Thin Red Line

Chapter Two


Harry woke the next day in stages. The first time he woke, he heard arguing in the hall way. It sounded like Albus had come to visit and no one was very happy the man was there. It sounded like Severus, Dudley and Vernon were giving him a good piece of their minds, screaming it actually. Knowing that he would get his chance later, Harry rolled over and went back to sleep. Severus would make the man leave. But why was Vernon yelling ? He hated him.

The next time he woke, Severus was talking to Vernon and Petunia in the small seating area he had set up. He was obviously trying to puzzle something out and was looking for help. Yeah, Harry thought, the influx of positive emotion he’d figure out too. Again, he fell back to sleep. He had faith in Severus after all.

The third and final time he woke, Harry was curled into Draco’s side. He was close enough to be touching the boy, but some how knew that he was hurt even in his sleep and wasn’t. A hand was carding through his hair and there was silence. He was comfortable and warm and the hand in his hair was brining more comfort then he thought it would. It was something that he found that he liked very much and shifted closer. Now touching the boy he secretly wanted, Harry sighed. He was totally content and completely at ease.

That was new too. He really liked it.

“ I know that you’re awake Harrison, stop pretending. “

Harry sighed and went to move away, Draco stopped him.

“ You don’t have to move, I don’t mind. Severus went to the manor to get my things and said that I would have to wake you up for lunch. Then I was told that the muggle doctor that helped save me last night is coming to check on me. “

“ Dr.Anderson was going to call the hospital, she didn’t understand why I wouldn’t allow it. Well, not until I levitated you off the ground and tossed up light orbs. She took it very well, so did the rest of the block. “ Harry said softly “ I explained everything as we worked and none of them appeared to have a problem with it. “

They then lapsed into a comfortable silence, neither wanting to break what ever it was that they had going. But Harry knew that he had to move, as much as he wanted to stay right where he was, he had to get up. Laying around all day wasn’t an option.

“ I am going to go shower, then I’ll call Dobby for lunch. OK ? “

Draco laughed as Harry pulled away and climbed out of the bed. He knew what he wanted and he also knew that it was going to be a challenge to get Harry to trust him. He had wanted Harry before he knew what it was that he actually wanted. Harry had been the object of his frustration, anger, hate and desperate longing. He had this need to be near the boy, even it was just to get into a fight. He needed Harry’s attention to stay sane.

Before Harry’s feet touched the floor, the bedroom door was thrown open and The Gang walked in. Now, Draco had been introduced to them earlier but they could’ve knocked. Dudley had Marcus by the arm and was pulling him forward. It was something in the way that the boy was dragging his feet that told Draco that he would rather be anywhere else, that he was being forced to be here.

The came to a stop infornt of Harry, Marcus going bright red. In his hands was a small red duffle that was just about bursting. Clothes, Draco smirked, for Harry.

“ My mum called me earlier and told me to pack up the clothes I didn’t wear anymore and bring them to you. You’re about as tall as I am and Dudley said just as thin so there shouldn’t be a problem. Oh, my favorite pair is in there, mum made me give them up. She said that I need to wear the clothes I have before I buy more. Armoni. “

Harry’s eyes went wide as Marcus started unpacking the bag and talking far too fast. Designers, muggle designers. That wasn’t something that Harry really wanted to touch, he was very hard on his clothes. But the boy was just doing what he had been told and Harry really was greatful. He also knew that the clothes he was being gifted with were very expensive.

“ You have been informed that I am very hard on my clothes right ? “

The Gang just starred at him. Ok, the stories last night hadn’t sunk in.

“ I am. Constantly running for my life. Death Eaters, Dragons, Dementors. Draco Malfoy. Oh and I taught last year too. “

“ Harrison, “ Draco said slowly “ I have a lot to tell you. “

“ He blabs when he’s going to kill you. I know, Voldy answered to someone else. You most likely have plans and details, the good stuff. Here, “

Harry handed Draco a blank notebook and a never out quill. The blonde looked up at Harry as if he had lost his mind, he wanted him to write it down. Smirking, Harry excepted the outfit that he was handed and walked off. Harry Potter was an enigma, Draco thought as the bathroom door closed. When he looked back up at The Gang, they were all grinning at him.

“ What ? “ He snapped

“ I have a feeling that I am out of my league on this one. “ Marcus laughed

“ I’ll say, maybe since H seems to have his eye in this one we’ll stop hearing about him. One time last summer you saw him with his shirt off and we still hear about it. I mean really. “ Piers laughed

“ Body of a Greek God, I’m sorry ! “

Draco’s eyes were wide as he listened to The Gang. Harry had his eye on him ? How did he miss that ? He was the one that had woken up with Harry curled into his side and he had taken it as seeking comfort. Maybe he was just needed to be near Draco too but even that sounded stupid. This they were going to have to sit down and talk about.

Listening to Marcus jabber on and on about Harry, Draco started to write down what he had been told. There was just so much that his hand couldn’t keep up with his brain and he was afraid that he was missing things. This was the next big bad that Harry had to face and he was terrified that he would mess up by forgetting. He wanted to be at Harry’s side through this, he didn’t want to lose him. No, now that he had the chance he was going to do everything in his power to protect him.

“ Holy Hell ! What do they teach at that school ? ! “

Draco’s head snapped up at Marcus’ comment and let his mouth hang open. There stood Harry in the bathroom door way, leaning against the jamb. He was smirking and had his arms crossed, topless, jeans slung low on his hips. It was then that Draco knew that he had heard the Greek God comment and was milking it for all that it was worth.

Vanity apparently wasn’t lost on Harry, you’d just never know it.

Yeah, Draco thought as he tried to breathe, Marcus had a point. From Quiddich, Harry’s arms, shoulders, back, and chest were well toned. He wasn’t overly muscled, just very well toned. He also had the abs that any boy would kill for. And from what he had seen, Harry had strong legs too, the boy could really run.

Draco fell in lust, even as he fell in love.

“ You know, after school this I’m gunna have to work for and I’m not looking forward to it. “ Harry laughed

“ What do you mean ‘Work For’ ? How do you do it then ? “ Piers snapped

“ Quiddich, I have a book that explains it. I play seeker, but I train in all positions and I’m good. Then I circuit train with Ron, Mi, and Gin as apart of the dueling that we practice. Very intense dueling practice. And I run a lot, either for my life or because I’m late to class. Now, however I have to work for it. “

“ Scars. Come here. “ Draco said softly

Harry reached into the bathroom and snagged his shirt off the vanity before crossing the room. Draco reached out before he could sit down and was looking at the small collection of scars that he had collected over the years.

“ This one. “

“ Voldy’s rebirth, silver dagger, Peter Pettigrew. “

“ This one. “

“ Basilisk fang, Chamber of Secrets, 2ed year, Phoenix tears. “

Draco’s head snapped up and he just starred. The inch and a half scar on Harry’s left shoulder brought the monster back and the 2 inch in diameter marked him where he saved a life.

“ This one, “ Harry said showing his left elbow “ is from flying keys first year. This one here is from the Ministry, Prophecy ball shard. Because it’s on my forearm, it bled like a bitch. Oh, “

Harry pulled his arm from Draco’s hands and turned. From Harry’s left shoulder to his right hip was a long jagged scar, one that looked like it really hurt.

“ Horntail got me good, but I wanted to keep it and Poppy wouldn’t’ve allowed it. I’ve gotten pretty good at blocking the pain, so I covered it with a concealment charm and had Gin patch me up. I have one on my right thigh where Ron hit me with a Slashing Hex, first time he cast it and he was pissed off when he did. Um, oh ! I got Mi’s first Blasting Hex too, right hip. “

“ This one here ? “

There was a scrape like scar that ran from Harry’s right shoulder to the base of his skull. That one worried him and he was starting to think that he didn’t want to know where it came from.

“ Gin and I were dueling, working a mock up of the Atrium at the Ministry. I was hit with a Jelly Legs and landed on the edge of the fountain. I hit my head pretty hard too. The lecture I got made me wish I had gotten a concussion. Gin ranted for a good hour. “

Harry sighed and turned back to face Draco. There was a look on the blonde’s face that worried Harry a bit. He had kept his scars to mark accomplishments, his own and others. To him it was all that he had, the memories behind the scars that he wanted to always remember. Draco’s were a punishment, something to be ashamed of.

“ Dray, what’s wrong ? “

“ You’re proud of them. The scars and where they came from. I can’t be proud of mine, not how I got them. I was nearly killed because you put my father in prison, because he failed. “

Harry took Draco’s face between his hands and made the blonde look at him. This was going to be a touchy subject no matter what or how it was delt with.

“ You are alive. You survived. You are going to help me with this next part. You are going to stand tall and fight this at my side. Take pride in knowing that you’re needed, that you were strong enough to stay alive. I know what he was capable of, being alive is one hell of an accomplishment. “

Draco nodded and was disappointed when Harry let him go. Then he put his shirt on.

“ Marcus are you trying to kill me ?! “ He exclaimed

Harry laughed and stood smoothly. He was playing with them again and Draco was really starting to hate it. Marcus had picked out the Armoni jeans and a plain black tee shirt, both were tight and fit beautifully. Draco had to give the muggle credit, he knew how to dress and as a result Harry looked great.

“ Damn Potter, I am in a state of shock and totally speechless. I knew, but I didn’t know. “ Draco breathed

“ What ? “ Marcus sweeked

“ Fights. A lot of fights. “

Harry laughed again and dropped his pajamas in the hamper. The boy was cleaning up after himself, Draco had never seen anything like it. It appeared that even with Harry’s advanced skill in magick, he did things the muggle way. He did things the hard way. Draco was going to have a very hard time figuring him out, if he ever did.

“ Alright you lot, out. We have plots to write and things to talk about. Get out, go on now. “ Harry ordered

The command was spoken softly, but very firmly and was followed without question. A natural leader, another to add to the list of things that made up Harry Potter. Draco watched as a house elf was called, spoke to like he was a great friend and hugged fiercely. That was something that it was going to take a while to truly understand and hopefully, with the right questions, Harry would help.

They settled on the bed, serving trays in front of them, eating in silence. They had roast beef and mashed potatoes, with green beans and iced tea. Draco hadn’t thought to ask what they would be having but he was pleased with what they had gotten. Whoever the elf was, it was very clear that he took very good care of Harry.

Then he noticed that Harry actually had table manners, great table manners. He would be just fine and the dinners that he would have no choice but to attended. The Galas that he would be paraded around at, the parties. And Draco knew that Harry would hate every minute of it. So would Draco if he ever got the balls to make a move now that he knew he could.

When the lunch trays vanished, Harry helped him lay back down. He was in more pain then he let on but didn’t want to sound like a ninny, not in front of Harry. But Harry didn’t move away, but sat close enough so that if Draco wanted to touch him, he could. It was starting to frustrate him that he was going to have to make the first official move. Sure Harry’s signals were so subtle that he was having a hard time seeing them, but they were still there.

“ You are frustrating me. What is it that you want because I don’t know ? Spell it out for me. “ Draco finally snapped

“ Just you. “

That was all that it took, all he had to do was ask ? This entire thing was giving him a headache.

“ Stop smirking at me. Harrison, we’ll have to do this slowly. We have spent that last 5 years insulting each other, which is not something that we can push aside. Gods, can you do some – “

“ I can. Let’s sit you back up and get your shirt off. When I finish, I want you to take a nap. We have most of the summer to deal with the next big bad. I just want you to heal. “

“ I want you to get a life. “

Harry was smirking again as he helped Draco sit up and take off his shirt. There were 7 gashes left all together, 3 on his front and 4 on his back. Harry knew that this was going to take a lot out of both of them and prayed that Severus didn’t blow a gasket when he got back.

Laying the blonde down again, Harry set to work. The healing hurt this time and Draco couldn’t help but make noises as the muscles were knitted back together. He knew that it had to be done this way, that it would in fact minimize scaring. He knew that Harry was trying to take away his shame, trying to save his pride. Even as he began to cry from the pain he was greatful.

When Harry finished with his chest and abdomen, he leaned forward to whisper apologies in Draco’s ear. It was a comfort that he knew it was costing Draco his pride to actually cry and that he would reassure him. It was something that was totally unexpected and totally welcome.

“ I need you to turn over for me. I’m nearly done. “

Draco nodded as Harry pulled back and helped him turn over. Harry actually placed his hands at his sides, placing the blanket in them. When the healing began again, Draco buried his face in the pillow and just screamed. They didn’t hear the door open and didn’t know how odd they looked. Draco laying on his stomach with hands full of blankets screaming with Harry strattling his bottom healing him.

Severus just stood there and watched, not really sure what to do. Harry was using the same spell that he had used the night before, a very advanced spell that Poppy even had a hard time with. Then Harry finished and leaned forward to comfort Draco it appeared. But the startling thing was that Draco reciprocated, reaching up and taking Harry’s hand. At this, Severus decided that they were just fine and left the room, closing the door silently.

“ Come, take a nap. When you wake up you can have a shower and see the doctor. By then Severus should be back. Come here. “

Harry lay down beside Draco and pulled him into his arms, he didn’t protest. With his head pillowed on Harry’s chest, ear over his heart, Draco closed his eyes. He was greatful that the pain was now over and hoped never to feel it again. Thankful that he had Harry.

Snuggling closer as the pain vanished completely, Draco sighed. This he wanted this he had dreamed of and now he had it. They would make this work, Draco thought as Harry held him close. This was the rest of his life.

***** Two hours later Draco woke in the same place he fell asleep and grinned. He was happy, really happy for the first time he could remember. Then he realized that Harry was awake and looked up at him.

“ Hi. “

Harry laughed rolling his eyes.

“ Hi. Sleep well ? “

“ I did. Is Severus back yet ? “

“ He is. He said to get you in the shower and dressed before 3. Your trunk is at the foot of the bed. “
“ Did you sleep at all ? “

“ No, I can go weeks without sleep. Come on, get moving. The Gang wants to go out, I’m not sure I want to. “

Draco climbed out of the bed and knelt beside his trunk. He could smell Harry on him, where they had touched. He could still feel his touch, the warmth from his body. He could still remember the words used to comfort him, the feel of Harry’s lips on his skin. But now that he was out of Harry’s arms, he found himself needing to be back in them. Craving it, actually. It wasn’t something that he expected and wasn’t sure he was comfortable with.

After he collected his clothes and toiletries, Draco stood and starred at the boy who now sat at the foot of the bed. This was his first real relationship and the last, Harry’s too. Mistakes would be made, there would be fights, make ups and break ups, all of the stuff that was totally normal. And it really scared the hell out of him.

“ Will you get coffee ? We need to talk when I’m done. We need to sit down and just talk. “ He said calmly

“ I can and that sounds like a fantastic idea. On one condition however. “

“ And that would be ? “

“ You let me hold you. I like the way you feel. “

“ I have no problem with that. Excuse me. “

Harry watched as Draco closed himself in the bathroom wondering when he was going to wake up. He felt like he was living in a dream, all he ever wanted was in his hands and he was having a very hard time believing it. He had to get out of the room for a while, just until Draco was finished with his shower.

So, after calling Dobby for coffee, Harry headed down stairs into the kitchen. He needed someone to pinch him, hard. When he walked into the kitchen however he received another shock. There with the Dursley’s sat the new Minister of Magick, Rufus Scrimgeour, Prime Minister Jon Coldwell and Severus Snape.

“ I have entered the Twilight Zone. I am living in a waking dream and I am not sure I want to wake up. Sev, I am sleeping right ? “ Harry said firmly

“ No Harrison, you are not. Twilight Zone ? “

“ Muggle television show D use to watch. Wow, ok then. Why are you smirking ? That is never a good sign, what has The Gang put you up to ? “

Harry crossed his arms as Severus continued to smirk at him. No, this wasn’t a good thing at all.

“ Dudley wants me to make you and Draco go out with them tonight. The boy is not taking no for answer. I personally think it’s a bit soon for you to go out. There are reporters on the lawn after all. “

“ Bloody hell, is Skeeter out there ? “

“ You are her favorite. “

Harry pulled a face and walked over to look out the front window. There was a mess of them on the lawn, most of them standing where Voldemort had taken his last breath. Not that they knew that. These people were not going to go away, even if he went out and talked to them. They were going to follow him around every place that he went until something better came along. If anything better did that didn’t involved him directly.

“ This is total madness. Draco, there are reporters on the lawn. “

“ Meaning that the wards have already been taken down. The next game had already begun and the players have been chosen. “

“ Yes, Lucius Malfoy’s release papers went through this morning. “ Rufus said “ That is why we are here. What do you want done Mr.Potter ? Dumbledore is meddling again and I have a very bad feeling about this one. Over more, no one can figure out how you bested You-Know-Who. The press is having a field day. “

“ The next Dark Lord has been chosen. The plot to kill me and everyone I love had thickened. “

Harry looked away from the window and out into the room. These people had no idea what they were about to face. This was going to be a bigger battle then any of them had ever seen, ever imagine. Harry himself wasn’t sure his was ready for it.

Pulling himself up to full height, all 5’7 of him, everyone in the room saw the change and respected it. This was the Vanquisher, The Chosen One, This was Harrison Potter. This boy was their hope.

“ Let them come. They will soon realize that I am not one to be messed with. The Wizarding World has underestimated me for far too long. Just do as I say, stay out of my way because what I am going to do is going to piss the big boss off. Dobby, “

The elf appeared and took on the same air as his master, which wasn’t something that any of them had seen either.

“ I need you to tell Gaphook that I need to see him. That it is very urgent and needs to be delt with silently. “

“ Yes sir. “

When the house elf vanished, Harry closed his eyes. It wasn’t fair; none of the things he had already faced were fair. But like he had told Severus yesterday, life often wasn’t. When he felt Draco pull him into his arms he still didn’t open his eyes, just held on. This was were the fear entered the picture.

“ Your Father will be coming for me. “ He said

Draco just held on tighter.

“ Severus, I know who’s pulling the strings. In the next few days, possibly weeks, life is going to be hell. I need Kingsley Shacklebolt and Nymphadora Tonks to come help me ward the house. I need the Floo hooked up in my room. I need a chance to catch my breath. Rufus, I want to take my NEWTs, I have a plan that no one in the WW will not argue with. The game had begun, yes. Now, please excuse us. “

Harry pulled out of Draco’s arms and led him from the room. He needed to be held, he needed a good cry. Never once had he broken down. Never once had he been allowed to feel. Even with his small out burst last night, he had kept it all inside. It needed to come out.

When he closed the bedroom door, Harry pulled away from Draco and paced into the center of the room.

“ There is more to this then you know Love. There is more then you could fathom. I am going to need you very much. I am going to need you to hold me together when this gets to be too much. Not only is this a fight, but it has many fronts. I watched last night as he took his anger out on you and I have everything you do. But I am giving you the chance now to walk away. “ He said calmly

“ Never. “

Harry looked down at the floor and tried to hold back the tears, but he couldn’t. So, he looked back up and let himself be seen as human. As the 15 year old boy that he really was. Here in this room he was safe, here with Draco he could be human.

“ Dray, I’m afraid. “

In seconds Draco was across the room pulling Harry into his arms. He wasn’t alone this time. This time he had someone who loved him. Someone who couldn’t easily be taken away.

************************************************************************

Albus sat behind his desk revising his plots as Harry’s plans started to take effect. Things started vanishing, his books, his gizmos, his treasures. The boy apparently knew more then he thought. But that too could be fixed.

Sitting back in his chair, Albus began to grin. Yes, the loop holes in the laws. He could get around this as well. A few memory charms and he was back in business. In 24 hours Lucius Malfoy would be out of Azkaban and things would start moving again. He wasn’t going to let a 15 year old brat steal his glory.

So deep in thought the old man was he didn’t notice when Fwarks flashed out. Things were not going to go as Albus planed; he just didn’t know it yet.