Fic: When a Tree Dreams (8/10)
Jun. 22nd, 2012 08:32 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
omi_ohmyTitle: When a Tree Dreams (8/10)
Author:![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
omi_ohmy
Summary: Directly after the war, Harry is left lost and full of questions about his life. Slowly over the summer, and with the help of friends, he works out what will make him happy - or even who. Angsty, eventual slash & romance, HPDM. Rated R for later chapters.
Disclaimer: Characters are the property of JK Rowling, et al. This fic was written for fun, not for profit.
Pairings/Characters: HP/DM, RW/HG
Rating: R
Word count (this chapter): ~42,300 (~5,300)
Warning(s): Mostly misery and friendships, not much HPDM until later chapters.
Betas:birdsofshore and evilgiraff
Chapter One
<<Chapter Seven
A/N: First of all, thanks for all the lovely comments and reviews last week. I just want to say that I start to ease the brakes on the angst in this chapter. I'm writing the epilogue at the moment, and without giving too much away I think it's fair to say that from this point on we head into flangst territory, and the beginnings of that R rating... (don't get your hopes up too high for this chapter now! Um, I suck at this A/N business). Anyway, this is one of my favourite chapters. I hope you like it too. :)
Chapter Eight - Answers
September
The wind was making the trees sing. The white bark of slender silver birch trees rose under the moving canopy of leaves. Harry stopped for a minute to just stand and listen. The breeze on his cheeks was welcome after the past few hot weeks, back in the stuffy house in London. He opened the gate next to the sign for 'Woodshade Cottage', and walked up the path. The cottage was small, with a window either side of the front door. Although he had arranged the visit a few days before, he still felt nervous. He had left seeing Teddy almost until last. This was the child of his friends. They should have been there to greet him, Tonks with her energy and bright hair, Remus with his tired face and kind, intelligent eyes. Instead, an elegant woman opened the door, a warm smile on her face.
"Harry," she said, holding out her hand, "welcome." Harry took her hand and shook it, smiling.
"Mrs Tonks, thank you for being able to see me," he said, with feeling. When he'd owled, her response had been polite and swift, and had done a lot to ease Harry's guilt about not having got in touch sooner. Although they'd met at Remus and Tonks' funeral, they hadn't really spoken, and both had been more than a little distracted anyway.
"Please, call me Andromeda," she said as she ushered him in. Up close, Harry felt a moment of disorientation, as she looked a little like both her sisters. Unlike them though, she appeared neither mad nor overly cold. She was weathered but warm, her hair white, and cut short, her robes simple.
Stepping through the tiny hall and into the room, Harry looked around for some sign of Teddy. Andromeda shook her head. "He's asleep upstairs," she said. "It's nap time, but he'll be up soon enough. Time for us to have a cup of tea though." Harry tried to hide his disappointment. He followed her through a low doorway into the kitchen, a busy room with an oak table at its centre, chairs and a bench surrounding it. She put the kettle on and gestured for him to sit down. He sat on one of the chairs and waited for her to join him.
There was a picture of Tonks on the wall. She was young – maybe Harry's age – and was laughing. "It's one of my favourites," said Andromeda quietly, standing to look at it for a moment before sitting down, a teapot, tea cups and saucers, a milk jug and sugar bowl hovering behind her patiently. She brought them to the table with a flick of her wand. "She had just finished at Hogwarts and been accepted onto Auror training. She was so happy, "I like to have pictures of her around me, I think it's good for Teddy too. There are photos of Remus, too." Harry nodded, remembering how much it had meant to him when Hagrid had given him the photo album of his parents.
"He'll always love them, you know," he said.
"Thank you," she smiled, and poured the tea out. "Milk? Sugar?"
"You're... you're not what I was expecting," said Harry. She raised an eyebrow. "Sorry, that's probably not what I'm supposed to say," he added, embarrassed to have blurted out his first thought at meeting her.
"You mean, having met my sisters," she said. Harry nodded, feeling stupid. "It's ok Harry, in the case of Bella I'll take that as a compliment. As for Cissy," she sighed, "that's a bit more complicated. But don't worry about it."
They sat sitting for a moment, sipping their tea. Harry pulled out a small package from his pocket and set it down on the table. "It's a gift for Teddy," he said. Pulling out his wand he unshrank it. The paper wrapping it slipped off, revealing a mobile with a sun, a moon, a tree, an owl, and a small songbird. He held it up and tapped it with his wand, and the bird sang gently while he owl hooted, and they spun and danced with the sun and moon, around the tree at the centre.
"How perfect!" said Andromeda, "The Little Tree who Wanted to Dream." Harry was pleased she recognised the story. As soon as he had seen it in the shop window, he had known he wanted to get it for Teddy. "I remember my mother telling me the story when I was a girl, sitting by the window looking out at the trees behind the house," with a start, Harry realised that she was probably talking about Grimmauld Place and that Draco's mother had probably learnt the story at the same time.
"I'm living there, at Grimmauld Place, at the moment, with Kreacher," he told her.
She smiled. "Are those awful house-elf heads still there?" she asked.
"Yes, I don't quite know what to do with them," Harry grimaced. It seemed wrong to throw away or banish someone's head.
"And is Kreacher still his cheerful self?"
Harry laughed. "He has his moments, but it's ok," he shrugged, "it's just a bit lonely, just the two of us rattling around that big old house."
Harry forgot what he was going to say next when he heard the sound of a baby's cry coming from upstairs. Andromeda got up, but didn't go to get Teddy. Harry suddenly understood when the kitchen door swung open and Draco walked in holding Teddy.
Draco froze when he saw Harry. Harry felt panic rising in his chest. He had no idea what to do now.
Andromeda quickly crossed the room and neatly scooped Teddy out of Draco's arms. Teddy was holding his head up, his soft, rounded face open as he looked at her. She kissed him on the top of his head. "Tea, Draco?" she asked, as she sat down with Teddy on her knee. His arms, a little uncoordinated, batted away at the air.
Draco was looking at the floor. He tore himself away from the doorway, sat down to Harry's left, opposite Andromeda, and summoned a cup and saucer to pour himself some tea. Harry felt his relief that Draco was safe mingle with absolute terror about what would happen now. Draco still wouldn't meet his eyes, but Harry couldn't stop looking at him. His hair had grown a bit, just reaching past his collar. It fell across his eyes, and Harry watched as Draco raised a hand to move it out of his face. His eyes were still sad, and when he eventually turned them to Harry they made him catch his breath. Draco made him catch his breath. Harry fought with a sudden pounding of his heart; he couldn't breath, there wasn't enough air.
"Did I not mention that Draco was staying here?" said Andromeda, and Harry turned to look at her. She was calmly playing with Teddy, but Harry got the impression that she was less than innocent in having not told him that Draco was there. When he looked back at Draco, he was glaring at his aunt.
"It must have slipped your mind, Aunt Dromeda, just as you neglected to tell me we were expecting a visitor."
She smiled serenely. "Now, Harry. Would you like to have a cuddle with your godson?" and she stood up, and walked over to Harry, Teddy on her hip. She handed over the warm, wriggling boy, and Harry found himself with a baby on his lap. He held him awkwardly, but Teddy seemed pretty resilient and didn't break or cry, so Harry persevered and tried to relax a little. Harry held Teddy up and smiled at him, and was rewarded with a broad smile back. He sat him back on his lap, and Draco quietly passed his cousin a toy. Teddy held onto the small giraffe, chewing away with his toothless gums.
The presence of the baby, his little body a comforting weight, helped distract Harry and he was able to force himself to ignore Draco, concentrating on Teddy and Andromeda instead.
"He's lovely," he said, beaming a smile at Andromeda. Her face was fond as she looked at him, and Harry had a strange sense that he was with family, even though they'd never really met before and weren't actually related.
Harry played with Teddy a while, then Andromeda opened the back door and quietly took the baby back. He sat on her lap, looked at the trees swaying and shadows flickering outside, and laughed.
Harry looked back at Draco, who was watching him, just him. Harry felt heat rise in his cheeks, but he couldn't look away. Andromeda cleared her throat, loudly.
"Draco dear, could you pass me Teddy's giraffe, please?" she asked. Draco started, but bent down to pick the giraffe from where it had fallen to the ground. As he did so, he brushed past Harry's arm. Draco was warm, and Harry felt heat burn into his arm. Even after Draco had moved around the table and presented the toy to little, greedy, fat hands, Harry could still feel the brush of Draco's arm on his. His mind stuttered to a halt for a second, and when he became aware of things again, Andromeda was talking.
"—so we've all been a little cramped, but it's home and Teddy is happy. And I enjoy having the company," Harry nodded in response, not really ready for words yet. His arm was still tingling, his cheeks were still burning.
"More tea?" Andromeda asked, and soon the teapot was dipping at all their cups again. She summoned a tin of biscuits, which turned out to be full of uneven, delicious, oat cookies, wonderfully crisp and chewy and obviously homemade.
"When I married Ted, I had to to learn to cope without house elves. You should have seen my early attempts at cooking! He, being Muggle-born, was more familiar with it all. To be honest though, after living with his parents and then at Hogwarts, he was nearly as useless as me," she paused, a look of fond remembrance in her eyes. "But we learned, and now here I am, thirty years later, with a baby again." This time her eyes returned to Tonks, smiling and laughing in the photo, and her eyes dimmed a little. There was a silence, during which Harry or Draco should probably have said something, but neither did. They were both avoiding looking at each other, but Harry could sense exactly where Draco was in the room. He could hear every creak of his chair, each sip he took of his tea. The air was heavy with the tension of their unspoken conversation.
Harry was distracted by Teddy's face going red and a rather obvious noise filling the room, and Andromeda looked up and smiled at him.
"Ah," she said, "this one needs changing, I think," and she stood with Teddy and turned to leave the room. "I'll just leave you two boys to catch up," and she left the room.
"I tried to find you," said Harry, finally. Draco looked up, one of his dark, introspective looks on his face. "I missed you," Harry whispered. "Grimmauld Place is lonely without you there."
The look on Draco's face lifted a little at Harry's words, but his eyes were vulnerable as he started to speak.
"I just– what Nott said, I—"
"It's ok," interrupted Harry. "I think he was right about one thing. There always has been something between us," he sighed. "Even Luna said something similar the other day."
"That's not what he was saying, Harry, and you know it," said Draco, with a hint of challenge in his voice. Harry swallowed. There was not going to be an easy way to avoid this.
"I've spent the past few weeks thinking about what he said. I– I had no idea, Draco," he said softly, and Draco turned away, looking stung. Harry felt desperate. He was just making this worse.
"I want to be honest with you, Draco. I do—"
The door swung back open and Andromeda walked in with Teddy. She stopped and looked between the two men, a speculative look on her face.
"I'm going to take Teddy out to look at the trees," she announced. "You stay here and finish your chat." She picked up a small cardigan which was hanging off the back of a chair, skillfully dressed Teddy in it, and went out of the back door.
Harry stood, and followed her to the door. He watched as she walked through a simple garden, opened a gate, and disappeared under the trees beyond.
He turned back to Draco, who was staring into his now cold cup of tea.
"I thought about what he said, and it... it made sense to me," Harry said quietly. Draco looked up, emotion burning on his face.
"Sense?" he asked.
"I– I watched you a lot at school. My friends told me I was obsessed with you," he whispered.
"And now?" asked Draco, his voice low.
"I missed you. I wanted to talk to you. I– I wanted to see what might happen." Harry closed his eyes, too scared to see Draco's reaction. He was scared of what he was saying, what he was admitting, out loud and for the first time. He opened his eyes again when he heard the scrape of a chair. Draco had stood up and was walking towards him. Harry felt trapped. But he didn't want to be anywhere else. He watched him approach. Draco moved with grace, his hair flashing in the bright sun streaming in from behind Harry. There was purpose in his eyes.
Draco stopped when he was stood in front of Harry. He looked into Harry's eyes for a long moment, and raised his hand. He reached out and touched the side of Harry's face, and gently ran it down the side of his jaw. His finger alighted for just a second on his lip, and Harry's mouth fell open of its own accord. Harry closed his eyes at the sensation. The next thing he knew, there was the featherlight touch of lips on his, and Draco was kissing him. His breath was warm on Harry's face, and his lips were soft yet strong as they moved, sending a thrill which reached all the way down Harry's spine, and his tongue whispered against Harry's mouth. Harry was still for a moment but then kissed back, reaching out a hand and pulling Draco closer. Draco hand held onto Harry's side, an insistent pressure along his ribs. As the kiss finally ended and they pulled back from each other, Harry's hand remained resting on Draco's back, which was warm and solid. Harry blinked and looked at Draco. He could see each hair of his eyelashes, catching the light. A shy smile lifted the corner of Draco's mouth. Harry's insides were a jumbling, churning heap of nerves. He had kissed Draco Malfoy and it had felt good. He might have to admit to himself that there was indeed a small chance that he was gay. He froze at the thought, a little overwhelmed.
"Harry," Draco whispered, his eyes intense, but before he could continue they were interrupted by the sound of a baby shrieking with joy. They broke apart as Andromeda reappeared at the end of the garden. Harry fell back, secretly relieved. He needed to think about what had just happened. It was all too much, too fast.
"I, er, I need to get going, actually," he said, tripping a little in his haste to move away. He made his way down the path gave Andromeda and Teddy a hasty peck on the cheek and nodded at Draco without really looking at him, not wanting to see the hurt or confusion he knew he would find. He almost ran round back to the front of the house, and Disapparated as soon as he was back on the road.
Harry was breathing heavily, sat on the stairs at number twelve. He reached up and touched his lip. He could still feel the warmth of Draco's touch. Was this what he wanted? How could it have taken so long to work this out for himself? Was this what he had been skirting around? He put his head in his hands. He looked up as a light cough interrupted his thoughts. Andromeda was standing there.
"Harry Potter," she said, "for all you are the hero of the wizarding world, you are a bit of an idiot, too."
"Where's Teddy?" Harry asked, looking around. Andromeda sighed and shook her head.
"Of all the things you could ask. He's at home with his confused and heartbroken cousin, of course." Harry looked down, chastened by the words.
"You look at me while I say this to you, Harry," she ordered, and he reluctantly brought his eyes up to meet hers. They were bright but sad. "You don't think I can see what there is, between you two. Either of you," she snorted. "It's as clear as the nose on that house-elf's face," she said, pointing to one of the hideous stuffed heads above them, "that you two are crazy about each other." As Harry made as if to interrupt her, she held her hand up. "No, you listen. I have buried a husband and a daughter, and the father of my only grandchild. I have known terrible loss, but also great love in my life. Believe me when I say that love is a wonderful thing. Even with my losses now, even with the years I've spent estranged from my family, it was worth it. You, young man, have lost and suffered too. But you've done it without much more than the love of friends to sustain you, as I understand it. Am I correct?" Harry nodded. "If you have the chance to have some love, then take it. It doesn't matter if it lasts for a day, or a lifetime, Harry, you should always take it," there were tears now, in her eyes. Her voice quivered with emotion as she spoke.
"Draco coming to find me was a wondrous thing. I never thought that I would get to meet, let alone know, Cissy's boy. And I like him. He is clever, and he is willing to look at life honestly. That has been a difficult lesson for him to learn, and he has learnt it in a difficult way. And what he saw, when he looked, was you." She fixed Harry with a particularly stern glance. "Do not throw away this chance, Harry. I wasn't sure if he had reason to hope until I saw the two of you together. Don't let him get away. Take this chance and be happy, for Merlin's sake!"
She stood up and Harry finally looked away. "Think about what I've said, but don't tarry. He won't wait for ever," and with that, she left as quietly as she had entered.
Harry sat there, stunned. His thoughts crashed around inside his head, swirling and leaping and mixing with feelings. He could still feel Draco's hand on his cheek, the touch of his lips, the hand pressing into his side. He wanted to be happy, he did. Would this make him happy? Was it real, or just the result of a strange summer spent locked up in this old house together? He sat there, thinking.
oOo
"I knew it! You've forgotten, haven't you?" said Ron.
Harry, still sitting on the stairs, frozen by the revelations of the day, frowned, trying to remember whatever it was Ron was talking about. Then he paled as it came back to him. "The Hogwarts thing, that's today?"
"Honestly, Harry, do you even know what day it is? We went through your speech just the other day." Hermione looked put out. Harry was shocked. How had he managed to forget the grand reopening ceremony? He had remembered that morning: see Teddy; go to Hogwarts had always been the plan. His encounter with Draco had blown everything else clear out of his mind. He let himself be hurried upstairs, where his smart clothes had already been laid out by Kreacher. Mechanically, he dressed and was soon standing alongside his friends, ready to Floo to Hogwarts.
Seats had been set out on the wide lawn by the entrance to Hogwarts. Harry was reminded of Dumbledore's funeral, and looked over towards the lake. When he looked back at the chairs he saw that this time, Harry and his friends had prime positions at the front. It was the most exposed Harry had been for a long time, and he felt hugely uncomfortable. But then he looked up, and saw the Weasleys, the Creeveys, and the families of the other dead. He felt a connection with them, forged not through death but over cups of tea and the sharing of memories. His discomfort eased a little.
When it was time for him to stand, he spoke of how Hogwarts had been one of the best homes he had known, of the important lessons he had learned — not just spells and charms, but about friendship and bravery. He was clear too, that such values were to be found in all houses. He spoke of those who had fought and those who had fallen, with warmth, with respect. He finished by hoping that Hogwarts would again stand for home, friendship, learning and respect. There was a short silence and then loud applause as he sat down. Hermione and Ron smiled at him as he sat down, and he smiled back.
Kingsley did the actual honours of cutting the ceremonial ribbon, and declaring the school open. They were then led nearer the lake, Dumbledore's tomb visible to one side. Large tables were laid out, with plates piled high with food, and a stack of enchanted plates, ready to follow their claimers around. As Harry walked around, talking to everyone from Luna to Aberforth Dumbledore, he caught sight of an elegant woman carrying a baby, and, hiding near the edges, a tall, blond-haired man. Andromeda, Teddy, and Draco. His heart began to beat a wild, syncopated staccato. He broke off mid-sentence and stared, then made some hasty excuses and rushed through the crowd of people, hoping to catch Draco. When he got to him, Draco shrank back, and Harry's heart sank.
"What do you want, Harry?" asked Draco, harshly.
"I just wanted to talk to you," replied Harry. "Please," he added, knowing he was begging.
Draco looked away proudly. "Now you do? Now you want to talk? It's a bit late." Harry reached out for him, but Draco pulled away. "Don't touch me," he spat out. "You've already made your feelings clear. Sorry I got it so wrong, but now could you please just leave me alone."
Harry was stung by Draco's rejection. "I thought–"
"Well you thought wrong," said Draco bitterly. "I was mad to think it would work. Seeing you here, making your speech, with all your admiring masses... It just wouldn't work, Harry. I can see that now."
"Please," pleaded Harry again. "Please," but Draco stepped away.
"Goodbye, Harry," and he walked off, his legs moving in a quick, clipped march. It was as fast as he could go and maintain any kind of dignity. Harry watched him move away, frustration swiftly overturned by a rising tide of anger; he couldn't believe Draco was running away from him again. Without thinking, he began to run, not caring who he crashed into on the way. When he caught up, slightly breathless from the chase, Harry held onto Draco's arm, his fingers digging into warm flesh.
"Stay and talk to me, Draco."
"No! And stop making a scene, Harry," and Draco pulled Harry's hand off his arm and left.
Harry didn't care who had seen, but the murmur of general chit chat around him didn't change, and he was left defeated by Draco's words. He went to sit by the lake, aimlessly throwing stones into it, watching the ripples of the splashes war with each other as they crossed the gentle waves moving across the lake.
He was surprised when someone came to sit down next to him. It was Ginny. She had her hair tied back, and looked more grown up with it out of her face. She picked up a stone and skimmed it across the surface of the lake, getting three good bounces out of it before it sank into the water. They sat quietly for a moment, before she spoke.
"I hope it's ok me sitting with you, Harry. Ron asked me to find you. I think he was hoping that..." she trailed off, obviously embarrassed by her brother's clumsy matchmaking skills. Harry let out a shaky laugh. This would be the time his friend tried to intervene.
"Are you ok, Harry? I only came because no one could find you, Ron said someone needed to come to get you. But something's happened, hasn't it?"
Harry looked at her, and he was hit, sharply, with sadness that things hadn't worked out between them. He sighed, a long, shuddery exhale with a hint of tears.
"It's just such a mess, Ginny," he said, putting his head in his hands. "It's just—" he stopped, shaking his head. "You're probably not the best person for me to talk to about this."
"Try me," she said calmly.
"I've been a bit lost, since the war finished. I've been trying to work out what I want in life. What will make me happy," she nodded, warily. "The thing is, I think... I think I might be gay."
Ginny breathed in fast, a big inhalation of surprise. Her eyes looked hurt and were shiny as she looked away. Harry cringed at his pathetic clumsiness in telling her first, of all people. They sat quietly as she processed his revelation, her hair hiding her face from view as she bowed her head.
"Harry, I– we– I should have known," she quietly shook her head, then looked at him. "Are you sure?" she asked, and he nodded. "How long have you known?"
His voice shook as he said, "I think I probably knew deep down for a while now. But for sure? I don't know. Maybe a few hours."
"A few hours?" she asked, shocked. Then her eyes narrowed. She took another deep breath. "I probably don't want to know, but what happened?" Harry couldn't look at her as he answered. He kept his eyes on the water in front of him.
"Draco Malfoy kissed me," he said quietly.
"Malfoy?" she whispered.
"Yes, Draco, and I liked it," he said, closing his eyes and feeling the warmth, the pressure, the tingle down his spine again.
Ginny stood and started to walk up and down the edge of the lake. When she stopped, she had a determined look on her face, although her eyes still carried some hurt.
"Right, get up," Harry looked confused. "We're going to find him."
Harry shook his head. "I've already seen him here. It didn't go well," but Ginny just pouted.
"I don't care. We're still going to find him," she dragged Harry up, and pulled out her wand. "Point me Draco Malfoy," she said clearly, and the wand turned and pointed off to one side. She started walking and Harry followed, reluctantly. Ginny only stopped when they found themselves heading towards the stands of the Quidditch pitch. She nodded in their direction.
"I have a feeling you'll find him there," she said, "I think I just saw him under that stand. You don't need me any more, Harry," her smile sad. He looked at her, tall and fierce and so, so strong. Always.
"Thank you," he whispered. "I think you're the bravest person I know."
"Good luck, Harry," she said, and Harry watched her as she walked off. He suspected she might be crying, but her feet did not falter and she carried her head high.
Harry turned back to the stands, and saw a fleeting hint of movement under one of them. He hurried towards it. Draco was standing, waiting for him.
"Finished talking to your girlfriend?" asked Draco, angrily.
"She's not my girlfriend. She hasn't been, for more than a year now, you know," Harry held Draco's gaze. "There's only one person I'm interested in, and he's standing in front of me," and this time it was Harry who stepped forward and put a hand up to Draco's face. He ran his finger along Draco's lips. "I have felt these lips on mine ever since you kissed me," he moved his hand around to the back of Draco's neck. Draco shivered. "I liked it. I like you. And I want to do it again," and he pulled Draco towards him, and kissed him with all the desire that had built up over the day.
Draco returned the kiss, then pulled back. He leant his head against Harry's. "How do I know you won't run off again?" he whispered.
In answer Harry kissed him again, then held on and pulled Draco even closer, moving his other hand to Draco's waist, tugging at his shirt until it pulled free from his trousers, and slipping his hand onto the warm, soft skin there. Draco felt as amazing as he had thought he would: the heat of his body, the smoothness of his skin and the hint of muscle just beneath. Harry had wanted to touch him for so very, very long. Draco's hands were also moving, and they pulled Harry's shirt up too. Harry felt the trail of fire along his skin again, as hot hands moved, needy and urgent, along his back. They pulled back, panting. This time, they were both smiling, and no one ran away. Grinning at each other, they leant into each other for another kiss, and this time they were pressed closely enough to feel how aroused they both were. Harry groaned. He didn't think he'd ever felt so good.
He wasn't sure what would have happened next, but he heard Andromeda's voice calling Draco, and reluctantly pulled back. Draco's face was flushed, his eyes slightly glazed and unfocused, his clothes in disarray. Harry was pretty sure that he didn't look much better. As Andromeda appeared from behind a wooden column, Harry grasped Draco's hand in his and held on tightly. He felt Draco's fingers interlink with his and squeeze. Andromeda stopped when she saw them, and she smiled.
"Good," she said, "about time. But perhaps this isn't the best place gentlemen, with so many of the wizarding press present. I would suggest that you, um, tidy yourselves up, then come back out."
Harry started tucking his shirt in, feeling a little odd being caught like this, especially with Teddy smiling at him. Andromeda started to walk away, but turned and looked at Harry. "Perhaps you would like to come for dinner, tonight. We never did finish your visit today, and it would be nice to have the company," Harry nodded, and he felt Draco's hand on the small of his back, a promise for later.
"I'd love to," he smiled.
A few minutes later, Harry and Draco emerged, smiling and relaxed, but no longer hand in hand. Harry didn't want to detract from the people who deserved the attention today. He also wasn't quite ready to answer questions – he was still finding his own answers. They didn't stay much longer, and Harry was carrying a sleepy Teddy when he said goodbye to Ron and Hermione. They accepted, without question, his explanation that he was having dinner with Andromeda. He exchanged a glance with Ginny, and he nodded at her once, an explanation and a thank you, all in one. She smiled, a little sadly, and walked away.
Harry cast a long shadow as he walked back to the castle, with his godson in his arms.
>>Chapter Nine
Author:
omi_ohmySummary: Directly after the war, Harry is left lost and full of questions about his life. Slowly over the summer, and with the help of friends, he works out what will make him happy - or even who. Angsty, eventual slash & romance, HPDM. Rated R for later chapters.
Disclaimer: Characters are the property of JK Rowling, et al. This fic was written for fun, not for profit.
Pairings/Characters: HP/DM, RW/HG
Rating: R
Word count (this chapter): ~42,300 (~5,300)
Warning(s): Mostly misery and friendships, not much HPDM until later chapters.
Betas:
birdsofshore and evilgiraffChapter One
<<Chapter Seven
A/N: First of all, thanks for all the lovely comments and reviews last week. I just want to say that I start to ease the brakes on the angst in this chapter. I'm writing the epilogue at the moment, and without giving too much away I think it's fair to say that from this point on we head into flangst territory, and the beginnings of that R rating... (don't get your hopes up too high for this chapter now! Um, I suck at this A/N business). Anyway, this is one of my favourite chapters. I hope you like it too. :)
Chapter Eight - Answers
September
The wind was making the trees sing. The white bark of slender silver birch trees rose under the moving canopy of leaves. Harry stopped for a minute to just stand and listen. The breeze on his cheeks was welcome after the past few hot weeks, back in the stuffy house in London. He opened the gate next to the sign for 'Woodshade Cottage', and walked up the path. The cottage was small, with a window either side of the front door. Although he had arranged the visit a few days before, he still felt nervous. He had left seeing Teddy almost until last. This was the child of his friends. They should have been there to greet him, Tonks with her energy and bright hair, Remus with his tired face and kind, intelligent eyes. Instead, an elegant woman opened the door, a warm smile on her face.
"Harry," she said, holding out her hand, "welcome." Harry took her hand and shook it, smiling.
"Mrs Tonks, thank you for being able to see me," he said, with feeling. When he'd owled, her response had been polite and swift, and had done a lot to ease Harry's guilt about not having got in touch sooner. Although they'd met at Remus and Tonks' funeral, they hadn't really spoken, and both had been more than a little distracted anyway.
"Please, call me Andromeda," she said as she ushered him in. Up close, Harry felt a moment of disorientation, as she looked a little like both her sisters. Unlike them though, she appeared neither mad nor overly cold. She was weathered but warm, her hair white, and cut short, her robes simple.
Stepping through the tiny hall and into the room, Harry looked around for some sign of Teddy. Andromeda shook her head. "He's asleep upstairs," she said. "It's nap time, but he'll be up soon enough. Time for us to have a cup of tea though." Harry tried to hide his disappointment. He followed her through a low doorway into the kitchen, a busy room with an oak table at its centre, chairs and a bench surrounding it. She put the kettle on and gestured for him to sit down. He sat on one of the chairs and waited for her to join him.
There was a picture of Tonks on the wall. She was young – maybe Harry's age – and was laughing. "It's one of my favourites," said Andromeda quietly, standing to look at it for a moment before sitting down, a teapot, tea cups and saucers, a milk jug and sugar bowl hovering behind her patiently. She brought them to the table with a flick of her wand. "She had just finished at Hogwarts and been accepted onto Auror training. She was so happy, "I like to have pictures of her around me, I think it's good for Teddy too. There are photos of Remus, too." Harry nodded, remembering how much it had meant to him when Hagrid had given him the photo album of his parents.
"He'll always love them, you know," he said.
"Thank you," she smiled, and poured the tea out. "Milk? Sugar?"
"You're... you're not what I was expecting," said Harry. She raised an eyebrow. "Sorry, that's probably not what I'm supposed to say," he added, embarrassed to have blurted out his first thought at meeting her.
"You mean, having met my sisters," she said. Harry nodded, feeling stupid. "It's ok Harry, in the case of Bella I'll take that as a compliment. As for Cissy," she sighed, "that's a bit more complicated. But don't worry about it."
They sat sitting for a moment, sipping their tea. Harry pulled out a small package from his pocket and set it down on the table. "It's a gift for Teddy," he said. Pulling out his wand he unshrank it. The paper wrapping it slipped off, revealing a mobile with a sun, a moon, a tree, an owl, and a small songbird. He held it up and tapped it with his wand, and the bird sang gently while he owl hooted, and they spun and danced with the sun and moon, around the tree at the centre.
"How perfect!" said Andromeda, "The Little Tree who Wanted to Dream." Harry was pleased she recognised the story. As soon as he had seen it in the shop window, he had known he wanted to get it for Teddy. "I remember my mother telling me the story when I was a girl, sitting by the window looking out at the trees behind the house," with a start, Harry realised that she was probably talking about Grimmauld Place and that Draco's mother had probably learnt the story at the same time.
"I'm living there, at Grimmauld Place, at the moment, with Kreacher," he told her.
She smiled. "Are those awful house-elf heads still there?" she asked.
"Yes, I don't quite know what to do with them," Harry grimaced. It seemed wrong to throw away or banish someone's head.
"And is Kreacher still his cheerful self?"
Harry laughed. "He has his moments, but it's ok," he shrugged, "it's just a bit lonely, just the two of us rattling around that big old house."
Harry forgot what he was going to say next when he heard the sound of a baby's cry coming from upstairs. Andromeda got up, but didn't go to get Teddy. Harry suddenly understood when the kitchen door swung open and Draco walked in holding Teddy.
Draco froze when he saw Harry. Harry felt panic rising in his chest. He had no idea what to do now.
Andromeda quickly crossed the room and neatly scooped Teddy out of Draco's arms. Teddy was holding his head up, his soft, rounded face open as he looked at her. She kissed him on the top of his head. "Tea, Draco?" she asked, as she sat down with Teddy on her knee. His arms, a little uncoordinated, batted away at the air.
Draco was looking at the floor. He tore himself away from the doorway, sat down to Harry's left, opposite Andromeda, and summoned a cup and saucer to pour himself some tea. Harry felt his relief that Draco was safe mingle with absolute terror about what would happen now. Draco still wouldn't meet his eyes, but Harry couldn't stop looking at him. His hair had grown a bit, just reaching past his collar. It fell across his eyes, and Harry watched as Draco raised a hand to move it out of his face. His eyes were still sad, and when he eventually turned them to Harry they made him catch his breath. Draco made him catch his breath. Harry fought with a sudden pounding of his heart; he couldn't breath, there wasn't enough air.
"Did I not mention that Draco was staying here?" said Andromeda, and Harry turned to look at her. She was calmly playing with Teddy, but Harry got the impression that she was less than innocent in having not told him that Draco was there. When he looked back at Draco, he was glaring at his aunt.
"It must have slipped your mind, Aunt Dromeda, just as you neglected to tell me we were expecting a visitor."
She smiled serenely. "Now, Harry. Would you like to have a cuddle with your godson?" and she stood up, and walked over to Harry, Teddy on her hip. She handed over the warm, wriggling boy, and Harry found himself with a baby on his lap. He held him awkwardly, but Teddy seemed pretty resilient and didn't break or cry, so Harry persevered and tried to relax a little. Harry held Teddy up and smiled at him, and was rewarded with a broad smile back. He sat him back on his lap, and Draco quietly passed his cousin a toy. Teddy held onto the small giraffe, chewing away with his toothless gums.
The presence of the baby, his little body a comforting weight, helped distract Harry and he was able to force himself to ignore Draco, concentrating on Teddy and Andromeda instead.
"He's lovely," he said, beaming a smile at Andromeda. Her face was fond as she looked at him, and Harry had a strange sense that he was with family, even though they'd never really met before and weren't actually related.
Harry played with Teddy a while, then Andromeda opened the back door and quietly took the baby back. He sat on her lap, looked at the trees swaying and shadows flickering outside, and laughed.
Harry looked back at Draco, who was watching him, just him. Harry felt heat rise in his cheeks, but he couldn't look away. Andromeda cleared her throat, loudly.
"Draco dear, could you pass me Teddy's giraffe, please?" she asked. Draco started, but bent down to pick the giraffe from where it had fallen to the ground. As he did so, he brushed past Harry's arm. Draco was warm, and Harry felt heat burn into his arm. Even after Draco had moved around the table and presented the toy to little, greedy, fat hands, Harry could still feel the brush of Draco's arm on his. His mind stuttered to a halt for a second, and when he became aware of things again, Andromeda was talking.
"—so we've all been a little cramped, but it's home and Teddy is happy. And I enjoy having the company," Harry nodded in response, not really ready for words yet. His arm was still tingling, his cheeks were still burning.
"More tea?" Andromeda asked, and soon the teapot was dipping at all their cups again. She summoned a tin of biscuits, which turned out to be full of uneven, delicious, oat cookies, wonderfully crisp and chewy and obviously homemade.
"When I married Ted, I had to to learn to cope without house elves. You should have seen my early attempts at cooking! He, being Muggle-born, was more familiar with it all. To be honest though, after living with his parents and then at Hogwarts, he was nearly as useless as me," she paused, a look of fond remembrance in her eyes. "But we learned, and now here I am, thirty years later, with a baby again." This time her eyes returned to Tonks, smiling and laughing in the photo, and her eyes dimmed a little. There was a silence, during which Harry or Draco should probably have said something, but neither did. They were both avoiding looking at each other, but Harry could sense exactly where Draco was in the room. He could hear every creak of his chair, each sip he took of his tea. The air was heavy with the tension of their unspoken conversation.
Harry was distracted by Teddy's face going red and a rather obvious noise filling the room, and Andromeda looked up and smiled at him.
"Ah," she said, "this one needs changing, I think," and she stood with Teddy and turned to leave the room. "I'll just leave you two boys to catch up," and she left the room.
"I tried to find you," said Harry, finally. Draco looked up, one of his dark, introspective looks on his face. "I missed you," Harry whispered. "Grimmauld Place is lonely without you there."
The look on Draco's face lifted a little at Harry's words, but his eyes were vulnerable as he started to speak.
"I just– what Nott said, I—"
"It's ok," interrupted Harry. "I think he was right about one thing. There always has been something between us," he sighed. "Even Luna said something similar the other day."
"That's not what he was saying, Harry, and you know it," said Draco, with a hint of challenge in his voice. Harry swallowed. There was not going to be an easy way to avoid this.
"I've spent the past few weeks thinking about what he said. I– I had no idea, Draco," he said softly, and Draco turned away, looking stung. Harry felt desperate. He was just making this worse.
"I want to be honest with you, Draco. I do—"
The door swung back open and Andromeda walked in with Teddy. She stopped and looked between the two men, a speculative look on her face.
"I'm going to take Teddy out to look at the trees," she announced. "You stay here and finish your chat." She picked up a small cardigan which was hanging off the back of a chair, skillfully dressed Teddy in it, and went out of the back door.
Harry stood, and followed her to the door. He watched as she walked through a simple garden, opened a gate, and disappeared under the trees beyond.
He turned back to Draco, who was staring into his now cold cup of tea.
"I thought about what he said, and it... it made sense to me," Harry said quietly. Draco looked up, emotion burning on his face.
"Sense?" he asked.
"I– I watched you a lot at school. My friends told me I was obsessed with you," he whispered.
"And now?" asked Draco, his voice low.
"I missed you. I wanted to talk to you. I– I wanted to see what might happen." Harry closed his eyes, too scared to see Draco's reaction. He was scared of what he was saying, what he was admitting, out loud and for the first time. He opened his eyes again when he heard the scrape of a chair. Draco had stood up and was walking towards him. Harry felt trapped. But he didn't want to be anywhere else. He watched him approach. Draco moved with grace, his hair flashing in the bright sun streaming in from behind Harry. There was purpose in his eyes.
Draco stopped when he was stood in front of Harry. He looked into Harry's eyes for a long moment, and raised his hand. He reached out and touched the side of Harry's face, and gently ran it down the side of his jaw. His finger alighted for just a second on his lip, and Harry's mouth fell open of its own accord. Harry closed his eyes at the sensation. The next thing he knew, there was the featherlight touch of lips on his, and Draco was kissing him. His breath was warm on Harry's face, and his lips were soft yet strong as they moved, sending a thrill which reached all the way down Harry's spine, and his tongue whispered against Harry's mouth. Harry was still for a moment but then kissed back, reaching out a hand and pulling Draco closer. Draco hand held onto Harry's side, an insistent pressure along his ribs. As the kiss finally ended and they pulled back from each other, Harry's hand remained resting on Draco's back, which was warm and solid. Harry blinked and looked at Draco. He could see each hair of his eyelashes, catching the light. A shy smile lifted the corner of Draco's mouth. Harry's insides were a jumbling, churning heap of nerves. He had kissed Draco Malfoy and it had felt good. He might have to admit to himself that there was indeed a small chance that he was gay. He froze at the thought, a little overwhelmed.
"Harry," Draco whispered, his eyes intense, but before he could continue they were interrupted by the sound of a baby shrieking with joy. They broke apart as Andromeda reappeared at the end of the garden. Harry fell back, secretly relieved. He needed to think about what had just happened. It was all too much, too fast.
"I, er, I need to get going, actually," he said, tripping a little in his haste to move away. He made his way down the path gave Andromeda and Teddy a hasty peck on the cheek and nodded at Draco without really looking at him, not wanting to see the hurt or confusion he knew he would find. He almost ran round back to the front of the house, and Disapparated as soon as he was back on the road.
Harry was breathing heavily, sat on the stairs at number twelve. He reached up and touched his lip. He could still feel the warmth of Draco's touch. Was this what he wanted? How could it have taken so long to work this out for himself? Was this what he had been skirting around? He put his head in his hands. He looked up as a light cough interrupted his thoughts. Andromeda was standing there.
"Harry Potter," she said, "for all you are the hero of the wizarding world, you are a bit of an idiot, too."
"Where's Teddy?" Harry asked, looking around. Andromeda sighed and shook her head.
"Of all the things you could ask. He's at home with his confused and heartbroken cousin, of course." Harry looked down, chastened by the words.
"You look at me while I say this to you, Harry," she ordered, and he reluctantly brought his eyes up to meet hers. They were bright but sad. "You don't think I can see what there is, between you two. Either of you," she snorted. "It's as clear as the nose on that house-elf's face," she said, pointing to one of the hideous stuffed heads above them, "that you two are crazy about each other." As Harry made as if to interrupt her, she held her hand up. "No, you listen. I have buried a husband and a daughter, and the father of my only grandchild. I have known terrible loss, but also great love in my life. Believe me when I say that love is a wonderful thing. Even with my losses now, even with the years I've spent estranged from my family, it was worth it. You, young man, have lost and suffered too. But you've done it without much more than the love of friends to sustain you, as I understand it. Am I correct?" Harry nodded. "If you have the chance to have some love, then take it. It doesn't matter if it lasts for a day, or a lifetime, Harry, you should always take it," there were tears now, in her eyes. Her voice quivered with emotion as she spoke.
"Draco coming to find me was a wondrous thing. I never thought that I would get to meet, let alone know, Cissy's boy. And I like him. He is clever, and he is willing to look at life honestly. That has been a difficult lesson for him to learn, and he has learnt it in a difficult way. And what he saw, when he looked, was you." She fixed Harry with a particularly stern glance. "Do not throw away this chance, Harry. I wasn't sure if he had reason to hope until I saw the two of you together. Don't let him get away. Take this chance and be happy, for Merlin's sake!"
She stood up and Harry finally looked away. "Think about what I've said, but don't tarry. He won't wait for ever," and with that, she left as quietly as she had entered.
Harry sat there, stunned. His thoughts crashed around inside his head, swirling and leaping and mixing with feelings. He could still feel Draco's hand on his cheek, the touch of his lips, the hand pressing into his side. He wanted to be happy, he did. Would this make him happy? Was it real, or just the result of a strange summer spent locked up in this old house together? He sat there, thinking.
"I knew it! You've forgotten, haven't you?" said Ron.
Harry, still sitting on the stairs, frozen by the revelations of the day, frowned, trying to remember whatever it was Ron was talking about. Then he paled as it came back to him. "The Hogwarts thing, that's today?"
"Honestly, Harry, do you even know what day it is? We went through your speech just the other day." Hermione looked put out. Harry was shocked. How had he managed to forget the grand reopening ceremony? He had remembered that morning: see Teddy; go to Hogwarts had always been the plan. His encounter with Draco had blown everything else clear out of his mind. He let himself be hurried upstairs, where his smart clothes had already been laid out by Kreacher. Mechanically, he dressed and was soon standing alongside his friends, ready to Floo to Hogwarts.
Seats had been set out on the wide lawn by the entrance to Hogwarts. Harry was reminded of Dumbledore's funeral, and looked over towards the lake. When he looked back at the chairs he saw that this time, Harry and his friends had prime positions at the front. It was the most exposed Harry had been for a long time, and he felt hugely uncomfortable. But then he looked up, and saw the Weasleys, the Creeveys, and the families of the other dead. He felt a connection with them, forged not through death but over cups of tea and the sharing of memories. His discomfort eased a little.
When it was time for him to stand, he spoke of how Hogwarts had been one of the best homes he had known, of the important lessons he had learned — not just spells and charms, but about friendship and bravery. He was clear too, that such values were to be found in all houses. He spoke of those who had fought and those who had fallen, with warmth, with respect. He finished by hoping that Hogwarts would again stand for home, friendship, learning and respect. There was a short silence and then loud applause as he sat down. Hermione and Ron smiled at him as he sat down, and he smiled back.
Kingsley did the actual honours of cutting the ceremonial ribbon, and declaring the school open. They were then led nearer the lake, Dumbledore's tomb visible to one side. Large tables were laid out, with plates piled high with food, and a stack of enchanted plates, ready to follow their claimers around. As Harry walked around, talking to everyone from Luna to Aberforth Dumbledore, he caught sight of an elegant woman carrying a baby, and, hiding near the edges, a tall, blond-haired man. Andromeda, Teddy, and Draco. His heart began to beat a wild, syncopated staccato. He broke off mid-sentence and stared, then made some hasty excuses and rushed through the crowd of people, hoping to catch Draco. When he got to him, Draco shrank back, and Harry's heart sank.
"What do you want, Harry?" asked Draco, harshly.
"I just wanted to talk to you," replied Harry. "Please," he added, knowing he was begging.
Draco looked away proudly. "Now you do? Now you want to talk? It's a bit late." Harry reached out for him, but Draco pulled away. "Don't touch me," he spat out. "You've already made your feelings clear. Sorry I got it so wrong, but now could you please just leave me alone."
Harry was stung by Draco's rejection. "I thought–"
"Well you thought wrong," said Draco bitterly. "I was mad to think it would work. Seeing you here, making your speech, with all your admiring masses... It just wouldn't work, Harry. I can see that now."
"Please," pleaded Harry again. "Please," but Draco stepped away.
"Goodbye, Harry," and he walked off, his legs moving in a quick, clipped march. It was as fast as he could go and maintain any kind of dignity. Harry watched him move away, frustration swiftly overturned by a rising tide of anger; he couldn't believe Draco was running away from him again. Without thinking, he began to run, not caring who he crashed into on the way. When he caught up, slightly breathless from the chase, Harry held onto Draco's arm, his fingers digging into warm flesh.
"Stay and talk to me, Draco."
"No! And stop making a scene, Harry," and Draco pulled Harry's hand off his arm and left.
Harry didn't care who had seen, but the murmur of general chit chat around him didn't change, and he was left defeated by Draco's words. He went to sit by the lake, aimlessly throwing stones into it, watching the ripples of the splashes war with each other as they crossed the gentle waves moving across the lake.
He was surprised when someone came to sit down next to him. It was Ginny. She had her hair tied back, and looked more grown up with it out of her face. She picked up a stone and skimmed it across the surface of the lake, getting three good bounces out of it before it sank into the water. They sat quietly for a moment, before she spoke.
"I hope it's ok me sitting with you, Harry. Ron asked me to find you. I think he was hoping that..." she trailed off, obviously embarrassed by her brother's clumsy matchmaking skills. Harry let out a shaky laugh. This would be the time his friend tried to intervene.
"Are you ok, Harry? I only came because no one could find you, Ron said someone needed to come to get you. But something's happened, hasn't it?"
Harry looked at her, and he was hit, sharply, with sadness that things hadn't worked out between them. He sighed, a long, shuddery exhale with a hint of tears.
"It's just such a mess, Ginny," he said, putting his head in his hands. "It's just—" he stopped, shaking his head. "You're probably not the best person for me to talk to about this."
"Try me," she said calmly.
"I've been a bit lost, since the war finished. I've been trying to work out what I want in life. What will make me happy," she nodded, warily. "The thing is, I think... I think I might be gay."
Ginny breathed in fast, a big inhalation of surprise. Her eyes looked hurt and were shiny as she looked away. Harry cringed at his pathetic clumsiness in telling her first, of all people. They sat quietly as she processed his revelation, her hair hiding her face from view as she bowed her head.
"Harry, I– we– I should have known," she quietly shook her head, then looked at him. "Are you sure?" she asked, and he nodded. "How long have you known?"
His voice shook as he said, "I think I probably knew deep down for a while now. But for sure? I don't know. Maybe a few hours."
"A few hours?" she asked, shocked. Then her eyes narrowed. She took another deep breath. "I probably don't want to know, but what happened?" Harry couldn't look at her as he answered. He kept his eyes on the water in front of him.
"Draco Malfoy kissed me," he said quietly.
"Malfoy?" she whispered.
"Yes, Draco, and I liked it," he said, closing his eyes and feeling the warmth, the pressure, the tingle down his spine again.
Ginny stood and started to walk up and down the edge of the lake. When she stopped, she had a determined look on her face, although her eyes still carried some hurt.
"Right, get up," Harry looked confused. "We're going to find him."
Harry shook his head. "I've already seen him here. It didn't go well," but Ginny just pouted.
"I don't care. We're still going to find him," she dragged Harry up, and pulled out her wand. "Point me Draco Malfoy," she said clearly, and the wand turned and pointed off to one side. She started walking and Harry followed, reluctantly. Ginny only stopped when they found themselves heading towards the stands of the Quidditch pitch. She nodded in their direction.
"I have a feeling you'll find him there," she said, "I think I just saw him under that stand. You don't need me any more, Harry," her smile sad. He looked at her, tall and fierce and so, so strong. Always.
"Thank you," he whispered. "I think you're the bravest person I know."
"Good luck, Harry," she said, and Harry watched her as she walked off. He suspected she might be crying, but her feet did not falter and she carried her head high.
Harry turned back to the stands, and saw a fleeting hint of movement under one of them. He hurried towards it. Draco was standing, waiting for him.
"Finished talking to your girlfriend?" asked Draco, angrily.
"She's not my girlfriend. She hasn't been, for more than a year now, you know," Harry held Draco's gaze. "There's only one person I'm interested in, and he's standing in front of me," and this time it was Harry who stepped forward and put a hand up to Draco's face. He ran his finger along Draco's lips. "I have felt these lips on mine ever since you kissed me," he moved his hand around to the back of Draco's neck. Draco shivered. "I liked it. I like you. And I want to do it again," and he pulled Draco towards him, and kissed him with all the desire that had built up over the day.
Draco returned the kiss, then pulled back. He leant his head against Harry's. "How do I know you won't run off again?" he whispered.
In answer Harry kissed him again, then held on and pulled Draco even closer, moving his other hand to Draco's waist, tugging at his shirt until it pulled free from his trousers, and slipping his hand onto the warm, soft skin there. Draco felt as amazing as he had thought he would: the heat of his body, the smoothness of his skin and the hint of muscle just beneath. Harry had wanted to touch him for so very, very long. Draco's hands were also moving, and they pulled Harry's shirt up too. Harry felt the trail of fire along his skin again, as hot hands moved, needy and urgent, along his back. They pulled back, panting. This time, they were both smiling, and no one ran away. Grinning at each other, they leant into each other for another kiss, and this time they were pressed closely enough to feel how aroused they both were. Harry groaned. He didn't think he'd ever felt so good.
He wasn't sure what would have happened next, but he heard Andromeda's voice calling Draco, and reluctantly pulled back. Draco's face was flushed, his eyes slightly glazed and unfocused, his clothes in disarray. Harry was pretty sure that he didn't look much better. As Andromeda appeared from behind a wooden column, Harry grasped Draco's hand in his and held on tightly. He felt Draco's fingers interlink with his and squeeze. Andromeda stopped when she saw them, and she smiled.
"Good," she said, "about time. But perhaps this isn't the best place gentlemen, with so many of the wizarding press present. I would suggest that you, um, tidy yourselves up, then come back out."
Harry started tucking his shirt in, feeling a little odd being caught like this, especially with Teddy smiling at him. Andromeda started to walk away, but turned and looked at Harry. "Perhaps you would like to come for dinner, tonight. We never did finish your visit today, and it would be nice to have the company," Harry nodded, and he felt Draco's hand on the small of his back, a promise for later.
"I'd love to," he smiled.
A few minutes later, Harry and Draco emerged, smiling and relaxed, but no longer hand in hand. Harry didn't want to detract from the people who deserved the attention today. He also wasn't quite ready to answer questions – he was still finding his own answers. They didn't stay much longer, and Harry was carrying a sleepy Teddy when he said goodbye to Ron and Hermione. They accepted, without question, his explanation that he was having dinner with Andromeda. He exchanged a glance with Ginny, and he nodded at her once, an explanation and a thank you, all in one. She smiled, a little sadly, and walked away.
Harry cast a long shadow as he walked back to the castle, with his godson in his arms.
>>Chapter Nine
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
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Date: 2012-06-22 09:03 am (UTC)And good job on Harry, even if he requires several swift kicks to the ass first
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Date: 2012-06-22 11:34 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-06-22 12:26 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-06-22 01:45 pm (UTC)Lovely chapter.
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Date: 2012-06-22 07:23 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-06-22 07:33 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-06-22 07:35 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-06-22 11:56 pm (UTC)I loooooove Andromeda and Ginny to for a change. :)
Harry turned around and found his courage in the end and talked to Draco. That made me :)
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Date: 2012-06-23 06:41 am (UTC)