CHAPTER THREE
Disclaimer: Not mine. (Yes, I'm getting lazy)
Draco stretched languidly, relishing the feeling of lying next to someone once more. In the state between full wakefulness and sleep he wondered, briefly, who it was...but as he fully woke everything came rushing in. He sat up and looked down at Harry, who was burying his face in the pillow, pretending he was still asleep. Draco laughed softly before gently stroking Harry's head and leaving the room. In a flash, Harry was at his side. Draco raised an eyebrow but said nothing. Instead he continued on to the kitchen and began to make tea.
'Did you sleep well?' he asked idly.
Harry wrinkled his nose before nodding. Draco smiled, handing him a up of tea.
'Harry...I don't know who did this to you, or why...but believe me when I say that I will find out.'
Harry looked at him, eyes shining with gratitude. Cups clattered to the floor as Harry threw himself at Draco, clutching him tightly. Draco's hands slipped to the small of Harry's back as he kissed him, tentatively at first and then more insistent as Harry's hands wound in his hair. He pulled back when the need to breathe became apparent and looked deep into Harry's eyes.
'Merlin...' he whispered.
Harry smiled softly, his face flushed, his gaze wanting. Draco shook his head.
'Harry...oh Merlin, Harry... I wanted so much to tell you...but then you vanished... Harry...Harry...' he mumbled, his face falling to Harry's shoulder.
Harry wanted to say something, but couldn't quite figure out how without removing himself from Draco's grasp, which he didn't want to do. As he stroked Draco's back, it came to him. He began to write letters on Draco's back.
Draco, I know, he spelled. I wanted to talk about it at the Burrow.
Draco's grip on Harry tightened.
'We need help to figure this out Harry. And I know just where to go.'
Draco kept a tight hold on Harry as they apparated away. Arriving at their destination Harry stumbled, held up by Draco's arms around him. He looked at Draco queryingly before digging the parchment from his pocket.
Where are we?
'This is a property we own...my father is here, and...Severus.'
Snape? What? Why?
'He...he didn't die. But he needed to go into hiding, for obvious reasons. As to why he's here...' Draco swallowed heavily. 'They're lovers.' he whispered.
Harry nodded slowly.
So, we'd better knock first then?
Draco laughed softly, knocking on the door. The door swung wide, revealing Severus, half dressed and sleep drowsed.
'Draco...Potter? Mm...knew I should've stayed in bed...made Lucius answer the damn door.'
Severus turned away, walking into the house and calling out to Lucius. Draco and Harry followed slowly, closing the door behind them.
'Son, what a pleasant surprise.' Lucius called, coming from the bedroom and throwing a shirt to Severus. 'Tea?'
'Father... I hope we didn't disturb anything...important.' Draco said lips twitching with mirth.
'Insolent child.' Severus mumbled, slouching in a chair.
'Quiet you.' Draco retorted.
Harry was amused at the level of comfort between the three. This was nothing like the image he had of Lucius, of Severus. He had always assumed Lucius to be hard, evil... And Snape...he didn't even think Snape had a kind bone in his body. But here, in a home environment...
'Cat got your tongue Potter?' Severus asked.
Harry paled, grasping Draco's hand tightly. Lucius raised an eyebrow at this. Draco mouthed 'later' and turned to Harry.
'Relax, they don't know.' he whispered, so low only Harry could hear.
Harry nodded doubtfully.
'Father, Severus, I...no, we, need your assistance. It is a matter of grave importance.'
Lucius sipped his tea, looking mildly intrigued, whilst Severus just looked disinterested. Draco put his mouth to Harry's ear.
'Show them, love...' he whispered.
Harry shook his head, fear creeping into his eyes. Draco moved closer, pressing his lips to Harry's, ignoring the sounds the adults were making.
'They will help us.' he murmured.
Harry nodded, slowly undoing the buttons on his shirt. He remained standing behind Draco, afraid, even as he dropped the shirt to the floor. Draco gently pulled him out from behind him. Severus and Lucius gasped in unison, Lucius dropping his mug, Severus striding over and running his hand along the wound.
'What is the meaning of this Draco?' Lucius asked, his voice shaky.
They had thought they were done with this nonsense.
'We don't know. That's why... I don't know who else to turn to.' Draco whispered, his countenance less of a man and more a lost child.
Lucius quickly drew his son to him in an embrace. Draco stifled his sobs in his fathers chest, pulling away once he felt in control again. Severus gently touched Draco's shoulder in a show of support, and Draco smiled thankfully at the man. Throughout this, Harry stood awkwardly.
'So, Potter...what can you tell us?' Severus asked.
Harry shook his head, shrugging. Draco stepped in before Severus had a chance to respond.
'He can't talk. Nobody has been able to figure it out.' Draco's voice shook.
Severus scowled, muttering something about "incompetent boobs" and, grabbing Harry's arm, dragged him to a chair where he proceeded to do a full examination of him. Lucius smiled indulgently and led Draco to the table.
'Tell me what happened...everything.' he said.
--
Draco stood up, stretching muscles tensed from keeping still for so long. His father had listened attentively, and sworn to help. It was apparent to Lucius how much his son cared for Harry, and he wasn't about to let him suffer as he once had. Draco wandered over to find Harry slumped in the chair, drowsing, as Severus read through books stacked around him. Draco sat on the floor next to his godfather and leaned against him.
'We'll figure it out.' Severus mumbled without breaking concentration.
Harry roused himself, stumbling from the chair, and dropped into Draco's lap, brandishing the parchment at him.
They don't mind? it said.
Draco raised an eyebrow.
'Of course not.' he whispered. 'Why would they?'
I'm...well...Harry Potter.
'Really? Hadn't noticed.'
Harry stuck his lower lip out and made to leave Draco, who pulled him tighter, refusing to let him go.
'Shh...I'm sorry. Look at them. Can they really afford to be biased?'
'A Malfoy can afford to be anything he wants.' Lucius said haughtily, sinking into the chair Harry had recently vacated.
Draco laughed with his father.
'Quiet, both of you.' Snape muttered, not really meaning it.
Lucius leant forward and stroked Severus' hair tenderly. Harry looked away, embarrassed. The two Malfoys noticed, but chose to say nothing. Severus suddenly leapt up, with a loud 'Ah-ha!', before brandishing his wand at first Harry, then Draco, Lucius and finally himself, muttering words Draco couldn't quite catch.
'There. Potter, if you think something, we should be able to hear you.'
Three faces turned to Harry. Nothing.
'Harry, just try.' Draco whispered, kissing his neck.
Don't do that in front of them.
Draco stared in astonishment as Harry's voice echoed in his head. From the looks on Lucius' and Severus' faces, they had heard it too. They then began to laugh. Harry turned bright red and buried his face in Draco's shoulder. Draco rubbed his back soothingly, whispering softly.
'Father...' he whined.
'S-sorry Draco.' Lucius gasped out.
The laughter died off and Severus at back down, beginning to read once more. Lucius pulled him back so he was resting against his knees and began to rub his neck and shoulders, fingers searching and soothing tensed muscles. Severus sighed contentedly.
Draco...I'm tired... Harry thought.
'Keep your conversations to yourself. Think of the person you want to talk to before you do it.' Severus mumbled.
Harry turned red once more.
'We only got up a couple of hours ago.' Draco whispered.
Harry snuggled deeper into Draco's lap, resting his head on his chest. Draco kissed the top of his head. Lucius smiled indulgently at his son.
'I want you both to stay here. I don't know if it is safe at the Manor.' he said.
Draco nodded.
'Of course Father.'
'We'll figure it out boys, I promise.' Lucius said, hoping that this was one promise he could keep.