Ravenstar: Chapter Fifteen

[eaivalefay]

A/N: Thanks very much to my new beta Chicadoodle. I would also like to thank Deritine and Tinkerpixy for getting Charlie and Bill to move the animals.
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Chapter 15: The Morning After and the Day Before

Lucius groaned and rolled over in his bed, carefully pressing the palm of his hand to his face. What the hell happened last night?

He frowned. There seemed to be a weight sitting next to him... "Oh shit."

There was a snort of amusement from above him. "Feeling all right, Luc?"

"Oh gods, what are you doing in my bed?"

"After last night I'd think you'd be a bit kinder to me." Was the innocent reply.

"A bit kinder to you..." Lucius growled, slowly sitting up. "God damn it, Severus! You drugged me! What did you put in my drink?"

Severus smirked at him, "it's just a little retribution."

Lucius attempted to turn a glare on his friend. It ended up looking more like a pained wince. "I feel like I have the world's biggest hangover."

"This should help." Severus offered a vial filled with something looking like green sludge.

"Why should I accept anything from you after what you did?"

"Well if you don't want it." Snape shrugged, moving to stand up.

Lucius snatched the vial from his hand. "You're such a bastard."

"And you're not much of a morning person on the best of days." Severus gave a put upon sigh before glancing at his friend, surprised to find the blonde's head buried in his hands. "Luc?"

"It was an aphrodisiac, wasn't it?"

"Yes." Severus chuckled. "Have a good wank last night?"

Lucius lifted his head long enough to glare at his friend, "actually, I had a snog fest with a student." He watched with mild amusement as Severus' smirk vanished.

"What?"

"And to think, it never would have happened if it wasn't for you."

Severus fell back against the headboard. "Fuck."

"No, we didn't do that."

"Not amusing, Lucius."

"I thought it was."

"Which student?"

"I'm not sure you could stomach it."

Severus' eyes slid closed, "oh Merlin. How young were they?"

Lucius started laughing at that. "They were legal, you idiotic prat. He was seventeen, in fact."

"Please tell me he was willing."

"Fuck, Severus. D'you think I'd go after any unwilling student?"

Severus eyed him. "You're sure?"

"Positive."

"How do you know?"

"Because he initiated it."

Severus sat up and glared at his friend, "you couldn't have stated that earlier?"

"You brought it upon yourself." Lucius shoved his friend off of the bed. "If it weren't for you I wouldn't be in the situation I now find myself in!"

"Which would be?"

"Apparently attempting a serious relationship with Nalian."

It was one of the few times Lucius had ever had the pleasure of seeing Severus gape. "How was I supposed to know that would happen!"

Lucius gave him a disbelieving look. "You're the one who drugged me with a love potion."

"LUST potion! I don't do," Severus sneered, "love potions."

"Big difference."

"I'll have you know there is quite a big differ-"

"Shut up and get out, Sev." Lucius said. "I'm going to take a shower. We can discuss this more at breakfast."

"Yeah, whatever." Severus grumbled. He gave his friend a curious look, "what are you planning on doing about...this?"

"I don't know."

"We could use it to our advantage."

Lucius gave him an annoyed look. "As much as I want to know what exactly Nalian is doing here, I don't care to use him in such a manner."

"Figures." Severus sighed. "Hurry up with the shower, breakfast starts in twenty minutes."

Lucius watched his friend close the bedroom door before heading for his much desired shower, thoughts niggling at his mind. He didn't want to hurt Nalian. As far as Lucius knew, that was an entirely new development. Since when was he preoccupied with hurting someone's feelings? Especially when they were lying about something themselves.

Perhaps there were side effects from that potion? Severus wouldn't do something that stupid. Unless Severus didn't realize there were other side effects? Well, that was a stupid thought in itself. If Severus knew he had thought that...

'But I can't deny I feel something for Nalian.' Lucius sighed and increased the water temperature.

Thirty minutes later Lucius was comfortably sat at the head table, avoiding the questionably colored kippers and tuning out Severus' rant on a love potion verus a lust potion while occasionally shooting annoyed glances at the Slytherin table.

Ten minutes ago Draco and Nalian arrived per usual with the other seventh year Slytherins surrounding them. Not five minutes after they sat down a redheaded Ravenclaw boy settled in next to Nalian, quietly speaking to him as Pansy and Blaise (the only two faces of the clique Lucius could see) looked on with confusion.
-------

Nalian dished up eggs, talking casually with Pansy about their Charms homework while his mind was on a completely different subject.

He couldn't stop thinking about Lucius. Last night had been completely unexpected, though in no way unpleasant, but what had brought it on? Nalian had never lost control over himself like that before. Well, except for that one time when he was five and had seen his first ever muggle balloon... And that one time when he was thirteen and Darian had finally caved and let him start a snake venom laboratory...

Nalian pushed those thoughts aside. This was certainly different from those times.

Did Lucius regret it? Did he even remember it? Because Nalian was fairly sure the man had been drunk or something at the time.

Should he tell Draco? Nalian wasn't planning on yelling it out to the world, but Draco had a right to know, didn't he? At least he did if Lucius was truly interested in pursuing something long term...

"Mr. Morthen? I mean, Nalian?"

Nalian look up, a startled smile crossing his face, "Chris! I forgot you were a student here too. Is there something I can help you with?"

"Yeah, actually." Chris Keant squeezed himself between Theo and Nalian. Ignoring, or just not noticing, the disbelieving, and rather threatening, looks Draco was shooting him. He sat staring blankly at Nalian's eggs for a few minutes.

"Chris?" Nalian nudged him gently.

"Huh? Oh, right." The redhead flushed. "I still don't get that last move you were showing us. Er. I mean, I get it, I just can't do it. I was practicing for half the night and-"

"I can help you with that." Nalian interrupted. "In fact Lily asked me to attend the exercises class she holds in the Room of Requirement tonight after dinner. We could head up during dinner and I can show you before class begins."

Chris beamed and threw his arms around Nalian. "That'd be great! See you tonight." He gave a smile to the others at the table before heading back to his friends.

"Nalian?" Pansy asked after several minutes of silence.

"Yeah, Pans?"

"'That move', 'I can show you during dinner'?" Pansy gave him an odd look.

"She means," Theo said, "What the bloody hell was that all about?"

"James Potter found out I know a little about swordplay, so he recruited me to train some others." Nalian shrugged. "It's no big deal. According to him Dumbledore's okayed it, and I'll be helping out two or three times a week down at the Potters'."

"Where'd you learn swordplay?" Pansy demanded.

"Don't you do enough as it is?" Draco asked with a little exasperation.

"I learned back home with a few friends." Nalian said, ignoring Draco. The blond was always so motherly in the morning.

"Draco?" Blaise muttered. "Why is your father sending us murderous glares?"

Draco glanced behind and sent a smile his father and godfather's way before turning and giving Blaise a confused look. "I have no idea why. He was fine at dinner yesterday. I don't think we did anything between then and now. Did any of you play any pranks yesterday?" He was met with negative shakes of their heads. "Well then it's nothing to do with us. I suggest you ignore it unless you wish to bring his wrath down upon you."

"I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm suddenly glad I won't be spending my day around the dungeons." Nalian said. "I'm off to the Potters."

"I'll accompany you. Circe knows someone has to make sure you eat more than a mouthful of eggs. Any of you coming?" When the others explained they had plans Draco grabbed a couple bread rolls and spoke softly to Pansy, "I'll meet up with you later, all right?"

Once they were outside the hall, Nalian spoke, "I'm going to tell the Potters."

"You don't seem too thrilled about it." Draco said.

"It's just nerves, and a lot on my mind besides." Nalian said. "You were right. They should hear this from me, not someone else, and with Voldemort, you know, any day now, I just think now is a good time to tell them."

Draco smiled, "You're babbling."

"Shut up." Nalian tugged at a piece of his hair. "While I'm unloading my problems on you, I should probably tell you Lucius' bad mood is most likely my fault."

He received a startled look. "Why?"

"Something happened last night. I don't know how he wants to handle it, and yes, I know I need to talk to him. I will after the class with Lily tonight."

"What happened?"

Nalian shrugged, "at the moment I'm not sure it's my place to tell you. It might end up being nothing anyway."

"Are you talking about a relationship?"

"If he's willing to try. You're sure you don't have a problem with it?"

"Just so long as it doesn't interfere with my relationships with you two."

They walked in silence until they reached Hogwarts' gate.

"Draco?" Nalian said. "Is Pansy all right?"

"She's grieving." Draco said. "Her little sister died four years ago today."

"I see. Tell her I'm sorry for her loss, please?"

"Why don't you come with us instead? You can tell her yourself." Draco suggested.

Nalian gave him a confused look. "Go with you where?"

Draco looked startled, "I forgot, you haven't seen the grave site yet. Really it's more like a memorial site. So many died, and so many bodies were lost over the years. Then, when people either fled the country or fled to Hogwarts, we left many burial sites behind. Someone came up with the idea of making a wall of names, for everyone lost. I believe they got the idea from muggles," Draco smiled wryly.

"I didn't realize there'd be such a site here." Nalian admitted. "Everyone hides their grief so well."

"We've gotten used to death, I suppose." Draco said. "We still grieve, particularly on the day a loved one fell, but we know we have to keep moving on. We're hardly in a position to be able to grieve properly in any case."

"When Voldemort's gone."

"You mean 'if'."

"No, I mean 'when'."

"Optimistic arse."

"I'm realistic, you are pessimistic."

"You're an idiot." Draco said. "Here, eat your roll."
-------

Nalian watched with amusement, and a little amazement, at all the activity happening at the Potter residence.

There had to be at least forty people bustling about in the front yard, with another twenty running around in the house.

He had no idea where either Lily or James were. All Nalian was aware of was that they were supposed to be somewhere around the place. The one person he'd been able to pull away from their task said both Potters were working inside.

"First thing's first." Nalian sighed, "the offices." James' office was closer, so Nalian headed in that direction, ducking and dodging people and items the entire way.

James was in his office, poring over an inch-thick sheaf of papers.

"I see I've come at a bad time." Nalian said.

James looked up from his paperwork, "What? No! Hello, Nalian! You're just the person I wanted to see."

"Really? That's good, because I really need to speak with you and Lily-"

"Can it wait?" James asked distractedly. "We're moving things around. Currently the house isn't entirely safe, what with the upcoming batt- ah, in any case I was hoping you would help us move our little library in the basement."

"James," Nalian paused, trying to find a good way of getting across to the bespectacled auror. "There's a matter of some importance we must discuss-"

"Albus sent you?" James gave him a startled look.

"What? Albus? No, he didn't. However it's still-"

"Then it really must wait, Nalian." James gave him an apologetic smile. "We're on a time constraint. Just head downstairs, and gather up some books? Those books can't be shrunken for magical reasons, so it'd be nice if you could make a few trips. Take them to Severus'- Professor Snape's rooms. He'll be storing them for the moment."

"Right." Nalian said. "Downstairs. Books to Snape. Got it." So much for giving them a confession on his true identity. Maybe this was a sign not to tell them yet? In the least Draco couldn't say he didn't try. 'And what about...'

"James?" Nalian said. "What about my translating? If Snape- Professor Snape has the books?"

James grinned, "You will be working from his rooms. At least it's a lot closer than our place, eh?"

"Right." Nalian said. "I'll just be going then. Lots to do and all that." This was turning into a fantastic day. First being brushed off by James, thus ruining his plan to explain things to him and Lily, then being signed up to help them move of all things, and if that wasn't bad enough discovering he had to work in Snape's personal rooms, unfortunately probably spending a large amount of time around the man. Blowing his cover and meeting up with Derek sounded quite appealing. Spending hours with Snape... After what he'd seen Snape doing with Bill. After Snape had seen Nalian seeing what he'd been doing with Bill.

"Hello, Nalian? Come to help us move?" Lily called cheerfully, effectively pulling him from his thoughts.

"Lily!" Nalian said. Perhaps there was hope yet... "I was wondering if I could have a private, important word with yourself and James?"

Lily was already shaking her head. "I'm sorry, Nalian. There's so much to do at the moment. Can't it wait?"

"Actually, it really would be best-"

"Did James mention the books that need moving by someone we can trust?" Lily interrupted. "I added a book you won't be familiar with to the pile. It's for Hermione Granger. If you could just drop it off at her room on one of your trips?"

"...Yes. I just came from speaking with James, and it won't be a problem to drop a book off with Hermione. Lily, when would be a good time to-"

"I'm really not sure, Nalian. Thanks a bunch! Kingsley is waving me over. I'll see you for class tonight." She was off with a quick wave, moving rapidly down the hall towards the tall dark skinned man that was Kingsley Shacklebolt.

Nalian sighed. There was some conspiracy going on. There had to be.

He continued on to the basement room, surprised to find the door swung wide open. The room looked as if a very bad storm had spent the night. Books and papers were all over the floor and tables, packing boxes sitting in strategic places. The only thing that looked untouched was Nalian's writing case, complete with its leather journals filled with notes on the translations, and half a dozen muggle pens and ink refills. A book sat precariously on the edge of his case. Nothing looked packed. If Nalian didn't know any better he'd swear the others left this mess waiting for some unsuspecting fool to come along.

He sighed again and started packing.

Nearly three hours later everything had been put into boxes and sealed away, excluding his case and the book that was still sitting on it; it was the book Lily left for Hermione. Some compilation of essays on folklore, the truth in them, and what possible academic value they held.

Nalian glanced at his watch and winced, he was going to be late meeting Draco and Pansy if he didn't leave. Nalian shrunk both his case and Hermione's book, tucking them away in a hidden pocket of his robe; Hermione's book was to be delivered to her, and Nalian didn't really trust Snape with any of his belongings (even if half of the notes in his journals were in Parseltongue).
-------

"I hope I'm not late." Nalian said, coming to a halt in front of Draco. The blond was standing right outside Hogwarts' main doors.

"Pansy isn't here yet. Some tutoring problems with a fourth year Hufflepuff." Draco explained. "How'd things go?"

Nalian noticed with amusement that Draco was looking him over carefully, as if he had been expecting Nalian to come back with wounds. "Things didn't go at all." At the confused look he elaborated, "they didn't have time to talk. They're moving out of the house, and I ended up packing the entire time."

"Why are they moving now of all times?"

"I'm not sure. I think it's because of this upcoming 'thing' with Moldie." Nalian said, throwing up a silencing spell just in case. It wasn't exactly a secluded area of the school. "Their house is so close to the forest, borderline of the wards around Hogsmeade and Hogwarts, and I don't think the house's own wards are strong enough to hold off an attack if Voldemort breaches that section."

"They've always been strong enough in the past. Naturally not now though, when He has vamp-" Draco hesitated, "blood suckers on his side."

"Mmm. That's my thinking."

"Do you think it's anything serious? It makes it sound like our side is quite worried about the outcome of things."

Nalian shrugged slightly, "They'd be worried in any circumstance if they're smart. I think this is just a precaution. There are, or rather were, important documents there."

"Are you two ready?" Pansy said, not noticing as Nalian quickly dropped the spell he had set up. "Sorry to keep you waiting."

"We're set. How's your student?" Draco smiled.

"Impertinent as ever." Pansy said. "Well! Shouldn't we be on our way?"

"Of course," Draco took Pansy's arm.

"Nalian, you haven't been down here before, have you?" Pansy asked softly as she led them around the castle, taking them down a dirt path Nalian had never noticed before.

"No." Nalian looked around. The path led through a garden walled by hedges. "It's quite beautiful though."

"It is, isn't it?" Pansy sighed. "When someone came up with the idea of building the wall it was my mum who suggested building it in Hogwarts' flower gardens."

They walked around a turn, coming across a pavilion. Nalian gasped at the beauty of it. The entire structure was covered with flowering vines. Pansy didn't pause, leading the two boys into the small building.

Inside it was even more beautiful. The vines didn't hesitate to grow inside as well as out, leaving the wall and ceiling covered with vines a glittering, emerald green. The small white flowers that grew outside the pavilion had all been picked off, in their place where names glowing white, covering every inch of the room.

Pansy moved over to one section of the wall, her fingers gently tracing over a name.

Draco caught Nalian's hand and followed her over, giving her a small hug while nudging Nalian.

Nalian shifted uncomfortably. "Er. Pansy..." He wasn't used to these situations. What was he supposed to say? "I-I'm sorry for your loss. No one should have to go through that."

Pansy sniffled slightly, raising a handkerchief quickly to her face. "No, they shouldn't. She was my life, you know? I'd have done anything for Mari."

Nalian hesitated for a split second before moving to Pansy's side and sliding an arm around her waist. She sniffled again before burying her face in his shoulder. He shot Draco a startled look as he hugged her closer, pulling Draco along with her.

"It'll be all right, Pans." Draco promised in a whisper.
-------

Nalian didn't know whether to cheer or curse when Snape answered his door on the first knock. He decided to just frown sullenly as Snape glared at him.

"What do you want, Morthen?" Snape finally asked.

Nalian nodded his head at the two boxes in his arms, "The Potters asked me to deliver these to you. They're the books with the more delicate material."

Snape gave a put upon sigh as he moved aside to let Nalian through the door. "Put them in the room across from this one."

Nalian did as he was told, entering the second room to find a well-lit study. Bookcases filled to the brim with books lined every wall. He was surprised to note the thick carpet that covered the floor instead of the usual dungeon flagstones. A sturdy, dark oak desk sat across from a lit fireplace, a glass of red wine sitting atop it. Snape must have been reading when Nalian arrived.

"Put them by the far wall." Snape ordered.

"Yes, sir." Nalian said. "I will be working here then?"

"What?"

"James didn't mention it to you?" He frowned. "I'm to continue working here, he told me. I'm translating a few books."

"The Parseltongue books."

"Yes."

"Who would've thought you're good for something." Snape muttered. A little louder he said, "when do you usually come around?"

"Friday and Saturday nights." Nalian said, ignoring the jibe.

"Using your weekend for work? I'm surprised."

"I'd rather be doing something useful is all. So, are those good times to come around?"

"It can be arranged, starting next week. Don't bother coming around tonight, Morthen, I'll be busy elsewhere."

"I've already got a lesson with Lily tonight in any case." Nalian said.

"Fine. If that is all..?"

"Good day, Professor. See you in class." Nalian paused near the door. "Sir?"

"What, Morthen?"

"I'm sorry about the other night, sir." Before Snape could say anything, in all likelihood start yelling, Nalian shot out the door.
-------

"Hi, Terry. Is Hermione in?"

"Sorry, Nalian. She's working in some extracurricular class at the moment. Is there something I can pass on to her?" Terry asked.

"I just have a book to drop off for her. Something Lily Potter wanted her to have." Nalian said.

"Oh, that's no problem!" Terry laughed. "Come on in. You can just leave it on her desk. It's the one on the left. I'll be back in a moment. I have to grab a couple books; running late for a class myself."

"All right. Thanks." He set the book right in front of the chair, in one of the few clear places on the desk; the rest of the desk was loaded with books. 'Really, how does the girl find time to read so much? Actually, a few of them do look interesting...' Nalian idly picked up a thick tome. Hermione was reading up on a lot of folklore if the title was anything to go by. It was entitled Legends of the Ages: Facts or Fiction? Unabridged.

Nalian snorted. Only Hermione would find a folklore book so thick. He casually flipped through the pages, curiously opening to one of the book-marked places.

"'The Raven Star,'" Nalian read. His eyes scanned over the story before landing on a particular passage.

The raven born of the stag and the lily,
borne from the forest dwellers,
shall bring the darkness into light
as a star has never before.
And Nalian will fly from the stars,
render its enemy broken,
and bring forth a new era.

'What is that doing in there! How did humans discover our prophecy? No one outside of our race knows about it!' Nalian thought. It didn't seem to be well known at least. That was something. They seemed to regard it as a simple fairy tale. Did Hermione view it as such? Surely she didn't find merit in the story? Hermione wasn't one for prophecies and Seers.

Nalian knew all about the prophecy. Every elven child did. It was one of the most famous prophecies of their time. Partly because the Seer who prophesied it had never given a false prophecy, partly because the raven constellation Nalian was said to have been the first elf, the first and greatest leader of their people. It was said when she suffered a mortal wound and died in battle she transformed into a raven and flew into the sky, so that she could always watch over her people.

Nalian himself in particular knew everything there was to know about the prophecy; all the translations and theories on what it meant- because he was named after the group of stars. When Darian had brought him home no one knew what to think. No one had ever named their child after their first leader before. Was it sacrilege or a divine sign? Was this human boy a curse or a blessing? Was he just another being or could he be the reincarnation of the First?

Nalian always thought the reincarnation idea was hysterical. Him? The First? He was just himself.

Any way any elf looked at it though, Nalian was something. He was a hero in the making, he was destined for greatness, he would bring about change, he was the downfall of the elven race. Half his people loved him, the other half was out to kill him.

To be fair, not all of them were out to kill him because of his name. Some just wanted to kill him because Darian was his father.

Nalian shook himself out of the reverie he'd fallen into. He carefully put the book back exactly where he'd found it. Was the book nothing to worry over? Or would wizards consider it seriously if they knew about it? This news was something to relate to Darian, when things around Hogwarts settled down.

"Sorry I took so long. Was there anything you wanted me to tell Hermione?" Terry arrived back from his room.

"Just tell her I left the book from Lily on her desk, and that I said 'hi'." Nalian said. "I have to be running. I'm on a rather tight schedule myself. Thanks a lot, Terry."

"No problem. See ya, Nalian."
-------

Nalian sighed with relief as he left Snape's for the last time that night, hopefully for the last time that week. He'd just finished delivering the last of the Potters' books to the impatiently waiting man.

He was starving. 'That's what I get for doing a day's worth of manual labor and eating only one meal.' He thought before the voice that sounded too much like Geno chipped in, 'That's what you get for letting the Potters sucker you into packing for them.' The voice sounded far too reprimanding. Nalian gave the voice a mental shove.

"Pity I don't have time to grab some food from the kitchens." Nalian sighed, glancing at his watch. He was already twenty minutes late for his meeting with Chris.

"I don't see why you can't just head down to dinner. There's still forty minutes left to eat."

Nalian spun around, "Luc- Profess- um. Hello!"

Lucius arched an eyebrow. "If I could have a word, Mr. Morthen."

"Actually I'm rather late meeting Chris-" Nalian trailed off at the look Lucius was giving him. "Now is good though."

"Good." Lucius turned, heading in the direction of his rooms. Nalian bit back a sigh. Slytherins.

Soon they reached a portrait of two characters, twins fighting over something in a book that sat on their desk.

"Light bringer." Lucius snapped at them.

'Someone's upset.' Nalian thought. 'And it's apparently about me. What did I do? Maybe he regrets what happened...'

"Why are you meeting Mr. Keant during dinner?" Lucius demanded as soon as the portrait swung shut.

Nalian blinked, frowning in confusion. "He's my student." At the disbelieving look he was receiving he rolled his eyes. "In swordplay. James Potter recruited me as a teacher the other day. On why I'm meeting Chris now, he's having some trouble with one of the moves."

"Yes, and that explains why he was hugging you at breakfast." Lucius said drolly.

"I'm hardly at fault for-"

Lucius backed him up against the door slowly. "I'm not the type to share, Nalian."

"I'm not seeing Chris." Nalian sighed. "Well, I'm seeing him, but I'm not dating him. And that sounded much better in my head." He would've rubbed his face in frustration if he had the space to do it. "I'm just helping him out with sword fighting."

Lucius lowered his head and bit at Nalian's ear. "Don't 'see' him anymore."

"You're very possessive, aren't you?" Nalian's breath hitched as Lucius kissed down his neck.

"Very." He bit at the junction between neck and shoulder.

"Oh, that's good!" Nalian gasped. "I like possessive."

"Good." Lucius hummed.

Nalian twined his fingers into Lucius' hair, gently tugging the man's mouth to where it should be, dropping a kiss onto his lips. Arms slid around his waist as the kiss deepened.

"I thought you wanted to break things off." Nalian finally admitted breathlessly a few minutes later.

"Why would you think that?" Lucius' mouth had returned to trailing kisses across his neck and collarbone, the hot puffs of breath as he spoke sending shivers down Nalian's spine.

"You seemed angry about something all day." Nalian pointed out. "And the other night you seemed, I don't know, less reserved?"

Lucius pulled back to look at him. "Very observant."

"I- what?" Nalian frowned. "How is that observant exactly?"

The blond chuckled and led Nalian to the couch next to the fireplace. "Care for something to drink?"

"You're purposely making me late." Nalian accused, glancing at his watch. "Not that it matters. I'll never get there in time now. I'll have some sherry if you have it."

"I shouldn't be giving alcohol to minors." Lucius sighed, handing a glass over as he sat down.

"I've been drinking alcohol since I was a toddler." Nalian retorted.

"Of course you were." Lucius said. "That doesn't mean I should encoura-"

Nalian cut him off with a deep kiss, settling himself onto Lucius' lap. "I could get used to this. Now tell me about this "very observant" comment."

Lucius smiled, "Severus drugged me the other night, with a lust potion of all things."

"Drugged you? With a lust potion..." That actually made a lot of sense, come to think of it. It explained why the entire situation had been irresistible, for both of them. The lust potion caused the attraction already between them to grow exponentially. "Why would he do that?"

"I did something that upset him." Lucius gave him an amused look, "he blames me for being walked in on with Bill."

Nalian paled, "he told you about that?"

"Yelled about it quite a bit in fact."

"If he drugged you, what's he going to do to me?"

"I wouldn't worry about it. He knows better than to permanently harm a student."

"You say 'permanently'."

"You might expect some temporary retribution."

"You're such a comfort, Lucius, really." He rolled his eyes.

Lucius laughed, "I try."

They sat in comfortable silence for awhile.

Lucius eyed him, "I've been meaning to ask, red isn't your natural hair color, is it?"

"What makes you think that?" Nalian asked, hiding his shock.

"It doesn't suit you."

Nalian snorted, "thanks." He eyed Lucius. "It isn't my natural color, no."

Lucius smirked, "I'm never wrong." He tugged on a strand of the red hair. "What color is it supposed to be?"

Nalian hesitated. "Black."

"Why do you keep it red?" Lucius asked curiously. He couldn't help but wonder how much Nalian would reveal.

"Did it occur to you that I might like it red?"

"I don't believe you." Lucius chuckled.

"Mood killer." Nalian muttered, sliding off his lap. "I have my reasons, which I'm not ready to talk about. Dumbledore knows however, if you're worried I'm here to cause harm to others."

"Why would I think something like that?"

"You're a Slytherin?" Nalian chuckled. "And you hang out with Severus Snape, who I'm pretty sure plots ways to kill me on a regular basis."

"I wouldn't go that far." Lucius objected. "He doesn't find you that irritating yet."

"My mistake." Nalian smiled. "I have to go. I'm already running late for class with Lily."

"If you must." Lucius frowned, "I suppose Chris will be there."

"You're so cute when you're jealous." Nalian teased.

Lucius pulled him close for a kiss. "I'm not jealous, I'm possessive. There's a very significant difference."

"Duly noted."

"Good. How about an early dinner tomorrow? We can eat here."

Nalian smiled, "Sounds perfect. I'll come around five?"

"All right. Now go, you said you were late."

Nalian gave him a look, "and whose fault is that?"

"You could have left at any time."

"Right. Silly me." Nalian leaned in for a last kiss. "Until tomorrow then."
-------

"Sorry I couldn't make it. I had a few unexpected holdups." Nalian smiled apologetically, sitting down next to Chris as Lily talked to a few third years. "Do you mind if we work on that tomorrow? We could do it at half past ten tomorrow morning?"

"It's no problem. I was really late myself." Chris admitted. "I've got a class at half past ten. What about right after breakfast?"

"No, I have a class then. I also have one right after lunch before you ask."

Chris grinned, "me too. And after that class?"

"My time to catch up with any homework." Nalian admitted.

"And I'll be busy until dinner."

"I have a class after dinner."

Chris snorted, "this is impossible."

"How about before breakfast? It's a bit early for most, but that's when I do my daily exercises. You can join me if you can bring yourself to get up early enough."

"What time?"

"I start at five o'clock, but coming around six or seven is good too."

"You work out for three hours every day?" Chris stared at him.

"Two and a half, if I'm lucky." Nalian said. "I have to get a shower in and still make it to breakfast on time or Draco starts harassing me about not eating enough. Really, do I look that thin?"

"I don't know," Chris said, looking him over critically, "I'd say you look more willowy than thin."

Nalian felt taken aback, but before he could say anything Lily called the class to attention.

"All right, class!" Lily called, "It's time to start. Nalian, if you'd come to the front? Nalian is my assistant today, everyone."
-------

"I don't know what he's thinking." Severus ranted.

"It's absurd." Was the mild agreement.

"It's insane." Severus growled.

"Madness." Severus missed the rolled eyes.

Severus paced in front of his fireplace. "We don't know anything about Morthen and Lucius goes and dates him!"

"Wouldn't that help you learn more about Nalian?" Bill responded reasonably.

"He says he doesn't want to use the relationship as a basis for spying." Severus sneered.

"That's nice."

"Nice?"

"Would you like me dating you just to spy on you?" Bill said. "Besides maybe Lucius cares about Nalian."

"He doesn't even know him."

"Isn't that the whole point of dating?" Bill laughed.

"Morthen is lying about who he is, and undoubtedly about why he's here." Severus grumbled. "It's bad enough he's enraptured my little snakes, but now he's influencing Lucius too."

"I dare you to say that to Lucius' face." Bill pulled himself up from his sprawled position across the couch. "Lucius can take care of himself you know."

"He's knowingly dating some sort of spy."

"We don't know Nalian's a spy." Bill said. "Dumbledore trusts him in any case, and while you may not think that counts for a lot, you trust him on some level too."

Severus turned his glare on the redhead, "And what is that supposed to mean?"

"It means that if you really thought Nalian was a serious threat he would've mysteriously died or disappeared months ago."

"Do you really think I'd kill him and cause a mass panic in the school?" Snape sneered.

"Yes. Except you would have thought of some clever way to make it look like an accident."

"You have no idea what you're going on about."

"You're mistaking me for yourself." Bill smiled, catching Severus' hand and pulling the man down next to him. "You better use these last minutes wisely, or I'll be staying in my rooms tonight, and you won't be joining me."

"I suppose I have been rather neglectful tonight." Severus admitted, planting a soft kiss on Bill's fingertips. "What are you off to do tonight?"

"Charlie's enlisted me to help move his menagerie." Bill said. "I'm not exactly sure where he thinks we can move them, but he probably has some plan up his sleeve."

"So you two think Voldemort will breach the wards as well?"

"I don't know. I just have this bad feeling." Bill sighed, laying his head on Severus' shoulder. "If, or rather when there's fighting... You better come out of it alive."

"Only if you do the same." Severus smiled against Bill's hair.

"It's a deal." Bill placed a kiss on his lover's nose. "I better be going, Charlie's probably waiting already."

"Does this mean you'll be coming back to my rooms tonight?" Severus asked with amusement.

"Oh, I think that can be arranged." Bill winked.
-------

Nalian rolled across his bed, automatically reaching for the dagger under his pillow as he went.

"I hardly think that's necessary, little Slytherin."

Nalian groaned, "baron. It's in the middle of the night. What do you want?"

"I came by for a biscuit." The baron said dryly. "Why do you think I'm here?"

Nalian sat up, "So soon?"

"Yes. Voldemort's at our backdoor, proverbially speaking."

"Fuck."

"Indeed."

"D'you think he'll attack now?"

"I think he doesn't expect us to know he's there and will take anywhere from a few hours to a few days to prepare." The baron said thoughtfully from where he sat floating a few inches above Nalian's bed sheets.

"That's something at least." Nalian muttered. "No sign of my friends?"

"None yet."

"Right. Thanks, Baron." Nalian rubbed the sleep out of his eyes. He watched as the ghost drifted out of the room, heading back towards the edge of the forest.

Finally Nalian pulled himself out of bed, heading to Draco's four-poster.

What was he going to do now? Derek wasn't supposed to arrive until the fifteenth; a whole twenty-four hours away. Nalian had to have a way to stop the rogue vampires if they got onto Hogwarts' grounds. Or prevent them from getting on the grounds in the first place.

"Draco," Nalian whispered softly one he'd made sure they had complete privacy. "Draco, wake up."

"Hmghf." Draco groaned.

"Come on, Draco." Nalian shook his shoulder.

"You're making a rather nasty habit of getting me up at godforsaken hours." Draco grumbled, pulling the covers over his head.

"I need your help, Draco. I need to plan. Voldemort's here."
---------

A/N: The battle should be starting the next chapter. Aside from that, who knows what fun will happen?! Tell me what you think!

Thanks to everyone who reviewed! Sasuko, Aras, chicadoodle, Lee Lee Potter, yuiop, SheWolfe7, Night-Owl123, Fiery Pheonix, TeeDee, methoslover, Galyax, Angel the Devil's Daughter, Cassa_Andra, rayvern, Deritine, insanechildfanfic, hermoine21, gary-stu, Chaos-Empersonified, maleficus-lupus, Goldensong, angelkitty77, chocolatedemon, ASquealinfgYaoiFanGirl, ShAdOwAdRiA, MiruSedna, HecateDeMort, Raven-warrior05, fudgebaby, GY, Rasgara, Shadowed Rains, The Slice

Arigazi - I wouldn't worry about a 'late' review. Reviews are never late. :D And they're always wonderful to get. 'Harry in elf-land' would be in Ravenstar's sequel, which I'm pretty sure will be written. Whether Lucius will go with Harry I can't say. :)

Misfit2008 - That sounds like quite the adventure! Reminds me of a similar pipe from my hometown. :) I don't like spiders either. -slowly edges the candy away from misfit- ;)

EnchantedBlood - I sincerely hope I'll have many more chapters out before the sixth book arrives. I wanna finish Ravenstar before the sixth book comes out (don't ask me why...this is already a complete AU after all).


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