Severus slashed his wand angrily, dropping the Silencing Charm.
“Well, well,” Lucius drawled. “It would appear that you presented me with quite an offer, when even your companion finds it such a concern.”
Harry glared at Lucius for his comment, but as his words sank in, he glanced sharply at Severus. He suddenly had the distinct impression that he’d just been played. He was fairly certain Severus had just helped him convince Lucius that he had viable options, which was what Harry had wanted. Of course, he didn’t doubt that Severus was angry with him and still wouldn’t allow Lucius to return to Voldemort knowing about the locket. He turned his glare back to Lucius, still wound up after arguing with Severus.
“Unbreakable Vow,” Harry ground out, moving to kneel before Lucius. “Now.”
Severus unbound him and Lucius gazed at Harry unblinkingly for long seconds before he held out his right hand. Harry grasped it firmly in his own right hand without hesitation, their gazes locked.
Severus had moved with Harry and he touched his wand to their hands.
“Will you, Lucius, go undercover into Malfoy Manor with me, Harry, to retrieve Slytherin’s locket?”
Lucius’ eyes widened, clearly not having thought about what Harry was wanting to retrieve. “I will,” he answered, regardless.
Severus had told him what this would entail, but Harry was still surprised by the tendril of flame that wrapped hotly around their hands.
“And will you do everything possible to return to this location with me undetected after retrieving the locket?”
“I will,” said Lucius.
“And will you keep secret, in all manner, the details of your escape from Azkaban?”
“I will,” Lucius said again.
Harry’s gaze finally dropped down to their joined hands to see the fiery coil of magic linking their hands together. Severus muttered an incantation and Harry watched as the magic sank into their skin, binding them.
He glanced at Severus, who gave him a slight nod of approval. He let go of Lucius’ hand. “Let’s go before it gets any later,” Harry said grimly, rising to his feet.
“Potter, I am unaware of how much you know, but it will be difficult to remain undetected in the Manor,” Lucius said. “Even if there are no . . . unexpected guests, there are still the house-elves. If nothing else, the Dark Lord will be informed that I have returned,” he warned.
“There won’t be any unexpected guests tonight, we’re going in under Draco’s wards as his guests, the house-elves have been directed to stay in their quarters until morning, and I’ve got a way to get us about the Manor undetected,” Harry answered flatly. “Voldemort isn’t going to know shite about your return unless you go back to him.”
Lucius’ eyes widened marginally. “You are full of unexpected surprises, aren’t you, Potter?” he questioned.
“So I’ve been told,” Harry answered, rolling his eyes. “You’re going to have to go back to your Animagus form. It’ll be a lot easier for us to get into the Manor that way. You can ride in Draco’s cloak pocket if you want,” he offered. “I don’t think you have to be stunned this time since you’re bound by the vow.” He looked to Severus to be sure, and Severus looked wary, but nodded anyway.
“Potter, why are you wearing my son’s cloak?” Lucius asked. He didn’t sound angry this time, simply bewildered.
“He doesn’t actually know I have it,” Harry said honestly. He held a hand up as Lucius started to look angry again. “I didn’t want him knowing where I was going today, so I didn’t ask if I could borrow it. He knew it was a possibility that I’d try to get you out of Azkaban at some point, but I didn’t want to raise his hopes before I left.”
He hesitated for a moment, biting at his lip. “Draco’s in enough trouble, Lucius,” he said solemnly. “The things I’ve done today – it would’ve been far too dangerous for Draco to be a part of and I didn’t want to risk him being captured, by either side. The prat likely would’ve tried to insist on getting involved if he’d known beforehand where I was going today.”
Lucius was back to gazing at Harry in bewilderment. “As for me taking Draco’s cloak. Well, it is warmer than mine, like I said before. And, uh, it’ll sound stupid, but it seemed fitting since I was going to attempt to free his father,” he admitted sheepishly. He wasn’t about to admit that it smelled good like Draco and was rather comforting. “I’ve borrowed other clothes from him, and if I’d thought he would mind, I wouldn’t have borrowed it.”
“Perhaps you should send a message letting them know you are fine,” Severus said, sarcastically emphasizing the word “fine”.
“Fuck!” Harry cursed softly, remembering the conversation with Fred and George earlier. “I reckon I should let a couple others know as well,” he admitted.
Severus smirked at him. “I do believe they would also appreciate news,” he said.
Harry darted a glance at Lucius. “What about him?” he asked Severus.
“Send your regular message,” Severus said. “Simply warn Winky not to say anything about him.”
Harry shrugged, accepting Severus’ judgment, and called for Winky.
“Yes, Master Harry?”
“Hello, Winky,” Harry said. “I need you to deliver a couple of messages for me. One, pop over and tell the twins that I’ve survived the worst of my dangerous deeds for today,” he said dryly.
Winky nodded and waited expectantly for the next message.
“Two, could you tell,” he darted a glance at Severus, still disguised as Remus, before continuing, “Draco and Narcissa that I’m fine, please?” he requested. “I’m sure Draco’s going nuts trying to figure out what I’m up to today and Narcissa’s probably had three pots of tea by now.”
Winky smiled and nodded. “They are quite worried about Master Harry today,” she said in acknowledgement.
“Well, tell them I’m fine, and Remus is fine, as well, but warn them it’ll probably be quite awhile before I’m home again,” he said.
His focus had been on Draco and Narcissa and he wasn’t really thinking about how it would all sound to Lucius. When he glanced at the man, Lucius was openly gaping in astonishment. The look of satisfaction he saw on Remus’ face told Harry that once again he’d played right into what Severus wanted of him.
“Um, Winky, you can’t make any mention at all of him,” Harry said, gesturing to Lucius.
“Winky will not say a word, Master Harry,” she said, holding her head proudly.
“Thanks, Winky,” Harry said, smiling his appreciation as he dismissed her.
He turned to Lucius and smirked at the gobsmacked man standing before him. He shouldn’t be surprised that it was so easy to shake up the man who’d just spent over a year in prison with only the Dementors for company, but Harry was still enjoying this moment, regardless.
“Home?” Lucius questioned.
“Yeah,” Harry answered casually. “I’m living with your wife and son.”
“Harry Potter . . . living with my wife and son,” Lucius mumbled weakly to himself.
Harry wondered if he’d delivered one shock too many when the man actually swayed on his feet. He quickly crossed the distance between them without hesitation and grabbed Lucius’ arm in an attempt to steady him. Severus hadn’t moved, but he was tensed to take action if need be.
“I’m sorry,” Harry muttered. “I reckon I shouldn’t be taking advantage when you’re still weak from prison.”
Lucius simply stared down at him, blinking slowly.
Severus, on the other hand, snorted softly. “You are apologizing to Lucius?” he questioned, seeming unable to resist making the comment.
Harry shrugged uncomfortably. “Yeah, well, it’s fun and all to tease him with the truth, but I don’t reckon it’s really fair under the circumstances,” he said defensively.
Severus shook his head in amused resignation, saying nothing further, even though Harry was sure that he had a lot of things he’d like to say to that if it wouldn’t give away his identity.
“Are you all right?” Harry asked Lucius.
