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Harry tumbled out of the cupboard bed with a shout. He had had another nightmare. He couldn't sleep in it, it reminded him too much of his cupboard under the stairs. He sighed and pulled the mattress out of the small space and put it on the floor in front of the fireplace. It was comfortably warm there so he made up the bed again and settled down to sleep. The elves would return the mattress and covers to the bed in the morning. 

As he snuggled back down he was smashed in the head with another attack from Voldemort. He moaned and pressed his hand to his head. He wondered vaguely if Lucius was feeling this through his mark. He hoped not, it was like being beaten over the forehead with a red hot poker. He clenched his teeth and curled up to endure until it stopped.

.

Lucius paced the floor, his arm on fire. Voldemort was having fun. He had been kept up two nights ago and tonight seemed like it was going to be worse. He couldn't believe that he'd ever knelt at the feet of that megalomaniac.

But Tom Riddle had been handsome, smart and charismatic. His decent into madness had begun with his defeat at the hands of a 15 month old Harry James Potter. The final straw had been the re-incorporation spell that had been performed in the graveyard. The need for three blood sacrifices from three different people, two of them unwilling had been the worst sort of Dark Magic. This had only added to Lucius' desire to leave the side of the self-declared Dark Lord. 

Now he had nothing but regrets and problems. He paced and thought and regretted.

.

Dudley sat down at his desk and sighed. This was not going to be easy but his shrink said he should do it, even if Harry never got the letter. He licked his pencil and got started.

 LETTER
Dear Harry;

That's how you're supposed to start out a letter to a relative. Although, I've never called you dear in my life. Stupid of me, now that I think of it. But we're what we're taught to be, that's what my shrink said.

Anyway, you saved my life from those ghost damntor things and I never even said thanks. So I'm saying it now. Thanks for saving me.

I'm sorry I was such a pratt for all those years. I know that doesn't mean much but I really am. Dad never liked you, in fact, I think he hated you. Strike that, I know he did, full stop. Why? I'm not sure, but he sure fucked me up. Between teaching me to be a bully and pick on you, he also taught me to eat like a garbage disposal. I'm still nearly five stone over what I should weigh. I eat like a horse and I'm always hungry but I never gain. In fact, I'm losing. Or I was for quite a while. Did one of your friends hex me? I think someone did. I know it wasn't you, you're too nice. But it's gone now. I saw that white haired boy at the end of the block about the time it went. I called out to him but he just turned and walked away. He was wearing a dress. Do you wear dresses? In the manly sort of way.

I think I need a new paragraph, I'm never sure. That's another thing, Dad never worried about my grades but he should have. Smeltings has me in the 'about to be expelled' group. It's called remedial re-education or some such. How are your grades? I know you're smarter than me by a lot, even if your grades never showed it. Did Dad make you get bad grades? I bet he did. Well, I'm sorry about that too. No one should mess with someone's grades and stuff.

I still have anger management issues but they all seem to be aimed at Dad now. He was smacking you around because he liked it, now you're gone he was starting on me, but Mum kept him off by getting in his way. He smacked her hard, I got in the way and he punched me. We left the next week. Mum's got a job now and so do I. Dad's paying Smeltings but I think next year's still up in the air. Sucks but, with my grades, I don't think it makes that much difference where I go. I'll never get a proper job. I'm going to wind up a bag boy at Tesco's or somewhere. The Headmaster says I could fix my grades with enough tutoring, but we can't afford it. So I'm stuck. What Mum said, “Hoist with my own petard.” Whatever a petard is.

So, I'm really sorry for being a git. I have to show this to my shrink (He's being paid for by Dad. Court order.) But I really do mean it anyway. I don't think you'll ever see this. I don't know how to mail it to you, even if I knew the address. I think I'll put it in a sandwitch bag and hang it from a tree. Maybe a post owl will find it and bring it to you. Owl COD. Sorry about that too.

With heart felt apologies;

Dudley.

PS: Now I really hate being called Dudders, Big D, or any of the other infantile names I used to get called.

PPS: I think I spelled sandwitch wrong but it sounds right.

Dudley took the letter to his shrink who approved heartily, discussed his feelings and agreed that the hex bit was a great joke then wanted to know about the damntor gang. Dudley just pretended to be worried about them finding out about him talking and refused to discuss it any further. He'd done that several times with other slips and knew that the man wouldn't let it drop but that worry was for another day.

He left the office and did exactly what he'd written in his letter. He slipped the letter into a plastic bag and hung it from a tree by the post office with a bit of string. He figured it would just blow away or the grounds man would trash it. He didn't see the owl that plucked it off the string and flew away with it. Fortunately for both Dudley and Harry, this tree was a postal drop for muggles with wizarding relatives.

.

Draco accepted the COD from the owl, fed it a treat and commanded, “Add this to our tab.” The owl bobbed its head and fluttered off. Draco eyed the thing, he couldn't bring himself to call it a letter, with some confusion. It was addressed to Harry James Potter, Hogwarts. He wasn't confused by the delivery, owls found the addressee by magical signature not address. But the covering and envelope were things he'd never seen before. He decided to talk to Lucius before he took it to Harry.

It was a short walk from his private study to the library. He wondered why the owl hadn't delivered the letter to his father but when he knocked on the door there was a do not disturb charm on it. He knocked again and was bid enter.

“Father, I'm sorry to bother you when you're engaged but this came for Harry.” He handed the letter to Lucius and waited for him to examine it. “I was wondering whether I could take it to him. It's been five days, you know.”

Lucius sighed. “I'm well aware of that. I ...” He rubbed his face. “This is ridiculous. I just don't want to face him until I can give him some good news. I was so furious with him for endangering himself like that that I'm sure he thinks ... I'm not sure what he thinks. But it can't be good. So, I'm taking the cowards way out and researching, trying to find some way to ameliorate his punishment.”

Draco mulled this over for a moment. “Why don't you just ask the Go-between if you can't shorten the punishment. I'm sure, if Harry's truly sorry, that something can be done. And what about this letter?”

“Take it to him. Check on him and sit with him for a while. Tell him what I'm doing.” Lucius shifted in his chair. “I'll go down and see if the Go-between will speak to me.” He stood up and called for a heavy cloak. The weather was still uncertain and he wasn't about to freeze on his walk.

Draco nodded. “Very well. But, father?” Lucius turned to gaze patiently at Draco while he worked out what he wanted to say. “I don't like being peacemaker between you two. If you don't address your problems yourself, you'll never solve them and Harry will never learn to trust you.”

Lucius looked taken aback. “You are very perceptive, and right. I'll see to it.” He nodded his head and left.

.

Harry had settled into a routine quite quickly. First thing in the morning he did aerobics, then tai chi, his long kata then yoga. After that he meditated. Breakfast was whenever the house-elves brought it which was usually as soon as he was done meditating. After breakfast he studied or painted, Mimsey had brought everything he owned to him which made him believe that he was in for a long confinement. Lunch was served at exactly 12:00 noon and was always plentiful and delicious. After lunch he studied some more or read until dinner. Dinner was the same as lunch but he got pudding with it. After dinner he exercised again and meditated, then had a bath.

The first bath had been a bit of a disappointment to Harry. Mimsey had told him that he wasn't allowed out of this room but she would bring him a tub. He'd been shocked and, he had to admit, annoyed when she'd brought him an old fashioned hip bath. It was oval and just big enough for him to sit cross-legged and it was shallow, the water barely covering him to the hips. He didn't like it at all, and it was a great deal of trouble for Mimsey too. But he wasn't going to lay in a slime of sweat all night. The quick sponge bath he allowed himself after his morning exertions was barely acceptable.

Harry sighed unhappily, he was sitting in the window embrasure in the sun. It would only last 20 minutes or so, so he was enjoying it while he could. He had thought he heard a snake but only once. He was resigned to being alone for as long as his confinement lasted, but he was lonely. Mimsey wasn't good company. 

He was glad to see Draco come in and asked Mimsey to bring tea at once. She popped out to fetch it, a big smile on her face.

“Hello, Draco, sit down. I'll come over in a moment. The sun only lasts a little while so I'd like to sit and enjoy it while I can. If you don't mind that is.”

Draco felt as if he might cry or something, Harry looked so sad and lonely sitting there. “Of course not. Enjoy away. I'll play mother, shall I?”

“Sure. Is it warm out yet?”

“Not really. That garden is one of the close gardens so it's warmer than you might expect. Why?”

Harry watched as the last bit of sun faded into shadows again then got up to come to the tea table. “I thought I heard a snake and was wondering if it was warm enough for one to be active. Do you think maybe?”

“It's possible.” Draco handed Harry his tea. “It's quite warm close to the walls. They're all red brick to hold the warmth.”

Harry sipped his tea and smiled. “You remembered.”

Draco managed not to look offended. “Of course.” He pointed to the letter, still in its bag, on the tea cart. “Letter there for you.”

Harry eyed it cautiously. “Who's it from?”

“I think it's from someone named Dudley.” At Harry's dismayed expression Draco drew his wand. “What? Is it cursed?”

Harry shook his head. “No, it's from my muggle cousin. It's sure to be unpleasant. I'll put off reading it until after tea.”

Draco tucked his wand away and ordered an elf to bring more pastries. Harry accepted a treacle tart, glumly admitting that he was bored and lonely when questioned.

“I'd rather take a beating than be locked up. Papa still angry at me?”

Draco shook his head. “He was over being angry a long time ago. He only gets like that when he's been frightened half out of his mind. He gave me the journal of ... four times great-grandfather. It seems that one of his vassals got curious about the Crossroads and went into it. The Darklings sent him back in a barrel of wine, in little bitty pieces. Creepy.”

Harry shuddered in disgust. “So that's why he was so angry with me. I really didn't mean to cause so much trouble. The map really wasn't marked.” He gazed at the high window sadly. “I really wish I could go outside, at least for a little bit. I'd like to see Hedwig, I really miss her. It's not fair to lock her up here so I didn't even ask. Mimsey has been giving me reports on her and seeing that she's fed and such.”

Draco couldn't believe he was feeling sorry for Harry Potter, but he was. “I'll ask father if you can't go out into the close garden. Maybe it would be ok, if he stayed with you. Sort of like a keeper. And, as for Hedwig, I've been seeing to her too. She's fine, just missing you.”

Harry put down his empty cup and grumbled, “That's nice of you, thanks. I'd like to go out, even into a close garden. And maybe a trip to my bathroom. That hip bath is just awful. I feel all grubby.”

Draco had to grimace in sympathy as Harry related his bathing woes. It sounded awful, not to feel really clean. He decided to see if he couldn't at least get permission for Harry to use a real bathroom.

“I could talk to father about that too. See if he won't at least allow you to bathe properly. He's feeling a bit guilty about all this so maybe, if I play the cards right. But I'm not promising anything.”

They talked a bit longer then Draco announced that he was going to go put Lucius on the spot and reminded Harry to read his letter.

Harry sighed, fortified himself with another cup of tea and opened the ziplock bag. He took the letter out of the bag and opened it, slitting it open with his pen knife. He read slowly, trying to see the meaning behind the words. The text seemed plain enough but Harry didn't trust Dudley any farther than he could throw him, so he was very suspicious. He decided to take the letter at face value and reply in kind.

LETTER

Dudley:

You'll notice that I didn't say dear. If you don't particularly like someone, you can just use their name. I'm glad that you apologized but I'm afraid that it'll take more than that to make me trust you.

I think you're right, your dad did teach you a lot of bad things. Including teasing me and beating me up. I wish he hadn't, we could have been best friends and playmates, instead; we're guarded acquaintances. It's too bad really.

I'm sorry if you got hexed. I didn't do it, but I think I know who did. I'll have a talk with him, if there's any hexes left, he'll take them off. But I think I know what hexes were used, if you're losing weight and eat a lot. They're harmless. Don't worry about it.

As to the 'dresses'. Yes, I wear wizarding robes. That's what they're called, robes. I like my robes, I can hide all sorts of stuff in them. I don't think they're girly or anything.

I'm sorry you're in trouble at Smeltings. I bet Vernon won't pay for the next term, he's that sort of vindictive. And I'm sorry he was smacking you around, but I have to say that now you know how I felt. I never did anything to deserve that sort of treatment and you sure didn't help matters any. But I'm not going to dwell on that, water under the bridge and all that. But you see why I'm not in a really forgiving mood with you.

Your cousin;

Harry

Harry folded the letter but didn't seal it. He wasn't going to just send it without Lucius reading it first. He turned his head at the tap at the door.

“Come in.”

Lucius entered the room with Hedwig on his fist. “I've brought your owl for a visit. She's been fretting and it's not good for her.” He turned to an elf and ordered, “Set that up here.”

The elf set up Hedwig's perch and left with a sharp smack. Both human and owl ignored it.

Harry fussed Hedwig and fed her treats. Lucius seated himself and waited patiently, looking around the cell with interest. His interest was captured by the close bed.

“So, that's the bed, I did wonder. Is it comfortable?”

Harry ducked his head, flushing heavily. “I can't sleep in it. Sorry.”

Lucius raised an eyebrow and just waited.

“Um ... they don't call it a close bed for nothing. It's too much like my old cupboard, I feel closed in and suffocated. And I'm having ... um. Never mind that.” Harry turned even redder and fidgeted with the hem of his sleeve.

“You're having what? And do not go dumb on me. It doesn't work for Draco and it certainly won't work for you. Please never play poker. Your face is an open book.”

Harry sighed then grinned. “In bold face type. I'm not good at this sort of thing, especially when I'm tired. I'm having scar dreams. Voldemort is torturing people and I feel it through my scar. When I'm awake, I can keep him out of my head, but when I go to sleep he can get in. He can't do much more than give me evil dreams but it makes my scar hurt. I'm sorry. I do try to keep him out. Snape even gave me lessons.” Harry's face told Lucius what he thought of those. “But they didn't help.”

Lucius just stared at Harry for a moment. Then he shook his head. “Severus? I'm sure that went well.” His sarcastic tone told Harry that he believed the opposite. “We can discuss this later. I have managed to persuade the Go-between to speak with you. We'll take brooms to the border then walk in. You must stay with me, don't get off the path and obey me at once no matter what. Do you understand?”

Harry nodded. “Yes sir, I understand. Do you think the ... Go-between will let me off?”

“Perhaps. I'm hoping so. The contract demanded 90 days, that's all of the summer. I had other plans for you than sitting in a cell, no matter how nice. So come along.” He turned, robes swirling, and strode to the door.

Harry scurried to follow, snatching his cloak from the elf that popped in with it. He mumbled, 'Thanks.' and hurried to catch up with Lucius. He completely missed the stunned look on the elf's face.

.

Lucius handed Harry his broom and watched as he mounted it. He was sure that Draco was mistaken when he said that Harry turned into part of the broom, but the second Harry was astraddle the shaft he knew Draco was right. He'd never seen anyone fly like Harry.

Harry flitted this way and that, enjoying the brief seconds of freedom before he had to return to Lucius' side. He returned obediently enough when Lucius summoned him, smiling slightly at the raised blond eyebrow. Lucius looked amazingly like Draco when he did that, or the other way around.

Lucius pointed. “We'll land there.” Harry nodded to show that he'd heard, the wind rush could snatch words away before they were heard, but Lucius seemed to have the same trick of projection that both Dumbledore and Madam Hooch had. He followed Lucius down and landed right next to him. Lucius shrank their brooms and tucked them into a pocket.

It was a few minutes walk to the clearing where Lucius had come to get Harry and Harry took time this time around to look about himself. The vegetation was greener than he would have expected this early in spring and the ground warmer. It set his nerves jangling.

He kept up with Lucius who was striding along as if he wished to get something unpleasant over with quickly. He glanced at his foster father's face before he offered, “Do you think it would help if I apologized again? I did, you know. Not that me saying sorry ever did much good, but I'm willing to try again.”

Lucius considered that for a moment. “Perhaps. It certainly won't hurt.”

Harry went to sit on a stump at the edge of the clearing feeling upset and uncertain. He hadn't meant to cause all this trouble, he'd checked the map carefully before heading out. He realized that he'd assumed that forbidden areas would be marked in red. He sighed then rummaged in the pocket of the cloak to see if Lucius had returned his copy of the map. He had and Harry examined it again. It still stubbornly showed nothing.

Lucius watched Harry covertly and was sorry to see that the boy looked so dejected. He decided that, once they got his confinement sorted, he'd see if he couldn't provide him with some sort of treat. Maybe a visit from Ronald Weasley, if he could persuade the boy to sneak off. He wasn't too concerned with allowing the boy to disobey Arthur and Molly. In fact, he regarded it as an excellent prank.

The click of some sort of metal on metal attracted the attention of both of them. The Go-between was standing at the edge of the clearing awaiting their attention. The sound they'd heard was him tapping a ring against his dagger hilt.

Lucius bowed slightly to the being. Harry wasn't sure what kind of magical person he was, he'd never seen anyone like him. The being advanced regally, walking as if his feet didn't really touch the ground. He examined Harry for several moments while Harry forced himself not to squirm.

“I understand from His Highness that you have a map?” Harry nodded as the person was looking at him. “May I see it please?”

“Yes, sir. Here it is.” Harry hopped off the stump and handed the Go-between the map.

“Hummm. It's marked quite clearly.” He looked at Harry sternly. “I don't like liars young man.”

Harry glowered indignantly. “No matter what you've heard, I don't lie. It's not marked. Look at it again, there's not a mark on it except for the property boundary, Mr. Go-between.”

The Go-between eyed Harry for a moment then held up a hand before Lucius could say something.

“Peace between us, Lucius Malfoy. Name exchange is necessary. I am Gondost Lantholsel. Will it please you to gift me with your name, youngling?”

Harry bowed slightly, it seemed appropriate. “Harry or Harrison James Potter. At your service, sir.”

“Ah! A good name. You are fostered by Msr. De Malfoy?”

“Yes, sir.” Harry glanced at Lucius for a second. Lucius was maintaining his coldest face by force of will alone. This could go badly, if Harry caused offense they could both be killed.

“Well! Polite, that's good. Now, you say there are no marks on the map?”

Harry shook his head. “No, there aren't. I looked carefully before I started out.”

Gondost pointed to the map. “Right there. The boundaries are clearly marked. See?”

Harry stared at the map and Lucius looked over his shoulder. The point on the map showed a faint glimmer of silver, barely visible in the dim sunlight of the overcast day. Harry pointed to it and exclaimed indignantly, “What? That? It's ... Papa? If I say another word ....” Harry trailed off glaring at the parchment.

Lucius took over quickly. “I don't see anything either. Could you show us where the markings are and perhaps read the warning?”

Gondost pointed and read, “ 'Darklings here. No one enter on peril of your life.' and the markings are quite clear.” He traced the nearly invisible line with an elegant finger. “Right here.”

Harry squinted. “I really don't see anything. I'm very sorry.”

Lucius shook his head. “I don't see it either.”

“Hmmm, I understand. Yes, you wouldn't. We're all fools. I have to go speak to the king. Stay here until I return.” Gondost disappeared with a flash of light. Harry blinked, that was interesting.

“Sir? Who is he? I mean, he introduced himself and all but what is he?”

Lucius started, he hadn't told Harry anything about the Darklings, a mistake, he realized now. He took a deep breath and explained, “The Darklings are a species of elf. The Eldritch kind. They're Dark Neutral and they usually refuse to interfere in the affairs of men but they will if it causes them annoyance. The Malfoy family has been their only contact with the wizarding world for eight centuries. And even then we've only contacted them when summoned to the Crossroads by the Go-between. The same Go-between. When we're called, we come. The last call was just before the Grindelwald war. My grandfather was summoned. I don't know what he was told but he was furious and immediately went to join the war. I suspect he was told not to, perverse old fart had to do what he was told not to. I've only been here once before, to be introduced to the Go-between. This last two times are actually more than any other Malfoy in six centuries. I'm not sure that's a happy thing.”

Harry was goggle eyed by now and thinking fast. “Ok, so one of the rules is that no one can come here until they are summoned?” Lucius nodded. “That's bad. I remember that the prince asked me if I was a fosterling and I told him yes. That's good, I think. If ...” Harry trailed off, scowling.

Lucius questioned Harry with remarkable patience. “That's good, if ...?”

Harry started a bit then brought himself back to the present. “Well, it's good, if being fostered is regarded as the same as being blood. At least I have some pretense of eligibility. Now I just have to figure out how to make it work.”

Lucius patted Harry's shoulder. “Leave that to me, if it becomes necessary. We'll wait until the Go-between comes back then we'll play it by ear. Be polite, you've done well so far.”

Harry nodded and moved to stand beside Lucius to wait for the Go-between.

It didn't take long for the Darkling to return with a small smile on his face. “Well, the prince was over ruled by the king. I trust that you have actually confined the young man?” Lucius nodded regally, a rather indignant expression on his face. “Of course you have. We'll count the punishment as his time already served. Prince Randdil is rather harsh. He lost his favorite brother and his wife in the last human-darkling war and has no patience with children. Now. I'm to check the young man over, I have instructions.”

Lucius nodded to Harry and said, “I'm sure he won't hurt you. He examined me, it felt a bit odd but that was all.”

Harry stifled his objections and stood where Gondost pointed. Gondost stood facing him and waved his hands in a mystical pattern then blinked. “Oh, my. Very interesting. I have a book here for you. I've carried it for years upon years. You will find the staff and use it.” He handed Harry a limp bound book and a small leather bag then walked away, calling over his shoulder. “Close the Crossroads as you leave, please. Our duty is ended now. You have the book, you have the devil's bag, you know what to do. Good-bye.”

Harry gapped after him, open mouthed. “Wha ... I mean, Um ... Do what?” Quickly tucking the bag into a pocket he opened the book, seeking more information.

Lucius swallowed thickly. This was not good at all. He had no idea what the Go-between meant by 'close the crossroads', none at all. He started to pace, trying the think what to do.

Harry settled on the stump and puzzled his way through the archaic Anglo-Saxon, waving his hand to memorize the wand motions. This spell did more than close the Crossroads but he didn't want to make his Papa or the Darkling prince angry by failing his task.

“Harry, come along.” Lucius was just distracted enough that he didn't tell Harry that he was going to have to research how to close the Crossroads, he just walked away, expecting Harry to follow.

“Yes, sir. I'm coming.” Harry obediently trotted after Lucius, wondering where the boundaries were. He didn't want to cast the spell and get caught on the wrong side of them. He looked around as they walked and spotted a standing stone. “Papa? Is this the boundary between the Darkings land and yours?”

Lucius nodded absently, mentally surveying a list of books he hoped would have answers. “Yes, hurry along now, we need to get this done as soon as possible. There's no sense in antagonizing the Darkling lords more than they are already. And do take good care of that book.”

Harry offered it to Lucius with a crestfallen expression. He'd memorized the spell by now and assumed that Lucius wouldn't let him keep such an obviously valuable book. Lucius reached over to take it but the vicious snap and blue spark dissuaded him. “I think you'd better keep it.” He had to smile at Harry. “I wasn't going to take it away from you. I was going to put it in the library for safe keeping but it obviously doesn't want to be separated from you. However, it is old and should be treated with respect. There's a special section for old books that need special care. By the way, you're free to read any book that you want, just be gentle with the older ones.”

Harry couldn't help lighting up at that. “Oh, thank you, Papa, I'd like that. But ... Could you teach me spells to protect this book ... and some of my other stuff?”

“I'd be pleased to. I've noticed that you don't know a lot of spells that I'd expect you to. Dumbledore fell down on the job in more ways than one. I'm thinking about having you tutored all this summer. There are many things you should know that you don't. Come along, don't dawdle.”

Harry followed the path for about another eight or ten feet then turned to cast his spell. He felt the rush of magic explode through him. It burned him like fiendfyre. He faltered a bit then steadied himself and finished the spell. There was a clap of thunder and a strange sizzle. Nothing much seemed changed at first but there was a change. One that could only be felt by a powerful wizard.

Lucius turned just in time to see Harry complete the spell and let his arm drop. He stood for a moment then crumpled to the ground. Lucius snarled and hurried to his side.

He picked Harry up and settled on the ground with Harry in his lap.

“Damn it, boy, I just get you healthy and something else happens to you. If this keeps up Voldemort won't have to kill you, you'll do it for him.” He fished in his pockets for a moment then pulled out a vial. “Here, drink this.” He held the potion to Harry's lips but one whiff made him turn his head away. “No you don't. Drink, I said!” Harry swallowed the foul tasting stuff and shuddered.

“Oh, shite. That stuff is just gross. What? Why are we on the ground?”

“You passed out. What the bloody hell were you doing?”

“Closing the Crossroads.” Harry tried to maintain a reasonable tone of voice, he almost succeeded. Instead of sounding angry, he managed to sound sullen.

Lucius ignored that, very familiar with this behavior from Draco. “And how did you learn to do that?”

Harry blinked at him like a little owl. “From the book, of course, it's the first spell.”

Lucius wondered if the boy ever thought before he did something. He decided that Harry didn't and vowed to break him of that habit.

“And you just did it without a thought. Stupid boy, what if it had killed you?”

“Oh. I didn't think of that. But the Go-between told me to close the Crossroads. And the first spell was to do exactly that. And you said to do it. So I did. I didn't know it'd make me faint. It felt like I was on fire for a second there then the portal closed and I felt really weak. I'm ok now. Can we go home? I'm hungry. Do I have to be locked up again?”

Lucius wondered why Severus hadn't hexed the boy silly by now. Trust any sixteen year old to think of his stomach before almost anything else.

“Yes, we'll go home now and no, you don't have to be locked up again.” Lucius stood up then helped Harry to his feet. He handed Harry his  broom. “Mount your broom and be careful. I'll put a leading string on you if you so much as twitch in a way I don't approve of. Fly slowly. Do you understand me?”

Harry sighed but nodded. “Yes, sir, I understand.”

They flew in silence each of them immersed in their own thoughts until the manor house come into view. Harry slowed enough that he followed Lucius down to the croquette lawn where they landed gently and walked up to the house.

Draco was waiting for them by the French doors, a worried expression on his face. Lucius followed Harry through the doors and started to speak to him, but Harry had already headed for the stairs to the dungeon where his room was.

“Harry, stop, you don't have to go back down there. Remember? Sit on the divan here.”

Lucius was startled to see Harry waver then sit down in the nearest  chair, hard. “Oh, I forgot. But ... I did so want to walk in the garden. There's a snake, you see. And I have to read this book. The Go-between said to.”

Draco listened to this rambling speech with growing alarm. “Father, what is wrong with him?”

“Rebound. He cast a strange spell, a very powerful one. The Go-between gave Harry a book and told him to read it. The Crossroads are closed due to that spell.”

Lucius turned to Harry who looked like he might fall out of his chair. “Come along, I think you need to be in bed. You can't have slept well for the last few nights.” At Draco's inquiring sound, he continued, “You didn't sleep in the closed bed and a mattress on the hearth is not soft. I've felt Voldemort through my Mark and you say you can feel him through your scar?”

Harry nodded, suddenly feeling so weary that he had to fight not to cry. “Yes, it hurts something awful and bleeds too. Madam Pomfrey gives me Dreamless Sleep sometimes, but I don't like opiates. I don't want to get addicted. But ... I think I'd really like my own bed just now.”

Draco paled alarmingly but Lucius missed it as he was helping Harry to his feet. Draco hurried to get ahead of his father and foster brother, hiding his face from them both. Harry looked horrible, his white face and slight tremor scared Draco nearly out of his wits.

Draco made it to Harry's proper rooms first and called for service. Mimsey popped in just in time to intercept a flood of orders which included warming the bed, bringing pajamas, warm milk and a hot brick. She just nodded and blinked in and out to bring everything. Lucius helped Harry into the pajamas and onto a bedside chair then held the cup while he sipped the milk. While he was doing this, Draco turned down the bed with his own hands and tucked the flannel wrapped brick at the foot.

Harry managed to finish the milk, a slightly dazed expression on his face. Lucius helped him into the bed and Draco drew the covers up to his chin. Harry settled down with a groan. “I feel so bad. Everything hurts. What is happening to me?” He shivered violently and groaned again.

Lucius rubbed his chin, thinking. Harry had performed a Darkling spell, now he was suffering from rebound. Obviously, he had no idea what was going on. “You used a great deal of magic too close the Crossroads, now you're having what is called a rebound attack. Your magic is seeking to replenish itself. You'll feel cold and shaky for a bit. You'll be fine in the morning.” He patted Harry's shoulder gently. “Hush and try to sleep. If you get too miserable I'll give you a potion. I'd rather not if you can do without. It's better for you.”

Harry sighed and settled back again. He was going to ask some questions and take a peek into the devil's bag but, instead, he fell asleep. Lucius watched him for a moment then nodded to Draco to follow him.

Draco glanced at Harry then did as he was told.

.

The next morning Harry was awakened by Mimsey calling, “Master Harry, sir, what is you wanting to be doing with this nasty one?”

He pried his eyes open and looked over the edge of the high bed to see Mimsey standing on the small bed side rug with another house-elf's ear in her hand. Harry blinked once or twice, trying to figure out what was going on, rather difficult after a bout of rebound sickness and no tea. He rubbed his face and sat up, swinging his feet over the side of the bed and onto the floor.

“Um ... I don't know. What did he do?”

“He is making that bad map. He is bad house elf. Bad, bad. Shame on you.” She shook her finger at the other elf who just whimpered.

“Oh, well ... Take him to Papa, I guess. Tell him everything you know and let him decide. I'm ... not family, so it's not my position to decide. When you're done, could you find my trainers?”

Mimsey just nodded once and popped out.

She was gone just long enough for Harry to take a shower and brush his teeth. He was contemplating whether he needed to shave when she popped back in.

“Master Lucius, sir, is punishing the bad elf. He is saying that you must not run today, you is resting. Yes? So, Mimsey is not finding trainers until after you is at breakfast. Mimsey is putting out your gi so that you can do ... yogi? And dance before eating. Shoo, now.”

Harry took his gi with a laugh. “Thanks. I'll do yoga and tai chi. I might actually do some dancing too. Then breakfast.” Harry sighed. “I would really like some strawberries. When will they be in season?”

“Mimsey is not sure. There is seasons and seasons. Master Harry should be asking Master Lucius. Go, or you is being late to breakfast.”

Harry pulled on his gi, never thinking that anyone would be looking for him this early. So when Lucius came looking for him, all he found was an empty room except for Mimsey.

When questioned, Mimsey told Lucius that Harry was in his dojo, working out. Of course Lucius remembered where Harry's workout area was. He even remembered that Harry had called it a dojo.

He left Mimsey with a curt order about what clothing to put out for Harry when he returned to change for breakfast.

It didn't take him long to find Harry but, instead of making Harry aware of his presence, he watched.

Harry was in the middle of his Yang Long form tai chi routine, he had just finished Embrace the Tiger, Return to Mountain and was looking away from Lucius. Lucius took advantage of this to step into the room and take a seat on a small stool near the wall. He watched as Harry worked his way through the 108 forms of the routine.

Harry had finally decided to go from the 64 form routine to the more complicated and demanding 108 forms. He was now working his way through them and sweating.  Lucius worried for a moment that Harry was going to overextend himself, but didn't have the heart to stop him. He looked so happy and he wasn't sweating rivers, his skin was just a bit more than damp.

Completely oblivious to his observer, Harry moved from the final form, Close of Session, into a yoga Sun Salutation and on into his yoga. Lucius observed this closely too. He couldn't believe some of the contortions Harry accomplished. When he lay down to rest, Lucius stirred then remembered Harry telling him that this rest was necessary so that he could prepare himself for standing up. He settled back again, noticing that Harry rolled his eyes to glance at him before closing them again.

After about five minutes Harry rolled into a sitting position and smiled at Lucius. “I'm sorry, sir, were you in a hurry?”

“No, I just was enjoying watching you. Very impressive, but don't you dare overdo it today.”

“I won't. I was thinking about trying a kata but, after the tai chi, I decided to just do some restorative yoga and leave it at that. But now I'm all sweaty again. If you don't mind, I'll take a quick shower before I come to breakfast.”

Lucius stood up, flicked his wand and smiled.

Harry felt a cool breeze waft over him and all the sweat disappeared. Harry vowed to learn that spell, it wouldn't do if he was really sweaty but as a quick clean up, it was very nice.

Lucius chuckled softly. “Again I say, don't ever play poker your face is an open book. Yes, I will teach you the spell. It's better than a quick wash if you're just lightly sweaty. I don't recommend it for constant use though.” Harry wondered at the sour expression that flitted over his foster father's face. “Well, get changed and let's go upstairs. I have a special treat for you and Draco.”

Harry wondered what the treat was. He'd had so few in his life that every one was savored carefully.

He quickly stripped out of his gi, accepted the robes that Mimsey brought and hurried into them. Lucius politely turned his back as Harry changed.

.

Draco contemplated the morning with delight. He loved going to the Isle du Fraises to pick strawberries. He contemplated the thought of crepes with strawberries and cream frache with longing. And he wished Lucius and Harry would hurry up.

He was glad that Harry was free and could go with them on this traditional treat. Every year he and his father went to the island in the south of France to pick the first berries of the year and make crepes. He was fairly drooling by the time Lucius and Harry walked in.

Lucius nodded to his impatient offspring and smiled. “Well, what are we waiting for? Draco you have my permission to apparate alone. Harry, so do you. Here are the coordinates, go.”

Lucius watched as Draco left for the Dover half way point. His pop was sharp, precise and just the right strength. The sound being the measure of the power behind the spell; the louder it was, the stronger it was.

Harry's pop was more of a minor explosion and Lucius gritted his teeth and left for the Dover point, his heart clenched in fear. Harry was sure to have splinched himself.

As he moved out of the apparition point Lucius grabbed Draco, gave him a hasty explanation and popped on to the Isle de Frazies. He was stunned to find Harry standing just outside the ring of cobble stones that marked the safety zone on the island. He turned as Lucius stormed up to his side.

“Harrison James Potter! If you ever do something so foolish again I'll cane you, I swear I will. What were you thinking?”

Harry just looked stunned for a moment. “That you told me to come here. You did give me the coordinates, you know. What did I do wrong. I swear I did exactly what you told me to do.”

Lucius took a deep breath and grabbed his temper with both hands. Luckily for both of them Draco popped in just then and the distraction was just enough to give Lucius the calm he needed to deal with this without shouting.

The first words out of Draco's mouth were, “Sir, is he alright? Should I fetch Mother?”

Harry replied, “I'm fine. What's all the fuss about? Papa said to come here. He didn't say anything about Dover.” Harry's eyes flicked from Draco to Lucius, his confusion plain.

Lucius sighed. Harry was one of those sorts who needed things spelled out for him. “Harry, you remember when we went to Paris?” Harry nodded. “I told you then that Dover is the half way point.” Then Lucius went very quiet, so still that he could have been under Petrificus Totalus. He felt a cold chill climb his spine as he realized that Harry was powerful enough to apparate from Wiltshire to the south of France in one jump. Draco turned pale too, as he realized the implications of Harry's 900 mile jump.

Harry also turned pale. “Oh, damn it! Not again! Can I get any more freaky? What is it?”

Lucius vowed to get revenge on both Dumbledore and the Dursleys for Harry's low self-esteem.

“Harry, you're not a freak. It's just that the only wizards that I know of who could apparate that far without splinching themselves are Dumbledore and Voldemort. We're on a small island near Ile du Levant, that's a 900 mile jump, plus or minus a bit. You could have splinched yourself.” He rubbed his face. “Young man, you're going to turn me gray before my time.”

Draco was trying very hard not to scream. He was just as frightened as Lucius without the iron self-control that kept his father from doing something stupid. So instead he stormed up to Harry and snarled in his face, “Damn it. You're going to kill yourself and I won't have it. No one has ever put a leash on you. Dumbledore just lets you run around, willy-nilly, risking your life and limb. And ... and ...” He flailed his arms, trying to express the inexpressible. “Damn! Father ... tell him.”

“I believe he knows exactly what we feel.” Harry was looking completely gobsmacked but he nodded. “Now, I suggest that you calm down and we go pick berries. Deep breath.” Draco took the breath, as did Harry. “Now let it out slowly.” Lucius followed his own advice. “Better?” Both boys nodded. “Good, now we'll pick berries, have our crepes and enjoy the day. Right?” His tone of voice suggested that they agree, they did, with vigorous nodding on Harry's part.

As they walked up a slight rise, Harry looked around himself. The area was beautiful, well kept and dotted with elves. He admired the neat rows of berry plants.

Lucius handed Harry and Draco baskets and walked away. Harry was amused to see that both Lucius and Draco were followed by an elf. Lucius pointed to something with his cane and the elf hurried to where he pointed. He returned to Lucius with a strawberry which he dropped into the basket over his arm.

Harry snorted, he could see at least a dozen berries that both Lucius and Draco had missed. He motioned for the elf assigned to him to take the basket and follow him.

“What's your name?”

The elf blinked, startled and fearful. “Excusing me, sir?”

“What's your name? I can't just call you, 'hey, you.'”

“Oh. This elf's name is Dede.” Dede bowed slightly and hefted the basket.

“Nice name. Come on then, let's get to work.” Harry walked down a row a little way and knelt. Dede gasped and hurried to him. “Master, sir, is you alright? What is it?”

Harry had to laugh. “I'm not a Malfoy to point and wait for you to pick one berry. I'll do the picking, you hold the basket and keep up with me.”

With that, Harry started picking in earnest. It didn't take Dede long to realize that Harry meant business as the basket was half full before Harry had crawled four feet. When Dede made to exchange baskets Harry called him back, “Where are you going? That basket isn't full yet.”

Dede took his life in his hands, in his estimation at least. “Dede is changing baskets. If master fills it too much more the berries will get all mashed. Good for jam and jelly, not good for crepes. Is it ok?”

Harry grinned at the elf, making him quiver with joy. “Brilliant. I didn't know that. Thank you. Go get a new basket, I'll just wait here.” Harry settled back in seiza, sitting on his feet comfortably.

Dede was back quickly with another basket and Lucius. Lucius smiled at Harry who grinned back.

“I see that you've outdone both Draco and I together. Why are you kneeling on the ground?”

“Because that's how I pick berries. I reach out and do this.” Harry demonstrated with another grin. “There. And here's another. You have to lift up the leaves to find the best one's.” He popped the berry he'd just picked into his mouth and hummed happily as the sweet juices flooded his mouth. “They're really good. And there's fields and fields of them.” He stood at Lucius' gesture and went to stand near him. “What do you do with them all? Surely you don't let them go to waste.”

“No, they don't go to waste. The family owns a very small, very exclusive company that makes jellies and jams. The berries are made into jam and syrup.” He nodded to Dede. “Bring that. We have more than enough berries to make our crepes. Come along, Harry.”

Harry followed Lucius over the crest of a small hill and down into the valley beyond. He couldn't help but smile at the view. The valley was filled with trees; apple, pear, peach, cherry, any kind of tree imaginable. All in bloom at the moment. And under the trees, more fruit; vines of grape, raspberry, blackberry, and some he didn't recognize. Right in the middle of all this was a small summer house which was were Lucius was leading him.

Draco was standing in the door waiting for them with a scowl on his face.

Lucius sighed and patted Draco on the shoulder. “Your mother being difficult?”

“Yes, sir. She refuses to send the cook to make our crepes.”

Harry just shrugged. “So, let her. I can make crepes. I just need the ingredients. I'll just send Dede to get them. That's alright, isn't it?” Harry gave Lucius a quick look, worried that he might have overstepped his bounds.

“If you can actually make them. Where did you learn to make crepes?”

Harry flushed then paled. “At the Dursleys. Aunt Petunia had a lady's night once a month. I'd cook all sorts of things then ... get out of the way so they could eat them. I can make blintzes, and ...”

Lucius cut him off far more gently than Draco had ever seen him be. “Pray spare me a list of all the things you can make. Just tell Dede what you need.”

Harry called Dede and told him what he needed. Dede tugged at his ear before replying, “Dede is not a house elf. Dede is being only a field elf. Field elveses is not knowing how to cook these things into master's food.”

Harry just patted him on the shoulder. “Don't worry, just get me the stuff. I'm going to do the cooking, just to prove that I can.” He shot Lucius a challenging look to which Lucius replied with a raised eyebrow. Draco shot a glance from one to the other then settled down to watch his father eat his inference. If Harry said he could do something, he was usually proven right.

Dede popped away and returned almost at once with a several containers on a tray. Harry examined the containers then grinned. “Well, it seems that someone was planning to be here, all the ingredients are already measured, all I have to do is mix them and make the crepes. The filling is even ready. It won't take long at all.”

Lucius watched in amazement and Draco in amusement while Harry made the batter, heated the pan and started making crepes. The thin pancakes cooked in no time and Harry soon had quite a few of them, neatly stacked on a warm platter.

Harry glanced at Draco. “Cast a warming charm on that platter, will you? My hands are covered with muck and a bit occupied just now.” Draco cast the charm, snickering at Harry's flour and berry juice spattered hands. “Fine, just laugh it up. You'll get no crepes if you're not careful.”

Harry's grin made Draco grin back. “I'll pout.”

Harry shuddered at the threat. “I give. Spare me the lip, please.”

Harry continued to make crepes until he was satisfied with his output. He turned to the basket of berries, intending to stem them. But Dede had already quietly done the job. “Thank you. That was very nice of you.” Harry took the bowl and examined the contents. The berries were small, very sweet and dark red. They were already juicing out so he just dumped castor sugar on them and stirred it in. He set the bowl aside and tasted the filling, it was perfect; creamy and sweet.

Draco eyed the stuff doubtfully. “What is that? I don't recognize it.”

“It's filling. I don't mix berries in the filling, but some do. Do you?”

Draco looked at Lucius, at a complete loss. “Father?”

Lucius just shrugged slightly. “Why don't you do it your way, Harry? I'm sure the results will be more than acceptable. I stand corrected, by the way. You obviously know what you're doing. I'd be interested in hearing what else you can make. At a later date.” Harry missed the look that flashed across Lucius' face, Draco did not and wondered what had made his father angry.

Draco watched eagerly as Harry plopped a large dollop of filling on a crepe, rolled it up then smeared sour cream on top of that. He put it on a plate which contained two more crepes, after pouring some of the strawberry syrup over them he spooned on a generous helping of berries, dusted it with powdered sugar and handed it to Lucius. Draco soon had his own plate.

Harry took the last two crepes and started scraping the remains of the filling out of the bowl, there was really only enough for one but he could make do with it. There was still plenty of syrup and berries after all.

Lucius and Draco noticed at the same time that Harry had shorted himself. Draco showed his growing sense of connection with Harry by immediately announcing, “That's not right. Father, he's shorted himself for us.”

Lucius just reached over and took the plate with it's lonely crepe from Harry. He took one crepe from his plate and put it on Harry's, Draco did the same. “There. Now we each have three. Put more berries on all of them.” Harry did as he was told. “Very good.”

Harry couldn't help the rather idiotic grin that spread over his face. He settled down to eat crepes for the first time in his life. He moaned as the sweet syrup hit his taste buds then the sweet creamy filling. “Oh, man, that's so good. I've never had them, you know.”

Draco nearly choked on his bite and had to take a sip of tea to clear his throat. “What! But you just said ... you just made these.”

Harry blinked at Draco. “Just because I made them doesn't mean I've actually eaten them. Aunt Petunia didn't see the need for me to do more than taste the filling to see that it was ok. There's a lot of stuff I can make that I've never done more than taste.”

Draco showed his father that he'd learned some self-control. “I see. That's ... outrageous. Terrible.” His eyes flicked between Lucius and Harry. Lucius nodded. “I think some of the rumors circulating Hogwarts are right after all. Your relatives are ... barbarians. And Dumbledore ...”

Harry made a face of disgust. “Don't get me started. Eat your crepes and forget it. You'll only upset your stomach.” He smiled at Draco's annoyed face. “Eat. We can discuss my aunt ... well, never. She's out of the picture, but ...” Harry turned to face Lucius. “Papa, I do need to talk to you about Dudley.”

“After dinner. I don't want to spoil my appetite speaking of that waste of skin just now.”

Harry nodded. “Ok. Later then. Oh, has anyone heard anything about the Wimborn Wasps  vs. the Chuddly Cannons?”

The rest of the meal was enlivened with a spirited discussion of Quidditch and various teams.  

As they headed for the apparition point, Lucius held Harry back for a moment. He faced Harry and took him by the shoulders, cupping Harry's cheek in one hand, he said, “Never short yourself again. You deserve good things. There was enough for each of us to have plenty. Do you understand me?”

Harry's eyes widened. “Sir?”

Lucius stroked Harry's cheek. “You put everyone before yourself. That's not right. You deserve a fair share of everything good. Don't short yourself ever again.” He gave Harry a little shake. “In life, there's always plenty for everyone, it's your duty to the family to see that we get all we deserve. Understand?”

Harry nodded. “Yes, sir. I understand.” His slightly stunned expression made Lucius believe that Harry was at least beginning to.
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