Title:To Love Him
Category: Books » Harry Potter
Author: YouSlyGryffindor
Language: English, Rating: Rated: Explicit
Genre: Romance/Hurt/Comfort
Published: 07-29-14, Updated: 01/16/2017
Total Chapters: 12, Words (as of current revision): 23,347
Chapter 2: Almost
Harry escorted Draco to the great hall for lunch, observing the changes the castle had taken over the past month. Everything was back in its place now. It almost looked as if there had never been a war.
Almost.
The walls had a certain shine to them that only age could dull, and there were small plaques along the walls near where people had fallen. Harry avoided looking at any of them, sure that he would see a name he knew.
He knew them all.
They strolled quietly into the hall, sitting together at the single table that was left. Harry reached over to squeeze his companion's hand once he had sat down, a small gesture to help placate the bond and soothe Draco's frazzled nerves.
"I see you brought the ferret."
Harry's eyes jerked upward to see Bill Weasley moving to sit across from them. At Harry's cross look, he backpedaled, his eyes flicking back and forth between his adopted brother and the blonde boy.
"You know I'm only jokin', Harry. Have people been giving you trouble over making friends with him?"
William looked sincere in his apology, his eyes warm.
Harry nodded with a forced smile, trying to shrug off his best friend's rejection like it was nothing.
"Your brother's been right foul git about it, but he's been a git about a lot of things lately," he admitted, the last part more for himself than to the older man he was speaking to.
Bill chuckled heartily, "He can be. What did he do this time?"
Harry leaned back, raising an eyebrow when he realized that the eldest Weasley honestly didn't know what had been happening between his youngest siblings and himself.
"When I went to defend the Malfoys, he considered me a traitor. Then, he exploded on Professor Snape about not dying," he rattled off sarcastically, absentmindedly turning to add a roll and some more fruit to his Veela's plate. "He also seems to have a problem with me being - what did he call it? A fruit? A fairy?"
"He has a problem with- but that's insane! Charlie, Me, and I'm pretty sure the twins as well are all at least bisexual! And he insulted Severus? After all he's done for us and the war?"
"I know, Bill. Don't worry about it. He's just mad I won't marry Ginny."
Next to him, Draco nearly choked on his pumpkin juice, the liquid barely making it down his chin before Harry was padding the mess away with a napkin and rubbing his back soothingly.
"Wha-?"
"You alright, Dray?" Harry mothered him, his concern mellowed by the obvious amusement in his emerald eyes.
He nodded, turning pink when he noticed that other man was looking at the two of them assessingly.
Severus came gliding down the walkway to slide in next to Draco, shooting his godson an expression of mild concern before glaring accusingly at the savior of the wizarding world.
"Is there a specific reason why Mister Malfoy's airways are blocked? Tell me you haven't already endangered your ward."
Bill let out a chuckle as Harry replied with the same snappy drawl in his tone, "Is there a specific reason why you must speak to me as if I am an errant child rather than a fellow soldier and friend?"
Severus rolled his dark eyes before letting his amusement show in a small smirk on his thin lips. "Smart arse."
The Weasley laughed again, his evaluating gaze drifting to give the professor a thorough once over before he finally turned back to his honorary brother.
"Now onto a lighter subject. Your birthday's coming soon, right Harry?"
"Yea, why?"
"Well, I was thinking maybe you might want to go get a tattoo to celebrate. I know you want one."
Harry sighed, setting down his fork.
"Oh, I dunno, Bill. I wouldn't know where to put it. Chest, back, shoulder; I haven't made up my mind."
"Come on, little brother! Tattoos are sexy. I'm sure Draco here wouldn't mind."
Draco's eyes widened comically, trying to keep the warmth from filling his cheeks at the thought of his mate with a tattoo across what is sure to be a toned body.
Bill turned to Severus, "What do you think, Sev? Tattoos are definitely a turn on."
Harry had to stifle his mirth as their stern potions master blushed, "It depends. I do not find all-" he glanced down at his arm, "tattoos to be attractive."
Bill leaned forward to firmly grasp the blemished wrist, getting so close his breath was mingling with the hair on Severus' arm when he responded in his soothing deep tone.
"It's only ink now, Severus. I can remove it."
His dark eyes studied the curse breaker, expression unreadable.
"It will hurt a bit, but it'll be worth it, yes?"
Unable to speak, Severus chose to nod stiffly.
"Meet me at my quarters after dinner," Bill told him. "You're going to want to sit down when I remove it."
Draco cocked his head to the side, "Your quarters?"
"Didn't you hear?"
Severus smirked, finally managing to pull his Slytherin mask back on, "William is the new defense instructor."
Harry mocked Draco's expression, "And how do you know where his quarters are?"
"I know everything, Mister Potter."
Bill laughed, moving up to leave.
"Don't let him fool you. He's keeping tabs on me. Must be the tattoos."
With a sultry wink aimed directly at the older man, he exited the hall.
Severus sputtered indignantly before stating, "That is the most-! I know because I leant him a book on the Dark Arts."
Draco's smirk only increased, "You leant him a book? From your personal library?"
"I did."
Harry stood, taking Draco with him so that they could make a hasty escape as they teased their professor.
"You like him," he threw over his shoulder with a smile.
"I most certainly do not!"
"He does."
"He so does."
They ran out and away from their flustered mentor, laughing along the way like old friends.
"That was great!" Draco gasped, "Brilliant actually. The nerve!"
"The feelings are surely mutual. I'm positive ol' Bill-boy was flirting."
"Really now? 'Cause you're such an expert on flirting?"
Harry pressed up against the smaller male, stopping right inside the door of their room with his expression becoming far more serious.
"As a matter of fact, I am."
The blonde giggled, letting Harry shift closer. The taller boy placed both hands at the base of the other's back, happy when Draco leant into him shyly.
"Hmm. Should I be jealous?" Draco questioned, what was meant to be a sarcastic retort coming out rather breathy.
Harry paused a hair from Draco's pink lips, slow in his movements so that his mate would have plenty of opportunity to turn him away.
"Surely not. You're the only one I plan on doing any flirting with."
"The only one?" Draco whispered a little hesitantly, his eyes brightening momentarily as his heart leapt from his chest.
"Of course," Harry promised, letting true affection color his tone.
He swooped in, bringing Draco's lips against his. He massaged his mouth gently for half a minute, then he nipped lightly at the blonde's bottom lip. The Veela opened his mouth in curious invitation, delighting in Harry's thorough exploration of him. Harry's tongue cradled his own, swirling and dipping around every crease and cavern. When Harry pulled away, Draco was breathless, feeling as though his legs were jelly and his mind was mush.
"And how often do you practice that?" he questioned when he could string words together once more.
Harry smiled at his little mate reassuringly, hearing the slight insecurity behind his voice.
"Not nearly often enough," he rasped before sealing their lips again.
HPDM
Draco laid his head in Harry's lap, enjoying the feel of his fingers running through his hair as he read, the light scratch of his mate's fingernails oddly relaxing. He had been dozing lightly, not quite asleep but not quite awake either, for nearly an hour and half now.
"Harry?"
The boy in question turned the page before answering.
"Yes?"
"What are we exactly? Now?"
"I don't know what you mean, Dray."
Draco bit his lip in frustration, swallowing his fear to ask his question.
"I mean- I know you're not ready to accept me, and I understand that. I'm not sure if I'm ready to bond yet either, but you said you like me, and it's quite obvious I feel the same way about you. I just- what are we then? And do we keep it a secret? It's up to you."
Harry set his book aside, giving Draco his full attention.
"Well, I have to ask. Do you only like me because of your Veela genes, or did you like me before your inheritance demanded it?"
He looked down as if embarrassed, Harry comforting him by pulling the boy onto his lap.
"I've liked you since fifth year. Maybe even longer."
Harry smiled a little bit in relief, "Really?"
He nodded unsurely.
"Well I only realized I liked you in sixth year."
"What made you realize it?"
Harry rested his hands on the other's hips, rubbing small circles onto the pale skin with his thumbs.
"You were crying. I wanted to stop your tears, but I didn't know how; then we were fighting. I hurt you, and that scared me," Harry explained with sadness in his eyes. "If Severus hadn't have come, you could've died. I remember wanting to hide you away so no one could make you cry anymore. That's when I noticed that I fancied you. That it was more than just finding you attractive."
Draco buried his nose in Harry's collarbone, trying to hide his happiness.
"And how long have you found me attractive?"
Harry laughed lightheartedly before placing a kiss to Draco's head.
"You've always been dead sexy, pet."
Draco blushed, giving Harry a return kiss on the neck.
"Not so bad yourself, scar head."
Harry hugged him closely and focused on becoming serious. "I guess, if anyone asks, I'll tell them you're my boyfriend. That seems to be about the stage we're in now."
"You'd claim me? You don't want to… I don't know, hide it?"
"No. Why would I? I've got the hottest guy in school, why would I act like I didn't?"
"The press… it's going to be bad, Harry."
"You let me worry about the press, Draco. I don't care. If you're willing to be mine, then I want everyone to know it."
Draco smiled softly and nuzzled Harry's neck in response.
"Thank you."
TBC