Life Long Love
Chapter 5
Author: Emerald Thorn
Rating: R
Disclaimer: not mine
Genre: Veela!Draco, Adventure, Romance, AU
Author's Notes: Reviews after the chapter.
:bah: this first part is what happens when I write while listening to late night inspirational radio shows… :hates inspirational crap in all forms but likes some of the music that is played:
Draco glared at the thin sliver of light that drifted through the curtains to land in a stripe right across his nose and left eye. The irritating sunshine had woken him from a very good dream featuring Draco's most favorite person in the world. Needless to say, Draco was not feeling like a morning person today even with Harry spooned up against his back.
Not wanting to move in case it awoke Harry, Draco glared at the small gap in the curtains. Looking at the bedside clock told him it was only a little past six in the morning, way too early to be awake on a Saturday he had previously intended to spend lounging in bed with Harry. Not surprisingly, even though Draco made no movement other than to breathe, Harry soon awoke. Gripping Draco firmly, Harry grumbled aloud as he hid his own face in Draco's hair. "Bloody sunshine. It's Saturday."
"We don't have to get up if you don't want to," Draco whispered, bad mood vanishing instantly at Harry's soft kiss upon the nape of his neck.
"I like it just where I am, but I think we either need to close the curtains and sleep or…" Harry trailed off, his attention focused on the flicker of arousal he had felt within Draco. Smirking, Harry let one hand fall between Draco's legs and began to massage his mate.
Moaning softly at Harry's attentions, Draco twisted around so he was facing Harry and kissed him softly on the lips before Harry immediately deepened the kiss, tongues dancing together as they tasted each other.
Breaking apart, Draco smiled at Harry who was looking at him crossly for interrupting his 'good morning.' Harry was irresistible in all his forms to Draco—nothing Harry could ever do would not be part of Harry and thus Draco would always love everything Harry did and secretly found a pissed off Harry quite amusing. "Morning breath, love. I think we're in dire need of bathing. Although I'm not complaining about last night, I am feeling a bit gritty."
Harry sighed, face relaxing as Draco ran his hands up and down Harry's back in a soothing manner. "I suppose we could bathe… as long as it's together. For some odd reason I'm feeling rather attached to you at the moment."
"Now I wonder why that is," Draco chuckled, his hands dancing down Harry's back to rest lightly in the small of Harry's back. He could clearly feel that Harry was more than just a bit interested in having a bit of a romp before leaving bed. Changing the subject, Draco knew Harry and he need to talk a bit about how things were going to go for at least the first few days back at Hogwarts. Harry's friends were just a bit over protective and nosy. "How are we going to handle this when we get back to school? The thought of not being able to reach out and touch you… it hurts so badly. I've known my whole life that even when and if we bonded that I would likely not be able to be with you fully because of who you and I are, but it still hurts."
Arousal momentarily forgotten, Harry wrapped one leg around Draco's waist and clutched Draco to him. Trying to soothe the bubbling sense of restrained panic he could feel rising between them, Harry plunged his consciousness into their bond reaching out and holding Draco mentally as well as physically. "Shh… 'Ko. We will figure something out. I don't think I could go more than a few hours at the moment without being able to snag you for a quick snog let alone a full day or week. And if Dumbledore or anyone else has a problem with it they will deal with a very irate Harry. I don't care if it's inconvenient or dangerous—I think it would be worse in the long run to not allow us to have some time together. I'd hate to think how unstable I would feel without you around."
Draco nodded, head buried under Harry's chin. "I know. I was feeling wonky after last night's formal supper. Three hours with nothing more than holding hands was bad enough, I'd hate to think how bad it would be after six or twelve hours."
Running his hands through the silver blonde hair, Harry felt the peace of holding Draco bleed into him. Draco's presence soothed frayed nerves and calmed the worries that often plagued him to gentle murmurs that were controllable and he could firmly deal with. The intense sorrow that had pervaded him since Sirius' death was still there only now contained to the back of his mind, it had been smoothed over and the intense jagged and sharp ball of grief that he struggled with for over a year was not as all-encompassing as it had previously seemed. Harry's thoughts were more organized and he found himself able to better think and plan when he was close to Draco. Draco was his clarity and salvation in ways Harry couldn't even begin to understand. The support and affection his soul craved and the mind and heart to understand Harry's thoughts and feelings. Yesterday, when Lucius had tested their magical abilities, Harry had felt the rush of wonderment and ease that he had first experienced in his early encounters with the magical world. Even casting hexes and curses had not masked the rush of joy and excitement. It was bizarrely wonderful in the weirdest sort of ways. Bonding had done something to his magic and Draco's—he had noticed that Draco seemed to feel the same way when they had been teaming up against Lucius. Everything was brighter and cleaner, the world had been made anew and it felt to Harry sometimes when he thought about it that it was if he was only now just seeing things around him.
"You're thinking too hard for this early in the morning Harry…" Draco mumbled, hands taking a more active interest in Harry's rear end. "Thinking is for later… after we've had a bit of fun and are cleaned up."
"Fun you say? Why ever would I choose thinking over having some fun with you, love?" Harry growled, as he proved his point to Draco, having more than just a bit of fun while doing so.
Lucius sighed, sitting on the couch in the informal drawing room with Narcissa cuddled against him, her head on his shoulder. If the transition back to school went smoothly, and that was a big if considering all the possible ways for something to go wrong, there was still the large chance that something could later happen that would trash all the current protections being placed around his son and Harry. So much rested on how Dumbledore saw his oaths and what kind of support he gave to the boys. Thoughts sped through his mind, reminding himself of every detail of the last several days and checking for any chinks in the armor he had erected around the boys.
Sensing her husband's unease and racing thoughts, Narcissa kissed her husband on the cheek. "Worrying now won't get you anywhere Luc. We've done everything we can to protect them. Dumbledore has sworn to protect them and Severs will be there to watch over them. Nothing is going to happen at least for awhile and we will probably hear about anything before there is a big disaster for you to worry yourself sick over."
"I know but I keep trying to see if there's anything we haven't compensated for. I want Draco to have as little to worry about as possible. I want him to have as much time with Harry as possible before real life intrudes and interrupts them. Remember how much we missed each other if we were parted even for a short time right after bonding?"
Smiling beautifully, her whole face lighting up as she gazed upon her husband, Narcissa felt the strong swell of the love in her heart for her mate. Lucius could be truly amazing when he chose to cast off his Malfoy outer shell. "How could I forget? It was some of the happiest days of my life."
Returning his wife's gentle smile, Lucius found himself cradling her closer. His worries were not only for Draco but also for his wife. Narcissa had been part of his life for so long and the threats against their family that they had faced together never ceased to surprise him. When his father had originally arranged for him to marry Narcissa, two years younger than him, Lucius had paid little attention to the blonde tomboy who was more interested in quidditch than in boys and other girly preoccupations. Lucius had only been twelve when it was announced and had not been overly interested in Narcissa previous to their engagement. Narcissa had also attended Beauxbattons, not Hogwarts, so Lucius had mostly forgotten about her except for the constant reminders because of his veela heritage to not get involved with anyone because he had been promised to a young Black girl. They both had been extremely lucky, meeting years later at Lucius' graduation party they had instantly been attracted to each other. Even though their marriage had been previously arranged, neither had any complaints with their chosen spouse. Lucius could remember getting a drink and sitting mostly in a corner with Severus and Sirius Black, talking about school memories when a blonde girl with sparkling cobalt eyes had come up to Sirius and began to berate him about some silly birthday present he had sent her. Lucius had been thunderstruck and taken immensely with her. Later he had learned that she was his fiancée, and the rest was history. Narcissa had always made him happy and content.
"Yes I do suppose Sev can look after them while they're at school. It's likely to make him feel a bit more young and maybe it will finally push him into admitting he needs to find someone to spend his life with."
"Sev? Merlin no. I think it will take a bit more than two hormonal newly bonded boys to push him that far after refusing to pursue anyone for so long. For one matter, I don't think poor Sev has any idea what kind of person he would even prefer for one thing." Narcissa was giggling lightly against Lucius' formal robes.
"I worry for him sometimes. He's always been so lonely since the werewolf chose your cousin over him. I remember how bad it was when he found out his Remi was a werewolf and keeping secrets from him. I don't think that the rest of the marauders even knew that Remi and Sev had started dating. Your cousin has remarkably bad timing."
"Sirius was always a bit off when it came to matters of the heart," Narcissa said sadly, eyes glassy with tears. "I miss him, much as I know he thought we had betrayed him and the light. I wish I could have explained to him but I don't know if he would have believed me."
"Someday maybe we'll have a chance to have that talk with him," Lucius told his wife, content to hold her until Draco and Harry made their appearance downstairs.
Severus collapsed in his office chair, slightly before the noon meal was to begin. The wards were finished, all that was left was to key them to Draco and Harry. Holding his aching head in both hands, Severus was slightly startled when his office door opened to admit Blaise Zabini. Scowling at the young man, Severus tried to remember if he had previously agreed to this meeting but couldn't remember anything of the sort.
"Yes Blaise?" Severus asked, still scowling slightly as he sat up straight in the chair and folded his hands on top of the desk.
"Draco's not anywhere in the castle is he?" Blaise said seriously. He knew Draco had been at the Death Eater meeting last Friday night. In fact, Blaise had been part of Draco's original cover story. However, Blaise had a hunch that his only friend may have had something to do with Potter's rescue. Blaise wasn't stupid; he knew there was something else that Draco felt for Potter that wasn't strictly something he should have been feeling for his arch-rival. In fact, if he hadn't been so worried for his friend he would have gone straight to Dumbledore and asked about Draco's whereabouts and why he couldn't see him—at least to give his psychotically studious best friend his makeup work.
Stiffening, drawing himself to his full height, Severus regarded the only person sans Harry and close family that Draco had ever allowed even semi-close. "And why would you think that Draco is not at this very moment in the infirmary?"
"Because I know where he really was." Blaise did not so much as twitch under his head of house's stare. "And I don't think you or he would really want Potter to come to any harm."
"It is sometimes overly obvious who is second and third in your year," Severus said, sighing as he slumped in his chair as he motioned Blaise to have a seat. "And what leads you to these conclusions?"
Taking a seat, Blaise stared evenly at the potions master. "I know Draco very well, perhaps better than anyone else in the house, but I also know that my future lies along Draco's path. I've sensed it since first year when we were first formally introduced."
"I forgot that your grandmother was quite the seer before she married your grandfather," Severus remarked, studying Blaise carefully while unobtrusively casting silencing and locking spells all around the room. "I take it you have some of her talent?"
"Yes, I have a bit. I get hunches that usually end up coming true."
"And what particular hunches have you about Mr. Malfoy?"
"You don't need to get all formal now Professor. I've known for a long time that Draco is more than he seems. In fact, I think it was in second year when I noticed that he was preoccupied with Potter even when he was not announcing plans for getting him into trouble. Also, he made sure that he knew of every little bit of mischief that the other Slytherins were involved in—which afterwards, if in any way they could affect the trio, seemed to go awry."
"So you believe Draco does not wish harm upon the trio? Why did you say Potter in particular earlier then?" Tension filled the room, Severus was uneasy with just what Blaise would do after he left the room.
"He doesn't wish harm upon Granger or Weasely because they are Potter's friends. After fifth year he began to expand the group that was under his pseudoprotection. However, all trails led back to Potter, Professor."
"And you're sure?" Snape was running around in circles in his mind.
"Yes I am. I'm quite sure that Draco is in love with Harry Potter. In fact, I think he's been in love with him since he first set eyes on him." Blaise himself was tense; he was unsure how Snape would take this declaration.
Thinking he was finally reading Blaise correctly, Snape calmed somewhat. "You'd be correct on that point."
Startled that Snape had admitted what Blaise had hypothesized, he goggled slightly at the professor with his eyes wide and mouth slightly open. "I was right?"
Amused now, Snape refrained from laughing. "Yes. In fact, if I am correct, Draco is right at this moment with the love of his life."
"So he did rescue him. I'll have to send a note to stop the search then." Blaise felt relieved, Draco was safe and happy with Potter.
"Stop the search?" Snape asked, his face showing the same amount of shock as Blaise's had moments ago.
"Well, I used some of my personal contacts to start searching for where Potter had disappeared to. I knew Draco wouldn't rest until he knew exactly where he had disappeared to." Smiling somewhat sheepishly, Blaise rubbed at the back of his head, ruffling his curly black hair.
"I take it you inherited your grandparent's entire contact network?" Snape was past shock now. How had they overlooked something so significant?
"Yes I did. I'd also like to assure you that no information goes to Voldemort, about Harry Potter, the Malfoy's, or anyone and anything else." Blaise was now serious. There was much to discuss.
"And where do your loyalties lie then Blaise? You seem to be concerned with Draco and Potter, I'd like to know why." Snape's mind had become a maelstrom of thought.
"Draco is my only and best friend. I sometimes have dreams where my gifts tell me things. I know that my future lies with Draco because the first night I spent here at Hogwarts I had the strongest vision I've ever had, before or since. Draco was in the bed next to me, I hadn't really had time to talk to him yet and I was rather homesick. I went to sleep normally; I didn't yet know just what I was in for. I saw the war, saw it coming and the next thing I saw was myself beside a young blonde man who looked remarkably like the boy whose bed was next to mine. He was older, probably not more than eighteen or nineteen and he had a cut that ran down the side of his face. It was bleeding spectacularly but he wasn't paying any attention because he was dueling so intensely. On his other side was Harry Potter and they were facing off against this glowing crimson and brimstone cloud with these eerie green eyes. I knew it was Harry because of the scar. I was at their backs defending them as they fought. All around us was chaos, but I knew we were winning. It was pouring rain but it was still sunny."
"And so you decided that you would do what the dream told you?" Snape asked, curious as to what Blaise had made of his dream.
"No, I was scared shitless and woke up screaming. I've never killed someone or hurt someone on purpose before but I saw myself cast the killing curse straight at this big hulking idiot that was running towards me. It was Crabbe, and he dropped at my feet. His eyes were open and I couldn't take any more of it so I woke up. What convinced me to follow my destiny? It was Draco. He heard my scream and rushed to my bed to wake me up." Blaise paused, the telling taking more out of him than he thought it would. "What convinced me was how worried and sympathetic he was. He wasn't totally awake, but he did tell me he had bad nightmares too. He was my first friend, and truly he is the only one I see as one. I am friendly and sociable with the other Slytherins but I know where I stand and I know where Draco stands, even if it isn't obvious to everyone. I don't trust a one of them—my housemates will not hesitate to sell any information about a weakness of mine or Draco's."
"You are aware of the consequences of what you're doing and you still are willing?" Snape arched one eyebrow, impressed with the second true Slytherin he'd seen since he had accepted Dumbledore's offer to teach.
"I'm aware. I know what will happen eventually and I know that I need to be there."
"I will need you to take certain oaths before I go any further with this. I can guarantee you will not be sorry Blaise, but know that what you will need to do will not always be easy nor the most logical." Finally, Sev had found someone who could continue in his footsteps, doing for Draco what Severus had always done for Lucius.
"I know. I expected as much. Let's make it a wizard's oath."