Disclaimer: Harry Potter, characters, names and related indicia are trademarks of Warner Bros. They are used here for entertainment purposes only.

Warnings: Slash. Het. Kisses. Mush. Language.

Spoilers: Previously written story: Like Glass. Written Pre-OotP.

The Shattering
Chapter 6 - Optimistic Idiocy

The next morning at breakfast Ginny Weasley opened up her mail. She didn't look up from her toast as she unfolded the parchment, and once she allowed her eyes to sweep along the words, her breakfast was immediately forgotten, along with the breakfasts of half of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Beside him, Pansy elbowed Draco and leaned into him in the first real interaction he'd had from another member of his house since his shocking 'coming out' moment.

"Damn. I've just lost twenty galleons to Millicent. She just had to give in and read the thing, didn't she?"

Draco blinked at her, and her eyes focused on him for a moment, before sweeping quickly away. She shifted a few inches away from him and shook her head, then looked back over.

"I heard you've been disinherited," she snorted. "Serves you right. Harry Potter." She shook her head again, this time in disgust, and Draco glared at her.

"I could care less if you and the rest of the House hated me, Parkinson. Did you think I was fond of you for some reason?"

She hissed, and then tried to look feral when several pairs of eyes turned on them, wanting to witness this scene. "I don't hate you, Draco. I think you're an idiot. But I don't hate you."

It was said under her breath and then she was turning away from him, engaging Millicent in a discussion on what exactly was wrong with that young Ravenclaw's robes. But Draco had stopped listening and smirked into his toast.

"Thank you, Pansy."

* * *

"That bastard!"

'When added to milkroot, nightshade becomes a healing toxin used in the preparation of several herbal remedies, instead of a deadly poison.'

"I can't believe a father could be so cruel. He didn't even come and tell you himself. Didn't even give you an option... a-a choice! His own son! Thrown out on the streets."

Draco sighed and looked up from his Potions book to find Harry flipping idly through his own and muttering heatedly at no one.

"I'd hardly call this 'the streets.'"

Harry scowled at him, "oh? And where will you stay over the Summer hols?"

"The streets?"

Now Harry growled, and Draco suppressed a smirk, shaking his head. "I'm sure I'll be provided for."

"You're awfully optimistic of a sudden." Harry returned, narrowing his eyes, "what happened?"

"Pansy thinks I'm an idiot."

Harry blinked, shutting his book and leaning over the table. "Pansy thinks you're an idiot, and you feel better?"

"Yes."

Harry nodded as if he knew exactly what Draco was talking about, "of course."

Draco smiled and looked back down at his Potions book, and there was about a minute of silence before Harry sighed and reached a hand over, hooking his index finger under Draco's chin and raising his head so that their eyes could meet.

"Please expand your explaination."

Draco wrinkled his nose and shook off Harry's finger, smiling slightly, "She thinks I'm an idiot, but she doesn't hate me."

"And that matters to you?"

"I didn't think it did," Draco squinted over Harry's shoulder, then met his eyes again, "but I guess it does. It's comforting, in a way. With Blaise gone..."

"You want a friend."

"Since you've single-handedly ostracized me, yes."

Harry winced, then scowled, "But... Pansy Parkinson is in love with you. I don't know if I want you being friends with her."

Draco raised an eyebrow. "Forbid me. Please. I dare you."

Harry flushed and shook his head. "Fine. But if she hits on you, I'm killing her."

"Ooh. Such violence."

"Don't take my threats lightly, Malfoy. I know curses that'll make her wish I'd killed her. I could hex her with pimples."

"And devious, too. Stop it, Potter, you're getting me hot."

"Warts. Scabs. I could even use Ron's slugs."

"That's it. Put away your books, lover, and meet me on the Pitch in ten minutes."

Harry chuckled as Draco stood to pack up his things.

* * *

Harry dropped a soft kiss on the shell of Draco's ear and the blonde snuggled into his boyfriend's heat.

"Are you okay, Draco?"

"Hmm? Why wouldn't I be?"

"I mean, about your Father and the inheritance."

Draco shifted, breathing in Harry's scent and the smell of grass. "I'm fine."

"Are you sure?" Harry tipped Draco's head back on his shoulder, forcing the blonde to meet his eyes. "You know that you can tell me anything, don't you?"

Draco didn't say anything for a moment, spent the time searching Harry's eyes, warmed slightly. "Yes. I know. I don't think I know anyone as well as I know you. I ought to, I've spent years trying to figure you out. So, yes I know I can tell you anything. But there's nothing to tell." Draco shrugged, looking away, "it's just money."

He felt Harry smile against the skin of his neck, dropping another kiss. "I wish I could say I know you half as well. You keep surprising me. It's just money?"

"Oh," Draco smirked, "I'm not saying I won't miss having it, and rubbing it in Weasley's nose that he's a poor bastard, but... I had a choice and I made it. And I'm not going to be sorry about it."

"Ah. That explains it."

"What? You think I've reformed?" Draco snorted delicately and smiled wickedly into the darkness, "Never."

"So... you're going to be a jerk with a sensitive side."

"Sensitive? I'm not sensitive. I'll have you know I'm still better than everyone else. More handsome, too."

"Mmhmm. I agree."

"Could still kick your arse in a duel."

There was a disbelieving snort, and Draco chose to pretend he hadn't heard it.

"Don't need anybody or anything," Draco nodded his head.

"Except me?" Harry whispered in his ear.

"Except you," Draco whispered back, turning for a quick kiss, "but don't tell anyone."

"I'll take it to the grave."

"See that you do. And now, I believe I'll retire. I have class in the morning."

"Noo. Stay, Draco. We can sleep under the stars-"

"My robes already have grass stains, Potter. And it's cold out here."

"I'll keep you warm. Promise."

"Tempting. But if I'm not in bed Snape will know and poof, there goes my scholarship. And then, I shall truly be poor. And 'out on the streets.'"

"I'll take care of you. You can be a kept boy."

"I have pride, you know."

"I don't. I'll beg. Do you want me to beg? Stay, Draco. Please-"

"Oh. That's pretty. But I really have to go. No, I mean it, Harry." Draco slapped Harry's hands away as they tried to pull him back to the ground. "I'll see you tomorrow morning."

"Fine," Harry sighed and laid back in the grass. "I'm going to stay out here for a little while longer. I have a Divination essay due in the morning-"

"And you haven't even started it. You're a horrible student."

"See me observing the stars? If only I had some company..."

Draco laughed and leaned down to kiss him. "Goodnight. Try to go to bed at a decent hour. You look horrible when you're disheveled."

"Do not."

"Do too. Love you."

"Love you, too. 'Night, Draco."

Smiling to himself, Draco made his way off the Quidditch Pitch and out of view of his boyfriend. Maybe he should have stayed out in the cool grass, wrapped in Harry's arms. Maybe he deserved it. He shook his head and kept smiling down at his shoes as he walked back towards the school and didn't notice the shadowed figure behind him.

And then his world went red, then black.

End Chapter