Three's Revenge

Draco’s Detour: Three’s Revenge

By Newshound

Summary: Draco tries to teach Harry a lesson about love and ends up a student of a dragon handler, a Quidditch Keeper and a Potions Master.

Disclaimer: Harry Potter and company are the exclusive property of J. K. Rowling. This fiction is entirely for entertainment purposes and no money is being made from it.

A/N: I wrote this as a response to the Draco’s Detour Challenge of Per Solum Lacuna. It is a companion piece to that fic and was written around chapter 13. Since this is an AU of PSL it will be contradicted by several events in that piece. All I can ask is that you suspend reality for a bit more. If you haven’t read PSL, I fully encourage you to do so, it is a fantastic read and understanding Three’s Revenge will be much easier.

Intro: The time is early spring. Charlie Weasley is in Bulgaria training dragons, Harry and Draco have taken lodgings at Hogsmeade while Draco completes his apprenticeship (Harry has taken a leave of absence from the Ministry and – in order to be close to Draco – has agreed to fill in for Madam Hooch and preside over the Quidditch program at Hogwarts while she tends to her ailing mother for the next several months), and Severus Snape continues to teach potions at Hogwarts.

Beta’d by C. Dumbledore.

Chapter 1: Shakedown, Breakdown, You’re Busted

Charlie awoke early the next morning after a night of dreamless sleep. He wandered into his small kitchen yawning and scratching himself, getting ready to brew a cup of the strongest coffee he could manage. He’d need all the Dutch courage he could lay his hands on. Today he was going to quit and walk away from what had been his life.

He really didn’t have any definite plans yet. His first stop would be the training center where he would inform his crew leader that from now on they could do without his services. He really wasn’t worried about what he would do for income while he was unemployed. He had plenty of money stashed away, enough to live on for several months until he found whatever work took his fancy. All he needed was a quick trip to Gringotts, clean out the old vault, and then off to Ron’s office, where he would surreptitiously find out Harry’s floo address. Ron couldn’t know anything about this or he’d never hear the end of it.

He’d miss his dragons, but Severus needed him. The last time Charlie had seen him he’d looked emaciated (more so than usual) and pale, not to mention somber and grim. He looked liked he hadn’t smiled or laughed in years and Charlie fully intended to change that. After they’d spent about a week in bed.

This has crash and burn written all over it.

He waited for his coffee humming and smiling, a hopeful feeling overcoming any apprehension he had.
* * * * * *

That hopeful feeling had all but vanished as Charlie made his way to the Leaky Cauldron after what had turned out to be the day from hell. He had arrived at Diagon Alley after being thoroughly berated by the man he had once considered his mentor, Bertrand Burnside.

“Look Weasley, if you think you’re just going to walk away and leave us in the lurch, you’ve been smoking too much powdered dragon scales!” he’d shouted in what was only the beginning to what proved to be an hour-long lecture on job security and employee disregard for common courtesy.

Charlie stood there and took it like a good boy, and then firmly informed Burnside that he was most definitely leaving and what Burnside could do with his opinions. “Well don’t come cozying up to me when you need references, Weasley,” he’d warned.

As much as Charlie loved dragons, he was terrified of Goblins. If his money and Ron’s office hadn’t been at Gringotts, he would have avoided the place altogether. What scared him most about Goblins was the way they looked at wizards. They looked at you like you were a small insect they were anxious to step on and squash. They did, however, willingly fetch his money for him.

Thanks to the helpful directions of an unusually polite Goblin, Charlie had no trouble finding his brother’s office. Ron had been surprised to see his brother and couldn’t believe that his dragon days were now over. Getting Harry’s address, however, had proved to be more difficult than capturing a full-grown Hungarian horntail. He really couldn’t think of a plausible reason for asking for it.

“Would you mind giving me Harry’s Floo? I need Draco’s help with getting something going with Severus Snape - you remember him, the one who made your life hell?”

He decided on the direct approach.

“How’s Harry these days?” Charlie asked innocently. “Thought I might stop in for a visit while I’m here.” He shifted uneasily in his chair hoping he looked calmer than he felt. If this discussion didn’t go well, he was screwed.

“Harry’s spoken for, Charlie,” Ron warned. “And don’t you go interfering. He finally seems happy, although I’d never admit that in public.”

“I just want to see him, see what he’s been up to,” Charlie reassured him, shrugging his shoulders and trying to act nonchalant. Fooling Ron usually didn’t take a whole lot of effort; he was not known for his keen analytical ability. Then again, Charlie had to admit his own analytical ability was about as keen as Ron’s.

“And that other thing?” Ron asked, giving him a dirty look.

“Look, that was a one-time thing, caught me off-guard,” Charlie explained. “We don’t have those feelings for each other.” This statement was entirely true so Charlie had no trouble sounding sincere. He disciplined himself not to relive the night he’d shared with Harry. He’d save those images for tonight when he was alone in his bed at the inn.
“I’ll give it to you if you tell me the real reason you want his Floo,” Ron bargained. He really didn’t buy Charlie’s excuse about wanting a social visit with Harry and he briefly wondered if there was something romantic behind the request. He immediately dismissed that idea; Charlie being romantic was about as likely as Hermione avoiding a visit to the library. Most likely he was looking to get laid.

“I need his help with something, something personal, and I really don’t want to discuss it with you, Ron,” Charlie said. “I swear I’m not looking to get anything going with Harry. There’s somebody else I’m interested in and I need Harry’s advice.”

His brother looked so earnest and sincere Ron relented and gave Charlie Harry’s Floo address. Securing a room at the Leaky Cauldron had seemed easy after the awful day he’d had so far and he collapsed on the bed after depositing his trunk on the floor.
He woke a short time later and cleaned himself up, somewhat nervous about meeting Harry again. He walked downstairs and used the Floo at the pub to call Harry.

* * * * * *

Harry was busy arranging and then rearranging the throw pillows on the sofa, anxiously awaiting Draco’s imminent arrival home when a familiar face burst in on the fireplace.
“Harry?” a red-haired, freckled face man called.

“Charlie?” Harry asked, delighted to see his old friend. “Where are you? Nothing’s wrong is it?”

“No,” Charlie assured him. “Can I come through?”

“Of course,” Harry said soothingly. “Come on.”

Immediately after stepping out of the fireplace Charlie was greeted with a big hug.
“God, it’s good to see you,” Harry whispered into Charlie’s ear.

“Take it easy there,” Charlie said smiling warmly, yet stepping gently away from Harry. “I hear you’re spoken for.”

“Guilty as charged,” Harry said smiling.

“I need to talk to you about something,” Charlie said softly. “Something I hope you’ll be able to help me with.” He hated being so abrupt, but he really didn’t see any point in beating around the bush. The sooner he told Harry, the sooner he’d know if he could count on his help.

“Let’s go in the kitchen,” Harry offered. “I have tea if you like. Of course, there’s coffee, too. It has to be ready for Draco when he comes in or he throws the most awful tantrum.”

They walked into the tastefully decorated, inviting kitchen, Charlie admiring the care with which the room was furnished. It had lots of sturdy cabinets made of a dark wood and the countertops, which were crammed with all sorts of pottery, were a smooth, slate gray marble. A copper bowl held an assortment of fruits and next to it sat a cutting board with some peppers and tomatoes on it. A small window over the sink held a variety of potted plants and the drainer next to the sink held several cups and plates. Charlie could tell Harry and Draco cooked and ate here. Harry poured him a cup of what appeared to Charlie to be very strong coffee and motioned toward the table.

The table itself was a work of art. It was made of the same wood as the cabinets and was inlaid with small, intricately decorated indigo tiles polished to a high sheen. In the center was a copper trivet on which sat a beautiful oriental teapot.

Charlie sat down at the table, holding his cup of coffee, struggling with how to say what he wanted. He waited until Harry helped himself to tea and joined him at the table.

“Actually it’s not your help I need Harry, it’s Draco’s,” Charlie said. He took a deep breath and blurted out, “I’m in love with Severus and I want to be with him, for always.”
Harry sat stunned, staring at Charlie.

“You’re joking, right?” he said nervously.

“No joke, Harry,” Charlie said, quietly. “I know it’s probably hard for you to believe that, but it’s true. I want a chance to be happy, like Mum and Dad are happy, like Ron and Hermione. I have to know if it could work out.”

“No offense Charlie, but I can’t see anyone being happy with him for very long,” Harry said kindly. “I mean his hair, Charlie, and he’s always skulking about. You deserve someone adventurous, someone spontaneous and fun, basically, someone normal.”

“No one knows what you see in Malfoy either, Harry,” Charlie said sharply, frowning and crossing his arms. He instantly regretted snapping at Harry like that, but he’d expected Harry to understand, at least a little, about wanting someone other wizards looked down on. Maybe Harry didn’t realize how serious he was.

“You don’t understand. I’m desperate, I can’t eat, can’t sleep,” Charlie continued, almost pleading now. “I’ve quit Dragons, even.”

“No!” Harry said aghast.

“It’s true,” Charlie said, reaching out and squeezing Harry’s arm. “You have to help me, Harry.” He didn’t exactly have puppy dog eyes, and flashing bedroom eyes was totally out of the question, so he settled for the best pitiful, pathetic look he could summon up.
“Do you really think things can work out between you two?” Harry questioned gently. “It doesn’t seem like you have much in common.”

“What do you and Malfoy have in common, then?” Charlie asked, becoming irritated. What was this - a marriage counseling session?

“He has a first name Charlie, and I would appreciate your using it,” Harry said sharply. “Besides, what do we have to do with you and uh - oh, why not? - Severus?”

“It has everything to do with you two and seeing this room makes it even clearer,” Charlie said. “Just look at your pictures, Harry.” He decided to make use of the method that had always served him in good stead – a smattering of charm with a little guilt trip thrown on top for good measure.

Four photos were artfully displayed on the wall above the table; one held a photo of Ron, Hermione and Harry, another, just Ron and Hermione, both muggle photos. The other two were wizard photos the people moving and waving; one was of Draco working in a potions lab, the other of Harry and Draco together in what appeared to be a vineyard.
Harry looked up at them, smiling; each held a special memory and they always cheered Harry on dreary days.

“I want that, Harry,” Charlie said, pointing at the photos. “Is that so wrong?”

“It’s not that I don’t want to help you Charlie,” Harry said. “It’s just, are you sure you’re ready to settle down, you know, one person and all that?”

“Well, why not?” Charlie insisted. “I mean you and Draco are practically a walking advertisement for monogamy.”

“Who says we’re monogamous?” Harry asked, teasing.

“Draco does,” Charlie said carefully.

Draco does what?” came an icy voice from the doorway. Both men turned and looked. One looked nervous and hopeful, the other as though he’d just been caught with his hand in the cookie jar.

“Charlie needs our help, Draco,” Harry said, rising to greet him. He walked to Draco intending to kiss him hello, but Draco held out his hands, keeping Harry at arm’s length.
“Now Harry, not in front of the children,” he admonished coolly.

“Weasley,” Draco said coldly, barely acknowledging his presence.

“Listen, I really need to be going now, Harry,” Charlie announced. “Promise me you’ll talk to him?”

“I promise Charlie,” Harry agreed, walking him to the fireplace. Draco stood in the doorway, scowling at them.

“Let me know, either way, okay?” he whispered, looking at Harry hopefully. “I’ll be at the Leaky Cauldron most of tomorrow.” In Charlie’s opinion, Harry was in for a long night and it was probably a good idea for him to beat a hasty retreat.

“I’ll do my best,” Harry promised.

“What was that all about?” Draco said watching Harry carefully.

“He’s in love with Snape and he wants to be with him,” Harry stated simply. “No accounting for taste apparently.”

“Is he out of his mind?” Draco said appalled. “Why would Severus even consider him as a suitor?”

“I think the more appropriate question actually, is what possessed Charlie to choose him?” Harry argued back.

“And furthermore, why in the name of all that is good and decent would I even remotely entertain the idea of inflicting a Weasley on someone I consider one of my oldest and dearest friends?” Draco said.

“Why are you always insulting my friends, Draco?” Harry said voice rising in anger. “Why can’t you see his good points?”

“I guess because he hasn’t tied me up, blindfolded me and ravished me,” Draco drawled, a nasty sneer playing about his mouth.

It’s nothing you haven’t done,” Harry shot back.

“Small consolation, Harry,” Draco said, walking back into the kitchen. He poured himself a cup of coffee from the pot sitting on the counter. He brought the cup to his lips and after a small sip, promptly spit it out.

“This coffee’s cold,” he said hatefully. “Guess you were too busy carrying on with Weasley to remember me.

“And why didn’t he just come and ask me himself,” Draco continued, pouting. “Why use you as some sort of intermediary?”

“Probably because he knew you’d refuse straight off,” Harry said. “He just wanted me to put in a good word.”

“And what would that good word be, Harry?”

“I don’t know.”

“Well, can’t you think of even one good word?”

“No.”

“I can. How about monogamy, that’s a good word. Ever heard that one?”

“Maybe, don’t really remember.”

“Really? Then let me refresh your memory. Weasley – ‘you and Draco are practically a walking advertisement for monogamy.’ Ring any bells now?”

“Vaguely”

“Okay then, I’ll continue, Harry – ‘who says we’re monogamous?’ Coming back to you now?”

“Look, Draco, you’re making it sound worse than what it was. It was a just a comment.”

“That so? Just a harmless, innocent little remark.”

“Exactly.”

“That you conveniently forgot you made.”

“Why must you make a drama out of everything?”

“Don’t you dare try to foist this off on me! I’m not the one caught red-handed sitting at our kitchen table propositioning my old lover!”

“First of all, Charlie and I are not ‘old lovers’ and I don’t see how you get propositioning out of ‘who says we’re monogamous.”

“I see your memory has improved. Answer me, were you his lover or not?”

“It was a one-night thing, Draco, nothing serious. It’s not like, well, you know.”

“And what exactly did you mean by ‘who says we’re monogamous,’ if not, that you might be available if the right person - meaning Charlie - should ask?”

“I didn’t mean anything by it, you’ve got this all wrong. It was just a joke!”

“I don’t see the humor in it, Harry, and I doubt you would either if you caught me sitting across from Jean-Paul and joking about our relationship. You said it like I’m good enough to bounce around in bed with, but not good enough for anything else!”

“And you think I’m the one with trust issues? You’re making too much out of this! I never said anything like that.”

“You just don’t get it, do you? I have bent over backwards to accommodate you, Harry. I tell you where I’m going, what I’m doing, who I’ll be with, and when I’ll be home, all because it satisfies you! And how do you repay me? By lying, hiding things and carrying on with your ex.”

“I take it you’re unwilling to help Charlie, then.”

“Charlie Weasley can go fuck himself for all I care. I’m going out.”

“Where are you going?”

“What do you care?”

“Draco, come on, don’t be like this. Look, I’m sorry, okay? It was a thoughtless thing to say and I promise, from now on, I’ll be on my best behavior.”

“Save all your sorry explanations. NOW GET OUT OF MY WAY!”

“FINE, GO THEN, AND DON’T COME BACK!”

Draco stormed out of the apartment, slamming the door as hard as he could. He heard something crash up against it, breaking, and instinctively he ducked.

That better not be one of my things!

Unfortunately, Draco suspected it probably was.

End Chapter 1