Chapter 6
Harry stopped midsentence when he heard the shout coming from Draco's room. He eyed the door nervously because it did not sound like Draco at all. Harry glanced back to Branimir for permission to leave and upon getting a nod, he got up from his chair and cautiously padded over to Draco's door.
"Draco?" Harry called, knocking in the door. "Are you alright?" Harry jumped back when the door was wrenched open and Draco came out. Harry was shocked to see an expression on Draco's face that wasn't a sneer.
"What do you want Potter?" Draco placed his trademark sneer in place after having an excuse to escape his grandfather's rant. He had never been more relieved for Potter and his persistent presence.
"I heard a shout and it didn't sound like your voice, so I came to check if you were alright," Harry barely hid the annoyance in his own voice. "But since you seem to be fine, why don't I remove myself from your presence." Harry turned his back on Draco and walked to where he left his chair. "Excuse me Branimir, I need to go study." And with that Harry set his chair at his desk before going to his room.
Draco stood still in the middle of the shared common room, shocked by Potter's attitude towards him. Sure they had shared their dislike towards each other, but never before had Potter ever shown such disdain towards him. He sat on the sofa and tried to reason what his life had become, and without his grandfather yelling at him. It could be worse, Draco figured, he could be stuck with some other insufferable Gryffindor such as Weasley or Finnegan. But it was still Potter. Sighing, Draco stood up and walked to his desk and pulled out his assignments and began working, hoping to get his mind off of everything.
Young master. was whispered and Draco nearly fell out of his chair at the sound. He had forgotten that the painting talking like that. Turning around in his chair, the blond eyed the painting warily. Come this way and speak with me.
"Alright," sighed Draco. He put away his work before picking up his own desk chair and placing it in front of the painting. He crossed one leg over at the ankle and his arms across his chest while keeping his face blank as he stared into the eyes of the Sphinx that seemed to see right through him. It was rather unnerving and made him want to look away, but he kept his eyes forward.
You have been rather fortunate to be raised within the wizarding community and that gives you a large advantage above your bondmate, but that does mean it allows you the right to look down on him. He knows what a soul bond is from the short explanation I gave him, however, he does not understand the insignificance of what this bond can do, of what it can become. Regardless of his ignorance about soul bonds, he is rather adamant about working together with you to make it easier to live with, mostly on your behalf. I say this because you are the opposite of him. You know everything there is to know about many forms of bonds, but your prejudice towards your bondmate can drive a wedge between you two and threaten to destroy the bond that has already set itself. If you were to sit down and talk with him, make an effort, you will find the answer to the question that has been plaguing you for the past few hours.
"And how do you know about what I am thinking?" Draco asked angrily. How dare this painting think it can figure out what he was thinking and presume to tell him how to solve it. And what was with all that he had said about Potter? Even if the muggles he had lived with did not let him enter the magical world, they had been in school for six years now, surely Potter had heard of soul bonds before? But of course Potter would say he wanted to 'work things out' on his behalf, that is what made Potter- well Potter. It was that annoying savior complex that he had from his adoring fans. That was one reason he knew this bond would never be all that it could be, Potter did not know how to use the fame to his advantage and knew nothing about consequences.
You are wondering which path to choose because of your duty that comes with being a Malfoy during this time of oncoming war and your duty to yourself and persevering through it. Am I not correct?
"I am going to speak with Severus." Draco suddenly stood up, knocking over his chair. He could not sit here and watch that unwavering gaze bore its way into his soul and learn everything there was to him. He watched at the Sphinx nodded his head once and opened up to reveal Severus's private quarters. He was pleased that the guarding painting could do that much to place him where he wanted most without forcing him to walk through the crowds in the hallways. He stopped short when he saw Lupin sitting on the sofa with Severus standing over him with an angry expression on his face.
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Remus began unpacking his last bag which was all of his books and placed them in his own order along the shelving that had graciously been placed inside of his room. It was more than he expected considering he was now living with Severus, he had expected to live on the sofa. He knew that Dumbledore probably had much influence over Severus about his new living quarters, but he was still grateful. Remus just wished that he could connect with Severus and get the man to be more reasonable about living together. He wasn't hoping for much, just an easy acquaintance perhaps. But he knew that would most likely never happen, however he would make it easy on Severus so he could continue staying here to be close to Harry.
Once he was done putting his books on the shelf, Remus decided to have himself a cup of tea and left his room for the kitchen. After some digging around in the small kitchenette, Remus found everything he would need for a cup of tea and fixed himself a cup. He sighed as he sat down and gingerly sipped at the hot beverage, becoming lost in his thoughts once more. He never noticed Severus standing in the doorway until the man made his presence known by shouting.
"What do you think you're doing?" Severus shouted, smirking inwardly at watching Lupin startle and almost spilling tea all over himself. He glared at the werewolf when he turned around, with an odd expression on his face.
"I was having myself a cup of tea Severus, would you like one as well?" Remus tried. It was slightly exhausting going through this constantly. The man always found a reason to yell at him, regardless if he actually deserved to be yelled at.
"No, and neither should you since that is my tea that I supply myself you are enjoying," Severus hissed through his teeth. He was going to curse the headmaster for making him house the werewolf. He quickly turned around and motioned with his hand for Lupin to follow him into the sitting area. Severus waited until the other man sat on sofa before he began setting some rules about living with the potions professor. He was not going to allow Lupin to do whatever he pleased within his quarters. "First, anything that is outside your room is obviously mine. Supply your own tea and food. Secondly, do not touch anything that is mine, however you are permitted to use the common area. If you need something, call the house elves. Thirdly, do not enter my bedroom or my lab, if my presence is needed while I am working simply knock once and I will leave when I am at an acceptable place. Is everything understood or should I repeat myself for you?"
"You were perfectly clear Severus. I apologize for using your tea," Remus held back everything he wanted to say. He was being allowed to stay here at the castle in these quarters for an unknown amount of time because of Harry ad he needed to make this work out. And if that meant having to stay in only his room practically, then he would do that.
"Severus?" both men turned towards the painting that was usually blank that was meant to be a message system between these quarters and with Harry and Draco. There standing in the passageway was Draco, eyes darting between the two. Severus backed away from Lupin and towards Draco. He was sure that his godson was going to be coming to him to talk further, but he had hoped it would have been later, for Draco and Harry still needed time to get used to one another.
"Yes Draco? Can I help you?" Severus asked. He began walking towards his private lab, knowing that his godson would follow him. He opened the door and felt the soothing scent of potions waft up from the dark lab, and stepped aside for Draco to enter first. Severus sat down at one his benches and called for tea to be served. He eyed Draco as he sipped his tea, waiting for his godson to say what he came down for.
"I need advice, Uncle," Draco started. Severus's eyes widened at that because his godson had not used the term 'uncle' for quite some time, also to the fact that Draco openly admitted to needing help. Severus nodded with his head to encourage Draco to keep talking. "Firstly, I do not know how to approach this issue with Potter. Do I look at it like you wish for me to do and save myself, or do I do what Father wishes of me and use it to give Potter over to the Dark Lord? And either scenario affects the mission he has given me."
"What was the mission Draco?"
"To kill Dumbledore," Draco whispered, looking down at his lap to hide the fear in his eyes. Sure he was raised as a powerful Malfoy, and was relatively dark, but this was Dumbledore. He was one of the greatest wizards of all time and the Dark Lord expected Draco to finish him off when no one else could? It was a suicide mission he knew, but he had taken it to protect his family. However, that family was now changed. It now included Potter because of the soul bond. So what was he to do? Draco's thoughts whirled around his mind as he waited for Severus to tell him what to do.
"Draco, it is no big secret to you who I fully support, nor is it one that I am spy. Therefore, I will help you stage a fake attack against Dumbledore and will make it appear that you have failed. We will have the Order place you and Potter in a safe house. In the meantime, you need to work on the bond between yourself and Potter. At some point, the school will know of the bond and we can use that further to our advantage."
"What of Dumbledore and Potter, though?"
"Dumbledore of course will be part of the planning. I believe he already has an idea of what is happening. As for Potter, whether you tell him of the plan or not is up to you, but I would advise it," Severus said.
"Why do you want me to work with Potter so much?" Draco asked. He could not understand why his godfather suddenly was all for Potter when their entire time being at Hogwarts, the potions master had tried to make Potter's life hell while here.
"He is key to winning this war, and the soul bond will increase both his and your power. His and your survival is also dependent on you two working together." Severus watched as Draco contemplated what he had been told. He hoped for everyone's survival that Draco would listen to him, rather than act like the spoilt Malfoy child he was. The boy was intelligent, but sometimes a bit thick-headed. When Draco looked back at him, Severus sighed with relief at the resolve and hope that he saw in Draco's eyes.
"When should I expect to here from you again about this?" Draco asked.
"Give me a week, two at the most. For now, go back to your quarters and make the best of what you can with Potter," Severus said, standing up and waving his wand over the tea tray to send back to the kitchens. He opened the door to lead back up to his common area and stood aside for Draco to walk up first.
"Think you could make the best with Lupin?" Draco smirked as he watched Severus stiffen at the challenge and accusation in his voice. He smiled innocently at Severus when he turned around to glare at Draco.
"Is that a challenge, Mister Malfoy?"
"May the best Slytherin win," Draco affirmed before leaving the stairwell of the potions lab and back to his own quarters he shared with Potter.