Adult-FanFiction.org : Harry Potter

No Obvious Truths	By : Danyealle Category: Harry Potter > Slash - Male/Male Views: 64502 -:- Recommendations : 8 -:- Currently Reading : 32
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter and make no money off this work of fiction.

Chapter List
- 7
- 8
- 9
Chapter 8

Beta'd by the amazing Tenchi. Thanks, woman! You're the BEST!

For notification of updates, you can follow me on Twitter or join my Yahoo group. The links to both are on my profile. Or you can join my e-mail list. Danyealle-sama_updates@live.com. Just mention the fic you want to follow or say you want to follow all of them. Make sure you include an age or DOB in that as Rogue's going to ask for it. Thanks to Rogue for running that for me!

A couple of hours later, after Harry had finally been given something fairly strong for pain and was getting some much needed rest, being relatively comfortable from the draughts. Tom, Narcissa, Healer Smythewick and Lucius were in the room with him. Draco, after Harry had fallen asleep and it was apparent he would be out for a while, went down to help Severus in the lab, something that would give the Potions Master a chance to talk to him alone about the situation.

Sitting there, the Healer was going over the readings of a scan he just took, nodding, pleased with how well this was going. As he had hoped, the medicine was purging everything out at a good rate and he didn't anticipate it taking more than two doses to do so. That he was thankful for since the young man's system was so depleted by what the Muggles had done that it could cause issues if they had to use more. That meant by sometime in the early morning hours they could start giving the young man the potions that would halt the progression of the disease. His calculations told him that should take a week. After that, they would work on beating it back. That's where the rough part was going to come in. Right now, with the amount of disease to cure, he had no time frame to give anyone on it. Not to mention the fact that the young man's body was worn out from what he had been going through. So, he wasn't sure how it would react to what they needed to do. It was going to be a delicate dance to do what was needed without causing Harry any more pain.

Seated on the edge of the bed, Narcissa was stroking the sleeping Harry's head. Looking at her husband and Tom, she asked, quietly, “The identical magic part-- are you two sure about that? We knew all along you two shared that, hence the bond that is there and the one you made to seal it. You're certain Harry's is the same?”

“It's confirmed,” Smythewick said, looking up from his parchment. “Severus took readings of it when they noticed it at the Muggle hospital. It's identical to Tom and Lucius. Even the young man commented about the stereotypical tingling that comes with it, not to mention the drop in his pain levels, something Severus also confirmed with a scan.”

Nodding, taking that in, Narcissa then looked at her husband and Tom before asking, “So, are you going to do the bonding? That can only aid in helping him get better.”

“No,” Tom said emphatically, shaking his head. “We'll do all we can for him like touching and such, but no bonding.”

“Why?” Narcissa asked, genuinely puzzled. “It's something that's bound to come anyway. Why not do it now to help stave off some suffering on his part? It'll do that.” She knew it wasn't unheard of for this to happen with young children if it was proven to be there and was accepted as long as anything sexual in nature didn't take place until the legal age of consent.

“Because he's ten, Narcissa,” Tom told her wearily, rubbing his eyes. “Yes, chances are when he reaches the age of consent the pull is going to be there. Before that there will probably be an attraction, but the realism is he won't turn eleven until next month. He deserves a chance to grow up, date and do all the other things teenagers do without being saddled with the bond pulling at him or having to think about such a thing. Nor will he have to put up with Lucius and my reaction if he does date or has a crush on someone, something we all know is normal for everyone. No, he deserves a chance to be normal before that pull drives him to complete it.”

“He already knows something is there from what I was told, Tom,” Narcissa argued softly. “You both said that. He's felt whatever it is. Since you've met and he's felt it, it's only going to grow. Nothing anyone can do will stop it.”

“It can grow all it wants, we aren't going to do the bonding until he reaches the age of consent. He's going to have a hard enough time being normal in our world anyway because of something that happened he probably doesn't even remember. Not to mention what we all know is coming from it. No, he doesn't need more heaped on his shoulders right now. He has enough to deal with as is, something like that doesn't need to be added on top of it.”

“It can help in his recovery!” Narcissa said, looking between the two. Honestly, she could see his point there, really she could. What she was considering was the pain the young man was in and how something such as this could only aid that. Then there was, if what she knew of such things was right, the fact that it could cut down on his recovery time. That was her only thought on the matter. Right now, with the shape he was in, it was the only thing she was really thinking about. After all, everyone was saying this was going to be long haul to get him cured. If something could cut the time of that, thus ease his suffering, it was worth it. The consequences of such a thing could be dealt with at a later date.

Looking at the young, frail boy lying there, Lucius sighed then shook his head. Sitting down on the edge of the bed by his wife, he put his hand on Harry's leg. As before, the tingling was there. Looking down, he said, “I agree with Tom. It will probably happen eventually. More like it'll be an almost certainty. The magic will drive all of us there. However, before it does, he deserves the same chance Draco has to be a normal young man and do what they do without thinking about such a thing or how it could impact Tom or me, let alone himself.” Seeing Narcissa open her mouth to argue, he held up his hand and said, “If someone, somewhere, can give me real solid, concrete proof it will aid in his recovery more than slightly, I will rethink my stance on it. From what we know, there is nothing that shows that. This is so rare there are just no studies on it. The only thing anyone has is anecdotal evidence about the bond and what they feel it can do. Yes, they can prove some of it, such as what those scans show, but there is no proof it can work a miracle and be a big assist in helping him.”

Looking at the Healer, Narcissa asked, “Is there anything?”

Sighing, Smythewick looked at Harry then slowly shook his head. “No. Beyond what those scans show, there isn't much in the way of evidence of what it can do. Yes, there are accounts and chunks in books devoted to it, but they aren't scientifically proven. Nor do I believe all that is written about the phenomenon either. The only thing I do know is it will help in some way. However, just what Tom and Lucius are doing now will do that as well. How much it will assist more if the bond is added in I don't know.”

“Narcissa, I understand why you're asking and why you want us to do so, but it isn't that simple. We aren't Albus and do something for someone's own good without explaining it. If we decide to go ahead, we would explain the whole thing to Harry before we did it. We would also make sure he knows exactly what it means and what comes of it before we would do so. And, considering his age and the way he's suffered, he would do it just to help with that, not fully understanding it. No, not right now,” Tom said with a shake of his head.

“Already we have a lot of explaining to do about many things, not the least of which is your relationship with Severus and mine with Tom,” Lucius said. “From what we heard at that hearing, he's not going to be used to some things and it will take time for him to adjust. Nor would we want him to do it just to end the pain he's in. That's a lifetime commitment that he won't understand.” Lucius told her, tone conflicted.

“Lucius is right,” Tom said firmly. “It's not something that would happen right away anyway. There is too much involved just to do it. Despite his age, he would have to understand what he's doing and do it for the right reason, not just to lessen his suffering. I'm not even sure someone his age can grasp how big of a commitment this is. On top of that, today was his first exposure to our world. That's far too much to take in for anyone, adult or child. Add on that he doesn't even know any of us at this point beyond just meeting us for the first time and it's a bad idea all around.”

When Narcissa opened her mouth to look like she was going to argue again, Healer Smythewick said, softly, “How about we compromise on the topic?”

“What are you proposing?” Lucius asked, looking at the man.

“For now, we do nothing on the topic. Just worry about what you have to deal with when it comes to him. Let me deal with the treatments. If, somewhere down the road, things hit a snag with those, they aren't working as well as they should or things don't move along like want them to, we revisit the subject. Though this isn't going to be a pain-free treatment, I'm certain we can manage his levels so he isn't that uncomfortable. However, if there are issues, we talk about it again. In the interim, you all spend time talking to him about the topics and getting to know each other. That way, if we do have to revisit it, he will have the knowledge needed to make a decision, at least as much as someone his age can do with a topic that is confusing even to adults.”

“I don't see that as a bad compromise,” Tom said, looking at everyone.

Looking at the young man, Narcissa nodded slowly. “I think it's a good compromise. Right now, what you gave him seems to be working and he's not suffering like he was. If it can go on like this, something to where he isn't in so much pain, I won't press the issue.” Looking at Lucius, she waited to see what he had to say on the matter.

“I agree. Let's table the discussion on it for now then take a wait and see approach to the topic. I think that's for the best. We will, of course, do what's best for him in the mean time, but won't have to make a call about something that will affect him for the rest of his life. That's not something that's fair to him and I don't see how we can effectively explain such a thing to someone that just learned magic is real.”

“Yes, this is the way to go,” Tom said with a firm nod. “As we've already discussed, let him stay here most of the time. That will give Lucius and me a chance to get to know him then start talking about the whole bond. Plus, we can assist where we can with the pain management. We can also start working with him on other things that he'll need to know. As it is, we have a great deal of explaining to do on many topics when it comes to him. Today he's fairly out of it because of all that's happened. However, we all know that there are many questions coming and some of them won't be easy to answer. Its best we tackle them as they come. Lucius and I can take most of them. Of course, Narcissa, you and Severus will help as well.”

“Of course,” Narcissa said with a firm nod. “It's best that Severus and I take on more of the parental role anyway, what with the bond and what comes of it. We don't want him to become confused on things.” Eyeing the two men, she then sighed, “However, considering what you two are like with Draco, I don't see that as a problem. You're nothing but large children yourself! Definitely not what someone would call prime parenting material.”

“Excuse me?” Lucius said, tone haughty, nose stuck up in the air, glaring at her.

Shooting her husband a glare she said, face stony, “Tell me, Lucius, who was it that bought Draco a professional racing broom for his first birthday? And let him fly it by himself? Then, when he decided at the age of three he liked horses, bought the fastest race horse money could buy so he could ride it around at breakneck speed? We won't mention how you'll allow him to eat chocolate frogs as a substitute for breakfast!”

“Woman, that is ancient history! You need to move on,” Lucius told her with a huff, crossing his arms over his chest, glowering at her.

“Ancient history?” Narcissa hissed, eyebrows arching. “The chocolate frogs were this spring, Lucius!” Hearing a snicker from Tom, she faced him then said, tone frosty, “And you, Tom Marvolo Riddle, are no better! You're the one that lets him get away with murder! All you do in enable the whole thing, not stopping Lucius at all.”

“Now, see here!” Tom huffed, shooting her a glare.

“Shall I mention the life-sized rocking horse for an infant that made authentic sounds which frightened him out of his wits, making him scream bloody murder? Then who is it that keeps buying Honeydukes out for him? Last time you did that, he had a stomach ache for two days because he ate so much chocolate and other sweets!” She accused, shaking her finger at him. “You two are worse than kids with an unlimited amount of money to spend!”

Shooting her a glare that would make his Death Eaters wither and cringe, though he knew it would have absolutely no effect on her, Tom then said, “We may indulge him at times--”

“Indulge? Spoil him rotten you mean! And I imagine Harry will be no better!” Narcissa cut him off, tone exasperated, rolling her eyes.

“He, like Draco, will know he is cared for,” Lucius told her, tone sharp. Softening it, he said, “After all he's gone through, I don't see how you could object to that.”

“I don't mind,” Narcissa told him. “I just want you to think before you buy!” Glancing at the young man that was still sleeping, she softened her tone then said, “In his case, a little spoiling is probably warranted.” Glaring back at them once more, she said, “You will not go overboard though!”

“Define overboard,” Lucius said, making sure to keep his voice low enough that only Tom could hear it.

Smirking, Tom replied, making sure Narcissa couldn't hear, “We'll go by our definition of such. She will learn to deal with it.”

Looking smug, Lucius just nodded as he looked at his wife.

Narrowing her eyes, she glared at the two men. Obviously, they were already up to something that would probably drive her up the wall. She would just have to keep an eye on things was all to make sure they didn't buy Harry and Draco solid gold broomsticks or something equally indulgent or foolish.

Down in the lab in the basement, Severus had the potions brewing that were needed. Draco was sitting alongside him chopping some of the easier ingredients that would be needed later. When he got to the point it needed to simmer a little before anything else was added, he conjured a stool and seated himself by the young man that was his son in all but name only. Looking at the work he was doing, he nodded then told him, “Good job, Draco.”

Grinning at Severus, Draco said, “Thanks!”

Settling back, he said, “Your mother told me you were a little worried about Harry and how ill he is.”

Brow puckering, Draco stopped chopping and looked at him. “It was worse at the hearing. I mean, he was so out of it. Now it's a little better because he was sitting up and talking, things like that. He's so sick though. I don't think I've ever seen anyone as sick as he is. It-- scared me a little.”

“No one is going to lie to you and say he's not, Draco. He's quite ill. In fact, if we left him there, he would probably have died. However, as we've stepped in, he won't. I'm not saying there aren't some rough times ahead, but we got to him soon enough that he won't be in any danger of passing away from the illness.”

“How bad is it? The illness I mean. No one's said other than he has cancer.” Draco asked, shifting around on his stool.

“It's bad,” Severus told him honestly. “The cancer has spread through much of his body at this point. However, the Muggle drugs did start to kill it. That will help us. What that means is, though we can get this stopped in a week, making it to where he is in no danger at all of the worst happening, we have a long road ahead of us to cure him. It's going to take time, a lot of it. He's going to be quite sick for some time to come.”

“What about school in the fall? I mean, won't he be going with me?” Draco asked, looking at Severus intently. “We were talking about that and he's looking forward to it.”

“I want to make it clear that Harry will be going to Hogwarts. We'll make sure of it. He just won't this year. He's far too sick to go. By the time school starts, we won't have made enough progress in curing him for him to be able to go with you. He's so sick and weak that he wouldn't be able to manage a full class schedule, let alone doing things like walking around to get to classes in the big castle,” Severus told him with a shake of his head. “For his first year he's going to have to be schooled at home. That's something we're going to have to set up. Everyone is going to try their best to make sure he stays caught up with what you are learning there but it's going to be rough. Certain things, like potions, are going to have to be modified so it doesn't make his condition worse than it is. The fumes from brewing could easily interact with things he will be taking, causing horrible side effects. On top of that, as sick as he is, he's going to have problems staying caught up. These treatments are going to be rough on him. And he's going to be plenty sick from what we're going to do. There is no way around that part of things as much as we would like to make it to where there is.”

Looking down, Draco nodded as he thought that over. He was disappointed about that. Already, he had been planning what he and Harry could do when they got to school. However, he understood. Sighing, he said, “Harry's going to be disappointed.”

Knowing that was Draco-speak to state that he, too, was, Severus said, “I know. You both have the whole summer together, though. There is plenty of time to get to know each other and have fun. At least the best you can manage as sick as he is.” Leaning a little closer, he said, lowering his voice, “I know things are hard on you, Draco. You don't have real friends. Most that are around you are there to suck up. Harry won't be that way. He seems to already like you for just who you are. I think he'll be the one true friend you have. However, I don't think you'll be able to boss him around like you will the others.”

Grinning slightly, Draco looked at him, “That part will be nice. It gets boring doing that. Besides, I want someone to like me for me, not because of who father is.”

“I thought it might be,” Severus told him. “Just be yourself, Draco, and you'll be fine. Keep in mind that Harry isn't like your other friends. He was raised by Muggles and is a half-blood. Don't try to impress him with that Pureblood nonsense so many of your friends try to spout.”

Making a mental note of that, Draco said, “That's true. I'm just so used to it since that's all everyone spouts.”

“You don't believe it and we both know it. If you did, you wouldn't be talking to me.” Severus told him dryly. “Or Tom.”

“Right,” Draco said, grinning bigger. “You know what it's like though,” he sighed, shaking his head.

“I know and it's not right. Now, though, I believe it's time to stop playing that game. Harry is here. With who he is, not to mention what is wrong, you're about to find out who is really your friend and who isn't. The ones that aren't won't be worth your time.”

“That's true,” Draco nodded. “If I get sorted into Slytherin though--” Trailing off, Draco looked at Severus.

“Don't you mean when?” Severus asked, eyebrow arched.

Grinning again, Draco shrugged, “Yeah, I supposed it's an almost for sure thing, isn't it?”

“You will go into my house before the hat even fully touches your head,” Severus snorted.

“Probably,” Draco chuckled, grinning bigger.

“And since I'm your head of house, it's doubtful the ones that would try to give you hell will do so. My reputation is well known. I will find out, as the older ones can vouch for, and they will pay for it.” Severus told him firmly. “You make friends with those you want to. Ignore the rest. And Harry will probably end up the best one you will ever have.”

“I know,” Draco nodded. “He has to be sorted into Slytherin.”

Sighing, Severus said gently, “Draco, I want you to prepare for the fact that he probably won't be. With all Harry's gone through, he's shown more courage than most ever do in a lifetime to make it this far. And with his parents both having been in Gryffindor, chances are that's where he will go. It doesn't make any difference either. He will still be Harry.”

Not having thought of that, Draco looked down, thinking it over. Sighing, he said, “It doesn't matter, really. He's still a snake at heart if he lives here with us.”

“Exactly,” Severus smirked. “Keep that in mind if he does go elsewhere.”

“I will,” Draco said with a solemn nod.

“I want you to promise me something, Draco,” Severus said, looking at him intently. Seeing the young man nod, he then told him, “If you get upset by this or need to talk, find me. I can probably explain things better or make it to where you understand. Some of what you're going to see with Harry isn't going to be nice and will be frightening. However, it doesn't mean that he's going to die from it either. Just don't let yourself get panicked over it. Find me and we'll talk it out.”

“I can do that,” Draco said with a firm nod.

“There is one other thing; if you feel sick at all, like getting a summer cold or something, you can't be around him. He's so ill that something like that, though it's only mild in you, can make him very ill. Do you understand?”

“I do and I won't,” Draco told him.

“Very good,” Severus nodded.

“I have a question.” Seeing Severus motion for him to ask, Draco pressed on, “Do you think it would be alright if I stay here for a couple days. I mean, I want to get to know him. If I do that, I think it'll help. I'd like to stay in his room with him, if it's alright. Of course, it's up to him, but I imagine it has to be boring being alone so much. We can find things to do.”

Reaching out, Severus ruffled Draco's hair. “I don't see why you can't. You would have to ask Harry about staying with him, of course, but staying here won't be an issue. That way you can explain our world to him. And he can explain other things to you. I know he brought some books along. The one he was reading in the hospital is something you would like. It's called The Hobbit. It may be a Muggle book, but it has wizards, elves and all kinds of other magical creatures in it. I read it many times when I was young. It's a wonderful story. Perhaps, if you two would like, I can read part of it to you.”

“I'd like that,” Draco grinned. He loved Severus' voice. It was soothing when he read aloud. “It's a good book then? Even if it is for Muggles.”

“It's excellent. You'll like it.” Severus nodded. Looking at Draco, he asked, “Do you feel a bit better about things now?”

“Yeah,” Draco told him with a firm nod. “It was a real shock. I don't know what I expected, but what he looked like was something I wasn't prepared for.”

“I know,” Severus told him. “His condition came as a shock to all of us.” Stroking his head again, Severus said, “How about we get back to work? We still have much to do.”

“Alright, let's do it!” Draco said, looking determined. Picking up his knife again, he went back to chopping.

A small smile on his face, Severus nodded then went back to checking things.

Please review!
- 7
- 8
- 9
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

No Obvious Truths