Unusual ending 25/32

[herumtreiber]

Title:  Unusual ending 25/32
Chapter: The trap is sprung - part one
Author:herumtreiber  
Genre: Slash, time travel, romance, adventure
Disclaimer:  I do not own Harry Potter or related characters. Nor do I make any money from the writing of these stories.
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: None
Epilogue compliant? No way!
Chapter length:  ~4,500 for the two parts
Summary: Old meets new. Harry walks all over Draco's heart, and when he realizes his mistakes he does the unforgivable so Draco takes him back. Time travel. During HBP, disregards Deathly Hallows - that means everyone's alive, except Sirius, but...


Table of contents




The dream and the talk

AN: This chapter is dedicated to the kind reviewers, especially atlantis51.
The story goes on because of you.

---

Draco frowned, toying with his breakfast. Ever since they'd returned for their final Hogwarts year, Harry had been withdrawn and moody.

"Why are you so sad, Harry?" Draco pushed aside his goblet; he was sitting next to his boyfriend at the Gryffindor table. However much Draco tried, he couldn't get a word from him about what Dumbledore had told him.

Harry rubbed his forehead. It didn't hurt him at all, but he didn't believe for a minute that it meant Voldemort was really gone. In all the chaos that had transpired since the battle where the Dark Lord supposedly died, Harry had come to trust no one, especially not Dumbledore.

But what if the old wizard was right and the only way to finish off Voldemort for good was to let the noseless bastard kill him?

"Quidditch trainer to crazy Gryff, please answer!" With a start, Harry realized that Draco was waving treacle tart directly under his nose.

Glaring at his boyfriend, Harry picked up a fork and began to eat the treat with little enthusiasm.

"Harry, don't make me cast Imperio on you." Harry's gaze slid upward from the table to the slim ivory hands he loved, up the toned chest that he liked to lick, resting finally on the stormy eyes that used to drive him angry.

Draco was frowning; Harry reached a hand to ruffle his silver hair whilst the blond drummed his fingers on the table as if yearning for the touch of his wand.

Harry sighed, following the flight of an Eagle owl that resembled Draco's. But the majestic bird continued its flight until it arrived at the Ravenclaw table where it landed next to Cho Chang.

Following Harry's gaze, Draco saw his friend and waved at his fellow Seeker. Cho was too busy fighting with her bird, which didn't want to relinquish its post, to pay much attention until Luna nudged her elbow. Then she smiled brightly at the Slytherin Seeker and waved an aged parchment on her hand.

Harry growled softly, still jealous of the closeness between his former paramour and his current one. That moment seemed to crystallize Harry's strange journey; shagging Draco and neglecting him until Draco left him, despairing in a future he barely remembered now and coming back in time to win Draco again.

Harry toyed with his fork, observing its tines, parallel yet so near. They'd never touch, they were as apart as he and Draco had been in the future. The old man gave him the opportunity to go back to the part of the fork where they were still joined and travel the path that led to Draco.

If the journey had taught him anything, it was that it didn't matter who was more demanding in bed or more powerful. The moments they spent together, the camaraderie and closeness that he'd shared with Draco - that meant it all. In the future, he'd been alone and forsaken and had tried to take his own life. Now he had Draco, and he could trust his counsel.

Harry put the fork on the table with a loud thunk and grabbed Draco's hand. "Come on, there's something I need to tell you."

The two Seekers made their way to the door, unmindful of McGonagall's and Snape's censorious gazes. Zacharias Smith grunted, "There go the two fair-"

The Hufflepuff stopped when Draco waved his hawthorn wand and cast 'Terminus sermonis.' Smith opened and closed his mouth as if he was a particularly obnoxious salmon, but no sounds came out.

---

"Let me get this right, Dumbledore told you you have to let Voldemort kill you." Draco hefted a pebble and launched it towards the lake. It sank near the whitish tip of one of the Giant Squid's tentacles.

Harry touched his Gryffindor Head Boy crest, his finger caressing the embroidered lion. The breeze carried the comforting scent of Draco's cologne to him, a soothing constant in the present that he sorely lacked in that future. "Yes, he quoted the Prophecy too."

Draco bent down to pick a larger pebble, frowning at the diminutive ant that carried a withered leaf. "And those Horcruxes you often mention. They're real?"

The Slytherin turned to look at Harry. A sunbeam touched Harry's tan cheek as he closed his eyes to the glare. The brunet nodded dejectedly.

"I thought you made them up just so I wouldn't fight with Granger. With your knowledge of the future and all." Draco launched the pebble which sank with a loud plopping sound.

Harry scuffed his left shoe on the grass, idly noting that it needed polishing. Ron's household spells weren't so good after all and Tonks was in hospital. "I reckon they're for real, though you're right. I came up with the idea so you and Mione wouldn't fight."

Draco turned to look at Harry and smiled. The brunet was dazzled by the rare gesture his lover offered, lifting some of his anxieties. "You don't have to worry anymore, Harry. Granger is an excellent partner doing research, but she's not as gifted as me."

"Nor as conceited," grumbled the Gryffindor.

Draco brushed his hands against his woollen trousers, frowning at Harry. "Don't tell me you're going to follow Dumbles."

"I may have to! What if Voldemort returns and is unstoppable?"

Draco growled, kicking several small rocks that traced a graceful arc under the midday sun. "How can you forget how he immobilized you in front of the Death Eaters?"

"I don't trust him, but the Prophecy says-"

"Fuck the Prophecy! I think Trelawney's batty anyway!"

"Draco, the good of the many-"

The blond lifted his arms to the sky, rolling his eyes as he shouted, "Merlin, you're beginning to sound like the crazy old man!" He turned to look at Harry. "Do tell, you've been drinking tea in the old man's office? I think he laces the tea with a dumbing down pot-"

Harry grabbed Draco by the shoulders, interrupting his tirade. His green eyes pierced Draco as he said, "I have to do it, Draco. Can't let any more people die because of me!"

The blond shook off his lover's arms, taking two steps backwards. He nearly stumbled on a big rock that was near the oak they were sitting under. "You've forgotten he left you with the bloody Dursleys unattended for so many years? With only the cat lady to look out for you?"

Harry narrowed his eyes. "How do you know about Mrs. Figg? I don't remember telling you."

Draco put his hand on the bark of the tall oak, reclining unselfconsciously in a very sensual arc that would've made Harry's mouth water if circumstances were less stressful.

"Moody told me. He kept grumbling about his friend Dumbledore." Draco smirked, eyeing Harry craftily. "He praised me a lot, you know."

Harry ruffled his hair as he paced back and forth in front of Draco, kicking small pebbles randomly. "Moody's in danger! Your crazy aunt has him! I had a vision…"

The brunet trailed off, unsure if Draco would believe him. The Slytherin had a sceptical side to him that sometimes drove Harry barmy.

"The other night? When you were thrashing in bed?"

Harry nodded. "Yes. I think they got hold of a Horcrux. I felt odd, as if I was on Bellatrix' head." He waved a finger at Draco. "Don't laugh!"

Draco lifted his arm pleadingly. "I believe you, Harry. I've learned that with you everything's possible."

He took out his wand and waved it around. "If they come, I'll stand by you just like in the battle."

Looking at Draco's thick, smooth wand, Harry remembered another part of the vision. "Bellatrix said something about the most powerful one of all, the Elder wand."

"Granger has mentioned an ancient Greek wand." Draco pursed his lips as he tried to recall the brunette's words. "The Golden Bough? It can resurrect people according to the legends."

"Do you think it might be-"

"The same? Could be. I wish Dumbledore confided in you, Harry. He just lets you grope around blindly for clues." Before Harry could interrupt him and defend the Headmaster, Draco added hurriedly, "I've seen you enough to know it's the truth. Don't deny it!"

Harry noticed a glow approaching them from the castle and took out his wand, mindful of Moody's teachings. However it turned out to be a Patronus.

It stopped in front of the Gryffindor, its amorphous shape almost erased by the bright sun.

"Harry, I'm afraid I have bad news." Remus voice lacked its usual smooth baritone, coming out ragged and heavy. "Tonks is in labour. The mediwizards tell me there's 50 percent chance she'll lose the baby."

Draco took a step towards Harry and hugged him from behind, his hands rubbing the woollen cloak. His cousin might pull through, after all she was the daughter of a Black and Merlin knew they were made of stern stuff. Draco knew how much Harry cared about his Marauder teacher and his family.

Remus' voice continued, "But there is more dire news. Someone entered the Department of Mysteries and stole the memory vials that held the recollections of a Death Eater captured after the battle. The magical signatures were that of Bellatrix and an unknown wizard."

Draco felt the brunet shiver around his arms and he wasn't the only one, for the blond shuddered too, realizing his aunt wanted to study the battle. And Bellatrix had it in for Draco, due to his perceived betrayal.

Harry touched his lover's hands and tried to shrug off his embrace. He was desperate for action, feeling trapped in the castle when so many things were going on.

First Voldemort's possible return and Moody a prisoner, and now Tonks in danger. Worse, the thing with the memory vials smacked of one of the noseless bastard's evil plans.

"I'm informing you because I don't think Albus will do it. Don't be mad, Harry. He's only trying to protect you though many members of the Order disagree with his methods. Miner-"

"Right to disagree! Crazy old barmy-" Draco shut up when Harry elbowed him sharply.

"- at the Ministry right now. Kingsley suspects someone transfigured a piece of furniture to break into the Department; Minerva will know for sure."

The Patronus paused as if it was out of breath, becoming even more translucent as its magic weakened. "Harry, Kingsley and the Aurors are working to find Moody. Stay put at the castle! You're protected by its wards, remember. I just want you to know the situation."

The ball of light finally disappeared, creating the illusion that it was receding in the distance.

---

Harry yawned; it had been a tiring day dealing with the chores of being Head Boy besides the troubling news. The stress was killing him.

Harry fingered the badge on his robe, wondering if Draco was jealous of the privilege Dumbledore had given him. His Slytherin boyfriend didn't appear to resent him for the honour, though rumour had it he had been the other top contender and Snape had been furious when the other heads voted for Harry.

At least that was what the Fat Friar reported. Nearly Headless Nick opined that Dumbledore didn't want to give the post to Harry, having been told so by the portraits of former headmasters.

Harry smiled innocently at the Head Girl. Hermione was sitting at her desk, scribbling furiously the names of the prefects and Seventh Years available for tutoring. "Mione, did you get the roll call for Gryffindor?"

She waved absently at the parchment atop the history books that formed a leaning tower of knowledge. "It's there." The brunette turned to look suspiciously at Harry. "By the way, why didn't you go to the Tower?"

"Errr… I was busy tutoring."

Hermione huffed. "You call it that, I call it groping Draco. It's most unseemly in a Head Boy."

Ron laid down his Quidditch magazine, strategically placed inside 'Ruing your way to greatness: Runes for beginners' by Thuri Sazgebo.

"Mione, quit it! Next thing you'll tie your pretty hair in a bun and become a tabby Animagus."

Hermione glared at the redhead, "At least it would be useful. I would prowl around and I wouldn't pretend to study when I'm reading about Quidditch!"

Ron bit his lip, squirming in the seat. "Blimey, how did you know?"

"Ron, you're talking with someone who knows books inside out. Need I say more?"

Harry walked to his bedroom, waving to his quarrelling friends. "See you tomorrow! I'll meet with the prefects first thing in the morning."

"You'd better. I'm tired of doing your part." Hermione finished writing and put the parchment on the edge of her desk, tidying it up.

"See you, mate!" Ron opened the magazine to read about the intriguing team from Liechtenstein which appeared poised to become the next champions.

Harry opened the door and entered his room, waving his wand to light the sconce.

He took off his robe and put it on the bed. It was made of mahogany, big enough to hold him and Draco. The brunet sighed, disappointed that his boyfriend was preparing a special potion with Snape.

Harry took off his Gryffindor tie, looking appreciatively at the golden red colours he would not wear again after the year was over - if he made it alive that far.

He sat on the bed, yawning. Harry leant forward, putting his right hand on his forehead. It was something he started to do after his vision, as if he wanted to make sure that it didn't hurt - that Voldemort was truly gone. The Gryffindor knew that life hardly ever played fair with him.

In his peripheral vision, Harry noted a slender oak chair, incongruously simple among the richly furnished room. He sighed, recalling the gleam on Draco's eyes when he first saw the Head Boy's room. Apparently it was elegant enough to impress even a Malfoy.

After he washed his face and cleaned his glasses with a soft cloth, eschewing the use of magic, Harry returned to the room, feeling completely exhausted.

He sat down on the chair, noting that it was quite uncomfortable.

Harry felt a strange sensation on his navel, as if magic was pulling him through it. It varied, becoming intense one second and weak the next, as if the magic was struggling against something. Before he could reach his wand though, the magic overwhelmed the wards of Hogwarts and he was whisked away, together with the American Colonial chair.

The trap is sprung 2/2