AN Hey, this was going to be up a day early, because I don't really didn't feel like waking up early to update. But, because ff.net is stupid and isn't uploading info, it's late. So, there you go. Also, somebody sent me an e-mail, (which I accidently deleated) asking me a question and here's the answer. Lucius is having the heart problems, not Harry. Anyway, next chapter is the last chapter and I only have one word for you about that.
Engagement.
*Grins* As if that isn't obvious. Thank you so much to those who have reviewed. Or even read without reviewing. It means a lot. *pouts suddenly* and I was searching online for the longest time for somebody to bounce ideas off of, and nobody was on! What's the deal? I did find somebody though. And thanks to that person, I've got a great start to a semi-sequal to Changing Of A Slut. You can read this one now.
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Chapter 7
The tournament was over, basketball season had ended. Dean and the rest of the Lions had left for Surry. The town was quiet and the gang was restless. A few things did happen, however. Harry was approached one day by a smiling Mr. Black who handed him an envelope addressed to the school, though his name was printed on it as well.
"It's from the London Art Show, a few weeks ago." He explained, as Harry slowly opened it. "The show I told you about at the Written Art fair. It should show the results."
Harry looked up, surprised. "The results?" He questioned.
"Of the contest." Black explained.
"Oh." Harry continued opening the envelope and pulled out the personalized letter inside.
/Dear Mr. Harry Potter,
I, the head representative of London Art, am extremely pleased with your entry to our contest. I admit, it was originally planed to go into the Junior competition, but when I actually saw your work, along with the poem that accompanied it, it was decided to put it in the main exhibit. After much debate, we, myself and the Board of Directors, have decided to see if we might purchase this piece from you, and put it on display. You would of course, be paid.
I hope that ten thousand pounds will suffice. We are also willing to give you a full scholarship to London Art Academy, if you should accept. Please send your reply to the address below. We will be waiting for it.
London Art Representative,
Arabella Figg./
Harry was shocked. "I-" he said, staring at the letter. "It's-" He shook his head. "I thought it was just going to be part of a contest!"
Mr. Black gave him a strange look. "What do you mean? It was."
"No," Harry said softly, "they want to buy it and put it on display in the gallery."
Black stared. And Harry slowly walked down the hall, the letter still clutched in his hand. Eventually, he ended up selling the piece to London Art, but only after he received a perfect copy. And he turned down the scholarship.
Another thing happened as well. Draco had begun spending even more time at the Potter house. His parents had begun fighting.
"My Mother is angry at Father for not excepting me." Draco explained softly to Harry. "And Father is angry at Mother for going against his wishes to send me to Durmstang. They fight all the time, not even about me sometimes. They fight at meals, when I'm around, when I'm *not* around! Last night, they fought because Father wouldn't pass me the salt shaker at dinner!"
"Dobby has told me, that when I'm not home, its even worse. Mother is angry at Father, she even once threw a vase at him in her anger. The whole staff is terrified, and - and so am I."
Harry's eyes widened at that, and he leaned back into the booth they were sharing at The Leaky Cauldron. It seemed like Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy were heading in the direction to get a divorce. And Draco was none too happy about it.
===
One Saturday afternoon, towards the end of February, Ron invited Harry and Draco over to his house, just to hang out and maybe find a way to relieve their boredom. But, besides avoiding the Weasley twins, Fred and George, who wanted to know if they would act as guinea pigs for "experiments" there was really, nothing to do.
"Hey, Draco." Ron asked after nearly an hour of staring at the ceiling. "Have you ever thought about singing professionally?"
Draco blinked lazily, stretching out on Ron's orange floor. "No, not really."
Harry yawned from his spot on Ron's orange bed. "Like, in a band?" He asked.
Ron nodded, though they didn't see him. "Yeah. It might be interesting." He sat up and reached for his drumsticks. "And it would help with the boredom at any rate."
Harry rolled over and promptly fell off the bed and onto Draco's arm. "My dad used to try and teach me how to play the guitar when I was smaller. We have one stashed somewhere."
Now Draco sat up, pulling his arm away from Harry, looking excited. "I took piano lessons for six years." He said, "and I still have my old electronic keyboard stashed in my closet."
"And Sprout makes you write songs!" Harry crowed, "This is great!"
"Let's get together tomorrow after school." Ron decided, "and see what we can do."
===
The three boys had talent, that much was obvious. Draco had brought a few of his songs along, which were easy enough to learn, even if their timing was a bit off. Ron's tempo was perfect seeing as he was the lead drummer in the school band. It was Harry and Draco, who hadn't played their instruments in years, who were having the most trouble.
"We need something else," Ron said, twirling his drumstick expertly through his fingers.
"More practice?" Harry chirped, strumming his guitar.
"An audience and proper equipment?" Draco deadpanned. Harry pinched him and the blond fell silent.
"No," Ron said, ignoring them. "Something like - another voice. Let's face it, Draco's a great singer, but me and Harry couldn't carry a tune in a bucket."
Harry pouted but agreed.
"I'll sing louder then. And try and teach you two how to "carry tunes in buckets". It should prove to be somewhat interesting." Draco offered, "if not entertaining."
Harry whimpered. "But, I-" He cut off, wincing when two glares fixed themselves on him. "Fine..."
===
A few days later, once again in Ron's orange bedroom, Draco was laughing his head off. "Come on, Harry, it's not *that* bad! At least you can sing now!"
"Like a girl!" Harry shouted, "or as high pitched as one, anyway!"
"So it's a bit high pitched," Draco giggled, "you sound great! Honestly!"
Harry looked up, his green eyes desperately sad. "Really?"
Draco sobered and nodded. "Yes, really! And our voices match perfectly too! With Ron's so low, and yours so, um, *not* low, they cancel out. Don't you think so?"
Harry shrugged. "I guess..." He looked around, wondering why it was taking Ron so long to use the bathroom. Maybe he got abducted by Fred and George.
Draco plopped down in Harry's lap, cutting off his train of thought. "Love you." The blond whispered, cuddling close.
Harry smiled. "I'm glad, because I had to give Dean to Seamus for you. I hope you know how good that boy was in bed..."
Draco pouted, leaning back. "So, I'm not good enough for you?"
"No," Harry disagreed, "you're better."
They moved closer for a kiss, and then a few more. Then, Draco pushed Harry down onto the floor and pressed into him. Harry grinned into their kisses, nipping at Draco's skin.
Just then, Harry's cell phone started ringing shrilly.
Harry stood up and dove for it. "It's dad!" He said in explanation to Draco. "Hello?" His face paled, "what? When?! Is that bad?" He gulped, "alright, we'll be right there." He hung up his phone and sat back on his heels.
"Mum's water broke." He whispered, "she's gone into labor!"
"I thought she wasn't due till the end of March."
"She's not!" Harry panicked, "it's a premature baby! I had to write a report on premature babies once, Draco. My baby brother might not live!"
Draco gulped, "come on, we'll take my car."
===
Explaining to Ron why they had to leave wasn't easy. He couldn't get it through his head that Lily having a premature baby was bad. Mrs. Weasley, however, shooed them out of her house, a worried expression on her kind face.
When Harry and Draco reached the hospital, James was pacing back and forth in the lobby, waiting for them.
"Dad!" Harry called, running through the electronic doors, pulling Draco along behind him. "Dad, over here!"
James looked up, his features relaxing slightly. "Harry," he sighed in relief, "and Draco. Come along boys, she's in a lot of pain."
Harry bit his lip and gripped Draco's hand a little tighter. They followed James towards the maternity ward, and down to Lily's room. High pitched screaming echoed in the empty hallway.
James winced and opened a door - the screaming intensified in volume.
The three boys looked at each other before stepping into the room. The screams quieted.
"Harry!" Lily smiled, no longer in pain. "Hi baby. How was band practice?"
"It was okay," Harry said, smiling a little. "I can sing now." He paused, "how about you? Feeling okay?"
Lily scowled and turned to Draco. "Hello Draco, how's your father doing?"
"Hi mum." Draco smiled. "He's alright. The doctors think his heart is getting more regular now."
Lily nodded. "That's good - ow. Ow. OW!!!" She howled in pain as a contraction shook through her body. Her hands clenched on her blanket, eyes screwed shut. After a moment, she relaxed.
James cleared his throat. "Why don't you two boys go get something to eat in the cafeteria?" He moved to grip Lily's hand. "I don't know how long this will take, and I-"
He paused when the door suddenly opened and a stern looking doctor walked into the room.
"What are you two boys doing here?" She demanded, "nobody is allowed here except for family!"
"Doctor Pomphrey, this is my son Harry, and his boyfriend Draco, let me assure you, they *are* family." James said, smiling at the two boys.
"Even so," Pomphrey snapped, "They'll have to wait until the baby is born. I'm sorry, Mr. Potter, that's just the policy of the hospital."
Harry sighed. "Alright." He moved to kiss Lily's cheek. "Love you, mum."
Then, he and Draco left the maternity ward for the silence of the cafeteria. They got something to eat out of an over priced vending machine and sat down at a small table in a corner.
Harry's shoulders were shaking. "What if the baby doesn't survive?" Harry said suddenly. "What if - what if it dies?"
Draco was silent. He wanted to reassure his boyfriend, make him feel better about the whole situation, but he didn't know how. Finally, he settled for locking his arm around the boy and allowing him to cling to him tightly. Every once in a while, Draco would press a kiss to the crown of his head, or they would go on long silent walks through the hospital.
About three hours later, a blurry looking man stomped over to the boys who were once again, sitting in the corner of the cafeteria.
"Do you two mind?" He roared, causing the two boys to jump in surprise.
Harry looked up. "What are you talking about?" He demanded angrily. "Mind *what*?"
The fat mans face turned red in his own anger. Little white splotches stood out on his skin, making his whole face and nonexistent neck look like badly mixed black currant ice-cream. "While you may enjoy your public displays of disgusting affection - there are other's who would rather you cease."
Harry stood up, trembling in anger. "Do you have a problem with us?" He growled, his hands clenched into fists.
"Yes." The man snarled right back. "I thought it would have been obvious by now."
"Harry," Draco said calmly, standing up as well. "Don't bother. He's not worth it - especially not now. Your mum needs us now."
"That's right, freak, listen to your *boyfriend*. Your mother probably needs all the help she can get... in therapy!"
"That's it!" Harry shouted, ripping himself from Draco's restraining hand and throwing himself at the man. He was shouting other obscenities at him, most of them crude. Currently, the man was pinned under Harry's weight, also shouting, and sporting a blood nose and black eye.
After a bit more of shouted and flailing of limps, James walked into the room. He slowly, calmly, examined the room and just as calmly walked over and stood next to Draco. The blond boy stood smirking.
"Homophobe?" James asked simply.
"Yep."
"Insult you?"
"And your wife."
James clicked his tongue sympathetically. "Brainless bugger."
There was another shout from the man, and a bellow of fury from Harry. Suddenly, James's eyes widened. "Well," he said, starting to laugh. "Imagine that."
Draco's facial expression didn't change.
"His own uncle too..."
At that, Draco snickered. "Alright Harry," he said, causing the dark haired teen to still. "Get up, dad is here with some news."
Harry stood up and calmly moved to talk to his father.
"We just got the test results back from when we first checked in. The baby is expected to live, but it's going to take a lot of work to stabilize the baby's system. The lungs might not work properly, and it will need to stay in the hospital for a while. There is a ten percent chance that it won't survive."
Harry's posture relaxed. "So, my little brother's going to live." He looked extremely happy, and relieved.
James smiled. "Yes, *he* will live." He paused, looking at the semiconscious man on the floor. "There is, however, this new situation with your uncle..."
"Uncle?" Harry blinked.
"Well, former uncle I guess. He married Petunia, Lily's sister, but she died in a car accident when you were one year old. I think they had a son, but I never met him. Boy's name might have been Davey, or Donald, or something. Anyway, that family never liked me and Lily for some reason, I never knew why."
"Gee, I wonder," Draco muttered sarcastically. "Maybe it's your temper?"
===
Lily was in labor for close to ten hours. Harry and Draco had fallen asleep in the lobby, only woken when James rushed in. "It's a boy!" He shouted, scaring the living daylights out of everybody in the room.
Including the receptionist, who passed out in fright.
James grinned as though it happened all the time before turning back to Harry and Draco. "He's not yet stable, but the doctors think he'll be fine. We had to put him in a special room to help him breathe. Would you like to see your brother, Harry?"
Harry nodded eagerly and stood up. Draco was quick to follow. They hurried towards the doors to the Maternity ward, but were stopped by a nurse.
"I'm sorry sir," he said, "only family past this point." He nodded at Draco. "He's not to be allowed."
"Draco's family." James stated firmly.
The nurse frowned but let him past.
"Have you named him yet?" Harry asked, hurrying behind James.
The dark haired man shook his head, taking a quick right turn. "We were hoping that you two would think of something suitable."
The two boys grinned. "Sure!"
===
"That's him." Harry whispered, staring inside a little glass box at his baby brother. "That's my little brother..." He turned to his father. "Orlando Alexander Potter."
James blinked. "You already picked out a name?"
"Yep, a while ago."
Draco chuckled lowly. "A few months ago." He corrected, "before school had even started."
Harry grinned sheepishly and went back to staring at the newest Potter. A mop of dark hair, Lily's nose, ten tiny fingers, and ten perfect toes. Eyelids covered cobalt blue eyes and small soft cotton clothes covered the pale skin.
"Why is he in a glass box?" Draco asked, his gloved hands resting lightly on the box that encased Orlando.
"It's an incubator," James explained, "it keeps him warm and helps him breathe. His lungs haven't fully developed yet, so he needs to learn."
Draco nodded, looking concerned. "Learn to breathe, little one," he whispered, "fight to stay alive." He then looked up into Harry's smiling eyes. "He'll be strong, like his brother."
Harry's smile was blinding.
===
A bit later, once again sitting in the waiting room - an ambulance roared up to the door and a group of paramedics began unloading a flat medical work bed. A man with blond hair was unconscious on top of it. Snatches of conversations reached the two half asleep boys.
"...Shallow and quick breathing..."
"... Low blood pressure..."
"...Might not make it..."
Draco jumped up, suddenly recognizing the figure. "FATHER!" He gasped, trying to run to the paramedics.
A medic turned to look at him, shaking his head quickly and rushing along with the others towards the Intensive Care unit.
Draco moved to follow them, but at that moment his cell phone rang shrilly.
"Hello?" Draco asked impatiently. "Mother? Yes, I'm here at the hospital... father was just brought in, what happened?" He paused. "What do you mean, 'why am I here' Mu- Mrs. Potter just had her baby, that's why! Now tell me what-" Draco paled. "What?"
He turned towards Harry, ending the call. "He had a heart attack."
===
Both Harry and Draco spent the next week in and around the hospital. Neither went to school, and both were completely exhausted.
"Father's still the same." Draco reported, sitting down in his favorite seat in the lobby.
"Orly has gotten a little stronger." Harry told him. "They think he might be able to breathe on his own soon."
"Orly?" Draco asked, yawning widely and pulling Harry down next to him.
"I decided Alex was too popular of a name to call him," Harry shrugged. "And besides, I like the name Orlando, 'Orly' for short." He yawned as well. "I'm beat, let's grab a nap."
Draco agreed and they collapsed in their usual chairs. A few minutes later, a nurse draped a warm blanked over them, and another placed small packets of chocolate into their pockets. The nurses had grown quite fond of the two boys, slipping them blankets, pillows, food and other such things. At one point, they had pooled their money and ordered out for pizza.
A bit later, James woke them long enough to tell them to go home and get some proper sleep.
"Can't," Draco muttered, "Father needs me - Harry's needs me." And he fell back asleep.
"Must be here," Harry yawned. "For Orly."
James rolled his eyes and left the lobby for his wifes side. She was standing next to Orlando, a small smile etched into her face. "I told you that they wouldn't leave." She said lightly, not looking at her husband.
"It was worth a shot," James muttered. "They need to get some sleep, and they're missing too much school."
"And you need to go back to work, and I need to take care of my family."
James nodded, but otherwise didn't answer.
Out in the waiting room, some hours later, a nurse slowly approached the slumbering boys, poking the blond lightly on his shoulder.
Draco grunted and pushed tighter to his boyfriend.
The nurse poked him harder, successfully waking the slumbering boy. "Mr. Malfoy," she said, "your father has been requesting that you visit him." She paused. "He would like you to bring Mr. Potter."
Draco nodded and proceeded to shake his love awake. They then began the familiar trek towards Lucius' room.
The silence on the way there, and while they stood outside his door was smothering. The door to room I-35 looked more forboding then the other, and they stood outside it for nearly five minutes, neither willing to reach out and open it. Finally, a trembling hand pushed the door open and together they walked into the room.
Lucius was sitting up on his bed, a thick looking book resting on his lap. He was hooked up to a number of machines, and his breathing was somewhat shallow and labored. "Took you long enough." He growled, snapping the book closed.
The boys shrugged in apology.
Lucius sighed, "Listen Draco," he said, taking slightly deeper breaths. "I admit that I don't approve of your - relationship with Potter." He paused, catching his breath. "I don't like it, or the fact that you're gay. And I know I haven't been the best of Father's to you..."
Draco snorted.
"You mother and I disagree on you. I won't hide it." He paused again, trying to breathe correctly. "We're going to get a divorce at the end of the month, and you'll most likely stay with her."
Draco didn't look surprised or dismayed at the news. However, Harry's heart was breaking for his boyfriend. He clenched Draco's hand tight enough to make the blond flinch.
Lucius frowned at them. "The law forces me to support you through your schooling. I really hope that you don't intent to be a doctor or something useless like that."
Draco rolled his eyes. "Thank you so much for your concern." He sneered. He turned on his heal to stalk out of the room.
"Potter," Lucius said, after Draco left, leaving Harry feeling uncomfortable, but before he could leave. "I don't like you, but if you dare to hurt my boy and I will hunt you down till you beg for mercy."
Harry blinked and nodded, before leaving the room to find Draco. Later, in the warm arms of Lily Potter, Draco allowed himself to break down.
===
Orlando Alexander Potter, born February twenty-ninth, at two-oh-two in the morning, was brought home from the hospital three weeks later. He was perfectly healthy. His room, previously pink, had been painted a pale blue and transformed to a nursery. It was equipped with a crib, changing station, toys, soft arm chair and other baby necessities. Including a mini-fridge, which Harry was extremely unhappy about.
Lily spent a lot of time with her new son, though every once in a while, Harry or James would remove him from her sleepy grasp.
Harry especially, spent as much of his free time, when he wasn't doing homework or practicing with the band, as he could with his brother. Draco spent a lot of time with them as well, happier than listening to his parents fighting.
One day, however, he came over, his face pale and his eyes red rimmed and puffy.
"The divorce went through," he whispered, collapsing onto Harry's couch. "Father is selling the manor and moving out of the country. Mother and I are getting a new home as soon as we can. I- I'm scared Harry, nothing like this has ever happened to me before."
Harry soothed Draco as much as he could. "Do you remember that day in the hospital?" He asked, "when we went to talk to your father? Well, he said something to me right after you left, want to know what he said?"
Draco shrugged.
"He stated rather clearly that if I ever hurt you, he'd hunt me down and make me regret it. Your father might be a homophobe, Draco, but his heart is in the right spot."
Draco looked up. "He really said that?"
Harry nodded. "Maybe this way you two will actually grow to be closer," he suggested. "Maybe you'll actually talk a little more."
"But if he's-"
"Ever heard of e-mail?" Harry asked dryly. "Or regular mail? Or a handy little device called the telephone? They're all great ways of communication."
Draco rolled his eyes. "Alright, you've made your point."
"Good." Harry grinned. "Now, come on or we'll be late for band practice. I think Ron actually came up with a good name for us this time."
"Anything is better then, The Goblet of Fire, Order of Phoenix's, or Prisoners of Azkaban." Draco muttered. "Where did he come up with that stuff?"
Harry shrugged.
A few minutes later they were sitting in Ron's bedroom, staring open mouthed. Ron had actually come up with a good name for them. A REALLY good name.
"The Marauders," the red-head repeated. "by dictionary definition "one who raids and plunders." I think it would be cool!"
Harry and Draco looked at each other, mentally weighting the name. They nodded at each other. "Sounds great." The two boys said at exactly the same time.
Ron flinched. "You know how creepy it is when you do that, right?"
Draco rolled his eyes. "Can we go practice now?"
The other two nodded and within moments they were rocking away in Ron's cleaned out garage. Fred and George came to listen to them after a while, and another of Ron's other brothers also came down.
"Can you keep it down?!" Percy Weasley shouted, storming into the garage and cutting into their most recent song, 'First Sight.' "I'm trying to finish a report upstairs, but I can hardly write because my desk is vibrating so much!"
Ron rolled his eyes. "What's the report on this time?" He asked, "Regulating beaker thickness in chemistry classes around the world?"
Percy puffed up in barely suppressed anger. "I think you'll find, Ron, that some of those beakers in the market are just a shade too thin. If we're not careful, the classrooms will be filled with flimsy beakers that are unable to-"
"Yeah, yeah." Ron muttered, "I didn't actually think you were writing that."
Percy turned red, huffed, was unable to retort, and quickly left for his report on beakers. Fred and George stood there in shock.
"You're still *alive*!" George cried, amazed. "You taunted him and he didn't even lay a *finger* on you!"
Ron grinned. "Yep."
"Tell us your secret!" Fred begged, "please! We must know!"
Harry and Draco sniggered. They knew Ron's secret, it was actually fairly simple. Act uninterested. Fred and George, while perfect pranksters, were much too proud of their achievements in irritating their brothers and sister. That always gave them away, and aggravated their subject enough to cause blood-loss, or some sort of pain. When acting as though one didn't care, it left the recipient of the trick/joke/torture victim feeling rather stupid.
Ron shook his head. "I'll never tell you two my secrets." He stated firmly. He tapped out a rhythm on his drums, Harry taking up the beat by strumming his guitar. Draco joined in with the keyboard and pretty soon they blocked out the twins whining.
===
They had a gig - sort of. They actually had the chance to play in front of a fairly large, willing, audience and even earn a bit of money. They boys were ecstatic.
True, it was only a contest at The Hog's Head, a popular teen hang out on weekends, but still, it was better then nothing. They were going to be allowed half an hour, or five songs. If they were good enough, they could play again the next weekend.
If they won the contest, which, they all agreed, was unlikely, they would even receive a bit of money, fifty pounds each. With that in mind, the three practiced even more then usual, getting ready.
===
Harry, Ron and Draco spend nearly the whole week preparing for the contest, much to Hermione's displeasure. The head cheerleader would often drag them away from their instruments into the quiet world of the library to study for what seemed to be hours on end.
"You need to study!" She hissed at them, Ron in particular. "Look at you, playing with your drums, final exams are coming up soon."
"I'm ready," Ron countered her, flipping through his music. "Ask me any question."
"Alright," Hermione smirked, "what are the three most crucial components in a high reaction solution?"
Ron slumped down in his chair, hiding behind his music. "I forgot."
"And what, may I ask, are you going to do if this comes up in a final exam?"
"Copy off you?" Ron grinned.
"No you won't!" Hermione snapped. "Besides, according to-"
"Yeah, yeah," Draco sighed, shutting his Latin book. "You won't copy Ron, you won't need to. If I know Mione, and let's face it, we all do, she'll do anything in her power to keep us from failing. Even beating us upside the head with a book to get us to study."
Hermione flushed, bending over her French three book.
"I reckon she's cracking." Harry whispered into Draco's ear.
Draco nodded silently. "Well, I'm hungry." He declared, earning a disapproving glare from a nearby librarian. He stood up, gathering his books and dragging Harry along with him. "Come on, Harry, let's get some dinner."
Harry gratefully followed the blond out of the public library. They stopped at a small restaurant for a quick meal, before leaving for Harry's home.
The next day, Friday, after school, the three boys arrived it the backstage hallway of the club with their equipment at precisely eight thirty, a few groups talking quietly, waiting in a line ahead of them. They were met by the manager, who was holding an extremely marked up clipboard.
"You'll play your songs, and if you win, you can came back next week." He said, glancing at them and then at his watch. "You're the last group to preform, that gives you half and hour to get ready before you're up. We'll have your stuff on stage by then for you."
The boys nodded and watched as the man walked away. Nearly twenty minutes passed in perfect silence. Every once in a while, the manager would approach a group and lead them towards the stage. Eventually, after the group just ahead of them were led off, Ron started bouncing on the balls of his feet, nervous. He gulped, "oh man..."
Draco rolled his eyes and looked over at Harry, who was leaning against the hallway wall. "Nervous?" The blond asked a few minutes later, breaking the eerie silence of the hallway.
"Just a bit." Harry said, not really paying attention.
Draco moved to pin him against the wall. "Only a bit?" He asked.
Harry nodded, his eyes cloudy with thoughtfulness. "I'm thinking about Orly, he was upset before we left."
Draco winced, thinking about the screaming baby, before smiling. "Of course," and he moved to touch the other boy's lips with his own. But at that moment, the manager made his appearance and they quickly parted.
"You're up boys," he said simply. "Follow me to the stage."
They did, following him through the near silence of behind the club, to the screaming of the stage door. They quickly moved onto the stage, blinking to adjust to the sudden bright lights. Going to their instruments and avoiding eye contact with people by the stage. Finally, (maybe five seconds later) with taps from Ron's dumbs, they burst into song, Draco taking his place at the microphone.
The song, "Unneeded" was the first song they had mastered. A quick, upbeat song that was perfect for dancing to. Next, a slower song, "It's A Lie," where their voices harmonized so perfectly, sniffles could be heard among the crowd. On and on they played, ending with Draco's first written song ever, "The Boy Who Lived," another sad song.
Cheers followed them off of the stage, and they were met by the manager. "You boys are rather good," he admitted, looking at them. "Not the best, I'll admit, but good all the same. I'll give you a hundred and fifty pounds if you'll preform here again next week. Be here at eight."
Jaws dropped. That was fifty pounds each! Brown eyes, green eyes and gray eyes stared at each other before three mouths burst into huge smiles. Heads nodded and the manager smiled, pleased.
"Great. The judging is in a few minutes," he told them. "Just go down the hallway, first room on the left. That's where the other bands are."
Nodding and shuffling of feet.
===
They ended up getting second place. Another band, consisting of girls who called themselves the Willow Whompers...
("That's a stupid name."
"Shut UP Ron!")
...Who even the boys admitted were better. Hence, the three boys parted for their own homes, grinning and each holding twenty pounds more then when they had left. Harry arrived home to the screaming of his little brother, echoing around the kitchen.
He sighed, knowing it was pointless to try and avoid helping his mother, and walked towards the high pitched crying.
"Orly, what are you crying for?" He asked, stopping in the door frame and crossing his arms over his chest. "I'm sure mum hasn't done anything to upset you."
Lily rolled her eyes at him, but didn't turn away from her pan at the stove where she was waiting for water to boil. "He's been crying on and off since you left." She said dryly.
The little boy who had stopped crying the instant he heard Harry's voice broke into a toothless grin. Watery blue eyes looked up at the messy haired teen and two slightly chubby arms reached towards him.
Harry smiled and moved to lift the rapidly growing baby into his arms. "Miss me that much?" He grinned.
Orlando cooed, playing with Harry's fingers.
"I'll be in my room," Harry told his mother, shifting the baby into one arm while the other reached for his guitar case. Then, balancing his load carefully, he began the trek down the circular staircase towards the basement.
"Some day, Orly," he said to the baby in his arms. "You'll know what it's like to be in love." He put his guitar down next to his desk and looked at his picture of Draco, smiling.
He moved to sit them on his couch, turning on his TV and hitting the play button of a movie he had been watching the day before.
"You'll be head over heals, and you'll be willing to do anything for her. I know you're going to be straight, I can just tell. And I can already tell, you're going to have so many friends when you start school. That way, when people ask I can brag to them that you're *my* little brother. I've never been able to say that before." He trailed off, thinking about all his friends, old and new, who had been blessed with siblings. Now, he was blessed too.
"And I promise, that I'll be the perfect brother," he whispered, smiling into Orlando's blue eyes. "You can always come to me if you're in trouble, I'll always be there for you." He grinned. "Unless you do something criminally stupid, then you're on your own."
He chuckled a bit before he realized that Orlando had already fallen asleep and was currently drooling on his tee shirt. Harry grimaced.
"Note to self: Always carry drool shield."
===
"Do you think we should wake them?" Lily asked quietly, peering in on her two slumbering sons. Harry was holding Orlando tightly, but gently in his arms, and both were deep asleep.
"No," James whispered back. "Let's just bring Orlando to bed and do the same with Harry."
"James, you shouldn't be carrying Harry around..."
James pouted. "If a seventeen year old boy can carry my son around, then I most certainly can!" He protested.
"Draco is different," Lily sighed, carefully lifting her baby boy into her arms. "He works out, something that you, most obviously, don't do."
James scowled and struggled to lift Harry. He finally succeed and, avoiding Lily's pointed "I told you so" look, carried his son to bed.
Later, while massaging his weary arms and trying to hide his grimaces of pain, he slipped into bed beside his wife.
"Not a word." He muttered, seeing her roll over and open her mouth. "Not one single word."
Lily shrugged and closed her eyes, letting sleep claim her.
===
"I can't believe you!" Draco raged later the next month. "My own boyfriend didn't remember! Nobody remembered!"
"Draco," Harry said softly, his green eyes sincere, "I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to forget your birthday... but with Orly and the band and- you've only told me what your birthday was *once* you know!"
Draco frowned at the dark haired teen and slammed their locker door shut. "Leave me alone right now." He muttered, stalking down the hallway.
"Is he falling for it?" Ron asked, having seen the whole thing from his own locker across the hallway.
"Yeah," Harry smirked. "Big time."
"Good," Ron nodded. "We decided that not all of us should 'forget' that would be too obvious. We'll all be around your house at four to help set up, alright?"
Harry nodded. "I'll bring Draco by around seven, that should give you plenty of time to get set up. I'll call when we start for my house."
Ron grinned. "Sounds good. Good luck taming the angry dragon."
Harry sighed. "I'll need it."
===
Harry, to make up for 'forgetting' about Draco's birthday, took the blond out to an expensive dinner downtown. They then walked around the crowded streets, Draco still hurt, and Harry impatiently checking his watch. At twenty minutes to seven his phone rang shrilly. He answered it and answered the questions as simply as he could.
"At the corner of Main and Privet ... yeah, just about to ... he WHAT! ... alright, we'll be right there."
He adopted a panicked expressions and took Draco's hand, dragging him back the way they had come. "Orly swallowed something bad," he lied. "You don't mind, do you love?"
Draco's face turned white and he began sprinting back towards Harry's car. "Come on Potter," he shouted, "move it!"
Harry ran along behind his boyfriend, taking a moment to check out his perfectly sculpted rear. Then, they climbed into the car and Harry drove towards the freeway, trying to hit as many red lights as possible. One street away from his house, he called, telling his mother that they were almost there.
Draco rushed into the dark house, Harry switching on the lights, just behind him.
"SURPRISE!" About forty people shouted, jumping out from behind random pieces of furniture. "HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DRACO!"
At the look on Draco's face, everybody nearly died of laughter.
"You... you didn't forget?" Draco asked, turning his eyes towards Harry and everyone else.
"Of course not!" Lily exclaimed, walking out of the kitchen, holding Orlando in once arm and a large chocolate cake in the other. "Harry would never let us forget something as important as this."
Draco smiled at his boyfriend. "Have I ever told you how much I love you?" He murmured, drawing him closer and placing a quick kiss on his lips.
Harry smiled and reached under Draco's shirt for the ring he had given him at Christmas. "Wear this on your finger," he whispered, drawing it out and unhooking the clasp of the necklace. "That way people will know you're taken."
They weren't given much more time to be sappy as Lily shoved the cake at them, demanding that somebody light the candles so that they could get the party underway.
The party lasted well into the night.
=================================
AN Review and I'll update. Only one chapter to go.
.
Engagement.
*Grins* As if that isn't obvious. Thank you so much to those who have reviewed. Or even read without reviewing. It means a lot. *pouts suddenly* and I was searching online for the longest time for somebody to bounce ideas off of, and nobody was on! What's the deal? I did find somebody though. And thanks to that person, I've got a great start to a semi-sequal to Changing Of A Slut. You can read this one now.
=================================
Chapter 7
The tournament was over, basketball season had ended. Dean and the rest of the Lions had left for Surry. The town was quiet and the gang was restless. A few things did happen, however. Harry was approached one day by a smiling Mr. Black who handed him an envelope addressed to the school, though his name was printed on it as well.
"It's from the London Art Show, a few weeks ago." He explained, as Harry slowly opened it. "The show I told you about at the Written Art fair. It should show the results."
Harry looked up, surprised. "The results?" He questioned.
"Of the contest." Black explained.
"Oh." Harry continued opening the envelope and pulled out the personalized letter inside.
/Dear Mr. Harry Potter,
I, the head representative of London Art, am extremely pleased with your entry to our contest. I admit, it was originally planed to go into the Junior competition, but when I actually saw your work, along with the poem that accompanied it, it was decided to put it in the main exhibit. After much debate, we, myself and the Board of Directors, have decided to see if we might purchase this piece from you, and put it on display. You would of course, be paid.
I hope that ten thousand pounds will suffice. We are also willing to give you a full scholarship to London Art Academy, if you should accept. Please send your reply to the address below. We will be waiting for it.
London Art Representative,
Arabella Figg./
Harry was shocked. "I-" he said, staring at the letter. "It's-" He shook his head. "I thought it was just going to be part of a contest!"
Mr. Black gave him a strange look. "What do you mean? It was."
"No," Harry said softly, "they want to buy it and put it on display in the gallery."
Black stared. And Harry slowly walked down the hall, the letter still clutched in his hand. Eventually, he ended up selling the piece to London Art, but only after he received a perfect copy. And he turned down the scholarship.
Another thing happened as well. Draco had begun spending even more time at the Potter house. His parents had begun fighting.
"My Mother is angry at Father for not excepting me." Draco explained softly to Harry. "And Father is angry at Mother for going against his wishes to send me to Durmstang. They fight all the time, not even about me sometimes. They fight at meals, when I'm around, when I'm *not* around! Last night, they fought because Father wouldn't pass me the salt shaker at dinner!"
"Dobby has told me, that when I'm not home, its even worse. Mother is angry at Father, she even once threw a vase at him in her anger. The whole staff is terrified, and - and so am I."
Harry's eyes widened at that, and he leaned back into the booth they were sharing at The Leaky Cauldron. It seemed like Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy were heading in the direction to get a divorce. And Draco was none too happy about it.
===
One Saturday afternoon, towards the end of February, Ron invited Harry and Draco over to his house, just to hang out and maybe find a way to relieve their boredom. But, besides avoiding the Weasley twins, Fred and George, who wanted to know if they would act as guinea pigs for "experiments" there was really, nothing to do.
"Hey, Draco." Ron asked after nearly an hour of staring at the ceiling. "Have you ever thought about singing professionally?"
Draco blinked lazily, stretching out on Ron's orange floor. "No, not really."
Harry yawned from his spot on Ron's orange bed. "Like, in a band?" He asked.
Ron nodded, though they didn't see him. "Yeah. It might be interesting." He sat up and reached for his drumsticks. "And it would help with the boredom at any rate."
Harry rolled over and promptly fell off the bed and onto Draco's arm. "My dad used to try and teach me how to play the guitar when I was smaller. We have one stashed somewhere."
Now Draco sat up, pulling his arm away from Harry, looking excited. "I took piano lessons for six years." He said, "and I still have my old electronic keyboard stashed in my closet."
"And Sprout makes you write songs!" Harry crowed, "This is great!"
"Let's get together tomorrow after school." Ron decided, "and see what we can do."
===
The three boys had talent, that much was obvious. Draco had brought a few of his songs along, which were easy enough to learn, even if their timing was a bit off. Ron's tempo was perfect seeing as he was the lead drummer in the school band. It was Harry and Draco, who hadn't played their instruments in years, who were having the most trouble.
"We need something else," Ron said, twirling his drumstick expertly through his fingers.
"More practice?" Harry chirped, strumming his guitar.
"An audience and proper equipment?" Draco deadpanned. Harry pinched him and the blond fell silent.
"No," Ron said, ignoring them. "Something like - another voice. Let's face it, Draco's a great singer, but me and Harry couldn't carry a tune in a bucket."
Harry pouted but agreed.
"I'll sing louder then. And try and teach you two how to "carry tunes in buckets". It should prove to be somewhat interesting." Draco offered, "if not entertaining."
Harry whimpered. "But, I-" He cut off, wincing when two glares fixed themselves on him. "Fine..."
===
A few days later, once again in Ron's orange bedroom, Draco was laughing his head off. "Come on, Harry, it's not *that* bad! At least you can sing now!"
"Like a girl!" Harry shouted, "or as high pitched as one, anyway!"
"So it's a bit high pitched," Draco giggled, "you sound great! Honestly!"
Harry looked up, his green eyes desperately sad. "Really?"
Draco sobered and nodded. "Yes, really! And our voices match perfectly too! With Ron's so low, and yours so, um, *not* low, they cancel out. Don't you think so?"
Harry shrugged. "I guess..." He looked around, wondering why it was taking Ron so long to use the bathroom. Maybe he got abducted by Fred and George.
Draco plopped down in Harry's lap, cutting off his train of thought. "Love you." The blond whispered, cuddling close.
Harry smiled. "I'm glad, because I had to give Dean to Seamus for you. I hope you know how good that boy was in bed..."
Draco pouted, leaning back. "So, I'm not good enough for you?"
"No," Harry disagreed, "you're better."
They moved closer for a kiss, and then a few more. Then, Draco pushed Harry down onto the floor and pressed into him. Harry grinned into their kisses, nipping at Draco's skin.
Just then, Harry's cell phone started ringing shrilly.
Harry stood up and dove for it. "It's dad!" He said in explanation to Draco. "Hello?" His face paled, "what? When?! Is that bad?" He gulped, "alright, we'll be right there." He hung up his phone and sat back on his heels.
"Mum's water broke." He whispered, "she's gone into labor!"
"I thought she wasn't due till the end of March."
"She's not!" Harry panicked, "it's a premature baby! I had to write a report on premature babies once, Draco. My baby brother might not live!"
Draco gulped, "come on, we'll take my car."
===
Explaining to Ron why they had to leave wasn't easy. He couldn't get it through his head that Lily having a premature baby was bad. Mrs. Weasley, however, shooed them out of her house, a worried expression on her kind face.
When Harry and Draco reached the hospital, James was pacing back and forth in the lobby, waiting for them.
"Dad!" Harry called, running through the electronic doors, pulling Draco along behind him. "Dad, over here!"
James looked up, his features relaxing slightly. "Harry," he sighed in relief, "and Draco. Come along boys, she's in a lot of pain."
Harry bit his lip and gripped Draco's hand a little tighter. They followed James towards the maternity ward, and down to Lily's room. High pitched screaming echoed in the empty hallway.
James winced and opened a door - the screaming intensified in volume.
The three boys looked at each other before stepping into the room. The screams quieted.
"Harry!" Lily smiled, no longer in pain. "Hi baby. How was band practice?"
"It was okay," Harry said, smiling a little. "I can sing now." He paused, "how about you? Feeling okay?"
Lily scowled and turned to Draco. "Hello Draco, how's your father doing?"
"Hi mum." Draco smiled. "He's alright. The doctors think his heart is getting more regular now."
Lily nodded. "That's good - ow. Ow. OW!!!" She howled in pain as a contraction shook through her body. Her hands clenched on her blanket, eyes screwed shut. After a moment, she relaxed.
James cleared his throat. "Why don't you two boys go get something to eat in the cafeteria?" He moved to grip Lily's hand. "I don't know how long this will take, and I-"
He paused when the door suddenly opened and a stern looking doctor walked into the room.
"What are you two boys doing here?" She demanded, "nobody is allowed here except for family!"
"Doctor Pomphrey, this is my son Harry, and his boyfriend Draco, let me assure you, they *are* family." James said, smiling at the two boys.
"Even so," Pomphrey snapped, "They'll have to wait until the baby is born. I'm sorry, Mr. Potter, that's just the policy of the hospital."
Harry sighed. "Alright." He moved to kiss Lily's cheek. "Love you, mum."
Then, he and Draco left the maternity ward for the silence of the cafeteria. They got something to eat out of an over priced vending machine and sat down at a small table in a corner.
Harry's shoulders were shaking. "What if the baby doesn't survive?" Harry said suddenly. "What if - what if it dies?"
Draco was silent. He wanted to reassure his boyfriend, make him feel better about the whole situation, but he didn't know how. Finally, he settled for locking his arm around the boy and allowing him to cling to him tightly. Every once in a while, Draco would press a kiss to the crown of his head, or they would go on long silent walks through the hospital.
About three hours later, a blurry looking man stomped over to the boys who were once again, sitting in the corner of the cafeteria.
"Do you two mind?" He roared, causing the two boys to jump in surprise.
Harry looked up. "What are you talking about?" He demanded angrily. "Mind *what*?"
The fat mans face turned red in his own anger. Little white splotches stood out on his skin, making his whole face and nonexistent neck look like badly mixed black currant ice-cream. "While you may enjoy your public displays of disgusting affection - there are other's who would rather you cease."
Harry stood up, trembling in anger. "Do you have a problem with us?" He growled, his hands clenched into fists.
"Yes." The man snarled right back. "I thought it would have been obvious by now."
"Harry," Draco said calmly, standing up as well. "Don't bother. He's not worth it - especially not now. Your mum needs us now."
"That's right, freak, listen to your *boyfriend*. Your mother probably needs all the help she can get... in therapy!"
"That's it!" Harry shouted, ripping himself from Draco's restraining hand and throwing himself at the man. He was shouting other obscenities at him, most of them crude. Currently, the man was pinned under Harry's weight, also shouting, and sporting a blood nose and black eye.
After a bit more of shouted and flailing of limps, James walked into the room. He slowly, calmly, examined the room and just as calmly walked over and stood next to Draco. The blond boy stood smirking.
"Homophobe?" James asked simply.
"Yep."
"Insult you?"
"And your wife."
James clicked his tongue sympathetically. "Brainless bugger."
There was another shout from the man, and a bellow of fury from Harry. Suddenly, James's eyes widened. "Well," he said, starting to laugh. "Imagine that."
Draco's facial expression didn't change.
"His own uncle too..."
At that, Draco snickered. "Alright Harry," he said, causing the dark haired teen to still. "Get up, dad is here with some news."
Harry stood up and calmly moved to talk to his father.
"We just got the test results back from when we first checked in. The baby is expected to live, but it's going to take a lot of work to stabilize the baby's system. The lungs might not work properly, and it will need to stay in the hospital for a while. There is a ten percent chance that it won't survive."
Harry's posture relaxed. "So, my little brother's going to live." He looked extremely happy, and relieved.
James smiled. "Yes, *he* will live." He paused, looking at the semiconscious man on the floor. "There is, however, this new situation with your uncle..."
"Uncle?" Harry blinked.
"Well, former uncle I guess. He married Petunia, Lily's sister, but she died in a car accident when you were one year old. I think they had a son, but I never met him. Boy's name might have been Davey, or Donald, or something. Anyway, that family never liked me and Lily for some reason, I never knew why."
"Gee, I wonder," Draco muttered sarcastically. "Maybe it's your temper?"
===
Lily was in labor for close to ten hours. Harry and Draco had fallen asleep in the lobby, only woken when James rushed in. "It's a boy!" He shouted, scaring the living daylights out of everybody in the room.
Including the receptionist, who passed out in fright.
James grinned as though it happened all the time before turning back to Harry and Draco. "He's not yet stable, but the doctors think he'll be fine. We had to put him in a special room to help him breathe. Would you like to see your brother, Harry?"
Harry nodded eagerly and stood up. Draco was quick to follow. They hurried towards the doors to the Maternity ward, but were stopped by a nurse.
"I'm sorry sir," he said, "only family past this point." He nodded at Draco. "He's not to be allowed."
"Draco's family." James stated firmly.
The nurse frowned but let him past.
"Have you named him yet?" Harry asked, hurrying behind James.
The dark haired man shook his head, taking a quick right turn. "We were hoping that you two would think of something suitable."
The two boys grinned. "Sure!"
===
"That's him." Harry whispered, staring inside a little glass box at his baby brother. "That's my little brother..." He turned to his father. "Orlando Alexander Potter."
James blinked. "You already picked out a name?"
"Yep, a while ago."
Draco chuckled lowly. "A few months ago." He corrected, "before school had even started."
Harry grinned sheepishly and went back to staring at the newest Potter. A mop of dark hair, Lily's nose, ten tiny fingers, and ten perfect toes. Eyelids covered cobalt blue eyes and small soft cotton clothes covered the pale skin.
"Why is he in a glass box?" Draco asked, his gloved hands resting lightly on the box that encased Orlando.
"It's an incubator," James explained, "it keeps him warm and helps him breathe. His lungs haven't fully developed yet, so he needs to learn."
Draco nodded, looking concerned. "Learn to breathe, little one," he whispered, "fight to stay alive." He then looked up into Harry's smiling eyes. "He'll be strong, like his brother."
Harry's smile was blinding.
===
A bit later, once again sitting in the waiting room - an ambulance roared up to the door and a group of paramedics began unloading a flat medical work bed. A man with blond hair was unconscious on top of it. Snatches of conversations reached the two half asleep boys.
"...Shallow and quick breathing..."
"... Low blood pressure..."
"...Might not make it..."
Draco jumped up, suddenly recognizing the figure. "FATHER!" He gasped, trying to run to the paramedics.
A medic turned to look at him, shaking his head quickly and rushing along with the others towards the Intensive Care unit.
Draco moved to follow them, but at that moment his cell phone rang shrilly.
"Hello?" Draco asked impatiently. "Mother? Yes, I'm here at the hospital... father was just brought in, what happened?" He paused. "What do you mean, 'why am I here' Mu- Mrs. Potter just had her baby, that's why! Now tell me what-" Draco paled. "What?"
He turned towards Harry, ending the call. "He had a heart attack."
===
Both Harry and Draco spent the next week in and around the hospital. Neither went to school, and both were completely exhausted.
"Father's still the same." Draco reported, sitting down in his favorite seat in the lobby.
"Orly has gotten a little stronger." Harry told him. "They think he might be able to breathe on his own soon."
"Orly?" Draco asked, yawning widely and pulling Harry down next to him.
"I decided Alex was too popular of a name to call him," Harry shrugged. "And besides, I like the name Orlando, 'Orly' for short." He yawned as well. "I'm beat, let's grab a nap."
Draco agreed and they collapsed in their usual chairs. A few minutes later, a nurse draped a warm blanked over them, and another placed small packets of chocolate into their pockets. The nurses had grown quite fond of the two boys, slipping them blankets, pillows, food and other such things. At one point, they had pooled their money and ordered out for pizza.
A bit later, James woke them long enough to tell them to go home and get some proper sleep.
"Can't," Draco muttered, "Father needs me - Harry's needs me." And he fell back asleep.
"Must be here," Harry yawned. "For Orly."
James rolled his eyes and left the lobby for his wifes side. She was standing next to Orlando, a small smile etched into her face. "I told you that they wouldn't leave." She said lightly, not looking at her husband.
"It was worth a shot," James muttered. "They need to get some sleep, and they're missing too much school."
"And you need to go back to work, and I need to take care of my family."
James nodded, but otherwise didn't answer.
Out in the waiting room, some hours later, a nurse slowly approached the slumbering boys, poking the blond lightly on his shoulder.
Draco grunted and pushed tighter to his boyfriend.
The nurse poked him harder, successfully waking the slumbering boy. "Mr. Malfoy," she said, "your father has been requesting that you visit him." She paused. "He would like you to bring Mr. Potter."
Draco nodded and proceeded to shake his love awake. They then began the familiar trek towards Lucius' room.
The silence on the way there, and while they stood outside his door was smothering. The door to room I-35 looked more forboding then the other, and they stood outside it for nearly five minutes, neither willing to reach out and open it. Finally, a trembling hand pushed the door open and together they walked into the room.
Lucius was sitting up on his bed, a thick looking book resting on his lap. He was hooked up to a number of machines, and his breathing was somewhat shallow and labored. "Took you long enough." He growled, snapping the book closed.
The boys shrugged in apology.
Lucius sighed, "Listen Draco," he said, taking slightly deeper breaths. "I admit that I don't approve of your - relationship with Potter." He paused, catching his breath. "I don't like it, or the fact that you're gay. And I know I haven't been the best of Father's to you..."
Draco snorted.
"You mother and I disagree on you. I won't hide it." He paused again, trying to breathe correctly. "We're going to get a divorce at the end of the month, and you'll most likely stay with her."
Draco didn't look surprised or dismayed at the news. However, Harry's heart was breaking for his boyfriend. He clenched Draco's hand tight enough to make the blond flinch.
Lucius frowned at them. "The law forces me to support you through your schooling. I really hope that you don't intent to be a doctor or something useless like that."
Draco rolled his eyes. "Thank you so much for your concern." He sneered. He turned on his heal to stalk out of the room.
"Potter," Lucius said, after Draco left, leaving Harry feeling uncomfortable, but before he could leave. "I don't like you, but if you dare to hurt my boy and I will hunt you down till you beg for mercy."
Harry blinked and nodded, before leaving the room to find Draco. Later, in the warm arms of Lily Potter, Draco allowed himself to break down.
===
Orlando Alexander Potter, born February twenty-ninth, at two-oh-two in the morning, was brought home from the hospital three weeks later. He was perfectly healthy. His room, previously pink, had been painted a pale blue and transformed to a nursery. It was equipped with a crib, changing station, toys, soft arm chair and other baby necessities. Including a mini-fridge, which Harry was extremely unhappy about.
Lily spent a lot of time with her new son, though every once in a while, Harry or James would remove him from her sleepy grasp.
Harry especially, spent as much of his free time, when he wasn't doing homework or practicing with the band, as he could with his brother. Draco spent a lot of time with them as well, happier than listening to his parents fighting.
One day, however, he came over, his face pale and his eyes red rimmed and puffy.
"The divorce went through," he whispered, collapsing onto Harry's couch. "Father is selling the manor and moving out of the country. Mother and I are getting a new home as soon as we can. I- I'm scared Harry, nothing like this has ever happened to me before."
Harry soothed Draco as much as he could. "Do you remember that day in the hospital?" He asked, "when we went to talk to your father? Well, he said something to me right after you left, want to know what he said?"
Draco shrugged.
"He stated rather clearly that if I ever hurt you, he'd hunt me down and make me regret it. Your father might be a homophobe, Draco, but his heart is in the right spot."
Draco looked up. "He really said that?"
Harry nodded. "Maybe this way you two will actually grow to be closer," he suggested. "Maybe you'll actually talk a little more."
"But if he's-"
"Ever heard of e-mail?" Harry asked dryly. "Or regular mail? Or a handy little device called the telephone? They're all great ways of communication."
Draco rolled his eyes. "Alright, you've made your point."
"Good." Harry grinned. "Now, come on or we'll be late for band practice. I think Ron actually came up with a good name for us this time."
"Anything is better then, The Goblet of Fire, Order of Phoenix's, or Prisoners of Azkaban." Draco muttered. "Where did he come up with that stuff?"
Harry shrugged.
A few minutes later they were sitting in Ron's bedroom, staring open mouthed. Ron had actually come up with a good name for them. A REALLY good name.
"The Marauders," the red-head repeated. "by dictionary definition "one who raids and plunders." I think it would be cool!"
Harry and Draco looked at each other, mentally weighting the name. They nodded at each other. "Sounds great." The two boys said at exactly the same time.
Ron flinched. "You know how creepy it is when you do that, right?"
Draco rolled his eyes. "Can we go practice now?"
The other two nodded and within moments they were rocking away in Ron's cleaned out garage. Fred and George came to listen to them after a while, and another of Ron's other brothers also came down.
"Can you keep it down?!" Percy Weasley shouted, storming into the garage and cutting into their most recent song, 'First Sight.' "I'm trying to finish a report upstairs, but I can hardly write because my desk is vibrating so much!"
Ron rolled his eyes. "What's the report on this time?" He asked, "Regulating beaker thickness in chemistry classes around the world?"
Percy puffed up in barely suppressed anger. "I think you'll find, Ron, that some of those beakers in the market are just a shade too thin. If we're not careful, the classrooms will be filled with flimsy beakers that are unable to-"
"Yeah, yeah." Ron muttered, "I didn't actually think you were writing that."
Percy turned red, huffed, was unable to retort, and quickly left for his report on beakers. Fred and George stood there in shock.
"You're still *alive*!" George cried, amazed. "You taunted him and he didn't even lay a *finger* on you!"
Ron grinned. "Yep."
"Tell us your secret!" Fred begged, "please! We must know!"
Harry and Draco sniggered. They knew Ron's secret, it was actually fairly simple. Act uninterested. Fred and George, while perfect pranksters, were much too proud of their achievements in irritating their brothers and sister. That always gave them away, and aggravated their subject enough to cause blood-loss, or some sort of pain. When acting as though one didn't care, it left the recipient of the trick/joke/torture victim feeling rather stupid.
Ron shook his head. "I'll never tell you two my secrets." He stated firmly. He tapped out a rhythm on his drums, Harry taking up the beat by strumming his guitar. Draco joined in with the keyboard and pretty soon they blocked out the twins whining.
===
They had a gig - sort of. They actually had the chance to play in front of a fairly large, willing, audience and even earn a bit of money. They boys were ecstatic.
True, it was only a contest at The Hog's Head, a popular teen hang out on weekends, but still, it was better then nothing. They were going to be allowed half an hour, or five songs. If they were good enough, they could play again the next weekend.
If they won the contest, which, they all agreed, was unlikely, they would even receive a bit of money, fifty pounds each. With that in mind, the three practiced even more then usual, getting ready.
===
Harry, Ron and Draco spend nearly the whole week preparing for the contest, much to Hermione's displeasure. The head cheerleader would often drag them away from their instruments into the quiet world of the library to study for what seemed to be hours on end.
"You need to study!" She hissed at them, Ron in particular. "Look at you, playing with your drums, final exams are coming up soon."
"I'm ready," Ron countered her, flipping through his music. "Ask me any question."
"Alright," Hermione smirked, "what are the three most crucial components in a high reaction solution?"
Ron slumped down in his chair, hiding behind his music. "I forgot."
"And what, may I ask, are you going to do if this comes up in a final exam?"
"Copy off you?" Ron grinned.
"No you won't!" Hermione snapped. "Besides, according to-"
"Yeah, yeah," Draco sighed, shutting his Latin book. "You won't copy Ron, you won't need to. If I know Mione, and let's face it, we all do, she'll do anything in her power to keep us from failing. Even beating us upside the head with a book to get us to study."
Hermione flushed, bending over her French three book.
"I reckon she's cracking." Harry whispered into Draco's ear.
Draco nodded silently. "Well, I'm hungry." He declared, earning a disapproving glare from a nearby librarian. He stood up, gathering his books and dragging Harry along with him. "Come on, Harry, let's get some dinner."
Harry gratefully followed the blond out of the public library. They stopped at a small restaurant for a quick meal, before leaving for Harry's home.
The next day, Friday, after school, the three boys arrived it the backstage hallway of the club with their equipment at precisely eight thirty, a few groups talking quietly, waiting in a line ahead of them. They were met by the manager, who was holding an extremely marked up clipboard.
"You'll play your songs, and if you win, you can came back next week." He said, glancing at them and then at his watch. "You're the last group to preform, that gives you half and hour to get ready before you're up. We'll have your stuff on stage by then for you."
The boys nodded and watched as the man walked away. Nearly twenty minutes passed in perfect silence. Every once in a while, the manager would approach a group and lead them towards the stage. Eventually, after the group just ahead of them were led off, Ron started bouncing on the balls of his feet, nervous. He gulped, "oh man..."
Draco rolled his eyes and looked over at Harry, who was leaning against the hallway wall. "Nervous?" The blond asked a few minutes later, breaking the eerie silence of the hallway.
"Just a bit." Harry said, not really paying attention.
Draco moved to pin him against the wall. "Only a bit?" He asked.
Harry nodded, his eyes cloudy with thoughtfulness. "I'm thinking about Orly, he was upset before we left."
Draco winced, thinking about the screaming baby, before smiling. "Of course," and he moved to touch the other boy's lips with his own. But at that moment, the manager made his appearance and they quickly parted.
"You're up boys," he said simply. "Follow me to the stage."
They did, following him through the near silence of behind the club, to the screaming of the stage door. They quickly moved onto the stage, blinking to adjust to the sudden bright lights. Going to their instruments and avoiding eye contact with people by the stage. Finally, (maybe five seconds later) with taps from Ron's dumbs, they burst into song, Draco taking his place at the microphone.
The song, "Unneeded" was the first song they had mastered. A quick, upbeat song that was perfect for dancing to. Next, a slower song, "It's A Lie," where their voices harmonized so perfectly, sniffles could be heard among the crowd. On and on they played, ending with Draco's first written song ever, "The Boy Who Lived," another sad song.
Cheers followed them off of the stage, and they were met by the manager. "You boys are rather good," he admitted, looking at them. "Not the best, I'll admit, but good all the same. I'll give you a hundred and fifty pounds if you'll preform here again next week. Be here at eight."
Jaws dropped. That was fifty pounds each! Brown eyes, green eyes and gray eyes stared at each other before three mouths burst into huge smiles. Heads nodded and the manager smiled, pleased.
"Great. The judging is in a few minutes," he told them. "Just go down the hallway, first room on the left. That's where the other bands are."
Nodding and shuffling of feet.
===
They ended up getting second place. Another band, consisting of girls who called themselves the Willow Whompers...
("That's a stupid name."
"Shut UP Ron!")
...Who even the boys admitted were better. Hence, the three boys parted for their own homes, grinning and each holding twenty pounds more then when they had left. Harry arrived home to the screaming of his little brother, echoing around the kitchen.
He sighed, knowing it was pointless to try and avoid helping his mother, and walked towards the high pitched crying.
"Orly, what are you crying for?" He asked, stopping in the door frame and crossing his arms over his chest. "I'm sure mum hasn't done anything to upset you."
Lily rolled her eyes at him, but didn't turn away from her pan at the stove where she was waiting for water to boil. "He's been crying on and off since you left." She said dryly.
The little boy who had stopped crying the instant he heard Harry's voice broke into a toothless grin. Watery blue eyes looked up at the messy haired teen and two slightly chubby arms reached towards him.
Harry smiled and moved to lift the rapidly growing baby into his arms. "Miss me that much?" He grinned.
Orlando cooed, playing with Harry's fingers.
"I'll be in my room," Harry told his mother, shifting the baby into one arm while the other reached for his guitar case. Then, balancing his load carefully, he began the trek down the circular staircase towards the basement.
"Some day, Orly," he said to the baby in his arms. "You'll know what it's like to be in love." He put his guitar down next to his desk and looked at his picture of Draco, smiling.
He moved to sit them on his couch, turning on his TV and hitting the play button of a movie he had been watching the day before.
"You'll be head over heals, and you'll be willing to do anything for her. I know you're going to be straight, I can just tell. And I can already tell, you're going to have so many friends when you start school. That way, when people ask I can brag to them that you're *my* little brother. I've never been able to say that before." He trailed off, thinking about all his friends, old and new, who had been blessed with siblings. Now, he was blessed too.
"And I promise, that I'll be the perfect brother," he whispered, smiling into Orlando's blue eyes. "You can always come to me if you're in trouble, I'll always be there for you." He grinned. "Unless you do something criminally stupid, then you're on your own."
He chuckled a bit before he realized that Orlando had already fallen asleep and was currently drooling on his tee shirt. Harry grimaced.
"Note to self: Always carry drool shield."
===
"Do you think we should wake them?" Lily asked quietly, peering in on her two slumbering sons. Harry was holding Orlando tightly, but gently in his arms, and both were deep asleep.
"No," James whispered back. "Let's just bring Orlando to bed and do the same with Harry."
"James, you shouldn't be carrying Harry around..."
James pouted. "If a seventeen year old boy can carry my son around, then I most certainly can!" He protested.
"Draco is different," Lily sighed, carefully lifting her baby boy into her arms. "He works out, something that you, most obviously, don't do."
James scowled and struggled to lift Harry. He finally succeed and, avoiding Lily's pointed "I told you so" look, carried his son to bed.
Later, while massaging his weary arms and trying to hide his grimaces of pain, he slipped into bed beside his wife.
"Not a word." He muttered, seeing her roll over and open her mouth. "Not one single word."
Lily shrugged and closed her eyes, letting sleep claim her.
===
"I can't believe you!" Draco raged later the next month. "My own boyfriend didn't remember! Nobody remembered!"
"Draco," Harry said softly, his green eyes sincere, "I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to forget your birthday... but with Orly and the band and- you've only told me what your birthday was *once* you know!"
Draco frowned at the dark haired teen and slammed their locker door shut. "Leave me alone right now." He muttered, stalking down the hallway.
"Is he falling for it?" Ron asked, having seen the whole thing from his own locker across the hallway.
"Yeah," Harry smirked. "Big time."
"Good," Ron nodded. "We decided that not all of us should 'forget' that would be too obvious. We'll all be around your house at four to help set up, alright?"
Harry nodded. "I'll bring Draco by around seven, that should give you plenty of time to get set up. I'll call when we start for my house."
Ron grinned. "Sounds good. Good luck taming the angry dragon."
Harry sighed. "I'll need it."
===
Harry, to make up for 'forgetting' about Draco's birthday, took the blond out to an expensive dinner downtown. They then walked around the crowded streets, Draco still hurt, and Harry impatiently checking his watch. At twenty minutes to seven his phone rang shrilly. He answered it and answered the questions as simply as he could.
"At the corner of Main and Privet ... yeah, just about to ... he WHAT! ... alright, we'll be right there."
He adopted a panicked expressions and took Draco's hand, dragging him back the way they had come. "Orly swallowed something bad," he lied. "You don't mind, do you love?"
Draco's face turned white and he began sprinting back towards Harry's car. "Come on Potter," he shouted, "move it!"
Harry ran along behind his boyfriend, taking a moment to check out his perfectly sculpted rear. Then, they climbed into the car and Harry drove towards the freeway, trying to hit as many red lights as possible. One street away from his house, he called, telling his mother that they were almost there.
Draco rushed into the dark house, Harry switching on the lights, just behind him.
"SURPRISE!" About forty people shouted, jumping out from behind random pieces of furniture. "HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DRACO!"
At the look on Draco's face, everybody nearly died of laughter.
"You... you didn't forget?" Draco asked, turning his eyes towards Harry and everyone else.
"Of course not!" Lily exclaimed, walking out of the kitchen, holding Orlando in once arm and a large chocolate cake in the other. "Harry would never let us forget something as important as this."
Draco smiled at his boyfriend. "Have I ever told you how much I love you?" He murmured, drawing him closer and placing a quick kiss on his lips.
Harry smiled and reached under Draco's shirt for the ring he had given him at Christmas. "Wear this on your finger," he whispered, drawing it out and unhooking the clasp of the necklace. "That way people will know you're taken."
They weren't given much more time to be sappy as Lily shoved the cake at them, demanding that somebody light the candles so that they could get the party underway.
The party lasted well into the night.
=================================
AN Review and I'll update. Only one chapter to go.
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