A/N: The beginning of this chapter was inspired by the beautiful promotional pictures of Daniel Radcliffe in the play Equus...

Chapter 14 - Just When Things Were Going Well...

"Hey Weasley, your family's pathetic owl is at the window."

"Maybe Mum sent more sweets!"

"Honestly Ron, is that all you ever think about?"

"Granger, would you rather hear about what most guys always think about?"

Harry laughed; another sunny morning in Godric's Hollow. Maybe they weren't all the best of friends, but Harry figured that it was as good as it was going to get. It was so easy to forget that outside their little home the world was chaotic.

"Harry, it's for you."

Harry picked up the small, wrapped package and opened the letter attached to the outside.

"Odd. It's from your sister. 'Harry, I hope you read this before opening the package or you may get a bit of a nasty shock. You are now even more famous than Lockhart! Yes, that's right Witch Weekly has included you on their cover for the Most Attractive Wizards edition! They've even used a new picture of you. I must say though, it appears you've been exercising quite a bit lately.' I haven't had my picture taken lately!"

"They're probably just the old pictures that they've been running since this summer."

"What pictures?"

"Ginny told me months ago that Witch Weekly has been running your picture, along with various stories ever since we left school. I assumed you knew."

"As if I read this magazine! Why didn't she tell me? How did they get my picture?"

"There were photographers sneaking around Hogsmeade and Kings Cross Station when we left school."

"And you didn't think I needed to know?"

"Honestly, Harry it's not a big deal. This kind of thing happens all the time to muggle celebrities."

"Well, I'm not a muggle celebrity! They can't take my picture without me knowing!"

"Oh for goodness sake, just open the package already and get it over with!"

Harry opened it and sure enough, his face was on the cover of the most popular witch's magazine in the country. And not, apparently, for the first time. Harry was face to face with an image of him completely nude, standing next to a unicorn underneath a head line that read: "The Most Attractive Wizards Issue! Harry Potter; Where is he? And is he available?" The problem was not only had he been featured without permission, but it wasn't even him! The face was his, he couldn't deny that, but that was most certainly not his body, although part of him wished that it was.

"Bloody hell! When did you do this?"

"Do you honestly think that I would pose for a picture like this, Ron?"

"Besides Weasley, look at him. He's scrawny, malnourished and recovering from a near-death experience. This guy," Draco pointed to the cover, "obviously works out."

"What do you know about it?"

"I happen to be an expert on the male form."

"You would have to be an expert after all those hours you spend in front of the mirror," said Hermione. "I don't know, Harry. They did a pretty good job on it. You can't even tell."

"Wow, it's just like magic, huh?" Harry replied with more than a hint of sarcasm. "I don't know how they did it, but it's not me and they are going too far! It's bad enough that they print lies about me, now they're faking pictures too! I'm going to sue them!"

"Are you sure it's fake?" asked Ron.

Harry stared at him blankly. "Are you saying that I would forget something like this? Okay, you got me. My secret is out! Harry Potter likes to get naked with various magical creatures. I'm making a calendar. You should see the ones of me with Aragog! It's hot!"

"Okay, Harry, that's enough. Ron is sorry he asked the dumbest question I've ever heard. But you have to admit, they did a really good job with the picture."

Harry nodded. "You'd think with Voldemort on the loose they would have better things to write about than my sex life!"

"Can you blame them for trying to be light-hearted? We've all seen enough death already, there's no sense in publishing it more. And you're the celebrity that they most want to read about now."

"You dated a woman who actually reads this garbage, Potter?" asked Draco.

"I would guess it was Mrs. Weasley who actually has the subscription."

Ron nodded. "So according to them you're the most attractive wizard?"

"It looks like it," said Hermione, flipping through the pages. "Lockheart's still on here, but he's rated number ten."

Harry rolled his eyes. "I'm so relived that I'm more attractive than Lockheart. I was really worried there for a bit."

"What does the rest of Ginny's letter say?"

Harry looked back down at it and read aloud again. "'After extensive research on the subject, I found that they most likely used a picture of a muggle film actor who actually looks a bit like you. I also found that it doesn't take much to combine the pictures and enchant them the way they have here.' There, are you happy? Even my ex doesn't believe that this is me!" He glared at Ron briefly before continuing. "'I had no idea you...' Er, nevermind."

"What does it say?"

"Personal."

Hermione raised her eyebrow in amusement at the fierce blush that was lighting up his face and turned her attention back to the article. "There are all sorts of people speculating on where you've been. They have whole section devoted to 'Harry Sightings.' Two in London and one in Scotland. That one claims that you're actually engaged to her."

"Impossible," said Draco, taking the magazine from Hermione. "He's marrying Madeline from the flower shop, remember?"

Harry scowled and left the table, making his way to the library.

"Oh, look at that, Potter! You won the Most Charming Smile award too!"

Draco smirked when he heard the library door slam shut.

By that night, Harry swore if he heard one more centerfold comment he was going to hex all three of his house mates. It was a pointless threat, as Hermione and Ron were already heading to bed and Draco was the only one he would have to worry about.

"So you're a true celebrity now," Draco said as he undressed in Harry's room.

Harry sat down heavily on the bed. "I don't want to hear any more about my modeling career."

"I wasn't going to say it," Draco replied. He knelt down on the bed and crawled over Harry until they were facing each other. "I was just going to ask what the Weaslette said in her letter."

"Erm... I read it out loud."

Draco's eyes narrowed slightly but he moved closer, so that their mouths were almost touching. "The part that you wouldn't read. The part that was 'personal.'"

"It's... personal." He was having a hard time concentrating with Draco's body pressed against his and his breath hot on Harry's lips.

"Tell me," he whispered.

"It's personal," Harry repeated.

Without warning Draco had his arms pinned above his head and his feet had Harry's legs pinned as well. There was no possible way Harry was going anywhere until Draco allowed it.

"You've had my dick up your arse. What's more personal than that?"

He had a point of course. But Harry felt a little awkward discussing his ex-girlfriend with his currant... boyfriend? Fuck buddy? Lover? He didn't even know what they were, or what Draco considered him to be.

"What's the big deal?"

"I might ask you the same. You said that she was completely over you, yet she's writing you letters that make you blush. So spill it. What did she say?"

And then it hit him. "You're jealous!"

Draco's eyebrows shot up momentarily before forcing himself to take on a look of indifference.

"Why would I be jealous? I don't care who you fucked before me."

"You are," Harry laughed. "You're worried that there's still something between me and her. I assure you that the letter has nothing to do with when we went out! It's just the way she likes to pick on people. She's a lot like the twins in that way. Come to think of it, I'm surprised I haven't gotten a note from them, too."

"So then what did she say?"

There was no point in hiding it and Draco wasn't going to let it drop.

"She said with the unicorn in the picture it reminded her of the time we did it in the Forbidden Forest. And then she made some rather obscene remarks about being kinky with animals, which, just for the record, I did not do."

"You did it in the forest? Do you realize how many things may have seen you?"

"I know, it's weird, but that was part of the fun."

"Thinking that Hagrid was going to catch you was fun?"

"Ew. No. I didn't think about Hagrid, but the other creatures... well, you never know what or who is lurking around in there."

"You wanted to be caught I think. I've noticed it here, too. You think it's hot wondering if someone is going to walk in on us. Maybe you even want to be watched."

Harry blushed and didn't meet Draco's eyes. "Weird, I know."

"No, just kinky." Draco smirked and bent down to whisper into his ear. "I bet you took her to the back of the library just to see if you could get off before someone came looking for you."

Harry blushed even deeper. They had done it up against a shelf of books about Divination when Ginny was supposed to be studying for O.W.L.'s.

"Is that what you want? To fuck in front of an audience, just so they'll know that you're not such a perfect little savior?"

Harry whimpered and wished that Draco would let go of his hands. He moved his hips up, pressing his groin to Draco's.

"Mm. I think you like this. You like fucking me because you know everyone else thinks it's wrong. You want them to say you're fucking a Death Eater. You want to be a bad boy and shatter their perfect image of you."

"Draco, please."

Draco smiled. A rather evil smile, in Harry's opinion. It was a look that clearly said that he wasn't giving in easily and it made Harry's heart pound in his chest from the excitement.

"Oh no, Bad Boy. You'll have to beg better than that."

Harry woke the next morning to find the space next to him on the bed was empty. Draco often woke early and used Harry's private bathroom to avoid conflicts with Ron and Hermione over his "mirror time," as they had come to call it. He stretched and then winced as he felt a stiffness and mild discomfort through his entire body. But it had been more than worth it. Seeing that it was already after nine, he showered and dressed quickly and went down to breakfast.

"There he is," said Hermione when he entered the kitchen. "We were wondering if you were still with us. You never sleep this late– Are you okay, Harry?"

"Yeah. Why?"

"Didn't you sleep well? You're walking a little funny."

Before Harry could say a word they were all distracted by Draco, normally the sophisticated, neat individual, choking on his breakfast. He had been halfway through a bite of blueberry muffin when Hermione's words caught him off guard. She ran over immediately to pat him on the back.

"Are you okay now?"

"Wonderful," Draco wheezed, taking a sip of juice. "Just went down wrong."

Harry sat directly across from the blond, quite satisfied that if Draco was going to laugh at him, at least Karma was paying him back.

"Merlin. First Harry, now you."

"I'm just fine," said Draco, having recovered a bit more. "Weasley's barn-like eating habits have finally rubbed off on me is all."

Ron exclamation of "I resent that, Malfoy!" may have almost been effective, if he hadn't had his mouth full of food at the time.

Only a few moments later a package arrived via owl, addressed to Harry, Ron and Hermione. It contained a short note and a copy of the Daily Prophet.

"Don't tell me you're modeling for them now, too," drawled Draco.

Even Ron snorted in amusement, remembering the issue of Witch Weekly that was now perched atop the fireplace mantle where they could all be reminded to tease Harry about it.

"Yes, this time I'm laying with a Basilisk," Harry quipped.

"Ew, Harry, we're trying to eat here."

Harry chuckled and read the note aloud. "Thought you and your houseguest would want to know. R.J.L. What on earth?"

"Bloody hell," said Ron, unfolding the paper.

Massive Azkaban Escape! Authorities fear that You-Know-Who's army has grown!

Harry recognized every one of the faces on that front page. They had all been at the Ministry for Magic and captured by Dumbledore and the Order two years ago. Bellatrix and Voldemort were the only ones who escaped that night. Most of all, he recognized Lucius Malfoy's sneering face looking up at them. Draco's father. This opened up all sorts of questions that Harry didn't want to answer. Would Lucius be looking for his son? Would Draco go with him? Were the Malfoys ready to commit to the Order of the Phoenix?

Draco didn't speak for most of the day. Harry tried to get him alone to talk, but the Slytherin always found a way to avoid it, until Ron got up from his seat in the library to join Hermione in the kitchen for lunch.

"Are you going to talk about it?"

"What is there to talk about?"

"You're father."

"I suspect he'll be looking for me now. I've been thinking of a way to let him know that I'm okay without compromising him or our position if the message is intercepted."

"Any ideas yet?"

"Nothing that Granger would allow."

"Draco, what if your father is... If he's still loyal..."

"He's not! I've told you before that my father would do anything for me and my mother. He wouldn't go back to him."

"Draco, I didn't want to push this..."

"Then don't!"

"... but this is war and anything can happen. I just want you to be prepared in case...in case things aren't the way you think."

Draco wouldn't look at him. He was staring determinedly at the book in his lap and Harry hated saying this, but it couldn't be helped. He and Draco may have moved on from the past, but he never believed that Lucius Malfoy was anything but a Death Eater.

Most of the day passed with the same forced silence. Two more owls arrived during lunch. One from McGonagall and one from Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, both telling of the Azkaban break and warning them to be careful. Several more came in the afternoon from the various Weasleys, updating them on what the Order was doing to track down the escapees. Draco seemed to jump every time an owl came to the window, and every time Harry knew it wasn't going to be the letter the blond wanted to get. Occlumency practice that day was easier than it ever had been because, despite Draco's lectures about disregarding emotions, he still couldn't concentrate knowing his father was out there.

Late into the evening, after dinner, another owl arrived. Harry took the parchment from the bird and his heart skipped a beat when he saw who it was addressed to. Draco stared at it in his hands for several seconds before excusing himself to his room to read it. Ron and Hermione both frowned at that and Harry volunteered to go talk to him. He knocked on the bedroom door, but there was no answer, so he eventually invited himself in. He found Draco sitting at his desk, just the way he had Christmas night, but he wasn't writing.

"Was it from your father?"

"No. Snape."

"Snape?"

Draco handed the letter out for Harry to take.

Draco,

As the papers have all reported, your father and the others have been freed from Azkaban. Upon his return to his Master, he was ordered to find and kill you because of your betrayal. Stay with Potter. Do not attempt to contact your father.

SS

"Fuck," Harry breathed.

"Indeed."

"Draco, I'm sorry."

The blond looked up then. "My father had to go along with the orders or the Dark Lord would have killed him, but he's not actually going to do it."

Harry wasn't so sure. "Draco, it's not as if he's got a spotless record."

"But he wouldn't kill his own son."

"Snape seems to think he would."

Draco's eyes narrowed as he glared at Harry. He stood and crossed the room, coming to a stop several feet away from Harry, and stood with his arms crossed. "Since when do you care what Snape says? I thought you believe that he's working for the Dark Lord."

Damn. He had a point. "I do, but it's complicated. Why would he send a letter telling you not to go? If he was trying to lure you out, then I wouldn't care what he thinks, but it sounds like he's trying to keep you safe."

"No, this is about you hating my father even more than you do Snape!"

"Actually, yes, I do hate him! He's a fucking lunatic!"

Draco shook his head almost violently. "You don't know him. Despite your ideas that he's some kind of monster, he's still my father and he wouldn't do this!"

This was the most worked up Harry had seen Draco since they had started living together. The yelling was almost like old times in the halls of Hogwarts. "He's tried to kill me– more than once! And he raised you to be a heartless killer. How is that a happy childhood?"

"You don't know anything about it! He taught me to be strong and loyal to my family and that's what I intend to do!"

"He's gone back to Voldemort!"

"When he's found me again he'll leave the Death Eaters forever!"

"How are you so fucking sure?"

"Because he's a Malfoy! Malfoys are better than that!"

"You arrogant little shit. You're name doesn't mean as much as you think it does. It doesn't mean anything to Voldemort, the man your fucking father has served for so long. Do you think he's going to choose his name over his Master now? No! He's going to kill his own blood for the cause, and you'll be an example for all those who think they're going to switch sides!"

"He's not going to. He'll understand why I had to do what I've done."

Harry almost laughed at that. "You were so afraid of him you weren't going to tell him you're gay, but you think he's just going to accept this?"

"How is that different than you with Weasley and Granger? You're afraid to tell them, but you still know they won't hand you over to the Dark Lord!"

"You're father has a history of manipulating people and killing those he can't manipulate. He knows only violence and hate and has always expected you to follow him!"

"He may agree with what the Dark Lord believes, but he will not follow the man who threatened his family. You can't condemn him simply for his belief, for you would condemn half of our world!"

"And you?" Harry asked, suddenly quiet.

"What about me?"

"Do you believe it?"

Draco turned away.

"According to your father and his Master, me and Hermione are Mudbloods and Ron, and now you, are blood traitors. Is that what you think?"

"It's more complicated than that."

"No, it isn't actually. It comes down to this, Draco; do you think your blood makes you better than me?"

Draco was silent, but he seemed conflicted about something.

"I've trusted you with a lot. Hell, I wouldn't even be alive without you. But your father being out changes everything. I need to know that you're still with me. That blood isn't going to matter. I know I'm asking you to possibly go against your own father, but –"

"No."

Harry's heart stopped. "No?"

"My father will come to our side."

Harry nodded, knowing that it was all he was going to get out of the man and relieved that at least Draco had said "our" and not "your" side.