This
is my apology
For leaving you so incomplete
The mess I made
with my mistakes
That you don't understand
And now the dust
has settled
And now the smoke has gone
And now I can see for
myself the aftermath of what I've done
And
I want to believe I'm still worth something
And I want to
believe you still believe in me
My hero cape has been ripped
away
And I'm left as a man, just a man
This
is my apology
For things I never meant to be
I looked to you
and looked away
I'm sorry everyday
And now I can feel their
stares
And now they all look down
And now there's nothing
left but to leave this unforgiving town
God
I'm sorry for the people I hurt when I fell down
For the people
I hurt, that I let down
Lyrics by, The State, "Apology"
Chapter Eight
The darkness scattered, and still silence followed, still shadow's covered the room. Draco felt his arms pinned next to him, and something confining. He was lying on something soft...a couch. He sat up, a comforter coming with him.
He was in Harry's living room where he had passed out. It was night now, and he could barely make out the shape of a pullout bed pulled up next to him. His eyes slowly adjusted and he could see Harry's shape in it, lying next to the couch, as if he had been watching over him all night.
His heart panged. What had he done? How could he have betrayed him? Sure, he hadn't known about his feelings at the time, but he knew something existed, he had been stupid to believe Salazar.
He slowly got up from the couch, being as silent as possible. All he wanted was to be near the boy. To feel him beside him. He slipped onto the bed quietly, snuggling close to him. Harry shifted slightly from the disturbance, but stayed fast asleep.
Man have I blown it. Would Harry ever let him this close again once he knew? He loved him, yes, but after everything that had been happening...How would Harry react?
Draco shut his eyes, and let sleep wash over him. At peace for a moment lying next to Harry and smelling his perfect scent. He never wanted to let him go. Never wanted to tell him anything that would disrupt perfect harmony. So what was he going to do?
He kissed Harry softly and fell fast asleep.
--
At seven o'clock, Harry awoke to the sound of birds chirping. He had left the window open in the night. But he felt cozy and didn't want to move, that was until he heard a soft stirring he recognized as Draco's. He snapped his eyes open, but he couldn't see Draco on the couch. He snatched up his glasses and still Draco was not there.
He started to panic, attempting to stand and to find him, but he found that something was holding him down. He turned, and he froze in surprise to see the pale blonde boy curled up around him. The boy shifted again, moving closer to him, and Harry was still frozen in shock.
"Draco?" he finally chocked out.
Draco stirred again, and opened one eye. "Huh?" His eyes flickered open more, and he slowly sat up, his face straight, but focused. "Morning, Harry."
He felt tears springing to his eyes, still staring at the boy. His golden hair, he was like an angel in the beam of light. And he had called him Harry.
"Morning," he said, half laughing, half crying out of pure happiness.
Draco sat up, scooting closer to him, and pulling him near. He kissed Harry, long and sweet, as if apologizing for every wrong moment that had happened since he had been back.
"Everything's going to be okay," Draco whispered, pulling away. "I promise you, we're going to make everything better, together."
"Oh Gods! Draco!" He pulled him back into a kiss. He never wanted him out of his reach ever again. He wanted to feel this sheer joy every day for the rest of his life...and in a way, that was sort of possible if he had Draco by his side. "I love you so much."
Draco stared straight into his eyes and whispered, "I love you too."
They held each other close, lips meeting in perfect union. Eyes closed and treasuring every moment. They were like this for an immeasurable amount of time, until finally Draco was the first to pull away.
"Harry," he said softly.
Harry closed his eyes, leaning a head against Draco's shoulder as Draco stroked his hair.
"Yeah?" he asked.
"I-" Draco stopped short.
"You what?" he said, slightly concerned, but he couldn't find enough reason to move his head or open his eyes.
"I want us to be like this forever, okay love?" Draco whispered softly. "No matter what."
"No matter what," he repeated.
Harry, who had only gotten a few hours of sleep, drifted off as he lay next to his love, leaving the former Slytherin to ponder in silence.
--
Draco watched him sleep, rubbing the boy's arm softly as he did so. He had almost told him...and instead had requested something he knew Harry might not want after the truth was out.
Will Harry really send me away?
He knew Harry had been hurt a lot in his life. This was just another thing to add on top of that. He couldn't not tell him though, it would haunt him forever.
He needed a way to bring it up. But he wanted to do it at the right moment. He sat, thinking of everything he could possible do, every way and every situation and every reaction that Harry might have. Some were worse than others.
Why is this such a big deal? He slammed his head somewhat softly against the bed, accidentally waking Harry.
"What are you doing?" Harry mumbled in a yawn.
"Nothing, go back to sleep," he said softly.
"I think I'm okay for now," Harry said, sitting up, taking his hand in his. "I like waking up like this. It makes everything else seem worth it."
Draco smiled, completely agreeing with him. He kissed him tenderly, then pulled him out of bed.
"I have something," he said, grinning.
"Have something for what?"
"To give and tell you," he answered. "But I have to go out; do you think you can stay here awhile?"
"By myself?" Harry asked, pouting cutely.
Draco laughed, but nodded. "I'll be back. And I'll only be gone for an hour or so."
"What are you getting?" Harry asked, raising an eye.
"Did anyone tell you curiosity can get you killed?"
The boy raised an eye. "What's that supposed to mean Draco Malfoy?"
"Means I'm not telling you anything yet," he said. "Just be a good boy, and stay put, alright?" He loved being able to flirt like that and get away with it, especially because all Harry did was laugh.
"All right, but hurry up," Harry said. "We have a lot of time to make up for."
"And a lot to discuss," he said, nodding. He found his wand, and just as he was about to Apparate he caught sight of himself in the mirror. He turned to Harry incredulously. "And you were going to let me out, looking like this?"
Harry started to laugh harder. "I thought it might have been amusing."
His hair was a tangled mess, quite rivaling Harry's bed hair. "I can't believe you." He went to the bathroom, and Harry followed him. "Going to help me with my hair?" he asked, holding out a brush jokingly.
Much to his surprise, Harry took it.
"I was kidding," he said.
"No you weren't," Harry said lightly, and started to run the brush through his hair gently.
"Harry, you're going to have to run it through harder than that. I do have high pain tolerance you know – Ouch! Not that hard."
Harry chuckled, lightening up. "Sorry. Hey, are you sure I can't come with you?"
"I'm sure," he said quickly. "There's just something's I have to get."
"Something's?" Harry asked intrigued. "So more than one?"
It was surprising to Draco how quickly they fell back into their relationship, as if there had been no break between his death and just a few hours ago. It was as if both of them were pretending nothing happened. That was a Malfoy skill that he had learned quickly as a child, but had never been what Harry liked to practice.
He just wants to forget all the pain.
And I'm just going to cause him more.
But Harry made him incredibly happy, and that right now was all that mattered to him.
Enjoy happiness while you can, because it certainly will not last long. That was another family motto the Malfoy's tended to live by.
"Yes, more than one. But you'll just have to wait," he said teasingly. "Just, don't invite anyone over. I want it to just be the two of us."
"Sounds like a smashing plan so far," Harry commented, setting down the brush.
He made a face at the raven-haired boy in the mirror to mock him at his attempt to style his hair. He picked back up the brush and pulled it through easily, fixing it to his liking.
"You're so fickle," Harry joked.
"And you like it," he countered. "Okay, now I can leave."
"Not yet you can't," Harry said. He pulled him near, and kissed him. "There, now you can."
"Not bloody likely," he muttered, taking Harry closer to him.
They kissed, and Draco found himself backed up to the counter, Harry's hands on his skin, brushing gently. He didn't want this to stop, wanting to take it as far as Harry would let them. But he knew how much more trouble it would be to tell him if anything happen.
He laughed softly, taking Harry's hands. "I believe you've distracted me long enough."
Harry looked at him, grinning broadly. "Alright, alright. Go."
Draco kissed his temple, and then Apparated swiftly, the sensation of it making him sick to his stomach.
--
There were a series of flashing lights of all colors as Lily Potter descended into a darkened room. There was a single lit fireplace, making everything glow fiery, and casting shadows, and there was a series of single armchairs lined across the walls. Apart from that, there was nothing inside but a group of people surrounding a few chessboards.
Lily glanced to her side for Draco to find he was not there. She furrowed her brow, and looked up at the group of wizards who were now looking at her expectantly. One man in particular stood up to greet her. His long shaggy black hair and genuine young and youthful face was lit up with surprise.
"Lil?" he asked coolly.
"Padfoot," she said.
Sirius Black laughed at her choice of name. She had always been particularly fond of calling them their Marauder names since she had learned them.
"Did you see a boy, blonde, a Malfoy, come in here at any moment?" she asked.
Sirius shook his head. "Got away from you did he?" he said teasingly.
"Hmm," she said pondering. In front of her appeared the Animadverto Vas, crystal-clear for the moment. She touched the glass and the scene that appeared in front of her made her gasp in shock.
"Oh my!"
"Blimey...Is that...What is that Lily?"
It was Draco pressed back into the wall of a very small and not very lived in bathroom by none other than her son, and his Godson.
"That...Is where Draco Malfoy is," Lily answered, the glass images disappeared, followed by the glass itself.
"Was that?" he asked gruffly. "Harry?"
"Yes, that was Harry," she said, thinking more.
"Well, jeez Lily, leave a man completely in the dark, will you? I know you said he was with someone else, but you didn't bother to say who. What did James say to this? He does know that his own son is..."
"Merlin, Sirius! Yes, James knows. And yes, Harry's in love with that boy, but I think we both know attraction isn't as simple as we'd all like it to be," Lily said snippily.
Sirius nodded compliantly, but still was in complete shock.
"Are you sure Harry's not being fed some potion from the git? That Lucius Malfoy and his kind have been known to – "
"Sirius, as hard as it is to accept that Harry has fallen for someone so impossible, I need you to do that right now, because I have other problems on my hands."
"What's going on?" he asked.
The other's in the room seemed to turn back to what they were doing, ignoring the two.
"I need to know how that boy can be dead, and still living at the same time."
--
"Shut it off!" Salazar snarled at Rowena.
Rowena complied, gliding a hand across the Animadverto Vas and it wiped clean, having previously been the same image that Lily and Sirius had just encountered.
The four Founder's exchanged confused looks. Draco had always been existing in the World Beyond, not even vanishing for more than a fraction of a second, so they had never witnessed what he had been doing on Earth. Why had this suddenly changed?
"I don't think he's in the Honored Land," Rowena said. "I can't find him anywhere."
"But he still is here...right? No one has every vanished from the Honored Land before," Helga said, eyeing the empty glass.
"She's right. But, we can't get to Beyond the Veil, so maybe he's there and we can't reach him until he returns." Godric suggested.
"Then how come we could see his activity on Earth?" Helga asked. "That's bizarre."
"Maybe we should consult Hector?" Godric suggested.
"Another Demigod, haven't they done enou-"
"- That's brilliant!" Rowena lit up with acknowledgment. "Why didn't I think of that? Hector created those Games; I bet he has some idea on what they're about!"
"Salazar, stop looking so put out," Helga said rather bluntly. "You knew he didn't want you from the moment he came here."
Salazar's face darkened in anger as he rose himself up to full height. "I believe, you, Hufflepuff, are quite lacking in your expertise of love and relationships and have no right to tell me what Draco wanted."
"Look, Salazar," Godric said, trying to calm him. "You need to mellow. What we have to do now is work on finding out what's going on with Draco, because I'm sure he doesn't like being stuck in both worlds."
"Do what you like," Salazar hissed. "I'm going to go take care of something."
He started to stalk away and Rowena shook her head in annoyance.
"What is he planning now?" she asked.
"We better keep an eye on him," Helga muttered. "I know that sabotage look in his eye when I see it."
The three watched him till he was out of sight, and then turned back to the Animadverto Vas, running a hand over it. An image of a very old looking man, but his skin was still smooth, his hair wavy and alive apart from being incredibly white.
"Hector?" Godric asked.
The man turned to them. "Good evening. What can I help you with?"
--
In the center of Diagon Alley, Draco exited a cheerily lit shop, pocketing his contents into his cloak. That had taken longer than he had thought, and he still wasn't done. He made his way towards an average store, passing up the Weasley twin's joke shop as he went.
He stopped in his tracks, and turned to face the shop. What I'm looking for is probably in there. He pondered going in, shifting weight on his heels. He didn't particularly like the Weasley's, especially these two particularly annoying ones. He swallowed his pride, knowing Harry would definitely appreciate something from here.
He entered the shop, a loud chiming sound ringing over the door. Immediately one of the twins stepped out from behind the counter to help him.
"Good evening sir, welcome to our sh- Fuck-all, Malfoy? Is that you?" the twin said in complete surprise, unable to hide his horror.
"Yes, Weasley," he sneered. "Back from the dead and everything. Care to help me out? I'm looking for something for Harry."
"Blimey...Aren't you...dead?"
"In a matter of speaking," Draco retorted.
"But you're not...you don't smell dead, or look it," the twin said in confusion.
"Just...Can you help me out or not?" he growled annoyed.
The twin scratched his head and then nodded. "Yeah, hold on, I have something in back Harry might like."
"Actually, I'm looking for something somewhat specific," he said, tensing slightly.
"Name it, we probably have it."
He nodded, carefully looked around to make sure no one else was listening, and then told him.
The twin stared at him for a moment, unable to speak.
"Do you have it or not?"
"I, yeah...but, what sort of occasion –"
"Just get it for me, Weasley," he snapped.
"Right." The twin rushed off to the back of the store, and almost immediately came out again.
"Can I help you?" he asked, and then did a double take. "Holy shite! Malfoy?"
"I believe I just went through this with your brother," Malfoy drawled.
"You're not dead?" the twin retorted.
"Wow, who'd have thought that, as I'm walking and talking," he replied.
"Are you a infiri?"
"Do I look like an infiri?"
"Well, no...Blimey," the twin mumbled.
The other twin came around the counter with a bag.
"Fred, can you believe this?" the twin without the bag asked.
"It's bloody weird, but wickedly cool," Fred answered. "How'd you do it? Or did Harry do it?"
"Do what?" he asked, pretending to not understand. He followed the twins up to the counter to ring up his purchase.
"Bring you back from the dead. I didn't know it was possible. Was there some sort of spell?" the twin who he had forgotten the name of asked excitedly.
"We definitely need to learn it if there is! I mean, think of the possibilities," Fred rambled on.
Draco stared at them in bemusement and annoyance. How could they think of candy tricks when dealing with life or death?
"I don't know," he replied. "You'd have to talk to Harry about the details. Can you ring up my stuff already?"
"Oh right," Fred said. "That'll be 60 galleons because Harry is a good guy and he deserves something special, so I'm not going to charge you the outrageous real price. Make sure to return them when you're done, or at least release them in a properly zoned area."
"What did he buy?" the other asked curiously.
"None, of your business," he snapped. He placed sixty galleons on the counter, and left with his items.
He continued around town stopping only once more to pick up a few items from a normal magical market shop. He had been gone for over two hours, and he was sure Harry was going to start to worry. He took out his wand, shrunk all his items to easily fit into his pocket, and then Apparated back to Harry's place.
--
Sirius and Lily were sitting by the fire and she had just finished telling him the even shorter version of everything Draco had told her, which wasn't a lot to begin with.
"What's it like, to be in both worlds?" Lily asked, surprised that she had never actually had this conversation with him before this.
"It's weird at first. You feel torn in two, like you can never be complete no matter what you do. But for me, I'd guess it would be different than with Draco. I only appear in two different rooms, one here in the Honored Land, and one on Earth. Draco is appearing outside of a veil, so I'm not really sure if I can be much help to him."
"Well, actually I think you can," Lily said slowly. "Can you decide where you want to be at any given time?"
"Yes," Sirius answered. "But sometimes the time gets the better of me and I end up in a place at really inopportune times. Emotion's are very key to controlling it."
"Maybe you can help him learn to control when he leaves each realm," she said.
"I can, if he wants to learn," Sirius agreed. "But how come he's not with you now?"
"What do you mean?"
"Well, when we go from one world to the next, no time passes from the moment you knock out till the moment you wake up again. He should be with you now. Even though we saw him down on Earth he should still be here, it's even weirder that we're seeing him down on Earth at all, but I guess because the time line is getting very warped because of him," Sirius said. "Do you think he's the first person to ever be brought back to life?"
"In this way, yes," Lily said. "But of course you know of Horcruxes, and Albus' Phoenix song. But this is nothing like either of those."
"Do you think he's going to be alright?" Sirius asked.
"I have no idea," Lily said solemnly. "I don't even know what repercussions can reap because of this. I guess we'll just have to watch to find out."
--
Hector raised an eye in astonishment as the three Founder's explained to him the story of Draco and Harry's adventure in his games in the greatest detail they could muster up from the blonde's tellings.
"They figured it out that quickly?" Hector asked. "And then what happened?"
Rowena continued the story as best she could.
"And they won." Hector laughed. "Good on them. What's the problem exactly?"
"Well, after all that, Draco died using the weapon against Voldemort," Helga said.
"And, Harry's friends, I'm not sure of their names; they took on the task of playing the Games to bring Draco back to life. They won the item, and were told the item was very dangerous."
"A Dragon's curse," Hector grumbled, then waited for them to carry on.
"A what?" Godric finally asked.
"A Dragon's curse, when the Dragon warns ye of anything that means a curse has been put upon it. Anything that the item is made to do, might come up for better or for worse, but there is no middle ground. It's all in the rule book." Hector waved a hand impatiently. "Did you hear any stories about how they won their games?"
"No," Rowena said. "But...what will this curse do on Draco..."
"Well, from what you tell me, it seems like the curse made him stuck in both worlds. Living two half-lives. Slowly he will deteriorate, and disappear all together, unless someone can find a way to fix it. I'd help you out, but I'm all out of miracles. You'd have to take it up with another Demigod, and even then, you have to be very careful. Because if Draco's heart isn't in the right place, you can end up destroying him anyway."
--
Harry paced his living room; he had been doing it for the past hour. Draco was supposed to be back by now. What if his mother or father had found him? One of the other Death Eaters?
Maybe it just took longer than he thought it would...I'm sure he's fine.
He took a deep breath, and then smiled inwardly. Draco had his memory back and everything was right. Everything but his friends off doing who the hell knows what, but at least he had someone to face that with.
There was a loud tap tap on his window, and he looked over to see Pigwidgeon fluttering wildly around. He laughed good-naturedly and opened the window. The owl flew about his house, finally landing on his couch, extending its leg and hooting.
"Hey, Pig," he said, taking the note from his leg.
Pig flew into his kitchen, likely looking for scraps lying around. Harry began to open it, and startled when he heard a loud pop. Draco appeared in the living room.
"Hey," he said, smiling brightly.
Draco returned the smile, the amazing smile that left him breathless.
"Hey," Draco said, then he rose up a hand to tell him something. "You, go into your bedroom."
"What?" he asked.
"I'm going to set some stuff set up," he said winking. "It's a surprise of course, which means you can't see it yet."
Harry raised an eye, but grinned, deciding he loved the idea too much to argue. "Alright, I'm gone. But don't leave me waiting too long."
Draco nodded, and started helping him to his room.
"Hey, where are you bags?" Harry asked. "I thought you were out buying stuff."
"Everything's hidden, love," Draco said, kissing his cheek. "Now stay here and don't leave till I call you."
"Fine, I'll stay," Harry said. "At least I have this letter to occupy me."
"Yes, read it a million times till it's ready," Draco said, then quickly shut the door on him.
Harry smiled warmly and finally turned back to the envelope, and pulled out two different letters. He opened the first one and began to read.
Dear H-,
We wanted to check in and tell you everything is going fine so far. R- is keeping his head fairly well given the circumstances...though I can't really explain to you what they are.
'So why mention it?' Harry grumbled. He recognized they were writing in code, using simple first letters, just in case the letters were intercepted.
We've barely begun, I hate to say it but we will be gone for quite some time. You may write back using Pig, don't use Hedwig and if you reply to G- send it with Pig also.
How is everything going with D-? Did AA-'s potion work? AA told us about it, she also told us to tell you not to worry about SS. Everything has been sorted out for now. I'll write you back when we find out anything more. I hope everything is well with you.
Love,
Hr&R
He read the letter once more, recognizing the SS as Severus Snape. That meant Aiyana was still safe. He turned to the other letter unfolded it.
Dearest H-,
I know R- and Hr- aren't giving you a lot of information, and I'll do my best not to give too much away so you won't worry. But I need to write this to someone. I can't tell Hr- or R- because they won't understand, especially given the circumstances.
My boyfriend has been, well as sweet as he is to me, he's also been showing interest in another woman. She has a boyfriend, but neither of us have seen him. From what we gather she may have just made him up. But I don't know, all I know is K- has taken a particular interest in her. And this might seem weird, but that is part of our mission to befriend her and her friend. But it just seems like he's actually serious. I know I sound like a rambling jealous girl, but it just concerns me. Her friend has also been taken with me, and I think I might be flirting back, to get to my boyfriend, but he just thinks it's part of our act...unless he doesn't.
I'm sorry, this letter has probably confused you to no end. I just needed to get it out in the open with somebody.
R- and Hr- told me about you brining D- back. I hope he remembers soon H-, because you truly deserve him and the happiness that he brings you. I hope your life is being a lot less frightening and confusing as mine is right now, but knowing your life, I doubt it.
Well, good luck, H-. Wish me luck.
Love,
G-
Harry read her letter a few times, trying to understand it the most he could. Why did they have to befriend them?
He quickly grabbed a parchment and quill and scribbled a note to Hermione and Ron first.
Dear Hr & R,
Is there anything more you can tell me about SS? I'm curious to find out what happened.
Guys, I can't thank you enough for everything you did. He remembers! And I'm not quite sure what he's up to right now, but he says it's a surprise! I've never been so happy...I'll leave out details but I'll finish this letter tomorrow morning.
He stopped writing, and took a fresh piece of paper.
G,
Confusing yes, but I think I understand what you mean. Well, if you say that it's only part of the act then you probably have nothing to worry about. But maybe you should speak with him? Maybe he doesn't realize how much it's effecting you. Though if you have to keep flirting with these people, then there might be nothing he can do. But you should definitely mention something to him.
I've never been more happy in my life at this moment! D- has his memory back. And we're doing some sort of celebration. Not sure what.
I wish you a ton of luck, be careful,
H
Harry folded up Ginny's letter and placed both on his desk. He looked about his room, which still had plenty of unpacked boxes lying around. At least he'd have something to do till Draco was done with whatever he was doing.
It was a ten minutes later before he finally heard Draco open the door.
"Harry," he said, then tilted his head in a funny way. "Are you really going to leave that comforter on the bed?"
"What's wrong with it?" Harry asked, glancing, but his heart was beating fast anyway.
"It's tacky, is what," Draco replied, he seemed to be fighting the urge to throw it off the bed "Oh well, we'll deal with that later, come on." He took Harry's hand. "Close your eyes."
Harry laughed skeptically, but closed them shut anyway. Draco led him down the hall, and finally stopped him.
"Alright, open," Draco said.
He opened his eyes and his jaw dropped in surprise. His living room windows were shielded from light, the room lit in hundreds of scented candles. On the table were two glasses and (Harry couldn't help but laugh) Firewhiskey. There was the strong smell of rosary chicken cooking that could not be concealed by the candles.
Harry didn't know what to say, bewildered and overwhelmed.
"You like?" Draco asked him, he had been watching his reaction the whole time.
"I love," he answered. "But I do have to question, Firewhiskey?"
"Well, I thought because I was going so horribly cliché with the candles and homemade meal, that I might as well do something original."
"I'm okay with cliché," he said, kissing Draco, and then moving towards the table. "You can cook?"
Draco smacked him lightly, then laughed. "Of course not, I've never cooked a day in my life."
"Then how – "
From out of the kitchen, a dozen little fairy-like creatures flew in with two empty plates, placing them in their spots on the table.
"What are those?" Harry asked bewildered as he and Draco took a seat.
"Those are kitchen fairies," Draco said. "I didn't want to buy a House Elf, since you say you apparently already have one.
"How do you remember that?"
Draco laughed, and shrugged. "I was trying very hard to remember everything today, and realized I don't have a clue what your favorite food is, let alone color, or anything for that matter!"
Harry laughed, and pondered curiously. "Wow, that's weird."
"So, that's part of what tonight is for, and the rest of our lives," Draco said. "We're going to get to know one another, without the Dragon Games to force us for truth."
"That sounds like a good idea," he said, and took Draco's hand in his. "This is wonderful."
The Kitchen Fairies came back in floating a plate of chicken, a pot of garlic potatoes, herb rice, and a big bowl of salad.
"Where did you get these?" Harry asked.
Draco grinned amused. "Now, don't be mad..."
"What?"
"Well, they're sort of illegal; Granger would literally murder me if she knew I was using these guys. Especially with her completely psychotic thing with SPEW. I got them from those Weasley twins," Draco said. "I knew they'd have them, so I stopped in there."
"You bought something illegal?" he asked, slightly concerned.
"Oh, is it really that surprising?" Draco asked teasingly.
"I guess not," Harry murmured. The fairies began to serve them, filling their plates with more food than they could definitely eat.
"Save room for more love," Draco said. "Dessert will be shortly commencing after this."
"What sort of dessert?" Harry asked.
"Now there in-lies the problem," Draco said. "What do you like?"
"Well, my favorite is Chocolate Moose pie," he said.
"Then that it is," Draco said. "Chocolate Moose please," he told a fairy.
The fairies squeaked in response, and then flew off into the kitchen.
"What's your favourite?" Harry asked, taking a bite of potatoes.
"I love apple pie, especially the ones the House Elves made at home," Draco answered, remembering fondly.
"Chocolate Moose is better," he said jokingly.
"Oh you wish," Draco said. "We used to have apple pie for my birthday on occasion. When my father was actually home and he remembered."
"He forgot your birthday?"
"My father forgot a lot of things about me," Draco answered. "Especially during holidays that matter."
"I'm sorry," he said solemnly. "My Aunt and Uncle didn't remember my birthdays often either, and they usually gave me socks as gifts."
"Socks?" Draco raised an eye. "Who would want socks for a present?"
He laughed, remembering Dumbledore's weird obsession with socks. "Apparently Aiyana."
"Oh yea?" Draco asked. "You're close with her, or I mean, you used to be?"
"Yeah, before she er he died," Harry said.
Draco nodded, and reached out for the Firewhiskey. "Want to open this now?"
"Sure," he said.
Draco poured them two glasses, and rose up his glass. "Here's to memories."
Harry smiled.
"Good or bad, at least we have them."
Harry shook his head at the last bit, but couldn't be bothered enough. They clinked glasses and drank, Harry was immediately overcome with a calming sensation.
"So, Harry, name your favourite drink," Draco said.
"Butterbeer, you?"
"Firewhiskey." No surprise there.
"How about favorite color?"
"Green of course, you?"
"Erm, I don't really have one, but I guess silver," Harry answered.
They continued to eat, watching the firelight of candles reflect in each other's eyes, their feet ever so playfully touching under the table. When their dishes had been wiped clear the kitchen fairies flew in with two slices of Chocolate Moose pie and milk.
Harry lifted up his fork to take a bite when Draco practically jumped out of his seat to stop him. "No don't touch it yet!"
He looked at him worriedly. "What? What's wrong?"
"Here," Draco started and scouted his chair close to his. Draco picked up his fork, and put it though Harry's pie, and held it up for him to eat. Harry took it, the delicious flavor filling his mouth.
"What was all that about?" Harry asked amused.
"I err...It's a sort of a tradition," Draco murmured, scouting his chair back to his seat.
"Tradition?" he asked. "With whom?"
"Er...I dunno," he seemed to be quite embarrassed. "Pansy...she told me it was traditional to always feed dessert to the other person you are with if you're on a date, otherwise it's bad luck."
Harry laughed beside himself. "Pansy is a dunce."
"Alright, it's funny, stop mocking me," Draco said grumpily, taking up his own fork.
Harry quickly leaned over. "Now, now, Draky, you don't want to give yourself bad luck, do you?" he said teasingly, using Pansy's nickname for him. He sliced his fork through Draco's pie and held it out for him.
Draco sneered un-amused, but lightened up as he took the pie anyway. "Mm, that's good."
"Better than apple?" Harry asked.
"Almost," Draco said with a wink. "Maybe."
"Almost maybe..." Harry said. "What sort of answer is that?"
"An answer," Draco remarked.
"An answer given by someone who doesn't want to admit their wrong perhaps?" Harry joked.
Draco rolled his eyes, but laughed softly. "Come on, you," Draco said, standing up.
They abandoned their barely eaten Chocolate Moose.
"Fairies, you're all released, just leave out the front door," Draco told them, an odd rebelling glint in his eye.
"Are you supposed to be releasing them like that?" he asked as Draco took him towards the couch in the living room.
"No." Draco shrugged.
They sat down on the couch, holding each other close as the candles floated around them like little stars.
Harry leaned up to Draco, kissing him on the mouth, still tasting the Chocolate Moose. They kissed slowly at first, taking each moment to savor each kiss. Then Draco pushed harder against him his tongue against him, and Harry let him in. Harry felt Draco's hand slide under his shirt, pushing him down against the couch. His own hands were already pulling off Draco's cloak.
He pulled Draco with him as he pulled off the blonde's shirt next, causing the boy to be on the bottom.
"I don't think so," Draco said in a domineering voice.
He twisted them back over, kissing him hard on the mouth.
Harry's hands moved down Draco's chest, touching every inch of him as Draco kissed his neck. His hands reached a belt as her started to unhook it, Draco pulled away.
"W-wait," Draco said, trying for air. "Not yet."
Harry stopped, as Draco sat up, pulling him up with him.
"What?" he asked. "What's wrong?"
"There's just something's..." Draco murmured. "That we have to go through first."
"Err, alright," he said, his heart pounding. "What?"
Draco paused for a moment. "Hold on." He scurried off the couch and retrieved his cloak.
Harry watched him curious, noticing that even with the belt on his pants; he still looked like a walking underwear commercial billboard. Draco moved back to the couch, and pulled something out of his coat pocket. A box, Harry frowned...and his heart skipped a beat.
"Okay, Harry," Draco said, as if trying to ground himself. He took a deep breath. "This...is my promise to you, that I will be yours. Forever and that you are mine, if you want to I mean. It's just a promise ring for now, till the right time... It's sort of silly but, I thought you might like the idea and…" he realized he was rambling. "Do you want it?"
Harry gasped as Draco opened the box to reveal two emerald and ruby stones embedded onto a large silver band of two hand meeting at the base of a crown, an unmistakable Claddagh Ring.
"Yes, I want it," Harry said as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.
Draco beamed, and Harry took it, placing it on. He kissed him passionately.
"I'm forever yours Draco," he said against his lips.
"And I yours," Draco said. He pulled him away once more slowly. "But...There's one more thing-"
Draco turned to him, stopping in mid sentence with a look that sent chills down Harry's spine. The boy was trembling slightly and opened his mouth to say something.
"What is it?" Harry asked.
The blonde took a deep sigh, shut his eyes for a moment, and then opened them again. "I kissed Salazar."