This chapter got really long so I will be breaking it into two parts, for several reasons, 1) I don't want to have one of those chapters that have to be read in one sitting or youll lose your place, 2) I wanted to keep the suspense going because I never know where the chapters go until I write them, 3) I've stalled a bit in the writing process so I wanted to post what I have so I can get it out of my head. Thanks for putting up with my writing. Enjoy!
August 1st,
This morning I got up early and added another pair of robes to my trunk. I then fussed over my hair for a good twenty minutes. I eventually settled on my usual pony tail and paced the entrance hall of the manor.
"You look fine and he isn't supposed to be here for another twenty minutes." Asteria said from the landing above me after I had stopped to check myself in the mirror for the fifth time. I scowled at her and continued to pace.
"I'm not worried about my appearance." I snarled. She laughed.
"Yes you are." She said smiling. I glared up at her. My robes billowed behind me as I paced. "Maybe don't look like you're gonna murder someone and you'll have him in bed in no time." She said.
"Asteria!" I said shocked.
"What? That's what you want isn't it?" She said, smirking at me. There was a knock at the door then. I froze and turned to stare at the door. I smoothed my hair and tucked some behind my ears.
"For heaven's sake, you look fine." She cried and with a flick of her wand the door opened. It was raining and thunder was booming overhead. He stepped inside and closed the door.
"Good morning Draco." He murmured shaking his wet hair and sending droplets of water all over the place. He grinned at me and then up at Asteria. "Morning, ma'am. How's the little Malfoy?" He asked. She laughed.
"Little Malfoy is doing well. Kicking quite a lot. Doesn't want daddy to leave." She said laughing. He grinned.
"Ready, Draco?" He asked. I nodded.
"Give me a moment." I said and then climbed the stairs. I put a hand on Asteria's belly and looked at her.
"Owl if anything happens." I said.
"You know I will." She said. She leaned closer. "He's been watching this whole time you've been up here and now he's staring at your ass. Go get him." She said smiling. I flushed and stared at her. She grinned. I turned and saw Harry hurriedly avert his eyes and flush a little. I grinned and swept back down the stairs. I walked up closer than was probably necessary. "I'm ready." I breathed softly. Harry flushed deeper and shifted away from me. He swallowed and hurried out the door. I turned and looked at Asteria. She grinned and nodded.
"Go get him." She said and waved me out the door.
We walked down the long drive toward the gates. Harry didn't say anything, just walked quietly.
We took a train packed with Muggles to some stop in the country, walked for while in a soggy field and then climbed aboard a large coach pulled by Thestrals. A tall slender witch with dreadlocks and hoops all up one ear sat on the coach with us.
"Good morning!" She said brightly when she climbed on. She was wearing teal robes and was grinning.
"Egypt trip, Ministry of magic, right?" She asked. Harry nodded. I turned to stare out the window. "Brilliant. I'll be going too! I speak several languages and I'm a decent curse breaker." She grinned. Harry yawned and smiled weakly at her. "Oh! I forgot to introduce myself! I'm Jerebel Sipe. But you can call me Jerry." She said brightly. Harry nodded again and shot me a side long glance. I ignored it.
"I'm Harry, this is Draco." He said. She smiled and nodded. She had silver earrings dangling from her earlobes that swayed with her head. Her eyes were a piercing blue and she had black eyeliner in wings all around each eye as well as dark red lips. Her dreadlocks were held back off her head by a band that was tie dye and they had several beads woven in them that clanked against each other as she talked. She clearly wasn't from Britain and spoke with an American accent.
"So are you two... Together or what?" She asked. I jumped and gaped at her. She glanced between us, an eyebrow raised.
"We uh... No. We just work together."
"Oh! Sorry! I saw the rings and the sexual tension could be cut with a knife so I just assumed." She said.
"We don't have sexual tension." I snarled reaching for my wand. Jerry laughed.
"My bad. Sorry." She said putting her hands up in surrender. I glared at her and stared out the window as the coach lurched into the air. Jerry pulled out a book and stuck her nose in it. Harry fidgeted in his seat and stretched trying to get comfy.
"Good lord, Potter do I need to sit on the floor?!" I snapped. He froze and stared at me.
"Uh no. Sorry. Ginny and I had a row last night and it kept me up. I'm just tired and want to sleep. Sorry." He said that very quickly and tugged on his robe. I rolled my eyes, but squeezed as close to the window as I could. He continued to shift for several more minutes.
"Potter for the love of Merlin are you a wizard or not?!" I cried before waving my wand, a pillow appeared next to him. He sighed, pressed it against the window and fell asleep. I rolled my eyes and turned back to my window. Harry's snores soon filled the coach.
"You say mean things but I think you're a lot of talk." Jerry said over the top of her book.
"Excuse me?" I said.
"You care for him. You're all squashed in that seat even though you've got to be over six feet tall and you conjured him a pillow. You keep glancing at him and you say mean things. You care for him." She said without looking up.
"I... do NOT care for Harry fucking Potter." I snarled. She laughed.
"Yeah? What color are his eyes?" She asked.
"Emerald green." I snapped.
"Someone not in love would have just said green. None of this emerald crap." She murmured and continued to read. I glared at her, fuming. "Glare at me all you want, you know it's true. Does your husband know?" She asked.
"What husband?" I snapped.
"Ooh scandal. Does the wife know?" She said with a grin.
"Yes." I breathed. She nodded.
"What about him? His wife/husband know?" She asked.
"Hell if I know!" I cried. She grinned and bent back to her book.
"Well you'd make a cute couple." I'm still amazed I didn't hex her.
We got to Egypt late and were shown to a desert tent. It has a large central room with cushions and such, with two rooms branching off of it with only flaps of fabric for doors. So you guessed it, me and Potter are sharing a room and freaking Jerry gets her own damn room. I'm pretty sure the bathroom is outside too. He's stretched on his bed staring at the ceiling, with such a tortured expression I can almost hear the wheels turning in his head. I want to ask what's wrong. I also want to put down this book and climb onto the bed with him, hold him and tell him everything will work out. But we all know I can't do that.
August 6th,
The past few days have been spent meeting important people here in Egypt and being shown the tombs we will be entering. We've gone in one already. There was an odd curse on it where any woman to enter would have the uncontrollable urge to dance an elaborate Egyptian dance. Jerry had to be hauled out by two of our four guides. She was laughing hysterically the entire time. Harry found it funny but I didn't. Especially because it took the healers at our camp two days to get her legs to stop twitching like that. Tomorrow we will be entering the second tomb. The guides said that they don't know what curses exist in the tomb and that it could possibly take several days or even weeks to get all the way through to the treasure. I've been taking detailed notes on what curses we've broken so far and noticed tombs to maybe be gone through later. Asteria wrote yesterday asking if Harry and I had gotten together. This morning Harry saw the letter.
"Your wife asked you if you've slept with him?! Whose him?! You're gay?!" Harry asked when I'd walked in that morning from washing my face at the well.
"Jeez Harry. Calm yourself. Yes, Asteria and I are separating once the baby arrives. I'm not telling you who he is and yes. I am gay." I said smoothly. He looked as though I'd punched him.
"You're separating from Asteria? What about the baby?! And you're gay?!" He said.
"Potter, I'm not talking about this with you. I'm gay, I will also be raising my son or daughter and Asteria will be leaving. It's my life get the fuck over it." I snapped. He looked surprised. He was quiet and distracted all day today when we walked around the outside of the tomb we will be entering tomorrow. He was so distracted our guide suggested he go back to the tent and lie down. He went without a word.
"What happened to him?" Jerry asked.
"He found out I'm gay and my wife is leaving when my baby is born." I said simply. Her eyebrows flew up.
"You're expecting a baby?!" She asked. I nodded. She grinned.
"You will be an excellent dad." She said and continued to listen to the guide.
"He says there's a curse." She said suddenly.
"What?" I said. It was sweltering out and my black robes were boiling me alive.
"There's a curse, over the entrance.
'Be warned, you who enter here,
The resting place of my broken heart,
That you could lose all you hold dear,
For if you enter as two with one heart,
You will leave as one,
If you enter as one with two hearts,
You will leave as two.
If you enter with an unshared passion
You shall leave as one.
If you enter with distant love,
You shall enter with love so near you cannot breathe.
Heed my warning: do not enter here.'
It's a spell obviously but I have no idea what it means." She said after translating it. I thought for a moment.
"What does it mean leave as one?" I asked. She translated for me and asked the guide.
"He says he doesn't know." I shrugged at that.
"I'm not concerned." She grinned and nodded.
I told Harry about the riddle. He only nodded and rolled over. Weirdo. I guess we will see tomorrow.
August 7th,
We got up early. The sun wasn't even up yet when an owl landed on my bed and hooted softly. That was what woke me. I took the letter from the owl and opened it.
Draco,
I hope the trip is going well. I went into a checkup for the baby and the healers noticed something odd about my pregnancy and have decided to keep me for a while to make sure everything is alright. Don't worry, St. Mungos is the best. I will keep you up to date with any changes.
Love,
Asteria.
I sighed after reading it. Hopefully everything remained fine and she was ok. Hopefully I don't come home to a dead baby or a sick early baby. I sighed and got up. I glanced at Harry. His messy hair was more messy than usual. His glasses were on the ground beside the bed and he was drooling all over his pillow. He was snoring slightly and I couldn't help but stare at him. He's so handsome and sometimes it kills me. I dressed quickly and then stood brushing my hair and watching him sleep. I know I'm creepy. But gosh he's gorgeous. His hair falls over his forehead like feathers and his mouth is such a delicious shape that I just want to snog him all the time. He snorted suddenly and woke up. He glanced around groggily and then stretched, I could hear several of his bones pop. He sat up and I noticed with a jolt that he was shirtless. He stretched again, he had a tattoo I'd never noticed on his hip. I couldn't make out what it was but it was hot I knew that much. Harry put on his glasses and glanced at me.
"Morning." He said softly and stood up.
"Hello." I answered. He smiled slightly and started searching for his robes. I swallowed and tried to think of things that aren't a sexy black haired man. I was unsuccessful. He glanced at me.
"You seem my robes? I swear I'm losing my mind." I chuckled and pointed to the corner where he had thrown them. He grinned and ran over to them. He pulled them on and brushed his fingers through his hair. I laughed and continued to brush my hair. I pulled it back with the leather cord I always used and sighed.
"We'd better get going." I told him. He nodded and we headed into the central room. Jerry was standing under a lantern reading a letter. She didn't move when we entered.
"Jerry?" I called. She didn't move.
"Jerry?" I tried again. She jumped. She glanced at us. I pretended not to notice as she wiped her eyes.
"Sorry guys. My mother is not doing well." She sighed. "So let's get into this tomb quickly yeah?" I nodded and we headed to the tomb. It was rather unremarkable. We entered one by one because of the riddle but nothing happened. We walked into the tomb and stopped some minor curses, it was slow going because the Gringotts rep. kept stopping to take notes and draw diagrams. I was taking notes too and trying to figure out the riddle when it was slow. We barely got into the heart of that tomb that day. When it came time to go back we walked quickly because we had already seen all of the stuff we walked past. Jerry was talking animatedly with the guide in a language I didn't speak and Harry and I were walking toward the back. He was quiet and was looking at his feet as we walked. I didn't say anything either. We were nearing the entrance now and I sighed. He glanced at me.
"Asteria is at St. Mungos. There is complications with the baby and I want to be there for her and the baby but we barely got through that tomb and I can't just leave." I said angrily. He nodded and sighed.
"I'm sorry Draco." He murmured. I nodded.
"Thanks Harry." I smiled and stepped out into the desert sun. Several thing happened at once then. The ground rumbled and a voice boomed "You who entered as two with one heart shall leave as one!" Harry gasped and Jerry started laughing and our guide began talking very fast in the language I didn't understand. And then it was quiet except for Jerry's laughter.
"What?" I said angrily. Jerry just continued to laugh. Harry was staring at the ground looking like he'd been punched in the stomach.
"Draco." He said softly.
"What?!" I cried rounding on him. That's when I realized he was holding my hand. His right locked in my left.
"Potter, what the hell are you doing?" I cried trying to remove my hand from his. But he wouldn't let go. "Potter! Let go of me!" I cried getting angrier.
"I can't." He said softly.
"What?!" I cried.
"The curse." He said raising our joined hands. Written on the back of our hands were the words, two shall become one. The glowed bright blue before twisting around our hands. They pressed white hot into our hands before disappearing. And suddenly I understood. Two people, one heart. Oh fucking hell. I stared at him and he stared back.
"Fuck." I said. Harry nodded.
They are gonna look up a counter curse but for right now we are just sitting on the floor. I'm writing and Harry is sitting across from me our joined hands in the middle. What the hell am I supposed to do now?
August 8th,
I had to stop writing last night because Potter was tired. Bed presented a problem. Harry suggested we push the beds together, since they are really just big mattresses on the floor. With our wands we cleared things out of the way and moved the beds together. I performed an enlargement charm on the blankets of my bed so that they now stretched over the two beds. Then we performed enlargement charms on our sleeves so we could undress, pulling the sleeves up and over our heads. I didn't look as he wiggled out of his pants, I didn't check to see if he looked when I took mine off.
"It's too hot here, are you ok if I just sleep in boxers?" I asked. He nodded. We climbed into bed. I had to lie on my left side, he on his right. Our hands were in the middle, fingers joined as though we were lovers. Harry reached up and pulled off his glasses. He set them down on the side of the bed. He pulled the blankets up and snuggled deeper into the bed. I reached up with my right hand and pulled the leather cord holding my hair up out. I dropped it off the side of the bed and took a deep breath.
"I'm sorry. We should have talked about the riddle last night. Maybe this wouldn't have happened." He said raising our joined hands as he did so. I sighed.
"It's not your fault. We either should have known or talked more about what was happening." I said shifting the pillow under my head. We fell asleep quickly after that. Or at least I did. I don't know or speak for him. I woke up this morning to find him lying on his back reading. His brow was furrowed and he was lying very still. My body was stiff from sleeping on my side all night. I stretched my legs and rolled over onto my back and arched it to stretch it. I pushed my hair out of my eyes and stretched my fingers through it. I groaned.
"Morning. You all stiff? Me too." He said. I sighed and sat up. I reached my right arm up and stretched as tall as I could. I could feel his eyes on my back.
"Rude to stare Potter." I said.
"Sorry. I was just looking at the scar on your back. What's it from?" He asked.
"My father pissed off an enemy. I was walking by at the time." I said. It's a starburst pattern on the right side of my lower back. It's what happens when someone throws a bottle of potion at you. I sighed again and stretched.
"I need a shower." I said. And glanced at Potter. He nodded. We stood up and walked outside to the showers. There are three stalls with dividing walls between them. We entered adjoining stalls and undressed. Let me just say that washing everything one handed is a little tricky. My left arm fell asleep because it was resting on the top of the wall between us. I soaped up my left arm and accidentally brushed his fingers. They were relaxed and I wondered if his water temperature was not right because we couldn't turn around. I shook my head and flexed the fingers of my left hand. Suddenly his hand grippe mine tightly.
"Sorry, I slipped." He called. I chuckled and turned off the shower.
"It's ok. I'm done."
"Me too." He responded. We dressed and then stepped out of the shower. I brushed my hair back with my fingers and went to tie it up when I realized doing that one handed is almost impossible. He laughed watching me struggle. I glared at him. He grinned. I scowled deeper and walked faster toward the tent. Once we got there, Jerry came up to us.
"Morning you too. How'd you sleep? Listen we are going back into the tomb. We aren't sure if you two should come but it's up to you guys I guess." She said.
Harry said yes at the same time I said no. I glared at him. He grinned.
"Come on Draco, it's an adventure." I rolled my eyes.
"If I get stuck to anyone else I will personally kill you Potter." I snarled. He just smiled.
The tomb was boring, we got in and out fine. We broke a couple curses and I took notes. We found some treasure but nothing of extreme value. When we left the tomb the sun was setting. An owl was waiting with the guard.
"Mr. Malfoy." The guard said extending his arm. I raced forward and grabbed the letter from the owl who fluttered to Harry's shoulder. I tore open the letter with my teeth and I shook it open in my right hand.
Draco,
First of all I know you are panicking, don't. The baby is having trouble. I'm being watched around the clock and everyone is making sure the baby is going to make it. Second of all, Ginny told me that you and Potter are stuck together. Literally. I laughed so hard at that and she did too. Now seems to be your moment Draco. Merlins Beard don't waste it. Take advantage of having him hold your hand all the time. Take advantage of him right there and let him fix you. Write me with updates as I will be doing with our baby.
-Asteria.
I sighed angrily. Of course that's what she's worried about. Me, possibly stuck forever holding Harry's hand.
"Everything ok?" He asked.
"Asteria is in the hospital because there is a complication with the baby." I answered.
"Oh no! I'm sorry!" He said. I shrugged. "You told Ginny about our mess?"
"Oh, yes I did. I um need someone to talk to. Cause this is weird and scary. I'm sorry." I was going to yell at him but instead I nodded and looked away.
Dinner was hysterical. Harry is clearly right handed. And his right hand can't be used. So he held the fork like a toddler and kept missing his mouth. He spilled rice all down his front and swore loudly. Jerry laughed so hard she choked and I rolled my eyes, but I smirked. He dropped his glass of wine and it splashed all over his front and into my shoes.
"Aww nice Potter. It's in my fucking shoes!" I cried leaping up. However since we were attached I ended up dragging him off his chair, he fell off it onto the floor and I fell down next to him. I scowled and stood up. My head collided with the table though and I swore ever louder and brought both hands up to my head. Then I cracked Harry's hand on the table and he swore again, yanking his hand back so fast I fell back onto the ground.
"Ok! Merlins beard don't move!" I cried. Jerry was still laughing so hard no sound was coming out. I flipped her off and then stood up, yanking Harry to his feet. He sighed.
"We certainly are a mess aren't we?" He said. I scowled at him and tossed my hair out of my eyes. We walked back to the tent. Harry whistled and swung our joined hands.
"Do you think this is a date, Potter?" I snapped. He laughed.
"Nope." He said.
"Then why the hell are you whistling?"
"Because I whistle when I'm nervous. And holding hands with you and knowing we are about to get into bed together but not in a sexual way makes me nervous. This makes me nervous." He said quickly. I gaped at him.
"I make the famous Harry Potter nervous?" I said, shocked.
"Yes. You always hated me in school and you're powerful and intimidating." He said. I laughed then. Really hard. He frowned at me.
"I had a rough child hood, I hate everyone. Including myself. And I'm just tall Potter." I said grinning down at him.
He sighed and shook his head. He didn't say anything else and we continued to walk toward the tent. Once there we both sat on our big bed and pulled off our shoes.
"How did you know you were gay?" He asked suddenly. I stared at him.
"I realized that I loved someone, and that love went beyond friendship or just affection. And that all that love was for a man." I said simply. He was lost in thought for a moment.
"Did you ever get with this person?"
"We kissed a few times but nothing more than that." I answered. He didn't say anything else. We changed out of our clothes and climbed into bed. I lay on my back and settled into the bed.
"Why did you marry Asteria?" He asked.
"Because my father wanted me to marry her. I told him I was gay and he told me that I was delusional and that I was confused. I almost lost him and my mum during the war. I didn't want to lose him because of something so petty. So I got married. And then realized my mistake." I answered. Harry nodded and took of his glasses. He was lying on his side watching me. He sighed and then fell asleep. I drifted off soon after that.
August 8th middle of the night,
I woke up to pain in my left hand. I turned toward my hand and saw Harry thrashing in the bed. His hands were balled into fists and his nails were digging into my hands. He was sweaty and was tossing and turning. I didn't know what to do. He moaned in his sleep and said something like "Sirius no." So I sat up and grabbed his other hand too. I worked to pry open the fingers and relax his hand. Once that one was relaxed and pried his fingers off my left hand. Once his hand relaxed I sighed. He stilled then and I lay back down trying to sleep.
"Draco." I turned toward him. He was still sleeping.
"Don't go. Please. Stay with me." He frowned in his sleep. "Please." He said. And then he started thrashing and crying. I reached out and pulled him close. More to still him than anything.
"Hush. I'm here. Hush. I'm stuck to you, I can't go anywhere." He relaxed slowly and snuggled close. I sighed.
"You're such a problem, Potter." I muttered. Now I'm writing all this and Potter is still cuddled against me and I can feel myself falling deeper. His breath on my chest is intoxicating and he's warm and wonderful in my arms. I want him. I want to kiss him, and hold him and bring my baby home to him. I want to be Draco Potter or have him be Harry Malfoy. (Draco Potter sounds a bit better.) I want him so much and maybe Asteria is right and I do have a chance here to make things work but also maybe I don't. What if I fall asleep and he wakes up in my arms and is angry. What do I do then? What if this time stuck together only means he hates me and I never get him? I'm scared. And I wish he was mine.
August 9th,
I woke up to feel someone running their finger through my hair. Something told me to not open my eyes, to just lie there and pretend to sleep. I could feel someone's warm breath stirring the hair around my face and I tried not to sigh at the feeling of being touched like that. The fingers trailed through my hair again and again.
"It should be a crime to have hair this soft." A voice whispered close to my face. The fingers found a knot and tangled briefly before gently pulling through. Then the fingers brushed some of the hair off my face, and trailed feather light down my cheek to my chin. The fingers were bumpy and rough from work but their touch was still getting to me. The fingers brushed into my hair again, almost as though they couldn't stray for long. I lay very still, knowing the second he knew I was awake, he would stop and get embarrassed. He leaned over me to reach the end of my hair better. I could smell his skin, he smelled slightly like sweat but also like sunshine and cinnamon. I barely resisted scooting closer and burying my face in his chest. He sighed slowly.
"It's so long too. Good lord. So long and handsome and soft and I never want to stop touching it. And I'm so glad you can't hear me." He murmured. He trailed his fingers over my forehead, and down my nose. He leaned down and I felt his lips press into my temple. I had to work very hard not to react, not to pull him down for a kiss. I shifted slightly because my body hurt from lying so still. I shifted into my back, and felt him freeze. I sighed the way people do when they sleep and hoped that he'd continue to touch my hair. He hesitated, I could feel it on the air. And then his hand was in my hair again. He leaned down again and kissed my forehead. I felt his forehead bump against mine. He exhaled slowly.
"Oh Draco." He then moved and rested his head on my chest. I could feel his ear against my chest and I had to fight the urge to run my hand through his hair.
"I like your heart beat. It's so strong and steady. I'm so glad you're still sleeping. Cause you're beautiful when you're sleeping." He turned his face and kissed my chest. I cracked my eyes open. He was lying facing me on his stomach watching me sleep. His head moved up and down as I breathed. I reached my free right hand up and scratched my chest. He sprang back and settled into his side of the bed. I stretched and opened my eyes sleepily. He was lying on his back staring at the ceiling blushing furiously.
"You look like a Weasley, why are you that red?" I asked. He swallowed.
"Weird dream." He murmured.
"Oh yeah? Me too." I stretched and sat up. He sat up too. His boner was quite obvious.
"Dreaming of your wife?" I asked nodding toward his crotch. He flushed and tried to hide it. He didn't respond. I laughed and stood up yanking him up too. We dressed and headed out. I don't have anything exciting to say about the tomb so I won't be boring.
At dinner, Harry again struggled to eat which still cracked me up. He spilled a lot and swore even more.
I sighed and without thinking shifted our joined hands to his knee. He froze and stared at me. I leaned over and murmured that my hand was asleep as I grabbed the rice bowl. But really I wanted to tease him. He deserved to suffer a bit after this morning. I moved my thumb over his leg, pretending to be absentminded. Harry had stopped eating and was breathing through his nose heavily.
"Harry, is something not sitting right?" Jerry asked, concerned.
"No." Harry squeaked. He cleared his throat. "No I'm fine. It's hard to eat is all." He breathed deep and snuck a glance at me. I sipped my wine and smiled at Jerry, continuing to move my thumb on his thigh. He swallowed again. And then suddenly stood up. He had another boner.
"Really Harry at the dinner table? Miss your wife?" Jerry said with a raised eyebrow. Harry flushed angrily and turned to me.
"Draco can we go?!" He snarled. I smiled and dabbed my mouth with a napkin and stood.
"Yes alright." Harry stalked off toward our tent. (We had been eating outside and had a bit of a walk to it tent.) He walked quickly and furiously. I chuckled and started whistling just to piss him off.
"Will you shut it?" He yelled suddenly. I raised an eyebrow at him.
"Somebody's in a mood." I said as he took off again dragging me with him.
"What was that?!" He said, low and angry.
"A shooting star I think but I can't be sure I barely saw it." I said stopping and squinting at the sky.
"Not that you prick, dinner!" He snarled.
"Oh, we had a lovely rice and veggie dish. Didn't you have some? The wine was really excellent too." I said. Harry balled his hands into fists.
"You know that's not what I'm asking."
"No I don't."
"Why was your hand on my leg?" He asked furious now.
"My hand fell asleep I told you."
I didn't see his fist until it collided with my right eye. I went reeling backward and sprawled on the sand. Harry didn't seem to realize that we were attached and so he dropped on top of me. I was panting and my eye was already swelling shut.
"Fuck Potter, what the hell was that for?!" I shouted. I tried to shove him off of me. But he was tangled in my robes and his glasses were tangled in my hair. (I couldn't tie it back anymore cause I had one hand.) He tried to move.
"Ow fuck Potter. Your damn glasses are caught in my hair." He continued to struggle.
"Potter! Stop bloody moving! You're yanking out my hair and you've just poked my good eye!" He slumped on top of me. Our joined hands pinned between us. I could feel his heart pounding against my hand.
"You pack quite a punch." I said. He still didn't say anything, just laid there. I sighed. Wondering how to get untangled with only one good hand and eye.
"Well Malfoy I never pegged you for bottom but whatever works." Jerry said from above us. Harry tried to look up, pulling more of my hair.
"We are stuck. Could you help before Potter here makes me bald?!" I cried. Jerry waved her wand and his glasses slid from my hair. He rolled off me and stared up at the stars.
"Thanks." I said pushing to my feet. I pulled Harry up and we started walking toward the tent.
"Damn! Nice shiner Malfoy!" Jerry called when she saw my black eye.
"Isn't it lovely?! Potter gave it to me!" I said sarcastically. She laughed and bid us goodnight. We are in bed now and I'm writing this quickly while Harry pretends to sleep. He still hasn't said anything since punching me.
August 13th
I think Harry has nightmares. He kicked me two nights ago and when I looked at him he was shaking and moaning. I shoved him and he quieted without waking. I woke the morning after he hit me to him yanking on my arm.
"Get up. I need a shower." He snarled. I raised an eyebrow at him. He yanked hard on my hand that was stuck to him. I was forced to stand up and follow him.
"Potter I need clean clothes." I said as he made to leave the tent. He stopped, turned briskly and marched up to my trunk. I grabbed some pants and a grey stripped button down shirt and allowed him to march me to the showers. However once we got there we realized that all the showers but one were occupied.
"Looks like we have to go together." I murmured.
"Fuckin hell." Potter swore. I rolled my eyes. He hauled me into the shower and closed the door. (The showers have a changing area behind the door and then the actual shower.) He paused and seemed to think how to do this.
"We will go together." He said and then waved his wand. My vision went dark.
"The hell?! You turn off the lights?!" I cried.
"No. I put a blinder charm on you." He said. I could hear the sound of clothes rustling to the floor.
"So I'm supposed to get in the shower fully clothed and blind?!" I yelled.
He sighed.
"Yes! Or you can strip and shower blind." He said. The water started. I sighed.
"So you can see me naked and I get to see nothing?" I snarled. I'm sure it was way less threatening because I was standing stock still worried that I'd hurt myself if I moved.
"Yes pretty much. I'm not the gay one though." He snarled. "So I'm not going be creepy and look at your junk. Pervert." I felt as though he'd smacked me. I deflated. I felt for my waist and found the waistband of my boxers. I slid out of them. And then stood there. Trying not to feel as though he had taken everything from me. Harry dragged me into the shower. I stood where he'd told me too and angled my head down.
"You aren't going to wash your perfect hair?" It wasn't a compliment. The word perfect dripped with malice.
"I can't see." I said softly.
He didn't say anything. I stuck my head where I heard the water and let it run over me. I ran my fingers through my hair. I couldn't find the shampoo so I magicked some suds into my hand and tried to wash my hair. It went poorly and I got soap in my mouth and into my eyes. It burned and I lurched backwards.
"Jeez Malfoy stand still!" Potter snapped. I rubbed my eyes and tried not to lose my shit.
We stepped out of the shower. I could hear Harry drying and dressing. I waved my wand and murmured a drying spell. I managed to get my pants on but my shirt was another story.
"I need help." I said softly. The gentle tugging on my hand from his dressing movements stopped. "Please. Can you let me see now?"
"Sightus returnus." He murmured. Only my vision didn't come back.
"Harry. I still can't see." I murmured.
"Fuck. Really?!" He cried. He tried several more spells. Nothing worked.
"Fuck fuck fuck." He said.
"We'll get Jerry to help. Hold on." I felt him start to pull my sleeves on me. He enlarged the sleeve for my left hand so I could slip it over my head. Then he shrunk it back so it fit on my wrist again. He did up the buttons sloppily because he was one handed. He steered me back to the tent.
"Jerry!" He screamed. I heard Jerry stumble toward us.
"What? Draco why the hell are you staring at my chest?!" She cried. I jerked my head upward.
"I put a blinding charm on him and can't remove it! Help!" Harry cried desperately. Jerry laughed loudly.
"Ok I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Hold on. I'm gonna touch your face and turn your head so I can see. Ok?" She asked and then I felt her warm hand on my face. She tilted my head every which way and ran her fingers over my eyelids.
"These charms have to be aimed from farther away than you can get, Harry. I think this spell will wear off soonish. You might have to wait a day or two Draco but it should wear off. Good thing is, you've got a built in guide since you are stuck to Harry." Her voice carried the sound of a smile. I sighed. "We also unfortunately need you, Harry in the tomb today. We will keep you in clear paths so Draco doesn't hurt himself." I sighed again.
We went into the tomb. Harry told me to duck and turn when we had to. But I felt like a waif. No one spoke to me. No one noticed me. Harry didn't speak to me unless it was to give a direction. We sat down while Harry checked objects for curses. I felt my hair fall forward and brush my face. Harry reached over and brushed it back from my face. I jumped at his touch. He didn't say anything to me just told someone the gold wasn't cursed. That's when I heard the voice.
"He's cute." I jumped and turned my head.
"Who's there?" I whispered.
"Oh oops. It's me. Ramses the 16th. This is my tomb."
"You're a ghost?"
"Yes and no. I wanted love when I was alive so I cursed my tomb to bring people together. I also gave myself the power to come back when someone needs help."
"Oh. And you think I need help?" I murmured.
"Son, you're blind currently and you are holding hands with a man who you love. You need help." I sighed again.
"Harry can't hear you?" I asked.
"Nope. Only people I want to hear me can. And I don't want him to hear me. I just want to talk to you. You're hot." I scowled. Ramses the 16th laughed.
"Yeah you are. Are you mopey 'cause he said a mean thing about you being gay?"
"I'm also mopey cause oh I don't know, I can't see shit." I snarled. He had chuckled.
"You just squeezed Harry's hand. He made a cute face." I frowned. He laughed. "Draco right?" I nodded.
"Well Draco. You love Harry correct? And now you are stuck together. Is my curse really that hard to understand? Enter as two with one heart, leave as one. It is super obvious." He said. I scowled.
"So you're stuck together. And I know how to break the curse. No I won't tell you. But I'll help you." He said.
"You've got to make him realize that he loves you. The helpless act is good. Maybe pretend to be blind longer than you are?"
"Why the hell would I do that?"
"Because he has to care for you. That'll help. Let me know how it goes." There was a soft pop and I could tell he was gone.
Harry led me out of the tomb later that day. When we sat for dinner I sat there and sighed. Harry sighed heavily and helped me eat. I felt food fall all over my chest and face. I didn't ask if it was on purpose or not. We walked to our tent for bed. He helped me undress. And then yanked me into bed. Not as dirty as it sounds. He just threw the blankets over me and fell asleep quickly.
The next day I woke up, but I wasn't sure if I was awake or sleeping. I felt awake, I was thinking like I was awake but I saw only blackness. I ran my hand over my face. Yes I was awake, and I was still blind. I sighed again, and waited for Harry to get up. He yanked me out of bed the way he had the previous morning and dressed us both. I almost asked if my clothes matched and then realized I didn't want the hostile answer. We walked outside, I could feel the heat.
"Where are we going?" I asked.
"The tomb idiot." He snapped. I nodded and fell silent listening to his directions and trying not to trip. Once in the tomb we walked to a large room (I could tell because of the way sounds echoed.) I had only been seated when the voice spoke again.
"You look defeated." Ramses said.
"You try being blind and attached to someone who hates you."
"He doesn't hate you." I snorted at that.
"Yes he does." He laughed. I would have rolls my eyes but I wasn't sure it had the same affect when they stared unseeing.
"Pay attention. Focus on your hand." I wiggled my fingers. "Your hand holding his. No wonder you have no idea." I sighed and focused. His hand squeezed mine suddenly. I raised my eyebrows.
"Particularly hard curse." Ramses murmured. It didn't make sense until I heard someone swear. The pressure on my hand didn't let up and I heard Harry murmuring counter curses and swear words. When the yelling stopped his hand relaxed slightly.
"See?" he said. I sighed.
"No I don't fucking see." I snarled. Ramses laughed.
As the day wore on I realized how much Harry clutched my hand. He also absently caressed it with his fingertips when things seemed slow or dull. I also (with Ramses help) noticed how much he looked at me.
"He's staring again." Ramses said dully sometime during the afternoon. I tossed my hair and parted my lips slightly, running my tongue over them. His hand clenched mine tightly. Ramses laughed.
"You're awful. His other hand is clenched too." I worked on keeping my face straight.
I breathed out and turned my head slightly toward Harry.
"My hand, Potter." I breathed making sure I said it slowly and softly. He shuddered (our shoulders were touching) and relaxed his grip. I suppressed a grin and turned my head forward.
"Very nice." Ramses muttered sounding impressed. I smiled briefly. "Run your hand through your hair." He murmured. I pushed my right hand through my hair and ruffled it a bit. Harry stiffened. I tossed my head and shook my long hair back down my back. Harry swallowed so loudly I could hear it. "Good good very good." Ramses said.
"He looks like he's seen a ghost. But he can't hear me so he must be checking you out." I smiled and slumped against the wall. I noticed all day how he gripped my hand when curses were difficult, how he absentmindedly rubbed his thumb across my hand, and how sometimes he reacted to me tossing my head or running my hands through my hair.
That night he was rough helping me undress and he didn't cover me when we got in bed. I settled onto my side and flicked all my hair back across the pillow. I did this every night regardless of who was watching. Harry sucked in a breath and tried to turn away from me. My shoulder pulled painfully as he tried to wrench away from me.
"My shoulder." I breathed. He growled and rolled over again.
"Sorry. Here." I scooted blindly up to him and rolled him over sticking my left hand straight out. My arm was underneath his neck and his right arm was bent up to mine. We were almost spooning. "Better? Now you don't have to see me." I murmured Harry was frozen, hardly breathing. He didn't speak. I settled down and waited for sleep. I don't remember falling asleep, I do remember this morning however warm fingers touching my left arm. I opened my eyes and realized that I could see. It was early morning and weak sunlight was filtering through the sides of the tent. Harry was lying the way we'd fallen asleep last night he was using his left hand to rub his fingers across my left arm. I knew what he was looking at, my Dark Mark. I shifted slightly and he rolled over. I fixed my eyes above him at the wall.
"Morning."
"Sorry I didn't want to wake you." He said.
"It's fine. Were you looking at the mark?" I asked. He nodded and then said
"Oh you can't see. Yeah I was. Sorry." I shrugged. He sat up and waited for me to stand. I had to work to keep my eyes from moving and glancing at Harry. I focused them on random points around the room when people spoke to me. When we got to the tomb and waited for Harry to tell me to turn left or right. We sat down and I could see the objects people were bringing to Harry.
"I see you can see." Ramses said. I carefully didn't move my head but I could see the silvery outline of an Egyptian man next to me.
"The sleep thing last night was brilliant." He said. I chuckled.
"Wasn't it?" He laughed.
"I wish I'd found someone with hair like yours while I was alive. No wonder he can't breathe. He's staring by the way." I turned to look at Potter. My eyes stared at his forehead.
"You're staring." I commented. He flushed and looked down.
"Sorry. Your hair." He said lamely.
"What?! Does it look bad?!" I cried pretending to be worried.
"No just, hold on." He reached out and smoothed my hair back. One handedly he pulled it into a ponytail. He moved close while he did this and I could smell his warm cinnamon scent. He muttered a spell as he released his hand. My hair stayed back. I reached my hand up and felt a chord there binding it back.
"You look better this way." And then he turned back to the curses. I turned forward too after a bit.
"He's lying. You look better with it loose around your face. But he can focus with it back like that." I grinned. He was right of course. Potter spent most of his energy focused on the curses. About halfway through the day a man approached us.
"We need you in the next room." He said. We stood and walked into another room, much smaller but crammed with objects. We were seated on some bench with the wall behind us.
"Lots of curses in here." Ramses murmured.
"Is he going to get hurt?" I asked worried.
"My parents are responsible for this room. I don't know what will happen. He seems capable though." He said. I nodded and watched the happenings around the room. People started moving things and bringing them to Harry. Nothing eventful happened. We left and had dinner. I fed myself because it seemed awkward. I missed parts of food on purpose. Then we headed to bed. He helped me undress and we climbed into bed. I shifted onto my back. He was on his side watching to me.
"I can't see but I can feel you watching me." I murmured.
"I'm sorry. You're just..."
"Just what?"
"Just distracting. I feel bad for making you blind."
"That's a lame reason to stare at someone but I'll let you use it."
"I don't have a better one." He said. I sighed. I turned my head away from him.
"Could you pull off the band holding my hair? It hurts when I sleep." He reached out and slowly pulled out the band. He reached out and fluffed my hair. I smiled. And rolled over to stare past him. He touched my face and moved my head down so my eyes stared at his face.
"Sorry, it's creepy with your eyes staring past me."
"Can I touch your face so I know where it is?" I asked. He grabbed my hand and placed it on his face.
"Oh it's cold."
I chuckled. "You're warm. And my other one is warmed by yours." I said. I spread my fingers over his face, I felt his lips and nose and eyelid.
"Sorry trying to figure out where my hand is. Sorry." He was breathing harder.
"No it's fine. I don't mind. I'm sorry I punched you, and for being rude about you being gay." I smiled.
"I understand. Most people aren't accepting."
"I should be. We are friends and my son loves you." I smiled at the mention of James.
"How is the monster?" And then I gasped suddenly. I'd forgotten about my own child. "Harry! On the table behind me are two letters from Asteria. Could you grab them and read them to me?" He reached over me and grabbed them.
"Ok this is the earliest one.
Draco,
The healers are a bit concerned about the baby and me. Apparently my body either feeds me or the baby but not both. They are making sure the baby is ok. I hope things with Harry are going well. Don't worry about us focus on the happy ending.
-Asteria.
This is the one from yesterday:
Draco,
I am being rushed to a closed wards so that I can continue to help our baby grow without contaminates. I won't be able to receive mail and letters I send to you will be dictated and then recorded later. I'm sure everything is fine. They don't want our baby to come early. It will be fine.
-Asteria"
I gasped when he'd finished, I covered my face and tried not to cry.
"Draco, it's going to be ok. The healers at St. Mungos are the best. Don't worry." And suddenly I broke. The being stuck to him, the blindness, the baby, and the ghost, it was all too much. Tears poured from under my hand and suddenly I was sobbing. So hard my body heaved and curled up into a fetal position. I pulled my hand clutching Harry's to my face. I sobbed so hard I coughed. I let it all out. I was stuck to the man I loved who didn't love me while my wife sat in a closed ward hoping our baby lived. I sobbed and sobbed. Harry tried to sooth me, he patted my back and said soothing things but none of it registered. I cried until I couldn't any more. I must have fallen asleep, because when I woke up I was nestled against something warm. I moved my head slightly and found myself wrapped in one of Harry's arms. He was holding me close and was asleep. I'm quietly writing now because I don't want to forget but I don't want to wake him. So I'm being careful to write quietly. I'm going to finish this sentence and then snuggle the hot piece of ass holding me together.