Looking Forward, Looking Back

Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by J.K. Rowling and Joss Whedon. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended. The author notes that Section 102(b) of the U.S. Copyright Act makes it clear that copyright protection does not extend to ideas, procedures, concepts, principles or discoveries -- only the particular specific expression of them. See the Chilling Effects Clearinghouse for further information on copyright and trademark law as they pertain to fanfiction.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.

Title:	Looking Forward, Looking Back
Author:	Cheshyre
Protagonists:	Draco Malfoy, River Tam, other characters in the Firefly and Harry Potter universes.
Length:	3500 words (incomplete)
Last Update:	August 22, 2006

Spoiler Warnings:	Set after Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince and "Objects in Space." Possible spoilers for all books published so far in the Harry Potter series and all episodes in the Firefly TV series. This story follows book and TV canon only, but ignores any changes made in the films (Serenity or Harry Potter).

Author's Notes:	This is a draft of a Work In Progress (WIP). The story posted below is *not* complete. Given that caveat, I'm confident enough in what I've written to be willing to share... Further notes, including a summary of the intended conclusion, after the story.

Prologue:

"Narcissa, are you certain you wish to perform this spell?"

"If you aren't willing to help, Severus, I'll find somebody else."

"That wasn't why I asked. If you wish to protect Draco -- and I agree with that sentiment -- then, there are other rituals... Easier ones, more certain and more secure."

"I'm not going to keep my son bottled up like a fly in amber, while the world passes him by."

"Those aren't your only options, you know."

"I'm not blind, Severus. I know Draco's weaknesses better than most. He needs time to mature. I won't return him to a post-war England unprepared."

"What that boy needs is to make himself useful and find some gainful pursuits."

"If you say. But none of that will be possible while everything's so unsettled."

"And you think this spell will help him find what he needs?"

"Precisely. He needs peace of mind. I want him to find... Serenity."

Two girls caught his eye as they entered. It was rare he saw anyone his own age, much less anyone quite so attractive. The one in grease-stained overalls was grinning and nattering away. Her friend had long black hair, and a certain dreamy grace that belied her shabby attire.

Wide-eyed, she looked around the dimly-lit room. When she caught Draco's eye, something about her reminded Draco of that dotty blonde Ravenclaw. He remembered she looked halfway respectable at Slughorn's party, though. Of course, he only saw her for a moment or two before Snape dragged him away. Snape and his mother, he knew now they were only trying to keep him safe. Still, he missed school. He recalled his last sight of Hogwarts, fleeing through the night with Snape. The image of Dumbledore blasted off the tower was probably seared in his memory.

Draco recognized the feeling. The little witch was Legilimens! Well, two could play at that game. Quickly, he occluded his mind and pushed back against surprisingly fragile defenses.

Most of her memories involved a dark-haired man, often in very close quarters. He held her and caressed her and Draco didn't need to see that right now. She was tied to a stake, surrounded by a mob of Muggles. The man (her lover?) protectively put his arms around her and dared the crowd to burn them alive. She was strapped to a chair, and masked blue-gloved men were poking needles into her arms...

It took Draco a moment to realize that the girl was screaming in the present. She stood stock-still in the doorway. Everyone in the bar was staring at her, but she only had eyes for him.

She pointed a shaky finger at Draco. "He knows. He understands." Then she broke from her friend's grip and fled.

Draco forced himself to appear nonchalant and shrugged. "Mental." He tossed down the rest of his beer, and threw some change on the bar. Bemusedly shaking his head, in case anyone was watching, Draco sauntered up the stairs to the room he was renting.

Only after he shut the door did he allow the shakes to overwhelm him. He can't stay here; she knows too much already. He pulled the locket from under his shirt and ran his fingers over the surface. Still skin temperature. Draco fought the temptation to cast a warming spell so he could pretend that his mother or mentor were summoning him home.

But no, returning early might upset their plans. He'd just have to find different lodging while those girls were in town. Fortunately, this dump was something called a "space port," so the population was relatively transient.

Settling up took longer than Draco expected. The innkeeper could sense his need for haste and privacy, and was willing to milk that for every credit it was worth.

Just when he thought he was free of this place, in walked the black-haired man from the girl's mind. He looked around the room, but before his eyes could adjust, Draco slipped out the back.

He'd paid the barman enough to keep his secrets, but somebody would spill eventually. Draco raced down the alleyway, barrelling straight into a man in a brown coat.

Draco muttered his apologies and tried to shoulder past, but the man grabbed him by the elbow.

"You're not in any trouble, son," said the large grey-haired man seated between Draco and the exit. He took in Draco's scowl and smiled, "Not from us, at least."

Draco said nothing, continuing to avoid the gaze of the dark-haired man fidgeting across from him.

The captain (as the others called him) was the last to slide into the booth. "So, Doc. I don't entirely mind the break from loadin' cargo, but you wanna explain what this is all about?"

"It's River. She's my sister," he explained, showing a picture of the brunette. So, not the jealous boyfriend, then.

"She's been sick... in the head." Draco nodded slowly for him to continue. "I've been trying to cure her, but it's been difficult." He stared down at his hands.

"When she came back to the ship this afternoon, she was babbling about a boy she saw. She said she needed him, that he could help."

"Is that why you dragged us out here?" the captain asked incredulously. "For River's first crush?"

Draco saw his advantage. "That's all well and good, but why do you think I was involved?"

"No, she came in here," Draco confirmed slowly. Too many witnesses to deny it. "Looked around, screamed and ran."

"Please," the doctor said softly. "If you know anything that might help, I'll... I'll make it worth your while."

The captain interrupted before Draco could respond. "Whoa! Whose boat do you think you're ridin'?"

"Don't you forget it. We're lifting off soon, dong ma, and I don't have time for freeloaders gettin' in our way."

"Captain?" Draco jumped at the new voice, but he merely unclipped something from his belt. "Go ahead, Wash."

"I'm picking up some increased chatter from the local law enforcement. Something about ore-rs?"

"An' whatever trouble you're in with the mining company; that's not gonna cause a problem for me or my crew?"

"No. Not in the least." Of course, Draco hadn't thought the aurors would follow him this far.

Draco closed his eyes, clutched his locket, and tried not to think about what the ship might be doing.

After hasty introductions, during which the captain got more than a few queer looks, they found Draco a spot out of the way and went about the business of crewing the ship.

They were travelling to another planet. He muttered a silent prayer that his mother's spell would be able to find him over such distances. The only mercy so far had been that River was still under sedation, sparing him that chore for now.

"Well, we're off!" Kaylee, the cheery girl from the inn bounced into the room, bearing a few new smudges on her hands and cheek. Her smile faded slightly as she approached. "Hey, what's wrong?"

Draco started to speak, then sharply swallowed back his words. Fortunately, she seemed to understand.

Kaylee helped Draco to his feet and supported him as they walked downstairs, chattering nonstop. "You shoulda spoke up earlier. Simon says it's better to nip these kinda things in the bud than cure 'em after they get bad. Lucky for me, I ain't never had a problem. Least, not with engines that behave themselves."

Mercifully, she shut up once Simon started examining him. Just lying down in a room without windows seemed to help, but he let Simon poke and prod him. He stared over at the other table, where River slept. Maybe she had the right idea.

Then Draco felt somebody try to unbutton his left cuff, and quickly twisted away before remembering why that was a bad idea.

"Easy," Simon held him until the wave of vertigo passed. "I didn't mean to startle you." He showed Draco a small plaster. "This skin patch will help."

Simon smiled, and rolled up the other sleeve. "The skin patch is good for longterm relief," Simon explained as he adhered it just above Draco's elbow. "But to ameliorate the immediate discomfort, I generally recommend a hypo as well."

Draco looked at the syringe, then turned away, screwing his eyes shut but keeping his arm extended. "Get it over with."

After a quick pinch, he felt Simon step away and heard him peeling off his gloves. "And now we just wait a few minutes."

Draco opened one eye to see whether the doctor was mocking him, and realized that he was feeling better.

Checking his arm, he could only see a small red dot where the needle punctured the skin. "I've been through worse," he smiled back.

Kaylee gave him a playful shove. "Is that all the thanks he gets?" Draco gaped at the familiarity, but she only grinned. "You can do better than that!" Draco thought he saw a matching blush on the doctor's cheeks, and recognized the game they were playing.

"Well, if you're such an expert," he decided to tease back, "why don't you thank him properly, and show me how it's done?"

Simon's face turned bright red as Kaylee skipped over and pulled him into an embrace. "Thank you for saving his life. You're truly a miracle worker. Someday, someone will name a hamster in your honor." She leaned in to give him a peck on the cheek, when a moan from the other table broke the spell.

Simon hurried over to his sister's bedside. "Mei mei?" he whispered, brushing the hair away from her face.

Draco tried to pretend he didn't see the quiver on Kaylee's lips as she lowered her arms and followed him.

Draco thought this seemed the perfect chance to slip away, before River regained consciousness. He was feeling much better and this looked like a private moment.

The moment she caught his eyes, she began Legilmency again. He shoved her out of his mind, harder and faster than before. "Oh no, you don't! Not this time!"

Draco bumped into something which toppled, nearly deafening Draco with a series of loud metal clangs.

Simon's "Hey!" left Draco wondering how much damage he'd done, while the noise only made River shriek louder to be heard over the cacaphony.

She started to wail. This was just too much. Pulling his wand from its pocket, he opened his eyes and hit her with a Conjunctivitis Curse.

Taking advantage of their distraction, Draco cast some quick cleaning spells to restore the fallen trays.

"What the [tyen shiao duh] is going on around here!" the captain yelled, momentarily stunning everyone into silence.

River recovered first. Releasing her death-grip on Simon's shirt, she pointed at Draco. "I want him. In me. Again."

Unbelievable. Draco stormed over to River, who was still clinging to her brother. "You are," he ground out through gritted teeth, "without doubt, the rudest witch..."

Draco pulled his wand again. "Tell her to mind her own business!" Then he noticed the expressions on the rest of the crew and assumed a defensive stance. "I never laid a finger on her!"

"Now son," the Shepherd took a pacifying tone. "Why don't you calm down and put that away."

Oh, for... Draco lowered his wand slightly. "Don't tell me she's the only witch on board."

"Actually, Mal," a goddess stepped forward and put one hand on the captain's shoulder, "there is."

The captain gave them an exasperated glare, "Would one of you please explain what this is all about?"

Through Inara's intercession, Draco had removed the spell on River's eyes, and now they were just waiting on Simon and the captain.

"Well, maybe if you grew your hair out a bit..." The first officer elbowed the pilot in the ribs.

"How many times do I have to go through this?" Exhaustion had blunted Simon's anger. "My sister is not a witch."

"She's asleep. Well, sedated at least." He looked up at Draco. "What did you do to her?"

"Then maybe now we can get a few answers." The captain looked pointedly at Draco.

"Actually, that seems a pretty good place to start." Draco picked up his wand (noticing how many of the crew backed away as he did so) and held it upright. "Orchideous."

A bouquet of flowers burst from the tip. Draco handed one each to Kaylee and Zoe before presenting Inara with the rest.

"Bravo," clapped the captain. "You know, I think I once saw a street performer pull a similar stunt. Of course, he was more interested in conning for credits than upsettin' folks."

Draco bit his tongue to avoid saying something stupid... or calling the captain worse. He looked down at his tea -- some bitter Chinese brew -- and had an idea. "Accio sugar."

A cabinet banged open, making several people jump, but Draco deftly caught the small cannister as it flew towards him. He sprinkled a small amount into his cup before offering it around. "Shall I summon the milk, too?"

"Oh well," Draco shrugged, taking a sip. Sweet enough, but getting cold. "I can also cast warming spells if somebody needs."

When nobody took him up on the offer, Draco pocketed his wand and turned back to the captain. "Real enough for you?"

"If magic is a genetic trait, no matter how highly recessive, shouldn't it affect others in my family?"

Draco shrugged, "Who knows? You never had any strange uncles nobody talks about?" Simon frowned. "And there have always been a few Muggle-born wizards in every generation. It's just something that happens."

"Has anyone devised a test of sorts? Some way of settling matters between you and the doctor?"

"This is my wand, matched to me." Draco rolled it between his fingers. "But for a strange witch or wizard, particularly an untrained one... results can be unpredictable."

"A sound idea. Wash, you can take them out to the wastes in the shuttle while we conduct business."

"Aye-aye, Captain. So, what else can you do? Can you fly around on a broomstick?"

"Let's finish up what's needful, first." The captain turned to Draco, "Care to explain what's got River all riled up?"

"Honestly," said Kaylee, "he never said two words to her before she started screaming."

"She is a witch. Legilimency is a... specialized skill. With training, a Legilimens can look into other peoples' minds and see their memories and thoughts."

"When River walked entered the inn, she started scanning everyone in the room. I'm not a terribly sharing person, so when she tried it on me, I blocked her."

"Not exactly... She surprised me. I think I used too much force, because for a moment, I was in her head."

Simon didn't let it distract him. "Can you do it again? What do you need, eye contact?"

"Whoa! Hang on a second! Now, doc, I've tolerated your sister bein' a psychic because she's sick an' can't help herself. But that don't mean you can have yourself some kind of mind magic free-for-all."

Simon turned to Draco. "Government scientists conducted experiments on my sister. They were doing things to her brain." He swallowed. "That's what I meant when I told you River was sick. I've been trying to undo their work, but I can't without knowing what they've done. And she refuses to talk about it. If you could just look into her head..."

Draco caught a glimpse of her standing barefoot in the doorway, then rest his head upon the table. It had been a long day.

He listened halfheartedly to the scraping of chairs and expressions of concern, but Simon's little speech preyed upon his mind. Just what he'd expect of Muggles, and why wizards were such sticklers for secrecy.

Author's Notes:

The Intended Conclusion:

The locket Draco carries contains a special Portkey inside. If anybody opens the locket and touches the Portkey inside, they will be returned to the 20th Century, at the location where Draco departed from. (Time is passing for Draco at the same rate as in the time he left).

Narcissa and/or Severus cast a Protean charm on the locket, so they can inform Draco when it's safe to return. He's been instructed that if he isn't contacted within a certain timeframe (one or two years), he should use his own best judgment on whether it's safe to return.

That was all I figured out before writing everything above.

Among my thoughts were I to continue the story:

Draco manages to defer Simon's requests to look into River's mind until he can determine whether or not she's a witch.

At their dropoff point, the crew splits up, and Wash will take Draco and River to an isolated planetside (with Simon and Book as witnesses) where Draco can test River with his wand.

No real surprise -- she's a witch.

Draco will make one attempt at legilimeny/occlumency to better understand what was done to River, but she overloads him and her memories are so horrific they literally make him sick.

Unfortunately, Draco can't really teach her magic onboard ship, because any accidents could jeopardize the hull integrity. The best Draco can offer her during the journey is a divination textbook. River will take to the subject like a duck to water, although her predictions will be typically obscure and hard to interpret until it's nearly too late.

Fortunately, Book knows of a private place (Haven?) where they can train privately. He can shepherd a flock of two. Simon wants to come along, but the crew needs a doctor.

Draco starts training her in magic; she's powerful and catches on quick, though troubles him with theory questions he can't answer. [Recognizes the Latin derivation of spell names and wonders if spells can be cast in other languages...]

One day, when Book is out getting food and supplies, a pair of aurors arrive. Two women, an Asian named Cho, and a redheaded Weasley. They'd been tracking Draco and River through their use of magic, and want to bring them back to the Wizarding 'verse.

Draco's quite pleased by this, because (a) he would much rather River find a qualified teacher, (b) she needs her own wand (instead of trading off during lessons) and (c) if they could borrow a Pensieve, Simon could see River's memories directly without Draco having to act as intermediary.

Backstory:

Turns out Voldemort actually won the war, and the Wizarding World took an isolationist path.

Unfortunately, with such a small stock of purebloods, they were soon forced to resort to parthenogenesis to maintain their numbers. Voldemort is still alive (Harry's wand is both a trophy and a new/last Horcrux), and has been the only wizard for centuries -- they could only breed witches.

Wizards did abandon Earth when the rest of humanity did, and made their own isolated colony.

This further limited what could be done with magic, as they no longer have access to potion ingredients or other magical creatures that grew on Earth. All remaining wands are multigenerational hand-me-downs, putting further constraints on the wizarding population.

They still have the magical artefacts that identify Muggle-born children and detect unauthorized magic use. But school recruiting is just a pose, and Muggleborns are killed or harvested for genetic material, rather than educated.

River was already ensconced in the Academy when she got her "Hogwarts letter" and thus evaded capture.

But now, the two who got away must face an ancient and undefeated Voldemort...

Looking Forward, Looking Back

Prologue:

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Author's Notes:

The Intended Conclusion:

Backstory:

If you read, please review:
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