Draco and I had been back at Hogwarts for a couple of months, and after the gossiping surrounding us died down things were going well. I had even had a conversation with Ginny, who surprisingly didn't hate my guts. Everything was going really well until the middle of March, when I received a summons to the Headmistresses office. I was in Potions when the message came. Slughorn urged me to hurry up to McGonagall's office, and soon enough I was seated opposite her.
"Miss Angeline, how are you?" She asked.
"I'm fine Professor, thank you, and you?"
"I'm well, thanks. If you'll permit me, there is no real way to say this other than forward." I raised an eyebrow, and nodded for her to continue. "The ministry has found your parents." She paused to read my reaction. I kept my face as neutral as possible. "They would like you to take the stand later this week at a hearing for your parents. Weather you choose to or not, you can still go to the trial. I hate to put pressure on the situation, but we will need an answer soon, as the trial is very soon." My heart started pounding so hard I could hear it in my ears. My breathing picked up and I just stared at the Headmistress. "Miss Angeline, are you alright?"
"I just, wow, this is unexpected. How much time do I have to think about it?"
"I can give you a couple of hours, but they will need to know soon. I can excuse you from classes for the rest of the day, is there anything else you need?"
"Draco. I need to talk to him please." She nodded and started writing a note before flicking her wand at the piece of parchment and sending it off.
"He'll be here shortly, and I'll leave the two of you to talk."
"Thank you." I replied faintly. My head was spinning with the news. "Do you know how they were found? How they are? I know they disowned me during the war, but I mean I still care, they're still my parents."
"They were hiding in a forest, in a cabin that had been enchanted to protect them. The Ministry were doing sweeps and found them using new detection spells. They're fine, dear." I nodded. We sat in silence until there was a knock at the door. Draco came into the office and his eyes immediately sought me.
"Are you okay Gray?" He asked. I nodded. McGonagall stood and made to leave to office.
"I'll give you two a minute." I nodded thankfully at her. Draco took the seat opposite me and leaned forward taking my hands in his.
"They've found my parents." Draco blinked a couple of times. "They want me to testify against them." He blinked a couple more times.
"How do you feel about that?" He asked at length.
"I don't know. McGonagall said that I can go to the trial either way. If they are tried and sent to Azkaban that means that I inherit everything. This is huge."
"Do you want them sent away?"
"I don't know. I don't really want to be in control of everything, and they are my parents, but, they disowned me, and did despicable things. What would you do?"
"You and I aren't the same Gray. The relationship I had with my parents is different than yours. Back when you tried to get me to go to Dumbledore with you, I couldn't. I think my sense of loyalty would get to me, and I wouldn't be able to testify."
"So, if I testify, I'm disloyal?" I asked a little angrily.
"No, like I said your relationship to your parents is a much different thing. They were disloyal first if you ask me, as they disowned you. They never really did have your best interests at heart, I mean they made you get engaged at fifteen!"
"So did your parents."
"My parents only got me to because of your parents. It's up to you Gray, whatever you want to do, I'll support you."
"Ugh, I don't know!" I closed my eyes and covered my face. I heard Draco get up, and put a hand on my knee, crouching by my chair. He gently prised my hands from my face, and stroked his thumb over my cheek.
"All I'll say is that if you testified it would serve your parents right. You never shared their beliefs, but that was no excuse for what they did to you. But I can see why it would be hard. You'd have to appeal your disownment as well to be put in control of the Angeline finances. Which you wouldn't have to do if you didn't want to be in control." I leaned into his hand and sighed.
"If it's not one thing, it's another. Why is everything always so hard?"
"We'll get through this babe. You just have to decide what you're going to do." I leant forward and kissed him softly.
"I think I need to testify. I can't let what they did go. And if they aren't found guilty, it's bad news for me either way."
"No worries there love. I'll always protect you, you know that." I nodded. Just then McGonagall came back into her office.
"Any decisions made, Miss Angeline?" She asked. I nodded.
"I will testify against my parents, yes." She smiled, a tight smile.
"I'll let the ministry know. I think that is a very brave choice."
"Can Draco come with me?" I asked.
"I'd have to check, but I don't see why not. You two are excused from classes for the rest of the day. I expect the ministry will be in touch with you Gray."
"Thank you, Professor McGonagall." Draco and I left the office, and headed back to my room. We had ended up just staying in my room when we got back to school, we kept Draco's room for if we needed space, which was infrequent, but it did happen. We changed the décor to something that suited both of us. Everything was teal with golden highlights, and some purple splashed here and there.
When we got to my room Draco pulled me into a hug and rubbed my back soothingly. "Everything will work out Gray, you'll see." I nuzzled into his neck and sighed. "What do you need from me?" He asked.
"Just you." I replied. I leant up and kissed him. "Thank you for being there for me." He kissed me back softly.
"I wouldn't be anywhere else, you know that." I nodded against his chest. He drew me towards an armchair and settled me on his lap I rested my head on his shoulder and sighed. Draco's arms rested reassuringly around my waist. "How are you feeling?" He asked eventually. I shrugged.
"I don't know. Nervous, I guess." I sighed heavily. "I feel kind of relieved."
"Relieved? He asked
"Well I was kind of stuck I guess, with my parents in hiding. I was nobody with nothing to my name, and no way to resolve it. This will tie up at least one end, no matter the outcome.
"You were never nobody."
"Maybe not to you. But, in actuality, yeah. If it weren't for you I'd be homeless, and practically broke"
"Well then isn't it lucky you have me?" He grinned down at me. I lifted half my mouth in a smirk.
"You're kind of missing the point. But, yes, I am lucky that I have you." I ran my finger lightly along his jaw. He leant in and I lifted my mouth gently to his. I sighed into the kiss and pressed closer to Draco. He kissed me back, but put his hand on my jaw and lightly pushed me back after a couple of minutes. I raised an eyebrow at him as I breathed in deeply, getting my breath back.
"So, what's the point?" He asked. I smiled.
"The point is, that while it is very nice that you have empty apartments just waiting for damsels in distress, and your family fortune means that you guys don't need to worry about money, think how that would feel if it was all ripped away. If you needed to rely on me for everything." I watched as Draco did think about it. He sighed.
"I get it."
"But I am so thankful for you." I pressed a kiss on the corner of his mouth. "You have been so much kinder, and more understanding than I could've hoped. I don't know what I ever did to catch your eye, and earn your affection, but I'm really glad I did." His eyes softened. He laughed quietly.
"You didn't do anything, you were just you. I always feel like I've been on the opposite side of this feeling. I was the one badgering you to go out with me, and I was the one begging you to be friends with me."
"I was pretty horrible back when we were fifteen, and the war screwed everything up. Of course, you just being you is enough, I didn't mean to imply that your only use was your apartment or money." He shook his head, his eyes still soft.
"I know that Gray. I know you better than to think you're a gold digger." I smiled and nuzzled into his neck.
"I don't really know where this all came from. It's been a crazy day. I'm tired. Do you want to take a nap with me?"
"Sure, if that's what you want." He nodded and then stood with me in his arms, taking the few steps to our bed. He set me down and got into the bed behind me, gathering me close to his chest. His lips glanced over the back of my neck, before he rested his head on the pillow and pulled me even closer. I quickly relaxed and felt sleep overtake me.
I woke up later to the sound of Draco softly snoring behind me. His arm hung loose over my ribcage. I gently rolled onto my back, and then onto my other side so I was facing Draco. I watched him sleep with a small smile on my face. He always looked so much younger while he was sleeping. Little snores were issuing forth from his mouth. I dropped my head back onto the pillow and closed my eyes again. I was just about to drift back off to sleep when I felt Draco's arm tighten around me. I smiled.
"Do you know what time it is?" He asked groggily. I shook my head.
"No idea I'm afraid." He sighed and rolled so that I was on my back, and his head was nested under my chin.
"I didn't even think I was tired." He mumbled. I ran my fingers through his hair and smiled. "But you're so warm, and you were so sleepy, it must have rubbed off on me. I laughed and pushed a hand through his hair. I pressed a kiss to his forehead. He looked up at me and smiled. I put my hand on his cheek and guided his mouth up towards mine. It was a slow simmering kiss that shifted into something more pressing. Draco's hands roved over me and easily pulled a moan from my throat. I felt his lips curl up in a smile against mine, I nipped his lower lip gently and rolled myself on top of him. I rolled my hips against his and Draco made a growling noise in the back of his throat. His hands tore at my shirt and busted the buttons open. I slung my shirt off and Draco unhooked my bra pulled it from my shoulders. His hands quickly replaced the fabric and then his mouth replaced one of his hands. I sighed and bowed my body towards him. His mouth unlatched from my breast and moved to nip at my ribcage. I squeaked in surprise and felt Draco chuckle against me. "No good?" He asked. I laughed.
"No, it's good, you just startled me!" He laughed again and then nipped at my ribcage again. He nipped until he reached my navel and reversed our positions, so that he was on top and I was staring up at him. He pulled his shirt over his head and I ran my hands lightly over his ribs. He shivered slightly and grinned down at me. He quickly unhooked my skirt, and divest me of the rest of my clothing, before he rid himself of clothing. He leant back over me and attached his mouth to my neck sucking gently. I wriggled under him and he smirked. He moved his mouth to cover mine, I wrapped my legs around his waist and looked into his eyes as he thrust into me. I let out a moan and Draco groaned loudly.
Our bodies moved together in tandem, building and ascending together before reaching an earth shattering climax. The only noise I was aware of was an inhuman sound of pleasure. It took me a moment to realize the noise was from me. I came back into my body and heaved a sigh as I brought my breathing back under control. Draco pulled himself off me and took my hand pulling me onto his chest. "Sleepy again." I mumbled into his neck. He laughed and nodded.
"I'm hungry though."
"More hungry than tired?" I asked. He grinned and nodded.
"Why don't you stay here, and I'll go to the kitchens and grab us something to eat."
"Well I won't argue with that." I laughed. Draco smiled and rolled out of bed. He quickly redressed and leant over me.
"I love you Gray." I propped myself up on my elbows and kissed him gently.
"I love you too." He kissed me back and then rose from the bed. He went to one of the drawers and rummaged around for a moment. He came back to me with my favourite sleep shirt and handed it to me. "Oh, I really love you." I laughed as I slid the shirt over my head. I rolled back the blankets and climbed underneath them. He laughed and stooped to kiss me again.
"I'll be right back." I nodded and fell against the pillows. I heard Draco leave and sighed happily to myself. I was in a half-awake state when I heard the door open again. Draco plopped next to me on the bed. His hand ran through my hair. "Wake up sleepy." His voice called.
"I'm not sleeping." I opened my eyes. Draco motioned towards a basket on the bed.
"I'm just going to get changed, you can start eating though." I nodded and rifled through the basket. There were two containers of pasta and some pumpkin juice. I happily opened a container and picked up a fork, scarfing down then warm cheesy pasta. I checked the basket again and noticed there was garlic bread in there as well and grabbed a slice of it too. I happily ate until Draco slid into bed next to me. He too, started eating with ferocity. Soon the basket was depleted, and I was leaning against Draco happily.
"This day actually turned out alright after all, Draco, thank you."
"I didn't really do anything." I laughed.
"You could just say you're welcome." He grinned.
"You're welcome." He intoned. I smiled and turned to kiss him.
"Still tired?" I asked him. He nodded. "Bedtime?" Another nod. He lay flat and pulled me to his side. I sighed happily in his arms thankful to have them around me. "I love you Dray, so, so much. I don't know what I would do without you." His arms tightened, but he didn't say anything. Moments later his breathing evened out, and I fell asleep listening to the rhythm of his breathing.
AN: Okay, I feel like I say this at the end of every single chapter, but, whoops. That was such a long time between updates, but, life, ya know? This chapter was a little bit more than I than I thought it would be. I think that I will probably get the next chapter out soon, and then I'm really hoping to wrap this puppy up. Let me know what you thought of the update, I'm conflicted, dunno if I like it or not! Either way I hope you enjoyed! Thanks for reading! ~WS