A Gilded Cage

Chapter 8
An Evening with the Weasleys

Draco arrived home that evening, mind filled with so many questions and not knowing where to start. He dusted himself off as he stepped from the hearth expecting no one waiting for him. But as he strolled into his study, Harry and his children sat on a small couch. Maria was sitting in Harry’s lap holding onto the book Harry was reading from. Scorpius was curled at the man’s side already partially asleep,

“Daddy!” Maria chirped leaping from Harry’s lap into the waiting arms of her father. Harry had snatched the book before it hit the ground, all without disturbing the position of the now awake Scorpius,

“I didn’t expect you all to be in here.” Draco said hugging his daughter tightly as he spoke to Harry,

“Well, Pansy left a while ago and the kids wanted a story. The one they wanted was in here. So here we are.” He gently scooped Scorpius into his arms before moving to stand,

“We just got distracted and never made it out of the room.” Draco nodded,

“Well that’s alright. But I’m afraid it’s time for bed.” he told Maria, as Scorpius had already passed back out in Harry’s arms. Draco watched his son snuggle into the other mans arms and could only smile. Potter could win over anyone if he really tried, he went as far to think that if Voldemort hadn’t been evil and crazy he might have actually liked Harry. Maybe even his father could have been made to like the other.

Harry offered Draco a bright smile and Draco returned it before leading the other man out of his Study towards the children’s room. They carefully tucked them in, Draco finishing the story for Maria before meeting Harry back in his study.

As he had tucked in his daughter, he had been thinking of all the questions he wished to ask the other man. But he knew they were all terribly personal. He didn’t know if Harry would even answer them. But as he sat across from Harry, glass of cognac in his hand he couldn’t help but ask,

“So… You and Severus were… involved?” his question was so sudden that it surprised even him. And Harry’s eyes widened ever so slightly,

“How did you know?” he asked a faint blush on his cheeks,

“Severus stopped by the office today. Don’t ask how the subject got to that. I’m not even sure… it was right before he left.” Harry was rubbing the back of his head watching Draco carefully. He stood a moment later and grabbed a glass and a bottle of fire whiskey. He poured the glass half full and downed it before sitting again and taking a breath,

“It wasn’t something we expected to happen… it just sort of did.” Harry began quietly, “I was the hero of wizarding world and it was beginning to get really annoying. Even months after it all ended. Ginny and I had already decided that it wasn’t going to work. But we agreed to stay together for a while. She was pregnant at the time and we thought maybe that when our child was born we’d be alright…

But it didn’t quite work out that way. But still we stayed together, even had two more kids. Ginny had always wanted a lot of kids. Family trait I suppose. But anyway Severus came later. I ran into him in muggle London of all places. He was hiding out there I guess, he was considered a bit of a hero as well. But you know that.”

Harry said standing again and trying to figure out how he wanted to continue the story. He knew Severus didn’t care what he said, the man had already spoken of the relationship out loud with Draco. He knew Draco would ask questions. He paused in his pacing and looked at the wall for a few long moments.

Draco on the other hand was listening intently and watching each nervous movement the other man made. He sipped his cognac and leaned back into his chair as Harry once more began his story, this time staying on his feet,

“We started talking over a couple drinks and well from there it went kind of… well oddly. I’d never seen him drunk before and there he sat pissed and talking like… well not the greasy potions master I knew in school. Eventually we moved to the flat he owned in London. We talked a bit more and… then I just kind of kissed him. I thought he was going to hex me. Not that he could have done that in his state but I wasn’t thinking straight and was in the same condition. And well from there.. Yeah.” he chuckled,

“We were together for a few months. Ginny invited him over a lot as well. She understood, but we were keeping up an act for her family for a while. So Severus and I were never a public thing. He’s one of the reasons I came to talk to you. He told me a lot of stories about you and your dad.” he said staring down at Draco who was staring just as intently back.

Harry sat again waiting for what Draco would have to say. He shifted in his seat wondering and almost worried. Draco stood filling his own glass again, for a long moment he didn’t speak then,

“Why.. Did you two split?” he asked moving and leaning casually against the back of the chair where Harry sat. Harry rubbed the back of his head again,

“We actually spilt because we found out that there was someone else that we wanted…and so on Severus suggestion we split. We still talk occasionally. And from what I hear… he’s on his way to getting what he wants.” He said turning so he was sitting backwards in the chair and facing Draco. Draco nodded,

“I assume I’m interfering with you getting what you want?” he said and Harry shook his head and snickered,

“Don’t you know what they say Draco? When you assume you make an ass out of you and me.” Draco stared at him blankly and Harry shook his head,

“Muggle saying… but you haven’t hindered my plan in the least.” he said shifting his weight and rising onto his knees. Draco moved to straighten himself but Harry grabbed the front of his robes forcing him to move as Harry’s arm did. Harry pulled him closer until their faces were inches apart,

“Harry?” Draco’s voice was barely above a whisper and Harry chuckled lightly before closing the distance between them in an instant. Draco didn’t know how to react at first, he had literally thought about this moment for years. But he was still immobile and he felt Harry leaned back a moment later eyes questioning Draco. There was a hint of worry in the green eyes before Draco put his hand behind Harry’s neck and pulled him back pressing his lips tightly to the others. Harry’s hands slid into Draco’s hair tightening in the thick locks. The two were lost for a moment before Harry leaned back as if to pull Draco but only ended up without Draco, laying in a sprawled heap on the floor.

Draco stared blankly at the other man before starting to laugh at the confused look on his face. He moved around the chair and offered a hand to Harry who was as red as a tomato. Harry took it allowing Draco to pull him to his feet. They both settled onto the small couch across from the chair, Harry too embarrassed to say anything. Draco helped him by relaying the message from Ron earlier in the day,

“Seems we’ve been invited to the Weasley’s for dinner tomorrow… Mr. Weasley said it was something of a yearly tradition?” Harry nodded,

“Yeah nearly forgot about that… so your going?” he asked eyebrow arched and Draco nodded,

“I told him we would indeed be there.” Harry nodded and smiled,

“Great thanks Draco…” Draco simply nodded wondering for a moment where this whole thing was going to go.

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Harry greeted his two best friends with a great hug the next evening and received an enthusiastic one in return,

“Oh Harry it’s been too long since you’ve been over here!” Hermione said with a bright smile and Harry laughed,

“Mione I was just here a month ago.” he complained as Draco followed him through the floo, his children in tow. Hermione instantly released Harry to draw Draco into a hug. His eyes widened and he wasn’t sure what to do. So he gently wrapped his arms around the woman,

“Hello Granger… well I suppose Weasley now.” he smiled when she released him,

“Hello Draco.” she chirped happily, “Oh Harry Severus is in the kitchen, could you give him a hand. He’s insisted on cooking and.. Well muggle appliances aren’t on his list of things he’s mastered completely.” Harry rolled his eyes,

“The man lives in muggle London. You would think he would have it figured out by now.” he muttered walking into the kitchen, leaving Draco and the two children alone with Ron and Hermione,

“Maria and Scorpius right? Would you two like to meet some possible new friends?” Hermione asked and Maria instantly nodded Scorpius reluctantly nodding and following after Hermione and his little sister. Draco looked at Ron who turned and led him into the living room, where Remus, Sirius, Molly, Arthur, George, Bill, Charlie, Fleur, Ginny and Hermione’s parents sat talking and laughing. Ginny glanced up at Draco and the laughter slowly died,

“Please don’t mind me…” he said shifting, a bit uncomfortable in the room full of people who had no reason to like him. Everyone seemed to be looking at Ginny for the answer and Draco realized that this was all about the prophet. Ginny smiled,

“Would you like some tea Draco?” she asked and he sat beside her. Talk erupted through out the room, as if that few casual words were the signal that all was ok.

Harry walked out a few moments later and greeted everyone with a smile. He kissed Ginny’s cheek and managed to squeeze in between Ginny and Draco. He wrapped an arm around Draco’s shoulders and started to talk to Ginny as if nothing was odd about that situation.

Severus walked out after Harry and Settled himself on the arm of the couch by Remus. The werewolf glanced up at the man with a smile, and Sirius was obviously trying to be nice to the man. For a moment Draco didn’t seem to get the connected, but then it clicked and he started to laugh. Harry looked at him with an arched brow and Draco shook his head and stood, claiming her was going to check on the kids.

Harry watched him go and then turned his attention back to Ginny and their conversation,

“So… what’s going on? Obviously not too much as he’s still with his wife.” she asked with a smile. Harry sighed,

“Nothing…I mean there’s only been that kiss… and he’s not going to leave Pansy. That’s clear enough.” he said, “So.. I’m settling for just… being there.” he said and Pansy sighed and took his hand,

“I’m sorry Harry. But that may be best.” he smiled and hugged her. He couldn’t disagree with her. He wanted Draco, but he would have to wait for as long as possible. Draco came back into the room retaking his place beside Harry. It wasn’t long before Arthur was drawing Draco into a talk on politics. Draco had barely noticed when Harry disappeared into the kitchen with Severus again. Not long after that Harry called from the kitchen. Announcing dinner was served.


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Woo… that took me a while. Sorry guys. I’m at the end of my semester and have tons of work to get done. So I’ve been focusing on school work. And then I have a couple weeks off for Christmas break. I’ll be typing up some new chapters then. But I’m not guaranteeing they are going to be any good lol. Thanks to my… one reviewer -.-; your about the only reason I’m posting at all. So next chapter is An Evening with the Weasley’s 2. Was going to just do what I always do and cut it short… but I’m going to try for a lovely evening for all involved.

Well… ok going to stop blabbering on now. Review please. I beg of you. Oh and still no beta so again grammar is not my best subject. *bows* many apologies for my horrible writing ability.