Disclaimer: See Chapter One.
IMPORTANT A/N!: So apparently I left out a pretty important part in chapter four. A few days ago I was re-looking at things and I caught it. So I highly suggest going back to chapter four and reading the end part. It will make you understand certain aspects better. Oh, and in this chapter Harry and Draco are reunited again, finally! Please review too!
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Harry had stood outside of the jail just staring at it, his cab long gone. The place was built out of gray concrete and just around the corner was a tall fence that curved around the top with barbed wire. There was a basketball court and some pieces of machinery there, but at this time no one was actually outside. Perhaps that was due to the overcast skies that looked like it just might start down pouring at any moment.
He hadn't noticed when a black car had pulled up or that a person had gotten out until he heard the crunching of gravel beneath their feet. Harry continued to stand and look at the building when he heard a feminine sigh. Harry glanced to his side and saw a woman standing there in all black, blonde hair pinned back, looking at the building like he was.
"You know I come here frequently, but I've yet to step inside," she spoke quietly. "I can't quite make myself do it and I'm afraid it's too late now anyway." When the lady finally glanced at him his eyes widened as he saw Narcissa Malfoy staring back at him. He quickly composed his face and glanced at the building once more.
"Well it's my first time here so I'm not quite sure what to expect. Dr - um, the man I'm visiting doesn't know I'm even here. We haven't spoken in years."
"Oh?" she said softly. Harry nodded, but didn't say anything else. "My son. He's been in here for several months now. We aren't close." She said this last part a bit regretfully. "I'm Narcissa by the way." Harry figured she hadn't mentioned her last name because by now everyone in England, probably Great Britain, knew who the Malfoys were.
"I'm Harry Potter." She smiled at him, but it was strained and thin.
"Well," she said with a start. "Perhaps another day." Harry could tell that Narcissa was lying and that more than likely there wouldn't be another day. Only days like this again. "Good day, Mr. Potter."
Harry nodded at her and watched her retreating figure until she disappeared around the corner of the building. He stood there for a few moments longer before feeling the first of big fat raindrops. He figured this was his sign to actually work up the courage and walk in to the place.
Upon entering he felt like he was walking in to a doctor's office – a very dreary one at that. On one side was a check-in where a lady sat and on the other side were seven plastic blue chairs where he imagined visitors waited.
Harry walked up to the desk and waited until the lady turned towards him.
"How can I help you?" she asked.
"I'm here to see Draco Malfoy."
The lady raised her eyebrows as she pulled out a clipboard and slipped it to him.
"The only person who I've seen visit him is a man with black hair around his shoulders-"
"Yeah, that's his solicitor," Harry murmured. "Do I sign here?" he asked. The lady leaned forward slightly to look at where he was pointing and nodded. As he signed she slid a visitor's badge towards him.
"Just take a seat until Phil comes to get you." Harry nodded in thanks and he moved towards one of the blue plastic chairs. Shortly after he sat down a lady in her fifties with gray hair and a bright red purse came in.
"Afternoon Linda," said the lady behind the desk. Obviously this woman was a regular.
"Good afternoon Tricia." The woman put on her visitor's badge with a smile and sat down one chair away from Harry. A few moments passed in silence until the lady turned to Harry and began to study him. Harry fidgeted under her stare and tried hard to look the other direction until she began speaking to him.
"This is your first time here, isn't it?"
"You can tell?"
She smiled kindly at him and nodded. "I've been coming for a while. My son is here."
"Oh," said Harry. He wasn't quite sure what to say to this so they lapsed into silence. "Is it really that obvious that it's my first time?"
She chuckled at him before answering. "When I first came here I was a nervous wreck. I almost didn't go in after everything that happened, but I did anyway. Don't worry; you don't look nearly as nervous as I did my first time."
Harry sighed and ran his hand through his hair. "I feel like it. I thought I was going to throw up and I stood outside for at least ten minutes until it started to rain."
"I think everyone who comes to visit someone in here feels that way."
Harry nodded and they fell into silence once more.
"Can I ask who you're visiting in here? A brother or your father?" she asked. Harry felt like the question was somewhat invasive, but the lady seemed kind enough that he didn't take offense to it.
"Um no. He's - he's a friend."
"My son, Richard, he's been here for a very long time. Twenty-six years to be exact."
Harry never did find out why exactly her son was in jail because his name was called by a gruff bald man.
"Harry Potter." Harry rose and the woman gave him an encouraging smile.
The man held open a door and beyond that was a long narrow hall of concrete. At the very end was a glass window that one could look through that looked into a wide open room with tables evenly distributed and red lines dividing the table in half underneath.
"When do visiting hours end?" Harry asked as the man led him into the deserted room.
"Eight," was the short, simple reply. The man led him to a table in the middle of the room and Harry sat. "Don't touch the incarcerated and keep your arms and feet on your side of the red line."
Before Harry had a chance to say anything the man left the room, the door shutting heavily behind him. Harry wanted to run and hide because he hadn't seen Draco in five years. Five years. Well yes, he had seen the man from a distance, but he was positive that Draco had not seen him. In addition to this Draco had just up and left, leaving without a word and since then Harry and Draco hadn't spoken. Hell, Harry didn't even know where Draco went to after he left.
Harry's thoughts were interrupted when the door opened and in walked Draco, escorted by the same man who brought Harry in. Immediately his breath was caught in his throat and his stomach flipped. He still felt like the silly school boy when he first met Draco. Although Draco was thinner, gaunter, and his usual smile was gone he still looked the same, as beautiful as ever.
When Draco saw Harry his eyes widened and his feelings were similar to Harry's. Draco thought that Harry was even more gorgeous than the last time he saw him.
"Draco," Harry said breathily in an almost whisper. Draco sat down at Harry and stared at him before blinking.
"Harry – what are you…I mean…I don't understand."
Harry smiled at him and placed his hands on the table. "I'm a second year law student at Cambridge. One of my classes is attending your trial." Draco slumped forward at this. "When I first saw you there I couldn't believe it. I was in complete shock and I just knew you couldn't do anything like this." At this Draco looked up at Harry and Harry saw unshed tears in his eyes. His hand inched forward slightly, but when he heard the sound of the door opening he pulled it back. The lady who had talked to him in the hall came in and she smiled at him.
"Harry, I didn't do it. You have to believe me. No one does, except maybe Snape, but he's too discreet and never tells me anything." Draco was pleading with him and his hands were clenched together as he explained this to Harry.
"Draco, I do believe you. What did Snape tell you? Or have you not talked to him within the past few days?"
Draco sighed and relaxed his hands as he leaned back in his chair. "He came to visit me yesterday. All he said was something with the trial came up and someone was coming to visit me. I never expected you though. He had mentioned you, but I didn't understand at the time what he meant. I still don't know why you're here. Not that I'm not glad." He said this last part a bit rushed and Harry smiled slightly.
"Like I said, I've been attending the trials. I had put together that five years ago…we were together." Harry looked at Draco as he said this, but, like the Draco he used to know, he didn't display any sort of emotional acknowledgment. "I just knew that you didn't do what they accused you of and so I started thinking." Harry continued on and explained to Draco what he knew. As he continued Draco's eyes widened and his mouth hung open slightly.
"Harry, you can save me." At this he stood up and hugged Harry. Shocked, Harry hugged him back until Phil's voice rang out.
"Malfoy, I know you don't get many visitors, but even you know the rules. Behind the red line."
Draco reluctantly pulled away and sat back down.
"So are you going to go on the stand?" Draco asked somewhat cautiously as if he were afraid to hear the answer.
Harry nodded. "Tonight I'm meeting Snape to go over stuff, like what and what not to say."
"Oh," said Draco softly. Harry glanced down at his watch.
"Actually I should probably be leaving. It's getting close to when I need to meet with Snape and he seems to be a stickler for promptness."
Draco smiled softly and shook his head. "He is." They both lapsed into silence for a few moments until Draco looked up at Harry. "Harry…are you going to come visit again? I mean, you don't have to, but it – it would be nice."
Harry bit his lip as he tried to force away his smile. "Of course I will. I suspect I'll be in London a little more frequently. But if I can I'll visit you after the trial on Friday."
And for the first time in a long time Draco Malfoy smiled genuinely.
"I'd like that."
-
Harry had to take the train to London the night before the next trial date since he would be going to the courthouse with Snape. He had a hard time trying to sleep that night and when the clocked flashed 6:00 a.m. he threw the covers aside since he couldn't possibly fall back asleep. Over the phone Snape had told him he wasn't sure if Harry would be called to the witness stand or not today because he did have a few other witnesses that could vouch for Draco's good character.
When Harry went down to the hotel lobby at eight Snape was already there waiting for him. He gave a sharp nod in greeting before leading the way to his parked car in the parking lot. For the first few minutes of the ride they rode in silence until Snape finally spoke to him.
"Word has gotten out about you. Not necessarily who you are, but that you're a witness and vouching for Draco Malfoy. I imagine it was Kingsley Shacklebolt's doing, but I thought you should be warned."
"Warned?"
They stopped at a red light and Snape turned his head to look at Harry, his lips pursed. "The press, Potter. They're going to be swarming today. You can change this case entirely."
"Oh."
Harry fidgeted in his seat and glanced out the window. He hadn't thought about that or the fact that now everyone in England would know who he was and about his and Draco's past together.
Snape quickly swerved into the parking lot of a coffee shop and turned the ignition off.
"I need coffee. Do you want some? I'll pay."
Harry was pretty sure that Snape did not usually buy coffee for people so he quickly jumped at the opportunity and got out of the car with him. As they waited in line Harry shifted from foot to foot, feeling slightly uncomfortable in his fancy suit and tie.
"Fix your tie Potter," barked Snape. "It's crooked." Harry glanced down and saw that it was slightly loose and skewered. He narrowed his eyes at the back of the man's head and fixed the tie.
When they finally got their coffee they returned to the car and Snape continued driving.
"Potter, remember when we get there to not say a word to anyone. I'll do the talking to the press. You'll be taken to a separate room where you'll only be with my other witnesses. Like I said, you may not be called to the stand today."
Harry only nodded since he was pretty positive he couldn't speak at that moment. They had turned down the main road of the courthouse and already Harry could see the lined cars and the press with their cameras and microphones just waiting to pounce.
Snape had finally found an empty parking space after he had to circle the block once more. Just as he was about to get out of the car Snape turned to Harry, hard eyes looking at him.
"Remember what I said."
Before Harry could nod or reply Snape had turned and was getting out of the car. Reluctantly, Harry got out of the car and they began to walk to the courthouse.
As they approached and people caught sight of Snape with Harry people began to rush over and started swarming them.
"Mr. Snape, who is this man?"
"Mr. Snape is it true that your new witness is standing up for Draco Malfoy?"
"No comment!" Snape growled and he grabbed Harry's elbow a bit too tightly for Harry's comfort and he pushed them through the flood of reporters.
Once inside Snape immediately let go of Harry's arm and without a word he led him down the hall and into a room. The room had plush chairs and a bay window along with a coffee pot and magazines. Two older women and a man were sitting in there already.
"Stay in here. Like I said, you may not be called to the stand today." With that Snape left and Harry stood in the room feeling like a complete idiot as the other people stared at him. He nervously ran his hand through his hair and then sat down.
Harry came to find out that one of the ladies had once been Draco's nanny and the other two people had been Draco's teachers, the man even being his advisor in secondary school. Harry wasn't sure how much a nanny and two teachers could vouch for a person's character since they weren't exactly close, but Harry figured they were the best Snape had which wasn't saying much for Draco until Harry arrived.
First the nanny had been called in and twenty minutes later she came back in. Then the other lady was called and she returned in ten minutes. The man was called in next and he returned in about fifteen minutes. By this time Harry was anticipating that he was going to be called in so when Snape came into the room Harry was surprised.
"Potter, you won't be going on the stand until Monday because Judge Bones was called away unexpectedly. I think her daughter is ill, but never mind that. It will probably be best if you stay in London until then."
Shortly after, Snape led him back to his car where they were once again bombarded by the media. They drove back in silence and Snape said he would pick him up on Monday at the same time.
When Harry returned to his hotel he ordered room service and then lay down on his bed, closing his eyes. His thoughts drifted to Draco and how he would see him this afternoon and perhaps he could even see him Saturday and Sunday too. Could he go visit him that many days in a row? Harry wasn't sure how exactly the whole jail system worked. What if he and Draco had still been lovers? How exactly did those conjugal visits work anyway? Were they just shoved in a room in a bed and told, 'Here you go. Go at it,'? And what if there was a camera there watching them? Now that was invasive and Harry wasn't exactly an exhibitionist. It was with these thoughts that Harry drifted asleep.
Harry had awoken to the sound of room service knocking on his door. After he had eaten and changed he had called for a taxi to take him to the jail. The same lady who had been there to check him in was there and once again Phil escorted him to the visitor's room. Draco was brought in a few minutes later and he smiled at Harry.
"Hey," Harry said brightly once Draco was seated.
Draco raised his eyebrows at Harry's bright mood. "You're awfully chipper. Perhaps it's because you didn't go on the stand today?"
Harry's mood deflated slightly at this and he frowned. "Well I am nervous to go up there, but I'd do it for you Draco."
Draco's face remained impassive at this. "Why though, Harry? I mean what we had was five years ago and - and I left you! I imagined by now that you would be dating someone and hell, for all I know you are, and that you would want nothing to do with me."
"Draco, if I didn't want to have anything to do with you and if I was still angry with you for leaving then I wouldn't be here."
At this Draco buried his head in his hands and Harry was pretty sure he heard a sob coming from him. He glanced over to where Phil was looking out the window and he tentatively reached for Draco's hand, causing the blonde to look at him with watery red eyes.
"I'll admit," began Harry, "that when you left I was hurt and upset because I loved you. I didn't and still don't understand why you left. You didn't leave a note, not anything. I've blamed myself and I've tried to move on. But no matter how hard I try to I still think of you and I – I still love you."
Draco's eyes widened at the confession and his hand squeezed Harry's tightly. "You do?" he asked in a whisper. Harry nodded and laughed.
"Is that crazy? To still love you after five years, especially when you just left me?"
"You shouldn't still love me. I hurt you and I deserve your resentment, not your love."
Harry squeezed Draco's hand gently and reached for his other hand. "You can't honestly believe that, do you? Just explain to me why you left Draco. I've forgiven you a long time ago for it."
Draco looked at Harry warily and then nodded.
"I had heard what happened in the news with the murders. It wasn't until about a week or so before I left that my father had wrote me. He told me that the Death Eaters would be coming to power sooner rather than later and that I should be prepared. He also said that I should reconsider joining them. He knew I never wanted to and that's why I left them in the first place. In the letter he had hinted at the murders so I knew immediately that the Death Eaters were responsible for it. I thought that word would come out soon about the Death Eaters and that you would somehow find out my family was connected with them. I was scared you would reject me and hate me so I left. I was afraid."
Harry hadn't noticed that while Draco was speaking he had been rubbing his thumb in small circles on Draco's hand.
"Do you see me running away from you now?"
"No."
"Then why would you think something like that Draco? You're ridiculous, you know that?" Harry smiled at him and shook his head. "I wouldn't have run then and I'm not going to. I'm here now."
"You have no idea how much that means to me. I've felt so alone."
"You won't be alone anymore."
The moment was ruined when Harry felt rough hands on his own, yanking them apart from Draco's. Both men looked up to see Phil glaring down at them.
"No touching," he said gruffly.
"Right," Harry muttered and Phil left them alone. "Do you still have the letter your father sent you then?"
"Unfortunately I don't," Draco said regretfully with a shake of his head. "I destroyed it. I didn't want any reminders of my father."
"It would be great evidence to use against your father and the other Death Eaters, but oh well. Hopefully the jury will believe what I have to say."
"I hope so too."
"Malfoy!" yelled Phil. Draco turned slightly in his chair as Phil stood next to the door, arms crossed across his chest. "Five more minutes, then visiting hours are over." Draco rolled his eyes as he turned back around to face Harry.
"I'm staying here til Monday since that's when I go on the stand. I'll come visit you tomorrow."
"Harry, you don't have to." This time Harry rolled his eyes and looked pointedly at Draco.
"I know I don't have to, but I want to and I'm going to." Draco bit his lip and smiled at Harry.
"Thank you." Harry and Draco both stood up. Harry wanted to hug Draco or touch him in some way, but with the strict rules and with Phil standing there he knew he couldn't. They both stared awkwardly at each other until Harry smiled and spoke to the other man.
"I'll see you tomorrow then." Draco smiled back and nodded.
"Bye, Harry." Harry remained in the room and watched as Draco was escorted out until he left. All he had to do was wait a few more hours and then he could see Draco again.