Truly Madly Deeply

Chapter Seven - Confrontation

~ Beside The Lake ~

Harry finally caught up with Draco out by the lake, ironically the site of their last confrontation. He grabbed Draco's arm and pulled the struggling Slytherin into his arms.

"Know that whatever it is, I love you and nothing will ever change that," Harry said softly in Draco's ear.

Draco stopped struggling and held Harry tightly. He wanted so desperately to believe what Harry was saying. Although he knew Harry was compelled to tell the truth and that Harry obviously believed what he was saying, he wasn't so sure that something might change Harry's feelings for him. Harry pulled away slightly so he could look into his lover's silver eyes.

"Tell me," Harry said simply. Draco's face contorted as he fought the potion.

"I can't," he managed to spit out. "Please don't make me."

"I want to help you, Drac." Harry replied, privately marvelling at Draco's ability to fight the effects of the Veritaserum.

"I DON'T WANT YOUR HELP. I CAN HANDLE THIS ON MY OWN!" Draco shouted as he pushed Harry away and turned to angrily face the lake.

"But you don't have to handle this on your own. Draco, we are in this together. Please tell me what's going on," Harry pleaded with him.

Draco dropped to the ground. He lay back and closed his eyes. There was no point running anymore. Harry wasn't going to let this go until he knew everything. Damn Snape! He felt, rather than saw, Harry sit down beside him. Draco sat back up and turned to face Harry.

"My father is attempting to become the new Dark Lord," he said dully.

Harry gasped in shock and horror.

"I say attempting," Draco continued, "because he will never succeed. His plans get more ludicrous and convoluted everyday. He actually believes he can take over where Voldemort left off."

Draco laughed mirthlessly. "He's gathering support from the Death Eaters and he wants, no, he's demanding I join him when I graduate. At the moment we have something of a deal. I go along with his plans and he allows you to live. That's pretty much everything I've been keeping from you. I didn't tell you because I didn't want you to feel like you had to save me. I'm not one of your charity cases."

Harry sat motionless as he processed all this information at once. He felt sick as he played back Draco's words in his head. Now the argument they'd had out here by the lake was starting to make sense. Draco was trying to protect him. While that thought made him feel all warm and fuzzy inside, it also worried him. He didn't want Draco to put himself at risk for him.

"Is that the only reason you don't want to live with me after graduation?" Harry asked quietly.

"Yes," Draco replied earnestly. "I would love to live with you and be with you everyday, but I can't. I have to stay at the Manor."

"Draco, love, I can take care of myself. I defeated Voldemort, for god's sake. I think I can handle your father if he comes after me," Harry said, while grasping Draco's hand and squeezing it reassuringly.

"But if I do, he'll disown me. The only reason he's tolerating our relationship now is because he's using it to blackmail me," Draco said pessimistically.

"I don't understand, Draco. You always ridiculed your father. Why are you now worried that he might disown you?" Harry asked, genuinely confused.

"If he disowns me, then he'll cut off my allowance!" Draco said, in a horrified tone of voice. Harry chuckled.

"Draco, I have plenty of money, and besides, you are one of the top students in our year, I'm sure you're going to get a great job that pays well," Harry said, amused.

Draco stared solemnly at Harry for a moment. "I guess you're right. I don't need him. I can make it on my own."

Draco suddenly grinned. "I'll show him! I'll write a tell-all book about the Malfoy family!"

Harry laughed with him and then became more serious. "Great idea. Listen, Draco, there's something that's been bothering me for a while. I want you to know that I love you. I'm in love you."

Draco's eyes widened as did his grin. He launched himself onto Harry and ended up lying on top of the startled but uncomplaining Gryffindor.

"I love you too, Harry. I adore you. I want to be with you forever!" Draco declared dramatically. As Harry wrapped his arms around Draco an idea had occurred to him.

"Draco - Marry me!" Harry said urgently. Draco stared down at Harry and then slid off his lover and stood up. Harry got to his feet anxiously.

"Are you sure? You're not doing this just so I won't go home to my father after graduation, are you? Because that's not a good enough reason." Draco asked guardedly.

Harry smiled sweetly and framed Draco's face with his hands. "I. Love. You. I want to be with you forever too. Can you think of a better way to let the world know that?"

Chapter Seven - Confrontation