Can Love Survive...

Draco Malfoy was fidgety. All week he had been trying to sneak into his father's library to look up possible reasons for what had happened between Harry and himself at the park last Saturday, but for some reason his father never seemed to leave the house these days. It wasn't like he could just waltz into the library while his father was there and look up blood binds, that would just create too many questions he really didn't want to answer yet. It wasn't until Friday morning that finally he got his oppertunity however, and the moment his father left the house, he bolted into the library with threats to the house-elves that unless his father returned home, he wasn't to be disturbed.

Several hours later, after having searched through at least 30 books by now, he finally found what he wanted. It was an old ritual book, and it looked very promising for some answers. He knew his father would be gone till nightfall, so he settled into one of the highbacked chairs near the window and began to read, growing more and more apprehensive with each paragraphs he'd found on the bind he'd preformed with Harry.

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There are many different forms of the classic "Blood Binds" in existence, each used for it's own distinct purpose. Blood binds came into play over 1500 years ago as a tool used for servants so that they could not betray their masters. Over the years it has grown from a simple binding like that to a very complex event, often leading to tragedies, maladies, hatreds, wars, and for the rare few, profound happiness.

The most complex and hard to understand blood bind is the "Bind Of Friendship", commonly referred to as the "Lover's Bind.". To a Dark Wizard this type of bind can bring either the most extreme happiness, or the worst pain in one's life. Rather then used in normal fashion to control their opponent into doing their bidding, Dark Wizards have used this type of bind to control their mates.

If done correctly, and both parties are willing subjects to this particular bind, the effects can be devastating as well as fulfilling. The 'friendship' forged from this willing use of the bind will last forever, there is no reversal spells or charms to rid oneself of it, and should a time come that the friendship isn't willing to last, one or both parties of the bind can be driven into a frenzy of despairs, depressions, hallucinations, often leading to suicide. Hence why over the years it has been sometimes called the 'Lover's Pact" for it is commonly the bind used by couples wishing to have that everlasting friendship/love.

If the bind is forged by a wizard/Muggle pairing regardless of sex, the effects may (not always) diminish over time, needing to be renewed every so often to keep the bind active, although the 'link' created will in effect, always remain even if not used.

If the bind is forged by two wizards of the opposite sex regardless of Muggle-born statuses, the bind will be stronger, never needing renewing, and will almost always lead to a permanent pairing. However should the two people wish to leave their bondmate's side, the link shall remain just as strong, and might lead to the above mentioned effects if away from each other too long.

If the bind is forged by two wizards of pureblood status, regardless of sex, the bond is at it's highest form. The friendship forged will be more powerful, more complete then any thing on earth today. The link will remain as strong as the day it was cast, and you will know a bind has been successfully created by two such powerful wizards when the wounds made during the binding heal themselves without cause immediately after the binding has taken place.

Of all forms of the blood binds, the above mentioned is the most dangerous. Should two powerful purebloods bind in this manner willingly, they have the power together to create worlds, or destroy them. Even if a time comes that one of the two parties involved forgets, or is forced to forget the other, the link will burn in their souls, never allowing them peace until the friendships are realigned with each other, and their souls are joined once again.

If the two parties cannot resolved their differences, and become somehow antagonistic towards each other, the link will cause incredible pain, suffering, illnesses, misfortunes to all surrounding them, and even death, and one if not both are often driven to self destruction. This is why that unless the two parties are willing to share a lifebond with each other, this type of pact is considered the most unstable pact of all of the blood binds.

Correctly used however between two life partners, regardless of sex, will create a bond of fulfillment. Overwhelming happiness, friendship, joy, understanding, and love will take flight, and together they can accomplish anything. They would be willing to fight for each other, love with each other, even be willing to die for each other. However it is my experience that 99% of purebloods who attempt this bond do fail, the effects devastating, and the bitter results are more then obvious.

There is a place on the outskirts of Scotland, near the wizarding village of Hogsmeade, where a small forbidden forest resides. Within this forest is a small lake in which the "Leaper's Rock" is said to be found. This rock is where all the unfortunate wizards end up to drown their sorrows and hatreds and frustrations due to the fact that the binding is so rarely successful. The lake is said to have been enchanted 1000 years ago by Godric Gryffindor himself when his own son leapt into the lake after performing such a bind with his lifemate, only to find that his lifemate turned on him and became his enemy.

Godric, saddened at the loss of his son, cast a spell on this lake, and it's popularity grew as a place in which those lost souls whose binds have failed can find peace below the waters, and become freed finally from their pain and despairs. It is rumored that the forest became part of the Hogwarts School grounds after a time, and permission is now needed from the current headmaster of the school to enter the forest and find freedom.

Again, I cannot stress enough that this is a binding used under falsehoods. It tricks one into believing that their friendship, and love will last forever, but that isn't the case. Beware to those using it, for it is a manipulator, a deceiver of rites, and unless you're willing to suffer the consequences, do not attempt this bind, especially if it involves two purebloods.

Or shall you, reading this, be the one lucky enough to overcome all of it, and survive, becoming forever joined to the other half of your soul?

Draco read, and reread the paragraphs before him at least 10 times, fear growing in his mind. Putting the book down on his lap, he traced the small almost invisibly pale scar that was on his wrist now, his mind floating back to that particular paragraph that spoke of the healing of the wounds. Harry was most assuredly a Muggle, even if it was slightly possible that he might have some wizarding blood, obviously it wasn't prevalent, so how could both boys have reacted as if they were both purebloods?

Draco didn't know what to think any longer. It wasn't possible that if Harry did have pureblood in his veins that he wouldn't have known it, even Voldemort had known what he was despite having a Muggle father. Purebloods just dont simply 'forget' who and what they are, they have a place in wizarding society and they simply just didn't go off becoming Muggles. So how was this possible?

There was no doubt that the bond had acted as if Harry was a pureblood, the immediate healing only worked that way. But that wasn't the worst thing on Draco's mind either at the moment. Draco was only bout to be 9 years old, he certainly didn't know what he wanted from his life yet, and although at the time it had seemed such a right thing to do with his best friend, now he was beginning to have doubts. To be beholden to a Muggle for the rest of his life...could he do that? Certainly his father expected him to grow up and become a Death Eater, helping to revive the spirit that was Voldemort.

The Death Eaters had never given up hope their lord and master still lived, and even now Lucius was combing the world over to attempt to locate the spirit that had remained after that blasted Harry Potter had destroyed him so many years ago. Which brought Draco's mind back now to his Harry, his best friend, and now...apparently his lifemate, even though Draco was still not 100% sure what that really entailed.

*There's got to be a way round this...think Draco! I like Harry, but not in that way...granted I cant stand girls but still, I dont think I'm the other way...I'm too bloody young to think bout this stuff anyway. Gods, why isn't anything magic related just simple, easily made, easily broken!* Draco thought with a sigh.

Another hour later, after searching through a few more books, and having made sure to put all the ones he had taken off the shelves away so his father wouldn't know he'd been in the library, he found something that looked promising. It was an old book, possibly even outdated, but one of the contents caught his eye, and he began to read it in earnest, looking for a solution, and suddenly found what he had been seeking, or at least he hoped he had.

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Have something you just have to forget? Have someone who you want to never remember you again? This is the potion for you! Created over 500 years ago as a way to combat messed up love affairs, friendships that went wrong, and over all needing to just conviently 'forget' things, simple to make, and even simpler to use.

Follow the ingredients carefully, and within 15 minutes you've created it, no strings attached. Usable either by straight out drinking, or being placed in drink or food, the results will be the same, no diminishing effects if not drank straight, and undetectable by smell nor taste!

Ingredients are as follows:

1 bats wing

2 lacewings

2 newts eyes

1/2 slice of mandrake root

5 camamille seeds (whole not cut)

5 dashes of pumpkin juice extract

1 frog leg

2 shots of any type of liquor to induce the 'sleep effects'

Mix well, let simmer in cauldron for approximately 10 minutes, cool for 5 minutes, place in bottle or vial, and that's all it takes. Usable immediately!

With a small sigh Draco knew this was the only choice. Not bothering to read any further, he quickly got up and left the library heading off to his room. As soon as he got there he rang up for Dobby his house-elf, and the only house-elf he really could trust to not tell his father what he was doing. Although he could always claim to be 'practising' some dark arts potion if he was caught, he rather have not been.

Dobby brought him everything without comment or question, as Draco knew he would. Telling Dobby a curt reminder not to inform his father or else even though he knew he wouldn't, he sent him off and told Dobby he was not to be disturbed till dinner. Mixing the ingredients carefully, 15 minutes later he was rewarded when he spooned a small bit of it, enough he hoped for the job he planned, into a vial, placing it in the pocket of the clothes he was planning on wearing the next day.

As he cleaned up everything, he felt saddened he had to do things this way. He really did like Harry an awful lot, and he was going to miss his best, his only, friend, but really there was no other option. For the rest of the night his manner was subdued, he was beginning to regret the sudden sense of loss already, and even his father had given him sharp looks during dinner at his passiveness.

Retiring finally to his room that night, and making all the preparations for the next morning, he finally fell asleep, but it wasn't a peaceful sleep. It was plagued by nightmares, filled with hopelessness. He dreamed Harry had found out what he had done to him, and hated him, cursing him for all time for betraying his trust. He dreamed of a lake in a forest, surrounded by trees and dark creatures, and saw himself standing on a rock, and then diving into a lake. But in his dreams the peace still wouldn't come, even after the leap, and he felt a part of himself being ripped away forever, while a much older looking Harry only stood at the edge of the lake watching as Draco slowly descended into the murky depths, calling out to him.

*You promised me Drake! You promised you'd never leave me, that you'd always be there for me! You lied to me!* Harry screamed out angrily, a single tear sliding down his cheek.

*I'm sorry Harry, I am so very sorry, but I had no choice! Believe me, I didn't want it to end this way!* Draco tried to scream back, but the water was overtaking him.

*I'll hate you forever Drake, do you hear me? I hate you, I'll always hate you for this!* Harry said kneeling down at the edge of the lake, gazing into the water. *Gods Drake why? Why did you leave me like this? How can I go on now without you?* Harry said softly, more tears trickling down his face.

Harry watched silently as his friend, his lifemate, receded into the water, his heart now forever shattered. As he got up to walk away, he turned back, swearing he heard something whispered on the wind, but it made no difference. Drake was gone, destroyed because of a childhood wish, and nothing was going to bring him back.

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During the night the small house-elf named Dobby checked up on his favourite master. He liked the young master, he was in an odd way much kinder then the Master was, even the Mistress wasn't kind to poor Dobby, usually kicking him out of her way. But the young master was kind, he had never kicked him, or made him have to hurt himself, and he would do anything for young master.

As he straightened up the rest of young master's room, Dobby saw an old book lying open on the desk, and fearing what might happen should Master find him with the book, quickly closed it and put it hidden away in the young masters wardrobe. It wasn't until years and years later that Dobby would remember reading something that had appeared in glowing letters right before he'd shut the book. At this time it would mean nothing, but years later, it would mean everything, though of course he wasn't to know this.

Covering up his young master with the blanket, and making a final sweep of the room that it was in order, Dobby quickly 'popped' back out to kitchen to insure that the young masters basket and things were ready for the morning. After that Dobby the house-elf retired to the room he shared with all the other house-elves, and promptly fell into sleep.

The words Dobby had seen at the very bottom of the page in the page in the book young master had been reading was as follows:

WARNING: This will only work under 'normal' circumstances of forgetfulness. It CANNOT completely erase things such as love, friendships, and the assorted, only putting a temporary 'stopper' on the feelings. Eventually the potion can be worn down by consistent dealings with the person(s) you're trying to forget, possibly even breaking it down alltogther. Serious repercussions of course can occur once the potion has worn down. Make sure to take great caution to insure you do NOT have consistent dealings with the forgotten party!

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I did say that I wasn't going to alter how the 'future' would play itself out now didn't I ...or will I? :chuckles: I hope to be able to post again today or tonight, but most likely it will be by morning, but check anyway, I get off work round 12:30 AM, and dont have to be at me second job till 3 AM, so I might have time to work on this. Although I fear I have been neglecting my 'original' fic lately, so I'm not sure which one I will do. :)

2002-03-10 4:26:14 PM