Chapter Eleven: Surprise!
A/N: Thanks for the reviews everyone, they really help me to keep writing this! I'm glad everyone likes it!
Massacrerose: Thank you so much! I like Veela!Draco quite a bit but I'm trying my best to put my own spin on it. As for grammatical errors, I pride myself in being reasonably good at it. However, some do slip through and I don't have spell check or an editor :) I've been known to just give up on a fic for being rife with errors. Thanks!
OhMyFudgeCookies: Thank you, I love to write everything and anything so your review makes me really smile. I hope you're not quite dead yet, here's your next chapter! :D
LuvlyLadyLexi: If I had been drinking something when I read your review, I may have choked. LOL :X
Thanks everyone for reviewing, keep them coming!
Harry felt the warm rush of air from the castle as Draco pulled him through the door. He kept his eyes closed though, as Draco had requested, and his free hand out nervously so he wouldn't trip.
"Who the hell-" Harry recognized McGonagall's shocked voice.
"It's just Draco, Minerva. He's brought Potter with him." That was Snape.
"Oh, Dragon, I've looked for you everywhere!" That was probably Narcissa.
"Mr... Draco..." McGonagall again, her voice a warning. Draco cut her off.
"He deserves this, professor, and you know it. Do you all mind? I brought Harry here to surprise him, please? Give him some space?" Harry could hear them all backing away, and then Draco again, "Madame Pomphrey, will he-" Draco left the question unasked.
"Yes, any moment now. I've discontinued the dreamless sleep and calming draughts." Madame Pomphrey answered. Harry was confused and shifted from side to side. He felt Draco move closer and whisper,
"Open them now, Harry."
Harry glanced around the room, smiling at the people he knew. McGonagall was crying... or had been and was about to start up again. Even Snape looked tired and worn. Narcissa, however, was beaming a big happy smile at Harry. He grinned nervously back at her. Where were they? It took Harry only a second to recognize the place. Dumbledore's office.
"H-Harry, you've grown..." a raspy voice said behind him. Harry spun on his heal to see Albus Dumbledore, lying in a bed from the Hospital Wing, Madame Pomphrey beside him, tending to him. He was thin and looked ill but he was there. He was alive. His eyes twinkled brightly. Then, the world went black. The last thing he heard was Draco yell his name.
When Harry awoke he was in a nice warm bed. He stretched himself out, enjoying the relaxation. Then he remembered and sat up straight. He was back in the room of requirement. Draco was stretched out on the couch in the seating area- a book open on his chest, one hand hanging down to the floor.
"What a dream," Harry murmered, assuming they'd fallen asleep, talking, on the couch. Draco still had the same book. Draco growled in his sleep, a vicious and frightening sound and rolled over to face away from Harry. The next growl ended in a snarl and then a soft whimper.
Realizing that Draco was having a nightmare, and at least the Veelan part hadn't been a dream, Harry crossed the room to him and crawled up onto the couch, stretching himself out between the back cushions and Draco. It wasn't something Harry would have normally done, but Draco was asleep and that made it quite a bit easier. Not being in the bed made it easier for Harry as well, not as embarrassing. He smiled and pushed the hair out of Draco's face- getting a soft purr in response. Draco wrapped his arms around Harry and nuzzled his face into Harry's neck, slinging his leg over the brunette possessively at the same time. Harry felt his whole body grow hot in embarrasment. Carefully, so as not to wake the blonde, Harry slid one arm under Draco's head and the other snaked around his shoulder before falling peacefully back to a now nightmare free sleep.
Draco awoke feeling more rested than he ever had. He smiled warmly and snuggled back into Harry, squeezing him a bit tighter. Draco's head snapped back, his eyes wide. Harry. Draco peered around to make sure it had been Harry to come to him, not vice versa. They were still on the couch, good. Sighing, Draco readjusted himself so that his head was on Harry's chest and listened to his heart beat for a moment, feeling his chest rise and fall. He wouldn't move from this spot until Harry made him, he didn't know when he'd get to do it again. So he just lay there, enjoying the moment. It didn't take long for Harry to wake, stretching languidly against him. Heat pooled into Draco's very stomach and a soft growl escaped his lips.
Startled, Harry shoved himself backwards, effectively shoving Draco off the couch and into the floor with a thud,
"Draco! I am so sorry, I guess I forgot where I was-" Harry said, jumping up to help the blonde, his face bright red. Draco gave him an irritated look, grabbing Harry's hand and coming to his feet.
"It's okay, I guess I know how you felt in the Hospital Wing now."
They stood there for a moment staring at each other, each unwilling to breach the subject of the couch. Suddenly there was a strong feeling of powerful magic accompanied by a soft pop and before Draco could think he was grabbing Harry, pulling him behind him and snarling viciously, his wand aimed carefully at the kitchen. Peering over Draco's shoulder, startled, Harry began to laugh and couldn't stop. A very small house elf- Harry believed her name to be Lacey- was standing there. She had brought them breakfast. Her eyes were huge, her body trembling violently. With a loud shriek and another pop she was gone. Harry doubled over, clutching his side.
"It's *not* funny," Draco said, looking indignant.
"No-" Harry gasped, trying to regain his composure before doubling over again, "it's hilarious. Absolutely hilarious. You-" he gasped again, tears in his eyes, "you- weren't kidding were you? You'll protect me from *anything*!"
Draco pouted and went to sit down to eat, ignoring Harry who quickly composed himself.
"Aw come on, you're not mad are you Draco? It was funny."
"Hm. Funny." Draco said, eating some fruit. Harry sighed and sat down, filling his own plate.
"So, uh, this morning..." Harry said, refusing to make eye contact with Draco.
"What about it?"
"I'm sorry. You were having a nightmare I think and I had woke up from one. I just wanted to help..." Harry mumbled, stuffing eggs into his mouth. Draco sighed.
"Harry, don't. Just don't."
"Don't what?" Harry asked, mouth full of food. Draco rolled his eyes.
"Don't talk with your mouth full for one, secondly- don't make this awkward. Don't apologize. I enjoyed it, more than you know. Anytime you want to say something to me- anything at all, any time you want to touch me or snuggle, or whatever it is you want to do. Do it. I'm not going to get mad, I'm not going to get embarrassed, I'm the one that wants this- remember that. Even if it's just friendly, I want it." Harry blushed furiously at that. Smiling, Draco stood and went to the bathroom to shower.
When Draco emerged he was wearing nothing but a towel around his waist, his disillusionment charm gone. Harry was sitting on the bed, looking through what appeared to be a photo album. He turned to Draco, smiling-
"Hey, Draco, I want to show you some...thing." He stopped, bright red again. He hadn't noticed how toned Draco was till now. His skin was still damp- his hair mussed and sticking out in every direction.
"What?" Draco said, opening the closet and emerging in a pair of pants, the rest of his school uniform draped over his arm. That was when Harry noticed and he couldn't help but crossing the room to Draco quickly, grabbing him by the arm. He moved Draco back and then forward, looking him over. Draco wrenched his arm free. "If you're checking me out Harry, you're doing it wrong."
"No, Draco, look, your scars, they're..."
"Terrible, I know. Can you please not look at me like this?" Draco said, looking hurt and turning his back to Harry. Harry swallowed and seemed frustrated.
"Draco. Really? You're going to get self conscious with me *now*? Stop that."
"No, Harry, you stop. I really and truly do not appreciate you being anywhere near me like this, I'm horrendous."
"DRACO! Will you just shut up a minute? Please? Your scars, are fading if I'm not mistaken. Would you just look at them?" Draco stared wide eyed at Harry and then raced to the bathroom, slamming the door behind him. When he emerged this time, Draco was fully dressed now. His disillusionment charm back on. He came to sit next to Harry on the bed and reached out to touch his arm.
"I'm sorry Harry, I just don't want you to find me unattractive... I believe you were right though, it's too soon to tell."
"What's causing that?" Harry asked, rolling on his side to look at Draco. He swallowed hard. Draco really was fetching. He wasn't sure how he hadn't noticed it before. He obviously took great care in his appearance and looked very noble right now. His tie was still loose, and he didn't have robes on yet, giving himself a sort of casual look.
"You most likely. We've had a lot of body contact over the past fourt eight hours."
"Me? I can do that? How?"
"I told you, you have the capability of healing me just by being close. Now, what was it you wanted to show me?" Harry smiled, his look pensive as he rolled over to the bed, motioning Draco to join him,
"flop down here and see."
"I don't *flop*," Draco said, stretching out onto his stomach gracefully, "are these pictures?" Harry nodded, flipping through the book with him. There were very few pcitures of James and Lilly Potter, but they were there. All the Weasley's, and all of Harry's friends. Draco smiled when Harry was finished and they sat up in comfortable silence.
"You said you had a nightmare last night? Was it bad?" Draco asked, curious.
"Not really, sorta. It started out kind of cool, you took me around the school grounds in your Veelan form- it was so fucking amazing. Then, you had some sort of gift for me, and it turned out to be Dumbledore. Alive. He wasn't well, but he was alive."
"That counts as a nightmare?" Draco asked, looking slightly hurt. Harry frowned.
"Well I suppose not. I think I mainly scared myself. I've had a lot of nightmares since we buried him. I'm so tired of death Draco, and there's so much more to come."
Draco just stared at him, contemplating. Harry stared back, still confused.
"Harry, you amaze me, you really do. How you can remember that you're my bondmate, and everything we talked about apparently pretty clearly... and then think that our little jaunt outside and Dumbledore was a dream is beyond me." Harry frowned.
"I was there when they buried Dumbledore Draco."
"I was in a dungeon. Getting hit with hex after hex- I don't know who you buried Harry, but it wasn't Dumbledore. He's in his office recuperating. It wasn't a dream."
Harry jumped up and began to pace, occassionally stopping to stare at Draco and then pacing again.
"Are you serious? This is real?" He was looking pale again. Draco jumped up, ready to catch him.
"Yes, Harry, it's all real. Are you going to faint again? You nearly gave me a heart attack last night."
"You brought me back here?"
"Yes! Where'd you think my clothes came from? Mother brought them and stayed a while. I put you in the bed and let you rest- this has all been so stressful. I didn't think you'd want me in the bed with you... so I slept on the couch. You know the rest..."
"You... you..." Harry crossed the room and sat on one of the chairs. "You went back into the dungeons, found Dumbledore, and brought him back? For me?"
"Well, there was so much more to it than that, Harry. But, simply put, yes. I did. You're my bondmate Harry, this is what I do. Stop making me repeat it. I hate to repeat myself."
"You faced your death, to make me happy?"
"Harry." Draco said, a warning tone in his voice.
Harry turned and stared at Draco, tears in his eyes. He was beginning to cry. But, before Draco could say or do anything about it, Harry had crossed the room again, back to Draco, throwing himself at him and they both fell to the bed. He was sobbing now and Draco wrapped his arms around him, rubbing small circles in the center of his back. Harry rose up to look at him, his cheeks stained with tears, his body shuddering. Draco wasn't sure what to do or say. He wasn't sure why Harry was crying and it made him very uncomfortable.
"Harry, what do you need me to do? Please, don't cry," he said, searching Harry's emerald green eyes.
"Oh, Draco, I'm not upset. I'm not." Harry buried his face in Draco's chest again. "Thank you so much. No one's ever done something quite like this for me, ever. Thank you." He rose up again, staring at Draco who was smiling.
"You cry when you're happy?"
"A lot of people do. When they're really happy."
"This is going to be confusing," Draco muttered, looking up at the ceiling. Harry laughed and then grew very, very quiet. He didn't move, became very still. He was staring at Draco intently, and appeared to be frozen. Draco looked back at him and smirked, nervously, "what? Why are you looking at me like that?"
"No one's ever-" Harry stopped, just staring. He seemed very confused, troubled almost. "Why would you do that Draco? It... it's just..."
"Harry. Stop. Seriously, repeating myself is annoying. I love you, I'm sorry, but that's how things are."
"I know, I know, you keep saying that. I can do or say whatever I want etcetera." Draco nodded. Harry looked pensive again.
"Looks like you're finally getting the idea."
"Anything huh? Well. Hm..." he was bright red now, again.
"That's why you're a Gryffindor, Potter. You're always red." Harry blushed harder and buried his face in Draco's shoulder- not that he minded at all. Then Harry turned his head, his breath ghosting against Draco's ear causing him to shudder and swallow hard. "So... so... anything? Can I thank you? CanIkissyou?"
Draco squeaked and felt the heat pooling in his stomach again, his body tingling. He was one euphoric Veela,
"you don't have to thank me, you don't have to ask me things like that for sure...consider it an open invitation," he croaked, his voice hoarse and raspy. He swallowed hard again. With a Seeker's swiftness and Godric Gryffindor's bravery, Harry's lips were on his, pressing hard. His arms snaked around Draco's neck awkwardly, unsure of where to put them.
Then, as fast as it had began, it was over. Draco groaned as Harry pulled back and got up. He raised his body with Harry's, keeping the contact as long as he could, biting down on his tongue to control himself and only falling back onto the bed with a whoosh when Harry was completely standing.
"Draco?" Harry said softly, grinning and looking down at the frustrated blonde. Draco cracked one eye open and peered at Harry. "I think you just flopped." Draco rolled his eyes and lay still for a moment. With another groan he got up, straightening his clothes and tightening his tie. Reaching for his wand he cast a quick spell Harry was unfamiliar with, to style his hair, then, he put on his robes. Every move he made was calculated, stiff. It was completely different from the Draco Harry had just been kissing.
Glancing into a mirror by the door to admire his handywork, Draco saw past his reflection that Harry was staring. Turning, he gave him an impish grin.
"if that's how you're going to thank me, I shall spoil you relentlessly. I suppose you'll be wanting to see Dumbledore?" Harry beamed.
"Yes, I suppose I'm about to head that way. Will you be joining me, Draco?"
"I will later, I have some things I'd like to get done today- I'll probably be with Mother most of the day. I will be here after lunch though- if you need me Harry, I'll be there."
"No, that's fine. You go ahead and spend time with your mum."
"Are you sure, Harry?" Draco asked, real concern in his voice. Harry smiled brightly at him and nodded. With that, Draco turned and left. Harry sighed, looking around at the room they'd spent so much time in.
Harry knew he didn't love Draco, it was too soon for all that. He certainly found him attractive, but there was just so much to consider, he needed more time to think about it. It was a lot to take in with everything else and he needed more time.