Issues

Chapter 14. Issues of Acceptance

Dinner with Draco at the Weasleys' began with Draco being very subdued. When Harry quizzed him on it, he said he found it hard to believe that they were all being so nice to him and he didn't want to spoil it by saying something thoughtless.

Sitting at the table with him, Harry noticed how he took in everything, from the casual easy banter between Ron and his brothers, to the good-natured ribbing they gave Ron and Hermione every time they hugged or kissed.

Molly had made her stew once more after hearing how Draco had liked it.

"Perhaps, you'll actually get to enjoy it this time," she said, giving him a comforting pat on the shoulder as she placed his plate in front him.

"Thank you, Mrs. Weasley," he said, politely, though Harry could see he was trying very hard not to be embarrassed over how ill he'd been the first time he'd had her stew. Harry thought Draco's stomach might cope a lot better with it today.

As the plates passed down the table and everyone began to eat, it became a noisy, happy meal.

"St. Mungo's is letting Dean home tomorrow," Ginny told them, happily. "Mum, can I please go and stay a few days with him and help his mum look after him?"

Ginny looked happy and content and Harry felt only a minor flicker of pain.

Molly nodded amidst everyone telling Ginny to pass on their good wishes. Even Draco added his. Ginny beamed at him and he looked quite relieved. It was doing Draco the world of good just being among people who didn't abuse him. Harry was really proud of his friends; they trusted Harry and they'd come a long way in the short time since the war ended. Harry preferred to think of it as their innate good nature coming through in peacetime, rather than something they'd had to learn through losing Charlie.

Regardless, Draco was beginning to relax a little. He was still quiet but he did join in the discussion on what the expected repercussions of the newspaper article might be. Hermione had checked with Sully and he'd confirmed that the article was all written up and was taking front page away from the attempt on the Minister's life, seeing as they weren't a propaganda machine for the Ministry and therefore had no responsibility to inform a public already doused by the mainstream newspapers with that information.

"Peter suggested that it might be a few days before the real repercussions are felt," Hermione warned. "Their readership isn't that large and to have any impact we need it picked up by one of the popular papers. They're starting with Sally McGregor's story. They think that she will have the biggest impact. Apparently information about her was easy to come by once he started looking and he has statements from her family as well."

"I think a word in the right ear might make all the difference," George said.

"Are you thinking about letting Joanie know?" Fred asked.

As George nodded, Ron asked, "Who's Joanie?"

"A very satisfied customer," Fred replied, grinning, a glint in his eyes that hinted of something more than professional satisfaction.

"Who is also advertising manager at the Prophet," George added, elbowing Fred.

"She always said if there was anything she could do..." Fred said wistfully.

"It might do you good to look her up again, anyway. Wasn't she the one with the huge--?"

"Swimming pool?" Fred jumped in with. "Yes." He grinned. "Among other things." He turned to Harry. "Consider it done. After dinner I'll call her and mention that the paper might be interested in the story."

"Er...thanks," Harry said.

"I wish you didn't have to go out on such a limb for me, Harry," Draco added quietly from beside him. "You've put yourself in such danger because of me." Draco's hand crept onto Harry's knee and rested there as his worried face turned to him. What else could Harry do but to cover Draco's hand with his own and squeeze it gently in acknowledgment? He could have removed it then but, for some reason, it felt good to leave it where it was; Draco's slim hand warm under his.

"It just happens to him all the time, apparently," Ron said, eyeing both of them in resignation. "Personally, I think he collects strays, but..."

"You calling yourselves strays now, Weasley?" Draco smirked as he said it but it was an uncertain smirk, designed to let Ron know he was kidding. Harry could see that Draco was trying to find his way into this group dynamic without resorting to being cruel. Ron's eyes predictably narrowed but then, after a second, he laughed. A loud guffaw.

"Bet you never thought you'd be aligning yourself with Weasleys, classed as Potter's strays, did you?"

"Not in a million years," Draco replied. "But for now I'll take whatever label you want to give me if it means I survive."

That sobered Ron up a little, Harry saw. He thought to change the subject. "How about we play some Exploding Snap?" he asked. Almost everyone groaned.

Draco yawned. "Can't you come up with something a little less childish than Exploding Snap, Potter?"

Harry rolled his eyes at the playful tone in Draco's voice. "Just trying to lighten the atmosphere," he said.

"Draco, dear, can I get you anything else to eat?" Molly asked.

"Oh, no, thank you, Mrs. Weasley," Draco replied. "I'm full up."

"But you hardly ate anything, dear," she protested. "And you are so thin. You haven't been looking after yourself, have you?"

Draco shrank back a little into the couch then, though he left his hand on Harry's knee. When Harry turned to look at him he saw that he'd gone pale. Harry was just about to say something to Molly to put her off, but Draco spoke up, instead.

"I wasn't in a position to be able to look after myself properly," he replied quietly and looked around at them all. "I suppose I should tell you all what happened to me, then." He said it almost as if it were a question; that if enough of them pressed him he would. Harry wasn't sure he was up to it but it wasn't his decision.

"You don't have to say anything," he said.

"I know, but everyone has been so nice to me and I feel like I owe them something in return, like an explanation."

"They don't need it, Draco, honestly."

"Harry's right, dear. All we know is that it was unpleasant and I'm sure we can all imagine how unpleasant it must have been for you to see your mother -" Molly stopped and looked distressed. "Oh, I'm sorry."

Draco nodded. "It's all right."

"What I meant was that any time spent in the company of Voldemort and that ilk must have been rather more than unpleasant, so you don't need to be going and telling us exactly what happened, there."

Draco leaned sideways a little and pressed into Harry's side. Harry saw Ron shake his head when he saw it and look away ruefully. Harry didn't mind the warmth against his side though, so he didn't move.

"Thanks, Mrs. Weasley," Draco replied, sounding relieved.

"I think we should be getting you back to the Ministry," Harry said regretfully. "The longer you're away the more chance there is of being discovered and the Auror team guarding you are already putting their jobs on the line, so we'd better not let them down."

Draco agreed and stood, saying goodnight to everyone and thanking Molly sincerely for dinner.

"You're more than welcome, dear. You will be welcome here whenever you like. I remember your mother back at Hogwarts. She was always so beautiful; it's a great shame what happened to her. I'm very sorry for your loss."

Harry blinked. He'd not been aware that Molly and Narcissa had known each other.

"She was very beautiful," Draco agreed softly. "Did you know her well?"

"No, she was in a different year than I was, but everyone knew who she was."

"I miss her," Draco whispered and Molly gave him a hug.

"Of course you do," she said.

Draco hugged her back briefly and Harry refused to be surprised by anything Draco did these days. Too much had changed.

"Time to go then, back to my plush cell in the Ministry building." He was trying to make light of it, but Harry knew how much he hated it. "I think that they should make it a tourist destination for those who are looking for a survival holiday," he joked. "You know those people who take safaris in deepest Africa, or go on hiking trips in the Outback in Australia, or climb Mount Everest. This could be surviving the Ministry's solitary confinement cells."

Harry draped the Invisibility Cloak over him, tossed some Floo powder into the fireplace and stepped through to the Ministry dragging Draco along with him.

It was quiet down on the cell level, the Aurors on duty still alert but quietly reading books. They barely raised an eyebrow when Harry walked past them towards Draco's cell. Harry removed the Glamours and dropped the wards and they both stepped inside the cell once more.

"Home, again," Draco said, sarcasm making his tone brittle. He dropped down into his bed and lay there with his arm over his eyes.

"Sorry, I know you hate to be here, but I can't do much about that right now."

"Harry," Draco said, removing his arm from across his eyes and sitting up. "It's not your fault, you know. You've done more for me this past week than I could possibly have hoped for."

"Still, you shouldn't even be in here," Harry insisted.

Draco stood and walked over to Harry placing both hands on his shoulders. "If you hadn't intervened, I'd be in Azkaban right now and we both know I wouldn't have lasted in there. I'm very grateful to you, Harry Potter. I think you've saved my life."

Harry blushed, and not just because he was unused to having someone thank him so earnestly, but also because he wanted nothing more than to lean in and kiss Draco Malfoy's sultry pink lips. What was wrong with him? In the space of a week he'd gone from hating Draco to wanting to kiss him. And what if all this was just Draco's consummate acting skills after all? What if he did try and kiss Draco and then found himself on the end of pitiless mockery. What if he laughed at him?

"Harry?" Draco asked, the light of concern darkening his eyes. "Are you all right? You look like you were in pain there for a moment."

Harry blinked. "No, I'm all right," he replied. "I was just..." Harry took a deep breath. "Draco, all this... you're not just playing with me, are you?" The blush that flared across his cheeks was hot and he could feel them burning.

"Whatever do you mean?" Draco's knowing voice matched the smirk on his face.

"Come on, I'm being serious here."

"Harry," Draco said, frowning. "I promised you that I would never lie to you, so believe me when I say that I'm not playing." His mouth lifted at the corners in a perceptive smile. "Harry Potter, do you want to kiss me?" he asked with that perfect blend of fake disbelief and husky desire. It made Harry want, for the first time, to throw Draco down on the bed and shag him through the mattress. Something he'd told Ron he'd not wanted. Bugger.

"I might," Harry replied, letting his wandering eyes travel where he wanted his lips to taste.

"I can't remember the last time anyone asked me if they could do that, Harry."

The softness and hint of wonder in his tone dragged Harry's eyes up to Draco's grey ones.

"I'm serious," Draco stressed. "None of them asked. Not that I had a choice, I didn't want any of their foul, filthy bodies anywhere near mine, let alone their disgusting mouths on my lips. The first person in years I desperately want to kiss me has to ask. God, Harry, yes please kiss me."

Draco's voice was ragged with want and as inexperienced as Harry was, even he could hear it. Exhaling an "Oh, God," he leaned in and did just that.

Tentative at first, he closed his eyes and just pressed his lips to Draco's, unsure of how different it would be kissing a boy, letting his instinct guide him by touch. He felt the damp warmth of Draco's lips and sighed softly wondering what he'd been worried about. It wasn't that much different than kissing a girl. Then Draco swiped his tongue across Harry's lips and Harry changed his mind, wondering instead why he'd taken so long to do this.

Draco moved closer to him so they were virtually pressed together along the length of their bodies and Harry suddenly found himself opening his mouth for Draco's tongue while he slid his arms around his waist and pulled him in closer. There was a soft gasp; Harry had no idea if it had been himself or Draco. But it hardly mattered as Harry's tongue woke up and he smiled into the kiss and deepened it earning a groan from Draco who pushed his hands into Harry's hair.

When Harry needed to breathe, he pulled back reluctantly, inhaling deeply. He could feel how hard Draco's heart was beating they were still that close and, looking down at Draco's flushed face, Harry again wondered why it had taken him this long to notice how bloody gorgeous even an overly thin Draco Malfoy was.

"Well, that was..." Draco started.

"Bloody wonderful," Harry finished and Draco smiled up into his eyes.

"Yes. Quite a technique you've got there, Potter. Been practicing much?"

"Oh, lots," Harry replied, laughter building in him.

"Am I going to have to play the jealousy card, now?" Draco breathed, leaning in to rub his cheek against Harry's.

"I doubt it. Ginny's with Dean now, and you saw how happy she is."

"How about you? Are you happy with that?" Draco pulled back and studied Harry.

"I can't say I wasn't disappointed. Now I think about it, though, I'm happy for her and we might stay friends longer this way. And what about you, do you want to play the jealousy card?" There was almost a smirk on Harry's face he could feel it.

"Malfoy's don't do jealousy well. We tend to forget about doing things the right way. For you, though, I think I'd like to try."

"So is this something you'd like to do again? On a regular basis?"

"Oh, yes. I have to warn you, though; I want to go slowly at this. I want whatever this is to be real and I want to be ready to offer it to you, rather than you asking. I know it doesn't make much sense, but..."

"It's all right, I understand. This is all new to me, so I'm happy going slow. And I know there are bound to be..."

"Scars..." Draco finished.

"Yes."

"Can you live with that? Will I be too much work for you? Because if I will be then tell me now and don't let me get my hopes up."

"When have you ever known me to give up on something? This may all be a new experience - I've never kissed a boy before and until very recently, until yesterday in fact, I've always thought I was straight. It might be me who is too much work for you. Let's just take things slowly and see what happens."

"One thing at a time, right?" Draco smiled.

.o0o.

Before it was even light the next morning, Remus was banging on his bedroom door. "Harry wake up! There are several Owls out here demanding to deliver directly to you."

"All right, all right, I'm up," Harry grumbled, sitting on the edge of his bed and rubbing his eyes before placing his glasses on his face. At another knock on the door, he reluctantly opened it and let Remus in. "Sorry," he said. "Late night."

"You look like you had a late night," Remus agreed, letting the Owls in to deliver their packages. Harry watched them drop the parcels on the bed while he remembered exactly what he'd been doing last night. The memory of Draco's lips on his made him smile.

There were four owls; four parcels. One Harry could see was a newspaper, which looked like it might be an early edition from Peter Sully. Upon further investigations this turned out to be the case. He set that aside to read later.

A second item turned out to be a scroll from the Minister agreeing that Harry shouldn't be taking part in any more functions until they had caught the person responsible for the attack at Hogwarts. Minerva had sent him a parcel with the proposed curriculum for the opening of Hogwarts and he put that aside for later as well. He thought he'd have to be properly awake to read that.

It was probably the fact that he was still half asleep that made him forget to take even basic precautions when opening a parcel from someone he didn't know. As he ripped open the packaging of the last parcel, he triggered something within it and a fine cloud of white dust shot out and into his face.

The last thing he saw before the blackness swept over him was the shock on Remus' face and his mouth shouting his name. His last thought was that he might have failed Draco after all.