Adult-FanFiction.org : Harry Potter

Left For You	By : Araea Swiftwind Category: Harry Potter AU/AR > Slash - Male/Male Views: 24796 -:- Recommendations : 1 -:- Currently Reading : 3
Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction and in no way reflects the views of J.K Rowling or the affliated companies that own Harry Potter. I make no money from the writing of this story and do this of my own volition for my own pleasure.

Chapter List
- 4
- 5
Author: Ara�a Swiftwind

Pairing: Harry/Draco, Ron/Hermione, Neville/Luna

Rating: M as precaution

Warnings: Language, adult themes, AU, slightly OOC, slightly against Dumbledore, slight Weasley bashing, Hermione bashing, pure-blood idealism, evolution of feelings in preteens and the discovery of sexual activities by minors, and probably some other stuff I haven’t through of yet. You have been warned.

A/N: It has been brought to my attention that I had the wrong chapter posted for this story. I actually have two stories that have used this name, and it was my mistake not to realize that I was posting the chapter for the other story instead of this one. I've fixed the error and it should make a lot more sense now. Also, this is the last of my pre-written chapters, so the next chapter might be long in coming.

< @ @ @ >Chapter Four< @ @ @ >

“Are you sure it’s okay to be in here, Draco?” The young boy whispered, his hand fisted in his friend’s cloak.

“Don’t be stupid, Harry. If course it’s not. That’s why we’re sneaking. Just be quiet so we don’t get caught.”

Harry trembled and held on tighter. He hated breaking the rules, even if it were for an adventure. Or maybe most especially if it were for an adventure. Severus had spent five long years coaching Harry in proper behavior for a boy who would spend the rest of his life in the spotlight. Hours upon hours a day, Harry had to listen to lectures about etiquette, decorum, proper dress, Wizarding society, and magical theory. He thought that his head would explode by the time Severus finally deemed him ready for his debut into the magical community.

And now, just weeks before he and Draco were to be off to Hogwarts, the blonde prat had come up with this brilliant plan. They were sneaking through Malfoy Manner, looking for some sort of magical artifact that Draco was certain his father had hidden up in the attic. He hadn’t told Harry what this artifact was supposed to do, only that it was really cool and definitely worth risking a caning.

The raven-haired savior disagreed, but couldn’t stay behind. For the last five and a half years, Harry and Severus had been living at Malfoy Manner with Lucius, Narcissa and Draco. Severus had shirked his duty as Potions Professor at Hogwarts so that he didn’t have to leave Harry’s side. Headmaster Dumbledore was angry at first, but Severus convinced him that he needed a sabbatical, or else he’d wind up murdering all of the “incompetent dunderheads” before breakfast the second day. After that, Dumbledore accepted Severus’ need for leave and left the man alone—for the most part. Once ever three or four months he contacted Severus to make sure the man was certain he wasn’t ready to come back to school.

It wasn’t until about a year previous that he discussed with Harry his returning to Hogwarts. The boy was nervous, but felt that he was old enough to accept his father’s leaving. The whole house gathered for a meeting, two weeks before September the first, and hammered down the details of what would happen. Once they all came to an accord, Severus left for the nine-month school year at Hogwarts and Harry stayed at the Manor with the rest of the family. It wasn’t so bad, and the second year Severus had to leave, it was no trouble at all for Harry to let go.

A loose floorboard squeaked and Harry heard Draco hold his breath and pause for a count of ten. When no other sounds were forthcoming, he continued on. Harry shook his head to clear the cobwebs of memory from the forefront of his mind so that he could focus on the task at hand. He might not want to be there, but he’d be damned if he let his inability to concentrate gain them a caning.

“It’s should be just up ahead here, Harry. Duck low, so you don’t hit the ceiling,” Draco whispered over his shoulder.

Harry nodded, though it was only belatedly that he remembered that Draco couldn’t see him. “Yeah, ok,” he whispered back.

Truly only a few more meters ahead was a narrow door set into a brick wall. The door was barely tall enough to admit the young wizards, even with them on their hands and knees, and scarcely wide enough for them to shimmy inside. But make it they did, and once beyond the mysterious door; they came face to face with their prize.

Harry’s mouth opened in shock and dismay. They had traversed the Manor, risked a caning, and dirtied their clothes, all for a mirror. It was small, barely large enough to show Draco’s head and shoulders, and was fairly plain. The frame itself was plain silver, a bit tarnished at the edges, and the glass was wavy with age near the bottom.

“Draco,” Harry whispered harshly. “We came all this way for a ruddy mirror? There’s one in every bathroom in the Manor, and three in your room.”

Draco rolled his eyes at his companion and let out an undignified scoff. “You can be so thick sometimes. This obviously isn’t just any mirror. This is a special, magical, mirror.”

“And what’s so special about that? All of the mirrors in the Manor are magical.” Harry retorted scathingly. He was angry, now, that they’d gone through so much trouble for a stupid mirror. He could have spent the last several hours studying for his classes, or grooming his owl.

The blonde aristocrat turned and smacked Harry. “You are such a prat. Do you honestly believe I’d risk a caning by my father for some run-of-the-mill mirror? I’m not that stupid, Potter.” Harry knew he had hit a sore spot when Draco sneered his last name. He was only called “Potter” when Draco was quite angry with him, which usually only happened when Harry accidentally impugned his honor.

Three weeks after Harry’s birthday, Severus, Lucius, Harry and Draco went on a shopping trip to Diagon Alley. This was Harry’s first time in the Wizarding world and, while he knew about Eeylops Owl Emporium and Flourish and Blotts, it was quite another thing to see a shop full of pet owls. Draco kept elbowing Harry, reminding him that they were in public and respectable wizards don’t gape, but Harry conveniently ignored him.

Severus and Lucius both were tense, hoping that no one would be foolish enough to accost a child. While Draco was perfectly safe, Harry was the savior of the Wizarding world. It would be just their luck if he were lured away by some old Voldemort supporter or someone thinking to take him to Dumbledore.

The potions master had received a letter a few weeks previous from Albus Dumbledore informing him that Harry was not with his Muggle relatives, and was therefore missing. Severus told the man that he would be sure to keep an eye out for the boy, and notify him immediately if the raven was located. Of course, it was an out and out lie. Severus had no intention of revealing to the headmaster that Harry had been living with him, at least not until the welcoming feast on September the first.

Harry was dragging Draco around to as many of the shops as he could until Severus came up behind him and put a hand on his shoulder. The eager eleven year old looked up at his father and instantly sobered. He had forgotten the lesson about constant vigilance. Someone might want to do him harm, and it would be best if he stayed near his father.

“I apologize, Severus. I should have been more focused. It shan’t happen again.”

Severus inclined his head. “See that it doesn’t. The same goes for you, Draco. Just because someone else has lost his head doesn’t mean you should go losing yours with him.”

Draco looked down, properly admonished. “I apologize, Severus. My lapse in judgment is deplorable. It shan’t happen again.”

Both Severus and Lucius nodded and the group continued down the Alley. Lucius led them into Ollivander’s first, thinking it best to start at the top of the Alley and work their way back to the Leaky Cauldron. Harry and Draco entered alone and spent approximately thirty minutes trying out wands before they left with ones that suited them perfectly.

After Ollivander’s it was off to Madam Malkin’s for a new set of school robed for each boy, and then Flourish and Blotts for school books. Following a quick stop in to the stationary shop, the group broke up. Severus and Harry went to Eeylops to get both boys a new post owl, and Lucius and Draco went on to the cauldron shop and apothecary to get the remaining school supplies.

In Eeylops, Harry was captivated by all of the different colored birds. The tawny owls had such lovely eyes, and the screech owls had very lovely feathers, but the owl that Harry fell in love with was a Snow. When he looked at her, he felt a kinship and understanding he’d hardly even felt with most people.

“Severus, I’d like to get her. She seems like the perfect companion, and strong enough to handle post. I think I’ll call her Hedwig.” Harry beamed up at his father, and Severus simply couldn’t say no, not that he wanted to.

“Go on and choose one for Draco as well. Something sleek and sophisticated. You know how prissy he can be.”

“Yes, Severus.” Harry moved on down the line of cages, leaving Severus and Hedwig to wait at the front of the shop. It was in a back corner that Harry found an owl he thought would be perfect for his friend.

Sitting in a cage several inches from all of the other cages was a pure white owl. It had a frame around its face and looked very different from Hedwig, who Harry knew was a snowy owl. As Harry was inspecting this owl he was certain to buy, a girl came up behind him.

“That’s a Tyto Alba, or Western Barn Owl. Usually they have brown or orange colored feathers on their back and wings, but this one seems to be all white. It’s a bit of an anomaly, not like the rest of the owls. If you’re going for something flashy, I recommend a brown spotted owl or a snowy owl. They tend to stand out more.”

Harry turned around to stare at the bossy-sounding busybody. He hadn’t asked her about the owl and was rather irritated that she’d taken it upon herself to educate him. He turned his nose up at her and grabbed the cage.

“I believe this Tyto will be perfect. If you’ll excuse me?” Harry didn’t wait for the girl to move out of his way; he simply shoved past her and made his way to the register.

“How rude!” The girl stated once he was out of earshot. She turned the opposite direction and flounced away to look at more owls.

At the register, Harry placed the Tyto next to Hedwig. He turned to his father and asked, “Don’t you think this barn owl with be a lovely gift for Draco? It’s striking, and according to a busybody at the other end of the shop, it’s abnormal. Even though he’s the same color as Hedwig, they don’t really look anything alike, so it’s not like we’ll get them mixed up. Oh, but they do match beautifully.”

Severus quirked a brow at how worked up Harry was getting over an owl, but said nothing. Far be it from him to ruin the boy’s good mood. They made their way out of the shop and down the Alley towards the Leaky Cauldron. Lucius and Draco were standing outside of the apothecary. Both were still as statues, neither looking around like the common people beside them.

Once Harry and Severus came near enough the Draco and Lucius could see them from their peripherals, Draco turned his head. When his eyes lit on the owl cages, a small smile graced his lips. Harry waited until he was at Draco’s elbow before speaking.

“I had a lovely time inside of Eeylops. Right away I found Hedwig, and I knew she was the owl for me. She’s very lovely and seems incredibly intelligent. I sent Severus off to the register with her while I looked around for one that will compliment you. It took some time, but then I found this Tyto. Isn’t he the best?” Harry was beaming full force, so happy with the owl he found. Draco couldn’t help himself; he smiled back at the beautiful boy.

“Yes, this Tyto is rather lovely. But I’m sure they didn’t call it a Tyto in the shop. How did you learn its name?” Draco asked a bit puzzled. He knew that Harry wasn’t the best at the natural sciences, especially with his lack of enthusiasm for potions.

“Oh, Dray, you should have seen the busybody in the shop. She had bushy brown hair; it looked like a tumbleweed. While I was looking at your owl, she came up behind me and started rattling off all of this information about owls, and she practically called this one a freak. After that, I had to get him.”

Draco’s face quickly sported a frown. He hated anyone who used that word now, save Harry. And how dare a stupid unkempt girl nose her way into Harry’s business. Draco instantly disliked her. While the two adults and two children were deciding where to go next, a troupe of people came down the street toward them, or at least toward the Leaky Cauldron. Harry noticed the bushy-haired girl in with the pack of redheads and discreetly pointed her out to Draco.

“Dray,” the boy whispered, “that’s the girl. That one there, in the midst of all those redheads.”

The blonde looked over and took note of the gaggle of wizards and the three witches with them. One witch was older with red hair, one witch was quite young, also with red hair, and the last witch was the one Harry had mentioned, with bushy mouse-brown hair. Draco recognized the family name of the red haired family immediately. They were the Weasleys, blood traitors all. They consorted with muggles, loved muggles, and thought that all wizards should be open to the idea of marrying muggles. If they had their way, the wizarding line would be wiped out by dilution of pure bloodlines.

“Those are the Weasleys, Harry. You should recognize the name from our lessons with Tutor Ashecombe. They are blood traitors. And I’ll bet anything that the bushy-haired girl is either a half-blood or worse, a muggleborn. I don’t recognize her from any pure-blood family, not to mention that no pure-bloods—at least pure-bloods that aren’t blood traitors—would let their children run around looking as atrocious as that girl does.”

Harry gasped. “A mudblood, are you sure? I suppose I can see it. She doesn’t hold herself like a pure-blood, and she seems a bit dumpier than even a half-blood. Should we ask father to confirm, or just leave it be? I’m sure we’ll see her at Hogwarts.”

Draco paused for a moment to think, and during that time the group of wizards and witched entered the Leaky Cauldron, leaving the Alley. “Well, I suppose that solves it for us. Let’s just get Uncle Severus and Father to take us to Fortescue’s. I could really do with something cool about now. This summer heat is atrocious.”

The black-haired wizard smiled smugly. “I feel as cool as a spring day. You really should look into cooling charms, Dray. They are dead useful.”

About to smack his friend upside the head, Draco stopped when he received a look from his father. Malfoys do not behave like heathens in public, Draco, the blonde recited to himself. Straightening his posture, Draco lightly ribbed Harry, reminding him to do the same. Once Lucius was satisfied that both boys were once again behaving appropriately, he turned to Severus.

“Do you believe the boys have behaved well enough to warrant a trip to Fortescue’s, or should we make them wait until they get home to have a treat?”

Severus thought for a moment, then looked at his son. The smile on the boy’s face was almost enough to break his façade and make the man smile as well, but only just. He stiffened his back and said imperiously, “I believe they can both wait. They may have a small snack while they pack their trunks for the train. I believe they deserve at least that.”

Lucius inclined his head and grabbed on to Draco while Severus took hold of Harry. They disapparated on the spot and landed just outside the gates of Malfoy Manor. It was only a brisk walk from the gates to get to the front door.

Harry had never been on the outside of Malfoy Manor before, so when he spotted the pure white peacocks roaming the lawn, he pointed. “What is that?”

All three of Harry’s companions turned to find out what Harry was pointing at. When Draco realized it was only a peacock, he began to laugh heartily. “Oh, Harry…haven’t you ever seen a peacock before?”

A frown grew on Harry’s face. He hated it when people acted like he was stupid because he didn’t know what something was. Kids at school had been doing it to him for the last six years, and he was sure that this wouldn’t be the end of it. It wasn’t Harry’s fault that he lived a sheltered life, always hidden away for fear of someone taking him away from his father.

His tone turned icy cold when he responded to Draco. “Excuse me, Your Highness. Forgive me for being shocked by and abnormal peacock. I’m sorry I’m not familiar with your poncey pets.” Harry turned towards his Father. “I think I’d rather head home now, Father.”

Severus was poised to be concerned, but when he noted the steely quality of Harry’s eyes, he rethought his reaction. Draco had gone too far today and it was in the boy’s best interest if he didn’t consort further with Harry. He’d calm down eventually, but Draco would have a lot of groveling to do before he was forgiven.

“Lucius, Draco.” The potions master gave each a short bow before disapparating with Harry, landing them both in the back garden of their home on Spinner’s End.

Harry headed straight inside and up the stairs, and Severus could hear his door slam closed a moment later. He sighed. Draco had a bad habit of using his Slytherin talents and cutting tongue on Harry, when he should be using them to protect Harry.

Severus sighed and placed the purchases and Hedwig in the parlor. He figured when Harry calmed down he’d want to get at them, and the parlor seemed like the most logical place. With a quick flick of his want, he enlarged all of the shrunken packages. He then went into the hall closet and pulled out a large steamer trunk for Harry to use while at school.

With another sigh the men went into the library. He walked briskly to the far wall and tapped his wand three times against the middle panel. That part of the wall rotated and a wet bar was revealed. Severus had to magically hide the bar so that Harry couldn’t get into it when he was older. If the boy never knew the bar existed, he wouldn’t be tempted to try and find out how to get into it.

The dour man made himself a brandy and sat in his favorite armchair. He summoned the ottoman from across the room and the book he was last reading and propped up his feet. He’d let Harry come down and talk to him when the boy was ready. Until then, he’d finish this book on radical potions theory that he’d been working on for the last several weeks.

Upstairs, in Harry’s bedroom, the boy was throwing a little fit. He was so sick and tired of being sheltered all the time. He didn’t understand why he couldn’t go out like other children. He realized that his father was worried about him being kidnapped or something, but he didn’t understand why it was such a big deal.

Sure, Severus had explained to Harry why he was famous. But that didn’t explain why Harry still wasn’t safe anywhere. It was as if Severus was afraid of something more than he told Harry. The green-eyed boy squared his shoulders. He was going to get answers, and he was going to get them now.

He stormed out of his room, allowing the door to bang loudly against the wall, and stomped down the stairs. Harry was certain that Severus would know he was coming, and probably have an admonishment on his lips as soon as he entered the library. But Harry didn’t really care. Enough was enough, and it was time for his father to answer some questions.

“Why am I a caged bird, father?” Harry didn’t even begin with pleasantries, and Severus noticed. The boy was angry, but oddly, he seemed angry at him.

“What do you mean, Harry? You aren’t a bird, nor are you caged.”

“If I’m not caged, then how come I can’t go outside and play in the park like the other children? Why can’t I go anywhere without you right there at my side? Why couldn’t I explore Diagon Alley?” Harry’s eyes were hard and devoid of their usual happy sparkle.

Severus sighed. It was time to explain everything fully to Harry. He knew the boy was smart, but he didn’t know if this was something so easily understood.

“Harry, do you remember six years ago when I took you down to the Muggle county offices and adopted you from your aunt?” Severus began. The boy nodded, not sure what this had to do with anything. Severus continued. “Well, I only legally adopted you in the Muggle world. As far as England as a whole is concerned, I am your father. However, things are done a bit differently there. You see, in order for the majority of the Wizarding world to be satisfied that I am your legal guardian; I’d have to petition my case before the Wizengamot.

“Now, normally this is simply a formality and it’s not a big deal. However, in our case it’s different. You are the Boy-Who-Lived, while I am a former Death Eater. Many members of the Wizengamot would be dead set against me legally adopting you.”

Harry interrupted. “But, shouldn’t you already be my legal guardian in the Wizarding world since you have documentation from the Muggle world saying that I’m legally yours?”

Severus sighed. “That only works with blood relations, Harry, and even then they can be disputed if there is just cause. Say, if you were still with your aunt and uncle. If someone from with Wizarding world didn’t think they were fit guardians, then they could contest that someone else in the Wizarding world should take care of you instead. That person would have to go before the Wizengamot, as would your aunt and uncle, and they’d have a custody battle. The Wizengamot would vote, and you’d either be left with your aunt and uncle, who would then have magical legal custody over you, or you’d be placed with the petitioner until such a time as another magical family petitioned to take you. It’s quite the involved process.

“Since I am not biologically your father, much as I wish that could be different, I must petition the Wizengamot to recognize my status as your guardian before someone else petitions against me. If you were any other child—say Draco, even—it wouldn’t be that big of a deal. I’d just go before the court, declare that I have papers proving I’m fit to be your guardian, then they’d vote. Nine times out of ten, that’s all it takes.

“But it’s that one time out of ten that makes this tricky. Like I said, since I am a former Death Eater—whether I was found innocent due to my spy status or not—most people are going to look at that as me not being fit to be your guardian. It’s doubly bad since you are a celebrity. And if Albus Dumbledore finds out about this, you can bet he’ll have a say as well. He may even petition that you be placed back with your aunt and uncle, even though I am your legal guardian in the Muggle world.”

Harry piped up again. “But how can he do that? Why does whatever he say go?”

“Because he is not only one of the most famous wizards the Wizarding world has ever known, he is also Chief Mugwump, head of the Wizengamot. They even offered him the position of Minister for Magic after he defeated Grindelwald. He declined, of course, because he felt that being an educator was much more fulfilling that sitting in the stuffy ministry filling out paperwork all day.”

The raven-haired boy scratched his head, still a bit confused. “If it’s so hard for you to legally be my guardian in the Wizarding world, what are we going to do?”

Severus sighed again. “So far, I’ve been keeping you out of the Wizarding world and under everyone’s radar. If they don’t know where you are and what you are doing, they can’t take you from me. But, with your finally joining me at Hogwarts, everyone is going to find out where you’ve been for the last six years. And Dumbledore will definitely be livid that I’ve been lying to him.”

“So, what are we going to do, Father?”

The dark eyed man looked down at his brandy. He took a fortifying sip before he answered the preteen’s question. “I’m going to have to fight for you. I only hope that Lucius and Narcissa can help. Lucius, though a former Death Eater himself, does have extensive ministry contacts. As does Narcissa. She is friends with a lot a pure-blood women. “

“I’m sure that Uncle Lucius and Aunt Narcissa will be more than happy to assist you in this. I know that they wouldn’t want to see me shipped back to my real aunt and uncles any time soon. And you know that Draco would throw a holy fit if I were taken away.”

“You are very right, Harry. I will admit, however, that I am nervous. Taking on the ministry and Dumbledore used to be a lot less terrifying with the Dark Lord behind us.”

Harry quirked his head to the side. “Father, how come you never really talk about your time serving the Dark Lord?”

Severus pinched the bridge of his nose and took another sip of his brandy. Harry had a lot of hard questions tonight. “Those were dark times, Harry. I generally try to forget what I had to go through. However, if you would like me to tell you some stories, we can do that another time. For now, I think you should begin packing your trunk. You have barely a week left before you leave for Hogwarts, and if we are to fight for my right to keep you, we will need to formulate a plan. The next several days are going to be very busy.”

The young boy nodded solemnly. “Of course, Father. If you could, would you please let Draco know I’m no longer cross with him? I think my anger at other situations blew out any irritation I had with him.”

“Certainly, Harry. I left the things in the parlor. Your school truck is there as well. I’ll bring you some tea in a bit, after I notify Draco that the coast is clear. Run along now.”

Harry quickly hugged Severus and went on his way. He knew the next several days were going to be a whirlwind of activity, and his emotions would probably be running hot and cold. He figured it might be better if he got everything off his chest sooner rather than later so he didn’t have to deal with it all at once.

The boy entered the parlor and crooned at Hedwig. While he was packing, he talked to her like he would normally talk to Draco, though he talked to the owl about things Draco didn’t even have the privilege to know. It was with a lighter heart and a heavier trunk that Harry went to bed that night, free from much of his worry.

TBC
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