Cheating time, Unwilling fate.

Chapter 8

He was standing in the middle of a circular room glaring down at bowing Lestrange Sr. His thin lips twisted in the form of a smirk. What news? He asked.

The Lestrange Sr. stated,” My lord, the heir is a boy of 16 and a half. He turns 17 in December. He resembles his father in presence and gait. His features resemble both of his parents equally. Same is true of his sister and she is remarkably beautiful. The heir had been learning with foreign tutors whose identities are well guarded. However he had now hired dueling tutors here and trains everyday. Though they are under secrecy vows I have deduced from hints that he is quite powerful.”

“The boy had strong character and is quite controlling. He had started to take over the family decisions and I dare say he rules with a firm hand. I dare say he had taken his fiancé to his bed already and they share living quarters. Abraxas was horrified when he found out this morning but he had no power over his son legally. Though he doesn’t support our views yet the heir considered the attentions shown by his younger brother to a mudblood a disgrace as Walburga informed me. He had engaged him to Walburga’s eldest daughter and effectively grounded the younger boy for some impertinence in the matter. He could be persuaded to join us. Dumbledore is looking for him to come to Hogwarts soon. He has plans for the boy.”

“I am pleased. Tell Abraxas to invite him to a dinner and gauge his reactions for our cause. If he is amenable he would make a good addition to our ranks.” He smiled as he picked the image of the heir of the Potter family. The boy was, well a tastier morsel than even Lucius……… he had hoped to catch a bigger fish with a better worm that was the Malfoy heir and he wasn’t disappointed. The boy was wily and powerful, the kind that he lusted to control. He would make a very good addition to his ranks.

Harry woke quietly. He was lying in the bed with Lucius. They had slept through the lunch until late evening.

‘Never thought I would see the day. Old Voldie having lecherous thoughts about me.’ Ewww make that double ewww. Harry literally gagged at the thought.

‘So he thought he would catch me with Lucius as the bait. You lost the bait too my dear Voldie.’ He smirked.

‘Don’t underestimate the dark lord Potter’

‘Ah here is the annoying voice in my head that I love and hold dear to my heart.’

‘Listen you imbecile. The dark lord is as slippery as a snake. Hold on to your horses and carefully analyze every move before any decision. You would have made a wonderful Slytherin except for that stupid bias in your head. You had managed quite well till now.’

‘Hold still my heart. I think I might have a heart attack. Snape had been complimenting me. Is it possible for a mere voice to go insane or drunk'?’

‘No, do you think I like this. Be very careful. I can’t wish for the death of my only form of entertainment.

‘Glad to oblige. Now shoo.’

He shook his head and looked at the sleeping boy beside him. Honestly the quite confession had shocked him last night. He knew that he wasn’t supposed to hear those words. Lucius had thought him asleep. They had just met; how on earth could this happen. In his heart he realized that a connection had formed as soon as they saw each other. Lucius had accepted him. But was he ready to accept him knowing what he knew the boy beside him had the capacity to become if motivated differently. He couldn’t afford it now. He would wait till the time was right and all threats to his family were gone before he risked his heart. He sighed.

Harry made to get out of the bed when two arms stopped his movements.

“Hey,” Lucius looked up at him smiling. He was kissed thoroughly for his efforts.

“Hey. I am hungry.”

Harry dragged them to the kitchens. They had a quick snack and moved to the sitting parlor where they were joined by Padfoot. He rubbed the dog’s belly and laughed at the antics of his ex-godfather soon to be brother.

“When did you get a dog?”

Harry laughed. Technically it wasn’t his secret to tell. “He’s a stray. He lives around here somewhere in summers though he moves in the house in winters. At the moment he is his own master. I think he considers us his family and we are happy to have him.” Padfoot woofed and began to chase his own tail. Harry smiled. Even in the darkest of his days Sirius had managed to cheer him up quite nicely. He might have been reckless but he had loved Harry with all his heart.

Lucius looked at him. “You wouldn’t leash a dog but your own brother……..?”

Harry turned to him sharply and growled,” The dog’s name is Padfoot and I would restrain him or even put him down if he was harmful to the lives of my family. James had done things I can’t bring myself to forgive just yet. Do you not know how and why my mother was executed by my step-mother’s family no less? Why I have lived my life hiding away from my family?”

Lucius touched his face. “I am sorry Harry; but he is young and dare I say is a little hot headed Gryffindor who live by their hearts and rights. You shouldn’t be that harsh on him. If you push him too far he might just slip away from your hands. Take a little, give in a little and he would understand.”

Harry relaxed. Lucius was right. He had been too harsh on James. But he would give in, in a few days. “Let him stew for a week and I will relent.”

“You are much too devious for your own good. I wonder which house will land you.”

“Hufflepuff.” he ventured

“Don’t insult the puffs; you belong with me.”

“That I do.” He kissed the other boy.

The dinner was a stressful affair. James scowled at everyone and the rest of the family tip-toed around him.

Charlus cleared his throat,” Dumbledore called me an hour ago. I wanted to have a few words about his conduct with James without informing us. Dumbledore informed me that he only encouraged James to pursue his heart and nothing more. He also told me that we cannot keep James from Hogwarts this year. James had accepted the position of head boy when offered. It is a binding magical contract he would have to fulfill.”

Silence greeted his words. James smirked. Alex put down his fork and nodded."Then do what you must, I would not stop you."

The rest of the table waited with bated breath for an explosion they were sure was coming. Alex walked out.

Lucius threw them a glance and followed quickly. He found Harry sitting in a hidden cove by the lake. The air hung heavy with perfumes that numerous flowers and herbs around them emanated.

“I am tired of fighting him. What he doesn't realize is that I am fighting for him. Dumbledore would use him and then throw him away when he is no longer of any use, “he murmured as he was approached. Lucius sat down beside him and held him. Harry put his head on Lucius shoulders and let out the breath he was holding. “I am tired of saving him from the dangers he to wants to rush into. I am going to ask Narcissa if she is still willing to go through with the match. If she is willing I would break the contract.”

“Maybe it wasn’t meant to be.” Lucius whispered.

Harry sighed and gazed at the lake. It was lit by moonlight with ripples and waves stirred up by a teasing air. Lucius looked delectable lit in the moonlight like that. Harry teased his lips with a butterfly kiss. He tasted of chocolate (dessert) this time. Lucius swallowed his tongue, their kiss never breaking as he carefully peeled of his robes. The flickering lights reflected on his shoulder made Lucius thank his gods for the sight. He had never seen anything so beautiful and vulnerable. His hair sticking up in all directions; his lips parted for only him to taste; his eyes heavy with the same lust he had seen in their first encounter. In that moment he didn’t see the Harry he had been afraid of; he saw the Harry that he just might grow to love. Denise or any other girl would have never satisfied him. The wild ride that was Harry was addictive with his brimming passions and swinging moods.

Harry fisted up his now cropped hair and drew him in for another kiss while his other hand discarded his robes. He tried to remember a moment when he had been so intimate with anyone else and came up with a blank. He had had sex before with other people but Lucius was a different brand of pleasure. His pleasure. His to have for as long as he wished.

They exchanged kisses languidly laying there in sand with moonlight their only source of light. Harry laid he head in his lap and spoke softly.” You are the only person who knows exactly when and how I need to be calmed down.”

“I hope I would continue to do so.” Lucius smirked and kissed him again. “Don’t break the contract yet. Let James be, but talk to Narcissa and let her make the decision. It would be for the best.”

Harry nodded. ‘Dumbledore’ his mood soured as his brain reminded him of what had caused his black mood ‘the old coot may have won this round but he still had a few aces up his sleeve; Dumbledore’s own history included. ‘He is going to wish he never pulled this stunt but we will see now.’

Dorea rubbed her temples worriedly. After Charlus announcement she was afraid that today was going to be similar to last week when Alex and James had a go at each other. Alex thankfully had reined much of his anger but the effort was visible to her eyes. Her grandson had had a huge responsibility on his shoulders. They have tried to help but how could she understand what Harry was going through. James’s attitude hadn’t helped the matters. Until now they hadn’t realized how big a brat their son was. Charlus agreed. They were both exasperated at Dumbledore for his encouragement of their wayward son and constantly worried about him.

From Harry’s hints she had deduced that his parents were dead when he was a mere babe and he didn’t wish to loose his family a second time. James was headstrong, more than Charlus had ever been and he was proving to be difficult to rein in. Denise had effectively curbed Sirius’s childishness. Maybe Denise could knock some sense in her younger son’s thick head.