It's Just 12 Inches of Wood

It's Just 12 Inches of Wood by The Coven

Author: tas

Beta: Miss Nikki

Warning: For profanity and sexual situations. If any of you have read any of my fan fiction, you know that there will be some of the afore mentioned in this chapter. Also, a warning that I have used some mythology in this chapter . . . it may be twisted a bit to fit in with what I had written. So no flames . . . its fan fiction . . . get over it.

Hope you enjoy. It ended up being about 34 pages in Word, long but hopefully keep you on the edge of your seats.

Chapter 9

Deny Thy Self

Draco looked at himself in the mirror, combing his fingers through his hair. He unbuttoned the first few top buttons of his grey dress shirt . . . then did them up again. He gave a frustrated sigh; undid them all and slipped the shirt off his shoulders. He went to his closet and took out another shirt, shaking his head, and tossing it onto the bed; adding to the pile of discarded clothing that he had been trying on and off for the past half hour. He looked at the clock at his bedside and saw that it was fifteen minutes to eight. Fed up with himself, he went to the closet, closed his eyes, and picked out a shirt. He was just picking out a tie when he heard his doorbell chime.


Harry had been nervous for the past few hours. He’d shocked himself when he’d actually asked Draco to dinner, and was even more surprised that he accepted. He was ready well before he was supposed to pick Draco up, and was sitting outside the apartment building in his car, going over in his head, what he wanted to say to the blond. At five minutes to, he got out of his car, smoothed his black dress pants and dark green dress shirt, took a deep breath then walked to the front door of the building.

Draco opened the door, and his breath hitched at the sight of Harry standing at his doorstep. "Just about ready. You didn't say where we were going, so I wasn't sure how to dress," he said, giving a nervous smile.

"What you're wearing will be fine." Harry grinned. "You look good."

"Thanks. You too," Draco replied. "So, where are we going?" He asked, tossing his tie on the settee by the door, gesturing for Harry to lead the way after he closed his door.

"Just a restaurant that I used to like," Harry said, leading them to the lift.

"How did you know where I lived?" Draco asked, surprised that he hadn't thought of it before. "I don't remember telling you."

Harry unlocked the passenger door of his car. "I asked Ollivander for it," he grinned. "He had it on his hiring forms."


Draco sat in the car while Harry drove, glancing over at him every so often, looking away when Harry looked his way. "Nice car," he said to break the silence.

"Thanks." Harry grinned. "I like it. I also have a motorcycle that I drive around quite a bit too. You drive?"

"No, but it's something I'd like to learn," Draco said.

"What? The great Draco Malfoy wants to learn something muggle?" Harry teased.

"I'm not the same boy you knew and hated in school Potter," Draco smirked.

Harry looked over at Draco. "No, you're not," he softly said, then looked forward again, slowing down as he pulled into the parking lot of the restaurant.

Draco followed Harry into the restaurant, silent as they were led to the table for two in the back corner. "Nice place, Potter," he smiled.

"Thought we were going to use our first names, Draco." Harry grinned, nodding to the waiter when he gave them their menus. "You thought I was going to take you to a fast food place or something?"

"I wasn't sure what to expect, but this is nice," Draco replied.

"I'm not the same boy either," Harry repeated, smiling as he looked down at his menu.

After ordering their meal, they talked of what they'd been up to the past few years. Saying a lot, but not saying what was really on their minds at that moment.

"So, you took the job because you were bored?" Draco asked. Harry nodded.

"I had wanted to be an Auror when I was at Hogwarts, but after all that happened in the war, I didn't want to fight the bad guys anymore," Harry said, shrugging his shoulders.

"Now, you just want to risk your life getting ingredients for Ollivander?" Draco smirked.

"Better than sitting around," Harry laughed. "No one can say our job is boring, can they?"

"No, I guess they can't," Draco replied.

"So, what is our next assignment anyway?"

"We'll be going to Turkey, close to the Lycian Valley. We'll be Flooing from the Ministry in London to the Turkish Ministry of Magic, then going to the town of Olympos. The next morning we will be taking a boat to the island of Helexia. This island is undetectable to muggles, and is a sacred burial ground. Ollivander stated that he would be going into more detail the morning that we leave. We will be getting a rare gem called charoite, and the hair from the lion’s mane of a chimaera," Draco stated.

"A chimaera?" Harry asked. "Like in the fire-breathing, three-headed creature?" Draco nodded. "So how do you suppose one gets the hair from the thing?"

"Talk nicely to it?" Draco grinned.

"I highly doubt that will work," Harry laughed. "We'll have to knock it out somehow. We could try stupefying it like a dragon."

"But didn't those dragons from the tri-wizard tournament have to be subdued by at least seven wizards to get them down. Doubt just the two of us could do that, no matter how powerful you are," Draco said.

"You think music would calm the beast? That three headed dog that Hagrid had as a pet, was calmed with the sound of a harp."

"Heard about that," Draco smirked. "One of your many adventures."

"I didn't go looking for trouble back then. It always found me," Harry laughed. "Maybe Ollivander will have some idea on how to do it."

"Possibly," Draco nodded, picking up his wine glass. "Harry, I would like to apologize for what I said a few days ago."

"Apologize?" Harry asked.

"Apologize for offending you, saying that you were gay and a whore," Draco replied, gazing down into his glass.

"Yeah, that kind of stung when you said that," Harry nodded. "I'm not really gay Draco; guess you can say I'm bisexual. I like women too."

"Me too," Draco agreed. "So, what was all that then?"

"The thing between us?" Harry asked. Draco nodded. "Not sure. “That first night in the alley, it just sort of happened."

"And the other night?" Draco asked.

"Same. Wasn't planning on it," Harry said.

"So, it could have been anyone then?" Draco asked.

"Not saying that," Harry said, reaching for Draco's hand.

"Well, isn't this sweet?" Someone said from behind Harry.

Draco jerked his hand away and looked behind Harry to see a blond haired man with blue eyes standing there, smirking down at the two of them. His fist clenched on his lap when that stranger leaned over to kiss the side of Harry's neck.

"Aiden," Harry said through gritted teeth, looking up at his ex-lover.

"What's it been? A few months now? Saw you at the club a few weeks ago with one of your boy toys." Aiden smirked, resting his hand on Harry's shoulder, his fingers stroking the side of his neck.

"You are not the one to talk," Harry seethed.

"This your new flavour of the week Harry? Nice, maybe we could share him . . . just like old times," Aiden grinned.

Harry abruptly stood up, shrugging the hand off his shoulder. He looked down at Draco who was glaring at the other blond. "Will you excuse us Draco? I'll be right back."

"Sure," Draco said, his anger barely kept in check.

Harry stalked out the front door of the restaurant, Aiden following. He stopped and shoved him against the wall. "What the hell do you think you're doing? How dare you," he said between clenched teeth.

"Just wanted to see how you were doing. Saw you sitting there with him, and remembered when we used to come here. Remembered how it was between us," Aiden softly said, pulling Harry against his body.

"I remember too, especially the blow job you were getting from that other guy," Harry said, trying to pull away from the arms around his back.

"Wasn't anybody important," Aiden said, leaning in to kiss Harry's neck. "What do you say, we get together, remind you how it was."


Draco waited for a few minutes, his thoughts on what the blond had said to Harry. All those times that Harry said he wasn't gay. Was he just a notch on the bedpost? He sighed, his feelings for the raven-haired man even more confused. He calmly got up and made his way out of the restaurant, stopping when he exited seeing Harry in the blond’s arms, his head thrown back while the other was kissing him. He got into the taxicab that was sitting by the curb, not looking back, not seeing that Harry was actually trying to fend off Aiden's attentions.

Harry had seen the back of Draco's blond head as he got into the taxi. He tried again to push himself away from Aiden, and then brought up his knee to fend him off. Aiden immediately let go, and bent over, clutching his groin in pain. "Don't ever try that again. We will never get together again. Never," Harry seethed into his ear.

Harry went back into the restaurant to settle their bill, and then went to Draco's apartment, hoping to talk to him. He had rung the doorbell several times, and then tried knocking, to get no response. He finally sighed in defeat, and left a note for Draco, explaining the situation. He had enjoyed his time with Draco that night, getting to know him, until Aiden showed up. He saw the brief flash of hurt in his eyes when Aiden was telling of his so-called sordid past. Just when he thought they were getting along, something had to happen. It was going to be a tense mission coming up, if they didn't sort this out.

**********

When Draco got home from his dinner date with Harry, he put up silencing spells on the door, and then went into the bathroom, running the water for a bath. He sighed contently as he slipped into the warm water, relaxing his body and mind after a turbulent day. After some time, he slowly got out of the tepid water, and dried himself off before slipping into the cool sheets of his bed.


Draco opened his eyes the next morning, still tired from a restless night of sleep. He got up and dressed, then packed a few things into his backpack for the mission. He opened his door, to see a note taped to the outside of his door, with his name on it in Harry's messy scrawl. He picked it off, and shoved it into the front pocket of his bag, not intending to read the note, but to give it back. He closed his eyes and Apparated to Diagon Alley in front of the old wand makers shop.

Harry looked up from the book he was reading when the bell of the shop rang. "Draco," he said, getting up to greet him.

Draco held up his hand. "Potter. Sorry I'm late. Late night," he said, walking past Harry to sit at the table at the back of the shop.

"Ah . . . Mister Malfoy. We were waiting for you," Ollivander smiled, gesturing to the tea that sat in the middle of the table.

"Sorry that I'm late," Draco said, reaching for a cup. "Won't happen again."

"Not a bother," Ollivander smiled. "It's early yet. My daughter will be coming in to mind the shop while we go over the mission. You two aren't due at the Ministry for a few hours yet to Floo to Turkey."

"How long is this mission going to take?" Draco asked.

"I figure it should take about a week. There is much to see in Turkey. So much history," Ollivander said. "I do expect you to get the ingredients for the shop, but I also would like for you boys to enjoy the sights that you can see in your travels. There's some beautiful country to see," Ollivander wistfully said. He heard the bell ring to the shop again. "I will be right back boys," he smiled, and then left the two of them alone.

"Listen Draco, it's not . . . " Harry began once he heard Ollivander talking to his daughter at the front of the shop.

"No, you listen, Potter . . .”” Draco said.

"Harry," Harry interrupted.

"Okay. Harry, what happened between us was a mistake. All of it. It won't happen again. Even though this job is hazardous to my health, I happen to enjoy it. I'm not bored anymore with my life. A life that doesn't, and won't ever include you in it. I think that as partners in this job, we should stay partners, strictly professional. We get the job done, and that's it," Draco said, looking directly into Harry's eyes.

"But, you don't understand," Harry said, reaching for Draco's hand.

Draco pulled his hand away. "Nothing to understand," he said, shaking his head.

"Okay," Harry sighed, sitting back on his seat. "If that's how you want it. Can we at least be friends?"

"Friends?" Draco asked.

"Yeah, I thought we were getting along pretty well, even when we weren't lip locked," Harry said, giving the blond a small smile, holding out his hand.

Draco looked down at the hand, then back into Harry's eyes. "Okay. Friends," he softly said, reaching to grasp Harry's hand in a quick squeeze before pulling back to place it back on the table. "So . . . what do you think we should do with the Chimaera?" He asked, trying to ignore the tingling warmth that spread up his arm from Harry's touch.

"Sorry about that, boys,” Ollivander said, coming back into the room with a few books in his hands. He sat across from them. "First of all, I got you two a journal to start. You don't have to mind you, but it would be nice to document what kind of adventures you go on, how you did it and such," he smiled, handing Harry the leather bound book.

"After you leave here, you will go to our Ministry of Magic to Floo directly to Turkey. They have special floo powder for longer distances. They will check your bags before you go to make sure you have nothing that could be dangerous. They do know that you are working for me and on a quest for ingredients. Once there, a guide will take you to a local hotel where you will check in for the few nights. I know I didn't put this in the statement that I gave you, but I would also like you to get some sweetgum from Lycia. The tree resembles a maple tree and produces oil that smells rather sweet. It can be used as a wand ingredient or a potion ingredient that is good for respiratory problems, or blemishes. Also found there, are ancient olive trees that are ideal for wand making," Ollivander stated.

"Is there a certain place in Lycia that we can find these?" Harry asked.

"And is there anything we have to go through to get them?" Draco added.

"No, nothing to battle or conquer to gather those," Ollivander grinned. "They can be found in Pinara. Pinara was once one of the six most powerful cities in the Lycian Federation. It became the centre of bishopric in the Byzantine era and later abandoned in the ninth century. The city sits high on a mountain across from the Xanthos Valley. There are literally hundreds of burial tombs in the east face of the Valley. Pinara was once a religious place dedicated to Apollo, Athena, and Aphrodite. While there, not that I need anything from there, I would suggest you see the Amphitheatre. It is a Greek-style theatre at the base of the city. It dates back to the second century BC and could once accommodate 3200 spectators. It is truly magnificent."

"The next morning the guide will take you by boat to Helexia Island. This island is undetectable by muggles and is a resting place for some of our great deities. It will take most of the day to get there. The island, for the most part is quite safe until you get to the burial ground. If you follow the stream through the forest, you will come to a waterfall. You must go through it to the other side. At the other side, continue following the stream. Once you pass the circle of stones, you have made it to your destination. This is where you will encounter the Chimaera. It is the guardian of the sacred grounds of Circe herself."

"You were there before?" Harry asked. Ollivander nodded his head. "How did you get past it?"

"It was not easy," Ollivander smiled, tracing his hand over the rippled skin of his hand. "The chimaera is a great beast, a monstrous beast that is the offspring of the Greek monsters, Typhon and Echidna, and brother of such beasts as the Cerberus and the Hydra. It is a fire-breathing creature with the power of three beasts. It has the head of a lion, a goat, and the tail of a serpent. Some legends depict the creature as flightless, but this one on the island has the wings of a dragon. To our advantage, it cannot fly for long periods. To our disadvantage, his fire reaches far. When I encountered it, I had tried the stunning spells, but they did not hold. We had used a sleeping drought and put it in a rabbit that we had caught the night before. It did not last long."

"You also mentioned a gem? I never knew one could have gems as wand cores," Harry said.

"Oh yes, there are many crystals and gems that could be used for the making of a wand. Malachite used in wands can enhance the psychic ability in a witch or wizard, onyx can help with the indecisiveness in ones self, amethyst is for serenity, obsidian for protection, just to name a few. The one you will be going after is charoite. The colours of the stone range from bright lavender, violet and lilac to dark purple with white, grey or black colours swirling in the crystal. The ones that we will be after are a very pale violet that shines in the sunlight. It is useful for giving one courage; cleanses one’s aura. These gems can be found on the ceiling of the cavern that you will enter once you pass the chimaera. But to get them, you must get permission from the Seranyx first."

"The Seranyx? I've never heard of him before," Draco said.

"Not a him," Ollivander smiled. "She is a hybrid of sorts of a pixie and nymph; a descendant of the goddess Circe. She is the protector of the tomb of Circe and Odysseus, and their descendants. You know of the goddess Circe?"

"She was also called the Dread Goddess," Draco began. "She was the daughter of Helios and Perseis. She had presided over an island, awaiting lost sailors to come wandering to her door. They thought they were treated as guests, but instead they were drugged and then usually served as dinner by transforming them into animals. Odysseus and his crew came upon the island. Odysseus had sent some of his crew for food and water, but only one came back. The rest were turned into swine. Odysseus went to get his crew when he came upon Hermes in the form of a young man who gave him some 'moly', a mystical magic herb with black roots and white flowers, which gave him protection against the drugs that Circe tried to feed him. He in turn drew his sword to the goddess, where she succumbed, and then turned the swine back into his crew. She was very helpful after that, telling him of some of the perils he would face. Later, he came back and they had two children, Agrios and Latinos. I assume they had gone on to have children also, and so on?" He finished, and then looked to Ollivander.

"Very good, Mister Malfoy," Ollivander smiled. "The Seranyx is a direct descendant of Latinos. She was once pure and a creature of the light, but now she is imprisoned in the caves in which her descendants lie."

"What did she do to be imprisoned?" Harry asked.

"She was tempted by the flesh of man," Ollivander replied. "A mortal man, which was forbidden by the gods above. As the chimaera is the guardian of the burial grounds, she is the guardian of Circe herself. Circe lies beneath the giant tree, the roots deep into the ground. The tree is a living entity; a part of the goddess forever in its roots."

"I've never heard of this creature," Draco said. "How do you know of this?"

"Why she told me," Ollivander smiled. "Her name is Chenarenn. She is very beautiful, and very dangerous. Not all is what it appears. She must always stay close to the tree, surrounded by a pool of water. Whatever you do, do not drink or touch the water, no matter the temptation. I will give you a few things to give to her, in hopes that she will allow us the crystals."

Ollivander reached into the breast pocket of his vest and took out the watch. "My, it is getting to be that time. Are there any other questions?" They both shook their heads, their minds on what was to come. "There are some containers in your packs for the ingredients."

**********

Harry and Draco silently Flooed to the Ministry of Magic from the back of Ollivander’s shop, immediately going to the desk that stated it was for long distance travel. The guard took their bags and inspected them, then gave them back. Harry had to smile to himself when he put the pack on his back again, feeling the nudge of wood against his back. They never checked them, themselves.

As instructed, they Flooed to the Turkish Ministry where they were met with a rugged looking olive skinned man, not at all what they were expecting when they arrived. He was wearing a pair of faded jeans that hugged his hips, a loose lightweight jersey with the top three buttons undone, and a well-worn pair of hiking boots. His raven coloured hair was shoulder length with a slight wave to it. His face was shadowed with whiskers, and his brown eyes smiled at them in greeting. "Welcome to our country," he smiled. Then came over to shake their hands. "My name is Asha Mehran. You may call me Ash."

"Hello Ash," Harry grinned. "Nice to meet you. Will you be guiding us to the island?"

"Yes," Ash nodded, shaking Draco's hand in greeting. "I took the liberty of setting you up on the Pinara tour tomorrow morning as Mister Ollivander had requested. It is beautiful there. I'm sure you will enjoy the day."

Draco followed Harry and Ash out of the Turkish Ministry, noticing that the wizarding world here was quite mixed in nationalities. He also noticed that the majority of the witches and wizards did not wear the heavy black robes of London, but lightweight robes in a rainbow of colours, most likely due to the hot and humid weather they now had at this time of year. He was quite surprised at the appearance of their guide, and could not help the twinge of jealousy when Ash held Harry's hand a bit longer than necessary, and the way his eyes travelled over Harry's body before greeting them.

Ash led them to a green jeep at the side of the road, and then gave them a tour of the city and country on the way to their hotel. Once there, they checked into their room, then went back down to meet Ash for dinner in the hotel restaurant, going over their plans of travel while they ate.

**********

The next morning Harry woke up in the single bed and looked over at Draco who still lay asleep in his. He had tried to explain about Aiden the night before, but again Draco said he did not want to talk about it. He had picked up the journal to begin the first entry, while Draco picked up a book and began to read. Both trying to ignore the others' presence in the silent room. He sat on the edge of the bed, stretching the kinks out of his back and shoulders, then got up and walked over to Draco's bed. His hand reached out, hovering over the blond-haired man’s chest, wanting to touch the smooth skin. He went further up, and traced a finger over Draco's cheek, his breath held as the blond rubbed his cheek against them while he slept. He drew back when Draco began to move more in his sleep, and silently went into the bathroom to have a shower.

When Harry came out, Draco went in to have his shower. Not too long after, they were in the hotel lobby among the other guests, waiting for the tour bus to take them to Pinara. It turned out to be an enjoyable day for both Harry and Draco. They got a few bits of the olive tree, and the sweetgum easily enough that now resided in the magically sealed containers in the backpack that Harry carried. The rest of the day was spent wandering around the sacred grounds, taking in the sights and smells around them. They slowly eased back into the tentative friendship they had begun during their first mission.

The sun was just easing down into the horizon when the bus pulled up in front of the hotel. Harry nodded to a few of the people that they had toured with, and then motioned to the pub across the road. "You want to get a bite to eat? I could use a cold drink," he grinned.
"It was rather warm up there wasn't it?" Draco replied, giving a small smile.

"It was," Harry agreed, and then started to walk across the street, with Draco beside him.

They seized the table that overlooked the street, looking out at the festivities around them. When their food of chicken and pork shish kebobs, with rice and vegetables were set before them, they eagerly ate all what was on their plate, washing it down with the house lager. Draco had ordered a second lager, much to the amusement of Harry. "Draco Malfoy drinking beer, and enjoying it," he smirked, reaching in the backpack to take out the camera.

"I know how much you like that camera, but if you so much as point that at me, I will throw it across the room," Draco smirked.

"But I'm documenting our journey," Harry grinned.

"Well document it without pictures of me in there," Draco said. "We should probably get to bed early tonight to be ready and awake for tomorrow."

"You nervous?" Harry asked.

"About tomorrow?" Draco asked. Harry nodded. "Yeah. I'm nervous. A chimaera is not something to take lightly. Not to mention this Seranyx creature, which I've never heard of before this little adventure."

"Yeah, but you're not bored, are you?" Harry grinned.

"No," Draco laughed, picking up his drink to sip it slowly as they watched the street band start up outside.


A few hours later, and a few drinks later, they both settled their bill for their food, and crossed the street to their hotel. They took turns showering, then sat on Harry's bed, going over their notes they had each taken of the creatures, going over spells they could use without permanently harming them.

Draco got off the bed, but looked back at Harry when his hand was held back. He arched his brow in question.

"Draco. Did you get my note?" Harry softly asked.

"Yes, I got it," Draco said, pulling his hand away. "Haven't read it."

"You going to?"

Draco shrugged his shoulders; then eased under the thin cover of his own bed. "Even if I do, it won't change anything."


Harry watched Draco get into bed, his back turned to him as he lay there. He bowed his head into his hands, combing his fingers through his hair. "I'm sorry," he whispered, before lying down on his side facing Draco.

Draco's fingers clenched his pillow when he heard the whispered words next to him. 'Me too,' he thought to himself before he let himself drift off to sleep, tired from the day they had of walking, and climbing.

**********

When Draco came out of the bathroom the next morning it was to see Harry holding a crossbow in his hands. "Where did you get that?" He asked, coming over as he was slipping his T-shirt over his head.

Harry's fingers stilled on the weapon when his gaze caught the pale expanse of flesh before Draco pulled the shirt down. "The morning that we left I visited Charlie and he gave me this crossbow, and this tranquilizer dart filled with an extra strong dose of Draught of Living Death potion. They use it to knock out the dragons when they have to heal them. It will stay in effect until we give it the antidote, which I have here," Harry smiled, holding up another dart. "We just have to make sure to hit it in the right spot, or it will be even more pissed off at us."

"You went to Romania before we left?" Draco asked.

"Yep. I knew Charlie gets up really early to tend to the dragons, so I got up early that day too," Harry replied.

"And how did you get that past the Ministry officials in London. Weapons were definitely on the 'not allowed' list?" Draco asked, picking up the crossbow.

"And when do I follow the rules," Harry smirked. "I had it under a disillusionment spell, and a notice-me-not charm, and had it strapped to my back. They checked our bags, not us. So, no problem."

Draco watched as Harry took back the crossbow and cast a shrinking charm on it before slipping it into his backpack. "Very Slytherin of you," he smirked. "Anything else I should know?"

"There's a lot you don't know," Harry replied, his back turned to Draco as he led the way out of the room.

Draco slipped his own backpack on and followed Harry down to the lobby, where Ash was already waiting, talking and laughing with the girl at the front desk.

"Waiting long?" Harry asked, going over to shake Ash's hand.

"Not long at all. You have everything you'll need?" Ash asked.

"Think so," Draco said, smiling in greeting. "As we'll ever be anyway."

"The boat is all ready to go," Ash grinned, leading them out of the hotel and into the jeep. "It will take most of the day, and then I will leave you there and pick you up two days later."

"Why aren't you staying?" Draco asked.

"My crewmen are very superstitious. They have heard that there are great beasts on this island. They have also heard tales of men going there and not coming back," Ash grinned.

"What about women?" Harry asked, returning the grin.

"That is where the tales came from," Ash laughed. "Though not too many travel to the island. The non-magical people don't know it's there, and the magical avoid it at all costs."

"Why couldn't we Apparate to the island?" Draco asked.

"The magic of the island doesn't allow anyone to Apparate or Portkey. Many creatures roam the forest, but they are most likely more afraid of you, than you would be of them. Just make sure to shield your campsite just in case. As I am sure Ollivander has told you, you need to follow the stream. Look for the large tree, with the red blooms, and that will be where you will need to be. A magical barrier surrounds the burial grounds that will keep the beast in. Once outside of that, it cannot get to you," Ash said.

"Have you been there yourself?" Harry asked, looking around at the docks as they arrived.

"I have been on the island, but not past the barrier," Ash responded. "Come, the boat is this way. I have also brought us some food for the trip."


Harry and Draco were greeted by the crew, most of them looking at them warily for the first few hours of their sojourn to the island. Not too many people actually wanted to go to this island. An island that is believed to be haunted. Draco had sat at the back of the boat, reading a book, while Harry, the ever-sociable one of the two was chatting away with Ash and the crew. He never saw the glances that Harry shot his way when he was not looking.

Harry was enjoying himself immensely on this boat trip. He had never been on a boat, discounting the time he went to Hogwarts in his first year. The spray from the water was cool on his heated skin. He had long since taken his T-shirt off from the heat. He leaned on the rail, smiling to himself when he saw some dolphins swim next to the boat. He pushed himself from the rail and went to Draco's side where he reached over for his backpack.

"What are you doing Potter?" Draco asked, not looking up from the book he had in his lap.

"Getting my camera. I want to take a picture of the dolphins. Never seen them up close before," Harry grinned, then happened to glance over at the book, then the muggle pen in Draco's hand. "What are 'you' doing?" He asked, recognizing the journal.

"Just adding a bit to your mission notes," Draco replied, writing something in the margin.

Harry looked down and saw that his writings on the pages were shifting down as Draco wrote. "Didn't know you could do that?" He said. "Wish I had known that spell back in school. Would have made revision so much easier," he added, smirking as he looked down at the page again. The page was open to the mission before this one. The mission with the snidgets. In the margin, he noted that Draco had written 'he cheated'. "I didn't cheat Draco."

"You flew up there and waited for them to come to their nests," Draco said, beginning to draw the small bird on the page.

"We never said how we had to get them. I just watched where they were all heading," Harry shrugged.

Draco looked up from the page and his breath held as he saw the bare torso before him. He had seen Harry take off the T-shirt, and found it quite difficult to tear his eyes away from the sight. He sat, transfixed as he watched a water droplet run down Harry's neck to his chest. The muscles shifted beneath tanned flesh before his eyes, his tongue darting out to lick dry lips.

Harry's blood rushed southward, to his cock at the sight of heat that flared in the blond’s eyes. He held still, letting Draco have his look, not wanting to break the tension that flared up between them. His fingers clenched onto the strap of the backpack when Draco's hand began to reach out for his chest.

"Harry, Draco, lunch," Ash called out over to them.

The spell broken, Draco pulled his hand back, his eyes down as he put the journal back in the bag. "Bout time. Starving," he said, getting up.

Harry reached out to grasp Draco's hand. "Draco. Wait," he pleaded also getting up.

"No," Draco replied, tugging his hand back from Harry's grasp. "You should put your shirt back on. Don't want to give Ash ideas do you?" He said, looking up to meet Harry's eyes. "Although I'm sure he wouldn't turn down the offer."

Harry watched Draco stalk off to the table and smile at something that one of the crew said to him. He gave a frustrated sigh, combing his fingers through his hair. 'Why do I bother,' he thought to himself as he pulled his shirt on over his head again.

After they ate, the next few hours sped by. Draco reading his books, or adding to the journal, and Harry taking in the sights around him. He had taken the pictures of the dolphins, as well as some of Ash and the Crew that he was intending to add to the travel journal. Even a few of Draco, of which the blond was not aware. At a shout from the bow of the ship, Harry looked up, then across the distance ahead of them to see a heavy mist.

Draco also heard and came up to the rail beside Harry. "That the island?" He asked.

"Yes," Ash replied. "Not dangerous, just another spell over the island to keep it hidden. We will pass through to come into the island's cove."

Harry and Draco stood side by side at the rail, their shoulders touching as if reassuring the other was there. "You ready for this?" Harry quietly asked, seeing the first signs of the island as they sailed through the mist.

"No, not really," Draco smirked. "You?"

"As ready as I'll ever be," Harry grinned, holding up the camera to take a picture.

"That going to work with the magic around us?" Draco asked.

"Yes. Have it charmed so that it will bypass the magical barriers around us," Harry grinned.

"That Grangers doing?" Draco smirked, looking back up at Harry.

"Yeah," Harry laughed.

"She was always too clever for her own good," Draco said, under his breath.

"I'll make sure to tell her that," Harry laughed, seeing the smirk that Draco was trying to hide.

Harry and Draco followed Ash onto the dingy that was being held still by a few of the crewmembers, and then held on tight as the small boat sped through the choppy waters. The boat slowed as they entered the cove.

"I will meet you back here in two days time in the morning. I would suggest following the stream. You will find a clearing of sorts where it will be ideal to set up camp. Remember to use a shield around the site just in case," Ash said, jumping out of the boat into the shallow water, and pulling it closer to shore. "Be cautious, and don't be reckless. You're lives may be at stake."

Harry and Draco clutched their bags to their chests as they scrambled out of the boat onto the sandy shore. They waved off Ash as he pushed away from the shore, and then followed the stream. The rustling of trees, and the faint sounds of scampering feet of the forest animals soothing to them as they made their way through the thick foliage of the forest. They came upon the clearing about a half hour later and immediately set up the tent and equipment. Draco used his wand to make sure the water was okay in the stream, silently thanking whoever was listening that the water was okay.

Harry sat on a log that he had moved over to the site and arranged some stones in a circle for a fire for later. He watched as Draco went into the tent, and left with a pair of shorts on and a towel draped over his bare shoulders. He admired the view, smiling to himself when he saw the grin on the blond’s face. He got up, and followed Draco's example and changed into shorts and went to the stream, for some much needed cooling off. It was surprisingly hot on the island, and a swim seemed like a very good idea at the time.

Once there, his heart skipped a few beats when he didn't see Draco anywhere. He sighed in relief when he saw Draco break the surface of the water, and flick his head back, wiping the water from his face. "You coming in?" Draco called out. "It's nice. Not too cold."

Harry threw his towel on the rock with Draco's and cautiously stepped into the water, sighing in relief when the water immediately cooled his heated skin. They stayed in the water for about a half hour, talking about what they had to do the next day, but keeping their distance, both not wanting to be tempted to touch the other.

When they made their way back to their site, they silently went about fixing their dinner, and then shared a drink or two from the bottle of Firewhiskey that Harry had brought along. Harry brought out the crossbow to check it over, seeing the interest spark in Draco's eyes. "Come over here. I'll show you how to use it just in case for some reason I can't," he grinned, taking out the case with the tranquilizer darts in them.

Draco came over and picked up the case. "You think this will work?" He asked, gingerly picking up the red long dart. "It's pretty light isn't it?"

"Charlie and the handlers use this type of thing quite a bit in dealing with the dragons. He said it would knock it out, but it may take a shot or two to take it down. The dart is light, but a bit heavy on the end. The red darts are filled with the Draught of Living Death; the blue filled with the antidote. He said I should aim for the flank or the chest of the beast. And not to use more than three darts, as it could kill it. It will stay knocked out until we give it the antidote," Harry said, picking up the blue dart and showing Draco how to load it into the crossbow mechanism. He then picked up some twigs from the ground and transfigured them into darts, where they then practiced shooting at a target set up on a tree.


They were shaken out of their practice, when they heard the roar in the distance. "You think that's it?" Draco asked.

"Most likely. I don't think we're very far from the barrier," Harry said. "We should probably get to bed. Going to be a long day tomorrow."

Draco agreed, and they both settled the site for the night. Snuffing out the fire and putting the protective shield around them before both of them crawled into the tent. Either could fall asleep right away, no matter how tired they felt. Harry had tried to reach out to Draco, but was disappointed when he felt a barrier between them . . . blocking him from the blond that lay beside him. He sighed heavily and shifted so he lay with his back to him, willing himself to get to sleep.

**********

Authors note: Since the chapter is quite long it was discussed with a few members of our coven to separate it so it would be easier on the eyes. This is about the halfway point. The next part will be added in a weeks time. This also allows DracaMalfoy time between 'real life' to get her chapter done - she is next (unless something happens). Hope you enjoyed the chapter so far, but the best is yet to come.

~tas