A Gilded Cage

Harry woke up the following morning to the pecking of owl beaks against glass. Draco was still laying in his bed, Harry had simply turned a chair into a sort of futon. With a sigh he stood up and opened the balcony doors. A flurry of feathers entered the room and the annoying animals settled where ever they pleased. Harry stared at them, unsure of where to begin. But the decision was made for him when something small smacked him in the back of the head.

He turned in time to see a ball of feathers hit the ground and roll around. He could only grin at the small owl. He noticed, as he bent to pick up Ron’s owl, that the sun had barely risen. News traveled fast it seemed. He removed the letter from the owl, who then fluttered around before settling close to Draco’s head on the bed. He stared for a moment, mostly at Draco then began to remove the letters from the different owls.

Most of the owls fluttered back out the doors, others were waiting for reply letters. A few howlers, were contained in the pile, and Harry had no doubt they were from disturbed fan girls. He sighed and without thinking of Draco opened the first. It was several voices at once screaming about how Harry Potter ‘couldn’t possible be gay’ and ‘Draco Malfoy had to have cast a dark spell on him’. It went on for nearly ten minutes before it ripped itself up. Harry stared at the pile of ashes until Draco’s pained voice reached him,

“What the bloody hell was that?” he asked holding his head in his hands. He was slowly taking in where he was and when he realized exactly where he was he looked at Harry. He stared for a long moment before standing the heading into a room to one side, the bathroom, Harry had found out the previous evening.

Harry opened a new howler when Draco returned an empty vile in his hand. They both listened to yet another raving, this time a single now brokenhearted girl. It ended quicker than the other and Harry sighed,

“Sorry I forgot about the…” Draco waved his hand in a dismissive fashion,

“So now.. What happened? I suppose I imbibed too much alcohol, but that’s all I remember.” he confessed and Harry gathered the other letters and sat on the futon,

“You… came in looking for something for your daughter. And when you went to leave… you tripped and well I went to help you and we ended up a pile on the floor.” he looked through the items which included the prophet which he tossed over to Draco. He unrolled it and for a moment seemed unable to comprehend what he was staring at.

He looked at Harry then back at the prophet, his face suddenly turned a bright red. He stood, then sat down again, then stood yet again,

“Harry I’m.. sorry.” he said simply unable to think of anything else to say. What do you say to a man who’s life you had essentially ruined. When Harry didn’t say anything he looked at him,

“Harry?” Draco tried to get the boys attention. He seemed to be in between chuckling and crying. He took a step towards Harry who looked up and wiped a few tears from his eyes,

“Sorry Draco. Ron and Mione’s letter. And don’t worry about it. It was due to come out sometime.” he said with a shrug, “Admittedly not the way I wanted but…” he glanced back to Draco who was sitting, staring wide eyed at Harry,

“Umm Draco? You ok?” he asked setting the letter aside and watching the man sit heavily onto the bed,

“Yes… I just didn’t realize that you were… actually…” he rubbed the back of his neck. Harry smirked,

“Does this mean I’m getting kicked out?” he asked with a hint of hope but Draco answered quickly,

“No!” he yelled which startled them both, “I’m sorry.” He stood, “I should… go face my wife.” he muttered the blush that had painted his cheeks had returned with a vengeance,

“I can have breakfast sent to you if you’d like.” Draco said and Harry nodded with a smile. Draco nodded stiffly and walked out dreading the conflict that was about to occur.

Harry watched him leave and then picked up his best friends letter to reread it.

Dear Harry,

Harry James Potter it’s about DAMN time! I knew you’d tell us in time, but I didn’t imagine it would take you that long!

Harry could only imagine when Hermione had figured out his sexuality. Probably before he, himself had figured it out. She was too bright.

But it’s alright it’s out in the open now. It explains a lot about Ginny. I think she unconsciously knew anyway. Just remember that Ron and I support you fully. And Ron’s mother understands as well. (She has grandchildren and that’s all she cares about really). You’ll always be a son to her Harry. And you will always be our best friend. Write us soon Harry. We love you.

Hermione

Harry felt tears in his eyes again but the last part was what made him laugh. It was obviously an add on by Ron when Hermione wasn’t paying attention.

P.S
Why did it have to be MALFOY?

Ron would have the problem with it being Malfoy and not him being gay. He shook his head and pulled out his own parchment to write a letter back. He reassured Ron first that he wasn’t with Malfoy, it had just been an odd situation and he was pretty sure someone on Pansy’s payroll was behind it. It only took a few moments to tell them everything and that he would visit them when he could.

When breakfast arrived, it came with an unwelcome guest. Pansy Malfoy entered the room with a copy of the prophet in her hand and a sneer on her face,

“Mr. Potter, it seems you’re having a bit bad press…” she smiled and Harry stood stretching,

“Nah. It’s actually better. I don’t have to continue to hide this way.” he said smiling sweetly. Pansy narrowed her eyes as Harry moved towards his breakfast,

“Oh and Mrs. Malfoy? Your playing with something you don’t understand. Continue to meddle in my life, threaten my life and we will have problems.” he said giving the woman a cold look, that would have made Severus Snape proud.

He picked up a piece of bacon, “I don’t know what your planning, but since you seem to want to involve me you won’t succeed. I’ve faced much smarter opponents.” he smirked at the now shaking woman, “Have a wonderful day Mrs. Malfoy.” Harry said turning his back on the woman.

It only took Pansy a second to draw her wand, and even less time for Harry to react and use a disarming spell. He stared at her as she once again picked up her wand and stomped away.

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Draco was the next to face Pansy wrath and she had set up quite a little act. It took a moment of conjuring fake tears before she walked into her husbands study,

“How could you?!” she yelled the tears ruining her makeup. Draco looked up, a bit startled,

“Pansy I-” he began but she cut him off with a great sob,

“How long have you been with him.” she asked turning away from him as if he had hurt her so much that she could not stand to look at him. Draco was simply baffled. He thought, while she would be angry it was in the papers, would not care. They were married yes but there was no real love between them. Or so he had thought. Had Pansy really cared for him? He wasn’t sure,

“Pansy… dear.” he began, though the words left a bitter taste in his mouth, “I have no been with Harry. That was simply an…” he stopped as she turned away again her shoulders shaking with tears or so Draco thought.

Pansy had been unable to keep a straight face. The laughter shook her. Draco was indeed pathetic. He had never felt any feelings for her. They had been friends once, but that changed for Pansy when he had actually enjoyed his job. He was becoming weak.

And Scorpius was turning out just like his father. Weak. That was one reason that the boy would follow his father in death. She would play the grieving mother and wife and Blaise would play the grieving friends and comforter. It was a wonderful plan. If only Potter hadn’t become involved. She would still succeed, but it would take a bit more planning.

Draco embraced Pansy,

“I have not been having an affair Pansy. I would not dishonor my family like that.” He reassured her. She fixed back on her mask and turned in his arms to face him,

“You promise?” she asked with a sniff. Draco nodded and they embraced. Draco never suspecting his wife of treachery.


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A/N: so yeah. I was sick. that’s my excuse… yup. I wrote the Pansy bit in my criminology class, so that’s the excuse for that. The next chappie might have some more attempted-murder things. ^.^; It’s obvious why I’m a student of criminology. I enjoy the bad guy getting caught too much. Please REVIEW!

Thrnbrooke: thanks for reviewing. ^-^ Pansy didn’t.

Paigeey07: *hands more s’mores* there ya go thanks for reviewing.