The Domino Effect [DRARRY]

7.

Can't help if I space in a daze. My eyes tune out the other way. I may switch off and go in a daydream. In this head my thoughts are deep, but sometimes I can't even speak - Avril Lavigne

Harry watched in amusement as Draco looked around him in awe. His eyes couldn't stay on any one thing long enough to really take in its significance. He looked like Harry imagined he must have, a long time ago, when he'd first stepped into Diagon Alley. "You can touch stuff, Malfoy. Nothing will bite."

It seemed that permission was the only thing the blond had been waiting for, and, not surprisingly, it was the potions lab he went to first. "Merlin, Harry. Do you have any idea of what you've found here?" Draco whispered as he ran his fingers lightly over the various bottles and implements. "Some of these ingredients were banned by the Ministry centuries ago, and they're still perfectly preserved!"

Harry snorted. "I had no idea. Then again, I'm shite with potions, you should have expected that."

"True, but did you even look at these bottles?" Draco inquired.

Harry shook his head.

"Why not?" the blond asked.

"I was busy reading." Harry pointed out the bookshelves and Draco immediately moved toward them. Harry followed behind him. "Actually, that's the reason I brought you down here. I found something... very interesting. Something I think will teach those bastards a lesson they won't ever forget. I wanted to show you a book, or a set of books, actually."

Harry went to the shelf and removed Salazar's journals. He handed the first one to Draco and watched as he opened the book. When the blond turned an inquisitive look on him, Harry frowned. "What?"

"Why did you want me to look at an empty book, Potter?"

Harry took the book from Draco's hands and blinked in confusion. "It's not blank, Malfoy. Look."

Draco stepped in closer beside Harry and peered over at the book. "Huh, well that's strange. Let me see it again?"

Harry handed the book back and watched as the writing faded away to nothing as soon as he was no longer touching it. "Oh," was all he said.

"Well, I suppose if I am to read this, you'll have to hold it for me," Draco spoke as if it were the most logical statement in the world before pulling Harry to the sofa and seating them both side by side. As Harry squirmed a bit uncomfortably, Draco looked at him and asked, "Is something wrong?"

"No," Harry replied.

"Then sit still, you're shaking the book."

Harry held himself still as Draco leaned into his shoulder to get a better view of the pages. They remained quiet except for the occasional softly spoken request for Harry to turn the page. When Draco finished reading the part that Harry wanted him to see, he sat up and with a low whistle, and looked at Harry with something akin to awe on his face. "You really think you can do this? I mean, Salazar himself didn't have enough power or discipline to master this spell. What makes you think you can?"

The question was asked in honesty, not malice or contempt, so Harry felt obliged to answer without taking it personally. "I've never told anyone this before, and I don't really understand why I'm telling you of all people, but here goes," Harry looked Draco in the eye and then spoke. "I have more power than Voldemort and Dumbledore combined. I'm not only a direct descendant of Godric Gryffindor, but because of my connection to Voldemort, in some way, I'm descended from Salazar as well."

"Even still..." Draco made to interrupt.

"That's not all," Harry continued. "My mother, Lily Evans, wasn't a Muggleborn." Harry shook his head. "Well, see, my grandparents were separated for a while after my aunt Petunia was born and my grandmother had an affair. With a wizard. My mother was what you would call a half-blood. Her father, well, this is the part that gets a bit... weird."