Kingsley Shacklebolt was sitting on the edge of McGonagall's desk, laughing at whatever she had just said as Harry and Draco appeared in the doorway. McGonagall stood up and motioned for them to enter. "Come in, boys, and sit down. The minister is here to see you."
Harry was glad that Draco had taken the calming potion as they headed for the two chairs in front of McGonagall's desk. The chairs were several feet apart and Draco looked at him questioningly. Harry shrugged and just pushed the chairs together. Draco sat down in the right chair and Harry sat down next to him, putting his arm on the armrest near Draco's.
"Harry, Draco." Kingsley nodded to them, "I understand you've had an eventful week."
"Yes, sir, you could say so," Harry responded for the both of them. "It wasn't, erm, planned though." Draco snorted at that, but didn't say anything.
Kingsley nodded seriously, "I sure it wasn't, but you can imagine my concern when the aurors came back and reported what they had seen."
"And then they went straight to the Prophet,"
"Yes, and they are both on desk-duty as a result," Kingsley agreed soberly. "There will be an investigation, but it is fairly clear where the leak occurred."
"It didn't come from Hogwarts," McGonagall said, with a stern look at Kingsley, "As soon as we realized what had happened no one entered the Hospital Wing but their family."
"Yes, but there is no use crying over a spilt cauldron," Kingsley turned back to look at Harry, "Regardless of how it happened, the newspapers have gotten ahold of it and we have to deal with the ramifications."
"What ramifications?" Draco said, "It can't be undone, if that is what you are implying."
"I mean that there has been a rather large reaction to the news that you have bonded," Kingsley said soberly, "Thousands of owls and Howlers, have been sent since the Prophet broke the news yesterday."
"We haven't — they haven't come through," Harry said with a puzzle glance at McGonagall, "Not that I mind."
"No, when I received word of the Prophet had learned of your bonding, I fortified the wards that were already in place to screen your owls, and added Draco into the same protection."
Draco looked displeased at the news that his owls were being monitored. "You're screening—"
"4,362 Howlers were sent in the first twenty-four hours," Kingsley said dryly, "I don't really think there is any question that the protection was needed. We have had aurors working around the clock to detect actual threats from the general objections being voiced."
"It is nobody's business—" Harry began.
"Of course it isn't, but as you are well aware it doesn't stop wizards and witches from believing that you are, for lack of a better term, a public persona."
"What else?" Draco asked looking at Kingsley, "You didn't come to just tell us about the Howlers."
"No, I came to see if there is anything that Harry - or you - need to help you adjust to the bond."
"You aren't here because he is bonded to a Death Eater?" Draco's voice was calm but it was obvious that he didn't believe the Minister.
"I would have come regardless of whom Harry had bonded to," Kingsley said, not seeming surprised at the question, "Am I pleased that you two are bondmates? No, not really, and I certainly would have preferred it been done in a different manner but it doesn't change the fact that it has happened and all we can do now is make sure that you have a safe environment in which to become fully bonded."
"What the minister is hinting at," McGonagall said. "Is he would like to offer you a location for you two to live for as long as it takes for the situation to quiet—"
"Why can't we can't stay here?" Harry asked as he looked to Draco for confirmation. Draco nodded in agreement. "We don't want to go anywhere."
"I thought it might be easier, and safer, for you to be completely away from Hogwarts, give you a chance to be alone."
"Except we wouldn't be alone, would we?" Harry said with certainty, "You would have aurors guarding us."
"We would have aurors protecting you," Kingsley countered, "to make sure that no one breaks through the protections. And they would leave you with enough privacy to...make sure that your bonding goes unhindered."
"No, I'm not going to sit in a house with aurors that hate me and think I should be in Azkaban," Draco said, shaking his head. "I'd rather take my chances here."
Harry nodded in agreement. "I don't see why suddenly you don't think that Hogwarts isn't safe, I was here for six years with Voldemort after me and no one tried to put me in a safe house."
"Actually, you'll find that the Ministry petitioned Dumbledore again and again to have you removed from Hogwarts for your protection. He always refused," McGonagall said, with a glance over her shoulder at Dumbledore's empty portrait. "The circumstances this time are a little different, which is why I gave permission for the Minister to make his offer."
"What is so different now?"
"Bonding is a very personal matter, one that usually takes place in slow stages over time. You two put the cart before the thestral." McGonagall put her hands up as they both started to protest, "Yes, I know you didn't plan it. Regardless, critical phases were missed and now you must make a concerted effort to ensure that the rest of your bonding goes smoothly. Having to do this under the eyes of all your classmates will make it more difficult."
"I can handle it," Harry said, "I always have."
"Yes, but now it isn't just you." McGonagall looked at Draco. "It is the both of you and quite frankly given your history I don't think you need any other complications."
"I want to stay here," Draco said, lifting his chin defiantly as he looked from Kingsley to McGonagall. "We both do."
"I can't say that I'm surprised, but if you change your mind at any time you just have to know Headmistress McGonagall know and we will take care of it."
Harry nodded and stood up, expecting that the meeting was over but Kingsley motioned him to sit down again. "The other issue is Draco's parole."
Harry sank back down in the seat as Kingsley went on, "Draco, as you know, you were sentenced to two years of parole plus mandatory community service."
Despite the calming potion they had both taken Harry could feel the bond tightening as Draco sat stiffly listening to Kingsley. He nudged over so that their arms were again touching.
"What about my sentence?"
"The Wizengamot Council met in an emergency session and voted that your sentence be commuted entirely and—"
"No, absolutely not." Draco shook his head vigorously as he jumped out of his seat and Harry quickly got up with him. "I'm doing the parole and the community service—"
"But, surely you don't want to—"
"I'm going to serve every hour of the community service and every day of the parole," Draco said, his grey eyes flashing with anger. "I'm not going to let anyone say that I did this to get out of my sentence."
"Draco, no one with an understanding of bonds would think that of you."
"And for the thousands who don't understand?" Draco said with a bitter scoff, "How many Howlers were sent? 4,000? I'm guessing that is just a few of those who don't understand and I'm not going to give them any cause to think that I am trying to not do the time."
"But Draco, if you do it then Harry has to do it as well," McGonagall said with some consternation in her voice.
"I'll do it, too," Harry added with a shrug, "It won't be a problem."
Draco looked surprised but stood next to Harry and stared at Kingsley who had yet to say anything.
"How much community service time do you have left?"
"Just over 100 hours, he has already served over half whilst working on the reconstruction work at Hogwarts this summer," McGonagall said promptly.
"We'll do it together," Harry said firmly. "Draco was already going to get points for tutoring me in Potions, that will still count, right? And I'm going to need help in Arithmancy if I'm going to have to take that class with him."
"Well, it seems that they are set on continuing as they are, Minister," McGonagall said with a nod, "As I suspected."
"And you were right, as always, Minerva." Kingsley stood up and shook both of their hands, "Please, don't hesitate to contact me if you change your mind. We will keep monitoring the owls, for the safety of everyone."
"That's fine. Draco can send you a list of owls he wants to receive. Like I did," Harry looked at Draco, "That way only those people get through, I just let the owls from the Weasleys in."
Draco nodded. "Just my mother's letters, sir."
"No, one else?" Harry looked at him in surprise. Draco glanced out the window and shook his head.
Harry wanted to ask Draco why but knew that now was not the time, he looked at McGonagall. "Okay, is there anything else?"
"I have your revised class schedule," McGonagall handed the scroll to Draco, "Study it, you'll notice that I have dropped Magical Creatures and Defense. Under the circumstances it seemed for the best. Those classes have been replaced by an Independent Study course, on Firebonds. You'll be expected to research the history of the bonds. In addition, George Weasley has offered to come once a week and coach you.
OOOOOOO
The hallway was crowded as they made their way back to the tower. Everyone stared at them but let them pass without comment. Harry knew from experience that it wouldn't last, soon the more bold students to start coming up to ask questions or simply to jeer at them.
Neville, Hermione and Ron were talking by the fireplace as Harry and Draco entered the common room. Draco made a move to head straight towards the staircase and Harry had to put a hand on his arm to stop him. "I need to talk to them," he said as quietly as he could.
Draco looked like he was going to protest but nodded instead and they went towards the others.
"How did it go? What did Kingsley want?" Hermione asked, reaching out to touch Harry's arm before stopping and pulling her hand back awkwardly.
"Just wanted to let us know that we could go to some Ministry safe house." Harry shook his head as Ron and Hermione looked alarmed. "I refused."
"So you're staying?" Ron said with relief, "Both of you?"
Draco snorted, "Right, I'm going and he's staying."
Ron went bright red. "Listen, Malfoy—"
"Stop, don't even start, Ron. You either, Draco." Harry put his hand up to push Ron back, "We're both staying and right now we have to go upstairs." He groaned as he realized what it sounded like but he was falling over tired and wanted nothing more than lay down.
"We'll talk later, Harry." Hermione agreed quickly, "I'm glad you are staying."
Although it was still early afternoon, Harry was exhausted. He closed their door with relief and sighed, "All I want to do is sleep until supper."
"Are we going to eat in the Great Hall tonight?" Draco asked as he sat down on his bed to take off his boots.
"Suppose so, we can decide later." Harry unbuttoned his robes and threw them on his bed. The bond was aching again, he realized, with an annoyed grimace. They hadn't been more than a foot or two apart for hours, what more could it want?
He looked over at Draco who had turned his back to Harry as he took off his own robes. Harry still wished he had a better idea of what Draco thought about the bonding. He gave a snort, he wish he knew what he was thinking, it had all changed so fast he still couldn't fathom that he was bonded to Malfoy.
"Potter, thanks for agreeing to not let them dismiss my sentence." The words were stilted but Harry was still surprised that Draco has actually thanked him.
"No, problem. I get why you would want to finish your sentence." Harry yawned as he answered and with relief he stretched out on his bed.
"Can we—" Draco was standing next to his bed and Harry opened his eyes to look at him, "Do you think we can move the beds together, like in the Hospital Wing?"
Harry sucked in air as his body reacted to the suggestion, the memory of waking up next to Draco this morning still hadn't faded, "Sure, we can do that." Without another word he got off the bed and they pushed the beds together. To his annoyance, the two beds were different heights.
"Doesn't matter, the bond won't care." Draco said as he got into his bed that was slightly higher. Harry lay down and it was clear that Draco was right, the pain disappeared with a whisper and he was asleep before he could respond.
OOOOO
Harry was shocked awake by the sound of Pomfrey's voice, he sat bolt upright in bed looking frantically around the room. To his relief, the sound was coming from a rabbit patronus in the corner of the room. "Gentlemen, you are overdue in the Hospital Wing. You will report to me immediately."
Falling back against his pillow, Harry laughed in relief when he realized the Healer hadn't somehow entered their room. He rubbed his face with his hands, trying to chase away the remains of the nap. Belatedly, he looked to over to see if Draco was awake. His back was turned away from Harry.
"Draco?"
There was a hesitation and then Draco turned and faced Harry. Only a few inches separated them, he was so close that Harry could see the lines left on Draco's face by his pillow. "Did you hear?"
Draco nodded. "Can't put it off any longer. We can stop there and go to supper afterwards."
"You feel alright?" Harry had to fight the urge to reach over and brush Draco's hair off of his face. Sleeping so close together was far intimate than anything Harry had experienced. Draco was right next to him. He could see the ring of blue surrounding Draco's grey eyes, each lash magnified to frame those eyes, the faintest hint of stubble on his jaw.
"Potter?"
"Yeah?"
"You're staring."
Harry felt his cheeks burn with embarrassment as he flipped onto his back and stared up at the ceiling. "Sorry, I was just thinking."
"What about?"
"Oh, just wondering how long we'll have to sleep together — I mean, sleep like this together. You know, with the beds pushed together." Harry cursed as he said 'together' again. "Next to each other."
"Bother you, does it?"
"Just not used to it." Harry couldn't admit to the fact that he liked waking up next to Draco. He still didn't know how Draco really felt about Harry being gay. He didn't even know if Draco was gay or straight. What would Draco do if he knew that Harry actually liked him? He would either mock Harry endlessly or get angry, and if he did, what could they do? They had to be near each other, he didn't want Draco to feel uncomfortable knowing that Harry liked him like that. Not for the first time Harry cursed the fact of all the blokes in the school he was drawn to Draco.
"If you grind your teeth together any harder you are going to need false teeth before you're twenty," Draco drawled as he sat up in bed.
Harry forced himself to laugh and climbed out of bed. He looked down at his clothes, he'd slept in them again and the wrinkles had wrinkles now. He glanced over at Draco, "I could really use a shower."
Draco rolled his eyes, "Are you asking permission?"
"No, I just thought—" Harry flushed with embarrassment. "I just thought I should tell you. Do you think the bond—"
"Go take your shower. If it means you are going to put on clean clothes I can put up with the bond."
OOoOoOOoOO
It was a full hour before they appeared in the Hospital Wing, much to the annoyance of Madam Pomfrey who huffed as she started casting the now familiar scans on them. When she tested how far they could be apart she simply raised her eyebrow when it became obvious that they had to be closer together now than they had the day before.
"What happened? You boys are clearly worse off. The bond stream is visibly weaker than it should be—"
"No. It's nothing, being out and walking around. It tires us out, but we just need to do less." Harry protested. He loathed being in the Hospital Wing. Draco nodded in agreement.
"I suppose that could account for the change. You haven't been arguing?"
They both shook their heads and Pomfrey looked at them dubiously. "Well, I will expect you to come by each day at this time. Do not miss a day. If you show signs of further weakening we will have to reconsider how to proceed."
It was with relief fifteen minutes later that they walked away from the Hospital Wing. Harry rubbed his hand over the mark on his arm that was thankfully calm for the moment.
"Supper?"
Draco gave a shrug and they made their way towards the Great Hall. As they got closer Harry could hear the familiar excited chatter that confirmed that most the students were already inside. They slowed to a halt a few yards from the entrance, Harry knew from experience what would happen as soon as they walked through the doors.
"We could eat in the kitchens again."
Draco looked at him and seemed to straighten up just a little taller, "Have to do it sometime."
Harry nodded and Draco started to walk towards the door but Harry grabbed his arm. "Wait. Are we going to sit at Slytherin or Gryffindor?"
Draco swallowed hard and looked towards the door. "Where do you want to sit?"
"We can sit at Slytherin, it's okay—"
"No, we'll sit at Gryffindor." Draco adjusted the collar of his robes and tugged on its sleeves.
"We don't have—"
"You know as well as I do that since the beginning of term most of the Slytherins consider me a pariah, a taint to their efforts to redeem their house. I can only assume that it will be worse since I violated the Golden One."
Harry snorted at the use of the word violated, "Right, by that account we should sit at Slytherin because if they want redeem their house what better way than through me."
"We are sitting at Gryffindor, Potter." Draco turned on his heel and headed into the Great Hall. Harry cursed and hurried to catch up to him, together they walked through the enormous double doors and into the Great Hall.
They made it five paces into the room before the room fell silent. All eyes were on them as they made their way to the Gryffindor table. Fortunately, Ron and Hermione were already there, Harry looked at the bench opposite of them where he usually sat. There was only room for one person. Before he could say anything, Neville gave Seamus a shove, "Budge down." Everyone on the bench shifted to make enough room for them.
Harry and Draco climbed onto the benches. Harry sitting on Draco's left so that the bonds could be close. Whereas, the Gryffindors was silent as they sat down, around the room he could hear the excited whispers as the other students got over their surprise and started talking. Draco's body was tense and Harry was grateful that there wasn't much space on the bench as he let his own arm brush against Draco's, allowing the bonds to touch without being obvious.
Hermione broke the silence by handing Harry the platter of roast pork, "Here you go," she said with a smile. Harry nodded gratefully as he took the platter and put some on his plate. He offered it to Draco who shook his head and set it down without taking any.
When he also passed on the squash and potatoes, Harry looked at him. "You have to eat something."
"Only if you want to watch me get sick right here at the table," Draco said tersely as he held his glass of water.
Harry sighed and set down his fork, "Should we leave?"
"Just eat your supper," he said as he reached for a roll. Harry looked back down at his plate. He was starving, he didn't understand why Draco wasn't it.
"Harry, are you and Draco going to be in class tomorrow? I have notes from last week's classes if you want to start catching up." Hermione said in a pointed effort to get those around them talking again. Harry looked at her gratefully.
"I think so," he replied with a glance at Draco. "McGonagall switched our schedules around. I haven't looked at it yet."
"Doesn't he talk?" Ginny was sitting on the other side of Hermione and she leaned forward to look at them better. "Welcome to Gryffindor, Malfoy," she said with just a touch of malevolence in her voice.
Draco muttered under his breath that fortunately Ginny couldn't hear, Harry just shook his head at her. "Call him Draco, Ginny. I know this is all going to take some adjusting so just — ease up."
"You really pulled a fast one, Harry," Seamus' voice carried easily down the table. "When you told us you were gay, that was one thing. I didn't think that you end up with someone like him."
"My being gay doesn't have anything to do with it, it just happened. We fought and we bonded." Harry looked at Ron, "I thought you were going to tell them that is how it happened."
Ron nodded, "I did, but, Harry, you know no one's going to believe it. Especially those that already knew that you're bent."
"What does being gay have to do with it? Draco isn't—" Harry cut-off as Neville, Seamus and Dean laughed.
Draco was staring at the plate, his cheeks were two bright patches of red, Harry looked around, "What's so funny?"
"Draco has to be gay. Firebonds don't form between people who aren't sexually compatible," Hermione said, her voice soft as she looked at Harry. "You really need to learn more—"
"You're gay?" Harry hissed at Draco, "Why didn't you tell me?"
"Want to shout it a little louder?"
"What difference does it make how loud I am? Apparently everyone knows already!" Harry was furious. Here he had been worrying about Draco not liking he was gay and the whole time the git hadn't bothered to tell Harry that he was gay, too.
"What does it matter? It isn't like we would ever—"
"It matters!" Harry felt the bond burning but didn't care, "You know it matters."
"Harry—"
"Hermione, don't lecture, not now. This is between me and Draco." Harry was still waiting for Draco to respond but he was staring down at the table, refusing to look at Harry.
"Maybe you should do it in your room, though?" she asked as Harry looked at her confused. She nodded with her head to the rest of the room. All eyes were focused on the Gryffindor table.
"Come on, Potter." Draco had stood up and was now looking down at Harry. Whatever they had to say to each other clearly couldn't be done here. Harry cursed as he climbed over the bench and a bout of dizziness struck. Draco grabbed him to keep him from falling over. Draco was pale and the bondline was burning red hot.
He could feel his magic draining and realized what was going to happen next, as he saw Draco sway and back away. He didn't want the entire school witnessing the kind of breakdown that had happened just a few hours ago. Without bothering to acknowledge his friends Harry grabbed Draco and pulled him towards the door.
Their footsteps echoed off the stone walls as Harry all but pulled Draco down the front steps and outside. His ears were ringing and his hands were growing numb as he shoved Draco against the castle walls.
"Harry, don't"
"Shut up," he hissed and grabbed Draco's left arm holding it up against the wall, his sleeve falling back to reveal the mark and pushed his own arm against Draco's to unite the marks. Draco struggled against him and Harry used his whole body to force him to hold still. There was plenty he wanted to say to Malfoy but first the bloody bond had to be calmed down. He glared at Draco, their faces just a few inches apart until Draco turned his head. Harry could feel the strain on his magic lessen, he looked up at their arms and the red lines had dulled once again and the burning pain had eased.
He pushed away from Draco and leaned against the wall, closing his eyes he shook his head. "When were you going to tell me?"
"It wasn't important." Draco's voice sounded defeated and Harry turned to look at him.
"Not important? How could it not be important?"
"Because, I don't know, maybe the fact that we are bonded for life seemed a little more important?"
"Did you know that if you bonded with me that I had to be gay — before I told you, I mean? You read the books."
"I was reading to find out how to avoid the bond. I didn't read the chapters that talked about bonding sex, it wasn't relevant."
"Wasn't relevant?" Harry couldn't stop his bitter laugh, "Right, because what is relevant about knowing a little detail like that? I know it is too much to expect you to like me, Malfoy but I do think it—"
"Like you? What are we? Six years old?" Draco straightened up and adjusted the sleeves of his robes and collar. "I knew there was no way we would be sexual partners, so, as I said, it wasn't relevant."
"It would have been nice to know that you were gay before I learned it in front of half the school, bondmate." Harry pointed back towards the entrance, "Given how gossip travels through this school there is no doubt that everyone thinks that we are having sex."
"It bugs you that much? Get over yourself." Draco stepped away, "I want to go back to our room, do you mind?"
Harry did mind. He was tired of not being able to say what he needed to Draco for fear that he would react badly. "We didn't get any supper."
"Then have your elf bring you some food. I'm not going back in there." Draco turned and headed down the steps and Harry was forced to follow.
"Where are you going?"
"Around to the courtyard entrance. If we go in that way, everyone will be waiting for us."
Harry wanted to argue, but it was pointless. He didn't want to have to walk through the crowds either and to disagree with Draco just because it was his idea would probably start the bond up again. They didn't bother to talk as they went through the corridors.
The common room was empty when they made it back to the tower. Draco opened the door to their room and Harry crossed over and went to sit on his bed. Draco had no choice but to sit next to him.
"I'm still hungry."
"And this is my fault?"
Before Harry could think of a comeback there was a knock on the door. "Who is it?" He called out, at the same time that Draco shouted, "Go away."
There was a pause and Hermione's voice came through the door, "It's me, Harry."
Harry crossed over to open the door, gritting his teeth as the bond protested the separation of just a few feet. Hermione stood waiting in the hall, a covered plate in her hand.
"I didn't want to interrupt. I thought that you might still be hungry." She handed the plate to Harry, "There's enough for both of you," she added hastily as Draco came to stand next to Harry.
"Thanks, Hermione."
"Let me know if you need anything." Hermione gave a small smile as she turned and walked away. Harry sighed as she went, if it had been a week ago she would have stayed and they would have talked and laughed as he ate. Now, there was just Draco Malfoy and Harry had no idea where to even start to understand him.
"Are you going to stand there all night?"
Harry shook his head and closed the door. Turning he walked back to the bed and sat down. The smell of roasted vegetables and meat filled the room as he lifted the cover. Harry smiled as he saw two sets of silverware float out from underneath the cover. Hermione had thought of everything.
He grabbed one of the forks and motioned the other to Draco who batted it away. "You have to eat, Draco."
"I'm supposed to eat sitting on your bed?"
"We ate in our beds in the Hospital Wing," Harry said around the mouthful he had just put in his mouth.
"But that is—" Draco broke off and shook his head, "What's the use?"
"None." Harry was still pissed at Draco and he wasn't about to get into an argument about how Purebloods didn't eat sitting on beds. "Eat."
"I don't want to, Potter."
Harry threw a roll at him that he caught with a look of disbelief. "Eat. If you get weak because you're too proud to feed yourself then I will pay the price because you will sap all my strength like a fucking vampire."
"I knew it." Draco dropped the roll as if it was poisoned, "You think you are so bloody powerful. Fucking Harry Potter. Slayer of the Dark Lord. You can't believe you're bonded to someone as weak as me."
Harry saw red as he leapt up and shoved Draco, "You are unbelievable. You don't know the first thing about me."
Draco resisted as Harry continued to shove Draco until he was up against the window, "For your information, Malfoy, that was not what I meant. The same thing would happen to you if I was the one not eating. I don't think I'm stronger than you. I don't think—"
Whatever he was going to say was cut-off as pain streaked up his arm and across his chest. He was vaguely aware of Draco reaching out for him then there was nothing.
OOoOoOOOoOo
The sound of people whispering nearby is the first thing Harry heard as he woke up. Lying perfectly still he tried to figure out the voices. McGonagall and Pomfrey. Bloody great. He didn't bother to open his eyes, as he tried to hear what they were saying but they were too far away.
"You're awake." Draco's voice came from right next to Harry's ear. Turning his head he looked to see Draco lying next to him. Of course, he was, Harry thought with a sigh. Where else could Draco be but by his side.
"What happened—"
"I see you are back with us," Professor McGonagall's voice carried across the room. Harry reluctantly turned towards her voice. She was standing with Pomfrey in front of a large fireplace that took up half the wall in the small room. Harry looked around in stunned confusion. The walls of the room were wooden boards as was the floor. Two small paned windows were on the other side of the room, with green curtains covering them. There was a cupboard in the corner and a rug on the floor. The room looked nothing like Hogwarts.
"Where are we?"
"This, Mr. Potter, is your new home."
