Transcendence

~ Chapter 17: Azurite ~

Days passed; the month of September was nearly over. However, the days weren't spent idly: third years and above were given an extra subject to study. The new class, Dueling, was co-taught by Sev, Dumbledore and Remus. The students were instructed in more than the simple recitation of spells. They also had to learn about the use of tactics and were put through their paces with physical exercise as well.

Draco had observed Leren during those lessons and found that it was pitiable the captain wasn't on Harry's side. His housemate truly had a remarkable talent for strategy. Despite the extra coursework, Harry and Draco were still having extra dueling lessons with Sev and the Headmaster. Due to the constant practice, the ebony-haired Gryffindor was getting used to taking his first offensive steps rather than defensive ones. His frosty-haired Slytherin lover on the other hand was being weaned from his impulses to use what Dumbledore termed as Fire Magic.

"You don't want to be predictable, Draco," Dumbledore had told him and that was all it had taken to convince the Slytherin to be more versatile in his actions.

After Hermione's birthday, Draco found that he was following his intuition more often than before. For some reason, he often questioned his boyfriend during their leisure time about how Voldemort should be vanquished, sometimes including Harry's closest friends in the discussions. After some days of research and hours of consultation with Dumbledore and McGonagall, Harry thought it was time for him and his friends to see the Headmaster.

**********

Sunday, 28^th September. In Dumbledore's office.

"I think we might want to use gemstones," Harry said after a minute of silence. Sev was a little surprised at his godson's decision.

"Well, you don't truly expect him to use the Killing Curse on Voldemort, right?" Remus murmured into Sev's ear. "Especially when you yourself are very much reluctant to use it?"

Sev smiled faintly and did not respond.

"So gems, is it?" Ron asked with a raised eyebrow. "What kind of gems do you have in mind and how are we going to get them?"

"I'm not that sure ... yet," Harry admitted after a quick glance at Draco.

"He wants something that is able to act as an energy reservoir and also something that can be used to drain negative waves," the Slytherin answered, scratching his chin as he looked at all of them in the office.

"That sounds like you need two stones," Hermione said. "Or is there one gem that has all the properties you need? If so, it must be able to change the negative energies into something useful."

Dumbledore leaned back and thought hard. After a moment, he magically summoned Professor Trelawney without warning the rest. McGonagall opened the door and looked at the old wizard inquisitively.

The Divination professor was clothed in light blue and wearing several strands of iridescent black beads around her neck. The eyes behind a pair of huge glasses blinked rapidly. Trelawney sat down and looked at Dumbledore curiously.

"You summoned me, Headmaster?" she asked softly.

"Yes I did, Sybill," Dumbledore replied with a serious expression. "Harry needs some help acquiring some gemstones for spellcasting."

Professor Trelawney's eyes went wide but she quickly gained control of her expression. "What kind of stones do you need?" she asked Harry directly.

Harry exchanged another look with Draco. "Something to act as an energy receptor and storage ... and something that allows for the transmutation of energies."

There was another pause. Trelawney seemed to be lost in thought when she suddenly commanded Harry to follow her. The Gryffindor looked at Dumbledore inquiringly and the old wizard nodded his head, indicating that the boy should follow the witch. Harry had no other choice but to follow. Draco tagged along as usual but Ron and Hermione said that they would be in the library, should Harry need them.

The Divination teacher walked swiftly but the two students had no problem catching up to her. By the time they reached the North Tower, the boys found that they weren't huffing as much as they used to when they were in their third year, thanks to Dueling. The trapdoor opened by itself and the boys climbed up the ladder after the Divination professor. The classroom smelled faintly of rose but the room was still dark. Trelawney, after placing her shawl on an armchair, went for a glossy black box that was hidden by multiple crystal scrying globes.

Draco immediately sat on a plump cerulean pouffe and waited idly. Trelawney carried the box over and sat down on a stool near the Slytherin. "Don't just stand there ... sit," the witch told Harry.

"That's the first time she's spoken normally," the Gryffindor mused and Draco smirked. The happy expression blended quickly into impassivity when the professor gazed at the dark-haired boy with a suspicious look.

Trelawney took her eyes off him for a moment to open the chest. She removed several layers of black and dark purple silk, revealing an assortment of several good-sized gems. They were not exactly big but they weren't small either. Harry felt a strange pull from a deep purple hexahedral jewel but decided to wait for the professor to give him advice.

"Well," the witch began softly, "these are the stones that I have in possession so you might want to take these instead of asking the Headmaster to find one."

This is odd, Harry thought to himself. It's the first time I ever heard her speak without babbling anything about the future. He shook his head a little and willed himself to focus on the present.

"This," Trelawney held up an opalescent stone, "is opal. It is considered as the most powerful and most efficient in absorbing negative energy. Is that what you were looking for?"

"Yes," Harry answered. "But --"

"But the stone doesn't feel right to you?" Trelawney asked with a faint smile. She placed the stone back in its place. Then her fingers skittered over an oval dark green stone with faint jade-green swirls. She picked it up carefully and showed it to the Gryffindor. "This ... my dear, is malachite. It might not be the right stone for you but perhaps, as you grow older you might find a use for it."

This time, her eyes were unfocused and Harry forgave her for straying off the subject. He just wanted to know the properties of the jewels so that he could have more time to think about which were the best for him to use.

"Be patient lover," Draco admonished gently, sensing Harry's impatience.

"Malachite acts as an amplifier of energy. It's not really made for offensive uses, considering that it is a protective stone. Repels dark magic and the like," the witch explained. Next, she held the crystal that Harry secretly coveted. "This gem that I'm holding right now is quite useful for it is able to 'change' the nature of energy it receives. It is an amethyst."

"Can I hold it?" Harry asked dreamily.

"Yes, you can but not before you strengthen your will, Mister Potter. Professor Dumbledore has warned me before about your receptivity to Magick," Trelawney said somberly. "If you aren't careful with the stone, your sense of clairvoyance might be tripled. Do not clasp it tightly in your hand. The color might start to change if you do; the stone is sensitive to heat."

Harry took a deep breath and waited for several moments. Only when he was truly calm and not about to go into a trance-like state did the seer give the semi-precious gem to the boy. The Gryffindor sat up straight and closed his eyes. He concentrated on how the stone felt on his open palm.

"Drake, I need you to feel angry at me," Harry said suddenly and Draco started at the unusual request.

"What on earth for?" the Slytherin asked in puzzlement.

"Trust me."

Draco stared oddly at his lover and tried to do as was requested. However, he was failing miserably.

"Do you know that I find Blaise quite attractive?" Harry's thought penetrated his mind and the Slytherin immediately bristled. "He's got quite a cute dimple on his left cheek when he smiles." Draco's temper grew worse, unaware that he was playing directly into the Gryffindor's hands.

Professor Trelawney simply watched Harry sitting quietly on the stool and 'feeling' the amethyst. When the air vibrated with vibes of jealousy, her eyes widened, wondering why Draco was emitting them in the first place. She was just about to order the Slytherin to leave when all of sudden the negative waves disappeared. A few seconds later, the Divination professor felt a little light-headed and relieved.

"What did you do?" she asked Harry.

The Gryffindor opened his eyes and smiled. "I wasn't sure if I could do it but I pulled the mass of energy around Draco into the amethyst and created neutral waves," the emerald-eyed boy replied.

"You tricked me!" Draco accused, silver eyes glittering even in the dark room.

"I had to ... there isn't anything you would be angry about but I needed to work on a theory," Harry answered in a regretful tone. "I was just kidding about Blaise," he said. Then he gave Draco a lopsided smile. "You should know that I was pulling your leg. Blaise hasn't got any dimples whatsoever." The Slytherin looked stricken and started to turn pink in embarrassment.

While the two were having their silent discussion, Trelawney had returned the box to its original place behind the crystal balls. She returned with a silver chest. When Harry finally stop talking to his boyfriend, the seer was holding a palm-sized clear crystal in her hand. Whatever the Gryffindor wanted to say to Trelawney was forgotten as the boy's eyes were transfixed by the beautiful quartz.

"It seems that I've finally managed to capture your interest, my dear," Trelawney spoke with an amused tone. "This is a Rock Crystal. It stores and amplifies magical energy quite well."

"I can see that," Harry said in a quiet voice. "Professor, may I --"

The seer interrupted him before he could complete his sentence. She waved her hand negligently. "You need them more than I do." She carefully wrapped the amethyst piece she had taken from Harry and the quartz separately with black silk and placed them inside the silver chest before handing it to the Gryffindor.

**********

Later that night.

In the Room of Requirement, everything was peaceful and silent. Most of their friends would have thought that they were asleep or doing something but Harry and Draco weren't doing anything more than sharing their thoughts, warmth and love. The pale-haired Slytherin prefect was sitting in between the Gryffindor's legs, being held lovingly by the dark-haired boy.

"Your mother is not what I would call pretty but she had nice eyes," Draco said softly. The Slytherin was holding on to a portrait lined with Gryffindor colors.

"And what's with my hair? Hereditary genes?" Harry joked as both of them studied James Potter in his graduation robes. Draco chuckled, causing some of his fine strands of hair to tickle the Gryffindor's nose.

"But why wasn't Wormtail in there?" the Slytherin asked. "He was one of the Marauders, wasn't he?"

"Only the past knows," Harry replied philosophically and earned himself a kiss. The sudden act of affection caused the Gryffindor to grin. The two of them had been looking through Sirius's photo album again and Harry had finally decided to open Dumbledore's gift. It was a painted portrait of James, Lily, Sirius and Remus but without magical enchantments.

"I'm glad we still have Moony," Harry whispered. Draco turned his head slightly so that he could see the Gryffindor's face and wasn't surprised to see the green eyes watering.

"Don't start,"

Draco said and set the portrait aside before shifting his position. Now he was sitting across from his boyfriend, right palm resting warmly on Harry's left cheek. "You're supposed to feel happy when you look at it. What will your first godfather think with you getting all tearful?"

"Sorry,"

Harry answered and kissed Draco's palm. "Put the portrait away and let's go to bed." His earlier mood returned and the Slytherin smiled happily.

The two of them were content enough to just sleep for the night and soon the room darkened, a candle left burning at the far end of the room. Harry was drifting away to sleep when Draco sent him a thought.

"What are you going to do with the crystals?"

Draco asked.

"No idea,"

Harry's answer was slightly blurred with sleepiness. "But I probably will fuse them together with the amethyst in the center."

"Why is that?"

Draco inquired curiously.

"I plan for the amethyst to drain Voldemort and the quartz to absorb the energy. Then it will be time for cleansing,"

the Gryffindor answered.

"How are you going to fuse the stones together?"

Draco pulled his boyfriend closer.

"I'll think about that when I'm not too sleepy."

Harry yawned and the Slytherin decided that the answer to that could be debated during their lunch break the next day.

**********

In the Slytherin common room.

Leren's face was almost purple with exertion. Greg and Vincent were holding onto poor Julian while the Quidditch captain, Theodore and Pansy tried to hex the boy.

"Damn!" Theodore cursed loudly. "I know I muttered the incantation correctly but the spell just won't work!"

"Bloody Potter!" Leren growled and began to swear scurrilously.

"Let me go!!!" Julian, who had been sorted into Slytherin, yelled and thrashed about in the massive grips of Crabbe and Goyle.

"What has the Golden Boy got to do with this?" Theodore hissed.

"I noticed that our spells always backfire when they're being used illegally," Pansy suddenly said.

"You're right. I couldn't even pretend to hit someone accidentally with a Stunner," Leren spoke in a thoughtful voice.

"Then it can't be Potter," Pansy muttered and sat down on a couch. "He can't be that powerful to stop us from casting spells."

"It's probably Dumbledore," Leren spat, furiously keeping his wand in his pocket.

"What do we have here?" a taunting voice echoed in the dark common room. Theodore and Leren whirled to find a group of sixth years lined up by the staircase looking at them. "Let Julian go or the rest of you won't be popular among the girls," said a boy Leren only knew as Van.

"This shouldn't be happening," this time, it came from a girl with dark blue eyes. Her name was Ellie and she had a very serious look on her face. "We shouldn't be attacking or threatening our own housemates. We're too much near the critical time."

"And why do you worry so much about it?" Leren sneered.

Van came forward unarmed. "Just because you're a Death Eater and supposedly doing what our Founder thought was right, does not mean you rule the rest of us, Montague." Leren paled at the younger boy's bluntness. "Oh yes, Captain. We all know that you are Death Eaters. We've heard the rumors about You-Know-Who coming here to terrorize the students. Be warned however, even if he comes, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named does not rule here. Not Hogwarts. It's Dumbledore's and probably Potter's too. And as long as I'm a student, I'll be loyal to Hogwarts and nothing else."

"Impudence!" Pansy shrieked. "You do not know what our Master is capable of! You will die first before you know it!"

"Oh we know what he is capable of, all right. One of our schoolmates died by his command, wasn't that right? Diggory. Best Seeker there was other than Potter." One of the Slytherin Chasers stepped forward. "It will not be surprising if some of us die alongside Potter if he doesn't kill the Dark Lord first. But there's one thing I will not tolerate."

The rest of the sixth-years gathered in the room closed in on them. "We let your comrades have their way last autumn. I'm willing to bet my life that their next reception will be very different."

"Crucio!"

Leren's temper finally snapped and he let the curse go. However, the spell did not hit the nearest sixth-year. Instead, it was simply absorbed by a wall of rippling energy. Some of them were quite surprised and turned white.

"Well ... whatever Dumbledore did was really effective," Van responded shakily. The young Death Eaters stared at the slowly fading wall in shock. "Considering that the rest of us are pureblooded Slytherins, do you know what we're going to do with you?"

"You'll end up just like that night when you chose to trap Zabini." A boy with dark brown hair and streaks of gold drew his wand out.

"Vince! Use a spell!" Leren commanded.

"Why?"

"We're the only ones who can't do magic outside classes! Just do it!"

"Expelliarmus!"

One of the fairies quickly wrapped itself around the tip of the Beater's wand and the spell backfired. Julian took the opportunity to aim a kick at Greg's knee. Then he ran and hid behind the sixth-years. Vincent was knocked off his feet and his head slammed against the dungeon wall.

"Theory failed," Ellie answered and smiled thinly.

"Stupefy!!!"

Several voices cried out at once. With a sense of déjà vu, the group of young Death Eaters fell limply to the floor.

"Too bad we can't get rid of them completely," Van muttered, his face dark with suppressed anger. "They're not aware that killing a pureblood who is also a Slytherin would stir our bloodlust."

"You have a queer attitude for a Slytherin, Van." Ellie smiled.

"And so do the rest of you," he mumbled, glaring at the girl as he made his way to the staircase.

**********

The next day.

Potions had just ended and Sev was shouting more than usual. The focus of his ire was not Harry, but Pansy and Leren. Their work on producing the Polyjuice Potion was sloppily done and Sev wondered aloud why he had accepted them for his NEWT level class.

"Pathetic!"

"Look who's talking," Leren answered heatedly, clearly showing disobedience to his Head. Instead of biting back, Sev smiled.

"We shall see, Mister Montague," the Potions Master said silkily. "Detention for you with Professor McGonagall. I am far too busy today to watch you. Class dismissed."

Leren, Pansy and Theodore walked away quickly and got out before the rest of them. Harry, Hermione and Draco lingered in the dungeon.

"You look stressed, sir," Hermione commented, carefully addressing the Potions Master formally.

"What happened last night?" Draco asked.

"It felt like someone tried a curse again," Harry inserted.

"There's dissension in my House, Harry," Sev answered wearily. "And it is sickening because most of them are going to the Headmaster now."

"Isn't that good?" Draco inquired.

"I know what you're thinking," Harry responded and gave his godfather a smile. "Don't worry. They're not flocking to Professor Dumbledore because they feel that they're on the winning side. It's pride actually."

"Do they have the impression that Voldemort will attack the school again?" Hermione asked Harry.

"If you were in their shoes, wouldn't you think so?" Harry responded as he sat on a desk. They could afford to linger in the classroom since it would be lunch break soon. "That's how I feel anyway."

"Same here," the girl admitted.

"Someone in the Order has learned that the Dark Lord and his minions are running short of supplies due to our sudden alliance with the Goblin race. Since the watch has been stepped up, I believe that they won't remain hidden for much longer," Sev agreed.

"You have Divination next, right?" Harry asked Draco and the Slytherin nodded in response. "Maybe you could get some sort of sign about Voldemort's appearance," he said lightly. Draco's eyes rolled upwards in exasperation.

"Maybe I should also find out how you are going to kill Voldemort with those crystals of yours," his boyfriend muttered and the Gryffindor grinned.

"That reminds me. What crystals did you get from Trelawney?" Hermione asked inquisitively.

"Amethyst and Rock Crystal," Draco supplied.

"I really wonder what's going on inside that brain of yours," the girl said. Harry laughed and the other three seemed mesmerized by the sound of his laughter.

"Will Professor Dumbledore be free after lunch?" Harry asked his godfather.

"Why?"

"I want to ask him if he knows anything about fusing two stones together," the boy answered.

"Fuse? But can amethyst handle that sort of stress?" Hermione asked worriedly.

"I don't really know but since you pointed it out, I think I should put some strong spells on the amethyst before experimenting."

"Fusing might not be a good idea since it may affect the effectiveness of the amethyst," Sev informed Harry. "How big is the Rock Crystal?"

"About the size of my palm." The Gryffindor stared curiously at his godfather.

"That's big for a gem," Sev commented. "Why don't you let me see it?" He frowned a little. "Come to my office after lunch. I may be able to cut the stone for you and then you can just insert the amethyst. Then you'd just need to add a Stabilizing Charm to them both."

Harry looked surprised. What else has he been hiding? A secret gem-cutter? "Don't you have class later?"

"I want to look at it first," Sev answered with a scowl, biting back the word 'fool'.

"All right Sev," Harry replied as he jumped down from the desk. "Don't get grouchy."

"I think we all ought to go up to the Hall. I'm hungry," Draco complained and Harry tousled his hair affectionately. While Sev was left to seal the classroom, the three students went up to the Hall with their bags. Ron, Seamus, Neville and Dean were already there and had saved seats for the three of them.

"You missed Ginny," Ron piped up as soon as they came near.

"Where did she go and why aren't you with her?" Hermione looked at Dean questioningly.

The latter shrugged. "It's confidential or that's what she says. She went off with Luna and Susan to who knows where. I have no idea."

"What do you have after this?" Harry asked Ron as he sat and dropped his bag to his feet.

"Divination," Ron answered before he started stuffing himself with pasta. "I'm in the same class as the git."

"You bloody Weasley ..."

"Ishnotroo --?"

"Ron ..." Hermione glared at her boyfriend. His ears had turned red and he dutifully swallowed his food. On the other side of the table, Dean and Seamus sniggered.

"Okay, okay. It's just an affectionate term for Draco," Ron said meekly.

"Ron!" Hermione's voice was gently chiding but she was smiling.

Draco looked offended and he helped himself to some roasted chicken. He jumped slightly when something dark leapt on him and remained in his lap. "Oh, hello." The Slytherin looked down at Black curiously. "Your master is on the other side of the Hall you know."

"Meow?" Black gazed at Draco before licking his paws.

"Now I'll have cat fur all over my robes," the Slytherin mumbled.

"I've got nothing for another hour or so," Hermione said to Harry as she cut a flesh of steamed fish for herself. "Do you want me to come with you?"

"What? No studying?" Ron joked. Hermione dropped her knife and pinched her boyfriend. The Weasley winced and rubbed at the sore spot.

"At least I study for an hour before I go to bed," she answered, indulging herself with a superior look.

"You know what? I think you should visit our dormitory ... every night. My grades did improve when you and Ginny camped in with us," Dean commented.

Hermione gave her boyfriend the smile that resulted in her being called 'Fairy' secretly by Draco. Lunch continued without any mishaps except for those sitting at the Slytherin table. A loud bang and smoke caused an entire section of food to be destroyed and the whole lot of third-year Slytherins turned on Leren and his group. Pansy had tried to direct a Blasting Curse in Ellie's direction but the fairies did not simply absorb the spell this time. Instead, they deflected it back to the girl. The incident resulted in Leren and Pansy having to serve another week of detention, this time with Professor Sprout.

"That's really uncanny," Hermione observed.

"What is?" Harry murmured as he slowly drank his pumpkin juice.

"The way that only the table and foodstuff were damaged."

"We wouldn't be doing Dumbledore any favors if any students got hurt, right?" Harry replied softly.

Neville checked his watch. "Hey, it's nearly one. I think we had better get going," the Gryffindor said, looking at Draco and Ron.

"Well, take care love. I'll see you later in Defence." Harry sent to his boyfriend and winked.

"Oh my god ... I can't believe my eyes ... you're flirting with him," Ron muttered, making his friend laugh.

**********

Inside Professor Trelawney's classroom.

"Good afternoon my dears," the witch greeted her students. "You ought to watch your behavior Miss Parkinson. Dumbledore's leniency will soon run out now that it is nearing October," she said to the Slytherin girl suddenly.

Draco raised his eyebrow as he took a seat on a black armchair while Ron sat on a dark blue pouffe near Neville.

"I wonder what we'll do this time," Ron spoke to Neville in a whisper. "Last time was tarot reading and if we have to do an interpretation, I think I might scream."

"Rest assured we will not be doing something quite that complex. You will grow into it as the year goes by. This afternoon we will be doing something different; something more or less like scrying into the crystal ball," Trelawney told them, staring at Ron in particular. "Miss Brown, do not wear those dark blue high heeled shoes your mother gave you. You'll trip on one of the staircases during Christmas."

"So what are we doing?" Dean asked.

"You will try to see the future by meditating while holding a stone of your choosing. Unfortunately, I do not have a sufficient number of stones for each of you to use individually, so you'll have to take turns," she replied, leaning back in her armchair and gazing serenely at all of them.

"Basically, we have to go into a trance," Draco mused.

"Induced by the stone of course. And it is a trance, not sleep." Trelawney's eyes focused on Ron. The Weasley stared sheepishly back at her. "You'll be doing a couple a favor by finding the twins," she spoke to Blaise.

"What?" the Slytherin was taken aback but Trelawney had already turned away, ready to start the class.

"Pair up now. You will take turns. If you do it right, you will see something that could happen in the future. Do not tell anyone else what you see. Just describe what you feel on a ten-inch roll of parchment. Also, take note of the stone you pick and predict what the stone's capabilities are."

Blaise paired up with Draco while Ron's partner was Neville. Ron and Blaise went first. Things proceeded without too much confusion or noise. The two of them chose moonstone and tiger's eye respectively and immediately set to work. The rest waiting their turn sat listlessly on their seats, watching their struggling partners.

After seeing Ron starting to sweat and fidget, Trelawney stalked towards him and snapped her fingers. The boy's eyes opened quickly and he listened to her instructions on how it was done. When she left him, Ron was sitting on the floor, looking down on the perfectly round moonstone. His breathing turned easy and Draco could see that his eyes were starting to glaze over.

Finally! I thought he was going to take forever getting into a trance, the Slytherin thought. Fifteen minutes went by and Trelawney began passing a small bowl of coffee beans around. The silver-eyed boy sighed softly at the activity and gladly took the bowl. He passed it under Blaise's nose a couple of times and his friend suddenly awoke from his trance, coughing lightly.

"Get that away from me," Blaise wheezed and Draco passed the beans to Neville.

"Now my dears, please come forward and lightly dip your stones into this basin of water. That ought to remove any 'residues' and shouldn't affect the next person's visions. Dry it please," the Divination professor requested. Draco gathered among the rest of his classmates to choose a stone and he found that he was reaching for a funny-looking spherical gem that reminded him of a planet. It was dark blue, swirled together with a host of other colors.

It is beautiful. He stared into the depths of the gem and found himself drifting while he was standing. Something told him to sit before he tried anything else and he followed the voice. He went into a secluded spot and sat underneath a closed window. He made himself comfortable and was about to pretend that it was one of his sessions with Harry when he caught Blaise looking oddly at him.

"What?" the pale Slytherin asked.

"Uh ... nothing. It's nothing," Blaise answered quickly but Draco was able to see that the boy was uneasy.

"Then stop looking at me as if I've grown another head," Draco replied grumpily. Well, let's see if I can See anything. The Slytherin took a deep breath and focused on the stone. I absolutely have no clue of what kind of stone this is. I'd better remind myself to ask Trelawney later. His fingers continuously brushed over the smooth surface. The stone ... it's strangely soothing. He stopped thinking as he drifted further and further into the stone.

He let himself seep through the darkness of the gem and knew he was aiming for its heart. The classroom ceased to exist. His eyes were open but curiously, all he saw was a strange iridescent blue wall. Suddenly, he could go no further and he knew that he was already in the center of the stone. He fixed himself on the spot and did not move.

A single deep breath was all it took for him to become 'one' with the gem and he saw himself flying through an opalescent hole. His eyes fell shut. He was being pulled by something so quickly that when he finally stopped, he was truly disoriented.

**********

Draco observed the scene that was slowly unfolding. It took him a moment to realize that he was standing near the Gryffindor table in the Great Hall. He wanted to study his surroundings but felt that the people before him were too important to focus his attention elsewhere. His future self was sitting closely beside Harry, holding hands under the table. The whispering of some of the Hufflepuffs told Draco that some students knew exactly why they were so close.

He walked until he was finally standing behind Harry and looked down at himself. He backed off slightly as Harry stood, holding a small white candle in one hand. His future self followed suit and all three went to the window.

"What are you thinking about?" Draco's future self asked softly.

"My parents ... Sirius ... Moody. Never really paid attention to what tonight meant but somehow, I think I've finally understood," Harry answered, smiling lovingly at future/Draco. "Would you help me light the candle, Drake?"

"Anything for you, lover."

Future/Draco lit the candle with his secret talent and the two stood together watching the lake. Draco was hypnotized by the play of the candle flame on the window. Soon his eyes traveled upwards and he tried to see beyong the glass window. It was dark. There was no moon that night. Suddenly, the peaceful moment was interrupted by a worried Ginny.

"Have the two of you seen Remus?"

"No," both boys replied.

"Is something wrong?" Harry questioned her.

"I don't know. I bumped into Sev just now. He looked quite angry and demanded to know if I had seen Moony."

Harry and future/Draco stared at each other for a moment. "A lover's quarrel?" Future/Draco hazarded but the jet-haired Gryffindor shook his head in disagreement.

"If Sev has something to be angry about, he wouldn't show it to anyone ... no. Not even to me."

"Why don't we ask the rest?" Future/Draco suggested. "Come to think of it, I haven't seen Remus since sunset. And that was like what? Five hours ago?"

The scene changed abruptly. Draco had a sensation that reminded him of flying. He could smell the scent of trees. Looking around, he found that he was deep in the heart of a forest, surrounded by gigantic, ancient trees. He took several steps forward and nearly stumbled before he managed to regain his balance. When he was sure that he wouldn't trip or fall, he peered closer at the object that caused the near-accident. The Slytherin gulped. The shiny black boots were familiar to him. His eyes followed the line of the wearer and saw the light blonde locks.

Steeling himself, he ventured closer; his eyes were watering heavily. A bolt of fear came down on him. He saw his own eyes, dead and lifeless, empty of the warmth and love that was always given readily to his Gryffindor lover. The side of his face was bleeding. It seemed that something had struck him hard and seared his head and temple.

There was the loud rustling of clothing. Draco turned on his heels swiftly and saw Harry's crumpled form. Then Draco saw his father and the rest of the Dark Lord's followers.

"I have waited for so long, Potter. The time has finally arrived for me to seal your fate as well as Dumbledore's," a smooth voice pierced the forbidding silence. Draco watched as Harry got quickly to his feet. He saw the Gryffindor wince and one hand immediately went up to clutch at one side of his waist. Harry was totally surrounded but still he moved continuously in a circle. Draco knew how uneasy Harry felt giving his back to anyone. Draco prayed that the vision would change but no help came for Harry, his lover. Draco decided that he didn't want to see anything more but the stone would not release him. There were several shouts and when Draco turned to look, Harry was down on the ground again, Voldemort's wand only inches from the boy's heart.

Draco's throat constricted with horror and pain. He gasped, completely overwhelmed by sadness when he saw the look on Harry's face: a look of failure and hopelessness.

**********

Trelawney watched the crying Slytherin in terror. "Zabini!" she yelled at Blaise and the boy snapped to attention. "Get the stone out of his grasp!" she commanded harshly. The witch thrust the bowl of coffee beans near Draco's face.

"Ouch!" Blaise yelped, snatching his hand quickly. "The stone burned me!"

"Drake?!"

The trapdoor suddenly burst open and Harry appeared, looking around the classroom wildly. Blaise quickly got out of the way as the Gryffindor barged towards Draco unceremoniously.

"Do not disturb him or you'll unbalance his mind!" Trelawney shrieked.

"I know what I'm doing," Harry answered grimly. Seconds later, an anxious Hermione and Remus came through. "Back off," the emerald-eyed boy warned Hermione. The girl quickly scuttled off to one side, watching her friends with wide eyes. Harry swore pungently when he accidentally touched the extremely hot stone.

"What are you doing?!" Trelawney demanded but Harry ignored her.

There was a slight change in the air and finally, Draco slumped forward into the Gryffindor's arms. The Slytherin had fallen unconscious. "We need to get him to the hospital wing," Harry said solemnly to Remus.

The Defence professor nodded. The older wizard decided it wasn't worthwhile to conjure a stretcher in the classroom and instructed several of the boys to carry the Slytherin down the ladder. Draco was still holding on to the gem when he was placed on a stretcher and they arrived at the hospital wing in record time.

Madam Pomfrey immediately went about examining Draco while Harry did his part in carefully removing the stone from the Slytherin's grip. He placed it on top of the small table beside the hospital bed.

"Peculiar," the nurse finally said. "He is all right. He's asleep right now," she informed Harry and those that had come with them. Madam Pomfrey told them that they should leave but Harry requested that he be allowed to stay in the wing except when he had classes. The nurse looked skeptically at him but gave piercing stares to the others.

**********

Supper time.

Harry's mood had deteriorated steadily after Draco's collapse. He wasn't able to concentrate during Defence but luckily for him, Remus had decided that they all should try to work on their Patronus Charms instead of doing theory. His friends were quiet around him and he was grateful, smiling occasionally during dinner. Hedwig, for some reason, accompanied him as he ate and she even attempted to make her Master smile by prancing on the table.

It worked surprisingly well when Harry finally realized what his owl was trying to do. Hedwig was waddling along the table, occasionally rotating her head to watch her master. Dean's observation just served as the catalyst for a hearty laugh.

"Hey, Harry," Dean said after swallowing down a spoonful of boiled potatoes. "Do you think that Hedwig's trying to get your attention?"

Harry looked at his friend askance. He looked at his owl but didn't find that she was doing anything out of the ordinary. "What do you mean?"

"Look, she's walking right?" Dean asked as he watched the snowy white owl move. "She'll look at you next." After ten seconds of clumsy crossing, Hedwig did.

"And your point is?" Harry inquired.

Dean put his fork and knife beside his plate and looked at the raven-haired boy seriously. "Just imagine Hedwig's a girl. Right now," Dean pointed his chin at Harry's owl, "her hips are swaying as she walks," the boy waited for the right moment, "and now she's giving you a look that seems strangely inviting."

Harry stopped eating and gazed unwaveringly at his friend. Then he studied his owl. What came to his mind wasn't a seductive Cho but a certain, taunting, icy Slytherin. Before he knew it, he was already laughing, perhaps a little hysterically. Hermione giggled and more chuckles followed. When Hedwig sidled up to Harry, Ginny fell off her seat, laughing hoarsely.

"Stop! I can't take it!" Harry gasped. The laughing continued until Sev decided that they had de-stressed themselves enough; the Potions Master cast a spell that was exactly the opposite of the Cheering Charm.

Harry resumed his dinner and risked a glance at his godfather. The wizard was still scowling at the Gryffindors although Remus was trying hard to alleviate Sev's irritation. Harry chuckled lightly under his breath.

"Thanks Hedwig," he whispered and his owl hooted softly in reply. He quickly devoured the last scraps of his dinner and excused himself from his friend's company. Hermione grabbed his arm and their eyes locked.

"Don't worry too much, Harry. Make sure you get some rest later tonight," she said sternly.

"Yes mum," he muttered, eyes sparkling brightly with amusement.

"Mum?" Ron asked mildly. At Hermione's glare, he quickly scooted further down the bench.

Hedwig was still following him, flying low as he set out for the hospital wing. He had brought his bag so he could try to get a start on an essay about the Patronus and how it works. He finally reached the wing and it was dark.

"Who is it?" an irritated voice suddenly pierced the silence, making his heart jump. "Oh ..." Madam Pomfrey had a bored expression on her face when she saw him. "Well, I trust you will not try and wake him up unnecessarily."

"He's still asleep?"

"Yes and probably will be until dawn. You can sleep on the bed next to his if you are intent on keeping vigil." Madam Pomfrey studied him for another minute before disappearing into her office.

I wonder how she knew about Drake and me. Did someone tell her or have we been obvious about it? He was still wondering when he conjured a small desk and a chair beside Draco's bed. He quietly took out a roll of empty parchment, a bottle of dark blue ink and a couple of quills and arranged them all neatly on the desk.

He checked the nurse's office but she was unlikely to step out of the office so soon. He took a chance and sat carefully on the bed. It had been a long while since he had taken the time to watch Draco while he was asleep. Harry didn't want to wake the Slytherin so he merely watched the sleeping form instead. His heart was laden with a feeling so intense that he wasn't able to describe it in words or thoughts, all he knew was that if Draco left him, he would break. He couldn't see himself being alone or with someone else now.

Should I be glad I didn't see what he saw? Harry's eyes followed the steady rise and fall of Draco's chest. Should I ask him why he was so upset? He sighed in frustration.

Drake, don't ever leave me,

he thought, lightly caressing Draco's fingers.

**********

In the middle of the night.

Draco woke, gasping and trembling all over. He didn't understand why he felt so frightened and tried to recall what he had seen. Harry. Dead. Dumbledore too. Sev betraying Remus and Remus. Dead. Voldemort kills Sev. Slaughter. Blood. Everyone dead.

He felt paralyzed with fear and didn't even realize that he was sobbing aloud. Suddenly there was light but his sight was fuzzy. He vaguely heard a male voice arguing with a female one and the light went out. Then he was lifted by strong, comforting hands. It was Harry, holding and comforting him.

"Drake, it's all right. I'm here," Harry said while making soothing sounds verbally.

Draco mustered enough strength to turn his face into Harry's chest. He wanted to hear the sound of a beating heart so badly that it alarmed Harry.

"Is there anything you wish to tell me?" the Gryffindor asked after several minutes had passed.

Draco took a deep breath and loosened his death grip on his boyfriend. "No, but I have a question to ask."

"Then ask," Harry answered without hesitation.

"How accurate can visions be?" Draco wiped his eyes and looked up at the Gryffindor.

"The Future is fluid, lover. There's no straight path to it," Harry answered.

"So there is a chance that what I saw will not come true," Draco said, looking a little relieved.

"Are you allowed to tell me what you have seen?" Harry kissed his forehead tenderly.

"No way. Trelawney said that it might come true if I tell you," Draco said with more humor this time. That's because the Divination professor didn't give any such warnings.

"You're lying," Harry accused. Draco just grinned and his boyfriend smiled. "Feeling better?"

"Yes, I am. Blast it!" The light-haired Slytherin began to swear ardently.

"What's wrong?" Harry asked in a concerned tone.

"What's the name of the goddamn stone?"

"You mean that?" Green eyes stared at a small dark form on the circular table.

"Yes!"

"Hermione said it was an azurite. Trelawney said that it was a very good stone for you, ironically."

"And how is that so?" Draco demanded.

"Because you're a Sagittarius," the Gryffindor answered in a somewhat gleeful tone. Draco stared at him, looking very much stupefied. "I've yet to learn when your birthday is, O great Dragon."

"What if I tell you my birthday's in October? I am named Draco after all."

"Sev hinted at it, something like Stonehenge being at its most powerful in winter...." Harry was grinning broadly and Draco smacked him lightly on the rump in annoyance.

"Why the hell did he tell you anything?" Draco grumbled.

"Come on, lover. You know my birthday! Tell me yours!" Harry pleaded and began to kiss him.

"Not ... fair!" Draco took a huge gulp of air when his boyfriend finally released him. He cringed when Harry looked at him threateningly. His fears were confirmed when Harry immediately got up from his position and suddenly pounced on him. If there was one thing that Draco couldn't handle, this was it. Harry was doing his best to seduce the hapless Slytherin. When the silver-eyed Slytherin began to purr, Harry knew that he had won.

"Damn you!"

"Uhmmm?" Harry was intent on licking and nibbling on Draco's earlobe.

"Okay! Stop! For Merlin's sake, Green-Eyes, Madam Pomfrey might come in at any minute!"

"Tell me first," Harry said softly and started to lick on the pale throat instead. A louder purr emerged from Draco.

"All right, you maniac! Seventeenth! December!" he yelled.

Harry stopped his ministrations and slowly climbed off the Slytherin. "Do you want to see her and ask if you could go back to your own room?" the Gryffindor asked wistfully.

Draco stared at his boyfriend in amusement. Well, the truth is I am hungry ... His thought trailed off as he stared intently at Harry's body.

"Let's ask."

**********

Two hours later in the Room of Requirement.

After a frenzied session of intimacy, Draco finally broached the subject of his vision to Harry.

"I think the Final Day will fall on Halloween," he said softly, licking sensuously on Harry's collarbone.

"Why that day?"

"I don't know," the Slytherin answered evasively. Harry rolled him over so that he was lying flat on his back.

"Don't hide things from me, Drake. It's uncomfortable," the Gryffindor told him with a pained expression.

"I don't know why but you were lighting a candle in memory of those who died. Your parents were killed by Voldemort on Halloween night, right?" Draco suppressed a gasp when Harry bit on his neck unexpectedly. It's good that I'm wearing a turtleneck tomorrow or I'd probably scandalize Dean and the rest by displaying the love-bite.

"Hmmmm ... That's possible. Anything else?"

"I can't really think, Green-Eyes," Draco replied, arching his body towards Harry.

"Then let's not think. Incidentally, Sev's found a way to combine the quartz and amethyst together."

"Really?"

"Yes, he even had the tools for doing it," Harry mumbled.

"Bracelets and gems. I think the two of you should just set up a jewelry shop," Draco teased and laughed when Harry scowled at him.

A quick flash of Harry's death caused his mood to change. Instantly, the scowl vanished from the Gryffindor's face.

"Green-Eyes? Can I ask you a favor?" Draco looked earnestly into the brilliant green eyes gazing fondly at him. "Don't give up."

"Can you do me a favor too? Don't leave me."

The terror Draco felt earlier came back but he managed to subdue it. I'll try, Harry. Draco's arms circled his boyfriend's neck and he pulled the Gryffindor closer. With their lips almost touching, he answered, "I won't leave you. Ever." And sealed that promise with a kiss.

**********