Chapter Twenty-Five: The Ministry of Magic
Harry fell to the ground, scraping his arms on the hard stone floor as he dove, tackling Draco and landing safely a few feet away from the veil. Draco shoved him off, rolling away from Harry but the Seeker in Harry was faster, reaching out to grab Draco's wrist and pull him to him. Harry knew he couldn't stop him, he was no match physically for the Veela. So instead, he jumped onto him, wrapping his arms and legs around the blonde, locking them to him as tightly as he could.
"Harry! What are you doing?"
"If you go, I go, Draco. Wizarding world and Voldemort be damned, I'm going."
Exasperated and a little annoyed, Draco tried to shove Harry off of him but couldn't. He just wouldn't let go. Draco and Harry both knew that he could easily remove him if he wanted, but they both also knew that he wouldn't hurt Harry- and that's what it would take. Draco slumped, giving up.
"Don't do this to me Harry."
"Don't do this to me, Draco." Harry retorted, his breath ghosting against Draco's neck.
"Let go Harry!" Draco cried.
"Make me!" Harry snapped, "I'm not letting you go again, ever."
"Stop it, okay, stop it. I know Granger told you- I released her from the Debt. I won't be your obligation Harry, I won't. I'd be just as miserable as if I were dead." Draco was sobbing and Harry only hugged him tighter.
"Is that what you think? That you're some obligation to me? Don't be ridiculous Draco. I used all of that shit in the kitchen just to push you away," Harry was crying now, "I didn't think you'd leave the house Dray. I really didn't! I knew I was in love with you then, I pushed you away so you wouldn't get hurt because of me, Draco, I couldn't stand the thought of losing you and I thought breaking up with you would keep you at bay. When you released Hermione, they told me you were dead, that that's how she was free... and that it was my fault... something just broke inside me Draco. I need you with me, always. Please come home. Please don't leave me again, please." Harry was sobbing now, clinging to the blonde for life, "I'll show you a memory, we'll get a pensieve, and I'll show you. I was just telling Ron and Hermione how I was in love with you, right before. I swear on everything Draco, I do. Please come home, please. I'm so sorry." He pulled back to look at Draco who was now crying too,
"what did you say?" he asked, looking hopeful. Harry leaned his head into Draco's, staring directly into his eyes,
"I said I love you, Draco Malfoy. I love you, I need you, you're my heart, my whole being. Please, come home, please. Be mine forever. We're going to leave here, and go home. We're not going to come out of our room until we have to. We're going to fight Voldemort, together, and we're going to win. Then, we're going to get married and find a way to make some really exotic looking babies. We're going to grow old together, and when they find that one of us is gone, I'm willing to bet both of our fortunes that they find the other too. Because I love you. I love you. I love you." Harry was saying it over and over again, like a mantra.
Draco cried out and pulled him closer, mashing their mouths together in a fierce kiss, their tongues fighting for dominance, both men trembling from it. When they stopped, Draco smiled, his mouth still against Harry's and Harry smiled back.
"I love you too, Harry Potter, let's go home." Harry's eyes grew wide, realization hitting him, "what is it Harry?" Draco asked, concerned. Harry let go of Draco, standing on his own.
"Your mother, she came with me, held them off!" With that, Harry turned and was racing out to where she'd fallen, Draco on his heels.
"Mother!" Draco roared as they came through the door, transforming. Two Auror's were holding Narcissa, kicking and screaming, by her arms. They were yelling at Snape who had a wand pointed at one of their heads, yelling back- just as loud. Everyone else was arguing with other Ministry members and Aurors, Ron roaring about beating the hell out of one of them if they didn't let him through. Harry had grabbed Draco, knowing it was his rage that made him want to attack. He turned to the Auror's, ones that he knew,
"Williamson, Barkley- I'd let her go if I were you!" Harry called, his hands on Draco's chest, Draco's face frozen in a vicious snarl. They turned to see Harry and paled, but did not let go. Harry grinned mischieviously, removing one of his hands and calling again, "I'll do it! I will let him go!"
They instantly released Narcissa who, snatching her wand and spitting at one of them, rushed to throw her arms around Draco. The Veela returned the embrace, smiling at Harry. Everyone was quiet now, all except for one. Minister Kingsley Shackelbolt was insisting to be let through, moving his way up to Harry and Draco.
"Harry, my boy, good to see you!" he said, approaching and smiling. He went to give Harry a hug, but- upon seeing Draco's intimidating form staring him down- settled for a handshake.
"Kingsley! Good to see you, it's been a while" Harry ventured, cautiously.
"Narcissa! Oh, how I've missed our talks!" Kingsley said, hugging Narcissa, she returned the embrace politely. He turned back to Harry, a broad smile on his face, "Narcissa and I were best friends at Hogwarts. I'm assuming this intimidating creature is young Draco?" He whispered quietly. Harry nodded, moving to stand slightly in front of Draco, protecting him. In response, Draco placed one clawed hand on Harry's shoulder. "Well, let me guess," Kingsley said, still whispering and leaning in, "Draco turned out to be Veela after all. Harry, you're his mate- and this has something to do with one large misunderstanding between the two of you and your bond?" Harry and Draco both nodded, shocked. Kingsley nodded, stepping back. "This isn't the first time I've seen a Veela and it's mate over react over a simple misunderstanding. Last time, I believe there was a fire in the Slytherin dorms because of it," he said quietly, smiling softly at Narcissa who beamed back, blushing. "Well, I suggest you lot get it together and learn to communicate, I won't be doing this again." He turned to the crowd of Auror's and Ministry officials now, louder,
"You should all be grateful today for, because of Narcissa Black and Harry Potter, along with their friends and family, a Death Eater attack was thwarted and prevented. Now due to dangerous fumes that may have been released from the Department of Mysteries, I suggest you all get back to work before you begin to hallucinate! "
The crowd cheered and began to dissipate immediately. Williamson stopped Kingsley,
"What is that?" he asked, gesturing at Draco.
"A figment of your imagination Williamson, I suggest you get your eyesight checked, there could be some dangerous fumes in this room. You are excused to go to St. Mungo's."
Harry laughed and, grabbing Draco's hand, they disapparated straight back to the Thronton House. Everyone else arrived directly behind them, some through the Floo, some through Apparating only to find Harry having pushed Draco against the counter, kissing him passionately. They all cheered Harry on, laughing and carrying on. When the two finally seperated there were congratulations to be accepted and hugs, their friends and family letting Draco know how glad they were to have him back. Snape had burst out into tears, grabbing up the Slytherin and hugging him, much to Draco's- and everyone's except for Harry and Narcissa's- astonishment. Hermione was the next to barrel into Draco, wrapping him in a tight hug, telling him how glad she was to see him. Draco hugged her back, smiling at Harry.