Adult-FanFiction.org : Harry Potter

The Aftermath of War	By : ReighHPFiction Category: Harry Potter > Slash - Male/Male > Harry/Lucius Views: 29582 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 15
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, nor do I make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 6
- 7
- 8
Disclaimer: Harry Potter is the property of J.K. Rowling, Warner Bros., and other assorted publishing, producing companies. I do not make money from writing this story, as I do not own any of the rights to the characters or canon plotlines.

Author's Note : Soooo sorry for the wait. I really thought I'd have more time when my work schedule cleared up, but after that happened my school schedule went INSANE. I'm trying hard though to get the chapters out. I got a few reviews saying that they didn't like the idea of MPreg, but as far as I am concerned, it's been in the warnings since the beginning of the fic, so if you decide to stop reading because of that I won't lose sleep over it.

I also got a complaint about pairing up Narcissa so soon….why should she not be paired? Why should Narcissa be left alone while her husband and son are developing romances and moving on with their lives after the war? I'm not saying that this thing with Kingsley is going to move fast. In fact, by the end of the fic, they might only just be officially seeing one another, but I believe that Narcissa deserves some happiness after all she's gone through. And she's been through a lot, which you will soon see in this chapter.

I got a rather scathing review about how I apparently "keep" spelling The Daily Prophet as The Daily Profit…well, I recently went through all the chapters to edit them and that only happened 3 times in the WHOLE story. So before you open your mouth to be rude, try not to make an ass of yourself. It states clearly in the warnings that I do not have a beta reader. Sometimes I don't catch things, sometimes I make mistakes. I'm human, not a robotic spellchecker…..that being said, if someone does happen across a spelling error, please point it out to me in a respectful manner so that I can fix this. I can only edit my work so well, after looking at it for so long, the errors seem to disappear from my sight and I do not have a beta-reader.

Now, on to the show!

Title : The Aftermath of War

Warnings : Slash, Ginny-Bashing, Anal, Oral, Rim, H/C, Future M-Preg, Un-Beta'd

Pairings : Lucius/Harry, George/Draco, Ron/Hermione, Narcissa/Kingsley

Chapter Six: Male Bonding

Draco Malfoy had the cutest, perkiest little bum in all of Wizarding Britain. This was something that George Weasley was made unceremoniously aware of the moment the slender blonde glided down the main staircase of Malfoy Manor wearing the tightest pair of pants the redhead had ever seen. They were riding pants of course, stretched like nylon over the long endless legs of the littlest Malfoy. The black riding boots were molded to the blonde's perfectly toned calves, just as the seat of the pants molded beautifully to his firm rear.

George managed to pry his eyes away from the other man's ass before Draco had turned to meet his eyes. He was kind of surprised at himself. Ever since the Final Battle, George had been almost completely emotionally numb. He'd felt nothing…not even really grief yet, even though in his dreams his subconscious acted out the grief his conscious self seemed to have yet to fully experience. So, for him to catch himself staring at Draco Malfoy's admittedly fine ass was something he wasn't expecting.

It was nice though…to know that he could still feel such things.

"Are you ready to go?" the blonde asked him, arching one meticulously groomed brow at the redhead.

George just grinned and nodded. He followed Baby Malfoy out of the main entrance and through the grounds of the Manor in silence. They'd originally planned to go see the shop first, but when it came down to it, George couldn't bring himself to leave. He'd gotten the closest to an emotional outburst since he first laid eyes on Fred's dead body in The Great Hall. Malfoy had taken it in stride, however, and suggested they go riding first to calm his nerves.

"Wow, you know, every time I think I've figured out how rich you guys are…you pull something like this out of your ass," George said with a laugh as he looked over the perfectly maintained, full-sized Equestrian Course just behind the west courtyard of the Manor.

Mercury colored eyes turned to the redhead, glinting in the sun in a way that had George noticing suddenly just how uniquely colored they were. Even Malfoy's parents' eyes weren't so vibrant. Lord Malfoy, while obviously the one Draco inherited his eye color from had a much darker and stormy color to his iris, like thunderclouds. Narcissa's were the color of glacial ice, a very pale blue. Perhaps the combination of these two genetic traits had created the bright silver that seemed to shimmer under the thick row of platinum colored eye lashes.

"I assure you, Weasley, my arse is not so cavernous," Malfoy replied in a flat tone that took George a few moments to realize was Draco joking. He burst into laughter as he followed the blonde towards the stables to get their horses.

Of course, Malfoy really only looked more irresistible sitting astride a striking black stallion, hips swaying to and fro with the movements of the horse's body as they plodded towards the course.

"I'm sure you're a tight virgin flower, Malfoy. No need to get all feisty with me," George said in his usual amused tone, loving the way that Draco's pale skin flushed deep red at his words.

"Shut up and follow me, Weasley," he heard the blonde growl irritably.

'I don't know if this is relieving stress or creating more of it…but I'm not complaining,' George thought with a sigh and a grin as the Malfoy Heir worked his stallion up to a gallop and started jumping rails and fences, his tight little rear lifted up in the air off the seat with every graceful leap.

If Kingsley was shocked by Harry's announcement, he hid it very well. Harry couldn't see an ounce of surprise on the dark skinned man's face. After a few moments of quiet thought, the Minister of Magic smiled at his young friend and nodded his head.

"Right, of course you do! I had been wondering when you would finally get sick of the drivel they were printing about you. What do you need from me?" he asked in his bright and amiable tone.

Harry blinked in surprise at Kingsley's easy acceptance, and apparent eagerness to help him out. He supposed he shouldn't be all that shocked, considering that he and Kingsley had been friends long before the other man was Minister. They'd been through a war together as comrades. But Harry, because of his neglectful upbringing, was always surprised when people so easily showed him kindness.

Both Narcissa and Lucius felt a wave of relief hit them at the Minister's easy acceptance of his part in this case. They both would like nothing more than to see the Prophet suffer, even if they couldn't make them do so because of what was written about their own family.

"I would just like you to sign off on my side of the case. If I have you backing me up, the Wizengamot will be more inclined to validate my claims," Harry explained.

The Minister of Magic nodded in understanding. He would support Harry in pretty much any endeavor that the young Savior wanted to begin, within reason of course. And Kingsley knew Harry well enough to know the sweet young man would never ask for the unreasonable.

"That sounds fine. Would you mind if I looked over the paperwork while you're here? I'd like to see if I can add anything useful, and if you would like me to testify I am more than willing to supply the memories I have of the way the Prophet demonized you and Dumbledore in your fifth and sixth year," Kingsley replied.

Harry nodded, looking to Lucius who produced the paperwork they'd just finished filling out before they came to find the Minister. He slid it over the table to the dark skinned man, who grinned at Harry, and looked down to read what he was given. Harry was slightly nervous, though he didn't know why. He knew Kingsley wasn't going to turn him down now, after having already agreed to help. He was just uncertain if even this would be enough. As if sensing his anxiety, Narcissa laid a hand on Harry's shoulder and squeezed. Lucius caught his eyes, giving him a firm nod and the barest hint of a smile which caused Harry to flush lightly.

"I'm impressed Lord Malfoy. Over a year out of practice and you're still sharp as a tack on all the details of the law," Kingsley finally said, flicking his mocha colored eyes up to shoot Lucius an impressed look.

Lucius was taken aback by the compliment. He certainly didn't expect it from the Minister of Magic, a man who had fought on the opposite side of the war from him and for all means should hate him like the rest of the world.

"Thank you Minister Shacklebolt," the Malfoy Patriarch replied smoothly.

"Yea, he's really sorta brilliant," Harry chimed in, causing unreadable grey eyes to flick to his smiling face. "I wouldn't even have bothered suing them if Lucius hadn't explained to me just how out of line the Prophet and Skeeter have been in regards to me."

An odd sort of warmth filled his chest as Potter complimented him. For some reason the idea that the younger man trusted and considered him useful, made Lucius feel very good about himself. He didn't know why. If it were anyone else he wouldn't even have a second thought. He heard Narcissa's nearly silent snort of amusement from beside him.

"Yes, well I have always heard good things from the people who you used to work with, Lord Mafloy. Despite all of the bad things said about you, I've never heard anything but that you were a competent and intelligent person," Kingsley said as he whirled his signature down on the paperwork for Harry's case. Lucius just considered the Minister's comments in silence, wondering why the other man was being so gracious to a known Death Eater who'd managed to skimp out the system once again.

"There you go Harry! I'll have my assistant submit the memories when you submit the paperwork. Good luck! Although I suspect you won't need it. Between you and I…and you didn't hear it from me…the Wizengamot has had quite enough of the Prophet's antics anyway. Having those vultures hanging about the Ministry day in and day out is putting a real hold on getting anything done."

Harry smiled brilliantly as the papers were handed back over to him. A huge weight lifted off his chest knowing that he had the Minister's backing behind his case, and knowing that the people who would be deciding the final judgment were as sick of his opponent as he was. He handed the papers to Lucius, who tucked them away in a briefcase and all four people stood to go to the door.

"Harry?" Kingsley's voice called questioningly. Harry turned to the other man with a questioning look, both Malfoys stood silently at the door in wait.

"Are you planning to go back to Hogwarts in the fall? Minerva said she believes that the castle will be ready for students by then, and she is planning on having all of the students return to redo last year's courses."

The question floored Harry for a moment. He hadn't even thought about Hogwarts since the Final Battle. He'd been trying his hardest to keep his mind off of everything that happened, even though logically he knew it'd all be coming back soon enough as the funerals started up. Did he want to return? The thought of going back to that place filled his heart with pain and his mind with anxiety. Harry could remember the screams in the castle, the smell of fire, blood, and fear permeating the grounds of the place he'd once considered his safe haven. He hadn't even noticed that his breathing had started to pick up until he was suddenly snapped out of his own mind by a strong hand clamping down on his shoulder.

"I believe that the Fall is still some time away," the cool, collected tone of Lucius Malfoy stated firmly. Harry's panicked green eyes flicked up at the man who was looking at him with something akin to concern in his eyes. He could feel Narcissa's worry from behind him as well.

"It may be best to allow Harry to think on this matter for a while longer, yes?" the older male said. Kingsley nodded his head and smiled apologetically at Harry.

"Of course. Well, I'm sure you all have things to do, as do I. But don't be such a stranger Harry. You are welcome to come see me any time you want," the Minister of Magic said in a sincere tone.

Harry merely smiled back shakily and allowed himself to be lead out of the office and down the hall by Lucius' firm hand. The pressure of the other man's touch seemed to ground him, even as his mind continued to feel foggy and distant. They now had to go submit the paperwork to the correct department, as well as serve a copy to Skeeter and The Prophet. He followed silently, in a daze to each place, feeling like the only thing keeping him from breaking down was Lucius Malfoy's warm hand leading him back to the Manor.

George didn't do much more than trot the horse around the rink, watching in fascination as Draco Malfoy did intricate jumps and leaps through the course on his own. He'd always known the littlest Malfoy was a talented young man. There was no doubting that. Even Ron had to begrudgingly admit that academically and athletically, Draco Malfoy was a force to be reckoned with. The way that the younger man moved with the stallion was majestic, graceful. It was like a dance almost, and George couldn't keep his eyes off him.

It didn't help that those sinfully tight pants stretched so closely against an equally tight bum as the blonde posted up and down on the horse's back, the muscles in his legs and arse squeezing and contracting as he did so. They finished out the activity by riding back to the stables and carefully dismounting their respective horses. George had spent most of his time watching Draco, the way he moved, the way he carried himself. While it was prim and proper, and everything you'd think when looking at a Malfoy, George couldn't help but see the forcedness of it.

He wondered if that was what fascinated him about the younger man so much that he spent so much time observing him. Because Draco was broken, and George was broken, and for some reason George felt like Draco could probably understand just to what depth that being shattered as he was hurt every day. The attraction he was feeling for the other young man was also something he spent a lot of timing mulling over during their time together today. He'd never thought twice about Draco Malfoy in school, regardless of how undeniably beautiful the young man had been, why now?

"Weasley?"

George snapped out of his thoughts to see a pair of confused silver eyes staring back at him from an equally baffled Malfoy face. Draco emoted much more than either of his parents did, but George had a feeling most of the time it was accidental. Because when the littlest Malfoy was paying attention, his face was blank and cold so as not to give away anything he might be feeling on the inside.

"Err…yea sorry, what?" the redhead said with an apologetic smile. The blonde scowled at him, which George found more adorable than intimidating.

"I was asking if you wanted to go to Diagon Alley now," Draco said, and George's smile froze on his face.

However, this time the only remaining Weasley Twin managed to tramp down the anxiety he felt over going to the shop before it started. He wasn't sure how things would be once he got there, but he and Fred had dreamed of taking the shop to heights of business that most people could only imagine. He couldn't sit around any longer letting his business suffer without his guidance. He owed it to Fred, the brother he'd lost in the Final Battle, to Harry who had given him the means to start this dream in the first place, but mostly George owed it to himself to start living his life again.

"Yea sure…uh, we should shower first I think. I don't think Malfoys go around smelling like horses in public," he said after a firm clearing of his throat. The blonde just considered him for a few moments before nodding and turning to walk back towards the main house. George followed silently behind Draco, trying to keep his nerve.

Harry was walking out of the Ministry with Lucius and Narcissa flanking his sides. Overall, he felt much lighter than he had before. The whole Lord thing was a lot easier to manage with the practiced hand of Lord Malfoy guiding his way, and he'd served both Rita Skeeter and the chief editor of The Daily Prophet their court summons personally. The look on Skeeter's face had been priceless. Like she couldn't believe that anyone would have the gall to take her to court for her downright blasphemous reporting on the lives of the public figures in the Wizarding World.

"Well now, I think it's high time we got you all home. The Ministry will no doubt get all in a huff if we let Mr. Malfoy stay out for much longer," one of the Aurors that had travelled with them said.

Lucius nodded and held out his arm for one of the Aurors to clutch so they could Apparate him back home. Harry held on to Narcissa's arm, the uncomfortable pinch of Apparition feeling like more of a relief than anything after the long day he'd had. It wasn't even very late in the day yet, and Harry already felt exhausted. It may just be that he was hungry, but he needed to get out of Diagon Alley almost since he arrived. Even as they disappeared from the street, Harry could still feel the dozens of eyes burning into him from every direction. Seven years later, and Harry still didn't think that he would get used to being as famous as he was. Now that he'd destroyed Voldemort, his fame had only gotten bigger and more out of control. Just the week after the Final Battle, he'd gotten a slew of mail all from women (and some men) asking for his hand in marriage. People crawled out of the cracks of Wizarding society claiming to be his relatives, and Harry had eventually just warded Grimmauld against any mail that wasn't official, or from his friends.

When they arrived at the Manor, the Aurors went off to patrol the grounds as per usual. Harry, Narcissa, and Lucius all made their way inside to get washed up to sit down for lunch. Harry headed off to his suite, washed his hands and face, then took a look at the clock. Lunch was going to be served at one today, giving all three of them the time to change and take care of anything before the food was served. The clock had just hit twelve, and Harry figured he could get away with a nap before the food arrived. Maybe a house elf could wake him up when it was ready.

"Uh..hello?" he called out, and almost immediately a small female elf appeared, her bulging eyes looking at him expectantly.

"What can Lolly do for Master Harry?" she asked in her high pitched squeaky tone.

"Could you wake me up when lunch is ready? I want to take a short nap," he said in a kind tone. The elf smiled sweetly at him and nodded her little head rapidly.

"Of course Master Harry, Lolly is doing so," she said in an enthusiastic tone. Harry just laughed and smiled back.

"Just call me Harry, okay? I don't like to be called master, it makes me feel old," he said in a teasing tone. The elf looked for a moment like she was about to punish herself for not knowing that already when Harry quickly intervened. All his years with Dobby had given him rather good incite to house elf body language.

"You haven't done anything wrong, Lolly. No punishment. I just like to be called Harry," he said soothingly. She nodded in confusion.

"Of course Mas_Harry. You is to be called what you wants to be called," she replied before popping away quickly to where she was hopefully not punishing herself.

Moving towards the bed, Harry flopped back and let his eyes flutter closed. He was so tired after their brief outing this morning, and he knew it was because he hadn't been out doing so much since before the war. Since the Final Battle, Harry had stayed mostly to himself at Grimmauld Place. He hadn't wanted the world's unabashed love or gratefulness for what he'd done. He hadn't wanted his friends' condolences or pity. Those of them who'd been there all lost people as well, and he never wanted to compound their grief with his own by seeking their help. Those of them who had not been there didn't understand how he could do anything but celebrate the end of the war.

Despite his darkening thoughts, Harry managed to fall asleep rather quickly on the plush king sized mattress in his room. He let his mind fall into the depths of sleep's warm embrace, hoping that he would feel refreshed when he woke.

Lucius Malfoy had been on his way to the main dining room when he heard the wail of despair from down the hall. He'd been on his way to Narcissa's quarters to walk with her to lunch, but the sound of that scream had him running right past his ex-wife's rooms down the hallway it was coming from. The Manor being as large as it was, made it difficult to pinpoint which room it was coming from specifically, but Lucius knew that Potter was the only other person in the house besides him and Narcissa.

"Master Lucius! Master Lucius!" he heard one of his elves call. He looked down to see Lolly, the elf he had specifically assigned to see to Potter's needs while he was here.

"Lolly, is Mister Potter alright?" he asked, trying not to seem as concerned as he was. The little elf shook her head rapidly and darted down the hall, Lucius hot on her heels, towards Potter's suite.

"Harry Potter be screaming, Master Lucius, but he is not being waked up!" Lolly said in horror. Lucius gently pushed the elf aside and turned the knob, thankfully unlocked, to push Potter's door open.

"I will take care of this, Lolly. You go and tell Mistress Narcissa what is going on," he ordered, and the elf was gone within seconds to carry out his will.

Lucius approached the bed where his guest lay writhing against the sheets, face scrunched in emotional distress, and tears rolling down reddened cheeks. He was at a loss of what to do at first. Since the war, he'd had his own nightmares and those of his wife and son's to try to soothe. But they were family. He knew he could wrap his arms around Narcissa, even though they were no longer married, and hold her until she calmed. He knew that he could embrace his son and stroke his soft blonde hair until he stopped whimpering in his sleep, regardless of the fact that his son was nearly eighteen. But… Potter was not a family member, and Lucius did not know how he would respond to being held by someone he'd considered an enemy up until just a week or so ago.

"Professor!" he heard the young man cry in despair, and wondered if he was thinking of Dumbledore or Severus. He knew that Potter had watched both of them die right before his eyes.

"Mister Potter," he said gently, watching as a sheen of sweat appeared over the young man's brow, neck, and collar.

Lucius reached out a hand to shake a slender shoulder. He jolted when his wrist was snatched into a surprisingly strong grip, the stab of what was unmistakably the tip of a wand poked into his chest and bright emerald eyes snapped open to stare at him blearily. Lucius stayed still, in shock and slight awe at how Potter had reacted to his presence. Did he always wake like this when someone tried to rouse him from nightmares? Did he sleep with his wand beneath his pillow? The Malfoy Lord was unsure if he should be concerned or impressed.

"Mr. Potter, it is alright. It was just a nightmare," he finally managed to say as he watched those vibrant green eyes focus into clarity. Clammy fingers released Lucius' wrist at once as Potter curled both his arms around his middle and seemed to hunch in on himself.

"Sorry…."

Lucius flexed his fingers to re-establish blood flow. His wrist was already sore from the strong grip that Potter had on him. He wasn't sure how to comfort the young man before him, who seemed highly embarrassed and still rather shaken up from his dream. With a sigh, Lucius took a seat on the edge of Potter's bed and awkwardly patted his hand, at a complete loss of what else he could do.

"You do not need to be sorry, Mr. Potter. We all have nightmares," he said, his tone as soothing as he could manage.

He watched Potter gather his wits, hands coming up to rub at a tired face before the young man pushed himself up in to a more upright sitting position. Lucius noted that the young Savior was fully dressed, which must've meant that he'd been intending just a short nap. Rising from the side of Potter's bed, Lucius held a hand out to help him up.

"Come now Mr. Potter. Lunch is being served as we speak, and by the looks of you some hot food will do you good," he said.

The young man's brilliant green eyes peered at him, still rather wild with anxiety and fear from the nightmare, from behind a pair of thick black-rimmed glasses, slightly skewed to the side. Lucius sighed, moving his hand forward to adjust the frames so that they sat straight on Potter's beautifully symmetrical features and tweaking a lock of wild black hair out of the boy's sweat dampened face. The lovely flush of red that flourished over those pale cheeks made him pull back, mentally tightening the hold on the usually ironclad control he had over his emotions. Sweet and adorable as Potter may be, Lucius knew the young man was nowhere near trusting him enough to even entertain the idea of possibly coming to his bed. Lucius would be patient, build a rapport with Potter, possibly a friendship, before he moved in for his ultimate goal of taking the young Savior as a lover.

"Y-yea…okay," Lucius heard, the soft still slightly shaky tone of Potter's gentle tenor breaking him out of his plotting thoughts.

The black haired young man placed his rough, work-calloused hand into Lucius' only slightly larger one and allowed himself to be pulled up from the bed. Potter adjusted his clothing, ruffled his black hair and smiled shyly up at the Malfoy Lord, who nodded with a slight softening of his steely grey eyes in place of the smile that he used only sparingly even with his own family.

"Come now, I sent Lolly to explain to Narcissa what happened. I am sure she is beside herself with worry by now," Lucius said, squeezing the young man's hand comfortingly and quite enjoying the darkening of Potter's already flushed cheeks as he lead the young man out of the room and towards the dining room.

George was quite proud of himself, shaky as his legs felt, flip flopping anxiety ridden stomach churning as it was. He sat at the desk of what was once he and Fred's office at Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes. He had not had a panic attack, nor had he disappeared into any PTSD related flashbacks to the death of his twin, which he'd witnessed in first person only a few months ago. Everything was just as they'd left it. The paperwork was taken care of thanks to their secretary, the store was flourishing with business now that the war had finally concluded and people felt safe to shop once again.

He flicked his eyes over the large desk he was sitting behind, noting that his secretary seemed to not have moved any of him and Fred's random pieces of parchment containing scribbles of new ideas for the shop, except to place them into a pile. On the right side of the desk, George spotted the picture he, Fred, and Harry had taken on the Grand Opening Day of Wheezes. His heart lurched a little as he stared at Fred's proud, smiling face. He felt the sting of tears in his eyes as he stared at his brother's waving image in the photo. They'd been so happy that day, their dream having come true thanks to Harry's seemingly unending generosity.

"You guys look really happy."

The sudden voice so close by and a gentle hand on his shoulder had George jumping and swinging his head around to see a somber looking Draco Malfoy peering at the photo over his shoulder. He'd nearly forgotten that Malfoy was here with him, and forced himself to hold the tears back that were begging to surge from his ducts. The young blonde sighed and leaned back against the desk, silvery eyes looking down at George with an understanding the redhead didn't quite expect.

"You know…I can never relate to you on this. Losing a twin is something I don't think anyone but another twin would be able to understand. But, I went through a lot under The Dark Lord's reign in my house. I remember the first person I saw die, our Muggle Studies Instructor, Charity Burbage. I remember that being the first moment when I realize just how deep I was in on the wrong side," he said, his fist clenching against his own thigh as he tried to fight off the quaking George could see was about to begin.

"I've seen a lot of things, Weasley. Things I relive in my mind every night. Things that make me wish I could go back, make different decisions, and be a braver person. But, in the end I know that I'd have done it all the same regardless. The Dark Lord had too much leverage on me for me to leave. My family…we lost a lot too, despite what most people think," the blonde continued, and George could do nothing but listen in rapt fascination as the youngest Malfoy bared his secrets to him like they'd known one another for ages.

"Losing Aunt Bellatrix wasn't really hard on me or my Father. I didn't know her. She was in Azkaban for most of my life, and while she was here I hated her. She forced me to do things I never wanted to do in my entire life to other people. But, it affected my Mother a lot. That is the only family member that people know of, who the Malfoys have lost, but…and I will ask you to keep this in complete confidence. Please don't tell anyone, including Potter or my parents, that I told you," Malfoy said, his eyes looking down at George with pleading in their depths.

George just nodded. He would never betray someone's secrets to anyone. Harry was his friend, but Malfoy was telling him this in confidence. He was telling George something no one else knew outside of his family, for what reason the redhead didn't quite get. But something inside him was wondering…if Malfoy was trusting him with such a secret, perhaps he could trust Malfoy with his own struggles concerning the aftereffects of the war.

"During the last year under The Dark Lord's power, my family fell from his graces. I was given the task of killing Albus Dumbledore in Sixth Year, but I couldn't do it. He was just an old man…an old man who wanted to help me and my family and for a moment I considered accepting his offer of protection. But the Death Eaters arrived before I could, and Severus killed him in my stead. The Dark Lord was furious that I'd failed, and to punish me…he…he tortured my Mother right in front of my father and me."

George sat in silence as he listened to the ever weakening tone of Malfoy's voice recount the events leading up to whatever secret he was about to reveal. The younger man was shaking quite noticeably now. His eyes were bright with a film of unshed tears, his knuckles white as he clenched his fists and lips trembling in his effort to keep from crying. George wanted to do something, say something to comfort the other man, but he didn't know how to do so appropriately in this situation…he also didn't want to cause Malfoy to lose his nerve. He wanted to know the real reason behind the broken spirit behind those mercury colored eyes.

"When he was done, and everyone had left…my Mother was sobbing so hard she could barely breathe. I hated seeing her like that, but it wasn't just the torture that she was crying about. You see…my Mother lost a child that night," the young man revealed causing George's blue eyes to widen in surprise, and his stomach to roll over uncomfortably in despair.

The tears that Malfoy had been trying to hold back flowed down over his cheeks now unchecked. His shaking only worsened, but he continued explaining. George couldn't help but be impressed with his nerve, his determination to get this out. He also couldn't help but be a little honored to be the first person that the blonde ever deigned to tell this information.

"The baby was nothing more than a bit of spine and a brain, but I'd never loved anything more in my life. I'd never had siblings, and in the face of everything that was going on, the news that I may have a younger sibling…a sister, I was so sure of it, was the happiest news I could have gotten. But that bastard took even that! I'll never get to meet that little person. I'll never get to hold her in my arms, and protect her… I couldn't protect her," Malfoy said, his voice distraught in a way that George had never heard before.

The redhead was speechless as his brain processed the information. He wasted no time in standing and pulling the trembling blonde into his arms, not caring if it was inappropriate, not caring if Malfoy hexed his balls off for it later. This was the only way that George knew how to comfort a person, and after what he'd just heard, he could not just sit here staring at the silent, quaking sobs of the young man and do nothing. Malfoy stiffened at first, but came willingly into the embrace, if a little skittishly. George just held him while the younger man convulsed quietly in his arms, soaking his shirt with tears as the older stroked soft blonde hair gently. It was a few moments before Malfoy spoke again.

"I always wondered, if I had done things differently, could I have saved her? If I had gone to Dumbledore in the first place, could he have protected us? Would my little sister have survived? The loss has devastated my parents, and destroyed their marriage. I always wished I'd been strong enough to join the light side, maybe then she'd have had a chance at life," the blonde said in a quiet tone.

George didn't know what to say to him. Nothing he could say would really do much to comfort the other man. The guilt that Malfoy felt, it wasn't something that could be assuaged by comforting words or assurances that he could have done nothing more. So instead, George pulled back slightly too look down into the red-rimmed eyes of Draco Malfoy. Flicking his eyes back to the picture, George smiled sadly.

"That was the happiest day of our lives. We'd wanted to open up a joke shop since we were little kids, and to be able to do so and to have it be successful right from the start was like a dream for us. I don't know how I'm going to do it without him…I don't know how to live without him, he was my best friend, my brother, my twin. Fred being gone is like having half of my soul ripped out of me forever…"

Malfoy stared up at him with what looked like shock and sympathy mixed into one expression. Then, his lips turned upwards slightly in a gentle smile. George's eyes flicked down almost immediately to watch the movement of those plush pink pillows of flesh. The attraction he'd been realizing more and more since the beginning of the day reared its confusing head, but George quickly forced his eyes back to Mafloy's gaze to avoid thinking about it for now.

"Tell me about him," the blonde said.

With only a moment's hesitation, George took a seat, summoning the other chair in the room for Draco to sit on, and began to tell Draco about the amazing life growing up with Fred. It was a small step, he still couldn't delve too deeply into the guilt and sadness he felt over his twin's death. But, even just talking about Fred's life was helping unknot some of that thick sorrow that seemed permanently balled in his gut.

Malfoy understood…he knew that now. And because of that, he felt he could share this with the other man. Maybe soon, he might even be able to talk about how Fred's death had affected him…

End Note: This chapter was a little hard to write, getting the emotional tone right was important to me, and I didn't want to rush it. I'll try to update as soon as possible, but like I said, my plate is pretty full right now with school. The good news is I already started it ^^

Please leave me with your thoughts, and thanks so much for all of you who have continued reviewing. Every time I see an email from one of you, it gives me the drive to at least try to work on the chapter, even when I'm exhausted after a long shift, or a long day in class ^^
- 6
- 7
- 8
You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.
Report Story

The Aftermath of War