Adult-FanFiction.org : Harry Potter

Darkness Within The Light	By : crimson96 Category: Harry Potter > Slash - Male/Male > Harry/Draco Views: 8759 -:- Recommendations : 1 -:- Currently Reading : 2
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, nor the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 8
- 9
- 10
Author's Note: A sincere "thank you" to all of the people that have read this story thus far and continue to follow my updates. So sit back, enjoy reading the chapter and don't forget to leave a comment or send me an e-mail comment about the story or chapter.

Chapter 9: Warm Hopes, Cold Reality

The green flames signaled the arrival of the visitor into the small house. The large, muscular man stepped out of the flames, lightly brushing the soot and ash from his maroon traveling cloak. Phillipe watched from a dark corner of the room.

"Still enjoy trying to make a surprise entrance, do you?" Phillipe called.

The large man studied the room to see where the voice had come from. Phillipe stepped out from the shadows with his wand aimed directly at the man who had just stepped out of the fireplace. With his left hand, he lit a candle that had been placed on a table between two chairs.

"I suppose I don't have to ask how good your senses are," the visitor said, as he eyed the wand that was pointing at him. "How long have you been waiting?"

"Long enough."

"I apologize for the delay, but so many things to attend to, and my time is very short right now." The muscular man flicked away the last bit of soot from his cloak and favored Phillipe with the strained smile of a harried beaurocrat.

Phillipe lowered his wand and offered the man in the maroon cloak a seat in the small room. The visitor removed his cloak and draped it across the back of the chair. They stared at each other across the table, neither man choosing to begin the conversation. The small room seemed to crackle with tension. Finally, the visitor cleared his throat as Phillipe looked at him without a blink of his eyes.

Phillipe's guest straightened in his chair and screwed his face into a scowl, clearly trying to look intimidating. "It appears, Phillipe, that there is a small problem with the way that you conducted your last assignment."

"A small problem," Phillipe repeated with no emotion to his words. He wondered how much a 'small problem' would cost him out of this payment.

"Yes, I thought we had agreed that you would only capture or kill Death Eaters, not Muggles."

"The Muggle witnessed too much and had to be, well, let's just say, taken care of."

"No. You became complacent in your work, and very sloppy!" The man wagged a finger and glared like an old school master. "You are supposed to be a professional!"

"Calm yourself, before I show you professionalism, old friend." Phillipe made a show of patting his wand, although he had no intention of drawing it. His relationship with this man was far too profitable to end now. After a pause long enough to allow the threat to sink in, he continued in a reasonable tone. "The Muggle was an unfortunate incident, but the job was completed. Now there is one less Death Eater that you and your people have to deal with."

When the large man spoke, his tone was bitter. "Yes, but it was not in the manner that we had discussed. We wanted to question him, not to have you rip his throat out!" He pounded a fist on the table hard enough for Phillipe to feel the vibrations through the floor. "However, as you said, it is one less Death Eater that I have to deal with." He reached into the right-side pocket of his robe and pulled out a small brown pouch. He tossed it to Phillipe, who snatched it out of the air. "For services not completely rendered, I have withheld half of your usual payment."

Phillipe glared across the table. He did not draw his wand, but the atmosphere in the room became icy and cold, almost as if a Dementor were there. It was an effect he had worked hard to master, one that rarely failed to intimidate an adversary.

"If you were any other man, I would kill you where you sit!" Phillipe growled.

The guest glared back, refusing to avert his eyes from Phillipe's. "If that is a threat, old friend, then you will find yourself out of work and back in that hole that you call home, forever imprisoned." He did not raise his voice, but Phillipe knew that he had better not test this man's limits.

Both men continued to stare at one another, neither giving ground for a few tense seconds. Finally deciding that a confrontation would not gain him any advantage, Phillipe relaxed in his chair and rested his hands across his chest while his brain worked on how to keep the advantage over the man sitting across from him. An evil grin spread across Phillipe's face as he decided to test the knowledge of his guest.

"Tell me, why would a Death Eater be taking polyjuice potion and go to the trouble of impersonating a muggle in a squat little village like that even if he is in hiding?" Phillipe asked.

His guest shrugged and flashed a white-toothed grin. "Why would he not? What better way to avoid Azkaban than to disappear into another world, yes? I wonder, Phillipe, do you wish you had thought of doing that?"

Phillipe made a noise that was neither agreement nor disagreement. The fingers of his left hand traced the tattoo on his right wrist. He had, in fact, thought of doing exactly as Milo had, but such a tactic was useless against members of his own brotherhood. One member of the trust could find another, even if that person were to hide behind a false face. Milo should have known that, but clearly the man with the maroon cloak did not. Phillipe grinned. He enjoyed having the upper hand. "You can bet all of your gold that the muggle is dead. Poor bugger never stood a chance against someone like Milo."

The large, muscular man opened his mouth, closed it, and then shook his head, frowning at Phillipe. "Unfortunately, I also place his chances of being alive at zero, Phillipe. Death Eaters are not exactly renowned for their generosity."

Phillipe nodded and smiled as if accepting a compliment. "Quite right! What of the Potter boy? Is it true what I hear- that he vanquished Voldemort?"

The guest cringed ever so slightly at the name, but quickly recovered his aplomb. "Yes, it is true. The boy was the one who defeated him."

"Most interesting," said Phillipe. "It's quite amazing that the single most powerful wizard could be brought down by his own mistakes and ignorance."

"Yes, but now we face a new series of challenges. In his defeat, we have tried to eliminate any resistance from his followers. We still have some people, and even some families that are sympathetic toward the Dark Lord's cause." The large man reached into his pocket again and brought out a rolled up piece of parchment. He handed it across to his host. "This will inform you about your next assignment."

Phillipe glanced at the names that were written on the parchment and shook his head in disbelief. "You do realize that some of these names on here are Ministry associates who helped to fight against Voldemort?" Phillipe said, as he looked up at the man across from him.

"Sadly, yes. However, we have good confirmation that these people are still sympathetic to his cause, and they must be eliminated for the greater good. The world is changing now. The right hand must learn to deal with the left, if we are to move forward. They must depend upon one another in order to survive."

The large man got up from his chair and began to fasten the maroon cloak around his neck. "Payment as usual, upon completion of your assignment," he said as he finished clasping the cloak. Phillipe got to his feet with the list still clutched in his hand. "This time, Phillipe, I want no mistakes. Some of these names are very important figures in the wizarding world. You are to eliminate the certain ones, and the others you are to serve warning. There will be no unauthorized killings; not on my watch! I have a responsibility to those souls that I am sworn to protect."

"If those people want their souls to be spared then they had better make a deal with a priest. Murder is a cold-blooded business."

"Final notice, Phillipe. If you disobey again, I will put you out of your misery myself!"

The green flames erupted in the fireplace as the large man stepped into them and disappeared.

"As you wish, Minister," Phillipe said, as he read the names on the list one last time before burning the parchment to ashes.

I want you to stay there until he gives you his reply. You do not leave his room no matter what he says, or what he does.

Two golden orbs gazed down from the top of the cage at a pile of crumpled parchment that littered the floor beneath the chair and desk. The words from Draco Malfoy echoed in the eagle's brain as another wad of parchment was thrown to the floor. The sun had set and risen since Orion had arrived in this dim, confining room, and though Harry had brought him food, his talons twitched with the need to tear into something small and warm. Orion clicked his beak in frustration and chirped at Harry, as he longed to soar into the sky once again.

"Look, I've told you, don't rush me on this! I've never been good at this type of thing- not with Cho, or with Ginny, and certainly not with Draco. It's like the more it matters, the harder it is to find what it is I want to say," Harry said as he looked up at Orion. "It will get done as soon as I can finish this last bit." The white eagle tilted its head and gazed down with an intense stare that reminded Harry of how Draco looked when he was angry.

Harry quickly looked away from Orion and focused on the words that had yet to be written upon the parchment. He started to write as the words became clearer in his mind and began to pour more rapidly from the tip of his quill. His writing became swifter and flowed as he neared the end of his thoughts.

"Almost there. Come on Potter," Harry mumbled as he stopped lightly tapping the top of his quill against his chin. He placed the quill on the parchment again as the final words begin to flow from his brain down to his hand.

Suddenly a screeching noise distracted Harry as he turned to see Ramses fly in through the open window and attempt to land upon his cage. The owl surprised Orion, who had claimed the cage as his while he waited for Harry's reply. Several ear-piercing screeches followed as both birds fought over the right to sit atop the cage. Numerous brown and white feathers floated down to the floor as Ramses sought shelter in the opposite corner of the room. A victorious Orion clenched his feet on the bars of the cage and used his sharp beak to preen his ruffled feathers into place.

Harry looked back to the parchment only to find that the chaos had caused him to dribble ink across the page that he had almost completed. He screamed a plethora of expletives at both birds, snapped his quill in half, and threw it onto the floor. With his anger boiling inside of him, Harry realized that it was useless to try to write to Draco now. Angrily, he threw back the chair and stormed out of the room. He slammed the door in his wake, thus causing the picture of him, Ron, and Hermione to fall from the wall, shattering the glass in the picture frame.

Both birds shrieked at one another from across the room while Harry ended his tantrum by throwing himself onto the old bed in Sirius' bedroom. Harry blinked at the ceiling trying to let the frustration flow from his mind. He had been so close to finishing his reply to Draco, and now he groaned at the thought of having to write his letter once again. He rolled onto his side and stared at the faded green and silver wallpaper that lined the bedroom walls. The longer he stared at those two colors, the more he began to see the beauty in them. Finally, frustration gave way to exhaustion, and thoughts faded into dreams.

"Master, Master! Master Harry must wake up quickly!"

Harry mumbled at the sound of his name and rolled over onto his side.

"Master must wake up now if he wishes to save his owl!"

"What?" Harry opened his eyes but his mind was still foggy with sleep. "What did you say, Kreacher?"

"Master musn't be angry with Kreacher, but Kreacher was only tending to things as Master Harry had ordered. Kreacher was only feeding Master Harry's owl." The house elf stepped back further away as Harry tossed his legs over the side of the bed and tried to clear the last depths of sleep from his brain.

"My owl? What's wrong with Hedwig?" Harry asked as he rubbed the sleep out of his eyes.

"Kreacher did not know that Master Harry had gotten a new eagle. Kreacher was feeding the owl when Master's new bird attacked the food and Master's owl," Kreacher said as he eased his way back away from Harry's reach. "Kreacher knew that he must come and awaken Master Harry immediately."

Harry rushed by Kreacher as the house elf said these final words, and sprinted down the long corridor to the bedroom. He wrenched open the door to find Orion perched on top of the cage with a dead, fat rat clutched in his talons. Quickly, Harry scanned the room for Ramses and found the shuddering owl wedged in the tiny space between the corner of the room and Harry's wardrobe closet.

"Ramses," Harry called to the owl as he held up his arm. The owl feebly hooted and lightly fluttered to Harry's arm. A thorough scan of the owl by Harry found no major injuries, but only a few minor cuts on the owl. "You'll survive!" Harry said as he carried the owl over to the open window. "Go on, now. Go and get something to eat. I have a lot to do today, and I can't have any interruptions." Ramses hooted gleefully at Harry and took flight out the open window.

"And as for you..." Harry scolded as he looked up at Orion, who had a chunk of the dead rat's body in his beak. "The same goes for you- no bloody interruptions, unless you want to stay here." The eagle continued to eat his breakfast, but glared back at Harry.

Harry shook his head as picked up the crumpled pieces of parchment and placed the chair back at his desk. "Bloody bird, almost has Draco's stare in him." Orion tilted his head to the side and trilled at Harry as if acknowledging the comment.

Hours later, a small knock came from the door as Kreacher's long nose and head appeared around the edge of it. "Kreacher has made Master Harry his cup of tea as Master requires."

"Thank you, Kreacher," Harry replied without looking at the house elf. "Bring it in and place it on the table."

"Master also has a letter," Kreacher said as he placed the tea on the table behind Harry. "Does Master want to open his letter now?"

"Go ahead and open it, Kreacher. I will read it once I am finished with this. Just set it on the desk there," Harry said as he waved his hand nonchalantly to Kreacher.

"Yes, whatever Master says," Kreacher replied with a sly smirk upon his face. With a clawed finger, he slit the envelope and set the letter on the desk.

Out of the corner of his eye, Harry saw the letter begin to move of its own volition, contorting itself until it took on the shape of an angry mouth. He saw the maroon color of the envelope and knew instantly what was about to happen. Quickly, but with care he pushed his quill and parchment away and reached for his wand.

HARRY...JAMES...POTTER!

Harry flinched at the usage of his full name and at the shrill, familiar sound of the voice.

HOW COULD YOU DO SUCH A THING LIKE THAT TO GINNY?

Harry covered his ears as the Howler continued to yell.

HOW COULD YOU DO SUCH A THING LIKE THAT TO US? WHAT IN MERLIN'S NAME ARE YOU THINKING?

He glared at the howler, his teeth clenched tightly as Hermione's voice boomed throughout the room. "Shut it, Hermione, shut up!" he growled.

…I THOUGHT RON WAS BAD ABOUT BEING BRAINLESS AT TIMES, BUT YOU- I AM ABSOLUTELY SPEECHLESS!

"You didn't get slapped in the face!" Harry yelled at the Howler, drowning out the sound of Hermione's voice with his own. "I did, and you accuse me of being brainless?"

… AND WHO IS THIS OTHER PERSON THAT YOU THINK YOU HAVE FEELINGS FOR? I DEMAND TO KNOW, HARRY!

Harry stood up now with his wand pointing directly at the Howler as Hermione's voice continued.

AFTER EVERYTHING THAT WE HAVE GIVEN AND DONE FOR YOU, HOW COULD YOU BETRAY-

"Incindeo!" The howler exploded into flames from the spell. "Damn it Hermione, I am sick and tired of you treating me as if you are my mother!" Harry stomped on the ashes of the charred howler, emphasizing every word with a vicious smash. "Stop. Trying. To. Control. My. Life!"

A small sound caught Harry's attention, and he turned around to see that Kreacher had not left the room and had witnessed the entire tantrum. "Why didn't you tell me it was a howler, Kreacher?" Harry asked as he flung himself back into the chair at his desk. "You know I didn't want to be disturbed!"

The house elf stared back at Harry. "Master did not ask Kreacher what the letter was. If Master wants to know, then Master should ask."

Harry felt like kicking the house elf directly in his long, hooked nose. "Get out!" Harry screamed as he viciously pointed at the door. "Get the bloody hell out of my room and don't bother me anymore today!"

Kreacher slyly grinned and bowed to Harry. "As Master wishes." Harry slammed the door in Kreacher's face hoping that he would knock the old house elf off the landing.

Harry forcefully sat back down in his chair and placed his hands over his face. "Oh, what else can go wrong today?" Harry groaned with frustration as Orion observed from his perch on top of the cage. The eagle glided down to the desk and chirped at Harry. Slowly, Harry lowered his hands away from his face and looked into the precious glow of the eagle's eyes. A small smile began to spread across Harry's face as he reached out and slowly stroked Orion's majestic feathers. "You're right. I could never stay angry with you. You are too beautiful, Orion. Draco must be lucky to have such a gorgeous bird like you as a pet." Harry looked down at the parchment. "I am finished with this. Let's get you back on your way home."

He rolled the parchment and looked for a piece of string to tie it to Orion's leg. Harry looked through the drawers of the desk but could not find anything. "Hang on," he muttered to Orion, hoping the bird would have the patience to wait just a moment more. He dashed out of the bedroom and into the bedroom down the hallway. Harry rummaged through the desk until he finally found a piece of twine.

"Here it is, Orion," Harry said as he gently tied the twine around the parchment and the eagle's leg. For a fleeting moment, Harry looked at the colors of the twine before Orion flew into the sky. "Silver and green," Harry whispered to himself as he stood there and watched the eagle fly out of sight.

Harry looked down as his foot brushed against a picture frame lying face down on the floor. Carefully, he reached down and turned the picture frame over, spilling the shards of glass. There, within the picture, smiling and waving back at Harry, were a younger Harry, Hermione, and Ron as they stood in front of the grand fountains and lion statues of Trafalgar Square. Harry looked at the picture for a few seconds more as he remembered this exact moment in their past. He made his way over to the desk, dropping the picture into the waste bin, and walked out of the room and away from his friends.
- 8
- 9
- 10
You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.
Report Story

Darkness Within The Light