Summer Rain

Chapter Two

Harry's first thought had been to apparate to Remus Lupin and Nymphadora Tonks's cottage in Hogsmeade to seek out a shoulder to cry on. He apparated into the village and then realised it was a full moon and Remus was inaccessible, with Tonks likely taking care of him.

By this time, Harry was standing next to Honeydukes Sweet Shop on the deserted street with confused and angry tears streaming down his face. Without a second thought, he apparated to The Burrow for some sort of comfort or support.

When Mrs Weasley answered the door to Harry's knock, Harry was sobbing helplessly. Mrs Weasley tutted sympathetically and pulled him into a tight, motherly hug before asking any questions.

Harry soon realised that he had, unfortunately, interrupted some sort of family dinner and it wasn't just Mr and Mrs Weasley home, as he had expected, but the whole Weasley clan (including spouses and offspring) minus Charlie.

Oh fuck, Harry thought. Just my fucking luck! The night I decide to actually go to Mrs Weasley for help like she's told me to numerous times, and the whole fucking family tree is sitting there and I'm sobbing my fucking eyes out. Fucking Draco Malfoy!

Harry pulled back from Mrs Weasley and frantically wiped his eyes. "I... ah... sorry... I didn't mean to... well, I didn't realise you were busy," Harry stammered and hated how choked he sounded. "I'll go." Harry turned to leave, avoiding eye contact with anyone when Mrs Weasley pulled him back into a hug. Harry could just feel Ginny, Ron and Hermione's eyes boring a hole into the back of his head.

"Nonsense. You didn't interrupt anything and we aren't busy." Mrs Weasley insisted. "You're obviously very upset about something, dear. Why don't you sit down and have something to eat?" She tried to coax Harry into one of the chairs but Harry blanched.

"Ah, no!" Harry gulped and looked away. "I'm not feeling well. I'll just go. I should never have bothered you!" Harry yanked himself from Mrs Weasley's firm embrace and strode to the door.

"Harry, are you ok?" Ron asked in concern from the table. Harry stopped, but didn't turn around.

"I'm fine, Ron. I'll owl you," Harry said softly and stepped outside and apparated back to his flat in London.

Harry arrived at his flat and found a note stuck to his door. He ripped it off and scanned it quickly.

Harry,

I'm not quite sure what to make of tonight.

The blond, Draco he said his name was, told me enough to clue me in to the fact that he's your ex, whom I assume is the one who caused you all the grief as his appearance was enough to make you physically sick.

Just wanted to let you know that he was asking where you lived, but I didn't tell him your address.

I hope you're ok, love. I'm not sure where you went when you apparated but let me know that you're ok. I'm worried about you and a little intimidated after seeing how gorgeous your ex is.

I hope we can talk soon.

Love Lucas xxx

Harry slumped against the wall and slid down into a sitting position and started sobbing painfully with the note crushed into his hands. He felt so confused and hurt. Seeing Draco had ripped open all his old wounds, and now he had gone and hurt Lucas unintentionally. In his note, Lucas almost sounded resigned to the fact that he was going to lose Harry back to Draco.

But I don't want that fucking bastard back! Harry thought angrily ... do I?

Harry replayed the scene at the restaurant over in his mind and he realised Draco had been sitting with a rather handsome looking brunette man and Harry's anger flared. He pulled out his wand and viciously set the note on fire and watched as it burnt to a crisp. Then he vanished the ashes from the floor, not giving a shit about his muggle neighbours.

Harry pulled his keys out of his pocket and fumbled with the lock on the door. Once he was inside his apartment, he stumbled into his bathroom, fell to his knees before the toilet and threw up again.

Fucking Malfoy, Harry thought with a groan. Wiping his mouth on the back of his hand, he reached up and flushed the toilet. His head was pounding painfully and his whole body felt like wet cement. He stood up and dragged himself through to his bedroom. He kicked off his shoes and peeled off his shirt and fell face first onto his bed and once again started crying pitifully, feeling like the whole world was against him.

* * * * *

Harry was woken abruptly the next morning by a pounding on his door. He looked around blearily and cursed loudly. He was in a vile mood and didn't want to see anyone. He put his head under his pillow, but the rude banging persisted.

"Fucking leave me the fuck alone!" Harry cried. "Fuck!" Harry pulled himself out of bed and realised he was still in his dress pants and belt; he rubbed at a sore patch on his abdomen where the buckle had been digging into him, but he didn't care. He had slept in his contact lenses and his eyes were sore and scratchy and his head was aching from so much crying and lack of sleep the night before. He stalked out to his front door and flung it open.

"Fucking hell! WHAT?!" Harry growled.

Ron and Hermione pushed their way into his apartment followed by an awkward-looking Lucas, ignoring Harry's dishevelled appearance and foul mood.

"You are going to tell us what the fuck is going on Harry Potter!" Hermione demanded and poked him in his bare chest. Harry smacked his lips and flopped onto his couch and put his head into his hands, knowing must look like absolute shit, and not smelling much better. Fuck it all, Harry thought petulantly.

"Why can't you just leave me alone for once?" Harry groaned. Despite the tension in the air, Lucas sat next to Harry and put his arm around Harry's shoulders.

"He saw one of his exes last night. Just lay off a bit, alright?" Lucas glared at Ron and Hermione.

"One of his exes?" Hermione asked with a frown. "He only has one... Oh my god, Harry! You saw Malfoy?!"

"I hope you decked the arsehole!" Ron growled.

"I'm not getting into this with you two right now," Harry snapped. "I need to be alone. I will contact you when I'm feeling better."

"You can't just mope --" Ron said.

"Yes I fucking can!" Harry interrupted. "If I want to sit here and think about how much I want to hex the arsehole into the next century, then I will! I just need to... Look, I just need some time, ok? Can you all respect that just this once?"

"Of course, love," Lucas said and gave Harry a quick kiss on the lips. Harry didn't miss the hurt and confused look deep within his blue eyes.

"Luke, I --" Harry began but Lucas stopped him.

"It's ok, love. I understand. We'll talk soon, when you're ready. All I ask is that if you come to any... decisions... let me know, ok?" Lucas said tentatively and smiled at Harry, though Harry could see it didn't really reach his eyes. Harry knew his behaviour was unfair and was ripping Lucas's heart out, but until Harry had time to think the situation over, he wouldn't have the mechanisms to cope.

"Harry, you should talk about this," Hermione insisted and patted his shoulder.

"I know I should, but I can't right now." Harry shook his head.

"Alright," Ron agreed and Hermione nodded. "But you have to call us or something when you need to talk."

"I will," Harry insisted. "Though right now I just want to go back to bed and hide for awhile." Harry looked up at his friends. "I'm ok, I promise. Just a little shaken and angry at seeing him, is all."

Ron and Hermione both hugged him and left after making him swear he would be in touch soon. Lucas stood up and gave Harry's shoulder a squeeze. "I'll show you out?" Harry offered.

"I know where the door is." Lucas smiled but Harry heard a slight annoyance in his voice. "Be in touch, yeah? I'll miss you, love."

"You too," Harry muttered. Lucas walked to the door and turned to blow Harry a small kiss before he left.

Harry lay back onto the couch with a loud groan.