Be afraid, be very afraid

Thank you to all of you that have taken the time to read this as well as review. I appreciate all of your comments.

All canon characters belong to JKR.

Thanks to June for all of her help and suggestions.

Chapter 18 – Be afraid, be very afraid

Harry reached his room, intending to do just as he had told Lucius. But once he closed the door, he realized he had no desire to wank off; considering how angry he was, he might just rip his dick off by accident. He couldn't believe he'd ingested Veritaserum. In his head he tried to think of how Lucius could have gotten the potion in his drink that morning, but couldn't figure out how he'd done it. No matter, it was done.

Right now, Harry had to figure out what to do. He wasn't sure how long he would be under the influence of the potion. For all he knew, he would be under this torment for hours, even days. He could avoid the others for the remainder of his stay, or he could just go home – but he found that he didn't want to do either. Now it was personal. If Lucius wanted to make him look like an idiot, then two could play at that game.

Feeling the need to work off the tension he felt, Harry decided to throw caution to the wind and give it a go, so he walked into the bathroom. Maybe a good wank would clear his head.

"A good wank, and I'll figure something out," he said.

As Harry closed the door of his bathroom, Odin and Sage – who were standing on the other side of the wall – looked at one another.

"All right, what in the world is a wank anyway?" asked Sage.

Odin shrugged. "Beats me."

Downstairs Lucius was still laughing, as was Severus. Albus had a smile on his face, and the women were scowling and standing with their arms folded.

"What?" asked Severus innocently, as he noticed his wife's arched brow.

"I don't suppose you would know how that Veritaserum got into Harry's pumpkin juice," asked Hermione.

"Honestly, I don't. But now that I think about it, it's a brilliant idea," answered Severus.

"Severus, it isn't fair to put that into someone's drink without telling them," said Ginny.

Lucius walked towards her and placed his hand on her shoulder.

"I suppose it was fair for Harry to send away for my transcript and just conveniently place it where you would find it?" he asked her.

Ginny looked at Lucius in disbelief.

"That was Harry's doing?" Ginny looked at the others. By the looks on their faces, she knew they some of them were just as surprised as she was. "But, how? Harry needed permission from my father to get those, and I know Dad wouldn't allow those sort of documents to leave the Ministry, ever."

"We don't exactly have proof," said Hermione. "But Severus saw Hedwig delivering a Ministry package to Harry's room last evening. We're pretty sure it was the transcript."

Ginny bowed her head and sighed deeply. "Oh, Harry."

Lucius pulled her close to him and walked with her to the couch. Ginny had lost too many tears over Harry the last few years, and she vowed she would lose no more. It would be easy to forget all she had gone through with Harry, knowing that now she had a man like Lucius to love. Still she felt betrayed, and she felt the need for the comfort her new lover was giving her now.

Albus turned to Severus.

"Much as I hate to see this happening to Harry, I think perhaps this may be the thing he needs to grow up," Albus spoke tiredly.

"I agree. Harry's suppressed his feelings for so many years. He's been stagnant, not wanting to admit to himself that the world and those in it move on. Now, he has no choice but to face the truth, not just from us but from himself," Severus said. He knew very well that Veritaserum not only worked to the advantage of the person asking the questions, but it worked to the disadvantage of the victim. Harry's inner voice would also succumb to the potion.

As the afternoon rolled on, Harry stayed alone in his room, thinking of Quidditch. It seemed to be the only thoughts that didn't attack him personally.

The rest of the group sat companionably in the living room, waiting for Draco and Cho to arrive. At three o'clock, the Floo rumbled slightly as it always does before guests arrive, and Draco and Cho walked through with several bags in tow.

"Draco," Lucius greeted his son with a warm hug, then turned to his daughter-in-law and hugged her as well.

Severus and Hermione walked toward the couple and greeted them, as did Albus and Minerva.

"I'm so happy you could both come," said Severus.

"Thank you for inviting us," Draco said. He'd grown into a carbon copy of his father. They both looked so much alike, that sometimes in public people had to do a double-take to decide which Malfoy they were seeing. He'd grown out of his bratty nature and become a fine businessman and husband.

As handsome as Draco was, Cho was just as beautiful. Her dark hair cascaded down her back, catching the light with every strand. She wasn't as tall as him, but they fit together nicely, and the contrast of their looks made heads turn.

Hermione and Minerva took Cho's bag and walked with her towards the stairs.

"I haven't seen you in ages," said Hermione.

"My dear, you are positively lovely, just as I remembered you," chimed Minerva.

"Thank you, Minerva. We do have quite a bit of catching up to do, Hermione." Cho walked up the stairs with the two witches, while the men and Ginny stayed in the living room.

Albus decided to take a walk in the gardens. They were so beautiful, he thought of making a miniature copy of them for Minerva and himself to enjoy once they got back to Hogwarts.

After the women and Albus had left, Severus realized that his children were missing. Thinking they were no doubt up to something, he took his leave.

"If you will excuse me as well, I've just noticed my children have mysteriously disappeared. And for some reason that makes me nervous."

"Severus, nothing can happen to them here," said Lucius.

"Lucius, it's not them I'm worried about; it's us."

Just as Severus turned to leave, Lucius grabbed his arm. Lucius remembered that when they were in Hogwarts as students together, Draco didn't get along well with Ginny, or any other Gryffindors. Wanting his son and his...his what? Girlfriend? Lover? Future wife? Well, wanting his son and Ginny to get along, the thought of leaving them alone together might be a good idea.

"I'll help you, Severus. Perhaps your children are in the dungeons. They... ah...helped me with a project down there a few days ago and seemed to know their way around quite well." Lucius turned to Draco and Ginny. "We'll be back shortly."

Severus nodded, and both men walked away.

Draco and Ginny eyed each other carefully.

"Weaselette," said Draco with distaste.

"Ferret," countered Ginny.

They both stared at one another for several long moments, then burst out into laughter. Draco closed the distance between them and threw his arms around Ginny.

"How are you, love?" he asked.

"I'm wonderful," said Ginny.

It had been a great secret, but Ginny and Draco had dated for several months before they amiably separated, when he got involved with Cho and she with Harry (again).

"So," said Draco as he pulled back and looked down at her. "You and my father?"

Ginny smiled and blushed.

"Now I see where you get your charm," she said as she pushed away from him slightly and turned towards the fireplace. "I hoped you wouldn't be upset." Ginny turned back around and faced him.

Draco smiled sadly at her.

"When my mum died, I never wanted my father to be with anyone again. I know they loved each other. But I also know he didn't love her like he loves you. I've known for some time that my parents' marriage was arranged when they were young. But there were times when we were happy as a family. Thanks to Cho, I realize that he needed someone too." Draco approached her and took her hand.

"He has told me he loves you so much, Ginny, and I'm happy for him. You will take care of him, won't you? Because believe it or not, he needs that more than you do."

Ginny smiled and nodded. He was right.

Seeing a very sappy moment approaching the horizon, Draco decided to revert to his former self.

"Just don't expect me to call you 'Mummy,' Weasley."

She giggled, only to stop and look at Draco in horror.

"What?" asked Draco alarmed.

"Thank Merlin we never...you know," said Ginny.

Draco's eyes went wide.

"Oh, gods! Ginny, I don't know when I've ever been so happy to NOT have slept with someone. Look, no one knows we dated..."

"And nobody needs to know. It might make Lucius and Cho a little uncomfortable."

Agreeing to keep mum about their former relationship, they walked out of the living room together.

As Lucius predicted, Odin and Sage had indeed wandered into the dungeons. Not satisfied with how little Harry suffered, they mutually decided that it was time to, as the Muggle chef Emeril says, "kick it up a notch." Sage was flipping some pages in a newer looking spells book, when she came upon something that could prove to be quite interesting.

"Odin, look," she said as she looked up from the book to her brother. "If this doesn't want to make him leave, nothing will."

Odin looked at the spell and smiled.

"I wonder if he will take requests."

It just so happened that the spell Sage found caused the victim to break out into Broadway show tunes. It was called "Concentio hilaris" or the "Singing Gay" spell.

Yes, this would be an interesting evening. Chances were that Harry would still be under the influence of the Veritaserum. That coupled with the new spell would prove to be quite a show.

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I hope you enjoyed this chapter.