Disclaimer: I am not J.K. Rowling. This story is merely my way of saluting her. I do not own any of these characters; I just manipulate their thoughts.
Summary: Harlequin, meet Harry. Set in the late 1870's, this is a story about a lighthouse keeper who is content with the solitary life he leads until a shipwreck washes ashore a remarkable young man. As the keeper cares for the young man, his will to start living again rejuvenates, sprouting from admiration to adoration to love.
Alternate Universe. Non-Magic. Slash. Harry/Draco.
A/N: Thanks for the sweet reviews! You guys are the best! And ryuuzaki17, your wish is my command. Holy crap, I was dying because I laughed too much as I wrote this.
Four years later…
"Rose, please stop pes –" Ron's eyes grew wide as recognition struck. "H – Harry?"
Harry grinned, winking impishly.
"Harry!" Ron exclaimed, throwing himself at Harry. "Hermione! Hermione!" he shouted, nearly deafening Harry in the process.
"What?" Hermione asked grumpily, pulling her hair into a loose ponytail. "I don't – wh – Harry – oh my god!" Her hand went up to her heart as she froze. "You're here… Oh my god, you're here!' she screamed, running up to Harry and hugging him fiercely.
Harry staggered back at the force of the embrace from his best friends. He hadn't realized how much he had missed them until he felt the tears running down his face. He buried his head in Hermione's shoulder. Ron was practically jumping with joy. Rose and Hugo hung back, watching their parents with wide eyes. "I missed you," Harry said, his voice muffled against Hermione.
"So don't leave," Hermione said firmly.
Harry didn't respond. He didn't know how to. He didn't know what he wanted to do anymore. So he just hugged to his heart's content. By the time the three broke apart, their eyes were red and their cheeks ached from grinning. They tried to look presentable as they faced the children.
"Rose, Hugo… This is Harry," Ron said proudly, clapping his hand on Harry's back.
"Harry – Potter?" Hugo asked in wonder.
"The very same," Ron said. "You know, Harry, you're quite famous these days."
"No more so than usual, I hope," Harry said.
"No, definitely more so than usual…" Ron said cheerfully.
Harry groaned.
"Mother, please stop fussing."
Narcissa ruffled indignantly. "I am supposed to fuss over him," she said, coddling young Scorpius on her lap.
"You fussed over me enough," Draco said, rolling his eyes. "Look how I turned out."
"You turned out perfectly – handsome and charming as ever," Narcissa said, eyeing her son lovingly.
"I think Theo's choice words include full of myself and spoilt."
"Don't listen to him."
"He's not the on –" Draco stopped midsentence, wincing and rubbing his temple. "He's not the only one. Blaise's words are even worse. Nothing your ears should hear."
Narcissa tried to stop the concern show in her voice as she said, "My ears have heard more than you could imagine."
Scorpius started screaming bloody murder. Draco rolled his eyes. "Mother, whatever you are doing to him, he doesn't like it," he said, walking towards the sound.
Narcissa stopped pinching Scorpius' cheeks. "You didn't mind it," she said.
"He's not me," Draco said, laughing as his hand landed on Scorpius' head. The boy grabbed his father's fingers tightly, spluttering all over them. Draco picked him off of Narcissa's lap, cradling him. "He's going to be better than me," Draco said, feeling for Scorpius' cheek and planting a firm kiss on it. "I love you," he whispered into his son's ear.
Scorpius squirmed and giggled. "Love you," he answered, kissing Draco's nose.
Narcissa sighed. "You two melt my heart," she said dreamily.
"Mother," Draco muttered, rolling his eyes again.
"Travel?" Ron exclaimed in astonishment.
"Yes, travel," Harry said.
"Where?"
"Everywhere."
"Why?"
"No answer to why. I want to."
"Mental!" Ron exclaimed.
"I know. I have the money. I am still young. Might as well get some adventure and mystery before I die."
"I thought you were done with adventures."
"I thought I was too. I thought wrong."
"Hermione, talk him out of this."
Hermione sighed, sipping her tea thoughtfully. "It is his life, Ron. Not much we can do about it," she said. Harry smiled at her thankfully. "Besides, he's been cooped up in that lighthouse for years. We should be happy that he's out of there."
"Right, you should be happy," Harry said smugly.
"I'll be happy when you settle down," Ron grumbled.
"I don't have anyone to settle down with," Harry said bluntly.
Ron didn't mind the callous statement. "What was so wrong with Ginny?"
"Nothing. She wasn't right for me."
"Who is right for you, then?"
"Apparently, no one."
Ron made a noise of frustration. "You are so infuriating," he said, angrily eating his pastry.
"Where are you going?" Hermione asked.
"I was thinking start with Deauville, Normandy. It's close by."
"You don't know French."
"I'm sure I can scrape by," Harry said with a soft smile.
"When are you leaving?"
"Three days."
Ron straightened up. "But when are you coming back?"
"I don't know. A fortnight, perhaps."
"You just got here," Ron complained.
"Do you want to come with?"
Ron and Hermione blinked at each other. "Wh – what?" Hermione asked.
"Come with me. With the kids, of course."
"Just like that?" Ron asked.
"Spontaneous."
"For two weeks?"
"Yes."
"Mental!" Hermione exclaimed.
"Deauville? Why the hell would you go to that bloody posh beach?"
"Because I want to, goddamn it," Draco said good-naturedly, shoving Blaise.
"Like hell I'm coming with you."
"Please," Draco asked sweetly.
"I'm going to be stuck looking after that little snot-nosed bugger, aren't I?"
"I wouldn't dream of letting that little snot-nosed bugger get close to you," Draco lied happily.
"I'm not paying for it."
"That's fine."
"I'm not going to enjoy it."
"That's fine."
"I don't know French."
"Look at that! Neither do I!"
"Have you told Narcissa yet?"
Draco scoffed. "Do you really think I did? She won't let me get out of the house without supervision. Thinks I'm a bloody child."
"You are."
"I'm blind, not backwards."
"Same difference."
Draco had to quell the urge to stamp his foot. "I'm going whether you come with me or not."
"Like hell I'm letting you go alone."
Draco grinned.
Deauville was the hot spot for the rich and famous. The villas looked out into the calm sandy beaches. Sun bathers were aplenty and the atmosphere was that of a dream world, where everything was perfect and no one had a care in the world. The Weasleys' stared at the scene with bugged eyes. The boardwalk was filled with brilliantly dressed aristocrats. Flowers adorned the windows of the beautiful villas that overlooked the ocean. Soft music played from discreet speakers around the coastline. Small bistros bustled with chic crowds. Harry stopped in front of a white stone building with large oak double doors.
"This is us," he said.
Rose and Hugo gaped with open mouths at the house. Harry pushed the doors open to reveal the exquisitely decorated indoors.
"Bloody hell, Harry," Ron breathed, stepping into the foyer.
"Blood hell," Rose repeated, earning a swat on the head from Hermione.
Sharp, colorful paintings of flowers hung on the walls of the house. Grey furniture added elegance and warm Persian rugs were abundant. Each bedroom had its own en suite bath. The large canopied beds had wonderfully fluffed pillows and down blankets. The living room was massive, housing a piano and a black stone fireplace. The kitchen was stocked with meals and snacks, much to Ron and Hugo's delight. The bay windows looked out onto the boardwalk, where Hermione gazed in adoration at the number of shops and restaurants in sight.
"How much did this cost you?" Hermione asked incredulously, dragging her eyes towards Harry reluctantly.
Harry sighed dramatically. "I still have enough to last me one more meal."
Ron chuckled, eyeing the marble chessboard with envy. "Fancy a game?" he asked.
"You always win."
"We haven't played in years…"
Harry smiled at Ron's hopeful look. "Alright. Just make sure you win gracefully, not like in school," he said.
"Hell, Draco, you should have told me about these beautiful sun bathers!" Blaise said. Rachel punched his arm for that comment. "Ow!"
"Prick," she muttered.
"What? You are one of them," Blaise muttered.
"You're supposed to say that I'm the most beautiful. Not just 'one of them'. Bloody arse."
"Please, think of the poor child," Draco said, holding out his son beseechingly.
"Right, right. Mind your language, Blaise," Rachel said.
Blaise opened his mouth to retort heatedly, but the look he got from his wife stopped him. "Fine," he said.
"Bloody arse!" Scorpius shouted happily. Blaise and Rachel were soon doubled over with laughter while Draco shook his head despondently.
"Look what you've done to my poor son…"
"Like you're any better," Blaise chuckled.
"Let's just sit here. I don't think I can walk after that," Rachel said shakily, throwing down her towels and books. The two men complied, sitting down on the warm sand. Draco ran his hands down the grains, marveling at the softness. "Draco, I reckon you need to work on your color. You are much too pale," Rachel said.
"It runs in the family," Draco said, smiling weakly. "Besides, nothing wrong with being pale. I don't tan, I burn."
"Pish posh! Everyone tans. You just need to know when to stop."
"You're making me into such a woman," Draco grumbled as Rachel pushed him down and made him lay flat on his back.
"Take your shirt off, my precious Nancy-boy."
"Really, Rachel! Not in front of Blaise!" Draco chided.
He heard Blaise scoff. "The day Rachel fucks you is the day I'll eat my shoes."
Draco bit his knuckles to keep from roaring with laughter. Rachel was now in the process of chasing Blaise down the beach. Scorpius waddled up to Draco and plopped down on his stomach. After recovering from being winded and trying not to choke to death with his laughs, Draco dragged his boy to his chest. "So, how do you like it?"
"I like it," Scorpius said bluntly.
"Good."
"I want to swim."
"We'll wait until Uncle Blaise gets back. He'll take you," Draco said, hugging his three year old tightly.
"You take me."
"Wish I could," Draco said, shrugging.
"I take you," Scorpius said insistently.
Draco chuckled. "Wish you could."
"It's like I died and went to heaven," Ron mused as he walked down the shoreline without any shoes on.
Harry laughed heartily at Ron's blissful comment. "We should come down here more often then!" he said.
"You'll be penniless in a matter of two years," Ron said.
"True. I will be utterly happy and penniless though."
"You're happy, Harry?" Ron asked, flicking his eyes at Harry quickly.
"Yes," Harry said firmly. "I think I am."
"Good."
Harry felt a tug on his slacks and he looked down at the pint sized blond boy with a million pound grin. Harry jerked his eyebrows at the boy. The boy shrugged, motioning for Harry to kneel down. Harry did so. The boy looked at him importantly, holding out his hand. "You, sir, are a bloody arse."
Ron practically fell on face. Harry gave a confused grin to the boy, shaking his hand. "Thank you?"
"You're welcome," the boy said proudly.
"And who might you be?"
"I'm a bloody arse!"
"Hmm…" Harry nodded in all seriousness. Ron was rolling on the beach at this, clutching his stomach.
"Scorpius, get back here you!" a tall woman ran up to Harry and the boy. She smiled beautifully at Harry and eyed Ron distastefully. "Sorry, he likes to run away," she said with an apologetic lilt. "He hasn't been trouble, has he?"
Harry chuckled. "Besides calling me a bloody arse, no trouble at all," he said, grinning at Scorpius.
"Wh – he did – hell, I'm going to – I mean, um, heck?" the woman blushed, biting her lip.
Now Ron seemed to be choking on his own tongue. Harry winked at the woman. "We're on holidays, swear all you want," he said.
The woman laughed, shaking her head. "It's alright if I swear, but if he does, I'm dead," she said candidly, picking Scorpius up in her arms. She blinked at Harry, her eyes sliding up to his half-hidden scar then back to his face. She narrowed her eyes slyly, a soft smile on her lips. "You wouldn't happen to be Harry Potter, would you?" she asked, a twinkle in her eye.
Harry quickly flattened his hair over his forehead. "I – er – yes…"
"Brilliant!"
"Really?"
"Yes! Scorpius found Harry Potter. My husband is going to be thrilled when he hears this," the woman said excitedly. Harry blushed this time, mumbling nonsense. She laughed again. "I won't tell," she stage-whispered. "It was wonderful to meet you, Mr. Potter. Never knew you would be such a gentleman." With a small curtsy – which was unnecessary since she was in a bathing suit – and a smile, she sauntered off up the beach with Scorpius in her hands.
"That was – interesting…"
"So, guess who Scorpius ran into?"
"Who?" Blaise asked, shaking the sand out of his hair.
"The Boy-Who-Lived."
Blaise froze, his expression suspicious. He glanced at Scorpius, who was busy playing with Draco. Then he looked back at Rachel. "No, he didn't."
"Yes! I saw him myself!"
"Scar and all?"
"Yes, scar and all. Gorgeous man." Blaise rolled his eyes at Rachel. "Not as gorgeous as you, my darling," Rachel purred, planting a languid kiss on Blaise's lips.
"Good. I don't want the bloody Savior taking my one and only wife."
"Speaking of which, Scorpius called him a bloody arse."
Blaise sputtered. "Wh – what?"
"You heard me right. He called Harry Potter a bloody arse."
"No, he couldn't!" Blaise exclaimed in horror.
"It's alright. Mr. Potter just laughed it off. Hmm… Come to think of it, he winked at me…"
Blaise scowled, crossing his arms in front of his chest.
"I love it when you're jealous," Rachel grinned impishly.
"Don't tell Draco. He'll kill me."
"He'll kill me too. Our little secret," Rachel said, sealing it with a kiss.
The next day, Harry was helping Rose and Hugo wind their kites up when he felt a soft tugging on his shirt. He looked back at the small blond boy again – Scorpius. Ron was already starting to shake with laughter. Harry rolled his eyes at his best friend, turning to face the boy again. "Come to call me a bloody arse?" Harry asked with a smile.
"No. That's a bad word," Scorpius said ominously.
"Ah," Harry said in acknowledgement, nodding at Ron's red face. "It is."
"My name is Scorpius," Scorpius said with a smile.
"Well, I'm Harry."
"Arry…"
"Right."
"Arry," and with that Scorpius ran off.
"That boy is nothing but trouble," Ron said, laughing in full force now.
"At least he knows not to call me a bloody arse anymore," Harry said, laughing with Ron. Hermione made a noise of consternation as the children joined in.
Scorpius loped down the beach to where Blaise was standing. "Uncle Blaise! I met Arry!"
Blaise scooped up the hurtling toddler in his arms before his shins bore the brunt of the collision. "You met who?"
"Arry!"
"Alright then. Rachel's not going to be happy with you running off like that," Blaise said. "Especially if you're mee – wait, Arry… as in Harry?"
"Arry."
"You little devil!"
"Really, Draco? We come all this way for you to read your damned book?" Blaise asked as he sat down beside Draco. Draco was on his stomach, making very slow progress as he ran his hands across the translated book.
"This is taking me bloody forever to read," Draco groaned, dropping his head on the book tiredly.
"So, stop reading!"
"I need to learn. I can't just stop because I'm on a holiday."
"You never read on your other holidays."
"Prick," Draco mumbled, going back to running his fingers over the pages. "Damn it, lost my place. Blaise, quit interrupting."
Blaise rolled his eyes and mumbled something about doing heinous and explicit things to David Copperfield. Draco laughed him off, continuing his studious reading. Blaise sighed in frustration, wondering if hitting Draco will earn an appropriate response. Then he thought of something better. "So, you know that son of yours…"
"Hmm…"
"He's going around calling people bloody arses."
Draco's eyes widened with shock. He rolled over and sat up in a flash. "What?" he exclaimed.
"Good, now that you're up, let's go have some lunch."
"Wait, what?"
"It's nothing. I already told Scorpius off and he knows it's a bad word. I'm starving. Let's go."
"He – he called someone an arse?"
"You're such a prude," Blaise muttered, pulling Draco up to his feet.
"I don't believe this. My own son. He's turning into – you!"
This time Blaise decided to hit Draco, no matter the consequence.
"Scorpius, you do know that bloody arse is a bad thing to say, right?"
"Yes, Daddy," Scorpius said sullenly. He had already had this conversation with Rachel and he didn't know why Draco insisted on having another one.
"Did you apologize?"
Scorpius thought of lying. But when he looked up at his father's expectant face, he couldn't bear to lie. "I – I told him my name," Scorpius said.
"And…"
"And he told me his name."
"And…"
Scorpius shrugged. Draco waited with his hands in his pockets. When he realized that his son didn't have anything else to add, he sighed. "Well, next time you see him, apologize."
Scorpius pouted. "How?"
"Just say sorry."
"Sorry."
"Not to me. To him."
"Oh."
"Daddy," Scorpius whispered urgently. Draco knelt down, lending his ear. "He's over there."
"Who?"
"Arry."
"Who?"
"I have to say sorry to him, remember?"
"Oh, him. Right."
"Come with me," he said, tugging at his father.
"Alright," Draco said, getting up and letting his son tug him through along.
"Arry!" Scorpius yelled. Draco winced at his son's obliviousness to courtesy.
"Your adoring fan calls," Ron said, winking at Harry. Harry grinned, turning around. He froze, his grin slipping and his heart sinking.
"Hello!" Scorpius shouted, nearing Harry and Ron rapidly. "I have to say sorry," he exclaimed.
Ron nudged Harry, a chuckle escaping him at Scorpius' proclamation. Harry snapped out of his daze, looking down at Scorpius. He knelt on the ground. "For what?" he asked softly.
"For calling you a bl –" Draco coughed loudly. Scorpius smiled sheepishly. "Um, for calling you a you-know-what," he whispered.
"It's alright," Harry said, his eyes moving to Draco.
"He said it's alright, Daddy!" Scorpius said loudly.
Draco laughed. "Good to hear," he said. He glanced up at where he presumed 'Arry' stood. "I – er, he's usually not this callous. He's been with – bad company," Draco said with a small smile.
"He's very intelligent," Harry said.
Draco's brows furrowed into a confused expression, but the smile was still on his lips. "He is. Thank you for being so understanding, Mr. –"
Harry's trepidation grew tenfold. He felt like he was backed against a wall. And Ron pushed him into the lion's mouth. "It's Potter," Ron said.
The smile vanished from Draco's lips as recognition flared. "Mr. Potter," he said softly. He closed his eyes, trying to place the name and the voice. Then his eyes shot open, searching the emptiness wondrously. "H – Harry? Wh – what are you – how – Harry?" He reached out impulsively, his palm knocking against Harry's chest. He quickly ran it up to Harry's shoulder. A thrilled smile shone on Draco's face. "It is you!" he laughed. He pulled Harry into a hug, reveling in the moment.
Harry wrapped his arms around Draco's waist unconsciously. He didn't know what else to do. He had hoped for this moment for years despite his conscious effort not to. And now, to be in Draco's arms was breaking down the defenses Harry had built over the past four years.
"I missed you," Draco whispered.
Harry's breath hitched. It was all he could do to keep from sobbing into Draco's shirt. He pulled away quickly, knowing that prolonged contact would just aggravate his overwrought emotions. Draco didn't seem to have that thought in mind. He wiped his tears, grinning at Harry and clutching his shoulder tightly. "You said you'd come with me. Then you just – you left. I didn't – that was rude!" Draco stammered, unsure of whether to keep being happy or whether to get angry.
"Sorry," Harry muttered.
"You say sorry for the oddest things," Draco said. "I told you not to come if you didn't want to. I'm just – you didn't let me say goodbye."
"I – I didn't –"
"It doesn't matter," Draco said quickly, sensing Harry's agitation. "I just can't believe you're here!"
"That's your son?"
Draco laughed. "Yes, he is!"
"You're here with your wife?"
Draco shrugged. "No. We – we aren't together," he said softly.
"Oh?"
"She wasn't ready for children," Draco continued.
"You weren't either," Harry said.
"I was wrong. Now I'm stuck forever with my little foul mouthed angel," he said, scooping Scorpius up in his arms. Scorpius giggled, kissing Draco's cheek softly.
"And your eyes…"
"Still blind," Draco said, rolling his eyes.
"Such a bother, isn't it?" Harry said, unable to stop himself.
Draco winked. "It is."
A soft cough brought both men back to the present. Ron was glancing back and forth from Harry to Draco in utter confusion. "What's going on?" he asked.
"Um… Ron, this is Draco. Draco, Ron."
Ron shook hands with Draco suspiciously. "How do you know him?" he asked Harry.
"On the island. His ship wrecked. I found him," Harry said.
Draco snorted derisively. "He saved my life, is what he did."
"You never told us!" Ron said accusingly.
"It was nothing," Harry mumbled, blushing.
"His modesty drives me mad!" Ron exclaimed to Draco, who nodded in agreement.
"So, what are you doing here?" Draco asked.
"Traveling. Took your advice," Harry said. His mind was preoccupied with the thought that if Ron found out who Draco really was, a bloodbath would ensue. He needed to get out of there as fast as he could.
"Good!" Draco said.
"Daddy, the beach!" Scorpius whined loudly.
"Really?"
"Yes."
"I – um… Right, er – Harry, did you want to go out for a drink sometime? Catch up on… life, I guess," Draco asked haltingly.
"Of course," Harry said quickly. "Um… tomorrow, five at Bar de Soleil?
"Perfect. See you then, Harry," Draco said with a grin.
"Until then…"
Draco let Scorpius lead the way to the beach while Harry and Ron stood on the boardwalk.
"Now, you have to tell me everything," Ron said eagerly.
Harry groaned, wrenching his eyes away from Draco's back. "I – I'll explain at the house," Harry said, not wanting to deal with Ron out in public.
"Let's go," Ron said, walking swiftly towards their villa. Harry straggled behind, trying to piece together a good enough explanation that didn't reveal too much. As he thought more about it, he realized that any explanation with the name Malfoy in it revealed too much. Once they were in the house, Ron was too excited to hear the story to sit down, even after Harry insisted that he do. Harry sighed tiredly, dropping onto the chair. "Start from the beginning!" Ron said.
"I think it'd be much better if I started at the end. That was Draco Malfoy. Lucius Malfoy's son."
"Malfoy?" Ron asked faintly. "Wh – what?"
"His son…"
Ron frowned. "How does he – that was – why did you – what?" he stammered, his thoughts overtaking his speech.
"I didn't know until afterwards."
"You saved Lucius Malfoy's son? After he – " Ron closed his eyes in frustration.
"I didn't know, Ron."
"But he – he just hugged you!"
"He doesn't – he doesn't know."
"Doesn't know?"
"He – he doesn't know what his father did."
"How the hell doesn't he know?" Ron fumed.
Harry sighed in exasperation. "I don't know why he doesn't know, Ron. I just wanted you to know that that was Draco Malfoy."
"He's Malfoy's son? He's nothing like Malfoy!"
Harry blinked. That was not the reaction he had expected. "What?"
"He just hugged you. Hell, he cried over you!"
"I – er…"
"He's your friend?"
"I – I guess…"
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"I didn't – I didn't know how you would take it. I mean, I – when I found out I –"
"You left. That's what he was talking about, wasn't it? You left."
Harry sighed. "He talked me into leaving the island. But when I – when I found out, I just – I was terrified. I don't – I'm just –"
"Harry, what's wrong?" Ron asked in concern.
"Nothing, nothing's wrong."
"No, something is. He's the reason you're on this crazy traveling expedition."
"Well… yes, that's – when he – he talked about how I was… hiding, I guess I realized that he was right," Harry said.
"Hiding?"
"We – we talked a lot when we were in the lighthouse. We had nothing better to do. He told me that I should live by my rules. I realized he was right."
"So we have him to thank," Ron said, rolling his eyes.
"In a way, I suppose… Why are you so calm?"
Ron frowned in confusion. "Um… Why wouldn't I be?"
"He's Malfoy's son. I thought you – I don't know, I was just –"
"Look, Lucius Malfoy is a different person from… um – "
"Draco."
"Right, Draco. In fact, I'd think that Draco is nothing like his father. I mean, look at his son, for heaven's sake!"
"His son…"
"And he's blind? How the hell is he taking care of that child?"
"He wasn't blind before. The shipwreck caused it. We thought it would just be temporary. It wasn't."
"Hmm… Did you – did you want to tell me anything else?" Ron asked.
"I – No."
"You know what your problem is? You never tell me anything," Ron said, looking hurt.
Harry rolled his eyes. "Believe me, you don't want me to tell you anything," he muttered.
"Yes, I do," Ron insisted. "I had never seen you so flustered."
"I was just nervous."
"Understandably so."
"Yes, understandably so."
Ron stared at Harry for a beat. Then he shook his head in defeat, walking away. Harry dropped his head back and rubbed his eyes with his palms. Now he just needed to explain to Draco.
"Blaise, you will not believe who I met!" Draco said excitedly as Blaise and Rachel joined him on the sand.
"Hmm?"
"Harry! From four years ago!"
"Who?"
"You know, the lighthouse keeper!" Draco laughed. "Scorpius called him a bloody arse… Imagine that!"
Blaise and Rachel glanced at each other with gaping mouths. "Harry… Potter?"
Draco grinned. "Yes, the very same. Amazing, isn't it?"
"Wait, Harry Potter was – he – lighthouse – he saved you?" Blaise stammered.
Draco frowned. "I – er… Yes. I mean, you met him, remember?"
"Bloody hell, Draco!" Rachel breathed in wonder.
"What?" It was times like these that Draco wished his sight would just come back. He was so used to reading people's expressions and body language. Now all he had to go by were their words – which often masked their true emotions.
"Draco, he's the Boy-Who-Lived!" Blaise said in astonishment.
"The who?"
"You know, what everyone's been talking about. The boy who killed Riddle."
Draco's mind reeled. "H – Harry?"
"Yes!" Rachel exclaimed in excitement. "I can't believe you know him! Introduce me!"
"Wait, Harry killed Riddle?" Draco asked in shock.
"I can't believe he didn't tell you!" Blaise said.
"I – I mean, yes, he told me. Just not – not in –" Draco stammered, piecing together the conversations he had had with Harry. "Father…"
Blaise hardened at Draco's hesitant tone. "Your bloody father managed to almost get him killed," he said harshly. Draco flinched away instinctively, closing his eyes. Rachel gave Blaise a furious glare. He glanced over it. "In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if your father killed some of his friends," Blaise spat out vehemently.
"Blaise, enough," Rachel hissed.
"You are – Lucius Malfoy's… son?"
Draco started to feel nausea well up inside him. "I didn't know," Draco said softly. "I – before he left, he… he left when he found out."
"You are so damn oblivious to everything, Draco," Blaise muttered.
"He – he must hate me," Draco said in horror.
Rachel gently clasped her hand over Draco's. "Why would he hate you?" she asked softly. "You didn't do anything."
"But Father – what he did –"
"You are not Lucius."
"He doesn't know that."
Blaise rolled his eyes. "Any blind idiot would know that," he said.
"So why did he leave?" Draco asked miserably.
"Ask him…"
Harry was idly running his finger down the grains of the table in the bar. He had ordered himself a scotch and was in the process of nursing it when he felt a tap on his shoulder. He turned around to face Blaise. Harry nearly fell off his stool at the sudden appearance of the man. He steadied himself on the table, blushing. "Good evening."
"You – are – Harry – bloody – Potter?" Blaise asked.
Harry winced. He looked over Blaise's shoulder and found Draco rolling his eyes in exasperation. "I – yes, I am," Harry stammered.
"And you didn't think to tell us that because…"
Harry looked at Blaise's murderous expression with trepidation. "It – I didn't – it wasn't important?"
"How the hell is it not important? You're the bloody Boy-Who-Lived!"
Harry pursed his lips. "Look, I'm not a boy who anything, alright? I'm just Harry," he said.
"And that's just Draco, alright?" Blaise said darkly.
"R – right…"
"Blaise!" Draco exclaimed in obvious embarrassment. "I'm not a child!"
Blaise eyed Harry suspiciously for a second longer before turning to Draco. "I'll be back in two hours," he said sullenly, glaring at Harry one last time before storming out of the bar. Harry stared after him, stunned. He was pulled out of his astonishment when Draco coughed uncomfortably.
"Oh, sorry," Harry said, getting off of his stool and leading Draco to his before sitting down again. "Um… hello."
"Look, don't – Blaise is mental, that's all. Don't mind him," Draco said, blushing slightly.
"It's quite hard not to mind him, isn't it?" Harry said in amusement.
Draco grinned. "It is. Try not to mind him, then," he said.
"Hmm…"
Draco's grin died down as the silence grew. "Um… Harry, I – I didn't know. About – about what Father had done," he said. Harry's mouth fell open in astonishment. "I understand if you – if you don't want to see me again. I just… I didn't know," Draco said faintly.
"No, it wasn't – it's not you, Draco," Harry said. "I was confused. And angry, I guess. It all happened too fast. I mean, I heard the name and all I could think of was - and I was such a prick. I mean, I know you aren't anything like your father. I panicked. I know, I owe you a better explanation... And then today, Ron was perfectly fine when I told him about you. He didn't rant and rave like I had expected him to. He said that you were nothing like Lucius, and I knew he was right. And I started to think why I wasn't fine when I heard your name that day. I - I'm sorry for leaving you there," he rambled.
"Then I'll apologize for whatever shit my father did to you."
"No, don't apologize. I - you didn't know. I didn't tell you. It's just - never mind what happened. We'll start anew."
"You don't hate me, do you?"
Harry laughed incredulously. "Of course not! I love you. I thought you would hate me!"
Draco heaved a sigh of relief. "Good. No, great!" He couldn't see Harry go pale as a ghost. He couldn't see Harry's fingers tightening around the glass. He couldn't see Harry's eyes glazing over. "What are the chances that we would meet here? It's remarkable," Draco said. Harry gazed at Draco with a foggy mind. He had just understood that it wasn't just infatuation. Everything about Draco drew Harry in – his smile, his eyes, his words… Harry was in love with Draco. He wanted nothing more than to reach out and touch Draco's hand. Harry almost jumped out of his skin when Draco enveloped Harry's hand in his. "Harry?" Draco said, squeezing Harry's fingers. "Are you alright?" he asked.
Harry looked up from Draco's hand to his concerned face. "Yes," he said quickly, swallowing the rest of his scotch in one gulp. "Yes."
"I just want to make sure you aren't angry with me," Draco said cheekily.
"I'm not."
"You've been so quiet."
"Thinking."
Draco winked. "Fine, be angry."
"Do you want me to be angry with you?"
"No."
"Well, then. Stop instigating it."
Draco laughed. "How I missed you, Mr. Potter," Draco said.
"Harry will do."
"Of course it will."
Harry's heart swelled with euphoria at being so close to Draco, to have Draco touch his hand. "How old is your son?"
"Three."
"He called me a bloody arse."
Draco laughed helplessly. "I did not teach him that. I shouldn't let him run around Blaise and Rachel anymore."
"Handful, isn't he?"
Draco smiled lovingly. "Yes, he is. Keeps my mind off of – other things."
"Like your eyes."
"Like my eyes."
"You can't see at all?"
"Glimpses, like before. More frequently, I suppose. I just can't focus on anything. It's a pain."
"Because of the headaches."
"Yes."
The evening wore on. Harry learnt that Astoria had left a year after she gave birth. Draco had separated amicably with her. She did not want the marriage or the child. She couldn't take care of a blind husband. Draco was indifferent about the marriage, but had grown strangely attached to Scorpius. So he found himself in the situation he was in. Draco learnt that Harry had returned to the lighthouse for another two years before venturing out into the world. He had stopped off in all the provinces in Canada before finally reaching England, where he saw his friends after fourteen long years. And now here they were. Harry found that Draco liked to keep contact with the person he was talking to, almost as though to make sure they wouldn't leave before he wanted them to. Harry let Draco gently nudge his hand or tap his foot. Harry wished he could do more than just let his hand get nudged and his foot get tapped.
Blaise had stopped by two hours later, but he didn't approach the table. He watched Draco talk animatedly with Harry, punctuating every other sentence with a chuckle. Draco's eyes were lit and his hands were moving rapidly. Blaise hadn't seen Draco so excited since before his sight had gone. Blaise realized that the men wouldn't be done talking for a while, so he let them be. It was nine at night when Blaise finally got tired of waiting. He dragged Rachel and Scorpius into the bar, slapping on the table with his hands. Draco stumbled off of his stool in fright. "Four bloody hours. That's enough catching up. We're hungry," Blaise complained.
"Blaise!" Rachel chided. She smiled charmingly at Harry. "Mr. Potter, it's a pleasure," she said primly.
"Likewise," Harry said, grinning at Rachel.
"Arry!" Scorpius gurgled, trying to clamber onto Harry's lap.
"Scorpius, get off of him," Rachel muttered.
Harry laughed, picking Scorpius up and sitting the boy on his lap. "It's fine. He looks so much like you, Draco."
"I've heard," Draco said pensively. Harry knew that Draco was wishing he could see his son's face.
"Did you want to have some dinner with us?" Harry asked.
"Who are us?" Blaise asked.
"My friends, their two children, and me."
"We don't want to impose," Draco said.
"No imposition. We have too much food."
"You can never have too much food," Blaise said.
"You'd get along perfectly with Ron, then," Harry grinned.
"Thank you for the invitation. We would love to," Rachel said graciously.
"Give me an hour. The villa is on the promenade. Can't remember the number. It has white stone. I'll be outside, so you can tell which one it is," Harry said. "See you then."
"Of course, landing on his arse isn't going to stop him from trying to strangle me," Blaise said, rolling his eyes at Draco. Ron and Harry were guffawing loudly at Draco's murderous expression.
"Anyone would want to strangle you," Draco muttered, eating his bread.
"I will have to agree with him on that," Harry said, still chuckling.
The dining room was alive with candlelight and laughs. Scorpius was bouncing happily on Draco's lap, stealing pieces of chicken from his plate. Rachel and Hermione were getting along marvelously. The men were having no trouble poking fun of the one blind and helpless man in the room. Food was aplenty, just as Harry had promised. Sliced chicken and honey ham were placed around the table with baskets of garlic bread and glasses of wine. Rose and Hugo were practically falling asleep in their chairs as it was past their bedtime. Eventually, Hermione took pity on them, sending them off to their warm beds. By the time dessert rolled in, Scorpius was fast asleep, nestled against Draco's chest, and the conversation had died down to a soft lull. Ron and Blaise were furiously debating about cricket teams they wager would win the test matches. Hermione and Rachel were contemplating on how to best spend the next day by laying out strategic plans to shop at all stores in the boardwalk. Which left Harry and Draco to slowly finish their caramel apple pies in peace.
After dessert, Harry and Hermione quickly cleaned up the table, ushering their guests into the drawing room where everyone sat down blissfully on the couches. After-dinner coffee was passed around. Blaise agreed to Ron's challenge, and the two men settled beside the large chessboard, evil glints in their eyes. Draco nudged Harry's arm, drawing his attention. "I need some air. Could you…" Draco asked, tilting his head.
"Of course," Harry replied, getting up. "Um, did you want to leave Scorpius here?"
"I – um, yes," Draco said hesitantly. "Rachel," he said softly.
"Yes?"
"Hold him for a bit, will you?"
"That's fine," Rachel said, gently taking Scorpius from Draco's lap and placing the boy on hers. Harry helped Draco up and they walked out of the villa, into the warm breezy night.
Draco heaved in a deep breath. "Sorry, I was starting to feel claustrophobic," he said. Harry made a murmur of nonchalance. Draco's hand dropped from Harry's shoulder to his elbow. "I don't want to walk behind you," Draco muttered irritably.
"No harm in walking beside me," Harry said with a slight smile. The boardwalk was almost empty. A few couples sat on the benches, watching the romantic moon and stars. "Did you just want to wander aimlessly?" Harry asked.
"I always wander aimlessly," Draco said with a shrug. "No exception tonight."
"I guess not."
They walked in silence, lost in thought. "It's funny. I've stopped traveling and you've just started," Draco said sadly.
Harry heard the contemplative tone in Draco's voice. "Do you wish you could travel again?" he asked.
Draco shook his head. "That's not – I meant that you'll be gone in a week."
"Oh," Harry blinked. "Right."
"I'm glad you are off of the island. It's not forever, is it?"
"I don't know yet. Maybe, when I feel like hiding away, I'll always have the lighthouse."
"Yes, you will."
Draco sighed. "I'm glad I got to meet you again, Harry. There's so much I hadn't told you. I'm glad I have a chance to do it right now," he said.
Harry waited for Draco to continue. Draco stopped, turning to face Harry. He took a deep breath. "Thank you for saving my life. Thank you for taking care of me. Thank you for being patient. Thank you for agreeing to come with me. Thank you for making me feel better. And thank you for being there for me when I needed you."
Harry gazed up into Draco's solemn eyes, trying to memorize it. He wanted to keep this memory forever. It was perfect. The moonlight played up Draco's features, glistening his hair and softening his face. "You're welcome," he said.
Draco smiled weakly. "I wish –" he started saying before a pang of pain shot into his head. He flinched away, his grip on Harry's elbow tightening. "Sorry," he muttered, trying to steel his mind. When the pain dulled, he shook his head slightly. "Just one of ..." he said, trailing off when he opened his eyes. A flicker passed in front of him. He blinked, trying to keep the light in his eyes. He frowned slightly, narrowing his eyes. Then it was gone. It faded to black.
Harry watched Draco's episode nervously, unsure of what to do. Draco blinked at him in confusion. "You…" Draco murmured, his hand leaving Harry's elbow and traveling up to his shoulder and then to his cheek. "Green…" he breathed, his fingers touched Harry's chin lightly. "You have green eyes."
Harry held his breath as Draco's fingers moved across his face, gently feeling the ridges and bones. He suppressed his shivers when Draco touched his eyelids and moved fingers along his lashes. He let out his breath slowly as Draco grazed his lips with his thumbs, tracing it. "Brilliant green eyes," Draco said, his palms finally resting on Harry's cheek. Draco smiled sadly, dropping his hands from Harry's face.
Harry opened his eyes to look at Draco's ghost of a smile and his blank eyes. Harry's hand shook as he placed it on Draco's shoulder. He leaned up, feeling Draco's warm breath against his face. "I love you," Harry whispered. His lips captured Draco's fluidly. His hand moved from Draco's shoulder to his neck, caressing the hair with his fingers. His other arm wound around Draco's waist, pulling him closer. Harry felt Draco tensing against him, but he didn't want to stop. This would be their first and last kiss. Draco could hate him after this. But this moment was perfect. And Harry would cherish it for a lifetime.
"Harry," Draco murmured into Harry's lips.
"I love you so much," Harry breathed.
"My arm…"
Harry opened his eyes, blinking away the haze. He looked down and found Draco's arm trapped against Harry's, which was wound around Draco's waist. Harry let go quickly. Draco pulled his arm free and wound it around Harry's back, dragging him up. Harry gasped as Draco's mouth blindly sought his own. Draco let out a low moan into Harry as he found Harry's wet lips. "I wasn't sure," Draco said rapidly. "I didn't know if you – I love you too, Harry," he whispered, hungrily tasting Harry for the first time.
Harry felt his whole body tremble against Draco. He had nothing more to hide. Draco knew everything. And Draco accepted everything. Harry groaned as he felt tears running down his face. Draco broke away when he tasted the salt in the kiss. "Harry, is it – are you alright?" he asked.
Harry nodded, then realized that Draco couldn't see. "Yes, sorry," he said thickly and he placed his wet cheek against Draco's chest, feeling the heart beat.
"You say sorry for the oddest things," Draco muttered, pulling Harry away from him and placing his palms on Harry's cold cheeks. He brought Harry's lips up for a kiss that almost made Harry swoon. There was so much passion and love in the kiss that Harry didn't know how to respond. He simply ran his hands up Draco's chest and clutched the shirt, trying to keep himself from floating away. Draco flicked his tongue over Harry's lips, eliciting a sharp intake of breath. Harry had never been kissed this way before. He was lost in Draco's fervor and all he could do was moan weakly as Draco's tongue touched his determinedly. It all felt so real yet so dreamlike. Draco's tongue slowly took over all of Harry's senses. Harry stood on the boardwalk under the moon, weak-kneed. Draco kissed Harry's breath away. He pulled away from Draco, gasping for air and failing to inhale anything. His throat was closing up from the adrenaline.
"Breathe."
Harry dropped his head on Draco's shoulder as he gulped in the air.
"Breathe."
Harry's arms wrapping around Draco's as his lungs shuddered painfully.
"Breathe."
Harry nodded, turning his head and planting helpless kisses on Draco's neck, his breath coming out in shallow gasps.
"Breathe."
"Yes."
