Disclaimer: Okay I lied they really are mine--along with some prime riverfront property in Egypt!
A/N: If you haven't figured out that this is SLASH yet I am very concerned about your deductive reasoning skills and reading comprehension abilities. If HPDM isn't your thing don't bother reading.
Now what to do with the rest of you...hmmm…let's see…ah yes…IMPERIO! You will now read this chapter then leave a review!
3.
Ron was furious. That damn ferret! He'd known all along the wanker was a coward and a traitor. Ron stormed through the mansion fuming, ignoring the pleas of his wife to calm down and wait for her. He blasted into their rooms nearly taking the doors off the hinges and threw himself into a fireside armchair before she appeared at his side.
Kneeling Hermione stroked through her husband's fiery hair, "There's got to be a reason Ron. Draco wouldn't just back out of the final battle without cause. He has as much invested as this as anyone. More maybe because Harry is his lover."
Ron snarled, "That has nothing to do with anything Mione. Harry's had the wool pulled over his eyes. It's obvious that Malfoy doesn't want to be there because he's planning on running to his master as soon as we head out. I'm not going to let that two-faced bastard ruin everything. I say we lock him up until it's over."
"Ron!" Hermione was shocked. She honestly hadn't seen this coming. Of course she hadn't known that Draco had planned on not being at the final battle either.
A fuming red-head shot out of the chair, "No Hermione. I'm tired of listening to you trying to paint him as some kind of changed man. He's a bastard and a traitor and I'm not going to risk my best friend's life any longer!"
He stormed out of the room and back down to the planning room, a frantic Hermione trailing behind. Ron thundered through the doors, the noise instantly capturing everyone's attention. "I've had enough of this. At best we have a coward in our midst at worst a traitor. There are too many lives on the line to not be sure of everyone's allegiances," he cast a scathing glare at Draco. "I have no confidence in Malfoy. His refusal tonight to go into battle with us, to put his life on the line like the rest of us makes him suspect in my book. Too much is riding on tomorrow, if Malfoy refuses to go into battle I can only assume it's because he has made plans to be elsewhere, to betray us to the Dark Lord. I won't take that chance with the lives of my friends, my family. If Malfoy refuses to go to battle with us then he is a traitor to our cause and must be locked away so he can't betray our plans to the enemy!"
Shocked gasps filled the room and Draco paled further, his milk white skin taking on an unhealthy translucency. Harry stood at the head of the table and glared at all assembled his gaze landing finally on his best friend emerald fire boring into the taller man's soul. "Is there anyone else who questions Draco's loyalty? Who feels Draco is a threat?" he bit out, eyes still locked on Ron.
Surprisingly it was Tonks who broke the tense silence that followed, "I don't doubt you Draco," she looked solidly at her cousin, "I'd trust you to have my back tomorrow just as you have over and over again on various missions. I-I have to say though I was surprised when you said you wouldn't be coming into battle with us and I think that's confused and unsettled some people…maybe if you'd explain why —"
Draco shook his head. "No." The soft-spoken man held the room captive with his steely gaze, "My reasons are my own. I will not share them with anyone I feel doesn't need to know."
He sighed then took a deep breath, "I understand Weasley's concern however and I am willing to make concessions to assure everyone of my loyalties." He took Harry's hand in his own and kissed the back of it then looked Ron straight in the eye, "I consent to confinement for the duration of the battle."
"NO!"
The room's occupants all turned their attention to the matron. "I refuse to allow it! Draco you will not be locked up like some criminal to satisfy some paranoid delusion!"
Draco shook his head at the matron, "If that's what it takes Poppy I am willing. Our success depends on everyone being united and confident, dissension does nothing but weaken us and tomorrow of all days we cannot afford any weakness."
He turned again to Ron, "Everyone has a portkey to the infirmary at Hogwarts in case of injury. That wing will be sealed off to prevent student entry, the wards at Hogwarts prevent Apparition, the Floo Network is only accessible from the Headmistress' Office and I am more than willing to assist Poppy with the wounded. I will essentially be cut off from anyone or anything outside of the infirmary. Is this acceptable to everyone?"
There was silence throughout the room and finally Ron grunted. "As long as the threat is neutralised I don't care where you hide coward."
Harry growled, "That's enough Ron. I will not sit here and listen to you—"
Draco traced slim elegant fingers down his lover's arm, "It's alright Luv. Let him think what he will." He held his head up in mute appeal and Harry answered kissing his lover sweetly for long moments, pouring all his love and tenderness in to the caress. "I love you," he whispered when Harry pulled away and smiled at the answering grin.
Harry straightened and looked out at his friends his family assembled this last time before battle. They left at dawn and there were no guarantees that any of them would return. He shook his head, "Enough of this. Enough strife among us. At dawn we go to end this. And I have faith that it will end with our victory tomorrow. The time of war, of terror is at an end."
He eyes softened, "I am proud to stand with all of you. We have fought a long time; each of us has given more than any should have to, more than anyone should ask, to this war. We-we have each lost people we've loved to this madman and his minions, tomorrow we avenge their deaths and ensure a peace for ourselves and those who follow.
When we go into battle tomorrow remember what we're fighting for, remember what we're fighting with. Albus once told me the greatest strength is love. Let love guide you tomorrow. The love of your friends and family, love for peace and freedom, love for the fallen and the future."
Harry nodded to each of them his respect and love plain. He then turned and pulled Draco standing. He caressed his lover's face and smiled gently, "Tomorrow I fight for love. For love and for a future with this man who holds my heart." He tipped up Draco's face and kissed his forehead, "I love you Draco Malfoy and I promise that at the day's end I will come for you."
Harry took a breath and reached into his pocket, "When I come for you Dragon I want to come as your husband-to-be." He held a simple golden band with a round emerald at its centre above Draco's ring finger, "Say you'll have me?"
Draco closed his eyes as tears made their way down his cheek. He opened them to gaze into the soul that completed him and prayed for forgiveness. "Yes," he whispered. "I will have you as my husband."
"Way to go Harry! It's about time!" Fred shouted amidst catcalls and applause.
The young couple turned and looked out at their compatriots and found approval and smiling faces surrounded them. Harry's heart clenched at the dark look he received from one of his best friends, but Draco was his soulmate, he hoped Ron would come to understand though he knew it would be sometime before either would forgive the other the events of the evening. He didn't know why Draco didn't want to go into battle in the morning. They hadn't had time to themselves to talk since he'd returned, but it hurt that there was still doubt in the Order, in his best friend, of Draco's true character and merit.
They endured congratulations and slaps on the back and handshakes for awhile until Moody growled to break it up that this was the eve of battle not an engagement party. Amidst needed laughter the group dispersed for a few hours of rest before the end of a struggle that had defined most of their lives.
He'd wanted to talk, but as soon as they retired to their rooms Draco pounced on him and all thoughts of conversation flew out the window. Together with his lover—now his fiancé, they worshiped at the altar of erotic devotion. There were few things as beautiful, Harry thought, as Draco in candlelight preparing himself to merge with his soulmate.
Draco lay on his side and beckoned Harry to him and they became one being joined by a depth of love and passion neither had thought possible. When they were sated and sleepy he teased his lover about the slight paunch he'd gained while away and Draco smiled joking that months of Molly's cooking would do that to a man. He'd needed that—a moment or two of laughter as he lay poised on the edge of fulfilling his destiny. He had hope and conviction. The morrow would bring Tom Riddle's final defeat and then he had a lifetime to spend holding the man in his arms. A lifetime of laughter and love, of friendship and family, a lifetime to claim all that had been denied him through a childhood overshadowed by the threat of a madman's war.
Tbc…
A/N: So what do you think? Plz Review!