Adult-FanFiction.org : Harry Potter

Dragon Blood	By : Aline Category: Harry Potter > Slash - Male/Male > Harry/Draco Views: 55990 -:- Recommendations : 3 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, nor any of the characters from the books or movies. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 9
- 10
- 11
*Disclaimer: Harry Potter, and all the characters from it doesn’t belong to me, they belong to J. K. Rowling, I’m not gaining anything but fun from writing this.

Author’s note: Thank you to all that have reviewed this story so far. I’m aware that I’m taking too much time between updates, but I rarely have time to write, and last year was terrible. I’ll try to hurry and find more time, so hopefully there would be shorter time to wait for an update. Thanks again.

Chapter 09. Coming Out.

Draco was at the sitting room, reading an Arithmancy book to kill time. He had have breakfast in his bedroom that day and had avoided meeting anyone the entire morning. They had left him alone. For once Potter had not intruded in his room, insisting on him getting down with the rest of them. That could possibly be because of the rather weird incident with Sally’s magic the day before. Madam Pomfrey had come before breakfast and had checked him over, declaring him in good health and his magic stable. Then she had left and Draco didn’t know what she had told the others, but he had the impression that she must have recommended to let him rest.

He sighed and put the book aside, it was nearly lunch time and he wasn’t in the mood to keep hiding. Besides, it had been just an accident. Surely Madam Pomfrey had found out some sort of explanation, with the elves’ help, and no one was going to ask him for his insight of things. Dobby had already informed him of what he had said to Harry about the blonde’s sudden burst of magic, and if someone did question him, he could always repeat what Dobby had said. It was after all a viable explanation, Draco had known of some cases when a coming of age wizard had lost control of his magic because of the sudden increase in its levels. What had happened to him had not been so different.

Draco decided to make an appearance for lunch, convincing himself that no one was going to be interested enough on his health, or curious enough, to ask for details about the incident.

When Malfoy entered the kitchen, Ron was already there with a Quidditch magazine on his hands. The blond sighed and took a seat in front of the red-head, waiting for the others to arrive. Ron lowered the magazine and looked at the blond intently for a few seconds before questioning him.

“So, Harry said that Ginny hexed you without reason. How was that?”

Draco groaned inwardly. It had been too much to hope that no one would demand explanations.

“How I’m supposed to know? I was just sitting there beside Potter. He was the one that wanted me to help him with that book of bloodlines.”

“Yeah, he had explained that. What beats me is why would he want to lend you his wand?”

“He only wanted my help. And he hadn’t even given it to me yet when your crazy sister attacked me.”

Ron grimaced. While Madam Pomfrey had been checking Malfoy, Harry and Ginny had explained to Mrs. Weasley, Tonks, Ron and Hermione what had happened. He didn’t blame Ginny for her reaction; he would have done exactly the same. Harry was just so bloody trusting sometimes. But Harry had told them that he had been about to ask Malfoy to give an oath to be sure that he couldn’t do anything against him with Harry’s wand. Ron of course believed him. After all, Harry could be trusting but he wasn’t stupid. He knew how to protect himself from the Slytherins. They all had been ready to consider the incident just a weird accident, but Ginny had to get all defensive and said… that.

Ron had laughed. He could easily imagine Malfoy as a ponce, but there was no way that Harry could be attracted to anything but women. And of course Harry wouldn’t let the ferret get THAT close to him. There was no way that any boy could get into Harry’s pants, his sister must have had overreacted. Ginny had been pissed and had accused the lot of them of not taking things seriously. She had left the house immediately, near tears. Harry had gone to his room, looking uncomfortable, and had stayed there the rest of the morning.

After the adults had left the house, Ron and Hermione had had time to analyse things, and the bushy-haired girl had reasoned that Dobby would have had warned them if Malfoy had done something suspicious. The elf was entirely loyal to Harry and would protect him from harm. They had even talked with Dobby and the excited creature had assured them that Draco Malfoy had done nothing to harm Harry. If he had, Dobby would have hexed the blond himself. Both friends had decided that Ginny was upset because she and Harry were forced to be apart and maybe they needed a bit of time together. That would surely put Ginny at ease and Harry would feel happier knowing that his soon-to-be girlfriend was only worried about him. They were going to talk with Harry about it when things cooled down a little, maybe they could arrange a special day just for Harry and Ginny to be together.

Ron returned to look at the blond. Malfoy had been so civil the entire time, not at all the boy he used to be at Hogwarts. If he was plotting something he certainly had enough acting skills to fool whoever he wanted. Ron had almost started to believe that Harry was right and the Slytherin had changed. But no, he reminded himself that the blond was a Slytherin and the son of a Death Eater, he won’t allow himself to let his guard down. Someone had to look for Harry. Ginny was perhaps exaggerating in her reactions, but she was still on guard. They simply were getting too comfortable around Malfoy, too used to him. That was definitely not good.

“Tell me Malfoy, why have you been so civil? Why the sudden change from Hogwarts? Even when Harry has granted you protection, I surely expected you to be resentful for it.”

Before Draco could think of a suitable answer, Hermione and Harry entered the kitchen. Apparently they were discussing the book of bloodlines, because Harry carried it open and Granger was smiling excitedly.

“We must look into it Harry! It’s a very good prospect… Oh, hi Malfoy, feeling better?”

“Yes, much better.”

Harry looked at the blond and blushed a bright red. Draco raised an eyebrow in askance but the Gryffindor quickly averted his eyes and sat besides Weasley. Granger started to help a much annoyed Kreacher with the plates for lunch while she talked about all the work they still had to do for the house.

Harry shifted uncomfortably while he listened to Ron talk about the Chuddley Cannons, not daring to look in Malfoy’s direction. He had thanked the gods that the blond had not been present at breakfast. He had had time to cool down a little from the embarrassing dream he had have. Fuck Ginny. It had been her fault for putting images in Harry’s head! He had never before dreamed about a boy in THAT way! Stupid Ginny with her stupid comments! Now he won’t be able to see the Slytherin without remember that dream!

He tried to ignore the fact that Malfoy was persistently looking at him and ate lunch as casual as possible. He didn’t want to be too obvious, but he failed miserably, after some time he could feel Ron and Hermione looking at him with concern. He forced himself to participate in the conversation and to act normal. His friends seemed to relax after a while, but Malfoy was not easily fooled and continued glancing at him suspiciously from time to time. Harry managed to ignore him and by the time they finished lunch he felt more like himself again.

&&&&&&&&

After lunch, Hermione managed to convince the boys to do some tidy up to help the elves. They went to the upper floors of the manor and chose the potions’ lab to do the cleaning. After all, Malfoy would surely start using it soon enough.

Halfway through cleaning the floor, without magic until they identified all of the old ingredients and stuff still kept in the shelves and cabinets, Harry finally gained enough courage to approach Malfoy and apologize for Ginny’s behaviour. The blond shrugged, saying that it was not really important and they continued putting some order in the potion’s lab. Malfoy mostly only tried to arrange and clean different items. He wasn’t much for manual work and he missed his wand. He also was curious about the nervousness in Harry’s behaviour. The boy had been acting weird, almost as if he was afraid to be too close to him. Draco suspected that it was not only the fact that the red-headed girl had attacked him. He was pondering what he should do when Hermione suddenly huffed and marched over to the black-haired boy.

“You know Harry, if you’re gonna be so nervous around him you should just tell him the real reason Ginny gave for hexing him!”

“Yeah Harry, so we can see his reaction.” Said Ron, getting out from under a table where he had been sorting out several boxes full of jars.

Harry blushed fiercely and Draco raised both eyebrows at the boy in question.

“Well… you see, it’s really stupid… just because we were a bit close… it didn’t mean anything… she was just seeing things and saying stupid things and…!”

“Potter, I don’t understand a thing you’re saying.”

Hermione was eying her friend carefully while Ron patted his back, commenting that his sister was at fault for talking nonsense. Draco started to worry.

“Oh, for God’s sake!” said Granger, turning to look at the blond boy almost accusingly.

“Ginny said that you were about to kiss Harry. Is that true?”

Malfoy’s face was the very picture of incredulity. Inside he was screaming every foul name he knew to Ginny Weasley, but he managed to not give away his annoyance.

“Why would I want to do that?”

“You see! I told you it was laughable! Don’t worry mate, Ginny doesn’t know what she’s saying.”

Harry’s blush only deepened, but Ron didn’t notice, he just turned around and returned to the table and the boxes. Hermione however gave a final intense look to Harry before returning to what she had been doing.

Harry bit his lip and started to clean up the set of vials that Malfoy had in front of him.

“So, it’s really laughable right? Ginny’s just overreacting?”

Draco wondered how someone could sound so disappointed and relieved at the same time. He looked around to be sure that Harry’s friends were occupied and not likely to interrupt them and then got a bit closer to the other boy.

“What would be the difference? I thought you liked girls?”

Harry’s eyes widened and then he shook his head a bit too hastily.

“No, I mean yes… Yes, I like girls. I-I… well, it’s really nothing… you like girls too, right?”

Draco debated for a while whether to tell Harry the truth and risk the boy running away and hate him again. Then decided that it would be harder to get Potter to notice him if the boy grew comfortable with the idea that he was not interested. So, he prayed that he was not about to get hexed again and answered.

“Well, I actually prefer boys. I don’t care about girls that way.”

Harry’ eyes seemed about to pop out of their sockets. Draco started to feel that he had made a mistake after all.

“Is it that strange?”

“No! No, I-I was just surprised. I… I thought that you and Pansy were an item?”

“I care about Pansy. She’s a very good friend. Only not of the right gender.”

“Oh.” Harry blushed again and tried very hard to not think about the blondes’ answer. He desperately looked for something else to say, if they both fell silent he was going to start thinking and remembering his recent dream! “Then I suppose that all the rumours about you both being betrothed are false?”

Harry smacked himself mentally. That was definitely not a good question! He didn’t want to know more about Malfoy’s private life! Draco just shrugged.

“The tradition is to announce a betrothal when the male reaches the majority of age.” He frowned and seemed thoughtful for a second. “I think that Pansy actually might have been grateful to you last year.”

“Me? Why?” asked Harry with curiosity.

“Well, on our fifth year Greengrass discovered by accident that I was gay and somehow my father heard that. At Christmas, he threatened to get Pansy and I married while we were still underage, that way the Ministry would have only required our parents’ consent and no one would have asked our opinion. But, since my father spent the last year in Azkaban and now we both are of age, technically he won’t be able to force us to marry.”

Harry for some reason felt slightly horrified.

“You mean that you would have been married last year if Lucius hadn’t gone to Azkaban?”

“Very likely. Unless I had managed to find a way around veritaserum. So, thanks to you Pansy is still a free woman.”

“Gee, glad I could help.” Said Harry sarcastically.

“Well, you’re the hero around here, don’t you?”

Harry was about to retort, but Hermione interrupted them with an excited yelp.

“Harry! Harry look! I think I’ve found R.A.B.!”

Both boys turned to look at her. Draco looked puzzled, but Harry’s expression soon brightened.

“Really? Are you sure Hermione?”

Ron approached them and asked what the girl had found.

“I’m positive. Come have a look!”

The trio wandered over to a far wall where there was a desk full of old parchments. Draco stayed behind, wondering what the Gryffindors were up to. He caught brief comments about a signature and the name Regulus Arcturus Black, which was the full name of one of his mother’s cousins. He had once heard his mother mention him in a family reunion. The man had died before Draco had been borne, so he really didn’t know anything about him. It seemed however that he was really important for whatever project the trio had gotten themselves into. The blond could easily identify the excitement over Granger’s discovery and soon the three friends were speculating about where to find a certain locket.

Draco felt as if he had suddenly become invisible. He was so out of place there while Harry and his friends planned things he was not privy to. The boy felt a stab of sadness hit him. That was never going to be for him, that friendship, the easy way they worked together, how well and relaxed and happy they looked around each others. Draco felt the old jealousy and hatred towards Weasley and Granger return with a vengeance. Why? He had been taught that he was better than them, that they were nothing but shame to wizarding kind! Then why they could have the one thing he had always yearned? Why they could have a friendship like that when he wasn’t even allowed to have someone he could trust? Why could they have Harry?

Malfoy bit his lip and clenched his fists, feeling his nails threatening to tear open the skin of his hands. No friends for him, and certainly not Harry Potter. He wasn’t needed among the three friends. Quietly, the Slytherin left the potion’s lab and walked to his room, having no desire to let others see the few tears that escaped his eyes. He really doubted that they would notice his absence.

&&&&&&&&

It was already time for dinner and Harry was happily walking the corridors towards Malfoy’s room. The trio had had a talk with Kreacher and confirmed that Sirius’ brother had been their mysterious R.A.B. They had the real Slytherin’s locket now and he had finally reached an understanding with the old elf. Now they had to find a safe way of destroying the two horcruxes they had. Harry had disposed of Riddle’s diary-horcrux in his second year at Hogwarts using a basilisk’s fang, but that weapon was definitely out of their reach. They knew that destroying the horcruxes would not be simple and Harry didn’t want to end up with a burned arm like Dumbledore. They needed a safe way to destroy the things. In the meanwhile they were going to search for Ravenclaw’s item, so Nagini would be their last objective.

Harry was satisfied that things were turning out well, soon he would be able to confront Voldemort and the Order would defeat him without fear of the bastard coming back again.

He knocked on the room’s door and entered. Malfoy was sitting on an old armchair that he had confiscated from the ex-drawing room, with a book of potions again. Harry was starting to dislike those potion’s books, they have started to remind him a bit too much of Snape.

“Hey Malfoy. Dinner’s ready.”

Draco had realized that Harry was entering his bedroom the moment Severus’ book had returned to be a potion’s one. He sighed and pretended to continue reading while he heard Potter approach him. He was still feeling a bit depressed and didn’t want to see anyone at the moment. He wasn’t even in the mood to properly feel the effects of the lust spell between him and Harry. He just wanted to be alone with Sally’s presence all around him like a blanket. Of course, Potter would have another idea and surely would insist on him dinning with the rest of the Gryffindors. Draco only wanted to pretend that Harry’s friends didn’t exist.

“I’m not hungry. I’m just going to read a bit more before going to bed. It’s no big deal.”

Potter narrowed his eyes slightly at the boy, who had not looked at him yet. Then he scowled and bit his lip.

“There’s no need for you to stay here all alone.”

“Well, there’s no need for me to go down either, so what would be the difference Potter?”

Harry was slightly taken aback by the hurt tone that he noticed in Malfoy’s words. He raised his eyebrows and speculated why Malfoy would be sulking, because he supposed that that was what the other boy was doing. Maybe it was something to do with having abandoned him earlier without even a second glance. Harry felt a bit guilty about that, but he had not really considered that he could have hurt Malfoy’s feelings. He had been too excited about finding out R.A.B., and a bit too happy to have an excuse to stop the little chat with Malfoy. The distraction had succeeded in making him forget about Malfoy being gay and the preposterous dream he had have, featuring things he normally dreamt of about a girl. He simply had forgotten everything concerning the blond.

“Hey, is this about the potions’ lab? Malfoy? I… I’m sorry…”

“No need to apologize Potter. I’m only here because I’m your charity case, I get it. There’s no need to pretend that I’m welcome among your friends.”

Harry clenched his fists in annoyance. He never intended to make Draco a “charity case” and he felt offended that the other boy would think so. He put his hands over the open book, making Malfoy to look at him with a tired expression.

“Look Malfoy, I never intended for you to feel that way. I don’t want you to hang with us just out of pity.”

Malfoy raised an eyebrow in disbelief.

“Please, if not pity what else could be? You have no reason to care about my wellbeing.”

“I don’t need a reason to care, Malfoy.”

The blond inclined his head to the side slightly, still unbelieving.

“Look, I’m sorry about earlier. It’s just that we got carried away, there’s this big thing that we have to do...” Harry bit his lower lip for a moment. He didn’t know why he felt the need to explain to Malfoy what they had been doing. He knew that he couldn’t tell the blond exactly what they were looking for, but he wanted to share something. He felt that the other boy had earned as much of his trust as that. “It’s somewhat dangerous, but it’s really important that we get it done as soon as possible, and then we’ll be able to defeat Voldemort for good! No one knows about this, if we don’t manage to do it quickly we’ll lose more people and every attempt to kill Voldemort will fail. But it’s really important that no one knows. It’s something complicated and we don’t have time to deal with others wanting explanations. We can’t afford them trying to stop us either.”

Draco pressed his lips in a thin line. He wanted to tell Harry exactly how much secrecy his important task actually enjoyed. He wondered why no one cared that the trio were waking their brains and undoubtedly getting into serious trouble. Moody had told him that they were capable of doing the deed, whatever it was, and that someone was keeping an eye on them so they weren’t seriously injured, but still Malfoy thought that a little help couldn’t hurt. He sighed in defeat and shook his head after a few seconds of consideration. Moody would kill him if he told Harry that at least one other person knew exactly what the trio was doing.

“Ok Potter, you don’t have to explain things to me. I’m just feeling depressed, so if you don’t mind I’m really not in the mood to go down.”

“And you prefer to stay here sulking? I bet that you’re hungry. Why not just go with us?”

Malfoy shrugged. He was feeling better now; Harry’s proximity had somehow eased him. He blamed it on the lust spell, but he accepted that he was reassured by the fact that Harry had actually tried to explain himself to him. He just didn’t want to face the rest of the Gryffindors at the moment. Of course Harry would not see things his way; the brunette huffed and grabbed the potions’ book, carelessly tossing it at the bed. Draco was slightly horrified to see this.

“Potter, what’re you doing?”

“If you’re depressed you certainly can’t stay here alone. Besides, I don’t know what you see about potions.”

Harry took Malfoy’s hand and pulled him to his feet. The blond was too shocked to resist at first, but he tried to recover quickly.

“You only say that because you’re hopeless at them. And I don’t remember agreeing to go with you!”

“Nonsense Malfoy, you spoiled rich boy, I’m not going to let you sulk.”

“Who appointed you as my mother Potter?”

The Gryffindor stuck out his tongue at the blond and then grinned and continued pulling him. Malfoy sighed in defeat and let himself be dragged downstairs. He didn’t understand Potter’s apparent need for his presence at meals, but he was somewhat amused by the brunette’s insistence. It seemed that things were back to routine; at least Harry hadn’t run away screaming from him. Apparently, the Gryffindor still wanted to be his friend. Draco fully intended to use that to his advantage.

&&&&&&&&

Dinner was proving to be a painful experience. Harry cursed his good intentions for the hundredth time since he and Malfoy had entered the kitchen. He should have left the blond upstairs to sulk in peace. He simply had not expected Ginny to be there. Apparently Remus and the twins had gone to the Burrow to get dinner before flooing to headquarters and Ginny had decided to return with them. She had gotten into her mind that she had to do something to keep Malfoy at bay, seeing that no one else seemed to be properly concerned about the blond. Presently she was succeeding in making the lot of them uncomfortable with her comments.

“Really Harry, when one finds a venomous snake, one usually kills it, not keep it as a pet.”

The twins were trying to be oblivious to the tension in the table and to the hateful glare Harry was presently giving their sister. Fred looked over at Malfoy and grinned.

“Hey pet! Would you pass along the salt?”

“Oh, I don’t know. Aren’t you worried I might bite you Weasley? You could end up poisoned.” Draco answered coolly. The girl was doing an incredible job of putting him on edge, but he’ll be damned if he show her that. The twin’s grin grew.

“Oh, don’t worry little snaky. I’ve been bitten by worse.”

Ginny looked outraged at her brother.

“It’s not a joke Fred! Dangerous animals should be put out or kept in a cage if they are absolutely necessary! More so if they’re carrying a disease! You never know if they’d have you contaminated!”

The twins and Remus were slightly confused at that, and Harry blushed in embarrassment. Remus started to tense, Draco could feel it because he was sitting beside him. The blond felt Sally growl a warning inside him. She didn’t like to be near an upset werewolf. Granger, who was at Remus’ other side felt the tension too and attempted to shut up the ginger girl.

“You know Ginny? A lot of inconsiderate people say that about werewolves, without even take the time to see that perfect decent human beings may suffer from the disease.”

“It’s not the same Hermione! Besides, you can hardly say that Greyback shouldn’t be caged, do you?”

“Well no, but the point is…”

“When someone has proven what a waste of a person he really is, there’s nothing to do but to put him among the scum where he belongs! Especially when he’s a danger to people around him!”

She was glaring pointedly at Malfoy while saying this and the boy was doing a special effort to not rise to the bait and faking to be too interested in eating his chicken salad to notice. Harry on the other hand was clenching his fists so hard he could feel his bones trying to crack. Remus narrowed his eyes at both boys.

“Have something happened that I should be aware of?”

“Nothing has happened Remus” said Harry hurriedly, Ginny immediately huffed.

“Nothing, just the fact that we have a viper in our midst, one that wouldn’t admit how much of a freak he really is!”

“I could be upstairs in my room, with a nice potions’ book…” Malfoy muttered under his breath in a way that only Harry could hear him. The Gryffindor groaned and turned to look at him apologetically while George answered to the girl.

“Calm down Ginny. Don’t you think you’re taking this too personal?”

“And how would you want me to take it? Someone is trying to infect my future boyfriend beyond repair!”

Ron almost chocked with his pumpkin juice and Hermione looked scandalized. Harry’s embarrassment came back with a vengeance and he wished the floor to swallow him. Fred leaned over the table to look at Malfoy.

“What did you do? Could it be that you got a strange variation of dragon pox?”

Malfoy shrugged in a noncommittal way and answered as aloof as he could.

“Nothing so colourful I’m afraid, I only happen to prefer men instead of women.”

There was an instant of shocked silence while everyone processed what Malfoy had said. Ron was gaping at the blond and Harry suppressed the urge to roll his eyes. Really, it wasn’t as if the red-headed boy had been far away when Malfoy had told him the news earlier that day. Harry had been sure that his friends had overheard their little conversation, but apparently only Hermione had done so, seeing that she was the only one, besides Harry, who didn’t seem in the least surprised. After a few seconds the twins frowned and looked lost. Finally, Fred asked.

“Ooook, you’re gay and…?”

Malfoy raised an eyebrow at him.

“Would you want me to demonstrate?”

“No, I just mean…”

“…is that all?” finished George. Ginny looked at her brothers in disbelief.

“What do you mean all?! Do you want more?!”

“Well, by the way you were saying it we…”

“…were starting to think that Malfoy…”

“…had somehow managed to get bitten by a werewolf…”

“…or, possibly, a vampire.”

“Frankly, I was thinking along the same lines.” Said Remus seriously. “Tonks had told me that you had had some kind of problems yesterday with a burst of magic, but she had made it sound like it was nothing serious. I was starting to think that she had not wanted to worry me.”

Remus relaxed a little, but he still was narrowing his eyes at Ginny. Inside of Draco, Sally was slightly more at ease, sensing that the werewolf’s wrath was more likely directed at the red-headed girl. As long as her human was not in danger, she didn’t mind the werewolf too much anymore. She was already used to his scent.

Ginny was deeply upset and glared at the audience in general.

“I’m sure that Malfoy’s condition is even worse than been a dark creature.”

Hermione and Harry opened their mouths in disbelief. Ron and the twins pressed their lips uncomfortably. Remus tensed again and said with a bit of resentment.

“I’ll hardly say that “worse” would be the proper word.”

“Actually, compared to him, you’re really lucky Remus.” Said Ginny, apparently not noticing the intention of Lupin’s words. The rest of the youngsters were too shocked to react until Malfoy commented dryly.

“Of course that’s the way a proper pureblood thinks. My father would have been pleased to know that even the Weasleys share as much of his beliefs.”

The entire table looked at him grimacing, but no one debated the point. Harry quirked an eyebrow in askance, but the blond only shrugged.

“He told me once that he would rather have a werewolf in the house than a gay son.”

“Why?” asked Harry, rather put out.

“Well, he said that at least a werewolf have no qualms in having an heir the normal way. Like a decent living thing.”

Harry scowled; he was not surprised that Lucius Malfoy, as his usual snobbing prick, had put down his son’s feelings like that. However, it wasn’t Lucius Malfoy the one presently ruining their dinner. Ginny reminded him of that particular fact the next instant.

“So, even his father knows he’s a disgrace. What do you think now Harry?”

Ginny looked smug. Draco felt tempted to smirk; surely she thought that the news of him been gay was a surprise to Harry too. He fervently hoped that she would be the one to get a nasty surprise. Harry looked at her severely.

“I don’t see how it’s anyone’s business what Malfoy likes but his own.”

Ginny pressed her lips in annoyance. That was not the answer she had been expecting. She had hoped that Harry would react with disgust at Malfoy’s proximity now that he knew that she had been right about Malfoy’s “condition”, but Harry was acting as if that wasn’t a big deal. In fact, Harry had not even tried to get away from Malfoy. He was still sitting beside him, far too close for Ginny’s liking.

“But surely now you see the need to keep him well away from you. Who knows…?”

“As far as I understand Ginny, homosexuality is not a disease. Malfoy here just happens to like guys better than girls. And it’s not like he had suddenly changed preferences from one day to another. I don’t see why my knowing that he’s gay should change my attitude towards him.”

Harry thanked the gods that he had had practically all day to assimilate the news. Truth be told, he had had a shock learning that the boy was gay, as demonstrated by his earlier urge to stop their conversation in the potion’s lab. But he would be damned if he started to shun out Malfoy because of it. He was not like that. He didn’t want to be like those people who were perfect friends with someone until the time they learned about their sexual preferences and then just evaded them like the plague. He had seen it happen once, when he had been nine years old. One of the neighbours that had used to help his uncle with the car suddenly had had the idea of walking around the street hand in hand with his boyfriend. Uncle Vernon had gone from praising the man for his mechanical skills to forbid his name to be mentioned in the house, demanding everyone to forget that he had even looked in the direction of the man once. Harry was not going to do that. He didn’t care if Malfoy liked other boys; the blonde still was his guest. Besides, he had helped the blonde when he still had had the suspicion that he might be a Death Eater! To despise him now for being gay was just stupid.

Remus smiled at Harry, feeling proud of the young boy. Malfoy smirked at Ginny, who was gaping at the black-haired Gryffindor. Ron was scowling at his friend and suddenly realization came to him. After all, he knew Harry fairly well to just know that his friend should be as shocked as he was at the moment.

“You already knew!”

Ginny closed her mouth and turned to look at her brother quizzically. Harry shrugged and smiled at his surprised friend.

“How…? I mean… Malfoy didn’t exactly admit it earlier!”

Harry sighed and Hermione rolled her eyes.

“Honestly Ronald! I can not believe that you didn’t hear at least part of their little conversation while we were in the potion’s lab! Harry was quite vocal in his surprise!”

Harry blushed a bit and Malfoy arched an eyebrow. Ron looked from Hermione to Harry and Malfoy and back again to Hermione.

“You also knew!”

Hermione shook her head in defeat and Malfoy snickered.

“Well, he was under a table at the moment.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?!” Ron demanded. Hermione looked at him with incredulity.

“I didn’t think much of it, and if you remember, we had other more important things to do.” She accentuated the “more important” part and Ron was about to snap to her, but suddenly remembered what exactly she was talking about and shut his mouth.

“Oh.”

“Oh indeed.”

Ginny however was not to be deterred as easily.

“You knew! And you let Harry near him?!”

“As Harry already pointed out Ginny, Malfoy doesn’t have a disease…”

“What do you call it then? Only freakiness? He’s abnormal! And he shouldn’t be allowed near normal people like us! And you…!” Ginny glared at her three brothers. “You should be of the same opinion! He is a danger to you too!”

Ron paled dramatically but the twins huffed and lifted their chins.

“Last we checked, gay doesn’t mean rapist, if that is what you mean Ginny.” Said Fred, George continued their answer.

“And why do we have to think like you? We’re not that closed minded!”

Ginny made a face of disgust.

“Ah yes, I forgot your little friend Lee Jordan. I won’t be surprised if you two are a bit contaminated. It’s not a secret that mother is starting to worry about you.”

Fred glared at her sister but George calmed him with a hand and smiled at her.

“What would you think of us sister if we decided to screw Jordan instead of Angelina? Surely that would be a sight to be remembered.”

Ron turned a bit green. Ginny’s expression grew sombre. Harry actually gaped at her when she answered.

“You’ll cease to be Weasleys that day. You very well know that.”

Then her venomous glare returned to Malfoy.

“You are a disgrace and you know it. You have no right to be here and even less to be near Harry! You’re not worthy to be close any decent person! You belong with the lowest kind of creatures! And if you were a true human you’d be ashamed of yourself enough to spare us your very presence!”

“That’s enough Ginny!”

Remus put his hands on the table and stood, effectively silencing the girl. Malfoy was grateful for that because Sally had started to growl at the girl some time ago. Sally had picked up on the fact that Draco was growing upset each time the ginger-girl opened her mouth and by the time of the girl’s last hateful remark, the dragon wanted nothing more than to attack her. Draco closed his eyes briefly, trying to concentrate in soothing Sally. It would not do to have another “accident” with his magic right now. He could feel Harry’s concerned eyes on him while Lupin firmly dismissed them all.

“I think that you lot should go upstairs and leave both of us alone.”

“But Remus…”

“I’m going to have a word with you Ginny. And after that, I really think I should have a talk with your parents. It seems that I have a little misconception about how prejudiced the Weasleys really are.”

Malfoy and Harry were the first to be out of the kitchen, followed closely by the twins. Ron seemed about to comment but Hermione silenced him and pulled him from his seat, following the rest of the youngsters. Ginny looked at Remus a bit in shock and the werewolf looked at her with disappointment. He had been the target of discrimination far too often in his life and was not about to tolerate it in front of him. He would be sure to inform Ginny of that.

&&&&&&&&

Malfoy felt Harry’s hand on his back and turned to him before opening the door to his room. The boy’s green eyes were worried.

“You ok?”

The blond boy smiled ruefully and shook his head.

“Come on Potter, after hearing what my father had to say about my choices, do you really think that the Weasley bint’s words mean anything?”

Harry only continued looking. Finally Draco smiled.

“Look, she said nothing that I hadn’t heard before in my own house. I really don’t care about her opinion.”

“Fine. I just want to be sure that you’re not going to get all sulky again.”

Draco lifted an eyebrow.

“Too worried about my self esteem are you Potter?”

Harry blushed and smiled.

“I used to think that you had far too much of that.”

Draco smirked and was about to open his bedroom’s door when he was assaulted by two red-heads. Each of them threw an arm around his shoulders while turning him around. Malfoy was a bit panicked and looked at Harry, who was mildly surprised.

“Oii Malfoy, we don’t want you to start thinking…”

“…that we share our sister’s point of view.”

“She’s a bit psychotic right now.”

“And we don’t want you saying that we are all like Lucius Malfoy just from what she said!”

Draco didn’t know how to react, he hadn’t expected any of the Weasleys to worry about their sister’s little act. Harry’s huff of annoyance distracted him.

“She’s more than a ‘bit’ psycho! She has totally lost it! I really don’t know what her problem is!”

Even Draco looked at Harry in a condescending way. Ron, who had just arrived alongside Hermione, rolled his eyes.

“What?”

“Honestly Harry!” said Hermione, crossing her arms. “Do you think Ginny would be so riled if she thought that Malfoy was after Neville?”

Everyone looked at her open mouthed, Ron immediately turned green.

“Geez Hermione! I didn’t need that mental image!”

The twins grinned and turned to the blond boy still trapped between them.

“Well…”

“…we certainly are not Neville…”

“…not Harry either…”

“…but if you want a bit of fun Malfoy…”

“…we may be… accommodating.”

And without pause they both leaned on and kissed each one of Draco’s cheeks noisily.

“Just be sure Angelina doesn’t know.” Said Fred, winking at him.

The twins laughed and hurried down the hall to their bedroom, leaving four very shocked youngsters behind. Malfoy was the first to utter a word after the twins were out of view.

“Ok. Now I’m scared.”

“You and me both.” Said Harry, starting to feel beyond upset. Ron suddenly exploded.

“I can’t believe it!! Those two pervs!! Maybe Ginny was right, I should tell mom about…!”

“Oh, for God’s sake Ron!” said Hermione, looking at all three of them exasperated. “We all know them! They’re not serious! They’re only joking!”

She said it with firm conviction and no one of the boys dared to question her. Besides, all of them rather wanted to believe her every word.

“Anyway, it’s getting late and we still have some research to do.” She turned to Ron and Harry meaningfully. “We better get started.”

She said her goodnights to Malfoy and turned around in the direction of the library. Ron grumped and looked at the blond with narrowed eyes.

“Just don’t get any ideas in that evil mind of yours Malfoy. Don’t even think about accepting their offer!”

“Ron! Not you too!” Said Harry, glaring at his friend.

“It’s only a precaution!”

Ron raised his hands in surrender and with a last glare in Malfoy’s direction followed Hermione. Harry passed his hands through his hair.

“I can’t believe it.”

“Well, this day has been full of surprises Potter. I think you should go with your friends, it seems that you three have something important going on.”

“Yeah. I think Hermione’s right, the twins must be joking.” He looked worriedly at the other end of the hall and pressed his lips. Malfoy smirked at him.

“Come on Potter. Even if they meant it, I’m not too much for threesomes, I assure you.”

“It’s not that, is just…” Harry blushed uncomfortably at the very vivid picture that popped in his mind. He groaned and looked at Malfoy apologetically. “It’s all pretty awkward right now.”

“It’s ok Potter. No need to worry about me. I won’t go around trying to sleep with everyone. I do have my standards.”

Harry rolled his eyes mockingly and felt more relaxed.

“Like a good Malfoy.”

“That’s right Potter. Now, have a good night. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Yeah. Good night Malfoy.”

The blond disappeared inside his room and Harry sighed in exhaustion. He looked one last time at the way the twins had gone and frowned.

He didn’t know what was happening to him, but the idea of Malfoy accepting the twins’ weird proposition extremely worried him. But really, they were playing fools right? And anyway it was really not his business if Malfoy decided to have a bit of fun. Harry crossed his arms in annoyance and glared at the empty hallway. Then he quickly took out his wand and put a ward around Malfoy’s bedroom that would alert him if someone other than the Slytherin crossed the threshold. After that, he decided to ask Moody to put an anti-aparition ward the very next day, for good measure. Satisfied, he finally started his way to the library. The twins may not be serious, but who could tell if they’ll think another kind of jokes after all?
- 9
- 10
- 11
You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.
Report Story

Dragon Blood