Disclaimer: The characters and places and stuff belong to JKR. But for now, they are at my mercy. *evil grin* I'll return them as soon as I'm finished…maybe.
This is the sequel to "What Is Happiness?" To understand this story, you must first read that one. It is located at http://www.fanfiction.net/read.php?storyid=946096
In this chapter: "The Talk" and back to school.
Nicky: I'll try to fit Ron's reaction to George in somehow. Not sure when or how yet, but I will. I'm also toying with an idea for George's love interest…one that's been done, it's kind of strange, but sweet in a way. We'll see.
Naraelien Endiliste: Define normal. *grin* No, I'm just kidding. Compared to the other years, this one will be relatively normal, with a few surprises. *my lips are zipped*~~~
For the last week of holidays, Sirius and Remus decided to take the kids to America. They also took Draco, whose parents were occupied with the new baby. The Lupin-Blacks and Draco went to New York and stayed at a Muggle hotel. They got two rooms: one for Harry and Draco, and one for the rest of the family.
The second night of vacation, Harry and Draco stayed in while everyone else went out. They lay on their bed, just cuddling and listening to music on the television. Suddenly, Harry spoke.
"I'm ready to talk about...everything."
"Are you sure?" Draco asked, softly. Harry nodded. "All right, then. Where do you want to start?"
"Do you still have nightmares?" Harry wondered.
"Occasionally," Draco responded. "Not too many anymore, though that's probably due to the Dreamless Sleep Potions I sometimes take."
"I still have them a lot," Harry sighed. "About everything. Not just That Month. Every bad thing that's happened since the Triwizard Tournament in fourth year... I have dreams about Cedric, and the Dursleys. And when I was attacked by Pansy and them... I dream about what they did to me and to you during That Month.
"And I dream about things that haven't even happened. One night, I had a dream about Daddy, Kayla, and Sean all being executed by the Ministry. Dad was given the Dementor's Kiss. And you... Lucius came back and killed you..."
By now, Harry had a couple of tears streaming down his cheeks. Draco wiped them away and held Harry tightly in his arms. Harry continued.
"You want to know why I've refused every time you want to make love." Draco bit his lip and nodded. "I saw what they did to you, Draco. Every detail, I remember everything. I didn't want to watch. I wanted to stop them. But I couldn't. And I feel like, if I make love to you, I might end up hurting you or doing something to remind you of them, you know? I don't want to hurt you."
"I know you don't, honey," Draco murmured, running his fingers through Harry's raven locks. "You won't do anything to remind me of them. If anything, you'll make me forget, at least for a little while. I like it when you touch me like that. It's a good feeling. It makes everything bad go away. And I know that you'll stop if I ask you to. So you don't have to worry about hurting me."
"But...if I do hurt you..."
"You won't," Draco cut in. He changed the subject. "So what's with you and George?" Harry chuckled as he wiped his eyes.
"Do me and him really look like we're 'together?'" he wondered. "Dad and Daddy asked me about that, too. I promise, Draco, I'm all yours."
"I was only teasing you, love," Draco assured him, smirking.
Harry smiled slightly and climbed to lie down on top of Draco. He laid his head on Draco's shoulder, placing light kisses on his neck. Draco ran his hands down Harry's arms and clasped his hands with his own.
"I love you more than anything, Draco," Harry murmured, leaning his head up to look in the blond boy's eyes. "Promise me that you'll tell me to stop if you need to."
"I promise."
Harry waved his hand toward the door, causing it to lock. He then snapped his fingers, and the lights went out.
~~~
"Welcome back for another year," Dumbledore announced after the Sorting on the first day back to Hogwarts. "I have a few announcements before we feast. First, the Forbidden Forest is just that: forbidden. No students are permitted in the forest. Second, Mr. Flich has asked me to remind you that no magic is to be used in the corridors. Any student who breaks these rules, or any others, will be punished.
"We have three new professors this year. Replacing Madam Hooch as the flying and Quidditch instructor is Mister George Weasley. He will also be taking over as Head of Gryffindor House for Professor McGonagall.
"In addition, replacing Professor Katie Snape, who has had to resign from her position as Defense the Dark Arts professor so that she could care for her newborn daughter, is Mister Remus Lupin-Black. I'm sure many of you remember him. And as our new Divination teacher, we have Professor Alexandria Martin.
"Finally, last year was a difficult time for many of us. Some of your peers went through horrible ordeals and are still trying to recover from the aftermath. Please be kind to them. I'm sure that they appreciate your concern."
With that, the food appeared on the tables. Harry smiled slightly when he heared the gasps of surprise from the newly-sorted first years.
I remember when I was in their place, he thought to himself, starting to eat as George came to the Gryffindor table and sat down with Harry, Draco, Hermione, and Ginny.
"Hey, kids," George greeted them, smirking.
"Hi, Professor Weasley," Hermione teased him. George stared at her in mock horror.
"I will not have students call me that," he said, firmly. "It makes me feel old. Nah, I'm just plain old George."
"What are you doing over here?" Harry wondered.
"Nice to know I'm so loved," George sniffed. "Actually, I just wanted to let you know that, since you and Ron are the only ones left from the Quidditch team last year, we're going to have tryouts. I've appointed you as captain, since you've been on the team longer, so let me know when you want to hold the trials."
"All right," Harry agreed, covering his mouth as he yawned.
"My quarters are in the corridor right by Gryffindor Tower," George continued. "Behind the portrait of Lady Guinivere. If any of you needs anything, just come and see me. That includes you, Draco, if there's something your dad can't help you with. And with that said, I'll get going. Sleep well tonight."
"Goodnight, George," Ginny said as her brother kissed the top of her head.
"Night, Gin." George headed back to the High Table, leaving the kids alone.
"So guys, what do you think?" Hermione asked. "What are the chances of a normal year?" The others stared at her for a moment, and Harry smiled slightly.
"Well, I'm still going to school here, aren't I?" he joked. "How normal can things get?" He yawned again and began to rise from his seat. "Hermione, you can handle the first years alone tonight, can't you? I'm kind of tired, and I'd like to get to bed early."
"Sure, no problem," Hermione agreed. "We'll see you tomorrow, then, Harry."
"I'll walk you up," Draco told Harry.
He stood up and took the younger boy's hand, and the two of them headed up to Gryffindor Tower. George met up with them in a hallway. He pulled Harry aside and handed him a tiny phial of liquid. Harry recognized it and gave it back to George, shaking his head.
"I don't want it," Harry said, quietly. "You know I don't like taking this stuff. I'll start relying on it, and--" He sighed and closed his eyes for a moment, then opened them again. "I don't want it."
"Keep it, just in case you change your mind," George insisted, softly. "Come on, Harry. Classes start tomorrow, and you could definitely use a good night's sleep." When Harry gave in and pocketed the phial, George smiled and said, "Good. Sleep well."
With that, Harry and Draco continued upstairs in silence. They went to the sixth-year Gryffindor boys' dorm. Harry had been offered a prefect bedroom, but he decided that he wanted to try staying with his friends for a while, and if it didn't work out, he'd just move into his and Draco's suite.
Once in the dorm, Harry changed into his pajamas. He then climbed under the blankets on his bed and lay down, while Draco sat next to him.
"Blaise resigned as the sixth-year Slytherin prefect," Draco told Harry, pushing the raven-black hair from his forehead. "Dumbledore's going to ask me to take his place, Dad says. Since I was supposed to be the prefect last year, but I resigned because of things that were going on, they think I might change my mind."
"Will you?" Harry wondered. Draco nodded.
"I'll take his place," he confirmed. "Hopefully, things will be somewhat normal this year. I suppose I can handle it." He leaned over and kissed Harry's forehead. "Go to sleep, love. I'll see you in the morning. If you need anything, I'm staying downstairs with Dad. The password is Cat Dragon."
Draco made sure Harry was comfortable, then left the room. Harry looked at his bedside table, where he'd placed the Dreamless Sleep Potion that George had given him. He debated between taking the potion and not taking it. Finally, he closed his eyes and settled himself into bed for a dream-filled sleep.