Our Choices

Chapter Two

An insistent tapping on his window slowly brought him from his slumber. Draco opened his eyes wearily and groaned. From the small amount of light illuminating the room he guessed the time to be very early in the morning. He let his heavy lids drift shut once more and yawned. It felt like he had only just fallen asleep. In all likelihood, he probably had.

After he'd crawled into bed the night before he had tossed and turned relentlessly. The same as he'd done every night since he'd learned of his father's plans. His eyes snapped open. He felt a ball of dread settle in his stomach when he unintentionally reminded himself of his fate. Only one day left.

Another round of tapping jolted him from his thoughts and he snapped his head around to peer out the window. Fluttering just outside was a medium sized barn owl. It glared at Draco heatedly and tapped the window again sounding a loud clink through the room, as if to say, Let me in, already!

Draco sucked in a sharp breath of air. What if that owl carried his escape? He swallowed thickly and refused to allow the hope that swarmed in his chest to break loose. It wouldn't do for him to get his expectations up only to be let down.

He pushed himself off the bed and padded over to the window. Once he had managed to open it with his shaky hands, the bird flapped in and settled on his desk. It held it's leg out impatiently and squawked at Draco to hurry him up. Draco sat himself on the chair in front of the desk and carefully removed the letter from the bird. He took a long breath to calm himself and slowly opened the folded parchment.

Malfoy,

This letter is a Portkey set to activate one hour after it's opened. You'll have five minutes to explain yourself. Don't try anything stupid or I won't be held accountable for my actions.

HP

A surge of joy swept through him as he reread the messy penmanship. Tears of relief formed in his eyes and he clutched the letter to his chest. Letting out a choked laugh, Draco stood.

He scratched the bird under it's chin and murmured, "Go to the kitchen. The elves will give you something to eat."

The bird immediately flew from the room and Draco set himself in motion. He had an hour to get ready. Potter would help him, Draco was sure of it.

***

The first thing Draco noticed when the Portkey released him was the elf. It looked rather familiar and from what he saw, the elf seemed to think the same about him. It's large eyes were opened wide and it's hands clutched the front of it's oversized yellow jumper.

"Young Master Malfoy? Is it you?" The elf's voice quivered with unshed tears. It took a step forward and continued. "Harry Potter said he would be receiving a visitor but he did not tell Dobby it was you."

Recognition flared through Draco and he too took a step foreward. He knelt down so he was eyelevel with trembling creature. "Dobby? Sweet Merlin, I did't reconize you! It must be the new clothes." He said smiling.

The mention of clothes seemed to perk Dobby up and he smiled happily. "Harry Potter is paying Dobby five Gallons a month. Dobby goes shopping for new clothes every payday. Sometimes he even gives Dobby new socks!" He pointed merrily at his feet and wiggled his toes to catch Draco's attention.

Draco laughed. "You always were happiest when you were organizing my sock drawers. Lord knows I've missed you."

Dobby's smile dropped. His eyes were once again sad. "Oh, young Master Malfoy! Dobby was so worried after he left the Malfoy Family. Dobby thought of how lonely you would be! Dobby was not there to keep you out of trouble." His voice quivered once again.

Draco lifted his hand to pat Dobby on the shoulder. "No worries, Dobby. Life was quiet without you there to stir up a little mischief with me. It was fun, though, to see my fathers face turn purple everytime someone mentioned Potter's name."

Dobby's face turned grim and he placed his hands on thin hips. He huffed, "You always were a bad boy Draco Malfoy. Always putting your nose were it didn't belong. Always making trouble and dragging poor Dobby along. A bad, bad boy." Dobby shook his head sadly.

Draco laughed and pointed his finger at Dobby accusingly. "I never dragged you along! You followed me. To make sure I didn't get caught doing whatever it was I was doing at the time." He paused to get his laughter under control, then gasped out, "And you always said that same speech each time."

He laughed harder and started wringing his hands. Mimicing Dobby's high pitched voice, "Your a bad boy Draco Malfoy. A bad, bad boy."

Dobby's expression turned warm as he watched his former charge. "Dobby is happy to see you laugh."

Draco quieted down and took a deep calming breath. "I haven't laughed like that in ages. It's good seeing you again. Brings good memories. So, Potter's treating you well, yes?"

Dobby's eyes widened as if he had forgotten the reason Draco was there. His big ears flapped as he nodded his head. "Oh, yes. Harry Potter treats Dobby very well. He is waiting for you in his study."

Draco stood and brushed himself off almost nervously. "Well, better get on with it then."

Dobby nodded. "Follow me, please."

For the first time Draco took in his surroundings. Potter's home was surprisingly nice. Obviously Muggle, but very tasteful decor. It wasn't overly large nor was it small. It was cozy.

His shoes padded silently against the thick cream colored carpet as Draco followed Dobby down a hall to the left of the staircase leading upstairs. They stopped in front of a door that was left partially opened. Dobby knocked once and waited for Potter's quiet "Enter," before pushing the door fully open.

Harry looked up from a stack of paperwork scattered on his desk as they came through the threshold of his study.

"Harry Potter's guest has arrived. Would you like Dobby to bring refreshments?"

Without taking his eyes off of Draco, he replied, "No, thank you, Dobby. Malfoy won't be staying long."

Dobby gave Harry a small frown but popped away without a word. Leaving the two men to themselves.

A few moments passed before either said anything. Harry's cold expression placed firmly on Draco. The blonde man shifted nervously from foot to foot, looking anywhere but the direction of the icy stare. Had he always been this intimidating? Draco couldn't remember ever feeling this uneasy with Potter in school.

"Shut the door and have a seat." Harry's deep voice caused Draco to jump slightly but he turned to ease the door closed. Once he was seated in one of the chairs facing the desk, he cleared his throat.

"Thank you for seeing me, Potter. I--"

"Just tell me what you want, Malfoy, so I can get back to my papers." Harry interrupted.

Draco bit his lip. "I... I don’t know how to start.”

Harry huffed, “I haven’t got the time for this. Just spit it out!”

“I need someplace to hide. Someplace safe. Away from the Dark Lord... and my father."

Harry raised an eyebrow but otherwise looked unaffected. "So why come to me?"

"Because you’re the only person I know of who isn't afraid of them. The only person powerful enough to protect me." Draco said quietly. He was a bit grateful of how quick the conversation was going. The sooner this was all over the happier he’d be.

Harry sat back in his chair and smirked. "You always were a suck up. Never thought I'd hear you trying to worm your way into my good graces, though."

Draco glared at Harry. "I'm not trying to flatter you, Potter. I'm speaking the truth." He sneered.

Harry's eyes narrowed but he didn't comment on the tone. "Tell me why your running from your father. What's he done?"

Draco blushed and turned his head away to stare out the window. "I don't think it's necessary-"

"Oh, but I do. It's my arse on the line should I choose to help you and I want to know what I might be getting myself into."

Draco sighed, licking his dry lips. "Fine. The werewolves are uneasy at the moment. They are questioning their place in the war. The Dark Lord decided they needed a push in the right direction. Each Pack Leader was asked what they wanted in return for their continued allegiance." Draco paused to take a deep breath. "Do you know who Fenrir Greyback is?"

Harry nodded. "Yes, he's leader to the largest pack there is. He's twisted. The first on our Known Death Eater Most Wanted list."

"Yes, well, he's asked for me... and my father agreed." Draco refused to look at Harry.

All was quiet for a moment, then Harry's loud laughter filled the room. Draco blushed and kept his eyes firmly fixed to his lap.

"You poor, spoiled little rich boy. Reduced to serving something as inferior as a werewolf." Harry said between fits of laughter. He slapped his palm against the desk, shaking with mirth and continued, "I'd say it serves you right. All those times you looked down on me and my friends!"

Draco looked up at Harry and glared. "He doesn't want a servant, imbecile. He wants a--a pet." He snapped.

If anything Harry laughed harder. He nodded his head and took deep calming breathes. Once his laughter was reduced to chuckles he looked to Draco. "I know exactly what you meant, Malfoy." He said while wiping the wetness that had accumulated from his eyes. "There are more ways than one to serve someone. In your case you'd be serving Greyback on your hands and knees."

"Well, I'm glad you find it so funny because I surely don't. Are you going to help me or not, Potter?" He asked remorsefully.

Harry chuckled again as he observed Draco. While he looked just as prim and proper as usual, there were dark circles around his eyes. Eyes that held a look of not just being physically tired but emotionally and spiritually as well. Harry knew the feeling. To be pushed and pulled past you limits and unable to have a moments peace. Harry tried to find it in himself to take pity on the man sitting before him but couldn't. Draco Malfoy deserved everything he was getting. And Harry wasn't going to make it any easier.

Harry had been dealing with death and betrayal all his life but the past year had been hard on him. There was no longer anyone left for Harry to care about. Everyone was dead. Everyone he loved had been taken from him. The only reason he still fought in this war was for his revenge. He would make Voldemort pay for all the lives he'd stolen. He would cut down every Death Eater who stood in his path. If they were lucky he would make it swift. Most wouldn't be. He wanted them to hurt. Just as he was hurting.

Draco shifted uncomfortably under Harry's scrutinizing gaze. He could see why Greyback wanted the blonde man. He was even more gorgeous than the last time Harry had seen him as they were leaving Hogwarts. He had grown another inch or so making him around the same height as Harry. His white blonde hair had lengthened to just past his shoulders and was tied back with a simple black band at the base of his neck. No longer did he have the pointed boyish face. It had rounded out and held an odd combination of delicate but hard. A face that would grow even more handsome with age. Harry's eyes traveled down the slim, lithe body that he had obviously inherited from his mother. The complete opposite of himself who had broadened out significantly. He doubted Draco would ever be more defined than he was now. Harry continued on to long, thin legs that went on for miles. Legs that practically screamed to be wrapped around a hard, thrusting body.

Harry felt his body heat rise and he smiled as a light bulb click on in his head.. No, he definitely wasn't going to make this any easier on Draco Malfoy.

"Ok, suppose I help you. What would I get in return?" Harry knew Draco had caught the husky level of his voice when his eyes narrowed but he didn't show any sign of comprehension to the hidden suggestion.

Draco had heard of people who exchanged information for safety and shook his head. "If you're wanting a confession to bring down my father, you won't get it. He may have betrayed me but I won't do the same to him."

"No, I don't need a confession from you. I'm working my own little case against your father and it's going quite well." He smirked as Draco's lips tightened.

"Then what? I could get a small amount of money but hardly anything to make you significantly richer. My father keeps track of the withdrawals in his vaults."

"I don't want your money either. I have more than enough."

Draco closed his eyes and sighed. "I don't have anything else, Potter."

Harry chuckled and stood. He walked around his desk to lean against it in front of Draco. As he peered down into the face that tilted up to look at his, he licked his lips. "You do have something."

Draco was growing tired of this game. "What else could I give you other than information and money? What do you want?"

Harry let his voice drop even more. "I was thinking of something of an... intimate nature."

Harry watched as Draco caught on. His face became a blank mask but his eyes turned cold. "No."

The brunette cocked his head to the side and smiled. "No?"

Draco shook his head stiffly. "I'm not a whore. If you want one you'll find plenty in Knockturn Alley that would be more than willing. Go to them."

Harry smiled. He could do that. In fact he could probably have anybody he wanted. But why take all the fun out of this? "I don't want them, I want you." He reached a hand out to brush along Draco's smooth face but was slapped away. Draco stood.

"Enough of this. Is that your final decision or are you just toying with me?"

Harry nodded. "I've stated my terms."

Draco swallowed the lump in his throat. He wouldn't do it. He couldn't. Draco looked into Harry's impassive eyes. "Then I guess we're done here. I'd rather be his unwilling pet, than your willing whore."

Draco turned and strode swiftly to the door, fighting his tears. He wouldn't cry here. Not in front of Potter. He'd wait until he was in the privacy of his rooms before he'd let them fall.

His hand had just touched the handle when Potter's dark laugh stopped him.

"You don't get it, do you?"

Draco turned, ashamed of they way his eyes glistened but curious of what Potter had to say.

Harry walked confidently over to Draco. "It's your choice that will make what happens willing. If you choose to walk out that door you might as well give your consent to whatever Greyback does to you. Because you will have willingly gone to him. You may not like what he does to you, but through it all, you will have chosen him."

He stood a breath away from the other man and stared into Draco's teary eyes. "You made a mistake by coming here, because now you have two options and either path you take will be willingly chosen by you. Now you have to decide which you would prefer. A sick, twisted, flee-bitten mongrel who will probably get his rocks off by degrading and humiliating you." His hand came up to caress Draco's cheek. This time it was not slapped away. "Or me, who will assure you the same comforts you're already used to and treat you with a bit more care, in return for a good fuck every now and then."

Harry stood back and watched as Draco closed his eyes. The dam broke as tears slowly trailed down his pale cheeks. Potter was right. In the end, his choice would make him willing. He may not want it but it was still up to him. His voice was rough when he spoke.

"It's not fair."

Harry's smile was grim. "Life's never fair. What's your decision?"

Draco's stormy gaze met his and he nodded. "Fine. What happens from here?" Draco wondered why saying those words felt like he was selling his soul.

"Come have a seat and we'll discuss the technicalities." Harry turned and walked back to his desk. Seating himself, he waited until Draco did the same before speaking.

"I'll pull up a series of contracts. One stating that you have agreeably emancipated yourself from your father, mother and the Malfoy name. This means you will no longer stand to inherit the Malfoy fortune and you will never become Head of the family. You will have nothing to do with them. Do you understand?"

Draco wiped the last few tears from his face and said, "Yes, I was expecting that much. What are the other contracts?"

Harry continued on,"The second will state that you have knowingly become my charge. You understand that you belong to me. You will be mine, Malfoy. I will decided what you do and don't do from the moment you sign to the moment the term ends. I, in turn, will also sign this to confirm that I will provide you with all of life necessities, such as food, clothing and a roof over your head. This contract will expire one year after the war is over. The extra year will ensure that any remaining Death Eaters who may want your head are captured and put away."

"Why do I have to become your charge if I've already emancipated myself from my family?" Draco asked.

Harry sighed. "Two reasons. First because then I would have legal right to place a tracking charm on you. I don't trust your father not to try and take you away. Besides, just because you've emancipated yourself doesn't mean your father can't find a law abiding way to reassert control over you. And second because I don't trust you not to cry abuse should I do anything you may not like. This way, it will be within my rights to do as I see fit."

Draco scowled. He wasn't happy with the conditions but he knew he had no say in the matter. If he wanted Potter's help he would have to go along with it.

"Fine. What happens after the contract is up?"

"That's what the third contract is for. I doubt you have any skills to find a job, as you've probably never done an honest days work in your life. I will provide you with a flat of your own and a sizable monthly allowance for as long as you want it."

Draco frowned. "Why would you do that if the contract is up?" He asked with suspicion.

Harry shrugged. "It's only right that I give you the life that I'm forcing you to give up. Afterwards, you won't have the Malfoy fortune to fall back on. You'd be pennyless. During your time with me I can't guarantee that I'll be gentle or even nice to you. But I will promise you that you'll be treated like a human being." He shrugged. "Think of it an apology for the things I may say and do to you while you’re here."

"So... no strings attached with the flat and allowance?"

Harry shook his head. "No strings attached."

Draco sighed. He leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees, covering his face with both hands and rubbing. He was tired. So bloody tired. He just wanted it all to be done and over with. He realized he should have put up more of a fight but he didn't see the point. Potter's deal was much better than Greyback’s. Greyback wanted him for the rest of his life. Potter only wanted him for the duration of the war, and after it was over he would be able to relax in a comfortable lifestyle at Potter's expense. It wasn't what he had hoped for but he would take what he could get.

"Alright, when will the contracts be ready?" His voice was weary.

"It shouldn't take more than two weeks to finalize everything. I'll send you another Portkey when they come in."

Draco's head snapped up. "What do you mean you'll send me a Portkey?"

Harry raised an eyebrow. "Exactly what I said. These things take time, Malfoy. There are people I need to speak to and requests I need to file. I'll send for you when it's done."

Draco could feel the panic rising in his chest and pushed it down. "I-I won't be staying here until then? I have to go back?"

Harry laughed deeply and shook his head. "Hell no, you won't be staying here. Not until I have your signature on all the right documents."

"But I don't--"

"I've made my decision. Now, I think it's time for you to leave." Harry was quickly losing his patients.

"You don't underst--"

Harry stood up at an alarming speed, knocking his chair over in the process. His face turned an ugly shade of red. "I won't tell you again. Go home. I will send for you." His voice held an authoritive tone that was laced with warning.

Draco ignored it. He too stood up. Slamming his fist onto the desk, he yelled, "Will you fucking listen to me! I don't have two weeks. I'm being given to Greyback tomorrow evening!"

Harry didn't lose his stance but he smirked at Draco nastily. "Well, you were in Slytherin. A determined, resourceful sort. Slither your way out of this mess and buy yourself some time. Because you won't be stepping foot in this house again until I'm damn well good and ready. Now leave."

A block of ice settled in Draco's stomach and he turned to go. So that was it then. He had no other options. The tears forced their way up again and he didn't bother stopping them.

He opened the door and stepped into the hallway when Potter's quiet voice reached him.

"I'll try and push it through faster but the most I can shave off his a week. I'll owl you."

It was Saturday. The ministry wouldn't open back up until Monday and by then he would already be in the hands of Greyback. There was no point anymore. He turned his head to the side but refused to look at Potter. He could care less if the man could see his tears or hear the quiver in his voice.

"Don't bother. By the time you get around to finishing, it will be too late. The deals off, Potter."

He gently shut the door and apparated away.

***

If there are any mistakes, I apologize. My beta is on vacation at the moment.

I’ve decided this story is probably an AU. While it’s still in the Harry Potter world I’ve taken out a few details from the books and twisted them around to my liking. For example: The scene with Dobby.

Also, sorry to those of you who wanted sweet, hero Harry Potter. Harry won’t be as cold in later chapters. It will all be explained later on.

Review and let me know what you thought of it!