The Road Home

WARNING: This is slash. If you don't like it, don't read it!

A special thanks to LUCINDA K., my wonderful beta!

A/N: The real title of this fanfic is The Road Home. Alone is the title of the first chapter. But who cares, anyway! Please review!!!

Chap.2 - IF LOOKS COULD KILL

She was there. He didn't need to be in his Animagus form to sense her. Narcissa Malfoy, still as beautiful as he remembered. By her side was a teenage boy that looked just like her. The famous and impetuous Draco Malfoy, the boy that Harry complained of so much.

He couldn't take his eyes out of her beautiful and slender body. It had been so long since he last saw her, since he last kissed her soft lips. Narcissa had also been another obsession that kept his mind clear in Azkaban, along with his desire of killing Peter Pettigrew.

She was like a poison. She has damaged his heart forever. He'd loved her so much. He still did, against his better judgment.

But she had been a deceitful bitch and he would never forgive her for betraying him. Never. His eyes filled with pure hatred. He wished he could classify their history together as just an infatuation. But it'd been so much more than that.

"Sirius?" Harry's voice interrupted him. "You shouldn't be so close to the window."

Sirius smiled. Sometimes Harry behaved like a nagging parent around him.

"Who are you looking at?" Harry asked curiously coming closer to the window.

"Someone I met a long time ago," Sirius answered dazedly, eyes lost in the past.

Harry looked down. His heart skipped a beat the instant he saw Draco Malfoy. The dream was still hunting his mind. He tried to forget about it but he found it an impossible task. How could he, when Malfoy looked as beautiful and charming as ever? And what was he thinking anyway? Malfoy was just an annoying prick that didn't deserve one minute of his thoughts. His father was a Death Eater for Merlin's sake! Not to mention that he was a boy and Harry shouldn't definitely be attracted to one. Why couldn't he fall in love with a girl like Ginny? Why everything about his life had to be so bloody complicated?

"What's wrong Harry?"

"Why?" Harry started guiltily.

"Your face is all red."

"Really?" he felt his cheeks getting hotter.

"Yes. And it's getting worse. Should I be worried?" Sirius smiled amusedly.

"It's nothing, really."

"Oh, really?"

"Yeah! It's just a little hot in here, that's all."

"Ok then." Sirius looked down again. "Look, that blond boy over there is Draco Malfoy, isn't he?"

Harry flushed even more. He thought his face was going to explode.

"Yeah, that's him. How do you know?"

"He fits perfectly the description you gave me. And let's not forget you mention him like a dozen times in each letter you wrote to me. Besides, he looks just like his mother."

"Did you know her?"

"Yeah. She studied with me at Hogwarts."

Sirius looked tense. His eyes became darker.

"What was she like?"

"She was sweet, at first. Then she proved to be a true Slytherin. You know the rest."

"Were you friends at some point?"

"You should know better by now Harry that a Gryffindor and a Slytherin are like water and oil. They simply don't mix. They are bound to be enemies."

Harry felt strangely sad at hearing this. "Yeah, I know."

"Hey, didn't you say you were supposed to meet Ron and Hermione?"

Harry looked at the clock near the bed and realized he was already ten minutes late.

"I guess by the time I'm back you'd be gone," Harry whispered.

Sirius held him tightly.

"Sorry Harry. You know how it is. And I'm sure you won't miss me much now that Ron and Hermione are here." Harry shot him a look that said 'like hell I won't miss you'. "The Weasleys are going to take a good care of you. And I promise I'll write."

"Just be careful."

"Hey, boy! You are talking with the guy that fooled the guards of Azkaban! How many people you know who have done that?" Sirius smiled and Harry returned it. "I'll be fine."

They hugged one last time and Harry went out to meet his friends.

--------------------------------

An hour later, Harry, Ron and Hermione were sitting outside Florean Fortescue's Ice-Cream Parlour with a big, piling sundae in front of each.

"... Percy said that the guy the Ministry arrested near our house was a Death Eater, but just an underling. This means according to Fudge that he wasn't really dangerous. Can you believe it? I mean, my family almost died and Fudge is still being a cretin. And let's not forget about those poor muggles. My dad is furious. Thank God for Dumbledore." Ron's face was so red that he looked like a big carrot.

"It's just awful. You-Know-Who will be back in power long before Fudge does something about it," commented Hermione. "He already had the guts to attack you Harry, and Ron's family as well. Did you two stop to think about it? He broke almost all the spells that protected your neighbourhood, Harry. Dumbledore cast those spells. If You-Know-Who can do it, how can we know for sure that Hogwarts is still a safe place? It's just awful..."

"Hogwarts was never really safe, Hermione," Harry said with a blank expression. "Voldemort was always there in one way or another. The first year he was with Professor Quirrell, the second he was there as Tom Riddle. And in the fourth..." The fourth, he bitterly thought, Cedric died. "Crouch's son took me to Voldemort right under Dumbledore's nose and..." Harry's voice failed.

"Are you alright Harry?" asked Hermione worried. "I know you said you were, but... It's been a difficult time for all of us. I can only imagine what it's like for you."

"Yeah, mate," Ron agreed with her. "You know you can tell us anything, right?"

Harry smiled. Anything? He could only imagined his friend's faces if he told them he was developing a strange obsession for over none other than Draco Malfoy.

"Of course I'm not fine," he said honestly. "But I have to keep going. Besides, I trust Dumbledore. And I know we will win the war against that bastard and all his minions."

"That's the spirit!" exclaimed Ron. "And I'll be by your side all the way."

Hermione noticed a strange look in Harry's face and shivered. "Harry, please tell me you're not thinking about doing something stupid like going after You-Know-Who alone."

"It's Voldemort, Mione. Why are you still afraid of saying his name?"

"Whatever! Just promise me you won't go after him by yourself. It's a crazy idea."

"Yeah, Harry, I'll have to agree with Hermione on that one. But if you are, you'll have to take me with you. I want so much to kill that bastard for having the audacity to attack my house."

"NO! No one is going after him!" Hermione's face went red with anger.

"I don't know what I'll do. But I won't sit around doing nothing while he's out there torturing and killing innocent people. Maybe is time to show him and the world that there is something about me he should be very afraid of. That I'm not just damn lucky."

"But Harry, you are just a boy and..."

"No buts, Hermione. I'm tired of hiding, and I can't let him kill... people I care about." Like Malfoy. Uncomfortable, he rose of his chair. "You know what? I still have to go to Madam Malkin. I'll meet you at The Leaky Cauldron in half an hour."

After Harry was gone, Hermione sighed deeply. "Well, this is going to be a hell of a year."

-----------------------------

"Well mister, you sure did grow like a sapling! Take your shirt out. I had some new ones I think you'll like. I'll be with you in a moment. My sister is here, and she is giving me such a headache," said Madam Malkin with a tender smile.

Draco smiled a little but he was still furious about the conversation he had with his father just before he left Malfoy Manor.

"I'm so disappointed in you, Draco. Our Master chose another boy over you! And it's your entire fault. He said you didn't show enough loyalty! How could you let this happen? I hope you realize what a disaster this is. Lord Voldemort wasn't already very pleased with me but now... I should've known better! What else could I expect from someone whose grades are lower than a dirty Mudblood!? One who always gets beaten by the rat faced, muggle-loving Potter in Quidditch! You've disgraced the name of Malfoys," Lucius growled. "Now get out of my sight. I can't stand to see your face."

"But..."

"Don't say a word, Draco."

Draco paled. He wasn't too happy with himself either, because now someone else would be Voldemort's eyes at Hogwarts. Some other student - probably a Slytherin - would be Voldemort's spy and no one would know his identity except for Voldemort and that rat Pettigrew. This was the worst thing for Draco because there was nothing more dangerous than an invisible enemy.

When in Voldemort's presence, Draco tried to act like a devoted servant. But he was too spoiled and stubborn to bow before anyone. He only did that to his father to show filial respect - and fear, if he was to be honest with himself. But to bow down to an abomination with the evil slits of eyes etched in that deformed head of a beast... Not in a million years.

Besides, he couldn't stop thinking about Harry and he hated himself for that. Because being in love with the wonder boy was making him weak. How was he supposed to protect Harry like that? It was the first big test he'd taken and he failed miserably. 'Damn you, Potter.'

"Draco," he heard his mother calling him. "Are you are right, dear?"

"Yes, mother."

"Did your father say or do anything to upset you?" Narcissa asked worriedly.

"It's nothing, mum. I'm fine."

Narcissa's eyes widened. He'd just called her 'mum'. That couldn't possibly be a good sign.

"I know" she started cautiously. "That I wasn't there for you much of the time, but if something is troubling you, you can tell me."

This time Draco was the one that opened his eyes with surprise. He loved his mother. But she always had been distant and cold. Only rarely she'd shown any emotion to him. And all of those times Lucius hadn't been around.

Everyone in Hogwarts thought he had a perfect, rich life with a perfect family. If only they knew the truth.

"I'm fine, mum. But thanks for the offer." He smiled at her and his heart became suddenly lighter.

"Well, I guess I'm going to buy some ice-cream. It's been such a long time since the last time I had one!" said Narcissa with a nervous smile. She was so touched and astonished with Draco' sincere smile that if she didn't get out of there in that exact moment she'd cry her heart out. "Do you want some, honey?"

"No, thanks."

After Narcissa left, Madam Malkin, who had been busy ever since they got there, excuse herself once again and went through the back door to a very nervous witch - probably her sister. "I'll be right back."

"Take your time," he said.

Lost in thoughts, he didn't notice the front door opening.

Harry had just entered the shop when he saw him. Draco Malfoy, the central point of his problems. Without his shirt. A sudden heat possessed his body and he felt out of breath. He took a few minutes to recompose himself.

Draco turned around and their eyes locked. He opened his mouth to say something but all that came out was a very weak: "Potter." He cleared his throat. He wasn't prepared to see Harry so suddenly. And by Merlin, he was cuter than ever.

They were so surprise at each other's presence that the world seemed to stop. Harry felt his hands sweating and his heart thudding faster every minute. He closed his eyes, thinking about something to say, but his mind was totally blank.

"Well, well, well," Draco began to say after taking a big breath. "What a coincidence."

Harry slid his tongue across his dry lips. Draco shivered with desire. He just wanted to walk over to where Harry was standing, pushed him down onto the floor and kissed him hungrily. He'd to think of something nasty to say quickly before he lost his sanity.

"You do realize that it's a waste of time," Draco said with his usual drawling voice.

"What?"

"That you are trying to buy new robes. Honestly, Potter, you have no sense of style whatsoever, so, why bother? Besides, nothing matches that untidy hair of yours. Except perhaps those rags you're wearing."

"Watch your language, Malfoy. Don't forget that none of your thugs are here to cover your ass."

"I could beat you with my hands tied."

Harry laughed loudly. "I wish I could see that. You are nothing without your wand, Malfoy. Actually, you're not much better with your wand. So, please, spare yourself the humiliation. It would be interesting though. You, with your hands tied, at my mercy."

Draco felt dizzy hearing those seductive words.

"You would like that, wouldn't you?" Draco didn't resist the urge to walk towards Harry.

"What exactly would I like?" Harry asked swallowing hard.

"To have me. At your mercy," Draco whispered.

Harry stepped back and held his breath. "Yeah, I would. Only to knock your brains out."

"Are you sure?" Draco moved closer. He was now only a few centimeters from Harry.

"Of course I'm sure. What are you trying to say?" Harry bristled.

"What do you think I'm trying to say?"

"How the fuck should I know?" Harry bit his lips nervously.

"You're tense, Harry."

"Just g-get away f-from me," Harry stuttered.

The air became suddenly unbearable. Draco was astonished. Harry's reaction had been so unexpected that he didn't know what to make of it. Harry Potter was actually stuttering into his presence. The green eyes became darker, and Draco thought he saw a glimpse of desire in them. Was it real? Was his mind was playing tricks on him?

Like being push by an invisible force, Harry came closer to Draco. So close that their lips almost brushed. But before they could meet, a sharp voice broke the spell they've dived into.

"Drake!" exclaimed Pansy Parkinson.

Quickly Harry and Draco stepped back from each other. Harry knew his face was red, but he was so worried about himself that he didn't realize that the same thing was happening to Draco. They looked at each other asking themselves how in hell did that happen.

Madam Malkin entered the room and said hello to Harry. Harry didn't say a word. He only watched as Pansy firmly latched onto Draco's neck and kissed him soundly on the lips.

Draco shoved her aside, disgusted. Then he looked for Harry but noticed that the boy was already gone. He signed, frustrated.

"Now, what was that all about?" Madam Malkin asked herself quietly.

---------------------------------------

Just before entering Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions, Narcissa saw a big black dog staring at her. He looked tired and mistreated. She came closer to him and he backed away looking scared.

"Poor thing. I guess people haven't been nice to you. Come here. I promise I won't hurt you. I know what it's like, to feel so lonely and abandoned." She petted him softly.

Narcissa opened her purse and took out a small package. She unwrapped a piece of bread. "This is the best bread in the whole world. But I think you need this more than I do." And then she tossed the bread for him. "I hope you enjoy." She petted him one more time and then turned around.

She never saw the sadness in the dog's eyes.