The Right Choice

A/N The original version of this chapter I can't even remember writing, screws up the plot line and was terribly written. This editing thing is like looking back at old school photos, looking at your hairstyle and screaming 'What was I thinking!!'


Draco had fallen asleep on Harry’s shoulder, his injuries and exhaustion catching up with him. His body needed time and strength to heal, both of which were lacking at the moment. At least Draco’s magic hadn’t deserted him, the swollen eye was already noticeably better and the bruises on his cheeks had faded away to red patches. His body would, hopefully, also heal just as fast but it had taken more than his face, the slashing hexes had been particularly deep and had only just stopped bleeding and from the look of the bruising some of his robs might be cracked.

Harry couldn’t stop looking at him. He tried to switch off his brain and not think about the future, just focus on the man in his arms. He had wanted to be back here since the moment he had last left and now he was. Perhaps Draco was right, perhaps they would be left alone to be happy and he could have a family and a home. All he had to do was forget, forget all his friends who had died, forget his parents. He wondered what they would want him to do, would they want him to live and be happy or continue to fight for a lost cause until he joined them in death, and he knew he would, eventually. Harry looked away, trying to stop tears again, he was turning into a complete wimp, crying all the time. Draco stirred and jarred himself awake. He looked up at Harry, squinting his eyes to properly focus after his nap.

“What’s wrong?” Harry sniffed a little and wiped the tears away with the back of his hand.

“Nothing, I’m just doing really badly at not thinking.” He gave Draco a little smile.

“Understandable. Has he come back yet?” Draco began to sit back up, trying to cover himself with the robe.

“Not yet. Maybe he’s forgotten all about us?” Harry snuggled down on to the bed to get closer into Draco’s arms, pushing his head under Draco’s chin.

“You never know.”

“Unfortunately not, Little Potter.” They both sat up like lightning had hit them. Voldemort was sat in the chair he had been in previously, legs crossed, head on one side resting on his fist. “Aren’t you two sweet, all curled up together? I hate to break up this little scene but unfortunately we must be going, my pet.” Draco stood arranged the robes to enable him to get up.

“No!” Harry wrapped his arms around Draco, preventing him from moving. “He stays here, with me. Voldemort threw his head back and started laughing.

“You think you can negotiate with me!? Of dear” he wiped a little tear from the corner of his eye “that is amusing.” He stood up “Come, Pet.” Draco turned to Harry.

“I have to go, there is nothing I can do. There is a geis on me and I can’t disobey.” Harry started crying again, not even caring this time. “Shhh, it’ll all be fine, you’ll see. I’ll be back before you know it.” He slowly extracted himself from Harry's arms. Harry sat on the bed, deflated, sobs now coming in shirt bursts. Draco straightened himself up and turned to Harry, kissing his own fingers he placed the against Harry's lips. "I'll be back soon." Voldemort strode out of the room without a word and Draco followed behind him obediently.

*~~*


A week passed before Harry saw a soul. His meals were delivered by the invisible hands of efficient house elves, his room was kept clean and tidy, no matter the damage he did to it. He taken to breaking things, destroying anything he could get his hands on, ripping up sheets, smashing vases against the wall, anything he could to show his anger but in the morning all the damage was undone, his room was pristine again as if he wasn't even there at all. It had become a bit of a metaphor for his situation, no matter how much he raged, screamed at whatever was listening, he could do nothing. During that long week he began to think that it was all just a ruse, or perhaps a dream, that there was no deal, no Draco coming to take him away, he was just imprisoned, awaiting his fate like any other captive, perhaps the room itself was an illusion and really he was in a dank cell, with rats and bars, ignored and forgotten. He wasn't sure what he would really prefer.

It had been seven days since Draco had left, well he had been to sleep seven times he had no idea if days were days or nights were nights as his cell had no windows, when Voldemort once again appeared in his chair, legs crossed, ready to discuss. As soon as Harry saw him he went mad, screaming, throwing all the repaired vases, anything he could find, in the general direction of that chair. The occupant nearly smiled and watched as the projectiles bounced harmlessly off his shield. He waited patiently for Harry to exhaust himself and his ammunition, alternating between admiring his nails and quietly tapping on his leg. Harry eventually fell to his knees, his legs splayed out behind him, his voice became cracked.

"Why can't you just leave me alone? Stop tormenting me? He's never coming back, you took him away… " Voldemort decided to intercede, judging that the rage had run it's course.

"Well did we enjoy our little tantrum?" Harry didn't say a word, he sat on the floor quietly sobbing. "And to think I came here to let you know how things were progressing. I would have thought you would want news of your beloved Draco but obviously not." he raised his arm in his disapperating gesture.

"No, no, please don't go!" Harry raised his head and attempted to stand up but only seemed to tangle his legs up. He calmed himself, eking the desperation out of his voice. "Please would you tell me your news." Voldemort put down his hand and smiled.

"There! Much better. I knew you could be a civilised wizard. Sworn enemies we may be but that is no reason to loose ones manners." Harry bowed his head down and just listened, no wanting to interrupt encase he angered The Dark Lord again. "I'm sure you will be happy to know that Draco has been accommodating me very well since we last met. You would really be proud of him, I know you like him to do a good job. I will be sad to see him go but I guess we all must move on mustn't we?" He paused to look down at Harry who was just looking at the floor, it was difficult to tell if he was even hearing what was being said. He decided to continue anyway. "I will be having my ceremony in few days. Once Draco is replaced he will reside here with you for the duration of the pregnancy. You will continue to be confined to these rooms until such time as you give birth, so I suggest you stop attempting to destroy it." Voldemort looked around at the current state of disarray the surround him. "Once you have given birth you will be escorted away from here to a location I deem to suit your new status. Any questions?" Voldemort paused for a moment to see if Harry would do anything but stare at the floor. "No? Well I am glad I could clear things up. Have fun, dear Harry!" With a snap of his fingers The Dark Lord disappeared from the room, leaving nothing but broken objects on the floor.

*~~*

Draco continued down the corridor towards the kitchens. Technically he could have called the house elves up to his room to discuss the finer details of the choosing ceremony but any time he spent away from his master was time well spent. He had the task of organising the ceremony and the banquet following and he had taken to the task with a vigour, like every thing he organised bought him closer to being with Harry again. That was one of the few commands his master had given him since that day he had called him away from Harry's bed, he was not allowed anywhere near his lover's room or have any contact with him at all. He had even tried to get the house elves to deliver something for him but the usually helpful creatures had become very angry with him and so he had dropped the matter. It could be worse, at least he no longer touched Draco, preferring one of the young slaves Draco picked out for him, much to Draco's relief. Apart from the banquet and control over the hareem, making sure it was well stocked and that the slaves were healed and ready to perform he had very little to do.

He spent a lot of time thinking and planning their new lives together. Draco wasn't a fool, he knew that Voldemort would have some plan for them after they had given up the child but they would get through it, he knew they would. He wanted them to get married as soon as possible, it would have to be a really small ceremony, perhaps even a traditional handfasting, with just each other, no fancy costumes or family, just the two of them sharing their love. He let out a burst of laughter as he realized what a sap he sounded like. He looked around the corridor and saw that he was luckily alone. He hurried along to the kitchens to make the last minute preparations for his freedom banquet.

A/N As I said earlier this chapter never existed in the original and I was a bit worried that I wouldn’t be able to write enough to reach my chapter goal of 1500 words. Well I nearly went 200 words over so not too bad!