Thanks InsaneOrange and Maiden of Books! You're awesome possums!
The hall was decked in rich colors and filled with rich people. Teddy was jumping from foot to foot as he got an eyeful of the buffet table that lined one of the walls. Andromeda rolled her eyes and escorted him to the food. Harry guided Astoria towards the champagne, handing her a glass. He clinked his to hers and murmured, "Here's to hoping all goes well." She nodded, taking a sip. No more than five seconds later, they were whisked away in everyone's excitement to meet Harry Potter.
Meanwhile Blaise was looking immensely uncomfortable near Luna, who insisted on getting him to meet everyone who was anyone. She kept a firm hand against his and, try as he might, he couldn't shake her off. If anyone was surprised by Blaise's appearance, nothing was said.
Hermione and Ron were mingling with Terence and his family. Neville was chatting quasi-amicably with Theo and Adrian.
"I am the Head of Transportation, Sven Pollick. This is my wife, Mallory."
Harry nodded in response. "Pleasure," he said, shaking their hands. "This is Astoria Greengrass."
"Oh?" Mallory said in surprise. "Greengrass?"
"The very same," Harry said. Astoria smiled graciously. Mallory remained tight-lipped, flicking her eyes from Harry to Astoria.
"We have waited so long to meet with you," Sven said to Harry, oblivious to Mallory's reaction. "In fact, the entire Ministry has been waiting for you to join us."
Harry sipped his drink, trying to figure out how to say this. "You might have to wait a little longer," he said vaguely.
"As long as it's not five more years," Sven said, laughing rambunctiously.
Mallory seemed to have found her tongue again. "Um… How… how did you two meet?" she asked, faking her bright smile.
"We went to school together," Astoria answered.
Mallory kept her gaze on Harry. "Last I heard, you were dating Ginevra, weren't you?" she asked.
Harry shrugged, uncomfortable with the turn of conversation. "That was a long time ago. She's engaged now. Not to me," he said.
"Ah, I see," Mallory murmured.
Once they slipped out of the couple's grasp, Astoria whispered, "That was more than a little weird."
"No kidding!"
She finished her drink in one gulp. It refilled itself. "So… we're… what, dating?" she asked hesitantly.
Harry narrowed his eyes and looked at her. "I… guess?"
"Should we lay it on thick?" she asked, a sparkle in her eye.
Harry stepped back defensively. "I have no idea what you're talking about," he said.
She kissed him with an airy touch. "That's okay?" she asked.
Harry tried not to gape in shock. "I– um– oh… like that," he stammered.
"Yes, like that," she murmured, rolling her eyes. "Oh look, here comes Mr. and Mrs. Wonder-What-Gossip-I-Can-Get-Out-Of-This."
Harry snapped out of it as the Department Head of Potions Regulations introduced himself and his wife.
As the night wore on, Harry found himself in the able hands of his date. She kept 'laying it on thick', although he was getting suspicious of her intentions. She seemed to be enjoying it a little too much. He was at the buffet table, picking out the food, when Malcolm and Blaise sidled towards him. "So…" Blaise said nonchalantly.
Harry looked up, startled at the appearance of the men. "Oh! Hey," he said. "How's it going with you guys?"
"Apparently not as well as it's going with you," Blaise drawled, arching a brow.
Harry frowned in confusion. Malcolm made kissy faces at Harry. He blanched. "I– that– that wasn't my idea! I swear!" he said frantically.
"Sure, whatever," Blaise said, waving Harry silent. "She's getting a kick out of it."
"She is?" Harry squeaked.
"Who wouldn't want to kiss Harry Potter?" Malcolm asked sardonically.
"I sure would," Blaise muttered, biting into a shrimp.
"Anyways, enjoy it while it lasts, Potter. She's a heartbreaker."
"It's not like that," Harry said helplessly.
"Of course not," Malcolm commented, smiling slyly.
"I'm serious!" Harry said into deaf ears. Speak of the devil. Astoria appeared behind him, scaring him into spilling his drink on the ground. "Damn it," he swore, jumping out of the way.
"A little tense, aren't we?" Blaise said, smiling sweetly.
Harry flicked his eyes from Astoria to Blaise to Malcolm. "Wait… you're all in on this, aren't you?" he sighed.
"We have no idea what you're talking about," Astoria murmured, picking a strawberry from Harry's plate and biting into it with excessive sensuousness.
Harry shuddered, moving away.
"Hah!" Blaise exclaimed while Malcolm groaned.
"What? What's going on?" Harry asked, lost in the web of Slytherin deceit.
"You're gay!" Astoria whispered excitedly.
Harry's eyes widened. "I– what– you… wh– huh?"
"Fork it out," Blaise murmured, holding his hand out at Malcolm. The latter scowled, digging into his pocket. Harry was blushing himself bright red.
"We just had to make sure," Astoria explained.
"You guys are evil!" Harry said helplessly, walking away in defeat. Besides, the news wasn't that he was gay. The problem was that he was kind of in love with Draco. In 'love' with Draco. In something with Draco.
"Tortured you enough?"
Harry glanced at Theo pathetically, jerked out of his thoughts. He'd have time to figure them out later. Theo laughed, appearing sympathetic. "I forgot how roundabout Slytherins were," Harry murmured.
"We get things done," Theo corrected.
"Yeah. By messing with my head."
"Harry, my boy!" Amos Diggory called out loudly, stopping the men in their tracks. Harry turned to the bearded man. "Long time!" Amos said, pulling Harry into a hug.
"How are you, Mr. Diggory?" Harry asked.
"Very well. I am very well," Amos said. "Even better now that I have seen you."
Harry blushed modestly. "This is Theo Nott," he introduced, gesturing to Theo.
Amos grinned at Theo, holding out his hand. "I am Amos Diggory. I work at the Control for Magical Creatures," he said.
"Nice to meet you," Theo said, smiling.
"So, how are you two enjoying the night so far?" Amos asked.
"It's brilliant," Harry said sincerely.
"Isn't it, though? Everyone looks smashing, eh? I work with most of these people and I hardly recognize them!" Amos said giddily. "Speaking of which," he looked at Harry suggestively, "a spot is always open for you at my office, Harry."
Harry laughed. "That's very kind of you. But I don't think I will be working for the Ministry," he said apologetically.
"Ah, but a man with your power would do wonders," Amos said with twinkling eyes.
"I'm just a figurehead," Harry said, shrugging. "No real power."
Amos chuckled, shaking his head. "And what do you do, Theo?" he asked.
"Nothing, at the moment," Theo answered.
Harry interjected with, "He's completed his medical degree."
"Why, that's wonderful!" Amos said. "You know, Cedric wanted to be Mediwizard as well. Noble profession. St. Mungo's would be glad to have an addition to their team, I am sure."
Theo murmured disjointedly, not quite saying anything. Harry knew why. Theo had already applied to the hospital for a position. He had been rejected more than once, despite his qualifications. "He has tried," Harry said cautiously.
"Pardon?" Amos said.
"He has tried to apply. He was rejected thrice," Harry explained.
Amos looked perplexed. "Why?" he asked, looking at Theo to try and find any infirmities with the man.
"Because his father was a Death Eater."
The statement shocked Amos into silence. Theo looked ill at ease. He tried to silence Harry with a glare. But this was what Harry had set out to do.
"It's the only reason he hasn't been asked to join them," Harry continued. "Absolutely criminal, isn't it? Why would a son pay for his father's crimes?"
Amos glanced at Theo uneasily. "Why, indeed…" he murmured.
"He passed at the top of his class, you know?" Harry said.
"Mhm…"
"He studied in–"
"I can talk for myself, Potter," Theo huffed indignantly.
Amos hid his smile while Harry looked affronted. "You weren't saying anything," the latter said.
"Because I don't go around tooting my own horn," Theo said, scuffing the floor with his shoe.
"It's how you get ahead in life," Amos said.
In the meantime, Dean and Seamus were sizing Blaise and Malcolm up. "How did you get an invite?" Dean asked, narrowing his eyes.
"Potter," Blaise murmured, appearing nonchalant.
"Harry invited you?" Seamus asked, searching the multitude of guests for his friend.
"Yes," Malcolm answered.
"Why?" Dean asked incredulously.
Blaise had to consciously stop from smirking. "We're friends and all, you know," he said.
The two men gaped at Blaise and Malcolm. "Since when?" they asked in unison.
Blaise sighed, looking at his friend. "Oh, I don't know. Six days?" he said, making a show of counting.
Malcolm looked distant, tapping his chin. "Yeah… Sounds about right," he said, nodding. They left Dean and Seamus to sputter amongst themselves.
The arrival of the Minister caused a lull in the conversation. Department heads, foreign dignitaries and security soon surrounded Kingsley. Astoria arched brows, to which Adrian responded with, "I know…"
Teddy ran up to Harry, who was in the midst of talking with Gawain Robards, the Head Auror. "Harry, Harry!" Teddy squealed.
"What, what?" Harry asked, brushing the boy's curly blonde hair into a neat bunch. Teddy scowled, swatting Harry's hand away and transforming his curls into short, black hair like Harry's.
"The Minister's here," the boy gushed. He pulled Harry's hand, wanting him to bend down. When Harry did so, Teddy whispered, "I want to meet him."
Harry laughed. "When he's not so busy, I'll take you to see him, okay?" he said.
Teddy nodded enthusiastically, changing his hair to blond curls again. "Okay! I'll be with Grandma," he said, running back to Andromeda.
"Dora's child…" Gawain murmured, lost in thought.
"Yes," Harry said with a proud smile. "He's my godson."
"She was a great addition to my team," Gawain said sadly. "I'm glad her son is in such capable hands."
"Andy does all the heavy lifting," Harry said, looking back at Andromeda. "I'm just the crazy uncle."
It took the better part of the night before Harry could close in on Kingsley. Teddy was tagging behind his godfather, his excitement causing him to bounce and change features at random. Kingsley caught Harry's eye, smiling jovially. "Harry," he said, nodding good-naturedly.
"Minister," Harry said in turn, smiling.
"Kingsley's fine."
Harry laughed. "How have you been?" he asked.
"I should be asking you that," Kingsley said, looking at Harry pointedly.
"Much better now, thank you," Harry said. "Guess I needed a break."
"To put it lightly," Kingsley murmured.
Teddy grabbed Harry's attention with a quick tug on his cuff. Harry looked down at the impatient boy. "This is Teddy," he said, introducing him to Kingsley. "Tonks'–"
"Of course I know Teddy," Kingsley said, picking up the ecstatic boy. "It's been much too long." He looked at Harry. "Hopefully we can change that?"
Harry nodded in agreement. Teddy seemed ready to faint. "Say hi, Teddy," Harry murmured.
Teddy blushed in mortification. "Hi," he said quietly.
"Shy?" Kingsley asked good-naturedly.
"Merlin, no," Harry answered, earning a glare from the boy.
Kingsley chuckled, scanning the crowd. "Now, is it just me or am I seeing some new faces?" he asked out of mild amusement.
Harry appeared nonchalant. "A few," he said, shrugging.
"Something you wanted to talk to me about, Harry?"
Harry smiled faintly. "As a matter of fact, yes…"
"Couldn't possibly be regarding these new faces, could it?"
"Couldn't possibly be about that," Harry responded, his smile widening.
Harry fell into bed, finally free of his stiff clothes and the hounding cameras. He struggled into the covers, curling up and hugging a pillow close. Time to think. About Draco.
Harry from six years ago would be kicking his arse for even hinting at this. Harry from two months ago would love him for hinting at this. Harry now… Harry wasn't sure. Why did he love Draco Malfoy?
He gasped in shock, the cold nipping him harshly. He shivered, hugging himself. He recognized the room vaguely. He stumbled forward, trying to ward off the chill. Soft voices called out to him, calm and inviting. He walked towards the whispers. His breath formed in front of him. He walked towards the yellow light. He arrived in front of the mirror. Mirror of Erised. Everything looked hazy, as though a heavy fog was rolling in. He stepped towards it, brushing away the steam that condensed on the mirror. He stared at Draco's reflection. "What're you doing in there?" Harry asked, pressing his hand against the mirror.
Draco smiled back, his hand pressed against the mirror as well. He shrugged, silent.
They looked at each other for a long while. Harry felt a smile forming on his lips as he kept his eyes on Draco's lips. "Why are you smiling?" he asked.
Draco shrugged again, his smile turning to a grin.
"Hmm," Harry murmured, grinning back. He slid his hand up the dusty mirror. Draco did the same, reflecting Harry. "Why won't you talk?" Harry asked. He didn't expect a reply and he didn't get one. Draco drew a heart on the steam with his finger. Harry laughed with unusual euphoria, doing the same on his side. "You're so much nicer now, Draco," he said approvingly. "I like that."
Draco smirked devilishly, nodding. That only caused Harry's heart to thrill and his lips to quirk up.
"Are you still mad that I punched you?" Harry asked. Draco's smirk faded away, replaced by a revelatory scowl. Harry felt miffed. "You punched me back!" he exclaimed, frowning. "We're even."
Draco didn't seem to think so. His frown of displeasure deepened, causing Harry's glower to grow dark as well. They glared at each other now. Draco swiped his palm against the heart he had drawn. Harry did the same. "You want me to grovel, do you?" he asked haughtily. Although Draco didn't answer, Harry knew the answer was yes. "Well, keep waiting." He was given the two-finger salute in response. "Fuck off," Harry muttered, stepping away from the mirror.
He jerked awake. He was standing upright. He crumbled to the floor from shock, holding himself up on his hands and knees. He was in the bathroom. Why was he in the bathroom? He worked on calming his heart and gulping down breaths without choking on them. He picked himself up gingerly. Sleepwalking. He looked up. He stared into the mirror. It reflected only himself. He saw himself staring at himself. Not Draco. His dream slipped away from his memory as he blinked at himself. All that was left were wisps of fog. Draco's smirk. A crooked heart.
Harry rubbed his tired eyes. He needed sleep. Sleep without Draco haunting his dreams. "Damn him," Harry yawned, shuffling back to his bed. He would have time to figure it out. Later. Much, much later. Preferably never.
The bell rang insistently, not wanting to be ignored. Harry frowned at his parchment for a short while, but the annoying ringing continued. He placed the quill in the inkbottle and got up tiredly. His nightmares refused to go away. He supposed that it was time to talk to Healer Warren about them. He was exhausted. And in no mood to entertain. He shuffled to the door and opened it.
Theo was beaming widely, waving a parchment in front of Harry. "I got a letter!"
"Good for you," Harry muttered, stepping aside to let Theo through.
"No! From the Ministry! I got a letter from the Ministry!" Theo exclaimed, shoving the paper into Harry's hand.
"What is it?" Harry asked, scanning the words.
"An interview, Potter! They want to interview me for a field doctor position!"
"What?" Harry gasped, going over the words again.
"I know! I know!"
Harry looked up at Theo with wide eyes. Theo laughed and hugged Harry. "This is amazing!" Harry murmured. "So fast!"
"Thank you so much!"
Harry blushed, embarrassed. "Well, I– I didn't really– I mean, you were the one who– I didn't really do–"
"Oh, shut up, Potter!" Theo said, waving at Harry dismissively. "Anyway," he said, snatching the paper from Harry's hand, "I thought you should be the first one to know. I'll see you later."
"Yeah, b–"
Theo had already disapparated away.
"–ye," Harry finished, smiling in surprise. "Wow…" he breathed, shutting the door.
"And don't come back until six," Narcissa said, shutting the door in Draco's face.
"Mother," Draco whined, pounding his head against the door. "Where am I supposed to go?"
"Anywhere not in this house," Narcissa said, her words muffled.
"You're so mean!"
"I know. Now stop pestering me," Narcissa said, smiling as she walked away.
Draco sighed and turned around. He glared at the beautiful blue sky, squinting against the blooming headache. He hadn't been outside in weeks. He sat down on the stairs. He was going to sit there until his mother collected him. Then he jumped back up on his feet. He wasn't a child. He could go and… have a bite to eat or… read at the library or… walk about. He kicked an innocent pebble clear across the walkway, stuffing his hands in his pockets and dragging his feet. He disapparated to Merlow's Pub near Diagon Alley.
Once he was seated at a booth, he dropped his face in his hands. He was being ridiculous. He was moping over Harry bloody Potter. He was feeling sorry for himself because he fell for Harry bloody Potter. And he was beating himself up for beating up Harry bloody Potter. Which brought him to another point. He had punched Harry. For what? A score of sore knuckles? A battered ego? Harry loved him and he…
"Damn it," Draco muttered, sighing. He took a cleansing breath.
Harry hit me first. And that had hurt. In the hospital, when Harry had told him that… when Harry said that he… And all Draco had wanted to do was to try and understand. But Harry wouldn't – he didn't – he hit Draco instead. He said that Draco was keeping him from getting better. That wasn't true. Draco had helped Harry out of his mind. And Harry had the nerve to tell him that he was only using Harry for personal gain.
That's not true. Circumstances were such that Harry's help was needed. But it's not as though Draco had roped Harry into helping Narcissa.
Why do I love him? Draco didn't know. He had fallen in love with… the quiet and reserved Harry. The Harry that needed Draco's help. He had fallen in love with Harry who couldn't speak anything but Draco's name. He had fallen in love with the beautiful green eyes that stared at him rapturously. He had fallen in love with the innocent smile that wasn't affected by the past.
But that's not Harry.
The Harry that had knocked at his door was so different. Assertive, stubborn, strong… The Harry that had knocked at his door didn't need him. He wasn't the same. And that hurt. That hurt more than Draco cared to admit. Because the man Draco had fallen for wasn't real. This Harry was real. And apparently, this Harry was going out with Astoria Greengrass. "Damned arse."
Harry had never seen so many dirty looks turned on him. Perhaps the trip to Diagon Alley wasn't the best idea he had had. "Ugh, I'm waiting for the rotten tomatoes," Harry murmured, sidling towards Ron.
"They wouldn't dare," Ron said. "Besides, it's just looks. Better than actual hexes, right?"
"Right," Harry sighed.
News of his 'entourage' at the Spring Gala was the news in the gossip world. Now, not only was he labeled a sympathizer of the Dark army, he was also scorned by many of the people he encountered. There were also leaked reports of him referring said Dark army members to various jobs at the Ministry. The Minister's popularity dropped a dozen points when the people started realizing that jobs were being handed to the family members of Death Eaters.
"Maybe it's time for another press conference," Ron said slyly.
"Ugh. Spare me the horror," Harry muttered, quickly slipping into George's store.
"I've been getting calls," Terence said.
"Oh?" Harry asked, smiling.
"Yeah. From…"
Harry waited. And waited. Terence's eyes were downturned as he stirred his drink. Harry couldn't read the expression on his face. "From?" Harry asked finally, leaning in.
Terence looked up at Harry, a grin growing slowly. "The bloody Falcons, Potter!" he laughed.
"WHAT?"
"Oh, what a surprise? More hate mail," Harry said sarcastically, incinerating the howler before it got a chance to scream at him.
"I'm very proud of you, Harry," Hermione said as she coaxed Rose into eating another spoonful of fruits. "You're taking this quite well."
"How do you know I'm not crying myself to sleep, huh?" Harry asked, opening the next letter.
"You may very well be. But at least you aren't crying on my couch," Hermione noted.
"True that," Harry groused. "Well, at least this one's more civilized than the last," he added. "Dear Harry Crocker. How sweet! Hope you die a painful death for your betrayal to the people who supported you for twenty years." Harry waved the parchment at Hermione, who was trying her darnedest not to laugh. "They seem to have forgotten the part where I saved their arses."
"Oh, Harry," she smiled, shaking her head at him.
"I've been having nightmares, Lily," Harry murmured, lying still as the Apprentice cast charms over him to assess his health.
"That's very normal. What kind of nightmares?" she asked, handing him a potion.
He gulped it down, gagging. He swallowed, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. She handed him some water. He drank it slowly. "Um," he murmured, gulping in air with his water. "Bad… ones?"
"Bad how?" she asked, reading over her notes and scribbling a few extra lines on the parchment.
Harry shifted uncomfortably. "Like… suicide ones," he mumbled, clearing his throat.
"Hmm…" was all she said.
"So, that's– that's okay?" Harry asked.
She glanced at Harry. "No. Not okay, per se. But, as I had said, it's normal," she said. "Have you been having suicidal thoughts while awake?"
Harry shook his head vehemently. "No. Never."
"But?"
He fidgeted with his cuff as he said, "But… I– I've also been… sleepwalking," he said, wincing.
"And…"
"What if I– I don't know, do something?"
She sighed. "Which is why we've been urging you to stay with Hermione," she said, raising her brows.
Harry looked disgruntled by that option. "I don't want to burden them," he said quietly.
"Harry," Lily said, her voice firm. She sat down next to him. "They've been coming to see you every week for the past five years. In fact, they suggested that you stay with them. Do you really think that they will feel burdened by you?"
"I don't know," Harry muttered glumly.
She rolled her eyes.
"Time for an intervention, Draco," Narcissa said, sitting down on Draco's bed.
Draco frowned and burrowed under the sheets, turning away from his mother. "I was just about to go to sleep," he said.
"And now you're going to sit up and talk to me," she said, stroking Draco's hair.
"No, I'm not," he retorted.
"Then tell me what's wrong! You aren't even trying to look happy! What happened?" she asked incredulously.
"Nothing." Draco silently chided himself for sulking so openly.
"I've noticed it since court. Did something happen there?" she asked. "With Harry?" She felt him jerk under her. "You two fought?" she prodded.
"It's nothing, Mother," Draco said tensely.
"Really? It's nothing and here you are crying over Harry?"
"I'm not crying."
She watched her son for a short while before sitting down in bed. "Do you… like him, Draco?" she asked hesitantly. This was something they had never talked about. They were never at a liberty to talk about such menial things when Draco was younger. Then again, Draco had never been like this when he was younger. He didn't answer. His mother tried to cajole him into turning around by placing a hand on his shoulder and pressing down. Draco shifted away from Narcissa, tucking his chin to his chest and squeezing his eyes shut. "He… likes you too," she said hesitantly.
Draco's eyes shot open and he flipped over to look at his mother in disbelief. "What?" he asked, dumbfounded.
Narcissa cupped Draco's chin and kissed his forehead. "You're so adorable," she murmured, smiling.
Draco swatted Narcissa's hand away. "What do you mean, he likes me?"
Narcissa laughed. "So this is all a big misunderstanding, then?" she asked.
"Mother!" Draco snapped.
Narcissa tucked Draco in. "It's just that after court, he said something to me. That's all," she said, smoothing the sheets over Draco.
"What did he say?" Draco asked carefully.
"He asked if I could keep you safe. I said yes. That's all," she said. "I've kept you safe, haven't I?"
Draco blinked at Narcissa. "Huh? What did he ask?"
"He wanted to make sure you were going to be safe. So, I'm thinking… he likes you too," Narcissa said, shrugging.
Draco made a noise of exasperation, groaning and dropping his arm over his eyes dramatically. "I don't understand him," he grumbled.
"What don't you understand?"
"One day he tells me loves me. The next he hits me and says he hates me. And now, he tells me he loves me again."
Narcissa's mouth was open as she gaped at him. What was she hearing? The only words that stuck in her mind was 'he hits me and…' "He hit you?" she asked, anger seeping into her words.
Draco hid his face against her. "You're missing the whole point," he muttered. "I hit him back, if it's any consolation."
Again, the only thing that stuck in Narcissa's mind was, 'I hit him back…' "What?" she asked in shock.
Draco tsked. "That's the last time I'm talking to you," he said. "I want to sleep."
"Wait. He– you– he– he loves you? As in… romantically?" she winced.
"Ugh," Draco murmured, throwing the pillow over his head. "I'm not listening."
Narcissa stared at her son with blatant astonishment. Harry Potter loved her son? What had the world come to?
Mass updates + Birthday = REVIEWS!
Only time of the year I'll solicit for REVIEWS! It's my first birthday since I joined FFN. Eh? Reviews? I'll even throw in a little smut for you. And by a little, I mean a lot. And by a lot, I mean getting smacked in the face. With smut.