Fate and a Rose

DISCLAIMER: Harry Potter (and associated characters, likenesses, concepts, etc.) belongs to J.K. Rowling, Bloomsbury Publishing, Scholastic, Inc. AOL/Time Warner, Inc., among others. I make no claim, written or implied, upon Harry Potter. No money is being made and no infringement or disrespect to the creators / copyright holders is intended.

Warning: This story will contain slash (i.e. male/male relationships) and mpreg. If you don't like these things, I'd advise you not to read this fic! Thanks!

A/N: This chapter is un-beta'd, and I'm looking for a beta right now, so drop me a line at if you're interested! I have read all of the HP books, and all of them are relevant to this fic in some way, but some of the things that have happened in HBP will not happen until later in this fic, so please acknowledge that.

Chapter Two

Kissing and Detention

The next morning, Draco woke from a very weird dream, which included he and Harry falling from the uppermost tower of Hogwarts after proclaiming their love for one another. He had an extreme headache, and was in no mood to do anything. Luckily for him he had a free hour first, so he decided to skip breakfast. When he finally decided to get out of bed, the very first thing he noticed was the black eye.

This wasn't there last night. Damn it! Sighing angrily, he rubbed a healing lotion on it and left the bathroom. He pulled on a blue shirt and a pair of black slacks underneath his school robes, and left the commons, heading towards the library.

Might as well get some studying done. Father would be most displeased to find that I've been slipping in my grades this semester. Damn that Potter. He must have put a jinx on me. This has to be some type of curse.

Suddenly, Draco found himself in the Restricted Section, with a book about making love potions clutched in his hands. I really must pay more attention to what I do. How many times has this happened?

Shrugging to himself, he leaned against one of the book shelves and opened the book. Luckily for him, it was one of the few that didn't have a booby trap set somewhere in it, and he read almost the whole way through before finding what he was looking for.

Of course, it was hardly fair to put a love potion in Harry's drink, as Harry obviously felt some mixed emotions for Draco, of which lust was most prominent. But Draco couldn't wait for Harry to act upon those feelings. He never had been a very patient person, after all.

XXX

Harry entered the Library without a care in the world. Since the incident with Draco the night before, Harry had been unable to get Draco off of his mind. He must have slipped me something. He had to of. How else could he get me to be thinking of him constantly? Oh, god, this would be the perfect time for a drink. Harry swiped at his forehead, which had been hurting since he had gone to bed the night before, and quickly went to the Herbal Remedies Section to look up a pain-killing potion.

And bumped into Draco Malfoy in the process.

"Draco," Harry grumbled from his position on the ground.

"Ah, hello, Potter." Draco said, grinning down at Harry. "Would you like some help up?"

Harry scowled up at Draco, then held his hand out for Draco to grab. Draco obliged, and Harry was on his feet in no time. But he refused to let go of Draco's hand.

It was soft and smooth. So very different from the roughly textured hand of Harry's. Draco's hand was nice and cool, and the exact opposite of Harry's, who's, besides being rough and calloused, was also hot and clammy.

"Draco," Harry repeated, staring straight into Draco's eyes. Draco could define a definite change in Harry's eyes. Though he was a little disgruntled, there was something else in those glittering emerald depths. Lust! Draco grinned to himself as he realized the extent of Harry's emotions towards him. And I didn't even need a potion!

Before Draco could say another word, his lips were consumed by another set of lips. Though his eyes were still opened, Harry's were closed, and small moans and other sounds of pleasure were emitting from him. Draco grinned against the lips and pushed himself fully into Harry's arms. Their bodies moulded closely together, and Harry's hands flew up to curl in Draco's shimmering locks.

At the sound of a throat clearing, they pulled apart. A flush was evident on Harry's face, but Draco seemed to be rather annoyed. "Look, lady," Draco said, turning around. He had assumed the person clearing their throat behind him had been the Librarian, but he was sadly mistaken. Professor McGonagall stood behind him, her hands on her hips. But she couldn't hide the smile that was clearly written on her lips.

"Boys. How wonderful to see you. I look forward to seeing you both in class next period, but in case you didn't know, it is against Hogwarts rules to show any Public Displays of Affection in any premises of the building, unless it is a short hug, or hand holding. Now, I hope I don't have to remind you again." She said in a stern voice, though her ever-growing smile softened the blow of her words. "Now, Draco, I was quite sure you knew better, because of your being a Prefect. And Harry, I'm quite sure you know the rules as well, don't you? We went over them in first year. Well, apparently we'll have to re-learn them in detention. I expect you to be at my office tonight at seven o'clock sharp. Together." With a wink, Professor McGonagall was off.

Harry looked over at Draco, and Draco leapt into Harry's arms immediately, pulling him into a crushing kiss. After both lost their breath and had to pull away, Draco squeezed Harry's bum and walked away with a grin. "See you in class, Potter." He flung over his shoulder.

XXX

"Harry, are you okay?" Ron was becoming rather concerned about Harry. It was lunch time, but instead of eating ravenously, like he normally did, all he did was sit and stare at his food, a dreamy expression on his face. They had just gotten out of Transfigurations, and Harry hadn't been much better then, either.

As if he had suddenly remembered something, Harry glanced up at Hermione, a large smile plastered on his face. He hardly took any notice of Ron, who fell over in surprise when Harry, who had been slumping over his food, all of a sudden sat up with an expression similar to the ones Hermione got when she had finally figured out something that had been eluding her. "I have detention with McGonagall tonight!" He exclaimed.

"And…that's a good thing? Harry, no offence or anything, but I think you're going nutters." Ron said, climbing back into his seat with a glower towards Harry. The noise he had made when he fell to the floor had attracted most of the Great Hall's attention, and an eerie silence had fallen over the room. Ron's face was beet red with embarrassment. Harry's exclamation caused everyone to start chattering again.

Hermione raised a brow at Harry. "Why?" she asked.

"Well…uh…" Harry turned a deep shade of red, one that could rival even Ron's. "You see…er…"

Hermione grinned. "What did you do, Harry?"

Harry turned an even darker shade of red, if that was possible, and started to babble. "Well, I…you see, it….He started it!" He finished, looking down embarrassedly at his hands.

"He?" Hermione looked confused.

"I…uh…" Harry felt another set of eyes on him, from across the room. Taking a deep breath, Harry looked up, and for the second time that week, came eye-to-eye with Malfoy. Draco winked at him and turned away. Harry let out a whimper.

Hermione followed Harry's eyes. "What are you looking at?" She asked, unable to see what was so…desirable, on the other side of the room. That was clearly the look in Harry's eyes. Desire. "Are…are you okay? Maybe we should take you to Madam Promfrey?"

Harry shook his head and tore his eyes from one Draco Malfoy's back. His robe was clinging to his back in just the right places, emphasizing Draco's lithe form, and making Harry yearn to see what was underneath it.

"Oh Merlin, what's wrong with me?" Harry asked himself out loud. His voice was hoarse with lust, and it was only with severe difficulty that he tore his eyes from Draco's body, to where they had trailed after he had already torn them away once.

"Harry, are you sure you're alright, mate?" Ron asked, concern seeping into his voice as he looked over at Hermione, who shrugged at him.

"Yeah, I just…my head hurts a little, that's all."

"Oh, Harry! Is it your scar?" Hermione asked. Harry shook his head and sipped his pumpkin juice.

"It's just been hurting lately." At that, Hermione's eyes got wide.

"Did you tell D-"

"It's just headache, 'Mione. It isn't something to bother Dumbledore with. Everyone gets them."

"Yes, but you're not everyone, Harry. You're Harry Potter."

"Yeah, I haven't forgotten, Hermione." Harry said, with a trace of bitterness.

"I didn't mean I like that and you know it! I'm just concerned about your well-being, that's all!"

"Hermione, I'm fine. If something was wrong, you'd be the second one to know."

Hermione shot him a hurt look, while Ron beamed with pride. "And Dumbledore'd be the first. Promise."

Ron shot Harry a glare and Hermione grinned from ear to ear. "That's good, Harry. I'm proud of you."

Harry smirked. "Ron, don't get your drawers in a bunch! You two'd probably be together when I told her anyway! You'd both find out at the same time."

Ron snorted and Hermione's grin faded slightly. Both crossed their arms, and Ron stuck his nose in the air. Hermione glared at Harry before standing and storming out of the Great Hall for the second time that week.

"What did I say?" Harry asked, confused by their actions.

"Well, we've decided to take some time apart," Ron said. His arms were still crossed, but it seemed like he was doing it more for protection than anything else.

"'Time apart!'" Harry exclaimed. "But you were never together to begin with!"

"I know," Ron said sulkily, glaring at Harry.

"What happened?" Harry asked, his voice a little softer, as almost half of the people at the Gryffindor table had heard him and were leaning in to hear what he and Ron were talking about. After all, Harry and Ron always had some of the most interesting conversations.

"I don't know!" Ron said defensively.

"Look, I wasn't saying it was your fault!" Harry said. "I just wanted to know what happened. I heard you guys arguing last night, you know. The fat lady didn't come back to the portrait until two o'clock this morning! She said she had to know it was safe. Meanwhile, I slept in the hall! I could have gotten detention, you know."

"But…you do have detention. You just told me and Hermione a few minutes ago!" Ron said, looking more than a little confused.

"Well, yeah…uh…what were you guys arguing over, anyways?"

"Well, she was upset for the way we treated Malfoy yesterday. I told her he was slime and that he started it, but she wouldn't hear any of it. Then she said it was time we took a break because I was way too paranoid about Viktor, and I asked her a break from what, and she stormed off!"

Harry raised an eyebrow. "That was it?"

"Yeah!" When Harry raised his other brow, Ron added, "Promise!"

Harry chuckled softly, then stood. "Well, let's go, then." He said. Ron looked at him questioningly.

"To where?"

"To find Hermione, of course. I don't know about you, but I have to talk to her. I don't know if she'll talk to me while you're there, but I've got to try. And if she doesn't, well then, I'll just have to talk to her when you're gone. Do I have any classes alone with her, Ron?"

Ron glared at Harry. "Why don't you just talk to her alone right now? I've got a free hour next, and I don't think the Quiditch Pitch is reserved, so I'm going there to blow off some steam."

Harry nodded understandingly, and they parted ways.

XXX

Harry couldn't find Hermione anywhere. He had looked for her in the Gryffindor common rooms, but she hadn't been there. He had even asked Lavender to go into the girls' rooms and check for Hermione, but she wasn't there, either. She wasn't in the Girls' Prefect bathroom, or in the Library.

Sighing, Harry worked his way to his next class, Potions. The only person he shared this class with was Neville, and he was rather thankful that Ron hadn't gotten an owl in that class the year before.

He and Neville met in the corridor that led to the Potions class. As usual, the door to the Potions class was closed, and they had to wait outside the classroom for Professor Snape to allow them in. "What was that about at the table at lunch today?" Neville asked Harry unexpectedly.

"Huh? Oh, you mean Hermione getting mad?"

"No," Neville said thoughtfully. "That happens all the time. I meant, why did Ron fall over?"

"Heh…uh, yeah. That. Well, I just sort of surprised him, that's all."

"You mean by telling him that you have detention tonight? You do know that our team has Quidditch practice tonight, don't you?"

"Oh, shit! I completely forgot."

Just then, another voice cut into their conversation. "Twenty points from Gryffindor. No profanity in the corridors, Mr. Potter." Snape's cold voice echoed in the dungeons, and the small group of Slytherins gathered around the door turned to seer at him.

Harry sighed. "Sorry, Professor."

Snape nodded in acknowledgement. "Do not let it happen again."

Pansy Parkinson took the moment Snape turned around to sweep into his classroom as a chance to smirk at Harry. "So, Potty using potty-mouth, is he?"

Harry's eyes narrowed. "Shut up, Parkinson."

Pansy sneered. "And what are you gonna do about it? You don't have your little Weasel to protect you this time." She said, her eyes glistening with malice.

"Leave him alone, Pansy." Neville cut in. Both boys pushed past Pansy and into the classroom, and were rewarded with another twenty points taken from Gryffindor.

"Violence is prohibited in the classroom as well as outside of the classroom, Potter. Longbottom, you would do well to remember this as well. Now, take your seats, before I'm forced to take even more house points."

Harry and Neville sat beside each other and put their wands away. They had learned a long time ago that wands were never used in this particular potions class.

"Now," Professor Snape started, his dark eyes glinting as he spoke. "Today you will be required to have partners for the potion you will be putting together. I will divide you into your groups. Neville Longbottom and Blaise Zambini. Draco Malfoy and Harry Potter." The rest of Snape's words were drowned out by the look Draco shot Harry when their names were announced. His eyes were dark and they consumed Harry from the core. The way he licked his lips almost sent Harry over the edge, and he had to grasp the corners of his desk to make sure he stayed sitting and didn't topple over.

It wasn't until a few moments later, when Snape had snarled, "10 points from Gryffindor. Potter, pay attention in class. Although I do suppose that it wouldn't do you any good, anyway, as I'm sure Draco will be the only one doing any work to begin with," that Harry realized that he had completely spaced. Draco was now sitting beside him, their cauldron was bubbling, the liquid inside a dark pink colour, and Draco was busy searching for something in his bag.

Harry sighed. "So, what are we doing?" He asked. He decided that if they were going to be partners, they might as well get something done. I have to be professional. He reminded himself.

"Well, we're in Potions class. What do you suppose we're doing, Potter?" Draco asked, his voice muffled as his head was still buried deeply inside his bag.

Harry narrowed his eyes at Draco's back. "I know what class we're in. What potion are we doing?"

Draco shifted in his seat. His head popped out of his bag, but his hands were still rustling around in the papers inside. "Look at the board." He said absent-mindedly.

Harry rubbed his eyes. "What are you looking for?" He asked, looking up at the board. He couldn't read what it said. "Damn it," He muttered to himself. It seemed that his glasses' prescription were no longer strong enough.

"Dragon's tooth," Draco replied.

"And you have one, do you?" Harry asked incredulously.

"Well of course I do. Don't you? It was on our school supply list."

"Oh," Harry said, still rubbing his eyes. "No, I don't have one."

Draco looked over at him. He had stopped digging around in his bag, and had pulled out a yellowish-colored, almost triangle-shaped object, the size of a snitch. "Found it," He said, a look of triumph in his eyes. "And would you stop that?" He asked, slapping Harry's hand away from his eyes. "Here," He said, waving his hand in front of Harry's eyes.

Harry didn't notice anything right away, but a few moments later, he could see almost perfectly; with and without his glasses. "What? What did you do, Malfoy?" Harry asked, bristling.

Draco rolled his eyes. "I fixed them. That's what you wanted, wasn't it?"

"No," Harry said grumpily.

Draco looked over at him skeptically. "No? Why not?"

Harry just shook his head. "Are we almost done here?"

Draco shook his head at Harry and turned back to his cauldron. "Here," He said in a soft voice, almost a whisper, handing the Dragon's tooth to Harry. "Crush it up. This is a potion used for healing. Madam Promfrey is running out of it, and Snape says it will be needed the most for the upcoming war. He's having all of his classes brew it."

"Oh," Harry said, dumbstruck.

The rest of the class flew by. Neither Harry nor Malfoy made any more conversation, and by the end of the class, their potion was a light golden color. It was pulsing slightly, even though no ingredients had been added and it hadn't been touched in the last half-an-hour. It had a beautiful glow about it, and the first time Harry had seen the product of their toil, he had been in awe. Harry and Draco had finished their potion early, and Professor Snape had been particularly pleased with the condition of it. He had added twenty points to Slytherin, and ten to Gryffindor, stating that Harry hadn't helped much, as he had been day dreaming for half of the time.

Though they were both finished, they were made to read up on the properties of the potion and how each item added affected the potion and the person who took it. A ten inch report on why the potion was pink to begin with but golden when finished was due the next time they had Potions.

As they were parting ways, Draco patted Harry's bum lightly. The touch was barely noticeable by anyone else, but burnt Harry down to his core. "See you in detention, Potter." Draco said with a smirk as he walked away.

XXX

Harry grinned at Ron, who was struggling with a vine that was inadvertently trying to strangle him. They were in Herbology, and though Hermione had decided to be partners with Dean and Semus instead, Harry and Ron were both having a good laugh. Neville looked at them with a glower. "Can you guys at least take one thing seriously?"

They were supposed to pull the thorns off of the vine. Though it had seemed to be an easy task when they were first told what to do, it was now proving to be much more difficult than they had at first deemed it. The sleeping potion they had poured into the vine's soil was now wearing off, and though some of the affects of the sleeping potion were still there, they were quickly fading. The plant, which had been rather still when they had first started, was now flinging itself about wildly, grasping onto Ron's wrists and not letting go. It had sprouted many small vines, and they had crawled up his arms to his neck, trying to wrap their little tendrils around it.

All of the other people in the class had used a stronger sleeping potion and their plants were still in a vegetative state, but as their plant was one of the smallest, they hadn't used a very strong potion, or very much of it, and it had worn off.

"Ron, don't harm the Vineouslex, but see if you can get it off of you," Professor Sprout had snuck up on them, causing Ron to jump. The Vineouslex tightened around his throat.

"Is it just me, or are the vines getting stronger?" Ron asked with a gulp.

Professor sprout looked him over worriedly. "They've just awoken, but the potion is wearing off. I'm afraid I can't give them more, or they might die. Ronald, leave your wand where it is, it'll only make them angry." She said, grasping his wrist as Ron was reaching into his pocket for his wand. "Now, let's see here. Harry, fetch me some water. Neville, you start petting the vine. Yes, that's it."

Harry pulled out his wand, summoned a bucket and some water, and handed them to Professor Sprout. "Thank you, Harry. Ronald, drink this." She said, handing Ron a steaming goblet full of some unidentifiable red liquid.

Ron's eyes widened. "What is that?" He asked, his voice a mere squeak. "What does it do?"

"Calm down, Ron, and just drink it. It won't harm you, I promise. Harry, pour some of that water into the Vineouslex's soil. I believe they're thirsty."

Harry complied, and in moments, the Vineouslex was no longer clinging to Ron's neck, but instead buried deeply in the moist soil of it's pot, with much slurping.

Harry looked over at Ron. "You okay, mate?"

"Yeah, just-" He was cut off by Hermione, who threw herself at him. The rest of his words were muffled completely by her bushy hair, until he decided not to even try to speak. Harry grinned at Neville, who grinned back.

"You think they'll be fighting again tonight?" Harry whispered to Neville, who still wore his goofy smile.

"Most definitely. But lucky for you, you have detention, so you won't have to hear it. How much do you want to bet the Fat Lady doesn't come back until tomorrow afternoon?"

Harry laughed at that. "Well, in that case, do you think you can open her portrait for me, sometime around eleven? I don't want to get another detention."

"I don't know, they might scare everyone off again. And if they do, how am I supposed to get down there to open it for you? I mean, I don't want to get caught in the cross fire."

"You can borrow my invisibility cloak." Harry said. They were walking up to their dorms as they spoke. Harry still had to change into his Quiditch robes, because even though he had detention, he still had about an hour to practice with the team. Since he was the captain, he wasn't going to let his team down; he'd just have to put someone else in charge. Not Ron, He thought to himself. Though he loved his best friend, whenever Ron was put in charge of any situation, it always went to his head, and he ended up bossing everyone around. Ginny will be the best, I think.

"What are you thinking about?" Neville asked.

"Who I'm going to put in charge while I'm in detention," Harry replied thoughtfully.

"Not Ron then, huh?"

"No,"

"Ginny?"

"How'd you know?"

"Who else would you trust?" Neville asked.

"That's true," Harry said, staring at Neville in contemplation.

"Well, see ya, Harry." Neville said, working his way up to the castle and leaving Harry by the Gryffindor locker rooms.

"Yeah," Harry agreed quietly, watching Neville's retreating form. It was already dark, and all that Harry could see was his shadow, but Harry still kept watch until he could no longer see Neville.

XXX

Harry stood nervously in front of Professor McGonagall's office. Draco still wasn't there, and the Professor had told them to be there together. Harry had a feeling that if it was only him there, the Professor might make his punishment much worse.

Seconds before Professor McGonagall's office door opened, however, Harry felt the presence of none other than the blonde in question. He could never mistake the undeniable urge to leap on him and shag him silly in the middle of the corridor, or the distinct odor of pine and cinnamon that distinctly belonged to Draco alone.

"Hello, Potter," Harry could feel Draco's breath on his ear, and immediately his own breath hitched in his throat.

"Malfoy," Harry greeted in return, though he found it difficult to form words. Draco was in such a close proximity that Harry was sure if he leaned back slightly there would be contact. Though he yearned for that one thing right now, he knew it would be best to just stand there.

"Boys, how nice of you to join me tonight. I was quite sure neither of you would find the time." Professor McGonagall greeted. "Now, if you'll just follow me, we can get started."

Harry and Draco fell into step behind her, and she led them down into the kitchens. "Now, this detention will be particularly special. Some of the house elves have fallen ill. You will help to prepare tonight's dinner." She said with a grin as she tickled the pear to the portrait that led to the kitchens. "No fights," She said with a sly wink, and she walked away.

Harry looked at Draco, and as soon as they were sure the Professor was gone, they leapt onto one another.

To be continued...