Undesirable - COMPLETE
folder
Harry Potter › Slash - Male/Male › Harry/Draco
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
31
Views:
43,506
Reviews:
301
Recommended:
1
Currently Reading:
0
Category:
Harry Potter › Slash - Male/Male › Harry/Draco
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
31
Views:
43,506
Reviews:
301
Recommended:
1
Currently Reading:
0
Disclaimer:
I do not own Harry Potter, nor any of the characters from the books or movies. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.
Unwelcome Gratitude
Posting an extra chapter this week in honour of Draco's birthday!
Chapter Number/Total: 9/31
Chapter Title: Unwelcome Gratitude
Words: 2225 Words
"I was thinking we could go out sometime if you like," Draco said over breakfast. He had been thinking about it. Potter hadn't really been outside since before the war, first with his captivity and then St Mungo's. Maybe it would help him feel more like himself.
"Outside?" Harry asked, taking a small bite of his toast. Harry thought about sunlight and the smell of the air, which brought back memories of flying – wind whipping past him, sun on his face and the feeling of freedom.
"That's the idea," Draco said, sipping his tea and watching Potter carefully. He liked the look that came into those green eyes then.
Harry looked down at his plate, pushing around his food and taking a few small bites here or there. "I'd like that ...” he finally whispered. Part of him was afraid it wouldn't happen, that this was some kind of trick or that someone would come after him if he were out in the open.
"Any idea where you would like to go?" Draco asked.
Harry shook his head, looking down again. Flashes of memories fluttered through his mind – Hagrid taking him to Diagon Alley, the first time he flew at Hogwarts, butterbeer and friends in Hogsmeade. He shrugged.
"Maybe a treat at Honeydukes? Or a visit to the Quidditch store?" Draco suggested.
Harry's head snapped up at the mention of Quidditch. "Yeah ....”
"Quidditch store, then," Draco smiled, nodding his head.
"When?" Harry asked, pushing his plate of food away, suddenly too excited to eat.
"Whenever you want," Draco replied, smiling. "But you should eat first."
"I'm full," Harry insisted, chin raised and a hopeful look on his face.
Draco wondered if Harry was really ready for this but it was nice to see him excited about something. "You want to go today or another day?"
"Today?" Harry asked hopefully, biting his lip softly.
"Sure," Draco said, smiling at him. "You realise you still have your account at Gringotts? You could buy a broom if you wanted."
"A broom," Harry repeated, mostly to himself. He remembered his Firebolt, but didn't know where it was, or if he even still had it at all. "Maybe.”
"We might fly sometime when you are stronger," Draco suggested.
Harry liked the idea of that. "One day," he said softly, thoughts wandering to memories of flying again.
"Yes, something to look forward to," Draco confirmed.
***
Draco Apparated them to the entrance of Diagon Alley. Now they stood before the wall, ready to tap the bricks. "You ready?" Draco asked softly.
Harry looked up at the seemingly normal wall, staring at it for a long moment, memories stirring again. When he glanced over, he was almost surprised to find Malfoy, not Hagrid, standing beside him. He blinked before he slowly nodded to the blond.
"Stick close to me, Harry," Draco said, lifting his wand and tapping it. The bricks rearranged themselves and they looked through the opening at the cobbled street before them. Draco himself hadn't been to Diagon Alley since before the war. He felt the nostalgia, and his own memory flashed back to that first memory of a scruffy dark-haired boy in Madam Malkin's Robe Shop. He glanced beside him at Harry, smiling before stepping through the opening.
Harry did stay close, only moving when Malfoy did. He tried to keep his head down, but it was hard to with so much to see again.
"You're safe," Draco assured him. "I will protect you."
Malfoy's words calmed Harry down, but he made sure to stay close still, reaching out and gripping Malfoy's robe.
Draco felt it somehow wrong that he enjoyed it when Harry touched him. "So do you want to get money from Gringotts to buy things or just look at things?" he asked the man.
Harry wanted to do both, but he guessed it would be better to have money first. "Gringotts," he replied, looking at the big building. There were people walking around them and, thankfully, no one seemed to notice who he was.
Draco led the way to Gringotts and he told the goblin they were there for Harry's account. The goblin looked surprised and seemed to be sceptical as he looked at Harry.
Harry didn't know what else he could've done to convince the goblin of who he was. Draco had to insist, reassuring them of his identity. Once that was done the goblin finally took them to Harry's vault. Harry didn't take too many Galleons, just a handful in a pouch that he pushed deep into his pocket.
Draco enjoyed the wild journey to the vault with Harry, thinking the ride was fun. He was surprised that Potter had as much money as he did. It wasn't near what the Malfoy fortune had been, but then the Malfoy fortune wasn't what it had been, either. He had had to pay reparations on his family's behalf to ensure his own readmission to the country. Luckily, the family was old enough – and his father Slytherin – that there had been assets available in France and a few other secret accounts on the continent.
Harry noticed that Malfoy didn't withdraw any money but didn't worry about it. He followed eagerly as they headed to the Quidditch shop. Harry stepped up close to the front window, his eyes wide as he took in the newest broom on display. Apparently it was faster than the Firebolt. Harry wasn't too sure if he could believe that, but the only way to know that would be to buy the broom. There were a bunch of young kids around looking into the shop as well, and even a few older ones. He glanced briefly at them, just a moment, and he saw one of the older boys' eyebrows raise in surprise. All he could do was tighten his grip on Malfoy's robes and hope he hadn't been noticed finally.
"Let's go in," Draco said, putting a hand over Harry's to comfort him as they stepped inside. The smell of the shop – the smell of Quidditch leathers and broom oil – was enough to bring back memories for Draco. He hadn't played Quidditch since Hogwarts, refusing to join his House team in France.
Images flickered again in Harry's mind and he trembled, remembering his own hand outstretched for a Snitch, Malfoy on the broom beside him, close and eager for the same prize. Harry blinked and glanced at the blond. Harry wandered back over near the broom displayed in the window, listening to the shop owner talk about it to another customer. He wanted to ask about the original Firebolt, but that would've meant walking up to the man. He hung back.
The other customer decided to think about it and the shopkeeper looked up to see Harry and Draco. His eyes widened a bit at Harry, but he smiled. "Can I help you gentlemen?"
Harry quickly looked up at Malfoy, biting down on his lip when it didn't look like he was going to say anything. "Oh ... is it better than the Firebolt?" he asked quietly, glancing briefly at the owner before looking down.
Draco laid a hand in the small of Harry's back, a kind of gentle pressure to show that he was there, but didn't speak. He wanted to see how Potter handled his first interaction with anyone else in so long.
The shopkeeper's smile broadened and he launched into a very enthusiastic description of the ways in which this broom was better than any ever produced before. He gestured for them to come forward in order for them to get a better look at it.
Harry hesitated before he stepped closer, looking over at the broom. After a few more minutes of the shopkeeper speaking about it he paused, giving Harry a moment to think. "Can I get a Firebolt instead?" Harry asked cautiously, not wanting to anger the man by not wanting the other broom.
The shopkeeper looked disappointed but seemed to cover it up quickly. "We have some of the older models," he said, pointing toward to the display of other brooms.
Harry looked toward where he pointed before looking back at him. "I just want the Firebolt, please," he said softly, not even bothering to go look at the others. The man nodded and went to retrieve the broom.
Draco kept his hand at Harry's back as they went to the counter to make the purchase. He thought about what the Firebolt must represent to Harry, the memories it held. The knowledge gave him ideas of other ways to help Harry as well. He would have to test the theory later.
"I did okay?" Harry asked, looking up at Malfoy as he pulled open the pouch that held his Galleons.
"You are doing fine," Draco told him, rubbing his thumb against Harry's spine through the fabric of his robe. "I suppose I will have to find my old broom," he teased.
There was a small hint of a smile on Harry's face, but it was gone before anyone could really see it. "I guess you will," he said, looking back toward the shopkeeper who returned with the broom in a box.
When the shopkeeper had taken the coins and was returning the change, he looked Harry directly in the eyes. "Thank you, Mr Potter. For everything," he said.
Harry could tell that there was more to that statement than he would've liked to hear, but he managed to keep eye contact with the man for a few moments. "You're ... welcome," he said, pocketing his change and looking down at the box. His stomach squirmed uncomfortably at the man's gratitude.
Draco picked up the Firebolt and helped steer Harry from the shop. A couple of people looked like they would approach them but he gave them a glare and they backed off. "Where to now?" he asked softly.
"I don't know," Harry replied, not paying attention to the people. The encounter had put him off and he didn't know what to do about it. "He thanked me.”
"Yes, he did," Draco said quietly. "How do you feel about that?"
"Why did he?" Harry muttered, coming to a stop and turning to face Malfoy.
Draco cocked his head, looking in surprise at Harry. "You defeated the monster, saved our world from His regime," he said as calmly as he could. And Potter had paid such a high price that the wizarding world owed him more than was ever possible to repay.
"I can't remember," Harry whispered, closing his eyes and turning slightly away.
Draco's eyebrows rose, but then he controlled himself better. "When you are ready to, you will," he said, patting Harry's back again.
"And if I'm never ready?" Harry asked, beginning to walk without even watching where he was going.
"All that matters is that we find a way to help you live a life that you are happy with," Draco assured him, the hand on Potter's elbow steering him and steadying him when he might have tripped.
Harry blinked up at Malfoy. "Do you want to go somewhere?"
"Fancy some ice cream?" Draco asked. Draco loved sweets. He had been notorious for it among his friends.
Harry thought about it for a minute. "Okay," he replied, looking around for the shop.
Draco escorted Harry to Florean Fortescue’s Ice Cream Parlour, which, despite having been damaged in the war, had been rebuilt and reopened. They stood contemplating the flavour choices.
Harry was a little overwhelmed at the amount of choices, deciding to just go with whatever Malfoy chose. "You pick," he said.
Draco picked a caramel and vanilla for himself and a chocolate for Potter. He held up both just in case, figuring he would enjoy either himself. He also thought that even if Potter were overwhelmed by the array of choice, it was still good to get him used to making decisions again, even if from only two options.
Harry took the chocolate cone, turned around and looked for a table, heading for one near the back. But before he could reach it, a group of at least five people stepped up in front of him and began patting him on the shoulders, thanking him loudly. That caused the entire place to look around, and soon everyone was getting up, trying to rush over to see Harry.
Harry, in the meantime, went completely still with a gasp, stepping back and shaking his head. There were too many people. "No, no ....” he began to chant, head down and trembling.
Draco shoved his way through the crowd, his own ice cream forgotten on the counter. "Back off," he shouted.
Harry whimpered softly and continued to back away. He dropped the ice cream, covering his ears with both hands.
Draco stepped up beside Harry and turned the man to face him, wrapping arms about him protectively. "I am right here, Harry," he assured him, glaring at the crowd who backed off with wide eyes.
Harry reached out to grip Draco's robes with both hands, pressing his face against the other man's chest. "Wanna go," he mumbled.
"Sure, Harry," Draco soothed, pulling the man back to the counter with him. He collected the other cone and handed it to Potter. Then Draco grabbed the package with the Firebolt. With his other hand on Harry's elbow, he led him out of the shop and Apparated them back to the front of number twelve, Grimmauld Place.
Chapter Number/Total: 9/31
Chapter Title: Unwelcome Gratitude
Words: 2225 Words
"I was thinking we could go out sometime if you like," Draco said over breakfast. He had been thinking about it. Potter hadn't really been outside since before the war, first with his captivity and then St Mungo's. Maybe it would help him feel more like himself.
"Outside?" Harry asked, taking a small bite of his toast. Harry thought about sunlight and the smell of the air, which brought back memories of flying – wind whipping past him, sun on his face and the feeling of freedom.
"That's the idea," Draco said, sipping his tea and watching Potter carefully. He liked the look that came into those green eyes then.
Harry looked down at his plate, pushing around his food and taking a few small bites here or there. "I'd like that ...” he finally whispered. Part of him was afraid it wouldn't happen, that this was some kind of trick or that someone would come after him if he were out in the open.
"Any idea where you would like to go?" Draco asked.
Harry shook his head, looking down again. Flashes of memories fluttered through his mind – Hagrid taking him to Diagon Alley, the first time he flew at Hogwarts, butterbeer and friends in Hogsmeade. He shrugged.
"Maybe a treat at Honeydukes? Or a visit to the Quidditch store?" Draco suggested.
Harry's head snapped up at the mention of Quidditch. "Yeah ....”
"Quidditch store, then," Draco smiled, nodding his head.
"When?" Harry asked, pushing his plate of food away, suddenly too excited to eat.
"Whenever you want," Draco replied, smiling. "But you should eat first."
"I'm full," Harry insisted, chin raised and a hopeful look on his face.
Draco wondered if Harry was really ready for this but it was nice to see him excited about something. "You want to go today or another day?"
"Today?" Harry asked hopefully, biting his lip softly.
"Sure," Draco said, smiling at him. "You realise you still have your account at Gringotts? You could buy a broom if you wanted."
"A broom," Harry repeated, mostly to himself. He remembered his Firebolt, but didn't know where it was, or if he even still had it at all. "Maybe.”
"We might fly sometime when you are stronger," Draco suggested.
Harry liked the idea of that. "One day," he said softly, thoughts wandering to memories of flying again.
"Yes, something to look forward to," Draco confirmed.
***
Draco Apparated them to the entrance of Diagon Alley. Now they stood before the wall, ready to tap the bricks. "You ready?" Draco asked softly.
Harry looked up at the seemingly normal wall, staring at it for a long moment, memories stirring again. When he glanced over, he was almost surprised to find Malfoy, not Hagrid, standing beside him. He blinked before he slowly nodded to the blond.
"Stick close to me, Harry," Draco said, lifting his wand and tapping it. The bricks rearranged themselves and they looked through the opening at the cobbled street before them. Draco himself hadn't been to Diagon Alley since before the war. He felt the nostalgia, and his own memory flashed back to that first memory of a scruffy dark-haired boy in Madam Malkin's Robe Shop. He glanced beside him at Harry, smiling before stepping through the opening.
Harry did stay close, only moving when Malfoy did. He tried to keep his head down, but it was hard to with so much to see again.
"You're safe," Draco assured him. "I will protect you."
Malfoy's words calmed Harry down, but he made sure to stay close still, reaching out and gripping Malfoy's robe.
Draco felt it somehow wrong that he enjoyed it when Harry touched him. "So do you want to get money from Gringotts to buy things or just look at things?" he asked the man.
Harry wanted to do both, but he guessed it would be better to have money first. "Gringotts," he replied, looking at the big building. There were people walking around them and, thankfully, no one seemed to notice who he was.
Draco led the way to Gringotts and he told the goblin they were there for Harry's account. The goblin looked surprised and seemed to be sceptical as he looked at Harry.
Harry didn't know what else he could've done to convince the goblin of who he was. Draco had to insist, reassuring them of his identity. Once that was done the goblin finally took them to Harry's vault. Harry didn't take too many Galleons, just a handful in a pouch that he pushed deep into his pocket.
Draco enjoyed the wild journey to the vault with Harry, thinking the ride was fun. He was surprised that Potter had as much money as he did. It wasn't near what the Malfoy fortune had been, but then the Malfoy fortune wasn't what it had been, either. He had had to pay reparations on his family's behalf to ensure his own readmission to the country. Luckily, the family was old enough – and his father Slytherin – that there had been assets available in France and a few other secret accounts on the continent.
Harry noticed that Malfoy didn't withdraw any money but didn't worry about it. He followed eagerly as they headed to the Quidditch shop. Harry stepped up close to the front window, his eyes wide as he took in the newest broom on display. Apparently it was faster than the Firebolt. Harry wasn't too sure if he could believe that, but the only way to know that would be to buy the broom. There were a bunch of young kids around looking into the shop as well, and even a few older ones. He glanced briefly at them, just a moment, and he saw one of the older boys' eyebrows raise in surprise. All he could do was tighten his grip on Malfoy's robes and hope he hadn't been noticed finally.
"Let's go in," Draco said, putting a hand over Harry's to comfort him as they stepped inside. The smell of the shop – the smell of Quidditch leathers and broom oil – was enough to bring back memories for Draco. He hadn't played Quidditch since Hogwarts, refusing to join his House team in France.
Images flickered again in Harry's mind and he trembled, remembering his own hand outstretched for a Snitch, Malfoy on the broom beside him, close and eager for the same prize. Harry blinked and glanced at the blond. Harry wandered back over near the broom displayed in the window, listening to the shop owner talk about it to another customer. He wanted to ask about the original Firebolt, but that would've meant walking up to the man. He hung back.
The other customer decided to think about it and the shopkeeper looked up to see Harry and Draco. His eyes widened a bit at Harry, but he smiled. "Can I help you gentlemen?"
Harry quickly looked up at Malfoy, biting down on his lip when it didn't look like he was going to say anything. "Oh ... is it better than the Firebolt?" he asked quietly, glancing briefly at the owner before looking down.
Draco laid a hand in the small of Harry's back, a kind of gentle pressure to show that he was there, but didn't speak. He wanted to see how Potter handled his first interaction with anyone else in so long.
The shopkeeper's smile broadened and he launched into a very enthusiastic description of the ways in which this broom was better than any ever produced before. He gestured for them to come forward in order for them to get a better look at it.
Harry hesitated before he stepped closer, looking over at the broom. After a few more minutes of the shopkeeper speaking about it he paused, giving Harry a moment to think. "Can I get a Firebolt instead?" Harry asked cautiously, not wanting to anger the man by not wanting the other broom.
The shopkeeper looked disappointed but seemed to cover it up quickly. "We have some of the older models," he said, pointing toward to the display of other brooms.
Harry looked toward where he pointed before looking back at him. "I just want the Firebolt, please," he said softly, not even bothering to go look at the others. The man nodded and went to retrieve the broom.
Draco kept his hand at Harry's back as they went to the counter to make the purchase. He thought about what the Firebolt must represent to Harry, the memories it held. The knowledge gave him ideas of other ways to help Harry as well. He would have to test the theory later.
"I did okay?" Harry asked, looking up at Malfoy as he pulled open the pouch that held his Galleons.
"You are doing fine," Draco told him, rubbing his thumb against Harry's spine through the fabric of his robe. "I suppose I will have to find my old broom," he teased.
There was a small hint of a smile on Harry's face, but it was gone before anyone could really see it. "I guess you will," he said, looking back toward the shopkeeper who returned with the broom in a box.
When the shopkeeper had taken the coins and was returning the change, he looked Harry directly in the eyes. "Thank you, Mr Potter. For everything," he said.
Harry could tell that there was more to that statement than he would've liked to hear, but he managed to keep eye contact with the man for a few moments. "You're ... welcome," he said, pocketing his change and looking down at the box. His stomach squirmed uncomfortably at the man's gratitude.
Draco picked up the Firebolt and helped steer Harry from the shop. A couple of people looked like they would approach them but he gave them a glare and they backed off. "Where to now?" he asked softly.
"I don't know," Harry replied, not paying attention to the people. The encounter had put him off and he didn't know what to do about it. "He thanked me.”
"Yes, he did," Draco said quietly. "How do you feel about that?"
"Why did he?" Harry muttered, coming to a stop and turning to face Malfoy.
Draco cocked his head, looking in surprise at Harry. "You defeated the monster, saved our world from His regime," he said as calmly as he could. And Potter had paid such a high price that the wizarding world owed him more than was ever possible to repay.
"I can't remember," Harry whispered, closing his eyes and turning slightly away.
Draco's eyebrows rose, but then he controlled himself better. "When you are ready to, you will," he said, patting Harry's back again.
"And if I'm never ready?" Harry asked, beginning to walk without even watching where he was going.
"All that matters is that we find a way to help you live a life that you are happy with," Draco assured him, the hand on Potter's elbow steering him and steadying him when he might have tripped.
Harry blinked up at Malfoy. "Do you want to go somewhere?"
"Fancy some ice cream?" Draco asked. Draco loved sweets. He had been notorious for it among his friends.
Harry thought about it for a minute. "Okay," he replied, looking around for the shop.
Draco escorted Harry to Florean Fortescue’s Ice Cream Parlour, which, despite having been damaged in the war, had been rebuilt and reopened. They stood contemplating the flavour choices.
Harry was a little overwhelmed at the amount of choices, deciding to just go with whatever Malfoy chose. "You pick," he said.
Draco picked a caramel and vanilla for himself and a chocolate for Potter. He held up both just in case, figuring he would enjoy either himself. He also thought that even if Potter were overwhelmed by the array of choice, it was still good to get him used to making decisions again, even if from only two options.
Harry took the chocolate cone, turned around and looked for a table, heading for one near the back. But before he could reach it, a group of at least five people stepped up in front of him and began patting him on the shoulders, thanking him loudly. That caused the entire place to look around, and soon everyone was getting up, trying to rush over to see Harry.
Harry, in the meantime, went completely still with a gasp, stepping back and shaking his head. There were too many people. "No, no ....” he began to chant, head down and trembling.
Draco shoved his way through the crowd, his own ice cream forgotten on the counter. "Back off," he shouted.
Harry whimpered softly and continued to back away. He dropped the ice cream, covering his ears with both hands.
Draco stepped up beside Harry and turned the man to face him, wrapping arms about him protectively. "I am right here, Harry," he assured him, glaring at the crowd who backed off with wide eyes.
Harry reached out to grip Draco's robes with both hands, pressing his face against the other man's chest. "Wanna go," he mumbled.
"Sure, Harry," Draco soothed, pulling the man back to the counter with him. He collected the other cone and handed it to Potter. Then Draco grabbed the package with the Firebolt. With his other hand on Harry's elbow, he led him out of the shop and Apparated them back to the front of number twelve, Grimmauld Place.