Chapter 4: One Step Forawrd, Two Steps Back

Harry squeezed Draco's hand for reassurance as they stood in front of Healer Ryder's office. He was the most experienced Healer that Draco was able to find who specialized in mental and emotional trauma as well as all forms of abuse. He didn't care about the cost, for money was no object to Lord Malfoy. All he cared for, was for Harry's health and recovery.

"Draco, I'm nervous..."

"Babe, I'll be right with you don't worry." Draco said softly. Harry closed his eyes for a moment then nodded.

"Ok, let's do this,"

"Ever the Gryffindor eh?" Draco teased gently. Harry just looked at him and stuck out his tongue. Draco grinned devilishly.

"I wouldn't do that Harry. Put your tongue back in your mouth before I use it." At this Harry blushed and retracted his tongue, causing Draco to chuckle darkly.

"Good, now, are we ready?" At Harry's nod, Draco opened the door and gently escorted Harry inside. The receptionist looked up and smiled.

"Mr. Potter, Lord Malfoy, Healer Ryder's ready, follow me please?" She led them to a warmly decorated office and left them alone. The Healer entered and smiled. He was middle aged, with powder blue eyes and graying brown hair.

"Mr. Potter, Lord Malfoy, welcome." He said politely. "Shall we begin?" Draco locked gazes with Harry, who nodded hesitantly.

"I'm not sure how this works."

"It's best to start at the beginning. I don't need the glorified stuff, everybody knows that. I want Harry's story, your story, your thoughts, your feelings. In short, just your side." At this Harry smiled and without realizing it, interlocked his fingers with Draco's. The blond gently squeezed his hand and caressed his palm.

"Well I, my family...they were not kind to me. I had to cook, do chores, if I got them wrong or burnt food, I was beaten. I wasn't given much to eat for they thought food was too good for me. I never recieved anything that was truly mine before Hogwarts. I didn't even know I was a wizard, was told my parents died in a car crash, that my father was a drunk, my mother a whore and I was a bastard, a drunken mistake..." Harry began to cry and Draco's heart broke while his blood boiled. He gathered Harry into his arms while the Healer had to stop, his eyes flashing with rage and sympathy.

"Babe, would you like to continue?" Draco whispered as he stroked Harry's hair. "You don't have to tell him everything today if you're not up to it." Harry looked up at the blond and shook his head.

"No Draco, I have to do this."

"Lord Malfoy's right Harry, you don't have tell all in one session..."

"I'm all right Healer I can do this. I lived in a cupboard under the stairs. I wasn't allowed outside other than when it was necessary. I was nothing but a 'freak' to them. When Hagrid came and got me, told me what I was and what happened to my parents, I was overwhelmed. I thought our world was nothing but fairytales and the like. Then Draco and I met for the first time." At this he looked at the blond and smiled a bit. "He was the first wizard I met but he acted like a prickly brat." Draco smiled apologetically. "I also recieved my first owl, Hedwig."

"Beautiful owl I'll admit and Harry I am so sorry I was such a..." Harry silenced him.

"I forgive you Draco. In fact, I forgave you a long time ago." At this the blond smiled and allowed the ravenette to get comfortable in his arms before they continued. "When I first saw the castle, after meeting Ron and Hermoine I was amazed."

"I'm sorry Babe, but where did you meet Weasel again?"

"At the station, his mother showed me how to get onto the platform because I didn't even know how to do that." Draco nodded and remained quiet. To him, Harry meeting the Weaseleys, the way they met, was a little too convenient. The Healer thought the same thing. They looked at Harry and the ravenette continued, resting his head on Draco's shoulder. The Healer smiled but continued to listen. The ravenette went through hell and despite having been a prick, the blond treated him normally compared to how the majority of the world did, aside from his friends Hermoine, Neville, Luna and the Weaseley twins, Bill and Charlie.

"Harry, our time is almost up, but I would ike to see both of you again. if thst is all right with you Lord Malfoy,"

"Of course we will be there." Draco said. "Harry?"

"I think thaats a good idea, strangely I feel a bit better that I've told this to someone who actually wanted to listen." Draco and the Healer bit back their anger. They wanted to get even for Harry's sake. While Healer Ryder couldnt do anything, for as a Healer, it went against his oath. But nothing would stop Draco and the blond had a plan...He motioned for Harry to get up, which he did and the blond rose to his feet gracefully. After arranging another appointment, the two men sat to enjoy a nice peaceful lunch. Until they saw a man and woman with familiar red hair. Harry gasped, having had seen them first and squeezzed Draco's hand who looked up and immediately cast a notice me not charm and a silence ward in where the duo couldnt hear them but they coud be heard.

"Ron, you messed up everything," They heard Ginny hiss. "You and your damned temper."

"What the fuck are you talking about, it was the Ferret's fault!"

"We had Harry just where we wanted him!" Ginny snarled. "He would've been with us, I would've been his wife and his money, ours! But somehow Malfoy saw right through you and now, everything's been in vain. Even Hermoine's not with you anymore!"

"Like Harry would've wanted you back, you guys were broken up..."

"Love potion Ron. A good strong one." Harry was shocked, hurt and angry. Draco was seething but continued to listen.

"Harry would've never known his true nature if it hadn't been for you." Both of them blinked, true nature?

"Oh come on everyone figured out that Harry liked blokes."

"Oh really, and that he can have children naturally?" Ginny hissed and Harry was shocked again. I can get pregnant, and have children? Draco was equally shocked. So does that make Harry a...

"What do you mean Gin?" Ron asked. "You're saying Harry's half woman?!" Draco sat up straighter.

"I saw his medical records while Pomfrey's back was turned when he was out cold. Harry was born with both sets of organs! And he can change his gender and appearance at will." Draco almost fell on his ass. His Harry was a morphimagus! And a hermaphrodite! Wow! The blond was surprised. But he felt there was more...Ginny was just singing away.

"Ron, do you realize what Harry is?"

"Really confused?" Draco wanted to hit him. He had no idea how special Harry was.

"Ron, he's descended from the most powerful witch in Avalon, as dark as she may have been...Morgan Le Fey herself!" This time Draco did fall on his ass! Thank Merlin for notice me not and silence charms! Harry was so stunned that he didn't see Draco fall. Oh thank you for not letting him see me fall, I wouldnt be able to live it down if he had!

"Ginny...if that's true...then Harry and any children..."

"Would be mystical, beautiful and powerful beyond measure! And the richest in the world!" Ginny said angrily. "And you blew it." Draco was sporting a shit eating grin. Oh he loved Harry way before and this didn't change a thing. Even if Harry was a squib, Draco knew that he would still love Harry for himself and not what he was. I should really thank Weaselbee though. He's practically thrown my beloved in my lap. Oh it would've happened eventually, but his actions triggered it sooner!

"Draco,"

"Yes Babe?"

"What are you doing on the floor?" Harry asked with a slight tilt of his head. Draco blushed as he realized that he still was on the floor!

He smiled sheepishly before picking himself up and composing himself. He held Harry's hand in his and looked down at the ravenette and smiled.

"Harry, babe, let's go. Don't worry, they won't hurt you. I promise." Harry gulped but nodded. Draco looked to the two red heads who were preparing to eat, their attention on their meals. Perfect. Draco smirked. He dismissed the charms and wrapped an arm around Harry's waist, handing the paid check to the host and left before anyone was the wiser, returning to Malfoy Manor. Once they entered in the sitting room, Harry broke down.

"My family's right, I am a freak!" He sobbed, putting his face in his hands crying. Draco hugged him and wouldn't let go.

"Harry, you're not a freak. You're beautiful, intelligent, powerful, kind, loving and anyone would be lucky to...be loved by you." Harry looked up at the blond who's eyes searched his, causing the smaller man to blush. "Harry, I am so sorry that I..."

"Draco, shut up." Harry ordered softly before touching Draco's lips with his own. Draco happily complied.

That evening the two of them stayed up late and talked about anything and everything. In some cases, Harry had crying fits and Draco would just hold him or kiss him in comfort. When the clock chimed almost midnight, Harry leaned into Draco and sighed.

"Tired Babe?" Draco asked softly. Harry nodded and Draco picked him up bridal style and walked toward the bedrooms. When they walked towards Harry's room, Draco felt Harry's arms tighten around his neck.

"Draco, please, stay with me tonight? I need you, please?" Draco's heart ached at the pleading tone in the ravenette's voice and sighed. He didn't have the heart to tell him no. Instead, he tightened his grip on Harry and walked into his own bedroom and after changing them both into pajamas with a spell, both men settled down to sleep, holding each other in the night.

More to come, promise!