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All I Ever Wanted	By : Samaelthekind Category: Harry Potter > Slash - Male/Male > Harry/Draco Views: 48969 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, nor any of the characters from the books or movies. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 17
- 18
- 19
DISCLAIMER: Warning! I make no claim to any property of J.K. Rowling's, and am in no way profiting by this. I do offer her my sincerest thanks for allowing us this garden of the mind in which we play. Further Warning! This story...and likely any I ever write...are dominated by gay themes and characters. That's how it is, if this in any way makes you uncomfortable...do not read further.
"All I Ever Wanted" chap. 18 'Enter Albus'

Albus Dumbledore strolled serenely through the halls of Hogwarts, glad to be back in the castle that had been his home for so many years.

The war was taking its toll on him in many ways, mostly by demanding so much of his time and thought. Voldemort had failed in so many direct attacks that he had switched to spreading his corrupting influence around the wizarding world. This was no longer a war of Hogwarts alumni and of England...this was a global war for the souls and lives of all wizarding kind.

Voldemort was likely quite tired as well, being so unwilling to share power with anyone, and thus doing all the organizing and commanding in person. Albus on the other hand, had many friends around the world that he trusted implicitly, and he had only to make contact and flesh out loosely detailed plans. Still, the time involved was considerable. He had been gone for a series of meetings in many countries for almost two weeks, and returned to find his home in utter disarray.

Albus had been in his office for only ten minutes when Severus Snape was upon him for a debriefing. Despite the importance of the initial subject, which had been the result of Severus' spying, he swiftly slid off track into a furious rant about Harry...and of all people, Draco.

Even Albus raised an eyebrow upon hearing that Harry was in the hospital wing, recovering from Healer's Drain, from healing Draco Malfoy, who had nearly been killed when it was revealed that he and Harry were in fact lovers, and the resulting settling of 'ruffled feathers' in Slytherin had apparently involved over half of Slytherin House developing mysterious hex-related ailments and missing a school day.

Albus suppressed a smile that was creeping up despite Snape's sour disposition. His eyes were twinkling merrily at the irony and humor of the situation. He'd long suspected that the younger Malfoy was basically a good lad at heart.

It was a sorrowful thing, his family being so close to Voldemort these past few years. When Lucius had finally fallen into imprisonment, Albus was greatly relieved to see Draco pull away from the Death Eater camp and freshly ward the Manor against all save Narcissa and himself.

It was a pity about Narcissa, she'd always been a fragile flower of a girl, and she really had adored her husband. Perhaps there had been a time when Lucius might have thought to listen to his wife's warnings, but he hadn't, and he had paid the price. Now poor Narcissa paid the price as well, bereft of a husband she worshipped in an almost unhealthy way.

So much gone awry in that family. It gave Albus a moment of bittersweet joy to think that, finally, one of them had broken away from it all and found some happiness.

He'd known of Harry's preferences shortly after Harry had worked it out for himself, sooner actually, but the boy had needed to find his own time and way to deal with it. It rather pleased him to think of those two storm-tossed boys finding some shred of comfort together in a world that was much too grim and hard for Albus' liking.

"Headmaster!" Snape's irritable hiss interrupted. "Are you even listening to what I'm telling you! It's just wrong, certainly unhealthy, for them to be together...it's untenable, disastrous, possibly calamitous! I see nothing but the potential for chaos and constant disruption in this...this...parody of..."

"Hmmph. I think it's adorable! A perfect couple if ever there was one!" Albus smiled cheerily, eyes still twinkling. Snape closed his mouth looking positively aghast at what he was hearing.

Albus stood and pocketed a few candies to take with him. "Severus, my old friend. Do try to remember that they are so very young, and that so much has been stolen from each of them because of the times in which we live. Let them have this. Your loss is not theirs. Old sorrows like yours and mine have no place tainting what they have at this moment. Perhaps it will last, perhaps not. Whatever comes, it's theirs to discover, not ours to discourage."

Severus' face tightened at Albus' mention of his personal sorrows, but he knew the clever old goat was right.

"Do not expect me to cheer this lunacy on, but if it must be, then so be it. I can only assume you're off to see them. I don't like this, I just don't. Those are two families that were ever at odds, and I see only failure and pain for them...and Potter needs to be thinking of what must be done, not mooning over my prot�g� like a love-sick calf. Draco has responsibilities he needs to see to, and trailing after Potter on these little misadventures distracts them both.

I don't want either of them hurt, and with no regard for their duties they both almost died within a day of each other. I cannot see good coming of this, but have it as you wish. I have work to do. Thanks to the nonsense of the last few days, I've run behind on my preparations for the advanced classes. I shall see you again later, Headmaster." Snape bowed briefly and swept out of the room, back to his dungeons and the comfortable familiarity of his potions. At least they were predictable by recipe. The ingredients of life, by comparison, were far trickier things, and prone to worse mischief than melted cauldrons and noxious fumes when gone awry.

Draco sat next to a sleeping Harry Potter, thoroughly uncomfortable, in a chair that seemed to actively invite one to leave. Probably Pomfrey's way of discouraging lingering visitors. He was mulling over what tomorrow's meeting would entail. There might have been a shred of truth in Nott's ranting.

Draco had left Slytherin in a rut, fitting for snakes, but Slytherin was not a house of real snakes, they were people. Draco had just seen them at their worst and best in just two days. He had ideas, big ones. Changes that would be hard to make, but that might just make a more lasting impression than his activities that morning.

In his mind's eye, he saw a Slytherin House transformed. No longer a den of vipers, striking at each other ineffectually, divided, lonely and bitter. He saw a house united, learning principles of cunning and subtlety that would serve them well in the world and strengthen their friendships in school.

This would be his goal. He could build a new reputation. Not one like his father's, rooted in fear, power and influence, but a reputation built on trust, friendship, cooperation and kindness. The Malfoy crest might take a lifetime to repair, but before he was done it would be a name spoken of with respect and affection, a shining example to the wizarding world.

His muse and inspiration was his Harry, so peaceful next to him. He brushed a strand of dark hair away from Harry's closed eyes, then caressed the downy softness of Harry's cheek. His color was returning.

Draco had gotten Madam Pomfrey to commit to the idea of Harry being moved to 'their room' tomorrow, after classes were out, but only after he'd promised everything but his immortal soul. He had a list of potions he'd be doling out daily for the rest of the week, and a set of spells he'd just learned to slowly feed energy to Harry and speed his recovery. Funny to think that only yesterday he'd almost given up hope. He had good allies. Strong ones that wouldn't quit easily. He hadn't known it until yesterday, but now he knew who he could count on.

After he'd watched Harry fall asleep, Draco had spent almost an hour talking to Ron and Hermione. Madam Pomfrey had sent them all outside, but it had been productive. Aside from Crabbe, Goyle and Blaise Zabini, he had the sneaking suspicion that Granger and Weasley would be helpful when they could, since anyone with Harry was automatically in their good books.

The look on Ron Weasley's face had been priceless when he told the red-headed prat to extend Draco's formal compliments to his parents for the exemplary compassion and hospitality they had shown Harry. Ron had been reduced to stuttering thanks on his family's behalf.

Hermione Granger was the really interesting one. What a mind she had. For the daughter of Muggles, she was a jewel in the rough. She lacked old-house polish, the trait that marked those born to elder wizarding families, but she had brains and raw talent and a subtle sense of humor that really endeared her to Draco. If he was really going to change Slytherin House in a way that would last, he would need friends like those. Then Albus Dumbledore swept into the room and killed his train of thought.

"Hello, Headmaster." He stood and gave a short nod of respect. This could be good or bad. If one person had the authority to throw a Muggle 'wrench into the works' of Draco's plans, it was Albus Dumbledore.

"Good evening, Draco Malfoy. I understand it's been quite a remarkable two weeks in my absence. I greatly regret having missed some of the events that passed of late." The old man always looked so damnably amused, it was hard to read whether he was upset or thrilled. Draco had always found that annoying as hell. He had an expert poker face and always hated being outbluffed.

"Well, it has been...uh...enlightening, sir. I...I assume it's all over school by now, then? About us, Harry and I...together." Draco's voiced trailed off, it was so damnably hard to talk to the old coot. He hated being made to feel like a child, and Albus Dumbledore made almost everyone feel like a beloved grandchild. This made for a certain natural discomfort between them.

"Please Draco, be at ease. I think you two have done very well by each other. I couldn't possibly approve more. Harry is very dear to me, and his well-being is very much a concern of mine. I think you make a fine young couple, and, from what I've heard, you show a great deal of promise. Especially in the arts of wizardry, judging by the notable passage of arms I'm told took place so recently." Dumbledore favored him with a telling glance, a broad wink and a smile.

Busted! Trust Dumbledore to know the details even when no one talked. "I can explain...really...it was...I needed to...uh..." Draco's glib tongue was failing him. Damn it! "Slytherin needs to change and I'm going to change it for the better!" Draco finally blurted out.

"I didn't say I disapproved. Work with your Head of House to make the changes you think might be appropriate. Very ambitious of you, I might add. It shows good character. Draco...", and here Dumbledore placed a hand on his shoulder and gazed seriously and deeply into Draco's eyes. "...what I wanted to tell you is that, in the course you have chosen, you have begun to exemplify the highest standards of qualities that mark a great Slytherin. Overpowered by brute force and cheap theatrics, you rallied with strong allies, cunning, guile and an astonishingly skillful use of Wizardry. Not even a trace of dark magic in the whole affair. I wanted you to know that I'm terribly proud of you. As proud of you as I am of Harry. If you ever choose to join those of us fighting Voldemort, you would be a welcome addition to our ranks. We should be honored to have you among us."

Draco flushed scarlet, this wasn't the same as praise from Snape. This left him speechless, praised for Slytherin values by Dumbledore the eternal Gryffindor? He wasn't really used to genuine compliments, except from Harry. "Th-thank you. I'll think about it, sir, I mean the war and all, I have to talk to Harry first, but thank you just the same."

"My dear boy, just because I'm an old Gryffindor doesn't mean I don't recognize a fine example of Slytherin when I see one. Just as Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw, too, produce some truly exceptional students who perfectly represent the values of their houses, so too does Slytherin. Alas, I am afraid I do have some unpleasant news from my busy round of meetings. Draco, it's about your father."

Draco blanched instantly. Dumbledore seemed sad to even broach the subject, so it couldn't be good. Racing through Draco's mind was the mantra...'please don't let him have escaped...please.' Dumbledore stepped back a bit and started in.

"Lucius Malfoy, according to those I have spoken to, is likely to receive the Kiss sometime in the next month. Several key captive Death Eaters have clearly and directly cited him as central to Voldemort's command of his followers. With so much current evidence against him and his previous involvement working against him, I'm afraid my suggestion that no further action was necessary fell on deaf ears. The Ministry, for many good reasons, is currently quite intolerant of convicted Death Eaters. Given your mother's delicate state and your own good nature, I tried to plea for an extension or stay of sentence. I wish I could tell you that I thought it had done any good. I just wanted to prepare you for what may be coming soon."

Draco took a deep breath. The Kiss. What a cruel irony that a man like his father, who would have proudly died fighting, a snarl fixed on his face to the last, would end up a gibbering shell of a man, every shred of hope, pride or dignity torn from him before he left this world. It stung more than he cared to admit.

He had often resented his father's coldness and acid-tongued comments. Lucius could be truly vicious when angry. There were some good memories that weren't dead to Draco, though, and these flooded back so suddenly it surprised him.

When Draco had been very small, Lucius had not thought it inappropriate to play with his only child. Clambering about on the floor with his giggling three year old child, just wrestling and tickling and reciting old children's rhymes. Walking through the gardens with his son and heir on his shoulders, as carefree, almost, as a child himself. At moments like that, Lucius had seemed like the tallest and most perfect person in the world to his son, and to this day a part of Draco ached with emptiness, that the man he had worshipped at the feet of had fallen so low and so far from him.

Draco pulled himself out of his shocked silence to answer the Headmaster. "It's all right, my father...my father made his choice a long time ago. This isn't anything you could fix. I wondered when it was going to come to this. When they make the final decision my family solicitor will contact me. Your consideration is appreciated.

I do have a question about something for which I need your permission. Harry and I have an old Prefect's suite on the sixth floor that...that means a lot to us. We've fixed it up and made it usable for living and study. I know he'd feel better about using it with your permission, so may we have it? I know this is unusual as a request, but it would mean a lot to us to be able to be together more." Draco almost sighed relief when Dumbledore all but gave his blessings on the spot.

"When Harry wakes, please tell him to drop by my office sometime soon. I will be available for the rest of the week should either of you need anything. Oh...and Draco...should Slytherin students require any...ah...shall we say...disciplining, please ensure they can still make it to class. Hogwarts is, after all, an institution of learning." A hint of that annoying twinkle was back, and as soon as he able to give the Headmaster his word that future events would be quieter, Albus Dumbledore wished him and Harry well and was gone.

So much for easy weekends with Harry. He'd have to see his father...soon. There may not be much time left, and there were things he thought he should say. It would be horrible, even at best. He could handle it; he had Harry to help him when it was too much. With Harry he felt like any burden could be borne, and these things had to be done, whether he liked it or not.

Madam Pomfrey was walking her final rounds and would shoo him out shortly, so Draco rose a little stiffly, still sore in a few spots from the day's efforts, and kissed Harry's slumbering and unfurrowed brow. Then it was back to Slytherin, back to studies, and back to plans that were only just unfolding in his mind.
- 17
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- 19
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All I Ever Wanted