Only One Equal

Chapter 29. Only One Equal

Tracey was gripping Daphne's hand, fidgeting on the sofa, her face pale as she searched around for him. Just minutes ago, she had been slumbering in her room, unaware of the intruders prowling through the school. But then the ear-piercing alarm came, shaking the castle walls and chasing off her sleep, signalling that something massive had happened.

The Slytherins were gathered in the common room, under the watchful eyes of Madam Black, who gave off an intimidating aura even in her sheer lilac nightdress that exposed more skin than normal.

Instead of the usual prim and proper Narcissa Black, they were allowed a glimpse at a less formal version, whose hair wasn't coiffed into perfection and whose form wasn't upright and elegant.

If Tracey weren't so preoccupied with worrying about Harry, she might've noticed the appreciative glances offered to the professor's titillating form, which was not unreasonable since more cleavage was on display.

Boys were boys even in this tense situation, casting furtive, lustful glances at her alluring body.

"Good, everyone is here." She clapped, demanding their attention. "It's my unfortunate duty to inform you that Hogwarts was infiltrated. But worry not; the headmaster has already caught most of the intruders and is currently sweeping through the castle to catch the others."

Ignoring the loud gasps and terrified whispers, Tracey was still scanning around for him. When she realised that he wasn't present, she couldn't help but blurt out, "Harry is not here, Professor. Harry is not here."

Silence fell like a hammer. And now she wasn't the only one looking for him. Everyone began whirling around and trying to find the firstborn of Arthur Reborn.

When they couldn't find him, the quiet panicked whispers turned into a deafening clamour.

Madam Black clapped once again, the sharp sound cutting through the noise. "Enough. Yes, Mister Evans isn't here. There was an attempt to abduct the family of our esteemed Minister, which included him. But Headmaster Dumbledore is already searching for him. I'm sure Mister Evans will be found soon. So do not panic; just sit tight and have patience."

Tracey watched as the professor hurried back into her personal quarters to wait for further news, leaving them under the 'strict' authority of the Prefects. As soon as she was gone, the whispers surged back into volume, becoming an incoherent mess. And the Prefects tried to shush them. But that was all they could do. Try.

"Lighten up on my fingers, will you? I can't feel them," Daphne hissed, looking down to where their hands were joined.

Tracey released her grip instantly. "Sorry!"

"What's up with you? Are you that worried about Evans? I thought you hated him." Daphne wiggled her fingers, nodding to herself as the stiffness ebbed away.

"I don't think I hate him."

Hate was a strong word for what she felt for Harry. She didn't think she ever truly hated him.

Dislike him? Perhaps. Despise him? Maybe. Disappointed in him? Definitely. But never hate. The quarrel between them wasn't that big to elicit such vitriol. He led her on and wasn't frank about his feelings; that was it. He didn't try to kill her or something to invite her unwavering hatred.

She didn't want to see him hurt. He was still her best friend, one of the few people she loved with all her heart. Despite their estrangement, her feelings hadn't diminished. It never would, she realised. She loved Harry. Perhaps she will always do so. It shouldn't come as a surprise that the mere thought of him being in danger made her frantic and restless.

'Please, God. If you're really there, keep him safe. I promise to forgive him. I promise to talk to him again. Just save him,' she prayed. She had never been religious, even though she was brought up in a Christian orphanage, because she was brought up in a Christian orphanage.

But now that she was helpless, her mind sought God, like it always did.

Even though his people tormented her throughout her childhood with exorcisms and whatnot, she called on him, begging him to save her friend and asking him to listen to her once.

He must've answered because Madam Black returned to them with a small, relieved smile. "Mister Evans is safe. But he might remain with Professor Evans after tonight's event. So I don't recommend anyone to wait for him." Here, she looked directly at Tracey, who nodded sheepishly, preparing to do just that. "Also, now that all the intruders are caught, the castle is safe. You are instructed to get back to your rooms at once. You've got five minutes to empty the common room."

Tracey couldn't be bothered to hide her broad smile and hugged Daphne, glad that Harry was unharmed.

"You're a strange one." Daphne rolled her eyes, reciprocating the gesture and embracing her back. "I can't understand why you're so relieved. He betrayed you."

Tracey chuckled, rubbing her face against Daphne's soft, pillowy chest. "One day you'll understand that you can have two or more contradictory feelings at once. Just because someone betrays you doesn't mean you always stop loving them. You might hate them or dislike them, but you still love them. You love them because you hate them."

"Sounds stupid, contrived, and illogical." Daphne scowled, pulling back.

"It is." Tracey smiled, getting up and offering her arm. "Want to sleep together tonight?"

"Sure." Daphne took her arm, their fingers intertwining, looking deep in thought.

~xXxXx~

In the morning, the sisters were sitting together on a sofa in the corner, near the stairs that led up to the boys dormitory.

The common room was filling fast, and the lake's green shadow covered the entirety of the chamber. The Slytherin common room had its own beauty, which particularly shone in the mornings when the sunlight seeping through depths of the lake created long, green rippling patterns across the floor.

"Will you stop shaking your leg? You're making me anxious." Daphne frowned, sinking into the backrest and drawing in her knees to use them as a perch for her chin.

"Sorry!" Tracey pressed her palms down on her thighs, forcing them to be stationary, putting a stop to the annoying tapping sound.

Just at that moment, Harry climbed down the stairs and shot her a friendly smile, which he always did, even though she never returned it. This time, it was going to be different.

She had to verbally forgive him.

Wetting her mouth, she tried to make her lips stretch into a smile, but her face was frozen, and her heart was ice. Even her breath was stuck in her throat.

Her expression was impassive.

With a disappointed sigh, Harry made his way towards the corridor that led outside, not sparing her another glance.

She attempted to stand up, but her legs were blocks of concrete, refusing to move an inch.

Before she could punch her limbs to make them function, to send them on a pursuit of him, he was already halfway through the common room, too far away to reach.

She wasn't able to keep her promise to God. She wasn't able to talk to him.

…

It was fine, honestly, she decided. Harry would've thought her opportunistic if she had tried to reconnect now, just when his social status had ascended after gaining reverence for being the son of James Potter, for being the firstborn of King Arthur Reborn.

Now was definitely not the right time to rekindle their friendship.

Maybe later.

~xXxXx~

Harry strode into the Great Hall with purposeful steps, unaware of Tracey's feelings or inner thoughts, and he moved towards the Hufflepuff table where his siblings and friends were assembled.

He ignored the whispers that followed him and plopped down beside Susan.

There were black crescents under her eyes, radiating gloom and tiredness, and she didn't even raise her chin when he placed his hand on her shoulder.

Her bright ginger hair was a bird's nest, pulled in a messy bun. And Julian wasn't faring much better, sitting across from him, beside Neville, appearing more angry than mournful.

Neville and Hermione shot him sympathetic looks, while Hannah gave him a pleading one, begging for his help and asking him to make Susan and Julian feel better.

He nodded at the blonde.

"Come on, mum has asked for you two. Lena is back. You can use the floo in my mum's room to talk to her." He smiled as Susan jolted from her trance and whipped her head towards him.

"Really?" Her tone was quivering, as if she were scared to hope.

He gave her a squeeze. "Really."

He had a sobbing girl in his arms the next instant, and all he could do was hold her tight and let her release her pent-up tension. He peeked at Julian, but his seat was empty. His little brother had already run away to confirm his announcement.

"Shh, let's go before you start leaving snot on my shirt."

Something between an indignant squawk and hysterical laugh escaped her as he got up and led her away, holding her hand the entire way.

~xXxXx~

That same day, the three remaining superwizards were sent back to America.

As an olive branch to reduce the rising tension between Wizarding Britain and the other nations of ICW, James decided to spare them and use them as messengers.

To MACUSA,

Next time you make a move like this, I will nuke New York and start the biggest war this planet has ever seen. I won't suffer further attacks. You have been warned. Don't make me take drastic steps. While I won't like it, I am prepared to have the blood of millions on my hands if my nation demands it.

But we don't have to be enemies. Perhaps I said too much and promised too much at the Wizengamot session. I'm willing to bite back some of my words. Invite Britain to the next ICW meeting. I'm prepared to make some compromises to preserve peace.

The Minister of Magical Britain,

James Potter.

~xXxXx~

Harry hurried through the empty classroom and opened the door. Stepping into his mum's personal quarters, he closed it after him.

It was night, around ten, and he was glad that the day had come to an end. The talks behind his back and the blatant staring were becoming too much. It had become so tiresome that he needed a safe space to lie down and relax. And nothing was more cosy than sleeping beside his mum.

But as he ambled further in, he didn't spot his mum lying in the bed with her top off. No, she wasn't even there. But someone else was.

A thin, blonde-haired man lay unconscious in a corner. His face was skeletal, and his hair was dirty.

Harry somewhat recognised him. He looked a little like his quiet housemate, Draco Malfoy. They had the same jaw structure and the same lanky build. He must be the infamous father.

Though he was stumped as to why the man was here. Shouldn't he be in Azkaban?

He didn't have to wait long to get answers because the sound of splashing water petered out as the shower turned off and his mum stepped out.

She was drying her damp red hair with a white towel, not even minding her total nudity. He barely stopped himself from getting distracted by the beads of water dripping from her nipples and pointed towards the sleeping man. "Who is he?"

"Lucius Malfoy. Our sacrifice," she responded, bending down and wiping down her legs.

Harry was 100 percent sure that this move was intentional, because now that her lovely arse was glaring at him, he couldn't control himself anymore. He stepped forward and pressed his crotch against her bubbly behind, giving her voluminous cheek a slap, making it jiggle.

She snorted and stood upright, smirking at him. "So easily distracted."

He grabbed her hand and yanked her towards him, pulling her tight in his arms. Kissing her roughly on the mouth, he groped her large bottom and lost himself in her rosemary scent.

She pressed her round breasts into his chest, almost flattening them, and returned the wild kiss.

Harry squeezed her arse and fondled it, his fingers inching towards her core.

Before he could take it further, she pushed him away with a regretful look. "Not now; we have a job to do."

He groaned but reluctantly nodded. "Right. Sacrifice thingy. What and why do we need to do that?"

"As you know, Lucifer blessed me and unlocked my limits, so I can keep strengthening my body, soul, and magic. I want you to possess that blessing too. With these, we will be unstoppable. We will be invincible. With this, we will soon be able to put an entire country under our thrall without any effort. Can you imagine that?" She grinned, picking up her black underwear from the bed and slipping into it.

Harry would be ogling at her butt as she pulled her knickers up her thick thighs if he wasn't busy thinking about what she just said. "That does sound nice. But what will I do with this much power?"

"My dear boy," she cupped his face, still bare from waist up, "that's a stupid question. When you're in a position to gather more power, you always take it. Who cares if you're able to use it or not, just take it and become stronger. You don't need any reason to accumulate power. You just do."

He shrugged. "Fine."

"Good," she said with a broad smile, not minding as his fingers sank into her breasts, as he pressed his thumbs down on her stiff nipples.

But as he lowered his face to suck on them, she pushed his head away. "Get that blessing from Lucifer, and you can fuck me all night. Don't get distracted now."

"Says the one showing off her perfect tits," he grumbled, but took a step back, letting her pull over a baggy t-shirt, less to cover up and more to help him focus. It was night, after all. His mum only wore knickers when going to bed.

Her mouth twitched at his disappointed face. "The process to gain this power is simple. You hitch a ride with a dying soul and appear in the true Magiscape, where Lucifer is trapped. He'll give you a boon without any fuss. He's a generous ancestor like that."

"Ah, I see." Now he understood why there needed to be a sacrifice, why this man was here. "You really went all the way to Azkaban to abduct him? I'd have thought you might've just snagged an innocent wizard or witch from nearby since you don't think death is that bad."

"I'm not a cruel psychopath, Harry. I'll only kill innocents if I have no other choice. Thankfully, Azkaban is full of potential sacrifices," she muttered in disapproval, getting offended.

"Alright, alright, let's do this quickly. I'd rather do you than spend time on this." He stopped before the sacrifice, his insides twisting at the thought of killing again.

Last night's murder didn't leave him unscathed. While it wasn't as bad as when he forced those three Slytherins to commit suicide, it was still a little traumatising. He didn't think he'd be able to drink anything red without throwing up in the future. An image of a slit throat and growing pool of blood flashed before his eyes.

"Instead of using the sight, do it properly and push your consciousness into Magiscape." She stood behind him with her hand on his back, steadying him. "Create the tendril and connect it with Lucius' soul as soon as I kill him."

He was glad he didn't have to kill tonight.

He'd be glad if he did not have to kill ever again.

He doubted he would get that wish, though.

With his eyes closed, he appeared in the world of grey and gold. The still, golden sea beneath him remained silent, and the mist overhead continued to be loud. Nothing had changed, and nothing would in this plane of existence.

A tendril crawled out of his silhouette as he stared at the other soul in front of him. The soul of Lucius Malfoy.

"Avada Kedavra!" He heard his mum's voice.

His tendril rushed forth as the silhouette before him crumbled into a golden ball of slime.

And as soon as he touched it, he blacked out.

~xXxXx~

Lily stared at the spot where her son was. His body began folding like a piece of paper. It got destroyed right before her eyes. Even that gruesome sight was gone, leaving an empty space.

She gulped, hoping nothing bad would happen to him.

"Done," Harry announced, popping right back into his spot.

She was startled, not having expected him to come back so soon. Only a second had passed. "It was quick."

Harry nodded. "Yep. Lucifer also told me that he wouldn't be responding to this 'shite' again. He is not a wish-granting factory, he said."

Her lips curled up in a wicked grin. "Fine by me. I only need one equal."

"Can you vanish the body so we can get on to the important business?"

She laughed boisterously, taking off her t-shirt after making Lucius disappear.