Harry Potter - Series Fan Fiction ❯ Fu Inle ❯ untitled ( Chapter 10 )

Fu Inle Chapter10.

Sorry that the update wasn't as quick as I thought it would be. Warnings in earlier, but there's nothing but fluff, angst, and violence in this chapter. Oh, I don't own.

Please don't sue me. K? Love my reviewers!

 

The creaking of two otherwise silent people ascending the stairs does nothing to break the uncomfortable atmosphere. Moody stands in the living room, broom in his hand. Everything in his posture is serious, and the electric-blue eye is trained on Draco.

 

“We will be flying.”

 

“Isn't that dangerous?” Of course, Hermione is the voice of reason.

 

“Right now it's safer than any other method besides walking, Ms. Granger. I'm sure that Malfoy would love to enlighten you about that.” His words are followed by unintelligible muttering sounding something like, “evil scum.”

 

Hermione stares, along with the rest of the rather small group.

 

Draco sighs, accepting his new role as Moody's personal encyclopedia-slash-object of torment. “All I really need to say are two simple words: Dark Magic. You're smart enough, for a…Gryffindor” he stresses the edit in his speech “…to fill in the blanks, I assume?”

 

“Dark magic? What, exactly?” Her curious mind is not so easily derailed.

 

“I should know never to assume…” He shakes his head and puts on an annoyed look. ”Rerouting spells, killing spells, anything to stop or slow them. You…US down. Everything, down to simple jinx traps.”

 

“How did you avoid them?”

 

“We…” He runs a hand through his hair, tired of repeating his mistake. “I didn't. I walked and flew. There's no organization. No one knows what the others are doing, and the Dark Lord's key members aren't in any danger, so he doesn't bother. What's a pawn, here or there?”

 

“He's really like that to the people who support him? How could he do that? Even pawns can be useful in the end.” She insists.

 

Draco simply shakes his head. “Gryffindor ideals have no uses in His army. The useless or weak are quickly disposed. Snakes find their spots in the shadows, Granger. Don't worry, I'm used to it. “

 

At those words, Moody has a smile on his grizzled face.

 

“Now, are we going to go or not, you old piece of…”

“Yeah, can we go now?” Harry's voice has been reclaimed by the cruel edge it had gained over the summer after fifth year.

 

Ron and Hermione eye him and Draco strangely, but Moody doesn't seem to notice.

 

Each takes a broom from a waiting box in the slightly cramped living room. Each of them checks for a wand and for things that they don't want to lose.

 

I can't believe we're doing this…

 

“What is the mission, anyway?” Draco whispers to a reluctantly broom-holding Hermione.

 

Ron and Harry are speaking in low tones, obviously planning something with each other. There are a few nods while Moody patiently waits for attention.

 

“I don't know...we've been tracking escapees from Azkaban lately. It might have something to do with that.”

 

A bolt of fear finds him. “Who were you tracking?”

They're getting in way over their heads. They don't know who they're dealing with. THEY broke out. Themselves. As in, they persuaded fucking dementors. Do they even know the kind of evil it takes to talk with one of those things?

 

“A few people…No one that mattered much. Ones who much of the public hasn't heard of. Bella Lestrange, too, but I thought we lost her...”

 

“So you're the planner, and you don't know what's going on?!” WE can't operate unorganized. There aren't enough of us in this group to operate the way he does.

 

“Moody leads us.”

 

He sighs, defeated.

 

“Hey Draco?” She starts at an even softer voice. “What happened in the basement?”

 

“Nothing.” She definitely doesn't need to know.

 

“Listen, whatever you did to piss him off won't go away by itself. I don't know what ethics you've picked up from Them,” The word is tossed cruelly, sharply. “but gain some respect by using your brain. I know you have one, somewhere in that over inflated head of yours. Pawns aren't always worthless, and people never are. Just remember that.”

 

The words sink in so slowly. Moody kicks off the ground into the open night air.

 

“Malfoy, you'll be leading us this beautiful evening.” Moody motions with his head, rather than his hands,

Draco willingly takes the lead position. After all, he hadn't been a seeker for nothing. The smirk dances across his features once again.

“That's all well and good, sir. Unfortunately, you've neglected to tell me the destination.”

 

“Oh, you know the way very well, I'm sure. We are going to Malfoy Manor.”

 

Any and all sense of superiority or ego vanishes. The smirk is wiped away, a candle snuffed out. He gulps and grips the broom tighter. All these little signs, so easily missed when a confident laugh is heard. “Well. This should be interesting, then.”

This is going to end badly. Very badly.

 

 

They have no idea what waits in store for them there. He rides the air currents as only a pro could, hair and robes whipping around with every breeze. There are wards, protective spells, creatures, and whoever they are keeping. He gulps and clutches the broom tighter. HE is there, waiting. She will be there. I don't know who else my mother would be willing to risk hiding.

 

Apparently time flies when flying, and they reach the immediate vicinity in what feels like no time flat.

 

Hermione's hair is a huge fluffy mess, Moody looks a bit more vigilant than normal, and Ron looks horribly nervous.

Harry throws his broom down at Draco's feet.

“Now what, Malfoy?

 

He sighs, ignoring that action for now.

“The edge of our property ends…”He takes three steps forward. “Here.”

He reaches out a hand and touches the invisible barrier. The area around his palm tints to a grayish blue. “Good. I'm still on the tree.”

 

“We had better not lose the element of surprise from this, Malfoy” Moody huffs.

 

“Of course not. Why would we worry if family came to visit, help and all? As Long as I'm on the tapestry and have a pulse, I can get through with a specific number. As long as there is no alarm, only the barrier will know the amount of people inside.” He sighs, and a door forms in front of them. “Besides, the pets are more of a threat than the people most of the time.”

 

“Pets?” Ron asks “What exactly do you mean by “pets”?” It was obvious by his tone that the answer would impact his decision. After all, Hagrid had given a rather broad definition to the term.

 

“Well, there's a pair of shisa, some albino peacocks, and some more exotic things that may or may not be alive right now, but tend to be nocturnal. Now are we going in?”

 

“Are you kidding? The shisa could tear us apart! They're lion dogs, and very protective. They've been known to take on dragons!” Hermione pipes up.

 

“I'll deal with them if they show.” The words are easy, with nowhere near the anxious tone Hermione has.

 

Moody growls. “If your pets even look like they're going to hurt any member of this party, Malfoy, They will be killed.”

 

Silently, they enter the trees. Birds chirp, the sun glitters through the canopy of yew branches.

 

They tread through the brush, breaks in the trees, and a small stream, every natural thing that can be in the way seems to be there.

 

Before long, the huge building is within view.

 

“It's here.”Moody's gruff voice says a moment before a low growl takes over.

 

His electric blue eye is directed towards the path they've avoided but kept site of. The growl grows in pitch as a few heavy footsteps are heard. Slowly, everyone turns to face the threat.

 

“N-nice doggy…”Ron whimpers, taking a step back.

 

The creature stares at them, its golden eyes nearly buried under a lock of fur. Its huge paws are equipped with decent claws. Its body is short, but every inch is muscle. The overall impression is that of a pit bull mixed with a chow dog mixed with a lion. Its lips curl back, revealing long bleach-white teeth and a black tongue as it issues a short, low bark. The low growl starts again.

 

Harry steps in front of the group, wand at the ready. His eyes meet those of the beast before him.

 

Draco sighs and crouches down. He pats his knee and whistles. “Here boy.”

 

The thing glances at him, and then returns its gaze to Harry.

 

“Non.” Draco corrects it sharply. “Down!'

 

It sits down and hides its teeth, but won't move.

 

“Bien.” He stands up. “Everyone, introduce yourself. If you don't he'll have a barking fit. Oh, and it can sense hostility, so keep happy thoughts.” With a smirk, he walks right past it, scratching behind its ears.

 

Hermione takes the chance and approaches it first. It sniffs her, its tail wagging the whole time, then nudges her hand, asking for attention.

 

“I think it likes you, Granger.”

 

She gives a nervous smile and continues.

Ron follows shortly after. His greeting isn't quite as friendly, but he gets by.

Moody follows him and tries to stroll right past.

 

It stands and bars his path. After a few intense moments and a glare, it lets him by.

 

“I really don't trust that thing.” Harry holds back.

 

“It won't hurt you. That is, unless you border open hostility towards the child of the family or the property they possess. And since”

 

“I'm coming.” He glares at her, freezing her words. He crouches, the same way Draco did, bringing his body down to its level.

It trots over, tail held high. It sniffs his open hand, then his face. To everyone's surprise, its face opens in a doggy grin and a rather large wet tongue slurps his face.

 

It whines and shows its belly.

“Umm….” He looks up to the curious group for help.

“Well, Potter. Aren't you going to say hello?” The tone is half mocking, but still gets a smile.

 

“Come on, we've got more important things to do than tend Mr. Malfoy's pets.”

 

The strange creature whines and stays on its back, tongue lolling out the whole time.

 

Moody hobbles to the path, his wooden leg getting caught on a stone.

 

Malfoy Manor looms ahead. A few of the aforementioned peacocks strut around a huge fountain at the manors traditional entrance.

 

 

“So, what's the plan?” Hermione asks.

 

“You and Weasley take the rear; go through the back of the house. We'll trap them from the front, and hopefully avoid too much bloodshed.”

 

With a nod, the pair moves their assault.

 

“Now, we three will be taking the front. Nymphadora should already be there. She will be restraining at least one person, we can take care of the scum she doesn't.”

He smiles at Draco, clearly trying to instigate a fight.

 

Instead of anything, even a witty comeback, all he gets is a nod.

 

They pause on the porch a brief moment before Moody kicks the door in.

 

There's a woman's scream, then the cold menacing laughter of Lucius Malfoy.

 

From the now open door, they can just see into the drawing room. They rush in, and only four people are visible. Lucius looms in a high-backed velvet armchair, one wand-equipped hand pointing at the intrusion. Tonks has her wand pointed at the motionless body of Narcissa. Bellatrix is facing her, grinning like a Cheshire cat.

 

Moody turns his attention to Tonks immediately, deciding that Bellatrix is more of a threat.

 

Bad move.

 

A spell is shot no sooner than the thought had entered his mind. However, rather than strike Moody, it finds another target. With a loud click, the door locks behind them.

 

Apparently, Bellatrix is a tougher duelist than she let on in her bout with Sirius. Tonks is already on the ground, holding her arm and writhing in pain. Moody and the cruel woman are throwing spells around with little to no concern for other people, let alone the furniture.

 

“Sectumsempra”

Draco finds himself falling backwards. Cuts open across his chest, though shallower than they had appeared in the past.

 

I let myself get distracted…

 

“Crucio.” The word is all too familiar.

 

Harry cries out, dropping to his knees. Lucius glares at his son

 

Draco scrambles to his feet and faces his father, but is quickly disarmed. As if on cue, the backup arrives just as Moody dispatches Bellatrix.

 

Lucius glances around. With a sigh and a pop, he's gone.

 

 

 

This time the update will be quick, I promise!

Note:

Shisa/Shishi/Guardian Lions/Fu dogs/Koma-Inu:

Guardian lion-dog statues placed in front of temples in China, Japan, and Okinawa. Traditionally kept in pairs, one male one female/one open-mouthed one close-mouthed (which has which depends on your location). They guard temples, castles, villages and homes against misfortune, and people against evil spirits. An Okinawan myth states that a statue wielded by a boy (or a talisman wielded by the king, given to him by the boy) sprang to life and attacked a sea dragon that had been plaguing the area. Its roar shook the area, and even frightened the dragon. A boulder fell from heaven, pinning the dragon to the ground. (In another version, the shisa tore it apart) The dragon died and became the Gana-Mui woods.

 

They aren't fully canon, since the books only mention peacocks, but I figure the Malfoys should have SOMETHING for self defense.