Windbound 24/35

[herumtreiber]

Title: Windbound - 24/35
Chapter: Twenty-four
Author:herumtreiber 
Genre: post DH, slash, romance, adventure
Disclaimer: The world and characters of Harry Potter belong to JK Rowling. I don't make any money from writing these stories.
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: None
Epilogue compliant? Epilogue complaisant
Chapter length: ~3,891 words
Summary: Draco/Harry, Ron/Hermione, Hannah/Dean, Justin/Daphne, Ginny/??? My take on the Marriage Law. Should they obey the government’s edict or fight it the Muggle way? This leads to marriage equality. Plus there’s a twist exploring how a Horcrux operates. Good!Lucius, finally:) Hufflepuff house is amply represented here.



Table of contents


Chapter twenty-three

January 14th, 1999
Hogwarts

During breakfast, a harried-looking Draco caught Hermione's eyes and nodded toward the door. When they had finished, she walked out of the Great Hall, and the blond quietly started walking beside her, saying, "This way, please."

They arrived at a deserted classroom. Quickly, Draco cast privacy charms. Then he said earnestly, "I know you like to ferret out bits of information. You must know the sources for many spells now. Do you know them for French, too? What I mean is, where should I go if I want to have information on an ancient French spell?"

Hermione nodded, and in her earnest, no-nonsense voice, said "I guess it depends on the specific period you are searching for, otherwise it would be too cumbersome."
Draco added, "It would be a time when French and Latin were used concurrently."

Hermione replied, "That narrows down the choices. I'd suspect the sources could be found in Provence. It was the first part of Gaul that was conquered by Rome, and it was among the last to let go."

In the afternoon, Harry, Draco and Susan made their leisure way to the Room of Requirement. They hadn't practiced for two weeks, due to their nerves because of the Marriage Law. Now they intended to make up for it.
Harry paced back and forth and the door appeared. The room was in Gryffindor colors, with tatamis on the floor and swords hanging from one wall.

Susan had made great strides in handling the sword and now could fight each one individually. Both males were surprised when Susan offered to fight them, simultaneously.

They got into a pitched battle, and Susan proved her mettle as a great sword mistress. She vanquished Draco, but in her turn was vanquished by Harry.

Then they practiced some Dark Arts spells on dummies. Susan proved to be quite an adept at this branch of magic, too. Harry, however, was devastatingly precise and deadly with his casting. When he flicked and swished his Elder wand, it looked and felt impressive.

If no one noticed the small hesitations of the blond and his deeply hidden moue of distaste when Harry executed brilliantly a Dark Art spell, it was for the better.
Harry asked carefully, "Can I come back later, Draco?"

The blond replied, studiously avoiding Harry's gaze, "Unfortunately I can't, Harry. I have to go someplace with Lucius. Tomorrow I will leave to visit Blaise. He's wanted me to visit for months."

Harry's scrutinizing stare rested briefly on Draco, before moving to Susan. The Hufflepuff Head Girl adroitly asked Harry about Hermione's history with SPEW. Harry proceeded to relate enthusiastically Hermione's unsubtle attempts to free the house-elves.

They separated at the North Stairs. Susan and Harry went up and Draco descended the stairs. He went to his room and changed into more comfortable, more intimidating attire. He now wore a black robe with a severe, classical cut. Simple black wool trousers, a white shirt, a burgundy tie, and fine shoes completed his ensemble.

Draco left his room, not without warding it against intrusions. He made his way to Liz Lehmke's office. The ombudswoman had been reluctant at first to let him have the use of her Floo to 'skulk away in the dead of night' as she put it. Draco assured her that he had urgent business that he needed to attend to, and he would probably be back before too long, at any rate.
Then Draco threatened to use McGonagall's chambers. Faced with this Slytherin cunning – which was pretty easy for her to discern - Liz inwardly smiled as she consented. Thereupon Draco Flooed and vanished.

Draco appeared in the Leaky Cauldron. He smoothly got out of the Floo and brushed the ashes from his shoulders. He greeted Tom and walked out to Diagon Alley, watching surreptitiously his surroundings. Ever since his kidnapping, he tended to be more aware of his environment. He presently reached an alley near Gringott's. He turned to the left and saw Lucius, standing a few feet away, tapping impatiently with his cane.

The elder Malfoy said imperiously, "Time you got here, Draco. Now let's find some answers!"
They entered the sober atmosphere of Gringott's. Lucius barked at a goblin who was thoughtfully tugging his pointed beard, "Get me Woodgrinder!"

The goblin stood up, bowed and left. A few minutes later he returned and said, "Master Woodgrinder informs me that he cannot attend the head of the Malfoy family at this time. He is very sorry."

Lucius sneered and reclined on his cane as he said, "Tell Woodgrinder that if he won't see me now, pretty soon all of Gringott's will lament this slight to a powerful family. Do I make myself clear? You will get Woodgrinder or you will be sorry."

Seven minutes later, an apologetic goblin came back and took them to see the Manager of Gringott's.
To Draco's jaundiced eye, Woodgrinder looked a bit menacing. He was short and dark-skinned. With his very long fingers, he appeared to be perusing some accounting reports. He wore a pointed hat.

Woodgrinder looked up, and his intense dark eyes met the Malfoys' menacing grey eyes. The battle was joined.
Lucius said, "We want to know what is going on."
Woodgrinder replied, "What makes you think I know more than you?"

Draco commented, "You are the General Manager of Gringott's, a much respected figure in the Wizarding World. You control this bank, and thus control the Wizarding economy. Furthermore, the letter sent to me announcing my partner in this marriage scheme indicated that a carbon copy had been forwarded to you, Woodgrinder. So I think you know a lot, you could help us solve the mystery of who was behind this Marriage Law and what they wanted."

Woodgrinder sighed and replied, "I can't tell you, Mr. Malfoy. My foremost duty is to Gringott's and its philosophies."
Suddenly Lucius stood up and said, "Come on, Draco! Time to go."

A dumbfounded blond said, "Are we going to leave just like that, with no answers?"
Malfoy replied as he smirked devilishly, "Woodgrinder has been very clear. His first duty is to Gringott's. I understand that very well. My own first responsibility is to the Malfoy family. So I will also follow my duty. I will arrange for the Malfoy estate to be transferred to Zürich."

An astounded Draco watched as Woodgrinder shot out of his chair and said heatedly, "You cannot do that, Mr. Malfoy! It would be very bad for Gringott's."

Lucius stared intently at the small goblin. He drawled, "It is obvious from the context that you played an important part in this hare-brained scheme to defraud the Purebloods. The dismantling of the old fortunes could not proceed without your implicit consent. Whoever was in charge committed a grievous error when they sent the carbon copies to you, when it wasn't needed or even wanted. So I don't feel safe leaving the Malfoy monies in your rather incapable hands. I'd rather trust the Swiss Kobolden over your kind. Good night, sir!"

Lucius opened forcefully the door and was about to stride out of the room, when the anguished voice of Woodgrinder was heard. "Stop! I will tell you what you want to know!

"It doesn't matter anyway, with the Marriage Law annulled; the prospects of economic succor are dim. We can only survive, and Gringott's cannot do that if it loses the Malfoy fortune. So I will tell you all."

Lucius closed the door and cast privacy wards. Then the blonds returned to their chairs and sat down.

In Hogwarts, Harry was restless. Draco had gone, Hermione and Ron were too busy snogging to pay much attention to him, the Hufflepuffs were good companions, but he yearned for something else at this moment.

On his way to the Owlery, he met Neville and Luna. The Ravenclaw just winked at him and mouthed 'were-snorkack.' Harry was angry with the blonde.
Neville just asked if Harry was ok. When Harry replied affirmatively, Neville smiled and wished him luck. Then the Gryffindor and the Ravenclaw left for the greenhouse.

Harry didn't find anyone else on the way, and that was ok with him. He wanted to use these lonely moments to reflect, to try to inject order into his chaotic life.

The Gryffindor duly transformed into his Animagus form. He spread his majestic wings and flew out of the Owlery. While he was lazily flying around, he noticed a small barn owl approaching Hogwarts and decided to dive-bomb it. He climbed further and then put his wings close to his body, he swooped down on the owl and effectively startled the poor animal, who must have thought the impressive eagle would eat him.

Feeling satisfied with this bit of mischief, proving he was indeed the son of James Potter, Harry quickly grew bored and decided to go to Hogsmeade.
It was a breeze to fly to the town, land in front of the Three Broomsticks and transform into Harry Potter. Although Madam Rosmerta did not want to serve him alcoholic beverages at first, Harry's charm convinced her to allow it this one time.

Harry was consuming his second Firewhisky glass when he asked himself if he should drink more. Granted, he didn't have to drive to Hogwarts, still he had to fly to Hogwarts, and judging from his adventures while an invisible eagle, flying was hard to do.

Eventually Harry stopped with that second glass and he drank more Pumpkin juice, until Rosmerta kept glaring at him and he realized it was time to return to Hogwarts.
Harry left the Three Broomsticks and walked to the alley ahead. There, protected by the shadows, he transformed into an eagle and began to fly back to Hogwarts.

Assuming the shape of the eagle just calmed Harry. It was as if all his troubles washed away. Harry wondered if Sirius felt the same way when he transformed into Padfoot while he was in Azkaban.

The reminiscence about his godfather, which would be painful at other times, was taken now with acceptance and pride in having known this courageous man. He realized that Sirius was with him always, as were his parents and Remus. This gave him a measure of comfort.

Soaring above the silver Earth was also entrancing, until he remembered that he had to go down and face the everyday travails of life.

The next morning, Draco ate breakfast hurriedly at 7:00 am. Hopefully everybody was busy either sleeping or maybe getting ready for the Hogsmeade weekend tomorrow.

Draco saw a visibly exhausted Harry lurch to the Gryffindor table. Draco finished his small breakfast and went to Harry.
He sat down next to the Gryffindor and said, "What troubles you, Harry?"

Harry replied, "I don't know, Draco, just a general malaise."
"I'm sorry I have to go away for some days. Do you want to come with me?"

Harry replied, "No, that's ok. I have things to do here."
"If you need me Harry, just tell me. You're the most important thing in my life right now. I'll do everything to protect you."

Harry cracked a smile and he said, "I'll hold you to that, Draco." Then Harry began to eat tiredly.
On his way out to go to Liz's, Draco literally jumped into Robert Lehmke. The brunet turned intense brown eyes his way, and started talking, "I think I've got it, Draco!"

Draco replied irritably, "Got what, Robert? Can you be more specific?"
Robert replied, "Do you remember that room in your Manor which we wanted to have impervious to magic?"

Draco remembered that indeed. The room had engaged their attention from time to time, but all attempts to rend it impervious to magic had lamentably failed. So what could have Robert so excited?

Draco said more gently, "Yes, I remember, Robert. You found something?"
"The beginnings of an idea. We know physical fields like the electric and magnetic ones, perhaps there are magical fields, and that is why they interact with each other and ruin electronic goods."

Draco nodded, and kept nodding as Robert's ideas started to sound more exciting, but he could not follow the scientific terms involved. So Draco interrupted the brunet Slytherin's exposition saying, "It sounds very interesting, Robert. I'm sure you could discuss this better with Terry. He also likes science a lot. I'm sure he could point interesting derivations."

Draco made it to Liz's without encountering any one else from the gang, and he was grateful for that.
Liz snorted and mock-glared at him as Draco innocently said, "This time the Headmistress knows I'm going, Liz. She's given me permission to visit Blaise in Beauxbatons."

Liz took out a black pen from her robe and gave it to Draco. She said, "The portkey will take you near to Beauxbatons and back. To activate simply say 'Bon voyage.'"

Draco duly said the words and felt the usual hook in his navel as he was transported to Languedoc.

He arrived in the outskirts of Nîmes, under an intense sun. Draco espied carriages pulled by Thestrals nearby and gingerly sat down in one. He ordered the beast to take him to Beauxbatons. The draconian horse neighed and did not move. Finally the blond asked politely the horse, in French, to please transport him to Beauxbatons. The Thestral seemingly snorted as he started moving towards the school.

Beauxbatons enclosed a space of more than three acres. It had several towers, each about 100 feet high and 97 in diameter. Two of the outer sides were built flush with the edge of the hill, forming ramparts. Broad doors led inside.
Where the hill widened under the relentless Languedoc sun, was a town of perhaps 300 houses and a square-towered monastery.

Draco met Blaise near the northern enclosure. The former Slytherin beamed at Draco as he hugged him, drawling, "You came, Draco. You came! You all managed to defeat that crazy Law, didn't you? Lucky Pansy and lucky me, I won't have to become Swiss to escape the clutches of the damned Law!"

Draco hugged the exuberant Zabini back as he answered, "Yes, we won. With Shacklebolt out of office and Weasley thoroughly shaken, Lucius tells me the Ministry appears to be utterly demoralized and they won't try the same stunt, knowing it could be them who die or go to jail."

"Actually I came to visit the South of France and since you were so near, I decided to visit you first. Tomorrow I will go to Arles in Provence, hoping to find what I'm looking for in a catacomb or two."

A concerned Blaise said, "What are you looking for, Draco? Are you still intent on getting one up on Potter? Sort of like a giant payback for all the past struggles? Don't do it! Remember the stunt with the Dementor and the ambush in the Express after FifthYear! Just let the past go!"

A visibly irritated Draco answered succinctly, "It is not like that at all Blaise. I have a small clue, and I seek to find the answer to a puzzle. This is not fueled by my past anger towards Harry.
"I found two strange words, one in Latin and one in French. I was told Provence might be fruitful for my search for the meaning and context of these words."

Blaise snorted as he guided Draco toward the school cafeteria, greeting warmly the passing students. He replied, "And you are going to traipse around Arles searching for that elusive answer. Typical Draco!"

The blond glared at Blaise as the black Beauxbatonnier continued undaunted, "If you did this like you should, Draco, you would have come to seek my peerless aid."
They ordered cassoulet and poularde à la Toulouse, or rather Blaise did, because Draco was busy glaring at the walls and the floor.

Finally they sat down and started eating. Blaise continued, "I think you should skip Provence. If you're looking for the history behind the words, then you need context, and Provence has been pillaged too many times for much context to have survived.

"I think I have an auspicious place you can look into. Near my ancestral Manor in Belinzona, in the canton of Ticino, there is a monastery. It's supposed to harbor a wide collection of ancient manuscripts, both Muggle and Wizard, spanning from the 4th to the 8th centuries. Although they have suffered depredations through the years, my ancestors jealously guarded their history and liberty.

"You can look there to your heart's content. Unfortunately I have already made plans for tomorrow, but I can easily finagle a portkey to take me there on Sunday." Blaise took out a key and held it for Draco, saying, "Here! Take mine; it will take you to the Manor. You know the password to my homes. This one here works with a simple Portus."

Draco asked Blaise how his cousin Etienne was faring. Blaise replied, "The wanker was still moaning over having lost such an illustrious bride. Then yesterday he turned up with his new girlfriend!"

On Sunday, Blaise used the portkey provided by Director Lavoisier. He arrived at Zabini Manor at 10:00 am. After speaking with the house-elf Gigio, Blaise went to the garden to find Draco Malfoy meditating deeply about life, or so it seemed.
Blaise greeted Draco and asked him if the search had been fruitful. A somber Draco nodded and then asked wistfully, "Do you ever get the feeling that you are facing irresistible odds, Blaise?"

Blaise pondered the question and replied, "Yes, I know that feeling you speak about. I used to feel it all the time during Voldemort's ascendancy. I thought I would have to follow the Death Eaters, I thought of you often, you know, helpless in that Manor of yours. Unable to leave Voldemort. Unable to change, trapped like a windbound ship. Awaiting fate, or a miracle.

"So I know the utter hopelessness that you mention. But you can do something to improve the odds, even if a little. You can always try. You've always struck me as someone who doesn't give up so easily, Draco. Whatever the Trio threw at you, you came back and haunted them, or tried to. Voldemort forced you to do his bidding because he held the life of your parents in his slimy palm. Even then I am sure you defied him, perhaps unobtrusively and minutely, but in such a way to ensure an outcome unfavorable to Voldemort."

Draco made to speak but Blaise peremptorily raised his hand to indicate he had more to say. The black boy sat next to Draco and continued, "Don't tell me what your mysterious quest is. Just know that if you need any help you can come to me. After all, we've survived Slughorn's classes together, what more could happen?"

The boys laughed and looked out the window. The sky was intensely blue, there was snow, it was biting cold and it seemed like you could see for miles.
Blaise proposed going to Lake Lugarno. After he coaxed Gigio to take them there by elf apparition, the three arrived behind a hill, Blaise and Draco quietly melded with the crowd and they motioned for Gigio to go back to the Manor.

They looked at the majestic lake, the snow-covered trees, the nearby mountains, and Draco felt uplifted.

Blaise motioned for Draco to follow him. They went beyond a small hill and Blaise flourished two miniature broomsticks he pulled out of his pocket. Blaise said, "I've noticed how flying seems to relax you, Draco, so I took the liberty of taking these two brooms." He took out his wand, flourished it energetically and the brooms duly grew to their normal size."

Draco huffed, "But people will see us!"
Blaise smirked as he replied, "Are you dumb or what? That is why we will use invisibility charms, won't we?"

Draco grinned as he took the broom and muttered a charm on himself. Soon he noticed Blaise do the same. Both teenagers also charmed their broomsticks to remain inconspicuous to everybody, except themselves. They didn't want to crash while invisible!

Flying under the Swiss sun, enjoying such a brisk morning and breathtaking view, Draco appreciated the gift of thoughtfulness offered by Blaise. Up here was where a part of him would always belong, soaring with the eagles as they rode the currents upward, watching the Earth serenely go by below. For a moment he tasted paradise.

But he also knew that harsh tasks awaited him. Tasks which could destroy him or those he loved. The future was unclear.

January 18th, 1999
Hogwarts

That morning, Hermione noticed something strange in Draco's behavior. The blond seemed distraught with something, as if he was pondering something important. He was seated next to Harry. He didn't participate much in the lively debate going on at the Ravenclaw table. Maybe it had to do with the lofty atmosphere of the discussion, as Hermione heard snippets of the conversation that had Robert Lehmke and Terry Boot so enthralled, 'magnetic induction fields,' 'magical repellent devices,' 'assured magical attraction.' Heaven knew that even she found such a conversation abstruse in the extreme.

The Head Boy and Girl obviously shared her views, if the sight of them tugging on their hair was any indication. Dean even made the strategic decision to head for the Gryffindor table instead of seating beside his girlfriend Hannah, although judging by Hannah's glare that might be one decision Dean could come to regret.

After their breakfast had ended, Hermione went to Herbology class with Ron. The redhead seemed withdrawn and sullen since the defeat of the Marriage Law. Hermione had emphatically told him that she would not marry him for the time being. She was of a mind to go to University or perhaps travel the world and go to Australia. Based on Justin's recommendations, she had submitted her stories to a web site she expected her parents would read.

Herbology was duly followed by Potions, which she found quite boring. Frankly, when she was the friend of a potions expert such as Draco, Slughorn's theatrics seemed a bit old. Hermione harrumphed as she remembered the thing with the Half-Blood Prince book and how she warned Harry about this. But did he listen? No, he did not. Luckily the war had changed him a lot and helped him mature.

Following lunch, Hermione had History of Magic, a class she had to stay alert in, because on her notes depended the good grades of most of her year. It was an honor she had found exciting at first, but now seemed stressful.

Mr. Binns droned on and on about a Goblin Rebellion in the year 1649. She wondered idly if that was the same year Charles I was beheaded. She'd have to look it up. Hermione made a mental note to research this further. You never knew what little piece of knowledge might prove indispensable.

Chapter twenty-five