AN Alright! Would you look at that! Chapter six. And Dean comes back too! We learn a bit about Tom Riddle, and Mrs. Malfoy steps in. There's a bit more, but I'll let you read it to find out.
By the way, I decided not to kill Lucius after all. I'm sorry if you voted 'yes' but the no votes convinced me a little more then "yes, he's a bastard, so kill him." Anyway, thanks for your enthusiastic response! And now, next weeks hints. You get two this time.
1. Premature
2. Heart attack
That's it! Enjoy!
=========================================
Chapter 6
Walking Draco through the Intensive Care unit of the hospital was difficult for Harry, to say the least. The continual beeping of heart monitors, along with the stern faced nurses made Harry feel very self conscious. He had always hated hospitals, ever since he had almost died in one, and just seeing one could send a torrent of memories at him, mostly from the trials he had sat through to decide on Tom Riddle's fate.
When they finally reached Lucius' room, Narsicca was already sitting at his side, reading a novel and every few minutes sending a sad look at her husband.
"Draco!" She cried, standing up and hurrying over to her son as he slowly approached. "Oh my baby!" He cried, tears stinging her eyes in relief.
Draco winced as his mother applied too much pressure on his cut up and bruised body. However, Mrs. Malfoy was also cutting off his oxygen supply, so he couldn't protest.
"Mrs. Malfoy," Harry said nervously, watching as Draco's face started to turn blue. "Perhaps you shouldn't hug him so tightly... he's still in a lot of pain..."
Narsicca let go of Draco hastily.
Draco gasped and sent Harry a grateful look. "How is he?" He then asked, glancing over at his father.
"Still unconscious. Drugged up to numb the pain." Mrs. Malfoy sighed. "The doctor said it would last as long as a week, maybe as long as a month."
Draco sighed, casting another look at his father. "My doctor said he'd discharge me at noon. Harry's going to drive me to school - and I'm going to stay with him till Father wakes up, okay mother?"
Narsicca bit her lip but otherwise nodded. "So this is the Famous Harry Potter," she murmured softly, giving the dark haired boy a once over. "Well, at least you have good taste Draco."
It wasn't the best of a blessing as they could get, but the two boys were pleased anyway. Considering they were blushing heatedly and excusing themselves for the 'safety' of Draco's hospital room.
===
"Draco, what happened?" Hermione cried, when the two boys sat down for a quick lunch before fifth period.
They had just returned from the office and explaining why they hadn't attended their morning classes. Then, they had gone around to all their teachers and picked up their missed assignments.
"Broken arm, Mione," Draco laughed. "It's only a small break, no big deal." His white half cast was just visible under the oversized sweatshirt he had stolen from Harry a while ago. With a grin, Draco unbent his arm and flexed his fingers, expertly hiding a small wince of pain. Even Harry missed it. "Will you sign my cast?" He asked, pushing up the sleeve and handing her a pen.
Hermione smiled and quickly and carefully signed the cast before the bell rang, signaling the end of lunch.
===
Lucius Malfoy woke up from his coma the day before semester change - and thanks to Narsicca, Draco was going to stay at Hogwarts, where he belonged. He had also been taken out of the "I Am Not Gay" classes, and was "allowed" to date Harry again.
Draco was in the middle of his Chemistry final when he received a note, stating that Lucius was awake and going home the next day.
Draco was banging his head against the wall outside the classroom for twenty minutes before he was finally forced to stop.
"Are you all packed for the basketball trip?" Harry asked, pulling Draco away from the wall and grabbing his books. He began herding the blond down the hallway. "We leave at half one, so if you're not, we have plenty of time to head over to your house and pack."
"I'm all set," Draco replied, taking Harry's hand with his own braced wrist. The cast had been cut off two days earlier, and replaced with a removable arm brace. "Since we're both all packed, can we head up to Look Out Hill for a bit?" He asked hopefully, putting his hand in Harry's backpocket. "I miss you."
Harry squirmed, not wanting to give in and risk hurting his boyfriend, but at the same time, desperately wanting to catch up.
The decision was made when Draco leaned over and gently licked Harry's jaw line, moving slowly to his barely exposed collar bone.
"Let's use to sick room," Harry whispered hurriedly, biting back his moans. "It'll be empty by now."
===
Hogwarts provided a very comfortable bus for the teams trip to the quarter and semi final games. Harry and Draco were the first to board, and the two sat down in the very back seats. Hermione sat down in the seat across from them, another cheerleader next to her. Ron and Seamus sat in front of them. The red head pulling out his CD player and clamping the headphones to his ears. Seamus settled for staring out the window.
Harry was nearly asleep, leaning against Draco, who had wrapped an arm around the dark haired boy's waist, reveling in his warmth.
Coach Hooch boarded the bus last. She scanned the group of cheerleaders and varsity boy's basketball players, pulling out her clipboard and calling out roll. The ended when Ron proclaimed that he was "here!" and turned to the bus driver. "Alright," she said, "let's go!"
The bus sputtered to life and lurched forward, students resumed their conversations, others pulled out pillows or homework or music. Harry's eyes began drooping again with fatigue. He could feel Draco whispering sweet nothings in his ear - and Harry fell asleep, Draco following him into dreamland moments later.
The bus jolted to a stop, effectively waking both boys.
"Stay on the bus!" Coach Hooch shouted, "I'm going to check us all in!" She disappeared into their cozy looking hotel, coming back about ten minutes later. "Alright," she shouted over the din of voices. "Our first game is tonight in about two and a half hours, we're playing against a school called Smeltings. Report back here in *one and a half* hours to leave for the tournament! If we lose, we leave in the afternoon, if we win, we play at six tomorrow evening. Now, I'm going to call you off the bus one at a time to tell you your buddies, and your room numbers. You are required to always be with your buddy, and in bed by ten. Curfew is nine. You will be allowed to wander the town for a bit today and tomorrow." She pulled out her clip board again and smiled at them all. "Other then that we're here to have fun!"
There was a whoop of joy.
"Please remain seated until I call you off the bus. Mr. Malfoy."
Draco stood up and grabbed his stuff.
"You will be rooming with Mr. Potter in room two-oh-two."
Harry stood up and followed his boyfriend off the bus. Hooch game them both room keys and turned back to her list. "Miss Granger - you will be rooming with me, dear. Room two-oh-one." Hermione stood up and followed them off of the bus.
===
Harry gripped Draco's left hand tightly as they walked the streets of Ottery St. Catchpole. For some reason, he was feeling tense. Not about the upcoming game, or anything, it was like a morbid suspicion of doom. But nothing happened, which led him into a false sense of security.
"Let's eat here," Draco decided, steering his boyfriend towards a small, quaint looking bakery.
Harry smiled, adjusting the backpack that held the days worth of shopping and souvenirs. He followed the blond into the quiet shop, smiling again when he noticed a group of Hogwarts cheerleaders already eating.
"Harry, Draco!" One of them called out, "come and sit with us!"
The boys bee-lined towards the group of girls, and sat down - eyeing the unfinished meals with hungry expressions.
"Are you hungry?" A girl named Bethany asked, she pointed to her own food. "I've already finished - if you want to eat mine."
"Thanks!" Harry beamed, lunging at the food before Draco could snatch it. He began eating, much to Draco's despair.
The blond then turned to the girls and pouted cutely, his eyes pitifully sad. To make matters worse, his stomach gurgled softly, making "feed me" noises. The other three cheerleaders finally gave in, pushing their remaining meals towards him.
"It should be illegal to be that cute." One grumbled, watching as her food disappeared with amazing speed.
"I don't know why you put up with him, Harry." Another sighed.
Harry grinned and moved his hand to punch Draco's bum. "I keep him in line well enough." Draco squeaked and glared.
"So, are you nervous about the game tonight? Smeltings is supposed to be really good."
"They are," Harry confirmed. "But they're also half stoned most of the time."
The girls laughed and stood up. "Walk us back to the hotel?" They asked sweetly.
The two boys grinned. "It's the least we can do," Harry smiled, also standing up and pulling Draco to his feet. "You *did* feed us."
The walk back to the hotel was short and cheerful. The girls knew quite a lot of jokes, all of them strange, and most of them bordering on "blond jokes". Draco pretended to be offended, but even he couldn't help laughing at the blond who jumped of a cliff because her pad had "wings."
===
"Just in time!" Hooch sighed in relief as the bus pulled into Smelting's parking lot. "With five minutes to spare at that!"
In the back of the bus, all the students eyes slowly began to close, as half of them fell to the ground and hugged it, thankful for life. Harry and Draco stood up.
"Yes!" They cheered, "who's up for round TWO!"
===
The Smelting's Team was good, that much was obvious. What the Pythons didn't expect, was that the team was also fat, slow and off balance. Still, what they lacked in skill, they made up for with brute strength and a knack for fouling the player with the ball. As such, the Hogwarts team won with a score of seventy-three to twenty-four.
The trooped off the court with green and silver pom-poms waving and people screaming their congratulations at them.
However, there was one voice that seemed to stick out from the rest of the crowd.
"Harry!" Draco shouted, fighting his way towards his boyfriend. "You were amazing! When those two brutes, Crabbe and Goyle, I think their names were, tried to sandwich you, and you just stopped moving - that was great!" His gray eyes shown with love and admiration.
Harry kissed Draco heavily. "Thanks," he whispered into the blonds ear. "The teams going out dancing tonight, you're coming with us, right?"
Draco gasped, "dancing! But I thought you *hated* dancing!"
Harry swatted him playfully. "Don't you start that up again." He warned, "or I might have to have my wicked way with you."
"Please do!" Draco grinned.
Harry rolled his eyes.
"Hey, Potter, Malfoy!" One of their teammates shouted, "let's go!"
===
"I love this song!" Harry cried, the moment the group stepped into "The Burrow," a large Teen Club. Harry grabbed Draco's hand and pulled him through the room towards the middle of the dancers.
The music pounded around them, seeming to push the two boys closer together. Their mouths met in a slow, unhurried kiss.
After a bit, Draco untangled their limbs.
"Bathroom," he explained.
Harry sighed but allowed his boyfriend to leave for the toilets. Moments after the blond left, Hermione grabbed his hands and led him in a fast paced dance.
Draco pushed open the door and was nearly blinded by the orange painted bathroom. Even the cubicles were orange for goodness sake! The room was pretty much empty, with only one boy in the room, washing his hands in the far orange sink.
"It's so *orange*!" Draco muttered, walking over to relive himself of a full bladder.
The other boy laughed, reaching for the soap. "Yeah, kind of scary, isn't it?"
Draco finished his business and joined the other boy at the sinks. With a strange splash, he saw the boy for the first time - and recognized him instantly. Of course, after seeing at face smiling up at him every time he so much as *thought* about Harry's desk, it was hard not to. Draco stood and stared, a twitter of nervousness fluttering in his stomach.
The bathroom door suddenly opened again, and a slim brown haired boy ran into the room. He spotted the black boy and ran up to him.
"Dean!" He said urgently, "you won't believe this - I think I saw Harry out there! *Your* Harry!"
Draco's heart dropped to his toes.
Dean looked up, "what?" He gasped, "show me, Blaize! I want to see him! What was he doing? Was he with anyone?"
"Yeah, some girl, but he was with some guy earlier." Blaize lowered his voice. "Are you still determined to win him back, Dean?"
Dean looked *extremely* determined. "Yeah. It's just not the same without him. Every time I talk to him on the phone is like torture... I miss him so much."
Draco slipped out of the bathroom while the two boys continued talking about Harry. HIS Harry. The blond ran through the crowd till he found Harry, now sitting near the bar, sipping at a cup of water.
"Hey," Harry said smiling, "that was - HEY! Where are we going?"
"I - need some air," Draco lied. "And I don't want anybody to steal you away from me." He added under his breath.
Harry rolled his eyes and obediently followed the blond out of the club and up the street towards their hotel. "Slow down!" He complained finally, slowing their pace. "I'm starting to think you saw a ghost or something?"
Draco gripped Harry's hand a little tighter. "No! I just wanted to get away. Come on, it's almost curfew. Let's head back to the hotel and go to bed."
"It's only eight forty!" Harry protested, "I'm not tired!"
"My poor, sweet, innocent Harry. When are you going to learn that going to bed and going to sleep are completely different things?"
Harry grinned, "well, why didn't you say so! Bed it is!"
Draco held back a sigh of relief as they collapsed in the bed. "Love you," he whispered, kissing Harry's forehead tenderly. Harry, nearly asleep, whispered something back, but it was lost in the silent room.
===
Harry yawned and peaked over his bed-partner to look at the glowing digits of the clock. He sighed and slumped back down as Draco shifted yet again.
"What's the time?" The blond yawned.
"Seven-oh-two," Harry muttered. "I missed my run this morning."
"Let's take a shower," Draco suggested after a moment of silence. "I think I'm stuck to you."
Draco solved that problem by scooping up Harry and carrying him into the shower, letting the hot water unstick them. Then, to sooth Harry's whining, they went running together, just around the hotel, but it was enough.
===
After the semi-final game, which they won, Coach Hooch herded the Pythons back onto their bus for the long trip home.
Harry was staring out his window when he saw it. Dean Thomas. Holding a basketball under his arm and talking to his friend Blaize Zabinni.
"Draco!" Harry whispered, "Draco, look! It's- Draco?" Green eyes went wide, registering that Draco was clenching his eyes shut and trying to will away tears. "Baby, what's wrong?"
"Ron just told me." Draco whispered, trying to change the subject. "That the final game is going to be played at Hogwarts - that we're going to play the Lions..."
Harry frowned. "Yes, the Stonewall High Lions. My old school."
That did it. Without another word, Draco hunched over his knees and silently let a tear drip down his cheek. "Will Dean be there?" He asked almost silently.
Harry suddenly understood. "Whether he's there or not makes no difference, love." He whispered. "It's you that I love, that's not going to change because of an old boyfriend."
Draco looked up, "R-really?" He asked, eyes lit with joy.
Harry nodded and was suddenly attacked by Draco's lips. They parted a millimeter and rode the rest of the trip in a loving silence. Every once in a while, Draco's finger moving to trace the lightning etched into Harry's forehead. Every time this happened, Harry bit his lip, his green eyes cloudy with confusion.
They got back to Hogsmeade, and a few minutes later pulled into the Hogwarts parking lot. James and Lily were waiting for the two boys, smiles on each of their faces. After the traditional questions ("Did you win? What was the score? Did you bring us anything?") they headed back to Harry's house.
Harry led his boyfriend down to the basement and sat him down on the couch. He then proceeded to stare down at his lap. "Now, I need to tell you a really important story, alright?"
Draco nodded, pulling Harry into a tight hug.
Harry took a deep breath. "There was once a little boy named Harry. Little Harry was a happy child, he had parents who loved him, and lots of friends and he was very talented in basketball. There was also a little boy named Tom Riddle, he wasn't a happy little boy, for you see, he was an abandoned child. His mother died during birth, and his father ran off before that. Now, one day when both little boys were seven years old, they went of a field trip with their class. They were going ice-skating. Harry wasn't very good at it, but he was having fun all the same with his friends. Until, Tom suddenly pushed little Harry onto the ice and brought his sharp ice-skate onto Harry's head, cutting his head open."
Draco gasped, and only dimly registered that James and Lily were standing in the doorway, tears dripping down their faces.
"Little Harry nearly died from blood-loss and came very close to having brain damage." Harry continued, not paying attention to anything except for the story he was telling. "His parents were very worried, and all his friends came to visit him for the two months that he was unconscious. Little Harry woke up from his coma to see Tom standing right above him, an evil little smirk on his face.
"I meant to do it." Tom said, seemingly satisfied with himself.
"Little Harry started crying at that, his head still hurting, and not understanding how someone could hate like that. Well, eventually he was let out of the hospital and he was asked if he wanted to press charges on Tom and send him to a reform school or possibly a children's criminal home. Remembering what Tom said, Harry agreed."
Harry pressed his face further into Draco's neck.
"So, off Harry goes, bringing little Tom to court. Harry wins the case eventually, but only after a long, hard battle. And little Tom goes to St. Burtes' Center for Incurably Criminal Boys. One year later, Harry receives a telegram from the Center telling him that Tom died from malnutrition, and physical abuse - and learns that he had to sleep in a little, spider infested, cupboard under some stairs." Harry chocked on his words.
"He died, Draco, because of me! Because I didn't have enough sense to leave him in the orphanage where he was safe. Because I got so caught up in what was happening. Me and Dad and Mum were the only one's at his funeral, the grave was so little, so lonely... I hated it, because it was my fault! My fault that he was gone!"
Harry let out another sob before crying in earnest.
"Shh," Draco cooed, rubbing circles into Harry's back. "Just let it out, it'll be okay..." He cuddled Harry tighter and looked over at James and Lily. The red-haired woman had tears silently streaming down her cheeks, James looked shaken.
"Later." James mouthed. "When he's sleeping."
Draco nodded and turned back to Harry. "My poor love," he whispered, "I'm so sorry..."
Harry hiccoughed and cried harder.
===
Harry's tears finally ceased and he looked up into Draco's eyes. Draco was smiling softly at him, his eyes full of love and warmth.
"Let's get you to bed." Draco whispered, gathering the muscled frame into his arms and picking him up. "I need to be home soon, or else my dad will get suspicious."
Harry yawned and nodded, not registering that Lucius was probably already sleeping. He was gently placed under his warm covers in his big bed, and tucked in tightly.
"Draco?" He said hesitantly when Draco sat down on his bed and took his hand. The blond looked into his green eyes. "I love you." Harry whispered.
"I love you, too, Harry." Draco squeezed his hand.
Moments later the basketball star was soundly sleeping. And Draco was sitting on one of the living room couches with James and Lily. Though the latter seemed to be falling asleep.
"I never knew Harry felt guilty about Tom's death," James admitted finally, breaking the silence. He placed his hot chocolate on the coffee table. "I knew he felt bad, and regretted his decision, but blaming himself - that was quite a shock."
Draco sipped his own drink, pondering gently. "He seemed so broken up about it." He said, "I've never seen Harry cry like that before."
"But he has," Lily whispered. "In the beginning of the eighth grade, when he had first come out about being homosexual - he started dating another boy. But when that boy admitted he was only seeing Harry because of his fame, Harry was broken hearted. I still remember what he was whispering to himself...
"Why aren't I good enough? Why does it hurt so much? I don't want to be famous, I don't want to be gay.
"He even tried to date a girl named Milicent Bulstrode - nasty child - that went even worse. He was broken up for weeks, not wanting to play basketball, not watching it or talking about it... But then, he met Dean, and his whole world changed. He was happy again, and he loved basketball again. They were great friends, then, they started dating, and he was even happier. My little baby got over his broken heart with the help of that child, and I'm eternally grateful."
"But then you moved." Draco whispered sadly. "You came here and left him behind."
"Yes," James smiled, "and we found you - and, if it's possible, I think he's even happier. You two are closer then he and Dean were."
"But Dean was his first love." Draco protested softly. "And he's going to be here in a week for the final game of the tournament. I saw him in Ottery St. Catchpole, at the dance club. He wants to win Harry back, and I'm so scared that he will."
James cradled his now sleeping wife. "You love him, Draco." He said firmly. "And I know, without even hearing it, that he loves you and trusts you - he wouldn't have told you about Tom if he didn't. Even if Dean does come all the way up here, and he does try to win Harry back, I'm positive that no matter what, he's going to pick you."
"Thanks Mr. Potter," Draco said, a small smile on his face.
"Dad." James said firmly. "You're family, and have been for quite a while. I'd appreciate it if you'd call me dad." He paused, apparently too embarrassed to look at Draco. "You don't have to, of course, you have you're own father after all..."
"I have you." Draco cut him off. "Thanks dad. And I should probably get home, my mother worries now, because of the accident you know."
"How is he? Harry mentioned something about a heart problem."
"His heart's got a slightly irregular beat now, because he was drugged so early in his coma, the specialist thinks. But they said it wasn't anything to worry about." Draco had a unreadable look in his eyes when he said that. It was akin to fear.
James nodded. "We'll see you real soon, Draco. Wish your father well for me."
===
The day finally arrived when the red bus full of Stonewall High Lions pulled into the school parking lot. Albeit, they were a few hours early, and school was still in session. The whole of Hogwarts was currently assembled in the gym for another con.
The Varsity boy's Basketball team had been recognized, as had the other winter sports players. The cheerleaders had preformed their routines, and Draco had just stepped up to the mic. At that precise moment, the gym doors opened and in strode Dumbledore and a large group of red and gold clad students.
Silently, they sat down on the floor in front of the bleachers, turning around to take a good look at the school behind them.
Dumbledore nodded to Draco, who nodded back and turned to look at Mr. Black, who was in charge of the sound booth. Music began blasting though the room.
A few students jumped in surprise at the sudden noise. Stonewall had never done anything like *this* before.
Moments later, Draco opened his mouth and began singing a song he had written after his fight with his father.
Harry immediately fell in love with it. All the emotions and hurts Draco had in his voice could start tears running down even the most cold hearted faces. The beat was quick, demanding and angry. Draco fit into the music perfectly.
Down on the floor, the Lions were silently shaking with unnoticed laughter.
All too soon, Draco finished and the con ended. In seconds, Harry threw himself towards the boyfriend and hugged him tightly. "You were amazing!" He whispered, letting Draco go and taking his hand instead. They began heading out of the gym and up to their locker.
They had barely gotten out of the crowd when Harry felt someone grab him from behind. He gasped in shock and let go of Draco's hand, spinning around. One look at Dean Thomas sent his heart thumping.
"D-Dean!" He finally choked out. It seemed that was all he could say.
"Hi Harry," Dean smiled, making Harry's heart rate speed up just a little more. "It's been a while."
"Yeah," Harry whispered, unable to move his eyes from Dean's unforgettable face.
"Harry?"
/Draco,/ Harry thought in relief, tearing his eyes from Dean's. He turned and reached again for the blonds hand. "Dean, this is Draco Malfoy. Draco, this is Dean Thomas."
Draco and Dean forced their smiles.
"Harry," Draco said, now ignoring the other boy. "We need to hurry so we can get your mother to her appointment. She really doesn't like to be late you know."
Harry nodded. "It was... nice - seeing you again." He said softly to Dean. "I'll see you later."
Dean frowned. "Can I come with you?" He asked, "I'd like to see your parents again."
Harry looked at Draco helplessly, and the blond shrugged. And so it was decided. Dean followed them through the hallway, up to their locker and out to the parking lot where Harry had parked. There was an uncomfortable silence the whole way to Harry's house, and even towards St. Mungo's Hospital for Lily's routine check up.
"Your baby is healthy, Mrs. Potter," the doctor, Poppy Pomphrey affirmed. "You're exercising regularly? And eating right?"
Lily nodded and stood up, placing on her swollen belly. She left the examination room and headed back to the waiting room. She paused, just outside the doors and looked carefully at the three boys waiting for her.
Draco had his arm wrapped around Harry in a possessive yet protective manner, and Harry sat with his head on Draco's shoulder. Dean was next to Harry, his leg pressed lightly against his old boyfriends. Dean and Draco were glaring at each other over Harry's head, and the latter boy just looked uncomfortable.
"Alright boys," Lily announced, stepping through the doors. "Let's go."
Harry jumped up gladly.
===
The whole duration of the afternoon went by slowly. Harry and Draco were immensely uncomfortable, even while Dean wasn't around.
All of Harry's old friends seemed to somehow find his house and charm the Potter's enough to visit Harry. As a result, Harry completed next to none of his homework assignments set to them over their five day weekend.
James finally kicked all the visitors out of the house before the four, that would be the Potter's and Draco, sat down for dinner. They ate quickly, before leaving for the basketball game at Hogwarts.
"Don't be nervous," Draco whispered to Harry, sitting down on the bench next to him. "It's just basketball. Just another game."
"But-" Harry objected, his was hand shaking so much that he couldn't draw his traditional lightning bolt - he was that nervous.
"No buts," Draco stated firmly, taking the marker and drawing the symbol for him. "You are a great player, Harry, and a strong one at that. It doesn't matter if you're playing your old school, your old friends. It's still basketball." He recapped the pen and turned Harry's face to his. "I'll love you no matter what the outcome of a game."
Harry smiled. "Thanks love." He said, leaning over to kiss his boyfriend.
Draco gladly accepted Harry's lips, but was the first to pull away. "We have a game to win." He stated.
"Don't jinx me!" Harry cried.
"Sorry," Draco chuckled, "let's get out to the courts."
===
Playing with the Lions, and against the Lions were two very different things, Harry decided. Though, the team was so used to him playing *with* them, that he could use it to his advantage. All he needed to do was shout "ball!" and it came flying towards him, without a second thought from the one who threw it.
The two team managers, Dean and Draco, kept shouting things at their respective players, as they ran back and forth. The cheerleaders kept the crowd on its feet, cheering loudly.
Hogwarts would pull ahead, and then Stonewall would score a few points. there was a one point difference - Hogwarts just below, and Harry had the ball.
Ten seconds.
He was at half court, perfectly poised for his shot.
Four seconds.
The ball hit the backboard, then the rim. Rolling...
Cheerleaders screamed, the players ran to embrace Harry. But Harry was mindless - drenched with sweat, and tired beyond all belief.
"We won," he whispered, "I don't believe it."
===
At nine o'clock that night, the doorbell rang and it was opened to reveal Dean Thomas, dressed warmly to accommodate for the weather.
"Hi Harry," he said smiling, "want to go for a walk with me? I'd really like to talk to you."
Harry gulped but nodded and grabbed his coat. "Yeah, what's wrong?"
"Nothings wrong," Dean assured him. "I was just wondering... do you ever think about us? How we used to be?"
Harry was silent, pondering how to answer the question. "I - I used to miss you all the time when we first moved here," he admitted finally. "But then, as Draco and I got closer, and I got used to being here and started making friends... I just seemed to adjust, and realized that I could manage just fine with you as I could without." He winced at how mean that sounded.
"We all still miss you," Dean said suddenly. "The gym is empty after school, and the art building is full of second rate stuff. I think the school is mourning your loss."
Harry seriously doubted that.
"I miss you." Dean whispered. "A lot. When you first told me that somebody had asked you out, I was so shocked, but I wanted you to be happy, even if it wasn't with me. And then, you started going steady, and you stopped calling... it was a real blow when that happened. I was surprised because you didn't even send us his picture, like you promised..."
Harry suddenly felt ashamed, he hadn't meant to shut his old life out of his new one. But after school started, and the play, and then basketball... he hadn't had much time for anything else.
He suddenly realized that Dean was holding his mittened hand.
"I miss you." He whispered again, "and it hurts so much to see you with him..."
"With Draco?" Harry asked, taking his hand back and putting it in his pocket.
"Yes," Dean muttered. "The singer."
"My boyfriend." Harry said sternly. "My boyfriend who loves me, and who's risked being disowned because of me. Who I love back."
Dean's face seemed to fall. Hopes crashing down to his feet. "You two are in love?"
"Yes." Harry answered. "For a while now."
"What if I said that I loved you," Dean whispered, not looking at Harry.
"I'd say you couldn't." Harry sighed. "Because you want me to choose. Because if you did, you'd see how happy I am with Draco."
Dean nodded. "I should get back to the hotel, Blaize can only cover for me for so long." But before he left, he leaned over and pressed his lips to Harry's cheek, one last time.
"Don't let him go," Dean whispered. "Because you'll regret it if you do."
Harry nodded and turned to walk home, a smile on his face. Because he had Dean's blessing, and that meant a lot. If Dean was willing to let him go, and let him spend the rest of his life with Draco - Harry wasn't going to turn down the invitation.
===
The first thing Draco noticed the next day was how sad Harry looked. But it was weird, he didn't seem sad for himself - but for someone else.
"Hey," he greeted, sitting down next to him in the Potter's back yard, making sure not to sit on any lingering snow. "What's the matter?"
"Dean came by last night." Harry said softly. "He wanted to know if I ever thought about him and me, how we were, and if there was any chance we might be an "us" again." Harry sighed, but Draco cut off his next words.
"He's already asked you to choose?" Draco hesitated, "and you chose him, and that's why you called me? To tell me it's over?" A tear ran down his cheek, unnoticed by the blond.
Harry caught the tear on his finger, and moved to rub the rest of the moisture away from Draco's eyes.
"I told him that if he really loved me, then he would let me go, and let me love you."
"Y-you did?"
"Yes, and he gave us his blessing. But, he seemed so sad, Draco. It's like, I had his heart in my hands and then I ripped it in half. I don't want him to be unhappy when I'm not. It's not fair to him."
"Let's invite him out." Draco said unexpectedly. "All this week there are films being played at seven at Merlin's Park. We could set him up with somebody, like a double date!" He was starting to look devious. "How about Seamus?"
Harry's face broke into a grin.
===
"Why are we doing this?" Dean asked, getting into the back seat of Draco's jeep and frowning.
"It'll be fun!" Harry chirped. "And maybe you and Seamus will really hit it off. Besides, you're here until the Awards Ceremony at the end of the week, and it would be nice to have somebody to spend your time with."
Dean sighed and sat back in his seat, staring out his window.
===
"That's him?!" Dean asked, awestruck. "That's the guy you've been turning down since the beginning of school? Harry! What the hell is wrong with you?"
Harry grinned. "I was already taken." He said simply. "HEY! SEAMUS! OVER HERE!"
Seamus hopped up and quickly made his way over to the gray jeep. "Hey, Harry, Draco." He said, smiling at his two friends before his eyes moved to the boy standing just behind them. "Hi." He said, his eyes twinkling.
"Hello." Dean smiled.
"Well," Draco said, "we'll leave you two to get acquainted... Harry, have you got the blankets? It's supposed to get cold tonight."
Harry held up two slightly ratty blankets. "Yep." He grinned. "Let's go claim our spot before it's gone."
Draco pecked his cheek and grabbed the bag of chicken wraps and medium soda's, and the four boys headed towards the small secluded tree of Harry and Draco's first date. They arranged themselves comfortably, Dean and Seamus hitting it off right away. They talked quietly through the most part of the film, once in a while laughing at what the other was saying.
Harry and Draco, however, were silent, enjoying each other's company and snuggling tightly under their warm blanket. Every once in a while, starting up in the "I love you" war.
"Love you." Harry would whisper, tickling Draco's ear.
"Love you more." Draco would whisper back, causing Harry to shiver.
"No, *I* love *you* more." Harry protests.
"Nope. I love you more."
"No you don't."
"Yes I do."
"No."
"Yes."
"I love you as much as you love me then." Harry would proclaim, ending the war with a smiling kiss. Draco would just chuckle and shake his head, turning his attention back to snuggling Harry and watching the movie.
"They're so cute, it's almost sickening." Seamus whispered into Dean's ear.
===
"The second place team this year, is Stonewall High, of Surry, Little Whinning." A man announced into the stillness of the Hogwarts gym. The room was packed full of people, families, teams, and representatives from schools who couldn't make it in time for the awards ceremony.
Cheers erupted and the red and gold team rushed down to claim their trophies, Dean standing at the end of the line, a proud smile on his lips. He took the mic for a few quick words.
"All I can say is," He said, his eyes meeting Harry's in the crowd. "We did it all without Harry Potter."
Laughter and more cheering.
The Lions left the floor and returned to their seats, showing off their trophies to their friends and people around them.
"Which makes this years winning team of the British Junior Basketball Tournament, for the first time ever, Hogwarts High School!"
Booming cheers erupted and the whole team, including Draco and the cheerleaders made their way towards the room where the first place trophies were resting on their table. The men wearing shirts that said "B.J.T." handed each player a large trophy, engraved with each of their names, the date received and the team name. A larger trophy went into Draco's free arm, because as team captain, he was the one to make the speeches and such.
Just to save the jocks from speaking, really.
"What can I say," Draco said into the mic, looking back at his team with a wide smile. "We did it because we practiced a lot, worked as a team - and hey! Having Harry Potter playing as a Python helped a lot too!" He stepped back from the mic and moved to give the huge trophy to Coach Hooch, who had tears of happiness welling up in her eyes.
Harry laughed and swatted Draco on the arm when the boy returned to his side.
"Cheeky." He whispered in the blonds ear, well away from the microphone and the madly cheering crowd. "I might have to put you back in line later."
Draco's eyes glowed with his own happiness and he pulled Harry's free hand into his, squeezing it tightly.
=========================================
AN Review and I'll update.
.
By the way, I decided not to kill Lucius after all. I'm sorry if you voted 'yes' but the no votes convinced me a little more then "yes, he's a bastard, so kill him." Anyway, thanks for your enthusiastic response! And now, next weeks hints. You get two this time.
1. Premature
2. Heart attack
That's it! Enjoy!
=========================================
Chapter 6
Walking Draco through the Intensive Care unit of the hospital was difficult for Harry, to say the least. The continual beeping of heart monitors, along with the stern faced nurses made Harry feel very self conscious. He had always hated hospitals, ever since he had almost died in one, and just seeing one could send a torrent of memories at him, mostly from the trials he had sat through to decide on Tom Riddle's fate.
When they finally reached Lucius' room, Narsicca was already sitting at his side, reading a novel and every few minutes sending a sad look at her husband.
"Draco!" She cried, standing up and hurrying over to her son as he slowly approached. "Oh my baby!" He cried, tears stinging her eyes in relief.
Draco winced as his mother applied too much pressure on his cut up and bruised body. However, Mrs. Malfoy was also cutting off his oxygen supply, so he couldn't protest.
"Mrs. Malfoy," Harry said nervously, watching as Draco's face started to turn blue. "Perhaps you shouldn't hug him so tightly... he's still in a lot of pain..."
Narsicca let go of Draco hastily.
Draco gasped and sent Harry a grateful look. "How is he?" He then asked, glancing over at his father.
"Still unconscious. Drugged up to numb the pain." Mrs. Malfoy sighed. "The doctor said it would last as long as a week, maybe as long as a month."
Draco sighed, casting another look at his father. "My doctor said he'd discharge me at noon. Harry's going to drive me to school - and I'm going to stay with him till Father wakes up, okay mother?"
Narsicca bit her lip but otherwise nodded. "So this is the Famous Harry Potter," she murmured softly, giving the dark haired boy a once over. "Well, at least you have good taste Draco."
It wasn't the best of a blessing as they could get, but the two boys were pleased anyway. Considering they were blushing heatedly and excusing themselves for the 'safety' of Draco's hospital room.
===
"Draco, what happened?" Hermione cried, when the two boys sat down for a quick lunch before fifth period.
They had just returned from the office and explaining why they hadn't attended their morning classes. Then, they had gone around to all their teachers and picked up their missed assignments.
"Broken arm, Mione," Draco laughed. "It's only a small break, no big deal." His white half cast was just visible under the oversized sweatshirt he had stolen from Harry a while ago. With a grin, Draco unbent his arm and flexed his fingers, expertly hiding a small wince of pain. Even Harry missed it. "Will you sign my cast?" He asked, pushing up the sleeve and handing her a pen.
Hermione smiled and quickly and carefully signed the cast before the bell rang, signaling the end of lunch.
===
Lucius Malfoy woke up from his coma the day before semester change - and thanks to Narsicca, Draco was going to stay at Hogwarts, where he belonged. He had also been taken out of the "I Am Not Gay" classes, and was "allowed" to date Harry again.
Draco was in the middle of his Chemistry final when he received a note, stating that Lucius was awake and going home the next day.
Draco was banging his head against the wall outside the classroom for twenty minutes before he was finally forced to stop.
"Are you all packed for the basketball trip?" Harry asked, pulling Draco away from the wall and grabbing his books. He began herding the blond down the hallway. "We leave at half one, so if you're not, we have plenty of time to head over to your house and pack."
"I'm all set," Draco replied, taking Harry's hand with his own braced wrist. The cast had been cut off two days earlier, and replaced with a removable arm brace. "Since we're both all packed, can we head up to Look Out Hill for a bit?" He asked hopefully, putting his hand in Harry's backpocket. "I miss you."
Harry squirmed, not wanting to give in and risk hurting his boyfriend, but at the same time, desperately wanting to catch up.
The decision was made when Draco leaned over and gently licked Harry's jaw line, moving slowly to his barely exposed collar bone.
"Let's use to sick room," Harry whispered hurriedly, biting back his moans. "It'll be empty by now."
===
Hogwarts provided a very comfortable bus for the teams trip to the quarter and semi final games. Harry and Draco were the first to board, and the two sat down in the very back seats. Hermione sat down in the seat across from them, another cheerleader next to her. Ron and Seamus sat in front of them. The red head pulling out his CD player and clamping the headphones to his ears. Seamus settled for staring out the window.
Harry was nearly asleep, leaning against Draco, who had wrapped an arm around the dark haired boy's waist, reveling in his warmth.
Coach Hooch boarded the bus last. She scanned the group of cheerleaders and varsity boy's basketball players, pulling out her clipboard and calling out roll. The ended when Ron proclaimed that he was "here!" and turned to the bus driver. "Alright," she said, "let's go!"
The bus sputtered to life and lurched forward, students resumed their conversations, others pulled out pillows or homework or music. Harry's eyes began drooping again with fatigue. He could feel Draco whispering sweet nothings in his ear - and Harry fell asleep, Draco following him into dreamland moments later.
The bus jolted to a stop, effectively waking both boys.
"Stay on the bus!" Coach Hooch shouted, "I'm going to check us all in!" She disappeared into their cozy looking hotel, coming back about ten minutes later. "Alright," she shouted over the din of voices. "Our first game is tonight in about two and a half hours, we're playing against a school called Smeltings. Report back here in *one and a half* hours to leave for the tournament! If we lose, we leave in the afternoon, if we win, we play at six tomorrow evening. Now, I'm going to call you off the bus one at a time to tell you your buddies, and your room numbers. You are required to always be with your buddy, and in bed by ten. Curfew is nine. You will be allowed to wander the town for a bit today and tomorrow." She pulled out her clip board again and smiled at them all. "Other then that we're here to have fun!"
There was a whoop of joy.
"Please remain seated until I call you off the bus. Mr. Malfoy."
Draco stood up and grabbed his stuff.
"You will be rooming with Mr. Potter in room two-oh-two."
Harry stood up and followed his boyfriend off the bus. Hooch game them both room keys and turned back to her list. "Miss Granger - you will be rooming with me, dear. Room two-oh-one." Hermione stood up and followed them off of the bus.
===
Harry gripped Draco's left hand tightly as they walked the streets of Ottery St. Catchpole. For some reason, he was feeling tense. Not about the upcoming game, or anything, it was like a morbid suspicion of doom. But nothing happened, which led him into a false sense of security.
"Let's eat here," Draco decided, steering his boyfriend towards a small, quaint looking bakery.
Harry smiled, adjusting the backpack that held the days worth of shopping and souvenirs. He followed the blond into the quiet shop, smiling again when he noticed a group of Hogwarts cheerleaders already eating.
"Harry, Draco!" One of them called out, "come and sit with us!"
The boys bee-lined towards the group of girls, and sat down - eyeing the unfinished meals with hungry expressions.
"Are you hungry?" A girl named Bethany asked, she pointed to her own food. "I've already finished - if you want to eat mine."
"Thanks!" Harry beamed, lunging at the food before Draco could snatch it. He began eating, much to Draco's despair.
The blond then turned to the girls and pouted cutely, his eyes pitifully sad. To make matters worse, his stomach gurgled softly, making "feed me" noises. The other three cheerleaders finally gave in, pushing their remaining meals towards him.
"It should be illegal to be that cute." One grumbled, watching as her food disappeared with amazing speed.
"I don't know why you put up with him, Harry." Another sighed.
Harry grinned and moved his hand to punch Draco's bum. "I keep him in line well enough." Draco squeaked and glared.
"So, are you nervous about the game tonight? Smeltings is supposed to be really good."
"They are," Harry confirmed. "But they're also half stoned most of the time."
The girls laughed and stood up. "Walk us back to the hotel?" They asked sweetly.
The two boys grinned. "It's the least we can do," Harry smiled, also standing up and pulling Draco to his feet. "You *did* feed us."
The walk back to the hotel was short and cheerful. The girls knew quite a lot of jokes, all of them strange, and most of them bordering on "blond jokes". Draco pretended to be offended, but even he couldn't help laughing at the blond who jumped of a cliff because her pad had "wings."
===
"Just in time!" Hooch sighed in relief as the bus pulled into Smelting's parking lot. "With five minutes to spare at that!"
In the back of the bus, all the students eyes slowly began to close, as half of them fell to the ground and hugged it, thankful for life. Harry and Draco stood up.
"Yes!" They cheered, "who's up for round TWO!"
===
The Smelting's Team was good, that much was obvious. What the Pythons didn't expect, was that the team was also fat, slow and off balance. Still, what they lacked in skill, they made up for with brute strength and a knack for fouling the player with the ball. As such, the Hogwarts team won with a score of seventy-three to twenty-four.
The trooped off the court with green and silver pom-poms waving and people screaming their congratulations at them.
However, there was one voice that seemed to stick out from the rest of the crowd.
"Harry!" Draco shouted, fighting his way towards his boyfriend. "You were amazing! When those two brutes, Crabbe and Goyle, I think their names were, tried to sandwich you, and you just stopped moving - that was great!" His gray eyes shown with love and admiration.
Harry kissed Draco heavily. "Thanks," he whispered into the blonds ear. "The teams going out dancing tonight, you're coming with us, right?"
Draco gasped, "dancing! But I thought you *hated* dancing!"
Harry swatted him playfully. "Don't you start that up again." He warned, "or I might have to have my wicked way with you."
"Please do!" Draco grinned.
Harry rolled his eyes.
"Hey, Potter, Malfoy!" One of their teammates shouted, "let's go!"
===
"I love this song!" Harry cried, the moment the group stepped into "The Burrow," a large Teen Club. Harry grabbed Draco's hand and pulled him through the room towards the middle of the dancers.
The music pounded around them, seeming to push the two boys closer together. Their mouths met in a slow, unhurried kiss.
After a bit, Draco untangled their limbs.
"Bathroom," he explained.
Harry sighed but allowed his boyfriend to leave for the toilets. Moments after the blond left, Hermione grabbed his hands and led him in a fast paced dance.
Draco pushed open the door and was nearly blinded by the orange painted bathroom. Even the cubicles were orange for goodness sake! The room was pretty much empty, with only one boy in the room, washing his hands in the far orange sink.
"It's so *orange*!" Draco muttered, walking over to relive himself of a full bladder.
The other boy laughed, reaching for the soap. "Yeah, kind of scary, isn't it?"
Draco finished his business and joined the other boy at the sinks. With a strange splash, he saw the boy for the first time - and recognized him instantly. Of course, after seeing at face smiling up at him every time he so much as *thought* about Harry's desk, it was hard not to. Draco stood and stared, a twitter of nervousness fluttering in his stomach.
The bathroom door suddenly opened again, and a slim brown haired boy ran into the room. He spotted the black boy and ran up to him.
"Dean!" He said urgently, "you won't believe this - I think I saw Harry out there! *Your* Harry!"
Draco's heart dropped to his toes.
Dean looked up, "what?" He gasped, "show me, Blaize! I want to see him! What was he doing? Was he with anyone?"
"Yeah, some girl, but he was with some guy earlier." Blaize lowered his voice. "Are you still determined to win him back, Dean?"
Dean looked *extremely* determined. "Yeah. It's just not the same without him. Every time I talk to him on the phone is like torture... I miss him so much."
Draco slipped out of the bathroom while the two boys continued talking about Harry. HIS Harry. The blond ran through the crowd till he found Harry, now sitting near the bar, sipping at a cup of water.
"Hey," Harry said smiling, "that was - HEY! Where are we going?"
"I - need some air," Draco lied. "And I don't want anybody to steal you away from me." He added under his breath.
Harry rolled his eyes and obediently followed the blond out of the club and up the street towards their hotel. "Slow down!" He complained finally, slowing their pace. "I'm starting to think you saw a ghost or something?"
Draco gripped Harry's hand a little tighter. "No! I just wanted to get away. Come on, it's almost curfew. Let's head back to the hotel and go to bed."
"It's only eight forty!" Harry protested, "I'm not tired!"
"My poor, sweet, innocent Harry. When are you going to learn that going to bed and going to sleep are completely different things?"
Harry grinned, "well, why didn't you say so! Bed it is!"
Draco held back a sigh of relief as they collapsed in the bed. "Love you," he whispered, kissing Harry's forehead tenderly. Harry, nearly asleep, whispered something back, but it was lost in the silent room.
===
Harry yawned and peaked over his bed-partner to look at the glowing digits of the clock. He sighed and slumped back down as Draco shifted yet again.
"What's the time?" The blond yawned.
"Seven-oh-two," Harry muttered. "I missed my run this morning."
"Let's take a shower," Draco suggested after a moment of silence. "I think I'm stuck to you."
Draco solved that problem by scooping up Harry and carrying him into the shower, letting the hot water unstick them. Then, to sooth Harry's whining, they went running together, just around the hotel, but it was enough.
===
After the semi-final game, which they won, Coach Hooch herded the Pythons back onto their bus for the long trip home.
Harry was staring out his window when he saw it. Dean Thomas. Holding a basketball under his arm and talking to his friend Blaize Zabinni.
"Draco!" Harry whispered, "Draco, look! It's- Draco?" Green eyes went wide, registering that Draco was clenching his eyes shut and trying to will away tears. "Baby, what's wrong?"
"Ron just told me." Draco whispered, trying to change the subject. "That the final game is going to be played at Hogwarts - that we're going to play the Lions..."
Harry frowned. "Yes, the Stonewall High Lions. My old school."
That did it. Without another word, Draco hunched over his knees and silently let a tear drip down his cheek. "Will Dean be there?" He asked almost silently.
Harry suddenly understood. "Whether he's there or not makes no difference, love." He whispered. "It's you that I love, that's not going to change because of an old boyfriend."
Draco looked up, "R-really?" He asked, eyes lit with joy.
Harry nodded and was suddenly attacked by Draco's lips. They parted a millimeter and rode the rest of the trip in a loving silence. Every once in a while, Draco's finger moving to trace the lightning etched into Harry's forehead. Every time this happened, Harry bit his lip, his green eyes cloudy with confusion.
They got back to Hogsmeade, and a few minutes later pulled into the Hogwarts parking lot. James and Lily were waiting for the two boys, smiles on each of their faces. After the traditional questions ("Did you win? What was the score? Did you bring us anything?") they headed back to Harry's house.
Harry led his boyfriend down to the basement and sat him down on the couch. He then proceeded to stare down at his lap. "Now, I need to tell you a really important story, alright?"
Draco nodded, pulling Harry into a tight hug.
Harry took a deep breath. "There was once a little boy named Harry. Little Harry was a happy child, he had parents who loved him, and lots of friends and he was very talented in basketball. There was also a little boy named Tom Riddle, he wasn't a happy little boy, for you see, he was an abandoned child. His mother died during birth, and his father ran off before that. Now, one day when both little boys were seven years old, they went of a field trip with their class. They were going ice-skating. Harry wasn't very good at it, but he was having fun all the same with his friends. Until, Tom suddenly pushed little Harry onto the ice and brought his sharp ice-skate onto Harry's head, cutting his head open."
Draco gasped, and only dimly registered that James and Lily were standing in the doorway, tears dripping down their faces.
"Little Harry nearly died from blood-loss and came very close to having brain damage." Harry continued, not paying attention to anything except for the story he was telling. "His parents were very worried, and all his friends came to visit him for the two months that he was unconscious. Little Harry woke up from his coma to see Tom standing right above him, an evil little smirk on his face.
"I meant to do it." Tom said, seemingly satisfied with himself.
"Little Harry started crying at that, his head still hurting, and not understanding how someone could hate like that. Well, eventually he was let out of the hospital and he was asked if he wanted to press charges on Tom and send him to a reform school or possibly a children's criminal home. Remembering what Tom said, Harry agreed."
Harry pressed his face further into Draco's neck.
"So, off Harry goes, bringing little Tom to court. Harry wins the case eventually, but only after a long, hard battle. And little Tom goes to St. Burtes' Center for Incurably Criminal Boys. One year later, Harry receives a telegram from the Center telling him that Tom died from malnutrition, and physical abuse - and learns that he had to sleep in a little, spider infested, cupboard under some stairs." Harry chocked on his words.
"He died, Draco, because of me! Because I didn't have enough sense to leave him in the orphanage where he was safe. Because I got so caught up in what was happening. Me and Dad and Mum were the only one's at his funeral, the grave was so little, so lonely... I hated it, because it was my fault! My fault that he was gone!"
Harry let out another sob before crying in earnest.
"Shh," Draco cooed, rubbing circles into Harry's back. "Just let it out, it'll be okay..." He cuddled Harry tighter and looked over at James and Lily. The red-haired woman had tears silently streaming down her cheeks, James looked shaken.
"Later." James mouthed. "When he's sleeping."
Draco nodded and turned back to Harry. "My poor love," he whispered, "I'm so sorry..."
Harry hiccoughed and cried harder.
===
Harry's tears finally ceased and he looked up into Draco's eyes. Draco was smiling softly at him, his eyes full of love and warmth.
"Let's get you to bed." Draco whispered, gathering the muscled frame into his arms and picking him up. "I need to be home soon, or else my dad will get suspicious."
Harry yawned and nodded, not registering that Lucius was probably already sleeping. He was gently placed under his warm covers in his big bed, and tucked in tightly.
"Draco?" He said hesitantly when Draco sat down on his bed and took his hand. The blond looked into his green eyes. "I love you." Harry whispered.
"I love you, too, Harry." Draco squeezed his hand.
Moments later the basketball star was soundly sleeping. And Draco was sitting on one of the living room couches with James and Lily. Though the latter seemed to be falling asleep.
"I never knew Harry felt guilty about Tom's death," James admitted finally, breaking the silence. He placed his hot chocolate on the coffee table. "I knew he felt bad, and regretted his decision, but blaming himself - that was quite a shock."
Draco sipped his own drink, pondering gently. "He seemed so broken up about it." He said, "I've never seen Harry cry like that before."
"But he has," Lily whispered. "In the beginning of the eighth grade, when he had first come out about being homosexual - he started dating another boy. But when that boy admitted he was only seeing Harry because of his fame, Harry was broken hearted. I still remember what he was whispering to himself...
"Why aren't I good enough? Why does it hurt so much? I don't want to be famous, I don't want to be gay.
"He even tried to date a girl named Milicent Bulstrode - nasty child - that went even worse. He was broken up for weeks, not wanting to play basketball, not watching it or talking about it... But then, he met Dean, and his whole world changed. He was happy again, and he loved basketball again. They were great friends, then, they started dating, and he was even happier. My little baby got over his broken heart with the help of that child, and I'm eternally grateful."
"But then you moved." Draco whispered sadly. "You came here and left him behind."
"Yes," James smiled, "and we found you - and, if it's possible, I think he's even happier. You two are closer then he and Dean were."
"But Dean was his first love." Draco protested softly. "And he's going to be here in a week for the final game of the tournament. I saw him in Ottery St. Catchpole, at the dance club. He wants to win Harry back, and I'm so scared that he will."
James cradled his now sleeping wife. "You love him, Draco." He said firmly. "And I know, without even hearing it, that he loves you and trusts you - he wouldn't have told you about Tom if he didn't. Even if Dean does come all the way up here, and he does try to win Harry back, I'm positive that no matter what, he's going to pick you."
"Thanks Mr. Potter," Draco said, a small smile on his face.
"Dad." James said firmly. "You're family, and have been for quite a while. I'd appreciate it if you'd call me dad." He paused, apparently too embarrassed to look at Draco. "You don't have to, of course, you have you're own father after all..."
"I have you." Draco cut him off. "Thanks dad. And I should probably get home, my mother worries now, because of the accident you know."
"How is he? Harry mentioned something about a heart problem."
"His heart's got a slightly irregular beat now, because he was drugged so early in his coma, the specialist thinks. But they said it wasn't anything to worry about." Draco had a unreadable look in his eyes when he said that. It was akin to fear.
James nodded. "We'll see you real soon, Draco. Wish your father well for me."
===
The day finally arrived when the red bus full of Stonewall High Lions pulled into the school parking lot. Albeit, they were a few hours early, and school was still in session. The whole of Hogwarts was currently assembled in the gym for another con.
The Varsity boy's Basketball team had been recognized, as had the other winter sports players. The cheerleaders had preformed their routines, and Draco had just stepped up to the mic. At that precise moment, the gym doors opened and in strode Dumbledore and a large group of red and gold clad students.
Silently, they sat down on the floor in front of the bleachers, turning around to take a good look at the school behind them.
Dumbledore nodded to Draco, who nodded back and turned to look at Mr. Black, who was in charge of the sound booth. Music began blasting though the room.
A few students jumped in surprise at the sudden noise. Stonewall had never done anything like *this* before.
Moments later, Draco opened his mouth and began singing a song he had written after his fight with his father.
Harry immediately fell in love with it. All the emotions and hurts Draco had in his voice could start tears running down even the most cold hearted faces. The beat was quick, demanding and angry. Draco fit into the music perfectly.
Down on the floor, the Lions were silently shaking with unnoticed laughter.
All too soon, Draco finished and the con ended. In seconds, Harry threw himself towards the boyfriend and hugged him tightly. "You were amazing!" He whispered, letting Draco go and taking his hand instead. They began heading out of the gym and up to their locker.
They had barely gotten out of the crowd when Harry felt someone grab him from behind. He gasped in shock and let go of Draco's hand, spinning around. One look at Dean Thomas sent his heart thumping.
"D-Dean!" He finally choked out. It seemed that was all he could say.
"Hi Harry," Dean smiled, making Harry's heart rate speed up just a little more. "It's been a while."
"Yeah," Harry whispered, unable to move his eyes from Dean's unforgettable face.
"Harry?"
/Draco,/ Harry thought in relief, tearing his eyes from Dean's. He turned and reached again for the blonds hand. "Dean, this is Draco Malfoy. Draco, this is Dean Thomas."
Draco and Dean forced their smiles.
"Harry," Draco said, now ignoring the other boy. "We need to hurry so we can get your mother to her appointment. She really doesn't like to be late you know."
Harry nodded. "It was... nice - seeing you again." He said softly to Dean. "I'll see you later."
Dean frowned. "Can I come with you?" He asked, "I'd like to see your parents again."
Harry looked at Draco helplessly, and the blond shrugged. And so it was decided. Dean followed them through the hallway, up to their locker and out to the parking lot where Harry had parked. There was an uncomfortable silence the whole way to Harry's house, and even towards St. Mungo's Hospital for Lily's routine check up.
"Your baby is healthy, Mrs. Potter," the doctor, Poppy Pomphrey affirmed. "You're exercising regularly? And eating right?"
Lily nodded and stood up, placing on her swollen belly. She left the examination room and headed back to the waiting room. She paused, just outside the doors and looked carefully at the three boys waiting for her.
Draco had his arm wrapped around Harry in a possessive yet protective manner, and Harry sat with his head on Draco's shoulder. Dean was next to Harry, his leg pressed lightly against his old boyfriends. Dean and Draco were glaring at each other over Harry's head, and the latter boy just looked uncomfortable.
"Alright boys," Lily announced, stepping through the doors. "Let's go."
Harry jumped up gladly.
===
The whole duration of the afternoon went by slowly. Harry and Draco were immensely uncomfortable, even while Dean wasn't around.
All of Harry's old friends seemed to somehow find his house and charm the Potter's enough to visit Harry. As a result, Harry completed next to none of his homework assignments set to them over their five day weekend.
James finally kicked all the visitors out of the house before the four, that would be the Potter's and Draco, sat down for dinner. They ate quickly, before leaving for the basketball game at Hogwarts.
"Don't be nervous," Draco whispered to Harry, sitting down on the bench next to him. "It's just basketball. Just another game."
"But-" Harry objected, his was hand shaking so much that he couldn't draw his traditional lightning bolt - he was that nervous.
"No buts," Draco stated firmly, taking the marker and drawing the symbol for him. "You are a great player, Harry, and a strong one at that. It doesn't matter if you're playing your old school, your old friends. It's still basketball." He recapped the pen and turned Harry's face to his. "I'll love you no matter what the outcome of a game."
Harry smiled. "Thanks love." He said, leaning over to kiss his boyfriend.
Draco gladly accepted Harry's lips, but was the first to pull away. "We have a game to win." He stated.
"Don't jinx me!" Harry cried.
"Sorry," Draco chuckled, "let's get out to the courts."
===
Playing with the Lions, and against the Lions were two very different things, Harry decided. Though, the team was so used to him playing *with* them, that he could use it to his advantage. All he needed to do was shout "ball!" and it came flying towards him, without a second thought from the one who threw it.
The two team managers, Dean and Draco, kept shouting things at their respective players, as they ran back and forth. The cheerleaders kept the crowd on its feet, cheering loudly.
Hogwarts would pull ahead, and then Stonewall would score a few points. there was a one point difference - Hogwarts just below, and Harry had the ball.
Ten seconds.
He was at half court, perfectly poised for his shot.
Four seconds.
The ball hit the backboard, then the rim. Rolling...
Cheerleaders screamed, the players ran to embrace Harry. But Harry was mindless - drenched with sweat, and tired beyond all belief.
"We won," he whispered, "I don't believe it."
===
At nine o'clock that night, the doorbell rang and it was opened to reveal Dean Thomas, dressed warmly to accommodate for the weather.
"Hi Harry," he said smiling, "want to go for a walk with me? I'd really like to talk to you."
Harry gulped but nodded and grabbed his coat. "Yeah, what's wrong?"
"Nothings wrong," Dean assured him. "I was just wondering... do you ever think about us? How we used to be?"
Harry was silent, pondering how to answer the question. "I - I used to miss you all the time when we first moved here," he admitted finally. "But then, as Draco and I got closer, and I got used to being here and started making friends... I just seemed to adjust, and realized that I could manage just fine with you as I could without." He winced at how mean that sounded.
"We all still miss you," Dean said suddenly. "The gym is empty after school, and the art building is full of second rate stuff. I think the school is mourning your loss."
Harry seriously doubted that.
"I miss you." Dean whispered. "A lot. When you first told me that somebody had asked you out, I was so shocked, but I wanted you to be happy, even if it wasn't with me. And then, you started going steady, and you stopped calling... it was a real blow when that happened. I was surprised because you didn't even send us his picture, like you promised..."
Harry suddenly felt ashamed, he hadn't meant to shut his old life out of his new one. But after school started, and the play, and then basketball... he hadn't had much time for anything else.
He suddenly realized that Dean was holding his mittened hand.
"I miss you." He whispered again, "and it hurts so much to see you with him..."
"With Draco?" Harry asked, taking his hand back and putting it in his pocket.
"Yes," Dean muttered. "The singer."
"My boyfriend." Harry said sternly. "My boyfriend who loves me, and who's risked being disowned because of me. Who I love back."
Dean's face seemed to fall. Hopes crashing down to his feet. "You two are in love?"
"Yes." Harry answered. "For a while now."
"What if I said that I loved you," Dean whispered, not looking at Harry.
"I'd say you couldn't." Harry sighed. "Because you want me to choose. Because if you did, you'd see how happy I am with Draco."
Dean nodded. "I should get back to the hotel, Blaize can only cover for me for so long." But before he left, he leaned over and pressed his lips to Harry's cheek, one last time.
"Don't let him go," Dean whispered. "Because you'll regret it if you do."
Harry nodded and turned to walk home, a smile on his face. Because he had Dean's blessing, and that meant a lot. If Dean was willing to let him go, and let him spend the rest of his life with Draco - Harry wasn't going to turn down the invitation.
===
The first thing Draco noticed the next day was how sad Harry looked. But it was weird, he didn't seem sad for himself - but for someone else.
"Hey," he greeted, sitting down next to him in the Potter's back yard, making sure not to sit on any lingering snow. "What's the matter?"
"Dean came by last night." Harry said softly. "He wanted to know if I ever thought about him and me, how we were, and if there was any chance we might be an "us" again." Harry sighed, but Draco cut off his next words.
"He's already asked you to choose?" Draco hesitated, "and you chose him, and that's why you called me? To tell me it's over?" A tear ran down his cheek, unnoticed by the blond.
Harry caught the tear on his finger, and moved to rub the rest of the moisture away from Draco's eyes.
"I told him that if he really loved me, then he would let me go, and let me love you."
"Y-you did?"
"Yes, and he gave us his blessing. But, he seemed so sad, Draco. It's like, I had his heart in my hands and then I ripped it in half. I don't want him to be unhappy when I'm not. It's not fair to him."
"Let's invite him out." Draco said unexpectedly. "All this week there are films being played at seven at Merlin's Park. We could set him up with somebody, like a double date!" He was starting to look devious. "How about Seamus?"
Harry's face broke into a grin.
===
"Why are we doing this?" Dean asked, getting into the back seat of Draco's jeep and frowning.
"It'll be fun!" Harry chirped. "And maybe you and Seamus will really hit it off. Besides, you're here until the Awards Ceremony at the end of the week, and it would be nice to have somebody to spend your time with."
Dean sighed and sat back in his seat, staring out his window.
===
"That's him?!" Dean asked, awestruck. "That's the guy you've been turning down since the beginning of school? Harry! What the hell is wrong with you?"
Harry grinned. "I was already taken." He said simply. "HEY! SEAMUS! OVER HERE!"
Seamus hopped up and quickly made his way over to the gray jeep. "Hey, Harry, Draco." He said, smiling at his two friends before his eyes moved to the boy standing just behind them. "Hi." He said, his eyes twinkling.
"Hello." Dean smiled.
"Well," Draco said, "we'll leave you two to get acquainted... Harry, have you got the blankets? It's supposed to get cold tonight."
Harry held up two slightly ratty blankets. "Yep." He grinned. "Let's go claim our spot before it's gone."
Draco pecked his cheek and grabbed the bag of chicken wraps and medium soda's, and the four boys headed towards the small secluded tree of Harry and Draco's first date. They arranged themselves comfortably, Dean and Seamus hitting it off right away. They talked quietly through the most part of the film, once in a while laughing at what the other was saying.
Harry and Draco, however, were silent, enjoying each other's company and snuggling tightly under their warm blanket. Every once in a while, starting up in the "I love you" war.
"Love you." Harry would whisper, tickling Draco's ear.
"Love you more." Draco would whisper back, causing Harry to shiver.
"No, *I* love *you* more." Harry protests.
"Nope. I love you more."
"No you don't."
"Yes I do."
"No."
"Yes."
"I love you as much as you love me then." Harry would proclaim, ending the war with a smiling kiss. Draco would just chuckle and shake his head, turning his attention back to snuggling Harry and watching the movie.
"They're so cute, it's almost sickening." Seamus whispered into Dean's ear.
===
"The second place team this year, is Stonewall High, of Surry, Little Whinning." A man announced into the stillness of the Hogwarts gym. The room was packed full of people, families, teams, and representatives from schools who couldn't make it in time for the awards ceremony.
Cheers erupted and the red and gold team rushed down to claim their trophies, Dean standing at the end of the line, a proud smile on his lips. He took the mic for a few quick words.
"All I can say is," He said, his eyes meeting Harry's in the crowd. "We did it all without Harry Potter."
Laughter and more cheering.
The Lions left the floor and returned to their seats, showing off their trophies to their friends and people around them.
"Which makes this years winning team of the British Junior Basketball Tournament, for the first time ever, Hogwarts High School!"
Booming cheers erupted and the whole team, including Draco and the cheerleaders made their way towards the room where the first place trophies were resting on their table. The men wearing shirts that said "B.J.T." handed each player a large trophy, engraved with each of their names, the date received and the team name. A larger trophy went into Draco's free arm, because as team captain, he was the one to make the speeches and such.
Just to save the jocks from speaking, really.
"What can I say," Draco said into the mic, looking back at his team with a wide smile. "We did it because we practiced a lot, worked as a team - and hey! Having Harry Potter playing as a Python helped a lot too!" He stepped back from the mic and moved to give the huge trophy to Coach Hooch, who had tears of happiness welling up in her eyes.
Harry laughed and swatted Draco on the arm when the boy returned to his side.
"Cheeky." He whispered in the blonds ear, well away from the microphone and the madly cheering crowd. "I might have to put you back in line later."
Draco's eyes glowed with his own happiness and he pulled Harry's free hand into his, squeezing it tightly.
=========================================
AN Review and I'll update.
.