Title: The Truth Behind the Name and the Lies pt. 6

Pairing: DracoxHarry, OliverxPercy, twincest? Etc.

Fandom: HP

Summary: An abused boy finds out he's a wizard and a hero; his tormented mind rebels. One person sees through the misconceptions to the real Harry and treats him the way he deserves. How does this change them both and those around them?

A/N: Sorry it took so long, I swear I posted this chapter already.

Chapter 31 – A match of distraction tactics

Slytherin's first match without most of its Quidditch Cup winning team was upon them.

While the recently graduated former members were parents, [with the noted exception of Adrian, thanks to Neville's godmother Andromeda's swiftness in dosing his betrothed with a morning after potion], they appeared to had deemed it wiser to leave their babies behind.

Especially, after hearing that the Head Girl had been Imperioed to take a package to Hogwarts only to end up cursed when the warded packaging was torn. Harry and the twins Fred and George had played with her on Oliver's Quidditch team.

XooooooX

Unfortunately, this match Neville was down one of his best Chasers and Millie was even more tense than usual.

While the two weren't exactly friends, they had mutual respect; but this was the first match of the year as well as between the two greatest rivals.

Hogwarts had been informed that Katie had ended up in St Mungos at dinner last Saturday, but details weren't given. Neville hadn't offered them either and Millie was too distraught to do so…

Millie would likely be taking her aggression and worry out on the Bludgers.

Katie was in their House and his team, but Neville had not mentioned that she had been cursed. Suspicions would have fallen on Slytherin, while they had proven honorable, old habits of suspecting that House first were hard to break. Neville ordered Faye and her fellow Beater, not to aim for the Slytherins Chasers, but to keep the Beaters distracted. They were to play keep away with the Bludgers if they needed to.

Neville would defend the hoops and his Chasers were ordered to focus on scoring while Dennis Creevey, their Seeker was to stay above the action, away from the Bludgers and find the Snitch. As quickly as possible…

Slytherins were not always as subtle as they pretended, Neville wanted to avoid Millie taking a step or making a choice she would regret in her silent anguish about Katie. Millie was obviously blaming herself for not noticing Katie's strange behavior sooner or preventing Leeanne from trying to take the package, resulting in Katie being cursed.

Neville might not be a Slytherin, but he knew where the blame for Katie being cursed really lay, on the hands of the person who had Imperioed and given the Head Girl a cursed Dark Artifact.

But Neville and Millie were now facing one another.

Neville held out his hand, "I want a fair match. We're only playing for points." He was trying to be subtle, but he wanted Millie to know that his team was not out for revenge.

Millie and himself were the only students aside from Leeanne Runcorn to know Katie was cursed, Neville hadn't dared tell his team. He doubted most of Slytherin would care…

Mal would, only if it was Cora or Faye who had been cursed, she didn't really care for many persons.

Millie nodded, as if understanding his meaning, "Fair game, yes. That is what we want too."

Nevile smirked at her, "Gryffindor forfeits the coin toss."

Millie blinked at him.

It was another sign that Neville wasn't out for blood, it was also the last nice thing that Neville would do for Slytherin this match.

With Millie's head hopefully in the match, the players on each team mounted their brooms only pushing off when Hooch blew her whistle.

The announcer was originally supposed to be Trev Malfoy, who was one of Neville's reserve Chasers and Seeker but with Katie still in St. Mungos', he had to play him. He could have used Dean but if Millie took Neville out, Neville needed Dean to take over his position and defend the hoops. Hooper was good, but Dean was better, it helped that his housemate had experience on a team as a goalie even if the game only had one large hoop instead of three small ones and was played on the ground. Dean also was likely able to lead the team if Neville went down…

Cora might have quidditch in her blood from her sire who was a Chaser as well as House Captain and her brother was a former Seeker, but she preferred to keep both her feet on the ground. She would have a hard time being neutral anyway with her fiancé as Gryffindor's new Seeker and her best friend as a Slytherin Beater.

So instead of Trev, they had Colin who was bonded to Quidditch mad Seamus and the supposedly elder twin to Dennis.

"So, it seems that Gryffindor forfeits the coin toss, allowing Slytherin first crack at the Quaffle. One wonders just what is running through Captain Neville's Head, a second-generation Gryffindor Keeper Captain. The Quaffle goes to the oldest of Captain Black-Tonks' Chasers, Aodhan Urquhart…"

The audience of spectators seemed surprised…

"Well, this is odd. The Beaters on both teams seem to be ignoring the Chasers and slamming the Bludgers back and forth between themselves." Colin sounded confused and partially, intrigued at Neville's team.

Severus who had knowledge of Katie's injury but perhaps, not of Millie's interest was surprised by Neville's apparent distraction tactic.

While the usual reaction would have been to blame Slytherin for the Head Girl's attack, it seemed that the Gryffindor team or at least their Beaters were unaware of the nature of Katie's health crisis.

Neville was determined to guard his hoops and caught the Quaffle thrown by Urquhart. Only to toss it right back at Seamus who spun his broom around, weaving in and out of the Slytherin Chasers.

Only Demelza and Seamus had real game experience, leaving poor Trev who had been only a reserve Seeker until this week to try to follow their lead. Neville really should have had another Chaser alternate… he just never expected anyone to go after Katie. Katie was a fair person, she treated people with politeness even those she despised like McLaggen and had never treated Harry badly for changing Houses after Oliver graduated.

Another reason Neville had ordered his Beaters to distract Slytherin's, he knew Trev was his weakest player.

Seamus, Thank Godric, scored the first points of the game bringing it 10-0 in Gryffindor's favour.

XooooooooX

Slytherin's Seeker Royal Harper was no Draco or Harry, he had yet to come up with a seeking style of his own. To Dennis' annoyance, Harper was a tailer…

Harper's plan seemed to be to shadow Dennis until he spotted the snitch and then try to steal it. A plausible but irritating strategy…

At least, Draco and Harry tried to find the snitch on their own…

It was good for Dennis that Cora's hair was its natural colour of strawberry-blonde and not gold. It was definitely not the colour of a snitch…

Dennis didn't know what it was that Neville and the Slytherin captain knew, but it couldn't be good. Both were distracted, the team had hoped that Katie would be well enough to play but Neville shot that down quick. Come to think about it, they knew almost nothing about it.

Katie had always been very welcoming and hadn't done more than blink when Dennis took his place with Colin's class and not his original one. She treated all Gryffindors with the same kindness regardless of their gender or blood status.

Whatever happened was clearly awful if they weren't being given any details…

Dennis remembered watching Slytherin's Quidditch try outs and hearing its new Beater Captain Millie Bulstrode admit to being attracted to Katie Bell, that would definitely explain her distance and distraction.

XooooooooX

Seamus knew that unlike Gryffindor, Slytherin had a proper reserve Chaser.

Trev was doing his best of course but he was a Seeker at heart like Dennis.

All of Slytherin's Chasers: Aodhan Urquhart, Spencer Vaisley, Sebastian Bole and Ruan Davis hadn't played in a match before. Only Millie and Mal, Slytherin's Beaters and their Keeper Kevyn had game experience.

Seamus had alternated with Demelza last year, out of five possible games, they each were lucky to have gotten one. It was rare that Alicia, Angelina or Katie sat out a match, but the elder two Chasers had been Seventh Years and Angelina had been Head Girl.

Gryffindor always felt invincible with their golden trio flying, Malfoy and Pucey- Slytherin's Silver pair wasn't quite as daunting, and it was usually Harry's snitch that ended a match after a neck-and-neck battle for points.

It wasn't quite as neck-and-neck as usual…

Urquhart and Vaisley had the most talent out of Slytherin's three Chasers but they couldn't seem to score against Neville.

Seamus scored three points against Slytherin's Keeper Kevyn, while Demelza scored once bringing their score forty-zero in Gryffindor's favour.

It felt like a shut-out; Neville wasn't giving any ground, Slytherin's Chasers were too inexperienced, and their Beaters were cleverly distracted by Gryffindor's Ritchie Coote and Faye Dunbar.

While the audience was still stunned by Neville's tactics, it was working.

Seamus sensed that Slytherin was getting frustrated, after regaining the cup after losing it to Oliver's team his Seventh Year, they weren't going to be pleased with losing the first match of the year. Whether they had Harry or Draco as their Seeker they had more wins, unlike when Harry and Draco played against each other that is.

Then out of the corner of his eye, Seamus noticed Dennis went into a sharp dive, darting in between the battling Beaters.

Urquhart took advantage of Neville's momentary distraction as he turned to watch their Seeker score.

The stadium erupted in cheers from ¾ of the audience as Dennis pulled up and held the fist with the Snitch up in triumph. Without Harry Potter in Slytherin; Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff chose to side with Gryffindor against Slytherin.

XooooooooX

Neville landed and let his team lead a celebratory chant for Dennis, while heading for Millie.

The surly Slytherin captain was scowling.

Neville held out his hand, "It was a good match."

Millie's scowl deepened, "We lost; and we only scored once."

"Urquhart kept trying to score no matter how difficult I made it, he had a chance to score because I was distracted, and he took it. Your team played hard, they never gave up. You have a good team, all they need is experience. That's the only thing that set us apart, if it was my team that lost most of its members to graduation, I would likely have ended up with a similar outcome." Neville shrugged.

A small segment of Slytherin began chanting that Millie was the reason they lost and that she should quit.

Neville noticed her going for her wand and shook his head, "They aren't worth it. They have no idea how difficult going out there was. Hell, they don't know what sort of work being a captain requires. They are just sore losers…"

Millie growled, "I let myself get distracted…"

"I know how upset you have been; but forget the game for a moment. Do you feel any better? Did smashing those Bludgers help?" Neville asked after casting a privacy ward.

Millie blinked at him, "What?"

"I know how angry you've been, I didn't want you to accidentally hurt someone. I ordered my beaters to keep you occupied and let you and Mal attack the Bludgers all you wanted." Neville shrugged.

"I see." Millie said thoughtfully. "I suppose, I do… feel better that is. Thank you for not… explaining the cause of my distemper to your team."

"It wouldn't help matters, would it? The last thing we need is to destabilize the tenuous peace between our Houses."

"You have a point. I am grateful that you didn't explain the situation." Millie grumbled.

"With all the hard work my betrothed put in the last few years into mending the hostility between our Houses, I couldn't let him down and allow it to be destroyed. I don't believe that you or anyone in your House had anything to do the situation." even under a privacy ward, Neville didn't want to link Slytherin to Katie's collapse. So, he merely reiterated her euphemism.

Millie sighed, "You have more confidence in my House then I do."

Neville shrugged, "Most of them respect Adrian, I would like to think that his perceived neutrality has had an impact."

"With Death Eater parents, some of us don't get a chance to learn to think for ourselves." Millie scoffed.

"You and Draco did, if that's possible…" Neville grinned at her.

"Gryffindor optimism…. I thought that was a Hufflepuff trait."

"Slytherins are the stubbornest, see you on our rounds." Neville said before holding out a hand.

Millie blinked before shaking it firmly.

Neville dropped the privacy ward and headed over to his team.

He didn't get very far before Adrian appeared and snogged him.

A younger Neville would have fainted in shock at the very public show of affection, but Neville was older with more confidence. Most of that was due to his fiancé…

Adrian broke the kiss, rest his forehead on Neville's own and grinned at him, "Great match! You captained a wonderful game. I am so proud of you."

Neville blushed, "It wasn't just me, I had a good team. Most of the work was done by Fay and Ritchie."

"You guarded the hoops with more confidence and skill then Wood." Adrian countered.

Neville snuggled into his fiancé's side content to be flattered.

Neville made sure to congratulate Dennis for his Snitch capture as well as Seamus' leading the Chasers who scored so well.

Adrian ordered refreshments from a Pucey house elf and promised to join Gryffindor for a short period to celebrate.

A few Slytherins tried to complain, but Adrian succulently reminded them that his fiancé was captain and he himself had graduated. Therefore, his current loyalty was to Neville…

Neville was pleased that Adrian reminded them that his current loyalty was to Neville and therefore, Gryffindor. Being praised did wonders for his self-esteem…

XoooooooX

Blaise wondered silently, if the Katie incident had anything to do with the tenuous peace between Voldemort and Dumbledore.

He was suspicious that a Slytherin was more likely to have gotten access to that cursed necklace that Severus mentioned later. Andromeda had a sketch of it delivered and Lucius vaguely recognized it as previously having been in Borgin and Burke's. but how much care would a student have put into the memories that Ted described about the imperioed orders to deliver the package and not open it. It was to be delivered to Severus and according to one of the few remaining members of the Department of Mysteries, it had been warded to compel Severus to open it without casting any detection spells.

Neville had done them a great service by noticing Katie's unusual behaviour, securing her and getting help as quickly as he did.

He had come a long way from first year when he was a forgetful, clumsy boy who was obviously terrified of heights.

Blaise had never been as close to that Gryffindor as he was to Hermione and Harry, but he had to admit that the courtship between Draco's second cousin Adrian and Neville had done wonders for the current prefect/quidditch captain.

He just hoped that no one else was erroneously injured due to this temporary alliance between Harry's two greatest enemies.

XoooooooX

Cora was quietly pleased at how instrumental her prince Dennis had been to Gryffindor's win.

However, finding any proper time to congratulate him was impossible, the post-match party had tables full of steaming mugs of butterbeer and chocolate as well as biscuits and tea sandwiches.

Cora didn't have the presence that Neville's Adrian did which parted crowds and allowed him to remain at Neville's side. She maybe Harry's sister, but she was still a Ravenclaw and an outsider. She tried to slip away…

"Cora? Cora!" a familiar and not quite voice called out to her.

Cora paused and realized it was Colin, not her Dennis when they caught up to her.

Before she could start to leave again, Colin shook his head, "He wouldn't want you to leave."

"He finally won a match against Slytherin, he deserves to celebrate." Cora shrugged.

"But it's you, you know how he cares about you." Colin protested.

Cora blushed, "I know, he is very sweet. I don't like crowds much, they make me uneasy. I am sure Dennis will understand…"

"If you're sure…" Colin frowned.

Cora smiled, "I am."

She felt only Colin's eyes on her as she left and felt a bit sad but shook it off. It would be cruel of her to be upset with Dennis for not spending time with her. Knowing her betrothed, Cora thought he would want to make it up to her, so she decided to plan something to do so. He was always doing sweet gestures for her, maybe it was time for her to plan something.

XoooooooX

Neville was amused when Adrian announced that as welcome as their little celebration was, that he wanted to borrow their captain for some celebrating of his own.

Neville's team wolf-whistled teasingly.

Neville was led out of Gryffindor and back to their private apartment, where Adrian tugged him into another shower. This shower was different, because he could feel Adrian's hard, strong body behind him and those calloused but talented fingers on his suddenly fevered skin.

Neville would never admit to his Gran just how much happier he was that he and Adrian had an apartment to themselves this year. He had worried that due to Adrian's graduation, that he would see him less. Thank Godric, that their relationship was more like Blaise and Charlie's instead. Well, without the babies that is…

Neville wasn't ready to be a parent yet, he was still working on his self-confidence and proving he really was good enough for someone kind like Adrian.

Neville may have been lost in his own thoughts, but Adrian had made sure that he was bathed and dressed anyway.

Neville blinked at himself in the mirror, he really did look handsome.

"Welcome back, love." Adrian teased gently.

Neville flushed, "Sorry…"

"All good thoughts I hope."

"Just how lucky I am to have you…"

"Good, because I have a treat for you."

Neville blinked in surprise, "Really?"

"I spoke with your gran and the headmaster, they agreed I could take you out tonight." Adrian said nuzzling Neville's neck.

Neville flushed; he had cancelled their date after Katie was injured. It hadn't felt right to celebrate, and he spent that evening in Adrian's arms instead, just wanting to be held.

They portkeyed from their apartment to a restaurant in Paris that they had visited before.

But they didn't have menus to Neville's surprise.

Adrian, who had been eating at a few fine restaurants in the company of well-known wizarding food critics in hopes of being one himself, had requested a chef's selection for two.

One of the appetizers was a gratin; while they were most often made with potatoes, this one smelt different. Upon tasting it, Adrian found that thin-sliced celery root and butternut squash starred in a fall take on the dish. A toasted walnut and thyme breadcrumb streusel also complemented the creamy earthy-sweetness of the squash and celery root mix. He shared a few bites with Neville to allow his fiancé to enjoy the unusual but enjoyable dish.

Neville had what Adrian recognized as Côte d'Azur soup, it was a creamy garlic concoction that was a Provençal classic. The presentation was typically subtle for the amount of garlic in it. Sage, bay leaves, and thyme add to the fall fragrance.

The still somewhat shy Gryffindor did allow Adrian a taste of his soup.

Their main course was served with two distinctly different offerings blending wine, meat and fruit.

Neville's was a simple but stunning pairing of a golden-brown chicken breast stuffed with shallots, chèvre, and thyme, augmented by a garnish of luscious fall-sweet figs and served with a port pan reduction.

Adrian's was another impeccable pairing of fall fruit with meat, pan-fried pork chops and softened apples are sauced with cream, white wine, and Dijon mustard with a hint of Armagnac.

Like the appetizers, they shared bites of meat and fruit with one another. Adrian definitely preferred his entrée of pork chops, while Neville was quietly impressed by his chicken breast.

Neville could identify herbs by taste and smell, but he wasn't as keen when it came to identifying wine in cooking. This suited Adrian just fine, he enjoyed listening to Neville identify what flavours he could and whether he enjoyed the combination.

In time their entrée dishes were cleared away and two desserts were left in their place.

The dishes were identified as Salted Caramel Pots de Crème and pear-walnut tart. Caramel of course had a buttery richness that made it eminently fitting for fall. A piquant sprinkle of fleur de sel offset the sweetness of the velvety little caramel custard. Neville seemed to enjoy it so much that Adrian had to steal a bit to even taste it.

Meanwhile, Adrian was served a beautiful tart which cradled ripe autumn pears in a crumbly, toasty walnut crust. There was just a hint of pear brandy added to the simmered filling before baking to add to the richness. He teased a slightly pouting Neville about withholding a bit of the treat, but he couldn't deny his fiancé something so scrumpteous.

It was a nice break from Neville's duties as Quidditch Captain as well as prefect, with Katie's being in hospital, he was trying to keep Hogwarts' student spirits afloat. A difficult challenge with the likes of the Dark Lord and Dumbledore out there. Neville who rarely had a bad thing to say about anyone, disliked Head Boy Cormac McLaggen.

Adrian remembered the irritating Gryffindor who had been a poor choice as prefect two years prior and was clearly a worse choice as Head Boy. Surely, even Urquhart who was nicknamed the 'Lazy Prefect' would have been a better choice.

Paris seemed so removed from the stress of Britain…

They left the restaurant, apparating to a public apparition point near several well-know French landmarks.

Adrian swiftly made minor adjustments to their wardrobe to seem more Muggle than wizarding, before they exited the P.A.P.

Neville was snuggled into Adrian's side; he was so sweet. Not many would have given him the time, but Adrian had been key to his self-confidence as well as his academic growth.

They had never been to Paris, Muggle Paris at this hour, but it was lovely. It was definitely worthy of the epitaph 'City of Light'.

They walked together, letting their stress melt for now.

All too soon they would have to return, but for now…

This was a wonderful treat…

Neville thanked Godric that Adrian had noticed him that day two falls ago… he would not be here without him.

XoooooooX

It was some time before Dennis managed to sneak away from his well-wishers.

He was pleased with himself for having caught the snitch which won them the match without making Slytherin suffer too badly.

A Prince elf appeared the moment he was alone.

"From my mistress."

Dennis frowned, but opened the note.

When you are free, come find me where the stars are hidden- Cora

Dennis blinked, what? Where would stars be hidden?

At first, he thought of the Great Hall with its enchanted ceiling which could have stars hidden by clouds but that was too obvious a meaning. The Astronomy Tower was…

That was it!

Not the new Astronomy Tower, but the original one…

Professor Remus took the Headmaster there on a date, he apparently found it by accident. But how did…

Dennis smiled to himself, his Ravenclaw princess would tell him the story if he asked.

He decided to follow the magical connection between them, his magic had been used to destroy her curse that locked her in the Gryffindor Head Boy's suite.

He spent most of the time taking turns that he selected with his eyes closed, while concentrated.

Eventually, Dennis emerged in a tower with a glass skylight like dome.

The stars were coming out just as he arrived.

There was Cora, her strawberry-blond hair spread out around her, her silver moon-shaped spectacles twinkling as she watched the sky.

"I wondered if you would find me."

"Princess, you know I will always find you if you want or need me." Dennis said as he sprawled beside her on the blanket.

Cora smiled at him, blushing, "I didn't expect you so quickly."

They lay beside each other in companionable silence before Dennis' stomach growled slightly.

"Didn't have enough sweets?" Cora teased good-naturedly.

"One can't just leave on sweets, besides, it's practically dinner time." Dennis mumbled.

They sat up beneath the stars with Cora pulling dishes out of the basket beside her.

There were jars with strawberries and walnut salad, upright devilled eggs, fried chicken and paper bags filled with mixed fresh fruit. They had a thermos of warm tea and cider as well to round out their picnic.

"Well, this was unexpected…" Dennis grinned.

Cora blushed, "I can't let you have all the fun when it comes to surprises."

Dennis kissed her hand between letting her dish them up tid-bits from her basket.

It was nice to get away from all of the other students, not that any of them made Cora uncomfortable the way that Ron Nameless had before his arrest.

She was grateful for Dennis' patience with her, he never pushed her for anything sexually, despite their brothers already having been married.

They sat there, nibbling and feeding one another while sitting together, just enjoying the silence.

Cora felt safest in Dennis' arms, he had a way of making all the bad things that happened to and around her drift away. He made her feel less lonely and more real…

There had been a very short period where her drugged experiences at Harry's birthday party had caught up with her mentally and locked her in her head for a bit. Between her mind healer, best friend and family as well as Dennis' quiet assurance of his support, she moved past it for now.

Dennis just held her close to him, basking in the company of the one person he saw as his soulmate. Perhaps, his fathers didn't have a chance to raise him together, but he had his father Carey and his stepdad Arthur as well as all those siblings and well as their kids.

They may only be fifth years, but they didn't always feel that old or mature. But they had learned they were stronger together than apart, they just had to avoid losing sight of that…

What do you think? Outstanding? Exceeds Expectations? Acceptable? Poor? Dreadful? Troll?