With A Dragon's Heart

Wow! It has been so long since I've written on this! The boys will never be healed but they are on their way. Sorry to say but it will ending on the next chapter. I need to wrap up this story so I can start and/or continue will new ones! Got plenty in the works!

I hope you enjoy it.

Annie



CHAPTER THIRTY THREE: The Conclusion part 1

Harry arched his chest high off the bed, stretching and sighing. Sleep was leaving his body and his senses started to stir. As it did he noticed that nothing was leaning against his side. Draco wasn’t leaning against him. He finally opened his eyes and then blinked several times realising that he had his glasses on. When did he ever sleep with his glasses on? Harry felt a small movement to his left so instinctively he rolled his head over to look.

Draco Malfoy was wide-awake and his head was turned towards Harry, staring at him in the most unusual manner. There was no emotions showing, only a blank expressionless face. Harry furrowed his brows and looked at him curiously.

“Harry,” the blond whispered.

Before Harry could reply, he saw a movement out of the corner of his right eye. His head immediately snapped to whatever it was and Harry’s blood ran cold. Draco's lower half of his naked torso was covered with long platinum-blond hair. Harry gasped then looked back at his lover’s face. Barely a shade of pink adorned the boy’s cheeks, showing his obvious shame and embarrassment. Another movement caught Harry’s attention and his eyes instantly locked with Lucius Malfoy.

‘No. It can't be,’ Harry thought, panicking.

Lucius smirked at Harry and like a predator, he growled out, “Mine.”

The older wizard crawled up his son’s body until his face hovered above the boy’s diverted face. As Lucius stared down at Draco, Draco continued to stare at Harry.

“Help me,” Draco mouthed.

Harry’s heart jumped and he tried to roll over. To turn. To move. But he couldn’t. His body was paralysed from the neck down.

“Draco,” he said in almost a plea-like voice.

Draco gave him a sympathetic smile, but continued to stare at him, not once looking up at his father. Suddenly, Draco's eyes closed tight and his head dug into the pillow, chin pointing up at the ceiling.

“Draco!”

Harry watched in horror as tears ran down the pale boy’s temple. Harry didn’t have to look to know what had just happened. He knew.

“No!” Harry screamed.

The top of Draco's head was still buried in the pillow and it rocked up and down in rhythm with his body.

“No! Stop it you bastard! Stop it!”

Harry still couldn’t move.

This time, Harry screamed at the top of his lungs. “NO! Stop, stop, STOP!”

“Harry?”

“Stop it!”

“Harry!”

“NO!”

“Harry! Harry, wake up!”

Harry jolted up to a sitting position, breathing heavily and gasping for air. His eyes darted around the familiar room until his eyes fell upon Draco Malfoy.

“Draco?” he said, unbelieving what he was seeing. Draco was right there. Next to him. Alone.

“Harry?” he whispered, then breathed a sigh of relief. “Its all right, Harry. They’re not here. They can't hurt you anymore.”

“No,” Harry said, slowly shaking his head. “Your father. He was… he was...”

Draco sighed again. “He’s not here, Harry. He’s in Azkaban. Remember? Remember the trial?”

Ah, yes. The trial. It was not held in two months as previously planned but in one week. It was brief and the verdict was swift. Justice had prevailed. Now the question came down to life imprisonment or the Dementor’s kiss. As if their minds were linking as one, both smiled remembering Lucius’ stunned reaction to the two boys sitting next to each other – holding hands. Of course, that was nothing compared to the expression the man wore when the sentence was announced. Harry and Draco squeezed their joined fingers tightly as the verdict was read and they refrained themselves from leaping into each other’s arms. Draco's eyes locked with his mother’s and she smiled warmly at him. Warm but yet sad. Draco knew what his mother was trying to say… “I’m sorry.”

They sat together on the bed just watching each other until their brief remembrance had passed and fell into a fierce hug.

“Shh, Harry. Its over,” Draco whispered, rubbing circles on Harry’s back.

“But the dream…He was…”

“I know, Harry,” he said softly as he pulled back then lowered his head. “I have those nightmares as well.”

Silence accompanied Draco's confession and it took a moment for Harry to react. He cupped the sides of the pale face and raised it – high enough for green eyes to meet grey.

“We’ll get through this, Draco. I promise.”

Draco nodded numbly then closed his eyes as Harry leaned in for a soft and gentle kiss. As he pulled away, Harry wiped the fallen tear away with his thumb.

“I promise.”

Draco nodded again, releasing a shaky breath of air. Harry smiled and pulled Draco towards him, resting his chin on the blond’s head as he stroked Draco's arms. They both sighed and held on to each other for a long time. Finally, Draco spoke.

“Harry?”

“Hmm?”

“About Monday.”

Harry pushed Draco back by his shoulders and gave him a hard look.

“Oh no, Draco Malfoy. You swore.”

“Har-ry,” he said, almost whinging.

“No,” he repeated firmly.

Draco scoffed then ignored Harry’s still-hard look by glancing around the room.

Now it was Harry’s turn to whinge. Well, sort of.

“Draco. About this room.”

“Oh no, Harry Potter,” he mocked. “You swore.”

“But what will they others think if they find out that…”

“Ex-cuse me? And what about Monday?”

“That’s different!”

“No,” Draco drawled slowly. “Its not.”

Harry growled in his throat. “Fine.”

Draco stifled a laugh. “Besides, we already have permission from Dumbledore.”

“I know,” Harry muttered sarcastically.

“And Snape even agreed…so long as we place a silencing charm around it.”

Both giggled at that memory.

Draco roughly pushed Harry backwards till his back hit the bed, straddling his hips and pinning his arms. It wasn’t until Harry was under him that Draco had realised that what he had done could have really frightened Harry with that abrupt movement. But the expression Harry wore told him different.

“Hey!”

Draco smiled in relief and continued on as normal. “I should think you’d be honoured at the fact of living in the presence of Draco Malfoy.”

Harry groaned. “If I live that long.”

“Hey!”

Harry laughed and the two quickly fought over dominance of just who was pinning whom. Their laughter rose. Suddenly the door flew open and both of them rolled off the bed, peering over the mattress.

“I thought I told you to put up a silencing charm!”

Fortunately, their grin was hidden behind the edge of the bed.

“Sorry, Severus,” Draco said, choking back a laugh.

Snape hissed loudly before briskly turning and slamming the door behind him. The boys howled.

“Come on, Potter. Shower. You stink.”

“Me? You do.”

“I do not stink. I have a manly odour.”

“Yeah and it stinks.”

Harry bolted for the bathroom but fell flat when Draco tackled him then pounced off him, laughing as he closed and locked the bathroom door.

“Not again,” Harry complained, leaning against the door.

“Perfection takes time,” Draco called out.

Harry rolled his eyes and mimicked the other boy’s words.

Déjà vu.


~*~*~*~*~


“Harry,” Draco whinged for the fifth time that morning.

“No.”

“Oh come on, Harry. Do we have to do this?”

Harry stopped in his tracks and faced the blond. “You agreed that it was best if everyone knew straight away rather than putting up with the whispers and rumours that would hound us all year long.”

“But why today?”

“Draco,” he warned.

Draco grunted.

“I think you’re scared, Malfoy.”

“Me? Ha! You’re the one who’s going to be scared, Potter.”

“Hardly. I’m in Gryffindor.”

“Ah, but lunchtime. At the Slytherin table.”

Harry’s stomach churned and Draco sniggered. Harry took a deep breath and looked away.

“Well, come on then,” Draco sighed. “But I swear, Potter. You better not try and hold my hand.”

“Oh please, Malfoy.” Harry paused briefly then grinned wickedly. “I’ll just hold your dick under the table.”

“Potter!”

Harry rolled his eyes. “I’m only joking, Draco.”

The blond grumbled. “It wasn’t funny.”

Harry sniggered then pulled on Draco's sleeve. “Come on.”

“Fine,” he hissed.

Draco held his head high and marched into the Great Hall, heading straight for Ron and Hermione. Harry, who was several feet behind him, shook his head. Eyes went wide and mouths fell open and the hall became eerily quiet as they watched the two once-rivals sit down together – at the Gryffindor table no doubt!

Draco sat across Ron and Harry took his place next to him, across from Hermione. His two best friends knew that this was the plan, but actually witnessing it …

“What?” Draco snapped to all the piercing eyes around him. They quickly looked away and Draco smirked.

“Draco,” Harry whispered.

“What?” he whispered back, annoyed.

Harry just shook his head again. Soon, the Great Hall came to life once again. Harry glanced over at Draco several times. The boy had a permanent frown whilst he ate. Hermione noticed his discomfort as well and nudged Ron.

“Ow,” he said out of the corner of his mouth. “I know, I know.”

Ron cleared his throat, gaining the attention of everyone around them, but he promptly ignored them.

“Um, Malfoy?” Draco looked up. “I just wanted to thank you for helping Harry the other day.”

Draco nodded curtly then went back to eating. Harry nudged him hard in the ribs. The blond glared at him, but then sighed and swallowed hard. He looked back up at Ron.

“You're welcome, Weasley,” he grumbled.

People gasped and Harry bit his lip so he wouldn’t laugh.

“Shut up, Potter.” Draco leaned over and whispered in his ear. “Lunchtime,” he sneered.

“Shut up, Malfoy.”

Breakfast came and went smoothly - with the exception of Draco hissing at the ones he thought was whispering about him of course. Harry and Draco went their separate ways to attend their own classes until finally joining each other in potions. Then it would be – lunchtime. Draco couldn’t wait. As the students were filing out, Snape stopped Harry and informed him that Albus wanted to speak with him. Now. Harry lowered his head, sighed, and nodded. He knew what this was all about.

The Dursleys.

Draco protested (loudly) when Snape told him he wouldn’t be able to go, but was assured several times by Harry that he’d be all right. Reluctantly, Draco agreed and then looked around, making sure the classroom was completely empty before hugging Harry. Snape scoffed.

Draco escorted Harry to Dumbledore’s office in silence save their pounding hearts. Draco hugged Harry one last time before Harry disappeared behind the large doors.

“I’ll wait here,” Draco called out.

~*~*~*~*~*~

Albus waved Harry forward and motioned him to have a seat. Harry approached and slowly sat down, hands on his lap and his head lowered. Albus sighed inwardly.

“Lemon drop?” Harry shook his head. “Tea?” Another shake. Albus took a deep breath. “Harry, I just spoke to your aunt.” Harry flinched. Albus knew this wasn’t going to be easy for Harry to hear but he had to know.

“She was here?” Harry asked softly.

“Yes, Harry. Actually it was her idea to come here instead of waiting for me to call on her after she had notified me.”

Harry looked up in surprise.

Albus smiled. “It seems that she has left your uncle.”

“W-what?”

“Yes, Harry. You heard correctly. She also informed me about the legal muggle events as well.”

“I see,” he whispered, lowering his eyes.

Dumbledore wanted to console Harry at this point, but he knew he had to finish. He would comfort him afterwards. As Albus relayed the current events, Harry listened carefully, shifting in his chair and his eyes locked onto his tightly clenched and sweaty fists.


~*~*~*~*~*~

Albus began.

“The parents of the five boys did indeed receive photocopies of the rape, along with copies of the negatives. After the initial shock and disbelief, three of the boys had confessed and each was placed in a juvenile correction facility indefinitely – turned in by their own furious and outraged parents. The photos revealed that fourth boy was not a participant in the first rape, but was present during the second. The pictures showed that he was cowering in the far corner and therefore no charges were pressed against him. However, the boy willingly admitted himself to an institution for the treatment of his mental anguish that he had endured. The boy had a nervous breakdown and was on the verge of insanity.

As for your cousin…” Albus paused at this point. Harry’s body was curled up in the chair, fingers gripping his legs tightly to his chest. His shoulders were slumped and his breathing was loud and ragged.

A million thoughts crossed the older wizard’s mind on what to say next, but all he could manage was, “Harry?”

Harry nodded as shakily as his body. “I-I’m fine, sir. Please, c-continue,” he rasped softly.

Albus sighed. “As to be expected, your uncle disregarded the photos and the negatives as a scheme – plotted by you – to blackmail them.”

Harry clenched his jaw and pursed his eyes closed, tears falling silently.

Reluctantly, Albus continued. “Your aunt on the other hand, took the pictures and negatives to be analysed for authenticity. Once they were discovered to be genuine, she confronted her son. Dudley proclaimed his innocence and Mr. Dursley still refused to believe that his only son would commit such a horrific act. Your aunt and uncle argued for hours until the muggle police finally arrived, called in by a neighbor after hearing shouts and sounds of items breaking.”

At this point, Harry raised his head, just high enough to peer through his sweaty fringe. “The police was called?” he whispered.

Albus barely shut his eyes as he nodded once. “Yes, Harry. The three of them were taken to the muggle police station and there your aunt Petunia contacted a Constable and your cousin Dudley was then arrested.”

Harry blinked several times and shook his head in disbelief. His aunt? Turned in her only child - for him?

As if reading the boy’s mind, Albus smiled. “Yes, Harry. She had pressed charges against her own son.”

“Wha- what did…” Harry stuttered, still shaking his head.

“Your aunt and uncle are now separated. She contacted me through Mrs. Figg and requested a meeting with me. Here. At Hogwarts.”

Harry looked away and stared at the floor. He didn’t know what to say. What could he say?

“Harry?” Albus whispered, drawing Harry’s attention back to him. “I should warn you that you will be required to testify against Dudley and perhaps even his three friends.”

Harry looked away again and nodded. “I understand.” He swallowed hard then whispered, “May I go now, sir?”

“Yes, of course, Harry. I imagine this was difficult to hear.”

Harry stood, holding on to the chair armrests. He turned and timidly walked to the large wooden doors.

“Harry?” The boy glanced over his shoulders. “Your aunt would like the chance to speak to you.” Harry tensed. “When you're ready that is.”

Harry bowed his head and breathed deeply. He left without a word being spoken. Albus leaned back and sighed.

~*~*~*~*~*~

Draco was waiting for Harry just outside Dumbledore’s office. He immediately went to Harry’s side, but said nothing. He followed Harry as he walked through the castle and then outside until he stopped when they had reached the Quidditch fields. Draco sat beside Harry who had leaned against the goal posts and slid down. They sat in silence, the blond watching him carefully. Harry was staring absently at the grass before looking over at Draco.

“I’m fine, Draco,” he whispered.

Draco sighed and smiled warmly at him but he knew Harry was not fine.

“Do you want to talk about it?” he asked quietly.

Harry, ever so slowly, shook his head. “No.” His voice was barely audible.

Minutes turned into hours and Draco guessed that they pretty much missed all of their remaining classes. Suddenly, Harry stood and held out his hand to a sitting Draco.

“I want to go home.”

Draco nodded, gently took the offered hand, and Harry helped him to his feet. Harry had said ‘home’ but Draco knew he meant their new quarters. They walked back in silence and it wasn’t until they were safely behind closed doors that Harry spoke again.

“I want to take a shower,” he whispered.

Draco smiled warmly at him. He sat on the edge of the bed until the sound of sobs echoed in the small bathroom. Draco was instantly on his feet and ran over to him. Harry was standing under the steady stream, chin resting on his chest and was bracing himself with his hands on the shower walls. His muscles were taut and he was shaking uncontrollably. Draco undressed quickly and then gingerly entered the stall, standing behind Harry. He lightly touched the crying boy’s back and the reaction was immediate. Harry spun around and clung to the blond so tight that it caused Draco to gasp.

“D-draco,” he choked.

“Shh. It’s all right. I’m here,” he murmured against Harry’s cheek, all the while stroking his back. “It’ll be all right.”

He pressed Harry’s turned head into his neck with one hand and continued caressing his spine with the other. Harry took a few unsteady deep breaths.

“That’s it, Harry,” Draco whispered.

“M-my aunt turned in D-Dudley,” he sobbed. “For me, Draco. For me!”

The blond froze and held his breath. That was the last thing he expected to hear. He closed his eyes and hugged Harry with all his might. Tears ran down Draco's face as he thought back to his mother. She had stood against his father and now Harry’s aunt stood against his cousin and uncle. A warm feeling ran through Draco. They were loved after all.

Draco gave Harry a reassuring squeeze and reached behind the cold and trembling boy and turned off the water. He guided Harry out of the shower and grabbed the nearest flannel. As Draco toweled Harry off from shoulder to finally his feet, he had covered every inch of the dried skin with light kisses. Suddenly, Harry pulled him to his feet by hooking his hands under Draco's arms. They stood there staring at each other until Harry leaned and grazed his lips over his.

“Draco,” he breathed. “Make love to me.”


~*~*~*~*~*~


TBC