The Devil Runs Wild

*****~Good News~

“Harry!” Hermione said excitedly as she burst into Harry’s room, an open book in her hands.

Harry, who had been soundly asleep, fully-clothed with books scattered around his bed and one still lying on his stomach shot up straight in bed, fumbling for his wand until realizing that it was just Hermione.

“I think I’ve found it!” Hermione said proudly and Harry just stared at her for a bit before finally catching on to what she was saying.

“Oh!” Harry said, scrambling out of bed eagerly, which turned out to be quite hazardous with all the books in the way. Glancing at the clock, Harry saw that it was already three in the afternoon. He vaguely remembered that the sun had just been rising when he had started reading Mysteries of Magic but still was unsure about how long ago he actually fell asleep.

“Where’d you find it?” Harry asked as he followed Hermione out of the room and Hermione handed him the book. Harry looked at the page that Hermione pointed at which displayed a simple spell.

“This is it?” Harry asked wearily. Surely, just a simple spell like this wouldn’t be enough to reverse the complex, dark-magic needed to bind magic in the first place?

Hermione didn’t drop her smile. “I really think it will. This is the closest thing to it that I have been able to find and although it looks simple, I think the creator of the original spell had that it mind. Would you create a complex, binding of magic spell that someone could eventually use against you without being able to reverse it easily?” Hermione asked.

“Well…no,” Harry said, still looking at the book wearily as he and Hermione arrived in the living room, where Ron was waiting with floo powder in hand.

“Mum’s waiting for us. She said we had to go as soon as we got you out of bed,” Ron said a bit gloomily. Either because a cure for Malfoy had been found or because Hermione appeared so proud of herself for finding it, Harry didn’t know. Either way, Ron wasn’t happy.

“Come on, Harry! Quickly!” Hermione said cheerfully, shoving Harry a bit on the shoulder towards the fireplace.

Grabbing the floo powder with Hermione’s repeated promptings, Harry figured out why Ron was so miserable: Hermione appeared intent on a goal and was even more bossy than usual. Harry couldn’t help but understand Hermione’s excitement, though, when his own heart was pounding with it.

As he dropped the floo powder and said his destination, Harry shockingly realized that he hadn’t had any dreams. Harry hoped dearly that Voldemort had given up with his sick game.

*****~Malfoy Happy~

Mrs. Weasley greeted them happily when they all arrived. Mrs. Weasley appeared to be as excited as Hermione.

“This is wonderful news!” Mrs. Weasley said and led them all to the kitchen where the table was surrounded with familiar faces.

“It’s not very wonderful to us,” George muttered under his breath and Mrs. Weasley glared at both him and Fred. Harry could understand now why Mrs. Weasley was so happy about finding an unbinding spell. He had heard the Mrs. Weasley had taken to practically guarding Malfoy in her own home from the Fred and George. It would be nice if she didn’t have to worry all the time about Malfoy who didn’t have magic and couldn’t defend himself…and Harry’s stomach hurt again.

“Well, then, let me see the spell,” Snape’s voice snapped Harry back to attention as he watched Hermione hand him the book.

“This is impossibly too simple,” Snape said. “It can’t be it.”

Hermione glared. Having her hard work insulted was not something she enjoyed.

“We haven’t even tried it,” Remus said from across the table. “Severus, you know as well as I, that sometimes the simplest spells can do great magic.”

Snape scowled but returned the book back to Hermione without a word. Harry had a faint guess that Snape was just unhappy that he hadn’t found it first.

“Well, then, lets give it a try,” Tonks said, slamming her hand on the table as if to emphasize her point. Tonks hair was slighty blue today and shorter than the last time Harry had seen her. She sat next to Remus, close enough to portray that they were more than just friends. Harry made a note to ask about how their relationship was doing later.

“Lets not,” Fred started.

“And say we did,” George finished.

Mrs. Weasley glared again at her sons who recoiled.

“Alright,” Mr. Weasley said. “Who should perform the spell?”

“I should, obviously,” Snape said with is nose in the air and even though Snape’s snooty attitude annoyed Harry, Harry knew that Snape was probably the only person Malfoy trusted to perform any sort of magic on him.

“Very well,” Dumbledore said. “Someone should go tell Mr. Malfoy. I believe he has not been told yet?” Dumbledore asked.

“He hasn’t come out of his room all day,” Mrs. Weasley said and upon hearing this, Harry’s heart dropped to his stomach. “I’m not sure why,” Mrs. Weasley said, glaring at Fred and George.

“Hey! We didn’t do anything!” Fred said indignantly.

Harry knew that they hadn’t. He had. Harry didn’t think it would be possible to feel any more guilty. He was even more intent on making sure Malfoy got his magic back.

“Let’s go tell him,” Harry said and Hermione was right with him, prompting Fred and George to stop justifying themselves to Mrs. Weasley. Snape rose to his feet and walked out of the room with Harry and Hermione following at his heels.

*******
Someone was knocking at his door and interrupting him from his research. Malfoy was not planning on opening the door or even bothering to say go away. He continued reading, ignoring the repeated knocks at his door.

“Open the door,” a voice said from the other side of the door and Malfoy hopped to his feet instantly and opened the door.

“Severus, sor..,” Malfoy stopped short of apologizing when he saw two faces that he did not want to see: Potter and Granger.

“What are they doing here?” Malfoy hissed, glaring - at Potter specifically, especially Potter.

Harry did not return Malfoy’s glare but took it, believing that he deserved it. Harry was just glad that Malfoy was not crying anymore which he had, when walking up the stairs, horrifyingly imagined.

Severus looked over his shoulder and sighed. “They apparently found the answer,” he said simply.

“What?” Malfoy gasped out, shocked. They couldn’t possibly have!? He had been searching for it himself everyday! How dare they find it before he did!

Severus grabbed a book from Granger’s hand and handed it to him. Malfoy grabbed it hastily to discover out what exactly had been found. Malfoy laughed when he saw the simple spell written on the page.

“They haven’t found anything!” Malfoy hissed out. “This couldn’t possibly be it.”

“I agree,” Severus said, “But there is no harm in trying it.”

Malfoy looked up at him. “But..”

“Some of the simplest spells can do great magic, Draco,” Severus said and Harry looked up, shocked that Snape was using words that Remus had just used against him just a few moments ago. Hermione too appeared a bit shocked and Harry saw Draco nod a bit.

“Fine,” Draco mumbled.

******
Back downstairs in the kitchen with the other Order members watching, Severus took his wand out and pointed it at Draco.

“Recurso Veneficium,” Severus said and nothing happened. Snape repeated the spell twice more with no effect. Severus sighed and Malfoy glared at Potter.

“I knew it wouldn’t work. One of your tricks, Potter? One of your games?” Malfoy hissed and Harry looked down at the ground.

“Let me try,” Mr. Weasley said helpfully. Mr. Weasley also had no effect.

One by one, each Order member tried the spell. Even Fred and George grudgingly tried but nothing happened. Finally, Dumbledore asked Harry to try.

“NO!” Malfoy screamed. “Don’t come near me, Potter!” he said, angry eyes laying into to Harry. Malfoy realized that Potter wasn’t glaring back at him, but looking at him with honest eyes with his head bowed a bit as if to say ‘sorry.’ Malfoy wondered if Potter truly felt sorry about the day before. Malfoy shook himself. It didn’t matter. He still hated Potter and he wasn’t coming near him with a wand.

“Draco..” Dumbledore said.

“NO!” Malfoy said again.

“Albus” Snape said. “It hasn’t worked with either of the Order members. Why would Potter be able to do anything different?”

Dumbledore just looked on with sparkling eyes and Severus sighed, knowing that Dumbledore must be seeing something that none of them could see, like always.

“Fine,” Severus said.

“Harry?” Dumbledore asked politely and Harry looked at him and then at Malfoy who was listening to Snape, who was whispering something in his ear. Then Malfoy stood still and looked expectantly at Potter, an eyebrow arched.

“Well?” Malfoy asked.

“Ok,” Harry said and drew his wand. “Recurso Veneficium.”

Surprisingly to all in the room, including Harry, a clear light shot out of Harry’s wand and hit Malfoy in the chest. Malfoy stumbled a bit at the impact but adjusted himself quickly as the light died out.

“It worked!” Hermione shouted victoriously and Tonks leaped from her seat in a shout of her own.

“Wonderful!” Mrs. Weasley said.

“Yeah, wonderful,” Fred and George both muttered gloomily and Ron appeared none too happy about it either.

“Well, I’ll be!” Mr. Weasley said.

“Splendid,” Dumbledore said.

“Un-fucking-believable,” Draco said, looking down and touching his chest where the spell had hit him. “I can feel it.,” Draco said, shocked. “My magic….it’s back,” Draco said and it was then that something incredible happened that made Harry’s heart turn from guilt to joy.

Draco Malfoy smiled.

*******

Later that evening, Draco Malfoy could be found putting up a ward around his room. The twins looked on gloomily from the hallway.

“Don’t even think about trying anything,” Draco said to the red-headed, evil gits. “I know more dark magic that you could possibly…” Draco stopped when Snape appeared out of nowhere and glared at him, scolding him for mentioning dark magic around people that were protecting him.

“Protecting me? These two don’t do a damn thing to ‘protect’ me!” Draco said.

“Draco,” Severus hissed and Draco simply nodded but glared threateningly at the twins after Severus moved on down the stairs.

******

Harry, who was sitting downstairs at the kitchen table, was drinking a cup of tea as the other Order members engaged in conversation. Harry still couldn’t believe that the spell had worked for him. None of the others could do it. Not Snape, not Mrs. Weasley, not Remus, not even Tonks and she was an Auror. He didn’t understand why the spell had only worked for him. Dumbledore had said that he “had a hunch” and Harry wasn’t sure what that meant. It was odd, though, how the spell had worked so easily for him.

“Harry,” Dumbledore said and shook Harry from his thoughts. “Perhaps you can research more about this spell and discover why it only worked for you?” Dumbledore said, eyes twinkling. It was strange that Dumbledore’s portrait could read his thoughts like that. This portrait seemed so much more… “alive” than any other one Harry had come across.

“Um…sir,” Harry said after nodding his head. “I was wondering why you seem so..so much more..”

“Alive?” Dumbledore asked, knowingly.

“Er…yeah,” Harry said.

“Ah, yes. You see, I was painted by a painter who uses newer techniques. I was spelled to be more alive,” Dumbledore said.

“Oh,” Harry said. That would make sense. It’s like when the muggle world gets newer technology. Of course the wizarding world gets newer magic.

“Harry,” Dumbledore said, “Is there something else on your mind?”

Harry looked up at Dumbledore and then around the room at the others who were engrossed in their own individual conversations.

“I..yeah,” Harry said. “Malfoy. Is it really ok for him to have magic here?” Harry asked.

“I trust him,” Dumbledore said simply and this reassured Harry.

Truthfully, Harry had been thinking about Malfoy all night but not really about the matter of trusting him. Malfoy hadn’t said a word to him after he had cast the spell. He had just received a new wand from Snape and had immediately cast a spell or two to try out his magic. What really captured Harry’s mind was Malfoy’s smile after he had felt his magic come back. Harry couldn’t recall ever having seen Malfoy smile, actually smile like that….except for in his dreams. Harry found that the real-life Malfoy’s smile was much more pleasant and Harry hadn’t been able to stop picturing it in his head ever since. He really did try to but that smile was just so…Merlin, he couldn’t stop thinking about it! Harry realized that he sorely wanted to see it again.

“Well, mate,” Ron said, slapping Harry on the back. “Ready to go?”

“Um…yeah, sure,” Harry said and set his tea cup down and got up from his seat.

He walked with Ron to the fireplace where Hermione was waiting for them. The other Order members gathered around to say goodbye to the three of them. As Ron was being hugged by his mother and Hermione was talking to Tonks, Harry saw as someone descended the stairs slowly. Malfoy still had his wand in his hand. Harry hadn’t seen him put it down for a second since he got it.

“Potter,” Malfoy said and Harry was disappointed that he wasn’t smiling anymore but happy that at least he wasn’t glaring.

“Can I talk to you for a moment?” Malfoy asked and Harry nodded and followed Malfoy back up the stairs. He didn’t even pay attention to the others who watched him walk away. He was too focused on Malfoy, secretly hoping to see another smile.

Harry kept a hand on his own wand, though, still not trusting Malfoy. Entering Malfoy’s room, Harry heard the click of the door as Malfoy closed it. Something about the situation made Harry’s heart beat faster. If Malfoy tried anything, he had his wand and the other Order members were just downstairs. He wasn’t afraid, certainly. No, it was something else that was making his heart beat faster.

“I wanted to say,” Malfoy said, walking around to stand in front of Harry. “I wanted to say..er…” Malfoy appeared to be straining with whatever words he wanted to say, his blond hair falling over his eyes as he looked down at the ground.

“What?” Harry asked curiously, his heart still beating fast.

“I wanted to say,” Malfoy looked into is eyes and Harry almost got lost in them, his heart pounding in his chest. “Thank you,” Malfoy said.

Harry breathed a sigh of relief. That was it. Malfoy just wanted to thank him. He had no reason to get all bent out of shape. Merlin, it seemed like Harry still was getting confused by his dreams even when he hadn’t had any last night.

“Ok..sure..no problem,” Harry said and turned to leave when Malfoy grabbed his arm.

“No, Potter. I mean it. Thank you,” Malfoy said. Harry just stared at Malfoy. Malfoy’s eyes were so intent with purpose and Harry started to react like he did in his dreams. Shamefully, Harry looked down at the ground.

“Thanks,” Harry said and tried to jerk his arm free but Malfoy’s grip tightened and Harry looked up at him questioningly.

Malfoy had grown very still and was staring at him. Harry watched as his eyes lowered and he could swear the Malfoy was staring at his lips. His lips. Malfoy’s staring was not helping at all with his growing problem that he wanted to hide.

“Malf..,” Harry began but was stopped suddenly when Malfoy threw him up against the back of the door.

“Whaa…” Harry began, his heart still beating rapidly because Malfoy was still staring at him but not into his eyes.

Malfoy didn’t say anything at all and appeared to be breathing as quickly as Harry was. Harry licked his lips nervously and Malfoy let out a noise that sounded like a whimper. Then Malfoy’s lips covered his and Harry squeaked and pushed on Malfoy’s shoulders but Malfoy took his wrists and pinned them to the door. Harry tried struggling some more but then Malfoy’s tongue touched his and Harry couldn’t find the heart to struggle anymore. He liked it; the way Malfoy’s tongue glided against his - it felt velvety soft but Malfoy was using it in the roughest way possible and Harry’s cock responded delightedly at the pleasure Malfoy was creating in his mouth. They kissed roughly and Harry didn’t know how long it had lasted when Malfoy pulled away. Malfoy released his grip and backed up, looking at him, breathing deeply. Harry just looked back, shocked at what just happened. Feeling completely overwhelmed with the situation, Harry hastily opened the door and ran out.

He stopped in the hallway before entering the living room in order to collect himself and to appear calm in front of the others. He just couldn’t deal with something like this! It wasn’t possible that something like what just happened could happen! Harry thought. He walked calmly to the fireplace and took the floo powder when Ron handed it to him. Ron and Hermione flooed right after him.

“So, mate, what’d he say?” Ron asked Harry when they were back at Grimmauld Place.

“Oh..uh..” Harry had to collect himself again. “He said thank you.”

“No way! He thanked you?” Ron said in awe. “Never would have thought in a million years.”

“Some of us do have manners, Ron,” Hermione said.

“Are you saying I don’t?” Ron asked.

“I’m just saying..” Hermione said.

“Because I do, I’ll have you know! I’m a perfect gentleman,” Ron said, raising his chin in the air.

Harry stopped listening to the two of them and walked upstairs to his bedroom, thinking entirely too many thoughts. He crawled into his bed in the same clothes he had slept in and been in all day, not caring at all about such matters when he had a much greater issue on his mind.

Why had Malfoy kissed him?

Harry just didn’t understand it. There must be some reason to it. He hadn’t been dreaming. Harry pinched himself to make sure. Nope, not dreaming.

Why?

******
The next morning, Harry finally rolled out of bed to go take a shower. He hadn’t slept all night, still asking the same question over and over again. Why? He didn’t know why, but he had decided he was going to find out. Otherwise, his own endless questions and thoughts were going to drive him insane.

After lazily putting on a pair of jeans and a t-shirt, Harry went downstairs to floo to the Weasley’s home.

“The Burrow!”

After falling out of the fireplace, Mrs. Weasley’s shocked gasp was followed by a delivery of muffins being handed to him.

“Oh, dear. I didn’t expect you!” Mrs. Weasley said. “Hear, have a muffin, dear. I’m sure you haven’t had breakfast yet?”

Harry shook his head and took a muffin. He was awfully hungry.

“What are you doing here so early?” Mrs. Weasley asked.

“Oh..I..” Harry said, trying to think of a lie but realizing that he didn’t have one. “I came to see Malfoy.”

“I’m not sure if he’s awake yet, dear. Would you like to have some breakfast and wait?” Mrs. Weasley said and Harry nodded gratefully.

He supposed it was a bit early but Harry had just been so intent on finding some answers that he hadn’t even glanced at a clock before he left. He hadn’t even thought of calling Mrs. Weasley first, either. Harry worried if he was already losing his mind over this.

*****

Malfoy arrived downstairs about a half-an-hour later and Harry was sitting with Mrs. Weasley at the kitchen table.

“Good morning, dear,” Mrs. Weasley greeted as Malfoy entered.

“Morning,” Malfoy said, glancing at Harry. “What’s he doing here?”

“He came to see you, dear,” Mrs. Weasley said and handed Malfoy a plate with toast on it, his usual breakfast, supposedly. Harry was positive Mrs. Weasley thought this was just about him trying to “build a relationship” with Malfoy. Harry worried what Mrs. Weasley would say if he found out why he was really here.

Malfoy looked at him questioningly, then shrugged. “I’ll talk to you when I’m done eating then,” and Malfoy walked out of the room and up the stairs.

Harry jumped up and followed him.

“Hey!” Harry said. Malfoy had kissed him last night and now just rudely walked away from him? What kind of person…oh, wait, it was Malfoy. Right, Harry thought. Malfoy’s not like other people.

“What is it, Potter?” Malfoy turned around at the top of the stairs. “What do you want this early in the morning?”

“I wanted to ask you about…about..,” Harry stumbled over his words, nervousness engulfing him. He wasn’t so sure he could talk about it in the hallway out here. “Can we talk in your room?” Harry asked.

Malfoy looked at him oddly but shrugged and walked into his room with his plate. Harry followed and closed the door.

“So what do you want?” Malfoy asked, plopping down on his bed. Seeing Malfoy on a bed painfully reminded Harry of his dreams, even if Malfoy eating toast was not at all similar to his dreams.

“I…I..wanted to ask about.” Harry took a deep breath and Malfoy arched an eyebrow. “I wanted to ask about last night. Why?” Harry asked.

Malfoy set his toast down. “Why?” he said. “I thanked you because it was the proper thing to do, idiot, and I’m not doing it again so thank your lucky stars that you got to hear it,” Malfoy said.

Harry just stared at Malfoy. He couldn’t honestly believe that that was what he was hear for? The stupid thank you?

“I mean the kiss, Malfoy!” Harry said, a bit angered now.

Malfoy looked at him as if he had grown two heads.

“What the hell are you talking about, Potter?” he asked.

Harry’s face drew in confusion. Malfoy was looking at him like he had no clue what he was talking about. Was Malfoy pretending that it never happened now?

“The kiss!” Harry hissed and when Malfoy still stared at him in confusion he added, “You kissed me!” he clarified.

“I did not!” Malfoy said, clearly appalled by the idea. “What the hell have you been taking?” he asked.

“I haven’t been taking anything!” Harry said, annoyed. “You kissed me, damnit!”

“I did not!” Malfoy said.

“You did too!” Harry screamed.

“I did not!”

“You kissed me!” Harry said.

“Stop saying that!” Malfoy said, rising to his feet now, clearly angered. “I don’t know what the fuck is your problem, Potter, but get this threw your thick head. I NEVER kissed you!” Malfoy said.

“But…but..” Harry stuttered. Malfoy was adamantly denying it. Why?

“Now if you had some sick-twisted dream about me, then I would appreciate it if you refrained from telling me about them or better yet, having them at all!” Malfoy said and proceeded to shove Harry out of his room.

Malfoy’s door slammed in his face and Harry was left completely confused. Had it been a dream?

Harry walked down the stairs, deep in thought. He had pinched himself last night to make sure it hadn’t been a dream, though. It was real. Harry was not so far gone that he could mistake his dreams for reality like that. Malfoy had kissed him last night; Harry had felt it, could still remember the feeling of it. It had been real.

Grabbing the floo powder, Harry called out his destination. It had been real, Harry was sure of it.

Climbing up the stairs to his room at Grimmauld place, Harry repeated the events of last night in his mind. He had not been dreaming, he was sure of it. Then why had Malfoy denied it?

And then it hit him.

Malfoy was an asshole.

That’s it! Harry thought. Malfoy was denying it all on purpose! Didn’t want to admit to it, did he? Didn’t want anyone to know that he had kissed Harry Potter. Probably afraid of what Snape would say.

Harry sighed in relief. He wasn’t crazy. Malfoy was just a bastard.


Author's note: Sweet! Another chapter sprang forth! Review!