THE GREAT GAME, the Third Chapter
Well, talk about awkward. Harry was sure his face was pure red, and he was just as certain that he was going to kill Ron, slowly. No, killing him would be too kind. Harry was going to torture Ron for the rest of his long wizarding life. Harry nervously cleared his throat and desperately tried to come up with something to say, but frankly, his mind was blank.
Draco, who knew darn well that he was good-looking, brushed his hand through his hair. Draco gave Harry a smoldering look, which in turn made Harry shift his robes in the crotch area. Ron, meanwhile in the background enjoyed every single minute. Who would not enjoy their best friend's uncomfortable shifting?
"Hey, mate, are you going to ever say anything to Malfoy?" Ron edged Harry onwards in more uncomfortable territory. Harry cleared his throat again, and silently vowed to find the most uncomfortable continuous spell for his traitor best friend. Harry finally managed to spew out,
"Ron, how did you know that I had…wet dreams, about them? Were you listening in on me?" Ron spewed out his drink all over his pants,
"Merlin, Harry! No! Merlin, burn away my eyes! NO! You are just very loud during those dreams of yours! That's all!" Draco was silently enjoying the Ron's accompanying horror to Harry's question. Harry felt his jaw go slack,
"Are you saying, Ron, that I am incredibly loud during these dreams? Why did not you say anything? Ron!" Harry at this moment, felt like stamping his foot like a child. Ron's mouth started working silently. Ron finally managed to say,
"And how do you suggest I do that, Harry? Very awkward morning conversation, wouldn't you say? 'Harry, pass the bacon. Oh, by the way, I heard one of your wet dreams last night!' How awkward would that have been?" Harry at this point had to admit Ron had a point. Harry ignoring Ron, turned to ask Draco,
"What about Snape? What's he saying about all this?" Draco tilted his head and considered Harry for a moment before responding,
"Severus is... Severus. He has not said anything against this plan. Which in Severus' world means that he approves or at least doesn't disapprove of it." Harry's brows furrowed in contemplation before speaking,
"Is he going to make my life even more difficult than he already does if we go through with this?" Draco held a smirk in check,
"Harry, Harry, Harry. Severus' attitude towards you had changed in the last ten years. Remember, Harry, you have not talked to Severus in ten years." Ron coughed and pulled himself out of the couch.
"Right, well I am going to go visit Xeno." Ron slipped out of the flat. Ron was also sure neither of them noticed that he had left.
"It has been that long." Harry finally stated. "I just assumed that Severus' attitude has not changed that much towards me."
"Severus has been watching your career for the last ten years." Draco stated.
"Watching my career, why has he been doing that?"
"Severus, I think, once he noticed that you grew into a man of good character has been attracted to you. Severus, in his mind, has made a claim on you. He is protective of those he claims. I should know." Draco quietly stated. Harry's eyebrows stayed in their furrowed position,
"Made a claim on me…but, Draco, he hasn't said anything. Why hasn't he said anything or tried to stop me from seeing other people?"
"Severus is a complicated man, Harry. Severus, though, you would never see it in public is an insecure man. I am only telling you this, Harry, because we want you. Do not let anyone else know about this." Draco waited to continue until Harry nodded his agreement. Draco continued, "Severus has had a hard life. His childhood and his spy years were cruel to him. I sometimes think that Severus believes that he is not worthy of love. Even after all our years together as a couple, Severus still sometimes has trouble believing that I truly love him." Harry was struck at this moment by how much Draco truly loved Snape. It was shown in the way he talked about Severus, even just in the tenderness his voice carried concerning Snape. "It is at these times that I try to show him that I do love him. Severus never told you, Harry, about his feelings towards you for several reasons. Partly, I think because he was afraid of your rejection. Mostly, though, because he wants you to be happy; and in his mind, you would not ever be happy with him. That is why. He thought you would find happiness, true happiness, with someone else. He did not want to begrudge you that." Harry really could not come up with an adequate response. How do you respond to something like that? Harry finally settled with,
"What about the hope that maybe, I would want to be with him. That perhaps I'd be happy with him." Draco shrugged,
"Probably never entered into his calculations," Harry sighed,
"Even though he never managed to come to me with his affections, he still in his mind, claims me." Draco nodded,
"Yes. Harry, how familiar are you with pureblood traditions?" Harry muttered,
"Not very." Draco continued,
"I assumed as such. Pureblood tradition allows for two soul bonds. Most people end up marrying only one of their soul bonds, even though the pureblood claims both of them. The other soul bond ends up marrying their other soul bond. In rare cases does two people's soul bonds end up being the same. This is called a triumvirate. Severus is your soul bond. He is mine. As I am his" Harry chewed his bottom lip,
"Severus' two soul bonds are you and I."
"Yes." Draco nodded. Harry pondered,
"Who is your other soul bond, Draco?" Draco smiled,
"You."