THIS STORY HAS BEEN EDITED! I went back through it because I'm trying to get out an update, so here's a new and approved chapter!
THANK YOU TO MANY PEOPLE FOR POINTING OUT TIME AND AGAIN THAT EVERY CHARACTER WAS SOMEHOW NAMED 'HARRY'. THIS HAS BEEN FIXED. AGAIN. HOPEFULLY FOR REAL THIS TIME.
Well i first posted this over at HPFandom, and i got about 28 or so reviews, more than i have EVER gotten before. I decided to try it here.
This story has SLASH, THREESOMES, CHILD ABUSE, VIOLENCE, SELF-HARM, AND SLASH. AND SLASH AGAIN.
It is pretty dark, and not for the faint hearted. I warned you.
Chapter 1: Bello
Not for the first time in his life, Harry Potter thought the sentence: Why is it always me?
He glanced at the calendar on which he usually counted the days left until he returned to Hogwarts. It was only July first, but he was already dreading September…
After defeating Voldemort (pure luck, might he add!) He had to go back to Hogwarts. He had assumed this of course, but now…
Of course, you're probably thinking, 'Isn't that a good thing?', because Hogwarts is Harry's favourite place, is it not? Well it is, but there was one little problem.
The re-sorting. Headmistress McGonagall had deemed it appropriate that, in light of the war and whatnot, the coming sixth years should have a chance to be re-sorted. War changes you after all.
Harry snorted aloud at the thought. It sure does change you, and he knew where he would be placed as soon as the Sorting Hat touched his head.
Slytherin.
He wasn't looking forward to his friends' reactions, but that was that. He knew were he belonged now. He had changed, just like Minerva no doubt knew he would.
Looking out the window over Privet Drive, Harry thought about the last few weeks. It had shocked everyone that none of the Slytherins had actually been on Voldemort's side…at least not in Harry's year. In fact, some of them – Draco, Blaise, Pansy, Millie, Tracey, and Theodore – had even fought with the Light during the Last Battle. However, Lucius Malfoy, Crabbe Sr., and Goyle Sr., along with many other Death Eaters had been convicted as Dark, but as a thank-you to his son's help, Lucius was kept under wand-arrest at Malfoy Manor.
However, the Slytherin Problem was not Harry's biggest issue. He had also come to the realization –in his fourth year, really – he was gay. It was simple, and acting like he and Cedric hadn't been together just because of their rather large age deference was an insult to his memory, Harry thought.
And people had wondered why he was so upset when Cedric died…it wasn't enough, of course, that a person had been murdered right in front of Harry's eyes, but for it to be his first crush…his first kiss…
Harry jerked his thoughts out off that road. He hadn't really loved Cedric, but he had liked him a fair bit, and Harry put a great deal of emphasis on first kisses.
Harry had no doubt in his mind that he would never find anyone else. Not because Cedric was his one true love or anything, but because, well, who would want Harry?
Not the Chosen One. Not the Boy Who Lived. Harry.
He knew the answer to that: no one.
If only he knew what was happening at that very moment…
In a large Manor miles and miles away, Draco Malfoy and Blaise Zabini both knew something was missing.
"Dray…" Blaise murmured from the blonde's neck, not even able to bask in the afterglow as usual, because something was just wrong.
"I know," agreed Draco, pulling back slightly to look into the nearly black eyes. "I know…but what should we do? Do you even think he's–"
"I've never even seen him look at a girl that way, but Diggory on the other hand…" Blaise's voice trailed off at the end. Few people suspected Harry's and Cedric's relationship, but the two Slytherins – who watched Harry so carefully – did.
Draco nodded, considering. "I think we should write him a letter – ask if he'd be interested in seeing us. I just can't wait until we all get back. Agreed?"
"All right, but we have to be careful what we say…" replied the Italian, starting to sit up.
"Hey!" cried Draco, yanking him back down. "Who said you were allowed to get up?" He grinned as he began kissing Blaise's neck, running his hands over his stomach, and the Italian boy squirmed.
"Okay, okay, I get it!" he gasped, trying to get away. "You know I'm ticklish!"
The blonde grinned again, relenting in his assault and laying his head on Blaise's chest, thinking again how he wouldn't be there if it wasn't for the boy under him….
After the ferret incident in fourth year, Blaise took it upon himself to help Draco become…well, nicer. Or at least not so obviously mean. Eventually, Draco realized that Blaise was right, and somehow, one night in the astronomy tower – studying, of course! – Blaise kissed him. Being brought up by a loving witch mother and – in Blaise's case – loving wizard fathers, they were both quick to discover that they were meant for each other, but something was missing. They did some research on wizarding couples and learned of Triads; and, a few months later, they knew who would complete them.
It wasn't completely unheard of for wizards or witches to form Triads, and it certainly wasn't at all unusual to be gay – at least in the wizarding world. When a witch or wizard knows their true mate, the call to be with them is almost overpowering. In the accounts of most Triads, two would find each other and then have to search out the other and woo them as well. That was what Blaise and Draco were trying to do.
)(
"Here!" Blaise finally said, thrusting the parchment across the desk at Draco and slamming his head down on the table in exhaustion. Draco chuckled, looking down at the hopefully finished letter.
Dear Harry,
I suspect you won't appreciate congratulations on the defeat of Voldemort – Merlin knows you probably receive a hundred a day – so I'll get right to the point.
We – that is to say, Draco Malfoy and I – would like to ask you if you would consider dating us. I'm not sure if you know, but it is not so uncommon for three wizards to be together, and we've liked you since fourth year, really. I'm sure you'll think this is a joke, but we are quite sincere in our wishes, and we think that if anyone deserves happiness, that person is you.
If wasn't fair, you being forced to save the wizarding world at only fifteen, loosing so many people in the process… We would like to show you care and affection you deserve – for giving so much for everyone, and for just being you. You deserve to have someone to take care of you, for once, and we would like to do that.
We want to earn your complete trust, so please find at the bottom of this letter both mine and Draco's magical signature verifying our truth in this matter. A simple spell will prove their truthfulness
We deeply hope you will accept out offer, Harry, Bello. Please think about it.
Amorem,
Blaise Zabini.
Draco grinned at the simple words of affection Blaise had slipped in, calling Harry love and beautiful without the boy ever knowing.
"It's perfect," Draco said, kissing the back of Blaise's neck. The Italian simply groaned and Draco smiled again. He had a way with words, but Blaise became very stressed when actually composing a letter, especially to someone so important.
Draco looked at Blaise for a moment, but he still hadn't moved. Shrugging, the blonde simply picked up the dark-haired boy and carried him to the bed. They may have been inches apart in height, but Draco wasn't soft by any means.
"Draco – what–? No, let me sleep…" he groaned, exhausted more from the prior activities' in that bed then by the letter to Harry. The other just smiled and laid him on the bed on his stomach, then began to gently rub his back. Blaise sighed in appreciation and murmured. "Nevermind…I'll stay here…"
Harry had just swallowed his meal for the day – another can of cold soup, this time tomato – and was feeling very thankful that Hedwig was at the Weasley's, as he didn't have to share. He had only been at privet drive for a month and already could see his ribs easily…
Letting out a very undignified whimper of hunger, Harry started back for his bed when he noticed an owl at the window. It was a barn owl, and perched precariously on the bars the covered the glass.
Wondering who on earth would write to him besides Ron and Hermione, Harry opened the door, thanking Merlin that there was no lock this summer.
The bird flew in and dropped a letter on Harry's bed, then flew into Hedwig's cage and began to drink from the water dish. Harry was startled at the bird's boldness for a second, then, shrugging, he picked up the letter.
It was addressed with simply his name, and he glanced down at the name at the bottom as he unfolded it.
Why would Zabini be writing to me? He wondered as he sat down and began to read.
Five minutes later, after reading the letter about six times, Harry was convinced he was asleep. Or perhaps hallucinating, as an outcome of his hunger.
The signatures were indeed real, and he knew that Draco had not been at all hostile towards him since after the Ferret Incident, but they hadn't exactly been best mates either. More importantly, why would anyone want to date Harry?
He fingered the gilded edge of the parchment, thinking…
On the other hand…who cared about their motives? They obviously liked him for him; the signature said that much…perhaps there was something that they saw that Harry didn't?
Harry almost laughed at the thought. No, surely they would get tired of him eventually, and that would hurt, yes, but could he resist someone caring for him? They had said they would take care of him…that would definitely be nice…
No, Harry decided, he couldn't resist. Smiling as the barn owl flew over to him shoulder and nuzzled gently, Harry grabbed some parchment and a quill.