The Caged Songbird

Hey! Thanks for the strippers Jen, How did you know I liked Cowboys? Yeah, but Im thinking of writing a sequel to this one when I\'m done, and I have a good idea I think. Well, either way, thank you all for you reviews.

OH, and to Miss Shame Ness, How is your Boyfriend using you? Im so sorry. If it makes you feel better, my jealous ex wants to beat up my Boy friend! Yeah. Said My Bf was on his territory, or something as possessive. Real jerk, my ex. Yeah, but hey, Im sorry, and I post a lot, so check it out often for you calming fics! Once again, Im soo sorry. And hey, If you ever need someone to talk to, my S.N. is ManeatingBannana. That\'s for anyone who wants to contact me, Im on a lot, and I love talking to people, so hey, if you need a friend, Im here.
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Chapter Nine: Preparing to Feel the Fire

Harry blushed realizing he had left his clothes at the pond. He didn\'t really care about the clothes, but he did wish he had kept his shoes. Sadly, he was just as delicate as Tom said, and the rocks had already cut up his feet, which were now a bloody mess. Although very embarrassed about having been seen naked, Harry was so glad Draco was on his side again. It was like coming home and even though he still belonged to Tom, at least he had Draco back. He was in such a euphoric state, that he didn\'t even notice the branch . . . till it was too late that is. When he tripped over it, he was just about to the ground when . . .
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After the brief apology for the not so brief anger he had for Harry, Draco waited for a reply fearing the rejection he knew he deserved. He expected hesitation. He expected shunning. He expected harsh words. He didn\'t expect Harry to just hug him and say \"It\'s okay.\"

But Harry never did what was expected, did he? So they walked after that. What Draco remembered as a long walk in a dark chilling forest turned to a blissful place of verdant. Harry seemed to have the ability to make the world such a kind and innocent place. After about ten minutes of silence, Draco came across a large twig on the ground. He passed it, and suddenly realized that he should warn Harry about it, since he was about two paces behind him. But as he turned around to say that, He saw Harry\'s delicate limbs already tripping over it. Without thinking, Draco instantly ran to him, and in an attempt to stop him. He managed to break Harry\'s fall . . . with himself. Harry ended up sprawled on his chest Draco\'s over coat sliding down his shoulder. Harry stared into Draco\'s face, the large green eyes looking frightened, and Draco had to chuckle. And just like when they were kids, when Draco laughed, Harry smiled. When Draco looked again, he saw Harry\'s round full lips still in a smile . . . they were awfully red . . . and . . .soft looking . . .and so. . .

Draco leaned up, and without thinking Harry was also drawn to move his face slowly closer. So close to touching . . . and

\"HARRY!\" like a slap in the face Harry moved. He realized whose voice that was, where he was, what he was about to do, and who he belonged to, and instantly got up. After him, Draco realized rather quickly that they were right next to the camp, and at the end of the woods. Tom had just come out of his tent, seen them and called, he then stalked over to him and towered over the poor thing. Harry shivered in the now damp jacket, fearing his giant master.

\"Where were you?\" he said in a menacing voice that was eerily placate.

\"Washing my wings. I\'m sorry Tom. I got detracted.\" Harry meekly said, stressing the word \"Tom.\" Tom loved it when Harry said his name, it reminded him that he owned Harry. But it didn\'t work this time.

\"By what?\"

\"By me.\" Draco confidently cut in.

\"Excuse me?\"Tom\'s baritone voice said in a dignified manner.

\"I was apologizing for my cruelty. I found out the truth and now I\'m going to take him from you. You, as a leader should know it\'s part of the ‘old world\' to own people.\" Draco started in an educated and detached voice, but concluded in a very emotional voice, \"You can\'t treat him like an object, it\'s just wrong.\"

\"You will do no such thing. Harry is mine and shall stay that way. I will stop treating him like an object when he realizes that he loves me.\" Tom thundered, yanking Harry into a forceful hug, Harry\'s back to his chest and Harry\'s eyes cast down looking at the floor in a sorrowful way.

\"The Leader of Ravenclaw, Lady Hermione!\" a soldier called out followed by a short girl (still taller than Harry) with bushy golden brown hair. She walked up and held out a wand- a sorceress.

Draco wasn\'t expecting that. Sorcery had nothing to do with blood as most believed it had to do with knowledge. Sorcery was very different from the magic that magical creatures inherit. Magical creatures used their own magic in energy blasts or other forms while sorcery called forth the elements. So someone could be very weak but if they knew sorcery then they could master it, it only took technique.

For her to challenge Draco she must have been very skilled, for no one in the brilliant country of Ravenclaw would be stupid enough to attack with sorcery otherwise Draco pulled out his wand. He wasn\'t a wonderful sorcerer but he was a decent one and with his superior physical abilities he could probably win.

\"Hermione!\"

\"Harry! Oh no, I didn\'t want you here for this.\"

\"Your not really going to fight Draco, are you?\"

\"I\'m sorry. I have to.\"

\"Not if we make it a sparing match.\" Draco cut in. \"The first to put the other person wandless wins. After all, this is our predecessors\' war, not ours.\"

\"Oh, that sounds perfect! But I won\'t go easy on you!\"

\"I should hope not.\"

\"Ready,\" called Hermione. They got in their stances and prepared to attack.

\"Go!\" declared Draco.
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After much movement Draco was slowing down, but Hermione had stayed in the same place and had energy to spare. With a complex wand movement Hermione sent a gust off wind which sent Draco\'s wand flying. Hermione put her wand away.

\"I win.\"

\"Good fight.\" Draco went to get his wand . . . but it was gone. Draco looked the at the spectators, some were smiling, some looked relieved or disappointed, but Harry was struggling, his left wrist being clutched, and his right hand balled in a fist hitting the chest of . . . Tom!

With a smirk on his face a quick movement of Draco\'s wand, Tom made a fireball congeal out of thin air and launch itself at Draco. The flame of the attack was a peculiar lime color, and it headed strait for the only person in between Tom, and Harry. Draco just stared at that deranged grin that would make anyone\'s skin crawl. Everyone was too far away to do anything. He closed his eyes preparing to feel the fire.

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There! Now that\'s a real cliff hanger! I\'ll add a new chap later, tomorrow, (the 25th)it won\'t get happy for a while. Sorry. There will be a happy ending though! And at least Harry and Draco are together. . .right now.