Disclaimer: I am not J.K. Rowling. This story is merely my way of saluting her. I do not own any of these characters; I just manipulate their thoughts. I also want to give props to Beren and Mijan for inspiring my stories.
A/N: This chapter gave me MAJOR writer's block. Like you won't believe… And I also noticed how extremely sappy Malfoy was becoming. I'm going to try to shape him back into his sarcastic, drawling self in the next chapter.
AND HAPPY 3RD ANNIVERSARY, DEATHLY HALLOWS! YOU WILL BE CHERISHED, ALWAYS!
-x-
Albus Dumbledore was to arrive at the Burrow on the evening of New Year's Day. Molly was busily straightening the house for the arrival of such a prestigious wizard. Fred and George went right behind her, sitting on the cushions, scuffing the floors, and moving the pictures. Half the day was spent in preparation for the Headmaster of Hogwarts. Draco and Harry had freshened up and were sitting on the couches with Hermione and Ron in uncomfortable silence. Occasional polite scowls were exchanged between Draco and Ron. Harry and Hermione tried to start an awkward conversation, which died down after two volleys. So the four just counted the minutes until Dumbledore knocked on the door.
Harry was the first to jump up when he heard it. He pulled Draco along with him as he walked briskly to the door. Hermione and Ron followed them. Molly took a deep calming breath before smiling brightly and opening the door.
Professor Dumbledore warmly hugged Molly, wishing her a happy new year. Mrs. Weasley turned red with pleasure and ushered the wizard into her house.
Dumbledore beamed down on the group that had gathered in the main foyer, shaking everyone's hand and wishing them a happy new year. Draco and Harry gawked at Dumbledore's airy manner of greeting. To an outsider it would seem like Dumbledore had just popped in for a casual visit. After casual pleasantries were exchanged, Dumbledore's face became grave.
"Well, Mr. Malfoy, I am terribly sorry for the injustice that has been done to you. Molly, could Draco and I talk in private in your living room?"
Mrs. Weasley nodded eagerly, leading the way. Dumbledore beckoned Draco to follow.
"Could Harry come too?" Draco asked uncertainly.
Dumbledore smiled at Harry before nodding. Draco sighed with relief and the two boys walked into the living room after their Headmaster. Dumbledore indicated for the two boys to sit down on the couch while he stood in front of the fireplace, contemplating about where to begin.
"Mr. Malfoy, I cannot imagine how difficult this must be for you. But I must ask you to recount your misfortunes to me, starting with Christmas day," Dumbledore said somberly.
Draco took a deep breath before detailing his encounters with Lucius Malfoy and Lord Voldemort. Harry felt Dumbledore's mood becoming melancholy as Draco reluctantly talked about his father's insistence. Dumbledore's mood changed to quiet anger when Draco tried to glaze over his experience with the two Unforgivable Curses. After Draco hesitantly showed Dumbledore his Death Mark, Harry felt the old wizard emitting empathy and kindness. Harry sat breathlessly as he heard Draco's monotone voice recounting the four days. Draco finished his accounts, trying not to think about what he had just said. Dumbledore was silent for several minutes. Harry took Draco's hand in his, gently stroking his palm.
"These are very dangerous times. It is so regretful that young men like yourselves are caught in the eye of the storm. Mr. Malfoy, I will give you asylum at Hogwarts. I know that you will not be able to return home. However, even Hogwarts cannot stop the Dark magic that is in you. When Voldemort summons his army, you and all of his Death Eaters will have no choice but to follow."
Harry's hand clenched tightly around Draco's fingers. Draco nodded solemnly.
"But until then, I will provide you with protection from Voldemort," Dumbledore said, looking gravely at Draco's pale face. "I am hoping that you will be able to return to classes without any hindrance from your housemates. We must tell no one about your Dark Mark, lest the Ministry catch wind of it. I am certain your father will not be taking your matter to the press, and since you are of age, your parents will not be able to claim you. So please, remember my words. No one must find out." Dumbledore looked at the two boys grimly.
After their talk, Dumbledore was invited to dinner, which went splendidly since the entire table was on their best behavior. The happy atmosphere helped ease Draco's worries slightly. He was afraid of going back to Hogwarts. He was afraid of what would happen when his arm started to burn. He was afraid of what he could be made to do to Harry when the time came.
Dumbledore talked to the entire household, explaining to them the risks of knowing about Draco and what would happen to the Slytherin if anyone found out about his Dark Mark. They had all agreed to keep the secret. The Headmaster also said that it wouldn't be wise for Draco to return to Hogwarts on the train, so they arranged for him to arrive at the castle using the Floo Network. Dumbledore left the Burrow soon after dinner, thanking his hosts graciously before Disapparating to the Ministry. Molly heaved a sigh of relief since everything had gone according to plan.
The house was in utter chaos within minutes. Harry pulled Draco away from the twins' antics and they slipped up to Harry's room.
"You know you'll be fine, right?" Harry asked Draco, kissing his softly.
Draco sighed into Harry's lips and nodded. Harry pulled away slightly.
"Good," he said, giving Draco a final goodnight kiss.
-x-
The rest of the week was passed in relative peace. Occasional snowball fights broke out, always started by Fred and George. Many games of Exploding Snaps were played. Vacation homework was hastily completed. Clothes were stuffed back into trunks. Lengthy goodbyes were said.
Harry decided to travel with Draco instead of in the Hogwarts Express. Draco was glad for the company. They left the Burrow right after Ron, Hermione, and Ginny left for the train. Traveling in the Floo Network was never the most enjoyable way to journey, but it was quick and reliable. Harry and Draco found themselves waving goodbye to the Weasley's one second and then looking into the large office of Albus Dumbledore the next. They brushed the soot off of their school robes and stepped out of the fireplace gingerly.
"Ah, Harry and Draco, I see you've arrived safely," the Headmaster said, looking up from his work. "Your luggage is in your rooms. The other students will start arriving this afternoon, so you will have to amuse yourselves for a few hours."
Harry and Draco smiled graciously before skirting off to the Room of Requirements. Both of them leapt into the bed in three strides, laughing as they bounced on the mattress. They lay on their backs, staring up at the black canopy.
"Oh, it feels so great to be back," Harry said, looking at Draco. The blond boy nodded, a slight smile tugging at his lips. He rolled onto Harry, staring down into Harry's eyes.
"So, what do you want to do?" Draco asked, mischief ringing in his voice.
"Not that," Harry said, trying to dislodge his amorous counterpart.
"But we have the whole morning to wile away. Whatever shall we do, Potter?" Draco asked, kissing Harry's neck slowly. Harry's stomach stirred slightly and his breath quickened.
"Um…" Harry said weakly, trying to gather his thoughts. He felt Draco's need, passion, and love. He knew that Draco wanted things to be normal again, whatever normal was. "Malfoy, this is so not fair," Harry breathed out when Draco ran his hands down Harry's sides.
"I'm just returning the favor," Draco said slyly as he took off Harry's robe and tie. He straddled Harry's hips and started to unbutton his shirt slowly. Harry watched Draco with half closed eyes. Draco's emotions were arousing him. Draco pulled Harry's shirt open, feasting his eyes on the magnificent muscles and unblemished skin. He saw the small ruby glowing against Harry's chest. He touched it lightly, feeling its warmth filling his fingers. Harry lifted up his hand and held Draco's against the ruby, smiling passionately at him.
"You're welcome," Draco whispered as he bent down and kissed the ruby, placing it back on Harry's chest. "Now I'll always be with you," he said, feeling Harry's heart beating beneath his pale fingers. He bent down to kiss Harry's lips. Harry leaned up and met him halfway, his hands wrapping around Draco's neck. Draco's hands raced along Harry's warm body, exploring every muscle, feeling every dimple. His lips soon followed, tasting Harry, leaving soft red marks under his skin. Harry sighed with pleasure and his heart thumped erratically against his chest. Draco quickly undid Harry's jeans and pushed it off of him. Harry's boxers constricted his arousal, and Draco slowly took them off of Harry as well. Harry looked vulnerable, yet so powerful underneath Draco. His eyes were smoldering with fire but his lips were trembling silently as he looked into Draco's eyes.
Draco winked at Harry before pushing him towards the headboard. He settled between Harry's legs and softly touched Harry's hardness. Harry shuddered at the intimacy of the touch. He moaned when Draco delicately touched his tip. He called out Draco's name softly when he felt his shaft being enveloped in cold fingers. His eyes wrenched open when he felt Draco's mouth covering the length of his arousal.
"Oh god!" Harry cried out as Draco licked Harry luxuriously. He latched his arms above him and onto the headboard, trying to hang on to his sanity. He squeezed his eyes shut again when he felt Draco's mouth moving up and down his shaft. Harry couldn't bear the feeling. Draco's mouth felt so soft against his arousal. Harry had to push himself into the mattress to keep from pumping into Draco's mouth.
Draco heard Harry's exclamations and renewed his assault on Harry's body. He ran his hands along Harry's thighs, tracing it lightly with his fingertips. He felt Harry's muscles quiver as he flicked his tongue over Harry's tip. He started to pump Harry vigorously, wanting to hear Harry's moans of passion.
Harry was edging closer to his climax. His body was aching from the pressure he was putting on it. Harry wanted to prolong this experience. But when Draco ran his hand along Harry's quivering stomach and licked his tip roughly, Harry felt like he'd just jumped off the edge and was plummeting towards the ground. Draco felt Harry starting to climax and pulled his mouth away, moving up to kiss Harry's shuddering chest and neck. Harry had never felt this much ecstasy before. His stomach kept dropping and his body was buzzing as the first waves of climax hit him. He no longer plummeted to the ground; he felt like he was soaring. He let go of the headboard and entwined his fingers into Draco's, a roar emerging from his clenched jaws. The rush he felt was entirely different from when magic coursed through his veins. This was so much more. His body was shaking after Harry came down from the clouds. He opened his eyes and saw Draco looking at him lovingly, stroking Harry's cheek with the back of his fingers. Harry wrapped Draco in his arms and held him tight, kissing him long and hard.
"That was –" Harry started saying breathlessly.
"I know," Draco interrupted, laying his head against Harry's bare chest. He kissed the ruby once more before pulling the blanket over them.
-x-