This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.

Word Count: 3074

Title: Slip Of The Tongue

Note: AU! goodDraco

Warnings:

Beta: DarylDixon'sgirl1985

Hogwarts

Assignment 4: Beauty Therapy: Body Modifications: Task #8 - Tongue Splitting: Write about a Parselmouth (canon or not)

Yearly:

Prompt 650 [Song] "Somebody to Love"- Queen

"How much longer do you want to keep this up, Harry?" Ginny asked. "You know I love you and everything, but we're not a couple."

"Gin, you know why I asked you, I wasn't expecting you to fall in love with Victor Krum of all people," Harry teased jokingly.

"Yeah, imagine the field day Rita Skeeter would have with that, didn't Hermione already go through it?"

Harry nodded solemnly. "She was furious," he added.

"Harry, why don't you just come out? I'm sure it will all be okay," Ginny insisted.

"I'll think about it, but you promised me."

"I know, and I'll stand by it," Ginny insisted, taking his hand as they walked into the Great Hall, looking like the perfect couple in love.

"You're a lifesaver," he joked.

"Don't thank me yet. I haven't given you the fee," she winked.

It was a few weeks later, when Harry was sitting with Ginny that Malfoy's eagle owl dropped a letter onto his desk.

He read it out with a puzzled expression.

Potter

You know I would rather gouge my eyes out than ask you for a favour, but I recently received an African Rock Python. He is being very difficult and refusing to eat, so, would you help me?

Malfoy

Ginny squeezed his hand for show. "I'm sure he doesn't want your help," she muttered softly.

Harry blushed; embarrassed by Ginny's words as much as knowing he would be spending time with Malfoy in his room. He must have been keeping the snake there, where else could he be keeping it? The answer, to his horror, was Malfoy Manor.

"You want me to go to your house with you?" Harry asked incredulously. "What an absurd proposal."

"Come on, Potter, act like a grownup, surely it's not the end of the world. Or is your girlfriend that insecure?" Draco asked.

Harry couldn't help but laugh. That wasn't even close to being the real reason. The reason was that he didn't trust himself not to confess how he felt. Especially in a room with just Malfoy and his new pet snake.

The arrangements were made so that Harry could go to Malfoy Manor with Draco over the Easter weekend. Draco even offered very gratuitously that Harry could spend it with them.

"Why?" Harry asked.

"Surely you don't want to go home, do you?" Malfoy replied with a shrug.

"Um, no, thank you," Harry replied.

And that sorted it, Ginny was rather confused as to why Harry agreed. Of course, his fake girlfriend knew everything about his feelings for Malfoy.

"I thought you didn't want to spend time alone with him," Ginny said.

"Yup," Harry replied.

"Because you have been in love with him for years," she continued.

"Yes."

"And you know spending time with him might cause you to tell him the truth about being in love with him…"

"Ginny, stop," Harry insisted. "I know all this."

"Then, you're an idiot," she shrugged.

"I appreciate the concern, but perhaps it is time, you know," Harry stuttered. Ginny's eyebrows rose so high they disappeared into her red hair.

"You want to tell him?"

"I thought maybe I will see how it goes," Harry admitted.

"Well then, good luck," Ginny said, walking off to the owlery to send a letter to Victor Krum.

"You're welcome to use Hedwig," he called after her retreating back.

"Okay, so here goes nothing," Harry muttered, leaving the Gryffindor common room following the curious stares from everyone in the room, including Hermione and Ron.

"I'll be okay," Harry insisted.

Hermione laughed, "Who are you trying to convince? Us or yourself?"

"Perhaps both," Ron interjected. "Rather you than me, mate."

"Come on guys, he isn't a Death Eater, we know he joined Dumbledore," Harry insisted.

"Harry, that's not what we are worried about," Hermione said gently. "Just don't get your heart broken, okay?"

Harry nodded and clambered out the portrait hole, walking towards professor Dumbledore's office to meet Malfoy so they could take a portkey to the Manor.

"Finally," Malfoy said with a sneer.

"You are welcome to find another wizard to do it, oh wait, you don't know of any," Harry retorted in annoyance, he wasn't sure why he was expecting Malfoy to be anything except the frustrating prat that he usually was. On the other hand, it did momentarily have the benefit of making him forget about how much his heart was racing.

"Come on boys, gather around," Dumbledore said, his twinkling eyes flickering between the two of them. Harry reached for the beach ball at the same time as Malfoy, and the last thought that went through Harry's mind before they lurched out of the office was how beautiful Malfoy's grey eyes were beneath gentle lights.

"Let me show you to your room," Malfoy suggested, eyeing all his bags. "You look like you're moving in."

"You wish," Harry retorted, and then his cheeks turned pink and he looked down quickly. It had been a joke, but the implication of it hit him too late that he was flirting with Malfoy. He hadn't been able to spend a minute alone with him before he slipped up.

Malfoy didn't respond to that. "Come on then," he nodded in the direction of the room. The room was decorated in ivory and dark wood, there wasn't much in the room, but it was beautiful and elegant.

"This used to be one of my favourites," Malfoy admitted.

"Why isn't it anymore?" Harry asked, before realising he should have just kept quiet.

"I suppose it still is, in a way," Malfoy said. "My grandmother Black lived here before she died, and this was always her room."

"I'm sorry, if you would rather I don't," Harry said, but he realised this had been the room he was offered, so it must be okay.

"It's fine," Draco said, trying to sound casual but failing. "I re-decorated it when you agreed to come over."

"Wow, thank you," Harry said, feeling honoured at the thought that Draco had gone through the effort, although he wasn't sure if he just sent a House Elf or did it himself.

"I chose the fabric myself, my mother did the sewing, of course, but I also decided on and hung the curtains."

"Why?" Harry asked without thinking, and internally berated himself at the look on Draco's face.

"I love decorating," he said simply. That seemed to be the end of that conversation.

"When can I see him?"

"Him?" Draco looked puzzled.

"The snake," Harry clarified.

"Oh yes, Monty," Draco said.

"You called your Python Monty?" Harry laughed.

"Yeah, so?"

"You know Monty Python is the name of a Muggle comedy series?"

"It is? Oh, what a strange coincidence," Draco said, but something was sparkling in his eyes. Although he wasn't admitting to it, Harry had a feeling he knew more about Muggle television than he let on.

"So, when can I see Monty?" Harry repeated, trying to keep a straight face.

"After lunch," Draco said, leaving Harry alone in the room.

"What a strange man," Harry muttered to himself, 'Beautiful, but strange.'

Lunch involved Harry trying to make conversation with Mr and Mrs Malfoy, who both seemed pleased for the company.

"Mrs Malfoy, the food is lovely," Harry said politely. He thought of Mrs Weasley's cooking, which was a great deal better, but he wasn't about to insult his hostess by mentioning it. The pale woman beamed at him in delight.

"I am so glad you think so, Harry," she said. "See, Lucius, someone appreciates my food."

Mr Malfoy glared at him, it was clear he had made the mistake of making Mr Malfoy look bad. Draco's eyes seemed to be focused on Harry throughout the meal.

"So, Draco says you are dating the Weasley girl, isn't she a bit young for you?" Mrs Malfoy said, and Draco appeared to choke on his spinach.

"No, Mrs Malfoy, she is only a year beneath me and your son," Harry replied.

"Oh, she seems younger from when I've seen her, but I suppose I haven't spoken to the girl."

"Yes, I know the last time I saw her she was a tiny first year," Mr Malfoy said with a faraway look.

"I suppose it's expected," Harry said, not realising the extent of what he was admitting. "Isn't Draco betrothed to Astoria Greengrass?"

"That's not—" Draco attempted but it was too late.

"Oh no, Draco is gay, we called it off ages ago," Mrs Malfoy said. Both male Malfoy's looked like they were about to explode. Surely, Draco being gay wasn't that serious, but Lucius Malfoy looked furious at the confession. Draco, however, Draco's mouth turned into a thin line, as if he was waiting for Harry to use that against him.

"I wish I had the strength to do something so bold," Harry said.

"I didn't ask— you what?" Draco asked.

"I find it incredibly brave, and you are lucky your family is so supportive. I don't know what Mrs Weasley would do if I told her I wasn't marrying Ginny."

"She isn't your mother, Harry," Mrs Malfoy said. "Isn't it enough for you to just be such a good friend to them as you already have?"

"Mrs Weasley thinks being gay is some kind of illness," Harry admitted with a shrug. "Not that I agree," he hastened to add.

It looked like Draco wanted to say something, but he couldn't find the words.

"They are the closest thing I have to family."

Mrs Malfoy looked at him with a sadness in her eyes, and he knew he had just come out to a family he hardly knew, and spent years believing where the bad guys. To have them sit casually around a table, discussing Harry's love life seemed strange.

"It's not fair towards Weasley, you know," Draco finally said.

"Oh, Ginny knows I'm gay," Harry admitted, although the room wasn't as cosy as The Burrow, he felt a safety in here that he never knew he could feel, at least not anywhere that isn't Hogwarts.

"Of course she does," Draco said.

It was a couple of hours after Harry went to his room that he realised he had no idea where Draco's room was, or how to get there. He took out a book on Quidditch to keep himself busy, he was laying on the bed propped on his arms, but the bedroom door was open.

"Potter," Draco said.

"You know, you can call me Harry," Harry added, flopping onto his back to stare at him.

"You seem comfortable in the Devil's den, Harry," Draco teased. It was the look in his eyes that showed something different.

"You aren't close to being the devil, devilishly annoying, perhaps," Harry grinned.

"Come on then, let's check on Monty," Draco was standing up even straighter.

"Of course," Harry said, "Have you read this?" Harry held up the book.

"Yes, I have," Draco said. "I have a copy in my room."

"Cool," Harry said, folding a corner of the book and leaving it on the bed, then getting up to follow Draco to his room.

Draco opened his door, and Harry instantly spotted the large glass terrarium in the room. "He is beautiful," Harry said in awe.

Harry walked over to Monty, and started to speak.

"Hello, Monty," Harry said in Parseltongue.

"Hello, stranger."

"I'm Harry."

"Oh, Harry Potter, the famous one," the snake seemed to glance over at Draco, and as much as Draco managed to usually keep his composure, Harry saw something different pass over his face, the same thing that happened when his mother outed him.

"Not quite famous, I'd say, so what's the matter with you? He says you have been rather sad," Harry said, nodding towards Draco.

"I am rather lonely," Monty admitted. "But he takes good care of me."

"And he is quite handsome," Harry added accidentally.

The snake laughed at him with a hiss. "I see you fancy the master then, do you?"

"I suppose you could say that," Harry admitted, seeing no need to lie to the snake, who couldn't confess his secret even if he wanted to.

When Harry glanced at the door, it seemed Draco was gone.

"Don't mind him," Monty said. "Rather a mysterious one."

Harry laughed. "Mysterious, definitely, for a long time I believed he was a bad wizard," Harry added.

The snake nodded. "I think he believes you still do," Monty added.

"How do I tell him I don't?"

"Time will tell," Monty said mysteriously, "Time for my nap, will you excuse me?"

"Of course," Harry said politely, sitting down on Draco's bed.

Harry spotted the book he had been reading on Draco's beside table. He also noticed some newspaper clippings hastily shoved into the drawer. He opened it to pull out one of himself, and blushed in embarrassment.

"What are you doing?" Draco asked, reappearing in the doorway with a furious expression.

"I'm sorry," Harry said, not even trying to explain. "I'll go."

Harry was lying on the bed, staring at the ceiling, he wondered why Draco had the clippings of him. Of course, he couldn't be sure, but he had a feeling it wasn't all Draco was hiding from him. Monty seemed perfectly content, perhaps a little bored, but what could be done except letting him out for occasional walks? Or perhaps finding him a friend?

"I was thinking the same thing," Draco said, appearing in the doorway.

"I didn't realise I said that out loud," Harry admitted.

"I over reacted," Draco said.

"No shit," Harry replied with a grin.

"I mean, didn't you ever have a secret you didn't want people knowing about?" Draco said.

"Yeah, I must say, I do."

"Exactly," Draco said, plopping down onto the bed next to him unceremoniously.

"I'll tell you mine if you tell me yours," Harry said, winking.

"You will?" Draco said, eyebrows raised in curiosity.

"Trust me," Harry said, wondering when it turned serious. He was also wondering why Draco was so close to him. Why was it getting hot in the room? Where was the air?

"I'm a Paseltongue as well," Draco said.

"But... but that means," Harry stuttered. "Then why did you make me come over?"

"It's your turn," Draco said, avoiding the question.

"You heard me tell Monty, I fancy you, Draco," he added the last bit in Parseltongue, and watched Draco shiver.

"I want more than that," Draco replied, and a jolt of lightning went through Harry at the words, the meaning, and the language. He had always secretly found Parseltongue rather a sexy language, strange as it was to believe.

"How much more?" Harry asked.

"I want it all," Draco said, looking hungrily at him.

Harry leaned over to kiss him, pinning Draco to the bed. With a hasty grab at his wand, he locked the door, and proceeded to kiss every inch of Draco until they were both out of breath.

"I suppose you want me to break up with Ginny then," Harry said a few hours later.

"You bloody better," Draco responded. "You're mine now."

"I've never been hers."

"Not even on paper," Draco insisted.

"So, you want to be my boyfriend then, do you?"

"For now," Draco said cheekily.

"Oh really?"

"Yes, I want it all over the front page of the Daily Prophet that I, Draco Malfoy, intend to woo the Chosen one, and that I will also be asking him to marry me."

"Aren't you getting a bit ahead of yourself?" Harry asked.

"No," Draco said simply.

It was too soon that the weekend came to an end, and time arrived for the two of them to go back to the real world. Harry for one was curious how things would change. Harry had sent Ginny, Ron and Hermione letters by owl to explain that they needn't pretend he was dating Ginny anymore, so she was free to pursue her romance with Victor Krum. He also told them how he and Draco had gotten together, and he was nervous about the reactions he would get.

"Harry, relax," Draco said, holding Harry's one hand, one of Harry's bags slung over his one shoulder. Draco kissed him, making his heart race before they went down the spiral staircase of Dumbledore's office.

As soon as they stepped out of the headmasters office, the whispers began. Harry turned it out, he was used to it by now. He maintained his hold on Draco's hand until they reached the Gryffindor dormitories, and Draco leaned in for a kiss before letting him climb into the open portrait.

His heart was racing as he faced his curious friends, sitting on the couch waiting for an explanation.

"It was all a trick to get me alone," Harry said, he couldn't get the smile off his face, and he gently touched his lips were they still tingled from the kiss.

"I am so proud of you, Harry," Ginny said with a genuine smile.

"His mother basically blurted out he was gay over lunch," Harry laughed.

"If you're happy, we're happy," Hermione said. Ron just nodded. Harry couldn't be more pleased, at least whatever else happened, he always had his friends to support him.

"I'm sure Mum will still love you," Ginny said suddenly.

"What if she doesn't? I don't want to lose all of you," Harry admitted, letting his fear suddenly overtake him now that he wasn't intoxicated by Draco's presence.

"Stop that, right now, before I go and tell your boyfriend," Ginny muttered.

"He is my boyfriend," Harry repeated.

"Yes, he is," Ginny said.

"I think he loves me."

"I'm sure he does," Ginny added. "He better not hurt you, I can still curse him."

Hermione and Ron chuckled, and something inside Harry made him feel like everything would work out in the end, as difficult as it was, Draco was worth it. After all, all he ever wanted was someone to love. Draco had always been that person, ever since he admitted it to himself. He didn't want to ruin his chance at happiness being scared of what other people say.

"And I love him, I love Draco Malfoy," Harry said, his voice echoing around the common room, and he couldn't even feel shame for his confession. Yes, Malfoy Manor had felt like home, but Hogwarts had always been home. There was no need to change anything about how they acted, although, perhaps they should cut down on the amount of public displays of affection.