Hello, hello my awesome and wonderful readers. Before we get into the new (and yes, I know, very LONG-awaited chapter) I have some announcements to make:
1). Once again I wanna thank you guys so so much for the love. I can't tell you how much it means to me, especially now with Junior year kicking my ass to the curve. The story has increased to 18,448 views and has been added to 2 communities. I wanna tell you how much your support and love means to me. You guys seriously rock, and I love each and every one of you.
2). I hope I'm not being greedy or needy or whiny but I do ask for one thing. Please review guys. I love hearing from you. Reviews help me because they let me know what you think. They let me know if you think something's not right with the chapter, like a certain part or the way a person is acting. Also, they help me come up with ideas for future chapters. Plus school lately-evil Chemistry especially-has been draining the life outta me while it kicks my ass, so getting sweet reviews would really cheer me up. Especially this chapter. I like it but I feel like it's a little weak, so please tell me what you think.
3). I'm so so so soooo insanely sorry with how long it took me to update. My plan was to update early this month but school has been taking up most of my time. And with finals coming up soon and other stories I plan on doing, it may be awhile before another chapter pops up but I promise you I will update as soon as I can.
4). Drarry update: I did two Halloween stories that I hope you check out. One is a hot vampire-Draco story called Alluring Crimson. The other a fun family one called Trick or Treat. Also, I plan on doing several fun drarry holiday stories so be on the look-out.
Alright. That's it for now. Now onto the story. I hope you enjoy ;)
Chapter 13: New Questions, New Feelings, Old Ghosts
Days in Florence flew like seconds, caught in a whirl of beach, sight-seeing, delicious food-tasting with gelato being the main snack/course, and trips to popular clubs in the city where the two friends split bottles of Firewhiskey and danced until they dropped. Well, in Harry's case, he dropped. Draco, the steadier of the two, carried him home, usually wearing that smug, self-pleasing smile Harry would knock off his face if he wasn't so drained. He had to settle with a death glare instead, though the only thing the look seemed to do was widen that annoying smile.
Overall Harry wasn't surprised by how quickly the summer was going. His mom once said time always flew by, especially if one was enjoying themselves so much that they didn't bother keeping track of it. He didn't realize though how quickly time flew until one morning, bright sunlight pouring from the wide windows and shining on his face, a sleepy green eye cracked open and was greeted by a surprising sight.
Hedwig was perched on the window still, along with Ron's owl and a chocolate-colored owl. Each bird carrying a bundle of packages and presents.
Seeing her owner was awake, Hedwig let out a cherry hoot, ruffling her feathers, as if to say happy birthday.
Smiling, Harry wiped the sleep from his eyes, grabbed his glasses that were rested on the nightstand, placing them on, and got off the bed.
He started with the chocolate-brown owl on the right, recognizing her as Moony's owl. After he stroked her head, he took the envelope clasped in between her claws, breaking the red seal.
Two things fell from the envelope.
The first was a picture of him as a toddler, maybe two or three, looking up at Moony who met his smile with a grin on his own, his fingers reaching for the man's chin.
The second was a letter.
I suppose what I'm about to say would fall under the Old Age category. Actually I know it will, but I'll still share it with you nevertheless.
Harry stopped reading for a moment to have a brief chuckle. Moony and Old Age practically went hand-in-hand.
If one thing rings true about life, it's that fact time truly flies. I imagine you must feel that way with only a month left of summer before you and your friends have be to back on Platform ¾. But I mean that statement in a different way. It seems like yesterday your mom burst into my apartment, beaming with excitement, practically glowing as she told me she was pregnant with you. Then after a few (or painfully-long, according to James) months, I was given the great privilege to hold my pup. And now my pup is thirteen. Officially a man. Time truly does fly, but I'm proud to say I was there to witness your growth, even though I wish I could have been there more. Nevertheless you've turned into a fine man, pup, and I know your parents would be so proud of you.
Harry's smile withered for a moment, needing to take in a deep breath to compose himself. He then continued reading, seeing there was only a little left.
And before you start to wonder, no, the picture is not your gift. I plan to give it to you myself when I next see you.
Until then, pup. All my love,
Remus
"Thanks Persephone." He stroked the bird's head.
She hooted once and flew off.
Ron's owl's head and eyes were spinning, as if he went through several storms before he finally reached his destination. His wings were speckled with sand.
The reason for the sand was explained though the postcard Ron sent him, the picture of his family dressed from head to toe in layers, posed in front of an Egyptian pyramid. Attached to the postcard was a letter expressing his friend's excitement over the sights he had seen, the food he tasted that fell between spicy and stomach-burning, the news he would be able to get a new wand, with some complaints threw here and there. How Percy was being a twat, Ginny annoying him with her insistence of following him around and asking questions about Harry, and Hermione spoiling the vacation by sending him reminders on finishing his homework. For Harry's birthday, he sent him a pocket Sneakoscope, expressing his disbelief in the vendor's words that it was accurate, but figured it would be a nice gift for him.
"Thanks, boy."
Giving a hoot, the bird flew off but not before crashing into a nearby tree.
Shaking his head at the bird's klutziness, Harry saved the best for last. Hooting to her owner, Hedwig dropped the small package from Hermione in front of him before she flew over to her post, curling into a comfortable position and falling asleep within seconds.
Hermione sent a letter along with her present, which was a book from a popular Muggle series she gotten him into. In her letter, she wished him a happy birthday, making a small joke that one could never go wrong with a book for a gift. She shared with him the adventures she was having with her family in French; thanking him for the map he gave her that pinpointed all the stops and sights she needed to go to. Along with her excitement about the upcoming year, she was a bit miffed she was required to take Divination and added a personal request.
Excitement seems to follow you around, Harry. Please know that I'm not making an accusation. Only an observation. This year I'm hoping third year won't be quite as…how shall I put this…lively.
The request may come across as snobbish to most people. Then again most people didn't know Hermione the way Harry did. He recognized the concern hidden within the message.
Perhaps excitement-or danger if he was wanted to go straight for the jugular-seemed to follow him. It certainly was attracted to him, but it wasn't like he went looking for it. It usually found him.
"I could smell the weasel's parrot even in my dreams. Not to mention his jerking he likes to call flying woke me up."
Rolling his eyes half-heartedly, Harry turned around.
Draco propped himself up on the bed, leaning against the headboard, his eyes dazed with sleep and hair a mess of tangled blonde. Harry was tempted to capture the moment to get back at his friend for all the times he made fun of his hair. However, he also knew it would be the last thing he did before Draco killed him.
"If he can't give the bird a bath, then he could at least camouflage his stench."
Harry's left brow arched slightly as he asked, "If I said my birthday wish was for you to get along with Ron and Hermione, would you grant it?"
Draco pursued his lips, thinking about it for a moment. "I'd say that wish would sooner come true the day Uncle Sev dresses in bright colors."
"What? Like blue?"
"I was thinking more along the lines of hot pink."
The idea of his solemn uncle dressed in a bright color, a startling shade of pink, was so surreal Harry had to bite his tongue to hold in his laughter.
One look into his best friend's eyes loosened his grip on his self-control, causing bouts of loud laughter to pour out. Draco joined in, laughing just as hard.
Draco took in a shaky breath to calm himself down, wiping a tear from his eye. When he was finally done laughing, he rose from the bed and joined Harry by the window, wrapping his arms around his shoulders.
"Happy birthday." He smiled.
"Thanks." Harry said. "You know I have to say I'm surprised."
"At what?"
"That you didn't give me your gift first." It was another tradition between the two. At the stroke of midnight, the gifter would pounce on the birthday boy, shaking him awake, and shove the present right under his nose. It was one of the only times Draco didn't mind waking up early.
"I was planning on it," Draco said. "Then it occurred to me. The best is always saved for last."
Possibilities of what Draco might have gotten him ran through his head, filling him with excitement.
Harry broke off his train of thought when he noticed how Draco looking at him. Carefully, intensely, as if he was studying him.
A simmer began to stir in the pit of his stomach, an uneasy but heated simmer that burnt hotter as Draco stepped closer, leaving little distance between them.
"Dra-"
The blonde leaned over and kissed his forehead. It was a simple gesture, one they've done multiple times. Yet, it was different this time. The kiss made heat flare through his body, starting with his stomach and spreading to his toes. It made him hold his breath from the moment Draco leaned in to when he pulled away.
Harry had no idea he was holding his breath till he started to feel light-headed.
Draco's mouth quirked in amusement, as if he could read his thoughts. His eyes took on a bright silvery hue, glowing like stars.
Before Harry could question himself, Draco blinked once, glowing silver going back to clear gray.
"Let's head down to breakfast."
Harry shook his head to clear his thoughts, sure that his mind was still dazed from sleep. "Yea. Sure."
Draco smiled, patted his shoulder, and led him to the door. The whole walk to the dining room, Harry tried to push aside the strange bolts of warmth that shocked him when Draco touched him.
During the breakfast fest with Dobby serving not one but five different types of treacle tarts, filled to the brink with delicious stuffing, more presents flew in via owl or through the floo. Uncle Lucius and Aunt Nissa gave him clothes and books, their Slytherin friends sent various gifts that ranged from a broom-kit to a basket of sweets, Uncle Severus sent him several books on herbs and pensieve.
"There's also one more gift." Uncle said.
"One for both of you." Aunt Cissa added with a smile.
The boys were intrigued; curiosity turned to excitement as Lucius handed Harry a parchment. Draco leaned in closer to him. Eyes skimmed the contents of the paper, widening as the main picture set in.
"You're giving us the villa?" Harry breathed, amazed.
"Not quite," Lucius corrected. "The villa will be for the family but a second villa was made. A bit smaller but should be comfortable enough for the two of you." He took a casual sip of his tea, oblivious to the boys' bright smiles. "I figured why not, given how much you seem to enjoy Florence."
"Truth be told, Paris is more my speed." Draco said.
"Shut up, Malfoy." Harry jabbed Draco in the ribs.
"Make me." he teased.
The parents/guardians had their usual reactions whenever the boys bickered. Lucius rolled his eyes. Narcissa smiled that strange, small smile.
"As I said," Lucius continued. "It's a gift to you both. However you can also see the gift as a reminder."
"Of what, uncle?" Remembering his pureblood lessons on etiquette, Harry quickly inserted, "If I may ask."
"Reminder that I'm pleased with your progress at school. The two of you are at the top of your class and I expect that to remain unchanged,"
Harry smiled. Draco nudged him, wearing one of his own.
"And hope that I won't be getting another letter from the school saying my son and my ward got themselves into trouble. Again." Smiles froze as the words came out.
"To be fair," Draco said. "Harry's the one who hurls himself towards danger. I'm completely innocent."
Innocent his arse. "Traitor."
Draco smirked.
"Nevertheless," Lucius cut in, his voice firm. "I'm expecting this upcoming year not to be quite…lively."
"You and me both, Uncle." Harry muttered under his breath.
As if Draco caught word of his murmur, he sent him another smirk. 'Course the smirk faltered when Harry delivered a hard kick to the boy's shin.
Watching their bickering, Nacrissa's smile widened just a bit more.
Draco didn't give Harry his present after breakfast. He wanted to wait till later on in the day. He did, though, surprise Harry with a proposal. Since it was Harry's day and they were a number of days they had left in Florence, along with a number of things they have yet to do, he got to choose what they would do.
Draco didn't think it was too outrageous for a proposal. In fact, he credited himself for being so clever. He didn't suspect his best friend to be an outrageous man with an even more outrageous imagination.
"You are completely out of your mind if you think I'm going through with this, Potter."
"Scared, Malfoy?" It was rare seeing Draco so flustered-or in this case downright terrified-and Harry was enjoying every minute of it.
Before Draco could cut him down with a remark, someone beat him to it.
"Are you boys gonna keep gabbing or start parasailing? I'd like to know because I'm wasting gas just sitting here."
Harry looked over his shoulder to give the driver, a heavyset Italian man named Nico, a smile. Draco sent him a withering look that was passed over to Harry. The heat of his glare was cooled by the trembling of his knees.
Harry tried parasailing a few times. The rush wiring his system, the adrenaline pounding in his heart from being up so high, suspended by straps and bands, gave him the same excitement he felt when he was flying his broom. However the two did differ. Flying on a broom, you were in control. Parasailing, your neck was on the line of the wind, the security of your straps, and the speed of the driver.
It was one of the reasons why Harry loved it so much, and why he often did it alone. It was also one of the reasons why he was using Draco's proposal of choosing the day to his advantage.
And one of the reasons why Draco looked like he regretted coming up with that proposal.
"You did say," Harry reminded him. "I got to choose what we did today."
"And I was thinking more along the lines of visiting more sights. Like Santo Spirito, the Ponte Vecchio, or the Historic Centre of Florence."
"We've already been to the Santo Spirito. We went to the Ponte last Thursday. The Historic Centre was one of the first places we visited when we came here."
Draco scowled him. "Careful, Potter. Your smartass Gryffindor side is showing."
Harry laughed, pushing himself off the side of the boat he was leaning against. "Well, my parents were Gryffindors. And if I wanted to keep family tradition, I could have become one."
"But you didn't."
"I think Mom and Dad would be fine with whatever house I got into. Gryffindor's not bad but," Harry smiled up at him. "It doesn't have my best friend. Even if he can be a prat most of the time."
Harry hid a smile to himself as the memory raced through his mind. He looked up and saw he wasn't one reminiscing, judging by scowl on Draco's face that chipped away into a small smile.
"You're right," Harry admitted. "I didn't." He stepped closer to Draco and placed a hand on his shoulder, smiling at his childhood friend. "I guess I found something better in Slytherin."
Draco looked just as stunned and bemused as he did during their first night at Hogwarts.
Harry closed the distance between them and hugged him, comforted by Draco's familiar scent that smelt of apples.
Draco hugged him back, enjoying the soft moment.
A moment that was quickly broken as Harry clasped the harness and pushed him back, causing him to stumble.
"Go!" Harry called to the driver.
"Potter-" Before Draco could grasp was happening, Nico pressed hard against the gas pedal. The boat took off with a roar, and Draco took off into the sky with a loud shriek.
He rose higher and higher until he was five hundred feet over their heads.
"Your boy's got some mouth on him." Nico grunted, referring to the innumerable-and loud-profanities Draco dropped from above.
Harry grinned as he looked up. Draco was holding onto the harness for dear life, legs kicking wildly as if they could slow down the speed of the wind, shrilled curses dropping from his lips like bombs.
"WHEN I GET MY HANDS ON YOU, POTTER, YOU'RE A DEAD MAN!"
"It's one of his charming perks." Harry told Nico. He grunted again, with a smile on his face, shaking his head at Draco and then turning his attention back to the front. Harry waved up at his best friend, who continued to curse him off. He then remembered about the camera he shoved into his backpack before they left.
I know there was a reason I brought it. He smiled to himself as he kneeled down and retrieved the camera from his bag. Standing up, he zoomed the frame in to get a clear view of his friend. "Smile pretty for the camera, Dray."
"You're dead, Potter!"
"And you're so pretty up there, Malfoy." He smiled innocently.
Draco scowled at him, his gray eyes sharp daggers.
Despite his shrieking, Harry was sure Draco actually had fun parasailing. Once he stopped screaming. Once he calmed down. Once he allowed himself to relax and allowed the thrill of flying to sink, taking in the semi-weightlessness of his body and the beautiful sights. On his way down, when he was reeled back in, Harry was sure he saw a small smile on his face.
"You ever ever try anything like that again, Potter," Draco threatened. "I'll beat your insides out, dice them into pieces, and feed them to the giant's pets."
Harry rolled his eyes but wisely kept his mouth shut, using the spare energy he could have used for a remark to quickly hide his camera before Draco got the chance to chug it to the ocean. "Come on, Malfoy. It wasn't that bad."
"Pardon?" Draco's eyebrows shot up to his hairline. "I nearly died up there."
"You were perfectly and safely strapped in," Harry reminded him. "Besides parasailing is no different than flying."
"No different than-" Draco was too bewildered to even finish the sentence, practically choking on his words. "I beg to differ. When I'm on my broom, I'm in control. With that…harness or whatever the hell they call it, my life falls at the hands of him." He jerked his head towards Nico.
"You know parasailing is a lot safer compared to the alternative."
"Which would be?"
Harry pointed to a cliff they passed by, where on the high top a pair of guys gripped tightly onto their gliders. The two shared a look with each other before they speeded towards the edge, taking off into the sky.
Draco's mouth-and possibly his stomach-dropped as his wide, disbelieving eyes took note of the lack of harnesses they had on.
Harry studied the pair, thinking carefully. "You know something? I think I wanna do some more flying. How about we try that-"
"Finish that sentence and I'll kick you so far into the sky, you'll be flying on your own."
Harry bit his lip to hold in his laughter, but one look into Draco's eyes and he lost it right then, laughing so hard he had to hold onto the side of the boat to keep himself steady.
"Insufferable git." Draco glowered, elbowing him.
"And you're a prat," he said. "Don't we make a great pair?"
Draco muttered under his breath as he rolled his eyes, shaking his head. His glare softened, just a bit, as Harry wrapped his arm around his shoulder.
Draco didn't kill Harry, which was good since Harry wanted to live through more birthdays. Although he didn't kill him, he did put restrictions on Harry's control of the day, mainly stating any and all activities needed his approval if he wanted them to do it together.
"How is this different from what we usually do then?"
"You get to pick first." Draco smiled sweetly.
Harry rolled his eyes.
They stopped at an Italian restaurant for a late lunch that served the best pasta, which Harry had two servings of along with sandwiches while Draco had his pasta with a side of rice mixed with grilled chicken. Then for dessert, Mascarpone and dark chocolate cream served in white chocolate cups.
Their waiter came over to their table to collect their plates. "And are we satisfied with our meal?"
"Very." Draco answered, wiping his face with a napkin.
Harry was too stuffed from the meal to speak, so he answered with a nod.
"Is there still room for more dessert? We just added a new one to the menu. Chocolate gelato sandwiches."
Harry bit his lip. He really did like gelato, especially the chocolate one.
"We'll take it." Draco answered.
His best friend knew him too well.
"But before you go," Draco motioned for the waiter to come closer and whispered in his ear, nodding his head in Harry's direction.
When the waiter straightened up, his lips were curved into a grin. Draco leaned against his chair, arms folded, wearing the smirk of someone too proud of themselves.
Now, he definitely knew something was off.
"Ladies and gentlemen," the waiter called out. "We have a birthday boy."
Harry nearly fell out from his chair. He didn't.
He looked across the table. Draco winked at him, the smirk still on his face.
He did.
As well as his best friend knew he loved anything chocolate, he also knew how much he hated public gestures.
Most of the waiters fluttering around the restaurant came over to their table, circling around them. A lot of the patrons turned over to them.
"Happy birthday you," they sang. "Happy birthday to you!"
Harry slumped in his seat, hiding his burning-red face with his hands. That encouraged the singing waiters and waitress to come closer, singing louder.
From the gaps of his caged hands, Harry looked over to Draco. The prat smirked at him, raising his glass in cheers.
The singing lasted only for a few seconds but it dragged on for what felt like hours.
When the singing ended, Harry was able to lift his head up.
"I hate you." he hissed.
Draco cocked his head to the side, the glint in his eyes as mischievous as his smirk. "Consider it payback for my flying episode."
After lunch, the boys continued exploring, visiting the sights they had yet to see and revisiting the ones they've already been two, all whilst Harry continued to document the day with his camera.
When dusk came, Draco suggested that they checked out the house Uncle had given to them. Harry wasn't too sure, figuring the place was still being fixed. Draco, once again, convinced him otherwise in the end.
They first stopped by the house to drop some stuff and ask Uncle for the directions to the other house.
The floo had taken them to a private estate a few miles off the villa, located in a secluded area that had a private beach in the front and woods at the backyard. Like his uncle had said, the house was smaller than the villa, which disappointed Draco just a bit since he figured it would be something like the manor. Harry, on the other hand, thought the small size made the place more homely. It was large enough for two people to live comfortably in. The inside was better with a large living space already furnished and a large black fireplace in front of the couch, a decked-out kitchen. Upstairs they came across a library, several bathrooms, a small room reserved for entertainment, and several rooms reserved for guests while two master bedrooms were next door to each other with a door connecting the two.
Harry smiled as he took in the simple paint color of the room, splashes of gray and pale blue. Knowing his color-zealous godmother, he could picture his uncle needing to restrain her from going over the top with the décor.
He turned over to share the hilarious thought with Draco, but stopped short when he noticed the look on Draco's face. His brows furrowed, lips pursued, he looked almost puzzled.
"What is it?" Harry asked.
"Nothing, it's just…" Draco shook his head. "It's odd."
"What is?"
Draco shook his head again, this time with a small smile that reminded Harry of Aunt Cissa's secret smiles. "Two master bedrooms," Harry must have looked confused because Draco went on, explaining. "We usually just share one room."
"Well-"
"We usually just use one bed."
Oh.
Heat flooded Harry's body, flaring in his stomach, spreading across his neck.
"I…" Harry looked away, swallowing.
Draco smiled, his eyes gleaming bright silver. "It's the truth, you know."
"I…" Why was it difficult for him to speak? Why did he keep blushing? "I know. You're right."
He knew Draco wasn't being cheeky. He was simply stating a fact. They've always shared a bed. At sleepovers and the manor. Their first night at Hogwarts, Draco crawled into Harry's bed and he happily welcomed him in, and it's been that way since, often switching from bed to bed but always crawling into it together. It was just another thing that made them Harry and Draco; another qualm in their relationship. Just like the forehead kissing.
Except hearing it out loud, seeing the way Draco's eyes glowed as he said it, the qualm didn't seem quite as innocent as it did before.
He swallowed a bit nervously, in hopes it would lower the temperature of his burning face, realizing he had been too quiet for too long. Draco's eyes lowered from his eyes to his lips, watching them with interest.
The fire in his stomach changed from a slow shimmer to a tight coil rattling his insides. The last time Draco looked at him like that-
"Let's check out the rest of the house." Draco suggested, already heading towards the door.
After they explored the house, they stationed themselves in front of the fireplace, sitting comfortably on the soft Persian carpet-clad floor. Harry cocked his head, staring at the fireplace for a second, before he decided to cast a fire spell on the logs, creating a nice fire.
"Really?" Draco questioned, amused.
Harry shrugged. "I like fireplaces."
"And decided you liked lighting one up in July?"
"A fireplace isn't a fireplace without a fire."
Draco rolled his eyes but said nothing, which Harry took as a surrender. Satisfied with the victory, Harry turned his attention back to the fire, watching the flames flicker and dance.
"This is amazing." Harry's smile widened as he glanced around. He couldn't believe his aunt and uncle had done this for them.
"Though the size could be a bit of an improvement, I have to agree. It is amazing. More importantly," Draco smiled as he turned his head over to him. "It's ours." He scooted an inch closer. His hand that was laying on the floor reached for his own, weaving their fingers through each other's.
A familiar warmth settled in Harry's chest.
A piece of the past emerged in his mind, unfolding before him.
"You know what?" Draco said. "You and me will live in our own house. One that's just as big as the manor. It could even be up on a tree."
Harry looked up at him questioningly. "Really?"
"Of course," he scoffed. "A Malfoy never goes back on his word."
"Granted, it did take longer than expected. Sadly I don't think there's a tree big enough to hold it but," Draco shrugged. "I kept my word as promised."
"Prat." Harry teased, elbowing him playfully.
"Prat I may be, but I'm your prat, git," Draco smirked. "I'm also a prat who just happens to have," His hand slipped away from their hold as Draco leaned back, pulling out a package wrapped in silver and white. "Your birthday present."
Eagerly Harry unlaced the satin bow and tore off the box, digging his way through layers of white sheets before coming face to face with a snake.
Five feet long, made from the most beautiful silver and green blown-glass that looked so amazing he was almost scared to touch it, even though he knew from experience that the snake was far from delicate.
"Slyther." Harry cried.
"I knew you'd be happy to see him," Draco looked quite pleased of himself. "Change."
At the sound of the command, the snake went from stilled to real, coiling and twisting, stretching his stiff muscles. He blinked his eyes a couple of times, trying to adjust his sight before they looked up, narrowing when he saw he had an audience.
Harry slowly held out his hand to Slyther. Just like the first time, the snake carefully examined his hand and decided that Harry was worthy, sliding over to him, allowing the boy to pet his head without worrying about the snake's wrath.
"I can't believe it." Slyther was their favorite toy growing up. The last time they played with the snake, they were about eleven. The summer before they started Hogwarts. "Is he my gift?"
"Not quite," Draco corrected. Harry stared at him questioningly. "Don't give me that look, Potter. What's mine is yours and yours mine. Slyther's already yours."
True point. "Then why put him in the box?"
"To give you a hint of what your actual gift is."
A hint? Harry's brow rose in question. Draco only smiled and gestured towards the box, motioning him to keep looking. Harry's eyes followed the direction of his head jerk.
Underneath the snake was a silver photo album, engraved in cursive black, Always Yours, Always Mine.
Harry grabbed onto the book and opened it.
The first picture he came across was a picture of them at the carnival the city threw last week. He remembered dragging a reluctant Draco, who soon changed his tune as the day went on. In the picture he was weaving through the crowd of people with Draco hot on his heels. The blonde's face was twisted in rage while chunks of pink cotton-candy were glued to his hair.
"Oh my god." Harry laughed, remembering how the candy came to be on Draco's hair. He had gotten the treat while Draco settled for vanilla gelato. Still, picking his own dessert didn't stop Draco from taking bites from Harry's candy. Several actually. When he leaned in for a fourth bite, Harry decided to give him what he wanted, only just not in the way he expected.
In his head, it was a good idea. It would have been a good one too if he didn't raise his hand so high, shoving the candy into Draco's hair instead of his face,
It took approximately two seconds for Draco's temper to flare, which was the exact time it took Harry to shoot up from his seat and ran like his life depended on it. He received dozens of strange, questioning looks from the people he passed by, though he was sure their questions were answered as a hell-fury Draco stormed passed them.
Dear Merlin. Harry chuckled as he shook his head.
A whack to the arm brought him back to the present.
"It took me hours to get that gunk out of my hair, Potter."
"Serves you right," Harry said. "That will teach you not to eat someone's food without asking."
Draco grumbled under his breath, likely cursing him out, rolling his eyes. Harry took that as permission to keep looking.
Each page was filled with dozens of pictures. Them with Aunt Cissa and Uncle Lucius. Few with Uncle Severus, wearing his unimpressed scowl, even though the look wasn't quite as severe as it usually was. Pictures that featured his parents. Some of them together, his dad gazing down at his mom as she smiled at the camera, love and adoration shining in his eyes. Some of them separated, like a shot of his dad flying right towards the cameraman with his broom or a picture of his mom in the kitchen, with her two baking helpers beside her, splashing them with flour while she herself was already covered with the stuff. A family picture featuring his parents holding Harry as an infant, his mom tickling his stomach, his dad's arm securely wrapped around them.
A stinging sensation built in his eyes. He tried to soothe it by blinking them, swallowing down a lump wedged in his throat.
His mom gave him that familiar, warm smile he remembered receiving whenever he was upset and she pulled him into a comforting hug, as she looked up at him from one picture.
As if he could understand the somber moment, Draco placed a gentle hand on his shoulder.
"I'm fine." he assured him.
Draco didn't look too convinced, but didn't call him out on it, which Harry was thankful for. He took in a deep breath, clearing his throat, and continued to go through the album.
There were a few more pictures of his parents. More of their Slytherin friends, including a funny picture of Pansy shoving Theo into the snowman they built while they were too busy trying to keep themselves up, practically dying from their laughter. However, most of the pictures were of him and Draco. Pictures from this vacation and past vacations. Pictures of them at Hogwarts, going back to first-year, including one of them waving at the camera, big grins on their faces. Pictures of life before Hogwarts, highlights of their childhood. Racing each other on their toy-brooms in the sky and on foot in Aunt Cissa's gardens. Building an army of snowmen. Engaging in intense snowball fights, hitting each other with dozens of snowballs. A shot of them huddled together in bed, arms wrapped around each other, looking completely content, like they wouldn't move for the world. Another of them camped out in their blanket and pillow fort with a large book laid out in front of them, with six year old Draco using his finger to follow along with the passage of the page while Harry paid close to what he was saying.
"Please remind me of who's brilliant idea this was?" Draco turned the page over and pointed to the top picture.
In the photo, they were either six or seven. Harry riding his bike he was proud to see had lost their training wheels, Draco perched in between the handlebars. He wore a mad grin on his face while Draco's mouth was formed into a wide O, as if he were screaming.
A smile spread across Harry's face as fragments of that day flashed through his mind. "Yours actually."
Draco's eyes narrowed. "Thanks to a certain bad influence."
It was shortly after the boys had opened up the brooms Harry's dad had gotten them and decided to try them out, which ended badly. Draco was pretty upset it, mad that his plan backfired and embarrassed by how much he cried even though Harry assured him there was nothing bad about it. When he came over his house for a play-date, Harry attempted to cheer Draco up by riding on his bike, which he believed was just as good as a broom. Draco, on the other hand, wasn't quite as enthusiastic as Harry hoped he would be.
"You're completely out of your mind if you think I'm getting on that-that-thing." Draco took steps away from the bike, as if it were about to bite him.
Harry rolled his eyes. "You got on Sirius' motorcycle just fine."
"Because it was a magical one, made from our world. While this," he pointed to the bike. "is a death machine on wheels."
Harry was ready to tell his friend he was being ridiculous until an idea came to his head. There was always one way to persuade Draco into doing anything. It was their own special kind of persuasion: taunting.
Smirking slyly, he tried clearing the giggles tickling his throat as he said, "If I didn't know any better, Draco, I'd say you were scared."
Just as he predicted, Draco's frame went rigid before he whirled over to Harry, the anxiety on his face hardening to pure determination. "I'm not scared, Potter." he scoffed.
"Then prove it."
Draco scowled at him and walked over to the bike. He hoisted himself up, hands clutching onto the handlebars. "Go."
"Are you sure?"
"Go."
"Are you really sure?"
"I said go!"
"Okay," Harry sang with glee. "If you're sure."
He kicked off the stand, placing both feet on the pedals. Draco was squirming from his spot, gripping onto the bars as Harry slowly pedaled towards the edge of the hill, his early bravery waning as he took in the slope.
"Still sure?" Harry asked.
"Yes." The answer came out as a pinched squeak.
"Okay."
Draco's lips were fixed into a tight line, trying to keep in his screams, but second the bike dipped, the lip-hold broke and an ear-piercing shriek erupted from his mouth.
"POTTER!" he screamed, the sound as loud as Harry's excited squeals.
"I should have known," Draco shook his head. "That day should have been the first clue that you were an adrenaline junkie. And that you were determined to get me killed with your escapades."
Harry rolled his eyes half-heartedly. "You came out that day in one piece, Draco. Just like you did when we rode the roller coaster when we were seven. And just like you did today when we went parasailing."
"Barely!" he protested. "I saw my life flashing before my eyes." He pressed a hand against his chest, his eyes wide.
Deeming his friend a drama-queen, Harry continued looking through the album. They came across more pictures that had them smile and laugh as they reminisced, some that were a bit harder to remember in comparison to others, and a few pictures that made one boy flush in embarrassment while the other burst into laughter.
"Oh, I definitely remember this." Harry chuckled.
Draco glowered at him, his cheeks colored light red.
They were about six years old, playing make-believe in what looked to be Draco's backyard. Harry, dressed as a knight in silver armor, was down on one knee, looking up at the fair blonde maiden in a pink sparkly ball-gown and a tiara.
"Princess Draco." He nearly choked on his laughter.
"Queen Draco, thank you very much," A flush-faced Draco corrected.
"The look on your father's face when he saw you was priceless. I don't think I ever saw him so speechless."
Draco smacked him on the arm. "Mother was perfectly fine with it."
"Of course she was," Harry agreed. "For those few hours, she had a daughter. A very cute daughter." He pinched his cheek, cooing at him.
"Malfoys are not cute!" Draco swatted his hand away. "Keep it up, Potter, and I promise you she'll end up with a goddaughter when we come back."
"As you wish, Your Majesty." Harry waved his hand before he bowed before him.
"Cheeky git." Draco shoved him away but Harry saw a hint of a smile curving his lips when he peered up. His eyes softened as he turned back to the picture. "Do you remember the vow you said when I knighted you?"
"I think so," There was a serious look in his eyes as his younger self looked up at Draco and grabbed his hand after the Queen stepped back, a look that made him look older than six. Turning back to the present-Draco, he recited, "I swear never to stray from your side. To remain loyal to you now and forever. To protect you with my life. This I solemnly swear."
He gave himself a mental pat on the back for remembering the vow, and another for not stumbling over the word "solemnly" like he did before.
The smile on Draco's face faded as the vow was renewed, his expression completely unreadable.
"Draco? Are you okay?"
He smiled but said nothing, turning over to the next page that consisted of one picture.
They were younger compared to the other pictures, around five years old. They were on lying on their sides on the carpeted floor, facing each other, sticking their tongues out as inaudible giggles spilled from their lips. Draco was dressed in gray robes while he was in his favorite red and black shirt and jeans.
"You're my new best friend."
He wasn't quite as excited by the words as the other boy was. Draco seemed to so surprised by Harry's shock, which led the boy to explain the fact he wasn't used to kids being nice to him. Much less wanting to be friends with him. He watched the emotions flicker across the pale boy's face. Surprise darkened to anger, then anger cleared away to determination.
"I never had a best friend before either. I didn't like any of the other kids," Draco said. "They're not as fun as you."
Harry's smile widened.
"Besides you should consider it a privilege," Draco told him. "I don't make friends with just about anybody."
He looked so serious and sounded so silly that Harry couldn't help laughing.
"You're so silly." Harry said between giggles.
"No, no, no dear Harry. I think we already agreed that you were it first."
"Prat."
"Git."
"I can't believe you actually have a picture of this." Harry said.
"I have my ways." Draco smirked.
Harry watched their younger selves hiss and laugh. It seemed like it was just yesterday his mom dragged him along to her friend's house for tea and a play-date. He was sure it would be horrible, since that was typically how most play-dates have gone for him. Little did he know that he would end up meeting his future best friend.
"So?" Draco drawled. "Can I safely assume that you liked my gift because if not then I suppose I could exchange for something-"
"Oh hush!" Harry cut him off. "I love it."
"Good," He smiled. "So does that mean I have your permission to tell everyone that once again I got you the best present?"
Harry already knew with or without his permission, Draco would still brag. He always did. However he couldn't deny that it was a good gift, a very touching one. Draco captured the highlights of their friendship with pictures and memories he hadn't thought about in years, starting with early childhood up to the present.
"Eight years." He mused, astonished by the number of years they've been friends.
"Eight amazing-and very interesting-years." Draco added.
"True and true."
Slyther came from his hiding place and slide over to them, draping himself over their laps. His pink tongue peeked from his sealed lips, flickering about.
"Course we need to thank the man-and toy-that brought us together," Harry petted the snake's head. "And taught us the art of hissing."
A hiss cut through the air but it didn't come from Slyther. Harry turned to the left. Draco's lips were fixed into a sly, wicked smile as he hissed at him.
Feeling his own lips lifting into a smile, Harry hissed back.
Draco hissed as he leaned in closer. Harry hissed in return. It was then, while scooting closer to his friend, that he realized how close they were to each other, leaving little space between them. And that they hadn't blinked once as they looked at each other.
A pang of molten heat shot through his chest as he watched Draco's eyes darken. For reasons unknown, his face flushing and breathing halted, Harry's eyes dropped from dark gray to thin, soft pink lips.
Harry found himself being pulled towards him, head lowering.
He dropped the tiniest kiss on Draco's bottom lip, shivering from the bolts of heat that passed between them. He pulled back slightly to swallow nervously before he slowly leaned in, tilting back his head, eyes closing, lips puckering-
"MASTERS!"
Dobby's shrilled voice was like a bucket of ice-water poured over their heads, causing the two to pull apart.
A growl ripped through Draco's lips, his eyes still heated but for a whole different reason. Whirling over to the house-elf, he demanded, "What is it!?"
Both the elf and Harry were stunned by the snarl in Draco's voice, but Dobby got over the shock more quickly.
"Master Lucius and Mistress Narcissa request the young masters' presence immediately," he said. "It's urgent."
As Harry and Draco stepped through the other end of the floo, the Malfoys were already waiting for them in the living room, their faces grim.
"Father!"
"Aunt Cissa!"
Draco went to Lucius while Harry went to Narcissa, who tried her best to smile at him, but didn't have enough energy to put her full effort into it.
"Are you okay?" Harry asked.
"We're fine, dear," she said. "We're fine."
"But Dobby said it was urgent," Then he remembered that the creature didn't say that they were the ones in trouble. "Is it Uncle Severus? Remus? Did something happen to them-"
"No, no, no," His aunt gently cut him off, cupping his cheek. "They're fine, darling. They're alright."
"But then who-"
"Hello Mr. Potter."
Heads turned over to the hallway, where the Head Minister stepped into the living room. He looked just as anxious as his aunt and uncle.
"Minister Fudge. What are you doing here?" he asked.
The man's cheeks puffed out as he took in a deep breath that he let out slowly. "I'm afraid I carry some troubling news that concerns you."
Harry stepped away from Aunt Cissa and took a step forward to the Minister, his stomach tightening into knots. "What kind of news?"
"It's Sirius Black. He was recently spotted in Egypt, and we have reason to believe that he's coming straight to London. That he's coming for you."
