Title: In Bitter Hands
Author: Ashley (Nov.02)
Rating: PG-13
Pairing: Ron/Draco
Feedback: I'd love me some of it!
Summary: Justice has finally been carried out. However, it can't always be served.
Spoilers: None...I guess…
Warning: rape, angst, and character death.
Distribution: Ask and you shall receive!
Disclaimer: I don't own anything Harry Potter or HP related. pout
A/N: New Year's!
Thanks: To zysciru! Thanks for the holiday beta work…still!
In Bitter Hands
2
Much to Draco's chagrin, he stayed longer. Ron was still in and out of sleep. He was now on the opposite end of the sofa, on his back, knees bent upright for space for Draco. The Malfoy heir rested his arm on Ron's knees and watched as Mr. Weasley started breakfast. Once Ginny came down, she scolded him lightly since he really had no clue as to what to do in a kitchen.
"I think you like it here. I think you like us." Ron mentioned as he awoke for the fourth time.
"No. Not necessarily."
"Ah, he does." Charlie commented as he came down the stairs.
"Didn't know you were staying here." Ron's eyebrows furrowed as he turned to peek over the armrest.
"That's hard to believe seeing as how I told you that I was staying and you were delighted." Chuckled Charlie as came around and sat in Draco's previous bed. "But now that I see Malfoy, I guess you were too preoccupied to register our conversation."
"Perhaps."
"We didn't do anything so don't worry about it." Draco quietly added while staring off into the emptied fireplace.
"No one said you did. You're sounding a bit suspicious." Charlie countered as his voice deepened a bit.
"I'm not. You're implying."
"Okay. Calm down you two. Charlie, he's not being suspicious. He's nervous. You could never tell but he is. He's on the defense. He wants to do good, in a sense, to all of you so we can stay together. Draco, he's my older brother. He's just looking out for me but we do something that you're not familiar with. We kid around a lot in this family. Now, both of you, shut up." Ron delegated. He smiled to his brother and grinned at Draco who was completely caught off guard with Ron's assessment of his behavior.
Charlie abruptly guffawed at the communication and relationship between Ron and Malfoy. Ron utterly cut down Draco's haughty persona.
"So Malfoys get nervous? How odd."
Draco rolled his eyes. This was not a good day.
"See. I can handle him. He's not so bad. Just cocky." Ron folded his arms over his chest and stared at Draco who was obviously getting upset.
"Good to know you can. Now, I'll welcome him to the family once I see how he handles everyone over here."
"What? What everyone?" Questioned the blonde with little interest.
"Right. You've never been over for a breakfast or dinner of ours. A big group of friends and the rest of the family, if they can make it, usually come here to catch up on the day. Normally, that's dinnertime but with recent events, that's been happening more at breakfast." Informed Charlie.
"I forgot about that. This will be our official coming out. Everyone will know." Ron said in deep thought.
"Great. More people who hate me. Let the making fun and destruction of my perfectly constructed persona begin."
"Oh look. He can be funny…in a dry sort of way. You two better get ready since everyone will be here soon." Charlie got up and folded Draco's discarded blanket. "Hey Gin, Dad. Need some help I see." He went to the rescue.
"He's right." Ron stood up and folded his blanket as well. After he piled the two quilted blankets, he took Draco's hand. "I'll show you where."
Draco obediently followed behind Ron. They climbed a flight or two of stairs. "Bathroom is to the left, second door."
"You go first. Don't you need someone to get your clothes?"
"Right. Go to it. You know where my room is." Ron went down the hall and into the bathroom while Draco continued on to Ron's room.
He cautiously turned the knob, opened the door and stepped inside the stale air. Shadows were cast everywhere by the sun. The writing desk was cleared of anything, chair pushed in. His bed was pushed off to the corner and a huge water stain could be easy spotted on the wood floor. This room held so much. It was quite amazing…not the act that happened here but that things could be placed back into order even if the world itself couldn't.
He carefully edged over to the closet door. It was ajar and upon pushing it wider open, the chaos of life was found. Things were thrown in; objects jutted out askew, clothes piled, hanging off of hangers. It was atrocious. Draco crouched down and pulled some things out. Some jeans, undergarments and a black T-shirt. That was the best he could do. He didn't know how long he could last in this cold room. It was too sterile though filthy. Forever tainted.
Closing off the room, clothes in hand, Draco walked down to the bathroom door and knocked. "Here you go."
The door opened slightly. "Thanks. If you need anything-"
"No worries. I'll handle this. I was supposed to be gone some time ago. No need to postpone more time by changing out of your clothes so my father and mother don't get suspicious." Draco rationalized. He didn't look at Ron because he knew that his boyfriend was sexy. He was finally filled out. His scars were ever fading and his hair was wet.
Ron noticed and he appreciated it. "I'm almost done." He shut the door. The blonde pressed against the wall, slid to the bottom, awaiting his turn.
Soon, Ron was done. "I left everything you needed out. I guess I shall wait as well. Don't want you to be expected to go downstairs and face everyone alone." Ron copied Draco's seating position on the other side of the doorframe. "Well, what are you waiting for?"
"I'm going." He got ready quick enough. There was no point in prolonging the inevitable. It would be horrible but he would have to do it sooner or later. He was planning on sticking with Ron for as long as possible.
The door swung open to let the steam filter out while Draco messed around with his hair. "Oh for Merlin's sake." Ron sighed. He got up and entered the bathroom, standing behind the slightly shorter young man. "No one cares. No need to preen like a male hippogriff."
"Not my fault." Draco leaned forward to get a closer look at each strand.
Ron grabbed his arm, whirled him around and pressed him into the counter. "I wore this idiot color black for you. Stop preening for me."
"Fine." Draco wrapped his arms around Ron's waist. "Your father and I had a lovely chat."
"I heard." Ron leaned his forehead to touch Draco's. His eyesight became unfocused so he closed his eyes, enjoying the clean scent of the blonde. "You handled yourself quite well, dear sir."
"Of course I did." Draco placed a quick kiss on Ron's lips as Ron laced his fingers into his partner's ideally silky hair. "Thanks for ruining what semblance of an acceptable hairstyle I had."
"You're welcome." Ron whispered into Draco's ear.
He shivered. That Weasley had some hold over him. He couldn't explain why or how but he did. He was happy with his decision to not push Ron. He placed another kiss on Ron's blush lips. This time the other boy responded, kissing back.
"They want what's best for me. I'm the youngest boy. I'm gay. I was raped. I'm dating a Malfoy. All those things stack against them liking you, even if they do…in a miniscule sort of way."
"Good. Because that's as much as I like them." He breathed before kissing the outer shell of his ear.
"You are too wicked."
"I am a Malfoy after all." He placed small kisses on that soft, freckled neck. One hand cupped Ron's cheek while the other stayed pressed against his back.
"Draco, stop. I want to but I can't." Ron's voice quavered.
The other man stopped. "Sorry." He untangled himself, stepping out of the small room.
"It's okay." He grabbed his arm. "But after that, I have to take back what I said this morning. I do love you."
"Well, I must say, I do have some admiration for you."
Ron chuckled. "Thanks. Come on. I hear people." He tugged on Draco's arm and dragged him down the stairs.
Draco didn't want to. If anything, he should have Apparated out but that would disappoint Ron and give cause to slanderous talk about him. He couldn't have any of that.
They quickly entered the kitchen, which was filled with many people. Potter and Granger were there. Quite usual. The rest of the Weasley family was there minus Percy, of course, and some other people.
A round of 'Hullo, Ron' and 'How are you, Ron?' rang out. But, people quickly noticed Malfoy and things went silent.
"Yes, everyone. This is Draco Malfoy. He is in my home. I'm dating him. Yes, I'm dating a Malfoy. We didn't do anything last night. He's quite touchy about that. We did nothing." Ron smiled at Draco before taking as seat next to Harry.
He left him here alone. Standing here with all eyes on him.
"Draco, that's Tonks, Mundungus, and Kingsley. You already know Moody and Professor Lupin. Pass the toast please."
"Hullo all." Forced Draco. He tried to sound nice but that was quite difficult with many eyes on him, Weasley and other. Besides, the woman named Tonks had a distracting color of hair. Guardedly, Draco made his way to the open seat between Ginny and Ron. He suddenly lost his appetite. However, he had to eat. Otherwise, people here may think that he was being egotistical. He placed small portions of everything that was available to him and began to eat under close eye. This was his last meal after all…once he went to see his family.
Ron tried to stifle a laugh. Watching Draco try to remain nonchalant was amusing.
Not being able to take the silence, Draco placed his fork down gently and said, "What? Why is everyone staring? I haven't done anything."
"Or anyone, we hope." George mumbled into the glass poised at his lips.
Hermione smacked him on the back while Ginny shouted, "Really."
The whole room erupted into laughs. The room seemed to let go of its tension as people went on to converse or eat or make business transactions.
Ron leaned next to him. "See. A well placed joke can be just what everyone needs."
"I see." Draco eased slightly, enjoying the company around him to the best of his ability.
"Mr. Weasley," Harry started, "you know Sirius left me his estate. Grimmauld Place is yours. With everyone always congregating here, you need the space."
"No. I think we'd rather stay here. Memories and such." Arthur declined.
"Harry always asks and Dad always declines." Ginny spoke to him while stealing the last hotcake from Bill.
"Oh," Draco sipped some juice.
"So, any news in the Daily Prophet?" questioned Ron.
"None. I searched on the way here." Hermione called over the noise.
"The Ministry?"
"None, Ron. I tried to squeeze out some information last night as to the ruling but nothing. Said there was some hold up." The tall black man named Kingsley said.
"Thanks." Ron seemed to deflate.
"Don't fret. It'll be fine." Draco tried to comfort him. He was going to be discreet but, for Ron's sake, he needed to be accepted. One public gesture of affection wouldn't hurt. He hugged Ron. "Nothing wrong could happen. You did fantastic."
Ron pulled away reluctantly, tears in his eyes. "Thanks. But maybe it wasn't good enough."
"You're always good enough, if not better. Now, that's as far as I go in public."
Ron rubbed at his eyes and laughed. "You make me laugh."
"Obviously."
Shaking his head, he went back to chatting up with his best friend.
Later, near the end of breakfast, people began to leave. When Lupin went to open the door, a barn owl swooped in (Draco sighed with relief; it wasn't from his father) and dropped a letter in front of Ginny. After nipping a piece of bacon, the owl flew off.
"Oh. I'm the only one who got one. Finally, out of all of your shadows." She pointed to all the Weasley boys.
"You were never in anyone's shadow, Only Girl. I was." Ron declared. "Let me see."
She went around Draco and handed it to Ron who read over it quickly.
"Looks like we know what you all will be doing. Goodbye Arthur." Lupin waved goodbye as he closed the door. Many followed after him.
"Hope to see you all later on. Our shop is having a grand opening in Hogsmeade. I'll be there; George in Diagon Alley." Fred beamed.
"We are finally a chain!" George cheered. Those two deserved all the success in the world. They clamored out. They were always sloppy when it came to apparation.
"Have fun with that. I must go." Draco stood.
"You can't. I wanted you to come along." Ginny protested as she stood as well.
"I will be in more trouble if I prolonged this. I didn't tell my father that I'd be gone this long, over night. I have to leave. Thank you for allowing me to stay." He directed towards Arthur.
The blonde didn't acknowledge Potter or Granger. They weren't of much importance to him. He headed to the coat rack and took his robe.
Ron followed behind him as he walked out. "I'm so proud of you for sticking that out."
"I'm proud too. Of you that is." He caressed Ron's cheek, gazing intently into Ron's crisp blue eyes. "I love you too."
"Wow." Ron kissed him. "Now go before you get into any trouble."
"Have fun." And he popped out of sight.
Nov.02: Small load this time. Great! We're all a little tipsy over here.
Draco: Not me. I know how to hold my liquor.
Ron: dancing around to a Disney Channel music video
Draco: He does not.
Nov.02: I love him…I hate you! NEW YEAR'S!!!! HOLIDAY SEASON IS OVER!
Draco: Thank goodness for that small favor.
Nov.02: For once we agree on something.
Draco: Spooky.
Nov.02: Yes. Since it is the season to give…I'll do thank yous so you can keep your lover under control.
Thank you viu Sex is a definite option for them. It will come. But I'm Nov…I must make life hard for them.
Thankies Burnt Reflections I'm glad to bring some joy to you during Christmas!
THNX mintapotter I only write ahead to make sure that I'm committed and that I'll finish. Plus, I like to know where the heck it'll end up.
Thanks darkarcYou flatter me so! I'm not that decent but I know how you feel about the updates and story part. I wasn't expecting a sequel. Heck! If all goes well with this story…this will end up being a trilogy.
And thank you UniquePiksi I LOVE BROWNIES!!!!!!!
HAPPY NEW YEAR'S! MAY YOUR 2005 BE SPECTACULAR!!!!!!!!Draco: Stop shouting!
Nov.02: Night!
Hugs&Kisses