A Friend in Need

PLEASE BE WARNED!! HAS NOT BEEN BETA-ED YET!!
I got two very nice reviews about updating so I decided to give you the un-edited version until by beta can get through it. (although I'm pretty sure nothing major is gonna change)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“You look fantastic in that dress Cissy. I’m surprised Lucius let you out like that.” Milena chuckled as she sat down. Narcissa had bought a lovely dress from the summer fashion show. It wasn’t particularly revealing.

The dress itself was white and only came mid calf. It looked as though it was strapless but just past the bust it carried on in a soft netted materiel and came just past the shoulders and even had a small collar.

What Lucius wouldn’t have liked though were the small holes in the dress that were shaped like flowers; they started from one side of the dress just under the bust and wrapped round the dress until it reached the hip on the opposite side.

It looked fantastic and all around the flowers was a pale pink edging them that would turn yellow and then blue before starting at pink again.

“Oh don’t I know it. I had it all this morning. First it was ‘you can’t possibly be going out in that’, then it was ‘I forbid you to go out in that’ and then, after some stern talking about not his property and not having a say in the matter, it was ‘please don’t go out in that’. That’s when he started playing the insecurity card ‘your so beautiful and I’m just stuffy.” The two friends giggled. “The only thing I could do to stop myself from agreeing was to kiss the poor man and tell him I’ll be home for dinner.”

“That man is still hopelessly in love with you. Mind you Demitri would have been the same if I hadn’t distracted him with the idea of taking the boys out hiking. Seems our guest hasn’t seen much of the world and I thought the boys could get Demmy out of the way while I dressed in peace.” The women giggled again and the Narcissa frowned slightly.

“You have a new guest staying with you?” She felt slightly put out that her friend wouldn’t have mentioned this sooner; they always told each other if something new or big was going on in their household.

“Oh darling don’t look at me like that. He was only brought to our house last week and we have been so busy with Ivan’s courtship coming to an end, keeping our guest safe and not to mention the Russian affairs we have been going over for the school. But anyway I will tell you now.

The whole story, apparently, is that Viktor began sending letters to a new friend he had made while over in England. Well a little over a week ago he gets a letter on the verge of begging for help…something about his friends not believing him, anyway, So Viktor gets all angry and proclaims his friend must be saved, now I tell you he says friend, but if you saw them together…their practically a couple! I’m thinking our poor guest hasn’t even realised it yet, he is only fourteen after all. So Viktor gets his friends and after his father agreed to go with them, they left and broke into his pen pal’s muggle relatives and bring him back here. I tell you Cissy…the boy looked half starved! Beaten almost black and blue as well.”

“Muggles can be such ghastly creatures; raising their hand to their own family, why Lucius would never raise a hand to Draco or me.” The blonde added.

“Well, after we filled him with potions and healing spells and charms, he seems to be dealing fairly well, apparently the most damage was done mentally…poor thing; being away from his friends and loved ones for so long under that brutish care.” The two shook their heads in sympathy.

“Well this summer hasn’t been too grand for my little dragon either; that Blasted Zabini boy. Did I tell you that they were going out, started at the beginning of term just after Christmas?” Narcissa received a nod and a smile. “Well they had a few fights, as a normal couple do. But they were usually claims against Draco’s commitment. Blaise was always possessive over Draco and at one point I thought it would be a good thing. Draco can be terribly fragile and Zabini would protect him. But no, that damned boy kept accusing Draco of cheating and what not!” Milena frowned at that; Draco was a spoiled prat at times but he had a good heart and it is a good heart that can be more fragile.

“So don’t tell me. Zabini has dumped him right? Just cast the poor thing aside and told everyone it was because Draco wasn’t faithful.” She said in all seriousness. Narcissa shook her head and lifted a handkerchief to her eyes and dabbed the corners.

“No. Zabini cheated on Draco to get his revenge. This was found out at Easter time but Draco let him and pretended it never happened after awhile, carrying on with the relationship. Then he got a letter after the first week of the holidays from Blaise saying that he was breaking up with him for the summer so he could have some fun with some Italian farm boy working with the family; apparently the boy didn’t like Zabini being in another relationship, and then Zabini had told Draco they would get back together when school started. The sad part for me is that Draco is so helpless over the matter that he is actually considering going back to him after summer. I just don’t know what to do with him. He’s been trying not to mope around but I can see it hurts him so much.” Milena took her hand to reassure her and smiled.

“You know what? Antonio Lugano has been single for awhile now and Viktor has mentioned that he had been keeping tabs on Draco throughout their visit to Hogwarts. Maybe you should organise a small party for the boys before they go back to school. I’m sure you and Maria can work something out by then. I bet the boys will be going out by Christmas.” Milena said, getting excited for the planning. It was usually done by rich women; getting together and working how to guide their children into falling in love. By no means does this mean force though.

Narcissa thought about that. She could get her son involved in the party planning so his mind would be off Blaise and the close coming year, she would get to see this mysterious guest of her friend’s since she would never not invite the whole house; that would be rude AND she could get Draco a very, very well rounded boyfriend;

Antonio had passed in C.R.U.Ps, O.W.Ls and N.E.W.Ts with flying colours and was well on his way to carrying that through to his W.A.R.Ts. He was respectful to his family traditions and others yet wasn’t stuck in them; he had many muggle items that Lucius would frown upon but the boy’s credentials would surely even that out. Plus she had met Antonio a few times before and he was a very hansom man.

“You do have a marvellous mind Milena.” They giggled to themselves about their plotting ways but effortlessly put up their perfect ‘Lady of the house’ masks up as Mrs Parkinson and her daughter, Mrs Tonelly and Mrs Kirts came in and spotted them. Out of all the women in their little group it was only Milena and Narcissa that seemed to loosen up a little away from prying eyes and judging looks.

As they all began to talk about what the day would be like and where they were going next, Narcissa watched over Milena. They were some what best friends, growing up together in the same social circles and even the same school. Milena would have gone to Durmstrang but her family had been worried about escalating violence between wizarding communities there. They had teased and tormented the boys from all houses and even a few teachers. So it was hard to think that Milena was keeping secrets about this guest. She hadn’t missed that her friend had skipped the little detail of this guests name or where he was from.

H/V~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~V/H

Harry sat on the large boulder behind him and looked out over the hidden valley Viktor and his fathers had wanted to show him. It looked like a huge crater and was almost full of water. The morning mist over the lake was lifting and revealing the rippling waters and swaying trees and shrubs.

“This is Lake Hollow, there is a water dragon that lives just under the lake there and when the sun hits the water by its entrance it comes out and sings as it floats just under the water surface.” Viktor explained as he came and stood next to Harry.

“My father has gone to catch up with his friends who are out hunting. We could join them or I could show you around the lake?” Harry didn’t really like the idea of going off to hunt so agreed to be shown the lake, all with a faint blush at the thought of being alone with Viktor in such a…romantic? Setting.

It had taken about twenty minutes to get down by the lake and the sun was just coming up to the shore line. Viktor smiled as he saw Harry eagerly looking out for the tell-tale ripples that would give away where the dragon would be swimming. Like this it was hard to think that this boy would have to save the world. He looked normal and young.

“Come here Harry, you’ll never see the dragon, standing so close to the shore line.” The Bulgarian said pulling Harry’s arm so that he half sat on Viktor’s lap, who had rested on a large, fallen, tree trunk. Again Harry blushed but settled in and rested his head on the man’s shoulder.

Suddenly there was a hauntingly beautiful sound and the water broke just in front of them and then again a little further away. Harry tightened his hand, that he hadn’t noticed had been resting on Viktor’s, as the sound came again sending a shiver through him.

“She is happy; she calls to her children to play.” Viktor whispered close to Harry’s ear.

“How can you tell?” The teen turned so he could see Viktor and gasped silently as he saw how close their lips were.

“Her voice is playful and she brakes the surface of the water more often when she knows there is no danger.” Viktor whispered again but this time his lips caressed Harry’s with a few of the words. He could feel Harry breathing deeply but not moving and looked into heavy lidded eyes.

Viktor closed his arms around the teen in front of him and he felt the soft lips of the other. He tipped his head down slightly and pressed his lips against the other boys. He heard Harry take a gasp through his nose and felt the hand over his tighten and then relax.

Harry could hear the beautifully singing creature in the background and felt Viktor’s mouth mould itself to his. He had never kissed anyone before so he let Viktor lead. It felt like he had been taken from his world and thrown into a different universe yet as though his was grounded to the floor and he couldn’t move.

He turned in Viktor’s arms and tentatively turned his head slightly, wrapping his arms around the Bulgarians neck. He could feel Viktor’s hands rubbing his back slowly and reluctantly pulled away so he could take a proper breathe. Viktor smiled softly at him and bumped his nose with the other boy’s.

“I’m sorry if that was too forward Harry.” He whispered. Harry chuckled quietly and rested his forehead against his.

“It’s ok…feel free to do that again.” The mood was almost broken when they heard the ripples of the shore being disturbed. Harry turned slightly in Viktor’s arms and Viktor looked over Harry’s shoulder.

There on the shore where three baby dragons. The were trying to catch the waves by the looks of things and when they got too far out of the water they would run back into the shoals. Harry smiled at them and felt Viktor rest his chin on his shoulder.

“Have you ever thought about going out with a boy Harry?” Said teen bit his lip and shook his head.

“I mean I can appreciate a guy looks great, I mean I have always noticed Draco Malfoy but I have never thought about a relationship with him, or any guy…mind you I haven’t really thought about girls either.” Viktor smiled and Harry could feel the stubble that was beginning to grow on Viktor’s cheek.

“I’m not going to ask you if you love me, or even if you like me. I just want you to know that I like you…I think I could like you more. I want you to know that I’ll always be here for you; friends, lovers, whatever you want; it’s yours.” Harry turned to the man and really looked at him.

Viktor was being sincere, he knew that, but he was fourteen…ok fifteen in a weeks time, he didn’t have anything Viktor could possibly want! The guy was eighteen for Merlin’s beard; the stuff eighteens year olds just daydream about would be wild wet dreams for him!

But, Viktor did know all this and still wanted to be with him. He seemed to be ok with waiting for Harry to make up his mind. Heck, Viktor hadn’t even pushed that kiss. It just seemed natural to do it.

The Bulgarian smiled and he couldn’t help but smile back. He put his arms around Viktor neck and snuggled his head on his shoulder.

“You’re really good to me you know that?” the man that held him made an approving sound. “I like you a lot Viktor…I just need a little more time to work this out. I like being like this with you though and I don’t want this to stop…is that selfish of me?”

“No Little Light, it’s not selfish. You just need time to work out if this is your own feelings or if it’s just a reaction to mine. I understand and won’t leave your side ok. We can still have this; just me and you but it goes no further until you work out what you want ok?”

Harry nodded and sighed contently; he was warm and felt safe. He could smell Viktor’s cologne and even the flowery scent of the cleaner the elves must use on their clothes.

“You know…I think you should talk to Snape about going to Durmstrang.” Viktor stated after a few minutes. Harry curled up slightly in Viktor’s embrace.

“Why?” He asked, almost offended by the Potions Masters coming up in such a peaceful and calming situation. He felt Viktor chuckle.

“Harry, like it or not the guy is your closest link to everything back in England and he might know of things we don’t. All I’m saying is tell him what your planning on doing…I mean that is if you decided to go to Durmstrang.” Harry shot up and stared at him.

“Are you serious! Of course that’s where I want to go; you’ll be there, so will Chad, Zack, Derrick and Antonio. Not to mention you made it sound so cool!” Harry stopped and his cheeks reddened with his embarrassment of sounding so childish towards the end.

Viktor laughed and kissed Harry on the nose. The teen scrunched his nose and smiled up at his friend. He smirked lightly and turned his head to the lake, remembering a song he had heard over the summer from the kitchen when Petunia was cooking.

“It starts in my toes and I crinkle nose…” He heard Viktor smirk and felt the man pull him back to face him

“Wherever it goes I always know. That you make me smile please stay for a while now, just take you time wherever you go.” Harry smiled and kissed Viktor on his nose, getting the same reaction he had done. They both laughed and neither noticed as the baby dragons left the shore for deeper waters and their mother.

“I’ll talk to Snape. But only because you asked me to. And you have to make up for him giving me evil glares of doom, petualt deep sighes for my apparent stupidity and the ego boosting hair flicks! ok?” Harry said pouting slightly for having to talk to the walking contradiction. Viktor hugged him close, trying not to laugh at the thought of Severus flicking his hair for an ego boost; like the guy needed one most of the time.

“Thank you Harry. He’s a good friend of the family and, believe it or not, his opinion count to me.”

“Than why are you with me…You do know he hates me right?” Viktor frowned at that.

“Yeah…he seems to have it in for you doesn’t he? Maybe you’re bad news then and I should just leave now?” Harry looked heartbroken at that and even turned away, biting his lip.

“Hey! I was joking! Anyway he doesn’t hate you…He finds it hard to like you when, everytime you defeat his so called Lord, he and the others get the brunt of his anger for suposedly failing him. He told me before he would aprecisiate it if you at least acknologed that he helps the Order, rather than constantly trying to find proof he is a death eater. It is kind of hard to like someone like that.” Harry work over what Viktor had told him and sighed resting his head back on Viktors shoulder.

“I guess I was being a little immature.”

“At least you have the maturity to admit it Mr Potter.” Harry’s head whipped round to see who had spoken although it had been rather obvious. Severus Snape stood in front of them in pale brown demin jeans, a darker brown jumper and a red vest fleace that had the crest of the Krum family on it. He also had a strange sort of holster on his arm where his wand was.

“I see you were one of the ones out hunting then Severus. It looks like you didn’t catch anything.” Viktor teased slightly. Severus didn’t rise to the bait but made it clear it had been duely noted and stored away. Viktor knew that meant a cruel come back from the Potions Master later.

“You’r father offered to take my spoils from hunting up to the castle when I offered to come and find you two; He wishes to tell you he is heading home and is going to get the elves to set out a small snack in the lounge if you wish to join us.” Severus bowed slightly and the apparated back to the castle.

Harry slowly turned back to Viktor and pouted again, folding his arms for good measure this time.

“He freaks me out too much. You owe me big for talking to him alone again.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

*crawls from under rock and stretches* Hey guys! *takes deep breath*

sorry sorry sorry sorry sorry sorry sorry sorry sorry sorry sorry sorry sorry sorry!

I know updates were pretty regular but that was because I was so hyped on the idea and I was still on my Uni holidays and now I’m back there my brain is in like four different places at once! I’m sorry for the wait and I aprecisated the little nudges to keep going, they really helped!!

I know I shouldn’t really be asking this after making you all wait but please review! Ok that’s the one and only time I will ask…

OH! I almost forgot! Just so you know what the testing was…

C.R.U.P.s = Cruelly Rigorous Upholding of Placements
W.A.R.T.s= Wizarding Advanced Respective Testing


I would like to take this time for some replies to your comments (sorry for those not mentioned I still love you all)

Lazycarzykitten- I love you too!! you review every chapter and it lets me know what you think. They make me smile too!

Celestialuna- Thank you for a review every chapter I like to see who comes back to read more!

Chelzi-…I love you!! From the first excited review to the sniffles of wanting an update I love reading your reviews! I have to thank you for the compliment on my creativity (what an ego boost!! *flicks hair*) I like Yaoi too…I have a few Naruto (mainly Kakashi/Iruka) and Yugioh (all Seto/Joey) fan-fics started but haven’t gotten round to finishing them lol. Oh and as a last note; yeah…it was supposed to be thicker lol.

Harrydraco4life- I bet this settles the Draco issue hu? You know you seemed to read my mind on this one, first about adding Draco and then on Antonio! Get out of my head! Whats that spell again…lol Thank you for reading the story even though you are pretty set on another pairing hehe.

OK! That’s it from me for now! …Please Review and tell me what you think! (…I ish sorry I asked again >_<) This chapter will be re-posted after my beta has gone through this. Thank you all again!