How to Save a Life

After leaving Gringotts Harry made his way with all speed in the direction of Weasley’s Wizarding Wheezes. The conversation with Malfoy had left him feeling more than a little confused.

That they had managed to hold a civilised, albeit brief, conversation struck him as a little more than bizarre. It was the first time Harry had laid eyes on the blonde boy since the final battle when they had been on opposing sides of the war.

He had to admit to thinking about Malfoy quite a bit over the last few days, ever since McGonagall had said he would be returning to Hogwarts. Harry had been trying to prepare himself for his first peace time encounter with the boy, wondering how they would react to each other now that the fighting was done.

Harry had long since let go of his hatred of his one time rival, ever since he had seen visions of what he had undergone at Voldemorts hand. Not that Malfoy was innocent by any means but Harry understood that there was more to his nemesis than a one dimensional villain. Although he hadn’t attempted to persuade Ron or even Hermione of this fact yet.

George was watching out of the door for his arrival and seeing this Harry quickened his pace with a genuine smile on his face.
A bell tinkled as the red head exited his shop and walked to meet Harry.

“I thought we could go for a drink and some lunch” he stated.

Looking at his watch Harry laughed at his friend:

“Its 11 o’clock George!”

“Well that’s as good a time as any. Come on!”
With that he tugged on Harry sleeve and pulled him in the direction of the Leaky Cauldron.

Harry looked up as George dumped two butterbeers on the table between them.

“So how’s everything going with the shop?”

George took a sip from his bottle and shrugged his shoulders.

“Honestly, it’s not easy. I keep expecting to see... well you know”

He tailed off and took another deep gulp of his drink. Harry reached over the table and covered the pale freckled hand with his own tanned one. Unable to think of anything helpful or appropriate to say he just settled for giving his friends hand a gentle squeeze and was rewarded by a weak smile.

“I knew it wasn’t going to be easy but I guess the reality is so much harder. It’s not too bad in the day as the shop keeps me busy. But being in that flat on my own gives me too much time to think and there is so much there to remind me of what I’ve lost.”

Unable to offer comforting words, Harry did the next best thing he could think off.

“How about if I stopped over tonight? You could use the company and God knows, as much as I love your family, I could do with a little space.”

Seeing the look on Georges face he added quickly
“I’m quite happy sleeping on the sofa. You’re looking at a boy who slept in a cupboard for 11 years!”

George nodded gratefully, relieved that Harry had understood his concern without him actually having to voice it.

“Thanks mate that would be great, maybe we could go out or something? I’m sure we could both stand to unwind a little. Sorry about the sofa, I know it’s stupid but it would just feel wrong somehow.”

Harry smiled and pressed his hand again.

“You can stop with the puppy dog eyes now George. It’s not stupid and there’s nothing to apologise for. Maybe we could try going into muggle London? At least that way we will be left alone.”

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Harry and George were on their 3rd butterbeer by the time Ron and Hermione came over to meet them. The frizzy haired witch smiled at her two friends but the younger red headed boy looked too choked with rage to speak.

George turned an amused face to his younger brother.

“What’s up Ronniekins? You seem a little tense!”

Harry suppressed a snigger at this understatement but a glare from Ron indicated he had not been as discreet as he thought.

“Malfoy!” Ron spat out

He opened his mouth again to continue on a rant but Hermione placed a calming hand on his arm and pulled him into a seat.

“We just saw him in Flourish & Botts” she offered by way of an explanation.

Unable to restrain himself any longer Ron burst out:

“Can you believe it Harry, McGonagall is letting that bastard back into Hogwarts! After everything he did.”

Harry met his angry friend’s indignant stare and nodded slowly:

“Yeah, she did mention something about it the other day when she came round to the Burrow. She said there were quite a few Slytherins coming back in fact.”

Ron spluttered at this and Hermione looked at Harry with surprise. George however was leaning back in his seat smirking wildly as he waited for fireworks.

“You knew? And you didn’t think to mention it. McGonagall must be bonkers to let murdering scum like him back in.”

Harry sighed, he had really wanted to avoid having this conversation with Ron and it stuck in his throat that he was about to defend his enemy but he figured if he didn’t do this now it was going to be a long year.

“C’mon Ron he’s not a murderer and you know it. He wasn’t even charged at the end of the war never mind convicted of anything.”

Seeing the horror and outrage in his friends eyes Harry continued quickly.

“Yes I know he was a complete bastard at school and I’m not saying he isn’t still one. But the war changed a lot of people Ron and I’m just saying he may be one of them. I bumped into him in Gringotts earlier and he was surprisingly civil. It’s not like I want to be friends with him it’s just I want one year at school where no one is trying to kill me and I don’t have to spend every spare moment obsessing about what Draco bloody Malfoy is going to do or say to us next.”

Hermione nodded thoughtfully at this,

“You may have a point Harry. Obviously we can’t be friends with him but it would certainly benefit us all if we could reach some kind of ceasefire. Besides I would think most of the returning Slytherins will keep a fairly low profile after last year. Some of the other students will have long memories and I imagine there will be quite a few out for revenge if they can get it.”

“Bloody good job if you ask me, it’s about time those evil snakes got what was coming to them” Ron ranted.

George stood up at this point to inquire if anyone wanted another drink which Harry accepted with relief. Hermione dragged Ron to his feet and explained they still had shopping to do. Harry explained to them that he would be stopping at George’s flat that night instead of returning to the Burrow and that he would see them the next day. As he watched them leave the pub he could distinctly make out the words ‘bloody Malfoy’ and saw Hermione give Ron a disapproving slap on the arm.

Chuckling to himself Harry turned back to George who had by now returned from the bar with replacement drinks.

“Thank God for that” Harry sighed.
“I thought that was going to get messy there for a minute. I’m sure I’ll still catch it tomorrow when I get back. “

George sipped his drink thoughtfully:

“Ron’s never been one for calm reflection but he’ll calm down eventually.”

Harry quirked an eyebrow in his companions direction
“You have met your brother right? Red hair, freckles, temper like an active volcano!”

“Yeah well, you may have a point there mate. Just as well you’re not going back tonight I reckon.”

A short time later and the two friends went their separate ways - George back to his shop and Harry to brave the shops.

As he made his way towards Madam Malkins Harry kept his eyes open for any familiar faces and was soon rewarded by the sight of Seamus’s grinning mug coming towards him.

“Harry mate, how you doing?”

“Hey Seamus! I’m not too bad, just trying to get myself sorted for school. I take it you’re going back too?”

“Yep sure am. My mum would’ve made me even if I had said no. Besides I spent most of last term shut up in the room of requirement and even before that those Carrow’s weren’t exactly big on the learning you know?”

Harry nodded, his grin fading slightly at the reminder of what his classmates had been forced to endure the previous year. The all too familiar prickle of guilt began to creep over him.

“I heard from Neville and he’s coming back and I presume Dean will be?”

Seamus nodded at this

“Yeah Dean’s coming. He’s around somewhere; I’m just giving him and Luna some time alone!”

Harry’s eyebrows shot up at this piece of news.

“Dean and Luna? Wow didn’t see that one coming. Mind you I suppose then did spend a lot of time together at Bill and Fleur’s.”

By now they had reached the door of Madam Malkins and Harry made his farewells to the Irish boy.

“See you in a weeks time Harry. I can’t wait to get back!”

Harry nodded and smiled

“Yeah see you then” he said though he was unable to echo his friend’s eagerness to return.

Several hours later a very stressed out ‘Boy Who Lived’ made his way back to Weasleys Wizarding Wheezes. George took one look at his face and sent him straight up to the flat with strict instructions to ‘Relax for God’s sake!’

........................................................

Draco was relieved when they left Eeylops Owl Emporium where they had purchased a rather proud looking tawny owl for Blaise. This was the last shop on Aurora Zabini’s list and shopping was all done. Draco reflected that it had been a relatively pleasant day all things considered. Even the run in with the Weasel and the mud.... Granger hadn’t been too bad. The Weasel had made some fairly standard comment about Death Eater scum. Granger had been scolding him for it when Mrs Zabini had walked over and placing a hand on Draco’s back she had steered him away from the confrontation.

Then of course there had been his meeting with Potter which would no doubt add further fuel to Draco’s nightly imaginings. That had been strange Draco mused and would bear further thought, however right now he was due at St Mungo’s to collect Pansy. So he took his leave of Blaise and his mother and stepped in to the Leaky Cauldrons floo.

Pansy Parkinson had been in St Mungo’s since May, pretty much since the end of the war when she had suffered a kind of breakdown. Pansy’s parents, although purebloods, were not supporters of Voldemorts methods. When her father had refused the invitation to become a Death Eater her mother had been killed as a form of gentle persuasion.

Her father had then reluctantly taken the dark mark to protect his daughter but he had no real heart for the killing. When the Slytherins had left Hogwarts on the eve of the final battle, Mr Parkinson had sought out his daughter and attempted to flee to safety with her. Unfortunately they had been caught by several fellow death eaters one of whom had then raped Pansy before killing her father as a traitor.

The breakdown that swiftly followed led to her admission to St Mungo’s where she had remained unconscious for several weeks. She had been under going intensive therapy (a muggle idea they were trying out) along with several traditional wizarding remedies for her physical ailments. Finally after nearly 4 months they had deemed her fit to return home.

Draco had always been fond of Pansy despite her rather annoying whining and constant refusal to accept his homosexuality. They had been friends since childhood and when on one of his visits she had expressed fear about returning alone to her old home Draco had immediately extended an indefinite invitation to Malfoy Manor.

This was why Draco now found himself making his way up to the 4th floor of the hospital to collect her. He found Pansy sitting nervously on a chair waiting for him when he arrived. He took in her appearance from a distance and barely recognised her from the girl he had grown up with. She had become very thin, her eyes were sunken and shadowed and her hair hung limp and lifeless. He could see even at this distance how nervy she had become, Draco was one of very few people who she would allow to touch her. She stood up to greet him and allowed herself to be enveloped in a gentle hug.

“I though you weren’t coming” she whispered.

Draco pulled back from their embrace and smiled at the nervous girl.

“Sorry am I late? Blaise has spent the best part of the day dragging me round shops in Diagon Alley.”

He then wrapped an arm round her thin frame before adding
“C’mon lets get you home.”

When they got back to the Manor Narcissa took one look at Pansy before gently leading her upstairs with instructions for her to take a nice bath and then curl up in bed. Seeing the girl settled into her room she returned downstairs to her son.

Draco saw a familiar look in his mother’s eyes and decided to kill the conversation off before it even started.

“For the last time mother I am gay. I am not in love with Pansy nor am I ever likely to be – she is just a very good friend. Now for the love of God will you just let it go?”

“Really Draco there is no need to be so dramatic. I am fully aware of your ‘orientation’ and I’m sorry if I have ever given you cause to think that I don’t accept you. Now tell me how your day was?”

Draco smiled at his mother’s swift change of topic but decided to let it go.

“It was not too bad mother. It was great to catch up with Blaise and I really didn’t have any trouble at all. Though I did run into The Chosen One himself.”

Narcissa gasped slightly, a sinking feeling taking hold in her stomach:

“Please tell me you did not brawl with him like a common muggle? Not again Draco, not with Harry Potter!”

Draco sniffed at this and turned a patented Malfoy sneer onto her.

“On the contrary mother, we were perfectly civil to each other”

Narcissa smiled warmly at her son at this piece of information.

“You are a very smart young man. Befriending Harry Potter would be one of the fastest ways to bring the prestige back to the Malfoy name.”

Draco spluttered at this,
“Hang on mother! All I said was that we were civil. I certainly have no intention of becoming friends with the git!”

Narcissa simply gave her son a knowing smile and made her way into the dining room. Draco suppressed a slight feeling of panic and followed on after his mother.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Harry smiled to himself as George wrapped an arm around his waist. To keep Harry steady George explained. But Harry knew that really George was just as drunk as he was and that gravity was becoming an issue for them both.

They had spent the evening in muggle London which to Harry’s relief had been completely free of the unwanted attention that he usually received when he ventured out.

It wasn’t that Harry didn’t appreciate people’s gratitude but it did get more than a little overwhelming at times. Lost in his thoughts Harry stumbled slightly and George tightened the arm round his waist and snickered.

“You my friend are drunk. It’s a good job I can handle my alcohol enough to look after you. We can’t have the saviour of the wizarding world wandering drunk round Diagon Alley. People would take all sorts of advantage of you.”

The slur of George’s words belied his claim to sobriety. But curious stares from passers by who whispered and pointed did give some credence to George’s words. Harry was relieved when they reached the door to the flat. He leaned against the wall whilst George fumbled with the key.

Harry went slowly up the stairs, Georges hands placed firmly on his back propelling him forward. Once inside Harry headed automatically for the sofa and collapsed. Laughing at his friend George disappeared into his bedroom and returned bearing a pair of very bright green pyjamas

“Here you can have these!” he chucked them onto the sofa.

Harry took one look at them and clutched at his face in mock agony.

“Oh my eyes, my eyes!”

Slowly he peeped through his fingers and smiled sheepishly at George

“Sorry mate but only you would have clothes this bright!”

“Shut up and go to sleep you drunken fool!”

George grinned and placed a small bottle on the table at the side of the sofa. Harry looked at him hopefully;
“Hangover potion?”

George nodded and reached out a hand to ruffle Harry’s hair.

“Now go to sleep. Mum will kill me if you go back tomorrow looking like shit!”

Harry nodded at the truth in this statement. He stood up and began pulling his jumper off over his head and George’s eyes lingered for just a moment on the smooth tanned skin of Harry’s stomach. Then, shaking his head, he retreated to the safety of his room.

Harry wasn’t sure how long he had been asleep. Though judging from how dark it still was; he figured it couldn’t have been long.

Looking round nervously it took a moment for him to recognise his surroundings. Then he heard the noise again coming from George’s room. Harry felt the hair on the back of his neck stand up as he reached for his wand and muttered a quiet:
“Lumos.”

In the soft glow Harry made his way to George’s room. His hand hesitated on the door knob but a muffled cry from within had Harry through the door instantly.

What he had expected to find he couldn’t quite say. But when his eyes took in Georges shaking body, curled in on itself and wracked with heartbreaking sobs, Harry was more shocked than he had ever been.

Without a though he swiftly made his way to the bed and sat at George’s side. At the shift of weight on the mattress George turned wide eyes to him in shock.

“Harry” he choked out.

Harry reached out his hand and placed it on George’s shoulder, stroking gently.

“Shhh, its ok” he murmured, not sure what else to say.

Before Harry had time to think further he found himself with an armful of sobbing red head. He wrapped his arms tight round his friend, his fingers tracing circles on Georges back. Fighting to keep the tears from his own eyes as he rocked George slightly trying to sooth the distressed man.

Harry wasn’t sure how long they sat like that for but eventually George calmed himself. He pulled back slightly from Harry’s embrace and looked into the green eyes of his friend.

“Sorry about that, must be the alcohol affecting me.”

Harry shivered slightly, their faces were so close that he felt George’s breath ghost across his face. Before he knew what he was doing he had reached out a hand and was wiping the tears of Georges face with his thumb.

“You don’t have anything to apologise for. I’m just glad I was here.”

Blue eyes stared into green ones as their faces drew ever nearer.

“So am I Harry” George whispered.

Harry thought he was dreaming when he first felt the brush of George’s lips on his own. But the feel of hands running through his messy hair confirmed that it was real. He tensed in shock for a moment but relented when he felt his friends tear stained face against his own.

It was just a kiss Harry rationalised; it wouldn’t do any harm and if it made George feel better then he could do it. He deliberately ignored the quiet voice at the back of his mind that suggested the feel of another mans lips on his own was very pleasant. Nor did he pay any attention to the way his pyjama pants suddenly felt rather tight. He simply gave himself to Georges embrace.

Overwhelmed by the sensations coursing through his body, Harry did not notice George’s hands unbuttoning his top and was only vaguely aware of it being slid off his body.

Gentle hands pushed Harry down on to the mattress before caressing the smooth skin of his bare chest. He felt Georges tongue run along his bottom lip, seeking entrance. Without hesitation Harry parted his lips and revelled in the feel of George’s tongue exploring his mouth.

Harry felt a moment of shock when he realised that George was now on top of him, settled between his open legs. Any fear he felt soon disappeared when George began to move. He could feel the hardness of his friend’s erection pressing against his own and the feeling was so delicious that Harry arched his back slightly and let a groan escape his lips.

George’s lips trailed down Harry’s neck and rocked his body against him. Harry bit down hard on his lip to prevent a whimper escaping them; he couldn’t stop himself from grinding his hips against George though.

George laughed and crushed their lips together once more. He broke away shortly after and trailed his lips down Harry’s chest, flicking his tongue over sensitive nipples. Harry gasped as he felt George graze his teeth over them, biting gently. At the same time, George rotated his hips forcefully against Harry’s erection, causing even more glorious friction. They moved against each other again and again, their breath hot on each other's faces.

Finally after several minutes of frantic thrusting; George lowered his head and biting down on Harry’s neck he came hard. Harry’s eyes widened as George slumped against him trying to regain his control. He felt the loss of friction keenly and was only to aware of his still hard cock.

He tried to tell himself that it didn’t matter, that this had all been about George. He had just been helping his friend out; this didn’t mean that he liked blokes or anything. Harry lay back against the pillows willing his now painful erection to disappear.

Suddenly he felt George’s weight shift off him. He turned his head and saw his friend lying on his side smiling up at him. Harry opened his mouth to say something but before he could; George laid a finger on his lips.

“Shhh, just relax. Let me look after you now.”

With that he hooked his fingers under the waistband of Harry’s pyjamas and began to tug them down over his hips. George reached out and traced the tips of his fingers along Harry’s shaft; his thumb rubbing precum down the length of his cock.

Harry closed his eyes tight and surrendered to the feeling as George’s hand wrapped round his aching shaft and began to stroke firmly. Harry knew it wouldn’t take much more to push him over the edge. George increased the pace of his strokes and with a quiet cry; Harry came hard, his cum covering his friends hand and landing on his own heaving chest.

He felt a shift on the bed and turning to his side he watched as George pulled his wand from under to pillows and cast a charm to clean them both up.

Harry wasn’t quite sure what to say now; he had never been in this situation with a girl, let alone another bloke. The haze of arousal that had clouded his brain had now cleared and he was painfully aware that he was lying virtually naked in bed with one of his closest male friends and they had just got each other off.

He nervously reached down and began to tug his pyjamas back up. That done; he turned nervously to George, unsure how to handle this new development. But before he could formulate the words he felt George’s lips on his again.

“You don’t have to say anything Harry. Let’s just go to sleep.”

With that he wrapped an arm loosely round Harry’s waist and closed his eyes. Harry lay staring at the ceiling for a short while longer before finally giving into temptation and burrowing down into the warmth at the side of George’s body.


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