The Things He Never Said

Chapter 2: There’s No Place Like Home on a Saturday

(1 week later)

Sunlight streamed softly through the wall encompassing windows when Draco Malfoy’s eyes shot straight open in panic. He’d been dreaming peacefully of another faceless (most likely Slytherin) girl when “it” came. The feeling that shot up his spine and woke him so abruptly, his eyes didn’t quite get to adjust to the sudden flooding of light to his vision.

“Nngh!”

Draco groaned his disapproval, and shielded his face from the sight – thinking that one of these days, he would be sure to change his room to one with a smaller window. Honestly. What was wrong with him when he picked this room?

“Gah! Bloody intruders. Show them to come this early! Who the fuck breeches manor security at this hour? It’s ungodly!”

However, of course, the shock that spasmed up his back distracted him from his critical thoughts and forced him to hurry up and get dressed.

Having already put on a t-shirt and jeans, the knock came just as he’d slipped on his socks. He opened the door, and before it stood his father. Draco knew he’d felt it too. The scowl and sneer was too much of a dead giveaway. With the manor sounding off, every inch of space was suddenly flooded with light, and Draco was trying to shield his eyes from the brightness when he was again reminded painfully that they were both in danger.

“Who could it be?”

“I assure you, Draco. If I knew who it was, it wouldn’t be much of a breeching. Now let’s go.”

Draco yanked his wand out from under his pillow and followed his father outside the manor walls, through the garden maze, and into the woods at the edge of their property. The area they currently walked through was rather large, and the criminal could be absolutely anywhere, so they treaded carefully – Draco insisting they split up to cover more area. While Draco was arguing that they should split and his father was arguing the importance of staying together, they almost didn’t hear the tired whisper.

“Malfoy.”

“We don’t even know the enemy! It could be someone far exceeding your level. What if they were to catch up to you? You’d sooner have me commit suicide than allow that to happen.”

“Malfoy.”

“Father, I’ll be fine. I’ve been trained by you. I don’t honestly think there’s anyone who can exceed our level.”

“Malfoy!”

“That arrogance is what’s going to drag me to your funeral one of these days, Draco. I’m not even close to being complete with your training.”

“But…”

“MALFOY! I don’t think it matters if you split up or not! I could’ve killed you both, and you wouldn’t even know who did it!”

Draco and Lucius spun to the left and aimed their wands at their intruder’s neck.

“Now you notice me.”

Harry rolled his eyes at the pair and raised his hands up – waving them sarcastically in a “lookie here. Oh. What’s this? An invisible wand? Now isn’t that dangerous” gesture. Draco’s eye’s just widened along with his hanging jaw. They’d all read the prophet 5 days ago. Even the Dark Lord read the prophet. Every dark family in the wizarding world read the prophet and practically danced in triumph. Well…The dark lord just laughed his head off and started screaming “I win! I win!”

“Ladies and Gentleman? It truly breaks my heart to tell you this, but the-boy-who-lived has left us to fend for ourselves. I fear the end draws near.”

There was a large open party at the Malfoy manor in response and witches from all over the E.W.R (England Wizarding Region) flew in to attend. They’d won. Without the major thorn in the dark side’s hide, there are merely the technicalities left. Overtaking the ministry…ridding the world of Dumbledore…the small stuff the Dark Lord would probably commit himself to as soon as their period of celebration was over.

“Malfoy. Draco Malfoy! I did not spend an entire week being attacked, being kidnapped, having words as nasty as the spells hurled at me spat at me just to get here and be gawked at. I could’ve done that where I was last week.”

“So then…”

“Yes. I’m the intruder.”

“But…”

“I don’t even know. I just walked through.”

“Just walked through!? You don’t just walk through the Malfoy Manor security system, Potter. We should’ve found you just by hearing your screams!”

“Well you didn’t.”

“And…”

“Yes. I did come here. Believe it or not, I did read the daily prophet on my way here. Well…Someone threw it in my face and tried to make me eat it, but that’s completely beside the point. It’s all true. I quit. I’m sick of all their lies, manipulations, and cowardice. Rita Skeeter can kiss my ass for all I care, because I’m not going back.”

“So…”

“Yes. These are the fruits of my journey.”

Harry spread his hands out to show all the places where wands left scorch marks on his clothes, and all the places his bruises and burns were half healed.

“Facing you right now is probably the only good one.”

“Bloody hell…”

“Draco!”

“I know, but…Can you imagine? 1 week out there when the entire wizarding world knows what he’s done? Must’ve been put through hell and back, father!”

“I did get a few handshakes and hugs, though. That was the weird part. Someone even gave me enough food to last me the rest of my journey.”

“Look at that, father. He had to take charity!”

“Now Draco…He’s not a pet.”

“No, but…Father! This is my chance. Don’t let it slip right out my fingers.”

“You’re starting to beg, Draco. You know how I feel about begging. It’s beneath us.”

“Father…”

Lucius scowled at his son’s pleading expression. No matter how many times he’s told the boy not to beg, he simply never learns. Lucius had half a mind to flat out say no and teach his son that begging would get him nowhere in the real world. The fantasy life their manor holds within it isn’t going to come cheap. The Lord of Malfoy manor is going to make sure his son is good and ready to handle the real world before he gets the luxuries the fairy tale one provides.

However, looking at Harry and seeing how battered and bruised he was, Lucius couldn’t really squelch his son’s terrible habit of taking in strays right at that moment.

“This is a horrible habit you have, Draco. One of these days, I’m going to find a way to knock it out of you. However…You’ve gone such a long way to get here, Potter. The least we can do is properly heal your wounds.”

Harry stared in surprise at the plain expression. There was no sneer, scowl, or upturned nose of condescension…It was simply an earnest offering that frankly, Harry was more than glad to take up on.

“Thank you, sir for the generous offer.”

“My my my…Things certainly have changed, haven’t they? You would’ve cursed me long before showing me your respect. Your gratitude is not needed, Mr. Potter. But it is appreciated.”

Harry smiled and accepted the helping hand he was offered. All three gentlemen casually made their way over to the manor – Lucius and Draco allowing Harry his moment to take in the scenery.

“I like it here.”

“I’m glad to hear that, Harry. It’s certainly holds quite a bit of our memories.”

“Hmm…Definitely. There’s certainly no place like home.”

“Especially on a Saturday when you don’t have to deal with bumbling idiots and their screw ups.”

“Fudge?”

“However did you guess?”

Harry, Draco, and Lucius all laughed their way up the stairs – untouched by the chaos the wizarding world threw itself in.