Take me Home

Chap. 20 - More than a Kiss

Outside the window, snow fell. Inside the room, Draco's mind was in turmoil. In his hands was the letter Lucius had left with him. The handwriting was undoubtedly Draco's own, and a power spell had proved him right. He had indeed written the letter. But how that came to be, Draco had no idea.

In addition, Blaise's visit had been of no help. His ex-assistant hadn't been in the right mood for talking, and didn't seem to think that he had any obligations to Draco anymore. When Draco had tried to put him in his place, Blaise had pointed out stalwartly that Draco wasn't his master anymore and therefore had no command over him. He would talk when he felt like it. Draco asked him when that would be with his typical sneer, but Blaise had left the room with a shrug of his shoulders, making Draco want to hex him for his insolence. He didn't know why he hadn't done it. It wasn't as if he couldn't. Even though Dumbledore had confiscated his wand, Draco could still do wandless magic.

Draco called himself stupid for thinking that Blaise would assist him in any way, and he wondered why his old self had seemed to think differently. The letter clearly stated that Draco had trusted Blaise to take care of him while in the Black Fortress. It also said that Draco had only gone away because he wanted to protect Harry from himself. To Draco, those words didn't mean a thing. He didn't love Harry Potter. He would never protect him.

But his father's words continued to disturb him. Deep down, right from the start when Harry had entered Madam Malkin's shop and hadn't bothered with him at all, Draco had thought about Harry not only as an enemy, but also as an object of desire. But back then, he couldn't have identified the feelings of desire. He had been too young to know what desire felt like. But as he had reached the age of fourteen, he had felt it as he watched Harry flying around with an attitude that had set him on fire many times.

Draco's few faint memories of himself defying Voldemort and his father also bothered him from time to time. And the reason for that was Harry.

Draco sunk in his armchair and sighed. He felt a sharp pain in his heart every time he tried to think of Harry as only an enemy. He couldn't understand why. He was really confused.

"What's going on?" he asked himself. "What's real?"

The reality Draco was familiar with was him as a terrifying Death Eater, almost married to Voldemort's granddaughter and having all the power in the world at his disposal. He was vicious, knew how to bribe people and raise money for their cause like no one else. He cared about nothing but his own goals. He had even thought about killing Voldemort after marrying Pansy so he would be the command-in-chief. Draco knew he would do a better job than Voldemort mainly because he wasn't a lunatic after blood and destruction. Draco was a man of vision. He didn't mind stealing, bribing and even occasionally killing. But while Voldemort embodied the mad villain stereotype, Draco's reign would be more political.

He sighed again. But then there was the other Draco Malfoy, the one his father kept telling him was good and altruistic. Draco couldn't see himself fighting for justice. He didn't feel like he was sick or being controlled by Voldemort at all, and the proof to that were his thoughts about betraying Voldemort and taking over his legacy.

His father's new personality was another thing that shocked him and he couldn't even begin thinking about the changes he saw in his mother. It was as if Lucius and Narcissa had been brainwashed.

Draco remembered his mother's cold attitude towards him. He remembered quite well his father's harsh words and critical stares. The parents he had recently experienced in Hogwarts were nothing like the parents he had lived with for his entire life.

Draco put the letter aside, intending to go to bed and hoping that he was only having a very bad dream. But before he put his pyjamas on he found a picture inside his robe. Curiously, he took it out and gasped as he realised it was Harry's picture. Draco didn't remember bringing it along with him. However, his attention was drawn away as suddenly, the green eyes of the snake on his ring began to glow. He heard a noise coming from somewhere near him. With all of his senses alert, he scanned the room. Draco could feel that there was someone with him. He stared at his silver ring again. It glowed stronger as he walked toward the sound.

His heart beat loudly in his chest. He felt someone grabbing the picture away from his hand and he let out a yelp. At the same time, the mysterious person exclaimed joyfully, "It's a picture of me! And you're wearing the silver ring!"

Draco looked suspiciously at the empty space from where the voice seemed to be coming out. He felt as if he had been caught red-handed. He was even more terrified when Harry Potter appeared in front of him with a wide smile on his face.

"What...?" Draco began, dumbfounded. It took him a while to find his voice again.

"Your heart hasn't forgotten about me," Harry said jubilantly, holding the picture high in his hand. "This is the proof. You still have my picture. Why would you carry it if you really hated me? Why would you risk keeping it if it didn't mean anything to you? And you're wearing the silver ring I gave you."

"You gave me this?" Draco asked in shock, staring at the ring and then back at Harry.

"Yes!" Harry nodded his head. He held back the urge to throw himself at Draco.

"You..." Draco took a step forward and then jumped at Harry with his hands out to strangle him. "You!!! You took my voice away, you idiot! I was hit by Pettigrew because of you!" Draco and Harry rolled on the floor. "I'll kill you! And I won't even need magic to do it for me! I'll kill you with my bare hands, you piece of Muggle scum!"

Harry tried to break free, but Draco's grip was too strong. He almost choked as Draco's hands closed around his neck and squeezed it hard. Harry felt stupid for letting his happiness lower his defences. He didn't want to hurt Draco, but he had no choice. He sent Draco across the room using only his thoughts. To avoid more damage, he conjured a big fluffy cushion just before Draco hit the floor so the blonde would land on something soft.

While Harry gasped for breath, Draco tried to understand what had just happened. He looked at the cushion he was on and then at Harry. He could have sworn that the cushion wasn't there before he landed. He remembered Harry telling him that he could do magic with only the force of his thoughts, and he wondered if Harry had conjured the fluffy cushion to weaken his fall. It confused him. Why would Harry push him away but save him from getting hurt in the process?

"Merlin... You were really going to kill me, weren't you?" Harry asked as he slowly caught his breath and stroked his neck.

Draco just shrugged, but as he stared at the bruise he had left on Harry's neck, he felt guilty and couldn't understand why.

"Well, it's my fault really," Harry said in a throaty voice. "I knew I shouldn't have let you see me. You aren't the same Draco anymore... but I couldn't resist. You have my photo! Do you know what that means?"

Draco was stunned that Harry could still grin at him after almost being strangled. "Are you bloody mental, Potter? You're risking your life by being here. Don't think that just because we're in Hogwarts together I wouldn't try anything against you!" Draco exclaimed, enraged.

"I know," Harry sneered as his fingers touched his neck. That bruise was the proof that Draco wasn't kidding. He sighed tiredly. "You can't remember it Draco, but we shared something very special not so long ago and-"

"Don't call me by my first name!" Draco said, coldly.

"Your old self wouldn't have minded..." Harry muttered.

"My old self! I'm sick and tired of hearing about my old self! I have no idea what you people are talking about! If I really was this 'kind-hearted' person everyone insists that I was, then I'm really glad I can't remember anything," Draco declared, obviously upset. "And what the hell are you doing in my room?"

"I was just making sure you weren't going to try and escape." Harry said deciding to leave out the part about loving him so much that he couldn't live another day without seeing him.

"I can't escape now. And whatever reasons I may have had are none of your business! Besides, it's freezing out there. Why would I risk my perfect skin in this cold weather?" Draco smirked, getting to his feet. Harry also stood up slowly and immediately felt a little dizzy. He wavered a little and decided to sit down on the bed until he felt completely recovered.

That was the perfect occasion to finish Harry off, but somehow Draco didn't do anything. He just gave Harry the time he needed to recover from his sudden attack. Draco couldn't understand why he cared. It wasn't like him at all. Perhaps there was still something of the old Draco left inside of him. He shuddered at the thought. He was already starting to believe in that make-believe world where he had been in love with Harry Potter. He needed to not forget who he was, and to do that, he needed to keep himself together.

Draco glanced at the cushion on the floor and his heartbeat quickened. "Why did you conjure that cushion?" he asked Harry quickly, before he lost his nerve.

Harry smiled softly. "The impact of the fall could have seriously injured you. You could have hit your head. I know you're still weak from Pettigrew's curse, so... I'm not here to hurt you, Draco."

Draco felt a sharp pain in his heart at the sight of that smile. He felt butterflies flutter in his stomach at the soft way Harry said his name. It sounded so sweet coming from Harry. Draco frowned at the stupid thought and blurted, "Why do you bloody care about my welfare? I just tried to kill you!" He made a face, more upset with himself than with Harry.

Harry made a face in return. "As much as you do deserve to be spanked, I would have never hurt you. How could I?"

Draco looked away, irritated with the strange feeling that was growing inside his chest. His eyes fell upon his ring, which was still glowing, but faintly. "Why did you say you gave this to me?" he asked, pointing at his ring.

"Because I did give you this," Harry stated. "This was my first gift to you."

"Why would you give me a gift? And why would I accept it?" Draco asked confusedly.

Harry bit his lower lip trying to find the right words. "Because... once upon a time... we were in love."

Draco sneered. "Yeah, right. There's no way in hell that I could ever fall in love with you. I don't know what kind of game you people are playing with me, but I'm not going to play along."

"And yet you're still here," Harry pointed out.

"Like I said, I would never risk my delicate skin in this weather," Draco said with a snort.

"Aren't there spells to protect your delicate complexion?" Harry asked playfully.

Draco raised an eyebrow. "You seem so eager to get me out of here, Potter. I wonder why. If I understood right, you're in love with me," Draco said scornfully.

Harry finally stood up and walked steadily towards Draco, who held the urge to take a step back. Draco wouldn't waver in front of his enemy, no matter how uneasy Harry made him feel.

"Are you provoking me?" Harry asked, stopping only a few inches away. Draco was surprised at the way his body reacted to that proximity.

"I wouldn't dream of doing such a thing," Draco answered, trying to sound indifferent.

"I don't want you to go, if that's what you're thinking. I said before, I came here to make sure you wouldn't escape. Besides, I went to Little Whinging to bring you back. Why would I want you out of here?" Harry asked.

Harry's scent was strangely seductive and it was dazzling Draco in a very strange way. Scared of his feelings, he finally backed away and said, "Don't worry, Potter. I'm not going anywhere until I find some answers. So, could you please leave before I seriously hurt you?"

"I have most of the answers you need. We spent a lot of our time together. I know more about you than your own father does," Harry said. Draco growled in outrage. Even though Draco was being so cold to him, Harry could see in his eyes that he had touched Draco's heart. "I take back what I said before. I don't think you'd have the courage to kill me, and it isn't only because we're in Hogwarts. You can't kill me because deep down you know exactly what you feel for me. Your head might not remember, but your heart does. I thought Voldemort was controlling you, but that isn't the case at all. He can't control you. You have a will of your own, don't you?"

"Of course I do!" Draco stated, not liking where the conversation was going. "And don't say such strange things! I could hurt you, and I will if you don't get the hell out!"

Harry smirked. "Then try it. I won't fight back. You know now that I won't hurt you. Kill me if that's what you really want."

Harry knew he was taking a very large risk. It was a very dangerous game that he was playing. If his father, or anyone else, found out what he was doing he would be in deep trouble. There was also a risk that Lucius, Narcissa, or even Dumbledore himself would enter the room at any moment to check on Draco. But Harry didn't care. If he was reading the spark in Draco's eyes right, he still had a chance to save their relationship. Draco wasn't just Voldemort's puppet. He wasn't poisoned either, otherwise he would be dead by now. Whatever Voldemort had tried to do with Draco, it wasn't working. Harry bet Draco was already fighting Voldemort's curse even though Draco himself didn't notice it.

Blaise's old letters to the Order seemed to be correct. Draco was only a vicious Slytherin, nothing that Harry hadn't faced before. Those thoughts gave him the courage to proceed.

"So?" Harry asked with his eyebrows arched, "aren't you going to do anything?"

"Even though your death would be my joy, I wouldn't be stupid enough to kill you right under the Order's nose. I know I said I would before, but now that I've cooled down, I realise that killing you would be suicide."

"And there's also the fact that if I die, Voldemort dies too," Harry added

Draco shrugged. "Ah, yes, that too." His voice indicated that he couldn't care less.

Harry was amused. "You really don't care about him, do you?"

"My thoughts are none of your business, Potter. Could you leave? Or will I have to kick you out? I can also do wandless magic, and I bet I can be stronger than you."

Those words were like an invitation for Harry to start moving closer again. Draco shivered slightly.

"Touch me and we'll see what happens to your skull," Draco threatened. "It won't be pretty, I promise you."

Harry smirked. "I'm willing to pay the price. You're still wearing my ring. You have my picture with you. Tell me again how much you hate me."

"I didn't know about the ring! You can have it back if you want to." Draco tried to take it off but the ring seemed to be stuck on his finger. He fumed. "What's wrong with the damn thing?" No matter how much he tried, the ring wouldn't come off. He grunted in frustration. "You put a spell on it! Confess! Damn you, Potter! I don't know why there was a picture of you in my belongings! This is all a big misunderstanding set up to make me lose my mind! I was never in love with you! I hate you! Hate you!" he yelled, out of control.

It all happened very fast. One minute Draco was throwing a fit and the next Harry's lips were on his, kissing him with a passion that took Draco by surprise. Draco was so stunned that he didn't react at all. His body froze for a moment, but after a few seconds he began to kiss Harry back against his will. It wasn't his fault. His body was acting on its own volition. He had no control of what was going on within him. His arms wouldn't push Harry away no matter how much his brain ordered them to. His lips wouldn't leave Harry's. On the contrary, even his tongue was taking part in the action. Draco felt his body melting and his senses giving in to that sweet madness.

Harry was kissing him as if he was a starving man, and Draco was kissing him back with the same intensity. It was more than just a simple kiss. That sudden assault on him was to prove a point. It was to drive home the idea that their love had been true. And the worst part of it all was that Draco's body was buying the idea quite well.

The dream Draco had had with Harry in the Black Fortress appeared in his mind vividly. Draco felt as lost now as he had felt in the dream. He was a slave to his emotions and he hated himself for it.

Draco almost laughed hysterically. Everyone thought Voldemort was the one controlling him. If only they could see him now. It was more like Harry was his master, because Draco seemed to be powerless here, and all it took was a kiss to bewitch him. Not complicated potions and vicious curses, but a kiss.

It was Harry who broke off their kiss first, and then backed away slowly, but he never took his eyes off Draco's dazed ones. Harry was enchanted by Draco's surrender. It was one more piece of proof that their relationship was worth saving.

"I'm really glad you're all right. Unfortunately, no matter how much I want to spend the night with you, I can't. You might rip my head off in the morning," Harry joked. "This is great, Draco. You might not remember our love, but you still feel something. I won't give up on us." Harry kissed Draco one last time and then headed for the door.

"Wait a minute!" Draco shouted. "Where do you think you're going? You can't just leave!"

Harry smiled. "I thought you wanted me to."

"I do! But I want to ask you a few things. Like this dream I had a few days ago... Did you invade my dream, Potter?"

Harry smiled mysteriously and then winked saucily. "Maybe. We'll talk tomorrow."

"I don't get you at all! You kissed me and..." Draco flushed from head to toe as he thought of the devastating effect Harry's kiss had over him. "Why are you leaving after...?" ...after making me burn with desire? It was how Draco wanted to finish the sentence, but the words refused to leave his mouth. It would be way too embarrassing if he said those things.

"Do you want me to stay?" Harry asked curiously.

"Yes! I... I need to hex your ass for having the audacity to kiss me!" Draco exclaimed.

Harry dared to laugh at Draco and before a ceramic vase hit his head, he left the room quickly. While he heard Draco cursing him, Harry went back to his room whistling. He was very happy with the turn of the events. He could now put his mind at ease a little, for he had realised that Draco wasn't just Voldemort's pawn, and he still could melt in Harry's arms. There was still hope for them.

-----------------------------------

"Eureka!" exclaimed Hermione.

Ron, who had almost fallen asleep with his face buried in a book, sat straight up instantly after hearing her voice and looked around confusedly. "What? When? Where? Who's Eureka?"

Harry chuckled and then turned to Hermione, eager to know what she had found out. Since she had told him that morning about the books sent from Romania by Viktor Krum, Harry had been helping her with the renewed enthusiasm caused by his visit to Draco's room the other night. While Ron had asked him to contain his elation to avoid suffering later, Hermione had congratulated Harry and even cried a little, saying that she had always had faith in their love for each other.

"Your love is bigger than life, Harry," she had added with a dreamy sigh while Ron had rolled his eyes.

It was almost lunchtime when Hermione shouted 'eureka'. Harry looked at her interestedly. "Tell me something good, 'Mione! I can't wait to boast to Snape that we were the ones who found a way to bring the old Draco back!"

"Well..." She handed the book to Harry. "It is good news in a way. I've just found the cure of all cures. A potion so strong that it says it can cure anything. Carpatus Capparela discovered it a long time ago. He was a great potions maker; he discovered a lot of potions in our books, including a love potion. He decided to test a new potion on his wife when she fell ill from a Muggle plague in the Dark Ages. Four days after taking the medicine - or potion, or whatever - she got miraculously better. Some people found out about this potion and Carpatus was so excited about it that he began to test it on everything. Soon the news that there was such a potent medicine around was known even for Muggles, mostly Lords and Dukes."

"That's great!" Harry said, grinning. "Then it means that we don't need to look for a specific cure for Draco because we have a generic one! I just don't understand why Snape and the others hadn't considered this." Harry raised an eyebrow with suspicion. "Wait - Where's the catch?"

Hermione leaned her elbows on the table and clasped her hands together. "The potion doesn't appear in modern day books. In fact, they stopped adding it to school books and even to more advanced books because they wanted people to forget it was ever made."

"But why?" Harry asked. "If it's so great... I don't understand."

Hermione sighed. "There was a major dispute to own it. Carpatus was brought to his limits in the makings of the potion. It had to be done very carefully, and there was a particularly fragile ingredient added at the end of the process that was extremely hard to get."

"Tell me something new..." Harry grunted. "So that's the catch, huh?"

"Sort of... the key ingredient was supplied by a mysterious source that made Carpatus swear not to tell a soul about it," she began to explain. "But Carpatus was so happy about his new discovery that he broke his promise. The potion became famous. Everybody wanted it. Some people wanted it to use for the good of the human kind, some for their own selfish purposes. The demands were so high that soon Carpatus ran out of it. The lack of it made people insane. Some were profiting from it, and, when Carpatus stopped his production, there was a series of murders to discover his source."

"That's human nature to you..." Ron pointed out. "It's pretty much the same with the Philosopher's stone. It's a great gift, but in the hands of the wrong person it becomes a very bad thing."

Hermione nodded her head. "Exactly! Needless to say, Carpatus' source cut all relations to him. Afraid to face the consequences of his actions, Carpatus vanished with his wife to an unknown place. And no one has ever heard of this powerful healing potion again."

"What was the name of the potion?" Ron asked.

"Vita," Hermione answered. "It means life. Some people used to call it Pandora's potion, though. It was the popular name."

Harry made a face. "How bloody original..." He looked at the book and frowned. "Hermione... it says here that the story is only a legend! That was why they stopped adding it to more serious books about potions! Carpatus really existed, but it was never proved that he was the maker of Vita."

Hermione shrugged her shoulders. "So?"

"So??" Harry breathed hard. "Hermione, you're a clever girl! I don't have to explain to you what a legend means, do I?"

Hermione rolled her eyes. "Of course not, stupid."

"Who's stupid? You do realise that the story is a bloody lie! It's all make-believe! None of this is true!" Harry exclaimed angrily, casting the book aside. "And we are back where we started... Dammit. Why can't we use a normal memory charm on him?"

"We don't know what a memory charm would do, Harry. It might make things worse, which is why Snape and the others don't want to use it. It isn't appropriate in Draco's case. I mean, even though it only seems like he has lost his memory... we don't really know. We don't know what Voldemort gave him. Blaise couldn't find anything."

"It's so unfair..." Harry muttered mutinously. Ron patted his back.

"Indeed," Hermione agreed with a motherly face. "But Harry, we do have a shot with Vita."

Harry stared at her as if she had gone mental. "What are you talking about? The thing doesn't exist! And even if it did exist, there's this one of a kind ingredient that it's impossible to locate. Like usual..."

"What's the ingredient?" Ron asked.

"A blue rose," Hermione answered. "I read that scientists all over the world had tried many times over to grow one in laboratories, without any success. It is the object of desire of Muggles and Wizards, because it is said to be not only beautiful but also extremely magical. It is said to be a legend because it could only be found in the famous Hanging Gardens of Babylon*, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. But what if it were true? I mean legends are based on something real, right? No matter how fantastic they are, there's always an element of truth hiding in them. And even though in the Muggle world there are doubts whether the gardens of Babylon existed, we as Wizards know that it was real."

"I don't think so. Legends are legends," Ron stated.

"I can understand why Muggles would think that, but we are Wizards, Ron! We know some things are real! I mean a Basilisk is a bloody Muggle legend! But we know it's very real! Right, Harry?" Hermione shot such an angry look in his direction that even if he hadn't already fought with a Basilisk he would have agreed with her. "There are lots of books in the Wizarding world stating that the Hanging Gardens of Babylon truly existed and they were quite magical."

"A basilisk is a muggle myth, not a legend," Ron said without noticing Hermione's rising anger. "There's a difference, isn't there?" Ron felt Harry's foot kicking him under the table. Ron confusedly looked at him. "What?" Harry pointed at Hermione and Ron sunk low in his chair when he saw her flushed face. "I'm just saying that we should be careful about things..." he mumbled.

"That isn't the point!" Hermione exclaimed.

"Of course it is! Ron does have a point, Hermione. If these are all empty assumptions, we should disregard them and move on to the next idea," Harry said. "How can this help us? Even if the story isn't a legend, or a myth, or whatever! Even so, what makes you so sure that this rose exists?"

Hermione's expression changed completely. Instead of the scowl drawn across her face, she was now smiling mysteriously. "I know who cultivates blue roses."

Harry opened his eyes widely. "Are you for real?" She nodded her head. "Who?" Harry asked anxiously.

"Vampires!" she answered with a grin.

Ron almost choked at the word. "WHAT? Have you lost your mind? How the hell do you know about this? Don't tell me you have a friend who's a Vampire!"

"Vampires?" Harry looked at her puzzled. "Aren't they dangerous? I mean, I never gave much thought to them in the Wizarding world... I don't know why really. I mean we're talking about a world with Werewolves, Zombies and Basilisks. But Vampires? They actually exist?"

"Yes, they do. And they are bad, Harry!" Ron explained with a horrified expression. "Very bad! You don't want to mess with them!"

"They suffer as much prejudice as Werewolves nowadays," Hermione said indifferently. "But they are more united and organized then Werewolves. They aren't dangerous, Ron."

"Of course they are! Besides, you're thinking about Professor Lupin, aren't you? He's a good guy, but that doesn't mean that every Werewolf is like him!" Ron exclaimed, aggravated. "Even if you met a good Vampire, the lot of them are bad by nature. Trust me."

Hermione rolled her eyes. "Honestly, you're talking about the stereotyped version of a Vampire. They are quite a strong group, very political. They even have their own magical country. If only Werewolves were as united as they are... Professor Lupin would have a better shot."

"That's bullshit," Ron grumbled. "Having you been listening to me? They are bad. They just can't help it."

"What's a Vampire like in the Wizarding world?" Harry asked, ignoring Ron's grunts.

"They are the most-" Ron began to say hotly, but Hermione cut him off with just a look.

"They do need blood to survive, but contrary to the Muggle belief, you can't fight them with holy water, garlic and crosses. They are extremely sensitive to light, preferring the night instead of the day, but if exposed to the sun, they won't die. It might make them blind for a while though... Their eyes don't work well during the day," Hermione explained.

"They suck people's blood, Hermione!" Ron said, trying to bring her back to reason.

"That isn't true... entirely," she said, looking away. "Maybe they used to do that in the past... But now they own a lot of blood banks. Like I said, they are more political now. They don't just go out killing people. Although there are some who are a little rebellious and sometimes make a mistake..."

"By sucking people's blood!" Ron repeated.

"Well, yeah," she said, annoyed. "But those kinds are the minority now, and they are severely punished by their own group when they do that."

"Ok. How do you know they cultivate blue roses?" Harry asked, trying to get back to the topic at hand.

"Yeah, who's a Vampire?" Ron questioned with a frown. "Snape? He does look like a giant bat. No, wait. It's Krum, isn't it? He's a very weird guy... He kind of looks like Snape, doesn't he? And he's scarily pale."

"How can he be a Vampire? He's a Quidditch player. He wouldn't be able to play in the sun. I mean, he wouldn't see the game properly," Harry pointed out. "He would have to wear special glasses or something."

"Maybe he improved his other senses..." Ron suggested.

"Oh, please... Viktor isn't a Vampire!" Hermione said, putting an end to their discussion. "I wasn't talking about him. I'm talking about Cassandra D. Dracula."

Ron felt shivers down his spine at the surname. "Don't tell me she's related to Dracula, the Dracula. The 'Prince of Darkness'? The famous Count Dracula?"

"Yes, she's his great-great-great-great- something granddaughter," Hermione stated. "And she's a wonderful writer. She has written many novels about her ancestors."

"So there really is a Count Dracula? I thought he was a legend," Harry said interestedly.

"Or a myth," Ron suggested, making Hermione roll her eyes.

"Whatever," she said. "What matters is that she often mentions the blue rose in her books."

"Why hasn't Voldemort tried to become a Vampire?" Harry asked thoughtfully. "Don't they live forever?"

"That's another lie about them. It is true that they can die with a stake through their hearts, but it was proved that a killing curse is just as effective," Hermione began to explain.

"Good to know," Ron mumbled.

"Vampires can live longer than Wizards, but their immortality is an urban legend. They all die eventually," she finished.

"Why can't we fight them with crosses?" Harry asked. "Aren't they demons?"

"Not really... I mean, some people say that they were born from a demon, but... No, I'm pretty sure crosses don't scare them. Cassandra is very clear about that. They are very strong, but they can be stopped with magic. They can't control their own magic. Most of them can't make use of magic at all. Only a few have the gift for it."

"Well, at least we can fight them with our wands..." Harry said to himself. "Tell me more about this Cassandra."

"Oh, she's a great woman!" Hermione began excitedly. "And very friendly, too. I wrote her a letter once and she wrote me back quite nicely! I think her stories are fascinating. Although Vampires are cold at first sight, they are quite passionate once they fall in love. The best love stories have males as protagonists. They are very open-minded about homosexuality. They are very sensual and they care a lot about sex, but they don't treat the subject lightly. Sex is a way to reach the divine.

"According to Cassandra's book, Dracula did turn bad in the beginning; so bad that he would probably scare Voldemort. He suffered a great loss and he turned his back away from God, promising to live by his own standards. He tried to reach immortality by tasting another human being's blood, but instead he cursed his life and a number of others that came afterwards. All the legends come from the period of darkness he lived in and that's why Ron seems so terrified of them."

Ron made a face and Hermione chuckled.

"They were terrifying," she continued, "but at the end of his life, Dracula fell in love again and this love made him regret most of the things he had done in the name of hatred and bitterness. His descendant, Von Christopher, slowly began to clean up their tarnished reputation. It took centuries, and even though they still face prejudice, they are quite a civilised race. They don't go out attacking people randomly anymore. Cassandra is the living proof that they have made peace with the world."

"What about the blue rose?" Harry asked.

"Oh, right. In the Dark Ages, it reached some of the Vampire's ears that a very strong healing potion was being made and they took quite an interest in it. According to one of Cassandra's novels, her ancestors found what was left of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon after a very risky quest, and made a pact with its guardian. They would help him hide the Gardens of Babylon from the rest of the world, and in exchange they wanted the freedom to study the blue rose," Hermione said.

"Why did they want the blue rose so much?" Ron asked.

"Isn't it obvious? The blue rose can cure everything! They thought it could break their cursed blood and make them human again. But it didn't work out that way," Hermione explained. "Even so, they still cultivate roses. It's sort of Cassandra's hobby."

"I don't understand. If she claims to have them, then why do people still think of blue roses as legends?" asked Harry, taking a look at the book again.

"That's the thing. Most people are still afraid of Vampires. They think Cassandra is just an eccentric Vampire and her stories are just a product of her imagination. They don't think her stories are real. Besides, she doesn't say in her books that the blue rose can be used to cure everything. She only says the blue rose was once used to try to turn them into humans again. I guess the new generations don't even know about the existence of the blue rose. If it weren't for the books Viktor sent me, I wouldn't know about Carpatus' story and Vita. Viktor's book doesn't say whether the Vampires found the blue rose or not. But Cassandra's books clearly state that they did. One book complements the other."

"I don't understand why you think this is true, Hermione. Why do you believe in her stories?" Harry asked curiously. Hermione wasn't the type of person who would believe in that sort of thing unless she really thought them to be real.

"I read a lot, and I really like her novels. She writes with such a passion, like she really knows what she's talking about. I asked her what was true and what wasn't, and she told me that even though some things are made up, most of the information she gives are factual," Hermione said. Her spirit seemed to flag a little. "But the truth is Harry... I don't really know. I guess I got carried away when I read about the blue rose being use as the cure of all cures. I remembered Cassandra's stories and... well... I thought it was worth telling you about..."

"What does your heart tell you?" Harry asked her.

"Don't encourage her, Harry..." Ron mumbled.

"I think the rose exists," Hermione said firmly. "And since no one has come up with anything else so far, I think we might want to check for ourselves."

Harry and Hermione exchanged a determined look that worried Ron.

"No, no, no!" Ron exclaimed, exasperated. "Whatever you two are thinking, just forget it!"

"Can we talk to Cassandra?" Harry asked Hermione without bothering to reply to Ron's protests.

"I can arrange a meeting, I think," Hermione answered.

"Where does she live?" Harry asked.

"Romania, Transylvania." Hermione and Harry smiled at each other. Ron just crossed his arms and sulked.

"You are both insane... I can't believe you're actually considering going to Transylvania and entering a Vampire's village as if you're planning a walk in the park," Ron muttered, upset.

"If you have a better idea, I'll hear you out," Harry said, looking at Ron intently. Hermione also stared at her boyfriend, making Ron feel uncomfortable.

"You're supposed to be the voice of reason, Hermione," Ron complained. "I can't believe you're actually considering this insanity. And since both of you seem to have lost your minds, I feel like I have to be the responsible one. If we really are going to Transylvania," Ron shivered at the thought, but went on, "we should ask an adult so they can come with us. It'll be a lot easier if an adult comes along. Not to mention that we would be safer. Vampires aren't my only concern. There's You-Know-Who and his crew, too."

"Good point," Harry said, impressed.

"I'd never be crazy enough to go on this journey alone," Hermione said, making a face. "Of course I'd consider asking an adult to come along."

Harry looked at her with a frown. "Really?"

"I'm still the voice of reason," she smirked. "It'd be difficult for us to be alone. Like Ron pointed out, there are more dangerous things than Vampires to worry about. Voldemort is one of them."

"Well, I guess you're both right," Harry said, agreeing. "I vote for my father."

Ron nodded in agreement. "I like that."

"I was thinking about Lucius Malfoy, too," Hermione suggested.

Harry arched his eyebrows. "Why?"

Hermione bit her lower lip and then said, "He's Draco's father, Harry. And he is a Malfoy. He could be very useful to us."

"Oh, so you admit that Vampires aren't as political as you may think," said Ron with a sneer.

She shrugged. "One can never be too careful."

"Alright, then. All we have to do now is tell them," Harry said.

"And pray for them to buy this insane idea," said Ron.

Harry sighed tiredly. Ron was right, as incredible as that sounded. The whole idea was too good to be true, and probably very dangerous. It might only be wishful thinking on their part, but so far it was their best shot. Not even Snape had come up with something to bring Draco's true self back. It was up to Harry now, and he was willing to risk his life if he had to. He just wanted his loving boyfriend back.

Harry looked at his friends determinedly and stated, "We'll present our idea to my father and the others and see what they have to say about it. If they disregard it from the start, we'll go on our own. Are you two with me?"

Hermione was the first one to nod vigorously. Ron wavered a little, but he also nodded in the end.

"This is so exciting!" Hermione exclaimed.

Ron looked at her and shook his head. He missed the old days when his girlfriend was the one who talked them out of their crazy adventures instead of suggesting them herself.

----------------------

While James and Severus tried to convince Harry, the Muggle-born girl and the Weasley boy that the story of the blue rose was just nonsense created by a wild imagination, Lucius watched them from a corner thoughtfully. Even though at first he thought the whole thing was absurd, Lucius knew that in the magical world almost everything was possible. It was also known that Vampires had a lot of secrets. The blue rose might be one of them. The best thing of all was that Lucius had connections with them, and he knew Cassandra Dracula. They had had their differences in the past, but he was sure he could melt her heart if he told her about his son.

Lucius was jolted out of his thoughts by Severus and James' heated discussion, and he only interfered when they started threatening to kill each other.

"Let's not get physical," Lucius said, coming between James and Severus. "I'm sure we can solve this like gentlemen."

"Right, because only you can get physical with Potter," Severus sneered; making Lucius raise an eyebrow and James stare at him murderously.

"That's right, Severus," Lucius smirked. "Why, are you jealous?"

"In your dreams, Lucius," Severus retorted.

"Oh, my God! Don't say things like that!" Harry exclaimed, finally understanding the joke. "It isn't funny!"

"Yeah," Ron agreed, although he wasn't quite sure he had understood the joke at all. Hermione gently stroked his hands when she saw his confused expression, and thought that for some things Ron still remained a little dense, which was kind of cute.

"Well Potter Junior, you should treat me nicely because I'm the only one here who's willing to go after the blue rose," Lucius said, staring at Harry.

Harry widened his eyes. "Really? So you believe that Cassandra Dracula has the blue rose, and that this particular rose might be used to bring Draco's memories back?"

"I believe it's rubbish, but that doesn't mean it isn't worth seeing for ourselves," Lucius said, sitting down on the couch gracefully and crossing his legs. "Vampires are fascinating creatures. I have a little knowledge about their nature given my old... erm... business with some of them... I think this idea is as good as any. Severus, you still haven't come up with any miraculous potion, so why not check if this blue rose is real?"

"I have too much on my mind these past couple of months... My wife was about to give birth, Harry kept inventing stupid ways of going after Draco..." At that mention, Harry made a face. Severus went on indifferently, "and there were many errands and difficult tasks that had to be done immediately for the Order's sake. I'm only human, no matter how much you might think otherwise, Lucius."

Lucius just shrugged and then said, "Can you blame me for trusting your skills?"

"He is human then? I thought he was a Vampire," Ron muttered to himself a little too loudly. Hermione elbowed him hard as Severus stared at Ron grimly.

"What did you say?" Severus asked in a grunt.

"N-nothing..." Ron said with his head down and his face crimson.

Lucius and James chuckled. "Why, Severus, you can't blame him for thinking that way," Lucius mocked. "After all, you do live quite reclusively and you are so pale that it's scary." Severus grumbled something impolite, but Lucius ignored him. "Since you do look like a Vampire, it's only fair that you'd join me in my trip to Transylvania. I know Cassandra. She'll like you."

James frowned at that. "You're only going with Snape?"

"Why, yes, Potter. We are both Slytherins. We know how to deal with Vampires better than anyone else," Lucius said matter-of-factly.

James frowned even more. "Just the two of you... In that sinful land... Tell me, how well do you know this Cassandra?"

"A little," Lucius said vaguely, waving his hands and avoiding James' eyes.

"Just a little?" James asked suspiciously. Lucius just shrugged, and if James hadn't caught a glimpse of the lie in Lucius' eyes, he would have believed him. "I'm going, too," James said decisively. He would be doomed if he let Lucius go alone to Transylvania. Everybody knew that Vampires were famous seducers, and a man like Lucius - with long blond hair - was the perfect image of their favourite prey.

"No, you aren't!" Lucius exclaimed, annoyed. He didn't want James to be seduced by anyone. James was too tempting, and he had a thing for the dark side. He would be easy prey.

"Yes, I am," James stated.

"Hey, I'm going too!" Harry exclaimed.

"I want to go too!" Hermione said. "I was the one who had the idea in the first place."

"I don't want to go," Ron declared, ignoring Hermione's disappointed face.

"Me either," said Severus, looking at Lucius. "Why don't you take Potter and go just the two of you? It would be like a honeymoon," he sneered.

"But it wouldn't be the same without you," Lucius smirked.

"I can't go. I have enough to do here," Severus said, trying to put an end to their discussion. "I have a new-born son. I need to be here for Erin."

"But Severus, we know our way into Transylvania better than anyone else," Lucius said, trying to convince him. "It will be quicker if we go together. We can combine our power of persuasion."

"Count me in, Lucius," James barged in. "I won't be left behind."

"You'll slow us down, Potter," Lucius said, upset.

"I won't!" James denied.

"You'll be easily seduced!" Lucius exclaimed, forgetting where they were and exposing his jealousy.

James crossed his arms and frowned. "I'm not that easy! Don't you trust me?"

It was said that only those truly in love could resist a Vampire's seduction. To doubt that James wouldn't be able to resist it was the same as doubting his love. James felt extremely offended.

"The only reason you want to come is because you don't trust me!" Lucius retorted, annoyed. "And I can guarantee you that I can resist them just fine."

"Well, so can I!" James replied.

Severus sighed, irritated. He knew he wouldn't escape the stupid mission, no matter how much he tried. Erin would definitely make him go. Besides, if the blue rose really existed, than they had a real chance of breaking the spell on Draco. So he might as well just begin the preparations for the trip instead of losing time with a lovers' quarrel that was none of his business. Ignoring the fussing around, he left the room quietly before Lucius could stop him.

Ron turned to Hermione and whispered in her ear, "Hermione am I understanding things right? Are Harry's father and Malfoy... erm... I mean, are they...?"

"Lovers?" she finished for him.

Ron shivered. "Yeah."

"I guess," she answered.

"Eww!" he muttered in a disgusted face. "What's wrong with Harry's family? Why do they have to fall in love with evil types?"

Hermione smiled softly and shrugged. She couldn't tell Ron that she understood perfectly well why they had fallen for the Malfoy men. Draco and Lucius were terribly charming and devilishly handsome. There wasn't a girl in Hogwarts that found Draco unattractive. Draco was first on the top list of the hottest guys in school. Besides, underneath their coldness was a beautiful heart.

"Ok, Potter! You can go!" Lucius exclaimed finally. "But you had better watch your back, because I won't keep babysitting you!"

"I don't need you to baby-sit me!" James complained. "I can take care of myself."

"What about me? I want to go, too! I deserve to go. After all, I presented the idea to you. Besides, this is about Draco! I want to be a part in it," said Harry, looking at Lucius with determination.

Lucius cursed under his breath. "Like father, like son... You'll stay here," he ordered Harry, and before the younger one could protest, he went on, "Draco is here. Somebody needs to keep an eye on him; otherwise he will go back to Voldemort the first chance he gets. I'm asking you to take care of him. What do you say?"

Harry felt like bashing Lucius' head on the wall. That was a low blow. Lucius knew Harry wouldn't deny such a request. Of course he would stay and keep a close watch on Draco.

"You're... you're such a..." Harry began, upset.

Lucius made a face. "Just say yes or no."

"Yes, I'll stay with him," Harry muttered. "But that was low!"

"Did you expect anything different from me?" Lucius asked with a frown.

"No..."

"That place isn't for kids, Harry," Lucius said. "Although part of Transylvania is very respectful, like your clever Muggle-born friend said, another part is quite... well... not so reverential. To arrive in Cassandra's castle you have to travel a road full of danger. No matter how much you love Draco, I don't think you're ready to face such challenges. By asking you to stay I'm also protecting you."

James, Harry, Ron and Hermione stared at Lucius with their mouths open. They didn't expect Lucius to say anything like that, ever. It was another piece of proof that Lucius was slowly smoothing his rough edges. James hid a smile behind his hands.

Lucius stared at them, annoyed, and asked, "What? Did I say something wrong?"

James shook his head. "On the contrary. We are just... a little shocked."

Lucius shrugged. "There's no one better to keep an eye on my son than Harry."

"I agree," said James.

"Just don't get too close to Draco," Lucius warned. "He might bite you."

Harry smiled mysteriously. "I know."

"All right, then. Let's go, Potter," Lucius said, making a gesture for James to follow him. "We have a lot to do. Since you're stubborn enough to join me, you need to learn a few things about Vampires... And I still need to go nag Severus to come along."

"I know how to defend myself, Lucius!" James complained.

"Do you? Can you resist their seduction, Potter? Because after last night, I seriously doubt it. You have a kinky side, you know? You might enjoy their games..." Lucius pointed out as they walked away.

Harry shouted, "I said it before! I don't want to hear these things!"

James flushed violently and Lucius smirked. After they were gone, Hermione stared at Harry and asked, "Are you really going to stay?"

Harry sighed dejectedly. "Yes, I think so. Malfoy is right. Draco is here, but sooner or later he will try to escape. He's confused now, but once he makes up his mind, no one will be able to stop him from leaving. I have to stay. Besides, he felt something when I kissed him. He isn't just the bastard he wants us to believe he is."

"Ok, now I don't want to hear these things, Harry," Ron said, making a face.

"It's too bad, though..." Hermione said a little gloomy. "I was looking forward to meeting Cassandra."

"I'm sure there will be other opportunities," Harry said to comfort her.

She smiled. "It's true! We can go for our honeymoon, Ron!"

Ron looked at her in awe, not just for the creepy suggestion, but also because she had implied the word marriage in her sentence. "Are you insane?"

Hermione and Harry chuckled.

In another part of the castle, Blaise received an unexpected guest.

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*For more information about the Gardens of Babylon, click on: http://ce.eng.usf.edu/pharos/wonders/gardens.html