Imprudence: Chapter 2

Yay! It's finally spring break! Which means I get to...work on all of the projects that were assigned yesterday and are now due the day we get back...and fan fiction! I am exhausted, but here I am with a new chapter for you! Please...enjoy!

If you haven't caught on this is the sequel to Propriety. It is a continuation of that story, so yes, read that story first. This is still slash and still non-graphic slash. Got a problem with that then skip along please.

Warnings: Probably some violence. Some medical "gore" (i.e. blood and description of injuries or illness). Lots of angst! (you expect anything less;) )

Disclaimer: Don't own Harry Potter and don't make any money off of it. I wouldn't need so many scholarships if I did.

Big News

Draco scowled at the potion he was stirring. He was currently sharpening up his technique for when he started his apprenticeship under his godfather and began brewing even harder potions. His mind wasn't on his work, however. It was on Harry.

Two weeks ago, he and Severus had told Harry about the prosecutor who was bringing charges against the Dursleys. Harry had taken the news as well as could be expected, but ever since then, Draco's Intended had thrown himself into studying any and every thing that he could to prepare for Healer training. That in and of itself wasn't a bad thing, however, Harry also wasn't eating properly, to the point where Severus had to sneak nutrition potions into his drinks at mealtimes.

If Draco could he would strangle the prosecutor with his bare hands. He wouldn't care if such things were below a Malfoy as long as it meant the man would no longer be causing Harry such distress. Harry had made it perfectly clear that he didn't approve of Draco's suggestions and the blond was promptly banished from Harry's home until he quote: stopped thinking like a spoiled, violent prat.

Draco's potion suddenly turned a slimy green and he had to quickly banish it. Sighing, he dropped his head. He clearly wasn't in the right frame of mind to be brewing. Draco cleaned up his work station and then stomped upstairs.

When he continued his stomping into the living room, his mother shot him a stern look.

"Draco Lucius Malfoy, you stop stomping around like an angry toddler this instant." Draco sheepishly did as asked and took a seat across from his mother. Narcissa had lots of paint chips and fabric swatches spread out in front of her. At his inquisitive look, Narcissa explained.

"Lucius finally procured an appropriate building for the orphanage. I went there earlier this morning and am now trying to decide how to decorate the children's rooms. The Minister's new assistant was able to give us an estimate on how many children to expect and the number is quite depressing." Narcissa trailed off for a moment, thinking of all the abandoned and traumatized children. She shook her head and smiled at her son. "So, to cheer myself up, I'm decorating. You look like you could use some cheering up yourself."

Draco sighed again and nodded.

"I was trying to get my mind off of Harry for a while, but even brewing isn't doing the trick. I just wish I could help him." Narcissa gave him a sympathetic smile.

"I know you do, Dear. We all do, however, there are some things that people need to work through themselves. Harry needs to work through his feelings about the trial on his own without you trying to fix everything." Draco clenched the arms of his chair self-consciously at the fond admonishment. "Trust me, Dear. Your father is the same way. Most of the time it can be amusing or romantic, but sometimes it's just a bit much. I'm not a damsel in need of rescuing and neither is Mr. Potter." Draco knew this, but it didn't make him want to protect his Intended any less.

Harry had dealt with enough in his life, and Draco wanted him to be happy, like he deserved.

"When will Harry hear back about his application?" Draco was grateful for the change in subject and grasped it with both hands.

"Today or tomorrow. The training starts in two weeks and then he'll be ridiculously busy for two years straight, followed by a year of ward rotations." Training to be a magical Healer was hard and difficult and grueling, mostly in the emotional and physical sense. The procedures themselves weren't hard to learn since magic is such a central part of a witch or wizard. Essentially, people had the skill or they didn't and those without were quickly ferreted out and sent packing.

"Well then, I expect you'll hear from Harry today or tomorrow. I doubt he'd keep such news from you. And you, Draco? Have you determined the subject you want your Potions Mastery to focus on?" Narcissa kept her eyes on her swatches and paired them with paint chips as her son began to ramble on about his beloved potions. Lady Malfoy had been duly skilled in potions while in school, but it had never sparked a passion in her like it had for her son. She loved hearing him speak so excitedly even if she didn't follow all of the theory he babbled about.

Lucius walked into the room as Draco was in the midst of animatedly explaining his Potion's Mastery project to his mother. The Lord smiled at seeing his son so excited and his wife looking amused and fond. Draco eventually saw him and paused mid-sentence, finally seeming to notice he was rambling.

"Hello, Father." Lucius tilted his head in greeting as he stepped closer.

"Hello, Draco. I was going to ask your mother to look something over for me, but perhaps the both of you could give me advice. I've gotten everything set up for the charity Harry envisioned, but I was trying to come up with a…perhaps, less-Malfoy way of announcing it to the public." All three Malfoys were soon roped into the conversation.

After an hour and a half of hearty brain storming, they finally came up with a solution. Lucius smiled satisfactorily down at the plan he held. This would work wonderfully. When he opened his mouth to announce such a fact, their floo flared to life. Suddenly, Harry Potter's head was poking through.

"Draco! Draco! I got in!" Harry was beaming and then he noticed that Draco wasn't the only person in the room. Even through the flames, they could make out Harry's blush. The young man cleared his throat. "Um…hello, Lucius, Narcissa. How are you?" Narcissa laughed cheerfully.

"We're just fine, Dear. It sounds as if you've got some great news. Care to share?" The woman was clearly teasing him, but Harry didn't mind. He knew it was all in good fun and it didn't dampen his spirits in the slightest.

"I just heard from the Healer Training program. I've been accepted into their accelerated course and get to study under some of their top physicians!" Harry's smile dimmed a little bit. "They even said they'd give me the time I need off to deal with the trial. I was worried about that." Lucius gave Harry an encouraging smile.

"That is wonderful news, Young Man. Let me tell you: they wouldn't do such a thing for just anyone. They must have been very impressed with your application and exam scores." Harry's smile lifted again.

"Thank you, Sir. Severus said the same thing. They're having me start early, next week, to hopefully counteract the days I'll miss for the trial. It'll ensure I graduate on time." Draco smiled at his Intended, even as his heart jumped at the news. It meant he would have less time with Harry…but it also meant Harry would start fulfilling his dream which was wonderful.

Lucius and Narcissa filled Harry in on the progress they had made on the charity and orphanage which only brightened Harry's already shining mood. The young Healer-To-Be was eager to see the building and even offered some ideas as to decorations or activities for the children. When Lucius explained the charity announcement plan they had developed Harry let out a relieved sigh.

"I was worried you were going to make me speak at a big event or something." Lucius chuckled.

"Of course not. You might want to consider attending the ball we'll hold to get things started on donations, but people won't link it to you. You're lucky. Kingsley suggested naming it after you." Harry looked horrified at the prospect making them all laugh. Then the man in the flames turned to Draco, who hadn't said much since Harry had (literally) shown his face.

"Draco? Can you come through? I'd like to talk." Draco felt a strange panic flutter in his chest as he nodded and stood. His parents laughed internally as their son looked like he was walking to the gallows. They knew the "Talk" wasn't going to be anything bad. The two loved each other too much, even if they hadn't admitted it to each other yet.

Narcissa and Lucius waved Draco off and offered Harry one final congratulations before the connection ended. They both sighed and settled next to each other on the love seat.

"When are you going to start planning their wedding," Lucius jokingly asked. Narcissa laughed as she leaned forward to rearrange the paint chips and swatches once more.

"What makes you think I haven't already?"

Draco didn't stumble out of the floo even though his legs were shaking. He tried to surreptitiously calm himself with deep breaths. He may not have dated seriously before, but one thing he knew for certain: being asked to Talk was never a good thing. Harry smiled at him warily as he came in.

Draco was waiting for the let down when suddenly he found himself with a mop full of dark hair up his nose. Harry's arms squeezed him almost too tight, but Draco didn't care. He just wrapped his own arms around Harry and gave as good as he got.

"I'm sorry I kicked you out last time. I was being stupid." Draco huffed into Harry's hair.

"You weren't being stupid. I know this is a big deal for you, Harry. You have a right to be upset, and I wasn't helping with all of my bravado." Harry pulled back and raised an eyebrow at his Intended's odd phrasing. Draco cleared his throat and his cheeks tinted a bit.

"Mother may have informed me that the Malfoy way of trying to fix everything by treating you like a damsel in distress is not always the best way to go about things." Harry snorted.

"I knew I liked your mother for a reason. Come on. I made some lunch and maybe you'll have more luck dragging Severus out of his lab than I did." Draco smiled and went in search of his godfather.

Sure enough, the man was bent over a cauldron, staring at it with such intensity Draco was sure he was heating it with his gaze. Draco was about to bid his godfather to come to lunch when he sniffed the air. His brows pulled together.

"What are you making?" Snape finally looked up and then beckoned him closer.

"I'm working on a more potent headache reliever. You know Harry has those migraines from time to time. Well, I've added a sliver of unicorn hair and…" In moments Draco was sucked in. His mind was running as fast as his godfather's as they bubbled with excitement over this possible breakthrough. They were starting to discuss possibilities for Draco creating a potion for seizures as his Mastery project, when someone cleared their throat at the door.

Both Slytherins looked up to find a playfully glaring Gryffindor standing in the doorway with his arms crossed.

"Draco, I sent you to fetch him, not encourage him. Come on. It's time for lunch." With that Harry walked away, and the two Slytherins begrudgingly put a halt on their potions discussion. If they started up again they would only fall back into their little bubble and Harry would have to fetch them…again.

When they got to the dining area, Harry did have a lovely lunch set out for them. Harry set a pitcher of lemonade on the table as they all sat down.

"I had to fight the House Elves to let me make this meal, so you better eat it." Severus snorted.

"Congratulations. Now they are probably all up them banging their heads into cabinets thinking they've displeased you in some way." Harry shook his head.

"Nope. I finally managed to convince them that I like cooking and I wanted to cook for my family. I may or may not have also ordered them not to hurt themselves." Draco had to bite his cheek to keep from laughing. It was such a Harry thing to do and the image of a bunch of house elves quivering and twitching trying not to bang themselves with cooking utensils was amusing. Instead he sighed in overdramatized relief.

"Well, at least you don't go on about SPEW. I think I'd have to drop the Courtship if that were the case." Harry held up his fork threateningly towards his Intended and the three men fell into relaxed banter. They came to a lull at one point and Severus cleared his throat.

"Harry, I know you told Draco about your acceptance into Healer Training, but did you tell him about the other letter you received?" Draco watched as Harry's smile turned into a harsh scowl. The Gryffindor viciously stabbed a piece of fruit.

"No, I didn't." Harry continued to mutilate his food, until he finally sighed and gave in to the quiet prompting. He met Draco's concerned gaze. "I got a letter the other day from the Prosecutor. His name is Thornsworth. He wanted to tell me how happy he was that he could pursue justice on my behalf." Harry stabbed more fruit and Draco began to fear for the plate. "The letter then went on to tell me what he expected of me. 'I know this is going to be a difficult trial for you, Mr. Potter, however when it comes time for your appearance in court, please do try and contain your anger. Oh, and it would be for the best if you left your Beau at home.' Ugh!"

Draco was as disgusted as Harry, and Severus, clearly were. This person had the audacity to drag Harry's personal business through the papers to get his five minutes of fame, and then demand that Harry not get angry in the courtroom? Then he told Harry to leave his Beau at home, as if Draco were some dog he was having a fling with? Draco's jaw ached from how hard he ground his teeth together.

"Did this ingrate expect a reply?" Harry shrugged innocently.

"I don't know. The letter accidentally fell into the fire before I could finish reading it." Draco huffed in amusement.

"And then he used that same fire to accidentally contact the Minister of Magic and accidentally bit the man's head off." Harry had the decency to look sheepish as his now-father explained what happened to Draco.

"I know it's not his fault, but I needed to yell at someone at the Ministry, and I knew Kingsley could take it." The blond Slytherin couldn't help laughing, and soon they fell back into happier topics, though the looming threat still weighed heavy on their minds.

Trust me, I wish applying to medical school was this easy and that the amount of schooling was this short. I can dream, okay!?