Hermione twiddled her thumbs nervously as she stood waiting next to Blaise. Blaise snapped out his hand and held onto Hermione's stopping her from moving her thumbs.
"Will you stop that? Don't be nervous. Even if someone doesn't come up to us, it doesn't matter. Maybe someone will come round to their senses later." He smiled at Hermione and then released her Hand.
Everyone was speeding out of the great hall now, all huddled in their friendship groups. As each group left Hermione became less hopeful. All of the teachers had left apart from Dumbledore who was still seated in his chair, watching the students leave. She looked around the room looking for someone, anyone, to make their way over to them. She saw one raven haired boy and one blonde boy make their way over. They looked as though they might as well be running.
"What the bloody hell was that Hermione?" Bellowed Harry angrily. "Just embarrass me in front of the whole school why don't you." Hermione's mouth opened in shock.
"Excuse me Harry, but I did not just embarrass you in front of the whole school thank you very much. I was trying to help. Now shut up and go away. No one will come up and tell us what they know if you are standing here."
"Well I actually came to thank you Granger. Thank you for not saying what the spell was. I don't want the whole school knowing. If they do, it could easily get back to my father and I do not wish for him to find out quite yet." Harry directed his glare at Draco.
"Excuse me Draco. You are meant to be on my side here. You know, me being your husband and all. Start acting like one and back me up here please." Draco rolled his eyes at him. Harry wasn't sure why he was so embarrassed, but he was. He didn't want the whole school knowing he was practically dying. He didn't want Hermione asking for people to come forward to save him. It was just all so embarrassing.
"I might technically be your husband Harry, but I'm not your bloody protector. Stick up for yourself." Draco couldn't help but think it was strange to be Harry bloody Potter's husband. To start with, he was only young. Secondly, he always thought he would marry a pure blooded woman. Not a half blood male. Oh and of course there is the little issue that he thought he would eventually marry someone he chose.
"In reply to you Draco," said Hermione as she turned to face him. "It's quite alright. That is the very reason I didn't mention what it was. I don't want little gossips spreading it around. And as for you Harry, Draco may be your husband, but he doesn't have to stick up for you when you are being a complete and utter arse. Instead of coming up to me and shouting the odds for trying to help you, you could thank me you know." She glared at Harry rather angrily.
"Yeah whatever. Thanks I guess. But it still doesn't get rid of the fact that I'm beyond embarrassed right now." Draco laughed slightly.
"Come on darling." Mocked Draco. "Let's get you some fresh air and leave these two to deal with people who could potentially help save your life." He put his arm around Harry and steered him in the direction of the door. "Thanks again Granger." Shouted Draco as they stepped out the door.
"We should probably give it another 10 minutes and then go. I really don't think anyone is going to come." Commented Hermione as she looked around the hall noticing everyone leaving.
Harry and Draco were sat under a tree near the quidditch pitch. Harry sighed deeply.
"Oh god. What's wrong?" Asked Draco as he turned his head slightly to look at the raven haired boy sat next to him.
"Nothing." Replied Harry as he looked down sadly into his lap. Draco smiled and shook his head.
"You are strange Harry. Just tell me what is bothering you. You know I will work it out sooner or later. We are bonded after all you moron." He laughed slightly, but when Harry didn't laugh or even crack a small smile, Draco began to worry. "Harry." he said as he moved so he was facing Harry.
"Can you not just leave me alone for a minute please? I don't want to talk to you at the moment if that's all right with you." snapped Harry. It was quite dark outside now, and to be honest, they were not really meant to be out after dinner. Although this was the case, Harry could clearly see the hurt that flashed across Draco's face.
"Sorry." Mumbled Draco as he stood up. Harry watched him make his way back to the castle.
"Draco wait. I'm sorry. Please don't leave me." Pleaded Harry. Truth be told, he did not under any circumstances want to be separated from Draco. He felt safe with Draco, and never in his life had Harry felt particularly safe, until now. Draco stopped and smiled at him.
"Alright potty. No need to get on your hands and knees and beg." He walked over and sat back down next to Harry. Harry smiled at him and gave him a slight shove on the shoulder.
"Look, I was just a bit frustrated that's all. I mean you kissed me, and then hardly even said anything about it. I just thought that maybe you didn't like it. And if you didn't like it then we might as well just give up now." Harry once again sighed deeply.
"Harry you git. I said I liked it. I believe I said it was rather nice and that we should do it again someti…" before he could even finish his sentence his mouth was covered by Harry's. After Draco had got over the shock, he moved his lips in sync with Harry's. one of his hands absently made its way into Harrys soft hair and stayed there, while his other came up to Harry's face and cupped his cheek. Both of Harry's hands were placed firmly on Draco's cheeks. They needed to come up for air, so pulled away slightly. Panting heavily, Draco removed his hand from its firm grip in Harry's hair. "Bloody hell Harry." he panted. "Could have given me a bit more warning." Harry smiled widely.
"Sorry. I just wanted to make sure I remembered correctly. That's all."
Hermione and Blaise were still stood in front of the head table waiting. A few people had come up to them asking questions, but Hermione just shooed them away saying that she was not going to tell them any more information. A couple of Slytherins had come up to Blaise asking him why he was helping Harry Potter. Once he politely told them to piss off, they apologised and wished them well with their task.
"I think we should probably go now. I don't think anyone else is coming." Said Blaise as he turned to face Hermione. She let out a sigh and nodded.
"I honestly thought that maybe someone would have seen something." She started to twiddle her fingers nervously again.
"Sorry to interrupt your conversation but I think I can help you." Hermione and Blaise instantly turned around and saw Colin Creevey stood in front of them clutching something in his hands.
"Colin." Smiled Hermione.
"Here take this. I took this picture on the night someone broke into the Gryffindor tower. I don't know who they are. But i guess its somewhere to start right?" He held out a photograph and Hermione took it instantly. Blaise leaned over and looked down. It was a picture of a two people in Slytherin clothing, standing by the portrait with their wands held high. Hermione frowned. You couldn't see who the two were as their hoods were firmly placed over their heads. The two spoke something and the portrait opened. The two disappeared through it without speaking a word to each other.
"You watched them break in and did nothing Colin?" asked Hermione outraged.
"I-I didn't know they were going to do something dangerous. I just thought they were going to pull a prank. I took the picture so I could show people later on. But when Dumbledore announced it was just a prank in the common room, I didn't see any point in doing anything about it. Considering you can't really see who they are. If I had known they were going to do something to Harry, then of course I would have stopped them." Hermione nodded, realising that he was right. There wouldn't have been much point handing over the picture considering it didn't tell much. Just that they were from Slytherin.
"Well thank you Colin. This has at least narrowed down our search. Although not by much. It was rather obvious that it was a Slytherin, but I guess this just confirms it." Colin nodded and walked away.
Hermione turned her head to face Blaise, who to be honest, looked quite ill.
"Are you ok Blaise?" Hermione was quite concerned.
"Yeah I'm fine." Blaise started to look quite ill indeed. Hermione narrowed her eyes.
"You know something don't you?" she accused. "I can see it in your eyes." Blaise quickly shook his head.
"No-no I don't know anything." He said quickly. Before Hermione could say any more he was running after Colin. "Colin. Wait." He shouted, and then he was gone. Hermione turned around and looked at Professor Dumbledore. She swallowed hard and then walked towards him.
"We should really go and see Professor Snape quickly, before it gets too late." Draco stood up and held his hand out for Harry to take. Once Harry's hand was in his firm grip, he yanked him up off the ground. "I should probably do all the talking; you can stay outside his office." Harry nodded once.
The walk to Professor Snape's office was quiet. Neither Draco nor Harry said much. Once they were stood outside his office, Draco gave Harry a small nod and knocked on the door.
"Stay here. I will talk to him." The door swung open and Draco walked in, leaving Harry outside. Professor Snape put his wand back into his robes after opening the door.
"What do you want Draco? I am very busy." Snape sat back down at his desk and waited for Draco to answer.
"Could you take me and Harry somewhere please?" He asked quickly all in one breath. Once it was out in the open Draco knew there was no going back now. Snape raised an eyebrow at Draco.
"And where on earth do you and Potter want to go?" he spat. Draco smiled.
"I want to go and talk to those awful people who raised him. And I will not stop asking you until you take us." Snape sighed loudly.
"Fine, I will take you. Meet me here tomorrow morning. I will of course run it by Professor Dumbledore first to check it is alright."
"Thank you." Smiled Draco. Snape nodded and Draco walked towards the door.
"Do not, under any circumstances, do anything stupid tomorrow Draco." Snape fixed a strong glare in the direction of Draco.
"I wouldn't dream of it sir." Draco smirked and left the office.
Harry was leaning against the wall when Draco left the office. As soon as he saw Draco emerge from the office he pushed off the wall.
"Please tell me he refused to take us." Pleaded Harry. Draco smirked at him.
"Don't be silly Harry. I told you he would take us and he will. Tomorrow morning." Harry groaned.
"Draco, stop being an idiot. This is such a stupid idea. What on earth do you even want to say to them?" Draco started to walk in the direction of the dungeons and Harry followed.
"What? You can't introduce your new sexy husband to your family Harry?" They had reached the dungeons entrance now and Draco stopped.
"Oh fine. Whatever. Night." Harry spat as he walked away.
"Meet me outside Snape's office tomorrow morning. I will wake you up by shouting lovely things at you through our ever so useful telepathic communication." Shouted Draco as Harry kept walking. He laughed and shook his head entering the common room of the dungeons.
Hermione straightened herself out before handing over the picture to Dumbledore.
"Do you recognise who they are Professor?" she asked hopefully. Dumbledore took the photo and looked over it very carefully. His brow knitted in concentration.
"I'm afraid not. But this is a very good start." He handed the photo back over to Hermione and smiled brightly. "Now what on earth had got into Mr Zabini? He looked rather ill after seeing that photo, don't you think Miss Granger?" forgetting who she was talking to for a minute, Hermione narrowed her eyes at Dumbledore.
"What are you trying to say?" she said quietly. Dumbledore only shook his head.
"Oh nothing. I was just merely concerned for the welfare of a student." Hermione nodded thoughtfully. Dumbledore always did this to Hermione. Try and set her on the right path. She knew instantly that Dumbledore knew more than he was letting on. She knew that Blaise knew something. She wasn't a sneaky person, but at this moment, Hermione knew she was going to have to get extremely sneaky with Blaise.
"Talk to Blaise Miss Granger." He smiled at her and rose from his chair. "Good night." He walked towards the door and was gone. Hermione was stood alone in the great hall, suddenly feeling quite upset. Did Blaise have something to do with it? She asked herself. Sighing deeply, she made her way to the Gryffindor tower where she would sleep on all the information she had been told.
Elsewhere in the castle Blaise was caught up in a heated discussion with Colin Creevey.
"Did you take more pictures Creevey?" he snarled. Colin smirked.
"Why yes. Yes I did." Blaise glared at him.
"Give them to me now Colin. I had no idea you were there taking all these pictures you sneaky arse." Colin shook his head hard.
"Sure. After you give me something I want." Blaise sighed heavily.
"I will give you whatever you want. Just give me the photos. Please." Colin took the photos out of his pockets and looked them over.
"I don't see why you want them so desperately. They don't incriminate you, much." He laughed. "I can't believe you had the cheek to stand up there with Hermione as she practically begged for people to come forward, when all along you know exactly what happened." Blaise could feel his anger growing in him.
"Think what you want Creevey, but I honestly do want to help Harry and Draco. I am trying to think up a plan that will expose the person who did this without me being put in danger. I mean, I wasn't the one who actually cast the curse." He snarled. Colin just laughed. "I know it is selfish, believe me I know. Just I want to help them I really do, but I'm just scared. I promise I am trying to think of a plan."
"Well you had better hurry up."
"You saw what happened didn't you Creevey? You stood by and watched the whole thing." Colin nodded his head again. "You should feel as guilty as I do. You stood and watched it all happen and did nothing to help."
"I sure did see it all. But don't try and make me feel guilty." Before he could say much more, Blaise reached out and yanked the photos out of his grasp. "You sneaky Slytherin. Give them back at once." He shouted.
"No. Now do one." Colin glared at him before starting to walk away. "Oh and Creevey, don't even think about telling anyone about this."
"Fine I won't. But if you don't hurry up and fix this mess between Harry and Draco then I will tell someone. Harry's life is on the line." Blaise nodded.
"I know. I am trying. I really am." Colin turned back around and carried on walking.
Blaise sank against the wall. If he wasn't a well-respected pure blood, then he might have started to cry. In fact, stuff being a well-respected pure blood. A single tear fell down his cheek. The guilt was just far too much.
'Wakey wakey Harry.' Harry groaned loudly and buried his head in his pillow.
'Piss off Draco.' Harry sat up in his bed and rubbed his eyes roughly. He hated early mornings. Plus he was feeling exhausted. He really needed Draco to touch him.
'Hurry up and get down here. It is 7.30 and I'm waiting in Snape's office. He is all moody because he wants to get this over and done with.'
Harry got out of bed and got himself dressed and ready. He quickly grabbed his cloak and made his way to Snape's office.
"Right. We need to head to Hogsmeade so I can apperate you both to Private Drive." Harry groaned again. Snape glared at him.
"Are you even allowed to do this?" Harry asked hopefully.
"I of course asked Professor Dumbledore's permission. He thought it was a great idea for some strange reason. He believes it is important that you inform your family of the situation." Snape walked over to the door and departed from it. Harry and Draco followed.
As they walked to Hogsmeade Harry was starting to get nervous. He had no idea what Draco was going to say or do, and it was eating away at him. He was still exhausted as he hadn't touched Draco yet. He just couldn't bring himself to do it in front of Snape.
After a few more steps in the direction of Hogsmeade, Harry couldn't take it anymore. If he left it any longer he would probably have to hug Draco for a good 10 minutes to get his energy back. He practically rugby tackled Draco to the ground and held on to him rather tightly, mumbling an apology as he went. They laid on the ground wrapped up in a hug before Harry felt completely fine again.
"I'm really sorry about that." He mumbled, as he pulled himself off the blonde and stood in front of him.
"Well, if you are quite finished, I believe we have somewhere to be." Snapped Snape as he gave Harry one of his perfectly rehearsed glares.
"Sorry." Mumbled Harry once more.
They carried on walking for no more than 5 minutes before they reached Hogsmeade and were well out of the way of the Hogwarts wards.
"Right, hold on then." Said Snape rather coldly. "And do not let go."
Draco and Harry gave each other an encouraging nod and held on to the outstretched arm that belonged to professor Snape.
Harry closed his eyes as he felt his stomach turn as they apperated right there on the spot. He felt his surroundings whirl around him and before he knew it, he was standing in the familiar street that was private drive. He sighed heavily; he didn't think he would be back here anytime soon.
Snape marched up to no. 4 and banged on the door heavily.
"I will stay outside while you both have your little chat. You have 10 minutes and then I expect you both out here at once. Is that understood?" before either Draco or Harry could answer, the door was swung open heavily and Vernon Dursley was stood in front of them. His face was mixed with fear and disgust.
"What do you want?" he snapped, more at Harry than anyone else.
"Just came for a little chat." Announced Draco, as he pushed past Vernon and entered the house.
"I apologise for the intrusion, but they both have something they need to tell you, as you are Harry's legal guardian." Snape knew that they hadn't come here just to inform them of the news. He knew very well what Draco was like. He knew Draco had come to set the record straight and inform them politely that if they ever touch Harry again he would have their heads.
Vernon snarled something that sounded much like 'bloody hell' but Harry wasn't sure. He nodded at Snape and then entered the house.
Draco was already sat on the sofa in the living room glaring at Dudley and Petunia who were already sat on the other sofa opposite. Harry wondered in and sank down next to Draco, while Vernon sat with his family.
"Right, well I won't beat around the bush. I want to make it perfectly clear that the way you treated Harry was absolutely disgusting and I won't allow it anymore." Harry looked away, ashamed. He didn't want to meet the eyes of the people who had mistreated him his whole life. "Harry had an unfortunate curse placed on him that meant he is now bonded and married to myself. Therefore I strongly believe it is my duty to inform you that now, I have every right to pound you all into the ground for the awful treatment of someone I care about. As I'm sure you are aware, Harry, being the golden Gryffindor boy he is, would not allow me to do such a thing. So instead, I will just inform you of some information I believe you should know. If you ever do anything to Harry that I do not agree with again, I will not, under any circumstances, refrain from doing exactly what I want to do to you. Is that clear?" The three people seated opposite them were staring at Draco in complete shock. It was a very long time before anyone spoke. When the gap was finally filled, it was Vernon who spoke.
"I do not know who you are boy, but I do not appreciate you coming into my home and threatening my family."
"My name is Draco Malfoy. Not that that is very important as I doubt you will be seeing me again. Unless of course you still decide to treat Harry appallingly. Which you won't of course." Draco smirked widely. Harry loved how the whole time, Draco had held up his Malfoy pride, taking control of the situation in hand.
"We have treated Harry perfectly fine. He was a very lucky boy to have us. Harry is nothing more than a freak. Just like my sister. I do not like how you have come into my home and accused us of mistreating a boy who has been extremely lucky." Petunia perked up from her seat. "We never asked for him. Most people would have probably turned him away."
Harry could see Draco's hands clench at his sides.
"Harry is not a freak." He spat. Harry stood up abruptly as he realised that this could possibly get out of control at any time.
"Well, thank you for listening. We just thought it important to inform you about the marriage and all." Harry quickly leant down and grabbed Draco's hand pulling him up. "Come on, let's go." He whispered quickly. Draco looked like he was about to protest but didn't.
"Don't bother coming back here again boy." Snarled Vernon as they left the living room.
Draco froze in the hall way pulling Harry to a stop as they were both still holding hands. Harry turned around and looked to see what had made him stop. His stomach clenched when he saw what he was looking at.
"H-Harry." he stuttered. He Yanked Harry over to what he was looking at. It was the cupboard under the stairs. They both stood there staring at the door for a while before Draco reached out and opened it, leaning forward and looking inside. His stomach clenched when he thought about a small little Harry sleeping in here. It was dark and smelt terrible, not to mention absolutely tiny. How Harry didn't go insane trapped in here was beyond him. This just made it worse. He thought coming here would make him feel better. He thought it would be a good way of dealing with what Harry had told him. He thought it would help him get over it. But it made it worse. Actually seeing the little cupboard made his heart hurt.
"L-Let me see your bedroom." He said quietly. He hoped this would make him feel better. He thought that if he saw that eventually Harry was moved out of this dreadful cupboard and had a normal room, then he would feel much better.
"Why do you want to see it?" Harry asked slightly taken aback.
"Please, I need to see it." Harry didn't argue against it. If Draco wanted to see his room, then he would. After what he did for Harry this morning, he would do anything he wanted. With his hand still firmly in place in Draco's he led him up the stairs and into his bedroom.
Draco noticed the look on the door but didn't say anything. He just looked at it with disgust. He looked downwards and noticed the cat-flap on the door.
"Harry. What the hell is that?" he asked shocked. Harry looked embarrassed.
"It's a cat-flap. It was used to push my meals under the door. So I could be kept locked away in here." Draco looked angered once again.
"Merlin. They really are awful." Commented Draco as he stepped into the room. He glanced around and noticed that thankfully, it was a rather normal looking room. He let out a sigh of relief.
"Now can we leave? Now that you have been able to be reassured that this room is rather normal, despite the lock and cat-flap." He smiled lightly, trying to make light of the rather tense situation.
Draco smiled and made his way over to the window and inspected it slightly.
"Oh and of course there were bars on my windows, but Fred and George Weasley yanked them right off when they came to pick me up in their flying car." He laughed. Draco did not laugh one bit at that piece of information. Harry cursed himself under his breath. He forgot that he had told himself NOT to tell Draco that.
"There were bars on your window?" he asked outraged. "Why did you leave out that little piece of information? Wait right here while I just go and tell them…" he was cut off by Harry's lips placed firmly on his own. Harry wrapped his arms firmly around Draco's waist and pulled him close. An action that sent shivers down Draco's whole body. Their lips were moving in sync perfectly.
"Thank you Draco. But trust me, you have done more than enough." His warm breath was inches away from Draco's lips. Harry pulled away and put his hand in Draco's once more. "Come on, let's get out of here." He pulled Draco by the hand and walked downstairs.
"What are you still doing here?" shouted Dudley as he notice them walking down the stairs.
"Don't worry we are just leaving." Said Harry so quietly that Draco wasn't sure if he had actually heard it.
"Dudley, how nice to finally hear you talk." Draco walked closer to Dudley and was hardly even an inch away. "And what an annoying voice you have." He lifted his fist and collided it firmly with his face. He toppled backwards and landed on the floor with a thud. Harry gasped from behind. Draco turned around and smirked his Malfoy smirk. "Well, that felt good." He commented. He held out his hand and Harry took it instantly smiling so wide it hardly even fitted on his face.
They practically ran out of the front door and nearly stumbled into Professor Snape.
"You hit him didn't you?" scowled Snape. Harry and Draco laughed.
"I sure did." Snape rolled his eyes, but both Harry and Draco could see Snape's lips nearly twitching into a smile.
"Right, come along." He held out his arm and Draco and Harry held on while they apperated back to Hogsmeade.
Once Harry and Draco were back in the wards of Hogwarts, they made their way to the great hall for breakfast.
"Thank you again Draco for doing that." Mumbled Harry under his breath.
"That's quite alright Harry. The lot of them had it coming." He smiled brightly at Harry.
"Well thanks."
The great Hall was rather empty. Harry worked out that it must be around 8 O'clock because they had left at around 7.30 and had been gone for a good half an hour. Therefore he wasn't surprised that it was near enough empty.
Draco went to sit next to Blaise, while Harry walked towards Hermione and Ron.
"Morning Harry. Where have you been?" Ron spoke through a mouthful of toast. Harry glanced at Hermione who looked quite down.
"Nowhere special. Hermione, are you ok?" Hermione broke out of her day dream and smiled at Harry.
"I'm fine thank you Harry. How are you?" she went back to picking at her toast, not actually putting any of it in her mouth.
"You are not fine Hermione. What is wrong?" She just shook her head and smiled.
"Honestly, nothing." Hermione looked over to the Slytherin table and saw that Blaise had stood ready to leave. Instantly Hermione dropped her toast back on her plate and stood abruptly.
"I will be right back." She announced as she followed Blaise out of the great hall.
Hermione told herself that she had to start being sneaky. She had too. She was not daft, and she knew that Blaise knew something. He hadn't smiled at her once this morning like he had done before. He had practically ignored her. This upset Hermione more than she ever thought it would. Blaise knew something, and Hermione was going to get it out of him. Today was the day she was going to give Blaise a piece of her mind.