The Ruby Ruse

Title: The Ruby Ruse
Status/Part: Chapter 10/10 COMPLETE!
Rating: FRAO /NC-17
Pairing: HP/DM
Key words: M/M, AU, Slash, Sexual Content (later chapters), Language,WAFF

Summary: Draco has hunted Harry down to pay up on outstanding bills. What happens when they figure out who really ran up the bills and what happens between them?

A/N Just to refresh memories, Harry was a professional Quidditch player out on tour and Draco worked for Blaise at Debtor Reimbursement and Acquisition Bureau, DRAB for short.

Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoat Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.

Beta: Sorry, there is no Beta on this chapter either. If you find any glaring mistakes, please let me know and I will do my best to correct it. Thanks!

Chapter 10 Exposure and Secrets Revealed

Harry and Draco went downstairs. They had decided to seclude Draco in an ante-room, waiting until all the guests were there before the “person of interest” appeared. The first knock landed on the door. As the house-elf opened the door, Harry stood back to welcome them. The first to arrive was Molly and Arthur with Bill and Charlie. Blaise arrived about the same time as the twins and Ron. The laughter between them was evidence that teenage angst and hatred could be absolved.

At the precise time stated on the invitations, Severus Snape knocked on the door and swept through, robes billowing. Harry grinned. “Punctual as ever Severus.”

The tall wizard bowed slightly. “Of course Potter. I’ve deducted too many points from all of you youngsters for being tardy to even want to be in the ignominious position of having you mock me.”

The gathered had a good laugh at that. Harry and company waited ten minutes, standing around talking until there was another knock on the door. The house-elf opened the door and the last male Weasley came through the door with his date. The house-elf helped them with their cloaks. Harry looked at his family and smiled. It was time to start.

“It looks like we’re all here. Let’s go have dinner and then I have something to show all of you.”

As they began walking with Harry who was escorting Molly, one of the twins spoke up.

“Harry, the note I received said you wanted us to meet someone special, of interest, I believe. Will they be joining us for dinner?”

“Well the person is here. Why don’t all of you sit and I’ll just get them. Back in a tick.”

Harry moved back through the doors, carefully closing them behind him. He went to the ante-room to where Draco was standing, looking into the fire and fidgeting. In his best Snape imitation, Harry started.

“Mr. Malfoy, calm yourself immediately. The behavior you are displaying is beneath your upbringing.”

Harry stopped to laugh when he saw Draco’s back straighten and stiffen at his godfather’s words. The blond turned on his heels to respond and shook his head at seeing only his brunet.

“Hmm, you did learn something in all those detentions so it wasn’t a complete waste of Uncle Sev’s time.”

The former Gryffindor laughed as he wrapped his arms around Draco. He brought his lips almost into contact with his lover’s.

“Oh, I learned more than that.”

Harry didn’t wait for a question or response as he kissed Draco passionately and deeply while dipping him over his knee. When they came up the brunet smirked at the blond.

“The kiss I learned from trial and error. The dip was learned from dodging some mean-arsed hexes from Severus. Now that you look thoroughly aroused, let’s get the show on the road as the muggles say. Everyone is here. Molly and Arthur are to my right. Bill and Charlie to the left next to you, the twins are beside their parents and Severus is between Charlie and Percy. Blaise is next to the twins and opposite of him is Pansy, Percy’s date of the evening. This should be good.”

With that being said, he tucked Draco’s hand into his bent arm and headed for the dining room. Outside of the doors, he turned and looked at the blond. Running his palm against Draco’s cheek and into his hair, the brunet kissed him one more time.

“Thank you for all you’ve done. After tonight, will you move in with me? Take dinner to think it over. Big breath, here we go.”

Harry smiled at Draco who unknowingly looked like he’d been pole-axed and debauched at the same time. Harry tucked the hand back into his arm and with a wave of his hand the doors swung open. He strode through with Draco matching him step for step up to their seats. They took in the emotions ghosting over their guests.

“Ladies and gentleman, I’d like to introduce you to someone who has always meant a great deal to me. Fighting while we were young or now after time has matured us both, we’ve discovered better things about each other. We’ve finally arrived at the point in our lives where we have formed a different relationship. A never-ending one I hope.”

The guests looked at Harry’s twinkling eyes and Draco’s shining ones.

Severus raised an eyebrow and his wine glass to them. “You’ve finally achieved a personal best Harry. Congratulations.”

The twins and Blaise looked at them and smirked.
“About”
“Bloody”
“Time”

The others at the table looked at the three completing sentences and shook their heads. Draco smiled at Pansy sitting down next to Percy. The former Slytherin looked back.

“I always knew you two would get together. With that much unresolved sexual tension between you for all of those years, it was inevitable. Happiness always.”

The new couple bowed to Pansy for her blessing. They turned to look at Molly and Arthur. Molly squealed and jumped up, grabbing them both in tight hug. “Oh my boys” was the only decipherable words through her tears. Arthur stood up and unwrapped Molly from around them, letting them breathe again.

“Congratulations son. I expect to hear bells soon.” Arthur led his wife back to their seats.

Harry pulled out Draco’s chair and helped him sit. Harry sat and looked at his guests. It wasn’t missed by anyone that Percy had not said anything. With a raised eyebrow as his only comment, Harry called for the house-elf who appeared with their dinner.

As they began eating and talking, Molly looked around at her family. Dinner was almost done when a frown crossed her features.

“Percy Weasley, I raised you better than to wear a hat in the house and especially not at a dinner table. Please remove it.”

Percy blushed. “I can’t mum. It was spelled on.”

Molly pulled out her wand and tried. Nothing worked. Severus looked through narrowed eyes at the young man next to him. He knew something was amiss. A quick move of his hand and the hat came off in one easy swipe. Severs put his teacher’s skills to work one more time with these boys.

“Mr. Weasley, your lady mother asked you to remove your hat. You will respect those wishes even if I have to ‘encourage’ them.”

It was at the sudden gasp of the others that had the Potions Master turning to see what was disturbing them. It was that move that caused a second gasp from the people on the other side of the table.

Molly squeaked and passed out. Arthur uttered a word his children had never heard from him as he grabbed for Molly. The other three spoke as one. “Oh my fucking gods.”

There was a sudden flash in the room as Bill, Charlie and Pansy stood to go to the other side to see if they could figure out the commotion. More gasps echoed through the room.

Arthur had Molly conscious again and was looking around. Harry cleared his throat, pulling the attention back to himself.

“Percy, nice do. Want to share with us or would you like me to do the deed?”

Percy hung his head. “You may as well finish what you started then I’ll be fully out of the family.”

Harry took pity on the man he still considered a brother. He knew there was a good deal more to the story but he could only tell his part. It was a stuttering Harry that began relating the tale.

“I had just come home on a quick stop from Quidditch when upon my door knocked this blond Adonis. My surprise was evident when I let Draco into the house. After an interesting introductory walk through my halls” Harry stopped as a chuckle escaped everyone. They knew how ‘interesting’ that hall could be.

Harry picked the tale back up.

“Where was I? Oh, we went to my office to have a chat. Imagine my surprise when I learned he was working for DRAB and was after me for an unpaid bill. I would have sworn they were all handled through Gringotts for me. He showed me invoices with signatures from The Ruby Ruse. Imagine my surprise when we realized someone was buying red hair colouring and intensifiers. We proved it wasn’t my signature and we decided to set a trap. This is what we found.”

Harry waved his hand at the pictures on the wall and the wizarding photos began appearing. Percy just laid his head on his crossed arms on the table. He couldn’t bear to watch the pictures, his family or the former Slytherins. He knew he was caught ‘red-handed’.

When it was all done, Molly sat there with her head hung down, Arthur was lost in thought and the others had no idea what to say. Harry broke the tension.

“Percy why? If you would have come to me, I’d have been happy to help you. I’d have gladly given it to you. You are still a brother to me, you prat, and I would have helped you. I should really thank you though. You did bring Draco into my life.”

The middle Weasley son lifted his head. “How Harry? How could I come to you with this? Do you know now why I was always different from my brothers? How could I tell you a secret I had found by accident and have had to live with? How could I betray Mum by telling something I don’t fully know but concerns my every breath?”

The man sobbed and laid his head down on his arms again. Harry swallowed hard as all eyes looked to him for an explanation. He was saved for the moment as a pair of onyx eyes swept over to Molly.

“Molly, why? Why did you hide this from me?”

The overwrought woman’s lips trembled as Arthur gathered her in his arms. “Go ahead love” was all he said.

A small hiccupping sob escaped as a tear ran down her face. Molly started.

“Boys, this is very difficult for me so just let me say it all. A long time ago, your father and I had the only fight during our entire marriage. I won’t hide it. It was mean, it was nasty. It hurt both of us. Your father decided we needed time apart. I stayed with Bill and Charlie at the Burrow. He moved into Hogsmeade. One night, Bill was extremely ill and I was frantic. I called for Poppy, none of you were in school yet but she and I have always been friends.” A deep breath and she started again.

“Anyway, she wasn’t there. As luck would have it Severus was in the infirmary and agreed to bring some potions. He came over, treated Bill and then I started crying as I watched him rock Bill. He put Billy to bed and pulled me into the living room. Well, one thing led to another and led to Percy. I didn’t know I was pregnant when your father and I settled our differences and reconciled. I’d even told him about us Severus, that it was just once. He forgave me that, kind hearted man that he is. When we discovered I was pregnant, he told me he’d accept the child as his own.”

Molly stopped and took a long drink of her wine then a longer drink from her pumpkin juice before she started again.

“I had Percy and all was going well. He even had red hair like Bill and Charlie. I thought it would all be okay so I never told Severus. Eventually my other children came along. People used to point out how much their behavior differed from Percy. I didn’t care, they were all mine.”

Arthur interrupted. “They all are ours Molly. I love Percy as I do Bill, Charlie, Fred, George, Ron, Ginny and Harry.”

Deep sobs were heard from the young man and his mother. Severus stood up and laid a hand on Percy’s quaking shoulder and cleared his throat.

“Percy, I would have been proud to have been called your father and I would have acknowledged you. I will now if that is what you want. I won’t be ashamed. Your mother and I needed each other one time. I knew Arthur would come back eventually so I never pursued a relationship with her. If she would have told me, we would have worked something out. You would have had two fathers. I could have protected you more during the war. I’d like the chance to share my family history with you and learn all about yours that I don’t already know.”

Severus moved around the table. Looking at Arthur and receiving a nod, the Potions Master gathered the weeping woman in his arms.

“Molly, don’t cry darling Molly. He’s a fine son. You and Arthur have done a wonderful job with our Percy and the rest of the children. Molly, our son needs us now. All three of us. Come on Red. Let’s go the Burrow; you, Percy, Arthur and me. We’ll all talk”

Harry turned loose of Draco and moved over to Percy.

“Percy, you prat. Listen to what’s going on. All three of your parents want to talk to you. I’ve settled the bills. No one but us in this room knows what has happened. No one else ever will. If you want to keep the red hair, I’ll be happy to set up an account for you. We’ll stick by you prat. Just talk with your parents.”

Draco walked over to join them. He pulled Percy out of the chair as he pulled out his silk handkerchief. He proceeded to mop the multi-coloured haired man’s face up. Leaning into his ear, Draco just had to whisper. “You better treat that godfather of mine right or all the tricks and pranks the twins have done will look like a second year’s botched transfiguration. Now go home you lucky shite. I want to take Harry to bed.”

Percy’s eyes widened to saucers as Draco finished speaking. Percy hoped Harry knew what he was in for. It really wouldn’t matter, he thought. Harry always landed on his feet. Yes, he was still a tad jealous of Harry.

Pansy walked over and kissed Percy on his cheek. “Go with your parents. I’ll expect no less than a full report from you later.”

The middle Weasley son got up and walked to his parents. He gave a small smile to all.

“Let’s go home.”

The four walked over to the floo and used it to go to the Burrow. The rest still sat there quietly. Harry and Draco smirked at each other. Five of the remaining six didn’t know about Hot and Hotter. Harry produced a business size card and gave Charlie the card. He told them to go and that everything was on the house and not to go to the Burrow before lunch the next day. Pulling a key out of his pocket, he handed it to Charlie also.

“Charlie, you know the address in case anyone can’t stay out that long. Everything is there and the house-elves are there to help. Go have fun, just remember, under it all the prat is still our brother and we won’t hurt any of them. Do we all agree there will be no discussion of this in public or where a reporter can hear us? This is family after all.”

Charlie and company nodded and spoke a resounding “Agreed”. The five followed Charlie to an open area of the room. He held out the business card and each touched it. With a familiar tug behind their navels, they portkeyed to the club.

Draco emitted a loud moan before speaking.

“Well Boy Wonder, you’ve done it again. You’ve managed to save everyone.”

Harry smirked.

“No, Draco, this time I just built the steps. It was up to them to climb up or stay down. I only helped a very little.”

The brunet went to the blond, pulling him in close for a kiss. Harry broke the kiss and moved back to look into those grey eyes. His emerald ones answered with their own shine before he even spoke.

“It was you Draco that saved me this time. Now, should we finish dinner here or upstairs? I want to convince you to move in and stay with me for the long term.”

The blond looked at Harry as he sat back down in his chair.

“You’ll have to work for it starting here. We’ll make it upstairs soon enough. Although, I want to know how you knew that I’ve wanted you for so long.”

Harry kissed him again and sat in his own chair, replaced his napkin in his lap and began eating. He heard Draco “harrumph” before he smiled and answered.

“It’s because we are so much alike Draco. I’ve wanted you forever and want you to stay with me forever.”

Draco leaned in and gave him a fleeting kiss. “I’ll accept that for now. However, you are going to tell me all about Charlie and the apartment.”

Harry threw back his head and laughed.

“Who do you think found it for me and helped me move in? It needed a “man’s touch”. Before you even ask the next question, the answer is NO, he’s my brother.”

Draco laughed and sighed in relief. Those two answers were all he needed for now.

“This is a good start to forever. Harry, do you think I should do my hair red?”

Harry choked on his mouth full of food before he choked on his laughter.

“No Draco, don’t touch that beautiful mane of yours. I’m not that partial to red heads in my bed. Besides, I know you own The Ruby Ruse too and they don’t even give owner or employee discounts.”

It was Draco’s turn to laugh. Yes, he thought, this was a good beginning to forever.