The song that Draco plays is inspired by restless heart by Kensuke Ushio! It's a great song, so give it a listen! https/watch?v=jVlOg1TeWpM
The stars glow bright above their heads and Draco feels his eyes uncontrollably drawn to the Serpens and Leo Minor constellations. The ones that started it all. It feels strange to think that all those months ago under the same sky, he had performed the ritual. Now, caught in his own magical backfire, Draco's not quite sure how he feels about any of it.
The squeeze of Harry's hand draws him away from such confusing thoughts. Draco rolls his head to the side to look at Harry sprawled out on the flowers next to him. His heart races, partly from the proximity, partly from the gnawing guilt.
"So what is this big surprise?" Harry asks in a low voice, trust evident in his tone.
Draco's lips curve into a small, strained smile as he turns to face him. The starlight catches in Harry's eyes, and Draco feels a pang of... something he doesn't want to name.
"Patience, Swan," Draco drawls using his last name to try and put a bit of distance between them.
He let Harry get too close to him earlier with the stories and the dancing. He can already feel his resolve slipping to dangerously low levels.
"You'll see in a moment."
As if on cue, tiny pinpricks of light begin to emerge from the surrounding foliage. At first, just a few, then dozens, until hundreds of fireflies dance around them, their bioluminescent glow rivalling the stars above.
Harry's gasp of wonder sends a thrill through Draco, quickly followed by a wave of self-loathing. This isn't how a predator should feel about their prey, he thinks in disgust.
"It's beautiful," Harry whispers, his eyes wide with amazement.
Draco finds himself captivated not by the fireflies, but by the open vulnerability on Harry's face. It strikes him then how differently they're experiencing this moment – Harry, blissfully unaware of the supposed danger, and Draco, torn between what he must do and what he's beginning to feel. Not so different than Odile he thinks bitterly.
"You know," Draco muses, his voice coming out thoughtful and slightly strained, "it's curious how the same situation can feel so different depending on who's living it."
Harry turns to him, eyebrow raised in question, a flicker of concern crossing his face at Draco's tone.
"Take us, for instance," Draco continues, choosing his words carefully. "We go to the same school and are around the same people, but... we're experiencing it so differently. And I'm realizing there's so much about you I never knew... or never allowed myself to see. I regret it took me so long to get to know you because you've taught me so much about life and stories. About the flexibility of tradition. I look at the world differently because of you,"
As he speaks, Draco realizes he is no longer just talking about their current predicament, but about their entire history. How many times has he and Harry been part of the same events, yet walked away with completely different understandings of each other and why they made the decisions they made? How many times has Draco questioned his actions that promoted his father's beliefs only to push the thought away again and again? It made him wonder if Harry ever hesitated to follow Dumbledore's guidance or felt relief in the ease of not having to make decisions for himself. Strange that it took them being trapped in a book together for him to consider the possibility of it all.
Harry's voice is soft when he responds, "I suppose, that's the magic of stories they are more than just words on a page or pictures on a screen. They're as much about the viewer as they are about the characters on the page. They teach us to see people differently, to understand them in ways we never did before."
Harry's words remind him of Luca and Draco feels his resolve weakening as his last memory with Luca plays unwillingly in the back of his mind. His father's cold unfeeling face and Luca's tears. It can't be real, but despite pushing it away the small possibility that it is has haunted him all these months. If it is true would he ever be able to see his father in the same way again?
Harry's hand tightens around Draco's, as Harry looks a little concerned. It makes Draco want to sneer. Harry doesn't know that he is showing concern for the type of monster that would sacrifice him for his parents.
"Draco, are you alright?" Harry asks, reaching across the space between them to drag the tips of his warm fingers down Draco's cheek.
The care in the gesture makes his heart clench. How can he go through with his perceived task when every moment like this makes it harder? But if he doesn't, what hope is there for his parents back in the real world?
"Don't worry about me," Draco replies with a faint, conflicted smile, "It's just I think you might be right, stories have the power to change us,"
We just might not always like the changes, Draco thinks darkly, as a bright, irresistible smile breaks over Harry's face. Moving closer, Harry leans into Draco's body, his hand gently cradling the back of Draco's head as their lips meet in a slow, lingering kiss. Their fingers remain intertwined, never once breaking apart.
Surrounded by the gentle glow of fireflies and the warmth of Harry's hand in his, Draco understands that he's caught in a story far more complex than the simple predator-prey narrative he had imagined. And for the first time, he allows himself to desperately hope that there might be another way out – one that doesn't end with either of them destroyed.
The second that Harry's lips touch Draco's he feels something wild howling awaken in him as he presses forward against Draco, splintering apart his composure. Draco tastes like fresh apples and the cool burn of spearmint. Like the treacle tart that Draco brought along, that Harry dared him to take a bite of it.
"Draco," he gasps against his cool lips.
"Draco, mon ange,"
Draco stiffens slightly under Harry's hands and for a second Harry fears that he understood him. Instead, he yanks Harry, and all put carries him into the huge standing tent he set up earlier, dropping Harry on a pillow soft mattress made up with emerald green silk sheets and bedding. 'Do you really think I would make you sleep on what is essentially a giant pool float? It's disheartening that the same species who created computers also invented the air mattress.'
Draco pulls his clothes off and sprawls out on the bed next to Harry.
"Well go on then," Draco purrs as Harry gapes at him in all of his glory, "Stripe for me, Swan."
Harry almost trips in his rush to stand up and rid himself of the uncomfortable feeling of clothes against his skin. The chill of the air makes him shiver, causing goosebumps to form on the surface of his skin. He jumps into the air, his heart racing when he sees a mischievous smirk playing across Draco's lips, his gaze drawn to Harry's bare chest, hunger evident in the way he looks at him.
As Harry looks at his own bared body, he can't help but notice the stark contrast between himself and Draco. Every inch of Draco's perfect, chiselled figure seems to mock Harry's own body, marked with cuts, bruises, and scars. The moonlight filtering through the window flap illuminates every flaw and imperfection on Harry's skin, making him feel small and inadequate next to Draco's flawless appearance. A wave of self-consciousness washes over Harry as he can't help but compare himself to the other boy, feeling nothing but ugliness in comparison.
"Come here," Draco croons in a musical voice, a predatory gleam in his eyes as he crooks a finger in Harry's direction.
A flush spreads across Harry's chest at the implication of those words, desire thrumming through his veins like fire, despite his unease.
"Are you sure you want to with…me?" Harry stammers, feeling exposed and vulnerable under Draco's intense gaze, knowing he surely won't measure up to Draco's previous partners, "I'm human…and your…beautiful,"
Draco frowns as he raises an eyebrow at Harry.
"I don't care that your human, if anything I'm jealous," Draco says silkily, sliding off the bed and taking stalking steps closer until their bodies are almost touching.
"Jealous," He asks confused.
Draco nods, his finger tracing a scar on Harry's fore arm in a gentle caress.
"The world touches you, changes you, while I stay the same, unmoving like a statue. But when I'm with you I feel things I've never felt before. My heart beats to a phantom rhythm and I feel alive, almost like I'm human again,"
Draco's eyes search his face with calculating intensity as he struggles with his next words.
"So I don't care that you're human, I just want you, however, you will let me have you," he breathes against Harry's lips.
Draco's arms wrap around Harry's waist like a vice, pulling him so close that their bodies meld together. Their faces are inches apart so that Harry can feel Draco's cool breath on his skin as Draco eases him back towards the bed. Harry still feels lingering doubt and as if Draco can sense it he whispers in Harry's ear,
"The marks on your body tell your story, what you've survived and what failed to bring you down. To me, they just make you more beautiful,"
Harry gasps at Draco's words and at the look in his eyes as he says them. Draco's smirk lingers on his lips, a dangerous glint in his eyes as he leans closer to Harry. The scent of apples and mint fills the air, intoxicating him and making his head spin. Draco's hand snakes its way up Harry's back, gripping his hair tightly and pulling it back as his cool breath dances over Harry's face.
"How do you do that," Harry murmurs, "Make me feel so special,"
"Don't you remember, you said I dazzle you," Draco whispers with a honeyed voice, his caramel eyes locking onto Harry's own.
Before Harry can even reply, Draco's lips are on his, teasing and pulling away just out of reach. Desperate for more, Harry wraps his arms around Draco's neck and holds on tight. Draco chuckles against his mouth, his grip on Harry's hair tightening as he tilts his head to the side and starts to trail kisses down his neck. Each touch sends shivers down Harry's spine as he gasps for air. Then Draco speaks again in that sweet voice that could turn deadly in an instant,
"May I have the pleasure of having you in bed?" he murmurs, kissing a path down to Harry's collarbones and carefully biting down unexpectedly, sending bolts of pleasure-pain through his body.
But before Harry can even answer, Draco has already moved on to suckling at his nipples one by one, teasing and tormenting them until all Harry can do is moan.
"Please sweetheart," Draco whispers against Harry's skin, driving all thoughts and blood flow to one area.
"Yes," Harry pants out.
With a swift movement, Draco effortlessly pulls Harry to the plush bed and gently moves Harry between his legs. Harry feels his heart race with anticipation. As he gazes down at Draco's alluring, almost ethereal features and forgets how to breath. Draco's hands instinctively find their way to rest upon Harry's bony hips, anchoring Harry to the moment.
"Touch me," Draco's silky voice croons, his falsetto voice dripping with seduction.
Draco's voice echoes like velvet through the tent, sending shivers down Harry's spine. In a trance, he breaks from his reverie and leans in closer to the expanse of Draco's pale skin. The fire in his golden eyes sears into Harry, sending a jolt through his stomach and making his heart thump frantically. As Harry shifts on top of him, Draco's gentle smile transforms into a dangerous smirk.
"Unless you're scared, Swan?" he taunts, his voice low and teasing.
Those words do more than just send Harry back to that heated tennis game all those months ago. They seem to pull at something deeper, something bigger than just the two of them. Something that echos out from the beginning of everything.
"You wish," Harry retorts with a playful grin, as he feel something lock in place in his chest.
His touch becomes bolder and more demanding as he slides his hands up the front of Draco's chest. His human status doesn't matter he thinks. Draco is just as much his as Harry is Draco's. They are equals and for the first time he finds himself understanding that.
His thumb catches on the pebbled surface of his erect nipple, earning a soft groan from Draco.
"I really don't," Draco confesses in a quiet voice, his body arching into Harry's touch.
The contrast of their temperatures radiating between them is palpable as their bodies press together in an electrifying embrace. Draco gives Harry a hungry smile as he passes a small bottle of lube to him. Harry, feels his brain's short circuit.
"You want me to…?"
"Yes, Harry I really do,"
"Okay,"
With hesitant fingers, Harry squeezes the cool gel onto a finger and reaches down between Draco's thighs to press against his cool entrance. He always figured with Draco's forceful personality and being a well- vampire he would be the one to take charge during their first time and he guesses in a way Draco is. It still feels weird that Draco would give him so much trust and power, so soon, he thinks as he slides the first finger into the surprisingly unresistant hole. He figured that it would be hard like the rest of Draco's body, but it felt as inviting and soft as any other man he had been with. Harry slides another figure in with ease, starting the stretching process and Draco doesn't even flinch.
"Did you prepare yourself before all this?"
"No, just perks of being a vampire," Draco says in a self-satisfied voice, his golden eyes hazy, "I'm ready for you,"
Harry pauses in the slow digging thrust he started with the first two, searching for Draco's prostate, "Are you sure? I don't want to hurt you,"
Draco barks out a dark laugh as if Harry said something deeply amusing.
"I don't think it is physically possible for you to hurt me,"
Harry's brow furrows in determination as he nods, his fingers trembling with anticipation as he pulls them out and takes a deep breath. With focused precision, he lines himself up and thrusts into Draco with a force that sends their bodies colliding together. Harry watches with surreal fascination as Draco's face contorts into an expression of pure bliss.
"Move," Draco gasps, withering under Harry.
Harry's jaw clenches as he nods, his fingers gripping tightly onto Draco's hips. He feels a bizarre sense of power trickling into him at the sight of Draco coming undone, shattering the carefully constructed facade of composure that Draco had always maintained, knowing he hated showing such vulnerability. Harry wants to give Draco something in return, to make this good for him, to make it unforgettable. He forcefully pulls himself backwards and slams forward into Draco hitting his prostate dead on.
"Faster," Draco gasps, his arms looping around Harry's back and digging into his skin as Draco eagerly pulls Harry's body forward, urging him desperately on.
Harry complies and every thrust ignites a fire within Harry's core until they are both lost in a whirlwind of pleasure. Harry's speech switches to French as his control and composer slip away.
"Je te désire," Harry growls, his lips devouring every inch of Draco's body with a ferocity that borders on possessive.
"Je veux t'entendre crier mon nom," he murmurs against Draco's lips, biting down hard, knowing he can't draw blood but still determined to try.
"J'adore ton corps," Harry's hands grip Draco's hair roughly, pulling him closer as their bodies grind together. "
Mais ta bite...je la veux plus que tout," he hisses, grasping Draco's length in a tight grip and stroking it aggressively, eliciting loud moans from the man beneath him.
"J'aime-"
Harry's words catch in his throat as he feels the searing heat build up inside him, threatening to consume him. With a groan, he releases it all in one explosive burst into Draco, who shudders and follows suit just seconds later. Harry withdraws from Draco's body, unable to take the intensity any longer, and collapses onto his chest. Draco's cool arms wrap around him, providing a much-needed balm for his overheated skin. As exhaustion washes over him, Harry's eyes close and he nuzzles into Draco's neck, seeking comfort.
"Ugh, I miss cleaning charms," Draco mutters, under him.
"What?" Harry asks his eyes popping open, understanding the words but not their meaning.
"Nothing," Draco says in an embarrassed-sounding voice, "Just sleep,"
Draco's fingers card gently through Harry's hair and Harry finds himself drifting away in seconds.
Draco's icy fingers trace a frigid path from Harry's ear down to the sharp edge of his chin, his gaze fixated on Harry's red kiss bruised lips. Draco's lips caused that. It's an unbelievably surreal feeling.
Harry mumbles some nonsense in his sleep and shifts closer to him. Closer to danger. Closer to death.
Not that he knows that.
With a slow and deliberate movement, Draco's thumb slides down the length of Harry's throat, coming to rest on his pulse point. He presses down gently, careful not to disturb Harry in his sleep. With one swift motion, he could end it all. Harry would die before Draco even sank his teeth into his neck. He presses down a little harder.
Harry gasps and Draco yanks his hand away like Harry burned him, curling back as far as the tent allows, like Harry is a monster he needs to hide from.
"Draco," Harry whimpers in a breathless pleading voice.
Despite himself, Draco finds him moving back to Harry's side, holding his thumb delicately over Harry's fluttering pulse once again.
"Don't be afraid," he murmurs to the shadows that reflect around the tent, "I'll be quick,"
"I promise…"
"Draco," Harry cries.
Draco feels himself hesitate.
"I swear I won't make it hurt,"
"Please,"
"Don't be afraid," he whispers, his thumb tracing over the path of Harry's veins with cruel slowness.
"Draco, please," Harry whines, shifting in his sleep, disconnecting, them.
"Forgive me, sweetheart," he pleads, his voice thick with regret and longing, the loss of touch feels like rejection, but he isn't brave enough to reach out again, "I wish I could control the whims of the fates,"
Harry takes in a stuttering breath, Draco's name falling off his lips like a chant. Suddenly Harry stiffens and Draco fears he has woken up, but then a few moments later Harry's whole body seems to relax all at once, the pungent smell of his release permeating the air.
It's over, Draco thinks moving to clean him up the muggle way again, then settle back down and curling up around Harry. At least enjoy the time they have left. Then as soon as he shifts Harry exhales three of the most dangerous words Draco's ever heard,
"I love you,"
Draco feels himself being pulled into a wild panic as his vision blurs orange tent walls being replaced with the rough-hewn walls of his family's cellar-turned dungeon. As Draco blinks wearily his vision comes into focus on the body of a boy in front of him. His heart jumps in his chest as his hands dig into the dirty stone floors. It's Harry.
Draco lunges forward, only to realize that a second too late, bars are blocking his way. He groans as he feels pain of this sort for the first time in almost a year. He rubs his head, shocked when his skin feels soft and warm against the fridge air of the dungeon. The ring his head made against the bars wakes the boy on the other side. His blue eyes blink back at Draco, looking only a touch weary.
"Did you at least bring something good this time?" the boy asks in a strained voice as he tries to sit up.
Draco feels the unwelcome feeling of worry shoot through his body as he clamours to his feet and unlocks the door. He helps the boy sit up and leaning against the wall without thinking.
"Oh if only my boyfriend could see me like this, he would say that I might rethink calling early morning runs and drinking his spinach smoothies torture," the boy mutters, with a half-hearted smile.
Draco frowns as he takes in the bruised hollow lines of the boy's face and the tattered state of his clothes. It is then that he remembers why the boy looks familiar. He is the one that Voldemort forced him to torture all those months ago before his sixth year of school started. It seems that the Harry Potter glamour is wearing off, he thinks spotting streaks of blonde in Harry's signature black hair. However, Draco doesn't remember what happened to him after his broken body was dragged away. He didn't even think to question it.
"I have a plan," Draco finds himself saying the words feeling dragged out of him.
The boy gives Draco a dull look.
"You've had many plans. None of them have worked,"
"This one is different, I have help from someone outside," Draco says.
The boy looks momentarily intrigued before a shadow passes over his face.
"And they know about your little problem?" the boy asks.
"They were the ones to provide me with the text to confirm it," Draco says, again the words coming out unwillingly.
In his mind he sees a brief flash of Sanguini, the vampire king from Slughorn's party before it is gone.
Draco tries to force his mouth to ask the boy what 'little problem' he is talking about, but the words refuse to come out.
"He is going to send a powerful artefact-" Draco continues.
"Let me guess it's some super powerful amulet that only a certain type of person can wield and only when the stars align a certain way," the boy grumbles interrupting him.
Draco gives him a questioning look, "How did you know?"
"Muggle magic movies," the boy explains with a weak wave of his hand, telling Draco to ignore him.
Draco feels a slight spark of superiority over his past self that he recognised the boy's reference to muggle magic movies. He did have a point wizards really needed to diversify their magic objects and rituals.
"You just need to stay strong for a little while longer until it gets here," Draco says.
The boy gives Draco a dark look, "You'd better hurry then,"
Draco panics as the boy's face starts to fade and the dungeon walls are replaced with the walls of the tent. Harry's sleeping form appears in front of him and before he can stop himself he reaches forward to touch his cheek. Harry stirs slightly but doesn't wake up. Harry's skin is warm under Draco's touch and he finds himself grounded by the sensation. He keeps his hand in place as he turns the vision over in his head. This one felt different than all of the other ones he saw with Luca. It felt less like a pensieve memory and more like he was actually there experiencing the same emotions and sensations as he felt at the time. But like the pensieve-like memories he has no recollection of experiencing it or what caused it to happen in the first place. Meaning he has no way of no when another one might appear. Which is terrifying…
Draco carefully extracts Harry's still sleeping body from his arms and sits up as the first sign of light breaks through the tent's window flap. He can't help the small smile that takes over his face as Harry moves into the spot he vacated, his head cuddling into Draco's side of the pillow. He allows himself one gentle stroke of fingers through Harry's hair before he stands up and finds his phone. He turns it on and shoots off a quick text to Luna, surprised he is able to get a signal this far out in the forest. Luna replies with a winky face seconds later. Draco after staring at the ceiling of the tent all night decided that he was going to confine in Severus about his situation as soon as he got Harry home. He thinks that the sour-faced man will believe him eventually and might even be willing to help him after he finishes throttling Draco for being stupid enough to get himself in the situation in the first place. Severus always knew how to solve any problem, no matter what universe he existed in. Draco feels himself calming down now that he settled on a plan.
The sound of footsteps outside the tent breaks him away from his thoughts and glances at the phone, curious that Luna didn't send him a text to say she was there. He shrugs and exits the flimsy structure sneering at the zipper door. He missed wizard tents.
His eyes widen as he takes in Theo, standing casually outside.
"Where's Luna?"
"She sent me instead," Theo says with a sneer, his eyes on the orange tent where Harry sleeps soundly.
The wind shifts and blows harshly against Draco's back and Theo's face slackens with shock and fear.
"You didn't? Please tell me that you are not that stupid?" Theo hisses.
Draco slips into his mind and then yanks himself out at the sheer ferocity of the thoughts prowling in Theo's head.
"Theo it's not what you think," Draco says in a panicked voice without thinking.
"So you didn't engage in an act where you lose all control of yourself with the one human whose blood you want above all others, in the middle of nowhere,"
Draco is silent, feeling doubt creep through him.
"Does someone at least know that you are up here with him? His aunt and uncle?"
Draco fights against the raging growl that builds in his chest remembering the bruises that used to litter Harry's body and scowls.
"They aren't close," he says in a tight voice.
"Does anyone else know that you are up here with your human pet?"
"Don't call him that,"
"You didn't answer the question, brother mine,"
"I don't know," Draco spits in a hard voice.
"And you didn't think it would be an important thing to ask him? Or could you only think about his dick?"
Theo smirks as he reads Draco's embarrassment.
"Yes, I can tell who topped and bottomed. I didn't know you had it in you to let a human be above you. Did he feel warm inside of you? Was it worth the consequences of endangering our family yet again?"
"Are you ever going to let that go?" Draco snaps, pushing against the uncomfortable feelings pressing up against his chest.
"Not if you keep taking the same risks without learning anything from them. Do you even know how to kill him if it gets to be too much without telling the entire world that you are a vampire?" Theo spits out with bared teeth, stalking towards the tent.
Draco regards him with a blank face. The very thought of…it sent chills through his undead body. Theo rips open the tent flaps before Draco can stop him and tilts his head, looking at Harry's sleep-mussed hair.
"Cute, I see why you like stalking him while he sleeps," Theo says with a dark chuckle.
Draco lunges trying to yank him back, but Theo is faster scooping Harry up and pulling him upright against his chest, wrapping an immovable arm around his waist.
"I think he likes me," Theo sneers as Harry cuddles into his shoulder, his eyes still closed, as a tired groan rumbles out of him.
Draco smells Harry's fear spike as his sleep-fogged brain wakes up and he registers that the vampire holding him isn't Draco. His eyes fly open and regards Theo nervously.
"Hello, pet," Theo purrs in Harry's ear, "Isn't that what Draco used to call you? A perfect name for fun little human distraction,"
"Theo," Draco says in a low warning voice.
Harry's face gradually relaxes against him as Theo gives Harry a tight-lipped smile.
"That's it," he murmurs, gently running his fingers through Harry's hair, stirring up their mingled scents from last night, "Trust me,"
Theo clenches his hand in Harry's dark locks and yanks his head back exposing his neck, a threatening expression on his face.
"Be gentle," Draco hisses at him.
Theo shrugs ignoring him.
"You have so much to learn about being a vampire, Draco," Theo says in a haughty voice and Draco fears he once sounded that smarmy at Hogwarts.
"Theo stop this nonsense at once and give him back to me,"
"Oh, your pet will be returned safe and sound, but not until you listen to me. Only then will I be assured you won't royally fuck things up for us here. And if the only way to keep your attention is to hold onto this darling thing," Theo bops Harry on the nose, "Then so be it,"
"Now the first way to kill a human without them suspecting us is to cut a thin line across either carotid artery," Theo states, pressing his pointer finger into Harry's throbbing pulse as if he were nothing more than a dead frog being dissected, "Too big and they will bleed out too quickly and you will lose too much blood. Too small and your instincts will compel you to rip right through their throat,"
Theo wraps his free arm around Harry's wrist and traces his thumb across the veins.
"But if you're in a hurry I would recommend-"
"Theo stop," Draco hisses.
"Stop?" Theo hisses, "I know your memory is shot but expected better from you. I expected you to at least take some precautions,"
"I-" Draco starts to say but Theo cuts him off.
"Does he even know how dangerous you are? Or about your sordid little rebellion against Dad where you happily sucked humans dry. Does he know that you are more dangerous to him than anyone else? Or is he trapped in the same lie that you string everyone else along with? Of poor lonely Draco who no one loves or understands,"
"Theo, this your last warning," Draco growls.
Theo's eyes glaze over and Draco knows from a glimpse in his mind, that he is reading Harry's emotions, pulling them back layer by layer.
"Isn't that sweet Draco he has feelings for you and seems to be under the mistaken impression that you feel the same way,"
"Theo put him down," Luna hisses.
Theo freezes, his arms going slack with a surprise around Harry just long enough for, Draco to rush up to him and yank Harry into the safety of his arms. Harry immediately wraps his arms around Draco's neck without hesitation, cuddling his head into the side of Draco's neck. It amazes him that Harry trusts Draco to protect him even when it was another one of Draco's kind that put him in danger in the first place. One of his family members even.
"Shh, Harry, I've got you," Draco soothes as he gently rubs Harry's trembling body.
"I wasn't going to hurt him-" Draco hears Theo start to say.
"Theo we've talked about this Harry is Draco's partner, and that makes him part of the family. We don't threaten other members of the family," Luna all but growls back at him.
Theo hangs his head but when he notices Draco watching he snarls at him, causing Harry's breathing to come in stuttered gasps.
Draco draws Harry even closer to him and shifts into a defensive position, his focus gathering completely on Theo and what move he would decide to take next. Which why he doesn't see the tree that Luna throws at her husband and neither does Theo. Until it slams into him that is.
Luna runs to retrieve him, dragging him by the cuff of his ear.
She sets a takeout box filled with stout sandwiches from Grawp's Growling Stomach that is in her other hand on the ground and gives Draco a charming smile.
"I'm sorry about all of this trouble, Draco, I promise that he will be on his best behavior when you bring Harry over later. Won't you?"
Theo is quick to nod at Luna's feral expression.
Without another word she and Theo disappear into the forest, leaving Draco gaping in her wake. The scene he saw in her mind of Harry looking at him in awe as he plays the song he wrote for him burns itself into his mind.
Harry feels Draco hawk-like eyes on him as he shovels the delicious stout sandwiches into his mouth, each bite covered with sun-dried tomatoes, basil, caramelized onions, and rockets robiola cheese. Harry sighs as he finishes his last bite of food and sets the box on the ground.
"Draco, I am fine," Harry says.
"He could have hurt you," Draco growls stalking around where Harry sits on the flowers and crouching down, his body tense as if prepared to bounce.
He refuses to move more than five feet from Harry or take his eyes off him ever since Theo and Luna left. Harry understands that conceptually he needs to be more scared of what Theo could have done to him, but a combination of Theo's powers and his in Draco to keep him safe makes him regard the whole encounter as a simple slip-up. Something that is concerning but is bound to happen when a human decides to hang this close around vampires.
"But he didn't. You got to me in time, so it is fine. I am fine," Harry states in a calm voice.
"And you still want to meet them? Even after seeing the danger first-hand?" Draco asks looking aghast.
Harry doesn't hesitate as he answers, "Yes,"
Draco sighs in defeat.
"Well climb on then," Draco says.
He looks at Draco like he lost his mind.
"What?" Draco asks, "I'm going to show you how I travel through the forest. It's much faster,"
"Okay…if you are sure you can carry me,"
"You just saw Luna throw an entire tree at Theo and you doubt my ability to carry you?" Draco says in a derisive voice.
Harry shrugs deciding that Draco has a point. He reluctantly clambers onto Draco's back, his arms wrapping around his rock-hard neck and his legs around his hips.
"What about the tent?" Harry asks confused.
"I'll make Theo come and get it," Draco sneers, "Hold on tight,"
With only a brief warning, Draco grabs hold of his ankles and takes off running all but flying as his feet barely touch the ground, his movements swift and fluid. The forest becomes a blur around them as they soar through the trees, narrowly avoiding collisions with branches and trunks. The rush of wind and adrenaline fills Harry's senses, making it both the most thrilling and terrifying experience of his life. In a matter of minutes, they covered the same distance that had taken them three hours to hike through. It's a dizzying feat that leaves Harry breathless but exhilarated like he's lived a lifetime in those few moments. Harry recovers quickly since he is used to gravity-defying stunts with his motorcycle. He loosens his muscles and drops to the ground landing on his feet.
Draco's on him in an instant, his cool hands wrapping around Harry's shoulders and keeping him upright.
"Are you okay?" Draco asks in a tense voice.
Harry laughs his voice sounding a little giddy even to his own ears.
"Just wondering when we can do it again,"
Draco snorts as he ruffles Harry's hair and leans forward to place a chaste kiss on his forehead, right over his scar. Harry luxuriates in the feeling of Draco treating it like every other spot on his body. Most of his past partners seemed afraid to touch it knowing it was the scar that Harry got in the car crash when his parents died. Even Sirius seemed weary around it though he would never admit it.
"Are you sure you want to do this?" Draco asks when he pulls back, "There is no shame in backing out."
Harry scoffs thinking that of course there is. What kind of Gryffindor would he be if he backed away from things that scared him? He never would have gotten the chance to live with Sirius, he never would have moved to Forks, and he never would have met Draco.
"No, I want to meet your family," Harry says with determination as he moves toward his bike.
Draco groans as he follows, "Of course, you have to be the brave type, the possibility of danger only encourages you to do the reckless thing,"
Harry starts to climb onto the bike, but Draco stops him.
"I think I should drive, you have had a trying couple of hours," Draco says, pushing Harry behind him and climbing on in front.
Harry reluctantly allows Draco to place the helmet on his head, noticing the hunted look in Draco's eyes that he had dismissed earlier as a concern.
"Hold on tight," Draco instructs, giving Harry just enough time to wrap his arms securely around Draco before they take off down the road.
The wind whips through their hair as they speed along at least forty miles above the speed limit, much faster than Harry is used to riding. Harry can't help but feel exhilarated by the rush of adrenaline coursing through his veins. He tightens his grip on Draco, trusting him completely as they ride past the limits of Forks and down a dirt road into the forest.
Minutes later they park in front of a large mansion that appears to be three stories tall and covered in windows.
"This is where you live?" Harry asks in a breathless voice.
"I know it's a bit much," Draco concedes in an embarrassed voice the wild energy disappearing from his eyes.
Harry wonders what is bothering him, but he doesn't want to push until Draco feels comfortable talking about it with him.
"I think it's beautiful," Harry says his voice filled with a touch of awe.
Draco slips his hands into Harry's and pulls him along, "Come one, let's get this over with,"
As they enter the house, a side door swings open to reveal a vast living room. The smooth, pale grey couches beckon invitingly and the expensive wooden furniture. A complex game system is attached to the TV, its sleek design suggesting it's the latest model on the market. Draco confidently struts in, not even bothering to unlock the door. Harry can't help but think that any potential burglar would be more at risk from the occupants than the other way around.
Draco's gaze follows his and he sneers, "Blaise and Pansy like their games,"
Draco pauses halfway through the room tilting his head as if he is listening to invisible voices. Harry guesses in a way he is, the way he is able to read his siblings' thoughts. Draco frowns.
"They are in the garden," he mutters as he leads Harry further into the grand yet simple house.
Harry follows Draco through another door that leads to the back of the house. Stepping outside he is blown away by the garden that he never thought he would see in a sunless place like Forks.
The garden is a wild burst of color, as if nature itself has been given free rein. Blooms of all shapes and sizes dot the vast expanse, creating a fantastical world that seems to defy all laws of gardening. Sunflowers tower over the other plants, their heads tilted toward the sky, casting long shadows on the ground. Tulips sprout in every color imaginable, while violets and daffodils clung to the ground like tiny, resilient creatures.
But the most enchanting of all, are the lilies. They bloom in clusters, their petals shimmering with iridescence, casting a kaleidoscope of colors that dance along their delicate stalks. Harry's gaze lingers on the flowers, taking them in. They are Harry's favorites though he can't pinpoint why. Harry eventually manages to pull himself away as his eyes catch on giant stone statues that twin together around the garden. He sees one of Pansy and Blaise, Theo and Luna, Dr. Cullen and his wife, Draco and…
Harry's brain goes blank as he sees his own features carved into the stone figure that looks up at Draco with an adoring expression. Draco's stone self looks down at stone Harry with a soft expression looking like he is seconds from kissing him.
"When was this made?" Harry asks Draco, in a tight voice, as he takes in the slight wear on the stone.
"The day I met you," Draco whispers in a strained voice as if it is a topic of much contention.
"Draco stop, dawdling, you won't prevent the inevitable, I've already seen it happen," Luna called from somewhere over a tall hedge.
Draco growls something intelligible under his breath and leads Harry through a break in the hedge and into a small clearing where a grand piano and a trickling fountain sit. The Cullens gather beside the fountain each looking as perfect as the statues Harry just saw.
"I'd like you to meet my family," Draco says, his voice as smooth as honey.
Dr. Cullen and a beautiful woman with red hair and golden eyes stepped forward first, hand in hand.
Harry's breath caught in his throat at the sight of her.
"Welcome, Harry, I'm Lily" Lily says warmly, while Dr. Cullen merely nods looking impressed, his dark eyes inscrutable.
The others introduce themselves in turn. Pansy, stunning and aloof; Luna, with a dreamy, far-off look her hand tight around Theo's arm; Theo, reserved and cautious seeming to keep his distance; and Blaise, charismatic and grinning.
Luna clears her throat and gives Theo a pointed look. Theo stiffens, a frown moving over his face, but a hard squeeze from Luna has a smile forcing its way onto his face. He looks at Harry his eyes tight as his smile becomes more strained. He inclines his head at Harry.
"I would like to formally apologize for my appalling behavior earlier, I meant you no danger, I was just trying to make a vali-" Theo winches before continuing, "an invalid point to my brother. I promise not to endanger you again,"
"Ah…apology accepted," Harry stammers when Theo gives him an expectant look.
"Well we best get going, we have a dinner to prepare," Luna says with a wink in Draco's direction, and one by one they all disappear.
An awkward look appears on Draco's face as he leads Harry over to the piano and sit down on the bench, pulling Harry down beside him.
"I…um…wrote something for you," Draco stutters, sounding more ungraceful than Harry ever remembers.
Harry's eyes widen in surprise, "You wrote something for me?"
Draco nods looking unsure of himself.
"I thought I could play it for you if you want…" Draco trails off, looking at everything but Harry.
Harry feels a warmth in his heart as he leans up and softly kisses Draco's cheek.
"I would love that," he says.
Draco gives him one more hesitant look before the keyboard box and gets his hands into position.
As Draco's fingers touch the keys, a gentle, almost hesitant melody begins to float through the air. Harry closes his eyes, letting the sound wash over him. The music starts soft and low, like whispers in the twilight. Single notes hang in the air, delicate and crystalline, before being joined by gentle chords that seemed to ebb and flow like tides. Harry feels his breath sync with the rhythm, slow and steady.
Then, almost imperceptibly at first, the tempo increases. The melody grows more complex, layers of sound intertwining like vines in the garden around them. Harry's heart quickens, matching the accelerating pace of the music.
There is a bittersweet quality to the piece that tugs at Harry's core. It speaks of longing, of reaching for something just beyond grasp. The higher notes dance above a steady, pulsing bassline that reminds Harry of a heartbeat - restless, persistent, alive.
As the music swells, Harry feels a surge of emotion. The melody seems to capture everything - their strange situation, the thrill and danger of their connection, the uncertainty of their future. It is beautiful and melancholic all at once.
The piece builds to a crescendo, notes cascading like a waterfall, before gradually slowing. The final notes hang in the air, soft and questioning, before fading into silence.
Harry opens his eyes, feeling as though he'd been on a journey. Their journey. He looks at Draco, seeing the intensity in those otherworldly eyes, and knows that somehow, impossibly, the music has captured the essence of who they are together.
"That was... us," Harry says softly, struggling to put the experience into words as a single tear falls down his face, "Everything we've been through, everything we are. How did you do that?"
Draco's lips curve into a small, knowing smile as he wipes the tear away and brings it to his lips.
"I am learning that music has a way of expressing what mere words cannot," he replies, his voice as melodious as the piece he just played.
"Isn't she a little old for him?" Draco asks as Emily the inferi drags Victor down into the underworld.
Blaise cackles while the rest of his siblings give him strange looks.
"What?" he asks in a defensive tone, hugging Harry's sleeping form closer to his body as a shield.
He had fallen asleep in Draco's lap shortly after 'Corpse Bride' started claiming he just wanted to rest his eyes after eating so much food, but was out like a light moments later.
"Don't you think that's hypercritical of you, given your own relationship?" Pansy asks with an arched eyebrow.
"What do you mean? I am eighteen and so is Harry," Draco declares annoyed.
Theo scoffs.
"Draco you've been eighteen for a hundred and four years, you are hardly a spring chicken,"
Pansy giggles.
"Though if Harry's smell is any indication, you still perform like one," Blaise snarks.
"Ow!" Blaise hisses as Pansy hits him.
Draco is past carrying though as he tries to wrap his head around the implications that the real version of this story encouraged a human girl to go after someone four times her age. His worries are quickly forgotten though as the movie progresses and Draco watches Victor question his parent's judgement on marrying someone he doesn't love. The colourful underworld Draco finds is where life is truly lived and where Victor discovers that Emily is more than just a villain in his story, but someone he can relate to and open up to.
Despite his initial disgust with her character, he finds himself rooting for her character and growing annoyed with Victor's constant faffing about. His inability to make a decision and stick with it digs at him. He even likes Otter face better than him, especially when she tells her parents where to shove it and runs after to save her fiancé. As the end draws closer he holds his breath in anticipation wondering how the story is going to resolve itself. He feels a twinge of disappointment when Emily is the one to sacrifice herself for the young couple. She had been his favorite much like Odile had been in Swan Lake. He longed for a happy ending for those characters and felt a little lost when they gave themselves up for others. He couldn't imagine doing that for anyone but his parents.
Harry stirs in his lap as the last credit past the screen and Draco grins as he leans down to kiss the top of his head.
"Have a nice nap, sleepy head," he chuckles.
Harry blinks owlishly at him, "How long have I been asleep?"
Draco smirks, "The entire movie,"
Harry huffs out a sign cuddling deeper into Draco's chest, "I always do that. Just once I would like to actually finish a movie,
Harry's phone buzzes in his pocket and when he takes it out, he sees the name Hermione flash across the screen.
"Sorry," Harry says, looking embarrassed.
"Go ahead and answer it," Draco says, with a reassuring smile.
Harry opens the phone and clicks answer and Draco hears Hermione's tear-choked voice on the other end whisper, "Harry…I don't know how to tell you this but Cedric is dead,"