Made Expressly For You Chapter 4
Because I'm a horrendous person, making all of you wait. Although I appreciate all the Story Fav's, please review? Pretty please?
Dinner that night was, to say the least, tense. Harry couldn't tell if Blaise and Draco had anything going on, Hermione was completely absorbed in some book about Veela mating habits- he did not want to know why- and therefore no help at all, and no one else knew about his little problem yet.
He scowled into his plate of protein, made especially for him by Mrs. Weasley. Edemame, brisket, a dark green salad, and the promise of more should he need it. Draco noticed his expression and leaned over to him, asking, "Are you alright?"
Chaos erupted inside of Harry. Of course I'm fine! You're here- I'm better than fine! was begging to come out, followed by, Tell your bloody boyfriend to keep his hands off you if he wants to keep them. Harry swallowed both replies and simply ground out, "Yeah."
Draco frowned at him, then shrugged and said, "Okay."
Harry cursed himself in his head. There was no way he would be able to get close to the blond if he couldn't even talk to him! He stood abruptly, muttering "Excuse me." under his breath. He could feel worried eyes on his back, but he couldn't deal with this right now.
He'd glided up the stairs before he quite realized where he was going, and ended up standing in front of his window. The sun was setting, splashing everything with blood red and gold. How perfect for his mood. He shrugged out of the shirt he was wearing and snatched a blanket off the bed before stepping up onto the ledge. Chucking the blanket onto the roof, he swung himself up. Harry made his way towards the highest point on the roof, moodily wondering where they thought he was.
Spreading the blanket out, he sat down and leaned back against the highest turret, watching the last of the bloody sunset. He thought of the old rhyme, Red sky at morning, sailors take warning, red sky at night, sailors delight. Harry wondered if it held true. If it was true for anyone one other than sailors, then maybe tomorrow would be a better day for him.
Suddenly restless, Harry leaned forward and twisted, cracking his back and every joint he could, enjoying the feelings. He sighed and sat back. He really needed to think about this whole fiasco. First, Draco was, apparently, his mate. Not that he had any problem with that, but this was just the first time he'd stopped and thought about it, beyond the urge to seek out and tear Blaise from limb to limb. Which would be wrong, because they were friends. Harry closed his eyes and pictured Draco. Long blond hair, storm grey eyes, tall and lean, he was perfection. And it was easy to see where he'd gotten it from, too, if Mrs. Malfoy was any indication.
Harry's eyes opened wide, mouth forming a startled 'o'. Then Harry cringed. It would make sense for Draco to not want to have anything to do with me, he thought frantically. After all, I did kill his Father. He shifted, suddenly uncomfortable. And Mrs. Malfoy… he trailed off, not wanting to even think what the aristocratic woman thought of him.
He stood slowly and walked back to his window, feeling a bit like a man going to the gallows. He had to talk to her, just to clear the air. Because wouldn't it be wonderful, simply marvelous, if your son's mate was the person who killed your husband, however unwillingly?
He swung into the room and landed silently in a crouch, eyes taking everything in before he straightened. He summoned a black button up to him and put it on, then transfigured his pants into black trousers. Then he stared at his feet, wondering if he should put shoes on. Eventually deciding not to, he padded to the door and opened it, wondering why it didn't creak like it usually did.
He listened a bit, hearing the unmistakable tinkle of Mrs. Malfoy's laugh come from the kitchen. Squaring his shoulders, he went silently down the stairs.
His arrival in the kitchen caused a sudden silence, as everyone took in his appearance. Hermione made to get up, but before she could say anything, he turned to Mrs. Malfoy and said, "May I speak to you privately?"
He ignored the questions in everybody's eyes as she stood and said, "Of course, Harry dear. Lead the way."
He brought her to the library, absently lighting a fire with a glance. It might be summer outside, but the library was in the bowels of the house and chilly all year round. He turned to see the blonde lady settling herself onto a settee. Looking at him with those pale blue eyes, so much like Draco's, he couldn't help squirming.
Before she could say anything, he started speaking. "I don't know how much you know, and I don't know what Draco may or may not have told you, but I was the one who killed Lucious." He cut himself off, flushing furiously and lowering his eyes. He hadn't meant to spit it out like that!
The rustle of her dress caught his attention, and he looked back up to see Mrs. Malfoy standing in front of him. She reached out with one hand and cupped his cheek, looking up into his eyes. "Darling, it's alright. He stopped being the husband I'd known when he offered out house to the Dark Lord."
"But he was your husband." Harry said, a bit desperately. "I killed him."
The lady just shook her head. "He was dead to me long before you came along." Harry looked at her, trying to see if she really meant it. "I'll forgive you, if that's what you need." she continued, "But I'd rather thank you."
Something on his face, in his manner, made her give a small half smile. "Growing up is such hard work, isn't it? You never know if what you've done is quite the right thing or not." Harry managed a chuckle. She patted his cheek, then lowered her hand back to her side. Briskly, she turned to the door, saying, "Come. Too much moping about is bad for boys of your age. A tub of ice cream will surely straighten you out."
He gladly followed.
… … …
No one asked what had gone on, those moments in the library, but everyone knew something had changed. From the moment Mrs. Malfoy- no, Narcissa, now, had walked back into the kitchen and handed Harry a tub of Berty Botts Ice Cream, something had been different. A good different.
The Malfoy matriarch, it seemed, had done something to Harry, because now, he was always in a good(ish) mood, he cooperated with Hermione's efforts to learn more about what he was, and he wasn't hiding out on the roof nearly as much.
The only downside that remained was the question of Blaise and Draco's relationship. Harry wanted to just come out and ask, but Hermione insisted on being subtle about it. Unfortunately, that wasn't working. Because the two Slytherin's had been such good friends for so long, it was hard for the two Gryffindor's to find out where friendship ended and supposed relationship began.
One day, though, Harry got fed up with sneaking around. Ignoring Hermione's shrill whispers ( he'd never know how she managed that) he went over to Blaise and asked to talk to him. Getting a confused yes, Harry lead the way to one of the uppermost rooms in the deserted part of the house.
Turning to the Slytherin, he said, "Alright, this is awkward, so I'm gonna be blunt about it- are you and Draco going out?" he asked in a rush.
Blaise started laughing. "No! No, never. That would be weird- he's my best friend, and I'm not even gay! No," he paused and slid Harry a look, "if you must know, I was actually trying to see if Hermione's ever free, but she just blushes and stammers something about books."
Harry grinned, a feeling of relief sweeping through him. "Yeah, typical Hermione. Next time, offer to go with her to the library. She'll use you as a pack animal, but don't worry about that."
Then he had a sudden though. "Um, Blaise?" he started. "Draco is gay, right?" Because he hadn't even considered the fact that, not only might he have to woo the boy away from another, he might have to woo him over to 'the dark side'.
But the Slytherin laid his fears to rest with a sharp grin and nod. Then his grin grew into a sly smile, and he asked, "Why do you want to know?"
Harry flushed and scratched the back of his head. "Swear not to tell?" he asked, voice serious. Blaise nodded and he sighed. "Because he's my mate."
… … …
Having been promised by Blaise that the Slytherin would start working on Draco for him, Harry wandered into the library. Sure enough, Hermione had her head bent over a book, looking for all the world like she had found the secret to eternal life. "What's got you so excited?" he asked, a bit warily.
Hermione grinned up at him. "Harry," she sang, "I have some good news for you!"
"What kind of good news?" the Veela asked suspiciously.
"Now, don't be like that- you know you want to know, so have a seat." she shoved him into a chair, then perched on her own. "You can have children."
He scowled at her. "No I can't. If you hadn't noticed, both Draco and I are males." Then he flushed, thinking about what they would have to do get to that little scenario.
Hermione just dimpled up at him. "This is why you have me around. Listen. Draco cannot have children- physically, his body just can't do it. You, on the other hand…" she trailed off.
"'Me on the other hand' what?" Harry asked.
"You are a Veela. Creatures of infinite magical power, are Veela's, and one of the things all that power does is make it so that if you ever want children, it changes you're insides so you are capable of having them." Then she blushed, but blundered on. "The only thing is that you'd have to be the… submissive one for that to happen."
Harry blushed with her. This is a right awkward conversation to be having with one's best friend, he thought to himself. Clearing his throat, he said, "Well, that's all wonderful and all, but I have some news for you."
Hermione leaned forward, eager. "What, Tell me!"
"Alright, alright… Someone has a crush on you…" he sang.
Hermione blushed. "Who?" she demanded.
"Uh-huh. Not telling."
"Harry!"
… … …
Part the fourth- hope you all enjoy, and I will try not to wait another nine months before updating. I can't believe I did that!
I know it's short, but I really don't know where I'm going with it. If you have any suggestions, or anything you really want to see, let me know.
And thank you to all who favorited this story- Thanks!
Ta
MannyWitch