Hi! Welcome to my new short story! This was originally a one shot, then became a two shot, and is now a three - so its ever growing lol. Hope you all like it.
Til Death Us Do Part.
Chapter one
Honour and disobey.
Harry shuddered as pain ripped through his abdomen, trying desperately not to move but unable to stop the convulsions. He bit down on his lip and the coppery taste of blood flooded his mouth.
His head was lifted off the cold ground it lay upon, his hair was stroked and words of comfort were being whispered.
"You can have green…I was…I was only…." he cried, knowing someone was there but unsure who. He felt himself slipping away, could feel death's grip wrapping its way around his body. The end was near - he was about to die…
Harry's eyes snapped open. For a moment the surrounding darkness closed in on him like a suffocating blanket, smothering him to the point he gasped desperately for breath. Perspiration slid down his face and pooled against the soft pillow beneath his head, causing his hair to stick uncomfortably to his forehead.
He glanced around the room compulsively, forcing his eyes to adjust to the darkness as he allowed his breathing to regulate. He knew deep in his heart that there was no danger, that it had just been a terrible dream and his body slowly began to relax as a result.
He slowly moved his hand across the bed until it bumped against warm flesh, and he brushed his fingers lightly against it to calm himself further. It had always helped to be close to someone after a nightmare, and even now that he was well into adulthood, it was no exception.
Turning his head slightly, his gaze fell on the pale outline of a face. Soft sparkling eyes glittered from the light of a streetlamp falling through the large window behind Harry, and it was easy to make out an expression. Harry's heart fell into normal rhythm from the tenderness and understanding.
"You okay?" whispered Draco, tenderly. His hand moved across and captured Harry's. "Nightmare?"
Harry sighed and closed his eyes. He felt silly now that his heart rate had settled down, and he realised he must have called out in his sleep, resulting in waking the blonde beside him. He shook himself, clearing his consciousness of the silly dream he'd had.
"I'm fine, just a dream." Harry breathed, turning on his side and facing the other man. "Nothing to worry about." He added.
"Anything you want to talk about?" Draco asked, squeezing Harry's hand for encouragement.
Harry's lips pulled at the edges in a gentle smile, "Honestly, it's nothing." he reassured, ignoring the swell of guilt in his stomach. The dreams he'd been having all his life were easy to deal with now, but they would frighten his partner - he didn't need to hear the multitude of deaths Harry had suffered in his dreams.
Draco smiled knowingly, and he leaned across to place a soft kiss on the end of Harry's nose. Harry breathed in the leftover scent of Draco's aftershave that lingered on his skin, and he felt his body shift closer to the other man. Draco chuckled lightly, his hand releasing Harry's and coming to rest instead on his hip.
"You lie," He whispered, "but I'll forgive you. As long as you're not getting cold feet?"
Harry considered the only words spoken in his dream, something about having green. He wondered if maybe it was a sign of cold feet - after all, Draco had been whining constantly about having green waistcoats for the wedding , much to Harry's annoyance, and he suspected that his sub-conscience was trying to tell him something. Though he knew he wasn't getting cold feet. Maybe somewhere in his head he knew he'd only agree to green if her were on his deathbed.
"My feet are fine." He smiled, pulling Draco closer and cradling him against his chest. "Now stop worrying and go back to sleep."
It wasn't long until Draco's breathing evened out as sleep took a hold of him, and Harry let his mind drift.
He was actually getting married to Draco Malfoy. It was a concept that still made Harry beam and scoff in the same instance. Not in a million years would he had thought that one day he'd be marrying his school-boy nemesis - even now the idea seemed ridiculous. But at the same time it made sense, it worked - they worked. They were two parts of the same whole - they complimented each other perfectly (even if at times they clashed disastrously) and now they were willing to express to each other - and the world - just how perfect they were for one another.
Though, of course, that didn't mean they always got on. Harry recalled the argument that had taken place earlier that day, the one that had probably led to his disturbing dream.
"Oh, are you kidding me? I would rather die than wear green to my wedding!" Harry had grumbled as they both climbed into their car to begin yet another journey to a wedding venue. They had so far disagreed on every decision, and he was scowling to himself as he fastened his seat belt knowing that he'd yet again be bullied into agreeing with his soon-to-be ball and chain.
"Don't tempt me, Harry, because I can make it happen and look like an accident!" Draco had retorted, leaning forward to fiddle with the stereo, "besides, you'll do as you're told or I'll make you marry a Weasley instead." He'd added with a smirk.
Harry's scowl deepened. "Maybe I'll take you up on that, at least I'll have a quiet life!" he'd sniped, glaring at the road ahead.
It was nonsense, he was quite aware of this, however he couldn't help the dig. Draco had always had an unnecessary jealous streak when it came to The Weasleys. Though, Harry reasoned, George's pointed flirting and Ginny's moony eyed stare would aggravate anyone, least of all his boyfriend. However, Draco wasn't taking the bait today. He merely rolled his eyes.
"A quiet life surrounded by the ginger posse? I very much doubt that." Draco laughed easily causing Harry's scowl to deepened. "Anyway, we've only got another 3 weeks until the wedding and I want it to be spectacular - so can you please start seeing things my way. It would make the process a lot simpler" he finished petulantly. It was common knowledge that Draco had a problem with the word 'No'. Unless, of course, he was the one saying it.
"Oh I have no doubt that it'll be a spectacle." Harry grumbled, checking his mirrors as he navigated round a roundabout, "That's the problem - I want it simple and quaint." he admitted quietly.
"Well, you can carry on wanting! I only plan on getting married once, and I plan on doing it in style. We'll do your boring quiet wedding when we renew our vows." Draco allowed with an uninterested wave of his hand.
Harry blanched, his head whipping round to take in Draco's expression. "What do you mean 'renew our vows'? You know, Draco, it would be nice if you'd perhaps ask my opinion on things before you just go ahead and make decisions! At this rate, I might decide not to show up." An empty threat, they both knew this.
"Over your dead body!" Draco scoffed. "If you stand me up, I'll make Voldemort look tame." He added with a dark look in Harry's direction.
Harry frowned, his hands gripping the steering wheel. "Tasteful, Draco."
A small sigh filled the car. "I love you, Harry." Draco said softly, his hand reaching across and brushing over Harry's white knuckles, "I just want our wedding to be perfect. I've waited to marry you since we were 16 - it's all I've ever wanted."
Harry was taken aback by Draco's sudden change in direction. He glanced at his boyfriend and found that his expression was as earnest as his words. He gripped Draco's fingers and held them against the steering wheel. "I'm sorry. I know all of this wedding stuff means a lot to you, I should be more understanding. I love you, too, baby - there is nothing on this planet that could stop me from racing down that aisle to marry you." he added with a smile.
"You promise?" Draco asked, his tone uncharacteristically unsure.
"I promise." Harry smiled, squeezing Draco's fingers as he focused back on the road. "And I'll think about the green."
He distantly recalled the small, triumphant smile that had pulled at Draco's lips, one that was mirrored by Harry he drifted off to sleep.
Weeks passed by in a blur of Wedding magazines and cake tasting, and at times Harry wondered what he and Draco would actually talk about once they were married and they no longer had a million things to plan. He clung to the idea that he may actually get a bit of peace. Though, with Draco as a husband that seemed very unlikely.
He did get occasional moments of relaxation, though. Once a week he, Draco, Hermione and Ron would meet up at their favourite restaurant and he always smiled as he gazed at his fiancé conversing easily with his two best friends - friends who had once been tortured and ridiculed by said fiancé. It hadn't been an easy road to friendship for Draco, Hermione and Ron - far from it! It had taken every ounce of persistence and cunning Harry possessed to, at first, force a civil understand between them, and then nurture a blossoming friendship.
Now it felt as though Draco had always been a part of their tight knit unit - and Harry couldn't be happier. Even if it meant that Draco now had allies - allies who knew how to break Harry…and who regularly succeeded in doing so.
"An ice sculptor would be perfect centre piece, Draco - I just don't see why he's opposed to it." Hermione's voice floated into Harry's consciousness. The way she said 'he's' put him instantly on guard.
"He has a name, and he can be opposed to whatever he likes considering it his wedding as well!" Harry informed with a scowl, picking up his wine glass and cursing when he realised it was empty. With a sour expression he plonked the glass back down, avoiding eye contact with the other occupants of the table. He now realised why Draco and Hermione had been so intent on going to a restaurant to finalise the wedding arrangements - it was to impair any risk of Harry objecting to any secret plans and causing a scene. Sneaky bastards!
Ron, who was about as interested in wedding arrangements as he was in re-reading A History of Magic, tilted a wine bottle over Harry's glass and emptied the contents inside, his eyes twinkling with mirth. The corner of his mouth pulled upwards when he caught Harry's eye. "Mate, the best thing you can do is just let them get on with it and think about the honeymoon. It will make life a lot less stressful." he advised knowingly.
"If I let them get on with it, Ron, I'll end up bankrupt and humiliated." Harry said desperately, his eyes begging Ron to understand and help.
"Maybe so, but at least you'll have a quiet life." he replied with an apologetic shrug, before he pushed Harry's glass towards him. "Plus, it helps to drink a lot until the wedding is over."
"Wonderful." Harry sighed with disappoint, reaching for his glass and taking a large gulp. "Bloody brilliant."
Harry scowled for the entirety of the meal and refrained from agreeing to any type of arrangement. He knew that he was being coerced into decisions and he made it his mission to be involved properly - meaning his opinions would be valued, respected…and at least considered!
Draco had, surprisingly, let Harry sulk. He hadn't mentioned on the way home that he was annoyed or upset by Harry's behaviour - he had simply held the door open for Harry before gently closing it and walking into the kitchen, asking Harry if he wanted a cup of tea on the way.
Harry followed him, wondering when the blonde would explode in a fit of temper that he wasn't getting his own way, but Draco merely carried out his task, smiling at Harry softly when he made eye contact.
"You know, I've been thinking, Harry-" he announced gently as he stirred the sugar into his tea.
"Don't hurt yourself." Harry quipped without meaning to, shaking his head when he realised his error. He'd get the silent treatment now, for sure.
However, Draco visibly ignored the comment - his lips pursing slightly before a small smile reappeared. Harry frowned worriedly. Surely this couldn't mean anything good.
Draco turned and approached Harry, placing his tea cup on the counter beside him. His body was so close he could feel Draco's heartbeat pumping through his chest. He realised the closeness wasn't an accident when Draco's lips pressed against his ear.
"I was thinking…that maybe you were right. I shouldn't make decisions without you." he purred, his tongue brushing against Harry's earlobe and sending a shiver down his spine. "And to make it up to you, perhaps we should have an early night…?" he added, his hands sliding over Harry's hips and pulling his pelvis forward to crush against his own - aware of the erection that would press firmly into Harry's own.
"I'm listening." Harry breathed, completely unaware of the trap he was walking so blindly in to. He nuzzled his face into the crook of Draco's neck, totally overcome by his sudden arousal. He felt Draco smile against his cheek.
"I thought…I could do that thing you like with my tongue…" The blonde whispered seductively, tilting his head back so that Harry had further access to his neck. He grinned when he felt lips and teeth claim the milking skin beneath his collar.
Harry shuddered pleasantly, ecstatic by his turn of fortunes. He ran his fingers through the back of Draco's soft hair, forming a fist and gently pulling his head back so he could kiss the blonde man's Adam's apple. "I'd like that." he panted between kisses, grinding his erection even harder against Draco's.
Draco whimpered for effect, causing Harry to moan deliciously. "And all I ask for in return…-" Draco whispered, grinding again, "All I want for such pleasure…is an ice sculptor as a centre piece - is that really so much to ask for?" he asked timidly.
Harry paused in his ministrations for a fraction of a second, and Draco knew that the penny had finally dropped. He waited for the fall out, for Harry to remove himself and complain about being coerced by a sly Slytherin. But with a wild growl, the lips, once again, began attacking his neck, and the hands continued to grip and manipulate.
"You'll be the death of me!" Harry surrendered, dragging Draco towards the stairs with lust in his eyes.
The blonde laughed wickedly, overjoyed that his plan had worked. Sure, he now had to blow Harry's mind in the bedroom, but that really wasn't of a chore. "What a way to go though, huh gorgeous?" he asked saucily before he allowed Harry to tow him up the stairs.
Harry smiled happily as he made his way towards the exit of the Ministry. It had been a very long day and he was glad it was finally over and he could now go home for snuggles with Draco. The wedding was fast approaching now and he was looking forward to finalising the surprise he had arranged for Draco with a seamstress the next morning.
Hermione, who walked along side him, frowned when she saw the conditions outside. "Harry, the weather is horrendous - why don't you just apparate home?" she asked bemusedly, standing in a line for Floos in the atrium of the Ministry. Harry shook his head solemnly, casting a longing gaze toward the apparation point.
Sighing deeply, Harry turned back to Hermione. "No, I somehow found myself being dragged into blackmail - If I use magic for simple things such as transport then he's allowed to use magic for simple wedding things such as 100ft ice sculptors and banquet style catering. I'd rather get the tube and have a buffet."
Hermione laughed and shook her head good-naturedly, "He'll be the death of you, Harry." she chuckled, hitching her bag up onto her shoulder, "If the cold doesn't get to you first." she added with a smile.
"Don't I know it." Harry replied, leaning in and kissing Hermione on the cheek. "See you in the morning."
"Take care…and buy yourself a coat!" She called as he begun walking towards the exit.
He turned to face her and walked backwards, "What? And hide this physique?" he asked, indicated his fitted white shirt hugging his slender torso, "Never!" he laughed and waved goodbye as Hermione stood in the fireplace and disappeared in a burst of green flames - an amused smile pulling at her lips.
He laughed to himself as he made his way out of the ministry, and shook his head as the moment his mobile phone had reception it began ringing. Rolling his eyes as he saw his home number on the screen, he took a deep breath and answered - ready to be yelled at for his latest infraction.
"Hello handsome!" He called into the speaker and winced as Draco's voice reprimanded him - loudly.
"Are you trying to drive me insane? Really, Harry, because it feels like you are!" Draco asked, obviously irate.
Harry shook his head, a smile pulling at his lips, "Of course not - you're already there." he quipped, running across the road toward the underground. His boyfriend's resulting growl indicated he was in no mood to be messed with. Harry's smile widened.
"Look, Harry, the green looks delicious with the light grey - I just don't understand why you aren't coming around to my way of thinking?" Draco complained, his voice raising an octave. Harry knew the blonde would whine and whine until he got his way, however he had found after years of being with Draco that he needed to at least stand his ground for a little while - other wise the blonde would get away with murder.
"Will you give it a rest with the green - I'm a Gryffindor, treachery is a Slytherin quality!" he retorted with a smirk, "Now, I'll see you when I get home - I'll be about 20 minutes." he added, jogging down the steps to the tube.
"We're going to talk about this, Harry - I will get my own way!" Draco informed insolently before hanging up.
Harry rolled his eyes as the line went dead, and smiled as he pocketed his phone. Hermione was right - that man would be the death of him. He made his way down through the almost deserted underground, jogging on the spot to keep warm as he waited for his tube. He prayed to any god listening that the weather would warm up in time for the wedding - he was sure Draco would find some way to blame him if it didn't.
The uncharacteristic calm of the platform was eerie and Harry couldn't help but check over his shoulder as he stood alone. The platform was all but deserted. He could just see a couple sat at the other end, contentedly gazing at each other and laughing quietly. Harry smiled and thought of Draco.
"Give me your wallet." A voice demanded to his right. Shocked by the closeness of the stranger, Harry whipped around and gasped softly. The stranger, an untidy, hard looking man, gazed at him with wild eyes. "Give me your wallet, now!" he growled again, his tone gravely.
Harry was paralysed. He couldn't feel a single bone in his body. He gazed at the man before him with unadulterated confusion - he had no idea what was happening, and even less idea of what he was supposed to do. His wand sat forgotten in his calf holder, though he reasoned he would have had no way of retrieving it without causing the man to act against him. But he knew it was already too late.
The numbness ebbed away and he became aware of the pain, the pain that radiated through his midriff saturated any move he made with agony.
Harry slowly lowered his eyes to the wet red stain spreading across his white shirt. The blade the man had been holding against his side as he had first made his demand, the one that had plunged deep into Harry's stomach as he had spun round to face him, shook painfully in the attackers hand.
Harry's breaths came in short, sharp bursts, each one more difficult than the last.
"Give me your wallet!" The man growled again, pushing the blade in further, causing Harry to inhale sharply. He felt something hot rise up his throat and he coughed as it hit the back of his mouth. Tiny red droplets showered the strangers face and as Harry tried to focus on what it was, the station flickered before his eyes, and he felt himself slump further onto the knife as he fought to keep conscious.
"I…green…" he gasped painfully, blinking hard to try and focus on the man in front of him. His brain was fixed on the last conversation he'd had with Draco, and as the pain from his stomach spread through his body, shooting through his veins like an electric current, and he begun shaking as shock took hold of him, all he could think about was how he had denied his boyfriend something so trivial. "Green." he muttered again, uncontrollably.
The attacker snarled into his face, and somewhere between gripping Harry's shoulder and twisting the knife and Harry crying out in agony, the man flew backwards as an explosion of magic burst between them, throwing them apart. Harry stumbled unsteadily for a few seconds, gasping as the knife was savagely removed causing blood to gush from the wound on his stomach. He watched through a fog as the man scrambled to his feet and ran from the platform, leaving him there to bleed.
Time seemed to stand still as he swayed on the spot, staring ahead into the tube tunnel. It was still eerily quiet, and he distantly wondered if the loved-up couple from before had noticed anything.
He began to turn in their direction, and the sound of his muffled, pained cries were drowned out by the sound of the tube thundering down the track towards him. A blur of colour and sound made him unsteady on his feet and he crumpled, crying out as he hit the ground.
"Help me." he whispered into the air, shaking uncontrollably, causing the pain to redouble with every convulsion.
The train rattled to a stop, and Harry tried to focus on what was happening around him. Someone was speaking to him, cupping his cheek gently and applying pressure to his stomach. He whimpered and clamped his eyes shut, pleading to anyone listening that the pain would stop.
He could feel his shirt sticking to his skin as he laid on the cold ground. The concrete floor lost some of its chill as a warm pool seemed to leak around him. His head was lifted off the ground and placed on something soft, and he opened his hazy eyes to find himself surrounded by blonde hair. He instantly thought of Draco, and he tried to smile at him.
"Dray…Draco…?" he stuttered between laboured breaths. The answering voice wasn't right, too high, too feminine, but it didn't matter. At that point it didn't matter, he needed to talk to Draco.
"It's ok, sweetheart. The ambulance is on its way - you're going to be fine." the voice informed confidently, brushing his hair out of his eyes.
"You can have green…I was…I was only…." he cried desperately, tears pooling in his eyes as he felt his consciousness being tugged away. His breathing kicked into overload as he struggled to move, and the woman gently pushed him back down.
"You're going to be fine, I promise. Just relax, sweetheart, or you'll hurt yourself more." The woman instructed. Harry couldn't listen, he could feel his limbs becoming heavier and he knew it was only a matter of moments before he'd be unconscious.
"Draco…I'm sorry…he can have green." he whispered desperately. "Please, tell Draco…he can have green - I'll let him have green…whatever he wants."
The hand brushed at his hair again, "You'll be able to tell him yourself, sweetheart."
Blackness surrounded him and any feeling was swallowed by it. "Please. Green." he whispered before he succumbed to the darkness.
To be continued…