Son of the Dark
Part 1 - Hagal
By Silver :-)
Website: silver.glasscases.net
Pairing: Snape, Harry/Draco
Rating: for this PG
Series/Sequel: yes, it's a WIP.
Spoiler: not that I'm aware of.
Warnings: not yet, but they might apply as the story proceeds
Disclaimer: alas, not mine... The characters belong to the great J.K. Rowling. I will never be able to pay her back what she's given me. I earn nothing, I own nothing, nobody would pay me for this any-way. This is an act of love, please don't sue.
Feedback: whereas I may not *write* for feedback I most certainly post for it. So there.
Summary: Snape gets confronted with his past and temptation rises. A cunning plot unfolds that could ruin the lives of everyone.
Notes:
To get into the series fully, you might want to read my preceding stories, 'Uncontrollable Passions' and following, but it's not really required.
The cover art to 'Son of the Dark' can be found here.
Son of the Dark
Part 1 - Hagal
By Silver :-)
"I told you, I don't care what he's doing here or if he's here at all! I just don't want to know!" Draco stormed past Harry who was standing in the door of the Slytherin dressing room, grabbing his gym bag on his way out.
Harry sighed and rolled his eyes as he followed his boyfriend outside. He caught up with him half-way down to the greenhouses. "Listen," he said. "I know you're cranky right now, but..."
"I'm not cranky!!"
"Whatever. Anyway, you should give your father a chance. You hardly see him anymore. Don't you want to build up a relationship with him?"
Draco stopped and took a deep breath, then he turned to Harry, very slowly, and said as if he was talking to a child, "Which part of 'I don't give a flying rat's ass about what my father is doing,' don't you understand?"
Harry frowned. "Draco, do we have to go through this every time your father is coming to Hogwarts?"
"Yes!" He spun round and continued on his way, not interrupting his rant. "What's he doing here anyway? He never showed up here and now he's coming every frigging week!"
"What are you so upset about?" Harry sighed softly as he tried to catch up with his boyfriend. "It's not like he was openly prying into your affairs, you know? Most of the times he hardly ever gets to see you. And if it weren't for me, it probably would be never."
It was usually Harry who was the voice of reason. Last time, he almost had to use physical violence to even get Draco to say good bye to his father. "I'm not going!" he had insisted with childish defiance to which Harry had replied, "Do you want to get your father interested in what's keeping his son busy?" This argument had worked and made Draco comply, but not without giving him a glare from his pale eyes that promised a week of love deprivation (which in the end turned out to be two hours, if at all).
"Listen," he tried again. "You don't have to celebrate Happy Reunion right now, but you could at least give your father a chance when he seems to be trying."
With a deep sigh, the energy left Draco's body and he sank down against the wall of the greenhouse. Harry sat down next to him.
"Don't you see, Harry? He's never trying. He's just commanding." When he looked at Harry, he looked so much like the lost little boy he tried so hard not to be. "He never cared for me." Draco moved closer and put his head against Harry's chest. "He doesn't even see that he's doing anything wrong. Maybe he isn't at all... How can it be wrong when it's never been different?" He fell silent for a moment and Harry started stroking his head.
"It's okay..."
"It's all about family. About family honor, duties and success. Yes, success and prestige." Draco laughed dryly. "That's what he's probably got tattooed on his ass."
Harry chuckled.
"I'm just so tired of him pretending to be interested in me and then finding out that it was just something else."
"Oh Draco, don't think that. You're father surely doesn't mean it that way. He's probably just---"
Draco cut him off gruffly. "You don't know how it is to have a father like that!"
Harry's hand stopped stroking him. "Yes, you're right. I don't know how it is to have a father."
Not giving Harry's mumbled comment any consideration, Draco went on, "Every day I have to see him is one day too many. He wants to control everything I do." He sat up. "And my mother! When I look at her sheepish smile when she complies with everything he says and then she tries to tell me what to do. How am I to respect someone like that? I'm just glad I don't have any siblings. They'd probably be just as insufferable."
Only now did Draco realize that Harry had retreated from him both physically and emotionally. He looked at him, confused. "What?"
Harry looked away. "Oh nothing. Just... No siblings. That at least I can offer. Since I don't know anything else..."
Draco looked at him for a moment, apparently contemplating how to take this remark. Then he sucked in his breath. "Oh shit! You didn't think I meant to say that..." He grabbed Harry's shoulders and pulled him closer. "Harry... look at me, Harry."
Reluctantly, Harry turned his face.
"I didn't mean it that way okay?" Draco groaned. "Man... I'm such a klutz. How can you resist the temptation to bash my face in every day?"
That broke the tension and Harry smiled. "It's tough, but I can make it."
Draco sighed. "I'm sorry..." He slumped his shoulders and ran his long fingers through his hair. "It's just... I think I'm getting nervous, because we're reaching the end of term. And then there'll be summer break! Easter holiday was hell already and this time I'll be stuck in that mansion for weeks..."
Another sigh that ended in a bitter laugh. "I shouldn't be such a wimp. As if I was surprised about it..."
Harry touched Draco's cheek. "It's okay, Draco. It's okay to be weak sometimes. Just let it out." He placed a gentle kiss on Draco's lips.
Draco took the opportunity to draw Harry closer and deepen the kiss. When they parted, he licked his lips with a cheeky smile and said, "Okay, you've won. I'm going to see my father now."
Harry returned the smile. "That's good."
Draco felt terribly nervous when he walked down the path that lead from the campus to the yard in front of the school where his father would be waiting for him. Thanks to his initial refusal, he didn't have the time to change his clothes anymore. So he was now in the robes he had worn all day and his hair was mussed from both Quidditch practice and saying goodbye to Harry. He hated to face his father in anything but an impeccable state.
When he turned round a corner, he spotted his father's tall figure in front of the family coach, tapping his hand impatiently against his other arm, since he had crossed them in front of his chest. A wave of unpleasant feelings rushed through Draco, and he waited a brief moment to get himself under control enough to handle his father.
Lucius Malfoy saw him and the tapping of his hand immediately stopped. He looked at his son calmly and waited for him to come up to him. "You're late," he said, as soon as Draco arrived.
"Yes, I'm sorry. Practice took a little longer today."
"Your team mates already came through here half an hour ago."
"Eh, I know. I stayed in a little longer for extra practice."
Lucius gave him his famous look of disapproval. "Although you knew I was waiting for you?"
Draco tried hard to blush a little. "Yes... it was necessary."
"Of course." Lucius turned around and walked over to one of the paths that led to the park. "Follow me, Draco. Let's take a walk."
With a shrug, Draco followed.
They walked next to each other for a while, saying nothing. Lucius was the first to break the silence. "Draco, my son, I can see that you're not happy."
Stopping dead, Draco replied, "What? What makes you think that?"
Lucius smiled briefly. "Don't take me for a fool. How much empathy does it take for a father to realize that when his son refuses to talk to him?"
Nervously, Draco replied, "No, that's not it, I..."
With a lax movement of his hand, Lucius brushed aside his son's interjection. Then he looked at him in a way that said, 'I know all your secrets, but I don't know how to use them yet'. Draco shivered.
"Why didn't you tell me?"
Feigning ignorance, Draco asked, "Tell you what?"
The smile reappeared. "I've been talking to Severus, you must know."
Draco felt himself pale. He hardly dared to ask the question. "So? What did he say? Is it about my grades?"
"No, those are excellent in Potions, as always. We rather talked about... human relations."
"Human..." Draco swallowed.
Lucius' smile got deeper and colder. "Harry Potter, for example."
His heart sank into the pit of his stomach. "O-oh?" Damn, he was stuttering! Draco's mind was racing to find the least suspicious answer to that and came up with a brilliant, "R-really?"
Putting a hand on Draco's shoulder, Lucius said lightly, "You could have told me that you and Harry Potter are..." The hand squeezed his shoulder. "Friends." Without giving Draco the time to react, he continued. "I wouldn't have minded, really. I think it's wonderful that you made friends."
Draco felt as if he had jumped out of his skin and was watching this surreal scene from a distance. He shook his head, confused. "I'm... not following."
"I know you think I hate Potter... Harry, I mean. But that's not true. If you like him, it's fine with me." Lucius patted his cheek with a benign smile. "My son, it hurts me to think that you wouldn't tell me such things. I know I haven't been the best father in the past, but I'm willing to work on that."
Draco blinked. "Okaaay..." He wanted to ask where the catch was, but he stopped himself in time.
"I want to get to know your..." Lucius sniffed, "little friends. I'm interested in who's keeping my son company."
"Friends?" Ah, there was the catch.
"Yes, your new friends. I'm glad that you've made other friends than those two dim-witted half-apes you used to socialize with. I've already taken the necessary steps. You don't have any plans for the coming weekend, do you?"
"Well, actually---"
"That's good. I'll see you then." With that Lucius turned around and left his son behind.
Still feeling quite confused, Draco walked across the lawn to meet Harry, only to find him chatting away with the twins. He frowned slightly, but got his fit of jealousy under control by the time he reached the tree.
"Harry, I'm still the same, right?" he said, interrupting their conversation. "I mean, I haven't been transported into some parallel universe, have I? You're still the same, too, no? I mean, I am me and you are you. Right?"
George chuckled. "I swear he's not speaking English!"
As if noticing them just now, Draco turned to the twins. "Oh, hello, Weasels."
"Yo, Drecko!" was the sweet reply. Fred flinched when Harry whacked him.
"What did your father want?" Harry asked.
Glaring at the twins, Draco said, "Would you mind?"
Fred blinked. "Mind what?" A look at Harry who was nodding into the direction of the building, he exclaimed, "Oh! Sure! Sorry!" He jumped up and pulled his brother with him. "We'll be inside. Well, you know... sitting. And remember, guys, you're in public!" He winked and left.
"Jerks," Draco hissed, glowering after them.
Harry smiled and patted the now unoccupied place next to him. "Sit and tell me what your father wanted."
Still scowling, he sat down on the stone bench and crossed his legs elegantly. He closed his eyes and let the evening sun caress his face. When he opened them again, Harry was still looking at him patiently. He sighed. "It's just as I thought."
"What is just as you thought?"
"My father. He's so full of it. I can smell it from here."
"I'm not following..."
Draco looked at him directly. "He wants me to invite my 'little friends' to Malfoy Manor over the weekend."
Dumbstruck, Harry gasped, "What? 'Little friends'? Who?"
He gave Harry a mocking look. "Take a wild guess."
"What, me? But how did he find out?"
"Snape told him."
Harry put his hand on Draco's, hidden by their robes. "What exactly did he tell him?"
Draco shrugged. "I'm not sure. But apparently, my father only thinks we're friends, and I've been acting strangely because I thought he hated you and didn't want to tell. Fine with me, actually."
Harry waited for a moment, then he said softly, "So he doesn't guess a thing?"
"Hell no!" Draco ejected. When he caught Harry's look, he said, "Why do I get the feeling you're disappointed?"
Quickly getting himself under control, Harry answered, "Oh no, not disappointed at all."
Draco gently prodded his nose. "Liar."
"Well... it's just... I guess I was wondering if you'd be a bit more open if he knew."
"Open." Draco pulled his hand away from under Harry's and put it into his lap. "I am open. As far as it's possible."
Harry nodded slowly. "I know."
"You know I... care a lot for you. Right?"
With a faint smile, Harry replied, "Sometimes."
Sighing deeply, Draco lifted one hand and brushed away the hair that fell into Harry's eyes. Then he took Harry's hand and squeezed it. "You are so special, Harry. Never forget that."
"I won't." Harry smiled warmly. "I love you."
Draco returned the smile. "I know." He lifted the hand to his lips and kissed the fingertips. "How about we going to somewhere private so I can show you..."
Blushing furiously, Harry hissed, "Dracooo. People will see us."
"Let them look," Draco mumbled, kissing Harry's palm.
Harry stifled a groan, when Draco's tongue ran over his wrist.
A shadow fell on both of them and Draco looked up, squinting against the setting sun at the slender figure in front of them.
"You realize there are rooms for that, don't you?" Snape said coolly.
Draco dropped Harry's hand and replied with equal iciness, "Actually, I didn't. Unless you're faculty, of course."
Snape pressed his lips together. Dropping the matter, he then said, not without a trace of gloating, "Looks like we'll be spending the weekend together."
Harry's eyes narrowed to slits as he joined in. "What do you mean?"
Snape looked at him like some nasty insect. "Dumbledore just informed me that Lucius Malfoy wishes his son and his friends to spend the weekend at his estate." He bared his teeth to a grin. "Somehow he must have guessed that this would involve Harry Potter and since your life is so precious, I was assigned to come along with you."
"You're kidding!" Harry exclaimed.
Draco just groaned.
"Oh, don't worry, I won't interfere with your... boys' games. Dumbledore asked me since he knows Lucius and I are friends. This'll keep me busy when I'm not... guarding your life."
"I'm sure you will..." Harry mumbled.
Snape's eye flashed, but he didn't say anything. Then he turned around and left them both behind.
The sleek black coach rode roughly over a bump in the road and caused the passengers to jump in their seats yet again. Ron moaned and dug his fingers into the curtain as another wave of sickness came over him. Hermione shrieked when her book slipped off her lap, and the twins giggled happily.
"Oh Go-o-od... can't this stupid coach drive more carefully? You can't even blame the driver since this thing is going on its own!" Ron complained. "I'm sure your father sent the worst coach there was."
"All of our coaches are in excellent condition," Draco replied gruffly. "If you're suffering that much, you're free to sit outside on the driver's bench, right next to Snape!"
Ron snorted and crossed his arms in front of his chest.
"So, tell me again, just because I love to hear it, why exactly are we taking this trip?" Fred interrupted them.
"So that Draco's father doesn't find out that his son is jumping Harry's bones," Ron murmured.
"Hey!" Harry shot up from his seat.
"But that's our purpose here, isn't it? We get to pretend that we are Draco's friends just because it would be rather conspicuous if he had brought Harry only."
"Must be hard, since you don't even like me!" Draco hissed.
Before Ron could say something, George said brightly, "I like you!"
Draco grimaced. "Oh, that's too kind!"
"My most delightful pleasure!"
Ignoring Draco and the twin's bickering, Harry moved closer to Ron and said with a low voice, "If you hated the idea of coming along so much, why didn't you tell me sooner? I thought..." He lowered his glance for a moment. "I thought you were going to try to get along with Draco."
Ron sighed. "I'm trying. I really am. It's just not that easy, you must understand."
"Yeah, I know..."
"And it's not only that. I'm the fifth wheel here. You'll be with Draco all the time, Fred and George will be out and about and what is there left for me? Snape? I don't think so!"
Harry stared at him disbelievingly for a moment. Then he said, "Well, in case it never occurred to you, you could keep Hermione company, you know!"
They both looked at Hermione who was quietly sitting in the corner of the coach, her eyes intent on the large book in her lap. Quite a familiar image. Ron looked a little longer, then he snorted. "Aw, get a grip! That's Hermione!"
"So?
"Well, she..."
"That's amazing!"
Everybody in the coach stopped their conversation and stared at Hermione who looked up from her reading with an excited expression on her face.
"This book here says that Malfoy Manor has a picture gallery in the west wing that interacts with the visitors and can show several legends on request! It's a special painting technique that was developed by Giangalliazo di Sorigi, a Renaissance painter and wizard who worked at the palazzo of the Borgias. You know, Lucrezia Borgia, the famous witch who revolutionized the art of potion making... Oh, never mind, I'm digressing. Anyway, this book says that this technique is quite unique and since it was so time-consuming, you have to put a spell on each layer of paint and then use paint made of rare finster roots... eh, anyway, since it was so time-consuming, di Sorigi only completed five frescos of that size and sophistication, one of which is at Malfoy Manor! Isn't that simply amazing?"
Fred raised his eyebrows. "I keep hearing 'book' in connection with 'Malfoy'."
"Yes, show me that..." George took the book from Hermione's lap and read the cover, "'Cultural Heritage and Ancient Wizarding Families'... Oh geez, that's quite... heavy." He dropped the book again.
"You actually brought such a book with you?" Ron asked, nonplussed.
Hermione wrinkled her nose. "Well, yes. I thought since the trip was going to take a while I might as well use it to learn something about our places of cultural interest. I came across this book in the library and this is an excellent opportunity. Who knows when I'll ever get this close to Malfoy Manor again?"
"Hopefully never again..." Draco murmured gloomily. Harry gave him a concerned look.
Hermione, oblivious to Draco's reaction, continued. "I've read that the Malfoy family goes back many centuries, and Malfoy Manor has a history just as great. It looks like the foundation stone of this magnificent building has been laid by Roderick Malfoy no later than 1572! The stone figures at the main entrance were carved by Norwegian dwarves in 1834 from a magically preserved glacier and supposedly in the main hall there a huge mosaic that's made of dragon scales in all colors of the rainbow and even... Tiamat's! The last reported sighting of Tiamat was 1769! Isn't this exciting? And there was also an interesting story about---"
"Listen, Hermione!" Draco's frown had been deepening by the minute. He stared at Hermione angrily. "You're not telling me anything that I haven't heard twenty million times already. So please, spare me."
Hermione blushed and closed the book. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to offend you..."
Draco was getting warm to his subject. "No, actually, since you're so fond of my home why don't we switch places? Yes, I think that would be an excellent idea! What is it your Muggle parents call themselves again?"
"Danish!", "Mantis!" Fred and George chimed in at the same time.
"Dentists, you morons!" Ron growled.
Hermione have Ron a side glance and blushed softly that she had had been beaten to correcting the twins.
"Whatever!" Draco continued. "Anyway, I'd love to trade places, really! Must be wonderful to live in one of those cutesy little Muggle houses that are only 50 years old and where not every carpet has a history that is centuries long!"
"Oh, come on, Draco!" Harry interrupted him. "There's no need to be so mean to---"
"No, Harry, it's okay." Hermione looked Draco straight in the eyes. "I can handle this myself. Now you listen to me! I'm really sorry for you that you had such a tough childhood, growing up in a mansion with house elves and a garden of the size of a football field! You have my deepest sympathy. But in case you haven't noticed, we're saving your little upper class ass here, okay?"
The twins were staring at her as if she had transformed into a troll. Draco's cheeks flushed furiously.
Hermione went on, "We're really trying our best here under really difficult circumstances, so if you don't want this weekend to end in a complete disaster, you'd better stop being such a jerk and be a little nicer to all of us. Then you don't have to complain about nobody liking you either. Understand?"
Draco was opening his mouth to say something, but was interrupted when the coach ground to a sudden halt.
Ron moaned. "I bet Snape is manipulating this thing to give us the roughest ride possible!"
"What happened?" George opened a window to look outside. "Did we have a breakdown or what?"
Draco sat back in his seat and sighed. "No, worse... We're there."