Adult-FanFiction.org : Harry Potter

Cannot Save You Now	By : tigrelilje Category: Harry Potter AU/AR > Slash - Male/Male Views: 15706 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 5
Disclaimer: I do not own any part of the Harry Potter fandom nor do I make any money from writing this story.

Chapter List
- 8
- 9
- 10
{Parseltongue}
Chapter 8
Draco’s mind was filled with dark thoughts even as his sight was filled with the brightness of the common room flames. He should stop worrying about his family’s predicament. There was nothing he could do to lessen the damage done but he couldn’t help feeling as though a weight was on his shoulders. He was sure the children of other followers of the Dark Lord were keeping an eye on him, but not for his leadership anymore.
He was little better than a toy for amusement to them, he knew. Oh, none of them had taken advantage of his severe drop in standing, but they could at any moment. He had no doubt they would eventually.
His hands tightened for a moment before he forced himself to relax. He was so angry at his father; for following a madman and leaving his son no other choice than to do the same.
Draco flexed his left arm unconsciously. He didn’t want to be a Death Eater.
It had been so easy as a child to adore his father and treat his every word as undeniable law. He had seemed so confident and sure of his choices and beliefs. How could Draco not believe in his father as well? The purebloods had a mission, to purify the Wizarding World of muggleborns and all other muggle influence. Wizards were superior and should be treated as such. They shouldn’t have to hide in the shadows like some filthy secret.
But then Draco had been exposed to the other Death Eaters and saw his father in a role other than the commanding Malfoy Lord. And what he saw could only be described as madness. He felt like he had been the only sane person in an institution for the mentally unstable. He saw a healthy dose of fear in some but in most he just saw the light of fanatic zeal.
And he was a part of it now. His mind despaired at his predicament.
The opening of the portrait hole jolted him from his thoughts. He barely had to look to know that Henry Renard had just strode into the room. He just knew. It was eerie.
Draco was slightly disturbed by how much he seemed to be drawn to Henry. He barely knew the boy, and yet he always felt a tingle of excitement run through his body every time he saw him. Sometimes he almost felt like something was clenching his heart when he focused on the brunette. He saw Henry pause for barely a moment before altering his course toward Draco. Draco felt his heart give a painful thump that seemed to vibrate throughout his whole body.
Henry sat across from him in front of the fire. Draco momentarily considered ignoring him, unsettled by the strength of his unexpected feelings, but eventually decided to acknowledge the other boy’s presence. He didn’t want the other boy to think he was uncomfortable around him.
"Are you alright?" Henry asked, with a look of such genuine concern in his eyes, that Draco’s breath caught and his heart beat a little harder than before.
But then an image of Henry and Blaise together in that classroom, together, popped into his head and he felt himself pull back emotionally from the other boy. He couldn’t imagine that Blaise’s… boyfriend would care about him in any way when it was obvious that he and Blaise were barely friends. It hurt some part of him that he didn’t understand.
"What makes you think I wouldn't be?" He finally asked, trying to keep all warmth out of his voice.
"I can just tell that something is troubling you," Henry said with a small smile, seemingly oblivious to Draco’s warienss. "I don't expect you to tell me what it is, but I was hoping you would tell me if you would be okay."
"Yes, I will be fine," Draco said after a moment, hoping his face didn’t show just how dumbfounded he was by the other boy’s words. It was probably one of the kindest and most supportive things anyone had ever said to him. "At least, I hope so," he added under his breath after a moment, thinking of his earlier thoughts of the Dark Lord.
"Would you like to talk?" Harry asked. Before Draco could say the denial that was immediately on the tip of his tongue, he added, "About anything, to take your mind off what's troubling you.”
"Sure," Draco said after a moment, "I think I would like that." And he would. He suddenly wanted to know as much as he could about the gorgeous boy in front of him.
***
“May I ask you something?” Draco said with a curious tilt of his head. Harry nodded, the smile still just hovering on his lips. He was talking to his mate; he was close enough to touch!
“If you are from France, why do you not have an accent?” Draco asked slowly, as if not sure the question would be offensive. There were many ways Harry could answer this question, but the thought of lying to his mate was abhorrent, now that he seemed to be pursuing him, so he told the truth.
“Tristan Renard has not always been my father,” Harry began. “He only recently adopted me. I was forced to be raised my muggles previously,” Harry said cautiously, intently searching Draco’s face and hoping he wouldn’t connect his past to Harry Potter. He didn’t see any suspicion, just a bit of incredulity at the knowledge of his upbringing. “I know,” Harry said, with a look of disgust on his face he didn’t have to fake. “Definitely not an upbringing I would recommend, but it turned out okay for me in the end.” He was momentarily worried that Draco would ask of his surname before he became a Renard, but he didn’t and Harry breathed a sigh of relief.
“I am sorry that you had to endure that for so long,” Draco responded, and Harry was surprised to realize that he was sincere in his regret. “I am glad that you have fully rejoined our world. Though I have not heard of the Renards before.”
He didn’t outright ask about them, but the question was implied. Harry gave a mysterious smile and said, “You wouldn’t have, we keep to ourselves in the shadows. Unlike the Malfoys, who seem to thrive in the spotlight.” He wasn’t giving more information about his family right now, and he hoped his mate let the subject drop without a fight. He was surprised by the darkening of the other boy’s expression at the subtle mention of his family but before he could question him, Draco spoke.
“Are you enjoying Hogwarts?” he said, clearly in an attempt to steer the conversation away from his family. Harry was momentarily tempted to check for Polyjuice Potion. Wasn’t this the boy who lorded his father’s greatness over others at every opportunity? Wasn’t he the boy to brag of his father’s worth before thinking of his own? Harry wanted to dig deeper into this change in attitude but held himself back for now. He didn’t know his mate well enough yet.
“Yes, I am,” Harry finally answered. “The old magic in a structure such as this one is a wonderful thing to be surrounded by, don’t you think?”
“Yes,” Draco responded quietly, “it gives the comfort of home.”
“Exactly,” Harry agreed, happy to have found someone else who knew how he felt.
“More of a home than my own, actually,” Draco admitted quietly, almost as if he hadn’t meant to say anything at all. Harry came to the realization that maybe Draco’s home life wasn’t as wonderful as Harry had always assumed.
Momentarily feeling a deep connection to his mate and unable to prevent himself from reaching out to him. He gently caressed the back of his hand before pulling away and forcing himself back under control. His empathy had picked up Draco’s feelings of excitement and confusion in the brief touch. Perhaps he should call it a night before he lost control and did something embarrassing.
Draco’s cheeks were slightly flushed from the contact, but the dark confusion Harry had felt was showing in his eyes, though his mate didn’t say anything.
“I’m glad we had a chance to speak,” Harry said, hoping he sounded casual. “I would love to speak with you more, but it is already rather late and you look about as tired as I feel. Perhaps we could study together in the future, as our classes are all the same?”
“Of course,” Draco responded, his eyes darted nervously to the side for a moment before coming back to Harry. Harry smiled at Draco’s sudden show of nerves and felt a leaping sensation in his heart at the tentative smile he was given in return.
***
Hermione watched Ron speculatively from her seat in the Gryffindor common room while he socialized loudly with their housemates. She couldn’t see any of the boy she thought she had been friends with anymore. She wondered if he had ever existed. All she could see now was a bitter and jealous child throwing a tantrum.
She wondered where he had learned to do that. It’s not as if his parents had been able to give him whatever he wanted if he had a fit. She was repulsed by the personality she saw now. It made it that much easier to believe that she could help Harry in his revenge even if she was generally a passive individual.
Her mind went back to part of the conversation she had had with him.
”How cruel do you think you can be, Hermione?” Harry asked seriously. “I don’t want you to agree to do something that makes you uncomfortable.”
“What did you have in mind, Harry?” Hermione asked. She was, in truth, slightly nervous. If she was going to be cruel, it was most likely going to be an in-the-heat-of-the-moment kind of thing. Not premeditated. But as all the cruel things Ron had said recently resurfaced in her mind, her resolve hardened even more.
She could do this.
“Well, I’m sure you’ve noticed Ron is head over heels for you,” Harry began, but then saw the look of surprise on her face. “Oh come on, Hermione,” Harry said with a laugh, “it’s so obvious it’s almost painful to watch.”
“I’ll take your word for it,” Hermione said, not fully convinced, “but what does this have to do with revenge.”
“You could date him,” Harry said simply, “and proceed to make him feel inferior at every possible moment. Subtle things. Like comparing how he lacks in something compared to someone else. Ideally, you would compare him to Harry Potter as much as possible and show how he always falls short. Casually flirt with other guys, like some sneaky Slytherins,” Harry gave her a wink, and she giggled a bit. “Mostly it would be up to you how to go about it, but I think you get the gist of what I’m saying. You’re intelligent, and he’s not. I have my own revenge planned for him but the emotional blows would be best coming from you, since I have to remain unknown.”
Now the question was, was she bold enough to carry out such a plan?
As she heard Ron make yet another dismissive comment about Harry, all doubt left her. She slowly stood up and fixed an overly-warm smile on her face as she approached him. He saw her out of the corner of his eye and turned toward her. For the first time, she noticed the signs of his attraction and an unfamiliar feeling of power made itself known to her. She could really make him regret everything he had said, every hurt he had inflicted upon her.
Oh, yes, I can do this, she thought.
***
The second week of school passed easily enough. Harry found himself partnered with Draco in Potions once again. His mate was truly in his element in that class and Harry enjoyed watching him work. Every once in a while he made a move as if he were going to add the wrong ingredient and Draco would always catch his hand, even when Harry thought he wasn’t paying attention. It was like he could feel every step of their potion and what was going on around it.
In the past, he had assumed Snape had favored Draco and that was the cause of his good grades. But when the blonde wasn’t trying to sabotage some poor Gryffindor’s potion, it became very obvious that he had a gift in the subject.
Harry noted that Hermione had insinuated herself into Ron’s life as his girlfriend. The look of blissful happiness on the fool’s face, while grating, was also wonderful, because it meant it would destroy him even more when Hermione started showing what she really thought of him before leaving him. Harry couldn’t wait for the finale of their relationship.
The beginning of his third week brought an exciting opportunity during breakfast.
Harry was sitting at the Slytherin table, absently sipping at his tea while staring off into space and systematically picking his toast apart into little pieces. Blaise left him alone, recognizing that Harry wanted to just retreat into his head for a bit before starting another week of classes.
The familiar noise of the morning post brought Harry back to himself only to discover a school owl waiting for him to relieve it of its burden. He reached out and took the scroll of parchment before offering the owl a bit of bacon in thanks. With a delighted hoot, the food was accepted before the owl flew off.
Harry turned back to the scroll in his hands. It had been sent with a school owl, and there was only one person he could think of who would be writing him.
Dear Mr. Renard,
I hope you have been settling in nicely here at Hogwarts over the last two weeks. If you would be so kind, I would like to speak with you after classes this day.
Just tell the gargoyle that you fancy blood lollies. I look forward to speaking with you.
Sincerely,
Albus Dumbledore
Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Harry raised his eyebrow for a moment at the mention of the password. Blood lollies? How coincidental. And rather amusing considering the Headmaster’s clue was actually an accurate statement. Harry glanced out of the corner of his eye toward to the staff table, but the Headmaster wasn’t present. He was sure this meeting was completely innocent; just a Headmaster checking up on a new transfer student. But it gave Harry a chance for investigating.
He left the Great Hall a bit early, with the excuse of using the bathroom before class, so he could talk to Ciaran.
{Ciaran?} Harry hissed quietly as he walked down the hall.
{Yes?} Ciarain responded.
{Our first chance to spy on the Headmaster has arrived. Are you ready?} Harry asked.
{Of course} Ciaran said, soundly suddenly much more awake. {Will it be today?}
{Yes it will} Harry nodded subtly as he spoke. {The Headmaster has called me to his office today after classes. I can drop you off while we are up there instead of trying to find a way for you to sneak in alone. This also means I will be putting some of my plans into action while you are there in the hopes they will provoke some confession out of the man. But you may have to stay up there for two weeks. Will that cause you too much strain?}
{I would like a chance to hunt today, if that may be the case} Ciaran said. {I will be fine for two weeks if I feed today before we meet your Headmaster. How will I know when your other plans have been carried out?}
{Oh, I’m fairly sure it will be obvious} Harry said with a smile. {I have to wait until our Hogsmeade weekend at the end of September, and then that Monday is when you should learn something valuable, if you are ever going to. Will you be able to find your way back to me?}
{I will, Master, have no fear} Ciaran assured.
Harry set off toward Potions with a slight spring in his step at the prospect of beginning his plans.
***
Hermione had a love/hate relationship with Potions. She loved it because it was so logical and precise. She hated it because Professor Snape taught it and she wasn’t likely to ever receive encouragement in her studies from the man. She studied him for a moment, trying to make herself believe that he was really Harry’s father. It was too weird. And rather sad, as well.
It wasn’t nearly as hard being Ron’s girlfriend as she feared it would be, though maybe that was because she knew it wasn’t permanent or even real, at least on her part. The past week she had been playing the perfect girlfriend and she was already sick of it. It was time to start slipping in subtle insults. She doubted Ron would realize that he was being insulted, but she hoped it would hit him at least subconsciously.
She glanced at the ingredients she would need, even though she already knew them by heart, before leaning forward slightly to the table that Neville and Ron were sharing in front of her.
“Neville,” Hermione hissed quietly, hoping the movement of students returning to their seats would cover up the sound of her voice.
"What?” Neville said out of the corner of his mouth, keeping his terrified gaze on Professor Snape.
“I was wondering if you knew why this potion calls for fluxweed instead of moongrass?” Hermione asked innocently, noticing that Ron was listening with a slightly stunned look on his face. Hermione, of course, knew the answer, but she was hoping to accomplish two things with this conversation.
“Why would you ask Neville?” Ron demanded, almost too loudly.
“Neville is a genius when it comes to Herbology,” Hermione responded matter-of-factly, “and who else should I ask? You never know the answers for anything,” she finished dismissively before looking expectantly toward Neville and ignoring Ron.
The shy Gryffindor’s face was flushed with pleasure from the compliment while Hermione saw Ron’s face flush with anger out of the corner of her eye. Good, maybe he did understand that she just placed Neville’s worth and intelligence above Ron’s.
“Well, the fluxweed only appears to contain the energy of the moon whereas moongrass actually contains energy similar to that of the moon. The moon energy is an important part of this healing potion because it causes the body to feel as though it has had a good night’s rest after it is drunk,” Neville responded quickly, and confidently, which wasn’t a state-of-mind Hermione got to see very often in him.
“Thanks, Neville,” Hermione replied with a big smile before turning back to her potion.
“How did Neville know something you didn’t, Hermione?” Ron whispered.
“Neville’s very gifted with Herbology, I suspect there are many things he knows that I don’t,” Hermione said without even looking at Ron.
“You have to be kidding!” Ron exclaimed and this time Snape heard him. The man swooped down on their table before Ron could even register that he was in trouble.
“There will be no talking,” Snape hissed. “Ten points from Gryffindor for interrupting class.”
“What? That’s not fair!” Ron said angrily.
“Ten more points, Mr. Weasley,” Snape sneered viciously. “Will I need to take more?”
“No, sir,” Ron ground out. After Snape turned away, Ron turned to Hermione and whispered, “I can’t believe him!”
“Well, you shouldn’t have been talking,” Hermione chastised, as if she hadn’t been as well. “Really, Ron, you should know better,” she went back to cutting ingredients and ignoring Ron.
She slid her gaze over to the other side of the room where Harry was working with Malfoy. She could see him looking at her as well with a slight smile on his face as if he couldn’t help himself. She gave him a slight wink and his smile broadened before he turned away and made his face impassive. Hermione went back to preparing ingredients with a smile.
***
Harry made his way to Dumbledore’s office after his last class. Ciaran had gone hunting and was prepared for his potentially long stay in the Headmaster’s office. Harry had strengthened the Disillusionment Charm on him. He was nervous about parting from his familiar, but he knew it had to be done if he wanted information. And Ciaran actually seemed excited about the adventure. Harry wasn’t sure he realized that he would probably be spending a lot of time in boredom.
He gave the password and then stepped onto the spiral staircase as it was revealed. He could feel Ciaran moving on his arm, clearly getting a lay of the land so he would know what to expect when he escaped.
He knocked on the door when he reached the top and entered when he heard Dumbledore’s voice call him in.
The office looked the same as always, though Harry noticed that the destruction he had caused at the end of last year had been remedied. The mystery objects were still scattered throughout the area and Fawkes’ perch was still in the corner. The bird himself was not there and Harry’s eyes darted around the office before confirming that he wasn’t in the office at all. He relaxed slightly. He hadn’t been sure if Fawkes would have been able to tell that he wasn’t human when they were in close proximity.
“Ah, Mr. Renard,” Dumbledore’s voice drew his attention, “thank you for coming. Please, have a seat.”
Harry sat in the chair in front of the desk before responding politely, “Professor Dumbledore.”
“Well, my boy, I just thought I should check in with you. You’ve been at this school for two weeks now. It isn’t often that we receive transfer students here. How are you settling in?” the Headmaster asked kindly. Harry dropped his arm down next to his chair and felt Ciaran begin to unwind from his arm onto the floor before he answered.
“I am doing fine, sir,” Harry responded truthfully. “My housemates are nice enough and my classes are going well. It’s all still a bit new to me, but I’m sure I’ll be perfectly comfortable in no time; like I’ve always been here.”
“Wonderful,” Dumbledore said with a smile. Ciaran was no longer on his arm and Harry hoped he had found himself a good spot to settle in and spy. The rest of his conversation with the Headmaster was equally as benign as the beginning and gave Harry a chance to study the man.
He looked far older than Harry remembered. He wondered if it was because of his new vampire perspective or if the man’s age was finally catching up to him. Harry was sure his death had put a huge strain on the man. He doubted any of his aging was from grief for Harry but maybe for the death of the plans that he had been cultivating since before Harry’s birth.
He was going to be grieving a lot more very soon.
***
When Harry reentered the common room, he saw Theo sitting in a corner by himself. He made his way over to the other boy and sat down.
“How did the meeting go?” Theo asked quietly.
“It was fine; just the old man checking in with a new student. He wasn’t suspicious of anything,” Harry replied. With a smirk he added, “Ciaran is hiding in his office now.”
“Ah, a snake in the Light’s den, how wonderful,” Theo agreed with a slight smile.
“Where is Blaise?” Harry asked.
“Exercising some frustration, I think,” Theo said dismissively.
“Doesn’t sound like a bad idea,” Harry murmured. Theo’s eyes flicked over to Harry, probably wondering if he was going to pursue that line of thought. Harry gave him a seductive smile before standing up and gesturing for Theo to follow him.
After a moment of hesitation, Theo got up and followed Harry up to their dorm room. Though Harry didn’t particularly feel the need to find a sexual release right now, he did feel the need for blood; which inevitably led to a need for sex of some sort. He locked the door after Theo had entered and turned to look at his him. Theo looked slightly nervous, wondering what Harry was going to do to him. Though it was in Harry’s nature to take what he liked without asking, he wasn’t going to do that to an ally; especially one who might be a friend as well.
“Don’t look so scared, Theo,” Harry said soothingly. “I won’t force anything from you, nor would I ask since I usually go to Blaise. But if you are willing, I am feeling a need for blood.”
“You won’t hurt me?” Theo said, clearly uncomfortable asking the question.
“Only if you want me to,” Harry said with a wicked smile. Theo’s eyes widened the slightest bit before a hoarse laugh escaped him.
“Maybe another time,” he responded nervously. Harry stalked forward slowly and watched as Theo’s breathing began to pick up speed. It was a mix of fear and excitement. He gently pushed Theo back until his legs hit a bed and he was forced to sit down. Harry kept moving until he was straddling his friend’s lap and he could feel the fear leaving to be replaced with arousal, probably from the pheromones Harry was releasing.
“Relax,” Harry whispered into Theo’s ear as he leaned forward. He let his lips brush across his neck before trailing feather soft kisses along the pulse. When he felt Theo relax completely, he sank his fangs into his neck as he pushed him back to lie on the bed. Theo let out a moan as his body arched up into Harry’s.
Theo’s blood was different than Blaise’s, like it had a dark taint of power to it. Harry wondered if it was from the Dark Mark he bore. It definitely appealed to his own darker side. Without really thinking about it, he began to rotate his hips against Theo’s, feeling the other boy rapidly becoming hard. Arousal always made the blood taste better, much like fear did.
He sucked harder on Theo’s neck and the other boy tangled his fingers into Harry’s hair and gripped tightly. His hips were rising off the bed, pushing against Harry’s seeking friction.
“Fuck,” Theo breathed, panting slightly.
“Not today,” Harry laughed as he lifted his head and licked the wounds closed. He was overly aroused, feeling Theo’s own on top of what he would usually feel after taking blood. He leaned in and captured Theo’s lips before beginning to grind his hips in earnest.
Theo responded eagerly, too far gone into arousal to consider stopping. His breathing increased rapidly and Harry knew he was close. He picked up the speed of his thrusting, enjoying the feel of Theo’s hard length against his own. As the tingling in his groin increased, his focus in the world narrowed down to the need for release.
Theo cried out as his orgasm took him and Harry followed right after him. He slowly rolled off of Theo onto the bed next to him and just let his body relax for a moment, letting the combination of blood and orgasm calm him completely. After a moment, he turned to Theo and asked, “Are you even attracted to males?”
“Not that I’m aware of,” Theo responded dryly, “but I have the feeling that wouldn’t have mattered in this case, huh?”
Harry laughed as he shook his head.
***
Draco was on his way back to the common room from the library before dinner began. He was sticking to back hallways, not particularly wanting to be caught out alone and also desiring some time alone.
As he was walking down a deserted passage, he caught the sound of a faint moan. He froze for a moment, wondering if he had really heard something. The noise came again and Draco could tell it wasn’t a sound of pain. With a pained expression, Draco recalled the scene he had walked in on between Blaise and Henry in the first week of school. Since then, he had watched the two a bit more closely and noticed the vibes between them to suggest a more than friendly relationship.
Draco felt that irrational jealousy once again even as he was drawn against his will toward the noises. He looked through the door and was dismayed when he saw Blaise’s face. But then he realized that the other person wasn’t Henry. It was a girl.
He took a moment to actually process what he was seeing. Blaise was leaning back against the couch he was sitting on. The girl in question was straddling his lap and they were kissing passionately. The girl was rotating her hips and Draco realized Blaise’s pants were pulled down slightly. The girl was riding his cock to an orgasm, which sounded like it was fast approaching.
She tore her mouth away to breathe in panting gasps. Before Draco could move, Blaise spotted him over his partner’s shoulder. Instead of stopping or blushing or any reaction Draco would have expected, Blaise gave him a wicked smile before thrusting his hips more forcefully into the girl on top of him. As she began to orgasm, Blaise caught her mouth in a kiss while keeping eye contact with Draco the whole time. The only sign that he found his own release was when his eyes fluttered shut for a moment.
“Make yourself presentable, my dear,” came Blaise’s voice suddenly, “we have company.”
The girl whipped around to see Draco watching them. He was sure his face was flushed with embarrassment and perhaps a touch of arousal, but Draco wouldn’t be admitting that, even to himself. She quickly straightened her clothing before walking toward the door while Draco saw Blaise tidying himself up as well.
“See you around soon?” she asked just before leaving.
“Perhaps,” Blaise said absently. The girl made an irritated noise before leaving the room. “Can I help you, Malfoy?”
Now that Draco had gotten over his initial embarrassment, he found himself becoming furious. Blaise was cheating on Henry?!
“What do you think you’re doing?” Draco hissed, momentarily forgetting his calm mask.
“Whatever do you mean?” Blaise asked with a raised eyebrow.
“How could you do this to Henry?” Draco demanded.
“Henry?” Blaise asked with a confused look on his face.
“Yes, Henry. You’re cheating on him!” Draco burst out angrily.
Blaise stared at him for a moment with a bewildered expression before replying, “What in the world are you talking about?”
“I saw you,” Draco insisted, “the first week of school, after potions class.”
Blaise’s expression suddenly became very nervous. “What did you see?”
“Henry was kissing your neck,” Draco answered reluctantly. “I left as soon as I saw you both.” Draco was confused as he saw all the tension drain out of Blaise’s body and his expression became a cocky smile again.
“Henry and I are not together,” Blaise said, “No matter what you saw. We are only friends. You can even ask Henry if you don’t believe me.”
“But I saw-,” Draco began.
“We aren’t together,” Blaise interrupted. “We are just very close friends. It’s easier to trust a friend than find an actual lover, sometimes.”
Draco eyed him suspiciously for a moment, but then Blaise added, “Henry and I could never be together, even if we ever desired such a thing, which we haven’t. He has his eye on someone in particular.”
Draco wondered if he imagined the pointed look Blaise gave him. Against his will, a flare of hope burst into life within him. Was Henry interested in him? Before he could really get carried away in his thoughts, Blaise stood up and started walking toward him. As he walked past Draco, he smirked before saying, “Why would you care anyway, Malfoy? If I didn’t know any better, I may have thought you were jealous.”
Before Draco could respond, Blaise was striding off down the hallway in the direction of Slytherin house. He scowled at the back of his retreating housemate. What did Henry see in that cocky bastard?
Thinking of Henry, Draco hurried back to the Slytherin common room, hoping Blaise wasn’t going to speak of their encounter; but he wasn’t very hopeful. When he arrived, he didn’t see Blaise or Henry in the common room. He hurried up to his dorm, to drop off his bag like he originally intended, only to find the door locked. He tried a few unlocking spells, but the door never budged. He glanced around quickly before trying some of the darker spells he knew. The door still wouldn’t budge.
He was sure Blaise was in there, exaggerating their meeting to Henry and making him look like a fool. He stood in front of the door for a moment more, debating going down to the common room to wait when the door was suddenly flung open wide to reveal Theo, Blaise, and Henry. Draco was surprised for a moment but quickly forced the muscles in his face to relax back into impassiveness. He was just about to deliver a snide comment about the locked door when Theo and Blaise both nodded to him before heading down the stairs to the common room and leaving him with Henry.
His mouth went dry for a moment with nerves. Had Blaise said something? Did Henry want to confirm Blaise’s story? Was he going to let Draco down gently and say that he had his eye on someone else?
Draco’s increasingly paranoid and irrational thoughts were stopped when Henry reached forward to grasp his bag before pulling it off his shoulder and placing it in their room just inside the door. He stared at the brunette for a moment in shock and received a breathtaking smile in return before Henry said, “Come on, Malfoy. Time for supper, you look like you could use it right now.”
“Draco,” he replied without thinking, then blushed slightly when Henry gave him a confused look. “Call me Draco.”
He was rewarded with another blinding smile before the other boy said, “And call me Henry, Draco.”
The sound of his name one Henry’s lips was exciting. He followed the other boy down the stairs, perhaps a little closer than he normally would. But Henry didn’t seem to mind.
***
Harry and Theo were getting ready to leave the dorm when Blaise came hurrying in and slammed the door behind him.
“Lock it,” he demanded of Harry quickly. Harry raised his eyebrows slightly but warded the doors completely nonetheless.
“What’s wrong, Blaise?” Harry asked.
“Nothing’s wrong, per se,” he replied, suddenly uncertain. “I just- I thought you would want to know that Malfoy thought that you and I were a couple.”
“Why?” Harry asked confused even as his stomach clenched. His mate thought he had chosen another over him?
“He saw us, after that first potions class,” Blaise explained. At Harry’s alarmed expression, he assured, “Don’t worry, he didn’t see what you were doing, he thought you were kissing my neck. I assured him that we were not together and neither of us had any desire to be. Only that we were very close friends, I figured it would do more harm for you if I lied than if I just admitted the truth.”
“That was… surprisingly charitable of you, Zabini,” Theo teased, to which he received a glare. The two weren’t completely comfortable around each other, but they were getting better. As long as they got along in public, Harry was fine with watching them bicker in private.
“Can I assume he is right behind you, then?” Harry asked as he tried to stop any fight that might start between them.
“Yes,” Blaise answered just as Harry felt someone trying to break his locking spell. He held up a hand to stop the other two from talking as the spells continued to rain down on his own. He smiled approvingly as the spells became more complex and darker.
“He’s right outside,” Harry murmured. “When I open the door, I would like you two to go down to the common room and wait for us. I just want a moment alone with him, to reassure him that nothing is different between us.” He gave Blaise a pointed look before adding, “I’m sure he assumes that you have come back here to make fun of him with me.”
With that, he opened the door to the sight of his mate. The other two gave him a slight smirk when they saw the smile on his face before they disappeared.
If Draco Malfoy was their mate, they’d smile, too, Harry thought.
***
Now that Ciaran was in Dumbledore’s office, Harry needed to get some of his plans into motion. The first order of business was to send a few letters. He was relaxing outside by the lake, and Hedwig was preening on a rock near where he was sprawled on the ground. The first letter he had written to Gringotts. He needed the cooperation of the goblins for this part of his revenge. He had no doubt they would help him, but he wanted to give them some warning.
The second letter was one he had never thought he’d be writing in the past.
Dear Rita,
Before you disregard this letter, let me assure you that the story I have for you will be the biggest of your career yet.
What do you really know about the disappearance of Harry Potter? I bet you’ve wondered, like many others, if he’s really just missing. Or maybe he died? Or maybe he betrayed the Light?
I have all the answers. I suggest you meet me in Hogsmeade, at the Three Broomsticks at eleven, on the last Saturday of September. If you don’t, believe me when I say everyone will know just how much of a bug you really are.
Madam Rosmerta will bring you to me when you arrive.
Until we meet again,
H
Harry debated signing his whole name, but if nothing else, simply signing an “H” would make Rita’s mind race with all sorts of possibilities. He called Hedwig to him and tied both letters to her leg before watching her take off.
Very soon, the fun would begin.
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