Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.

WARNING: Male/male relationship that includes incest. Harry and Draco are angsty and sentimental in this story so that means they're OOC. Blaise Zabini is a boy and is OOC. This chapter has not been beta-ed.

A/N: Sorry, this chapter was too long and I could enter the teaser or else it would really be super ultra long. The teaser is in the next chapter. Promise! Introduction of new people in this chapter: Blaise and Hansel.

The Hardship That Brothers Face

Chapter 8: Interference

Please note the WARNING before to go on.

I hate it when you say you're sorry, when you apologize like I don't understand you.

I hate it when you wipe your eyes, and say that it's only sand.

I hate it more when you cry inside and never tell me about it.

I hate it when you go to someone else to confide in your problems.

I hate it when you make me worry, plain simple.

Why do I love you so, when you evoke feelings of hate within me?

Tell me. Why?

14 years, 11 months and two weeks. That's about how long Harry had known his little brother. But how much did he actually know about Draco? He knew his favourite colour was dark green and that he loved vanilla ice-cream. Harry knew Draco loved Potions and wanted to run his own apothecary in future.

Blaise Zabini knew Draco for two years, three months and two weeks. So how? How did he know more about Draco than his own older brother?

Not many knew about the true relationship between Harry and Draco. Few suspected, but those who knew for sure were Harry's dorm mates, Ron, Hermione, Remus, Sirius, Dumbledore (inside source) and Blaise.

How did Zabini find out though?

"Harry, is something wrong?"

Harry stumbled out of his stupor and smiled at Draco. "No. Why do you ask?"

"Somebody who is completely alright would eat their ice-cream instead of observing it melt." Draco smiled, dimples carving into his cheeks. His silvery-blue eyes twinkled with soft laughter. Harry stared at him. Draco waved his hand in front of his brother's unblinking eyes. "Harry? You still there?"

"Sorry," the green-eyed boy muttered. "I didn't get enough sleep yesterday." Harry slept, but he was plagued with disturbing dream through the night. And all of them resonated of the conversation he had with Blaise under the moonlit sky yesterday after dinner.

Yesterday, after dinner:

"You wanted to talk to me," began Harry. "You never talk to me. What's up?"

"I'll get straight to the point," said Blaise, his hands clasped behind his back and looking very much like a businessman. "I want Draco."

Harry raised an eyebrow. "Oh, is it another play?"

Blaise Zabini was the director to the jester-marionette play performed in the Masquerade party not too long ago. The astounding response it got made Zabini famous in Hogwarts as a prodigy in theatrical plays. And it was him, after all, who allowed Draco the role of the jester.

"Yes and no," replied Blaise. "I have not realised it before, and I curse myself for it. Your brother Draco is beautiful. He has the grace and form of a sweet lady and his face can capture hearts. And I can tell he has a fire within him. I want him in my next play on Christmas."

"Shouldn't you be talking to Draco then?" asked Harry. "Why call me out?"

"I have spoken to him about the play. He has agreed. But now, I want to talk to you, his brother, about something else entirely. Lately, I've heard that you and Draco have gotten together despite your blood ties with him. And though he chose you, I bet you cannot swear that you can bring him happiness."

Harry frowned. He didn't like where this was going.

"You have known him forever, Harry," continued Blaise. "But, do you really know him? Do you understand him? Do you have what it takes to make him happy and feel safe? Harry, I want to be with him. And for that to happen, I need you to get out of the way."

"Bullshit," swore Harry heatedly. "You think you can just shoo me because you have the hots for my brother? The answer is no."

"How quickly you answer."

"Besides, Draco wouldn't fall for a poetic freak like you. You speak in metaphors and similes and what-not. What are you? Shakespearean? All you can bring Draco is a headache. I am the one he loves. And I love him dearly as well."

"Do you? Do you really? I can hear doubt in your conviction. After all, incest is not widely accepted even in the wizarding world. And besides, what do you really know of Draco?"

"You have no right to talk about what I do or do not know about Draco," retorted Harry, none too politely.

Blaise started to circle Harry. "Let me tell you a few titbits about your brother. Whenever he gets frustrated, he taps his fingers, did you know that? And when he's exhausted, he won't ask for water but a refreshing cup of iced lemon tea. And he hates sugar. Did you know that as well? How often does he do his laundry? Twice a week. What cake does he like? Marble cheese. Which does he prefer? Chess or Go? Neither. Last question, in terms of bonding…top or bottom?"

Heat rose to Harry's cheeks, both in anger and abashment. He hated to admit but all those things Blaise had just said, he had known none of them. He never knew Draco liked iced lemon tea. He had never noted whenever Draco tapped his fingers and Harry was the one who always added sugar to Draco's coffee.

"You know close to nothing about your brother," said Blaise with a knowing smirk. "I only got to know him when he rehearsed for my play. He was the most interesting actor in the crew. So beautiful and vibrant. Musical laugh, wonderful blue eyes…I want him, Harry, and I will take him with or without your consent. I called you out here merely to give you a warning. Have a nice night, Harry."

With that, Blaise left leaving a stunned and speechless Harry in his wake.

Returning to the present time, Harry pushed his melted ice-cream away from him. Draco snuggled his head under Harry's arm. "What's the matter?" he asked. He looked so cute right then. Harry smiled and shook his head.

However, his gaze wandered to the table across the hall. Blaise Zabini was looking at him with a smirk, mouthing, "He will be mine."

Harry squeezed Draco slightly and stood up. "Come on, let's get ready for Potions."

Draco nodded and stood up, brushing breadcrumbs from the corners of his mouth. So beautiful and vibrant. The blonde grinned at Harry and looped an arm around his shoulder. Top or bottom? Harry blushed furiously. Damn that Zabini!

"Harry, are you sure you're alright?" Draco frowned in concern. "You know you can tell me anything. Oh, hi Blaise."

Harry's attention was caught at the mention of the despised name. Draco spoke with the Slytherin for a while before returning to Harry. "I have to discuss something with Blaise. See you in Potions?"

Harry nodded mutely, as Draco hurriedly went to Blaise, who looped an arm around the blonde's shoulder. Unbeknownst to Draco, Blaise threw a smirk at Harry. Harry wanted to slap him. His hands curled into fists, restraining himself.

"Something wrong, buttercup?"

Buttercup? Harry turned around and was met with a boy with blue eyes. Harry widened his eyes in recognition. The blue-eyed boy was the person in black who danced with Harry during the Masquerade. He was a seventh-year Ravenclaw as it turned out.

The Ravenclaw laughed. "Sorry, I didn't know your name so I had to resort to using a pet name. Do you mind?"

"I don't mind having a pet name but not Buttercup," said Harry jovially. "My name's Harry."

"I am Hansel." Harry noted that he had a slight Transylvanian accent. It reminded Harry of one of the Dracula movies he'd seen with Draco when they were much younger. "It's a pity we were not able to continue our dance the other night. I had no idea you had a rendezvous with the jester."

Harry laughed. "The jester is my little brother, for your information. I have to get ready for class."

"Want me to accompany you?" offered Hansel.

Draco was gone. And Harry was bound to feel more depressed walking alone. "Sure," he agreed. "Why not?" They chatted as they made for the Gryffindor common room so that Harry could retrieve his Potions things.

Still at the breakfast table, Hermione and Ron munched on their French toast thoughtfully.

"Hey, Herm. Aren't Draco and Harry an item now?" asked Ron.

"Yes, why do you ask?" replied Hermione.

"If they are, then why are they walking together with two different people?" asked Ron.

Hermione shook her head. "Hell if I know."

Draco glanced at his watched for the umpteenth time and drummed his fingers nervously on the wooden table in front of him. Where's Harry? If he did not arrive in the next minute, Snape was going to be very generous with the detention-giving, candy discount or not.

"Do not be so worried," said Blaise, putting his hand over Draco's drumming fingers. "I am sure he is capable of escorting himself to the dungeons even without your guide."

"Huh? Oh, sorry Blaise. It's just that sometimes, you talk a little too long-windedly." Draco smiled sheepishly as Blaise scowled inwardly. Could that Potter actually be right when he said Draco was turned off by his flowery speech?

Out of the blue, Harry rushed into the dungeons and took the seat closest to him, his pants coming in short breaths. "Made it in time," he gushed out. He waved at someone who stood at the doorway. "Thanks for walking me, Hans."

Draco heard someone reply "You are welcome" but that person was gone when he turned behind. Hans? Who was this Hans? Harry never told him about knowing someone called Hans.

"Harry," he waved. "Where were you?"

Harry was about to answer when he saw Blaise's hand on Draco's. He pursed his lips and pretended that he had not heard Draco. How dare that conniving Slytherin put his hand on Draco! Draco frowned when Harry did not respond. He wanted to go over and sit beside Harry but Snape, with his absolutely atrocious timing, suddenly entered the classroom and demanded complete silence.

Throughout the lesson, Draco sneaked glances at Harry and was too distracted to notice that Blaise had snaked an arm around his waist. Harry, however, was determined not to look at Draco and see that arm around his Draco! He busied himself with the potion and talked only to his partner, Dean.

When the lesson ended, Dean helped Harry clean up. Then unexpectedly, Dean said under his breath, "You're doing it again, Harry."

Harry blinked like a deer in headlights. Confused. "Doing? Doing what?"

"You're giving your brother the cold shoulder again," said Dean. "Didn't you just get back together with him?"

"I'm not giving Draco the cold shoulder," protested Harry. "It's that idiot Zabini."

"I told you your brother hates me," said a voice that sounded like nails on a chalkboard to Harry. Surely, it could be none other than Zabini.

"So it's true then," said Draco. "You're avoiding me because I'm hanging out with Blaise. I didn't believe it when he told me but now I see it. How can you be jealous of my good friend?" With that, Draco fled the dungeons, a smirking Blaise following not too far behind.

"Dean," began Harry.

"Yes?" he replied.

"When did I avoid Draco?"

Dean shrugged. "Merlin knows."

Blaise Zabini. Draco had not realized how irritating he was up till now. The Slytherin had been practically hanging off him. Draco shivered at the thought that he had actually allowed Blaise to put his hand on his waist. Why wasn't he conscious of it till now?

With that poetically lewd mind, Blaise probably wanted Draco in his bed. After he left the dungeons, Draco shooed Blaise away, saying he needed some time alone. Then, the blonde went to wait for Harry outside the dungeons. He wondered if his brother had believed his act. He could remember Harry's flabbergasted look when he accused him of being jealous of Blaise.

Draco chortled softly but his cheerful mien dropped like a rock in water when he saw Harry walking out of the dungeons but not alone. He was talking to a boy with blonde hair, and was taller than Harry. A green fire ignited within Draco. Who was he? Who was this bold person who dared to –

Wait, the tall blonde boy wasn't really doing anything. Just talking to Harry. What was Draco getting all worked up for? Regaining his composure, Draco chased up to Harry and lightly tapped him on his shoulder.

When Harry saw that it was Draco, his reaction was immediate. "I swear I was not avoiding you," he declared.

The boy beside Harry blinked. "Ah, you must be Draco, Harry's younger brother and the masquerading jester. Pleased to meet you." The boy gave a half bow. "I am Hansel."

Draco returned the slight bow, somewhat confused. "Um, pleased to meet you too. Harry, I have to speak with you."

"Aren't you mad at me?" asked Harry, remembering Draco's outburst after Potions class. "Shouldn't you be with Blaise?" It was an innocent question. But the way Harry had said it, his tone was so sharp yet emotionless, it cut Draco like a blade.

Harry was hurt. Draco knew. His brother was hurt by what Draco said earlier although he had been acting. But, he didn't have to act this way.

"I'll see you at lunch," said Harry. "Come on, Hans. You'll be late for Arithmancy if we linger here."

Draco stood stock still as he watched Harry leave with another man. He stiffened his jaw. He was a man, gay or not, he was a man. Men do not cry over silly things.

Harry, you heartless jerk!

"Draco—"

"Not now, Blaise," said Draco in an irked tone.

"Draco, please tell me what's the matter," pleaded Blaise.

Draco turned at glared sharply at Blaise. The Slytherin felt his hairs stand on end. Angry heat emanated from the blonde.

"Leave me be," Draco gritted out.

"It's about Harry, isn't it?" guessed Blaise. "He's found another guy and you are angry with him."

"He's not the only one I'm angry with," said Draco. "Why, Blaise? Why would you try and break me and Harry up?"

Blaise gave a soft smirk. He was seen through so easily. His acting must be worse than he thought. "He does not deserve you," said Blaise softly. "He does not understand you as well as I. He does not know you. He cannot bring you happiness. I can. I can –"

"Shag me then leave me in the cold," interrupted Draco. "You don't love me. Don't lie. You just want me to be another one of your conquests. Well, let me tell you now, I will never sleep with you. I may be wrong now and you might really love me but your feelings will go unaccepted. The only one I will accept inside me is Harry. Got that?"

In his heated confrontation, Draco had closed in on Blaise until his very own breath was warming Blaise's lips. The Slytherin smiled softly. "Well at least I know something more about you. You prefer to be bottom, I see."

Draco blushed. When did he say that? He recalled all he had said and blushed even more furiously. Oh.

Blaise nodded. "Okay, I understand. I accept defeat. Harry has won again without even trying. But let me ask you. Why do you give your affections to someone who appreciates it less than I?"

"Because I love him," answered Draco simply. "He doesn't have to understand me to make me happy. Love is not a quid pro quo. I do not expect anything out of him. Merely his love."

Blaise laughed. "People call me a poetry-sodden fool. But just now, your words are even too cheesy for me."

"Cheesy they may be, but that is how I feel," said Draco. He grinned. "Love makes you cheesy. When you really fall in love with someone who is more worthy, you will be saying something even cheesier."

There was something magical within Draco, Blaise realized. Not only was the blonde a beauty, an enigma sometimes, he was also right. He spoke as one who has suffered to make true his love. "Love makes us cheesy fools then?"

Draco nodded. "That's right."

Love makes us cheesy fools. But even Draco was not foolish enough to ignore Harry's coldness. That night, Harry returned to the common room quite late. He had been out practicing Quidditch with Hansel and a few other players.

Draco was waiting for him by the fire. "What kept you?" His sudden question spooked Harry who had just realized his brother was there.

"Draco! It's late. What are you still doing up?" asked Harry, purely out of concern.

"You will not switch the topic," said Draco firmly.

Harry winced. Draco sounded angry. Harry hobbled to the couch and put his broom against it. He limped towards his brother. "I have done something stupid again, haven't I? I'm sorry."

Draco looked at his brother. The depth of his sadness showed in his eyes surprised Harry.

I hate it when you say you're sorry, when you apologize like I don't understand you.

"Both you and I have gone through too much to just break it off, Harry," said Draco. "Don't you understand how much I love you?"

"I know I shouldn't have doubted you. But Blaise spoke to me," said Harry. Draco frowned slightly. Blaise again. "Blaise made me realize how little I've sacrificed. How little I knew about you. How little I deserved. I'm your brother. And yet I know you so little. I'm not even sure if you're happy being with me." Moisture dabbed the area under his green eyes.

Draco longed to embrace him. "Please don't cry."

Harry shook his head. "It's nothing."

I hate it when you wipe your eyes, and say that it's sand.

"You don't trust me," said Draco, the hurt in his voice evident.

"It's not that. It's just that…" Harry bit his lip. How to explain. How to explain that he was afraid that Draco would leave him for someone else. The only assurance in his life had been his younger brother who had always been there, you was always there to help him.

"We've been over this three times, Harry," said Draco in a slightly exasperated tone.

Harry put his hands together in a begging gesture. "Please, just one more time. I'm sure I'll get it this time." (refer to Chapter 1)

Draco began ball his hands into fists.

I hate it more when you cry inside and never tell me about it.

"Blaise was right in his own sense," said Harry. Again it was Blaise. "You do deserve someone better. Who am I to interfere with someone who had good intentions towards you? Who could make you laugh and see your potential in acting and can lift your spirits when they are lowest. Even Hans said it. I was being selfish."

Hans.

I hate it when you go to someone else to confide in your problems.

Draco's whole body stiffened. Why were so many people interfering?

In silent anger, Draco took one step forward making Harry unconsciously take a step backward. He winced visibly.

"Harry?" whispered Draco. His eyes drifted to his brother's left foot. Harry wasn't putting any weight on his left foot. And he had been limping when he returned to the common room. "Your foot?"

The green-eyed boy tried to force out a sheepish laugh that sounded nervous more than anything. "Ah, you know Quidditch. You see a sprained ankle all the time."

"You shouldn't be walking without help. Have you gone to see Madam Pomfrey?"

The guilty look in those green eyes answered the question. Draco lowered in eyes sadly.

I hate it when you make me worry, plain simple.

Draco looked at Harry. His older brother, with so many flaws yet so perfect. How had he fallen in love with such a nutcase? Was he mad?

Why do I love you so when you evoke feelings of hate within me?

The blonde reached out his hands towards his brother. Harry thought Draco wanted to hit him. He closed his eyes and braced himself for impact.

Tell me. Why?

Draco closed his arms around Harry and embraced him tightly, like Harry would slip through him if he let go. Harry felt a bit awkward. His hands were pinned to his sides by Draco's arms around me and he couldn't move. He shifted so that he wouldn't have to pressure his sprained ankle.

"Uh, Draco?" he asked, wondering if his brother was just tired or something.

"Shh. Don't move," said Draco, barely a whisper.

Harry sighed quietly and pressed his cheek against the side of Draco's head. Both of them needed reassurance. Both of them needed to be reminded that they truly loved each other.

How is it possible that I can love you so much?

"Harry?" said Draco after a while. Harry moved slightly to show that he was listening. Draco gave a small giddy smile. "I can feel your heartbeat." Draco felt his brother's skin heat up slightly in embarrassment and the heartbeat escalated slightly as well.

Perhaps the truth is, it is impossible for me not to love you this much.

"When was the last time we slept in the same bed?" asked Draco innocently.

"When I was 10, before I left for Hogwarts," said Harry slowly. Draco grinned against his brother's chest, suddenly feeling too comfortable.

"I want to sleep in your bed tonight," said Draco.

I don't know why…

Harry widened his eyes at the bold request.

"I love you, brother," said Draco. He looked at Harry.

…I don't know how…

Harry avoided his eyes shyly. "Me too."

"Let's go to bed," said Draco. "We'll get Madam Pomfrey to look at your foot tomorrow."

"Okay."

…but I'll love you forever…

Goodnight.