Disclaimer 1: I own nothing!
Disclaimer 2: I really was planning to end it! But the muses came to me and refused to let me leave them alone, suggesting all sorts of further adventures and suffering I could drag them through. I'm a fiend, I can't help it.
Chapter 16: Never Say Forever
"You ruined it now, I hope you can't sleep and you dream about it; and when you sleep, I hope you can't sleep and you scream about it; I hope it eats at you and you can't breathe without me!"
- Eminem, Stan
Harry's eyes blinked open. After a moment of nothing, a rush of pleasure and excitement flooded him. He carefully turned to his side to eagerly feast his eyes on his luscious lover. He felt so content and peaceful and happy, and Draco too looked more at ease than Harry had ever seen him, sleeping restfully.
"HEY, DOWN THERE!"
Draco instantly wrenched awake and scrambled to the edge of the trampoline until he was backed up against the wall, a look of fearful anxiety on his face, and rapping his arms protectively around his knees. Harry himself was unpleasantly surprised and his head jerk around towards the staircase where a pair of shoes and shins could be seen.
"YOU TWO BETTER BE DECENT, 'CAUSE WE'RE COMING DOWN, READY OR NOT!," one of the twins bellowed.
Harry clambered in front of Draco, to block him from any unfriendly eyes. "DON'T!"
But it was too late and both George and Fred had clomped down the stairs, only to stop suddenly with gaping eyes. "Merlin, I wasn't serious!," Fred proclaimed, then both twins dissolved into laughter. Then Ron appeared at the bottom of the stairs.
"SHIT! SHIT! I'M BLIND!," Ron screamed, covering his eyes and convinced that he was now scarred for life, as horrible images of what had been happening flashed through his mind.
The twins just laughed harder, but Harry was distinctly displeased, as well as somewhat concerned for the silent, unmoving figure behind him. "Would you get back upstairs! We'll be up in a second!"
But Ron was having none of this, as it was all happening too fast for him to accept: he couldn't help jumping to comforting (comparatively) conclusions. "HARRY! You sold yourself out just to fuck HIM? IT?! Can't you see that he's using you?!"
Harry heard a faint, muffled whimper behind him and he saw red, suddenly as angry as he'd been only a few times in his life. He expected such hurtful comments and behavior from his enemies, but he would not tolerate it from his friends. He reached back for Draco's hand and gripped it tightly. By this time, Hermione was poking her head from the stairway - she hadn't been planning to come down, but the shouting had provoked her curiosity and concern.
"You don't know what you're talking about Ron," Harry gritted. "What part of we're in love don't you understand? If I sold myself out at all, I sold myself out for love, for someone who would die for me, for someone who deserves better than me."
"Better than you?! Harry, this is insane! How to you get any of that from, from . . . from that evil thing? Have you forgotten everything that he's done to us? How much he hates us?" By this point, Ron's face was flushed an unsightly red, and Harry's face was approaching the same color; and the twins were no longer laughing.
"Ron, don't," Hermoine urged.
Harry slowly, tensely, moved from the trampoline, leaving Draco exposed (he dropped his head into his hands) and unconsciously stood. He tried to be sympathetic, though his need to defend Draco and his own decisions were overwhelming.
"Ron. I know this is not easy for you," he forced out. "I don't expect you to instantly accept him, but please, PLEASE, give him another chance. For me. There's a lot more to him than you think."
Ron looked like he was going to explode, but Hermione's hold on his arm, naked Harry's determined glare, his brother's lack of anger, and the subdued pale figure, curled up in the corner of the room, was enough not to burst the bubble of rage. Ron spun on his heal and stomped up the stairs, quickly followed by Fred and George (for once trying to be discrete). Hermoine threw an apologetic look over her shoulder and quickly followed suit.
Pained, Harry turned to Draco, who had begun rubbing his temples. Harry was beginning to think this action was a defensive reaction to stressful situations. "Are you okay?," he asked gently.
Draco raised his head and opened his palms to rub his whole face. "I'm fine," came his muffled, tired voice. Harry jumped on the trampoline, crawled to Draco, and tried to take him in his arms, but Draco jerked away. "I said I'm fine."
He scrambled off the bed and quickly began to pull on his pants. Harry felt a rush of fear - he trusted Draco with his life, but he didn't trust him not to run. He went to stand next to him, but didn't touch him. "Please, Draco, tell me what you're thinking? It terrifies me when you won't talk to me."
Draco sighed and straightened, buttoning up his shirt. "I don't know what I'm thinking. I know I hate being naked in front of people. And I hate being humiliated like that. I don't trust your friends any further than I could throw them. But I know you want me here, and I know you want me to tough it out with your friends. And what's this compared with putting up with Voldemort and Lucius, right? I'll survive this too, for now anyway."
Harry felt a warmth of love, sympathy, relief, and a little guilt. "May I hold you please? Just for a moment?," he said softly, almost begging, filled with the need to be close to his love.
Draco smiled, glad for the reminder of why he was staying. "Okay."
Harry immediately gathered him into his arms and squeezed tightly, clothes rough against his bare skin. Draco squeezed back, though not with as much force, and he nuzzled into the dark, wild hair. Hmmm. . . Harry smell. "Are you sure you only want a moment?"
Harry laughed and drew away. "As irresistible as that sounds, I don't really fancy another nude meeting with my hosts."
Draco smiled affectionately. "Suddenly modest? It didn't seem to bother you before. . . Get dressed then. It's time to face the beasts."
"Try not to insult them too much, please."
Harry quickly dressed, then they went upstairs and into the living room, pretending not to notice the arguing that could be clearly heard. There was an awkward silence as they all stared (glared?) at each other, then Draco broke the stalemate by going to sit in a solitary wooden chair near the door and opposite to Granger and the Weasleys. Then he smirked. "Well? Aren't you going to abuse me some more? Merlin knows I get off on it so."
Harry rolled his eyes (an action mirrored by Hermione), the twins grunted in amusement, Ginny looked horrified, and Ron looked ready to burst again. When a somewhat hostile silence followed his words, Hermione finally broke it. "So, Draco, how did you destroy the Ministry?"
Ron's eyes narrowed in anticipation - Hermione had told the Weasleys a few scant details about the fact that Draco had fought beside Harry against Voldemort and that he was responsible for the destruction of the Ministry (though very much leaving out the whole Giver aspect). Ron had found it rather hard to believe, "Yes, do tell."
Draco quirked an eyebrow, doing his best smooth operator impression. "There's not that much to tell really. Obscure spell involving the death of the castor and his most hated enemy."
"Except you're still alive," Ginny said timidly, pointing out the obvious.
"You think I'd give you the satisfaction of dying? I don't think so. There was a woman there with special healing powers. She saved me," Draco replied coolly.
Ron leaned forward from his seat on the couch. "Why do I get the impression that you're not telling the whole truth?," he growled.
This time Draco's eyes narrowed menacingly. "Because I'm not. But I in no way owe you the whole truth, so you're just going to have to be in the dark. Something I thought you'd be used to by now."
It was too much for Ron, already close to his limit, and he launched himself at Draco with such speed that there was no time for anyone to react. Draco and his chair fell backwards, hitting his head violently against the wall, then against the ground. Then Ron was straddling him, punching the porcelain face furiously as rage and hatred flowed through him. How dare he leech himself to Harry? Harry was HIS friend! NOT this snake's!
"Ron!," Hermione yelled.
Ron was in no way small - he had a couple of inches on Draco (who was already on the tall side), but his build was broad and athletic, like Harry's, and it took Harry and George a moment before they were able to pull him off the thin, bloodied figure, trembling with eyes shut tightly, trying to force down the flashback that was threatening to overwhelm him.
"Ron, you fuck!," Harry hissed, dropping down next to his boyfriend. He tried to dab at the bloodied face with his sleeve, but Draco jerked away at the first contact, then scrambled to his feet, his wand bared and pointed at Ron. For dangerous several seconds, no one moved, or said anything, then Draco began inching towards the doorway, suspiciously eying everyone in the room. He wiped the blood from his lips and eyes with his expensive shirt, then briefly looked at the stain and his wary expression twisted into one of anger and condescension.
"You are such hypocrites! So fucking righteous, but do you realize that you never once failed to throw the first punch? I might be a total bastard, but I was never the one who inevitably resorted to violence! That was you! Aren't you just a little concerned about how easily you are able to justify its use? Are my words really dangerous enough to require violence? If I insult your useless, dead parents, is it enough to justify you killing me?!"
Draco's vicious questions hung in the air for the moment, and the faces of three Weasley brothers and Harry were looking at him guiltily, though Ron was trying to maintain a veneer of indifference. Hermione was actually nodding - she herself had told them as much, though she too was guilty of raising her hand to one who had never raised his hand to her.
Finally, Draco's anger faded somewhat. He lowered his wand and turned to Harry, sounding suddenly exhausted. "I'm sorry, Harry, I know I said I would, but I really can't deal with this right now. Tomorrow is going to be trying enough without this shit tonight. Nor do I fancy being murdered in my sleep." He shot a quick glare at Ron. "I'll see you tomorrow."
Then he warily backed out of the room. Harry turned to Ron, looking as if he was barely restraining his own rage. He had to say something to get through to his friend. "Ron," he began, voice low. "You and Hermione are my best friends, and your family is like family to me too. I love you all, but if you make me choose, I will choose him. Because he loves me enough not to make me choose, and to give my friends a try, though he surely hates you as much as you hate him. . . I'll see you all tomorrow, hopefully still friends."
Harry turned to follow Draco and had made it to the door before Hermione stopped his with a gentle hand on his arm. "Harry. I won't make you choose, and neither will Ron, once he has had time to cool off, though he may never understand. But I do, and I don't think you're at all doing the wrong thing. Draco may be a right prat, but I think you'll be good for him, and to him, and I think he probably deserves it."
Harry smiled gratefully at her, then gave her a quick hug. "He does. He really does."
"Go on then," Hermione fondly instructed.
*
"Draco!," Harry called, running after the retreating figure, distinct for the shock of blond hair and the proud posture. Draco slowed, then turned around (face healed), though he continued to walk - backwards now.
Draco smiled weakly at him. "I hope you haven't come to ask me to return to that lion's den."
Harry grinned, and shook his head, taking Draco's arm in his and pulling him around to face forwards again. "No, I thought I'd follow the dragon back to his layer. Where are you staying?"
"I have a room in that inn there," Draco answered pointing to rather posh looking building further down the narrow street.
"Yikes. Can you still afford to stay in places like that?"
Draco smiled sadly. "The greatest irony of all is that the bastard left no will, probably because he was too arrogant to consider that he could die. And so the law says that my mother and I get the Manor and the Malfoy fortune. Father must be turning in his grave. Or he would be if he hadn't been incinerated into nothing."
"Where's your mother now?," Harry asked carefully.
"Professor Snape's looking after her - no pun intended. It's not like he has anything else to do. Besides, they get along."
Harry frowned. "I don't understand. He's not coming back to Hogwarts?"
"Oh. . . I would've thought you'd been told," Draco said awkwardly. "He was blinded a few days after school was let out. He was suspected of spying, but he had some blackmail evidence against Lucius that somehow kept him alive, if blind."
"Merlin, Hogwarts without Dumbledore and Snape. I can barely imagine it."
*
The hotel room was elegant, with a large plush bed. Their early romp in the Weasleys' workshop had removed the desperate edge of need out of their passion, allowing a slower, gentler, and more thorough exploration of each others' bodies. Tender, loving caresses were combined with long, wet kisses. Finally, twin erections were rubbed erotically along each other, gripped by slick, entwined hands. Draco was tonguing his lover's ear and Harry was holding him close with his free hand, reaching lower to cup a perfect pale globe, then release encompassed them both.
"Harry!"
"Draco!"
"Mmmh. . ."
"Ungh. . ."
*
The next day Draco allowed Harry to lead him to Victoria Station via the tube - something that was possible because both had left their trunks at Hogwarts when dashing off to defeat Voldemort. All they had to haul was Draco's bag (with some stuff from Malfoy Manor), Harry having decided to leave the few belonging he had acquired at the twins' place.
On the platform 8 ¾ Draco took a good look around, though Harry didn't immediately realize what he was noticing. Then he did: there was a conspicuous absence of the elder Slytherins. Indeed, the numbers from every house had been decimated, especially from the sixth and seventh years, but there was not a single Slytherin from the seventh year, and only three from the sixth year. Except, there was one familiar blonde. . .
"Draco! You're alive!," Pansy squealed, running to him and throwing her arms around him.
"Ai! I'm glad you're alive too! Now get off me, your breasts are crushing me," he returned affectionately.
Pansy pulled away, pretending to be outraged. "Hey, they haven't grown that much!"
Draco tilted his head down to inspect her breasts. "Pansy, they're huge! Absolutely stunning, but titanic nonetheless!"
Draco turned his head and grinned at Harry, only to notice his flushed face. Harry couldn't help it, Pansy made him horribly jealous, which in turn made him feel guilty, for he was not someone very prone to jealousy and he knew that Pansy was the only real friend that Draco had (other than himself). But they were so close, and had been so for so long, and she was so amazing. Almost as beautiful as Draco. He couldn't help but fear that she was what he wanted - soft skin to match his, voluptuous breasts and lips. . . a pussy. Surely, after all of the abuse at the hand of men, he would want a woman? And what did it say about Draco's mental health that he didn't?
Draco placed a hand on Harry's shoulder blade, "Hey, are you okay?"
Harry forced himself to smile and nod, then forced himself to smile a Pansy. But Pansy was as perceptive as always and she laughed musically, "Don't worry Harry. Draco has never been interested in my breasts except to tease me about them."
Harry, having almost recovered his normal skin tone, blushed again, and Draco turned to give him a searching look. Harry was jealous of Pansy? HE had made Harry jealous? He almost couldn't believe it. People had been jealous of his looks and of his money before, but he had never made anyone jealous because of the direction of his attentions, and he felt a thrill of pleasure because of it. Harry really cared! He planted a quick kiss on Harry's cheek, only to be sucked into a deep, claiming kiss before he could pull back.
People were definitely staring, and Pansy was smiling at them, but Harry couldn't bring himself to care, and Draco forced himself not to. Then, typically, a familiar voice ran out. "Hey none of that in public! If I'm going to have to deal, then the least I can be spared seeing any of that!"
Harry took his sweet time drawing away from Draco's sweet lips, looking reassuringly in his eyes, then he took Draco's hand and turned towards Ron - flanked by a long suffering Hermione and an apprehensive Ginny. Ron and Harry eyed each other warily, then Ron reluctantly thrust his hand forwards; Harry grinned and eagerly accepted it. "It'll be okay, just you wait and see."
Ron gave a wary glance to Malfoy, then he nodded and, without another word, dragged his trunk to where the Hogwarts Express had just pulled in. Hermione followed him, with a roll of her eyes, then Ginny, looking somewhat embarrassed.
"Well, that could've been worse," Pansy commented.
"It was. Yesterday," Draco said dryly.
Harry sighed. "Let's get on the train."
Draco and Pansy followed Harry to the cabin his friends had claimed, though Pansy had briefly suggested that she and Draco sit elsewhere - but Harry's obvious flare of jealousy dissuaded his boyfriend from this idea. So Pansy took the window seat, opposite Ginny, Draco took the middle seat, opposite Hermione, and Harry took the seat by the door, opposite Ron. A long, uncomfortable silence followed, not even interrupted by the bewildered appearance of Seamus and Dean (Neville, unfortunately, had not returned, though his fate was still unknown). The two had made shocked sounds and complaints, but had quickly left when confronted with six hostile faces, not one of which was willing to say anything that might provoke other members of their cabin.
Shortly after the trip began in earnest, the tension was eased by Draco's decision to promptly fall asleep, though the fact that he fell asleep leaning on Pansy was some source of displeasure for Harry. But he couldn't help but be grateful to her, if only for the fact that she spent the entire time looking out the window. Eventually some "safe" conversation emerged between the Gryffindors.
*
Days passed, then weeks, and the situation gradually eased. Seeing that Pansy and Draco were, in fact, the only seventh year Slytherins left at Hogwarts went a long way to allowing the Gryffindors to accept their presence. It was a slow change, especially given Ron's short temper and Draco's tendency to shoot off at the mouth, but with time, Ron's sensitivity lessened and Draco's insults grew less cutting, until their once legendary fights were little more than heated banter. Little was done to unveil the secrecy behind the origin and development of Harry and Draco's relationship.
Pansy generated less hostility and developed a surprising camaraderie with Ginny. Still, she and Draco spent a lot of time together, and this continued to grate on Harry. Hermione and Draco also began to build a tentative friendship, mostly based on mutual academic and intellectual admiration. Harry felt like a third wheel in their interactions as well.
These developments were accepted more readily than may have been expected, as the decimated student ranks, and the Slytherin ranks in particular, meant that some sort of integration was happening at every grade. Draco and Pansy were both the prefects of their house, and they spent a great deal of time helping and counselling their younger housemates; but if they wanted peers, they had to search elsewhere and the termination of the war had ended much of the inter house hostility. And having his own room certainly gave Draco certain peaks of which he had never before taken advantage - indeed, the fact that Draco spent much of his waking time with Gryffidors was definitely countered by the fact that Harry spent every night in the Slytherin dungeons.
Hogwarts had changed both little and a lot. On one hand, there were new potions and DADA teachers, both more humane and normal than what the students were used to. Still, McGonagall ran the school much like Albus Dumbledore before her, though something missing could be felt in the absence of the old Headmaster. And, of course, both Gryffindor and Slytherin had new house heads - Trewlany for the former (much to their horror) and the new DADA teacher for the latter.
Still, all good things must come to an end, and so too these good days: Merlin forbid the two lovers be allowed to be happy. On the Wednesday of their third week of classes (only a few days before Valentine's Day), change and disruption again came knocking, from not such unexpected sources.
XXXXX
Sorry! The next chapter will have more direction, I just need a bridge. Please, please review! Am I making a mistake by drawing this story out? Maybe it gets less interesting the further the story progresses from Rowling's universe?
Disclaimer 2: I really was planning to end it! But the muses came to me and refused to let me leave them alone, suggesting all sorts of further adventures and suffering I could drag them through. I'm a fiend, I can't help it.
Chapter 16: Never Say Forever
"You ruined it now, I hope you can't sleep and you dream about it; and when you sleep, I hope you can't sleep and you scream about it; I hope it eats at you and you can't breathe without me!"
- Eminem, Stan
Harry's eyes blinked open. After a moment of nothing, a rush of pleasure and excitement flooded him. He carefully turned to his side to eagerly feast his eyes on his luscious lover. He felt so content and peaceful and happy, and Draco too looked more at ease than Harry had ever seen him, sleeping restfully.
"HEY, DOWN THERE!"
Draco instantly wrenched awake and scrambled to the edge of the trampoline until he was backed up against the wall, a look of fearful anxiety on his face, and rapping his arms protectively around his knees. Harry himself was unpleasantly surprised and his head jerk around towards the staircase where a pair of shoes and shins could be seen.
"YOU TWO BETTER BE DECENT, 'CAUSE WE'RE COMING DOWN, READY OR NOT!," one of the twins bellowed.
Harry clambered in front of Draco, to block him from any unfriendly eyes. "DON'T!"
But it was too late and both George and Fred had clomped down the stairs, only to stop suddenly with gaping eyes. "Merlin, I wasn't serious!," Fred proclaimed, then both twins dissolved into laughter. Then Ron appeared at the bottom of the stairs.
"SHIT! SHIT! I'M BLIND!," Ron screamed, covering his eyes and convinced that he was now scarred for life, as horrible images of what had been happening flashed through his mind.
The twins just laughed harder, but Harry was distinctly displeased, as well as somewhat concerned for the silent, unmoving figure behind him. "Would you get back upstairs! We'll be up in a second!"
But Ron was having none of this, as it was all happening too fast for him to accept: he couldn't help jumping to comforting (comparatively) conclusions. "HARRY! You sold yourself out just to fuck HIM? IT?! Can't you see that he's using you?!"
Harry heard a faint, muffled whimper behind him and he saw red, suddenly as angry as he'd been only a few times in his life. He expected such hurtful comments and behavior from his enemies, but he would not tolerate it from his friends. He reached back for Draco's hand and gripped it tightly. By this time, Hermione was poking her head from the stairway - she hadn't been planning to come down, but the shouting had provoked her curiosity and concern.
"You don't know what you're talking about Ron," Harry gritted. "What part of we're in love don't you understand? If I sold myself out at all, I sold myself out for love, for someone who would die for me, for someone who deserves better than me."
"Better than you?! Harry, this is insane! How to you get any of that from, from . . . from that evil thing? Have you forgotten everything that he's done to us? How much he hates us?" By this point, Ron's face was flushed an unsightly red, and Harry's face was approaching the same color; and the twins were no longer laughing.
"Ron, don't," Hermoine urged.
Harry slowly, tensely, moved from the trampoline, leaving Draco exposed (he dropped his head into his hands) and unconsciously stood. He tried to be sympathetic, though his need to defend Draco and his own decisions were overwhelming.
"Ron. I know this is not easy for you," he forced out. "I don't expect you to instantly accept him, but please, PLEASE, give him another chance. For me. There's a lot more to him than you think."
Ron looked like he was going to explode, but Hermione's hold on his arm, naked Harry's determined glare, his brother's lack of anger, and the subdued pale figure, curled up in the corner of the room, was enough not to burst the bubble of rage. Ron spun on his heal and stomped up the stairs, quickly followed by Fred and George (for once trying to be discrete). Hermoine threw an apologetic look over her shoulder and quickly followed suit.
Pained, Harry turned to Draco, who had begun rubbing his temples. Harry was beginning to think this action was a defensive reaction to stressful situations. "Are you okay?," he asked gently.
Draco raised his head and opened his palms to rub his whole face. "I'm fine," came his muffled, tired voice. Harry jumped on the trampoline, crawled to Draco, and tried to take him in his arms, but Draco jerked away. "I said I'm fine."
He scrambled off the bed and quickly began to pull on his pants. Harry felt a rush of fear - he trusted Draco with his life, but he didn't trust him not to run. He went to stand next to him, but didn't touch him. "Please, Draco, tell me what you're thinking? It terrifies me when you won't talk to me."
Draco sighed and straightened, buttoning up his shirt. "I don't know what I'm thinking. I know I hate being naked in front of people. And I hate being humiliated like that. I don't trust your friends any further than I could throw them. But I know you want me here, and I know you want me to tough it out with your friends. And what's this compared with putting up with Voldemort and Lucius, right? I'll survive this too, for now anyway."
Harry felt a warmth of love, sympathy, relief, and a little guilt. "May I hold you please? Just for a moment?," he said softly, almost begging, filled with the need to be close to his love.
Draco smiled, glad for the reminder of why he was staying. "Okay."
Harry immediately gathered him into his arms and squeezed tightly, clothes rough against his bare skin. Draco squeezed back, though not with as much force, and he nuzzled into the dark, wild hair. Hmmm. . . Harry smell. "Are you sure you only want a moment?"
Harry laughed and drew away. "As irresistible as that sounds, I don't really fancy another nude meeting with my hosts."
Draco smiled affectionately. "Suddenly modest? It didn't seem to bother you before. . . Get dressed then. It's time to face the beasts."
"Try not to insult them too much, please."
Harry quickly dressed, then they went upstairs and into the living room, pretending not to notice the arguing that could be clearly heard. There was an awkward silence as they all stared (glared?) at each other, then Draco broke the stalemate by going to sit in a solitary wooden chair near the door and opposite to Granger and the Weasleys. Then he smirked. "Well? Aren't you going to abuse me some more? Merlin knows I get off on it so."
Harry rolled his eyes (an action mirrored by Hermione), the twins grunted in amusement, Ginny looked horrified, and Ron looked ready to burst again. When a somewhat hostile silence followed his words, Hermione finally broke it. "So, Draco, how did you destroy the Ministry?"
Ron's eyes narrowed in anticipation - Hermione had told the Weasleys a few scant details about the fact that Draco had fought beside Harry against Voldemort and that he was responsible for the destruction of the Ministry (though very much leaving out the whole Giver aspect). Ron had found it rather hard to believe, "Yes, do tell."
Draco quirked an eyebrow, doing his best smooth operator impression. "There's not that much to tell really. Obscure spell involving the death of the castor and his most hated enemy."
"Except you're still alive," Ginny said timidly, pointing out the obvious.
"You think I'd give you the satisfaction of dying? I don't think so. There was a woman there with special healing powers. She saved me," Draco replied coolly.
Ron leaned forward from his seat on the couch. "Why do I get the impression that you're not telling the whole truth?," he growled.
This time Draco's eyes narrowed menacingly. "Because I'm not. But I in no way owe you the whole truth, so you're just going to have to be in the dark. Something I thought you'd be used to by now."
It was too much for Ron, already close to his limit, and he launched himself at Draco with such speed that there was no time for anyone to react. Draco and his chair fell backwards, hitting his head violently against the wall, then against the ground. Then Ron was straddling him, punching the porcelain face furiously as rage and hatred flowed through him. How dare he leech himself to Harry? Harry was HIS friend! NOT this snake's!
"Ron!," Hermione yelled.
Ron was in no way small - he had a couple of inches on Draco (who was already on the tall side), but his build was broad and athletic, like Harry's, and it took Harry and George a moment before they were able to pull him off the thin, bloodied figure, trembling with eyes shut tightly, trying to force down the flashback that was threatening to overwhelm him.
"Ron, you fuck!," Harry hissed, dropping down next to his boyfriend. He tried to dab at the bloodied face with his sleeve, but Draco jerked away at the first contact, then scrambled to his feet, his wand bared and pointed at Ron. For dangerous several seconds, no one moved, or said anything, then Draco began inching towards the doorway, suspiciously eying everyone in the room. He wiped the blood from his lips and eyes with his expensive shirt, then briefly looked at the stain and his wary expression twisted into one of anger and condescension.
"You are such hypocrites! So fucking righteous, but do you realize that you never once failed to throw the first punch? I might be a total bastard, but I was never the one who inevitably resorted to violence! That was you! Aren't you just a little concerned about how easily you are able to justify its use? Are my words really dangerous enough to require violence? If I insult your useless, dead parents, is it enough to justify you killing me?!"
Draco's vicious questions hung in the air for the moment, and the faces of three Weasley brothers and Harry were looking at him guiltily, though Ron was trying to maintain a veneer of indifference. Hermione was actually nodding - she herself had told them as much, though she too was guilty of raising her hand to one who had never raised his hand to her.
Finally, Draco's anger faded somewhat. He lowered his wand and turned to Harry, sounding suddenly exhausted. "I'm sorry, Harry, I know I said I would, but I really can't deal with this right now. Tomorrow is going to be trying enough without this shit tonight. Nor do I fancy being murdered in my sleep." He shot a quick glare at Ron. "I'll see you tomorrow."
Then he warily backed out of the room. Harry turned to Ron, looking as if he was barely restraining his own rage. He had to say something to get through to his friend. "Ron," he began, voice low. "You and Hermione are my best friends, and your family is like family to me too. I love you all, but if you make me choose, I will choose him. Because he loves me enough not to make me choose, and to give my friends a try, though he surely hates you as much as you hate him. . . I'll see you all tomorrow, hopefully still friends."
Harry turned to follow Draco and had made it to the door before Hermione stopped his with a gentle hand on his arm. "Harry. I won't make you choose, and neither will Ron, once he has had time to cool off, though he may never understand. But I do, and I don't think you're at all doing the wrong thing. Draco may be a right prat, but I think you'll be good for him, and to him, and I think he probably deserves it."
Harry smiled gratefully at her, then gave her a quick hug. "He does. He really does."
"Go on then," Hermione fondly instructed.
*
"Draco!," Harry called, running after the retreating figure, distinct for the shock of blond hair and the proud posture. Draco slowed, then turned around (face healed), though he continued to walk - backwards now.
Draco smiled weakly at him. "I hope you haven't come to ask me to return to that lion's den."
Harry grinned, and shook his head, taking Draco's arm in his and pulling him around to face forwards again. "No, I thought I'd follow the dragon back to his layer. Where are you staying?"
"I have a room in that inn there," Draco answered pointing to rather posh looking building further down the narrow street.
"Yikes. Can you still afford to stay in places like that?"
Draco smiled sadly. "The greatest irony of all is that the bastard left no will, probably because he was too arrogant to consider that he could die. And so the law says that my mother and I get the Manor and the Malfoy fortune. Father must be turning in his grave. Or he would be if he hadn't been incinerated into nothing."
"Where's your mother now?," Harry asked carefully.
"Professor Snape's looking after her - no pun intended. It's not like he has anything else to do. Besides, they get along."
Harry frowned. "I don't understand. He's not coming back to Hogwarts?"
"Oh. . . I would've thought you'd been told," Draco said awkwardly. "He was blinded a few days after school was let out. He was suspected of spying, but he had some blackmail evidence against Lucius that somehow kept him alive, if blind."
"Merlin, Hogwarts without Dumbledore and Snape. I can barely imagine it."
*
The hotel room was elegant, with a large plush bed. Their early romp in the Weasleys' workshop had removed the desperate edge of need out of their passion, allowing a slower, gentler, and more thorough exploration of each others' bodies. Tender, loving caresses were combined with long, wet kisses. Finally, twin erections were rubbed erotically along each other, gripped by slick, entwined hands. Draco was tonguing his lover's ear and Harry was holding him close with his free hand, reaching lower to cup a perfect pale globe, then release encompassed them both.
"Harry!"
"Draco!"
"Mmmh. . ."
"Ungh. . ."
*
The next day Draco allowed Harry to lead him to Victoria Station via the tube - something that was possible because both had left their trunks at Hogwarts when dashing off to defeat Voldemort. All they had to haul was Draco's bag (with some stuff from Malfoy Manor), Harry having decided to leave the few belonging he had acquired at the twins' place.
On the platform 8 ¾ Draco took a good look around, though Harry didn't immediately realize what he was noticing. Then he did: there was a conspicuous absence of the elder Slytherins. Indeed, the numbers from every house had been decimated, especially from the sixth and seventh years, but there was not a single Slytherin from the seventh year, and only three from the sixth year. Except, there was one familiar blonde. . .
"Draco! You're alive!," Pansy squealed, running to him and throwing her arms around him.
"Ai! I'm glad you're alive too! Now get off me, your breasts are crushing me," he returned affectionately.
Pansy pulled away, pretending to be outraged. "Hey, they haven't grown that much!"
Draco tilted his head down to inspect her breasts. "Pansy, they're huge! Absolutely stunning, but titanic nonetheless!"
Draco turned his head and grinned at Harry, only to notice his flushed face. Harry couldn't help it, Pansy made him horribly jealous, which in turn made him feel guilty, for he was not someone very prone to jealousy and he knew that Pansy was the only real friend that Draco had (other than himself). But they were so close, and had been so for so long, and she was so amazing. Almost as beautiful as Draco. He couldn't help but fear that she was what he wanted - soft skin to match his, voluptuous breasts and lips. . . a pussy. Surely, after all of the abuse at the hand of men, he would want a woman? And what did it say about Draco's mental health that he didn't?
Draco placed a hand on Harry's shoulder blade, "Hey, are you okay?"
Harry forced himself to smile and nod, then forced himself to smile a Pansy. But Pansy was as perceptive as always and she laughed musically, "Don't worry Harry. Draco has never been interested in my breasts except to tease me about them."
Harry, having almost recovered his normal skin tone, blushed again, and Draco turned to give him a searching look. Harry was jealous of Pansy? HE had made Harry jealous? He almost couldn't believe it. People had been jealous of his looks and of his money before, but he had never made anyone jealous because of the direction of his attentions, and he felt a thrill of pleasure because of it. Harry really cared! He planted a quick kiss on Harry's cheek, only to be sucked into a deep, claiming kiss before he could pull back.
People were definitely staring, and Pansy was smiling at them, but Harry couldn't bring himself to care, and Draco forced himself not to. Then, typically, a familiar voice ran out. "Hey none of that in public! If I'm going to have to deal, then the least I can be spared seeing any of that!"
Harry took his sweet time drawing away from Draco's sweet lips, looking reassuringly in his eyes, then he took Draco's hand and turned towards Ron - flanked by a long suffering Hermione and an apprehensive Ginny. Ron and Harry eyed each other warily, then Ron reluctantly thrust his hand forwards; Harry grinned and eagerly accepted it. "It'll be okay, just you wait and see."
Ron gave a wary glance to Malfoy, then he nodded and, without another word, dragged his trunk to where the Hogwarts Express had just pulled in. Hermione followed him, with a roll of her eyes, then Ginny, looking somewhat embarrassed.
"Well, that could've been worse," Pansy commented.
"It was. Yesterday," Draco said dryly.
Harry sighed. "Let's get on the train."
Draco and Pansy followed Harry to the cabin his friends had claimed, though Pansy had briefly suggested that she and Draco sit elsewhere - but Harry's obvious flare of jealousy dissuaded his boyfriend from this idea. So Pansy took the window seat, opposite Ginny, Draco took the middle seat, opposite Hermione, and Harry took the seat by the door, opposite Ron. A long, uncomfortable silence followed, not even interrupted by the bewildered appearance of Seamus and Dean (Neville, unfortunately, had not returned, though his fate was still unknown). The two had made shocked sounds and complaints, but had quickly left when confronted with six hostile faces, not one of which was willing to say anything that might provoke other members of their cabin.
Shortly after the trip began in earnest, the tension was eased by Draco's decision to promptly fall asleep, though the fact that he fell asleep leaning on Pansy was some source of displeasure for Harry. But he couldn't help but be grateful to her, if only for the fact that she spent the entire time looking out the window. Eventually some "safe" conversation emerged between the Gryffindors.
*
Days passed, then weeks, and the situation gradually eased. Seeing that Pansy and Draco were, in fact, the only seventh year Slytherins left at Hogwarts went a long way to allowing the Gryffindors to accept their presence. It was a slow change, especially given Ron's short temper and Draco's tendency to shoot off at the mouth, but with time, Ron's sensitivity lessened and Draco's insults grew less cutting, until their once legendary fights were little more than heated banter. Little was done to unveil the secrecy behind the origin and development of Harry and Draco's relationship.
Pansy generated less hostility and developed a surprising camaraderie with Ginny. Still, she and Draco spent a lot of time together, and this continued to grate on Harry. Hermione and Draco also began to build a tentative friendship, mostly based on mutual academic and intellectual admiration. Harry felt like a third wheel in their interactions as well.
These developments were accepted more readily than may have been expected, as the decimated student ranks, and the Slytherin ranks in particular, meant that some sort of integration was happening at every grade. Draco and Pansy were both the prefects of their house, and they spent a great deal of time helping and counselling their younger housemates; but if they wanted peers, they had to search elsewhere and the termination of the war had ended much of the inter house hostility. And having his own room certainly gave Draco certain peaks of which he had never before taken advantage - indeed, the fact that Draco spent much of his waking time with Gryffidors was definitely countered by the fact that Harry spent every night in the Slytherin dungeons.
Hogwarts had changed both little and a lot. On one hand, there were new potions and DADA teachers, both more humane and normal than what the students were used to. Still, McGonagall ran the school much like Albus Dumbledore before her, though something missing could be felt in the absence of the old Headmaster. And, of course, both Gryffindor and Slytherin had new house heads - Trewlany for the former (much to their horror) and the new DADA teacher for the latter.
Still, all good things must come to an end, and so too these good days: Merlin forbid the two lovers be allowed to be happy. On the Wednesday of their third week of classes (only a few days before Valentine's Day), change and disruption again came knocking, from not such unexpected sources.
XXXXX
Sorry! The next chapter will have more direction, I just need a bridge. Please, please review! Am I making a mistake by drawing this story out? Maybe it gets less interesting the further the story progresses from Rowling's universe?