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Lucky Strike	By : SpeedyTomato Category: Harry Potter > Slash - Male/Male > Harry/Sirius Views: 76067 -:- Recommendations : 4 -:- Currently Reading : 17
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter and make no money off this strange dance in JK Rowling's world.

Chapter List
- 16
- 17
- 18
Beta'd by the most amazing Tenchi, who I can't thank enough for all the hard work she does for me!

With help from Lynn who works with me when it comes to flow, continuity and other issues.

Just a reminder of what's on my profile; reviews complaining or whinging about the lack 'o sex in stories will get deleted. If you want a smut-filled romp, you need to find another story to read.

Chapter 16

Glancing between the letter and the picture he had received from Harry, Draco, for once in his life, didn't know what to say. The image—it spoke for itself and was amazing to see. Like what usually happened when Hedwig delivered a letter from Harry, plenty in his house were crowded around to see the picture sent. This time he had tuned all of them out, though there were loud twitters racing up and down the table over what was in that photo. He didn't know what to make of it, honestly. As his parents sent a letter as well, including a couple more pictures of the same incident, backing up everything Harry had to say, he was—he just didn't know. Even his parents said none of them fully understood what the encounter was about, though they admitted they knew nothing bad could come of it.

While gazing at the picture of the unicorn crying on Harry's head again, Draco looked up when Pansy said his name. Focusing on her, he asked, “What did you say?”

“Do they say what this could mean?” She asked, eyes overly wide at what she could see of the pictures that were laying on the house table. “I mean, Harry's not pure. We all know that. And he's a boy. Unicorns tend to stay away from those.”

“No one seems to know,” Draco admitted with a shake of his head. “Father said that he, Mother, Remus, Severus and Sirius were all sitting there as well. A unicorn probably wouldn't come around any of them either. And this is the second time it's happened, from what they say.”

Standing behind Draco, looking over his shoulder, Blaise suggested, “Why not talk to Hagrid after we finish eating. We all have our free period after breakfast and I don't think he has a class. I know he's—well, we all know, but he does know about unicorns. Maybe he has a clue what this is about.”

Thinking that over, Draco gave a slow nod. Hagrid sure wasn't his favorite teacher in the world. The buffoon was inept, in fact. He did know plenty, though. “Yes, I'll do that. I don't see where it'll help anything to know, really, but it's curious as that end doesn't seem to have a clue why either. The only thing Father said is they are sure it relates to Bugs in some way as the unicorns seem to go to the rabbit first.”

“It's interesting and I’m curious why,” Pansy admitted.

“Whatever it is, it's not bad,” Millicent said with a sigh looking at the pictures where they lay. “Unicorns are so beautiful.”

Hearing most agree, especially the girls, Draco just nodded as his eyes kept being drawn back to the picture of the unicorn crying on Harry's head. This was something he wanted to understand as well, so he'd ask despite the fact that he didn't like Hagrid much.

As the Great Hall began clearing out, Draco shooed his friends toward the dorm, promising to fill them in on what he was told then made his way over to where the teachers were. Saying Hagrid's name, he stepped closer when the half-giant motioned him to approach. Pulling out the pictures, he said, “I have a question for you about unicorn behavior.” Seeing the man nod, he handed over the picture from Harry and the ones from his parents. Holding up the letters, he said, “That happened yesterday, from what the letters say in their explanation of the pictures. No one seems to know what it means other than Father says that he thinks the unicorns are attracted to Harry's rabbit in some way.”

Taking the pictures in his massive hands, Hagrid looked at them. Smiling, though it was hard to see behind his beard, “Right amazing, tha' is. Cried on Harry, he did.” Holding out his hand for the letter, he hoped there was something in there that gave a more detailed explanation of what went on so he could better judge what they may be seeing in the snapshots.

Handing the letters over, Draco waited, seeing the other teachers gather around as well, seemingly fascinated by what they saw. Even Headmaster Flitwick was there.

“Oh, that is amazing,” Filius said, standing on a chair he conjured so he could look at what Hagrid was holding. Looking at Mr. Malfoy, he asked, “Do you mind if we take a gander at them?”

“Go ahead,” Draco said, looking smug at the attention he was getting.

Taking the pictures that Hagrid passed him, with several of the other teachers standing behind him to gaze at them, Filius said, “Oh my, I don't believe I've ever seen anything like this before. It's utterly astonishing to see!”

Stroking his beard as he read through the letters, thick brow furrowed, Hagrid then handed them back to Draco. Glancing over at the pictures again, he said, “Lemme look in a few places. Not something I've seen before. Nothing to worry about, though. Unicorns cause no harm. Gentle creatures, they are, ones tha' are good.”

“How about several of us look into this,” Filius suggested, handing the photos back to Draco. “While Hagrid knows more about animals than we do, this is an odd area that in all my years I've not heard of. It's something that will be fascinating to see what the reason is behind it.”

“Go ahead,” Draco nodded, looking more smug at the attention.

“They are quite beautiful,” Pomona smiled as she looked at Mr. Malfoy. Quietly, she asked, “How is Harry doing? We heard he's getting better.”

“He's doing alright,” Draco told her, not wanting to get into some of what he heard from his father about what was going on. That would sort itself out at some point, as it had in the past. With that, he could see the two Potters lingering at the door, glancing his way. Eyes narrowing at that, he ground his teeth. He was sure they were hanging about because of the pictures. No chance he was letting them see them, all there was to it. Especially Jamie. That jerk wasn't seeing or hearing anything about Harry, what with all he was saying. With that, he was once more vowing some form of revenge on the prat. No chance he was letting him get away with all the crap he was spouting.

Holed up in the common room as it was mostly empty other than a couple people studying, Sarah put up a muffling charm around her and Jamie. They were on a break from remedial testing to make sure they made it up to standards. As expected, neither of them were having a problem with it. In fact, from her perspective, it was fairly easy. Neither of them were worried about it either. Grandpa Albus and their parents made sure that they knew what was needed.

Looking at her pale brother, who was reading through the letter from their parents again, Sarah sighed. This is what she wanted to talk to him about anyway. Saying his name quietly, she waited until he looked at her then said, “This is a mess, Jamie.”

“They should have told us some of this before we came to school,” Jamie snarled, tossing the letter aside then leaned back, arms crossed over his chest, a furious look on his face.

“Oh yeah,” Sarah agreed with a nod. “I can see why they didn't for parts, as that was just—I didn't need to know some of that or get the images it produces, but I like knowing rather than just going by the bits we did hear.”

“What they should have done was show up in person and tell us so we could ask questions,” Jamie huffed, gut curdling at some of what was in that letter. He felt sick over some of it and angry that they weren't told, then learned that the Malfoy brat was right.

“They can't,” Sarah told him softly. “Unless it's something like a death or physical injury, the rules forbid it. And, well, as angry as everyone is at mum and dad, it's probably not a good idea for them to show up here. I'm sure that wouldn't be nice.”

“True,” Jamie admitted, scrubbing both hands through his hair.

“You need to lay off what you're saying about Harry, Jamie,” Sarah told him gently. “None of us are happy with what's going on, even mum and dad, but he's not to blame. Even they say that. And he's the victim that was hurt the most. You going on and blaming him is just taking after the one person that was hurt the worst in this. Even those in this house are fed up. You might not be seeing it, but I am. The look on everyone's faces when you start on him isn't good. It's hard, even for me, and I miss Argentina, but taking after Harry won't make it easier.”

“I hate this,” Jamie snarled, shaking his head. “This—it's not even close to what school was like back home. Everyone—they're stuck up and already have their cliques. Not to mention that they are cold because of this nightmare.” Quietly, he added, “I just want to go home, Sarah. It was better there.”

“We can't,” Sarah told him with a sad shake of her head. “This is home now and we just have to deal with it the best we can.” Thinking it over, she said, gently, “We just have to deal with what's here. That and get as much information as we can about what's going on with Harry. From what some of the girls in the dorm said, Ron's parents are friends with—well, the two that adopted Harry, so he knows what's going on with that end. With Hermione being his girlfriend, they might know some more than we do. Maybe we can figure out a way to get some more answers there. That and keep asking in letters home. It's not nice, I know that, but it's all we have.”

Snorting, looking sour, Jamie told her, “I doubt that's happening. Ron's a prat and I can't stand that know-it-all Hermione. She just has an attitude problem, all there is to it. You might do better with that end as you have a more gentle touch than I do. You bet I'm going to keep right on asking mum and dad what's going on, though. We need answers if we have to deal with some of these people.” Head dropping back, he asked, “Why didn't they tell us some of this? I mean, yeah, I get bits. That's—even reading what I know they censored is plenty bad. The rest? I don't get this! We needed to know some of those bits, Sarah! I mean, bloody hell, we knew it was bad, but not how bad.”

“I know,” Sarah sighed, wringing her hands. “I figured it was plenty bad from some of what they said, and more they seemed like they were hiding, but I didn't know it was like this.”

Looking down and shaking his head, Jamie said, “I'm getting my hands on some of those pictures the Malfoy brat has, all there is to it. Neither of us have seen what Harry really looks like and I want to know! What I did see—he looks just like dad and has mum's eyes.”

“I wouldn't mess with Draco Malfoy, Jamie,” Sarah cautioned, though she figured that wouldn't do any good. Jamie—he would do what he wanted no matter what she said. “And if he's friends with Harry, something I do hear is true, whatever you do and say is going to get back to him. You need to leave it alone, Jamie.”

“I don't care,” Jamie snapped, wondering how he could get his hands on some of those pictures, that and get even with Malfoy for making him look the fool.

“How about this--,” Sarah started, hoping to get Jamie off track. “Let's sit down and figure out what to ask mum and dad. Then we'll both write a letter to them to get answers. If we go about it this way, we can cover everything. I want to know more of what's going on and what's coming. We both know they're looking for a house. As that affects us, we need to see how they're doing. That and those—well, them going to court. Dad and Grandpa Albus said it's nothing to worry about, but I am. I mean—you know—everyone is so mad at them. They hid the papers from us, but I've seen them since then. And it's really not nice.”

Looking at his sister, Jamie asked, “Can you get your hands on the papers again? So I can read them? I haven't seen any of them and want to know. They might not be the whole truth, but it may tell us more than what mum and dad are.”

“Let me see what I can do,” Sarah told him noncommittally as she knew how bad her parents and Grandpa Albus were taken after. That would only make matters worse with Jamie, setting fire to his temper. So, really, she didn't want him to see them. Jamie almost worshiped their dad and anything that took after him was bound to set Jamie off as a way to deal with the hurt and the slap that their dad wasn't perfect. This would probably be worse than it usually was and she didn't want to think how angry he would get over it. When he got angry, he lashed out. With the situation what it was, that was a bad idea.

“Alright, let's do this letter thing and go from there,” Jamie sighed. It was better to do this with Sarah anyway as she would see more than he did and know what to ask about. That was good. With that, he planned to get with the few in this stupid house to ask about the Slytherin dorms so he could get into them or find another way to get those damned pics.

Giving a mental shake of his head, he began to wonder yet again if being placed in Gryffindor was a bad idea. Of course, he had all but begged that hat to put him in this house due to the fact his parents had been in it. That and what he knew of the Marauders. It's what he wanted more than anything. Now, though, he thought one of the others might have been better. He hated that idea, but it was there. It was another of those bits that was just blindsiding and not what he expected. Yeah, this was rough and he couldn't wait for the term to end so he could go home.

Petting Bugs as he munched his way through a plate of brussel sprouts, something he told the rabbit were disgusting tasting, Harry read through the list of potions his Mind Healer wanted him to take. Everyone had made the list, put what they did, side effects and all that with them. They also assured him that nothing on this list was addictive. Sighing, he shook his head. Thankfully, that Dreamless Sleep shite did what it said and he had finally gotten a full nights rest. That made him feel much better and he could think clearly again, something that made him feel immensely better than he had been.

Putting the list down, he looked around the table. His dads and Sirius were there, of course, but so were Miss Cissy and Lucius. They had explained everything to him the best they could including pulling out books explaining all about the potions and what they did, things he didn't understand much of as he read them. Shaking his head he said, “Sorry, not taking this mess.” He got why they wanted him to, he really did, and understood that none of them would try to get him to take anything that would hurt him, it was just—past experiences made it to where he just wouldn't unless he had to. All there was to it.

“Harry, it can help, really it can. It'll ease what you're dealing with and probably assist in making it to where you can deal with it so much better,” Remus told him gently, keeping a soothing tone. “Your Mind Healer, and all of us, understand that you don't like taking anything, but it's to the point that we think it can help you. We all hate seeing you in the state you've been in. If something Severus will personally brew for you can ease some of the symptoms, it's something you should consider. You would feel so much better if you took them.”

Shaking his head, Harry told him, “Just—no, sorry. I'm not taking anything. I know you lot wouldn't give me anything that would hurt me, but I can't.”

Scrubbing a hand over his face, having figured this was coming, Severus wasn't sure how to work with this bit. Harry was so adamant about not taking anything that even getting him to down what he had to take for some areas, like after surgery, was a struggle. As Harry was in such a state from whatever he was dealing with, he needed help. “I do realize you still struggle to understand the difference between potions and Muggle drugs, be they street or pharmaceutical, but I can assure you what's on that sheet is far different than anything Muggles make, Harry. You can sit down with me while I brew them and I'll explain everything each step of the way so you understand just how they work and why they'll help you.”

Seeing Harry start to shake his head again, Lucius, who was seated next to him, put a hand on his shoulder and said, “Harry, you need some help. Though you got sleep last night, it's doubtful that it stopped the cycle you're in. All that's on that sheet will help. Even if you only take a few of them, it can assist. None of us here like seeing you obviously distressed over whatever it is you're dealing with. This is the only way any of us can come up with to help.”

“I can't take them,” Harry told him firmly, shaking his head, his mind already flashing over to some very nasty instances that this discussion was triggering. “I just can't.”

Groaning, not sure what to do from here, Sirius shook his head. Quietly, he said, “All that's there is safer, and more effective, than the beer you drink. We all know it's easy to get addicted to alcohol. You drink that, though. These are better than that.”

“No,” Harry said firmly, giving a rigid shake of his head. “I can't, all there is to it. No potions, drugs, whatever. I'm not going to drink the beer either. It's not helping, so I've stopped.”

Figuring this was going nowhere except Harry digging his heels in, Lucius said, looking around, “Why don't you and I talk alone, Harry. Let's see what we can hammer out.” As he sometimes managed with areas the others couldn't, he hoped this might help.

Looking at Lucius, Harry gave a slow nod. Lucius could talk all he wanted, though, but he wasn't taking any kind of drugs if he didn't have to, all there was to it.

Taking a seat by Harry in the backyard, Lucius leaned forward, putting his elbows on his knees, hands clasped, then looked at the teen that was the same age as his son. Gently, he said, “I don't like seeing you in this state, Harry. It disturbs me like it would seeing Draco in such a place. I'm sure you know that you hold a very special place in my life and I would do almost anything for you.”

“I know,” Harry nodded, looking down and petting Bugs. “Lucius—none of you lot get it; I can't take shite like that. I just can't.”

“I know you've probably seen plenty over the years get hooked on various drugs, but this isn't the same, Harry. I'm sure they took those to escape the horror of all that they had to deal with. It was something that allowed them to get through it. I'm also sure it was horrifying to watch from your end. This isn't the same kind of situation. All they will do is give you assistance in dealing with what you are, nothing more. While seeing others go through that hell has to be horrid and we assume it's the reason for your reluctance to take anything to help you, I give you my word that it won't lead to what you saw with others. You know I always protect you and do what is best for you.”

Lifting his head and looking at Lucius, Harry told him, “Yeah, I saw a lot like that. Most got hooked on something, be it booze or drugs, to cope.”

“This isn't the same thing, you have my word,” Lucius told him firmly. “You don't need to fear addiction of any kind.”

“I don't,” Harry muttered, going back to petting Bugs, who was all snuggled up to his chest, head tucked under his chin.

Brow furrowed, Lucius looked at Harry. All along, all of them had assumed the issue was addiction and fearing that, as would be understandable. Thinking it over, he asked, gently, “What's the issue then? If you don't fear becoming addicted, what's the reason behind it? If you lay it out, perhaps we can soothe your mind on it.” Honestly, he had no clue what might be behind Harry's continuing refusal. Harry had mentioned being forced to take a few drugs, but he had been open about what those were, such as the one to cause erections and sustain them. So, he was now lost.

“I can't,” Harry told him with a firm shake of his head. “Just—I can't, alright? I just can't. Leave it there.”

“Can't what? I just don't understand,” Lucius told him honestly, bewildered.

“I can't take those. You don't get it.” Harry sighed, feeling the first stirrings of panic over what they were dancing close to.

“No, I don't,” Lucius admitted. “Until you tell us, we won't understand. Harry—what's going on?”

“Just leave it, yeah? I can't, Lucius.” Harry told him, starting to shake. “Please! No drugs of any kind. I don't care if you call them potions, I can't take them!”

Seeing the reaction that was starting, Lucius knew to back off. “Understood,” he told Harry with a firm nod. However, it left many unanswered questions that he thought all of them had to know. Gently, he asked, “How much of what we just talked about relates to what you're now dealing with? Or does it?”

“All of it,” Harry told him in an uneven voice as the memories started again, making him feel sick. “You lot just need to drop it. All it's doing is making it worse!”

“I will ensure that we do and no more is mentioned other than what's required for medical reasons or Dreamless Sleep,” Lucius told him firmly, making a mental note to pass that, and the reaction he was now seeing, on to the rest. Sliding closer, he put a hand on Harry's leg and gave it a squeeze. “You're safe, Harry. Take deep breaths. I'm here with you and nothing in the world will happen while I am. You know this. I will protect you from everything.”

“I know,” Harry nodded, shutting his eyes and breathing deeply. Lucius was here and he was safe. He kept telling himself that to calm down. Nothing in the world could hurt him if Lucius was here. That didn't stop the memories, though.

“Let me ask this--,” Lucius started, hoping like hell he could get something out of Harry that would help all of them deal with this mess. “You said you know what triggered this round of whatever you're dealing with, correct?”

“I do,” Harry said, leaning against Lucius and focusing on what he was saying. That helped. Quietly, he added, “It's my problem to deal with. I'll handle it.”

Hearing that phrase again, Lucius' brow furrowed. That told him he needed to get something out of Harry so they could help him. “I do understand that,” he told him softly, giving his leg another gentle squeeze. “Can you tell me this at least; did someone in the house do something to trigger it? I'm sure it was done unwittingly, as no one would deliberately set something off with you.”

Thinking that over, feeling himself calm a little, Harry's brow furrowed as he wasn't sure how to answer. After a few moments, he said, “Yeah. They didn't mean to and it's just something I have to deal with on my own, nothing more.”

Honing in on that, mind racing over what he knew was said about the day of the first nightmare, he asked, “Can you tell me what it was? With what you're dealing with, we don't want someone doing it again to make it all the worse. It's plenty bad as it is.”

Looking at Lucius, Harry thought it over. He was right, of course. If it happened again, it would make this mess even harder for him to deal with and handle.

“Harry, no one is going to take it badly,” Lucius assured him. “If they didn't know they set it off, they're apt to do it again. Telling me and allowing me to pass it along will make it so they are cautious about not doing it again.”

Again, Harry pondered that. Honestly? He wasn't sure how much more he could take if someone set off more. So, maybe, he needed to say something. Mumbling, he imparted, “It was Padfoot.” Shaking his head, he added, tone firmer and voice louder, “I don't want Sirius to feel bad or not change around me. I just have to deal with it so I get used to it.”

Mind locking on that, Lucius told him, “It may be a case of you having to, but for now it's best he doesn't until you sort through whatever it brought up. I'll say something to him and the rest. When you feel you can handle it again, tell Sirius. You have the right to tell him it bothers you. While it's something you want to acclimatize to, you can't if it sets off this mess. Such matters are best done in small increments. Think of it that way.” Gently, he added, “I'll ensure that I pass along that it's unwittingly, what he did, so he doesn't feel guilt.” Keeping a soothing tone, he said, “Always remember that Padfoot is Sirius. He's not a real dog. Sirius is always in control, though the form is different. Nothing more than that.”

“I know,” Harry sighed. “It's just—it's a dog.”

“I understand completely,” Lucius assured him with a nod. “For now, it's best that he not change around you. At least until you get a handle on your issues. After that, he can start again.”

“Alright,” Harry sighed.

“We'll stay like this for a while so you can calm down then I'll talk to everyone. Rest assured, I’ll make it clear that this was a case of happenstance. Nothing more.” Seeing Harry nod, he changed to more neutral topics, hoping it helped, though he was wondering if he just didn't make matters worse with pressing the way he did.

“Bloody hell,” Sirius mumbled as he shook his head. Hands over his face, he slumped, “I didn't mean to. He's handled it before. Fine in fact. And he did at the time. He was even grinning as I slobbered on his ears.”

“I think it's a case of it just—gelled. It was more than that and Padfoot was the trigger,” Lucius sighed, shaking his head.

“Just to be clear; he said it's not a fear of addiction as the reason he's refusing to take anything?” Severus asked, making sure he heard it right so he could try to suss out what was behind it.

“He did,” Lucius affirmed with a nod. Glancing around, he added, “And we need to stop pressing. You didn't see the reaction it caused. And he did impart it was related to whatever he's dealing with.”

“No more mention of it then,” Remus said firmly, shaking his head. “We have to with a couple, such as the one tonight, but everything else—we stop, cold.”

“You said that Harry told you he can't take them? Not that he won't?” Narcissa inquired, curious about that phrasing, brow furrowed as she thought that over.

Remembering their conversation, Lucius gave a slow nod, now seeing what she was asking about, “He did. It was can't, not won't. Repeatedly.” Looking around the table, he said, “That is a most curious way to phrase such a thing.”

“It is,” Severus agreed, mind playing over all of it. “And it has to mean something.”

“It does,” Remus agreed with a nod. “We now have the trigger and part of the issues. With what the trigger is, I can only imagine how horrific what it's bringing up is. Which means we at least have something that can help.”

“It's my thought, from what I saw and what it took to calm Harry, that this one is best left for Stuart to handle,” Lucius told everyone, looking around. “Giving him what we learned is fine, but I don't think pressing Harry for anything is going to help. In fact, it may make it worse.”

“Sound advice and something we'll take,” Severus told him with a firm nod.

“I'm just going to do some reassurances that I would never do anything that horrific as Padfoot,” Sirius said, guts still curdling over being the trigger and what Harry was dealing with could involve.

“That is best. Mayhaps a short lesson in just what an Animagus is and how it differs from an animal. I do believe that's been covered, but another is probably in order.” Lucius suggested.

“We'll take that on.” Severus assured him firmly. While it was good they got some information, he wasn't sure how much help it would be. Shaking his head, he filed that away to talk about later. Instead, he pressed on, making plans for Harry's surgery the following day. This would be trickier than the last few so he wanted as much in place as they could get to deal with any fallout.
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Lucky Strike