Hello, Readers :)
I had a thought earlier; it fills me with dread when people say things like "I've lived in the same town for all of my life", "I've lived in this house for twenty years" etc. I have never lived somewhere for longer than three years. I've moved fourteen times. I have location commitment issues.
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By the time the Gryffindors were sat at their table for lunch, the news of the new couple appeared to have spread through the school like Fiendfyre. Despite having missed breakfast and the cheerful atmosphere surrounding him, and Hermione's gentle coaxing as she piled his plate high, Harry couldn't bring himself to touch any of the delicious food. He radiated anxiety as his hands worried the fabric of his sleeves, steadfastly ignoring anyone who tried to gain his attention or draw him into their conversations, and head whipping around every few moments to study the entrance of the Great Hall. Emerald eyes scanned every newcomer, impatiently awaiting the arrival of his boyfriend. He had had to part ways with Draco after double potions, as the Slytherin had Ancient Runes with the Hufflepuffs and he had Herbology with Ravenclaw, much to his reluctance and irritation. The comments and rumours surrounding the couple had easily reached his ears, despite the best efforts of his protective housemates, and he was far from eager to let Draco out of his sight. Draco had had to deal with enough trouble already this year, he didn't need any more. Harry couldn't keep his mind from dragging up all sorts of scenarios and repercussions the other might have to face due to the revelation of their relationship.
His eyes landed on a tall figure, the platinum head held high and proud, despite the tense set of the shoulders. Harry watched as Draco swept into the Hall, radiating an aloof superiority as he brushed past staring or whispering students. Instead of heading straight to the Gryffindor table as Harry had expected him too, he watched as Draco began making his way towards the Slytherins. His wand slid subtly into his hand as he kept his eyes glued to the graceful gait, ready to jump in at the first sign of danger.
Draco fought the urge to seek out Harry, to run to his side and hide from the school in the relative safety of the Lion's Den. The urge was outweighed by his desire to know what his House were thinking, whether he was truly lost to them, whether there was any hope that they would support his choices. It might be masochistic, and seem like he was begging for a fight, but he had to know. Even though so far this year the Slytherins had made their opinions clear, had outright shunned him or even actively sought to harm him, he just couldn't make his heart give up on them completely. Maybe it was foolish, but he hoped that his actions might spur on those that didn't want to fall in their family's footsteps, and show them that there is another, better way to live.
He halted in his slow walk, eyes falling to a familiar face that had been staring at him dead on, trying to get his attention. Draco cocked his head to the side in silent question as he regarded the impassive face of Blaise Zabini with his own carefully cold and dull gaze. The handsome boy locked their eyes for a moment before giving a slight shake of his head. Draco supressed a sigh, responding with a small nod in recognition and resignation. It was over. He was no longer welcome in Slytherin. He let his eyes narrow at the boy he still considered a friend, a silent query of 'And you?'. Blaise visibly hesitated before the hand he was resting his chin on moved, his actions slow enough to not draw the attention of the snakes around him. He pointed to the centre of his chest before gesturing towards Draco. The other hand appeared so he could lay his index and middle finger across the open palm, displaying the sign language for the letter N.
Draco nodded once before whirring around and heading for the Gryffindor table, holding back a smile as his brain worked over the latest information. Blaise was on his side, and was neutral, but he was still very much a part of Slytherin, happily sitting amongst some of the most supportive followers of the Dark Lord. Was he just biding his time, waiting to see which side would be successful before declaring his position in the war? Was he keeping his fingers in all of the figurative pies so he could be privy to information from all sources? Or was he just playing it safe, the need for self-preservation winning out over his own opinions and wants? Draco was pleased by the interaction but knew better than to blindly trust the other, they hadn't spent six years together as friends and fellow Slytherins for nothing. He would have to keep an eye on him and maybe even set up a private meeting, if he could do so without arousing suspicion from members of the school with malicious intentions.
He did let his smile grow as his eyes finally settled on where they had wanted to since entering the Hall. Harry stood up to welcome him, a huge grin on his face and arms flung open expectantly. Draco rolled his eyes at his antics but easily stepped into the offered embrace, holding the smaller body briefly yet tightly before pulling away. He placed a chaste kiss to soft lips before pushing Harry lightly, indicating he retake his seat.
Hermione watched the pair warmly, nodding her head in greeting once Harry was no longer occupying all of the blonde's attention. "Good afternoon, Draco. I'm glad you could join us for lunch today. How have things been since we last saw you?"
"I only saw you, what," Draco flicked his wrist, checking his watch as he landed on the bench beside Harry, "ninety minutes ago, Granger."
"First, you're dating my best friend, please, call me Hermione. Secondly, a lot can happen in ninety minutes."
Draco shrugged noncommittedly, happy to get on with his much needed lunch, but several stubborn gazes landing on him had him pausing. "I'm fine. A few people wanted to show me their displeasure, but it's nothing I can't handle."
Harry frowned at the vague statement, knowing that Draco was probably downplaying anything that had happened to him to keep him from worrying. He had no doubt that Draco could deal with any potential enemies, and he was obviously completely unharmed, but still, some risks, especially the unnecessary ones, just weren't worth taking. "I think you should just join us for every meal, now. It's not like you weren't here often, anyway. And, I want you to feel free to come to the Gryffindor Tower whenever you like."
Glancing down at the untouched plate before his boyfriend, Draco began slowly assembling his own meal. "Eat. I appreciate it, but I don't think it's within your power to propose such an offer. I am still a Slytherin, there are rules." His gaze shifted to the three at the centre of the staff table. Dumbledore, McGonagall and Snape were having a quiet but heated discussion, their eyes occasionally flicking towards the Gryffindor table. Or rather, McGonagall and Snape were arguing while Dumbledore sat between them, nodding and smiling serenely as he stared off into the middle distance, the only sign he was paying attention to his professors the occasional soft word or twinkling of eyes. Draco let his attention drop back to the Gryffindors, taking note of the small handful that were not bothering to hide their glares at him, dotted amongst the otherwise loud and cheerful House. "And it's not fair for me to impose, either. I am grateful for the kind treatment I have received from most of the Gryffindors already, but I don't want to push my luck or ask too much of them. This doesn't only affect me and you, Harry, but the whole House. It's one thing for me the visit, but I doubt they'll be happy with me treating the Tower like my own."
"I don't care." The tone was fierce, defiant, and the green emeralds of Harry's eyes flashed stubbornly, almost dangerously. The brunette sighed, uncrossing his arms to caress fingers across Draco's cheek, cupping his face briefly before letting his hands fall atop the table. He could sense the people immediately around him, mostly students from his year, listening along to the conversation as they held whispered debates of their own. "I don't care. I promised I would keep you safe to the best of my ability, and I meant it. Even if we weren't dating, or friends, or even if we fell out and returned to how we used to be, I would keep that promise. You should be wherever you will be safest. That's what matters. Anyone opposed to that can take it up with me."
Draco dropped his gaze, a bittersweet smile on his face. "Because you promised Dumbledore?" Once again Harry's hand returned to his cheek, this time forcing him to look up and into those eyes.
"No, stupid. Because I promised you." Harry sealed the statement with a soft kiss pressed to shocked, pale lips. He smiled to himself as Draco stared at him in wonder, finally allowing himself to start digging into the food on his plate.
Hermione cleared her throat, gaining the boys' attention, "Well, I can't speak for everyone, but I for one agree with Harry. As long as you continue to treat us as you have been, I am happy for Gryffindor to be open to you. Especially if you agree to be my on-call study partner, and if you help me make these idiots pick up a textbook every now and then."
"Yeah, Princess, you're not getting rid of us that easily!" Seamus piped up from the other side of Draco, thumping a hand against his back. "You can be our honorary Gryffindor. You think we'd let Harry have all the fun? We got your back, too!"
Dean smirked at his best friend before nodding towards Draco. "Of course, as an honorary Gryffindor, you'll also now be an honorary member of the twenty-four seven putting-out-Seamus's-fires club. I hope you're ready."
Draco smiled around the group, the tension leaving his body as he was met by many smiling and nodding faces. His eyes fell back to Harry, quirking an eyebrow at his silent smirk. "Maybe you were right. So, any terms and conditions from you, you secret Slytherin? Do you want anything out of this deal?" He rolled his eyes but leaned in, accepting the contact as dark lips were pressed to his own. "Besides kisses. I know you better than that, what are you after?"
"I would settle for just kisses, but since you're offering…" Harry trailed of, allowing his Slytherin side to shine through. Draco had been more accurate with that comment than he had probably realised. "I want you to train with me."
"I thought you were already receiving training? I thought Dumbledore and others were helping you to prepare for the war?"
Harry sighed, allowing his gaze to shift to the head table. "I am, but not enough, and not the right kind. My defence is good, but I'm lacking in offensive skills. My combat ability is also quite poor; I've only survived this long through sheer dumb luck. It's one thing to be firing spells at a dummy or patiently waiting professor, it's another to be able to use them in actual battle."
"You're not as bad as you think, I've seen you, I would say you're well above average for our age," Draco spoke softly, his gaze following that of his boyfriend's. He waited until Harry's attention returned to him. "However, you make a good point; as you currently are, I hate to think of you going up against some low-level Death Eaters, let along the Dark Lord himself. You have everything it takes, you just need the practice. I'll teach you everything I know, I would love to. And, you can use me as target practice instead of a dummy, I promise to not go easy on you. You could do with more duelling experience, especially against someone who knows how Dark wizards act and fight." He winked, lightening the mood, "Of course, there won't be any Serpensortias cast this time."
Grinning at the memory of that ridiculous excuse for a duel Lockhart had subjected them to during their second year, Harry let gratitude colour his voice, "Thank you. If I'm forced to go against Voldemort I need all the help I can get." His normally cheery voice grew darker, softer, "I'm scared, Draco. I just…I just want to live."
Draco pulled him against his chest, wrapping his arms around the body and resting his chin above soft, messy locks. He held him close, knowing how much it took for the other to admit his fears, to let down the strong, confident aura he permanently carried. "I know, and you will. So help me Merlin, you will. You're not alone in this, Harry." He leant back, clasping their hands together as he spoke sincerely, "That promise you made me? I promise it to you in return. I promise to keep you safe, to the best of my ability, for as long as you will accept me."
"Don't, Draco, you don't know what you're agreeing to. You can't, I don't-" He was cut off by lips against his own, effectively silencing him.
"Shut up, scarhead. This is my decision. I am able to make my own choices for the first time in what feels like forever, so let me. Please don't take that away from me. I choose this, I choose you."
Harry hesitated but finally dropped his head back to Draco's shoulder, nodding against the thick fabric of his school robe. He turned, looking up as Hermione called out to him.
"I'm so sorry, Harry, I didn't realise you felt like that. All this time, we've been putting so much pressure on you, we didn't stop to think…" She trailed off, shaking her head. "Draco's right, you're not alone. I will help you in any way I can too. We can all train together. It will be like Dumbledore's Army all over again."
The secret organisation from last year was significantly less of a secret after the Inquisitorial Squad had outed them. Everyone and their mother knew by now what the Golden Trio had been getting up to in their spare time, something Draco was currently feeling uncomfortably guilty over. His gaze flicked to the Headmaster with a frown. "Yes, but better. And, I think it's time for a name change, don't you? The Light Army, perhaps?"
Hesitating, Harry frowned in thought. He had to agree with Draco; after becoming increasingly aware of Dumbledore's manipulations and scheming, and his own place as a pawn in the war, he felt less inclined to be declaring blind loyalty to the man. To the Light as a collective, for that matter. He agreed with what they stood for, but hated how they went about achieving their goals, using people and not caring about the consequences of their actions as long as they got what they wanted. He waited until stormy eyes reconnected with his, looking for an answer. "I think…I think we can be the Grey Army."
Draco reeled back slightly, gaze searching, imploring. What Harry was suggesting was a declaration of neutrality, the proposition of a third side to the war, a separate faction free of the extremes of Dark and Light. "I will support you in whatever you decide to do, just…make sure you're certain."
Green eyes swept the table, taking in the stunned silence at his words. He waited until the idea had sunk in, giving people time to decide how they wanted to react. Some turned away, ducking their heads, separating themselves, but others started to give slow, tentative nods. A few, mostly those who had been part of the DA, were quicker to show their affirmation, fixing him with thoughtful yet supportive grins. He couldn't help but smile at their loyalty, their unwavering friendship, stunned that they were eagerly following him down this treacherous path into unknown territory. He felt a little guilty for putting them through this, knowing he was asking too much of people too young, but quelled those thoughts with a sharp look from the blonde by his side. Draco was right, they could make their own decisions, and he had no right to take that from them. "Thank you, all."
"Of course, Harry," Hermione spoke up, taking it upon herself to speak on behalf of those now considered themselves members of the Grey Army. "We're with you, through everything. You should know that. We all want to survive, and we know what's coming, and we know the best place to be is wherever you are." She reached out, clasping one of his hands within both of hers. "Always."
Harry smiled at his best friend warmly, clasping his other hand around the outside if hers, squeezing firmly in a silent promise.
Releasing him, Hermione sat back, her eyes travelling between Draco and Harry. "I also have another proposition. You two start training together, not only as you have already mentioned, but as a pair." Her lips quirked at their identical looks of confusion, single eyebrows raised. "What I mean is you become partners, a team. Learn to work with each other. Duel together, fight together. It's the safest way to be, for both of you. You already work well together, I've seen it, and that's without any training or strategy. With practice, you could become quite formidable, and dare I say it, unstoppable. Or, at least, a damn sight less killable then you are alone."
Mind working over the idea, Harry let his gaze slide to Draco, his lips turning up when he saw the blonde already nodding agreeably. "That's a great idea, Hermione." He looked around the other occupants of the table in thought. "In fact, we can use that as a beneficial strategy for other members of the Army. Say, Dean and Seamus, or Ginny and Neville. It's well known that Death Eaters like to work solo and are notoriously bad at cooperating even with each other; this could give us all an upper hand."
The rest of the admittedly short time left of lunch was spent with excited whispers amongst the Army. Harry decided that he was done hiding in the shadows, he wanted to present as a strong, united force against the Dark. The things they talked about and learned, their strategies and plans, even their members should they choose would remain secret, but he wanted everyone to know what was coming. He wanted them to know that he was finally embracing his role as Harry Potter. He wanted them to know that he was preparing for war.
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To Be Continued (within 48 hours).
Happy Reading,
Love,
Bambi x
