Harry Potter and the Four Horsemen

Chapter 17: The secrets out

Harry sat down, quietly sipping his tea as he read the morning paper. He usually avoided the Daily Prophet, he didn't trust Skeeter, but today's story was rather interesting. His companion clearly agreed. Snape sat across from him, tea untouched as his eyes were glued to the page. Why was he taking tea with Severus Snape? Honestly Harry wasn't sure at this point. The man wasn't so bad now he wasn't being an immature bully. His quick wit and dark humour was rather endearing in a way. He put down the paper, it's headline staring up at him, dramatic and clichéd, as per usual for Rita. 'The boy who lived again.' Apparently someone had finally let that poor cat out the bag, and now the whole world new about him and the Horsemen. It was certainly a big story. "Why did they put the cat in a bag in the first place? It's just cruel and rather pointless if you only let it out anyway!" This finally caused the Potions Master to look up with a painfully confused look on his face. "What on earth are you talking about Harry?" He shrugged, draining the last of his tea and kicking his legs up and over the arm of the chair. He quite liked the rooms he was staying in, though they weren't quite as comfortable as his own room. Not that it mattered. He went to ask Severus if he had any plans for the day when the door slammed open. Unsurprised, he look over to see Lucius storm in, one of the five people that had access to this room. "Hello Lucy, what a pleasant surprise." He turned back to see Severus's face go taut in shock, before quickly standing and nodding at them both. "I'll leave you alone." Harry's laughter chased the man out of the room and Lucius took his place in the other chair. "Am I right to assume Sev knows about us?" Lucius nodded curtly, worrying Harry. This wasn't about them. "What is it Lucius, tell me." The blonde sighed heavily, removing his coat and gloves and neatly placing them on the table. Yes, Lucius was quite the neat freak, it was rather amusing to watch. "The Dark Lord knows.....about everything." Harry frowned, what was this about? "He asked me to pass on a message. He wishes to meet with you and the other Horsemen to discuss the current situation." Harry nodded, he wasn't surprised about that, he was more annoyed that Lucius hadn't told him this sooner. "You got back last night, why didn't you tell me then?" Lucius bowed his head, long silky hair hanging down to cover his face. "I was tired and needed to think." Harry frowned at that, there was something more, he could feel it. "Did he hurt you?" Immediately the Pureblood shook his head vigorously, looking at him as Harry knelt down beside the chair. "No, that's the thing. My Lord.... He's changed."

Yet again, Lucius found himself confused about how close he felt to Azriel, how easy it was to confide in him. Was this some sort of spell, or trick? "How so?" He was drawn from his anxious wonderings by the question. "It appears he has regained his sanity. He'll fill you in on his plans, but they've changed. He doesn't want another war." All he received was a raised eyebrow. He understood the Demi-gods reaction, it was still unbelievable to him as well. But it was true. The Dark Lord had actually changed. "I'll believe that when I see it. There's something else though, isn't there? You're still worried." Lucius frowned, glaring slightly at how well this being could read him, even through all his masks and shields. "I don't understand why I'm doing this. Being here, with you, speaking to you, it makes no sense! You're Harry Potter for Salazar's sake!" The man shrugged at that, lying down in the bed and staring at the curtained black canopy above. "I'm not Harry Potter and you know that. He died, and I'm what's left, the strongest parts that my master resurrected. All you see is a powerful handsome man that understands and can listen. An escape from your stressful life and your dull marriage. Possibly the only escape you'll ever get." Lucius glared, his eyes fiery, but Azriel still wouldn't look. "How dare you speak of my marriage! What gives you the right to speak to me of such things?" Suddenly Harry was gone, the dark angel reappearing directly in front of him. "What gives you the right to speak to me that way? I am a god Lucius, don't forget that. And I don't lie. I'm only saying what you think. If you don't like what you're hearing, then go take a long hard look at yourself. You might be surprised at what you see." The dark eyes glared down at him from a halo of green flames. He fled from death, slamming the door behind him, as if running from an inevitable fate.