Captivation
WARNING: Sexual content
Chapter 20: Secret No More
The excitement of Draco's decision soon turned to partial anxiety when Harry realized he couldn't go all the way with him. They had reached the Ministry (and gotten a few stares—probably remnants of the article) and Draco had to go to level eight by his self. Level eight was called the Atrium, which was a long hall lined with fireplaces on each side and a fountain with statues (of a wizard, a witch, a centaur and a house elf spouting water). The Atrium had within it what were called 'lifts', which would send a person to different levels of the Ministry (except level ten), but also there was a small section within the level called Magical and Personal Guidance.
Since it wasn't an actual "department" it couldn't be considered one, nor could it have its own level. It was a small room, from what Harry understood, in which a person went up to the desk and informed them of their "problem". Depending on its severity, it would be dealt with that day, or be directed to a larger department for their help. That was where Draco had to go to legally get his surname changed. Harry had asked him if he needed some time to think about it, but Draco said he wanted to get it over with.
Harry waited on the first floor (in the lobby where the seating area was) for several hours, wondering nervously if maybe they wouldn't grant Draco his request. Then finally, after fifteen more anxious minutes of tapping his foot impatiently on the floor while sipping his tenth cup of tea, Draco appeared from out of one of the lifts. Immediately, Harry ran to him despite feeling the need to find a restroom.
"How was it?" Harry asked quickly, searching the other boy's face for any hints.
Draco rubbed his shoulder. "Lots of writing and it took forever."
"So, you have a new surname? What is it?" Harry asked excitedly.
"I'll show you once we leave. I hate being in here," Draco said, glancing around.
Harry nodded and followed right beside him as they left. Once the two apparated back into Hogsmeade, Draco pulled out a piece of parchment and Harry took it carefully, his heart beating anxiously. It read:
Name: Draco Lucendil Malfoy
Age: 18
Reason: hereby requests his surname be changed.
Legalities:
Passed the truth-serum testing—parents have disowned him.
Signed all official documents agreeing to the name change and verifies that he knows the change will be permanent (lest he wishes to change it again in the future).
By the order of Marxus Weaven (former Auror and now leader of theMagical and Personal Guidanceoffice), Draco Lucendil Malfoy is no longer on the register. All official records in bookstores, schools and whatnot shall be changed. The only original record of his real name will remain safely in our office.
New Name: Draco Opalus Merlin
Signed and presented by,
Marxus Weaven
Harry stared at it and tilted his head. "Merlin, huh?"
"I got the idea from the famous wizard Merlin," Draco shrugged. "I figure no one seems to have been named after him, and he was so great and all."
"It's a good choice, I like it," Harry smiled sincerely. "What about Opalus?"
"I know it sounds a bit weird, but it's actually taken after one of the rarest dragons: the Antipodean Opaleye. It's a dragon native to New Zealand and Australia and it has pearly scales, multi-colored eyes without pupils, which are said to glitter even in the dark and its flames are vivid red. I actually did an essay on it at Hogwarts and I thought it'd be cool to have a middle name similar to Opaleye, after the dragon, but not the exact name. That'd be too strange," Draco crinkled his nose.
Laughing in agreement, Harry nodded. "I think you did great! I definitely like the new name. It's catchy but yet simple. And no one in the world has the same last name—you're completely unique," Harry smiled.
Draco's eyes seemed to glisten with the compliment.
"Did you have to change your middle name too?" Harry asked curiously.
"No, but I was named after my grandfather, on my father's side, so I decided to change it anyway. I never liked my grandfather to begin with."
"I see," Harry nodded. "So is this an immediate change?"
"Well, he said it would take up to five hours for the charm to reach all the places where my name has been stored. He did say that he didn't have to contact everyone, except for Hogwarts. McGonagall will be informed of the name-change so she can update her old records on me, but other than that everything else should just be changed magically by itself, once the charm completely kicks in."
"Great! So by tomorrow you'll be a whole new you. Even the records at the Quidditch school will have been changed," Harry smiled. "And then people will start thinking you're Merlin's descendant or something. That'll get you even more fame."
Draco let a sexy, coy smile show as he straightened his shoulders. The blond still took to compliments very well, but it was endearing. And Harry was sorely tempted to kiss him so he stopped Draco with his hand and when the blond turned to him, Harry bent toward him and pressed his lips to his. The blond responded slowly to the kiss but once Harry wound his arms around him, Draco placed his hands on Harry's back as well.
They were still in Hogsmeade, but Harry didn't care if he showed proof of the article. Everyone would find out one way or another. And with Draco's name being changed if anyone tried to write an article with him and they put Malfoy as his surname, it would magically not show up, since that Draco technically didn't exist any longer. So then being a different person would make it less of a big deal. Harry heard a snap and he broke the kiss, turning to the sound. Draco turned his head as well to see that quite a few people had stopped and stared and the person who had snapped a picture was dashing away so Harry couldn't see what they looked like.
"Oh great, I think this is going to be in the paper," Harry murmured quietly.
Draco gave him a look. "Just what I need after being disowned."
Harry pursed his lips in thought, as they walked away from the few people still staring at them, and turned to him.
"Hey, what if we make a deal with Rita Skeeter?"
"That woman can't make deals," Draco snorted.
"Yes she can. Because you and I, plus Hermione, all know of her illegal Animagus form, which Hermione threatened to reveal during our fourth year when she became a nuisance. And now since she had snuck, unannounced and uninvited, into my private room at school, there are now two big things that could get her fired from the Daily Prophet and sentence to probation by the Ministry.
"So we could make a deal that she'll get an article, meaning she'll have a job, in a way, but she'll have to write exactly what we say. And we can explain our relationship and I can tell everyone your name-your new name, so that way any ties between me and your family will be forgotten. And this way, people will begin to know you as the new you," Harry rose his eyebrows in question.
Draco sighed heavily and then nodded. "Why not? It's probably going to be all over the papers anyway. And it's better it gets out now. Besides, with a Malfoy heir not existing anymore, people will think something bad happened to him or that he died in the war. And I can start fresh with a clean name."
"Exactly. And already you're on your way to fame in Quidditch, so why not start off in the papers as the boyfriend of the famous Harry Potter? That ought to give you some credibility to start with and once your name is well-known too they'll be looking for you out in the championships," Harry winked.
Snorting, but smiling at the same time, Draco responded: "I suppose so."
"I'll owl Hermione and ask her how I can track Rita down," Harry nodded. "And then hopefully this will be over with soon."
"Not quite. The Weasel's going to see the paper and throw a fit. Even though my name will be changed, he knows what I look like," Draco drawled.
Harry inhaled deeply and nodded. "Well, we'll just have to deal with him when it comes."
"Oh joy," Draco quipped sarcastically.
Harry reached over and grasped Draco's hand firmly (breaking one of the rules of "hand-holding in public" that Harry told him he wouldn't do early on).
"I don't care how he feels, Draco. I'm still going to be with you. I mean, I want him to remain my friend so hopefully it won't come to that, but I won't care if he disapproves," Harry gave him a smile then released the hold on the blond's hand.
"He just better not set me on fire, or I'll hunt him down," Draco drawled, his eyes gleaming.
Harry knew Draco wasn't kidding, to a certain degree. If Ron pushed boundaries, Draco would react and vice versa. Harry hoped that Ron had grown up from his hard-headedness, like during fourth year when he wouldn't believe Harry didn't place his own name in the Goblet for more attention. Ron was the type to easily take offense, become jealous or even jump to conclusions. Not to mention he was as narrow-minded toward Slytherins and how they were usually viewed just as much as Slytherins were biased against Gryffindors.
Right when they got back to school, Harry ran up to the Owlry to send a message to Hermione about Rita Skeeter. By dinner time, he received a reply and Hermione gave him a magical quartz stone that could track a person down (over a map). So Harry used the quartz over a map of England and discovered Rita wasn't back-in-town exactly; she was on the outskirts of England but really more into Wales. Harry sent a message to her with the deal and hoped she'd reply as soon as possible.
Nial had called Draco into his office to discuss his name-change briefly (probably to make sure it was accurate) and later on as was planned Draco met him in his room. They kissed for a long while before bed, but it didn't lead to further activities. Harry still slept with his arms around him and Draco had not complained since Harry had gotten into the habit of doing it. In the morning, if Harry woke up before him, he found Draco's arms around him as well—more proof that the blond cared about him, but was still reluctant to show too much or voice it aloud.
Unfortunately, as both Harry and Draco feared, the picture of them kissing came out in a slightly different paper—one that wasn't part of any England paper, like the Daily Prophet, but had offices in a couple parts of the world, but mostly its news reported Scotland and Ireland's events. It was called The Augurey Gossip and its name suited it. Whoever had taken the picture had obviously had trouble finding a place that would print it, so they decided to go all the way to Ireland (or maybe even farther) but finally they found a newspaper that published it.
The good news was that the publication company only published it in the Ireland region but the bad news was that another company in Wales soon got hold of the story. A week later it was floating around in Ireland, Scotland, Wales and England. The headline was: Harry Potter's Love Affair and beneath it was a picture of him and Draco kissing in Hogsmeade. It mentioned the article that the Daily Prophet had published a while ago concerning Harry Potter with another boy (for they couldn't remember his name nor did it show up on any of the old, published Daily Prophets for some mysterious reason).
They didn't manage to find out Draco's name, but the picture was clear enough. Whoever knew Draco would know it was him, but thankfully most Slytherins (who survived the war and knew him) wouldn't step forward since many were in hiding. The Slytherin families figured that way they wouldn't get sent to Azkaban in case people started getting suspicious of them (since it was still recent enough after the war that everyone was sensitive about new riots).
Lucas told him not to be concerned and that many people were judgmental but it would all pass in a few weeks. And according to the blue-eyed boy, he and Hermione were scheduled to meet for a butterbeer during lunch. Harry decided, for the sake of getting out for a while and to relax, to meet up with them along with Draco. The two of them needed fresh air and they decided to go to a small pub in Diagon Alley since Hogsmeade was still bustling about with the fresh news of Harry's orientation (now completely proven to be true with a moving picture).
They sat down in a booth with Hermione next to Lucas and Harry next to Draco. They all ordered drinks and began talking about various topics. Lucas and Hermione seemed to gaze at one another quite often. Harry watched as Lucas took Hermione's hand and kissed it and Hermione, trying to be sophisticated, just thanked him while hiding her blush.
"I'm getting nauseous," Draco whispered to him, concerning Lucas and Hermione.
Smiling, Harry just shook his head. "You can always run to the bathroom."
Draco gave him a look and raked a hand through his hair. "I have to go there anyway."
"Okay," Harry said, watching as the blond got up and left.
"So, you two seem happy," Hermione commented, finally broken from her trance with Lucas. "You know, Harry, despite not knowing the same Draco you know, he seems rather…well, passive. I mean, he's sarcastic at times, but honestly not that bad."
"I told you," Harry said, giving her a raised eyebrow and a smile. "He's really got a good heart. He just used to hide behind that cold mask to protect his self. Actually, you know," he said a bit nervously as the two looked at him expectantly, "I think I might—"
"What the hell is going on?"
Harry's head jerked in surprise to see Ron approaching slowly. He saw Lucas' hand holding Hermione's and was wearing a confused expression.
"You guys didn't tell me you were meeting here," he said rather angrily and suspiciously. "I came here to pick up something for myself, but…are you guys excluding me?"
"No, it's not like that, Ron," Hermione interjected quickly. "It was a last moment decision."
"Actually," Harry said hesitantly, "this is a double date."
"Oh, then Hermione has someone here too?" Ron asked, glancing at her.
Hermione shifted nervously and glanced at Harry, who nodded. "Yes, er, Lucas and Hermione are dating now."
"Lucas? Wait, isn't he your boyfriend?" Ron asked, pointing with a puzzled expression.
Lucas glanced at him and Harry shook his head. "No, Ron. Lucas is straight and he and Hermione are dating. I…pretended Lucas was my boyfriend because my real boyfriend…er…is someone different. Actually, you might know him."
"Speaking of that," Ron said, ignoring the last sentence, "did you see the article in the paper, Harry? Somebody posing as Draco Malfoy and you were kissing. I mean, it's rather ridiculous! They're just copying what the Daily Prophet did a while back but you should complain."
"Er, Ron, actually there's something I have to tell you," Harry said, glancing up at him.
"Where did they find people who look like you? I mean, that did look like you, but obviously that picture was magically modified because you were dating him," Ron pointed at Lucas.
"No, I wasn't," Harry said firmly. "I told you I was pretending."
"But Ginny said she saw you two kiss at Christmas," Ron protested, looking back and forth between them.
Lucas looked a bit confused himself and Harry sighed heavily. "Look, Ron, I had my real boyfriend pose as Lucas, because I had told Ginny that Lucas was my boyfriend, since she didn't believe I was gay. But Lucas isn't even gay at all, nor is he my boyfriend; we're just friends. I couldn't show my real boyfriend."
Ron's eyebrows furrowed. "How come?"
"Oh, it's the Weasel," a voice drawled from behind.
Ron spun around and suddenly glared. "Malfoy! What the hell are you doing here!"
"That's not my name anymore," the blond drawled, sitting down next to Harry.
"Wha…bu…," Ron stuttered and blubbered non-existent words, staring at Draco who had sat down next to him, with his mouth open in shock.
"The article was true, Ron," Harry said slowly. "And the picture was accurate too. Draco is my real boyfriend and that's why he was disguised as Lucas over Christmas. Sorry about not asking your permission," Harry said, glancing at Lucas apologetically.
Lucas just smiled a bit and shrugged. "No harm done."
"No harm? What…Harry, you can't be serious!" Ron exclaimed, pointing toward Draco. "The Malfoys are terrible—it's because of his family that many people died including Sirius!"
"I know, Ron, but that—"
"I mean, why the hell would you even get to like him? He's cruel, selfish, annoying—"
"Watch it Weasel!" Draco snapped angrily.
Harry placed on hand on his arm to stop him from causing a scene. "Look, Ron, it's true alright. Draco isn't like that. You don't know him like I do."
"Oh right, I don't?" Ron retorted hotly. "We only spent all of our years at Hogwarts being tormented by him!"
"He only tormented us because he thought he had too—because his family put a lot of pressure on him!" Harry exclaimed and Draco glanced at him from the corner of his eye.
Ron's face turned an angry shade of red. "So behind my back Hermione already found a new boyfriend and you've been dating Malfoy?"
"It wasn't behind your back, Ron. Lucas and I started dating recently and it was after we broke up," Hermione said quietly, glancing at Lucas nervously who patted her hand.
"He's a great guy for her and you and I had this discussion the other day," Harry said quickly.
"Harry, Malfoy could be lying! He could be using you, waiting till you're vulnerable before he poisons you or something!" Ron exclaimed, raising his voice and gesturing with his hands wildly.
"I could've poisoned him numerous times but I didn't, Weasley," Draco drawled coldly.
Ron immediately glared at him and clenched his fists. Then he turned his furious eyes on Harry.
"So…how long have you been with him behind everyone's back, huh? And how the hell do you know that he wasn't put up to it by his family? Have you questioned him with Veritaserum?"
"I tried that once, yes," Harry said, surprising Ron. "But you know what, Ron? I don't need that sort of solid proof, because I know Draco's sincere. He's right about not being a Malfoy, you know. He had his name changed a week ago—he's been completely disowned by his family so he has no ties to them whatsoever.
"And," Harry began as Ron opened his mouth to retort, "Draco changed his name for me, as well as for himself, but if it wasn't for my persuasion and us being together he probably wouldn't have gone through with it. We've had disagreements, but you know just like your dad said that Draco was given Veritaserum right after the war. He didn't kill anyone, he hardly was among Voldemort's ranks for very long and he was forced into it by his father. Plus he didn't have the Dark Mark."
"That doesn't mean he's not a bad person!" Ron spat out, glaring at him.
"Ron, just because he teased us in school it doesn't make him a bad person. There are tons of bullies out there but they wouldn't really hurt anyone. Most of the time it's just expressing stress," Harry said.
"It doesn't matter if you say he had his name changed! He'll always be a Malfoy because he was born a Malfoy!"
"Ron, listen for a second and stop thinking so narrow-mindedly!" Harry snapped back. "Don't you trust my judgment? You know I've faced tons of bad people during and before the war so do you think I'd be with Draco if he was a bad person?"
"I don't know, he's probably got you under some sort of spell," Ron said, clenching his jaw tightly.
"Harry wouldn't be able to speak freely like this if he was," Hermione pointed out, earning a glare from the red-head.
"I don't believe it! I don't believe he has changed his ways or anything! And I can't imagine why you do!" Ron snapped angrily. "And I can't believe you'd hook Hermione up recently after we broke up with another guy!"
"It wasn't working between you two for a while, Ron. You just hadn't officially broken up," Harry retorted. "And anyway, Lucas is a wonderful guy and you even admitted that you weren't in love with Hermione but you care for her as a best frien—"
"That still doesn't give you the right to hide things from me!" Ron hissed, narrowing his eyes. "And I can't believe you kissed Malfoy! You…I mean, you haven't…"
Draco took the opportunity to interject with a raised eyebrow. "Had sex? Oh yes, we have…many times."
Harry shot the blond an annoyed glare and Ron's face immediately paled. He gave Harry a disgusted look, opened and closed his mouth a few times and then stormed out of the place. Once he was out-of-sight, Harry sighed heavily and rubbed his temples.
"That went well," he grumbled sarcastically.
Draco shrugged and took a sip of his drink. Hermione bit her lip nervously and glanced at Lucas who just gave her a small smile.
"Look, both of you don't worry about him. You two seem great together," Harry said honestly. "He'll just need some time to get over it."
"I'm sure he'll get over the fact that I have a boyfriend, in a little while, but about you and Draco…Harry, I'm not sure if Ron will be able to ever accept that," Hermione said quietly.
Harry glared at his cup but didn't respond. After that, he and Draco left so that Hermione and Lucas could salvage their time together. Draco wasn't speaking at all either, but he didn't seem angry just annoyed. By dinner time, Harry was eating silently next to Draco, surrounded by Lucas, Tavis, Nicholas, Dahlia and Ambreen (and a few others). Draco joined into conversations, but Harry remained quiet. Lucas eventually put a hand on his shoulder and rubbed it soothingly.
"Hey, you alright?" he asked quietly.
Harry shrugged. "I guess. I don't want my friendship with Ron to broken over this, but…I'm not going to break up with Draco either. I…I care about him too much."
Lucas nodded. "I understand. I feel the same way with Hermione. We can just talk about anything and she's not rushing into getting to know each other. We're both taking our time and I like it…I feel safe around her and she's so beautiful and intelligent…Sorry, I'm babbling. I'm very grateful you introduced us. I just wish that we had either met earlier or that your friend wasn't so easily tempered."
"Yeah, well he'll have to accept you and Hermione because they agreed to be friends and they of course still want to be friends. Us three have gone through a lot together and I always thought nothing could really separate us. Sure, we've gotten into arguments and Ron's a little hot-headed but our friendship has never really been threatened as much as it is now," Harry said quietly.
Lucas pulled him into a one-armed hug. "Hopefully, if your friend Ron is truly your friend he'll accept who you like."
"Unfortunately because of the past we have with Draco it'll be nearly impossible. He did cause us a lot of grief back in school and Ron gets angry and defensive over even the smallest things. Draco used to tease him about being poor and having pass-me-down clothing and also being untalented in magic for a while. Ron doesn't easily forgive and forget, you know?"
Lucas nodded. "I know a couple people like that too. Tavis can be like that if you get him really upset, but it takes quite a bit. So I've heard. I just can't imagine with you three being so close that he'd give your friendship just because of one disagreement."
"Yeah…I really hope he hasn't," Harry murmured.
Just then Hedwig swooped down toward him and Harry glanced up as she landed by his plate. As Harry took the letter attached to her leg, Hedwig nibbled on some of his chicken. Lucas just smiled in amusement and rubbed Hedwig under her chin, which she gratefully accepted. Harry opened it and read it, nearly choking on his mashed potatoes as he realized it was from Ron.
Harry,
Look, I'm sorry about freaking out. I know you say Malfoy has changed and well…while I don't believe it, I want to give it another shot. My parents are going to be out to dinner next Saturday evening and they'll probably stay out late. I was thinking maybe you and Malfoy could…you know, come over to my house so we can talk this out a bit, you know? Please respond soon. Oh, and if you're wondering how mum and dad reacted, well my dad nearly choked on his stew when he read it and my mum turned so pale at the picture that she had to sit down for a bit. But afterward, my mum certainly handled it better than dad—he thinks it's preposterous and won't even talk about it, while mum has pretty much gotten over the shock, for the most part. Anyway, reply soon.
Ron
Harry quickly nudged Draco, who glanced at him a bit annoyed. Then he handed the blond the letter and Draco snorted, throwing it down.
"Please, it sounds like he's trying too hard. He must be planning our deaths."
Harry rolled his eyes. "Come on, Draco, this might be what we need in order to patch things up."
Draco shrugged as he ate another bite. "I'm perfectly fine with not patching things up with him. I don't need to be friends with him, nor do I want to be."
"I'm not asking you to be good friends with him, Draco. I just want you two to be able to act civil to each other. And I want Ron to still be my friend and at least, even reluctantly, accept our relationship," Harry said, giving him a pleading look. "Please can we go?"
Draco's eyes narrowed and he pursed his lips. "If there is one single sign that he's going to turn violent…"
"Don't worry, I'll know the signs," Harry promised. "We'll leave and if Ron can't accept it then…well, he can't accept it. And I'll just hope he'll come to his senses after some time passes."
"Fine," Draco grumbled reluctantly.
Harry smiled at him, feeling a bit better. That night, Harry curled up in Draco's bed as the blond lay down. This time, Draco lay down facing the ceiling and Harry scooted right up against him till his head was resting against the blond's shoulder. Then he slung an arm across the blond's bare chest. Draco glanced down at him tiredly and Harry smiled up at him. The blond raised an eyebrow and Harry's eyes glimmered with amusement. He kissed the blond's shoulder and closed his eyes, feeling content with Draco despite his worries about Ron.
The week went by quickly because of studies and practice. Although the new semester hadn't been going on for too long, the second-semester Quidditch matches were being scheduled. Their next one was to be in mid-January. It was already the first week of January and already Harry was anxious about it. They had a victorious first-semester but it was bound to get more challenging.
Saturday evening, Harry dragged a reluctant Draco with him to Ron's house. When they arrived Ginny surprisingly answered the door and stared at both of them. Her eyes traveled instantly to Draco and Harry saw a gleam he couldn't quite place.
"Come in. Ron will be down in a minute," she said bluntly, opening it for them. "Wait right here."
Although Ginny didn't seem as bitter toward Harry being gay, that he could tell, since her relationship with Darian was apparently becoming more serious, there was still something about her that made him uneasy.
"You didn't tell me the molester was going to be here," Draco drawled quietly once Ginny disappeared.
Harry snorted and quickly covered his mouth, elbowing the blond gently. "I didn't know. He just said his parents weren't going to be here."
"Great," Draco grumbled, folding his arms gently.
Harry had the urge to kiss him, because his sarcasm was endearing at times, but he was too afraid Ron would walk in at that moment and blow a fuse. They waited for several minutes and finally the red-head stumbled down the stairs rather quickly. He was flushed and looking a bit nervous but he nodded toward both of them. His eyes instantly narrowed toward Draco and Harry's Legilmency skills were warning him of something. He couldn't get a good enough reading and he suddenly wished he had mastered it.
"Er, come and eat. I think everything should be set up in the dining room."
Harry and Draco glanced at one another and silently followed the other boy into the room. They all sat down awkwardly. Draco took a seat next to Harry and Ron sat at the head of the table, sipping his tea nervously. There was food prepared for them and drinks already poured. Harry wondered if Ginny did it. The girl came in moments later to join them for dinner and there was an incredibly awkward silence between the four of them.
"So, er, thanks for doing this," Harry finally spoke up as everyone began eating slowly.
Ron nodded bluntly. "Yeah."
"Are you…I mean, okay with us?" Harry asked quietly.
"It'll take a while to get used to…," Ron said, shrugging nervously.
Ginny made a sound and glanced at Harry. "Why did you lie to me about Lucas?"
"Because you kept trying to convince me I wasn't gay and I am. Draco and I weren't exactly together, as in dating, at that time so I very well couldn't bring him. So my friend Lucas offered to help me convince you of my orientation," Harry explained calmly.
Ginny pursed her lips then shrugged. "I guess I don't really care now. You heard about me and Darian, right? We've been dating for about three months now and we're getting pretty close."
Draco coughed as he took a sip of his drink and Harry subtly kicked him under the table.
"Er, that's good," Harry nodded. "So you like him a lot then?"
Ginny nodded. "Yeah, I do. Although Ron keeps finding problems with him."
"I do not!" Ron blurted out instantly.
Harry smiled. "I think that's just his nature to be overprotective. He was the same way with Hermione. But I guarantee you, Ron that Lucas is a very gentle person. And he's a sweet-heart."
"And apparently drop-dead gorgeous," Draco drawled as he took a sip of his tea.
"You think so?" Ginny raised her eyebrows toward him.
Draco glared in annoyance. "Harry does. He's all right."
Harry rolled his eyes, but he was feeling a bit better about everything. It seemed that everyone was finally talking so perhaps it would all work out okay. Ron asked some questions about the school but otherwise they didn't bring up the topic about them dating. Finally, dinner was all done and Ginny began getting up.
"Er, Harry, since I know Ron won't do a thing, could you help me with the plates?"
Harry glanced at Draco who just shrugged so he got up and cleared some dishes, following Ginny into the kitchen. Once they put the dishes in the sink, Harry began to turn to go back but Ginny stopped him.
"Harry, are you sure this is safe?" she asked him.
"You mean, Draco? Of course he is. He's been a really good friend to me and a boyfriend," Harry said honestly. "I mean that. I know it's hard to see him as a good person because of the past, but he's away from his family for good now."
Ginny nodded hesitantly. "That's what Ron said. I couldn't believe it when I saw the picture of you two…I mean, I knew you were gay but I was just so confused. Even with Lucas it was still hard to believe you were gay, of course until I saw you two kissing."
"Yeah, I know, but I am. And I really like Draco," Harry said, turning to go.
"Wait! I just…well, I want to, you know, make sure everything's okay," Ginny said nervously.
Harry's eyes narrowed. "Ginny, what's going on? You and Ron have both been acting strangely.
Ginny opened her mouth, giving him a nervous expression, just as a loud sound came from the other room. Harry dashed into the dining room without hesitation to see Draco standing up, red in the face with Ron looking a bit scared but he remained with clenched fists.
"What the hell is going on?" Harry blurted out, looking back and forth between them.
Draco pointed a shaky finger at the red-head. "He…they put Veritaserum in my drink!"
"What?" Harry's eyes widened as he wheeled around to face Ron. "This was all just a set-up, wasn't it? I can't believe you!"
"Harry, this is for your own good! I had to make sure Draco wasn't trying to kill you! You should be thanking me!" Ron exclaimed.
"I told you that I trusted him!" Harry shouted. "How could you do this? And where the hell did you get access to Veritaserum?"
"Through my dad," Ron muttered with furrowed eyebrows. "I told him Hermione needed it for a potion she was working on."
"And he believed that?" Harry countered as Ron shrugged. "Do you know how much trouble you're going to be in?"
"Stop it!" Ginny came into the room looking furious. "Ron was just trying to be a good friend, Harry! To make sure you were safe!"
"So you're both in on this? I can't believe you two! I can make my own decisions! Draco is a good person!" Harry shouted, glaring at them.
"I told him I don't want to kill you!" Draco shouted, his eyes dilated from the potion's effects. "How long does this bloody stuff last?"
"I only put six drops in it to last a full hour!" Ron shouted. "And did you put Harry under a love-spell?"
"NO!" Draco shouted furiously. "He was the one who came to me first! He kissed me first!"
Ron's head jerked toward Harry and Ginny stared at him in surprise too. Harry was too angry to care that they both were staring at him as if he had gone mad.
"I told you it's legitimate! Now do you two believe me?"
"Have you both had sex?" Ginny blurted out.
Draco tried to close his mouth but it wouldn't work. "Yes!"
"Many times as he put it," Ron said darkly, glaring at the blond. "Did you take advantage of him?"
"NO!" Draco shouted, pounding a fist on the table.
"That's enough! You have your proof! I'm not under any spell or potion, alright?" Harry shouted. "That's it! Leave Draco alone! We both like each other mutually and there's nothing sinister with our relationship! If you two can't handle it then you're just being narrow-minded! I want to be with him."
"Even if you're not under a spell, he's still dangerous!" Ron exclaimed.
"No he's not!" Harry shouted. "I've been with him and have gotten to know him much better, Ron! Hogwarts was different! The war was going on and…and I'm sick of trying to rationalize everything for you! You're always hot-headed and you don't listen to reason!"
"Look, he doesn't care about you, Harry! The moment he sees someone else he'll end up leaving you! He's insensitive!" Ron exclaimed, pointing a finger at Draco. "Even if he doesn't try to kill you that doesn't mean he won't try to hurt you emotionally. I mean, think about it! Come on, this is Malfoy we're talking about! He called Hermione mudblood and said many hurtful things!"
"That was all at Hogwarts, Ron! And besides, we've called him many names behind his back, but does that mean we're really cruel, evil people?" Harry argued as Draco gave him a suspicious look. "Just because he teased us doesn't mean he's evil! Besides, I'm sure that his parents were doing most of it! You know that Voldemort was on the loose and his parents just wanted to make sure they'd stay alive and be in Voldemort's inner-circle so that's why they raised Draco to hate me and everyone who wasn't a Slytherin."
Ginny suddenly fixated her eyes on Draco. "Fine, Harry! If you want to forget everything he's ever done and blame it on his parents then that's fine! You say you trust him, but this is the real truth. He has to tell nothing but the truth!" she shouted as Draco's eyes widened uncertainly. Her gaze went from Harry back to Draco and she blurted out: "Do you love Harry?"
Draco's eyes widened, even as he was still shaking with fury from being tricked. His mouth moved of its own accord.
"Yes!"
The moment he blurted it out all eyes were upon him and Harry felt his heart jolt suddenly. Ron's mouth had dropped open in shock and Ginny was staring at the blond unbelieving. Draco's face contorted into fury and embarrassment and suddenly he vanished from the spot. Harry felt his whole chest tighten and angrily he wheeled around upon the other two.
"HOW COULD YOU DO THIS?" Harry bellowed angrily. "I told you he wouldn't hurt me! Now do you see? I didn't need Veritaserum to know Draco cared about me because he has shown me! Unlike you two who didn't get to know him at all, I did! He gave up his name and his family and his duties for me!" Harry shouted, feeling his face turn red with anger. "He's been there for me and he has shown me he cares for me!"
"Harry…," Ron began weakly.
"DON'T!" Harry shouted, shaking furiously. "I love him, Ron! Don't you two get it? I love him! And I didn't need him to be forced into showing me he did too! I had hoped that we could put the past behind us and that he could hopefully think of me as more than a friend, but you know what? I didn't even need to hear it! I knew if he loved me he'd tell me eventually but he showed how much he cared through everything he's done for me. And now you two might've ruined everything! I won't forgive you!"
The second after that came out of his mouth, he vanished. Harry began searching everywhere for the other boy. It was his fault for forcing Draco to come. He should've just come alone and talked to Ron in private, but no…he didn't listen to his instincts. Draco had been right in sensing something was amiss. And the blond had been forced to admit to loving Harry maybe even when he didn't realize it himself. Harry was so afraid it would ruin everything—that Draco would be too confused and embarrassed to face him. What if the blond ran back to his parents?
Harry went back to the school and knocked on his room door, but no answer came. He checked the library and the dining hall (where dinner was ending). A part of him wanted to go see if he apparated to Hogsmeade or someplace farther to be alone, but when he decided to quickly check the Quidditch field he caught sight of something floating in the sky. Instantly, Harry summoned his broom and rose to the sky, his heart pounding furiously in his chest.
"Draco!" Harry shouted.
The blond's head whipped around.
"Please don't run!" Harry pleaded, flying toward him slowly.
Draco turned back and Harry was tempted to soar to him quickly to make sure he'd catch him before he ran, but he wanted to make sure Draco was in the mood to talk.
"What do you want?" Draco spat out angrily.
"I'm so sorry! If I had had any idea…," Harry began, trying to catch the blond's eye.
"Just leave me alone!" Draco shouted just before he soared off on the broom that Harry had gotten him.
"Draco, wait! Please!" Harry pleaded as the blond disappeared into the dark.
Harry knew he could try and chase after him, but if Draco didn't want to be found then he wouldn't. Slowly, Harry kept his broom still as he turned around, staring up at the night sky and the crescent moon. He went back inside and waited until past curfew. He knew the blond would most likely be in his room so he went there. He rapped lightly on the door.
"Draco? Draco, please open up. Look, I'm really, really sorry Ron did that to you. I told him that it was not only low of him but that I won't forgive him—not anytime soon," Harry spoke, leaning his head against the door. No response came, but Harry decided to continue. "It was more than wrong of him. And…I'm sorry for forcing you to come. It was my fault. I just…well, I want you to know that I…What I mean to say is…," Harry licked his dry lips. Why was it so hard to say?
"Draco, I know this might sound lame and simple, but I…I love you too. And maybe it's too soon for either of us to say it, but it's not a lie. It might have even been your subconscious that answered instead of you because of the potion. But, I want you to know I do love you. That's why I'm choosing to stay with you despite what anybody else thinks or says because I want to be with you. Now, will you please open up?"
"I would if I wasn't standing right here."
Harry jumped and wheeled around, clutching at his chest. Draco was standing behind him with crossed arms and broom in hand. His hair was disheveled around his face and dripping slightly so he must've come from the showers.
"Please don't scare me like that," Harry breathed out heavily. "I guess…was I talking to myself the whole time?"
Draco stared at him and shrugged casually. "Well, I was listening, but you were talking to a door."
"You heard everything then?" Harry asked quietly, suddenly shifting nervously.
"Yes," Draco said firmly, staring at him with an unreadable expression.
"I meant what I said," Harry said, taking a step closer to him. "I do…love you, I mean."
Draco looked away for a second and then walked toward his door, slowly passing by Harry. He watched the blond open his door and hesitantly turned around to walk away.
"Where are you going?"
Harry turned back around, glancing at the blond puzzled. Draco was holding the door open and Harry immediately felt his chest loosen. Feeling a bit foolish, and thinking if anybody was watching it'd look like a romantic drama from a movie, he walked toward him. Brushing past the blond, Harry entered the room. Once the door closed behind them, Harry turned around and stared at the other boy uncertainly.
Draco put his broom in his trunk and rested up against the desk.
"Look, I want to say that what I said didn't surprise me, but it did," Draco began slowly. "And it's not that I don't…you know, I just…" Draco sighed heavily, looking uncomfortable.
"It's okay," Harry said softly, coming closer as the blond locked eyes with him. "Look, the important thing is that we care about one another. I mean…it's okay if we don't know if we love each other or not. We just started going out and…," Harry trailed off feeling his face heat up. "Don't worry about it. Who knows, we might not stay together, but that's okay. If it doesn't work out, then it doesn't. I'm sorry Ron forced us into a position we weren't ready for," he said, licking his lips slowly as he watched as a drip of water cascaded down the side of the blond's face.
"Look right now it's working out between us. That's all that matters right now," Harry said.
Draco shrugged his shoulders and tilted his head. "Yeah. But if he steps one foot near me, I'm going to kill him."
Harry blinked, realizing he was referring to Ron and the comment broke the awkwardness between them. Smiling, Harry nodded.
"I perfectly understand, but we don't want murder on your new record," Harry joked, smiling. "But I promise we'll stay clear of Ron and his family as best as we can. And I'll ignore him, if I see him in Hogsmeade or someplace, until I get an apology from him for the both of us."
Finally, the blond's shoulders seemed to ease and he nodded in agreement. "It better be a damn good apology."
Harry laughed softly and nodded. "It better."
It seemed that their relationship hadn't been ruined after all, but that didn't excuse what Ron had done.
"Would you mind if I slept here?"
Draco began undressing and gave him a calm expression. "You might as well since it's past curfew."
Harry nodded and waved his wand so he was dressed only in his boxers. He slipped into the bed and lay down as Draco extinguished the lights, set his wand on the bureau and slipped into the bed as well. Harry was too nervous to put his arms around him, since their relationship had been pushed a little too far so he just found comfort in knowing that perhaps they both were truly in love and that their relationship would last a long time. Maybe even forever.
Harry woke up at around six a.m. obviously too early for breakfast. But a thought occurred to him and he shook Draco awake gently.
"Hmm…what time is it?" Draco asked groggily as he slowly sat up.
"A little past six," Harry said as the blond sent him a glare. "I was thinking we could take a shower before breakfast."
"Potter, I took one last night," Draco yawned, glancing at him irritably.
"Come on," Harry said, hopping out of bed and tugging on his arm.
"I want to sleep," the blond drawled, narrowing his eyes.
"Come on, we can sleep later. It's Sunday after all. No school, remember?" Harry pleaded.
Draco scowled and clumsily got out of bed and threw some clothes on. He grudgingly followed Harry, cursing under his breath. Harry just inwardly smiled and as they got into the shower, the blond's attitude relaxed as the hot water poured down upon him. Harry could sense all they needed was a little ice-breaker in order to get things back to the way they were (before Ron mucked it up with his distrust for both Harry's judgment and Draco). So he slipped over to Draco's shower head and tapped the blond on the shoulder.
Draco turned and Harry poured shampoo all over his head.
"Potter!" he sputtered, glaring as shampoo foam dripped down his face.
Harry couldn't help but smile widely and he began raking his hands through Draco's soapy hair.
"I'll wash it for you," Harry said, smiling as he massaged Draco's skull while his fingers moved.
The blond luckily didn't protest but he still seemed rather annoyed by Harry's cheerfulness at such an ungodly hour.
"Lean back," Harry said, as the blond tilted his head back.
The shampoo trailed down the blond's neck as it was rinsed by the water. Harry kept his fingers massaging through Draco's hair as the shampoo was completely washed out. As the other boy still had his neck tilted back, Harry leaned forward and pressed his lips to the side of his neck. Harry felt Draco's head move in surprise, but Harry opened his mouth wider and let his tongue caress the blond's skin even as he began to suck. Draco was breathing deeply and Harry moved to other parts of the blond's neck. It was as if a fire was suddenly burning inside of both of them—the spark had been brought back as the passion returned.
Harry moved forward as his lips found Draco's and instantly their mouths opened and their tongues intertwined. Harry's fingers raked roughly through the blond's hair as their kissing became more passionate. Draco's skin was so warm and smooth beneath the water that Harry couldn't help but trail along it with his fingers. Slowly he moved across the blond's shoulders down across his back. The two of them were already becoming quickly aroused and as Harry's fingers moved, he felt the other boy's hands on his waist, pushing him backward.
The second Harry's back touched the cool, stone wall he immediately raised a leg that wrapped around the blond's waist. The kissing didn't stop and in fact it continued heatedly. Harry let out a breathless moan in between kisses as he felt Draco's erection as his entrance. This time, neither of them had to use lubrication, since they had had sex often by now and thanks to the water, which provided some ease. Tilting his head back, Harry grunted, closing his eyes as he felt the erection squeeze inside of him, brushing upward at an angle as it hit the sensitive nerves in his passage.
Then suddenly Draco came out and back inside in less than a second and Harry cried out in pleasure, gripping onto the blond's shoulders as his back rubbed against the stone wall. Draco leaned heavily against him, putting hands on either side of Harry's neck, which was still tilted back and touching the wall, as he thrust inside in quick, deep motions. Harry raised his other leg off the ground and soon Draco was holding him up and rolling his hips forward as the force pushed Harry even more against the wall. Draco was breathing heavily and groaning at the same time, letting out loud grunts of pleasure every time Harry managed to move his hips with the rhythm.
Harry moaned and gripped Draco even tighter as his whole body moved from the breathed a sighing moan as he thrust inside again. The rhythm picked up and Harry wrapped both arms around the blond's neck, having both his legs around Draco's waist as well, as the other boy thrust into him with more determination nearing climax. Harry's back was roughly scraping against the wall, though it didn't really hurt, as Draco rolled his hips over and over, harder and harder until Harry groaned deeply, releasing his sperm as the blond orgasmed inside of him. The water rinsed away any sign of their passion and slowly Harry unwound his legs from around Draco's waist, feeling sated and content.
Draco opened his eyes, still breathing heavily and Harry pulled him in for another kiss. Their tongues wound together briefly before they broke apart and after the sponges ghosted over their bodies once, the water was turned off and the two of them dressed and made their way to breakfast. Once they sat down next to Lucas and Tavis for breakfast, the four of them joined in a conversation about Quidditch. It no longer felt distant or awkward between him and Draco and Harry was more than glad for that. In the middle of their conversation over who would win the championship for that year, Hedwig flew in with a letter attached to her leg. Harry immediately assumed it was from Ron, hopefully with a well though-out apology, but was surprised when he discovered who it was from.
Harry Potter,
I have received your urgent message and while I'm still a bit hurt from being accused of near-sexual harassment, when I didn't realize you were going to undress, and I'm still being threatened about my Animagus form, I am currently not receiving any work and if I don't turn in something by the end of this week I'll be completely fired from my job…again. So, since this is my last chance, I am willing to make that deal with you. I shall meet you and your partner in an area where we won't be overheard during the interview—a very tiny café calledLe Diamant in the Orkney Islands of Scotland, which you can apparate to from the school. I shall see you two today at around one o'clock this afternoon.
Rita Skeeter
"Who's it from?" Tavis asked through a mouthful of food.
"Oh, just an old acquaintance," Harry said, smiling as he handed it to Draco who read it. "Er, sorry so what were you saying?"
"Just that Gorodock Gargoyles are catching up to the Heidelberg Harriers," Tavis said. "Oh and Ambreen and I had wild sex last night."
Harry raised an eyebrow and glanced at Draco and Lucas. Lucas looked completely amused and Draco seemed to be ignoring him.
"Just what we wanted to hear at breakfast," Draco drawled, folding the letter back up.
"I was just trying to get your attention, Draco. You seemed distracted by that secret letter," Tavis said with a grin. "But it is true Ambreen and I were considering getting back together."
"Really? That's great," Harry said, smiling.
Draco just shrugged and then glanced over at Harry. Draco nodded to signal he agreed to the meeting. All in all, it seemed that hopefully things were calming back down. Now, he just hoped that Draco's parents wouldn't cause any more problems, especially if they ended up seeing the picture of them kissing.
TO BE CONTINUED…