The Foundation

The Foundation

By Newshound


Disclaimer: Harry Potter and company are the exclusive property of J.
K. Rowling. This fiction is entirely for entertainment purposes and no
money is being made from it.

A/N: Again, I'd like to thank everyone who read and reviewed. I hope everyone is enjoying reading this as much as I am writing it. Since the subject of alternating pov and conflicting memories has come up, I believe I need to address this issue. One of the most fascinating things to me is how a person's experiences, values and - perhaps most important -self perception can affect and perhaps skew how they view their own actions as well as the actions of others. It is a subject I have enjoyed exploring in this story, especially for Draco so far, anyway - Harry will have his chance later. I truly do believe our memories are never really accurate portrayals of events that have taken place, but often reflect our prejudices, biases and level of self esteem. This is definitely the case with Draco and even Harry to a certain extent. Their feelings of guilt, embarrassment and insecurity have had an impact not only on what they remember, but how they remember it. Also, they are extremely different people who react to situations in completely different ways, so learning to understand each other will always be a challenge.
There will be more on the program next chapter. Happy reading.


Chapter 7: About the Other Night

"Now look you two," Davinci said sternly, handing Harry's program to him. "I do not want a repeat of the other evening. Let's all keep to our side of the bed, shall we?"

Harry blushed slightly at the comment and snuck a quick glance at Draco, but to his consternation Draco was ignoring him and glaring at Davinci. He let his gaze linger a bit on Draco, but Draco refused to meet his eyes.

"He can't even be bothered to acknowledge me," Harry thought affronted. "Obviously I was just one of his casual flings."

Harry couldn't decide whether he was relieved or insulted at this possibility.
.
"Or maybe it wasn't worth acknowledging," he thought. Now he just felt hurt and embarrassed. He opened his program, pretending to examine it.

Draco glared at Davinci determined not to make eye contact with Harry. He suspected Harry might be a little angry with him, either that or completely disappointed in his performance. Was that why he'd left? Because he didn't consider Draco worth spending a night with? Or had Harry lain there and then when he'd figured out what Draco had done, left in a huff?

"Get your head out of your arse, Malfoy!" he thought. He had no time right now to analyze Harry's behavior; everyone had arrived and the ceremony was about to begin.He fastened his eyes on the collar of Harry's robes and concentrated on making his voice as pleasant as he could.

"I'm sure we can get along for the next hour or so, can't we Harry?" he said calmly. "I believe I can last for 60 minutes."

"60 seconds more like," Harry quipped with a smirk. He immediately regretted the smart remark and he fully expected an equally nasty reply, so he was surprised to see an odd look cross Draco's face. He couldn't decide exactly how to read the look; it was part shock, part guilt and part embarrassment.

"Well, at least I was actually there for 60 seconds," Draco finally answered, throwing Harry a cautious look.

"Unless you both want this conversation part of the ceremony, I suggest you keep your comments to yourselves," Davinci hissed at them. "Now, let's all put on our happy faces and give the public what they want."

Draco couldn't believe Davinci's nerve. He'd not only substituted Harry for his part in the program, but he'd added an additional presentation. Now he had to conduct a tour of the facilities with Harry. He hoped - for Davinci's sake - that Harry knew his way around and could string two coherent words together. When this was over, there was going to be hell to pay.

* * * * *

"So, you run Divinity Foundation," Harry said nervously upon the conclusion of the program and after they'd conducted a surprisingly congenial tour.

"Yes, believe it or not, even spoiled over-indulged Purebloods have hearts, Harry," Draco snapped.

The hurt was plainly evident on Harry's face and he turned around, ready to leave. Draco frowned, angry at his own behavior. He had no idea why he was acting like a complete arse about the whole thing. Why was he acting so rude when all he really wanted to do was take Harry in his arms, tenderly kiss those firm lips, tell him how sorry he was and beg and plead for just one more chance?

He had worked long and hard at learning to conceal his emotions, especially his anger. He had become quite the master at keeping his face blank and voice moderate, but all that precious control meant little around Harry, as a matter of fact, it generally went right out the window. He had no right to be angry with Harry for anything, the program switch or their night together. Davinci had probably pressed Harry into participating in today's events and Harry didn't seem the least upset about what had taken place between them. The latter was somewhat of a relief, but the alternative explanation was distinctly depressing. He didn't matter to Harry.

"Listen Harry," Draco said gently, taking Harry's arm and pulling him around. "About the other night -"

"No need to explain, Draco," Harry said interrupting him. "We both just had a little too much to drink - and smoke - it happens."He gave a slight shrug and stared at a spot directly in front of Draco's feet.

Draco stared at him dumbfounded. Was Harry saying he understood Draco's callous behavior or was he saying that he had been equally responsible? Or was he saying ....? It was the nonchalant shrug and downcast eyes that confirmed what Draco already suspected.

Harry had left because spending anymore time with him was unnecessary. He hadn't said goodbye because he considered it pointless. And as for his shirt, he probably hadn't even noticed it was missing. Here he'd blamed himself, wasted a perfectly good weekend worried about how he'd treated Harry and it had been just a drunken indiscretion for Harry. He didn't even merit a good night, goodbye or thanks, you weren't a bad lay.

"Yeah," Draco agreed adopting an equally nonchalant tone. "The whole night's practically a blur anyway. I can barely remember a thing."

Harry lifted his eyes and stared back at Draco. He couldn't believe he'd spent one single second feeling guilty about not telling Draco the truth or worrying about whether he'd disappointed Draco. He'd been right, having sex with him had been a way to kill a few empty hours for Draco.

"Yeah," Harry said, gently laughing. "I kinda guessed that from the way you were doing things."

"Really?" Draco said, arching an eyebrow and adopting his famous haughty tone.. "I'm surprised you noticed. You seemed like you were off in your own little world most of the night."

"I thought the night was a blur?" Harry asked sarcastically.

"I happen to remember a few 60 second intervals here and there," Draco said caustically. The comment earlier in the day had stung a bit.

"Why are you so mad?" Harry asked, face clearly showing his irritation. "I didn't do anything you didn't do."

"At least I said goodnight," Draco insisted angrily. "You didn't even have the courtesy to say goodbye!"

"You were passed out!" Harry argued loudly.

"If you wanted to leave, why didn't you just say so?" Draco threw back. It took great effort for him to hide the hurt he felt, but he managed. "Half the time you acted like you could care less, the other half like you didn't want to be there."

"What do you care?" Harry said defensively. ""You got what you wanted. You got to fuck Harry Potter."

"And a convenient fuck isn't what you wanted?" Draco said back, sneering at him. "Don't get all high and mighty with me Potter. I'm not the one who likes to fuck and run. Of course if that's an example of your usual technique, I can quite understand why you run."

"Maybe my performance sunk to the level of my partner's," Harry said smartly.

"I certainly didn't hear any complaints from you that night," Draco replied.

"How would you know?" Harry said. "You were too busy ripping off my clothes."

"At least you knew I wanted you," Draco said, struggling yet again to keep the petulant, whiny tone out of his voice.

"Thanks, I feel so honored," Harry said sarcastically. "Draco Malfoy wanted to fuck me. I'll try to contain my excitement."

"Piss off, Potter!" Draco shouted, completely losing his temper. "You were the one using me!"

"Neither of us got used, Malfoy," Harry said calmly, taking a deep breath.. "We both got what we wanted - maybe not the way we wanted, but still."

"That's for sure," Draco said, crossing his arms and tapping his foot in agitation. "My way would have been with someone who wasn't completely comatose."

"I didn't know what I was doing, okay?" Harry cried without thinking. "I never did that before! I was a virgin." He was tired of all Draco's comments about his seeming disinterest, confused about Draco's anger toward him and inexplicably hurt over Draco's insults and attacks.

"Oh, well sure," Draco answered him. "So was I. All new to me, too." When he recognized the look of utter hurt and dismay on Harry's face, he drew in his breath, completely taken aback. "Oh God, you're not joking are you?"

"I'm glad you think it's such a joke," Harry said sadly. "I don't know why I'm even talking to you. I just want to go home. It didn't mean anything to you, so just forget about it." He turned around and began to walk away, Draco frozen, almost too stunned to move. When he realized what he'd said and how he'd said it and the things he'd accused Harry of, he felt so awful that he raced after Harry, calling to him and clutching at the departing robes. Harry turned around, shoving Draco's arm firmly away.

"Leave me alone, Malfoy," he warned and seconds later, Apparated away.