Elementals of Magic: Prophecy of Lies

Chapter 27

Love

Victoria York. The name was beginning to become a nuisance to Draco. Why was it that she knew so much about everything, yet no one ever saw her or knew where she was? What was it about her that made her know everything?

What did they know about Victoria York? She had been a Gryffindor in her Hogwarts years and a lover of Tom Riddle, she was Head Girl, she was Mother´s and Lucius´s cousin, and she knew almost everything about the situation at hand. She was fit to see firewind dragons, and she seemed to be the "vessel" who would reveal everything to them.

If only Mother was in contact with her. Then, everything could be solved right now, and there would be no more questions, just an abundance of answers.

Draco sighed. It was a good thing that he had kept Harry up every night because otherwise, the Gryffindor would not have fallen asleep in the Library during researching, which was no doubt for his task, and Harry would not have had the dream.

Most Slytherins just lounged around the common room, though several of the more studious ones and the ones whose parents required good grades had started studying. Pansy had gone through everything they had ever learned in a week, and she was going over them again.

Draco took studying slowly and nonchalantly, as he knew that he already understood the curriculum. If he didn´t know any of it, then studying would not help anyways.

Harry, though, was forced to study by Granger, and he was always tired, though that did not stop him from their nightly excursions. He had very talented hands and a very talented mouth, though the blonde doubted that his lover knew.

As N.E.W.T.s came steadily closer, the whole castle underwent into a frenzy of studying. Even the Slytherins opened books, though most of them barely skimmed over the words before declaring themselves ready to take the N.E.W.T.s.

May 28 had been designated as the day for testing, and the date was received with a bustle of nervousness. During breakfast, many of the Seventh Years complained about how the test was mandatory and about other items relating to the N.E.W.T.s, especially as scores would determine their future, such as what university would accept them and what career they would be able to have.

The Slytherins filed into the large testing room last, taking the only available seats in the back. Some clever ones had devised a plan to cheat that involved the use of their fingers, and Draco admired their ingenuity with humor, though he himself would never need to stoop to such a level.

The test was timed, and a total time of three hours was allotted for the test, which caused Pansy to go into hysterics, saying that she would never be able to check everything twice in that time. Draco thought that the time was more than enough and that Pansy really should not worry. She was starting to become like Granger when it came to academics, and Draco did not like it.

After receiving their Anti-Cheating Quills and making sure that everyone was prepared, the test began. Draco looked at his questions and could not believe how easy the questions were. The questions did become harder as he progressed, though Draco knew all the answers.

The Slytherin looked up at one point to see Harry in the front, flanked by both sides by Weasel and Granger. He seemed to be in indecision and was chewing on his quill nervously and absentmindedly, which made Draco want to laugh at his naiveté, though he couldn´t, of course, due to the warning that any noise would cause points to be deducted.

The three hours could not go any slower, and finally, the N.E.W.T.s were over. After all the studying and all the complaining, the test that would determine the rest of their lives was over. Pansy complained the whole way back, saying that some of the questions were worded too complicated, which made Draco think that she was overanalyzing a simple test.

A party was thrown immediately afterwards to relieve the Seventh Years and the Fifth Years, and there was much talk about the upcoming Initiation. Many Slytherins asked Draco about it, though he refused to answer. It was a family business, and besides, his father had not owled yet to confirm the event.

The next day was a Hogsmeade weekend, and Draco had been greatly looking forward to the day. However, breakfast dampened Draco´s spirit and cast a dark cloud over him for the rest of the day.

The arrival of the owls did not attract Draco´s notice until his father´s eagle landed in front of him, beak clacking. Draco reached a finger out and placed it underneath the base of her beak, then detached the letter from her leg.

Draco,

I would have owled you sooner, but I did not wish to disturb your testing. I assume you did well. I sent this with Artemis as she is very trustworthy and will deliver this important message on time. The words below are for your eyes only.

The Initiation will be this summer, after you leave Hogwarts. Our Lord wants you to be initiated earlier than the rest of the upcoming Death Eater and with good reason. You are to perform a special task for him. You are to be initiated as soon as you step off the train. I will be waiting for you, and we will Apparate to our Lord´s location. Do not speak of this to anyone, not young Crabbe and Goyle, and especially not Pansy. I trust that you will do well and uphold the family honor.

I expect that you will win the Founders´ Pride. Second place is unacceptable. If your mother could have won the contest, then so should you.

Lucius

Draco held the letter to one of the floating candles and watched the flames devour the parchment. The Slytherin noticed that many of his Yearmates were doing the same thing, which was no doubt due to letters of the Initiation from their parents.

The Slytherin spent the entire Hogsmeade trip by himself, expressly telling Pansy, Crabbe, and Goyle, that he was on a confidential business and that they would best not follow him. A calculating gleam came into Pansy´s eyes, though she nodded and went to find Milicent. Crabbe and Goyle ambled away somewhere by themselves.

The blonde spent the whole afternoon examining rings, something he was an expert at, due to his heritage. Narcissa had taken him many times to the jeweler when she needed to buy gifts for her "friends," and he had been instructed on how to inspect them and figure the approximate value and worth. The jeweler tried to trick him several times, though Draco was able to foil his plan each time, and the jeweler finally stopped once he realized that his customer was an expert on jewels.

The Slytherin could scarcely contain his excitement and nervousness at dinner, knowing that he was to see Harry in a matter of hours. It was time to see whether this had been worth it, whether this was true.

Harry actually arrived early, which surprised Draco, as the Gryffindor usually could not escape his Housemates, due to his status of fame. But he had, and as soon as he had entered and taken off his Invisibility Cloak, Harry pounced.

The Gryffindor slammed the Slytherin against the wall and placed kisses over the blonde, and Draco did nothing to stop the barrage of love. He then moved to the base of Draco´s throat and sucked on the hollow, causing Draco to moan and realize that they had to talk before they did anything.

"Love," he murmured, "we need to talk."

Harry stopped sucking and tilted his head up.

"About what? We can talk later, love."

"Harry, I received a letter from Lucius this morning."

Harry stopped and stared at Draco.

"From him? No, no, it´s not really happening, is it?"

"It is, Harry. I´m to be initiated as soon as I step off the train. Lucius will be waiting for me there."

"Already? You can´t yet! We have to go to Dumbledore soon to tell him that you´re on our side."

"That´s not our priority, love. Informing him can come later. But first, I want to know, do you love me?"

"Of course. How could I not?"

"Harry, I," Draco faltered. "Will you marry me?" he asked uncertainly.

Harry gazed at Draco steadily.

"Of course, love. I was going to ask you the very same thing when we woke up, but since you asked first, yes!" he said happily and kissed Draco passionately.

"I have your ring."

"And I, yours."

Draco took out the box and handed it to Harry. The Gryffindor opened the box and let out a breathtaking sigh.

The ring was made of gold and was a golden griffin with its wings fully expanded. Two tiny rubies were used for the eyes. The griffin was so meticulously made that each feather had been outlined precisely, and it was a gorgeous piece of art.

"Drac, I...It´s beautiful. You know exactly what to get me." Harry fumbled in his robes for the ring he had bought Draco, and when he found the box, he handed it to the Slytherin.

Draco opened the box and found himself staring at a silver ring, a dragon etched onto the shining metal. The dragon´s head was arched proudly, and its wings were also fully expanded. Miniscule emeralds embedded into the silver were its eyes, and as the light hit the ring, Draco could see pale blue and purple tinting the wings.

"Harry, this is perfect," Draco breathed. He prepared to remove the ring, though Harry stopped him.

"No, let me."

Harry set his own ring on a table nearby, and his fingers clumsily took out the ring. The Gryffindor slid the silver onto Draco´s ring finger.

"It looks perfect. When I saw the ring, I knew where it should belong, and I was right. It´s home."

Draco smiled and took Harry´s face in his own.

"You haven´t put on your ring yet," he informed, and he gracefully removed the ring from the box and slid it onto Harry´s ring finger, reciprocating Harry´s former moves. Harry raised his hand, and the brilliance reflected from the ring was blinding, like their love.

Draco, of course, had had forethought concerning the rings, and he took out his wand.

"What´s that for?" asked Harry childishly.

"Love, you don´t want people asking you about the ring, do you? I don´t think the words Draco Malfoy, marriage, and Harry Potter mix very well."

Harry nodded, and Draco cast a Cloaking Charm on both of their rings. Neither could now see them, but they could feel the solid weight of the metal.

As soon as Draco put his wand away, Harry led the Slytherin to the bed and pulled the blonde on top of him.

"I think it´s time," he whispered.

"So do I. We need to do this before upcoming events. We need to solidify everything."

"Draco, you think too much," Harry murmured before capturing Draco´s mouth in the most passionate kiss yet. Hands came up to entangle in hair, and lips and tongues and teeth battled with each other in a heated duel.

Before long, Harry had a bruised lip, though it did not deter him. His hands started to fumble with Draco´s robes, and after much effort on his part, as Draco was not helping at all, he was able to yank the robes off and throw them in some corner. His mouth had already started sucking on Draco´s neck, and a large bruise had appeared on the porcelain skin.

Harry detached his mouth from Draco´s skin and slid the blonde´s shirt up and over his head. The Gryffindor admired the smooth chest before attacking it with his mouth. Meanwhile, Draco loosened Harry´s robes, and pushing the Gryffindor gently away, removed the robes. The Slytherin then yanked the shirt Harry wore underneath off, and he pressed himself tightly against Harry, mouth working on Harry´s skin.

Harry put his hands around Draco´s waist and after awkwardly undoing the buttons and zipper, slid the trousers off. His hands went up to caress Draco´s back before sliding down and slipping Draco´s boxers off.

Draco rolled over, and with one hand, elegantly unfastened the annoying buttons and zipper and smoothly slipped Harry´s old trousers off. The Gryffindor helped matters by wriggling out of his boxers, and then, there were just two naked bodies pressing against each other, needing each other urgently.

Draco peered at Harry from beneath hooded eyes, and Harry thought that the Slytherin looked like the image of an angel even before they were to do the ultimate thing.

"Are you ready?" he asked softly.

Harry nodded, and then, there was nothing but the rhythmic movement of one body. And in the sky, Draconis shone brighter than ever, and all the creatures took heed.

***

Narcissa removed the parchment from the owl and scanned it quickly.

Victoria will make her move soon. Be ready at any time for her call.

So the confrontation was to be here soon. And then, Victoria would explain everything to all of them. She herself didn´t even know half of everything involved in the defeat of Voldemort, and she was supposed to be the one who knew the most everything.

All of them had to be there, of course, and there were three missing, at least to Narcissa´s knowledge, though she doubted that if there was a problem, it would remain for long. Victoria was more tenacious than a bull, and when it came to the welfare of Draco, she would make sure nothing stood in her way.

Which was just as well. Narcissa couldn´t do anything for Draco anymore. It was time to hand the responsibilities to whom they truly belonged to.

***

Harry awoke next to a soft body, and he snuggled in tighter. He never wanted to leave the bed and Draco.

It had been exhilarating bliss, the previous night. Draco was extremely talented, and it had been extremely satisfying. Harry touched his ring finger, just to make sure that none of it was a dream. It wasn´t.

Harry felt Draco move slightly before he cuddled closer to him. The blonde held a childishly calm and innocent expression on his face, and Harry felt protective towards his lover. If Voldemort dared to hurt that beauty at all...Harry would make sure that he would pay with his soul.

"Is it morning already?" mumbled the Slytherin, and Harry pressed himself closer to Draco.

"Don´t worry, love, it´s Sunday," Harry replied.

Draco curled in even more.

"Then get back to sleep, love."

***

In the afternoon, the two made a trip to Dumbledore under an Invisibility Cloak.

"Yes? Harry, you are back sooner than I expected. Mr. Malfoy, good afternoon. Please, sit down."

Harry and Draco both took a seat, and Dumbledore did not fail to notice that they sat next to each other without bickering or fighting of any sort.

"Now what did you want to talk to me about, gentlemen?" Dumbledore asked.

"Professor, sir," Harry began, "Draco has decided to change sides."

"Is this true, Mr. Malfoy?" Dumbledore asked.

"Yes, sir."

"And why would you choose such a thing, Mr. Malfoy?"

"I don´t believe that the Dark will win, sir. And I have people to protect. But I do ask that my mother will be relieved of all charges against her if I work as a spy."

"Narcissa will not need your help, Draco. I will personally vouch for her myself if she is charged for anything. Are you sure this is what you want, Mr. Malfoy? You will be taking great risks onto yourself, and if found, you will most likely be killed."

"Yes, sir, I am willing to do this to avenge Severus. He was a great man, and he deserves to be remembered as one, not as a greasy-haired git. I would also like to be remembered as someone who helped, not someone who blindly followed his destiny. I do not wish to be remembered as someone just like Lucius."

"And you´re doing this for Mr. Potter, are you not?"

A flicker of surprise appeared in Draco´s eyes, though it was gone as soon as it emerged.

"Yes, sir."

"I am grateful for your help, Mr. Malfoy. I think it´s time to initiate both of you into the Order of Phoenix. Details about how you will send us information can be discussed later."

How very strange that both mother and son would betray their family for love.

***

Narcissa looked at her letter.

Your son has decided to spy for the Light.

She doubted that he had any need to. If Albus had been correct, then Victoria would be here soon.

***

Victoriacrossed another day off her calendar. June 13 was steadily approaching, and soon, it would be time to reveal herself to her son and summon the rest of the Elementals.

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