la persistencia de la memoria

A/N: Hey yall! I got my first flame for this story! Absolutely hated the story. I've been flamed before on a chapter or two of Some Dangerous Liasions, but not on a whole story. It was an ouch moment, but it's cool. Can't please everyone, right? I'm all for constructive feedback. It helps me grow.

Yes, I know I have grammar issues because I don't have a beta and I'm too lazy to do it myself.

But to the flamers I say: Please more specific with your flame, so then I can be more specific with my fuck you. Cool? Cool.

Thanks to all for reviewing, alerting, voting and reading.

Three questions I think I have to answer:

Yes, the title means "The Persistence of Memory".

Yes, I plan to end this in about 3 or 4 more chapters.

And thanks to Lexi on AFF.


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Chapter 9 of PM

Pansy pushed open the door to the locker room of the small Quidditch pitch. Several young men in various stages of undress turned and gaped at the sudden appearance of a woman in their midst.

"Oi!"

"What are you doing here, Ma'm!"

Pansy smirked at the barely teen-aged bird chests of the boys.

"Trust me, I've seen much more than that!" Pansy called out, as two boys hastily tried to cover their small, pathetic bits. "Where is your coach?"

Several hands pointed toward a small office in the back of the locker room and Pansy strode over casually and pushed her breasts out provocatively towards its occupant.

Marcus Flint glanced up and got an eyeful of perky bosoms.

"Pansy…how nice to see you again."

"I know." She sat down on the edge of the desk, crumpling parchment as she did so. Marcus scowled and pulled the papers away from her backside. "How are you?"

"Curious as to why you are here," he said and he stared pointedly at her low-cut robes. "You want something, I can tell."

"Oh Marcus…can't old friends visit one another without getting suspicious?"

"We were never friends, Pansy," he deadpanned, "sleeping together is a different matter entirely."

Pansy forced the blush away and straightened her robes. "Fine. I'll get to the point then. I need a favor."

Marcus leaned back in his chair and waited in silence.

Pansy gave a huff and said, "What did you and Weasley talk about?"

Whatever Marcus had been expecting it wasn't that. His eyebrows flew up into his hairline and he blinked. "Weasley? Why do you want to know that?"

"I just do."

Flint laughed lightly. "Uhn uh. You want that information, you're going to tell me why."

"I just need to know, Marcus." She lowered her lashes and gave him a smile. "Please."

The man started at the sound of the word. He gave Pansy an inquisitive look. "This must be pretty important if you've said please. What's in it for me?"

"What do you want?"

Marcus again looked pointedly at her breasts. "Since you offered…"

Pansy gave a look of disgust. "I'm married, you arse! I will not cheat on my husband!"

Marcus raised his hands and shrugged. "I guess I can't help you then."

"What else do you want?" She asked in exasperation.

Marcus raised an eyebrow again and then gave a slow smile. "Draco."

"I can't promise you that! Talk to him yourself!"

"But you have sway over him, you'll get him to cooperate faster than I can. And since you've tasted the goods, you can vouch for them."

"Piss off, Flint! I can't believe you brought that up! I was a child then!"

"With a talented mouth. But I'm sure Draco is even better, if he was able to capture Potter."

Pansy rubbed her temples in irritation. Merlin…

"Fine, Marcus. I'll put in a word, but you're going to have to do the rest all on your own. You were his Quidditch captain! He's still going to have that "hero" thing for you, without my interference! But whatever! So tell me what you all talked about!"

Marcus smirked. "Quidditch."

Pansy blinked. "That's all? Quidditch?"

"Yes, Pansy. Quidditch. It's not like I'm friends with the bloke! I was shocked he asked to have lunch with me!"

"Nothing else? He didn't say anything else?"

"Not really. Talked about those blasted dragons. Insanity if you ask me. Those Gryffindors are right fools. Who'd want to work with those creatures is beyond me! Talked about his leg and all that. But that was it."

Pansy sat up a bit straighter when she heard that part. "His leg? What about it?"

"He lost it. Gone. Ate off by a Chinese Fireball. You didn't know?"

"No, I didn't. Draco had mentioned seeing him at St. Mungo's, but didn't say why."

"Well, he's in for some experimental treatment or some sort. Something about growing skin and muscles, veins and tendons back. He's waiting for the next round or something like that."

Pansy's eyes were positively sparkling. "Marcus, I could kiss you, but I won't of course. I promise to speak to Draco."

Flint grinned. "All right."

Pansy slid off the desk and exited the way she had come. She wasn't worried about Flint's impossible request. Even with his big cock, Flint was far too unattractive for Draco to actually consider taking up on that offer. If she thought Flint would serve a purpose to piss off Potter, then she would use him. But the reality of that was small. Only someone near and dear to Potter would jolt the prick into action.

Despite everything and her still intense dislike of the man (and in her secret heart of hearts, she hated Potter because he had done the one thing she hadn't been able to…and that was get Draco to fall in love), she had to acknowledge that Potter had a profound effect on Draco. She truly wanted him to be happy and get better and Potter was the only one who had made him happy. If this Weasley bloke could kill two proverbial birds with one stone, that is, to crush Potter emotionally and then galvanize him into getting Draco back, then she had done her job.

She smiled as her plan formed and she apparated away.


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Draco took a deep breath and grabbed the handle again.

"You can do this, Draco. You can do this."

He licked his lips and cracked his neck, making it snap loudly. He tightened his grip on the warm metal handle and flicked his wrist hard.

The fluffy pancake flew into the air and landed with a splat on the counter.

"Merlin's balls!"

"Da!"

Draco turned with a grin on his face and took in the sight of his daughter, who was laying in her bassinette near the window. She cooed loudly again and waved her arms.

"I can do it. You'll see that Harry isn't the only one who can cook. We're Malfoys and you'll inherit all the more important skills and talents. His only talent was being able to boil a decent egg." Draco gave a smirk and then said quietly to himself, "Well…maybe that wasn't his only talent…"

He had to stop thinking about Harry.

Draco waved his wand to clear the mess of the pancake and simply cast a spell for the food to make itself. He gave a sigh. Cooking the Muggle way was Harry's thing and he had been wonderful at it. But he was not going to worry about it now.

With the food now cooking properly, Draco walked over to Cassi, reached down and picked her up. He carried her over to the table and picked up a bottle that had been sent by his mother. Narcissa still maintained full-time care over little Cassi, mostly because Draco did not trust himself just yet to take proper care of her. As he still had not returned to work, he made sure that he spent time with her every day, trying to make amends for his earlier neglect. His daughter hadn't minded in the least.

Draco arranged Cassi on his lap and placed the bottle to her mouth. Narcissa had shown him how to feed, bathe, burp and change her nappy, even though house-elves could do the job. As tempted as Draco was to use them, especially the nappy part, he felt that he owed Cassi.

Cassi had just begun to drink from the bottle, when he heard the fireplace roar and a voice call out, "Draco!"

"In here, Pansy."

Draco waited until his friend entered the kitchen. Pansy smiled at the baby, who looked at her with big questioning eyes. She then took in the cooking pancakes.

"Pancakes? You made pancakes?"

Draco gave a slight shrug. "I like pancakes."

"Didn't Potter do most of the cooking? This is not your strong suit at all. I'd try one, but I'm afraid of an early death."

Draco scowled and Pansy tittered, before she sat down across from him. "So, Blaise and I want to invite you to dinner next week. Daphne is back in town for Astoria's engagement party. So you have to come and bring little Miss!"

"I won't come if Astoria's going to be there. Why she's still going on about our not getting married when she clearly knew my preferences is tedious. She's such a twit."

"A lot of women were upset about that, Draco. You let them believe something that wasn't true." She hoped she hid the bitterness in her voice. "Despite your preference, you let them believe that you would forego that and still do the proper thing and get married. No one expected this thing with Potter. That you would actually set up house with him."

Draco shrugged, which was hard to do with Cassi in his arms. "They shouldn't have assumed anything. And I never promised anyone anything. And that included my male lovers also."

Pansy bit back the angry retort that threatened to leave her lips. She was happy in her marriage to Blaise, but Draco had been her first real love. She had lost her virginity to him and had held onto hope of marriage, even when she realized that he was gay. She had come to terms with the impossibility of that dream much earlier than a lot of people, namely Narcissa Malfoy and Astoria Greengrass, but every now and then she would let her mind wander to the 'what-ifs' of life with the blond.

"No, Astoria won't be at the dinner. And surprisingly, Daphne doesn't hold any grudges against you for breaking her sister's heart."

Cassi began to whimper and Draco realized the bottle was empty. He promptly picked her up and held her against his shoulder to burp her.

"Did you come all the way over here to chastise me on my failed relationships with women? You could've owled me that." He said sarcastically.

Pansy adopted a pained expression. "You treat me so harshly! I come here to see you of course, and this adorable bundle of baby."

Draco smiled and Cassi let out a loud belch. Pansy grinned and reached out her hands. Draco handed the baby to her and Pansy cradled the infant in her arms. She leaned over and kissed her on the forehead. "I'm a much better god-mother than that awful Hermione. I'm going to be your favorite."

Draco snickered and stood up. "Pancakes?"

Pansy gave a reluctant nod and watched the blond begin to place the food on plates. She was just about to open her mouth to began her plan, when an owl tapped against the glass. Draco turned and wiped his hands on a tea towel and walked over to the window to let it in. A small barn owl flew in, landed on the window sill and held out its leg. Draco took the missive and handed the bird a piece of bacon. It hooted loudly and flew away. Draco opened the letter and sighed dramatically. He tossed the letter onto the table and returned to the stove. Pansy eyed the paper with interest.

"What's wrong, Draco?"

"Bloody St. Mungo's. Those bastards won't clear me as "fit for duty." I want to go back to work, but Bartleby & Wick won't take me back until I'm cleared. Bloody menace! I have to go to at least five more appointments before they think I've recovered sufficiently from having Cassiopeia." He slammed a plate down on the kitchen table and Cassi jumped and her face contorted into a grimace.

"Calm down. You just scared her, you prat."

Draco immediately looked contrite. "Fuck…I'm sorry." He began to look anxious and Pansy reached out and grabbed his arm.

"It's okay, Draco. It was an accident."

Draco gave Pansy a grateful look. "I don't want to screw this up," he said quietly. "I didn't bond properly with her when she was born. I have to make this right."

"And you will, Draco. Everything will work out for you." She gave him a smile and Draco visibly relaxed. He turned back to the stove and Pansy shifted the baby to hold her by one arm while she reached for her wand with the other. She quickly checked to make sure Draco's back was still turned and she cast a Duplication Charm on the envelope he had thrown down. An identical envelope appeared next to the first one and Pansy snatched it up and hid it in her robes.

Draco turned around and brought another plate of food to the table. He glanced at her robes for a moment.

"So who were you trying to manipulate today? You only show the bits when you want something."

Pansy laughed. "Only taking a precaution, I'm going to Diagon Alley and I might need to haggle over something. You never know," she said smoothly.

Draco nodded absently and Pansy watched him carefully. Although he was looking much healthier and that he was at least eating, but his mind seemed to be a million miles away. Pansy decided that she was doing the right thing.

She stood up and placed Cassi in the bassinette and turned back to face Draco. "Well, let me get going. Just wanted to invite you to dinner and all that." She pointed casually at the letter on the table. "And you make sure that you go to ALL of your appointments so you can put this mess behind you."

Draco blinked and then stared down at the letter. "Yes, I want to be done with this. I'm ready to go back to work." He glanced around the kitchen and then spoke softly. "And I think I'm going to get rid of this place." He lowered his head to look at his plate of pancakes.

Pansy clenched her fist, resolute in her decision to illegally tamper with official St. Mungo's mail and manipulate Charlie Weasley into a relationship with Draco.


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Draco's hand ghosted over his cock and Harry twitched in anticipation.

"Fuck, Draco…don't tease me."

Draco gave a throaty laugh and swiped his tongue over the hard length. Harry hissed and closed his eyes and then gave a groan when Draco engulfed him in his mouth. Harry began to pant and he clutched at the sheets as Draco worked his length. Harry began to thrust hard into the warm wetness, moaning with each movement. Draco pulled back and sucked the head and Harry cried out and flung his hand onto the back of Draco's head.

"Oh shit…oh yeah…"Harry gasped as he held Draco in place. "I'm going to cum already…"

Draco smiled around the penis and then pulled away. Harry growled in disappointment and anger and tried to reach for him, but Draco backed up and out of his reach.

"I have somewhere else that I want you to put that…"

He stretched out on the bed and Harry scrambled to straddle him.

"Somebody's eager," Draco said smugly, as Harry quickly parted his firm buttocks and pressed towards Draco's already lubed hole.

"You made me this way," Harry responded breathlessly, as he sunk into the blond. Both men groaned in pleasure and Draco pushed back against Harry meeting each thrust.

"Yeah…I guess…I…did. Made…you…all…mine…"Draco panted as Harry picked up his pace. "Oh fuck, that feels…soooo…good."

"Ohhh…baby….I'm so sorry…soo sorry…I can't hold it…"Harry huffed out," I love you, love you…unhhggghhh…"

Harry's eyes snapped open and he cried out as his cock erupted with white streams of liquid. He could do nothing but ride out the orgasm as it had rendered him incapable of doing anything but writhing in seizure-like jerks. He could still feel Malfoy's hole surrounding him with velvet warmth and Harry's hips canted upward again and again, driving him into his non-existent lover.

Harry whimpered as the last convulsion died away and he lay there, sated and exhausted. The dreams were coming more frequently now, almost every night and with more detail each time. This one seemed to have stemmed from a rather boring Ministry event. They both still had their dress robes on, but half torn from their bodies.

But not all of the dreams were sexual and not all of them even featured Draco. Harry would wake up with hazy thoughts about Ron and Hermione's wedding, a violent confrontation with a suspect in a case or the taste of the French chocolate that Draco had specially ordered for him for his birthday one year. But they never lingered long enough and would disappear like wisps of smoke.

Harry let out a long shuddering breath and stared down at the sticky remains of his vivid memory. At this rate, he'd have to change his sheets every morning. He reached for his wand to cast a cleaning charm, when a loud knock at the door and a voice interrupted him.

"Harry, are you all right?" Hermione called out. She opened the door and stuck her head in. Harry tried to cover the wet sheet with his hand, but Hermione's eyes had already flicked over the evidence.

"Yes, I'm fine. I'll be down soon for breakfast."

Hermione nodded and Harry pretended he didn't see the pink blush that decorated her face. It was obvious what had happened, but what she couldn't know was if it was a dream or his own hand that brought about his moans. Harry sighed. He really needed to find a new place to live. It had been almost three months since his accident and he was still living with them, although he kept telling himself that he wanted to move. Why he hadn't done it yet, he couldn't figure out.

After his shower and dressing, Harry headed down to the kitchen for some breakfast. He could smell the fry-up cooking and he hurried down the steps. He walked into the kitchen and was greeted by the sight of Charlie sitting at the table, talking to Ron. They both looked up when he entered.

"Harry! Look who stopped by for breakfast!" Ron exclaimed, clearly excited about seeing his older brother.

"Hey Harry," Charlie said as he nodded at the other man. "How are you?"

"I'm doing okay," Harry answered as he sat down at the table. "How's Romania?"

Charlie gave a half-hearted shrug and then sighed deeply. "Romania hasn't been kind to me lately. I've lost my leg in an accident."

Harry had been reaching for his glass of pumpkin juice and he froze. He stared at the older man. "Oh…I didn't know…I'm sorry." He cast a glance at Ron with a look that clearly showed he was not happy to be left in the dark about this.

Charlie smiled grimly, "Don't be mad at Ron. It happened a few weeks ago. I didn't really tell anyone until recently."

Ron shook his head as he shoveled food into his mouth. "Mum was furious that he didn't tell her right away."

Harry frowned but didn't say anything else. In a way, he could understand Charlie not telling anyone about his injury. He hated when people fawned over him for any reason, especially when he was sick or hurt. But on the other hand, not telling his family about something that serious was a bit much.

But Charlie was looking at him with a serious expression. Harry focused on him again.

"I heard that you had your own bit of an accident."

"Yeah, I kind of lost my memories for the last five years. It hasn't been easy dealing with that."

"I can't imagine how weird that must be. And then to be expecting a baby and not know about that? I'm sorry that happened to you," Charlie said with a gentle tone. "Ron said she's beautiful by the way and congratulations."

Harry smiled at the mention of Cassi. "Yes, she is the best thing to happen to me. Thank you."

Charlie reached for a muffin and said, "I saw Draco the other day. Twice actually."

For some reason a twinge of something unidentifiable went through Harry at the mention of Draco's name and he stifled it by shoving a muffin in his mouth. Ron gaped at his eating and Charlie chuckled.

"Hungry?"

Harry tried not to choke and mumbled, "Yeah."

Charlie went on undeterred. "I saw him at St. Mungo's and then again at a café. I had lunch that day with Marcus Flint and would've joined Draco but they looked like they were leaving."

"Marcus Flint?" Ron spluttered at the same time Harry said, "They? Who was he with?"

Ron shut his mouth and stared at Harry, who immediately bit his lip. Charlie looked at Harry curiously and then said slowly, "He was with…ummm…Pansy, that's her name. Kind of cute. Who is she to him?"

"Draco's best friend from school," Harry answered, "and one of Cassi's godparents." Harry gave a little smile. "She's married though, if you were interested in her, so sorry."

Charlie blinked for a moment and then smiled sheepishly. "I guess I haven't been very forthcoming about my life. I date wizards."

Ron spluttered again and Harry's eyes widened in surprise.

"You're gay?" Ron choked out, "since when?"

Charlie fiddled with a fork. "Since always, little brother. You just missed out on the news. You remember Alexandru?"

"That bloke who could make dragons out of his smoke rings that came to our house?" Ron asked excitedly. "He came the summer after my first year at Hogwarts."

Charlie smiled wistfully. "Yes, he did. You all were quite impressed with him. Well, he's been my boyfriend for a lot of years."

Ron's mouth dropped open. "You said the noise that came out of your room was his dragon imitations! You were…" Ron trailed off as his face turned red and Harry let out a bellow of a laugh.

"I think he's got it." Charlie laughed and Ron shook his head.

"Who else knows this?" Ron demanded, sounding angry. "How could my own brother not tell me this!"

"It wasn't a conspiracy against you, Ron. You were just really too young for me to tell. And well…I've been gone so long I just…didn't talk about it much, all right? But Bill knows and Fred and George figured it out after snooping in my letters when we went to Egypt that year. And Dad knows, but not Mum."

Ron nodded slowly and then looked at Harry. "Well, at least you're not alone anymore. I remember how you felt when you first told me and how alone you said you felt. I wish we had known about Charlie."

Harry tensed uncomfortably at Ron's words. "Well, now I don't have to worry about that, do I? I don't feel that way anymore."

Ron clapped Harry on the back. "I guess not, Mate! Seeing as how you and Ginny are back on the mend."

Charlie raised an eyebrow at Harry, who avoided looking at the older red-head. "So you have no intention of working things out with Draco? I mean, you're just suddenly straight again?"

Harry swallowed back a bit of bile and said sharply, "Yes, I'm straight as you put it. And Draco made it clear that he doesn't want me in his life as a friend, so I had no choice but to leave it alone."

"Did you really expect him to?" Charlie asked, his tone sharp as well. For some reason, Harry's attitude irritated him. "You had a life with him, right? And a new baby? And you just wanted to be friends? Could you have done that?"

Harry bristled at the accusing tone in Charlie's voice. "You have no idea what I've gone through, Charlie! Everyone is out to make me the bad guy in this, but Draco didn't make this any of this easy! I tried to work on being friends with him, but he rejected me! He wasn't willing to take things slow and maybe we could build things back up! He wanted everything in a hurry!" Harry shouted, surprised that he had even said the last bit. He hadn't ever entertained the notion of working back up to their relationship. Where had that come from?

Ron apparently was just as surprised as Harry on that revelation. "You would have built back up to a relationship with him?" Ron demanded, "what about Ginny? You never told me that! You said it was always going to be about getting back with her!"

Harry stood up abruptly and growled out, "Get off my back, Ron! It's my fucking life, all right! Just leave me alone!" He headed out of the kitchen as Ron yelled after him,

"It's my business if you hurt my sister again, you prat!"

Ron glared at the empty doorway as he heard the crack of apparation.

"Bloody arse!" Ron hissed in annoyance. "He's been a complete arse the last few days. Don't know what's wrong with him."

Charlie looked thoughtful for a moment, but kept quiet. He had his own ideas about what was going on with Harry, but it he didn't know enough about what had happened to be certain.

"So how is Alexandru?"

Charlie sighed and said wearily, "We ended things. Few weeks ago, I haven't talked to him."

"You've been with him all this time? That's like…years!"

Charlie leaned back in his chair and stared up at the ceiling. "Yeah…years. It's over now, though. Moved on. It's fine."

Ron frowned, but didn't press the issue. Charlie looked as if he would punch the next person who even mentioned the word 'boyfriend'.

His contemplation was interrupted by a chiming sound which indicated an owl was attempting to deliver a letter. Ron stood and went to the nearest window and opened it, which allowed a tawny owl to fly in. Ron didn't recognize the bird, but it flew past him and headed straight towards the kitchen. He followed it and watched as the bird landed in front of Charlie, who was reaching out to take the letter it carried.

"Who's that?" Ron asked, as he sat down to finish his breakfast.

"St. Mungo's," Charlie replied as he broke the seal on the missive. He quickly perused the contents and then smiled. "Good news. They set an appointment for me to try the experimental potion to create veins. I didn't think it would be ready so soon."

"Are you sure that's going to be safe? You know Mum is going to have kneazles."

"I'm not telling her just yet."

"Then you might as well stay here because you know Mum will be all over you. You'll never be able to hide if you have side effects."

Charlie nodded slowly. "Good point. I'll think about that." He stood up and stretched and winced as pain shot through his limb. He grimaced and Ron looked on with concern.

"It's worse in the morning. Excruciating, really," Charlie hissed as he sat down again. "But hopefully, this will be over soon. My appointment's tomorrow."

"Good luck. And stay here as long as you want."

"Thanks, little brother. I just might do that."


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"The letter clearly says I've an appointment! What else do you want me to say!?" Charlie said for the third time to the flustered receptionist on the first floor of St. Mungo's for the Creature Induced Injuries department.

"I'm sorry, Mister Weasley, but you aren't on the books for an appointment today. I don't know where that letter came from, but the doctor is not ready to see you for this."

"So where did this come from?" Charlie waved the letter impatiently in her face. "This is your letterhead, isn't it?"

The young witch sighed and tried to smile at him again. "Yes, that is our letterhead, but there must be some sort of mix-up. I am really sorry for this inconvenience. We will contact you as soon as possible for your real appointment."

"And how will I know that's not a mix-up too?" Charlie said snidely and the witch winced. He stuffed the letter back into his Muggle jeans and stomped out of the reception room. He headed out into the corridor and ran right into…

Pansy.

"Well, you seem in quite the rush. What's got you in such a snit?"

Charlie stepped back from where he had almost collided with the witch and knocked her down, even though she didn't seem particularly perturbed by that idea. She stood looking at him with a glint in her eye and a smirk on her face.

"Nothing. Stupid mix-up for an appointment, that's all."

"Oh…well that's just shameful. Nothing worse than wasting your time."

"Yeah, I suppose."

"Well, you look as though you need some cheering up. How about a drink?"

"It's ten in the morning. You drink this early?"

"Don't you?"

Charlie threw his head back and laughed. "Well, now that you mentioned it, I have been known to have a few this early. Dragons can drive you to drink."

Pansy tittered and could't help think how right he was. Except the dragon she was thinking about had blond hair. Speaking of which…

"Come on, Weasley. Let's not keep Draco waiting."

Charlie froze and looked at her curiously. "Draco? You're meeting him?"

"Oh he's here too. Appointment or something. How lucky that you both are here. You mentioned a drink the other day. No time like the present."

She started down the corridor and Charlie started after her in astonishment. She stopped when she realized he was not directly behind her.

"Ummmm…let's go, Weasley."

Charlie cocked his head and then smiled. "How can I resist an offer like that?"

He trotted down the hall behind her and they arrived outside the door of another reception area. As if on cue, the door opened and Draco stepped out, pulling his cloak on. He stopped when he saw Pansy and then his eyes widened in shock when he saw Charlie.

Before he could open his mouth to speak, Pansy said, "Draco! Perfect timing. Weasley and I were just on our way for a drink. Come on."

Draco glared at Pansy and shook his head. "It's ten in the morning, Pansy. No way."

"Fine, we'll drink and you watch." She gave Draco a hard look and the blond stared back at her, equally intense.

Charlie watched the exchange with amusement. He definitely knew something was up and that his running into Pansy like he had couldn't have been an accident. But he wasn't upset about it, which rather surprised him. He surmised it had to do with the fact that Draco was an extremely attractive bloke and he was feeling a bit randy. He didn't want to think about his own failed relationship at the moment.

"Fine." Draco was saying through gritted teeth when Charlie tuned back in to the discussion. He looked at Weasley and nodded. "What's she blackmailing you with for this little adventure?"

Charlie grinned. "No blackmail. The company is worth it."

For the first time in what seemed forever, Draco blushed.


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Draco wanted to kill Pansy. This was all her fault. It had started with drinks that day after his St. Mungo's appointment and had followed with a rather casual dinner at a pub the following night, minus Pansy. Draco couldn't believe that he had actually agreed to go out to dinner with Charlie Weasley, well actually, Pansy had committed him to going out to dinner with Charlie Weasley and even more actually, she had made the dinner arrangements by telling Weasley that he was taking him out the next night. Neither one of them had much of a choice in the matter.

Draco was again reminded by how much Pansy resembled the bushy-haired Granger, but he didn't dare say it again. He did like his balls entirely too much.

Now here he was, after two weeks of hanging out with Charlie Weasley, getting ready to go the Burrow-The Burrow-to have dinner with the Weasleys.

Now sure, he'd had dinner at the Weasleys a number of times-with Harry…but now he was going to be going in there with a Weasley, whose younger brother was the god-father of his daughter and whose sister was now dating his ex-boyfriend, whom he had stolen from her in the first place.

But Draco had learned a thing or two from spending so much time with the lions. His courage had grown exponentially. He would do this. And he would enjoy it. Because Pansy did have a point. He knew Harry probably better than anyone. And Harry was going to be well put-out by his arrival with Charlie, even if he didn't know the exact nature of their relationship.

To be honest, Draco wasn't even sure the exact nature of it himself. They hadn't had sex or anything, which had surprised him. As quick as he had been to spread his legs when Harry had first left, he wasn't so inclined to do it now. And Charlie hadn't pushed the issue. Draco sensed that Charlie had his own demons filling his head and he was rather glad he hadn't initiated any kind of sexual activity. A complete stranger was one thing, but someone who was as close to Harry as Charlie was, Draco didn't necessarily want to completely burn his bridges.

He still loved the stupid git.

Draco stepped out of the bathroom of his old bedroom at the Manor and left the room. He headed down the stairs and saw his mother standing at the bottom of the grand staircase, holding Cassiopeia. Draco had come over to pick her up to take to the Weasleys. Charlie had mentioned that his mother hadn't seen her in awhile, which had only fueled Draco's curiosity as to why Harry hadn't been bringing her over if he was dating the slut. Surely they would have been flaunting their couple-ness to the Weasleys once more.

"I don't agree with what you're doing, Draco," Narcissa said, coming straight to the point. "I don't trust this Weasley."

Draco smirked. "You don't trust any Weasley, Mother. Why should this one be any different?"

"Don't pretend you don't know what I'm speaking about. This is very ill-advised."

"I'm going to eat dinner, Mother. I've had dinner at this place a number of times already."

Narcissa's lips thinned and a slight frown marred her features. Draco decided to stop giving her a hard time.

"Mother, please don't worry about this. It's really not what you think. There is nothing between us. Weasley and I are just…friends, I guess."

"Friends?? You barely know him! He hasn't been in the country for years. How can you call him a friend?"

Draco rubbed his hand across his forehead and sighed. "I can't explain it, Mother. He's made things a bit better for me. He's been a help actually."

"He's Harry's family, Draco! He's not going to pick you over them! You're only going to get hurt again."

"I don't want him to pick me at all! It's not like that. We're not lovers. He just…understands what I've been feeling lately. Pansy and Blaise haven't lost anything but he has. He understands, all right? Just trust me. I'm not going to get hurt."

And with he stepped forward to take Cassiopeia from her. Narcissa let her go reluctantly and Draco leaned forward to give her a kiss on the forehead.

"It'll be fine, Mother. Don't worry."

Narcissa gave a hesitant nod as Draco placed Cassiopeia in her carriage. She was glad to see that Draco had seemed to be recovering from his depression well and was getting out again, but she felt this thing with Charlie Weasley was trouble. She hoped that Draco knew what he was doing.

Hphphphph

Miles away an identical conversation was taking place, but this time it was two red-heads having the discussion. Charlie had his arms folded stubbornly as Molly began again on the insanity of "dating" Draco Malfoy.

"He's going to hurt you, Charlie! He's not ready for a relationship! He just broke up with Harry! And…Harry? How could you do this? What are you doing?"

"I'm not doing anything, Mum! We're just friends, all right? I can have friends! So what if it's Draco! It's okay if it's Harry, but not me?"

Molly scowled fiercely. "Harry is like a son to me, yes, but he's not my son! You are! And I don't want to see you hurt! And I can't believe that after all these years you finally tell me that you're gay! As if I didn't know that already! And you tell me just so you can bring Draco over here for dinner?"

"Mum…stop it! I apologized for not telling you, but I knew you would be upset if I didn't bring home a nice girl and grandkids! I didn't want to disappoint you. And I know that I have anyway. But I know what I'm doing. Draco and I are just friends. Harry is…Harry is family to me too, but he's going on a path that's all messed up and wrong. He's going to hurt himself and Ginny…we all know that! I'm not trying to hurt him anymore then he already is."

"But…what about him, dear? Draco? He's going to be hurt when you reject him! Think about him!"

"Draco knows exactly what this is, Mum. He's not stupid either. And I'd be an idiot to think that he's over Harry. No way."

"Yes, and what about you and your friend. Where is he?"

Charlie's expression changed and he shook his head. "I'm not going to talk about that. Leave it alone."

There was a knock at the door and Charlie nodded to his mother. "I'm sure that's him. Be nice." He trotted down the stairs and opened the front door and sure enough Draco stood on the front porch, holding the baby.

"Draco," Charlie said as he pulled the door open wider, "come on in." He stepped aside as Draco entered the dwelling. Molly came down the stairs and cried out in delight when she saw Cassiopeia.

"Ohhh…you brought the baby! Wonderful!" Molly walked over to Draco and reached her arms out. "May I?"

Draco handed the baby to her and Molly cooed at her. She then looked him at him sternly. "You haven't been eating, Draco. Probably back to those bird salads you call food." She gave him a motherly smile and Draco felt the warmth from her.

"I've missed your stews, yes," he said and Molly beamed. "I hope you made one tonight."

Molly positively glowed in appreciation. "It's good to see you, Draco. You're welcome here anytime," she said and Draco knew that she was sincere.

She glanced at Charlie. "Help set the table, please. The others will be here shortly. Your father is going to be so surprised."

Arthur Weasley had received a promotion at work, which had prompted the dinner with the Weasley family. Draco watched as Charlie ducked into the dining room to set the table as Molly sat down on the couch to play with Cassiopeia. There was a roar of the floo and several people tumbled out of it. George and his wife and kids, Bill, Fleur and their kids and the other Weasley that Draco never liked. The one who always took points from the Slytherins at school.

"Draco!" Fleur cried out when she noticed the blond, "how nice to zee you! You brought ze baby, no?" She saw Molly cuddling the baby and Fleur hurried over to her. Bill and George looked confused for a moment, but both greeted him.

The fireplace roared again as Charlie walked back into the living room and greeted his brothers. Ron and Hermione stepped out brushing off their cloaks. Ron froze when he saw Draco and Hermione blinked and then looked around the room.

"What are you doing here, Malfoy?" Ron blurted out and Charlie looked up from where he was talking to Bill. He immediately headed towards Draco who was puffing up like a cobra. Charlie caught Draco's eye and grinned. Draco smirked, knowing this was going to be a fun evening.

"He's having dinner, Ronald," Molly said tersely before Charlie or Draco could respond. "Like he's done on several other occasions."

"But…but…"Ron said, clearly confused, but Hermione elbowed him. "Who invited him?"

The fireplace roared yet again, and Ginny stepped out of the hearth. She caught sight of Ron's bewildered face and looked around. She set eyes on Draco and she let out a low gasp. Her mother stood up then and handed the baby to Fleur, who was hovering beside her like a cloud. As if she hadn't left her own children standing by the fireplace with their father.

"Come on, everyone! Get your cloaks off, dinner will be ready in a moment. Your father will be here in a few minutes." She immediately grabbed Ginny by the arm and drug the girl into the kitchen. Ron was still gaping like a carp, but Hermione had caught the look between Charlie and the blond and her eyebrows had shot up her face.

And the fireplace flashed green again and Harry stepped out of the floo, his face smudged by the soot. He saw Hermione in his line of vision first and he gave a hesitant smile, but the look on her face was not what he had expected. She hurried towards him and then he noticed Ron, who looked about as confused as Professor Lockhart had been back in second year after his memory charm backfired. Harry noticed there was a slight tension in the air and his auror instincts kicked in instantly. Something was wrong…

Then he felt the presence.

Draco.

Harry turned to stare at the blond, who was standing across the room, talking to Charlie. Harry frowned as he remembered the conversation he'd had with the older man a few weeks back. That he'd run into Draco out in town a couple of times. So now he was here at the Burrow? Charlie had invited him? What was going on with that?

"-arry!" Hermione had shouted in his ear.

Harry jerked and glared at her. "Stop shouting, Hermione!"

"Then answer me! I've been calling you for like a minute! Are you all right?"

"Yes!" He said irritably, "Why wouldn't I be?"

Hermione made a face. "Well…no reason. We were caught off guard that Draco was here. Charlie invited him."

Harry tried for a casual shrug, but it came out more of a jerky seizure like movement. He had swiveled his head back around to watch the two and Draco looked up at the moment. Draco gave him a small nod, but then continued his conversation. Harry frowned at that. He really wanted to know how this had come about. He wanted to know what the blond was up to.

There was a pop of apparition and Arthur appeared in their midst. He froze as he saw his family gathered in the living room, then gave a hearty smile.

"Surprise, Arthur!" Molly called out. "Congratulations, dear!"

Cries of congratulations echoed around the room and the patriarch beamed in pride. Molly then ushered everyone into the dining room for supper. Harry saw Ginny and the young woman walked towards him, but her smile seemed strained and uncomfortable. When she reached him, she stood by him awkwardly and Harry looked equally uncomfortable. Draco, however, looked smooth as silk as he glided over to the table and took a seat next to Charlie.

Harry and Ginny sat down opposite them at the table, but a little further down, making it so Hermione actually sat in front of Draco, with Ron in front of his brother. Harry sat next to Hermione. Fleur had been holding the baby at her seat, but either Cassi had a sixth sense when her other father was present or she recognized his voice, because she instantly began squirming in Fleur's arms, whimpering and trying to turn her head.

"She's hungry, Fleur," Draco called out, as he reached down in the now unshrunk diaper bag. He pulled out a bottle and set it on the table. Harry watched him with such an intense expression that Draco looked up and caught his eye again. Fleur was carrying the baby over to Draco.

"I just love zee little ones," she gushed, but she handed the baby to Draco anyway. Draco took Cassi and began to feed her. Harry's eyes had softened as he watched Draco with Cassi and he realized this was the first time he'd really seen the other man with her. Every time he had gone to pick Cassi up from Narcissa's, Draco either wasn't there or wasn't interacting with Cassi.

Harry was struck by how much the baby looked like Draco, even though so many people had said how much she looked like him. But in that moment, Cassi was all Malfoy, except for the dark hair. And Draco looked sooo…serene and peaceful, feeding her like that. And now Draco was looking at him and Harry's mind drifted to the soft passionate kisses that had dominated his dreams of late, the exquisite blowjobs and the great sex they apparently shared, and Harry could feel his cock growing hard right there at the table.

And then Draco licked his lips and Harry watched, fascinated as the pink tongue wet the soft flesh and Harry let out a stilted breath. His own lips parted as he watched and his pupils dilated in a hazy lust. And then Ron's voice thankfully destroyed the moment.

"How did you hook up with Malfoy, Charlie?" Ron was saying as he eyed Draco with mistrust.

Harry snapped his head to look at Ron and then at Charlie, who looked decidedly displeased with the direct question at the dinner table. George looked like he was ready to laugh, but Bill just frowned.

"I ran into him, like I told you before," Charlie said sharply and Harry blinked. Charlie seemed rather defensive about it.

"But that doesn't explain why you invited him here, of all places," Ron continued, although now his mother was looking around.

"Why not?" Charlie retorted, "it's not like he hasn't been here before." He looked over at Harry. "Right, Harry?"

Harry wished that he hadn't been pulled into this, but he nodded slowly. "Well, yes. He's been here before. Many times from what I understand."

"So he's here now. So what's the problem, Ron?" Charlie challenged.

Ron looked flustered for a moment, but then saw Ginny staring ahead resolutely, her face growing paler by the second.

"Well, it obviously bothers Gin, Charlie! Why didn't you think of that?"

Draco finally spoke up. "Why would it bother Ginerva that I'm here?" Draco asked sweetly, "I'm not doing anything but enjoying a delicious meal served by your mother."

Ron rolled his eyes and Hermione elbowed Ron again. "Leave it alone, Ron. It's none of our business."

"I just want to understand why my brother is dating Malfoy. I mean, come on…he was Harry's boyfriend first. This is just…wrong!"

"Actually, little brother, he was Gin's boyfriend first, until Harry went to bat for the other team." George supplied helpfully and Harry spluttered on his drink.

Ron was nodding enthusiastically. "Yeah, that's right. Malfoy stole Harry from Gin, Charlie! Where's your loyalty to the family, huh?"

"He didn't steal me! I went on my own!" Harry said loudly, annoyed by the whole turn of this conversation. "And that was between Draco and me! We talked about it."

Hermione, Ron and Ginny all looked at Harry in shock. Draco was unable to prevent the sly smile that appeared on his face. "How do you know that? I never told you that."

Harry looked around the table at everyone and then snapped his mouth shut. "I don't want to talk about this anymore. Draco can do whatever he wants, Ron. Leave off." Harry sullenly jammed a piece of stew into his mouth and refused to look at them again.

An uncomfortable silence settled over the table, until Hermione broke it by asking Mister Weasley what his promotion was. Conversation started again and soon the chattering of voices filled the air again. Draco made sure that he did not look at Harry for the rest of the meal, even though he was acutely aware of everything the brunette did. The bint next to him didn't say much for the rest of the meal either and Draco couldn't keep the smirk from his face.

After Cassi finished feeding, Draco turned her over to burp her, but she spit up on his robes.

"Ooohhh, Draco, she spit up," Hermione called out as the baby vomit flowed down his shoulder.

Draco eyed the mess and pulled Cassi away from his shoulder and reached for his wand, but Charlie stilled his hand.

"I've got it," he said, as he picked up a napkin from the table. He began to wipe the liquid from the blond's shoulder carefully. Draco waited patiently as Charlie cleaned his robes and then he turned and said, "Thank you."

"No problem," Charlie answered and gave him a smile.

Suddenly there was the sound of a chair scraping across the floor and Draco turned toward the sound. Harry was abruptly leaving the table and Ginny was also standing up. Draco frowned, not sure what had happened. Hermione was looking at him intently though and Draco looked back at her. Charlie was looking at Ron, who was glowering at Draco again. Charlie had not been around for the arrival of Draco into their family functions, but he knew that it had been rather chaotic. Harry's breakup with Ginny had sent waves through the wizarding world. Not only had he heard the news from Bill of course, but newspapers carried the story to Romania as well.

However, Charlie had felt differently about the breakup then the rest of his family had. Charlie knew what it felt like to live a lie, to be something that he wasn't. Harry's breaking things off with Ginny was the right thing to do, because he had realized that he was gay and didn't want to lead her on anymore. Charlie was actually proud of Harry and what he had done. Sure, he wasn't happy that his sister was hurt, but it would have been more painful in the end had Harry lied to her or cheated on her his whole marriage.

Dinner was breaking up and Charlie stood up, stretching his legs.

"That was a great meal, Mum."

Molly smiled at him and Arthur nodded, kissing his wife's forehead. Charlie felt his heart strings tug at the sight. He had had that once, but it was all gone. He had lost everything along with his leg. He shook his head to clear it. Didn't want to think about that. Draco was standing up beside him and he could already feel the women drawing towards the baby again. Charlie had to admit that Draco looked beautiful with Cassi. And if he was affected, he knew very well that Harry had to have been also.

Charlie had watched the Harry throughout dinner. Harry was clearly out of sorts with Draco's presence, which meant that the brunette had some sort of emotional attachment to the blond. How could he not? Charlie was by no means stupid. He knew that Draco was still very much in love with Harry. It was obvious, even if the blond tried to pretend he didn't care. But no one in that room was fooled, except for maybe Harry himself. But Ginny certainly felt the charged emotions that were flying back and forth across the table. He wondered why his sister was putting herself through this charade. She had to know that Harry was eventually going to leave her again.

Harry had left the table because of the intimate gesture of his cleaning Draco's robes. He'd seen Harry's face as he had put his hands on Draco. The intimacy wasn't lost on Harry, and Charlie had seen the jealousy envelop the other man like a cloak. Ginny had seen it too. Harry had left out the back door, but Ginny hadn't followed him. She had gone upstairs. But Hermione was heading in the direction that Harry had gone and Charlie figured Harry was in for a lecture. He smiled at that thought and went to join his brothers and Draco in the living room.

Hermione walked out to the back porch and watched Harry, who was sitting on the back steps.

"Harry?"

"Leave me alone, Hermione. I don't want to talk about it."

"I just want to make sure that you're all right."

"Bloody brilliant."

Hermione walked over and sat down on the steps beside him and looked at him.

"You're remembering him, aren't you?"

Harry gazed out into the distant fields and then sighed. "I think so."

"Then that's great, Harry! You can get your life back."

Harry looked at her and shook her head. "No, it's not great. I promised Ginny I wouldn't leave her. That I wouldn't hurt her again. And I won't. No matter what happens."

"But you won't be happy! You'd give that all up! Harry, you were miserable when you fell in love with Draco and stayed with Ginny that year. I knew something was wrong, we all did, but you wouldn't tell me. Now you're saying that you'll do it again and be miserable for the rest of your life?"

"I promised her, Hermione! It's done."

"But you don't love her!"

"I do love her…I do."

"But you're not as sure as you were three months ago. Your memories are coming back and you're jealous of Charlie now, aren't you?"

"I don't know…I just feel…nutters all of a sudden. Nothing is making any sense."

Hermione leaned over and laid her head on Harry's shoulder. "It will, Harry. Just don't close your heart to what you really want."

Harry sighed again and immediately felt that they were no longer alone. He looked up and he saw Draco standing in the doorway. Hermione felt Harry stiffen and she sat up. She turned and saw Draco behind them. She stood up quickly.

"I'm going back in the house. Help Molly with dessert." She hurried past Draco and squeezed his arm as she passed. Draco watched her go and then turned his attention to Harry, who was looking at him with an unreadable expression.

"I just came to let you know that I'm going to sell the house. You should come and get your things."

Harry stood up and stared at Draco, frowning. "Why are you doing that?"

"Nothing there for me anymore, Harry. I want something new. Unless you want the house. Aren't you supposed to be getting your own place?"

"I…well, yes, I am going to. Just haven't done it yet. But I will."

"All right, then. Come and get your stuff. Or I'll get my stuff and leave if you want the house."

Something inside of Harry sank as Draco spoke and he struggled to force the feeling away.

"No, I'll get the stuff," Harry said and Draco nodded. The blond turned away and Harry felt something was slipping away if he let the blond just go.

"Draco! What are you doing with Charlie?"

Draco turned to Harry and smirked. "Nothing…yet."

Harry clenched his fist and said, "You're just going to use him, aren't you? He doesn't deserve that!"

Draco cocked his head. "Well, that's our business, don't you think? He can decide what he wants or doesn't want."

"You're only doing this to get back at me."

"Why is this about you? You've moved on and now so am I. We all deserve happiness, right?"

Harry snorted. "You'd never date a Weasley. No way."

"Well, seeing as how I am…your statement is pretty much a moot point, don't you think?"

"You're dating him? You said you were just friends!"

"And how is this any of your business, Harry! You don't see me butting into your relationship," Draco said with a sneer. "Stay out of my business."

Draco turned to walk away and was shocked to feel Harry's arm grip his and whip him around. He got right into Draco's face.

"Don't fuck with me, Draco. Don't play games."

Draco threw his head back and gave a throaty laugh. Harry snarled and jerked Draco forward, pressing their bodies close together. Draco stared into blazing green eyes and then Harry was smashing his lips against his. Draco responded instantly, with his mouth opening and shoving his tongue into Harry's mouth. Harry groaned as the battle of the tongues commenced, both men gripping each other with steel like fingers.

"Harry?"

Ginny!

Harry stumbled back from Draco as though he'd been pushed. He jerked back so hard that he slammed into the wood of the porch railing and almost knocked it loose. Draco hissed in anger as Harry scrambled to get his footing and play all innocent with the bint. Ginny stepped out onto the porch and took in the scene. Both men were panting heavily, and Harry looked as if he was about to break into a fast run. Draco looked like an offended hippogriff. Something had happened and she had interrupted.

Draco abruptly turned and pushed passed her, not even bothering to say goodbye to either of them.

Harry stared after him and then looked at Ginny. He didn't say a word as he bounded down the steps to the yard and apparated without a word. Ginny stared at the spot he'd been standing in.

Charlie looked up as Draco came into the living room, looking like he was ready to go into battle. He stood up quickly as Draco made a jerking motion with his head, indicating he was ready to leave. He looked around for Cassiopeia, who was currently being held by Angelina, George's wife. She practically popped out of her chair at the sight of Draco's face and she hurriedly handed him the baby.

Draco had barely said goodnight before he was stepping to the floo to go home to his house with Charlie right behind him.

The red-head didn't say a word as Draco put the sleeping infant to bed. As soon as he reappeared into the living room he asked cautiously,

"Everything all right?"

Draco stood there, with his hands in tight fists. Then he walked over to Charlie and looked him in the eye.

"Everything's fine."

Then he wrapped his arms around Charlie and brought his lips against the older man's. Charlie returned the kiss hesitantly and then he pulled away.

"Draco, Draco. What's wrong? Are you sure you want to do this?"

"I'm not a fucking virgin, Weasley. I know what I want to do. If you don't want to do it, then just say so and get the fuck out."

Charlie blinked at the abrupt dismissal and felt his cock harden at the challenge in Draco's voice. "Yeahhhh…I want to do this."

Draco grinned and then reached down into his trousers and pulled out his erect cock.

"Then prove it."