Title: The Potter-boy Problem
Author: Roslyn Drycof
Chapter: Six---Odd Behavior
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Voldemort has a new plan to get rid of the "Potter-boy Problem". A reluctant Draco Malfoy is ordered to carry it out, but things don't go as planned. He isn't as obedient as the Dark Lord would like and loses control at a crucial time. Whoops! HD, mpreg
Warning: Themes of slash, swearing, mpreg, and angst
Pairing: HPDM (also: RWHG, GWNL and others)
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter in any way, shape, or form.
----------
Two weeks later. . .
It was Saturday, and the savior of the wizarding world was stalling in the shower. He didn't want anyone to see the bump where his rock-hard abs had once been. And what self-respecting teenage guy wouldn't? It was embarrassing! Humiliating! And not to mention downright freaky. It disturbed the hell out of the Gryffindor that he was actually going to have a baby. All of his instincts cried out that it was wrong, that it went against all things natural. And then his heart kept stepping in, making him actually want the kid. Saying that he would love being a parent to a little boy or girl with black hair and silver eyes. . .or blond hair and green eyes.
Seamus was the last to leave the showers, taking forever primping in front of the mirror. Ugh. Ever since the Irish teen had announced that he was gay, he'd been acting it. Completely. The girls loved it. The guys hated it. All he talked about were clothes and guys. A little disturbing, to say the least.
Harry suspected that part of it was an act, because Seamus had never acted like this before. Even when people had already begun suspecting he was gay. A little voice inside the emerald eyed boy's head said that his friend was acting like this is response to the negativity he faced. Perversely, Seamus was acting GAY because that's what people expected him to do. And knowing this broke Harry's heart. Not to mention a certain other Gryffindor who was firmly in the closet.
That's us, the gay Gryffindors. Seamus is out, Dean is in the closet, and I'm undecided but leaning towards bisexual. Kind of funny if you think about it. . .Harry thought to himself, leaning his forehead against the shower stall.
"Harry, you gonna spend all day in the shower?" Ron's tenor voice called out abruptly.
Drat. Had to make Ron leave. "Uh. . .no. But I'm going to take a little while longer. Leave without me."
"You sure, mate? I can wait."
"Yeah, I'm sure. Don't want you missing breakfast. And you know 'Mione's waiting. New bookshop in Hogsmeade and all."
"You'll meet up with us later, though?" the redhead asked, already heading out the door.
Harry didn't know whether he'd go or not, but said, "Sure, unless something unexpected comes up. Have fun."
"I will. See ya!" With that, the second-to-youngest Weasley was gone.
Satisfied that he was alone, Harry stepped out of the shower cubicle and walked over to the floor-length mirror Seamus had vacated. A towel was cinched around his hips.
He groaned at the sight of his "bump". Not even three and half months pregnant and he was already getting huge. Well, okay. Not that big. But still, compared to what he looked like before. . .he was enormous!
I hate it! Why can't I be normal? Normal teenage guys do not get pregnant in some sick plan and evil wizard created to get rid of you. Seriously! I just want my life to be normal, calm. . .not a fucked up mess!
Anger churned in his mind, tearing apart the barriers he'd carefully erected over the years to hide his inner turmoil. He was full of pain and hate, but had it safely hidden away. Or so he'd thought. Now, he wasn't too sure. Sirius's death had caused some of it to leak out, but he'd managed to bottle it up again and go on living as the Golden Boy. The wonderful savior of the wizarding world.
It was ironic, really. The hero was supposed to be good and light. Harry wasn't. He was the complete opposite. How could he be happy if his life was wretched? People figured experiences like his would make him stronger. And it did, just not in the way they thought. His anger grew stronger, his barriers to hide his real emotions became stronger. Soon, all that would be left of him would be a mass of seething hatred barely veiled by a mask of indifference. Soon, he'd be like Malfoy.
Speak of the devil, a familiar voice drawled, "Intruiging bump you've got there, Potter."
Harry spun around to see Draco Malfoy removing an invisibility cloak not five feet away. "What the hell are you doing here, Malfoy?!"
The other boy frowned at the fury he heard in Potter's voice. He'd never heard such a roiling mass of emotions in the Golden Boy's voice before. It disturbed him. Greatly.
"I used your invisibility cloak. So nice of you to let me borrow it." He avoided answering Potter's question because he really didn't know why he'd come.
"That wasn't what I asked, Malfoy, and you know it. And I gave you that cloak so you could meet me without anyone finding out. Not to spy on me in the showers with!"
The blond narrowed his eyes. Something was wrong with Potter. Where was his mask? The anger in his eyes was white-hot and not directed at any one thing. It was a hatred leveled at everything. And to be honest, Draco was more than a little worried. This didn't look like any mood swing, but an actual break-up of feelings bottled up for years. Oh fuck. . .don't tell me he's kept all this hatred and anger hidden. Dear Merlin, it's enough to destroy him!
And even as he thought this, he realized that Potter wasn't alone in this. His own hatred was sealed inside himself by years of practice. He also realized that it had been simmering just below the surface for months. A little over three months to be exact.
"You know what, Potter? You're full of shit. What makes you think I would ever want to spy on you in the goddamn showers? Just because you're a fag doesn't mean I am, too."
The tension in the room escalated dramatically. "I'm not the one who screwed Zabini and who knows how many other guys. You're the fag here, not me!"
Draco fairly boiled with anger. "You ugly piece of trash. How dare you insinuate that I'm a slut! You know for a fact that I was a virgin!"
"Oh really? You could've been lying. I mean, you're an accomplished liar."
That was the last straw. Draco leapt at Potter, knocking them to the floor. He straddled the other boy, holding his arms captive above his head. In a deadly voice, he hissed, "You say one more thing and I swear you'll regret the day you ever met me."
Uncaring that he was the one in the vulnerable position, Harry raised an eyebrow and drawled, "Or you'll do what? Hit me? Dumbledore wouldn't be too pleased if you accidentally harmed-"
The raven-haired teen was cut off when Malfoy leaned in close and pressed burning hot lips against his. He tried to resist, but the aggression with which Malfoy was kissing him was calling on his own aggression. The blond kissed his with barely concealed anger, fairly bruising his lips. And Harry's anger answered eagerly.
Their mouths attacked each other, sucking, licking, biting. . .it didn't matter. They channeled their anger into something even more explosive, their passion. The attraction they had been fighting for weeks had suddenly found an outlet.
After a few minutes, reality crept up on them and Harry broke away, muttering, "We can't do this. I'm already late as it is."
Draco leaned his forehead against Potter and remembered why he'd come. "Shit. Dumbledore wanted to see us."
His former rival jumped up with a gasp. "He does? What for?"
At the panic in Potter's voice, the Slytherin got to his feet and replied, "Nothing bad. He said he knows of a concealing charm we could use. A safe one."
Harry sighed in relief. Thank Merlin! Now he wouldn't have to be afraid to let his housemates see him undressed.
"Thank Merlin."
Draco eyed his stomach and said, "Yeah. You're getting a little noticeable there."
The emerald-eyed teen raised an eyebrow. "And you're not?"
He scowled. "Shut up. I'm not the one in a towel at the moment."
Suddenly, they heard the door opening and Draco jumped in front of the other boy. Harry stood as closely behind him as he could.
Ron Weasley walked in and froze mid-step. "What the hell?!"
"Ron! What are you doing here?" Harry yelped, pressing closer to Malfoy.
"I forgot my tie. . .hey wait, that's not important. What is he doing here?!"
Harry told him simply, "Talking."
"Here?! While you're not wearing any clothes? And why are you hiding behind the git?"
Draco answered the question obviously meant for Potter. "He has at least some modesty."
"That's bullshit. He wouldn't be talking to you in a towel if that were true. And besides, Harry's never been afraid of anyone seeing him before."
The emerald-eyed hero said, "Maybe I've changed."
Ron snorted in derision. "Right. And that makes sense how? You talking to Malfoy in nothing but a towel and yet claiming to have gotten modest. Makes no sense at all to me."
The Slytherin crossed his arms across his chest and told the redhead, "It makes perfect sense, under the circumstances."
Harry immediately started glaring at his backside. How dare he imply that! Evil git! Liar!
Suddenly pale, Ron gasped, "You can't mean. . ."
Draco smirked. "And what exactly do I mean?"
Oh please no. . .please God no. . .don't let him say it. Please don't! Harry prayed silently, holding his breath at what he knew Malfoy would say next.
Ron said, "You can't be going together!"
"We're not."
Harry heaved a sigh of relief. Thank Merlin!
Then Malfoy shattered his relief with a single arrogant boast that was all Malfoy. "I have possessed him in all his manly glory, though."
The youngest male Weasley choked. Harry yelled, "Malfoy!"
Ron knew by the crimson color of his best friend's face and shocked look that Malfoy was telling the truth. Still, he tried one other approach, hoping Harry would tell him that the git was playing a terrible joke on him. "Harry, mate, please tell me you two didn't. . ."
The raven-haired boy dropped his head on Malfoy's shoulder for a moment before looking at Ron and tiredly whispering, "I can't. That would be lying."
His friend turned a faint greenish color and moaned, "Oh, bloody hell! Harry, what possessed you to shag that ferret? It's disgusting!"
Draco tried to leap at Ron, but was roughly pulled back by Harry and froze. He was really angry at the weasel, but the feel of Potter's belly against his back was enough to bring him to his senses. He still let out his anger, though. By yelling, "You watch your mouth, weasel. Your girlfriend isn't around to save you this now."
An ugly sneer was on Ron's face as he taunted, "Then come get me. No one's stopping you. Oh wait, I know. You're too pussy to hit me yourself. And your goons aren't around to do your dirty work anymore."
This time it was Harry's turn to get angry at Ron. How could he say something like that when it was obvious why Crabbe and Goyle weren't around? Draco had betrayed Lord Voldemort and was being shunned by his own housemates because of it. A horrible situation for anyone, especially someone who thrived on being in power like Malfoy. And at a time like this. . .although, Ron didn't know that. But still. It was a wretched thing to say!
Draco's shoulders suddenly started trembling and Harry knew what was about to happen. He gently took ahold of Malfoy's shoulders and turned him around. Placing his hands on the now-crying boy's hips, he looked at Ron and said, "Please go, Ron. That wasn't a very nice thing to say. Draco's given up everything by turning traitor to Voldemort and this is the thanks he gets? I'm ashamed."
Feeling guilty and hating the feeling, Ron yelled, "He only did it for a fuck. I bet if a Death Eater offered him a tumble he'd go right back to You-Know-Who's side!"
The redhead then stormed out of the room. Harry stared after him, utterly shocked. He had never been that cruel before, and to accuse Draco of a thing like that. . .it was horrible!
Draco was now full-out sobbing. "Everyone hates me! I'm not good to anyone!"
Suddenly feeling protective of the blond, Harry gathered the crying teen in his arms and held him tightly. "That's not true. I don't hate you and I know a lot of other people who don't hate you either."
Draco shook his head, weakly trying to pull away from the emerald- eyed teen. "I don't believe you. Who?"
""Dumbledore doesn't. And neiher does Professor Snape. And I know Zabini doesn't."
The sobbing boy sniffed and said, "Liar. I'm a useless disgrace of a wizard."
"No, you're not. Would I hang around a useless idiot?" Harry demanded softly.
"You're a Gryffindork. Of course you would, out of pity for less fortunate creatures. Your stupid hero complex."
Harry instantly made a decision. "Would I do this if I pitied you?"
He leaned forward and kissed Draco gently. The Slytherin was shocked into immobility, but he soon responded with a fervor much like they'd shared earlier, but without the anger.
Minutes passed, time that they didn't have if they wanted to eat breakfast and still meet Dumbledore. But they didn't care. They didn't stop until after breakfast was completely over.
Feeling better, Draco murmured, "Thank you."
"No need to thank me. I enjoyed it. Now, you better let me dress so we don't keep Dumbledore waiting."
Both were reluctant to break apart from each other. It was so nice to be held by someone. They eventually did, but almost immediately felt a loss that hadn't been there before. Each boy hid that feeling away, disconcerted by it's intensity. Neither liked change, and that was exactly what was starting to really affect their lifes. And it scared the hell out of them.
----------
Ten minutes later they were comfortably seated in the Headmaster's office and sucking on a lemon drop. Professor Dumbledore was watching them with a faintly amused look on his wizened face, enjoying their pleasure at the taste of the candy. Inside, he knew it wasn't really the candy that caused their pleasure, but he was still pleased nonetheless. It was good to see them getting along and looking well.
After a few minutes of a comfortable silence, he said, "I have called you here today because I have unearthed a concealing charm that will not harm your children."
Both boys looked up at him, relief clear on their youthful faces. "And it won't harm them one bit?" Draco asked, concern slightly tinging his voice.
"Not at all. It is mostly a simple glamour spell that has fallen out of use due to the fact that it only hides features and doesn't change the area physically. Essentially, it will cause your "bumps" to become invisible to everyone who does not know about your pregnancies. It will not change what is there, so you will have to careful not to bump into anyone."
They nodded in comprehension. "Good enough for me." "That's fine."
He performed the spell on the two of them just before Professor Snape entered the cluttered office.
"Let's get this over with quickly," the Potions professor said almost immediately, practically glaring at the Headmaster.
"Get what over with?" Harry asked, confusion clouding his emerald eyes.
Snape turned to Dumbledore, an exasperated look on his face. "You didn't tell them, old man?"
A smile played upon the elderly wizard's features as he told his employee, "I thought it should be your job to tell them."
The black-haired man glared resentfully at the Headmaster. Senile, old man! Why does he leave me with all the dirty jobs?! It's becoming ridiculous!
He turned to the two teenagers and reluctantly told them, "I will be overseeing your pregnancies from now on."
Both teens were aghast. Professor Snape was going to be in charge of their pregnancies? Yikes! Harry certainly didn't want the oily Potions professor anywhere near him. And Draco. . .well, as much as he respected his godfather, it disturbed the hell out of him to know he'd be near him. . .touching him. Ugh! Gross!
Severus could easily identify with the looks of disgust on their faces. He didn't want to do this either, but the old man was forcing him to. They had to keep this a secret at all costs, and unfortunately he was only one with at least a little medi-wizard training. And that had been when he was twenty!
"I assure you, I don't find the situation pleasing either. It is the only way to keep your conditions kept secret, so get over yourselves." he snapped, scowling at the teenagers.
Dumbledore sat there with a smile twitching on his lips. Severus was always one to prefer taking out his frustration on others than to working it out. It was quite amusing sometimes. And luckily, his bark was worse than his bite.
"Boys, your first appointment will be on Thursday afternoon at four. Now, don't you have a Hogsmeade weekend to get to?" the Headmaster spoke.
Draco could've sworn Dumbledore knew more than he let on because his eyes were twinkling much more than usual. Crazy old man. . .
He and Potter got up and left the office, strangely dragging their feet at going to Hogsmeade. "I don't feel like being around all those people."
Harry agreed with him. "Me neither. But I do want to go visit Fred and George. Ron's told me they've been wanting to see me for a while."
"The Weasley menaces? Why would you want to visit them?"
The emerald-eyed teen grinned. "They're great. And their jokeshop is amazing, ingenious really."
"Yeah, I've been wondering where they got the money to open it. The Weasley's have no money! Did they swindle it out of someone?" Draco seemed eager for some dirty gossip.
"Nope. I gave it to them. You know how I got a thousand galleons fourth year in the Tri-wizard Tournament? I didn't want it so I said they could have it."
The blond was in disbelief. "You gave up a thousand galleons? Are you nutters?!"
Harry shrugged. "I already have tons of it just sitting in Gringotts."
He had tons of money? So why the hell did he dress like a pauper? Draco said this and the other boy grinned. "I don't feel the need to dress all fancy."
"You don't need to look fancy to dress well! You know what, I'm taking you shopping. You desperately need some new clothes."
Harry scowled at him. "I do not." And yet, the allure of looking nicer was a strong temptation. He'd secretly been wanting a new style for a while. If he did get a new one, then he could blame it all on Draco. Hmm. . .smart idea.
"Okay. I have some money lying around doing nothing up in my trunk. Hagrid went overboard in giving me money out of my vault first year and I haven't spent nearly a quarter of it."
"Good. I'll go with you. I always carry my money with me. That's what shrinking charms are best for anyway."
The raven-haired Gryffindor shook his head, an exasperated smile on his face. Was money all Malfoy thought about? It seemed so at times.
They retrieved Harry's money and were off to Hogsmeade around nine o'clock. Everyone had already left, but they didn't care. Harry showed Draco the secret passage that led straight to Honeydukes and there they were.
"This would have been very useful in the past," the Slytherin murmured as he stared back at the trapdoor they'd climbed out of.
Harry knew what he meant. Over the years, he'd used it quite unrepentently. Mostly for sneaking out for a bit of fun when he was depressed. The bartender at the Hog's Head knew him very well, in fact.
"Where to first?"
"Weasley's Wizardly Wheezes."
Draco groaned at this. "Do we have to?"
"Yes."
So off they went, walking through the streets of the small town until they reached an ordinary-looking shop. Draco thought it looked quite normal and unassuming, until he heard an explosion from within. Oh yes, this was the Weasley twins' shop. There was no doubt about it.
They entered the dimly lit shop to find one of the twins laughing at a first year who had opened a Can of Worms. It was a simple joke. You opened the plain-looking can and it exploded on you, releasing tendrils of smoke in the shape of worms that covered your head so that you couldn't see. One of their first inventions, a popular one with young children.
"Ah! Get 'em off me!" the first year Hufflepuff cried out, beating at the worm-shaped smoke.
The Weasley twin chuckled, "Impossible."
"What?!" the kid shrieked, stumbling around.
Harry sighed with amusement and walked up to the eleven year old. "Don't worry, it'll go away in a minute or so."
The first year stopped panicking, looking immensely relieved. The smoke cleared within seconds and he glared at the Weasley. "You evil git. You knew it would do that."
"Of course he did!" a voice popped of nowhere and the other Weasley twin leapt down from the rafters.
The kid took one look at the exact copy of the person who'd tricked him and ran screaming from the shop, his two friends right behind him. One had purple spots all over his face and the other one had an extra eye on his forehead.
"What were you doing up there?" Harry asked George, easily able to tell the twins apart by now.
"Harry, our good friend! Come to see us at last," Fred exclaimed, coming over and shaking Harry's hand repeatedly.
"I was working on our latest creation. An illusion that looks exactly like a Northern Ridgeback and even breathes flame," George said on the heels of his brother.
Harry was impressed. An illusion that could actually breathe fire? Brilliant. Especially if a customer didn't know that it was an illusion.
"Oy, what's he doing here?" Fred suddenly asked, staring at Malfoy, who stood by the door.
Draco had been watching everything with amusement. He loved playing tricks on people, just as long as he didn't get one played on him in return. That's why he'd never come into the shop. The temptation to buy tricks was strong, but he didn't particularly relish being a guinea pig to one of the Weasleys' new jokes.
"I brought him. Ron said you wanted to see me?" Harry told them, diverting the topic from anything Malfoy. He didn't think Draco wanted to be the butt of some practical joke right now.
George bobbed his head in agreement. "Got a present for you."
"Never felt right, taking your money like that," Fred added.
"So we decided to pay you back," George finished.
Harry frowned. "I gave you that money as a gift. You don't owe me anything."
"Of course we do, Harry, mate! You're Ronniekins' best friend."
"And you're our best customer! Got to repay that somehow."
He knew when it was useless to argue with someone. And one thing you couldn't do was change the twins' minds once they settled on something. He sighed and looked questioningly at the twins.
George reached behind the counter and grabbed a trunk that looked exactly like a pirate's chest. "Got all your gold in here. Plus a present or two."
"Go on, open it."
Harry narrowed his eyes in suspicion at the eagerness on their faces. Something was up. "Is it tricked?"
"Would we trick you, Harry?" they asked in unison, looking aghast.
Yes, he inwardly thought. Still, he walked over to the wooden chest. Slowly, he lifted the lid, only to find himself staring at a grinning skull sitting upon a mound of gold galleons. "Hello there, laddie. Got to say the password or I ain't letting you at my treasure."
Password? That was it? "Fred, George, what's the password?"
"That's the trick, Harry. You got to figure it out. Involves a complex spell. . ."
". . .that randomly pulls a word from your head every time you open the chest."
What?! He'd be here all day! He scowled at the twins and turned back to the chest, ignoring Malfoy's laughter.
Hmm. What had he been thinking at the exact moment he opened the chest? "Shopping?"
"Wrong answer." The skull grinned and the chest lid lowered few inches.
"Did we mention you only get three tries?" George howled, his face split with a huge grin.
No, they didn't. Damn. He thought harder and guessed again. "Quidditch?"
The lid shut a few more inches. Glaring at the mostly hidden skull, he racked his brain for the password. What was I thinking? Let me think. . .I clearly remember it was something about Malfoy. What, though? Hmm. . .he smells nice. Wonder what scent of cologne that is. . .
"Sandalwood and a little bit of vanilla."
The chest lid burst completely open and Harry sighed in relief. Even though he didn't want to take any money from the twins, he'd been strangely compelled to get the stupid password right. Who would've guess it would be Malfoy's cologne?
Draco's mouth dropped open when he heard the password. "That's what my cologne smells like!" he exclaimed, staring at Potter in disbelief. He'd been thinking about what scent his cologne was? How odd!
The Weasley twins cracked up at this. "Wow Harry, didn't know you were so fixated on Malfoy like that."
"I'm not!" Harry burst out, red-faced.
He was clearly lying. And everyone knew it. "Don't be embarrassed. We think it's cute."
Oh no. That was not good. The twins thinking something was cute? That spelled trouble. "Aww, look at our little Harry. All grown up and thinking about other guys."
"Always knew Ginny wasn't the one for you."
Argh! Harry scowled blackly at the redheads. Great. Just great. He was now the butt of their teasing. "I don't think that's very funny."
"It is! Always figured there was something we liked about you. Lee owes me fifty sickles now!" George crowed.
Fred turned to his brother with a grin. "You'll just spend it on another toy for him."
"Too right. But he lets me play with all his toys whenever I want."
Harry stared at them in shock. "Are you going out with Lee Jordan?"
George tried to look sheepish but failed miserably. "Since sixth year. You mean you never knew? I'd have thought dear Ronniekins would tell you his brothers are poufs."
"You're gay, too?" Harry turned to Fred, disbelief in his eyes.
"Bi, actually. Going with Wood now. Boy does he know how to ride a broom." This last part was said with a horrible leer.
Eew. Harry did not want to think about that. "I can't believe you just said that. That's disgusting!"
"Like you haven't done it yourself, Harry. We know these things."
"Yup, it's plain in the way you act. Why lookie here at the way you're practically molded to Malfoy."
The emerald-eyed teen realized what Fred said and found himself standing mere inches away from Draco. He hadn't even consciously known he'd moved closer to Malfoy. And the thing was, it felt like the most comfortable thing in the whole world.
"Damn," he muttered.
Draco was beginning to feel uncomfortable at the way the Weasley's were eyeing him and Potter. "Uh, we'd better go. Leave you to your toys and such."
He backed away, Harry magnetically moving with him. The Gryffindor blushed and said to the twins, "I'll see you later."
"Wait! You forgot your chest." George picked it up and gave it to the raven-haired teen.
"See ya, Harry."
"Have fun with blondie."
Uh. . .yeah. He and Draco turned around and practically ran from the shop. Fred and George were really starting to scare him now. Who'd have thought they were both gay? What really disturbed him was the fact that they'd been looking at him and Malfoy with strange looks in their eyes. It was as if they were planning something.
"Those two are seriously disturbed," Draco muttered, eyeing the shop as if it were a dangerous insect.
For once, Harry wholeheartedly agreed with him. "I don't know what's gotten into them. They were never this weird before."
It was true. The Weasley twins were always a little bit odd, but today they had seemed weird in a different way. They'd somehow made observations that most people would have been blind to. Even Hermione wouldn't have come to the same conclusion the twins had come to. They'd been startlingly accurate. And normally, people thought Fred and George were simply walking troublemakers. But what if they used that assumption to their advantage? In a way, it made perfect sense on how they were able to play certain tricks on people. Somehow, Harry got the feeling they knew exactly how a person's mind worked. Quite frightening if you thought about it enough.
Hmm. . .wait a minute. If this were true, then they could be very instrumental in defeating Voldemort. Hey, that wasn't such a bad idea. Maybe I'll approach Dumbledore about this. . . no, he'd probably say no because he hates putting people in danger. They'll probably want to help, though. I could work apart from Dumbledore and the Order. Draco already agreed to help me destroy Voldemort. What if I gather people and form my own secret organization? Voldemort could be defeated so much sooner if this worked!
"Potter, what are you thinking"? Draco asked, instantly suspicious of the considering look in his former enemy's emerald eyes.
"I'll tell you later. Now, we go shopping. You promised to fix me up."
The Slytherin decided he could wait. Why? Because Potter was desperately in need of a new wardrobe. First we buy clothes, then I get him to tell me what's got his hero complex working furiously again. Something big is going on in is mind, and I mean to find out what it is. And I suspect it has something to do with the Weasley twins. But what could it be? He had better tell me everything.
Thus, they walked away from Weasleys' Wizardly Wheezes involved deeply in their thoughts. They didn't notice the odd stares they received from fellow students. Nor the fact that everyone was dying of curiosity at their strange behavior. Why were Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy walking around Hogsmeade together without fighting? Why was Harry carrying what appeared to be a treasure chest? Peculiar, very peculiar.
----------
Chapter Six finally done. This chapter took the longest to write, almost three hours. No wonder, though, it's the longest chapter of the story so far. Fourteen pages is quite a bit, more than I've ever written. Never gone beyond thirteen before.
I hope everyone enjoyed the shower scene and the part with the twins. Gotta love Fred and George. Unfortunately, I think I made them a bit OOC. Sorry about that. Anyway, I just wanted to point out that this is another chapter that will be important in future parts of the story. Ron's behavior will be very important in the next few chapters, and Harry's idea at the end will also be important.
Thanks for the awesome reviews! I'm glad my story is liked. (Yeah, I know I do this every chapter, but I'm just so happy people actually read my story!)
Much love, Roslyn Drycof. . .
Author: Roslyn Drycof
Chapter: Six---Odd Behavior
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Voldemort has a new plan to get rid of the "Potter-boy Problem". A reluctant Draco Malfoy is ordered to carry it out, but things don't go as planned. He isn't as obedient as the Dark Lord would like and loses control at a crucial time. Whoops! HD, mpreg
Warning: Themes of slash, swearing, mpreg, and angst
Pairing: HPDM (also: RWHG, GWNL and others)
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter in any way, shape, or form.
----------
Two weeks later. . .
It was Saturday, and the savior of the wizarding world was stalling in the shower. He didn't want anyone to see the bump where his rock-hard abs had once been. And what self-respecting teenage guy wouldn't? It was embarrassing! Humiliating! And not to mention downright freaky. It disturbed the hell out of the Gryffindor that he was actually going to have a baby. All of his instincts cried out that it was wrong, that it went against all things natural. And then his heart kept stepping in, making him actually want the kid. Saying that he would love being a parent to a little boy or girl with black hair and silver eyes. . .or blond hair and green eyes.
Seamus was the last to leave the showers, taking forever primping in front of the mirror. Ugh. Ever since the Irish teen had announced that he was gay, he'd been acting it. Completely. The girls loved it. The guys hated it. All he talked about were clothes and guys. A little disturbing, to say the least.
Harry suspected that part of it was an act, because Seamus had never acted like this before. Even when people had already begun suspecting he was gay. A little voice inside the emerald eyed boy's head said that his friend was acting like this is response to the negativity he faced. Perversely, Seamus was acting GAY because that's what people expected him to do. And knowing this broke Harry's heart. Not to mention a certain other Gryffindor who was firmly in the closet.
That's us, the gay Gryffindors. Seamus is out, Dean is in the closet, and I'm undecided but leaning towards bisexual. Kind of funny if you think about it. . .Harry thought to himself, leaning his forehead against the shower stall.
"Harry, you gonna spend all day in the shower?" Ron's tenor voice called out abruptly.
Drat. Had to make Ron leave. "Uh. . .no. But I'm going to take a little while longer. Leave without me."
"You sure, mate? I can wait."
"Yeah, I'm sure. Don't want you missing breakfast. And you know 'Mione's waiting. New bookshop in Hogsmeade and all."
"You'll meet up with us later, though?" the redhead asked, already heading out the door.
Harry didn't know whether he'd go or not, but said, "Sure, unless something unexpected comes up. Have fun."
"I will. See ya!" With that, the second-to-youngest Weasley was gone.
Satisfied that he was alone, Harry stepped out of the shower cubicle and walked over to the floor-length mirror Seamus had vacated. A towel was cinched around his hips.
He groaned at the sight of his "bump". Not even three and half months pregnant and he was already getting huge. Well, okay. Not that big. But still, compared to what he looked like before. . .he was enormous!
I hate it! Why can't I be normal? Normal teenage guys do not get pregnant in some sick plan and evil wizard created to get rid of you. Seriously! I just want my life to be normal, calm. . .not a fucked up mess!
Anger churned in his mind, tearing apart the barriers he'd carefully erected over the years to hide his inner turmoil. He was full of pain and hate, but had it safely hidden away. Or so he'd thought. Now, he wasn't too sure. Sirius's death had caused some of it to leak out, but he'd managed to bottle it up again and go on living as the Golden Boy. The wonderful savior of the wizarding world.
It was ironic, really. The hero was supposed to be good and light. Harry wasn't. He was the complete opposite. How could he be happy if his life was wretched? People figured experiences like his would make him stronger. And it did, just not in the way they thought. His anger grew stronger, his barriers to hide his real emotions became stronger. Soon, all that would be left of him would be a mass of seething hatred barely veiled by a mask of indifference. Soon, he'd be like Malfoy.
Speak of the devil, a familiar voice drawled, "Intruiging bump you've got there, Potter."
Harry spun around to see Draco Malfoy removing an invisibility cloak not five feet away. "What the hell are you doing here, Malfoy?!"
The other boy frowned at the fury he heard in Potter's voice. He'd never heard such a roiling mass of emotions in the Golden Boy's voice before. It disturbed him. Greatly.
"I used your invisibility cloak. So nice of you to let me borrow it." He avoided answering Potter's question because he really didn't know why he'd come.
"That wasn't what I asked, Malfoy, and you know it. And I gave you that cloak so you could meet me without anyone finding out. Not to spy on me in the showers with!"
The blond narrowed his eyes. Something was wrong with Potter. Where was his mask? The anger in his eyes was white-hot and not directed at any one thing. It was a hatred leveled at everything. And to be honest, Draco was more than a little worried. This didn't look like any mood swing, but an actual break-up of feelings bottled up for years. Oh fuck. . .don't tell me he's kept all this hatred and anger hidden. Dear Merlin, it's enough to destroy him!
And even as he thought this, he realized that Potter wasn't alone in this. His own hatred was sealed inside himself by years of practice. He also realized that it had been simmering just below the surface for months. A little over three months to be exact.
"You know what, Potter? You're full of shit. What makes you think I would ever want to spy on you in the goddamn showers? Just because you're a fag doesn't mean I am, too."
The tension in the room escalated dramatically. "I'm not the one who screwed Zabini and who knows how many other guys. You're the fag here, not me!"
Draco fairly boiled with anger. "You ugly piece of trash. How dare you insinuate that I'm a slut! You know for a fact that I was a virgin!"
"Oh really? You could've been lying. I mean, you're an accomplished liar."
That was the last straw. Draco leapt at Potter, knocking them to the floor. He straddled the other boy, holding his arms captive above his head. In a deadly voice, he hissed, "You say one more thing and I swear you'll regret the day you ever met me."
Uncaring that he was the one in the vulnerable position, Harry raised an eyebrow and drawled, "Or you'll do what? Hit me? Dumbledore wouldn't be too pleased if you accidentally harmed-"
The raven-haired teen was cut off when Malfoy leaned in close and pressed burning hot lips against his. He tried to resist, but the aggression with which Malfoy was kissing him was calling on his own aggression. The blond kissed his with barely concealed anger, fairly bruising his lips. And Harry's anger answered eagerly.
Their mouths attacked each other, sucking, licking, biting. . .it didn't matter. They channeled their anger into something even more explosive, their passion. The attraction they had been fighting for weeks had suddenly found an outlet.
After a few minutes, reality crept up on them and Harry broke away, muttering, "We can't do this. I'm already late as it is."
Draco leaned his forehead against Potter and remembered why he'd come. "Shit. Dumbledore wanted to see us."
His former rival jumped up with a gasp. "He does? What for?"
At the panic in Potter's voice, the Slytherin got to his feet and replied, "Nothing bad. He said he knows of a concealing charm we could use. A safe one."
Harry sighed in relief. Thank Merlin! Now he wouldn't have to be afraid to let his housemates see him undressed.
"Thank Merlin."
Draco eyed his stomach and said, "Yeah. You're getting a little noticeable there."
The emerald-eyed teen raised an eyebrow. "And you're not?"
He scowled. "Shut up. I'm not the one in a towel at the moment."
Suddenly, they heard the door opening and Draco jumped in front of the other boy. Harry stood as closely behind him as he could.
Ron Weasley walked in and froze mid-step. "What the hell?!"
"Ron! What are you doing here?" Harry yelped, pressing closer to Malfoy.
"I forgot my tie. . .hey wait, that's not important. What is he doing here?!"
Harry told him simply, "Talking."
"Here?! While you're not wearing any clothes? And why are you hiding behind the git?"
Draco answered the question obviously meant for Potter. "He has at least some modesty."
"That's bullshit. He wouldn't be talking to you in a towel if that were true. And besides, Harry's never been afraid of anyone seeing him before."
The emerald-eyed hero said, "Maybe I've changed."
Ron snorted in derision. "Right. And that makes sense how? You talking to Malfoy in nothing but a towel and yet claiming to have gotten modest. Makes no sense at all to me."
The Slytherin crossed his arms across his chest and told the redhead, "It makes perfect sense, under the circumstances."
Harry immediately started glaring at his backside. How dare he imply that! Evil git! Liar!
Suddenly pale, Ron gasped, "You can't mean. . ."
Draco smirked. "And what exactly do I mean?"
Oh please no. . .please God no. . .don't let him say it. Please don't! Harry prayed silently, holding his breath at what he knew Malfoy would say next.
Ron said, "You can't be going together!"
"We're not."
Harry heaved a sigh of relief. Thank Merlin!
Then Malfoy shattered his relief with a single arrogant boast that was all Malfoy. "I have possessed him in all his manly glory, though."
The youngest male Weasley choked. Harry yelled, "Malfoy!"
Ron knew by the crimson color of his best friend's face and shocked look that Malfoy was telling the truth. Still, he tried one other approach, hoping Harry would tell him that the git was playing a terrible joke on him. "Harry, mate, please tell me you two didn't. . ."
The raven-haired boy dropped his head on Malfoy's shoulder for a moment before looking at Ron and tiredly whispering, "I can't. That would be lying."
His friend turned a faint greenish color and moaned, "Oh, bloody hell! Harry, what possessed you to shag that ferret? It's disgusting!"
Draco tried to leap at Ron, but was roughly pulled back by Harry and froze. He was really angry at the weasel, but the feel of Potter's belly against his back was enough to bring him to his senses. He still let out his anger, though. By yelling, "You watch your mouth, weasel. Your girlfriend isn't around to save you this now."
An ugly sneer was on Ron's face as he taunted, "Then come get me. No one's stopping you. Oh wait, I know. You're too pussy to hit me yourself. And your goons aren't around to do your dirty work anymore."
This time it was Harry's turn to get angry at Ron. How could he say something like that when it was obvious why Crabbe and Goyle weren't around? Draco had betrayed Lord Voldemort and was being shunned by his own housemates because of it. A horrible situation for anyone, especially someone who thrived on being in power like Malfoy. And at a time like this. . .although, Ron didn't know that. But still. It was a wretched thing to say!
Draco's shoulders suddenly started trembling and Harry knew what was about to happen. He gently took ahold of Malfoy's shoulders and turned him around. Placing his hands on the now-crying boy's hips, he looked at Ron and said, "Please go, Ron. That wasn't a very nice thing to say. Draco's given up everything by turning traitor to Voldemort and this is the thanks he gets? I'm ashamed."
Feeling guilty and hating the feeling, Ron yelled, "He only did it for a fuck. I bet if a Death Eater offered him a tumble he'd go right back to You-Know-Who's side!"
The redhead then stormed out of the room. Harry stared after him, utterly shocked. He had never been that cruel before, and to accuse Draco of a thing like that. . .it was horrible!
Draco was now full-out sobbing. "Everyone hates me! I'm not good to anyone!"
Suddenly feeling protective of the blond, Harry gathered the crying teen in his arms and held him tightly. "That's not true. I don't hate you and I know a lot of other people who don't hate you either."
Draco shook his head, weakly trying to pull away from the emerald- eyed teen. "I don't believe you. Who?"
""Dumbledore doesn't. And neiher does Professor Snape. And I know Zabini doesn't."
The sobbing boy sniffed and said, "Liar. I'm a useless disgrace of a wizard."
"No, you're not. Would I hang around a useless idiot?" Harry demanded softly.
"You're a Gryffindork. Of course you would, out of pity for less fortunate creatures. Your stupid hero complex."
Harry instantly made a decision. "Would I do this if I pitied you?"
He leaned forward and kissed Draco gently. The Slytherin was shocked into immobility, but he soon responded with a fervor much like they'd shared earlier, but without the anger.
Minutes passed, time that they didn't have if they wanted to eat breakfast and still meet Dumbledore. But they didn't care. They didn't stop until after breakfast was completely over.
Feeling better, Draco murmured, "Thank you."
"No need to thank me. I enjoyed it. Now, you better let me dress so we don't keep Dumbledore waiting."
Both were reluctant to break apart from each other. It was so nice to be held by someone. They eventually did, but almost immediately felt a loss that hadn't been there before. Each boy hid that feeling away, disconcerted by it's intensity. Neither liked change, and that was exactly what was starting to really affect their lifes. And it scared the hell out of them.
----------
Ten minutes later they were comfortably seated in the Headmaster's office and sucking on a lemon drop. Professor Dumbledore was watching them with a faintly amused look on his wizened face, enjoying their pleasure at the taste of the candy. Inside, he knew it wasn't really the candy that caused their pleasure, but he was still pleased nonetheless. It was good to see them getting along and looking well.
After a few minutes of a comfortable silence, he said, "I have called you here today because I have unearthed a concealing charm that will not harm your children."
Both boys looked up at him, relief clear on their youthful faces. "And it won't harm them one bit?" Draco asked, concern slightly tinging his voice.
"Not at all. It is mostly a simple glamour spell that has fallen out of use due to the fact that it only hides features and doesn't change the area physically. Essentially, it will cause your "bumps" to become invisible to everyone who does not know about your pregnancies. It will not change what is there, so you will have to careful not to bump into anyone."
They nodded in comprehension. "Good enough for me." "That's fine."
He performed the spell on the two of them just before Professor Snape entered the cluttered office.
"Let's get this over with quickly," the Potions professor said almost immediately, practically glaring at the Headmaster.
"Get what over with?" Harry asked, confusion clouding his emerald eyes.
Snape turned to Dumbledore, an exasperated look on his face. "You didn't tell them, old man?"
A smile played upon the elderly wizard's features as he told his employee, "I thought it should be your job to tell them."
The black-haired man glared resentfully at the Headmaster. Senile, old man! Why does he leave me with all the dirty jobs?! It's becoming ridiculous!
He turned to the two teenagers and reluctantly told them, "I will be overseeing your pregnancies from now on."
Both teens were aghast. Professor Snape was going to be in charge of their pregnancies? Yikes! Harry certainly didn't want the oily Potions professor anywhere near him. And Draco. . .well, as much as he respected his godfather, it disturbed the hell out of him to know he'd be near him. . .touching him. Ugh! Gross!
Severus could easily identify with the looks of disgust on their faces. He didn't want to do this either, but the old man was forcing him to. They had to keep this a secret at all costs, and unfortunately he was only one with at least a little medi-wizard training. And that had been when he was twenty!
"I assure you, I don't find the situation pleasing either. It is the only way to keep your conditions kept secret, so get over yourselves." he snapped, scowling at the teenagers.
Dumbledore sat there with a smile twitching on his lips. Severus was always one to prefer taking out his frustration on others than to working it out. It was quite amusing sometimes. And luckily, his bark was worse than his bite.
"Boys, your first appointment will be on Thursday afternoon at four. Now, don't you have a Hogsmeade weekend to get to?" the Headmaster spoke.
Draco could've sworn Dumbledore knew more than he let on because his eyes were twinkling much more than usual. Crazy old man. . .
He and Potter got up and left the office, strangely dragging their feet at going to Hogsmeade. "I don't feel like being around all those people."
Harry agreed with him. "Me neither. But I do want to go visit Fred and George. Ron's told me they've been wanting to see me for a while."
"The Weasley menaces? Why would you want to visit them?"
The emerald-eyed teen grinned. "They're great. And their jokeshop is amazing, ingenious really."
"Yeah, I've been wondering where they got the money to open it. The Weasley's have no money! Did they swindle it out of someone?" Draco seemed eager for some dirty gossip.
"Nope. I gave it to them. You know how I got a thousand galleons fourth year in the Tri-wizard Tournament? I didn't want it so I said they could have it."
The blond was in disbelief. "You gave up a thousand galleons? Are you nutters?!"
Harry shrugged. "I already have tons of it just sitting in Gringotts."
He had tons of money? So why the hell did he dress like a pauper? Draco said this and the other boy grinned. "I don't feel the need to dress all fancy."
"You don't need to look fancy to dress well! You know what, I'm taking you shopping. You desperately need some new clothes."
Harry scowled at him. "I do not." And yet, the allure of looking nicer was a strong temptation. He'd secretly been wanting a new style for a while. If he did get a new one, then he could blame it all on Draco. Hmm. . .smart idea.
"Okay. I have some money lying around doing nothing up in my trunk. Hagrid went overboard in giving me money out of my vault first year and I haven't spent nearly a quarter of it."
"Good. I'll go with you. I always carry my money with me. That's what shrinking charms are best for anyway."
The raven-haired Gryffindor shook his head, an exasperated smile on his face. Was money all Malfoy thought about? It seemed so at times.
They retrieved Harry's money and were off to Hogsmeade around nine o'clock. Everyone had already left, but they didn't care. Harry showed Draco the secret passage that led straight to Honeydukes and there they were.
"This would have been very useful in the past," the Slytherin murmured as he stared back at the trapdoor they'd climbed out of.
Harry knew what he meant. Over the years, he'd used it quite unrepentently. Mostly for sneaking out for a bit of fun when he was depressed. The bartender at the Hog's Head knew him very well, in fact.
"Where to first?"
"Weasley's Wizardly Wheezes."
Draco groaned at this. "Do we have to?"
"Yes."
So off they went, walking through the streets of the small town until they reached an ordinary-looking shop. Draco thought it looked quite normal and unassuming, until he heard an explosion from within. Oh yes, this was the Weasley twins' shop. There was no doubt about it.
They entered the dimly lit shop to find one of the twins laughing at a first year who had opened a Can of Worms. It was a simple joke. You opened the plain-looking can and it exploded on you, releasing tendrils of smoke in the shape of worms that covered your head so that you couldn't see. One of their first inventions, a popular one with young children.
"Ah! Get 'em off me!" the first year Hufflepuff cried out, beating at the worm-shaped smoke.
The Weasley twin chuckled, "Impossible."
"What?!" the kid shrieked, stumbling around.
Harry sighed with amusement and walked up to the eleven year old. "Don't worry, it'll go away in a minute or so."
The first year stopped panicking, looking immensely relieved. The smoke cleared within seconds and he glared at the Weasley. "You evil git. You knew it would do that."
"Of course he did!" a voice popped of nowhere and the other Weasley twin leapt down from the rafters.
The kid took one look at the exact copy of the person who'd tricked him and ran screaming from the shop, his two friends right behind him. One had purple spots all over his face and the other one had an extra eye on his forehead.
"What were you doing up there?" Harry asked George, easily able to tell the twins apart by now.
"Harry, our good friend! Come to see us at last," Fred exclaimed, coming over and shaking Harry's hand repeatedly.
"I was working on our latest creation. An illusion that looks exactly like a Northern Ridgeback and even breathes flame," George said on the heels of his brother.
Harry was impressed. An illusion that could actually breathe fire? Brilliant. Especially if a customer didn't know that it was an illusion.
"Oy, what's he doing here?" Fred suddenly asked, staring at Malfoy, who stood by the door.
Draco had been watching everything with amusement. He loved playing tricks on people, just as long as he didn't get one played on him in return. That's why he'd never come into the shop. The temptation to buy tricks was strong, but he didn't particularly relish being a guinea pig to one of the Weasleys' new jokes.
"I brought him. Ron said you wanted to see me?" Harry told them, diverting the topic from anything Malfoy. He didn't think Draco wanted to be the butt of some practical joke right now.
George bobbed his head in agreement. "Got a present for you."
"Never felt right, taking your money like that," Fred added.
"So we decided to pay you back," George finished.
Harry frowned. "I gave you that money as a gift. You don't owe me anything."
"Of course we do, Harry, mate! You're Ronniekins' best friend."
"And you're our best customer! Got to repay that somehow."
He knew when it was useless to argue with someone. And one thing you couldn't do was change the twins' minds once they settled on something. He sighed and looked questioningly at the twins.
George reached behind the counter and grabbed a trunk that looked exactly like a pirate's chest. "Got all your gold in here. Plus a present or two."
"Go on, open it."
Harry narrowed his eyes in suspicion at the eagerness on their faces. Something was up. "Is it tricked?"
"Would we trick you, Harry?" they asked in unison, looking aghast.
Yes, he inwardly thought. Still, he walked over to the wooden chest. Slowly, he lifted the lid, only to find himself staring at a grinning skull sitting upon a mound of gold galleons. "Hello there, laddie. Got to say the password or I ain't letting you at my treasure."
Password? That was it? "Fred, George, what's the password?"
"That's the trick, Harry. You got to figure it out. Involves a complex spell. . ."
". . .that randomly pulls a word from your head every time you open the chest."
What?! He'd be here all day! He scowled at the twins and turned back to the chest, ignoring Malfoy's laughter.
Hmm. What had he been thinking at the exact moment he opened the chest? "Shopping?"
"Wrong answer." The skull grinned and the chest lid lowered few inches.
"Did we mention you only get three tries?" George howled, his face split with a huge grin.
No, they didn't. Damn. He thought harder and guessed again. "Quidditch?"
The lid shut a few more inches. Glaring at the mostly hidden skull, he racked his brain for the password. What was I thinking? Let me think. . .I clearly remember it was something about Malfoy. What, though? Hmm. . .he smells nice. Wonder what scent of cologne that is. . .
"Sandalwood and a little bit of vanilla."
The chest lid burst completely open and Harry sighed in relief. Even though he didn't want to take any money from the twins, he'd been strangely compelled to get the stupid password right. Who would've guess it would be Malfoy's cologne?
Draco's mouth dropped open when he heard the password. "That's what my cologne smells like!" he exclaimed, staring at Potter in disbelief. He'd been thinking about what scent his cologne was? How odd!
The Weasley twins cracked up at this. "Wow Harry, didn't know you were so fixated on Malfoy like that."
"I'm not!" Harry burst out, red-faced.
He was clearly lying. And everyone knew it. "Don't be embarrassed. We think it's cute."
Oh no. That was not good. The twins thinking something was cute? That spelled trouble. "Aww, look at our little Harry. All grown up and thinking about other guys."
"Always knew Ginny wasn't the one for you."
Argh! Harry scowled blackly at the redheads. Great. Just great. He was now the butt of their teasing. "I don't think that's very funny."
"It is! Always figured there was something we liked about you. Lee owes me fifty sickles now!" George crowed.
Fred turned to his brother with a grin. "You'll just spend it on another toy for him."
"Too right. But he lets me play with all his toys whenever I want."
Harry stared at them in shock. "Are you going out with Lee Jordan?"
George tried to look sheepish but failed miserably. "Since sixth year. You mean you never knew? I'd have thought dear Ronniekins would tell you his brothers are poufs."
"You're gay, too?" Harry turned to Fred, disbelief in his eyes.
"Bi, actually. Going with Wood now. Boy does he know how to ride a broom." This last part was said with a horrible leer.
Eew. Harry did not want to think about that. "I can't believe you just said that. That's disgusting!"
"Like you haven't done it yourself, Harry. We know these things."
"Yup, it's plain in the way you act. Why lookie here at the way you're practically molded to Malfoy."
The emerald-eyed teen realized what Fred said and found himself standing mere inches away from Draco. He hadn't even consciously known he'd moved closer to Malfoy. And the thing was, it felt like the most comfortable thing in the whole world.
"Damn," he muttered.
Draco was beginning to feel uncomfortable at the way the Weasley's were eyeing him and Potter. "Uh, we'd better go. Leave you to your toys and such."
He backed away, Harry magnetically moving with him. The Gryffindor blushed and said to the twins, "I'll see you later."
"Wait! You forgot your chest." George picked it up and gave it to the raven-haired teen.
"See ya, Harry."
"Have fun with blondie."
Uh. . .yeah. He and Draco turned around and practically ran from the shop. Fred and George were really starting to scare him now. Who'd have thought they were both gay? What really disturbed him was the fact that they'd been looking at him and Malfoy with strange looks in their eyes. It was as if they were planning something.
"Those two are seriously disturbed," Draco muttered, eyeing the shop as if it were a dangerous insect.
For once, Harry wholeheartedly agreed with him. "I don't know what's gotten into them. They were never this weird before."
It was true. The Weasley twins were always a little bit odd, but today they had seemed weird in a different way. They'd somehow made observations that most people would have been blind to. Even Hermione wouldn't have come to the same conclusion the twins had come to. They'd been startlingly accurate. And normally, people thought Fred and George were simply walking troublemakers. But what if they used that assumption to their advantage? In a way, it made perfect sense on how they were able to play certain tricks on people. Somehow, Harry got the feeling they knew exactly how a person's mind worked. Quite frightening if you thought about it enough.
Hmm. . .wait a minute. If this were true, then they could be very instrumental in defeating Voldemort. Hey, that wasn't such a bad idea. Maybe I'll approach Dumbledore about this. . . no, he'd probably say no because he hates putting people in danger. They'll probably want to help, though. I could work apart from Dumbledore and the Order. Draco already agreed to help me destroy Voldemort. What if I gather people and form my own secret organization? Voldemort could be defeated so much sooner if this worked!
"Potter, what are you thinking"? Draco asked, instantly suspicious of the considering look in his former enemy's emerald eyes.
"I'll tell you later. Now, we go shopping. You promised to fix me up."
The Slytherin decided he could wait. Why? Because Potter was desperately in need of a new wardrobe. First we buy clothes, then I get him to tell me what's got his hero complex working furiously again. Something big is going on in is mind, and I mean to find out what it is. And I suspect it has something to do with the Weasley twins. But what could it be? He had better tell me everything.
Thus, they walked away from Weasleys' Wizardly Wheezes involved deeply in their thoughts. They didn't notice the odd stares they received from fellow students. Nor the fact that everyone was dying of curiosity at their strange behavior. Why were Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy walking around Hogsmeade together without fighting? Why was Harry carrying what appeared to be a treasure chest? Peculiar, very peculiar.
----------
Chapter Six finally done. This chapter took the longest to write, almost three hours. No wonder, though, it's the longest chapter of the story so far. Fourteen pages is quite a bit, more than I've ever written. Never gone beyond thirteen before.
I hope everyone enjoyed the shower scene and the part with the twins. Gotta love Fred and George. Unfortunately, I think I made them a bit OOC. Sorry about that. Anyway, I just wanted to point out that this is another chapter that will be important in future parts of the story. Ron's behavior will be very important in the next few chapters, and Harry's idea at the end will also be important.
Thanks for the awesome reviews! I'm glad my story is liked. (Yeah, I know I do this every chapter, but I'm just so happy people actually read my story!)
Much love, Roslyn Drycof. . .
