Author's Note: Woot! New chapter already? Yayyyyy~ Thank you, my totally awesome reviewers for reviewing :D Hmm, currently I'm thinking about how the climax of the story is going to be like. Trust me, the climax is coming REAL SOON. Some time after this chapter hehe… Anyway, hope you guys enjoy this chapter! Please continue reviewing as well ^^ The bunch of you who added this story to your favorites and stuff recently, feel free to review too, I'd really like to see that, thanksssss
Acceptance
Chapter 22
Here and Now
Ron hadn't stopped teasing me about how my potions grades would suck without Draco helping me even at the end of the day when we were heading back to our common room. I wasn't in much of a mood to have a friendly argument with him today. Normally I'd retaliate and we could go on an interestingly insulting argument for the next couple of hours. Not today. I had an edgy feeling that something was going to happen, but I couldn't exactly foretell it, all I saw in my mind was darkness.
"And then if you put all your grades together, it's going to add up to a FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF- I could go on forever you know- FFFFFFFFFFFFF!"
"Bugger off, Ronald. Can't you see Harry's not in the mood?"
"Fine, Hermione. But seriously, what's up, Harry?"
I shrugged my shoulders wearily. Draco was happily skipping about in front of us, leading the way. I couldn't take my eyes off him. The day would soon come where I wouldn't see a cheerful little blonde by my side, I just wanted to live every day like there was no tomorrow. I'd take advantage of every single day to spend time with him, even if I was busy in classes, I'd still play with him when we go back to the dormitory.
"He's ignoring us again…"
"Just leave it, I'm sure he'll tell us when he's ready."
It's not that I was ignoring them on purpose, I really didn't know what was wrong. I should be happy that Draco was going to return to his rightful age, teenage Draco would really want that for sure. But I don't really…
"Harry Potter."
A familiar voice called out. Ron, Hermione, Draco and I turned around to face someone that made Draco scream. Once again…
"SCARY BEARDIE! AHHHHHH!"
"Shhhh Dray, I told you the beard is perfectly harmless! It's just a tuft of hair, nothing to fear."
"Draco fear! Draco fear!"
"NO, Draco. Listen. NO FEAR."
"Do you fear the beard, Draco?"
"Fe- …No fear…"
"I still don't understand why my beard is so scary…But Harry, I'd like a word with you." Dumbledore interrupted, clearly amused by my skills in calming a wailing Draco. I sighed, sensing what this little chat was going to be about. I waved my friends off and told them to take care of Draco while I was gone. Dumbledore looked confused as he watched the trio leave.
"Harry, why don't you let Draco come along with us?"
"Sir?"
"He follows you everywhere, why not let him follow us to my office?"
Was this man out of his mind? If Draco came, he'd hear more crap about 'de-aging' and 'the potion' and 'back to normal age'. Pretty soon we'd have to tell him the truth. I didn't want that to happen yet, at least not now.
"Professor, I don't think now is the right time. Could we just…"
"Very well, come along."
I trailed behind the elderly headmaster as we walked towards his office. I was missing Draco already. Especially during this period of time when I knew he could change back any moment, I didn't want him to not be by my side. Hopefully this chat with Dumbledore would end quickly so I could return. Dumbledore closed the door as he instructed me to sit.
"You know why you are here, don't you, Harry?"
"It's about the potion, isn't it?"
"Well, partially, all you need to know that it would be ready some time this month. Isn't that great news?"
This month…? Sure I knew Snape said it would be ready soon but THIS MONTH?
"Haha…That's just totally awesome, sir…"
"That's not how you truly feel, Harry. You and I both know it."
Damn, this old guy was smart. I guess it would have been pretty obvious that Draco and I had gotten really close over this period of time where I was being his guardian. Anyone could tell, from the way I was so protective, from the way I kept looking at him, from the way I showed care for him, from the way…I loved him.
"Remember what I told you not to do during our first chat this year? I know that was a long time ago but I hope you can-"
"I know, you told me not to get too attached to him."
"Yes. Apparently, you have failed to do that one simple task I asked of you. Although I can't really blame you, young Malfoy is as we say…extremely adorable at this age."
"You have no idea."
"Whatever the case is here, I think that it's best you let Draco know about what we're doing and why we're doing it. He doesn't deserve to be kept in the dark about his own issues."
"HE'S NOT GONNA TAKE IT WELL!" I burst out. I couldn't take it anymore, Dumbledore didn't understand what kind of trauma Draco might go through should he know the truth.
"I beg your pardon, Harry?"
"Sorry but I really am against telling Draco the truth. Think about it, professor. We suddenly tell him all that crap and what's he going to do? If he believes us, he's going to despise us for not telling him earlier or something. If he doesn't believe us, he's going to be so confused and god knows what a confused little kid might do! I am NOT taking any risks, professor."
The old man's eyes were wide in shock, obviously not knowing how to handle the situation here on. "What do you suggest we do then, Harry…?" He said in his usual soothing voice. I refused to look into his eyes, turning my head to gaze on the marble floor tiles. "We could…We could just feed him the potion, tell him it's a drink or something. He wouldn't suspect it at all."
I could see creases of worry forming on Dumbledore's already very creased face. He didn't think it was a good idea; I could tell. He was that kind of guy who thought everything should take its course naturally, and spiking Draco's drink wasn't what he imagined would be the best idea.
"You know…Draco might hate you if he realized what you did."
"He won't, he's a changed person. He'd know I did it for him…"
"I think I should let you know, the chances of Draco still keeping his memories of these past few months when he returns to his normal age are very small, almost near impossible actually. All he'll remember is being hit by the de-aging spell. After that, there would be no recollection of being at King's Cross or being in your hands whatsoever. In other words, even if you told him the truth, he probably wouldn't remember a thing later on. I'm just saying it would do YOU good as well if you had a clear conscience; just tell him, tell him everything. Think of it this way, you won't feel guilty for hiding the truth from him, and even if Draco does get angry, when he wakes up after the potion takes effect, he's not going to remember any of it. So what's the harm in letting the boy know what he should?"
I pondered over what Dumbledore said, realizing it wasn't that bad an idea after all. I guess Draco really wouldn't remember any of this anyway, I might as well just tell him the truth. But when? Right before he drinks the potion? Or before that? Wait no, if I tell him before he drinks it, he might not even be willing to drink it or trust anything I say anymore. Shit…
"Harry, I'm quite concerned." Dumbledore butt into my chain of thought.
"Well, you shouldn't be, sir. I promise I'll get this all sorted out."
"No, no. I mean I'm concerned for you. You keep spacing out at random moments. Is that an abnormal health condition or…?"
"…Professor, I assure you I'm physically…and mentally…stable."
"That's good to hear. Well, take some time to think about how to break the news to Draco, I strongly recommend you tell him, and soon."
I chose not to respond to that. I was getting really confused and pressurized. But now it was for two things; whether or not I should tell Draco the truth, AND…whether I truly wanted to let the potion be fed to him. I knew it was the right thing to do but…you really couldn't blame me for wanting to keep him by my side like this. Over the months, little Draco and I have gotten extremely…
…
Dumbledore was right…
Draco and I were really…really…really…
attached…
Author's Note: Oh nooooooooos it's a chapter full of talk but no action D: Sorry about that, but I felt like Harry needed to project his thoughts from time to time, even if it does result in him spacing out and Dumbledore thinking he's suffering from some mental disorder. Anyway, would you guys like to see some real action soon? Hehehe…honestly, I don't plan out my writing so every chapter is pretty much impromptu. Tell me what you hope to see or I'll just write out all the random things that come to my mind as usual =P See ya next time lol~ Once again, I shall annoy you with the same request: Please R&R! XD