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You Set Fire to the Rain	By : icicle33 Category: Harry Potter > Slash - Male/Male > Harry/Draco Views: 11826 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 2
Disclaimer: I do not own the Harry Potter characters or any part of the HP fandom or universe. This story is written purely for pleasure and no money is be made from it. None at all.

Chapter List
- 8
- 9
- 10
Warnings: None for this chapter...except that you will get to witness a tender moment between Andie and Draco.

Author's note: Thank you so much to those that reviewed last chapter and all those who read it. *Hands everyone a rose* as an early Valentine's day gift. Your kind words and advice keep me motivating to keep writing, especially at those moments when I just want to quit and give up. Also, I'm really sorry that I was a little late on posting. I had a rather long week and didn't even want to look at my computer this weekend. I tried to make up for it with another long chapter.

This chapter is a little hard for Harry to handle, but I think you all will enjoy it because for the first time you get to see a glimpse of Draco without his Malfoy mask. The quote is also a pretty familiar one, so perhaps some of you will be able to guess from which novel its from. As always, thank you to my wonderful betas, who were an extra big help with this chapter.

Enjoy!

: : Nine : :

"Dread remorse when you are tempted to err; remorse is the poison of life." ~CB⁹

: : :

When I made it back to Andromeda's, it was half past eleven.

I don't know how I squandered the day so quickly, but I did. I think that I was wasting as much time as possible, so that I wouldn't have to face Andie or Teddy when I got home. By now, Andromeda probably knew what I had said to you, how I acted like a coward, a monster. My Andie has always looked at me with such a reverence, her vibrant eyes beaming at me and showing me that I was her hero, her protector. She said I was the son she never had.

The day I brought you back from the manor, Andie hugged me fiercely and wept tears of gratitude, thanking me for saving her nephew, her only family member other than Teddy, and her last remaining connection to Narcissa. She had called me an angel, her godsend—first defeating Voldemort and then reuniting her with her long estranged but favourite sister. Obviously, I hadn't only saved you for her; I had also saved you for my own selfish reasons, but one of them was to see that look in her eyes, to know that I was the one that removed her pain.

How could I deal with the fact that I was the cause of pain for the one person in my life who counted on me blindly and completely? It was like taking a punch to the gut.

I couldn't bear to lose that look, her blatant adoration and complete trust. It was the same look that Ginny had given me after saving her in the Chamber of Secrets and that Hermione had rewarded me with countless times through our adventures at Hogwarts. Oh, how I had adored those looks and the ability to right all wrongs in the world for my loved ones, for my favourite girls.

But I had let them down, both Hermione and Ginny, and now they no longer graced me with that look. They claimed they still loved me—that they still held me up on a pedestal—their special Harry Potter pedestal that no other boy could ever touch, but I knew it was a lie. Yes, they still loved me, but I had long fallen from that pedestal and there was no climbing back up unless I could find a way to bring back the dead. I know they don't blame me, but if I had killed Voldemort sooner, then Ginny never would have been in a coma or lost her favourite brother. And Hermione never would have been tortured by Bellatrix or raped by that low life Scabior.

No, Andie was the only person who still had complete faith in me, and I had let her down.

That night, I was afraid that I was going to lose not just you but my family as well.

: : :

Before making my way to your room, I stopped in the kitchen and poured myself a large glass of firewhisky. I had already indulged in a few pints over dinner, but I needed a little more liquid courage before facing you. I was petrified that it would be the last time I would ever lay eyes on you again. My stomach contorted painfully just from the thought, and I'm sure it wasn't because of the firewhisky.

As I stood outside your bedroom door trying to find the courage to knock, my knees weakened and my hands started to shake. Gryffindor courage my arse. I had faced a Dark Lord, taken on an army of Inferi, Death Eaters, and dementors without batting an eyelash, but I couldn't make myself knock on your door. I was a coward and pathetic and didn't even deserve your forgiveness. I was about to turn around and go steal the bottle of firewhisky from the kitchen when I heard voices behind your door.

The door had been left slightly ajar, and if I backed up at a slight angle, I could make out the inside of your room perfectly.

You were sitting on your bed, your long legs pulled up to your chest, and you looked positively adorable in your blue flannel pyjamas that had obviously been a gift. You were biting on the much too long sleeve of your shirt, and looked much more like an adolescent boy than a grown man of over twenty years.

Andromeda was sitting in the large, leather chair that sat in the corner of the room and was regarding you with a furrowed brow. She was softly asking you about something, but I couldn't make out the words.

I know that it's wrong to eavesdrop; it's not noble, it's backhanded, and goes against everything that Gryffindor stands for, but when it comes to you, I've never been rational or even particularly honourable. I didn't care if you caught me and hexed me into next week with your nasty Furnunculus curse. I desperately needed to know what was being said, particularly because I was certain that it was about me.

"Augmentum sonus," I whispered stepping closer to the door and hoping that the charm would be strong enough to make out your conversation.

"Draco, I don't understand," Andromeda said, while running a hand through her messy hair. "Aren't you happy here? Did we do something to offend you?"

You stopped biting on your sleeve and looked at Andromeda with wide eyes. "No, Auntie, no," you insisted. "It's nothing like that. You've been absolutely wonderful. And I owe you my life."

Andromeda's frown relaxed slightly, but she still looked concerned.

"Then what is it, Draco? Make me understand."

"I just have to get back that's all," you said, while staring at wall. "There's plenty of things for me to take care of at the manor. And—I"

Andie got up from her chair and sat down on the bed next to you. She placed a hand on your knee and said, "What are you talking about, love?"

"I've...I've imposed on your hospitality long enough," you muttered, biting on the cuticles of your thumb and still avoiding Andromeda's gaze.

"Just...just because you're my mother's sister, and you look so much like her...it doesn't mean—"

Your voice was cracking now, and I watched you swallow heavily, most likely trying to hold back a sob.

Andie shuffled closer on the bed and attempted to meet your sheepish stare. "Darling, you're worrying me," she said softly. "What are you on about? You can tell me anything."

"Don't...please don't make this harder, Auntie."

"Draco—what is it son?" Andie said, as she wrapped an arm around you and tried to bring you closer.

"I'm not your son!" You snapped, raising your voice to a harsh, cold tone, which was so different from the low, gentle drawl you usually answered Andromeda with. "Just stop it okay! Stop pretending that you care, stop feeling obligated." You roughly pushed her away, and Andromeda looked devastated from your grave accusations.

"Draco..."

"You don't owe me anything, okay?" you said evenly, your voice no longer cold. "Thank you for everything. It's more than you needed to do, much more than I deserved. And I won't be bothering you anymore."

Your voice was hitching again, and I watched you attempt to choke back another sob; however, this time, you failed and finally gave into your inevitable tears. It broke my heart to watch you cry, to see you suffering because of cruel words that I had said.

"Stop it, love. Stop talking nonsense right now," Andromeda cried, her voice calm but firm. Her own blue-grey eyes, so similar to yours, were also glistening with unshed tears. "Come here," she insisted, patting the spot closest to her on the bed.

But you just sat there, frozen in the farthest corner of the bed, and wrapped your arms tightly around your knees. You looked so miserable, defeated, and I felt a deep pang in my chest threatening to dismember my last bit of self-possession.

"No. Please, don't. Don't touch me," you whimpered as Andie reached out and tried to pull you in her arms. You were squirming and fighting her; your arms flailing desperately, but it didn't seem like your heart was in it.

"Shhh. Stop fighting it's okay, love," Andromeda soothed, as she continued to hold you. "Just let it out. Let it out." You finally stopped struggling and let her pull you closer to her chest. You threw your arms around her neck forlornly and clung onto her as if you were no older than a toddler was.

"Gods...I just...I-I miss her so much." Your voice was so soft and anguished. "And—you...you look so much like her and when—"

"Darling..."

You hid your face in the older woman's shoulder. I couldn't make out what you were saying; you were muttering something incoherent in between sniffles. Perhaps not even words any longer. But it didn't matter, I understood. You were a frightened, broken boy who had just lost the only person you thought cared for you. Yet, if that wasn't hard enough, seeing Andromeda this beautiful and kind woman who looked so much like your mother, having her take care of you and hold you close, must have been like being faced with a ghost that you could never shake. It must have been unbearable.

"Shhh love, it's okay. I miss her too. I miss her too. Every day. Every minute," Andromeda cooed softly, while rubbing circles down your back.

"But—"

"No buts—listen to me, Draco," she whispered in your ear. "Why would you think that I don't want you here? What in the world could have given you that senseless idea?" You pushed away slightly from Andromeda's embrace and peered at her through your messy fringe.

"I-I. Well...I am a Malfoy...and you hate my father." You lowered your voice to barely a whisper now as you pulled back farther completely freeing yourself from Andromeda's embrace. "And...I look just like my father...so-so you must ha—"

"Listen to me, young man. Do not even finish that sentence. Do you hear me?"

I heard you groan lightly, but you didn't argue. You had crawled back into the farthest corner of the bed, against the wall and were hiding your head in your knees, your fine hair sticking to your stream of tears. I looked at Andromeda's face at that moment, and she looked so stunned, completely crestfallen. It was obvious that she blamed herself for your irrational behaviour. If only she knew the truth.

"You are my nephew, Draco Malfoy," she said sternly as she inched closer to you on the bed but still far enough away to give you some space. "You're my favourite sister's son...and while you might be a Malfoy by name...you are a Black by heart."

At those words, you picked your head up from your knees and looked at her shyly, with wide, innocent eyes. Fuck, who ever knew that Draco Malfoy could look shy, innocent, and dejected? If I wasn't in love with you before, if somehow I only lusted after you because of your good looks—well, in that moment it changed. In that moment, I wanted nothing more than to run in there and hold you in my arms, kissing away every teardrop. Hermione always told me that I had a knack for helpless causes, a soft spot for the outcasts. As usual, Hermione was right.

Do you know what I see when I look at you, love?" Andromeda asked after a short a pause, trying her best to offer you a smile.

"A—an insolent brat," you sniffled, still hiding behind your hair.

Andromeda laughed, but it was a kind laugh rather than a mocking one. She scooted closer to you and ruffled your golden hair, which due to the moisture was now hanging in loose waves around your neck.

"No, well maybe a little," she admitted playfully, "but what I really see in you, insolent brat and all, is your mother."

"Ma—mother?" You stammered, in a voice so soft and innocent that I just wanted to hug you and kiss you to pieces. Andromeda's eyes softened at your juvenile tone, and I could tell that she shared my sentiment.

"Oh yes, love. You are so much like her." She gently pushed back the fringe from your eyes and tucked it behind your ears. "It's in your eyes, in your delicate features, in the way you laugh." She paused for a second and put her hand over yours. "But most importantly, love," she said, "it's in your heart." She squeezed your trembling hands and smiled at you widely, rewarding you with her most tender smile.

"Darling, you have such a beautiful heart." You turned and looked at her slowly, your large eyes growing wider by the second. "I know that you do," she continued and offered you another reassuring hand squeeze. "But you just close yourself off from the world; you don't let anyone in. And I understand, trust me I do. Your mother was the same." Andie paused for a second and bit down on her lip, her eyes clouded for a moment, as if she were off in a distant memory.

"Your mother," she tried again, her voice less wistful this time. "She pretended to be so tough about everything. But I knew the truth about her, and I'm sure that you did too. Deep down your mother was a kind and compassionate soul, who was just afraid of getting hurt. And...I can see the same in you, love."

"No, Auntie, I'm—I'm not a good person, not like you. Not like—"

"Yes, you are, dear. I know that I haven't been around for most of your life, and it kills me that we lost so much time together. But...I'm sure you know that your father and I never saw eye to eye on many things...or anything at all, really."

"I assumed that," you agreed, your voice normal now, and I could have sworn that I saw a slight smirk playing on your lips.

"Well, your mother has told me about him...about what it was like for you growing up with him. And love, I can't tell you how impressed I am with the man you've become."

"Yeah, right."

"No, really, Draco. You had no positive role models in your life. Not counting your mother, who even though she tried her best...she made a lot of mistakes." She paused for a second and looked you over, her eyes so full of love and admiration that it almost made me jealous.

"Still," she continued, her eyes sparkling now, "even though your father dropped you deep into the darkness, put you in a hopeless situation...you still made it out. You still knew what was right."

She beamed at you again, another one of her radiating smiles, this one even more dazzling than before.

"I—I suppose so. That seems about right."

"Of course, it is," Andromeda insisted with a slight chuckle. "I'm always right...I'm a Black." She lifted her chin in a manner so haughty and hauntingly familiar that it was as if Narcissa was sitting there beside you rather than her sister.

I heard you chuckle slightly, it was more of a chortle really, and I realised in that moment that I had never heard you laugh before. It was a genuine laugh, not the cruel sniggers and sneers I was so used to hearing from your lips. And my heart clenched again, wishing that I were in that room, being your source of laughter rather than your source of tears.

There was a short pause and Andromeda was embracing you again, removing any lingering doubts you might have had about her love for you.

"So, it's settled then, you're staying and there will be no more of this utter rubbish that you aren't wanted."

You gulped loudly and furrowed your brow at her.

"No, I can't...and he said..."

"Who said what?"

"No, it's just that...Potter said that—"

"For Merlin's sake child, do not tell me that these theatrics were brought upon by something that Harry said."

"No," you protested, "it's not that. It's just that I still think it would be best if I leave. For everyone."

Andromeda placed her long, elegant hand under your pointed chin and tilted it towards her, never looking away from your big rueful eyes.

"Why would you think that? We're all so happy you're here, love. I couldn't be happier and Teddy adores you. I told you even Harry doesn't mind..."

You pulled your head away from Andromeda completely and looked down at the floor again, hiding your tear-streaked face behind your long fringe.

"He said that you didn't want me here, okay. That you only let me stay here because you felt sorry for me and that I was..." Your eyes filled with tears again, and I could see moisture fall silently and seamlessly down your face. "It's nothing. It's not important."

Andromeda is a very calm person; she doesn't get agitated easily, and never gets unruffled. Well, in that instance, Andromeda did not keep her cool. She gasped loudly and her cheeks reddened; her vibrant eyes, which usually appeared so soft and gentle, were now burning with a fury that I had never before witnessed.

I knew that I was totally fucked.

I gulped loudly and backed away from the door. It seemed like the perfect time to leave and hide in my room, pretending to be sound asleep for the rest of the night. I'm not sure what the two of you said in the rest of your conversation. I never had the guts to ask. However, I'm assuming it didn't paint me favourably, so it's just as well that I left anyway.

Either way, I knew that there would be hell to pay first thing in the morning.

To be continued...

Author's note: Thanks for reading and still sticking with me through this story. As I mentioned before, this section is rather special to me because for once you get to see Draco open up about his feelings and not hide behind the large wall he seems to put between himself and the rest of world. I'd love to hear your thoughts on Draco and Andromeda. She really is one of my favorite minor characters.

Have a great week everyone!

[9] Quote from Jane Eyre by Charlote Brontë . I take no credit for it, and Augmentum sonus is a spell that I created, which just means increase sound in Latin. It's not really that original, but I figured it would be relevant for this chapter.

~Icicle

Review Responses:

Unneeded: Hello, dear! Thanks for your comments as usual. I might have made a typo in my comment last time because I meant to say that Draco always tried to get Harry's attention in school, at least until 6th year. He hated that Harry had snubbed him, so I believe he figured negative attention from Harry Potter was better than none at all. That's kind of Harry's feeling and reason for his actions in the last chapter...although it doesn't excuse them at all. You're right, Harry does need to get his act together and apologize to both Draco and Andie. Don't worry Andie will give him a good kick in the ass. And thanks for your comment about RL. Last week was rough for me, so I had a lazy and enjoyable weekend in order to recuperate.

Avenblackblood: Hello, dear, and thank you for your comment. I am most definitely continuing this story and promise that it won't be abandoned. I will continue to update at least once a week and on week's when my schedule is not insane, twice. I hope you continue to enjoy it.

Margy: Hello! Thank you so much for your comments, love. I'm glad you are enjoying the story and I'll try my best to update twice a week when I have the time. I'm signed up for quite a few fests on live journal with approaching deadlines, so sometimes it's hard to get more than one chapter out.

Anna: Hello there and thank you so much for the amazing comment! I'm thrilled your enjoying the gradual rise in feelings, and I'm right with you on the roller coaster. For some reason, my favorite type of fics that I read or at least the once that I find myself pondering, are the ones that play with my emotions, taking my breath away with their highs and lows.

Thank you so much for your comments! They made my day. = D
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You Set Fire to the Rain