Betrayals, Truths and Family
Chapter 10: A Dinner with the Malfoys
Harry and Draco made it back to Harry's bedroom about an hour before dinner was due to start. They freshened up and sat on Harry's bed to play a game of chess. Draco was clearly shocked at Harry's ability and he could see Harry tensing up at the look on his face.
"Harry, it's okay. I just have heard a number of times that you aren't good at the game and am shocked. It is a good shock though. I'm not upset or anything that you are beating me. I'm proud of you. I promise," Draco said, worry in his eyes.
"No, I should let you win, I have to let you win," Harry mumbled quietly, so quietly that Draco almost missed it.
"No, Harry. It's okay. You are allowed to win. I don't mind. Honestly,"
"But-"
"No but's, Harry. It's a game, I don't mind who wins so long as we are having fun. I promise. I am happy that you are winning,"
"Why?" Harry looked genuinely confused, which upset Draco though he didn't show it. He didn't want Harry thinking the wrong things.
"Because it means that I finally have someone who can challenge me at this game. Everyone else is too easy to play against. It is boring winning all the time. And because you are allowed to win, you are allowed to succeed. You are allowed to be happy,"
"I don't understand," Harry whispered, pain in his eyes.
Draco's heart hurt at the hurt in his new friend.
"That's okay. I will just keep telling you until you do understand,"
There was a knock on the door, "Boys, Draco's parents will be here shortly. Meet us in the living room in five minutes, please," Severus said through the door.
"Do you want to go now or wait a couple of minutes?" Draco asked.
"Go now," Harry said nervously as he stood, his hands wringing in front of him.
"Okay," Draco grabbed Harry's hand gently, twining their fingers together and led him to the living room, slowly.
They arrived just as Draco's parents were stepping out of the floo and Draco felt Harry's grip tighten in nervousness.
"It's okay," Draco whispered to Harry before leading him over to the adults who were conversing amongst themselves.
"Mother, father, I would like you to meet my friend, Harry. Harry, these are my parents, Narcissa and Lucius Malfoy," Draco said proudly, a beaming smile on his face.
Harry smiled shyly at the two. Narcissa was smiling at him gently, and Lucius was almost smiling.
"Hello, it is nice to meet you," Harry said quietly.
"Hello, Harry. It is nice to meet you also. Draco has told us lots about you," Narcissa said kindly, a motherly look on her face.
"Hello, Harry. I personally would like to apologise for what happened the first times we met during your second year. I wasn't in my right mind at the time. But it's good to meet you properly," Lucius said.
"That's okay, sir," Harry said.
"Shall we go through to the dining room?" Severus said, a small smile on his face as he looked at his son.
They sit at the table, Harry in between Severus and Draco, Tom at the head, and the two adult Malfoys opposite the three of them.
Harry thought it odd when the food and drinks arrived that Mrs Malfoy had water instead of wine like the other adults. But he didn't comment on it.
He stayed quiet for the majority of the meal, only speaking when spoken to. He was glad that Draco hadn't let go of his hand, even if it made it harder to eat.
Not that he was particularly hungry anyway.
"So, Harry, have you given much thought as to what you would like to do after Hogwarts?" Narcissa asked kindly.
Harry blinked, a little overwhelmed.
"Erm… well, I was thinking maybe training to be a healer. But I… I don't think I will be good enough. It seems quite difficult and I…" He trailed off, not knowing what to say or how to feel.
"I am sure you will be a wonderful healer, Harry," his dad said and Harry looked at him, shocked.
"But I… I'm not good enough for it-"
"Harry, you forget that I have seen the books you read in the library, especially the healing ones. You are more than capable of getting the grades required for healer training, and you will be an amazing healer," Draco said, a small, sad smile on his face.
"But-"
"No but's, Harry. You will be amazing and we will all be there to support you every step of the way,"
Harry couldn't help the blush that bloomed on his cheeks at Draco's words. He looked at his lap, shocked that people could think such good things about him. Draco squeezed his hand comfortingly.
It was all too much. He had never had anyone believe in him before, not really. They believed in 'Harry Potter' but never 'Harry'. But here he was surrounded by people who believed in him. Who believed in his ability to do things. To be good at something.
It hurt.
It hurt that he hadn't had anyone to truly believe in him before now. He had his Quidditch team, but that was really it. No one else.
He faintly heard someone calling his name, perhaps telling him to breathe, the words were all jumbled. But he became distinctly aware that it hurt.
It hurt to breathe.
It hurt to think.
It hurt to feel.
His vision was spotting, but he didn't care.
He could feel people holding him, but he didn't care.
He wanted a different life.
He wanted peace.
He wanted freedom.
He wanted to not feel lost.
He wanted to breathe.
But he couldn't.
It hurt.
Everything hurt.
He was tired.
Tired of pain.
Tired of life.
Tired of hurting.
Tired of everything.
He just wanted it all to end.
He welcomed the blackness that surrounded him as if it were an old friend.
Hiya, I hope you are all well!
Sorry again for taking a while to update, I swear that I will one day be able to post regularly but life is messy at the moment and things are just tough. But I hope you enjoyed the chapter, even though it is rather short.
I have a Facebook group called Maraudering_Paige where we talk about Harry Potter, fanfiction, life, share memes and more. You are all welcome to join if you want to, I will accept you all. I will also, when I get around to it, be posting an update schedule of sorts on there. And that is where I will be letting you all know when I will be posting, what I will be posting, etc.
I hope you are all having an amazing day.
Kind regards,
Paige xx