Chapter Forty-Three - Explaining to Draco
As the conversation slowly started coming back to him. So did his emotions, but Draco was with him and squeezed his hand or shuffed a cup of tea in front of him when necessary. So Harry pulled through.
"Yesterday evening I had a nightmare. It was about Mr. Weasley being attacked by Nagini, you know, Voldemort's snake? Before I knew it, everything had escalated. My nightmare turned out to be happening in that moment and Mr. Weasley is now in at St. Mungo's."
Harry's memories flooded back into his mind, as he tried explaining to Draco in the most detailed way possible.
Sirius, Severus, McGonagal and Dumbeldore were there. Sirius later explained everything. He had read this book together with his little brother when they were younger about ancient soul magic. It all sounded too suspicious for him after having researched my nightmares all summer. Him and Snape were able to put all the puzzles together. -Sirius had found Regulus' room completely stuffed with research on soul magic finding many hypotheses on Voldemort's immortality. Turned out Sirius' turned dark lost younger brother had deflected, leaving behind months of research on the survival and destruction of Voldemort. With thehelp of Snape's insights into Voldemort's inner circle, several 'objects' were apparently identified that must be researched.
With these facts and McGonagall's determinations, Dumbledore had budged and told them all he knew.
"Have you ever heard of Horcruxes?"
Draco looked as if he would was about to get sick, only able to nod with big eyes.
"So yeah, turns out Voldemort made them, more than one apparently." Harry pulled through, panic building up in his throat.
The order had immediately been rallied that night and a search party was already on its way to find the objects as discussed.
Sirius had constantly been holding him as he explained most of this. But he then let go of Harry to sit in front, looking him in the eyes.
"Harry I'm sorry. This must be really tough to hear, know that all is already being done and soon you do not have to worry about Voldemort anymore. For the rest of your life I will be here, make sure you're safe, you do not have to do this alone anymore.
An encouraging smile had appeared on his face while Harry had felt completely frozen, not understanding what to expect. Why in Merlin's name was Harry always in the middle of these crazy murderous activities. But Sirius had just smiled at him and squeezed his arm encouragingly. "No worries pup, me and Severus have already put all the solvings into action. I just have to tell you and than you can continue your normal hormonal teenage life and worry about McGonnagall's ridiculous long homework, and Snape's teaching skills." he winked, ugh, of course Sirius winked in this uncomfortable tension building situation.
"Right, so, Harry, last night we also contacted Bill Weasley. He works with Gringotts as a curse breaker. Bill came over and cast a few complicated diagnosis spells on you, they were harmless and painless not to worry, I just really didn't want to wake you. Bill confirmed our suspicions. The night Voldemort killed James and Lily he created a Horcrux out of you..."
"Merlin fucking pants, WHAT. A Horcrux. YOU. A Horcrux... Harry...I-"
"Draco. Draco! Just listen okay. I KNOW. It's- yeah I know."
"But Harry, I do not want to lose you. You have a part of fucking the Dark Lord himself. You're... there is a soul... HIS SOUL."
Draco was at loss for words now and choked on his own words. Harry just took Draco's hand, both of them shaking and continued.
Softly whispering, "It gets better I think, just listen".
Sirius continued explaining, "...He did it on accident and probably doesn't know. But it explains the connection you have with him, why you experience nightmares, and it makes you feel his strong emotions. Harry honestly you have nothing to worry about anymore. Bill was positively jumping at this opportunity of removing a Horcrux from a person. He has left to discuss the procedure with the goblins and within the week you will be rid of that horrid piece of Voldemort."
"Thank you Bill Weasley! He is going to safe you yes? This is going to be alright? Wait a second- Harry. Wait a second- Are you telling me that the Dark Lord will be vanquished, will die now. What in Merlins name is happening. What- Harry-?"
A panick attack of relief and shock was something Harry had not a day ago also experienced. He just held Draco's hands and made him look in his eyes, breathing slowly so Draco could follow him. They would hold each other upright.
Harry had no idea how to feel. This was just absurd. He felt like he could cry for his parents sacrifice, scream for his terribly difficult life, laugh for Bills absurd happiness, but he chose to hug Sirius as if his life depended on it. "Thank you for taking care of me Padfoot."
And he cried his emotions away while Sirius kept on hugging him. He cried for a long time after that. Sirius made sure he would breathe steadily and open his lungs. Still, he kept crying for what had happened to him, for what had passed and what was still to come.
Looking up he saw an awkward standing Snape holding a teapot full of tea. Tea can solve anything can't it. "Thank you", he smiled to the two adults really taking care for the first time since he can remember.
Harry talked for a long time trying to regain his thoughts and whatever had happened that morning. Draco had dealt with it quite the same as Harry had the first time, though his words were much better chosen.
Harry found, once again, the talking helped. The emotions came and went. After some time of swearing and crying and laughing. He and Draco both agreed that it was all going to work out well. The Horcruxes were taken care of. Voldemort would be mortal. Harry would soon be free. Draco would have a future. All was being worked on at the moment. It was going to work out well. They agreed.
And so they found themselves, completely depleted, falling asleep on the bed. Just before they drifted away they might have thought that perhaps the head on Draco's shoulder, or the hand embracing Harry's waist was not something friends would normally do. For now, no thoughts would interrupt their comfort. Perhaps they would think about it in the morning.