Without a Trace

Author's note--Random question that has nothing to do with the chapter: are we not supposed to respond to reviews on AFF? I read all of the "official" rules and whatnot and couldn't find anything that expressly forbids responding to reviews (other than "no flame wars" and that sort of thing)

Alright, I decided to split this into two parts to give you more of the hot man love that you deserve! haha (And...that night was just fucking incredible...it was too much incredibleness for one chapter...in my opinion, anyway. I'll let YOU judge that for yourself, though!)

Addition to the disclaimer: I own the mattress. But that's it. (You'll see...)

Okay, that was more a joke than anything (because I'm lame and it's 6:30am and I need sleep!

And I wanted to give this to you because I doubt there will be any sex scenes in the actual episode that's coming. All of the sex will be in the bonus features (haven't decided whether there will be bonus features after the second episode...I guess it depends on whether YOU want bonus features and/or whether I successfully explain everything in the actual episode) lol

Don't be afraid to tell me what you REALLY think about this chapter, though, because I want to know! Yes, it's kind of sappy and maybe a little corny, but I like it...and I hope you do too!

Thanks again, especially to everyone who has reviewed! I appreciate you reading it, and reviewing it! :)
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Without a Trace

Special Features: New Year's Eve (Part 1)


Harry sat on his Firebolt, hovering near the Astronomy Tower’s roof, not really flying…just sitting and thinking. He had been doing a lot of that lately, especially the past ten days or so. It was hard to believe that Voldemort was really and truly dead…and that Harry had killed him. December 21, 1997 would forever be burned into Harry Potter’s brain as the longest and shortest day of his life. The Order had finally gotten a valid tip-off as to the location of Voldemort’s lair, and despite much protesting by Molly and Ginny, Harry and Ron left the Burrow, retrieved Hermione, and went to fulfill their destinies. It was the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year, and yet, facing Voldemort had taken an eternity. Harry had stood bravely, flanked by his two best friends who were busy casting Unforgivables on the Death Eaters, keeping them away from Harry. Hermione had taken down Rodolphus LeStrange, while Ron had cursed Bellatrix, no small feat. Harry, meanwhile, was focused on Voldemort.

It had been a bitter fight, but in the end, Harry had performed nearly four times as much magic as Voldemort had. That’s what the Final Battle had come down to; a wizarding version of a pissing contest to see who was stronger, magically. Voldemort had finally worn himself out, and Harry, exhausted beyond belief and on the verge of collapsing, didn’t even have the strength to hold himself up anymore. Ron had supported him while Hermione steadied his wand, holding his arm and keeping it pointed at the worn-out Dark Lord who sneered, even as Harry cast the Killing Curse, feeling the support from Ron’s and Hermione’s magic mixing with his own. As soon as it was clear that the evil bastard was gone for good (including all of his carefully made and hidden Horcruxes), the Golden Trio had gotten the hell out of there, leaving the clean-up to the Ministry and Shacklebolt’s Aurors. Apparently both of the elder Malfoys had turned and ran, the Slytherin cowards, escaping back to the Manor. The Aurors had gotten them in February, while Draco was at Hogwarts, and Lucius had chosen to die fighting rather than be taken to Azkaban like his wife.

Harry had managed to make it back to the Burrow with a great deal of help from his almost-equally as exhausted friends, and Molly had been beside herself with relief. Harry had collapsed as soon as they stepped in the door, prompting a meltdown from Ginny. The three of them weren’t injured physically, except for a few minor cuts and scrapes, but Harry had passed out from sheer magical depletion. He had awoken to Ginny fidgeting at his bedside and then being bombarded with questions and assertions that ‘he could trust her’ and that he needed to talk about what had happened, when truthfully, Harry just wanted some peace and quiet to contemplate what HAD happened and figure things out for himself before he could put it into words for other people. He knew Ginny meant well, but he just couldn’t talk about it when she wanted him to. It wasn’t anything personal to her, and had she offered at the right time, Harry would have gladly taken her up on the sympathetic ear, but as it was, she just pestered him all through Christmas.

He watched Ron and Hermione grow closer, glad that his two best friends had each other, but it was a major pain in the arse simply because it was so blatantly obvious that that’s what Ginny wanted with him, and he just couldn’t give that right then. It had taken the trio a good few days before they felt anything resembling normal again, but they didn’t speak of that day, saving that particular talk for a later that never came. As soon as the actual Christmas Day was over, Hermione took her leave and returned to her parents’ home to assure them that she was fine. Ron, as her new fiancée, accompanied her, and Harry took that opportunity to make a graceful exit as well, in spite of Ginny’s howled protests.

He told the Weasley family that he would go and stay at Grimmauld Place, and he had…for about a day. It was so quiet (unless Mrs. Black was screaming about something) and creaky and haunted; the new location threw Harry off as well. They still referred to it as “Grimmauld Place” out of habit, even though it wasn’t the address anymore. Ginny, however, had never been told the new address of the Order. Only Harry, Ron, Hermione, Remus, and Minerva knew of the location change. They had taken to having meetings at the Ministry so as not to compromise the safe house again. It had only been for about six months, though, before Harry took down Voldemort, but now he wasn’t sure what to do with the house being in the middle of London.

Harry couldn’t stand to be there by himself with just the house-elves and that damn ghoul, so he had taken to flying at night with his Invisibility Cloak, only returning to the Black house to pass out from exhaustion. Time had lost all meaning to him, and he preferred the dark of night. There had been a steady flood of owls from Ginny, but each and every one of her letters was a new variation of “I miss you so much and you can talk to me”. Harry stopped reading them altogether, never mind answering them.

It was now December 31st, and Harry knew he probably should have gone to the Burrow to ring in the New Year with his adopted family or gone to the Grangers’ house, where Ron and Hermione probably were. But Harry had taken to brooding lately, and so he found himself near the roof of the Astronomy Tower, contemplating and remembering. He often flew around the silent grounds of Hogwarts in the middle of the night; it was the first place he ever really called home. Harry had been coming here for a while now, and he was accustomed to the creaking and settling of the building, but tonight, his heart leapt into his throat when he heard the abnormal sound of someone inside the Tower. Harry had leaned forward on his broom, listening intently as the door that led to the ramparts creaked. He nearly fell off his broom in shock as a familiar head of blonde hair appeared.

Draco Malfoy hadn’t noticed that he was being watched from behind, and he leaned on the ledge of the parapet. Harry didn’t dare move for fear of attracting attention, and he wasn’t sure which would be worse: being caught by Malfoy or observing something human (or humane) about the blonde and not being able to say anything about it. To Harry’s great surprise, he heard his arch-nemesis take a deep breath, and then did the last thing Harry EVER would have expected. Draco Malfoy began to sing, and (though Harry was no voice expert) he had an AMAZING voice.

Child of the wilderness
Born into emptiness
Learn to be lonely
Learn to find your way in darkness
Who will be there for you
Comfort and care for you
Learn to be lonely
Learn to be your one companion
Never dreamed out in the world
There are arms to hold you?
You've always known
Your heart was on its own
So laugh in your loneliness
Child of the wilderness
Learn to be lonely
Learn how to love life that is lived alone
Learn to be lonely
Life can be lived
Life can be loved
Alone

Aside from his shock at hearing something worthwhile and beautiful coming from Malfoy’s lips, Harry froze at the words that cut straight to his heart. Draco could very well have been describing him, but by the way the Slytherin sighed and muttered, “Laugh in my loneliness…yeah, right” it was obvious that Draco applied the song to himself. Harry flew down a little closer, intending to praise Draco’s singing voice at the risk of getting hexed when he heard a sniffle and watched in amazement as the blonde put his head in his hands!

Hearing Draco Malfoy cry was a sound Harry thought he would have relished, especially when he got into one of his vicious moods, but being confronted with the actual reality of it twisted his heart. It made tears well up in Harry’s eyes, and his heart took over, responding to the sound of a damaged soul, much like his own. He landed softly on the parapet, setting his broom down gently. Draco looked up, scared, and gasped at seeing his enemy walking toward him. He tried to pull the mask back up, failing, but as Harry neared, Draco saw his tears reflected in those amazing green eyes. Harry opened his arms in a silent invitation, and Draco, wanting desperately to believe that someone cared, stepped into them. It was the best thing either of them could have done, and it just felt so right. Draco twined his arms around Harry’s neck, feeling the other boy’s strong hands grasp about his waist, and he dared to wonder if perhaps these were the ‘arms to hold’ him from the song.

“You have a beautiful voice,” Harry whispered. Draco flushed into his shoulder.

“Thanks.”

“I know about being lonely,” he confided. “I wouldn’t wish that feeling on my worst enemy, so I hope you believe me when I say that I don’t want that for you.” Draco lifted his head, looking Harry in the eyes. They were nose to nose.

“You don’t, eh?” Draco questioned, trying to ascertain whether Harry was serious. “It’s a good thing neither of us are alone, then.” He leaned forward, brushing his lips against Harry’s, half-expecting to be rejected, but neither of them anticipated the sweet kiss that followed or the speeding-up of breaths as they clung to each other. Harry’s hands felt like they had minds of their own as they slipped up Draco’s body, under his shirt. The blonde gasped; he had snogged Pansy once or twice SEVERAL years ago, and it hadn’t felt anything like this. Of course, that had been before Draco realized that he liked one particular boy, the boy who was in his arms right now.

* * * * *

Harry had no idea where his boldness came from; well, he was Gryffindor, but sliding his hands along Draco Malfoy’s chest just mere seconds after their first kiss? Draco didn’t seem to mind, which encouraged Harry. He didn’t know what came over him, but he suddenly felt a surge of frustration that Draco was wearing a shirt. Harry’s mouth opened, growing hotter and more demanding, as he peeled the offensive item from Draco’s perfectly sculpted porcelain chest. He shivered as the blonde returned the favor, but Draco, never one to be outdone, simply ripped the old Muggle t-shirt Harry was wearing down the front and pushed it off the back of Harry’s shoulders.

Bare-chested, the two teens clinched together, the warmth between them protecting their torsos from the cool wind on the Tower. Draco skittered his hands up and down Harry’s arms lightly, smiling against his lips when gooseflesh broke out under his touch, and he released Harry long enough to tug him back inside, out of the wind, before pulling the trembling Gryffindor against him again. Draco skipped over Harry’s waiting mouth, turning his attention to the side of Harry’s neck, kissing and sucking gently, not hard enough to leave a mark. When Draco’s hand slipped up to the back of Harry’s head and pulled on his hair, exposing his throat, Harry nearly lost it, moaning breathlessly. He dug his fingers into Draco’s shoulder blades, feeling the blonde arch against him. That was when he realized they both had throbbing hard-ons, and Harry thrusted his hips into Draco experimentally.

He smiled as he heard the blonde hiss, reminiscent of his house’s mascot. They both paused, looking around the room for the same things and not seeing them. Harry had an idea. He met Draco’s gaze, kissing the tip of his pale nose, and moved out of those wonderful arms.

“What are you doing?”

“Making us more comfortable,” Harry replied, walking over to the staircase and casting a Locking and Silencing Charm on the door. He hadn’t known that Draco was at Hogwarts over the break, so he decided not to take any chances of them being interrupted by anyone else. He looked around at the Astronomy class equipment that sat, unused, at the edges of the room. He Accio-ed all of the star charts and Transfigured them into a StarDream 1001, while Draco gaped at him in amazement.

Harry smiled at the gorgeous blonde boy, and he was suddenly hit with a bout of romanticism. He concentrated, conjuring up blankets of enchanted snow, which helped to make the not-quite-enclosed room warmer, making sure to pile it around the entire rim of the room but not near the mattress. Another quick thought and strings of enchanted candles appeared on the walls, creating a perfect ‘winter wonderland’ atmosphere. He glanced over to Draco, who had crossed his arms and arched an eyebrow as he decorated. He shrugged, blushing and looking away as his groin responded, but his gaze was immediately pulled back to the smoky one. Harry thought he detected desire flaring in Draco’s luminescent grey eyes (but it could have been a trick of the candlelight too), but the blonde hadn’t moved, not even his eyebrow.

“I don’t know about you,” Draco drawled, staring directly at him. “But Hufflepuff candles and snow don’t make ME more comfortable.” Harry knew he was being mocked, but Draco’s tone was extremely playful. He decided to play along.

“Oh really?” he said back. “So what would, then?” Bright emerald eyes continued to bore into cloud-grey, each of them daring the other to look away first. Draco sauntered closer, and Harry swallowed hard. He didn’t dare take his eyes off of the blonde, but his movements were distinctly predatory. Harry felt like a mouse cornered between the safety of his hiding place and the cat. The ‘cat’ brushed his hands over Harry’s hips, causing him to jump, and he quickly returned the soft kiss that was pressed to his lips. Their staring contest was over, and they both won. Harry grew more intoxicated just thinking about Draco’s nearness, and he was being snogged so senselessly that he didn’t even realize the blonde had removed his pants—not even when Draco pushed him back a step or two, never breaking the kiss, so that he made Harry step out of them—until Draco pulled back, holding the jeans up triumphantly.

“That’s a good start,” he said huskily, and Harry’s mouth dropped open. His hard cock was clearly outlined in his underwear; he almost felt ashamed until he saw a blush creep across Draco’s cheeks as his eyes roamed over the almost-naked body in front of him. Harry tried to emulate Draco’s arched eyebrow, failed, and received the original in return. His cock pulsed—why, oh WHY did that have such an affect on him?—and Harry knew he had to even the playing field. He plucked his pants from Draco’s elegant fingers, slid his wand into the back pocket, and tossed them carelessly in the direction of the mattress.

“What about what makes ME comfortable?” he asked, brushing an unruly lock of black hair out of his eyes.

“What about it, Potter?” Draco gave a mock-sardonic smile. “Actually, I kind of like it when you look all flustered like that.” Harry made a face, sticking his tongue out at the cheeky blonde. He reached for the belt of Draco’s trousers, unfastened it, and with one short and one long yank, pulled it out of the belt loops and dropping it on the floor behind him. Draco’s breath caught in his throat; that was HOT! Harry undid the button and unzipped them very slowly, adding more pressure to Draco’s groin area than was necessary for undoing a zipper. He enjoyed watching Draco’s muscles tighten as he let out a low, cat-like noise. The trousers dropped from the slim hips, and Draco placed his hand on Harry’s shoulder for balance as he gracefully stepped out of them. Harry suddenly felt embarrassed that he had just undressed another boy so blatantly. Draco caught him in a reassuring hug, pulling Harry to him, holding him tightly.

“Harry,” the urgency in Draco’s whisper made the dark-haired boy look up. “What do you want?” Those grey eyes were making it difficult for Harry to think; the Gryffindor bit his lip as he pressed his cheek to Draco’s collarbone again.

“I want to be with you, right here, right now,” he whispered into Draco’s neck, planting a soft kiss on his clavicle before looking into Draco’s sparkling grey eyes again. “I don’t want to be lonely anymore.” He nearly cried as he admitted that, and Draco understood perfectly. He brought one hand up to cradle Harry’s cheek as he kissed the scar on his forehead.

“I can’t believe how right this feels,” Draco whispered back, sliding his palm over that tanned cheek. He curled his hand, brushing his knuckles down the side of Harry’s face before opening his hand to caress again. His grey eyes searched the open emerald eyes, yearning to know that he wasn’t the only one feeling THIS. Harry nodded into Draco’s hand, trembling as he leaned in to kiss the blonde again. Draco accepted the kiss, returned it, and guided Harry over to the mattress.

* * * * *

Harry sat, pulling Draco down on top of him, and he knelt over Harry’s right leg, laying one hand alongside Harry’s face again as the other one snaked its way down Harry’s Quidditch-muscled chest to rub between his legs. Harry slid his hands over Draco’s hips and around to his still-clothed backside, grabbing his cheeks and pulling the Slytherin’s lower body into his stomach. He could feel Draco’s hardness against his stomach, and it turned Harry on more. Draco threw his head back, shivering as he pushed back against Harry’s hands, only to have himself pulled against the lean stomach once again as he continued to manipulate Harry’s member through his underwear.

He pushed Harry back and lay on top of him, rubbing their hips together, feeling the delicious friction as they frotted. They were nose to nose, and Draco couldn’t resist Harry’s full lips. He dropped his head, kissed him teasingly, and then pulled back to look at him for about five seconds before dropping another lusty kiss onto Harry’s open mouth. He repeated that, the smile between kisses growing wider until Draco thought his face would split, until Harry put his hand on the back of the blonde’s head, not allowing him to pull back.

Draco finally had to turn his head; their kisses were growing more intense, and he DID need to breathe at some point. Harry was nonplussed and continued to plant breathless kisses on Draco’s cheek, whispering against the porcelain skin.

“I want you.”

Draco responded by thrusting his hips into Harry again, eliciting a soft “Fuck yeah” from the black-haired boy beneath him. Harry dragged his nails lightly down the pale back and slid his hands under the waistband of Draco’s underwear, not able to keep from kneading his perfect arse.

“Tell me how you want me, Harry.” Draco was looking down at him, and Harry couldn’t help stealing a kiss or two from that perfect mouth before answering.

“I want you inside of me. I want you to fill me, take me, and claim me as your own!” He had no idea where this was coming from; not only was he a virgin, but he didn’t have much experience in the dating realm. It wasn’t exactly his fault; he had been given a war as a child, and that didn’t leave much room for a social life. He had one kiss with Cho Chang from Ravenclaw two years ago, and while the kiss itself had been alright, the way their so-called ‘relationship’ had played out left a bad taste in his mouth. Draco was only the second person he had ever kissed, and now he realized why people did it. The feeling he got from his lips pressed to Draco’s was unlike any he had ever felt before, and he wanted more.

“On one condition,” Draco said softly, his cock hardening even more at Harry’s words. A semi-frightened glint came into those verdant eyes, and Draco rushed to reassure him. “That you do the same to me as I do to you.” He smiled encouragingly, and Harry nodded, sighing with relief. Then he twisted his face up again, biting his lip. Draco cocked his head, wondering what was wrong but thinking how bloody adorable Harry looked when he was confused.

“Um, do you know HOW to do it?” his voice was almost a whisper, and he flushed an embarrassed scarlet. “Because I don’t, I mean-um, I’ve never…” he trailed off, hoping that he wasn’t killing the mood. Draco merely smiled serenely.

“I’ve never, either,” he confessed, his serene smile turning slightly wicked. “But I’ve read about it, and I know what to do, lover.” Draco exuded Malfoy confidence that he didn’t feel, but when he felt Harry relax under him, he swore to Merlin he would figure it out as he went along. He then proceeded to empty Harry’s mind of all rational thought.

* * * * *

Draco dropped his knees on either side of Harry’s hips, sitting up but keeping their cocks pressed together, and ran his fingertips lightly over Harry’s chest and stomach in random, circular movements, making the skin more sensitive to touch. He felt Harry wiggling under him, and it drove Draco crazy. He had a sudden desire to be inside Harry, close to him like he had never been close to anyone, and he rocked back on his heels, stripping Harry’s underwear almost roughly. He crouched, mesmerized at seeing that glorious, uncut manhood before him; Draco’s hand reached out and wrapped around Harry’s shaft, pumping it experimentally, gauging Harry’s reaction.

Harry’s eyes rolled back in his head as his back arched and he twitched involuntarily as soon as a hand other than his own touched his bare flesh for the first time. He tried to make a sound and couldn’t. He felt Draco’s hand begin to move faster; because Harry was uncircumcised, jerking the shaft did not require lubricant. His mouth opened and closed several times, trying to warn Draco at just how close he was, but his language skills failed him. The result was Draco’s mouth dropping open in surprise (good surprise) as Harry’s cock suddenly pulsed, coating his quivering stomach with jets of white semen, Draco’s hand still wrapped around it.

Harry’s orgasm was delicious to watch and Draco didn’t even realize it until it was happening! He resolved silently to keep a closer eye on the black-haired boy’s reactions, but it was his first time to ever induce an orgasm in another person, as well as Harry’s first other-person-induced finish; it was incredible. He stood, stripping off his own underwear, and spread Harry’s legs apart, lifting the boy’s hips to rest on his thighs. A whispered spell coated his fingers in lubrication, and he carefully opened Harry’s ass cheeks, gently working one finger into his ultra-tight, virgin hole. His eyes flicked from his hand to Harry’s face, watching for signs of discomfort. Harry’s eyes were still closed from orgasm, and his body shuddered involuntarily off and on, which Draco took as a good sign. He worked one finger in and out, making sure to have enough lubricant as he added a second finger.

“How does that feel?” he asked. His voice sounded overly-anxious to him, but Harry, still blissful, didn’t seem to notice.

“It’s…different,” the Gryffindor answered honestly, trying to put a better sentence together. “I like it, though. Keep going.” Draco exhaled with relief, scissoring his fingers against Harry’s tight ring of muscle before adding a third. He cast another lubrication charm, just in case, and suddenly his fingers slipped easily in and out of Harry’s passage.

“Are-are you ready?” Draco wanted to give Harry plenty of warning.

“Mmmmm, yes,” he whispered back, reaching down and opening his cheeks wider to show Draco that he trusted him. His seventeen year old libido brought Harry’s cock back to life as Draco positioned the head of his well-slicked cock at Harry’s entrance, grunting a little as he applied pressure, sliding just the head into Harry, freezing as the boy beneath him tensed up.

“H-Harry?”

“It’s ok-kay; I’m okay,” he gasped. He felt Draco’s hands at his hips, and he let go of one cheek to caress the pale hand that had gripped him unexpectedly. Draco let out the breath he didn’t realize he was holding and pushed in a little more. He had never felt ANYTHING this fucking good in his entire life! The head of his cock was surrounded by a hot pressure, and Draco figured he could probably come just from this if he let himself. Harry bit his lip, and Draco didn’t know whether to stop or keep going. He stared at Harry’s face, and those brilliant green eyes opened as the Gryffindor smiled.

“I’m okay,” he repeated with a little more confidence. “Just…just go slow, you sexy thing, you.” His joke had the intended effect of breaking Draco’s tension, and the blonde slid a little further inside Harry, pausing to give him time to get used to the sensation, and then pushed deeper until he was completely inside of Harry. Draco held himself very still, feeling like any little movement would send him over the edge.

“You can…you know,” Harry said, mistaking Draco’s rigidness. The blonde smiled, his voice gruff when he answered.

“Not until I’m sure I won’t come in your tight little ass until AFTER I’ve pounded you through this mattress,” Draco teased. Harry’s eyes lit with anticipation, and he had to wonder at himself; he was telling Draco to ‘go slow’ and then wanting to be fucked brutally. He was a paradox, alright. Draco began to move his hips back and forth, leaning forward to place his hands on the mattress beside Harry to brace himself as he pumped with his hips. Harry could feel the skin of Draco’s stomach touch his cock as he pushed in, and it made him moan. He slid his hands up Draco’s back in encouragement, gripping the strong shoulder blades.

Draco’s breath was coming in short pants as he thrust into Harry over and over. In one of the articles Draco read, it suggested switching positions to help with stimulation. He rocked back, butt against his heels as he pulled Harry’s hips up onto his thighs again, bringing the boy’s legs up so that Harry’s calves rested on Draco’s shoulders. He wrapped his arms around the muscular thighs and began thrusting again. The angle changed, and Harry’s vision went white as the head of Draco’s cock suddenly began battering Harry’s prostate. He couldn’t help the dirty talk that fell out of his mouth, caused by intense pleasure.

“Oh fuck, Draco! Oh god, yes, Merlin, right there! FUCK, that feels so good! Yes! Yes! Yes! Pound me! Fuck that ass! Oh, yes, Draco! God, yes!”

Draco’s eyes went wide as Harry’s writhing and words sent him closer; he began to whimper as a tingling sensation tightened in his testicles.

“Harry…Harry…I’m so close! Oh god! Oh fuck, Harry! Harry, I’m going to come! Harry!” Draco thrust into Harry deeper than he’d ever gone before, arching his back as he shook, his cock emptying his seed into his lover’s ass as he yelled the boy’s name. Harry watched, wide-eyed, as Draco’s head tipped back, and the sensation of feeling jets of come spurting inside him made Harry finish for the second time. With a quick wave of his hand, Harry did a wandless Cleaning Charm to get rid of the stickiness on his stomach and opened his arms to the exhausted blonde, who literally fell into them, allowing Harry’s legs to drop. Draco’s cock didn’t come all the way out of Harry’s ass, but neither of them cared; Draco rested his cheek on Harry’s chest, listening to the rapid beat of Harry’s heart that matched his own. He sighed in contentment, feeling Harry’s arms wrap securely around him.

“Merlin, Draco, that was fucking incredible,” Harry mumbled. “You! You are so incredible!” The blonde smiled, nodding slightly, not even able to come up with a suitably mock-narcissistic retort for the compliment. They laid like that, catching their breath and marveling at what just transpired between them.
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Chapter notes:

1. wizarding version of a pissing contest to see who was stronger, magically. The phrasing is my own, but the idea came from one of my favorite fantasy books If I Pay Thee Not In Gold co-written by Piers Anthony and Mercedes Lackey.

In this book, only the women have magic, and that magic is limited to conjuration. If someone wishes to challenge the Queen of Mazonia for ruling rights (and I can tell you this without giving away spoilers for the plot or book), it's basically a conjuring challenge, and *generally* whoever can conjure more wins (because the other woman gets too tired and runs out of magic).

I incorporated it into the HP universe, but with the fight between Harry and Voldemort, it WAS more than just conjuring; it included casting hexes and counter-hexes and that sort of thing, but my idea was that Voldemort finally exhausts himself and runs out of magic, and Harry still has enough left to kill him, albeit with Ron and Hermione's support, but it proves beyond a doubt that Harry was the more powerful of the two.

2. Draco Malfoy began to sing I don't know what possessed me to "see" this in this scene, but...there you have it. The song is "Learn to be Lonely" from the Phantom of the Opera soundtrack. (From when Draco watched it with the ghoul...pretty clever, huh?)

I was torn about whether to include the lyrics, but I went ahead and did so, even though I want to state that THIS IS NOT A SONGFIC or anything like that. If you haven't heard this song, go to http://www.youtube.com and type in "Learn to be Lonely" in the search engine. Beware--there is a Harry Potter version (it's the best to listen to, IMO) and it will JUST break your heart! I was wary about Draco singing...so let me know what you think!

3. StarDream 1001 StarDream 1001 is the best, most comfortable wizarding mattress that is on the market at the current time. How does Harry know about it? Considering it hit the market right before Christmas, the makers had been advertising it left and right in the months before, claiming it as the ‘perfect Christmas present’ and allowing for pre-orders. Harry saw a few adverts for it while in Hogsmeade with Ron and Hermione the previous semester, and now he’s VERY glad he knows about it.

I made it up completely. As far as I know, there is no such thing in the HP universe, but it fits my purposes. According to the HP Lexicon, things are easier to Transfigure when they have similar names (the example given there was guinea pigs and guinea fowl)…so I needed a mattress that could be easily Transfigured from “star charts”.

4. enchanted snow and candles These are real items in the HP universe, according to the HP Lexicon. The enchanted snow is an imitation of real snow that is warm and dry (hence why it would help to block the chill from outside and keep the room more or less warm), and the enchanted candles will never catch the snow on fire (always a good thing!).

5. He pushed Harry back and lay on top of him I had another one of those delicious pictures in mind for this part! I wrote the descriptions based on the picture of Harry and Draco that is black and white; it's a profile view of the two of them, with Draco completely on top of Harry. The covers are pulled up to their waists (damn it!) and Draco has one hand on the bed. Harry's hands are on Draco's back, and they are SO nose to nose that I just want to squeeze them! If you want a copy of this pic, shoot me an email and I'll send it to you!

Author's note--I have no idea why I'm inclined to think in pictures lately, but COOL! lol Hopefully, anyway. I hope you don't mind that I divided the hot gay teen sex into two chapters! And seriously...if you haven't heard that "Phantom" song, you are SO missing out!

Quick edit: Thank you, Night, for suggesting the Polyjuice Potion instead of Glamours in Snape's Side. I am changing it just as soon as this chapter is posted!


HPDMkawii--No, no of course not! We only perve after Harry and Draco! (Well, and me after Danny Taylor...and Daniel Radcliffe...) I feel safe telling you that yes, there will be an adorable, make-your-heart-explode-from-too-much-cuteness type of scene with all three children! (Come on...of course I have to!) Harry and Draco being together...RAFO lol Thanks for your kind words! I hope you'll stick it out through the next episode and all!

Night--haha I like your "real quick" that is a LONG review! YAY! I don't know if Snape saw Draco as his chance to 'correct his own life', per se, but he WAS motivated to keep Draco from experiencing the bad things that Snape went through (being picked on by Potter, taking the Dark Mark...that sort of thing) that made Snape into the bastard he is today. BUT Snape also felt extremely betrayed by Dumbledore when the Headmaster didn't help Draco, but then Draco ended up not needing his help after all, which Snape was proud of.

I totally agree with what you are saying, but Snape trusted Dumbledore first and felt betrayed. That was before Draco's sixth year, so Snape had a year or two to stew in Dumbledore's betrayal--meaning that Draco was the ONLY one Snape trusted who hadn't betrayed him--so then when he finds out that Draco was with Harry, it was a betrayal to Snape. Only...Draco's hurt worse because of all of the other effort Snape had put out for Draco (mind you, I personally don't think Snape was right in his anger at Draco because Draco didn't ASK Snape to do those things for him; Snape just did them and then got angry about Draco not appreciating the effort he didn't ask for in the first place!)

Does that make sense? Obviously, I want you to take from it what you will and make it make sense to you, but that's how I see it.

You make a good point about Azkaban, and I have changed it. :D Thank you! (also, I will address your "fuzzy" point farther down in your second response!


EmeraldGrey--*conspiratorial wink* Well, now that Voldie's dead, SOMEONE has to be the bad guy! (Well, guys! and girl? Maybe...LOL) I burst out laughing at the end of your review, btw. I was JUST about ready to drink some Diet Coke, and THANK GOD I didn't because otherwise my laptop might have been short-circuited! Thanks!

thrnbrooke--Thanks! I agree with you!

KLS--Thank you! I like neatly wrapped up endings (that are happy, of course!) so there will definitely be a lot of THAT going on!

Harrys boxers--Thanks! Yes, there will be more Parker! This chapter is all about our Hogwarts sex gods (and next chapter too!) After the episode starts...maybe not...but we will definitely see! I have heard of Westlife, but I've never seen them in concert or anything. I don't think I'd recognize JKR if I saw her! *hangs head in shame* I know, I know...blasphemous!

devilfancy--Thank you for your review! (And to everyone who came here on DF's recommendation, thank you!)

WeasleyWench--hahahahahahahahaha Snape doesn't have any balls anyway...he's a coward. Well, more or less. I mean, he DID get Spaulding to do his dirty work, rather than fly to America himself to make Harry miserable...*perks up* YAY! I'll be watching for that. I know what you mean! I'm going farther with this than I anticipated too! WOO Thanks, I'm glad you like it, and I hope you continue to like it!

Draca--*giggles* And that was the chapter with the hot man love too! Poor you! hehe I love dancing! (Seriously, I do ballroom-dancing!) And with the French thing...Draco would have learned the French-from-France, being in England, I think. Hell, he probably learned French IN France! haha But I do appreciate your help!

Night--Snape was a hard one to figure out, I'll admit. I think, though, that it was more about protecting Draco's innocence. First, Draco as a baby "helpless" and Snape agrees to be the godfather. Second, Snape tries to protect Draco from what happened to Snape in his life at Hogwarts (being tormented by James Potter...) while at the same time, trying not to coddle Draco, since he DOES want the boy to be independent. I think it's a hard position for Snape to be in (and a very typical "parent" one: wanting to protect your kids from all the bad stuff that happens to them while at the same time knowing that it'll make them stronger and more independent)

Third, the other mistake in Snape's life was taking the Dark Mark, which was why he went to Dumbledore for help. That's when he began to trust the Headmaster. Snape couldn't keep Lucius from taking Draco to a Dark Revel--Draco's first taste of what being a Death Eater is REALLY like--and Snape feels like he is failing because some of Draco's innocence was taken away. (He wasn't raped or violated or anything like that at that point, but just being there at the Revel shocked and horrified Draco, and Snape hated to see that because he himself had felt that as well)

Also, Snape knows that the plan for Draco's life is for him to follow in the footsteps of his parents (take the Mark, become one of Voldie's most trusted DE's, marry a witch, have an heir). Snape also believes that this plan will "ruin" Draco (ie spoil his innocence, make him as miserable as Snape is...and Snape does NOT want that for Draco) Lucius taking Draco to the Revel makes that plan just a little bit more real to Snape, and that's what prompts him to run to Dumbledore and beg him to change 'the plan'. In Snape's mind, if Dumbledore can convince Draco not to take the Dark Mark or get him out from under the influence of his parents or something like that, then Draco's life will change for the better (he won't be hurt, miserable, etc)

Dumbledore refuses, and that's when Snape turns against HIM. So now, his trusted friend (who helped Snape when Snape needed it) refused to help Draco, which Snape takes as a personal betrayal since he KNOWS Dumbledore can help and feels like the Headmaster is refusing because Draco is a Slytherin and not a Gryffindor (since Dumbledore has made it clear that he helps Harry) And to Snape, someone helping Harry but not Draco is inconceivable.

So Snape feels alone, betrayed, and like it's just "him and Draco" against the world. He's horrified that Draco is given an initiation task, but heartened that it's to kill Dumbledore, who Snape no longer cares about. He takes his revenge on Dumbledore but knows that the Dark Lord will see it as Draco failing (since the task was as much about Draco doing it as about taking Dumbledore out). Snape thinks that the Order will protect Draco, since he's a child, but his plea for help was VERY ill-timed.

It came right after Draco had let the DE's into Hogwarts, and right after Greyback mauled Bill. Remus and Minerva had just come through a horribly hard battle, so understandibly, they're not at top form or in their right minds. Harry didn't even notice Snape at first in the kitchen, but recognizes the voice as Snape is talking to Minerva and goes after him.

Draco takes responsibility for his actions, and Harry glares at him for it, but ultimately focuses on Snape because Snape's the one who ACTUALLY killed Dumbledore, regardless of who was supposed to. Harry just lost his mentor and ANOTHER person close to him, so he's sick with grief and rage at Snape.

After going through the battle, on top of learning that Snape killed Dumbledore, coupled with the fact that Harry was upset, Minerva went with her gut instinct and told Snape "hell no" when he asked them to protect Draco. She wasn't thinking about Draco; she was thinking more about what she had just learned (this man killed the leader of the Order and then asked for help). If Draco had asked, Minerva might have been more moved, but it was Snape "protecting" Draco again that got them kicked out of the house that night.

So you could say that it was another betrayal (by the Order) for turning them away, but now Snape has a plan. He leaves Draco at his house (where it's safe) to go talk to the Dark Lord because if Draco went with, Voldemort probably would have killed him on the spot before Snape could say anything. Snape was semi-upset (probably more like indignant) that neither of Draco's parents pleaded for his life. It just served to reinforce Snape's attitude that he was the only one who cared about Draco.

He was sort of pissed off at Draco for leaving his house (because Draco walked away from Snape's protection). Snape was torn here too because he wanted to protect Draco but at the same time knowing that the boy NOT being around was the safest thing for him. Then he was proud of Draco for refusing to take the Dark Mark (ie Draco wasn't going to repeat Snape's mistakes) and then Harry killed Voldemort in December.

Draco stayed in the Leaky Cauldron over the summer, keeping himself hidden. Harry was too busy grieving over Dumbledore to seek him out or anything, so they didn't see each other until they went back to Hogwarts in the fall. Draco DID learn to shop in Muggle stores and such. He probably went to HMV (haha) to purchase the "Phantom" soundtrack (from when he watched the movie at the Black House) and listened to it all summer and fall. (That's how he was able to sing "Learn to be Lonely" acapella that New Year's Eve.)

Draco also stayed at Hogwarts over the Christmas break. When classes let out, Draco wasn't about to go home, since he knew his parents would be displeased over his decision not to follow their 'plan' (and THAT was the understatement of the year), so he stayed in the Slytherin dorms at Hogwarts. Lucius and Narcissa were too busy with Voldemort to deal with that before December 21st, and then they fled back to the Manor during the Final Battle (to avoid Harry, Hermione, and Ron) when it was clear that the DE's were losing. They heard Voldemort was demolished, and they figured Draco would come home, since the whole business about him taking the Dark Mark was a moot point now.

Christmas came and went, and Draco didn't show up. They waited an extra day or two, just in case, but when it was December 30th and he STILL didn't show up, Lucius got in touch with Snape (who was at his home in Spinner's End, having went there after the Final Battle and all) to go find Draco. (Since Snape knew Draco best and would therefore know where he might be hiding).

Snape checked the Leaky Cauldron and a couple of other inns where Draco might have gone, but he didn't find anything. He searched a few other places before returning to Hogwarts to find all of Draco's stuff still in his room in Slytherin. He knew then that Draco hadn't left the school (and Snape wondered why he didn't think to check here in the first place and saved himself the trouble) but Draco wasn't in Slytherin when Snape arrived.

Snape sat in the commons room, waiting for Draco to return. Draco didn't return until the next morning (because he spent the night in the Astronomy Tower with Harry) and Snape was well pissed-off at Draco for being hard to find. He Stupified him and then realized his mistake. But you know Snape...can't admit he made a mistake, so he decided to Legilimize Draco instead of waking him up and asking him where he had been.

When Snape saw Draco kiss Harry, that was the final and ultimate betrayal. Snape had an "us versus them" attitude about him and Draco against everyone else, and to see Draco "abandon" him for Harry....it wasn't good. If it had been anyone else, it would have been fine, but because it was Harry, Snape was again angry that he had put forth all of this effort into protecting Draco (again, protection that Draco didn't ask for...AND protecting Draco FROM Harry) and he felt like Draco wasn't grateful for said protection if he was running TO Harry and kissing him.

Snape was so angry at Draco, he woke him up and Legilimized him more fully. After he saw what the two of them were DOING in the Astronomy Tower, Snape slapped Draco for it, and that protective streak that Snape had felt for Draco all his life fell apart in that instant. Snape felt that if Draco wasn't going to appreciate Snape's protection AND if he was going to 'cavort with the enemy' (or some bullshit like that) that Snape was just going to let him, the ungrateful brat. He was so angry at Draco (and felt so betrayed) that he didn't care what happened to Draco after that or what ill befell him.

That's why he took Draco to the Manor. Lucius had asked him to find his son, and Snape did. Out of spite, he told Lucius what Draco did, and Lucius saw for himself. On top of being mad at Draco for NOT taking the Dark Mark, having Draco rebel against the rest of the 'plan' (find a wife, have an heir) by shagging another guy (ie no heir), Lucius decides to get Draco 'back on track' with severe lectures. Snape goes along with it and takes it one step further when he makes the suggestion to violate Draco.

As far as revenge goes...*deep breath* wow, I talk a lot. lol Sorry for that! Snape keeps an eye on Draco, making sure that he sticks to the 'plan'. This should indicate just HOW much Snape has turned on Draco (essentially, betraying Draco because he felt like Draco betrayed HIM). Before, Snape was totally focused on getting Draco out of the 'plan', and now that Draco had gotten himself out, Snape forced him back into it.

But Snape couldn't let go of the fact that Draco had shagged Harry (and never WOULD let that go). That was Draco's act of betrayal that Snape would never forgive him for. To Draco, being violated by his father and godfather was a betrayal in and of itself, and that's why he glared at Snape after his father died. Because if it had just been his parents, with Lucius dead and Narcissa in Azkaban, Draco would have been free to get rid of the 'plan' and do whatever he wanted, but Snape was there, enforcing it (when before, he had tried to get rid of it). Ironic, huh?

Then they had graduated and Draco got engaged to Pansy. At this point, Snape wasn't so worried that Draco would go running back to Harry (since Harry and Ginny were getting married) but he still hadn't forgiven Draco.

Narcissa has her own issues with Draco, but Snape was willing to get revenge on his godson when she asked him to. That's when he had started with the anonymous threats, and Blaise joined in after Draco married Pansy, and the two of them sent threats to Draco. Then after Pansy gave birth to Parker, she called up Blaise for an affair, so Blaise suddenly lost interest in threatening Draco, since he would rather have sex with Draco's wife 'behind his back'. (That's why the threats stopped after Parker was born; it didn't have so much to do with Parker being born as it did with Pansy taking lovers after her baby's birth.)

Since Blaise was getting what he wanted (Pansy), he didn't want Snape threatening them anymore, so he encouraged Snape to track down Harry Potter (knowing that giving Snape a new target would be the only way to get his mind off of Draco). That's when Snape began researching where Harry went (America, and more specifically, New York) and what he was doing. After Snape found out Harry was an FBI agent on a team, he started researching the team members, and that's when he found Jack Malone's nemesis Graham Spaulding.

Snape also discovered that Harry had twin girls, and then with the discovery of an on-the-loose child molester, Snape had a plan to make Harry's life miserable (because he wanted to). So the "original" plan was for Spaulding to kidnap Molly and Lily and bring them to England (so Snape could more than likely torture and kill them to get back at Harry), since Spaulding didn't care for girls (so he wouldn't want to violate them like he did Parker).

Then Blaise found out that Draco and Pansy were going to go to New York for an entire month (and he wasn't invited, so he would be losing his fuck buddy for a whole month--horrors! *gagging sound* Stupid Blaise) Being upset about that (and seeing it as "Draco getting Pansy all to himself") Blaise told Snape. Now Blaise was mad at Draco again, and Snape had been mad at Draco all along, so the plan changed to Spaulding kidnapping Parker and doing whatever he wanted with him. (Snape didn't care; as long as it would hurt Draco, that would be sufficient)

Snape had been in contact with Narcissa the whole time (since she was the one who encouraged him to threaten Draco in the first place) and when he told her about Spaulding taking Draco's son, she decided that she wanted to go as well to exact revenge on Draco for her own issues. (Which I can talk about, if you want...but I'm pretty sure you all understand why Narcissa is such a bitch? I'm pretty sure we'll see those come up later in the episode, though)

So that's why her escape was moved up to "right now": so that she could get on a plane and fly to New York to meet Spaulding and get revenge on Draco by kidnapping Parker. And there you have it.

*whew* I hope that all makes sense! I look forward to more of your questions!