Through the parade of fire
Author: tinyscribbles80
Title: Through the parade of fire
Pairing:Draco/Harry
Rating: PG for now
Summary: When the Potters found out that Lord Voldermort was targeting them, they invoked the King of the Elven Gods. Harry was spirited away to another world and he returns thirteen years later only to be embroiled in another war.
Disclaimer: All characters belong to J.K.Rowling and those affiliated to the ‘Harry Potter’ series. The Dark Elves belongs to Games workshop’s Warhammer fantasy fictional universe.
A/N: Introducing Audric Gilbert Dumbledore. OC, taking the role of Albus Dumbledore twin brother.
Warning: Character death.
Chapter 6: The return of Harry Potter
A portkey, Harry discovered was just mundane everyday things that could transport several people to a location at once. He must have fallen asleep because Mr Weasley had woken him up and quietly passed him his bag. The older wizard told him that he was taking him to his home. So there he was lagging behind them with a view of a tall ramshackle house and a plump woman scurried to them, suffocating the twins in a hug saying something about the last thing she said to them was how they hadn’t gotten enough OWL’S.
Harry hung back not knowing what to do. Mr Weasley mumbled something to his wife and her face fell snapping around with pitying eyes. He couldn’t stand it and stared at his trainers.
“Oh you poor thing! I’m so sorry about Audric love.” She said as he was enveloped in a bone crushing hug. She drew back and cradled his face. “It’s Harry is it?” he nodded and the witch smiled. “I’m Molly Weasley and don’t you worry for a bit, Arthur will see to things alright?”
Harry wanted to say that it wasn’t but nodded anyway. Mrs Weasley smiled some more and ushered him into the kitchen settling him down at a table. News about the appearance of the dark mark splashed the morning paper glittering black and white at them. He half listened to Mr Weasley grumbling about a certain Rita Skeeter. He flipped to another page and a picture of Bill holding Harry while he held Audric stared back. His heart, twinge something awful at the thought of the old man and worry began gnawing at him now that he could think clearly.
“You have to eat something dear.” Mrs Weasley said kindly adding more kippers onto his plate. He wasn’t hungry really so he didn’t touch them. The homely witch sighed. “At least have a little something to drink?” This, Harry allowed and he finished the pumpkin juice.
“Is Albus coming?” he asked, voice coming above a whisper. The conversations around the table stopped. Longbottom was looking at him rather sharply and he ignored the trio who had started whispering. He repeated again. “Is Albus coming?”
“Yes. They’ve sent him a message and he knows that you’re here.” Mr Weasley said looking uneasy when he didn’t answer. “Maybe you should go back to sleep Harry. In fact everyone should. It is still very early.” The wizard looked around to Ronald and looked pointedly at him. The boy rolled his eyes and shoved one last mouthful of eggs before he stood.
“That won’t be necessary.” Harry said to the younger Weasley who hovered uncertainly and looking at his father. He picked up his bag and stood. “I thank you for your hospitality but I will take my leave now.”
“You are most certainly not.” He whirled about at the rasp of familiar voice. His eyes widen at the man standing in the doorway presumably leading to the living area, tall and wiry with flowing silver hair and beard. Cool blue eyes behind those crescent spectacles did not hide how they pierced him and he was having a hard time breathing. His heart was racing so fast that he shut his eyes from the vision and forced himself to calm before reopening them. “It’s no wonder Audric died. The resemblance is uncanny.”
“Hey, it wasn’t the Professor’s fault that Audric was killed.” Longbottom snapped resentfully. The Weasley girl squeezed his shoulder and the boy relaxed under her touch. How he would dearly love to shut the boy up. “That was not what I implied but I apologize nonetheless if I have offended your delicate senses.”
Longbottom banged the table and stood growling at him. His two friends restrained him and glared reproachfully.
“If I can have a moment to speak with Harry.” Albus announced then looked to Longbottom, his eyes softening. “Alone if you please.”
“Of course Albus.” Mrs Weasley said clamping Longbottom’s mouth when he started to protest and ushered the rest out. The trio sent him one last glare which Harry ignored. “Pour yourself some tea and have a spot of breakfast Albus.” She said and closed on him cradling his face yet again. “You too dear.”
The witch left and he watched the old wizard cast a spell before settling down and buttered a toast. “Sit down Harry.” He said rather wearily and Harry did with reluctance. “I know that you wish to send me back to Naggaroth. ”
“I am very sorry you had to hear that.” Albus said and bit into his toast. Harry smiled at the old man. “No you are not. You intended for me to hear you and I am very sorry to disappoint you but I can no longer open the doorway. Not without instructions. So I am stuck here whether you like it or not and you can just send me back to my aunt if you will.”
“I’m afraid that is no longer a possibility Harry.” He said, pouring himself some tea and sipped the hot beverage carefully. “Not only do I not know where your aunt is now, there was also that picture of you in the Daily Prophet. The Ministry has been abuzz that the Potters son has returned to the living.”
“We can always deflect this as rumours.” Harry suggested. “If I disappear again no one will know any better.”
“But they know you as his ward. We cannot deny it anymore Harry and the people who had rallied with Tom before will come to find you.” This, he did not understand as he frowned at the old wizard and spoke. “Apart from the fact that my powers are…different, I do not see why I would be important enough to require a search.”
Albus finished his tea and laced his bony fingers watching him intently. “Did you know that your parents died first before Tom came after the Longbottoms?” Harry nodded and the old man leant forwards. “He saw you as a threat do you know why?” He didn’t have any answer for it but he knew that the wizard will provide one. “He saw you as an equal Harry.”
“That’s ridiculous.” He blinked a little stunned. “How was I, a mere baby then, his equal?”
“Very few know of it. There has been a prophecy which involved Longbottoms and yours since both of you were born at the end of July and both parents had defied him thrice but Tom chose you as someone who could vanquish him.”
“And sees me as equal? The only thing similar about us is we’re half-blood.”
“Precisely Harry.” He couldn’t help but stare at the old man. It was still a ridiculous notion but Tom did value blood purity above all. “But wait, if he sees me as an equal, then why did he mark Longbottom? Assuming that the boy is a pureblood.”
“Neville is a pureblood. But it is the need to fulfil the prophecy that had him attempting to kill Neville which as you know backfired leaving him but a soul - more or less.” Albus said. Harry narrowed his eyes at the old man. The ‘more or less’ comment was a tad suspicious. “I still don’t see why I can’t just disappear to another continent. If Tom was to rise, then he would have his hands full just to finish what he started. He will not bother with me since I am no longer his equal.”
“I have a need for you here.” The old man finally admitted. Harry leant back in his chair. It seems that he was destined to be a pawn here too. “And you require my permission?”
“Indeed Harry. It’s for all the good things in this world, because another war is inevitable. I can feel it in my weary bones.” He said, his blue eyes not quite beseeching because he was still wary of him. “Will you help?”
Did he want to? No he didn’t. He had enough of wars and he certainly wasn’t partial to anyone who thought him a monster. But he was also given the luxury to choose, something hideously unpractised in Naggaroth.
“I have no reasons to fight your war especially when a comrade doubts me.” Harry said and the wizard sighed, contrition written in the frown he wore. “I will not deny that sheer darkness of your power troubles me my boy. But you had shown that you are capable of loving. That is reason enough Harry.”
He studied the wizen face that looks so much like Audric. Audric too had spoken of love. He believed that the strength of the emotion could conquer all. The man would not have thought twice in protecting what was dear to him. But there was nothing that holds him here excepting the fact that he belonged to this world and as of now, he had nowhere to go, no roof over his head and no means of survival.
“I am no demon.” He replied after the silence had gone long enough. The old man cocked his silver head and waited. “I give you my faith and I expect it in return. I will do anything I can as long as you do not throw me from your side.”
A smile ghosted the thin lips and with a dip of acceptance, Albus reached out. “I give you my word Harry Potter.”
⌘ ⌘ ⌘
The first stop had been the Ministry of Magic. Albus had taken him there to register him as a magical child of Britain. Harry had kept quiet throughout the interview with some ministries he couldn’t remember their names. He had let the old wizard concoct a story of how before the night his parents were killed, they had taken Harry away and Audric had made him his apprentice and changed his name to Harry Evans. He vaguely remembered the ministry wizard from the world cup whispering to another witch. Maybe it was to confirm that he was indeed known as Harry Evans because the witch had produced a box which could only be open with the blood of a true Potter. It had him worried because he did have Malekith’s blood in him too.
When he smeared the box crimson, it hissed. There had been echoes of indistinct voices rowing furiously. Then there was that distinct laughter which froze his entire body before the box burst in emerald flames sending the room into a distressed flurry. And like the sudden blaze, it extinguished just as quickly and the lid sprang open, the box undamaged. The registration became a lot quicker after that.
So he was now returned to being Harry Potter and the box held a key to the Potter’s vault at Gringotts. With the wealth he was suddenly blessed with, he bought the things that he would need for school. The castle of Hogwarts was his home now.
His reflection stared back at him all sombre in black. In a few minutes he will have to go to Audric’s funeral, something he had managed to avoid thinking about.
“You should do something about that hair of yours boy. It’s a disgrace.” The enchanted mirror wheezed to him. Harry stared back blankly his eyes flicking to the black mop atop his head and shrugged. “It’s not for the lack of trying. It just won’t lie flat.”
The mirror harrumph something incoherent and he heard a knock. Albus poked his head in. “It’s time to go Harry.” He said before stepping back out. Harry smoothed down imaginary wrinkles on his robe and strode after trailing behind Albus. A group of wizards and witches met them at the entrance hall. They didn’t appear to notice him except for one sullen wizard with sallow skin and rather beaky nose. Something flashed in those dark eyes and disappeared again before Harry could determine what it was so he just looked back stoically. Then Albus turned his attention to him after speaking in great lengths with a stern old witch.
“I’m sorry if this couldn’t be a private affair Harry. Minerva and Severus - (the witch cleared her throat and frowned disapprovingly) my mistake. Professor McGonagall and Professor Snape will watch you.” Harry nodded mutedly. He didn’t know why Albus was apologizing seeing that he wasn’t family of sort granted that his heart did bruised at the thought of it.
“Come along now Mr Potter.” The witch sounded as severe as she looks and Harry acquiesced wedged between her and Snape. A rather short wizard with slightly pointy ears apparated away and he had to ask. “I thought apparating inside school is forbidden.”
“The headmaster gave allowance just for today considering there are reporters just outside the gates.” She answered with a sniff of disdain. She looked at him expectantly but he grabbed onto the wizard instead, who stiffened for a moment before relaxing. He fancied seeing McGonagall’s lips twitching with humor but must have imagined it and apparated away.
“Have you done this boy?” Snape said frostily but the man didn’t even wait for an answer and felt like his insides wanted to squeeze out from his nostrils. He glared at the man who only sneered. “Well? Don’t just stand there. Get in.”
That’s when he noticed that he was back at the gates of the graveyard in Godric’s Hollow. A flash went off somewhere and Snape cursed under his breath. He pushed him into the premises and grabbed his wrist wending their way briskly to a small party gathering near a white coffin. McGonagall beckoned for them to hurry and just as he settled behind the group, Albus apparated right beside the pudgy wizard startling him rather badly.
A few titters came from the front row and quieten again as soon as Albus took his seat. The wizard loses the affronted look and began saying a eulogy which Harry didn’t quite understand.
Then there was another flash and this time Harry saw a rather glamorous witch with a paunchy photographer by her side. He could feel McGonagall and Snape tensing by his sides when even more flashes came. “No respect whatsoever!” the witch groused, her voice trembling with concealed anger.
He saw the tip of a wand poking above their heads and shot white lights which spread and ensconcing them in a dome. The witch smacked into the barrier when she tried to come closer and scowled saying something to her partner. The eulogy finally came to an end and Albus stood, facing around to them.
“Friends and family,” he began bowing his head deeply. “There is nothing I regret more than not being able to fulfil his last wish and I thank you all for coming today.” With another incline, the old man stepped around to where Audric rest. After a moment, he stood aside and one by one, people rose to pay their respect.
He recognized some people from Hogsmead and he noticed that the Hogshead bartender stood by Albus. The trio were there and the whole of Weasley family were in attendance. Mr and Mrs Weasley spoke briefly with the two of them before they all left.
Their turns came soon enough. McGonagall conjured a stalk of white rose with her wand and handed to him. The three of them walked up together, flanking Harry on each side. His throat constricted painfully at the sight of Audric nestled in white silk looking like how he remembered him last; with a hint of a smile curving his lips.
McGonagall and Snape threw in their roses adding to dozens of others blanketing him. He stared at his own rose in his hand. He wondered why he was holding it when Audric couldn’t be near a flower long enough before succumbing to fits of sneezes.
Harry closed his eyes and clasped the end of the stalk. Warm energy gathered in his palms and he began visualising, feeling the molecules changing shapes as his right hand slowly moved up to the bud of the rose. Snape hissed audibly beside him and a series of flashes bloomed behind his lids. He snapped his eyes opened glaring coldly at the offending photographer. He stumbled back visibly shuddering and Harry lowered the glass licorice wand onto the unmoving chest. It was his favourite sweet and Albus smiled gratefully to him, his eyes suspiciously glassy.
⌘ ⌘ ⌘
They had their breakfast in the garden. The air felt cool and clean as they ate. His father was reading the Daily Prophet and the days old newspaper lay atop the table when it hadn’t been there last night. His sight fell to the spectacularly dangerous glint in the Potter boy’s eyes.
He had read the news of course and got rather envious when the paper stated that Potter had been Audric Gilbert Dumbledore; only one of the most powerful wizards that ever lived apprentice. The article had stated further that Potter was the youngest wizard to ever accomplish wandless magic when the boy had transfigured a rose into an ornamental sweet. The photographer also claimed that Potter had thrown him back with a single glare.
Draco wished that he could burn a hole onto the picture with his own glares. What utter bollocks! Nobody could fling off anyone with a single look and snorted derisively. His father cocked an eyebrow at him atop the newspaper he was reading and folded them with a smirk gracing his lips. A house elf popped nearby taking the newspaper from his father’s hand and popped back to nonexistence.
“Try to make the right impression this time Draco.” His father sneered reminding him of his failure at befriending Neville Longbottom. Draco fought his blush down. A Malfoy do not blush in any circumstances and kept his own sneer at bay. He was not going to befriend that Potter boy and that was final.
“It’s time to set off Lucius dear.” His mother said patting her pink lips lightly with a napkin. She smiled fondly at her son and caressed his cheek with the back of a fair hand. “Let’s go my dragon. The Hogwarts Express won’t wait for anyone even for the Malfoys.”
Chapter Index
TBC… Hope you’ve enjoyed it and comments will be appreciated even if it’s tough love ^^
Title: Through the parade of fire
Pairing:Draco/Harry
Rating: PG for now
Summary: When the Potters found out that Lord Voldermort was targeting them, they invoked the King of the Elven Gods. Harry was spirited away to another world and he returns thirteen years later only to be embroiled in another war.
Disclaimer: All characters belong to J.K.Rowling and those affiliated to the ‘Harry Potter’ series. The Dark Elves belongs to Games workshop’s Warhammer fantasy fictional universe.
A/N: Introducing Audric Gilbert Dumbledore. OC, taking the role of Albus Dumbledore twin brother.
Warning: Character death.
Chapter 6: The return of Harry Potter
A portkey, Harry discovered was just mundane everyday things that could transport several people to a location at once. He must have fallen asleep because Mr Weasley had woken him up and quietly passed him his bag. The older wizard told him that he was taking him to his home. So there he was lagging behind them with a view of a tall ramshackle house and a plump woman scurried to them, suffocating the twins in a hug saying something about the last thing she said to them was how they hadn’t gotten enough OWL’S.
Harry hung back not knowing what to do. Mr Weasley mumbled something to his wife and her face fell snapping around with pitying eyes. He couldn’t stand it and stared at his trainers.
“Oh you poor thing! I’m so sorry about Audric love.” She said as he was enveloped in a bone crushing hug. She drew back and cradled his face. “It’s Harry is it?” he nodded and the witch smiled. “I’m Molly Weasley and don’t you worry for a bit, Arthur will see to things alright?”
Harry wanted to say that it wasn’t but nodded anyway. Mrs Weasley smiled some more and ushered him into the kitchen settling him down at a table. News about the appearance of the dark mark splashed the morning paper glittering black and white at them. He half listened to Mr Weasley grumbling about a certain Rita Skeeter. He flipped to another page and a picture of Bill holding Harry while he held Audric stared back. His heart, twinge something awful at the thought of the old man and worry began gnawing at him now that he could think clearly.
“You have to eat something dear.” Mrs Weasley said kindly adding more kippers onto his plate. He wasn’t hungry really so he didn’t touch them. The homely witch sighed. “At least have a little something to drink?” This, Harry allowed and he finished the pumpkin juice.
“Is Albus coming?” he asked, voice coming above a whisper. The conversations around the table stopped. Longbottom was looking at him rather sharply and he ignored the trio who had started whispering. He repeated again. “Is Albus coming?”
“Yes. They’ve sent him a message and he knows that you’re here.” Mr Weasley said looking uneasy when he didn’t answer. “Maybe you should go back to sleep Harry. In fact everyone should. It is still very early.” The wizard looked around to Ronald and looked pointedly at him. The boy rolled his eyes and shoved one last mouthful of eggs before he stood.
“That won’t be necessary.” Harry said to the younger Weasley who hovered uncertainly and looking at his father. He picked up his bag and stood. “I thank you for your hospitality but I will take my leave now.”
“You are most certainly not.” He whirled about at the rasp of familiar voice. His eyes widen at the man standing in the doorway presumably leading to the living area, tall and wiry with flowing silver hair and beard. Cool blue eyes behind those crescent spectacles did not hide how they pierced him and he was having a hard time breathing. His heart was racing so fast that he shut his eyes from the vision and forced himself to calm before reopening them. “It’s no wonder Audric died. The resemblance is uncanny.”
“Hey, it wasn’t the Professor’s fault that Audric was killed.” Longbottom snapped resentfully. The Weasley girl squeezed his shoulder and the boy relaxed under her touch. How he would dearly love to shut the boy up. “That was not what I implied but I apologize nonetheless if I have offended your delicate senses.”
Longbottom banged the table and stood growling at him. His two friends restrained him and glared reproachfully.
“If I can have a moment to speak with Harry.” Albus announced then looked to Longbottom, his eyes softening. “Alone if you please.”
“Of course Albus.” Mrs Weasley said clamping Longbottom’s mouth when he started to protest and ushered the rest out. The trio sent him one last glare which Harry ignored. “Pour yourself some tea and have a spot of breakfast Albus.” She said and closed on him cradling his face yet again. “You too dear.”
The witch left and he watched the old wizard cast a spell before settling down and buttered a toast. “Sit down Harry.” He said rather wearily and Harry did with reluctance. “I know that you wish to send me back to Naggaroth. ”
“I am very sorry you had to hear that.” Albus said and bit into his toast. Harry smiled at the old man. “No you are not. You intended for me to hear you and I am very sorry to disappoint you but I can no longer open the doorway. Not without instructions. So I am stuck here whether you like it or not and you can just send me back to my aunt if you will.”
“I’m afraid that is no longer a possibility Harry.” He said, pouring himself some tea and sipped the hot beverage carefully. “Not only do I not know where your aunt is now, there was also that picture of you in the Daily Prophet. The Ministry has been abuzz that the Potters son has returned to the living.”
“We can always deflect this as rumours.” Harry suggested. “If I disappear again no one will know any better.”
“But they know you as his ward. We cannot deny it anymore Harry and the people who had rallied with Tom before will come to find you.” This, he did not understand as he frowned at the old wizard and spoke. “Apart from the fact that my powers are…different, I do not see why I would be important enough to require a search.”
Albus finished his tea and laced his bony fingers watching him intently. “Did you know that your parents died first before Tom came after the Longbottoms?” Harry nodded and the old man leant forwards. “He saw you as a threat do you know why?” He didn’t have any answer for it but he knew that the wizard will provide one. “He saw you as an equal Harry.”
“That’s ridiculous.” He blinked a little stunned. “How was I, a mere baby then, his equal?”
“Very few know of it. There has been a prophecy which involved Longbottoms and yours since both of you were born at the end of July and both parents had defied him thrice but Tom chose you as someone who could vanquish him.”
“And sees me as equal? The only thing similar about us is we’re half-blood.”
“Precisely Harry.” He couldn’t help but stare at the old man. It was still a ridiculous notion but Tom did value blood purity above all. “But wait, if he sees me as an equal, then why did he mark Longbottom? Assuming that the boy is a pureblood.”
“Neville is a pureblood. But it is the need to fulfil the prophecy that had him attempting to kill Neville which as you know backfired leaving him but a soul - more or less.” Albus said. Harry narrowed his eyes at the old man. The ‘more or less’ comment was a tad suspicious. “I still don’t see why I can’t just disappear to another continent. If Tom was to rise, then he would have his hands full just to finish what he started. He will not bother with me since I am no longer his equal.”
“I have a need for you here.” The old man finally admitted. Harry leant back in his chair. It seems that he was destined to be a pawn here too. “And you require my permission?”
“Indeed Harry. It’s for all the good things in this world, because another war is inevitable. I can feel it in my weary bones.” He said, his blue eyes not quite beseeching because he was still wary of him. “Will you help?”
Did he want to? No he didn’t. He had enough of wars and he certainly wasn’t partial to anyone who thought him a monster. But he was also given the luxury to choose, something hideously unpractised in Naggaroth.
“I have no reasons to fight your war especially when a comrade doubts me.” Harry said and the wizard sighed, contrition written in the frown he wore. “I will not deny that sheer darkness of your power troubles me my boy. But you had shown that you are capable of loving. That is reason enough Harry.”
He studied the wizen face that looks so much like Audric. Audric too had spoken of love. He believed that the strength of the emotion could conquer all. The man would not have thought twice in protecting what was dear to him. But there was nothing that holds him here excepting the fact that he belonged to this world and as of now, he had nowhere to go, no roof over his head and no means of survival.
“I am no demon.” He replied after the silence had gone long enough. The old man cocked his silver head and waited. “I give you my faith and I expect it in return. I will do anything I can as long as you do not throw me from your side.”
A smile ghosted the thin lips and with a dip of acceptance, Albus reached out. “I give you my word Harry Potter.”
⌘ ⌘ ⌘
The first stop had been the Ministry of Magic. Albus had taken him there to register him as a magical child of Britain. Harry had kept quiet throughout the interview with some ministries he couldn’t remember their names. He had let the old wizard concoct a story of how before the night his parents were killed, they had taken Harry away and Audric had made him his apprentice and changed his name to Harry Evans. He vaguely remembered the ministry wizard from the world cup whispering to another witch. Maybe it was to confirm that he was indeed known as Harry Evans because the witch had produced a box which could only be open with the blood of a true Potter. It had him worried because he did have Malekith’s blood in him too.
When he smeared the box crimson, it hissed. There had been echoes of indistinct voices rowing furiously. Then there was that distinct laughter which froze his entire body before the box burst in emerald flames sending the room into a distressed flurry. And like the sudden blaze, it extinguished just as quickly and the lid sprang open, the box undamaged. The registration became a lot quicker after that.
So he was now returned to being Harry Potter and the box held a key to the Potter’s vault at Gringotts. With the wealth he was suddenly blessed with, he bought the things that he would need for school. The castle of Hogwarts was his home now.
His reflection stared back at him all sombre in black. In a few minutes he will have to go to Audric’s funeral, something he had managed to avoid thinking about.
“You should do something about that hair of yours boy. It’s a disgrace.” The enchanted mirror wheezed to him. Harry stared back blankly his eyes flicking to the black mop atop his head and shrugged. “It’s not for the lack of trying. It just won’t lie flat.”
The mirror harrumph something incoherent and he heard a knock. Albus poked his head in. “It’s time to go Harry.” He said before stepping back out. Harry smoothed down imaginary wrinkles on his robe and strode after trailing behind Albus. A group of wizards and witches met them at the entrance hall. They didn’t appear to notice him except for one sullen wizard with sallow skin and rather beaky nose. Something flashed in those dark eyes and disappeared again before Harry could determine what it was so he just looked back stoically. Then Albus turned his attention to him after speaking in great lengths with a stern old witch.
“I’m sorry if this couldn’t be a private affair Harry. Minerva and Severus - (the witch cleared her throat and frowned disapprovingly) my mistake. Professor McGonagall and Professor Snape will watch you.” Harry nodded mutedly. He didn’t know why Albus was apologizing seeing that he wasn’t family of sort granted that his heart did bruised at the thought of it.
“Come along now Mr Potter.” The witch sounded as severe as she looks and Harry acquiesced wedged between her and Snape. A rather short wizard with slightly pointy ears apparated away and he had to ask. “I thought apparating inside school is forbidden.”
“The headmaster gave allowance just for today considering there are reporters just outside the gates.” She answered with a sniff of disdain. She looked at him expectantly but he grabbed onto the wizard instead, who stiffened for a moment before relaxing. He fancied seeing McGonagall’s lips twitching with humor but must have imagined it and apparated away.
“Have you done this boy?” Snape said frostily but the man didn’t even wait for an answer and felt like his insides wanted to squeeze out from his nostrils. He glared at the man who only sneered. “Well? Don’t just stand there. Get in.”
That’s when he noticed that he was back at the gates of the graveyard in Godric’s Hollow. A flash went off somewhere and Snape cursed under his breath. He pushed him into the premises and grabbed his wrist wending their way briskly to a small party gathering near a white coffin. McGonagall beckoned for them to hurry and just as he settled behind the group, Albus apparated right beside the pudgy wizard startling him rather badly.
A few titters came from the front row and quieten again as soon as Albus took his seat. The wizard loses the affronted look and began saying a eulogy which Harry didn’t quite understand.
Then there was another flash and this time Harry saw a rather glamorous witch with a paunchy photographer by her side. He could feel McGonagall and Snape tensing by his sides when even more flashes came. “No respect whatsoever!” the witch groused, her voice trembling with concealed anger.
He saw the tip of a wand poking above their heads and shot white lights which spread and ensconcing them in a dome. The witch smacked into the barrier when she tried to come closer and scowled saying something to her partner. The eulogy finally came to an end and Albus stood, facing around to them.
“Friends and family,” he began bowing his head deeply. “There is nothing I regret more than not being able to fulfil his last wish and I thank you all for coming today.” With another incline, the old man stepped around to where Audric rest. After a moment, he stood aside and one by one, people rose to pay their respect.
He recognized some people from Hogsmead and he noticed that the Hogshead bartender stood by Albus. The trio were there and the whole of Weasley family were in attendance. Mr and Mrs Weasley spoke briefly with the two of them before they all left.
Their turns came soon enough. McGonagall conjured a stalk of white rose with her wand and handed to him. The three of them walked up together, flanking Harry on each side. His throat constricted painfully at the sight of Audric nestled in white silk looking like how he remembered him last; with a hint of a smile curving his lips.
McGonagall and Snape threw in their roses adding to dozens of others blanketing him. He stared at his own rose in his hand. He wondered why he was holding it when Audric couldn’t be near a flower long enough before succumbing to fits of sneezes.
Harry closed his eyes and clasped the end of the stalk. Warm energy gathered in his palms and he began visualising, feeling the molecules changing shapes as his right hand slowly moved up to the bud of the rose. Snape hissed audibly beside him and a series of flashes bloomed behind his lids. He snapped his eyes opened glaring coldly at the offending photographer. He stumbled back visibly shuddering and Harry lowered the glass licorice wand onto the unmoving chest. It was his favourite sweet and Albus smiled gratefully to him, his eyes suspiciously glassy.
⌘ ⌘ ⌘
They had their breakfast in the garden. The air felt cool and clean as they ate. His father was reading the Daily Prophet and the days old newspaper lay atop the table when it hadn’t been there last night. His sight fell to the spectacularly dangerous glint in the Potter boy’s eyes.
He had read the news of course and got rather envious when the paper stated that Potter had been Audric Gilbert Dumbledore; only one of the most powerful wizards that ever lived apprentice. The article had stated further that Potter was the youngest wizard to ever accomplish wandless magic when the boy had transfigured a rose into an ornamental sweet. The photographer also claimed that Potter had thrown him back with a single glare.
Draco wished that he could burn a hole onto the picture with his own glares. What utter bollocks! Nobody could fling off anyone with a single look and snorted derisively. His father cocked an eyebrow at him atop the newspaper he was reading and folded them with a smirk gracing his lips. A house elf popped nearby taking the newspaper from his father’s hand and popped back to nonexistence.
“Try to make the right impression this time Draco.” His father sneered reminding him of his failure at befriending Neville Longbottom. Draco fought his blush down. A Malfoy do not blush in any circumstances and kept his own sneer at bay. He was not going to befriend that Potter boy and that was final.
“It’s time to set off Lucius dear.” His mother said patting her pink lips lightly with a napkin. She smiled fondly at her son and caressed his cheek with the back of a fair hand. “Let’s go my dragon. The Hogwarts Express won’t wait for anyone even for the Malfoys.”
Chapter Index
TBC… Hope you’ve enjoyed it and comments will be appreciated even if it’s tough love ^^