Chapter 2 -
Warning: Rating M, slash content.
Disclaimer: I own nothing besides the plot of this story and perhaps additional original characters.
It all belongs to the wonderful J.K. Rowling who we all praise.
Side-note: This fanfic was written by two people as roleplay though in some situations we changed side characters. So there might be sharp changes from one character's POV to another. I tried smoothing it a bit but it still might a bit.. well, confusing.
Most importantly, enjoy!
Draco was still angry when Harry got back. He barely glanced up at him, opting to continue to glare at his book, though he couldn't help the snicker that escaped him as Harry tumbled out of the chuckled from behind his own book.
"Father said you weren't bad on the Quidditch Pitch... But I'm not sure I believe him if that's how you handle a Floo."
As Harry scrambled up off the floor, cursing under his breath, he shot a deadly glare at Draco. He strode past him, called an elf and with the given instructions headed off to his room without a glance. He hoped this will get Draco pissed as hell. He couldn't stop a light chuckle as he was exiting.
Draco resisted the urge to high five his son, reminding him to be polite instead, as he exited the room. As he came to Harry's room, he crossed his arms and leaned against the door frame. "I realize it's no Weasley residence... But I do hope you find this acceptable?"
"It will do." Harry retorted, smirking. He went back to unpacking his books and putting them neatly on the nearby bookshelf before facing Draco again and saying
"One more thing Malfoy, Kingsley told me not to come into the office for the time being I'm here." he shifted on the spot and waited for Draco's reaction.
Draco bristled. "Well I'm glad they've at least met your standards, oh Chosen One."
He raised an eyebrow at Harry's words. "So you'll be here all day, every day?" He sighed. "I feel this is cruel and unusual punishment..."
"You and me both.." Harry mumbled suppressing a small amused smile. "Is it okay if I use your library?" he asked.
Draco allowed himself a smug smirk as he raised an eyebrow. "Which one?"
Harry couldn't stop his jaw from hitting the floor. "You have multiple libraries?" he asked in bewilderment. He wiped the look of shock off his face and muttered "Lucky bastard."
Draco flashed him a proud grin. "Not luck, Potter. Just a very old bloodline. A very old, wealthy bloodline. What do you want with it?"
"Since I'm gonna be trapped in here anyway, I thought I would make the best of it and catch up on some reading. Something that is /not/ paperwork." he said with an annoyed sigh.
"Yes, because you seemed to be getting sooo much done when I was in there." Draco teased. "Anyway, there are three libraries in the Manor. Any of the Elves can lead you at any time... There is one right down the hall." He turned and walked out, gesturing for Harry to follow, and lead him to a large room with floor to ceiling shelves full of books.
Harry stood up and followed Draco out of the room obediently. Walking into the first library he couldn't stop his mouth open in awe.
"Bloody hell!" he exclaimed, his eyes darting across the room.
Draco smirked back at him. "Yes, it is a bit impressive, isn't it?" He leaned against one of the shelves, his amused eyes on Harry. "It has absolutely anything you can think of. Spell books, potions books, novels... Even a few Muggle books, believe it it not."
Harry closed his mouth and his eyes landed on Malfoy. "Muggle books? Really Malfoy?" he chuckled.
Draco shrugged with a small smirk. "I'm not my Father, Potter... Never will be, if I can help it."
"Living in a huge mansion, blond and arrogant.." Harry trailed off teasing.
Draco shot him a glare. "Just because my father was a lunatic doesn't mean I have to give up my birthright to be head of the bloodline."
"Calm down, Malfoy. I was kidding." Harry shook his head before striding off to the nearest bookshelf. He tipped his head to the side, reading the titles and reaching out to take one out, every now and then.
Draco's eyes followed him as he wandered to the shelves, a small smirk forming as the man tilted his head to read the titles. It was such a childlike gesture that Draco couldn't stop the chuckle that escaped him.
Harry turned to the source of the sound and narrowed his eyebrows in confusion. "What?" he asked suspiciously.
Draco shook his head, still smirking at him. "Nothing, nothing." He stuck his hands in his pockets, his eyes still amused and on Harry.
Harry stared at him for a few more second before shrugging his shoulders. He put the book he was currently holding back on the shelf and asked "The rest of the tour of the house?"
Draco shook his head. "No need to do the whole Manor. Most of it isn't used. Mostly, we use the sitting room, bedroom suites, and dining room in this wing. You've seen two of those and you'll see the dining room at dinner."
"All right then." Harry paused with a loss for words. "I guess I'll just excuse myself to my room. What time do I come down for dinner?"
Draco rolled his eyes and walked over next to Harry, running his eyes over the books. "You're a guest here, Potter, not a prisoner. You can do whatever you like. I could show you around the grounds if you like? They're much less depressing than the majority of the Manor."
"Never thought I'd hear my childhood enemy volunteer to show me around his house even though I'm pretty sure he has work to do." Harry smirked watching Draco's reaction.
Draco just smirked at him. "Malfoys don't work... We just sit back and have everything done for us. Now, are you coming, or am I going for a walk alone?"
Harry rolled his eyes and said "Okay, fine." He followed Draco out of the room smirking.
Draco smiled to himself as he walked out on to the expansive grounds. They walked in silence for a while. "So, Potter... What does the ministry have you doing when you're not babysitting Death Eaters?"
"Paperwork." Harry replied instantly. "Loads and loads of it.." he muttered darkly. "I can't even remember the last time I did something exciting. No more chasing Death Eaters, no more dealing with dark spells.. The Ministry is ruining all the fun." he said kicking a rock on the ground furiously.
Draco raised an eyebrow at him. "Huh... Would have thought you'd be sick of chasing around the evils of the world. Ready to settle down, have a family," he cast a fond smile towards the Manor that housed his son. "All that boring stuff."
"Honestly, I do. I always wanted a family of my own. A real one.." Harry sighed. "But I can't deny not missing some of the adrenalin.. After 7 years of constant excitement, and fear, you easily get bored." he finished with a grin.
Draco turned to him with a playful smirk. "I could hex you if you'd like... I would need your permission in writing though. I refuse to go to Azkaban so that you can get your fix, Potter."
"Bet you'd like that Malfoy. Bet you would.." Harry let out a throaty laugh. This was the first time he actually looked around and realized he was in a middle of a breathtaking garden. "This garden looks amazing!" Harry stated, not caring how he sounded.
Draco smiled, watching Harry. "It is quite nice to look at..." He blinked, mentally slapping himself and looking around the garden. "It was Mother's favorite spot. There are usually a bunch of white peacocks running around... Dreadful things. Foul tempered and proud, but rather pretty."
Harry didn't hear Malfoys first sentence but was too busy staring amazed at the huge gorgeous garden. He saw something in a corner of his eye and turned his head, squinting his eyes to see better. "Malfoy, is-is that a stable? And /horses/?"
Draco chuckled. Harry could act so much like a child it was ridiculous. He started off towards the stables. "Yes, it's a stable with horses. Do you ride?"
"I haven't ever ridden but as a kid I've always been fascinated by the pictures. Dudley got an animal magazine for one his birthdays. He, of course, ripped the whole thing up but I managed to tape it together. I used to look at the pictured for hours." he blushed afterwards realizing he revealed a lot about himself. "You ride Malfoy?" he asked with genuine curiosity.
Draco listened to Harry's story, an unfamiliar feeling twisting in his gut. Well, unfamiliar when it came to Harry Potter... He'd heard rumours that his home life hadn't been the best, but he had always assumed they were just that... rumors. Draco looked over at Harry and realized that he stopped talking.
"What? Oh. Yes. I ride. My parents insisted. Part of being a 'proper pureblood' they said." He rolled his eyes.
"What's the point of must knowing how to ride but never riding in public?" Harry asked. They approached the stables and big meadow filled with horses. Harry eyed the nearest horse by the fence. A brown hair coated horse with white spots on him was in Harry's eyes beautiful but he hesitated in coming closer and petting him.
Draco chuckled. "I got a beating from my father for asking the same question." He watched Harry for a second before walking over and placing a hand on his lower back to push him forward gently and whispering to him. "Don't be nervous... These aren't like that blasted animal that attacked me in third year. They're proud, but you need to act like someone that deserves their respect. Someone that demands it."
Harry jumped a little at the sudden touch and invasion of his personal space but he let Draco lead him over to the horse. He slowly raised his hand towards the horse and petted his neck while a smile formed on his face. "This isn't so bad."
Draco chuckled, his hand still on Harry's back, and his head hovering just over his shoulder as he watched the horse. "Harry Potter, the boy who live... The Chosen One... Man who defeated the Dark Lord... Afraid of horses."
"I am NOT afraid of horses!" Harry huffed. He tried suppressing a smile but only ended up grinning like a fool. When the laughter died down, he realised Draco's surprisingly warm hand was still on his back. He turned around to find Draco's face inches from his. He stepped backwards and pretended that the only reason he pulled away because he wanted to pet the Horses back which was out of his reach.
Draco smirked a bit at his discomfort, but turned to watch the horses in the field. "There are all kinds of animals on the grounds... And we own a decent chunk of the forest just there." He nodded to the forest on the other side of the field. "I haven't the slightest idea what all is out there... But I /do/ know there is a herd of Thestrals. I visit them often."
"I never took you as an animal lover, Malfoy." he chuckled. "Horses, fauns, Thestrals.." he trailed off amused. "I bet you loved when Firanze taught us Divination.."
Draco snorted. "Hardly. I like animals worthy of respect. Horses and centaurs should be respected... And Thestrals have a good meaning behind them. I've been able to see them since I was young and they've always fascinated me."
"Oh." Harry breathed out. He hesitated for a second before asking. "Who did you see die?" he asked in a small voice.
"My grandfather." Draco shrugged. "It was ages ago. I was a bit younger than Scorpius is now. But I've been visiting them ever since. Used to beg mother to take me to see them... They always made her nervous."
"They are beautiful creatures.." Harry said before chuckling at the fond memory of the first time he saw them.
"I saw them the first time in our fifth year and I pretty much freaked out. You could have imagined.."
Draco laughed. "Thought you'd gone off your rocker, did you? I suppose it would be strange to be an adult, or close to it, and randomly start seeing an animal that you didn't even know existed." He smiled over at Harry. "Come on, there's more gardens to see."
Harry groaned. "Do you Malfoys, just /have/ to have everything in multiple numbers? Libraries, gardens.."
Draco raised an eyebrow and gestured at the gigantic Manor. "Potter... What else would we do with all of this room?" He paused and then grinned. "We have a Quidditch Pitch."
Harry stopped dead in his tracks. "Seriously Malfoy? Your own freakin' Quidditch Pitch? Now you're crossing a line here! Screw the gardens, it's time for a good ol' game of Quidditch to finally settle who's better." Harry said firmly but with a smirk. He strode off in a random direction hoping he chose the right one.
Draco laughed and trotted after him, grabbing his arm and turning him to around. He raised an eyebrow, still holding Harry's arm. "Ready?"
"I was born ready." Harry replied smirking, very aware of the warm hand holding his own. Draco rolled his eyes but grinned an identical grin as Harry's. Moments later apparated away.
Author's note: I've decided to have shorter chapters and shorter waiting periods. :)
Thanks you all for feedback and to everyone who reviewed. Also thank you to the followers and the people who favorited!
I have to stop thanking people.. but it feels so good! Ah well..
Have a great night ;)