A Heart So Ravenous (Sequel to A Love So Belated)
folder
Harry Potter › Slash - Male/Male › Harry/Draco
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
44
Views:
37,280
Reviews:
326
Recommended:
1
Currently Reading:
0
Category:
Harry Potter › Slash - Male/Male › Harry/Draco
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
44
Views:
37,280
Reviews:
326
Recommended:
1
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 44: Never Happier
Chapter Number/Total: 44/44
Chapter Title: Never Happier
Words: 1698 Words
After being given his money, the prison guard, same one as it always was, opened the large metal door to Lucius' cell for Draco. As before, the guard slipped in quickly to unchain the dirty, scruffy man sitting in the chair. Lucius' hair was a bit longer since the last time Draco had seen him, when it had been chopped off – probably for hygienic reasons, and it looked like he hadn't been shaved in a few days.
Draco clenched his jaw and walked into the cell, his cane making a clicking noise as it struck the stone floor. The cane was a source of annoyance for him. His father's cane had been an affectation. This one was a necessity. According to the Healers, there had been nerve damage to his lower back during the pregnancy, causing intermittent problems with his legs. There was hope that over time it would improve. Draco stood quietly, looking down at Lucius until the guard withdrew.
"Hello, Father," he said quietly.
Lucius stared at him silently for a few moments, his eyes passing over his son's face and then lingering on the cane. "Draco," he said, voice slightly hoarse. He got almost hesitantly to his feet, but then only stood there.
Draco's hand clenched on his cane. He hated seeing his father like this. His father should be beautiful and immaculate. The young man's face softened and he stepped closer. He hadn't seen Lucius in eighteen months and had nearly died twice in that time. He never thought to see his father again. He wanted to show him how he felt but found himself hesitating, not knowing if Lucius would even want him there.
After another few minutes of pressing silence, Lucius released a characteristic heavy sigh. It sounded almost like annoyance, though what annoyed him was unclear. He took another step forward and pulled his son into an embrace.
Draco gasped in a partial sob and hugged his father back, arms around him, cane clutched behind Lucius' back. He pressed his face into his father's shoulder.
Lucius hugged Draco tightly and firmly, not letting go. "I have missed you, my son," he said gruffly, and it was obvious that he was attempting to hide his emotion.
"Father," Draco whispered, voice hoarse as he fought back tears. "I have missed you very much."
Lucius didn't respond, and the hug probably said more than words could anyway. Eventually, after an immeasurable amount of time had passed, he pulled back, grasping Draco's shoulders.
Draco smiled weakly, looking into his father's eyes. "I didn't mean for it to be so long between visits," he said softly.
Lucius sighed again, but quieter this time. "Yes," he said, and paused again. "I trust you have been ... well?" he said a bit stiffly.
Draco stepped back, bringing his cane down to make sure he didn't fall as he did. "I am improving," he said, shrugging.
His father looked ... confused, like he didn't know what to say. He glanced at the cane again. "I'm glad."
Draco gestured for his father to sit and reached for the guest chair, sitting down carefully in it. "Pressure on my lower back caused some damage, but it does seem to be getting better," he explained, placing the cane across his lap.
Lucius sat as well. He didn't ask what the pressure had been from. "I was worried," he said, gruff again.
"Outside of that, I seem recovered," Draco continued. "And the boys are strong and healthy." He smiled then, hoping his father could see his happiness when he did.
Lucius shifted around in his chair and cleared his throat. "Yes," he said. "Your mother sent me a picture of them to keep in her last letter."
"I suppose she sent you the latest article in the Daily Prophet, as well?" Draco grinned. Fenwick had covered the award ceremony, pleasing both Harry and Narcissa with the article.
Lucius gave a short nod. "Yes," he said, still gruff. "You received a medal." Once again, he paused for a few moments. "I must say that it is quite impressive," he finally admitted, frowning slightly. It was like he didn't want to be impressed, but couldn't help it.
Draco nodded, pleased with his father's reaction. After everything that had happened, he had found the ceremony quite an odd experience. He had participated more for his sons' futures than for his own sake. "And Healer Sharpner is co-authoring an article with me on the potions I invented. It will be published in a respected journal."
Lucius still frowned and cleared his throat again. "Well ..." he trailed off, simply nodding.
"I have several others I have developed and a few ideas," Draco said. "The current project is one that regenerates nerves in the same way Skelegrow does for bones. That would help me personally, but it would benefit many more people as well."
Lucius did look truly impressed then. "That is amazing work," he said.
Draco beamed, his father's words affecting him more than he would have thought. "I love the work I'm doing and it allows me to work from home, so I can be with the twins. Mother helps a lot with that, too. And Harry is doing well again in his Auror training. He had fallen behind when I was ... ill, but is catching up now."
If Lucius had anything bad to say about that, he held his tongue, but it looked like it took some effort. He nodded again.
Draco was impressed with Lucius' restraint. He knew how difficult it must be for him. Draco smiled, looking into his father's eyes. "This is the life I have chosen. It makes me happy. I realise that it isn't what you would have chosen for me. And I respect that you love me even so."
Lucius huffed. "I suppose now would be the time to say that you are my son, no matter what, previous letters and words aside."
"Good, and you are my father, no matter what," Draco said, smirking. "I also want you to know I plan to visit regularly from now on."
Lucius gave Draco a familiarly wry smile. "Well," he said, "I suppose your mother is pleased."
Draco rolled his eyes. "She does seem to be enjoying being a grandmother, and the bragging rights about her son."
Lucius continued to smile and it turned into one of a little more feeling. "Sounds like her all right," he said. There was one last long moment of silence. "I would ... like to see them one day," he said, and he'd gone a bit gruff again. "Whenever it is that I get out of here."
Draco smiled softly, a prickle of tears in his eyes again. He breathed deep, nodding. "I would like that, too."
***
"Oh, come on now," Harry said to Corvus, wiping the milk spilling down his little chin. "Don't spit it out." But Corvus continued to spit the milk, and Harry thought he might be doing it just to spite him. He shook his head, trying to wiggle the bottle in his mouth to get him to drink it better. "You were crying for it a minute ago," he complained, glancing at Caelum, who was sitting in the twins' swing, but starting to squirm.
He sighed and stood from one of the rocking chairs in the nursery to switch the boys, but as soon as he had lifted Caelum and laid Corvus in the swing instead, Corvus began howling. He huffed, staring down at that little red face. "Corv," he groaned. "Please don't start this." And then, probably only to join his brother, Caelum starting wailing as well. Harry looked between them, frazzled as he always got when the boys started their simultaneous screaming.
Draco heard the wailing the moment he came through the door. It should have bothered him, but instead he smiled as he shook his head and Apparated to the hall just outside the nursery. He stood in the doorway, watching his family. His family.
Harry jumped when he heard the crack, and turned his head quickly. He sighed in relief to see Draco standing there. Thank Merlin he hadn't had to endure the screaming by himself for long. "They just started," he said over the noise.
Draco's smile didn't fade as he walked into the room and reached for Corvus. "What's your problem, my son?" he asked the child, who stopped crying when he looked up into Draco's face.
Harry huffed again, rocking Caelum who was settling as Corvus' cries ceased. "Why does he quiet up when you do that, but not me?" he asked.
Draco chuckled and shrugged. He had left his cane in the entryway, but he was able to cover the short distance to one of the rocking chairs. He settled into it and picked up one of the bottles sitting on the table between the two rockers.
Harry smiled wryly at Draco before he went to sit as well. Then he remembered why Draco had been gone in the first place. "Er, how did it go?" he asked.
Corvus began sucking greedily on the bottle as Draco sat back with a sigh. "Pretty good," he said, stroking the messy black hair on the boy's head.
"Pretty good?" Harry asked. He smiled. "Is that it?"
Draco looked up at his lover with a small smile. "He seemed happy to see me," he said softly.
Harry nodded. He was glad. He knew how much Lucius meant to Draco. "That's good," he said truthfully.
Draco smiled wistfully, looking over at Caelum sucking on his bottle, too. "He said he would like to see them someday."
"Really?" Harry said, slightly surprised with that.
"He loves me," Draco said with a bigger smile. "And he will love them."
Harry smiled again. Draco was completely adorable in that moment. "I'm sure he will," he said.
Corvus had emptied the bottle in near-record time. Draco put a cloth on his shoulder and put the baby up to burp. "I cannot imagine being happier," he said.
Harry sighed contently, still rocking with Caelum, who was taking his time with his bottle. "Neither can I," he agreed.
[Hope you have enjoyed this story. You have reached the conclusion of A Heart So Ravenous. We hope you will leave comments and let us know what you have thought of this tale. There is also a yahoo groups mailing list with updates about current and future writings by Slashpervert and co-authors. Feel free to sign up at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/slashpervert_fiction/ .]
Chapter Title: Never Happier
Words: 1698 Words
After being given his money, the prison guard, same one as it always was, opened the large metal door to Lucius' cell for Draco. As before, the guard slipped in quickly to unchain the dirty, scruffy man sitting in the chair. Lucius' hair was a bit longer since the last time Draco had seen him, when it had been chopped off – probably for hygienic reasons, and it looked like he hadn't been shaved in a few days.
Draco clenched his jaw and walked into the cell, his cane making a clicking noise as it struck the stone floor. The cane was a source of annoyance for him. His father's cane had been an affectation. This one was a necessity. According to the Healers, there had been nerve damage to his lower back during the pregnancy, causing intermittent problems with his legs. There was hope that over time it would improve. Draco stood quietly, looking down at Lucius until the guard withdrew.
"Hello, Father," he said quietly.
Lucius stared at him silently for a few moments, his eyes passing over his son's face and then lingering on the cane. "Draco," he said, voice slightly hoarse. He got almost hesitantly to his feet, but then only stood there.
Draco's hand clenched on his cane. He hated seeing his father like this. His father should be beautiful and immaculate. The young man's face softened and he stepped closer. He hadn't seen Lucius in eighteen months and had nearly died twice in that time. He never thought to see his father again. He wanted to show him how he felt but found himself hesitating, not knowing if Lucius would even want him there.
After another few minutes of pressing silence, Lucius released a characteristic heavy sigh. It sounded almost like annoyance, though what annoyed him was unclear. He took another step forward and pulled his son into an embrace.
Draco gasped in a partial sob and hugged his father back, arms around him, cane clutched behind Lucius' back. He pressed his face into his father's shoulder.
Lucius hugged Draco tightly and firmly, not letting go. "I have missed you, my son," he said gruffly, and it was obvious that he was attempting to hide his emotion.
"Father," Draco whispered, voice hoarse as he fought back tears. "I have missed you very much."
Lucius didn't respond, and the hug probably said more than words could anyway. Eventually, after an immeasurable amount of time had passed, he pulled back, grasping Draco's shoulders.
Draco smiled weakly, looking into his father's eyes. "I didn't mean for it to be so long between visits," he said softly.
Lucius sighed again, but quieter this time. "Yes," he said, and paused again. "I trust you have been ... well?" he said a bit stiffly.
Draco stepped back, bringing his cane down to make sure he didn't fall as he did. "I am improving," he said, shrugging.
His father looked ... confused, like he didn't know what to say. He glanced at the cane again. "I'm glad."
Draco gestured for his father to sit and reached for the guest chair, sitting down carefully in it. "Pressure on my lower back caused some damage, but it does seem to be getting better," he explained, placing the cane across his lap.
Lucius sat as well. He didn't ask what the pressure had been from. "I was worried," he said, gruff again.
"Outside of that, I seem recovered," Draco continued. "And the boys are strong and healthy." He smiled then, hoping his father could see his happiness when he did.
Lucius shifted around in his chair and cleared his throat. "Yes," he said. "Your mother sent me a picture of them to keep in her last letter."
"I suppose she sent you the latest article in the Daily Prophet, as well?" Draco grinned. Fenwick had covered the award ceremony, pleasing both Harry and Narcissa with the article.
Lucius gave a short nod. "Yes," he said, still gruff. "You received a medal." Once again, he paused for a few moments. "I must say that it is quite impressive," he finally admitted, frowning slightly. It was like he didn't want to be impressed, but couldn't help it.
Draco nodded, pleased with his father's reaction. After everything that had happened, he had found the ceremony quite an odd experience. He had participated more for his sons' futures than for his own sake. "And Healer Sharpner is co-authoring an article with me on the potions I invented. It will be published in a respected journal."
Lucius still frowned and cleared his throat again. "Well ..." he trailed off, simply nodding.
"I have several others I have developed and a few ideas," Draco said. "The current project is one that regenerates nerves in the same way Skelegrow does for bones. That would help me personally, but it would benefit many more people as well."
Lucius did look truly impressed then. "That is amazing work," he said.
Draco beamed, his father's words affecting him more than he would have thought. "I love the work I'm doing and it allows me to work from home, so I can be with the twins. Mother helps a lot with that, too. And Harry is doing well again in his Auror training. He had fallen behind when I was ... ill, but is catching up now."
If Lucius had anything bad to say about that, he held his tongue, but it looked like it took some effort. He nodded again.
Draco was impressed with Lucius' restraint. He knew how difficult it must be for him. Draco smiled, looking into his father's eyes. "This is the life I have chosen. It makes me happy. I realise that it isn't what you would have chosen for me. And I respect that you love me even so."
Lucius huffed. "I suppose now would be the time to say that you are my son, no matter what, previous letters and words aside."
"Good, and you are my father, no matter what," Draco said, smirking. "I also want you to know I plan to visit regularly from now on."
Lucius gave Draco a familiarly wry smile. "Well," he said, "I suppose your mother is pleased."
Draco rolled his eyes. "She does seem to be enjoying being a grandmother, and the bragging rights about her son."
Lucius continued to smile and it turned into one of a little more feeling. "Sounds like her all right," he said. There was one last long moment of silence. "I would ... like to see them one day," he said, and he'd gone a bit gruff again. "Whenever it is that I get out of here."
Draco smiled softly, a prickle of tears in his eyes again. He breathed deep, nodding. "I would like that, too."
***
"Oh, come on now," Harry said to Corvus, wiping the milk spilling down his little chin. "Don't spit it out." But Corvus continued to spit the milk, and Harry thought he might be doing it just to spite him. He shook his head, trying to wiggle the bottle in his mouth to get him to drink it better. "You were crying for it a minute ago," he complained, glancing at Caelum, who was sitting in the twins' swing, but starting to squirm.
He sighed and stood from one of the rocking chairs in the nursery to switch the boys, but as soon as he had lifted Caelum and laid Corvus in the swing instead, Corvus began howling. He huffed, staring down at that little red face. "Corv," he groaned. "Please don't start this." And then, probably only to join his brother, Caelum starting wailing as well. Harry looked between them, frazzled as he always got when the boys started their simultaneous screaming.
Draco heard the wailing the moment he came through the door. It should have bothered him, but instead he smiled as he shook his head and Apparated to the hall just outside the nursery. He stood in the doorway, watching his family. His family.
Harry jumped when he heard the crack, and turned his head quickly. He sighed in relief to see Draco standing there. Thank Merlin he hadn't had to endure the screaming by himself for long. "They just started," he said over the noise.
Draco's smile didn't fade as he walked into the room and reached for Corvus. "What's your problem, my son?" he asked the child, who stopped crying when he looked up into Draco's face.
Harry huffed again, rocking Caelum who was settling as Corvus' cries ceased. "Why does he quiet up when you do that, but not me?" he asked.
Draco chuckled and shrugged. He had left his cane in the entryway, but he was able to cover the short distance to one of the rocking chairs. He settled into it and picked up one of the bottles sitting on the table between the two rockers.
Harry smiled wryly at Draco before he went to sit as well. Then he remembered why Draco had been gone in the first place. "Er, how did it go?" he asked.
Corvus began sucking greedily on the bottle as Draco sat back with a sigh. "Pretty good," he said, stroking the messy black hair on the boy's head.
"Pretty good?" Harry asked. He smiled. "Is that it?"
Draco looked up at his lover with a small smile. "He seemed happy to see me," he said softly.
Harry nodded. He was glad. He knew how much Lucius meant to Draco. "That's good," he said truthfully.
Draco smiled wistfully, looking over at Caelum sucking on his bottle, too. "He said he would like to see them someday."
"Really?" Harry said, slightly surprised with that.
"He loves me," Draco said with a bigger smile. "And he will love them."
Harry smiled again. Draco was completely adorable in that moment. "I'm sure he will," he said.
Corvus had emptied the bottle in near-record time. Draco put a cloth on his shoulder and put the baby up to burp. "I cannot imagine being happier," he said.
Harry sighed contently, still rocking with Caelum, who was taking his time with his bottle. "Neither can I," he agreed.
[Hope you have enjoyed this story. You have reached the conclusion of A Heart So Ravenous. We hope you will leave comments and let us know what you have thought of this tale. There is also a yahoo groups mailing list with updates about current and future writings by Slashpervert and co-authors. Feel free to sign up at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/slashpervert_fiction/ .]