Disclaimer: #Looks at self in mirror#Nope, I'm not J.K. Rowling. Guess Harry Potter and Co. doesn't belong to me…
A/N: Well…I did get a few more favorable reviews for last chapter than I did for Chapter 5. What happened to my readers??? Started: 11/5/04 Finished: 12/28/04
Summary: Draco watches over a sleeping Harry, remembering the day of Lord Voldemort's defeat. "You never knew the Dragon had a heart, did you?"
Author: Lenora
Rating: PG-13
2nd A/N: Italics are thoughts and emphasis. #…#show's actions…hopefully.
Dragonheart
Chapter 7-Who was that disembodied voice?
After the seven hour train ride, the group in the compartment looked up in relief as the train slowed down. Dudley looked through the window in curiosity at the village of Hogsmeade. "Is this it?" he asked in wonder.
Hermione smiled at him indulgently. "No Duds," she said, adopting the nickname that only Harry, Draco, and Neville seemed to get away with. "That's Hogsmeade. It's the village that holds the train station and some shops. It's the only completely wizarding village in England. We get to visit here some weekends."
"Wow," was all Dudley could say as they exited the train. He constantly looked around as they walked. Suddenly Dudley squeaked and hid behind Harry.
"What's wrong Duds?" Harry asked, looking over his shoulder. Dudley pointed a shaking finger at the gigantic figure of Rubeus Hagrid, the gamekeeper/Care of Magical Creatures professor.
"Will he hurt me again?" Dudley asked in a small voice. The others looked at Dudley with puzzled frowns on their faces. Even Draco knew that Hagrid wouldn't hurt a fly.
"No Duds. You're not the boy you were then. Besides, you're a wizard. He didn't know that when he tried to transfigure you," Harry soothed.
"Hello Harry," Hagrid boomed, greeting them. "Hermione, Ron, Neville, Ginny, and Dean. Malfoy? Heard yeh had opened your home to Harry. Glad to see yeh back."
"Thanks Professor," Draco said, holding his hand out for Hagrid to shake. Harry rolled his eyes as Hagrid grasped Draco's hand and he pulled the blonde into a hug. When he was released he looked a little flustered.
"Call me Hagrid, Draco."
"You're one of the family now," Harry said, smirking at the look on the blonde's face. "Speaking of family," Harry said, stepping aside, revealing the cringing Dudley. "Hagrid, I'd like you to meet my cousin Dudley Dursley. He will be going to school here this year." Dudley stared at the ground until he felt a sharp pain in his ribs. He looked up in shock and he saw Hagrid looking closely at him.
"Is that true?" he asked. Dudley nodded. "So you're not the worthless little Muggle clone of your father that I though yeh were, are yeh?" Hagrid asked. Dudley looked up at him, shocked. It was Harry's laugh that surprised Dudley.
"And just what is so funny?" Dudley asked Harry.
"Before this summer, that's exactly what I thought you were. I'm glad to see that you're not. After all, I don't think anyone else would have brought out the confident wizard in Neville," Harry said, throwing a teasing grin at his year mate. Neville blushed. Dudley smiled at the other wizard and he took Neville's hand within his own. Hagrid watched the interaction between the two of them with a knowing smile.
"Well, welcome to Hogwarts Dudley," Hagrid greeted warmly. "Yeh'll have to come up with me so you can be Sorted. Just stick by me while I collect the first years. See the rest of yeh later!" he called as they moved towards the carriages. Sadly, every member of the small group could see the black winged Threstals as they pawed at the ground. Harry sent a mental glare at the monster that had ruled their lives for far too long, glad that he was finally getting what he deserved.
The small group of friends chatted about nothing much as they rode up to the castle. "So…when did this all happen?" Ginny asked, waving at Harry and Draco's joined hands.
"Couple weeks ago," Harry said. "We went with Dudley on his date with Neville. He was nervous and he wanted support. We talked out our differences and we…kissed," Harry said, blushing.
"And Sirius caught us," Draco said. The others snickered.
"And he didn't rake you over the coals for daring to touch his godson?" Hermione asked, disbelief evident in her voice.
"Well, that would be kind of hypocritical, considering he just started dating my father," Draco announced, in a bored tone. Naturally, that caused an uproar. Harry and Draco sat there quietly snickering to themselves. They waited for a couple minutes before they others quieted.
"When did that happen?" Hermione gasped, staring wide eyed at the two.
"'Bout the day after we started dating," Harry said. The coach rumbled to a stop. Neville opened the door and he stepped out. He held the door open for the girls, then he let it slam closed on Ron.
"Prat," Ron grumbled, opening the door. Neville walked towards the school, saucily swinging his hips from side to side. "How could I have not noticed he's a bloody poof?" he mumbled, yelping when Hermione smacked the back of his head.
"I think Weasley is going to be in the cat house," Draco said, laughing.
"Dog house Draco," Harry corrected. Draco put his arm around the raven haired Gryffindor and they started walking up the path to the school. The students were shooting wary looks at the two supposed enemies with their arms around each other. "I think we're causing quite a stir," Harry whispered in Draco's ear.
"Good," Draco whispered back, nipping Harry's earlobe. Harry shivered.
Dean and Ron pretended to swoon. Harry rolled his eyes. "Hey, wait a minute," Dean said, slipping his hand into Ginny's. "Has anyone seen Seamus? I didn't see him anywhere on the train. I also didn't notice that one Slytherin, Blaise. Have any of you heard from him this summer?"
"Yeah I heard from him. He said that he had a surprise for when we got back to school," Harry said. Draco smirked at him, knowingly.
"Hmm…wonder what it is," Ginny said, distractedly. Conversation was cut off as they walked into the Great Hall. The same wonder that they felt the first time they entered the hall filled them. Harry waved at the animated form of Remus Lupin-Snape and he received a wave in return. Severus merely nodded at him. "What's up with Snape?" Ginny asked, sitting down at the Gryffindor table. "He seems almost pleasant today," she joked.
"He's worried about Remus," Harry said, sliding onto the bench, pulling Draco down with him. The students in the hall were gaping at the sight. "Remy's due by Christmas, and he's getting really tired lately." Those around them understood, what man wouldn't be worried about his pregnant husband?
Any more musings they could make were interrupted by the arrival of McGonagall with the first years and Dudley. Draco got up from the table and he made over to the Slytherin table. Whispers grew around the hall as the other students caught sight of the new boy; the whispers varied between wondering who he is and speculations about which house he would be in. Draco and Harry themselves had a small bet going on. Harry swore that Dudley would be a Slytherin, and Draco said that Dudley would be a Ravenclaw. It was obvious that the other boy wouldn't be a Gryffindor; he was able to keep the secret of being a wizard from his parents and cousin for six years after all.
McGonagall set the Sorting Hat upon its usual three-legged stool and she stepped back while it sung its song. When it was done, she unrolled a large parchment and she stood before the trembling first years. "When I call your name, you will put on the hat and sit on the stool to be sorted," she said. "Alvarez, Anna," she called. A small, obviously Latin girl stepped foreword and she stumbled towards the stool. She put the hat on her head; the hat was obviously speaking to her by the way her eyes were looking up. After a brief conversation the hat decided,
"GRYFFINDOR!" it cried. Harry clapped dutifully as the girl made her way to the table. He sat through the students until McGonagall got to Dudley's name.
"Dursley, Dudley," she called. Dudley stepped foreword and he looked at her.
"Not Dursley anymore," he said, he looked frustrated for a moment then he turned to Harry. "Harry, what was Mum's maiden name?" he asked.
"Evans," Harry replied, conscious of the stares they were receiving from the other students that didn't know Dudley's identity.
"I'm Dudley Evans now. I don't want to carry the same name as them," Dudley spat, thinking of his parents.
"That's up to you Mr. Evans," McGonagall said, smiling faintly at the young blonde. The entire hall was shocked; many of them didn't know McGonagall could smile. Dumbledore smiled at his long time lover, he knew that she wished that they could have had children, and he knew that she was still young enough to carry children, but she wouldn't listen to him. So instead she viewed her Gryffindors as her children, and it looked like she has taken in young Dudley as well. "Go ahead and put the hat on," she urged Dudley onto the stool. Dudley sat on the stool and he pulled the Sorting Hat onto his head.
"Ah, young Mr. Dursley," the Hat greeted.
"Evans," Dudley said.
"Alright, Evans" the Hat allowed. "You have many qualities from each house. You are loyal and you have a sound mind. However, Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw are not for you. You are brave but not incessantly reckless as your cousin was. There's only one place for you,
SLYTHERIN!!!" the Hat cried, shocking Draco and most of those who knew who Dudley was. Harry was the first to clap, inwardly cheering due to the bet he won.
"I told you," Harry mouthed across the room to Draco. Draco simply smirked at his boyfriend.
"Yeah, yeah," Draco mouthed back.
The Sorting passed quickly and soon all of the first years were sitting at their new house tables. Draco, Harry, and Dudley watched Dumbledore closely as McGonagall tapped her knife against her glass to get everyone's attention. "Attention everyone," she said.
"Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts! Before we begin our banquet, I would like to say a few words. And here they are: Calorie! Cesium! Prelate! Bragol!¹" The new students stared at him blankly, wondering if he was insane. Harry smirked at Dudley's face and he piled his food on his plate and he dug in.
"There are four new spots down at the end of the staff table," Hermione pointed out to Harry. "I wonder who's sitting there," she said, nodding at the four that were shielding their faces from the rest of the hall.
"Dunno," Harry said, having a good idea who those four were.
"He'll probably tell us after the feast," Ron said.
"Probably," Hermione said, reaching for another roll.
As soon as everyone ate everything that they could, all sorts of desserts appeared on the table. When those were gone as well McGonagall tapped her glass again as Dumbledore stood up again.
"Ahem-just a few more words now that we have all eaten. I have a few start of term notices to give you. First years should note that the forest on the grounds is strictly forbidden to all students. I have been asked by Mr. Filch, the caretaker, to remind you all that no magic should be used between classes in the corridors. Quidditch trials will be held in the second week of the term. Anyone interested in playing for their house teams should contact Madam Hooch. The village of Hogsmeade is open to students third year and above on select weekends. And I would like to present this year's Head Boy and Girl. Mr. Draco Malfoy and Ms. Hermione Granger. Now I'm sure that you're all tired so off you go."
Everyone got up and they started heading off through the doors. "One moment please," Dumbledore said. "This year we have the honor of celebrating the union of two of our young couples. They were married two days ago right here at Hogwarts. May I present Blaise and Seamus Zabini. As well as Pansy and Millicent Parkinson-Bulstrode. Due to their new status, they will have separate sleeping arrangements, away from the student dorms. You may go now," Dumbledore said, smiling at the student population.
"Gryffindor first years over here!" Hermione said, moving over to the side of the hall. Twelve or so eleven year olds walked over to where Hermione, Ron, Ginny, Colin, and the two fifth year prefects were standing. She waited for all of the first years to gather around them before she began speaking again. "I am Hermione Granger, Head Girl. If you have any problems with anything, please don't hesitate to come to me. If you can't find me,-"
"Check the library," Harry joked, standing with Neville. The group snickered a bit until Hermione glared at them. "Sorry 'Mione," Harry said.
"If you can't find me," Hermione continued, playfully glaring at Harry, "please feel free to approach one of the prefects. They are, Ron Weasley, 7th year. Ginny Weasley and Colin Creevy, 6th year." She then introduced the two fifth years and she turned back to the first years. "Follow me," she said, heading towards the staircase. The first years followed her timidly, glancing around in wonder. Hermione pointed out different things on the way to the Gryffindor common room. "And this is the Fat Lady, she is the guardian to the entrance of the common room."
"Password?" the Fat Lady asked.
"Canicula," Hermione said. The portrait opened and the students shuffled inside the common room. "Boys, the dormitories are upstairs and down to the left. Girls, the same on the right," she said. "Now, I'm sure that you're very tired. So I'll see you in the morning at breakfast. You will receive your schedules then. Good night," she said. The first years dispersed to their dorms, the older students also following them to their own dorms. However, the Golden Trio and friends sat down in the cushy chairs before the fire and settled down for a good talk.
"So Harry…" Ginny began, looking at him curiously.
"So Ginny," Harry replied, sarcastically. Ginny made a face at him.
"Don't be an ass," she said.
"He can't help it, he spent the summer with Malfoy," Ron said, clearly joking. Hermione elbowed him in the side and Ron shot a glare at her. "Well he did!"
"Go on Ginny," Hermione said, pointedly ignoring her boyfriend.
"Yes Ginny, what were you going to say?" Harry asked, clearly intending to be serious for a moment.
"I was just going to ask, why Malfoy? I mean, I know he switched sides and all, but why?" Ginny asked.
"I could ask you the same about Dean, but I won't because I know you really care about him. And I really care about Draco. I would like it if you guys could get past everything that has happened with him so far. I have," Harry looked around at his friends.
"Does he make you happy?" Hermione asked, looking at Harry closely.
Harry smiled; leave it to Hermione to ask the question. He looked back up at them. "Yeah, he does. He's been there for me ever since the final battle. I don't think he knows I remember him helping me, but I do. I remember him taking my hand and lending me his power. He saved my life. If he hadn't done that I would have died."
"Do you love him?" Ron asked. The others looked at him in shock. Harry smiled at his best friend.
"Yeah I do," Harry said, smiling at the red head.
"Does he love you?" Hermione asked.
"Yeah. He doesn't know I know. He told me when he thought I was sleeping."
"Are you going to tell him?" Dean asked.
Harry nodded. "I'm planning on telling him at the first Hogsmeade weekend. I'm going to take him out," Harry said, grinning.
"But that's not until next month," Hermione protested. "I think you should tell him earlier," she said.
"But that would ruin my fun," Harry said, grinning. Hermione rolled her eyes.
"Well, we better be getting to bed. You don't want to be late for classes do you?" Hermione asked.
"Awkward day for classes to resume, Tuesday," Ron said, yawning as they headed up the stairs to the dorm.
"Yeah well it's Monday," Dean pointed out, as he headed for his trunk. "Where's Neville?" he asked.
"Probably with Dudley," Harry said. "They've been owling back and forth constantly since they went on that date," Harry added.
"I didn't know that Neville was gay," Ron said. "I mean, I suspected. But I never knew."
"I knew," Dean said. Everyone looked at him. "Neville told me fifth year. He kind of had a crush on Seamus, and he asked me if Seamus was gay. I felt bad telling him that Seamus had a boyfriend already."
"Yeah I could understand- wait a minute!" Harry cried. "You knew about Seamus and Blaise?"
Dean looked at Harry like Harry was dumb. "Of course I knew. What kind of best friend would I be if I didn't?" Dean laughed at the looks on their faces. "I caught Seamus and Blaise on a date one night. I promised to keep the secret."
"And he did," said a voice from the doorway. The three looked up to see Neville walking in the room. "Dean never told me who Seamus' boyfriend was. I assume it was Zabini?" Neville asked. Dean nodded. "Good. I'm glad that Seamus has found someone that loves him."
"How's Duds?" Harry asked. Neville smiled softly.
"He's a little nervous about starting school, but Draco assured me that he would watch out for Dudley. Said something about Slytherins watch out for their own," Neville shrugged and he walked over to his bed. "Hey," he said, "there are only four beds."
"Well Seamus is married now. He's going to live somewhere else with Blaise," Harry pointed out.
"Oh yeah," Neville said, feeling like an idiot. "Hey Harry, you were there at the wedding, weren't you?"
All eyes turned to Harry. "Yeah I was."
"What happened?" Ron asked, conveniently forgetting that they were men and men didn't gossip.
"Yeah, why'd they marry so suddenly?" Dean asked.
"Well, Blaise's father was pressuring Blaise and Pansy into marrying. He had been placated for the last couple years by their engagement. But as it got closer to both Blaise and Pansy's coming of age, he got nervous. So he moved the wedding up. We basically kidnapped Seamus, Pansy, and Pansy's girlfriend Millicent and we brought them here. That night they were married before witnesses."
"Who were the witnesses?" Neville asked.
"Me, Draco, Mr. Malfoy, Sirius, Professor Snape, Remus, Minister Fudge, and Professor McGonagall. Right after Professor Dumbledore finished Blaise and Seamus' ceremony, Blaise's father showed up." Harry's audience gasped. "Yeah. He tried to say that the wedding wasn't going to be legal. He tried saying that it couldn't be legal because Pansy wasn't there, but she was. Then he tried the part about Pansy being underage, but Lucius was there, and he's her godfather. He can give her permission to marry. Then he said he was going to go to the minister, but Fudge was there. He kept babbling and I made him leave."
"You made him made him?" Ron asked. Harry nodded. "Blimey Harry, you really know how to make enemies don't you?"
"Sure do," Harry quipped, grinning. "Well I'm gonna go to bed now. Night."
"Night Harry," the others chorused.
Harry made his way into the bathroom to change into his pajamas. When he came out, the others were still talking. He slipped into his bed and he ducked under the covers. "Nox," he whispered. The lights in the dorm went out, and Harry could hear some grumbling from the others in the room.
The next morning Harry woke up slowly to see the large eyes of Dobby looking at him from inside his bed curtains. "Yaah!" Harry cried, jumping back. "Dobby!" Harry cried.
"Dobby is sorry Harry Potter. But Master Draco has asked Dobby to ask Harry Potter if Harry Potter would join Master Draco for breakfast at the Slytherin table. Would Harry Potter?" Dobby asked.
"Sure Dobby, just let me stop my heart pounding. You scared the hell out of me," Harry said.
"Dobby is sorry Harry Potter," Dobby said.
"Don't worry about it Dobby. Just…poke me or something next time," Harry said, unconsciously repeating his words of three years before. Harry climbed out of his bed and he giggled softly to see that the others in the dorm were all glaring at his bed due to his yell when Dobby startled him. "Sorry guys, it was Dobby," Harry said. Sleepy mumbles erupted from the other three beds.
Harry stumbled into the bathroom and he quickly showered and he changed into his robes so that he could spend as much time with Draco at breakfast as possible. Harry grabbed his bag and he shoved his Potions text into it, six years of Potions taught him that he would have Potions first thing in the morning. Harry sincerely doubted that his routine would change for his last year when it was the same for the other six years.
Draco looked up when he felt someone sit next to him. Considering he had threatened the other Slytherins with hexing them into next week if they interrupted his breakfast with Harry, Draco knew that it had to be Harry. Draco smiled when he saw his raven haired boyfriend sitting there. "Morning Harry," Draco said, handing Harry a cup of tea that was already prepared the way Harry liked it.
"Morning. Did you really have to send Dobby to wake me up?" Harry asked, as he took a sip of his tea.
"Naturally. Who else would follow my explicit order and actually get you down here one way or another?" Draco asked.
"Only Dobby," Harry conceded. He took another sip out of his cup and he put it down on the table. "So what did you want to talk about?" Harry asked.
"Well I wanted to know how we were going to act when we're here," Draco said.
Harry smiled at his boyfriend, knowing that Draco was asking due to his bad history with boyfriends. "I'd like us to continue as we were at Malfoy Manor. You're my boyfriend, not someone that I'm going to hide. Okay?" Harry asked. Draco smiled brightly at Harry, feeling immensely relieved that Harry didn't want to hide their relationship. His last boyfriend had wanted to hide their relationship and it had ended badly. Draco snorted; well that's what he got for dating a Hufflepuff. Harry looked closely at the look on Draco's face and he growled softly. "Justin is an idiot," Harry growled, grabbing the back of Draco's neck roughly and he pulled Draco foreword and he kissed him passionately. Several gasps were heard around the hall at the sight of the Golden Boy Harry Potter kissing the Slytherin Prince Draco Malfoy. "You're mine," Harry whispered roughly, looking deeply into Draco's eyes.
"And you're mine," Draco whispered back, softly kissing Harry's lips.
"Hey lovebirds, you need to eat or you're going to be late for Potions," Blaise and Seamus said, sitting down at the Slytherin table with Draco and Harry. Harry grinned at the two and the two Seekers began eating their breakfast. Harry however kept his left hand on Draco's thigh while they ate.
When they were finished, the schedules started drifting down the tables. Harry watched Severus pluck two Gryffindor schedules from Professor McGonagall's pile and he handed them to a fifth year prefect that was waiting for the schedules. The schedules were passed down each side to the table and Draco rooted through the pile and he pulled four schedules out of it before handing it to the person next to Harry. He passed the schedules to the other three before he looked at his own schedule.
"What do you have?" Harry asked, looking over Draco's shoulder.
"Potions first thing," Draco said. "You?" he asked, looking at the other three. They nodded. "Oh good. You going to sit with me?" he asked Harry.
"Of course," Harry said, smiling. He gave Draco a peck on the lips. "I've got to get to the Gryffindor table. I'll see you when we leave for class. You will be walking with me, wont you?"
"You think I wouldn't? Of course I am. I'll see you in a little while." Draco smiled at him and Harry walked off towards his table.
"Harry wait!" Seamus called. Harry stopped about two steps away from the Slytherin table. "Baby, I'm going to go with Harry and visit my friends at the Gryffindor table. I'll see you in a couple minutes." Seamus kissed Blaise softly and he walked over to his friend and they headed over to the Gryffindor table.
The two were talking softly when they reached their house table. "Hey guys," Harry said, sliding into his usual spot, Seamus doing the same between Dean and Neville.
"Hey Harry," the seventh year Gryffindors greeted the dark haired boy.
"Hey guys, are you going to talk to me or just ignore me?" Seamus asked softly.
"Well I don't know Seamus. After all, you didn't tell us that you were dating a Slytherin," Ron said, speaking the thoughts that the others were thinking.
"I couldn't tell anyone Ron. I swore on my magic that I would tell no one so as I would not endanger the lives of Millicent, Pansy, and Blaise." Those around him gasped, and Harry gaped at him soundly. He hadn't known that Seamus had sworn on his magic. Draco hadn't asked him to do that.
"How come I wasn't asked to swear on my magic?" Harry asked. Seamus looked at him in shock.
"Harry, all of us were counting on you to rid the world of He Who Must Not Be Named. Of course we wouldn't ask you to swear on your magic." Harry felt like smacking himself. Of course, they were worried about him defeating Voldemort. He had spent a summer away from his fame; he had actually managed to forget completely about being the Boy Who Lived To Defeat The Dark Lord.
"Sorry, I forgot," Harry said.
"So Harry, are you ready for Potions?" Hermione asked.
"I am so glad that I'm not in the class this year!" Ron said.
"Well that's only because you decided not to become an Auror," Hermione pointed out. Ron stuck his tongue out at her. Harry and Seamus sat on the sidelines, letting the couple fight it out. It was better for everyone involved, if someone interrupted the two, the fight just built up until one of the two blew up at the other. Then Harry would have to resort to Petrificus Totalusing them. Although…Harry thought, I do have the added benefit of having a boyfriend that is Head Boy. He has his own room…Harry mused. Harry grinned evilly; it was nice to at least think about doing it. Even though he knew that he would never do it.
"What are you smirking at?" Seamus asked, whispering so the others wouldn't hear.
"Petrificus Totalus," Harry whispered back, inclining his head towards the arguing couple.
Seamus grinned. "They'd hex you into next week if you did," Seamus said.
"If they found me," Harry said, nodding his head towards Draco. Seamus' grin increased as he understood what Harry was talking about.
"If you ever need somewhere else to hide from those two, you can always come to mine and Blaise's room. We're-" Seamus whispered the location of his rooms in Harry's ear.
"Wonder what the two of them are whispering about over there," Blaise said, as he helped himself to another couple sausages.
"They're probably plotting ways to completely drive us mad," Draco replied blandly.
Blaise laughed. "They do that without even trying, why would they need to plan it?" Blaise asked.
Draco conceded Blaise's point. "That's true. They've always found someway to drive us mad. Even before we loved them, they were still annoying as simply the too brave for their own good Gryffindors. Man they were annoying. Before we got to know them," Draco added when he saw the look on Blaise's face. "You have to admit, the whole 'You are aGryffindor:You can do no wrong'treatment the school gave them was annoying."
"Yeah it was a little annoying how Dumbledore gave them the House Cup First Year," Blaise admitted. Draco smirked and the smirk evolved into a smile as he saw Harry and Seamus approaching. Blaise's eyebrow rose as he saw the look on Draco's face change. Draco nodded towards the two approaching Gryffindors. Blaise turned around and he saw his husband and Harry nearing the table.
"You ready to go?" Harry asked as they reached the table. "We're going to be late for Potions if we don't get going." Draco put his napkin down and he got up from the table.
"Yeah I'm ready." Draco walked down to the end of the table where he met Harry. Draco linked his fingers with Harry's and they walked out of the Great Hall. They chatted quietly as they walked down the stairs to the dungeons. As they got closer to the corridor that led to the Potions classroom they could see Peeves bouncing around the corridor, antagonizing the students in the hall.
"Ooh, wee little Potter and his little stone Dragon," Peeves cried, looking at them in glee. Draco's eyes widened slightly as he recognized the voice. However, before he could say anything, Peeves pushed both him and Harry into an abandoned classroom. A locking charm was cast before the two boys could react.
"What the? Peeves what the bloody hell do you think you're doing?" Harry demanded.
"Harry, that's not Peeves," Draco said. Harry looked at Draco in shock.
"Yes it is. Look at him, there is very little chance that it's someone else," Harry pointed out.
"Harry, it's Godric Gryffindor," Draco whispered, awe stealing over his usually stoic features.
"WHAT?" Harry cried, rounding on his boyfriend. But after taking one look at the expression on Draco's face, he turned back to look at Peeves. "You're not, are you?" Harry asked.
"Your boyfriend caught on quicker than you did Potter," Peeves said, transforming into the regal founder of Harry's house. Harry quickly lowered his eyes in the presence of such a great wizard. "You have no reason to lower your eyes to me, Harry," Godric said gently, as he lifted Harry's chin so Harry was looking into Godric's eyes. "Besides, Sal would have kneazles if he found out that you acted submissive to me and he didn't see it." Godric laughed at the looks on Draco and Harry's faces.
"Sal?" Harry asked. Godric looked at him inquiringly. "All records state that you didn't get along with Salazar."
"Well…we've had a difficult relationship. When we first met, we fought constantly. We were only boys at the time and we were divided by loyalties to our families. We were much like the Montague's and the Capulets, the Romans and the Greeks, the Hatfields and the McCoys. Our families hated each other and they passed that hate down to us. However, we were taught magic by a wonderful and powerful man who was completely neutral. So we learned to put aside our differences for him. When we got together with Helga and Rowena to found Hogwarts, we all decided to put a bit of our souls into the building of the castle. The great wards around the school are all fed by our magic and our souls. Every Headmaster, or Headmistress, since has added to the wards gradually. A spell here, a spell there. Over the last thousand years, the school has become the safest place for anyone or anything in the world. I think only Gringotts Bank is second to the security of Hogwarts." Godric looked at the two standing before him.
"What happened to Peeves?" Harry asked. Draco snorted and he mumbled something under his breath that sounded like Typical Gryffindor.
"He's still around, I put him in the Chamber of Secrets about two years ago. So he's bouncing around there causing chaos in Sal's beloved chamber." Godric grinned at the two. "I took on Peeves' role as mischief maker when Delores Umbridge decided she was going to mess with our beloved Hogwarts. I'm going to let him out soon, but I just wanted you to know that I am very proud of what you have done, Draco. You took the advice I gave you in the last battle and you used it well."
Harry looked at Draco. "What advice?" Harry asked, glaring at Draco.
Draco looked self conscious, and he absent mindedly fiddled with his wand. "During the battle, I heard a voice that told me to help you. The voice told me to take your hand and lend you my energy. I followed it and you beat Voldemort. I didn't realize that it was Godric Gryffindor until the founders arrived out of that portal. I actually hadn't thought of that voice until now."
"You listened to a voice that only you could hear? Do you know how foolish that was? You could have inadvertently hurt yourself or me," Harry said.
"I wasn't thinking!" Draco cried. "All I was thinking of was somehow saving you! I wouldn't have been able to forgive myself if I had allowed you to die! My only thought was that the boy I loved was dying in front of my eyes!" Draco paled suddenly as he realized exactly what he had revealed. Draco's eyes dropped so that he was studying the floor.
Draco jumped slightly when he felt fingers under his chin, forcing him to meet Harry's eyes. Draco tensed, expecting to see condemnation in Harry's eyes. He was shocked to see a surprised happiness in the emerald green depths. "I know," Harry said, surprising Draco.
"What?"
"I know you love me. I overheard you tell me when you thought I was asleep," Harry said, leaning foreword to kiss the platinum blonde boy. Instead of making contact with the petal pink lips, Harry was shoved backward.
"You overheard me and you just let me think that you were asleep?!?!" Draco screeched. Harry looked up at his boyfriend in shock.
"You weren't telling me so I would know; you were telling me so that your conscience would be clear. Besides, you were the one that had been avoiding me. You never stayed to let me say anything when you told me that you liked me last year," Harry accused.
"You laughed at me! No one laughs at a Malfoy!" Draco growled.
"I laugh as a defense mechanism. I laugh so I won't show that I am afraid. If you had stayed for even half a second later you would have heard me tell you that I like you to. I've liked you since fifth year when you were a member of Umbridge's ridiculous brute squad. Do you know what she made me do in our endless detentions?" Harry asked. Draco shook his head. "She used a torture quill. She made me write out hundreds of lines in my own blood! It eventually resulted in this!" Harry hissed, showing Draco his left hand, free of all glamour charms that had been hiding the words scarred onto it.
"I…will…not…tell…lies," Draco slowly read. Harry watched his eyes narrow and anger slowly fill the silver eyes. "I'll kill her," Draco said, his voice low. He turned and he began to walk out of the room.
Harry caught him by the arm. "NO Draco! She's not worth it. But do you see what I was dealing with now? She was horrible to me because she knew I was right. And I felt horrible because I was falling hard for one of her favorite little arsehole followers. I didn't know what to do. Then less than a year later, I find out that the same little prat that I had fallen for, liked me too. Do you know how that felt? I felt happy for the first time in a long time. It was only seconded by this past summer when I found out that I never have to go back to Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon's house again. And as a bonus I gained Dudley as a friend. And this was all prompted by the fact that I knew that you loved me. I love you as well," Harry said softly. Draco promptly fell down on his arse, shocked by Harry's announcement.
"You do?" Draco asked. Harry grinned at the other teen and he knelt down next to his boyfriend.
"Yes I do," Harry said, as he leaned in and kissed the blonde softly. Harry gasped as he felt Draco's arms slip around his back and pull the raven haired boy closer. Neither boy noticed the spirit of Godric Gryffindor slip out of the room, disguised as Peeves the poltergeist once again. It was only when Harry felt the bell on his watch go off that the two stopped the kiss. Harry looked down at his watch. "Bloody hell! We're late to Potions!" Harry and Draco got up and they rushed out of the room and down the hall. They slipped inside the door of the classroom right before Severus banged into the class.
"Potter! Malfoy! Take your seats!" Severus barked out as he moved to the front of the class. Harry and Draco moved to the only open table and they sat down. "Now, by some trick of fate, you have made it into the N.E.W.T. level Potions class. Some of you," Severus said, glaring in Neville's direction, "have made it here by sheer luck. The rest of you have somehow accumulated enough knowledge to make it here. Then again, some of you are insufferable know it alls, so I wouldn't expect you to not make it," Severus said, glancing at Hermione. She blushed but she continued to look at Severus. "This year you will be working in pairs, no chance of trading your partner. If you and your partner cannot get along, you will not pass the class. Now, as there are nine students, one of you will receive extra training from me in lieu of having a partner. The partners are Granger/Bones, Boot/Parkinson-Bulstrode, Malfoy/Potter, Zabini/Zabini, and Longbottom will be the one to be by himself. Now get with your partners if you aren't already." Several students shuffled around as students moved so they could sit with their partners. "Now we will be reviewing this week, and next week we will be beginning the new potions. Now open your books to page 43 and read the chapter. I will expect a three foot essay on the potions discussed within the chapter due next Tuesday." The class groaned, though they quieted quickly in the face of Severus' glare. "Begin," he snapped, glaring over the class as a whole.
Harry and Draco looked at each other and they shrugged. The pulled their books out of their bags and they opened them to the specified page. Their hands snaked together as they read the text in the book.
Severus subtly watched the two as they read the assignment. He had known of Draco's feelings for the Gryffindor for many years,though Severus had never really expected it to go anywhere. But Severus was glad that his godson had gotten off his arse and asked the Boy Who Lived out.
The students read their assignments in silence, none of them willing to risk the wrath of their professor. When the bell rang for them to leave, none of them could resist a small sigh of relief. "Remember, a three foot essay due on Tuesday!" Severus barked as the students in his class practically ran out of the room.
Harry and Draco walked slowly, hand in hand down the hallway. Before they reached the stairway Harry pulled Draco to a stop. "Wait Drac," he said. Draco looked at him, curiosity evident in his face. "I was wondering, would you like to go with me to Hogsmeade on the first weekend? Dudley's going on a date with Neville and I believe so are Hermione and Ron, and Blaise and Seamus. What do you say?" Harry asked.
Draco smiled at Harry. "Sure. Where do you want to go?" Draco asked.
"We'll figure that out when it comes closer to the weekend. Ok?" Harry said. Draco nodded and he grinned at Harry. The raven haired young man pulled his boyfriend close as they began to walk up the stairs so they could go to their next class.
During the next month, Harry and Draco were content to just exist side by side, knowing that they were loved. They made many plans for what they were going to do on their Hogsmeade date, and many of them were discarded for being unpractical. After all, one couldn't journey to New York City from Hogsmeade village, at least not without a special mode of transportation.
Then finally the day arrived, Friday, the first day of the Hogsmeade weekend was Halloween. Harry was standing in his dorm watching the rest of his roommates get ready for their dates. Harry looked down at his attire. It was an outfit that Draco had helped him pick out while the two went shopping during the summer. He was wearing a dark blue silk long-sleeved shirt. He wore skin tight jeans that hugged all the right curves, and he put on one of his new pairs of shoes. Harry hadn't even attempted to tame his hair; he figured that it would do what it wanted whatever he did.
"You ready Harry?" Ron asked, Neville standing beside him. Both were equally dressed up for their dates, Neville in a white shirt and Ron in a black shirt. Both of them wore their uniform slacks.
"Yeah. Just let me get my wand," Harry said, as he pulled his new emerald green cloak on over his shoulders. Harry put his wand in the special holster that he had Mr.Ollivandermake for when he was battling Voldemort. It was now an integral part of his life that he never left his room without it on.
The three boys walked down the stairs until they got to the common room. Once they were there Hermione joined them. Ron took her hand and they walked outside the common room. Once the Fat Lady closed behind them, the small group was joined by Draco and Dudley, both looking very nice in their clothes. Draco was wearing a light blue shirt that set off his pale skin and made it look glowing. Dudley was wearing a red cotton long sleeved shirt and his uniform pants. Dudley had borrowed one of Draco's many cloaks for the occasion. Both cloaks had the Malfoy crest inscribed on the left breast. Both cloaks were also black with hoods attached in case it rained.
"Everybody ready?" Harry asked, taking Draco's hand.
"Yes Harry," the others chorused.
"Good, let's go," Harry said, starting off with Draco.
When asked later how their dates went, all six would stammer and only say that it was the best date that any of them had been on…
1: The four words of Professor Dumbledore's start of term speech are all Chemistry related. shrugssue me, I wanted to put them in there.
3rd A/N: So what do you think??? Please review and tell me!!!