December third, 1998
Startled, Harry turned his head. He had personally cast the wards around his flat, and he doubted anyone, even Voldemort himself, would be able to breach them. He saw in front of him an old man, his hair completely white. His face was wrinkled, and he wore dark glasses.
The old man said "I see that you're ready to take the easy way out, but have you got the guts to right your wrong?"
"What do you mean?" asked Harry warily.
"I know you muse about chess, how would you like to start a new game with a clean slate and rectify your mistakes? You could reach happiness, the kind of happiness that you crave."
"You mean with Draco? I hardly think that would work. He loves Boot now."
"Yes, as you so naively put it, he loves Boot now, but he loved you before," continued the old man.
"What do you mean, before?" asked Harry skeptically.
"I see you are still the clueless, naive Gryffindor, still living in the Muggle world."
'That old geezer is just as sarcastic as a Malfoy,' thought Harry, 'I wonder if he is one of Draco's relatives.'
"I would think that the old fool Dumbledork would have told you about the convenient little gadgets, the Time-Turners," continued the old man.
"You mean, use a Time-Turner? They are controlled strictly by the Ministry, and I hardly think they will let me use one to mend my love life."
"They won't, but I will. You could use this one, which I have," replied the old man, presenting a Time Turner in one hand.
"However, there are important facts that you must know. I see that you were willing to die for your love, but are you willing to kill for it?"
Harry braced himself to control the shaking that suddenly threatened to overwhelm his body. He asked with a small voice, "Kill? What d'ya mean?"
"You must know that Reality, the Universe, cannot hold two of you for a long period of time. What this means is that if you go to the past, you must convince your younger self to radically change his behaviour and then come back here, or, failing that, you must take his place and dispose of him," replied the old man a bit impatiently.
"I'll not kill him, I'm no murderer," affirmed Harry.
The old man replied testily, "I am afraid there is no other way, I know intimately how stubborn you were, how fixed in your self-righteousness. It would be very difficult to convince yourself to change, and if you remained that way, then Draco would leave you, and you will come back from the past to your empty existence.
"Then it would be only a matter of time before you tried to kill yourself. There is no room for two Harry Potters in the past, you either convince the other Harry and come back or remove him and fix the error yourself; if you leave things as they stand then you will surely die."
Harry shuddered at the old man's callous words, and a suspicion entered his mind.
"Do I have to sell you my soul? Are you the Devil?"
The geezer guffawed loudly, and smirked what would surely be a Malfoy-grade smirk. "You're quite the melodramatic queen, aren't you?
"No, I am not that. I am something worse, which you will know - in time."
As the man spoke and moved his hands gracefully, Harry noted a striking silver ring in the index finger of the left hand, shaped curiously like a snake eating its own tail. Harry vaguely remembered Hermione talking about such a symbol in ancient Greece, but he couldn't remember what it meant exactly. Maybe it was some sort of Slytherin symbol, or a pureblood status thing.
The geezer continued: "But for now, think about the possibility of having Draco back, of keeping him with you, and finally showing him that you are worthy of his love, think of him sheathing you, then showing you what it feels like to be truly loved as he takes you."
Harry thought about Draco, his blond silky hair, his stormy eyes, his lean figure, and he felt his resolve grow.
"I'll do it. Just tell me what to do," Harry said in a firm voice.
"You will use the Time Turner to go back a year, to the day where Draco asked you to go to Hogsmeade with him. You will then talk to your younger self and convince him to change his ways. If he refuses to do that and does not believe you, you will kill him, transfigure his body and take his place, and then you will act in such a way as to secure Draco's love.
"You must be aware that, even with his love, there will be enormous pressure on you to behave as their Saviour. It is up to you two how to handle that, but know that you will not be alone, for you will have Draco with you," said the old man a bit wistfully.
"And one hint, he will love it when you call him Dragon."
"Alright, show me what to do," said Harry resolutely.
March 15th, 1997 – new timeline
Harry materialized just outside the Room of Requirement, because he knew it would be free for the day, that was the place where he was going to meet Draco later today. He cast a glamour charm on himself to hide his thin and pale countenance.
He quickly took out the Marauder's Map and tapping it with his wand said, 'I solemnly swear I am up to no good.'
Immediately the plan of Hogwarts sprung before his eyes. He looked for the dot labelled Harry Potter, and to his amused surprise found it in the Dungeons, marked Harry Potter(1). He wondered if he would show up as Harry Potter(2).
After opening the door of the Room he tapped the Map with his wand and murmured 'Mischief Managed,' glancing around and making sure there was no one there, thus missing when a dot flickered into existence on the Map, labelled Ron Weasley(2).
He quickly made his way to the Dungeons, and grabbing the younger Harry by his arm, dragged him to an empty classroom after Stupefying him. He cast strong Silencing and Locking charms, and got the younger Harry's wand away from him.
When he revived him, young Harry looked gobsmacked at him and said, "It can't be true! Who sent you? Did Voldemort send you here? Lemme go now!"
Harry looked sardonically at his younger self and wondered how Draco could stand such an uppity brat as that. He deserved tons better and he would make sure he got it.
"I'm you, a year in the future. I was going to make a great mistake, and I was kept from doing it. I 'm here to help you reach happiness. You must try and treat Draco better. Show him kindness, show him that you are worthy of his love, that you love him, that you care deeply for him. Let him fuck you."
Young Harry snorted, "Are you kidding? I reckon he's my perfect bitch. He does as I want and will keep on doing it. I have nothing to change, and especially not because a bloke who looks like me says so. You could be a Death Eater on Polyjuice."
"Ask me anything, something that only ya could know," growled Harry(2).
"What's my greatest fear?" asked Harry(1).
"That you'll die alone and unloved," answered Harry(2) with a tremor in his voice.
"I don't believe you! You could be a Legilimens and read that in my mind! I'm gonna get the Headmaster and the Aurors will get you, and you'll go to Azkaban!" bellowed younger Harry.
His magic started to get out of control, and the windows shattered.
Older Harry panicked. He knew he had only a few moments before the classroom was utterly destroyed and the Headmaster would certainly recognize such a disturbance and come looking for its cause. It pained him to do so, but he knew he had to do it. He could not bear the thought of going back to a life bereft of love, devoid of Draco. Right now there was Malfoy, willing to love him still, and he would not let that dream perish as he had previously done.
He clearly said, 'Avada Kedavra' and the ominous green light shot out of his wand and enveloped Harry(1), who fell to the floor with a surprised grimace, and stopped moving.
Collecting his wits, Harry Potter(2) transfigured Potter(1) into a chair, muttered a quick Reparo for the window, and hurriedly left the classroom.
The sole Harry felt devastated for having so casually cast the Killing Curse. He reminded himself that it was for the best, that he now had a chance to correct his mistakes, to save his love, to make Draco happy and keep him by his side, to love him again, as he had wanted for the past months.
He prepared the Room of Requirement for his rendezvous, and drank tea to calm his nerves.
When the time came and Draco arrived, Harry had to fight to keep his cool and maintain a nonchalant manner when all he wanted to do was kiss Draco passionately, hold him and never let him go. Making an effort, he visualized McGonagall in a tutu doing the Macarena and calmed himself, greeting Draco casually.
They made love, and it felt for Harry as if he was coming home, as if he was in the middle of the worst desert, parched and dry, and had just taken a drink from the fountain of life.
Afterwards, Draco asked, "What have you planned for tomorrow, Harry, do you want to go to the Three Broomsticks with me?"
Harry felt he was at the real crossroads, that one way lay perdition, and the other redemption. One answer would destroy his happiness, the other would lead him to the true road, however dangerous.
Without missing a beat, Harry answered, "Of course I'll go to the Three Broomsticks with you, Dragon, but you will have to tell me what to wear."
Draco looked dumbstruck, if happy, and Harry realized how stressed Draco was, how constrained he felt in the relationship, how little of himself he gave to his lover for him to find happiness in such a small gesture. Harry determined to make it up to Draco, to show him that he was an equal partner and that Harry cared for him deeply.
He kissed Draco, and his kiss expressed the longing, the want he had felt for more than a year. Harry looked at Draco with watery eyes and said, "I missed that - Merlin how I missed that."
Draco replied mystified, "But Harry, we just kissed in the morning."
"Even a moment without you feels like eternity to me, Dragon."
Draco looked happy and made to stand up. Harry grabbed him and said in a husky, low voice, "Make me yours, Draco, I want to feel you in me."
"What, do I hear you right? You want me to make love to you?"
"Yes, Dragon, please."
"Are you sure? Why now, after all the times I asked you?"
"Cause I wanna show you how much you mean to me."
Draco looked torn, "I don't know, Potter. Why now, after months when I practically begged you? I think it might be one of your mind games, and I am really not in the mood for those. Please get out."
Harry's heart quickened. Was time going to repeat itself? Was Draco going to break up with him still? Had he gone back in time and killed himself for nothing? With the insight so painfully gained, he knew he had to respect Draco, give him space and opportunity to make his own decisions, and especially show him that he cared for him and respected him as his partner.
"I will go, my Dragon. But I want you to be aware that I really want to know what it feels like to be yours. I'm sure it will be wonderful, and I have been a complete fool for trying to deny us this pleasure. Whenever you feel like it, I'll be ready. I will be ready for you now, tomorrow, and tomorrow's tomorrow, forever."
Harry walked to the door and looked back at Draco, holding back his tears, "I now realize what an empty life I led before I was with you, and I'm certain that without you my life will be empty. Believe me when I say that I'd do anything - anything - to keep us together.
"It'll be my pleasure to go to Hogsmeade with you, just as I'd go with you to the Moon and back. I'll meet you in the Great Hall at 10:00 o'clock. See ya."
Even now, even here, he could not bring himself to say good-bye to Draco. He would rather die than do so.
He choked a sob, and turned to look at the Slytherin. At the door, he looked back and saw Draco, his hair shining in the moonlight, his eyes aglow with the erstwhile heat of his passion.
He looked carefully, treasuring the look, and fervently hoped that it would not be the last time he would see Draco so.
Harry went to Gryffindor Tower, and in the Common Room, said hello to Ron and Hermione, who were predictably in the middle of a snog session. Harry smirked as he coughed, trying to gain their attention. When they finally broke apart, Harry said, "I hate to tell you this guys, but I 'll go to Hogsmeade with another person, I can't go with you."
Harry thought privately, 'I'd rather go with Voldie than with you, backstabbing traitors!'
Ron routinely asked, "Who with, Harry? Who's the lucky girl?" - thinking to himself – 'As long as it is not that scum Malfoy, I don't care.'
Harry answered, "You'll find out tomorrow" - thinking – 'And you will be pissed, jealous Weasel!'
The next day, at 10:00 o'clock, Harry stood in the Great Hall, looking great in a dark green pullover, tight black leather pants, and dragonhide boots. He made a dashing figure. He felt his heart tremble when he saw Draco enter, wearing a turtle-neck sweater and gray pants.
When Draco approached him, Harry presented Draco with a splendid red rose, and said, "I read in a book that red roses symbolize passionate love. You kept loving me and giving me chances, even when I did not deserve them. I've come to realize how much you mean to me."
Harry put it delicately on Draco's outstretched hand, "I charmed the rose so it won't decay and will always smell like this. I want you to have it, for you already hold my heart in the palm of your hand."
Draco blushed and said, "Thank you Harry. I didn't expect this from you. I'm happy to accept it." He took out his hawthorn wand and sent the rose to his room in the Dungeons.
They held hands and walked out of Hogwarts, talking about diverse things, and not paying attention to the stares they constantly received.
Harry felt he was in seventh heaven. The person that meant the most to him was again beside him. He had a chance to really build the relationship, to have a partner again. He knew the Wizarding world would be cruel - as well as his friends - but they would be inflexible regardless of whether he was with Draco or not.
They went to the Three Broomsticks and had butterbeer, talking about Quidditch. Harry took the opportunity to talk about himself, letting Draco know about some of his fears, his hopes and dreams, his failures.
It was all going smoothly until Harry felt a hand pushing violently his shoulder, and a familiar voice said, "What the hell are you doing with the fucking Ferret, Harry, have ya lost your mind?"
Harry looked up to see a furious, red-faced Ron standing there. He looked to Draco and saw him wearing a stoic, weary expression. He realized that Draco expected him to go away with Ron, to say nothing and just agree with his friends, as he had been doing all along. Ashamed of himself, Harry replied, "I am with Draco, and have been for some months. I want you to meet my boyfriend, Draco Malfoy."
Ron was completely flabbergasted, though he suspected their relationship, he never expected Harry to acknowledge it, let alone anounce it to the world as he had. He was completely sure that Harry would always choose him over Malfoy, as he had on the train in first year.
Ron exclaimed while he waved his hands angrily, attracting the attention of the other patrons, "Please tell me you are kidding, Harry. Merlin, it doesn't matter to me if you are gay or not, so long as you don't go out with Malfoy. Heck, you can go out with Justin or Seamus, I would support you, but not with Malfoy. Tell me you won't continue with him."
Harry smirked internally, he knew that in fact Ron would later loath him simply because he was gay. He had abandoned him because he was gay, when he had not been with Draco at all.
Harry knew it was a ploy to get him to choose him over Draco again. Harry knew how false Ron's friendship had become lately.
He said firmly, "Well, Ron. Draco and I are a couple, and I hope we'll always be. If you can't support me on this, or at least accept my choice of a lover, then I won't consider you my friend."
Ron looked furious, "If that is your final word, Potter, then I'll leave you alone with your queer lover" - and walked away.
A few minutes later, Hermione came up to Harry, "Ron's right, I'm afraid. You can't be with Malfoy, with a suspected Death Eater. The Boy-who-lived cannot have such a lover, you'll be reviled and Voldemort will win."
Harry knew that the smart witch was trying to manipulate him, pulling on his hero strings.
"Then it's a pity that Voldemort will win because I love Draco, if you were as smart as you think you are, you'd know that's a lie. In reality you are all my friends because it serves you well, and I want you to know that if you're no longer my friends, it is you who will suffer out of the limelight."
Hermione flushed and left. Draco commented, "Was that smart, Harry? They are your best friends, I would think you would want their support. Understand me, I am glad you stood up for me, I just wish you didn't have to antagonize them."
Harry looked lovingly at him, "They're not truly my friends if they don't accept that the only person that brings me happiness is you, and I won't give you up for the world, or time."
Draco looked with hooded eyes to Harry and hoarsely said, "Remember what we discussed before, Harry?"
"Yeah, I remember" - he replied excitedly. He wanted to hear what Draco would say.
"Are you still up for it?"
"I'll always be up for it."
"Then let's finish here and head back to Hogwarts, to the Room of Requirement."
On the way back, Harry asked, "What about you, Draco? What will your house say about our relationship? What will Voldemort do?"
"I'm not the Skytherin Prince for nothing. My housemates will follow my lead and do as I say, or suffer the consequences. Lucius is in Azkaban and no longer heads the Malfoy family; I am no longer the Malfoy heir, because I have assumed my full familial duties. As for You-Know-Who, I'll tell him that it is all a plot to get your confidence and then hand you over."
Harry remembered he had been very jealous when Draco dated several guys, and how the Slytherins seemed to take it in stride. He also remembered reading about Draco's exploits as a spy in the Daily Prophet. He concluded that Draco was a very capable wizard, and wondered how he had been so blind to underestimate him so in the past.
When they were nearing Hagrid's hut, they nearly colllided with Terry Boot and Justin Finch-Fletchley.
Harry scowled venomously at Justin and said in a cold voice – "Well, it is our little Huffleduff wanker." He smiled smugly at Terry, daring him to say anything.
Justin asked confusedly, "Harry, what's up?"
Harry answered heatedly, "That's Potter to you, stupid Huffleduff!"
Justin continued, "Why are you acting like this, Harry?"
"I've my reasons, little Huffleduff. See that you do not cross my path ever again."
As they left their bewildered classmates behind, Draco commented, "That was weird, Harry. One would think that you hold a grudge against the Hufflepuff."
"A grudge? That wanker is not worthy of my time or effort. Let's talk about something else" – said Harry while shuddering inwardly, thinking of Justin's betrayal.
"Let's talk about your friends. I think you've been neglecting them. You should spend more time with them. Heck, I'd like to spend time with them and get to know them, I suspect I won't have many friends in Gryffindor."
"I'm sorry about that," commented Draco sadly.
"Don't you dare be sorry, Dragon" whispered Harry fiercely.
He gazed into Draco's grey eyes, "Don't be sorry for loving me. You're the best thing that's ever happened to me. Without you, I'm nothing."
Harry continued as they walked rapidly, "Without you there's only the bleak days and nights, their weary parade."
When they were near the Hogwarts entrance, Harry interrupted himself and pounced on Draco, kissing him hungrily.
Their kiss was wild and untamed, and it spoke of their endless hunger for each other. As Draco was a little taller than Harry, Harry draped his arms around Draco's neck, and crossed his legs around Draco's waist. Draco supported Harry's bottom with his hands.
Harry didn't care who saw them. He wanted the world to know that he was Draco's, and the Slytherin was his – and they were proud of it. He had come dangerously close to losing it all, and it was only magic that had brought it all together. He would not risk Draco's love again.
They managed to get to the Room of Requirement without snogging each other senseless, though barely. Harry walked three times in front of the tapestry, murmuring, "A place to lose my virginity."
He wondered if his time with Justin counted, or if he was still a virgin, seeing as how that didn't happen until months in the future.
When they entered, the room was decorated in Slytherin colors, green and silver and had a huge bed. Harry sauntered to it and started stripping.
Draco husked, "Stop, Harry, allow me the pleasure," smirking and moving to his side.
He took off Harry's pullover, shirt and pants, and kissed every inch of Harry's body, then he leisurely took off his own clothes.
When he swallowed Harry's length, Harry thought he had died and gone to Heaven. After his climax, he said –"I'm ready, Draco. I want all of you."
Draco whispered, "Accio lube."
He grabbed the jar, and prepared Harry expertly, taking a page from Harry's earlier ministrations. When he entered him, Harry was amazed at Draco's gentle care, and he had the most remarkable feeling in the world, quite different from the time with Justin when he felt used. Soon Harry was groaning and panting, shouting, "More, Dragon, harder, fuck me harder, damn it!"
He felt completion, the fulfillment of a circle, and wondered how he had survived without this; how he had the temerity to keep this feeling from Draco, his mate. What had been cold and forbidding with Justin had turned out to be lustful and pleasurable with Draco.
During the next week, Harry got to know the other face of Slytherin, and made good friends with Crabbe and Goyle, Blaise, and surprisingly Pansy.
He found out they were funny, if bitingly so, and their dry wit was legendary. Mainly he took his meals at the Slytherin table, and he rarely went to Gryffindor Tower to sleep, because he spent most nights with Draco in the Room of Requirement.
Ron and Hermione had gotten most of the Gryffindors to follow their hypocritical viewpoint and reject Harry out of hand because of his liaison with Draco, ostensibly because he was a Slytherin. Harry knew that they would condemn him regardless of Draco, just because of his sexual orientation.
Only Neville and Ginny stayed loyal to Harry, and would furnish him with the latest Gryffindor gossip.
The following Saturday, when he woke up in the Room, Harry saw a Wizard Chess set and said to Draco, "Wanna play a game?"
"Ok, but I'll beat you."
"It doesn't matter. Wanna know what is great about chess? You can always start another game and use what you learned in previous ones. You learn from experience and in the beginning the possibilities are endless, a humble pawn can become a queen and be the center of your attack, and you sacrifice pieces - even the important ones - to get what you want at the end. There's an infinity of possible games to be played."
Harry took the leftmost pawn and hefted it in his hand, looking earnestly at Draco.
"It reminds me of what Shakespeare wrote: 'Age cannot whither her, nor custom stale her infinity variety" - said Harry, recalling what he'd read once during the bitter months away from Draco, when he thought he'd lost him forever.
His eyes misted over as he stared intently at Draco, wanting him to read in his eyes his profound, undying love. "I'll never grow tired of your endless diversity, my Dragon."
tbc