Redeem Me

DISCLAIMER: Warning! I make no claim to any property of J.K. Rowling's, and am in no way profiting by this. I do offer her my sincerest thanks for allowing us this garden of the mind in which we play. Further Warning! This story...and likely any I ever write…are dominated by gay themes and characters. That's how it is, if this in any way makes you uncomfortable...do not read further.

Redeem Me…by Samayel

Chapter 27: In The Morning Brighter


The magical alarm they had set the night before woke Charlie and Dula from their slumber. In an unfamiliar bed, Charlie had wound up with his face at rest on Dula’s long, black braid of hair, and Dula started awake at the sound of the alarm, only to grit his teeth as he realized that his head was still effectively pinned to the bed.

“Charlie. Charlie. It is time to wake. Come along, you lazy oaf. I cannot move. You’re on my hair.”

Charlie flicked his eyes open and yawned when Dula poked him gently in the ribs. He smiled immediately after, and lifted his head so that Dula could pull away the hair he had carefully braided before turning in the night before. Dula sat up, relieved, and waved a hand at the buzzing wand they had spelled to wake them last night. It was just before six in the morning, since they needed to return home by Floo, and the work of dragon handling was a task for those who rose early in the day. Dula leaned back down and kissed his lover softly, parting quickly, since they did not have time for more, and either of them teasing the other would result in lateness.

“G’ morning’, love. Mmm. Sorry ‘bout the hair.”

Charlie rolled out of bed with a groan, and began pulling on clothing, a mournful look on his face. Dula winced to see it, knowing that Charlie had ached inside for his youngest brother’s pain, and had been greatly saddened by Ron’s ejection from the Weasley household. The attempted suicide by Draco, and the sudden ailment of his mother, had also worn on Charlie’s nerves. He should have been able to take a day off, but as the Conservator of one Europe’s largest dragon preserves, no such luxury was available to him. Dula, on the other hand, had a certain amount of flexibility, and that was what had crossed his mind the night before.

Dula rolled across the bed to where Charlie sat, tugging on his socks and then his boots. He sat behind Charlie, and rubbed his lover’s shoulders, eliciting a moan of pleasure from the muscular red-head in front of him.

“It worries you…to leave here while things are this…complicated. This is true, is it not?”

“Yeah. There’s nothing to be done for it, though. Got work to do. I can write Ron a few letters, and maybe check in by Floo now and then. It’ll have to be enough.”

“I have a thought, love. You must return immediately, but I could remain…if only for a day. Molly is most distraught, and it grieves you to see her sad, as it grieves me. Harry’s young friend needs more help than either of us could have guessed. He is very broken inside. Very afraid. I thought, for a moment, that I had reached him, and that he might open himself up a little to Harry and to Molly, but the events of last night say otherwise. I wish to say more to him, as well as to Harry, and I cannot leave in good conscience, knowing that I could have done more. I would be home later tonight, since I too cannot leave my work for long, but I could leave it aside perhaps a little longer than you. What do you think of this, Charlie-love?”

Charlie sighed with relief. “It’s bloody brilliant. I’d stay myself, but I’m the boss, I can’t leave on short notice. Do it. Merlin’s Name, do I love you.”

Charlie turned and slipped his hand across Dula’s cheek, pausing before kissing Dula one last time. Then he stood and pulled on his shirt and coat, and headed for the Floo.

“See you when the long day is done, love. Take care of them, will you? Everyone here is family to me, even our ‘little dragon’…if Harry cares for him. I’ll see you when you get home.”

“Very well, love. I shall see you tonight. Take care.”

Charlie left, and Dula leaned back against the pillow, giving careful thought to what he would say to Charlie’s family and friends during the day. There was much to be smoothed over, and much that needed healing, and desperately little time for him to spare. Whatever he did, it would have to be surgically precise, sufficient to bring them hope, and move them to think deeper, if he was to be of any use at all. This would not be an easy day, even if he wasn’t at his proper work for once, but what cause was greater than the healing of hearts that ached?

Dula slipped out of bed, and pulled on his slacks, settling for just these while he headed for a shower. Perhaps he could prepare morning tea for the others, and let the subtle magic of morning open the doors of possibility.

It had been very hard last night, indeed. So much healing magic was exhausting, and seeing Molly beside herself with self hatred, for barring Ron from the house, had been draining. Madam Pomfrey had finally administered a Calming Draught, then sent her off to bed with Arthur, shortly after she finished helping restore Draco to some semblance of good health. At least the spells for Molly had been imparted, and the potion and recipe for her condition would arrive today.

Dula passed by Draco’s room on the way to the shower, and paused in complete surprise at the spectacle before him. Draco was thoroughly covered in blankets, while Harry was fully clothed and laying above the sheets. Draco had wrapped himself around Harry’s left arm like it was a lifeline, and seemed to be sleeping peacefully enough, although his face sometimes grimaced while he dreamed. Perhaps, just perhaps, he had not done so poorly yesterday, if such a thing as this could come to pass.

Harry looked stern and innocent in his sleep, his head tilted toward Draco’s, while Draco looked like a pale ghost next to Harry’s tanned face. Such a contrast they made. It possessed a certain unearthly beauty, and Dula was momentarily tempted to shed a tear at the sight, but he had cried all his tears out long ago, and there was nothing to weep for here. Dula continued on his way, and showered with pleasure, letting the occasion peel away the haunting echoes of last night’s tragedies, and usher in this new day’s hopes.

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Arthur and Molly sat quietly in bed for quite a while longer than usual that morning. The past night had been a hard one, and they weren’t entirely in agreement about how to deal with Ron, but they did agree entirely that their youngest son had been out of line for far too long. Arthur wanted to stay home from work, despite being the head of his office now, and Molly had dismissed it as unnecessary, but a sweet thing to think of nonetheless.

“I don’t have a thing wrong with me that a potion or a wee spell won’t handle. Harry will be here if I need a hand, and even if I spend the day just having a breather, I can sit and chat with Draco while I knit. I’ve still got Yule Solstice presents to finish.”

Arthur clucked his tongue and begged to differ.

“I know you too well, my Molly-O! You won’t be able to hold yourself still, left to your own devices with two boys who’ll let you have all your own way. I should stay, set up a proper breakfast and tea for us all, and make sure you actually sit down and relax a bit. When was the last time we took a little time off together, hmm? Egypt? Fine trip, but it’s been too long since. Just let me do a few things today, and when we have your potion and the recipe, I swear I’ll let you be.”

“Oh! Hmmph! I never thought I’d see the day! You…telling me what to do…like some common housewife! Arthur Weasley, I ought to-”

“Ought to know when someone needs a day off because he had ten years scared off of him by finding his wife fallen over in a dead faint! Especially if that someone is your husband through three separate decades, and he can’t so much as bear the idea of waking up someday and not finding you next to him, because you wouldn’t give in and give yourself a rest, even when you needed one! I love you dearly, Molly Prewett Weasley, but I swear I’ll hex you where you stand if I catch you doing a lick of work today! Are we understood!”

Arthur was almost as red as his thinning hair, holding back tension that had dogged his dreams all night, and Molly’s ire faded in the face of what she’d just heard. Molly deflated, and laid her head on her husband’s shoulder, sighing quietly.

“Well! If you put it that way…very well, love.”

Arthur could Firecall the office later, and secure the day off, but right now, there was no where else on earth he wanted to be.

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Draco’s eyes flickered open. He’d been dreaming. Some of it had been very unpleasant…memories of Muggle London, needles and the drug haze that followed, the kindness of the Muggle outcasts that had sheltered him, and the cruelty and pettiness of the people they dealt with daily. It hadn’t all been bad dreams though. There had been moments, brief and pleasant periods of peace, where he’d dreamt of warmth and comfort…and closeness. Touching someone, holding them to him, and not feeling utterly isolated and alone. It had been nice.

He was wrapped around Harry’s arm.

Harry was in his bed. He’d asked him to stay last night, and Harry had done just that.

His nose was pressed against Harry’s shoulder. Even after sleeping in his clothes, Harry smelled clean and good, like soap and the healthy sweat of exercise. Draco felt his stomach twinge.

‘He’s good. Under all that anger, all that stubborn Gryffindor pride, he is so good. He said he likes me. He has to know I’m queer, with me begging him to stay in my bed with me. He did it anyway, just because I asked. He promised he’d help me anyway he could, and I actually believe him. Why shouldn’t I? He’s more powerful than the Dark Lord ever was. If he says he can help me, he’ll find a way. It’ll be okay. It has to be. Someday I’ll be able to sleep like this on my own, and I won’t wake up because of what I see when my eyes close.

Maybe…maybe I’ll never have a lover…but if I don’t hurt these people...if I show them how much they matter to me, at least I’ll always have some friends. Not like the ones in school, who acted sweet but waited for any sign of weakness before they betrayed me, but like Harry, who’d let me hold him in the night, just because I need to remember what it’s like to be a fucking human being for awhile.

I don’t care if it’s wrong. I don’t care if it’s sick and evil and bad. I want this. I want to feel just like this. Safe. Good. Close. I deserve it, don’t I? After so much shit I can barely stand waking up, shouldn’t I be allowed to feel good about one fucking thing? I want this. If he knows what I am, and he‘d still do this for me, he‘s a bloody saint. I could wish for so much more, but this…this is more than I‘d hoped for. I have to help him. Not just for Molly...for him, but Merlin, I hope he can keep those promises he made.’

Draco closed his eyes, not caring what time it was, and went back to sleep without having budged by more than an inch. Yesterday had been a terrible day, but Molly was alright, and Harry was right here, and he could get up a little later if he bloody well wanted to. His dreams weren’t things of beauty, but they weren’t quite the same night terrors he’d experienced before, and he could live with that.

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Arthur stumbled downstairs to make his Firecall, and immediately smelled the unmistakable scent of fresh tea and breakfast in the air. He wandered into the kitchen, rubbing his eyes and wondering who was up this early, and found Dula finishing up crepes, fruit and sausages, periodically tossing tidbits of breakfast into the air and catching them in his mouth.

“Well, bless my cotton socks! What are you still doing here, lad? I thought you and Charlie had to be back to the preserve. Not that I’m complaining, mind you. Mmm! Crepes! Molly will love these!”

Dula chuckled at Arthur Weasley’s optimism. “I thought I would stay here this afternoon. Charlie has too much to do, and could not stay, but I have a little more freedom perhaps, and I wanted to help. It would give me a chance to see Harry and Draco again before I go, and I can also assure Charlie that Molly received her potion and was well. Making breakfast was simply a way to pass the time. We get up so early…I am unused to sleeping late.”

Arthur nibbled a bit of fruit and poured a cup of tea. “I’ll carry up Molly’s breakfast as soon as I Firecall the office. Thank you, Dula, you’re a godsend.”

Dula smiled somewhat sheepishly. “Perhaps not so much, but I thank you just the same.”

A hasty Firecall later, Arthur had informed his assistant that he wouldn’t be in…and warned him sternly to stay on task. That settled, he took a tray with plates for himself and Molly, as well as tea for two, and headed back upstairs. He’d been too bleary to notice before, but as he passed Draco’s room, the situation within became apparent to him, and he nearly dropped the tray in shock.

’Well isn’t that something! Our Harry…and young Draco…humph! Will the wonders never cease? I’d never of thought it of the two of them…but there you have it…plain as day. I do hope Harry knows what he’s doing. That poor boy is scarcely in any shape to start something more complicated than a decent friendship, and our Harry has enough on his plate. Well, what can one do, but hope for the best. Good luck, lads…you’ll need it.’

Arthur wandered down the hall and back to Molly, who was napping soundly enough as he walked in. He set the tray down and her eye peeled open…quickly followed by the other as she looked at what he’d brought.

“Arthur? Crepes? And so quickly! How on earth did you-”

“Dula decided to stay here this afternoon. Had breakfast ready for the lot of us before I even made it down the stairs.”

Molly bloomed instantly. It had been a perfectly horrid night. Humiliating herself by falling all to pieces in the kitchen, then poor Draco had taken the worst of Ron’s awful temper, and he’d nearly done himself in thinking there wasn’t a soul in the house that genuinely cared for him. It still shocked her that she’d thrown Ron out of the house. She hadn’t really meant to at the first, but his hemming and hawing had set her teeth on edge, and she’d forgiven his loutishness too many times before. It had all been so awful much. Breakfast in bed after a night like that sounded like heaven.

“Arthur, love, did you get a chance to look in on Draco? Is he alright? The poor thing needs looking after and-”

Arthur flushed crimson and coughed delicately to hide his embarrassment.

“Ach. Hmmph, ah…there. Um…yes…doing fine, love. Harry’s looking after him. Needn’t worry for a thing. They seem to be getting on better these days.”

“What are you hiding, Arthur Weasley! You know perfectly well you couldn’t lie to save your life, Merlin bless you for it! How are the boys? Really!”

“Did I mention there were crepes for breakfast?”

“Arthur!” Molly’s voice had raised a notch in volume, and lips were as thin and tight as ribbons.

“Well…they’re fine and all. It’s just…well. Nothing indecent, mind you, just…they’re in bed together. Sheets separating them, but together…and Draco looks like he’s sleeping better, but he appears to be…well…he looks like he’s…he’s holding Harry’s arm.”

Molly looked pole-axed and remained silent, wide-eyed and surprised. That wasn’t something she’d expected to hear. Not with regard to Draco, and CERTAINLY not with respect to Harry.

“Oh.”

“My thoughts exactly, love.”

Arthur sat down at the edge of the bed and took a few bites from his own plate, waiting for Molly to stop staring mutely at the wall.

“You don’t really think they’re…like our Charlie…do you?”

“I can’t say if they are or aren’t, love. I suppose if that’s what is…then that’s what is. Bit too soon to tell. I suppose we’ll know if they’re making calf-eyes at each other over breakfast, lunch and dinner, but I suppose I’m not too worried by it. I just thought it might be a bit hasty for them.”

“Of course it is! They couldn’t possibly do something like this and have it work out well. They’re neither of them ready for anything of the sort! What do we do?”

“We don’t do a thing, Molly. We don’t do a thing. Could be nothing to worry over, could be a disaster, could be the best thing that ever happened to either of them, but that’s the way of it, isn’t it. Our parents were full of the same talk all those years ago. ‘We were too young, we hadn’t any idea what we were in for, we’d never make it last at that age’…all bosh! We knew best after all, didn’t we, love.”

Molly blushed and smiled, picked up her plate, and still flustered by her husband’s smile, set about eating her breakfast. It might be the first of many strange days to come, but they’d find a way, just as surely as they always had.

TBC!!!