The Lord Appellant 31/37

[herumtreiber]

Title:  The Lord Appellant 31/37
Chapter:  The next adventure
Author:herumtreiber  
Genre: Slash, romance, adventure, dark!fic
Pairing: Draco/Blaise, one sided Harry/Draco
Rating: R
Warnings for the fic: It's a dark fic, rape is mentioned several times. Dementors appear and not for show. Character death (not Harry, Draco or Blaise). Evil!Ron, powerful Hermione, Pansy and Bellatrix. Sympathetic to Slytherins.
Epilogue compliant? No
Chapter length: ~4,490 words
Disclaimer:  I do not own Harry Potter or related characters. Nor do I make any money from  writing  these stories.
Summary: After the events of HBP, the Minister of Magic wants to finish the Malfoys but Draco uses a Wizengamot procedure to fight back. Veelas and Siddhe appear in the story as Draco uses political means to contest the pureblood's allegiance to Voldemort.
Notes: I wrote this before DH was published, so please no picayune comments about canon.


Table of contents


30. New friendships

Susan duly presented the injunction at the Wizengamot, and indeed gave them a piece of her mind, chastising them for leaving unattended the needs of schoolgirls. Hogwarts had been utterly sacrificed to the whims and favors of the Headmaster. Whom he liked, prospered, whom he disliked suffered slow and ignominious oblivion. The people in between simply did not count enough.

Taking an idea from the Muggles, she suggested the creation of an Ombudsman for Hogwarts: someone the students could go to when they had problems. This person would be beyond the strictures of Hogwarts responsibilities and would have the authority to fix minor problems and instigate procedures to research bigger problems.

As the first ombudsman, she smirked and suggested Kingsley Shacklebolt. Given that her aunt and Draco were cheering her on, she could count on their support. The Gryffindors would jump at the chance of getting Mr. Shacklebolt, whom they liked.

The next four days were weird at best, what with not receiving the Prophet. Hermione was aghast at the lack of information.

Draco observed the motley group that had concentrated in his (former) home. They were doing ok, except for Susan, who tended to brood, and especially Ginny. Ginny was worrying Draco quite a lot. There were times when she was like usual, all fire and enthusiasm, but then with a thought, an occurrence, her mood became somber, she was subdued and would meekly agree with everything.

She had already undergone three counseling sessions. Draco and Pansy had gone to another one, so they could comprehend what Ginny was facing and how they could help her.

Draco despaired. He longed to wave his wand and make it all disappear, and make it so Ginny was ok. But there are limits to magic.

The next day they all received at breakfast the first issue of "The Enquirer," as logo it had what could only be a Snorkack. The first story announced the creation of the paper to offer a balance to the Daily Prophet, it went on to clearly expound on the issue of protecting the identity of crime victims who are minors, how and why the Daily Prophet had been wrong to treat them so cavalierly, in such an upright and sensible way as to convince Hermione.

Ginny read the paper hungrily, on the second page she read about some shady deals done by her father. She sniffed and looked for her handkerchief. Draco saw it, gave her his and said, "I'm sorry, Ginny."

She answered, "Why?"

He replied, "When your father acted so callously we were incensed and looked for bad stuff in his past. Then we threatened him to treat you all right or one of his deals would end up in the paper. He spouted off, and the first tidbit was selected." "I'm sorry. You're probably thinking that it confirms all your fears of lying, cheating Slytherins; but we felt it was the only way."

He looked tentatively at her. Ginny was smiling, no, she was beaming. She said, "Thank you, Dragon, that is the best thing someone's done for me lately! That it was so Slytherin and underhanded makes it more delightful."

Harry seethed inwardly. He couldn't stand to see Ginny and Draco so chummy with each other. It tore him apart. But he had seen Draco's fury and knew enough not to risk it. So he nursed his feelings to himself.

Strangely though, he could stand Draco and Blaise, in fact applauded the match. He could stomach Ginny with someone else, anyone who would treat her fairly. But when he saw them together, he just melted. Maybe it was the intensity of their connection, which rivaled that of Draco/Harry. Maybe they were the shadows of the past, of might-have-been's that haunted him day in and day out.

Luna approached Draco and asked shyly, "Did you choose the logo, Draco?"

"Yes, your father wanted something to remind him of a Snorkack, so I chose this logo. He was quite satisfied with my selection and innate taste, if I do say so myself."

"Have you ever seen a Snorkack before?"

"Can't say I have," replied Draco.

"Then how did you end up choosing the Snorkack picture?"

Draco started visibly, then replied nonchalantly, "It's what I imagine that one looks like. You've mentioned them frequently, Luna." Inwardly he chastised himself and promised to be more careful around her.

After lunch, when Draco was planning to settle down for a nice, long working session with policy papers, he was abruptly interrupted by a furious knock coming from his door. Grabbing his wand and hiding it just below his wrist, he opened the door to find a matching set of fuming Twins.

Inwardly sighing, he invited them in, carefully setting down privacy wards. He directed them to sit down. After they had done that, but before they had a chance to calm down, Fred irately said, "We came by to talk to Harry; he doesn't want to talk to us anymore! Then we saw Ginny here! We visited the hospital and found out she had been discharged, but they didn't tell us where to! Was Ron right? Are these all your doings?"

Draco was pretty mad; he took out his wand and petrified the duo, then laughed in their faces: "Maybe Harry doesn't want to talk to you because of something you have done, you scum of a man. You lost any claims you had to Ginny's allegiance when you let your priggish father dictate your actions with more surety than an Imperio. When she needed you the most, you cast her aside. When you had a last chance to connect with her you refused to offer her help, because your father was staring at you so and scaring you. The only thing that stays my hand and keeps you safe is Ginny's well-being."

"By the way, soon a bill will be introduced to the Wizengamot banning your recording, spying devices. I want all copies of certain memories returned, or your store will be shut down. And to make sure you understand I mean business, let's play!"

Draco hexed them continuously for some time. Nothing dark, but nothing easy. Curses like the legs-freeze, Confundus, Bat-Bogey Hex were used.

When Draco was finished, he stopped and practically threw the Twins out of the office, saying, "I have to prepare for dinner with Ginny and Mother! I would invite you, but Ginny is not ready to see you yet!"

"Tell you what, write Ginny and let her know that you are sorry, that you want to mend things. Explain your viewpoint if you will, and develop a correspondence with her."

"When you're ready, ask her to invite you to the Manor, and I will do it." "For this to work to Ginny's advantage, she must set the timetable, just give her the reasons."

The Twins gave him considering looks, and then George said, "You would do this for Ginny?"

"She has suffered enough. Whatever part of her family she can get back will be good news. Her father seems to have completely forsaken her. She needs you."

Then George and Fred nodded grimly, and said, "We'll write her. Thanks for taking care of her, Malfoy!"

"I'm sure she'll be pleased, and no need for thanks; I understand the importance of family."

A little later, Draco added, "You could use the same approach with Harry than with Ginny, perhaps there are things that can be said better on parchment."

At dinner, Draco had a foreboding feeling. The women, they all looked far too chummy for his taste. He could've dealt with Mother enraged with Ginny, or Ginny with Pansy, or a combination of several angry with one or two of them; but this quiet and peace, this restful atmosphere was wearying, because he suspected it was directed against him somehow.

When they were eating cake, the attack was launched, surprisingly, by Andromeda, who asked Narcissa if Draco had always been cute.

She was answered in the affirmative, and then Susan asked if they had taken pictures. Draco was sweating at this point, when Mother gleefully said "yes, and would they want to see them?"

Draco imagined all the women rejoicing at his pictures. There'd be no end to their guffaws and ribbing, so he decided to do the Malfoy thing – stall.

He said loudly, "With all respect, Mother, but I think we should not see the Books until after we reach a milestone; say a major battle where 20 of the enemy have been captured or killed. Then I will personally take out the Books and lend them to you all."

The women looked at each other ready to commiserate, and also stared hungrily at Draco. He felt that a strategic retreat was in order and hurriedly left the room, vowing to face Voldemort armed with a toothbrush rather than facing so many women hell-bent on watching baby pictures.

The next morning was Thursday, and Draco and Harry needed to cast a vote in the Wizengamot. They were making their leisurely pace around London, and Draco took the corner to a less-traveled street. Suddenly he was stupefied by a powerful spell. Harry, with instinct honed through years of adventures, managed to cast a Protego and stood his ground. It developed that they had been ambushed, there were about six hostiles, the odds were overwhelming against them. After this brief reconnaissance, the spells were going to be fired, when someone drawled lazily, "It seems you gits got the wrong person, no wonder the Dark Twit uses you." And Draco strolled to stand near Harry, and the downed Draco, and all Harry could think was that he was going mad. From the other side, Pansy, Blaise, Crabbe and Goyle appeared and started hexing the miscreants.

Draco commented sotto voce, "It's nice to have back up, in case dark twits decide to attack you!"

Harry said weakly, "How do I know you are who you say?"

Draco replied mysteriously, "Moi, deceive you Harry? No. I only left earlier and decided to wait for you here. I trust I would have been faster on my feet and deflected the curse. Here, take a look at this:" he extended his hand in which there was a ring. "That is the Black Ring; it can only be worn by a Black."

"In a way, your confusion is the best compliment you can give Tonks and I. We have been working in switching personas – in her case – to confuse the Death Eaters enough so the attack may succeed when resolute Des would be the deaths of us."

"At any rate, we have to get Tonks to the Manor and have her treated."

They grabbed her and Apparated to the waiting room, where Narcissa and Andromeda were reminiscing. Andromeda immediately paled, and asked what the matter was. Draco explained what had occurred. Narcissa cast diagnostic charms and told them that she was ok; she would only sleep for a few hours. Narcissa and Andromeda led Tonks to her bedroom.

Harry accompanied Draco to his room. Watching Draco take off his robes and undo the top buttons of his shirt was his undoing. All the dredged feelings, the carefully guarded sentiments, came to the fore, and he only knew that he needed Draco, that he wanted Draco. He aggressively grabbed his waist, and as Draco turned astonished eyes on him, his hand seized Draco's chin and held him immobile. Harry whispered darkly, "I need you, Draco! I want you to be mine and me to be yours! Just follow your heart!"

Having said this, he boldly kissed Draco. As they were of the same height, he didn't have to bend down or look up, he just kissed aggressively. In his mind, what happened after this searing kiss was that Draco willingly went out with Harry, after apologizing to Blaise. They conquered over Voldemort, and started a family of several blond and brunet kids. They lived to be as old as Dumbledore and their family grew, as did their love. He would never have to find the person with the blondest hair in the land, because he would live with him.

Unfortunately for Harry, reality in the form of an enraged dragon was about to hit him. Draco roared, "What does this mean, Potter? Do you think that all of it can be washed away with a kiss, that I can forget Blaise like that and hook up with you?"

"Do you think that a single kiss equals years of misery?"

"Let me remind you of the events of 12 December 1995. You may not remember, but I do guard this day in my remembrance for reasons you will see. After 5 June, when I received my Inheritance and learned I was a Veela, I had become increasingly attracted to someone. Someone I didn't want to get close to, however the pull grew and grew, striving to connect me to him with means fair or foul. School that year was atrocious, and the pull wearied me down to the point I was seriously considering accepting being Bonded to this individual. So on this day I was looking for you in the library, Potter, my would be Bonded, to come to some agreement."

"Before I could speak with you I saw you were with your friends: the Weasel, Hermione, Ginny and the two rapists and Longbottom. I decided to wait until they left, and for that I'm grateful."

"You spoke of meaningless things, as is the wont of Gryffindors, until Ginny mentioned soul mates. She had come across a book devoted to the subject and was eager to learn more. Apparently Hermione had also read about the theme, because she taught about the different kinds of Bonds, including the Veela Bond. She mentioned its compulsion, that the Veela must declare his love to his mate, and if the mate rejects it, he dies."

"Ginny thought it was too romantic and started inventing all kinds of Veelas declaring their love to you; she mentioned Lavender Brown, Padma Patil, Theodore Nott, Justin Flinch-Fletchley, and myself."

"You took it all in stride until she mentioned me. When she did you said that never, not in a million years, would you be bound to me, even if we were the only two beings on the planet. You also said that since the Bond compelled me to obey you, you'd let your friends have their way with me, at which point the rapists audibly sighed. You went on to say that you hoped the loathed Malfoys got what was coming to them, especially their loathsome scum progeny."

"Needless to say, you answered my question through and through. I also remember that date because the next day was the first time I tried to kill myself."

Draco continued relentlessly, "So don't ask me to forget the past and start anew with a kiss, because I can't." "I cannot and won't love you, because you killed off that possibility years ago." "I cannot be your friend. You rejected my hand in friendship all those years ago. For now and in the future, we can only be allies."

Harry was reeling as if he had been physically punched. Maybe it would have been better that way. He was crying and was panting. Draco tried to get near him but Harry pushed him away, saying, "Stay away, not my friend."

Harry finally got himself together; he stood up and made to go to the door

Draco sensed this shift, and wondered what Harry was thinking. He said, "Voldemort is especially active today, Harry. If you go out, I strongly suggest taking bodyguards like Pansy, Blaise, Crabbe and Goyle."

Harry growled low in his throat, "Tough shit." He wanted to go to unknown places and these persons would only impede him. Then he remembered the portkey-ring and decided it was another way to control him and let it slip through his fingers.

Draco realized the situation was deteriorating. Harry looked ready to bolt. He cast a ward restraining Harry. The problem was that Draco was no longer the owner of the Manor. He was the fiancé of the owner, which gave him rights, but to cast a restraining ward, Blaise's permission was required. The magic sought and found Blaise and got the permission, went to the room and restrained it, but too late, Harry was gone.

Harry was so agitated to get out; that he did not consciously chose his destination. Unfortunately for him, he had been thinking about traveling to Diagon Alley, which is where he Apparated. It was 11:00 AM, and the sun was shining brightly, yet there was a feeling of doom permeating the Alley. Maybe having to do with Voldemort's increasing attacks on the customers.

Harry had walked 30 meters when he thought about using a camouflage spell; but the damage had already been done. People had seen the Boy Who Lived, and he was alone! The race was on to see who would get to him first, friend or foe.

To say that Draco Malfoy was having a bad day would be an understatement. First they got away from the Des, and now the Twit Who Lived had flown the coop! And there was no one dependable left.

Draco was on his office musing on his miserable life, when Theodore Nott came in. Draco looked up at him with gleaming eyes, which suddenly turned very wistful. "Theo, I have bad news. Potter left here suddenly after a row, and he took neither bodyguards nor portkey. I'm afraid for his safety."

Theo replied, "Where do you think he went?"

Draco answered, "If he was smart, somewhere secluded. Knowing his pig brain, though, I fear he has gone to Knockturn Alley. I'm going to Knockturn Alley. Could you take Diagon?"

"Sure I will."

Harry kept walking until he reached a long open door. His instincts told him to jump to the right, which he did. He took out his wand and started shooting stupefy hexes. He saw 5 people go down and none were left standing. He made to go on when he heard, just inside the door; "Wotcher Harry! Having trouble with this scum?"

Harry recognized Dennis and Colin Creevey, along with Katie Bell. Apparently he had stumbled upon a restaurant, where some of the clients simply loathed him.

He responded, "Yeah, I'm having trouble with the Des. But I'll be on my way." The Creeveys said they would go with him and protect him, and he was grateful for that.

But luck was not with him because just as he opened the door, they were attacked by several Des. The Des made it inside the restaurant and prepared to cast gruesome death when they were interrupted by a pedantic voice uttering Grey Spells, those that cannot be ascertained to be Light or Dark. The effects of these spells were to balance the fight to favor Harry, until a new voice used the Sectumsempra spell.

When the dust of the battle settled, Harry beheld a daunting sight. All his friends were down; there was a bleeding figure near the door and a slight shape, who imperiously ordered the other Des to leave her alone. She said "accio wands," and pocketed them as they arrived. She got closer, and the figure in the floor moaned "Oh Mandy." The woman said mockingly: "Succinct as ever, Nott; and I must leave you or they will notice. You know the drill." The witch, who was Mandy Brocklehurst, intoned a large sentence in Latin.

When Harry woke up, he found himself in a closed bedroom, with Dennis and Colin Creevey and Theodore Nott. He had the suspicion that Mandy was a DE with the Slytherins, and had cast a derivative of the Fidelius charm, a kind of portable Secret Keeper.

Since he didn't have his wand, he used wandless magic to try and heal Nott. He failed, but at least eased his discomfort and reduced the bleeding.

He didn't know what had hit the Creeveys, but he suspected it was a variation of the Dementors' powers. Their souls seemed to be retreating, they responded to stimuli less and less, until they would be dead to the world. He also suspected that Katie Bell was dead.

Nott woke up, and asked information of Harry. Afterwards he averred that the Creeveys would probably die. Mandy was a DE who was loyal to Draco. When Harry asked why she didn't rescue them, Nott replied that it wasn't time; she would be discovered if she did. It was supremely important that she as a sleeper not be compromised.

Harry asked, enraged, "Even if it's your own life?"

Nott answered, "Here we must part ways. You will never think like a real Slytherin, though you sympathize. A real one would weigh the advantages and disadvantages of such a scheme in a millisecond and would act accordingly."

"Even if something happened to me, I harbor the illusion that some time in the future, Mandy's intervention could become crucial. When that happens, I would be vindicated."

"Harry, I'm sorry, but I think I am going to die. My legs are becoming cold and numb; I get dizzy and have difficulty breathing. Do not panic. Since we must have a long night, I would appreciate it if you made up stories about the future and told them to me. Please, I don't want to hear about people having sexual relations outside of holy matrimony, or even inside it! Just make up what will happen 20 years hence with all of us. And by 'us' I mean you, Harry. You and we Slytherins have always been close, hating each other, pranking, studying, and finally helping. The threads that unite us cannot be broken, Harry, not by silly rows or silly Lords."

So Harry sat down in the other chair and told Nott the future story of Slytherin, how they would vanquish the Dark Lord, overthrow tyranny and live rich, content and secluded lives. He told of the Malfoys-Zabinis with their brood and their special child, Theo, an inquisitive dark-haired wizard that would be sorted into Slytherin, his pranks would become legend. He also told of Pansy, Angus and their children: Daisy, Daphne and Theodore. This Theodore was a little scholar and a gentleman, a great catch would he be for the great houses. He recounted the stories about Theodore Shacklebolt, the son of respected Auror Kingsley Shacklebolt and Hermione Granger, how he was shaping up to be in a perfect position to chronicle the war against Voldemort.

Nott panted and had difficulty forming the words, "Come closer, Harry. I can't see you any longer." He laboriously continued, "You must forgive Mandy and you must forgive yourself. Please tell the other Slytherins how I died, it will comfort them. As for the future, no one can tell where it will take us. We would have laughed if two months ago, someone told us we'd be here tonight. Do not despair because of the future, because it is endless, and not to be contained."

Nott rasped, "Now, if you will continue with the tales, Harry."

Harry continued weaving stories, in them; the struggles between Gryffindors and Slytherins were continued by their children, albeit in a much more agreeable fashion. He'd just forged ahead a story where Gryffs and Slyths eventually joined forces when he realized something, the lack of a distinct sound: Nott's breathing.

He checked, Nott had stopped. Theodore Nott had died.

He went to check the Creeveys and found them dead too.

He felt closer to the Abyss than ever before. It seemed he brought only death. If only he could retreat to himself, but then he realized the golden trap, the golden way Nott had used.

Because he comported himself like an absolute hero, because he was kind and selfless, Harry felt he had incurred a Life Debt to Nott.

Such a life, such a death, required him to behave accordingly and leave his childhood behind, finally.

To indulge in withering self-criticism would defeat the purpose of Nott saving him. He would take his lumps like a man, and continue working with Draco, if the blond was still amenable.

Having reached some sort of consensus, he felt asleep.

Several hours later, Harry was nudged. He opened his eyes to find Blaise looking critically at him. He took out Harry's wand and returned it, asking, "How are you?"

Harry replied, "As good as can be expected."

Blaise commented, "We took Nott's body to the Manor. What should we do with the others?"

Harry remembered the Creeveys, but he didn't know their address. "Could you take them to the Manor and preserve them so their family can reclaim them and bury them? There were the Creeveys and Katie Bell too."

Blaise said, "We'll do that." He took out his cell phone, punched a number and gave some instructions. Then he said, "How are you spiritually, Harry? I can't begin to understand what you went through. Draco told me his part of what the row was about, and I wish I'd been there to keep you from leaving. Here, take this."

Blaise took out the ring and gave it to Harry. Harry was flabbergasted and said, "Are you giving the portkey back to me?"

"Yes, Harry. Because you need it. You and Draco are equally important, and if you disagree too much, it is bad for the rest of us. So please keep your tempers! I said the same to Draco."

"Harry, you don't seem to realize, but if there is one theme Draco is passionate about, it is you. If someone else had come and kissed him, he would have taken it in stride, made a joke about it and rejected it; however, it was you and that brought emotional history that is only beginning to heal."

Harry took the ring and put it on, understanding that the Slytherins forgave him for the trouble caused. He would never understand the prats, but he loved them. He inwardly snorted and mused that Blaise, Pansy, Crabbe, Goyle, Draco and of course Nott were easy to love, once you got past their emotional walls.

"Do you want to try Side Along Apparition, Harry?" Harry nodded, went to Blaise and held him, and then broke down, crying a lot. Blaise offered comforting words, finally, after Harry had gotten very tired, he Apparated with him to the Manor, to Harry's room, which was currently out of bounds for the blond Malfoy.

32. The power of three