Undefined

Chapter 6

The Forgotten Piece

Draco didn't speak to Snape for the rest of the week, during which time he ruminated over whether or not to get involved with the Order. On Saturday morning, a parcel and a letter arrived from home. He opened the envelope and read his mother's loopy scrawl:

Dearest Draco,

I've enclosed some of your favorite sweets in the parcel as I know how that horrible school food appalls you. I hope your term is going well. We can't wait to see you at Christmas.

Hugs and kisses, Mum.

He smiled slightly, feeling too old for his mother's homemade sweets, but enjoyed receiving them. He watched as the Great Hall slowly emptied as students left in groups for Hogsmeade. Draco told Crabbe and Goyle to go on without him, and ignored Pansy's tantrum as she stalked off among her group of Slytherin girls. He noticed Weasley and Granger bid farewell to Harry and walk out hand in hand, wondering when the two had started going out. Finally, the room emptied and grew silent. Harry sat across the room exchanging looks with Draco, until he finally got up and left.

Draco took that as a sign and grabbed his parcel, following Harry out the door. He walked towards the stairs, but Draco cleared his throat and motioned Harry towards the dungeons. "Follow me."

Draco walked down the corridor leading to the kitchens, stopping at a blank expanse of wall. He muttered something under his breath and kicked a stone on the wall; it sprung open into a small room the size of a kitchen galley. From the looks of it, it had been abandoned or forgotten for some time as the shelves were empty and the window on the opposite wall was covered with grime. Two squat chairs were in the middle of the room, with various fluffy cushions filling the rest of the floor. Harry looked around, curious.

"It's been here for ages," Draco said, taking a seat on a large red cushion. "Slytherins use it when they want to get away from the common room and the Room of Requirement. It's not much, but it's cozy."

Harry nodded and took a seat beside Draco. He grabbed a pillow and placed it behind his head, sitting against the wall.

"When did Weasley and Granger start going out?" Draco asked with mild curiosity.

"A few weeks ago although they were probably going at it before then, but I'd never taken notice," said Harry.

Draco laughed. "I guess they're a good fit, a blood traitor and a--"

"I told you not to say that in front of me," Harry said lowly. "I don't insult your idiot mates to your face."

Draco shrugged.

"Why does this Order thing have you so upset?" Harry asked.

Before thinking or allowing his father's words to dictate his actions, Draco told Harry everything: his meeting with Katrina, his meeting with Snape, and his suspicions surrounding his father. Draco noticed that Harry was a good listener, nodding at the right moments and giving his opinion freely. For the first time in Draco's life, he knew what it felt like to carry on a normal conversation with someone who didn't judge, scrutinize or dismiss his ideas with the wave of a hand. The company he usually kept did not care to hear personal matters, and they certainly never bothered to lend a listening ear. With Harry, Draco realized, all those years devoid of emotional empathy had left its mark. Harry sitting beside him, listening, really listening, shook something deep within Draco and shifted his perception of what it meant to interact with someone else. At that moment he never wanted to stop talking, or leave that spot on the floor beside Harry, never wanted it end.

"Do you think I should do it?" Draco asked suddenly.

"I dunno," said Harry. "Do you think it's worth it?"

Draco shrugged. "Maybe."

"If you agreed to it, what would be your reasoning?"

"Power. Control." Draco said, noticing how close Harry's hand was to his own.

"There're more important things in life than power," Harry said earnestly.

Draco laughed lowly. "Not according to my father." It came out automatically.

"What about to you?"

"Power is everything," Draco said, sounding rehearsed. "It's the means of control, and without control there's only weakness."

"There're loads of things outside of that!"

"Name one," Draco said, fighting the temptation to grab Harry's hand.

"Friends, family...caring for something bigger than yourself; knowing that fear is about losing the ones you love."

Draco said nothing; he merely pulled on a loose end of string hanging from a cushion. "You can afford to think like that."

"Afford? You really think I can afford to think like that?" Harry said indignantly.

"You have it all, don't you?" Draco snapped.

"What the fuck does that mean?" Harry said, his temper rising.

"The fame, the luck--"

"Luck? Luck? Yeah, OK, I'm the luckiest git in the world," Harry said darkly. "Wouldn't everyone love to be me?"

"Some people would," Draco said.

"They're mental," Harry snapped.

"You really don't see how good you have it, do you?"

"Please enlighten me," Harry said with mock enthusiasm. "Please explain how fortunate I am as I watch people I care about suffer and die because Voldemort wants my head served to him on a silver platter. How could anyone not envy my jolly life?"

"Well besides that--" Draco began.

"It's fun and laughter at number four every summer!" Harry plowed on. "My aunt and uncle won't look at me, and everyone thinks I go to St. Brutus's Secure Center for Incurably Criminal Boys! I mean, what a load of jolliness my life entails!"

"I didn't--"

"You're just jealous at... whatever it is you think I am; the Golden Boy, the filthy half-blood friend to Mudbloods," Harry continued, unabashed, "always around to save the day--"

"Harry," Draco said, shivering slightly at hearing such a derogatory term spill from those lips, "Harry, shut up for one--"

"You're pathetic!" Harry spat. "Everyone else who thinks the same are just as pathetic and miserable. I'd give anything to get out of this life for one fucking day."

"Stop it!" Draco yelled suddenly. "I didn't...I didn't mean..."

They fell silent once again, Draco wanting to say sorry but unable to articulate the words. He'd never apologized to anyone before. Instead, he grabbed Harry's hand and pulled him into a kiss.

Harry pulled away. "Why did you do that?"

Because you get under my skin, Draco thought. "No questions, not yet." He pulled Harry into another kiss.

And once again, Harry willingly surrendered, letting Draco pull at his clothes and taste his skin. This time, Draco did not the feel need to be rough or coarse, knowing Harry was his for the taking. But somehow, this feeling did not fill him with a profound sense of victory, as it usually did, but with a sense of something more he couldn't define. So much didn't make sense, and Harry's willingness to let Draco have his way further solidified this feeling. Draco didn't understand why Harry surrendered in this way, but failed to care as Harry removed his tie and his robes and carelessly threw them aside. When he moved to unbutton his shirt, Draco stopped him.

"Let me," Draco said lowly.

Harry's hands fell to his sides, and he watched as Draco carefully, almost prissily, unfastened each button, pulling his arms free from the sleeves. Draco stopped, looking at Harry.

"Go on," Harry said, nodding.

With one hand, Draco gently shoved him to the floor and crawled on top, kissing Harry on the mouth, neck, shoulders and chest, taking his time, relishing every sensation that met his lips. Draco felt his own robes pulled carelessly off, and Harry's fingers in his hair. Draco's lips moved farther down Harry's chest, over his stomach, finally resting just above his trousers. Harry groaned slightly, grinding against Draco's chin, clearly wanting more.

Draco sat on his knees and removed his own shirt and tie before once again running his lips and tongue over Harry's stomach.

"Do you want more?" Draco asked, looking Harry in the eye.

"Yes," Harry said.

Draco's fingers deftly unfastened Harry's belt and slowly stripped him of his trousers and undergarments. Draco couldn't help but stare at the nakedness before him, never expecting such vulnerability and exposure from Harry before.

"Take yours off," Harry said.

Draco smirked, but complied, slipping elegantly out of his own garments, until he too was fully exposed before Harry, and knelt before him.

"Do you want this?" Draco said pointedly. Harry nodded. "Say it."

"Yes."

"How bad?" Draco said, leaning over Harry and hovering inches above his face.

Harry swallowed. "Very."

Draco moved his leg between Harry's, gently kneading him with his thigh. Harry gasped and reached for Draco, trying to pull him into a kiss, but Draco did not give in. He hovered well above Harry, not ready for their bodies to mesh. He wanted to watch Harry's desperation and wantonness grow until neither could stand it any longer. Draco kissed along Harry's jaw and down his neck and placed his hand over Harry's erection, causing him to moan and squirm and buck hard into Draco's hand.

Draco's mouth moved slowly lower, until he looked into Harry's eyes and asked, "Do you want me to do it?"

"Yes," Harry said, breathing very hard.

"Yes, what?"

"Please," Harry moaned, grinding into Draco's face.

Draco smiled, unable to hide his triumph as he took Harry into his mouth, finding the sensation almost too erotic to contain. Harry's moans and yells and tugs on Draco's hair solidified his resolve that this was happening just as it should, just as it always should. He worked diligently, bringing Harry to climax, chills coursing when Harry came and tugged hard on Draco's hair, never wanting to do it to anyone else.

Harry was panting heavily as Draco slid next to him, resting on his elbow, running his finger carelessly over Harry's chest. Draco allowed Harry sufficient recuperation time before expecting anything in return. Draco stopped Harry when he moved to return the favor in the same way.

"Just touch it," Draco cooed, pulling Harry into a deep kiss.

Harry complied, his touch causing Draco to moan heavily and tug at Harry's disheveled hair.

"Is that right?" Harry asked uncertainly.

"Yeah," Draco panted. "Just don't stop."

Harry obeyed, keeping time and rhythm with Draco's moans, pulling him close and leaving marks on his neck and shoulders. When Draco felt Harry's lips suck hard on his neck, Draco gave a great thrust and came, gripping Harry tightly and calling out his name. Draco immediately collapsed on the ground, his face sweaty and his heart hammering hard in his chest. Harry's warmth suddenly enveloped Draco as he laid panting and gasping for breath. They lay silently side by side, the light fading through the grime and dust of the window.

"If you do decide to along with this Order thing, at least let me know," Harry said quietly.

"I will," Draco said at once, heart still hammering.

They lay together until they gauged it was dinnertime. Then, they stood and dressed, going their separate ways once they left the room, barely acknowledging each other for the rest of the day unless it was through knowing looks.

***

Blaise cornered Draco the following day outside of his dormitory.

"You never got back to me on that essay," he said lowly.

"I've been busy," Draco said, moving to push past him.

"With what, exactly?" Blaise said.

"None of your fucking business," Draco said, pushing past him roughly.

"You'd better help me tonight, or--"

"Are you threatening me?" Draco said coldly, pulling out his wand.

"Put that away," Blaise demanded, his eyes very dark. "Meet me tonight."

Draco scowled as Blaise walked past him, smirking.

"Oh, and one more thing," Blaise said, "You left the cushions a mess in the Rendezvous Room."

Before Draco could formulate a response, Blaise disappeared down the corridor.

Time passed slowly until night fell. Draco wanted to corner Blaise and demand he tell him everything he knew, but Draco refused to show any sign of guilt or concern. Once the common room had emptied and the fire died down, he heard footsteps and turned to face Blaise.

"Hello," Blaise said arrogantly, taking a seat beside Draco. Draco tensed as Blaise put his arm around him. "You've kept me waiting long enough."

Draco pushed him away. "What the hell was that about earlier?"

Blaise laughed. "I just happened to notice when I went by the room earlier what a mess it was, and I happened to see you walk by there earlier. You were with someone, but I couldn't make out who it was, although he did look vaguely familiar; a Gryffindor I think."

Draco said nothing, refusing to look at Blaise.

"Don't be like that, Draco," he said sweetly. "Ever since our tryst I just haven't been able to get you off my mind. I've tried, but nothing works. It seems that every time I fuck someone I see your lovely face." Blaise ran a long finger the length of Draco's cheek.

"What do you want?" Draco said quietly.

"You," Blaise said quietly. "And I want in on all of your dealings with the Order."

"That's blackmail, you filthy queer."

"Well, isn't that the pot calling the kettle black?"

"Fine, I'll fuck you tonight, but that's it. And as for my dealings, those are not your business."

Blaise laughed. "I think they are my business. Wouldn't certain people be interested to know that Mr. Draco Malfoy is seriously entertaining the thought of joining leagues with the O.S.?"

Draco glared at him, loathing Blaise more than he'd ever loathed any Muggle or Mudblood. "You're disgusting."

Blaise laughed again. "We've done enough talking."

And against his better judgment of using the Cruciatus Curse on Blaise, Draco gave in, a horrible feeling of guilt growing in the pit of his stomach. Ever since his encounters with Harry he'd never thought of being with anyone else, male or female. If he could have Harry all to himself, Draco realized as Blaise pulled at his robes, he'd never want for anyone else.