What Shakes The Elephant

What Shakes The Elephant

Chapter 31 – This Has Got To Die

Harry wasn’t quite sure when it happened –though he had a hunch –but something had broken in the grand scheme of his life and sent everything crashing down around him. A trigger had been tapped and set off a series of ill-fated events, leaving him standing, hands over his heart, trying to protect himself from the chaotic onslaught.

Harry had never been particularly good at pleasing the masses. Throughout all of his life he went from famous to infamous with the slightest twist of the words. He had seen crowds hate and scorn him and he had seen the very same people, only minutes later, rejoice and praise him for the very same reasons. He had given up on trying to make people happy very early, but that did not ever stop him from doing the right thing, regardless of whether it made him into a hero or a rebel.

But let it never be said that Harry Potter, Saviour of the Wizarding World, was one to think things through fully before acting.

As soon as they had discovered that Hydra had birthed a Basilisk somewhere in the depths of Malfoy Manor, Draco had been forced to restrain Harry with all of his might. It hadn’t taken more than a moment for the dark-haired man to lurch forwards in an attempt to strangle the madwoman through the prison bars. The Vereorn had made no effort to stop him, but Draco knew better.

He pulled Harry away and they left immediately, rushing back to the grand –and now dangerous –house.

Without thinking it over, Harry had told Draco to collect Lucius and Scorpius in order to remove them from the premises. Lucius had opted to stay in a wizarding inn not too far from Diagon Alley in London, while Scorpius was brought to Harry’s home to stay with him.

Draco had agreed and Scorpius was overjoyed to be spending his last day of holiday with Albus. Harry, of course, immediately suggested then, once the others were out of the way, that they scour the house for the Basilisk and destroy it.

Naturally, this was not a well formulated plan and Draco had trashed it as soon as he let the words escape his lips. The blond had proclaimed that they needed to set up incantations and spells around the house, adding to the wards. Then he added that research was necessary, along with an arrangement of proper protections for themselves. They could not simply run around the lower levels of the Manor and hope to come upon the great snake while it was looking elsewhere.

So Harry, realizing his fault, agreed and demanded that Draco stay with him as well. The Manor was not safe for him to stay. Draco had disagreed. He claimed he had stayed there for months without any trouble and he only agreed to send his father and son away for their protection. ‘Worst Case Scenario’, he called it. Harry did not agree, but Draco refused to be moved.

So he stayed the night at Malfoy Manor and Harry went home to his own organized chaos. He hadn’t slept so badly in months. Rather, it wasn’t that he had a bad night’s sleep, but that he didn’t sleep at all.

And of course, Pepper-Up Potions can only take you so far.

So, Harry spent the night awake, looking back through old notes from previous cases and books that he had borrowed and never returned to Hermione. He was quite sure he knew everything there was to know about Basilisks by the end, though even then it wasn’t much. The creature hadn’t been studied in detail because many believed them to be extinct.

The Basilisk in the Chamber of Secrets should have been the last one and Harry had killed that one in second year. Furthermore, the ease with which Hydra claimed to have birthed a new monster caused churning sensations of worry to grow in the pit of his stomach.

There was so much about the whole situation that bothered Harry beyond words. He wanted Hydra to die. He had not wanted anyone to die in years. YEARS. Harry Potter simply did not wish death upon people. But for someone to go to such extreme lengths just to gain an inheritance (or whatever she was really after) was simply absurd. It was madness and it was pure evil. She not only endangered Draco’s life, but almost succeeded in killing Lucius and put her own son at risk.

The thought of it sent rolls of fury through him and he could hardly control it. He had spent much of the night pacing and trying to get his mind onto other things, but the only other thing he found himself unknowingly considering was Draco himself.

His fingers would instinctively, every time he thought of the other man, venture to his neck and touch the beautiful pendant that Draco had given him. Every so often he would slip the odd ring around his finger before removing it and disregarded the action as idle mannerisms.

Thoughts of that impeccable blond hair, falling in pieces around the silver eyes calmed Harry down. Then he remembered the shivers he felt when Draco whispered at his ear, the warm breath ghosting over his neck and raising the small hairs on the back of his neck. He remembered the feel of Draco’s hand against his back and the rush of butterflies and unknown emotions that coursed through him.

Harry’s mind then, completely without permission, wandered back to the feel of Draco’s lips against his own. He remembered the softness and the warmth that grew in his stomach during the few, excruciatingly brief moments and how it had all be over too fast.

It had been four in the morning, the kids had all been asleep and Harry had suddenly been overcome with desperate need. He had lain back against the sofa and let his hands slide down his front, arching into his own movements and letting his palms run over his own excitement.

He moaned softly into the silent night air and continued to massage himself, his nimble fingers slowly unbuttoning his trousers to let himself free. He bit his lip and wrapped his fingers around his own length, slowly manipulating his own pleasure spots as thoughts of Draco swirled through his mind. Then, without warning, the image of Draco before him, those beautiful lips engulfing his shaft, proved to be far too much for Harry and in a single needy moan, he was done.

Harry was panting hard and let his limbs hang next to him, limp on the sofa. His head hung forward, his chin to his chest, tiny tears mixing with the sweat that slicked his face.

He was horrible.

He cleaned himself up and went to change, preparing himself more potions in the meantime. He wondered distractedly whether Draco had had a better night’s sleep than he, but did not linger on the idea for too long.

He went to wake the children, knowing that he had a precious few moments with his sons left before he had to send them off back to school. He rapped on James’ door to wake him and once he heard a disgruntled response, he moved on to Al’s room. The door was slightly open (as it always was) and he peeked inside. Al and Scorpius had agreed to share Al’s room for the one night. Harry saw them both, lying on Al’s double bed, sleeping soundly face to face.

He didn’t know what to think. It was such a comfortable image, the two of them so comfortable and set apart from the world’s insanity, off in a much better world of their dreams. Was this unnatural for eleven year olds?

Harry shrugged off the idea and woke the two of them, urging them to get ready so that they would not be late. Then he went on to wake Lily so that she would be able to give her brothers a proper goodbye.

Once everyone was up and about, rushing to finish the last bit of packing and get ready for George and Teddy to come pick them up, Harry relaxed a bit. He revelled in the happy commotion that filled his house on days like these. He said his last goodbyes to James, Albus and Scorpius, assuring them all that everything would be fine, things would get better and that they should take care of themselves and each other. Al and Scorpius were pleased but James nodded reluctantly.

Lily gave each of her brothers a hug and a kiss goodbye but nearly leapt into Scorpius’ arms. She had taken to him immediately and was quite put out that he was not staying for longer. The young Malfoy smiled at her and reassured her that he would be back soon. He would not disappear from her life.

Harry couldn’t help but feel elated. Something about this young blond boy gave him hope. Hope for…something…

They left with George and Teddy, leaving Harry alone with Lily to await Ron and Hermione. The two of them promised to take Lily for a few days so that Harry could deal with everything he and Draco needed to address.

It had hardly been twenty minutes before two loud cracks indicated the arrival of his two best friends. He turned around, the weariness still clear in his eyes despite the Pepper-Up Potions and smiled calmly.

“Hey,” he said softly. “Thanks for coming. Lily is just in her room. I’ll go get her.”

“Harry, wait,” Ron’s voice stopped him. It was much harsher than it needed to be and Harry knit his brows. “We need to talk.”

Whatever calm Harry had maintained up to that point had quickly vanished, only to be replaced with a feeling of deep irritation. He sighed deeply and looked away.

“What of?” he asked, trying not to let the instant irritation show.

“You,” the redhead answered sharply. “I know you’ve been through a lot lately, but that’s precisely what is bothering me.” He paused and glanced at Hermione who refused to say a word. “You aren’t acting like yourself. You haven’t been for a while now. Ginny was worried about it and yet you still brushed it off. Now she’s gone, you spent a whole three days grieving before switching back to the way you were before.”

Harry’s pupils contracted and his irritation jumped ship. He was simply beside himself with fury now. His muscles tensed all over his body and he stood, stalk still, glaring at his best friend.

“You will take that load of shite back,” he ordered acidly. Hermione’s eyes immediately welled with tears but Ron stood defiantly, as ever. “How dare you suggest, in any way, that I am not showing proper grief for Ginny. She was my wife and she is gone. I am entitled to grieve however I choose, Ron.” He did not raise his voice but there was a danger in the calm tone that Ron could not ignore. His confidence flickered under the intensity. “You’ve no idea what it has been like for me in the past months. None at all.” Harry paused to make sure every one of his words sunk in and left behind craters on Ron’s mind. “You had known all along that Ginny was sick but kept it from me. You lied to me and should have known that I do not take that kind of betrayal well.” Ron opened his mouth to retort but Harry did not let him. Ron had opened the floodgates and would have to face the penalties. “I don’t care what you say, you LIED, Ron. All of your family did. For twenty-five years! And what’s more, you and your bloody prejudices have caused the rift in my family.” Harry nodded gravely as Ron gave him a confused and affronted look. “Yes, that’s right. Your shite talks to Hugo about how Malfoys shouldn’t be trusted or whatever other bullocks you’ve pulled out of your arse to explain away your unfounded anger have made their way to James. He’s been lashing out at Al and Scorpius because of what you have said. He doesn’t know any better, he’s a child, but you! YOU should know better than that!” Harry turned to Hermione at this point. “Did you know your husband is a bigot, Hermione? Just as much of a prat as the man he claims to hate??”

“You take that back!” Ron spat, taking a step forward in what might have been a threatening manner to anyone but Harry. “I call it as I see it, Harry! You would too if you weren’t blinded by whatever spell he’s got you under!” Ron threw his hands into the air dramatically. “It’s always about him, though, isn’t it? ALWAYS Malfoy! Everything comes back to him. He tore your marriage apart, he was the trigger for Ginny’s sickness and now he’s making you mental!”

Harry twitched from the effort it required to stop himself lunging at Ron.

“How dare you blame Ginny’s death on him!” he hissed back, trying to keep his voice low so as not to alert Lily. “He is not responsible for all the evil in the world, Ron! In fact, he has grown up much more than you have!”

“Oh, please, Harry!” Ron yelled, ignoring the fact that a child was not far away. Harry wanted to smother him with a pillow. “Have you never considered that he’s simply a better actor than he used to be? He’s the same Draco Malfoy that we’ve always known, he’s just greasier and more sneaky than before! Have you never thought that he might be playing you? Using you for his own ends?! Why did he show up to the funeral when he hates us? Why did he provide that massive arrangement of flowers with Ginny’s FAVOURITE flower no less?? Why did he need to talk to you alone in the kitchen right after the ceremony?? He’s using you, Harry, why won’t you see that?!”

Harry shook his head, almost wanting to laugh from the ridiculousness of Ron’s comments.

“Oh, perhaps because he’s NOT using me,” Harry snapped. He glared openly at Ron. Hermione had her eyes shut, biting her lip. “You can just get out of here. I won’t have my daughter spending time around you if you’ll only feed her with false beliefs.”

“Harry,” Hermione cut in. “Please, no, we’re sorry. We’re just worried about you!” She seemed desperate to get him to calm down. “I’ll take Lily for a few days, it will be fine. You can take the time to calm down and do whatever you need to. I promise she’ll be safe with us, where else will you leave her?”

Harry hated snapping at Hermione but he could not leave his daughter with Ron when he was like this.

“I’ll firecall Dean or Seamus,” he answered defiantly. “Seamus has a daughter around Lily’s age. He offered to take her if I needed time after the funeral. I won’t have Lily with Ron, Hermione.” Harry glared at Ron still who was throwing imaginary daggers back at him with his eyes. “Come see me again when you are level-headed, Ron, and perhaps can act your age.”

Ron said nothing but disappeared and Hermione, tears rolling down her cheeks, followed her husband.

Harry dropped himself onto the sofa, shaking madly from the constant battles he fought, but knew he needed to find someone he trusted to watch his daughter.

*******

Draco had lain out a number of books and items that he thought might be useful. The night had been rough and he had hardly slept at all, feeling the familiar discomfort ease over him at the idea that he was sleeping with a monster in the house. He had not felt that kind of insecurity in his own home since Voldemort had taken up residence there during his seventh year.

So, instead of sleeping, he spent most of the night preparing for Harry’s arrival that day. He looked forward to it more than he likely should but it made no matter to him. He ignored the better part of him that chastised him for longing. He ignored his common sense and all his conscience’s warnings. Instead, he let himself be excited to see Harry.

The stint at Azkaban had revealed some things to Draco that he could not ignore. Harry did care about him, even if it was not in any manner more than friendship. He cared.

He had placed himself between Draco and Hydra. He had reacted to the horrible things she had said, done and promised and tried to strangle her when he realized that she set a monster loose in their home. He did care and this pleased Draco immensely.

But he was late.

He looked at the grandfather clock next to the bookshelf and cocked a brow, wondering what was keeping him.

He arranged more items, shrugging it off. Potter was entitled to be late every so often. Something must have come up. It would be alright.

He took out old blades and swords that his family had acquired during the Middle Ages. These blades were enchanted and any one of them could prove useful against a Basilisk. He arranged them in a manner that seemed logical to him, knowing that Harry was better read on the matter of giant snakes and so he would know best what to choose.

After another hour and a half, Draco looked back at the clock and frowned. This was not fashionably late, nor was it acceptably late.

Where was Potter? What was he doing?

Draco huffed and crossed his arms over his chest. Tapping his foot loudly against the floor for two minutes, Draco realized that it would not speed up Potter’s arrival the way he wished it would and so decided to go and do something more productive with his time.

******

Harry jumped into the Floo and called out Malfoy Manor, hoping that Draco would understand his reasons for being so late. He felt horrible for it but Ron had given him no choice. He stepped out of the fireplace at the Manor and immediately tensed.

He heard rumbling from the next room and spells flying on the air.

Harry bolted forward and pushed open the doors, holding his wand out, ready for anything. He stepped into the hall and saw flashes of magic soaring on the air. Draco was waving his arms gracefully through the air, shouting spell after spell at some unseen opponent. Harry panicked as he saw a flash of green light soar forwards at Draco.

He surged toward the blond and cast a powerful stunning spell in the direction of the unseen opponent, before throwing himself at Draco to push him out of the way.

They landed in a tangled mass on the hard stone ground, the spells immediately having ceased and Draco groaning from underneath him.

“Are you alright?” he asked the blond, fear flashing in his eyes as the magic cleared and he could see Draco’s face clearly. The man was looking up at him with a mixture of shock and bemusement.

“Of course I’m not alright!” he answered as though it was a stupid question. “If you really wanted me that badly, there are better ways of going about it, Potter! Tackling me has never been a smart way to woo me.”

Harry frowned and yet a faint flush met his cheeks. Yet, brilliantly, he did not move from his spot atop Draco.

“You were being attacked, you pompous prat!” he shot back angrily. Draco laughed and shook his head.

“I was practicing complex spells,” he explained quietly. He held up his wand. “This wand has never been quite a suited to me as my old one and on occasion I need to push its limits to get it to work for me.”

Harry’s jaw dropped slightly as he considered the words.

“Your… new wand,” he told himself, looking at the long piece of wood.

“Yes, Ebony and Dragon heartstring,” he said quietly. “Thirteen Inches. Useless in comparison to my Hawthorn one but some vile little thief took that from me when I was seventeen and wouldn’t give it back.”

Harry’s face broke into a dark grin, refusing to reveal to Draco that he still carried the Hawthorn wand with him.

“As I said before, Malfoy,” he shot back nastily. Draco snickered and cut him off.

“Yes, winners keepers,” he mimicked sarcastically. “I’m glad you still think that way.”

Then, without warning, Draco pulled Harry’s collar down and pressed their lips together in a numbing kiss.

--------

A/N: Ook I apparently like to end chapters that way. Yes. I kept thinking before that it was moving too fast, but I think that was because I was writing so much so quickly. This is, after all, chapter 31 and all they’ve done of yet is kiss. Weirdos. Lol I hope I can make it all work out!

And yes, Ron DID deserve the tongue-lashing. I wanted Harry to punch him but he needed to try to be the good father here. Yes. And poor Hermione. Things are rough. But they get better! I do promiseee!

Yes, next chapter up too!

And thank you all for the support and wonderful words!

*Love to you all*