Lost and Found

Chapter 7

The next several days passed quickly. They spent all day training and then they would study the books that Hermione sent to them in the evening after dinner. Harry was no longer exhausted after training, in fact he seemed to almost glow with energy. He progressed at an almost alarming rate, learning everything the Snape and Draco could teach him. They had avoided anything personal, but had developed a companionable working relationship.


Draco and Harry were cleaning up after dinner while Snape was reading a book on earth energy that Hermione had sent at his request. Snape was worried. He was missing something important and he couldn’t seem to figure out what it was. He glanced over at the young men when he heard Harry burst into laughter. The dark haired man was holding his stomach as he laughed hard enough to bring tears to his eyes, while Draco smiled brightly at bringing out such a reaction. He felt his a flash of jealousy at the easy interaction, knowing that he could never make Harry laugh like that. He looked at the flushed face of the boy hero, his brilliant eyes leaking tears as he tried but failed to stop the glee that was escaping him. It finally occurred to Snape that he should have needed another vial of eye correcting potion days ago. “Harry, how is your eyesight?”


Harry looked at the potions master and tried to stop laughing, but the situation suddenly seemed even more ludicrous and he laughed even harder. He managed to choke out an answer after pinching his thigh hard enough to hurt. “It’s fine.” He stated before once again giggling. He was just aware enough to be embarrassed at the sound. He glanced at Draco and noticed that he was also laughing now and occasionally snorting. This set him off again. Some part of him knew that nothing that Malfoy had said was this funny, but he seemed to be almost overflowing with happiness. He was feeling so good that he was giddy. Severus frown turned into a grimace as he felt the burning in his dark mark. Draco yelped and dropped the plate he was holding with a crash.


Harry was also affected. His scar burst open and blood flowed down his face as he fell to his knees screaming. Snape knocked over the table in an effort to reach the young men. When he reached them Draco was holding Harry’s head, rocking him and murmuring words of comfort. He looked up at Snape with a desperate look on his face. “Please help him.”

Harry’s fit looked suspiciously like the result of the Cruciatus Curse. Snape ran to the bathroom to grab the potions that he would need, grateful that he had brought the one he needed. Together he and Draco forced the potion down Harry’s throat. Snape fought back panic as it didn’t seem to have any effect. Blood continued to flow from the lightening scar until Harry finally passed out from the pain. Draco continued to rock him gently.

They took turns sitting with Harry throughout the night. He was feverous and would occasionally cry out in his sleep. “will he be alright?” Draco whispered to Snape as he approached the cot.

“I honestly don’t know, Draco. Dumbledore told me that the boy suffered through visions due to his connection with the Dark Lord, but I certainly didn’t picture anything like this.” Looking down at the flushed face of the boy who lived, he was astonished at all he had been through in his short life. He felt something akin to pain in his chest as he contemplated what he would still have to face, and very soon. “Get some sleep, Draco. It will be morning soon.”

When Harry woke late into the morning he was alone with Hedwig who hooted a greeting to him. His body ached as he expected, but he could move without too much difficulty, which was unusual. He wondered at his recovery. He had never had a vision that powerful and painful, and yet he wasn’t bedridden as he usually was. He grabbed some clothes and made his way slowly to the bathroom. He didn’t pass either of his housemates on the way so he guessed that they must be in the kitchen. He laughed without humor at how long it took him to get into the shower, but then sighed in relief as he felt the warm water soothing his muscles.

He knew what he had to do, and it would be very soon. The stage was set and all that was lacking was the actors. He would have to convince one of the Death Eaters that he lived with to help him. He also had to figure out a way to protect them. He washed himself slowly and wondered at his odds. He was much more proficient at protecting himself now. He could block, dodge or reflect anything that Snape and Draco threw at him, but as good as he knew they both were, there were just the two of them. He would have to face many more when he met with Voldemort.

The hot shower had done wonders and as he entered the kitchen he felt strangely relaxed. He was greeted by two worried faces. He sat at the table and smiled when Draco jumped up to get him something to eat. “Good Morning.”

“Good Morning. How are you feeling?” Snape asked as Draco put Harry’s plate in front of him.

“Thank you, Draco.” Turning to the potions master, he gave a wry smile. “I am feeling much better than I have any right to. Did you give me something last night?”

“I did, but I don’t think that it had much effect. It is more likely your bodies newly acquired regenerative powers that are making the difference. Does this happen to you often?”

The question hung thickly in the air as Harry finished his tea. Draco jumped up to get him more, but Harry waved him back. “In answer to you question, Sir, it happens when Voldemort is extremely emotional. This was the worst that I have experienced.” He turned and smiled at Draco. “Stop hovering and sit down. I am fine and I need to talk to you both.” He took a deep breath. “Theodore Nott is dead.”

“Theo is a Death Eater?”

“No Draco. He was a Death Eater. Nagini frightened him and he killed her. Voldemort put him under Crucio until he died. That is what I was feeling last night.” He ignored it when they both winced. He wasn’t sure if it was because he said the name, or the thought of being held under the curse long enough to cause death. “Nagini was an Horcrux, he was very angry that she was taken from him. He plans to make another to replace her. The death needs to be important in some way, so it will take him some time to line up the right victim, and to find an item that would be appropriate.” He looked at the men in front of him and sighed. “That is all the time that we have. The next time he calls his Death Eaters, I will need one of you to take me to him.”

Stunned silence met his statement. Severus was the first to come out of his stupor. “You can’t be serious. All of the Death Eaters will be in attendance. It would be suicide.”

“I will think of a way to protect whichever one of you takes me. I am aware that you are both very vulnerable. I do not want to risk either of your lives.”

Draco felt as if his whole world was crumbling and he finally shouted. “You fucking imbecile! He was talking about you! Do you really think that either of us are is in this for our health. We will face a death sentence from either side. It doesn’t matter if we are safe because we will never be safe. What does it take for you to understand that you are the only one that we are worried about.”

Harry tried and failed to hide his surprise and consternation at the blonds outburst. “I ...” Harry groaned as he realized he didn’t really know what he was trying to say. “Look I know that the prophecy says that I am the one to bring down Voldemort, but it isn’t the only way. If I were to fall there would be another to take my place. The old saying stands. Nature abhors a vacuum. I am not your only hope. I am simply the soup of the day. I believe all of the Horcruxes are dealt with except Voldemort himself. If I die, he is still set back farther than he currently knows.”

Draco couldn’t believe what he was hearing. It took him several seconds to absorb the concept that Harry could still believe he was simply a tool. That his life was a product of a prophecy that took several wrong turns. It was heartbreaking to think that he had so little awareness of his own self worth and power. He stood up and began to pace. “I know that I shouldn’t say this, but I would never be able to live with myself if I didn’t tell you that I would be devastated if you died. You are the most noble and beautiful person that I have ever met. I would be proud to stand with you in battle, but I have no intension of sacrificing you to the so called, greater good.” Grabbing Harry’s chin he forced him to look into his eyes. “There is another way and we will find it.” He couldn’t have stopped himself if he tried, and he didn’t try. He leaned in closer until their lips met. He stared into startled green as he let his tongue slip out to taste the beauty in front of him, moaning softly when the gesture was returned. Draco didn’t dare breath as he deepened the kiss and his Harry responded. He would have been lost if Snape hadn’t cleared his throat. Draco released the confused hero and sat back down with an heavy sigh. “Harry, you are not alone in this. You have friends who can help you, and what about the allies that you have in the order?”

Harry knew that this was not the time for an identity crises. He looked carefully at Snape to gage his reaction to the incredibly odd scene that had just played out. He saw several conflicting emotions briefly run across the mans face before he noticed Harry’s regard and pulled on his mask of indifference. Missing from the mixture, however, was shock or surprise. It almost appeared that he had expected something like this. Harry couldn’t get his mind around that fact that Malfoy had kissed him. Malfoy had kissed him, and he had liked it. Malfoy had kissed him and Snape wasn’t shocked or surprised. He needed to get his head together to face the worst villain in the wizarding world and he couldn’t concentrate with them both staring at him. “I will be back.” He announced as he stood and nearly fled the small house on his way to the clearing.

Snape watched him go feeling strangely drained and empty. He turned his gaze to the Malfoy heir. Draco was looking at him defiantly, clearly waiting for the lecture to begin, but Snape didn’t feel like he had the energy or the inclination to discuss what just happened. Watching Harry respond to that kiss had caused his stomach to churn and a slow ache to enter his heart. He didn’t want to think too deeply about his reaction. He didn’t want to admit that his impulse had been to pull Harry away and show him what a real man could do. It had been a long night and he was tired. He needed to get some sleep so that he could think about Harry’s revelations and help to plan an attack. He pushed himself back from the table and left for his bed and some much needed sleep, leaving Draco alone in the Kitchen.

Harry felt the magic like a welcome caress as he entered the clearing. The feeling no longer caused his body to react, now it was like returning to the arms of a mother. Welcoming and protective. He had never said anything, but he was sure that he understood the magic in the clearing better than Severus did. He knew that the older man had been worrying about the magic that he had been absorbing, fearing that it was damaging him in some way. Harry did not believe that was the case. The magic in the clearing was like a natural well. The pure energy of the Earth seeped up through the ground providing easy access to a Wizard like Harry, but if he knew how he would be able to access it anywhere. Magic was never destroyed it simply changed form. When a spell was cast, energy was changed into action, or dispersed back into the Earth. He could feel the true nature of that power resonating around and within him. He would be able to draw what he needed to kill Voldemort from the very ground that he stood upon.

As he thought about all that Tom Riddle had stolen from the world, he could feel the magic in the clearing coalesce around him. He looked around at the targets they had set up for him to practice the more lethal curses on. They looked innocent in the tranquil setting and it occurred to him that maybe that was part of his problem with losing enough power to destroy them. He closed his eyes and concentrated on what he wanted and then waved his hand around the circle and sent a wave of pure earth magic at the targets. When he opened his eyes he was surrounded by twenty Death Eaters all with a wand pointed directly at him. He focused on the new curse that Severus had taught him and flung it wandless at the nearest target. As it turned to dust Harry smiled.

He practiced all afternoon. Replacing the targets as he destroyed them. He was finding that it wasn’t necessary to actually perform a specific spell, it was the intent when he sent out his magic. Spinning in a circle a steady stream of magic flowing through his finger tips he destroyed all of the targets in one go. He was elated and exhausted. He wondered how much more draining it would be to draw that much power in a less accessible location. Here he used very little of his own magic, instead drawing what he needed from the earth. He felt strongly that he would be able to do that from anywhere now that he knew what the magic felt like, but it would be more difficult and he would have to concentrate on that while at the same time being under attack.

He conjured another target. This one didn’t look menacing it looked a bit like Snape. He still had to figure how to protect the one that would transport him to the meeting. He concentrated on what he wanted and waved his hand at the dummy. It vanished. He moved forward to determine if he had made it invisible like he intended, or if he had banished it somewhere. It was still there. He decided to leave it that way until the next morning and if it was still invisible than he would ask for a guinea pig.

Thinking about the men that he was training with brought him back to the incident in the kitchen. He didn’t know what to think about any of it. It seemed to him that Snape must have known that Draco wanted something like that. He was puzzled at his reaction to it. It should have made him angry and disgusted, but it didn’t. It had felt soft, comfortable, and arousing. He didn’t think that he wanted anything like that with Draco, but he wouldn’t lie to himself about how good it felt. The look of something akin to pain that briefly crossed Snape’s face also bothered him. He knew he wasn’t an observant person, but how could he have missed all the emotions floating around the small living area. He laughed lightly at himself. The rest of his life could likely be measured in days and he was worrying about a kiss.

He forced himself to return his thoughts to more important things. Draco’s suggestion that he involve his friends and the supportive members of the Order had merit, but the logistics weren’t simple. They would have no warning before the next meeting and the only way to get to the location would be to go with someone with the mark. He couldn’t see a way to manage it. It would also make for friends in the midst of the enemy. Harry didn’t think that he could avoid hitting someone on his own side if he was to throw his power around like he did this afternoon. If he had to target each individual Death Eater, he would never survive to reach his target. Apparating with more than one other person was also a problem. One additional person made little difference but the difficulty went up exponentially with each addition. Having settled the question in his mind he headed back to cabin for dinner.

The tension was palpable when he entered the front room. Snape was sitting alone with a book in front of the fire, and from the tantalizing smells coming from the kitchen he could guess that Draco was making dinner. Harry knew that the sooner they cleared the air the better it would be, but he was a at a loss as to how to do so. He smiled tentatively at the potions master as he joined him. “I made a lot of progress today.”

“Oh?” The mask remained firmly in place.

“Yes. I changed the targets into threatening Death Eaters and was able to destroy them all in one pass. Well after a lot of practice.”

“What spell were you using?” In spite of his intentions, Snape couldn’t help but lean forward in his chair in anticipation of the response.

Harry couldn’t help looking a little sheepish. “That is kind of the thing. I didn’t use my wand and I didn’t use a specific spell. I concentrated on what I wanted to happen and drew the power from the clearing to make it happen.” Knowing that Severus would think the worst he tried to clarify his statement. “I think that I can do that from anywhere. I know what it feels like now, and I can control it. I will just need to pace myself more without the easy access of the clearing.”

“Are you trying to tell me, that you are able to channel Earth and direct it with your will?” At Harry’s nod, he leaned back into his chair and closed his eyes. It shouldn’t be possible. No one since Merlin had been that powerful. If he didn’t understand that, at his core, Harry was the epitome of the light , he might have felt Dumbledore’s fear. With enough practice and knowledge the wizard in front of him would be virtually unstoppable. That brought his thoughts around to time. Time, was the one thing that they didn’t have enough of. Glancing at Harry, he saw that he was waiting for him to say something with a very concerned look on his face. He gathered his thoughts trying to decide what would be an appropriate response to Harry’s news.

“Well, that certainly opens up some new possibilities. We only have a couple of days to find a way to utilize your new found ability. I would suggest that you send a word activated portkey to Miss Granger and have her bring Mister Weasley and anyone else that you trust, here.”

Harry bit his lip in thought. He didn’t like the idea of trusting too many people with Draco and Snape’s safety. He also was afraid that the suggestion that the others join in the attack would resurface. “I will have Hermione bring a return key, they can’t stay here. You will also have to use Legilimency on any else that she brings to be certain that they won’t turn on you and Draco.”

Snape heard Draco call out that dinner was ready and stood. “That sounds reasonable.” He was very pleased at Harry’s caution. “Who will you ask her to bring?” He asked as they walked into the kitchen.

Harry sat at the table, nodding a thank you to Draco as he placed his plate in front of him. “Ron, the twins, and if possible a couple of key members of the DA. That is all that I can think of at the moment.” He took a bite of the Chicken Marsala that Draco served and sighed. “Draco, this is heaven. Thank you.”

Draco smiled at the compliment, very pleased at the lack of tension. “Does that mean that you are going to take my advise and bring help when you go after the Dark Lord?”

“No. They will help us with strategy, but will leave before you are called.” He held up his hand to stop the protest that was forming. “It is neither safe nor practical to attempt.” He continued to outline his earlier reasoning on why it wouldn’t work for others to join the fray. When he had finished Draco looked frustrated, but Snape seemed to be working something out in his head.
“There may be a way around the problems.” Severus was startled as he felt waves of fear and magic coming from Harry. “Calm down.” He spoke softly in an attempt to calm the young man. “I am not suggesting that you put your friends at risk, just that there may be a way to enlist their help. You tell me that you are directing the magic by concentrating on what you want to happen. I am simply suggesting that since you do not want to hurt your allies, that your magic might avoid them.”
“I know that you are not this stupid, Snape.” Harry spit out with more venom than he had used in all the time that he had spent with the two Slytherins. “There is no way to test that little theory and absolutely no reason to believe that it would be true. The answer remains the same.” He looked regretfully at his partially eaten meal before stalking out of the kitchen.
“Why is he being so unreasonable about this?” Draco asked. It seemed out of character for Harry to over-react this way.
“He has lost too many people to the Dark Lord and is not ready to risk anyone else close to him. If we are going to test my theory we are going to have to play dirty.” Snape pointedly ignored Draco’s snigger as he tried to think of a way to test his theory without bloodshed. He knew he had to be careful not to traumatize Harry. He had never met anyone as mentally strong as the golden boy of Gryffindor, but he also knew that losing Black and Dumbledore had caused a lot of damage. He could not use anyone that Harry cared or even himself. He knew that he wasn’t well liked but that wouldn’t stop Harry from going into full guilt mode if he caused damage. Perhaps he could devise a way for an innocent forest creature to wander into the line of fire at an appropriate time. He ate the rest of his dinner ignoring the periodic comments that Draco would throw out.

After cleaning up, Draco and Snape retired to the front room to read. Harry was nowhere to be seen and the bedroom door was closed. “How long do you think that we have, Sev?”

“A few days at best. I would think that we would be safe tomorrow, but after that we will have to be prepared.”

Draco felt fear curl up inside him. He wanted to believe that everything would go well and Harry would be victorious and unharmed, but he was terrified that the hero would die in battle. It made him angry that world and some dumb prophecy were convinced that one man could face an army. They needed to come up with a way to bring others with them, and more importantly a way to convince Harry that he couldn’t and shouldn’t go it alone.

Harry was apparently asleep when they retired that night. Draco waited until he heard Severus’ breathing even out before he slipped out of his bed and approached the cot that housed the focus of all of his desires and fears. He stood totally still studying the sleeping form. He wanted to wrap his body around the one lying in front of him, but Harry took up all of the available space on the small berth. He had been patient, but this was possibly the last chance that he would have to show the hero of the wizarding world that he was more than just a blurb in a history book. Carefully removing the cover he quickly cast a feather light charm and gently moved Harry to his own bed. Miraculously the brunet didn’t stir until Draco curled around him.

It took a moment for Harry to understand that something had changed. He was now laying on a much softer mattress and he could feel the arm that circled his waist. He froze when he felt the gentle pressure of lips on the back of his neck. He knew without much thought that it was Draco behind him, and he was at a loss at what to do or say in this situation. He couldn’t deny that it felt wonderful to be held this way. He thought that he should say something but, he couldn’t formulate words that made sense, when those pale hands began to roam his body. It didn’t help that his cock suddenly took notice of the intimacy. Making his decision, he rolled over and took Draco’s face into his hands making their eyes meet. “What do you want from me?”

Draco was awed at the effect the husky whisper had on him. He quickly put a silencing charm around his bed and leaned into Harry’s touch. “I want to have one night with you. I want to know what it feels like to be touched by your hands, held in your arms, and taken by your body. I know that you are involved with Weasley, but it would mean so much to me, and it needn’t mean anything to you.” He knew that he was begging, but he didn’t care as long as he got the answer that he needed.

Harry was stunned. “I am not involved with Ginny anymore.” He said absently. “Would it really be that cool to have been with the boy who lived?”

Draco winced at the implication while at the same time feeling hopeful at the news that the Weasley girl was no longer in the picture. “I don’t want to be with the boy who lived. I want to be with you. You are so dense sometimes. You are the most noble, beautiful, sexy, and courageous person I have ever known. How could I not want whatever you are willing to give me?” He leaned slowly forward, giving Harry time to resist if he chose. He stared into the perfect emeralds in front of him until their lips met. He groaned audibly when the kiss deepened and he could feel Harry’s tongue caressing his own.

Harry knew that he should stop this now, but there was a rather large part of him that thought that he would die in the next few days and he would never get the chance to have intimacy like this again. He didn’t argue when his clothing disappeared and he felt cool hands roaming over his skin. He helped Draco remove his own clothing and reveled in the feeling of skin on skin. He could feel the erection pushing against his thigh as Draco leaned across him to get the lube he had stowed in his robe pocket. He sucked in a deep breath as he watched Draco lube his fingers and reach behind to prepare himself. It was stunning to watch the blonds face as he rubbed against Harry and got pleasure from the friction and his own digits. As Draco impaled himself, Harry felt like he had entered heaven. He grasped weakly at the sheet beneath him as he felt the heat the enveloped him.

Draco had never felt so high in his life. This was everything that he could have pictured. He felt the tension in his stomach mount as he rocked back and forth. Looking down was almost painful in it’s beauty and he closed his eyes so that he could prolong the inevitable. He felt the Gryffindor below him gasp and grab his hips in an almost pleading way, urging him to move faster. He felt his body responding to the hard cock penetrating his body with more force, and he couldn’t stop himself from gripping his himself and coming onto the tanned skin. It only took Harry another second to tense and explode. Feeling ridiculously shy he let Harry fall from his body and carefully lay next to the still panting hero.

Harry wasted no time rolling onto his side and gathering the blond into his arms. The scent of sex, sweat and Draco’s cologne were intoxicating. He didn’t want to think about the implications of what he had allowed to happen, he wanted to lose himself in the comfort that was being offered. He nestled Draco’s head under his chin and smiled to himself when he felt the nuzzling at his throat.

Severus Snape was not a man that let his emotions rule his actions, but he had never been so angry. He had watched silently as Draco levitated the sleeping form to his bed and started his seduction. It had been difficult not to interfere as he saw the confusion in Harry’s eyes when he found himself being pawed at by his godson. It was even worse to watch the spawn of Lucius Malfoy defile something so perfect. He loved Draco, but he had warned him that Harry wasn’t for him. Draco could never be strong enough not be a liability. He had changed in so many ways, but he was still too insecure and too self serving to help Harry with what he had to face. He knew himself well enough to recognize the jealousy, but it was more than that. He was worried about the war and Harry’s chances if he attached himself to someone that wouldn’t be able to stand up to diversity long enough to help in the fight. Sleep was a long time in coming.