Nov.02: That was somewhat long time. I'm still stuck though and plot
bunnies have taking me captive! The Head Bunny is forcing me to write a fic
that may come out soon......I don't know......I'm scared!
Draco: Oh shut up!
Nov.02: You're soooo mean. You should care! I won't be writing you for a while.
Draco: *rolls eyes* It's about me, Ron and Harry. You are so dramatic!
Nov.02: Hush up! You're just all mean because Harry's taking sooooo long to read his 5th book.
Draco: Wouldn't you be upset? It's not like he needs to read it! He is it!
Nov.02: But he's the slashy version, he wants to see what his original straight self is up to. Be patient!
Draco: And I don't like how Ron's spending time with him reading it. *pout*
Nov.02: *huggles* I think that's cute! You miss your lover! But he was Harry's originally.
Draco: So.....you haven't been back to them for a while.
Nov.02: What do you think this plot is that's taken me captive?
Draco: Oh no!
Nov.02: Sowy.....but maybe we can fix it so you do get Ron in the end! But while you wait you could-
Draco: Thank yous.....I understand!
Thank you ~* Sheena and chimerical*~ for reviewing and keeping her hope alive!
Nov.02: OMG! I don't think anyone likes this......I'm going to cry! I hope this picks up soon or else I'll completely throw this aside and work on the plot.
Draco: I hate when people use pity to get reviews!
Nov.02: I'll take a pity review any day! You know how super sensitive I am when it comes to my writings. If they don't like it, I don't want to waste peoples time and I'll move on...that's why I have two series that aren't series-ing.
Draco: I thought that was my fault.
Nov.02: Wait...it is your fault. I'm supposed to have a trilogy and you came along and I wrote that one w/ U being molested.....that was a sad one. But then my love for my Ron and you grew and here we are....w/ another failed attempt. Maybe I should just stop w/ series. This new one won't be, that's for sure!
Draco: Good, now I hope lots of people review! And I hope you will calm down and let them read!
Nov.02: I will! Have fun!
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Chpt 2
"Finally, it's over." Sighed Dean as he started the car.
"Sorry." The blonde apologized to the driver as he buckled his seat belt in the back. Oliver had shotgun. "I didn't think the conference would take so long."
"It's okay. If Ron had let you go the first time, then it wouldn't have been so long. So, of course, we blame Ronald."
"Leave him be. It's not his fault. He did just come back from a trip that time."
"And now he's leaving again. How do you deal?"
"I don't." Draco took his glasses off, rolled down the window, resting his head against his propped up hand. "Our 5th year anniversary is this Thursday, three days away, and he's leaving in, like, a day. I'm just over the whole 'being a great mediwizard' thing."
"Well, isn't that what you kinda signed up for with this marriage. Especially knowing about his thirst to be a doctor. It was an inevitability." Dean looked at him through the rear-view mirror.
"I know but, this is horrible, but sometimes I wished that he had failed at his dream. I want to protect him. That's the way I am, you can thank Father for that, and all I want to do is make sure he's okay, that he's provided for. Now look at him! He's making so much money and I'm struggling to get a book out."
"But I started on your book, and though you're my friend, I think it's brilliant."
"Thanks, Olli. But my publisher is already pressuring me to start on another book. I can't right now. I'm too busy preparing for Ron to leave me. It's - nothing. Forget it."
"Don't you dare!" Oliver reprimanded. "Tell us. You don't want to self- destruct. What's going on?"
"You guys won't like what I have to say."
"Hold on. Wasn't there a time when he couldn't even stand you? I think we're used to you're idiotic remarks." Dean smiled.
"Ha, Ha. I sometimes wish Ron were in a more obvious field of work. Like Dragon taming or an Auror or pushing papers at the Ministry. Well, scratch that. He would be dead if he took the first two but I guess I expected him to follow in his father's footsteps and we'd be rushing to save on everything but we're not. It's nothing like my old life but we are a bit comfortable. I feel like the little housewife." He ran his hands over his face.
"Well, you are in a homosexual male relationship. That's the problem with us. There is no female role but there has to be! We see it everywhere!" Oliver spoke seriously.
"It's even worse when you're married. It's like this is going to be a lifelong subconscious battle as to whom will be the merry wife. I guess we've bought into that idea that marriage, or any other form of relationship, must have a woman-like person. I hate it. Ron and I are men. We do have of womanish moments but they are few and far between, so we are kind of struggling to be the man since we always thought we would end up with a wife. Well at least he thought he would."
"Well, you were a bit far off."
The car sped down the open country street, the sound of gravel like music to Draco's ears. "Why are we driving? Couldn't we just Apparate?"
Oliver turned to look at Draco, then Dean, and back to Draco, a tight- lipped smile on his face. "Well?"
Dean continued to drive in silence, moments passing by. "Oh shut up Malfoy!"
"Sorry. Just wondering." He laughed gazing out the window. "Everyone hold their breath. Cemetery." Though it was s silly little superstition they all complied, seeing who would out last the other two.
*~*~*
A small breeze blew through Ron's hair. It was a nice day but as soon as they set foot into the eerie graveyard, it seemed that a chill fell and the day was dreary. Very typical of these kinds of things. Always sadness, always pain, always dark.
Hermione kneeled down, wiping away the leaves that had collected on the headstones. "I can't believe it's been six years since my parents were murdered."
Harry placed an arm around her shoulders...that day was a scary one....
~Flashback~
It was a regular day at the Weasley household. Well, not truly but it was as regular as it could get. Harry was up, lying on his back, staring at the ceiling and listened to the night-time sounds of crickets chirping, breath heavy. Draco was forced to sleep in a separate bed, to prevent anything for going on, so he was off in the corner, tossing and turning.
The black haired boy was able to stay over the Weasley's house and he was eagerly awaiting the arrival of the sixth year. As the boy slipped into a subconscious slumber a noise rustled, voices whispered outside the door. So curiosity overcame him, forcing him to get out of bed. He slunk over to Draco and poked him softly; the delicate Malfoy was a light sleeper so he was quickly awakened.
"Huh? What? Harry?"
It was still weird to hear his ex-nemesis call him by his first name. "Yeah, is something going on?"
"There was..me sleeping. What the bloody hell is up? It's early in the morning. Bother Ron with this." He yawned aloud.
"I'm scared. You know what he's like when you wake him up."
Draco half chuckled, half stretched in agreement. A small rumble came from the other side of the door. Footsteps then light. Hallway light to be exact as Fred opened the door.
"You blokes up?"
"No," whispered Harry. "What is going on?"
"I dunno. But Dumbledore and an Auror are here. Mum and Dad rushed downstairs. Come on, let's go and see what's on the up and up."
"Get Ron up first, then I'll go." Draco fell backwards on the cot, forearms over his face.
"Easy," George popped out of nowhere and pounced on the slumbering boy.
"Oh what the--? Get the fuck off of me. I'm sleeping." Growled Ron.
"Get up, sunshine. We have visitors." Fred and George said in unison.
"So,"
"Come on," they pulled him out of bed, stumbled down the steps and silently sat on the last flight, listening with Harry and Draco at their heels. With a silencing gesture the boys stopped just short of the small jut of a wall that separated the living from the front door.
".....and the parents didn't survive. She was found down the street by a Muggle who kept those filthy bastards from doing anything to her. It was amazing that they didn't kill him but we got there in time before any damage was done." The Auror described. "We were able to figure out one of the Death Eaters who caused the attack. The man who found her identified Malfoy as on of them....we were so close. If we had him.." he trailed off.
Draco covered his face in shame; though his father had announced Draco's 'death' to the Weasley's (and ultimately the wizarding world, after it was leaked out), many thought the Draco would happily be free of them but he still carried the emotional guilt of seeing a family member fail. He was even known to stand up for his father at times.
But that was an entirely different issue.
"My word." Gasped Mrs.Weasley.
"So, what's going to happen?" the patron of the family wondered.
"I think it's in the best interest that she stays with you and your family." A wizened voice spoke softly yet it demanded respect. It had to have been Dumbledore. "We've put a security spell and alarm around the house. I just think it best if she stays here with family and friends. You must be her family now."
"Who is it?" whispered Harry.
"Dunno," Fred answered back.
"What are you all doing?" It was Collin. He was standing behind all of them, leaning against the wall.
Collin Banks was the newest addition to the family. He was Percy's boyfriend and he had moved in with the family, in Percy's room, after his family threw him out on account of being gay.
"Shh!" everyone hushed.
But it was too late; the conversing adults had stopped they discussion and were heading towards the staircase.
"Thanks a lot there Collin." George rolled his eyes.
The boys went into safety mode, as they called it, and pretended to fall asleep.
"Boys! I don't believe that for one moment! You all really need to work on your 'safety mode'." Screeched Mrs. Weasley.
Draco fluttered his eyes opened. "Oh, Mrs.Weasley. Where did you come from?" He looked around. "How did I get here?"
"I liked you more before you fell in with the wrong crowd." She poked Fred and George in the only spot they were ticklish in.
"Mum! What was that for?"
"Go back to bed."
A girl stepped out from the room; it was Hermione. "It's okay."
"Herm!" Harry clamored down the remainder of steps. Hermione collapsed into tears as soon as she felt Harry's arms around her.
Collin had his hands wrapped around his forearms, Fred and George leaned on each other and Draco turned to Ron who looked lost.
"Go," he whispered. He knew the boy was in shock but Hermione needed him.
"I can't believe it."
Ron seemed rooted to the spot so, knowing what kind of pain she was in, Draco placed an arm around her.
Harry was mortified. How could this have happened to Hermione, of all people?
~End of Flashback~
"I can't believe it either."
Ron stood behind the gravestone of Mr. Granger. He never knew the two people but if they could raise Hermione, they were good people in his eyes. He slowly drifted away from the grieving woman. He knew she would get rather emotional and thought it best to leave her be.
"Wait up." Harry mumbled.
Ron slowed his steps as he strode down the path that wound around the cemetery.
"So?"
"Oh, I have nothing to say."
"Yes you do."
"I'm going to miss you."
"What? Why is everyone acting so weird about this? I'm just going overseas to a seminar. I've been doing it for years now." Ron sighed. He began to focus his attention on the trees that speckled the perimeter.
"Now you know how I feel."
"You and Dean could have been-"
"No. Not everyone can be like the golden couple. It ended. That's it."
"Fine....but I really thought you two could have gone far. Maybe even-"
"Marriage? Ron, I'm too young to get married. I'm too young to even say that word. Just because you and Draco were able to do it doesn't mean that the whole world can do it. Truthfully, I doubt it'll even last much longer. You two were way too young and then next thing you know-BOOM-you're married. You were enemies and then lovers. I don't like that at all." Harry walked ahead.
"Excuse me! Come here." Ron grabbed Harry by the arm and turned him around before he could get away. "What's really at fault here? You needing to be center of attention?"
The two ex-Gryffindors stared at each other, sizing the others emotions and actions. All that they saw was amusement. Laughter soon followed.
"That was good. Condemning my marriage like that."
"Well, the insinuation about my past and the attention was nice! I'm going to miss you."
"I'm only going to be gone a week. Everyone's acting as if I'm leaving for good."
"It's only time that's separating us from that. You're remarkable at work. It'll be now time at all that you'll meet someone who wants you under their wing or heading their department. You'll leave us and we'll miss you."
"That won't ever happen."
"Sure...as you say." Harry began to walk towards a nicely shaded area. "I love this place. It's so peaceful. So eerie. So...."
"Weird. You are one strange kid."
"Thanks."
Ron planted himself next to the leaning man. "I know what you mean. I thought our relationship would fizzle out. I thought it would a little pithy of a thing. But no, it's lasted this long. Five years. And that's only marriage. I've been with him for eight years. I think I might want a break from it all."
"So, is that why you go on all of those trips?" Harry squinted, turning to his companion and into the sparse sunlight.
"Yeah. I do need to get away sometimes. I think he loves me too much. If that's possible."
"I think that's scary. I am so bloody amazed at how you two lasted so long.....hold on one moment. You're not cheating on him, are you?"
"No! No! Of course not but it's not like I don't look when I can."
"You are so bad." Laughed Harry.
"Ya damn right I am!"
"No," Harry sobered, "you're not."
The redhead stared at the young man. "Oh shut up Harry."
"But are you sure you're cheating on Drake? Because if you are, then, I can't believe I'm going to say this but, I'll kick your arse."
"I would never do a thing like that."
"I hope not." Hermione added from behind. "Let's go."
*~*~*
The beat was muted, the air was a bit smoky but at least it wasn't humid like upstairs. 'Temptation' was the place for gays in this area and so it suited Draco, Dean and Oliver.
The bar that was below the club, in which the building was truthfully named for, was quieter, emptier and smaller than the room of flowing melodies and rock hard bodies grinding against you. A few tables were scattered throughout the bar but it was still packed with customers from above getting away from the overzealous boys or people just wanting to be near the action but not actually in it.
"I miss this place." Sighed the writer.
Oliver looked up from his club soda he was sipping to carefully observe Draco's new nature. He was moving slightly to the music pulsating through the walls, checking out some of the men that walked by who were, in turn, checking him out. His demeanor seemed destitute of the fact of his husband back home.
"You miss this place?"
"Oh yeah...I was a regular here at one point in my life. I came here every summer."
The other two men had expressions of questioning on their faces.
"Before Ron. Don't worry. I doubt anyone here will remember me."
No sooner had he said that, the bartender had shouted over greetings.
Dean hitched an eyebrow. "No one would remember you, huh?"
"Hush up. So, how exactly does St. Vern and Troy keep their Muggle staff from telling about our world?" Draco asked, hoping to get off the subject of his illustrious past.
"Well," spoke Oliver, since he had been hanging around the hospital, "they screen all of their non-magical applicants to see if they are able to handle the secret. Then they must sign a magically bound contract, more tests and screening and plus those who are Muggles, patient wise, don't go into the magical section. I thought you would know that."
"So, what's the whole point of have a Muggle friendly hospital if they are sectioned off?"
"It's just so our type of doctors can find other ways to heal us when a problem arises. Also, mediwizards are sometimes introduced as specialists or those who are in alternative medicine."
"Ron never told me that." Draco shrugged his shoulders. The group of friends let the music fill the silence.
"Maybe I should go upstairs, to get to know everybody." Suggested Dean suddenly.
"Sure, if you want." Oliver went back to sipping.
"You guys are real fun."
"I'm not up to having people I don't know judge me on my face and body."
"You are so wrong!"
"Yeah," Draco finally added to the conversation, "they only judge you're body."
The three erupted into laughter. "I guess I brought that one on. So, let's talk about something interesting."
"Like...?" Dean and Draco wondered in unison.
"That guy at the table behind you. Damn if I was only younger."
"True. You are twenty-seven and we all know that in gay man years that like fifty-three. Sorry." The younger single one of the three men said. "Anyway, how is married sex?"
"It's sex."
"Do you do it as much as you did before?"
"More so. I'd say we have sex at least four times a week. But as the years go by that number might decrease. One time, when I had writer's block and Ron had a Easter Holiday, Spring Break they had called it when he was in America, we made a pact to make love as many times as possible."
"Well, what was the total?" asked Oliver enthralled.
"In that one day....eleven times." He acknowledged offhandedly.
"You lie!"
"Ask Ron. He was the one who had to make a run for more lube in the middle of our little agreement."
They once again erupted into laughter. While the group of friends continued their conversation, two men came up to their table. One had brown hair, intense green eyes and was wearing a Rugby shirt. The man looked like a prime specimen of youth and its wonder. And his bashful companion had on a University shirt and a worn baseball cap, a few wisps of black hair peeked out from under it.
"I'm Spencer and his is my cousin Ace." He introduced. "He's from America and I'm just showing some of the high points of British life."
A round of 'Hullo' sounded from the sitting group.
"Hi." His thick Georgia accent astounded the trio. He captured the eyes of Draco. "Aren't you that new writer. Um..Weasley. Draco Weasley, that's it! Why, it sure is great meeting you." The Southern boy extended his hand.
Draco accepted it. "It was nice meeting you too."
"Ace isn't here for that now is he. He wants to know who this man right here with the pretty brown eyes is." He spoke to Dean.
"I'm Dean." He was rather flatter. He had not been hit on since before he and Harry...bad thoughts.
"What a great name." Mr. Rugby shirt smiled. "Ace here was wondering if he could get to know you."
"Shut up." Hissed Ace.
"Oh don't be shy. He's been watching you, talking about how he wished he could have some of your chocolate in his milk or his milk in your chocolate. Whatever position you're in to."
"I'm going to kill you. I'm so sorry."
"Don't be. So, where do you want to go? That is if my friends here are willing to let me go?"
"Go ahead." Oliver grinned.
"Well, do you wanna head upstairs? It's a lot more....." Ace wondered.
"Sexier. Let's go. Bye guys." Dean got up, finished the last of his drink and escorted the America boy, arm snaked around his back.
"So, now that I've handled that. How about you there? Are you with him?" Rugby shirt inquired.
Now it was Oliver who was being picked up.
"No. Let's go. Draco..?"
"Go, have fun. I'll hang here a bit longer and then go home."
"Great. See you later."
And then there was one. Draco finished his ale and was preparing to sneak a ways down the street to Apparate in peace. But another young man stopped him.
"So you're leaving. Do you need an escort to protect you? Or do you just want to go straight upstairs for a while?"
Draco must admit, yes he was married, but this boy was rather handsome. Bright eyes and slightly longish hair seemed to fit his whole Italian look.
"I can't." protested Draco with a bit of a sigh laced between the spaces. He left the table, heading for the door. But this was one very persistent Italian.
"Then we can go back to my place." The man pressed against him, causing Draco to spin around in shock.
"I'm sorry but," he lifted his left hand to the man's eye level, "I'm married."
Draco: Oh shut up!
Nov.02: You're soooo mean. You should care! I won't be writing you for a while.
Draco: *rolls eyes* It's about me, Ron and Harry. You are so dramatic!
Nov.02: Hush up! You're just all mean because Harry's taking sooooo long to read his 5th book.
Draco: Wouldn't you be upset? It's not like he needs to read it! He is it!
Nov.02: But he's the slashy version, he wants to see what his original straight self is up to. Be patient!
Draco: And I don't like how Ron's spending time with him reading it. *pout*
Nov.02: *huggles* I think that's cute! You miss your lover! But he was Harry's originally.
Draco: So.....you haven't been back to them for a while.
Nov.02: What do you think this plot is that's taken me captive?
Draco: Oh no!
Nov.02: Sowy.....but maybe we can fix it so you do get Ron in the end! But while you wait you could-
Draco: Thank yous.....I understand!
Thank you ~* Sheena and chimerical*~ for reviewing and keeping her hope alive!
Nov.02: OMG! I don't think anyone likes this......I'm going to cry! I hope this picks up soon or else I'll completely throw this aside and work on the plot.
Draco: I hate when people use pity to get reviews!
Nov.02: I'll take a pity review any day! You know how super sensitive I am when it comes to my writings. If they don't like it, I don't want to waste peoples time and I'll move on...that's why I have two series that aren't series-ing.
Draco: I thought that was my fault.
Nov.02: Wait...it is your fault. I'm supposed to have a trilogy and you came along and I wrote that one w/ U being molested.....that was a sad one. But then my love for my Ron and you grew and here we are....w/ another failed attempt. Maybe I should just stop w/ series. This new one won't be, that's for sure!
Draco: Good, now I hope lots of people review! And I hope you will calm down and let them read!
Nov.02: I will! Have fun!
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Chpt 2
"Finally, it's over." Sighed Dean as he started the car.
"Sorry." The blonde apologized to the driver as he buckled his seat belt in the back. Oliver had shotgun. "I didn't think the conference would take so long."
"It's okay. If Ron had let you go the first time, then it wouldn't have been so long. So, of course, we blame Ronald."
"Leave him be. It's not his fault. He did just come back from a trip that time."
"And now he's leaving again. How do you deal?"
"I don't." Draco took his glasses off, rolled down the window, resting his head against his propped up hand. "Our 5th year anniversary is this Thursday, three days away, and he's leaving in, like, a day. I'm just over the whole 'being a great mediwizard' thing."
"Well, isn't that what you kinda signed up for with this marriage. Especially knowing about his thirst to be a doctor. It was an inevitability." Dean looked at him through the rear-view mirror.
"I know but, this is horrible, but sometimes I wished that he had failed at his dream. I want to protect him. That's the way I am, you can thank Father for that, and all I want to do is make sure he's okay, that he's provided for. Now look at him! He's making so much money and I'm struggling to get a book out."
"But I started on your book, and though you're my friend, I think it's brilliant."
"Thanks, Olli. But my publisher is already pressuring me to start on another book. I can't right now. I'm too busy preparing for Ron to leave me. It's - nothing. Forget it."
"Don't you dare!" Oliver reprimanded. "Tell us. You don't want to self- destruct. What's going on?"
"You guys won't like what I have to say."
"Hold on. Wasn't there a time when he couldn't even stand you? I think we're used to you're idiotic remarks." Dean smiled.
"Ha, Ha. I sometimes wish Ron were in a more obvious field of work. Like Dragon taming or an Auror or pushing papers at the Ministry. Well, scratch that. He would be dead if he took the first two but I guess I expected him to follow in his father's footsteps and we'd be rushing to save on everything but we're not. It's nothing like my old life but we are a bit comfortable. I feel like the little housewife." He ran his hands over his face.
"Well, you are in a homosexual male relationship. That's the problem with us. There is no female role but there has to be! We see it everywhere!" Oliver spoke seriously.
"It's even worse when you're married. It's like this is going to be a lifelong subconscious battle as to whom will be the merry wife. I guess we've bought into that idea that marriage, or any other form of relationship, must have a woman-like person. I hate it. Ron and I are men. We do have of womanish moments but they are few and far between, so we are kind of struggling to be the man since we always thought we would end up with a wife. Well at least he thought he would."
"Well, you were a bit far off."
The car sped down the open country street, the sound of gravel like music to Draco's ears. "Why are we driving? Couldn't we just Apparate?"
Oliver turned to look at Draco, then Dean, and back to Draco, a tight- lipped smile on his face. "Well?"
Dean continued to drive in silence, moments passing by. "Oh shut up Malfoy!"
"Sorry. Just wondering." He laughed gazing out the window. "Everyone hold their breath. Cemetery." Though it was s silly little superstition they all complied, seeing who would out last the other two.
*~*~*
A small breeze blew through Ron's hair. It was a nice day but as soon as they set foot into the eerie graveyard, it seemed that a chill fell and the day was dreary. Very typical of these kinds of things. Always sadness, always pain, always dark.
Hermione kneeled down, wiping away the leaves that had collected on the headstones. "I can't believe it's been six years since my parents were murdered."
Harry placed an arm around her shoulders...that day was a scary one....
~Flashback~
It was a regular day at the Weasley household. Well, not truly but it was as regular as it could get. Harry was up, lying on his back, staring at the ceiling and listened to the night-time sounds of crickets chirping, breath heavy. Draco was forced to sleep in a separate bed, to prevent anything for going on, so he was off in the corner, tossing and turning.
The black haired boy was able to stay over the Weasley's house and he was eagerly awaiting the arrival of the sixth year. As the boy slipped into a subconscious slumber a noise rustled, voices whispered outside the door. So curiosity overcame him, forcing him to get out of bed. He slunk over to Draco and poked him softly; the delicate Malfoy was a light sleeper so he was quickly awakened.
"Huh? What? Harry?"
It was still weird to hear his ex-nemesis call him by his first name. "Yeah, is something going on?"
"There was..me sleeping. What the bloody hell is up? It's early in the morning. Bother Ron with this." He yawned aloud.
"I'm scared. You know what he's like when you wake him up."
Draco half chuckled, half stretched in agreement. A small rumble came from the other side of the door. Footsteps then light. Hallway light to be exact as Fred opened the door.
"You blokes up?"
"No," whispered Harry. "What is going on?"
"I dunno. But Dumbledore and an Auror are here. Mum and Dad rushed downstairs. Come on, let's go and see what's on the up and up."
"Get Ron up first, then I'll go." Draco fell backwards on the cot, forearms over his face.
"Easy," George popped out of nowhere and pounced on the slumbering boy.
"Oh what the--? Get the fuck off of me. I'm sleeping." Growled Ron.
"Get up, sunshine. We have visitors." Fred and George said in unison.
"So,"
"Come on," they pulled him out of bed, stumbled down the steps and silently sat on the last flight, listening with Harry and Draco at their heels. With a silencing gesture the boys stopped just short of the small jut of a wall that separated the living from the front door.
".....and the parents didn't survive. She was found down the street by a Muggle who kept those filthy bastards from doing anything to her. It was amazing that they didn't kill him but we got there in time before any damage was done." The Auror described. "We were able to figure out one of the Death Eaters who caused the attack. The man who found her identified Malfoy as on of them....we were so close. If we had him.." he trailed off.
Draco covered his face in shame; though his father had announced Draco's 'death' to the Weasley's (and ultimately the wizarding world, after it was leaked out), many thought the Draco would happily be free of them but he still carried the emotional guilt of seeing a family member fail. He was even known to stand up for his father at times.
But that was an entirely different issue.
"My word." Gasped Mrs.Weasley.
"So, what's going to happen?" the patron of the family wondered.
"I think it's in the best interest that she stays with you and your family." A wizened voice spoke softly yet it demanded respect. It had to have been Dumbledore. "We've put a security spell and alarm around the house. I just think it best if she stays here with family and friends. You must be her family now."
"Who is it?" whispered Harry.
"Dunno," Fred answered back.
"What are you all doing?" It was Collin. He was standing behind all of them, leaning against the wall.
Collin Banks was the newest addition to the family. He was Percy's boyfriend and he had moved in with the family, in Percy's room, after his family threw him out on account of being gay.
"Shh!" everyone hushed.
But it was too late; the conversing adults had stopped they discussion and were heading towards the staircase.
"Thanks a lot there Collin." George rolled his eyes.
The boys went into safety mode, as they called it, and pretended to fall asleep.
"Boys! I don't believe that for one moment! You all really need to work on your 'safety mode'." Screeched Mrs. Weasley.
Draco fluttered his eyes opened. "Oh, Mrs.Weasley. Where did you come from?" He looked around. "How did I get here?"
"I liked you more before you fell in with the wrong crowd." She poked Fred and George in the only spot they were ticklish in.
"Mum! What was that for?"
"Go back to bed."
A girl stepped out from the room; it was Hermione. "It's okay."
"Herm!" Harry clamored down the remainder of steps. Hermione collapsed into tears as soon as she felt Harry's arms around her.
Collin had his hands wrapped around his forearms, Fred and George leaned on each other and Draco turned to Ron who looked lost.
"Go," he whispered. He knew the boy was in shock but Hermione needed him.
"I can't believe it."
Ron seemed rooted to the spot so, knowing what kind of pain she was in, Draco placed an arm around her.
Harry was mortified. How could this have happened to Hermione, of all people?
~End of Flashback~
"I can't believe it either."
Ron stood behind the gravestone of Mr. Granger. He never knew the two people but if they could raise Hermione, they were good people in his eyes. He slowly drifted away from the grieving woman. He knew she would get rather emotional and thought it best to leave her be.
"Wait up." Harry mumbled.
Ron slowed his steps as he strode down the path that wound around the cemetery.
"So?"
"Oh, I have nothing to say."
"Yes you do."
"I'm going to miss you."
"What? Why is everyone acting so weird about this? I'm just going overseas to a seminar. I've been doing it for years now." Ron sighed. He began to focus his attention on the trees that speckled the perimeter.
"Now you know how I feel."
"You and Dean could have been-"
"No. Not everyone can be like the golden couple. It ended. That's it."
"Fine....but I really thought you two could have gone far. Maybe even-"
"Marriage? Ron, I'm too young to get married. I'm too young to even say that word. Just because you and Draco were able to do it doesn't mean that the whole world can do it. Truthfully, I doubt it'll even last much longer. You two were way too young and then next thing you know-BOOM-you're married. You were enemies and then lovers. I don't like that at all." Harry walked ahead.
"Excuse me! Come here." Ron grabbed Harry by the arm and turned him around before he could get away. "What's really at fault here? You needing to be center of attention?"
The two ex-Gryffindors stared at each other, sizing the others emotions and actions. All that they saw was amusement. Laughter soon followed.
"That was good. Condemning my marriage like that."
"Well, the insinuation about my past and the attention was nice! I'm going to miss you."
"I'm only going to be gone a week. Everyone's acting as if I'm leaving for good."
"It's only time that's separating us from that. You're remarkable at work. It'll be now time at all that you'll meet someone who wants you under their wing or heading their department. You'll leave us and we'll miss you."
"That won't ever happen."
"Sure...as you say." Harry began to walk towards a nicely shaded area. "I love this place. It's so peaceful. So eerie. So...."
"Weird. You are one strange kid."
"Thanks."
Ron planted himself next to the leaning man. "I know what you mean. I thought our relationship would fizzle out. I thought it would a little pithy of a thing. But no, it's lasted this long. Five years. And that's only marriage. I've been with him for eight years. I think I might want a break from it all."
"So, is that why you go on all of those trips?" Harry squinted, turning to his companion and into the sparse sunlight.
"Yeah. I do need to get away sometimes. I think he loves me too much. If that's possible."
"I think that's scary. I am so bloody amazed at how you two lasted so long.....hold on one moment. You're not cheating on him, are you?"
"No! No! Of course not but it's not like I don't look when I can."
"You are so bad." Laughed Harry.
"Ya damn right I am!"
"No," Harry sobered, "you're not."
The redhead stared at the young man. "Oh shut up Harry."
"But are you sure you're cheating on Drake? Because if you are, then, I can't believe I'm going to say this but, I'll kick your arse."
"I would never do a thing like that."
"I hope not." Hermione added from behind. "Let's go."
*~*~*
The beat was muted, the air was a bit smoky but at least it wasn't humid like upstairs. 'Temptation' was the place for gays in this area and so it suited Draco, Dean and Oliver.
The bar that was below the club, in which the building was truthfully named for, was quieter, emptier and smaller than the room of flowing melodies and rock hard bodies grinding against you. A few tables were scattered throughout the bar but it was still packed with customers from above getting away from the overzealous boys or people just wanting to be near the action but not actually in it.
"I miss this place." Sighed the writer.
Oliver looked up from his club soda he was sipping to carefully observe Draco's new nature. He was moving slightly to the music pulsating through the walls, checking out some of the men that walked by who were, in turn, checking him out. His demeanor seemed destitute of the fact of his husband back home.
"You miss this place?"
"Oh yeah...I was a regular here at one point in my life. I came here every summer."
The other two men had expressions of questioning on their faces.
"Before Ron. Don't worry. I doubt anyone here will remember me."
No sooner had he said that, the bartender had shouted over greetings.
Dean hitched an eyebrow. "No one would remember you, huh?"
"Hush up. So, how exactly does St. Vern and Troy keep their Muggle staff from telling about our world?" Draco asked, hoping to get off the subject of his illustrious past.
"Well," spoke Oliver, since he had been hanging around the hospital, "they screen all of their non-magical applicants to see if they are able to handle the secret. Then they must sign a magically bound contract, more tests and screening and plus those who are Muggles, patient wise, don't go into the magical section. I thought you would know that."
"So, what's the whole point of have a Muggle friendly hospital if they are sectioned off?"
"It's just so our type of doctors can find other ways to heal us when a problem arises. Also, mediwizards are sometimes introduced as specialists or those who are in alternative medicine."
"Ron never told me that." Draco shrugged his shoulders. The group of friends let the music fill the silence.
"Maybe I should go upstairs, to get to know everybody." Suggested Dean suddenly.
"Sure, if you want." Oliver went back to sipping.
"You guys are real fun."
"I'm not up to having people I don't know judge me on my face and body."
"You are so wrong!"
"Yeah," Draco finally added to the conversation, "they only judge you're body."
The three erupted into laughter. "I guess I brought that one on. So, let's talk about something interesting."
"Like...?" Dean and Draco wondered in unison.
"That guy at the table behind you. Damn if I was only younger."
"True. You are twenty-seven and we all know that in gay man years that like fifty-three. Sorry." The younger single one of the three men said. "Anyway, how is married sex?"
"It's sex."
"Do you do it as much as you did before?"
"More so. I'd say we have sex at least four times a week. But as the years go by that number might decrease. One time, when I had writer's block and Ron had a Easter Holiday, Spring Break they had called it when he was in America, we made a pact to make love as many times as possible."
"Well, what was the total?" asked Oliver enthralled.
"In that one day....eleven times." He acknowledged offhandedly.
"You lie!"
"Ask Ron. He was the one who had to make a run for more lube in the middle of our little agreement."
They once again erupted into laughter. While the group of friends continued their conversation, two men came up to their table. One had brown hair, intense green eyes and was wearing a Rugby shirt. The man looked like a prime specimen of youth and its wonder. And his bashful companion had on a University shirt and a worn baseball cap, a few wisps of black hair peeked out from under it.
"I'm Spencer and his is my cousin Ace." He introduced. "He's from America and I'm just showing some of the high points of British life."
A round of 'Hullo' sounded from the sitting group.
"Hi." His thick Georgia accent astounded the trio. He captured the eyes of Draco. "Aren't you that new writer. Um..Weasley. Draco Weasley, that's it! Why, it sure is great meeting you." The Southern boy extended his hand.
Draco accepted it. "It was nice meeting you too."
"Ace isn't here for that now is he. He wants to know who this man right here with the pretty brown eyes is." He spoke to Dean.
"I'm Dean." He was rather flatter. He had not been hit on since before he and Harry...bad thoughts.
"What a great name." Mr. Rugby shirt smiled. "Ace here was wondering if he could get to know you."
"Shut up." Hissed Ace.
"Oh don't be shy. He's been watching you, talking about how he wished he could have some of your chocolate in his milk or his milk in your chocolate. Whatever position you're in to."
"I'm going to kill you. I'm so sorry."
"Don't be. So, where do you want to go? That is if my friends here are willing to let me go?"
"Go ahead." Oliver grinned.
"Well, do you wanna head upstairs? It's a lot more....." Ace wondered.
"Sexier. Let's go. Bye guys." Dean got up, finished the last of his drink and escorted the America boy, arm snaked around his back.
"So, now that I've handled that. How about you there? Are you with him?" Rugby shirt inquired.
Now it was Oliver who was being picked up.
"No. Let's go. Draco..?"
"Go, have fun. I'll hang here a bit longer and then go home."
"Great. See you later."
And then there was one. Draco finished his ale and was preparing to sneak a ways down the street to Apparate in peace. But another young man stopped him.
"So you're leaving. Do you need an escort to protect you? Or do you just want to go straight upstairs for a while?"
Draco must admit, yes he was married, but this boy was rather handsome. Bright eyes and slightly longish hair seemed to fit his whole Italian look.
"I can't." protested Draco with a bit of a sigh laced between the spaces. He left the table, heading for the door. But this was one very persistent Italian.
"Then we can go back to my place." The man pressed against him, causing Draco to spin around in shock.
"I'm sorry but," he lifted his left hand to the man's eye level, "I'm married."