The Zabini Cover

Review Replies: http://www2.adult-fanfiction.org/forum/index.php/topic/60182-the-zabini-cover-review-replies/

 

The song used in this chapter is by Evanescence, and it’s called “Even in Death.” I make no money by including it here, and I do not claim ownership of it.

“Oh, it was wonderful!” Celeste sighed, laying on her bed in boxers and a shirt, waiting for midnight.

Pansy just sighed irritably. “I can’t believe you let an opportunity like that pass you by!” She snapped.

Celeste glared at her. “I’m a boy by birth. I don’t intend to stay like this!” He reminded her.

Millicent sighed. “I’ve been helping Severus research this, and you may have to. This is uncharted territory, but it looks like it’s probably permanent.” She said pointedly.

Celeste sighed, then looked down as her breasts shrank and she went back to being a he.

“All right, we need to get to bed. Night, Harry.” Pansy said as she and Millicent left Harry’s room for their own.

Harry glanced down at the Marauder’s map, watching with a smile as Draco’s dot got out of bed. “Wonder where he’s going.” Harry said, deciding to follow. He grabbed his invisibility cloak, which had been on him during the final battle.

*****

Draco slipped out of bed and headed toward the entrance hall, being quiet and listening for any indication that he had company. There were a few times that he was sure he had heard footsteps behind him, but when he turned, the halls were empty.

He opened the doors and hurried out into the cold night, pulling his warm robes tight around him to ward off the chill in the air.

Finally, he found what he had come to see.

Near the edge of the forbidden forest, right where Harry had been standing when the shockwave caused by Voldemort’s death throes had hit, was a statue of the young hero. He was smiling, but the smile was empty, like they all had been in the months leading up to that final battle. It was hard to smile when you knew life was about to either end or change irrevocably, and there was no way of knowing who would win for certain.

Draco sighed, falling to his knees before that statue and closing his eyes as the pain and loss welled up inside him. He opened his mouth, and instead of a cry of grief, a beautifully sad, haunting melody emerged, the words calling to Harry’s very soul.

Harry watched, amazed, as Draco sang to him, thinking that he’d never be heard.

“Give me a reason to believe that you're gone.

I see your shadow so I know they're all wrong.

Moonlight on the soft brown earth,

It leads me to where you lay.

They took you away from me but now I'm taking you home.

I will stay forever here with you,

My love.

The softly spoken words you gave me,

Even in death our love goes on.

Some say I'm crazy for my love, Oh my love.

But no bonds can hold me from your side, Oh my love.

They don't know you can't leave me,

They don't hear you singing to me.

I will stay forever here with you,

My love.

The softly spoken words you gave me,

Even in death our loves goes on.

And I can't love you, anymore than I do.

People die, but real love lives forever.”

Harry wiped tears from his face, wishing that Draco knew, that he had said something earlier, because if he revealed himself now, after watching that very private moment, Draco would hate him.

Draco stood, took a deep shuddering breath, and spoke softly to the statue. “This is it, Harry. I never thought it would happen, but I’m saying good-bye to you. I’ve fallen in love, and tomorrow, I’m going to tell her how I feel. I can only hope that I have your blessing.” He said, then traced his fingers over the stone lips curved in a mockery of happiness. “Would that I had gotten to kiss you at least once, Harry.” He said softly, then turned and walked back inside, heading down to the dungeons again.

Harry, however, stayed outside for long hours after, thinking about how he was going to tell Draco the truth, and not hurt them both. It was past time, if Draco was already in love with someone that never truly existed.

*****

Harry knocked on Blaise’s door, knowing he really shouldn’t wake the teen at four AM, but what choice did he have? Blaise was the only one who truly understood what was at stake, and hopefully could help him find a way to fix what he had let happen without destroying what he had gained.

“Harry?” Blaise asked in sleepy disbelief.

Harry bit his lip nervously. “I need to talk to you. It’s very important.”

Blaise sighed in disgust, letting Harry in. “It had better be.”

*****

“I honestly don’t know what to tell you.” Blaise said, then raised an eyebrow. “Actually, I do know what to tell you: I told you so. There’s no easy way to fix it now. Either way, you take a huge risk. You can either let him live a lie, and he’ll find out on his own, or you can tell him, and he’ll feel extremely betrayed. Are you prepared to lose him?” He asked.

Harry bit his lip as tears stung his eyes. “I don’t want to lose him! Not this soon!”

“You have no choice. You have to tell him someday, and when you do, it’s his decision to make, and he doesn’t take being lied to very well.”

Harry buried his face in his hands. “Is there anything you can do?” He asked, wiping away the tears as they fell. “I think I love him.”

Blaise sighed. “I warned you against it, I suggested being just friends, and every suggestion I made was turned down. I told you I would stand by him if it came down to it. You brought this on yourself, knowingly and willingly. There’s nothing I can do to change what’s already been done.”

“So I have to tell him. And lose the best thing I’ve ever had in doing so.” Harry said miserably.

Blaise sighed. “I’m sorry, Harry. But I can’t help you any further. Draco will need me. Now more than ever. Go back to your room. We’re both going to need all the sleep we can get.”

Harry left, his heart heavy, and returned to his bed, climbing in. He lay there, staring at nothing, until his wand informed him that it was seven o’clock.

He sighed. “And so this is it.” He whispered, getting up and heading to the shower.

*****

“I want to talk to you, Celeste. After dinner, in the room of requirement?” Draco asked, grabbing her hand as she passed through the common room on her way to breakfast. “It’s important.” He said, smiling at her eagerly.

Celeste’s stomach lurched uncomfortably at the thought of what she’d have to do. “All right. We do need to talk.” She said seriously.

Draco looked a bit confused, but smiled wider, nodding. “Good.” He pulled her close and kissed her deeply.

Celeste succumbed to the kiss immediately, savoring the feeling of Draco’s soft lips against hers and memorizing the taste of him, knowing that this would likely be their last kiss, and neither Celeste Scarletti nor Harry Potter would ever love another.

Celeste sighed when Draco broke the kiss, lowering her eyes. “I’ll see you in class. I’m going to stay here this morning.” She said softly, pleading with her eyes for Draco to just leave the room.

Draco frowned. “Okay. I’ll bring you a muffin again, so be there early.” He offered.

Celeste gave him a half-hearted smile and nodded, then watched with a heavy heart as Blaise clapped Draco on the back and began chatting with him animatedly, leaving her behind.

“Harry?”

Harry turned, his eyes filling with tears at the sound of Pansy’s worried voice. “I have to tell him today.” He whispered brokenly, then sat on the couch, head in his hands as he sobbed in pain at the loss he was anticipating. “I don’t want to do it! I can’t lose him, Pansy! How can I fix things? Tell me how to make it right.” He begged, looking at her imploringly. “Please tell me.”

Pansy felt her own eyes fill with tears. “Oh, Harry, I don’t think it will be so bad. Just let him know that you never meant to hurt him, and that you feel for him just as strongly as he does for you. He’ll come around, I know he will.”

“I don’t think so, Pansy. Somehow, I just don’t think so.”

*****

Draco sighed, watching Celeste pick at her food. “For Merlin’s sake, girl, eat something!” He grinned at her. “You’re tiny enough as it is.”

Celeste gave him a half-hearted smile, picking up her fork and taking a small bite of shepherd’s pie.

Draco smiled at her lovingly. It was almost uncanny. She even had the same favorite foods as Harry, not that he had ever noticed the Golden Boy’s favorites, of course.

“You know,” Draco mused, watching her take tiny bites, taking her time chewing them and seeming to only swallow with great reluctance, “We never did go flying together. We could do that before we go talk. What do you say?” He asked.

Celeste looked at him, her eyes finally showing a tiny spark of life again. “Really?” She asked happily. “I’d love to fly with you! I haven’t been on a broom in ages!” She said eagerly.

“Then that’s what we’ll do.” Draco decided, glad that he had made her happy once more.

*****

Celeste quickly found the black flying outfit she had bought with Blaise when he had told her that they had an extra broom, if she wanted to practice over the summer. She ran down to the Quidditch changing rooms and changed, rushing out to the pitch, where Draco was waiting.

Draco whistled when he saw her. “My Lady, you look almost good enough to eat.” He said, wrapping his arms around her waist and kissing her again.

Celeste clung to him, whimpering as he kissed her breathless, tongue roughly possessing her mouth, demanding her cooperation.

When Draco raised his head, Celeste smiled up at him dazedly. “Why do you always do that?” She asked breathlessly.

Draco shrugged, smirking. “Because I like to.” He answered.

Celeste sighed, mounting her broom and kicking off. “Come and get me. If you can.” She taunted.

Draco smirked and opened his hand, letting the snitch he held fly free. He mounted his broom, meeting Celeste in the air. “What do you say to some friendly competition?” He asked, tilting his head toward the glinting golden ball.

Celeste raised her eyebrows. “Oh, you’re on, Blondie.” She purred. “Prepare to lose.”

Draco stared after her in shock as she took off after the ball. “Oh, she’s good.” He murmured, following her. “But not good enough.”

Celeste dipped and dove, turning on a dime and pulling dangerous stunts that left Draco’s heart pounding in fear the entire time.

Draco frowned, narrowing his eyes. She even flew like Harry did. It was just plain spooky. If Draco didn’t know better, he’d think that maybe she was Harry. After all, the body had never been recovered.

Of course, Draco did know better. Celeste was definitely female.

Celeste whooped as she went into a steep dive, putting on a burst of speed and shooting ahead of Draco just in time to close he hand around the tiny golden ball with a triumphant shout. “Ha! I win, Malfoy!”

Draco gave her a bemused smile. “Did you just call me Malfoy?” He asked. “Why?”

Celeste’s eyes widened at the slip, but she recovered, landing with a smirk. “Because for the moment, you are beneath me. I beat you. I can call you whatever I want.” She said smugly.

Draco rolled his eyes. “Whatever.” He raised an eyebrow at her. “I’d rather you call me your boyfriend, if anything.” He said teasingly.

“About that…” Celeste said nervously. “We should go get that talk over with. I have something important to tell you.”

Draco smiled tenderly. “Celeste, I understand that you think that your big, bad secret is horrible enough to drive me away, but I honestly can’t think of anything that could be bad enough to deter me from trying to make you my wife. You’re perfect for me.” He said, taking her hand and leading her to the room of requirement.

Celeste sighed. “Remember those words, Draco. Please.” She said softly, her heart constricting painfully. She fingered the clothes that she had shrunk and put in her pocket. They were the same clothes that Harry Potter had been wearing on that fateful day when he had defeated Voldemort. The same battle robes that he had worn the last time Draco had seen him.

The robes he had been wearing when his life had turned upside-down.

Maybe now, he could turn it right side up again.

Then again, maybe not.

*****

Draco opened the door to the Room of Requirement, letting Celeste in and shutting it behind them. “There. Alone at last.” He purred, leering playfully at Celeste.

Celeste rolled her eyes.

Draco chuckled and sat on the couch the room had supplied, taking Celeste’s hand as she sat beside him.

“Celeste, I want you to understand that what I am about to tell you is true beyond a shadow of a doubt. I’ve been falling more in love with you every day. I love you. With all of my heart.” He said, stroking her hand.

Celeste turned her face away, tears falling. “You won’t feel the same in a few minutes.” She said brokenly.

Draco dropped her hands, sighing. “What is this horrible secret, then? What could be so bad? I don’t understand this at all!” He said, frustration evident in his eyes.

Celeste took a deep breath and stood up. “Close your eyes for a few minutes?” She asked.

Draco rolled his eyes, then closed them, sitting back on the couch, folding his arms.

Celeste quickly changed clothes, then vanished the make-up she was wearing, becoming Harry Potter once again. He cancelled the voice-changing spell, then sighed. “Open your eyes.” He said softly, pain in his voice.

Draco opened them and felt his jaw drop. Then, he narrowed his eyes. “That’s a glamour.” He accused.

Harry shook his head. “It’s not, Draco.” He said.

“Tell me something no one else would know.” Draco challenged.

Harry sighed. “We met at Madam Malkins, but I didn’t like you then because you were a pompous little brat and you insulted Hagrid. In first year, you snuck out and followed Ron, Hermione and me when we went to see Hagrid’s baby dragon, and we all got detention. During that detention, you and me saw Voldemort drinking unicorn blood. In second year, Ron and I polyjuiced into Crabbe and Goyle to try and get information from you about the Heir of Slytherin, and you ‘reminded’ us that you didn’t know. In th-”

Draco held up a hand, closing his eyes, refusing to look at Harry. “That’s enough, I believe you. Fuck.” His breathing was labored.

Harry sat down, rigidly.

“FUCK, POTTER!” Draco finally shouted, looking at Harry with hatred in his eyes. “Do you have any idea how I felt when you were declared dead, you bastard?!”

Harry tried to apologize, but Draco kept shouting.

“I cried for days, Potter! I fancied you like mad, and you were dead before I could tell you. And now, here you are, telling me that the girl I’ve fallen in love with was, what, some sick experiment? Did you do this just to hurt me?!” He asked angrily.

Harry hung his head. “No one can know.” He said.

Draco laughed humorlessly. “Not even your boyfriend.” He sneered the last word. “You told Pansy and Millicent.” He said bitterly.

Harry shrugged. “They had to share a bathroom with me. Having a prick most of the time is going to be noticed by two teenage girls.”

Draco glared at him. “Yeah, how does that work, anyway? I’ve been up-close and personal with your pussy.” He hissed mockingly.

“I was hit by the backlash my Avada Kedavra caused. It split my soul into the feminine and masculine sides, and when I’m a girl, I can get pregnant. It’s still confusing to me, at times. Mostly, I just try to ignore it.”

“So, this is it. I hope you know you’ve ruined me for love. After Celeste, I’ll never be able to date without worrying that I’ll get stabbed in the back again.” Draco snapped, standing up.

“I don’t want us to end! I love you, too, Dra-”

“Don’t!”

Harry closed his mouth in fear as Draco turned to him, hands clenched and rage clear on his face.

“Don’t you dare throw those empty words at me! If you had loved me, you would never have kept this from me. You wouldn’t have started dating me based on a lie.” He hissed.

Harry stood, wanting to step closer. “I didn’t act. Everything I did with you, the kisses, the responses when you touched me, all of it was real! I only lied about my gender! And I’m sorry!” He sobbed.

Draco shook his head. “Too little too late, Potter. It’s over. I hope you’re happy with ruining love for me. I won’t let you ruin anything else.”

Harry felt his heart break within him as Draco opened the door and left. He felt the dam break with the click of the door, and sat on the couch, staring numbly at the wall in front of him. His pain was too great even for tears. Nothing would help but the forgiveness he didn’t deserve.