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Sixth year was a nightmare, Harry decided. Ron and Hermione were dancing around each other, he was trying to captain the quidditch team, private lessons with Dumbledore, and, of course, the task of getting close to Slughorn for whatever reason. He still didn’t know why he was supposed to do that. So far, Slughorn liked him because he was doing well enough in his Potions classes thanks to the book he was using. 

He still hated Halloween, though. 

Nearly every year something happened on Halloween. So Harry decided he was not going to be around for it. When everyone was in the Great Hall, he slipped away and went through the one-eyed witch passageway straight to the shrieking shack. He set up a few candles so he could remember his parents like tradition said he should. He’d snuck the book on wix traditions from Diagon Alley a few years back, but had barely had time to look through it. He didn’t exactly have time during school, but he’d been able to look through it a little over the summer before Dumbledore hijacked him to the Weasleys. 

He jumped and held his wand out when the door creaked open. He stared for a little while, confused about what he was seeing. 

“Now what have we here?” Malfoy drawled, looking around the room and clearly noticing the burning herbs and incense along with the candles in the ritual circle he’d drawn. “Someone’s done their homework on correct family observances, it seems.”

“What do you want, Malfoy? I’m busy.”

“Had to find out what you were ditching your dynamic duo for.” Malfoy sniffed, stepping further into the room. “Never would have guessed you were properly following our culture.”

“What do you want?” 

“I want you to stop following me around.” Malfoy snarled. “I want you to drop whatever idiotic plan you have in your head and leave me be.”

“Can’t do that.” Harry shook his head. “No one believes me, but I know you were marked. I don’t care if it was purposeful or you were coerced. I know you’re up to something, and I know it’s killing you. You barely eat, you barely try in classes, and you aren’t antagonizing me.”

“You need to stop.” Malfoy snarled, shoving Harry back until he was against a wall. He’d put his wand down when Malfoy hadn’t gotten his out. Instead they stood, inches away from each other, Malfoy’s hands braced on the wall by Harry’s face. “You’ve no idea what I’m involved in.”

“I know your father failed to get the prophecy from the Ministry.” Harry whispered. “I know that, in order to make up for that failure, he’d either offer you up, or you’d be taken from him in retaliation.”

“What will it take to get you to leave me alone, hm?”

“Let me help you.” Harry answered honestly. 

“You can’t help me.” Malfoy sneered. “No one can. I was chosen for a task, and I have to complete it. Me. Or he’ll kill my mother.”

“I won’t let that happen.” Harry argued. “I know I can’t do much, not really, but I can offer a safe location if you can get her to agree to leave.”

“She won’t.” Malfoy shook his head. “She won’t abandon father.”

“If you aren’t here for me to help you, why are you here? Really here. Not some excuse that I ran off on my own, you and I both know I do that all the time.”

“I need you to stop following me so I can do my task.” Malfoy whispered. “But … but I also figured you and I are more similar than we show.”

“How?” Harry frowned.

“We’re both being groomed for an impossible task by a leader of a faction, dark and light. We’re both being forced to play parts in a war that we want nothing to do with.” Malfoy said, licking his lips and drawing Harry’s eyes to them before he looked quickly back up at Malfoy’s eyes. “We’re both stressed beyond compare with no one to talk to about it.”

“True.” Harry said in a raspy tone. He couldn’t help noticing that Malfoy’s eyes had some flecks of blue in the silver. 

“I’m not proposing a truce or anything.” Malfoy said slowly. “But if you back off, let me do my task, incompetently or not, I’ll help you not think so much.”

“I don’t understand.” Harry tilted his head, trying to figure it out. 

“You don’t notice it, but you’re being dosed with potions and compulsions constantly.” Malfoy whispered.

“What?” Harry let out a rushed breath.

“The elves talk, if you know how to listen. Perhaps I can persuade them to stop potioning you, provide you with an amulet or something to keep spells from taking over and making your head fog over in class, let alone in the presence of a certain red-headed girl?”

“Ginny?”

“Dumbledore is using the image of you and her together to keep his people in line. Pairing you up makes people think of your parents.” Malfoy said calmly. 

“You think he’s spelling me to like her.” Harry whispered in understanding. “Fine. Get me proof, and I’ll listen.”

“Dobby.” Malfoy said calmly, smirking when the elf popped in.

“Mister Draco called for Dobby?” Dobby said, before his eyes landed on Harry and they widened even further. “Mister Harry Potter, sir!”

“Dobby, tell Potter what you told me.” Malfoy said calmly, keeping Harry boxed in by the wall. 

“Does Harry Potter, sir, not know that his food is spelled and potioned, sir?” Dobby asked, tugging on his ears. 

“Dobby,” Harry said more calmly than he felt, licking his own lips, noticing that Malfoy followed the action with his eyes, “did the Headmaster ask the elves to do that?”

“He did, sir.” Dobby nodded fervently. “He says Harry Potter needs his strength, sir, but Dobby knows the potions is bad potions, sir. They is meant to make Harry Potter susceptible, sir. Suggestable.”

“Thanks, Dobby.” Harry croaked. “Can you stop them being added to my food?”

“Dobby can try, sir, but Dobby is not sure he can stop them all.”

“Thank you, Dobby.” Malfoy said, still watching Harry closely. “That’ll be all.”

“What do you want?” Harry asked, feeling angry and frustrated that Dumbledore would do this to him after Dobby left.

“I want … an arrangement.” Malfoy said cautiously. “I want you to be clear headed enough to win this fight, whether I make it out or not. I want you to win. But I also think we can agree on a source of mutual stress relief.”

“Such as?”

“I want to fuck you so hard you forget we’re on opposite sides of this shit.”

“You what?” Harry felt his face heat up when his voice cracked. 

“I will help the elves keep potions out of your food, as well as get you something so the person casting at you believes their spell is working, but you’ll know it isn’t because the item will absorb it and record it. In exchange, I want you underneath me.”

“Isn’t that coercion? Or, like, blackmail?” Harry asked, pressing back against the wall more so Malfoy potentially wouldn’t notice that part of him was very interested in the deal. A traitorous part of him.

“Coercion, if anything.” Malfoy conceded with a wobble of his head. “Nothing has to change outside of this room, if you don’t want it to. But I think it would give both of us a more clear head to dealing with our own … directions.”

“What makes you think I’m interested?” Harry huffed.

“Aren’t you?” Malfoy smirked, stepping closer and putting his leg between Harry’s, making him suck in a breath at the slightest touch. “You just found out you’re being spelled to go after someone romantically. Does that not make you want to do something that would piss him off? I’ll even make it worth your while.”

“I’ve never-” Harry gasped when Malfoy shifted his leg again, leaning closer and pressing himself against Harry’s body, “I’ve only ever even kissed someone once.”

“Finish your ritual, and I’ll teach you.” Malfoy whispered into his ear, making him shiver. 

“You want me to complete my remembrance ritual after that?” Harry croaked.

“It’s important.” Malfoy said, suddenly serious. “My family still does them for my grandparents on the anniversary of their deaths.”

Harry nodded and gulped to hide the whimper that threatened to come out when Malfoy moved away from him. He closed his eyes and counted to ten a few times before moving around Malfoy and sitting down by the circle. He glanced over his shoulder for a second, but Malfoy was pretending not to watch him. With a shaky hand, he pulled out two pictures of his parents. One from when they were in school together, and one of them with baby Harry. He lit the candles with a wave of his hand and recited the words as much as he could without his voice wavering too much. He felt a rush of warmth and inhaled sharply, feeling his eyes stinging as he fought not to cry. It felt like they were really there with him for a minute. Like they heard him. He took a few moments when it was over to collect himself, before putting the pictures back in his robe pocket and getting up to face Malfoy once more. 

While Harry had been busy, Malfoy transfigured the bed, or summoned a new one, one of the two. It was no longer at risk of falling to pieces if bumped into, and the linen looked brand new. He was feeling very conflicted about doing this with Malfoy, of all people. It wasn’t that he didn’t find the git attractive, he’d accepted that a long time ago. In fourth year, during the Yule ball, actually. He looked fantastic in his dress robes. But Harry grew up in a house that deplored what wasn’t considered normal. And male-male relationships were definitely considered abnormal to his Uncle. 

“If we do this,” Harry said nervously, setting his robe aside, noticing that Malfoy had already done so, “you have to promise me something.”

“We already set our deal.” Malfoy narrowed his eyes at Harry.

“I’m aware.” Harry answered calmly, though his heart was thundering in his chest. “Just … promise me, ok? Promise you won’t ask?”

“Ask what?” 

“Don’t ask. About- about any of it.” 

“Any of what?”

“Just promise me, ok?”

“Fine.” Malfoy said through gritted teeth. “I won’t ask, if you won’t.”

“Ok.” Harry nodded, earning him a surprised, yet suspicious, look from Malfoy. “And … call me Harry when we’re … you know.”

“Call you Harry when we’re fucking?” Malfoy asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Blimey you’re in a mood.” Harry huffed. “Yes, alright, don’t call me Potter when you’re fucking me.”

“You call me Draco outside of this room, and I’ll hex your arse.” Malfoy said sternly.

“Ok.” Harry nodded, pulling his tie off with nervous fingers. 

Malfoy, no, Draco stopped him, easing it off, slowly unbuttoning Harry’s shirt and trousers, before doing his own. He pulled Harry closer and kissed him more gently than Harry expected, while dropping their clothes to the floor aside from their pants. Harry’s knees nearly buckled when Draco’s tongue pressed into his mouth. He kept upright by holding onto Draco’s waist. Kissing Cho definitely didn’t compare to kissing Draco Malfoy. He knew exactly what he was doing, and exactly what he wanted. And that was just Harry.

The kissing suitably distracted Harry for a time, before he felt the bed at the back of his legs and fell onto it. He scooted back to the pillows as Draco crawled on top of him and kissed him even harder, devouring his mouth and pressing their hips together in a delicious rhythm. Harry thought he might not make it to anything more, but Draco stopped and leaned up to look down at him. He quickly took Harry’s glasses and put them on the side table, staring into Harry’s eyes without any obstruction for the first time.

“The first time is usually easier on your stomach, but it’s your choice if you want to see me or keep kissing me during.” Malfoy said softly, a finger tracing one of his old scars along his collarbone. “I won’t ask, like I promised. Maybe one day you’ll tell me about it. About any of them.”

“Maybe.” Harry said quietly, not wanting to think about what his body might look like. He lifted his hips when Draco tugged at his pants. When Draco took his own off as well, Harry groaned at so much skin contact. Draco kissed him again before reaching a hand down. Past his aching erection, skimming along his balls, and stopping by his hole. 

“Pull your knees up and take slow breaths, alright?” Draco instructed soothingly. Harry nodded, but Draco distracted him with his mouth while he massaged the muscle and pressed a finger inside. It felt weird at first. Not uncomfortable, just odd. Harry gasped a little when a second finger was pushed in as well. When a third finger was added, Draco crooked them just a bit and Harry bit his lip at how good it felt. 

“Stop.” Harry gasped after a little while of Draco pushing against whatever was sending electrical signals throughout his body. “Stop, or I’ll be done before anything else happens.”

“Alright.” Draco rasped, grabbing another pillow and urging Harry to lift his hips up. “Deep breaths, ok? This won’t feel like my fingers, and it’ll take a minute to adjust. Tell me when you’re ready for me to move.” Harry nodded and held onto his knees. He forced his body to relax and took a deep breath when he felt the nudge of something larger than a finger at his entrance. He sucked in a harsh breath when it was pressed inside him. “Deep breaths, Harry.” Draco said, sounding out of breath. 

It took a minute, but he nodded for Draco to keep going. Once he was fully inside of Harry, they were both breathing heavily. Draco dropped his head down on Harry’s as they both adjusted to the feeling. It … was a lot. The full feeling. Intrusive but … not, at the same time. Harry let go of one of his knees and gave Draco’s arm a slight squeeze. That was all that was needed, and Draco moved back before thrusting forward again. Things were a bit of a blur, after that. Harry knew he started muttering, mostly incoherently, but he was pretty sure he communicated well enough that he was enjoying it. Which he absolutely was. 

Draco was muttering in what sounded like French, and it was doing things to Harry. When he pulled out, Harry was confused why he stopped, before he was flipped onto his stomach. The angle was insanely different, but he knew he wouldn’t last long. Draco had found the spot that set his body alight and pounded into it. 

“Oh god, oh my god, Draco, I’m- fuck, don’t stop- Draco!” Harry shouted out, gripping the blankets beneath him when Draco wrapped a hand around his cock and stroked it in time with his thrusts. His whole body tensed up and he came blindingly hard, practically collapsing on the bed in his own mess as Draco thrust harder and faster before stilling as warmth flooded Harry’s insides and falling against his back, breathing heavily. They were both drenched in sweat. Harry winced as Draco pulled out of him and flopped beside him on the bed. He turned his head to look at him, but couldn’t really see him without his glasses. Not well, anyway.

“Merlin, this may have been a bad idea.” Draco groaned, wiping a hand over his face.

“I’ve had a lot of bad ideas,” Harry argued weakly, still feeling utterly boneless, “but this doesn’t feel like one.” He grinned when Draco snorted. 

“Not now it doesn’t, no.” Draco agreed, rolling to his side and pushing Harry’s hair out of his face a bit. “You might think differently tomorrow when you’re having trouble walking, let alone sitting.”

“You’re a very good kisser, you know?” Harry said, shifting to his side a bit. 

“So I’ve been told.” Draco hummed. “You are an amazing bottom, Harry Potter.”

“You’re welcome?” Harry answered, a little confused.

“Yes, thank you.” Draco snorted again. “Should probably head back. Dinner will be over soon and we each will have our own people looking for us.”

“Doubtful.” Harry scoffed. “They’ll be too busy arguing to notice I’m not there. They might remember me by breakfast, though.”

“Here.” Draco rolled and then Harry’s glasses were pushed onto his face. “You should get new ones at some point. These do nothing for your bone structure.”

“I’ll think about it.” Harry grinned. “If this proves as a viable stress reliever, how often are you wanting to do this? Excepting quidditch days, of course.”

“No day before quidditch, and probably no day of.” Draco agreed. “Once a week, would be about as often as we could meet.”

“If we get close to getting caught, we’ll have to take a break for a while.” Harry said quietly.

“We’ve only got about 45 days before everyone goes home for holiday.” Draco shrugged unconcernedly. “I can have something for you for the spells and potions in the next day or two.”

“Just give it to Hedwig in the owlery.” Harry said, fighting back a yawn. The new bed was incredibly comfortable. “She’ll get it to me.”

“Don’t fall asleep here. Not unless you’re ready to tell your friends that you learned the rituals and observances for our kind.” Draco said, tapping a finger against his head when his eyes fluttered closed for a second too long. Harry cleared his throat, nodded, and sat up before gritting his teeth. “Told you you’d be sore.”

“Thought it’d wait until tomorrow at least.” Harry complained, gingerly getting off the bed and looking for his clothes. 

“First times are usually painful pretty much right away. For anyone.” Draco shrugged, getting up and pulling his pants on before tossing Harry his. Once they were dressed again, Draco helping Harry a bit, but mostly distracting him by kissing him along his neck. “Don’t break our deal, Harry Potter.”

“Bloody quit, then.” Harry huffed, forcing his hands to let go of Draco’s shirt. “I show up with marks on my neck, someone is going to figure something out, and I’m a shit liar.”

“You can’t be that bad.” Draco frowned. 

“No, I’m worse. I tried lying, even once, over the summer and the words wouldn’t leave my mouth.” Harry complained, dragging a hand through his hair, before Draco snatched it and held onto his wrist with a strong grip. 

“Harry-”

“No.” Harry shook his head. “You promised. No asking.”

“You didn’t have this when you started at Hogwarts. You didn’t have this during the Tournament.” Draco said firmly, looking furious. “Umbridge did this.”

“No.” Harry said through gritted teeth, but he already felt the truth wanting to come out. “I did it. She just gave me the quill for the lines she required me to write.”

“How many people have similar scars?” Draco demanded.

“No one.” Harry shook his head. “They never used them long enough. I’m a liar according to her and the Ministry, remember? She gave me detentions all the time, and no one gave a damn. Not then, and certainly not now. So drop it.”

“She still works at the Ministry.” Draco said angrily.

“Good for her.” Harry sneered, attempting to take his hand back. “Her and Fudge are a matched pair of idiots. And don’t fucking say the parents would be furious if they knew, because Ron already tried that one. His parents didn’t care that-” Harry bit his lip and shook his head, “doesn’t matter. I don’t have parents, not anymore. I don’t have people, adults, who care about me. I don’t need them.”

“You need a fucking adult in your corner, Potter!” Draco shouted. “Even I have those!”

“Then good for you!” Harry shouted back. “Those teachers in that school care as much about me as they actually know me. Go on and ask any one of them a single thing about me, you know what they’ll say? That I’m passable in my classes, that I’m a great quidditch player, and that I look like my father with my mother’s eyes. Not a damn one of them knows anything else about me. They might say me, Ron, and Hermione are always off in trouble somewhere together, but that’s it. So if this arrangement, where we fuck around occasionally, is all I get before I die in a year, maybe two, fine. It’ll be fun while it lasts. So don’t you dare suddenly feel sorry for me or start pitying me. I don’t need it. Pity isn’t a currency, and does nothing but hold you down.”

“Fuck you.” Draco snarled, throwing Harry’s hand down and dragging a hand through his hair in agitation.

“You already did.” Harry countered calmly. He turned away and collected what was left from his ritual and put the things in his bag before heading for the door. Draco stopped him, though.

“I’ll prove it.” 

“Prove what?” Harry asked tiredly.

“I’ll prove they care about you. More than me, at any rate.” 

“Have fun.” Harry shrugged. “I hope you like disappointment.” Harry started walking through the door before turning back on more time. “I’ll be back here same time next week. If you’re here, great. If not, I’ll take that as you calling off this deal.”

He made his way back to the castle and into the tower quickly, not wanting to get caught out of bed after curfew. No one in the common room even looked at him when he went to his dorm. He grabbed his shower things, feeling a bit gross and sticky in places he did not like feeling sticky, and waved at Neville before disappearing into a stall in the bathroom. He stood under the hot water for a while, just letting it run down his body. The reality of what he’d done crashed in on him and he started scrubbing himself until his skin was raw and red. He wasn’t disgusted with himself, he still remembered quite vividly how good it had felt. But he was a little ashamed at how easily he’d agreed to letting it happen. 

He didn’t sleep much that night.

There were bags under his eyes again in the morning, but no one said anything. They were used to Harry’s poor sleep habits by now. A note appeared with his breakfast that said the eggs and coffee were good, signed by Dobby. It was disappointing that so much of his food was being laced with something, but he tried to at least eat a few bites before chugging the coffee and heading for class. The first quidditch match was coming up, so he decided he would just focus on that for now. He only had the rest of the day to make it through before Saturday’s game. 

Which is the only way he can explain his trick on Ron at breakfast the next morning before the match. He knew Ron was anxious, and Ron played horribly when he was anxious. It was stupid, because he did fine at the Burrow when it was for fun. So he pretended to put some Felix Felices in Ron’s juice. And it worked! Ron chugged it, and was so sure that Harry had done something like that for him, that he played amazingly well. They won, too. But then Ron snogged Lavender Brown. In front of everyone. Including Hermione. 

It didn’t even take a full day for Hermione to start avoiding Ron and pretending he didn’t exist. Even Harry showing her that he hadn’t actually given him the potion didn’t make her smile. It felt like neither one of them had time for Harry the rest of the week. Neither of them said anything, either, when Hedwig delivered a package with a ring inside. Harry didn’t look over at Draco, they hadn’t talked outside of the shack, as they’d agreed. He just slipped it on and shivered as he felt his mind clear. 

He waited at the shack the night he said he’d be there, and wasn’t too surprised when Draco didn’t show up. He figured the other boy realized how little Harry mattered and agreed. So Harry just sat down and did his homework in the quiet of the building, telling himself he didn’t care that he was so alone. He was used to being alone. Alone was normal for him, and he’d managed nearly 15 years alone. He could manage a few more. 

Meeting with Dumbledore was … frustrating. He could tell the Headmaster was leading him somewhere with the memories, but he didn’t know where. 

Harry went back to the shack a few more times and wrote out notes about what happened when; building his own timeline of Tom’s experiences. After two weeks of going to the shack every few days, the walls were littered with a mix of parchment and notebook paper. So when Harry walked in, expecting to be alone again on the third week since he'd let Draco fuck him senseless, he was surprised to find someone else there. 

“Christ, warn a bloke.” Harry said, holding a hand to his chest and scowling at Draco who had finally shown back up.

“You were right.” Draco said quietly. Harry frowned, unsure what he was talking about. “I asked, subtly, mind you, what anyone knew about you. McGonagall waxed poetic about your flying, Pomfrey talked about how amazing of a patient you were, Snape called you several unflattering names, Sinistra and Flitwick said you reminded them a lot of your father and how he was more or less indifferent to their lessons. Not a single person knew a thing about you.”

“Right.” Harry said, uncertain what the other boy was getting at. 

“Your own Head of House has no idea what you actually want to do for a career. She said she believes you only picked becoming an Auror to annoy Umbridge.” Draco finally looked at him and Harry frowned. He looked devastated by the realization.

“I did.” Harry shrugged. “No one gave me career advice or even went over what any of the career options were in the magical world. Because no one expects me to live that long.”

“You’ve never had a physical.” Draco added, as if he hadn’t heard Harry. Or he was just ignoring his response. “In order to be allowed on a team sport, any student is required to have a physical so any past injuries, if reinjured, can be healed properly.”

“That list would be incredibly long.” Harry frowned.

“I know!” Draco shouted, tugging on his hair in frustration. “I asked a younger Gryffindor what they knew about you, and all they said was that you often played pranks that the twins took credit for because no one was ever looking at you for them. Not the quiet, reserved, watchful Gryffindor.”

“Colin.” Harry sighed. “He needs a new hobby.”

“I don’t understand.” Draco stated, flopping back on the bed and covering his face. “You ask anyone in my House, and they can tell you the color of my pajamas, my favorite subject, favorite book, hell, even my favorite time to use the Prefect washroom.”

“Ok?”

“How is it, we’ve gone to school together for six years, and no one knows a fucking thing about you?” Draco demanded, dropping his hands from his face and propping himself up on his elbows.

“You said it yourself,” Harry pointed out, kicking off his shoes and getting comfortable to continue his notes, “I’m quiet. Reserved. I don’t draw attention to myself, because people are always looking anyway. But they see what I want them to see. I want them to think I’m fine, so that’s what they see.”

“Slughorn said you reminded him of Regulus Black.” Draco commented quietly. “He was my mother’s favorite cousin, you know?”

“Sirius never talked about him.” Harry said, just as quietly. “He showed him to me on the Black family tapestry and all he said was how they didn’t get along. He said he hated that tapestry, what it represented. I know the elf for the family, and I know that Walburga’s portrait is more of a menace than he is.”

“What is all that, anyway?” Draco asked, waving a hand at all his notes. 

“You have your task, I have mine.” Harry shrugged. “You don’t want help, and neither do I. I’ll get it sorted.”

“Harry-”

“Look,” Harry took a deep breath and let it go, “I’m sorry you found out that no one gives a damn about me like you did. But as you found other things to do, to focus your energy on, so did I.”

“Stop.” Draco commanded, and Harry snapped his mouth shut, keeping his eyes on his notes, away from Draco. “Just, stop and let me apologize, alright? It’s not something I ever do.” Harry pursed his lips and nodded, still looking at his notes, though not seeing them, not really. There was a heavy sigh before Draco’s hand gripped his chin and forced him to look up at him when he walked over. To meet his eyes. “I’m sorry. I made a deal with you, thinking we had the same shit to deal with, but we don’t. I was branded for my father’s failure. But I have people who care about me and will do anything in their power to help me, whatever I choose to do. You were branded by so many people it isn’t funny. I made this agreement with you because I thought we were the same. Because I saw we were both lonely, no matter that we were surrounded by other people. But I’ve known more love and care in the past month than you’ve known your entire life. And I was part of it; part of tormenting you. So, for whatever it’s worth, I’m sorry.”

“I don’t want your pity.”

“I don’t pity you, Harry.” Draco said gently, and Harry could see he was being sincere. “If you want out of the deal, you can be out.”

“Decided I’m not worth it, too, have you?” Harry scoffed, moving away from Draco and pulling his new notes out of his bag, dropping to the floor so he could look at things differently. He hated feeling weak or … having others notice it; notice his shit life. Having Draco Malfoy of all people realize it and get a glimpse; it hurt. “Everyone does at some point. Thanks for letting me know.”

“Merlin, you’re an idiot.” Draco groaned in what sounded like frustration. Harry’s notes scattered when Draco shoved him to the ground and lay on top of him, crushing their lips together. 

Draco moved differently this time. Like he was determined to prove a point. Harry had no idea what the point was, but didn’t think about it long when he was pulled from the floor, naked, and shoved against a wall. He yelped slightly when Draco picked him up. He wrapped his legs around Draco’s waist while he was fingering him open, his lips devouring his neck and mouth. Harry didn’t consider himself lightweight, but the way Draco held him up against the wall while fucking him senseless, made him reconsider. It didn’t take long for Harry to climax, with his cock rubbing between their stomachs. But Draco didn’t stop there. He carried Harry to the bed and set him down carefully. He moved slowly, kissing Harry softly as he did. When Harry was aroused again, which he didn’t expect would happen so quickly, Draco rolled them over so Harry was on top. He let Draco guide his hips, but otherwise he set the pace. He gasped when Draco hit the spot inside. Draco held him in place, then, and fucked into him until they were both coming and falling back on the bed, completely exhausted. 

“Bloody hell.” Harry gasped. 

“Bloody hell.” Draco agreed, breathing just as heavily.

“Twice.” Harry said, not caring that his voice cracked.

“I owed you.” Draco stated unconcernedly.

“Oh shit!” Harry exclaimed, sitting up suddenly. He tripped and wobbled on his legs a bit since he hadn’t actually regained their proper function yet, grabbing for the note he was looking for, barely keeping from falling over. “Shit.”

“Dare I ask?” Draco called, not getting up.

“Off the top of your head, who would you say are the top three people Voldie trusts most?” Harry asked, pinning his note to the wall by a few others.

“Er, Aunt Bella, Severus, and … maybe … maybe mother? Since father screwed up, I mean.” Draco said, sitting up and watching Harry curiously.

“So if he had something, like, a dark relic of some kind, those are the people he’d most likely trust to hold onto it for him, right? To protect it?”

“Suppose so.” Draco shrugged.

“I think I’ve got it, then.”

“Why do you have drawings of the chalice of Hufflepuff, and the locket of Slytherin?” Draco asked, finally getting up and walking to look at the note that Harry pinned up.

“The locket was his, Voldie’s, by birthright. His mother was Merope Riddle, nee Gaunt, one of the last remaining directly traceable descendants of Salazaar Slytherin. She hawked it when she was pregnant because she desperately needed money when the man she enthralled with a love potion abandoned her. Anyway, a woman showed those two items to Tom Riddle when he worked at Borgin and Burkes. Tom spelled the elf to poison the woman and stole them after she died.”

“Arlight …” Draco said slowly.

“Tom used some sort of dark magic, soul magic, on them. And I think I know where they are. Christ, it’s a good thing Christmas holiday is soon, I can take care of them, then.” Harry chewed his lip before Draco forced him to look at him.

“He made horcruxes.”

“Don’t know that word.” Harry pointed at him.

“It’s a soul piece hidden in another item.” Draco stated, looking extremely pale. “He made himself immortal.”

“The pieces can be destroyed.” Harry assured him. “I destroyed one when we were 12, Dumbledore destroyed one before term started this year, it’s what caused the curse on his hand. Those two would make two more. But Tom was obsessed with his magical heritage. He wouldn’t have done that sort of number. He’d have done something more meaningful, like seven. So that leaves us at four so far. What’s something of Ravenclaw that’s presumed missing?”

“Erm.” Draco scratched his head and looked around the room, as if searching for inspiration before he snapped his fingers. “Her diadem. Rowena Ravenclaw was thought to have had a diadem, a crown or tiara, that would grant the wearer wisdom. It’s been presumed missing for centuries, though. Most think it got lost in the castle somewhere. That would give you five, if you can find it.”

“He never goes anywhere without Nagini.” Harry nodded. He knew a place where lost things turned up, so he’d check there at some point. Well, at some point when Draco wouldn’t be using the room since he knew that’s where Draco disappeared to a lot this year from watching him on the map. Not that he was obsessing over him, no matter what Ron and Hermione had said at one point. “Last year, when I was getting those … visions, I saw through her eyes. I’d bet anything she’s one, too.”

“That’s still only six, Harry.” Draco said slowly. 

“It’s more than I had when I started this mess.” Harry waved the concern away and started shoving his notes back together from the floor and putting them in his bag before looking around for his clothes. “I’ve got to go make sure I get signed up to go home for the holidays. I know, or I’m pretty sure I know, where that locket is.”

“You can’t do that alone.” Draco argued, pulling his pants on and grabbing the rest of his clothes as well.

“You are going home to a place where that dick has taken over.” Harry stated, ignoring Draco’s wince. “You will be watched, monitored, and potentially tortured for your lack of progress on killing Dumbledore.”

“What?” Draco dropped his shoes and seemed to trip over nothing. He was looking at Harry with wide eyes.

“Shut up, I don’t care, and we agreed not to ask. It’s all I can think of as a potentially impossible task. Granted, if you just wait it out, he’ll die on his own before the year’s up, I expect. Anyway, you can’t be worried about me while you have that to go home to. Either keep your mind shields up, or lock away the memories of what you saw here, so he doesn’t come after me sooner than later.”

“I’ll have Sev make sure my shields are good.” Draco gulped.

“I can’t give you the address where I’ll be just yet. I need to go there and talk to Kreacher beforehand. Once I do, if … if you want, you can come by.”

“Might only be for a few hours.” Draco said hesitantly.

“I don’t expect you to stay long.” Harry reassured him. “But … but I’d like, you know, if you wanted to come by, for you to be able to do so.”

“Don’t send Hedwig, she’s too noticeable.” Draco said hurriedly. “Use my owl, Lenora.”

“How am I meant to do that if she’s going home with you?” Harry frowned.

“Easy.” Draco shrugged, pulling his shoes on since he’d calmed down a bit and finished getting dressed. “We’ll charm them to look like each other. Lenora will stay with you for a few days, while Hedwig goes with me. I’ll send her off, once I know when I’ll be free, and you can have her bring me the address.”

“Can Dobby still get in your house?” Harry asked curiously. He really didn’t want to send Hedwig to Voldie, disguised or not.

“Probably.” Draco shrugged, buttoning Harry’s shirt for him and doing his tie since he was still focused on his notes. 

“I’ll just have him meet you, then. He can take you somewhere, and I can have Kreacher bring you the rest of the way.”

“That … would probably work better.” Draco conceded. 

“Cool.” Harry nodded, stumbling when he tried turning away, because Draco hadn’t let go of his tie. 

“Thanks for giving me a second chance.” Draco said earnestly. “And for not asking about my task.”

“Draco, you’re on like your third chance, at the least. This is helping me, even if I doubted it would when we started.”

“Alright, then.” Draco nodded, kissing him before letting his tie go. 

Harry’s classwork, after getting the ring and avoiding the potioned food, vastly improved. His teachers were giving him pleased looks that he was understanding things better and that his homework had improved quality wise. Aside from DADA, that is. He was always good at DADA, it was his best subject. He even did better than Hermione and Draco, and they were the top two in his year overall. He started getting a few letters from the twins about their shop, and they made him laugh when they set off fireworks twice. He couldn’t even be given detention for them, since all he had done was open their letters. It had been a good idea to write to them and send Hedwig so they knew he was thinking about them. 

They sent him samples of things, even though he’d visited their shop before school started. They weren’t things that were harmful or anything, just new products they wanted to know how they would be received if released. When he dropped the Peruvian instant darkness powder, a small one, outside of DADA while digging something out of his bag, he felt his wrist pulled until he was in an alcove outside of the dark patch. He looked at Draco in confusion, because they had stuck to their deal and didn’t interact outside of classes. He tilted his head when Draco cast a charm at the tapestry hiding the entrance, but didn’t get a lot of time to think about it when Draco picked him up again and pushed his back against the wall and kissed him like his life depended on it. 

“Draco-” Harry gasped, when his pants were shoved down and he felt Draco’s cock pressing against his arse, “we don’t-”

“We do.” Draco growled, whispering a spell under his breath. Harry felt an odd sensation and shivered when he realized the spell had prepped him. “Always wanted to fuck you in the castle.”

“Shit.” Harry gasped, gripping Draco’s shoulders as he pressed inside him. Draco was speaking French again, whispering it in Harry’s ear as he pounded into him. For the first time, Draco climaxed first. He gripped Harry’s cock in his hand, his own still pulsing inside him, and jerked him quick and hard, until he was coming on their school shirts. Draco held him up a bit longer, breathing heavily against Harry’s neck. After a few moments, he set Harry down and cleaned them both up with a spell. “Thought we weren’t doing this outside of the shack?”

“An opportunity presented itself.” Draco shrugged, unconcerned. “Either everyone will be in class by now, or they’ll still be in the dark.”

“I really didn’t mean to drop that.” Harry groaned, readjusting his pants, feeling a bit sore from the frantic encounter. “Maybe, in the future, if we have a rendezvous in the castle, we stick to hands or mouths? Because while you won’t have any trouble sitting in class the rest of the day, I will.”

“I’ll consider it.” Draco smirked at him. “Can’t help myself around you sometimes, though.” Harry rolled his eyes, but the comment still made him smile and feel oddly pleased. “We’re still on for next week, right?”

“Yeah.” Harry nodded. “I’ve got Slughorn’s Christmas party the next day, though.”

“Right.” Draco said, his shoulders suddenly tense. 

“What’s wrong?” Harry asked, frowning.

“Not a thing. Enjoy the party.” Draco said, before taking down his spells and darting away. 

“What the hell was that about?” Harry muttered to himself, before leaving and running right into Cormac McClaggon. One of Harry’s least favorite people. 

“Watch where you’re going, Potter.” McClaggon growled, shoving Harry back until he fell on the ground. Proving he was still pissed about not being on the team. Of course, that’s when Snape showed up. 

“Twenty points from Gryffindor for fighting.” He sneered. McClaggon smirked at Harry before disappearing into the classroom. 

“Five points for being late, Potter.” He said, while Harry struggled to his feet. 

Harry opened his mouth to argue, but the bell sounded and he was officially late. Instead of saying anything, he grit his teeth and took a seat at the back, ignoring the odd looks sent his way by his friends, who he had chosen not to sit by. Class was awful and ended with Harry getting another detention for performing the spells first. Because obviously he was cheating. He didn’t go to dinner. There was no point when everyone seemed to be against him for some reason, and he didn’t want to find someone new to sit by since his friends were sitting away from each other. 

Since everyone was elsewhere, he went to the Room of Requirement and wandered around a bit. He found a few more books on defense, and even some on nonverbal casting and mind arts. Snape was a shit Occlumency teacher, but maybe with a book, with actual written instructions, he could get it. He tripped when he heard whispering. Not from a person, it was more menacing, darker. Like he heard from the locket he’d found the summer before fifth year. He followed it, his scar itching and burning a bit as he walked. He used that as a sign that he was close to what he was looking for. 

The crown was sitting on a wig. It made his scar hurt, the longer he stood by it. He looked around and found a box and levitated it inside, not wanting to touch it. He put it under his arm, along with the books he’d picked up, before looking around a bit more. He found another book that was really dark, but mentioned obscure and illegal rituals and objects. He found a bag that he was able to put the books and even the box with the crown inside. When he finally went back to his dorm, everyone was either asleep, or pretending to be. He put what he found in his trunk and fell into bed. It was late. He’d managed to lose most of the night by wandering through the room. 

When Slytherin was playing their quidditch match against Ravenclaw, Harry went down to the Chamber of Secrets. Most of the students were at the match, so he didn’t have to worry about anyone following him or finding him. He even remembered to lock the bathroom door. He hadn’t been down there since second year, but if the basilisk fang was able to kill the diary, he should be able to use it on the other artifacts. He had worn Dudley’s old things, not wanting to ruin his uniform. He frowned at the animal skeletons still littering the floor and vanished as many of them as he could verbally, before trying nonverbally.  

The rock crawl space was still there, but he wasn’t sure he could fit through it since he was a bit bigger at 16 than he was at 12. It took a while, but he cleared more rocks out of the way. He was covered in dust and grime by the time he actually reached the Chamber. The snake was still there, but it smelled horrible. He grabbed the fang he had used before, and pulled another few loose in case he needed them or could potentially sell them. He was curious if there were any more rooms in the Chamber, but didn’t feel like exploring after carving out a bigger opening to crawl through. He stayed in the bathroom for a bit, not really wanting to be around the crowds he could hear coming back from the match yet. Draco was probably going to be pissed, without saying as much, that Harry missed his match. Rather than be around another person who was angry with him, he just decided to hang out alone. 

He was incredibly tired, so that didn’t help his mood much. He’d done pretty well with ignoring the fact that people he was meant to trust were spelling and potioning him. He couldn’t help but wonder if Sirius knew. And that made him wonder if Ron and Hermione knew. If Mr. and Mrs. Weasley knew. Lupin. Everyone else in the Order. Did other kids at school know? Were others being spelled? 

Myrtle hovered around and seemed to enjoy his morose mood. 

He spent the next few days in a bit of a daze. He didn’t eat much, and didn’t really talk to anyone. Not that anyone noticed. He was often quiet, anymore. Everyone knew that Ron and Hermione were fighting and that Harry was caught in the middle. Well. Everyone but Ron and Hermione. He’d thought him and Hermione could go to Slughorn’s Christmas party together as friends, but then she’d distanced herself from both Ron and Harry. Ron was just pissed they were going to the party at all and he hadn’t been invited. Harry wasn’t sure why he was even there, aside from being Harry Potter. 

Asking Luna to come with him was a no-brainer. She was a good friend, even if people thought she was weird. At least she wasn’t trying to date him or send him love potions or anything. She had made him feel normal the previous year when he was experiencing so many confusing things. No one ever talked to him in a way that made him feel like what he was feeling was perfectly normal. That his confusion, anger, and sadness was ok. At least Hermione had finally deemed it worth telling Harry that several girls were trying to sneak him love potions. Even if he’d already figured that out on his own. 

Meeting Draco the day before the party was … interesting. Draco had been just as quiet and tired looking as Harry felt. He didn’t talk this time, though. He didn’t even kiss Harry before just shoving him against the bed, face down, and yanking his pants down. It was quick and harsh, and nothing like he’d come to expect from the other boy. When he was done, he just buried his face in Harry’s back and took several shuddering breaths, as if he were fighting not to cry. Harry didn’t move, just waited for him to collect himself. He tentatively reached back and took Draco’s hand, squeezing it a bit to let him know it was alright. 

“I’m sorry.” Draco rasped, still laying against Harry’s back. “It … it was a bad week.”

“I could tell.” Harry said softly. It was the first time in their arrangement that Harry hadn’t gotten off. They stayed like that for a little while. Eventually Draco shifted and lay beside Harry, pulling him further up the bed with his back against his chest and just held onto him. 

“I don’t want to do this.” Draco whispered.

“Me neither.” Harry whispered back, lacing his fingers with Draco’s slowly, giving him the chance to let go. Instead, Draco tightened his hold on him. “Are you ok? You’ve been off lately.”

“So have you.” Draco mumbled. “Are you even sleeping?”

“A little.” Harry shrugged. “Got about five hours or something so far this week.”

“Harry.” Draco said in exasperation. “You need more than that.”

“Can’t.” Harry sighed. “Too much going on.”

Harry relaxed into the bed, feeling how tired he was down to his bones. Something about laying down with someone wrapped around him was more comforting than he imagined, and he felt himself falling asleep. He wasn’t entirely surprised to wake up alone in the morning. He just hoped that Draco got some sleep as well. They were meant to be going home the next day, so that was something. He was surprised, though, to find that Draco had left him a note.

Harry,

I couldn’t stay, I’m sorry. I tried waking you when the sun first came up, but you must have been more tired than you said. Maybe I’ll see you on the train tomorrow. 

You’ve been the best part of these past several weeks.

And if you tell anyone I said that, I’ll hex you.

See you soon, I hope.

Draco

Harry snorted before tucking the note away into his pocket. Draco could be really dramatic when he wanted to be. He cleared up his notes and headed for the castle, getting to the Great Hall just in time to get a sandwich that Dobby made him for breakfast. When he got back to the common room, several people stared at him. Harry ignored them and went to his dorm, dropping his stuff on the floor and laying on his back on his bed for a bit. After a little while, he got up and went to shower. He didn’t care that he hadn’t gotten anything out of their encounter the night before, but that didn’t mean he wanted to walk around all day feeling sticky from Draco. 

Luna was fun to take to the party. They didn’t hold hands or anything, just stayed close together. Until Luna wandered off to talk to some of the creatures that were there and Slughorn wanted a picture with Harry. Finding Hermione hiding from McClaggon wasn’t his favorite part of the night. She stormed off when he refused to help her. She made her choice, she needed to deal with it. He frowned when Filch came in, dragging Draco by his jacket. Luna stood beside Harry watching the whole thing curiously. When Draco spotted them, his lips tightened and he looked away. 

“You should go speak with him.” Luna said softly after Snape left with Draco in tow.

“I don’t think he wants to speak with me right now.” Harry sighed, not really sure what was going on since Draco wouldn’t talk to him.

“I think he does. He’s worried about us being here together.”

“He has no reason to be.” Harry frowned. “Do you really think I should go find him?”

“I do.” She smiled at him. Harry gave her a quick hug and slipped out unnoticed. Everyone seemed distracted by watching Hermione tell McClaggon to back off. 

He walked a few corridors silently, before hearing a hushed argument. He peeked his head around the corner and saw Snape pointing a finger in Draco’s face. It wasn’t threatening, not really. He was just telling Draco to stop being so reckless. Snape really did care about him. For some reason, seeing that interaction made Harry’s chest hurt and his eyes sting a bit. He shook his head and left, not caring if they saw he’d spotted their argument. He went into the first bathroom he came across and just stopped in front of the sink. He turned it on and splashed some water on his face. 

“Did you at least have fun?” Draco drawled from the door, crossing his arms as he leaned against it.

“Piss off.” Harry mumbled, gripping the sink. He was gritting his teeth and trying to breathe evenly. 

“Surprised you abandoned your date.” Draco pressed, sounding agitated.

“For fuck’s sake, she’s just a friend.” Harry slammed the sink off and grabbed a towel to wipe his face off. “In case you hadn’t noticed I don’t have many of those. But, wait, you do know that. And apparently having one is too many for you. For anyone. So screw you and your hoard of loved ones. I’ve been fine on my own for this long, I’ll be fine on my own moving forward.” He tried to shove Draco out of the way, but he merely turned and slammed Harry’s back against the door.

“Shut up.” Draco hissed.

“No.” Harry shook his head. “No, I’m done being quiet to keep everyone else happy. Go back to your plotting. Go back to your adults who care about you. Go back to imagining whatever fiction of a life you all assume I’m living. Maybe during the holiday I’ll swing by to see my Aunt and Uncle. It’s been a while since I had the shit beat out of me for daring to bring my abnormalities around them.” 

Harry shoved Draco back and fled the bathroom heading for Gryffindor tower. When he ran into Snape, he didn’t apologize, just got up from the floor and kept walking. He ignored both Snape and Draco calling after him. When his things were all packed, and he was changed out of his dress robes, he sat on his bed and did what he could to shut his mind off. It didn’t work, and all he ended up doing was watching the sun come up. His dorm mates didn’t say anything as they got dressed and hauled their things down to the Great Hall where they could get on the carriages after breakfast. When he was alone, he shrunk his trunk down and put it in his pocket and walked straight for the carriages. He wasn’t surprised that no one sat with him, and he wasn’t surprised that he sat alone on the train. Ron was off with Lavender, and Hermione was who knew where. Ginny was with Dean, and Luna was with Colin. 

He was curled up on the seat with his head against the window when the door opened slowly. He stayed quiet while the other person sat down beside him.

“She’s really just a friend?” Draco whispered.

“Yeah.” Harry answered, not looking at him. 

“Did I ruin this?”

“Ruin what, Draco?” Harry asked tiredly. “What even are we to each other? Friends with benefits? Enemies with benefits? We never even liked each other before.”

“Why didn’t we?” 

“Do you really not remember how we met?” Harry asked, finally looking at him. Draco’s brow was furrowed and he was frowning deeply. “It was at Madam Malkins. You were bragging about your parents shopping with you. How your dad was getting your books and your mum went to look at wands. You were talking about quidditch and servants and the Houses, never even asking my name. You didn’t have to have anyone come get you to make sure you got your letter. I had Hagrid. And you made fun of him and said you didn’t believe anyone not born in a magical family deserved to learn magic. My mother, according to you, didn’t deserve to learn magic.” Harry said it gently, but saw that it affected the other boy. “On the train, the second time we met, you harassed Ron for wearing hand-me-downs. While the clothes I was wearing were so much worse. Ron’s gotten his own clothes before, but I never have. My school uniform was the first time I got my own clothes. He was a dick, too, for laughing at your name, I can acknowledge that. In my experience kids are often cruel to each other when trying to fit in. The way you held yourself, as if you were clearly better than us … that is what made me go to Gryffindor.”

“You were under the hat for a long while.” Draco said quietly.

“It was trying to convince me that Slytherin was the place for me.” Harry admitted, looking back out the window. “I’ve never really had a place anywhere though.”

“You truly believe that, don’t you.” Draco said, and Harry could feel him looking at him. “Otherwise you wouldn’t be able to say as much.”

“How old were you when you learned my name?” Harry asked after a long pause. 

“Dunno. Maybe three or four?” Draco frowned.

“I learned my name when I was six.” Harry said slowly. 

“How could you not know your name?” Draco asked. He sounded confused.

“I was only ever called ‘freak’ before. Or ‘boy’. But when my Aunt started to be asked why I wasn’t in school, she was forced to enroll me. That’s when I learned my name. It’s when I learned I had a different name than my relatives. That I was never one of them and never would be.” Harry said, looking down and picking at a hole in his jeans. “I thought … I thought if I cooked and cleaned and stayed quiet enough, if I let my cousin continue to beat me up, my Uncle hit me when he was angry, tended the garden without food or water, that I’d earn their approval one day. After that, though, things got worse. I was kept in my cupboard when I wasn’t at school, my homework was often torn up. When I did better than my cousin on our assessments, I was locked inside for a week. I never understood how kids could do so well, let alone on purpose. Not until I met you and Hermione. You’re both brilliant and have families that want you to succeed. You both have everything I ever wanted. And in your own ways, you’ve both also made me feel awful for not being smart enough, not being well-dressed enough, not putting in enough effort. I was never enough.” Harry paused as the train slowed down, nearing the station, “but the thing is … neither of you were ever told you were never going to be good enough for anything other than menial labor or becoming another dead body found in the gutter that no one mourned. Do what you have to, over your holiday, over the next year, it’s your choice. Be glad you have one.”

Harry slipped out into the busy corridor and onto the platform, ignoring the muttering about his presence there, before he was through the barrier and hailing a cab. When the man pulled up outside number 11 Grimmauld Place, Harry paid him and waited until he was gone before walking up to number 12. When he went inside, he took a few deep breaths and let them out as he shut the door behind himself. He walked to the kitchen and dropped down at the table, startling Kreacher into dropping a pot.

“I’m not here to harass you, Kreacher.” Harry said, not hiding his exhaustion. “I came to ask if you remember anything about a locket?”

“Master Regulus’ locket. The filthy half-blood wishes to know about Master Regulus’ locket. Curious he didn’t ask about it before Master Sirius’ death.”

“Apparently I was under spells and potions until this past Samhain.” Harry said, leaning his head against his arms on the table. “Someone found out and told me and even gave me a trinket to keep me from being spelled again.” He showed Kreacher the ring and the elf’s eyes widened. 

“That’s the ring of Mistress Narcissa’s son. The ring from the Black family heir-apparent.”

“It’s from Draco.” Harry said slowly, twisting it around his finger. 

“He doesn’t know.” Kreacher said in confusion. “Filthy half-blood is the named heir to the Most Ancient and Most Noble House of Black and he doesn’t know.”

“In case you haven’t learned this about me yet, Kreacher, there’s a shit-ton that I don’t know. I grew up with muggles, ignorant of my magical heritage. The truth is, the people I thought I could trust are the ones who are leading me to my death. I don’t think they mean for me to survive fighting Voldemort.”

Harry stayed quiet after that and frowned when a bowl of steaming stew was set in front of him. 

“Mistress did the same thing with Master Regulus.” Kreacher said quietly. 

“I’m sorry to hear that.” Harry said sincerely. 

“Master Sirius was always brash, but he drew attention to himself to keep it off his baby brother, Master Regulus. Master Regulus knew this, but he wouldn’t watch his big brother be killed by their parents. So he had been talking to James Potter in secret and sent Master Sirius through the floo after he was unconscious from a few too many curses during Christmas of his fifth year. Master Regulus was punished quite harshly. James Potter tried to convince Master Regulus to run as well, but Master Regulus refused. He chose to stay and spy on his family, to try and learn the plans of the Dark Lord. It led to his death. The locket … Master Harry, the locket is very dark.”

“I know.” Harry nodded, sitting up and pulling the stew closer. “I know what it is, but I think I can destroy it. Would you like to help me?”

“It was Master Regulus’ last wish, for Kreacher to destroy it.” Kreacher said in a rougher voice than normal. Harry took that as a yes and ate his stew while Kreacher went to retrieve the locket. Harry winced when he held it, hearing it whisper to him and feeling his scar ache from the proximity. 

They went to the basement and set it down on the floor. Harry pulled his trunk from his pocket and enlarged it again. He took out one of the basilisk fangs, along with the box that held the diadem of Ravenclaw. 

“Kreacher, erm, if this should go poorly, can you do me a favor?”

“What is it Master Harry wishes?” Kreacher was watching him warily.

“If something happens to me, can you … can you give the ring back to Draco?” Harry twisted it on his finger once more.

“You wish for Kreacher to retrieve Master Draco should something happen to Master Harry?”

“He might be the only one who knows what I’m doing.” Harry nodded. “I haven’t had anyone else to talk to about it. My friends are too busy with their own lives, but Draco, even with his own task, still found time to talk to me. I wouldn’t say he’s been kind to me, exactly. But he might be the only one who cares.”

Harry cleared his throat when Kreacher nodded after carefully watching him for a minute. He gripped the fang tighter and hissed at the locket to open. He wasn’t sure he needed to, but he chose to. He grit his teeth when black smoke erupted out and pain seared in his head. He jammed the fang down before the smoke could form anything and held his head with his other hand as the scream reverberated in his skull. It took several moments for the smoke to fully disappear, but the destroyed locket was proof that it was done. He shakily pulled the fang out of the mangled thing it became. Kreacher set the diadem out next before stepping away with the ruined locket. Harry tried to steady his breathing with his head feeling like it was splitting in two, but it was a struggle. He looked at his hand one more time, looking at the ring. He didn’t feel quite so alone with it. 

“Draco.” He whispered, clenching his fist before looking back and stabbing the diadem. The pain was so intense in his head that he blacked out. 

When he woke up next, it was daylight. His body was a little stiff, but nothing he wasn’t used to. He stretched a little before feeling around for his glasses. He frowned when he didn’t find them, though.

“Master Harry’s glasses shattered, sir. Kreacher was unable to repair them.” Kreacher said from the open door. 

“Figured they’d be done for, before long.” Harry sighed. “How long was I out?”

“Two days, sir.” Kreacher said, handing him a cup of tea. “When Master Harry is ready, Kreacher made him an appointment to get new ones this afternoon.”

“Are you coming with me?” Harry asked, sipping it slowly. 

“Kreacher must, otherwise Master Harry may pick the same awful frames as before.” Harry grinned, but nodded. “Master Harry does not have James Potter’s facial structure to wear the same cut.”

“Draco said something similar, actually.” Harry chuckled. “I’d appreciate your help, Kreacher.”

“One condition, perhaps two.” Kreacher said, crossing his bony arms. “Firstly, Master Harry needs to take over the wardstone.”

“I don’t know how to do that.” Harry said slowly, setting his cup down.

“Kreacher will show how it is done.” Kreacher said. Harry imagined he was rolling his eyes. 

“And secondly?”

“Secondly, Kreacher requests that Master Harry invite Master Draco over for tea.”

“Would it help any if I said that I already invited him to come by over the holidays?” Harry offered.

“Perfect. Master Harry will get new glasses and a new wardrobe ordered this afternoon, and Master Draco will come by in a few days for tea.” Kreacher nodded approvingly.

“Why do I need a new wardrobe?” Harry frowned.

“All of the clothes Master Harry came with were made for something the size of a baby whale.” Kreacher said flatly. “But Master Harry is too skinny and tall for Master Regulus or Master Sirius’ old things. Kreacher could make Master Regulus’ things fit, but they would be too short. Master Sirius’ would be too long. So. We will go and order new clothes, they will be prepared while you attend your glasses appointment, then we will retrieve them once you are done.”

Harry grinned, feeling it safest to just accept Kreacher fussing over him. He gathered the destroyed relics and placed them both in the box he’d had the diadem in and put them in his trunk that was now at the foot of the bed in the room he stayed in. Kreacher grumbled at what he was wearing, but didn’t otherwise say anything as he apparated Harry to Diagon Alley after telling him what they would do with the wardstone when they returned. Kreacher took Harry down Knockturn Alley, instead of staying on Diagon. Kreacher assured him it was where to find the better robe shops. Harry took to muttering unflattering things under his breath like Kreacher often did, while he was dragged through shops and measured everywhere. 

He continued to be annoyed as they worked their way through Knockturn and then Diagon as Kreacher set up clothing to be ordered and delivered by owl. It was worse because Harry couldn’t see anything they were doing, let alone where they were walking. He didn’t have experience walking around not being able to see since he was about eight. Thankfully, there weren’t too many people out. And with a cap over his head, and a green scarf wrapped around his neck, no one seemed to know who he was. He got to the eyeglass store, somehow, only bumping into half a dozen people. 

“God, I’m sorry.” Harry said as he knocked over a display of glasses, sending what sounded like dozens of pairs of glasses to the floor. “Shit, erm, Kreacher, can you help me fix this?”

“Don’t worry about it.” A witch said with a chuckle. “Happens all the time, we’ll get it sorted while your elf leads you back to an exam room.”

“Right, yeah. Sorry about that. Again.” Harry set the few pairs he’d picked up aside and let Kreacher guide him by the elbow into another room, glowering at the elf who seemed to be laughing at him. 

“Ah, hello, you must be young Mr. Black. I’m Dr. Winthorne. Muggle-born, in case you’re wondering. Got my optometry license after Hogwarts, so I work to see which option works better for a patient.” 

“Cool. I’m Harry, this is Kreacher. Broke my glasses the other day, but he said I needed new ones anyway.”

“Alright, Harry. Now. I’m going to set up the machine and it’ll adjust a bit here and there. I’m going to give you some options and I want you to tell me which looks better. If they look the same, don’t be afraid to say so.” Harry nodded and experienced his first real eye exam. Having glasses that he could see out of very clearly was amazing. Kreacher called them horn-rimmed glasses. But he was able to get a pair of prescription goggles as well, for when he played quidditch in the rain. Which happened more often than he enjoyed. He got some sunglasses as well, for when he was outside for long, hot days. He felt better with the new glasses, actually. Kreacher said they made him look distinguished.

Harry wasn’t thrilled about getting a haircut or style or whatever Kreacher wanted to call it, but he went along with it. He drank a hair growth potion before they got to work on figuring out a new style for him. It was more tameable when it was grown out, but still not entirely under control. The witch showed him a few charms he could use to braid it into two plaits, or even how to style it in a sort of messy bun, along with more formal looks. When they finally left the shop, Harry’s hair was tucked into two dutch braids under his cap. Kreacher shrunk all the packages down and put them in one bag that he carried before apparating them back to Grimmauld. 

Once everything was put away, Kreacher showed Harry the wardstone and instructed him on how to take it over. Harry rolled up his sleeves and bit his lip as he walked around the sickly looking stone. It was dull and barely had any magic left in it. 

“Kreacher, do you know for certain that I am the heir?” Harry asked as he held the silver dagger over his palm. 

“Kreacher has the statements and notification from Gringotts about Master Harry’s appointment. By bleeding on the wardstone, the family magic has a chance to assess Master Harry’s intentions and compatibility with it. There is no need to be frightened or worried. Master Harry is much like Master Regulus. The wardstone accepted Master Regulus, it will accept Master Harry. Trust Kreacher, as Master Sirius did not.”

“I don’t trust anyone, Kreacher.” Harry sighed, slicing his palm open. “But, what the hell? Let’s see if the Black family wants me more than my own.” He placed his bleeding hand on the stone and sucked in a sharp breath as magic rushed into him and started prodding at his core. His body stiffened as he felt something snap. 

The heir is blocked.

We must remove the blocks to allow full assessment.

Wait.

What’s this?

A carrier.

The family has not had a carrier in generations.

He already carries.

We must break the blocks to allow the carry to succeed.

One down, three to go.

Another snap reverberated in Harry’s chest and he struggled to take in any air.

Two down, two to go.

Harry groaned when there was another snap.

Three down, one to go.

Brace the heir, brace the carried.

The final snap brought Harry to his knees and made his abdomen ache fiercely. 

We accept the chosen heir.

We accept the carrier.

The Black family blesses the heir.

Kreacher caught Harry before he could hit the floor when the stone released him. He gasped for breath and held his stomach that was still cramping lightly. He was so worn out he wasn’t able to get up. Kreacher just hushed him and brought him a pillow and blanket, spooning broth into his mouth. 

“Harry? Harry, can you hear me?” Harry blinked his eyes open slowly to see Draco kneeling by his head. 

“Draco?” He croaked, looking around a bit before his glasses were placed on his face.

“Thank Merlin.” Draco sighed, cupping Harry’s face and touching him as if checking to see if he was truly alright.

“What’s a carrier?” Harry mumbled, trying to grab Draco’s hands to keep him from feeling all over any further.

“What?” Draco asked, his hands stilling finally. 

“The stone. The family magic. Called me a carrier. Said I was blocked and they had to undo the blocks.” Harry croaked, coughing a bit before Kreacher was there, putting a straw in his mouth so he could drink some water. 

“Your magic was blocked?” Draco whispered, gently helping Harry sit up when he’d gotten some water.

“Dunno. They said there were four blocks; felt something snap. If I was blocked, I’m not anymore.” Harry sighed, leaning back against Draco’s chest when the other boy sat behind him and pulled him close. 

“Merlin.” Draco exhaled, putting his face in Harry’s neck. “Why don’t we get you upstairs so you can rest more comfortably, yeah?”

“And you’ll tell me?” Harry asked, noticing that Draco hadn’t answered his question yet.

“I will.” Draco agreed. 

It took a little maneuvering, but Harry finally got to his feet, swaying slightly as he was light headed. It was tricky getting up the stairs, but they made it. Harry collapsed on the couch, breathing heavily. His body felt weird, and his stomach was probably the worst part. Down by his hips. It just felt cramped and tight still. 

“Kreacher, perhaps a light soup and some crackers for Harry?” Draco suggested, laying a blanket over him and putting an arm around his shoulders.

“Master Draco will not be trying anything untoward with Master Harry while Kreacher prepares his meal.” Kreacher said with narrowed eyes. Harry bit his lip and glanced at Draco briefly.

“I will not.” Draco agreed haughtily. 

“Hm.” Kreacher turned and disappeared into the kitchen.

“See you’ve had some excitement without me.” Draco said conversationally.

“He’s been fussing over me since I killed the locket and the diadem.” Harry sighed, leaning into Draco’s side. “Made me get new glasses and new clothes and everything the other day. I don’t know how long I was out, actually.”

“Master Harry was out for two days again.” Kreacher grumbled, setting down his tray on the small table.

“Ah, not surprised.” Harry said sheepishly.

“Master Draco be answering Master Harry’s questions or Kreacher will be.” Kreacher directed, glaring at Draco.

“You asked what a carrier was.” Draco said hesitantly. “It’s not common, maybe one out of 50 men in the wizarding community have the capability. They often were men in relationships with women, though, so nothing ever came of it. But maybe one of those 50 were in a relationship with another man. Being a carrier meant they could have children without a surrogate, without a woman. The man who was a carrier would be the one to have them. The last known carrier died in the last war with the Dark Lord. Gideon Prewitt, actually. It’s fairly uncommon, like I said, so it isn’t discussed much, let alone outside of our sexual health classes. Even then, they’re barely mentioned as a footnote. Mother told me more about them than the lecture did.”

“Wait, what? What classes?” Harry coughed as he swallowed soup a bit wrong. “We never had those classes. I had to read on my own during the summer to figure out everything.”

“We had them at the end of third year and then again in fourth year before the Yule ball.” Draco frowned at him. 

“Where the hell was I?” Harry scratched his head, careful not to dislodge his braids that were still in place somehow. 

“Hard telling.” Draco said, still frowning as he looked at the floor. 

“So what you’re telling me is that wizards have the capability of having children. Am I understanding that correctly?” Harry asked as calmly as he could, pushing his soup away.

“Yes.” Draco nodded.

“And the Black family magic called me a carrier.” Harry added.

“Yes.” Draco nodded, still frowning but looking up at Harry finally.

“And you and I have been fucking around for weeks without any sort of protective spells or anything?” Harry asked, practically hysterical now. Draco’s eyes widened as he finally figured out why Harry was panicking. 

“Oh, shit.” Draco said, summoning a bucket quickly as Harry puked into it since he worked himself into a panic attack. So much for eating anything.

“Fuck.” Harry gasped, holding his head. “Fuck, fuck, fuck. That’s what they meant.” 

“What who meant?” Draco asked gently, patting his head with a damp cloth that Kreacher had gotten him. 

“They-” Harry gulped, reaching a shaky hand out for his cup of water and taking a sip, “they said they had to protect the carrier and the carried.”

“What.” Draco dropped the cloth in the bucket on accident, but Harry just looked at him feeling panicked again. 

“They have to be wrong. No. No, I’m not- I can’t-, no.” Harry shook his head and pushed himself to his feet away from Draco. “No. They must be wrong, they have to be.” 

“Harry-” Draco called, but Harry was already stumbling up the stairs and into his room. He slammed the door and curled up in a ball on the bed. Unable to stay there and stay still for anxiety, he rushed into the bathroom, stripped down and sat in the shower while the hot water rushed over him. It took a long time for him to try and calm down. He stood up slowly and washed since his braids had come undone before getting out. He found Draco pacing in his room when he came out. Harry’s hair was still dripping, dampening his pajama shirt. 

“Tell me they were wrong.” Harry croaked desperately.

“I’m so sorry!” Draco apologized, rushing over to him and hugging him tightly. “Fuck, I’m sorry! I didn’t know, I didn’t think it was possible. It felt like a fairytale, when mother talked about it. Like something to dream about since she knew I didn’t like girls.”

“Can-” Harry swallowed thickly, rubbing his eyes against Draco’s jumper, “can you check? I don’t know the spell for it.”

“Kreacher can check.” Draco said softly, not letting go of Harry. “I’m sorry, Harry. Merlin, I’m so sorry.”

“Not your fault.” Harry mumbled into Draco’s shoulder. 

“It is, though! I pressured you into this, and I-” Draco took a shuddering breath, “I coerced you into sleeping with me. I just wanted you to leave me alone, and then I had the stupid idea that maybe we could relieve each other’s stress, and-”

“Stop blubbering, Master Draco.” Kreacher huffed from the doorway. “Master Harry, would you prefer to come downstairs and sit in the parlor for Kreacher to cast the charm, or would you prefer to be in your bedroom?”

“The family magic would probably want me to do it in the parlor.” Harry said slowly, looking over to Kreacher, who gave him an approving nod.

“It was often a celebration when a Black family member confirmed a pregnancy.” Kreacher agreed.

“We’ll go down there, then.” Harry nodded. “You don’t have to stay.” Harry looked at Draco’s chest. “It’s probably not safe for you to know one way or another.”

“Fuck that.” Draco said vehemently. “You’re doing this because of me. I’m staying. I’ll play my part for as long as I have to to keep you, and if you’re carrying, our child, safe. I’m not missing a single part of this.”

“We’ll have to figure out what we are, then.” Harry said quietly. “To each other, I mean. Our deal will change.”

“Then it changes.” Draco shrugged. “I’ve always wanted children. I wanted to be the father that mine was before I went to Hogwarts. I know you’ve only seen him at his worst, but he wasn’t always like this. If our deal changes, then our deal changes. We get through this, Harry Potter, and I’m marrying you.”

“That’s awfully ambitious of you.” Harry said in shock, looking up at Draco with wide eyes. “You barely know me.”

“I know enough to know that I will take care of you better than anyone ever has. And I will let you take care of me, though it may take me some time to get used to it.” Draco said firmly. “I-”

“Don’t you dare apologize one more time.” Harry said sternly, barely keeping the waver out of his voice, betraying his nerves. “We’ll go downstairs and see what Kreacher can tell. From there, we’ll have dinner, and figure out the rest one day at a time.”

“One day at a time.” Draco nodded. He kissed Harry briefly but firmly, before holding his hand and helping him down the stairs. 

Kreacher was bustling around the room and arranging things in a slightly manic way before ushering Harry to a specific chair. Draco stood behind it, a hand on his shoulder in reassurance. 

“You will not feel the spell, but it will serve two purposes.” Kreacher stated, snapping his fingers and summoning a parchment. “The parchment will record the findings for the family records. The first part of the spell will confirm whether you are carrying already or not; gestation period will also be accounted for. The second part is dependent on the first; should you be carrying the second part will determine gender and quantity. The Black family does not boast twins, nor does the Potter. But we know nothing of your mother’s line. She was muggle born, and as you’ve stated, you only know of her sister, no other relatives.”

“Aunt Petunia said their parents died when mum was in her final year at school.” Harry nodded. “But she never talked about anyone else from the family, only Uncle Vernon’s family.”

“We don’t have twins on our side.” Draco added, squeezing Harry’s shoulder. 

“There is the chance that we won’t know gender yet, depending how early it is, should Master be carrying already. And if he is not, then precautions will be taken moving forward.” Kreacher stated, glowering at Draco. “If Master is carrying, Master will not be having them unwed.”

“Shouldn’t that be Harry’s decision?” Draco countered.

“He was not aware of the possibility. You were.” Kreacher said, still glaring at Draco.

“If the Black family magic demands he be married to have a child, should he be carrying,” Draco said carefully, as the magic filled the room, “then I will honor the family in every way I can.”

“We’re just doing things in a fucked up order.” Harry sighed. “Fine, yes, if the magic demands we be married for me to be carrying, we’ll do it. But it will be secret. We can’t risk anyone finding out about it while the war is heating up, let alone-” Harry couldn’t finish the thought as his nerves started to act up again, preventing him from saying more. 

“We’ll figure it out, Harry. Together.” Draco said certainly, kneeling beside him and taking his hand.

“I don’t want to do this.” Harry whispered, not bothering to hide how scared he was. “I can’t. School’s out in a few months, I’ll have to go back to my relatives. If they see-” He sucked in a harsh breath.

“If they notice, and if they do anything against you, or my potential children,” Draco said calmly, but his eyes were hard, “then they’ll wish they’d never stayed in Great Britain when your mother joined the magical community.”

“Promise?” Harry pleaded.

“I promise.” Draco agreed quickly, hugging him and rubbing his back soothingly. 

After a few more moments of Harry trying to copy Draco’s steady breath’s, he nodded and Draco stood behind him once more, hand on his shoulder while Kreacher muttered under his breath. Harry clenched his fists together when light settled around his stomach, glowing faintly. It split in two, and Harry closed his eyes, fighting back his emotions. There weren’t colors indicating male or female, but there were definitely two. And the parchment Kreacher had done showed that Harry had been knocked up his first time having sex. He was already eight weeks pregnant, and he hadn’t even known.

Granted, he also hadn’t known that wizards could get pregnant. 

“Don’t.” Harry choked out, sensing Draco about to apologize again. 

“Ok.” Draco said softly, kneeling down and pulling Harry into his arms. Harry lost his fight to hold himself together at that point. Draco was crying too, so he didn’t feel like as much of a baby. It took a long while for them to calm down. 

“How long are you staying?” Harry asked in a voice that was all snuffly. 

“I have tonight, but I have to be back by breakfast.” Draco answered, still rubbing his back. 

“I’m a little surprised you came at all, if I’m being honest.” Harry said, wiping his face with his sleeve and getting off the floor, pulling Draco to his feet as well. “Thought after our chat in the bathroom, then again on the train, you’d decided you were done with me.”

“You said things I didn’t want to hear, not that I didn’t need to hear.” Draco said gently. “I was jealous that you were spending time with Luna, when I had no right to be. Not with how our arrangement was set up. And … I had forgotten about the robe shop. I remembered talking to a terrified, tiny, mop-headed kid in the shop, but I didn’t remember much about him. About you. It … was a terrible first impression, and the second wasn’t any better.”

“I did tell you we were past third chances.”

“Well, apparently you are stuck with me, now. So I’m sure you’ll end up starting a tally to keep track of how many chances you give me.” Draco sighed, grinning when Harry snorted.

“Kreacher will do that.” Kreacher called, making Harry laugh. 

Dinner was nice, and Kreacher even allowed Draco to stay in Harry’s room with him, even if he grumbled about it under his breath. Every kiss that Draco gave Harry that night, felt like a hundred apologies. They didn’t have sex, but they held onto each other and enjoyed the other’s presence and company. They spoke quietly, Harry not wanting to talk above a whisper about what a scar was from when Draco pointed one out. 

He hated talking about them, and it took a while for him to get the words out a few times. But Draco was patient and just listened before kissing the scar. They weren’t perfect when they fell asleep, but they were better. It would take a long while before they truly knew each other. And something told Harry that Draco wasn’t going to let him go any time soon. Waking up early, before the sun was up, to Draco pressing kisses all over his body, felt like a dream. He gasped and opened his eyes when he felt a hot mouth around his cock instead of a hand or anything. Draco’s fingers were pressing into him while he moved his head slowly. When he finally sat up and pushed inside Harry, he knew he wasn’t going to last long. Everything felt overly sensitive, and Draco was touching him everywhere, making him feel like he had electricity in his fingers. They came at the same time, and Draco collapsed on top of Harry, breathing heavily, but still brushing his lips against his neck every now and then. 

“Sorry for waking you.” Draco whispered.

“Don’t be.” Harry scoffed. “That was an amazing way to wake up.”

“Just sorry it’s so early.” Draco corrected, snickering slightly. “I’ll talk to Kreacher before I leave, but we’ll meet at Gringotts before heading back to school so we can sort out what we need to.”

“So much talking.” Harry groaned, pouting at Draco when he laughed quietly.

“Sorry, darling. Go back to sleep. I’ll talk to Kreacher and see you in a few days.” Harry hummed when Draco kissed him once more before getting up and tucking the covers around him. He didn’t like sleeping covered in spunk, but he was also exhausted and not ready to try standing in the shower. 

Draco wasn’t kidding when he said he would talk to Kreacher. The day before they were meant to return to school, they met in a private meeting room at Gringotts. The goblins were thrilled that Harry was actually there and had an elf that was going to be helping with his accounts, let alone a spouse. While Harry was technically an adult in the eyes of Magic because of his completing the Tournament, let alone winning, he was still a minor and required a guardian outside of school. The Black family charter, along with that of Potter and Malfoy, allowed for descendents to marry underage should they conceive. Especially if one of the pair was a carrier. The goblins accepted Kreacher’s evaluation, even if they did run their own confirmation scan. 

Draco had to convince Harry to complete a full health scan to further help the healers should he experience any troubles while carrying, though. Harry did not want to have to answer any questions about what he knew would most likely be revealed. Unfortunately for Harry, Draco really did pay as much attention to him, as he did to Draco. Because the next thing Harry knew, Fred and George were walking in smiling brightly. 

“What the fuck, Draco?” Harry exclaimed, glaring at him.

“You won’t listen to reason.” Draco said calmly. “And Kreacher and I both agreed that you would refuse to have a full scan done. They are here for three different purposes; one, to convince you to do a full scan. Two, as witnesses for our union. Three, because you are apparently their mysterious benefactor and financial backer, and as we are marrying, I’m invested as well. Not to mention their late Uncle was one of the last carriers, as I’m sure you recall me discussing.”

“I can concede to you needing to know about me being their investor, I get that. I also get that they were related to the last known carrier. But using them to get me to agree to a fucking medical scan is bullshit.” Harry crossed his arms.

“You need it, Harry.” Fred said, drawing Harry’s scowl to him. But Fred and George were never impressed with his scowl, saying he looked like an angry kitten. “Don’t give us that look, this is already a dangerous situation, being a carrier.”

“That’s part of what got our Uncle’s targeted. The Death Eaters didn’t know which one of them was the carrier, but killed them both in a misguided attempt to end that particular gene.” George added.

“We always knew you were special, Harry-kins. Never would have guessed it was because you were able to have your own little sprogs.” Fred teased.

“Of all the pretty gits, you had to go for little Malfoy.” George sighed dramatically. 

“I don’t have the capacity for this right now.” Harry groaned, rubbing his head. 

“He’ll do the scan, just lead the way.” Fred said gently patting Harry’s left shoulder while George was on his right. 

“As long as the goblin nation understands the sensitivity of the issues they may uncover.” George agreed.

“What do you mean?” Draco asked, stiffening.

“Meaning, certain parties cannot know that Harry-kins has been in to be scanned.” Fred stated calmly.

“Otherwise, he won’t make it long enough for either of you to see what you’re having.” George agreed.

“You, yourself, confirmed that he was under spells and potions.” Fred continued.

“You had it confirmed the Headmaster was responsible.” George agreed.

“And if he finds out Harry did this willingly, he’ll kill him.” Draco whispered, looking at Harry worriedly.

“He won’t find out.” Harry sighed in annoyance, dropping his hands finally. “The goblins value secrecy over everything. Aside from gold, I mean. And they despise wizards. They won’t say anything to anyone outside of the room unless they are willing to forfeit their own lives.”

“Heir Black is correct.” A goblin stated, startling the others at his sudden appearance in a now open doorway. “However, it will take much convincing and bartering for us to remain inactive should the depth of injuries be as severe as we’re being led to believe.”

“I have something.” Harry said certainly, drawing confused looks from his friends. “Something we can discuss privately once you’re done with this scan.”

“Very well.” He motioned for the twins and Draco to follow as he led Harry further into the bank. 

“Do you know how far along you are?” The goblin asked.

“Kreacher’s scan suggested it occurred the first time I ever had sex.” Harry grumbled. “Samhain.”

“Way to go little Malfoy.” George snickered. Harry grinned when Draco’s face was slightly pink.

“We didn’t know he was a carrier or I’d have been more careful.” Draco argued. 

“We’re just glad Harry learned how to loosen up and take something for himself for once.” Fred shrugged, smiling at Harry.

“Heir Black, please change behind the screen into the designated trousers and shirt with nothing underneath. We cannot risk interference from your normal garments.” The goblin stated. Harry nodded while the others sat in chairs at the side of the room. Fred and George were on either side of Draco, and Harry saw it for what it was; they were there to try and prevent Draco from getting too agitated and storming out to kill his relatives. 

When he was changed, he came back out and moved to stand in the middle of a ritual circle. He’d done the charm the witch in the styling shop showed him and had his hair in a messy sort of bun on top of his head. Draco must have liked it because his eyes were wide and he shifted in his seat. He was glad he had that effect on the person he was intimate with, and apparently marrying, but at the same time, he wasn’t too pleased about being seen in the clothes he was in. The shirt was loose, but it was also rather short. He felt self conscious about his stomach being even a little bit visible. He didn’t have a bump or anything, but his stomach was tight in that area. 

“When we begin, you will feel the magic assessing any and all injuries you’ve received throughout your life. As such, you are our priority. The room will be secured and none may leave. If you do not believe you can handle seeing the severity or quantity of injuries discovered,” the goblin turned to look at the three witnesses, “then you will be stunned and incapacitated until we are done. Is that clear?”

“We’ll keep Draco under control.” George agreed. 

“Just worry about Harry.” Fred nodded. 

“It’s going to be that bad?” Draco asked, looking between them.

“Probably worse, actually.” They said quietly. 

“I see.” Draco cleared his throat as he shifted in his seat again, before looking at the goblin. “When we are done with this war, when the Dark Lord is gone, I want to press charges against Vernon and Petunia Dursley.”

“Erm-” Harry said hesitantly, but pursed his lips when Draco glared at him.

“I will also potentially be adding in the Headmaster for attempted Line theft by way of love potions and compulsion spells, not even mentioning the magical blocks bonding with the Black family magic caused to break.” Draco said through gritted teeth.

“As consort to the Head of the Most Ancient and Most Noble House of Black, since that precedes the Ancient and Most Noble House of Malfoy, you are within your rights to do so.” The goblin nodded at him. “We will get as accurate of an accounting as we can, in order to prosecute to the fullest degree.”

Harry took a few deep breaths before the ritual circle lit up, surrounding him in light. His skin felt a bit itchy as his injuries were scanned on the surface. He gritted his teeth when he felt the magic sink deeper and his muscles started to tingle. He gasped when he had to unclench his hands as the magic reached deeper, into his bones and all his old breaks were noted. He sank to his knees and held his head as his skull throbbed. Then it was in his lungs, his stomach, even his throat. But the one that really hurt, was in his magic. There was something dark attached to him, deeper than his physical body. 

And that’s when he knew. He knew what it was, what was wrong with him.

“No.” Harry groaned when the magic receded. “No, tell me it’s not that.”

“Not what?” Fred asked, sounding strained. Harry glanced up and saw that he and George were struggling holding Draco back.

“You know what it is.” The goblin said, looking at him curiously.

“They’re done, let me go!” Draco shouted, finally breaking free and rushing to Harry’s side. “You’re fine.” He rushed out, hugging Harry to his chest. Harry clung back just as hard, knowing he’d have to tell him what was so upsetting.

“Draco-” Harry croaked, swallowing thickly, “I’m one of them.”

“No. No, you can’t be.” Draco shook his head, holding Harry tighter. “You can’t. Living beings, human beings, can’t be used. The other soul would interfere or absorb the piece.”

“One of the blocks removed seems to have been put in place to keep the soul fragment separate.” The goblin said gently. “Having been separated for so long, it will remain so within Heir Black. However-”

“You can remove it.” Draco interrupted, his breathing slightly erratic. “Goblin magic is different, you can remove the piece.”

“We could have if we’d seen him when it first occurred.” The goblin said slowly. “It has been too long, we cannot do so without risking severe damage to Heir Black’s magical core, thus permanently damaging him, let alone the children he carries being lost as well.”

“It won’t affect them, right?” Harry asked, turning his head slightly to watch the goblin. “They’re still just part of me and Draco?”

“They are, and they will remain so.” The goblin agreed sadly. “We will research other ways to potentially remove the shard within you, but you must not let on that you are aware of the piece, now. The magical signature from the blocks, because we were able to secure a trace of it, belongs to Albus Dumbledore. He knows you carry a piece of the Dark Lord’s soul. We will add willful negligence and homicide to charges brought against him, when the time comes.”

“Harry’s not dying.” Draco said firmly. “He’s not. Not now, not after everything.”

“Hey.” Harry said gently, pulling back and drawing Draco’s attention. He looked so scared that Harry wasn’t sure he could comfort him. “I’m fine. I’m right here. And if that’s the only piece left after everything, if I can get all the others, then he’ll die with me when I’m ready, ok? After our kids are all grown up and have families of their own and we’re both wrinkly and gray. We’ll pass on our ridiculous story of how we met, of how this shit all happened in the middle of the war, but we came out of it together. And it’ll be romanticized by everyone with a pen and made into a tragic Romeo and Juliet sort of story. But our end won’t be tragic. You’re smart, the smartest person I know. And I’m a shit liar.”

“You’re only shit because you have to believe the lie as the truth.” Draco argued.

“Then tell me I’m lying.” Harry countered. “Tell me that I’m going to have these kids, that I’m going to end up running for my life afterwards, and that, in the end, Tom is going to kill me. That I’m going to die and leave you alone with two kids to raise on your own. Tell me everything I just said is going to happen, is a lie.”

“I can’t.” Draco’s voice cracked and he buried his face in Harry’s shoulder.

“Then it’s not a lie. It’s what we are going to do. Fred and George are going to help, and they’ll drag Bill and Charlie into it, and Ginny’ll barge in demanding to hex someone for us. Luna’ll scare them off with a look and vague words of warning. And don’t count your mother out of this when she finds out she has grandbabies.”

“Oh Merlin, mother.” Draco groaned. “Ok. Ok, I believe you. Mother will burn the world down if anyone threatens her family.”

“Then we’ll be fine.” Harry said firmly, looking over at Fred and George who both nodded their agreement.

“We’ll be fine.” Draco agreed, taking a deep breath before leaning back and holding Harry’s face, as if memorizing it. “We’ll be fine.”

“Do you wish to see the results?” The goblin interjected.

“I don’t.” Harry shook his head. “I know what 90 percent of what’s on there is and how it happened. Draco will look when he’s had time to calm down. Kreacher will need to see, as he will be assisting me when I get out of school. When summer comes, I’ll return to my relatives long enough to keep the supposed blood wards operating, two weeks max, before going to Grimmauld.”

“Probably best.” The goblin nodded. “While normal female pregnancies last between eight and ten months, the same is not true for male carriers. They only last seven to eight, at most. With two, well. You’re going to have to learn glamor spells to use while in school, otherwise word will get out, and you’ll become even more of a target. For other reasons than being Harry Potter.”

“You’re saying I’ll be targeted for being a known carrier.” Harry said, narrowing his eyes. “You’re saying, being Harry Potter will have little to do with it, but because I can somehow have children-”

“Yes.” The goblin said certainly. “Wizards are deplorable, especially those who wish to use someone else for monetary gain. You carry the gene. Your children will carry the gene. It may not be active in male children, and may go dormant for a time, but they will still all carry it. Being Head of the House of Black will grant you some protections, but as the last Potter as well, you can ascertain that things do not always work out the way they should.”

Harry nodded in understanding. 

“Why don’t you change back, Harry.” George suggested. 

“We’ll do your ceremony next, and send you both off to try and recover from all this-” Fred gestured around the room.

“Information.” They finished together after sharing a look.

Draco barely handled letting him out of his sight long enough to change, and once he was back, Draco took his hand and wouldn’t let go. Harry had never seen him so wild. When they reached the main office again, Kreacher grumbled under his breath before shoving a calming draught at Draco and glaring at him until he drank it. Once he was done, Kreacher fussed over Harry pushing him to a chair and forcing him to sit before handing him a cup of water and a small container with shepherd's pie inside. Harry sighed, but knew there would be no deterring the elf, now that he had decided to accept Harry as his master and Head of the family. 

Kreacher was presented with the insanely long list of Harry’s medical recording so that he could ensure Harry’s continued safety in the house. They even offered goblin assistance when it was time for the babies to be delivered. That made both of them rather squeamish, because it made it more real. They planned to make a quick visit back over the Easter holiday to get another scan to see how they were growing. Plus, Harry had no idea how any of that worked, since he knew he didn’t have the right equipment to deliver babies. 

Harry nodded to Kreacher who gave the goblins a copy of Harry’s research on the horcruxes he knew about so they could work on that part. The goblin glanced at Harry sharply upon seeing the listed items and called over another goblin. They had a rushed conversation in Gobbledegook before the other goblin left hurriedly, barking out orders in the same language. Draco, Fred, and George looked at him in confusion for a moment, but Harry pursed his lips. Draco squeezed his hand and nodded, accepting that Harry couldn’t tell him yet. 

Thankfully, they got to the marriage certificate part rather quickly. Harry wasn’t sure he wanted to marry Draco, not really. But he offered everything that Harry wanted in his life. Stability, a home for a family, not even mentioning the incredible sex. He just kept thinking 16 was really young to jump into it. But. He kept coming back to a ‘but’. Draco had shown he cared. It was in a weird, sort of demanding, overbearing, kind of way, but he did. He followed Harry’s suggestion about talking to the other teachers and kids about what they knew about Harry. He was jealous of Luna for going as his date, even just as friends, to the Christmas party. And when he made an agreement, he stuck to it. He never asked Harry about his task or his scars. Harry eventually told him on his own, just because Draco cared enough to listen. Looking over at him as he signed his name on the certificate, Harry knew he was making the right choice. 

Regardless of if he came out of this whole thing alive or not. He gave Draco a small smile as he accepted the quill and signed his name on the certificate.

Draco let out a sigh of relief when Harry signed his name. As if he had been expecting Harry to back out. But the family magic had helped him already so far. He knew it would be wrong to ignore it now. He trusted it. Fred and George signed next as witnesses before the goblins sealed it with their own magic. Harry jumped when several small boxes popped onto the desk in front of them. 

“Wedding rings.” Draco said, smirking at him. Harry stuck his tongue out at him. 

“Wait, does that mean I need to give this one back?” Harry asked, twisting the one he wore on his left index finger.

“No, I gave that to you as part of our original agreement, as a promise, essentially. This is different. You’ll pick a Black family ring for me, and I’ll choose a Malfoy ring for you. There are enchantments on them so that you can will it to be invisible so no one other than those of us in here can see it. The goblin magic sealing our contract will prevent love potions from working on you even if you ingest them. I still suggest you avoid them, if possible, as they’ll cause some rather serious indigestion.” Draco said calmly, flipping open the boxes and looking through the rings. 

“The magic will help you pick the right one.” Fred said, leaning on the desk and looking the rings over with them. 

“Here.” Draco said, taking Harry’s hand and slipping a ring on his finger. It shrank down and fit nicely. It was a platinum band with small gems spaced out around it. Rubies and pearls, mostly. It seemed rather extravagant. They were Harry and Draco’s birthstones. Not to mention their first two kids’. They’d either arrive at the end of June or early July.

“Brilliant.” Harry said earnestly, squeezing Draco’s hand, before looking back at his choices. He bit his lip and closed his eyes while feeling them out with his magic. He stopped and pulled the ring out that felt right, turning and slipping it on Draco’s finger. It was a black band that had a few small emeralds shaped into something. 

“Twat.” Draco snorted, looking at it with a dopey smile on his face. “Of course you have something with the constellation I’m named after on it.”

“But it’s alright?” Harry asked hesitantly.

“I just wish I could show it off already.” Draco sighed. “Hopefully soon. It’s perfect.”

“And Heir Black is alright with having his consort receive copies of his accounts?” The goblin asked, snapping his fingers and sending the ring boxes back to their vaults.

“Yeah.” Harry nodded. “Him and Kreacher will be able to sort it out until I can get a crash course in all of it. I wasn’t raised learning about any of this, Draco was.”

They had to stand up and face each other for part of the ceremony. Draco just kept smiling happily, and it made Harry smile, too. Two months together and now they were getting married to be able to better protect each other in secret. There was actually someone who wanted to protect him, though. Not just give him another insane task to complete to prove he was worthy of love and affection. Of pride. Sure, Draco could only be doing this to appease the family magic since he’d gone and knocked Harry up not knowing he could. And they’d only been messing around as a way to escape their normal lives. But things had been easy with Draco. He may have coerced Harry into having sex with him the first time, but after that Harry still went back. 

“I promise to try and keep Kreacher’s tally sheet as low as possible.” Draco whispered, gripping his hand as the goblins continued speaking.

“I look forward to the apology gifts, then.” Harry grinned.

“Alright.” Draco chuckled. “Just, er, be prepared for next summer, ok? When school is out, mother is going to want a massive wedding.”

“Then we’ll have one.” Harry shrugged. “I don’t have that many people that I could ask to come, but you and our kids will be there. That’s enough for me. Fred and George will obviously provide the fireworks for the end.”

“Obviously.” The twins scoffed, winking at him. 

“Seal the bond with a kiss.” The goblin interrupted with a heavy sigh, seeing they weren’t paying attention. 

Harry yelped as Draco dipped him down and kissed him hard in front of everyone there. Harry held onto Draco’s arms, feeling like he might fall, but became distracted by Draco’s tongue. He smacked Draco in the chest when he was finally back on his feet and upright once more, but Draco only smirked at him. Clearly proud of his actions. Harry blinked a few times when the twins shoved small boxes into their hands. 

“Wedding presents.” George said with a shrug.

“Figured they’d be needed when little Malfoy reached out to us earlier this month.” Fred agreed.

“Guys, you didn’t have to do this.” Harry said, feeling a bit emotional all of a sudden. 

“Of course we did.” Fred scoffed.

“You’re our chosen little brother, and part of our pranks.” George added.

“Just say thank you-”

“And go home to enjoy a night-”

“Before being stuck in separate dorms-”

“Back at school.”

“Thanks, guys.” Harry said quietly. 

“Thank you.” Draco agreed, holding a hand out and shaking each of theirs. Harry was engulfed in a hug before Kreacher was taking his and Draco’s hands and popping them back to the house. 

The twins had gotten them watches, similar to the Weasley clock, that would have Harry and Draco’s pictures on them, along with their kids, once they were born. They would be able to tell where the other was, how much danger they were in, once they were unable to see each other as often. 

“I hate them.” Harry croaked, swiping at his face as he started crying. “God, I never cry, now I’m crying at everything!”

“How mad would you be if I apologized again?” Draco asked, hugging him from behind. 

“Very.” Harry said certainly, sniffling as he pulled out the instructions for setting the watches up.

“Ok then.” Draco chuckled. “Why don’t you rest on the sofa while I set up the watches and Kreacher makes us some tea?”

“Not mint.” Harry said defeatedly, walking over and falling on the sofa.

“Not mint.” Draco agreed, a smile in his voice. He picked up Harry’s feet and put them in his lap while he set the watches up. They only stayed on the sofa long enough to have tea and play with the watches for a little bit, because Harry was feeling a weird sort of pressure from the family magic to get Draco in his bedroom. 

“The magic wants us to consummate the bond.” Draco said, pushing Harry’s back against his bedroom door and kissing him passionately.

“We already have.” Harry groaned, when Draco undid his trousers and shoved his shirt off. “But, god, don’t stop.”

“Can’t.” Draco groaned, dropping his own clothes and pulling Harry on the bed with him.

If everything had felt overly sensitive the morning Draco had stayed with him, it was a hundred times more intense this time. They started with Draco pushing into Harry while Harry was on his back, but Harry rolled them over so he was on top after a bit. When Draco sat up and wrapped his arms around him so they could kiss, Harry felt like he was coming undone. He lifted himself faster and wrapped his arms around Draco’s neck, unable to stop. He shivered when he came, Draco following shortly after, shivering as well. The family magic wrapped around them emitting a sort of hum of approval. 

Harry fell forward on Draco’s chest when Draco fell back against the pillows. He eventually had to roll to the side, as the pressure from laying on his stomach was uncomfortable. He stayed draped over Draco, though, as much as possible. 

“Masters will take a bath now.” Kreacher called from the other side of the closed bedroom door.

“Bath sounds nice.” Harry hummed.

“As long as you’re with me, everything sounds nice.” Draco agreed, kissing his head.

“Well, you’re stuck with me now, Draco.” Harry teased, holding up his ring.

“What a tragedy.” Draco smirked. “I’m sure I’ll find some way to survive.”

“Yes, you will.” Harry agreed, grinning back. “Let’s go before he bursts through the door and drags us both out.”

“Ok.” Draco chuckled. 

The bath was really nice and helped Harry’s body relax some more. Draco washing his hair was a nice surprise as well. He was practically boneless by the time they made it down for dinner. But then Draco had to leave. Harry didn’t want him to go, but he knew he couldn’t stay either. It was incredibly annoying. 

“Find me on the train.” Harry whispered against Draco’s neck as they hugged goodbye.

“Try and stop me.” Draco mumbled against his hair. 

Kreacher took Draco back, and Harry went upstairs to lay down. It had been a very busy holiday, and he was exhausted. When morning came, Harry put dutch braids in his hair again, pulled a cap on his head, wrapped his new scarf around his neck, pulled on his new peacoat, and let Kreacher apparate him to King’s Cross. There were a lot of people around, but Harry was able to navigate through them pretty easily. Kreacher made sure he had his potions bag on him and made sure he had a copy of the instructions of what to take, when, and even shoved a small picnic basket in his hands before he left. 

Draco did find him on the train, and spent the first hour snogging Harry senseless before dropping to his knees and sucking him off. When he was done, and Harry was boneless, he kissed him again for a while before leaving. Harry tried to argue about returning the favor, but Draco only said they were even, now. He still felt guilty about how he’d used Harry before the Christmas party, apparently. So much had happened since then, that Harry had actually forgotten about it. Halfway through the ride, Luna came in, smiling at Harry brightly before sitting opposite him. It was nice having Luna around. 

“I think you chose lovely names.” Luna said dreamily.

“We haven’t even talked about them yet.” Harry argued, not bothering with being surprised about her statement.

“No, but he’ll agree. It could be a lovely surprise for him, too.”

“I thought so.” Harry smiled.

“Would you mind if I was there to help?”

“I wouldn’t.” Harry said certainly. “I’d … it’d be nice to … to have a friend with me. When it’s time.”

“The others will come around.” She assured him. “It’ll just take them some time.”

“It’s fine.” Harry shrugged. “I’ve got all I need right now. How was your holiday?”

She smiled at him and regaled him with her weird holiday traditions with her father. They weren’t exactly typical Yule traditions or rituals, but they were still special and important to her. Harry had been unconscious for Yule, so he hadn’t been able to observe it like he wanted to. There were other holidays, though, and Draco already promised to help him with them. They’d had to agree to just not look for each other at school, otherwise they’d give themselves away. 

Spending a week back at the castle, unable to be near each other, made their first meeting in the shrieking shack eventful. They managed to break the bed, even. They’d fallen asleep together on the mattress that was on the floor and had to race back to the castle in the morning so they wouldn’t be caught. Harry was still almost caught because Neville pointed out a love bite on his neck that Harry had to cover with his scarf. 

“Please don’t say anything.” Harry pleaded when they were walking back from Herbology together.

“I won’t.” Neville said, offering a small smile. “For what it’s worth, I’m glad you found someone.”

“Me too.” Harry smiled back. “It was a bit of an accident when it started, but now … now it just feels right.”

“Good.” Neville nodded. “Just know that if he hurts you, I’ll hex him to hell and back.”

“How do you know it’s a ‘he’?” Harry asked curiously, not denying it.

“Only suspicion, really. You never really looked at girls the way the other guys in the dorm do. You don’t even talk about them. But I’ve seen the way you look at other blokes. You hide it well, and maybe you didn’t even know until your accidental encounter. Just stay safe, alright? I know you missed our lectures and everything from third and fourth year. I’m pretty sure you were kept out of those on purpose, but just be safe about it all. And maybe get yourselves both checked out by a healer or someone. Carriers may be rare, but they do still exist.” Harry tripped over his feet and looked at Neville with wide eyes. Neville steadied him, but saw Harry’s brief panic. “Shit. You’re a carrier, aren’t you?”

“How the hell did you figure that out?” Harry croaked, feeling on the verge of a panic attack.

“Hold on.” Neville said, looking around and guiding Harry to a bathroom and locking the door once he made sure no one else was around. “You’re already carrying, aren’t you?”

“Since Samhain.” Harry croaked. “I didn’t know it was a thing! If I had known, I’d have done the spells, but I didn’t-”

“Calm down, Harry, ok? You can’t get too stressed. This sort of thing is harder on a male than a female for numerous reasons. I’m not going to ask, and you don’t have to tell me, alright? I’m sorry I didn’t pass any of this along when I realized you weren’t in the classes, but, well. You were sort of in the midst of a death tournament and then the Ministry tried to interfere at school and you ended up teaching us all defense. I should have found a way to get it to you. Do you have help?”

“I have my family elf that fusses over me. The family magic sort of demanded we get married, though.”

“Oh, good. It’s dangerous for a carrier to not be married before their term is up. Otherwise they can lose the child.” Neville sighed heavily. “Sorry you had to get married at 16.”

“Married and knocked up, all in the span of a few months.” Harry breathed out.

“He’s good to you, though, right?”

“Yeah, he is. He can’t really interact with me at school, though.”

“Kind of figured as much.” Neville grinned. “Can’t say I like the tosser, but as long as he’s good to you, he’s alright with me.”

“You can’t tell anyone!” Harry said quickly. 

“I won’t.” Neville said just as quickly. “I won’t, I promise. Just let me know if you need help or anything, yeah? You were a target already before, but now …”

“Now I’ll be more of a target because of what I am.” Harry nodded. “The goblins said as much.”

“Are they behind all the potions you’re on?”

“Yeah. They set up the regimen with my elf and he makes sure I take what I’m supposed to. Oh, do you know much about glamor spells? I’ve got a book on them, but I’m going to have to start using them before too much longer, I think.”

“How about we study them and practice them together so if one of us is too exhausted, magically, the other can do it?”

“That’s a good idea. Thanks, Nev.”

“No problem. Think you’ll be coming back for our last year?”

“Should be. Just sort of depends what all happens with this war that’s heating up, ya know?”

“Yeah. Kind of shit timing from your husband.” Neville grinned.

“Any timing seems to be shit timing for me.” Harry shrugged, grinning when Neville chuckled.

“That’s true enough. Well, you’re welcome to partner with me for things if you want. In the classes we share, I mean.”

“That’d be great.” Harry sighed in relief.

“Don’t know which is worse, honestly. Your bloke, knocking you up, or Hermione and Ron treating you like they are.”

“Just don’t go abandoning me like they did, if you can help it.”

“Please.” Neville scoffed. “I’ve got like four real friends in this school, and you’re one of them. Let’s head to class, though. We can talk more when we meet to practice the glamor charms.”

“Ok.” Harry nodded, getting a quick hug from him before they were heading off to class again. 

Luna often met with them in the library when they started meeting up. She was really just there to do her own homework and sometimes dragged Ginny along. Which meant dragging Dean along. And Seamus. And before Harry knew it, he had a big group of Gryffindors, Ravenclaws, and even a few Hufflepuffs that were studying with him. Padma Patil even showed Harry and Neville how to imbue certain glamors into an item, like a necklace or brooch, to hold the spell so they weren’t draining their magic to hold it in place. Ernie MacMillon showed them a few runes that would power the charm to draw ambient magic from the air. 

With all of that good that was happening, Harry had almost forgotten that he was meant to be getting closer to Slughorn. Almost. Until Ron ate some chocolates that had been sent to Harry for Christmas that were laced with a somewhat powerful love potion. Slughorn was quite chatty while mixing the antidote, actually. Until Harry prodded a bit too much about Tom Riddle. Then he shut down. But Ron being poisoned by wine, sort of distracted them from dwelling on it. He was going to be alright, thankfully. Dumbledore praised Harry for his quick thinking in getting a bezoar into Ron’s mouth. 

Harry wasn’t surprised the name Ron was muttering Hermione’s name in his sleep, but the two girls watching him seemed to be. Lavender burst out of the hospital in tears, while Hermione smiled somewhat happily while holding Ron’s hand. Harry went to the shack that night, but Draco didn’t show. It was disappointing, but he knew they couldn’t be caught outside of school, let alone together. It was the first night he missed since term had restarted. 

His friends decided, now that Lavender was out of the picture, apparently, that meant they were all friends again. But Harry was enjoying hanging out with the other kids he’d made friends with while they were ignoring him. So he sat with Neville, Dean and Seamus at breakfast and lunch before they managed to confront him about it.

“What’s wrong?” Hermione demanded when they left DADA.

“Nothing.” Harry frowned, trying to ignore the numerous people loitering nearby.

“Something is.” Ron huffed. “You’ve been avoiding us.”

“Must be rough.” Harry deadpanned. “I wonder what it’s like to be avoided by someone meant to be your best friend.”

“We weren’t avoiding you.” Hermione frowned. 

“No, you were doing worse.” Harry cut in before her or Ron could say more. “You were forcing me into a position where I had to choose between you. Either I talked to Ron when he had time, or I talked to you and listened to you complaining about Ron or telling me off about who I should or shouldn’t be spending time with because people were trying to slip me love potions.”

“They were!” Hermione exclaimed.

“I’m aware.” Harry said flatly. “Which is why I was constantly checking my food or chucking snacks that were sent to me. People are always after me for something. So I learned, on my own, how to detect potions or spells in my meals. Why do you think I ate so little at the beginning of November? Oh, wait, no. You don’t have to answer. Neither of you were thinking about me at the time, too wrapped up in your own drama. I’m not mad, I’m not. But I’ve made other friends now. I have a study group that I meet up with. You’re welcome to join, but I’m not going back to it just being the three of us secluding ourselves from everyone else. It’s a big school with lots of other kids. You two were the only ones I ever spent time with because you were the first friends I made in my life. You want to spend time with me again, great. But you’re doing it on my terms.”  Harry pushed by them and went the opposite direction of the Great Hall, not feeling like having people stare at him anymore. 

Instead, he went to the kitchen. As soon as he entered, he was ushered to a chair by the fire. Then Kreacher was there, scowling at him for getting so stressed. Harry knew he was right, but it hadn’t been avoidable. So he took his potions and ate the food Kreacher brought with him. Dobby seemed to find it entertaining and brought Harry a few blankets. Harry looked up in surprise when Draco came in. He just knelt by Harry’s chair and cupped his face while looking him over.

“I’m sorry.” 

“For what?” Harry asked, frowning.

“For not paying attention these past two weeks.”

“Don’t be.” Harry shrugged. “We’re still in school, and you still have your part to play, image to uphold, all that.”

“I wish I didn’t.” Draco said earnestly. “I wish it could just be us.”

“I know.” Harry said reassuringly.

“I hate not being able to meet you, but I had to stay up late and work on my task last night.” 

“Hey.” Harry said, taking Draco’s wrist in his hand as he was still cupping Harry’s face. “It’s alright. We make it through this, we finish this, and then it’s just us. Yeah? Like we want.”

“Like you said, right?” Draco asked.

“Yeah.” Harry nodded. “We’ll get out of school, have our kids, and we’ll see if my hair ever really calms down before it just falls out.”

“You’re not losing your hair.” Draco snorted.

“I should tell you,” Harry bit his lip, “Neville sort of knows. So does Luna.”

“Harry.” Draco sighed in exasperation.

“I didn’t tell them, I swear. Luna’s always sort of known things she shouldn’t. Neville was just a good guesser. He saw a love bite someone left me, thanks for that, and made the right deductions to me being a carrier and us having gotten married to appease the family magic.”

“Anyone else from your new little group I should be worried about?” Draco asked, getting up and sitting in the other chair.

“Dunno.” Harry shrugged. “Padma and Ernie were helping us mess around with glamors and linking them to necklaces or brooches. Pretty sure most of them will figure out I’m trying to hide something and make a few deductions of their own and wait to see if they were right or not. You may or may not notice, but people are always making bets about me.”

“Yes, the talk has reached Slytherin about who you could be secretly sleeping with.” Draco hummed. “You should tell Longbottom he’s in the lead.”

“Not telling him that.” Harry argued.

“Others argue it could be the Patil twins. Both of them.”

“Ha!” Harry exclaimed, laughing out loud. “Not telling them that, either.”

“The good news is no one suspects us.” Draco grinned.

“As they weren’t meant to.” Harry said, still chortling. 

“How are you feeling?” Draco asked, looking down at his stomach briefly.

“Just sore.” Harry shrugged. “Nothing too different, so far. You want to feel?”

“Yes.” Draco said before Harry could really finish asking. He smirked and tugged his shirt up and placed Draco’s hand over the lower part of his stomach. There was the tiniest hint of a bulge, but that could be written off as a large dinner.

“Not much to feel right now, since they’re still tiny. Just tight across the area. Kreacher says I shouldn’t get too big, since I’m apparently rather small.”

“You’re the perfect size.” Draco argued, rubbing his hand across Harry’s stomach. 

“I’m barely five feet six.” Harry huffed. “I’m taller than Seamus, but not by much. Dean’s a freaking beanpole, just like Ron. And you’re nearly six feet tall yourself. I’ve always been small, but hoped when I got older I might grow a bit.”

“I mean, you are growing.” Draco teased. Harry flicked his ear.

“Dick.”

“Your dick.” 

“Yeah, I suppose you are.” Harry chuckled. 

“Want me to walk you back?” Draco offered, hand still splayed across Harry’s stomach.

“I do, but it’s not a good idea.” Harry sighed. 

“Kreacher will make sure Master gets back safely.” Kreacher interrupted.

“Alright.” Draco sighed. “I’ll see you in a few days, ok? I’m not missing another week.”

“Ok.” Harry nodded. He sighed in relief as Draco pressed a quick kiss to his lips before leaving. 

When Harry got to the shack a few weeks later, Draco was already waiting. There were candles everywhere and a small picnic set out. He wordlessly handed Harry a package, and that’s when Harry realized what they were celebrating.

“Fuck, it’s Valentine’s day.” Harry said, wiping a hand over his face.

“Yes, but I wanted to do this before I realized what day it was.” Draco smirked.

“You didn’t need to get me anything.” Harry argued weakly, opening the package.

“I did, though.” Draco shrugged. Harry grinned when he saw it was Draco’s Slytherin quidditch hoodie. “I know you like simple things, and you’re always wearing your hooded jumper, so I thought it’d be nice to see you in mine.”

“It’s great.” Harry smiled, giving him a quick kiss. 

“Yes, but you can’t put it on yet.” Draco took it and set it aside before pulling him close and kissing him. “Wish you could wear it at my games, but knowing you have it is enough for now.”

“We get this shit finished this summer, I’ll wear it for our last year here.” Harry promised, shoving Draco’s shirt off.

Draco froze when Harry’s shirt and trousers were off. Harry bit his lip as he realized what Draco was seeing. His stomach had more of a definitive bulge to it, now. It was still small enough he could wear his normal clothes, but it was also quite noticeable when he was only in his pants, let alone naked.

“You’re showing.” Draco whispered, brushing a hand against it.

“Yeah.” Harry nodded. “Can’t sleep on my stomach or flat on my back anymore. Too uncomfortable. Nev got me an extra pillow that I use to lay against, so that helps a bit. Only gonna get bigger from now on.”

“I love you.” Draco whispered, looking Harry in the eyes. Harry froze. “I do. I’m not just saying it because you let me fuck you to get us into this mess, or because you’re carrying my children. You’ve given me so much more than I could have ever dreamed of; shared yourself with me. I can be myself when I’m with you. And somehow, I fell in love with you.”

“I-” Harry cleared his throat, unsure what to say, but Draco already understood.

“I know no one’s ever really told you that. That they love you. And you don’t have to say it back. I understand. But I need you to know that I love you. Your messy hair, your attitude, your beautiful eyes, amazing body, incredible mind. That you found a way to accept me as I am. Let me show you that I love you.”

“Ok.” Harry nodded, ignoring that his eyes were leaking when Draco kissed him again. 

Neither of them went to class the next day. They stayed in bed in the shack, just enjoying each other’s presence.