“Harry!”
Draco tried to grab him but Harry had already fallen. Draco knelt and
pulled Harry up a bit and Harry was breathing heavy and opened his
eyes a bit. “Lupin…”
Harry whispered and struggled to speak. “Get…get
L-Lupin.” “Ron,
get Remus. Quick!” Hermione said. “Harry, I’m going
to get Albus.” Harry nodded in his semiconscious state.
Hermione and Debbie darted out the door on the way toward Albus’
quarters as Ron and Michael ran towards the teachers’ quarters
on the second floor to get Lupin. “Harry,
what is it? What’s wrong, baby?” Draco was panicked.
Harry swayed and couldn’t hold up his head as he was slipping
in and out of consciousness. “Draco,
do you remember what Hermione said? About that…that disease
thing that Harry has?” Ginny asked quietly. “Could that
be what this is?” “Harry
said he was cured of that,” Dean said. “He’s
just…maybe he had too much fighting today,” Seamus said. “Let’s
not jump to conclusions,” Neville said. “With Harry it
could be any number of things.” “Do
you think we need to get his powdered mix from his drawer upstairs?”
Dean asked. “No.
Harry asked for Lupin. We’ll wait until he gets here before we
do anything,” Draco said to them before turning back to Harry
who had paled considerably and had broken out into a cold sweat over
his chest and back. “Dean, give me that small blanket on that
chair.” Dean took the blanket and Draco wrapped it around Harry
as he held him in the floor. “Harry? Can you hear me? Are you
with me?” Harry was all but slumped over leaning on Draco. “Look
at that,” Ginny said of Harry’s arm. Draco turned over
Harry’s arm to see the inside of his forearm which was streaked
with fine red lines like burst capillaries. “What is that?” “I
have no idea,” Draco said looking to the other arm and seeing
the same thing. “Is it anywhere else?” Ginny knelt and
looked over Harry’s back and chest. “It’s on his
neck, too a bit. What could that be?” “Ginny,
you share a dorm with Hermione. Does she have any information on that
disease that Harry mentioned having?” Draco asked. “I…Hermione
has so many books….” Ginny shrugged. Draco nodded. “Harry?
Can you hear me?” Draco asked tilting Harry’s head
upward. Harry was semi-conscious but his glazed over eyes were
unfocused as if he were in a daze and incoherent. “Harry? Baby,
come on.” Draco shook Harry’s head a bit but there was no
reaction. “Maybe
we’d better not do that until Lupin comes,” Neville said.
“We don’t want to injure him further if…if he’s
hurt or something.” “Ginny,
while we wait, could you go up and look to see if you can find
anything in Hermione’s books? Please? And…change into
your pajamas before you come back down,” Draco asked. Ginny
touched Draco’s arm in comfort and nodded before setting off up
the stairs. “And Dean, Seamus, Neville, you all need to go
change into pajamas, too. No one will know you were with us tonight
so you won’t get into trouble. Okay? I’ll be here with
Harry.” The three boys nodded and went upstairs to change.
Draco held Harry and rocked him a bit. Harry was almost a dead weight
as Draco held him and after what seemed like an hour, Ron, Michael
and Lupin came rushing through the portrait hole. “What
happened?” Lupin asked as he knelt quickly and turned over
Harry’s arms and winced at seeing the red marks. “What
are those? What is that?” Draco asked of the marks. “Oh
no,” Lupin said lifting Harry’s head to see his neck.
“Draco, I’ll need to get Harry very quickly to the
hospital wing. Poppy has his medication there.” “Medication?
Medication for what?” Draco asked. “Let’s
just get him to the hospital wing first and then we’ll talk
about it,” Lupin said pulling out his wand as Hermione and
Debbie came through the portrait hole. “Dumbledore
said he’d meet you and Harry in the wing, Professor,”
Debbie said out of breath. “Very
well,” Lupin gave the spell to levitate Harry’s limp body
up from the floor and out the portrait hole of the tower as Ron,
Hermione, Michael, Draco and Debbie followed. “What happened?” “Um…well,
we uh…” Ron said.
“I
went with Harry to London tonight,” Draco said. “There is
a muggle place there where there are fights. Harry was a participant
because he enjoys that. I was there and then we ate, did a bit of
shopping and then Harry and I were out in a field and he did some
magic for me and then we came back to the common room and he…he
just passed out or something.” “What
kind of magic did Harry do, Malfoy?” Lupin asked. “He
um…well there were several things he did,” Draco said.
Draco explained how Harry had cast the grankas, did the jumping
flying, made the dragon with starlight, and did the morphing into
Voldemort. “I
see,” Lupin said. “Professor,
what’s wrong with him?” Draco asked. “Harry
is not well,” Lupin nodded a bit. “He was…well,
Harry was….” “Just
tell me,” Draco said gravely. “Harry
has Rothslid Degenerative Disease,” Lupin said. “I had a
sister who died of the disease and I know a bit about it is why Harry
asked you all to come find me. Harry’s case is very odd. He was
diagnosed and given the first set of painful treatments, and then…the
disease just…seemingly vanished from his system. He was
disease free…that is until…this.” Lupin turned
Harry’s arm over to show then the red spidery marks over his
forearms. “This is a late stage symptom.” “What
do you mean? Is Harry…is he…is Harry dying?” Ron
asked. “We
need to get him to the wing, Ron,” Lupin said. “Poppy can
tell more about it than I can. I suspect that we may have to
transport Harry to Hacklen City to the Straton Medical Center there.
Harry’s team is there.” “His
team?” Hermione asked. “Harry’s
medical team,” Lupin said. “He
has a medical team?” Draco asked. “Yes,”
Lupin said. “Harry has abilities that are so rare that he is
the only one to have had them in over a thousand years. Along with
the Rothslid disease, Harry also has…” Harry’s
hand reached out to Lupin’s robe. “No…”
Harry whispered to him in his half-conscious state. “It’s
okay. I’m taking you to the wing,” Lupin said to him.
“Poppy will give you what you need there…” “No…”
Harry whined a bit. “No…” “Harry,
you’ll be alright when you have the medication,” Lupin
said. “Why haven’t you taken it?” “No
more…” Harry whispered before he was out again. “No
more what? Harry?” Draco asked Harry which was no use. “Dammit!
What is…why didn’t he…?” “Draco,
you know how Harry is about being private,” Hermione said
putting her arm around Draco’s shoulders for comfort as they
finally arrived at the hospital wing. Lupin levitated Harry over to a
bed where he was laid like some frail glass on the sheets. Albus was
waiting on them at the bedside. “Stubborn
child,” Albus said as he sat on the side of the bed and pushed
Harry’s hair fringe off his forehead and looked at his scar
momentarily. “You never listen.” “Listen
to what?” Draco asked in a panic. “What is going on?”
Poppy came over and moved the students out of the way before she drew
up several syringes of some type of yellowish liquid and injected
Harry’s veins with each of them. With Lupin’s assistance
Poppy poured two vials of clear liquid into Harry’s mouth and
helped him swallow them. “He
didn’t come in for his medication yesterday,” Poppy said
as she took the syringes and vials and placed them on the tray. Poppy
observed the spidery red marks on Harry’s forearms and neck.
With her wand and a complicated incantation, a light purple light
shown from her wand and she shone the light over Harry’s skin.
The red spidery marks shone golden under the light. As Poppy moved
the light over the skin that wasn’t marked red, the golden
spidery marks were all over Harry underneath his skin. With a sigh,
Poppy put down her wand with exaggerated care on the side table.
“Albus, he’ll need to go to Straton Medical quickly. The
Rothslid disease is back and he’s exhibiting classic symptoms.
He’ll need at least two treatments when he arrives.” “No…”
Harry whispered weakly. “Harry,
you need the treatments,” Albus said. “They will help
you. I know they’re painful, but it’s only…” “No!”
Harry groaned and tried to push himself over. Albus held him down. “Stop
this,” Albus said kindly. “You knew that the disease
could resurface. And you didn’t take your medication
yesterday.” “Leave
me alone,” Harry whispered and jerked his hand from Albus’
grip. Harry was strengthening from the potions and injection and he
rubbed his temples. “Just l-leave me alone.” “We’ll
need to go to Straton Medical, Harry,” Lupin said. “I’ll
go pack a bag for each of us and we’ll need to stay for two
days. It’ll be okay.” “Okay?”
Harry spat as he sat up looking almost normal. Harry thrust out his
forearm for Lupin to see. “Does that look okay to you?”
Harry stood and swayed just a bit. “Harry,
sit down,” Draco said kindly. “You need to rest.” “I
don’t need anything,” Harry spat and walked away a bit.
“I’ll be fine. Just…leave me the hell alone.”
Harry walked quickly toward the door. He flung back the door with a
yell of irritated anger and walked through it with arms bowed back as
if he were fighting with the world. And maybe he was. “Remus,
pack your bag,” Albus said as he stood. “I’ll pack
Harry’s. He’ll go, albeit unwillingly.” “Can
I go?” Draco asked. “Please, Albus. I think I could…I
can help him.” “I
can’t let you go, Draco. I’m sorry,” Albus said.
“You are considered a high risk student here since your father
is an escapee. I need to try and keep you on the grounds as much as
possible.” Albus looked over his glasses to Draco giving the
guilt trip. “I
just…Harry is…He’s everything to me. Please let
me go…I…” Draco stammered and shook his head in
confusion. “I
can’t allow it, Draco. We’ll find Harry because he’ll
be very, very sick in about fifteen minutes. Students, you’ll
need to get to your dorms or…sleeping quarters,” Albus
said and gave Draco a small look of meaning. Draco nodded slowly.
“Remus, pack your bag and you and Harry can leave after
breakfast in the morning. Poppy, I’ll need that copy of Harry’s
medical chart quickly sent to my quarters.” Albus walked with
the students to the door of the wing and through it. “Please
don’t discuss what has happened this evening with your
classmates. Harry would be upset I think if news of his illness were
passed through the school.” “Of
course, sir,” Ron said. “Harry did tell us that he had
the Rothslid…um…condition.” “And
he also said he was cured of it,” Hermione said. “He
never mentioned that he was on any medications.” “The
medications Harry is taking once a month make him sick,” Albus
said. “He is very stubborn about taking them and he insists
that he doesn’t need them.” “Stupid,”
Draco said. “He is so hard headed. And…I knew he looked
pale this evening. I kept asking him if he was okay and…he
said he was fine knowing he wasn’t. I’ll kick his
sorry….” “Draco!”
Ron interrupted. “Um…we need to get to our dorms, so…I
suppose we’ll see you at breakfast.” “Sure,”
Draco said. “See you then. I’ll be in the den.” The
other students nodded and split in the other direction. “I
need to go to my quarters and send the notice that Harry will be
coming to the Medical Center tomorrow morning so that everything will
be in order when Harry arrives there,” Albus said. “I
suspect Harry may be in his hidden room. I’m sure you know
where it is.” “Yes,”
Draco said softly. “Do you not know where it is?” “No,”
Albus said. “And I have no desire to know. That is Harry’s
privacy that he needs and I can respect that. I could find it by
asking the flow of magic, but I allow Harry the space that he needs.
If Harry isn’t in the room, come find me and I’ll tap
into the flow to locate him.” “Yes,
sir,” Draco said. “Albus, do you think that the Rothslid
Degenerative disease will…will it be like last time? Will it
go away?” “There
is no way to tell,” Albus said sadly. “It was highly
unusual that the disease seemingly just vanished last time. But with
Harry, things that are highly unusual are somewhat expected. We’ll
know more when he goes to the medical center.” “Albus,
I don’t mean to be…um…to sound negatively,
but…Lupin said that Harry’s symptoms…those…those
red marks, he said they were the final stages of the disease,”
Draco said. “How final? I mean…how long does…what
I mean is…how long does Harry have left?” Albus was
silent for a long while as they walked in the direction of Albus’
quarters. “Draco,
the disease is a terminal one,” Albus said in the most serious
of tones, which gave Draco cold chills. “Those marks signal the
end of the disease’s toll on the body. If it were anyone else,
I would have to tell you that it would only be a matter of
approximately two maybe three months.” “Wha…”
Draco had to sop walking and put a hand on his chest to remember to
breathe. “Two months? No…” “Draco,
get a hold of yourself,” Albus said firmly. “Harry knows
what the symptoms mean. He may be…he’ll probably be
angry or…he may be sad. I’m not sure what he’ll do
at this point. But he will need your support and encouragement. If
you don’t feel able to do that, then I’m asking you not
to find Harry at this point. Harry is volatile with everything that
is happening to him right now. He is under constant immense stress,
which only makes things worse for him. But I have seen that your
presence with Harry tends to calm him and make him feel better. Just
be with him tonight and comfort him. Try to make sure he is at
breakfast in the morning ready to leave afterward for the center if
you can.” “I’ll
do my best,” Draco said softly but had hardly heard a word
after hearing two months. Albus left Draco standing in the hallway
as he turned the corner into another corridor toward his quarters.
Draco’s feet moved and took him to the den, but he had no idea
how he got there from being caught up in his own thoughts. Draco
looked at the stones and tried to reign in his own emotions at what
he might see when he entered. Draco took several long breaths and
tried to think of what he might say as he paced in the hall. “Fuck
it,” Draco said as he touched the stone and entered the den.
“Harry?” Draco went through the room and then into the
bathroom where he saw Harry slouched in the floor by the toilet where
he’d obviously been vomiting. Harry was leaning against the
wall and was lightly trembling. Draco came to sit next to him in the
floor in the same position. “Don’t,”
Harry whispered. “Don’t
what?” Draco asked. “Just
don’t…don’t say anything to me,” Harry said. “Alright,”
Draco said quietly and they sat together until Harry had to move over
on his knees and vomit in the toilet again repeatedly for over an
hour. Between bouts, Harry would sit in silence next to Draco in the
floor. After the last bout of vomiting, Harry sat with a flump in the
floor and drew up his knees and laid his head on his arm. Draco never
dared move or speak a word for another fifteen minutes until he
couldn’t take it anymore. “Would
you like to go lie down?” Draco asked. “You
go ahead,” Harry whispered. “No.
I’m not going without you,” Draco said. “I’ll
sit here as long as you do.” “Draco,
damn! Just go if you want to,” Harry said hatefully. “I
don’t want to. I want to be where you are,” Draco said
softly. “Fine,”
Harry pushed himself up and went to the sink to brush his teeth.
After he put up his toothbrush, Harry looked into the mirror there
and just stared for a few minutes at himself. Harry took off his
glasses and laid them on the sink and leaned closer to the mirror to
study his reflection closely. Harry touched his cheek lightly and
then ran his fingertips over his forehead and then down onto his neck
to note the spidery red blotches there. Harry traced the lines for
several moments and then looked back into his own eyes. “I’m
sure you know this is the final stages.” “That’s
what Lupin mentioned,” Draco said. Harry
nodded a bit and then bit his bottom lip for a moment as he continued
to look at his eyes in the mirror before turning away to sit on the
side of the tub to run a hot bath. Harry began to shed his socks,
shoes and pants. Draco had never moved from his sitting position in
the floor as he watched Harry undress and slide into the hot tub and
sink down below the surface of the water totally to wet his hair.
Harry came back up to sit and rub his eyes. “Can
I join you in the bath?” Draco asked. Harry nodded just
slightly and Draco stood and undressed as Harry watched him with the
saddest look of desire Draco had ever seen. It was like watching a
starving penniless child look into the window of some bakery at the
wonderful things he could never have and it broke Draco’s
heart. Draco slipped into the water and Harry just sat motionless. Now
knowing what Harry needed, Draco moved closer and slowly wrapped his
legs around Harry’s waist. Harry’s eyes slipped closed at
the contact, but Draco again slowly pulled Harry close and into his
embrace to hold and comfort him. Harry’s arms loosely encircled
Draco and he buried his face into Draco’s neck. Harry let
himself be held and after several minutes, Draco felt Harry’s
warm tears on his neck. The first tiny muffled sob came and as the
pair held each other in the hot bath, Harry cried at his damnable
fate. Draco said nothing as Harry cried and held him tighter. When
the tears would no longer come and the water was cool, Harry pulled
back and sniffled as he looked into Draco’s eyes where there
were also tears. “I
can’t fight something I can’t see,” Harry said
softly barely a whisper. “That’s
not true,” Draco said equally as softly as he rubbed the last
tears from Harry’s cheek with his thumb. “This is just
another battle for you. And you will win.” “Terminal,
Draco. Do you even know what that means?” Harry asked. “I
know that you live terminally all the time,” Draco said
lightly. “You won as an infant, you won at eleven, twelve,
thirteen, fourteen, fifteen and sixteen, too. You’ll live. I
believe that with everything I am.” Harry sensed the truth from
Draco and it made him feel a bit better. “How?
There is no cure,” Harry argued. Draco popped the stopper of
the tub and the cooling water began to drain as they sat.
“It
happened once that the disease vanished,” Draco said. “Who’s
to say why that happened? And who’s to say that it won’t
again? Harry you have so many rare and very special gifts, that I
truly believe that something is keeping you living for a reason. Even
you can’t deny that. You should be dead already and you’re
not. There is a reason that you’re called the boy who lived.
Because you do. You live. Somehow you manage to live. And this is no
exception.” “I
hate you,” Harry said. “Good,”
Draco smiled a bit. “Because you hate me just enough to not let
me get the better of you by outliving you. Wouldn’t that be
grand? Two victories for me over Harry Potter? Can you imagine my
complete thrill at having defeated you twice?” Harry actually
grinned. “You’re
impossible,” Harry said as Draco put the stopper in the tub and
began to fill the tub with hot water again. “And
that’s even better because you like making the impossible
possible,” Draco said. “Care to make me?” “Do
you want sex?” Harry asked. “Well,
yeah. Sort of,” Draco said. “Would you have sex with me?” “No,”
Harry said with a sly look. Draco knew. “Would
you make love to me?” Draco asked. “Yes,”
Harry grinned a bit. “I
love you,” Draco said pulling Harry close into a hug in the
tub. “I
love you, too,” Harry whispered onto Draco’s cheek before
he kissed it lightly sending chills over them both. Draco reached
into the water to take Harry’s cock into his hand and stroke it
lovingly as Harry kissed his neck and chest while sliding his warm
wet hands up Draco’s back. The trails of kisses and nibbles led
up Draco’s throat to his chin before claiming his warm lips
again. When Harry’s cock was rock hard, Draco drew back from
the kiss. “Lay
back,” Draco pushed Harry’s chest a bit so that Harry was
reclining against the slanted back of the deep claw footed tub. Draco
took a towel and put it under Harry’s head so that he was
comfortable. The water was very deep now and Draco turned off the
tap. Harry lay back and enjoyed the feeling of Draco’s hands on
his body with small breathing sighs and tiny groans of bliss. Draco
gave almost a full body massage to Harry who lay in the bath and
enjoyed soft hands on him. When Draco began focusing attention again
on stroking Harry’s hardness, Harry moaned slightly in
pleasure. “Let’s
get out of the tub for this,” Harry said. Draco nodded and
reached for the shampoo. Harry let Draco wash his hair enjoying the
feeling of Draco’s fingers massaging his scalp and kissing him
as he washed the rest of his body. Harry reached for the shampoo, but
Draco took it from him and washed his own hair quickly as Harry
washed Draco’s skin intermittently with kissing it. After
they’d rinsed and toweled off, they headed into the other room
and fell onto the bed. Each lay still for several minutes of needed
rest. “It’s
after two in the morning,” Draco said sleepily. “I’m
tired,” Harry said with his eyes closed. “And I feel like
crap.” Draco moved over and sat up while intertwining their
fingers of one hand. Harry let his eyes open just a bit as he watched
Draco bring the hand up to kiss Harry’s wrist and all the way
up his spidery red forearm, past his elbow until Draco had to lean
over him to keep the trail of kisses going. Expertly
Draco kissed his way up to Harry’s neck, across his collarbone
and down and all over his chest. Harry just lay and enjoyed the warm
lips and breath on him as he began to give in to all he was feeling.
Draco had somehow straddled him and had begun to move his hips in a
circular motion allowing their erections to grind together in a mind
blowing way. “Damn that feels good…” Harry’s
eyes were closed as Draco kissed his skin all over and the thrusting
onto his limp body was making his mind scream for more.
When
Draco rose up, Harry let his eyes open a bit to see Draco lean back
and brace himself on his arms. Harry understood and with a thought
had applied lubrication to his hand and onto his own cock. Draco’s
tiny puckered hole was teasing the head of Harry’s cock begging
for attention. Harry applied the lube onto Draco’s entrance and
he moaned at the feeling of touch. Harry sat up and holding his own
cock, he guided Draco down onto him slowly letting Draco and gravity
to work together. Soon, Draco was sitting impaled fully on Harry’s
cock as they kissed for moment to enjoy the feeling of being joined
together in the most intimate of ways. Draco pulled back from the
kiss slowly and leaned back a bit pulling himself up the shaft of
Harry’s cock and then letting himself fall back down sliding
onto it again and again. Harry put his hands under Draco’s
buttocks and assisted his haul upward each time and then changing to
pull Draco down hard onto him like a thrust. There was no denying
Draco was limber and Harry loved to watch him bend and twist in ways
no one else he’d ever seen could. With a thought, Harry reached
out to part Draco’s legs as far as they’d go. Draco
laughed softly but allowed Harry to mold and sculpt him as he wanted.
After four more contorted sexual positions were explored for a while,
it was time and both were feeling the need of relief. The final
position ended up with Draco on his side and Harry scissored between
his legs, thrusting forward so that Draco’s leg was at his own
ear. Draco’s hand lurked down to begin stroking his own
throbbing cock in quick short strokes. “Oh
god…I’m going to come, Harry…” Draco
squeezed his eyes shut at feeling the tugging in his loins and the
first beginnings of the wave of bliss. “Me,
too…hold on, baby,” Harry growled and held on to Draco’s
shoulder pulling them together repeatedly. With a few of the hardest
thrusts, Harry began to pant and Draco gasped as his cock shot a
stream of fluid over his hand and onto the bed. Harry jerked Draco
back hard and with an upper thrust Harry slammed his cock inside
Draco and spilled his hot semen deep into his body. Both growled and
groaned the pleasure between them trembling slightly from the effort
and the orgasms. “Oh fuck…oh fuck that was great.” “So
damn good,” Draco said. “You are so damn good, Harry. Oh,
man, I’m exhausted.” “So
am I,” Harry said as he moved back and flicked his hand lazily
cleaning up the mess they’d created. Draco moved over and Harry
fell face first into the pillow and lay on his stomach unmoving. “I’m
not going tomorrow, Draco.” Harry mumbled into the pillow. “Yes,
you are,” Draco said moving over to put his arm and leg over
and between Harry’s. Draco reached down and pulled the sheet up
over them both. “No,
I’m not,” Harry said and then turned his head toward
Draco. “I’m not going.” “Yes,
you’re going,” Draco said. “I want you to go and
take the treatments.” “I
don’t want to,” Harry whined. “I
know you don’t, baby,” Draco rubbed Harry’s back in
comfort. “But I want you to. Will you do it for me?” “I
don’t want them. It’s awful,” Harry said. “They
drug me up and…then they put me in that…that thing that
puts pressure on me. It’s awful pain and I don’t want
it.” “I
wish I could go with you. I asked Albus if I could go and he said
no,” Draco said. “I
will go take the treatments if you can go,” Harry said flatly.
“I won’t go unless you get to go with me. It’s not
like he can force me anyway.” “He’s
your guardian and your parent,” Draco said. “He can force
you.” Harry snorted. “Draco,
what I meant was nobody can touch me if I don’t allow it,”
Harry said. “Feel this.” Harry never moved but Draco got
a jolt of a shock that felt like electricity for a split second.
Draco jerked back and then eased back into his position around Harry. “Holy
shit! What did you do?” Draco asked. “I
gave you a zap,” Harry said. “Nobody can put a hand on me
or force me to do anything at all. I’m stronger than Albus and
he knows that. If I don’t want to go, I won’t. Period.
Nobody forces me to do anything. So if you don’t get to go,
then I don’t go. What do you think he’ll say about that?” “He’ll
tell me to pack a bag,” Draco smirked. Harry nuzzled into
Draco’s cheek and pulled him closer. “I
love you so much. I have never loved anyone as much as I love you,”
Harry said. “You’ve just turned my world upside down, but
now I can’t even imagine my strange little world without you in
it.” Draco held onto Harry tightly and savored every second of
their touch. Draco thought of Harry’s little world and he also
couldn’t imagine his own life without Harry in it. He wanted
Harry for life. Then…why not do it? “Harry,
I want to ask you something,” Draco whispered. “Hmm?”
Harry answered from the warmth of Draco’s neck and cheek. “Harry,
will you marry me?” Draco asked and stilled. Harry stilled also
for a second but pulled back to look at Draco who had bared every bit
of love and honesty he owned and it was written on his face and in
his eyes. “Are
you serious?” Harry whispered looking deep into Draco’s
eyes where the truth was so evident. “I’m
as serious as I have ever been in my life,” Draco said directly
into Harry’s eyes. “I love you and…I never want to
lose you. You’re mine and I want to have you as my own
forever.” “But…”
Harry swallowed. “Draco, you…you know that I…” “I
know that you love me,” Draco grinned just a bit with his eyes
full of love. “And you know that I love you more than my next
breath.” Draco brought his hands up from the sheets to hold
Harry’s face between his warm palms. “You are everything
to me. I have never known love and with you it’s so much that I
can hardly stand up when I’m near you. I feel like I’m
falling every moment we’re together…and maybe I am. I
fall in love with you again every day.” Draco leaned a bit to
kiss Harry’s soft sweet lips lightly several times. “Tell
me you will. Will you?” Draco kissed him over and over again.
“Harry? Will you marry me?” Draco drew back for a moment
to await the answer. Harry paused for a moment. “No,”
Harry whispered. “I can’t. Draco, I’m dying. I
won’t do that.” “No,
you’re not,” Draco shook his head. “You’ll be
fine. You’ll see.” “Draco,
please,” Harry said with obvious pain. “Don’t do
this to me. This is hard enough without thinking that I…I
just…I don’t want to hurt you.” Harry’s face
contorted with the pain and his eyes swelled with tears. “I
have never had such…such love and…pleasure and
fulfillment as I do with you. But…I can’t have…I’m
not…I can’t do it.” “Yes,
you can,” Draco grinned. “You say one word. You say…yes.” “Why?
No,” Harry pulled back and turned to sit up and put his face in
his hands as he rubbed his stinging eyes. “Stop this. You’re
hurting me with what you’re saying. I can’t do that. I’m
not….” “You’re
not what?” Draco asked and then sat up in the bed. “Not
supposed to be married?” “Yes.
Yes, that’s exactly it,” Harry said giving him the look.
“I can’t. I’m…I’m not…suitable.
Everything I am makes me…what I am. I can’t do that.” “You
are still Harry,” Draco said. “And you are still mine.
And I want you to be joined to me as my life partner.” “Draco,
I’m going to die,” Harry said flatly. Draco’s anger
flared. “Don’t
you ever say that to me again,” Draco spat. “You will not
die because you won’t. That’s final. I never want to hear
you say that again, Harry Potter. I mean it. And you will marry me
and that’s final, too.” “You
can’t make someone marry you,” Harry said. “Yes,
I can,” Draco said. “And…I’ll just assume
that we’re already married. So there.” “You
can’t do that,” Harry said with the tiniest of grins. “Yes,
I can,” Draco said with a return haughty grin. “We’re
married. That’s the end of it.” “No,
we’re not,” Harry said. “Yes,
we are,” Draco said. “No,
we are not married,” Harry said. “We’d need…vows
and rings and stuff.” “Then
make us some rings,” Draco said. “Whip some up
magically.” “I
don’t know anything about rings,” Harry said. “Just
make a pair of plain silver bands,” Draco said. “Try it
and let me see.” “What?
Now?” Harry asked. “Yes,
of course now,” Draco rolled his eyes. “Do it and let me
see what you can make.” “Well…I
don’t know,” Harry said. “Just silver and that’s
it?” “Just
do it already!” Draco yelled. “Fine.
Don’t be so…damn bossy,” Harry said and he held
out his palm and moved his finger in a circle on his skin twice
creating two identical silver rings. “Like that?” Draco
took one and slipped it onto his finger but it was too large. “Too
big. Make it a bit smaller,” Draco said. Harry ran his finger
over the band and Draco slipped it on again. Perfect. Draco took the
other one and slipped it onto Harry’s ring finger. “Fix
this one to fit you.” Harry ran his finger over his own ring
and it became a bit tighter to fit perfectly. “Now. Tell me
that you love me forever.” “I’ll
love you forever,” Harry said softly. “And
I’ll love you forever,” Draco said. “Now. We’re
married.” “What?
No, we’re not,” Harry shook his head. “Did
you just not take a vow to love me forever? And did you not just give
me a ring as a token of that vow?” Draco asked with. Harry
opened his mouth to speak but he was thinking too quickly to speak. “Um…”
Harry stammered. “We’re
married,” Draco said flatly with a nod. “But…we
can’t be married,” Harry scowled in confusion. “Can
we? I mean…we’re not really married…are we?” “Yes,”
Draco said. “I have devoted my entire life to you. Have you
devoted yours to me?” “I…yes,”
Harry said softly and then realized what he just said. “I
mean…no…or…stop this shit. You’re insane.
We’re not married. Oh god…what the hell am I doing?” “We
just had our wedding ceremony, honey,” Draco said. “And
see this?” Draco pulled up the sheet to wrap around him. “I
was dressed in white.” Harry couldn’t stifle the laugh or
the hand that ran through his hair. “Oh
god you’re stupid,” Harry grinned. “And we’re
not married.” “Yes,
we are,” Draco said. “Are you wearing a wedding band?” “Well…um…yeah,
I guess,” Harry said looking at the band. “And
didn’t I ask you to marry me?” Draco asked. “Yes,”
Harry said nodding. “And
didn’t you tell me that you’d love me forever?”
Draco asked. “Yes,”
Harry grinned. “And
what does all that mean?” Draco led on. “That
we’re…we’re…” Harry couldn’t
say the word. “We’re…um…” “Say
it, Harry,” Draco said. “Tell me what we are.” “We
are…we’re married,” Harry said and then put his
hand over his mouth. “No, we’re not. We can’t be,
Draco. That’s…it’s not real.” “Isn’t
it?” Draco said. “It’s real to me. You and I are
now one. We are joined together by a vow to the other with rings
signifying that pledge of life.” “But…”
Harry scowled. “Draco, I’m…I’m not supposed
to marry.” “Says
who?” Draco asked. “Just because the other powerful
wizards didn’t, doesn’t mean you can’t. And it’s
too late anyway. Now you’re married to me, Harry Potter
Dumbledore Malfoy.” Harry and Draco laughed hard at the name. “Oh
my god that’s awful. There is no way in hell I’m taking
the name Malfoy,” Harry said. “You’ll have to be
Draco Lucuis Malfoy Potter.” “When
hell freezes over I’ll take that name,” Draco said. “I
will never be a Potter. Never.” “But
since we’re married, technically you are already,” Harry
grinned. “Draco, are we really married?” Draco could see
the tiny amount of hope. “Yes,”
Draco said. “We are really married to one another. If you want
to do something else like have a ceremony or do that legal paperwork
crap we can do that, but…the most important thing is that we
chose to be joined here. You and me.” “Chose?
You forced me,” Harry teased. “You tricked me.” “Did
you make these rings?” Draco asked. “Well,
yeah, but…” Harry said. “Of
your own magic with no assistance you made them,” Draco said. “Yeah,”
Harry said. “So
you participated willingly,” Draco said. “I can’t
force you to do magic. You made these rings on your own. I didn’t
trick you. You wanted to make them.” “I…”
Harry stammered. “No, I didn’t…did I? What the
hell am I doing? You’re driving me nuts. This isn’t real,
is it? Are we? I’m serious. Are we…are we married?” “Harry,
will you marry me?” Draco asked looking deeply into Harry’s
emerald eyes, which held all the hope that this was real. Harry, at
hearing the words again knew in his heart that he wanted nothing more
in the whole world. “Yes,”
Harry whispered and then his eyes went wide. “Oh god.” “We’re
married,” Draco said pulling him close. Harry wrapped his arms
quickly around Draco and pulled him down onto the bed into a hungry
kiss that was long and sensual. “Can I tell Weasley and
Granger?” “What?
Oh hell no,” Harry grinned. “What the hell did we just
do? Oh my god…do you realize that…oh shit. I mean…oh
god what if…” “Relax,”
Draco said. “I don’t care who knows. I’ll tell the
entire school while standing on the Gryffindor breakfast table in the
morning if you want.” “I
don’t think that would be such a good idea,’ Harry said.
“But…we’re married. Oh my god. I’m married?
I can’t be married. Am I? I am. Oh crap. I’m…happy
about that, but…is that okay?” “Harry,
you’re freaking out,” Draco laughed softly. “Calm
down.” “Calm
down? I just got married!” Harry said loudly. “At…”
Harry looked at Draco’s watch. “I just got married at
three fifteen in the morning, naked in a bed in a hidden room of a
school to a Death Eater! Holy shit I am insane.” Harry and
Draco rolled on the bed wrapped around the other in laughter and
kisses until they settled comfortably around one another under the
sheet. Harry lay flat on his back and Draco lay on his side with his
arm and leg over Harry nestled into his neck as Harry held him and
rubbed his cheek on Draco’s hair. “I do love you.” “And
I love you,” Draco said sleepily. “Do you want to
consummate this marriage right now?” “I’m
too tired to consummate right now,” Harry said lazily with a
grin. “We’ll consummate tomorrow.” “It
is tomorrow,” Draco said. “But you’re right. We’ll
wait a bit.” “Hmm,”
Harry said and then lay in the stillness for a few moments. “Draco
we’re married.” “I
know,” Draco grinned. “I couldn’t be happier about
it.” “Me
either,” Harry said. “I never thought I’d be
married, Draco. I just always knew it was off limits for me. But
now…now I am and…I love it. I have you.” “And
I have you,” Draco whispered as he was falling into sleep.
“Goodnight.” *
* * * ** “Harry
Potter, sir,” Dink the house elf said. “Harry Potter,
sir, you is to be waking up, sir.” “Wha…?”
Harry opened his lazy eyes to see the blurry form of the house elf.
“What is it?” “Sir,
it’s Dink, sir,” Dink said. “The Headmaster, sir,
he sent me for you to be waking you.” “Who
are you talking to?” Draco yawned. “Dink.
House elf,” Harry said as he sat up rubbing his eyes. “What
does Albus want?” “Sir,
the Headmaster wishes you to come to breakfast, sir,” Dink
nodded. “And Master Malfoy as well. Dink has your clothings,
sirs.” “Fine.
I’ll…we’ll get up and come to breakfast,”
Harry said with a yawn and Dink started to leave. “Dink!”
Dink turned. “Sir?”
Dink asked. “I
need for you to pack Draco a bag from his room. He’ll need a
travel bag with his toiletries and enough for a two-day trip, please.
Could you do that and bring his bag to the Gryffindor breakfast table
where we’ll be?” “Yes,
sir. Dink will bring it, sir,” Dink bowed lowly to show his
respect and disappeared in that house elf way. “Good
morning, husband,” Draco drawled. Harry snickered. “Don’t
call me that,” Harry said almost shyly. “Why
not? You’re my husband,” Draco said. “See?”
Draco held up his ring to Harry’s face and Harry took Draco’s
hand in his own and kissed the ring slightly. “Does
that make you my wife?” Harry teased and Draco pulled Harry
down onto the bed in laughs. “No,”
Draco said. “I’m your husband, too.” “Two
husbands,” Harry lay back and thought. “That’s too
damn weird, Draco.” “No,
it’s not,” Draco said with a grin. “I don’t
think so anyway.” “We
need to get up and dressed,” Harry said. “I’m
famished. Starving.” “You
didn’t eat much last night at the restaurant,” Draco
said. “I noticed.” “I
was…I was feeling a bit…well…sick,” Harry
said. “I knew I missed the medication, but…I was hoping
I wouldn’t need it anymore.” “We’ll
work on that,” Draco said. “Let’s get up and dress
before that accursed house elf comes back.” The two rolled out
of bed and picked up their clothing that the house elf had brought.
“School robes for me?” Draco asked in disbelief. “Well,
they didn’t exactly figure that you’d be coming with me
today, so…yeah,” Harry said. “I’m
wearing what I got last night while we shopped,” Draco dug into
the pocket of what he wore the night before and pulled out the tiny
package and made it full size again. “How about this?”
Draco held up a pair of beige pants and the nice matching button up
dress shirt with brown and blue trims. “Beautiful,”
Harry said in that loving way. “Anything looks wonderful on
you…dear.” The pair gave a short laugh at the term of
endearment. Each cleaned up a bit, brushed teeth and hair and had
dressed. “I
suppose we can hold hands in the hallway now,” Draco said.
“Since we’re married and all that.” “And…you’re
okay with that?” Harry asked. “Well…of
course I am,” Draco asked in a scowl. “Why wouldn’t
I be?” “I
just thought…I mean…your housemates and…you are
a DE. You’re expected to…do your duty thing,”
Harry said. “That
means nothing to me,” Draco rolled his eyes. “Fuck it.
I’m with you. What’s Voldemort going to do? Come get me?
I’m not afraid of him. I’m with you.” “Oh,
I see. You’re just using me for protection. Is that it?”
Harry teased. “I
don’t need your protection,” Draco said. “I can
switch sides at will. I’m just that damn evil. But…I
stay with you because I love you. And with that I know you’ll
protect me.” “Yes,
I will,” Harry admitted. “Most fiercely. Especially now
that you’re my…um…whatever you are. My spouse.”
Harry chuckled. “That sounds weird doesn’t it? My spouse.
You’re my spouse.” “Well,
your spouse says breakfast has just started,” Draco said. “So
we’d better go.” The pair set out from the den hand in
hand. Harry held Draco’s hand with the ring on it and fingered
it on the way down the hallway toward the Dining Hall. They were
right outside the entrance. “I think you like doing that.” “I
do,” Harry said. “Did
you just say ‘I do’?” Draco asked and each burst
into laughter as they entered the Dining Hall and walked over to the
Gryffindor table still snickering at themselves as they loaded up
their plates. Everyone present last night in the common room was
giving them stares of expectation that each noticed. “I’m
fine,” Harry told them with a grin. “You can’t get
rid of me that easy. You all want to talk about it?” “Well…we
didn’t want to…upset you or whatever,” Ron said. “Nothing
will upset me today,” Harry smiled widely. “What
is going on with you?” Hermione asked. “Um…Harry?”
Neville said leaning over to look at his hand. “Is that a
ring?” “This?
Yes, Neville. That is a ring. Very good,” Harry patted his head
like a toddler. “We’ll work on your colors next.” “And…Draco?”
Ron asked of the matching ring. “Ring?”
Seamus asked as all the council members looked to see the matching
pair when Draco put his hand on Harry’s briefly before they
started eating again. “And
what does that mean?” Ginny asked. “We
got married,” Draco said shortly as he and Harry ate. Ron
dropped his fork, Hermione knocked over the milk, Dean choked on his
toast, and Ginny forgot to breathe. “You
what?” Ron asked. “Married.
Harry and I are married,” Draco grinned as he ate his toast.
Harry looked and them all and shrugged. “No
way,” Ginny said flatly in unbelieving. “Harry?
Are you married to Draco?” Seamus asked. “That’s
what he tells me,” Harry grinned and Draco elbowed Harry in the
ribs lightly. “Okay.
Stop,” Hermione said putting down her napkin. “I want to
know why you think you’re married.” “We
took a vow to the other and exchanged rings as tokens of our
dedication of life to the other,” Draco said. “Didn’t
we?” “Yes.
We did that,” Harry nodded as he ate his eggs and bacon. “But
legally you have no paperwork so it’s not real,” Hermione
said. Draco and Harry looked to her. “It’s
real, Hermione,” Harry said with his most serious tone. “Trust
me. We’re married,” Draco echoed the seriousness. “You
have to be joking,” Ron said. “Harry you’re…”
Harry gave Ron a hard look. “What?
I can’t marry because I’m dying?” Harry asked. The
whole table stilled and no one breathed. “I’m not dying.
I’ll live. Draco says so.” “That’s
right,” Draco said. “Boy who lived? Remember that? Well,
he’s still that…so get the fuck over it.” “Fine,”
Seamus said accepting everything at face value. “When
did you…get married or whatever?” Neville asked. “Last
night at three fifteen in the morning, naked in my bed in a hidden
room of a school,” Harry said. “It was a private
ceremony.” Harry and Draco snickered at bit. “I
wore white,” Draco said and Harry almost choked on his orange
juice. “And
have you told Albus your happy news?” Hermione asked. “Um…well,
no,” Harry said. “Draco…dear…would you like
to do that?” “Sure.
Want me to stand on the table and do it?” Draco asked. “That
sounds more like something I’d do,” Harry said. “Maybe
we should wait until after we get back,” Draco said. Harry
nodded. “Where
are you going?” Seamus asked. “Seaton
Medical Center in Hacklen City,” Harry said. “I have to
have treatments for two days and then we’ll be back.” “And
Draco is allowed to go now?” Ron asked. “Last night Albus
said…” Ron let the sentence linger. “I
haven’t told him yet that Draco is going,” Harry said. “He
won’t allow it, Harry,” Hermione said. “If
Draco doesn’t go, I don’t go,” Harry said flatly.
“That’s the end of it.” The conversation moved
along until all were finished with their breakfasts on this Saturday
morning. “You
do know that this it the day,” Ron said. Harry nodded. “Oh
well. Voldemort will have to wait. I have plans today,” Harry
said. “I don’t cater to his whims, you know.” “No,
but Draco had orders to bring you today,” Hermione said. Draco
nodded a bit. “Well,
that’s just too bad,” Draco said. The little house elf
appeared behind Draco and put down his bag. “Harry
Potter, sir, I have brought what you wished, sir,” Dink said. “Thank
you, Dink,” Harry said. “You did well. That will be all.”
Dink bowed lowly and disappeared. “What
is that?” Ron asked. “My
bag for our trip,” Draco said. “But
you’ve not got permission to go,” Hermione said. “He
will,” Harry said. Ron saw Lupin and Albus walking in their
direction. “We’ll
soon find out,” Ron said and everyone put down their silverware
and waited on the pair of men to arrive. “Harry,
we’ll need to be going,” Lupin said. Harry stood and
backed away from the table a bit. “Draco
will be going with us,” Harry said. “If he doesn’t
go, I’m not going.” “Harry,
I cannot allow Draco to leave the school grounds,” Albus said.
Immediately Harry flung out his hands and held the razor sharp solid
silver grankas in his slinging stance ready to kill with a glare of
death. “Draco
goes or I don’t go,” Harry said with fierceness giving
both the men the look of pure determination. “And I’m
sort of in a killing mood today, so don’t mess with me. Draco
goes and I go. He stays and I stay. Choose.” “Harry,
put that away,” Lupin said kindly. “You realize that
Draco is at high risk especially today. It would be unwise to remove
him from Albus’ care.” “And
you think he won’t be safe in my care?” Harry asked.
“Would you like a demonstration of my abilities?” “Harry,
please,” Albus said. “I’m
not arguing about this,” Harry said adamantly. “Either
Draco goes, or I’m not going. Period. Make up your mind now.” “You
stubborn child,” Albus said with mock irritation. “Where
did I go wrong with you?” “I’m
just like you,” Harry argued back. “I’m stubborn
because you are. Look at me. You made me like this. It’s your
fault so live with it.” “Fine.
Draco can go. Draco you’ll need to pack a bag,” Albus
said. Draco reached behind him to lift the bag and show the two men.
Harry smirked at them still holding his fighting stance. “Alright.”
Harry lowered his stance and flung his hands to vanish the grankas.
“I should hex you.” Harry held out his arms. “Give
it your best shot,” Harry said honestly waiting for the spell
that would never come. “You
irritate me,” Albus scolded and the students snickered. “If
you remember, dad, I’m just like you,” Harry
teased pointedly. “I am what I have been made which is like you
in every single way. If you think I’m an irritant, then you’re
only seeing yourself only younger with bad hair.” The students
all laughed and Albus shook his head with the humor. “I’m
grounding you,” Albus teased as he walked away. “Go
ahead!” Harry yelled to him and sat with a flop as Lupin
covered his mouth to laugh. “I’m sort of glad I never had
parents. Oh god, they’re a pain. Why didn’t anyone tell
me this?” “Harry,
we need to go,” Lupin said. “I have your bag and my own
in my pocket. I also have your medical records and your medications.” “Ugh!”
Harry said. “Are you ready?” Harry asked Draco who
nodded. Harry then turned to face his group. “Okay. I’ll
be back, you guys. And have a nice day knowing that Voldemort will
only be a mile from here and I’m gone across the country.”
Harry stood up snickering at their expressions of dread and fear.
Draco shrunk his bag and put it into his pocket. “Why
did you say that?” Ron asked in a huff. “There
is safety in numbers, Ron,” Harry said. “He won’t
come here himself. Trust me on that. He could care less about killing
any of you. He wants one. He wants me. And I’ll go, just not
today. See you all in two days. And remember you can use the hidden
rooms if you need to.” Harry and Draco waved to them all as
they followed Lupin from the Dining Hall. “What
did he mean by that? Use the hidden rooms?” Neville asked in
fear. “Do
you think Voldemort could come here today?” Ginny asked with
just the tiniest bit of fear. “And
Harry will be gone…” Seamus said. “Relax,”
Ron said firmly. “Just knowing Harry won’t be here freaks
me out, too.” “We
could stay at Headquarters all day if you all want,” Hermione
said. “It’s Saturday anyway and no one would miss us.
It’s a hidden room and we’ll all feel safe there.” “Yeah.
Yeah, let’s do that,” Dean said. “I
need to work on those waivers for Harry to give to Fudge anyway,”
Hermione said. “We’ll all gather any information we need
for the waivers and then meet in an hour in the room. Agreed?”
They all agreed and noted to remind the other members. “How
are we going to Hacklen City?” Draco asked Lupin as they walked
down the corridor toward the front entrances. “We’ll
need to take the carriage to Hogsmeade and then apparate to London
where we’ll take the train,” Lupin said. “It’s
a four hour ride on the train but it’s very scenic.” They
exited the front doors and Harry stopped suddenly and put a hand to
his scar. “We
can’t go to Hogsmeade,” Harry said. “Voldemort is
there. He’ll detect my presence.” “He’s
already there?” Lupin asked. “Yes,”
Harry said. “He’s…on the west end near…near
the stationery store,” Harry said with his eyes glazed over for
a second at reading from the flow of magic. “There are about…”
Harry closed his eyes and sensed what he needed. “…about
sixty DEs there and…oh no.” “What?”
Draco asked. “Get
ready for a jolt,” Harry told Draco. “He’s going to
call you in a few minutes and your mark will hurt like hell.” “Oh
shit,” Draco scowled and put his hand over the mark dreading
when the pain would come. “We
need to alert Albus that Voldemort is in Hogsmeade,” Lupin
said. “I
just did,” Harry said. “I sent him a message through the
flow of magic. He knows.
Albus
and I stay in constant contact through the flow when we’re
apart. For safety reasons. But we’ll need another way to get to
London. I could fragment us there in about ten minutes.” “Can
you go that far with fragmenting?” Draco asked. “I
should be able to. I’ve never gone that far, but…I can
do it,” Harry said. “It’s no problem, really. I’ll
go fast. Really fast.” Harry grinned. “Is that what we
want to do?” “Fragment
to London,” Lupin was thinking. “Are you feeling well
enough to do that?” “I
feel great today,” Harry grinned and looked at Draco. “I’ve
never felt better in my life.” “I
see,” Lupin looked between them. “Fine. We’ll
fragment. But if you weaken, put us down and we’ll apparate.”
Harry nodded and they all took hands. Harry fragmented them all and
shot up into the air and over Hogsmeade for a moment slowly to see
what he could see. The normally vacant walkways were busy with
unidentified male customers. DEs in waiting. Harry shot forward in
the direction of London at the speed of light and after about twelve
minutes he landed them in an alleyway near a train station entrance. “Very
good,” Lupin said. “I saw the DEs in Hogsmeade.”
They walked out of the alleyway and into the train station where
Lupin pointed at two seats and the boys sat and held hands while
Lupin went to the counter to purchase their tickets. Draco noticed
Harry was shaking his leg nervously. “It’s
okay,” Draco said rubbing his arm. “I
hate this,” Harry said softly. “It’s awful, Draco.
Very, very painful. And…I’ll have two days of it.” “I’ll
be there with you,” Draco comforted. “I’m here for
you always.” Harry put his hand on Draco’s, which was on
his arm. “Thank
you,” Harry said. “It makes me feel better knowing you’re
here.” Soon Lupin came back with their tickets and they had to
wait for approximately twenty minutes on the train’s arrival.
When it arrived, they boarded the train, took a compartment, closed
it off and lowered the blind to signify that it was full. Lupin took
the right side and sat with his feet propped up on the seat lounging
comfortably. Harry sat with his back against the side and Draco
curled up between his legs and lay on his chest. “I’m
not sure that is appropriate behavior in front of a professor,”
Lupin teased. “Too
bad,” Draco teased with a grin. “We’re not at
school right now.” Harry laced his fingers with Draco’s
and held him closely. “I
will never get used to seeing you grow up, Harry,” Lupin said.
“I still see you as a baby.” “Doesn’t
everyone?” Harry asked lazily. “I
suppose you’re right,” Lupin sighed. “Sirius would
be very proud of you.” “Thank
you,” Harry said quietly. “I wish he could have been at
my wedding.” Draco snickered. “I’m
sure he’ll be there in spirit one day when you marry,”
Lupin said. “He’s
already married,” Draco said. Lupin laughed a bit. “I
am,” Harry said holding out Draco’s hand on his own to
show the rings. “You’re
not married,” Lupin said as if it were ludicrous. “I
assure you that I am married to Draco,” Harry said in all
seriousness. “We have taken a vow of devotion to the other for
life.” “And
have exchanged rings signifying those vows,” Draco said
shortly. “We are married in all that matters: in our heart to
each other.” “You
can’t be serious,” Lupin sat up and looked at them to see
the seriousness. “You and Malfoy? Married?” “I
think I just said that,” Harry said. “And…when
did this wedding occur?” Lupin asked. “Why wasn’t I
invited?” The boys snickered. “This
is sort of like our honeymoon, wouldn’t you say?” Draco
asked Harry. “Yes,
it looks that way,” Harry said. “We were married just
last night.” “At
three fifteen in the morning,” Draco said. “In
my room,” Harry said. “Naked,”
Draco said. Lupin put his face in his hands and shook his head. “Oh
good lord,” Lupin said his words muffled from his hands.
“Harry, you’re just seventeen. You’re too young for
marriage.” “And
how old were my parents when they married?” Harry asked. “Eighteen,”
Lupin said. “But…” “But
nothing. I’m already married, Remus,” Harry said. “And
I’m very happy about it. I am so very much in love with Draco.
And he’s perfect for me. You can’t see it, but I do.” “Draco
is a Malfoy and a DE,” Lupin said finally moving his hands.
“Are you under the Imperius?” Both boys laughed softly. “You
know that Imperius crap doesn’t work on me,” Harry said. “A
love potion? High fever? Are you delusional?” Lupin teased. “No,
no and no,” Draco grinned. “Why can’t you just
trust Harry to make up his own mind?” “Because
he’s only a baby,” Lupin said slowly and then sadly. “And
I’m old.” “And
you miss Sirius,” Harry said. “I know. I do, too, Remus.
I’ve told you I’m sorry.” “Harry,
no. Let’s not drag this up,” Lupin said. “It wasn’t
your fault. Sirius was always headstrong and stubborn like that. Just
like James. And you. How do I get mixed up with these hard-headed
rebellious men?” “It’s
our natural appeal,” Harry grinned. Eventually the three
settled in and slept almost the entire train ride to Hacklen City.
The train stopped and the three took a cab to the old dilapidated
building which housed the Wizarding medical center. Lupin cast some
spell that allowed their entrance and the receptionist who had
Harry’s name down already greeted them. The nice lady handed
them a file folder and pointed down the hallway to the third door on
the right. Harry swallowed and held Draco’s hand tightly. “I’m
here,” Draco held on and leaned in to give a sideways hug of
comfort and touch. Harry nodded but said nothing. “This
way,” Lupin said escorting the two boys to the appropriate room
where there was a large clear glass cubicle on the far side of the
room that Harry refused to look at. He turned away and put his back
to the apparatus. “It’s okay. You’ll be alright.” “I
hate that,” Harry said breathing heavier and starting to sweat
just a bit. Draco wrapped his arms around Harry and held him tightly.
Harry reciprocated the act and held onto Draco as if he were drowning
burying his face in Draco’s neck. The door opened and five men
in white coats came in. Three of them were carrying clipboards. Two
went to the large glass cube that evidently was large enough for a
person to lie down in. Draco watched them over Harry’s
shoulder. The men were hooking up some types of wires to the device
at the bottom and along the sides. “Harry,
how are you?” one of the doctors asked. “Like
shit,” Harry said. “Harry,
please,” Lupin said. Draco let go and Harry turned to face
them. “How
do you think I am? You’re the doctor,” Harry said. “Have
a look at this and tell me how I am.” Harry shoved out his
spidery red forearm and the doctors looked and examined his arms and
neck. After that quick examination, Harry was given a pair of medical
issue pajama type bottoms to put on as the other doctors worked with
different apparatuses around the room. Harry slipped on the pajama
bottoms that had holes on the thighs and calves of the pajama
bottoms. Draco put his finger in the holes with a questioning look.
“Those are for the nodes they put on me.” Draco scowled. “They
are small devices that measure the amount of pressure given,”
Lupin said. “Pressure?
Why?” Draco asked. Lupin and Harry explained the treatment. The
disease was explained in much the same manner as Harry had described
it to Draco before. The amount of magic in a wizard with levels of
strength over twenty five could turn lethal and begin to attack the
human part of the flesh. There was also the presence of some type of
viral cells that dwelled in the wizard’s blood that were
created by the magical particles in the blood around the platelets.
The treatment was the combination of a series of potions to stabilize
the viral cells and then placement into the glass apparatus and
pressure applied to the wizard’s body. The viral cells, upon
having the potions to stabilize and swell them, would explode and
then have to be flushed from the wizard’s body naturally.
“Naturally?” “I
puke,” Harry said. “A lot. Then I get knocked out for
about six hours. Fun, huh?” “You’ll
be alright,” Lupin said. “You know you’ll feel
better after it’s all over.” “Yeah,
after two days of total weakness,” Harry argued and whined
drawing up his knees as he sat on the exam table. Harry laid his head
on his arm for a moment of privacy. The doctor came back over and
explained everything again and the six potions were laid out on a
tray. Harry turned his head from them for a moment to mentally
prepare. “I’m
here,” Draco said putting his arm on Harry’s shoulders.
Harry laid his head on Draco’s chest for a few moments of
comfort before he sat up and took a long breath. The doctor handed
Harry the potions in quick succession and Harry gulped each one down
trying not to vomit. “Oh
god that’s awful,” Harry made a sour face. “Can’t
you at least make it taste better?” Harry complained. “We
don’t have many Rothslid patients, Harry,” the kinder old
doctor named Grinkley said. “And these were especially prepared
just for you.” “Gee,
thanks,” Harry said sarcastically. “We’ll
have to wait for about fifteen minutes and then we’ll need to
move you into the Nimbing Crux,” Doctor Grinkley said. “You
mean the glass coffin,” Harry said. “I hate that thing.” “Giles
will be here momentarily to put on your nodes. Just try to relax,”
The kind man pat Harry’s knee lightly before going over to
where the other doctors were working. After a few minutes a short,
young but balding man came over and began to pull out the small white
knobs. He added some type of gel to the nodes and added them
precisely to the right spots all over Harry’s chest, back,
arms, thighs, calves, and neck. “Please
don’t laugh, Draco,” Harry said seriously. “I’m
trying my best, baby,” Draco said. “But you look so cute
with sticky things on you.” “That’s
nothing. Wait until they crown me,” Harry said sarcastically
with head bent low. “There
is a device that fits on Harry’s head that keeps the pressure
field from his brain too much,” Lupin said. “I tried my
best to get them to leave it off, but they won’t.” Lupin
teased. “Ha
ha ha,” Harry said dryly. Giles was working on the other things
with his back to them and when he turned around he had the head
device that he placed over Harry’s head. It was nothing more
than a headband that looked like metal with a few colored wires
across the top. Giles fit it on and asked Harry of the proper fit and
Harry nodded that it was fine. After that was in place, Draco put his
hand over his mouth. “If you laugh I’m hexing you into
the seventh level of hell.” “I’m
not laughing,” Draco said seriously. “I’m here for
you. That’s sort of like…bondage to me. I sort of like
it.” “You
are so sick,” Harry said and even had a tiny grin. “I
want a divorce.” Harry laughed a bit and Draco joined him.
Lupin rolled his eyes at the pair. “No
way,” Draco said holding Harry’s hand. Giles came back
over with some type of white pads and Harry had to place his hands on
them. The pads stuck and Giles placed the backs on so that Harry’s
hands looked as if they were stuffed into paper squares. “Why
that?” “These
nodes are placed on Harry’s most sensitive spots of magical
flow,” Giles said. “Each wizard’s are different.
These are Harry’s. Most wizards only have four or five. Harry
has thirty. He has more than anyone I’ve ever seen.” “There’s
a shocker,” Harry said coldly. “Harry,
please,” Lupin said kindly. “I know you’re
uncomfortable, but try to be nice.” “It’s
okay,” Giles said as he finished up. “I know this
procedure is quite draining on you. I don’t blame you for
wanting to give each of us an AK.” “Don’t
tempt me,” Harry said. “I could blink and you’d die
instantly.” “Yes,
I know that,” Giles said. “I’ve read your charts.
Very interesting and highly unusual. But I know that’s
something you hear all the time, I’m sure.” “You’re
unusual?” Draco asked in teasing. Harry gave Draco the look. “We’re
ready for you, Harry,” Doctor Grinkley said. “Come this
way.” The man held out his arm and Harry slid off the table and
looked at the box for a moment. Draco took the opportunity to give
Harry a large hug and chaste kiss. “I’m
right here,” Draco said. “I
don’t want you to see this,” Harry said in embarrassment. “I’m
not leaving,” Draco said firmly. “Fine.
Watch me scream,” Harry said pulling away and walking to the
box and up the tiny little stair steps the doctor had placed there
for him. Harry climbed into the glass box and sat while all the wires
were attached to each node, which took several minutes. Harry looked
away and wouldn’t watch them attaching the wires. “You
can lay back when you’re ready,” the kind doctor said.
Harry nodded and took several long deep breaths and shook his head
before he lay back into the glass coffin and the top was lowered so
that Harry was completely enclosed inside the apparatus. “Draco,
you may not want to see this,” Lupin said softly. “The
pressure is quite intense and very painful for Harry. The treatment
lasts for approximately fifteen minutes and by the end, Harry
is…well, not comfortable at all.” “No.
I’m staying,” Draco said looking to Lupin with a hard
glare. “Harry is everything to me and I love him with all I am.
I’m going to be here for him regardless. He would do the same
for me.” Lupin nodded a bit and patted Draco’s shoulder
for support. “Come
over here then. We can sit,” Lupin motioned to a pair of chairs
on the side of the room behind a thick pane of glass to protect them
from the effects of the apparatus Harry was in. The doctor leaned
over to tell Harry something and Harry nodded. The doctor joined the
other men behind another pane of thick glass on the other side of the
room and the treatment began. Harry’s face was squinted tight
as he tried to remain perfectly still. As the long seemingly endless
minutes passed, Draco could tell Harry was suffering in much pain at
his expressions and small movements and jerks. With only four minutes
left Harry screamed into the box and it tore at Draco’s heart
and he had to look away to regain composure. The constant pressure
along with the potions had caused every vein and capillary to turn
red and black on Harry’s entire body. He looked like he was
covered in spattered red and black painted spider webs. Harry’s
muffled screams and wails of pain flooded the room and Draco could
see Harry’s tears run down the sides of his temples. Harry was
screaming but weakening quickly. After the last minute and long
agonizing screams, the treatment ended and Harry went limp. Draco and
Lupin gave a great sigh as the doctors came over to open the lid of
the glass enclosure. As Harry lay still almost in unconsciousness the
wires were removed from him along with the small white nodes and hand
pads. The doctors left Harry lying in the box and came in to speak
with Lupin and Draco. “He
did well,” Docor Grinkley said. “He’s remarkable.
The levels of the viral spread were quite high. He will require
another treatment tomorrow to remove the remainder of the lingering
virals from his bloodstream. I know Harry will resist tomorrow’s
treatment, but he must have it. I’ve reviewed his charts and
medical record from your mediwizard Pomphrey at the school. It seems
that Harry missed his last medications and relapsed into these stages
very quickly. To be perfectly honest with you, Harry’s case is
very different from any other’s I’ve ever seen. Along
with the Eppiox syndrome, his Rothslid Degenerative doesn’t
behave as other wizard’s. Harry was seemingly cured of the
disease for almost a year until this last attack.” “What
is Harry’s current prognosis with the Rothslid at this stage of
the disease?” Lupin cut to the chase. “At
this point, we’ll have to wait until after the treatment
tomorrow,” Doctor Grinkley said. “Harry does very well
with these treatments and the magic in his body is so powerful that
it will help him to heal quickly. I see that his last strength
testing tested out at a level thirty-nine. Is that correct?” “Yes.
I performed that test on Harry just a few weeks ago,” Lupin
said. “And
from today’s test, I would surmise he’s approximately
three points higher now making him at a level forty two,”
Doctor Grinkely said and then shook his head in awe. “Amazing
power in that child. I’ve never seen anything like it. But we
should expect that after all considering what he is.” “Who,”
Draco said. “Who he is. He is not a what. He is a who.” “Pardon
me. Yes, you’re right,” Doctor Grinkely said kindly.
“Forgive my error. I was not meaning to offend you or Harry in
such a way. Today’s testing is complete. Harry will be a bit
disoriented for a while and then he’ll have severe nausea and
vomiting. When he finishes with the nauseous stage, he’ll be
given some medications to put him into a deep sleep, which he’ll
need in order to recover from the severity of the treatment. That
should last approximately six to eight hours and then when he wakes,
he’ll feel much better.” “So
he’ll be staying overnight here?” Draco asked them. “Yes,”
the doctor said. “He’ll need to remain here and be given
supplemental potions throughout the rest of the day and night to keep
him hydrated and well fed so that his body will continue to have
energy to function and fight the virals from his system. Harry’s
room will include a bed for each of you to stay with him during the
night and you’ll each be given meals at your request.” “Thank
you, Doctor Grinkely,” Lupin said. “That’s very
kind of you.” “Yes.
Thank you,” Draco said. “And
who might you be, son?” Doctor Grinkley held out his hand to
Draco who shook it. “Draco
Malfoy Potter,” Draco said with a smile. “Harry and I are
married.” “Well,
I’ll say,” Doctor Grinkely was surprised. “Are you
really?” “Yes,
sir,” Draco said holding up his ring. “We are actually
newlyweds.” “Well
then. Congratulations on a fine choice of a mate, Draco,”
Doctor Grinkely smiled kindly to him. “Harry is very amazing
with a very good sense of humor. I’m very fond of him. Albus
and I are old friends. I remember meeting Harry when he was…let’s
see…he was about thirteen if I remember. Rambunctious lad.” “He’s
always been that way,” Draco said. “Harry and I have been
schoolmates and fierce enemies for years. We wanted to kill each
other daily. Thankfully we didn’t.” The old doctor
laughed with Lupin a bit and Grinkely patted Draco on the shoulder. “I’m
sure he’ll be glad you’re here then. I’ll be on my
way to write up his results and schedule him for tomorrow. In a half
hour, Giles will help Harry to his room if he feels well enough to
walk, if not then we can levitate him there. Good day to you both.”
Draco and Lupin gave their goodbyes and the doctor left. “I
can’t believe you told him that,” Lupin said shaking his
head at Draco’s boldness. “Told
him what? That we’re married?” Draco asked. “Yes,”
Lupin said. “You’re not technically married, Draco.” “Yes,
we are,” Draco said defiantly. “I love him and he’s
mine. We are joined in the only way that really matters anyway. And
that’s the end of it.” Lupin rolled his eyes. The pair
waited until Harry was roused to sit up in a swaying stupor. Giles
helped Harry from the glass coffin where he’d lain for the half
hour in a sleep. Lupin and Draco came to Harry to assist him. Harry
put his arm around Draco and jerked away from Giles. “I’ve
got him,” Draco told Giles as they walked following Giles to
Harry’s room. “How do you feel?” “Like
I need to puke,” Harry said holding his head with his other
hand. “I hate that shit. It makes me see funny imagery in my
mind when I’m under all that pressure. Funky shit. Crazy
things.” “Like
what?” Draco asked as he helped Harry down the hallway. “Just…nutty
things,” Harry said as he breathed through the nausea hitting
him in great whelps. “Like Snape with a red robe and…there
was…something about…Hermione holding a box and…that
girl Debbie was crying…I don’t know. Stupid crap. It was
fucked up.” “Harry,
watch your language, please,” Lupin said sweetly. “Yeah.
Whatever,” Harry said as they entered the room and Draco helped
Harry inside. “I need to throw up. Draco, bathroom please…and
hurry.” Draco
helped Harry into the bathroom where there was a small stool for
Harry to sit on while he vomited. He used it and began to hurl up
everything he’d eaten that morning. Draco stood back to make
sure he didn’t pass out but left him alone to empty his stomach
and the virals from his body as necessary. After the hour of
vomiting, Harry washed off a bit, brushed his teeth, changed his
pajama bottoms and opted for only his boxer shorts. “I’m
so weak,” Harry said with his raspy voice as he lay in the
hospital bed piled up with pillows behind him. “Come lay with
me.” Harry weakly held out his hand to Draco who came to sit on
the edge of the bed and kick off his shoes. “Did you bring
pajamas? Put them on if you did and we’ll sleep.” “You
can’t sleep in the same bed here,” Lupin said. “Why
not? This is my bed and my spouse,” Harry said with the look of
defiance. “I’ll do whatever the hell I want to do. I love
you to death, Remus, but you’re going to have to lighten up.
You need to go get laid, man.” “Harry
Potter. Watch what you say to me,” Remus said. “That was
uncalled for.” “Well,
you do,” Harry said. “Go get some and you’ll be
less anal retentive. No pun intended.” “Yeah.
I bet,” Remus said. “You are such a little shit just like
James. I swear I feel like hexing you when you say things like that.
And did you hear me? You’re making me use swear words. For
heaven’s sake.” Draco giggled as he slipped on his pajama
bottoms and slid into Harry bed and into his waiting arms. “Is
he always like that?” Draco asked of Lupin who heard every
word. “He’s
always been like that,” Harry said. “He’s really
the nicest guy you’ll ever meet except when he gets on those
mothering kicks like Hermione does with me. Oh sweet lord, they drive
me insane with their nitpicking all the time. Remus just needs to
find him a lover. And it would be so easy to set Remus up with some
nice guy. I know plenty of fine men he’d like, but he won’t
date.” “Why
is that…um…Remus?” Draco asked. “Harry
is no matchmaker,” Remus said. “His idea of a mate for me
is some burly chap who would love to wrestle with the giant squid for
kicks.” “I
can see that about Harry,” Draco said. “Harry would like
to choose someone for you that is strong and could protect you. He’s
like that with me, too.” “I
am not,” Harry said. “You’re full of it.” “No.
You are my protector,” Draco said. “That is a role you
fill to yourself in our relationship. You feel comfortable with being
the protectorate because you’ve done it for so long as Potter.
So naturally you’d feel like Remus would need the safety and
security of a strong dominant male.” “Yes,
I agree with Draco on that,” Remus said. “You would
choose that type of mate for me if you could.” “Fine.
I was thinking more along the lines of some hunky stud with a nice
package to satisfy, but if you want some squinky little weakling with
a four incher that’s fine, too,” Harry said with a laugh. “You
must feel much better to be speaking to me like that. I could give
you detention for that,” Lupin threatened. “Yeah,
right,” Draco drawled. “Aren’t you supposed to be
sleeping?” “They’ll
come here in a bit and give me that crap that knocks me out,”
Harry said. “I don’t know why they do that. I could just
as easily lie here and be happy with you in my bed.” “I’m
happy in your bed,” Draco said. “I could be happier in
your bed, but I don’t think they’d allow that here.” “This
is my room, too,” Harry said kissing Draco’s neck. “And
I happen to be here,” Remus said. “It
won’t be anything you haven’t seen or done,” Harry
said. “Harry,
please. Don’t…don’t talk about sex. It just
doesn’t seem right talking about that with you,” Remus
said. “Why?
I’m married, Remus,” Harry said. “And
don’t say that either. Just…don’t speak at all,”
Lupin teased. The nurse came in to bring Harry his potions and
sleeping agents. After they were taken, Harry curled up with Draco
and the pair drifted off to sleep comfortably while Lupin lay on one
of the other beds and read one of his books he’d brought. Later
in the evening, Draco woke to an empty bed and the sounds of Harry
wretching in the bathroom again. “Are
you okay?” Draco asked as he came to the door to see Harry
leaning over the toilet with his head lying on his arm. “Draco…”
Harry said wearily. “I’m so…so weak. Look at me.”
Harry rose up and Draco tried to control the wince and shock. Every
vein and capillary on Harry’s body and face was pink or red
making him look like some crackled china doll. “It’s
okay. You’re fine,” Draco encouraged. “That goes
away after five to seven days.” “It’s
awful,” Harry said as he lay his head back down. “And…the
disease is back. Why?” Harry whined the last word with obvious
pain. “We’ll
work through this,” Draco said as he knelt at Harry’s
knees and held him. “It went away once, and it will this time,
too. It just will.” “Draco,
Rothslid Degenerative disease is terminal,” Harry said. “And
if I’m in the last stages, I have about two months.” “Bullshit,”
Draco said with an angered scowl. “You won’t die of
this.” “You’re
right,” Harry said. “I refuse to die with a disease. I’m
a warrior. I need to die in battle. That’s the way I would want
to die.” Harry grinned a bit. “Fine,”
Draco said. “I’ll kill you in a duel. Is that okay?”
Draco teased. “Would
you do that for real if I asked you?” Harry asked seriously.
“If I knew I was about to die of this disease, would you do it?
Would you kill me? I would want it to be you.” “Harry,
I…” Draco stammered. “I was…sort of teasing
about the duel. I can’t…I would never be able to kill
you.” “Promise
me then,” Harry held Draco’s biceps in firm grasps as he
searched Draco’s eyes almost frantically. “Promise me
that you will do it. Give me victory in my final battle by insuring
that I win against this disease.” I
can’t,” Draco whispered. “I couldn’t live
with myself knowing I took your life.” “No.
It’s not that at all,” Harry said. “You’d be
setting me free.” “What?”
Draco asked. “My
spirit,” Harry said. “I’d be free. Do you know
anything about the Tahinu?” “The
what?” Draco asked. “Come
back to bed with me and I’ll tell you all about them,”
Harry said. “But let me brush my teeth and gargle first.”
Harry brushed and gargled, washed up a bit to refresh himself from
the vomiting and snuggled up in the bed with Draco. “The Tahinu
are a very primitive Wizarding tribe in South Botswana near South
Africa that have existed for thousands of years. They are fascinating
to me. They live primitively and only use magic for survival with
defending themselves or to help find food.” For the next hour
Harry explained all that he’d learned about the seclusive tribe
and that he, Albus and four of Albus’ friends who were college
professors and experts on the tribe had taken a portkeyed trip for
three days to the country of Botswana just before the start of term.
Albus and the professors had attended conferences and stayed in the
hotel in the capital city of Ghazi while Harry opted to stay with the
chieftain Tahinu named Ootahn. “…and they have rituals
for celebrating everything. Just a very interesting culture.” “The
Tahinu…Harry, do they wear clothing?” Draco asked. “I
hate to ask that, but…” “They
wear very little,” Harry said. “The women, like the men,
only wear loincloths and the children wear nothing until they
reach…approximately age eight or nine. It’s so damn hot
there every single day. And the people work together. The whole
village works on one project together. There is no…no
prejudice to be better than the others because all are equally
important to the efforts. I loved it there. The Tahinu have a
ceremony when one of their village dies. It’s a celebration of
the freedom of the spirit. The Tahinu believe that…”
Harry stilled and went wide-eyed. “What?!” “Get
up! Quick! Lupin!” Harry yelled as he scrambled out of bed. “What
is it?” Lupin asked quickly. “Albus!
He was jerked from the flow of magic! There are DEs at Hogwarts! I
have to go!” Harry said. “Come on!” “But…we
can’t go now…” Lupin said. “I’m
going now!” Harry yelled. “Hurry! Take hands!” They
all took hands and Harry fragmented them. With top speed Harry darted
across the dark night toward Hogwarts. Within ten minutes Harry
landed them outside the entrance to Hogwarts. Harry took a deep
breath and forged inside the castle with Lupin and Draco on his
heels. It was time for the evening meal and Harry rushed through the
door to see the ten Death Eaters scattered about the hall. The
students were frightened and some were crying in fear. “Stop!”
Harry yelled to the DEs. “Why are you here?” “For
you,” one familiar voice sounded. Everyone noticed the pink and
red veining that covered Harry’s face, neck, chest and arms as
he was in pajamas and barefoot. “Well
here I am,” Harry smirked confidently. “Come get me.”
Harry held out his arms waiting and taunting them. All the Death
Eaters pointed their wands at Harry and were walking in his
direction. Lupin pulled Draco over from Harry and shoved him into an
empty classroom where Lupin joined him. Harry gave a look to Albus
and nodded slightly. The Death Eaters took Harry’s arms and
with three wands at his throat they dragged Harry out of the hall. “No!”
Hermione whispered loudly. “Harry
is in control here, Herm,” Ron comforted. Albus, Ron and
Hermione led the other students as they ran out of the hall in
concern for Harry. The Death Eaters were none too gentle as they were
practically dragging Harry over the lawn in the direction of the
Hogwarts gates. Draco and Lupin were watching out the window of the
classroom. When the Death Eaters were far enough from the school.
Harry closed his eyes and released a hard jolt of his defensive
magic. The Death Eaters let go with a jerk. In a flash, Harry let the
force of a hard sweep of damaging magic from himself and all ten
Death Eaters fell on the ground unconscious. Harry turned to Albus
for guidance. “Keep
them out until the Aurors arrive,” Albus said. Harry nodded and
with waves of his hand over each of them, they were put into deep
sleep. Lupin and Draco appeared next to Ron and Hermione on the steps
as Harry was walking back toward them. “How
did he know?” Ron asked. “Albus
withdrew himself from the flow of magic,” Draco said.
“Immediately Harry knew to come here.” “What
took you so long?” Albus teased. Harry gave him the look. “It
could have been the fact that I was a half a country away,”
Harry said weakly as he stepped up onto the Hogwarts steps and nearly
passed out from weakness. Draco, Ron and Lupin caught him. “What’s
wrong with him?” one of the students asked in the background. “And
what is that stuff all over him?” another student whispered.
Harry and his small group heard and they all looked to Albus. It
wouldn’t take the student body long to figure out the tell tale
signs of Rothslid Degenerative disease which covered every inch of
his bare skin which showed. “Students,
please return to the Dining Hall,” Albus said and immediately
the students began to file back inside the room. Harry hung his head
in sadness and embarrassment. “Don’t
worry, Harry,” Draco said. “You’ll be alright.”
Harry nodded just a bit as he stared at the floor. “You
already know the students will figure it out,” Albus said.
Harry nodded again but wouldn’t look at any of them. “Would
you like me to say anything to the student body on your behalf?” “Whatever,”
Harry said quietly. “It doesn’t matter now anyway. Look
at me. I’m awful.” Harry held out his arms and looked at
his own chest and stomach noting every painfully visible crackle like
vein and capillary. Draco was looking out over the lawn at the ten
bodies as he bit his lip. “He’s not one of them, Draco.
Your dad isn’t there.” “How
do you know? They’re wearing masks,” Ron asked. “I
can…I just know,” Harry said. “Mulciber, Avery,
Dolohov, Cryde, Singleton, Buston, Lorce, and three I’m not
familiar with. I know these and…why did he send them? He knew
I wouldn’t come and now just lost four of his favorites. It
makes no sense.” “Makes
perfect sense,” Lupin said. “Now he knows even if he goes
to Azkaban to break them out again that you’ll take the blame
for all of it.” Harry swayed a bit and held his head with one
hand. The other three steadied him. Albus stepped forward to take
Harry into a caring hug in which Harry laid his head on Albus’
shoulder. Albus stroked Harry’s hair for a moment. “How
did they break that DA ward?” Harry asked. “It was
because of me. I wasn’t here to keep it stable.” Harry
closed his eyes with the guilt. “We
just forgot to transfer it,” Albus said as he let go of Harry’s
hug and looked him in the eye. “Sit here on the steps for a
moment, Harry, until the Aurors arrive while I address the students
and attempt to calm them. Then we’ll transfer the wards to me
and you can go back to Seaton Medical.” Harry nodded and
watched Albus go into the Dining Hall. Harry sat on the steps as
asked. Draco, Lupin, Ron, Hermione, Dean, Seamus, Neville and Debbie
were all there along with Michael and Ginny. “Why
didn’t you do it, Potter?” Draco asked roughly. Harry
hung his head again. “I’m
stupid,” Harry said. “And…I hate you, Malfoy. I
knew you’d start this shit with me.”’ “Are
you ever going to kill an DE?” Draco asked. “Are
you volunteering for my AK practice?” Harry snapped with a hard
look and then stood up to grab Draco’s bicep. “Come with
me. All of you.” Harry dragged Draco with him walking to the
pile of bodies that lay on the lawn. “Why?
What are you doing?” Draco asked. They all arrived. Harry
turned to face all of them. “You
all have wands so go ahead. Kill them,” Harry crossed his arms
and waited. “Do it, Malfoy. Kill them all.” The others
looked to the bodies lying on the ground and then back to Harry with
guilt. No one spoke for a long time or dared to draw a wand. “That’s
what I thought. It’s not so easy just to kill them is it? And
yet you expect me to do it.” Harry walked around the Death
Eaters pulling off their masks and revealing their faces to everyone.
“Look at them.” Harry pointed to the men. “They are
husbands, fathers, sons…they have wives and children.” “But
look what they do, Harry,” Draco said. “They came here to
take you to your seeming death. They kill muggles for entertainment.” “Then
do it,” Harry said. “You can cast an AK wandless, Draco.
So do it.” Draco looked at the men again. “I
can’t,” Draco said. “Harry,
from what you know about Azkaban and the suffering Sirius went
through there, wouldn’t it be more humane just to take them out
of that misery?” Ron asked. “Then
kill them, Ron,” Harry said. “I give you permission. Go
ahead. You have your wand. Do it.” Ron just shook his head.
Harry sat with a flop on the damp grass amid the Death Eaters as he
looked at them sleeping under his spell. “I have this fucking
disease and I’m going to die anyway. I had planned on being
near Voldemort and all the Death Eaters and detonating like a time
bomb destroying him, them and me in the process so we all went out
together. That final battle would have been the final for all of us
today. And yet…here I sit among them on the lawn at Hogwarts
waiting on Aurors.” Harry drew up his knee to put his arm on it
and his head on his arm. “I hate it all. Everything. I’m
so tired of this.” Everyone stood in shock at Harry’s
words of his plan that had not been initiated. “You
sorry mother fucker,” Draco spat. “How dare you be so
selfish. Did you not stop to think about anyone but you? How do you
think we would have felt had you did that and died in the process.” “Go
to hell,” Harry raised his head to glare at Draco with the
words. Harry fragmented for a second and then stood directly in
Draco’s face. “You. It’s because of you! You wanted
to go to Hogsmeade. You thought you had to be there. You finally got
your stupid way and I couldn’t kill you along with me and
them.” Harry pointed to the men. “It’s all your
fault.” “Fine,”
Draco said. “Let it be my fault that you’re still living.
I should have let you go and blow your stupid self up. That way I
would be rid of your sorry ass once and for all. You’re right,
I’m stupid. I can’t stand you.” “Well
I hate you,” Harry said shoving Draco back. “Get out of
my way, ferret. I need to go sit on the steps. You irritate me.”
Draco shoved Harry back and he stumbled and fell. “You
asshole,” Draco spat as he came over to pin Harry down onto the
wet grass straddling him as Harry fought in his weakened condition.
The others just watch them fight it out. “The next time you try
to come up with a stupid plan like that one, you’d better ask
me about it first because that plan sucked. When you got that scar it
must have fried your little brain, Potty.” “Shut
your hole,” Harry said trying to push Draco away. “I’ll
do whatever the hell I want. And get off me.” Draco smirked. “Are
you sure you want me to get off?” Draco asked with a grin. “I’d
love to get you off,” Harry grinned. “Okay.
That’s enough,” Lupin said. “It’s
not even started yet,” Draco said and he and Harry laughed as
Draco pulled Harry over and they rolled in the grass in laughter. “First
they try to kill each other and then they roll around,” Michael
said. “And
the risk of death was involved so all in all it’s been a
somewhat normal day for them,” Ron said heavy on the sarcasm.
Harry had Draco pinned with his hands above his head and each was
breathing hard when the Aurors apparated beside them. “Potter,”
Moody said and Harry turned to him as he held Draco down. “Malfoy?” “I’ve
apprehended him, sir,” Harry said. “You can have those
ten and I’ll discipline this one personally.” Moody shook
his head as the Aurors bound the Death Eaters’ hands and feet
with magically enhanced steel cuffs with spells that they couldn’t
break. Harry stood with Lupin and the students were watching closely
as the Death Eaters roused and began to fight with their bonds. “You’re
dead, Potter!” Cryde spat as he was being hauled away. “Funny.
You’d think I’d have stopped breathing and all that if I
were dead,” Harry commented dryly and the students tried to
hold off grinning or laughing. As two of the Aurors were hauling away
one of the newest Death Eaters, Harry walked over to stop them
standing directly in front of the new recruit. “Who are you?” “Go
to hell,” the unidentified younger man spat. Harry put his hand
on the man’s chest and looked at him intently. The younger man
stilled as if under hypnosis for several moments as Harry narrowed
his eyes at him. Harry pulled his hand away slowly and the man
blinked several times. “What…what did you do to me?” “I
took the Imperius curse off you and played around in your head,
Robert Falley,” Harry said. “The threats were false. You
didn’t have to join him. They wouldn’t have harmed either
of them.” “But
they…yes, they would have,” Roberts said. “I had
to do it.” “Your
wife and daughter were perfectly safe, Robert” Harry said.
“Your sentence will be much lighter since you’ve been
under the Imperius for so long.” “Why
are you doing this? We came to bring you to him,” Robert said.
“You have every right to have killed us all. Why didn’t
you?” “I’m
stupid like that,” Harry said. The two Aurors walked past Harry
with Robert in tow. Harry stood motionless and stared at the ground
when Albus’ robes came into view below. Harry looked up to him
and the others watched. “I
understand,” Albus said. Harry nodded. “Some of them
serve only for fear, Harry.” “And
is it right that they should die at my hand for something they can’t
help?” Harry asked with his innocent eyed look. “How
many? How many serve only under the Imperius and wouldn’t do
such things if they were not under his control?” Albus took
Harry into another hug and held him and Harry didn’t resist. “We’ve
talked about this for years, Harry,” Albus said quietly. “You
know the evil that is the darkness that surrounds Voldemort latches
onto those it can take. I know you didn’t kill them because of
what you felt from the two youngest and the four that are under the
Imperius. I felt it, too.” “Was
I wrong?” Harry asked with his forehead on Albus’
shoulder. “Was I wrong to let them live?” “I
have no answer to that question,” Albus said. “It was
your decision to make. Do you think you were wrong?” “No,”
Harry whispered. “Yes,”
Draco said and everyone turned to him. “Yes, you were wrong.
You have no idea what it’s like to be a DE.” “I
think I do,” Harry said. “I’ve spent the better
part of six years seeing, hearing and watching Voldemort with his
followers. I know how cruel he is to them and how they are with each
other. My question is only this. Some of the DEs are just evil and
deserve to die for what they’ve done. But those are only a tiny
fraction of his followers. No more than…probably twenty of his
hundred and eighty-seven followers deserve to die. But I’ll
have to kill them all to get to Voldemort and his twenty. You heard
what the new recruit said Draco. He wasn’t lying. The only
reason he served was to protect his family. The justification in his
mind was that so what if he had to kill a few muggles to save his
child. He had no choice anyway because of the Imperius.”
“And
what of the muggles he killed?” Hermione asked. “What of
them, Harry? Will their families understand that you were lenient and
let the killer live just because he loves his daughter?” “Then
tell me what to do about it, Herm,” Harry said. “You had
your wand. I asked you to do it and you couldn’t either. But
now you’re bitching at me for not killing him?” “It’s
not like that, Harry,” Ron said in frustration. “Look.
There are no right answers when it comes to taking a life in your
situation. You want me to admit it? Fine. I’m sure as hell glad
I’m not you and that I won’t have to live with it on my
conscience. But at least I will live because of you.” The
others watched Ron speak from his heart and then all turned to Harry. “Very
well said,” Albus said softly. “You
are a red headed Weasel with a big mouth,” Harry said to
lighten the mood. Ron came stomping over in his mock anger. “With
all your galleons I’d think you could afford some manners,”
Ron bumped chest with a five inch shorter Harry who dared not back
down. “I’ll
pay for the reconstruction of your face when I make it into a bloody
pulp,” Harry said with a grin. “So step back
frecklehead.” “You
are so wanting me to hurt you,” Ron said with a grin of his own
and he shoved Harry playfully. Harry returned the affection. “Don’t
you just hate male bonding?” Ginny asked Hermione and Debbie
and everyone laughed softly at the situation. “You
need to go back to the medical center,” Albus said putting a
hand on Harry’s shoulder. “And for heaven’s sake,
Harry, wear a shirt, please. Your skin is cold.” “Well,
I was sort of in bed when you alerted me,” Harry said looking
down to himself. “See? Pajamas? Barefoot? “ “How
was the treatment?” Albus asked. Draco groaned.
“Horrible,”
Draco said. “It was awful. Oh god when he screamed I just had
to...” “Draco,
please,” Harry said almost feeling sick. “Please don’t
talk about it. I…just don’t. I don’t want to think
about it.” Harry rubbed his eyes under his glasses. “I’m
sorry, Harry,” Draco said coming to take his hand. “I
won’t mention it again. I promise.” Harry nodded a bit. “We
need to get back,” Lupin said. “I hope the medical staff
won’t have our hides for leaving.” “They’ll
have Harry’s,” Albus said. “He isn’t supposed
to do any magic for a few days after the treatments. And with
fragmenting this far and the sheer power of that take down spell…” “I
know,” Harry said quietly. “I’ll be a puddle of
flesh tomorrow after that second treatment. I won’t be able to
move at all for a day or two.” “I
will have to put you in the wing with Poppy for a few days,”
Albus said. Harry started to protest. “Stop. You’ll go to
the wing. That’s the end of it, Harry. You’ll need the
medications and Poppy can give them to you in regular intervals.” “It’s
a waste of time if you ask me,” Harry said softly. “We
didn’t ask you,” Draco spat. “I think we’ve
all established that your stupid planning leaves much to be desired.
Did you tell Albus your plan, Harry?” “Um…no,”
Harry said. “But you just did. Thanks a lot, traitor.” “Harry
Potter,” Albus scolded after he’d searched the students’
mind for the plan in question. “How could you even think such a
thing?” “I
was thinking I’d go out with a bang and take them all with me,”
Harry said with that crooked sad grin. “I
can’t believe you,” Albus said. “Oh
no? I don’t want to die lying in the hospital wing and as weak
as a newborn kitten,” Harry said. “Look at me. I’m
the final stages of a disease that will kill me. I have two months.
Two.” The other students who didn’t know gasped and Ginny
covered her mouth with her hand. “No, Neville, the world will
not end because I won’t be here.” “I
was just thinking it,” Neville admitted in a whisper. “Stop
it,” Draco spat getting in Harry’s face. “Shut up.
I told you that you’ll live and I meant it. Don’t piss me
off, Potter, because you’re weak right now and I’m having
to restrain myself from kicking your ass.” “Draco,
please,” Lupin said. “Come
on,” Harry said weakly. “I’m too exhausted to fight
with you right now, Draco. Give me your hand.” Harry asked
Albus and they took hands. Harry closed his eyes and squinted a bit.
“There. Now you are the wardholder. Heavy isn’t it?” “Yes,
it is,” Albus said. “I haven’t held them in two
years. They’re much stronger now.” “What
are you talking about?” Draco asked them. “The
wards on Hogwarts,” Albus said. “All of the wards of
protection of the school and grounds have to have a key source of
strength. Harry has had them drawing from him for the last two years.
And now that I have them back, I realize how much I didn’t miss
it.” Harry grinned a bit. “I’ll
take them back if you want,” Harry said as he yawned. “Hurry
home,” Albus said kindly and Harry nodded a bit. “Let’s
go,” Harry said taking Draco’s hand and Remus’ when
offered. “I’ll
send you a portkey with Hedwig tomorrow morning that will bring all
three of you to the wing when you’re ready,” Albus said.
“And I’m tapped in.” “I
know. I felt you reconnect earlier,” Harry said. “I need
to go before I get any more tired. I’ll be here tomorrow
evening.” “Good
luck,” Debbie grinned. “Thanks,”
Harry said with a tiny grin and he fragmented himself, Draco and
Lupin away.
http://www.ficsavers.com
Tomorrow Will Come
Chapter 18: Chapter 18
By: Kimberjingle
Chapter 18: The Rothslid Returns, Treatments, DE Scandals