Title:Carte Blanche

Author: Ryyne

Disclaimer: Harry Potter is the wonderful work of J.K. Rowling. Also, this was inspired by/ (quite) loosely based upon A Tale of Two Cities, by Charles Dickens. Any plot elements in common with that brilliant piece of work are, then, not mine.

Warnings: The story begins to get much darker and more serious this chapter. And, of course, there's also slashiness :)

As usual, much thanks to beta Beth! (I know I sound repetitive when I say this, but you readers are so lucky I have her! promises to work harder on her Persistent Harry-Sadism Condition)

Carte Blanche

Chapter Eight: Of Things to Come

It was a while before Ron had regained normal mental function, and Hermione wasn't exactly unsurprised, either, but it was all in all a mild affair.

Too much had happened since that fateful graduation years ago, and the young adults had grown much too fast. Somehow school rivalries and trivial quibbles didn't matter anymore; and, well, if Harry – and more importantly, Professor Lupin – trusted Draco, who were they to argue? (It was also rather helpful that Harry 'forgot' to mention his and Draco's budding relationship. So to speak.)

There were just a couple things that Harry needed to forcefully pound into his friend's thick skull.

"So, wait a second," Ron said, massaging his temple with his forefingers, a trait he had picked up from his wife, "Malfoy's helping you guys? Why?"

Draco beat Harry to the punch. "Because," the blond drawled, "The oh-so-friendly geniuses at the Ministry took away all my money, and – excuse my crudeness – I'm probably about as poor as you are, Weasley. Which is quite, ah, sobering. Although at least I still have class," Draco added with a cryptic smile that baffled Ron and Hermione. It wasn't easy to tell if Draco was being arrogant or just plain mean.

Harry stepped in, sending a quick glare Draco's way. "What he means is he's playing both sides for money. Quite the little whore, really." Harry smirked.

Draco's eye twitched noticeably. "Doesn't it take one to know one?"

Harry stared at him for a moment. "I thought you'd gotten over that! God, obsessed enough!"

"Er..." Ron's meek mumblings were lost in the brewing tension between the two wizards who were now standing and facing one another.

"Well, you see how easily an incident as scarring as that one leaves your mind! Have you ever been mauled!"

"What? Harry mauled Malfoy? Way to go!"

"Um, yes, Draco, unless you've forgotten already," Harry shot back, referring to the previous night, "and no, Ron, I didn't!"

By now Ron was beyond lost. Hermione, however, was getting a smile on her face that was just as mysterious as Draco's earlier one. She coughed conspicuously, getting everyone's attention. "As intriguing as this all is, I'd still like some elaboration on exactly what you two are up to. How is Draco" (Her husband's eyes bulged, and he mouthed 'Draco?') "achieving this scheme of his? How's he helping you and Remus, Harry?"

"I'm not," Draco replied in an unusually civil tone, flopping back down on the armchair, thoroughly ignoring Harry.

"Sorry?"

"I'm not really achieving anything... well, anymore," Draco added as an afterthought. At Hermione's inquiring look, he explained. "Earlier today... or I suppose, late last night... Harry and I discovered that Blackwell now knows where I live. Needless to say, I'm indisposed at the moment. Which brings us back to why I'll be living with, er, at Harry's for a while."

Hermione's brows creased. "How did you discover this? Do they know you know? You should be more careful!" The last part was spoken in a disgustingly motherly tone. Harry smiled inwardly. She'll be a great mom. If she doesn't drive her kids insane first.

Then Harry realized precisely what road they were going down, and blushed. He reassured his friend hastily. "Don't worry, 'Mione. They don't know. We... stumbled upon them in a discussion about Draco."

Draco snorted, earning Ron and Hermione's attention. "Yeah, they don't know. We, ah, dodged them, and I must say, it was a rather ingenious means."

Harry was sure this was some sort of karmic payback for something he had done once upon a time. Either that, or Draco was just enjoying spiting Harry as much as he could. Well, that's him on the very uncomfortable couch for the remainder of his stay.

Harry immediately blushed again at where his thoughts were taking him. He silently cursed his wayward brain. It tortured him just as much as the addictive blond did.

" 'Ingenious means'?" Hermione inquired, fighting back a knowing smile.

Draco pressed his lips together, as if trying to fight back memories of the searing kisses. He was fully and painfully aware of the intense glares Harry was sending his way.

Sighing, Draco shrugged. You owe me one, Potter. "I'm afraid I'm not at liberty to divulge any more information." His clear silvery eyes glanced towards the brunette, who was now staring at him, mouth slack but eyes filled with obvious relief. What are you so scared of, Harry?

"Oh, I get it," Hermione teased.

"You do?" Ron's voiced incredulously.

And, just to heighten Harry's belief in the universe's complete animosity towards him, Remus' eternally mild voice rang out. "Harry! Draco! I'm home... Oh, hello, Hermione, Ron. How do you do?" He set down groceries on the counter bordering the kitchen.

"We're very well, Professor, thank you," replied Hermione politely. "How are you?" Ron echoed her words.

"Oh, my dear, call me Remus," the werewolf responded warmly. "And I'm very well, thank you, despite all this nasty business that's been going on lately." Hermione murmured her agreeing sentiments as Remus discreetly laid a newspaper on a chair, out of Harry and Draco's sight. He then reached into the paper grocery bag and tossed a small box into Harry's lap. "There you go, Harry. Thought you'd be needing that," Remus said with a casual wink.

Draco leaned over inquisitively as Harry looked down at the package. Harry flushed deeply as Draco burst into raucous laughter.

"What is it?" asked Ron, leaning forward to read the writing on the item.

"Er, nothing," Harry choked, and stuffed the box under the armchair's cushion, avoiding Remus' wide and innocent smile like the plague. Draco smirked at Ron's bewildered expression and made a rather racy gesture that involved his thumb, mouth, and a popping sound. At least Hermione understood; she blushed delicately but still snickered.

The red-head blinked, eyes moving from Harry, to Draco, to his wife, and finally to Remus. "Am I missing something?"

"No, of course not, dear," Hermione replied cheerfully, cheeks still brushed with pink. "Shall we go?" She stood up.

"What? We're going? Now? Why?"

"Later, Ronald." She winked surreptitiously at Draco while grabbing her husband's arm. "Congratulations, Harry!" Were her last words before the two disappeared.

The former Gryffindor blankly stared at the spot his two friend's had just inhabited.

"Well, that was surprisingly pleasant, wasn't it?" Draco smiled.

As soon as Remus finished the domestic task of putting his purchases away, he withdrew the newspaper that he'd hidden earlier, and threw it down – rather forcefully, for the usually calm werewolf – on the living room coffee table, startling the other two men. "Take a look at that," he almost spat. His younger companions looked at him with raised eyebrows; the former Professor was rarely angry, and even more rarely physical about his anger.

Harry picked up the paper as Draco watched warily. Harry's chest pounded with nervous anxiety as he read the headlines on the front page.

BLACKWELL IMPLEMENTS NEW LAW

Underneath was a moving black-and-white image of rows of people, organized into meticulous lines.

"What is this?" Harry whispered. There was something about the photo, and expressions of all involved, that sent cold shivers down his spine.

Remus just gestured towards a paragraph about one-third the way down the article. Harry's eyes scanned it quickly.

In order to secure the safety of the wizarding community...

New measure... approved by Ministry Council for General Defense...

Mass executions of traitors... Those in league with the uncontrollable Death Eaters...

"So we may no longer live in fear"... Says Blackwell...

Harry's horror grew exponentially the more he read.

"They weren't even tried," came Remus' strained voice. Harry knew this hit Remus especially hard; Sirius was never properly tried for his "offenses," either. "How many innocents are being thoughtlessly murdered by Blackwell and her Ministry?" He said 'Ministry' like it was a curse.

Draco, who was now reading over Harry's shoulder, pointed grimly at a phrase towards the bottom of the page.

1,317...

For the betterment of Society...

"Efficiency is key," Said Blackwell wisely...

"How..." breathed Harry.

This time it was Remus who, with a shaking finger, pointed at a section of the article.

The use of...

Avada Kedavra

For the betterment of Society, reassures Blackwell...

Harry grew numb with shock, as if his body had been dunked into bath of ice-cold water, or a paralyzing potion: Now he knew why the people were organized into neat rows, why their faces were frozen despite the moving photo. A feeling of nausea rose within him.

"Avada Kedavra?" He cried with disbelief. "And they call the Death Eaters 'Dark'! How can they get away with this! How can the public... how..." He trailed off, gagging, too maddened to speak. Remus, as well, didn't speak, his face pale with emotion and memory.

"Hypocrisy is the bane of mankind," replied Draco dryly.

Harry's head snapped towards him. "How can you be so... so calm about this?" He accused. Draco's eyes hardened.

"It was bound to happen," he said. "Sooner or later."

"Yes but –" Harry paused momentarily. "-- But that doesn't mean –" He fell silent, his eyes lowered to the ground.

Remus sighed, and quietly rose from where he had been sitting. "I'll be in the garden," he murmured. Harry and Draco didn't look up as Remus exited the room.

There was tense moment where no one spoke, as Draco stared at Harry, and Harry at the floor.

After a few minutes, Draco's mouth opened. "I – ..." he trailed off, instantly regretting his breach of the silence. But the damage was already done.

"You what?" Harry said, sending a hard look the blond's way. Draco swallowed.

"I – look, I'm sorry," He managed to say. Harry started with surprise.

"... What?"

"I'm sorry," Draco repeated, feeling entirely out-of-character. What the hell has Potter done to me?

The aforementioned exhaled deeply while biting his lower lip. Draco tried not to stare. "I – I just don't know anymore, Draco."

Draco's brows furrowed. What was Harry talking about? He echoed his thoughts aloud.

"I don't know about you." Harry responded.

"W – What about me?"

Harry's eyes shot green fire. "Who are you, really? Which side are you on? Why do you – why – why me?"

Draco's jaw slackened in disbelief and betrayal. "What do you mean?" He breathed.

"How do I know you're not a traitor?"

Draco couldn't help it; he gasped. "What!" he cried.

"You heard me." Harry stood from his chair.

Draco rose as well, and took a step closer to Harry. "Is that what you really think?"

"I don't know. Why do you care?"

The Slytherin's eyes narrowed, and he took another step towards Harry. Harry made a move to retreat, but Draco's arm shot out and grabbed Harry's wrist. A strong sense of déjà vu drenched the air.

"Why do you think I care, you bastard," Draco whispered as he pulled Harry gently towards him.

Ba-dum.

Harry felt a strong drum beating within his chest as he stared, incredulous, into Draco's eyes. He tried not to go cross-eyed as he glanced at Draco's nose and saw how close it was to his own.

Ba-dum. Ba-dum. Ba-dum.

"I – " But Harry was cut off by Draco's mouth covering his own. "Mmmpphh..." His hands gripped the back of Draco's pressed oxford blouse, causing it to look wildly disheveled.

– baDUMbaDUMbaDUMbaDUM –

Harry couldn't help it; he moaned and opened his lips, allowing Draco entrance. He felt his knees weakening, and tightened his hold on Draco.

Draco apparently noticed Harry's predicament, as he smiled against the brunette's mouth and wrapped an arm firmly around his waist, causing Harry to arch into him.

Draco bit Harry's lip in his surprise at feeling Harry's body so intimately against his own, and Harry made a strangled noise. Draco moved his lips from Harry's mouth to his cheek, and then neck; he was in the process of nibbling at the Gryffindor's collarbone – growing more and more aggressive as a result of the delicious sounds Harry was making, with his head thrown back and hair delectably ruffled – when –

FLASH!

Draco nearly dropped Harry in surprise at the sudden flare of light. Once his eyes regained their focus – their dilation wasn't helping any, either – he realized that he and Harry were no longer alone.

"Oh, fuck."

The room was full of wizards and witches, all with cameras, notepads and Quick-Note Quills.

"Mr. Malfoy," one immediately piped up, seemingly oblivious to what had been occurring at the moment of their arrival, "Is it true you and Harry Potter are having sexual relations? Are you aware you are wanted for high treason to the Ministry? Have you ever – "

Draco simply stood there, arms tightly around Harry. His face was developing a thin sheen of sweat, whether from anger or fear Harry couldn't tell.

Harry knew intuitively, though, that things were about to change – and certainly not for the better – oh – his heart stopped with painful realization.

Oh, no.

Fuck, they know where Draco lived, lives, they know – They know –

Draco...

Note: Firstly, thanks to everyone who reviewed so kindly :) Yes, feedback helps me update faster, as with most writers I imagine I'm happy everyone's enjoying the plot... which is going to get much, much more intense in the next and last chapters (about six or so more to go). And, just as a warning, things will get much darker. Although along with that comes a more intense relationship between Harry and Draco, so you can all look forward to that. Thanks for reading!