The Nature Of A Man

Disclaimer: The usual. The characters in this story belong to J.K. Rowling and this work represents a poor fumbling attempt at a Harry Potter story. I really wasn't sure where the story was going but it's rated PG-13 just in case. Read and review. You like it or you don't, just drop me a line at jadewing@hotmail.com if you want to rant or praise longer. Sorry, nanami, but I never really could do battles too well … Anyway, wouldn't it get really boring? Maybe next time then. I'll definitely keep it in mind. Wow, everyone's been seriously nice so far so it is sad for me to end the story. Never did like the ending of anything – always found it too sad but don't worry. I'll definitely try to keep the stories coming, all right? I plan to do a sequel to this story but when is another question. It's been a super fun ride with all you guys and I just hope you guys will be with me the next time. Happy trails, all, and may all roads you walk lead you back home.

When Harry awoke, he saw Professor Dumbledore's face bent over his, a small smile on his face. Why is this so familiar? "Ah, finally awake, Harry?"

Harry tried to sit up but Dumbledore pushed him back down into the bed. His head ached and he closed his eyes. Hospital wing. The white walls, the faint scent of lavender and lilacs in the air. He looked down at himself. Somehow, he wasn't surprised to see himself swathed, head to toe, in bandages. He looked at Professor Dumbledore. "It was Ian Borgin, sir."

Dumbledore nodded. "We know. We have destroyed the Dragon's Eye already and the teachers are celebrating now even as we speak." A ghost of a smile appeared on his lips. "Just a month or two and already we are so busy at Hogwarts." His face became more serious. "Only three of us within this school felt the use of a Word of Power in Hogwarts. Professor Twiddle, Professor Grey and I. The other teachers, in their weakened state, could not detect the use of such energy and the students had no experience in the matter. Suffice to say, we tracked down the source but found the door locked against us." He shook his head. "Mr. Borgin had used the Dragon's Eye to reinforce the spell on the door. I believe that it would have taken quite some time just to unravel it. Fortunately, Professor Grey was more demonstrative on what should be done with stubborn doors." He tsked to himself. "Must remind myself to buy a new door." He looked at Harry. "We contained Mr. Borgin, Harry – or, at least, Professor Grey tried to. Mr. Borgin decided that he would rather die than be captured though." His face darkened and his voice was filled with sorrow. "We have sent his body back to his parents and we have informed them of his defection to Voldemort."

"How is …?" Harry licked his lips. His mouth just felt so dry.

A look of understanding dawned in Dumbledore's eyes. "Ah, Mr. Malfoy?"

Harry nodded.

Dumbledore indicated the bed to Harry's right. Harry turned his head. Draco was fast asleep, covered in bandages, his face looking a little strained. His chest moved up and down slowly but it looked as if he was in so much pain.

"Mr. Malfoy suffered a lot of damage, Harry. It will take him some days to recover. He has been sleeping for a while but he was quite concerned over your welfare when he was awake."

Harry looked at Dumbledore. Was he trying to hint something?

Hesitantly, Harry began, "Did … did Professor Grey … say anything?"

To his relief, Dumbledore shook his head. "But, Professor Grey did mention that you have a question to ask me, Harry."

Harry closed his eyes and he heard himself asking, as if against his own volition, "What can change the nature of a man?"

Dumbledore didn't look startled at all. Instead he smiled. "Ahh, the infamous question by Ravel. Did you know that she was famed for her sheer talent at witchcraft? Never has there been a more accomplished witch nor a wizard … well, except for Voldemort, perhaps."

"The answer, sir?" Harry prodded.

"The answer is belief." Harry stared at Dumbledore. "Whatever you believe can change the nature of a man, can and will change a man. A simple answer, really. But simple answers can be quite complex at times." Dumbledore stood up and smiled at Harry. "Well, I had better get going, Harry. Someone must make sure that the teachers don't destroy the castle with their partying. Just for your information, Madam Pomfrey has laid heavy wards over the entrance so that no one can get in while she's away. I suppose she'll be gone for a few hours at the very least."

Just as Dumbledore was about to exit the room, Harry called out. "Sir, what happened to Ravel in the end?"

Dumbledore smiled at him. "She met the one man who could answer the question and she married him. I heard that she found true happiness by his side. His name was Tobias Potter. An ancestor of yours, I believe." And with that, he was gone.

Harry looked over at Draco and, somehow, he found his wand and managed to push both beds together with a spell. That done, he looked down at the slumbering Draco. As if noticing that someone was looking at him, watching him, Draco's face had smoothed and he had a small smile on his lips. Those long silver lashed lay tenderly against smooth cheeks and locks of his silver hair was spread out on the pillow. Really, there were only bandages wrapped around Draco's chest and his arms. His body was covered by a thick blanket and Harry was beginning to feel drowsy. Maybe, just close my eyes … for a moment … He awoke to feel fingers stroking his hair. His head was on Draco's chest and Harry was reminded of how just a morning or two ago (it felt more like a week or two ago), he had awoken with his head on Draco's chest as well. The blanket that had covered the Slytherin now covered him as well. Harry lay there, feeling those fingers touch him so tenderly, so gently. He didn't want Draco to know that he was awake, he didn't want this to end … but … He raised his head and stared into Draco's silver eyes.

"I know you were awake. You always sort of tense up when you're awake." Draco's voice was soft and gentle. Just like his eyes now.

"You're not angry?" Harry asked him uncertainly.

Draco shook his head. "Perhaps, we both used each other. You used me for information. I used you for reassurance that I could be what I wanted. That I could change. But, no, I'm not angry. I love you … even after what we've been through. Maybe I love you because of it."

"Draco, I love you, too."

"Harry, don't say it –"

"I love you!" Harry told him fiercely. Draco fell silent. "I never knew it until today, yesterday. When you were caught in that first spell …" Harry swallowed. "I was fond of you through out … everything … but I didn't know if it was love. I've never experienced love. How should I know if it was love or not? That's why … I …"

"Why you were hesitant to use terms of endearment." Draco sighed. "But how do you know this is love?"

Harry grasped Draco's hand and pulled it towards his heart, pressing Draco's fingers flat against Harry's chest. "Because this tells me, because this begins to pound harder when I'm near you, because this …" Harry stopped to wipe away his tears but Draco's other hand tenderly wiped them away with his fingers, tracing the curve of his jaw. "Because this almost died when I thought …"

They were silent but Draco stirred suddenly, Harry's eyes lifting towards the other boy's face. "But, I don't think love is enough. Love alone cannot change who I am … what I am."

"Belief can." Draco stared at him. "If you believe that my love can change you, it can, it will. Just believe."

"I thought that it could but –"

"You didn't believe. You hoped and wished but you didn't believe."

Draco didn't say anything.

Harry continued. "I believe that you are a better person than you think you are. I believe that you are a kind person who loves me, who cherishes me, who's so gentle with me. I believe that I love you as well. When I feel your eyes on me …" His voice trailed off and then, looking at Draco's eyes, he continued, more sure of himself. "When I feel your eyes on me, I feel like I'm really alive."

Draco turned away but Harry caught a suspicious glisten to his eyes in one glimpse before his face was hidden from view. "You're getting mushy, Harry."

Harry reached over and wrapped his arms around Draco. He could feel the other boy tensing at first but then, Draco relaxed in his arms. His mouth to Draco's ear, he whispered, "It may be mushy but it's true. You're the only one who ever made me feel as loved as I do know. And I want you to feel the same love from me."

"I want this so much …" Draco's voice was a low, husky whisper. "But, I don't want to be hurt again …"

"If you don't hurt, you don't love, Draco. I might hurt you through my words sometimes and my actions … but I'll never hurt you through long, lonely nights without love."

There was a snort from Draco and Harry could feel his own lips turning up into a smile. All his words were coming out as mush but he found that he would rather spout mush the whole day with Draco listening than spouting spells without Draco beside him. Great, more mush, he thought to himself wryly.

"All right. But one condition."

"Yes?"

"No more mushiness. I'm about to die here." And Draco started laughing. Long loud laughs and it made Harry laugh too. But more, he had Draco once again, in his arms, by his side. He felt content.

"What is it with you and Professor Grey anyway?"

"Didn't you know? I would have thought you figured it out by now. He's my uncle. He ran away from home when he was about 14."

"Then, your father asked you …"

"How did you …? Father asked me to determine whether Grey was really my uncle or not and to report back to him if he was. I did the first bit but not the second."

"Oh."

There was silence.

"Harry?"

"Yeah?"

"We have some time before Madam Pomfrey gets back …"

Harry chuckled. "All right … but are you strong enough?"

And Draco proved beyond a doubt just how strong he was.

They were silent. Well, pretty much, but when they were finally done that night, Harry slept peacefully, untroubled by any dreams. Because he had what he wanted now, what he needed. Draco's arms tightened around him, and he snuggled more deeply into that warm embrace. And in his sleep, Harry smiled.

The End