Kyla: All right, the next chapter should be where I have been trying to get for a few chapters now.. lol. So, I think that I am FINALLY getting somewhere here... But, anyway, hope you enjoy this chapter. I'll try to update again, hopefully by Sunday, but we shall see, shalln't we? XP Haha. Okay, onto the story.
"Hush, Potter"
Chapter 21
by
Kyla
Draco and Narcissa appeared right in front of the Hogwarts gates. "Mother?" Draco asked gently as Narcissa regained her balance, keeping a hand on her son's shoulder so as to help.
"Draco?" Narcissa looked around uncertainly, "What in the world am I doing at Hogwarts? What happened?" She cushioned her pounding head with her free hand and tried to ease a headache as she tried to comprehend what was going on.
"We fled home," Draco muttered and looked away, unsure of how Narcissa might feel about that. Of course, she had always talked about it, but she never did anything about it.
"We... we did? And Lucius did not even try to stop us?" she inquired, surprised. She seemed to eye Draco carefully as soon as she spoke and then gasped, "Draco! You're hurt! Are you okay?" she asked, referring to his bruised cheek and black eye.
"Yes, I am fine," Draco replied with a tired sigh. He had just arrived home hours before and now he was all ready back at Hogwarts. It was just later that same day that he left, and here he was, at the front gates of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. "We fought... that is where I got the bruises... He obliviated you before we left," he muttered cautiously and grabbed his mother's arm when she swayed unsteadily. "It's all right, Mother," he added upon seeing her eyes wide with comprehensive fear, "we are at Hogwarts now. Come on, let's go inside... We need to request Sanctuary."
"Yes, my Draco," she said absently and allowed Draco to lead her up to the front doors and into the huge castle.
"We are in luck," Draco sighed relieved, "it's supper time..." Narcissa only nodded and followed Draco into the Great Hall, where one large round table sat. Everyone seated—all the professors, save for Trelawney, Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, one second year Slytherin, five Ravenclaws, and a sixth year Hufflepuff—looked up curiously.
All stared in shock, except Albus, his twinkling eye dimming at seeing Draco, as well as his mother, so soon. The holidays had only just started. "Yes, Draco? Mrs. Malfoy?" the Headmaster asked knowingly.
"Headmaster Albus Dumbledore, Draco and Narcissa Malfoy request Sanctuary at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry," Draco spoke loudly and clearly, head held high with pride and power as he wrapped an arm around Narcissa's waist to steady her as she gave an odd waver once again.
Albus nodded and replied, "Draco and Narcissa Malfoy are hereby given Sanctuary at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Rooms will be prepared for the both of you immediately, but first, please join us for supper."
"I would feel better if Madame Pomfrey would first look over my mother," Draco said softer than his declaration for Sanctuary. His gaze drifted over the many people seated at the table until they settled on Poppy Pomfrey, who nodded briskly and pushed herself up.
"Of course," the matron responded and hurried forward, asking quietly into Draco's ear what was wrong. When he said his mother had been obliviated, she nodded and turned then to Narcissa. "Come along, Mrs. Malfoy," she clucked, "let's get you checked out."
"Thank you," Draco murmured as the two passed and left the Great Hall. Then, he looked back to the table, his eyes falling upon Harry's. They merely stared at one another for no more than a second or two, and then the young blond spoke up in a near-whisper that floated throughout the entire Hall, looking again to Albus, "I'm sorry, I am not very hungry at the moment... Perhaps my mother and I could get something from the kitchens later? Once Madame Pomfrey is done?"
"Yes, of course."
"Thank you, sir," Draco nodded and spun on his heel, whisking himself back out of the Hall.
"Draco," Harry murmured in just under a whisper. "Excuse me, everyone," he said louder and pushed himself up from his seat. As he strode out, Severus scowled at his retreating back out of jealousy.
Severus gave a mental sigh. He had tried forgetting about the feelings he was developing for Harry, but nothing had worked, and he just ended up feeling extremely guilty when he tried to push Harry away. To see the hurt in the boy's eyes was worse than any curse that could ever be thrown at him.
The Potions Master hoped that since it was the holidays, that Harry would talk to him more, but the Gryffindor only talked to him when absolutely necessary anymore. I can't say as I really blame him, he thought depressed and sipped at his pumpkin juice, forcing himself to remain at the table while Harry ran off to reconcile with Draco and catch up. A bitter-sweet feeling pulled at Severus's heart when he thought of Harry and Draco together, but he forced it down. It was not his decision, and he told himself that he would not interfere, but his resolve was slowly crumbling. How much longer could he last?
Meanwhile, once Harry was out of the Great Hall, he hastily pulled out the Marauder's Map. "I solemnly swear that I am up to no good," he whispered and tapped his wand to the old parchment. Then, he perused it quickly, looking for a little dot named Draco Malfoy. It took him a moment, but soon, he found that Draco was headed up to the Hospital Wing, to visit his mother more than likely. "Mischief managed," the Gryffindor muttered then tucked his useful little map away again.
Harry took off at a run, so as to catch up with Draco quicker. He wanted to at least walk the boy up to the Infirmary. "Draco!" he exclaimed when a head of blond hair was seen just down a corridor. "Draco, wait up!"
Draco stopped and glanced over his shoulder, eyes somewhat swollen like he had possibly been crying. Harry had not noticed it in the Great Hall because he had been too far away, but as the Boy-Who-Lived drew level with the young Malfoy, he could see that Draco was tired and had indeed been crying. "Draco," he murmured, feeling awkward for a moment when Draco diverted his eyes to the floor, then the dark-haired boy launched himself forward, wrapping his arms around Draco and burying his face in the blond's neck.
Draco, against his will, winced as his bruised body was suddenly but unintentionally jostled. He barely covered up the small hiss of pain that flew from his mouth, hoping that Harry hadn't noticed, but of course the Gryffindor took note of the wince..
Harry suddenly loosened his grip and looked up into exhausted gray eyes. "Are you okay?" he asked gently and brushed a finger along the young Malfoy's jaw in a tender gesture.
"Yes," Draco answered stiffly, forcing a smile on his face.
Harry's emerald eyes flashed. "No, you're not! Don't lie to me!" he snapped.
"Okay," Draco sighed, "so I am... I'll have Madame Pomfrey heal me just as soon as she has finished with my mother, all right?" When Harry nodded, the blond gave him a small but true smile and hugged his arms around Harry's figure, his eyes becoming moist as he thought about all that had happened in the past day. He let out a choked sob and completely collapsed against Harry, crying quietly into the Gryffindor's casual robe.
"Sh," Harry hushed and gingerly wrapped Draco up in his embrace, being wary of the bruises he knew were there but could not see, "sh... it's okay, Draco.. Tell me about it... just let it out... it'll be all right..." He rocked the both of them back and forth until Draco's muffled and watered words became more understandable.
"And what's worse," Draco concluded with a dry sob, "is that I never found out all of my father's plans! But, Harry," he said desperately and looked up into emerald eyes, "they're go-going to attack Hogwarts!! The.. the Death Eaters, they're going to attack Hogwarts! It's awful... I don't know when, but... I—I have to let the Headmaster know... got to... got to," he finally wore himself out, slipping into unconsciousness as a means of escaping his stress.
Harry was surprised when Draco suddenly fell unconscious and hastily hauled the Malfoy and rearranged him to where all his weight was leaning against Harry. The Gryffindor sighed and ran his fingers through Draco's locks of blond hair, more as a reassurance for himself as Draco's explanation's ran through his head again. "All right, Draco," he murmured to the listless Slytherin, "first we'll get you healed up then we can go talk to Dumbledore..."
Harry navigated Draco around until the blond was hoisted on the dark-haired boy's back. He huffed and muttered with an affectionate scowl on his face, "Jeez, Draco... You're heavier than I thought..." When no reply came, he sighed and headed for the Infirmary.
"Madame Pomfrey?" Harry asked and knocked on the Hospital Wing's doors. He hesitated but pushed the doors open and peeked a look inside. "Madame Pomfrey, Draco needs healing, too. Can I bring him in?" he asked, though he was all ready pushing the door open and walking inside.
"Of course, dear," Madame Pomfrey replied over her shoulder, "but it will be a moment before I can get over there. I have to finish Mrs. Malfoy first. Shouldn't take more than a minute."
"Okay," Harry replied as he made his way over to the empty bed beside Narcissa's. "Here we are, Draco," he murmured gently and settled Draco on the bed. He drew the sheets up to the blond boy's chin then cupped a cheek tenderly. For a moment, Harry just looked at Draco, then he leaned over and kissed the boy's forehead, grinning when Draco's face scrunched up cutely in what Harry deemed an annoyed manner.
"Mr. Potter?"
"Oh," Harry flushed and stepped hastily away from Draco, quickly trying to hide the hand that had been idly playing with Draco's hair, "um, sorry... yeah, so, should I go ahead and leave?" he asked uncertainly.
Poppy eyed him carefully for a moment. "No," she finally answered, "you can help me. Could you please keep an eye on Mrs. Malfoy? Let me know when she wakes up."
"Okay."
Poppy nodded briskly and shooed him away with a wave of her hand. Harry fled to Narcissa's bedside, settling himself in the chair he found there. With a small sigh, he made himself comfortable, absently twirling his wand. He heard Poppy just behind him as she cast a few spells under her breath. He then turned his attention to Narcissa, when the blond woman shifted in her rest. Draco looks like his mother, he mused to himself, a small grin overtaking his face.
Harry sat there for a few minutes, nodding absently when Poppy said she would return once she informed the Headmaster of a few things. It was about a minute or so after the matron left the Hospital Wing that Narcissa began to stir. "Oh, Mrs. Malfoy," he said seeing Narcissa push herself up to a more upright position, "I'll go tell Madame Pomfrey you're awake."
"Wait."
Harry froze halfway out of his seat. He gave the blond woman a questioning look but settled back into his seat once more. "How are you feeling?" he asked rather awkwardly after a silence loomed over the pair, effectively making him feel very uncomfortable.
"I am fine," Narcissa sighed then glanced around, "what about Draco? Where is he?" she asked concerned.
"He's resting," Harry explained, "he's just over there," he added jabbing a finger over his shoulder to the lump on the next bed. "Don't worry, Madame Pomfrey fixed him up."
Narcissa inclined her head in a nod before she frowned rather thoughtfully, eyes focusing on Harry's slender form. "Harry Potter," she gasped softly. The fact finally clicked in her mind, and she stared openly at Harry in surprise.
"Um, yes, ma'am."
The blond woman beamed at him all of a sudden, making Harry even more nervous than he all ready was. "Mr. Potter," she said affectionately, eyes flicking quickly over to Draco before returning to the dark-haired Gryffindor beside her bed, "Draco told me about you. He said you two are going out, is that true?" she asked.
Harry shifted anxiously but forced a small grin. "Yes, ma'am, it is..."
About that time, Harry was saved when Draco let out a loud moan. "Potter? Mother?" he asked groggily as he massaged his head, a sour expression on his face.
"Draco," Narcissa replied in greeting, smiling fondly at her son.
"Feeling better?" Harry asked.
"I feel like I didn't get enough sleep," Draco complained, "How long was I unconscious?"
"I don't know," Harry hummed thoughtfully and looked upward, as if the answer would suddenly hit him, which it did, "about an hour..."
"No wonder," Draco groaned. Then, his eyes widened, and he was suddenly wide awake. "Oh yes," he murmured as his memories from earlier that day rushed to the forefront of his mind. Instantly, he was pushing himself up from the hospital bed. The room seemed to spin, however, as he moved too fast.
Harry, taking note of Draco's dangerous swaying, hurried to reach out and steady his boyfriend. "Careful," he warned, "calm down."
"I can't," Draco replied with a scowl at the floor, "I have to speak with Dumbledore... I need to tell him about the Death Eaters' plans!" The tone of his voice grew desperate as he looked to Harry with pleading eyes.
Harry sighed but stood up, wrapping an arm around Draco's waist. "Okay, let's go then," he murmured as he gently steered the blond boy to the door. "Excuse us, Mrs. Malfoy," he added over his shoulder, feeling quite strange to be talking so casually to Narcissa Malfoy of all people. Of course, he never really thought about ever going out with Draco either.
"Get some rest, Mother," Draco tossed back as well, accepting the support Harry was offering. The feeling of the Gryffindor's arm around his waist was enough to give Draco the comfort that he needed. He rested his head against Harry's, sighing softly as they made it to the gargoyle that protected the Headmaster's office. "Thanks," he whispered into Harry's ear.
"No problem," Harry grinned, "at least this way you don't have to do it alone." He looked to the gargoyle and started guessing sweets. "Um, Blood Pops? Cockroach Clusters? Chocolate Frogs?" At the last guess, the gargoyle suddenly sprang to life, jumping aside to reveal the winding staircase that the duo took up to Albus's office.
Before Draco could knock like he had moved to, Albus's calm, stern voice called out for them to enter. So, the blond boy instead grabbed the door knob and twisted it swiftly. The door was pushed open, and together, Harry and Draco entered into the office, settling in the seats that sat across the desk from the revered Headmaster Albus Dumbledore.
"Hello, boys," Albus greeted with a smile and an offering of lemon drops. "Now, what do you wish to discuss with me, Draco?" he asked.
"Sir," Draco started off quickly, "the Death Eaters are planning to attack Hogwarts!! They were talking about forming groups and attacking from the front and then sending some from behind once the first few groups advance in! They're going to attack, we have to do something! I don't know when they will attack, but they will, and I think it's going to be soon...!" He rushed to get all the information out, hoping to hurry and get some plans put into motion.
"All right, my boy," Albus reassured, "calm down... Ah, Severus," he added in greeting as his eyes settled upon the Potions Master. Severus stepped through the doorway at that moment and nodded once in greeting to the Headmaster, steadfastly avoiding looking to Harry and Draco. "Have you any idea of their plans yet?" Albus asked his spy.
"Not as of yet," Severus drawled, "Lucius has been sure to keep me from the preliminary meetings as much as possible... He is becoming suspicious." The man walked proudly and gracefully over to the fireplace, where he leaned against the mantle, eyes ghosting over Draco and Harry, who quickly cast his gaze downwards so as to avoid meeting Severus's eyes, before settling on the Headmaster. "I expect to be summoned soon," he added after a moment.
Albus took notice of the tension between Severus and Harry but made the decision to save that for a better time. The elderly man nodded and pulled his mind back from his pondering. "Very well," he said, "Thank you for your help, Draco... You've done all you can, so why don't you and Harry run along and try to enjoy what you can of the holidays? There is no immediate danger that I can see," he assured them. With that, the two students understood the dismissal and stood up obediently, Draco thanking the Headmaster as they left the room. Harry steadily avoided looking at Severus, much to the Potions Master's annoyance.
"Severus," Albus asked warily, "is there something going on between you and Harry?" His wizened old eyes flickering to the door that the boys had just left through and back again to his Potions Master.
"Of course not, Albus," Severus scoffed, sounding very much frustrated.
"It seems that Harry has taken to ignoring you," Albus noted absently as he plucked up a lemon drop to suck on. "Are you sure something didn't happen? Did the two of you have an argument of some sort, perhaps?" He eyed Severus closely, knowing the man well enough to be able to read his body language.
Severus was hesitant to tell the Headmaster about the tension between Harry and himself. "In a way," he murmured finally, shoulders slumping in defeat.
"Would you like to talk about it?" Albus asked gently and waved to one of the chairs opposite him. This was a hint that Severus should sit down and explain everything to Albus.
"To be honest, no."
Albus chuckled at the reply he was given. "Come now, Severus. Please do have a seat," he implored of the Potions Master. "Now, what happened?" he asked when Severus sit tensely on the edge of one of the chairs.
Severus seemed as if he would not tell Albus, but the older wizard wore Severus down with a stern yet twinkling gaze. "It seems that Potter has a crush on someone," the Potions Master spoke and sneered at his feet.
"Oh?"
"Yes," Severus growled out, "and it just so happens that I am the one he has a crush on."
Albus did not reply immediately, his mind having to digest what Severus had just told him. "Really," the Headmaster murmured thoughtfully, the top of his desk steadily holding his gaze. "Well," he finally sighed, noticing the uncomfortable tension coming off Severus in waves, "I do not condone teacher-student relationships," he mulled aloud, "nor do I encourage them..."
"Yes, Albus, I know," Severus replied bitterly, a sour look on his face, "So, that is why I told Potter to find someone his own age. We have taken to ignoring each other."
"It's taking a toll on the both of you," Albus stated more than asked.
"That's ridiculous," the Potions Master scoffed, "I am fine, and Potter may not look it, but he will be if given enough time."
"You are not being truthful," Albus warned. At the annoyed glare he received from his Potions professor, he added, "I can see it in your eyes, my boy. You are not fine with the arrangement you have set up for Harry and yourself."
"Albus," Severus sighed with a tiredness that had not been previously there, "he is too young, and I am too old... I went to school with his parents, for Merlin's sake!"
"There have been previous student-teacher relationships within these castle walls, Severus," Albus reminded gently. "I personally do not encourage such relationships, but that is because those professors usually tend to show favoritism."
"I would not favor Potter in Potions," Severus hissed defensively.
"Of course not, my boy," Albus attempted to soothe the Potions Master's ruffled feathers, "I am merely explaining why I do not encourage such relationships. I know that you would not show Harry favoritism, but that is one of the least of our possible consequences."
"If there are possible consequences, as in plural, then that means that Potter and I will never share a lover's relationship."
"Now, Severus, have you even thought of the consequences?" Albus asked. His question was met with an uncertain silence until Severus could take no more. The Potions professor growled out something about his thoughts on the matter and how he had indeed all ready thought of some possible consequences and was not happy with them. So, Severus stood up and stalked over to the door, bidding the Headmaster a bitter and absent farewell.
"Remember, my boy, not all consequences are bad," he added softly just before Severus closed the door. With a heavy sigh, the wizened old wizard petted Fawkes as the phoenix trilled quietly. "Yes, Fawkes, we will see how things go," Albus answered, as if he really did understand what the phoenix was saying to him.
Severus, meanwhile, scowled and grumbled to himself all the way down to the dungeons. He stalked into his office, where he collapsed into his chair. His shoulders slumped in defeat, and he heaved an exhausted sigh as he tried to turn his mind to other, less important things, such as lesson plans for the next term.
The man's thoughts continued to revolve around Harry. He became consumed with the "possible consequences" and if Harry and he would actually be able to be together. He was plagued so by such thoughts that he actually summoned spare parchment and quill and ink. A list was soon being written out, a list of the consequences, the pros and cons of each option. When this did nothing to help him, Severus seethed and set fire to the list, wiping the ashes absently from his desk, ignoring the slight scolding his hand experienced from the warm embers.
"Oh, Harry," Severus moaned. Dejected and at a loss, he dropped his head into his hands, trying to hide away from the reality that he was falling in love with Harry Potter of all people. He had no idea what to do or think anymore, but at least he knew Albus's view on all of this. He had pretty much assured Severus that he would stand by whatever he decided, though he may not be thrilled by it.
Confusion. Hurt. Anger. Jealousy. The feeling of absolute helplessness when Severus thought about Harry and Draco cuddling together in some unused classroom. All these things were bubbling up inside of Hogwarts' Potions Master, and there were so many emotions all at once that the man was very much surprised to feel a wet, cold substance falling down his cheeks.
He reached up and wiped at his left cheek, bringing his hand away some in order to see what the odd substance was. That was when he noticed that he was crying. At the thought of his tears, sobs soon decided to join in, and Severus was sobbing silently into his arms, wondering why exactly he was crying. "Stupid, Potter," he choked out quietly.
"Calm down, Draco," Harry murmured soothingly while Severus was alone in his office. The Gryffindor was sitting with Draco in one of the unused classrooms, trying to calm the blond down. "You told Dumbledore all you knew. It's all right, just relax," he assured Draco as he held the Slytherin in his arms, offering whatever comfort he could. "Dumbledore even said there was nothing more you could do, just relax and breathe..."
"We don't know when the attack will be though," Draco said apprehensively, clinging desperately to Harry as the blond Slytherin saw flashes of his vision in his mind's eye. He saw spells flying in all directions, people screaming, bodies falling as a result of the Killing Curse carelessly thrown by a Death Eater, Order members and students fighting side-by-side, Hogwarts being stormed by wave after wave of Death Eaters and their spells. Draco buried his head into Harry's shoulder as he tried to block out the deaths he saw, the ruthlessness of the fight. What was worse that he had no idea how the battle ends. His vision ended at a crucial moment but did not reveal to him the battle's end.
"Sh," Harry replied and ran a calming hand up and down Draco's back, "just relax... Why don't you try and get some rest? There's nothing we can do right now anyway," he reassured the blond boy and offered up a small smile and a kiss to his forehead as a way of calming Draco down. "There's nothing we can do now," he murmured, more to himself than to Draco this time. He was trying to not think of what would happen if Hogwarts was attacked. He tried convincing himself, as well as Draco, that there was nothing they could do now except wait for something to happen. It was the calm before the storm.
Kyla: Okay.. not so sure about the crying Sev part, but.. yeah.. so anyways, hope this was a satisfactory chapter! XD Please review if you find the time. I'd appreciate it, lol. Well, see you next chapter!