(A/n: some Harry POV)

Chapter twelve: Draco's humble abode

Malfoy Manor was huge. It was two stories and made of light grey stone. Harry followed Draco up the white stone gravel drive. He thought maybe it was for ministry vehicles. Deep green, pristine hedges lined the drive and green velvety grass rolled over the landscape surrounding the house.

Five white marble steps led up to the doors. The doors were made of a dark oak and were massive. They had two knockers. They were snakes of course and held a bar in their mouths. They resembled the traditional lion door knockers. The handle was in the shape of a sliver snake entwined around some invisible object.

Both boys walked up the stairs and stopped at the door. All Draco had to do was say the password as he did the gate but before he could speak the door knockers began hissing.

Who goesss there? The left one hissed first.

You are tresssspasssing on Malfoy property. The one on the right said.

To Draco of course he just heard a bunch of hissing but to Harry, being a parseltongue, he understood.

Draco stared blankly at the knockers. Then he heard a silky hissing sound next to him. He turned from the knockers to Harry who seemed to be talk to the snakes. Harry's voice was deep and smooth as he hissed out his reply in Parseltongue. Draco found it very erotic.

Harry stopped speaking and the snakes began. Whatever they said, Harry didn't like. He began hissing louder and in more of a venomous tone. This was even more erotic to the blonde. All his blood was rushing southward.

The snakes responded to Harry and the Gryffindor growled in frustration.

"What's going on? What are they saying?" The Slytherin asked grateful for something to take his mind off of Harry's erotic bilingual skills.

"They're just being rude." Harry said running a hand through his hopelessly messy black locks.

"What are they saying?" Draco asked again. Harry sighed.

"Well, first the one on the left asked 'who goes there?' then the one on the right said 'you are trespassing on Malfoy property'. I told them to just be quiet and let us in I'm not in the mood for door knockers with attitude. The one on the left asked who I was to make such a command of them. The one on the right said I was a half-blood and therefore unwelcome in Malfoy Manor. I told them that you were a Malfoy and to let us in. The one on the left said that they knew you were a Malfoy and the one on the right said that the question was what you were doing with a ragamuffin like me." Harry grumbled, clearly offended.

Draco looked at the snakes then at the dark-haired boy beside him. He knew that all he had to do was say the password and they would be let in but Harry didn't know that. Besides he couldn't allow a couple of snarky door knockers make fun of the boy he loved, now could he? It was a question of honor and pride and what was more Malfoy than protecting your pride? (Honor meant nothing to most Malfoys on a whole, just to Draco)

Draco walked up behind Harry and hugged him. The boy, though not to much shorter than Draco fit perfectly against his body and if Draco lifted his chin he could rest it upon the mess of silky black locks. Draco weaved his arms around the Gryffindor's waist and hugged his back to Draco's chest, being sure to keep his lower half a safe distance away in case Harry was able to figure out that it wasn't Draco's wand that was making his trousers fit tighter.

Harry gasped in surprise as Draco pulled him into his embrace. The blonde then bent forward and spoke in Harry's ear while keeping his eyes trained on the knockers.

"Tell them that I said that you keep me more than satisfied. Tell them that I am a Malfoy and I will not stand for insolent door knockers criticizing my lover." His voice was calm, even and smooth.

Harry skin was on fire. He could feel Draco's warmth through his thin t-shirt and it was sending liquid flames coursing through his body.

"L-lover?" He questioned trying to will his voice not to shake.

"Just do it." The other boy hissed in his ear. Harry forced himself not to shiver as Draco's breath ghosted over his ear.

Harry began hissing to the door knockers who mouths were agape and eyes as wide as they would go. They both began hissing franticly in response. Harry suddenly cried out and clamped his hands over his ears.

"Harry? Are you alright?" Draco asked moving so he could look down into the raven-haired boy's face.

"Yeah yeah just fine," Harry mumbled.

"What did they say?" Draco question curiously.

"They, uh, are most appreciative of our relationship." He said. Draco raised an eyebrow and Harry caved. "Oh alright. They're asking rather lewd and personal questions about our sex life. They are providing me with rather disturbing mental pictures, involving us and them. Told them we didn't do other species but they won't stop." Harry whined pathetically.

Draco resisted leaning forward and capturing the pout with his own lips.

"Hmm, I think you've suffered enough," he said removing himself from the Gryffindor.

Harry's body immediately mourned the lost of Draco's warmth. He fought to hide his disappointment and watched as the blonde pulled out his wand and pointed it at the door. Saying the same password he used on the gate, the doors creaked open.

I hope you're an ssscreamer one of the knockers called after them. Harry shuddered at the implications. Then lifting his head he took in his surroundings.

The entrance hall of Malfoy Manor was a large circular room. The walls were made of a light grey stone that almost looked silver in the morning light that filtered in through the tall windows that stood on either side of the door covered in light white drapes. A massive crystal chandelier hung from the high ceiling.

The entrance hall opened up into a much large room. To the left was a winding stair case with black metal rails and there was an identical one on the right. Straight forward were a set of French doors made of dark maple with purposely tarnished silver handles.

"Welcome to my home. I need to take a shower and talk with the house-elves." Draco said and Harry just nodded mutely. "Helena." He called.

Harry raised an eyebrow in question.

"What? All house-elves have to have names like Binky and Coco?" The blonde asked defensively.

"I didn't say anything," Harry laughed.

"Yeah but you implied something with that little eyebrow rising, you arse." He grumbled. "Helena." He yelled.

With a loud CRACK a house-elf dressed in a ratty orange blanket, with leathery green skin and large blue eyes appeared in front of the two.

"Oh Master Draco is home. Helena is so glad to be seeing you." The house-elf cried leaping forward and wrapping herself around Draco's legs. "I was missing you so much."

Draco awkwardly patted the elf's head.

"Yes, yes, I missed you too Helena." He said rolling his eyes at the elf's dramatic display. The elf continued to squeeze Draco's legs. After a few minutes Draco pulled the elf off. "Ok Helena. Let go."

The elf detached herself and looked up at her master with wide-eyes.

"What can I do for you?" Helena asked nearly quivering with excitement.

"I just want to know where my mother is. Is she alright, has she been any trouble?' He asked the elf.

"Oh," Helena bowed her head and shuffled her feet. "Uh, well,"

Draco looked at the elf suspiciously.

"Helena, where is my mother?" He asked his tone told the elf that his temper was barely controlled.

"Well Master Draco y-you see…" The elf stuttered. Draco's eyes widened in panic. He grabbed Helena's shoulders and forced her to look at him.

"What happened? Where is she!" He cried. Helena looked up her eyes wide.

"Mistress Malfoy left. About a week ago. I tried to stop her, Master Draco but she was threatening us with clothes. Helena doesn't want to have clothes. Helena likes Master Draco." The elf wailed. Draco put her down.

"Where did she go?"

"Mistress Malfoy went to the villa in France. Helena didn't want her to go. Helena tried." The elf sniffled.

"It's ok, Helena." Draco said running a hand through his hair, which was so much easier to do since he stopped gelling it the summer of fifth year.

"Helena, sent a house-elf with, though Master Draco. Helena thought it would be best if Mistress Malfoy wasn't alone." The elf added. Draco looked down at her.

"Oh, that's good Helena. Who did you send?" He asked, relived.

"Dinky." Helena answered and Harry snorted.

"Shut up. I said not all house-elves have names like that." Draco snapped at the other boy.

Harry held up his hands in a defensive way.

"Whoa you're a bit tense." He said.

"Well of course I'm tense! I just spent the night riding in the 'hell on wheels' with very little sleep and I'm pretty sure I smell. I never smell!" Draco cried. Not to mention the boy of my dreams is standing next to me while I smell.

"So…she's ok then right?" He asked turning his attention back to the elf.

"Uh, Helena has Dinky making weekly reports on Mistress Malfoy. In truth sir, Helena was a bit afraid of Mistress Malfoy. Helena is glad Master Draco is back." The elf said and looked ready to attach herself to Draco's legs again.

"And what has Dinky been reporting?" He asked. Helena looked at her master than at the stranger than back.

"Master Draco sir, Helena can't tell you. It's a house-elves duty to keep her family's secrets. Helena can't mention them in front of a stranger." She whispered to her master. Draco rolled his eyes.

"Helena it's ok. I am giving you permission to speak freely. In fact ignore him completely. Now tell me, what is Dinky reporting?" He asked again.

"Mistress Malfoy is doing the same at the villa as she does here at the manor. She drinks and argues with Master Malfoy and sometimes with you, Master Draco." Helena said looking terrified that Draco was going to be angry with her.

Draco nodded.

"Well, thank-you Helena. You did the right thing. I am going to shower. When I am done we'll probably want some breakfast if you please." Draco told the elf who glowed with joy at being given an order.

"Yes Master Draco. Helena will do anything you asks of her." The elf beamed and vanished.

Draco didn't move, he was thinking about his mother.

"Uh, Draco?" Harry asked after a few moments.

"Oh, sorry Harry forgot you were there." He said lightly.

"Uh, Draco…about you mother-"Harry began but Draco cut him off.

"After my father went to jail my mother went mental. She began to chug firewhisky like it was water. I have no idea why his imprisonment affected her so, except that it's all about reputation, status and the like. My mother never loved my father. In fact she hated him. But she was his wife and she was bonded to him and him alone.

How that all works with her going bonkers I do not know. I cannot tell you how many calls I got from the local pubs to come and pick her up during those first few weeks of summer vacation after fifth year. It was quite embarrassing.

After the fifth time in one week I tried to confine her to the manor or any other property she owns, with a spell. But there was a problem. One that I should've foreseen, but I didn't. She began to lose her mind being cooped up in this house.

It's a large house but to a broken mind it can be no bigger than your cupboard. I know, I have felt it. She began to hallucinate, seemed to think that my father was still around. She would have fights with him in his study or tea with him in her sitting room.

My mother's mental state was slowly deteriorating and I couldn't do a thing to help. There would be times when she would look at me but not see me, or when she didn't even recognize me nor I her. When she could see me she would talk about things that never happened, jokes we never had. She was lost in her own mind, her memories." Draco took a shaky breath before continuing. "It wasn't until after I went back to school that she began to hallucinate about me. The first time it happened was a week into term.

Helena showed up in my dorm and told me that my mother had spent the morning walking through the gardens with me and we had tea in the afternoon. She told me that my mother chatted to thin air for the better part of the day as if I was right there beside her, and when Helena tried to tell her I was at school she grew hysterical and accused Helena of trying to kill me. She then called on my father to dispose of the house-elf.

It scared the wits out of Helena and the other elves. I told Helena to just play along with her. When I came back for Christmas holiday it was as if I was seeing a mere shadow of my mother.

She was sickly pale and emaciated. The elves told me that she refused to eat. Said that she kept saying that 'a wife waits for her husband to be seated before dinning herself' but my father never showed up. She no longer took care of herself. My mother was always a vain person, taking great pride in her looks. But she no longer had the strength.

I got my mother a beautiful silver necklace and when she saw it she seemed more like her old self, but when I tried to put it on she began to scream. She said that she mustn't have something so fine from a boy who is not her betrothed.

She tore the necklace from my hands and hurled it into the fire. She spent the rest of the holidays in her room. I was devastated.

The last time I saw her was the first few weeks after school ended before I came to your muggle's home. She spent the whole time in her sitting room staring at the fire. Didn't move, not even on my birthday. "Draco began to walk up the stair case. "And now she's gone off to the villa in France where she will drink herself into a stupor and yell and scream at my father who isn't even there."

Draco walked down a long dark hallway that was lined with wizard portrait of generations of Malfoys. At the end of the hall was a portrait of Draco and his parents, all three sneered at Harry.

"This is my bedroom," Draco said opening the door. Draco's room was at least twice as big as Harry's. The color schemes of the room a dark one. Most of the room was taken up by an enormous four poster antique bed made of cheery wood. The comforter was a storm grey silk and the hangings were velvet of the same color. The sheets were pure white. The floor was covered in a soft-looking black carpet.

The only other thing in the room was a large bay window with window seat that overlooked the front lawn of the manor, a fire place that was set into a dark grey stone, a massive wardrobe made also of cheery wood, an enchanted silver full length mirror and another door.

"That door goes to the bathroom." He said pointing to the other door. "Those out there lead to my sitting room, dining room, and study." He said indicating the three doors that lined the hallway they had just gone through.

Harry nodded.

"I'll show you the bathroom real quick." He said and walked across the room to the other door, Harry followed.

Draco's bathroom was black and silver. The walls were black marble, the floor was tiled with small stone-like tiles of black and white but in the center there were green tiles that made up a large snake that hissed and slithered across the floor. The tub was much like that in the prefect's bathroom. It was set into the ground and the size of a hot tube with faucets along the edge.

In the corner was a shower with glass doors trimmed in sliver. Along the wall were a wall-to-wall mirror and a counter with a silver sink set in the middle. The faucet was a snake with an open mouth.

"Wow," Harry said staring open-mouthed at the room. Draco smiled

"Yep, wow. Now get out so I can shower." He said in a teasing tone. "That is, unless you want to join me." He winked. He had meant it as a joke but for some reason Harry blushed.

"Uh, I'll just, um, wait out here." He said fumbling for the door behind him not taking his eyes off Draco.

"Breath, Harry. Just breathe."The dark-haired boy chanted follow by some Lamaze-like breathing techniques. "Ho hee hee, ho hee hee."

But it didn't do him any good. His breath was still labored, his heart was still ramming against his ribs and his head was still swimming.

"Ugh," he groaned throwing himself back on to Draco's humongous bed. "Why does he have to be so bloody gorgeous?" He whined. "And why do I have to be so head over broomstick in love with him?" He whispered to himself turning on to his side and curling up.

Harry was a wreck. He had been in love with the blonde haired, grey-eyed, Slytherin for years now but he didn't even realize it. It wasn't until a month ago that it became apparent to him.

And now he had no idea what to do about it. At first Harry was content with sneaking glances at him when he wasn't looking, then it grew to where Harry began to use any excuse to touch Draco. Be it a hug in the midst of a break down or a tickle fight. But the real clincher had been the training sessions.

Harry nearly fainted the first time his bare chest met Draco's in full contact. The slipping and sliding from the perspiration, the heated skin on heated skin, oh Merlin it was enough to drive anyone wild.

Then Dudley had to ruin the moment with his big mouth. At that point Harry had already made peace with himself that he was in love with is enemy, his boy enemy. But Dudley's words brought up a problem in Harry's mind. What would Ron and Hermione say?

Harry was terrified to think that his best friends would hate him for this. That thought was what had Harry out while Dudley violated Draco. He didn't know what it was exactly but something told him Draco was in trouble and it lead him to stand underneath Dudley's window. When he got there he saw Draco's back facing him.

A quick levitating spell got him up to the second story window and luckily for him it was open. What met his eyes was a sight that will haunt him. Dudley in the process of raping Draco. To think any harm would befall the blonde while he was in Harry's care nearly killed the boy.

As Draco slept Harry watched over him. He decided right then that it didn't matter what his friends would think. He loved Draco and he wanted to protect him. The amount of love, caring and protectiveness that he felt for the other boy nearly blew his mind.

He had wondered how he could've fallen so hard and so fast for this boy who had once been his worst enemy, after Voldemort himself and could very well be facing him on the opposite side of the battle field one day soon. But some part of his mind told him it didn't just happen. All those fights and arguments over the years were mere excuses to come into contact with the boy, but he had never let himself dwell on the reasons why he'd seek Draco out in the Great Hall or why he would feel a rush whenever the blonde boy was around. All that he knew now was that he loved him and though Harry's fear would prevent him from telling Draco this didn't mean he couldn't relish in it in his own mind.

Then Remus's letter arrived and it changed everything. He hadn't known about the 'true' nature of his Godfather's and ex-professor's relationship but he was glad that Sirius last months were happy. And Remus's words about not letting fear stop him from being with the one he loved had set a new resolve in Harry.

He was going to let Draco know how he felt just as soon as the other boy showed him that he trusted him. Draco had made steps toward full trust in the last few days but Harry wanted to know Draco's entire past before he told the blonde of his feelings.

He wanted Draco to fully trust him when he told him that he loved him.

But Draco had better hurry because he didn't know how long he could keep it a secret. Not with the dreams he had been having…or actually the one dream. He had dreamed about kissing Draco and it was so vivid and real and he had a reputation of talking in his sleep.

Harry's train of thought was quickly cut off by the opening of the bathroom door.

Draco came out with nothing but a towel tied high around his waist. His hair was still wet and drops of water were dripping of the blonde strands and down his pale, nicely shaped chest. Harry followed the drop with his eyes.

It went down his chest, over the ridges of his abs, around his belly button and on then soaked into the towel. And since he was already in the vicinity Harry allowed his eyes to travel the full length of Draco's body.

As he got to Draco's legs something caught his eye. On both legs were angry red marks. They looked like cuts that had a few weeks to heal. They didn't look like anything that he would've gotten from the training sessions. The cuts were on the inside of his legs.

"Harry, I am dead tired." He emphasized these words with a wide yawn. "Is it ok if we sleep for a few hours?"

Harry pulled his eyes away from the cuts on Draco's legs. He had noticed that there were more of them but the others looked older, and were barely visible.

"Sure. I uh, could do with some sleep. But I was wondering if I could borrow an owl. I want to write Hermione and see if Hedwig got there ok. If she didn't go to the Leaky Cauldron she went there." He said quickly not really thinking about what he was saying.

"Ok, sure. When you're finished writing the letter, just call Helena and she will send an owl off with it." Draco said a bit confused but choose to ignore it. "My study is the first door on the right. There are quills, ink and parchment in the drawers of my desk." He said through another yawn.

"Ok, thanks." Harry said. "You get some sleep. I will be back soon." And with that Harry left the room.

Draco didn't know why Harry wanted to write Granger. His excused seemed faulty to Draco but at this point he was too exhausted to really care. He pulled on a pair of silk black boxers and simply collapsed on his bed, sliding his forearms under his feathery pillow and falling asleep.

Draco's study was only a bit smaller than Draco's bed room. The walls were covered in a dark wood that matched the huge desk that sat against one wall in front of a window. The floor was carpeted in a plush charcoal that matched the desk chair.

Harry sat in the chair and his tense muscles sighed in relief, and his eyelids began to droop. He rubbed them and slid open the top drawer.

Pulling out a sheet of parchment that had the Malfoy crest embossed on the top Harry grabbed a beautiful eagle feather quill from the quill holder at the top of the desk.

Dear Hermione,

First off, is Hedwig there? Is she ok? I know you must be worried sick but do not worry. I am safe. If you haven't guessed where I am by the crest on the top of the page then I will tell you. I am at Malfoy Manor.

The Dursleys proved to be unbearable and there was an incident two weeks ago but I cannot tell you more as it not concerning me. I plan to spend the remainder of the summer here and move on to the Leaky Cauldron on the 20th of September. Will I see you and Ron there?

Anyway, that is not the only reason I am writing you. I have recently-

Here Harry stopped to think. He wanted to ask Hermione about the cuts on Draco's legs. He figured if anyone would know it would be Hermione, but he couldn't very well spill Draco's secrets. It would violate his privacy and he has been violated enough.

Suddenly an idea struck the Gryffindor and he began to write again.

I have recently read a book, and I have a question concerning it. In this book a girl is staying with a friend of hers. The girl's friend took a shower and came out in only a towel.

On the girl's legs were cuts. They were on the inside so they couldn't have been from messing around. They looked to be only a few weeks old and amongst those were ones that were months older. Six months if she had to give a number

The book alludes to the cuts as if the reader would know what they are. I don't. Do you? Can you help me? Please tell me you can. The curiosity is killing me.

Thank-you, love always,

Your friend,

Harry Potter

Harry read over his letter and smiled happily to himself. He was very proud of his story, especially changing the genders of the leading characters. No way will Hermione guess that it's false.

"Uh, Helena?' Harry called as he rolled up the parchment and tied it with a ribbon. With in seconds the little house-elf Apparated in front of him.

"What is the stranger wanting?" She questioned suspiciously.

"Could you please send this to Hermione Granger?" He asked the elf choosing to ignore her tone.

"Master Draco said to be ignoring you." she said. Harry sighed in annoyance.

"He didn't mean it that way. He meant that you could talk freely around me." Harry tried to explain to the elf. "He's my friend. You would be doing him a kindness by helping me." Harry wheedled. The elf seemed to think about it.

"Of course anything for a friend of Master Draco's." the elf said with attituse but taking the scroll from Harry anyway.

More like snatching it he thought to himself.

The elf smirked, and Disapparated. Harry found himself smiling as he left the study (despite the rude elf, he had to spend a summer with Kearcher after all) and went back to Draco's bedroom. As he entered the room however his smile slid from his face and his breath caught.

Draco was lying across his bed, though still leaving plenty room for Harry and a mountain troll to share it with him, in nothing but a pair of silky black boxers.

Oh this boy will be the death of me he groaned mentally before sliding on to the bed and slipping off into a deep dreamful sleep. Not your typical nightmare but for a boy who was lying in the same bed as his crush…they were horrible.

Not sure if Harry is technically a half-blood or not. His mum is muggle-born and his daddy is pure? You tell me but for the sake of that small reference in the fic… he is.