“I
need to go to the bathroom,” Harry said as he slid from under
the covers and walked toward the back of the wing where Poppy was
dividing out potions into vials. “Poppy?” “Yes?
What is it, Harry?” Poppy asked as she poured. “Today
is the day we need to do the test,” Harry said quietly. “I
want you to take the test now and give me the results.” “Right
now?” Poppy asked looking to him in concern. “Yes,”
Harry said seriously very quietly so that the others wouldn’t
hear. “I need to know how long I’ll be living. I don’t
want you to tell anyone else. These are my results and I want them
withheld.” “I
understand,” Poppy said putting down the vials and wiping her
hands on her apron. “I’ll need to draw a bit of blood and
then I’ll add it to the testing vial which will show if there
are any traces of the virals and if your body is still producing
them.” Harry nodded that he understood the procedure. As Poppy
began to set up the test, Harry went to relieve himself in the
bathroom. When he returned, Poppy sat Harry down in the chair and
took the blood from his vein. When she had enough she healed up the
tiny mark she’d left at drawing the blood. “This will
take about fifteen minutes. I’ll…I’ll come let you
know then.” There was a grave concern on her face. Harry nodded
solemnly. “Fine,”
Harry said as he stood and walked back to his bed and sat underneath
the covers silently. All the others were talking about the upcoming
press conference with the Daily Prophet and the Ministry’s
imminent arrival to question everything concerning everything. “…isn’t
that right?” Draco asked. Harry sat staring at he foot of his
bed in a daze. “Harry?” Draco asked as everyone turned to
him. Harry never moved or blinked as he was caught up in the stare
and deep thoughts of living or dying he didn’t know which. “Harry?”
Albus asked. Harry still never moved. Draco went to snap his fingers
in Harry’s line of vision and Harry jumped. “Are
you okay?” Draco asked. “We’ve been trying to get
your attention.” “Oh…um…I
was just…thinking about…things,” Harry said. “I’m
okay. Really. What was it you asked?” “It
was nothing,” Draco eyed Harry quizzically. “You’re
not okay at all. You’re…not even here. What are you
thinking about?” “Nothing
much,” Harry said. “I just…got lost in thought
there for a minute.” Harry’s tone of voice was thick with
worry and everyone noticed. “Do
you need lie down?” Lupin asked. “No.
I’m fine,” Harry tried that smile that never quite worked
when he was not feeling it and he knew everyone knew he was upset
about something. “I’m tired a bit. Maybe I will lie
down.” Harry lay on his bed and pulled the sheet up to his
shoulders as he curled up a bit and tried not to think how that it
was eight minutes until he’d know the result. The others talked
on about things as Harry lay in tensed silence. Albus watched him
closely. “Harry,”
Albus said simply. Harry didn’t look for a few seconds to the
voice but when Harry raised his eyes slowly to look at Albus the
truth was between them. “Five
minutes,” Harry said quietly. Albus nodded slightly with
concern. Harry looked back down to the floor lying in a fetal
position covered in the sheet of his bed feeling very cold for some
reason. “Are
you ready for this?” Albus asked. “No,”
Harry whispered. “Do
you know already?” Albus asked. Harry stilled and swallowed
before he closed his eyes and even though he’d denied it in his
mind and fought it with everything he had. He knew. “Yes,”
Harry whispered. Albus sat stilled as the others chatted on oblivious
to this confession of a dying child. “You
can take another treatment at the center,” Albus encouraged.
Harry shook his head slightly. “If you wish it.” Harry
said nothing else until Poppy came a few minutes later and stood
beside his bed. Harry never looked to her as he just lay in the bed
and closed his eyes. “Harry,”
Poppy said her voice straining as she looked at Albus. “Thank
you, Poppy,” Harry said kindly never looking at her. “That
will be all.” “Very
well,” Poppy said. “I have your medication if you…”
Poppy let the sentence just drop. “Thank
you, Poppy,” Albus said. “I’m sure Harry will have
it when he needs it.” Poppy rubbed Harry’s forearm for
one simple comforting touch before she turned and walked slowly back
to the back of the room. Hermione noticed the interaction between
Harry, Albus and Poppy and the somberness on Harry’s face. “Oh
no,” Hermione whispered to herself before she came over to sit
on Harry’s bedside and look him directly in the eyes with the
truth in her eyes and mind. “Don’t
tell Draco,” Harry whispered to her. “I can’t hurt
him like this, Hermione.” “Harry…he
needs to know,” Hermione whispered back never leaving the
piercing gaze of his eyes. “I’ll
tell him. Just…not today. Please?” Harry pleaded with
his face. Hermione gave Albus a quick glance because he’d heard
their entire conversation. Hermione nodded slowly and then took
Harry’s hand in her own already grieving in her heart. “Don’t.
Don’t do this.” “I
have to go,” Hermione said trying her best to hold back the
tears. “I don’t feel so well.” “You’re
in a hospital,” Harry grinned. Hermione’s face drew into
the painful draw of tears. “Hermione, stop. Stop this. Go to
your room, please.” Hermione nodded and left the wing quickly
almost unnoticed. “Where
did Herm go?” Ron asked as the door was closing. “Oh…she
um…to the Library I think,” Harry said. “You know
how she is, Ron.” “Oh
yeah,” Ron chuckled softly. “What’s
she going to the Library for?” Draco asked with a grin as he
sat on Harry’s bed. Harry sat up to gaze at Draco. “I
love you,” Harry said softly with the tenderest look on his
face. “I
love you, too,” Draco grinned innocent of the knowledge. “Draco,
I need to speak with Albus alone for a while, okay?” Harry
asked. Draco’s mind filled with dread that Harry sensed. “It’s
one of those father son things.” Harry grinned putting Draco’s
mind at ease. “You
already know about the birds and the bees, Potter,” Draco
drawled. “Aren’t
you glad?” Harry asked giving his act the all. “I’ll
need to discuss with him about the Ministry stuff before they come
here. And…you may need to get these students into class.
You’re the leader of the council, you know.” “Yes.
I’m in charge,” Draco smirked. “Yes,
you are,” Harry grinned weakly keeping up the act. “I may
send someone to come get you if the Prophet or the Ministry shows
up.” “I’ll
come protect you, dear,” Draco added with sarcasm. “But,
I’ll be back at lunch, okay?” Harry nodded and gave Draco
a loving kiss and held him in an embrace for just one moment longer
than necessary before pulling away to give that look of sad longing.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” Harry grinned a bit. “I’m
fine,” Harry lied. Draco gathered the other council members who
all shouted goodbyes and Harry waved at them as they left the wing.
Albus still sat in the chair at Harry’s bedside. Lupin came to
sit on the foot of the bed. “Those
students,” Lupin chuckled. “They wanted to tell the
Ministry some crazy story about Harry…being…”
Lupin noted the silence and the seriousness of the air between the
two other wizards. “What is it?” Neither Albus or Harry
spoke and Harry refused to look at the man. “Harry? What is
it?” Harry swallowed and looked to Lupin with his
expressionless face. “I
had the test,” Harry said softly before he sat still for a few
moments and then shook his head just slightly. Lupin’s breath
caught in his throat and his lungs wouldn’t work for a few
seconds as he felt the rush of panic and a million thoughts come
crashing into his skull. His eyes stung and the weight that had
obviously fallen from the entire sky landed on his chest. “Are…are
you sure?” Lupin squeaked trying his best to hold his emotional
nature intact. “Remus…”
Harry said gruffly. “Get a hold of yourself. I’ve had
this disease for a year. Surely you’re not that surprised.” “But…you
could have another treatment…Grinkely said…”
Remus stammered. Harry shook his head. “It
won’t work,” Harry said slightly exasperatedly. “Let’s
just face this and move on. I’m assuming I have about two
months, so…I need to plan on some things. First and foremost I
need to get to Voldemort quickly before I weaken further. I want that
fucker dead within the next two weeks. Albus, you know I can locate
him in an instant. I just need to make sure that he is in the company
of as many DEs as possible when I arrive. I’m taking them all
out at once and being done with this. I want constant contact with
our liaisons who will know when they’re gathered. The moment I
get the word he’s with all his minions, I’m going that
instant.” “I
will alert Moody and our contacts to that plan,” Albus said.
“And how do you plan to rid the world of your nemesis and his
followers?” “I
plan on a spectacle of a show,” Harry grinned sadly.
“Everything in my blast radius will disintegrate in a fraction
of a second. Every person and thing will within a half mile of
wherever I happen to be at the time is history or dust.” “Does
that include you in it?” Lupin asked. “Yes,”
Harry said. “More than likely, yes. I do have a chance at
living through it, but I hardly see the point of attempting it.” “What
about for Draco?” Lupin asked. “He
is my one concern,” Harry said. “Moody was right. I never
should have gotten involved but…I couldn’t…I
couldn’t help it. With Draco it…it just happened.” “You
couldn’t help falling in love,” Albus said. “No one
can choose to fall in love, Harry.” “I
could have,” Harry said. “I could have just…pushed
him away or something.” “It
doesn’t work that way and you know it,” Albus said. “You
were already in love with Draco before now anyway. And I think you
know that.” Harry ran both hands through his hair and then
rubbed his eyes under his glasses. “Someone
should document that the fine line between love and hate is very,
very fine,” Harry said. “So fine it’s hardly there
at all. What am I going to do about Draco? What am I going to do?”
Harry drew up his knees and laid his forehead on his arm that was
propped on his knee. “He is so sure that I’ll be
alright.” “If
you plan to…with Voldemort, if you plan to make the blast
then…don’t tell Draco anything,” Lupin said. “Just
let Draco think that you gave it all in the final battle.” “Yeah,”
Harry nodded a bit. “I guess you’re right. But…”
Harry laid his head for a long time on his arm before rising up to
see Albus. “I’d like to take Draco away for a few days.
Just him and me and…go somewhere nice…maybe Rome
or…Paris. I just want to spend a few days with him on our own
away from the school before...” Albus nodded. “I
think that’s a wonderful idea,” Albus said. “And…of
the legal paperwork…?” “Just
leave it,” Harry said. “It won’t matter if we have
legal documentation of our…marriage thing we have anyway.”
Harry chuckled sadly. “But for all it’s worth, I am
joined to him in my heart and mind and that’s what matters to
me.” “Harry
you have your will. Would you like to update it and include Draco
within it?” Albus asked. “No,”
Harry said. “I have nothing Draco needs as far as financial
matters are concerned and…no material things which he would
want. I’m assuming that, but…any material goods I do
have anyone is welcome to have. Albus will have my cloak, and you,
Remus, can have my photo album since it would mean more to you than
anyone else.” “Stop
this,” Remus rubbed his temples. “Don’t
start…giving away your things, Harry. It’s just
too…morbid and sad. I can’t take it right now.” “Fine,”
Harry sighed. The three discussed other matters until Professor
McGonagall came to peep into the hospital wing two hours later. “Albus,
there are three reporters and one photographer from the Daily Prophet
here to speak with you and Harry,” Minerva said wringing her
hands. “What should I tell them?” “Bring
them in,” Harry said. “Here to the wing. I’ll
finally give the exclusive interview with my unstable self. They want
to know me? Fine. I’ll let them know me.” “You
still need to keep your abilities hidden until…” Albus
nodded and Harry agreed. “Send them in.” For the next
three hours the Daily Prophet reporters were given the treat of their
lives with the exclusive interview they’d been wanting for
seven years. Harry told of everything in his calm manner letting them
know perfectly well that he was not unstable in any sense of the word
and that everything he’d ever done was met with resistance from
the Ministry who feared that Harry only wanted to command some type
of power over the Wizarding world, which he did not. Harry negated
all that the Ministry had said about him over the years with Albus,
Lupin and McGonagall to confirm every statement he gave with proof
and evidence. When
it was lunchtime, Draco and Ron came and noted Harry giving
statements. Harry spotted Draco and motioned him over. Draco came to
sit on Harry’s bedside and took his hand. The reporters asked
of their relationship and each gave an in depth account of it over
the years including most recently that they had become a couple. They
did not mention their seeming marriage, but neither denied that
they’d given a ring to the other as a token of their
relationship’s seriousness. Harry apologized and admitted his
own mistake and weakness at allowing Lucius’ Malfoy’s
escape because he was involved with Draco and just couldn’t
bring himself to kill the man at that time. When asked if Harry was
planning to seek out Voldemort Harry stilled. “No,”
Harry said. “I can’t seek him out now. I’m much too
weak at this point. I’m still on the medication and if at some
point in the future I feel stronger, I may consider it, but…I’m
terminally ill. I don’t foresee myself feeling any better any
time soon.” The reporters asked many questions about Harry’s
history with the muggles in whose care he was placed years ago and
for the first time publicly Harry admitted to the hands of abuse,
starvation and neglect when in their care. For effect, Poppy brought
Harry medication and he took it so that the reporters could see.
Draco tucked Harry into bed quite nicely and winked at him with a
grin. After a while longer, the reporters apologized for their
mishandling of Harry’s press over the years and admitted to the
pressure of the Ministry to keep Harry in a bad light. “The
only thing I’ll ask of you is to print the truth this one last
time,” Harry said from lying in his bed. “I’m not
unstable. I’m not insane. I’m no power hungry lunatic
wanting to take over the Ministry in any sense of the word. I’m
simply one seventeen year old wizard student with odd hair and very,
very bad luck.” The hospital wing was silent for a few moments
after that admission before the reporters thanked him and promised a
good write-up regardless of anything the Ministry threatened. After
the reporters left Harry sighed and lay in the bed. “That
wasn’t so bad.” “The
press had only waited for that interview for seven years,”
Minerva said. “It
was time, I suppose,” Harry said. “Draco, would you like
to go away for a few days with me? Just you and me?” “I’d
love to but…” Draco looked at the other professors. “If
I can.” “I
will allow it,” Albus said. “Harry has already spoken to
me about your trip although its destination was undecided.”
Draco looked thrilled. “Yes.
Let’s go,” Draco’s eyes were bright. “Anywhere
you want to go in the world,” Harry said. “You name the
place and we’re there for a few days.” “You
have no preference?” Draco asked. “No,”
Harry said softly. “I don’t care as long as we’re
there together.” The pair decided on Paris, the city for
lovers, and that they’d leave the next day after breakfast and
stay for a week unless something happened requiring them to return
early. Albus said he’d arrange a portkey for the pair and
contact a few friends to arrange for the best suite in Paris for the
couple. Draco beamed and was so excited he could hardly stand or
breathe. “I
can’t believe it,” Draco said. “You and me in Paris
for a whole week. Oh god it will be so wonderful. I can’t
wait.” “Me
either,” Harry said catching Draco’s excitement. “You’d
better start packing because I know how you are with clothes.”
Harry shook his head. “And
you? You have nothing suitable to wear at all,” Draco said.
“Except for…well very few things. Take something nice,
Harry. Don’t dress like an orphan.” “Draco,
I am an orphan. I have to keep reminding you of this,” Harry
said. “But I’ll take a few nice things.” “It’s
just after three now,” Draco said of the time. “I’ve
already missed part of potions class anyway, so…I’ll go
to my dorm and pack. Are you staying here?” “No.
I think I’ll go…well…” Harry thought for a
moment. “I’ll go to the Tower and pack a bag. I may spend
a little time with the house while I’m there.” “Fine.
I’ll come up after I’m finished or we can meet in the den
later,” Draco said. Harry nodded before the kiss of excitement
from Draco who was giddy about their trip. “This
is wonderful,” Draco smiled. “Paris in late spring…you
and me…how great. I can’t wait!” Draco popped up
off the bed and set out the door of the wing before Harry flopped
back on the bed. “I
will never be able to pull this off,” Harry said of the truth
he’d have to keep from Draco for the week. “How am I
doing?” “So
far so good,” Lupin said sadly. “You
may want to tell Draco while you’re away,” Albus said. “No,”
Harry said. “I don’t want him to know. Draco gets…upset
with me very easily.” Harry grinned at knowing Draco so well.
“I want this week to be…good for us.” Harry
dressed and the three wizards in the wing left in separate
directions. Harry walked down the hallways and corridors trying to
ignore the stares and silence that plagued the students whenever they
noticed him. Harry entered the Gryffindor common room to see Ron,
Seamus, Dean and Neville. Neville was reading intently. “Hey.
What’s up?” “Nothing
much,” Dean said. “Ron was just telling us about your
interview.” “Yeah,”
Harry grinned. “Finally I gave them what they wanted. Maybe
they’ll leave me alone now. You think?” “No,”
Seamus said. “The newspaper has always hounded you like that.
What makes you think they’ll stop now?” “I
just have a feeling,” Harry said. “Where’s
Hermione?” “Oh,
she isn’t feeling well,” Dean said. “She said she
had an upset stomach. Probably just…nervous over stuff.”
Harry nodded and picked at the chair arm. “Where’s
Draco?” Seamus asked. Harry grinned. “He’s
packing,” Harry said. “I’m taking him to Paris for
a week. We’re leaving tomorrow morning.” “A
week in Paris?” Ron nodded. “Nice. Honeymoon?” “Yeah.
I guess,” Harry said. “Vacation. After I get back I’m
going after the maggot.” “Voldemort?”
Neville asked laying his book down. Harry nodded. “I’m
taking that mother fucker down,” Harry said. “I should
have already done it. I’ve been able to do it for years,
but…now’s the time, I suppose. Good a time as any.” “So
you’re going to Paris with Draco and then coming back to kill
Voldemort?” Ron asked with that suspicious look. Harry gave him
the nonemotional stare. “Yes,”
Harry said. “Problem with that?” “Not
really,” Ron said knowing more about his best friend than most.
“Why not fry the fucker and then go to Paris to celebrate?
Wouldn’t that be a better plan?” “Yeah,
Harry,” Seamus said. “Kill him first and then you can
enjoy your vacation a lot better. That’s what I’d do.”
Harry gave Ron a glare and a smirk. “Paris
first,” Harry said. “Draco is more important to me than
anything. And that includes some undead fart that keeps fucking
around with me.” “Harry,
are you planning on packing then? Is that why you’re up here?”
Dean asked. “Yeah.
That and…well, I just…thought I’d spend a little
time with you guys,” Harry said. “I don’t get to do
that much without the girls around.” Ron didn’t like the
tone of voice. “Harry,
can I…let’s talk for a minute just me and you, huh? Up
in the dorm for a second?” Ron asked. “Yeah,
sure,” Harry said. “I need to get my stuff started
packing anyway.” Harry followed Ron up the dorm stairs and into
the room. Harry went to his armoire and dug out his overnight bag
when Ron spun him around by the arm. The two shared a long glance to
the other. “Tell
me,” Ron said flatly. “Tell
you what?” Harry said turning back to his armoire and fumbling
through several things. “There’s nothing to tell.” “Bullshit,”
Ron said. “Harry. Tell me. Did you get the test results?”
Harry stopped with the clothing and looked down. “Yes,”
Harry said and then looked to Ron and shook his head a bit.
“There’s…I still have the virals. I’m
assuming I have about two months.” “But…can’t
you take another one of those…treatment things?” Ron
grasped at straws. Harry sat with a flop on his bed. “Ron,
the treatment won’t work,” Harry said. “There is
nothing I can do. It’s terminal and…that’s it.”
Ron just stood and stared at the wall hardly breathing. “Draco
doesn’t know and I don’t want him to know yet. I want
this to be a wonderful week for us in Paris without worrying
about…stuff.” “There’s
nothing? Nothing we can do? Nothing?” Ron asked as he sat on
Harry’s bedside with a hurt scowl. Harry took Ron’s hand. “No,”
Harry said. “There’s nothing. Hermione knows. She saw
Poppy tell Albus and me this morning and…I had to send her out
of the wing because I didn’t want Draco to know. You and she
are the only two who know besides me, Albus, Lupin and Poppy. And
that’s the way I want to keep it. I never want Draco to know.” “He’ll
know, Harry,” Ron said. “I mean…you’ll
be…weak and stuff later.” “No.
I never plan on dying that way,” Harry said. “After I get
back from the week in Paris with Draco, I plan on going after
Voldemort and his DEs when they’re gathered. I’m going to
make a blast that will take out about a half-mile radius and
everything in it including me. That way it’s done for good. Him
and me go together and I’m okay with that. I’ll never
feel a thing.” “No,”
Ron said. “Don’t do it. Harry, no. Just…don’t
do it that way.” “What?
Why? You want me to lay around here and weaken like some pathetic
loser that needs a nursemaid?” Harry asked. “I won’t
do that, Ron. I’m a warrior. I deserve to die in battle the way
it’s supposed to be. Voldemort is no match for me and you know
that and this is the only way I can assure myself that Draco will
never know that I only had such a short time left with him. I die in
battle and everything’s okay.” “Everything
is not fucking okay,” Ron said the tears streaming down his
cheeks. “You’re my best friend, Harry, man. I…I
don’t know what I’ll….” Harry gave Ron the
man hug as Ron let his tears and sobs come. “Stop
this,” Harry said. “Ron, stop it. We all knew this was
coming so…just let it go. I’m going to Paris with the
one I love and I’m going to spend a wonderful time in the city
of love in his arms every minute. I can’t wait. Be happy for
me, Ron.” Ron sobbed hard and Harry pulled back to shake him a
bit. “Get a grip. Now, dammit. Don’t do this to me right
now. I’m trying my best to be strong for everyone else and I
need you to be strong for me. I’m a mess inside, but I’m
using every ounce of strength I own to keep me from losing it. And I
need you as my best friend to keep strong and let this shit go.
That’s my plan and Albus knows it already. Now. Go to the
bathroom and clean up a bit before anyone sees you and knows. You
have to keep a straight face around Draco, okay?” “I…I
can’t,” Ron sniffled. “You
will,” Harry commanded. “You will because I asked you to.
This is very important to me, Ron. Draco cannot know.” Ron
nodded and went to the bathroom to wash his face and be presentable.
Harry began to pack his bag a bit with his underwear, socks and
toiletries that he’d need. Ron came back out and assisted him
to choose a few more things to pack. “That’s about all I
need from the dorm. I have other things in the den I’ll need to
take with me.” Harry left his bag in the room as he and Ron
went downstairs to the common room again. Almost all the council
members were there except for Hermione who was still in her room. “Hey,
Harry,” Michael said. “What’s
up?” Harry said taking his favorite chair by the fire. “None
of us have homework,” Debbie said. “We were thinking of
going to sit down by the lake for a while. Want to come?” “Sure,”
Harry said.
“What
about Draco?” Dean asked. “He’s
packing,” Harry said. “Takes him forever. You know how he
is.” Harry grinned at his vain lover with a short snicker at
Draco’s ways. “You
could go get him,” Michael said. “Fragment down there and
it’ll only take you a few minutes.” “If
I disturb him he’ll yell at me,” Harry said still
grinning. “I’ll just let him pack. He’ll find me.
He always does.” The others all stood and were walking to the
portrait hole. “Ron,
why don’t you get Hermione and meet us at the lakeside near the
flat rocks?” Seamus asked. Ron nodded and set off up the stairs
to the girls’ dorms. The council group had just turned the
corner toward the Dining Hall when they stopped. Albus was speaking
with three Ministry officials. “Oh
no,” Dean said. “Harry move back.” Harry stepped
back behind the corner and the students all moved back with him
unnoticed by the adults in the hall. “What
are we going to do?” Debbie asked. “I
suppose I may need to go speak with them,” Harry said. “But
I’m not in the mood for their bullshit.” “You
may need to go back to the hospital wing,” Seamus said. “That
way they’ll see you’re sick and all that crap.” “That
would be the best plan,” Michael commented. “I
don’t care what they see,” Harry said. “It doesn’t
matter anymore anyway. Come on we’ll go out the side entrance.
Follow me this way.” Harry led the group quickly down one
secret passage and out into the side courtyard, down along the forest
and to the flat rocks near the lake. “That
was a quicker way anyway,” Dean said. Harry flicked his hands
out and created two blankets for them all to sit on while on the cool
rocks. Harry walked to the edge of the water and crossed his arms
looking out over the calmness of the tiny waves as the other coupled
up on the blankets and got comfortable. “Did
you hear about Paula Cressford?” Ginny asked slinking back onto
Michael’s chest. “Rumor has it she’s pregnant.” “She’s
not,” Harry said never turning to them. “And
how do you know that?” Michael said. “Because
there are normally with all students and teachers present seven
hundred fifty three magical signatures in the school,” Harry
said. “And there are seven hundred fifty three present at this
moment. If any female student was with child I’d know it first
even before they did.” “Aren’t
you just a joy to have around then?” Seamus asked. “No,
I’m a pain,” Harry said giving them a backward glance
before turning back to the lake again. “So
you know if any student is off the grounds,” Neville said. “Yep,”
Harry said. “Even if I’m not here. I’m so much a
part of this school that…” Harry let the sentence stop.
“Well, I just know things like that and I can’t even help
that I know it. It’s just there.” “Your
hair is so beautiful in this light with the sun shining on it,”
Michael said to Ginny who took his hand. “Thank
you. That was so romantic of you to say,” Ginny said. “Why
don’t you tell me things like that?” Dean asked of
Seamus. “Okay.
I can do that,” Seamus said. “You’re very cute.” “That’s
it?” Debbie asked with a snicker. “That really wasn’t
very romantic, Seamus.” “Well,
it’s harder giving compliments like that to another guy than it
is a girl,” Seamus said. “Bullshit,”
Harry said turning around with a grin. “It
is,” Seamus argued. “I
can see where that would be harder,” Neville said. “Yeah,
I can see where it would be harder to give a guy compliments that
wouldn’t be…embarrassing or something,” Michael
said. “Such
bullshit. It is not,” Harry said. “It has nothing to do
with gender at all. It’s all in how you perceive the person.
Male? Female? Makes no difference. It’s the feeling that makes
it and not even the words.” “Okay,
Romeo,” Ginny said. The group laughed a bit at Harry. “I
don’t care. Laugh at me. It’s the truth,” Harry
said. “If Draco was here I’d prove it to you all once and
for all.” Harry came to sit on the blanket with them and soon
Ron and Hermione showed up. Hermione didn’t look too happy to
be there and would hardly look at Harry at all. “How
are you feeling?” Debbie asked. “Better.
A bit,” Hermione said. “I was just…sick there for
a while. I still don’t feel well.” “Here,
I brought this for you Dean,” Ron handed Dean the CD player and
his case of CDs that he’d left in the common room. “I
thought you could play us some music while we’re out here.
Besides, the second years were going through your stash of music.
You’d better check to make sure it’s all there.” “Harry,
where’s Draco?” Hermione asked. “He’s
packing,” Harry said. “I’m taking him to Paris for
a week. Just the two of us.” Hermione nodded. “I’m
sure you’ll have a wonderful time,” Hermione said with a
smile that barely just hid the pain in her eyes. “We
will,” Harry said. “I’m sure of it.” The
couples and Harry sat on the blankets for a long time until it was
evening and becoming a bit chilly. Harry created more blankets for
each couple to share. “It’s
odd out here with each of us and you’re alone,” Seamus
told Harry. “I’m
okay,” Harry said. “Feels very odd for Draco not to be
here, though. I’m so…used to having him with me
that…I…can’t hardly think if he’s not
here.” “Probably
because he tells you what to think,” Ginny said and everyone
snickered a bit. “Draco
is a bit…domineering,” Ron said. “Absolutely,”
Harry said and grinned. “I love it. Even things I hate about
him I find that I love them too. For years I bitched about every
single thing about Malfoy. How arrogant and how vain he was. And
now…those things are so endearing about Draco to me. It’s
just who he is. He’s unique and special. And mine.” Harry
gave that crooked grin at remembering Draco so fresh in his mind.
Harry fell back onto the blanket and sighed a long satisfied breath.
“Draco is just great.” “A
great prat,” Ron said. “I
could hurt you for that,” Harry said as he lay on the blanket. “You
could, but you won’t because you know it’s true,”
Seamus said. The conversation moved to muggle movies and then on to
foods before Harry sat up with a start. “What?” “Draco
is coming,” Harry said. “Okay.
And you know this?” Neville asked. “Of
course I do, stupid,” Harry said. “He’ll be coming
out of the front doors in about five seconds. Watch.” They all
turned toward the school and waited. In a few seconds the front doors
opened and someone came out and down the steps. “And
that’s him?” Debbie asked. “You
doubt me?” Harry asked as if it hurt. “I’ll prove
it.” Harry held up his hand to the moonlit and starry sky and
slung his hand forward toward the figure still very far away walking
in their direction. The moonbeams focused on the walking figure and
tiny bursts of light encompassed him as he continued to walk within
the moonbeam, which lit him up like a spotlight as he walked across
the lawn. The other students snickered. “You
put him in a spotlight,” Ginny laughed. “That’s
the way I see him all the time,” Harry said quietly.
“Illuminated and bathed in perfect beauty.” “How
sweet,” Debbie said. “See Neville? That’s romantic
what Harry said.” “And
Draco’s a guy,” Hermione added. “So it’s not
different than giving compliments to a female like we were talking of
earlier.” “So
say something to him, Harry,” Seamus said. “Say romantic
stuff to Draco so that I can see what you’re talking about.” “What?
No,” Harry said. “Not on demand. But…look at him
Seamus. He takes my breath just walking across the lawn. Draco is
fluid gracefulness. He captivates me and I see nothing else when he’s
near.” “Like
that Seamus,” Ginny said of Harry’s words. “That
wasn’t romantic. That was just the truth,” Harry said as
Draco drew near. “Where
on earth have you been?” Draco asked Harry. “He’s
been here singing your praises, oh holy perfect one,” Ron said
with much sarcasm. Draco and Harry grinned to the other. “Have
you been doing that?” Draco asked. Harry nodded guiltily. “Well
that’s to be expected. I am perfect and need to be worshipped
by your wretchedness.” Draco sat with Harry on the blanket. “You
were being worshipped,” Debbie nodded. “He bathed you in
moonlight just so that we could all watch you walk across the lawn.”
The students all laughed. “Yes,
I did that,” Harry said wrapping his arms around Draco from
behind and squeezing him just a bit as Draco sat crosslegged in the
vee between Harry’s outstretched legs. “You
know? Now that I think about it…Harry has always stared at you
Malfoy,” Seamus said thinking. “Even since…third
year. I remember Harry would just…stare across the Dining Hall
at you.” “Yes,
I know that,” Draco said. “I
did not,” Harry said. “Yes,
you did,” Hermione said. “I remember that, too.”
Ron nodded. “I
did not do that,” Harry said. “And if I did it was
because that was our worst year of fighting ever. I had to know what
he was doing. There were Dementors all over the place here at
Hogwarts and…Malfoy was awful that year.” “I
was quite wicked that year,” Draco smiled. “I did very
well I think.” “You
did,” Harry complimented. “And that deal with the itching
potion? Brilliant of you.” “Yes,
that was my own creation,” Draco said. “Harry,
you idiot, you had to go to the hospital wing with that,” Ginny
said. “Yes,
I know. It was terrible, but Draco did well with slipping that potion
onto my Quidditch uniform,” Harry said. “That was very
original.” “You’re
mentally disturbed,” Dean said. “You’re skin was
red for weeks after that, Harry. How can you say that it was
brilliant?” “Because
I didn’t think of it then,” Harry said as he and Draco
laughed about the incident. “But
you did get me back for that,” Draco said. Harry snickered.
“All those shoes of mine. Ruined because of you and that slick
spell you put on them. I just know you came into my dorm room with
that damned invisibility cloak of yours and did that. Didn’t
you?” “Yes.
Guilty,” Harry said. “I did that. And you never proved it
was me.” “So
you were in my room in third year,” Draco accused. “I
was in your room every year,” Harry said. “All the time.
I was everywhere. I still am.” “And
what did you do in Malfoy’s room all those times?”
Michael asked. Harry bit his lip a bit. “Not
much,” Harry said. “Oh
no,” Ginny said. “You have to tell us now. There’s
more than that.” “Yes,
Harry,” Hermione said giving him the narrow eyed look. “I
seem to remember a few times you were sneaking about in the middle of
the night mentioning the dungeons. And if I’m correct, and I
know I am, you mentioned Malfoy several times on those night
patrols.” “I
can’t remember,” Harry smirked. “Liar,”
Draco elbowed Harry backward. “Tell me what you were doing in
my room.” “Watching
you,” Harry said. “I had to. It was a know my enemy
thing.” “Bullshit,”
Ron said. “We knew enough about Draco then. It was something
else because I remember, too. You never took the map when you went
down to the dungeons, but you always took it when you went other
places. So you weren’t doing research in the dungeons.” “Shut
your hole, nosey,” Harry said. “I have reasons for
everything I do and you know that. If I am somewhere I have a reason
for it as always. So just don’t worry about it.” “So
what reason did you have for being in my room every year at night,
Potty?” Draco asked. “Don’t
worry about it,” Harry said. “Can we drop this please?” “No
we can’t,” Draco said. “Answer the damn question.” “Fine.
I was protecting you,” Harry said. “And I wasn’t
the only one. You had two more protectorates in the school at that
time. You were being watched and monitored because you were a target
for some maliciousness that never happened because they couldn’t
get to you.” “Who?
A target for what?” Hermione asked. “Draco
has always been a target by the Crentonites,” Harry said. Draco
gasped and his eyes went wide. “You’re
lying,” Draco said. “What
are the Crentonites?” Seamus asked. “The
Crentonites are a group of dark wizards who take adolescent children
who are born of the dark,” Draco said. “But…I was
told that….” “Yes,
your father knew it,” Harry said. “Me, Snape and Albus
kept you from their grips. I watched you at night during the new
moons when they would stalk. I killed one in your room while you
slept. You never knew it.” “You
did not!” Draco yelled. “And you never told me?” “Albus
told me never to mention it to you,” Harry said. “So I
didn’t.” “But
you just did,” Dean said. “You
were pressuring me!” Harry said. “Besides it was years
ago. It’s over now and the Crentonites can no longer break
through the wards here at Hogwarts. They, however, have taken three
students from Durmstrang in the last year.” “So
they can’t get here? Why not?” Michael asked. “Because
I have warded them out,” Harry said. “Albus had the
original ward, but we added more shielding and detectors that they
can’t sense. Now when they try to enter from any direction they
fry in an instant. That was my addition to the ward. I wanted to fry
the fuckers, so…I added it.” “So
you like…protect the whole school or something?” Debbie
asked. “In
essence, yes,” Harry said. “I hold all the wards on me
and I give them strength to function. I’m like a power outlet.”
Harry snickered along with Hermione. “So
what happens if…” Seamus started to ask. “If
I die? I don’t know,” Harry said. “If whomever
holds the wards is killed or dies, the wards crumble, all their
spells on the building cease unless they’re made permanent like
mine are, and if the wards are strong ones it could cause physical
structural damage to the building and grounds. In my case, the whole
school may explode from the inside out. I’m not sure about
that, but…I won’t be around to worry about it now will
I?” Harry laughed. “Harry,
stop it,” Draco said. “That’s not funny. You know I
don’t want to hear that. You’ll be fine. I just know it.” “You’re
right,” Harry said hugging Draco from behind and putting his
chin on Draco’s shoulder. “Are you hungry?” “Yeah.
A bit,” Draco said. “Are you?” “Yeah.
What would you like and I’ll get it for you?” Harry
asked. “Chocolate
ice cream,” Draco said. “And…some of that garlic
bread like we had the other day.” “Together?”
Ginny asked. Draco nodded. “Yeah,”
Draco said. “Can you get that?” “I
can get anything,” Harry said waving up a ball of light and
throwing it a bit onto the lawn where a house elf appeared. “Could
you bring some chocolate ice cream and some of that cheese garlic
bread like we had the other night with the linguini?” “Harry
Potter, sir, yes sir. Is that all, sir?” Dink asked. “Some
cold drinks for all of us would be excellent, Dink if you don’t
mind,” Harry said. Dink bowed lowly and disappeared. “You’re
so good,” Draco said leaning back more against Harry. “That’s
the service I deserve around here.” “I
totally agree,” Harry said. Everyone else just rolled their
eyes at Harry’s spoiling of his dragon. “That
is so pathetic,” Hermione said. “You are just pathetic,
Harry. Draco just has you wrapped around his little finger.” “That’s
not all I have him wrapped around,” Draco said as he and Harry
laughed softly. “Oh
god,” Ron said. “I don’t want to think about that.” “You
are so heterosexual,” Seamus said to Ron. “And I don’t
understand that. You have like five brothers. I would just know you
were gay.” “Hell
no. I had enough of being around them,” Ron said. “I
needed to be around females. And…I just…never was into
the male thing too much. My brother Charlie is gay.” Ginny
nodded as did Harry. “That
went over like a lead balloon,” Ginny said. “My mother
nearly had a stroke when Charlie told her. She wanted to send him to
St. Mungo’s for psychiatric treatment for it.” “Muggles
are worse than wizards about homosexuality,” Hermione said.
“That’s why I was surprised that Harry would consider
being with another male.” “That
surprised me at first, but…then I thought about it and it made
sense to me,” Ron said. “Harry just never liked females
to begin with if you remember, Herm. The Cho thing in fifth year?” “Oh
god,” Harry snorted in disgust. “That was a fiasco. She
was a mental case after Cedric died and all that crap. That was my
first kiss, though. It was awful. Terrible. I can’t tell you
how bad that was.” “You
were a terrible kisser at that time, too if you remember,” Ron
winked. “You were considerably less suave than you are now.” “Suave,”
Harry nodded. “Yes, I can be that when I want to be.” “And
romantic,” Debbie said. “Like what you said about Draco.” “What
did you say about me, baby?” Draco asked sweetly. “These
idiots were trying to say that it’s easier to give a compliment
to a female than it is another male,” Harry said. “And I
said it was bullshit. It has nothing to do with gender and everything
to do with how you feel about the person regardless of their gender.” “Hmm,”
Draco thought. “I never thought about that because I rarely
compliment females. Or males. Or…well, anyone really.”
Everyone snickered at Draco’s admission. “So
do it,” Seamus said. “Compliment Draco and let me see how
you do it.” “Go
to hell,” Harry said. “This is not the Harry Potter
course to Romanticism 101. Go read a book or something. Besides it’s
more spontaneous for me. Sometimes I just…catch myself saying
words that just… spill out my mouth. I can’t help it.” “But
you are,” Draco said leaning his head back on Harry’s
shoulder. “You are a very romantic person, Harry. You take me
on moonlit carriage rides, and write I love you in the stars, you
sing to me at night in my arms…it’s so nice.” “You
do that?” Dean asked. Harry rolled his eyes. “I
might,” Harry said as the three house elves appeared with
everyone’s drinks and Draco’s ice cream and hot cheesy
garlic bread. One of the house elves was Dobby. “Harry
Potter, sir. Dobby wishes to tell you of the floo, sir,” Dobby
said excitedly. Harry’s eyes went wide. “What
about it?” Harry asked seriously. “The
Ministry, sir. They have unlocked the floo in the kitchens again,
sir,” Dobby said. “Does
Albus know?” Harry asked. “Dobby
knows not, sir. The Headmaster he was speaking to them today, sir,”
Dobby said. “Did
you hear the conversation or did any other house elf hear?”
Harry asked. Dobby shook his head. “None of you heard it?”
Dobby shook his head again. “They put up a silencing ward then.
That’s not good. And very suspicious to me. I may need to
investigate that a bit. Were any other floos opened in the school?” “Dobby
doesn’t know, sir. Dobby only knows of the kitchen floo was
opened by the Ministry man Halls,” Dobby said. Harry winced. “Halls.
I hate that bastard,” Harry said. “Thank you, Dobby. I’ll
give you a reward for your service to me.” Dobby’s eyes
went wide as he bowed and left. “Doesn’t
sound good to me,” Draco said as he ate the garlic bread with
the chocolate ice cream. “What reason would they have to open
it?” “It
goes to my hideout,” Harry said. “Directly. If they have
reason to think I’ll flee, then they have predicted where I may
go. So therefore….” “You
think they’re coming for you,” Hermione said. “I
knew it. They think you’re weak and they want to take you in.” “Albus
won’t allow it,” Harry said. “But they may come
anyway. I’ll be gone after tomorrow so, I don’t care what
they do. They can go to hell for all I care.” “But
you’ll be back after a week,” Michael said. “Won’t
you?” “Well,
yeah but…I’ll deal with that when I have to,”
Harry said. The conversation went on to rumors about the school, the
international Quidditch teams, and finally to plans for the upcoming
summer. “…and
we always visit my aunt Lucille when we’re there,” Dean
said. “Her house is so big.” “Oh
I can’t wait until I get to take you to Malfoy Manor this
summer, Harry,” Draco said. “You’ll just love it.
Of course you know I have my own Quidditch pitch, but we have the
grandest water gardens and you’ll love the winery. I can show
you our own hybrid vines and I’ll let you taste the fine wines
we’ve made.” Harry gave Ron and Hermione a look. “That
will be wonderful. I can’t wait to see it. I’m sure the
gardens are very beautiful,” Harry smiled. Hermione put her
face in Ron’s neck and he held her tightly as she sniffled. “Are
you okay?” Ginny asked Hermione. “Yeah.
She’s fine. Her…um…stomach bothers her,”
Ron said. “I think she may have gotten that stomach virus
that’s going around.” “What
virus? I didn’t know of any virus,” Dean asked. “Well,
there is one,” Ron snapped. “Sorry, I just…forget
it.” Everyone was taken back by Ron’s irritation. “Oh,
and there’s something else I want us to do this summer,”
Draco said excitedly to Harry as Draco licked the chocolate off the
spoon. “Our other home in Marseille, France. It’s grand
and just lovely. There’s a large garden whirlpool there that
seats twenty. Won’t we have a blast in that, Harry?” “Sounds
great,” Harry said. Hermione got up and started to jog back to
the school in sobs. “What
on earth is wrong with her?” Debbie asked. Ron gave Harry a
look before he stood. “I
think I’ll stay in the common room with Hermione. See you all
later,” Ron turned and went after Hermione through the
darkness. “I
think it’s more than just a stomach flu,” Neville said.
“She was crying again.” “Why
would she be crying?” Seamus asked. “She’s
been crying all day,” Ginny said. “Ever since she left
the hospital wing this morning.” “Harry,
do you know anything?” Michael asked. “No,”
Harry lied quietly. Draco turned slowly to look at Harry who refused
to meet his eyes. “Yes,
you do,” Draco accused softly. “What’s wrong with
her? Why is she crying?” “I
said I don’t know,” Harry said a bit more roughly than he
meant. “Sorry. But it could be a number of things, I’m
sure. Draco, did you finish packing?” “Don’t
change the subject,” Draco said. “Harry, you know
something. I know you do. I can feel it all over you. Tell me why
Hermione is upset.” Harry felt the unease and the dread setting
in on Draco’s mind. “I
think she was worried about me,” Harry said. “I was
supposed to have the test today with my Rothslid and I told her that
I didn’t want to have it until I got back from Paris.” “Oh.
I can see where that would upset her,” Dean said. The others
nodded and Draco looked down and it didn’t feel right. “Are
you sure?” Draco asked. “It…it just seems …I
don’t know. I guess that must be it.” “There’s
no need to worry,” Harry said lightly. “It will be fine.
Hermione is very sensitive to things like that. We’ve been
friends for so long and all. She’s a bit over emotional about
me having the illness. But it’s okay. She’ll get over it
in a day or two.” The conversations went on to other things and
soon it was time for them all to go inside for it was nearing curfew.
Harry flicked his wrists and all the blankets vanished along with the
remnants of their drinks and Draco’s odd meal of garlic bread
and chocolate ice cream. Everyone split at the door leaving Draco and
Harry walking slowly to the den hand in hand. “It
seems like years since we’ve been in here,” Draco said of
the room. “Feels
good to be here in our room,” Harry said bringing Draco to the
bed as they fell into a boneless lump of tangled kissing which lasted
for an eternity. They shed their clothing and lay underneath the
sheet wrapped together holding the other with the fullness of their
love until each was sleeping soundly in the peace of the other’s
arms. Draco
woke to an empty bed. It was half past six in the morning and Harry
was gone. “Harry?”
Draco called sleepily into the room. Draco lay back down and tried to
go back to sleep and it was hopeless, so he roused to see the
clothing the house elves had left for his trip today. Draco also
noticed his travel bag along with Harry’s that lay near the
entrance to the room. House elves really were just very handy. Draco
went to the bathroom quickly, brushed his teeth and ran a hot bath.
After a long soak and wash, he toweled off and slipped on his
clothing. When he was tying his shoe, Harry came through. “Good
morning,” Harry said brightly. Draco noticed that Harry had
already bathed and dressed. “Where
have you been?” Draco asked. “I was worried.” “I
went to see Albus this morning,” Harry said. “I have our
portkey and we’re all set to go whenever you’re ready.” “I
thought we were having breakfast first,” Draco said. “Well,
I was thinking that if we were in the Dining Hall and the Ministry
just happened to show up, then we’d be trapped there,”
Harry said. “So if we leave now, we’re gone and there’s
nothing they can do. I discussed it with Albus, and we agreed that we
should leave before the meal. My cover story is that I’m going
for more treatment at an undisclosed location.” “I
see,” Draco said. “So we’re ready?” “All
ready,” Harry smiled. Draco smiled in return. Harry shrunk
their baggage and tucked it neatly into his nice trousers. Harry took
the small watch and put it on his arm. “This watch is our
portkey and will bring us back here to the den when we decide to come
back.” “If
we decide to return at all,” Draco hinted. “I could just
keep you all to myself in another country. That would be wonderful.” “What
if I hate Paris?” Harry teased. “You
won’t. I promise,” Draco said wrapping his arms around
his lover for a morning kiss. “Let’s go have breakfast in
Paris, baby.” “Your
wish is my command, my dragon,” Harry said as he wrapped one
arm around Draco and muttered the portkey spell. In a flash they were
tugged to the city of lovers and into their impressively massive
suite for the week. The
week at Hogwarts was business as usual. Ministry officials came
several times at meals to speak with Albus and look for Harry who was
rumored to be taking treatment at some facility out of the country.
Draco was rumored to be either with Harry or at Malfoy Manor
harboring his escapee father. The
week for two lovers in Paris were glorious fun-filled late Spring
days of seeing the sights, lying on a blanket under the shade trees
in the parks in each others’ arms with a book of poetry, and
cool evenings spent walking by the waterways touching, kissing and
loving with all they were. Nights were full of unbridled passion,
promises of eternity and the giving and receiving of physical love
until dawn when each was sated of their carnal need of the other.
Fine cuisine was had every meal and much shopping was done by both.
Harry decided to buy Christmas presents at which Draco laughed, but
assisted in picking out gifts for each of his friends, Albus, Lupin
and the Weasleys. Their final evening in Paris was spent in their
room with room service, a fine meal, chilled champagne and a hot
bubble bath together in the overly large tub surrounded by candles
and soft music. It was heaven on earth to be together far away from
any troubles, worries or care. This was their own special moment in
time where there was nothing but two who loved and shared with the
other all of themselves. The last night the pair made love several
times and each was sweeter than the last. Each was satisfied and
sated as they lay together in the bed they’d shared all week.
Draco had just drifted off to sleep in Harry’s arms. Harry lay
awake for hours stroking Draco’s smooth pale skin and rubbing
his cheek on Draco’s silken platinum locks. “I
love you, my dragon,” Harry whispered. “I will love you
until my dying breath. But you will live on. It’s all worth it
to me since I know you’ll live on after Voldemort and the Death
Eaters are gone. I hope you find love again when I’m gone and
I’m sorry if I hurt you with this, but…I don’t
know any other way to not see you suffering while I waste away to
nothing. I can’t let you see that. I want you to remember me
here…like this. Strong and in your arms loving you. Please
forgive me one day.” With those words whispered from his lips
Harry drifted off to sleep. The
next morning the pair packed up their things, shrunk them and giving
a last look at the view of Paris from their balcony they embraced on
the terrace in a last show of affection in the city of love before
they portkeyed back to the den in a flash. When they arrived, Harry
stilled for a moment and took in all the information he needed. All
students accounted for on the grounds and nothing out of the
ordinary. “Well,
I guess we need to…go to breakfast,” Draco said. “I
suppose,” Harry said. “It feels odd being back, doesn’t
it?” “Yes.
Very odd,” Draco said. “I feel like I don’t belong
here anymore.” “Yeah,”
Harry said softly. “Well, I’m sure we’ll make a
scene when we walk in. That’s always good.” Draco laughed
and they walked slowly down the hallways hand in hand toward the
Dining Hall. When the pair entered hand in hand they walked to the
Gryffindor table amid the uprush of chatter about them finally
showing up. “Hey!
You’re back,” Ron said to them as they sat with grins.
“How was the trip?” “Heavenly,”
Draco said with much fullness. “Perfect.” Harry nodded to
those sentiments as Harry poured them each juice for breakfast
without even thinking about it. “It
was beautiful,” Harry said. “Every single second was pure
bliss. I have never had anything so special in my life as those seven
days. I’ll never forget it.” “Sounds
nice,” Hermione smiled sadly. “It
was,” Draco said. “I wanted to stay there forever, but
Harry insisted that we had to come back.” Harry chuckled
softly.
“There
have been Ministry officials here almost every day looking for you,”
Ron said. Harry nodded. “They aren’t very happy with you
right now.” “Oh
there’s a shock,” Harry said. “Bring them on. I
haven’t kicked any ass in a while. Taking down some fuckers
from the Ministry sounds like my idea of a good day.” “Oh,
I spoke with Albus and he said today and tomorrow we’d be
preparing those pits and hunting the trodhogs with you,” Seamus
said with a large smile. “Did
he say that?” Harry asked. “Figures he’d have
something for me to do the minute I walked in the door. We’ll
go hunt after we eat if you want. Draco, you ready to hunt?” “I
think I can still walk after what you did to me this morning,”
Draco said offhandedly. Harry chuckled. “I swear sometimes
you’re trying to kill me with that shit. There is only so much
one person can take, Harry, damn.” “Sorry.
I got carried away,” Harry said with the large grin plastered
on his face as he ate. “That’s
enough. I’m trying to eat and I don’t need that imagery
first thing in the morning,” Ron said. “I’d
love that imagery anytime,” Seamus said. “Harry
and Draco doing it,” Dean said. “Yeah. I can see the
appeal in seeing that, too.” “Maybe
we’ll sell the video,” Harry said. Seamus dropped his
fork. “I was teasing. There is no video you nitwit. Besides you
couldn’t handle it if there was anyway.” “Oh
yeah?” Seamus asked. “Yeah,”
Draco said. “You couldn’t take it. Too intense for you.
There was…it was…” Draco nodded and tilted his
head several times but never finished the sentence. “See?”
Harry said. The breakfast was eaten and the conversation shared.
Albus came from the head table and came to stand behind Harry. “I
know you had a nice time,” Albus said. “I felt it when
you arrived. The levels in this school raised up at least forty six
points when you showed up. I almost fell out of my chair with your
emotions.” “Sorry,”
Harry grinned. “I was just letting you know I was home. I hear
I’m hunting today.” “Yes,
the students asked about the hunting. I will allow them to miss
classes since they’re finished with their final exams,”
Albus said. “You’ll need to have the pits prepared today
and have the hogs in them by tonight so they’ll be ready in
time.” “Very
well. I can do that,” Harry said. “When is the Ministry
coming after me?” “Today
probably,” Albus said as if it were nothing. “You’ll
be in the forest and they won’t go in there, but they may be at
the evening meal if you’re present.” “I
think I’ll stay in the forest then,” Harry said. “What
do they want with me?” “They
want to see that you’re sick,” Albus said. “But if
you’re in the forest, that could throw that theory.” “Hmm,”
Harry thought. “Oh well. They’ll just have to be confused
then. They think I’m a lunatic anyway, just tell them I lost my
mind altogether and that I wander the forest in some delusional
state. They’d believe it.” Harry stood up and looked at
Albus very closely. Harry and Albus took a hand each and looked at
the other so oddly that it was known that they were sharing
information in some way. Harry nodded slowly with some type of
realization on his face. “I see. Interesting.” For
another few moments they shared the gaze and the almost telepathic
connection staring into one another’s eyes. “Clouded
streams,” Albus said. Harry nodded to the words before Albus
turned and left the table and Harry standing and staring after him. “What
in hell was that?” Draco asked. “Clouded streams?” “The
man is a genius, Draco, although some think him quite mad,”
Harry said. “Remember Nitwit Oddment Blubber Tweak? That was
one of his greatest ever. I’ll never forget that. Simply
brilliant.” Harry sat again amid the stares of his tablemates. “And
you understood what he meant by that?” Hermione asked. “Yes,”
Harry said. “Are we all ready to hunt today? Hermione are you
coming hunting? Ginny?” “What
did he mean by the nitwit tweak thing?” Seamus asked. “I
can’t tell you,” Harry said. “You have to figure it
out for yourself. I did. It took me over a year, but…it’s
quite fascinating when you figure out the clues. Just think about it
sometime. Are we ready to hunt?” “Please
tell me what he meant by that,” Hermione said. “I have
wondered that for six years, Harry. It’s driven me nuts.” “I
can’t Hermione,” Harry said with a sad grin. “But I
will tell you on my birthday. Okay?” Hermione stilled. “No.
That’s not okay,” Hermione said. “I want to know
now.” “Sorry,”
Harry said with that look of mystery. “I can’t tell you
now. Is everyone going hunting? I need to know how many are going?
Dean, get Michael and ask if he’s going.” Dean reached
across the aisle and tapped a Ravenclaw on the shoulder and motioned
toward Michael. Michael was asked and he nodded that he was going.
“Okay so that’s me, Draco, Ron, Seamus, Dean, Michael and
Neville.” “I
didn’t say I was coming,” Neville said. “No,
but I want you to,” Harry said. “Will you come hunt with
me?” “I…I
don’t know, Harry,” Neville said. “I don’t
know anything about hunting I’ve never been.” “You
need to do things you’ve never done, Neville,” Harry
said. “Live life while you have it. Experience new things, new
places…do stuff. Don’t just…live sheltered
forever. There is so much in the world to do and see and learn. Don’t
miss it. You’re never promised another day, so live each day to
the fullest.” Harry stood up and the other students stilled for
a moment and Hermione dropped her head in guilt. Harry knew that the
other students knew about the test results. “Hermione, can I
speak to you a moment?” “Harry,
I’m sorry,” Hermione said. “It was an accident.” “She
didn’t mean to,” Ginny said. “What
was an accident?” Draco asked. “Nothing,
Draco,” Ron said. “Hermione just had a problem and now
it’s not a problem anymore.” “What
are you talking about?” Draco asked and looked to Harry who
grinned at him a bit. “They’re
all nuts,” Harry said. “You know how Gryffindors are.
Come on everyone you’ll need to change into hunting clothes.
Anything ragged that you don’t care to ruin is fine. Don’t
wear anything smelly like cologne or…well, whatever. We can
hunt with bow and arrows or grankas. Whichever you all prefer.” “Grankas,”
Draco said. “I
can cast the grankas a bit,” Ron said. “I don’t
know if I can hit anything.” The girls were left at the table
as the guys headed out the Dining Hall doors toward Gryffindor Tower. “Harry,
I’ll need to go change in my own dorm room,” Draco said.
Harry nodded. “I’ll meet you at the front entrance in a
half hour. Okay?” “Fine,”
Harry grinned and kissed his dragon as Draco left. Harry went up to
the boys’ dorm with the guys. Draco headed back toward the
Dining Hall and caught Hermione, Ginny and Debbie coming out. The
three froze at Draco’s crossed armed stance and look. “I
want answers,” Draco said. “What was an accident? What do
you and Harry know?” “Draco,
it’s nothing, really,” Hermione said. “If
it’s nothing then you won’t mind telling me what it is,”
Draco said. “Draco,
this is not your concern,” Ginny said. “It’s
between Harry and Hermione.” “What
is? What is between you? I know it’s something because I can
feel it from Harry,” Draco said. “I can…I just…I
know how Harry is and how he….” Draco tried to explain
with his hands. “Harry has a feel around him always. It’s
like…like an aura all over him because of his magical
strength.” “Yes,
he does have that,” Hermione said. “He’s always had
it but…only those closest to him can read it.” “Well
I’m all over it,” Draco said. “I know when
something upsets him even if he denies it because his aura changes
and I can feel it. I can taste it even. So I know that whatever is
between you upsets him greatly. A lot. Very, very much. So…what
is it? Tell me. Please.” “I
can’t,” Hermione said walking past Draco quickly. Draco
jogged and turned her in the hall. “Hermione,”
Draco pleaded. “Tell me. Is…is it the Rothslid?” “Draco,
I can’t,” Hermione said pulling free from his grasp and
walking away. Ginny and Debbie looked to each other and then followed
Hermione quickly down the hall leaving Draco standing alone in
thought. Draco turned and headed toward the dungeons to change. In
a half hour all the boys were gathered at the front entrance when
Draco showed up dressed just like the rest in tattered jeans and
t-shirt. Harry led them out onto the lawn and surveyed the best
places to put the pits to slow smoke the hogs when ready to cook
them. With much measurement and care, Harry moved his hands to create
five large holes in the ground filled with dark looking rocks. The
morning was spent loading the holes with logs magically from dried
sweet wood trees in the forest and preparing each pit. After that was
finished Harry created a bow and quiver of arrows for each of the
seven of them. After they were strapped and ready, Harry explained on
the way into the forest that the trudhogs lived near the mire,
wallowed in the muddy substance, that they were slow moving and what
kind of trails they left. Harry let them trail the hogs and sneak up
to see a small herd grunting around and laying about in the mud. And
on Harry’s instruction, none drew an arrow yet. They’d
practiced shooting the bow and arrows toward targets until each could
hit the target at twenty yards. They made a small campfire far away
from the mire and Harry and Draco killed three Grueder hares, which
the boys had for lunch along with as many ashberries and water they
wanted. After they’d eaten and lounged a bit it was time for
the hunt. “When
we close in, try to pick off the largest hogs and avoid the females
if you can,” Harry said. “The males are larger anyway.
There are seven of us so I expect each of you to kill two. Are we
ready?” “Two?”
Neville asked. “But…I don’t know if I can hit one
or not.” “I
know you can, Neville,” Harry grinned. “You are good with
a bow and arrow. We’ll go slowly and if they run, which I
suspect they will before we get all we need to hit, then we’ll
hang back until they slow up ahead. Ready?” All the boys were
ready and they fanned out. Harry gave the signal and each fired their
arrows. The rest was almost a blur of activity. Several hogs were
killed but the herd ran. The hunters chased and after an hour each
boy had killed two except for Dean and Michael who had one apiece.
Harry had killed five making a total of fifteen killed. “Wow,”
Ron said. “Oh man I feel great. I could do this all the time. I
love this hunting thing.” “Yeah.
It wasn’t so bad,” Neville said with pride of the two
he’d bagged. “I can’t believe I actually did it.” “You
did good on that first arrow, Dean,” Draco said. “Perfect
shot.” “You
all did excellent,” Harry said with a grin at them. “I’m
proud of all of you. We’ll levitate these hogs to the pits
before we gut them.” “Gut
them?” Michael asked. “Yeah.
Hagrid will help us,” Harry said. “He likes doing that.
I’ll need to start the fires when we get back, too.” The
hogs were all levitated all the way out of the forest while Harry
explained how the hogs were split down the middle and then gutted of
their organs and other parts. Draco grimaced and felt ill, but Harry
assured him that they could help with the gutting or not. Hagrid
was ready with a large wooden table and several knives that were as
large as saws when the boys arrived with their kills. Hagrid was
ecstatic with the large beasts and he began as soon as they were laid
out on the ground. Harry went to each pit and made the fires so that
they’d die down enough to heat up the rocks. Harry added a
steel grate to each hole on which to place the hogs when ready before
he joined Hagrid with the gutting. The boys all watched Hagrid and
Harry gut the first hog and throw the organs in a large wooden bucket
waist height at the end of the table. After a full day of work, the
hogs were all placed three to a pit and then covered magically with
tops of a thick see through substance Harry called invisible steel of
his own creation. The smoke swirled in the pits and the smells of the
hogs soon began to fill their nostrils making their mouths water
already. “When
will they be ready?” Michael asked. “Two
days,” Harry said. “At the feast.” “But
the feast is usually held on the last day of school,” Neville
said. “That will mean the feast will be three days before the
last day of school.” “I
know,” Harry said. “Albus wanted to have it early for
some reason.” “What
is the reason?” Draco asked. “I
have no idea,” Harry said. “He’s just a nut.” “I
thought you said he was brilliant and a genius,” Ron said. “He
is when he’s not being a complete nutter,” Harry said.
“If you could ever be in his mind like I am sometimes, I swear
you’d freak out. He has some off the wall thoughts of the
strangest things. He spent two days thinking about a fork once.”
The boys laughed hard at Albus’ fascination with table wear. “Oh
man, we reek,” Dean said. “We’ll need showers and
it’s already time for the evening meal.” “We’ll
have to hurry,” Ron said. “We
could all shower quicker in the Quidditch showers,” Michael
said. “They’re closer.” “Good
idea,” Draco said as they all headed that way. All the boys had
showers as they talked about their day and soon each was dressed in
clothing the house elves had brought them all. “Draco,
do you want to sit at the Slytherin table for the evening meal?”
Harry asked as they were walking toward the school. “No,
I want to sit with you,” Draco said. “I’ll
sit with you at the Slyth table if you want,” Harry said. “You
will?” Draco asked as if it were insane. “Sure.
Why not?” Harry asked. “You sit with me all the time.” “Are
you sure that’s such a good idea?” Seamus asked.
“The
Slytherins aren’t too supportive of your relationship are
they?” Dean asked. “I
could care less what they think,” Draco smirked. “Fine.
We’ll sit with the Slyths,” Harry said as they entered
the Dining Hall. Draco and Harry came to the table of snakes, sat and
began piling up their plates. “What
is he doing here?” Goyle asked of Harry. “I
believe he’s eating,” Draco said heavy on the sarcasm.
“You don’t mind do you?” Draco gave the look of
superiority and leadership. “Well…I
um…guess not,” Goyle said staring at Harry as if he’d
never seen him before. “Hey,
Goyle,” Harry said as he drank his water. “Draco,
dear, I don’t think we need this sickening display of your
sexual orientation at our table,” Pansy said. “Pansy,
dear, I don’t think I asked for your opinion on the matter,”
Draco said. “So shut it.” “I
think Pansy may have a point, Malfoy,” Blaise cut in. “Potter
isn’t welcome here.” “This
is my table and Harry is my guest,” Draco said. “If you
don’t like it you can just shove it because I don’t give
a shit what you think.” Draco gave the glare of death to each
of them and the rest of the meal no one said a word. Draco and Harry
were still discussing the hunt and the use of weaponry. The other
guys at the table moved closer to them to hear about the hunting of
the day and about the hogs that were in the pits preparing already
for the feast. The other Slytherin males were eager to hear about the
hunting and after a while were asking all sorts of questions and
generally all having a wonderful time over the meal. By the end of
the meal, Harry was as welcomed and comfortable as any of them at the
table. The meal ended and the students scattered about. Harry and
Draco, having nothing else to do, went outside and sat on the lawn by
a campfire kept by Hagrid to thwart off any wild dogs smelling the
meat cooking in the pits. They lay on the blanket and looked up at
the stars. Harry moved a few of the starlights around for Draco’s
entertainment as they lay together and enjoyed the time they could
spend under the stars. After it got late and they were tired, they
ventured back to the den where they stripped and crawled underneath
the covers to fall into a warm embrace. Sleep came quickly. Harry
pulled up the sheet over them in the middle of the night and wrapped
his arm across Draco again as they spooned together. Harry leaned to
place kisses over Draco’s shoulder and to nuzzle in the warmth
of his neck. Without a word Draco reached behind himself to rub
Harry’s thigh and then up to take Harry’s already hard
cock into his hand. After a few strokes, Draco moved back a bit to
rub the head of Harry’s cock at his entrance. Harry added the
slick lubricant before he slid himself into his lover’s body
and began to move slowly. Not a word was spoken except for the
breathing and tiny whimpers of pleasure and the throaty breathing
grunts at the cresting thrusts that lasted long in the wee morning
hours. Draco began to stroke his own hard need when he could take no
more. The pressure grew within each of them after a long while of
their fucking, touching and kissing. When the time was at hand Draco
fisted his own erection hard and sent the hot liquid over his hand
and onto the sheet. With a few hard thrusts into Draco’s tight
body, Harry held on with his fierce grip and shoved his cock deep
into the hot recesses of his lover and spilled his own seed as each
breathed heavy from their efforts. Draco reached around to pull Harry
closer to him. Harry pulled Draco closer with his arm around him and
in the silence and still joined together, they fell asleep again. Harry
woke on his stomach feeling kisses on his lower back that were being
led slowly up to his shoulders. “Hmmm,”
Harry hummed before he opened his eyes. “What a nice way to
wake up in the morning.” “I’ll
be your alarm clock, baby,” Draco whispered into Harry’s
ear as he lay flush on Harry’s back and continued to kiss his
neck and upper back. Draco gave several teasing thrusts of his hips
onto Harry’s buttocks and each laughed softly. “Whatever
you want,” Harry said sleepily with a large grin. “I
don’t think I can,” Draco said. “Hell, I don’t
know if I have any juice left we’ve done it so much this week.”
Draco rolled off and Harry turned his head to look at him through
barely open eyes. “I
love you,” Harry said as he put his arm over Draco’s
stomach. Draco ran his fingers through Harry’s messy hair. “I
love you, too,” Draco said. “It’s a quarter till
seven. We need to have a bath before breakfast.” The pair slid
from the bed. Each had bathroom visits and then a long hot bath
together before dressing and walking from the den hand in hand. “Where
should we have breakfast?” Draco asked. “Let’s
eat with the snakes again,” Harry said. “Are
you avoiding the Gryffindors,” Draco asked. “Yes.
Something like that,” Harry said with a short laugh. Draco
stopped and turned Harry toward him. “I
know this has something to do with Hermione,” Draco accused.
Harry nodded slightly. “Yes.
It does,” Harry said. “I held her in confidence with
something and she told it. I am a bit upset with her right now and I
really don’t want to be around her.” “What
was it?” Draco asked. “Just
something that’s of no importance, but it was the fact that she
didn’t keep her promise to me,” Harry said. “And it
doesn’t matter. I’ll get over it in a day or two. Don’t
worry about it.” Draco could only nod since he knew Harry
wasn’t telling. The pair walked to the Slytherin table and sat
for breakfast as the Gryffindors watched. “He
is really pissed,” Ron said to the others. “I
know,” Hermione practically threw her fork down. “Dammit.” “Hermione,
I practically dragged it from you,” Ginny said. “If it’s
anyone’s fault it’s mine.” “I
don’t see what the problem is,” Seamus said. “I
thought the point of them going to Paris was so that Harry could tell
Draco that his disease was back and that he’s going
to…well…not…be here much longer.” “Harry
doesn’t plan on telling Draco anything at all,” Ron said. “But
Draco will know, Ron,” Dean said. “Dean’s
right,” Neville said. “Draco will see Harry getting
weaker and then…” “Harry
doesn’t plan on that either,” Ron said as he put down his
fork and shoved his plate away forcefully. “Harry has no
intention of dying in a hospital bed at all.” “What
are you saying?” Hermione asked. “Ron, Harry wouldn’t…” “You
know Harry wouldn’t kill himself,” Dean said. “He’d
never do that,” Ginny said. “But…”
Hermione said. “There is one other thing Harry must do. And
soon.” “Voldemort,”
Neville said. Hermione and Ron nodded. “So…he’s
going to kill Voldemort and then…” Seamus said. “Harry
plans on dying in battle,” Hermione stated with the realization
of the only way it could be. “Of course. He’s a warrior.
He’d want to die in battle. Why didn’t I see it before?” “Oh
god,” Neville said. “When? When is Harry going to kill
him? Kill Voldemort?” “I
don’t know,” Ron said. “But very soon. He has to.
Harry will begin to weaken in a few weeks and then it will be too
late.” At that moment a burst of laughter came from the
Slytherin table where Harry and Draco were laughing heartily with
some of the other students. “I
can’t believe it,” Ginny said with the look in her eyes
to Harry. “I don’t want him to die. I can’t imagine
life without Harry in it.” “There
isn’t much choice we have unless we can cure his disease,”
Dean said. “And
that’s impossible,” Seamus said. “Harry
says nothing is impossible,” Neville said. They all looked to
the other at knowing the one impossible thing was the terminal
illness. The rest of breakfast was finished in silence. After
breakfast were the classes which Draco ignored in favor of being with
Harry. The pair stayed outdoors tending the fire Hagrid had kept the
night before as they lay on a blanket in the shade together playing
with wandless magic. The only excitement was the appearance of three
Praders, which were wild dogs that lived in the forest. The smell of
the cooking meat had drawn them. Harry didn’t kill them, but
frightened them away with a quick drawn slingshot and rocks. At
lunchtime the pair ate again with the Slytherins and after the meal
went back outside to their spot in the shade near the fires at the
edge of the forest. They saw the carriage at the Hogwarts gate far
away. “Oh
shit,” Draco said. “The Ministry. Oh no this can’t
be good.” “You’re
exactly right,” Harry said. “They want to take me. I feel
it.” “No.
They can’t,” Draco said. “Albus said they have no
charges.” “But
I was supposed to go for testing with them,” Harry said. “And…I
sort of went to Paris instead.” “Oh
crap,” Draco said. “Well…run. Go into the forest.
I’ll go with you.” “I
can’t,” Harry said. “I’ll have to be there
and let Albus handle it. Draco, I need to fragment up to see Albus
and ask him what he wants me to do. It’s only a half hour until
the evening meal. I’ll see you there.” Draco nodded and
Harry fragemented away leaving his lover in a state of worry. Draco
quickly hopped up and ran in search of Ron and Hermione. “Albus,”
Harry said as he defragmented in Albus’ office where the
Headmaster was alone working on some paperwork. “The Ministry
carriage just came up the front lawn. What do you want me to do?” “Marshall
Halls will want to take you for testing,” Albus said. “But
there is another matter that we need to discuss that is more
important. Voldemort’s troops are gathering near Godin Castle.
I just got word from two of our outside contacts that confirm this
information. I suspect they’ll all be gathered tomorrow evening
for rituals.” “I’ll
need to go there at that time and take them all out,” Harry
said. “Tomorrow night then. Good. That’s good.” “Harry,
you don’t have to sacrifice yourself in that battle,”
Albus said. “Don’t leave us sooner than you must.” “That
is not your decision,” Harry said. “I appreciate your
kindness and concern, but I have no intention of dying weak and
defeated by an illness. I’ll never feel a thing in death during
my battle. But I can’t leave with the Ministry today since my
battle is tomorrow evening. What do you wish me to do? Be in the
Dining Hall? Retreat to the forest?” “Since
you plan to die in your battle, it doesn’t matter what you do
with the Ministry,” Albus said. “But I did have the
waivers signed for you. Fudge himself signed them after reading the
Daily Prophet where Poppy gave the statement that you were terminal
and would only live less than two months. Fudge had no qualms in
signing them.” “I
hardly think the waivers matter at this point,” Harry said.
“But thank you anyway.” “I
think it would be interesting to see Marshal Halls’ face at
seeing just what you are capable of,” Albus grinned. Harry
laughed. “You
want me to make a spectacle for his entertainment in the Dining
Hall?” Harry asked. “I
never said that,” Albus said. “I’ll just leave it
up to you.” “Fine.
I can entertain our guests,” Harry said. “That might be
fun anyway.” Albus nodded sadly and looked down to his hands.
Harry felt the grief within the old man. “I love you, you know.
You’ve been like a true father to me always.” Harry had
come around to sit on the edge of Albus’ desk and take his
hand. “No one has ever cared for me like you have. You have
protected me and taught me everything over the years. I appreciate
that more than you’ll ever know. I will make you proud by doing
what I was trained to do.” “The
point of your training was to keep you living,” Albus said.
“And now there’s nothing I can do to prevent your death.
I feel that I’ve failed you, Harry.” “Nonsense,”
Harry said. “The only being on earth that can destroy me now is
me. The problem is that I’m doing just that. This is a disease,
Albus and it’s no one’s fault that I have it. I should
have been dead years ago and I lived because of your teachings,
guidance and protection. My life is irrelevant when you think about
it. I was put here to destroy the evil being and I will do that
tomorrow. My purpose is then complete.” “That’s
not true, Harry,” Albus said. “You are a human being born
to the world just as any other. The only difference is that you are
gifted to do a thing. Your sole purpose for being is not to destroy
Voldemort, but to live life as any other born into this world. Live
and enjoy the fruitfulness that life will afford you, but…even
that has been denied you now. I feel such regret that I pushed you to
learn these things and not enjoy what little childhood you did have.” “Don’t
worry about it,” Harry said sadly. “If I hadn’t had
training I wouldn’t be what I am now.” “I
thought you said you weren’t a what but a who?” Albus
teased. “Fine.
You win. I’m a what,” Harry teased back. “Happy
now?” “No,”
Albus said taking Harry’s hand with both of his own. “I
will miss you. You are my son and I will miss you.” Harry
leaned to take the hug from the old man that he admired more than any
on earth. “Manihea,”
Harry said. “The Tahinu ritual of the freedom of the spirit.
Will you give it to me after my death?” “I
would need your body for that,” Albus said. “And…if
you plan on the mass destruction that I suspect, there will be
nothing left of you.” “Probably
not,” Harry agreed. “But I want you to do the Manihea
anyway. Allow Draco and the council to assist you. I want them to
understand that the spirit only dwells in the shell of a body and
that death is only a passage into the next realm of existence where
the spirit remains in peace with those that have gone on before. I
want them to be at peace knowing I am there in the Oasis waiting for
them.” Albus knew that Harry was taken and truly immersed in
the beliefs of the Tahinu after spending time with them. “I
will give the ritual,” Albus said. “Even though you and I
are only members of the tribe, and I am not a Piaya or a holy man of
the tribe eligible to give the Manihea fully.” “That
doesn’t matter,” Harry said. “The ritual will be
for them to have their peace when I’m gone.” “Don’t
be so hard, Harry,” Albus said. “You don’t have to
hold yourself together for us. We know you suffer with this. No one
wants to die. Not even you. I know you’re bitter inside and
want to lash out your pain.” “I
can’t do that,” Harry said. “I can’t do that
because of Draco, Ron, Hermione…all of them. They can’t
see me that way because it will hurt them more and I won’t
allow it. I’ve been trained well not to let emotional things
break me.” “But
you may need to allow it for your own well being,” Albus said. “I’m
fine,” Harry grinned. “I’m excited about it,
really. Every day of my life has led up to one point and now it’s
finally here. I’m ready, Albus. And…” Harry paused
for a moment and a long sigh. “And I’m tired. Tired of
all of it. Voldemort. The dark. Evilness. The disease. The
treatments. I’m tired of it all. I want this over for good and
I’ve made my decision.” Albus nodded a bit. “You
were always so stubborn,” Albus said. “I could never
change your mind.” “That’s
right,” Harry teased. “And you can’t do it now,
either. The Ministry officials are in the Dining Hall. Are you
ready?” Albus nodded as he stood and gave Harry a hard hug and
kissed his cheek. “I’ll make you proud.” The two
wizards smiled sadly and softly as they left the Headmaster’s
office and walked toward the Dining Hall. When the pair entered they
stopped and noticed Marshall Halls sitting in Dumbledore’s
chair. “I hate that asshole.” “Harry,”
Draco’s voice sounded. Harry looked to the Gryffindor table and
smiled that wickedly amusing smile. “Oh no.” Harry
laughed evilly to himself and then looked to Halls again. He sat
waiting with four other lieutenants on either side of him. Nine in
all. Harry walked with Albus to the head table. Albus went around the
backside of the table as Harry stood still and stared at Halls who
never broke his gaze with Harry. “There
you are, Potter,” Halls said coolly. “Here
I am,” Harry grinned. “What is it that you wish of me?” “Only
to take you to the Ministry where you’ll be held and tested,”
Halls said. “I’m
afraid I can’t do that,” Harry said. “I don’t
plan on going anywhere with you. Ever.” “Is
that so?” Halls asked lightly. “I have legal
documentation that gives me the authority to take you regardless of
what Albus says.” “I
don’t care what Albus says either,” Harry said. “I’m
not going and you can’t make me.” “Is
that a threat?” Halls asked dropping his voice. Harry put both
hands on the table and leaned to within inches of Halls face. “Yes,”
Harry growled and then gave just the hint of a smirk. “You
can’t apprehend me unless I allow it. You’re nothing to
me.” Harry rose back up when Albus came next to his chair.
Halls stood and Albus took his seat. “Harry,
you may sit if you wish,” Albus said. Harry nodded politely to
Halls and then eyed the lieutenants on each side who were thinking of
grabbing their wands. Harry turned his back on them and walked
casually to the Gryffindor table as the students all watched. Harry
took his seat and began to pile up the food on his plate as the
chatter in the hall broke out again. “What
in hell did you say to him? That Halls man looks mad as hell,”
Draco said. “You’d
better hang on, Draco,” Harry warned giving them all a look. “I
have full reign to do whatever the hell I want today with these
idiots. Albus suggested I show them exactly what I can do.” “Oh
god no,” Seamus said. “Harry you can’t.” “Maybe
that’s not such a good idea,” Hermione said. “Harry,
what did Albus mean by that?” Ron asked. “Albus
just said he’d like to see Halls face at seeing what I could
do,” Harry said with an evil chuckle. “And I happen to
agree with him. Let’s see if I can make him piss in his pants
before he goes running from the hall crying like a little girl.” “You’ll
scare the students,” Hermione said. “You can’t do
anything evil.” “I’m
not evil,” Harry said. “I’m the good guy, Herm. I
just want to put the fear of me into Halls once and for all. My goal
is to make him have nightmares of me for weeks.” “Sounds
fun,” Draco giggled. “Just be careful because the
students are in the Hall.” “Don’t
worry. I’m better than that, Draco,” Harry said as he ate
his potatoes and meal as it he wasn’t worried about a thing. “How
can you be so calm?” Dean said. “I’m freaking out.” “I’m
the most powerful being on earth, Dean,” Harry said. “Think
of it that way. They can’t touch me unless I allow it and I
just warded off the school so that they can’t even cast an
unforgivable here. So everything’s fine. Don’t worry
about me. Just sit still and watch.” “What
are you going to do?” Ron asked. “I
have no idea,” Harry said with a smile. “That depends on
what they do.” “Well
make it good and show these fuckers what you could do to them,”
Ginny spat. “Yeah,”
Seamus said. “Scare the shit out of them.” “Give
them something good, baby,” Draco said giving Harry a kiss on
his cheek. “Since
you all insist,” Harry teased with a grin as they all noticed
the heated discussion between Albus and the Ministry official. Albus
stood quickly and said some quiet words to Halls whose face became
red with anger and a glare of rage toward Albus who looked cool in
the matter. Halls spat some commands to his squads and they came in
Harry’s direction. “Looks
like you’re on,” Hermione said. Harry stood and walked
away from the table and into the center aisle where the Auror squads
were filing in on each side wands pointed toward him Harry stood
motionless for several moments until the Aurors were within touching
distance and then Harry fragmented up. The Gryffindors chuckled at
the Aurors surprised looks on their faces at Harry’s
disappearance. Harry appeared in the doorway. “You’re
not very good at apprehending me,” Harry said with his arms
crossed. “Want to try again?” Harry laughed a bit. The
Aurors ran toward him and all pounced as Harry fragmented away. Three
of the Aurors fell onto the floor where they thought they’d
tackled Harry who appeared near the head table. “This way. Here
I am.” Draco and Ron laughed out loud and Harry gave them a
quick smirk before doing something very odd. Right beside Harry
popped up a duplicate of himself that kept duplicating on both sides
until the whole Hall was covered in duplicates of Harry Potters
everywhere. All crossed their arms at the same time and spoke in
unison. “Can you find me?” all the Harry’s asked.
All the students looked to each duplicate Harry. There had to be at
least forty Harry’s lining the Hall spaced out an arm’s
length from the other. Albus chuckled a bit and Halls seethed anger
as he came around the table. “Whoa,”
Draco said looking at all of them. Draco turned around to look at the
closest two Harry’s closely. “I can’t even tell.
They’re all just alike. Holy shit this fucks with my mind.”
The Aurors each chose a victim and aimed a wand. Halls walked from
one duplicate Harry to the other until he had selected one of his own
choosing and aimed his wand at the image. “Squads
fire!” Halls said and each Auror cast the ‘avada kedavra’
that didn’t work. All the Harry’s laughed out loud
filling the hall with his laughter. Each Auror grabbed their victim
duplicate that just disappeared in their hands. Halls just stared at
his before grabbing Harry who was solid. “It’s
me,” Harry said before sending a shock through himself and
burning Halls’ hands. Halls was thrown back a bit from the jolt
and scrambled to raise his wand at Harry who took a step forward. “Go
ahead. Send a spell. You won’t hit me.” Halls was backing
away slowly sending every curse, spell and hex he could think of.
Harry dodged and reflected each one as he kept walking directly
toward Halls whose eyes went wide. Harry stepped up nose to nose with
the man. “I could kill you with a single thought.” “You
are a lunatic,” Halls said loudly. “You are a danger to
this school.” “No.
You are the danger,” Harry said. “I have never harmed
another person here and I have no plan on doing so. I protect these
students with my very life daily. It’s you that put these
children in danger by coming here to harass me while I hold them in
my charge.” “Get
away from me!” Halls backed up a few steps. Harry slowly raised
his hands and with a sling he sent lightening off the walls, which
ricocheted and burnt a fiery blast directly behind Halls who screamed
in fear. The Aurors moved together and huddled near Halls’
back. Halls still had his wand on Harry who looked at it and flicked
a finger. The wand turned into a snake and Hall gasped and dropped
it. The snake slithered over to Harry and climbed up his leg and he
wrapped it around his neck. “You freak.” “Is
that your best insult?” Harry sounded disappointed. “Hell,
I know first years that can hurl more damage than that.” “You
won’t get away from this, Potter,” Halls said. “You’re
a danger and you’ll be dealt with.” “You
have no power over me,” Harry said coolly with calmness as he
stroked the snake. “You’re nothing to me. I could squish
you in an instant.” Harry narrowed his eyes and caused the
tremble of the earthquake for a second making everyone in the hall
gasp. “Remember this. Do not come here again for me because
there is no need. Now go.” Harry spat. Halls backed up against
the Aurors and no one moved. Harry took a step in their direction and
Hall began to push backward until the Aurors were moving quickly
through the Dining Hall doors. Hall kept backing away quickly as
Harry walked toward him. With a quick flick of his hands and the
grankas, Harry cast a the double blades which landed on each side of
the Dining Hall doors making Hall gasp and whimper before he turned
and ran from the Dining Hall. Harry turned back to look at Albus
before he burst into laughter. “Did you see that? I did it,
Draco. He actually pissed on himself. Oh god that was fun.”
Draco, Ron, Seamus and Dean laughed with Harry as Harry unwound the
snake and transformed it back into a wand. Harry threw the wand and
it landed gently at Albus’ plate. “There. He’ll be
wanting that later.” Harry went to sit at his table as the
whole school was watching him in awed silence. “I
like that duplicate you thing,” Draco said. “Very
simple mind trick,” Harry said with a grin. “That was
fun.” “You
just scared him bad,” Dean said with a giggle. “That
Marshall Halls is an asshole,” Harry said. The flood of
questions from the students in the hall about how Harry did this and
that was overwhelming. “Get me out of here.” Harry stood
and Draco along with Ron, Hermione, Seamus, Dean, Ginny, Neville and
the final additions of Michael and Debbie followed Harry out the
Dining Hall doors out near the edge of the forest where Harry flicked
out blankets for them. Harry flopped down and lay back when Draco
straddled his waist and sat comfortably. “Are
you wanting sex?” Harry asked. “Why
do you even ask?” Draco asked with a grin. Harry laughed
softly. “With you I want it all the time.” “Fine
with me,” Harry said reaching for Draco’s zipper. Draco
took Harry’s hands and held them on either side of his head on
the blanket. Harry laced their fingers as they looked at the other.
“I love you, Draco.” “And
I love you, Harry Potter,” Draco said with every drop of
seriousness he owned. “Sing for me.” “What?”
Harry asked with a grin and a short laugh. “Sing
me that song you sang in the hospital wing. You’re in my heart.
You’re in my soul…” Draco sang the line. “Hey,
are you singing?” Seamus asked Draco. Harry laughed and Draco
stuck out his tongue at Seamus. “Are you?” “No.
Harry is,” Draco said. “Aren’t you?” “No,”
Harry said. “You sing and I’ll play.” “No.
I want to hear you sing to me,” Draco said letting Harry up.
“You can’t deny me.” “I
think you’re right,” Harry said as he sat up. “Are
you going to sing?” Debbie asked with a smile. “I
hope he is,” Michael said to Ginny. “Yes,
maestro,” Ron said. “Please grace us with your voice.” “Go
to hell,” Harry said. “I just do this for Draco, not
you.” Harry flung out his arm and created the guitar and with a
flair of a fling hit the chord, which reverberated through the night
air. “What would you like to hear my dragon?” “You’re
in my heart,” Draco said with a sweet smile. Harry nodded to
the request and began the angsty rhythm on the strings with much
animation in his good mood. Harry sang every word to Draco as he
swayed with the instrument and played almost automatically rarely
looking to the strings. Every word was punctuated with Harry’s
expressiveness. Harry sang out loudly into the night as his group sat
on blankets and enjoyed their dates and the music with smiles and
clapping lightly to the beat. At the chorus Draco and Harry sang to
the other meaning every word they sang. “You’re
in my heart, you’re in my soul You’ll
be my breath should I grow old You
are my lover, you’re my best friend You’re
in my soul…” Again
and again Harry played the chorus until everyone was singing it and
Harry just played and let them while he and Draco shared the music
and their gaze to the other until he slowed and the song eventually
stopped. “That’s
so fun,” Ginny said of the singing. The firelight was a bit
away but the dancing flames played sweet shadowy games on Draco’s
skin that held Harry’s eyes. “You
are so beautiful,” Harry said as he pushed away the guitar and
held Draco’s face in his hands. “You were created by
angels who made a perfect dream come true. They used liquid moonlight
for your skin and the brightest sparking stars for your eyes. Only
the most perfect sunbeams were taken for your hair and your smile is
simply the air that I breathe.” “See?
Like that,” Dean said. “That’s how you need to do
it Seamus.” Harry rolled his eyes and Draco snickered at the
intrusion of their private moment. “That
wasn’t for you,” Harry said. “That was for my
perfect beautiful dragon only.” “That
was very romantic, Harry,” Debbie said. “Go
away,” Harry said before he kissed the lips of his one gently.
“That wasn’t romantic. That was only the truth. Draco is
heavenly and divine.” “That’s
very true,” Draco said to Harry’s snickering before they
kissed again. A long snog session ensued on the blankets between the
couples. Harry and Draco lay on their sides facing with Draco’s
head on Harry’s outstretched arm as they held one another. “The
feast is tomorrow evening,” Draco said. “I can’t
wait until we have the hogs. That will be so great.” Harry
grinned a bit and nodded but in the back of his mind was thinking of
the event after the feast. He would be going to Voldemort. The
battle. His final moment. “It
will be great,” Harry said quietly. Draco felt the unease. “What
is it? I feel…your…something’s bothering you,”
Draco said. “I can feel it because of your aura. Hermione and
Ron feel it, too.” “It’s
nothing,” Harry said. “Just the end of the term. Everyone
will be leaving again.” “Oh,”
Draco said. “And you’ll be here at Hogwarts alone. I can
stay here with you if you want. I’m sure Albus won’t
mind.” “No.
That’s…that’s okay,” Harry said. “Let’s
not worry about it yet. We’ll talk about that later. I just
want to be with you tonight to enjoy you and lavish you with love
every second we’re awake.” “That
sounds wonderful,” Draco grinned. The pair stayed with their
friends on the blankets until it was curfew and the others all left
them lying on the blanket together loving and touching with whispered
words of affection. In the wee morning hours clothing was shed and
they made love under the starlight near the fires in the cool night
air as the dew was falling and the nightly fog drifted over them from
the waters. When the passions were sated hours later they covered
with the warm blankets and held each other throughout the night until
the dawn talking about everything in the world and enjoying the
passing minutes.
http://www.ficsavers.com
Tomorrow Will Come
Chapter 20: Chapter 20
By: Kimberjingle
Chapter 20: The Dire Prognosis is Given, A Trip Away Ensues, Ministry Man Wets His Pants