490Chapter 11: The Noble House of Black and The Connect
It was a couple minutes prior to noon. Harry was pacing in the living room frantically. Kreacher was watching in growing amusement. "Is something wrong Master Harry?" Harry looked up. "I am nervous. Is it clean enough in here? Do I look okay? Should I change?" Gushed Harry as he raked a hand through his messy hair.
Kreacher shook his head. "The house is clean. Master looks presentable." Kreacher reassured. "Master already denied all the rest of the clothes. There is no other clothes." He mumbled under his breath bitterly. Harry blushed when he heard that. So perhaps he overreacted earlier. Harry was about to apologize when the wards warned him of an upcoming apparation. He waited till there was a knock at the door before taking a deep breath and opening it slowly.
Harry's heart stopped beating for a moment as he took in Draco's appearance. He was stunning. Harry smiled warmly and stepped aside to let him in. Draco was stunned speechless when Harry opened the door. Harry was wearing dark blue skin tight jeans with a deep green dress shirt. The green matched his eyes to a tee. It was remarkable. His usual messy hair bringing the outfit to breathtaking.
"Welcome. It is not much but it is home." Harry greeted warmly. "Not much. Oh if only Mistress could hear that. The noble house of black being not much." Kreacher croaked in despair clutching his head. Draco looked around curiously at the voice and was surprised to see a very old house elf. He raised a brow at Harry who chuckled. "This is Kreacher. He has been a part of the Black family from the beginning." He explained. Draco's eyes widened. "This is the House of Black?" He asked excitedly. Harry furrowed his brows slightly. Kreacher puffed out his chest proudly. Finally, someone was respecting the house.
Draco saw Harry's confusion and grinned. "My mother has told me stories about the family parties that were held here. She was a Black before marrying my father. They were legendary according to my mum." Harry's eyes widened. "That I did not know. I inherited it from Sirius." He said softly. "I am sorry." Draco said sympathetically. Harry smiled warmly. "It's okay." Harry promised.
"It is an honor to meet you Master Draco." Kreacher said ecstatically. Draco raised his eyebrows in surprise. "Likewise." He replied cordially. Harry snorted in amusement. Draco looked at him confused. "Kreacher loves the Malfoy name. Says it's a proud family name." Harry stated with a smile. He leaned in closer. "He will definitely like you more than me. He said you are a good boy." He stage whispered. Draco chuckled at that.
"It is true. And it will be even better when the two families merge again." Kreacher squeaked out. Draco was lost. He looked to Harry for an explanation and was surprised to find him red faced and looking down at his feet. "Ah Kreacher, Draco and I will be going to the study. I will call you if I need you." Harry told him quietly. Harry prayed to any god listening that Kreacher went without speaking. Unfortunately, the fates have never been on his side.
"Of course Master." He bowed to both Harry and Draco before walking away. His voice trailing after him. "I can't wait to tell Mistress that Master Harry will be soon betrothed to a Malfoy." Draco's eyes widened and he spluttered. Harry hung his head into his hands. "Oh gods." He moaned mortified. "Harry?" Draco breathed. Harry looked up apologetically. "He seems to think that you and I will be getting married. I have tried to tell him otherwise but he rather likes the idea." Harry explained not looking at Draco.
Draco blushed. "What would make him think that?" He asked smirking at Harry's embarrassment, it was endearing. Harry blushed further. "Um… I... err... I don't know." Harry said weakly not meeting Draco's eyes. Draco's brows rose at the obvious lie. His smirk turned into a smile. Harry saw the smile and his heart started beating faster. He sighed. "I told him to expect you. And he asked if we were friends. I said we were. That's all." Harry rushed out. Draco smirked, there was more to the story. He just knew it. "He got marriage from us being friends?" He asked dubiously. Harry blushed. "Ah yes." He said weakly. Draco was about to ask further but Harry straightened up and intervened.
"Let's go to the library, shall we?" Harry quickly asked changing the subject. Draco smirked. "Lead the way." He replied. He would drop it... for now.
When they entered the library, Draco looked around impressed. It was nearly the size of Hogwarts's library. Definitely bigger than his at the manor, which surprised him. The room was cozy with a couple couches in the center of the room. Desks resided on both sides of the wall. Rows and rows of bookshelves lining clear to the back of the room. Harry realized he left the law books he was looking into on one of the desks. He spun around frantically. "Close your eyes." Harry said with a touch of panic. Draco was startled but did as he was asked. Harry scrambled to get the books put away. He summoned a trunk and shoved everything into it and spelled the trunk into the corner. "Okay. You can open them now." Harry said with a sigh. Draco opened his eyes and looked around the room. The only thing out of place was that some books were missing off the table. He looked to Harry with a silent question.
Harry grinned sheepishly. "Sorry. It's my project." He explained. Ah that explains it. Draco sat on top of the desk and smirked at him. "Going to give me any hints?" He asked. Harry leaned against one the bookcases and shook his head. "Nope. I told you that you would have to make it worth my while." Harry reminded. "You know that is so Slytherin." Draco said with a proud smile. "Oh I know." Harry grinned wickedly. Draco got the feeling he was missing out on something but he smiled regardless. "I will just have to come up with something that you want then." Draco said with a dramatic sigh. Harry just shook his head in response.
They spent the afternoon talking and laughing with each other, enjoying one another's company. Draco looked around the library a little bit. He was wandering in the back when he stopped in his tracks. "Harry?" Draco called out excitedly. Harry walked over to him curiously. Draco turned to him with a pleading smile. "Harry, can I borrow these?" He lifted his hands to show Harry a small stack of potion books. "I promise I will give them back to you." He rushed out. Harry smiled. "Of course, someone should read them. And we both know I am shite at potions." Draco snorted in amusement. There was no lie in that statement. He beamed at Harry who was thinking that all Draco had to do was smile up at him like that and he would give him the moon if he wanted. It was quite unfair actually. He fought in a bloody war, seen things that would scar the darkest of people, walked to his death and defied all logic by living, but yet a simple pleading look and smile from Draco and he was lost. The injustice was daunting.
Draco shifted the books in one hand and threw the other around Harry in a hug. "Thank you!" He whispered in his neck. Harry shuddered causing Draco to smirk. That was the position they were in when a *Pop* resonated off the walls of the quiet library. "Lunch is ready young Masters." Kreacher croaked out causing the boys to jump slightly and break away from the hug. "Thank you Kreacher. We will be right down." Harry said dismissing him quickly hoping that Kreacher would keep his mumbling to himself at least until he was out of earshot. Kreacher was mumbling on the way out. "Oh definitely more than friends. Master Harry didn't need to worry. Mistress will be pleased." Seriously? Either the fates hated him or he had some really bad karma from a past life. Harry banged his head into the bookcase groaning.
Draco blushed slightly but was pleased at the elf's words. "Harry?" He whispered. Harry sighed and mucked up every ounce of Gryffindor courage he possessed as he turned his head to stare into Draco's eyes. There was no getting out of this. He wasn't even sure if he wanted to. Draco's breath caught in his throat at the look Harry was giving him. The look was filled with many different emotions. Some he couldn't quite name. "I like you Draco. A lot. More than a friend." Harry whispered back nervously.
"Thank God." Draco said before he walked forward and smashed their lips together.
Harry froze in shock for a moment before he closed his eyes and relaxed into the kiss. Draco was worried when he didn't get a reaction from Harry. He was about to pull away until he felt Harry's lips tentatively moving against his own. He couldn't help but groan at the taste, Harry tasted so sweet. Harry flushed at Draco's groan but fuck that was intense. He parted his lips slightly and Draco took advantage immediately and slid his tongue inside to rub lightly against Harry's.
It was Harry's turn to let out a groan. The feel of Draco's tongue against his own was like something he never experienced before. With Ginny things hadn't progressed this far. There was never a connection like this. Never any sparks, no chemistry. But… this… with Draco, was nothing but chemistry. They connected on a deeper level. Something primal, raw even but also gentle and soft. Harry wrapped his arms around Draco's neck and deepened the kiss. Pressing his tongue harder against Draco's, pushing the other tongue back into Draco's mouth.
Draco wrapped his arms around Harry's waist, pulling him closer. Till neither one could tell where one ended and the other began. Draco tangled with Harry's tongue pushing it backwards, with Draco chasing it back into Harry's mouth. They wrestled for control until they needed to pull away to breathe.
Both were panting against each other, with their foreheads pressed against one another. "Wow." Whispered Harry. Draco let out a weak chuckle. "That is an understatement." Draco stated with such a sweet smile that melted Harry's insides. Neither one of them had ever had a kiss with such intensity or feeling before.
"Either you kiss all your friends like that, or that was your way of telling me that you like me too." Harry teased. Draco snorted. "Of course I like you too. Ya prat." Harry smiled warmly. "What's there not to like? You are amazing Harry." Both boys blushed. Draco at the admission. What was it about Harry that turned him into a bloody sentimental Hufflepuff? In just a couple days his entire reputation of being a cold, hard Slytherin was shot to hell. Harry, at Draco's words, he had never felt cherished like this before.
"Already trying to fill me up with your compliments?" Harry teased. Draco let out surprised laughter. "I think you are pretty amazing yourself Draco." Harry said loving the way Draco's face heated up. It was a beautiful site to see.
Draco thrilled at the admission lightly pressed his lips against Harry's. To give the other boy a sweet gentle kiss. Harry loved the feel of Draco's lips moving against his own. The kiss wasn't intense as the first one but it was just as good. Neither noticed Kreacher's reentrance, too lost in one another.
"Kreacher came to check on Masters. But Masters don't need no help, even if they are being indecent." Draco let out a low chuckle while Harry groaned in embarrassment. "We'll be right down Kreacher." Harry said quietly. Kreacher nodded his head and turned around. "Master said that before. Perhaps Kreacher shall put a heating charm to keep it warm. Don't know how long indecent Masters shall be."
Draco threw his head back and laughed. "Oh I like him." Draco said with a mischievous glint to his eyes. Harry shook his head but had a fond smile on his face.
Suddenly nervous, Harry cleared his throat. "So… does this mean…?" Harry trailed off, unsure how to voice his fears. Draco smiled softly at Harry's anxious expression. "That we are together?" Draco supplied. Harry nodded, not able to speak. Draco grinned. "I would like that."
Harry's nerves vanished, a relieved expression flickered briefly before a pleased smile graced his features. "Me too." He whispered. Draco squeezed his hips once before stepping away and grabbing hold of one of Harry's hands. "Now that that is settled, let's go eat. Shall we?" Draco said not bothering to wait for a response as he dragged Harry towards the exit. Harry entwined their fingers as a calming started spreading inside him that hadn't been there in years. Harry smiled at the changes Draco ignited inside his life. He chuckled at the fact that his life could be turned around in just two days. Harry shook his head and let himself be led around his own home.
Lucius and Narcissa were sitting in their dining room finishing up dinner when their son walked in. Well more like floated in, if you took in account of his dreamy expression that is. Lucius had half a mind to ask if his son had been spending time with the Lovegoods. Lucius who hadn't realized his son had even left the manor was surprised to see his disheveled attire. He took in the slightly rumpled shirt, messy hair, flushed cheeks and glazed eyes with curiosity. Narcissa's mouth dropped open in shock.
Draco was not paying any mind to his parents, he wasn't even aware they were in the room. His mind was solely focused on the day he had with Harry. After lunch, they spent hours talking and exploring the new relationship with each other. There was a significant amount of time exploring each other's mouths as well. Not that Draco was one to kiss and tell. That would just be improper. All in all it was a wonderful day, even with the odd house elf's mumblings. He couldn't wait until the next time they would be able to be together.
Draco sat down in the nearest chair and with great surprise realized that his parents were in the room. How embarrassing. Twice in two days he was caught not paying attention to his surroundings. He cleared his throat and tried not to show his shock. "Hello, how is dinner?" He asked conversationally. He flinched internally at the thunderous look on his mother's face. Probably not the best opener.
Narcissa choked on air. "Dinner?!" She yelled with a hysterical edge to it. Draco and Lucius both winced. It was never a good thing when she got like this. Neither one could ever forget the last time her voice got this tone to it. The great Christmas debacle of 1990 when Lucius made the mistake of asking her if she was pregnant when she had seconds of every dessert. Not a pleasant night, rather ruined the Christmas spirit.
"Draconis Lucius Malfoy you come in here looked like a thoroughly debauched slag and have the nerve to ask how was dinner?" Narcissa demanded. Draco leapt back as if he had been slapped. A slag? Lucius was also stunned speechless. He couldn't remember the last time his wife used language like that.
"Excuse you? I am no slag mother." Draco spat with venom. Narcissa flinched at the anger. Perhaps she was a tad harsh in her words. "You already know that I spent the day at Harry's place. He and I talked through a lot of things and are now in a relationship. Contrary to your degrading language I did not sleep with my boyfriend. Even if I had, it is none of your bloody business." Draco seethed in anger. Narcissa sat back stunned at her son's demeanor.
"Don't talk to your mother like that!" Lucius snapped. Draco turned his anger on his father. "If you had noticed, I wasn't the one who used derogatory language. I was the one insulted, not her. I was the one whose night was ruined. I have done nothing but tell the truth. I will show respect to those who show me respect. If you think I will just stand by and take her unjustified harsh words, then you are sadly mistaken. I did not endure the shite you both put me through all my life to be treated like this. If you want to know something, then ask me about it! Do not make unfounded accusations that fit your concocted misconceptions." Draco finished panting slightly. He was so angry. How dare they treat him like some errant child! Draco was partly astounded at his boost in confidence. A week ago he wouldn't have even dreamed of talking to his parents like this but his anger overrode any fleeting thoughts of backing down. It was high time they took him seriously and realized that he was his own man and not some child they could mold to do their dirty work.
Both Narcissa and Lucius were floored. How dare Draco talk to them like that? Who did he think he was? But at the same time they realized that he was not a child any longer. They had no control over him. They needed time to think about how to handle him. They needed to take a step back before they said something to alienate him further. That was the last thing they needed.
"Now if you will excuse me, I have better things to do than be in the presence of the two of you." Draco said in disgust, shaking his head and storming away not bothering to listen to the shouts of outrage telling him to come back. They could go to hell for all he cared.
Draco slammed his bedroom door shut and spelled every single privacy ward that he knew of, in case they tried barging in. It wouldn't stop his father but it would stop his mother. He paced back and forth fuming. How dare his mother say that to him? Never had he been more insulted. She's his mother for Merlins sake. Perhaps he should have checked his appearance before coming home but it wasn't like they had even done anything. Just harmless kissing. Harmless but thoroughly satisfying, Draco thought with a smirk. Even if he had slept with Harry it's not like it's any of her business! He is almost 18. An adult for nearly a year. If he can be considered an adult in the eyes of the rest of the world, then his parents need to get their heads out of their arses and realize that too. Draco sat down on his bed and sighed deeply. Maybe it was time to find a place of his own. He had the money from his trust fund after all. A fund that they could no longer touch. Besides, it's not as if he would be living with them forever.
Harry was sitting down staring at the fireplace with a smile on his face. His day with Draco had been incredible. When he was panicking about what to wear earlier he never anticipated what the rest of the day would entail. He had figured they would spend the day talking and getting closer, which they did. He just hadn't expected them to get so far. Was it happening too fast? Perhaps. They were now in a relationship. Which is the one thing Harry wanted the most at the moment. With no one around but the dust bunnies to witness, Harry let out a goofy grin at the thought of his relationship with Draco.
There would be many people that wouldn't understand it, they wouldn't accept it. They would think that Draco was negatively influencing him. But they were wrong. So wrong. Draco was his savior, his light in the darkness that had been suffocating him for so long. They could never understand the horrors that both of them had to endure. They would never understand how much they understood one another. Harry knew the backlash of this would be bad. It would be plastered all over the Daily Prophet. Not that he wasn't used to that but he didn't want any negative attention on Draco. Draco had enough of that already with his father. The Malfoy name was not a good name at the moment. Part of him was tempted to protect Draco by ending whatever this was between them before they got too attached but his heart shot that thought down fast. Harry was already attached. He was too selfish, ironic considering he had never been selfish in his entire life. Always doing what everyone else wanted, never doing what he wanted. Well for once in his life he was going to selfishly take what he wanted, and that was Draco. He would hold onto Draco for as long as it was reciprocated, fuck what everyone else thought. He could already picture the field day that Rita Skeeter would make of this. But he couldn't honestly give a damn. Maybe the rest of the world see what made Draco so special. Maybe they would understand how important Draco was to him. And if they couldn't… then he didn't need them anyways.
Harry was about to make his way to his bedroom and retire for the night when a wave of hurt pierced his heart. It was foreign, it wasn't his own. Harry panicked looking all around as if an explanation was waiting in the shadows of the living room. The only times he had ever felt foreign emotions was with the connection to Voldemort. Dread filled him as the horrific thought that Voldemort could be back. Harry was close to hysterical terror until he forced himself to get a grip. The Horcruxes are gone, he reminded himself. You saw his body fall yourself, he reassured.
So if it wasn't Voldemort then what was it? Who else could he possibly have a connection with? Who else could he possibly be feeling? Harry was scared. He didn't want a connection with anyone, Voldemort had been bad enough. But with Voldemort he mainly ever felt anger, rarely anything positive but never agony or pain. Whoever this was with, the person was hurt. Not physically, this was different. It was emotional pain. A wave of sympathy for the stranger surged within. Which startled him, why should he care if some stranger was in pain? That wasn't his business. The pain was replaced with anger. A lot of anger. This Harry was used to. Harry bit his lip… could it really be Voldemort? Harry closed his eyes trying to follow the anger like he used to when a vision would take hold. The anger wasn't following the path of scar like he was used to. Odd. There was no telltale sign of a vision either. So it wasn't Voldemort. Relief washed through Harry like a freight train causing him to sag heavily.
A sudden pang of familiarity arched through Harry's being. Draco! He didn't know how and he didn't know why but he just knew that this was Draco's emotions. Something was wrong with Draco. He didn't pause to question the connection or even care why. He ran to the kitchen and grabbed parchment and set out to send a note to Draco.
"Kreacher!" Harry yelled out. *pop* Harry thrusted the letter in his hands. "Find Draco and deliver this to him. Make sure you are not seen by anyone but him and wait for him to reply." Harry demanded frantically. Kreacher took the letter and immediately disappeared, for once not bothering to mumble.
Kreacher was worried. He had seen Masters face as he ordered him to deliver the letter to Master Draco. Master was scared. Not even when Master took on Master Regulus's last wish was he scared. Not when he battled The Dark Lord was Master scared. Kreacher didn't like it. Not one bit. Kreacher hoped Master Draco was okay otherwise he feared what his Master would do. It's not common knowledge but a part of the bond that ties them to their Master's family ensures that the elf knows the mental and physical health of their Master. To ensure that they can take proper care of the Master. While Master Sirius was in Azkaban the bond was dark and disturbed, like Master Sirius's mind. Kreacher didn't bother to care then. Master Sirius was a bad boy who broke Mistresses heart. With Master Harry, it had always been a strong bond but one filled with sadness and sometimes physical pain.
After the Dark Lord died the bond was wild, chaotic and slipping into madness. The bond was slowly fading. Kreacher was worried that Master was dying, nothing else could explain the turbulence of the bond. He had been worried but then suddenly the bond righted itself and was stronger than it had been before. It was bright and thrumming with energy. It felt similar to when he had been under the care of Mistress Walburga, only brighter. Much brighter. Kreacher missed Mistress dearly but the bond had been dark even then. Bonds shouldn't be that dark, it wasn't healthy for the house elf. Master Harry's brightness was a welcoming change. It filled him with such energy and magic, it was an honor to work for Master Harry. He knew that Master thought Kreacher would rather work for Master Draco but that was not the case. Oh no. Master Draco was a lovely boy from a proud family but Kreacher knew that no one else would have the brightness that Master Harry had. This is what house elves lived for, the type of brightness that Master Harry had. This is why they willingly choose to be bound to wizards. He would never admit it to Mistress but Kreacher was glad to work for Master Harry. Even if he was a half blood.
Draco was laying down on his bed contemplating what to do when a sudden pop scared the wits out of him. He let out a very un-Malfoy like shriek. Luckily his wards included a silencing charm. Draco sat up sharply looking around for the intruder. He sighed in relief when he spotted Harry's elf. "What are you doing here?" Draco asked sharply worried that something was wrong.
Kreacher was relieved to see that Master Draco appeared to be fine, even if he was behaving undignified. There was no wounds or afflictions that he could see. "I was told by Master Harry to give you this letter. I am to wait for a reply Master Draco." Kreacher croaked. Draco arched an eyebrow in surprise. He grabbed the letter quickly worried that something was wrong with Harry.
Draco,
Are you okay? I don't know how to explain it properly but I promise you that I am not losing it. I was about to head to sleep when I felt pain and a feeling of hurt inside me. It was not my own emotions. As you know, I used to experience emotions from the connection with Voldemort. I freaked. I thought he was back. While I was panicking I also felt anger. Then a familiar feeling of you Draco. I don't if this will make sense but I felt that you were hurt emotionally and then I felt that you were angry. Very angry. I know this sounds like I have gone wonky but I promise you that I felt it. Are you okay? Is something the matter? Is there anything that I can help you with? I await a reply from you. Just send it with Kreacher.
Hoping you are well,
Harry.
Draco stared at the letter shocked. He reread it two more times to make sure he was seeing it correctly. Harry felt his emotions? How was that even possible? He didn't doubt Harry, those were the exact emotions he had been feeling. There was no way that Harry would have guessed that after the wonderful day they had spent together.
Draco closed his eyes and calmed his emotions like he did when clearing his mind for Occlumency. Once he was in a meditative state of mind Draco detected foreign emotions. Worry. Fear. That was odd. They were not his. He delved deeper and was hit with a sense of Harry. Pure Harry. It was as if he was under the sun. Such warmth was radiating around his presence. It was so bright and so wonderful. If he breathed deep enough he could smell his scent, almost taste him even. Harry was worried about him. The thought alone brought a smile to his face. Draco probably should have been worried about this connection. But he wasn't, it felt right. To take away this warmth was criminal, he was already addicted to it. He wondered where the connection came from, why it was here. It didn't matter in the end how it happened. Draco liked it, something about being connected to Harry filled him with such wonder. Being connected to someone so sweet and caring thrilled him to no end.
Draco opened his eyes and stared into the worried eyes of Kreacher. "Take me to him." Draco pleaded. "Please." He added as an afterthought. Kreacher nodded and took hold of Draco and apparated them back to Grimwald place.
Harry looked up at the sound of Kreacher returning, hoping he had a reply. He was surprised to see Draco with him. Harry rushed forward and threw himself into Draco's arms. "Are you okay?" Harry gushed. He stepped back to look over every inch of Draco he could see to make sure that there were no wounds. Harry felt a rush of fondness from Draco, causing Harry to pink up in embarrassment.
"I am fine Harry." Draco promised with an amused smile. "Do you know what is going on? I can feel your emotions Draco." Harry said biting his lip. Draco shook his head. "I don't know. When I concentrate I can feel your emotions as well. I don't feel anything unless I try. Harry frowned. "I'm not concentrating but I still feel your emotions."
Draco narrowed his eyes in thought. Hmm. "Are you occulading?" Harry shook his head. "No I was pants at it. Never could learn it properly. But in my defense Snape was my teacher at it. You know how bad that was." Harry felt more amusement from Draco. Harry grinned in response.
"Well I am occulading. Had to, to get around the manor with Voldemort in it. I guess it is just a habit now." Draco explained. Harry considered this. "Makes sense. I could always try and learn it again." Harry sighed in resignation. "I could teach you if you would like." Draco offered, knowing that Harry wouldn't want to ask Severus. Harry snapped his eyes up in hope. "Oh would you? That would save me from having to ask Snape for help." Draco could sense a bit of desperation coming from Harry. He frowned internally, were the lessons that bad with his godfather? Draco nodded his head. The smile he received in return made up for the shite his parents put him through tonight.
Harry was relieved. He did not want Snape teaching him. That would just be asking for trouble. "Will you tell me what happened earlier?" Harry asked gently, wrapping his arms around Draco holding him close. Draco sighed, loving the feel of being wrapped in Harry's arms. He never felt so safe before. He welcomed it, taking all the warmth and comfort Harry could give.
Harry choked up feeling the emotions Draco was releasing. If he had any doubts of Draco's intentions before, he didn't now. He could feel how much Draco cared for him. It was breathtaking. Harry squeezed tighter and focused on all the emotions he felt for Draco and tried to send them to him.
Draco gasped in surprise at the onslaught of Harry's feelings for him hit him, despite the Occlumency shields. He had always known he had strong feelings for Harry, before they had been dislike and longing for something you couldn't have. But now, now his feelings were so intense it startled him. To know that his feelings were not only accepted but returned was an indescribable feeling. He reveled in it. Draco grabbed onto those feelings with his own and held them tightly. Cocooning them in a warm embrace.
Harry smiled into Draco's neck at the emotional hug Draco was giving him. Blimey, this was surreal. Harry had no idea what was going on with them but he loved it. Absolutely loved it. Nothing had ever felt this wonderful before. He just knew that it was meant to be. Something like this couldn't be a mistake.
Draco reinforced his shield, dimming Harry's emotions so that he could think. Harry's emotions were so open and free that it was intoxicating. It was hard to tell where his even began. If he had kept his shields as they were he would have been overwhelmed. Draco remembered Harry's question.
"When I apparated home my clothes were rumpled from our kiss goodbye." Harry flushed in pleasure remembering that enjoy full moment. "My mother said that I looked like a, and I quote, 'Debauched slag'." Harry gasped in surprise. He imagined that was probably a mild insult but still, for your own mother to say that about you. "That was what hurt me. My mother has never been one to insult me. A comment like that I would expect from my father but not my mother. If Pansy or Blaise had been the one to say it, I know they would have been teasing but my mother meant it. I could tell that she thought we slept together." Harry was angry on behalf of Draco. How could his own mother say that to him? It couldn't be a pureblood thing, must just be a rude bitch thing.
"Even if we had it's none of her business." Draco finished angrily. Harry flushed slightly trying not to think about that. Draco smirked at Harry's expression, his anger waning. "She could have just asked me why I was so rumpled." Draco said indignantly.
"I'm sorry Draco. I should have told you before you left but I was a little… distracted." Harry admitted sheepishly. Draco smirked. "So was I. That was one hell of a goodbye." Draco said with a mischievous grin. Harry blushed but agreed whole heartedly.
"What did you end up telling your mother?" Harry asked quietly as he dragged Draco to the couch to sit down. Draco arranged them so that Harry was cuddled into his side before he started speaking.
"I told her off. I told her that she was wrong to have said that to me and that even if it had been the truth that it wasn't her business. My father told me not to talk to my mother like that. But I was too upset. I snapped at him too. Told them that there was no way I was going to let them treat me like that anymore. Especially not after all the crap that they have put me through. I stormed away and that was it." Draco said with a sigh.
Harry was quiet. He could feel the different emotions inside Draco. There was plenty of anger left over but there was also sadness too. His parent's actions were hurting him. He felt so bad for his boyfriend. Maybe it was because he didn't have parents but Harry just couldn't fathom why Draco's parents acted the way they do. It was obvious that they were hurting their son. Didn't they care? Didn't they want his happiness?
"What are you going to do now?" Draco sighed lost in thought. "I was thinking about finding a place of my own. It's about time I stepped away from their expectations and did my own thing. I have been thinking about for a bit, even before tonight. I just want our of their clutches. I want to live my own life. By my rules, not theirs." Draco finished with a small smile.
"I think that is a smart plan. Where do you think you'll go? If you want, you can stay here with me. Until you find a place of your own." Harry gushed out hoping Draco wouldn't think it was a bad idea. Draco could feel Harry's nervousness at the question. It was so endearing. What would he do without him? Be miserable most likely.
"Thank you, Harry. I think I will take you up on your offer. I promise I won't be here for too long." Draco said reassuringly. Harry shook his head. "I don't mind Draco. I like spending time with you." Heat blossomed on Draco's cheeks at Harry's words.
Harry smiled warmly and snuggled into Draco deeper. Neither boy had ever felt so content before. They reveled in it.