Title: What Lies Ahead?
Author: Keiko
Rating: R
Disclaimer: I just wanted to state again that I do not own the world of Harry Potter. That honor belongs to JK Rowling. No profit is being made from this or any of my stories.
Pairings: Harry/Draco, Ron/Hermione cameo
Spoilers: Books 1-4
Warnings: Slash
Summary: Harry and Draco get an unexpected glimpse into the future. If I say anything else, it will give away the plot.
A/N: This chapter is dedicated to Nona_05@hotmail.com, who was the only person to review this story. Your kind words inspired me to finish this story, which I thought no one even read. Thank you!
Chapter 8"Blast it to hell, Potter! My arm feels like it has been run over by a manticore. Are you sure I need to turn this stupid thing this many times?" Draco ranted as he revolved the tiny hourglass.
"I am sure my calculations are accurate, Draco. Just keep turning the Time Tuner and we'll be back in our own time about one minute before we left. That way we can see ourselves right before we travel to the future to ensure we didn't make any errors." Harry explained as patiently as he could.
"Well, I just hope your Math skills are much better than your Potions skills. I am in no mood for skipping through time all evening long."
"If you would just stop your incessant babbling, you could have been done already. Just a few more turns now Draco. Oh and please remember to hide as soon as we reach our own time. If our other selves see us they just might hex us into oblivion."
"Gee Potter, that's a pleasant thought. Ok, here is the last turn. Thank Merlin."
As Draco made the final revolution of the hourglass, Harry and Draco both grasped the Time Tuner tightly and immediately felt that nauseating tug, which warped them back to their own time. A few moments later they both landed with a thud back in the storage room, three years earlier where they started their unexpected adventure.
"Ouch Harry, you landed on my foot," Draco complained in a not-so-quiet voice.
"Shh," Harry whispered as the two hid behind a trunk.
He did not want his other selves to hear the commotion and come over to investigate the noise. Luckily, Harry's concerns were unfounded, as the other Draco and Harry were already in the process of being flung into the future by the Time Tuner. With a sigh of relief, Harry said, "Thank Merlin, we made it back in one piece. Let's get that book for Snape and get the hell out of here."
"For once, I couldn't agree more with you, Harry. It has been a nightmare of a day. I just want to get a shower, eat and retire to my bed." Draco stated in his usual drawl.
Harry walked over to where Snape's book lay discarded and went to place it inside one of the pockets of his robe, when he noticed he still had the copy of the future Daily Prophet within the pocket. He took it out to make room for the book and glanced at the front page again.
Harry had almost completely forgotten about the unexpected headline he had read earlier that day about his future self. Married to Draco Malfoy of all people and working at Hogwarts as a professor. Working at Hogwarts with Draco Malfoy, who was also a professor and his husband. Husband?? Had that been real? That question was answered immediately as the vision of the future Harry and Draco shagging in the storage room flashed in his mind and confirmed that it had been very real.
Harry must have been standing in a daze pondering too many thoughts since he was brought back to the conscious world only by Draco who shouted, "Potter! Come on, let's get going!"
Harry snapped out of his trance-like state and replied "I have to check something real quick, before we leave."
Ignoring Draco's protests, Harry walked over to the Mirror of Erised and gazed into its depths intently. The reflection staring back at him was the same as before. The image of Harry standing next to the image of Draco, even though Draco was clear across the room. Harry was transfixed by the sight, his eyes never leaving the mirror. Finally, Draco was forced to take action by pulling on Harry's arm to try to move him away from his reflection.
"Harry, let's go!" Draco shouted impatiently, but Harry could not be budged.
"Draco, could you please tell me what you see in the mirror again?" Harry asked in a whisper.
"I see the same thing I saw before- you and me together. Haven't you figured it out by now Harry? We both see each other together, because that is our deepest heart's desire. I thought Gryffindors were known for their unending courage, but if I am not mistaken, you are scared to admit your true feelings."
Harry turned to Draco and said, " That's only because I don't know what your true feelings are. I've been hurt badly more times that I care to think about and I refuse to be hurt anymore."
"Well, unlike you, I am not afraid to admit my feelings even though I have buried them quite deeply to uphold my Slytherin image you know. I am obviously a master of hiding emotions otherwise, you would have known I fell in love with you the day we met way back in first year. If it weren't for that stupid mirror and that Time Tuner, you would still be none the wiser." Draco smirked and raised an eyebrow in response to the shocked look he was getting from the Boy Who Lived.
"But Draco, why didn't you ever tell me?" Harry finally asked.
"Because you are a Gryffindor and the Boy Who Lived on top of that. You are loved by everyone and we had such a terrible start to our relationship. You rejected my friendship back then and I feared further rejection if I declared my true feelings for you, even after we became civil towards one another. But what's your excuse? The mirror obviously senses you feel the same about me. After all, we do get married in a few years from now."
"I know. It was all such a shock. I guess my biggest fear is rejection too. I mean you are Draco Malfoy, wanted by almost everyone at Hogwarts. You're rich, powerful and sexy as hell." Harry said as he blushed with embarrassment.
"Harry, we fell in love with each other, because we complement each other so well. You just need to find that Gryffindor courage deep down inside of you and admit your feelings," Draco said softly as he slowly moved right in front of Harry.
He reached up and gently stroked Harry's cheek with his fingertips and looked deep into Harry's emerald eyes. The two young men were at a level height so Harry only needed to gather a tiny bit of courage to close the tiny gap that existed between their lips. When the kiss was broken by the mutual need for oxygen, Harry gazed into the stormy gray clouds that were Draco's eyes and whispered softly "I love you."
Draco smiled and said, "I know. I love you too. Do you think Snape can wait a little longer for his book?"
Harry answered "Sure and if not, we can always use the Time Tuner again to go back in time a little."
"Well, well, it seems that kiss brought out that Gryffindor courage mixed in with a bit of my Slytherin cunning. We're going to make a great couple." Draco said smugly.
"I know," said Harry as he pulled Draco to him in a tight embrace, kissing him as if there were no tomorrow but knowing that what lies ahead would get only better.
The End
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