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Freedom Bound in Chains	By : TaintedSensibly Category: Harry Potter AU/AR > Slash - Male/Male Views: 58477 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 13
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or Harry Potter characters. I did not make money from this story.

Chapter List
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At The Core
The sun was breaking the horizon when Lucius slipped quietly into the guest room Narcissa had claimed as her own. She lay asleep, the spill of her long, golden hair surrounding her as she lay on her back, one hand curled, palm up, by her mouth. The soft roundness of her breasts lifted slowly and evenly under her modest white nightgown, the covers bunched at her waist.
He knelt next to the bed on his knees and gently caressed her perfect cheek. The redness was gone, but Lucius could still remember the heat of his palm after the angry strike. It was the first time he'd ever hit her. He mourned the loss of control and recognized that meant his fear was in control not his rationality.
“Cissa, love...” he said softly, still touching her face.
Sleepy blue eyes blinked open. She took him in, kneeling beside her, for a moment before carefully sitting up.
Lucius didn't bother moving. He remained where he was. “I am so sorry, Cissa. I'm just so... lost,” he admitted, voice thick, and looked up into her eyes entreatingly. “How can I help him? What can I do? He's bonded to a boy I fear is lost to the Dark Lord. I... I can't endure it, Cissa. After all he's suffered... My son, my only child... I cannot fail him again...”
Narcissa softened and reached for him. He desperately wrapped his arms around her waist and held on as she lovingly stroked his hair. “We're going to be okay, Lucius. The Dark Lord is gone, and even if he were to return, we are not as we once were. We're older, smarter.”
Lucius tensed, unable to believe that.
“Hush,” she whispered. “You weren't wrong. I wanted everything to be okay so desperately that I ignored certain things regarding Harry.” She tangled her fingers in her husband's long hair, pulling his head back so he would look at her. “You were right. Harry is in danger and, through him, Draco. We must do something; we must plan. But! I was right as well. Harry and Draco are joined, Lucius, as deeply as two people can be joined. We must work with that bond and utilize its strength to free them both.” She took a deep breath, her expression hardening into something resolute. “In return for the humiliation, fear, and pain you dealt me, I want a magical oath as payment. When I call on it, you will obey me against your own wishes.”
Lucius stared helplessly into her fierce expression. “I hear you, but I don't take it as a good sign that the Unspeakable left without warning by portkey yesterday afternoon and has yet to contact me.”
Narcissa released him, flinging off the covers, and getting to her feet. “You tell me only now? Have you seen the boys?”
Lucius shook his head. “They haven't come out of their room. Dobby reports they are recovering, so I've left them alone. If they do not come down for breakfast, you should check on them. I'm going to see if I can contact the Unspeakable.” He slowly climbed to his feet, white-blond hair sliding over his shoulders.
Narcissa nodded. “Very well.” Then crossing her arms, she faced him head-on. “The oath, Lucius.”
Drawing his wand, Lucius stared solemnly into his wife's eyes. Invoking his magic, he cast a binding, promising to obey one command of hers when she called on it or his magic could strike him dead. “Forgive me?” he asked when he finished.
She stared into his tired grey eyes and relented. “Of course, Lucius. I said things I shouldn't have. I was angry and afraid, but I should not have taken it out on you. We need to work together.”
Lucius took her hand and gently laid a kiss on her knuckles.
Narcissa smiled softly as he slipped from the room as quietly as he'd come. Perhaps there was hope for her family yet.
…
Draco woke and immediately checked on Harry. His boy was sleeping on his left side, facing away from him. The position was very unusual, Harry was such a cuddler, but the reason he was not facing Draco was obvious. The new tattoo sitting above his right hip still looked inflamed and tender, although more detail was coming clear. Draco sat up and looked closely at the little dragon.
It had tiny silver scales along its triangular snake-like head that doubled in size above the cat-like eyes to form two crests that rose off the back of its head. Larger scales also pointed outward along its back and long tail, reminding Draco of Harry's messy hair somehow. Probably because the scales weren't in orderly roes but slightly jumbled and almost lying flat.
Two white-silver leathery wings curled upward like a bat's. It had four scaled paws with three, multi-jointed talons on each. Its body was muscular and round, also like a cat's. There were hints of blue in the shadows of the scales and wings, but mostly the dragon was a pure silver-white. Its eyes, sitting on the sides of its rounded face, were a deep, dark green - the color of Draco's magic - which was only a shade or two darker than Harry's eyes, pale emerald in color.
The little dragon was lying on its belly and chest with only its head lifted. Draco frowned. He could have sworn the dragon was sleeping last night. He watched carefully, but the creature didn't move. Suspicious, he called for Dobby.
Harry woke as the elf arrived and tried to roll onto his back to see Draco, but the blond held Harry in place with a hand on his waist.
“Dobby, does the tattoo move?”
“Yes, Master Draco,” the little elf whispered fearfully. “The ink was activated by Dobby's magic when I's be putting it into Master Harry's skin.” Seeing Draco's frown, he quickly added, “But it only bonds to yous and Master Harry's magic, sir! Not mine!”
Draco thoughtfully ran his fingertips over the inflamed skin, but the dragon didn't move, holding its position with eyes unblinking like a normal tattoo. “Okay. I'll think about that later. For now...” He reached up and pressed three fingers to Harry's lips.
Harry immediately opened his mouth, accepting them inside.
Draco hummed, stomach fluttering, as he pushed his fingers in and rubbed at Harry's soft tongue. “I wanna see my dragon nice and clear, so you're gonna heal it right up, okay, Harry?”
Harry licked and sucked as Draco gently thrust his fingers in and out of his mouth, stretching his lips.
Draco pulled his fingers free, wet with spit, and rubbed them firmly against the tattoo. Instantly, the red skin bleached white and the swelling disappeared. The metallic colors of the silver dragon and the detail of each scale sharpened. It looked so life-like.
“Draco...” Harry breathed, propping himself up on an elbow to see – joy pride love.
“Draco means dragon. Now everyone will know you belong to me,” he said with a smile, but it was short lived. He reached for Harry's free hand and touched the dark bruises on the boy's wrist. His voice lowered with true anger. “I'm gonna leave this to help you remember how angry I was when you tried to kill yourself.” He stared hard into Harry's suddenly tearful gaze. “You almost took from me what's mine.”
“Draco!” - regret anguish – Harry bit his lip, desperately wishing he could erase the sad/angry look from Draco's dark grey eyes.
Draco broke their eye contact and bent to lick and suck at the silver dragon. * Mine, * he growled. * My skin. My heart. My life. I'll swallow your darkness and eat it because it's mine, too. If you ever hurt yourself again, Harry, I will be very, very angry. Your pain is mine to give and mine to take. *
“I belong to Draco,” Harry vowed, arms falling limp and his head tilting back on his pillow – submission regret love.
Draco lifted his head from the new tattoo and wiped tears from his face as he grabbed Harry's wrist once more and bit into the bruise. * Love you, Harry. So much. *
Harry whimpered, accepting the pain. “Love you, Draco. Sorry. So sorry. Never leave you. Yours. I'm yours.”
Draco flung himself down on top of his boy, hugging him and pressing his face against Harry's collared neck.
Dobby's voice lifted tentatively, “It be breakfast, young Masters.”
Draco sat up and scrubbed roughly at his face. “Get dressed,” he ordered, moving to the closet to do just that.
Harry scrambled out of the bed after him, his hand reverently cupped over the silver dragon. Unseen by the two boys, dark green eyes blinked once.
…
Narcissa felt her shoulders relax as the boys stepped into the dinning room hand-in-hand. She noticed the dark bruises on Harry's thin wrists and frowned. “Good morning, Draco, Harry,” she greeted. “Are you well?”
Draco met her worried stare boldly, challenging her. “We're fine.”
Harry gave his normal sweet smile, head ducked shyly. “Good morning, Narcissa, Mr. Malfoy.”
Narcissa chose not to push, at least not now. She wanted the boys to eat. They were too thin as it was, and she didn't want to disturb their appetite. She gave Lucius a warning look, but it wasn't pointless. Lucius would have his answers.
“How did it go with the Unspeakable? Did you learn anything?” he asked. Draco's expression went neutral. Harry ducked his head even further, using his messy bangs to shield his face. Lucius's grip on his fork tightened, but he did his best to affect an uncaring demeanor. “The woman left quite unexpectedly.”
“Eat,” Draco ordered, tapping his fork on Harry's plate. The boy obeyed, taking another bite of eggs. Satisfied, Draco met Lucius's intense stare. “There is something dark attached to Harry's core, but it's not connected enough to bleed into his magic. The Unspeakable is certain it can be removed.”
Narcissa's breath caught in her throat. Fearing the Dark Lord had left something in the child and having Draco confirm it were two vastly different things. A part of her had thought it was Lucius's paranoia. She looked to her husband to see he'd gone cold, his eyes hard. “That's good to hear,” she said almost like a plea. “When can it be done?”
Draco took a bite of his food and gave a shrug. “She should be back soon to let me know.”
Narcissa was at a loss as to what to say, so the rest of breakfast finished in silence. Lucius excused himself as soon as he was done eating and disappeared, likely to his office. Narcissa gave the boys a forced smile, determined to get back to normal. “Are you ready for your lessons?”
…
Pandora was re-routed to Lucius's office instead of the receiving room floo. She almost walked into the man's massive desk and did a quick side-step. Calmly brushing off her robes, she moved to face Lucius, who sat staring at her through cold, desperate eyes. She waited for him to speak.
“I was disappointed by your departure yesterday,” he began.
She said nothing as he hadn't actually asked her anything.
With a dangerous glare, Lucius got to his feet. “What did you find?”
“I am not at liberty to discuss my clients,” Pandora stated simply.
Lucius saw red. “I am your client,” he hissed.
“No, Draco Malfoy and Harry Potter are,” she corrected, unimpressed. “I would think you'd appreciate my confidentiality. I must speak with Draco, please. If he chooses to allow you to stay, then you will hear all I know.”
Lucius practically stormed from the office. “Dobby! Bring the boys to the sitting room!” he snarled. Once they reached the designated room, he went to stand by the window.
Draco, Harry, and Narcissa arrived quickly. Lucius didn't bother to turn around as he listened to them settle behind him.
“Thank you for coming,” Narcissa said politely.
Pandora inclined her head slightly, but otherwise didn't bother wasting time with small talk. Her attention was on the boys as they took a seat on a couch, side-by-side and holding hands. “Do I have permission to speak in front of your guardians?”
Draco considered that, eyes moving from Narcissa's worried expression to Lucius's tense back. In the end, he decided that they might be needed to free Harry, and it wasn't like Lucius didn't already suspect the Dark Lord had left traces in Harry. “Yes,” he finally answered.
She took a deep breath before speaking. “Draco, your magic is deeply rooted in the natural world,” Pandora explained, standing perfectly still and looking softly into his eyes. “When people think of nature, usually they think of sunsets or beautiful scenery, but that's only one moment, a glimpse. Yes, you have a great capacity to nurture, which you evidence in your deep bond with Harry, but nature in truth is brutal.”
Lucius turned from the window with a frown. “What are you saying?”
Pandora glanced at him, but then returned her attention to the boy. “Nature is all about survival, competition, and consumption. In order for something to live, something must die. I'm sure you're aware of this at some level, Draco, but I want to emphasize the point. You can't forget that most people refuse to see this truth, and you need to be careful who you let see your magic in its true form, for your magic is Dark.”
Narcissa and Lucius didn't even blink. The Malfoys and Blacks produced more Dark wizards than Neutral. Both of them were born with Dark cores.
“So what?” Draco demanded, scowling. He hated when other people knew more about him than he did.
Pandora quickly explained. “Not all wizards are born with Dark cores, and so they corrupt and mutilate their magic in order to turn it Dark.” She shook her head sadly, her long, thick braid sliding along her back. “They do not realize that Dark is something one is born to and all they accomplish is to turn it Black, twisted and terrible. Unfortunately, the general populace has come to believe that Black magic is the same as Dark magic. People have come to fear and revile it. If the wrong person in this intolerant time were to see your core, you could be imprisoned or stripped of your magic.”
Draco felt a spike of aggression. He'd like to see someone try and lock him up again. The feelings of the dark Hold trembled on the edges of his mind, making his breath come faster.
Harry's hand tightened around Draco's, brows scrunched behind his glasses. “But Draco's amazing!”
Draco gave a sharp smile, looking dead in Pandora's eyes. “I'll be fine, Harry. Don't worry.”
“We'll be sure of it,” Lucius vowed, catching his son's eye. “We will teach you all you need to know to blend in and guard yourself.”
Pandora interrupted, saying, “In addition to having magical cores, some wizards have special abilities. Did you know you are a hemopath, Draco?”
Narcissa gasped, one hand lifting to her lips, while Lucius's eyes widened.
Draco tilted his head, blond hair falling from behind his ear. “What's that?”
“It means that blood speaks to your magic. You may see visions when you come in contact with a magical person's blood, and you will excell at Blood Magic.”
Draco thought about it. He remembered when he first met Harry and took his blood into his mouth. He'd gotten a weird feeling and all of a sudden he knew Harry's name and that he was born on the last day of July. He'd also felt something horrible hovering over Harry. And again when they were in the alley. He'd felt his blood inside Harry's stomach and his power had gone into the boy and spread throughout his body using that blood as a beacon. That's how their bond was formed in the first place.
“That's a rare and precious gift, Draco,” Narcissa breathed softly, lips trembling in a proud smile.
“The most powerful seers were hemopaths,” Lucius added, eyes narrowed contemplatively.
Draco glared up at both of them. He knew that look. When adults weighed and measured him with their eyes, considering how much he was worth.
“As for Harry...” Pandora switched her gaze to the smaller boy, making the child duck his head shyly. “His magic had nearly become an Obscurus.”
“Merlin.” Lucius came away from the window and grabbed the back of Narcissa's chair. The two Malfoys looked on the small child in horror.
“What's an Obscurus?” Draco hissed, glaring up at Pandora. He gripped Harry's hair and held the boy's head firmly to his shoulder as – shame fear – oozed through he bond.
“An Obscurus forms when a child hates themselves passionately and represses their magic to an extreme degree. Their magic eventually breaks free and becomes only tentatively connected to their core. It then violently and brutally kills people as a Black force. The only way to stop it is to kill the child who is its host.”
Harry felt like he was floating – horror resignation shame. He knew he was disgusting and dirty. It wasn't anything new.
* You're mine, Harry, * Draco whispered in a voice like steel. * Don't forget I made you into something new. Something mine. *
Harry relaxed, the numb feeling dissipating. He looked up into Draco's face and knew he was saved. The firm hand in his hair grounded him. He was Draco's. The black filth that oozed from his skin had been burned away by Draco's fire.
Unaware of the intense moment between the children, Pandora continued, “But his magic was tamed before it was too late. It bonded to you, Draco, and your Dark core gave it a pattern to follow and a way to thrive. Your magics continuously travel back and forth in an infinity loop, enhanced and indivisible.”
Green eyes peered up at Pandora. “Draco saved me,” he said with simple truth, tears of - gratitude love - in his eyes.
“Yes, he did,” Pandora confirmed.
“I'll always save him,” Draco vowed and looked directly at Lucius as he said it.
Lucius stared back, overwhelmed. He had no idea what to think at this point.
“So this dark force connected to Harry... It is the effect of almost becoming an Obscurus?” Narcissa asked hopefully.
Pandora shook her head. “I'm sorry, but no. I saw Harry's magic as a beautiful bright gold. It had been darkened by his abuse, but it was not yet Black. The attached magic... It was pitch Black. I believe you are correct. The night Voldemort attacked the boy with the Killing Curse, he left a bit of his own magic attached to Harry's core.”
“Are you certain it is just his magic?” Lucius demanded.
Pandora blinked at him. “What do you mean?”
“The Dark Lord implied he could not be killed,” he confessed, voice low and intense. “Is he somehow possessing the child?”
Pandora considered that. “I did not sense a consciousness, but I was unable to examine it too thoroughly.”
“The boy speaks Parseltongue!” Lucius snapped, angrily. “How do you explain that?”
“Parseltongue is an inborn ability,” Pandora corrected, annoyed. “Harry's magic is attuned to Healing and Animal Magic, as were the first Parselmouths. In any case, the connection is not seamless. I am confident it can be severed with a little research.”
Draco spoke up, capturing the room's attention. “How much research? How long do you think it'll take?” He was sick of this conversation. What they could and couldn't do, how useful that would be, how others would see it. He felt the walls closing in on him.
“I will going into the deep archives to study spells that attach or effect the core. I should have a preliminary plan in a week,” she answered.
Narcissa could sense Draco was done, so she stood. “Thank you for your time,” she said with a polite smile.
Pandora nodded and turned, sweeping from the room. Lucius followed her, expression hard.
Narcissa sighed and settled back into her chair. She looked over at the boys. Harry looked a little lost, leaning into Draco's side, while Draco stared off thoughtfully, a frown on his face. She felt like she souldn't interupt, so she waited patiently. Then, without warning, he looked over at Narcissa.
“I want that thing off of Harry's core as soon as possible,” Draco said, fierce. “If she can't help us, I'll get it off myself.”
“Draco...” Narcissa tried, heart in her throat. “The core is very delicate. Please be careful. You could damage Harry or your bond accidentally.”
“I'd never hurt him,” Draco practically hissed. “I know what we can and can't do, and I think we can do this.” He stood, pulling Harry up next to him by his hand.
“Draco, wait.” Narcissa shifted uncomfortably. “Remember that tomorrow you go to Andromeda. You will need to pack a bag tonight. It's only for three days and you'll be home.”
Draco shot her a neutral look over his shoulder. “I know,” he said coldly and walked out the door
Narcissa sat back in her chair, feeling numb.
Chapter end.
A/N: So I thought I would get to Andromeda this chapter, but I felt this was a good chapter end. To be honset, I've been depressed lately. I'm afraid it's affected my writing. I feel like I'm not describing the scenes well enough to paint a picture in the reader's head. Anyway, I'm sorry if it's not up to my normal standard. I'm going ot keep pushing on with it.
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Freedom Bound in Chains