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Golden Hearts	By : BetaBloodLust Category: HP Canon Characters paired with Original Characters > Slash - Male/Male Views: 3689 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: See Full Disclaimer Below--Any chapters containing explicit material will begin with warnings for the wary

Chapter List
- 6
- 7
- 8
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, nor do I own the characters within the Harry Potter series. J. K. Rowling owns the Harry Potter series and all original characters introduced within the series. I make no money from this story. All noncanonical characters are fictional fabrications. They belong to me. Any resemblances to real persons or groups of people are coincidence and should be summarily disregarded, and the doppelganger perpetrators should be shot for impersonating my creations. Have a nice day.

Golden Hearts: Chapter 7: The Truth

Arumus walked slowly and quietly through the Malfoy Manor, looking for Draco. He could not find him, so he went to his room to finish reading Hector Malleus' Book of Heinous Hexes. To his surprise, Draco was sitting on his bed, waiting for him, leafing through the hex book, anger upon his face. Draco glanced up with a slight sneer as Arumus entered, closing the door behind him.

"I can't believe you're actually reading this book. All these spells are far too complex for a first year who just purchased his first wand. I don't believe you can perform even the most basic magic yet." Draco smiled maliciously, dropping the book to the floor.

"Really? You think I would waste my time upon a book full of dark spells just to, what, frighten you?" Arumus shook his head. "Draco, I think it is time you learned to pay proper respect to your betters..."

Draco laughed. "You egotistical fool. You think I would ever consider you my better? You really are mad, Cousin."

Arumus felt his lips tighten in a forced smile and reached into his front inside pocket, withdrawing his wand in a whip-like movement. He spoke softly, his voice a threatening rasp. "How little you see, Draco. You should know me well enough by now to realize that I do not make idle threats..."

Draco reached for his own wand, but Arumus summoned the wand from Draco's pocket before he could lay a finger upon it. He caught the wand deftly in mid-flight, standing before Draco and arching an eyebrow in mock concern. "Tell me, how does it feel to be on the receiving end for once, Draco?"

Draco gazed at Arumus, truly surprised. "You performed that summoning charm nonverbally. How...?" But his face reddened as he realized that he was very close to paying Arumus a compliment.

"I want to negotiate your payback, Draco." Arumus walked slowly toward his cousin. "You have spent most of your pitiful existence trying to make my life miserable, but now I will make you suffer for these crimes." Arumus thought he was doing a convincing job with his threats because Draco seemed to grow paler with every word.

Suddenly Draco spoke, pointing a slightly unsteady finger at Arumus in accusation. "You enjoy this, don't you, Arumus? You pretend to be cold and uncaring, but beneath that mask you wear, you are even more heartless than I."

"You, heartless?" Arumus laughed in derision. "You, Draco, are pathetic." Draco's cheeks flushed at these words, but he didn't move as Arumus continued speaking, his tone now ringing with command. "Pick up that book and turn to page 124. Read the description of the spell I have been studying just for you..." Arumus knew the spell description by heart.

Invisus Fidelis is a complex, nonverbal spell that will force the target to obey one command from the caster for up to four days. Even after the spell wears off, the target will often have difficulty disobeying the caster's original command unless he or she has a strong reason to do so. The spell, sometimes referred to as The Jinx of Hated Loyalty, uses pain to remind the victim of his obligation. This spell can only be used once on any given person, and it often fails when cast upon Occlumens, as they have strengthened their barriers to a degree that effectively renders the spell useless.

Draco picked up the book and did as he was told. His face lost all remaining color as he read the description. Then he looked up at Arumus fearfully. "You wouldn't..."

"Oh, yes, Draco, I would." Arumus smiled lazily, flicking his wand at the door. It locked at his silent command. He had chosen Invisus Fidelis because it effectively invoked the fear of the unknown. It was not particularly useful or powerful, as the "pain" would often amount to more than a slight headache, and the desire to obey would only actually work if the victim was so frightened of the effects of the spell that he obeyed to avoid the consequences. All of the spells in Heinous Hexes promised much but delivered little. The main reason Arumus liked the book was because it was very misleading to the untutored.

"However, I may show you some mercy if you beg..." Arumus spoke these words casually, hoping to gauge his effectiveness.

Draco seemed convinced of his own doom. He placed the book carefully upon Arumus' bed and shot a pleading glance at Arumus before sliding to his knees and clutching the hem of Arumus' coat, which swept down about his legs, ending a good six inches before touching the floor.

Draco spoke quietly, meeting Arumus' carefully cool gaze. "Please, don't do it. I will swear to anything."

Arumus was astonished by Draco's quick, sincere reaction. He wondered idly if he had overplayed his part. He adjusted his plans slightly.

"Perhaps an oath would satisfy me..." He said, pretending to be thoughtfully considering this. "Perhaps, if you swear on your knees, as you are now..." He peered searchingly into Draco's eyes as he stowed his wand away. "You see, Draco, I am not unreasonably cruel." He did not, however, return Draco's wand. He continued holding it in his left hand.

Draco seemed afraid to disagree. "Ah. No, Arumus, of course you aren't."

Arumus nodded. "Well, Draco, I require you to treat me respectfully from this moment onward. Previously, you have cursed me, jinxed me, and made a general nuisance of yourself. I do not wish for this state of affairs to continue."

Draco seemed relieved. "I apologize for my behavior, Arumus. I swear to treat you with respect and loyalty from this moment forth." Draco carefully touched Arumus' right hand, finally grasping it with a look of slight uncertainty. Maintaining eye contact, he kissed the back of Arumus' hand lightly.

Arumus stood quite still for a few moments, his face betraying nothing of the shock he felt. Draco had apologized? With sincerity? Arumus mentally shook off the disbelief, gazing into Draco's gray eyes, seeing something he had never expected. Draco's expression, so similar to his fathers' formal haughtiness, had softened, and he met Arumus' gaze with true admiration apparent in those gray eyes. Arumus suddenly realized that Draco was still holding his hand. Arumus moved his fingers to stroke his cousin's cheek, but he maintained his cool expression.

"Very well, Draco. I will accept your oath. Only know that the consequences will be dear if you fail to keep it." Arumus gestured for Draco to stand.

"Of course, Master."

Arumus blinked in surprise, and his brow furrowed in a slight frown. "You are not a slave, Draco, and I do not require such a title. Simply call me by name. That will be perfectly sufficient."

Draco seemed slightly disappointed, but he nodded anyway. Arumus thought of slapping him. He spoke, then. "Arumus, I came to talk to you, even though I expected you to make me wallow in misery before you listened to me..."

"Why did you suddenly wish for a truce, Draco?"

Draco's eyes seemed to sparkle with something mischievous. "Last night I followed you after you pilfered Father’s wand. I watched you disarm the protective hexes that guard the secret chamber beneath the drawing room floor. I have been trying to do that for the entire summer, but you made it look easy. I was impressed, and I thought I might regret it if I continued to..." He paused, smiling slightly. "Make a nuisance of myself."

"I see," Arumus replied. He watched Draco thoughtfully in silence for a few moments. He knew from the look in Draco's eyes that his cousin was not being entirely truthful. "Any other reason?"

Draco shook his head ruefully. "How do you always seem to see truth, even through small lies of omission?"

Arumus shrugged. "I've a natural gift in that area."

"It's more than a gift, Arumus." Draco's eyes had softened again.

"And the other reason?"

Draco shifted uncomfortably. "I... finally realized why I've thought I hated you for so long."

Arumus arched a brow. "Oh?"

"I care for you."

Arumus frowned slightly, not sure that he understood Draco's meaning completely. "What, exactly, do you mean?"

Draco met his gaze openly, but he did not answer. Instead, he stepped closer to Arumus, his gray eyes filling Arumus' vision. He touched Arumus' face gently, suddenly gripping his chin and brushing his lips against Arumus' almost forcefully. Draco tasted slightly sweet, and Arumus felt his surprise suddenly flare into anger. Draco pulled back to see Arumus' reaction, and he seemed to realize too late that had crossed an invisible line.

Arumus' right palm caught Draco across the left cheek, leaving a red mark on his pale face. Draco’s eyes widened.

"Never," Arumus hissed, infuriated. "Never will you do that again. Do I make myself clear?"

Draco smiled slyly. "You enjoyed it. Don't lie to yourself." He seemed rather smug.

"You--" Arumus couldn't think of a word strong enough to describe his cousin. "You will leave my presence now. Before I lose my temper. Out! Get out of my sight," Arumus spoke, trying to control his fury. He tossed Draco his wand and stood stiffly, imperiously demanding.

Draco suddenly seemed a bit frightened. "Listen, Arumus, I didn’t mean to anger you..."

Arumus withdrew his own wand, and Draco's eyes widened. Arumus pointed it at the door, which sprang open at his silent command. He turned his furious gaze to Draco once more. "Out."

The one word seemed to have an immediate effect. Draco darted for the door, and Arumus strode after him, slamming it with a satisfying smash. He leaned against the door, feeling the cool fibers of wood beneath his left hand, breathing deeply. Even after a truce, Draco still seemed able to coax anger from him without effort.

Arumus suddenly touched his lips. He could still feel the warmth and firmness of Draco's lips, could still taste him. He shivered as his anger melted away. Draco was right. He had enjoyed it. That kiss had stirred something inside Arumus, something upon which he did not wish to dwell. Annoying invasions into his dreams were one thing, but invasions into reality frightened him. Arumus pushed himself away from the door and walked to his mirror. He regarded his reflection, still running his fingers over his lips.

"It's true, then." He spoke to himself quietly. "I really do like men..."
- 6
- 7
- 8
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Golden Hearts