Falling Into You, Chapters Four to Six

Chapter Four: Secret Chambers

Harry reported for detention just after breakfast. Three hours later, he was sitting at the table in Snape's room. He had books piled high all around him, and he was nose-deep in a book on curses, searching for anything that used any kind of blood bond, but so far, he hadn't found anything.

Snape was on the other side of the room, separating and cataloguing all the items that he and Remus had taken from Malfoy Manor the night before. He had taken several books to Lucius the night before, and then he had spent most of the night resizing boxes and organising things.

Snape never slept. More accurately, he hardly slept. He sometimes took Dreamless Sleep Potion to get some sleep, but even then, it wasn't restful. Snape spent most of his time in a light sleep, often tossing and turning, unable to get comfortable.

He thoroughly blamed his brother, who had loved to terrify Snape while he slept. His brother had relished in making Snape's childhood a living nightmare. Snape didn't shed a tear when the bastard died at the age of twenty-five. Snape's insomnia intensified when he became a spy for Dumbledore, and over the years, his lack of sleep had contributed to his sour demeanour.

Snape looked over at the young man that had contributed to Snape's sleepless nights. After Dumbledore gave Harry the Invisibility Cloak that had belonged to James Potter, Snape never knew what kind of trouble the boy was getting into. He had known that Harry would be the essential key to ridding the world of Voldemort, so when Dumbledore asked him to protect Harry, Snape had reluctantly agreed. Now, he was helping Harry find a way to use his blood bond with Voldemort to destroy the Dark Lord.

Harry finished looking through the book on curses and slammed it shut. He rubbed his eyes wearily and reached for another book. He jumped when Snape addressed him.

'Potter, why don't you go down to the kitchens and get us some tea, cakes, and some sandwiches. You can use the break, and I'm famished. I never made it up to the Great Hall for breakfast.'

'Yes, sir,' Harry said, pushing aside the book.

An hour later, after tea and sandwiches, eaten in a comfortable silence, Harry was buried deep in another book, this one yet another book on curses, and Harry wished that he had time to read through the book. Some of the curses were fascinating, and Harry would love to read more. But time was critical. With each passing moment, Voldemort was growing stronger. He already had the Dementors, vampires, some werewolves, and some giants. His force grew stronger every day. Harry knew it was absolutely essential that the Light acted now. Too much time had been wasted. Too much time had passed.

Harry searched diligently through the books for the next four hours, stopping only twice to use the loo. His determination impressed even Snape, who usually wasn't impressed by anyone, least of all his most annoying student.

They stopped for tea once more, and worked again for another five hours. After the five hours expired, Snape came up behind Harry and closed the book that Harry was reading. 'Potter, go and have dinner with your friends. We have hundreds of books here, and there's always tomorrow. You can start again tomorrow, after breakfast. I'll continue searching tonight.'

Harry nodded and got up. 'Thank you, sir. I think I'll go and see if Mr Malfoy found anything interesting.'

'Very well. Take this,' he said, handing Harry a box. 'I happen to know that Lucius is quite fond of wizard chess. I doubt that you'll be able to defeat him, but it will help pass the time.'

Harry smiled. 'Thank you, Professor Snape. I'll see you tomorrow morning.'





Harry knocked on the door, waited a few moments, and opened the door, peering inside. Lucius was sitting up in bed, reading one of the books that Snape had given him.

'Hello, Mr Malfoy. How are you feeling?'

Lucius looked up. 'Better, but tired. Pomfrey is angry with me. I refused to have a nap earlier.'

Harry sniggered. 'I can tell that you're broken-hearted. Yeah, she can be a bit touchy about that,' Harry said, sniggering. 'Professor Snape sent this.' Harry held out the box. 'He said you liked to play wizard chess.'

'Yes, I do. How very thoughtful of him. I must thank him later.'

'Would you like to play a game or two before I go to dinner? I would stay, but Hermione and Ron would ask too many questions, and I've been gone all day.'

'Of course. If you'd rather go now, that's fine. I have plenty to read.'

'No, I want to stay,' Harry said, pulling over the hospital table and setting up the chessboard.

'You may be white, if you wish,' Lucius offered. 'Not that the first move will do you any good.'

'Aren't you generous?' Harry sneered playfully.

'Yes, I am,' Lucius replied. 'Make your move.'





'Checkmate,' Lucius said smugly.

Harry glared playfully at Lucius. 'You cheated!'

'I did no such thing,' Lucius replied haughtily. He knew that Harry was teasing him. Otherwise, he would have picked up his wand and cursed Harry for insinuating such a thing.

Snape had brought Lucius his collection of wands, all of which were usable by Lucius. This included his original wand, which he never took when he went to see Voldemort, in case something happened and the Dark Lord decided to break his wand, which had indeed happened on occasion, when a Death Eater displeased him.

'Whatever you say,' Harry teased. 'I've got to go now. I'm late as it is. I'll see you tomorrow, when Professor Snape lets me go. I hope we all have better luck tomorrow.'

Lucius nodded, watching Harry put the chess set away. 'Time is running short, but I think we'll find something soon, possibly before Christmas. There are so many books to go through, but we'll find it.'

Harry smiled. 'I'll see you tomorrow, Mr Malfoy. Get some sleep, or Madam Pomfrey might drug you.'

Lucius smirked. 'Goodnight, Potter.'





Harry quickly walked into the Great Hall and took a seat beside Ron. 'Hi,' he said, reaching over and serving himself a huge piece of roast beef and some potatoes.

Ron grunted at Harry, his mouth full of food. As soon as he swallowed, he said. 'Harry, have you been down in the dungeons all day?'

Harry nodded. 'I was helping Professor Snape with some work. I've got to go down there again tomorrow.'

'That's so unfair!' Ron said sullenly. 'You shouldn't have to spend your entire weekend with that greasy git!'

'It's fine, Ron. Actually, I deserve it. I really was rude, though I do think I was justified. But I really don't mind the research. Some of the books I'm searching through are rather interesting.'

'What are you researching anyway?' Hermione asked, always interested in anything educational.

Harry shook his head. 'I can't tell you. Snape and Dumbledore don't want anyone to know what's going on, and I promised that I wouldn't say anything to anyone.'

'I don't understand why you're involved,' Ron griped. 'I mean, why can they trust you, but they don't trust us. They know Hermione and I would never tell.'

'That's not the point, Ron,' Harry admonished. 'Considering that what they're researching involves me, it's only natural that the searching would involve me as well. And no, I'm not going to say anything more, so don't ask. You're just going to have to trust that I know what I'm doing. I'm not going to be able to spend a lot of time with you two, but that should work well for you, considering you usually use most of your free time in some corner, snogging until the rest of the world becomes ill.'

Hermione blushed and Ron snorted. 'I still don't like it. You shouldn't have to spend so much time with that greasy git.'

'Ron, I told you, I don't mind. It hasn't been bad at all, and I've enjoyed the research. Snape's not bad at all when you get him alone, and out of the school element. Now will you please leave it alone? I've got to go upstairs and do my revising,' Harry said. He finished dinner quickly and ran out of the Great Hall, leaving his friends looking after him.





The next day's research went much as the first day and it also had the same results. However, the day was a little more pleasant, with Snape not snapping at Harry nearly as much and answering some of Harry's questions about particular spells.

Harry didn't realise it, but Snape had overheard some of Ron, Hermione and Harry's conversation in the Great Hall the night before. All three had been sitting on the same side, so they hadn't seen Snape come up behind them. Snape decided to reward Harry's show of maturity by being a little less harsh.

Snape let Harry go about an hour before dinner, and Harry went directly to the hospital wing, carrying another set of books for Lucius. Harry walked in after waiting the customary minute or so, and smiled brightly. 'Hello, Mr Malfoy.'

'Oh, shut up,' Lucius said sullenly. He looked like he was about ready to use the Cruciatus curse on someone.

Harry frowned. 'What's wrong with you?'

'Narcissa took 10,000 Galleons out of my Gringott's vault. I sent a letter telling them to take her off the account, but that money is gone. She's probably going to buy herself a new face with it.' Lucius snorted. 'She should buy herself a new personality, the pathetic old bint.'

Harry repressed a laugh. 'I guess you're not in the mood for a game of chess then, are you?'

'Of course I am. It will get my mind off the fact that the only person I can blame for my attachment to Narcissa is myself. Set up the board,' he ordered.

As they played, Harry's mind kept drifting to the one thing that he'd always wanted the answer to, but never had the opportunity to ask. He'd always wondered exactly why Lucius had opened the Chamber of Secrets, potentially releasing a second Lord Voldemort into the world.

Now, here he was, the powerful Lucius Malfoy, sitting here with nothing to do, and Harry thought that if he were going to ask, now would be the best time to do so.

Judging his distance from the bed to the door, and the distance between Lucius and his wand, Harry decided that he could possibly get out the door before any serious curses could be thrown his way, and he decided to ask. 'Mr Malfoy, can I ask you a question?'

'As said before, you may ask,' he replied, making his next move and smiling smugly when Harry's pawn was smashed to pieces.

'Why did you open the Chamber?' Harry asked quickly.

'The Chamber? I'm assuming you're referring to the Chamber of Secrets,' Lucius said, staring hard at Harry.

'Yes,' Harry said, wondering if now would be a good time to run. Instead, Gryffindor courage took over and Harry elaborated. 'You put Tom Riddle's diary in with Ginny's book, and you allowed it to set a basilisk loose in the school. Why?'

Lucius eyed Harry, scowling. 'Why should I explain my reasons to you?'

'Because you almost killed me, that's why. If it weren't for Fawkes, I'd be dead. I killed the basilisk, but it sank one of its fangs into me. I was almost dead when the phoenix healed me.'

'Potter, surely you already know the answer to that one. You know how I feel about the Muggle-borns. I had no reason other than to scare off those that do not belong.'

Harry frowned. 'Why do you feel that way? What is so wrong with them? If it weren't for Muggle-borns and half-bloods, the wizarding world would be instinct or horribly inbred.'

'All pureblood wizards, indeed all wizards, tend to think that they are superior to Muggles, and they are right to do so. Salazar Slytherin foresaw the problems with the Muggle population long ago. First of all, wizards have been persecuted relentlessly over the centuries, and the Muggles have killed their own in their stupidity, thinking them witches, thinking of them as some sort of source of evil for all their problems.

'There are some that would accept us for what we are, I have no doubt. I also have no doubt that those that accept us would only do so in order to make their lives easier. They would want us to do all things for them, becoming too lazy to work for themselves. After all, why do something as troublesome as work when there's an entire race of beings that could be used as slave labour.'

'Do you really think that would happen?' Harry asked.

'Why not? They outnumber us greatly, and almost all curses are aimed at an individual person. They could kill many with those damned weapons they have. If given the chance, they could destroy wizard-kind. That is why Salazar Slytherin wished for Muggle-borns to be sent elsewhere. He foresaw what would happen in the future, though how, I do not know. He wanted this school to teach only the best, to teach only those who would keep our secrets. I do not doubt the power of Muggle-borns, even though it is less than Purebloods, but it is their families that could do us the most harm. Do you realise how many times the Ministry has had to use Memory charms on Muggles who have told their relatives and friends, not realising the harm that can come into the wizarding world? These people do not think that if the Muggle world knew, they would be putting their own children, their own families in danger. In my opinion, the world would be better off without the trouble that Muggle-borns cause.'

'Did you realise that the diary would let loose another Voldemort into the world?'

'Actually, no,' Lucius admitted. 'I knew the memory could open the chamber through another, but I had no idea that the memory would find a way to become real. And before you ask, I used Ginny Weasley because she was young and gullible, and also because she is a Pureblood, and therefore, she would not be harmed by the basilisk. Arthur Weasley may be pathetic and a disgrace, but I didn't want to see his daughter dead. She is, after all, a Pureblood.'

'Mr Weasley isn't pathetic or a disgrace,' Harry said, making another move and sending Lucius's pawn flying across the board, to land in a crumpled heap on the table. 'He's just enthusiastic about a world that he doesn't understand. You know, there are many Muggle items that would help in the wizarding world as well. You could learn something from the Muggles.'

'I'm sure you might be correct, but I'd rather not, thank you very much.'

'All right. What about Dobby? How could you treat him so terribly?' Harry asked.

Lucius glared. 'That pathetic excuse for a servant? I couldn't stand the pathetic little thing. He came to the manor with Narcissa, and he became a Malfoy servant by default. He was always doing things wrong, and I don't know how many things of mine he broke in his attempt to punish himself. The little whelp would leave the house, and yes I knew that he was leaving, and when he'd come back, he wouldn't answer my questions. That is outright defiance that I do not tolerate from my servants.'

'He was coming to see me, to warn me to stay away from Hogwarts,' Harry said.

'Yes, I know that now, but that's not the point. House-elves are supposed to act in a certain way, and Dobby was the worst. I have to admit that I was relieved to be rid of the horrid little rat.'

'Then why did you get so angry when I tricked you into releasing him?' Harry asked curiously. 'You tried to attack me.'

'You infuriated me, you meddlesome little brat,' Lucius snapped, smirking slightly, taking the sting out of his words. 'You stole what was mine, and no one steals from a Malfoy. You're just lucky that Dobby was able to protect you. I would have dearly loved to throttle you for stealing my property.

Lucius made another move. 'So tell me, Mr Potter, does all this mean that I will not be seeing you again for the rest of my stay?' Lucius feigned indifference, but the fact was that he enjoyed spending time with the young man. He wouldn't, however, lie about who he was and what his beliefs were.

Harry thought about what Lucius had said. Harry had already guessed much of what Lucius was going to say, though the stuff about Dobby was all new. He could, however, understand Lucius's animosity towards the elf. Hadn't Dobby nearly killed Harry several times, when he only meant to help?

Harry knew his answer to Lucius's question. He enjoyed the man's company far too much, and he'd known what Lucius was like when he came the first time. 'So, you haven't changed and you won't, will you?' Harry asked, a small smile threatening to escape.

Lucius smirked and glared at Harry with an air of superiority. 'No,' he said with such conviction that Harry had no doubt that Lucius was telling the truth.

Harry smirked and said, 'Fair enough.' He shot Lucius an identical glare of superiority. 'Just as long as you remember that I won't change either.'

'As if I care, Potter. As long as you destroy Voldemort, you can do whatever you please. It makes no difference to me.'

'So long as we understand each other,' Harry said, looking back at the chessboard. 'It's your turn, Mr Malfoy.'

Lucius grinned maliciously, his grey eyes glittering in triumph. 'Checkmate,' he said, moving his last piece.





The next few days went by as usual, with Harry going to classes with his friends, having lunch with them, and leaving his friends after their last class of the day, not bothering to show up at dinner.

Harry knew that Ron and Hermione were becoming more and more irritated with him as the days went on, but there was nothing that he could do about it. Since they didn't say anything, he thought that they would be content enough to leave him alone. He should have known that they wouldn't make things that easy for him.





On Thursday afternoon, just after Ancient Runes, his last class of the day, Harry made his usual trek up to Gryffindor Tower to drop off the books that he didn't need, and he shoved his Potions book in his bag. He was still making his usual trip to see Lucius, but this day he had to finish up his essay on some of the vilest poisons imaginable.

Harry had asked Snape, in the Potions master's quarters after class on Monday, why they had to learn about these rarer forms of poisons, and Snape had told him that these types of poisons were the ones that Voldemort particularly liked. Snape had said that knowing the poisons would help the students know whether or not they were being poisoned, a very real possibility once they left the safe haven of Hogwarts. Snape remarked that Voldemort would like nothing better than to kill an entire year of students, especially when he knew it would hurt Harry more than just about anything else.

Harry took his word for it, feeling more than a little sick. He'd also done his homework diligently. He just had to go over his essay a few more times, and then once again read over the potion that they were making tomorrow in class.

As soon as Harry had everything, he bounded down the steps, his heart a bit light. He was looking forward to his afternoon meeting with Lucius, so much so that he didn't realise that Hermione and Ron were standing in his way, until he nearly knocked them over.

'Oh! Sorry. I didn't see you two standing there,' Harry said, blushing just a little.

'I'm sure you didn't,' Ron said heatedly, glaring at his friend. 'Going off again, are you? I'd really like to know where it is that you go every single afternoon. I know, Dumbledore says you can't tell us, but I know that it's you that don't want to tell us. Why? I thought we were your friends.'

Harry sighed. This was not going to go well at all. 'You are my friends,' Harry said, trying to be reasonable. 'And I would tell you, if I could. There are circumstances that you wouldn't understand, and that could be dangerous. No one can know, at least until certain things are taken care of, not even you.'

Harry was thinking of Draco as he said all this. He knew that Snape and Dumbledore were right. If Draco found out his father was secretly being held in the hospital wing, he'd run straight to Voldemort for help, thinking that it was the right thing to do, that his father would be proud of him for doing the appropriate thing. There was no telling what would happen to Draco then, but Harry had a fair idea, and none of the images were pleasant. He couldn't risk Draco's life just because his friends were nosy.

'I don't see what could be so detrimental that you couldn't tell us, Harry,' Hermione said. She went with a much more reasonable tone that Ron had, but she was just as irritated with Harry as her boyfriend was. She knew that Harry was keeping something important from them, and it was in her nature to want to know all the details. 'Why can't you at least tell us about the research?'

Harry knew his inquisitive friend was dying to know, even to help, but he knew the value of secrecy, especially concerning this. 'I would really love to tell you, Hermione, but I can't. It's not that I don't trust you. If you want, go talk to Dumbledore. Maybe he'll let you help, but unless he gives me permission to tell you, I won't say a word.'

Ron snorted and shook his head. 'All these secrets. You know, you're not the same as you used to be. I'm telling you, Harry, the changes aren't good. You never insult Malfoy anymore. Every time he says something, you just ignore him. I don't know what's happening to you, but I don't like it.'

Harry was fast losing his patience. Just once, he'd like to do something, anything, without having to answer to everyone who deemed it his or her responsibility to keep tabs on him. 'I don't particularly care if you like the changes or not, Ron. Believe it or not, I've grown up. I can't risk all the little adventures and childish games that we used to play, not anymore. I've got important things to do, and I don't have time for this. Now if you will excuse me, I've got somewhere to be.'

Harry walked around his friends and stormed out of the Tower. He stalked down to the hospital wing, fuming. He could understand that his friends were irritated with him, but when he said that he really couldn't tell them, he thought they would understand. Isn't that what friends were supposed to do?

Harry was also irritated, because a small part of what Ron said was true. He didn't really want them to know where he was going, though even if he did, he wouldn't have, as per Dumbledore's orders. The truth was, he didn't want them to know he was spending time with Lucius Malfoy.

Harry wasn't ashamed of the time he spent with the man. He wouldn't be embarrassed in the least bit if Ron and Hermione found out that he'd been spending time with the elder Malfoy. He knew that they most likely wouldn't understand, but he still wouldn't care.

Harry knew why he didn't want them to know, and the reason was purely selfish. He simply didn't want to share the few hours that he spent with Lucius with his friends. He wanted Lucius's attention all to himself.

That in itself was enough to scare Harry as well. Harry had to admit to himself that he liked spending time with the man, even knowing what he did about him. There was something about Lucius Malfoy that drew Harry to him.

Harry liked almost everything about Lucius. He liked the man's wit and intelligence. When they talked, Harry was never bored. He liked that Lucius didn't talk down to him, as if he were an idiot, even when Harry asked him questions that Lucius would probably think Harry should already know the answers to.

He liked many of the same things that Lucius did. They both had an interest in chess and Quidditch, and Harry was pleased to find out that Lucius had an extensive collection of brooms, some of which dated back a hundred years or so. They also had the same taste in books. Harry discovered that Lucius actually had an interest in Muggle authors, despite the fact that he deemed them a lower life form, and they'd read some of the same books. They tended to have the same viewpoints as well on certain authors.

Their differences also made Lucius more than a little interesting. They both had opposing viewpoints on Muggles, Muggle-borns, and half-bloods, but they each listened to the other's argument, and Harry had to concede that Lucius did have some valid points, and he could also tell that he had given the Slytherin some things to think about.

But both agreed that Fudge was useless, a mere pawn that ran the wizarding world based on what he thought was best for his own survival. His fervent denial that Voldemort had come back was proof enough for Harry, and when he told Lucius about Fudge's reaction just after the Triwizard Tournament, Lucius wasn't surprised in the least bit.

He also found the man attractive, physically. Even during his stay in the hospital wing, the man exuded strength and charisma; even Pomfrey wasn't immune to Lucius's obvious charms and good looks. And Harry had to admit that the man was gorgeous. The long, platinum blond hair and the cool, steely grey eyes complemented his complexion well, and he was muscular without appearing cumbersome, which suited Harry just fine. Harry hated those body-builder types that he saw on telly, the ones that competed against each other to see who was the strongest and had the biggest muscles. He thought it was absolutely disgusting.

No, Lucius was more the type that he liked, and that disturbed him. He had started having dreams that starred his new companion, and they had taken an erotic turn a number of times. Harry would awake, sweating, panting, and hard, and once Harry had to run to the bathroom because he had come in his pyjama bottoms.

Harry sighed as he reached the doors to the hospital wing. He knew he was treading on unstable ground, and if he weren't careful, he might fall in love with Lucius Malfoy, and that would lead to nothing but a broken heart. After all, why would Lucius want him, such a short, thin, gangly thing? Harry pushed these thoughts aside and opened the door to the hospital ward.

He quietly walked toward the end of the room, not wanting to evoke the wrath of Madam Pomfrey, and stopped just outside Lucius's door. He took a few deep, calming breaths before knocking lightly. Waiting a moment, to let Lucius know he was there and to take a few more deep breaths, he reached for the doorknob.

Harry opened the door and stopped in his tracks. He was surprised to see Draco sitting by his father. He guessed that Lucius thought it was time for Draco to know his whereabouts, even though a few days ago, when Harry asked Lucius when he was going to tell Draco, Lucius had said that he still wasn't quite sure. Harry guessed that Lucius was feeling much more like his old self again.

Draco turned away from his father to look and see who had come into the room. He scowled when he saw who it was. 'What are you doing here, Potter?' he spat. 'You're not wanted here.'

Harry ignored Draco's disdain and smiled at Lucius. After all, he would die of shock if he had got any other kind of reception from the younger Malfoy. 'Good afternoon, Mr Malfoy. How are you feeling today?'

'I feel more and more like myself every day, Potter,' Lucius replied haughtily.

Draco's sour expression intensified. 'You two aren't surprised to see each other, as I would expect. Have you been in here bothering my father, Potter? If so, I'm going to report this!'

Harry rolled his eyes and closed the door. 'I've been keeping your father company since he's been in here. We've had some things that we needed to discuss, things that needed to be clarified and cleared up. We've had some interesting conversations.'

Draco narrowed his eyes dangerously. 'Why would you do that? We know you hate the two of us. Why would you keep him company? What are you planning, Potter? We both know you'd love to see my father dead, wouldn't you?'

Harry groaned under his breath and stamped down a nearly overwhelming urge to wring Draco's neck. 'Oh, for Merlin's sake! I'm not planning anything! If anything, it was the other way around. Your father is the one who tried to kill me! He's the one who fell on top of me at the train station.'

Draco looked at his father, unable to believe that Harry was telling the truth. It was harder for him to believe that his father would actually want to spend time with Harry, and the thought that his father might enjoy Harry's company was unfathomable. 'What is he on about? What's going on?'

Lucius pointed to the chair beside his bed. 'Draco, you sit there. Potter, do get the chessboard and set it up.'

Draco did as his father ordered and watched, surprised, as Harry did as Lucius told him.

As Harry sat on the bed and set up the chessboard, Lucius told Draco what had happened to him. Lucius didn't go into great detail, but Draco knew that it must have been terrible, if his father was still sitting in the hospital wing without complaining.

'So what now? We're supposed to side with the Gryffindork, the Weasel, and the Mudblood?' Draco sneered at his father. 'Personally, I'd rather take my chances with the Dark Lord.'

Lucius's wand was up and pointing at his son in an instant. He grinned maliciously when he heard an audible gulp coming from his son. 'You will never talk to me in that tone, Draco. You'd rather take your chances with the Dark Lord, you ungrateful little brat? Go ahead. You're going to love what he has in store for a pretty little boy like you, my son. He's been waiting for you for quite some time now. Your beauty dazzles him, Draco.'

Lucius put his wand down and made the first move. He turned back to Draco while Harry moved his piece. Lucius smirked at his deathly pale son. 'I hope that little arse of yours can take it, my child, because he'll love fucking you every chance he gets.'

'Are you saying that Voldemort wants me for his sex toy?' Draco asked, almost unable to believe it.

'Of course, Draco. He's got plenty of men who will kill and torture, but many of them Voldemort wouldn't touch unless they gave him Potter's head on a platter. You, however, he finds quite attractive. Pettigrew says that the Dark Lord is quite the violent lover, and his powers give him a great deal of…stamina.'

Harry gaped at Lucius. 'Are you serious? He wants to…with Draco?' Harry shuddered at the vision that firmly stamped itself inside his head. He turned to Draco. 'For once, I feel complete sympathy for you.'

Draco glared at Harry. 'I don't want, nor do I need your sympathy, Potter,' he snapped.

'Fine then,' Harry said nonchalantly, making his next move and crushing Lucius' pawn to dust. 'Go ahead and be Voldemort's boy toy. See if I care.'

Draco looked at his father, disbelief and outrage colouring his face. 'Father, how can you sit here…how can you stand being around this…this…Gryffindor?'

'Come now, Draco, he's not all that horrid. Granted, he is too friendly with the Muggle-borns, and he does have a dreadful taste in friends, but other than that, he's not all that disagreeable. You really should have a chat with him sometime, without the animosity. You might find that the two of you have something in common.'

'I doubt that,' Draco snapped, standing up. 'Father, I'll be back later. Make sure that he's gone.' Draco left after throwing Harry one last death-glare.

Harry smiled cheerfully at Lucius. 'Well, that went well, didn't it?'

Lucius smiled proudly and said, 'I would expect nothing less from my son. He's too much like me.'

'I can see that,' Harry said dryly. 'Except for one thing. He hasn't learnt when it's time to rethink loyalties.'

'True, but he's still young. He's got time to learn,' Lucius said. He smiled viciously. 'Checkmate.'

Harry looked down at his smashed pieces. 'Damn.'





Two hours later, Harry left Lucius to get ready for dinner. He had finished his Potions assignment just as he planned, after losing spectacularly for a second time. Lucius looked it over and said that he was impressed by the thoroughness of the essay. Harry figured that Snape might actually approve of his work. Harry figured he better be careful; otherwise, Snape might actually have a heart attack.

As soon as Harry left the hospital wing, he saw Draco leaning against the wall, his grey eyes shooting daggers in his direction. 'Have you been out here all this time?' Harry asked, shaking his head.

'Yes, Potter. I've been waiting for you to leave, so I can actually spend some time with my father,' Draco snapped.

'Who told you to leave? No one forced you out of the room. You're a big boy now, and you can make your own decisions.'

'As if I wanted to stay in there with you. Why don't you leave my father alone, Potter? Don't come back.'

'Sorry, Malfoy, but only your father can tell me to stay away, and he hasn't done so.'

Draco glared at Harry, but he knew that the Gryffindor was right. He would just have to talk his father into being sensible. 'Fine, Potter. Now do you mind? I would like to have dinner and spend some time with my father.'

'Not at all. I know he would like that very much,' Harry said lightly, walking away.

Draco glared at Harry until he walked out of sight. Then he went into the ward, to see if he could talk some sense into his father.





Chapter Five: Released


Harry continued his visitations with Lucius for the rest of the time Pomfrey forced the elder Malfoy to stay in the hospital wing. Sometimes Draco was there when he went in, and the atmosphere was strained, since Draco obviously resented what he perceived as an intrusion, but other times Lucius was alone, and they got to know each other better.

Harry soon discovered that Lucius was even more intelligent than he'd previously thought, and he grew to love the Slytherin's sharp, dry wit, which could keep him laughing for hours.

Harry also found himself telling Lucius about his life more and more as the days went by. Harry just felt like he could tell Lucius anything, and he knew that Lucius wouldn't make fun of him, like a certain Potions professor that he knew.

Harry told Lucius all about his life with the Dursleys, more than he'd ever told anyone, even his friends. Once or twice Harry had to push Lucius back on the bed, because the man was ready to curse the Dursleys to hell and back, simply for treating a wizard like a house-elf. But Harry convinced him, eventually, that he really was fine, and that he didn't want Lucius to do anything that would get him, or Harry, into trouble. Once again, Lucius offered his services (since he was adept at Muggle torture), and Harry said that he'd keep it in mind.

Harry was, in fact, having so much fun that he never wanted it to end, but deep down, Harry was dreading the day that Madam Pomfrey finally relented and allowed Lucius out of her care. Harry didn't know what was going to happen to the man then. Would he go back to his home and his work? Or would it be too dangerous?

The thought that Lucius's life would be at risk the moment that he stepped foot off of the Hogwarts grounds scared Harry more than he liked. He didn't want to think about what Voldemort would do if -or even likelier, when- he found Lucius. He didn't bring this up in any of their conversations, however. Harry knew that while he was friendly with the man, he really had no right to ask Lucius what his intentions were. It was really none of his business, and he could come up with no excuse to interfere.

Lucius himself was full of conflict over these same thoughts. Part of him wanted nothing more than to go back to his regular routine, essentially thumbing his nose at the Dark Lord, but the more sensible part of him knew that he couldn't do that. His son has to be thought of first, because if he were killed, his son's future would be in Narcissa's hands, which would be disastrous.





One day, Lucius was thinking about this very thing when Dumbledore walked through his door. 'Hello, Lucius. I trust you are doing well.'

'I'm fine, Albus. Pomfrey said that she'd allow me to leave in a few days. I'm trying to figure out what I should do.'

Dumbledore sat in the chair Harry always sat in and sighed. 'That's precisely what I came in to discuss with you. It is not safe for you to go back to Malfoy Manor. I've had some of my contacts test the wards. They've been tampered with, and some have been broken. Your home is being watched.'

Lucius snorted. 'I thought as much. Well, Albus, what do you think that I should do? I'm certain that you have something all worked out?'

Dumbledore's eyes twinkled mischievously. 'As a matter of fact, I do. But first, I think we need some tea. Let me get a house-elf to bring us some and I'll tell you all about it.'

'Well, let's hear it. After all, this is my fault. This is what happens when you're too selective in choosing a wife. Narcissa fit the physical requirements for producing an heir, but I had no idea that she was such an idiot. Voldemort can have her. I certainly couldn't care less if she dropped off the planet.'





Three days later, Harry was crestfallen to find out that Lucius was released from Madam Pomfrey's care. In fact, he had been released early that morning while Harry was in class, and he was a bit upset. He didn't know if Lucius was leaving the school, or if he had already left. All Harry knew was that he hadn't been able to say goodbye.

Ron and Hermione were surprised to see Harry back so early, but they didn't complain. Harry sat with them and did his revising, but he was in a melancholy mood, which he didn't seem to be able to shake. Ron and Hermione noticed his slight depression, but they wisely chose to overlook it, at least for the time being. If it went too far, however, they'd drag him down to the hospital wing.

After dinner that night, Harry sat across the table from Ron and Hermione, picking at his shepherd's pie. After a few failed attempts to get Harry into the conversation, Ron and Hermione gave up. They were now talking to each other, and Harry tuned them out completely.

Questions kept piling up in Harry's head. Where was Lucius? Was he okay? What was he going to do? If he was going to leave the school, where would he go, and more importantly, was he crazy?

Harry glanced over at Draco and frowned. Draco didn't seem to be too concerned, at any rate. Perhaps Lucius wasn't going to do anything that could get him killed, or perhaps Draco just hid his feelings well.

There was one thing that Harry did know, however. As soon as dinner was over, he was going to hunt down Professor Dumbledore, or perhaps Professor Snape, and demand to know, house points be damned.

Harry jumped when he heard the familiar clinking of a fork against crystal, and he looked up at the Head Table curiously. Dumbledore rarely interrupted dinner to make an announcement.

Dumbledore stood up and looked around the Great Hall; once he had everyone's attention, he spoke. 'I realise that it is most unusual for me to interrupt dinner, but I have a rather important announcement to make. I have decided that in light of Voldemort's current uprising, the Defence Against the Dark Arts classes should be intensified. Therefore, I would like to introduce you to our volunteer assistant, who will be staying with us for a bit. He has only just arrived, and I would like you to welcome Mr Lucius Malfoy.'

Harry's eyes lit up as the main doors of the Great Hall opened up and Lucius strode through the door. Harry joined in on the scattered clapping that was coming from the students and the professors, as Lucius glided between the two centre tables, exuding confidence and arrogance, with a grace that only a Malfoy could pull off.

'Welcome, Lucius,' the Headmaster said, as the blond took a seat next to the Potions professor. 'Mr Malfoy will also be aiding Professor Snape with his Advanced Potions classes.'

With that, Dumbledore sat down and all the students went back to their dinner, chattering excitedly about the new developments. Harry suddenly found that his appetite had returned full force, and he began shovelling in his shepherd's pie.

A few moments later, once his hunger pangs had passed, Harry realised that while the rest of the students at the Gryffindor table were speculating about Lucius Malfoy, Ron and Hermione were surprisingly silent. Harry looked over at them and his stomach lurched just a little. Both were staring at him with stony, almost unreadable expressions.

'What?' he asked as innocently as possible, though he knew that both were putting two and two together.

'We want to talk to you in the Gryffindor common room, now,' Hermione said lowly.

'It can wait, whatever it is. I want my pudding,' he said, spooning the last of his shepherd's pie into his mouth.

'Fine,' Hermione said, crossing her arms and glaring suspiciously at Dumbledore's newest recruit.

Harry wasn't looking forward to leaving the Great Hall.





Back in the common room, while the other Gryffindors were chatting excitedly about the Headmaster's announcement and hovering somewhere between happiness and suspicion, Ron and Hermione dragged Harry into an empty corner.

'Talk,' Ron ordered, pushing Harry onto a chair.

'Talk about what?' Harry asked, once again feigning innocence. He knew what his friends wanted to know, but he wanted to make them say it anyway.

'Lucius Malfoy has been here since school started, hasn't he? You've known that Lucius Malfoy was in this school. You've known all along, haven't you?' Ron said.

'That's where you've been all this time, isn't it, Harry? You've been visiting Lucius Malfoy. What I don't understand, Harry, is why you felt you couldn't tell us? Why keep it a secret?' Hermione asked, the accusatory tone apparent.

'Because he's spending time with a Malfoy,' Ron offered hotly.

'Yes, I knew that he was here,' Harry admitted.

'Well, why didn't you say anything? I mean, really! Hermione lowered her voice. 'He is, after all, a Death Eater. You know he is. You saw him.'

'I know what I saw, Hermione,' Harry said tiredly. 'It's just that sometimes things aren't always what they seem.'

'What does that mean?' Ron snapped.

'It means that sometimes people's viewpoints shift and things change,' Harry replied cryptically.

'Are you saying that Lucius Malfoy is no longer a supporter of You-Know-Who?' Hermione asked.

'His name is Voldemort,' Harry snipped. 'I'm sick of all this You-Know-Who crap. And I'm not saying anything, because there's nothing I can say. I don't have permission to discuss this, and until I do, I'm keeping my mouth shut.'

'You didn't keep this much from us before,' Hermione sniffed.

How many times do we have to have this conversation? Harry thought. 'Yes, I have,' Harry said sullenly. 'You just don't know about it yet. Now if you will excuse me, I'm tired.' Harry got up quickly and went up to his room.

As he changed into his pyjamas, Harry found himself grinning stupidly. He knew that now he would at least have the chance to spend more time with the elder Malfoy, even if it was just during classes.

Harry climbed into his bed and drew the curtains closed. 'Lumos,' he said, and his wand lit up the enclosed area. He pulled out his work and started reading his Potions book and notes, so he could do his latest Potions essay.

His mind, however, kept drifting back to Lucius. The man had looked incredible in his black robes, so in command and sexy. If Lucius hadn't fallen on top of him, Harry wouldn't have known that Lucius had just spent nearly three weeks in the hospital wing.

Harry had to admit that he was looking forward to whatever Lucius was going to teach them. He knew the Slytherin was well versed in the Dark Arts. Who better to teach them than Lucius Malfoy? Well, except for Severus Snape. Harry had to admit that Snape would have been an excellent Dark Arts teacher. He didn't understand why Snape was never given the position, but that really wasn't the issue.

Harry gazed down at his lap and sighed wearily. He wondered how he was going to get through Defence Against the Dark Arts and Advanced Potions classes if he got hard just sitting around thinking about Lucius, which was happening with alarming frequency lately, and Harry was never happier that the school uniform was a roomy robe.

It occurred to Harry once again that he was very possibly falling in love with Lucius, and it also occurred to him, once again, that he was an idiot. There was no way someone like Lucius Malfoy was going to look in his direction.

Sighing heavily, Harry pushed his Potions assignment aside, deciding that he best take care of his little problem straight away, before any of the others came into the room.





The next morning, Harry wasn't surprised to see that Ron and Hermione were not speaking to him, obviously feeling betrayed by Harry's unwillingness to confide in them. Harry really wasn't bothered by their reactions. He knew it was coming, and he found the quietness rather comforting.

Harry was rather excited, because today was his Defence Against the Dark Arts class. He sincerely hoped that Lucius would be there, just so he could look at him. He also wanted to know what it was that Lucius was going to start teaching them. Their current professor, Professor Marshall, was nice, but she wasn't the greatest professor in the world. That class definitely needed some new blood in it.

When Harry finally got to class, he practically ran to his seat up front. For once, he was glad that he didn't take a seat in the back like he had planned to. This way, he could see everything that Lucius did. Like everyone else, they turned around and looked at the door expectantly, as soon as the bell rang. Sure enough, a few moments later, Lucius strode through the door, carrying a stack of rolled parchment.

'Good morning, class. As you all know, I am Lucius Malfoy. You may call me Mr Malfoy, as I am not truly a professor here. However, if you call me anything other than Mr Malfoy, you will find out what it feels like to be strung up on one of the branches of the Whomping Willow.' The entire class turned a bit pale, but Harry bit his lip to keep from sniggering, and Draco smirked outright.

Lucius started passing out the parchment that he had brought in. 'It has come to my attention that over the last few years, your Defence class has been a bit lacking in anything useful. While I know some of you got 'Outstanding' marks on your O.W.L.S.,' he said, gazing with pride at Draco and glancing pointedly at Harry, 'I feel that it is my duty to know exactly what you know, so that I can teach you accordingly. Professor Marshall will not be here today, as I will be testing your abilities, to see where you are and what you need to know. After all, the N.E.W.T.s are this year, and they are much more difficult than your last tests.'

Many in the class turned a bit green at the thought that Lucius Malfoy was running the class solo, but Harry and Draco were ecstatic. Hermione, despite herself, looked more than a little interested, and Ron looked outraged that he had anything to learn from a Malfoy. When he tried to whisper something derogatory to Hermione, both she and Harry shushed him up quickly.

'You will answer these questions as thoroughly as possible. This is strictly for my assessment. You have one hour to complete these questions, and then we will move on to testing your practical knowledge. I know that some of you are capable of quite advanced Defence spells,' he said, this time glaring pointedly at Harry, who dared to grin cheekily at him, 'but you must be able to do at least the spells that are required on the N.E.W.T. I, of course, would have placed much harder spells on the test, were I involved in their making, but as such, I am not. However, while I am here, none of you will pass with less than an 'E' on your N.E.W.T.,' he warned sternly.

Harry looked around and saw that several people had turned an alarming shade of green. He hid his mouth behind his mouth and stifled a laugh. He knew that Lucius would be tough, but obviously, no one else had thought much about it.

'Dumbledore has also given me permission to restart the Duelling Club,' Lucius continued. He frowned when the students started chatting excitedly. 'Silence!' Once the room was silent, he went on. 'The first meeting for the sixth and seventh years will be Saturday evening at seven o'clock. Now, get to work. You have one hour.'





Harry walked out of the classroom, happy with himself. He thought he had done extremely well on the written part of their lesson, and he knew he did exceptional on the practical part. He could tell that Lucius was pleased with his performance, and especially Draco's. Draco had done as well as Harry, if not better, which really wasn't a surprise.

Hermione ran to catch up with him. 'Harry, you did excellent in there! I can't believe how thorough he was. He's going to be the best teacher we've ever had.'

'He ought to be,' Ron muttered as he walked behind them. 'He's a Death Eater.'

Harry turned and glared at Ron. 'You don't know what you're talking about.'

'That's because my best friend won't tell me anything.'

'Fine, I'll tell you, but if you mention a word of it to anyone, I'll skin you alive.'

Ron nodded eagerly and the three found an empty room. 'Lucius Malfoy was a spy for Dumbledore,' Harry whispered. 'He was injured, and I found him, while I was waiting for Dumbledore to get me from the train station. He's been in the hospital wing for the last three weeks. Now he's helping Dumbledore here, now that he's been found out.'

'Oh,' Ron said stupidly. 'Well, then.'

'It's okay, Ron, really. He's not nearly as bad as his son is.'

Ron snorted. 'I doubt anyone can be that annoying. I promise, I won't say a word, mate. Thanks for telling me.'

Harry nodded, and the three left to go to the library.





Over the next few weeks, Harry found himself looking forward to both his Potions and his Defence classes, so that he could see Lucius more. He missed the times that he spent with Lucius in the hospital wing, and he wished that they could go back to that time.

Their first Duelling Club meeting had been fun, much more fun than when Lockhart had organised it. Once again, Harry was pitted against Draco, and the two had fun throwing different curses at each other, while the other students cheered them on. They had given effective demonstrations to the other students, which was Lucius's point in putting them together at first, and soon the other students were practising the hexes that the two had used, to see if they could do them as well. Harry couldn't wait for the next meeting, and neither could everyone else.





Just when Harry thought all was lost, and he had finally resigned himself to the fact that he and Lucius wouldn't meet again for personal time together, one day Lucius called to him after class. 'Potter, could you stay for a moment?'

Harry waited for the others to leave and then went up to the desk. 'Yes, Mr Malfoy?'

'I was wondering if you would care to come to my office tonight for a game of chess. You could meet me after dinner. I find that I miss those stimulating chats that we had while I was in the hospital wing. I was thinking that we could start them up again, if you wish.'

Harry felt like he'd just won the Quidditch Cup. 'I'd like that very much, Mr Malfoy. What time should I be there?'

'You can come at seven o'clock. We'll have tea as well.'

Harry nodded and walked out of the room. He broke into a run, heading for the library, eager to do his revising before dinner. He couldn't believe that Lucius Malfoy, the object of his fantasies, wanted to spend time with him. There was nothing that could spoil his good mood today.





Chapter Six: Blackmail and Pursuits


Harry spent the next few evenings in Lucius's presence, and it was like it was when they were in the hospital wing. They played chess, with Harry getting trounced at every turn, and Harry and he argued over classes. They argued about different curses and counter curses, which ones should or should not be considered Dark Arts and why, and also which curses and counter-curses should be taught, so that the students could better defend themselves.

Through it all, Harry was as close to heaven as he could hope for. He knew he had missed Lucius's company, but he hadn't realised how much he really had until that first evening in his office.

So, four days later, Harry was in an extremely happy mood, so much so that he would have skipped all the way to the Prefects' bathroom, if he wouldn't have looked like an idiot doing it.

When he walked in, he found Dan Stephenson, a Hufflepuff Prefect, brushing his teeth at one of the marble basins. 'Oh, hi, Dan,' Harry said, smiling at him. He didn't know Dan all that well, but he seemed to be a nice enough bloke.

Dan finished brushing his teeth and smiled back. 'Hi, Harry. I'm almost finished here, and then it's all yours.'

'No hurry. So, how do you like the Duelling Club?'

'It's bloody brilliant. I'm so glad that Mr Malfoy brought it back. I can't wait for the next meeting.'

'Neither can I. Well, I'm going to have a shower. I'll see you tomorrow.' Harry set his pyjamas on the counter and headed toward the shower stall.

Harry took off his robes and threw them in the hamper for the house-elves to deal with. 'Good night, Dan,' Harry said as he stepped into the shower stall. He threw his towel over the towel rack and turned on the shower.

Harry smiled softly to himself as the water cascaded down his body. He reached for the shampoo and lathered his head as the day's Defence Against the Dark Arts class replayed through his head. They were reviewing the Unforgivables again, which he didn't need any extra help with, so he had watched Lucius as he demonstrated the curses for the other students.

Lucius had looked exceptionally handsome that day, though Harry had no clue why. Nothing had changed about the man's appearance, or his demeanour, but Harry had nearly melted into his seat the moment those steely grey eyes were fixed on him. It had taken all his strength to gather himself long enough to answer Lucius's question. Harry had only been able to breathe properly when Lucius was satisfied with his answer and turned his attention elsewhere. However, his heart was beating so fast and hard that he was sure that even Professor Trelawney would be able to hear him all the way up in her tower.

Now, Harry could fixate on how Lucius had made him feel during class, and as he was daydreaming, he was only half-aware that his hand was slowly drifting down his body…





Draco headed toward the Prefect's bathroom, his mind solely fixed on the next day's Quidditch match. 'The first game of the year, and it would have to be against Gryffindor,' Draco muttered to himself.

This would be the first match his father would see since Draco's second year, and Draco didn't want to disappoint his father. He wanted to beat Harry Potter and make Lucius proud.

Draco sighed as his mind drifted to his Gryffindor rival. He didn't like all the time that his father had been spending with Harry and this match would be the perfect time for Draco to outshine Harry in front of Lucius.

When he had discovered his father was staying at the school, he thought that he would finally be able to spend some time with him. It never seemed to work that way, because every time he tried to spend a moment with his father, Harry was there, taking up his father's free time.

Draco stopped in front of the entrance to the Prefect's bathroom and pushed his thoughts about Harry out of his mind. 'Cinnamon apples,' he said, and the door silently opened. Draco stepped in and rolled his eyes when he heard the shower running. It was just his luck that there was someone already in the shower.

Draco was about to turn around and just go use the boys' showers by the Slytherin common room, but he heard a low moan come from the shower. Curiosity got the best of him, after hearing a few more moans, and he quickly crept around the wall that separated the shower from the rest of the bathroom.

Draco's mouth took on a sly smirk. Harry Potter, the one person he had just been thinking of, was in the shower, and he wasn't just showering.

Draco leant back against the wall and watched Harry slowly wank himself off. It wasn't a secret that Draco's tastes ran either way, and he had no qualms about watching a private moment such as this.

Draco licked his lips and grinned, drinking in the vision before him. He had always wondered what Harry had underneath those robes, and he had to admit that it wasn't too bad at all. His eyes travelled up Harry's back, studying the muscles that slid underneath the golden skin. True, Harry was a bit on the thin side, but Draco could tell that he had strength.

Draco's eyes drifted back down to the globes of Harry's arse, and down Harry's firm thighs. His eyes darted back up when Harry turned slightly, and Draco got his first real glimpse of the one thing he really was curious about. Not bad at all, Draco thought, as he watched Harry's hand slowly slide up and down his own prick.

Draco watched with interest as Harry panted and moaned. Draco could tell that Harry was fast approaching his climax. Draco's cock twitched appreciatively, but any arousal that might have been attained quickly halted when he heard Harry cry out, 'Oh, Lucius!'

It wasn't loud, but the words couldn't be mistaken.

Draco's jaw dropped as he watched Harry ride out his climax. Harry had been thinking of his father while he was wanking off. How…useful, Draco thought, and a wide, evil grin spread across his face.

'Well, look at you, Potter,' Draco said, leering at Harry. 'Who would have thought that you fancied my father?'

Harry spun around abruptly, slipping on the tile and very nearly falling flat on his arse. 'Malfoy! What are you doing here?'

'Well, I was coming here to have a shower and daydream about kicking your arse on the Quidditch pitch tomorrow, but watching you wank off was much more fun. I have to admit, hearing my father's name on those pretty lips was most surprising.'

Harry paled considerably. He knew he was in trouble, no matter what Draco decided to do. 'What do you want, Draco?' Harry asked, cutting to the chase, although he was terrified of the answer.

'Whatever do you mean?' Draco asked innocently as he slowly dropped his robe to the ground.

'What do you want from me, to keep your mouth shut?' Harry asked uneasily, watching warily as Draco stepped closer.

Draco moved so that Harry was pinned against the wall and he was standing directly in front of him, only a few inches away. Draco trailed a finger delicately around one of Harry's nipples. He leant closer and whispered into Harry's ear, 'I want you to throw the match tomorrow.'

Whatever Harry had been expecting, it certainly wasn't that. 'Sorry?'

Draco nuzzled Harry's earlobe with his nose. 'You heard me, Potter. I want you to let me catch the Snitch tomorrow.'

'Why do you want that?' Harry asked, annoyed that of all things, that was what Draco wanted.

'My father will be there and I want him to see me beat you for once in my life.'

Harry jumped a bit when Draco nipped at his jaw line. 'I can't do that! I'm the Captain of the team, for Merlin's sake.'

Draco trailed his lips across Harry's jaw, up to his mouth, while one hand slid down to caress Harry's hip. He kissed Harry gently and said, 'You can and you will; otherwise, I'm going to have to tell my father about your little fantasy.'

'You wouldn't…. Wait a minute, what am I saying? You would,' Harry said, pushing Draco away forcefully.

'Of course I would, Potter,' Draco sneered, his usual, annoying demeanour snapped firmly back into place. 'If I don't win, I'll tell my father what I saw.'

Harry grabbed his towel and wrapped it around his waist. 'You'll tell him anyway, so why would I help you?' he asked angrily.

Draco smirked. 'You know, you're probably right, Potter. I will most likely tell him anyway, but if you're a good boy, I just might keep it a secret.'

'Go to hell, Malfoy,' Harry snapped, storming off to the front of the Prefects' bathroom.

'I'd rather stay out of the Gryffindor common room, thanks!' Draco yelled after Harry.

Harry was furious, mostly with himself. He should have waited for Dan to leave and then bolted the door to the bathroom, so no one else could get in. Or, he should have waited to indulge his fantasies when he was in his own bed, safe from the vision of others and a Silencing charm in place so that he couldn't be heard.

He knew how much trouble he was in. Draco was not going to let this go. Harry knew that Draco would tell his father the first chance he got, and then Lucius would know that Harry's feelings were not strictly platonic. So much for their time spent together.

Harry left the bathroom after yanking on his pyjamas. Only minutes before, he had been excited over the Quidditch match tomorrow. Now, he was dreading getting out of bed in the morning. He really didn't want to see the look of disgust on Lucius's face tomorrow.

Harry went to bed, but sleep escaped him for hours before he fell into a restless slumber, where he dreamed of Draco's mockery and Lucius's horror.





'Wake up, Harry,' Ron said impatiently, shaking him roughly. 'It's time for breakfast.'

Harry groaned and rolled over. 'Do I have to?'

'Yes, you do. Our first match is today, and our Captain can't be late!'

'All right, Ron, quit shaking,' Harry said grumpily. He sat up and slung his legs over the side of the bed. He stretched languidly and yawned.

'What's wrong with you?' Ron asked as he pulled his robes over his head.

'Nothing, I just didn't sleep all that well. I'll be fine,' Harry mumbled, reaching over for his robes. 'I'm going to the loo. I'll meet you downstairs.'





Harry slowly made his way into the Great Hall, looking surreptitiously up at the Head Table. Lucius was there, but he didn't seem any different than usual. Harry allowed himself to breathe. If he wasn't staring at Harry, then it was entirely possible that Draco hadn't told him yet.

He looked over toward Draco, who was watching him with interest. Draco raised and eyebrow and smirked, obviously challenging Harry to defy his demands. Harry glared at him and strode determinedly to his usual seat.

'You okay, Harry?' Seamus asked.

Harry nodded and silently filled his plate.





'You're sure you're fine, Harry?' Ron asked for what seemed like the umpteenth time that morning.

'For the last time, I'm fine, Ron,' Harry said through gritted teeth. He led his team out onto the Quidditch pitch, ignoring the cheers and boos of the assorted houses as he met Draco in the middle of the pitch.

'Shake hands,' Madam Hooch ordered.

Harry held out his hand and Draco took it, while smiling evilly at Harry. Harry snatched his hand back and waited for Madam Hooch's signal.

As soon as Madam Hooch told them to lift off, Harry kicked off hard, gliding up to the top of the pitch. He looked around at his team-mates as they battled with the Slytherin team, pointedly not paying attention to Draco, who was sitting directly opposite him, near the Slytherin goal.

Harry started searching for the Snitch after a few moments, drowning out the voice of Seamus Finnegan, who was commentating the day's match, since the regular commentator was in the hospital wing, after a potion gone awry gave her neon green tentacles sprouting all over her body.

Draco glided up near Harry. 'So, are you going to do what I asked?'

'Of course not. I've known you for too long, Malfoy. You'll tell your father anyway, right after you catch the Snitch. I'm not going to make things easy for you. If you want to make your father proud, do something for yourself for a change.'

'Have it your way, Potter. I'll just have a little chat with Father after the match,' Draco snapped and flew a short distance away from Harry.

Harry turned toward the game, keeping his eye out for the little golden ball, while he forced his mind not to think of anything else. Twice he had to duck a Bludger hit towards him by Goyle, and once he had to go into a dive so that he wouldn't get hit by one of his own players, but the Snitch remained out of sight.

Finally, after about ten minutes of flying around, wondering where the stupid ball could have got to, Harry spotted it near the Gryffindor goal. He quickly flew after it, ducking and diving around players, trying to get the Snitch before Draco, who was right behind him.

He dove after the Snitch as it flew towards the ground. He concentrated on the little ball, ignoring Draco's taunting and innuendoes. He reached out and clasped his hand around the Snitch and stumbled as he set himself on the ground. He could hear the crowd cheering about him, but he didn't really care. All he could see was the enraged glare on Draco's face. He paled slightly when he saw Draco suddenly smile and kick off, heading toward the Slytherin stands.

Harry quickly broke away from the crowd and headed for the Gryffindor changing room. He changed into his regular robes and walked back to the castle, barely restraining himself from breaking into a run. He spent the rest of the day in the common room, doing his revising and praying that the earth would be kind and swallow him whole.





Harry stood outside the doors of the Great Hall, dreading the thought of walking into that room. If Lucius didn't know before the match, then he could definitely know now. There was no way that Draco would just sit on this kind of information, simply because he knew it was what Harry would have wanted.

'Aren't you going to eat, Harry? You didn't have lunch,' Hermione said, coming up behind him.

Harry took a deep breath and nodded. 'Yeah, I'm hungry,' he lied. 'Let's go.'

Harry and Hermione quickly strode down to their usual seats near the front of the Hall, close to the Head Table. For once, Harry despised being so close to the front…so near Lucius.

He took his usual seat, opposite Hermione and Ron. Unfortunately, this put him in perfect view of Lucius. Harry didn't dare look up as he filled his plate.

He nervously picked at his food, split between wanting to know if the little snitch told his father and just curling up under his bed for the rest of the year.

The choice, however, was taken out of his hands when Seamus leant over and said, 'Oy, Harry, Mr Malfoy's staring at you. What did you do?'

Harry slowly looked up and over. His stomach churned violently under Lucius's intense, scrutinising gaze. Harry's face flushed and he quickly lowered his eyes.

'Are you okay, Harry? Your face is all red,' Ron said, looking concerned. 'You're not getting sick, are you?'

Harry shook his head. 'I'm fine. Just a bit tired. I think I'll go lie down for awhile.'

'But you haven't eaten anything yet,' Hermione protested. 'You didn't eat hardly anything all day.'

'I know. If I get hungry, I'll go down to the kitchens,' he whispered.

'All right,' Hermione said, looking at him as if she really didn't believe him.

Harry really didn't care if she did or not. All he really wanted to do was get out of there as fast as possible. Looking over at Draco as he walked out, he scowled to see the Slytherin smiling smugly at him. Harry left as quickly as possible.





Around midnight, Harry snuck down to the kitchens. He was so hungry that his stomach was beyond growling and was now just one dull throb.

It was times like these that he wished he had the Marauder's Map, but he had no idea where the thing was, or whose hands it was in. But he still had his Invisibility Cloak, and that would at least keep him from being seen by unfriendly eyes.

Inside the kitchen, Dobby and the other house-elves were more than happy to see him, especially since he didn't have Hermione anywhere nearby. The house-elves couldn't stand Hermione, simply because of all the work she had done in the past with S.P.E.W., the organisation she founded in order to free the house-elves. She simply wouldn't accept that the elves didn't want to be freed, that they liked their job, and all the elves of the school, except for Dobby, were afraid of her.

When he asked for something to eat, they happily brought him more than Dudley could eat in a week, which was a considerable amount of food. He ate as much as he could, and he thanked them. Many burst into grateful tears for the courtesy, and Harry was more than ready to leave.

Slinging the Invisibility Cloak back onto himself, he headed toward the painting that hid the kitchen door. He pushed the painting open and froze. Standing in front of him was Lucius Malfoy, the last person in this world that he wanted to see.

Harry stood there, completely frozen, as Lucius stared directly at him. He knew he was caught and that there was no way out. He fervently wished that the castle would take pity on him and slide a deep hole right underneath him.

Lucius reached out and pulled off the Invisibility Cloak. 'Well, well, Mr Potter. Out for a late night snack, I see. Not that it surprises me,' he said, lightly brushing away the piece of fringe covering Harry's scar. 'You didn't stay long enough to eat anything.' Lucius lightly trailed his finger down Harry's forehead, tracing the lightning bolt scar.

Harry opened and closed his mouth, not able to manage uttering a single syllable. The only response he could give was to blush like an idiot.

Lucius smirked. He leaned over and whispered into Harry's ear, 'You acted as if there was something wrong.'

Harry shivered as his teacher's breath brushed across his ear. 'There's nothing wrong,' he whispered hoarsely. Lucius's close proximity was limiting his ability to think, and Harry was afraid to find out what would happen if he stayed there too long. 'I need to get to bed,' he said, hoping Lucius would let him by.

Lucius smiled. 'Bed, hmm?' he asked, lifting Harry's head and gazing into his eyes.

'I, er- I-' Harry stammered as he stared back at Lucius. He felt like an idiot. What was he supposed to say to that innuendo anyway?

Lucius pulled Harry out of the doorway and allowed the door to shut. He leaned over again to whisper into Harry's ear. 'Tell me, Potter, are you planning on having any more fantasies about me?'

Harry couldn't suppress a small whimper that forced its way out when Lucius's lips brushed over Harry's earlobe. 'Mr Malfoy, please,' he pleaded.

Lucius nuzzled Harry's neck. 'Please what, Potter?'

'I should be in bed, professor,' Harry said.

'Yes, you should, shouldn't you? Well, follow me, Potter, and we will discuss your punishment for breaking curfew. Then you can go back to your room.' Lucius pulled back from Harry, and after trailing his fingers across Harry's neck and eliciting a shiver from his student, he led the way down to his room. Harry had no choice but to follow.





'Come in, Potter,' Lucius said, standing back so Harry could enter the office. Harry had been in here before, several times, in fact, but the situation was much different. 'Please, Potter, have a seat.'

Harry sat down on his usual chair by the fireplace. He stared into the fire, careful not to look over as Lucius sat down in the seat across from him. He felt his face flush under Lucius's gaze…Merlin, he wished he had a gun or something to put himself out of his misery.

'Well, Potter, what should we do about you? Sneaking out after curfew for snacks…' Lucius tutted. 'You should be ashamed of yourself.'

When Harry still wouldn't look at him, Lucius walked over and lifted Harry's chin so that he had no other choice. Harry's heart beat faster as he lost himself in grey eyes. 'Whatever am I going do with you?' Lucius murmured.

Lucius slid his hand back and cupped Harry's head. 'What do you think your punishment should be, hmm?'

Harry nearly groaned at the innuendo. 'I don't know, sir.'

'Well, I think that maybe detention is in order…. Oh, let's say a week's worth? I won't take away house points, there's no fun in that,' he said, trailing his fingers across Harry's jaw. It was all Harry could do not to lean into the caress.

'A week's worth?' Harry asked dumbly. 'All right. Who am I supposed to serve them with?'

Lucius chuckled. 'With me, of course. You'll spend some of them in here, except when I have to assist Severus. Then you'll come with me to the dungeons.'

Harry nodded. 'Can I go now, sir? I should really get some sleep.'

'Yes, you may go. I'll expect you in the Defence classroom after dinner tomorrow.' Lucius stepped back and allowed Harry to get up. Lucius walked Harry to the door, his hand on the small of Harry's back. Before he opened the door, Lucius's hand slid to Harry's arse and squeezed lightly. 'I'm sure we're going to find many things need to be done.'

Harry nodded and Lucius opened the door. Harry took his Invisibility Cloak and threw it around his shoulders, and then left as fast as was proper. He could swear he heard Lucius chuckling as he closed the door. It was going to be a long week.





Harry stood at the cauldron, carefully stirring as he was instructed. It was his second detention, this one down in the dungeons. A part of Harry was relieved. Detention the night before was almost unbearable; at least detention in the dungeon meant that Snape was present.

Harry's first detention hadn't exactly required him to do a lot of work that would be considered punishment, unless you counted Lucius's behaviour as such. Lucius had spent most of the first night shadowing Harry as he taught Harry exactly how he should cast Unforgivable curses. That meant that Lucius had his hands on Harry most of the night, teaching him how to stand and how to use his wand while casting. Harry had learned much, including how good it felt to be in the Slytherin's arms. That knowledge was not conducive to helping Harry get over his feelings for the man, however.

Harry jumped when Lucius came up behind him. He had been so deep in thought, he hadn't even heard him walk over. 'You're stirring too fast, Potter,' he whispered into Harry's ear. Lucius slid his hand down Harry's arm and clasped his hand. 'You stir like this,' he said, slowing Harry's pace.

Harry felt light-headed. He couldn't decide whether he should lean forward to get away from Lucius and risk setting his robes on fire, or lean back into the delicious heat that was radiating from the Slytherin. Of course, Snape wasn't giving Harry any reprieve from Lucius's attentions.

Snape deliberately had his back turned to the duo, smirking as he worked on a Pepper-Up Potion for Madam Pomfrey. He knew what was going on, and he wasn't bothered by it in the least bit.

Lucius had told him what Draco had seen, and he couldn't blame Lucius for taking advantage of the situation, like any good Slytherin would. Harry was a fine-looking man, and Snape had no doubts at all that Harry wanted Lucius. Snape had seen the way that the Gryffindor had blushed when he discovered Lucius knew about the shower incident.

A part of Snape was a bit envious of both men, which irritated him to no end. He should be content knowing that his friend could finally find someone who actually cared for him. Narcissa was a bitch who only cared for herself, and Lucius deserved more. But there was a small part of Snape that wished he could find someone who actually cared. Granted, he was a most difficult person to get along with, but still. He and Lucius had once had an off and on relationship, but the timing had never been right. Something had always got in the way. Now, Lucius had a chance to be happy…

'Now add the unicorn hairs,' he heard Lucius say. Snape turned slightly and surreptitiously watched the two from the corner of his eye.

Harry grabbed the bowl with the hairs and lightly sprinkled them over the bubbling potion. He was trying hard to concentrate on his task, which was becoming increasingly difficult with Lucius's body rubbing all over his backside. Lucius had stepped closer to him so that there was absolutely no space between them, and Harry could feel an unmistakable and rather impressive hardness poking him in the lower back.

To Harry's utter relief, Lucius stepped back. 'Here, Potter. Slice these leeches.'

Harry grabbed the paring knife and slowly started slicing. So intent on cutting them perfectly, he didn't see Lucius walk behind him. He jumped and cried out as Lucius's hand brushed across his arse.

Snape immediately came over. He had seen the knife slice right into Harry's finger. 'Let me see, Potter,' he ordered.

Harry held out his finger, his face going a bit green. Snape summoned a cloth and wrapped Harry's hand in it. 'It's been cut down to the bone, Potter. Go directly to Madam Pomfrey. Lucius and I will finish the potion,' he said. 'Once you're done there, go to your house. You're done for tonight.'

Harry nodded and left the room. As soon as he shut the door, Snape turned around and glared at Lucius, who was looking rather remorseful. 'What in Merlin's name were you thinking, Lucius. Potter had a knife in his hand.'

Lucius sighed. 'I know that,' he snapped. 'I thought he knew I was there. I'll just have to be a little more careful the next time.'

Snape snorted. 'Yes, I think you had better. I don't think you'll find him willing to jump into your bed if you keep injuring him that way.'

'I think we'll be staying in the Defence classroom for the rest of his detentions this week,' Lucius said. 'I think it would be best.'





The next night was spent in the Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom, where Lucius insisted upon teaching Harry how to counter-curse some of the more impressive Dark spells. Lucius had gone to Dumbledore for permission to teach Harry these spells, since he thought that they would be some of the more essential ones for the Gryffindor to learn.

Lucius fully intended to use these detentions to torment Harry with his new-found knowledge, but they also gave him a reason to give Harry private lessons. Lucius knew that Harry was going to come face to face with Voldemort soon, and wherever Voldemort was, so went the Death Eaters. Lucius thought that the best thing that he could do for Harry was teach him some of the favourite curses of Voldemort's followers. At least that way Harry would have a fighting chance, knowing what he was up against.

Dumbledore had thought it was a brilliant idea, and he gave Lucius his full permission to use whichever spells he deemed necessary, even offering his own services, should the need apply.

Harry was actually having fun learning from Lucius's expertise, even though he left the meeting exhausted and horny as hell. Just because their subject matter was serious didn't mean that Lucius hadn't used their closeness to his advantage. Harry was fast losing his patience with the little game that the Slytherin seemed intent on playing. He wished that Lucius would just do whatever it was he was going to do, and then let Harry go off and lick his wounds in peace.





The next evening's detention went much like the one the night before, except this time, Harry knew the counter-curses to the spells Lucius threw at him. He spent most of the night working on his speed and his reflexes, as well as delivering the counter-curses as fast as he could. With repetition, he was quickly learning to anticipate which curses were coming next.

He was also happy because Lucius was behaving himself for once. The detention had been all work and no contact, which had helped Harry's concentration immensely. By the time that they were done, Harry was thrilled with his progress, and he couldn't wait until his next detention.

While Harry was putting away the pillows they had used, so that Harry wouldn't be a bloody mess by the time they finished, Lucius came up behind him. Harry stood up straight and bumped his head on the top of the cabinet when he felt Lucius press something big and hard against his arse. He could only hope that it was the Slytherin's wand, but somehow he doubted it.

'You did really well tonight, Potter,' Lucius said, sliding his hands up Harry's sides.

'Thank you, Mr Malfoy,' Harry said through clenched teeth. He was trying so hard to control himself that it was almost physically painful. He wanted so much to just turn around and jump on Lucius, but he knew it wouldn't be wise. He just wished that the blond would quit making it so damned difficult for him. 'Am I free to go now?'

Lucius slid his hands down to Harry's hips and massaged gently. Into the Gryffindor's ear, he whispered, 'You're perfectly free to go. I'll see you tomorrow.' Lucius dared a little lick to the shell of Harry's ear.

Harry felt his resolve crumbling, and he quickly turned around. Before Lucius could react, Harry pulled Lucius's face down and kissed him hungrily, desperately. He pulled the blond's bottom lip into his mouth and sucked gently before slipping his tongue inside Lucius's mouth, tasting every part he could reach, before he realised exactly what it was he was doing.

Harry broke away and looked at Lucius, horrified. 'I'm so sorry,' he whispered hoarsely, his face going a deep red. 'I didn't mean-' Harry broke off mid-sentence and quickly left the room, leaving behind a very surprised Slytherin.

Lucius smiled after a moment. He hadn't expected Harry to buckle just yet, but it was a pleasant development. He knew he could catch Harry and drag him off to his room to be ravished within an inch of his life, but he thought that he would just wait until tomorrow. After all, he had wanted to be the one to make the first move. He would just let Harry fret for a bit, before going in for the kill.