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Well, Ain't That Strange?	By : SpeedyTomato Category: Harry Potter > Slash - Male/Male Views: 56074 -:- Recommendations : 2 -:- Currently Reading : 12
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter and make no money off this story

Chapter List
- 9
- 10
- 11
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Chapter 9

Holding on tightly to Padfoot's leash, Harry's eyes were darting everywhere while his heart hammered in his chest. He knew just what was coming and what role to play, but he was nervous about this. The day before not only had Bella and Voldemort, disguised as her husband, shown up over here, but Lucius had made his appearance at the Burrow. Both had set off a huge chain of events that resulted in them being all but bombarded with owls the night before. Though Vernon had complained more than usual about that, Sirius had shut him up quickly by explaining who the two were, briefly, and what that meant. By the time he was done, both Vernon and Petunia were pale and shaking. From what Sirius had told him and Lucius, Dumbledore was planning on moving them over the weekend if nothing else came of it. And, thankfully, the push had worked because it was Grimmauld Place they were going to. Not only that, the wards around the Burrow were being strengthened, something that had them on edge and thinking Dumbledore planned to send him there at some point. So, they were going to make this look damned good.
Keeping an eye out, he watched to see where Petunia and Vernon were. They were both out, probably spying on neighbors and trying to look good with impressive talk. The plan was to be at least close to them then Lucius would show up. Tonks and Kingsley were around today, keeping an eye out, so they could get there quickly once Mrs. Figg sounded the alarm, something he was told she promised to do. From what Lucius told him, all he had to do was follow his lead in what the man said and Sirius was supposed to go on a barking rampage, straining at the leash. They figured this would be all it would take because Lucius was going to make damned sure he would make a covert threat against the Burrow. Once it was over, they were supposed to head for the house, herding Petunia and Vernon with them, trying to act panicked. It could work, he just hoped it would be convincing was all.
Rounding the corner, on the path he normally took to go the play park they holed up in all day, he saw Petunia and Vernon walking in his direction. Assuming the time was approaching, he stiffened slightly. Then he heard Lucius' voice in his head.
“Nothing to worry about, Harry,” Lucius soothed softly. “Just follow my lead and act like you always do, saying what you normally would. I won't take offense.”
Hearing that, Sirius added, “Just make it look good, Harry, and let it go from there. We should be out of here tonight.”
Telling him he would, though quite uptight, Harry kept moving in that direction, ignoring his aunt and uncle. Glancing around, he didn't see Tonks or Kingsley, but that meant nothing, however he did spot Mrs. Figg. Assuming that was part of the plan, he kept moving, figuring it was coming quickly.
Saying nothing as he drew next to his aunt and uncle, he then spied Lucius coming, though trying to stay unnoticed. It was then he heard Padfoot start to growl deeply, feeling him strain at the leash and saw the fur on his back bristle, teeth bared, looking in the direction Lucius was moving. Stopping, Harry pretended to look around, putting a hand on his wand, something that was in his back pocket, as would be expected of him.
“Boy,” Vernon growled, keeping his voice low, “you need to keep that menace under control.”
Quietly, Harry said, eyes locked on the approaching Lucius as Padfoot began to bark madly, “Get behind me. He's reacting to danger.” Pulling his wand out, he held it so that no one approaching could see it, though he knew Lucius could.
Sputtering, Vernon looked around while Petunia clutched onto his upper arm. “What are you talking about, boy?” He snarled, though he backed up and slid behind his nephew.
Straining at the leash, barking badly, saliva flying, Sirius focused on Lucius though making sure not to yank too hard and hurt Harry. This was just to look good, nothing more. Keeping an eye out, he saw Arabella nod at him then hurry off. Passing that on to Harry and Lucius, he said, telepathically, “Make this quick. Once she sounds the alarm, we're going to have all kinds of company.”
Giving a brief nod Lucius, dressed immaculately in a three-piece tailored suit, looked at Harry then smirked. Glancing around at the box-like houses that all seemed to look alike, he gave a sigh then shook his head before focusing on the two behind him. “Well, Mr. Potter, we meet again,” he said smoothly. Shooting a glance at the dog that was barking madly, lunging at him at the end of his lead, he said, “And your 'dog'. Oh, do let him loose.” Hoisting his cane, he fingered the part of the handle that was attached to his wand. “It could be most interesting!”
Holding his wand out, eyes locked on Lucius, Harry said, heart hammering in his chest, “Get out of here, Malfoy.”
Smirking, Lucius said, smoothly, “I am just looking around this—disgustingly boring little area, nothing more. There are no laws against that. My sister-in-law is discussing what Muggles refer to as an urban renewal project around here. The person we answer to is most interested in that, starting with the abode you reside in. Well, you've heard what Bella is like. She favors the color crimson all over everything. That and some parts that are—flesh colored. It's always amusing to watch her work her artistry on such things. I do believe it's your home she wants to start with.” Eyes flicking to the two behind Harry, he said, “Your aunt and uncle were mentioned in her redecorating. Them and the piglet with blond hair that you call a cousin. Whatever she does with them will only be an improvement, don't you think?”
Hearing a panicked squeak from his aunt and Vernon start to sputter, Harry muttered to them, “Stay behind me.” Lifting his wand, Harry leveled it at Lucius and snarled, trying to keep his voice steady, “Get out of here, Malfoy, or I'll let him loose.”
“Oh, please, do! I would love to engage!” Lucius said smoothly, looking smug. “He's on the verge of being cleared, but Muggle authorities won't know that yet. There is also the fact that anyone could see him transform back. Then it'll be reported to the Ministry. Along with the fact that he's around you. Oh, that I would love to see!” Taking a step closer, trying to be as intimidating as he could, Lucius lowered his voice then said, “Those wards everyone touts—they are not infallible, Mr. Potter. We can get through them. Then there is the Burrow—oh, those are easy. I checked them myself yesterday. They are no match for any of us. My Lord wants a 'talk' with you and will stop at nothing to get what he wants. If it's not at your disgusting home, Molly and Arthur will get a visit from us when you hole up in that hovel for the summer. Expect that.” Stopping, Lucius smirked and added, “And revenge will be had. Count on that.”
Harry was about to reply when he heard two distinctive cracks he knew were Apparations then the sound of running feet. “Get lost, Malfoy! Tell that maniac to stay away!”
“Such brave words from a mere teenager,” Lucius snorted, shaking his head. Glancing up, he could see the two Aurors approaching. Lifting his head, he stepped back and smirked again then said, tone deadly, “Remember what I said, Mr. Potter. We will be meeting again, very soon.” Turning, he Apparated away.
Wand still leveled at the place Lucius had been, Harry looked over his shoulder, eyes wide, and watched as Tonks and Kingsley ran towards them. Then he heard more cracks of Apparation. The alarm had been sounded, so it was time to move. “We need to get to the house, now,” Harry told his aunt and uncle, backing up.
Sputtering, face an alarming shade of red, Vernon blustered, “Was that one of your lot, boy? We don't put up with threats from them!”
Looking around, making sure no Muggles were watching, Sirius transformed back and pulled his wand. Keeping an eye out, he looked at Tonks and Kingsley, both of whom were pale, then said, voice a low snarl, “It was Lucius Malfoy. We need to get inside now! And someone needs to find Dudley and get him in the house as well.”
Sputtering, but backing up, Petunia asked, tone quivering, “Who was that?”
“No one you want to tangle with,” Harry told her, backing up but wand still out. “He's a follower of the person that killed my parents.”
“One of the highest ranking Death Eaters there is,” Sirius told her, herding them towards the house while other members of the Order began to converge on them. “This is why I'm here. That sister-in-law he talked about? She's absolutely batshite insane and that redecorating he mentioned means her killing people. We need to get inside now!” Rounding on the two, he asked, “Where is Dudley? We need him inside those wards until we can figure out what to do.”
Hands flying to her mouth, Petunia was pale as a sheet, eyes overly wide. Quickly, she told them were her son was.
Nodding, Sirius looked at Kingsley and said, “Grab someone and go get him. Meet us there. We'll get everyone inside safely.”
Nodding firmly, Kingsley said, “I'll manage. Get everyone in that house, now!”
With that, Sirius and Tonks, wands out, began to herd Harry and his relatives towards the house, keeping an eye out as they did.

Just as they were about to step through the wards, surrounded by a mass of bodies from the Order, Harry stopped when he heard a loud meow. Grinning, having forgotten about Lucius, he crouched down and held out his arms. “Come here, Hobbes,” he said softly. Lucius leaped into his arms and he held the man's cat form close. Petting him, he nodded to Sirius.
Reaching out to pet him and hearing the cat purr, Sirius said, “Everyone inside, now.” Watching as they were all hurried through the wards, including the pale, stammering Dudley, he waited until they were all in the front door until he followed. Once inside, he slammed the door shut and sighed, slumping. Looking around, he said, “Alright, we need to strengthen everything we can and Harry needs out, now.” Quickly, he gave a rundown of what was said, including the threats against the house and the Burrow. Shaking his head, he said, “We can't chance this. First Bella and now Lucius? No! That means something big.”
“Understood,” Kingsley said, looking around. “Tonks, you and Moody stay here with the rest and put up everything you can think of. I'm going to grab Remus, Arthur, Bill and everyone else I can get my hands on. I'll have them divide up between here and the Burrow to put up every protection ward we can manage. All of you stay put and don't leave this house. Any sign of danger and you send a Patronus. Sirius, you and Harry get everything packed, fast. We're going to have to get both of you out of here, quickly. I'm going to say we wait until dark, but that'll be up to Albus. And the Burrow is out of the question for now. Grimmauld Place will probably be best.”
“We'll handle it,” Sirius said with a firm nod. “I'm going to send Hedwig ahead of us so we don't have to worry about transporting her and Hobbes, both.”
“Go ahead,” Moody gruffed as he layered on protections. “Tell her to stay out of sight if at all possible.”
Looking at Petunia, Vernon and Dudley, all who were the color of milk, Sirius snarled, “Listen to them and stay inside! We're doing what we can to protect you. Just—go about your business the best you can until we can get more wards up. Do not go outside, even to the yard. We can't chance this.” Seeing them nod and, for once, not saying anything, he began to push Harry towards the stairs.

Once inside the room with the wards activated, Lucius transformed back, looking smug. “That was a rather masterful performance if I do say so myself.”
Snickering, starting everything packing, Sirius nodded, “It was a good one. Alright, get your elves to get all your stuff moved. I'll handle mine and Harry's. I'm expecting everyone to wait until dark to move us. We need to be prepared, though.” Seeing Lucius nod and summon the elves, he then told Harry, “Send Hedwig to Grimmauld Place. Tell her to go to my room. She'll be fine there and can get some rest.” When Harry began to move in that direction, Sirius pulled a chunk of parchment out of his pocket and handed it to Lucius. “That's from the Secret Keeper. Read and memorize then get rid of it. You can't get through the wards otherwise.”
Pleased with that, Lucius did as he was told then vanished the paper. “Any idea how we are going to deal with the wards around this disgusting house falling?”
“Maybe,” Sirius sighed, shaking his head. “I'm going with the line that Vernon probably kicked Harry out after we left, refusing to let him come back. That should make them fall. And I bet he does anyway, he and Petunia, both. We scared the living shite out of them, so they will do that. Let's hope that Albus buys it. It's going to give us some time. If he doesn't, let him scramble. It'll take time for him to figure out why. Once he does, we'll go from there. Just keep an ear out when we get to Grimmauld Place. That way we can get some warning.”
“Consider it done,” Lucius told him with a firm nod. Watching his elves work diligently, he smirked then said, “Now, if you would—while they are busy, I have a mission in mind. The house need covered in cat fur. So, if you would be so kind as to let me out the door once I transform, I plan to coat as much as I can before we leave this disgusting place!”
Laughing, Sirius said, “Have fun and shed for me as well!” When Lucius transformed, he opened the door and gestured for the man to exit. Watching the cat saunter out, a smug look on his face, Sirius shook his head, still grinning. Quietly, he said, “Scratch when you want back in.” Hearing a meow in response as Lucius strutted down the hall, dropping a ton of fur as he went, Sirius grinned and shut the door behind him. “Your aunt is going to be cleaning for a month when he's done, Harry.”
Grinning as he stuffed his things in his trunk, Harry shook his head. “Serves her right. You going to help when we get done?”
“Damned right I am! I think Lucius and I can chase each other for a while so we make sure everything is nicely coated!” Sirius grinned.

Walking into Grimmauld Place, well after dark, Sirius sent all their stuff up to his room, except Hobbes, who he had Harry take out of the carrier. At a pale Kingsley's prompting, he then led Harry, who was holding Lucius, to the kitchen. Once inside, there was absolute chaos. It seemed that most everyone was there except Albus and a few others that he assumed were dealing with warding. And it was loud. Assuming he knew what happened, he had Harry take a seat then grabbed them both something to drink.
Sitting down, he passed Harry a butterbeer then asked, looking around, “What happened? Everything went smoothly on our end. No hint of a problem.”
“The wards around Privet Drive came down,” Arthur said, looking pale and patting a shaking Molly on the shoulder. “Albus and some others are over there now putting something up.” Shaking his head, he sighed, “They are trying to figure out what happened.”
Sighing, trying to look panicked, Sirius shook his head. “Bloody hell. Just what we need after this mess.” Rubbing a hand over his face then smoothing down his goatee, he said, “Alright. I'm putting Harry up in my room. I'll put a partition up for privacy, but I want him close. We know the house is safe, but after that—nightmare, I want him nearby. They get the wards strengthened on the Burrow?”
Taking a seat, the trembling Molly nodded. “They did. And they are working on putting up more. The kids are here at the moment, as we thought that best until they finish. They're also going to have a few people start keeping watch over there.” Looking at Harry, she shook her head then said, softly, “We want you to come stay, like always, but it's best you don't. Here is far safer for you this summer, Harry. I'm sorry.”
“Nothing to worry about. I understand why,” Harry told her with a small smile as he petted Lucius, who was purring loudly.
“We'll be fine here and find plenty to do,” Sirius told his godson, clapping him on the back. “This is better anyway. Nothing can get through the wards here and we're hidden.”
“That is a gorgeous cat, Harry,” Hermione said, eying Hobbes with a smile. “Is he a pure-breed?”
Petting Lucius, who was nuzzling him and still purring up a storm, Harry smiled, “Yeah, he's a silver chinchilla Persian. Sirius got him for me. His name is Sir Hobbes of Hanover. Just—I wouldn't touch. He's a bit tetchy on who he likes and will let pet him.” He hoped that would be enough to keep Ginny and Hermione away, though he wouldn't count on it.
Reaching over and giving Lucius' head a scratch, grinning as the cat purred louder, Sirius said, “He took to Harry right away, so I got him. They get along great, so I didn't see the harm. He'll be happier here, that's for damned sure, as he has plenty of room to roam.”
“He is beautiful,” Ginny sighed, eying the cat. “I bet that fur is hard to take care of though.”
“Naw, he likes to be brushed. It's nothing to worry about,” Harry told her, holding Lucius close.
Looking around, Sirius said, “Alright, what's coming? Does anyone know? All we know is what we dealt with. I'm sure there's more here. Anything we need to worry about besides the obvious?”
“We're mostly waiting for Albus to come back, “Arthur told him, taking a seat by his wife. “There's going to be a full meeting. He even wants to kids to attend so he can lay out plans to keep all of us safe. It's been a right mess and something big is coming. So, we need to prepare.”
“Alright. Let me and Harry go put up our things then we'll come back down. Plus, Hobbes can get a feel for his new home.” Seeing nods, he nudged Harry up then headed for the stairs.

Once in the room and the door was shut, activating the warding, Lucius transformed back. Looking around, he was pleased. Oh, this was far better than that small room they had been cooped up in! It was like having a whole floor of the house with how well the elves expanded it. Not only that, there were separate rooms with doors to them. Sighing, he nodded, “Much better, by far! Even if it's best I stay in here, I won't go mental from claustrophobia!”
Flopping in a chair as Harry petted Hedwig and the elves put their things away, Sirius sighed in relief. “You're going to get no arguments from me there. It's going to be a touchy dance, no doubt, but we're going to be far more comfortable.”
Seating himself, Lucius gave a contented sigh when an elf delivered him a glass of wine. “Oh yes. Now, is there anywhere I need to be wary of when roaming? People—I believe I have a feel for that and will watch who I'm around.”
“Yeah, there's a few places and you need to be damned careful around some of it,” Sirius told him, quickly warning him about Buckbeak and how not everything was cleaned. When he was finished laying out where it was best not to go, he added, “Remus is on the floor below us in the last room. If you need somewhere to hide and can't get up here, go there. I'll make sure he knows I told you to do that. Beyond that, have at it. Just be careful as I'm not sure what might still be dangerous.”
“Understood,” Lucius said with a firm nod. “I'm going to roam a little during the meeting to get a feel for what is where. If there is something being broached you think I need to hear, let me know and I'll come in. I fully plan to avoid both Severus and Albus. Moody as well, probably, though I should be protected with the collar.”
“Good idea,” Sirius nodded. “Just keep in mind we have plenty of people in and out of this house all the time, at all hours. So, be wary. Beyond that, roam at will. The backyard—we haven't touched that, so I would avoid it. I'll make sure we let everyone know you go out to 'hunt' for a few hours a day. That should get you out most times. Just let us know when you're back. I'll get Remus to go to the Alley to grab that signal for cats. Use that and someone will let you in.”
“Perfect,” Lucius said, pleased. “And now we press on. Hopefully, this will be the worst we have to deal with.”
“Don't count on that,” Sirius said looking at him as he smoothed down his goatee. “We have plenty coming here that's not going to be fun to dance around, like the bonding. We'll work with it as it comes, but we've taken the big step anyway. Now we work on getting the hell out.”
“Very true,” Lucius admitted with a sigh. “We'll manage. We're just going to have to do some fast thinking is all, nothing more.”

Lifting his wand, Sirius pointed it at the door and set the standard spell for pets to let Lucius come and go. When it was finished and he was sure the man was keyed into the warding, he said, “Alright, Harry and I are going to get downstairs and deal with the shite we know is hitting. Why don't you check the warding and add what you think is best. I'll do the same when we come back up. After that, do what you want. I have you set to come and go as the cat. You're welcome to join us if you want, as they aren't going to say something that'll mean anything about this mess as it's a false alarm. If not, go get an idea where everything is. Just avoid Kreacher if you can.” Seeing the man nod, looking relaxed, Sirius signaled for Harry then the two headed downstairs to deal with the drama he knew was coming. However, he was definitely happy they were here now and out of that hellhole. It might not be fun, what was coming, but this was far better than dealing with Petunia and Vernon on a daily basis!
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Well, Ain't That Strange?