Redeem Me

DISCLAIMER: Warning! I make no claim to any property of J.K. Rowling's, and am in no way profiting by this. I do offer her my sincerest thanks for allowing us this garden of the mind in which we play. Further Warning! This story...and likely any I ever write…are dominated by gay themes and characters. That's how it is, if this in any way makes you uncomfortable...do not read further.

Redeem Me…by Samayel

Chapter 64: Bad Moon Rising


The mood in the Burrow that morning quickly turned dour and quiet. Although it was the Yule Solstice, and Diagon Alley was far away, theirs was a family that had suffered greatly during the war, and the word spread through the wizarding community like wildfire. Owls were fluttering across England by the thousands, and Firecalls were being sent and received until the Floo network was almost ready to collapse. The Daily Prophet thundered off an early edition full of wild speculations and lurid possibilities, and predictably there was no comment as yet from the Ministry, which was still investigating the event. Remus Lupin owled a hasty letter to the Burrow apologizing for his and Tonks’ absence, since she’d been called back to duty in the face of this most recent killing. Fear of the unknown, and possibly the unthinkable, was in the hearts of many, and even the stolid and dependable Weasleys were muted and on edge.

Harry had been quiet all day, showing little appetite and no urge for conversation, except for several hushed and secretive chats with the twins. Draco worried for Harry’s reaction, but Harry hadn’t shown any sign of rage since they’d woke, just a steely-eyed and quiet sense of resignation. Since quiet resignation was almost uniform amongst the Weasley family, it was hard to say whether this was safe behavior for Harry or not, but Draco was certain of one thing, and it was that Harry and the twins were planning something. Even though Harry was Gryffindor as hell, there was something decidedly Slytherin about the way he managed his time to ensure that he and Draco never had a moment alone for more than mere seconds. Draco was beginning to suspect that Harry had intended this as a means to avoid uncomfortable questions about his talks with the twins.

Molly saw Draco’s pensive and restless look, and mistook it for fear purely over the Dark Mark. Understandable, given Draco’s personal history, but she hadn’t guessed how serious matters really were, and with the secrecy surrounding Horcruxes at the center of it, Draco hoped she never would.

“There, there, love. This is the safest place in all of England these days, and no matter what comes we’ll be looking after our own, and that includes you. It’s Solstice, Draco. It’s a time of rebirth, and a time for celebration. In fact, that gives me an idea.”

Molly turned away and addressed her assembled family.

“That’s it! Enough of this moping about! I will not let this holiday be spoiled by a bit of ill news! The lot of you will move to the living room and gather about the tree. Presents will be opened a day early, and I don’t care a whit about tradition. We’ll see our gifts opened like any holiday, and we’ll have ourselves a decent meal when we’re done…and that is final!”

When Molly Weasley was in high dudgeon, no one, absolutely no one, dared to gainsay her authority. The Weasley clan moved as one and quickly surrounded the tree, and Arthur took up his traditional role of handing out presents. Draco in particular seemed to be piled high with goods, and since they were waiting to open them until they’d all been passed out, Draco wound up seated on the couch and almost overwhelmed by the gifts that surrounded him. His Slytherin impulses were quietly reveling at this windfall, and even though the initial cheer was forced, the mood in the Weasley household was quickly showing improvement.

Draco simply made out like a bandit. Molly had been knitting for months, and her need for green yarn weeks ago was finally explained when Draco opened his gifts. There were two sweaters of dark, emerald green, trimmed in silver, a set of mittens, a long scarf that looked like it would fight off any degree of cold, and a stocking cap that matched the sweaters. His suspicions about Harry’s Slytherin nature were borne up by the number of other gifts that strangely matched things he’d stared wistfully at in Diagon Alley, or had mentioned only to Harry. Word had obviously been passed to the others, since he received his favorite grooming products, fashionable clothes, a new cauldron and elementary potion making supplies, and any number of small items that were useful but had been unavailable to him because of his limited assets. He wasn’t really sure if it was dignified to cheer out loud, or just break down and cry, but muttering thank you and choking up every few minutes was wearing a bit thin.

Despite Harry’s secretive mood, even he looked much happier, at least to Draco, and there was something about the way Harry looked at him that hinted at mysteries. It was like he was laughing at some inside joke that Draco had been left out of, and it was slightly annoying. However frustrated he was by Harry’s unwillingness to slip off together for a bit of privacy, at least the mood had brightened a bit, and good meals took the edge off of his tension handily, especially since he always sat next to Harry, and when Harry smiled it was like the sun had risen.

----------------------------------------------------


Harry hadn’t really slept since his nightmare of that evening. It had been different. Very different from any of the haunting episodes that had worried at him over the last year or so. His scar hadn’t hurt like that since…since the day he’d killed Voldemort. The terrible news of that morning hadn’t set right with him either. It was connected…it just had to be. Any Death Eater could cast a Dark Mark, but it was an uncommonly daring act given the current climate. Announcing their presence that way was just asking to get caught.

It had to be LeStrange’s gang. A battered and shredded body hung from the entrance to Diagon Alley? Another victim marked up the way Draco had been. A vicious blend of whip weals, burns and vivisection cuts could only mean that they were behind this, but to make such an obvious move defied explanation. These were the people that had maimed his lover. These were people that, in his heart, Harry knew would never be stopped by anything less than death. Draco would probably protest any action he tried to take, but this wasn’t a matter that could be resolved by alternatives. LeStrange desperately needed to be taken out of this world, and MacNair…well…for what he’d done to Draco, Harry meant to make the bastard last awhile before he croaked. He hadn’t thought about these things since the last Diagon Alley incident, and then he’d been too overwhelmed by Draco’s needs and desires to worry over it for long, but they were at the forefront of his mind now, and they’d soon wish that they hadn’t been quite so bold.

He’d spoken quietly to the twins, and as soon as they got back to their place tomorrow morning they’d be making contact with every agent and informant they had in London. If LeStrange or one of his goons took a step out of line, they’d be watched all the way home…and Harry would be making a late night visit shortly after.

He knew full well that Draco was on to him. His boyfriend was a Slytherin to his little, cute core, even if he’d grown a heart of gold since school. The world of subtlety was an open book for Draco, and it would take a bit of careful maneuvering to keep the subject of avenging him off the menu for awhile. It would have to be dealt with eventually, but Harry had no intention of spoiling his Solstice surprise for Draco. Hell, after his lover had gotten his final gift for the day, he might just be a little more amenable to Harry’s plans. Molly’s notion of opening gifts early had greatly improved the day as a whole, but he rather regretted that Remus and Tonks had cancelled, as he still owed them an apology for his outburst in the alley, and a profound thank you for saving Draco. The situation could have ended a lot worse if it hadn’t been for their timely help, and Harry still felt grateful to them for that.

It hadn’t been an easy day at all. So much secrecy and planning, so much silence and worry. He hadn’t slept but half the night, his appetite was ruined by the morning’s news, and he’d felt a faint tremble of tension inside him the entire morning and into the afternoon. He was surrounded by friends and family, and they were afraid of what the Dark Mark might mean for the future. He’d had enough of friends being frightened to last him ten lifetimes. They deserved a world where they slept in peace, never wondering if terror was on the horizon, and he meant to give that to them…soon.

The day passed in a blur, and his mood improved a little as it went. Seeing Draco open so many presents, smiling from ear to ear all the while, had done Harry’s mood some good, but it did nothing for the aching tension inside him. He’d dodged Draco’s questions all day, and even managed to hold down some supper, but to give Draco his last gift, he needed a little privacy, and that meant Draco getting a chance to speak seriously about things. As tense as he already was, Harry wasn’t looking forward to much of anything but the look he expected on Draco’s face when this last gift was opened.

The time inevitably came, and Harry steeled himself for it by hinting that a nice trek in the snow would be a good way to walk off dinner. Draco wasted no time piling into his new sweater, coat and mittens, then yanked his cap and scarf on, smiling at Molly all the while. He finally had enough green on to stand out in a house dominated by Gryffindors…no wonder he looked so happy.

They were out the door a few minutes later, and Draco had moved immediately into place at Harry’s arm, perfectly at peace with the idea of walking arm in arm with Harry. It was such a simple thing, but it was still strange for Harry, being so familiar and close after a lifetime alone. He was sure it was the same for Draco, so at least the both of them were getting used to this together. It had occurred to him that his gift was rushed into, and that it had meaning beyond simply being tasteful and generous, but he hadn’t cared about any of that. One thing mattered most, and that was Draco, and he only knew one way to show it.

“You’re thinking too much. It makes you all scowly and puts lines on your forehead. Relax and enjoy. A joyous Yule to you, Harry.”

“Sorry. I’ve had a lot to think about today, love. Hope you’re up for a speech. I didn’t really prepare it well or anything, but there are some things I should say before I hand over your last Solstice gift.”

Draco’s eyes sparkled with interest. “Another gift! For me?! Mmmm. This is soo my day. If there are gifts at the end of it, I can handle any kind of speech. Trust me.”

Harry sat down on the old stump in the backyard, and Draco sat beside him, watching intently while Harry stammered his way through the start of it. His interest was piqued, and he could wait just a little before talking about serious things…especially for presents!

“See…uh…well…it’s like this. I didn’t know what to get you…for Solstice. I gave a lot of ideas to other people, but I didn’t really think any of them were right for me to give to you. I just…I just wanted something really special and perfect.

See…I haven’t been…or I wasn’t…shite…how do I say this? I don’t know much about being gay, but I know I love you. I always grew up thinking I’d have a pretty normal life…once I got away from the Dursleys‘. I guess being gay changes some of that. You know…no kids…no marriage…none of the things that say forever. So I thought of one thing I could still do that meant something, and I hope it’s right.

It doesn’t mean the same things it would for folks like Bill and Fleur, but it’s meant the same way, to symbolize something permanent. This is for you, love.”

Harry quietly slipped a small box out of his pocket, and flipped the lid open. A matched set of white gold bands rested inside, each spelled to fit the way wizard rings always were. They were simple, but elegant, unadorned and yet handsome on their own, and Draco noticed that his hand was trembling when he reached for one.

‘Sweet fucking Merlin! Rings! The sweet bastard bought us rings! I got him bloody clothes and a few trinkets, and he bought us rings! Like bloody marriage bands. Oh, my fucking Gods, he’s perfect!’

“Harry! I can’t believe…you…you…”

Draco lost it entirely and flung himself onto Harry, knocking the both of them off the stump and into the snow. The fact that ice and slush were creeping into the neck of his coat didn’t register for almost a minute. Draco poured the whole of himself into saying how he felt with a kiss, because no words could ever do more than limit what he was feeling right now. He was still beaming when he pulled away from Harry’s lips. Harry smiled with the shy intensity that Draco had learned to treasure, and offered up the understatement of the century.

“So, I’m guessing you like it?”

Draco contemplated lining the inside of Harry’s coat with snow, but settled for another extended snog. After a lousy start to the day, it was hard to muster any kind of outrage in the face of thoughtfulness like this. The rings said so many things. It announced to the world that they each belonged to the other, and spoke subtly that the other was important enough to merit this symbol. They spoke of permanence and commitment. It said that Draco hadn’t surrendered himself to a man who was just idly enjoying a teenage whim or making use of a convenient opportunity for sex. It said love, and Draco heard it loud and clear.

Draco curled up on Harry’s chest, comfy despite the slight chill that reddened cheeks. He sighed contentedly.

“I love my Gryffindor. I’m not sorry about one thing anymore. I’m not saying I’d want to be dragged through it all again, but if screwing up my life somehow got me here, then I guess it was worth it. Thank you, Harry…thank you.”

Harry answered softly, sounding just a little awed by his own words.

“I love you too. I never thought I’d be this close to anyone. Never. It just didn’t seem like something that would ever come true. I don’t know how you did it, but you made it all real. As much as you’re welcome, love, I feel like I should be thanking you. I think you’re the thing that’s been missing in my life since the beginning, and it took way too long to find you for my tastes.”

Draco leaned in, and they kissed again, this time longer than before. He laid his head on Harry’s chest afterwards, just watching the icy puffs of his breath whirl away in the breeze. There were things that needed saying, and this was not the ideal time, but he knew he had to say something. His voice came out almost a whisper.

“I know you want to hunt them down. You know I know it, and you know what I want to say, so I’ll just say it. I don’t want you to go after them. We’ve both waited so long to have this, I don’t want it taken from us. Not by them, not by anything. Please, Harry. I’m begging you. Don’t. Let the Aurors handle this, or just give them information, but don’t kill. Not for me. Not even them. Let them go to Azkaban and rot forever. The world has enough death in it…I don’t want to be a part of any more. Please tell me you understand.”

Harry was quiet for a long while, and Draco closed his eyes, resigned to the fear that Harry wouldn’t listen when it came to this.

“I…I understand, love. I…want them gone. I could…I could try to take them…alive. I know you don’t want this, but this one is personal. They hurt you, and a lot of other people too. LeStrange and MacNair are the last members of the Inner Circle. No one has a better chance of catching them than I do. I have to try. You’ll never have to be afraid of them again. No one will. I told you before that I’d try not to kill again, and I failed you, but I have to try again, and this time, as long as you’re home and safe, I can stay in control of myself. This is the last time, love. I’ll call it quits when they’re off the streets. I’ll let the Auror service handle the rest…I swear it. Just…this time…it’s mine, and I have to do this.”

Draco sighed, biting back a tear, and Harry put a hand in Draco’s hair, stroking softly.

“Shh. No worries. I’m sorry, love. I can’t let them pass. Not this time, but when it’s done it’ll be done for good and that’s it for me. The rest of my life is booked up looking after you.”

Draco sniffled and rolled away, sitting up and looking at his ring. He wasn’t going to make any progress from here, and his heart just wasn’t in this right now. He had a beautiful ring, from a beautiful man, and there was a celebration going on in the Weasley Burrow right this minute, and not one of them had seen his ring. At least that would take his mind off of this impending crisis. He put out a mittened hand to Harry, who had stood up slowly and was dusting off snow.

“Let’s go on in. There are people who don’t know how wonderful your gift is, and I mean to fix that very quickly.”

Harry pulled him up and laid a kiss on his forehead. They strolled in hand in hand, and Draco made his peace with the possibility of desperate measures. It was damned cruel, that a moment of such happiness should be tainted by a duty he knew he couldn’t abandon, but there you had it. He was fighting for Harry’s soul, and if desperate measures were called for, then so be it.

Merry-making had returned to the Burrow, despite the days events, and Draco made a point of showing off his ring to every person within. Dula in particular looked touched, and pinched Draco’s cheek in a way that was reminiscent of grandmotherly affection.

“I am so very proud of you. It is a fine thing to give advice, but in the end, it was you who took action, who dared, who risked to gain, and it is you who won and won well. I can only count myself fortunate to have offered my help along the way. If you are gentle with each other’s hearts, you will not be sorry, Draco. Know that you have my blessings. Congratulations.”

Molly and Arthur were a little surprised by the appearance of the rings, but Molly thought it a fine idea, and offered a bit of maudlin and motherly advice about the pitfalls of relationships between the young, which made Draco blush furiously. It could only have been worse if he’d been a girl. At least he wasn’t getting a speech about avoiding unexpected pregnancy!

The twins clapped Draco on the back, and George gave a discreet and serious nod that spoke volumes, but overall said ‘I approve.’ Ron just clapped his hand against his head and groaned.

“Bloody ‘ell! Couples everywhere I turn. That cuts it…I’m inviting Eileen to New Year’s Eve. I’m bloody sick of watching all the other bleeding lovebirds! Especially Mum and Da! It’s been thirty bloody years, and they’re in the kitchen still mooning over one another. Sheeesh. It’s indecent, I tell you!”

The consensus was that Draco and Harry were both very fortunate lads, and was uniformly in favor of their entering into something lasting with one another, and that kind of affirmation did Draco’s mood a world of good, as well as putting Harry in a slightly better state of mind as well. It was very late when the last of the family made ready for bed, and Draco was yawning mightily when Harry finally nudged him and nodded his head in the direction of the stairs.

They drifted off together, rightly pleased with the day as a whole, and Draco started changing into his pajamas while Harry paused to use the bathroom. As soon as Harry was finished, Draco took his turn in the bathroom and set to completing his evening ablutions. Teeth brushed, hair combed down for sleep, and glass of water in hand, Draco headed back to their room. The first thing he noticed as he approached the door was the faint gust of icy air that struck a chill through him. What on earth was Harry doing opening a window this late at night?

He opened the door the rest of the way, and there was Harry, red-faced and radiating fury, pulling on his black fighting clothes and boots instead of making ready for bed. A couple of owl feathers were skittering across the floor from the breeze, and a parchment lay upon the bed, obviously opened and read just these past few minutes.

“Harry? What…what’s going on?”

Harry looked dangerous, wild-eyed and full of potential violence. He continued lacing his boots while the parchment floated through the air to Draco. Draco plucked the rippling sheet of paper from the breeze and read it carefully. It was as elegantly written as some ancient piece of calligraphy, and yet the message within was no less horrible.

My dear Mr. Potter,

We have never met formally, and yet our lives have been inextricably entwined. I was there when my Lord struck down your father, and I was there when your mother died to give you life when our Lord offered her his mercy. I languished in Azkaban while the faithless permitted you to reach adulthood, thinking that our master was gone from this world, and I was among those first at his side when he rose again and freed his loyal servants from Azkaban.

I witnessed the death of the Weasley girl, and my wife and I attended to the upstart Muggle bitch, Granger, as well. Always my Lord’s bidding, but suffice to say that I enjoyed it. My Lord had other tasks for me, or I would cheerfully have fought by his side, and you would have found me no easy foe to best. I am still, and always shall be, in his service, now and forever.

I have seen the tabloids prattle, and I know my little nephew is in your care. I hope you find his slatternly ways to your liking, for though he has little use as more than a rutting cushion, I am sure he brings you some small comforts through the talents I saw him taught. I suppose it must gall you, knowing that, however wooly-headed your feelings for him may be, we made good sport of the little tart first. His tears were our wine, his screams our symphony. Enjoy his attentions while you may; I assure you…he was well trained.

I write to challenge you at last. A new era is due to dawn, and I do not care if I am a part of it or not. It is enough to tell you that I shall never cease in my pursuits, and I shall seek out and kill when and where I please until the day I die. This night, I shall allow you but one chance to stop me. Come and come alone, for if another is with you, or you are later than one minute past the midnight hour, I shall depart, and as you already know, I am not easily found unless I wish to be. Pit your skills against me, and let come what may.

And think on this: If you choose to ignore my summons, or send another in your stead, I will not settle for merely vanishing into obscurity. I swear that I shall seek out those left who are dear to you, and I will make their suffering a legend even in hell.

I trust I shall see you before the midnight hour, unless my Lord was correct about the softness and cowardice in your heart.

Rodolphus LeStrange, Esq.

Draco let the letter drop to the floor. The gauntlet of challenge had been thrown down, and Harry meant to answer it tonight. If he was to stop this madness, he would have to act and act fast!

TBC!!!