Rescued

They were slow walking, holding hands and enjoying each other’s company, but when they finally arrived at the gargoyle and Harry muttered the password, they were surprised to not only find Snape and Dumbledore, but Magalagall as well. Apparently she had taken the Gryffindors’ attack on Draco personally.

“Thank you for joining us, gentlemen. As you can see everyone is quite upset over the recent events,” Dumbledore said quietly. The twinkle was all but gone from his eyes and he was looking very old and tired.

“Yes,” Snape sneered, “We wouldn’t want to let little Gryffindors get away with almost killing someone now would we, Headmaster?”

Albus sighed and nodded, “I deserved that one, Severus, but I’m trying to rectify the mistakes I made so long ago.” He turned to the two young men, “Now, we have waited until you were ready to join us to discuss their punishment. We all feel that you should have a say in what happens to them,” he leveled a firm gaze at all present, “So, let’s decide.”

Dumbledore shuffled some pieces of parchment as everyone took their seats then finally looked up, “As I am told to believe, it was Mr. Weasley who caused the most damage, though I still think they should all be punished, and Miss Granger is the one who organized the whole charade,” Professor McGonagall gasped at his words the he continued, “I believe expulsion at least is in order, and I strongly suggest that you, Draco, press charges. We’re all aware of the Wizarding Laws regarding assault…”

Harry cleared his throat, “Erm, actually Headmaster, I’m not.”

Snape snorted and Harry shot him a glare then continued, “You know I grew up with muggles and from the way you’re talking the laws for assault are different in the two worlds, Muggle and Wizarding. So, can someone please explain it to me?”

Severus rolled his eyes, “Yes, let us explain everything to young Mr. Potter,” he turned to Harry, “It is more than just illegal to attack a witch or wizard because they are, in fact, magical beings. By attacking one without magic it is considered a high offence and generally punishable by death. There are reasons why duels have so many rules and formalities; that is one. A physical attack is considered a forfeit in a duel. You can, and should, get sent to Azkaban for such a thing.”

Harry was chewing his lip and looking as if he was concentrating very hard, “Oh. Well, that explains it. So, what do we do now? I’m all for their expulsion, and though I think Azkaban is a bit much, I do think that they should be punished further.”

The blonde had been sitting there looking paler by the moment during the whole description. Even though he already knew the law it was still hard to hear that it was his fault these punishments were being given to someone. “I don’t know if I want that to happen, Sir,” he said quietly.

More than one set of eyes, all shocked, turned to him. But before any of the professors, especially Snape who would just make it worse, could say anything, Harry got to his knees in front of Draco and took his hands, saying to him softly, “Love, this has to be done. None of this is your fault. They knew better, and they knew right from wrong. They chose to ignore the right choice to try and hurt not only you, but me as well. I can’t let them get away with this, and neither should you. They were supposed to be my friends, but obviously they never were if they could betray me like that. If you don’t press charges, I will.”

Draco just nodded and leaned his forehead against the other’s and was surprised when he felt soft lips pressing to his in comfort, “We’ll get through this together, Draco, the two of us. And no one will hurt you again. I won’t let them.”

He nodded again and lifted his gaze to the other people in the room, his voice quiet and soft when he spoke, “Well, let’s do this. What can we do that’s just as much of a punishment as Azkaban but not as harsh?”

Snape snorted again, and before he could stop himself, actually answered, “Give them to your father.” He realized it was the wrong thing to say when Draco gasped and Harry shot him a nasty look that he almost envied; it could give his glare a run for its money. “Ok, I admit that shouldn’t have been said, but for your information, Mr. Potter, I’m not, nor have I been for quite some time, in a relationship with Lucius Malfoy. That ended many years ago and as you so eloquently pointed out the day you brought Draco in from the tower I was not, and I quote, ‘Too busy fucking is father to notice’. So kindly refrain from thinking that I value my own life over Mr. Malfoy’s, because I spent many nights saving both your asses whilst risking my own. In more ways than one, thank you.”

Draco blinked a few times, shocked at what this professor said, “You actually said that to him, Harry?” The Gryffindor nodded, “Well, I knew he used to be involved with Lucius, and I also knew it was over. He was busy doing things to right his life, I’m sure. I don’t blame him,” Draco laughed a little, “That is funny, though; accusing him of fucking my father and being so wrapped up in it that he wasn’t paying attention to my needs.” The blonde laughed, but it was almost nervous laughter, the laughter of someone who was too afraid to really laugh. Someone who thought that what they were laughing at just might be true, but they were in denial.

It was then that Severus got up from his chair and knelt beside Harry in front of Draco, “No, Draco, I was more concerned with getting everyone and everything back to some semblance of normal. I should have seen, and I’m glad Harry did,” he turned to look at Harry who had an eyebrow raised in a fair imitation of him and was looking at him funny; “It seems I owe you an apology. You are more than an icon, so much more than The Boy Whved,ved, and you deserve to be happy. I’m glad it was you that found him, it seems only you can save him from himself and the world at large.” The Potions Master then stood, leaned in to kiss the blonde’s forehead, nodded to the headmaster and Professor McGonagall, and left the office to go down to his dungeon chambers and think long and hard about all the mistakes he had made in his life.

The meeting wound to an end with them all deciding that they would sleep tonight and think on a suitable punishment for the five students then have a meeting the following day to discuss what they had come up with. As the two young men walked to their chambers, they thought they heard an anguished cry from Snape’s rooms, but passe off off as nothing. What they didn’t know…