Never Said Goodbye: The Other Side

Chapter 3

Disclaimer: Still own none of the characters. Not making money, either.

Rating: I'm still sticking with PG-13 for this chapter. Trust me...we're going to slam right into NC-17 before too long.

Warnings: Not really any for this chapter. Don't worry....next chapter there will be at least one.

Luckily Hermione was standing nearby when Draco dropped the roast. She managed to grab it before it hit the ground and placed it gently on the floor so she could pick the dish up again with the potholders that Draco also dropped.

Draco stared at his father and mother and felt the bile rise in his throat. He turned to Harry helplessly, needing him badly and wanting to curl up in his arms for protection. He wasn't expecting the smirk that was planted on Harry's face or the words that came out of his mouth.

"Deal with it."

Draco nodded and went back into the kitchen to get the rest of the meal. Slowly the table was set and Draco just sat down and tried to gather his thoughts while Harry went to tell their guests that dinner was served. Hermione stayed with Draco and placed her hand on his arm once they were back in the dining room.

"Are you alright?"

Draco took a deep breath. "Do you care?"

Hermione sighed. "How can you think that I don't care?"

"You care about Harry...not me." He closed his eyes, telling himself he deserved this for trying to force Harry to talk to Dudley.

"You're right, but that's because you won't let me care about you. Ron and I just want-"

Draco sneered in disgust. "Don't include your fiancé in that sentence. Trust me. He doesn't give a shit about what happens to me and he only wants Harry to be happy if that means that I'm not in his life anymore." He jerked his arm away from her and continued to stare at his plate as the others walked in. He was grateful that Hermione stayed where she was so that Ron was forced to sit next to her and away from him, but when Lucius took the seat opposite of Hermione he thought his heart would beat right through his chest from anxiety.

Harry sat at the other end and told Dudley to sit next to Narcissa so that Snape was left sitting near Harry. Blaise and Pansy took up the last two seats and Blaise pulled the chair next to Ron out for Pansy since he had no desire to let the situation go with Harry. He glared at the jade-eyed boy as he sat next to him.

Harry glared back and then frowned at Snape who was also shooting daggers at him. At least I have Ron and Hermione. Ron looked very satisfied with himself, but Hermione kept glancing at Draco with worry flashing in her eyes. Uh...no feeling sorry for him, Mione....what do I have to do to get some loyalty around here?

But then he remembered Blaise accusing him of not knowing what he had done. Was Draco hiding something from him? He promised himself he'd find out later.

Dinner began and everyone made comments on how good the food was. Draco nodded in thanks, but never seemed to engage in the conversations. Listening to the voice of his parents was making him sick and he picked at the food.

Ron had begun a fascinating conversation with Narcissa about Draco's childhood. Various anecdotes were shared and the blonde Slytherin wanted to melt into his chair. Hermione kept looking at him like he was going to fall apart and his father was looking at him with the Malfoy smirk. For a moment, Draco was certain he was drowning.

Harry was having a much better time listening to the conversations at his end of the table. Snape, Pansy, and Blaise were discussing a variety of wizarding news stories and Dudley looked totally overwhelmed by the information flowing between the three of them. That's right...you can understand how powerful I am now. I sure as hell don't need you back in my life.

Dinner wore on and Draco quietly went to get the dessert. He looked out the window above the sink for awhile and then felt the hot tears run down his face. Not now... He heard the door open and quickly wiped his tears. He turned around, but found himself slammed up against the counter yet again that night. This time he didn't resist. He couldn't. One look at his father caused him to freeze up. "F-father..."

Lucius grinned. "It's been far too long, boy. How is it that you can associate with a mudblood, but you can't contact your own parents?"

"Don't call her that. Harry doesn't like it."

"Very well. I'll respect Potter's wishes since he's the reason that I was even invited to my son's home." He reached up and fisted his hand in Draco's hair. "Do I get a hug?"

Draco shook his head, feeling the tears come faster. "Leave me alone."

"Now now now...none of that. Be a man." He pulled Draco into a tight embrace, not caring if the boy struggled. Eventually he stopped and went limp against the older man.

Lucius stepped back and was pleased to see the numb look on his son's face. "Your mother and I have traveled a bit farther than the others. I plan on drinking much more wine. We'll be staying the night."

A voice from behind him silenced any protests Draco was about to voice.

"Of course, Lucius." Harry walked in and smiled. "I'm glad to see that you were able to talk to Draco." He picked up the dessert platter. "Let's go in, shall we?" He never noticed Draco's condition because the blonde had averted his face the entire time.

"You heard him...let's go." Lucius grabbed Draco's arm and thrust him toward the door. They walked out and took their places.

Harry moved to stand by Draco and wouldn't allow him to sit. Draco already felt that he might faint and leaned heavily on Harry.

Hermione frowned at Draco's condition, but decided not to pursue it when Harry tapped a fork against his wine glass. "We asked you here tonight to share something with us. You have the honor of being the first to know...Draco and I are getting married!"

Hermoine gasped and clapped her hands, immediately pushing off Draco's mood on nerves. Ron just stared at the couple with his mouth hanging open. Blaise, Pansy, Snape, and Narcissa joined in on the clapping and words of congratulations. Dudley just tried to figure out what to do with himself. Lucius smiled slowly and then joined the clapping. He wondered how eagerly Harry would want Draco to be with his family now.


TBC...