Title:Eyes of Stone

Author: Keikokin

Disclaimer: JKRowling created the world of HP not me. No malice intended nor profit being made.

Note: I was recently yelled out for disrespecting my readers for not finishing this yet. Sorry. Really, the fault is all mine. I do intend to complete this. This chapter is a bit over 1500 words. Many thanks to those still reading this. On a more personal note: Please say a prayer for my 14 yr. old granddaughter Lily, who has inoperable brain cancer. We need a miracle and every prayer counts.

Chapter 19

Ron reappeared on the streets of Hogsmeade. He wasn't sure why but wasn't going to question it either. Closing his eyes and taking a deep breath. The smell Honeydukes chocolates was heavy in the air. His feet took him in without Ron thinking about it. Before he realized, both of his pockets were full of candy as if he were a naughty child. The truth of that stung a little and he grimaced. Hermione would never allow his to eat such things. Without another thought, he allowed his feet to carry him on auto pilot once more. Soon, he was enjoying the tree lined winding road and breathed in deeply.

He could still hear what Hermione said, but much of it was lost on him. What it boiled down to was his own sister had betrayed his best friend. His gut twisted and he popped an acid pop without looking, yelping at the first burn until the sweetness and magic overcame the initial burn. He stared down at the sweet now in his hand. Why had he bought this anyway? He tossed it in the nearest bin. Shaking his head at his own actions, he continued to walk. What did this mean for the family? He'd kill for a time turner right now. Instead he ate a toffee flavored Bernie Botts Every Flavor Bean, relieved it wasn't ear wax.

Looking around he took in the sun dappled trees and the winding road that would slowly lead him around the cave area that Sirius hid out, so many years ago. Things had never really been easy for any of them. Just when he was secure they would all be old and grey with a pack of kids each, poor Harry lost his future. Sighing deeply of the fresh air, he remembered a day when during a quidditch match he could have sworn Harry and Malfoys flirting almost cost them the match. Would it have been better if Harry had just dated old ferret face? If Malfoy ever wanted Harry that would have been his one chance to swoop in and be the answer to the problems that Harry attracted. What would things have been like if the Malfoys had switched sides?

His mind wandered, thinking further back to Second Year when Ginny and Harry both almost died. Was that some sort of divine sign from the stars that a Potter and a Weasley would never work? When Ginny threw herself at Harry as kids, Harry was interested right? Or was he just embarrassed? Ron kicked at the dirt. Both Ginny and Mum had pressed Harry about dating and how much she'd like Harry to "become a real part of the family". He should have seen the signs then that Ginny would do ANYTHING to keep Harry. He grimaced, able to taste his own stomach acid at that thought and the whole situation.

On the very first day of school, Malfoy had wanted to be friends with Harry, was that because he liked-liked him? If he hadn't been there, hadn't stirred up the old feud…Didn't Fred and George think tease how "little Malfoy just needs his favorite toy". Was Harry the favorite toy? Harry never could keep his eyes of the blond. He couldn't stop talking about him either.

Even when Harry was dating Ginny, it seemed as though he'd done it to make everyone else happy, regardless of his own feelings. What about his constant stalking of Malfoy? He'd even saved the blond from dying in the fire. Did Malfoy carry a life debt for Harry? He was pureblood and that was an age old tradition. But not heard of much these days. But it did kind of explain how Malfoy became Harry's solicitor. That and Malfoy had a show no mercy way of winning all his cases. Now that he had represented Harry, had they formed a connection? Where was Harry? He'd thought he might be hiding out at Grimmauld Place until he firecalled an empty house. Could he be with Malfoy right now? Is that the way it should have been all along.

It took him a second to realize he had stopped walking. Had he denied Harry his destined partner? If so, what kind of friend was he? What if there was some magical creature bond at work here? He could be in serious trouble if the rumors about the Malfoys being Veela were true. Of course, he had only been eleven and most of what he knew about creature bonds at that time were the wild and outlandish tales the twins told. How much of that information could he trust? No. He'd just heard one too many Veela romance stories.

He lost track of time standing there. No answers were coming to him, only doubt and self-recrimination. In the distance, he could see the glow of lanterns starting to appear on the horizon. He turned and headed back to Hogsmeade. The only thing he was positive about was that he couldn't make it through this without Hermione. Guilt filled his gut. Hermione was probably home worried out of her mind. Whipping out his wand quickly he summoned his Patronus and sent it off to let her know he'd stop for a drink.

As he slid into a back booth at the Three Broomsticks, he felt the familiarity comfort him and he let that warmth sink into his skin. After a pint or two, he began to feel maybe it was time to go home. She probably was worried, why did Hermione even put up with him? He looked down at his wedding ring and spun It around. Maybe it was time for a second honeymoon.

Worrying his lip, he thought how Hermione had inadvertently been stretched between loyalty to his family and loyalty to Harry. It wasn't fair to her. Although he smiled, thinking about how his wife really did love doing research and that he was sure she had at least enjoyed that with purpose. It was past time to get home before Hermione killed him, a moment later he'd vanished.

Harry woke up and scratched his head with one hand while reaching for his glasses for the other. He sat still on the edge of the bed wondering what had woken him from his nap. It was so nice not to wake up on the balcony, but maybe the curse only worked at night? The last he remembered he'd run away and hid from Draco for a chance to think. He must have fallen asleep.

A moment later he heard laughter? Here? At Malfoy Manor? Was that even allowed? He could almost hear Draco in his head saying something along the lines of Malfoys never laugh. Using his wand, he dressed quickly before heading to the door to his room. He looked down the hall to his left only to be knocked sideways in the door jamb by something grabbing his knees. A small, young child who looked like a Malfoy was hugging him tightly. "Are you really THE Harry Potter?"

With a deep sigh that spoke of hearing that question for the millionth time, Harry replied, "Yes." Harry braced both arms against the door frame in an effort not to get out knocked down by the boys grip on his knees. The boy was like a sandbag tied to his legs, it was as effective as a leg locking curse and Harry couldn't budge. He huffed in annoyance and the boy looked out with big eyes as if just realizing what exactly he was doing. Harry couldn't help but smile at how cute the kid was being.

Looking very relieved he wasn't in trouble, the boy sprung back and put out his hand. His cheeks had gone quite pink. "I'm sorry I forgot my manners. I am Scorpius Malfoy." A wide smile blossomed across the boys face as Harry shook his hand. This had to be Draco's son.

Before Harry could speak, Lucius Malfoy came around the corner giving Harry a nod of his head in recognition before he saw his grandson. To Harry's utter shock Lucius appeared out of breath, his hair in disarray and smiling? "Scorpius! I found you!"

Ignoring Harry completely as he sighted his new victim, Scorpius pushed off Harry's knees and ran toward his grandfather like Harry was never there in the first place. Lucius swooped down and grabbed Scorpius around the middle and carried him off. The child kicked and wiggled but not very hard, tucked under his grandfather's arm like a copy of the Prophet. They walked around the corner and out of sight.

After a moment Harry closed his mouth and shook his head slowly. Harry blinked twice and shook his head again, this time giving it a good hard shake. What the fuck? Harry felt his forehead. He pinched the skin on his arm, only to cause himself a sharp pain. What happened to the old Lucius Malfoy? Yet deep, deep within an odd sense of pride and satisfaction settled around his very soul. Somehow he'd done this. He knew it but he was a bit groggy too piece it all together. Caffeine was needed and unless Harry missed his guess it had better be sooner rather than later.

Draco was probably getting mad waiting in the library. They still had the potion to deal with too. After asking a house elf for tea, there was still a bit of the headache potion taste in his mouth, he made his way to the library to meet Draco. He arrived just as the house elf popped into the library with a full tray. Hopefully, Draco wouldn't give him a speech.