Unfinished Business: Shattered Pieces

DISCLAIMER: Look at first chapter.
WARNING: Look at first chapter.


What was Meant to Be

"Where have you been?" James asked as he sat at the Gryffindor table Monday morning. "I haven't seen you since I escaped your clutches on Saturday."

"I was in the library," was Molly's response as she read the book before her while idly eating a slice of toast.

"Since Saturday?" Dominique asked in astonishment as she joined them.

"Not continuously," she rolled her eyes. "I went to the kitchens for something to eat when I got hungry."

"What were you doing there for so long, though? It's not like we have that much homework. School just started."

"I'm researching something, but my findings have only given me more questions. Rose has offered to help me though," she said when she spotted the first year sitting with Albus and Scorpius at the Slytherin table.

"I swear, you're turning that girl into a tiny replica of you," James commented.

"She offered," Molly defended. "A benefit from getting her mum's brains as Uncle Ron would say."

As the three of them started enjoying their breakfast, owls started swooping into the school.

"Post's here," Molly said without even looking up from her book.

Rolling his eyes at his cousin, James wasn't even a little bit surprised when a letter fell in front of him.

"Thanks, girl," he told his owl as he pet her pearly feathers.

"Is it from your dad?" Molly asked as she finally looked up from her book.

"Yeah. He said that he and mother are back and that he's okay with Albus being in Slytherin," James said as he read through the letter.

"Told you."

"I didn't disagree with you. I just choose not to associate myself with certain Slytherins, not because they are Slytherin but because some of them are arses."

"So if Zabini was nicer, you would go out with him?" Dominique asked, disbelievingly.

"Yes," James said without hesitation, knowing that there was no chance of that happening.

"James, the Headmaster is talking to your brother," Molly said.

James snapped his head over to the Slytherin table and quickly spotted his brother talking to Headmaster Flitwick. He watched as the Headmaster spoke to his brother before Albus' look of confusion turned to one of distress.

Something wasn't right.


"Hey Neville," Harry said as he walked into one of the greenhouses where Herbology classes were held. "Somehow, I just knew that I would find you here, though I half expected you to be at St. Mungo's with Hannah."

"They released her this morning," Neville said tiredly as he prepared for his first class of the day. "She's back to work at the Leaky Cauldron. I tried to get her to relax and let her father continue running the place, but she wouldn't hear it. I'm only here because she insisted … and I wanted to keep an eye on Frank since he wanted to be around his friends," Neville explained, referring to their fifteen year old son.

Frank Longbottom, named after his deceased paternal grandfather, was the spitting image of Neville when he was that age. Like his father and grandfather before him, Frank ended up in Gryffindor, though living with a more encouraging family, he was a lot more outgoing than Neville had been at that age.

"How much have you told him?" Harry asked as he helped Neville carry a potted plant.

"Not much. He was there when Hannah was taken but he doesn't know why or that he was one of the targets. He's keeping busy by helping me prepare for my classes. He should be here soon with the dragon dung Hagrid ordered for me."

"You mean he's not with his friends?"

"A part of him wants to be, but his guilt about his mother keeps stopping him. I can't believe I'm saying this, but I hope James will take his mind off of things."

"And speaking of the little devils. Here they come," Harry said as he spotted their sons floating large brown sacks before them.

"Dad, how'd you get here so fast?" James smiled when he walked into the greenhouse with Neville's mini doppelganger behind him. "I didn't think Molly sent her letter yet."

"What letter?" Harry asked, confused.

As if to answer his question, a red owl swooped into the greenhouse and perched on Harry's shoulder.

"Mother's trying to get Albus resorted. She arrived shortly before breakfast ended and she, the Headmaster and Albus left to his office."

Though his expression was visibly blank as he listened to his son, Harry's blood was boiling. This was the last thing Albus needed.

"Neville, I'll talk to you later," he forcibly smiled to his friend.

"Of course," Neville said, sharing a nod goodbye before Harry left the greenhouse. "Where do you think you're going?" Neville asked at the sight of James turning to follow his father. "You're not thinking of skipping out of my class, are you?"

"I wouldn't dream of it," James smiled unconvincingly, causing Frank to laugh beside him.


Sitting outside the gargoyle leading up to the Headmaster's office, Scorpius comforted Albus, hoping Albus' mother didn't convince Headmaster Flitwick into performing the resorting.

"She can't really do this," Scorpius said in comfort. "My father said that once the hat's made up its mind, nothing can change it."

"That's the thing though. It was uncertain where to put me until I told it that I wanted to go into Slytherin."

"You wanted to be in our house?" Scorpius asked in shocked relief. A part of him had been afraid that his friend didn't mind changing houses.

"Shouldn't you two be in class right now," a voice sounded before Albus could respond. When the two boys turned to the voice, it was to find Harry walking up to them.

"Thank heavens," Albus said as he rushed up to his dad. "Dad, you have to stop her. I like being in Slytherin."

"Don't worry. You won't be resorted," Harry said convincingly, setting the two boys' minds at ease. "Now get back to class before you two get into trouble."

"It's okay. It's only History of Magic," Albus said dismissively, though continued at his dad's raised brow. "An educational class that we'll get to at once."

"That's what I thought," Harry said in amusement.

As Harry watched his and Draco's replicas sprint down the hall, strange emotions started stirring within him. It left him confused for a moment before he shook the feelings away. Turning to the gargoyle before him, Harry spoke the password before being let inside. After ascending the spiral staircase, Harry could hear raised voices coming from the Headmaster's office, no doubt the result of Ginny not getting her way.

Knocking soundly on the door, Harry waited only a short while before it was opened, allowing him inside.

"Ah Mr. Potter," Headmaster Flitwick beamed as he jumped from his desk to shake Harry's hand.

Shaking the elder man's hand, Harry beamed down at his old charms professor before spotting his wife a few feet away. Suffice it to say, his smile had disappeared at the sight of her.

"Sorry to pull you away from work. Ginny told me that you two had already agreed on the resorting but the rules clearly state that both parents must be present and papers need to be signed before the resorting can begin."

"Actually Headmaster, I have no intention of signing such papers," he said to the short man though giving the redhead a heated stare. "I'm afraid there has been some miscommunication. I have no problem with my son being in Slytherin."

"You can't be serious," Ginny said in disbelief.

"As I had first assumed," Flitwick said at the same time. "But your wife had been most convincing."

"I'm sure she was," Harry smiled politely to the Headmaster, though he was seething on the inside.

"Harry, we talked about this," Ginny urged as she walked up to him. "The son of Harry Potter can't be in Slytherin," she said condescendingly, whispering as if Flitwick couldn't hear them while standing only a few feet away.

Starring at the redhead beside him for a few moments without uttering a single word, Harry turned to the sorting hat that was currently watching the commotion.

"What do you think sorting hat? Do you feel that Albus would be better suited in Gryffindor, or do you stand by your decision?"

"Like with you, young Potter, I stand by my decision. Albus will do well in Slytherin."

"How dare you!" Ginny snapped.

"Enough Ginny," Harry said sternly, cutting off her rant. "Sorry to bother you Headmaster. We'll be on our way," he said before grabbing Ginny's arm and leaving the office with the disgruntled redhead. "I can't believe you would do that to Albus," Harry started ranting as he descended the stairs. "If there was one thing that Albus cared about more than anything was the acceptance of his parents. And in one move, you destroyed that without even thinking about how he would feel. I can't even begin to imagine what would have happened to him had I not been here."

"He would have thanked me, Harry," Ginny said, yanking her hand out of Harry's grasp as the gargoyle closed behind them. "As we speak, people are already judging him for being in Slytherin. With the amount of power in his blood, they're scared that he'll become the next Dark Lord."

"The next… Woman are you insane?"

"Insane? Insane is thinking that the reporters coming to my first Quidditch practise with my old team is there to talk to me about my return. When what they really wanted was an interview about Albus being the next Dark Lord. You think I'm being paranoid, Harry, but this shite is real. People are going to ask these questions. We have to get Albus out of Slytherin before they turn on us."

"Ginny, enough!" Harry said in a harsh tone. "If you remember, there was a time when I wasn't on the best of terms with the wizarding world. They started thinking the worst of me when I tried to warn them about Voldemort being back, and do you remember what I did? I proved them wrong. So will Albus."

"But Harry-"

"Ginny, there is no way you'll convince me into putting Albus through the resorting, so you might as well get back to your practise."

"You will regret this, Harry," Ginny tried to warn. "One day, this decision will come back to bite us all and you will only have yourself to blame."

"There are a great many things that I regret, Ginny," Harry said calmly. "This will not be one of them."

Angered that she had not convince him on her side, Ginny stormed away. After watching her go, Harry fell back against the wall in exhaustion. This was the last thing he needed right now.

"Well it's always nice seeing someone from the great Weasley clan defending their own. My heart weeps with their family bond," a familiar voice sounded.

Turning to the sound, Harry stood corrected. Having any kind of interaction with the blonde currently walking towards him was the last thing Harry needed right now.

"What are you doing here?"

"Resorting of any student requires the signature of not only the child's parents but also a Hogwarts Governor," Draco said as he sauntered over to the Auror with a pleased look on his face.

"You're a governor?" Harry asked, stepping back as the blonde came closer.

"Yep," the blonde said, his pleased look faltering at the sight of Harry moving away from him. "It doesn't take much to be a governor. It's more of a side job, really."

"I see. Well, sorry to bother you, Malfoy, but there won't be any need of your assistance. No one will be getting resorted today."

"I'm sure our sons will be very relieved to hear that," the blonde said, his brow raised at the use of his surname.

"Our sons?" Harry asked, being taken aback by those words.

"Yes. I bumped into our little doppelgangers on my way here. They seemed very distressed. My son more so than yours. He was worried that the Weaslette would succeed in convincing you into the resorting. Your son was convinced that she wouldn't. I'm glad he was right. The thought of splitting those two up seems wrong somehow, doesn't it?"

"Yes… well… The reasoning behind the resorting wasn't worth traumatising our son so Ginny went back to work," Harry explained, unable to look the blonde in the eye. "I think it's time I did as well, actually. If you'll excuse me," he said, needing to get away.

As Harry made to leave, he was stopped by the blonde grabbing onto his arm and pulling him close. At the touch, Harry's heart started beating rapidly.

"Before you go," the blonde said as he held Harry's arm. "I think there are a few things we need to discuss."

Being distracted by his touch gave the blonde the diversion he needed to pull Harry into an empty room.

"This isn't a good idea," Harry said, his head bowed as the door closed behind him.

"I disagree," Draco said as he tilted Harry's chin up so he could see the savior's eyes.

As Draco looked into Harry's bright green eyes, he became hypnotised. He didn't know what it was about the shorter man, but Draco couldn't seem to resist him. He leaned forward, wanting to taste those lips again, when two words held him back.

"You promised," Harry said in a small voice.

=Flashback

The same night that Harry had given into Draco found the distressed saviour easing himself out of the bed they had committed adultery in. Harry almost choked on his guilt as he searched for his clothes. This was the very thing he had wanted to avoid.

He needed to get out of there and fast.

Keeping quiet as he put on his last piece of clothing, Harry grabbed his bag and practically dashed out of the room. He needed to find another place to stay. But first…

Harry needed a stiff drink.

It didn't take Harry long to find a pub that was still opened during this darkened hour. When he walked inside, he saw that the pub only held a handful of muggles. They were already well into their drinking if the constant slurred words and loud laughter was any indication.

This was exactly what Harry needed.

After ordering the strongest beer they had, Harry found an empty seat in the far corner before dropping into it.

Then he just sat there.

Harry had never been much of a drinker, always preferring to keep his mind clear. He only dabbled during special occasions like holidays and anniversaries. But this wasn't one of those occasions. It was the complete opposite. This wasn't a holiday and he had just committed adultery. His mind was so overwhelmed with what he had done that it was pulling him into drowning his guilt away.

"I don't think this is what you need right now," a voice said before Harry's drink was snatched from his grasp.

Harry blinked as his salvation was taken from him before he could even taste it. The next thing he knew, Draco was sitting before him, his drink in the blonde's hands. Harry's face heated up in seconds as the man he was trying to escape took a swing of the drink before choking on it.

"This stuff tastes horrible," he scowled.

"It wasn't for you," Harry said, his face returning to normal as the blonde signaled to the barmaid.

"Hello, I don't think we'll be needing this anymore," the blonde smiled charmingly at the brunette that had come to their table.

"Of course," she giggled as he took the glass from the blonde, her cheeks tinting as her finger brushed his.

Harry had to turn away at the irritation he had for the woman.

"Now to make sure that we're not interrupted," Draco started before casting a notice-me-not charm around their booth.

"How did you find me?"

"Well, it wasn't very hard. I heard you sneaking out of our room," Draco said, licking his lips subconsciously at the delicious reddening of Harry's cheeks as the saviour turned his head away. "After getting dressed, I followed you here."

"Why can't you just leave me alone?" Harry asked, running his fingers through his hair in distress.

"Because we have a lot to discuss."

"I have nothing to say to you."

"Then you'll listen," the blonde insisted. "I don't know how or why, but being with you has changed me. Kissing you … caressing you … making love to you has opened my eyes."

"Then I suggest that you close them because that was the last time that will ever happen."

"You don't understand, Harry," Draco began. "Being your lover was meant to happen."

"No, you don't understand. What happened was a mistake," Harry insisted, though the words seemed false to his own ears.

"You don't really believe that, love."

"Don't call me that," Harry said, heated memories flooding his head with that single word.

"I know you enjoyed it … welcomed it as much as I did," Draco continued. "The way we moved together, fit together. We shouldn't deny what we're both feeling."

"We should, and I can give you two very good reasons why. Our children and our wives."

"Our wives are probably why we did it in the first place, love."

"Stop calling me that!" Harry snapped as he slammed his fists against the table. "We are not lovers. We are not friends. We are barely even colleagues. This … whatever it was between us is over. I've already moved my stuff out of the room. It's yours now. I will find somewhere else to stay. Now if you'll excuse me," the saviour said as he made to leave.

"There's no need for that," Draco said as he grabbed onto Harry's hand, stopping him from leaving.

"There is a lot of need for it. You've made your feelings quite clear. I can't trust being around you so it's best if we put as much distance between us as possible."

"How about I make a suggestion then," the blonde said as he slid into the seat next to Harry, forcing the other man back into the booth. "Let me kiss you one more time," Draco proposed. "Just once," he added at the cautious look on Harry's face. "After that, I won't try anything else with you. You can come back to our room without worry. We'll be roommates and nothing more. We won't even have to talk to each other if you don't want to."

"You expect me to believe that?" Harry scoffed as he slid back to the other end of the booth. "After what you just said."

"I give you my word as a Malfoy and a Malfoy's word is his bond," Draco said as he placed his hand on his heart. "All I ask is for one more kiss and I promise that I will leave you alone. You won't have to run from me."

Flash Forward=

"You said that you would leave me alone," Harry said as the blonde's lips caressed his own. "You promised."

"That promise was only valid while we were at the conference," the blonde said softly as his lips trailed towards Harry's ear. "Now that we're back home, I plan on spending every moment making you mine again."

"Please," Harry pleaded as he started losing control.

"Oh how I will enjoy hearing you moaning that word to me. Until next time, love," he whispered before pulling Harry into a heated kiss.

Though short, this kiss was filled with everything Draco promised, and it left Harry aching as the blonde left him alone in the room.


End of Chapter: What was Meant to Be