chapter 2
Harry woke up on the docks in the middle of the Black Lake where the second task of the Tournament was held. It was cold. As if winter was about to dump a large quantity of snow onto his head. There was fog rolling across the black glassy surface of the lake. Looking around, there was no body. Just him and the lake.
"Hello?" Harry called out. He shivered as his voice echoed around him, the cold seeping into the simple clothing he was wearing. He spun around when he heard a splash behind him. "Who's there?"
Harry began to panic when he searched for his wand, but did not seem to find it anywhere on himself or where he had woken up at. He stayed towards the center of the dock away from the dark waters out of fear that something might try to grab him and pull him in. He was looking across the water trying to figure out why he was here. It had been two years since the tournament, so why were these docks still in the middle of the lake.
"Hello Harry," Harry spun around upon hearing the voice. He was so shocked by who it was, he was unable to move or speak. Instead he was doing a fantastic imitation at a fish that might be living the lake. In front of him stood none other than Sirius Black. Tears prickled his eyes and his throat burned with raw emotion. Sirius gave him a sad smile. "Now don't cry on me Harry."
"But how?" Harry barely managed. "Am I dead?"
"No. Almost, but no," Sirius replied before walking over to Harry and giving the boy a hug. "I have missed you dearly. But know I am always watching over you."
"Not a day goes by that I don't look up to you," Harry said into Sirius's long hair. He pulled away from the hug and looked up to Sirius. "If I'm not dead, how are you here?"
"I am just here to guide you Harry. Something happened in the bathroom as you were loosing consciousness-" Sirius was stopped by Harry.
"The colors? They were real then?" he asked remembering the swirls of gold and silver.
"So you did see then. What happened Harry is that Magic herself tried to correct the wrong that had been. You and Malfoy Junior would have killed yourselves, but your magic has saved you both in an odd way."
"What do you mean an odd way?"
"Have you ever heard of bonds Harry?" Sirius asked to gauge how much he would need to explain to his godson.
"Briefly. In the wizarding world I know there are marriage bonds and guardian bonds, like between parents and their children," Harry answered though confused. Why was Sirius asking him about bonds when he was just discussing what happened after he passed out in the bathroom. What did bonds have to do with those colors he saw?
"Those are the main two, yes. But there is a deeper bond, one that connects two people completely. Its called a Soul Bond Harry," Sirius stopped to allow Harry to digest what he had been told. This type of bonding, whether intentional or unintentional was not meant to be taken lightly.
"A Soul Bond?"
"Yes. When two souls have been bound. It can never be broken and it may just save your life or it might kill you. Soul Bonds are very sacred and are not meant to be misused. Your bond-mate will become everything to you whether it be as a brother or a mate," Sirius said looking deep into Harry's eyes trying to gauge how well Harry was taking all of this. It would be a huge shock to him to learn about this and who he now shared a Soul Bond with.
"So go back to the colors and my magic.." Harry trailed off to prompt Sirius into explaining further what Soul Bonds had to do with him.
"That swirl of colors you saw was yours and Malfoy's magic binding together to keep you two alive. And since your magic is a part of your soul," it was now Sirius's turn to trail off. "However, your blood mixing did not help either."
"What do you mean our blood?"
"The curses you sent to each other. You two were bleeding out and your blood mixed as you were healed. I think that was what had cemented that you two accidently created a Soul Bond. Your magic saved both of you in the only, primal way it knew how."
"I am in a Soul Bond with Draco Malfoy, my nemesis?" It started with a whisper as he ingested the information he was given, but it ended with a shout as it dawned on him who he was permanently connected with on such a deep level.
"I would have thought Voldemort was your nemesis?" Sirius asked, chuckling when Harry sent him a glare.
"So is that all you needed to tell me?"
"No, like I said earlier. I am your guide. You must find Malfoy using your connection otherwise you will die. And as much as I have enjoyed seeing you, I don't want you here forever."
"How do I find him?" Harry asked rather reluctantly.
"Remember the second task? It was about finding someone important to you."
Harry turned towards the water and peered down. He would have to find the merpeople to find Malfoy? Or did he just have to believe in this Soul Bond and hope he found Malfoy before either of them died. He wondered if Malfoy had to do the same thing or if this was another task to be place solely on his shoulders.
"And don't worry. Malfoy is doing something similar," Sirius said from behind him, almost reading his mind. Harry looked back to his godfather one last time before jumping into the unknown waters.*
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Draco woke up to find himself in a place he never thought he would return to. Although no one was around this time, it was still recognizable. He had very few good memories of his grandfather Abaraxes, and here at this place was one of the greatest. His grandfather was a very ruthless man and even disapproved of the way Lucius had raised his son, claiming he was too soft on Draco. He snorted at that thought, too soft. If being too soft meant being forced to become one of the Dark Lord's followers than he would hate to know what Abaraxes had in mind for his upbringing. But the day he came here made him love the cold man. Draco began walking forward through the weak fog that had gathered, when he suddenly heard someone walking up behind him.
"Who's there?' Draco asked as he turned around. He was shocked when he saw the man he had just been thinking about. In the empty field with him stood his grandfather. The man looked much the same as he had alive. Impeccable grooming and thorough 'Pure-blood' customs is what radiated off the man, including an ominous danger. But he knew better. The man had died shortly after this memory had been made. So why was he here now? "Grandfather?"
"Draco," Abaraxes said, inclining his head towards the boy standing before him.
"What is happening?" he asked nervously. If his dead grandfather was here then was he dead? Draco wondered if Potter had actually killed him.
"Walk with me," Abaraxes said, waving his hand for his grandson to follow him. When Draco fell into step with him, did he finally speak. "Tell me, what has happened to your horse that I gifted you with from here?"
"She was used as a punishment, sir," Draco said becoming saddened at the thought of his beloved horse. He had been younger when his grandfather brought him here and helped him pick out a horse. It was meant to be a familiar and provide protection for him. When he found her after searching for hours, they had an immediate familiar bond. But unfortunately, his father decided rather than hit him or find some other form of punishment, his horse had to suffer.
"Such a shame, you two held a very strong familiar bond."
"Grandfather, why are we here?" Draco asked cautiously.
"You are here to find another bond," the elder man said.
"What kind of bond?"
"You have found yourself to be part of a Soul Bond," Abaraxes said turning to his grandson. Although the boy was spoiled, he knew Draco would bring honor to the Malfoy family and restore it to what it had been before Lucius took over. Watching Draco, he saw the realization of his words cross over the boy's face.
"Potter," Draco sneered. Of course it was going to be Potter. He was the only person who had changed his life so drastically so recently that would have caused a Soul Bond. Now he knew why he was here, with his grandfather. "I have to search for the bond, to bring myself and Potter back. We almost died, did we not?"
"Very good. Yes, you are here to find that bond and follow it to save not only yourself, but your bond-mate," Abaraxes placed a hand on Draco's shoulder causing the younger Malfoy to look to his grandfather. "Listen to me though. Soul Bonds are not to be mistreated. Yes, you two will bicker and have argument, but do not dare to try to ruin the Potter boy. Is that understood?"
"Yes Grandfather."
"Good, now go search. Remember what I taught you about the perfect one," Abaraxes said before he pushed his grandson forward.