Buried Memory

Harry Potter walked across an overgrown and obviously neglected garden toward a tall, lean figure standing in front of a dry fountain. When he reached the figure he spoke softly, but firmly, "Why didn't you owl me? How long have you been back?"

The figure didn't turn to look at Harry, but kept his face forward, his eyes focused on the broken gargoyle that was the centrepiece of the fountain. He ran a thin, black-gloved hand through his long blonde hair. "I did everything you ever asked of me, Potter. When you told me to kiss you, I did. When you told me it was over, I accepted it. When you told me to leave the country, I did."

Draco Malfoy turned and met Harry's gaze. "I have been nothing more nor less than your devoted servant for the past decade, Harry Potter. I find it very...ungracious of you to question me as if I am a criminal."

Harry sighed softly. The same Draco Malfoy as always...never wrong, always the wronged. "I am not questioning you as a criminal, Draco. I just want to know why you didn't tell me you were back and why you're...here."

Draco allowed a smile to grace his face. "This is my home." He gave an apologetic shrug. "It is a bit run-down, I must admit, but where else would I go, Potter? I a feeling your wife would not want me in the guest bedroom at your perfect cosy cottage in the country."

"Only you could say the word 'wife' as if it were a dirty word, Draco," Harry said with a crooked grin. "If I am not mistaken, you have a wife of your own."

"Yes, but I was not so foolish as to marry for love. I married for looks and money, the only proper excuses for such an atrocious act," Draco said as he sat down on the edge of the fountain, sardonic smile on his face. "If I had to go into exile, I most certainly was not going to do it without money or company. Pansy provided both, although her money is more enjoyable than her company."

Harry sat down on the stone edge next to Draco. "Is she with you?"

Draco nodded. "Yes. Neither of us believes in divorce and she always sleeps with one eye open, so murder isn't a viable option," Draco smirked, turning his head toward Harry. "But, I can't complain. She's always been there for me and in the end, that's what we all want, isn't it? Just not to have to stand alone and peer into the abyss of our lives looming before us? It may not be love, but it is something."

"Is that what you think...that I left you alone in front of the abyss of your life?" Harry asked, his voice very quiet.

"I was trying not to be obvious, but yes, that is exactly what I think, Harry. I think that when I needed you, when my world was falling apart around me, when the only life I had ever known was shattering into jagged pieces; I think the only person I ever loved left me to face it alone."

Harry shivered at the coldness in Draco's voice. He closed his eyes for a long moment, recalling the memory from the far depths of his mind. He had buried it deeply, but it returned to him with clarity he did not wish it to have.

Draco, huddled in a corner table at a Muggle bar in London, disguised and scared, running from his own father. Harry remembered his words to Draco at the time, 'Leave the country, Draco. You don't need to be in this battle. Just leave.'

'What about us?' Draco asked.

'You already know we're over, Draco. Just leave the country. Let the Order do what it needs to do. I don't know if I can keep you safe if you stay.'

Harry winced as he remembered the hurt in Draco's eyes. The pain and loss. He had already lost his family and his home when he refused to become a Death Eater and now he knew he had lost his lover too.

Harry shook his head, hoping to shake the memory away. "I did what I thought was best at the time, Draco. It did break my heart. It did, but I didn't want you to die."

Draco grinned at Harry. "We'll always have that in common, at least. I didn't want me to die either."

Harry gave a half-hearted chuckle. "You know it was the right thing for both of us."

"No, I know it was the right thing for you, Harry. Nevertheless, I respect you for not begging for my forgiveness. And for having the courage to do it in the first place...I suppose you were placed in the right House after all."

Harry raised a brow. "What do you plan on doing now that you're back?"

Draco laughed. "Oh, Harry, always the Auror, aren't you? Never fear, my friend, I do not have any use for the Dark Arts. I've seen what they can do. My beloved wife bought me a Quidditch team as to prevent me from suffering from boredom. She really is quite thoughtful at times...of course; she may just have her eye on the Quidditch players."

Harry smiled. "Am I your friend, Draco?"

Draco rolled his eyes ever so slightly. "You're such a Gryffindor sometimes. I have my grievances with you, but I have grievances with most everyone, so I don't see why I should let that curtail our friendship. But I have my doubts about whether your wife will invite Pansy and I over for dinner and drinks."

Harry smiled. "My wife has a name. You can call her Hermione."

Draco made a face. "Oh, must I? I've always felt that Hermione was a dreadful name...did she take your name when you married? Or can I still call her Granger?"

"She hyphenated, so you can call her Granger-Potter if you wish. And actually, she is willing to have you and Pansy over for drinks and dinner."

"Granger-Potter?" Draco groaned. "Atrocious, simply atrocious, but I suppose I can l live with it."

"That's very good of you, Draco," Harry said.

"Yes, I know," Draco said drawled. He put his hand on Harry's shoulder. "I was going to owl you, but I needed a bit of time. I've never been as strong as you...I wanted to wait until I was sure I wouldn't drop to my knees and beg you to take me back."

"You never did that before. I hardly think you would do it now."

Draco shrugged. "Yes, well, I did want to before, but now that I am here, I realize all I need now is your friendship. Perhaps that is all I ever needed and sex was nothing more than a method to gain your friendship."

"Liar."

"Yes," Draco admitted with a laugh. "But it sounded quite good, didn't it?"

Harry nodded and stood up. "You are always charming, Draco. So, we'll be expecting you and Pansy for dinner on Friday?"

Draco rose and extended his hand to Harry. "Yes, we'll be there. I'll medicate Pansy beforehand."

"That'll be much appreciated," Harry said with a laugh. "Does she like children? We have three."

Draco made a face. "Three? You spend entirely too much time with the Weasleys. Three...that's appalling."

"The fourth is due in May."

Draco shook his head in disgust. "Frightful!"

"Draco, how many children do you and Pansy have?"

"Well, we have two, but we don't actually raise them ourselves, they have a nanny. And Pansy is expecting again, but I'm not entirely sure that one is mine....she claims it is but -"

"Draco?"

"Yes?"

"I walked through the manor on my way out here. I saw the nanny. And the kids. And Pansy."

"Oh," Draco said seriously. "Well, the whole idea of having a dog for a nanny was Pansy's idea; she read it in some book. She has this funny idea that we weren't raised properly...but we don't actually spend all that much time with the children..."

"Draco, you are such a liar."

"So are you! Asking me if Pansy was with me when you saw her in the manor."

"And you love Pansy, don't you?"

"Loving one's wife is so irresponsible; I'm shocked you would think so very little of me, Potter."

Harry nodded. "Yes, hmm...Draco Malfoy, I hate to break this to you, but from what I gathered from talking to your children and Pansy before I came out here - you're a loving father and husband."

"Do you see now how totally and completely you corrupted me?"

"You could say thank you."

"I could, but I'm not going to. Would like me to walk you back through the maze of toys and sticky-handed children or can you find your way out by yourself?"

"I can find my way. We'll see you Friday, bring the children."

"Yes, better they destroy your house than ours. I'll have you know the manor was in perfect condition until we let them out to play. They did all this damage."

Harry shook his head and laughed. He turned and walked back toward Malfoy Manor, no longer buried under the hidden memories of years ago.