AU: When Draco moves into a new town, he expects to be miserable. What he finds is a green-eyed beauty searching for love. Can Draco show the shy boy what it is to be truly loved? It won't be easy, especially with Harry's possessive boyfriend constantly intervening. SLASH, Abuse, Angst.
Thanks to my beta, Aveeno-Baby, for all her talented help!
Disclaimer: Anything you recognize does not belong to me. I only do this for fun.
CHAPTER 4: Tragic Lilies-------------------------------
After delivering Blaise and Seamus back to their respective homes, Draco traveled back to his father's villa in silence. On the dark and lonely drive, Draco imagined how he would approach the subject of paying Harry's hospital bill.
He had spoken to Harry's doctor on the way out of the hospital and asked how expensive the bill was expected to be, who the check would need to be addressed to, and who he should present it to. The doctor said about fifteen thousand dollars for three days of recovery, the initial stomach pump to extract the drug, and medication and food expenses.
It was a small amount of money to take out of his father's fortune, but the reason for the withdrawal would be why Lucius would refuse. Draco would have to word it very carefully in order to gain access to the money. If only he could get to his own bank account, but his father had made sure he couldn't touch it until he turned eighteen…a year away.
The drive down the villa's street was tense and foreboding. Despite his rehearsal of what he would say, he knew nothing would go as he planned. He could feel it in his very bones, an aching, ominous feeling.
The house was dark, only a few windows emitted a soft glow of light. Walking up the stone sidewalk, Draco felt as if he were walking to his death, his stomach heavy with dread.
He found his father in his study, the red cloths and dark wood did nothing to lighten the mood. Lucius was vigorously writing something at his large, cluttered desk. He occasionally sipped from a small glass of maroon brandy.
"Father," Draco tried to gain the man's attention.
Lucius looked up, his features shaping to that of annoyance. "Draco," he simply said.
"I have something to request of you," Draco began, sounding rehearsed, even to his own ears.
"I'm not in the mood for requests," Lucius brushed him off rudely and went back to his writing.
Draco strode to the desk, angrily placing his hands on its smooth surface. "Please, father. Just listen for once," he pleaded, sounding desperate to anyone but himself. It was an act to make his father believe he had the upper hand.
Lucius slowly looked at him and lifted one thin eyebrow. "Get on with it," he spoke sternly.
Not letting his guard slip, but allowing enough desperation to get his point across, Draco began, "A good friend of mine is in the hospital. His family is unable to pay the bill," Draco tried to continue, but his father interrupted.
"And you wish to pay it?" Lucius questioned, surprise glinting in his blue eyes, but his face remaining a stoic mask. Draco nodded and Lucius continued, "The friend's name?" He inquired.
"A schoolmate my age," Draco explained defensively.
"His name, boy," Lucius waved his hand impatiently as the fire crackled loudly. "What is his name?"
"Harry Potter," Draco couldn't keep the fondness from betraying his voice.
"I hear the Potter's are scum," Lucius stated smugly. "No wonder the boy needs help," He smirked and leaned back in his red velvet chair. "How much?"
"Fifteen grand," Draco replied competitively, tensing his muscles for rejection.
"Fifteen thousand dollars for a boy toy?" Lucius sat up in surprise. "Isn't that a little expensive? You barely know anyone here."
"I feel as if I've known him my entire life," Draco muttered protectively, standing with his spine straight and his legs tense.
"Young love," Lucius maliciously smirked. "You're too much," he chuckled, taking a sip of his brandy.
Draco remained silent, patiently waiting for his father to stop laughing.
Lucius sighed and looked his son directly in the eye. "I will not help you," he quietly began, but Draco interrupted.
"Father! Please!" Draco exclaimed, outraged and pacing.
"No," Lucius went back to writing, completely ignoring Draco.
"Why? I'll pay you back when I'm allowed to reach my bank account in a year!" Draco nearly yelled.
"You are too naïve to be responsible for that much money. You will not pay me back because you will forget," Lucius said quietly without looking up from the paper.
"I will pay you back! You can have it in writing," Draco pleaded.
Lucius remained silent, diligently writing. The glow from a nearby candle made his features sharp and wicked.
"I hate you," Draco gritted out with disgust.
"Hate me all you want. You do not deserve that money," Lucius said, not glancing up from his script.
"Nor do you!" Draco shouted and angrily left the room.
He took some deep breaths in the shiny white hallway. It strangely reminded him of the hospital with its blinding whiteness. That thought made him more determined to get the money for Harry.
With an idea quickly forming in his head, Draco dialed the number to his mother's flat.
"Hello," Severus answered with the deep, soothing baritone Draco recognized.
"Sev, it's Draco. Is my mother home?" Draco asked urgently.
"Of course, one moment, Draco," Sev replied and handed the phone to Narcissa.
"Draco, honey! How are you darling?" His mother's caring voice nearly brought tears to his eyes in relief.
He gripped the phone tighter and with more urgency he explained, "Not so well, Mum. I met a boy."
"That's wonderful! Is he a nice boy?" His mother asked, truly delighted.
"Oh, Mum," Draco spoke affectionately about Harry, "He's gorgeous and wonderful and fabulous. He has black hair and the most amazing green eyes...like gems. He's adorably shy and so kind he couldn't hurt a flea," He finished dreamily.
"He sounds lovely," Narcissa replied and Draco could hear the smile in her voice.
"He is, Mum. But he's in the hospital. Someone used a date rape drug on him and he went into convulsions," Draco twisted the phone cord around his finger.
"That's terrible," His mother worriedly responded.
"His family won't pay the expenses," Draco began.
"Oh?" Narcissa asked, already expecting what was coming.
"I want to pay it for him," Draco said hesitantly.
"That's very thoughtful of you, Drakie," She used his childhood nickname. "My son is a perfect gentleman."
"Lucius won't lend me the money…I was hoping…" Draco trailed off, hoping she got the idea.
"Of course we'll help you, baby," She giggled.
"Oh, thank you, Mum. I'll pay you back, I promise!" Draco nearly whooped for joy. He could physically feel the relief flood out of him like a drain.
"I don't want you to pay us back. I only expect to meet this boy by the Christmas hols," she said firmly.
"He's worth it, you'll see," Draco said with affection.
He told her the information she needed to send the money to the hospital. They caught up for a half hour, sharing new memories and reminiscing about the past. Eventually Narcissa told him she had an early day and was heading to bed.
"Thanks for your help, Mum," Draco replied. "Send Sev my love."
"I will, darling. I love you, dear. Take care."
"Love you, too, Mum," He said before hanging up.
Lucius was absent at the breakfast table the following morning. Draco drank his black coffee leisurely, thinking about Harry, his father, and the money. He was truly happy his mother had helped him where his father refused, and in doing so, Draco was able to confirm his respect for her.
He thanked the kind, cheerful maid when she took his dishes away. He needed to call Hermione to fill her in on the events at the hospital.
Before he went to the phone, he glanced out the large bay window to see bruised looking storm clouds preparing to shower the city. It wasn't the best day to be cooped up in a hospital by oneself.
"Hello?" Hermione answered on the second ring.
"Hermione!" Draco exclaimed. "You'll never believe what happened…" he told her about Tom and his abusive actions, Harry and his agreement on being boyfriends, and the promise to visit the emerald eyed boy again today.
"Oh, Draco, that's wonderful," Hermione replied when he had finished. "You ought to treat him well."
"I'll treat him better than that. I'll show him how precious he truly is and how wrong Tom's actions were. He doesn't deserve such harsh treatment."
"Good. You sound so delighted!" Hermione spoke fast in her excitement. "I'm so happy for you."
"Thanks," Draco smiled widely. "Do you want to join me when I visit Harry today?" he asked, glancing at the clock. Visiting hours would begin soon.
"I wish I could, but I'm helping my aunt with her bookstore today," Hermione rambled on about some of her favorite books in the storebefore saying, "Send Harry my best!"
Draco called Blaise and Seamus to see if they wanted to join him. Blaise wasn't home, but Seamus was overjoyed at the offer.
Draco chuckled at the energetic boy on the other line. "Don't get too excited or I may have to get jealous," he told Seamus while checking his wallet for money.
"Yeah, that'll be the day. Draco Malfoy jealous of me. Hah!" Seamus laughed.
"I'll pick you up on my way to the hospital," Draco told him before setting the phone in its cradle.
The angry clouds were gathering quicker than they had during breakfast. Draco grabbed an umbrella and a light jacket before getting into the convertible. He made sure the top was up in case the clouds suddenly burst and soaked him.
Draco made a stop at a local flower shop before picking Seamus up. As he was gazing at the wide variety of flowers, he realized he had no idea what Harry's favorite flowers were.
He rang the annoying bell on the counter to ask for assistance. A tiny brunette wearing a tacky purple apron emerged from a side room.
"What can I do for you?" She asked with a giddy smile.
Draco gave her a charming smile in return. "I have a slight dilemma. I'm in a new relationship and she's in the hospital," Draco said, using a feminine pronoun to avoid any awkwardness. "I don't know her favorite flowers or candy, but I want to show her I was thinking about her recovery," He bit his lip in concentration.
"You'd be surprised how many people share that same problem," She chuckled. "We just got a fresh batch of lilies and lilacs that are guaranteed to brighten her day. Follow me," she walked out from behind the counter and over to a refrigerated glass display case. She wiggled her hips flirtatiously as she strolled over to the case.
The flowers were beautifully arranged in a bouquet. The lilies were a divinely pure white and spotted pink swirled from the tips to the centers. The stems were long and healthy; worth every penny for Harry. The lilacs were a faint pastel purple in tiny clusters. Draco could smell their rich aroma as the clerk opened the door to the case.
He barely had to give it a thought because the flowers reminded him of Harry perfectly. The lilies shared Harry's slender, graceful qualities, while the lilacs reminded him of the way Harry could spread his joy throughout a room in a matter of seconds. The arrangement was perfect and Draco said so. "I'll take them," he told the playful brunette.
"Great," she answered and gently removed the fragile bouquet from the case. "I hope these make her feel better," she said, ringing up the order. "She's a lucky woman," the cashier flapped her eyelashes as if she had dust in them, but she must have thought it was attractive.
It wasn't attractive to Draco at all. Attractive was the way Harry's cheeks flushed pink when he became bashful. Attractive was the way Harry's eyes became bright with joy when Draco handed him the fluffy teddy. Attractive was not this cheap woman with fake nails and too much lip gloss. It looked as if she were drooling she was wearing so much lip glossandDraco was embarrassed for her.
He ignored her antics and told her with a smirk, "I'm sure my boyfriend will love these," and left the dumbfounded girl in her store.
After Draco picked up Seamus, he parked in a close parking spot at the hospital. His belly was festively dancing with butterflies.
In the elevator, Seamus asked, "Can I smell them again?"
Draco rolled his eyes. "Can't you smell the lilacs from over there?"
Seamus pouted and shook his head. "I'm addicted. They smell too good…it should be illegal."
"Fine, but be careful. You can hold them until we get to the door," Draco cautiously handed him the bouquet.
Seamus took a huge sniff, shoving his nose in the flowers. His face became alight with wonder as the pleasant smell filled his nostrils.
It's better than his tone-deaf singing, Draco thought, staring a the brass tiled ceiling.
Draco knocked lightly on the hospital room door before stepping inside with an excited smile gracing his face.
Harry sat cross-legged under a layer of wrinkled blankets. A tatty notebook lay opened in his lap and a pencil was poised in his hand. The raven haired boy broke into a welcome smile and closed the notebook, setting it on the plastic side table.
"Hey, Drak, Seamus," Harry greeted, looking out the window at the raindrops cascading down on the buildings of the city. "Beautiful day, isn't it?" he gestured towards the stiff chairs they could sit in.
"Oh, yeah," Seamus said, laughing. He sat in the chair by the window while Draco sat at the foot of the bed.
Draco handed Harry the bouquet with a proper vase he picked up at the little hospital shop. "I wasn't sure what kinds of flowers you liked, so I chose the best in the store," Draco said, outwardly confident, inwardly nervous. What if Harry was allergic? What a disaster! He hadn't even given it a thought.
Harry hesitantly took the lovely bouquet, a blush rising in his cheeks. "Oh, Draco," Harry whispered. "Are these lilies?" he asked.
"Yes," Draco nervously replied. "I hope they're okay…" he fidgeted with the blanket.
"They're wonderful," Harry said dreamily. "My favorite," he delicately smelled them.
Draco was taken aback for a moment. "Really?" he asked, completely surprised by his luck.
Harry looked up at him, his emerald eyes sparkling with shiny tears. "Yes. They remind me of my mother," Harry told him, lightly touching the silky petals. "Her name was Lily," he sadly smiled.
Draco was startled at the mention of Harry's mother. The raven hairedboy had never spoken of his parents before and Draco was curious about where she was. "I thought you lived with your uncle," he cautiously questioned.
Harry placed the vase on the table next to his notebook and breakfast dishes. "I do," he said, focusing on Draco. "My parents died when I was really little. It was a car accident. A head on collision," he softly concluded.
"I'm so sorry, Harry. That must have been awful," Draco was astonished at Harry's courage to share such an intimate part of his life.
"Yeah…" Seamus agreed lamely. "I'm sorry too, Harry."
"It's okay. I barely knew them anyway," Harry forced a smile for them.
"And here I am doing a horrible job of cheering you up," Draco was a little ashamed that the flowers provoked such a tragic memory for his boyfriend.
"Draco," Harry gently placed a small hand on his arm. "I love them," he said honestly. "They're beautiful. Thank you."
Feeling happier, Draco laced his long fingers in Harry's. "You're welcome," he tried to put all his care, passion, and love into that tiny statement.
End CHAPTER 4: Tragic Lilies-----------------------------
AN:--- Sorry this chapter took a little longer getting out than I planned on. It wasn't that I didn't have enough reviews… I had plenty and they were absolutely wonderful. I just got a little held back by my finals, a memorial service,and my sister's graduation. I'm sorry! But this chapter is the longest so far ;-)…please don't hit me!
THANKS TO:----
Kristin, SilverAngel7, Kayla, lilly-loony-evans (Thanks for a billion reviews! I haven't stopped smiling yet!), fifespice, charl1e, DidgeDemon, Yana5, starryone21, Agnus Dei, jlfkjnsdkl, fudgebaby, marthsgirls (I'm glad you gave the story a chance and enjoyed it!), Shakespeares Whore, JustAnotherAspiration, checkmarks, & Aaliyah-Charity.
Sorry if I forgot anyone!
SPECIAL NOTES:-------
PervyMoslim-- Um…Your review was fascinating….You're a little freaky, ya know that?
Aveeno-Baby-- My beta! Thanks for all your wonderful help! This chapter wouldn't have been nearly as good without your time, thought, and skill. Thank you!