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The Fallen Lion	By : AnonymousTigress Category: Harry Potter > Slash - Male/Male Views: 22455 -:- Recommendations : 2 -:- Currently Reading : 5
Disclaimer: I don’t own Harry Potter. I do not gain any profit or benefits from writing fan fics of any kind. The only thing I own is any original characters you don’t recognize from Harry Potter.

Chapter List
- 9
- 10
- 11
Thanks for the reviews, everyone! Sorry for long wait until the update. Been busy, busy, busy! Hope you enjoy the new chapter. J

Chapter Ten
Surprise, Surprise, Surprise
The trees were mostly barren with only a few leaves left here and there. Temperatures had dropped from cold to slightly more cold. Draco was stuck indoors, though, so the chill didn’t bother him. He was going over an artifact, but only half his attention was on it. His mind was thinking back to the conversation he had a few days ago with his father.
After asking Harry for permission, Draco had told his father about Harry. They had talked in great length about it. When he mentioned Harry’s muteness, his father had said something that stuck in his mind.
“I forget how much you and Severus don’t know, sometimes.”
“What do you mean, Father?”
“I’m sure we would both agree that Potter is a powerful wizard. Could probably give Dumbledore a run for his money.”
“Yes.”
“As you know with magic, the stronger the will of the wizard, the stronger the spell.”
“Are you telling me…Harry made himself mute? Magically?”
“I’m telling you, Draconis, that it is a real possibility. Back in the 1800’s, there was a witch – Serena – who was said to hate the image of herself so much, that her own magic blinded her.”
“But why make yourself mute?” Draco mumbled out loud.
It would explain why the healer had detected no magical means in Harry’s muteness. None of her spells would have detected something that Harry’s inner magic would do. It scared Draco. It scared him to think that Harry could do something to himself like that just by wishing it so strongly.
“Draco.”
Draco’s head snapped up so quick he saw spots in front of his eyes. It took him a moment to blink them away. When his vision cleared, he saw Kingsley standing in front of his desk. He immediately sat up straight.
“Sir?” he asked.
“I’ve got Weasley out on assignment all day. If we’re going to go talk to Hermione, now is the time,” Kingsley told him.
Draco cast protection charms on the artifact and placed it back in its box. He jumped to his feet and swiftly moved around the desk. Kingsley told him he had already informed his boss that Draco would be out on assignment with the Head Auror.
Kingsley was keyed into the wards at Ron and Hermione’s, but Draco wasn’t. Draco agreed to side-along with Kingsley. They landed in a large front yard of a small, but sizeable home. There was a little girl playing with some dolls in the yard.
Draco’s gaze, however, fell on his old classmate. Hermione’s hair was no longer frizzy, but was just as long as before. She had her nose in a book yet he could detect a careful eye being kept on her child from their short distance. The little girl spotted them and scrambled to her feet.
“Mistah King!” she exclaimed, running to them.
She gently collided with Kingsley’s leg, giving it a tight squeeze. Kingsley reached down to pat the child on the back of the head.
“Hello, Daniela. Are you doing well?” Kingsley asked.
Daniela bobbed her head up and down before turning her attention to Draco. The curly haired child unlatched from the older wizard in favor of tugging on Draco’s robes. Smiling, Draco knelt down so he was at her level.
“Who awe you?” she asked.
Draco chuckled.
“My name’s Draco,” he answered.
The little girl’s face lit up. She clapped her hands together in front of her.
“A dwagon! A dwagon!” she cheered.
It didn’t surprise him that the child knew what his name meant. She was Granger’s child, after all. Some of that intelligence had to have been passed on from mother to daughter. And said mother didn’t look overly pleased to see him on her property talking to her child. Keeping an eye on him and her child, Hermione turned her attention to Kingsley as she approached them.
“Is everything okay with Ron?” Hermione asked.
Kingsley nodded.
“Don’t worry, Hermione. Your husband’s fine. I apologize for not informing you ahead of time, but we needed to talk to you,” Kingsley said.
“It’s about Harry,” Draco added.
Hermione faltered in her steps. Draco wasn’t sure if she was more shocked to hear Harry’s name or that he called him by his first name. Daniela’s mouth opened into a big O.
“You know Uncle Hawy?”
Frankly, Draco was surprised the child remembered her Godfather. Harry had parted ways from her when she was only two. Granted, it was two years ago, but still. Draco nodded his head to the child.
“I do know him. He’s staying with me right now,” Draco told her.
Daniela pouted with her bottom lip sticking out.
“Uncle Hawy hates me,” she mumbled.
Draco was quick to assure her that wasn’t the case.
“No, no, no, sweetie. Harry doesn’t hate you. Why would you think that?” Draco asked.
He was startled by her answer.
“ ‘cause of da fire.”
The two were interrupted by Hermione cutting in.
“Daniela, let’s go in for a snack, sweetie,” Hermione told her.
The little girl brightened up and snagged Draco’s hand. She pulled on it as she started for the house. Draco stumbled to his feet at the strength of her pull and allowed her to pull him towards the house.
“Can Dwaco stay? And Mistah King?”
Draco glanced up at his old classmate. Her face didn’t give anything away, but the sharp look in her eyes told him she was holding back only because of her daughter. Turning around, Hermione led them across the yard and into the house. Daniela was set up at the kitchen table with a snack, some papers, and a pack of crayons.
Hermione cast a spell around the kitchen to alert her of any problems. Then she cast a privacy spell over the living room where she settled down with the wizards. She sat down in an armchair while Kingsley sat on the couch. Draco chose to stay standing. She offered them both tea, but they declined.
“Let’s skip straight through the pleasantries, then. Why are you here about Harry? Last time I checked, you two barely tolerated each other,” Hermione said to Draco.
Draco glared.
“I’m here about his well-being. We need to know why the Weasley’s and you refused to see him when he was in St. Mungo’s. Why he hasn’t seen his goddaughter in the last few years,” Draco explained.
“Because we won’t let him see her. Because of him, I almost lost my daughter.”
Draco demanded an explanation and, surprisingly, Hermione gave it to him.
Two years ago, Daniela had gone to spend the day with Harry. When Hermione had arrived outside Number 12 Grimmauld, she had found the house completely engulfed in flames. Hearing her child screaming, she had tried every spell imaginable to get inside, but nothing had worked. When she finally apparated to the backyard, she found Harry fast asleep under a tree in the backyard. A douse of cold water had quickly woken him.
“Harry…Harry heard Daniela screaming for him. He was the only one able to apparate into the house. He disappeared and a few minutes, he reappeared with her. She had first degree burns on her arms and second degree on her hands. We rushed her to St. Mungo’s to take care of the burns and check for other injuries.”
“What about Harry? Was he okay?” Draco asked.
Hermione shook her head.
“I don’t know. I didn’t care. He left after I yelled at him. I told him never to come near me or my family again,” Hermione replied.
Draco squeezed his hands into fists at his sides.
“He saved your child,” Draco growled.
Hermione’s gaze snapped up to him with that fierce Gryffindor glare.
“He put my child in danger! He was supposed to take care of her and I find him sleeping outside while my daughter is screaming for her life inside,” Hermione snapped.
The blonde grinded his teeth together harshly. He took in a deep breath and let it out.
“Did you even ask him about his side of the story?” Draco demanded.
Hermione turned her head away.
“That was the last time I spoke to Harry.”
Draco’s temper flared and he couldn’t stop himself.
“You foul bitch.”
Hermione’s head snapped around with a furious look on her face. She snapped up to her feet with her wand hanging down by her side. Draco’s wand was already trained on her. He would only strike if he had to. She opened her mouth to probably snap at him, but a flick of his wrist caused her to pause.
“You abandoned him. Your best friend. He was already divorced and now he’s lost the only family he has left. You led him to Death’s door yourself!” Draco snarled.
At this point, he didn’t care about breaking the Muggle-born’s feelings. Hermione’s furious look melted into confusion.
“Wha…What are you talking about?” Hermione asked.
Draco shot her an annoyed look. Kingsley looked between the two, his own wand drawn in case he needed to intervene.
“When they asked you to come to St. Mungo’s, didn’t you wonder why he was there?” Draco asked.
As Hermione started connecting the dots, her face paled. Surely, Harry couldn’t have done that. She shook her head.
“No. No, Harry wouldn’t,” Hermione said, trying to reassure herself.
Draco shook his own head firmly.
“No. He really did. Harry tried to take his own life,” Draco told her.
Hermione’s legs turned to jelly and she collapsed down into her chair. Her wand clattered to the floor as her hand flew to her mouth. Devastated, she continued shaking her head. She couldn’t imagine Harry even thinking of committing suicide.
“You’re…you’re l-lying. Harry would never,” Hermione murmured.
“Hermione.”
The brunette turned her watery gaze over to the Head Auror. Kingsley took a deep breath before speaking.
“Draco’s telling the truth. I found Harry after his attempt and rushed him to St. Mungo’s. Harry hasn’t spoken so we had to come here to find out. You were the calmest person to talk to about it,” Kingsley explained.
Hermione bit the palm of her hand as tears rolled down her face. She glanced over at Draco who had put away his wand and stood facing away. He was looking out the window with his arms crossed over his chest. She could see his cross look in the reflection of the mirror.
“Malfoy?”
Draco closed his eyes and took another deep, calming breath. He had calmed his anger down. He knew Harry would have been disappointed with him for snapping at Granger the way he did. Slowly, he turned around and glanced at her. He wasn’t pleased to see her tear-streaked face, but he was pleased that she appeared remorseful.
“How is he?” Hermione questioned.
Draco pondered on the question before speaking.
“He’s quiet. And he’s lonely. He helps out around the house without being asked and doesn’t expect any thanks. He has nightmares. Nightmares so bad that he’s hurt himself before.” Pause. “But he’s getting better. He’s smiling more. We just take it one day at a time.”
Hermione nodded her head sadly. It made her heart heavy to hear all of this. It made her feel better to hear he was doing better.
“I…I don’t know if we can get past this. I need to hear Harry’s side first. But I’m willing to listen now. Can you tell him that?” Hermione asked.
Draco nodded. He surprised her by apologizing.
“I shouldn’t have snapped at you like that,” Draco said.
A small smile fluttered across her face.
“Are you apologizing because you’re sorry or because you care about what Harry would think?”
Draco smirked.
“A little bit of both.”
Hermione forced a small chuckle out as she wiped at her cheeks and eyes. Kingsley stood for them to leave when little Daniela came running in.
“Dwagon! Dwagon!”
She was holding a large piece of paper with a drawing on it. She stopped in front of Draco and held it up to him. He took it from her. It was a rough, child’s rendering of a big person and a small person. Draco could easily tell who the two people were meant to be. Still, he asked.
“For me, sweetie?” Draco asked, a sly smile on his face.
The little girl giggled. She shook her head, wildly sending her hair everywhere.
“Silly dwagon. Uncle Hawy!”
Draco chuckled and bowed his head to kiss the top of her head.
“Okay, sweet girl. I’ll give it to your godfather.”
Daniela stood up onto her tiptoes and pressed a light on Draco’s nose. He wrinkled it, causing more giggles to spill out of the little girl.

/……/

Severus finished dicing some dandelion roots and placed them in a small bowl. Lifting his wand, he flicked the fires down to low. He walked over to the cauldron and checked the color of the first potion. He picked up a rod and stirred it counterclockwise three times, making a pleased sound when it changed to lime green.
The second potion was almost done. It only needed a dash of doxy wings tossed in it. The third potion had the experimental potion in which he was trying to recreate Harry’s potion. He was only halfway through that particular one. He picked up a bowl of ashwinder eggshells and sprinkled a few pieces in.
He watched it turn the right shade of glittery blue, but it was still missing the silver specks. This was the third time he had reached this stage. The first time had ended in the potion bubbling over. The second time he had added something and it turned an ugly bright pink. That had reminded him of a certain pink toad.
This third time, he was hoping to get it just right. He had already eliminated a lot of things not to add to it. He checked his notes where some formulas and theories were listed. He became so engrossed with his notes that he didn’t notice the second potion begin bubbling. By the time he turned around, Severus had just enough time to strengthen the shield charm around himself.
Suddenly, the second potion exploded, sending a large wave of the potion everywhere. Much to his irritation, some of the potion splashed into the other two cauldrons. This caused the first explosion to blow, too, with some of it landed in the experimental potion. When that potion didn’t blow, Severus lowered his shield and jerked his wand. The first two cauldrons were emptied and cleaned.
Severus grumbled a whole slur of curse words, several in different languages he had learned over the years. Stepping over to the experimental potion, he was surprised to find it the exact same shade of color as Harry’s potion. He reached over to his table and picked up a clean vial and a ladle. He poured a little bit of the potion into the vial before setting it down next to Harry’s sample.
He analyzed both carefully, checking for any possible anomalies. He even cast a spell that indicated the two were an exact match. He snatched up his notes where he noted what potions had added to the potion. He would next look them over to see what could have been in them that would have given him the end result.
Severus jumped when his stomach suddenly growled. Glancing at the clock, Severus hadn’t realized that it was the lunch hour. It seemed his notes would have to wait. He couldn’t very well miss a meal when he was encouraging Harry not to miss a meal. He cleaned up the lab and went back to the outside.
As he came out, he ran into Draco in the entrance hall.
“You’ll never guess where I came from,” Draco said.
“I’m guessing not from visiting your father,” Severus hinted with a grin.
Draco gave him the look. He told Severus where he had been and what he had learned. Like Draco, Severus was frustrated with how idiotic his former student had been.
“New mother or not, she should have stuck by him.”
Draco agreed. The blonde glanced around before turning to frown at his lover.
“Speaking of Harry, where is he?”
Severus called Tippy’s name. The little house elf appeared in front of both them.
“How can Tippy be helping Master Severus?” Tippy asked.
“Tippy, can you tell me Harry’s whereabouts?” Severus asked.
Tippy tilted her head to the side.
“Tippy is not knowing where Master Harry is being.”
The two wizards exchanged surprised looks before looking back down at the house elf.
“Did he leave a note?” Severus asked.
If Harry hadn’t, Severus wasn’t sure what he would do. But he would do something. Surprisingly, Tippy bobbed her head up and down. She reached into her pocket where she pulled out a small piece of paper. Draco snatched it up from Tippy.
Gone out. Be back later. ~HP
Severus raised an eyebrow when he heard his lover growl. When he brought the note down from his face, his silver-grey eyes were glowing.
“I swear to Merlin I will tie him down to the bed,” Draco growled.
Severus snatched up the note from his hand and read it for himself. At the very least, it was a note. However, Severus would need to have a chat with Harry about needing details in his notes.
“Don’t panic, Draco. He left of his own accord and he did leave a note,” Severus assured him.
Draco glared.
“That doesn’t make me feel much better, Severus.”
“I know, Draco. We’ll just have to wait.”
Draco scowled. He hated waiting.

/……./

Leaning heavily on his cane, Lucius made his way down a stone path towards the south side of the manor’s property. The Malfoy Lord seemed slower in his old age, but any enemies that came upon him would learn that wasn’t the case. He still bore an injury to his knee after the War; he was forced to take a potion for pain every few days because of it.
As he reached his destination, he weaved expertly around tombstones and other grave markers. When Lucius came near to a tall weeping willow, he wasn’t surprised to find someone sitting on the bench underneath it.
“You gave the house elves quite a fright,” he said.
Harry’s eyes snapped opened and he scrambled to his feet. His gaze shot to the ground and he took a step back as Lucius approached. Lucius ignored this behavior as he continued speaking.
“My house elves appeared to me in my study. They told me someone had apparated in and was on the grounds. Imagine my surprise when they informed me that that same person was heading down to the family graveyard and that they were sitting here with the late Lady Malfoy.”
Harry was fidgeting with the bottom of his jacket. He looked every bit the picture of a child who had been caught with their hand in the cookie jar. Lucius walked over to sit down on the bench.
“Don’t stand on my account, Potter. Take a seat,” Lucius told him firmly.
Harry took a few timid steps before lightly sitting on the other end of the bench. He was startled when the back of his jacket was snagged by Malfoy’s cane and he was pulled fully onto the bench.
“Don’t injure yourself further,” Lucius warned sternly.
After that, they sat in silence. Lucius had noticed the small yet colorful bouquet of flowers placed the base of the weeping willow. He could tell Harry had gone to great care to pay his respects.
“It takes a very powerful wizard to apparate through wards without breaking them or alerting the Lord of the House. A very powerful wizard whom I imagine could make himself mute….especially when he has little reason to believe anyone will listen to him.”
Harry bowed his head. Yes. After his son had talked with him about the former Boy Who Lived, Lucius had given the matter a lot of thought. If Potter had simply not wanted to hear what anyone had to say, he would have forced his magic to take his hearing. His voice…that didn’t translate to the same conclusion.
“You have no reason to believe anything I say, considering our past has been less than stellar. But you should know that my son cares a great deal for you. I don’t know why or how, but he does. He was clearly concerned for your well-being. If he and Severus didn’t care, I assure you you would find yourself still in St. Mungo’s.”
They lapsed back into silence as Harry pondered over the Malfoy patriarch’s words. Then, for the first time since his cousin had died, Harry spoke.
“I’m sorry.”
Harry’s words were so quiet Lucius almost missed them. He hadn’t known anyone could speak that quiet. Not wanting to scare the younger male back into his self-imposed silence, Lucius kept his voice quiet and calm.
“Sorry about what?” Lucius asked.
Harry stuck his tongue out to wet his lips. It had been so long since he had spoken that he found himself having to really think about what he said before he said it.
“For…your wife,” Harry answered.
Lucius paused. Potter almost sounded like he wished it had been him. His confusion was soon dissolved when Harry spoke again.
“I…I was a-attacked after I…she stabbed me with a dagger. Tried to kill me and…Mrs. Malfoy jumped in between us. She d-d-died saving me.”
This was news to him. Dumbledore had been the one to bring his wife to him. He had sent Severus to find him and his son so they could take her to her final rest. He had asked about it, but Dumbledore had only told him that a Death Eater had struck her down. He claimed an Order member had brought her back so her family could bury her.
He drew in a deep breath and let it out. He knew without Harry telling him who had been the monster to murder his wife. He still needed the confirmation, though.
“Who?”
“B-Bellatrix.”
The blonde wizard briefly thought of resurrecting the woman just so he could kill her. Sadly, the Ministry tended to frown upon behavior like that. Instead he reached out and squeezed Potter’s hand. His head snapped up when a nearby bush suddenly caught fire at the same time.
He slid his wand out of its holder and cast a spell to douse the bush. Smoke fluttered up from the bush. Glancing down at Potter’s hand, he could see small sparks zipping out from under his fingertips. His gaze immediately shot to Potter’s face. The young wizard’s face was twitching as he if was having a spasm.
And he was. A magical spasm. It was common with wizards who didn’t…
“How long?”
“T-two years.”
Lucius swore colorfully in French. Releasing Harry’s hand, Lucius stood to his feet. He snagged Harry by the upper arm and pulled him to a standing position. The male’s twitching was starting to worsen. He could feel the magic humming underneath the brunette’s skin.
Lucius switched his cane over to his good side and forced the young brunette close.
“I’ve a bad knee on this side. I require your assistance to get back to the house.”
Predictably, Harry’s focus turned to helping the older wizard. It allowed his magic to calm until Lucius could help him with it.

/……/

Draco came flying out of the floo with Severus right behind him. They had received an owl that they were both urgently needed at Malfoy Manor. They had left orders with Tippy to contact them the minute Harry returned. A house elf popped in and told them Draco’s father was in the library. As they neared the library, they heard a loud smashing noise.
“When was the last time Father smashed up things in the library?” Draco pondered out loud.
“The day you came home with Parkinson on your arm,” Severus answered with a small chuckle.
Draco shuddered. Parkinson had latched onto his arm on the train ride home one year. He hadn’t been able to get her to let go. He hadn’t been too happy either, especially when the words “marriage contract” came out of her mouth. He remembered now when his father had locked himself in the library.
As they entered the library, a large vase sitting on a pedestal suddenly exploded.
“Thank Merlin. I hated that one.”
The two walked around a corner where they found Lucius leaning against a desk. There was a small drink in his hands which he was taking a sip of.
“Little early for Scotch, isn’t it, Lucius?” Severus teased.
Lucius chuckled as he put his glass down on the desk behind him.
“It’s five o’clock somewhere, Severus. Besides, I have a feeling you’ll be asking me for a glass in a moment,” Lucius said.
Severus raised an eyebrow.
“And why would that be?” he asked.
Lucius smirked.
“Are you missing a certain quiet, little Gryffindor, Severus?” Lucius hinted.
Both wizards startled. They hadn’t been expecting the Malfoy patriarch to mention their third.
“You know where he is?” Draco asked.
“Look behind you.”
Both wizards turned around, only to find Harry. They were surprised when he raised his hands up to flick them at another vase. The even bigger surprise was when the vase exploded.
“Potter!”
Not having heard them come in, Harry jumped and spun around. He almost fell over backwards when Draco seemed to teleport across the room to strangle him in a hug. He coughed and patted the blonde on the back.
“Malfoy…can’t breathe.”
Draco’s eyes shot open and Severus raised an eyebrow. He turned back to his smirking best friend.
“I believe you offered a drink.”
After a few drinks were passed around, the four of them were settled down. Severus and Draco sat on a couch while Harry and Lucius each sat in armchairs. It had taken some time to calm Draco who had been ecstatic to hear his old rival talking. Now they were sitting listening attentively to Harry.
“It’s…umm…gonna be hard for m-me…to explain. The words…are still hard for me,” Harry said.
“Take your time. We’re not going anywhere,” Severus told him.
Harry’s smile didn’t quite reach his eyes, but it was still there.
“It…umm…started back wh-wh-when the War ended. Ginny and I got…a house and people ex…expected me to become an…Auror,” Harry explained.
“But you didn’t,” Draco commented.
Harry nodded.
“I wanted a…qu-quiet life. I wanted to h…h-help people. So I did.”
As he spoke more, Harry’s voice grew in strength. He still stuttered on a couple of words, but it was to be expected after having not spoken for so long.
“Ginny was mad at me a l-lot. I was gone most days w-w-with my volunteer work. Things got worse when we kept trying to have children…and we c-couldn’t.”
Harry lifted the bottom of his shirt to reveal a small, angry scar that rested barely above his jeans line. It was a scar that would have been easy for Severus and Draco to miss while caring for him.
“Bellatrix…bitch…stabbed me with a cursed d-dagger. I can’t have children. Ginny got mad and started making things really h-hard for me.”
What he described sounded like a tale of Dr. Jekyll and Mrs. Hyde. Ginny made their marriage into a living nightmare. He missed appointments and meetings because she failed to give him messages; she was verbally abusive towards him; she didn’t offer him any comfort after he had nightmares. The biggest shock was the murder.
“Murder? Murder of who?” Draco demanded.
“Umm…it was the breaking point. I had a pet s-snake. ‘s name was York. He n-never saw it coming and she c-c-confessed. Told me straight up she’d done it. Said it made me even more of a freak.”
The wizards didn’t miss the way Harry flinched at the name. Draco brought his fist up to his mouth to keep from cursing. It wouldn’t do for his father to see fit to punish him in front of his lover and potential lover. The more he heard, the angrier he was getting.
Harry explained about the divorce lasting forever and he just gave up because his lawyer did, too. Lucius snorted after he heard who the lawyer was.
“Lou always was an easy quitter,” Lucius stated, as a matter of fact.
Harry shrugged. Shortly after the divorce was when the fire had happened. Harry wasn’t sure, but he suspected Ginny had been behind it.
“Why?” Severus asked.
Earlier, Draco had told him what he had learned from Granger.
“Because, before the fire, the last thing I r-remember is me and Daniela laying under the tree f-f-for a nap. And the fire was…” Harry paused.
Draco stared at Harry as the other wizard looked over at him. Instantly, he knew what Harry was trying to say.
“It was Fiendfyre,” Draco said.
The brunette nodded. “I contained it to N-Number Twelve. The f-fire had already consumed K-Kreacher.”
Having known the house elf, Severus couldn’t find it in him to pity the house elf. It had been old and senile. Fire wasn’t a merciful way to go, but he wouldn’t have lived much longer.
The next bit of shocking news was over time from the end of the divorce to him trying to commit suicide. Harry revealed that he had tried adopting a child. Several times at several different agencies. He was denied every time.
“I thought it was b-because I would only be a single father. But I th-think Gin did something,” Harry admitted.
Everything was suddenly making a lot of sense. Harry had lost everyone close to him and couldn’t have a family because of a cursed dagger and adoption agencies. Having been denied a real family growing up, this struck Harry hard in the heart. Things had taken an especially bad turn when his remaining blood family cast him aside.
“Potter.”
Harry turned his gaze from the two wizards on the couch to the Malfoy patriarch.
“We can take her to court. Miss Weasley has done irreparable damage to you and she shouldn’t have received nearly as much as she got in the divorce,” Lucius told him.
Draco and Severus shared a smirk. Lucius never took on a case he knew he couldn’t win. He must think they had a real case here. Harry seemed to struggle with answering. He looked like he wanted to say yes, but that was he was torn about it.
Harry lowered his head where they couldn’t see his face. The three wizards nearly jumped out of their skin when they heard a familiar hissing sound. It was a little unsettling, to say the least. The last time any of them had heard the language of the serpents it had been from the Dark Lord. It took them a moment to realize Harry was simply talking to himself.
After a few minutes of hissing and wringing his hands together in his lap, Harry lifted his head. He reached into the pouch of the pullover he was wearing and he pulled out a small book. He stood up and crossed over to the older wizard to hold out the book to him. Lucius accepted the book and flipped through it.
“This is a wizard’s journal,” Lucius said.
Draco’s jaw dropped. Eyes widening, Severus couldn’t hold back his own surprise. A wizard’s book was very rare; used so long ago in the early years before Veritaserum was invented.
“It’s mine. I found it-t-t in my family’s vault after I married Ginny. I started writing in it after the w-w-war. I think it might h-help you,” Harry said.
Lucius couldn’t help but nod his head.
“Yes, this will help a great deal. Are you giving me your wizard’s consent to read this?” Lucius asked.
Harry nodded. Shooting him a serious look, Lucius told him he needed the wizard’s verbal consent.
“I give you, Lucius Malfoy, permission to read my w-wizard’s journal and permission to share with people you d-discuss the case with,” Harry said.
They all watched as a zap of magic shot out of Harry’s hand to Lucius’ as they shook hands on it. Dropping Harry’s hand, Lucius shook his hand out as if it was stung. Harry smiled sheepishly.
“What the Hell was that?” Draco asked.
Lucius pointed over his shoulder.
“Go blow up a few more vases. But not the turquoise one,” he calmly told the brunette.
Nodding his head, Harry walked away to do just that. Draco watched him go, but Severus kept his own gaze on his best friend. The older blonde kept his hand protectively over the journal that now sat in his lap. The other hand clutched his glass of Scotch as he sipped at it. Severus tilted his head towards Harry with an eyebrow raised and a question on his face.
Lucius leaned to the side to set his glass down on the side table.
“Seeing as his behavior surprises you, I can only assume you don’t know,” Lucius commented.
Smash!
“Don’t know what?” Severus asked calmly.
C-CRACK! CH-CH-CHING! Pieces of vases went everywhere.
Father never did like that vase of Great Aunt Methelda’s. And neither did I, Draco thought.
“It seems Mr. Potter, with the exception of taking the Knight Bus or side-along, hasn’t used magic…in two years.”
With his back to the trio, Harry winced when he heard the shout. He hadn’t heard Snape that mad in a long time. His magic reached out and shattered a nearby window, making him wince for a different reason. Waving his hand across the air, the glass reformed into the framing and repaired the breaks. When it finished, it was as if the window had never been broken.
Harry walked back over to the trio. He refused to look at Severus or Draco as he spoke in a quiet voice to Lucius.
“I think I’ll accept your offer, Mr. M-Malfoy. May I go?” Harry asked, turning his head away.
“Fourth door on the right.”
Harry was out the door before either wizard could think to protest. Suddenly realizing the meaning of his father’s words, Draco shot to his feet and chased after him. Severus offered his old friend a confused look.
“What was that?” Severus demanded.
Lucius sighed as he put his glass down. That particular question was quickly becoming the Potions Master’s new catchphrase.
“I offered Potter to stay here while he gets his magic under control. It will help with preparing for trial after I have a talk with Shacklebolt,” Lucius explained.
“Are you out of your fucking mind, Lucius?!” Severus exclaimed.
Lucius raised an eyebrow.
“Hold your temper, Severus. I offered. The boy accepted,” Lucius warned him.
Severus glared.
“That young man has been denied so many things in his lifetime that he doesn’t know which way is up. He needs comfort and contact. While I admit you are a good father to Draco, I doubt you want to take on that role again.”
Severus was right. He would be calm and comforting with Harry, but only because of their client-lawyer relationship.
“Very well. You’ll have to talk to him about his decision, though.”
Severus snorted. He reached out for his drink and took a small sip.
“If I know Draco, he’s talking to Harry now.”

/……/

Harry whimpered. He flexed his hands and tried to jerk free, but the blonde was relentless. Draco tightened his grip on the wrists, causing Harry to open his mouth in a cry of protest. That allowed Draco to deepen their kiss by slipping his tongue inside. He crowded the smaller wizard harder up against the wall as he slowly mapped out his mouth.
Harry tried turning his head this way and that, but the blonde wouldn’t break the kiss. Harry was forced to suck in air through his nose to keep from passing out. He tilted his head back with a groan. Draco’s tongue swiped over his teeth and across the roof of his mouth. It took a little coaxing before Harry became an active participant in the kiss.
Their tongues bumped and swirled around each other. Draco groaned into the kiss which made Harry shiver. When he was sure Harry wasn’t going to try and break free again, Draco released his wrists. Unsure of where to put his hands, Harry brought them down to rest on Draco’s waist. Draco slipped one of his hands behind Harry’s head to gently thread his fingers through soft brown hair. His other hand landed on Harry’s upper arm with his thumb rubbing light circles over the skin.
This was far better than arguing with the blonde. Why the Hell hadn’t they done this sooner?! Harry felt he would have spent a lot less time in detention.
Harry whimpered as his head began to cloud up. Draco took a final small nip at his bottom lip before easing back. Harry panted for breath and squeezed Draco’s waist with his weak hands. Draco cupped Harry’s face with his thumbs gently running over his cheek bones. He leaned his forehead against Harry’s. Harry closed his eyes, but didn’t try to move away again.
“Don’t…Don’t run away. Severus and I…we want you to stay. Don’t do this, Harry,” Draco whispered.
“My magic,” Harry weakly protested.
Draco released a small chuckle.
“You won’t hurt me, Harry. You could have easily thrown me off and out a window. You can control it. You won’t let it hurt me. Or Severus,” Draco whispered back to him.
Harry wasn’t as confident as Draco. He didn’t want to hurt him or Snape. Draco kept whispering to him.
“We were hoping to tell you this together, but it seems now is the best time. Harry, we want you to stay with us. As our lover.”
Harry’s eyes slowly opened. Draco was worried with the fear he saw in his emerald green eyes.
“I…I c-can’t. I don’t want to h-hurt anymore,” Harry stuttered, tears brimming in his eyes.
It broke his heart to hear Harry say that. This wasn’t the same defiantly strong wizard he had known in school. This was a man whose heart was still on the mend.
“I can’t promise it’s going to be easy, but we will never intentionally hurt you. Not sure how it happened, but we care about you, Harry. We don’t expect you to be the hero or the stellar Auror. We just want you to be happy. As you are. As just Harry.”
Closing his eyes, Harry allowed the stream of tears to flow down his face. Draco lightly wiped the tears away and pulled the brunette’s head down to his shoulder. Harry’s arms moved up to circle around his neck as he cried into Draco’s shoulder. Draco turned them around so he was the one leaning against the wall.

Draco held him tight as he cried. It made tears spring to his own eyes, but he refused to let them fall. Instead he whispered to Harry. He whispered reassurances, promises that everything would be okay. Harry cried until all that was left was coughing and sniffling.
“Will you give us a chance, Harry? Will you give yourself a chance?” Draco asked.
Draco nearly wept when Harry slowly nodded his head. Draco pressed a kiss to the top of his head. Harry was willing to give them a chance. That was all he could ask for.
“So you’ll come back to the house with us? You know if you don’t, I’m pretty sure Tippy is going to be crying,” Draco hinted.
Harry leaned back off of him and wiped at his face with the back of his hand.
“That’s extortion, Malfoy,” Harry stated.
Draco grinned. “Whatever keeps you from staying in my old room.”
Harry glanced around the room before looking at Draco with a shark-like grin.
“Is there something in here you’re afraid I’ll find?” Harry asked.
“No.”
Harry raised his eyebrows. That answer had been said too quickly. Harry grinned at him as he unexpectedly whipped out of the blonde’s arms and started searching. After snapping out of his surprise, Draco followed right after him.
“Get back here, Harry. Harry? Potter!”

/……/

That night, Harry lay in bed wide awake. He was in the center of the bed yet again. He was curled up to Snape’s side with Malfoy curled up to his back. Malfoy had his arms wrapped around his chest and his own chest pressed up against Harry’s back. Snape’s arm was laying against Malfoy’s back. The closest arm to Harry was resting with his hand on Harry’s arm.
After being chased around Malfoy’s old room and cleaning his face, Harry returned to the library. He told the Malfoy Lord of his change in mind. He had been surprised when Malfoy Senior had asked if that was his choice. Malfoy Junior had opened his mouth to protest but his father had cursed him with silence. Harry had chuckled and assured the older blonde that it was his decision.
Upon returning, Tippy had been beyond overjoyed to see him and hear him speak for the first time. It was what Harry imagined a house elf looked like after ingesting a lot of sugar. After dinner and showering (separately), Draco had dragged Harry into bed and had leeched onto his back. The blonde had been the first to go out like a light.
Severus had sat up for a while reading and alternating carding a hand through Draco and Harry’s hair. Harry had felt like drifting off when Severus finally put his book aside and laid down. He had pressed a soft kiss to Harry’s head and moved his arms before falling asleep.
Harry hadn’t been surprised earlier that Malfoy and Snape weren’t surprised with how he performed magic. Over dinner, he had explained that when he defeated the Dark Lord, his wand’s core had broken into shards in his hand. The pieces had been absorbed through the skin and Harry later discovered he was able to perform wandless magic easily. He had also mentioned that Ginny hadn’t liked it when he performed magic.
“People often fear what they cannot understand. It’s a gift, Harry. Not a curse.”
Severus’ words had assured him that there was nothing wrong with what he could do. He also explained to Harry the severity of not using magic for so long. Not magic for so long caused different reactions in different wizards and witches. For Harry, it seems, it had created a depressed state that led to his suicide attempt.
While Draco was showering, Harry had quietly asked Severus if years and years of not using magic in Azkaban…had been what had affected Sirius. With a small smile, Severus had agreed that it would have contributed to the madness.
Harry shivered. His body finally decided he had had enough for the day and he slowly fell asleep. He never felt the kiss between his shoulder blades or the kiss to his forehead.
End of Chapter Ten
Surprise, Surprise, Surprise
Hope y’all enjoyed the chapter and that I managed to answer questions you’ve been wondering. Now it’s going to get REAL interesting.
Spoiler alert for next chapter: Kingsley stops by the Burrow to deliver court papers to Ginny. See Ginny’s reaction and how other Weasley’s react.
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The Fallen Lion