CHAPTER 7
Draco felt confused. It couldn't be. Harry, Potter couldn't be standing right in front of his eyes. He was still asleep. He had to be. But the people crowding around Harry seemed to be real, but the look Harry was given him couldn't be. His eyes were so green and round. And they were emitting warmth and happiness, making the green look even more vivid. In fact, his whole face was radiating warmth and happiness. His lips, oh his lips were curved into a cute grin, and he looked exactly as the young boy Draco remembered from his days at Hogwarts.
He had spent most of his last three years at Hogwarts looking at Harry, memorizing and hungrily swallowing every plane on that gorgeous face. Harry's face hadn't changed at all. It was the same face he had memorized and stared at, fantasized about, and still did, but his face wasn't scrunched in worry or fear or determination or any other noble feeling. He was grinning at Draco, and his knees felt like as if they would give away when the other man pushed through the crowd of admirers and well wishers surrounding him, still clothed with that grin. "Malfoy." He said in acknowledgement.
That was all it took Draco to know for sure he was dreaming. Harry was talking to him, and his voice sounded like the harps of angels in heaven. How he had yearned that voice to talk to him! Though, Draco had to admit, he would have preferred if Harry had called him Draco. He hadn't, and for good reason too. This fact, and the other one which was he was pushed from the back by someone and was stumbling forward, closer to Harry. He wouldn't have stumbled in his fantasies, embarrassing himself. But that stumble was worth it. Harry's hand shot out to catch Draco's forearms to prevent his from falling. And that simple touch sent sparks flying all over his body. He took a deep breath and calmed his jumping nerves. "What are you doing here? I thought you weren't in the country." Harry said, making conversation as Draco righted himself, which made him frown as memories assaulted him.
He remembered all too well the Battle of Hogwarts. It tore his heart to see death and sadness surrounding him. He had felt horrible, and felt like hexing the skin on his left forearm until it changed its form to ANYTHING except that horrid image of a skull and snake. Harry had not given up hope and had made all the right choices. Draco was a coward; he chose the easiest path which made sure he would get out alive. But he was still a student of Hogwarts. He rushed about the castle, trying his best to protect Harry, but Goyle had had other intentions. He hadn't expected such cruelty from Goyle of all people, but he got what he deserved and died a horrific death; by being burnt alive by the Fiendfyre that he had conjured.
Draco was sure that that was going to be his last moment. He was glad that he at least got to see Harry fly before he died, yet Harry had saved him; and he was head over heels for Harry all over again.
Once the Dark Lord was vanquished, it was a horrible time for Draco and his mother. They were one of the first people to be caught. Lucius was of no trouble as he was already in Azkaban. He was sure he and his mother would be accompanying his father soon in Azkaban, when Harry entered the Court Rooms. He strode in with confidence, and said that he was a witness for the Malfoys, that they didn't deserve to go to Azkaban. He spoke with such passion and persuasiveness, begging the Wizengamot to pardon them. For the duration of the Trials, Draco's heart had fluttered with hope; hope that Harry might reciprocate his feelings. Once the Trials were over, he hurried over to meet Harry, somewhere without the press. He poured his heart into his 'Thank you' speech, but he sensed that Harry was in a hurry. "Anything the matter?" he had asked. "Oh, nothing. You haven't seen Ginny have you?" he asked as he glanced around, looking for the she Weasel. The flutter of hope crumbled. Everything inside Draco crumbled as he heard those words. How could he have thought that Harry Potter would be interested in convicted, but no hard repercussions Death Eater Draco Malfoy? A person who once could have had anything in the world, but who was now barely left with any money and a place to stay? The Manor had been part of the fine, as well as three fourth the content of the Malfoys' Gringotts vault towards the rebuilding of Hogwarts.
His happy and soft expression hardened and curdled. "Well, thanks anyways Potter." He spat before leaving to find his mother. A tornado of feelings swirled inside him as his mother Apparated them back to the Manor. He could feel a major part of the tornado was defeat and hopelessness. Then, sadness added it. Then anger, then jealousy, then happiness, and back to defeat. It was a cycle and Draco blindly accepted and flung himself into clearing his room. The Ministry (on Harry's request) allowed them to pack their clothes, ancient Malfoy relics and anything that deemed valuable sentimentally to the Malfoys. He packed his clothes, a few Potions books and his broom, that's all. he didn't bother about anything that reminded him of Hogwarts, which would in turn remind him of Harry, which would then make him sad.
They went to France and spent two years there, re-emerging from their status as poor. Draco worked hard and so did his mother, and slowly, they started their life afresh. They didn't have much money, but they saved and thought twice about spending too much. Wine became a luxury, which was bought only twice during the year; once on his birthday and once on his mother's birthday. By now, Draco had accepted the fact that he was gay. He had told his mother, and she encouraged him. He also had fair knowledge that he was utterly irresistible. Whenever he went to a bar for a drink, almost all eyes were on him. He had never reciprocated with the females, but sometimes, when a few good looking French boys caught his eye, he would flirt and kiss a little bit, which immediately made him feel better.
And so life went on.
But he missed England. Of course pretty French boys distracted him, but he couldn't always be with pretty French boys. He was willing to take the risk, even though his mother had tried continually to convince him to not go. But he still went. And he had come back with the intention of getting a Ministry job in the Wizengamot and bring his mother back to England too, but without people sneering and leering at them. He would work hard and remove that prejudice, he vowed.
Draco was overjoyed at the fact of returning to his birth place. It made him sad to know that he wouldn't be staying at the Manor anymore. He chose an apartment which was fairly small and whose rent was pretty affordable. But it wasn't furnished, except for a stove in the kitchen and a very battered couch which was made to hold only one person. Draco scourged second hand shops until he found a decent mattress that was soft enough for him. He didn't bother with a proper bed. He had brought sheets and clothes with him, and decided to keep them in boxes instead of indulging himself too much with a cupboard. Maybe once he got a job he would indulge himself more.
And so, he wound up in an internship to join the Wizengamot.
He remembered that morning distinctly. As part of practical knowledge about how the Trials worked, he had to witness a Trial himself. He was elated when he got this news; Draco was a step closer to achieving his goal. He ended up sleeping in, which was a pain in the arse alright. He quickly got dressed in formal robes and gulped down some juice. Draco grabbed parchment and a Self Inking Quill. He Apparated to the Ministry and ran to the elevators. Another man too was dashing to catch the elevator. Both of them panted and said 'Court Rooms'. The voice sounded familiar, but he had no time to ponder. He couldn't be late and ruin his chances of a job in the Ministry. As soon as the grilles of the elevator open, he and the other man ran down to the same Court Room. He and the other man quickly scrambled into empty adjoining seats. He closed his eyes and calmed down, and then the session had begun.
He could feel eyes on him during the whole Trial, but he didn't bother about it; he was too busy scribbling notes. He had been informed that he would be questioned on the details. And so he concentrated hard on the proceedings. Once it was over, there was much scramble to his side and curiously, he turned to see the commotion. A person with wild black hair sticking out at odd angles, wearing glasses that covered green eyes was looking at him. Without thinking, he gasped out loud, "Potter!". Harry turned and looked at him, and greeted him with a warm smile. A little something of hope fluttered inside and his heart nearly stopped when Harry walked towards him and had when he actually caught Draco when he stumbled.