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Harry Potter and the Black King	By : Phoenixstrike Category: Harry Potter > Slash - Male/Male > Harry/Draco Views: 10586 -:- Recommendations : 2 -:- Currently Reading : 4
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. Harry Potter and all characters and situations are created and owned by JK Rowling, Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Warner Bros. No money is being made, and no copyright infringement is intended.

Chapter List
- 16
- 17
- 18
Chapter Seventeen: Black King in Check

“Sev, it’s been six days. Are you certain everything is OK?”

Harry’s mind stirred groggily as his hearing became more pronounced. The voice, he believed in his still-confused state, was Draco’s. He had detected odd sounds for a few hours now, but was unable to identify their source, or understand any meaning in them. Ah, I didn’t die then, good old Severus, he thought, and tried to open his eyes. Nothing. Nor could he move his body. The momentary panic Harry felt at this was replaced with the voice of reason that told him this was his body still recovering from a very nasty physical shock. If Draco was correct, and he almost certainly was, Harry had been unconscious for virtually a week. It was going to take a while before he regained full use of his faculties. Still, his hearing was back, as was his consciousness. With it brought the sensation of someone tightly gripping his hand. He tried once more to squeeze back, but it was in vain; his hand remained perfectly still in Draco’s grasp.

“Calm yourself, Draco, and, for the twentieth time, Harry is going to be fine. In fact I expect him to awaken in the next twenty-four hours. All his vital signs are strong and there is no trace of basilisk venom in his system. His body is just recovering from a hefty trauma and needs rest,” Harry heard Snape’s quiet reply. “I’ll repeat the diagnostic spells in a few hours. Do not worry, Draco. He’ll be back with us soon.”

“Do you think he’ll be surprised?” Draco asked, and Harry longed to ask what about, to scream that he was awake. Instead he heard Snape snort.

“Naturally. I don’t think any of us expected that to happen. I shall return soon.” Harry heard the opening and closing of the door, frustrated that he didn’t hear more, but then felt Draco’s fingers carding through his hair and the gentle pressure of his lips on his forehead, and sleep claimed him once more.

When he awoke again, still unable to open his eyes or move, he could hear Ron and Draco in the room, talking quietly by his bedside. The first thing he noticed was the pair addressing each other by their given names, something they had thus far refused to do.

“Draco, you should go and get some sleep. We’ll wake you up as soon as there’s any change,” Ron said, and Harry assumed Draco had shaken his head at this suggestion as he sounded more exasperated when he spoke again. “At least take a shower. Although I guess your smell could rouse Harry out of this coma, or whatever he’s in.”

“I’ll sleep when I know Harry’s definitely OK, Ron,” Draco replied stubbornly. Harry heard Ron’s deep intake of breath.

“You really do love him, don’t you,” Ron said, and it wasn’t a question. “I know Harry loves you, and I knew you loved him too, but these past few days it’s hit home just how much. This isn’t easy for me to admit, but you’re… you’re good for him, Draco. You’re just as stubborn as he is, and you can deal with his temper better than anyone I know. And I know his fame doesn’t interest you in the slightest. You’re strong, and Harry needs that.”

“He’s the single most important thing in my life,” Draco replied simply. “If it came to it, I would die to keep him safe.”

“Like Harry would let you do that,” Ron snorted. “But the fact you’re prepared to is enough for me. Now come on, mate, Snape needs to perform some tests. Come and have something to eat at least.” Harry felt the pressure leave his hand with a gentle caress to his upturned palm, before Draco planted a kiss on his cheek and a whispered, “I’ll be back soon, love,” filled his ear. The room fell silent and Harry replayed everything he had just heard, his heart so much lighter.

The next time Harry woke up, he was aware that it was only Snape in the room, by the solitary footsteps in the room, and the gentle utterings of spells being cast on him, followed by the scratching of a quill on parchment. Suddenly Harry heard the sound of a perfume bottle being sprayed, and half a minute later his mother’s scent reached his nostrils. He could hear Snape inhaling deeply, a slight shudder to his breaths.

“All this was for Lily,” Snape suddenly said, voice unstable. “My vow to defeat the Dark Lord started the moment I knew he was targeting her. I saw her. After the Dark Lord killed her, I cradled her in my arms on the floor in Godric’s Hollow, willing her to come back to me. My defection from the Death Eaters and alliance with Dumbledore was to avenge her death, you know, and up until a few months ago that was still my primary aim.

“But something has changed,” Snape continued, and Harry listened raptly, fully aware that Snape would not being saying this at all if he knew Harry could hear him, and feeling overwhelming sympathy for the man. “The impertinent spoilt child who I believed was a carbon-copy of James Potter turned my world on its head by being far more like Lily Evans than I ever allowed myself to believe he could be. He has none of the arrogance of his father, and all of the love, determination and goodness that was in his mother’s heart. You, Harry Potter, I admit to severely misjudging. This fight has become more than just avenging the death of the woman I loved. The woman I still love very much to this day, and will continue to love until I take my dying breath. I will do everything in my power to keep you safe, brat, because you’ve become important to me. Wake up soon, Harry. Draco and your friends are missing your insolence terribly.”

Harry felt a firm hand pat him tentatively on the shoulder and then once again he was alone. He couldn’t quite find the right words to express what he had just heard, and knew how much it would have cost Snape to say them, even to an apparently unconscious Harry. Overwhelming affection and gratitude flooded through Harry for his old professor, the man who had loved his mother so much he defied the Dark Lord. The thought of Snape loving Lily still left Harry feeling uncomfortable, but it had all but shattered his illusion that his hook-nosed former professor was heartless. Severus Snape had loved, and lost, and had his heart broken by Voldemort. He was as much a victim of the bastard as he, Harry, was.

****

Harry opened his eyes and was immediately hit with a blindingly painful bright light. He left out a small whimper and threw an arm over his eyes.

“He’s awake!” Hermione’s voice shouted, followed by “close the curtains! It’s too bright in here for him!” The curtains were immediately pulled and the light behind Harry’s eyelids became darker. He gently opened his eyes once more, still wincing at the light but at least it was tolerable this time. He realised everyone was in the room; Snape must have known Harry was about to wake up properly. He looked around- Draco was next to him, firmly grasping his hand once more, looking lost for words but his eyes huge and full of relief. Hermione was beaming at him, as was Ron, who was still standing by the window. Remus was seated on Harry’s left, offering a supportive, gentle smile. Snape, however, appeared the professional diagnostician; his wand was in his hand and he was casting a series of nonverbal charms, evidently checking Harry’s overall health.

“You seem to be in excellent physical condition. Welcome back, Harry,” he said. Harry smiled at everyone.

“The potion worked then,” he said dryly, as Hermione handed him his glasses.

“Obviously,” Snape replied, but Harry could see the triumph in his eyes. He grinned.

“How long was I unconscious for?” Harry asked innocently. He wasn’t going to give any clues he had heard anyone, in order to protect what he had heard from Severus.

“Just over a week. Merlin, Harry, I was so worried,” Draco said.

“So, has the soul gone then? I’m not a Horcrux anymore?” Harry asked. Five faces beamed at him.

“Oh, it’s gone, all right,” Draco replied, flashing him a brilliant, open smile. “Look.” He waved his wand and conjured a mirror, which he handed to Harry. Harry reached out a hand, took it and stared at his own reflection.

He pushed up his messy, and very greasy, black hair and let out a gasp. The lightning-bolt scar, which had been on his forehead for sixteen a half years, was gone, leaving nothing but a small red patch that looked like a days-old wound that had recently healed. “Well, fuck me,” he said. Draco chuckled.

“Later, definitely,” he whispered in Harry’s ear. “Right now I think everyone is desperate to spend some time with you.

Harry sat up in the bed, and noticed his head felt lighter, clearer than he ever remembered it feeling before. He smiled to himself, as the realisation that his mind truly was his own crashed over him. No more nightmares, or false visions, or being forced to watch him torture. The relief almost made him feel giddy. There was something else, however, he was eager to try. He opened his mouth, and tried to let out a hiss of Parseltongue. Nothing. Harry sucked in a sharp breath.

“Draco, you try. Say ‘open’, or something, anything. Please,” he said. Draco let out an incomprehensible hiss that Harry didn’t understand. He looked at Hermione expectantly, who understood in a flash what he was asking.

“That was definitely what you taught us, Harry,” she said. “I’d say you’re no longer a Parselmouth.”

Harry experienced a moment of panic then. What if it did turn out they needed it after all? Draco seemed to know exactly what Harry was thinking.

“You don’t have to do everything yourself,” he said, rubbing soothing circles into the back of Harry’s hand, as the others all nodded in agreement. “You’ve done more than enough. Let the Order take the lead from now. Besides,” Draco flushed slightly, “the Parseltongue is fucking creepy. It makes you sound like Him. I like the fact the last link to that megalomaniac has been severed completely from you.”

“Agree with you there, mate,” Ron said, and Draco smiled at him, the first genuine smile Harry had ever seen the blond aim at his best friend.

“Since when are you two on first name and ‘mate’ terms?” he asked, amused. Draco flushed.

“Um, since I punched him in the face then sobbed all over his girlfriend,” Draco replied. “I guess things like losing all dignity in front of people dissolve some barriers.”

“As does finally accepting that the prat is head-over-heels for you,” Ron replied, and Harry watched, delighted, as the two shook hands.

“So, what happened? After I passed out, I mean?” Harry wanted to know. Snape explained that after Harry lost consciousness, Hermione and Ron had to lead Draco out of the room as he was inconsolable. They had waited until Harry’s pulse was down to single-figures a minute then administered the antidote potion into a vein, then Remus had cast a spell to artificially pump it through his body at speed which his slow heart was unable to doing by itself, whilst Severus worked on life-preserving charms. The phoenix tears reacted with Harry’s system instantly, and very quickly life began to return to his body, and his vital signs picked up. Once Harry was stabilised and his heart rate was near-normal once more, Snape had cast the final charm on Harry which reacted with the potion, forcing the piece of soul from Harry’s body. It had left, Remus said, though Harry’s mouth in a cloud of acrid, black smoke that had left a lingering odour in the room for three days.

Harry stared at them, open-mouthed. He’d been close to death before, but that really was far too close for comfort. He glanced at his hand where he had pierced himself with the fang, but, predictably, there was not a mark on it.

“I think it’s time to speak to the Order,” Harry said to Snape. “They need to know about you and Draco and how much you’ve helped our side, and we need to come up with a plan. It’s time that bastard was destroyed once and for all.”

****

Remus had arranged a full Order meeting, to be held in Grimmauld Place the following week, and had emphasised that it was of vital importance, and attendance was mandatory for all prominent members. The Order was buzzing with speculation and excitement, especially when they found out it was to be held at their old Headquarters; a place which had been inaccessible to them for months. Harry had arranged to open his Floo to The Burrow and the Order members could Floo in that way. In a moment of inspiration, he and Hermione had also contacted some members of the old DA by using their charmed Galleons. Thanks to McGonagall, who had helped those students who responded to the coins leave the castle and revealed the location of the meeting as a Secret Keeper herself, Grimmauld Place currently housed Ginny, Neville, Luna, Parvati and Padma Patil, Lavender Brown, Michael Corner, Seamus and Dean, Anthony Goldstein, Terry Boot, Justin Finch-Fletchley and Ernie Macmillan, in addition to the Order of the Phoenix. Everyone was talking animatedly as they sat squashed around the kitchen table, whilst Dobby, who Professor McGonagall had summoned from Hogwarts, busied himself making tea for everyone. The chat died down immediately as Harry (who was wearing a glamour to make it look as if his scar was still present to avoid awkward questions he couldn’t answer), Remus, Ron and Hermione entered the room. Remus took his seat next to Tonks whilst Ron and Hermione sat with the other Weasleys. That left Harry to take the seat at the top of the table. Harry flushed and cleared his throat.

“Right. Um,” he said, feeling his cheeks burning as everyone’s attention was focussed solely on him. “Well, as you all know, er, I’ve not been at Hogwarts this year, and Ron and Hermione joined me here at Grimmauld Place during the Christmas holidays. Before Dumbledore died, as some of you know, he, um, he left me a task to carry out- a task that needed to be completed before it would be possible to defeat Voldemort and the Death Eaters. I still cannot tell you what that task was at this stage. I have spent the last few months working on it, following Dumbledore’s instructions, and I’m delighted to be able to call this meeting to inform you all that the task is complete.”

“Does this mean we’re ready to fight Voldemort?” Kingsley asked tentatively. Harry beamed at him.

“It most certainly does,” he replied.

Instantly there was a huge uproar of noise- cheers erupted, fists banged on tables, and choruses of ‘well done, Harry!’ rang throughout the kitchen. Harry held up a hand and called for quiet, which he immediately received.

“There is one more part, and a rather major part, that you do need to know, however, before we start drawing up battle plans. I need to introduce you to two other people who have been instrumental in this completion. Most of you are going to think I’ve gone mad, but I beg you, please trust me on this. I cannot give you all the facts at this time, but you need to know now that if these two individuals had not been working extremely closely with me these past months, Voldemort would never have been in a position to be defeated. I trust them both fully with my life. Remus, Ron and Hermione can confirm this. Even Tonks- although she has not been working with us on Dumbledore’s task, she has lived here for many months and knows these people are trustworthy.” He looked to the others, who nodded at all the curious faces looking at them. Harry took a deep breath. “Severus, Draco, can you both come in, please?”

The door pushed open and Snape and Draco walked into the room, to complete and utter shocked silence.

“Anyone who draws their wand on either Severus or Draco will find themselves promptly Disarmed,” Harry warned, “and not have their wand returned until this meeting is over. Please cast your attention to the middle of the table.”

In the centre of the kitchen table, Harry had placed the Pensive that Remus had given him for Christmas. Inside it was a series of memories that he, Draco and Snape had collected together, deliberately choosing none that would give away any information about the Horcruxes, but showing their true alliance to one another. Snape waved his wand and cast a spell that allowed the memories to be viewed outside of the Pensive, like a film projection at the cinema. Everyone watched raptly as the memories played out. Draco showed everyone his refusal to torture or kill Mr Ollivander, and the subsequent torture that followed at the hands of Voldemort until he passed out. Harry showed them memories of Draco’s rescue from the Manor and how Snape had aided him and Remus in the battle that followed, the Unbreakable Vow that Snape had made with Harry, and Snape training Harry in advanced magic. Snape had given memories of his discussions with Dumbledore, how his death had been orchestrated in order to try and preserve his status as spy.

By the end, everyone was staring at Snape and Draco.

“Let no one be under any illusions,” Harry said clearly, and with as much authority as he could muster, “without Severus Snape and Draco Malfoy we would have lost this war, as Dumbledore’s task would have been impossible to complete. They have both provided help and information that no one else on our side could possibly have given. Severus frequently risked his life for our side in order to orchestrate Voldemort’s downfall. He is the bravest man I know. Draco is as committed to destroying Voldemort as I am. If you trust me then it is absolutely critical you trust them, too.”

There were still some uncertain faces around the table, mainly from DA members who had a natural dislike for their former professor, but the majority looked appeased, if uncomfortable. Arthur Weasley stood and coughed nervously.

“Harry, I trust you, and therefore I trust what you’re saying. If you say they’re on our side, then they’re on our side.” Harry felt giddy with relief.

“Thank you, Mr Weasley,” he replied. Ginny looked suspicious.

“But why should we trust Malfoy of all people, just because you saved him?” she said accusingly.

“Isn’t it obvious why?” Luna said. “He’s not taken his eyes off Harry since the second he walked in, and Harry smiles every time he says his name. They’re clearly in love with each other.”

Harry and Draco both turned a very deep red, but Harry recovered first. “Thank you, Luna,” he said dryly. “Perceptive as always, I see. Yes, Draco and I are together romantically-” he ignored the gasps and caterwauls that went round the table at this “- but Voldemort tried to kill him. Because of the reasons you saw in the Pensive memories. Why would he remain loyal to a madman who wants to kill him? Draco is no coward. He does not serve out of fear. Draco is no more a Death Eater than I am.” The choice of those last words, echoing words Harry had once seen Dumbledore use to describe Snape, were deliberate.

“We’ll leave it there for tonight,” Remus said. “We just needed to explain the situation to you and reveal the truth about some alliances. We’ll meet again tomorrow night, if Professor McGonagall is agreeable to let her students out of school once more, for a more detailed plan of action. You should all know I have cast a charm preventing anyone from discussing this meeting or any of its Pensive memories once you leave Grimmauld Place. This is for obvious security purposes. Until tomorrow then, I bid you all a good evening.”

Everyone filed out of the kitchen and began to Floo back to The Burrow before making their way home or back to school. Luna and Ginny remained behind in the drawing room for a few minutes, clearly wanting to talk to Harry. Grimmauld Place’s residents tactfully withdrew, although Harry had no doubt Draco was eavesdropping like crazy.

“How did you know?” Harry asked Luna. He didn’t need to explain what he meant. Luna smiled and touched his arm gently.

“I’ve never seen your eyes so bright, Harry,” she replied simply. “And, quite honestly, I’ve been waiting for you two to get together since you were in fifth year.” She gave a stunned Harry a kiss on the cheek and stepped into the Floo. Soon it was just Harry alone with Ginny. He stared at the floor.

“Good old Luna,” Ginny said sarcastically. “The phrase ‘think before you speak’ never did apply to her, did it?” Harry chuckled lightly. “You are happy, aren’t you,” Ginny said softly, and it wasn’t a question. Harry looked at her and nodded. “Then I’m glad you’ve found him, Harry. Just remind him though that he knows exactly how my Bat-Bogey Hex feels. If he hurts you I will curse him.” A small, sad smile tugged at the corner of her mouth, and she stroked his left arm. “Congratulations, Harry.” And she, too, disappeared.

Well, that wasn’t awkward at all, Harry thought wryly, as the door opened and he received praise from everyone on a job well done.

****

The following afternoon was spent in planning. Whilst Harry was leaving the planning of the actual battle to the senior members of the Order, he was going to be in charge of the Hogwarts students. He and Snape had worked out a system on the best way to organise it, and Snape was leaving the overall planning and training to Harry.

“I trust you fully, Harry,” Snape had said, when Harry had asked if he was sure. The words may have been simple, but they conveyed so much meaning. Harry wondered if Severus had ever told anyone before that he trusted them. He suspected not.

Evening arrived and with it the Hogwarts students and the Order members. Molly had protested strongly about Ginny participating, until Arthur overruled her and allowed Ginny to take part, much to Molly’s anger.

Remus and Snape had taken the Order members, minus Tonks (who couldn’t fight because of her pregnancy, which had now entered its seventh month) into the largest drawing room to discuss strategy and practise advanced spells. Harry assembled Draco, Ron, Hermione and Tonks, as well as the Hogwarts fighters, in the second largest room. Harry had also requested Fred and George join them instead of helping the Order.

“I’ve decided to split us here into two groups,” Harry said, feeling intense déjà vu from his fifth year surging through him. “We’re going to have a defensive and an offensive group. Those who I place in Offensive will undertake the role of fighting alongside the Order, although I do not expect anyone to put themselves in the same risky positions, or fight any Death Eaters alone as they will be. Defensive members’ role will be to defend the offensive group from attack, and stay out of the fighting yourselves. I will be choosing who goes into which group, and it will based on what I know of your magical strengths. I don’t want anyone to get offended if I choose you for the defensive group- your role will be crucial in protecting those involved in fighting. In fact, one of the members I’ll be placing in the defensive group is perhaps the strongest magically of all of us. It is not a sign that I think you’re incapable. If you’re chosen for the offensive group then you have the option to switch to the defensive group, as Offensive is a riskier group. But there will be no trading up. Is that understood?” Everyone nodded. “I will not be using any nepotism. Everyone is picked on ability. The offensive group, you’ll be training with me. I warn you now, we’ll be practising illegal Dark magic. I will not, however, be training anyone in the use of the Unforgivables. Defensive group will be led and trained by Tonks. Any questions?” Everyone kept silent. “Okay then. The offensive group. Draco, Ron, Ginny, Fred, George.” Everyone raised an eyebrow, despite Harry’s comment about no nepotism, in response to the fact he’d managed to pick his boyfriend and surrogate family so far. Harry seemed to sense the mood. He gritted his teeth and bit back an angry retort. “A reminder, I am choosing on magical strength, not personal favourites. Padma, Michael, and Neville. That completes the offensive group. The rest are in the defensive group with Tonks.”

Neville looked shell-shocked as he went to join Harry’s side of the room. Draco snorted. “Longbottom?!” he jeered, not bothering to keep his voice down. Harry glared at him.

“Yes, Neville. He’s strong and brave. Or don’t you remember him being one of only three students who had enough guts to face the Dementors when they attacked Hogsmeade in September? He just lacks self-confidence. You will not destroy his confidence, Draco. I fully believe in you, Neville.” Neville flushed and beamed at Harry, as Ron patted him on the back. Draco looked suitably chastised, and even offered half a smile towards Neville, which was nervously returned.

“Does anyone wish to not be in the offensive group?” Harry asked. No one spoke. “Okay, then. We’ll be practising the Dark spells Severus and I worked on a few months ago. Defensive group, you will be working on Shield Charms, Patronuses, and counter-jinxes and hexes. Hermione, can I speak with you, please?”

Hermione came over to him, and Harry cast a privacy ward around them.

“You’re not upset are you, that I’ve not placed you in the offensive group?” Harry asked nervously. Hermione smiled at him.

“Not at all, Harry. I’m relieved. You know Dark magic makes me uncomfortable. Thank you.” She gave Harry a hug, which he returned, before removing the ward and returning to the group. Draco was staring at him.

“You’re leaving out Hermione?” he asked. Harry sighed.

“Hermione is an extremely gifted and able witch. But she is uncomfortable with Dark magic and I do not wish to put her in that position,” he replied. “Do not undermine me, Draco.” Draco looked like he wanted to argue but decided to keep quiet. Secretly he was half-hard over the control and power that Harry was exhibiting. It was deeply arousing, in a weird way. How had he missed this all these years? Why had be believed Harry was nothing but a spoilt do-gooding Gryffindor who was only magically mediocre? Harry spoke and everyone listened. He commanded and it was done. Draco shivered, and shook his head at himself for missing all this for years on end.

“The plan so far,” Harry was saying, and Draco thought he couldn’t have everyone’s attention more if he’d cast a Sonorous on himself, “is to lure Voldemort out of hiding, whilst he’s unsuspecting. The chance of him coming alone is next to zero though. He’ll summon all his Death Eaters, and possibly the giants and the Dementors as well, if he’s suspicious of attack. We’ve not worked out the exact plan yet, but we’re aiming for three weeks’ time. That will take us to the beginning of May. Please remember that you can leave and return to Hogwarts at any time. Okay, now that’s out of the way, Tonks, could you stay here and practise Patronuses with your group, please? My group, we need to go into the garden.”

He led ‘his group’ through the hallways and out into the garden, where spring had burst into bloom.

“We will only use Dark spells on the Death Eaters if they use Dark spells on us,” Harry said. “We fight fire with fire. However, Expelliarmus is always a good start, if you get the chance. If you Disarm them, they cannot duel you. Simple. The magic you’ll learn with me is in addition to, not instead of, magic you’ve learnt in DADA or during the DA two years’ ago.” He drew his wand and began to show the group Infesto Apris, which caused an infestation of bees to surround the victim and repeatedly sting them, whilst distracting them and preventing escape.

Harry’s need for an outside location became apparent almost immediately as he demonstrated the spell. Although there was no victim, a huge swarm of bees shot out of Harry’s wand at the incantation and surrounded a small daffodil patch on the far side of the garden- where Harry had been aiming. The bees attacked the flowers for over a minute before Harry uttered a Finite, at which point the bees took off into the sky together, leaving the flowers looking worse for wear. He carefully demonstrated the required wrist action to everyone then set them to work.

An hour later everyone had mastered the spell, including, Harry was delighted to note, Neville. In fact, he had grasped the spell quicker than most; only Draco, Fred, and George were faster. And it was hardly the first time Draco was performing Dark magic anyway, Harry reminded himself.

“That was excellent,” he told everyone. “Please, do not practise any of these spells outside of this house, but if you could work on other spells- your own Patronuses, Shield Charms etcetera, that would be brilliant. Three weeks doesn’t give me very long to train you, and we won’t have time to revisit those spells we’ve all learnt before. Thank you everyone, I’ll see you next time.”

****

Harry noticed Draco looking at him oddly that evening, as he was dressing for bed. “What?” he said, without any heat. Draco smirked at him.

“You don’t know, do you?” he replied. “The amount of power you ooze. You talk and they listen. And it’s nothing to do with you being The Boy Who Lived. They all respect you, Harry, because they can see you’re the one who’s strong enough to win this fucking war.” He realised, too late, that he was flushed and panting slightly. Harry raised an eyebrow, a smile pulling at the corner of his mouth, as his eyes deliberately fell onto Draco’s crotch.

“And how do you feel about it?” he said, his voice slightly hoarse. Draco just swallowed.

“I…I like it,” he said eventually. He licked his lips and met Harry’s gaze. “Very, very much.”

Harry pounced, pinning Draco to the bed with his hands. He felt Draco surrender to him as he crushed his lips down on the blond’s, mouth open. Draco groaned and arched up his body, crushing his groin into Harry’s rapidly-hardening erection. He pushed back, relishing in the friction, as Draco pulled down both their pyjama bottoms. Once naked, Harry coaxed Draco into a sitting position and Summoned his wand. He performed a quick lubrication charm on his hand, before reaching down and taking both him and Draco in his fist. “Like this, you mean?” he whispered in Draco’s ear, and Draco shivered, from arousal or the feel of breath on his neck, Harry was unsure, but revelled in it nonetheless as he moved his hand over both of them, rapidly bringing them both to the edge.

“Oh fuck, Harry,” Draco cried, as Harry ran his hand over the heads of both of their members, causing each of them to moan. “Don’t stop, please, so close, don’t stop.”

As if Harry had any intention of stopping. He leant forwards and rested his head on Draco’s shoulder as he took deep breaths to try and rein in some control. He felt Draco stiffen and heard him let out a gasp, then a warm wetness covered his hand, instantly drawing his own orgasm from him. Harry continued to stroke them both to full completion, before releasing Draco from his grip. Draco reached for Harry’s wand and cleaned them both up, before lazily falling back into the bed.

“Mmm, yes, to answer your earlier question, just like that,” he said sleepily. “Love you, Harry.”

“I love you, too,” Harry replied, watching the blond as he fell asleep. Three weeks, just twenty-one days, until the final battle. Harry had to admit he was terrified. Not for himself- he’d long-since accepted the very real possibility he wouldn’t live to see twenty. But because of the possibility of Draco not surviving. The idea that Draco could be dead in less than a month filled Harry with a cold dread he’d never felt when he had pictured his own death. He flung an arm protectively around his boyfriend tried to sleep, but rest was a long time coming that night.

****

The twelfth of April was Easter Sunday, and also the Full Moon. Remus had taken Wolfsbane so was harmless, but it did mean he was out of action that night. For this reason, it was decided there would be no Order meeting or any training of the old DA that day. Ron and Hermione had opted to spend Easter at The Burrow, but Harry had remained behind with Snape and Draco. It was just after lunch when Snape approached the pair, who were practising spells in the garden.

“Harry, there is an issue of importance I wish to discuss with you,” Snape began. Harry dropped the Shield he had erected and Draco was firing hexes at, and turned his attention towards the older man. “I speak specifically of the problem we may face if you try and battle the Dark Lord with your holly and phoenix feather wand. The twin core problem is one we need to address rather urgently, with battle planned for just twenty days’ time from now. We are loath to plan any finer details of battle until we can ensure we’re as ready as possible in other departments. Although I admit I am at a loss as to what to suggest.”

Harry hadn’t forgotten this problem. He even had a solution ready. He reached into his jeans and pulled out his father’s mahogany wand.

“I’ve been practising with my dad’s wand, too,” he said. “It works really well for me. Not as well as my own, which is why I still plan to use my own for fighting, but once I face Voldemort, I will be proud to use my dad’s wand to wipe Old Snakeface off the face of the Earth.”

To demonstrate, he aimed James’ wand at the apple tree in the garden and cried, “Arbor Discoperio!”

All the new spring leaves of the apple tree shuddered then fell neatly to the floor in a pile. Harry once more waved his wand and said, “Evanesco,” and the leaves instantly Vanished.

“Your father always was accomplished in Transfiguration,” Snape replied simply, staring at the spot the leaves had landed, then swooped into the house without so much as a backwards glance. Harry stood, confused. Had Snape just paid his father a compliment, or was he unhappy that Harry was using his wand? He decided that whatever it was to let it go; Harry had access to another wand that he could use well in addition to his own, and that was all that was important at the moment, in his opinion.

****

The following week, after training with the DA had ended, Remus called Harry, Draco, Ron and Hermione into the drawing room with the Order.

“We’ve reached a decision on how to proceed,” Kingsley said calmly. “in the early hours of the morning of the second of May, Severus is going to allow himself to be sighted, Polyjuiced as you, by the Death Eaters in the grounds of Malfoy Manor. He’ll need your Cloak, Harry, to make it look authentic, but will ‘accidentally’ allow it to slip at the right moment. Severus will appear to be searching for something, be unsuccessful, then lead them back to where you’ll apparently be camping in the nearby Savernake Forest. We’ll have genuine wards set up to make it look authentic, but which the Order and the DA will be hidden behind. Then, we fight.”

“Will You-Know-Who definitely go for this, do you think?” asked Ron.

“Almost certainly,” Harry replied. “Especially if he believes I’m vulnerable. And if he doesn’t, then we just storm in and attack the Manor. Draco can alter the wards on it to let everyone in; not even Voldemort can alter the control of those.”

“It’s preferable to have it outside, though,” Draco said. “The Manor has over a hundred rooms. It will be hard to end it there when we’d end up playing cat-and-mouse for a large portion of it.”

****

It’s funny, Harry thought, how time speeds towards something you’re dreading. Before he knew it, it was the first of May and battle was planned for twelve hours’ time. He was physically prepared, the Order and the DA were well-trained, and part of him was excited that the day that had loomed over him for so many years had almost arrived. But the thought of anyone he loved getting hurt tomorrow made him feel physically unwell. And the thought of anything happening to Draco… Harry didn’t allow himself to think those thoughts for fear of falling apart if he did so.

The Order had left with Apparition coordinates to Savernake Forest and instructions to be behind the wards by five in the morning, and the DA had returned to Hogwarts for the night. Harry had asked McGonagall if Dobby could serve them for the evening, and the house-elf had happily obliged them.

Dobby had gone all-out with a three course meal, which nobody felt like eating particularly. Harry thought this felt like The Last Supper; the mood was sombre. Remus put down his goblet of wine and cleared his throat, looking directly at Harry whilst reaching for Tonks’ hand.

“Harry,” he began, and Harry realised Remus was nervous, “we wanted to ask you this tonight, because tomorrow… we might not get the chance.” It might be too late, you mean, Harry thought, and felt the bile rise in his throat at the thought, which he hastily swallowed. “We wanted to ask you if you would do us the honour of being our child’s godfather, once he or she is born? We can think of no one better suited to it.”

Harry beamed, and felt a lump rise in his throat. “Of course I will!” he exclaimed happily, and tuck into his dinner, suddenly more in the mood to eat than he had been.

The meal continued. Both Ron and Hermione looked pale and exhausted, and Ron was uncharacteristically quiet. He, too, was only picking at his food, which was unheard of. Hermione kept making small involuntary twitches, whilst offering words of comfort to the others. Snape was silent, and not eating at all. He looked even more pallid than usual, and had his head bowed low. Harry knew it would be close to a miracle if this time tomorrow they were all sitting at this very table unharmed.

“Any more thoughts on the spell you’ll use on Voldemort tomorrow, Harry?” Remus asked. Harry shook his head. To be honest he did have an idea, and he had a suspicion it wasn’t going to be Dark or need to be an Unforgivable. As if he read his mind, Draco spoke up.

“And if it comes down to it, can you use the Killing Curse?” he asked gently. Harry had not told Ron and Hermione about the incident back in August with the three Unforgivables. He had vowed then never to use Avada Kedavra. But if it was a case of using that or letting someone he loved die, letting Draco die… it was no contest.

“I will hate it. But, yes, if it comes to it tomorrow, I will cast it,” Harry said. “I’ll do anything in my power to keep you all safe.”

“We should all get some rest,” Snape said finally. “Tomorrow is going to be an eventful day.” He stood to rise. “Gentlemen, Miss Granger. It’s been a pleasure working with you all these past few months and I am honoured to have shared this experience with you all.” Then he swept out of the room in the way Harry had seen him do so many times in the Potions lab at Hogwarts, without a backwards glance. Draco squeezed his hand.

“I’ll be in our room,” he whispered, and disappeared, clearly giving Harry some time alone with his friends.

“Harry,” Hermione’s arms were wide and inviting. Harry engulfed himself in them. “We’ll be OK, you know. We’re going to get through this.” Harry kissed her on the cheek as he broke the hug.

“I love you, Hermione,” he said, wiping a single tear from her eye.

“I love you, too,” she whispered, before burying her face in Ron’s chest, shoulders shaking.

“Mate…” Harry began, but Ron cut him off.

“We’re not doing this, Harry. Like saying a goodbye. We’re going to be fine tomorrow. Hermione’s right.” Harry ignored the fact Ron was trembling, and simply nodded. Ron gave Harry a simple smile and he and Hermione, too, left the room.

He turned to Remus and Tonks, but suddenly found his voice failed him. He settled for giving them both a hug instead, before going in search of Draco.

****

“You can stay here tomorrow, Draco, where you’ll be safe,” Harry whispered, as the pair lay together in the dark that night. “Keep safe. For me.”

Draco reached out for Harry’s hand and squeezed it tightly in his own.

“Seven months ago I may well have taken you up on that,” Draco replied honestly, and reached out a hand to caress Harry’s face. “But not now. Tomorrow I stand by your side, and nothing you can say is going to remove me. I will fight beside you, and die beside you, if that’s what it comes to, tomorrow. You have irrevocably changed me, and all for the better. I admit I never understood you, with your ‘there are things worth dying for’ ideals. Now I do. You’ve taught me the meaning of love, and I love you, completely, undeniably, and unwaveringly, Harry James Potter. And tomorrow I will be right there with you as I watch you wipe Voldemort from the face of the Earth.”

Harry’s mouth dropped into a small, trembling ‘O’ shape, and he wiped the sudden wetness from his eyes. You bloody Hufflepuff, he scorned himself as he wrapped his arms tightly around Draco.

“Make love to me,” he whispered. He heard the blond’s breath hitch then he was being kissed, so tenderly and gently, full of all the love that Draco had just declared, reminding Harry that he was alive as nerves tingled throughout his body. The nerve endings danced and flickered as Draco unbuttoned Harry’s pyjamas and removed them, before removing his own, they prickled as Draco worshipped his body, kissing every inch his lips could reach, they jumped in ecstasy when Draco’s hot, wet mouth engulfed him, and they burned with passion as Draco’s tongue expertly and lovingly breached his body, before the tongue was replaced by fingers, crooking to reach just that spot that made Harry’s world explode.

“I love you,” Draco gasped breathlessly as he entered Harry, watching as Harry closed his eyes and bit his lip, an expression of pure bliss on his face. Draco leant forwards and captured Harry’s mouth in his, wordlessly proclaiming his devotion, his adoration of the man beneath him, as Harry panted into Draco’s open mouth and arched up to meet the gentle thrusts from his lover’s hips, rocking them both into delight, connecting them, joining them, and completing them, as they gasped, and shuddered, and came together, fingers digging in possessively to one another as they each claimed the other as their own.

Harry was unsurprised to find he was crying as Draco withdrew from him. He reached up a trembling hand to wipe tears away from Draco’s own face, never breaking the eye contact, before just pulling him tightly into an embrace, clinging to him for dear life, and Draco clung back just as tightly, as the pair wept softly together.

It was hours later when Harry was finally sleeping soundly. Draco exited the bed, threw on his bathrobe, and sat at his writing table.

Dear Mother and Father,

So the day has arrived. This is what I’ve been fighting towards now for eight months, but Harry all his life. At dawn tomorrow, battle commences. The end is nigh for the Dark Lord, Father. Neither can live while the other survives, and tomorrow I will do everything in my power to ensure it is Harry emerging victorious.

Harry is asleep, finally, in our bed. He looks so peaceful, yet I know his rest is troubled. I love him with everything I am and everything I have, and he returns my love. I just couldn’t go into combat tomorrow without you knowing this. I’m not ashamed of him, and, if I do not survive the fight tomorrow, I needed you both to know that Draco Malfoy and Harry Potter were very much together, as I know you’ve suspected for some time, Mother. Harry saved me in more ways than you will ever know that night back in July. He taught me to be better than I thought I ever could be. In the morning I just pray to all the deities that I get to save him too.

It is ironic, Mother, that I am to do battle in an area that was a haven for me as a child. Savernake was always a wondrous place for me as a boy. No doubt He will call you, Father, to the fight in the morning, as he will call Severus and me, and anyone else he’s Marked with his own personal brand of Evil. Please stay safe behind your wards. We are well-prepared.

This will not be the final letter I ever write. I intend to survive. But if my intentions prove unfruitful, I needed you both to know I was honoured to be your son.

Love,

Draco Malfoy.
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Harry Potter and the Black King