AN: Another chapter! Thanks to all who reviewed! You're great!
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.
Chapter 9: Sacrifice
Harry swallowed nervously. He couldn't believe what he was about to do and who he was going to talk to. The thought of it was absurd…but he was doing it.
He was going to talk to Dumbledore.
Harry had thought long and hard about what Hermione had told him and he decided that she was right. Draco needed to pick a damn side. The ambiguous answer he had already given Harry was not enough.
So Harry had practiced what he would say in his head. He had gone over his reasoning and the possibility of rejection a hundred times over. It was only just now, minutes before their meeting, that he had thought of the chance that Draco might say yes.
And then what?
If had occurred to Harry that if Draco renounced everything he believed in, then he would need somewhere to go. His father sure as Hell wouldn't let him come back if he had sided with Harry Potter.
Harry grinned. The thought of the look on Lucius Malfoy's face if his son decided to turn was almost too funny.
"Remember Black," Harry muttered at the stone gargoyle that was guarding Dumbledore's office. The gargoyle jumped aside and let him through. He walked up the steps leading to the circular room and peered in.
Dumbledore was sitting at his desk looking towards the door as if he had been expecting him. He motioned to a squashy purple armchair that sat in front of the desk.
"Sit, Harry," He said with a wave of his arm.
Harry obeyed and tried to muster up the courage to begin this awkward conversation. "Sir…I need to ask you something…that is…it's kind of a strange request…"
Dumbledore nodded. "Well let's hear it," he said with a smile.
"Er...okay. I have this friend…he is…that is he is a son of a Death Eater...but there is a chance that he might want to be on our side…but if he does want to do this…he would have nowhere to go…" Harry finished and looked at Dumbledore for some solution.
"Well Harry," Dumbledore began, "if this friend of yours is serious he will be able to stay at Grimmauld Place under a few conditions. One: he will have to state his purpose under the influence of Veritaserum. Two: he will never be able to leave unless given permission by me. Three: No one must know where he is going, not his friends or any relatives."
Harry nodded and sighed in relief. He tried not to get his hopes up, tried to tell himself that there was no way Draco would agree to such terms, but a part of him could not help but hope. And that hope infested his heart, his mind, his soul until he began imagining a real relationship with Draco Malfoy.
Harry shook his head.
He would need to talk to Draco first and convince him to give up everything he had ever believed in.
Harry made his way to the Prefects' bathroom. He had sent an owl to Draco this morning and he hoped the other boy would not ignore him.
He was going out of pure curiosity, really. There was no other reason for it. Draco Malfoy pushed a strand of elegant blonde hair out of his eyes and sighed.
When he had received an owl from Harry this morning, he had been happy and angry and relived all at once. Perhaps there was a chance they could be back together. Potter had better just quit fucking with him and tell him what was going on.
He wouldn't play anymore damn games.
When Draco entered the Prefects' bathroom, Harry was already there. He was sitting against the wall with his head down. His black hair looked as untidy as usual and his robes were disheveled. He looked worn out.
"Well?" Draco said rather rudely. He did not care if he was impolite. He thought it was pretty impolite to leave someone craving pleasure with no way of getting it…but Potter did not have a problem with that.
Harry's head snapped up. He stared at Draco for a second and then stood up. He ran a hand through his hair which only succeeded in making it look messier…if that was even possible. He drummed his fingertips against the wall nervously. Draco raised an eyebrow at him. He was certainly acting strange.
"I like you," he began quickly, "and not just for what we do in here. I'm attracted to you and drawn to you. I don't know why…but when we were apart I-I missed you." He surveyed Draco briefly before continuing. "But I can't betray my friends. If we're together you have to go all out. I'm sorry but that's the way it has to be."
Draco snorted. "Typical Gryffindor. Stubborn noble prat, what about my friends?"
Harry shrugged. "That's why I'm sorry. I'm sorry that it can't be different. I'm sorry we can't be like other couples. I'm sorry I can't give anything up. I just think it's a tad bit easier for someone to give up killing people than it is for someone to start killing people."
Draco leapt forward and seized Harry by the front of his robes. "Listen Potter," he spat, "I've never killed, I've never tortured and I'd appreciate it if you'd quit acting like I have."
There was a moment of silence in which only Draco's labored breathing could be heard.
"You're right," Harry whispered. "I apologize. I shouldn't assume that kind of stuff."
"You think it's so simple Potter. You think it's so easy to give up things I've been hearing about for 16 years. It's not easy. It's far from easy."
"I know it's not easy." Harry said and took one of Draco's hands in his. "But I'll help you. We'll be in it together. I even found a place where you can stay."
"You're asking me to give up everything – my friends, my family, my principles," Draco muttered disbelievingly. "All for something that is barely there."
Harry grinned sadly. "I've never felt this way about anyone before. Maybe we've only noticed it in the last week or so…but the emotion has been there for a lot longer. I think it's even more amazing that I've grown so attached to someone I barely know."
Draco sighed. "I'm going to have to think about this, you know. It's too big for me to just flip a coin. I mean…it's my life."
Harry nodded. "I understand. Do you need some time alone?"
Draco swallowed hard. "Actually…woul-would you mind sticking around for a little while?"
Harry frowned. "Sure, but why?"
Draco spoke so softly that he was surprised Harry could hear him. "Because I think if you remind me of what I would be missing…I might make the right decision." Draco was shocked at how close to tears he was. He bit his lip and tried to think of anything except the choice he had to make. It was overwhelming.
But there was Harry.
Draco felt warm lips on his forehead and then on his cheeks. He closed his eyes and let Harry cover his face with kisses until their lips finally met. Their tongues mingled casually and Draco sighed with contentment.
They parted.
"You know," Draco said suddenly. "I missed you too."
Harry laughed gently before kissing him again. Draco worked quickly to get Harry's robes off and then discarded his own. They continued kissing as Draco unbuttoned Harry's shirt and threw it to the floor. He ran a hand over Harry's chest and sighed against the other boy's lips.
He took off his own shirt quickly and leaned in to kiss Harry once more but he had backed away.
"What is it?" Draco asked.
"It's just…you haven't made your decision yet. This is still wrong," Harry muttered looking down at his hands.
"Look at it this way," Draco said hurriedly. "If I say yes then this is right, and if I say no this is the last time we'll see each other. It will be goodbye."
Harry looked up at him and for a moment Draco just stared into his dark green eyes.
And then Harry leaned in and kissed him hungrily. He nibbled on the Draco's neck and kissed his chest and seemed to be trying to get all he could before Draco was taken away.
Harry put his hands in Draco's hair. Draco knew it was probably getting mussed up but for once he did not care. For once he was concentrating on the moment…he was living for the instant. He was not thinking about choices, or his father, or his friends, or the consequences. Harry was all that he felt, all that he knew.
Harry worked clumsily to unbutton Draco's pants and pulled them off as Draco did the same to him. This took a couple of moments but soon both boys stood in their underwear. Harry pushed Draco gently to the ground and before he knew it, Draco was being crushed between Harry and the floor.
Draco groaned loudly as Harry's erection rubbed against his own. The friction was almost too much for either boy to take. Draco made another noise as Harry pushed himself roughly against Draco….again and again and again.
Then Draco felt himself free. He opened his eyes. Harry was standing in front of him and was busy pulling off his boxers. Draco felt the other boy's hand on the back of his head, guiding him between Harry's legs.
Draco wanted nothing more to please Harry at that moment. He licked the tip of his arousal and Harry moaned. He put his mouth around Harry's cock and began to pleasure the other boy. Harry's groans and yells only fueled Draco to go faster and faster and faster until finally he swallowed a mouthful of liquid.
While Harry caught his breath, Draco removed his own underwear. Coherent thought was impossible as Harry began to lick his erection all over. Draco watched the other boy's head move back and forth and could barely contain the scream that was bursting to get out of him.
When Harry was done, both boys put their boxers back on and stared at each other.
"I'm assuming you haven't decided yet," Harry said with a grin. "You haven't had much time to think."
Draco returned the smile. "No, I haven't. The Gryffindor Seeker is always trying to get into my robes."
Harry laughed. "Well I guess I'll go n-"
"No…" Draco muttered. "Just stay here." He took out his wand and conjured two blankets. He laid one on the floor and sat down. Harry did the same. He put the other blanket over top of them.
Harry took out his own wand and conjured two pillows.
"Nice." Draco commented.
"The Gryffindor Seeker doesn't spend all his time trying to get into the Slytherin Seeker's robes," Harry said with a chuckle.
They both lay down. It was a thrill for Draco to be lying next to Harry, who was mostly naked except for his underwear. They lay there for awhile and soon Draco heard the steady breathing of someone who had fallen asleep.
Draco turned to Harry and stared. It wasn't often when he could just stare. Usually, when he looked at Potter, he would have to turn away or it would seem too obvious or Potter would notice. But now…he could stare as long as he wanted.
He looked at the mop of unruly black hair and touched it gently. It was so soft…like that of a baby. Draco wondered fleetingly what shampoo he used. Then he glanced down a bit and took in his scar. Draco had always been jealous of that scar…the mark that made him a hero in everyone's eyes. It didn't look so horrible anymore. Draco kissed it softly.
Harry stirred a bit, but did not wake up. He fitted himself against Draco and then went back to an undisturbed slumber. Harry was perfect.
But was he worth everything that Draco had worked his whole life to attain?
Draco thought for hours as he listened to Harry's restful breathing. He thought about everything he was giving up and the small amount he was gaining and the uncertainty surrounding it all.
It was well into the night when Draco finally made his decision.
AN: Please review!