Fortalius

Chapter 5 - Worlds Will Shift

Both Harry and Draco scrambled to their feet, furiously trying to straighten hair and clothing, Harry managing to only button four of his nine shirt buttons, all of which ended up in the wrong holes.

"Ron!! Ummm, this isn't what it looks like!! Well, Okay, it is... But I can explain!! Sort of..."

"What the - How the -When the - Who the - What the - Why - what - how..."

Hermione, who was standing there as well - eyes and mouth all wide open - blindly fumbled for the sputtering, verging-on-heart-attack victim beside her, and locating his shoulder, patted it gently, mumbling, "Shhh..." though never taking her eyes off the disheveled boys in front of her.

Ron continued to sputter, apparently having suffered such severe shock, the connection had been lost between his brain and his speaking abilities.

"Uh, why don't you guys come... sit down and... breathe."

Ron and Hermione made their ways over to the couch and slowly sat down, mouths still hanging open, brains desperately trying to process information.

"And close your bloody mouths. It can't possibly be that big a shock to you."

"Draco, do you mind?!"

"Sorry, darling, but they look like bloody blowfish."

"DARLING?!!!!" Ron shouted, flabbergasted.

"It speaks!"

"Draco!! "

"Shutting up."

Harry took a seat next to Ron, facing him and Hermione, and Draco stood beside Harry, arms crossed. Finally Harry began. "Umm... what were you guys doing here anyway?"

"Herm and I came here to - Never mind what we were doing! What the bloody hell were YOU doing with MALFOY?!"

"Well... we were, uh..."

"Snogging." Malfoy finished helpfully.

"For Merlin's sake, Draco, you're not helping!"

"What did he just say, Harry?" Hermione said finally.

"He, uh, said we were snogging."

At this point, Ron began to hyperventilate, almost passing out before Hermione muttered a breathing spell to bring him back.

"Gah! What do you mean SNOGGING!!!!?"

"Um, Ron, Hermione, I have something to tell you both. I'm really sorry I didn't tell you sooner. You have to understand, I really did want to, but I was afraid of how you'd react... what you'd say or think. I guess now is as good a time as any to tell you. But, please, you guys, try to be okay with this. Try to understand. I know that's a lot to ask given the circumstances, but please just try. For me. I love you both very much and always will. And I hope you both feel the same way. Especially after what I have to tell you. You see... Draco and I are sort of... together."

There was suddenly a loud thump just below where Ron had been precariously perched on the edge of his sofa cushion just seconds before. Hermione and Harry immediately rushed to scoop him up and restore him to his seated position.

Once Ron was back on the couch, he began to laugh. "I'm sorry, I thought you just said you and Malfoy were a, hehehe, a couple."

"Uh, well, I... sorta did." The laughter died as abruptly as it had begun.

Hermione's face was a cross between complete horror and the painful urge to giggle.

"Um, Harry," Malfoy began, "as much as I hate to kill my evil antagonist image in front of these two, I think maybe you should go talk to them alone. Spend the rest of the day... well, evening with them. I don't want to cause any hostility between you and your friends."

"You're right. That's a good idea."

"Maybe I'll go talk to Greg and Vince, unless you wanted to be with me when I tell them..."

"What would you rather? Do you want me to be with you when you tell them?"

"Maybe I'll talk to them first," Draco decided, standing up to leave. He began to lean in for a goodbye kiss, but thought better of it and settled for cupping Harry's face in his hand for a moment before exiting swiftly and gracefully.

Harry's eyes remained on Draco, a look of pure adoration on his face, until Draco was out of sight. He then turned to look at his friends, who's faces were both frozen in shock over the exchange that had just taken place between the two lovesick boys.

Harry's next monologue was spoken at auctioneer pace in approximately 1.6 breaths.

"I know what you guys are thinking. That I should be put in a mental institution for even considering trusting Draco, let alone dating him. Believe me, I thought that too at first, but you have to believe me when I say that he really has changed, and is a sweet, amazing, wonderful person. And I know you can't see that but I've seen what a caring person he can be and I've seen his pain and I know you probably won't understand, but somehow I just know I can trust him and he has changed. I've seen it in his face, and his eyes. So I really need you guys to try and understand and accept this and us and be there for me like I've always been there for you. And I know if I can forgive and forget, so can you. And yes, he's the one I've been seeing in secret, and yes, I would like this to remain somewhat of a secret, and yes, right now you two are the only ones who know. And if this gets out, it could mean a life-or-death situation for both me and Draco. So, anyway, I really need you two to be ok with this and not freak out completely. And I need to stop talking now." ----

"Um... Herm, do you mind if I have a moment alone with Harry."

"Not at all, love. I'll wait outside." Hermione gave Ron a slightly worried, comforting look, before getting up and walking to the door, making sure it didn't close all the way once she was outside.

"Harry, I just don't understand. I mean, why Malfoy? And why didn't you tell me?!"

"Well, I knew you wouldn't exactly be thrilled about it. I was waiting for the right time."

"Don't you think the right time would have maybe been before I walked in on you and Malfoy... like that?!"

"Ron I'm sorry. I know I should have told you sooner. But you have to understand, this has been really hard for me as well."

"Oh, I'm sure all the snogging you were doing must have made it real tough!!"

"Ron, please. Calm down."

"Calm down?! Calm down?! How am I supposed to calm down?! You're bloody gah-gah over Malfoy!!!"

"Ron, Please!! As hard as this is for you to believe and to deal with, it was six times as hard for me. Every rational, logical part of me was screaming, 'Don't be a bloody idiot!' But I knew that somehow, this was meant to be. It just felt right. I had to trust my instincts, close my eyes, and leap. And I know it's truly crazy. I know. But please, as my first and best friend," Harry pleaded, his voice shaking slightly, "I need you to be okay with this. You have to try. Please."

Ron could see the desperation in his friend's face. He took a slow, deep breath. His friend needed him. And Ron would always be there for his best friend. As much as it pained him.

"Alright. I'll try."

"Thanks, Ron."

"There are still some things I need to understand though."

"Yeah?"

"Well, like, when did you know you were... ya know... gay?" This last word was said in a whisper as though he might greatly offend someone. Harry found it rather amusing.

"Ron, you don't have to whisper. You can say the word, gay. You won't be struck down with lightning or anything. Really." Ron shot him a rather evil glare at his inappropriate use of sarcasm during such a serious situation. Harry sighed. "Well, I'm not, exactly..." he began. Ron gave him a skeptical look. "It's not that I'm attracted to boys in general. It's just that the person I fell for happened to be a guy. Ron, have you ever cared so much for someone, that it just doesn't matter who they are, or whether they're male or female, but just that it's them? You just want to be with that person."

"Harry, Hermione is a girl."

"Ron, my point is, that that's how this is for me and Draco. It's not that I like boys. I just like Draco. A lot."

"Do you... love him, Harry?"

"Yes, Ron, I do."

"I - I need some - I need to go... think, or something. I..." Ron left the room in somewhat of a dazed frenzy.

Hermione, who had been standing at the door listening, walked in and sat next to Harry. "He'll be okay. He just needs some time. But... Harry, are you sure you know what you're doing. I just don't want to see you get hurt. I mean, Malfoy...?"

"I know. And I know it seems crazy, but... if you knew him like I do..."

She sighed. "So you really love him, huh?"

"Yeah." They sat in silence for a long time. But somehow Harry knew that Hermione would support him, and be there for him, no matter what. And that she was right about Ron. He would eventually accept this new situation, and still love his friend just as much as he always had.

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Draco's talk with Crabbe and Goyle had gone surprisingly well. Draco hated that he'd been so obvious all along, but Crabbe and Goyle assured him that they were the only ones who suspected anything, and he was glad they were okay with the whole situation.

The basic gist of the conversation had been:

--

"Vince, Greg, I have something to tell you both. It's rather hard for me to say, but you guys are my best friends and I hope you'll accept what I'm about to tell you and not think any differently of me. I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner, but I may as well just spit it out now, so please don't freak out. Harry and I are, well... together."

"Congratulations, Draco."

"Yeah. Good for you."

"Huh?!!"

--

Having already told Harry to spend the rest of the evening with his friends, (and wanting to escape Crabbe and Goyle's ridiculously useless relationship advice / explanations and reasons they suspected he and Harry had a thing going), Draco decided it might be a good idea to take a walk and get some fresh air. Besides, Draco liked the cold, and since snow had been minimal so far this year, there was not too much to trudge through.

He walked outside, and to his initial dismay, he spotted, who else, Ronald Weasley, leaning against the wall of the building, a very serious look on his face.

But maybe this could be a good opportunity. He cared deeply for Harry. Loved him even, though he could never say it, for reasons he couldn't really explain.

This was Harry's best friend, and as much as Draco disliked the Weasel, he knew Ron was important to Harry, and Harry was important to Draco. So, Draco thought it would be in everyone's best interest if the two made peace, for Harry's sake.

Draco approached cautiously. "Hello, Weasley," he said, with the best smile he could muster.

Ron visibly stiffened. "Malfoy."

"Calm down, Weasley. I'm not here to fight. In fact, I wasn't here to see you at all. But since you're here, I thought maybe we could talk. Seeing as you and I both share a common interest now, we ought to be able to be within twenty feet of each other without wanting to strangle each other."

Ron pushed away from the wall, and moved swiftly into Draco's personal space, his two inches over Draco, combined with the look on his face, making him rather intimidating. He said in a low voice, "You're right. That would be beneficial. But know this, Malfoy: if you ever do anything, and I mean anything, to hurt Harry, I will personally rip you limb from limb."

Draco now took a step forward, further closing the distance between them, his expression now shrinking Ron by a good three inches, and said slowly, enunciating every syllable, to be sure Ron made no mistakes, "Same goes for you, Weasley."

At this exact point in time, the universe shifted on it's axis, and an unspoken sort of understanding was formed between Ronald Weasley and Draco Malfoy.

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Over the next couple weeks, Harry and Draco continued to become increasingly closer. The surprising part was that Ron and Hermione seemed to have come to terms with the new relationship almost completely. Harry was glad. The vibes between Ron and Draco had shifted, and though Harry did not really understand it, he was relieved they could now tolerate each other quite well.

It was now Christmas break, and nearly everyone had gone home to spend the holidays with their families. Ron and Hermione, and a few younger Gryffindors, as well as several underclassmen from the other houses remained behind, along with, of course, Harry.

Ron's family had gone to Africa to spend the holidays with Charlie, again. Ron, being one of the two Weasleys left at Hogwarts, opted to stay and spend the holidays with his friends, while Ginny spent the holidays with her best friend and her family. As much as Ron wanted to be with his family on Christmas, he was not all too fond of "roughing it" - though with all the magic they used on those kinds of trips, it could not really be called "roughing it."

Hermione, of course, felt it necessary to stay and study over the break, what with it being their last year and all, and finals scores being more crucial than ever. That, and now that she and Ron were together, they were practically inseparable, and had grown accustomed to spending every waking moment together.

---

Draco had left for home a day before the others. He had gotten a letter from his mother that he should come home a day early because she needed his help in planning for the holidays. She also had some sort of special surprise for him. He and Harry had both been rather miffed by this one lost day together. They knew, of course they would see each other again in two weeks, but two weeks is a very long time to be separated from the one you love. They made the best of their last evening together before Draco had to leave early the next morning.

They met in their room, AKA the "Fortress", immediately after dinner to ensure they would have as much time as possible to spend together. Draco seemed oddly anxious and upset. He seemed to have some sort of dark cloud hanging over his head. Harry asked him what was wrong.

"Nothing. I'm just upset I'm going to be away from you for so long. I'm going to miss you Harry."

"I'm going to miss you too, Love. I'm going to miss this. Not seeing you every night... not getting to talk to you, kiss you..."

"I wish I didn't have to go. I suppose I don't have much of an option. But before I go, Harry, there's something I've got to tell you."

"Draco, what's wrong? We'll see each other again in two weeks."

"I know. I know. But I just want to say... Harry... I..."

Harry looked at Draco for a moment, his eyes shining. Harry knew it was hard for Draco, to open himself up to another person and allow himself to be vulnerable. Too many years of learning to be ice. But Harry knew. Deep down, he knew without hearing it. "Draco, I love you. And I always will."

Draco took Harry's face in his hands and pulled it towards his own until their lips met. Harry's arms wrapped around Draco's back, pulling him in tighter, pressing Draco's body to his own, hands trailing everywhere they could reach. Draco felt like a hundred hands were massaging him. Draco held Harry's face, caressing Harry's cheek with his thumb, moving his hands back to play with the hair at the back of Harry's neck, sending a shiver through him. Draco swiped his tongue slowly across Harry's entire mouth, drawing a moan from Harry, before returning to kissing him. Harry returned the favor, and then some, breaking from Draco's mouth and trailing kisses to his ear, before running his tongue down the length of Draco's neck, biting down lightly where his neck and shoulder meet, sucking gently at first, then harder. Draco almost couldn't stand the incredible sensations this sent through his entire body.

Draco lay Harry down, kissing him feverishly. Their tongues writhed and wrestled for control over the other boy's mouth. He sucked possessively on Harry's lower lip, something he'd learned that Harry loved, drawing yet another beautiful moan he'd grown so accustomed to, and so fond of. Draco broke from Harry's mouth to trail his tongue up and down the right side of Harry's neck. He kissed his way to the other side, pausing at Harry's adam's apple to trace small circles with his tongue. Once he reached the other side, he stopped to suck vigorously, trying to absorb every molecule of Harry's scent. He could feel Harry's hot breath on his own neck and ear. He loved it. That warmth, so sensual, and at the same time, so much deeper. His eyes batted closed as he continued to draw sounds of pleasure and bliss from Harry, still feeling that warmth. Basking in it. He went back to kissing Harry passionately. He fully felt Harry's appreciation, and his love, through his kiss. He never wanted it to end.

They didn't leave the Fortress until close to 3 am, not wanting to release the other boy from their embrace. They almost decided to just sleep there, but that would have been a bad idea. Not only was there the fact that they would be much more likely to get caught, but Draco needed to pack, and Harry needed to sleep.

So, they reluctantly said their goodbyes, and shared several last passionate, steamy kisses, and trudged back to their rooms.

---

Harry decided if he couldn't be with Draco, he would make the best of these next two weeks spending quality time with his friends. He, Ron, and Hermione sat at breakfast chatting about their various holiday plans. They were going to spend the weekend in Hogsmeade, and the next few days after that relaxing. (Yes, these plans took much effort and brain power to formulate.)

As they were finishing their breakfast, the post owls swooped in, dropping a few Daily Prophets at various locations in the great hall. One was dropped into Ron's lap and he picked it up and began to scan for anything exiting as Harry and Hermione continued to discuss whether they should hit the pubs or the shops first.

Suddenly, Ron turned very pale.

"Ron, what is it? What's the matter?"

After a moment he looked up from his paper, still white as Sir Nicholas, and handed the paper shakily to Harry. "Harry, you'd better read this for yourself."

Harry looked at the paper, locating the article Ron must have been referring to. The title was "Convict Escaped From Azkaban Prison." The article read:

News has just been released about the escape from Azkaban Prison for Wizards. Officials are saying that Lucius Malfoy, a right hand man of the late Lord Voldemort, has, in fact, escaped from Azkaban, and has gone missing. Officials cannot say how it came to be that he managed to escape, but they are telling us that he is believed to be armed and dangerous. We have been told that he may have returned to his estate, where his wife and son still reside, or may have gone to seek out remaining Death Eaters. However, this is all mere speculation. If you have any information on this matter, please notify your local Auror or other official immediately...

Draco!!!!!!

-- Eleka nahmen nahmen ah tum ah tum eleka nahmen

Eleka nahmen nahmen ah tum ah tum eleka nahmen

Let his flesh not be torn

Let his blood leave no stain

Though they beat him, let him feel no pain

Let his bones never break and however they try

to destroy him, let him never die,

let him never die!

Eleka nahmen nahmen ah tum ah tum eleka nahmen

Eleka nahmen nahmen ah tum ah tum eleka... eleka...

What good is this chanting

I don't even know what I'm reading

I don't even know what trick I ought to try

[Draco] where are you?

Already dead or bleeding?

One more disaster I can add to my

Generous supply!!!

Lyrics from "Wicked" by Stephen Schwartz --

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