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Disclaimer/Warning: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended. This is slash - male x male relationships. It also contains femmeslash - female x female relationships. If this offends you or doesn't suit your fancy in any way, then do not read below this warning and the future chapters. The concept is quite simple, and a bad review on this particular topic will only make you look like an ass. Thanks!
Author's Note: Here's a quick update! Enjoy!
Chapter Six – The Countless Sides of a Slytherin Royal
He loved Pansy. She was intelligent, beautiful – what was the Muggle saying for her situation? Ugly duckling to swan…? – and she had an absolutely stunning personality when one got to know her true self. If he were in the slightest attracted to girls, and if she were in the slightest attracted to boys, he would have proposed to her the moment she set foot in Malfoy Manor the summer before sixth year.
No joke.
He could even say, with all of his heart, that she will be the mother of his children when him and his future lover decide to have brats. That was just how special she was to him.
Regrettably, that wonderful future - where he, Pansy, Blaise, and his love (maybe Harry…) reminisce about their youth while periodically rubbing Pansy's pregnant belly – was not going to occur.
Simply because he was going to kill her.
It was going to hurt him more than it was going to hurt her, but he had to do it. The woman actually had the audacity to manhandle his already emotionally fatigued form and use magic on him without his permission! What nerve the cocky bitch had! She had just said she would slay Satan for him and then what does she do? Slap him, then put him to sleep as if she were so disgusted with him she couldn't stand his very existence.
Not that her spells were strong enough. Considering the training the three had last year with his father and the Zabini family, he was surprised that she used such mediocre spells. He felt the rough treatment as she slammed his prone body on the bed, and he certainly heard the 'we have to plan, my friend,' muttered to Blaise as they walked out.
Hmph.
The two were certainly cunning enough to plan something awfully devious, but there was a reason as to why he was the King of Slytherin.
And it wasn't only because of his sheer sex appeal.
Even though that would be more than enough, he thought with a smirk.
Heaving himself up with a grunt, Draco cursed Pansy, for her spells caused stiff joints and a hell of a headache as a side effect. He brushed the lint off his clothes, smooth out the wrinkles, and retied his ponytail before once again transforming into his wolf form. The wolf in him made him sniff around the bed in the briefest of moments. He was glad he did, though; he found his bag of Gasmati Gumballs lying abandoned half way under the bed.
Mental note: add more to planned torture for such misuse of his gumballs.
Draco the wolf bit the velvety drawstrings gingerly and carried it in his mouth as he progressed to a trot. He absentmindedly admired the feel of velvet in his mouth before he pulled himself together and headed to Hogwarts.
It took no more than a quarter of an hour, considering he growled and snarled at any creature foolish enough to try and take his gumballs, and as Draco the human sauntered toward the Slytherin common room, popping a couple of gumballs in his mouth, a plan of revenge began to bloom. No one slapped Malfoy, no one used magic against a Malfoy, and no one planned to do wicked things to a Malfoy's infatuation without some type of consequence.
He chuckled deeply just from the ridiculousness of the situation, smirking at the flinches his evil laugh drew from wandering fifth years. Speaking of Malfoys, he needed to consult the master – the one man who taught him everything he knew, and praised him for coming up with entirely new ways to satisfy the Code of Malfoy.
Lucius Malfoy.
He grinned in a decidedly evil way, and judging from the fear-stricken faces around him, struck terror in the hearts of all who witnessed.
Damn, I'm good.
---
Draco arrived in front of Professor Lupin's bedchambers with his head held high, a smirk on his face, and amusement in his eyes. Although he had given up the childish taunts and classroom brawls, he still loved the power and control that came with intimidating the students in and below fifth year. On the way, he had managed to cause twelve screams, 23 flinches, and two faints – the victims happened to be on the receiving end of his most terrifying Malfoy Death Glare yet to date. Much to his dismay, his growls, snarls, scowls, and evil smirks didn't seem to work on the younger Slytherins; they were too enthralled with his gorgeous form to be scared.
Father had informed him of the little visit he was going to pay to his professor so he was pretty positive that his father was still in there. But to be sure, he threw a questioning look to the man in the portrait, only to receive a curt nod as affirmation to his thoughts. "Concordia."
The portrait opened with a squeak and a swoosh. Albeit seeing his father engaging in a passionate kiss while holding a straddling Remus, Draco strolled over to a nearby armchair and sat down, calmly waiting for the two to break apart and acknowledge his presence. He had seen this scene before, and quite frankly, he wasn't…too impressed.
Father, being the alert, always-on-guard- kind of person he was, realized there was another presence in the room before the oblivious Remus. He broke the kiss for the second time that day, unbeknownst to Draco, and met the identical gaze of his son. "Draco."
"Father."
Remus let out a sigh and dropped his head to Lucius' shoulder. "Draco," he muttered in annoyance. Two times to be interrupted, all within an hour, really got on his nerve.
"Remus," Draco chuckled. He saw the annoyance on the werewolf's face and couldn't help but chuckle. Remus' expressions were a sight to behold. "I wanted to discuss something with Father, but you being here won't hurt."
That caught Remus' attention, and he climbed off of Lucius' lap to settle beside him. The other man crossed his legs as soon as his lap became unoccupied. "What's the matter, Draco?"
"Nothing too serious. I'm just in need of some…revenge and was going to consult Father about the method of doing so."
Lucius raised an eyebrow.
"My person was roughly mistreated by Parkinson, and as we speak, she's developing a suspicious plan involving…"
He paused. Lucius and Remus did not know of his crush on Harry, but the two were certainly trustworthy enough to tell. They may be more reliable than the two knuckleheads he called best friends, but true to his Slytherin nature, he wanted to slink back into the background and observe them before showing his cards. Besides, Remus had pretty much been Harry's godfather since the death of Sirius. His Gryffindor nature wouldn't allow him even to omit the truth.
"…someone special to me."
Lucius let out a questioning and surprised, "oh?" while Remus gasped and leaned forward in his seat. "Someone special?" he asked excitedly. "Who is he? Do I have him in one of my classes? Does he know?"
"Calm down, Remus," Lucius drawled while rubbing the werewolf's back. "Breathe in, and give Draco the chance to give us a detailed explanation."
The indirect command made Draco smirk. "I'm not telling. You have had him in a class. No, he doesn't know."
"Alright, Draco, if you won't give me a straightforward answer for my questions, at least answer this one."
"Yes?"
"Is he…the one?"
He met Remus' gaze. Silver eyes widened in shock at the question.
Flashback
"Mr. Malfoy, can you please stay after class?"
Draco wondered what the professor was going to say to him, but didn't let his curiosity show as he made his way to the front of the classroom while the others poured out into the halls. He could see a questioning look thrown in Professor Lupin's direction from Harry and the rest of his Trio, seeing as he did nothing to deserve an after class conversation. Not once had he messed with the Gryffindors; he even went as far as to be civil to secure his spot as Head Boy next year.
"No worries, Mr. Malfoy. You are in no way, shape, or form in trouble."
Draco let out a sigh when he assessed the empty classroom and came to a stop in front of Lupin's desk. Now that the others were gone, Draco felt the pseudo-tenseness drain out of him. "Remus."
"Draco," Remus replied softly. He sent the student a warm smile and was pleased when it was returned in kind. "I…just wanted to know if you had heard from your father."
The boy's warm smile slipped off his face then, replaced by a worried and sad frown. "I haven't. Word in the Inner Circle of Junior Death Eaters says he's somewhere just short of Muggle Yorkshire, having been spotted by Macnair and Nott just a few days ago."
Remus let out a contemplative 'hm' and folded his hands together, setting his elbows on the desk and leaning his cheek on his joined hands. Draco let out a disheartened 'yea' before running his hands through his long hair. He stared at Remus then, as if trying to decode his innermost thoughts with a single glance. Remus met his stare evenly. An uncomfortable silence hung limply between them.
"You care about my father."
The statement was said with awe and realization.
"I love your father."
That statement was said with determination and resolution.
Draco snorted. "But is he…the one?"
Remus leaned back, still staring into the familiar silver eyes of his love's son. "I'm not sure I understand what you're asking."
Breaking the stare, Draco began to whisper his explanation. "Is he the one who's the reason you wake up everyday? The one who, no matter what bad habits or tainted past they have, will make you feel as if nothing else matters because you have him and he has you?"
Remus was stunned into silence. Draco continued. "Is he the one who makes you laugh the hardest when he tells you even the stupidest of jokes? Is he the one who makes you cry the most when you engage in the silliest of fights?"
Silence.
"Mein Herz ich will dich fragen: Was ist denn Liebe? Sag'—'Zwei Seelen und ein Gedanke, Zwei Herzen und ein Schlag!' What love is, if thou wouldst be taught, they heart must teach alone—two souls with but a single thought, two hearts that beat as one. (1)
"If you don't feel that way about my father, don't bother wasting your time to ask of his condition because you wouldn't be privileged to receive that information. Contrary to popular belief, Malfoys do believe in love – we believe that the purest of love is not limited to anyone, and that if one was to be in a relationship, then one should give their all for life. My mother and father were thrown together to continue on the line of Malfoy and were miserable. They were close friends at best; acquaintances at worst. And because of this, my father missed on his own chance at being with 'the one.'
"When my mother died, Father grieved for two days. He apologized to her for restricting her chance at complete happiness. And I wish she had the chance as well. She was a wonderful woman who truly deserved it."
Draco's eyes glazed over in sad reminisce before glared piercingly at Remus, causing the other man to flinch at the startling change in attitude. "So Remus Lupin, is Lucius Malfoy 'the one?'
Remus stood up, rolled his shoulders back, and tilted his chin in the air in a gesture Draco recognized as his father's. "Yes."
It was said with such conviction and dedication that it caused Draco to release all the worry, anger, and anguish caused from not knowing if his father was alive and well. A single tear rolled down his cheek, and he let himself be wrapped up in a tight embrace. It had been a pivotal moment for the two – a beginning of a strong and dedicated friendship.
"If you tell anyone about this Hug-Me Hufflepuff moment, I'll drag you to the Malfoy Manor dungeons and torture you myself. Then my father truly wouldn't get the shot at a better relationship."
Remus laughed heartily.
End Flashback
Draco thought about Harry. He thought about what it would be like if the two of them flew off to the Haven – his future house – and settled down, building their lives together in peace. He thought about what it would be like to wake up next to him, morning breath and all, and how he would feel if he were to see Harry walk into the kitchen after his shower to eat some of the food he cooked for him.
Merlin, he would truly be happy.
Rolling his shoulders back, Draco tilted his chin in the air. "Yes."
Remus opened his arms and motioned for a hug, and although reluctant, Draco stood and melted into his embrace. He buried his head in the crook of Remus' neck and squeezed tighter. He would never admit it aloud, but he was quite the tactile person. He needed to touch someone most of the time – a hand on the shoulder or small of someone's back, a loose hug here, a brush of skin there. He was sure Remus figured it out that day he clung onto him when the two had the heart to heart.
Inhaling deeply, Draco let go with a final squeeze and a contented sigh at the familiar scent that was Remus: oranges and brown sugar.
"As touching as this scene is," Lucius interrupted, "what was the point of your coming, Draco?"
Laughter ensued.
---
Father was a brilliant man. He was the epitome of cunning; it was easy to see where he got his own genius. The plan the three of them – yes, Remus as well - came up with would ensure the safety of Harry and properly punish the insolent one. Being best friends with the person he was punishing, it was easy to exploit the weaknesses of said person, making it a hell of a lot easier to plan. His wrath would be fulfilled, but he needed to find the culprits in order to carry out the retribution.
A quick stop to the Slytherin common room, and a couple of well-placed threats for those bribed to stay silent, informed him that Blaise and Pansy were heading to the Diagon Alley Arthurian. He wondered what the plan would involve to be in such a place, but nevertheless, headed along that route.
He had to give it to the Weasley Twins – using their profits for such an investment was, indeed, unadulterated genius. He had never used the Muggle Internet, but he had used the Wizarnet and even bought a private connection so he could access it at Malfoy Manor and his Head Boy room. It was expensive, like everything else he did, but it was worth it.
He took Muggle Studies just to learn more about the Internet, and what the Muggles call 'electricity.' For being so primal and childlike, they really did adapt to their given surroundings. He admired them for it.
The Arthurian blended in so well with the other buildings he almost walked right by it. A nondescript oak door with the letters 'DAA' carved into its wood marked the entrance for the place, but it didn't fool him. Inside was bold, majestic, and had an in-your-face design to it that was distinguishably Weasley. His respect for them went up a couple of notches after first visiting the place.
He opened the door and traveled down the winding path into the main lobby. The receptionist's platform and scrolls filing themselves was the sight that greeted him first. Draco put on his most charming smile as he approached. "Did you happen to see a young woman with auburn waist length hair and a young man with short chestnut-brown hair pass by here, madam?"
She pointed to the east wing with a sigh.
"Thank you very much."
He paused in his stride, took the receptionist's hand, kissed it briefly, and gave her a debonair wink before sauntering off to the east wing.
He heard a thud.
Damn, I'm good. Three in one day.
"…what we're going to do…"
"…not such…good idea…"
"…thank us…surely…"
Draco recognized those hushed whispers and set about dragging them out the shop when he heard Pansy shrill, "Perfect! The prey has come to us."
Harry?
Ducking behind a decorative column, Draco spotted his two sidekicks congregating at a nearby table, looking toward the back where the entrance burst opened to reveal a panting and disheveled Harry Potter.
I wonder if he looks that way after shags…Draco thought absentmindedly.
"Give it to him!"
"Why me, ya crazy hag? Draco is already going to kill you for using magic on him without his permission!"
"I can handle Draco…"
Draco snorted.
"…but since you have to be such a prat about it, I'll give it to him." In a louder voice. "Hey, Potter!"
The raven-haired boy turned to look at the Slytherin girl, suspicion and curiosity apparent in his eyes, as he made his way over. The satchel over his shoulders was pulled noticeably tighter against his form, and the confidence in his stride was all but nonexistent. The evil grin on Pansy's face made his step falter more than once. But Draco didn't notice that. His eyes were locked on Harry's face: wind-tousled hair, flushed cheeks from exertion, glowing green eyes…the sight took his breath away. The only thing missing from the complete the Quidditch look was that trademark radiant smile.
Wow…
A soft smile appeared on his face.
"Come on, I don't have all day."
The smile dissipated.
Harry frowned at her bossy tone of voice, yet came to a stop in front of her and Blaise. Eyeing Blaise's nervous form and Pansy's gleeful form, Harry muttered, "what is it?"
"Well, Potter, I wanted to know if—"
"—if you saw Draco since he was missing for a good chunk of time."
Pansy and Blaise alike flinched at the familiar husky voice informing them of his presence in a taunt drawl. Harry looked past Pansy with curiosity, and Draco struggled to look away from the adorable gaze and focus on Pansy. He stopped walking a few feet from the group, hands crossed tightly across his chest and a dark scowl on his features. Pansy, all the while toying with her long hair, turned slowly and flashed Draco a false look of surprise. "Oh, Draco! There you are…I was just going to ask Potter about you."
She ended the ramble with a nervous laugh, which died on her lips the moment Draco's scowl darkened.
Much to Harry's amusement, Blaise began backing up toward the exit.
"Surprise." Draco replied in clipped tones. "You've found me."
"Indeed."
"So, let's go."
"'Aco," she simpered, using his childhood nickname for emphasis, "I still have some work to do here."
"'Ansy," he mocked brutally, "you will leave this building willingly and with dignity intact or I will throw you over my shoulder and carry you out. 'Aise is not here to help you."
"You wouldn't!"
Hearing the exit door shut to indicate Blaise's departure, Draco turned to Harry, who was watching the scene with wide eyes. "Have you gone through your stash yet?"
"Umm, not all of it," Harry stuttered at the direct and completely random question. He pulled the bag from his satchel. "Still a little bit left."
"Mind sparing one?"
"Sure." Harry reached in a pulled out an amber gumball, and as Draco held his hand out, he placed the ball in the center of his palm. Once again, their skin came in contact, and Draco shivered from the sheer magnetism of it. If he hadn't look down for a brief moment, he would have saw what Pansy saw: a look of intense longing and desire.
"Thanks," he said warmly, "I needed this."
He popped the piece of candy in his mouth, chewed for a second or two, then sweep Pansy off her legs and onto his shoulders. She let out a startled yelp, and as he began to head for the exit, she pounded on his back and muttered obscenities in his ear. She paused, however, when she caught Harry staring after them. It looked like he was staring directly at her.
When she followed his gaze, she found that he was staring at Draco's ass.
Mentally crowing with glee, Pansy made a movement to make Harry catch her eye before she made the motion of nuzzling Draco's ass and rubbing her hands together greedily.
He blushed brightly and looked away.
---
To Be Continued...
(1) Friedrich Halm; Translated by Maria Lovell.
The situation with Draco's mother will be explained in later chapters. Review!
-MercuryGoddess-