the Dark Lord ‘informed’ the Death Eaters of your ‘betrayal,’ I pretended to assume that he had gotten his information from a Slytherin student and let on that I was not only a bit annoyed that I hadn’t been told of this informant from within my own House, but that knowledge gleaned from a student may not be completely reliable.”

Snape continued, smirking: “The Dark Lord fell for my ruse and gave me the information I wanted to know: he said that he hadn’t gotten his information from a student and that it was most definitely accurate.”

The headmaster’s next words caused Harry to tense, but he was careful not to let it show. “It seems Tom is still rather interested in you, Draco. We feel he may seek to use the distraction caused by the attack as an opportunity to attempt your capture.”

“The Dark Lord asked me many questions about your usual movements, Mr. Malfoy. It put me in the awkward position of having to give him at least some truthful information—after all, he knows that as your Head of House, I would be aware of your timetable. I was able to mislead him to an extent with some false information about your movements outside of classes, but I suspect he may try to gather more specific information about your usual activities from some of your Housemates via their Death Eater parents,” Snape said.

Blaise voiced the concern that Harry was feeling but unable to express. “Shouldn’t we come up with a plan to protect Draco then, sir?”

Dumbledore nodded and his eyes twinkled briefly. “You are quite correct, Blaise, and you have hit upon the reason we asked you to join us today. I hope that you are willing to serve as Draco’s shadow for the next few days—especially the night for which the attack is planned. I believe you share all the same classes, so that shouldn’t be an issue. Can you arrange your schedule to be with Draco as much as possible in the evenings?”

Blaise nodded. “Of course. Draco, looks like I’ll be sticking to you like glue the next few days.”

Draco’s expression was unreadable, but Harry suspected his lover wasn’t thrilled with this news.

“And Harry, I ask the same of you for when you are working with Draco on Occlumency or any other time you are together—keep your guard up,” Dumbledore added.

“Yes, sir,” Harry said. “Er, could I make a suggestion?”

Dumbledore motioned for Harry to go ahead.

“Well, I’m thinking that perhaps it might be a good idea for Malfoy to stay away from the Slytherin dormitory the night of the attack. I mean, if someone were to get inside Hogwarts, I reckon that would be the first place they would look.”

“You mean sleep somewhere else that night?” Draco asked. “Where?”

“The infirmary?” Blaise suggested.

Snape nodded slowly. “Yes, the infirmary would work. Not only is it heavily warded, but Madam Pomfrey would be close at hand.”

Draco looked uncomfortable. “Are you sure all of this is necessary? I mean, how would a Death Eater get into Hogwarts to get to me?”

Snape lifted a brow. “It may not be a Death Eater. It could be a student acting on the Dark Lord’s orders—voluntarily or involuntarily—to bring you outside the wards. I agree that it is unlikely that anything should occur, but precautions should be taken.”

Draco nodded, obviously resigned to the situation.

“Sirs, do you think that someone should stay with Draco in the infirmary? I mean, either Potter or I could sleep there as well,” Blaise offered.

Harry looked slightly surprised at Blaise’s suggestion, but mentally thanked the Slytherin. His hopes of spending a night locked in the infirmary with Draco were dashed, however, by Dumbledore’s next words.

“You are certainly welcome to, Blaise, but I am afraid Mr. Potter will be unavailable that evening. He will be accompanying the Order when they go to the village.”

Harry’s jaw dropped. “I will?”

Dumbledore smiled at Harry’s reaction. “Yes. To observe—and only observe. You will not participate in any fighting. I cannot stress that heavily enough, Harry. You are not to engage in any fighting, no matter how much you may want to. Professor Snape will be with you and the two of you will remain strictly hidden.”

“Er, I guess I’m to be observing battle strategy then?” Harry asked.

To Harry’s surprise, it was Snape who answered him. “You are correct, Mr. Potter. You are going along to learn the strategies typically employed by the Death Eaters in an actual battle. You are also to take note of the strategies employed by the Order members. I will be with you to point out particularly important attack and defence spells and moves. I expect you to pay very close attention, Mr. Potter. You will follow any directions I give you immediately and without question; I will not tolerate any disobedience. Am I clear?”

Harry bit his tongue to keep from protesting Snape’s implication that he was an irresponsible child who didn’t understand the importance and potential danger of this task.

Instead he said evenly, “Yes, sir. You will have my full cooperation.”

Snape seemed to regard his lack of argument somewhat suspiciously, but merely inclined his head.

“Very well,” Dumbledore said. “I believe we’ve covered everything—”

“Er, sir,” Harry interrupted as politely as he could. “There is one more thing. When Malfoy told me the village was in Dublin, I remembered that the Weasleys have family there. Perhaps one of them could examine Malfoy’s vision and possibly confirm the location of the village?”

Dumbledore looked interested. “Ah, yes, I had forgotten about Arthur’s Irish relations. An excellent suggestion, Harry. I will speak to Arthur and Molly about it immediately.”

After a last admonishment for Draco to be cautious, the three boys were dismissed. As the moving stairs carried them down, Draco turned to Harry.

“I don’t like this, Harry. It’s not safe for you to be involved in this attack! I don’t know what that old man is thinking, suggesting that you go along!”

Harry looked a bit surprised at Draco’s vehemence. “Well, I’ll admit I was surprised when he mentioned it. But I’m not going to be involved in the attack—and I’ll be with Snape. I’ll be perfectly safe.”

They reached the door leading out into the corridor. Draco took Harry’s arm to keep him from opening the door yet.

“We’ve got things we need to discuss,” he said. “All three of us. Let’s go back to the office in the dungeons.”

Harry and Blaise nodded. Harry took out his Invisibility Cloak and covered himself before Draco opened the door.

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Once inside the office, Draco started to pace agitatedly. “This is ridiculous. He’s clearly off his rocker, Dumbledore is. First he assigns me a bodyguard—which I don’t need, as I’m perfectly capable of taking care of myself—and then he’s sending Harry off to battle! Why doesn’t Harry need a bodyguard? Wouldn’t the Dark Lord be more likely to try and capture him than me?” Draco seemed to be talking half to himself and half to the other occupants of the room.

Harry and Blaise exchanged a look. Blaise motioned for Harry to go ahead.

“Draco,” Harry started cautiously, “I don’t think Dumbledore or Snape believes you incapable of taking care of yourself. Like Snape said, they are only taking precautions. Being extra careful never hurts—and if it keeps you safe, then I’m all for it.”

Draco glared at him but Harry pushed on. “As for Voldemort trying to capture me…well, I’m sure he’d love to. But think, Draco: Voldemort knows that I’m heavily protected. And I’m sure he believes that if Dumbledore were to worry about someone getting into Hogwarts while he was away at a battle, that worry would be focused on me. Therefore leaving another student more vulnerable: you. You have to admit, it makes sense. I mean, I hate to say I agree with Snape, but it isn’t likely that anything is going to happen anyway—but with Voldemort you just never know.”

“And as for Potter not having bodyguards—well, he does,” Blaise added, earning a surprised look from both Harry and Draco. “It’s true: he’s always with Granger and Weasley. When he’s not, he’s with you, Draco. And since I know what’s going on—and will be with Draco most of the time—I’ll be keeping an eye on Potter myself. The one weakness I see is that Granger and Weasley don’t know to be looking for anything suspicious. Potter, what do you think of telling Bell about all this?”

Harry was surprised, but a little touched by Blaise’s concern for him. “I’ll talk to her tonight—if you agree to one thing.”

Blaise gave him a curious look. “What’s that?”

“Calling me Harry,” he said, grinning. “At least, when we’re not in public.”

Blaise chuckled. “All right—Harry. I guess you can call me Blaise as well. Draco—are you feeling any better about all this?”

Draco looked a little calmer. “Some,” he shrugged, “but I still don’t like you going to the village, Harry.”

Harry didn’t know what else to say to Draco to reassure him, but it seemed Blaise did.

“Really, Draco, if you think about it, Po—er, Harry, will likely be in the safest place possible.”

Draco scoffed. “At the scene of a Death Eater attack?”

“Seriously. Look at it this way: if Dumbledore thinks the Dark Lord may try to get into Hogwarts, the best place for Harry to be isn’t here. And who would think to look for him at that village? The Death Eaters have no idea that we know about this attack. They would never suspect that he would be there, hidden in the shadows with Snape! So as long as he and Snape stay out of sight, I think he’ll be perfectly safe—probably safer than you here at Hogwarts.”

Harry was impressed with Blaise’s logic and he could tell Draco was too. Draco nodded reluctantly. “I guess you’re probably right. But that doesn’t mean that I have to like it.”

Harry smiled and shot a grateful look at Blaise. Blaise winked at him. “Well, I’ll leave you two alone then. Draco, we’ll talk about meshing our schedules later tonight, yeah?”

“Yes, fine,” Draco grumbled, obviously still a little put out at having been assigned a “bodyguard.”

Blaise said goodbye and slipped carefully from the room. Harry sat down on the couch and motioned for Draco to join him.

“Are you all right with all this now?” he asked.

Draco shrugged. “As all right as I can be. I’d rather not talk about it any more. Let’s talk about Occlumency. When do you want to start?”

“How about now?”

Draco considered the idea. “Well, if there’s anything else we want to do, we’d better do that first—because you won’t be in a fit state to do much besides take a nap after an Occlumency lesson.”

Lifting a brow, Harry said, “And is there something in particular that we, er, want to do?”

Draco slid closer to Harry and ran his hands up his chest. “Well, it’s best that one is completely relaxed when practising Occlumency. And I know a good shag always relaxes me…”

Harry grinned. “Oh, me too. And if it helps me prepare for my lesson, then how can I refuse?”

Draco leaned in and captured Harry’s lips. Harry had a fleeting thought that Draco was even more worried about today’s events than he was letting on, because the kiss seemed to have an edge of desperation. Sensing Draco’s need to take control of something in his life, Harry let him take the lead.

Draco plundered Harry’s mouth ruthlessly, sucking and biting at his tongue, teasing around the barbell pierced through it. He traced a path down Harry’s neck with his tongue before sucking hard at the base. He wanted to mark Harry, mark him clearly so that everyone would know that Harry was his, even though he knew Harry would have to cover it with a glamour to avoid awkward questions. It didn’t matter. He knew the mark was there, and that was enough for now.

Harry was wearing a long-sleeve moleskin shirt and while Draco appreciated the smooth texture of the material, he wanted Harry’s skin under his hands. He tore recklessly at the stubborn buttons keeping him from Harry’s flesh and had Harry cursing him half-heartedly.

“Dammit, Draco, this shirt is new! Just hold on a second!”

Shoving at Draco’s hands, Harry lifted the half-unbuttoned shirt over his head, then the white undershirt he wore underneath followed it. Draco took the opportunity to yank off his own jumper and turtleneck as well. As soon as they were both free of their upper garments, Draco pushed Harry backwards on the couch and straddled him. Starting at the love bite already blooming red on Harry’s neck, he licked a path down Harry’s chest before biting down on a pectoral muscle. He heard Harry suck in a breath above him and felt a dark thrill run through him when Harry growled, “Do it again.”

He bit down once more, then moved on to suck and lick at Harry’s flat nipple, closing his teeth around it and tugging gently when he felt it harden beneath his tongue. His fingers rolled the other nipple and Harry moaned and moved restlessly. Hearing those moans made Draco impatient, so he licked and nipped his way down the trail of dark hair bisecting Harry’s abdomen, tongue-fucking his navel as his hands moved to unfasten Harry’s jeans.

Harry lifted his hips to help Draco pull his jeans and shorts down his legs, then cursed along with Draco when they caught on his Docs. Jackknifing into a sitting position, Harry tore at the laces of one while Draco started on the other. He nudged Draco aside, saying, “Do off your own, it’ll be faster.”

Draco didn’t argue and as soon as they were both naked, Draco shoved Harry back again and in one swift move, took Harry’s cock deep within his mouth. Harry groaned at the sudden warm wetness and clenched his fists to keep from coming that instant. Draco worked him mercilessly, tonguing his slit and sucking hard up the length.

Harry could feel his orgasm building rapidly and gasped out a warning to Draco: “Fuck, Draco…I’m gonna…”

Draco flicked a glance up at his lover and smiled as he released his mouthful long enough to whisper, “Come, Harry,” before swallowing him deep again.

The wicked gleam in Draco’s eyes and the little drop of white at the corner of his mouth brought Harry to the edge and with that final suck, he came, shooting down Draco’s throat and shouting his name. He was still trying to catch his breath when he felt the familiar tingle of cleansing and lubrication spells inside his anus. He gasped when he felt one of Draco’s long fingers penetrate him.

“Draco…wait,” he panted, “Gimme a minute here…”

Harry was silenced by Draco’s mouth taking his in a hard, demanding kiss. “No, you don’t get a minute,” Draco said, lifting his mouth briefly. That unholy light was still in his eyes and had Harry moaning. “You just have to lie there and take it.” A second finger was added as Harry groaned into Draco’s mouth. Draco swallowed Harry’s yelp as his finger brushed that small bundle of nerves, then quickly added a third finger. Stretching Harry gently but swiftly, Draco held himself in check as Harry moaned and bucked beneath him.

“Dammit, Draco, now!” Harry said, pushing himself down on Draco’s fingers. “In me, please!”

Harry sucked in a breath when he felt Draco’s fingers leave him, then groaned in appreciation when he felt the slick head of Draco’s cock breach his hole. “Gods, yes!”

Draco steadily pushed himself deeper, stopping only when his balls slapped Harry’s arse to allow Harry a moment to adjust. A moment was all Harry needed, apparently, because he arched his back and demanded, “Move, Draco!”

Draco withdrew almost completely, then pushed back in. He repeated the motion, gritting his teeth as he felt Harry’s inner walls squeeze him. Harry grunted and yanked Draco’s face down for a fast, hard kiss. “Harder, Draco. Take me hard, I know you want to.”

His gaze locked with Harry’s, Draco pulled out and plunged back in, hard. He hit Harry’s prostate this time and had Harry keening his pleasure. He started thrusting harder and faster, slamming repeatedly into Harry’s tight depths, urged on by Harry’s gasps and pleas for more. Harry was so tight and hot…Draco thought the friction might drive him mad. His actions were completely mindless now, his hips thrusting and plunging hard and deep into his writhing lover.

Harry’s hand snaked between them to fist around his renewed erection. Draco could feel the wetness as it rubbed against his stomach. He could feel his balls tightening and the pressure building within him. Determined to make Harry come before he did, Draco leaned in and kissed Harry hard before biting his bottom lip.

That was all it took to have Harry bowing back, screaming Draco’s name as his seed spurted hot and wet between them. Harry’s climax had his inner muscles spasming around Draco’s cock, clenching and squeezing it. With a final hard thrust and a guttural shout, Draco buried himself, coming hard within Harry’s body.

Draco collapsed on Harry’s chest and they lay there, tangled in a sweaty heap, for several long minutes as they recovered. Finally gathering his strength, Draco rolled onto his side, earning a grunt from Harry as he withdrew. Harry drew Draco’s head down on his chest and slurred, “Jus’ rest aminnit…”

Draco managed a weak chuckle at Harry’s sleepy voice. “I think our plan backfired,” he said. He draped his free arm across Harry’s chest.

“Huh?” Harry grunted.

“Supposed to relax you for Occlumency,” Draco murmured as he rubbed his cheek against Harry’s chest. “Doubt you could close off your mind to the weakest Legilimens right now.”

Harry made a grunting sound Draco assumed was meant to be laughter. “Wouldn’t matter.”

Now it was Draco’s turn to say: “Huh?”

“Can’t attack a mind that’s not there,” Harry said. “I think mine drained out my ears. If anyone looked now, they’d just see a big, empty space.”

Draco laughed again. “Somehow I doubt Snape would be impressed if you told him you’d decided to skip learning Occlumency because you’d discovered that sex with me melted your brain and therefore you didn’t need any lessons.”

“Can’t you just see his expression?” Harry asked, his chest jostling Draco’s head as he laughed. He put on his best ‘superior Snape’ voice and said, “I beg your pardon, Mr. Potter? You are just as arrogant as your father was. You continually fail to appreciate the danger in which you place yourself and others by allowing the Dark Lord free access to your mind. Fifty points from Gryffindor for your cheek!”

Draco had lifted his head from Harry’s chest as he spoke and now he stared at him in awe. “Damn, Harry, you sound just like him! I had to look at you to make sure it was really you speaking! How’d you learn to do that?”

Harry grinned. “Oh, years of bitching and moaning about the greasy git after hours in the dorm. Seamus can do McGonagall perfectly.”

He lifted himself onto his elbows and scooted backwards until his back was resting against the arm of the couch. Draco shifted into a sitting position as well. “Ug,” he said as he surveyed his and Harry’s sticky bodies. “Where’s my wand?”

Harry found his first and cleaned them up. Then he sighed as he looked at Draco, who was turning his jumper right-side out again. “I guess we really do need to get started with the Occlumency, yeah?”

Draco nodded and untangled his boxers from his jeans. “Yeah, we should while we have the time together.”

Knowing Draco was right, Harry started sorting his clothes to get dressed as well. When he leaned over to search for his boot under the couch, his yin-yang pendant banged him in the face. “Ow,” he muttered. Rubbing his fingers over the smooth surface, he remembered he’d been meaning to ask Draco about it.

“Draco, I know this pendant you gave me has a protection spell on it, but I don’t know exactly what it does.”

Draco headed popped out of the neck of his turtleneck. “Oh, it gives you a warning when danger is nearby. It’s not much, but it will give you a moment to prepare to defend yourself.”

“What kind of warning?”

“It will get warm, and the snakes will move. I don’t know, but I imagine they’d probably talk to you too, since you’re a Parselmouth,” Draco replied. “You ready?”

“As I’ll ever be,” Harry said, tucking the necklace inside his shirt. “Let’s do this.”

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Harry returned to the Gryffindor Tower and was relieved to find the common room mostly empty. After trudging up the stairs, he was surprised—but grateful—to discover it empty as well. Yanking off his Docs, Harry fell face down on his bed and sighed. His first Occlumency lesson with Draco had gone well—amazing how much easier it was for him to concentrate when Snape wasn’t needling him—but it had exhausted him. Well, that and the sex. Harry smiled into his pillow as he remembered the feel of Draco thrusting hard and deep inside him. Then he groaned. Thinking about sex with Draco wasn’t conducive to sleep. Shutting off his thoughts and blocking his mind from outside interference, Harry rolled over onto his side and let sleep overtake him.

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A/N: Wow—sorry for the long time, no update! I’ve travelled to be with family for the holidays, so things are rather hectic. I don’t know if I’ll be able to update again before Christmas, so Merry Christmas to everyone who celebrates it!
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