Chapter 21.
The tension in Remus' bedroom was more obvious than even Harry's scar. No one knew what to say, not even harry himself, who had been wishing for this moment his whole life, albeit under different circumstances. All were sat on the floor, except Remus and Hermione, who were on the bed, looking down on the others. Remus felt somewhat like an unwanted observer, as though he should leave harry, lily and James alone. "Harry, err, son, why was it so important for us to meet you? I mean, it is fascinating and all, but surely you get to see us every holiday?" James asked, his arm hovering over Harry's shoulder. The youngest potter said nothing, but put his head in his hands. Draco suddenly felt overwhelmingly out of place, and knew this moment had changed his life forever.
"Potter." He said, and both Harry and James looked up. "Erm, I mean, harry. I just wanted to say... I'm sorry for everything I've ever done. I mean, you gave as good as you got... But sorry for hurting you"
Harry said nothing, but replaced his head in his hands. The silence consumed them again. After several moments, Remus turned to Hermione.
"I don't get it... Why is Harry so distressed?" She beckoned for him and Draco to leave.
The sat around the table in the kitchen, each with a warm drink in their hands.
"James and Lily died when harry was a baby." Draco whispered slowly, though who he was talking to was beyond them all. "This isn't fair. This really is not bloody fair." He thumped the table with such force that Remus' teacup fell over. "Why did they die when my parents, MY BLOODY PARENTS, what are they? Hate filled idiots with absolutely no respect for life, be it of muggles, wizards or animals"
"Draco..." Hermione said, "Our parents don't rule our lives. You aren't them. I believe you're capable of great things, but you don't have to prove yourself to anyone. I think you're a genuinely lovely person"
"Oh, Hermione." He said, leaning over the table, his pose disturbingly similar to that of harry in the other room. "I wish I was." He started sobbing uncontrollably, shaking like a child tormented by nightmares. "How can I be this selfish when he loses his parents and faces you-know-who nearly every single week"
"Draco, it's not YOUR fault he has to face him. What could you do to stop it, really? Saunter up to he who must not be named and say; 'Oi, you, fancy laying off the potter guy for a bit?' He'd probably kill you before he even finished laughing at your foolishness." When Remus had finished this little tirade, he stood up. "All you can do, is go back to the future with him and Hermione and all of you can work together, yes? Harry has no use for people crying about how bad their life has been, he needs people who are willing to do more than just talk. The question is, Draco, are you ready to sacrifice everything you desire to help harry? Can you give up the way you've been living?"
Although Draco knew Remus was not talking about Lily, the words seemed to make up his mind for him. He stood, wiped the tear tracks from his face and returned to Remus' bedroom. "Evans, can we leave these two alone for a minute?" He muttered, and looking confused, Lily obliged. They left for the beach together.
It was abnormally warm outside, Lily noticed as her and Draco walked down towards the seashore. He led her to his favourite place on the beach. They sat together on the rocks which he and Sirius had earlier occupied.
"What's this about, Draco?" She asked quietly. Draco suspected she already knew.
"Do you love me?" He asked sharply.
"What?" She asked, taken aback.
"You heard me, lily. Just answer the question."
"You already know the answer." They looked at each other, their emotions a fiery passion, reflected in the others eyes. Whose was stronger, Draco could not tell. Lily moved in slowly, as she always did, an unintended tease.
"Well you shouldn't. We need to stop this, stop kidding ourselves. You belong with James. Without him, there would be no harry"
"Yes, I know. But it is not him I want, Draco. All the while sat next to him in that small room, I kept thinking; how different would he be if he were our child"
"Shut up. I am going back, and you will get with James and everything will be normal!" He yelled. He felt like grabbing her, shaking her, screaming at her.
"It's not what I want..." She said slowly.
"I don't CARE what you want! This is how it has to be!" Now, he was screaming. "It's how it has to be! You, James, Harry. Promise me. Give me your word that you will marry James!"
"One condition"
"Oh please." Draco snorted. "Like mother like son"
"I get to make love to you, just this once. After that, I promise I'll stay with James until the end of time."
Draco was shocked. How was he supposed to react to this? He should say no, surely? He should stop her, stop her from unfastening his shirt... Stop her from kissing his neck... Oh, to hell with it. For this short time only, she wasn't Harry's mother, she wasn't James' girlfriend. She was, and would always remain, the girl who stole Draco Malfoy's heart.
A/N: Halfway through writing that, I went for a shower. I must tomorrow enquire about how the hell to get the water warm. Also; ring the landlord and request a lock on the bathroom door. Barricading with towels is not fun. Anyway, Draco and Lily had sex on a beach. Romantic, or sleazy? I vote both. Probably damn uncomfortable though. Is it odd that I may be developing an addiction to honey throat medicine, yet cannot stand honey?