"I - the image of light and gladness -
Saw and pitied that mournful boy,
And I vowed - if need were - to share his sadness,
And give to him my sunny joy.
"Heavy and dark the night is closing;
Heavy and dark may its biding be:
Better for all from grief reposing,
And better for all who watch like me -
"Watch in love by a fevered pillow,
Cooling the fever with pity's balm
Safe as the petrel on tossing billow,
Safe in mine own soul's golden calm!
"Guardian-angel he lacks no longer;
Evil fortune he need not fear:
Fate is strong, but love is stronger;
And MY love is truer than angel-care."
Excerpts from Charlotte Bronte's poem, "The Two Children"
A/N: This part is dedicated to Casey, Sam and Eric. (My Lit AP buddies!)
Lol, and Uncle Jasper/Liddie is definitely for you, Casey!
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"BOY! "ARE YOU INTENDING TO STARVE US ALL!?" his uncle's voice screeched, as Harry quickly placed protective hands on his ears, once again, certain that his uncle's vocal cords defied all laws of nature.
Sighing, Harry mentally prepared himself for what was inevitably turning into the worst night of all his sixteen, short years, as he slowly picked up the chicken and entered the dining room, hoping that the Dursleys were in merciful mood tonight not that it had happened yet but he could dream right?
"We're very sorry, Mr. Malfoy," Vernon was apologizing profusely – as Harry nervously walked in – while bestowing his most charming smile on his distinguished guest which personally always reminded Harry of a flustered, blubbering whale but his uncle seemed to have the highest opinion of his smile who was Harry to complain?
"You see Mr. Malfoy, the boy really belongs in St. Mungo's Center for the Criminally Insane, but they refused to take him," Vernon said still articulating his apologies as he shot Harry a particularly venomous glare.
Malfoy, for his part, seemed extremely amused, as his misty gray eyes sparkled mischievously in a most alluring way. AND NO, HE DID NOT JUST THINK THAT.
"I am not surprised Mr. Vernon, your nephew is a most troublesome child," Draco laughed lightly as he winked suggestively at Harry almost causing the poor, deprived boy to deposit all of the night's dinner on Dudley's lap. After all, attention was not something that was often given to Harry Potter.
Nervously, Harry shot a glance at Dudley hoping that his idiotic cousin had not seen what had almost happened. Luckily for him, Dudley's beady eyes were trained on Malfoy, watching him in a way that made Harry feel extremely irritated. Not that he was jealous or anything but, honestly, Dudley?!
As Harry finished serving the food, he sat down, determined to watch Dudley's every move. And Malfoy had better not make fun of Dudley because the only person that Malfoy was supposed to make fun of was Harry himself dammit!
"So Mr. Malfoy, please tell us ALL about your day," Petunia simpered as Harry groaned. Once his aunt began a sentence like that, he knew he was in a long ass-kissing session.
"My husband and I would be most interested in hearing of the daily activities of the famous Malfoy heir," she continued simpering, smiling in that false way of hers. Harry was certain that if all went well tonight, the Dursleys would be calling up the Malfoys for some kind of business loan. To be paid back of course.
"Well," Draco laughed airily, "the first thing that happened to me this morning was rather misfortunate."
"Oh good lord, my boy, what happened?!" Aunt Petunia gasped with such alarm that if Harry had not heard Malfoy's prior statement, he would have thought that extraterrestrial organisms were invading the Earth.
Malfoy laughed again. "There's no need for such concern, Mrs. Dursley, your nephew began my day by smashing into me."
"THAT'S IT BOY, HOW DARE YOU SHOW SUCH DISRESPECT FOR SOMEONE SO OBVIOUSLY SUPERIOR TO YOU," Uncle Vernon shrieked, his whole face turning purple with the intense agitation. Harry was almost afraid that one of those throbbing veins in his neck would burst right then and there.
Harry lowered his head knowing that in situations like this one, it was best not to say anything at all. After all, he could defend himself until the end of the world arrived and it wouldn't benefit him in the slightest.
"Oh don't worry," Malfoy drawled slowly, "it was just an accident due to Harry's graceless nature. Honestly, Mr. Dursley, you should consider sending Harry to some ballet lessons. They really improve balance and coordination and Harry seems to desperately need that." Malfoy laughed, bestowing a gracious smile to Mr. Dursley.
Vernon laughed now that he knew his chances of a loan had not been ruined by his nephew's complete lack of refinement. "An excellent suggestion, Mr. Malfoy, we will certainly have to take that into consideration."
Oh dear god, he was going to have to take BALLET LESSONS? Oh, he was definitely going to get back at Malfoy for that one. Surely, killing Malfoy would be more of a good service to the community than a criminal act right?
A loud car horn abruptly brought Harry out of his thoughts as he jumped up in surprise, looking around the table for an explanation.
"Oh, that's my chauffeur," Malfoy said quickly, rising out of his seat. "Thank you Mr. and Mrs. Dursley, it certainly has been a most entertaining evening."
"Are you leaving already?" Dudley asked surprised, clearly unable to keep the disappointment from his voice. (Harry honestly thought Dudley's little infatuation was the sickest thing he had seen in his life hitherto.)
"Oh yes. You see it is absolutely imperative that I see my Uncle Jasper and Aunt Liddie as soon as possible. It was a pleasure meeting you though Sudley," Malfoy replied.
Dudley glowed with happiness, not even noticing that Malfoy called him by the wrong name.
And for that, Harry was infinitely grateful. Not that he was jealous or anything! He just didn't think anyone in the universe was physically bad enough to deserve Dudley. Really that was it.
"Can I request that Potter escort me to the door," Malfoy continued, watching Harry with an amused expression, as if he could read minds and knew about the little argument that had just transpired in Harry's head.
"But of course, Mr. Malfoy," Aunt Petunia smiled sweetly (or at least she thought so). "Boy, escort Mr. Malfoy to the door and do not mess up," she said turning her gaze on Harry with a harsh, scrutinizing eye.
"Oh we'll be fine, Mrs. Dursley," Malfoy smiled quickly before grabbing Harry's arm and dragging a reluctant Harry Potter behind him.
"What the hell was that about?" Harry demanded, wrenching his arm from Malfoy's grasp, as soon as they were out of the Dursleys' line of vision.
"Oh I just wanted to say a proper goodbye to you like we do in upper class society," Malfoy grinned cheekily at him.
"Really and what would a proper upper-class goodbye be," Harry shot back sardonically, folding his arms in a defiant manner.
"Well in France, we do this…"
And quickly Malfoy leaned over, kissing Harry on the cheek before sweeping out the door in a grand exit as Harry Potter slowly raised his hand to his burning cheek.
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Thank you to all those who reviewed. Luv ya all. Don't worry about it sum1. Once again, I apologize for cultural mistakes. I don't own Harry Potter and I'm just writing it the way I want it.
Thanks to my beta, Jason Silverman. Go read his poetry at fictionpress.net. Same screen name.
Next chapter: Surprises in the Physics class. (Physics is pretty much the equivalent of the Double Potions in Hogwarts. And I'm sure you've all heard the saying: Everything happens in Potions!)