A/N and Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter. That honor belongs to the great JK Rowling. Nothing in this story is meant as copyright infringement. I am simply borrowing these amazing boys for a bit to enjoy my own wondering thoughts. This will be a slow moving, but eventual slash with veela bond. The slash will definitely be rated M when we get there so be warned. And this is certainly M/M, don't like don't read. Also while characters may be a little OOC, I try very hard to stay cannon so if you see anyone getting too OOC please review and let me know. Love you all! So here we go!
"It is beyond time that he knows the truth, Draco." his mother urged, her brow wrinkled in concern. She was so very worried about her son. If he didn't see reason soon, the consequences would be drastic and they all had suffered through too much to allow that to happen. Draco ignored her. He continued to stare at the smiling couple in the photo. 'Front page of the Prophet', he mused with a humorless laugh, of course. Savior of the World to Wed!, the caption underneath boasted happily. Draco felt a sob threatening to make its way into his already closed throat. He tossed the paper aside and rose before he did something stupid, like admit his sorrow. Draco strode out of the study with his head held high, Malfoy mask firmly in place- extremely proud that he managed not to even glance at his mother as he did so. 'No', he thought to his mother inwardly, 'Potter will never know'. He looks almost happy and the Weaselette seems to genuinely care for him. So he will give Potter the only gift he can, his absence.
The quill in Harry's hand twisted as he nervously considered what to write. Before him lay a sizeable stack of parchment - all requests from Headmistress McGonagall to return for his seventh year. The summer was slowly drawing to a close and he knew it was time to make a decision. The trouble being... he had absolutely no idea whether he wanted to return to the castle he loved.
The Battle of Hogwarts still raged in his nightly dreams, horrifying him anew as he watched his loved ones perish one by one, never able to alter the chain of events that always lead to their death. If only he had been quicker, if only he had been able to confront Riddle away from Hogwarts, if only...
Harry was drawn out of his musing as warm slender arms wrapped around his shoulders and sweet smelling crimson strands tickled his face. "Hey Gin." He turned in his seat at the desk and smiled warmly at her. She was beautiful, his bride to be, he loved her... he did. It was just the war and the pressure to be normal now and the ever increasing need to decide about the auror training program or his return to Hogwarts to complete his NEWTS and... wow. Harry stopped his thoughts. 'Why didn't he feel that burning in his chest anymore when he looked at her?'
"Make a decision yet Love?" Ginny's smile was genuine and Harry's heart sunk guiltily at his inner turmoil.
"I want the required NEWTS, I know Kingsley has assured me that my 'life experience' from the war is more than enough to satisfy the Auror entry requirement. I just want to be like any other new Auror." he sighed. "I am likely going to return to Hogwarts, I just can't seem to make myself write the acceptance."
"Well why don't you leave it for a time and help me a bit with the wedding? I know you do not enjoy planning this sort of occasion Harry, but I want this to be a special day for the both of us." Ginny offered hesitantly.
Harry groaned unintentionally.
"You still wish to marry before the term, do you not? The short term engagement was your idea, Harry. If you wish to wait, until our schooling is complete or your through Auror training, I understand of course."
Harry knew she understood. She was always so understanding. He sighed again. This had to stop, he decided determinedly. Ginny had been amazing and had waited long enough while Harry ran around the world fighting horcruxes and tracking all things dark and creepy. He chuckled. "Gin, of course I haven't changed my mind. I am just feeling off today. Can we look at it tomorrow? I promise, I will be out of this wretched mood and we can spend some time together, yeah?" Ginny nodded and smiled, brushing her lips across his cheek. She stood and left him to his letter.
Irritated at himself for the unhelpful voice in the back of his mind telling him that things have changed, he quickly penned a brief acceptance to McGonagall agreeing to return and thanking her for the continued support. He rolled the parchment and sent it off with Errol. Harry still had not replaced Hedwig. He knew he needed to, but the thought pained him. Replacing her was admitting she was gone and too many of those he loved were in that category.
Firelight danced in the room of the study at Malfoy Manor. It was a lonely place since the war, but Narcissa drastically preferred loneliness to the terror that reined when Voldemort roamed these halls as if her home was nothing but his lair. Since the trials, she had thrown herself into repairing the Manor. It allowed her to pretend that she was putting the pieces of their lives back together. The study now reflected its former glory and provided Narcissa with a modicum of peace. A small pop drew her attention. "Poppy is begging Mistress pardon. There is being Mister Kingsley Shacklebolt asking to be seeing Mistress. Poppy can be telling Mister Shacklebolt that Mistress is being in her study is not wishing to be speaking with nobodys if Mistress is wanting that of Poppy". The little elf quivered slightly. Narcissa had been making small progress with them, but so many of the house elves were still terrified. "No need Poppy. You did very well." She praised the elf. She even gave the small creature a smile. "Send in the Minister. I am happy to speak with him."
The Minister of Magic strode confidently but kindly into the study and greeted Narcissa. She bade him to have a seat and join her by the fire and he accepted, but did not bother with small talk. "I understand that Draco has agreed to return to Hogwarts for his seventh year. Mrs. Malfoy, are you certain that is a wise decision?"
"He has need of completing his NEWTS like every other 7th year from last term. Mr. Potter has given him the gift of a future and I do not wish for him to waste this second chance. What he said and did during the trials… " She couldn't bear to finish the account of the hero of the wizarding world testifying on behalf of not only herself, but her only son. He only saved them both from a lifetime in Azkaban. Of course, Lucius did not fare as well, though it was unlikely even Harry Potter could have prevented that fate.
"I understand the sentiment Mrs. Malfoy. You must be aware of the danger however. The Slytherins will not be welcomed kindly back to the castle, Draco especially. Perhaps-"
"With all due respect, Minister. Do not think for a moment that I do not appreciate that. Nonetheless my son shall return. He has faced worse, I am afraid. This is not why I requested an audience with you. I fear it is my obligation to reveal some Malfoy family secrets."
Narcissa was beginning to think the Minister had elapsed into a trance or lost consciousness at some point, as she had been finished with her tale for some time and he remained in the same position on the sofa across from her, slowly blinking. After what seemed like ages, he seemed to shake himself and he finally addressed her . "Let me see if I have this straight. Draco Malfoy, who all believe to be a pureblood wizard, is half Veela, due to a partial inheritance from you and his father, both of which we also believed to be of pureblood families? He came into his inheritance at 16 as he should have, but the necessity of his mate has been dormant because of the war for reasons you wish not to disclose. The death of the Dark Lord has recently revealed Draco's mate, but you also refuse to reveal the identity. As Draco is only half Veela, it is not believed that he will sicken without this mate but the allure is likely to still function and will be even more potent with Draco's decision to deny his mate. Did I get everything correct?"
She smiled kindly. "Absolutely, I am glad you understand." She determinedly ignored the abashed look of indignation on the Minister's face. If he chose to treat this as a joke so be it, but she was not relenting. The return to Hogwarts needed to proceed and it was not her place to reveal the whole truth. After all, the summer had proven that Draco would not perish due to his reckless decision. He would merely be unhappy. And empty. And incomplete. For the rest of his life. Oh Draco, its time to tell him the truth.
"… cannot be seriously considering-" the minister had apparently been continuing to rant as Narcissa was busy with her thoughts. "I merely wished to disclose any potential threat as well dissuade any argument that he is tampering in dark arts due to the effect of the allure. The Headmistress will be notified as well. I am sure you can find your way out. Thank you for your time." With that she exited with the regal elegance she no longer felt. She certainly hoped Draco knew what he was doing. She also hoped that Harry Potter chose to continue his studies as well. With any luck, the proximity will be enough to tip the scales.
August at the Burrow. It was certainly not the first summer he had spent among the sweet scents and warm grounds. It was however, the first time he had been standing by the lake in formal wizarding robes waiting for Ginny… so they could get married. Merlin! How had he gotten himself into this? He pulled on the collar of his robes for the umpteenth time and he heard Ron clear his throat next to him. He glanced in the direction of his best man. "Ginny's my sister. I would do anything for her and I would never let anyone hurt her, not even you Harry."
"Ron shhh.. its fine, I am just –"
"Let me finish, thanks." Ron sighed exaggeratingly. "You don't want this Harry. Its obvious. Its obvious to me. Its obvious to Hermione. And it would be obvious to Ginny if she let herself face reality for a change. I have been trying to talk to you about this for weeks, but you always get that determined look on your face.. yeah that one. That says – I can defeat anything. Do not interrupt my plans." Ron sighed again. "Harry…I will make an announcement. Alright? I will say something brilliant and she won't be embarrassed and then you can postpone until you know what you want. You have done enough of what everyone expects, I think. Don't you?"
"I cannot believe you are standing there attempting to convince me to leave my bride at the altar. Not only are you my best friend, but she is your sister. I am fairly certain you are the worst best man on the planet by that definition. " But Harry sounded relieved, even to his own ears.
Ron merely nodded and leaned in like he was getting instructions from Harry. Then he addressed the crowd:
I AM AFRAID WE HAVE AN ANNOUCEMENT. THERE HAVE BEEN RECENT DEVELOPMENTS THAT ARE GOING TO INTERRUPT THE FESTIVITIES FOR TODAY. WE THANK YOU FOR COMING. HARRY HAS BEEN CALLED AWAY UNEXPECTEDLY…
And just like that, Harry could breathe again. Ron had saved his life, Merlin love him. He went on to provide some lame excuse after another and before Harry knew it. He was back in the house, out of those stifling robes and looking over the backyard. He heard a small knock and granted entrance without finding out who was there. He really should have thought about why he had been in those robes before making such decisions however.
"Harry!?" Ginny nearly sobbed.
Oh Merlin. No. He wasn't ready for this altercation yet. "Hey Gin."
"That's what I thought" she said with defiance. "You haven't been called anywhere. Kingsley looked as shocked as I felt." She sniffed. "Why in the hell couldn't you just be honest with me?! WHY DAMNIT?!
"I DON'T KNOW, OK! I don't know Gin" Harry completely deflated and sagged onto the floor. Not caring that the hardwood was unforgiving as he fell. He spared a look at his fiancé, or exfiance. She looked miserable. And pissed as hell.
"Do you love me Harry? It's a simple question." This time, the words came out flat as though she were no longer capable of filling them with emotion.
"Of course I do!" He said defensively. Then added more honestly. "I do, but not in the way you need me to. Not anymore. I don't think its in me any longer. I wanted to Ginny. God how I thought I could just make it real again. Make us both happy, like we were in the beginning. But this isn't fair to you. You deserve more than a memory." It wasn't until the words were out of his mouth that Harry realized the truth in them. He wanted what they had had, not what they have now. He wanted the future they had painted together in those afternoons by the lake in his Sixth year. He wanted it to be real. But like so many things in Harry's life, that future had been stolen. That future was no more.
She merely nodded. He watched dumbstruck in what felt like slow motion as she removed her engagement ring and handed it to him. "I will always love you Harry. I mean that." And then she was gone. Ginevra Weasley had left Harry Potter. He chuckled sadly. The Prophet was going to have a field day with this.