Title: Burdenless Love
Author: Queen Delphina
Email: possibly R for later chapters
Warnings: Slash (this means boy/boy love! Stop now if this squicks you!)
Disclaimer: I do not own anything besides the original characters. I do own the rights to the word 'Burdenless' (not really). This story is based on the characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books, Raincoast Books and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended. I'm just holding the characters hostage for the duration of this and any other fics I intend on writing.
Summary: Chapter EIGHT is up! Harry gets himself kicked out of the Dursleys and finds himself at a Muggle café. The same café that Draco Malfoy frequently visits.
Author Notes: Thanks and dedication go out to Macai for the plot bunny this story was hatched from and for initially corrupting me with slash. Also big thanks to Poca, Princess Jewel and Queen Sunny for keeping me on task and being my dedicated betas!
Reply to Reviewers:
Dragons Maiden- Don't worry, this will become slash!
Katsu Kitsune- I was originally put chapter 7 with chapter eight, but I wanted to post sooner so I split it up. Hopefully something will happen in this chapter!
Jennchow- Here's the update! Hope you like it!
fifespice- Dumbledore is a crazy man...you'll see how he reacts. But I don't think everyone will be bemused. You'll see!
Meg Finn- Hehe! Snoggage is coming soon!
Reptilian Goddess- Thank you! You think it was too easy? I was just thinking that both boys have no other contact and its either continue to fight or get along...not to metion they're both not in peak condition due to their nightmares every night. More curses will come eventually!
Chappy 8
The Order Meeting
Harry, Draco and the twins tumbled out of the fireplace seconds later to face the Order members. Among them were Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, Bill, Charlie, Kingsley Shacklebolt, Tonks, Remus Lupin, Severus Snape and Mad Eye Moody, among others that Harry had never met. Draco tensed at the sight of the former professor who had once turned him into a ferret. He knew that that Moody had been an imposter, but he still felt the need to be wary.
Harry found himself enveloped in the arms of a relieved Molly Weasley. "Harry, you don't know how worried I've been about you! Holed up with Lucius Malfoy's son! I don't understand Dumbledore, but I suppose he has his reasons." She shook her head.
Harry gave her a weak smile and glanced at Draco. Before either could say a word to the other, Dumbledore cut in.
"Now that everyone is present, I would like to begin," Dumbledore said, silencing the room's occupants. "First of all, I'm happy to say that the mission to rescue the Grangers went off without a hitch. We've placed protective wards around a new safe-house. They shall all be fine. We've also captured Avery, one of the Death Eaters sent after them. For those of you that don't know, Miss Granger, a student here, is one of Mr. Potter's friends. He had a vision yesterday that allowed us to act upon this potential attack. We also know that they were going to use Miss Granger as a way to lure Harry to them.
"I would also like to tell you the real reason behind this meeting. As many of you may know, Mr. Potter was nearly attacked by Death Eaters a couple of weeks ago. He, fortunately, was not hurt, but his cousin, Dudley Dursley, suffered from a minor stunning hex. Harry then left and found Mr. Malfoy. They agreed to help each other out. The first night they stayed at Mr. Malfoy's flat. The very next morning, Lucius himself found the hide-out. Now, they live in a flat that I procured for them, that no one but myself knows the exact location of. The reason behind this is that Draco denied the dark mark, disobeying his father at the same time. For his protection, I believe we should let both of them join the Order of the Phoenix."
Whispers started up throughout the room. "How can we trust Malfoy?" was heard several times.
"A vote then," Dumbledore finally said, quieting the whispers that had gradually become louder. "Mr. Potter, Mr. Malfoy, if you'll step outside."
The two boys left the room.
Harry was unanimously voted in. However, Snape was the only one to vote yes on Draco's behalf.
Harry sighed and looked to a downtrodden Draco. "C'mon," he whispered. "Let's go home."
"Wait a moment, gentlemen," Dumbledore said. "What use is it to throw out a valuable person just because of his family history? And if I may add, he has helped Harry. He offered him a place to stay."
Murmurs were heard.
"A revote then."
This time seven hands shot into the air.
"That settles it. Welcome to the Order of the Pheonix, gentlemen." Dumbledore smiled with a twinkle in his eyes. "I suggest you get some rest, and I'll check up on you two tomorrow afternoon."
Harry nodded and took a pinch of Floo powder and shouted, "Dumbledore's Flat," into the fire.
Harry knocked on the door to Draco's room. "Are you asleep?"
"No," Draco answered softly.
"Are you hungry?"
"No," Draco said, walking out of the room, clad in silky green pajamas.
"Why are you angry?" Harry asked.
"I didn't have a say! What if I didn't want to join the sodding Order?"
"But you did," Harry persisted.
Draco scowled and flopped down on the couch.
Harry walked over to his beloved coffee pot, intending to pour a cup for himself, to keep the nightmares away. Draco was faster.
"Oh no you don't," Draco said, pouring the coffee down the drain. "You will not drink any more coffee at night. I've noticed how you always seem tired all day, and now I know why!"
Harry goggled at Draco. Where had that come from? When did Draco start caring? Harry pushed Draco. "I don't care what you think! That's not it at all!" Harry set about making a new pot of coffee.
"Not again," groaned Draco and he pulled Harry away from the kitchen. Harry coolly peeled Draco's hand off of his arm and strode back to the coffee.
This time, Draco pulled Harry hard enough that he knocked to the floor. Harry tried to get up, but Draco sat on top of him, effectively pinning him.
"Not so tough now, eh, Potter?" He sneered.
Harry's eyes became dulled to the point that he could hardly focus on Draco. He could feel different emotions radiating off of the blond.
Draco felt the emerald eyes pierce him, and returned the gaze. Harry pulled Draco's head down and their lips met. Sparks flew around them but they didn't notice. It ended almost as soon as it had begun when Draco pulled away.
"What was that?" Harry asked, touching a finger to his lips.
Draco stood up and backed away, stumbling over the rug as he did so. 'Why did I do that?' he kept asking himself over and over.
Harry felt the emotions rubbing off of Draco. He no longer felt anger; instead he felt confusion and a heavy tiredness and an aching feeling in his chest. The emotions were strong enough that Harry's vision swam again.
When his vision cleared, he jumped to his feet and sprinted to his room. He sank into the bed and fell into a restless sleep. He dreamt of Sirius and Hermione and…Draco dying because of him. He screamed, wanting it to end. It was like they had fed him their pain. He watched Sirius fall behind the veil; he watched as Hermione was tortured over and over again with Cruciatus by the Death Eaters. Then he saw Draco dive in front of the killing curse to save him. He awoke to a soothing voice telling him it was alright, that it wasn't real.
Draco.
He listened to that voice and fell sound asleep again. No more nightmares plagued his sleep that night.
