Secrets

Ron went home with a firm determination. It was already two o clock and he wanted to be at his new home as soon as possible. He knew Draco wouldn’t tell his parents until he was sure Ron was there and he had someplace to go. His concern for his boyfriend mounted and grew to worry.



His mother started in on him right away. “Well go on Ron, get your trunk upstairs, don’t leave it down here.”



“Mother, father, there are some things you need to know.” He said.



“We can talk after dinner, now get your trunk upstairs.” She started to leave, but Ron stopped her.



“No, mother, we need to talk now. I won’t be staying for dinner.” She froze in her tracks.



“What is it son?” Arthur asked, seeing the seriousness in his sons face. He took his wife’s hand and sat with her facing their son.



“I have a flat arranged and ready. I’m moving in today, and it’s very important that I do.” He explained.



“How will you maintain a flat…..” Molly started in but Ron was ready for her.



“I start with Nimbus in a few days in the design department. It will take me a few years but I’m hoping to be one of the top designers soon.” Molly’s face lit up.



“Ron, darling that’s wonderful!” She cried out, knowing her son’s love of flight.



“Thanks mum.” He said smiling. If she was happy with his career, maybe she would be alright with the next bit.



“That doesn’t explain why you have to leave so soon Ron.” Arthur said, equally as proud but concerned that his son might be rushing.



“I’ve been seeing someone and it’s gotten serious.” He inhaled deeply, and let it out slowly. “I’ve been seeing a man.” He looked from parent to parent.



Arthur’s expression hadn’t changed. Molly on the other hand took on a look of pure shock. “A man?”



‘Yes mother. I’m gay.” He said.



“And you want to get to this man’s home right away. Did he put you up to this? Maybe you just haven’t meet a young lady who……..” Molly was gesturing frantically.



“Son, that still doesn’t explain why you need to leave so soon. Why not spend some time with your family?” Arthur asked.



“I need to be at my new flat, MY new flat mother, in case he needs a place to run to.” Ron said.



“He hasn’t told his own family then?” Arthur surmised.



“No, he hasn’t, and he won’t until he is sure I’m there.” Ron said, looking at the clock.



“Is he in danger?” Arthur asked seriously.



“Danger?” Molly looked confused. “From his own family?”



“He might be.” Ron told them, never losing his expression of concern. “I told him that I would be there right away in case he needed a place to escape to when he told them.”



Silence reigned in the Weasley home. Ron watched his parents, suddenly unsure of what to say. Finally Molly spoke. “Then I suppose you should get there.” She said sadly, but Ron only knew it was because he last son was leaving.



“Thank you for understanding mum.” Ron reached out and hugged his mother for several moments. “I’ll bring him soon and introduce you.”



“We’ll have a family dinner.” She said smiling, seeing a bright side for once.



“That would be wonderful.” His father went upstairs to help him quickly gather some of his things. Ron would return in a few days to get the rest of it, for now he would need the rest of his clothes and a few personal items.



“Who is it son?” Arthur asked as they packed away clothes in a charmed trunk.



“I can’t say father.” Ron told him. “That’s his decision to tell.”



“I want to know who you might have to deal with. If this young man might have to flea his home, then who’s to say that his father may not come looking for him.” Arthur raised a valid point. Ron had thought of that, but his love for Draco was worth it. “I want to know what we are up against son.”



“We?” Ron asked.



“You are my son. If there is a chance he would reject his own son, that doesn’t mean I’m not prepared to stand by my own.” Ron’s smiled at his father. This was the reason Arthur Weasley had his son’s respect. He accepted them without question and defended their decisions.



“Draco Malfoy.” Ron said softly.



“I see.” Was all Arthur said.



“You think he is in danger, don’t you father?” Ron asked.



“When it comes to Lucius Malfoy, one never knows.” He sealed the trunk and faced his son. “Do you care that much about him?”



“I love him.” Ron said firmly, standing eye to eye with his father and speaking man to man.



“Then go and wait for him. I want to know when he arrives, and if you need anything, anything at all son, you contact me.” He said.



“I will father.” Ron took his father’s strong hug and then left his childhood home for his own flat.









Draco apparated home with his parents, with his nerves on edge. He knew he would be leaving that day but he dreaded the confrontation with his father. He had managed to develop a plan. He charmed a bag with a spacing spell and would fill it with some necessities, like clothes and his toiletries.



He would shrink it down and send it back when Ron sent his owl. After he told his parents, he would leave and make his way to Ron’s. He knew the area and would find his flat easily. He was still scared, and wished that this was a moment when he could have Ron at his side.



He entered his home and headed upstairs. While still on the stairs, he heard his father’s voice. “Draco, in the parlor in an hour.” It was an order, Draco knew it, which meant he had an hour to get his things together and hopefully Ron’s owl would have arrived by then. He entered his room and looked at his clock. It was 2:30 and Ron said he would be there by 3, so hopefully he would hear soon.



He packed up his clothes, grateful for the spacing charm on the small bag. It would appear weightless and make it easy for the owl to carry. He had gathered some things from his bathroom and from his trunk. He only packed up his Hogwarts ring and ring and necklace set his mother had given him. He was at his desk writing a letter to Ron, when an owl tapped on his window.



He opened it with a pounding heart. It was Ron’s owl, Pig, and it waited patiently perched on his bed.



‘Draco love, I’m home now, and if you need to, you can come here anytime you want. I eagerly await you or word from you. I love you. Ron’



Draco ran to his desk and picked up where he left off.



‘My Ron, I am going to leave here today no matter how things go although I am expecting the worst to happen, that way I will be ready when it does. I’m sending my things with your owl, don’t bother with them, I’ll take care of it when I see you. I miss you and I will see you soon. Yours Draco.”



Draco sealed off the letter and sent the owl off. If he walked out the door with nothing but his wand, which he had on him at all times, he would be able to get to Ron’s immediately and never look back.



He watched the owl fly away and paced around his room. Sooner then he wished, his hour was up and he forced himself to walk downstairs to the parlor.



“Ah Draco, come in. I’m sure you remember Mr. Rogan don’t you.” He said smiling beside the other man, while his mother smiled from her favorite armchair.



“Yes, of course, good afternoon Mr. Rogan.” He greeted, offering a hand.



“Good afternoon Draco. I’m sure you also remember my daughter Daphne.” He gestured to a nearby chair and the one person Draco hadn’t noticed in the room smiled at him.



“Miss Rogan, how are you?” He said forcing a smile, but making no other offering.



“Please, Draco, call me Daphne.” She said still smiling. He only grinned back and looked at his mother.



Narcissa Malfoy’s smiled faded slightly. Her husband had told her all about this girl and the wonderful impression she had made on Draco. But it seemed to her that Draco wasn’t too pleased to see her. He was giving her a look that pleaded for help.



“Would anyone like a drink?” She asked standing. As the two men speak, Draco joined his mother behind the bar.



“You don’t like her, do you Draco?” His mother asked.



“No, I don’t.” He said. “I let him know that last time. I even told him I was involved.”



“He thinks she will make you a good match.” Narcissa told him. “She does have good connections, and is skilled at hosting events.” Narcissa glanced up where the young lady was holding court with the men. “And she knows when to keep her mouth closed.”



The sadness in his mother’s voice alarmed him. “Mother…..”



“I know where your father took you.” She said. Draco dropped his eyes in shame, not for where he was taken, but because he hadn’t told her outright. “I also know that there was no way he would have stayed waiting for you with a glass of wine.”



“Mother, I’m sorry……” He started, but his mother took his hand in hers and gave him a squeeze.



“Don’t be sorry. This is my marriage and I could make life hell for him, but I chose not to. There is a time and place for war and now is not the time or place.”



“I didn’t want to be there. I didn’t want that woman, she was awful. I want to be with……” He stopped.



“Draco, if there is someone you feel strongly about, take strength in that.” She said. “It is rare to find someone who you can share everything with.”



“Mother,” he looked in her eyes and saw her concern, “I’m gay.” He said quietly and waited.



“Draco…..” She looked at her only child, and thought to herself. Draco had no idea what she was thinking, but he knew if he wanted anyone’s approval, he wanted hers. “Do you love him?” She asked in a whisper.



“Very much.” He said.



“You’re leaving, aren’t you?” She asked, holding her composure.



“Yes, but not because I want to be away from you.” He said, when he saw her emotions. “I just don’t want to be away from him anymore.”



Narcissa gave him a smile. “I can’t say that I’m not surprised, because I am. I can’t say that I’m not worried, because I am. Your father won’t like this.”



“I know. But I’m not concerned with what he thinks. If he treats you the way that he does then he doesn’t have my respect.” Draco said with a touch of anger. Narcissa saw the man her son had grown into and felt a surge of pride. He would be fine, no matter what happened.



“I want you to be happy Draco, that’s all I’ve ever wanted for you.” She said.



“I will be mother.” He said.



“Who is he?” She asked.



“Ron Weasley.” Draco said with a smile. “I’m going to go and live with him.” Narcissa nodded and smiled with a motherly tenderness that Draco remembered from his childhood.



“Alright you two, are you finished with the motherly talk?” They looked over to where Lucius and Mr. Rogan stood smiling at them.



“I was welcoming him home, you mind your own business Rogan.” She teased.



The socializing went on for an hour before Draco felt a headache building. There was one phrase that found it’s way through the chatter. “I think Daphne would make a wonderful addition to the Malfoy line.” His eyes shot up to his father, who was looking at him. “Don’t you think Draco?”



Narcissa was watching with anxiety from her seat. Daphne was looking at him with an eager smile. “And just who would she be marrying to become a Malfoy father?” He shot out, having taken enough.



“Draco, calm yourself.” Lucius said with complete control, but Draco knew a threat when he saw one, and he was beyond caring.



“No father, you calm yourself. If you think of arranging a marriage with me and anyone you are sorely mistaken. I am marrying no one.” He said, feeling his temper rise.



Daphne’s smile vanished and she looked at her father with tears in her eyes. “Draco, you will apologize to Miss Rogan immediately.”



“I’m very sorry Miss Rogan, but when my father introduced us, he waited until after that meeting to tell me of his intentions. He is the one who wants this, not me.” He said still glaring at his father through his whole speech.



Daphne couldn’t hold back her tears any longer and fled to the foyer, where her father followed her, trying to comfort his child. “Draco, what is the meaning of this?” The veins in Lucius’s neck bulged.



“I already told you I don’t want her, and I am seeing someone.” He said looking up at his father from his seat.



“I’m sure this young lady is in no way comparable to Daphne.” He shouted at his son.



“Father, I’m gay and I am seeing another man.” Draco threw out, half hearing his mother’s gasp. He focused only on his father’s wide eyes and heaving chest.