Episode 8
Different Universe (Withered Plans)
Draco walked out of the bathroom, water dripping incessantly from his weary body. He ran a hand through his sodden blonde hair, sighed, and then slumped against the wall. Draco'd woken up from a nightmare earlier; he hadn't had one in years. He usually only had nightmares when he was depressed. He had decided to take a shower in attempt to take his mind off the memories that were best left forgotten.
He wasn't exactly depressed. Just sad, lonely, confused, and extremely betrayed. Okay, maybe I ama little depressed, thought Draco wryly. But I shouldn't feel betrayed, rationalised Draco. After all, Delinda and Carlo had been Harry's friends, not his. So why did it feel as though the ground had been snatched out from under him? Maybe it was because they'd all known each other so long and they gradually became apart of his life as well.
It was like he was in a different universe; where lovers became foes and friends, enemies. Up was down and nothing was right. Suspicions were real and conspiracy theories weren't theories.
"Damn, I'm turning into Harry with all this thinking," mutter Draco, to himself.
Draco had worked the previous day, and spent the night at Valliant's. All he had felt was a strange numbness when the red headed bint revealed Carlo and Delinda's conspiracy at 'The Gathering'. A hole had opened in the pit of his stomach when Weasley – Tyler, had opened that old book. Afterwards, the nausea Draco had then felt when he saw Harry's pained expression accompanying angry eyes was immense. It took sheer willpower not to vomit all over Granger's carpet.
Draco couldn't wait to get away from that party once Harry'd said those words, that they were over. He considered how Cecilia watched him closely whenever he was around. In retrospect, Draco was not surprised by this considering that the tears were stinging him as soon as he took his first step outside the house. He had irritably wiped them away but he could feel his nose swelling to Hagrid's size. Draco knew he looked ghastly all throughout the day, as he tried to carry on normally, even when he came back home. Home... Yeah, right.
He'd only came back because he needed a place to stay until he found himself his own flat. He could've stayed at Valliant's house or even went to Pansy's, but it just wouldn't have felt the same. Even though his current location wasn't much better. He and Harry weren't speaking to each other unless it was strictly necessary. They both ate in their rooms and avoided each other as much as they could possible. It was ridiculous but everything was awkward, painful, and just a mess of emotion that neither of them felt like dealing with. So they didn't.
Draco stayed there against the wall indifferent to the water that dripped onto the expensive carpet. So much for escaping the memories, thoughtDraco. The hallway was silent except for the sound of water falling on the carpet and Draco's quiet breathing. Peace away from the demons that lurked about in the deepest recesses of his mind.
"Going streaking?"
Draco cracked an eye open to see Harry in the moonlight with his Firebolt in his hand.
"Going to chase an old lady?" responded Draco, with a pale eyebrow raised at him.
Harry snorted and eyed Draco. "I'm going for loops around the pitch. You wanna come?"
With crossed arms, Draco considered the offer. Even though they were at a crossroads, that it didn't mean that they couldn't be civil to each other. "Sure, lemme go change." He turned to go when Harry suddenly made an inarticulate sound.
"Don't go," said Harry haltingly.
Draco turned back around and had a grin slowly spreading across his face. "You naughty boy, you, Potter. You want me to fly around like this?" He indicated the state of his undress.
Harry smirked, but Draco could see the light blush colour his cheeks in the light. "I just like what I see," he said simply.
Draco chuckled to cover his own blush. "All right, I'll just go get my broom then."
He turned back to his room a little reluctantly since Harry looked particularly dashing tonight. Draco dug out his old Nimbus 2002, and was strangely surprised that he still had it at all. His father had always told him it was useless to have old things if they didn't have substantial value. Coded that would mean if they could sell it for a hefty price in the future.
As he carried it back to where Harry was waiting for him, nostalgia welled up in him as memories assaulted him. He'd flown many matches against Harry on this broom. Draco'd reamed his team because they lost or made him look like a fool. He liked the broom and all the memories it held in spite of the many losses he'd had to Harry on it.
When he got to the doorway entrance of the hallway, he stopped right outside the living room to look at Harry in the patio's doorway. Harry stood against the wall, Firebolt in held loosely his left hand with a very open expression on his face. Harry's smooth skin practically glowed in the moonlight and the dark wispiness of his hair defied the gentleness his skin portrayed. He looks more like the moonchild than I do, thought Draco.
"Enjoying the view?"
Draco started because he didn't realize he'd been staring. He smiled slowly at Harry. "Please, the view I get in the mirror is much better."
Harry snorted and walked out onto the patio. Draco followed him. He peered over Harry's shirt clad shoulder, past the flowers, at the obscure dark area in the garden. No person, who was not already aware of its existence, would ever notice that the pitch was even there. They walked in pleasant silence across the grassy, aroma filled area. Draco felt a little cool but they had heat charms on the garden. Harry brushed aside a large flower and entered the blackness Draco had seen from a distance.
Only their closest friends knew how to get to their Quidditch pitch. Even though Fudge had bought it for them, they had the builders build where and how they wanted it. Of course that meant that all the constructors were bonded to silence as to what Harry and Draco wanted done. Hermione had performed the ceremony where they were sworn to silence. Besides, Draco's father had always told him that secret entrances, exits, and places in your home were essential. Especially if you were likely to have enemies.
Behind the garden, it appeared to be a stone wall, but it had a hidden passage through the middle of it. The passage was only marked by the dark shimmer of the entrance. If anyone was purposely looking for it for it, they'd see it. Harry and Draco walked right through it.
The passage was comfortably wide and had torches that lit up whenever someone passed them. If anyone cared to pay attention, they would have noticed the nearly invisible symbols on the walls in ancient Egyptian protecting them against dark magic. Along with a very powerful charm that threw anyone with malicious intent toward either of them, several miles away into the ocean. Dumbeldore had thought that would be funny.
Draco fingered one of the symbols on the wall and felt the magical energy dizzy him. If anyone tried to tamper with any of the wards in the passage, the walls would enclose them and crush them to death. Snape personally set that. Not to mention the series of charms they had to go through just to get through the door if they even made it that far. Draco felt completely safe at his home. Sort of.
Suddenly, they emerged into the fresh crisp night air. Draco unconsciously shivered and was absently reminded that the heating charms weren't so strong in the Quidditch pitch. Mostly, because of all the open air. The garden was easier to maintain because they weren't flying three hundred feet into the air.
"Ready?" asked Harry, as he mounted his broom.
Draco smiled lopsidedly at him. "Yeah."
A few hours later, Draco couldn't take the cold anymore. The temperature had severely dropped and the charms were trying to beat back the fierce cold and wind. He was resigned to the fact that he was frozen to his broom and he would crash in a blur in of towel and wood. He landed roughly on the crisp grass and trembled so much it was an effort for him to stand and hold his broom.
Suddenly, he heard Harry land next to him. "Are you okay? God, you're freezing!" He righted Draco and rubbed his impossibly warm hands up and down Draco's cold arms.
Draco looked up and saw the concern in Harry's green eyes. The intensity of it made him turn his head away. Just to know that he still cared about Draco. When Harry abruptly pulled away and pulled his shirt over his head, Draco saw his abdominal muscles ripple in effect. This sight made Draco's breath catch and feelings of love, desire, and lust crashed over him. Harry stood there with the shirt held out and Draco made his decision.
He moved toward Harry with purpose. He really couldn't contain himself and Draco didn't really want to after all. He absentmindedly took the shirt and pressed himself against Harry. Harry's eyes went wide in shock and he practically melted when Draco slowly slipped his tongue inside his mouth. When they parted Harry backed up stumbling.
"No..." he whispered pathetically. He shook his head weakly but Draco paid it no mind.
Draco gathered Harry into him and kissed him. Draco tasted cranberry juice with apples in Harry. His tongue stroked the other man's slowly, but powerfully while his hands tried to touch every area of Harry's body. Their breathing began to become erratic and they rocked against each other passionately. Draco moaned into the kiss and opened his eyes to see green ones flutter open. Merlin...
"Maybe we should..." trailed Harry, when he saw Draco back up a step and let his towel drop.
Draco let his nudity sink into Harry consciousness. Strangely, he was never self-conscious when it came to Harry. He felt safe in Harry's eyes, warmed by the appreciation and love Draco always saw mirrored there. Draco let his mind drift to only feel his passions.
Harry stared at Draco, who had his arms outstretched and his eyes closed. Harry felt that maybe it wouldn't be a good idea to shag in the middle of... whatever it is that they're going through. But... The air had subtly blown through the barriers and lifted a few strands of Draco's hair so it looked as if he had a makeshift halo over his head. Harry mentally chuckled at the mere thought of Draco being any kind of angel. However, this slight humour did nothing to distract him from the fact of the passion that was ignited in him.
Harry walked forward and with each step he had a greater understanding of what Draco was doing. He was offering himself body, mind, spirit and soul to him. Mine. Harry cradled Draco against him, and relished in the feeling of having something not many people attained in their lives. True love.
Harry took his shirt from Draco's palm and leaned back to look at his face. Calm, with even, steady breathing. Harry felt a wave of tranquillity wash over him. Draco opened his eyes slowly as if he knew what his purpose in life was. Silver eyes darted down and Harry was under no illusion that Draco couldn't see his interest in sharing bodies. Draco bent down to get his towel... At least that's what Harry thought before he noticed that suddenly, his pants were down and the reason he almost toppled over was because a warm mouth was on his cock.
Harry spread his feet as far as he could and held onto Draco's head for an anchor. If left to his devices, Harry knew he would've fallen in the beginning. All thought faded fast, as the tongue that surrounded his erection did wonderful things. A few minutes later, Harry knew any moment he'd be done for and dimly noted that this wonderful feeling should be shared. With great reluctance, his pulled Draco's head away from him.
It appeared to be great mistake to look down because what he saw almost made him come right there. Draco's eyes shone with lust and he was flushed with effort. Draco licked his bottom lip, so pink and wet and...
"Come mere," said Harry hurriedly, as he pulled Draco up and walked over to where they left their brooms. He grabbed the towel Draco held loosely and threw it on the grass between their brooms. Mine. Only mine. I'll possess him. He is mine... Mine, mine, mine... Harry dimly was aware that he cast an enlarging spell on the towel, and kissed Draco lingeringly before he led him down. A quick heat spell around both of them and Harry descended slowly over Draco.
Harry brushed his nose over Draco's face and inhaled deeply of his scent. Oranges and tea. Shampoo, tangerine. Harry could smell the lust coming off in waves on him. He kicked his pants free and touched Draco face.
"Mine..." whispered Harry.
"Yours..." Draco slanted his eyes at Harry.
Harry then mashed his face into Draco's blonde fervently hair, loving the feel of it. "I want to make you mine. Possess you, mark you, make it known that you're mine." These words were spoken passionately while Harry continually rubbed his face into the yellow spread.
"Take me."
Harry looked down at Draco. And take him he did.
Draco breathed hard and sat up with some difficulty. He looked over to Harry who had his glasses lying next to his head. His own want of possession surged through him. He had given himself wholeheartedly, and had known that perhaps it would be his downfall. That this moment; these moments were fragile and would most likely cause more harm than good, but at the moment, Draco threw caution to the wind.
With a sort of energy and swiftness that impressed even himself, considering the current state of his body. He reached over, pulled Harry up by his hair, and kissed him. He savagely invaded Harry's mouth with his tongue with a ferocity that made Harry whimper.
He needed to prove himself. That he was as capable of loving as Harry was. He knew he left burning trails when his hand trailed up Harry's inner thigh and narrowly avoided his now rejuvenated arousal. Draco played with Harry's hormones when he suggestively thrust his tongue into the other mouth every so often. Put that with Draco's wandering hand, that made Harry take the sense of out his arse to finally lean on a hand to glue his mouth to Draco's mouth.
When Draco pulled away (both his hand and mouth), Harry made a disappointed sound, but recovered when Draco pushed him down to loom over him. He trailed a finger down the middle of Harry's torso and continued down until Harry gasped. I love you too, damn it! Just as much as you love me. Draco stared down at him and abruptly began to lick and bite Harry wherever there was skin. Anywhere and everywhere.
Satisfied with the littered pink patches all over Harry's front, Draco rapidly flipped Harry over, and straddled him again. He bit and licked as he'd done to Harry on the front. Then he prepared his domain for the ravaging that would soon take place with his tongue. He had held Harry hips still and revelled in every muscle twitch and sigh that escaped Harry's hot mouth.
Draco gave one final lick and pressed himself against Harry's sweat slicked back. He nibbled at Harry's ear and he was rewarded with a very noticeable shiver. He breathed hot air into Harry's ear, and loved the control he had. Draco loved every minute in knowing that Harry was immersed in pleasure because of him. His doing.
"I'm going to fuck you three ways from this planet," whispered Draco heatedly, in Harry's ear. He had his head aligned with Harry's and looked out the corner of his eye to see green ones widen expectantly. "And when you wake up you be in a different universe."
Harry couldn't see. Not the kind of blurry stigma sort of thing, but he was... Harry was blind. Everything was black with little light spots of colour.
"Draco, you've fucked the eyesight out of me," said Harry, not complaining one bit.
"A pity you won't be able to enjoy the view of my hot body anymore," mumbled Draco lazily. One of Draco's hands brushed across a particularly hard part of Harry and it made him gasp. "Again?"
Harry smiled to himself at the tone of Draco's incredulity. "Is it that hard to believe?" he asked, as he started to stoke Draco's own fire with a leisurely touch.
"It's hard all right." Draco scooted closer to him. "Mmm. Come mere."
They were now hand in hand. A statement not to be taken lightly. A statement that probably would've made them pump each other faster. The rhythm soon became maddening and they clutched each other as though their lives depended on it. Harry trembled and it seemed as if the world was in fact quaking. He heard Draco's moans continue in higher and higher pitches. He, himself, knew he growled into the erratic kisses between he and Draco. Harry knew quite suddenly that orgasm was extremely near and had his unoccupied hand clutch Draco's arm in a death grip. Draco responded likewise with his hand on Harry's arm.
They fell into that oblivion that made Harry wish there was more air in the world. He breathed deeply and still shuddered while Draco weakly attempted to get closer to him. Harry aided him and scooted closer himself. Huge gulps of air made it into his lungs and waved his shirt over them to cover them. Only when he noticed a slight draft did it occur to his sex addled brain to make it bigger. After that little task was done, he let his self fall into the hands of sleep.
Draco squinted at the morning sun in annoyance. He wasn't exactly ready to wake up though he knew he had many appointments to keep today. He glanced at Harry's still form and decided to wake him up with a bang. He kissed Harry's nose, then his lips, chin and down, down, down...
Draco stretched his arms out to outline Harry's wakening body. He kept his eyes on Harry's face seeing the many expressions that rapidly changed with his movement. A few minutes later Draco had to hold Harry's hips down to keep the man from choking him to death. Draco smiled around the burden in his mouth and began to hum. Harry was promptly undone in a matter of seconds. After he licked up the rewards of his efforts he sidled back up next to Harry.
"Good morning," said Draco brightly, in a singsong voice.
Harry mumbled something incoherently and squeezed the arm he had around Draco. Contentedness was all Draco felt at that moment, especially when Harry decided to nuzzle his face into Draco's neck. A hand brushed across Draco's chest and lingered downward on his slight abdominal muscles. Harry reached down to caress Draco when a an icy gust of wind blew over them. Draco's erection had instantly died a flaccid death. Harry irritably recast the heating charm around them.
"It's too late," mourned Draco. "It's gone. The wind killed it." He looked down at his flaccid penis in despair. It would've been nice for a morning romp, thought Draco. He was about to get up when Harry stilled him with a hand on his shoulder.
"Lemme warm you up," said Harry, as he kissed Draco all over his face.
Such a damn romantic. That thought was cut extremely short when Harry attacked his neck with suction. He promptly crumpled to the ground. After Harry kissed, bit, and fondled him properly, Draco was definitely up and running. Harry hummed with approval and inhaled Draco deeply and Draco did similarly.
Harry's musky scent. Grass. And blatant arousal.
Draco's senses couldn't be more pleased with themselves. Especially with Harry stretched out on top of him. Another round... Merlin, we're going at it like nifflers. Draco personally knew how nifflers operated; when he was younger, there had been a massive infestation at the manor. However, current activities distracted him from any other nostalgic memories.
Harry made love to him with such agonising, slow tenderness Draco actually shed tears when he climbed, reached, and fell from his peak. The orgasm had altered his sense of reality and of his being. He almost panicked from the immense pleasure of it. He felt almost ethereal, detached, as if he was no longer in his own body, but he knew as long as Harry was around he'd always be safe.
Harry rested alongside Draco with his eyes on him. Draco knew he was being stared at, but didn't look at Harry. When he finally did, Harry's expression had been one of utter anguish, which made Draco stop breathing briefly. The first thing that came to his lips was 'What's wrong?' But that would be stating the obvious and now Draco wasn't sure if their having sex was such a good idea. He hadn't really thought about the emotional after effects that could probably happen.
Draco sat up. "Maybe we should get the day started," he said awkwardly. When glanced at Harry, the anguish was there but Harry quickly smoothed it over with a more bland, though slightly uncomfortable expression.
"Er... Yeah I guess so..." Harry got up and dressed.
Draco felt more uncomfortable than Harry looked. He was sure of this. Not mention that all he had to put around himself was a towel. They didn't talk as they slowly walked to the house. He had said everything that mattered through his body. Maybe it wasn't enough. He didn't know what do with his bundle of emotions. It never ceased to irritate Draco that he couldn't gain a grip on his emotions. All they did was confuse him further.
Draco was feeling confused, hurt, and bothered by the time they actually made it to the patio. He needed to say something. Anything, about this time. Before Harry opened the door Draco grabbed him.
"Harry-"
WHAP!
An owl had flown straight into the side of Harry's head and despite all the negative emotions, Draco almost laughed. Harry rubbed his head forcefully all while he glared at the dark brown owl. When he reached down and snatched the paper from the owl's leg, it almost pecked him. He stared at it a moment longer to determine whether the owl would follow up its attack then started the letter.
Draco waited patiently and looked up into the greyish sky. It smelt and felt as though it would rain that day. It's always raining here. He turned back to Harry to see what was damn interesting. He had things to say, damn it.
"What is that?" asked Draco, with arms crossed and stern look.
Harry glanced uneasily at him. "It's a list of likely buyers for the house."
Draco's face and arms fell. He felt as though he'd been punched in the gut. It was just another reminder of all that had happened. He swallowed hard and looked Harry in his eye.
"What were you going... to say?" Harry looked as though he couldn't breath.
"Nothing." Draco went directly to his room to escape Harry and all things he stood for.
Or more like his own emotions from failing him in Harry's presence. He braced himself on his bureau as he shook like a leaf. The fiery pain in his chest exploded into a infectious wildfire of emotional pain. Draco banged his fist against the wood in attempt to take the frustration out of his soul. Anything to stop the pain that throbbed in his entire body and tears that streamed down his face.
A sudden ringing startled Draco so much that he fell over, landing hard on his arse. He sniffled pathetically and dug around in the top drawer for his cell phone. It was Sharky and Draco did his best to keep the conversation going without any noticeable signs of his emotional demise.
"Are you all right? You sound like you're sniffing," munched Sharky, in his ear. His girlfriend Cecilia was feeding him strawberries as he prepared to meet Draco at Diagon Alley for a business lunch. Draco was glad Sharky had finally found someone, someone who actually wanted to cater to him.
"I think I might be coming down with something is all..." answered Draco, and smiling at Sharky's obvious happiness.
"So you coming?"
"Yes, yes, I gotta get dressed and stuff," said Draco, as he scrubbed at the dry tears on his face and pieced himself together temporarily. "Be there soon."
"You don't mind if Cee-Cee is there do you?" asked Sharky, sounding very muffled.
Draco frowned slightly at the thought of why Cecilia would be there but he didn't see any harm in it. "No, not at all. See you there."
"See you."
Harry watched detachedly as Draco left out for work. He barely heard what Draco said and didn't understand what he had said back to him. Harry was officially emotionally deadlocked and all other functions were set on automatic. He drank deeply of his large mug that had slightly sweetened coffee. Usually he drank only cappuccinos, but at the moment he felt he needed something a lot stronger. He was actually tempted to dig around in their private wine cellar below the den.
Harry chuckled as he thought about how Draco had wanted there to be secret passageways and hidden cellars and escape routes. Harry had thought at the time that he was both funny and slightly right. That time had been a dangerous time for them and due to recent events, it evidently still was.
Harry then went to go brood in the living room and sat on their dust red sofa. He then sat his mug on the red wood table that Draco had bought to go with everything else in the room. As he leaned back, Harry looked at every carefully placed item in view. Draco had set a surprisingly warm theme throughout the house, but much more importantly the in living room. With a sunken floor, wooden furniture, and reddish brown walls, Harry felt like this was his home. Draco even made sure the rare artwork he'd put on the walls matched the theme.
This drew Harry's eyes to the painting of the two boys sitting in the wood together. The warm skin tones of their brown skin along with the orange brownish leaves that fell from the tall aged trees made Harry feel something. What? He didn't know, but he liked that picture most of all. They were laid next to each other with smiles on their faces and pointed up at the canopy of trees. Harry almost felt as if there was a secret meaning to the picture. A certain sort of boyhood camaraderie he never really got to experience when he was younger. A secret, or the secret to life.
That line of thinking just brought him back to his thoughts of earlier when he and Draco were lying in the grass. The thought of a child. Harry trembled when he went to pick up his mug again. Resigned that he trembled too much to hold it, he put it down. He had really wanted a child. So badly that he had looked at Draco's stomach trying to imagine what it would look like round and full with his child. A proof of their love and loyalty to each other.
Harry put his head in hands and wondered if it really was a good decision to call off his three-year relationship with Draco just because of some misunderstandings. He firmly rubbed his hands over his face annoyed with himself for brooding. Some things just don't work out, no matter how much you want them to. Harry knew this but wished it didn't apply to his life.
To be fair they were both guilty parties in the mix. Not to mention the betrayal of Delinda and Carlo. Another problem Harry hadn't dealt with. His best friends... Why was his life always so complicated? He had thought something was wrong when Draco started to become paranoid about Carlo's presence. Harry didn't even think about it.
How could I be so stupid?
Harry was hurt and it didn't help that his trust in people had been broken once again. By people he let into his house, and shared intimate secrets with. He didn't want to have to keep everyone away if they were always out for something. He didn't want to have to keep looking over his shoulder for... something. It was always something. He didn't want to go through his life never experiencing the joy of it for fear that something might happen. However, the frequency of bad things that have happened to Harry made him rethink his approach to life.
Stop the bloody pity party already! Harry stopped in the middle of his pacing and let out a slow breath. He was stressed and thought that maybe some friendly company would good for him. He looked at the clock and saw that it was nine thirty already. He was annoyed with his preoccupation with his thoughts for so long. He wrote to Ron to tell him in hour or so he would be there. He knew already that considering the recent events, they wouldn't mind him being there.
"Do you feel so insecure as to actually hire someone to spy on your mate?" asked Draco, with his quill poised above the pad.
The woman looked to be in her late thirties but Draco knew it was a glamour charm. It shimmered every time she moved and talked. Her voice was gravelly and she smelled of pipe smoke. She took a deep drink of her glass. The strong and obviously cheap alcohol slightly burned Draco's nostrils.
"I had good reason," she said, gruffly with narrowed eyes at Draco. "He was always gone on business. Pah! Right..."
They were in a shady pub she was most likely someone who didn't want her identity revealed. Her light brown complexion flickered darkly as her emotions changed. He assessed that she didn't do very well with casting charms, but it was effective enough.
Draco, too, had dressed down; he didn't want to attract the attention of any of the unsavoury occupants of the pub. He wrote down all her answers and drew little notes on the side about her mannerisms and expressions. She appeared to be a person who talked with her hands because she used them whenever she made point.
Draco respectfully listened, all the while he thought about the situation with Harry. Could he have prevented it someway? Should he have paid more attention to Harry's needs? Should Harry have just worshipped him and dedicated his life to serving Draco in all his greatness? Yes, but that wasn't realistic, Draco knew. He stifled a sigh because he knew it would've appeared he wasn't paying attention and the woman could be easily offended. He'd come a long way from just being a fast talking journalist.
"...so there he was... With another man! Can you believe that?" She chuckled darkly and sipped her cup.
"It's possible," said Draco carefully. Dangerous territory. "Does it bother you more than he was with another man?"
The woman gave him a measured look. "Of course, it's unnatural. Not to mention how young the man was..." Her expression turned sad and suddenly Draco felt a little bit of sympathy for her. "He made me feel as though I was nothing. Coming home behaving as if nothing was wrong."
She began to talk about the subtle changes in her husband and Draco felt a little cold. The lack of communication. The lack of physical gratification... However, Draco kept his professional mask in place and continued the interview.
"Thank you for your time," he said graciously, as he rose to leave.
"No problem," the woman replied, as she rose herself.
Draco walked out the door of the pub happy to breathe in somewhat cleaner air. He looked around and saw the unmentionables of society slink along the street. He shook his head and prepared to Apparate, and when the woman passed him, he was struck with another question.
"Excuse me Mrs. Carter?"
The woman stopped and glanced him with vague indifference.
"What happened to your husband?"
"He left the country," she replied, in a dark voice. "Good day, Mr. Malfoy."
Something about the way she said that made a chill go down Draco's spine. He wrapped his cloak about himself tighter and saw the grey clouds roll in before he Apparated back to Diagon Alley.
"You all right?" asked Cecilia's voice.
Draco shook himself. "Yeah."
"So how was she?" asked Sharky.
"Creepy," said Draco without preamble. "Where'd you find her?"
"She's a of Cecilia's."
Cecilia had dressed modestly today. Well, at least for her. She sported short wavy locks, had black eye liner on, and only wore two thick bangles on her wrists. She had on a black shirt that had netting for sleeves and a thick, long black skirt. As always, the thick black combat boots completed her look.
"Just someone I know," she murmured demurely.
Draco thought it was odd that all of a sudden she was all... Obedient like. He shrugged it off as nothing. He was just about to ask Cecilia if her friend is a celebrity when it started to pour down rain. Draco hurriedly cast a waterproof charm on his notes and quills. He didn't want ink to run everywhere.
"Sharky, I wanted to talk to you!" yelled Draco, over the rolling thunder.
"I got to go, you know this. Remember I told you about that thing I had to go do?" Sharky held Cecilia protectively around the waist.
Draco dimly remembered Sharky talking to him on 'that day' about something having to do with Cecilia. He didn't want to make Sharky think he'd been ignoring him so Draco just jerkily nodded. Sharky nodded back and jogged up the street with Cecilia.
He Apparated home to clean himself up. After he showered, he wondered what he'd do. To busy himself from emotions he didn't want to deal with, he started to compile all the notes to put them in a semblance of order. He worked quickly and efficiently; the quiet sound of the house taunted him. Only the scratches of the quill and the shuffling of the papers were heard. Made him feel lonely and unloved; that annoyed the hell out of him. He viciously made sure that every word was perfect, every statement, and every view. When he finished, he sent the draft off to his editors.
Thoroughly pissed with himself, he wondered what he should do next. He needed someone to talk to. Moreover, as much as that annoyed Draco he went to his address book and scanned his list. He knew Blaise was out of town, but Pansy... Draco quickly changed into summer clothes and went outside the house to Apparate. He concentrated fiercely, he wasn't used to Apparating across oceans.
Harry came in and shook the rain off his coat. It was freezing outside and the August weather didn't make it any better. He looked down into a pair of light brown eyes surround by luminescent skin. Ginny.
"Hi, Harry!" she exclaimed, as she gingerly took his coat to hang on the rank.
"Hey, Ginny," replied Harry, with a quick drying spell on his coat.
"So, how are you holding up?" asked Ginny politely.
Harry smiled at her. "Fine. Er, where are Ron and Hermione?"
"They'll be out in a sec," answered Ginny.
After she conjured two steaming mugs of hot chocolate. They began to talk about light things, things that didn't involve Draco or the incident that happened the previous day. Good thing too, thought Harry. He didn't want to darken anyone's mood or inadvertently induce pity. His friends were nice but it annoyed him when they just wouldn't let him be sometimes. Suddenly, Ron and Hermione came out.
"Wotcher, Harry," said Ron, a warm smile curled on his face. "You all right there?"
"Fine," repeated Harry. "I'm fine."
This seemed to satisfy Ron because his face relaxed and he began to say, "Good, coz that ferret-"
Hermione cuffed him in the back of his head. "Ron, be sensible for once!"
Ron rolled his eyes and sat down beside Ginny to face Harry. "So what's going on?"
"Nothing much really," replied Harry.
They all began the fake charade of pretense on the strength that everything was normal. However, Harry knew better. He felt empty, as though a part of himself was missing. Draco... He muttered a noncommittal sound at something Ginny had said when he bent his face into his mug. Every now and then he'd add tidbits and thought of how Draco would've made it more entertaining with his sarcastic wit. He chuckled when he heard someone call his name.
"Huh?" he sounded, stupidly.
"I said," whispered Ginny, he noticed Ron had left the room. "Are you thinking about him again?"
"Ginny leave him alone," hissed Hermione protectively.
"Why are we whispering?" said Harry slowly.
"So Ron doesn't hear, he gets worked up," said Hermione dismissing Ron's stubbornness. "Well, we all care about you."
Harry sighed. "Look it's my personal life, I'm grown, I can handle myself."
"I hope you aren't thinking of taking him back," hissed Ginny aggressively.
Harry stared at her. He wondered what was up with her... "What I think I need... Is advice."
"Good," said Hermione, at once. "How are you feeling?" She began to sip her mug again.
"Like... A numb sort of pain, sort of like when Sirius died." Harry wiped his hands over his face in remembrance.
He noticed that while he spoke with Hermione, Ginny remained strangely silent. However, they had only talked for ten minutes when Hermione cut off in the middle of a sentence.
"Well, maybe you just need to-" Suddenly, she clapped both of her hands over her mouth and turned pale. "I'll be right back." She fled the room with a speed Harry didn't know she possessed.
He wondered why Hermione kept getting sick. He'd talk to Ron later that day.
"Harry, really, Draco isn't the one for you," started Ginny gently. "I know it." She walked around Hermione's glass table and sat next to him.
"But..."
"Didn't you see how he betrayed you?"
"He isn't the only one to blame." Harry felt guilt and shame wash over him in such ferocity that he almost teared up.
"Please Harry, you can do no wrong." Harry stared at her and felt it something very off about that statement coming from her. "That drunken bitch forced herself upon you. It's no fault of yours."
"But Draco-"
"Didn't resist, he gave in," she answered crisply. "Trust me, I saw the whole conversation in the book."
Harry took a deep breath to prevent himself from getting ill as Hermione had done. Didn't resist? Is Ginny telling me the truth, he thought. Why would she lie to me? No, Ginny would never lie to him.
"I'm glad to have you as a friend, Ginny," said Harry sincerely, in a quiet voice.
Ginny's face transformed into a smile but it looked as if she didn't expect that admission. "I'm glad to even know you, Harry. Now, about Malfoy-"
"ARE YOU ACCUSING ME OF ADULTRY RON BILIUS WEASLEY?" screamed Hermione's voice, in a pitch that made Harry wince.
"I'M ONLY SAYING YOU'RE ACTIN LIKE YOU'RE PREGNANT AND WE HAVEN'T-"
SMACK!
Harry felt it was time to leave and fast. He stood up quickly. "Er, Ginny, I think I should go."
Ginny hastily stood up too. "W-wait- they'll calm down."
"YOU STUPID, STUPID MAN! WE'RE ENGAGED!"
"I KNOW THAT! BUT YOU-"
SMACK!
"Yeah, I'll go." Harry walked quickly around Ginny who continually sputtered to grab his coat. Suddenly, he felt petite hands on his wrist.
"Can I go with you?" asked Ginny, eyes wide with hope. It almost reminded him of when they were in school. He kissed her forehead and looked into her eyes.
"I think it's best I be by myself for a little while to think."
She looked crestfallen, no, devastated. "Okay..." she murmured.
Harry walked out and put on his coat. He thought that he really should be by himself, however, he still wanted levelheaded advice. He concentrated his Apparation point for Sway's house.
Pansy's house was a modest size and Draco was somewhat surprised. He knew how extravagant she could be. The exotic flowers all around her house made up for it. There was a big, wide porch that had a seat swing hanging from the roof there. There was nothing else on the porch. Not even a welcome mat. Many steps led to the porch and Draco looked around to see if anyone was about.
Draco felt uncomfortable with the unoccupied space. It as though it would be a place for children to playing or at least someone on the porch. But then again, there were trees surrounding the house and that it was slightly intimidating. Draco walked up the big steps and approached the huge iron door that had a screen door in front of it. One thing that Draco knew that probably put off visitors was that the whole house was painted black.
Before he knocked, a huge eyeball appeared in the door at his eye level. It eyed him as if it had to contemplate whether to let him in or not. Suddenly, it disappeared and Draco was left alone with his confused feelings. What the hell is that bastard putting you through Pansy..? Draco thought angry. She had to marry for money since the Ministry stole all her family's wealth.
"Draco?"
He whirled around toward the door at the soft voice. It was Pansy and she looked... Well not terrible, but... odd. Her hair was pulled back into a bun and from what Draco could see through the screen, she was swaddled in all black clothes. Nothing of her showed, only her pale face.
"Is something wrong?" asked Draco, as he tried to open the screen door further.
Pansy firmly kept the door opened a crack. "No, nothing. What are you doing here Draco?" She squinted at him. "Where's Potter?"
"Not here. What's wrong Pansy? You look peaky," said Draco, concerned for her welfare.
"I'll... Later," she stammered softly. "Why are you here?"
Draco looked at her incredulously. Usually she displayed more manners than this. "I can't come in?"
"Not today." She sighed heavily. "However, maybe sometime during the week. Today's not a good day."
Draco's face fell. He liked talking to Pansy despite her being trivial and spoiled at times. "Damn," he muttered.
"Is that Potter treating you badly?"
"It's.. it's..." Draco didn't even know how to get the words out his mouth. Maybe he should just wait until the next time he saw her. "I'll talk to you about it on Monday, all right?"
Pansy wearily looked at him and nodded at him. Suddenly, to his mild embarrassment, his stomach growled loudly.
"Are you starving yourself?" squeaked Pansy, as she looked at his stomach.
"No, I just didn't eat today," said Draco sheepishly. Or drink anything, he added as an after thought. "Don't worry yourself, I'll see you on Monday, kay?"
Pansy stared at him long and hard. "All right, but get something into your stomach, I don't want to meet with a stick on Monday."
Draco smiled at her. "Yeah, yeah..."
"Oh, and next time bring something that covers you more, the African sun isn't nice to someone of your colouring," she called out.
Back to the drawing board, thought Draco, as he Disapparated home.
Ginny stiffly returned the hug and forced a smile when Sunny pulled back jubilantly. She had just come from her brother's house irritated that they had ruined her plans. Well, Ron actually, for being an overbearing, annoying twit of man. Ginny had just told Sunny she was pregnant. Hopefully, her plan would be complete before he found out she really wasn't pregnant. I should be in his arms by then, thought Ginny happily. She could hardly contain her excitement that Harry soon would be hers.
"God – I – I –" stammered Sunny, with a huge grin on face. "This is – this is –"
Ginny put a finger to his lips to silence his stuttering. "Shush, I understand." She rubbed his arms comfortingly.
"I love you," he said, and then he kissed her.
Ginny had grown used to the kisses over time and willed herself to enjoy it. It was rare she actually got physical affection and she leaned into it with the knowledge that her body needed it. Needed to held, touched, loved. Since what she really wanted was currently unavailable to her, she would take what she could get. Besides, she would soon be with her love.
She broke the kiss. "I love you too," she whispered, not completely untruthfully.
Sunny smiled at her answer and kissed her again. She had grown to love Sunny in her own way. Like one would love an extremely close friend, but nothing more. She felt no real passion for Sunny. Yeah, he was attractive, but he didn't set her body afire like Harry did. He didn't make her nervous, anxious, and wanton like Harry did. Couldn't make her underwear dampen from his mere presence or with the right smile.
"You hot for me?" murmured Sunny, after he broke the kiss.
Ginny was sure he could smell her arousal thick in the air. She had on her pale pink silk chemise. Ginny felt the way her hard nipples thrust the fragile material. Sunny murmured something again, she vaguely heard it as he cupped her breasts. Ginny wouldn't tell him she was wet and hot for Harry. Not him. However, she didn't feel particularly cruel at moment. Not mention that would've unravelled her plans.
She leaned into his touch more and imagined it was Harry. Ginny ignored the rest of what Sunny said as he carried her to the bed. She imagined it was Harry's voice she heard instead. Ginny unfocused her eyes as Sunny – no, Harry, took off her chemise. Kisses were then left all over her body. Merlin, she felt a soft warmness stoke her softly and teasingly between her legs. Not nearly enough friction. She grasped the dark head between her legs closer, and moaned with each tingle of pleasure.
Ginny felt the end near and involuntarily tensed her legs. Suddenly the warm tongue was gone and she gasped as Sunny – Harry thrust into her. She clutched him and entangled her fingers in the thick black hair. All too soon, Ginny bucked underneath her husband, with her lips closed tight in a keening moan. The groan above her broke the spell she had put herself under.
The man beside her was of course, not Harry, who had pounded into her. Made her moan in ecstasy. Damn, it's not fair. The afternoon light that filtered in through the windows couldn't hide the lack of black hair and the honey blonde hair that was in its place. Or the sated pale blue eyes, where vibrant green ones were supposed to be. Or the strong square chin and high cheekbones, which were supposed to be softer, rounder. Even the yellow tinted light couldn't make the skin that was as pale as her own, golden. She sighed wistfully, and Sunny snaked an arm around her and had plainly mistaken her sigh for content. Yeah right.
"I can't wait to tell-" began Sunny.
"You're not telling anyone," interrupted Ginny sharply. "I don't want anyone to know. Not yet."
Sunny looked at her confusedly. "But why? Molly-"
"Will have to wait," she finished Ginny. She turned to glare at him for good measure.
Sunny sighed, resigned. "Oh, all right. I'll tell no one until you're ready." Then he smiled. "You make the most delicious moans," he said, as he sniffed at her hair.
Ginny smiled weakly. She had kept her lips pressed tight because she had moaned, "Harry."
Draco was in front of his last resort and quickly stepped under the awning. The rain was now pouring down in sheets and the cold almost seeped through the clothes Draco changed into. He was a long way from Africa's warmth, and Pansy. He looked around nervously and spotted an insanely huge man a few feet from him.
"All right?" he greeted, his watery blue eyes gave Draco an appreciative look over.
"All right," responded Draco neutrally, while he cringed inwardly. The man's chin wobbled when he spoke and his clothes just didn't seem large enough for him. To Draco's dismay, the man decided to strike up a conversation.
"You new around here?" asked the man, as he apprehensively glanced around. Draco thought with disgust that the fat man had reminded him of Peter Pettigrew.
He forced a frozen smile. "Just visiting someone."
The man readjusted the hood he had on his green raincoat, which made him look like a large frog and peered at him. "The chinks live there, right?" he said, and squinted behind Draco as if to prove his point. As if they just lurked out of sight. "You don't want to go associating yourself with the wrong sort. They're a suspicious lot. Never say nothin' to no one and never see 'em go in or out."
"She's a really good friend of mine," said Draco coldly, with a seething anger at the man's careless insults. "You shouldn't tarnish someone's reputation you don't even know."
With a few more glances around, the man looked extremely apologetic. Or more like a toad unable to catch the fly. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to offend you."
Luckily, Draco was in a benevolent mood and wouldn't cut the porky man down to size. "Apology accepted." He didn't even know why he kept talking to the stranger. It was odd.
"Er..." the man sounded awkwardly, while he fidgeted. When Draco looked closer he could tell the man was young and maybe around his age. "Would you like to go down to the pub by-"
"Hey! I knew I heard something out here," came a feminine voice, from behind Draco.
He turned around to see the wonderfully cheery face of Olimpi. Her blue black eyes sparkled with spirit. "Oh, hey. I just came to hang out a bit," he said evasively. By the way she blinked at him, he could tell he'd already set off her detection alarms.
She stood aside for him to enter the house. "Well, come on in then, silly."
Draco began to walk in when someone's voice called out to him.
"Oi! I don't even know your name." The large man looked beseechingly at him.
Draco paused before he turned around in the doorway. He fixed the man with a piercing stare. "My name's Draco." He then closed the door, happy to be in some kind of sanctuary, but not before he heard when the man had feebly said, " Mine's Dud-"
Harry stared at the orange juice in the glass he held up to his face. Sway had talked to him without judging, which Hermione would've done despite saying she wouldn't try to. With Sway, he never felt as though he were being scolded or stupid for feeling or thinking the way he did. He liked her for it. However, the prospect of talking to Draco bluntly was extremely daunting. He sniffed the orange juice and loved the flashes of Draco's bare skin that flashed through his mind. It was always the scent of oranges that calmed him. Citrusy. He smiled.
"Not only are you a broom shagger, you're a fruit abuser. Tsk, tsk."
Harry steadied his hand that had threatened to release the glass at the sound of Draco's voice. All his emotions and feelings of dread were intermixed with feelings of excitement, happiness, and love. Harry almost felt a little dizzy. He smiled as he thought of his response.
"And you," he said, as he looked up to Draco who stood above him. Somehow, he looked ill, and pale. Harry firmly crushed his concern. "You're just a fruit." It was weak, but then again in a way, so was he.
"Whatever..." trailed off Draco, as he looked away from him.
The silence had tensed and it made Harry want to scream, shake Draco, hex Draco, or shag him on the floor. The last thought wasn't exactly a bad thing to think about, but he didn't take Sway as the voyeuristic type. He licked his lips and stood. Draco's eyes suddenly went wide with fear. Merlin, I'm scared too, but I don't look like a deer caught in headlights.
"Draco I'm upset with what you did," he started.
"What I did!" Draco's colour in his face had risen three degrees in a matter of seconds.
"I'm upset about the situation," amended Harry, as he hoped Draco wouldn't drag the conversation through the mud. Hell, he looks like he wants to. Harry mentally prayed his balls would remain intact.
"Our friends betrayed our trust and exploited something we should've have mended on our own." Harry paused to make sure Draco wouldn't explode. "I didn't even noticed I was a guilty party until-"
"Of course, you're just as guilty as I am!" snarled Draco, with his hands fisted at his sides. "Saint Potter thinks he has immunity from the dark world of infidelity!"
Harry grimaced. "Don't mock me! I'm trying to be serious! We were spending so much time apart-"
"I know that! You were always gallivanting off somewhere for a photo shoot or even just to go see some fans!"
"Hey! This isn't all my fault! My fans love to know I appreciate their dedication to the team-"
"Not to the team, to you!"
"You don't know-"
"Whaddya mean I don't know? It's my job to know, Harry! Merlin's balls, you're only one man. You can't be everywhere!"
Harry felt rage build up inside him. "Neither can you! With your dammable parties and 'close friends' of yours. Bloody fucking celebrities and V.I.P. only soirées'!"
"Whatever, it's what I do! I like to have a body next to mine to warm me at night just as much as the next person," yelled Draco.
Harry hadn't even noticed that they were only inches apart now. "I do too! I'd like the person I love to feel comfortable enough with me not to hide secrets from me!" He was very close to shaking the hell out of the blonde man.
"Excuse me, but those are painful memories, all right? Do I ask about how you actually killed Voldemort? About what went down when you and he were alone? What he said?"
The horrible memories had made his eyes tear up. Harry in a blind rage had pulled out his wand. "Don't be such a petty cunt."
"Don't be such a fucking control freak," said Draco, as he pulled out his own wand.
"If I had children, at least they would know love," spat Harry, as he ran through the list of powerful hexes that he didn't need to verbally cast.
"If I had any, at least they'd know freedom," responded Draco, no doubt doing exactly was Harry was.
Suddenly, Sway passed them, but when she did both of their wands were gone. She stood there with her hand on hip, a glare on face, while she tapped her foot on her wooden floor. Harry and Draco turned to look at each other. They both took each other down, hard, and rolled around on the floor. When Sway shouted something and they heard an odd cracking noise repeat itself continually, they pulled apart reluctantly.
Draco had bruise around his left eye and a split bottom lip. Harry tasted blood in his mouth and knew his nose and side of his stomach hurt like hell. Draco always could give as good as he got.
"Baka, baka, baka!" shouted an aged voice.
Both Harry and Draco turned their heads at the sound and saw a old woman, perhaps in her sixties on the stair, and she banged her cane repeatedly on the banister.
"Nana," said Sway softly.
"Shame, shame! Baka, baka!" shouted the woman frantically. "You bring these filthy hakujin in here? You an unwed woman! Baka, baka!" She shook her cane threateningly at Sway, who looked nervous.
"Nana, go back to your room," said Sway sternly.
"You will get pregnant like your mother," hissed her grandmother, "and then these white men will leave you, like your father. And then that poor child will be shamed and a bastard!"
Sway pulled out her wand. "Sleep, Nana." Sway's grandmother wearily walked back up the stair, but Harry heard her muttered curses every so often. Sway turned back to them apologetic. "Sorry, she's passionate. She loved her children all very much, my mother most of all..." She sighed.
Harry and Draco's had gotten up and dusted themselves off. They looked at each other and it clicked.
"Sway, what is today?"
"Thursday..."
Harry turned and grasped Draco hand tightly with both of his. "Let's do it."
"You sure?" asked Draco.
Harry nodded jerkily and made for the door before his emotions got the best of him. Draco tugged him short and then pressed his wand into his hand. Harry smiled gratefully at the blonde man and then pulled him out the doorway.
"ACCIO NEBULA!" bellowed Harry, as he pointed upward at the sky. Suddenly, the wooden stick hurled through the air. Harry caught it deftly.
"Shall we?" he said, and gestured to the broom dramatically.
"We shall." Draco grinned like a fat kid in a candy store.
Harry mounted his broom and felt the warmness of Draco behind him. He kicked up and flew higher and higher. The rain hit them hard and anyone would've thought them mad, but for them it was like a breath of fresh air. A suddenness of realisation that only they could understand.
Harry swooped and whooped along with Draco as they dared to challenge Merlin himself from the heavens. The rain didn't bother Harry one bit, nor the iciness of it. It was almost as he couldn't even feel it anymore. He skilfully dodged the lightening bolts and raced against time.
An hour later, they had flown in Hogwarts through the Astronomy tower and down to the dungeons. Harry grinned at the thought of what Flich would say when he saw the mess they had left all through the castle. Harry and Draco frantically knocked at the door. They couldn't wait. Harry would be crushed if Snape had already thrown it out. The ingredients were rare and wouldn't be available again until next year.
"What?" snarled Snape, as he wrenched open his door to glare at them. "What hell..."
"Severus, is that potion still good?" breathed Draco, flushed, pink, and his red nose swollen with cold. Harry thought he looked tasty.
Snape stared at them as if they had gone mad.
Harry hoped it was there. Let it be there, let it be there. Please Merlin, I'm sorry for mocking your thunder bolts earlier, please.
"Yes."
