Chapter Text
Disclaimer: Nothing you recognize belongs to me. Although, I'm still watching Ebay waiting for the chance to buy my very own Lucius Malfoy, so far JKR still owns all my sexy playthings. JK Rowling is the genius behind Harry Potter and all related characters. No money is made from this story.
“speech”
[thoughts]
*parseltongue*
‘quote’
Day 1 Sunday August 11, 1996
The once aristocratic, meticulous man occupied one of the two cots mounted to the walls in the 6’x6’ space. The concrete room was barely above freezing temperatures and contained nothing other than the two mounted cots. The only light came from the glassless window up against the ceiling no more than 6 inches wide. Just wide enough to let in the rain and wind.
None of this appeared to affect the man as he lounged with the same casual elegance he had shown in his own home. He sat with one leg straight out and the other bent up, foot flat on the cot. His right hand rested against the raised knee and held a well read text. His left lay on the thread-bare cotton cloth mockingly referred to as bedding. He paid no notice to the grating noise as the metal door slid across the cold stone floors. He turned the page of his book, ignoring the four armed men it took to dump the bruised, bloody body on the floor along with a worn blanket and thin pillow.
“We brought you company, Malfoy.” One of the guards called grinning maniacally
“Don’ spect he’ll las long ‘ere tho.” A second guard laughed. “Best if ya use ‘em why ya can.”
The blonde prisoner’s only response was a raised eyebrow and a glance at the body on the ground before turning another page. He waited a full chapter after the guards left before checking his cell mate for a pulse.
“If those worthless imbeciles are storing their dead bodies in my cell...” Lucius stopped as he turned the boy onto his back and looked into bright green eyes. Eyes that bore into his own silver gaze before falling shut with a grimace.
“Fuck.”
“Language, Mr. Potter. Is that anyway to greet your cell mate?”
The familiar drawl was the last thing Harry heard before giving into the blackness.
LMHP*LMHP*LMHP*LMHP*LMHP*LMHP*LMHP*LMHP*LMHP*LMHP*LMHP
Harry took stock of his injuries in barely noticeable, miniscule movements, without opening his eyes or changing his rhythmic breathing. [Hmmm, Head is killing me but that’s nothing new. Dislocated shoulder, damn that just healed too. No broken ribs this time at least. Sprained ankle, lashes on back and chest …Shit can’t lift my right hand…Oh fuck I’m tied down…]
“If you stop pretending to be asleep and open your eyes you will see that you are not truly restrained. I secured your body to the cot to prevent you causing more damage. You may stop panicking and thank me now.”
“I can hear him smirking” Harry muttered without opening his eyes.
“Are you trying to avoid me or our luxurious accommodations?” Lucius asked in amusement.
“I’m in denial. This has been a week long nightmare. I’m waiting to wake up.”
“Ah. I see.”
Harry could hear Lucius moving around on his own cot and waited for the interrogation to begin. After a few minutes of silence, he opened his eyes and glanced over, only to see Lucius had returned to his book.
“No comment on my getting what I deserve? Or me now at your mercy? I know that’s why they put me here. With you. They needed to find a punishment worse than the kiss and it appears you are the latest in a week of whatever tortures the ministry could come up with. And I thought Umbridge was a sadistic bitch, she has nothing on our Special Forces Elite aurors. Ha I suppose I’m only here ‘cause it would suck if the life in Azkaban term ended before I even saw the inside of a cell.” By the end of his rant, Harry had loosened the blanket tying him to the cot and was now sitting up and glaring at Lucius. The defiant gaze a direct contrast to his trembling arms wrapped around the knees pulled up to his chest and the shoulders hunched over so far as to almost touch his knees.
Lucius looked at Harry with one raised eyebrow. “As much as I abhor admitting a weakness such as a lack of knowledge, I really have no idea what you are talking about.” Lucius tilted his head to one side and added “I also did not realize it was possible to curl into a foetal position while sitting up”
Harry lowered his legs, but kept his shoulders hunched, his arms now hugging his chest in an effort to support the broken ribs and prevent them from puncturing a lung. His eyes narrowed as he studied the man before him.
Lucius returned the gaze for a moment before speaking again. “The only news the guards see fit to share with me is from the society pages when my wife is seen with a new lover. If their plan is for me to do their dirty work, they did not inform me of this and frankly, I currently do not see the benefit to killing the best entertainment I’ve had in the last eleven months.”
“Thirteen”
“Excuse me?”
“Thirteen months. You’ve been here for thirteen months”
“Thirteen months, two weeks, four days, and ten hours actually.” Lucius sighed. He closed his eyes and leaned his head back against the wall before continuing. “In the beginning, Draco would come to see me. He came three or four times every week. First he came with plans to secure my release. Then he came with plans to break me out. Then he came without the plans. Just to see me. He stopped coming eleven months ago.”
“He returned to Hogwarts.” Harry said quietly after Lucius fell silent. He continued when Lucius looked over at him. “A little less than eleven months ago was when we returned to Hogwarts for our sixth year. By Christmas break, the ministry had changed the visitation rules. No Death Eaters are allowed any visitors. They were afraid if you could get outside news it would be easier to plan a break-out. Again.” Harry offered Lucius a smile. “He’s alive and has been receiving your letters. He still talks about getting you released. He is currently unmarked, or at least he was about a month ago. I’m afraid I can’t tell you much more. We weren’t exactly close.” Harry finished with a wry grin that didn’t quite reach his eyes.
“Thank you.” Lucius whispered.
Harry nodded and leaned back against the wall, closing his eyes.
Neither man broke the silence that had fallen. Both contemplated their separate situations while re-evaluating their opinion of the other.
LMHP*LMHP*LMHP*LMHP*LMHP*LMHP*LMHP*LMHP*LMHP*LMHP*LMHP
Far too soon for Harry’s comfort, two of the guards returned. Lucius noticed how he tensed up at the echoing sounds of the dragon-skin boots hitting the stone floors. He reverted to his position of casual nonchalance, book propped against his knee again, just before the guards came into view.
“Dinna Time Boys! On your feet bo’f ya! Get over here!”
Harry slid off his cot silently. Quickly he walked over, warily watching the guards every movement, he dared not breathe.
Lucius turned the page.
Harry stood rigidly as the guards attached a chain to the metal cuffs on his wrists and another one to the cuffs on his ankles. He was left with being able to spread his wrists 12 inches and with18 inches between his feet.
Lucius turned the page.
The guard opened the door and pulled Harry out of the cell.
“Come on, Malfoy, you too” the second guard said after another moment.
Lucius turned the page.
“Malfoy, getcha arse ova ‘ere o we leavin wit out ya!”
Lucius glared at the guards. He looked very put out as he carefully marked his place with a bit of fabric that may have once been a hair ribbon. He closed the book, turned and placed it under the pillow in the pillow case beside him. He gave the guards an annoyed glance before rising to his feet and stretching.
Harry’s eyes darted between the guards and Lucius, torn between amusement and fear.
Lucius walked right out the door throwing one more look of disdain over his shoulder as he passed his jailers. The second guard just shook his head and followed after him. Guard number one pulled Harry down the hall while muttering about arrogant pureblood arses.
The guards escorted Harry to the great hall, apparently giving up on Lucius. Harry froze two steps into the door. His eyes widened and his breathe quickened as he looked around the room. The hall was at least twice the size of the great hall at Hogwarts and was full of prisoners. He could feel the eyes following him as he hurried over to a table in the corner and sat on the edge of the bench. As soon as he sat, food appeared at his place setting.
The benches and tables appeared to have grown from the stone on the floor. Instead of plates, there were plate sized circles cut into the table at each seat. A thin metal cup was chained to the table at each plate with barely enough chain to reach the edge of the table. There were no utensils. As Harry looked around he realized that wasn’t exactly right. At one table in the centre of the room there were utensils. And plates. Lucius Malfoy sat at the head of that table and Harry watched as he raised the crystal glass of what appeared to be wine to his lips. No chains there either. Harry didn’t need to look at the rest of the table to know it was full of the higher ranked captured Death Eaters. He swallowed hard and glanced down at his plate. Despite not having anything to eat for the last week, he had no appetite.
Harry was very busy trying not to panic when someone grabbed him from behind and pulled him off the bench. He screamed. His attacker spun him around so they were face to face. Before Harry could comprehend what was happening, the assailant wrapped one arm around his waist to hold him still, grabbed his hair with the free hand and…Kissed him. Hard.
“Evan,” Harry breathed when his attacker finally let go long enough for him to see who held him. He appreciated the arm around his waist now as that was the only thing holding him up when he slumped in relief. He laid his head on the Death Eaters shoulder and hid his smile against his neck.
"’I know it. I know everything.’" Evan quoted.
"‘What do you know?’" Harry whispered, He raised his head and looked into twinkling purple eyes.
"‘No use making more people. People die.’" Evan replied, "‘that’s everything.’"
“Something Wicked This Way Comes, Bradbury.”
“Hmmm, is it appropriate though?”
Harry let out a sound halfway between a sob and a laugh before returning his head to its heading spot at Evan’s neck. “Both the title and the quote most likely.”
Evan manoeuvred them onto the bench with Harry sitting crossways on his lap, being careful not to catch the chains. When Harry looked up again he saw all eyes were on them. The room was completely silent.
Evan looked around with a wide grin and loudly said, “’the trouble with Jim was he looked at the world and could not look away. And when you never look away all your life, by the time you are thirteen you have done twenty years taking in the laundry of the world.’”1
Harry smiled at him as the other prisoners returned to their dinners. “Shouldn’t you be with the other Death Eaters?” he asked, still not speaking above a whisper.
“They don’t care. They all think I’m insane.”
Evan. You ARE insane.”
“’Better mad with the rest of the world than wise alone.’”
“I don’t know that one.”
“It’s from The Art of Worldly Wisdom 1647. Don’t expect you’ve read that.”
“No.”
“I prefer insanity. ‘When we remember that we are all mad, the mysteries disappear and life stands explained.’”
“Mark Twain, Notebook 1935. Want to know a secret?”
“Mmm”
“I don’t think you’re really crazy, I think you just like confusing everyone. I think you’re a umm what’s it called? A prodigy? You know, a creative genius.”
“Shh! Don’t tell!”
“My creative genius. I’ve missed you.”
“And I you. However, I wish I didn’t have you now. ‘…some birds aren't meant to be caged. Their feathers are just too bright. And when they fly away, the part of you that knows it was a sin to lock them up does rejoice. But still, the place you live in is that much more gray and empty that they're gone.’2 You shouldn’t be here my Animikii. The thunderbird should not be caged. Who dared to cage you?”
“I’d rather not talk about it. I’m in denial.”
“Denial?”
“You get to be insane. I get denial. This is all a nightmare. I’m going to wake up anytime now.” Harry said firmly.
“I’m not sure denial speaks well of your mental stability. I also have trouble believing you are really avoiding anything. I know you.”
“I know why the caged bird sings. I’m just not sure I want to be bothered much longer. I’m pretending the last few weeks haven’t happened. This way I can keep singing.”
“I understand. I won’t push. However, when you can no longer pretend, come talk to me. I won’t let you give up. We can’t give up. ‘We are the music makers, and we are the dreamers of the dreams.’”
“Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory. I’ll talk to you. Tomorrow?”
“When you’re ready.”
“Have you managed to find your Jabberwocky3 yet?” Harry asked changing the subject.
“No, But…” Evan lowered his voice and looked around as if checking for eavesdroppers, “We have a bandersnatch3 in our midst.”
Harry gasped in mock horror, his first full and genuine smile giving him away. They finished dinner talking in whispers about complete nonsense. All too quickly the guards appeared to lead him back to his cell. Evan helped him stand and linked his arm with Harry’s ignoring the chains.
“Where do you think you’re going Rosier?”
“‘Overhead my spirit flies; Upon the ground and crimson skies; Whispering winds in moonlit woods; A totem oak once golden stood.’” Evan replied as he started slowly leading Harry to the door, watching for any exasperation to his injuries
“Uh…I don’t know what the bloody hell you’re talking ‘bout but you’re not coming with us. You. Stay. Here.” The guard was almost shouting by the end as Harry and Evan were all ready to the door.
“Overhead My Spirit Flies, Charles Bukowski.” Harry whispered. “You need to stay here. What are you doing?”
“MR ROSIER!” The guard bellowed, stomping out the doors to stop in front then.
As Evan made a move to go around the guard, he took his wand out and pointed it at Evan’s throat. Evan smiled.
“You need to go back to the hall. NOW. Rosier.”
“I intend to walk my animikii back to his room, and tuck him into bed. Afterwards, I will enjoy an evening stroll along the beach before retiring to my own room.” Evan said pleasantly. “You may accompany us if you’d like.”
The guard nostrils flared, his face was quickly going through various shades of red and into purple and his wand was shaking with rage. Harry moved back and slightly behind Evan. Evan continued to smile pleasantly.
“Is there a problem here?” a familiar voice drawled.
Harry turned to see Lucius along with Nott and a Death Eater he didn’t recognize coming up behind them. The guard immediately paled and lowered his wand as he turned to Lucius. Harry’s eyes kept darting between the guard and Lucius’s group. Evan continued to smile pleasantly and completely ignored the other Death Eaters.
“I--” The guard started. He seemed to shrink back slightly before gaining his composure and straightening up. “Look Malfoy, you and your…associates…can have your free time in the hall, but Potter doesn’t get privileges. And he doesn’t get visitors. Rosier needs to go back to the hall or to his own cell and Potter needs to go back to his cell. Alone.”
Lucius glanced at Harry who was trying to hide between Evan and the wall before directing his attention to Evan. “Rosier, leave Potter.”
Harry tried to pull away from Evan when he made no movement, but Evan grabbed his hand and stopped him.
*Evan!* Harry hissed before switching to English. “Let go.” All attention was instantly on Harry, but he ignored them all and focused on the purple eyes suddenly turned toward him. Harry licked his lips nervously before hissing one of the few phrases he knew Evan would recognize in parseltongue. *Stay safe.* This time Harry noticed the reactions around him; the guard looking at him in horror, Nott and the unknown Death Eater’s quick intakes of breath, Lucius’s almost concealed shiver.
Evan’s eyes narrowed and he spoke in tone that sent shivers down Harry’s spine. This wasn’t his eccentric friend speaking; this was the maniacal Death Eater that even the inner circle feared. “You need time to heal before the bastards decide to play with you again. Unless you snuck a wand in up your arse, I am coming with you to see you are left alone.” Evan spoke calmly and softly and somehow was all the more intimidating that way.
Lucius placed a hand on Harry’s shoulder, drawing attention back to himself. “Mr O’Connor, as it appears Mr. Rosier is only concerned with Mr Potter’s injuries, perhaps you would be able to procure some healing potions for him. I am sure Mr Rosier will be returning to his own room as soon as he is assured of Mr Potter’s well being” Lucius said smoothly.
Evan nodded once and Lucius continued speaking, starting to guide Harry down the hallway. “Good. I’ll escort Mr. Potter to our room and we will see you shortly.” He finished, not waiting for a response from the guard.
By the time Lucius and Harry turned down the next corridor they were alone and Lucius’s expression was unreadable.
“I’m s-sorry. I wasn’t t-trying to cause any problems. I didn’t realize …” Harry trailed off and gaped when he realized Lucius was trying not to laugh.
“How do you know Rosier?” Lucius glanced down at the shaking child beside him as he asked the question. Harry sighed and looked away.
“Would you be satisfied if I just said he is a friend of a friend?”
“No.”
“I didn’t think so.”
Neither said another word until they reached their cell. Lucius leaned against the bars and watched Harry practically collapse on the way to his cot. He waited until Harry was sitting down to make his way over to sit beside him.
“How do you know Rosier?”
Harry sighed. “I knew Evan back before I knew what a wizard was, let alone a Death Eater. After your lord was …reborn he cut back on any communication with me. He’d write occasionally, but I couldn’t see him anymore. I guess I am not considered a problem now that I’m in here.”
“That doesn’t answer my question either.”
“Noticed that too did ya?” Harry was beginning to wonder why he didn’t just tell Lucius to sod off. “What do you know about the time that Evan was supposed to be dead?”
“It’s rude to answer a question with a question.”
“I know.”
Lucius looked at the child beside him. The shaking had diminished to shivering, but he was obviously still in a great amount of pain.
Harry met his eyes briefly before pulling his knees back up to his chest and resting his head on them. Once his eyes closed, he whispered “I can’t explain how I know Evan without talking about where he was after his death. That’s not my secret to share.”
Lucius made no reply. Harry was just beginning to drift off when he heard footsteps. He sat up straight and watched the open doorway fearfully. Harry jumped when Lucius shifted closer to him and put his arm around his shoulders.
“Let them wonder.” Lucius whispered in Harry’s ear, pressing his lips close. He tried to ignore the shaking that started up again deciding that distracting Harry from the guards arrival was more important at the moment.
“If I’m interrupting, I can come back later.” O’Conner offered in amusement.
Harry jerked away from Lucius and whipped his head around to the doorway. He was slightly relieved to see Evan behind the guard making him feel a little less out-numbered. He wasn’t sure what Lucius was playing by keeping to this ceasefire but he didn’t trust him enough to feel comfortable, especially with guards present.
“Not at all. Please, Come in.” Lucius greeted him as if inviting him into his home. He stood up and walked over to his own bed, drawing the guards eyes away from Harry.
O’Conner laughed. “Just brought the potions you asked for. Now I understand better. Have to keep his strength up.”
Evan walked past O’Conner, taking the potion from his hand and going to sit beside Harry. “‘Whatever it is, I fear Greeks even when they bring gifts.’”
Harry took a deep breath as he looked into the smiling purple eyes beside him. “Virgil, Aeneid.” He whispered with a grin. Harry tilted his head to the side looked at Evan before replying. “Should I fear him or you for bringing that vial? Or is it the vial itself I have to fear?”
“Baltasar Gracian said ‘A wise man gets more use from his enemies than a fool from his friends.’ And Andre Maurois said ‘Above all things, never be afraid. The enemy who forces you to retreat is himself afraid of you at that very moment.’”
“So I shouldn’t fear either of you, just use you for what you can give me. How Slytherin of you. But, Euripides said in Medea, ‘There is no benefit in the gifts of a bad man.’ Perhaps I’m better off being cautious of the poisoned apple.
“Drink the potion. I’ll kiss you awake Sleeping Beauty.”
“Snow White.”
“No, Sleeping Beauty was awakened by the kiss.”
“They both were. Snow White ate the poisoned apple and died.”
“If she died, she wasn’t awakened with anything. She’s dead.”
“Prince Charming beat even death. Snow White ate the poisoned apple; Prince Charming came and rescued her with a kiss a year later. Sleeping Beauty pricked her finger on a spinning wheel and fell into an enchanted sleep for 100 years. Prince Phillip woke her up with a kiss after battling the evil fairy Maleficent as a dragon.”
“Shut up and drink the potion.”
Harry drank the potion with a smug smile. He quickly tensed up again when he caught sight of his audience. Both Lucius and the guard where watching Evan and Harry’s interactions closely. Lucius as usual was completely unreadable, but O’Conner was staring gaped mouth at Harry.
“I’m not sure if I should be more concerned that you understand him, or that you respond in kind.” Lucius said to Harry.
“‘Insanity in individuals is something rare - but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule.’” Harry replied with a smile. Lucius raised an eyebrow.
“Nietzsche.” Evan laughed. “I’m so proud.”
“Even without the Dementors, You’re all still insane.” O’Conner muttered under his breath “Rosier, back to your own wing. I’m locking up here” he said aloud.
Harry climbed back onto his bed, already feeling the potion healing his ribs. Evan kissed his forehead gently. “Good Night, my Animikii. ‘To beguile the time, / Look like the time; bear welcome in your eye, / Your hand, your tongue: look like the innocent flower, / But be the serpent under't.’”4 He whispered before turning to Lucius. “An American Muggle named Rose Kennedy said ‘It has been said, 'time heals all wounds.' I do not agree. The wounds remain. In time, the mind, protecting its sanity, covers them with scar tissue and the pain lessens. But it is never gone.’” Evan sauntered out the door without waiting for a response from either man.
“Care to translate?” Lucius drawled as he watched the death eater and guard’s exit.
Harry laughed. “He was telling me to play nice but not to trust you. You know, appear the naive, friendly, and trusting Gryffindor, but think like the cunning, evasive, and paranoid Slytherin”
“Not all Slytherin’s are paranoid. Can you also translate what he said to me?” Lucius watched as all traces of mirth disappeared from Harry’s eyes.
“I don’t know. Probably that I am just as insane as he is.” Harry said quickly.
Lucius watched Harry through narrowed eyes, knowing he was lying. “Get some sleep. We’ll talk tomorrow.”
Harry studied Lucius for a moment. Both of their expressions were unreadable. Finally, he nodded and rolled over to face the wall. Lucius pulled his blanket up and Harry heard him move away. Harry had just started to drift when he felt a second blanket lay across him. He jumped when he felt the arm come across his waist. Harry turned around, and pressed his back against the wall.
“Shh. Easy” Lucius whispered, rubbing circles on Harry’s shoulder blades. “If we share, we both get two blankets. It gets cold here. Even colder at night.” Lucius sighed when he felt Harry start to shake again. “I’m not going to hurt you.”
“ok…” Harry said in an almost inaudible voice. He laid his head down on the pillow and tried to push his back further against the wall, trying to put some space between the two of them on the small cot.
“Potter.”
“hmm?”
“Look at me.” Lucius waited until he could see those brilliant green eyes. He swore when he saw the fear and pain and shadows in their depths. “What did they do to you?” he murmured. Harry looked away but couldn’t contain his shudder. “Harry…I have never forced myself on anyone. I do not participate in nor condone rape. I do not expect nor will I accept sexual favours in exchange for protection or privileges.” Lucius searched Harry’s eyes for some sign of understanding. He saw only resignation. “I. Will. Not. Hurt. You.” Lucius enunciated each word slowly and carefully, never raising his voice. He rolled over onto his back and manoeuvred Harry so he was lying almost on top of Lucius with his head on Lucius’s chest. Lucius wrapped one arm around Harry and gently rubbed his back.
Harry made no response.
AN: This is my first fanfic, so Constructive Criticism needed and wanted. Please review.
quotes:
1 Something Wicked This Way Comes, Ray Bradbury
2 The Shawshank Redemption
3 references to the poem Jabberwocky by Lewis Carroll
4 Macbeth, Shakespeare