The Alternative to Loneliness

Ch. 17

Well Intended

Draco was beginning to get very worried. He hadn't seen Harry since his dark haired lover had stormed out of the Great Hall at breakfast. He'd never shown up for Potions, and Draco had to endure the taunts of his housemates and the disapproval of Snape alone. The Gryffindors hadn't exactly buried the hatchet either, he noted.

The class was almost finished and Draco was steeling himself to do something he'd never, ever, in his wildest dreams believed that he would do.

He was going to ask Hermione "Mudblood" Granger for help.

The bell rang and the students stood, scurrying out of the dank Potions dungeons. Draco skulked over to the Gryffindor side of the room, trying to squash the generations of screaming Malfoys in his head. Granger was talking with Weasley in a low voice and... gag, they weren't holding hands, were they? Draco shuddered at the thought of hoards of buck-toothed, freckle-faced, red-headed Weasel Mudbloods calling him 'Uncle Draco' or something equally as nauseating.

They turned to leave the room and Draco realized the moment had come.

"Pardon me," he said as pleasantly as he could manage. "Granger, could I have a word?"

She looked surprised. Weasley looked livid.

"No she cannot have a word with you, you evil ferret-faced bastard!" Ron hissed, face a bright shade of magenta.

"I don't believe I was talking to you, Weasley," Draco sneered. "And how does your girlfriend feel about you telling her who she can and cannot talk to?"

Ron seemed to lose steam with that comment and muttered an apology to Hermione.

"You go ahead, Ron," the bushy haired girl said. "I'll talk to Draco and catch up."

Ron looked furious again.

"Don't go calling him Draco like he's a decent human being," he growled. "He turned Harry against me."

Draco eyed him with icy anger. "I think you did that pretty well on your own, Weasley."

"You slimy little prick!" Ron yelled. "Harry doesn't love you. He couldn't! He's going to come to his senses soon enough, and then you'll be where you belong, with yesterdays garbage!"

"Ron!" Hermione gasped.

Draco's eyes narrowed to slits.

"Funny," he said lazily, "that's not what Harry said last night when I had my dick up his arse."

Ron looked ready to attack. Hermione shoved him toward the door sharply.

"Go, Ron," she said dangerously. "I'll meet you in a few minutes."

Weasley seemed to consider ignoring her, but finally strode angrily from the room.

There was a moment of silence, which Hermione finally broke.

"Why wasn't Harry in class?" she asked, as if that whole business with Weasley hadn't happened.

"That's what I was going to ask you," Draco replied truthfully.

Hermione's forehead furrowed worriedly.

"I was going to ask you for a favour," Draco said, the edge in his voice betraying how much he did not want to do this. To Granger's credit, she didn't gloat or smirk, or any of the things he would have done had he been in her place.

"What's that?" she asked.

"If you could help me find him," Draco said softly. "I don't know where to look for him. I have some ideas, but you know him better than I do."

"For now," she smiled. Draco looked at her quizzically.

"I know him better than you for now," she said kindly. "I imagine that will change over time."

Draco looked suddenly unsure.

"Aren't you upset with me?" he asked.

"What for?" she asked in what seemed to be honest confusion.

"For seducing your best friend with my wicked Slytherin ways," Draco said darkly. "Your boyfriend certainly was worked up about it."

Hermione looked at him kindly, "How could I be upset with you if you make Harry happy? I'm sure you didn't force him to love you. Anyway, you can't seduce someone unless they want to be seduced."

Draco stared at her for a long moment.

"I might," he said finally, "have to revise my opinion of you, Hermione."

She smiled. "I'm starting to revise the one I have of you, too."

Draco gave a ghost of a smile and her eyes grew wide at the sight.

"You look different when you smile," she said quietly.

"I know," he replied.

They were quiet for a moment, and then Hermione spoke.

"If Harry went anywhere to sort out his thoughts it would be near the Quidditch pitch. Possibly the Room of Requirement."

"Or the Astronomy Tower," Draco added. Off Hermione's puzzled look, he turned a bit pink and muttered, "We meet there sometimes."

Hermione giggled, and patted his arm reassuringly, "You'll find him. Don't worry. I'm sure he's not upset with you. He's probably just needing to sort through his feelings. Harry's not very good at that sort of thing, you know"

"I know." Draco smiled, and caught Hermione's hand. She looked up at him, questions in her eyes.

"I am sorry," he said seriously, "I've been cruel to you, and I apologize. I think we could be friends, and I would like that, if I may."

She grinned at him. "Of course. I imagine I'll be seeing a lot of you in the future."

"Quite." Draco smiled. He ducked his head and gave her hand a light kiss. "Thank you for your help, Hermione. I'll see you soon."

He gave her a wink and a smile, and strolled out of the room, leaving a blushing and breathless Hermione in his wake.

Merlin, she thought, no wonder Harry had slept with him.

~*~^~*~

Harry stared up at the underside of the bleachers in the Quidditch stadium. He knew, at the back of his mind, that he was missing class; but somehow, in the greater scheme of things it didn't seem too important. He shifted into a more comfortable position.

"Here you are."

Harry jumped as Draco's smooth, low voice sounded behind him. He turned sharply to see the Slytherin settling himself beside Harry.

"I've been everywhere looking for you," Draco murmured. "You missed Potions."

Harry refused to meet Draco's eyes. "I didn't want to deal with Snape after what happened at breakfast."

Draco looked worried. "He'll get over it, you know. Severus is actually very fond of me. I've known him since I was a child, and he isn't as bad as all that."

Harry said nothing. Draco decided to be blunt.

"What's really bothering you?" he asked flatly. "Is it me?"

Harry looked up sharply. "No! But...I don't know, I guess I was expecting things to be different."

Draco was honestly confused. "What do you mean?"

Harry played with a long strand of grass as he spoke. "I thought it would be easy. But I guess I realized this morning how hard it was going to be. You know, us being together. I mean, no one will sit with you at the Slytherin table anymore. And Ron isn't speaking to me. Snape will stop liking you because of me and you'll never get along with my friends. I mean, I love you, but we're not the only two people in the world. I guess I realized that."

There was a long silence.

"I think you're selling me and my house a bit short, Harry," Draco bit out. "My best friend is dating one of your friends, so I'll be decent to him anyway. Besides, I just made up with Hermione, and we've agreed to be friends in our own right. As to the rest of my house shunning me, it's kind of you to take pity on poor unwanted me, but it's only temporary, I assure you. Slytherins are versatile, and they'll come to their senses, much quicker than your Gryffindor cronies. The ones that don't will most likely be the ones I dislike anyway. As to Weasley not speaking to you, it's happened before and you're still friends I notice. Do you really think Hermione will let him continue like this for long? Aside from that, Snape is not going to stop liking me, so no need to worry your pretty head on that account. All in all, you seem to be worrying over utter rubbish if you ask me."

Harry gaped at the blond.

"You and Hermione are friends?" he choked out eventually.

Draco glared at him. "What, did you think I'd force you to give up your friends to be with me?"

Harry fidgeted. "Well..."

Draco made a noise of exasperation. "Merlin you did. Would you have done it?"

Harry was quiet for a long time then whispered, "I might have."

Draco was very still, but then he pulled Harry's face into his hands, staring deep into the green eyes there.

"Oh Harry," Draco murmured. "I would never ask you to do that. If you love someone, I will do my utmost to treat them nicely. I might make an exception for Weasley, but that remains to be seen. I love you. I don't give a damn if my house won't sit with me, or if they won't talk to me. As long as you talk to me and stay with me, I'll never want for company. I promise you."

"I'm sorry," Harry murmured.

"I forgive you," Draco said with a small smile. "Harry, this probably won't be easy. I won't lie to you. It will probably be very hard at times. People will hate us and treat us badly. We'll have to deal with prejudice and scorn. But those who really love us won't desert us. And we'll be together and love each other, and maybe someday the rest of the world will see what we see."

Harry brushed at a stray tear. "You're right. I'm sorry I didn't have faith in you."

Draco dried Harry's face with his lips. "I already forgave you. Now come back to the castle and have some lunch. You haven't eaten today, and if I am not much mistaken, you enjoyed some rather strenuous activities last night. Got to keep your strength up, and all that."

Harry smiled and pulled Draco against him. "I think some more of those pleasurably strenuous activities are in order."

"Now?" Draco gasped as Harry ground against him.

"Why not?" Harry breathed.

Draco smiled savagely. "You naughty little lion. I think I might be able to oblige you. And tonight," he whispered silkily, "I want you to make love to me."

Harry pulled away sharply. "You want me on top?"

"Of course," Draco whispered. "You lost your virginity to me, now I'll lose mine to you."

"I love you," Harry breathed.

Draco meant to reply, but a moan cut off his words.

There was no more talking for quite some time.

~*~^~*~

Colin woke very slowly, noting the hard floor beneath him and Luna's soft, warm arms around him. He felt as if he had been asleep for years and all the weeks past of sparse sleep were made up for. He felt so well-rested and his mind was filled with only Luna. No horrid nightmares.

No nightmares.

Colin sat up, suddenly wide-awake. He'd had no nightmares! No images of Harry or of Draco. No images of showers or green-draped beds. No images of the two older boys doing what he knew they must have been doing last night. Was it last night? It could have been weeks ago! Months ago! It didn't matter when; Luna had cured him!

He had dreamed, that was certain, but it most definitely was not a nightmare. He had dreamed of the things he had seen through his camera's viewer and the things he had seen in the mirrors. It was only Luna. Luna and him. Luna with her long, soft hair that smelled like cucumbers and her glowing white body that tasted so fascinating. She was all he had seen the entire night in his mind.

"Colin?" Luna murmured beside him. He looked down and saw her, the folds from the velvet blanket beneath them having made creases in her cheek, and a few strands of her blonde hair sticking to her lips.

He smiled and brushed the hair out of her face, tucking it behind her ear. "Good morning. Is it morning?"

"I am not sure," she said. "Did you sleep at all?"

"I slept the whole time!" he said, leaning down to hug her with one arm. "Luna, you're amazing! I didn't have one nightmare!"

She kissed his neck and slipped one arm around his bare waist. "I am glad," she said. "You will be able to sleep at night now."

"Though I suppose I'll have to worry about wet dreams now. Thank Merlin for four-poster beds." He laughed and kissed her shoulder. "I'm getting a little..."

"Yes, I am too," she whispered. "May we still meet every day together?"

"I hope so," he said, his voice gone ragged as he felt Luna's hands run over his stomach.

"May I watch this time?"

"Anything you want."

~*~^~*~

The next morning, Harry awoke early and slipped out of Draco's arms. He'd made love to Draco in the Gryffindor dorms last night just as Draco had made love to him in the Slytherin dorms the night before. It had seemed fitting. Draco had been particularly keen on being the one to cast the silencing charm. Harry wondered why.

But it was no matter. He had something to do this morning before Draco woke up, and so left the blond asleep in the crimson sheets.

As he snuck through the halls in his thick robe and slippers, his mind returned to his lover asleep in his bed. He had not wanted to leave him so early--he had felt so warm and comforting--but there was still something bothering him and he had to set it right.

The Slytherin common room was completely silent, but Harry still slipped his cloak over his head anyways and snuck up the stairway to the boys dorm. Upon opening the door, he was assailed by a thunderous roar of snores, which told him immediately where Crabbe and Goyle were. He noted that the beds were very close together and a thought crossed his mind.

Which immediately made him sick to his stomach.

Trying in vain to shake the thought, he snuck to the far side of the room, hoping to get it right on the first try. When he pulled aside the green curtains around the bed, however, he was met by his own dormmate.

"Seamus?"

The naked Irish boy opened his eyes and smiled. "Well, good morning, Harry. I thought you and Draco were breaking in your bed tonight."

Harry gaped. "What are you doing here?" he stammered. "This is the Slytherin dorm!"

Seamus looked around him. "So it is. And fancy that, I'm in a Slytherin's bed. Isn't it amazing how much you and I have in common?"

"I was just saying the very thing to Draco the other day," Blaise said, rolling over so that his bare shoulder and arm were draped over the Gryffindor's chest.

Harry just stood there, mouth open wide. Seamus shifted so that he was facing his lover. "I think Harry's surprised," he said.

"It's good for him," Blaise said. "Well, lover, shall we invite him in or leave him gaping out there to catch flies?"

Seamus scooted over and Blaise rolled the rest of the way on top of him. "Have a seat," Seamus patted the place he had just cleared. Harry nearly ran off right then. It wasn't worth it anymore.

"Are you mad?"

"Depends on what about," Blaise said, nuzzling Seamus' nose. "Come on, we won't bite. Now get in here, you're letting in the cold."

"But you two are naked!" Harry hissed.

Seamus and Blaise both rolled their eyes. "Prude," the Irish boy accused.

"I am not a prude," Harry bristled.

Blaise raised his eyebrow. "Is there a reason you're sneaking into my bed before sunrise or do you just enjoy getting into Slytherins' beds?"

Harry drew himself up. "Forget it," he snapped. He turned to leave but then felt his hand being pulled back. He whirled around. "What?!"

Seamus tugged him back. "Come on, have a seat. It's safe as sitting in Ginny Weasley's bed. Blaise and I've no desire to try to jump you, if that's what you're worried about."

"It's not," Harry countered, but felt a little better and sat down.

Seamus grinned and reached around Harry to yank shut the emerald drapes. "There. Dungeons get so clammy in the winter."

Blaise laid his cheek on Seamus' chest and regarded the bespectacled boy. "Well, what is it you came for, then?"

Suddenly, Harry felt a lot less sure of himself than he had this morning when he'd set his mind to do this. He picked at the green and silver quilt and mumbled something unintelligible.

"Usually it's better to avoid misunderstandings if you speak clearly," Blaise said.

Harry chewed his lip and sighed. "I wanted to apologize for yesterday at breakfast," he said.

Seamus turned to look at Blaise, his eyebrows raised in a very significant manner. Blaise nodded in return, then turned to their visitor. "What exactly about breakfast were you meaning to apologize for?"

"Well...erm..." Harry stammered, at a loss.

"Was it for displacing your anger onto Colin, who was not in the least at fault?"

"Er...I guess."

The Slytherin cocked an eyebrow at him. "You can't guess when you apologize, Harry dear. An apology doesn't mean a damn if you don't know what you did wrong."

Harry flushed. "Er..."

"Do you know what you're sorry about?" Blaise prompted.

Harry continued to pick at the quilt. "I'm sorry for being mad about Colin having naked dreams about me," he stated.

"Well then I'm not the one you should be apologizing to."

"But...but you and Draco got into a row!"

"Yes, that we did," Blaise said, laying a kiss on one of Seamus' nipples. "And that is between Draco and me. You're not to blame for it. It was Draco's choice to get tetchy with me."

Harry sagged where he sat. "Oh."

Blaise grinned and patted his hand. "But it was sweet of you to want to apologize. Now go back to bed before Draco catches a chill."

Harry stood and looked back in time to see Blaise start to pepper Seamus' skin with kisses while his hands disappeared under the blankets. He didn't stick around.

When he returned to his own bed, Draco was just waking up. "Love, where were you? I was getting cold."

"I went for a walk," Harry mumbled.

"Where to, Hogsmeade? Harry, you're practically freezing." He took hold of Harry's hand and pulled the Gryffindor into bed with him. Harry immediately melted against the warmth of the blond.

"Sorry. I didn't mean to wake you up."

Draco leaned over and kissed Harry, warming the brunet's lips. "You didn't wake me up. I just missed you here."

Harry kissed him back and struggled out of his clothes. When he finally freed himself, he turned to covering Draco with his attentions.

~*~^~*~

It seemed, Hermione mused, that nothing was the way that it had always been. First, Colin Creevey had started stalking Harry. Then, Draco Malfoy admitted to being in love with Harry Potter. Harry had, in turn, shagged and started dating said Malfoy. She herself was now friends with Draco. And now, Ron Weasley was wide-awake and waiting for her in the Common Room at six in the morning.

Honestly, she was the most surprised by the last one.

"Ron?" she asked. "What are you doing awake so early?"

Ron turned and gave her a gentle kiss, "Just thinking, I guess."

Hermione ran her fingers through his fiery hair. "You look tired. Did you not sleep well?"

Ron snorted and looked away. "Yeah, you could say that."

"If this is about your row with Harry," Hermione said rather crossly. "You might try just apologizing to him. I'm sure he'll forgive you, even if you were incredibly rude to him and Draco."

Ron was quiet for a long time, and then said in a subdued voice, "You're right."

Hermione stared at him.

"I am?" she said finally.

"Yeah," Ron sighed. "Although I'm still mad at that little berk. Malfoy, I mean. He's the reason I couldn't sleep last night."

"What does Draco have to do with it?" Hermione asked.

Ron turned red and muttered, "He forgot to put up a silencing charm last night."

Hermione blushed as well, "Oh."

"But I guess I can stand to be around him," Ron said wearily. "I mean, if it makes Harry happy."

"That's very big of you." Hermione smiled.

"Well apart from being scarred for life last night," Ron rolled his eyes. "I also overheard a bit of their conversation. I think Malfoy really loves him. I mean, some of the things that he said...I almost laughed at the cheesiness of it. He sounded like a lovesick prat, to be honest with you. I can't imagine Malfoy would be able to pretend to say crap like 'you can't know how long I've wanted to feel you in my arms' and call Harry pet names like 'love' and 'kitten'."

Hermione looked misty eyed, "That's so romantic."

Ron smiled, "Should I be taking notes?"

Hermione smirked in a way that would have made Draco proud. "On the lovey-dovey parts, or the sex parts?"

Ron flushed crimson.

~*~^~*~

Draco made his way slowly back to his room. He'd refused to attend class without having a shower, a shave, and fresh robes. Admittedly, he hadn't particularly wanted to leave, but sometimes one had to make sacrifices. Besides, he did have some unfinished business to attend to in the Slytherin dorms.

Harry had mentioned that he was worried about Draco's row with Blaise, and Draco had to admit that he did need to speak to Blaise about it. He had snapped at his friend, at present his only friend, and that was unacceptable.

He'd have to apologize.

He seemed to be doing a lot of that these days.

He sighed as he entered the lavish green Common Room. Blaise had not yet come downstairs, so Draco made for the stairs. He opened the door to the sixth year dorms quietly, so as not to wake Theo, who was a very light sleeper. He crept over to Blaise's bed and reached for the hangings.

And then paused to whisper, "Blaise? Are you and Seamus occupied?"

There was a stirring behind the curtains, and then they were pulled aside revealing the dark haired Slytherin.

"Draco?" Blaise asked, blinking sleepily. "Where's Harry?"

Draco was puzzled. "He's in the shower, I think. Where's Seamus?"

Blaise smiled and beckoned Draco inside. "He went back to the Tower to get ready for class. To what do I owe the pleasure of having Draco Malfoy in my bed?"

Draco twitched the hangings closed and buried himself under the covers next to Blaise. "It's freezing down here. I may take up permanent residence in Gryffindor Tower during the winter."

Blaise smiled, but his eyes were wary. "You didn't answer my question though."

Draco sighed. "I wanted to apologize for my behavior yesterday. It was inexcusable."

Blaise looked relieved. "Oh is that all. I thought you were here to warn me away from Harry."

Draco looked positively mystified, "Why would I do that?"

"Well," Blaise said slowly. "I thought he'd told you he was down here this morning, and hadn't had the sense to explain why."

"Harry was down here this morning?" Draco asked in confusion.

The dark haired Slytherin nodded, "He also wanted to apologize for us having a row yesterday. I told him to apologize to Colin if he felt so compelled. He seems lovely, Draco."

Draco smiled in memory of Harry nuzzling into him in his sleep. "He is."

"Is it everything you wanted?" Blaise smirked.

Draco smirked back and raised an eyebrow. "Are you fishing for details?"

Blaise laughed quietly. "Maybe a little."

They were quiet for a moment, and then Blaise said, "Harry caught Seam in here with me."

Draco snorted. "I can just imagine the look on his face."

Blaise smiled briefly and looked very serious.

"You're worried aren't you?" Draco said quietly.

Blaise sighed. "I'm not as brave as I thought I was. Not like you."

Draco patted his hand. "You are brave."

Blaise shook his head in disgust. "I won't admit that my best friend is Luna Lovegood, nor will I go public with my lover of two years. I'd say that's fairly cowardly."

Draco was quiet. "I waited until my father was dead to do anything about my feelings. You're family is still alive, and they can be made to suffer for your actions. No one would fault you for wanting to protect them."

Blaise snorted. "I couldn't care less about Mother and Lorenzo. It's Leo and Viola I worry about."

"Lorenzo is your older brother?" Draco asked.

Blaise nodded. "Death Eater extraordinaire. Leo and Viola are my younger brother and sister."

Draco looked at him seriously. "You tell me when, and I will use all my influence to bring them somewhere safe. I give you my word as a Malfoy and as your friend."

Blaise smiled. "I appreciate that. I'll think about it. And you're forgiven for yesterday. Now, you'd best get upstairs and take care of your beauty regimen. You have a Gryffindor to impress."