Quick A/N Alright I know I said I'd give ya three on Christmas but then I was thinking about the Night Before Christmas. So I decided that I'd give you this on Christmas Eve so you'd be -hopefully- even more excited to see the next chapters. Which means that you will be getting Chapter Four and Chapter Five on Christmas Day. Or X-mas. Or whatever you celebrate during winter. :)
CHAPTER THREE
"No." Harry said.
"What?" Draco asked.
He was feeling numb inside. Draco couldn't be serious, there's no way. This, never, not them.
"I, we can't." He repeated quietly.
"Don't you get it?!" Draco yelled, causing him to jump, "Unless I'm with you I will never be able to have a kid! I'm not able to get a girl pregnant! Even dropping her egg in a bucket of my sperm wouldn't work!"
"Why do you care?" He yelled back, anger and confusing welling up.
His face was burning red and he glared at Draco. The other boy looked just as angry and they both stared down each other for a couple seconds. Something was eating him from the inside out and he didn't know what. This choking feeling was just making him angrier.
"As the firstborn son it is my duty to have a child," Draco ground out, his voice lower.
"Hate to break it to you," Harry snarled, 'But I'm a BOY."
"We can just use a spell to allow you to bear a child," He countered savagely.
"I'M NOT YOUR TOY TO USE AS YOU PLEASE!" He screamed, losing control of his temper.
"THAT'S ALL YOU'RE GOOD FOR YOU STUPID IDIOT! YOUR WHOLE PURPOSE IN LIFE IS TO CARRY ON MY LINE! THERE IS NO OTHER MEANING FOR YOU! I DON'T EVEN LIKE YOU! THE CURSE IS JUST CAUSING ATTRACTION! ONCE I'M DONE WITH YOU AND HAVE MY KID YOU CAN GO ON YOUR MERRY FUCKING WAY! SO SHUT UP AND PLAY YOUR PART!" Draco raged.
It was like someone had punched a hole in his chest. All the anger just evaporated. Harry stumbled back a bit at the vicious look in Draco's eyes and then turned away.
"Give me time to think," He said in a falsely calm voice.
Draco didn't answer so he quickly ran out of the room and down the stairs. Even though he was panting he didn't stop and ran through the manor until he found a door that led outside. When the sun temporarily blinded him it was probably what set it off. Tears began falling down his face and he stumbled, falling to his knees. His vision was blurry and his body shook with sobs. Why did it hurt so much?
Was Draco saying that really so painful? That's all he'd been his whole life; a pawn. First a means to end a prophecy, then to be the Dursleys' slave, after that he became Dumbledore's little hero, and finally he was Draco's one nighter. He should be used to being used by now. Even though he chanted that to himself in his mind he couldn't stop crying. His chest was clenching painfully and he felt suffocated.
Staring down at his hands through his tears he wondered what was so wrong with him. Why was he always being used?! It's not fair. His heart felt sort of numb even though the stabbing pain continued and he gasped for air. Draco's words rang in his head. They floated around like a poisonous virus, infecting everything and tearing it down. This was the second time he had felt so utterly alone. Salty tears slipped into his mouth as he gasped.
The first had been when he had lost Sirius. Now he really longed for his godfather's affection. It stacked on with the pain of Draco's revelation and he felt his tears fall with renewed vigor. He didn't know when he had suddenly become so fond of Draco but it hurt.
Still shaking he brought his hand to his lips and felt them. The memory of Draco kissing him flew back like a punch to the gut. That was one of the times he honestly thought someone loved him. Really and truly believed they loved him. Now Harry knew the truth. Sobbing his heart out he pulled his knees up and hid his head in them.
What was the point in even crying? Draco was his enemy. they could just return to that. He could give him what he wanted and then escape and never see him again. With his feelings so bare he knew that wouldn't work though. He had seen the other side of Draco. The one that resisted when he was vulnerable and kissed him so gently. Once you taste the forbidden fruit there really is no going back. And the idea of having sex with Draco made him want to run in fear. No, the idea of having sex with Draco for nothing more than a means to an end was what scared him. There is nothing, he realized with a dazed shock, more painful than loving someone who doesn't love you back. So how painful would it be to be intimate with them without feelings from them?
His already aching heart seemed to want to stop at the thought and clenched painfully again. This was all so stupid. Draco showed one bit of fake interest and he was suddenly all hurt and in love. Surprised and snapped out of crying he realized what this was. His tears dried instantly, this was the curse speaking. It was supposed to cause mutual affection so it would make sense if it made Harry want to be with Draco. Still there was the suffocating feeling but he stubbornly ignored it. It pulled at his gut and made his eyes prickle but he refused to acknowledge what he knew deep down.
Rising to his feet he rubbed his eyes and wiped away his snot. He probably looked like some hideous monster with puffy eyes and tear streaks all over his face. Hiccuping a little he began to get his bearings.
This was the garden he had seen out of Draco's window. His nose was stuffed so he couldn't smell anything but he could imagine what it would smell like. As it cleared he smelled the same barrage of flowery scents only way more intense. He could see all sorts of flowers, everything from roses and lilies, to crysthanseums and morning glories. As he walked through the flowers on the stone path he tried to enjoy the smell and sight of the beautiful plants. Slowly his heart calmed down and he began breathing steadily. His mind stayed one hundred percent focused on this. He was here, here and now in this moment.
The heat was starting to get to him as the sun hanging high in the clear blue sky, beat down on him. Looking around he saw a large oak tree on what seemed to be the only clear patch of grass. He went and sat under it so he could be in the cool shade. For a few minutes he just sat there staring off into space listening to the buzz of bees and chirp of birds. The emotion overload was taking it's toll and he began to feel sleepy. He fell into a sort of dose but wasn't really asleep or awake. So when he noticed someone walking over he didn't react very quickly.
Still sorta foggy he looked up and saw that there hair was a brilliant blonde hallo shining in the sun.
"Draco?" He croaked, his voice raw.
"Sorry to disappoint, but no." The man said.
Harry realized that was true and pulled himself out of his slouch quickly, Blinking several times to clear the sleep from his eyes he saw what looked like an older version of Draco, it was eerie. The only difference was the coal black eyes. They held little emotion and watched Harry with boredom.
"Are you the stray Draco let in?" He asked.
"What?" Harry asked, still half asleep.
"Unlike my self infatuated mother I notice things. That brat wouldn't have brought a normal cat in. Also I saw you when I was out here. Did you two have sex already?" His questions brought up painful thoughts and rendered Harry unable to speak.
"So did you enjoy being touched by him? I bet you liked him playing with you. You are his Marked after all."
"Me and him are nothing," He snarled, angry again.
"Oh ho," The guy chuckled, "Looks like Drakey's confession went over badly."
He crouched down beside Harry and offered his hand, "I'm Bane, Draco's older half brother."
He didn't take the hand, "So you are part of the curse?"
Bane snickered, "Hell no! I'm not fully related to Draco. I'm from his mother's side."
He still hadn't removed his hand so Harry tentatively shook it, "Hi, I'm Harry Potter."
"I know. Everyone knows your face. Voldemort would be out of his mind in rage if he finds out Draco's hiding you."
This made him feel a bit guilty for yelling at Draco before, "Yeah." Quickly he changed the subject, "How can you say his name?"
"I wasn't raised in the wizard world and even if I was I wouldn't piss myself over saying a name." He said.
Harry was surprised at this guy's attitude. While Draco was always reserved and acted like royalty, Bane reminded him of a normal teen. And my normal he meant normal Muggle. He didn't even act the same. Right now he was sitting down in front of him, in the grass. Looking completely relaxed. Was this guy actually Draco's half brother?
"That's great, most people freak out if I accidently say his name," Harry said.
"Understandable," Bane grinned, "I mean Voldemort did slaughter a lot of wizards. But it's actually amusing to watch people jump when you just 'happen' to say it. It's always a good laugh."
He didn't really approve of this guy exploiting people's fear but he wasn't really in the position to judge.
"So did you and Draco fight?" Bane asked.
"It's none of your business," Harry said stiffly.
"I'll take that as a yes," He said, "So what did Drakey say?"
"Stupid stuff," Harry grumbled.
"He lost his cool didn't he? Well the guy always was a hot head. Don't take what he said to heart, the guy complains too much. Being the firstborn son of the Malfoy line must be tough. He's stuck with a lot of responsibilities."
It consoled him slightly, "Aren't you older than him?"
"Yep, he's 16, I'm 18. But I'm not completely pure blood or a Malfoy. Even if they offered me the title I wouldn't take it."
"Because he's stuck being cursed?"
"No, because of his father."
Harry opened his mouth to ask what he meant but was interrupted.
"Bane why are you bothering Harry?" Draco asked.
Startled Harry look up and saw him standing there with a sour look on his face. It was hard not to look away but he determinedly stared into those eyes that challenged him to not look away.
"Mom is going to be mad when she finds out." Bane said in a sing song voice.
"But she won't," Draco said, smiling with a threat in his eyes.
"What's stopping me from telling her?" He challenged.
"Please don't."
They both looked at Harry.
"Don't," Harry repeated, "I don't want to cause any trouble, I'll just leave."
"No you won't." Draco said at the same time as Bane said, "Whatever."
Lighting seemed to crackle between them as they stared each other down. Draco clearly hated Bane, while Bane seemed to return what he was given. He watched them both in silence until they returned their attention to him.
"I won't tell. Just because I'm bored and this seems interesting and all." Bane grinned, "Nice to formally meet you Harry! Now I think you two have some things to talk about."
He got up and dusted his clothes off. Flashing them the peace sign he walked off into the sunlight. They both watched him leave in silence and neither moved until he was indoors. The air was now thick and Harry was hesitant to look at Draco. When he did though it wasn't the expression he expected.
"I'm so sorry!" Draco blurted, stuffing his face in his hands.
"What?"
"It's just," He ran his hands through his hair in what looked like frustration, "I didn't want this you know? To me you were always that stupid Hero kid who got everything. But now I'm finding out that you were bullied at home. And maybe it's the curse and maybe's it's not but I'm starting to like you. I really am sorry Harry."
It was amazing to see Draco like this. He honestly looked like he was regretting his words. For a few seconds he wondered if this was the first time he had ever apologized. Maybe for now this would be best.
"I forgive you." He said simply.
Disbelief flashed across Draco's face, then relief, and then joy. He grinned with pure honesty and once again Harry was amazed by his beauty. This was a side of him he hadn't known until yesterday.
"Let's start over," Draco said, offering his hand, "Hi, my name is Draco Malfoy, nice to meet you."
In a split second all the mean things he had done to him and his friends flashed through his mind. Ron would probably kill him but he hoped Hermione at least would understand. He took his hand and shook it while giving a shy smile.
"Hi, my name is Harry Potter."
A/N I hope you liked this chapter! Yes Bane is an OC and I was actually planning to use him for a different fic but I'll just slip him in here. They're personalities are different so if I do another Harry Potter fic and slip him in then you won't be able to tell it's him aside from the name. He'll play an important part as Draco's half brother but if you guys really hate the idea I'm still at the stage where he can be thrown into the minor side character section. I take your opinions into consideration so if you really hate the idea I will reluctantly work something else out.
Review's fuel Santa's Sleigh! ^0^ (BTW if you're at the age where you still believe in him I suggest you stop browsing M content)
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