Emerald and silver

Chapter 18

Summer holidays were fast approaching. Harry spent his time working on his plan for the ministry. The last part of the plan was to overthrow Fudge. He had yet to decide on a suitable successor. They had successfully replaced a large number of ministry positions with their own people. Harry had also spent a significant amount of time teaching himself about healing. He knew it would be something he would have done if he had still been Harry Potter. After helping Draco, he had decided that he wanted more of an active role in choosing his future rather than just to be Voldemort’s pawn. He spent a lot of time considering what he truly wanted and it always came back to the same thing, to be able to live a quite life with someone he cared about where no one knew who he was. He didn’t have that now; he is just as famous now, albeit for different reasons, as the Emerald Dragon as he was when he was Harry Potter. He needed a plan but he had yet to come up with a solution.

Another year at Hogwarts and Draco had just arrived home. His father called him into his study.
“Draco, I am displeased. Your mother and I are hard pressed to find a suitable replacement after the Parkinson fiasco.”
Draco looked at his father defiantly and said, “Maybe in this one thing you would let me choose for myself.”
Lucius was enraged. “You. Will. Do, as you are told! We are to have guests this evening, to discuss your initiation ceremony.”
“I don’t want the mark father. I want to finish school and decide my future plans for myself.”
“How dare you,” Lucius snarled and backhanded him. Draco stood stiffly facing his father and not backing down, blood dripping from the side of his mouth and bruise forming on his cheek.
“You will serve the Dark Lord as you were raised to do,” Lucius sneered.
“I am not you father. I will bow to no one. I will not do this.”
“Crucio!” Lucius snarled. Draco fell to the ground screaming in pain as he felt thousands of white-hot knives piercing his skin from within. When Draco next opened his eyes, he found himself chained facing the wall in tungeungeon. He had been here many times before. It was Lucius’s way of punishing him for his defiance. He had been brought back into consciousness to the feel of a whip with metal barbs on his back. Draco was biting through his lower lip to keep from screaming his defeat.
“We can do this *whip* until *whip* you feel you are worthy *whip* of the honor *whip* to receive the mark *whip* and serve our *whip* Lord!”
Draco screamed out, tears streaming down his cheeks, back torn into shreds.
“You can stay here *whip* until you decide *whip* to serve our Lord *whip* Willingly!”
With that Lucius dropped the whip to the floor, whipped off the blood that had spattered to his face and hands and left the room. Draco slipped back into unconsciousness.

Later that evening Voldemort and the Emerald Dragon arrived for dinner. When they were seated at the table Harry asked, “Won’t Draco be joining us to discuss his celebration?”
“I’m sure you heard about the unfortunate events surrounding the break off of his engagement to Miss Parkinson. He was distraught to say the least. His mother and I felt it would be better for him to confine himself to his rooms while he’s recovering.” Lucius replied.
Harry raised an eyebrow at the elder Malfoy, he knew Lucius was lying. “Most unfortunate,” Harry stated dryly. After dinner Harry turned to Lucius. “If it would not be too much of an inconvenience, I would appreciate searching your library for nateraterial. It seems I have exhausted ours.”
“By all means, Emerald Dragon. Let me know if I can be of any assistance.”
“Thank you, Lucius. No need for you to show me; I remember the way.” With that said Harry swept out of the room.
Once Harry entered the hallway, he cloaked himself in invisibility. After searching the rooms upstairs and seeing no sign of Draco he went down to the dungeons. When he had finally found Draco, he was shocked and then furious at the sight before him. Waving his hand the restraints fell from Draco’s wrists and ankles. He picked up the very weak, unconscious, bloody body that was Draco. Wrapping him in a cloak, Harry carried the limp form to the apparation chamber. He apparated back to Riddle Mansion and carried him to his room. After lying Draco gently in his bed, he left the room and walked over to the fireplace in his common room. Throwing in some floo powder he summoned Snape. Within moments Snape joined him in his room.
“I need you to bring some healing and blood replacement potions,” Harry said. He led Snape into his private chambers, the Potions Master stopped in his tracks when he recognized the figure lying on the bed.
“I found him in the Manor dungeons”
“It’s never been this bad before.”
“Is this a regular occurrence then?”
“This is how Lucius teaches a lesson; discipline he calls it. The potions will help him but I cannot close his wounds and that needs to be done first.” “I will take care of that. Go and get the potions.”
Snape left and Harry approached the bed. He carefully turned Draco over onto his stomach so as not to cause further damage to his injuries and placed his hands over the cuts. Slowly a white light emanated from his hands sealing up the wounds. Snape returned to the bedside as the last of the wounds were being healed. He was shocked to see that the Emerald Dragon was a healer to say the least.
“Stay with him until I return. I need to deal with Lucius. Severus, don’t think about taking him. You know as well as I do that you cannot protect him from his father. As long as he remains here he will be safe.”
“Yes, My Lord.”
Harry left the room and apparated back to Malfoy Manor. When he entered the room he waved his hand and put Lucius to sleep and turned to Voldemort.
“What has distressed you so?” Voldemort queried.
“I am not doing very well at controlling my temper at the moment. I found Draco barely alive down in the dungeon; needless to say he is no longer there. I do not approve of Lucius methods to obtain obedience and loyalty. What he has made with his attempts is a very proud, head strong, defiant young man who despises his father and maybe his life. Lucius has failed in his attempts to earn any respect or loyalty. To force the mark on Draco at this time would not be in our best interest. Your followers should come to you willingly, or you risk losing everything you have worked so hard to achieve. However, he is not lost to us yet. I wish to take Draco as an apprentice for the summer. He will join with us willingly by the end of the summer. I don’t think I can deal with Lucius at this time. I might feel the need to fatally curse him for his stupidity,” Harry sneered.
“I will handle Lucius. By the time I am done with him, he will believe it was his idea,” Voldemort replied.
“Draco will be staying in my guest room. Have Lucius send his things, as he will not be returning here,” Harry said acidly.
“I will warn Lucius a Dragon with temper is not something he would wish to encounter,” Voldemort replied chuckling.
“Good evening, Lord Voldemort,” Harry said with a small bow and swept from the room waking Lucius on his way out then slamming the door.
Harry walked into his chambers to find Snape checking Draco’s life signs.
“How is he, Severus?”
“He will live, though he will be weak and in pain for a few days. This ointment can be applied to his back to reduce the pain and stiffness in his joints and muscles. He suffers also from the Cruciatus.”
“Thank you, Severus. If I need you, I will contact you. Know this he will be safe and well taken care of,” Harry said tiredly.
“Thank you… for doing something I’ve never been able to do,” Snape said as he left the room. Harry fell asleep in a chair beside the bed watching over Draco.

Chapter 19


He awoke the next morning to the faint sounds of whimpering. Sitting on the edge of the bed, he took the blonde’s hand in his stroking the back of it with his thumb. Harry reached over with his other hand and pushed a few loose strands of Draco’s hair from his face.
“Draco, wake up. It’s okay now, you’re safe,” Harry murmured
Draco slowly came back into consciousness taking in his surroundings. When he had fully opened his eyes, he did not recognize the room he was in. Turning his head towards the voice he recognized the Emerald Dragon. He tried to speak but the only sound to leave his hoarse throat was a croak.
“Don’t try to speak yet, let me get you some water.”
Harry let go of Draco’s hand, snapped his fingers and Dobby appeared with a pop.
“Dobby, I need a pitcher of cold water, a basin of warm water and some fresh towels.”
“Yes sir. James Evans, Sir.”
Seconds later Dobby returned with the requested items. Harry held a glass of cool water to Draco’s lips, while lifting his head to help him drink.
“Why am I here?” Draco croaked out.
“It seems that Lord Voldemort has your father convinced that it was his idea for you to stay here this summer and apprentice with me. As long as you have no objections, you will remain here for the remainder of the summer. But we can speak more about that when you get your strength back. Right now I need to clean the dried blood off your back so that this salve can be applied. The salve will reduce the pain and stiffness in your joints and muscles. Can you roll over onto your stomach?”
Draco only nodded then slowly rolled onto to his stomach, the pain evident on his face. Harry dipped the towel into the basin of warm water and carefully, trying not to apply too much pressure removed the caked blood from the blonde’s back. When he had removed as much blood as possible and dried the area, he gently rubbed the salve over Draco’s back, sides and top of his shoulders.
“Does it feel any better yet?”
“Yes… thank you,” he whispered.
“Do you think you’ll be able to eat anything? I have a strengthening potion for you to take after you’ve eaten something.”
Again Draco nodded. Harry helped the weakened young man to sit up and propped some pillows up behind him.
Draco had managed to eat half of a sandwich and some soup, after which he drank down the strengthening potion.
“If you feel up to it, you may take a shower. I have something you can wear until your things arrive.” “A warm shower would be great,” Draco said as he attempted to stand. Harry put his arm around the blonde’s waist and helped him over to the bathroom. When they reached the shower, Harry looked Draco over.
“Can you manage?”
“Yes, I think I can manage okay. I think the potion is starting to kick in,” Draco said with a faint smile.

Draco had finished his shower, dried off, and put on the emerald green silk pajamas that the Emerald Dragon had left out for him. Looking in the mirror as he combed his hair he realized he didn’t have any of his hair gel. Then he spotted the deep purple swollen bruise that had blossomed on his cheek. He squared his shoulders and left the bathroom. Upon exiting the bathroom he saw the Emerald Dragon sitting in a chair waiting for him.
“We can talk now if you are up to it. Out in the common room.”
Draco followed Harry out into the other room. The Emerald Dragon motioned for the blonde to sit on the sofa in front of the fire.
“What do you want to know first?” Harry said as he sat himself down on the same sofa to face Draco.
“I guess I would like to know why you are helping me? What’s in it for you?”
“Several reasons actually. First. Because I want to. Second. I don’t agree with Lucius’s methods. Third. No one should be a pawn in someone else’s game. As for what I am getting out of this arrangement, a challenge. I can see your potential and how much power that you have that exists under the surface.” Harry looked intently at the blonde before continuing. “Draco I want you to know that from this point on what you do will be of your own choosing. You will have a choice; I will not force or manipulate you to do anything. Of course every choice has consequences, but it shall be your choice nonetheless. The only request I have for you in return is to not betray me. I will not try to control you or ask you to serve Lord Voldemor mor me. I would rather our relationship, your apprenticeship, be one of mutual respect. With that said, I offer you your first choice; will you stay here with me as an apprentice or will you stay the summer at your Godfather’s and return to Hogwarts in the fall. I think you are aware however that if you choose the second option I cannot guarantee your safety.”
Draco looked at the Emerald Dragon while considering his options. He had heard the honesty and sincerity in the Dragon’s voice though his face was an expressionless mask.
“I choose to stay. What will I be learning?”
“Do you know any wandless magic?”
“My father gave me a book on wandless magic last year. I was able to teach myself a little.”
“Good. The first thing you will learn will be wandless magic. The best way to learn will be to lock your wand away when it arrives with your things. Wizards become to dependant on their wands and it tends to inhibit learning. From this point on everything you do will be without the aid of your wand. When I feel you are proficient at this task, the next task will be of your choosing. Wandless magic is a fundamental that will make everything else you learn come easier. It is beyond me why it is not taught to students in school.”
“If I am not mistaken, not everyone has the ability to perform and learn wandless magic.”
“Yes, that is true. Only powerful wizards can perform all spells wandlessly however most wizards can do some simple spells. By not teaching it, they are withholding valuable information. Most wizards have no idea what they are truly capable of. The fact that you have taught yourself some spells already speaks very highly of your capabilities. I can see your inner magic so to speak and I know already that this should pose little problem for you.”
“Where will I be sleeping?”
“Let me show you around. The room you woke up in is my room,” Harry said pointing in that direction. He walked to another door and opened it and said, “This will be your room, and it also has a private bath chamber.” Pointing to another door, he said, “That door leads to the rest of the mansion, and this door,” Harry said as he crossed the room and opened the last door, “Leads to my training room. Feel free to use it anytime for exercise. We will also be making use of it when we practice curses and defenses.”
Harry could see how tired Draco was becoming and insisted he go lie down for a while until dinner.

Chapter 20

When Draco awoke a few hours later, he reentered the common room to find the Emerald Dragon sitting on the sofa reading.
Glancing up and bestowing a warm smile Harry said, “You look much more refreshed. Now you are faced with your next choice; do you wish to join us downstairs in the dining room or would you like to remain up here and eat by yourself?”
Draco looked down at himself and his hand instinctively rose to touch the bruise on his cheek. Looking back up at the Emerald Dragon he said, “I’m not exactly suitable attired for dinner.”
Rising off the couch and approaching the blond Harry said, “That is easily remedied.”
He waved his hand and a set of black silk dress robes appeared. He handed them over to the blonde then reached his hand up to Draco’s bruised cheek. Silver eyes meet golden emerald orbs when the blonde felt heat radiating from Harry’s hand onto his face. He could see the faint traces of a white light around the edges of the Dragon’s hand. Harry let his fingers down and lightly traced them across Draco’s jawbone before stepping back.
“It’s better now. I think your hair looks better natural, without the gel.”
Draco smiled slightly as he slipped the dress robes on over the silk pajamas he was wearing. Just then Harry’s snake slithered out of hiding and he bent over and scooped her up.
“~Who issss thisss massster?~” Isis hissed.
“~Thisss isss Draco, my pet. He will be ssstaying here in the guessst roomsss for a while.~” Emerald Dragon replied in parsletongue.
Draco stared as Harry spoke to his pet.
“Draco this is Isis,” Harry said handing her over to Draco to hold. Draco gently lifted her from Harry’s hands and said, “She’s beautiful.”
“~I like him massster he hasss a genteel touch.~” Isis hissed.
“~He sssaid you are beautiful, my pet.~”
“~He isss beautiful too, isss he not massster?~”
“~Yesss my pet, I think ssso too.~”
Draco looked up at Harry again.
“She thinks you’re beautiful too,” Harry told Draco. A faint blush rose in the blonde’s cheeks.
“Since we are going to be working so closely together I would like for us to not be so formal. You may call me by my name, James. When we are around others it would be wise to address me by my pseudo name as no one else knows my name.” “Okay. James.”
“Oh and you will be the only one besides Dobby allowed in these rooms. For now it would probably be best for you to remain up here when I am conducting meetings. The entry to these rooms are warded to my magical signature and now also yours so that no one else my enter.”
“Who’s Dobby?”
The Emerald Dragon snapped his fingers and with a pop Dobby appeared.
“Draco, this is Dobby. You might know him, he served your family up until four years ago.”
The little elf ran up and wrapped his arms around Draco’s legs.
“Master Draco, Sir. It is so good to see you again, sir. Dobby is missing you, sir.”
Draco looked down at the little elf and smiled.
“Dobby, I wondered what had happened to you. Father never told me. You look wonderful Dobby and very happy now.”
“Yes, Master Draco, sir. Dobby is a free house elf now, sir. James Evans pays me and I am allowed to wear clothes. James Evans is a great man, sir.”
“Apparently there is much more to him than I realized Dobby.” the blonde replied.
“Dobby, Draco will be staying in the other room. The special rules for my meals now apply to him as well. I hope you will assist him with anything he needs.”
“Yes sir. James Evans, sir.”
“Dobby is that other room that I had you set up ready yet?”
“Yes sir.”
“Thank you, Dobby. Let Lord Voldemort know that we will both be joining him for dinner.”
Dobby bowed and with a pop he was gone.
“Another room,” Draco asked inquisitively.
“Allow me to show you,” Harry said as he led the blonde out of their suite across the hall and to a door on the other side. Harry opened the door.
“This will be your potions lab. You will need to brew some healing potions and strengthening potions to begin with. It will help when one of us gets injured during your training.”
Draco nodded.
“If you need anything at all, ingredients, books, supplies all you need to do is ask.”
“Thank you James.”
“Draco, I guess I should tell you there is another resident of the mansion. I believe you may have been friends in school.”
Draco looked at him questioningly.
“Blaise Zabini lives here. He shares a room with Lord Voldemort.”
“Blaise…yes we were…are friends. He never returned to school after the Christmas Holiday. I owled him a few times, but I never received any reply. He’s sharing a room with Lord Voldemort?”
“Yes, but I’ll let him tell you about that. Just so you know, I think he is happy. Well I believe it is time for us to join them for dinner.” The Emerald dragon said, leading the way to the dining room.