Captivation
Chapter 22: Confrontation
A letter came addressed to Harry by the next afternoon from the Minister agreeing to the Veritaserum. Harry bet it was because the Minister really didn't want to go through all the paper work and publicity of a full-out trial, which he was glad for. Draco seemed less talkative and energetic most likely due to the fact that he would have to deal with his parents. Hopefully this would be the last time. Draco had told him that he wouldn't go back to his parents, but Harry was still afraid that somehow his parents would force him.
That night after Quidditch practice, Harry lost sight of Draco. After checking the showers Harry went to Draco's common room. He approached his door and knocked softly. Harry stood in an anxious silence until the door finally opened after a couple of minutes. He stepped inside quickly and caught sight of Draco as he closed the door. The blond had his shirt off, but was still wearing his jeans. Glancing around the room, Harry noticed that several books were opened on his desk and he assumed the other boy had been studying.
"Were you working on homework?" Harry asked, gesturing to the desk.
Draco shrugged and then lay down on the bed. "I was, but I'm too tired to finish it."
Harry gazed at him, noticing his hair which was spread out over the pillows. Some loose bangs glazed over the side of his face, nearly touching his left eye. His earring was visible and it glimmered softly adding to his appearance. Draco had lifted one arm above his head and was staring up at the ceiling. Harry couldn't resist and slipped over to him. He crawled up on the bed and as it moved Draco shifted his head to glance at him.
Scooting up close to him, Harry stared at him as he rested his head on the other pillow.
"Draco, if you want to talk at all—"
"There's nothing to talk about," Draco drawled quietly, inhaling deeply.
"Hey," Harry said firmly, moving his body even closer so he was lying on the same pillow as the blond. "Draco, look at me."
Harry gently touched his arm and the other boy turned his head. "Potter, I don't want to talk."
"Okay, but I want you to know," Harry said quietly as he rose up a hand and placed it gently on Draco's cheek, "that when or if you do want to talk I'll be here. A lot of times it helps to talk about it, even though you might want to forget it. I promise you, Draco," Harry emphasized as he trailed his fingers along the blond's cheek and down his neck, "that whatever happens, no matter how rude or demanding or threatening your parents are that once it's over you'll be entirely free to live your own life and be happy. Of course it might be hard at first earning your own money, but I know you're talented. You're going to get a great job right after this school and I bet anything you'll become famous in no time."
Harry's fingers continued to trail up and down his neck, leaving goose-bumps in their place. Draco's eyes dimmed as he stared at Harry tiredly. The blond didn't say anything but Harry just silently comforted him. He hardly registered Draco's eyes closing as he trailed his nails down the blond's chest and back up. He wasn't sure how long he did this for, but eventually he too fell asleep.
By the time Friday came, Harry had gotten both him and Draco excused from class because of Ministry business. Niall was the only one who knew why they were going to be absent, but the teachers just knew they had been excused. So at around nine in the morning he and Draco apparated to the Ministry building. When they went inside they took one of the lifts to the first level and headed toward the Minister's office. Harry knocked lightly on the door and seconds later Minister Scrimageour appeared.
"Ah, Harry, Draco," he nodded toward the two of them. "I have everything set up inside including five witnesses to the questioning. I'll need one of you at a time to come in."
Harry turned to the blond. "Do you want to go first?"
Draco shrugged and Harry sensed that he was nervous. Then the blond walked in and Minister Scrimageour gave Harry a small smile before he shut the door. Harry summoned a chair and sat waiting for his turn. It took about twenty minutes before the door opened again. Draco came out looking a bit dazed and Harry figured he was still under the effects of the Veritaserum.
"Hey," Harry said softly as he approached. "How did it go?"
"Alright," Draco shrugged.
Harry gripped his hand gently and Draco stopped and gazed up at him silently. Wordlessly, Harry gave him a small smile and released the blond's warm hand and headed into the room. When he entered, his heart immediately began to pound as he caught sight of the lone chair in the center of the office surrounded by six people. The Minister was seated at the head of the circle, followed by various wizards and witches—a couple of which Harry remembered from his trial during his fifth year.
"Ah, Harry, come on in," Minister Scrimageour smiled widely, gesturing to the chair.
Licking his dry lips nervously, Harry approached the chair and sat down. All eyes were upon him and Harry saw that some of them had notebooks out with quills in order to record his words. Swallowing, Harry gazed at the Minister who nodded toward one of the Ministry members.
"Harry, we're going to give you the Veritaserum and we'll wait a couple minutes for it to sink in, alright?"
Nodding wordlessly, Harry watched as the one Ministry member approached him with a vial. Once he was handed the vial, Harry gulped it down quickly. The empty vial was taken away and Harry sat awkwardly in the chair. The six Ministry members (including the Minister himself) that surrounded him waited patiently for five minutes until Harry's eyes seemed to glaze over.
"Now, Harry," the Minister shifted in his seat. "Do you realize the allegations that have been made against you?"
"Yes," Harry answered instantly in a passive voice.
"Is it true that you and Draco are…more than friends?" the Minister asked, after hesitating briefly.
"Yes," Harry answered.
"Is Draco your boyfriend then?"
"Yes," Harry responded, staring straight ahead.
"The relationship you both have, is it mutual?"
"Yes."
The Minister shifted again and Harry vaguely heard scribbling going on around him.
"Are either you or Draco under a love potion?"
"No," Harry responded.
"Are you either you or Draco under a spell?"
"No."
"Hmm," the Minister commented, staring at him while rubbing his chin. "Harry, do you know why Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy would accuse you of, as they put it, seducing their son?"
"Draco's parents don't care about his happiness," Harry answered in monotone. "They only want him because he is their only heir. Draco doesn't want to marry and he doesn't want them controlling him any longer. His parents don't want to believe that me and Draco really like each other because his parents raised him to hate non-purebloods and especially me."
"So Draco wants to be with you, as your boyfriend?" the Minister asked quietly.
"Yes. He agreed to date me and told me he doesn't want to go back to his parents."
"Okay, Harry, one last question because the potion will be wearing off about now. You and Draco chose to be with each other, as in being boyfriends, and there are no false, illegal or otherwise sinister happenings concerning your relationship, is that right?"
"Yes, that's right," Harry answered.
No more than a minute later, Harry blinked feeling rather dazed. He saw that a few Ministry members were jotting things down. Rubbing at his eyes, Harry glanced at the Minister who stood up.
"Thank you Harry for answering the questions. You may wait outside while we look at everything together."
Harry nodded and quickly slipped out of the room. Once outside, he saw that the chair was empty. Draco wasn't anywhere in sight. Wondering if he went to the bathroom, Harry walked down the hallway. Voices caught his attention and Harry began slowing down as he drew nearer.
"Do you have any idea how negatively this is going to affect our reputation?"
Harry stilled, feeling his heart stop in his chest when he recognized the voice. The cold, hissing voice of Lucius Malfoy. Hurriedly, Harry peered around the corner. His eyes widened as he saw that Lucius was gripping Draco's arm rather harshly and was proceeding to drag him down the hallway.
"Father! STOP!" Draco retorted as he tried to pull his arm free.
"I don't know what has gotten into you Draco, but this is going to stop now!" Lucius hissed, tightening the grip on his arm. "Your mother told me she saw you and Potter at Hogsmeade. She said it was possible you both came there together," Lucius' eyes narrowed. "Is that true? Tell me Draco!"
"I…," Draco trailed off, looking very nervous. "Mother said she disowned me!"
"So she did, but you can always earn your place back!" Lucius retorted through clenched teeth. "You better not be friends, boy or else there will be serious punishments when we get home. Look what he has done!" Lucius hissed, holding up his arm where there was a shimmering black bracelet.
"The Ministry keeps tabs on me every day and every night. They've taken away my wand and they've bound my apparation so I can only apparate with their permission! My house is going to be constantly watched as well as all my assets, which means I can't bribe anyone or sneak away for even a second! Most of our family, who is left, such as your aunt Bellatrix has been locked away in Azkaban and are possibly going to face death-sentence or at least a life-sentence in Azkaban! I was lucky enough to be able to convince them that I was serving the Dark Lord out of fear for my life and family and managed only not to be tested with Veritaserum because there was already evidence of my being on the Dark Lord's side. I had to plead guilty or they would've given me Veritaserum to make certain! And then I would've been locked away forever! Is that what you want, boy?" Lucius snapped maliciously as he pulled on his arm.
Draco was looking quite pale now and unexpectedly Lucius grabbed his chin harshly with his free hand, forcing Draco's neck back.
"You will come home and you will not disappoint this family!"
"Let him go!"
Lucius' head jerked up as Harry approached him quickly with his wand out. Draco could only stare at Harry from the corner of his eye since his father had his jaw gripped painfully tight.
"Potter!" Lucius snarled, glaring at him. "I should've known you'd be here!"
"Let him go," Harry repeated slowly with a deadly glare as he pointed his wand at the older man.
Sneering, Lucius kept a firm hold on Draco's chin but released his arm. "Are you threatening me, Potter? Trust me Potter, don't even think about challenging me," Lucius' gaze darkened with hatred. "I don't know how you convinced my son to join you, but there is no way you're going to take him from me. Once the Ministry finds out what tricks you've got up your sleeve—"
"I haven't got any tricks," Harry snapped, holding his wand steady. "Release him or I'll make you."
Glaring venomously, Lucius suddenly released Draco's chin as he flung him backward, causing him to fall.
"Draco!" Harry exclaimed.
He moved forward in order to rush to Draco's side but he was blocked by an angry Lucius Malfoy.
"You think you can just barge into my family, Potter?" Lucius snarled, approaching him and Harry stepped back.
"I'm warning you!" Harry snapped.
Lucius stopped about five feet from him, sneering. "You're warning me? I bet you think so highly of yourself, don't you Potter? Because of your newfound fame?" his eyes glared icily. "Well, if Ihad been Dark Lord, I wouldn't have been concerned with fighting you and proving to the world that I can defeat such a pathetic boy. No, I'd kill you with my own hands just to get you out of the way, which was a mistake the Dark Lord made, wasn't it Potter? You're not special, you never were," he said as he stepped forward.
"You managed to survive out of luck, help from Dumbledore and others who admired you. You don't have any special powers. I bet I could've killed you that night in the graveyard," his eyes narrowed as a malicious smirk took place. "All you are is a pathetic, lonely orphan who wants to prove himself to the world. And now as we all find out," Lucius' lips curled, "you're a faggot as well. That's not surprising Potter. Being since you were never strong enough to be a man."
Harry was so enraged at this point that all he could do was glare at the man. He still held his wand toward the other man waiting for him to make his move.
"But if you think for one second that you can have my son, that you can turn him into a pathetic gay and hanging on your every word, Potter, I'll make sure you suffer endlessly!" Lucius hissed coldly. "My son is going to be married to Cliodene Peakes!"
"You can't force him to marry someone he doesn't like or even know!" Harry shouted angrily.
Lucius' eyes narrowed dangerously and his lips curled into a cold, enraged sneer. "You have no say in it, Potter! You are just like your father, sticking your nose in where it doesn't belong and you certainly deserve the same fate!"
"SHUT UP!" Harry exclaimed venomously, shakily pointing his wand at him. He was so close to shouting a hex.
Lucius laughed coldly and he took a step forward. "You're a pathetic waste of life, Potter. You should've died much earlier but I promise you if you try and interfere with my family you will get what you deserve."
"You can't threaten me! You don't even have any power since the Ministry is keeping tabs on you!" Harry countered.
"You think that will stop me! I've wanted to get rid of you since the first time I laid eyes on you!"
"I defeated Voldemort," Harry's eyes narrowed. "You're not half as bad compared to him."
Lucius' lips curled upward in a cold sneer. "Perhaps I'm not as intimidating in appearance Potter but I certainly have more of an ability to get rid of you. See, although the Dark Lord was powerful he was also very foolish; overlooking the smaller details. And he rarely did things himself unless necessary, you see. If it had been me in his place that night in the graveyard I would've killed you while you were still tied to that tombstone. It would've been very fitting. Or perhaps…I would've tortured you some while you were tied there helplessly before finally sending you off with your parents where you belong!"
Harry's wand was shaking violently now as he felt anger erupt ten fold. He didn't even realize that Lucius had taken another step closer.
"And now that you've miraculously survived the war and even become a hero once again, while we all know it's false, you think that you can have control over my son. There are plenty of other effeminate males out there like yourself, boy, so go shag one of them, but don't even think about trying to seduce my son. If you so much as put one finger on him you'll be more than sorry!" Lucius hissed.
"You see, Potter, though you can't understand what it is to be a pure-blood, my son is destined to be great; a different kind of great than you have been named because he has earned it from prestige and his blood, not from rumors and false accusations. And he will marry an upper-class, Slytherin girl," Lucius said as Harry stared at him silently, feeling his throat constrict. "In fact the wedding plans are already being finalized Potter. Draco will become Draco Malfoy-Peakes with a worthy girl and you will never come within a mile of him again!"
Harry's eyes strayed to Draco who had picked himself up off the floor and was holding his arm. It was that split second that Harry glanced at Draco that Lucius unexpectedly lurched forward and knocked Harry's wrist, causing his wand to fly out of his hand. Harry stumbled a bit surprised and before he could react Lucius smacked him so hard across the face that Harry tripped and fell, wincing as his knee slammed against the floor.
He let out a painful groan as his hair was suddenly grabbed roughly. Lucius forced his neck back, much like he had done to Draco, and bent his face toward Harry's.
"Let me tell you something, Potter," Lucius hissed while his cold, cruel eyes glared into his.
Up close, Harry realized that Lucius' eyes weren't at all like Draco's. They were a dark grey whereas Draco's were a light, light blue mixed with silver. Much of the time his eyes appeared more silver (a color twice as bright as Lucius' and softer) than blue, but there was always that tint of light-blue in the silver that didn't come from his mother or father.
"You will release whatever hold you have over my son. You will never see him or step foot near my family again or I'll kill you, is that clear?" Lucius spat, jerking his hair painfully.
"You better not threaten me," Harry breathed heavily as he tried to break away from his hold. "If the Minister finds out it's all over for you!"
Lucius just sneered. "If I have to kill you, I will Potter."
"You don't have any control over Draco anymore! He's—"
Harry's sentenced died as his air-supply was suddenly cut-off. Lucius had squeezed his free hand around his throat on the very sides of his neck.
"You think that because you're famous and because everyone adores you that you can get whatever you want!" Lucius hissed, tilting Harry's neck painfully back as he held his throat tightly. "Let me tell you something ,Potter! Just because pure-bloods are dying does not mean that I'm going to let pathetic wastes like yourself get away with corrupting my family! My son has always, and will continue to always, walk in my footsteps!"
Suddenly, Lucius' free hand came around Harry's neck so both hands were blocking his wind-pipe. Harry's hands jerked up out of reaction and tried to pry the older man's fingers from his throat. Unfortunately, because he was growing faint and his wand was too far away, he couldn't fight back. Slowly, Lucius leaned forward until his nose was almost against Harry's.
"I'm going to enjoy watching your last breath slip away Potter," he sneered maliciously as Harry struggled, digging his nails into the man's flesh to try and get him to let go. "And do you know what it means for me? Not only will you finally be gone, but I could even take the place as Dark Lord myself for doing what Lord Voldemort could not—getting rid of the last Potter!"
Harry choked and struggled, feeling incredibly dizzy as the lack of oxygen began to get to him. His eyelids began to get weak and he knew he couldn't hold on any longer. Lucius suddenly hissed painfully and released Harry's neck. Coughing heavily, Harry tried to regain his breathing and he gazed up to see Draco pointing his wand at his father. Although he was pale, his eyebrows were furrowed angrily.
Lucius rubbed his sore hand and stared so coldly at Draco. "You dare point your wand at your father!"
"You…You are not my father anymore," Draco managed to get out. Harry could tell he was trying to look brave but it was obvious he was uncertain of what his father would do.
Lucius' lips curled into a deep frown and his eyes narrowed furiously. "Are you saying that you're going to choose this over your family?" he pointed a finger in Harry's direction. "You have a duty to marry and you will uphold that, boy, or else!" he hissed.
"I'm not your son any longer," Draco responded, keeping his wand steady. "Mother disowned me and I changed my name. I'm no longer a Malfoy so I don't have those duties! The only duties I have now are to myself."
"How dare you change your name!" Lucius bellowed furiously and Draco winced. "We are one of the last remaining pure-blood families—ones that can uphold what Salazar Slytherin firmly believed in and now you dare deny that heritage!" he snarled, getting to his feet and approaching him. "You could've made yourself something and now you want to choose a Gryffindor over your Slytherin family! Not just any Gryffindor, you want to choose Harry Potter over your Slytherin heritage? What would all your friends say, hmm? What would your aunt and uncle say? What would your whole family say? You think your mother and I will tolerate this, you spineless, worthless brat!" Lucius raised his voice, clenching his fists. "We'll leave you poor and for dead on the streets unless you agree to never speak to Potter again and come back to your rightful place!"
"I have a scholarship now and a loan so I can pay my own way," Draco said coolly.
Lucius stared at him and Harry could see the fury flickering in his eyes.
"You…," Lucius hissed dangerously as his fists clenched. "You ungrateful—"
Harry knew it was going to happen before it did. Lucius raised an arm to Draco ready to strike him hard across the face when Harry jumped to his feet and intervened. Lucius' fist came across Harry's cheek so hard that he fell over. His cheek was practically numb and it hurt to move his jaw. Lucius just glared down at him as he began to pick himself up. Suddenly, Lucius lunged forward and snatched Draco's wand right out of his hand. Being too stunned, Draco could only step back right before Lucius grabbed him by the hair with his free hand. Draco hissed in pain and Lucius stared down at him.
"You're coming home whether or not you like it, boy, and when we get home there are going to be serious punishments!" Lucius spat in his face. "I don't care if you are under a spell, you will not say no to me, understand?"
"Ah! Let go!" Draco said as his head was pulled back painfully.
"Not until you agree to come home and change your name back!" Lucius hissed. "You will do as I say! I didn't put up with you for all these years to have you run away from a chance at more wealth and power! Once you marry her family we'll have enough wealth and support to make a new Death Eater group beneath the Ministry's eyes, even if I have to wait ten years! You are not going to ruin my chance for glory you worthless—"
Harry, who had been on the floor in pain, finally recovered. He couldn't grab his wand, which was too close to Lucius, so he flung himself at the older man and forced him to release Draco's hair. Thankfully, the wand fell from Lucius' hand, but he pushed Draco harshly, causing him to fly backward and fall to the floor. Then he wheeled around and Harry blocked the punch that came at him. He knew he needed to get to his wand.
"You're the one who has done this Potter! What have you done to my son?" he shouted, lunging at him full force.
Harry tried to jump out of the way, but Lucius rammed into him and grabbed his arm, twisting it painfully. He cried out in pain and Lucius then swung him around and slammed him up against the wall. Harry's back stung badly and he tried to kick Lucius away but the older man had the advantage. He twisted his wrist again to keep him from struggling. Harry had a pained expression on his face as Lucius glared at him with such hatred and ferocity that he was certain the older man was going to kill him for sure.
"Nobody messes with my family, especially not you Potter! You've been a thorn in my side for far too long!" he spat, twisting Harry's arm again.
Then Lucius grabbed at Harry's throat, pushing down hard on Harry's wind-pipe. Harry gagged, trying to fight him off with his free hand to no avail. His vision blurred as Lucius strangled him, but he was released when Lucius hands were unexpectedly torn away from his throat. Along with that, the older man was thrown backward, sliding across the floor (much like what happened when Dobby protected him). Harry collapsed to the floor, coughing and wheezing as he clutched at his throat.
"Here."
Still holding his throat, Harry gazed up at Draco who held his hand out to him. Giving a shaky smile in thanks, Harry grasped his hand and was helped up. Suddenly, Harry glanced down and around.
"Wait, where's my wand?"
"I'm going to teach you a lesson Potter!"
He wheeled around to see Lucius, with his hair a bit disheveled, pointing Harry's wand toward them. Draco's eyes widened in surprise and Harry suddenly stepped in front of the blond to protect him as he reached out for Draco's wand.
"Now, Potter, I'm going to make sure you realize your place! Nobody interferes with me or my family!"
Lucius hissed a spell but due to the bracelet on his arm nothing happened. Cursing, Lucius threw down Harry's wand and instead began to approach them rapidly.
Harry remained in front of Draco, trying to push the boy even further behind him. Lucius opened his mouth but before any words could come out another voice bellowed "Lucius!"
Harry was so relieved to see the Minister for once.
"Lucius Malfoy!" Minister Scrimageour shouted angrily. "You were set free on House Arrest for five years with the promise of not attacking anyone ever again. And yet here you are attacking Mr. Potter."
Ministry members appeared all around them and most of them had their wands pointed at Lucius.
"Minister," Lucius said calmly while raising his hands in the air, "I'm terribly sorry. Potter upset me because he has turned my son against me!"
"Your son is acting of his own free will," Minister Scrimageour stated firmly as Lucius gazed toward Harry and Draco in shock. "Both Harry and Draco came to me with the proposition that instead of a trial, because Harry said he was innocent, that I could question them with Veritaserum. I have questioned both of them and neither one of them is under any sort of love potion or spell. They are both acting of their own free will. And furthermore," he continued, as Lucius stared with cold, unbelieving eyes at them, "your son is no longer your son. It seems that his surname has been changed."
Lucius' eyes bored into Draco's but he just looked away. The Minister stepped forward, crossing his arms sternly.
"Minister, Lucius attempted to use my wand against us but he was unable to," Harry said.
Lucius' eyes bored into Harry's but he just stared back firmly. He wasn't afraid of the older man, not like Draco was. Draco had been controlled by him for so long that it was probably the hardest thing he had to do standing up to him.
Minister Scrimageour crossed his arms. "I'm afraid I don't quite trust you, Mr. Malfoy, since you so eagerly picked up a wand recently after your sentence. Not only that but you turned it against your own son, whom you disowned. So I'm going to have to take your wife's wand away from her as well. I'm afraid that even with that bracelet you're still going to try to use magic through her. Harry is innocent so all charges will be dropped. You'd do best to remember not to touch a wand or try anything like that again lest you want to spend a lifetime in Azkaban."
Lucius' fists were clenched and Harry knew all plans of him trying to become the new Dark Lord and continue his wealth and heritage using Draco were diminished. Lucius knew that he had to do as the Minister requested or he'd be sent to the prison. Glaring coldly toward Draco and Harry, Lucius wheeled around and was escorted by Ministry members. As he disappeared down the corridor, Harry breathed a sigh of relief.
"You both are free to go now," Minister Scrimageour said.
Harry nodded and the Minister, along with a couple other Ministry members, walked back down the hallway.
"Are you okay?" Harry asked the blond.
Draco stared down at the floor. "I'm fine, Potter."
Harry knew that he just needed some time. "Okay. Let's go back then."
Wordlessly, Draco nodded and the two of them apparated back to the school. It was that same day that an article in the Daily Prophet came out:
The True Confession of Harry Potter's Love-Life
It seems that rumors have been surrounding Harry Potter, as I believed as well, and his "affairs" with a mysterious boy. Even I wrote an article about him earlier about having intimate relations with a certain boy, Draco Malfoy, but I was mistaken for the Malfoy heir is no longer among us (he mysteriously vanished during the war and it's possible he had been killed). Because the boy in the picture with Harry Potter (when they were kissing in Hogsmeade) looks similar to the Malfoy heir, it was an obvious mistake on my part. And everything I had heard about the two of them before was all based on rumors.
What I have figured out is that his boyfriend's name is actually Draco Merlin, a Slytherin who graduated from Hogwarts in the same year but who wasn't connected to You-Know-Who. They both confessed that they are dating and that there is nothing out-of-the-ordinary about their relationship.
"Draco and I have been dating for about a month," Harry Potter says. "And while I know people are curious about me I do appreciate some privacy about my life."
While he wants his own privacy as anybody else, he has at least told us the absolute truth, which is that he is gay and that he does have a boyfriend currently. The two of them go to the Quidditch Academy of Scotland and both hope to someday play on a professional Quidditch team. There you all have it—the truth is out. And now hopefully these rumors can be put to rest.
Rita Skeeter
XXXXX
A few weeks had passed since the confrontation with Draco's father at the Ministry. The Quidditch match was in a week and shortly afterward was Hermione's eighteenth birthday. Just as Lucas had said, she planned to have it in a wizard hotel and she invited both Harry and Draco. From what she said, Ron and his family were going to be gone anyway on a vacation so she had told him not to worry about it. Ron knew about the party and in his letter to her didn't mention Harry or Draco. He had only said he would bring her back a birthday present. Hermione reassured him that Ron would eventually get over his grudge, but only time would tell.
Since the team was preparing for their next Quidditch match, Harry and Draco became preoccupied with practice and studies. Despite being busy, they still managed to get together in the dining hall. Harry had given Draco a little bit of space since the blond had confronted his father and now both of his parents would understand he wouldn't be coming back. It wasn't that he distanced himself from the other boy, he still hung out with him between classes, but when night came Harry sometimes kissed Draco after practice and they went to their separate bedrooms.
By this time, Harry had pretty much figured out how to interpret Draco's moods. Draco was a caring person, but he showed it more subtly. And slowly since he began breaking ties with his family he had begun to open up more and not only expressing more feelings but his sarcasm became part of his endearing personality; it was no longer cold and distant. And Harry knew, just like when their relationship had been pushed too far because of Ron's dirty trick, that Draco just needed a little bit of space to heal. Breaking completely from his family was a huge step. The blond had been nervous at first, but since he went through with it and even stood up to his father, Harry knew that things would only get better from there.
Finally, the beginning of the second semester Quidditch matches began and the team they were up against was an American team. Unfortunately, their tactics were a bit more brutal (though within the foul guidelines) and they managed to get ahead of them. Harry was desperately searching for the snitch and a couple times he glanced down at Draco, who was sweating and seemingly exhausted (as was everyone). The game had lasted much longer than their other matches. Because they were all tired, it was much more difficult to score goals and block. Although the other team was tired as well, they had managed to keep ten points ahead of them.
And unfortunately, to Harry's disappointment, despite his fast new broom he hadn't anticipated the sudden brutality of the other team's beaters knocking bludgers in his way at the same time in both directions. If he had had a little more energy he would've been able to dodge them faster, but that split second allowed the other team's Seeker to reach the snitch first. He knew there would be times that he wouldn't be able to catch the snitch, like the time the Dementors had come and ruined the match, but it still made him feel angry that he hadn't reacted faster.
Captain Murdoch didn't seem at all angry—she said they had played well and she knew they were exhausted. She even told them that while they had lost this match, if they won the others they could still compete in the mock championships which occurred at the end of the year. By the time he got to the showers with his other teammates, he could barely stand.
The next morning was thankfully Saturday so he could sleep in. He did sleep in until ten but then he decided to get up. He went to Draco's common room to see if he was still in his room. When no one answered, Harry went down to the dining hall and didn't see him there either. After grabbing some food, Harry decided to head to the library wondering if Draco had gotten up early to study. Just as he suspected, the blond was lounging on the couch in the library by the fireplace. He had a book in his lap that he was reading and several strewn about on the table nearby the couch.
Harry smiled and approached him. "Hey, I brought you some food."
Draco glanced up at him and nodded his thanks. "I'm not really that hungry."
"Alright. Well, I'll put it here just in case," Harry said, setting the plate on the table.
He watched as Draco nodded silently, scribbling down some notes from the book he was reading. Toeing off his shoes, Harry climbed up onto the arm rest of the couch and began crawling toward the blond. Without hesitation, Harry squeezed next to the blond, lying snuggly against his side.
"What are you studying?" Harry asked, laying his head next to his.
Draco turned and stared at him. "It's for Clever Quidditch Tricks class. We have an in-class essay on Monday about what we're to read over the weekend. I thought I'd get a head start on it."
"Well aren't you a good student," Harry teased, smiling at him.
Draco snorted and turned the page. "I'm probably going to be here for a while, you know."
"That's okay," Harry said, moving his head to rest against Draco's shoulder. "I'll stay here with you."
Glancing at him briefly, Draco went back to reading not seeming to mind that Harry was using his shoulder as a pillow.
"Hermione's birthday party is next Saturday," Harry said quietly. "It sounds like it's going to be fun."
"Yeah, especially since Weasley won't be there," Draco commented, turning another.
Harry let out a soft laugh and nodded. "Yeah. So, what do you think of Lucas and Hermione?"
Draco shrugged as he kept his eyes on the book. "You mean as a couple? Lucas is definitely better than Weasley. But I don't really care who she dates, to be honest."
"I know," Harry smiled gently. "I think they're a cute couple though. I bet Lucas is excited about the party too."
"Mmhm," Draco murmured.
Harry studied the blond's face and then scooted even closer. He laid his head up against the side of Draco's head so that his cheek was pressed up against the blond's pierced ear. He lay on his side as well so he could read what Draco was reading. The blond didn't voice any protest what-so-ever and just turned the page. He wasn't really reading the book, since he wasn't taking the same class (it appeared that everyone had different versions of some classes but by the end of the four years got the same well-rounded education), but he relished in the warm feeling of just being close to Draco. It was relaxing and he didn't really have to do homework until Sunday (all he had was a short essay and an open-book assignment).
"Draco?" Harry asked softly.
"Hmm?" the blond murmured.
Harry tilted his head to look up at him. "Um, I was just wondering…er, did you know the girl that your father wanted you to marry?"
Draco's eyes moved away from the book onto him and Harry saw the grim expression on his features.
"I'm sorry if you don't want to talk about it. I know that you're still getting over what happened, but—"
"It's fine, Potter," Draco sighed heavily as he adjusted his position even with Harry against him. "Yes I knew her, or at least we had been acquainted years prior. Her family was also a strong supporter of the Dark Lord but she went to Beauxbatons not Hogwarts."
"But…her family can't be a pure-blood right?"
"No, she's a half-blood, but my father realized that there are hardly any pure-blood families left, especially ones in support of the Dark Lord and the Slytherin way of life. He was fine with a half-blood as long as she came from a wealthy family, supported the Dark Lord and as long as he got along with her parents. Cliodene Peakes is even more stuck-up than Pansy was, but at least she was more attractive. And apparently her great, great, however many greats, grandfather Glanmore Peakes defeated the Sea Serpent of Cromer back in the 1700's so her family is rich and well-known because of it."
"Glanmore…isn't he on a famous wizard card?" Harry asked, keeping his eyes on the other boy.
Draco nodded. "Yeah. Her family used Glanmore's fame to earn themselves a lot of money publishing books and selling items he used, but then they became famous for opening a Dark Arts shop in France. That's where they get most of their fame from. Not to mention they're well-respected among Slytherin families not only for their illegal Dark Arts supplies but they managed to keep a strong allegiance with the Dark Lord without ever having been caught by the Ministry. And out of all the families and supporters of the Dark Lord they hardly lost any family members whether to the Dark Lord or any other circumstance so people often think the Dark Lord favored them."
"I don't ever remember Voldemort mentioning her family, but I guess that's possible," Harry shrugged. "Especially if Voldemort knew her grandparents back in school or something."
"Yeah," Draco shrugged.
"So…is she really pretty?"
Turning to glance down at him, Draco's eyebrows rose. "I haven't seen her that recently. I remember she came to our house last year when the war was going on since both our parents were discussing their allegiance and what to do about the Ministry I think. She was…fairly attractive. She had straight dark brown hair and unnaturally blue eyes. It was like…darker than Lucas'. She had an exotic but creepy appearance. I mean sometimes I felt like she was staring right through me or that she could read all my thoughts."
"Sounds creepy," Harry smiled. "Would you have married her…er, if we hadn't gotten together, I mean?"
Draco exhaled deeply and glanced down at the book. "I don't know. Perhaps. It certainly wouldn't have been half as bad as marrying Pansy, but…honestly I don't know what I would've done if I never became accepted to this school."
Harry smiled softly and leaned up to press his lips to his cheek. "Don't worry. It's better if we not dwell on it anyway. It turned out differently and I'm thankful for that."
Draco gazed back at him and Harry stared into his silver-blue eyes which were illuminated by the soft glow from the fireplace. To Harry's surprise, the blond reached up a hand and grasped Harry's chin gently, turning his head.
"How's your cheek?" he asked, referring to the darkening red spot due mainly to the hit that he took for Draco.
"I'm fine, really," Harry shrugged it off. "How are you?"
Draco's hand released his chin and he shrugged, lying his head back down. "I guess I'm relieved I'll never have to see my father again. You know, you…you didn't have to do that for me," he said quietly.
Adjusting his position so that he was leaning on his elbow, Harry stared at him as Draco avoided his gaze.
"You mean stepping in when your father was going to hit you?" he questioned, knowing he was right when Draco shifted a bit uncomfortably. "Draco, I care about you. I didn't want him to hit you. Besides, I'm the famous Harry Potter so I can handle anything, right?" Harry joked, getting the blond to glance up at him.
Snorting, Draco rolled his eyes. "Right, Potter."
Smiling, Harry scooted closer to Draco who glanced at him. Harry's dark-green eyes dimmed and he leaned forward. Draco didn't move and continued to keep their eyes locked together. Harry gently pressed their lips together and slowly his eyes closed. Seconds later Draco responded and their lips caressed together passionately. When they broke apart Harry smiled at him and lay his head back down on Draco's chest. Silently, Draco picked the book back up and resumed his studying. Wrapped in the warmth of Draco's body heat, and extra heat from the fire, Harry's eyes fluttered closed as he completely relaxed against the blond.
A while later Harry opened his eyes, realizing that he must've fallen asleep. When he lifted his head he saw that he wasn't the only one. Draco had his head turned to the right, allowing his bangs to fall to one side as he slept. He had, at some point, summoned a pillow to put behind his head. Glancing at the plate he noticed that the blond had also eaten as well. But it was the fact that Draco had apparently put the book down at some point and had fallen asleep with him. And at some point during their sleep, Harry had rolled on top of Draco so he wasn't just sleeping against him anymore he was literally in his arms.
Smiling, Harry brushed some of Draco's bangs aside. He couldn't possibly imagine being rivals with him anymore—in fact they hadn't been rivals for a while. And to think if he hadn't applied for the school he never would've seen what a wonderful person Draco could be. Bending down, Harry pressed his lips to the other boy's cheek. Draco took in a deep breath, but otherwise didn't move.
Lying back down, Harry rested his head in the crook of Draco's neck with his face pressed against the blond's skin. His body rested on top of the other boy's body, for the most part. One of his legs was resting in between Draco's leg and the couch, but Harry's other leg was strewn over the blond's legs, resting partially between them. Moving his arm so that it wrapped around Draco's right arm, Harry closed his eyes and fell back to sleep.
TO BE CONTINUED…
To Reviewers:
Branwen777:I'm glad you like the ear piercing! Hehe! I definitely think you're right—it's the smaller things that attract Draco to him. And now Draco's parents are out of the way! HORRAY!
DestinyEntwinements:Hehe! At least it all worked out! Thanks:-)
GreenEyedCatDragon:Yep! They certainly have each other! I definitely don't like Draco's parents either, but they're out of the way now:-)
Skittlelove:Lol! I'm really glad you liked the earring! I know, I was picturing it myself…Oh my gosh! Speaking of hot, this boy on my bus looks A LOT like Draco…I think I'll have to pursue him. :-) Oo! Does that mean your name is Angelica? Thanks:-)
:I know Draco seems to be progressing slowly with his attitude, but he's not rude to Harry at least. He'll always have his sarcasm—it's just what makes him Draco, hehe! I'll update asap!
Lavarockme:Aww, thanks! I'm really glad you think Draco's in-character still. That's important! Oh yes, the trap was referring to Lucius and Narcissa going so far as to try and get Harry arrested. That was the trap. :-)
The Earth Mystic:Lol! Yes, Herm does know the law! Wait till she finds out about that. Thankfully, Draco's idea seemed to do the trick. I shall update asap!
Tiger Eye2:Hehe, thanks for understanding! Yeah, school's a pain! Lol! But thankfully I got this up! Thanks so much!
Peaceful Angel:Lol! I know, such bad timing, huh? Thanks:-)
Smurff:Yay, mac-and-cheese! This will give me energy! Don't worry, there's more drunkenness to come (hint: Hermione's birthday). Lol! I'm glad you liked the chapter. Oh yes, go catch up on sleep; sleep is good. :-)
Kari-Sama:Lol! Well, at least Draco's parents are finally out of the way, right? Hehe! Now it'll be better.
hkph:Oh cool! Does this new penname stand for something? I'm just curious, hehe! Finally Draco's parents are out of the way, lol! I know…piercings are hot, especially one on Draco. :-)
LoVsick:I'm really glad you like this! Thanks! Oh…you're so right! Blouse is for a woman, I guess! Haha, I didn't think of that. I was just picturing a sort of loose, fancy long-sleeved top. What would you call it for guys? A silky, loose kind of dressy shirt? Sorry if that threw you off. I'll have to change that!
GoddessMoonLady:Yep, poor Draco had to confront his father one way or another. Lol! I know, it's terrible when the two of them are interrupted! Oh yes, the earring is hot that's why I just had to put it in. It makes Draco even more irresistible.
QuincePaste:Really? Lots of people were giving Draco a belly-button piercing? O.o How strange! Lol! I definitely like the ear one better. Thanks!
Gbheart:I know, it'd be great to know magic, lol! Ah well. Thanks:-)
Fourth-face-of-the-goddess:Yep, the article came out too:-) And yes, darn Draco's parents, but at least they're out of the way now.
. .…: Well, they're not exactly happily-ever-after (yet) but at least Draco's parents are out of the way. Hehe! Thanks a bunch! I'm really glad you like this!
Ari Maxwell00909:Lol! Well, I'm too young to marry but thanks for the offer. I'm very glad to hear that you think it's realistic. That makes me very happy:-) Yeah, Harry became kind of desperate a bit, but otherwise it would've been impossible for them to get together, lol! Draco certainly wasn't going to initiate anything, as you pointed out. Aww, thanks! I'm so glad you like it that much! Hehe:-)
Bunni4u:Awww, thank you!
Jeje:Thank you! I'm really glad you liked it:-)
Cath:Thank you very much for that big compliment! Yes, it'll be sad once this is over. I'm really hoping I can come up with a sequel idea (but I don't want it to ruin the story, you know?). So we'll see. It's not quite over yet. A few more chapters I believe.