Chapter twenty-three: Slytherins do not date Gryffindors
Harry stared at his food dejectedly as he pushed it back and forth across his plate. He knew he should eat but the mere thought of putting the substance in his mouth made him want to retch. His stomach was empty but then again, his whole self was empty.
Ever since that argument that caused the major rift between Harry and Draco, the black-haired boy had not felt right. Sort of like a phantom limb, it felt like it was there but when he went to scratch it, it was missing. Besides that, Harry was horribly guilt ridden for what he had said.
But there was still that voice in the back of his head that told him that he had done the right thing. That in the end keeping Draco at a safe distance away from him would keep the blond safe. Harry couldn't bear it if something happened to the boy. Yes, he had done the right thing, but it still hurt so damn bad.
Harry shoved his thoughts away and turned to Ron who had just arrived and the pair began to chat adamantly about the upcoming Quidditch game.
Meanwhile, Hermione was looking at her friend with a definite sadness in her chocolate eyes. It has been two months since school started and things were just as bad as that day at the Leaky Cauldron, which, after much pleading and many threats, Hermione had finally found out what had happened (and slapped Harry soundly upside the head), the two boys have been avoiding each other like the plague ever since.
It had become so extreme that Draco hardly ever came to meals anymore. He never ventured outside of the Slytherin dorms excepted for classes, though on occasion she would see him being dragged outside by Pansy and Blaise while Crabbe and Goyle looked on, unsure of whose side to take.
Hermione couldn't take this anymore. She was going mad. She was worried and frustrated.
Why do boys have to be so bloody dense? Is it so hard to just say 'hey, I like you'? Merlin! Love is a rather simply concept and they muck it up with their rights and wrongs and shoulds and shouldn'ts. Bloody morons. Hermione thought angrily. If only there was a way to show Harry that there are no boundaries to love. I thought I had taught him better but maybe he needs a practical lesson. But what to do? What to do?
Suddenly a light went off in the girl's head and she had a perfect idea. She quickly got up and rushed out of the Great Hall, ignoring the calls of Ron and Harry behind her. She went up to the owlery, scribbled a hasty note and sent the owl off to the dungeons.
XxXxX
"My, my, the perfect prefect has called a meeting with a Slytherin after hours. How scandalous." Blaise Zabini said as Hermione approached. The boy was leaning against the stone wall causally but he was watching her warily as one does a stalking lioness.
"Can it, Zabini, I don't have time for your games. I am here on important business." She snapped. She was a woman on a mission.
"Oh?" He said raising one black eyebrow. "And what…important," he sneered the word. "Business would that be?"
"Draco," Hermione said.
"And of what business is Draco, of yours?" He questioned.
"Don't play games with me, Zabini. I know Draco told you everything." She sighed in frustration.
"Listing at keyholes, Granger? How Slytherin," He smiled wickedly.
"Actually, no, I just know Draco. He had a nasty argument with Harry the day before school and I am sure he would've needed his friends." Hermione answered. Blaise was taken back by her answer.
"Yes, that's true. When one is viciously attacked like that, one does need their friends." Blaise said.
"Yes, I know." Hermione said quietly, showing Blaise that she was not there to excuse Harry's behavior.
"Why are you here, Granger? Why do you care about Draco?" Blaise asked suspiciously.
"Look, Blaise, I know what Harry said was wrong, it was stupid and hurtful. But I also know that he feels horrible about it." Hermione said, Blaise opened his mouth to speak but Hermione cut him off. "I also know that Draco is hurting still and I think you'll agree that only Harry can undo this type of hurt." She said, staring down the olive-skinned boy.
"I suppose," Blaise said begrudgedly.
"So, I have an idea." The girl's brown eyes glinted mischievously.
"Do tell," Blaise responded with a wicked smile.
XxXxX
The next day at dinner, Ron and Harry were chatting about something or other, Hermione wasn't listening, and she was too busy watching the doors to the Great Hall.
What if he couldn't get Draco to come? What if it doesn't work? What if they don't buy it?
The thoughts and more whirled through her mind as she waited.
"Ow," She hissed as she stabbed herself in the nose with her fork. She had been trying to eat while watching the door.
Finally, the doors to the Great Hall opened and Draco and his group entered. As she knew he would, Harry stopped everything. He stopped talking, stop eating and she was sure he stopped blinking, in favor of watching the blonde saunter over to his table. Hermione caught Blaise's eye from across the hall when the Slytherins sat down. She gave him the slightest nod and he returned it.
Hermione turned back around to face Ron. She gave the red-head a look and Ron nodded and set aside his fork.
"Uh, Harry, dear, Ron and I have something to tell you." Hermione said, clearing her throat nervously. Harry tore his eyes away from Draco and turned to his friend.
"What's up, Hermione?" He asked.
"Well, Harry," She began and then faltered.
"What Hermione means to say is that…" Ron left off.
"We won't be able to go with you to Hogsmeade this weekend." Hermione said.
"Why?" Harry questioned innocently.
"We, uh, kind of…" She stuttered.
"We have dates, mate." Ron finished. Harry looked surprised but as he looked back and forth between the two he smiled.
"I knew you two would get together," He said happily. Ron almost choked on his juice.
"Uh, Harry, I think you've got the wrong idea." Hermione said, watching as Harry pounded Ron on the back.
"What do you mean?" He asked.
"Me and Hermione aren't dating each other we just both have dates." Ron explained once he ceased coughing.
"Oh," Harry said feeling a bit stupid. "Well, so who are your dates then?"
Hermione opened her mouth to speak but a loud 'WHAT' from the Slytherin table interrupted them.
"Uh…" Hermione said.
XxXxX
"Blaise, dear, please telling me you are joking." Draco begged.
"No, I'm not. I really like Hermione. I thought you did too." Blaise pouted. Draco pinched the bridge of his nose.
"I do like her, but that doesn't mean she's dateable." He explained.
"Why not?" The dark boy asked.
"Because she's a Gryffindor! Slytherins do not date Gryffindors." Draco cried.
"But you wanted to date Potter." Pansy pointed out.
"And look how that worked out!" The blond exclaimed. "Besides, Blaise I thought Hermione wasn't your type." He said referring to the boy's preference of males.
"I'm flexible," He said shrugging. Draco threw his hands in the air and rounded on the girl sitting next to Blaise.
"What's your excuse, Pansy? I mean, come on, Weasley?" He asked.
"I don't know, Draco. There's just something about him. It's your fault really." She accused.
"What? How?" Draco sputtered.
"You told me that story of how he gave his last coins away to buy a little girl an ice cream and it made me think of him differently. Besides, I think red-hair is kind of sexy." She said with a smile. Draco's face contorted in disgust.
"I-I got to go," he breathed and quickly exited the hall and the building in favor of walking around the lake.
XxXxX
"WHAT!" Harry cried when Hermione delivered the news. "How could you guys! They're Slytherins! Gryffindors do not date Slytherins!"
"Now, Harry, is that anyway to behave?" Hermione asked crossly, putting her hands on her hips but the effect was lost on Harry seeing as she was sitting down.
"Yeah, mate, what about house unity and all?" Ron asked.
"But-but… I don't know! It's just…not ok!" He cried and was on his feet and out the door before his friends could say another word.
Harry was fuming as he stalked out of the castle and onto the lush grounds. His feet immediately took him over to the lake where he had spent many hours sitting and thinking. He didn't know how his friends could do this to him. Didn't they even think how this would affect him? It would be torture for Harry to see his two best friends with Draco's two friends.
XxXxX
Draco glared out over the water of the lake. His friends sucked.
How could they do this to him? They knew how Harry had screwed him over. If that isn't a cautionary tale to dating a Gryffindor then he didn't know what was. Who's to say Harry's friends aren't like the prick himself? Lead them on and when they are head over heels, you tell them that none of it meant anything.
Draco was so lost in thought that he didn't notice the black-haired boy's presence until he spoke.
"So I take it they told you the news, too?" Harry questioned. His voice was harsh with nerves and anger.
"What do you want, Potter?" Draco asked wearily. He didn't have the strength for this.
"I don't want anything from you," Harry responded, taking back by what the Slytherin had said and the tone he had said it in.
"Good, then leave me be." He said, trying not to sound like he was begging. To add to his nonchalant attitude he folded his arms, turned on his heels and stalked over to a cluster of trees by the lake. Harry couldn't help but follow him.
"I am not done with you yet!" Harry shouted as he came after him. Draco leaned against a tree.
"Maybe so, but I am done with am you, Potter." He responded coldly.
"What the hell is your problem, Draco?" Harry asked, his anger muddling his mind. Draco's eyes were suddenly hot and fierce.
"My problem, Potter, is you! You and your stupid friends." Draco snapped.
"Don't insult my friends!" Harry shouted.
"I won't allow them to get their claws into my friends. You Gryffindors are all alike. Fools who are mystified by dreams of grandeur all the while playing the noble hero." The blonde responded. "You think you're so above everyone else. That you are so above simple human curtsies such as sensitivity and consideration for others. Or is it simply Slytherins that you think you're above?"
"I don't think that I am better than you, Draco." Harry said quietly confused.
"You bloody well do!" He yelled. "You, The Saviour of the Wizarding World are too good to even be friends with me, A Death Eater's son!" Then it hit Harry just what the blond was talking about.
"Is this about that night at the Leaky Cauldron?" He questioned, the boy's silence told him that it was. "Look, I am sorry about that. I didn't know what I was saying. Can't we just forget it?" Draco stared at him in astonishment before he gave a dry, mirthless chuckle.
"Do you honestly think I could just forget?" He asked his eyes, despite himself, were welling with tears. "You know what, Potter, you forget it and leave me be."
"Fine," Harry snapped. He turned and took a few angry steps.
Draco laughed again, this time with a hint of hysteria. "And to think I thought I loved you." He whispered. Harry whirled around and in one large step, was in front of the blonde again.
"What?" He asked his eyes wide and a bit wild.
"I said that I loved you. I was so stupid." Draco shook his head at his own stupidity, all the while silently begging Harry to leave because the tears were now clinging to his lashes.
"Why is that in past tense?" Harry asked. Draco looked up at him as if he were a moronic child and Harry's breath caught at the sight of crystal tears clinging to the coal black lashes. He didn't need to be told to know that Malfoys did not cry.
"Because it is in the past, Potter." He said.
"But what if I don't want it to be?" Harry asked, his face looking sorrowful and worried.
"I don't think you get to make that choice." Draco responded icily, glaring at the boy.
"Damn it, Draco!" He said slamming his hand into the tree just inches from the blonde's left ear. "Why don't you understand? You are already a target for Voldemort all on your own. But if we were known as friends or-worse yet-lovers, you would be in consistent danger." His eyes softened as he reached to cup the blonde's face but Draco jerked away and his eyes hardened slightly. "I couldn't bear to think of you getting hurt on my account."
"You say you don't want to hurt me, but can't you see that you are killing me?" Draco asked, the tears now falling out of his eyes. Harry was a bit mystified. Even crying he was beautiful. His cheeks got little pink spots on them; his eyes were bright and clear with tears. The tears themselves clung to his lashes like diamonds before they spilling out of his eyes and rolled down his cheeks leaving glistening paths behind them.
"I could never." Harry whispered not sure of what he was saying he could never do but knew that his heart ached at the sight of this gorgeous boy in such despair. "I love you too much to be able to handle that."
"You don't know what love is." Draco spat, angrily swiping away his tears.
"Don't, don't you ever say I don't know what love is!" Harry snarled trying desperately to keep his temper in check. "Love is the reason I am still alive. My mother's love is what saved me from the killing curse. I know love. Love is sacrifice…and pain." His voice was soft and he leaned closer to Draco.
"You know what love is, not what it can or should be. Love is rare and beautiful and wonderful. Its safety and danger at the same time, its knowing everything and nothing, it makes you so happy that all you can do is cry. Love is simple and perfect and blissful if you let it be." The blond breathed.
"And how do you know what love is?" Harry sneered. Draco looked at him.
"From you," He said his voice soft as the wind yet just as pronounced, "By loving you for no reason at all and with every reason not to. That showed me that love is the most powerful thing on this earth and it isn't as bad as one would gather." Harry stared at him for a few minutes, completely unable to speak. So many emotions were running through him, flashing in his eyes, but he couldn't put any of them into words, so instead he leaned forward and captured Draco's lips with his.
Draco's first reaction was to pull away, but as Harry snaked an arm around his waist and another behind his head, he found himself unable to and as the black-haired boy swiped his tongue across Draco's bottom lip, he found that he was unwilling as well, and opened his mouth eagerly.
Harry poured his all into the kiss and gave it all to the blond boy. Draco in turn received it with a soft moan that was quickly swallowed by Harry.
When the need for air was too demanding, Harry pulled away and began to drop baby-soft kisses across Draco's jaw and down his neck. He ran his tongue across the boy's pulse point. Harry slid his teeth across the smooth skin and brought a groan from the boy as he sank his teeth into the flesh. Draco's hands were threading through the midnight locks that were just as soft as he imagined.
"Oh, Draco, I love you. I do, I love you so much." He mumbled against the pale skin causing Draco to gasp from the sensation. The Slytherin gave the black hair curled around his fingers a tug and brought Harry's lips back to his own and he kissed him fiercely, passionately, and hungrily.
Pulling away, Draco locked eyes with Harry.
"I love you too, Harry." He said and pulled the other boy into a searing kiss. "I guess Slytherins do date Gryffindors after all." He said with a breathless chuckle. Harry just kissed him again.
XxXxX
Unbeknownst to the boys, they had an audience. Huddled around the Entrance Hall doors were four figures.
"It would appear you were correct, Granger." Blaise said from behind and to the left of the brunette.
"I knew it was the only way to get them talking." She responded modestly.
"This doesn't make us friends, you know." Pansy said. Hermione nodded.
"I didn't expect we would be." She said.
"Good," Pansy said then turned her attention back to the snogging boys by the lake. "I am glad we won't have to deal with Draco's moping anymore. I thought Blaise nearly blew it."
"I did not!" Blaise cried, scandalized.
"You did so! How ever Draco could've believed you were in to Granger is beyond me." She smirked.
"I am right here." Hermione muttered.
"Trust me, Granger; it's not what you think." Blaise reassured her. "And I am a wonderful actor." He added to Pansy who snorted. Hermione gave him a look that said she didn't believe a word he said.
"Look, you're just not my type." He said.
"That's an understatement." Pansy said with a laugh. Hermione crossed her arms and huffed.
"It's just that…well, Weasley here is more my type." Blaise added nervously. Hermione's eyes went wide and Ron looked confused.
"You mean you're…gay?" She asked. Blaise nodded. "And you have a crush on Ron?"
"Well you don't have to sound so shocked." Ron said a bit offended.
"I'm sorry Ron, it's just that…" Hermione left off because she didn't know what to say that wouldn't sound rude.
"It's demented is what it is." Pansy said. Hermione gave her a disapproving look but secretly she agreed.
"I don't believe I asked your opinion." Blaise said crossing his arms and looking away. Hermione could tell that he was deeply embarrassed and hurt.
There was a stretch of silence in the group. Hermione and Ron were trying to make something of the new information, Pansy was indulging her voyeuristic side as she drooled over the two boys by the lake and Blaise seemed to be having an internal battle.
Suddenly, Blaise whirled around and kissed Ron chastely on the lips. A stunned silence followed but none were as shocked as Blaise seemed to be by his own actions. Blaise was just about to go hang himself when Ron's arms shot out. Blaise's eyes closed on instinct and he waited for the fist to impact him. But it never came.
Instead, Ron grabbed Blaise's face in both of his hands and placed a sound kiss on the boy's lips. When Ron pulled back his face actually surpassed the colour of his hair and Blaise had a goofy grin on his face.
"Go with me to Hogsmeade?" Ron mumbled. Blaise's grin widened and he nodded enthusiastically.
"How…disturbing." Pansy said but her blue eyes shone all the same. Her friend smiled at her knowing that she really was happy for him.
Ron put an arm around Blaise's waist and the Slytherin stepped closer to lean against the taller boy. The girls turned back to watch Harry and Draco as the sun began to sink behind the distant mountains.
Three floors above the four teens were four more figures.
"Well, Remus you appear to have been right." The old headmaster said as he watched the two teenage boys below him.
"I have experience with resilient boys." Remus Lupin replied with a tight, tired smile. Wounds from the lost of Sirius were still new and fresh for the aging werewolf. "However, I was beginning to think they would never get together. Even with your help." He said addressing the group as a whole.
"Yes, I don't know what we would've done without you, Severus." Dumbledore said to the Potions Master.
"As…reluctant as I was to get involve in my godson's love life, especially one evolving Potter, he does seem happy." The man said.
"Your Occulmency skills provided rather useful. The trust spell was genius if I may say so, Minerva and that vision proved to work exceptionally well to cushion young mister Potter's shock." Dumbledore said.
"Albus, do you really think that these two will really be able to defeat He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named?" Minerva McGonagall asked.
"I believe so. Love is a powerful thing, Minerva. Together…I don't think there is anything those two cannot do." He said softly. "'When it comes to war, enemies are the best warriors, when it comes to fighting, enemies are the best fighters, but when it comes to love, enemies are the best lovers. Enemies are consumed by passion and fire, whether it's used for love or hate makes no difference. In the end, even the greatest of enemies can blur the line between love and hate.' They shall defeat Voldemort and they will do it together."
XxXxX
"Honey, I'm home!" Harry called as he threw open the door to Number Four Privet Drive. It had been ten months since had last been to this hellhole and tonight he would be leaving it forever with Draco by his side.
"What's going on? Who's there?" Uncle Vernon asked as he came lumbering into the room. "Y-you! What are you doing here!" He sputtered once he saw who it was.
"You can't be here. I won't allow you in this house. Get out! Get out!" Aunt Petunia screeched coming in behind her husband.
"Not to worry, dear auntie. I am only here to gather my things." Harry said jovially.
"Mum? Dad? What are are they doing here?" Dudley asked his piggy little eyes hungry taking in the sight of Draco, who had really outdone himself on the hotness scale that evening. The blonde was decked out in a pair of tight black pants that hugged his every curve and a white long-sleeved button down shirt that had the top three buttons undone showing off a good deal of smooth pale skin. Draco caught the boy's eye and hissed at him. Dudley backed up and scrambled behind his father. Draco smirked.
"I won't allow you to take a step further into my house. If you don't leave now I will call the police!" Vernon threatened.
"There's no need for me to move." Harry said pulling out his wand. "I've graduated." He said proudly. Harry quickly waved his wand and muttered a number of spells and in a matter of minutes a large trunk was sailing through the air, down the stairs and landed at Harry's feet.
While the Dursleys were distracted with the flying trunk Draco took his chance. He discreetly pointed his wand at Dudley and muttered a complex spell, with a flick and a twist he completed the spell and put the wand back into his pocket, everyone completely oblivious to what he had done except for his ever perceptive boyfriend.
Harry flashed Draco a 'you- will-tell-me-about-this-later' look and turned to address his relatives.
"Well, this is it. You will not hear from me again. If I die, you will not know, if I live, you will not know. You've spent years pretending I wasn't there, that I don't exist. Now, once I step out of that door, I will cease to exist to you lot." Harry said steadily. "You've made my life miserable, you've treated me little better than a slave but you've kept me safe and given me a roof over my head. I won't forget the only kindness you've ever shown me." With that Harry spun on his heels and walked out the door.
"He'll save you all one day. There goes a hero." Draco said to them watching Harry walk down the front walk. "Take a good look and be proud, because he'll do it without you. " He turned and gave them a tight-lipped smile before leaving, Harry's trunk floating behind him.
"What did you do to Dudley?" Harry wasted no time in asking from his spot at the end of the walk once Draco came into hearing distance.
"Why don't I show you?" Draco asked turning his gaze from the second floor window to the black-haired boy before him. He quickly leaned forward and caught Harry's lips in a passionate kiss. Harry was going to pull away because in truth snogging on the front walk of his muggle relative's house was a bit disturbing but when Draco pressed closer to Harry and deepened the kiss all thoughts flew out of his mind as he melted against the blond.
"Grab my arse." Draco whispered against Harry's lips.
"Wha?" Harry asked his mind was foggy from the intense kissing. Draco huffed and grabbed the boy's hands and put them on his arse. Harry suddenly became acutely aware of their location but when he gave an instinctive squeeze Draco moaned softly in his mouth. Encouraged, Harry squeezed harder causing Draco to moan louder. Draco shoved his tongue noticeably into Harry's mouth and took Harry's tongue into his own.
As abruptly as the kiss started it ended again. Draco pulled away and began walking down the street leaving behind a very confused and extremely turned on Harry to follow hurriedly.
At the third house, Draco quickly veered onto the lawn and ran in a crouch back toward the Dursleys' house. He slipped deftly into the hedges that lined the driveway of Number Four.
"What are you doing?" Harry asked staring down at his boyfriend who was huddled against the foliage.
"Shhh," Draco hissed and pulled Harry down with him. "Wait and listen." He commanded and Harry had no choice but to do as he was told. A few moments passed by before an ear-splitting scream rang through the still early summer night.
Draco let lose a burst of laughter before he hopped up out of the bushes and walked off down the street. Harry ran to catch up with him.
"What did you do?" He asked. "Was that Dudley?"
"Yes it was and let's just say that the phrase 'snake in my pants' takes on a quite literal meaning for ickle Diddykins." The blond said. Harry looked at him in awe.
"You didn't." He said.
"Yep, an illusion charm to make Dudley think his little Dudders is a spitting cobra." Draco said proudly. Harry stared at the Slytherin in shock before he too began to burst out laughing.
"You, love, have a talent for punishment." He praised the boy.
"Thank you m'dear." He said with a bow.
"So the arse-grabbing and the kiss…"
"All to excite our victim." He said, and then smiled wickedly. "Plus I can never pass up an opportunity to snog you and have you grabbed my arse."
"Oh you!" Harry said, slapping Draco playfully in the arm. "Well now you have to take me home and make up for turning me on so definitely."
"Gladly." Draco purred and the two Disapparated with a small 'pop'.
XxXxX
Hours later a very stated Harry stared blissfully up at the ceiling of his and Draco's room in Number Twelve Grimuald Place. Draco was curled against his side almost asleep.
"Mine," Harry mumbled kissing the skin behind Draco's ear.
"Yours," He whispered. "I love you, Harry." He murmured before drifting off into sleep. Harry looked down and stared lovingly at the blond head on his shoulder. He shivered as the sweat on his heated skin began to cool and he pulled the warm body of his lover closer to him.
Yes, mine. Harry thought happily about the black velvet box in his bedside table. You once said that your looks and your name were all that made you a Malfoy. I can't do anything about the first, nor do I think I would if I could. But I can do something about the second. I will make you mine.
XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXx
(AN: YES! Dudley got his! I told y'all he would.
Ok, about the RW/BZ pairing. I am not saying I like this pairing…in fact I really don't know who I like Ron with…but anyway I just thought it was rather unexpected.
Anyway there is only the epilogue left how sad it's almost over!)