~ Chapter 12: Sharing space with Draco ~
Days passed peaceably with Draco spending most of his time studying whatever Harry and Snape thought would be useful. In time, Hermione found the courage to join him. He on the other hand, had been extremely polite and helpful; he listed down the things Harry wanted them (Hermione, Ginny and Ron) to learn.
Harry and Draco shared their thoughts twice each day and as usual, they spent their time together in the world they created for themselves while they slept. Their sleep was free of nightmares but only if they were together. Harry was always the first to wake since the night Draco had moved in with the Weasleys. On the fourth morning after Harry left The Burrow, Ron threw a bucket of ice-cold water on Draco to wake him up. It had left him shaking and he developed a fever soon after, but he recovered quickly.
On the fifth morning, Dumbledore stopped by to drop the black chain off with Draco. He said that it did not have any malignant properties and that Harry could have it back. Ron had been a bit sour-tempered since Harry had left because most of Harry's birthday presents were in the Slytherin's room. Ron still didn't care to trust Draco.
That was how life at The Burrow went... peaceful, and sometimes filled with awkward silence. Draco couldn't wait for Harry to arrive and the rest couldn't help but feel the same.
**********
Friday, 15th August, late afternoon. In Voldemort's current hideout.
The entire house was damp and chilly. Rodolphus Lestrange sneezed and rubbed his nose carefully. He sneezed again. Lucius came into view holding a bottle and a spoon and handed both to him.
"Thank you, Lucius," Rodolphus said before sneezing again.
"I have absolutely no idea if this potion is effective," the silvery-haired wizard spoke with narrowed eyes. "Peter is no Severus."
"Huh," Rodolphus sniggered. He grimaced as he swallowed a spoonful of the remedy. "Blegh… Damn… that tasted horrible."
"Most medicines do," Lucius said with a nasty smile. "Are the women done?" he asked as he looked around for a chair. Rodolphus turned back to stare at the door.
"I guess not."
"Master!" Lucius hurried over to Voldemort who had just come down the hall. Suddenly, a loud explosion occurred from somewhere in the house. The door that Rodolphus had been staring at was suddenly flung open and Bellatrix and Narcissa came out running. Smoke followed them.
"Run!" Narcissa screamed, picking up her long skirt and sprinting off.
"What?" Rodolphus asked stupidly then choked when smoke suddenly surrounded him. Wraith-like hands appeared to wrap around his throat and tightened about it.
"Hello, Rodolphus. You're still alive," a ghostly voice spoke to him. He couldn't answer as he gasped for air, then began to flail about as he was lifted several feet up into the air.
"Master! What is it?" Wormtail, upon hearing the noise, had come running to investigate.
"Lucius! Get everyone out!" Voldemort hissed.
"Master…" Rodolphus managed to whisper.
"Ah… He is here…" the spooky voice muttered.
"AAAAHHHH!!!" The floating Death Eater screamed as he was suddenly let go.
"NOOOOO!!!" Bellatrix screamed, rushing past Voldemort without a thought for her own safety to check on her husband. It was too late; her husband had broken his neck.
"Narcissa!" Lucius barked and his wife came timidly. Her hair had become disarrayed in her haste and she was covered in soot. "What have you done?"
"I did as you asked," she reported. "Bella and I used Draco's hair to allow us to control him without being detected. We tried it with the Minister yesterday and encountered no problems as he entered the village. However, our son… he seems to be protected by something strong. No outside magic could alter anything within the Weasleys' home."
"Those are guardians," Voldemort said harshly. "Fools… Your son… if he knows how to… He could probably bring about my downfall…"
"These wraiths, Master… can they be made to report to anyone?" Lucius asked, looking at his wife in disdain.
"The old fool is already aware of our whereabouts, Lucius." Voldemort whirled and stared hard at his Death Eater. "We are leaving." Lucius quickly followed the Dark Lord as he gathered the rest of his followers to flee to some other place, leaving Narcissa to persuade her sister that it was best to leave her dead husband behind.
**********
At The Burrow.
When Draco awoke, it was to find himself surrounded by the worried faces of Mrs. Weasley, Charlie and Hermione. He blinked his eyes to clear his vision, trying to recall what had happened to make them so concerned.
"Drake!" Harry's thought was laced with worry and agitation.
"I'm fine, Green-Eyes," Draco answered weakly.
"Uh, Draco, Harry's not here yet," Hermione said softly and helped him up into a sitting position. He was surprised to see that he had been lying on the kitchen floor.
"What happened?" Mrs. Weasley asked but before Draco could summon the strength to answer her, Dumbledore Apparated in. For an old man, he was capable of kneeling down swiftly.
"Look into my eyes," he instructed. His keen eyes noticed that the peculiar black chain hung about his neck and he wondered absently if the boy had gotten Harry's permission before wearing it. Draco complied though the Slytherin was a little baffled at the suddenness. However, the Headmaster's eyes were strangely hypnotic and Draco was lost in them immediately. "Good. They could not influence you. I was a little worried about that," Dumbledore said as he got to his feet.
Charlie helped the young Slytherin to stand. Dumbledore smiled at Mrs. Weasley's anxious look. "It seems that his mother has been trying to cast a spell on him, to make him a puppet. So far, they have not been successful, thanks to the protections surrounding The Burrow." The old wizard looked into Draco's eyes once more. Dumbledore wondered again about the necklace's origin and purpose.
"Well, I should be going. I have a meeting with some members in the next few minutes." The wizard left without another word.
Mrs. Weasley still felt uncertain about Draco's condition but the fact that Harry would be coming later in the evening made her decide that she ought to get her cooking done. Charlie informed his mother that he'd be going to the twins' shop and that they would purchase some snacks together. Ron and Ginny had gone off ahead of him. Hermione didn't follow since she wasn't feeling well, but had asked Ginny to get the stuff a girl needed when she's at her most vulnerable state. She still felt a little shy talking about womanly matters with her boyfriend.
"When is Harry coming?" she asked then snapped her fingers once to gain Draco's attention.
"Hang on," he said absently. "So… when are you arriving?"
"I think in about an hour. Sev will be taking Black and Hawke with him and he's doing something strange to the premises. I have to help him now; he's calling me. I'll see you later, lover…"
"All right…" Draco straightened his shirt as he answered Hermione's question. "Soon. He has to wait for his godfather to seal the cottage."
"Oh?" Hermione's voice was filled with curiosity. "Where is he going? He can't be staying here too?"
"I don't think so," Draco said, shaking his head. "I think he's been attached to Lupin."
Her eyes went wide and Draco smiled faintly. He walked off but paused in the middle of the living room. What am I to do now? I really have no desire to strain my eyes reading a book or studying… Before the Slytherin could make up his mind about what to do, Hermione had decided for him. She appeared carrying a tray with two cups and a huge jug containing orange juice.
"Why don't you sit and just relax?" the girl suggested as she set the tray down on a coffee table, looking at him expectantly.
Draco studied her earnest face before scanning his surroundings for the nearest chair. He saw a light green armchair and headed straight for it. He lifted it then walked across to place it near where the drinks were laid out. Hermione was already curled up comfortably in Ron's favorite chair, which was a huge red couch. Draco helped himself to the juice before he sat, looking at Hermione directly.
Whatever it is, I just hope that she has forgotten what she saw during the train ride… Draco kept his eyes focused on her and was satisfied when Hermione showed signs of uneasiness. Blast you… If you have something to say, just say it. He waited patiently for her to speak.
"Well… Draco… I know that you might feel uneasy about talking to me…" Hermione said anxiously.
Draco carefully hid a smile. Damn right, I am uncomfortable talking to someone I called 'Mudblood' for nearly five years…
"— But you don't really have abilities like Harry, right?" She leaned forward and looked at him with round eyes.
I see now why Green-Eyes said that there are just times secrets can't be kept from her. She knows exactly how to pull answers from someone who's not expecting anything to happen… He mused. I'm glad that Green-Eyes warned me about her…
"You're being a little vague," Draco replied evasively.
"Well… you don't really have wandless magic like Harry…"
So she did notice what happened on the train. "Sorry to disappoint you but yes, I do." She gaped at him so he quickly added, "Just a little. I can do minor spells without using my wand."
"You call wrapping a shield around Snape minor?" Hermione asked incredulously.
Draco sighed. I had hoped everyone would have forgotten that by now.
"Didn't you say that the bracelet Harry gave you prevented you from burning yourself? What does that mean?" Hermione persisted with her questioning.
"I have a strange way with fire," Draco answered. He slowly drank his juice, eyes looking everywhere but Hermione. The girl was about to question him again but a thoughtful look suddenly crossed her face and she fell silent.
"You mean that shield of yours was made of fire?" she hazarded.
"Something like that," he replied. He was uncomfortable with her questions but mostly because he didn't really know anything about his strange Gift. Hermione decided that it was time for her to ask something else.
"Did you really call up a Patronus successfully?" she asked in a small voice.
He nodded. This particular topic was something he had already thought about but he hadn't discussed it with his lover. I doubt I'd have the guts to. He remembered the exact words he had thrown in Harry's face. 'Just watch yourself, Potter, because I'll be dogging your footsteps in case you step out of line.' Hermione seemed to be waiting for something and he suppressed a sigh. He wordlessly took out his wand and after several minutes of deep concentration, he muttered the incantation. It was far less tiring for him to conjure up one now and somehow, the sight of the ghostly white ferret standing on its haunches calmed his nerves. Hermione giggled and he scowled at her.
The slightest hint of magic caused his Patronus to scurry away and jump up onto his lap. Draco was so busy looking at the creature in surprise that he missed the mirthful looks of Snape and Harry. Draco let it go then looked up to find Harry's smiling face.
"Did I just see signs of you being humble?" his green-eyed lover asked mildly.
Draco snorted and then muttered, "You wish."
"Harry!" Mrs. Weasley exclaimed as she peeked into the living room.
"Hello, Mrs. Weasley," Harry greeted. He turned to face his godfather for a moment. "Sev, stay for a while, okay?" Draco saw Snape give a slight nod. Harry's trunk slowly landed on the floor. The sight of a familiar beak caused Draco to jump up and quickly rush to the cage where Hedwig was.
"Helios!" The Slytherin swiftly opened the cage. Hedwig hooted in appreciation as she slowly waddled out. Harry picked her up carefully, mindful of her talons and her wings before settling her on a perch. Draco in the meantime waited patiently for his owl to climb on his wrist.
"Don't you think it's wiser if you wear a glove first, Draco?" Hermione asked but he ignored her. Helios was crooning softly, shivering at his touch.
"Is he all right?" he asked Snape.
"He is. It is a good thing that Hedwig and Hawke found him before your father's men did," Snape answered. His black eyes surveyed the room before he decided to place his belongings in one corner where they wouldn't obstruct traffic. The doors to the cages that protected his owl and cat while they Portkey-ed swung open. Hawke launched himself into the air and flew low. Moments later, he shared Hedwig's perch. Crookshanks dashed forward and stopped directly in front of Black. The two cats sniffed at each other curiously. Crookshanks gave a low rumble while Black gave a soft meow. The black Persian headed swiftly for the chair where Draco had been sitting and began grooming himself.
"He seems weak," Draco observed, stroking his owl's head tenderly.
"He is but it will pass," Snape said. He had sat down on the green chair and Black was curled comfortably in his lap. The cat blended in well with Snape's customary black wizards robes and could not be seen were it not for the bright pair of yellow eyes.
Draco carefully cradled his eagle owl and carried him up to his room. He took his time, making sure Helios was comfortable and carefully fed him some treats he retrieved from a packet he kept in his trunk. His skin prickled with the sensation that he was being watched. He turned and saw Harry leaning on the doorframe. In his lover's hand was a small bowl from which the smell of blood carried to Draco's nose. The emerald-eyed Gryffindor came into the room and went straight to him without shutting the door. Harry's arm reached around his waist and gave it a gentle squeeze.
"Thank you," Draco said in a grateful tone. He took the bowl from his lover's hand and began feeding his owl slices of meat.
The two boys stood in the bedroom in silence. Harry wrapped both arms about the slender Slytherin's waist and rested his chin on Draco's shoulder, occasionally kissing the pale exposed neck as he watched Draco hand-feed Helios.
**********
"Mum! We're home!" Ron yelled just as soon as he slid out of the fireplace. He quickly got out of the way as his sister appeared. Seconds later, the other Weasley siblings stepped into the household; they had Apparated. Ron spotted Snape drinking calmly, his black eyes watching the rest with interest. "Harry's here?" he asked Hermione.
"Yes. He's upstairs in Draco's room. They found Draco's eagle owl and I think Harry took something up for it," she said and began conjuring up more glasses. She stood and handed her boyfriend a glass.
Ron drank his fill. "Who owns the cat?" he asked in a perplexed voice.
"That's Black," Hermione replied as she examined the contents of a brown paper bag that Ginny handed to her absently. The youngest of the Weasleys was checking the other bags, her mother helping her. "It's his cat," Hermione informed him as she nodded her head toward the Potions Master. Ron stared at him speculatively while Snape watched him with a raised eyebrow.
Two sets of feet descended the stairs and Harry and Draco came into view at the same time. There was a smile on Harry's face and Ron felt weird. Bloody hell… What am I thinking? He scolded himself. It's good that Harry is feeling cheerful… He stepped forward and gave his best friend a bear hug. Then he made a motion to hug Draco, who instinctively took several steps backward. Ron snorted with laughter at the disgusted expression on the Slytherin's face. Oh yeah… Boy, does it feel good to make him uncomfortable… He grinned widely, ignoring the suspicious look from Harry.
**********
Harry made his way to his godfather who had stood up moments earlier.
"Aren't you staying for dinner, Severus?" Mrs. Weasley asked in a disappointed tone, then sighed when Snape shook his head.
"I'm sorry, Molly, but Remus is expecting me for dinner," Snape answered seriously.
"Oh!" Mercurially, Mrs. Weasley chuckled. Even Hermione couldn't stop herself from smiling although she was a little unsure if Snape really meant what he said. "I hope you enjoy yourself, and be careful all right?" Without any warning at all, she embraced the tall man then set off for the kitchen with a smile. Snape blushed as he watched her go. Minutes later they heard her scold, "George!!! That's for Harry! Put it back!!!"
"Mum! I'm starving!"
"Hey, don't be selfish twin! Mum, I'm hungry too!" Fred yelled.
"Boys! You both have jobs! Why didn't you get something to eat on your own?" Mrs. Weasley asked in an exasperated voice.
"Because we love your cooking, that's why!" The twins replied in unison.
In the living room, the girls chuckled at the twins' childishness. Ginny turned to Harry and spoke, "Mum's baking a whole quail inside that small oven of ours. You'll love it."
"Girls!" Mrs. Weasley called.
"Yes, Mum?" Ginny yelled in reply.
"I need you to peel some potatoes for me!"
"All right!" Ginny shouted again and heaved a huge grocery bag toward the kitchen. Suddenly she paused and looked back over her shoulder. "Take care and we'll see you again on September First," she said to Snape with a smile. She went to the kitchen after that. Hermione dashed upstairs with her bag of personal supplies before going to help Ginny and her mother.
"Bill!" Mrs. Weasley called again.
The oldest of the Weasley brothers shook his head affectionately. Without speaking, he and Charlie picked up the bags that had been left behind.
Harry was of two minds regarding his separation from his godfather. Snape saw it and smiled. Ron stared in disbelief when Snape made the first move to hug Harry goodbye. Harry didn't want to think that he was overly dependent on Snape but being near the Potions Master made him feel secure and protected.
"Stay safe," Harry mumbled softly into Snape's hair. He let his godfather kiss him on his forehead. Harry took a deep breath then let go.
"You too, Harry. Mind you, do not disgust your friends during your stay," Snape said with a twinkle in his eyes.
After Snape left, Ron piped up, "Did he actually joke?" Harry replied with a soft chuckle.
**********
After dinner, in the living room.
Fred passed the bag of crisps around as the youngsters made themselves comfortable. Harry and Draco were both sitting on a super-huge cushion, courtesy of the twins. Ginny was reading a magazine and she constantly chatted with Hermione.
"Hey Charlie," Fred called. "Harry's here now so let's hear it from you."
"Hear what from me?" Charlie asked in puzzlement.
"You know… that day when Fudge came…" George reminded him.
"Oh…" Charlie had a funny look on his face. "What was it about?" he asked, as if he had forgotten about the whole thing.
"Charlie!" several voices chorused. The dragon keeper chortled under his breath. Then his face suddenly became serious.
"I have a feeling that Dad knows about it, but Mum shouldn't," Charlie said.
"What was Fudge babbling about this time?" Ginny curled her lip in distaste.
"Well, something along the lines of Harry being powerful enough that the village doesn't need the Ministry's protection…"
"Same old news," Draco said dismissively. All of them looked at him with unspoken questions. "Harry is a living hazard. Yes, he is powerful, but there are many more people with the Dark Lord, and they are more than willing to fight. The fact that Voldemort wants him… well…"
"So Fudge thinks that too much protection is going into the village?" Ron hazarded. "Come on! The Ministry didn't really do that much…"
"I agree with that," Charlie spoke as he shook his head. "They didn't really have anything to do with the protections in the first place, but the Ministry has to ensure that its citizens are safe."
"That's it?" Ron asked through a mouthful of chocolate cake.
"Sort of… He did say something rude about Mum, about this rickety house of ours and of course, the two of you."
"Us?" Fred and George piped up at the same time, looking innocently at their older brother.
"Yup! I would just forget about it though. Redheaded as the rest of you are, your tempers equally match the intensity of your hair color," Charlie said simply. Ginny stuck out her tongue and refused to talk to him after that. The Weasley boys laughed. Out of the seven siblings, Ginny had the hottest temper when angered and Charlie had the mildest.
"Having so many siblings must get a little tiresome," Draco observed as he peeled the wrapper off a chocolate frog.
"It depends on whether you learn to love them or not," Harry smiled as he replied.
Hermione and Ginny suddenly started laughing, causing Ron to roll his eyes. In a typically Hermione-esque voice, he said, "Girls…"
Out of curiosity, George summoned the magazine out of Ginny's hands. He too burst out laughing.
"What's so funny?" Harry had to ask. George sent the reading material over to him.
Looking at its cover, Harry and Draco saw that it was a fashion magazine. The pages flipped by themselves to the one that had amused the girls. The Slytherin wore a scornful expression and Harry chuckled.
"What on earth is the photographer… or maybe in this case, the make-up artist thinking?" Draco rolled his eyes, voice full of sarcasm.
"Well, the eye-liner on the kid is well done…" Harry disagreed.
"No it's not. The era of Egyptian make-up has long since died out," Draco sniffed. "And look at their eyelids! This one," he pointed at a girl in the magazine, "she's wearing black and she's dark-skinned. The black eyeshadow on her is hideous!"
"All right, all right… You win! Satisfied?"
"If I compare you to your godfather, Green-Eyes, you'd barely make an initiate," Draco said, referring to Harry's infinitesimal sense of fashion.
"Whatever…" Harry sighed. He took the magazine from his lover and scanned through the pages before giving it back to Hermione. He absently dipped his fingers into the bag of crisps then suddenly yelped when he felt a sharp pain on his middle finger.
Everything happened quickly. All Harry saw was Draco launching himself at Fred and the rest trying to break the two boys apart. Fortunately, the scuffle was brief and both Mr. and Mrs. Weasley remained unaware of the commotion in the living room as they were already asleep.
"You…" Ron was breathing hard, face purple with suppressed anger. Draco's shirt had come out of his slacks and his long silver hair was messy.
"Oh no…" Draco hissed. "You might want to ask your brother what in the hell was in the bag and look at Harry's missing finger…"
"Fred…" Ginny spoke in a very scary voice. She had been watching Harry all the while. True to Draco's word, Harry's finger was indeed missing.
"Bloody hell!" Ron stared at Harry.
The raven-haired boy gulped, staring at his hand. What in Merlin's name is happening? His finger was missing but there was no blood. Queer. If it had been bitten or cut off, he should be able to see the bone. He wriggled his fingers experimentally. Okay… He concentrated on his middle finger and felt it move. Well, it seems that something has gotten hold of the digit. That means my hand is still intact…
"It is?" Draco stopped glaring at Fred and knelt next to him.
"I think so… I feel like my finger is in a mouth of some kind…" Harry commented.
"Good evening Ginny," Dumbledore's familiar, kind voice reached them. He was holding out his wand, eyeing Harry's hand in amusement. The wizard muttered something and pointed his wand at Harry. The boy winced when he felt teeth scrape his finger as it was released.
"Bloody hell… That really hurts…" he muttered, shaking his hand furiously. He looked at the Headmaster. A huge toad was dangling upside down in midair.
George watched the toad with narrowed eyes then looked around for the forgotten bag of crisps. Absently, he asked Hermione to charm away the bits of potato crisps that had scattered on the floor.
"I don't bloody believe it," George swore. He was examining the bag which stated that the snack had a net weight of three hundred grams.
"What's wrong?" Harry asked while Draco examined his hand critically.
George stared murderously at the toad. "We've been cheated. Sir, how much do you think that weighed?"
"Approximately ninety grams?" Dumbledore gave his opinion.
"Oh, Cereste is in big trouble…" The witch had recently set up a shop selling mainly foodstuff in Diagon Alley across from the twins'. "I knew that there was something suspicious about five bags of these for twelve Sickles," Bill moaned.
"Drake, don't you think you'd better apologize to Fred?" Harry asked mildly but braced himself before hearing his lover's reply.
"To the twin, I have no qualms about it but you won't be hearing me apologizing to 'Ronniekins'…" His lover made a face and Harry sighed. He was about to gently chide his Slytherin counterpart when Dumbledore handed him a familiar looking letter. Ginny had already opened hers and was scanning the list with what looked like relief on her face. With the twins running their own business, the Weasleys did not have the financial problems that they had suffered when Ginny was about to start her first year at Hogwarts.
Ginny had received her exam results a week after Harry's birthday. To her mother's delight, she had actually done well and was intending to specialize in the branch of Healing. As a result of her accomplishment, she received fifteen Galleons to spend as she pleased. She sat back and began calculating how much the supplies would cost, oblivious to the chattering around her.
While Harry's friends were busy, Draco quickly went round to apologize to Fred. Ron didn't notice it since by the time his eyes searched for the Slytherin, the latter was already back beside his dark-haired lover, reading his own letter.
"I didn't know that you are still taking Divination," Harry commented as he took a quick peek at Draco's list. His lover gave a small shrug. "Pharmacology…"
Draco smiled and eyed him with a wicked glint. "Seems like we're going to have some competition later…" Harry laughed soundlessly.
"Well… Somehow, science is more challenging than merely proving that my reflexes are better than yours…" Harry responded with a roguish smile.
"Was that why you quit the team?" George asked curiously.
"No, the reasons are more complex than that."
"I see…"
Dumbledore cleared his throat to get their attention. Ginny, Hermione, Draco, Ron and Harry watched him avidly.
"Getting your supplies in Diagon Alley may be a bit dangerous," the old wizard said in a serious voice, "So I should like to remind you all to stay together as a group at all times. And always, always have your wands…"
"We will, Professor Dumbledore," Hermione responded.
Dumbledore turned to Draco. "And you, young Draco. You will have to be even more careful. Being a Slytherin, and being in Harry's company likely will not gain you any favors. From either side."
"I'll keep that in mind, sir. And I am unlikely to wander off into Knockturn Alley," Draco said. Though he had successfully hidden his worries about what might happen if the rest of Harry's friends bumped into them and saw Draco with him, Harry still managed to feel his uneasiness through the bond.
"Try that and our mum will forget that you are not actually hers and she'll probably try to spank you," Fred said jokingly.
"That will be all. Stay safe." Dumbledore turned to go but stopped. He was muttering under his breath something relating to a Remembrall. "By the way, Harry, your godfather requested that I remind you to hang up Phineas's portrait."
"Oh damn… I had forgotten about that. So Remus has one too?" Harry asked, heading for the trunk that he had placed in a corner. He successfully retrieved the portrait and looked about the living room, wondering where he should hang it.
"Hang it here, Harry," Bill suggested. Harry did as recommended and ignored Phineas's mumbles of being handled roughly. I think it's time for someone to do Sev's portrait. Harry filed that thought carefully in his mind.
"Phineas," Harry spoke in a cool voice.
The portrait mumbled some more before replying, "Your message?"
"Tell Sev that I'm fine. I'll be going to get my school supplies tomorrow, and I'll report again when I come back." Harry watched the figure disappear from the frame.
"Weren't you being a little curt, Harry?" Hermione asked in a disapproving voice.
"I was just teasing him! He knows it!" Harry protested.
Dumbledore finally said goodbye to them and Bill decided that it was time for all of them to take to their beds. The five students got up and began to make their way upstairs. Hedwig followed her owner automatically, flapped her wings lazily and landed carefully on Harry's floating trunk. The humans walked up the zigzagging staircase slowly, keeping the noise down to a minimum.
"'Night, Ron. Good night to the both of you," Hermione said as she opened the door to the room that she shared with Ginny.
"Goodnight," the three boys replied at the same time.
Draco went off to his own bed, not looking back. Harry felt a little disappointed that his lover had not even suggested him creeping into the bedroom while his friend slept. Ron stopped him before he could enter the room he was supposed to share with his best friend.
"Do you really want to share the room with me?" Ron asked bluntly. Before Harry could answer, Ron grabbed his shoulders and pushed him gently toward Draco's room. "He needs you more than I do," was all he said. Harry stared at him dumbly.
"I'm not pushing you away or anything," Ron continued, and his eyes went unfocused. "Though honestly, it's really weird that you are paired up with the git, I guess he's not that bad if he's your boyfriend. I know I would have probably done something violent if Snape had ended up being your boyfriend."
"Ron… I don't know what to say," Harry said in a hushed voice but Ron waved his hand negligently.
"Just trying to be understanding, mate. Go on and get some sleep. You probably have some things to discuss with him before we all head down to Diagon Alley tomorrow anyway."
"Right…"
"Harry…" Ron called out. "Try not to do anything strenuous."
"Ron!" Harry suddenly felt hot with embarrassment.
His friend suddenly froze. "He isn't listening to us right?" Harry paused to check. Then he shook his head. "Good… I was afraid that he might try to seduce you without consent. I'll see you in the morning, Harry."
Harry was left staring at the empty corridor. The sound of Ron's door closing echoed eerily. Hedwig hooted impatiently and he moved the trunk and its rider toward Draco's door. He walked until he reached it and before he could knock on the door, it opened.
Draco was not expecting the trunk or Harry, given the surprised expression on his face. "Harry, what are you doing?" the silver-eyed boy asked.
"I'm going to sleep on that bed," Harry answered, pointing at the bed with his chin.
"Your friend must have gone mental," Draco whispered but stepped aside to let him through. Harry smiled wickedly, making Draco a little nervous. The Slytherin stood at the door, watching his every move. While his lover went to visit the bathroom, Harry made himself at ease and was careful not to wake Draco's sleeping owl as he opened his trunk to get his sleeping and travel clothes out. He was hanging the clothes he would be wearing tomorrow on the back of a chair when the slight creak of the door caught his attention.
In a light tone, Harry said, "I'll be back in a moment. Why don't you warm the bed?"
**********
Fifteen minutes later…
When Harry came back into the room, he found Draco sitting on the bed, staring at Hedwig as she preened Helios's neck-feathers. Draco's eyes lit up at his presence.
"I thought she didn't like him," Draco commented and Harry gave a small shrug. He carefully folded his garments and placed them neatly inside a special bag where they would remain until it was time for him to do his laundry. He felt Draco's presence behind him but he still shivered when he felt hands on his neck. He looked down and saw the black chain Sirius gave him.
"Dumbledore said that it's all right for you to have it back." Draco kissed his cheek soundly.
"Did he say anything about it?" Harry asked.
"Nothing substantial," came his lover's reply. Draco was tugging him to the bed. As they crawled in, the candles that illuminated the room winked out and disappeared. Wrapped about each other, the two lay down in silence. As young as they were, things gradually grew interesting as time passed.
At one point, Harry paused, looming over Draco. His hands never stopped caressing Draco's exposed skin. His lover was panting and his eyes were wide as he stared up. "Are you sure about this?" Harry asked, letting his hands roam over Draco's chest, then move upwards to the pale shoulders, and then down again.
"Are you thinking of quitting halfway?" Draco struggled to sit up but Harry pinned him down.
"Hell no…" Harry answered in a husky voice. But go slow... He reminded himself repeatedly. However, it was easier said than done. Especially when Draco, his Draco, lay exposed on the bed, wanting nothing but him.
"Harry…" Draco whispered urgently then suddenly moved against him. Harry let out a whimper when he suddenly found himself penetrating a delicious warmth. The Slytherin fell back onto the bed, suddenly overwhelmed by exquisite sensations. Harry took over from there. Thirty minutes later, with Harry lying on the bed and Draco sitting atop of him, their cries of pleasure echoed around the room. Thankfully, they went unheard outside the bedroom due to the heavy-duty Silencing Charms Draco had cast. Both of them slowly calmed but by that time, the two of them were so highly sated that they were finding it impossible to stay awake much longer.
"Green-Eyes… what are we to do?" Draco asked worriedly, collapsing beside Harry.
"I don't know… I can't move…" Harry groaned.
"We have to … Ginny always barges in here early to wake me up… We shocked her with news that we're together… I don't really want her to be struck catatonic by our current state of dishabille; it indicates that we've been together…" the Slytherin fretted.
"Then I guess we have to clean ourselves up… get dressed… and play innocent…" Harry sighed as he sat up. "But Merlin knows I'd rather stay here in the nude with you on the bed…"
"Oh? Are you that much of an exhibitionist?" Draco teased and Harry slapped him lightly on his arm.
"As much an exhibitionist as Sev's photogenic," he grumbled. Much to his discontent, Draco chuckled continuously as he helped Harry clean the bed up. That stopped when Harry kissed him.
With a murderous look, Harry sent him a thought, "Get to sleep, Drake…"
"Only if you wrap me in your arms…"
"Merlin… you're truly impossible…"
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