Avada Kedavra

Mindless distractions

2007-05-16T19:01:56Z

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Try me, I'm totally plot-free!

2007-04-25T10:45:05Z

Yup, got a rabid plot bunny that wouldn't leave me alone, so this plot-free thing showed up. Enjoy the PWP!

Disclaimer: Dear Merlin, what am I doing to these poor characters?

What Would Happen?

The man had escaped Azkaban! It was as simple as that. True, he had escaped as one of many in the largest breakout in the prison’s history, and I’m sure there were so many other escapees I should be concerned about - but he had escaped! While he was safely locked away it had been easy to pretend the need to be close to him had never been there. That I had never felt the man’s seductive aura caressing my skin. Had never wondered what would happen if -

“Harry? Honestly, if you ask me one more time to help you with your NEWT studies, and then proceed to do nothing but gaze vacantly out the windows I will send you to Poppy with a dictionary lodged so far up your -”

Whip my head around to blink at the no longer bushy haired Head Girl, leaping across our books to clap my hands over her mouth. “Easy ‘Mione, no need to scare the First Years with your language.”

Teeth sinking into the fleshy pads of my palm I yank my hand away hissing, “Salazar ‘Mione, musst you bite me?”

Clenched fists striking the tabletop she levels me with her best ‘patrolling the halls’ glare. “Harry James Potter, you will listen to me or I will do what I threatened!”

Hold up empty hands, “Okay, okay, I’m sorry ‘Mione.”

Rolling up the essay we were working on she smacks me upside the head with it. “I don’t understand you boys; you with your head always chasing imaginary snitches, and Ron forever swearing that homework gives him nightmares. At this rate neither of you are going to amount to much.”

“’Mione!”

Ignoring the younger students in the common room who were staring at her treatment of the Boy-Who-Lived she snips, “It’s true you know, if you don’t receive a certain number of NEWTs you are never going to get a job, Wizarding Savior or not.”

“Now you sound like Snape.”

“Its Professor Snape Harry, and he’s right about it.” Brandishing the essay at my skull she growls, “Now are you going to actually put some effort into this, or shall I leave you to your daydreams?”

Tossing my head vehemently I moan, “Please ‘Mione, don’t leave me with my thoughts! With the thought of h-all those escaped prisoners!”

Parchment dropped to the table she flushes, fingers lifted to her mouth in shock. “Oh Harry, is that why you keep drifting?” Manage a nod as I struggle to keep him off my mind. “Alright, you’re forgiven. I can’t very well hold that against you, can I?” Amused snort she mutters, “The things I put up with for you.”

Making a show of interest in my History of Magic text I lift my quill, giving her a crooked grin. “You love me, you really do!”

HPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHP

Blond head of the ferret drawing my attention as I meander into the dungeons for Potions I can’t help but grin. Good thing ‘Mione was safely distracted by Ron, neither of them would allow the Slytherin near me. Picking up my pace I call out, “Malfoy! Got a minute?”

Steps halting he flicks bored silver eyes over his shoulder. “What do you want Potter?”

Reach his side, eyes twinkling madly, “Want to help me experiment?” Here’s to hoping our unspoken truce holds up under this pressure.

“Pardon? I could have sworn I heard you say experiment,” he drawls. Arms crossed he leans back against the wall, cool face almost blank of expression.

At least he isn’t hexing me into next week, though this is a bit colder then usual. “Cor, I did say experiment Malfoy. I want to know if you’ll help me with one.” Need to see if it was a Pureblood thing I was drawn to - even though I’ve never felt that same tug around him as I do around him. “I promise it won’t hurt. Won’t take more than a second either.”

Flicker of something in those eyes, “Then we will be on our way?”

Nod, “Won’t even make us late for Potions.”

Long suffering sigh reminiscent of ‘Mione, he shoves himself upright, hands dropping to hand by his sides. “What do I have to do Potter?”

“Just -” freeze as a white snake with eerily familiar eyes pokes its head from his book bag. Swallowing convulsively I take a few quick steps back as that force lashes out at me. Forked tongue tasting the air the serpent turns to stare at me. Heart thudding I gasp, “Never mind Malfoy, you’ve already given me my answer.”

Tensing when he follows my gaze to the snake he hisses, “Potter -”

“No, don’t worry, not a word from me,” one last look at those eyes watching me, “I have to go!” Fleeing down the hall in a desperate attempt to escape him I whimper.

HPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHP

Dodging Malfoy had become my new specialty. So did not want to explain what had happened last week to him. Didn’t help that he was in the castle all the time now, taunting me with that magnetism of his! Empty hallway before me I breath a sigh of relief. I’d escaped him again.

“Potter.”

Yelp and whirl at the sound of my surname in that drawl. Cheeks burning I stare at the blond lounging casually against a wall. HIM! Mercurial eyes holding something new, something they hadn’t held before Azkaban, he arches a brow at me. Choking on my own breath I halt my unconscious steps towards him.

Where in the nine hells was the ferret?

Smooth roll of his shoulders shifting his body away from the stones he prowls closer. “What is it you wished to ask of my son Potter?”

Sweet Merlin.

Heart in my throat I clutch at my robes as he stops with only a few mere inches separating us. Aura reaching out for me, cocooning me, I shudder. “Lucius,” I whisper into the strained silence, my hands moving on their own accord, tangling themselves in blond. Mouth lifting, meeting his I whimper. Bloody hell, what was I doing?

Body tensing for a second before me I go to break the contact we have. Please let me get away with my life.

Startled squeak jumping from my throat I melt against him, his hands forcing me closer. Teeth nipping at my lips I readily open beneath his demands, submitting to his greedy tongue. Head spinning I fight for air as he pulls away with a bite of teeth. Lights flickering in the corners of my closed eyes I answer each of the oxygen robbing kisses pressed on me.

Stones against my back I arch into his heat, panting as that mouth drops to suckle at my neck. Breathy whimpers fill the hall. Hiss, teeth bared, as he pierces skin. Caress of a hot tongue soothing the burn I hang limply in his grip. That was going to show. Lips returning to mine he breaks away with a gasp, “My son.”

Arms suddenly empty I sag to the floor, a white serpent slithering into my lap. Gray eyes regarding me with longing it twists to peer up at the newly arrived Slytherin. Dizzy, I gaze up through my bangs at the ferret. “What do you want Malfoy?”

Crouching down before me he whispers, “Merlin, what happened to you?”

“Nothing,” I mutter, absently trailing my fingers along the snake’s spine.

Silver eyes lock on the reptile on me he snaps, “Serafine! You know you are not supposed to wander.”

Baring fangs at his son, Lucius snarls, ‘Why you little - I ought to bite you for that!’

Giggling at the two bickering Malfoys I squawk when a pale hand grabs hold of my robes, heaving me to my feet. Turn wide eyes to take in the sight of one Severus Snape, gulping as his mouth opens to berate me. White blur I gape as Snape leaps backwards, wand out, the serpentine form of Lucius spitting curses at him. Jumping in front of his Head of House’s wand the younger Malfoy shouts something at the man. Taking that as my cue, I dart deeper into the dungeons.

HPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHP

Fingers grasp the silk and velvet of his robe, mouth crushed to his, the wall of yet another shady hallway behind my back. Breaking apart for air I whine, “Not fair.”

Pale hands buried in my hair he shifts against me, swollen lips ghosting across my jaw. “What is not fair?” he whispers, breath scalding as it fills my ear.

Hiss when his teeth catch my earlobe between them, gasping, “C-can’t ge-et more th-than a few kiss-ses before t-they come.”

Releasing my earlobe he regards me with an arched brow before dipping his lips to mine. Tongue plunging into my mouth hungrily he drops a hand to my waist. “You do have a point.”

Pouting up at him, those heated silver eyes making me shiver, I tug at his robes. “Course I do,” snag a quick kiss, “I am the Boy-Who-Lived you know.”

Sniggering his amusement he flicks his eyes down the hall, “Do you know of a place where we would be uninterrupted?” Footsteps bouncing off the stones he shifts back to his animagus form, my hands draping him around my shoulders as I begin to run again.

HPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHP

Giving me a serpentine look of disgust as I slip into Myrtle’s bathroom, Lucius quickly hides himself in my school robe’s hood as Myrtle rises from her toilet. “Harry? What are you doing here? You haven’t visited me for weeks!”

“I know,” hands upheld towards her, hoping to pacify her, “and I’m sorry about that, but I really can’t talk now.” Jaw dropping as I eagerly turn to the sink, hissing at it to open, she wails as I jump into the chute, Chamber entrance closing above me.

Tumbling over as I hit the bottom I giggle when Lucius slithers away from me, returning to his human form. Hand held down, he lifts me to my feet, stormy eyes gazing about the bone infested caverns.

“Romantic,” he drawls.

Smacking his arm I trudge purposefully in the direction of the chamber I remember fighting the basilisk in. Tossing a look over my shoulder I purr, “You wanted uninterrupted.” Wand in hand I blast the fallen rocks that had trapped me five years ago out of my way.

“Impressive.”

Ducking in a mocking bow I reach out, twining my hand with one of his. “Come on you bloody Slytherin.” Chamber door opening at my command I re-enter the grand hall of Salazar Slytherin’s making.

Blond tacking the lead, pulling me along, he stares around in surprise. “Merlin, is this what I think it is?”

Happy that he’s dropped the one word comments I slide closer to him, “Mm, Salazar’s Chamber of Secrets.”

“Pot-Harry -” flustered he jerks his eyes away from the basilisk carcass.

Tilting my chin up I hiss, “Kiss me.”

Arching a brow at my demand he shrugs, unoccupied hand snagging in my hair. Lips I was rapidly becoming intimately familiar with meeting mine he drags me close. Sharp nip at my bottom lip I open, welcoming his tongue with my own. Drop his hand to tug at his robes, fingers working at the buttons I discover under a panel of embroidery.

Mouth moving away from mine, descending to the flushed skin of my throat he releases his grip on me to allow his outer robe to fall to the ground. His fingers attack my own clothing as he leaves another mark on my flesh. Recapturing him in a oxygen robbing kiss I shrug out of the black robe. Shuck my jumper over my head. Impatient with his button-up I tear several glittering buttons from their threads, little sounds of them hitting the stones lost beneath our gasps.

Rake my nails lightly down the bared alabaster skin, hissing when he bites me hard enough to make me bleed. My school shirt ripped from my torso with a growl he licks the bloody imprint of his teeth. Lifting lips with a smudge of crimson on them to capture mine he shakes the damaged silk shirt from his arms. Drop my forehead to his shoulder, chest heaving with each short intake of air.

Gaze traveling down the length of his chest I grin. Nails press into the skin at his hips I flick my tongue over a pale pink nipple. Full body shiver racing through his limbs he makes a soft noise in appreciation. Close my teeth over the nub and tug. Shift my attention to the other nipple. Hands fumbling at my belt he whimpers as I slide down his body, trailing kisses and nips as I go. Plunge my tongue into his navel, fucking it, one of my hands removing his belt.

Palm ghosting over the tent in his trousers I pop buttons free, lifting my eyes to stare up at him. Lust filled silver eyes drink in the sight of me kneeling before him as delicate fingers trace over my cheeks. Smirking, I tug the trousers downwards. Toeing off his loafers he steps free of his last bit of clothing, standing naked in front of me. Murmur of pleasure leaving my lips I take a moment to simply look at him. Cock twitching as I run my finger down its length I lean forward. Tongue sliding over its head Lucius mewls above me, clenching his hands in my hair.

Lips closing around his arousal I suck lightly. Gurgled response from the blond. Rising a bit on my knees I swallow more, teeth grazing the sensitive skin as he slides deeper. Gag reflex making me stop for a few deep breaths I curl fingers around the base of his cock. Sliding my mouth up his member, sucking at the purpled head, I pull my belt from my pants. Bob my head, freeing my own cock from the confines of my clothing.

Grip on my hair pulling me to my feet he shudders, “Not yet.”

Sway into him, feet kicking my pants away. Heated flesh meeting I moan, rocking my hips against his. Hand cupping my ass he hauls me as close as possible. Crush my lips to his, standing on tiptoes to reach him.

Finger slipping down my crack I whine, “Lu-ciuss!”

Grunted spell, our hips grinding together. Pressure at my anus I whimper as a lubricant coated finger pushes into me. Kissing me he wriggles his finger inside me. Jerk away from his mouth to shout as he grazes something, stars bursting in my vision. Smirking he slips a second finger inside me, crooking both to hit that spot. Babbling in his arms I thrust down on his fingers. Removing his fingers from me he drops to his knees, beckoning for me. Kneeling over his thighs I tremble.

Another spell and he pulls my mouth to his. Tongue battling mine he uses a hand on my hip to guide me lower. Head of his arousal pressing against my opening I shiver. Quick intake of oxygen before his lips are covering mine. Tear my mouth free of his, a keening wail of pleasure echoing in the Chamber as he pierces me. Pulse pounding I cling to the man beneath me, soft kisses raining across my face. Shift atop him, emerald eyes locking with silver.

“Fuck me Lucius, please?”

Capturing me in a kiss he tilts me down to the stones, his outer robe caressing my back. Legs hooked over his shoulders he begins to move within me. Arch into his thrusts, panting between kisses. Fingernails digging into his back I urge him to pound into me. The sound of skin hitting skin under our gasps and moans fills the Chamber. Shifting his angle he makes me scream when he starts hitting that place with every thrust.

Clawing at him in a frenzy I shriek his name as I come, sight graying. Orgasm prolonged for a few seconds more as he plunges into me twice more I clench my muscles around him. Heat filling me, he cries out my name, shuddering above me. Sweat slicked body collapsing half on top of me he lifts his head, our mouths connecting for a lazy kiss.

HPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHP

Bursting into the unused girl’s bathroom on the second floor I search for Moaning Myrtle’s ghost. Snape at my back I call, “Myrtle?”

Exiting her favorite stall she giggles, “Two pretty boys in one day?”

“Myrtle, did Potter come through here?”

Batting her eyelashes at me she nods, bobbing in the air in front of me. “Oh yes, that rude boy did. He wouldn’t stop to talk to me.” Pout threatening her face she moans, “No one loves poor Myrtle anymore!”

“Where is Potter?” Snape demands, patience lost.

Letting out a cry, she shrieks, “Down in that creepy Chamber doing naughty things with a blond man!” Water flying into the air as she dives into a toilet I twist to stare at my Head of House.

“That snake-”

“My father.”

“I see, and Potter-”

“Had him when he ran.”

“So the blond-”

“My father,” I whisper, not wanting to think about it.

“I see.” Unfathomable ebon eyes piercing straight through me Snape gives an elegant shrug, “I believe I need to drink myself into a stupor in an attempt to cleanse my Inner Eye.”

Howling with hysterical laughter, I collapse to the floor of Moaning Myrtle’s bathroom, images of my father and Potter dancing in my mind.

Switchblade Symphony and other news

2007-04-24T23:59:11Z

Just dropping a line to mention new information regarding Switchblade Symphony. We have reformatted the entire thing, and turned it into a quartet called 'Switchblade Symphony'. The first part, or movement, is called Sonata. Following that is Andante, Scherzo, and Allegro. Yes, fear our punny play on symphonies and quartets. We're going to redo our memories to fit this new form of the 'Symphony', so now you know how to navigate them. Also, the plot may be branching away from the original from this point forward; some key facts will remain the same, but the rest will change.

Also, we've reactivated our accounts on AdultFanfiction.net, Silver Snitch I, and Silver Snitch III.

Um, believe that's all the news we have, just wanted to make sure you got it.

last of switchblade for now

2007-03-29T05:06:06Z

Yup, this is as far as we've gotten. Renee says we need to add a couple new chapters to smooth over some of the next few holes, so we're working on fresh words for this piece. And we're afraid it'll just get longer from here...

Author Diddy: Well, here's the next, newly revised chapter of this. I'm beginning to remember why I hated revising essays for school - don't worry, I'm not going to drop this fic anytime soon, it's my baby! Erm, not much has really changed between the two versions yet, just ading a few sentances here and there to make the direction it takes more feasible.

Disclaimer: Would I be working for a bookstore if I owned Harry Potter? I think not!

Warning: The following fanfic will contain references to death, suicide, self-mutalation, sex (SLASH, boy on boy action), rape, confusing ideas, and language. If I've forgotten anything, please let me know...

the voice

Switchblade Symphony

Five

It's All Inside

The screaming was everywhere. Voices raised in pain and triumph. Sick, sadistic joy and tearing horror. Flash of white blond hair and gray eyes. Snake topped cane clattering to the floor. Blond hair stained with the black lifeblood. Torn bodice and pale skin bared. Terrible cries of loss and pain. A woman was dead. A husband mourned his wife's death. Never that close, but to see her destroyed - he was sobbing. Limbs contorting under the cruciatus curse. Slender throat offered up in a sick parody. Pain.

Too much pain.

Realities were beginning to blur together.

Muscles shrieking in pain I howl in pain as my vision swims with spots of light and dark. Clawing at the curtains around my bed I stagger a few steps before crumbling. The hated scar was nearly sizzling. Flicker of a tear streaked face. Red hair intruding on the blond. Cruel smile ghosting over concerned young male faces. Breath coming in harsh pants. Spasm of pain. Another round of the cruciatus begins. Malfoy. Ron? It was too much.

Cold stone beneath my knees warred with slick, warm stone under a bowed spine. Curls matted with blood. Pale skin of a lady. Laughing jeers. Faces entertained by the torment of one that was thought to be theirs. Thought? Had He finally snapped His greatest follower? Why was He doing this?

Haul myself to my feet as the flow of cruciatus pauses. Draco, I have to tell him. "Draco - Dumbledore - Voldemort - Cruciatus." Was that my voice gasping? Struggle free of restraining hands, cries of surprise as fingers and movement bare my wrists. Had I undone the bandages that Draco had so carefully applied before going to sleep? Yes, no, don't care. Draco.

I was stumbling down the stairs, bare feet stubbing every possible crack. Slam my shoulder against the archway as the third round of cruciatus hits us both. I have to get through this, they'll find out soon enough. Draco has to hear it from me. Narcissa, dead.

Oh gods.

Ducky! What’s hurtin’ you so?

Halls melt together into a shapeless landscape of pain and shadow. Were Ron and the others still following me? Burst of stars as I plow head first into a wall echoing the next cruciatus. If I live through this remind me to hate that curse. Worse than Avada Kedavara. Didn't just kill you in a jolt of extreme pain. Prolonged pain. Madness. Oh Godric the pain.

The stones beneath my feet - not his body - were getting colder. Close, so close. Just a bit further.

"Harry, hey Harry, you can't go down there. That's Slytherin's dungeons."

Still there then. Bully for them. Palms strike a warm, yielding body. Blood was making the floor sticky. Funny, I never knew that a whole lot of blood made things sticky. Coarse clothe beneath my fingers. Blink and manage to make out a stern, ebon-eyed face. Snape. Godfather. It was beginning again. Shudder and scream with the pain, giving in to the inevitable, the blond man in my vision doing the same. Please, let me pass out.

What’s happenin’ ducky? Tell me!

Evil glower falling into an expression of concern. "Potter? Potter, what is wrong?"

"Get your hands off him you slimy git!"

Ah Ron, if I weren't busy shrieking from the pain of the cruciatus he would love to take points for that one.

"Weasley! Watch your tongue, I am still your professor no matter what time you meet me."

It was fading, was he done? Dare we - I hope that much? Another glimpse of blond curls and blood stained skin - thighs, she'd been raped before they killed her. Godric, he'd been forced to watch it all. Grab fists full of Snape's sleeping robe, "Draco, take me to Draco -" not another one - "p-please - gods the pain - I have to tell him - he, I, we can't take much more - for Salazar's sake - just let us collapse you bastard - why aren't you there - Narcissa!"

Blur of shorter blond hair and startled silver eyes. Draco, you were here somehow. "Sev, what's wrong with Harry?" What indeed? Oh gods, He wasn't anywhere near done was He? Blood, curls, emerald green, and finally, blackness as he lapses into unconsciousness. "Harry? Wonder boy?"

Cling to the black robe as I lift tear reddened eyes to confused silver. "Godric I am so sorry, so sorry." Sobs choking out my words I slide to the stones and huddle in on myself. Behind me was the flock of Gryffindors, willing to follow me in the dead of night. In front of me, two Slytherins, godfather and godson. Malfoy and Snape. Lift my chin and stifle the sobs, "She's dead Drake, she's dead - He killed her. I'm so sorry. I - I should have done something."

Knowledge floods his eyes as he goes white. "Mo-mother," he whispers brokenly, the betrayal and loss throbbing. Forget that the Gryffindors stand there. He was on his knees, tears running down his marble skin, nails digging into his palms. "And Father? Please - is he alright?"

I was shaking with aftershocks. Little, bone jarring ripples of ghost pain. "He, we blanked out from the pain - cruciatus curse, over and over again. We're, he's sorry he couldn't protect her. Alive yes, but scarred. If we can find him he might make some sort of recovery. Don’t know why He attacked us. No warning. Where we are, I don't know. Lost the link when he went under. The pain, Salazar the pain. Sorry, should have been able to protect her."

Harry, I am Harry Potter. Skinny little runt of a child. Raised by muggles. Hated by said muggles. I am a pureblood wizard. Head of the Malfoy line. Green eyes and a lightning shaped scar. Slytherin.

Lights were - are flashing in front of me. Headlights, there are cars in our vision. Screech of tires as we list to the side. Glimpse of a familiar street sign. "Privet Drive, Vol-He dumped us near the Dursley's house." No, that wasn't right. We were staggering into their front yard. "Oh gods, we're in their yard!"

Flare of power along my veins. More pain and a whispering, singsong voice. :Save him yes, go to him.: My toes were getting wet. I was standing in grass? Privet Drive. How did I get here? Lift my eyes from my feet, a weary, half dead, blood-covered blur of a figure staring at me.

"Lucius, you know me, trust me." Godric, I know I must look horrid; my skin is blanched white, angry red lines dancing down my inner wrists. I left my glasses at my bedside, my hair is a wreck, and I'm expecting a Malfoy to trust me? "Please Lucius, for Draco's sake trust me. He needs you more then he ever has."

Behind him the front door was opening. Godric, however I got here I've got to get out of here before they see me. "Please Lucius." There's panic and fear slipping into my voice. If they see me I'm in for it, Lucius isn't anywhere near able to 'defend' me. "Lucius, please, I know I'm the Boy-Who-Lived and a half blood to top that, but please, we have to get out of here. Th-they won't be happy to see me."

"BOY!" Salazar, he saw me.

Whimper and hold my hands out to the dazed Malfoy. "Lucius! Dear gods Lucius trust me!"

He was coming for me, Lucius was frozen, ah it was hopeless.

What the fuck is going on ducky?!

"Boy, what do you think you're doing here? I told you that I didn't want to see you until you got out of that blasted freak shop you call a school!" A meaty fist rises to swing at my jaw. "And you better not have brought one of those freaks here!" Brace my fists by my side as he swings and you know what? Flying wasn't all that difficult if you had someone to 'help' you along.

DMHPDMHPDMHPDMHPDMHPDMHPDMHPDMHP

As much as I loathed leaving my godson without me to comfort him - who knows what he will do to sooth the pain while I am gone - I will admit that Albus may have a point in saying that Lucius will come with us more quickly if he sees me. If he still trusted me. Please let him still be willing to trust me, after all I put him through after learning of his wedding to Narcissa.

Striding alongside Albus' side I inquire, "Where is it that we are going Albus?"

"Privet Drive my dear boy, home of Harry Potter's muggle relatives."

Ah. So why were we apparating there? Wasn't that going to look odd to the poor muggles? Poor? Hm, I shall re-evaluate that thought after this is all taken care of.

Brief pop and the sight of young Potter soaring boneless through the air greets me. Landing without a sound he blinks jaded eyes at the sky and heaves himself to his feet. Frozen in the middle of the sculpted lawn is my - Lucius. Heart aching at the sight of his battered body I hiss. Chin held high Potter shuffles back towards the huge, disgusting, cow of a man. Hands held out towards Lucius he begs for him to trust him. The man was raising his beefy fist again. I may not like Potter, but I'll be damned twice over if I'm going to allow that muggle to lay another finger on him - after all, Draco would never forgive me.

Robes billowing behind me I flick my wand at the man with a softly uttered spell. Tangled in a full body bind he boggles at me. Wand free hand stretching for Lucius I croon, "Lucius, Draco needs his father."

"Please trust us Lucius."

There was a flicker of recognition beginning in those haunted eyes. Slipping my wand back into its pocket I hold both hands out to him, my arms open. "Luc, it's Sev, please Luc, Draco's hurting." He was leaning. Closing my eyes I whisper, "Luc, I need you. I’m sorry. Please let us help you." Voice cracking I grunt as he hurls himself into my arms.

His whole body was shaking with repressed pain and sorrow. Every muscle tense, fingers clutching at me as though I were his only lifeline to the world. Tangling a hand in his hair I murmur a soothing litany of nonsense, black eyes meeting green. Feet guiding him to us, the 'savior' of our world leans his cheek against Lucius' stiff back. "I know what you saw Mr. Malfoy - I felt everything they did to both of you."

He what? Potter felt both Luc's pain and Narcissa's? Did he feel her die? Merlin, if he had - the blade’s song might be too strong to resist if he was left alone. Mental note not to leave Potter alone for a while.

Breaking his grip on my robes Luc turns in a flare of white-blond and black. "You - felt it all?" Short nod of his head, flyaway black mop straggling into glazed eyes. "I - I - " Weary smile curling his mouth Potter shrugs and collapses into a dead faint. Wide, terrified eyes jerk back to mine, "Sev? Is he - does he do that often?"

Unable to stop the quirk at the corner of my mouth I gently drape an arm around his shoulders, tugging his body tight against mine. It felt too good to have him back in my arms, responding even a little to my touch. "He does seem to spend more time in the hospital wing than any of the other students combined, so I'd have to say yes."

Jowls trembling with rage the muggle in my bind spits, "That boy is mine."

Quirking a brow at him Albus steps around Potter's fallen form. "Actually Vernon, as of the moment he stepped onto the train for his next term, he is mine."

"The brat's my nephew! What right do you have to him?"

"Harry may be your nephew by blood Vernon, however, he is the savior for our world by deed." Blue eyes glinting darkly Albus steps close to the muggle, "And I will have it known that after observing these past few moments, I hereby renounce all claims I gave you sixteen years ago. Harry Potter is no longer of your concern, he belongs to the wizarding world now."

"Not mine?! I have done nothing to him that he hasn't deserved!"

Lifting my free hand to rub at my temple I frown, this muggle was a clinger. The only way we were going to get Potter away from him was to kidnap the boy. Frown deepening I hiss, "Since when did this all become a we?"

"Sev?" Confused gray eyes blinking at me. Salazar, I said that out loud.

Slight smile, "Don't worry Luc, just muttering to myself."

Flicking his wand at Potter Albus turns to regard Luc and I with a raised brow. "Well, we had best return to Hogwarts, Madame Pomfrey will be wanting to see both of her patients and you have classes to teach Severus."

He was right again, damned old man. Levitating Potter's body he nods, "I trust you can bring Lucius back without any difficulty?" Glancing at Luc's down turned head I nod. "Very good my boy, I shall see you in the hospital wing soon." Vanishing with a soft pop he takes Potter with him.

"I suppose I have to release the muggle, might get hit by Aurors if I don't. All that gibberish about revealing our world and such. Or maybe uncalled for cruelty to a Lesser being?" Twist of my wrist to release that disgusting pig. "Although I personally think it to be entirely just to leave him tied up like that, don't you Luc?" Sparing the pig a malice coated smile I apparate the two of us to the edges of Hogwarts. Mouth turning downwards at a stray thought I murmur, "How in the world did Potter apparate from within Hogwarts?"

DMHPDMHPDMHPDMHPDMHPDMHPDMHPDMHP

If I have to dodge one more inquisitive Gryffindor I swear I shall send all the warnings to the depths of hell! Sev had warned me that the Gryffindors had an uncanny knack for popping up where you least expected them. They also seemed to gather knowledge of things they were not meant to know rather well he had growled. His last bits of advice before he left my corner of the hospital wing with Draco in tow, a bleak light in his eyes, left me slightly confused. He had managed to dredge a promise out of me, a promise that I would not leave Potter to his own devices; and that I was not to make Potter angry by mentioning Sirius Black.

Curious parting words, which leads me to my current seat by Potter's bedside. He had not woken yet, but for the past few minutes he had been twitching. I guess I felt I owed him some sort of thanks for bringing Albus, and Sev, to me. And for telling Draco; from what my son had been willing to tell me about their sudden truce, I felt it was right for him to be the one to break the news to my child.

Emerald eyes flying open the boy whimpers, "Let it alone you bastard, I've got him and you're not going to get your filthy claws in him anytime soon."

Coughing softly I quirk a sculpted brow at him, "Talking to yourself Potter?"

Raking fingers through his hair he rolls his eyes, "Bloody hell, stop sounding just like the two of them, only one of them has your blood."

"Two of them?"

"Snape and Mal-Draco, they both have said the same thing to me," curious look at my attire, "in the same tone."

Shrug and set my book down on a handy table. "Madame Pomfrey told me sternly that while I was in her care I would not be allowed to prance about like a dandy."

"Ah." He was laughing at me, albeit silently, but laughing none the less.

"Potter? I feel I owe you a lot of gratitude, not only for bringing Sev and Albus to 'rescue' me earlier - in a round about manner - but also for being the one to tell Draco. I don't think Sev or I could have done it, and Albus - well, you know his ways as well as I do I suppose."

Flash of bitter fury in those young-yet-old eyes, "I suppose I do."

He was drifting into a deep place, one far away from me and the present reality. Pomfrey had reinforced Sev’s words, telling me that if he woke up, to keep him talking and not retreating until she could get someone here to talk to him. But what to ask to keep him talking? Ah, maybe I can figure out the Gryffindor secret for knowledge. "Say Potter? How is it that you Gryffindors always know more then you should?"

DMHPDMHPDMHPDMHPDMHPDMHPDMHP

Blink slowly, dragging my mind away from the lilting song of blood, elder Malfoy’s voice breaking the silence. The voice hadn’t spoken to me since last night - hope it’s alright, where ever and whatever it is. Question making me blink again I feel the beginnings of a smirk twitching on my lips.

So he thought that I would just spill the words right into his lap? Silly pureblood, you weren't counting on a side of Slytherin cunning along with that Gryffindor bravery were you? "Come now Lucius, do you really expect me to yap our trade secrets without a fight or a very tempting bribe?" Since when has he become Lucius and not Mr. Malfoy?

"Bribe? Not very Gryffindor of you Potter."

"Not all Gryffindor Lucius." Bloody hat.

"Oh?"

"Nu-uh Lucius, no secrets for you unless you have something I want." He doesn’t seem to be against my use of his first name. Odd.

Sputtering he reaches for my throat. "Why you little prat!"

Waving a finger in front of him I tut, "Now now, wouldn't want to bring Pomfrey down on you for disabling the recovery of one of her patients."

"Insufferable boy, too much like your father and his merry little band."

Catch a flash of fright in his gaze as my throat closes, a black hole inside me linking him with Siri's death. Close my eyes, breath speeding up I shake my head harshly. "Leave me alone Siri! Why do you still haunt me?" Eyes snapping open I fix them on the startled visage of Malfoy senior, "You helped kill him you bastard. You helped kill the last part of my family! My family!" I was screaming at him now, my voice a swiftly rising shriek. "I'll bloody kill you! All of you! All of you damned Death Eaters and your stupid minions. All of you are dead!"

Ducky! Calm down - pull yourself together!

Wrenching my mouth shut I leap from the bed, bare feet striking the cool stones with a painful slap. Have to bring myself back down from this rage. Prowling away from the white faced Malfoy I hug my biceps. He was Draco's father and the only family he had left save Snape - can‘t hurt him any more than He already has. Yes he had been part of the scheme that night at the Ministry, but I couldn't kill him for that.

Why not? He had helped kill Siri, even if it was indirectly. And he was a known Death Eater. After the Ministry fiasco he'd been imprisoned at Azkaban. Could I kill him for that alone?

No.

Echoing the voice’s reply with a negative shake of my head I tear my pajama shirt off, nails of my right hand ripping the fresh scabs off the marks on my left wrist. I had to straighten myself out. Couldn't kill Malfoy. Couldn't bring any sort of attention down on him either. Draco was in class. Snape was teaching. Dumbledore could just keep his nosy, twinkling eyes out of this. None of the Gryffindors would agree with me, they'd tell me to kill him.

It wasn't enough. I needed something stronger to free me.

Calling in one of my trusty razorblades I continue my pacing. Laying the blade on my skin I sneer and drag it deftly from the edge of my palm to the curve of my elbow. Vanishing the blade I stare at the sudden rush of red as the anger dissipates. Oh gods, I hit the vein.

Shit.

Blood on the floor. Blond curls. Screams. Stars beginning to blossom behind my eyes. How could I hit the vein? Pressure of a pair of hands. Follow the slight direction of pressure back to the bed. Laughter bubbling hysterically from my mouth I flop back into the pillows. Gracing me with a Malfoy look Lucius swipes a damp clothe over the blood. Wrapping gauze and tape around my forearm he watches it for a few minutes before dropping back into his chair.

Eyes swimming with ghosts he mutters, "Don't do that Potter."

I was still laughing, laughter quickly turning into high-pitched giggles. Arms waving in the air I crow, "Why not Lucius? It's fun and it helps me feel." New injury burning a bit I flick my eyes down at it. The blood was seeping through the bandages and down to the point of my elbow. Mouth forming an ‘o’ I stare at the brilliant crimson streaks.

"Damn you Harry, don't be like Sev. He blames himself, in his own way, for the deaths of your parents. Says he shouldn't have let his hatred of James and S - get the better of him." Elegant hands gripping my shoulders he hauls me off the pillows.

Be like Sev? How could I be like Snape - unless! Gape at the walls, equilibrium shot with the fresh knowledge. Snape had cut when they were in school together. Does he still?

Settling himself behind me he curls his arms around my stomach, deftly undoing the tape and gauze. "I guess I blame myself too. I never really had anything against them, except for the teasing that hurt Sev, but still, if I hadn't been so wrapped up in His schemes for a better world I would not have stood by as He killed them both.

"As long as He kept my Draco and Narcissa safe from everything I was willing to follow Him into anything. I never really loved Narcissa, Sev was the one that mattered to me and she understood that, but she was the mother of my son. Before he was born I gave her a promise that I failed to keep yesterday. I promised her that the two of us would raise Draco as a family, that I would always protect her from harm - and I failed her."

Fingers rewinding the gauze and tape he rests his chin on the top of my head. "Draco wouldn't understand - "

"Harry!!??" Damn, or course it'd be Ron who was the first to sneak in. Catching Lucius' retreating hand I shake my head shortly.

DMHPDMHPDMHPDMHPDMHPDMHPDMHPDMHPDMHP

My heart was pounding, those great shuddering kind. The kind that makes you think it's about to explode. Not ready for a confrontation. Calloused fingers tightening on my wrist Potter shakes his head as I go to retreat. No? But that blazing red hair belonged to one of his best friends, one Ronald Weasley if I'm not mistaken.

"Harry, what in blazes is wrong with you? First you turn around and are great chums with the ferret, then you wake up screaming and proceed to scramble for the dungeons, and now - now I come in to see you and find you practically sprawled in that Death Eater’s lap! Have you lost your bloody mind Harry? Is that why you didn't answer any of our owls over the summer? Did his death affect you that much? Damn you, why won't you talk to 'Mione and I?"

Boiling out of my lap Potter hisses something at the Weasley in what sounds like Parseltongue. "Talk? Talk to you and 'Mione when all you see is each other? How does one talk to you? Is it like talking to a wall, because that's what it bloody well feels like! Every time I try to talk to you the both or you tell me I'm over reacting. That I'm making things seem worse than they are!

"You want to know why I woke up screaming last night? Because Voldemort, stop flinching, was torturing people! You know I feel the pain of those He tortures! He put the cruciatus curse on one man six times in rapid succession! Did you expect me, the brave Gryffindor, Boy Who Lived, to just let Him do that without doing something? For Salazar's sake Ron, I can't not help people!"

"But a Malfoy? Two Malfoys? They're evil Harry. Death Eaters and servants of You Know Who!"

Shoulders slumping Potter turns his back to the Weasley and staggers back to the bed. "Go back to class Ron," he mutters as he collapses into my lap carelessly. He looks so tired, desperate for any sort of comfort that will not judge him in giving it.

"Harry?" pitiful whisper from the redhead.

"Lucius? You don't mind staying with me do you?"

Dropping my eyes from the Weasley boy I pet the back of his head, "Of course not -"

Cutting me off the red head snarls, "Fine Harry, if you want to spend more time with nasty Slytherins then with your friends, go ahead."

Twisting to glare at his friend Potter hisses, "Go. Back. To. Class. Ron."

"I'll go, but what would Sirius say about seeing you more willing to talk to a Slytherin then a Gryffindor?"

Bitter laughter barking out in the sudden silence Potter purrs, "He wouldn't say anything Ron, he's dead in case you forgot that little piece of information. Lestrange killed him, remember? In the Ministry? Yes?"

Palms up to fend off anymore words, the Weasley boy backs away from Potter. Eyes wide he whirls and flees from the wing. Shuddering Potter droops forward. "Potter? Are you unwell? Should I call Madame Pomfrey?"

Voice soft Potter shakes his head, "No, just tired that's all. Infernally tired of it all. Of the Boy Who Lived tripe, Vol-Him, Dumbledore, all of it. You know what I've always wanted?" Shifting into a more comfortable sprawl in my lap he sighs, "A real family, someone to pat me on the back when I did something right and good. A father who was proud to be there for me, ever when I did things badly. A mother to coddle me. Maybe a sibling to argue with over stupid things. A godfather like Draco's got. That's all I've ever wanted. Not this fame. Just a family - the one thing I'll never get to have."

Arms snaking around Potter's shoulders I pull him close. If I had been told a couple days ago that I would have Potter literally fall into my lap and that, instead of cursing him into oblivion, I would feel sorry for the boy I would have hexed them into St. Mungo’s. Yet, here I was, arms around Potter, singing softly in an offer of some comfort to the Boy Who Lived.

DMHPDMHPDMHPDMHPDMHPDMHPDMHPDMHP

"Honestly Luc, letting him fall asleep on you." Lips twitching I quirk a brow at the blonde’s resigned face.

"I wasn't aware that he had fallen asleep until you told me."

Pulling my hair back with a black ribbon I smirk, "And you were singing to him this entire time?"

"Yes - he seemed so lost, and don't dare give me that sneer of yours Sev."

Rising from my chair I settle down by Potter's knees, reaching a hand out to brush Luc's jaw. "I would never dream of doing such a thing. I was there when that pig of a muggle sent his nephew on an impromptu flying lesson. And - I hate to admit this, but I had Potter threaten me at wand point for insulting his godfather's memory. Luc, he isn't stable. Hasn't been since that night at the Ministry."

Carding pale fingers through Potter's unruly mass of hair he nods, a flicker of sorrow entering his eyes. "I know, I had the 'honor' of having that fact shoved down my throat earlier today. Do you know what he did Sev? What he has been doing - to feel?"

Memories flaring behind my closed eyelids I nod mutely.

/flashback/

The steady growth of red along his arms was calming. Just watching that color force its way out of his pale skin made it feel right. Luc is going to kill me if he finds out - but to feel, to feel real and not like some ghost was worth the impending tongue lashing. Swiping fingers through the crimson I blink as strong arms twine around my hips. Damn, he was here, he knew. Tears were threatening at the corners of his eyes, gods don't let him hate me or leave me.

"Sev, come to bed so I can wrap you up," he sounded so dead, so horribly empty. Does he hate me already? Has he always hated me? "Sev, love, let me get some bandages on your arms. We need to talk and having you pass out from blood loss will not be helpful."

"Talk?"

Manhandling me into his bed he growls at me as he pulls me into his lap. "Yes, talk my depressed lover."

"You don't - aren't going to leave me?"

Pausing in his bandaging he meets my eyes, "Never consider that to be an option Severus Snape, you hear? Never."

/end flashback/

Leaning close Luc whispers, "I meant it then, and I mean it now - no matter what you said all those years ago." Closing the distance between us I brush my lips over his. Gods how I'd missed simply being able to kiss him. Groaning from his position in Luc's lap Potter begins to wake. Smile quivering Luc tries to smooth Potter's hair down.

"It's not going to work Father, his hair defies any laws to stand out like that," Draco quips as he strides across the floor. Joining the three of us on the bed with a smirk he croons, "Hey Wonder Boy, rise and shine."

Emerald gaze blinking us into focus he stares at us in shock, "What are all of you doing here?"

Finger prodding his shoulder Luc gives him a look. "Well, you fell asleep in my lap so I was and am stuck, Sev came in to tease me over letting you fall asleep in my lap, and Draco just joined us to, I presume, do the same thing that Sev's been doing for the past ten minutes."

Making a face Draco holds up his hands, "Some of what Sev's been doing Father, some of what Sev's been doing. I don't much care to do what he was doing when I walked into the hospital wing."

Jaw dropping Luc stares at his son as I flush. "You little prat -"

Snicker coming from Potter I twist my glare to include him as well. "Were they doing what I assume they were doing Drake?"

"If by assuming you mean relearning the finer points of snogging, yes."

"We were not snogging!" Luc snarls.

Dissolving into snickers the two boys share a look. "Oh Lucius, I have missed you sooooo much these past years."

"Severus, let me make it up to you with my tongue."

"Lucius!"

"Mmmmmm, still the way I like you."

Cheeks a brilliant cherry red and burning with my embarrassment I lock eyes with Luc. The corner of his right eye was twitching as the boys continued their badly done rendition of us. Grabbing Draco by the shoulders I shove him none to gently into Potter's lap face first. Sneer threatening to break his scowl Luc begins to tickle Potter, jaw dropping as he discovers the boy to be highly ticklish.

tired of these yet?

2007-03-29T04:48:51Z

But what if I'm a mermaid?

14 March 2007 - brief changes to this chapter to better set up the next one, which I am working on right now!

Author Diddy: Okies, it's been a while since this piece was updated, much less posted, but since I'm now going through and rewriting it so the plotholes don't eat me I decided to repost it. Written under the alias Kalinx previously, I present to you the rewritten Switchblade Symphony.

Disclaimer: If I owned Harry Potter it would not be a childrens book...much love and adoration to JK, the mother of this masterpiece.

Warning: The following fanfic will contain references to death, suicide, self-mutalation, sex (SLASH, boy on boy action), rape, confusing ideas, and language. If I've forgotten anything, please let me know...

the voice

Switchblade Symphony

Four

Can't Believe

Water flowing over my dirt encrusted knuckles I start as a pair of fingers brush the nape of my neck. Silver looking up into emerald I can't help but smile softly, who would have thought that just finding Potter near me would make me smile? Scooting a bit to the side I turn my eyes back to my hands as a second pair join them under the cascade. Voice low he scrubs soap into dirt filled cuticles, "All right, I'll skip, but we have to get out of here before they notice me leaving." Gaze finding my bag I wave a wet hand at it. Understanding in his nod, Harry dries his partially cleaned hands and scoops it up.

There was still dirt on my hands. Sighing I dry them quickly and grab Harry's free hand. Firm pressure of his fingers with mine as we flit through the rest of the Herbology class. Across the greenhouse the muggle born raises the alert as his head ducks through the doorway. Moving into an easy run I actually laugh as he sprints ahead of me. One foot in the air he twirls and giggles as the Gryffindor 'police' catches sight of our silhouettes in the distance. Quirking a brow in the direction of the 'police' I follow him into a small stand of trees. "How do you plan to evade the police Potter? More talent?"

"Naw, blood." Freeze, lips tightening, I stare at him as he pulls an invisibility cloak out of his bag with a flourish. "Courtesy of my father we shall disappear and be able to walk right under their noses."

Potter senior had an invisibility cloak? Not really all that amazing, considering what both my father and my godfather have told me of him, but how did Harry get his hands on it? Sharp tug of fingers at my elbow. Ask him later, right now it was time to pretend my errant mind was not trying to convince me that the golden Gryffindor would make a tasty snack. Whisper of the cloak over my head as he and I crowd as closely together as possible.

"Slytherin end of the Quidditch pitch?" Uttering an agreement I slip an arm around his waist - to keep me from walking the wrong way. Sure Malfoy, you keep telling yourself those nice little lies and believing them.

They were heading directly at us as we began our trek towards the Quidditch pitch.

"Harry? Harry!"

"Harry mate, where'd you go?"

"Come on Harry, we saw you run off with someone."

"Harry!"

Chuckles held tightly in our throats we skirt around the edges of their scouting group.

DMHPDMHPDMHPDMHPDMHPDMHPDMHPDMHP

Cloak slipping down around our two pairs of shoes I turn a brilliant grin on the blond. An identical grin lighting his face he flops onto a bench, his hands outstretched in my direction. Slight frown marring my forehead I whisper, “Why are you being so nice to me?“

Confusion in his eyes he glances away, hands falling to his thighs. “I - I really do not know why Harry. It’s almost as if some part of me recognizes you as someone I can show the truth to without having to worry about the repercussions. As though the past five years have been a mistake, a bump in the grand scheme of things, and we were meant to become friends First Year but something got in the way.“ Hands reaching back towards me he gives me a tremulous smile, “I feel like I’m trying to make up for lost time, if that makes any sort of sense.“

He’s telling’ the truth ducky, an’ you know you feel the same way right now.

Returning his smile I twine my fingers with his, sliding down to sit between his knees. Cheek resting against his thigh I giggle as the absurdity of the matter pops into my head. Here I was, Golden Gryffindor, Boy-Who-Lived sitting between the Prince of Slytherin's legs after we had worked together to dodge the rest of the Gryffindors. Tilting my chin up I peer beneath sloppy bangs, "This is just so different, you know? It isn‘t that I doubt your actions; how can I when I feel the same way about our companionship? I just haven‘t had a very trusting upbringing and sometimes those memories get in the way of what I know I should believe."

Soft caress of his fingers against my cheek. “Will you tell me?”

Dropping my eyes I snake an arm around his hips and burrow closer to his body. I really did feel comfortable being alone with him. Breath whistling between my lips I clutch at the robes against his hip. "It's always been bad at my Aunt and Uncle's house, they‘re muggles you understand? They hate us - the Wizarding world - always have, think we’re freaks of nature. Had hated my parents before they were married. I think they really hate the whole inferiority of it. I mean, my parents, these freaks, could make things happen with a wave of a hand and a few funny words, and they, the upstanding muggles that they are, couldn’t.

“Then they got saddled with me. Must’ve felt gratified that their hatred was justified, the freaks got themselves blown up. I guess that justification was their sign to make my life a living hell. After all, I was the offspring of an unnatural union, no matter that I was part their blood. They wanted nothing to do with me.

“Until I met Hagrid I never had anyone I could call a friend, my cousin turned every child at our primary school away from me. Said I was a freak. Did you know I spent the first eleven years of my life living in a broom closet under the stairs? They didn't deem me to be a high enough life form to deserve an actual bedroom. The clothing I was ‘given’ were - are hand me downs from my cousin, I don't rate new clothes in their eyes. If my glasses broke, which they did, I taped them back together and hoped they would last.

“As soon as they found me old enough I began doing all of the housework. Gardening, cooking, cleaning, washing, ironing, schoolwork, all of it was my responsibility. One mistake and I would go a week without food or sunlight. Vernon would lock me in my ‘room’ and Dudley would spend hours outside it laughing at me, calling me a freak.

"Around the time I turned ten my uncle got fed up with something I did - prolly forgot to butter the proper side of my cousin's toast - and he took me into the basement and slammed me into a wall. Before my letter the beatings or violence were limited to only a few times a month - after, well, that was their favorite way to punish me for being born the way I was. They let up for a bit after Mad-Eye threatened them, but only for a bit. Then it got worse.

"The cutting, it was - is a way to prove to myself that I'm real. For me to find that piece of me that they can't get. The only part I can keep from them. I started the summer after my first year here; but until this summer it wasn‘t that bad. I cut rarely, and lightly - now," shrug my shoulders loosely, “now, I find I need the release it brings more often.”

Falling silent I close my eyes, unshed tears burning against my eyelids, waiting for the disgust to come from Malfoy.

Carding a hand through my hair he inquires, "And then when you came here, hoping it would be an escape, only to find out that we all knew more about 'you' then you did? Found out that who you were wasn't anything like what you were supposed to be like?"

"Mm, here I'm the Boy-Who-Lived, great defeater of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. There I'm freak, filth, and any number of other names. Never Harry Potter, just plain Harry - me."

"You came into our world knowing nothing, to find you had a reputation to live up to, and you haven't thrown a fit yet? Haven't demanded that they leave you be? Let you choose your own path?"

I like him ducky, he’s got the right idea ‘bout you an’ your livin’ your own life.

Snort rudely in response to both comments, "Not quite, I gave old twinkle eyes a big chunk of my mind at the end of last year. Told him I was tired of being manipulated in his childish games. Should have seen his face, looked like his eyes were about to pop out. Until then I think he still saw me as poor, young Harry Potter, boy I saved from the pressures of growing up in the Wizarding world's public eye. Afterwards, I honestly don't know what he thinks of me right now, haven't made my 'traditional' pilgrimage to his office."

"Were you going to?" Look up into his face in question. "I can go with you - if you'd like that is - to you know, 'protect' you from his manipulative ways?"

Slight shrug of my shoulders, "Not sure, I'll drop you an owl if I decide to."

"Sounds good, wouldn't want Wonder Boy to go mad and command all the snakes to attack the Headmaster," he teases, ruffling my hair.

"Hey! You're messing my hair up!"

"Pift!" Pale arms twist around my shoulders as a chin settles against the top of my head. "As if it were possible to mess your hair up anymore than it already is Potty." Growl at him, impertinent Slytherin. "Say Harry?"

"Mm?"

"I don‘t know if this is too much to ask this early in our companionship, but might I use you as a sounding board for my own ranting without having to worry that they will end up in the castle‘s gossip chain?"

Wiggle a bit under his chin and tilt my own head up. Mouths inches apart I meet his eyes a blend of fear and hope within them. Darting forward I peck his cheek, "I'd be honored to have you rant and rave at me whenever you need to." Gracing me with a brilliant, pureblood perfect smile he tucks my head back under his chin. Blink. Wait, did I just kiss his cheek? What the - was I coming down with something? But it felt like the right thing to do at that split second. Wonder Boy indeed, more like Completely-Losing-His-Mind Boy. Or maybe, The-Boy-Who-Comforted-Malfoy. Snicker - oh crap, he might take that the wrong way. "Damn my mind, why can't I ever think without making myself laugh?"

Huff of a snort, "You're Wonder Boy, the ultimate in heroic Gryffindors."

"Does that explain everything?"

"Obviously."

"Gee thanks ferret."

"My pleasure, someone has to do it you know."

You know, with this truce it was a whole lot more fun to throw taunts and snips back and forth.

DMHPDMHPDMHPDMHPDMHPDMHPDMHPDMHP

Why was I suddenly so comfortable around him? This was insane. I was sitting behind the Slytherin side of the pitch with Harry bloody Potter between my legs, his arms around my hips and my chin on his head. Gods, if anyone ever gets wind of this we are so dead. But the funny thing was, I had no problem with it. What I had told Harry in answer to his question was the way I really felt, odd as it was. Might as well make use of it and get some of this weight off of my chest.

"As a child I idolized my father. He was the best thing in the world to me. Everyday he would come into my room and wake me up with our serpent. When I was still young enough he'd even give me a, I think muggles call it a piggyback ride, down to the hall for breakfast. My earliest memories are of his voice telling me stories and the way the Wizarding world would be when I grew up.

“True, I was raised with the understanding that I was, and am, a Pureblood with the responsibilities of one. Knowing the need for me, as the only Malfoy child, to produce an heir to continue the line. But my childhood was relatively nice.

“There were some outbursts between my parents, Father shouting that she had taken away the love of his life. Mother would always counter that with a quirked brow, saying if he really felt it necessary, to invite said lover to the Manor for dinner. It was rather amusing to watch all the anger leave Father’s face that quickly. He always got quiet after that.

“I think they were honestly glad, if not relieved, that the Dark Lord was out of the picture for the time. Things had not been going the way Father thought they would, and raising a child in that atmosphere was not something either wanted. Particularly if he was a member of the Dark Lord’s First Rank.

“But then we started to hear rumors that You-Know-Who had come back right around the time I received my Hogwarts letter. Father, he changed after we heard the rumors. Became someone who held an ultimate hatred for anyone but the Purebloods willing to aid Him. Mother told me once, she thought I was sleeping, that this was the way he had acted before The Dark Lord vanished the night He killed your parents.

"Did you know he told me - no, ordered me to befriend you First year? I was so scared that Father would hate me for failing him so I set out to make your life miserable, hoping that my actions would save me from losing the one thing I feared losing most.

"Making you miserable helped a bit, but Father was still angry. I think he has this impression that I didn't befriend you out of spite towards Him. If I had to pick a moment in my past that brought on the cutting I would have to pick that summer after First year as the turning point.

“Father though, he was almost like I remembered him until Fourth year. Yes, he was a tad bit fanatical over you and the whole Boy-Who-Lived thing but he was still Father. Now - now he's loyal Death Eater to Him. Even my godfather cannot reason with him. They were lovers at our age, my godfather and Father. Godfather was the lover Father spoke of when he yelled at Mother That's why Father named him my godfather. A desperate, love lost attempt to keep him close to himself. I’m not sure what happened to separate the two of them, according to Mother they were like soul mates until her marriage to Father.

"So I'm trapped dancing different steps for each person, much like you and the Boy-Who-Lived persona. The loyal, ever obedient son whose only goal is to spite Wonder Boy. Sneering Slytherin Prince to the House and my godfather. And now, now ranting chap to Boy-Who-Lived-To-Make-Lives-Miserable, Harry Potter. Wonder what my godfather would say if he found out about that last one? Any ideas Harry?"

Squirming under my chin he stokes my jaw and smiles, "Maybe if I knew who he was I could make a better guess? Mi-mine would have had a fit if h-he could see this." His eyes were dark with sorrow at that.

"Harry? You have a godfather?"

"Naw, h-had one." Slow, shuddering breath as a tear slips down his face. "He d-di-died last year."

Dammit, I had not meant to upset him with my curiosity. Shoving off the bench I drag him into my lap, a hand on the back of his head. "Salazar, I'm sorry I even spoke of it." Tears coursing out of his eyes he buries his face against my shoulder, a muffled apology for his tears making me frown. Why would he be apologizing for his own tears? For grieving for someone who must have meant a lot to him? "Sh, sh, I've got you, just let yourself cry. There is nothing wrong with mourning a loss in this manner. No one's going to laugh or gossip about this. I'll kill anyone who tries. That's my promise to you; anyone who dares strike at this wound will die by my wand or my bare hands. I promise you Harry."

"Even me Malfoy?" a molten voice inquires from behind us.

Bloody hell, I hadn’t heard him arrive, no matter. Cradling Harry’s shaking form in my arms I lift my eyes to the pure black of my godfather's. He was standing, arms crossed over his chest, the customary scowl locked in place. In my arms Harry was going dead still as the voice struck a familiar cord. Fury burning my voice I hiss, "Even you Sev, even you." Turn back to the boy frozen in hatred and fear, soft croon of words in his ear. "Sh Harry, I promised you remember? No one, not even my godfather, will hurt you with the loss of your own godfather."

"Draco, have you any idea what his godfather was?" There was a cold anger in Sev's question, an anger born for years if I'm not missing my guess. "His godfather was a mangy, good for nothing -"

Snarl and tighten my hold on the now furious Gryffindor, "I don't bloody care who he is or was! I gave my promise and I will damn well keep to it!"

Tearing himself from my embrace Harry grabs at his wand, hissing and spitting searing sounding words at my godfather in Parseltongue . White knuckled fingers grip his wand as he snarls, "You bastard! I swore I wouldn't take any more of your hated remarks over him! I don't care what he did to you when you were kids, he was all I had! All I had, do you understand that? There is nothing, absolutely nothing you can take from me anymore! I have nothing! I am nothing!"

Leaping to his feet he levels his wand at my godfather's heart, eyes sparking with lightning. "You can take all the bloody points you want Snape, I don't care! I have nothing to gain from winning or losing the House Cup! Take my broom, keep me from playing Quidditch, for Godric's sake, fucking throw one of the Unforgivables at me! But never, NEVER insult Siri again or so help me, I will do to you what Voldemort did to my parents!"

Heart stopping at his proclamation I watch as his wand slips from numb fingers and he crumbles to the grass. Fists pounding at the dirt he screams and sobs, great soul tearing bursts of pain. Jaw slack Sev stares at him. Serves him right, he knew who Harry's godfather was and he used it to hurt him. Folding to his side Harry pulls his knees to his chest.

"Oh god why does it still hurt so much? How can you still do this to me Siri? Siri?" Hiccupping he whimpers. "Siri - Siri - Siri - "

Siri? Could he mean Sirius Black? Was he Harry's godfather? But he betrayed his parents, didn't he? Hand brushing my shoulder hesitantly my godfather slips to his knees beside me, his scowl replaced with subtle concern backed by an unnamable emotion. "Draco, why does Potter have those bandages on his wrists?"

Laugh strangling out from between hiccups and sobs Harry hisses, "Why do you think almighty Potions Master? Heard of a razorblade before?" He was going to make himself sick if he kept this up. Crawling to him I lay my head on his chest. Fingers move to tangle in my hair as he chokes another bitter laugh out at Sev's expression. "Godric's sake Snape," tearing the gauze off his right wrist he bares the fresh, ugly dark red carvings, "That's why. Fancy the looks I'd be getting without the bandages?"

Shifting over one of his legs I curl my fingers against his neck, my body draped over his from his thighs to the bottom of his ribcage. "Harry, I can feel your ribs against my cheek."

"Yeah, Dursley's fault. Can't eat much when you're locked in your room with the window barred and boarded over."

Lifting my lip I snarl, "If I ever see them they are dead without question."

Stomach bouncing with a laugh - one that's not filled with bitterness - he mutters, "Did I mention I 'accidentally' turned my Aunt into a huge, inflated muggle right before Third year?"

"You did what?"

"Cast a spell on her that managed to blow her up into a big, hot air filled blimp."

"Did not!"

"Too, ask the silent Professor. Incidentally, I think I shook him up a bit much with that display."

Eyes lit by a frightening expression Sev blinks rapidly. Coughing to clear his throat my godfather inquires dryly, "You two are aware that this looks ridiculously bad to anyone who happens to pop in? Seriously, Draco, could you drape yourself over him anymore?"

Scooting up so my hips rest on his thighs I press a kiss to the junction of his throat and jaw. "We could be stark nude Sev, think on that one."

Hacking my godfather, his Potions Master, glares at us, as he turns slightly purple.

DMHPDMHPDMHPDMHPDMHPDMHPDMHPDMHP

Watch as my godson rewraps Potter’s arms, a silent witness to how far he has fallen. Merlin, he’s just like me, drawn to comfort of the blade. Chest hurting at the wash of memories revived by the sight of fresh lines I lift my fingers, tangling them in my hair. What am I going to do? Dumbledore cannot know of this side to his Golden Boy, and Potter - if he’s anything like me, he won’t want a whisper of this outside of conversations he invites. Haunted thoughts dancing in my mind I frown as Potter lifts one of my godson’s wrists to his lips, pressing a kiss to the fragile skin. Draco? Not you too? May the Dark Lord shoot me down if your father ever learns of this. My poor godson, every time I look at you I can’t help but see your father reflected in you. Releasing my hair I keep my gaze vacant as his silver eyes lift to stare at me, fright softening as he catches sight of my thumb running back and forth over my right forearm.

kalinx @ 2007-03-28T21:37:00

2007-03-29T04:39:47Z

Switchblade v 2.0 chapter - I lost count already.

Author Diddy: Okies, here's chapter three - most of the beginning will be pretty easy to rewrite, the main thing is connecting the plotholes and the initial three chapter's shift in POV. So now I'm gonna go to go on down to Clairemont for Kim Harrison's book signing, so chappie four's revision will wait until I get back.

Disclaimer: In 20 minutes my kitchen's been over run with ants...die fuckers!

Warning: The following fanfic will contain references to death, suicide, self-mutalation, sex (SLASH, boy on boy action), rape, confusing ideas, and language. If I've forgotten anything, please let me know...

the voice

Switchblade Symphony

Three

Inside my World

I'd actually enjoyed raving in front of Malfoy - okay, maybe not enjoyed it but I hadn't felt nearly as guilty about doing it as I did when I broke in front of Ron and ‘Mione. They think I should be this amazing person, strong, brave, and infallible to the troubles of normal adolescence. Feh! If that was true then I wouldn't have allowed either of their deaths affect me, when the fact of the matter was they still haunted my nights. Knowing that if I hadn't been so much of a bloody Gryffindor and offered to share the Triwizard cup to Cedric he would still be alive. If only I hadn't let -

Rubbing at my scar I stare darkly out at the land surrounding Hogwarts. It was peaceful and beautiful outside, yet inside I was a twisted mess. A slim, familiar blade is being held captive between the thumb and forefinger of my right hand. Gaze drowning in the moonlight outside I slide the glimmering blade from wrist to elbow, a trail of red following its path. The pain helped, it showed me I could still feel, and that I was still human even after all those 'worshippers'.

Poor lonely ducky. I’d hold you tight and kiss it all better if I could.

Malfoy might understand this as well, at the least he probably wouldn't fly off the handle like Ron or 'Mione. I mean, for all that he has a family they aren't really the loving family unit that Ron and 'Mione have. Fingers dropping the blade back into its home in a slim pouch located in the lining of my trunk I dig out my father’s invisibility cloak. Swinging it around my shoulders I tug the bed curtains down and knots them shut. That will stall them for a little while before they head out to find me. Socked feet passing soundlessly over the stone floor I ease out of the common room, managing to shut the Fat Lady without waking her. Letting my thoughts overrun my mind I shuffle through the halls much like one of the resident ghosts.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

It wasn't until they were sitting at the Gryffindor table for breakfast that Ron and 'Mione noticed that Harry was nowhere to be found. Sharing a look the two apply themselves to their food, Ron voicing the common opinion. "If he wants to spend the first day of class sleeping off the gossip, far be it for us to stop him. Especially after his fit last night, I mean, getting up in the middle of the feast and walking out? Just because one of the First years asked him if he was The Harry Potter?" Curly hair bouncing as she nods in agreement the muggle born witch chews on a piece of toast.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Across the Hall from the two-thirds of the Trio I frown at the lack of concern for the golden Gryffindor. Sipping my orange juice I tilt my head to the side. Wonder where Potter is? Oversleeping? Why should I care? Snorting to myself I leer at a fellow Slytherin and mutter, "Looks like the prized Gryffindor can't get out of bed."

"Aren't you on suddenly good terms with that one?"

"Potter? Not at all, we just have an agreement currently." Right, an agreement that makes you worry about that blasted hero and don't try to kid yourself, you've been jealous of the Weasel for gaining his friendship before you could. Bad enough that Father is pushing you to befriend him, but to lose him to a Weasley and a mudblood was infuriating. Now though, maybe I understand him a bit more. Before he walked into Diagon alley six years ago he knew nothing of our world, the world he was the savior of. You on the other hand have been raised in a pureblood family with anything you could possibly ever want at your fingertips. Funny how a few years of observation and a short summer spent in thought can show you sides you've never seen.

"What kind of agreement? He 'saves' the world and gives you the credit?"

"No."

"Or are the two of you secretly in love? Finally give in to your passion for the Boy-Who-Lived Draco?"

"Bed Potter? That's utterly disgusting," I drawl. Is it really? He's gotten quite good looking this past summer - NO! Bad mind mustn't think of him that way or I'll never be able to look at him straight.

Doors creaking open every head swivels towards the Halls' entry to find the Boy-Who-Lived with his head bowed. Feet guiding him through the doorway he pushes the doors shut and makes his way towards the Gryffindor table. Chin lifting as he nears his normal seat beside the other two of the golden trio he stares balefully at the Slytherin table. Normally shining eyes have a slightly dull cast to them. Beneath them are twin circles of darkness. Harry's hair was lying limply around his face, the shine gone from its strands. Stern protocol slamming up is all that keeps me from blanching and leaping up.

Sleeve hitching up as he swings his arm I catch sight of a concerning addition to his wardrobe, white tape. Lips cracked the savior of the Wizarding world slides onto the bench, his lost eyes turning away to drop to the table. Hunched up like he was afraid someone was going to hit him, the Gryffindor pokes at the food he dumps on his plate.

Salazar, don't those bloody Gryffindors notice anything? Why are they just sitting there chatting away, pretending he's been there the whole time? That glimpse of tape, I hate to admit it but I'm worried about that tape. I've got to corner him before Potions. Mind set I leave the table with a nod and stride across the Hall. Eyes watching my movements, the students of the other Houses turn quickly back to their food as I glare death at them. Annoying gossips. Nearing the Gryffindor table I smirk as the gits take notice in me. Took them long enough, you would think that the ruckus of the other students would peak their interest.

Clamoring to his feet one of them - Dean - plants his fists on his hips, "What do you think you're doing Malfoy?"

Flashing a droll look at the Gryffindor I ignore the boy stepping around him. Aristocratic hand landing on Potter's shoulder I lean forward silver eyes softening as they meet a panic filled green gaze. "We need to talk Potter, I think you know why." Throat tensing as he swallows, the Gryffindor sets his fork down and starts to rise.

Grabbing his wrist the red headed Weasel growls, "Don't Harry, he just wants an excuse to gang up on you with his goonies."

Teeth clenched Harry hisses in pain as he jerks free of the hold, stumbling backwards over the bench. Acting on instinct I move to stop his tumble, carefully avoiding his arms from the elbow down. Voice laden with weariness the golden boy shakes his head, "I'll see you in Potions."

Releasing his figure I follow him from the Hall. "Potter - "

Dull eyes peering over his shoulder he shakes his head again, "Wait."

Mouth curling in distaste I grab hold of narrow shoulders and shake him. "Don't you wait me Potter, I saw what you have under your sleeves and I demand you tell me." Shoving the white faced young man against a wall I level his refusals with a single look. "No, I will not let you worm your way out of this one wonder boy, something's wr - bothering you and I want to know."

Hissing at me, Harry struggles against my hold. "Why? Why do you care?"

Echoing his hiss I seize hold of his left wrist. Pain darkening Potter's eyes he stops fighting as the arm is lifted. Pushing cloth off of it to bare the tape covered forearms I frown, "Why?"

He was livid as I demanded he tell me why, his dull eyes flaring with the anger I had taken as an everyday occurrence between us greeting my demands. Dropping his bandaged arm I grab for his other, only to find that it too was covered in tape. "Why Potter?" And oddly enough I did want to know why. I wanted to help him through his troubles like the friend I could have been to him six years ago. Why was I suddenly developing this soft side for my one time enemy?

"Because," he snarls.

"Bloody hell Pot- Harry why won't you tell me?"

Flashing eyes meeting my own silver gaze he sneers, "Why should the Prince of Slytherin care when my own Housemates notice nothing?"

I could feel my own anger rising at that. Goddamn that boy, he was going to unravel me right here in the middle of the hall. Hand moving on its own accord I capture his chin and hold his eyes level with mine. "Do not think for a moment that I - damn you, how can you always get under my skin?"

"Talent," he retorts, my lips twitching in an effort not to grin. He really wasn't that bad, not too much of that annoying Gryffindor flavor. Almost like he had some Slytherin in him that he was afraid to let out unless provoked.

Unclench my fingers from his chin I step back, "I admit it, I am worried about you idiot. Now will you tell me?"

Muscles shifting with ease he shrugs. "Dunno, tired, lost, the whole bit, life isn't what it seems D-draco."

Heart dancing against my ribs I feel a shiver race across my sleeve covered arms. Ignore the screeching voice in the back of my mind as I tug the sleeve of my own shirt up, baring the delicate skin of my inner arm. Lips parting he leans forward, a single finger tracing the path of a scar. "We're not so different after all," I whisper.

Whirling as the Weasel shouts his name he scuttles back against the wall. Mouth opening and closing a few times he darts closer to me as they near us. Chest pressed to mine he bends his mouth to my ear, "Please, don't tell them Draco. They'd think I was doing it for attention."

Lifting my own mouth to his ear I whisper, "Tell me how you started and you have my promise."

"Bloody manipulating Slytherin."

"Damn straight."

"Harry! What are you doing?"

"Harry, mate, what in the world?"

Clasping my hand he nods, our bodies still pressed close. He really was quite good looking - arg, why did they have to mention that this morning?

"My word as a Slytherin Wonder Boy." Eye twitching he gives me a nasty look. Heart thudding against my ribs I catch his eyes. What was going on?

"Harry?"

Tongue wetting his lips he frowns as they break into a run. Trailing fingers through my unbound hair he chuckles, "Nice look ferret, grow it a bit longer and I'm sure the girls would love to braid it for you."

Shift my hips against his I smirk and tug at his own mop, "You trying to beat Professor Snape out with yours Wonder Boy?" Breath hitching he growls and dips his mouth to my ear.

"Eager to see me Drakie?" Teeth nipping my earlobe he dances back out of my reach as I flush.

"Oh go run off with the other part of the golden trio Potter, I'll see you in Potions." Giving me a saucy wink he takes the other two by the hands and drags the forcefully in the direction of the dungeons.

What was happening to me?

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

What had I been thinking, letting Malfoy persuade me to tell him? He was going to think I was a loon. And why in the world was I actually looking forward to spilling my guts to that arrogant, self-centered, Slytherin prat? Deftly slicing the root before me into the prescribed length and width I watch my cauldron as it bubbles. Simmer for five minutes before adding four grams of the sliced roots. Than stir counter clockwise ten times. Clockwise for five stirs. Back to simmering and brooding.

Snape was prowling the classroom, looking for any reason to take points from us, and to compliment the Slytherins. Glowering at me as he strides past my potion he steps onto his platform. "Reduce your heat to a minimal flame and add the oil to finish the potion." He was a prickly bastard. Wonder if he ever let anyone under that snarling exterior? Maybe Malfoy would know, after all he was Snape's pet Slytherin. Manage to hold in my snicker, Snape would love to take points for 'disrupting' his class.

Watching my potion cool and slowly change from its mucky yellow color to a cheerful blue I grin. Gotcha. Ladling it into a bottle I cork it and take it up to Snape's desk, setting it along side 'Mione's as Malfoy brings his up. "Amazing Potter, you got it right," his silken voice purrs as he flashes me a hidden wink. Rolling my eyes skyward I return to clean my cauldron as Ron's potion goes up in flames and sparks. Snicker escaping my throat along with the whole of the Slytherin half and most of the Gryffindors I share a laughing look with Draco.

"Ten points from Gryffindor, now clean that mess up Weasley."

Ouch. Eyes darkening I finish scrubbing my cauldron and return it to its place. Damn Snape, if it weren't for the fact that we Gryffindors did well in all our other classes we would never have a chance of winning the House cup. He hated us and after what I glimpsed in his pensive I can't say I blamed him for that hatred. Sighing I drag a hand through my snarled mess of hair. Look at me now, sympathizing with Snape, head of Slytherin House.

S’ok ducky, true friends will understand you’ve grown up.

Rising as he dismisses the class I stiffen as fingers brush my elbow, "Thinking much?" Uttering a grunt of agreement I allow the Slytherin at my side to guide me towards our next class. "What do you suppose Sprout will have us doing today? I hope it's not replanting anymore mandrakes, those things are nasty."

"Useful though."

"True. What do you have after Herbology?"

"Divination."

"Can you skip?"

"Maybe, after all, all Trelawny does is predict my death in varyingly spectacular ways. Kind of hate to abandon Ron though."

Reach the greenhouse and feel another feather touch of fingers as he snorts, "Think on it, I've got nothing between this and lunch." Blending back in with his Slytherins he slips right back into his bored mask.

And you know what? He wasn't all that bad once you got past that proud front of a Malfoy pureblood.

Still more posts

2007-03-29T04:37:16Z

Uh, yeah, here's chapter two of Switchblade v 2.0.

Author Diddy: I like pie...

Disclaimer: (dis-cla'mer) n. A repudiation or denial of responsibility, connection, or claim.

Warning: The following fanfic will contain references to death, suicide, self-mutalation, sex (SLASH, boy on boy action), rape, confusing ideas, and language. If I've forgotten anything, please let me know...

the voice

Switchblade Symphony

Two

On the outside

Emerald eyes were once again vacantly staring out a window, this time that of the thestral drawn carriages. Wheels jolting over a particularly large dip in the path I grunt and blink. Chin shifting towards the forms of my fellow passengers I frown. Not only were they so into each other that they ignored me, but now they're ignoring poor Neville. He looks slightly sick to his stomach - hope their snog fest doesn't ruin his appetite. Leaning forward I cough and smile, "How was your summer Neville?"

Tongue flicking out to wet his lips the slightly chubby Gryffindor scratches at his ear. "Good, my granma took me on a tour of some of Britain's famous Wizarding sites. It was real neat, we got to see all sorts of old castles and even some gardens full of amazing plants." Eyes gaining a far away look he prattles on, giving me a play-by-play of his trip. Cheeks coloring with embarrassment he concludes his tale and looks bashfully at me. "What about you?"

Breaking apart with a squawk, Ron and 'Mione give Neville a pair of nasty looks. Mouth turning down I ignore them and shrug, "Same as it always is, dull as Snape's class." Laugh sputtering out of his throat the shy Gryffindor recovers from the glares of the snogging duo. Carriage coasting to a smooth halt I force the smile on my face to stay, the corners of my lips struggling to drag it off. "But enough of my whining, let's get to the Great Hall so we can be sure to grab seats where we can watch the First years."

"Righto mate," Ron seconds, a closed look of cheerfulness on his face. Frown winning over my forced smile I lower my head as they trudge up the final stretch. Great doors standing wide open before them I lift my head briefly gazing up at the imposing structure of Hogwarts with a measure of comfort seeping into my tense muscles. Home.

Head turning to the side I make a gagging face and jerk my chin at Ron and 'Mione when I spot Draco looking my direction. A twinkle in his silver gaze the Slytherin covers his mouth with a hand and tries to give me a sneer. Looks more like he's constipated. Snorting I break away from the others drifting slightly towards Malfoy. Mimicking my move the Slytherin comes within hearing range with a few steps.

"I will admit that it's good to be back, no matter how much I moan and groan about this place," his cultured voice mutters.

"What? A Malfoy who misses Hogwarts? Unthinkable!"

Attempted sneer crumbling into a lopsided grin he swings a fist at my shoulder playfully. "Shut up Potter, a one man wonder like yourself has no right to question a pureblood like myself."

Laughter in my eyes I bend in a sloppy bow, "Yes Master Malfoy, never question you will I, too great for me you are."

"Potter, stop trying to make me laugh."

Innocence washing across my face at the accusation I hold my hands out and stutter, "You give a poor wonder too much credit oh great and mighty one, I could never succeed where most purebloods have failed."

"Bloody right you cannot."

Mouth twitching into a smirk, bet I can make him, I leap a few steps in front of Draco and drop to my knees, hands to the ground. "Oh mighty one, bestow upon one such as me your wondrous secrets."

Throwing his head back, blond hair rippling, Draco bursts into laughter. Behind black frames my own eyes echo his laughter, peace whirling within my soul. Darting to my feet I offer an arm to the still chuckling Malfoy. Open mouthed students frozen around them Draco bows in acknowledgement and links his arm with me, his one time enemy now cautious friend. "You must promise not to speak of any of the wondrous secrets I gift you with young scarhead, for to do so would negate the power of such things." Snickering we stride through a rapidly parting ocean of shocked students and faculty.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

"Did you hear? Malfoy and Harry are on speaking terms."

"Sh, that's nothing, I saw them outside acting like the best of friends."

"No way, Harry's talking to a Slytherin?"

"Isn't it amazing how quickly gossip can travel?" I murmur, chin propped in my palm. "Seems everyone's interested in my life."

Looking affronted 'Mione leans forward and meets my eyes, "Really Harry, do think about the reasoning behind the 'gossip'. You and that prat have been the ideal show of enemies since first year but suddenly you're all friendly. People are going to talk."

"Why should it matter if Draco and I have decided to reconcile our long standing hatred for a more beneficial friendship?"

Jaw dropping Ron hisses, "He's a wannabe Death Eater Harry, in line to be a servant for You-know-who."

"Please," a voice drawls, "Had I wanted to kill Harry I could have done it years ago and spent my time here in relative peace."

Eyes flashing impishly I tilt my head up peering through a fringe of bangs at the blond standing just behind me. "Relative peace?"

"Relative without your yammering and hero worshippers, after all some of the chaos would still exist without you there to create it."

Stalking up between the House tables a disgruntled looking Professor of Potions points in the direction of the Slytherin table. "If you would be so kind as to take your seat Mr. Malfoy we may begin the sorting."

Winking at me Draco nods, "Yes Professor, see you later wonder boy."

Twitching I snarl at the nickname, "I am not a wonder boy."

"Harry -"

Hand lifting to wave at 'Mione I turn as the Great Hall's doors are opened and Professor McGonagall leads the train of awestricken First years into the Great Hall. Did we look that terrified? I know I probably did, but Malfoy - humph, he was probably too busy gloating to his goonies over the Malfoy name to be impressed by the Hall. Mer, I should ask him next time I have the time, who knows, maybe even a stuck up Malfoy pureblood got something of a shock when he first entered Hogwarts.

Lining the First years with a simple wave of her wand Professor McGonagall then turns and grabs the stool and sorting hat. Hat perching easily on the stool it waits for her to step back before beginning its song.

'In Times of old when I was new

And Hogwarts barely started

The founders of our noble school

Thought never to be parted:

United by a common goal,

They had the selfsame yearning,

To make the world's best magic school

And pass along their learning.

"Together we build and teach!"

The four good friends decided

And never did they dream that they

Might someday be divided,

For were there such good friends anywhere

As Slytherin and Gryffindor?

Unless it was the second pair

Of Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw?

So how could it have gone so wrong?

How could such friendships fail?

Why, I was there and so can tell

The whole sad, sorry tale.

Said Slytherin, "We'll teach just those

Whose ancestry is purest."

Said Ravenclaw, "We shall teach just those whose

Intelligence is surest."

Said Gryffindor, "We'll teach all those

With brave deeds to their name."

Said Hufflepuff, "I'll teach the lot,

And treat them just the same."

These differences caused little strife

When first they came to light,

For each of the four founders had

A house in which they might

Take only those they wanted, so,

For instance, Slytherin

Took only pureblood wizards

Of great cunning, just like him,

And only those of sharpest mind

Were taught by Ravenclaw

While the bravest and the boldest

Went to daring Gryffindor.

Good Hufflepuff, she took the rest,

And taught them all she knew,

Thus the Houses and their founders

Retained friendships firm and true.

So Hogwarts worked in harmony

for several happy years,

But then discord crept among us

Feeding on our faults and fears.

The Houses that, like pillars four,

Had once held up our school,

Now turned upon each other and,

Divided, sought to rule.

And for a while it seemed the school

Must meet an early end,

What with dueling and fighting

And the clash of friend on friend

And at last there came a morning

When old Slytherin departed

And though the fighting then died out

He left us quite downhearted.

And never since the founders four

Were whittled down to three

Have the Houses been united

As they once were meant to be.

And now the Sorting Hat is here

And you all know the score:

I will sort you into Houses

Because that is what I'm for,

But this year I will go further,

Listen closely to my song:

Though condemned I am to split you

Still I worry that it's wrong,

Though I must fulfill my duty

And must quarter every year

Still I wonder whether sorting

May not bring the end I fear.

Oh, know the perils, read the signs,

The warning history shows,

For our Hogwarts is in danger

From external, deadly foes

And we must unite inside her

Or we'll crumble form within

I have told you, I have warned you...

Let the Sorting now begin.'

Nodding in agreement McGonagall unrolls the parchment with the list of First years on it and begins calling them up.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Throat tightening painfully I manage a slight smile as yet another newly sorted Gryffindor realizes that they are in the same House as the Boy Who bloody Lived. Dear gods, if one more of them comes up to me and says 'Harry Potter, you're Harry Potter? You're the Boy Who Lived? Can I have your autograph' I'm going to explode. And right on cue, here comes another one. Why couldn't I have given in and let the hat put me in Slytherin? At least then I wouldn't be forced to seem charitable to these annoying gits.

If you don't want t' listen t' them just get up an' leaveducky. What 'ave I told you 'bout living your own life?

Letting out an annoyed sigh I rise from the bench and nod to my fellow Gryffindors before turning heel and leaving the Hall. Robes billowing out behind me in a Snape like manner I stride angrily through the halls with no particular direction in mind. "Bloody gits, can't they leave me alone? Or see past the whole stupid boy who lived crap? Why do I of all people get saddled with this 'fame'?” Heart aching I halt, dropping my forehead to the wall before me. “Ah Siri I wish you were here still, you'd talk to me and help me figure out how to deal with this onslaught."

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Watch silently as thedark hairedGryffindor sweeps from the Hall I gnaw on my lip in a moment of consideration. We were newly reconciled true, but was that all I needed to leave the Hall and follow him? He was so much more then the blustering boy he had been these past five years. Silver ringing against the china I move to my feet mind made up. Ignore the odd looks my fellow Slytherin were giving me I exit in much the same manner as Potter had moments earlier.

Tuck my loose hair behind an ear as I trail along behind the Gryffindor. If Father could see me now. Voice filling the hall with soft mutterings I watch as Potter stops and leans against a wall for support. Coming up behind him I stretch a hesitant hand out to brush his shoulder, "Harry, can I - would you like to talk to me? I know we haven't had this truce for long but I hate to see you -" Unsure of where to go from there I flush as he glances over his shoulder at me. "Oh Salazar, Harry you look like they're slowly taking away what makes you the annoying golden Gryffindor."

Eyes going wide as the supposed savior of the Wizarding world sinks into a limp pile on the floor, hands reaching up to hide his face, I stand frozen. "I'm so worthless! I can't do anything to stop this madness. I want to be a normal boy but how can I when every turn I make either throws me into Voldemort -" flinch "or into some other unspeakable peril? I'm bloody tired of being their savior!"

Those green eyes were staring up at me, too many emotions twisting and burning in them to be described. Ebony hair trailed haphazardly into his left eye as a single tear slides from his right Harry curls his shoulders forward, head falling to his chest, and whispers, "You must think I'm quite the sod hey Malfoy? Here I sit whining about having the awe and dubious worship of most of the Wizarding world. Quite the wonder boy now, if Voldemort could only see me now he'd probably laugh himself into next week."

Crouching in front of the mess of limbs that was Harry I reach a hand out to him; fingers running lightly down his tear-dampened cheek. "I don't think any such thing. Harry, I - I have no real choice in my path either if I want to keep the Malfoy name and the power, wealth, and prestige that goes with it. I trust that Weasel - er Weasley and Grainger tell you that you're over reacting when and if you voice these thoughts yes?" Hair bobbing in what could be qualified as a nod the Gryffindor remains huddled in on himself. Dropping forward to my knees I do the first thing that comes to my mind and shift closer to the decidedly morose Gryffindor curling my arms around him.

"Sh Wonder Boy, I don't care who you are on the outside, it's who you are beneath all the trappings of Boy Who Refuses To Die that made me offer my hand to you on the train earlier. I will admit that when I first met you it was your fame that I was after, but I guess I've thought a considerable bit about our petty rivalry this past summer, same as you I imagine."

Laugh thick with the tears he was pretending not to cry Harry whispers, "Some Slytherin you are prat."

Clutch at the back of his robes as he snakes thin arms about my chest. He really was different then before. "Shut up scarhead."

La-la-la

2007-03-29T04:33:34Z

Might as well update/post a few more chapters while I'm at it. Here's chapter one of the rewritten Switchblade.

Author Diddy: Um, I guess the biggest change with the first three chapters - excluding the newly written prologue which is already up - is the change in POV.

Disclaimer: I own only bits and pieces of the idea, nothing more.

Warning: The following fanfic will contain references to death, suicide, self-mutalation, sex (SLASH, boy on boy action), rape, confusing ideas, and language. If I've forgotten anything, please let me know...

the voice

Switchblade Symphony

One

Gets us nowhere

Emerald eyes flashing behind twin circles of glass with repressed anger, I dart expertly through the crowds at the station. Of course They had to be late. They did that on purpose - wanted me to miss the train and be 'stuck' with Them for the year so They could torment me more. Knuckles faintly white from my grip on the trolley handlebar I growl softly. They get some perverse joy out of making me suffer I just know it. Of telling me how much of a freak of nature I am, how much I owe Them, blah blah blah. Shout an 'excuse me' over my shoulder at the young woman whose shoulder I just clipped with my own I round the platform.

Shooting a quick glance at the assortment of muggles on the platforms nine and ten I grin. Chin going down I shove the trolley forward, directly at the large brick pillar between the platforms. A quick rush of disorienting nothingness and platform 9 3/4 'materializes' to catch my headlong dash. Tossing my head I relax the white knuckled grip on the handlebar upon seeing the familiar red train still waiting.

Students were still milling around the platform as I guide the trolley to the baggage compartments, relinquishing it to those in charge of loading the train. Grabbing the simple black messenger bag from atop my Hogwarts trunk I weave through the chattering students. Now to find Ron and 'Mione, then pick a place to spend the trip. Gaze drifting over the shoulders and faces of my fellow year-mates I quirk a brow as I spot Malfoy. The ferret grew again, put him at six foot now, and I do believe he has let his hair grow since last year.

Almost seeming to sense the eyes on his back the self proclaimed prince of Slytherin turns slowly. He has let his hair grow; it didn't reach his shoulder blades last year. White blond hair trailing elegantly over his right shoulder the Slytherin returns my look with a chilly sneer. Frowning, bloody poof, I look away from the arrogant young man and continue the quest to find my fellow Gryffindors.

"Lose the other two thirds of your golden trio Potter?" a frosty voice purrs.

A long suffering sigh whispering from between my lips I turn and meet silver eyes. "Bugger off Malfoy."

Brow arching the blond tilts his head to the side, a quizzical light in his eyes. "Have you finally grown Potter? You seem a bit taller then you were, more gangly as well."

"What do you care Malfoy? Or maybe you're afraid you might be slowly shrinking? That it?"

Lips curling back into his customary sneer Draco snorts, "Sure, keep imagining things Potter." Turning in a whirl of deep green robes he glides back towards his goonies, Crabbe and Goyle, and the smattering of other Slytherin.

Why did he come over here if all he was going to do was insult me without an audience? He usually does these sorts of things where people can see his dubious brilliance, not where the only person to hear his words is the one they’re directed at. Odd, has the ferret grown up over the summer?

Squawk as a pair of arms wrap around my stomach, dragging me from my musings, and a warm body plows into my back I peer over my shoulder at the flock of redheads, a bushy haired figure latched onto me. Releasing him from her greeting Hermione purses her lips, "Harry you've grown!" Fluttering through the mob of her children, Mrs. Weasley beams up at my face holding her arms open in mute demand. Succumbing to the impending hug I can’t help but chuckle as her head ducks under my chin.

"Guess I have 'Mione. Hullo Mrs. Weasley."

Moving out to arms length Molly frowns at me. "Harry, what have you been eating?"

Cheeks flushing a bit I scuff a shoe against the platform and make a face. "Not much of anything, I s'pose I look a bit thin?"

"A bit! If you haven't filled out by the time you get off that train at the beginning of summer you are coming to the burrow where I can feed you properly."

"Aw Mrs. Weasley, you don't have to."

Leveling my protests with a fiercely protective glare she humphs and shoos those of her brood needing to board the train. "Well enough Harry, I let it go for now only because you children need to get on that train. Off with you!"

Eyes twinkling the golden trio hurry towards the Express amid the final bustle of last minute students boarding.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Chin perched in my palm I stare out at the passing countryside as Ron and 'Mione chatter over their summers. No one cares to ask me about mine. Figure all I'll do is whine about how much I hate the Dursleys. And I do, but this summer was more than simple hate - it was pure loathing. The fact that they've only dampened their treatment towards me, thanks to the threats at the platform, may have helped if only Siri - he hadn't died. Gods, I miss him, he was supposed to be there, supposed to convince Dumbledore to let me move out of the Dursley's and live with him, he was supposed to - Choking I shake my head, green gaze darting over at my friends to see if the sound caught their attention. Mouth twitching I snort, no such luck, they were still wholly involved in each other. Fingers combing through the mop of blackness I call hair I sigh and climb to my feet. Tuck my bag into a small corner I scoot past the lovebirds, a glimmer of anger tightening the corners of my eyes.

Of course they don't notice me, they only notice me when it fancies them. Although, perhaps I'm being a bit brutal, after all I did refuse to answer any owls this past summer. Wasn't feeling up to answering their repetitive pitying letters - oh Harry you must feel awful, Harry if you need anything just owl, my poor boy - no thank you. It was hard enough to get passed his death without their flood of remorse. Brow wrinkling I tilt my head to the side, effectively popping my neck with a flurry of loud snaps. Feet guiding me in an aimless manner I drift in and out of my thoughts.

I wonder, might Malfoy be willing to put aside his hatred of me and mine long enough for a calm chat? He seems to be quite the conversationalist when not purring insults at you. Plus, he seemed a bit different when he came over without his goons to insult me - almost as if the insults were a required motion to go through. Plans set I halt and glance around at my location. Another old world hall in the train, a series of closed compartments and the hum of voices mingling with the low clatter of the wheels on the tracks. Now to find the little ferret and catch him without his mass of worshipping adorers, easier said than done. Then maybe, just maybe we can have a civil conversation to waste the time away.

"Lost again Potter?"

Right on time ferret, er Malfoy. Civil conversation, civil. "Not at all Malfoy, bored rather."

"The lovebirds ignoring poor little golden boy?" he sneers, lounging back against a window in the hall. Snorting in agreement I settle back against the wall behind me. Silver eyes widening slightly as I look comfortably at my nemesis Draco waves a fine boned hand in the air. "Let me guess, you decided to head out for a breather?"

"In a manner of speaking." Let him think on that one, I'm not going to simply spout out that I was hoping to find him. Have to put my Slytherin cunning to use after all.

"Oh?"

Nodding I lift a hand to my glasses rearranging them minutely, "I wanted some time to think away from their constant murmurs of 'how wonderful'."

Mouth thinning in thought Malfoy inquires, "So you wander the train without seeming to see anything for twenty minutes then pause and settle down in the hall when I approach you? Why?"

He’s been watching me as I wondered the train? "Why what Malfoy? The wandering or the willingness to talk with you without childish name calling?"

Lips curling into the barest of smiles Malfoy nods, "Both, after all we are known to be two people who for some reason or another have never gotten along."

Sigh whistling between my teeth I shrug and turn to peek into a compartment. Finding no students in residence I slide the door open and motion at the benches, "You mind if we move to a slightly more private area to chat? As much as I love everyone knowing all there is to know about the boy-who-lived I'd rather hold this conversation away from spying gossips."

Chuckling softly the Slytherin pushes off the window and strides into the compartment, flopping gracefully onto a cushioned bench, ankles crossed. Shoulders a tad tense, I was agreeing to being shut up in a room with the ferret, I slide the door closed and sink onto the other bench. Head resting against the back of the bench I draw in a long breath, willing my pounding heart to slow. Lacing his fingers together Draco sits calmly, years of Malfoy teaching lending him the patience to wait: for me to begin.

Letting out the breath I lift my head and gaze at the wall above Malfoy's head. "I suppose the fact that I was buried in my own thoughts explains why I was wandering aimlessly without seeing what was happening around me. After last year I've had a lot to think about, and yes, I have thought about the rivalry we are famous for. Having watched you with your Slytherins I discovered that you are a rather eloquent conversationalist and I guess that was why I settled down when you came up."

"My ability to hold a conversation made you hold down any retorts?"

Making a face I blink and glance at the pair of silver eyes watching me suspiciously. "Yeah, I guess." It sounds so dumb when I admit it, it really does. Closing my eyes tiredly I whisper, "I'm tired of the pity and the forced cheerfulness they give me, so afraid that if they raise their voices I'll break. Just because S - he's dead doesn't mean I'm going to break. Gods, all they do is treat me like some sort of idol that's to be fawned over. The great Harry Potter, savior to the Wizarding world. Bloody gits."

Peer at Draco through the barest slit of space I watch as he reaches a hand out towards me jerking it back to his chest as though he’s been burned. I know I sounded different, less like a brash Gryffindor, older. "Are you feeling alright Potter?" There was concern in his question, concern that made the Slytherin narrow his eyes. Shaking his head he mutters to himself. Wonder what he was thinking before the head shake.

Wry humor on my lips I open my eyes fully as Malfoy continues muttering to himself. "Yes and no. Somewhere over the course of the summer I came to realize that our rivalry was rather petty. It's got no point and last year it was more a habit that kept it going than anything I might have felt towards you."

"Petty? Yes, it is I suppose."

"Shall we try again Malfoy?" Curiosity lighting the liquid silver gaze I allow myself a cheeky grin and hold out a hand. "The name's Harry Potter, it's a pleasure to meet you."

"Of course it is I'm Draco Malfoy."

Grinning broadly the two of us flinch as Ron's voice calls out my name beside our confiscated compartment. Grin dying in a flash I rise to my feet and muss my hair with a hand, "Guess that's my cue to reappear." Flicking my gaze at the still slightly smiling Malfoy I flash another smile, "Smiling suits you Ma - Draco, try it more often." Robes swishing around my lanky form I tug open the door and stride out after the redhead's retreating figure.

Switchblade Symphony v 2.0

2007-03-29T04:29:46Z

Well, we did say that it was being redone, so here's the rewritten prologue.

Author Diddy: Okies, it's been a while since this piece was updated, much less posted, but since I'm now going through and rewriting it so the plotholes don't eat me I decided to repost it. Written under the alias Kalinx previously, I present to you the rewritten Switchblade Symphony.

Disclaimer: If I owned Harry Potter it would not be a childrens book...much love and adoration to JK, the mother of this masterpiece.

Warning: The following fanfic will contain references to death, suicide, self-mutalation, sex (SLASH, boy on boy action), rape, confusing ideas, and language. If I've forgotten anything, please let me know...

the voice

Switchblade Symphony

Prologue

I’m Not Okay

Everything was dark. Nothing mattered anymore. Even the Dursley’s had recognized the utter apathy in me at the platform, which was why I was alone. I had been sent to my room as soon as my feet had crossed the threshold. A strangled laugh escapes through the tears that had been falling since The Ministry mistake. The bloody muggles were pushing aside their hatred of a freak like me for once, I must look a right mess.

Aw buck up boyo, it ain’t that bad, the pain will dull in time. ‘Sides, don’t you want t’ live so you can get revenge? You know?

Rough blanket against my cheeks as I shake me head at the imagined voice in my head. Revenge is for the Dark, Dumbledore and the Order will avenge Siri for me in the end.

Come on ducky, don’t you wanna take matters into your own hands? Make your own decisions for once? Do you really believe that old coot is going to give you what you want if he doesn’t see himself gaining from it? Live your own life boyo.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Fingers jerk the weeds from the giving earth the hot sunlight battering my bare back. The imagined voice hadn’t come back since my first night here. I guess I was glad it hadn’t. Too many questions had been brought into the forefront of my mind because of it. Damned Dursley’s had only given me a respite for that night before renewing their crusade to kill my spirit. Not like I had much of one left to kill. Siri stole it when he fell through the Veil.

Sharp sting snapping me out of my fog I stare at the line of blood welling up on my palm. In my absentmindedness I had cut myself on a blade of grass - but, now that the initial pain had passed it felt kind of good.

Gaze landing on the pair of scissors I have been using to prune Petunia’s flowers I feel my lips curve into a smile as the open blade come to rest on my wrist. Deft slash of the hand gripping the scissors a peace settling over me for the first time in weeks.

Oh.

Feeling was nice.

Now what had that voice said? Right, live your own life boyo. If I’d been following its advice Siri might not have died. Dumbledore was the one who had kept important information from me, like the Prophecy, maybe if I stopped allowing him to chose my direction I wouldn’t lose anyone else?

Come to think of it, why did I really hate Draco? Was it only because of Ron and Dumbledore’s prejudices? Could he really be ‘that’ bad once you got past the mask of snot he wore? Was it a mask? Like my Boy-Who-Lived mask? Could someone be given permission to see beyond it?

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

The bath water was turning a nice pink shade already, all thoughts and troubles draining through it. Damp fingers pinched the stolen shaving blade at the edge. Eyes fluttering shut I slide below the water’s surface, fingers releasing the blade. I was in my quiet place.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Blow out the candles I had filched from the grocery yesterday. Happy birthday boyo, the voice whispers. Laugh croaking into the still air I hurl the dead candles at the wall. Damn Dumbledore, making me remain here rather than allowing me to go to the Burrow for the weekend. It was my birthday dammit! Didn’t that give the famous Harry Potter some sort of leeway?

I wish I had a family to love me, any type of family will do.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

It was the darkest time of night. The time when all is quiet and nothing but the light of the stars and the moon guide the errant traveler. Here on this side of the world millions were dreaming of happy moments that had passed and those that had yet to become reality. Children slept nestled beneath the warmth and care of family visions of unicorns and magic dancing behind their eyelids, the movement of their eyes proof of deep sleep. Teenagers dreamt of idols and fame, the riches of the 'American Dream' within reach, sorrow and suffering put aside briefly. Parents lay in the arms of each other, the surety of their children's safety allowing them to drop the reins of control and protection. Lovers drew fingers through sleeping partner's hair as it lay, fanned out across pillows and sheets. Some even clung together as they made love, their soft cries of joy dropping into the serenity of the night. Overhead, stars began to fade as the darkest moment of night passed and the barest of the sun's light crept into the sky.

Blood was flowing somewhere in the dying night. Intricate lines pressed into pale flesh with the power of a simple straight razor. Harsh, silent sobs shake bony shoulders as crimson life runs together in steady lines. Feet are glued under narrow hips, unwashed hair hanging in clumps around what could be a finely boned face. Tears burned in bloodshot eyes filled with pain. Clutched between thumb and forefinger the villainous razor glints in the blue glow of the stereo.

Dropping the razor to the beige carpet he clings to his engraved wrist and collapses into a fetal position on his floor among the piles of indiscriminately mingled clothing, dog-eared books, and haphazardly stacked rolls of parchment and loose leaf sheets of doodled on paper. Bloodied arm stretching over his head he snags a worn, slightly threadbare plaid, flannel blanket and hauls in over his body.

"I don't want to dream."

Erm...

2007-03-29T04:07:45Z

Well, again, we seem to have lost our information. On the bright side, we have recently moved, and have written several more stories since our last post. Also, Switchblade's many plot holes were beginning to make Renee scream so she's managed to convince me to fix them. I'll leave the older version up still.

We promise to be more active...if anyone cares.

holy gosatanamort -

2006-11-13T06:07:45Z

It's ALIVE!!!!

Well jab us with a spork and call us done, we lost our login info and only now were able to locate the bloody information. Why did it take so long you ask? Because we are morons and didn't have a current e-mail attached to this here account. On the bright side, we've returned and will try to update some stuffs in the near future - if anyone's still watching this journal that is.

If not, whoooo! Look at us go!! *does the chicken dance*

Just Because it’s fun…Let’s all Pray

2005-10-16T03:30:16Z

I have conquered the pos that is this computer!!! *dance around room shaking cans of beans* So without further ramblings, I present to you, chapter 20 of Switchblade!!!

Switchblade Symphony ~ Part Two
Four
Just Because it’s fun…Let’s all Pray

He was sprawled on his back, across the bench in a compartment, arm draped over his eyes as I closed the door behind the others. Crimson eyes peeking from under his arm he holds his hand out to me, voice shaking, “Draco, how am I going to accomplissh what we hope when I cannot remember who I am ssuppossed to be?”

“Sh, you are doing fine love,” I croon, gliding over to him and settling myself comfortably atop his sprawled form. Arm snaking around my hips I catch his lips in a gentle kiss. “Now just relax, you look like you got no sleep last night.”

“You’ll sstay with me?”

Tangle a hand in his hair, fitting my head beneath his chin, “Of course, now sleep love, the fun is just beginning.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Father’s damned puppet had glued himself to my shadow, parroting something about us being brothers since Father had adopted him when I had held his body. Shunting that thought line into a corner before I start raving like a loon I glance over my shoulder to where Father is walking alongside Luc and Sev. Draco was holding my free hand and the look in his eyes told me he was laughing at me. “Draco Luciuss Malfoy, if you don’t tell me why you are laughing at me I will be mosst disspleassed with you.”

“Snick, sorry ‘Tain, I just never thought that the two of you would stand being this close to each other,” quirk of a fine brow, “Especially after -“

“After you dumped me for him? Come on Draco, you know I was pissed at you for a week or two, but how can I stay mad when I finally have a brother and a family, and staying mad meant that none of them would talk to me?”

“Quite a mouthful Brother-mine,” I mutter as we reach the looming doors of Hogwarts.

Quick peck on my cheek from the puppet before he launches himself through the doors, “See you at the tables after you’re Sorted Brother!”

:I’m going to go insane if that bloody puppet of yours continues like this Father,: I hiss in Parseltongue, watching the retreating back.

Hand grabbing my shoulder I turn to meet his red eyes, quirking a brow at his disproving expression. :My apologies ‘Tain, I did not think that it would be this odd to watch both of you interact in a public setting. Though you did come up with an ideal way in which to discuss the shift in Draco’s attentions.:

:What were we supposed to do Father? Tell everyone that he’d switched to me because I’m actually Harry won’t-die-if-you-throw-him-off-a-tower Potter? At least this way they can understand and not think Drake’s a fickle bastard, not that he isn’t. You do realize that the puppet and I are going to make Sev and Luc’s life hell in Potions?: Drop Drake’s hand after I kiss his nose with a smirk, his nose scrunching up adorably in response, falling into step with Father as Dumbledore approaches our group. “Ssave me a sseat Draco?”

“I feel insulted that you’d doubt me ‘Tain.” Grab my face and seize my mouth in a hard kiss he parts with a soft bite of teeth, “Have fun with McGonagall ‘Tain.”

“Prat,” turn to watch the Headmaster come to a stop before Father.

“So good to see you could make it tonight Lord Riddle, I trust that the students will behave when you enter the Great Hall?”

Firm pressure on my shoulder as he replies without an ounce of malice, “Come now Professor Dumbledore, the only ones who would react are those who have seen me over the course of the Christmas holidays, I do not look the same as I did when I was here previously.”

“Good to know my boy,” twinkle eyes glance in the direction that the puppet is, “I am glad that Harry is back among us and feeling so well, I have you and your son to thank for that I believe?” Slight inclination of his head Father keeps his mouth shut. “Very nice, very nice, now perhaps I may be introduced to your son?”

“Professor Dumbledore, it is with great honor that I present to you my son and true heir, Satain Fenrir Riddle.”

Step free of Father’s hand to execute a perfect bow, “It iss my honor to meet you Headmasster, I hope that I sshall have a wonderful learning experience under your tutelage.”

Brief dim in those eternally twinkling eyes at the first hiss that comes from my mouth he frowns, “Is that hiss truly necessary young Riddle?”

Echo his frown and grab Father’s wrist to keep him from snapping, “Unfortunately yess Headmasster, I do not do it in sspite, it’ss ssimply a product of my heritage.”

Bright twinkle returning he nods amiably, “I see, I hope the students will as well, though it does leave little doubt as to which House you will be placed in. Now if you will follow me we will join Professor McGonagall.”

Trail after the violet and green robes, Father’s hand taking hold of mine, lips brushing my ear as he leans close to whisper, “That man is a bumbling hazard to the world.”

Snickers erupting from my throat I sock him in the shoulder, “Father! That wass uncalled for you bloody prat.” Crimson orbs filled with laughter he struggles to assume an innocent air while leering at me. Clutch at his arm, sagging into his side, as the snickers are replaced with loud laughter. Holding me to his side he nods his head at Professor McGonagall in greeting. Gasp for air as the fit of laughter fades I croon, “Innocence doess not ssuit you one bit Father.”

“Obviously,” is the only answer I get.

Around us First Years were pausing before the entry to the Great Hall, wonderment and awe still glowing on their faces. Young faces turning in our direction as I snort in response to Father’s reply I arch a brow at how small and innocent they appear. Was I ever this untouched by the world? Or had the Dursleys already wiped that innocence from me? Shake my head, no; I too had still held that unblemished purity when I first arrived at Hogwarts, it wasn’t until I faced the haunting specters of the dead Potters that I had begun to lose it. Facing off against Quirrell had definitely affected me, but it was the Potters and my ‘fame’ that had done the most to change me. [I want to be that untouched again.]

[We all do beloved, but there is not any way for us to go back to the way we were before we lost that childish innocence.] Flood of warmth through the link Draco and I share, [some of us have lost more than others. Some lose their ignorance sooner. Reality is a harsh mistress, yet we must face her or disassociate ourselves from the world, becoming hermits who believe themselves beyond the world’s happenings. Can you answer truthfully that you would have rather never known this world existed? Never have met the Weasleys, Hermione, or myself? What about Sev and Father? Even Riddle? Would you give them all up - us all up, just to hold onto your ignorance?]

[No, and thank you for showing me that I’m not willing to give you all up just to remain blind to the troubles of real life.] Tilt my head to the side and gaze at the frozen children, “Ignorance truly iss blisss, iss it not Father?”

Clear understanding in his eyes he nods, “That it is Satain.” Graze my cheek with a pair of gloved fingers as we come to stand before the Professor.

“Lord Riddle? I was unaware of the fact that you had a son prior to this evening, though, may I say that is a pleasure to make your acquaintance young Riddle?” Brisk as always Professor McGonagall.

Duck my head in a proper bow of greeting, “You may, and I am equally honored to meet you Professsor McGonagall. Pleasse permit me to introduce mysself, my name iss Ssatain Fenrir Riddle.” A couple of the eleven-year-old children who’s parents were of Father’s Second and Third Rank Death Eaters were looking at the pair of us with a bit of confusion in their eyes. I doubt they had really believed their parents when they had been told that the Dark Lord’s heir had a permanent hiss when he spoke, and that he wore his hair dyed the color of the killing curse. McGonagall was frowning at me, her thin lips pinched tight, the telltale hiss setting off what I’m sure is a myriad or warning bells in her mind. “I apologize for the hisss Professsor, ass I told the Headmasster, I do not do it in sspite, it iss ssimply a ressult of my heritage.”

“His late mother spoke in the same manner, I do hope it will not be an issue,” Father murmurs diffidently, a dangerous glint hardening his eyes.

Catching the change in his eyes McGonagall shakes her head, “I shall be sure that it isn’t in my classes and among my House, and shall speak with the other House heads and Professors if Professor Dumbledore does not Lord Riddle. All students are welcome in Hogwarts, now if you will follow me we will join the rest of the school.” Bustling ahead of us she shoos the lagging First Years into the Great Hall.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Nerves were still jangling in my stomach even though the day had gone well so far. We had made it to Hogwarts safe and sound, no death, no Death Eater attacks, nothing; but even that did nothing but give me a sense of false security. After all, He Who Must Not Be Named was just entering the Great Hall for the second time this school year - wait, entering? “Bloody hell,” I mutter as McGonagall leads our ‘transfer’ student down the center aisle, a group of rapidly scattering First Years moving ahead of her. ‘Mione and I hadn’t had the chance to speak with Harr - Satain during the train ride. When we had finally figured out which car he was in we had been politely turned aside by Snape, after he had allowed us to peek inside to see that he was indeed sleeping. As we had peered into the chamber Draco had lifted his head from his chest to favor us with a slight smile before relaxing back across his body.

“Psst, Ron, who is that kid with the green hair?” Leaning over his neighbor Dean nods his head in Satain’s direction.

“Lord Riddle’s blood son, and Harry’s adoptive brother,” I mutter as the trio reaches the edge of the teacher’s platform.

“Riddle?”

“Dark family in close connection with the Malfoys, Blacks, and Lestranges,” ‘Mione supplies, “Though the son is nice enough I suppose,” shudder, “the father though, keep out of his way and on his good side.”

Wide eyes were staring at the two of us, as I nod in agreement, “Exactly, the elder Lord Riddle isn’t someone you’d want to anger.”

“How do you know all this?” Seamus asks.

“Both Malfoys, both Riddles, Snape, and Harry spent Christmas Eve at the Burrow,” Ginny pipes from a few table settings down. Mouths opening to shout a flurry of questions I sigh as Dumbledore rises to feet to begin his welcome back speech.

“And so the holidays have come to a close with spring following in their shadow. A time for new birth and change, spring is, so it is with great pleasure I introduce to you a new student. Satain Riddle shall be joining our Sixth Years once we get him Sorted, I expect you all to welcome him to Hogwarts with the courtesy I am sure you all have inside you. Now let’s get him Sorted so we can eat, since I am certain all gathered are looking forward to the Feast.”

Stepping up to Satain Professor McGonagall places the Sorting Hat atop his head as he perches on a normal stool on the platform. Red eyes narrowing at something the Hat says he grabs part of the brim and pinches it between gloved fingers. Mouth quirking into a smirk he nods his head amiably as the Hat mutters something too soft to carry before shouting ‘Slytherin’ to the Hall. Quick caress of his fingertips along the Hat’s brim before he turns with a flourish reminiscent of Snape and heads for the Slytherin table. Trailing a few steps behind his figure Riddle turns to nod our direction, passing a slip of folded parchment across the Hall to ‘Mione and I.

You are welcome to join Severus, Lucius, my sons, and myself for an after dinner coffee in Severus’ private study, if you wish.
T.M.Riddle

Shrug and nod at ‘Mione as she licks her lips, “Why not? After Christmas Eve how bad can this be?”

“Shove over Wonder Boy,“ Draco’s voice commands from the Slytherin table.

Pouting the thing wearing Harry’s body scoots down the bench, opening space for the Riddles, “Here I wanted to sit next to my favorite ex-boyfriend, but now I have to sit next to my father.”

“Harry,” Riddle purrs dangerously.

Arms up in the air the emerald-eyed one mutters, “I moved didn’t I?”

“Think he wantss you to sstop whining Brother-mine.”

“Oh shut up ‘Tain, just because you’re Father’s favorite - “

Laugh lines around Riddle’s eyes takes the sting out of his growled response, “Silence twerps.”

“Yes Father,” the two chirp in unison.

Head cradled in his hands Riddle mutters something that causes the majority of the Slytherin table to burst into laughter.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Door held open to admit the two Gryffindors to my study I push it shut and recast the Silencing and Locking spells on it before turning to take in the room’s occupants. Entwined with my godson Satain is busy holding a rather sharp conversation with his father, the rise and fall of their hissing washing over my bared skin like fire. Fingers dragging through his lap mate’s hair Draco watches the argument with shuttered eyes tongue flicking out to wet his lips when Satain pauses the argument to silently request a kiss. Soft shake of my head as the request is met, hissing picking back up as soon as their mouths part. Hand held out to me Luc beckons for me to join him in his comfortable slouch on one of the study’s plush couches. Wave the Gryffindors towards another such couch I allow a small smile to light my face, “Sit where you please Ms. Granger, Mr. Weasley.” Beyond the cozy scene of those I have come to consider family the Dark Lord’s puppet perches unmoving on a straight-backed chair, mouth set in a tight, white line as once familiar emerald eyes flick from the pair hissing to the two students sitting hesitantly on the empty sofa.

Flames in the fireplace dance as we watch the two red-eyed men speak in a language which has forever been considered Dark as easily as any language considered Light. Sneer curling his mouth Satain rolls his eyes and shrugs, “It iss what you wissh it to be Father.”

“I knew you would eventually see it my way little snake,” Riddle says as he leans forward, hand reaching out to caress the other’s cheek. An almost thoughtless tilt of Satain’s chin and their lips meet in a hard kiss, Draco’s normally calm silver eyes glinting with a flicker of anger. The crash of a chair against the wall jerks the two from the lip lock, two pairs of rapidly chilling crimson eyes swinging around to face the puppet.

Petulant pout on it’s face it snarls, “Why do I have to be present for this ‘loving’ family gathering?”

“Father wisshess it to be,” Satain purrs icily.

“Well fuck that, and fuck you ‘brother’!”

Face mutating into the monstrosity of the man I have come to recognize, and fear, as the Dark Lord Riddle snaps, “I created you, you worthless tool, and you will be silent or you shall lose your tongue.” Rim rod straight the Gryffindors watch helplessly as the puppet holds up its middle finger in response to the threat. Pointed teeth bared in a hideous grimace of fury the Dark Lord lunges at the insolent puppet. Flick my gaze to Satain finding him curled comfortably in his lover’s arms a rather Voldemort like smirk of pleasure contorting his expression of content. Glance to the other occupants of the room, the redhead watching, horrified, as the Dark Lord physically beats the puppet wearing his friend’s former face; but, the bushy haired genius staring wide-eyed at the new face her friend wears.

Nose dripping blood the puppet goes limp, trembling voice whispering, “I yield, and apologize, just please stop, stop beating me.”

Wiping knuckles spattered in the other’s blood across His parted lips He peers at Satain from beneath hooded eyelids. “Do you fear me little snake?”

Smirk widening he shakes his head once, “Ego vereor nulluss Father, ego vereor nulluss.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Father was laughing at my response as the smirk on my face crumbles when I catch Hermione’s expression of horror. She hates me - is afraid of me, just like she fears the man Father is. Bare my teeth at the path of despair my thoughts are attempting to take, more people will fear before this over. I’m using them just like Dumbledore’s used to use me, manipulating them through fear to achieve my vision for the future - grimace fading I twist in Draco’s lap to face Father. :You approve of what I’m doing, don’t you? You approve because it is the same thing you are trying to do - trying to achieve your vision of the Wizarding World’s future. Though many won’t understand us in the current time we do what needs to be done to gain the respect of those who will come after us. It doesn’t matter whether or not we lose who we are as long as we complete what we’ve set out to do, as long as the World continues surviving.:

Eyes soft Father nods, “You see perfectly my son.”

:But, if you allow me to take over your vision you become the opposing force in this revolution. You will never be respected as a man who was willing to destroy himself to give his world rebirth, rather as the -: Squirm free of the arms holding me close and cross to where Father stands, isolated in the center of the room. Enfold him in an embrace as I whisper, “That’ss why you made me promisse to kill you when it iss all finished.”

Dagger nailed fingers clutch at my robes as he buries his face in the crook of my neck, tears thickening his voice, “Yes, I have already lost who I was to accomplish all I have done.”

Onward to the next chapter!

Look at ... Me?

2005-10-16T02:36:40Z

*boogies around the room* Here's chapter 19 of Switchblade for the memories, and as soon as I figure out how to transfer chapter 20 from Navi to this pos I'll post it both here, aff.net, and on the_fake_snitch, so I can hopefully keep track of chappie updates. Until I beat this pos into submission, enjoy a repost of chapter 19!

Switchblade Symphony ~ Part Two
Three
Look at … Me?

Two weeks of intense training in both Dark Magic and the control of my own magic had altered my already changed appearance. ‘Tain’s previously pale skin was frightfully luminescent in darkness, and our bottle green eyes had warped to match Father’s ruby color. We had become very close, most times acting as one being rather then two separate entities sharing a body. Kind of had to with all that we had shared. I had kept the Avada Kedavra colored hair, save the tips, which I varied between black and white. Parseltongue came almost easier than English, most of my words carrying a strong overtone of the language. Unlike Father though, we had no pointed teeth, for which I was thankful, imagine trying to conceal those on top of everything else. Many hours of stalking after Sev and Luc, mimicking their every move, had gifted me with a similar grace; grace that spoke of power, prestige, and the possibility of pain.

Roll my eyes at the train of thoughts jangling in my head I hoist the endlessly black robes onto my shoulders, the pale Death Eater’s mask held loosely between a pair of gloved fingers. Tonight was my debut among the circles of ‘evil’. My first night as Father’s flesh and blood son, and heir to power. The first time I would share a room with the animated puppet wearing my old skin. I would have to prove myself worthy of Father’s name tonight, prove to his followers that I was a force to be reckoned with and not to be disobeyed. “And then Monday I return to Hogwartss ass a Riddle.” Flick my eyes back on my reflection, “At leasst I do not look too ssimilar to my former sself, it will make hiding the truth eassier.”

Soft knock at the doorway Sev slips into the dressing room and takes in the sight of me in the robes. “Are you ready ‘Tain?”

Swallow the lump of my fears and tug the mask over my face, voluptuous hood following it, “No, but we’d besst get before my faulty Gryffindor courage dessertss me.” Watch as he dons his own mask and pulls the hood over his hair, holding a gloved hand out for mine. “Come Ssev, lead me into the sserpentss den.”

Joining up with an identically clothed Luc at the head of the Stairs we pause in the foyer as Draco rises from his seat. “Take care of him Father, Godfather, I do not want him harmed.” Silver eyes drilling through my mask he whispers, “Come back whole Satain.” Slight inclination of my head as the two men resume leading me to the meeting a murmured ‘I love you’ following me out into the snowy courtyard. Apparating to the given point I bow to the two before removing my hands from theirs. They were to report as usual while I was going to make my way into the residency side of the Manor we stood in, making my appearance with a flourish that Father and I had planned days ago.

Stride confidently deeper into the Manor, taking time to gaze at the portraits and carvings decorating the halls. Delicate scrollwork, depicting the apropos snakes Father was known for, ran along both walls at about waist high, above black walls and below rich, forest green walls. Run a gloved finger across the silken, gloss finished tabletop with a single crystal vase filled with hard to grow black roses. This decadence was my new lot in life. It would all be mine come Father’s death. I will inherit the Dark Lord’s world. Giggles filling the empty halls of the Manor I wrap my arms around myself, tears streaming down my hidden cheeks. Oh gods, can I do this without losing everything I am? Picture of a pair of smiling silver eyes framed by white-blond hair, a well known mouth curved into that special smile he wears just for me. [With you love, I can accomplish anything.]

[I love you.]

Smile on my lips I shift out of the Death Eater’s robes, laying them and my mask across the back of a plush chair. My debut would not be made under the guise of a fellow Death Eater, I would make it dressed in robes a shimmering emerald color, a spitting serpent embroidered on its back. Under the open robes I wore black leather so tight it left nothing to the imagination and a pair of knee high pair of dragon skin boots. Press my palms to the doorway leading into the hall Father was holding his meeting in I let out a low sigh. Here we go, entering through the very same door he used.

Glide through the silently opened and closed door I pace through the black robed figures gathering quite a wave of silence in my wake. Reaching the open space near his dais I rake the crowd of gathered Death Eaters with a smirk firmly in place. Dark chuckle filling the absolute silence Father rises from his bored lounge across his throne and moves down the steps, all the while holding a hand out to me. Give in as he tugs me flush against his body, lifting my mouth for the welcoming kiss he bestows upon me. Part and flick my red gaze over the masked figures behind me, “Yess Father, what iss it you wissh?”

Firm grip on my bubbling nerves I move by his side as he returns to the dais, my puppet-self standing lazily beside the vacant throne. “Come now Satain, do you not wish to be introduced to my Death Eaters? They are, after all, part and parcel of the world in which you now know you belong to.” Deft flick of his wrist conjuring up an identical throne he motions for me to sit as he resumes his position on his.

Purse my lips and watch the Death Eaters shift uneasily at their Lord’s obvious pride over me, none sure of how to react. We had planned this unveiling well, and could answer any possible question that was shot our way without any sign of discomfort. Pop my knuckles causing a few of the lesser Death Eaters to twitch, teeth catching my lower lip in an effort not to burst out laughing. “Of coursse Father, though I do believe you have ssurprissed them with my exisstance. Did you not tell them that you had a sson prior to thiss meeting?”

“No, after your mother’s timely death I took all records of your existence, killed those who knew of it, and hid you from the greater world. Only those who have taught you and those I have placed you with these past few weeks knew of you.” Taking my hand in his Father leans over the arm of his throne, breath brushing my jaw, “I wanted to keep you to myself, my precious son; though I will admit I was looking forward to my follower’s reactions to you.”

Peck his cheek before raising a brow at the astounded looks on the few unmasked Eaters wear, and the stiff posture of those still masked. “Amussing Father, truly amussing.” Wave a hand at the gathered company I spare the two masked figures of Sev and Luc a grin, “I trusst you have had your entertainment for the evening? Perhapss you can now relieve the tenssion in the room and introduce me?”

Quick roll of those crimson orbs as he shifts back to his feet, tugging me with him, presenting me to the gathered Eaters. “Before I send you back to your homes I would like to present my son Satain Fenrir Riddle, the true heir to my name, though Potter held that title before his incapacitation.”

Soft question from one of the masked ones, “Will he be with you at all times M’Lord, or shall we guard him for you?”

Slight pout on my lips I snuggle closer to Father as he wraps an arm about my hips. “Not that I do not believe Satain can protect himself without aid, but he shall be attending Hogwarts beginning this Monday. He will be joining the current ranks of the Sixth Years, and it is my wish that those of you with children attending the school as well as my Potions Master and his assistant shall be keeping an eye on him.”

New masked one stepping forward, “As tradition to a student entering in the middle of a school year their parents attend their first Feast with them, will you be following that tradition?”

“Yes, I shall attend Satain’s first Feast by his side. I trust you will alert your offspring to this fact, and tell them not to react to my presence as they would normally, it would not be a good way for Satain to begin his schooling with others.” Arm still snug on my hips he flicks a hand at the puppet and descends the dais’ stairs. “You are dismissed. First Rank, you shall join my son and I in the dinning hall immediately.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

With my fellow First Rank trailing in Sev’s wake and mine I follow the still silent form of Harry’s body. Ahead of the puppet Satain and Riddle walk entwined with each other, their heads close, serpentine words whispered between the two. Entering the elegant dinning hall Riddle motions for us to seat ourselves as the puppet Harry perches atop an unadorned straight-backed chair. Taking their own seats, Riddle and Satain regard the gathered First Rank with equal excitement. As was tradition when in a private gathering with just the Dark Lord, and those of the First Rank, Sev and I pull off our masks, setting them on the tabletop before lifting out eyes to watch Riddle nod at our unmasking. All around the table a rustle of cloth tells me that the others are hastily removing their own masks. Red eyes glance at Satain briefly before Riddle settles his chin in his palms, “I shall allow Satain to speak first then will answer any questions you have based on his tale.”

Raking the gathered assembly with his blood red eyes Satain shrugs, “Firsstly, thiss will go no further than thiss room, or you will pay the price in your blood. Ssecond, yess thiss iss the way I sspeak normally, unfortunately an over ussage of Parsseltongue hass led created an inability to sspeak without the hisss, Father and I are working on a way to negate thiss fact.” Sparing the puppet a glare he lays his hands on the tabletop, “Ass Father already told you, I will be attending Hogwartss; however, he did not tell you that I wass Harry Potter, and that both mysself and Father’ss puppet sshall be riding the train back to sschool. He hass ssomething to accomplish and I have a Feasst to ssit through.” Rubbing at his temples Satain slumps back into his seat as the uninitiated First Rank begin to ask their questions.

“How is it possible that they are both the same person?” Dolohov inquires.

Frown on Riddle’s face he purses his lips. “It iss a very lengthy and difficult sstory, one which I do not wissh to sspeak of right now, sso take our word on the matter Dolohov,” Satain replies, sounding both worn and pained at the thought.

“How do you know my name?”

Stilling Satain’s reply with a finger to his lips Riddle glares at Dolohov, “He is who he says he is, that is how, or did you not know that a result of the curse bond between the two of us allowed him to view meetings and attacks through my viewpoint?” Stuttering an apology Dolohov shies away from the table’s edge as the Dark Lord hisses, “Other questions?”

“Will your son be staying here during the summer holidays Lord?” Araminta purrs, no doubt seeking to offer her home and hopefully curry favor her direction.

“He shall be staying with myself here, or with either Lucius or Severus, as they have been the ones to hide him since he returned to my arms. Now the rest of you, save Lucius and Severus, are dismissed – remember to alert your offspring to my attendance this Monday evening, or your death will surely follow.”

First Rank rapidly exiting the room Satain leaps to his feet and releases a howl, sending chills over my skin. Advancing on the puppet he lashes out at it with bare fists, “Fight back you fuckin’ sshit wearin’ my former face! I dare you to hurt me! God damn you all to Hell and back for thiss!” Responding with a flash of anger the puppet meets ‘Tain’s strikes with its own, the both of them whirling around the room in a blur of colors. Black haired body flying into a wall and crumbling to the floor limply Satain collapses to his knees with a shriek. Tear lit ruby eyes peer through a screen of neon hair, both gloved hands held out imploringly, “Look at me, what have I become? Who am I now – now that the persson I thought I wass issn’t true any more?”

Robes pooling around his knees Riddle pulls his unresisting form into his arms, “Sh, you are the most precious piece of my life snake-child. You are my son, my heir, and my freedom. Too much has changed too quickly, that is why you are so out of sorts. It will all work out once you grow accustomed to the difference.” Soft chuckle, “You are still maturing my son, it is natural for you to be uncertain at times. Plus, with the combination of two lives and memories, I would worry if you were not having difficulties. Nothing you say or do will turn my love away from you; nor will it affect the love that the Malfoys or Severus feel for you. Trust in my knowledge of this matter if you cannot trust in your own inner peace.”

Drawing a shuddering breath Satain clings to Riddle, “Might I sstay with you until we have to leave for Hogwartss? Pleasse? I know you’re bussy, but I want to sstay with you for the remaining day.”

“You are always welcome in any of my homes Satain,” eyes flick up to meet my own, “You will alert your son to his request?” Short nod of agreement before Sev and I bow and exit the dinning hall leaving Satain wrapped in the arms of his father.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Midnight was far gone and the dawn of my return to Hogwarts loomed just beneath the birth of the new day. Night’s mantle was receding with each ray of sunlight, filling the grounds beyond my window with a soft, dewy glow. Half drugged with the lack of sleep I flick a hand at the muggle stereo I had convinced Father to allow me. Deft twist of my first finger and thumb yanks the volume to the poor electric device’s maximum. Smoky beat pounding in my temples I press my palms to the windowpanes, hips swaying with the rhythm. “Black velvet and that little boy ssmile/black velvet in that sslow ssouthern sstyle/a new religion that will bring you to your kneess/black velvet if you pleasse,” I croon gliding onto my room’s balcony. Sultry notes dying I tug a slim cigarette from the pack I left on the balcony’s table. Bright flare of absinthe green fire below my lips. Throat sucking down the heady smoke I cock my ear as the roar of a bass line slams out of the speakers. German words growled under the heavy bass I begin to dance about the balcony with abandon.

Hips grind to the lyrics as I take another drag from the cigarette, hollow red eyes landing on the frowning face of Father Riddle. Close my eyes and move to the racing tempo. Dagger nails pricking my wrist Father pulls the muggle invention to his mouth, drawing a deep pull. Blood pounds in my chest as I straddle one of his thighs. Cigarette falling to the ground I fist my hands in his hair, his hands forcing our groins tight as we move. Guitar masks our gasp for air, mouths meeting in a flurry of drugged kisses. Latch onto the junction between his throat and collarbone, teeth breaking skin as he screams his release, muffling my own.

Whispered hiss of a cleaning spell as we slide to the floor in a mess of limbs and tangled hair. Moist lips press a kiss to the ghost of my famed scar. Arms shelter me against his chest, the day moving forward unstoppable. “Ready now Satain?”

Search for the uncertainty that had plagued me over the night, not finding it, “Yess, let uss go face the world Father.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The train stood ready, students crawling around it. Silver eyes blank I wait beside Father and Sev, quirking a slim brow as Granger and Weasley enter the platform from the muggle side and head for the three of us. Voice low Granger frowns, “Where’s Satain? He is coming today right?”

Nod to her question of him coming, “He spent the weekend with his father.”

Brows shooting to her hairline she mutters, “Why?”

“Nerves,” I snap. Calming hand of my father on my shoulder, Sev’s coming to rest on my other shoulder. “I apologize for that Ganger, I had not right to take out my frustration and – nerves on your simple question.”

Slight waft of her hand, “Accepted, if you call me Hermione.”

Snort from Father and Sev as I shrug in agreement, “Why not?” Gaze about the platform and rolls my eyes skyward as the remaining Weasley clan spots their wayward son, fiery haired wizards and witches turning towards us. “Your clan is coming Weas – Ron.”

Twist to glance over his shoulder, “So I see. Oi Mum, why’re you looking so worried? S’not like either Professor Malfoy or Professor Snape will let us miss the train.”

Joining the two Gryffindor’s laughter at Mrs. Weasley’s expression I grunt as the two hands on my shoulders tighten without warning. “Father?”

Lips tight he hisses, “He is here.”

Jerk my head up to peer over the Weasley shoulders, ‘Tain’s blinding green hair catching my eyes. Pull free of their grips to move through the clan of redheads, jaw dropping as I see his appearance. Hair tamed in a fall of loose waves, it falls loosely to his chest. Beneath the loose, sweeping sleeved robe a shimmering, smoke gray shade he wears a skin tight, long sleeved blood-red shirt decorated with even darker designs. Sleeves tapering off into points they attach to his middle finger by way of a silver serpent ring. Loose robe belted low across his hips with a chain of silver worked leaved vines, it parts into four panels at mid-thigh. Black pants snug over his upper legs they drape over a pair of glossy black boots with a dull gray plate rounded over the toes. Silver painted nails flashing as he lifts a lit cigarette to his uncolored mouth, he lifts those red eyes to catch my gaze.

“Bloody hell,” I whisper, taking a shaky step in his direction. Watch his throat as he sucks in a lungful of smoke. Silence reigning behind me I break into a wide grin as he exhales, a silver haze surrounding his head. Chuckle filling the silent platform I catch his free hand in mine, “Bloody hell ‘Tain, do you know what you look like?”

Amusement and perhaps a slight bit of irritation fills His response, “I assure you young Draco, my son is very aware of the way he looks, it took him an hour to select the pieces of his attire for this evening.”

“Father, why did you have to go and tell him that? He doess not need to know how long it took me to dressss thiss morning.” Red eyes lighting on my face he grins, flashing flat, white teeth, “Do you Draco? Or have you developed a need to know how long it takess me to dressss?” Tugging me closer he breathes, “The attention iss about to be taken off of uss Draco.”

Question in my eyes I start as a sharp crack fills the platform and a hauntingly familiar figure appears. Black hair tousled, emerald eyes glinting with mischief, Harry Potter stands posed in the silence for a span of seconds before he shrugs and heads for the train. Stammered questions from the Weasleys and Granger, ‘Tain smirks and takes a final drag from the muggle cigarette. Flick of his fingers tossing the stick to his feet, boot heel crushing its flame out, sticky sweet smoke wafting down my throat as he exhales. Turning to regard Riddle with a quirked brow ‘Tain motions to the Weasleys, “Aren’t you going to introduce me to thesse lovely people Father?”

“Only if you are done sucking down those bloody muggle deathsticks,” Riddle snips. With a flourish ‘Tain reaches into his robe and pulls out a slim box with gold scrollwork across the opened end, handing it to the glowering wizard. Shoving them into his own robe Riddle holds out his now empty hand, mouth still twisted in a snarl. Teeth flashing as he growls ‘Tain yanks a second, unopened package from within his robes and shoves it at the other. “Better, now do cease glaring at me Satain, it is not proper.” Anger flares in his eyes briefly before his expression shifts to one of benign pleasure. Hold in my laughter at the sudden shift I watch as Riddle nods in greeting to the Weasley clan and Granger. “Weasleys, Miss Granger, I am pleased to introduce you to my son Satain Fenrir Riddle. Satain, this is the Weasley family and Miss Granger. Both Miss Granger and young Ronald Weasley will be in your year, while Ginerva Weasley will be in the year below you.”

Placing his left hand over his heart Satain bows, “It iss with great pleassure that I greet you and make your acquaintancess. I do hope that we will have a chance to know each other better throughout the year, but regretfully I musst beg your leave sso that Father and I may get ssettled on the train before there are no empty chamberss remaining.” Another quick bow meets pureblood requirements for greeting new people before he turns on a heel and glides through a rapidly parting crowd of students with the elder Riddle attempting not to chuckle at his son’s actions.

Nod of his head in the direction ‘Tain went, “My apologies for his brief greeting, I am certain he is honored to meet you, but he is also nervous over his first experience with public schooling.”

“Understandable – pardon my confusion, but how would you prefer to be addressed?” the Weasley matriarch inquires.

Train whistling he turns with the red headed clan and heads for the train, “Mr. Riddle is perfectly fine with me Mrs. Weasley.”

“You do not mind if we do not use your title as Lord Mr. Riddle?”

“Not at all, now if you will excuse us, we really must be boarding the train. I expect I shall see you soon enough, good day to you all.” Stepping inside the train he scans the staring faces of the students before heading down the isle, “Lucius, Severus, will you join Draco, Satain, and I? It will be pleasant to hold a coherent conversation with you while my son whines over the confiscation of his muggle addiction.” Laughter from both Sev and Father effectively clearing the isle I shake my head as I trail along in their wake, wide-eyed students staring silently at the backs of their hated Potions Professors.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author's Footer: Asdhihfiyurinikgggg!!!!!!! Gods damn it to hell and back! I will have it known that the balcony scene was not supposed to be there, the music made me do it.

Incidentally, the music described in said scene were two separate songs - "Black Velvet" by Alannah Myles, and "Du Hast" by Rammstein.

Now I'm off to enjoy a dinner of ribs before attempting to convince this pos to read the files I'm trying to transfer from Navi.

Much love kittens!

~Kalinx

Ruddy bugger

2005-10-15T09:56:51Z

So if I didn't mention this earlier, which I'm sure I didn't, I moved back in with my mother and have only one computer with which to use the internet. Unfortunantly, I have yet to find a file formating which will make me able to bring prewritten pieces of Switchblade from my Navi to this pos. I've got chapter four of part two written, but no way to post it. I'll try again after work,but I wanted to drop a line to tell you I'm still alive and writing.

Much love

Kalinx

Rei phöril tös...

2005-09-03T09:59:57Z

All up to date! Go me/us/?

Oh, the title is in a language called Aurenfaie, that was created by the lovely author Lynn Flewelling. I thought it fit. If you haven't read her Nightrunner series or Tamir trilogy I heartily reccomend them...there's happy, malexmale relations in the Nightrunner series. ^^

Switchblade Symphony ~ Part Two
Two-
Rei phöril tös tókun meh brithir, vrí sh'ruit'ya
Though you thrust your dagger at my eyes, I will not flinch*

He was just lying there, like a broken doll, like he had that night the sky had cried for our world. Only this time he had neon hair and looked nothing like the Wizarding world’s savior. More like a, what do those blasted muggles call them, ah yes, a gothic punk. One hand was curled across his stomach all the blood having been washed off when Severus and I had apparated back to the Manor from the Burrow. Father had remained behind to try to quell some of the Weasley clan’s worries.

Lucius Malfoy, comforting Weasleys, not something I ever thought I would see, what with his pureblood theatrics and the Dark Lord breathing down his neck. But we were all making an effort to play both sides of this war. Clinging to Harry because he represented the hope for the future, and clutching at Riddle’s hems because he controlled the side of the war we were supposed to support.

When did my life get so complicated? Everything was moving along fine until I began my schooling at Hogwarts. I was the perfect heir to a pureblood family name; smug, loyal, brilliant, everything my parents could have wished for. And my godfather would light up whenever he came to visit and I dashed out to greet him. Then we got my Hogwarts letter and Father began to change with every passing day. Befriend Harry Potter, he told me, make Potter trust you so our Lord may come back and exact his revenge. Obedient fop that I was I went after Potter only to find myself thwarted by not just one Weasley, but four.

I hated Potter after that and now, now he had me joining the Weasleys for their Christmas Eve celebrations. Had me waiting with white knuckles for him to wake up and tell me everything was going to be fine. Waiting for those emerald eyes to flash with mischief and warmth. Harry had turned my life upside-down without so much as a ‘how do you do’, but I wanted him to make my life his. Wanted to share the rest of mine, no matter how long or short it came to be, with him. Sure, we were bound to argue and have screaming matches; we had been raised too differently to escape that but somehow I knew we would always return to each other to reconcile our differences. Hands on my thighs I stare out into the shadowy winter night. Harry, what is happening to me? To our world? Door creaking open I turn my eyes from the sky outside to meet the stormy eyes of my father.

“He hasn’t woken yet?”

Shake my head, shifting a hand to caress his pale cheek, “Nothing. Have you alerted Riddle to his state of being, or is he still dealing with whatever took him away earlier this evening?” Don’t really want to know what it was that drew Riddle from the Christmas Eve celebration, but it probably had something to do with what had sent Harry down into this frozen state. Had it been something his former body, now reanimated by Riddle with a stolen soul, had done? Oh Harry, what are we going to do? We’re so entangled in these webs that I’m not sure which way is the right way any longer.

Muscles beneath my fingers twitch violently, Harry coming awake with a strangled scream. Fingers curl about my wrist as I go to brush his shoulder. “Oh Godric, what in the hell was I thinkin’ when I signed up fo’ this?” Cough interrupting the rest of his words he drops my wrist and heaves himself from the silk sheets. Bare feet poke from beneath the hem of his pants as he ghosts unsteadily to stand before my father. “Luc –“arms held out to my father he murmurs, “You and Sev,” quick glance over his shoulder at me, “and Drake will stand by me no matter what, right?”

Fingers twine with Harry’s as my father tugs him into his lap tucking his neon head under his chin. “Of course Harry, though I might not understand why I will stand by you until I die, as will Sev or my Dragon.”

“’m glad t’ hear you say that Luc.” Head drooping onto Father’s shoulder Harry begins to snore softly as Father looks over at me wide-eyed.

Shrug and shuck back the covers on my bed again, have to ready them for Harry, again. “I haven’t the slightest idea what that was about Father.”

Tuck the slumbering body into my bed with a lopsided smile, “He shall tell us when he is ready little Dragon of mine.” Ungloved hand combing through my white-gold mane he presses a kiss to my temple. “Get some sleep Dragon, Christmas morning comes early and I have no doubt that Harry will have recovered by then.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Early morning sunlight was glinting off of the freshly fallen snow as I opened my eyes to the view of a vaguely familiar canopy. Frown creasing my forehead I mutter, [I don’t recall this being the canopy to the guest bed. ‘Tain, you awake yet?]

[Yep, an’ t’ answer your not quite question, this ain’t the canopy o’ the guest bed, this here’s the canopy o’ one Draco Malfoy’s bed.]

Frown vanishing I swallow the curse that had wanted to come out, not wanting to alert the house elves to my wakeful state, not before I had a chance to give Draco his Christmas gift. Twist my head slowly to find that ethereal white-blond hair wreathing the young Malfoy’s face. Half the school year had gone by with the two of us reaching for something neither was sure was available from the other. If it hadn’t been for ‘Tain I never would have noticed that I was shying away from Drake when he reached for me, or that he was doing the same when I reached. Times were going to be rough when the Wizarding world got wind of my return, albeit a bit differently than before, not to mention Father Riddle was bound to send out the puppet he created using my body soon enough. I had to make myself known before that night. Of course, considering the fact that I was planning to give Father Riddle my allegiance during breakfast this morning and have him mark me as His kind of negated that fact, but it had to be done and the world couldn’t know that I had gotten the Dark Mark until it was necessary.

Thoughts interrupted as Drake whimpers in his sleep I banish those thoughts for the time being, time enough to deal with them later. Levering myself up I shift to straddle Drake’s hips, my nose inches from his. “Draco. Time to wake up Drake.” Sleep fogged silver eyes slide open to per blankly at me as I close the distance between us, lips parting to capture his first waking breath. Eyes widen in surprise as hands creep up to grip shoulders. Mouth pulling back from his minutely I smile, “Happy Christmas Drake.” Tangle fingers in the wealth of hair spread across his pillow as I dip my mouth back to his.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Teeth pricking my skin. Welcomed pain. Sooth the burn with your tongue. Arch my hips to meet yours as the world beyond your emotion filled emerald eyes fades. Flare of stinging pain. You had broken the skin of my throat with your nips, the rush of adrenaline making my heart flutter inside me. Merlin how I wanted this. Kisses traveling across every inch of skin you brush over my groin. Head rocking from side to side. I was lost in you. Drunk off of my need you.

Low moan fighting its way out of me I shift as you drag nails up from my groin to my knee. Salazar, I wanted you. “Harry – now, please?” There were stars behind my eyes. Yank your lips to mine, trying to get me point across in the haze you were drowning me in.

Answering need in your lips as you whisper in my mind, [As you wish my love.] Sharp blossom of pain as you fill me for the first time. Oh gods. Wrap my legs around you. You were never going to leave me. I wanted this feeling of you inside forever. Dark eyes gaze into mine, a slight shadow of worry in them. Afraid you had hurt me. Yes. No. Tangle fingers in your mop of neon hair and connect our mouths once more. Had to sooth your concern. Love you so much. Worry vanishing you plunge your tongue into my mouth. Furious battle as you wait for me to adjust.

Nipping my tongue you move. Fuck. Really couldn’t see now. Keening moan echoing your own whimper of pleasure. Eyes had rolled somewhere near my brain. What was left of my brain. It still hurt, but gods, it felt so good.

Moans and small groans dripping from my mouth I arch my back. Flood of light as you hit that spot. Slight tug of your calluses on my member, hand matching the thrusts of our hips. Writhe under your touch. The world was gone. Nothing but you existed. Your voice matched mine, pent up desires finally finding what they craved.

My name leaving your tongue in a cry of bliss, you drag me over the edge with you. Searching the space behind my bed curtains for enough air to fill my lungs I whimper as your lips brush my hips. Lifting your head you smile. Press a sharp flavored kiss to my lips. Drape your body over mine.

Tangle your fingers in my knotted hair. Kiss me nice and slow, languid strokes of your tongue against mine. Soft ghost of a voice in my ear, “I love you Draco Malfoy, more than anything.”

“I love you so much Harry, I wish I had told you sooner –“

Lips silencing the rest of my apology you grin, “Sh, you love me, for that simple fact nothing else matters.”

“Always Harry, never doubt that I love you.”

“Keep saying those three words and I never will.”

Brush your hair out of your face and press a soft kiss to you mouth, “No matter what happens I will always love you Harry Potter.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sapphire dressing gown draped loosely over my nightclothes I hold a tumbler of brandy out to my dark haired lover as he joins me in the sunroom. Black hair falling in tousled waves to brush his robe covered shoulders I nod my head towards my son’s rooms. “Minkie tells me they will be with us very shortly, seems our boys started their celebration of the holiday early.”

Amber liquid catching the sunlight Sev smiles, “Good.” Free hand waving at the dish-laden table he murmurs, “Are you going to offer the boys glasses of brandy as well? I know Draco is usually allowed a sip from your own tumbler but he will be of age next year, and Harry, Harry is a law to himself.”

Brandy burning down my throat I chuckle, arm slipping about Sev’s hips, “That he is.” Mouth finding his I tug at his lip with my teeth, tongue thrusting to meet his as he parts his lips. Glass shattering against the sunroom’s stone floor I arch against him, whimper catching in my throat as his skilled fingers find their way beneath my clothing. Tilt my head back searching for air as he sucks at a spot just beneath my ear. “Ssseevv.” Crushing his lips to mine he swallows my moan as he brings me over my peak, shuddering in his arms. Breath of space between our lips, whisper of a cleaning spell, his fingers caressing my sides.

“I love you Luc, even after everything we have been through I still find myself loving you like we were at school.” Quick peck as two new pairs of arms snake around us, emerald and silver eyes beaming at me. Eyes still a bit glazed I return their kisses of greeting.

Neon hair straggling into one green eye Harry slips closer to my side, fingers twining in my hair and dragging my lips to meet his in a chaste kiss. “You two look gorgeous together, I’m jealous.”

Soft cough from the sunroom’s entrance, “I second Harry, and want to add that the four of you are too perfect for words to express when you are together in this manner.” Brilliant flash of teeth as Harry releases me and throws himself at the newly arrived figure of the Dark Lord. Smile lighting his face Riddle enfolds his adoptive son in a tight embrace, “Happy Christmas my wayward son.”

Trusting my still trembling legs I make my way to the well-laden table motioning for the others to find their seats. Filling five tumblers with a generous fill of brandy I lift mine in a toast. “To family this Christmas morning.”

Ruby eyes dancing Riddle nods, “To family.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Heart skipping a beat I grab hold of Father Riddle’s sleeve as he heads out of the sunroom towards the balcony overlooking the Malfoy land. Delicate brow quirking upwards in question he drapes an arm around my waist and allows me to walk with him, the Malfoys and Sev chattering away about past Christmas mornings. None would find it odd that I had just voluntarily walked off with Riddle, in fact, they might see it as a courtesy on our part, giving them time as a family. Leaning against the wrought iron rail we gaze across the snowy fields and sprawling forestry that compose Malfoy Manor’s surrounding acreage. Watch as a hawk wheels overhead, voice soft in the winter morning, “Thank you for making her die slowly, but I wish I might have had a hand in her death.”

“Child?”

He was unsure of my meaning, easy enough to clarify. Peer at him, pierced brow arching up, “I want to join you Father, want to act as your true heir and stand by your side during meetings, join your followers on missions.” Eyes narrowing I whisper, “I want you to teach me everything you know so I can follow in your steps to rewrite the Wizarding world as we see it fit. You are my father, and yet I am still masquerading as their Golden Boy. Make me yours Father, give me your mark and let me help you.”

“Truthfully, this is what you wish?”

Squeeze between his body and the rail, “Yes, I want this.”

Dagger nailed fingers grip my hips as a dark smile crosses his face. “They will feel it when I mark you.”

“And? They are already yours are they not?”

“Yess.”

“Father, I need this. Please?”

Crimson gaze darkening with power he hisses, “Yess.” Air humming he kisses my scar, flooding my body with his magic. Jaw locked I hiss at the scalding touch of his magic, writhing in his grip. Mouth drifting over my eyes Father Riddle whispers, “Sh my son, just accept the pain and it will fade.” Whimper threatening to escape I wince at the pain and close my eyes giving up, willing to allow the pain to tear me to pieces rather than fight it. At my acceptance Father’s magic began to mingle with my own magic bringing a moan to my lips as it swirls through my veins, a smoldering sense of satisfaction rather than its previous sense of attack. Heat pooling in my groin I arch against the rail digging into my tailbone, eyes snapping open as I press against Father’s very evident erection. Tangle my fingers in his hair as he crushes his lips to mine. Somewhere over Father’s shoulders stood the three stunned constants in my life but the power was crawling over my skin and His mouth was moving down the line of my throat, teeth nipping every other kiss. Hand still fisted in Father’s hair I blink hazed eyes at the two blondes and their dark haired shadow as Father sinks to his knees before me. Hesitant stroke of a nailed finger on the skin of my hip, “Harrry, I want to tasste you when yourr magicss decsside wherre to marrk you.”

Turn my gaze from the silent watchers to meet His need darkened gaze. Flick my tongue over my parched lips and nod, “Make it worrth my while and you do ass you wissh Lorrd Voldemorrt.” Magic singing in my ears I leer as I feel Riddle’s lips close around my cock. Air filled with the sounds of a wailing voice singing and a skipping bass line I begin to cackle as my magic warps his, shunting back through my veins with the feeling of coming home. Cackle growing higher in pitch I scream in pleasure and pain as He pulls my orgasm out of me and our combined magic singes into the skin of my left thigh.

Lifting red eyes to meet my wild gaze He whispers, “You will destroy me, will you not child?”

“Yess.”

“With knowledge I teach you?”

“Yess.”

Tight embrace of his arms around my hips, fingers tracing the fresh mark on my thigh, “You swear to betray me and destroy me when the time comes, no matter what happens between now and then? Even if you grow to accept me?”

Wild light fading I sink to my knees and pet his cheek, “I swear Father, I shall see you dead and gone even if, no, especially if I grow to love you like a father.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I was ensconced in one of the over-large chairs scattered about the cavernous foyer of my lifelong home, a book on Dark Arts in my lap, and my nattering thoughts running rampart through my head. Quick jerk of my head effectively popping my neck I sigh and close my eyes thinking back over these past seven days and the chaos they had wrought. Finding Harry surrounded by a whirlwind of Riddle’s magic accepting His mark had been unexpected. Hell, unexpected had to be the understatement of the century to cover that. I was flabbergasted. Utterly speechless, add to that the blowjob he had received from Him and the request and subsequent promise to destroy Him, and the three of us were thrown off balance. Harry had become an enigma these past days since his marking, seeking out my company every second he was not training with either Father, Sev, or Riddle. It was almost as if he needed to constantly hear my acceptance of what he had done, and those three little words were quick to come when I saw his frazzled eyes heading my direction. I will not pretend to understand his reasoning but I will be damned and sorted into Gryffindor before I tell him that his choice has frozen my love for him. No loss of love, just a whole load of confusion, though I am sure he will explain once he finally understands that I will not leave him for a choice he makes, especially if this choice really has no effect on my remaining family or I.

So now I was brushing up on my Dark Arts knowledge while Father and Sev attempt to teach the ex-Golden Boy how intent is everything with the Cruciatus Curse. How they were planning on driving that fact home I had no desire to know. If they used it on him I certainly did not want to know before hand. As long as he learned to use it, and use it well, I could forgive almost anything. Almost. Obviously I would not forgive them if they forced him to do something he was not comfortable with, such as heading out with Riddle on one of the godforsaken ‘missions’ against muggles, or putting him under Imperious for an extended length of time and forcing him to act out of character. Though with all the changes he had been going through it was difficult to tell what was in character and what was not.

Sigh breathing past my lips I jump as Riddle’s voice croons, “Too much to assimilate at once little Dragon?”

Right, remember that Riddle was sitting in another of these chairs reading one of the many potions books Father had. No need to act like a startled bird when he speaks, no need at all. Save the fact that his rape was still unaccounted for, and I was not going to tell Harry of it though I am sure he knew what had taken place while he was gone. “Yes and no Tom, it is a considerable amount to take into consideration though.” Open my eyes to peer across the space between us, “You do realize that Weasley and Granger will be arriving by portkey within ten minutes?”

Using a finger as a bookmark he quirks a brow at me, “Indeed little Dragon, I am simply here to await the report of my son’s latest training session.” Ruby gaze glinting with humor he glances briefly at the page in his book before setting it beside its brothers on an end table. “Promise I shall be out of your hair after that.”

Make a face at him and set my book beside his after marking my page with a silver ribbon, “Sure, you say that now but you will be back for supper this evening or breakfast tomorrow morning, correct?” Slight inclination of his head as two pairs of feet stumble against the emerald and gray marble floor, the serpent necklace that served as the portkey tinkling against the marble. Rising from my seat I quirk a brow, “Right on time, how pleasant.”

Crash resounding throughout the Manor I turn to stare at the Great Stairs as Riddle moves to his feet gracefully. “I do believe that the session is finished little Dragon, now we shall see what has come of it.” Black tipped neon hair flying behind him Harry strides confidently to the top of the Stairs his glimmering silver robe hanging open from his shoulders. Smirk quirking his mouth he poses there, one hand curled over his crimson clothed hip. Head titled to the side Riddle inquires, “How did it go child?”

Wand rising from his thigh he points it at Riddle’s face and allows the smirk to contort his lips, “Crucio.” Teeth clenching together with a snap Riddle collapses to the floor with an inarticulate cry. Ignoring the body Harry glides down the Stairs enfolding me in a tight embrace, “This is for you Drake, for when I was gone.” Emerald eyes snapping to Riddle he leers madly at him, “Scream for me Father and I will remove the curse, until you do so it will remain on your body.”

Spine arching off the marbled floors Riddle gives in to the pain and shrieks murder. Leer transforming into a brilliant smile Harry flicks his hand at Riddle, banishing the curse. Quick kiss to my temple he releases me and drops to his knees beside his father’s waist. Arms trembling Riddle manages to hoist himself into a sitting position using Harry as leverage. Enfolding him in his arms Harry presses his lips to the corner of Riddle’s mouth. Still shaky Riddle twists his head just enough to accept Harry’s next kiss with his lips dagger nailed hands clenching on his son’s shoulders. Effortless to ignore the sounds of disbelief from the two Gryffindors as I watch Harry gift Riddle with a few more chaste kisses. Voice warm he purrs, “How was that for intent Father?”

“Perfect,” he rasps, clinging to Harry’s arms as the two climb to their feet, “though I doubt I could Apparate home without splinching myself at this moment.”

“Not a problem Tom, we do have a guest wing if you wish to remain here for the evening.” Watch as Father and Sev glide down the final few steps of the Stairs. Head dipping in admiration Father offers an arm to Riddle, “That was a considerable amount of intent Harry I am glad the past three hours did not go to waste. However, you must watch the level of intent so that the curse does not kill the one you cursed. With that strength of intent you could have killed Tom had you left it on him for more than a couple of minutes.”

Sneer curving his lips Harry hands Riddle off to Father with a final kiss to his cheek. “I know, I was hoping Father would realize that fact and relent.” Subtle movement of his shoulders as his eyes gaze off into a world beyond my comprehension, “Though if he hadn’t he would have died at my feet today rather than in the future.” Dim eyes turn to catch mine in his quest for reassurance. Mouth ‘I love you’ to him as the two Gryffindors shuffle uncomfortably just behind me. Slight inclination of his head towards the three adults, “With your leave Draco and I will take Weasley and Granger to one of the lesser sitting rooms to talk.”

Moving to help support Riddle Sev struggles to keep a smile off of his face, the corners of his mouth quirking upward. “Of course, Minkie or one of the other elves will alert you if you are needed, or if all goes smoothly, supper is being served.” Dark eyes sparkling Sev gives into his smile as Harry blows him a raspberry, “Be gone from my sight you insufferable brat.”

Mock pout on his face Harry mutters, “I thought you loved me.” Laughter startling the two still silent Gryffindors Sev flaps his free hand at Harry. Quick nod of his head Harry plants his palms on his hips and quips, “I win!” Mouth still quirked Sev and Father help Riddle off to the guest wing as Harry glances over his shoulder at the rest of us. “Well come on you two, let’s get comfortable so we can start this.”

Silver eyes raking over the two beside me I sigh and take a few quick steps to curl an arm about Harry’s hips, pressing a kiss to his temple. Moving my kisses down to his jaw I lean closer and nip his earlobe, eliciting a soft whimper of appreciation from him. Unimportant sound of surprise and possibly disgust from the redheaded wizard as Harry twists in my arms to meet my next kiss. Wrinkling my nose at the sounds Weasley was now making I purr, “Later love, now we have these two to talk with, and having them unconscious while quieter is not advantageous to what we hope to accomplish.”

Hand trailing through my hair he mutters, “You use big words a lot Drake.”

Snort from the curly haired Gryffindor I stick my nose in the air, “I am the heir to a pureblood family young scarhead, it behooves me to use the language with which I have been instructed throughout my – mumph!” Pounce-like speech cut short by his needy kiss I melt against him, answering his need with my own. Breath shuddering in my chest I caress his cheek, “Seriously though, we do have to talk with them, and this will have to wait.”

Tongue flicking over his lips Harry gifts me with a gentle smile before wriggling free of my grasp. “’K Draco.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

They were still uncomfortable in the Manor, or with the present company. Quirk a thin brow at them as Ron wets his lips with a brief flick of his tongue. Draco sat to my left, his fingers twined with mine; calmly watching my former friends twist in their seats. Though I do hope that we can return to some sort of normalcy after this little chat, I never wanted to lose their friendship through my growing dependence on the Malfoys and Snape. Not to forget Riddle, Merlin, Riddle was a whole other factor. I was supposed to hate him, to kill him or be killed by him, yet I called him father. He had given me his name, named me heir to his fortune. I knew I had to kill him, but gods I was beginning to want to turn and ask him the kind of questions I would have asked my father if he had lived. At least they were questions I imagine sons asked their fathers. Salazar, this was going to be a difficult chat for more than one reason.

Rake my hands through the blinding mane of hair I had let ‘Tain keep I mutter, “Boy, you are gonna be one seriously fucked up lunatic when this is all settled.” Forget for an instant that I have a sitting room with company in it. “This is gonna be harder then surviving the Dursley’s for the summer, I wish I could just vanish from the world and never have to deal with this.” Sigh and bury my face in my hands, what had I been thinking when I had chosen to start this mad plan? I was now legally, in the Wizarding World, adopted by my arch nemesis – and I think I was beginning to love him in some very disturbing fashion. “Fuck, how am I gonna be able to kill Father now?”

Soft sound of Hermione’s voice, “Harry?”

Haunted glimmer in my eyes I lift my head from my hands and stare at the cautious faces of my former friends. Lips twisting upwards in a bittersweet smile I croon, “Ask what you will, I shall answer as best I can, though I promise nothing.”

Staying true to his character Ron impulsively asks the first thing that comes to mind, “You and Riddle seem to be on oddly good terms, why haven’t you asked him for your body back?”

Indeed, why haven’t I? “What makes you think I want to prance around in that body? A body that’s recognized throughout the Wizarding World and even into muggle London, why wouldn’t I want to keep this one? At least like this I’m less easily recognized and can get things done without having to answer to the constant ‘Merlin, is that Harry Potter?’ cry. True I grew up looking like that, but I am not my dead parent’s child any longer. Had I been raised by them, rather than those insufferable muggles, Father Riddle, and Albus, I might feel a bit more hesitant to dump it and go, but at this point I no longer find myself caring too greatly.” Plus, Father has plans for my former body, plans he will reveal at the next meeting, or so he tells me.

“But if He has your body –“ Hermione starts.

Snort and mutter, “If you think for one fuckin’ second that I’m gonna be able to march up to Father and demand to see where he keeps my body, then Avada Kedavra it, you are sorely mistaken Granger.”

Brown eyes softening slightly she covers Ron’s mouth with a hand and leans closer to me. “I won’t pretend to understand what you are planning this time, but can we not return to addressing one another by our first names?”

Bare my teeth in a mischievous grin, “If you will call me Satain then yes, if you insist upon calling me Harry best of luck getting my attention.”

“Satain?” Confusion in her eyes she frowns at me.

Quick nod, “Harry Potter is, for all intents and purposes, still out of commission; however, Satain Riddle will be transferring to Hogwarts at the beginning of the spring session, having been home taught until now.”

“And Satain’s father? What will he do?”

“Obviously he shall join his son at the first feast of the session to see that he is Sorted and settled properly before returning to the Riddle Manor the next morning.” Eyes narrowing I glare at them, “I trust that the two of you will warn those who attended the Weasley’s Christmas Eve celebration to keep their mouths shut, as I am expecting you two too as well. Nothing will ruin my re-entry to Hogwarts, not even – “ Thigh burning I clamp my mouth shut on my hiss of pained surprise. Forehead furrowing I distance myself from the pain as the family crests resting against my chest begin to heat. Clap a hand to them in shock, “What the hell?” Rise to my feet, frown still on my face, asking distantly, “Drake, what does it mean if the crest begins to burn?”

Gloved hand brushing my elbow he rises to his feet, “That the current head is suffering pain of some manner not brought on by magic.”

“Right, must find Father and figure out what’s happened,” I mumble already heading for the door.

“Har – Satain?”

Blink and look back on the two Gryffindors, “Stay or follow, your choice, but lay a finger on Father or spread any rumors about this incident and I will have your tongues for a necklace. Got it, Ron, Hermione?” Ignore their agreement as I push through the doorway, Draco a step behind me. “Drake, know which room they stuck Father in?” Short, negative grunt from beside me, our feet already on the Stairs. Turn left at the top of second story, away from Draco’s wing, heading towards the guest wing. Luc and Sev had taken over the entirety of the third floor, the floor that had previously housed Luc and Narcissa. Wander beyond the closest suites, “Bet you anything he’s in my old room.” Snicker from Draco as we pause before the door leading to the suite of rooms Luc had given me before it was decided that I should simply share Draco’s wing.

“Old room?” Ron stutters.

Pushing the door open I toss him a grin, “Yup, I sleep in Draco’s wing now.” Startled burst of noise from the two as I chuckle and make my way through the opulent sitting room. Books and scrolls were piled on top of half the furniture in the room, but no sign of Father Riddle. Weaving through the mess, careful not to tread on anything that might be important, I peer into the bedroom. “Father? Are you in here?”

Pain laced in his voice he hisses, “Yess, do come give me a hand will you?”

“’Course, are you decent?” Snarl of agreement I chuckle as I enter the room with the others on my shadow. Gaze flicking over the room I snort as I spot a very disgruntled pair of red eyes glaring at me from the floor beside the four-poster bed. Laughter tingeing my voice I ask, “Get into another battle with some silk sheets Father?”

“Shut up you insolent boy and get over here!”

Cross the room and kneel down beside the tangled up mass that is Father, hands slipping beneath the mess of sheets to prod at his legs. Fanged teeth flashing as I hit a broken bone in his leg I nod and pass it to examine the remainder of his legs. Noting the table next to the bed I trail my fingers up his legs to poke at his ribs. Hissing as I nudge a pair of bruised ribs I flash him a grin, moving my questing fingers over his shoulders. Shiver racing after my fingers as I ghost them over his neck I lean my mouth to his ear, hands worming into his hair. “The mark burns along with the crests, do try not to get hurt too often.” Growling he yelps as I freeze, hands cupping a dented and bloody section of his skull. “Oh! Drake, run and get Sev, tell him Father’s broken his leg, bruised a couple of ribs, and smashed in a palm-sized section of his skull.”

“Palm-sized?” Father whispers.

“Yup, what’d you do? Fall out of bed?” Ruby-eyed glare directed my way I snicker, careful not to jostle his head. “Huh, I s’pose I should have asked you this before I decided it was gonna happen, do you mind if I take to callin’ myself Satain Riddle and enroll at Hogwarts as such? I’d like to, if you don’t mind.”

“Satain? What kind of a name is that?” Pout at him briefly before sticking my tongue out at him. Soft chuckle coming from his throat, “I would be honored to have you named as my son and enrolled as such, even if it is under such an outlandish name.”

Dip forward to brush my lips over his forehead. “Love you Father.”

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I don't want just anyone

2005-09-03T09:57:31Z

Almost up-to-date, one more chapter after this.

Switchblade Symphony ~ Part Two
One
I don’t Want Just anyone

Twirl before a full length mirror to admire the sight and fit of another set of new clothing. This time my pants were made of some leather like material that clung to my legs like a second skin, flaring a bit from just above my knees down. Black boots with a slight heel and lacing up to my knees beneath the pants. I had adamantly refused to wear dress robes to the Burrow today and had forsaken the sleek, buttoned dress shirt for a loose, silver, ruffled poet’s shirt under a dark green corset that was embroidered with lighter green patterns. Tied around my throat is a piece of black ribbon, a flawless ruby hanging from it to rest on my collarbone. Over it all I was planning on wearing a floor length, shimmering black robe whose full sleeves fell to my thighs. A few charms had straightened my hair and it was now held back with another piece of black ribbon. I had swapped ‘Tain’s mismatched studs and hoops for glinting silver hoops and studs.

What was Molly Weasley going to think of me now?

[Oh piffle Harry darlin’, you’ve told me she was your first mother figure an’ I doubt that a little change is gonna make her not love you.]

Choking I glare at my preening reflection, “Little change? ‘Tain, love, I hardly call this a lil’ change. I look like some goth’s idea of a wizard an’ for Godric’s sake, aside from the scar an’ eyes I scarcely look like th’ Harry she last saw.”

[‘m sure she’ll take into consideration that you took flyin’ lessons off th’ edge of th’ Astronomy Tower an’ went missin’ for a coupla months.]

“You are way too pragmatic ‘bout this ‘Tain. I for one wanna throw a tantrum over th’ whole unfairness of it, an’ t’ top that, I hav’ta play nice with Father tonight when all I want t’ do t’ him is tear him t’ pieces with my bare hands.”

“While I would be overjoyed to see him torn to pieces I suggest you refrain during our visit to the Weasley’s home Harry, afterwards is another matter, but I was under the impression that you needed him to live for our world to be saved,” Lucius’ smooth voice quips as he moves into my room and stands behind me. Dressed in black slacks, over-sized black vest embroidered with red phoenixes, white shirt beneath that, and a flowing, dark red robe he wears his mane of white-blond hair free.

Twist to face him, a smile lighting my face. “You look lovely Luc. Not too pureblood but still nice. Are you sure you really want t’ do this? I know that you an’ the Weasley’s have never seen eye-to-eye on anything an’ now I’m dragging you off t’ their place for Christmas Eve.”

Pulling me into his arms for a hug he brushes my cheek softly, tilting my eyes to meet his. “Are you sure you are ready Harry? I may be a pureblood and have rather stiff beliefs when it comes to Wizarding kind because of them, but you are – well you.” Silver eyes losing focus he murmurs, “I will tell you the truth of the matter Harry because I feel you deserve to know. My hatred of the Weasley’s and their ignorance of the proper pureblood ways are still in me. I hate them for the weak fact that they are poor and do not live up to the standards I was raised to. It is an irrational hatred I know, but it is there and while the Dark Lord may be under your thumb he still has me branded as a follower. Some of his beliefs I still hold true to, and I know I should not be such. After all, I have you and somehow you have managed to save me from the punishment that killed my wife, give me back to my son, and do it without asking me to change my ways too greatly. I am an old man Harry, too set in my ways to properly turn from them but if it is your wish that I act pleasant to those I still hate then I shall do so. You are our hope Harry and while I may at times lose my grasp on that fact and revert to the Death Eater I have been and still am, trust that I know why you do what you do.”

“Lucius – “

Bitter half-smile, “No, I am who I am and nothing will ever change that fact. I will adopt better principles if you beat them into my head hard enough. Will realize the futility of what I was before that night when I gaze at you. But I am still the arrogant, self-centered, pureblood minded Death Eater you met during your second year at Hogwarts. I call you our hope because that is what you are, but I do not truly understand how I have slide from my stalwart acceptance of the Dark Lord to my need to keep you safe. You confuse me Harry, yet I cannot let you come to harm.” Quick shake of his head, blond hair shivering in the light. “I do not understand, but I will follow you no matter where you go.”

“Thank you Luc, it means a lot t’ hear you say that.”

“Tut Harry, you are going to need people who will willingly back you once things start to come to head. I doubt that much of your former House will understand the need to let Riddle rampage or even join his side, and I can say the same thing for the majority of the school. Including the Headmaster.” Holding a hand out to me he offers me the two family crests, “And I think it would be best if you wore these every waking hour, they do hold some of your power within them and that link to your being is a bad thing to leave lying around.”

“Yes Professor Malfoy,” I drawl slipping the two pendants over my head and settling them against the ruffles on my chest.

Lips brush my forehead in a paternal kiss before he motions to the door, “Shall we go then Mr. Potter? I believe we still have to call your Father to us and Apparate to the Weasley’s home before we may begin our celebration of Christmas Eve.”

Grinning I proceed him as we leave my room behind and head for the entryway of Malfoy Manor.

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We were all waiting impatiently, a stirring of fear fluttering inside our hearts. There was no hint of how this night would turn out. Nothing to warn us of a darkness that we could all sense but not put to a certain thought. Harry was coming to join us for Christmas Eve and he was bringing four high ranking ‘evils’ with him to my family’s home. Seated side by side, close enough for their thighs to press together Fred and George watch as ‘Mione and I wring our hands and pace. Helping Mum, Bill and Charlie shoot occasional frowns our direction. Da sat with ‘Mione’s parents, asking them numerous questions about the muggle world and the need for all of their strange devices. Ginny sat in a chair with her knees drawn up to her chin, mouth tight with worry.

A tree stood in the corner, decorated with brightly colored balls of light. Presents sprawled beneath it in their festive wraps and bows. Everyone had at least one gift, even that man – Riddle. Mum and Da had gotten that one and they refused to tell us what it was that they had gotten for Harry’s new guardian. Passing the window in my pacing I freeze as five figures Apparate onto our front lawn. In the lead is the bright green haired body Harry has become. The younger Malfoy stood at his left side, an elegant brow arching at the sight of the Burrow. Behind the two boys stand the two Professors, their fingers comfortably linked. And hesitating in the back is a ruby eyed, dark brown haired man who can only be Riddle. Turning his back on the Burrow Harry plants his hands on his hips and coughs to get the others attention.

“Right, now I expect ya’ll t’ behave yourselves like good boys an’ keep any scathing comments t’ yourselves ‘til we get back t’ the Manor. When we get back you can rant an’ rave all you wan’. Is that clear?” Well natured smiles gracing three of the four’s faces the Malfoys and Snape nod. Smooth movement of his right hand from hip to shoulder height, finger curling to beckon the slim man with red eyes forward. Left hand darting out to grab hold of the man’s chin Harry hisses at the man in Parseltongue, the subject of his speaking making the man in his grip swallow and nod rapidly. “Good, now that we understand each other I s’pose we ought t’ go relieve Ron of his watch o’ us.” Releasing Riddle’s chin he flashes me a blinding smile and disappears from my view to knock at the kitchen door.

Squeaking at the sound of Harry’s knock ‘Mione turns wild eyes on me. “That’s them, I think they’re all going to behave,” I mutter with a nod.

“They had better or I’ll be right mad at them,” Harry’s rough voice quips from the kitchen’s doorway. Neon hair tamed flat and back into a low tail he rounds on the men behind him with a low growl, “Right?”

“Of course Wonder Boy.”

“Yes you ruddy boy.”

“I gave you my word Phoenix.”

“Wouldn’t dream of going against you child.”

“See? They’re all very well behaved once you get t’ their better instincts.” Seizing Malfoy junior’s hand he drags him over to one of the worn couches spread around the room. Folding under Harry’s gentle push Draco tugs him down beside him. Riddle on Harry’s other side the Professors take the space to Draco’s other side.

Bustling into the sitting room with Bill and Charlie trailing in her wake Mum dusts her floured palms against her apron. “Right, I think we have some introductions to be made and then I have to go finish up the meal.” Sweeping a hand at each of us as she introduces us Mum prattles off the names of her six present children.

Biting her lower lip ‘Mione introduces her parents, one eye locked on the red-eyed man sitting to Harry’s right hand side.

Firmly ensconced between Draco and Riddle Harry shrugs, “Alright, I s’pose you all know Professor Snape an’ Draco Malfoy. An’ you prolly know his father Professor Malfoy if only from the similarities. An’ this is my adoptive father Tom Riddle.”

Silence settling briefly the twins regain their tongues and shout, “Blimey Harry! That really you in there?”

Grace filling his limbs he rises from the sofa and does a twirl, robe slipping down to rest in the bends of his elbows. “You like? I’d been thinkin’ of a makeover fo’ years. That lil’ orphan boy look is so last decade, yeah? Eyes going cloudy for a moment he bursts into laughter and shakes his head, “Keep your thoughts t’ yourself ‘Tain, you look no more like a lil’ lost orphan than I used t’ look like a prince.”

“Harry? Who you talking to?” Right, no one outside of the Headmaster, ‘Mione, the Malfoys, Snape, Him, and myself knew that he shared his current body with another soul. Somehow that had been kept from the Ministry and the majority of Hogwarts, Godric; the Ministry didn’t even know he was back. Not sure the rest of Hogwarts beyond a few select Gryffindors and the whole Slytherin house knew he had returned. The Wizarding world currently thought he was lying in Hogwart’s hospital wing in a coma. I don’t think they even knew he had changed his guardianship, seeing as the elder Malfoy had slipped the paperwork past the lower levels and straight on to the Minister of Magic. Suppose that being a Malfoy is good for something then, but not much else, after all, they were high-nosed purebloods who were willing to rape and murder to get ahead socially.

Taking a step towards me the green haired form of my friend curls his lips at me, the whites of his eyes bleeding black. [Why you close-minded ass, do you honestly think that after everything -] hands reaching for me [- I have done for you and this world that I would -] didn’t anyone else see that sickening green glow surrounding him? [- take up with people I didn’t trust?] Brown haired figure slipping in front of me, calves pressed against my knees, Riddle seizes Harry’s wrists.

“Release me,” Harry growls low in his throat.

Shaking his head Riddle whispers, “No, and I will forfeit my life in order to keep you from doing what you wish to do to him. I may abhor him and his family, and I may be who I am, but you shall not do this today. It is Christmas Eve snake-child; you will forget your grudges and hatreds for this day and tomorrow. After that you can do as you wish, but I do believe you would regret your choice of actions in killing him. Snake-child, I do not wish to find out that you have flown from the top of the Astronomy Tower again.”

Twitching as I connect Riddle’s command and Harry’s goal in reaching me I shoot a terrified look to either side of me finding every other person in the Burrow frozen at the sight of the confrontation. The ‘evils’, ‘Mione, and Ginny looked about as terrified as I felt trapped by Riddle. Everyone else just looked confused at the display.

“You dare defy me? Release me or you will forfeit your life!” Harry’s shriek cut through the still air of the room like lightning, sizzling against the ‘evils’ hard enough to throw them to their feet in protest for his ultimatum.

“No.”

Air around the three of us catching fire I clutch at the arms of my chair. “A choice than, either you drop dead at my feet or you reveal yourself to those here.”

“Do you wish me dead snake-child? You know what that would mean for me to do the latter.”

“Idiot, if I give you the choice to reveal yourself do you not think I would also keep you from harm in doing so?”

“You are the one threatening to kill me here and now,” Riddle drawls.

Wrists jerking from Riddle’s grip he closes one on Riddle’s throat, hoisting him off his feet. “Die now or die later, make your choice Father.”

Dark malevolence swirling into the mix of sickly green Riddle hisses, “Laterr, I will die laterr, now rreleasse me ssnake-child.” As Riddle’s feet return to the floor the voices of those in my family who had not known Riddle as the Dark Lord rise in shouts. Still trapped behind Riddle I watch as he bends his lips to kiss the lightning bolt scar on Harry’s forehead.

Throwing his arms around Riddle’s shoulders Harry huddles against his chest, “They hate me now Father, now that they know who you are. I jus’ wan’ them t’ love me.”

Jaw dropping in shock I blink at the two before me. Bloody hell, Harry could destroy Riddle now if he felt like it! He hadn’t been delivering empty threats when he held Riddle up by a single arm. Why was Riddle still breathing then? Was it because of the change in Harry’s guardianship? Did Harry – ‘Bloody hell Ron, Vernon hates me! He wants to watch me die by the power of his own hand!’ – Riddle must love him in some sort of twisted way, and the gods knew that Harry was short on love even though he had adoration from all who learned his name.

“Make them stop yellin’ Father, please?”

“Anything for you snake-child.” Covering Harry’s ears with his palms he shouts, “Cease this infernal shouting you bloody imbeciles! Can you not see what you are doing to him?” Silence filling the room once more Riddle drops his hands to Harry’s shoulders and twists him around. Back to his front Harry follows Riddle’s guiding push and moves back to the couch the Malfoys and Snape are standing in front of. Stepping a breath in front of Harry Draco glares at the rest of the room, his father and Snape resting a hand each on Harry’s shoulders, Riddle slipping an arm about his waist.

“Harry?” Mum asks, a single hand held out in entreaty.

Eyes downcast he murmurs, “We will go or stay by your desire, but we all go or we all stay. Christmas is ‘bout families an’ this is my family.”

Trailing his fingers down the side of Harry’s face Riddle croons, “I will leave child, I do not wish to disrupt your celebrations simply by the fact that I am who I am.”

Fury coloring his cheeks Harry rounds on Riddle and snarls, “Are you tryin’ t’ make me mad at you Father? Either Mrs. Weasley accepts us all or we leave. Together you fuckin’ bastard! Not separate! Not now, not ever!”

Red eyes widening in shock Riddle whispers, “What did you call me?”

Heel grinding into the carpet Harry crosses his arms over his chest and sticks his tongue out at him. “A fuckin’ bastard, cuz that’s what you are.”

Slinging an arm around Harry’s shoulders Riddle yanks him up against his chest and ruffles his hair. Nails grazing his throat he mutters, “I ought to punish you for that one child, but seeing as you don’t live with me I cannot do much.”

“I’m sure Lucius would be willing to enforce your punishment Lo –“frown creasing Riddle’s forehead Snape nods in compliance, “Tom.”

“Lucius?”

Pretending to mull it over Mr. Malfoy smirks at Harry, “Of course Tom, what sort of guardian would I be if I did not enforce the rules of his father?”

“Very well, consider yourself grounded Harry. I trust you shall obey Lucius’ enforcement of your punishment?”

Sputtering Harry tugs free of Riddle’s embrace and stomps across the room, flopping into the empty space beside Fred. Arms crossed over his chest he glowers at Riddle, “Yes Father, fo’ how long?”

Hand fluttering lightly Riddle takes a seat on the couch behind him, “Oh, let’s say two weeks, and before you ask, you are grounded from flying and using magic that requires a wand.”

Mouth opening and closing a few times Harry settles for blowing a raspberry at Riddle who sits calmly across the room from him inspecting his fingernails. Leaning over Fred’s lap George pokes Harry’s shoulder, “Blimey Harry, you got off easy, if we’d have said that we’d be out degnombing the garden as a warm up.”

“Yeah, wouldn’t be surprised if our punishment didn’t include several sessions that could rival Filch’s,” Fred adds.

“Or Professor Snape’s,” Bill tosses out with a trademark Weasley grin at Snape.

Growling at Bill Snape quirks a brow at the elder Malfoy as he chuckles softly his dark eyes flaring with love. “My poor, poor Severus, no one understands your ways,” lofty light in his eyes Mr. Malfoy sticks his nose up, “Save me of course, seeing as I am perfect in every way.”

Laughter spilling from Snape’s mouth I gape at the sight of my hated Potions Professor as all of his guards and masks fall, leaving him human. Liquid silver eyes catching my god-smacked expression the ferret winks at me and proclaims, “See, Uncle Severus is human after all, he just likes to hide the fact.”

Elder Malfoy bursting into laughter Snape grabs at Draco, grasping empty air as the blond dances away from him. “Why you little brat of a child!” Darting after Draco Snape chases him around the room, his robes whipping in his wake. Scrambling into Harry’s lap Draco clutches at his shoulders and shakes him.

“He’s going to kill me Harry! You’ve got to save me from him!” Seizing Draco’s arms Harry raises them from his sides, opening him for Snape’s attack. Who’d have thought the ferret was ticklish? Wriggling in Harry’s lap, attempting to get away from Snape’s evil quest to tickle him to death Draco pants, “Traitor! I can’t – believe you would – ahh – side with Uncle – Severus.”

Ceasing his tickling Snape sneers at the back of Draco’s head, “Consider yourself duly punished for that lie about me being human Draco.” Quick affectionate ruffle of the blonde’s hair Snape turns and wanders back to his seat beside the younger’s father.

Foreheads meeting Harry releases Draco’s arms, curling his around the other boy’s hips. They were whispering breathlessly to each other, the look on Fred and George’s faces was enough to tell me that. Fingers closing around Harry’s biceps Draco shifts his hips slightly, knuckles whitening at something. Meeting George’s eyes I nod as he mouths ‘remind Mum that she has cooking’. Climbing to my feet I grab Ginny’s hand and motion for ‘Mione to join us as I walk over to her parents and Da. The two nearly still figures next to Fred were locked in their own world of feelings and needs.

“Hey Da? Why don’t we head on into the kitchen and help Mum finish up with the cooking. You can show the Grangers how wizards cook and you can ask them about all those muggle cooking devices you have in there.” Agreeing instantly Da leads the Grangers into the kitchen, Mum following them with a tutting sound. Turn to look back at the two in their own world. Finger under Harry’s chin Draco grinds his hips down into Harry’s, blond hair masking most of his flushed face from my sight. Movement from the ‘evils’ couch I watch as Riddle quirks a brow at me a wand in his hand. Quick flick and the mouthed words needed for a Silencing Charm before he settles back into the couch, red gaze slipping from me and over to the lip locked boys on the couch opposite him.

“Ron! Are you okay?” Mum was sweeping me into her arms for a tight hug almost as soon as I stepped into the kitchen.

“Fine Mum, just a bit shaken at the display those two put on,” I mutter.

That look was entering her gaze, the look that said she knew I knew something she hadn’t and hadn’t told her. “Ronald Weasley, did you know who that man was before today?”

“Cripes Mum, of course I did, so did ‘Mione and Ginny if you must know.”

Pull my only sister, her only daughter into her arms, “How?”

Rake a hand through my hair and flop into a chair, legs scraping against the kitchen floor. “Second Year; Chamber of Secrets and the diary that Gin got mixed up in. Honestly Mum, I actually didn’t know that He was Harry’s new guardian until the night Harry decided to see if he could fly without a broom. He was there that night, somehow He knew that something had happened to Harry and He came right up to the edge of the wards on the castle. Stood right there and stared at Harry’s pale, crumpled body on the stones with the blood still running out of the slashes on his arms. He looked so sad standing there, rain dripping off his nose and his robes plastered to his skin, looking at Harry’s unmoving form.

“Mum, there’s something more going on here than we know. There has to be, there’s no way Harry would do this unless he knew he had the upper hand. I think we need to trust Harry with this one, and just stand by his side showing him that we care no matter what. Finding my best mate lying so still, wide-eyed, and in the rain with self inflicted wounds still bleeding shook me Mum. I don’t want to chance loosing him again.”

“Ronald, that man is –“

“No Mum, you didn’t wake up in the middle of the night with this pain in your soul. This pain that something had been taken from you before it was time. You didn’t run out of the tower, no matter that it was after curfew, and race recklessly down flights of shifting stairs all the while with this feeling of dread that something had happened to someone important to you. I ran out of the castle into the rain to find my best friend lying in a broken heap below the Astronomy Tower. With blood pooling around his head. Wide green eyes staring blindly into the falling rain.

“There’s something about Mr. Riddle that Harry needs and I’ll be bloody possessed before I get in the way of that. Mum, can’t you see? He’s holding Harry together – at least a part of him together. They all are; Draco, Mr. Malfoy, and Professor Snape. Without any one of them Harry’s as good as gone again. I won’t watch that happen, I won’t wake up and know with a certainty that he’s dead because I will know Mum, I will know.”

“You are wiser than I was led to believe Mr. Weasley,” a familiar silken voice drawls from the kitchen door. Whirl to find the elder Malfoy leaning against the doorway’s side, arms crossed over his chest. “I think, perhaps, that you should speak with Harry sometime after the first of the year.” Elegant hand rising to cut off my bitter retort that he wouldn’t talk to me about important stuff, Lucius pushes his body away from the door. “I will try to convince that insufferable boy that it needs to happen, but trust me when I say that if you hurt him in any way you will deal with me if you live when he is done taking his pain out on you.”

Angry, Mum plants her hands on her hips, “How dare you threaten one of my children!”

“No Mum, it’s alright, I wouldn’t expect less of him. I’ll hold you to your word Mr. Malfoy and look for something telling me of the date and time after the first of the year.” Jerking my chin at the sitting room I ask, “Is it safe to return to the sitting room now?”

Chuckle in his voice Lucius nods, “More observant too, but yes, it is safe enough to return. You should have seen their faces when they realized that your four older brothers were still in the room, much less those twins beside them.” Smile softening the perpetual Death Eater mask he wears over his emotions he turns to lead the way, “You have a lovely family Mrs. Weasley, I am sorry I did not realize this sooner.”
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Curled comfortably against Draco’s side I watch with half-lidded eyes as the twins set off a series of holiday crackers in the sitting room, showering it with giant hats and confetti. ‘Tain was calm in the back of our mind just observing the interactions between the adults. Based on their reactions to Father, I would have to guess that ‘Mione hadn’t told her parents who he was in the Wizarding world. She would, but she hadn’t yet so we could have a somewhat normal night in the Burrow. Must thank her for that, hell, must ask Luc if I can invite both her and Ron over after the New Year to talk to them.

Stiffening beside me Father curses softly in Parseltongue. Blinking sleepily I shift and look over at him. Mouth tightening he caresses my cheek, “I have to go, I’ve got a few idiot followers to chastise for interrupting my evening.”

“M’kay,” I purr sliding into his arms for a hug.

“Sleep well child, I shall see you at the Manor for breakfast.” Pushing me back at Draco he grins as I topple into the blonde’s lap. Bow to the rest of the room, “It has been a pleasant night and I thank you for inviting me, but unfortunately I have to leave.” Stride from the room, his robes billowing behind him to Apparate from the Burrow’s gardens, off to deal with whatever stupidity his followers have created.

Snuggling closer to Draco I gasp as the room lists dangerously to the side. Unfamiliar room crammed full with glittering objects of torture and flickering candle flames. Mirror reflecting my old body at my eyes. Emerald gaze filled with malice and the glow of unsavory power. Body clothed in a billowing Death Eater’s robe, the white mask pushed atop his head. Fingers slipping down his body he leers at the mirror. Vanish into the folds of the robe to take hold of himself; feel the ghostly caress across my own lap. Knew I was on my feet now, no more gentle warmth from Draco. Pull himself close to climax, my own body reacting like his shadow, and cease his stroking.

Father behind him, ruby eyes dark with pleasure and the promise of pain. Knife finding its way into his hand he strides from the room, my mind still locked with his.

Quick patter of his heartbeat as he enters a room lined with Death Eaters in their robes and masks. Figure nailed to a wooden altar, Death Eater robes torn away to reveal a woman’s body. Black hair cascaded off the edge of the altar, loose waves striking a familiar cord inside me. Pace over to peer down into the woman’s face – Lestrange! Press the point of the blade to her throat just hard enough to let her know it’s there. Step back and take in the sight of her nailed before him, coldness drowning me.

“Will she remain conscious as I play?” Did we both say that? Had everyone in the Burrow heard me? Wait for Father’s answer, knife dancing over my fingers.

“Yess.”

Dip of his chin, “Good, she will suffer for her disobedience towards you.”

Straddle her thighs, blade catching the glow of the candles as he drags it slowly across her stomach. Redness blossoming in its wake he giggles – we giggle? – and slides the knife into her flesh just beneath her sternum. Skin parting beneath his fingers I gag at the sight of all the cherry red blood and the steaming internal organs covered in it. Hands dig into her as his hips twitch. Lift one hand from her insides to guide himself between her legs. Drive forward, impaling himself in her, hands fluttering over her intestines.

Burrow snapping back into focus I choke on my tongue, bile dribbling down my chin. Nails scrabbling at the wooden floor I stare down at my blood covered arms. Dripping red blood from my elbows to the tips of my fingers and not a body in sight. I was going mad, flickering from the Burrow to the Death Eater meeting. Thrust into her, wallow in the fluids pouring from her gaping wound. Splinters worming under my nails, harsh pants and heaves filling the stillness. Flesh slowly parting from the muscles beneath it. He was skinning her alive with one hand, the other fondling the fluttering muscle of her heart, all the while raping her with vicious pleasure. Stomach clenching I fling one blood soaked arm at the kitchen wild ribbons of green fire seeking out a basin and yanking it clattering over stone and wood to rest before me just as he reaches his peak, my body following his as the gags give way to vomiting.

Throat raw I heave dryly, nothing of Molly’s excellent dinner left in my stomach. Bile ran between my teeth as I retch. Spitting the acidic liquid into the basin I swipe a blood soaked arm across my lips throat catching causing me to shudder with gags. It was Lestrange’s blood. That bitch was dead. She’d died tormented, violated, and in front of others like a bug on display. Sirius, she’s dead! Your murderer is dead! Throwing my head back I laugh violently, bloody arms winding about my ribs. Tears were spilling from my over bright eyes, blood and bile soaking into my shirt collar.

“Harry?” Hesitant voice that filled my dreams, Draco’s voice.

“She’s dead!” I howl.

“Who is Harry?” He was beside me now, afraid to reach out and touch me, fingers trembling in the air near my shoulders.

Madness dancing in my eyes I turn and beam at him,
“Bellatrix Lestrange.” Toppling into his lap I release my body to the darkness that beckons to me.

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Make the Night as bright as day

2005-09-03T09:55:22Z

Yar, here be chapter 16, the final chapter of part one.

Switchblade Symphony
Sixteen
Make the night As bright as Day

I couldn’t help it; there was a happy bounce to my step and a smile just hovering to the side of my lips. He was coming back to me – us, and he wanted me! Salazar, the latter fact alone would make me smile even if he were still where ever it is he is. Ducking my head I snort, I was in love with him and I wasn’t even attempting to deny it anymore. What was the point of denying something I knew without a doubt? Even if it was Harry-bloody-Potter that I was wanting to spend the rest of my life with. Silly Dragon, you go off on such tangents when you’re walking. I wanted to tell Father and Severus that he was returning to us. Wanted to go skipping into the Great Hall and announce the fact to the entire Hall. But he told me to wait. Told me he would explain when he got here. His desire not to be looked for probably had something to do with the fact that Tom had his body and that would be what they would look for. Pausing in the halls I let the smile finally take its place on my face. Even that thought couldn’t dampen my joy. Swinging my arms at my sides like a gleeful First Year I resume my trek for the Great Hall and breakfast.

Joining the flow of students I ignore the startled looks my smile and obvious happiness are getting. Pass through those double doors and gaze up at the enchanted ceiling. Sunny with a few puffy clouds. Even the castle’s ceiling was matching my mood. Moved by a sudden urge I shift my path to take me to the Gryffindor’s table. Halting behind Hermione and Ron I swoop down and wrap my arms around the young muggle-born’s shoulders. Mouth grazing her cheek in a brotherly kiss I whisper, “Thank you.” Jaw dropping she twists to peer over her shoulder at me as silence fills the Hall. Beaming at her I nod a thanks to Ron knowing he wouldn’t appreciate a kiss or hug. Fright leaving their eyes they hesitantly return my smiles and greetings. Flash them one more grin before making for the Head Table, had to go reassure Father and Severus that I hadn’t taken a complete leave of my senses.

Sweeping around the table I sling my arms over Father’s shoulders, hugging him like I used to when I was a little boy. Surprise lighting his gaze he clasps my hands in his and squeezes them, “Dragon?”

Lips twitching into a goofy grin I rest my cheek atop his head. “Bright morning Father, it is going to be a wonderful day is it not?” Stomach grumbling I chuckle as Father releases my hands. Hopping down from the Head Table’s platform I turn and quirk a brow at the two of them. “Oh, and I think we should spend the Christmas holiday the way we decided back at the beginning of the term.”

Humming I make my way to the Slytherin table feeling, for the first time since Harry and I agreed to a cease fire, glad to simply be alive.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Staring up at the dreary looking place that Harry insisted was an entrance to the wizarding world in London I shrug, [You know best Harry lead the way. But how are we going to get to your school from here?]

[We’ll go to Gringotts first and change our muggle money into wizarding coins, and then we’ll go find a way to floo to Hogsmead. From there we’ll have to walk, but it isn’t far.]

[Sounds good to me.]

Chuckling softly Harry reaches out and pushes open the door to The Leaky Cauldron, or so the old fashioned hanging sign proclaims. [We made good time ‘Tain, not more than four days since I reached Draco.]

Comment on my tongue I gape silently at the sight of a woman with young child in tow as she flicks her wand at the child’s toy, which is currently spewing multicolored fireworks into the air. Rising off the table the toy flies over to a laughing man across the table. “It’s one of the Weasley jokes again, how does he keep getting his hands on them?” Shrugging innocently the man winks at the little boy who claps his hands in delight as the man’s face turns bright blue with silver polka dots.

Soft laugh at my silence Harry guides us through the dinning hall and up to the counter, propping himself against it. “Excuse me? Sir?”

Turning from the taps a man in serviceable black robes blinks, “Eh? What can I do for you good master?”

Giving the man a disarming smile Harry asks, “I have a rather pressing need to get to Hogsmead as quickly as possible Sir, might you know of such a way?”

“Aye, Madame Rosemerta has a fireplace attached to the floo network young master. T’wouldn’t take more than a minute to get to Hogsmead that way. Would cost you very little too.”

Relief flooding our mind Harry nods agreeably, “Perfect, I just have to go exchange my muggle money for the proper coins.” Making a face he quips, “Spent too long in the muggle world and left my coins back at the flat I own when the matter came up.”

“Don’t you worry young master, I am willing to accept the muggle money so you can attend to your needs now,” the wizard replies with the flap of a hand.

“I am in your debt sir, how much?”

Scratching his chin the wizard murmurs, “I reckon eight pounds will do just right.” Fingers dipping into our pocket Harry hands the man the eight pounds. Nodding at his count the man steps from behind the counter and leads us to a room with a couple chairs and a large fireplace. Knuckle tapping a pot he smiles, “Powder’s right there young master, just toss a handful into the fireplace and tell it The Three Broomsticks. Hope everything turns out well.” And with that he turns and leaves the room, door closing behind him.

[So trusting.]

[The only people who can find the Cauldron are wizards ‘Tain. Plus I acted like a wizard not a muggle.] Grasping a handful of the powder he gazes at the fireplace eagerly, [Ready to travel like a wizard ‘Tain?]

Trying to calm the scrambling beat of our heart I mutter, [As ready as I’ll ever be, let’s go Harry.]

Stepping into the fireplace Harry tosses the powder at his feet and commands, “The Three Broomsticks!” as green flames leap around us.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Stomach turning a bit as I stumble out into a room identical to the one I’ve just left I dust at the odd assortment of muggle clothing I’m wearing. Feeling ‘Tain’s amazement at the floo network I laugh and head for the door to the tavern. Backpack slipping from my shoulder I hoist it back up and smile a greeting at Madame Rosemerta the proprietor of the Broomsticks. “Good day Ma’am, I’ve just come from the Leaky Cauldron. I would love to stay for a mug of butterbeer but alas, I have some matters to attend to. Perhaps sometime later?”

Eyes going from suspicious to friendly as I finish speaking she nods, “Of course, I look forward to your return young master.”

Door opening with a slight creak I beam at the sight of Hogsmead and its blanket of glistening snow. It really was a picturesque sight. [Hogsmead is the only entirely wizarding town in England, Third Years and up are allowed to visit it on weekends with parental permission.]

[It’s glorious Harry, I never knew places like this still existed. So quiet and filled with an old world feeling. I think I’m going to like this side of England.]

“Right then, off we go,” I say as I turn my feet in the direction of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Settled comfortably within Sheridan’s sitting room I watch as my little Dragon tosses a snowball from hand to hand. Turning to regard the American professor I shrug, “He is in a good mood today again, fourth day straight. Something is coming he says, if he says anything at all about his mood.”

Hand curling in the hair at the nape of my neck Sev mutters, “I wish he’d tell us what has him bouncing off the castle walls. There was positively no reasoning with him during Potions earlier. It is a good thing that Albus has dropped classes down to only half days, but do not tell him I said that.”

“Wouldn’t dream of it Severus,” Sheridan’s warm voice promises.

We had become rather good friends in the passing months, which seemed a bit odd to me. Yet maybe it was only my lingering Pureblood preferences that gave me that nagging. They were good conversationalists, Sheridan and his muggle husband Tobi, and both were amazingly brilliant. Sev and I often met with them while Draco was outside. It was a convenient place to be, what with it being situated on the first floor of the castle and with a window looking right outside to were the students liked to congregate.

Perching his chin in his palms Draco leans against the open windowsill, snow dusting his hair like sugar. “Come on Father, come out and walk with me? Ple~ease? I’ve got a bundle of nerves I need to walk off.”

“In a little while Dragon I promise.”

Thrusting his lower lip out in a petulant pout he huffs at me.
Voices rising behind Draco a student cries, “There’s someone coming up from Hogsmead!”

Whirling Draco hops onto his toes to catch sight of this person. Snowball flying into the air he lets out a shriek of glee and dashes off. On my feet in an instant I dart for the hidden door leading out from the sitting room, the other three at my heels. Freezing at the top of a slight hill I stare at the figure headed our way, Draco sprinting for it.

Blazing green hair the color of an Unforgivable curse and full of knots the young man lifts a gloved hand in greeting. Baggy muggle jacket over his shoulders, decorated with a myriad of pins and patches. Tight pink shirt with a magenta heart in its center shows off a thin but defined chest. Blinking I frown, it was a girl’s shirt. Torn denim jeans drag in the snow, covering a pair of abused boots. Dropping a battered backpack to his side the young man holds his arms open for my son.

Plowing into the man with enough force to stagger him I gape as my son proceeds to smother this unknown stranger with kisses. Returning a good number of them the man tangles his gloved fingers in Draco’s loose hair. Suspicion dancing just beyond my grasp I quirk a brow at the two as they finish their enthusiastic greeting. Scooping the battered pack from the snow the young man drapes an arm comfortably over my son’s robe clad shoulders. Arm curling about the slim waist beside him Draco rests his head against the jacket-covered shoulder as they make their way up to my position.

Gray eyes widening at the young man I raise a shaking hand to brush a finger across the faint lightning bolt scar on his forehead. Mouth splitting open in a smile the young man releases my son and moves to embrace me. Breath coming out in harsh pants I let out a soft cry as an awfully familiar voice whispers, “I missed you Luc.” Snaking my shaking arms around his body I cling to him as the world blurs with tears. Lifting an arm in Sev’s direction he croons, “Missed you too Sev’rus.” Cry echoing my own Sev joins the embrace burying his face in the boy’s bright mess of hair.

[I’m sorry I put you through so much trouble Professors,] his voice sighs in my mind.

Throat tight I cling to him. We failed him. He left us with the charge to guard his body and we let it get stolen under our noses. And now he’s wearing this absurd body with poisonous hair. “Oh cut it Luc, I don’t blame you for what happened. How can I?” Gaping at the young man as he responds to my thoughts I let him wiggle free of my arms. Laughter dying instantly he mutters, voice roughening and taking on a particular accent, “I s’pose we’re gonna hav’ta tell Dumbledore ‘bout my return, aren’t we?”

Starting beside me Sev frowns, “Bloody hell Phoenix, where did you get that voice?”

“Yes indeed, it seems like you’ve taken something to your throat and attempted to do a number on it,” Draco pipes from behind the slowly grinning boy.

Tongue flicking out to moisten his lips I blink at the sight of a silver bar piercing said tongue. “Blame ‘Tain on both the sound of our voice and our accent, he’s done quite a number with our throat and the accent is from his home state.” Pierced brow quirking at us the boy scuffs a booted foot in the snow, “I dun s’pose you’d be willin’ t’ not tell Dumbledore I’m back? Really dun wanna have t’ tell him.”

“Tell me what?” the Headmaster inquires as he walks over to join our group.

Seeming to shut down on himself the boy gazes slack jawed at the twinkle-eyed wizard, his green eyes looking into something not on this plane of existence. Fingertips grazing the boy’s unresponsive face Sev croons, “Phoenix? Where did you go Phoenix?”

Light filling those green eyes again the boy clenches his fists and stamps a foot petulantly. “Damn ‘im, he’s gone an’ fuckin’ buried ‘imself in his leave-me-the-fuck-alone-or-I’ll-fry-you corner!” he snarls, that bizarre accent back with a vengeance in a slightly different pitch. Whipping disgruntled emerald eyes over to glower at the Headmaster he sighs and flops gracelessly down into the snow.

Twinkling eyes gazing down at the sprawled boy Dumbledore inquires, “You are aware that you have a lightning bolt shaped scar on your forehead, correct young man?”

“Yeah,” he mutters.

“How did you get it, if you don’t mind me asking?”

Teeth chewing his lower lip he snorts, “Why not, not like he’s gonna be happy wit’ me anyway. I got it when I was jus’ three years old. Was sleepin’ in my bed like a good kid an’ then I was awake an’ screamin’ like someone was tryin’ t’ peel my skin off. Ended up getting’ myself locked up in a psychiatric hospital for ten years ‘cuz o’ that night.”

“Are you – how shall I put this?”

Pierced tongue sticking out at Dumbledore the boy quips, “Crazy? Naw, not unless you count hearin’ voices, havin’ a second person sharin’ my body, bein’ way too addicted t’ things like angel dust and coke, drinkin’ enough t’ keep the whole of Ireland happy, an’ havin’ this burnin’ need t’ carve my skin of my bones. If you count that as crazy than yeah, I am.”

Merlin, who was this young man that had turned his body over to our Phoenix? He spat out coarse muggle curses quicker than thought. Wore a pile of rags that had no coordination and some of them female clothing. Bars and hoops pierced both of his ears, his tongue, his eyebrow, the bridge of his nose, and his lower lip. That hair could not possibly be natural and yet he wore it like it was. Then there was that voice, half the words cut off and spoken in the drawl of someone who was notoriously lazy, and the sound, that ravaged sound that clawed into your head and refused to leave. And the fact that he was currently lying in the snow giving the Headmaster a cheeky response to every question.

Gaze drifting inside the boy snarls, “Damn ‘im!” Eyes darting to my son he crooks a finger at him, “You, Draco, you willin’ t’ give me a hand getting’ him back out ‘ere?”

Knees sinking into the snow Draco nods, “What do I have to do?”

Hands darting over and seizing my Dragon’s shoulders he hauls him into his lap, mouth latching onto his in a rough kiss. Resisting only briefly Draco grabs a handful of that snarled hair and uses it to force their lips closer. Air shimmering I jump as the strange boy glows with a familiar green light. Mouths separating just far enough to drag air in his voice purrs, “My Prince.” Recapturing each other’s lips with a slower, smoldering passion the two boys pull apart as the Gryffindor genius spots the sight of my son happily snogging a stranger and grinds out his name.

“Draco Lucius Malfoy you had better have a bloody good reason for doing what you were just doing. Did we not agree after that incident with Riddle that you were not going to leap into someone’s lap to try to escape reality?”

Shoulders tensing the green haired one takes firm hold of Draco’s chin and forces him to meet his eyes. “Riddle incident? What the fuck did he do t’ you, and dun you dare try t’ look me in the eyes an’ tell me it was nuthin’ Drake.” Mouth opening and closing several times I watch in shock as my son drops his head to the other’s chest and starts to wail brokenly. “Draco? Please tell me what’s wrong.” His voice was soft, the accent all but vanishing with the decrease of volume, and entirely that of his former voice.

“Harry?”

“Harry mate, is that really you?”

“My dear boy, you have come back?”

Sev’s arms moving around my waist I watch as Harry rocks back and forth crooning a song to my son who remains cradled in his lap. Clinging to my son’s body like it was his lifeline Harry hisses, “Yes it’s fuckin’ me! Now shut your traps, I’ve got t’ calm him down before he slips away from me.” Blazing emerald eyes freezing Granger as she goes to speak he shakes his head before turning his attention back to the wailing body in his arms. “Draco, love, let me in; I will never hurt you I just want to help you. Want to know why you are crying. To know you, because it is breaking my heart to sit here and not know.”

Wail cutting off Draco lifts his tears streaked face from Harry’s chest and whispers, “I can’t tell you – but you can see my memories and know.”

Gentle smile gracing his features Harry shakes his head, “No love, I’ll wait for you to tell me, I don’t want to accidentally catch a stray memory I’m not supposed to know about.” Emerald gaze lifting to meet Dumbledore’s still twinkling blue he tightens his hold on my son. “I guess you’re gonna want t’ talk t’ me, yeah?”

He’d slipped back into that accent, I wonder if he knew he had spoken without it. Shaking my head ruefully I sigh. This version of the-boy-who-lived was going to be just as difficult to deal with as his former version something told me. He seemed wilder than he had been before his flight from the tower, like a locked door inside him had been opened. Scooting Draco out of his lap he climbs to his feet a hand pulling the other back into his arms as soon as they’re both standing. They were not going to have an easy time reconciling the separation, nor were they going to be able to get through these next few months without at least a few shouting matches and bitter arguments. But they were back together and our world’s hope had come back to us as the battle was beginning to build.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Your god is dead

2005-09-03T09:53:38Z

Same as the previous post, simple updatiness...that isn't a word, is it?

Switchblade Symphony
Fifteen
your God is Dead

“Say ‘Mione? This probably sounds like a really odd thing for me to ask, but aren’t you a tad worried about the ferret?”

Quick fluff of her hair, lifting brown eyes from the piece of parchment, pert mouth quirking. “That is rather odd for you to ask Ron, but yes, I am concerned about him. He used my name earlier, rather than any other sort of insulting nickname he’s used before.”

“I think he saw Harry do it.”

A rush of words, barely decipherable, yet able to drag a hurt back to the surface. Harry. We’d raced from the tower to the entry way, just in time to see the Slytherin prat fling open the doors and race out into the pouring rain. Had exited the castle to the sound of his howl of denial. We found him sprawled on the stones, but the Slytherin – he had come from the school already soaked to the skin by the rain.

“We could go ask Professor Snape or Professor Malfoy about him, about that.”

“Would they answer our questions? We are Gryffindors.”

Slight shrug of her shoulders, “I’m not sure they would answer our questions but they might.”

Glance over at the few other students in the common room. No one who would stop us from leaving this late.

“Let’s go.”

~*~

To say I’d been surprised by Ron echoing my own thoughts would be an understatement. Malfoy was his sworn enemy, and while he had never been kind towards me I didn’t hate him with the passion Ron did. Along with the display in the hall earlier, his actions in Professor Abigail’s class had set my mind turning.

It wasn’t like him to agree with anything he was told to do, much less to do it in such a manner as he had with Riddle. Malfoys were high nosed aristocrats who believed themselves above all other life. Draco was no exception to that fact. Yet, in the past couple of days since Harry had left us he had become a rather sullen slave to whom ever his guardian of the time was.

It just wasn’t right.

Nearing the portrait of Slytherin House’s founder I blink at the sight of Draco’s pale face moving uncertainly towards it from the dungeons. Lips parted, gasping for air, smeared with blood still fresh, he staggers against the wall. The bruises he had worn in Professor Abigail’s class yesterday were masked by new ones. Lifeless silver eyes lift from the floor and swim with the flicker of the hall’s lights. Hands reaching out for me he stubs his bare toes on the stonework.

“Help me.”

Toppling forward into my chest he shudders.

“Knock on Salazar’s frame, tell him – tell him ‘the sky cries for us’.”

Nodding to Ron I hold the blond Slytherin on his feet. Knuckles rapping against the dark wooden frame of Salazar’s portrait Ron speaks the password clearly. Grey eyes frowning at the Gryffindor speaking his password he gazes past Ron.

“Young Draco?”

Heavy head lifting off my shoulder the blond nods.

“Let them in Sal.”

Forehead dropping back to my shoulder he hangs limply in my grip.

Portrait sliding open, I shoot Ron a look. Stepping to my side he takes one of Draco’s arms and together we manage to move him into the spacious sitting room of our Potions professor. Collapsing weakly into the plush sofa the pale Slytherin folds in on himself as his shoulders shake. Throat raw he coughs a single aristocratic hand to his lips.

Bedchamber door opening with a swish I dart to my feet as the sallow faced Head of Slytherin House sweeps into the sitting room. Heat flaring in his black gaze as he takes in the sight of his least favorite students he clamps his mouth tight as Draco continues to cough. “Luc get your ass out here!” he shouts as he shoves Ron out of his path. Dropping to his knees before the sofa as the elder Malfoy exits the bedchamber he mutters a spell under his breath. Glass of water whisking into his out-held hand he gently moves Draco’s hand from his lips and lifts the glass. Silver eyes filled with self-loathing the younger Malfoy struggles to swallow the offered liquid without choking.

“Dragon, what -?”

“That bastard stole Harry’s body Father,” the young blond rasps bitterly, “He – he – “ Tears streaking the mess of blood smeared across his face Draco collapses into sobs, burying his face against his father’s shoulder as the elder Malfoy pulls his son against him tightly.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
*****Two Weeks To Christmas*****
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Of course I can out drink you Lance, that doesn’t mean I’m gonna go and do it right here and now,” that smoke ravaged voice of mine quips. Smoke ravaged, heh, I suppose if I didn’t smoke quite so often and hadn’t become an addict I would have a voice very similar to Harry’s. Thoughts turning inward I gaze blindly over the concrete of my school campus.

He was an odd one that Harry. We had reached a sort of truce not two days after he had first come crashing into my mind. Of course first he had gone through a fit over someone he cared about being hurt and, so he said, his body being stolen from his school. A school for witches and wizards, a place I’d have given my sight for during some of my nights in the institution. Lucky for the both of us his fit had happened while we were at home rather than in school or out at a club. Just imagine the looks I would have gotten when I blazed with a pulsing light the same color as my hair. And the screaming that I didn’t make but was still audible. No doubt it would have been attributed to the numerous substances my ‘friends’ had taken that night but still not something I would care to have them witness no matter how wasted they were.

[I panicked, I’ve told you that. I’ve never glowed that way before unless I was bloody angry or terrified.] Soft whispering in my mind accompanied by that wild power caressing my insides. Oddly comfortable that was.

[I know, I know, and I told you it’s ok so stop worrying about it.]

Brief flare in that power before he sighs, [Not worried about it, not worried about anything anymore. I’m not sure where my actual body is so I can’t go back to it. I would think that would worry me, but all I really want to do is curl up and - ]

Voice falling silent I blink as I feel the power building behind my eyes. [Harry? What’s going on?] Flash of a pale, listless body with a mop of unruly black hair and a lightning shaped scar on its forehead engulfed in a sickly green light. Insane laughter fills my ears from somewhere I’ve never been, a feeling of loss and pleasure bringing a flush to my face. Watch as vacant green eyes snap open and the body gasps for breath. Vision going dark I shriek as that wild green power slams into my body. World trembling beneath my feet I go silent as Harry’s presence suddenly vanishes. Heart pounding I struggle to breath still blind to reality.

Screaming at the blaze of heat that pours through my veins I crumble knees striking the cement with a nasty crack. Fighting the pain I sense Harry fighting alongside me something flickering at the edge of my mind. Tension growing in my muscles I whimper, fingers digging into my shoulders. This wasn’t supposed to happen. Fuck that, what the hell was happening? Who’s body was that? Why did it hurt to breath? Letting out a wail in my mind Harry snaps back into my mind, tighter then he was before. Memories of a different life flooding me I clutch at my head, squeezing my eyes shut.

Cupboard under the stairs. Flash of green light. A woman screaming. Dudley shoving me into the cupboard and locking me in. Stayed there for two days before Uncle Vernon looked for me. Doing hundreds of chores while that lazy snot of a cousin ate and watched the telly. Accidentally sending my cousin into the snake display at the zoo. Letters flying through the fireplace. A cold night in a shack on an island. Hagrid breaking down the door and giving me my letter. Meeting Mal-Draco in Diagon Alley for the first time. Seeing that the wizarding world was real. Gringotts and being told I was rich. Dumbledore. Hogwarts. Flamel’s Stone and Quirell with Voldemort clinging like a parasite on the back of his skull. Aragog and the Chamber of Secrets. Learning Voldemort’s name. Riddle. Father. Sirius and Pettigrew. Dementors wrenching Mum’s dying screams from my mind. Flying after the snitch. The Quidditch World Cup with the Weasleys. The falling out with Ron and SPEW. Draco being turned into a ferret and bounced down the halls. ‘Kill the spare.’ Telling Cedric’s parents. Snuffles. Umbridge and ‘I shall not tell lies.’ The Ministry of Magic. Prophecy. Sirius falling backwards through the veil. Lestrange. Reconciling with Draco. Re-sorting. Slytherin. Father. Rain blinding me as I leapt from the tower.

Snapping back into reality I gasp for air sunlight piercing my eyes. One arm to cover my squinting, stinging eyes the other to shove my body into a sitting position. “Gods, is that what it’s like being you? Completely being you?”

[Yes,] his voice whispers brokenly, [and that was my body.]

“Was?”

[Was. Father Riddle has set a spell that allows him to control it. Basically he stuck somebody else’s soul in it, a soul he can control.]

“Wait, somebody else’s soul? How?”

[Probably by killing their original body, capturing the soul at death, and then shoving it into the body. That way he can control it and use its guise to send waves of new horror through the wizarding world.]

“You’re important aren’t you? To them – to your world.”

Snort in my ear, [Yes, I am the-boy-who-lived, the one person who can deliver the final blow to Father Riddle, the only person who can save my world from ultimate destruction, and now I’ve got no body.]

“You have mine, or ours as it is now.”

[But - ] He was hesitant about something, at least that’s the feeling I was getting. A slight tensing in my shoulders telling me that we were truly sharing the same body and mind.

“But?”

[I have to go back, they’re going to need me now more than ever,] he lets out in a rush.

“So a trip to England?”

[But your school?]

“Piff Harry, if you haven’t figured out that I’m a delinquent yet then I haven’t been working hard enough.” Chuckling softly I tangle a hand in my hair, “’Sides, I need a vacation and traveling to England sounds like a good vacation.”

“Satain? Are you feeling alright? You’re talking to yourself again.” Curses flying from my lips I jerk my head to stare at the frowning face of my closest acquaintance Lance. Hand held out in protection he mutters, “Easy there, don’t get pissed at me, no one else noticed.” Quirking a brow at me he drops his hand, “Although what with you glowing and screaming and then that ghost of a young man leaping from you I’m amazed no one noticed.”

“That’s my doing,” Harry replies, “I put up a shield so everyone thought everything was normal.” Feeling my forehead crease with a frown he hisses, “Except you, you were too close to us and I couldn’t block you out of it.”

“Satain?”

Rolling my eyes Harry quips, “My name’s Harry Lance, I kind of took over ‘Tain’s vocals so I could do this.” Right hand lifting from my thigh to point at Lance he commands, “Obliviate!”

[Harry?]

[He’ll be fine, all I did was take the memory of our fit from him as well as your side of the conversation.]

Marveling at his ability to simply reach out and rearrange someone’s memories I sense a flicker of anger from him.

[It isn’t all the great to be able to manipulate people ‘Tain, really.]

[You misunderstood me Harry, I marvel at the fact that wizards do exist. If you’d turned a pencil into a butterfly I would marvel at it just as much.]

Anger fading from our mind I sigh and climb unsteadily to my feet a little wigged by the rapid assimilation of another life worth of memories and experiences. [You okay ‘Tain?]

[Just a bit unsteady.] Tilt my eyes down to check the time and grin, [Say Harry? How ‘bout we start out journey right now?]

[Now?] Prodding at his half of my mind I feel my grin grow broader. [Fine, why the bloody hell not?]

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

One week to go and I can get out of this bloody school. Can get away from all those pitying looks. All those sighs and quickly averted eyes. One week then Father, Severus, and I can hide in the Manor for the next two weeks. Away from everything. Pretending that none of this insanity has happened. Pretend that I’m not madly in love with someone we’re not even sure exists anymore. Pretend that I wasn’t used for the Dark Lord’s own pleasure, not that I stopped him. Salazar I am such a spineless fool. I wanted to forget my pain so I let Riddle paw at me. At least the two Gryffindors have become a pair I can run to within the castle. To imagine, I, Draco Lucius Malfoy, Prince of Slytherin, am running to two-thirds of the Golden Trio for comfort.

But without Harry here it is all I can do. [Harry, why did you leave me? I told you not to go back into the darkness without a light.] Curling up on my knees I moan, [I wanted to be with you Harry, I still do if you’re out there somewhere.]

Faint, tentative brush on his mind, [Draco – please – be – my – light.]

Bloody hell! Eyes wide I thrust my inquiring thoughts out, [Harry?]

Soft smile flickers across my thoughts, [Draco.]

[Harry! Where - ]

[Sh Drake, it’s a bit hard to reach this far. I felt your pain and had to try to reach you. I’m on my way back now.]

Panic skittering over my heart I moan, [But Tom took your body from us.]

[I have another, trust me Drake. I have so much I need to say to you, so much I have to apologize for.]

Another body? Eyes widening I gasp, [You didn’t steal it did you?]

Gentle chuckle from him. [No, one of those things for when I’m back.]

[How long?]

[Less than a week Drake - ] Hesitant pause filled with exhaustion. [Don’t tell anyone I’m coming or they’ll look for me.]

[Why shouldn’t they look for you?]

[Another thing for when I’m back, please Drake? So tired.]

[No! Don’t leave me!]

[Soon – Drake – I – promise - ]

Silence.

Moo?

2005-09-03T09:51:21Z

I exist! Thank Gosatanamort! Time to update the memories with the rest of the written chapters. More jabber later.

Switchblade Symphony
Fourteen
Way too Lost

Father and Godfather had left me in Tom's dubious care three hours ago. Dumbledore told them they still needed to teach and had granted Tom leave to stay 'unmolested' in Hogwarts for a brief time. Glancing up from the Transfiguration text he's reading, Tom lets out a low sigh, "Little Dragon, you need to eat something. Your father and godfather will not be pleased if you do not."

Harry's soulless body lay nestled among a pile of blankets and pillows before the fireplace. Tom said he wasn't dead, said that he was coming back, though he didn't know when. As a Malfoy I shouldn't care, Salazar, as a Slytherin I shouldn't care. But he was one of our own and we Slytherin take care of our own. And I loved him. Choking on that thought I clutch at my elbows. Wish I'd told him a few days ago, told him that I loved him. He might have stayed if I had.

Book crashing down on a table, Tom glides to my seat. Lifting me bodily over his shoulder he mutters, "I have had just about enough of your pitying thoughts little Dragon, you will eat whether by your own volition or by mine." Opening my mouth to howl mindlessly at him he croons, "And we shall do it in the Great Hall, so if you wish to make a spectacle of yourself go right ahead."

Clamping my jaw tight I hang sullenly over his shoulder as he moves through the castle with easy familiarity. I'll be damned if I eat anything, especially at his insistence. Bloody Dark Lord thinks he can simply order me to do something and that I will leap to obey. Not bloody likely, I'm a Malfoy; we bow to none but ourselves.

Hall doors creaking open he quips, "Did I mention that it was during the school's lunch when I told you we were eating here?"

Cheeks flaring at the sudden dead silence and the hundreds of wide-eyed faces staring at me I hiss at him. He dares embarrass me? Of all the shallow, mudblood tricks, I ought to demand an apology. Jostling me against his shoulder bone he glides towards the Slytherin table. Balling my fists up I growl, swinging my feet out to kick at him. Landing a solid knock against his ribs I snarl, "You damned fop, put me down this second."

Whipping my form from his shoulder and plunking me onto the bench at the Slytherin table he clucks his tongue in my ear. "Tut-tut little Dragon, I told you that you were going to eat and I meant it." One hand holds my shoulder tightly as his chest presses against my back, his other hand selecting food for my plate. Folding my arms I set my mouth in a narrow line and glare at the wall over several heads.

The whole Hall was watching us, waiting to see how this would unfold. Even the Head table had paused their conversations to turn an intrigued eye our way. Was this how Harry always felt? Like he was some show others watched, not like a person, more of a sort of entertainment? No wonder he'd tried to shut it all out, it was like being one of those animals on display in muggle zoos.

Filed nail scratching gently down the side of my throat Tom sighs against my jaw. "I did not want to have to force you to eat little Dragon, but you leave me no choice." Lifting me from the bench briefly he resettles me in his lap, an arm snug around my waist. Striking a hand at the spoon full of potatoes I yelp as his fingers dig into my hip. "Do not make me create anymore of a spectacle then I already have little Dragon."

They were still watching us. Accepting the next pro-offered spoon of potatoes I chew at it crossly. Swallowing it I growl, "I hate you, you do know that?"

"Of course," he drawls offering me another spoonful of potatoes.

What have I come to?

~*~

To add insult to injury Father had told me that Tom would be sharing a room with me, ‘to watch me’ he'd said. He still expected me to go leap off the Astronomy tower the minute he turned his back on me and left me unguarded. Sure, half the time his fears were true, but Salazar, I'd just been force fed by Tom in front of the whole school. Hadn't that been enough?

Gentle hand touching my cheek, Father's hand. "Dragon, don't be mad with me, please?" Roll away from his touch, away from the love in it. Squeeze my eyes tight and hold my palms over my ears. Block out his pleas and shy from his touch.

Drifting into a hazy state of half sleep only to wake when a weight bends the bed. "That was rather cruel of you little Dragon."

Twisting onto my back I glower up at his glinting ruby eyes, "Don't care."

"You are not the only one who feels pain over his actions."

Eyes going flat I hiss, "I feel nothing, you lunatic mudblood."

Door clicking shut he levels fiery eyes on me. "So you feel nothing, Prince of purebloods?" Answering him with a face devoid of emotion I fold my hands behind my head. Tangling his fingers in my hair he hauls my lips to his, "I seriously doubt that claim, little Prince."

Heart slamming I hang frozen in his grip as he devours my mouth. Releasing me he curls his lip, "Little Malfoy heir, think you're so great because of your name. Better then the rest of us wizards. We'd best just bow and scrape our way around you. Spoiled little brat child, you don't deserve your wealth and prestige. You don't appreciate it for any reason other than the fact that it gives you controls over others. Manipulative bastard."

Shove my knee into his stomach and snarl, "Shut your mouth, you filthy spawn of an unholy union!"

Pressing my shoulders into the bed, nose brushing mine, "At least my mother loved my father. You are the product of a loveless arrangement of power."

Arch my hips in an attempt to free myself, "Murderer!"

Gasp as he grinds his hips down, a blaze growing in my limbs. Dip his mouth to mine once more. Return the brutal kiss with equal hatred. Teeth bite down on his tongue as it breaks past them. Blood filling my throat and smearing across my lips I grab fistfuls of his hair. Sneering mouth painted with his own blood he purrs, "Of course."

"I hate you."

Hand slipping between our bodies to fondle me through the black silk sleeping pants he suckles at my neck. "Feeling's mutual."

*****************************************************************

"Satain!"

Blink against the blinding light filling the room. Stark white walls plastered with posters and random rust colored words. Itchy blanket against a bare back - our back.

"Come on Harry, give me the reigns."

How do I know you'll give me back my body?

Eyes flick to stare at a mirrored door. Did he make us look there? Voice rough with sleep and something else, something that left a sour taste on the back of my tongue, "I'm up already! Be down in a sec!" Pointed nails running through our hair he whispers, "Come on boyo, don't you trust yourself?"

Trust myself? Do I trust myself? My emotions are dipping and rising quicker then a muggle roller coaster, power is practically dripping from my pores, and there's a voice in my head asking me to trust myself.

Do we still look the same?

Muscles working to move me from the bed I gape at our reflection, "See for yourself boyo."

Pale skin gleams in the morning sunlight, brilliant lime colored hair straggling down past our shoulders its tips black. Our ribs still showed, yet somehow they seemed more fitting with this gaunt body. Emerald eye shadow is smeared over our eyelids, my mother's green eyes still staring out at me. A delicate gold hoop went through this body's left nipple. Filed nails tucking mangled hair behind our ears I wet my lips, the silver bar in my tongue clacking against our pearly white teeth. Three studs marched up our left ear, while seven filled our right ear. Quirking an elegantly defined brow at me, he curls our pouty lips into a bitter grin.

"Do you understand now boyo?"

Salazar, that's - this is us?

Slight nod of that face.

Where are we?

"America."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Rub at my temples as I lift my eyes from the thick tome lying open on my desktop. The students were waiting for my instruction, a sea of red-rimmed eyes; poor children whose hope had flown from a tower’s edge. Brows furrowing I mutter, “Why did we all feel it coming?”

Door swinging open with a protest I watch as the young, blond Slytherin storms into the classroom. “Get the bloody hell away from me you blasted psychopath.” Plum colored bruises marred the edge of his snarling mouth, their contrasting cousins ringing a sickly shadow around his right eye and down over his cheekbone. Moving at a more relaxed pace in his wake is the ruby-eyed one, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named.

Standing boldly against the pale pallor of His face is five slim gouges, running from temple to chin. “I will leave you in the care of your professor little Dragon, but do not attempt to move from this room until you are collected.”

Gray eyes flashing with anger and resentment the young man hisses, “Yes Lord.”

Dual colored eyes traveling from his sullen figure flopped on a cushion I swallow as those red eyes lock with mine. “He is to leave your watch in the company of myself or the Potions Professors.”

Understanding nod, “Of course.”

Half out the door He twists and adds, “If you must leave him with someone your lover will suffice if we are not here.”

Swift click of a shutting door, all color and heat gone from my blood. Clatter of my chair against the floor; braid swishing as I whirl to face the office at the head of a slight spiral stair. “Tobi?” Strangled whisper flying into the still air. Nearly unbearable seconds pass before he steps from the office, blond hair streaming down unbound.

Interpreting my gaze he glides down the stairs, long fingered hands pulling my frozen body tight against a strong chest. “Sh Idan, nothing has happened to me. I’m safe love.” Quick press of his lips to my forehead, “You have a classroom full of distraught students love, you should teach them something.” Crooked grin, those delicate hands twisting me around and shuttling me back to my desk. “Or at least give them something productive to do, something to occupy their minds for a bit. I will stay here with you.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Swift twist and jerk of my wrist successfully knotting a ragged shoelace in my hair, holding it partially bound, I stuff my feet into much abused Doc Martins. Brilliant eyes darting to take in my appearance I send the huddling confused other half of my mind an assuring thought. I knew what I was doing, had since I first felt the creepings in the back of my mind. Tiny little things, whispers of a different life, of someone I wasn’t and never would be. Celebrity. Feared.

Magic.

Wrinkle my nose in silent laughter and clomp down the stairs, passing the haze filled kitchen with a shout, “’M off Deri!”

Death visage of a mother slinking out from within the haze, copper curls hanging like dead souls about sallow cheeks. “Be back by 2, or I’ll whup you Satain!”

“Whatever!”

Thunk of rotted wood against warping metal, clatter of loose tiles swooping down on my uncovered head. Easy to dart out from their rain with all the practice I’d had. Heaving my mangled backpack higher on my patchwork shoulder I set my soles on the path towards school, allowing my mind to turn back on the revelation that is Harry Potter.

Sixteen years ago I had first felt the creepings, tiny happy whispers of another life. Fleeting still shots of other people. I had ignored the creepings for a year, but the sudden flare of disembodied anger and fear from them woke me screaming when I was a few weeks past three. Confessing the creepings to my worried mother I had found myself sent off to a ‘hospital’ for observation.

Ten years of observation.

Observation that observed nothing, since the creepings all but died out.

Minute ripples from this other life only barely broke my reality.

Freshly thirteen I was released to the outside world once more, a stranger to my own mother, father long gone. She, my mother that is, became Deri and I became Satain rather than Jared.

By then I was hooked on various substances they had fed me in the ‘hospital’, but wasn’t allowed any of them outside. So I turned to things like acid and ecstasy, and a rapidly winding array of ‘mind stimulants’. I let my hair go wild, was convinced by a fellow ‘stimulant’ to bleach the flare of waves. It stayed white for all of two days before I was introduced to a smuggled bottle of absinthe. Then it absolutely had to match that eye-popping shade of green.

I have no doubt that if my grades had not been as miraculous as they were and are Deri would’ve called the cops on my addictions. Of course she also ran the risk of having hers caught in the process, and we don’t want that, do we?

Ripples of the other life would occasionally rob me of my concentration or make me wake screaming again, but Deri never once took me to see any doctors about it. She just bought a well-rigged stereo and began to play a steady thrum of music to block out the sounds of my screaming.

Ever the smart one, I somehow managed to hold onto my grades with my fingertips as the creepings roared me under more often then before. Sometimes I would go under in the middle of class, just blank out and blink to find myself halfway across the world in a foreign land. A land filled with arcane words that just rolled off your tongue, the feel of wind pushing through hair from on a broomstick.

A land from any child’s dreams.

I slowly gained the ability to slip my own thoughts into the other self’s, yet until this past summer I hadn’t been able to do much else. This summer he began to respond--in fear and confusion, but respond. He was sliding down into the world I had lived my entire life in--this soupy concoction of substance and figment that I called home. And while I had spent most of my time either locked away or blazing a warped trail through a numbed mind, I had something he never had had.

Confidence in what and who I am.

[Exactly, you have that.]

[Bitter much?]

[Not really, not really much of anything right now.]

[Just rest Harry.]

[Mm.]

Bottle green eyes lifting to take in the rising structure of my school I feel him stir once more.

[’Tain? How old are you?]

[Eighteen this past July.]

[Oh.]

Silence and a subtle caress of his death green – absinthe green power as he relinquishes all control for oblivion.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hopeless rage swirling through my blood I hurl my Potions book at the wall with a shriek. One by one, each of my other books follow their leader to the walls of my bedroom. Fingers scrabbling at the knob I jerk it open, the crash of the door striking the wall echoing in my furious wake.

Up through the crowded common room, all faces locked on something important, never staring--past the portrait of Salazar, hanging guardian of Godfather’s chambers. Chambers where he and Father were. Out of the dungeons and into the castle proper, more and more students shifting out of my path.

Slytherin colors ducking their eyes from me.

Hufflepuffs daring a quick peek before scuttling into shadows, making themselves scarce.

Ravenclaws quirking inquisitive brows at me.

Gryffindors shifting to block the hall, led by the remainder of the Golden Trio.

“Get out of my way.”

“I may dislike you immensely Malfoy, but this is not the answer.”

“Sod off Hermione. Now get out of my way.”

Salazar I was going mad, I had just referred to the Gryffindor genius by her first name rather than her last or mudblood.

“No.”

Throat burning, my voice rises to a shriek and I leap at them, murder and loss filling my vision.

Foot striking my shoulder harshly I go down. Whimper choking my breath I roll to my feet. Fierce ruby eyes glimmer at me as a hand closes tight on my collar. Tossing me negligently up against the wall Riddle flicks his gaze towards the wall of noble Gryffindors.

“Thank you.”

Shock colors their faces as he reaches down and yanks me to my feet. Slight bow of his head as he shoves me back towards the dungeons. Feet stumble over uneven floors. Blind to the faces of students hidden in the shadows. Heat of him just behind me. Flare of common room coolness and those proper Slytherin children.

Click of a lock. Sudden pressure of anger plundering my mouth. Dissolve into the rage behind the passion. Add more bruises to my milky complexion. Visions overflowing with bright white light as I crash over the edge and dive beneath consciousness.

Harry, come back to us.

Chapter 15

2005-01-11T08:48:43Z

Is going up right after this is posted, and I shall add it to my memories here tomorrow after I sleep a bit.

I am so pathetic

2005-01-11T08:26:51Z

Salazar kittens, I am dreadfully sorry about the unforgivable time of nothing. I have no excuses to give you, besides I would not want to use excuses to cover my lack of kindness. SO please, be gentle while I fill you in on everything that's been going on with Renee and myself.

Renee did participate in NaNoWriMo, but unfortunantly did not finish. She got 30,000 words though so she deserves some congratulations. She also was rather stupid and dropped out of her fall semester of school, and our father caught her in the act of dropping. That sent her over for a while and I hate admitting my own failure at keeping her safe from herself. She has new scars on her forearm, scars that tell her 'I am not a quiter'. It tears at something inside everytime I see those scars, yet no one else has noticed them. She also quit her job at Payless because of a brutal manager who was transferred in. Unfortunantly, no more than three weeks after getting a new job at Barnes and Noble she fell down the staircase at our mother's house and broke her ankle. I am happy to say that after a little over a month of being in a cast, and a right bitch at times if I may say so, she is back on her feet and back in school.

As for myself, well I have been spending most of my time trying to hold her together. She's still not stable but right now she's curled up on our bed buried under the mound of comforters watching me type this. I've almost completed chapter 15 of Switchblade, just a little more to go. And since Renee's gone back to school I'll have a little bit of time during each day to get some of my own work completed.

Now, because I love you all dearly I'll post a piece of chapter 15 before I go to finish it and post it. I shall drop a blurb to let you know when it hits adultfanfiction.net's system.

~*~

Nearing the portrait of Slytherin House’s founder I blink at the sight of Draco’s pale face moving uncertainly towards it from the dungeons. Lips parted, gasping for air, smeared with blood still fresh, he staggers against the wall. The bruises he had worn in Professor Abigail’s class yesterday were masked by new ones. Lifeless silver eyes lift from the floor and swim with the flicker of the hall’s lights. Hands reaching out for me he stubs his bare toes on the stonework.

“Help me.”

Toppling forward into my chest he shudders.

“Knock on Salazar’s frame, tell him – tell him ‘the sky cries for us’.”

Nodding to Ron I hold the blond Slytherin on his feet. Knuckles rapping against the dark wooden frame of Salazar’s portrait Ron speaks the password clearly. Grey eyes frowning at the Gryffindor speaking his password he gazes past Ron.

“Young Draco?”

Heavy head lifting off my shoulder the blond nods.

“Let them in Sal.”

Forehead dropping back to my shoulder he hangs limply in my grip.

Portrait sliding open, I shoot Ron a look. Stepping to my side he takes one of Draco’s arms and together we manage to move him into the spacious sitting room of our Potions professor. Collapsing weakly into the plush sofa the pale Slytherin folds in on himself as his shoulders shake. Throat raw he coughs a single aristocratic hand to his lips.

Bedchamber door opening with a swish I dart to my feet as the sallow faced Head of Slytherin House sweeps into the sitting room. Heat flaring in his black gaze as he takes in the sight of his least favorite students he clamps his mouth tight as Draco continues to cough. “Luc get your ass out here!” he shouts as he shoves Ron out of his path. Dropping to his knees before the sofa as the elder Malfoy exits the bedchamber he mutters a spell under his breath. Glass of water whisking into his out-held hand he gently moves Draco’s hand from his lips and lifts the glass. Silver eyes filled with self-loathing the younger Malfoy struggles to swallow the offered liquid without choking.

“Dragon, what -?”

“That bastard stole Harry’s body Father,” the young blond rasps bitterly, “He – he – “ Tears streaking the mess of blood smeared across his face Draco collapses into sobs, burying his face against his father’s shoulder as the elder Malfoy pulls his son against him tightly.

~*~

Now I'm going to go give Renee the kiss she's demanding of me and finish up chapter 15.

not dead yet

2004-10-21T19:56:16Z

My apologies for the lengthy lack of anything. Renee's been going through hell lately so most of my time has been spent holding her back from the edge and from herself. Hopefully I will be able to get back to Switchblade shortly - in fact, I'm making a sticky and tacking it to my moniter's screen so I remember, but I will work on the current chapter tonight/today.

Renee's planning on participating in Nanowrimo again this year, but she hasn't got a clue what she's writing about yet. Not that I'm worried any about that, last year she had no clue what she was writing about the whole month and she finished a rather well-done piece of romance.

*shrugs* So, I'll be off to work on that chapter before I get distracted by the two new kittens that have taken up residence in our house.

Finally

2004-08-16T07:46:47Z

I've finally beaten chapter fourteen, managed to drag out the last page or so. Things are beginning to work, to tumble towards their final resting places. But don't worry, there's still pleanty of story left to weave.

Title for chapter fifteen is your God is Dead. It's shaping up to be a nice chapter, kinder then that bloody 14.

Snirk, anywhore, thought I'd let you know it was finished and heading off to Rose.

And for the hell of it, here's a excerpt:

*********
Swift twist and jerk of my wrist successfully knotting a ragged shoelace in my hair, holding it partially bound, I stuff my feet into much abused Doc Martins. Brilliant eyes darting to take in my appearance I send the huddling, confused other half of my mind an assuring thought. I knew what I was doing, had since I first felt the creepings in the back of my mind. Tiny little things, whispers of a different life, of someone I wasn’t and never would be. Celebrity. Feared.

Magic.

Wrinkle my nose in silent laughter and clomp down the stairs, passing the haze filled kitchen with a shout, “’M off Deri!”

Death visage of a mother slinking out from within the haze, copper curls hanging like dead souls about sallow cheeks. “Be back by 2, or I’ll whup you Satain!”

“Whatever!”

Thunk of rotted wood against warping metal, clatter of loose tiles swooping down on my uncovered head. Easy to dart out from their rain with all the practice I’d had. Heaving my mangled backpack higher on my patchwork shoulder I set my soles on the path towards school, allowing my mind to turn back on the revelation that is Harry Potter.

Sixteen years ago I had first felt the creepings, tiny happy whispers of another life. Fleeting still shots of other people. I had ignored the creepings for a year, but the sudden flare of disembodied anger and fear from them woke me screaming when I was a few weeks past three. Confessing the creepings to my worried mother I had found myself sent off to a ‘hospital’ for observation.

Ten years of observation.

Observation that observed nothing, since the creepings all but died out.

Minute ripples from this other life only barely broke my reality.

Freshly thirteen I was released to the outside world once more, a stranger to my own mother, father long gone. She, my mother that is, became Deri and I became Satain rather than Jared.
****************

That's it for now, as soon as I get it back from Rose I'll upload it all.

Half Blood Prince

2004-08-12T04:15:08Z

Chapter 14 is still beating my ass into the ground, so please be patient. There are some important things that fall into place in this chapter.

In other news, am currently trying to puzzle out exactly who the half blood prince in the sixth book will be. Rowling tells us that it isn't Harry or Voldemort so -

Nearly bought OotP for Renee and myself while I was out today, the paperback version we already have it in hardbound. But I resisted because we've got school text books to pay for within the next few days.

Also got an e-mail for a Christian dating service asking if I'd like to meet a nice Christian girl. It made Renee laugh herself silly, the two of us are rarely apart and I doubt either of us would put up with a nice Christian girl entering our relationship.

Oh well, Renee's hungry so I'd best go make her something to eat before she starts pulling at my hair.

my deepest apologies

2004-08-10T21:33:50Z

Sorry about the lack of news or anything kittens, Renee's been a tad bit sick lately and what with our grandmother going rapidly downhill - I just haven't had the chance to post anything new.

Not to worry though, chapter 14 is currently beating my ass with a paddle. I'm roughly 2/3's finished with it and then it will go to Rosie. *wuvs her*

Not much else to say right now, I'll try to get the chapter done tonight, no promises though, depends on how Renee and the grandmother are doing.