Funerals and Weddings

For disclaimer, summary, story codes and other information, please see the prologue.

Chapter the Fifty-fifth: Secret No More
26 January, morning
Hogwarts Hospital wing


Harry awoke to the sound of voices. The voices seemed familiar and there seemed to be some kind of argument going on. Still groggy, he reached for his glasses. His brain turned on as he realised he was in the infirmary. Yesterday’s events flashed through his mind and he glanced quickly over at Draco. Harry smiled when he saw just the top of Draco’s blond head above the covers. The rest of Draco was curled up and buried under the blankets.

Tuning back in on the voices he’d heard, Harry sat up and stretched. Ah—Hermione and Ron. He should have known. He was just about to get up and go to them when they walked into view, followed by Madam Pomfrey.

“We’ll just have a peak to see if he’s—Harry! You’re awake!” Hermione exclaimed. She stepped over to his bed, followed by Ron.

“Shh, you’ll wake Draco,” Harry said in a low voice. “He’s still sleeping.”

Madam Pomfrey glanced at her patient and was apparently pleased that he was still deeply asleep. “All right, you three. You can have your visit, as long as you keep it down. Mr. Malfoy needs as much rest as he can get to recover from those curses he was hit with.”

Harry stood up and motioned the others across the room, far enough away that they wouldn’t bother Draco, but where Harry could still see him. Hermione waited until they were all settled on two unused beds before speaking.

“Harry, are you really all right? We’ve been so worried! When Katie told us what had happened—well, we just couldn’t believe it!”

“Couldn’t believe we’d missed it! Stupid Prefects meeting,” Ron added. “That’s something I’d have liked to have seen—Snape duelling Bellatrix Lestrange!”

Hermione shot her boyfriend an impatient look. “Ron!”

Harry laughed. “It’s all right, Hermione. I’m all right. I wasn’t hurt at all. And I wish I’d been able to pay closer attention to the fight myself. I’d have loved to see Snape hit her with a bat-bogey hex, or something.”

They all laughed, which broke some of the tension.

“So, mate, why couldn’t you pay attention to Snape duelling that bitch?” Ron asked, just as Hermione said, “Then why did you stay over in the infirmary if you weren’t hurt, Harry?”

Harry grinned at their overlapping questions, albeit a bit nervously. This was the part that he really wasn’t looking forward to dealing with. After all, he’d actually already had this conversation with Hermione—not that she remembered it—and it hadn’t gone well.

“Um, well, I can’t answer you both at the same time, so I’ll start with Ron. Katie told you about Bellatrix being Polyjuiced to look like Draco’s mum, right?” At their nods, he continued. “Well, when the Polyjuice wore off and she was revealed, she cursed Draco before I even realised she had her wand out. Luckily, Snape acted really fast and cut her off before she could finish casting the second spell properly. But the first one she cast—the Flesh-Burning Curse—was successful, and Draco fell to the ground, obviously in pain. So I ran over to help Draco while Snape was battling with Bellatrix. I was pretty focused on trying remove whatever curses she’d used, so I didn’t pay that much attention to what else was going on.”

“Is it true she used the Soul Stealing Curse, Harry? And what was the other curse—did you say Flesh-Burning Curse?” Hermione asked before Harry could continue.

“Yeah, the one she didn’t finish—thank Merlin—was the Soul Stealing Curse. The other one is the Flesh-Burning Curse. Dumbledore said it burns the skin from the inside out.”

Ron shuddered. “Blimey, that’s nasty! So, were you able to end it, or did Snape take care of it?”

“I ended it—I was lucky and a simple Finite Incantatem removed it. But I couldn’t do anything for the other. Draco was unconscious and his heart was only beating once a minute…I’ve never felt so helpless. I can only thank the gods that Dumbledore showed up and scared Bellabitch (Ron snorted) off so that Snape was able to get to work on Draco fairly quickly,” Harry said. Then he caught them up on the details of how Snape had saved Draco and Dumbledore’s comments about the Soul Stealing Curse.

Ron shook his head in disgust. “I swear, seems like the Ministry keeps its head up its arse most of the time, doesn’t it? At least they got rid of Fudge.”

Harry laughed a little. “It’s funny that you said that, since Snape basically said the same thing! And, for once, I completely agreed with him!”

Ron grimaced a little at the thought of agreeing with Snape, then shrugged. “Ah, well, I guess even the greasy git can say something intelligent once in awhile.”

Harry laughed, then turned his attention to Hermione when she cleared her throat. He didn’t like the hesitant expression she wore and braced himself for questions about his relationship with Draco.

“Um, Harry, there’s something else we need to talk to you about,” Hermione started. “Katie didn’t mention it, but apparently a lot of students saw what happened out by the lake yesterday. And now…well, now there’s this rumour going around about…about you and Malfoy. I told Ron it couldn’t possibly be true, and I didn’t want to mention it to you, in case it upset you, but he said we’d be better off asking you directly. You see, the rumour is that you and Malfoy…are…”

“Dating? In a relationship?” Harry finished for her.

“Well, yes. But how did you know that? Who told you about the rumour?”

“No one did, Hermione,” Harry said gently. “No one had to because it’s not a rumour. It’s true. Draco and I are together. He’s my boyfriend.” He sat back and waited for the explosion. Hermione didn’t disappoint.

“What?!? Harry, are you serious? You’re dating Malfoy? Have you lost your mind?” Hermione’s voice rose in volume until she was practically shouting.

Before Harry could respond, Madam Pomfrey was bustling over, an extremely displeased expression oh her face. “Miss Granger! Did I not tell you to be quiet? What do you mean by shouting that way when there are sick patients here needing their rest?”

For probably the first time in her life, Hermione talked back to an authority figure. “I don’t care!” she said loudly. “Ron, tell Harry that he’s crazy. Tell him—”

Madam Pomfrey’s jaw dropped at the unheard of response from Hermione Granger, but she recovered quickly, and her swiftly cast “Silencio!” cut Hermione off. Taking Hermione’s arm, she said, “Miss Granger, you must get a hold of yourself! Such cheek—and from you! I will not tolerate such behaviour. Twenty points from Gryffindor!” She marched a fuming Hermione to the door. “Now, I must ask you to leave—and don’t plan on coming back for the rest of the day!”

Ron stood up quickly. “I’d better go with her, mate. Try and calm her down. I’ll see you later—we definitely need to have a little chat about this you and, er, Draco thing.” He gave Harry a pointed look.

Harry nodded. “Yeah, all right. Tell Hermione…tell her I’ll come and talk things out with you both later today.”

With a nod, Ron hustled to catch up with Hermione and Madam Pomfrey at the door. Taking Hermione’s arm, he quickly led her out of the hospital wing.

Looking distinctly put out, Madam Pomfrey went to check on Draco before walking over to Harry. “Well, I can’t believe it, but he’s actually still asleep! Mr. Potter, what on earth set Miss Granger off that way?”

Harry looked sheepish. “Uh, well, I told her something that made her pretty angry. I didn’t know she’d start yelling that way. I’m sorry,” he said, feeling a little guilty for the fib. “Uh, thanks for letting me stay last night, ma’am. I guess I was pretty knackered.”

Madam Pomfrey arched a brow. “Yes, I suppose you were. Although I do find it amazing how you were able to muster your strength to move that bed next to Mr. Malfoy’s, being so exhausted.”

Harry blushed and looked at his feet. “Er, well, about that, you see…”

Harry looked up when Poppy placed a hand on his shoulder. “Harry, I’ve been nursing students since your father was enrolled here. There’s very little that can shock me when it comes to students and their love lives.” She smiled at him. “Now, I suggest you go on and get yourself cleaned up and have something to eat. Mr. Malfoy isn’t going anywhere and you’re welcome to come back and see him later on.”

Harry smiled at her gratefully. “Thank you, Madam Pomfrey. Thanks a lot.”

The matron returned to her office and Harry walked over to put on his shoes and check on Draco before he left. He was surprised not to see his shoes by the side of the bed—he could have sworn that’s where he’d put them. Thinking they’d gotten kicked under the bed somehow, Harry bent over and began feeling around under the bed. His hand closed over a familiar piece of material—his Invisibility Cloak! In picking it up, Harry revealed his shoes that the Cloak had been hiding.

‘Must have been Dumbledore,’ Harry thought, grateful to the old man for returning his most prized possession. Sitting on the bed to lace up his shoes, he studied Draco, who was indeed still sound asleep. Brushing a feather-light kiss on Draco’s hair (all of Draco that he could really see), Harry whispered, “I’ll be back soon. I promise.”

As he left the hospital wing, Harry realised that Hermione and Ron weren’t the only ones that would be asking him questions. He groaned at the idea of explaining yesterday’s events and his sure-to-be-popular relationship with the Slytherin Prince over and over and over again. There was no way he was going to the Great Hall now—it was bound to be full of students eating a late Saturday breakfast. With a sigh, Harry told his grumbling stomach that he’d stop by the kitchens to get some food before heading to Gryffindor Tower.

Thanks to his Invisibility Cloak, Harry made it to the kitchens (where he enjoyed a very nice breakfast with plenty of coffee) and up to the tower without being noticed. At the portrait of the Fat Lady, he removed his Cloak and prepared to face the music. “Unicorn’s tail,” he gave the password and the portrait door swung open. Climbing inside, he looked warily around the common room.

“Harry!” Katie jumped up and rushed over to him, hugging him hard. “I’m so glad you and Draco are all right. When Blaise told me…well, needless to say, I was shocked! How is Draco now? Is he still in the infirmary?”

Harry smiled at Katie’s welcome. “Thanks, Katie. Yeah, he’s actually still asleep, but Pomfrey says he’ll be fine. I never thought I’d be saying it, but thank the gods for Snape!”

Hermione and Ron approached Harry and Katie before Harry could wrangle Katie’s help at helping him escape up to his dormitory. He closed his eyes briefly, then turned to face them.

“Harry, we need to talk to you—now.” Hermione said, her tone and expression brooking no argument.

Harry nodded. “Yeah. Look, let’s go somewhere a bit more…private, shall we? I’d rather not have you shouting at me here in the common room.”

Hermione sniffed but nodded. Ron suggested going out by the lake since the weather was so unusually nice and the trio prepared to leave.

“Oy, Harry!” Seamus called from his seat on the couch. “Where do you think you’re going? You can’t go running off with those two and leave the rest of us hanging! There’s some very juicy gossip we’re all dying to talk about!” He grinned impishly at Harry and winked.

Harry hesitated, not sure what to say. Katie stepped in to rescue him. “Harry, do you want me to tell them? Just about what happened yesterday, I mean? Blaise gave me all the details, I think.”

Harry looked at her gratefully. “Yeah, thanks, Katie, that’d be brilliant. And since I know they are going to ask, you can tell them about me and Draco. Just—keep it simple. Draco’s not following Voldemort and the two of us are together. That’s all they need to know.”

Katie squeezed his arm and gave him a kiss on the cheek. “Good luck,” she whispered in his ear.

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Spreading out the blanket Hermione had thought to bring, the trio settled on the brown grass covering one of the sloped banks of the lake. Harry held up a hand to forestall Hermione before she could launch into a diatribe.

“I think it would be best if you’d give me the chance to explain everything before you start making accusations and asking questions. I promise, I’ll tell you everything I can, but please, just hear me out first, all right?” He watched Ron’s and Hermione’s faces closely as he waited for their response.

“Yeah, all right,” Ron said. “All right with you, ‘Mione?”

Hermione nodded, but said, “I want to hear everything, Harry.”

“I’ll tell you everything I can,” Harry repeated, again holding up a hand in anticipation of Hermione’s objection. “There are some things that aren’t my place to reveal, Hermione. Things I promised to keep secret. I won’t break those promises, but I’ll tell you everything else.”

“Go on then, mate,” Ron encouraged him. He knew Harry well enough to know that when Harry made a promise to keep a secret, he kept it, and there was no use arguing with him.

So Harry launched into the story of how he’d come to be with Draco—starting with the truce he’d made with Draco for DADA class and his growing attraction to the blond, before revealing that he’d been the one to kill Lucius Malfoy with the Silver Shield spell Draco had taught him.

Ron and Hermione were shocked and couldn’t stop themselves from asking Harry for more details about the duel. Harry patiently told them all about it and assured them that he was handling it fine and wasn’t feeling guilty.

“But the important thing is, it was the spell Draco taught me that saved my life. If he hadn’t taught me that spell, I’d probably be dead,” Harry said, stressing Draco’s positive role.

“Well, it’s not like he knew you were going to use it against his father, you know,” Ron countered. “I mean, I’m glad he taught it to you, but it’s just a coincidence—a really lucky one—that the spell Malfoy taught you was the one you used against Lucius.”

“But he did know,” Harry said, then mentally kicked himself. He hadn’t meant to say anything about Draco’s visions. He didn’t know if Draco wanted him telling that to Ron and Hermione.

“What? How?” Ron demanded.

“Uh…well, I can’t tell you that,” he lifted his voice to be heard over Hermione’s and Ron’s complaints. “There are some things that I just can’t tell you—things that affect other people and that I promised to keep quiet about. So—just trust me when I say that Draco knew that teaching me the Silver Shield Spell would protect me from Lucius.

“Now, if you’ll let me continue, I think you’ll understand things a bit more clearly once I tell you this next bit.”

Harry went on to explain how he’d snuck into Dumbledore’s office on the first day of term (Hermione looked appalled) and heard Draco telling the headmaster that he wanted to join the Light; how Dumbledore had caught him; how Dumbledore had modified his memory; and how he hadn’t remembered anything about the incident until he’d killed Lucius. Ron and Hermione looked stunned by this news.

“So, after that, I knew for a fact that Draco was on our side—and had been since school had started. He swore an oath of loyalty to the Order and the side of Light under Veritaserum. When I came back to Hogwarts after Christmas, I asked Draco to meet with me. I told him everything. To be honest, I really expected him to be furious with me—after all, I was the reason his father was dead—but he wasn’t angry at all. He actually thanked me for getting rid of Lucius. Remember when I told you about seeing Draco spit in his father’s grave? I guess you could say Draco didn’t really get along with Lucius the way we all thought he did. Anyway, it was after that conversation that we, um, got together.”

“So, you’ve been seeing him—secretly—for almost a month?” Hermione asked.

“Yeah, I guess so. Seems longer,” Harry smiled.

“Well, I guess it’s nice to know my suspicions were correct,” Ron said.

“What suspicions?” Harry and Hermione asked simultaneously.

“Well, that Harry was seeing someone on the sly—and that the person he was seeing was Malfoy,” Ron explained.

“What?” Harry sputtered. “How in the world did you come up with that?”

Ron looked smug. “Well, the first clue was that big, fat love bite on the back of your neck a coupla weeks ago, mate. You really need to learn to cover that kind of thing with a glamour, you know.” Harry blushed as Ron continued. “So I figured you were seeing someone that you didn’t want anyone to know about. Once I started looking for more signs—and there were plenty—I knew I was right. But I didn’t cotton on to it being Malfoy until I heard you say his name in your sleep the other night. Or I should say, heard you moan his name in your sleep,” Ron smirked as Harry’s face grew even redder.

“What were you doing spying on me while I was asleep?” Harry asked indignantly.

“I wasn’t spying. I heard you mumbling and talking in your sleep and I thought you were having a nightmare. So I went over to your bed to check on you. And it, uh, sounded like whatever you were dreaming about wasn’t quite the nightmare to you that it would be to me!” Ron replied, laughing.

Harry laughed too, though his face was still red with embarrassment. “So, um, does this mean that you’re…all right with me and Draco?”

Ron sobered quickly. “To be honest, I’m still not sure. I mean, are we supposed to just forget everything Malfoy’s done to us in the past?”

“Exactly,” Hermione said, jumping back into the conversation. “He’s been horrible to you, to Ron and his family, to me for years. Think about everything he’s done—insulting us, getting you both in trouble, fighting, hexing, working for that old toad on the Inquisitorial Squad, trying to get Hagrid fired and Buckbeak killed, conspiring with that horrible Skeeter woman—”

“Dressing up like a Dementor in hopes of making Harry fall off his broom during a Quidditch match…” Harry, Ron and Hermione whirled around, startled. They’d been so intent on their conversation, they hadn’t heard anyone approach.

“Sorry,” Draco drawled. “I couldn’t help but overhear.”

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A/N: Ah…a mild cliffhanger. Thanks for all of the great reviews, comments and questions!

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