Disclaimer: I seem to have been hypnotized… and the pretty dangly thing swinging in front of me is telling me to type: Harry Potter and co. aren't mine. Damn you pretty dangly thing!
Warning: This story contains slash! If you don't like slash, don't waste your time reading this story! Please. :-)
A/N: Thanks loads to Domina Malfoy, Sarcastic-nut, DestinyEntwinements, All-knowing Alien, SaphirePhoenix, female half – breed, Fate Weaver 42, -little oro-, nena, Lightningchick15 and won-wonismylover for reviewing:-) You make my days so much brighter! I can't believe I have over 100 reviews! All of last year, I spent so much time wishing I could write a successful story on fanfic… like when you cut the cake on your birthday, I wished it. :-) And it has happened:-) Wow. I am so happy! xD
~Chapter Eleven: And I'm the Minister for Magic~
Despite his earlier reluctance, Draco immensely enjoyed his "girl's afternoon" with Ginny (although he wouldn't admit it to anyone but her!). He purchased new silk shirts, and new dark jeans. Draco found some heavenly Eau-de-cologne, which he happily paid fifteen galleons for. He was sorely tempted to buy a pair of very sexy leather pants, but he thought they would make him 'too gay'.
And, despite her earlier promise, Ginny bought Draco some pink hair dye, and gave it to him as a birthday present. When he protested, however, Ginny tapped her pocket where her wand was and reminded him how skilled she was at Bat Bogey Hexes, and Draco accepted the hair dye without further complaint.
"After all," he said hurriedly. "Pink hair could be fun." Draco then made a note to self: Don't make deals with Weasleys.
There was an uncomfortable moment for Draco when Parvarti and Padma Patil saw Ginny, and came over to chat. Or, as Draco more accurately described, came over to flirt with Draco. Ginny told the twins that Draco was in England for a holiday, and he was actually from Italy. This simple statement sent both Parvarti and Padma into giggling fits, saying in delight, "Guys from Italy are like, so hot!"
When Draco and Ginny had finally shaken off the Patil twins, they realized it was nearly three o'clock, so they made their way to the back yard of the Leaky Cauldron. Ron and Hermione were already waiting there, but Harry was obviously not there yet.
"Hi Draco, hi Ginny," Hermione said, and she started digging in one of her shopping bags to find something. "Here Draco, it's your birthday present. Sorry it's not wrapped," Hermione said and handed a heavy book to Draco.
It was titled Spells for the Masters, and Draco nearly dropped it due to it's size.
"Thanks Hermione," Draco said, a little shyly. "You didn't have to."
"No. That's why I did," said Hermione matter-of-factly. "So, how was your afternoon?"
"Absolutely wonderful," answered Ginny. "Honestly, Draco is more of a shopaholic than any girl I've ever met. Including the Patil twins." Ginny gave Draco a knowing wink, and he groaned, burying his face in her shoulder. She giggled, and shrugged him off.
Ron fixed Draco with an odd look, but before he could figure out what it was about, Draco saw Harry coming towards them, looking relieved.
"Thank gods Mrs Weasley isn't here yet," Harry said as he joined them. "Oliver and I lost track of the time."
Draco stiffened slightly at the name Oliver, but moved to make room for Harry to stand next to him anyway. Harry smiled at him, and Draco smiled uncertainly back, but was spared having to say something when Mrs Weasley's shrill voice called to them.
"Good to see you're all here on time," she said reprovingly, and then shook her head. "I'm afraid it's too risky to set up yet another unauthorized portkey, so we have to just take the London underground back."
It was a quiet train ride back to Grimmauld Place. Hermione and Ginny chatted quietly, but Ron moodily crossed his arms, and Mrs Weasley sat a couple of seats away from them, sorting out pieces of parchment. Harry said a couple of things to Draco, but Draco gave short replies. He felt rather tired, but didn't think it was from getting up early. Something about Oliver made him feel extremely uneasy.
When they had arrived back, and Mrs Weasley had lifted the glamour charms from Draco, the five teenagers headed upstairs to their respective bedrooms. Draco extracted all the bags from his pocket, and made them re-grow to their original size. He sucked in a deep breath, looking at all his shopping. It would take a hell of a long time to put it all away.
Next thing he felt warm arms curl around his slender waist, and soft lips brush the tip of his left ear. Draco involuntarily let out a sigh, and despite his slightly hostile feelings towards Harry, he lent back into his chest and closed his eyes.
"So did you have a good afternoon?" Harry murmured into Draco's hair.
"Mmm, I went off with Ginny. We didn't want to watch Weasley… er, Ron… making eyes at Hermione." Draco stopped, and bit his lip. "How did it go with… Oliver," he asked finally, nearly choking on the name.
"Really well actually," Harry said, and slid his hands under Draco's shirt to stroke his flat stomach. "Yeah, he's a big hit with Puddlemere United. He has a couple of trophies already. It was really great to see him."
"Oh yes, I suppose he thought it was great to see you too," Draco said, more bitterly than he intended.
"What is that supposed to mean?" Harry demanded, sounding confused.
"You saw him."
"No, I was walking around with my eyes closed, Draco. What do you mean!"
"He couldn't keep his eyes off you!" Draco said loudly, and ripping Harry's hands from under his shirt, twirled around to face Harry. Harry was looking confused and angry at the same time.
"He wasn't doing anything! He was just happy to see me."
"Sure. And I'm the Minister for Magic."
"Draco! Don't you trust me? Is that what this is about! I'm the one who should be having trust issues; you are the son of the cruelest Death Eater alive."
Draco could tell that as soon as Harry had said it he regretted it. Yet, that fact didn't make the blow less powerful. He turned away from Harry quickly, trying to blink away the tears that were prickling his eyes.
"Draco… I…"
"Don't talk to me," Draco cut across Harry, trying to stop his voice shaking.
"I didn't mean it."
"You said it. Of course you mean it." He could hardly remember his voice being this icy.
There was a long silence, in which Draco knelt down next to his bags and began unloading his clothes. He picked up his pink hair dye, and set it beside his trunk. He would dye it another day.
"He asked me back. He going to be in Diagon Alley for another week, and he said he wanted me to visit him again in a few days," Harry broke the silence hesitantly.
"What!" Draco turned to face Harry despite himself. "And you're going to go!"
When Harry didn't answer, Draco felt a wave of disbelief engulf him.
"No way. This is not happening." Draco shook his head, and looked back at his shopping. "No way."
"He's my friend, Draco," Harry said firmly, but Draco could hear the desperation in his tone.
"Well I think he wants to be more than your friend," stated Draco coolly, still folding his clothes neatly in his trunk.
"Oliver isn't even gay!" Harry cried, grabbing his messy hair in seemly exasperation.
"I don't think I'll waste my breath on saying another sarcastic comment like 'And I'm the Minister for Magic'."
"God Draco! I'm going to go and see him again, and that's all there is to it. If you don't like it, well… that is your problem." There was another silence, and Draco stood up.
"You can tell Mrs Weasley not to bother cooking dinner for me. I'm not hungry, and I'm going to bed." And without even sparing a glance to Harry, Draco strode to his bed, tore off his clothes and threw them into his open trunk, pulled on his boxers, and got into bed. He purposely closed his eyes and bit his cheek in fury. He listened to Harry huffing loudly and walking to the door. He closed the door with a little more force than necessary.
Draco opened his eyes, and turned over in his bed. Even though it was barely five o'clock, the last thing he wanted to do was to sit at the dinner table with all the conflict between him and Harry.
Sighing heavily, Draco turned over once more. His eyes were killing him to stay open, yet he couldn't sleep with all that was on his mind. It was going to be a long night.
Harry sat in the lounge with Ron, Hermione and Ginny for about an hour until dinner was ready. When Hermione had asked him where Draco was, Harry simply said that Draco was absolutely exhausted and had fell asleep. He felt bad about lying though, as it was his fault Draco wasn't coming to dinner.
He didn't join in with his friends conversations over the dinner table; Harry mostly sat quietly, pushing his food around his plate. He wasn't particularly hungry either.
As soon as the majority of the people dining (Mrs Weasley; Ron; Hermione; Ginny; Lupin, who had stopped in to talk to Mrs Weasley along with Tonks; Mr Weasley; and, of course, Harry) had decided to start washing the dishes, Ginny caught up with Harry on the stairs.
"Ok, what's the deal? Something must have happened for Draco not to come to dinner, and you not eating anything."
"It's nothing," Harry said tiredly, not wanting to think about it at all. "Just a little… disagreement."
"You're making it so easy for me to picture your fight," Ginny said sarcastically.
"I don't want to talk about it."
"If you don't tell me what's wrong, how can I fix it?"
"It's none of your business!" Harry said angrily, and then suddenly realized what he had said. "I mean… I'm sorry… I didn't…"
"No offence taken," said Ginny calmly, brushing it off lightly. "You're right. I'm sorry. You'll figure it out on your own. It's just… you looked sadder than you have for weeks."
Harry attempted to smile at her, but was pretty sure he'd failed.
"Good night Gin. Thanks anyway."
Harry made his way upstairs, and entered his and Draco's bedroom. He looked over at Draco, and saw that his eyes were still closed, and he was breathing gently and evenly. Harry guessed he was genuinely asleep.
Sighing once more, Harry changed into his pyjamas and got into bed. Usually he'd be having a full-on makeout session with Draco about now. Fat chance of that. And it was his fault too.
Harry closed his eyes and willed sleep to come. Maybe Draco would be perfectly friendly in the morning. Maybe it was just because Draco really was tired.
Maybe he was completely and utterly wrong…
There were two men kneeling on the ground in front of a tall and thin cloaked person. They were in a small room which was decorated with a long portrait, which Harry couldn't see as it was so dark. The only source of light was a small fire in the corner of the room.
"Did Lucius tell you of the plan?" asked an icy voice, one Harry had heard many times before.
"Yes, my Lord," said the bulkier man swiftly. "I have one question though – where do we bring the muggles once we find them?"
The air seemed to become denser; Lord Voldemort brought his pale fingers together and narrowed his red, already slit eyes, if that was possible.
"Lucius has volunteered his dungeons. You will return here with the muggles, and take them to the first dungeon on the right. It is just around the corner of this room." Voldemort paused for a moment, then flexed his fingers. "Now, do you want to be reminded what will happen if you fail again?" he asked threateningly, but softly.
The man who had spoken before shrank to the floor, and the other man said, "No, no, my Lord. We remember well enough. It's just… we didn't mean to let them escape… they just… did." The second man had a look of terror on his face as he muttered these last words, and he suddenly covered his face with his hands.
"I will not suffer another mistake from you!" Voldemort near shouted. "Crucio!"
The two men in front of Voldemort writhed and screamed louder than Harry had ever heard anyone scream before. The fire in the corner flickered, and nearly got extinguished.
After what seemed like hours, the men stopped yelling, and lay still, struggling to draw breath, and groaning in pain.
"You will not fail."
Harry awoke very abruptly, as if someone had poured a bucket of cold water over his head. Sitting up quickly, Harry glanced around the bedroom. It was still dark, so he presumed it was the early hours of the morning. He looked over at Draco, and saw that he was fast asleep.
He realized that he was shivering and his teeth were chattering. Harry pulled the blankets closer to him, and he lay back down against his pillows.
Surely that dream wasn't true. What had happened? Voldemort was talking to two men… about a plan to kidnap someone… muggles… and they were to take the muggles back to the dungeons… Harry's mind was spinning. Whose dungeons were they? Harry thought for a whole minute before he remembered. Of course, Lucius Malfoy's! That meant the muggles would be taken to the Malfoy Manor.
Harry turned over in his bed, and attempted to get comfortable. For the last couple of nights he had been used to Draco's reassuring body next to him; tonight, however he was alone. Draco had retreated to his own bed, and Harry didn't dare to go and sleep with him.
Ok, Harry decided. I'll tell someone about my dream after breakfast. Preferably Dumbledore. He'd know if it was real or not.
Predictably, when Harry woke up, Draco's bed was empty. There was no sound coming from the bathroom, so that led Harry to assume Draco was at breakfast.
Harry showered and dressed quickly, but when he walked across the room to go down to the kitchen, he hesitated. He really didn't feel like facing Draco. But, it was as Dumbledore said. One day, Harry would have to face Voldemort again; so one day, Harry would have to face Draco again. And that day was today.
Taking a breath, Harry descended the stairs and entered the kitchen. Hermione, Ginny and Draco were sitting eating cereal and toast. Hermione was reading the Daily Prophet, and Ginny and Draco were talking. Ginny looked up as Harry sat down next to Hermione, but both Hermione and Draco did not. Harry thought he knew why Hermione didn't; because she was so engrossed in the paper. He knew for sure why Draco didn't though.
As Harry helped himself to cereal, Hermione suddenly said "Oh!" and flattened out the paper so she could read something easier.
"Listen to this!" she said, her eyes widening. "The heading is 'Search still on for the youngest Malfoy'."
Draco, who had just been about to drink from his goblet, lowered it slowly. He looked at Hermione attentively.
" 'Ministry officials have so far had no luck in searching for Draco Malfoy, who disappeared nearly three weeks ago. His disappearance was the same time that Narcissa Malfoy, his mother, was found dead in the Entrance Hall of her own house, and also when Lucius Malfoy escaped from Azkaban with several other known Death Eaters. Officials agree that all these events are linked, but still there is no sign of Draco. However, yesterday morning a teenage boy with short brown hair and brown eyes entered Gringotts bank, and withdrew some money from Draco Malfoy's vault. He had the original key, and said that he was 'a friend' of Draco's. Whether this boy knows the whereabouts of Draco Malfoy remains to be seen. Ministry officials urge anyone who knows where this boy or Draco Malfoy is to tell them immediately.' Gosh, they are taking it seriously, aren't they!" Hermione finished.
Harry looked up at Draco, and Draco merely smiled at the paper.
"There goes that disguise then."
As soon as Draco and Ginny had finished eating they disappeared off upstairs, so Harry lingered around with Hermione. They went into the living room, where Hermione started reading her new Potions text book.
"Hermione," Harry said, noticing something. "Where is Ron?"
"Oh, he went to visit Fred and George. They needed him to help them. Pretty brave of him, if you ask me," Hermione said, putting down her book. "He's going to be gone for a couple of nights."
"Right." Harry fingered his necklace from Draco absentmindedly. He knew Hermione would probably be able to sort out his problem with Draco, but that meant telling her about them.
"There's something bothering you," stated Hermione. Harry looked at her, and sighed inwardly. He would have to tell her one day anyway.
"Yeah, me and Draco had a fight."
"But you've been getting on so well. I think it's really good that you're friends," Hermione smiled.
"Well… yes we have been getting on well, haven't we. But… well, we – er – we're more than friends."
Harry held his breath, but he shouldn't have been so worried. Hermione grinned, and said, "Well, yes, I sort of guessed there was something going on. I wondered when you'd confess."
Feeling incredibly relieved, Harry let his breath go.
"Ginny guessed as well. You girls are too observant."
Hermione laughed, and said, "Well, I think it's very good. Especially if it makes you as happy as you've been for the last three weeks. But, you said you'd had a fight?"
"Yes," Harry sighed. "About Oliver. He thinks Oliver is up to something, inviting me back. I disagree."
"Why is he suspicious of Oliver?" Hermione asked, frowning in thought. "I wonder if he knows something we don't."
"He would tell me though," Harry said uncomfortably. "I think it's just his gut instinct. But… my gut instinct doesn't say anything's wrong." Even as he said that his stomach clenched a little. But it left as soon as it arrived. "I… I accused him of not trusting me. I didn't think before I said it. I brought up his father."
"That wasn't very sensible," Hermione said, shaking her head in amusement and disbelief. "You should apologize to him."
"I know."
They sat in silence for a while, then Hermione picked up her book and smiled.
"Well, what are you waiting for Harry? Go upstairs and beg for mercy."
"I sure hope you weren't thinking of that in a dirty way," laughed Harry, getting up from the sofa. "That would be slightly disturbing."
Hermione's giggles followed him up the stairs and to the door of his and Draco's bedroom. The door was shut, and he could hear Ginny giggling also.
He opened the door, and his mouth fell open. Standing in the middle of the room was Draco and Ginny. Ginny was standing back from Draco, as though admiring her handiwork. And Harry knew why.
Draco's hair was a shockingly hot pink. Instead of the platinum blonde locks falling loose by his face, he now sported pink hair which was spiked up very punk-like.
"Oh my gosh," Harry said finally. Draco's face was impassive, like he had put on the mask he had cast away three weeks ago.
"I'll leave you two to it," Ginny said. As she passed Harry she gave him an encouraging smile, and she shut the door behind her.
Harry stood staring at Draco for a little while, and then, very suddenly, ran to Draco and wrapped his arms around him in a huge hug. He felt Draco hugging him back, and he nearly cried in relief.
"I am so sorry for all the things I said to you yesterday, I'm sorry for not trusting you, I'm sorry for mentioning your father, I'm sorry – "
But Harry got cut short when Draco pressed his lips to his own. He had missed Draco so much, and their fight didn't even last a day. Harry kissed Draco back with equal fervour, loving every moment. They broke apart, and Draco's cheeks were flushed with happiness.
"I forgive you," he said, holding Harry closer (if that was possible). "Do you like my hair?"
Harry laughed and placed his cheek next to Draco's.
"It is very radical, and gay. I think it just might grow on me. Did Ginny persuade you?"
"Yes," Draco replied. "It's not permanent though. It'll only last about five days. Make the most of it while you can."
And without another word, Draco pulled Harry onto his bed and started to snog the daylights out of him.
-grins- Here is your Chapter 11! I had heaps of fun writing this one also. Aaah, the holidays are nearly over:-( I hate going back to school after the holidays. It really is the pits. Anyways, please review. I love to hear from you guys, and if you have any theories, any at all, feel free to tell me:-) Love you all:-)