CHAINS OF EARTH - CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Apr. 7th, 2010 10:49 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
dysonrulesOMG, the last chapter!!! Well, there is an Epilogue, so it's not completely over, but this should answer most of the questions... WOOT! Massive thanks to ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
alaana_fair for the beta and formatting and byaghro for the inspiration!
Miss the beginning? Start here: PROLOGUE
Chapter Sixteen
To fly as fast as thought,
you must begin by knowing
that you have already arrived.
-Richard Bach
Draco fought the blackness licking at his senses, amazed that he was even partially conscious. Stunners were usually instantaneous; he had never known anyone to counter one. Potter reared back and reached a hand out to him. The chain rattled through the ring on the floor—and stopped. The shackle they had removed from Harry’s wrist was too large to fit through the hole. Harry was still effectively manacled by his other wrist. And he couldn’t reach Draco’s wand.
Draco’s vision went dark, but he forced it back and tried to focus on Molly Weasley, who crouched over her daughter and cast Ennervate to revive her.
“Molly, what are you doing?” Potter cried. “There’s something you don’t know! Ginny is trying to kill us! She’s working with Goyle to destroy us!”
Molly sent him an ugly look and cast a succession of spells on Ginny before helping her to her feet. “You check on Greg, dear. I’ll deal with Harry.”
Draco nearly groaned as his worst fears were realized. She was in league with the others. Potter, thankfully, figured it out at the same time. “Oh, Godric, not you, too.”
Molly walked forward, holding her wand steady. “You had such promise, Harry. Where did it all go wrong? Was it fighting He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named? Is that what turned you from us?”
“What are you talking about?”
The darkness gripping Draco began to lift and the terrible weight that seemed to hold him in place eased. He stretched his fingers slowly toward his wand, moving carefully so he would not draw Molly’s attention. If she had any idea he was not unconscious, she would hit him with another Stunner and he didn’t think he could fight a second one.
“I tried not to blame you, Harry, I really did. I thought you were innocent when it came to Fred’s death, and maybe it was an accident, even though it was you they were after. They were always after you. Everyone else, especially my Fred, just… got in the way.” Her voice hitched and Draco heard the chain rasp as Potter tugged on it. Draco stretched his fingers and the tips brushed the edge of his wand.
“Molly, no,” Potter breathed.
“And then Ron! My beautiful Ron, trapped forever in a chair, drinking himself insensible and hating everything and everyone! How could you do it, Harry? How could you let it happen?”
Draco stretched until he thought the tendons in his shoulder would pull free. He shifted his gaze to Ginny Weasley, crouched over Greg, who would doubtless be back in action in a moment. Draco needed to free Potter quickly.
“I tried,” Harry said in a barely audible tone. “I tried to save Ron. I tried to save them all.”
Molly shook her head. “And then, to add insult to injury, you break up with Ginny, who was always there for you! Always pining for you! She used to cry in her room while holding your photo. Did you know?” Molly’s voice was turning ugly and Draco pressed his fingertips carefully to his wand and began to slide it toward himself, taking extreme care not to roll it and send it skittering away. He was thankful the wood made little sound on the stone floor.
“And now she tells me you’re nothing but a bloody shirtlifter! How could you, Harry? How could you do this to my family? To me? I practically took you in when you were a lad! I tried to become the mother you never knew! And this is how you repay me?”
“I’m sorry,” Potter said and Draco felt a surge of rage toward the woman. None of them had survived the war unscathed, and Potter had done all he could to keep them from a future grimmer than she could possibly imagine.
“And it all started with that pile of dung there!” she cried. “He let the Death Eaters into the school! He’s the one that made it possible for Greyback to hurt my Bill! It’s his fault Dumbledore wasn’t around to protect my boys! Turning him into an animal wasn’t nearly enough! The Malfoys always had the luck, didn’t they? My family struggles to put food on the table while the Malfoys live like kings! And look at him now! That potion killed everyone else that ever drank it, but not him! Not the spawn of Lucius Malfoy!”
“What are you saying?” Potter demanded.
“He was supposed to die!” she screamed.
“You meant to kill him?” Potter asked, voice tinged with disbelief.
“I meant for him to kill himself,” she corrected. “He should have done what any decent pureblood would have done and taken the poison. Trust Draco Malfoy to get even that wrong.”
Draco felt the poison vial in question, still nestled in the pocket where he had placed it earlier. It seemed like days had passed since then.
“I didn’t expect you to get involved, Harry. Even after all you’ve done, I would have spared you. If only you would have left his case to someone else. We thought you hated him. Why would you offer to help a horrid freak like him?”
“He’s not a freak,” Potter said in an even tone, enunciating each word. “Now, I think you should put the wand down and let me go. This has already gone too far.”
Save your breath, Potter, Draco thought. She’s obviously beyond salvage.
“No, Harry, I’d say it hasn’t gone far enough,” Ginny Weasley interjected. Draco shifted his attention back to her. Greg stood next to her shakily, looking confused and swaying a bit. “Mum, you have to kill Malfoy. It’s the only way. We can Obliviate Harry so he won’t remember any of this foolishness, but Malfoy has to die.”
Molly Weasley frowned at her and Draco took the opportunity to close his fingers completely around his wand, lift it slightly, and whisper a spell. Potter’s last shackle split and fell away.
“Harry is in love with him, Mum!” Ginny went on. “Ask him! We gave him Veritaserum, so he has to answer honestly. Ask him!”
Potter quickly shifted his position to cover the fact that he was now freed. Good Auror, Draco thought approvingly.
“Are you in love with Draco Malfoy?” Ginny demanded, apparently not willing to wait for her mother.
“Yes!” Potter snapped.
She lifted her wand with a half-sob and yelled, “Oh, Harry. How could you?" Her features twisted as she glared at Draco. "I hate you!” She directed her wand at Draco, wrenching him out of the stasis induced by Potter’s single-word answer. He did not wait for her to cast a Killing Curse, but took to the air, snatching up Potter in passing. His arms wrapped around Potter’s waist, trying to be gentle against his broken ribs, but knowing it was more important that they get out of the line of fire. Unfortunately, the ceiling was not overly high and there was only one exit from the room. He headed that way anyway, hoping they could make it.
A spell seared through one wing, nearly causing him to cry out in pain. He lurched sideways, thrown off-balance, which was fortuitous—another spell passed over their heads and exploded part of the ceiling. Potter’s former adopted family was pulling no punches.
“Your ex-girlfriend seems upset,” Draco commented and then something snared in his wings and sent him dropping like a stone. He let go of Potter, who landed hard, but rolled away. Draco's knee hit the stone and he scraped one palm while trying to keep his face from slamming into the floor. He flexed his wings and tried to rise, but he was tangled in something netlike, black and sticky as tar. Fuck! He threw himself sideways as another spell nearly hit him. Pieces of stone sprayed him from the small crater in the floor. The crazy bitches meant to turn him into mincemeat.
Hands touched him and he looked up into Potter’s worried face. Draco shoved his wand into Potter’s hands. “Here! Defend yourself. I can get out of this.”
Potter hastily erected a Shield Charm and Draco gripped one of the rope-like sections. He pulled hard and it gradually tore away from his feathers, feeling like a bandage coming away from a raw wound.
“Avada K—”
Potter shouted, “Expelliarmus!”
Potter’s countermeasure must have worked, since Draco was still breathing. He tore at another sticky binding, gritting his teeth.
“Molly! Ginny, stop this, please!” Potter yelled.
“It’s too late, Harry.”
Draco glanced at Ginny, who raced for her fallen wand, but Potter hit it with another spell that sent it sliding across the floor. The wand landed near Greg, who was still in the same stance, gazing at them blankly. Thank Salazar whatever spell had hit him was still in effect. They were in enough trouble as it was. The thought was confirmed when Molly Weasley barked another spell. Draco suppressed a shout as Potter went down.
Molly’s voice was disturbingly calm. “I should have known you wouldn’t go down easily, Harry, but this is all for the best. You’ll see. You’ll get over this idiotic affliction once we fix up your memory and set you right. Say goodbye to Malfoy.”
Draco glared at her as she lifted her wand, but a shout from the doorway sent her down in a crumpled heap. Draco’s attention snapped to his rescuer.
“It’s about fucking time!” he called. “What the hell were you doing out there? Taking in the sights?”
“Molly reset the wards when she entered,” Granger explained. “Took me the devil’s own time to get through them without alerting her. And I had to make sure she was part of this and not just visiting at a very inconvenient time. Is Harry all right?”
Draco crawled over to Potter, who lay unmoving, but a quick hand to his throat disclosed a welcome pulse. Draco looked for his wand, but it was not immediately in sight. He scanned the floor nearby, knowing it could not have fallen far when Potter went down.
“I should have known you would turn up,” Ginny yelled with a sneer. “Coming to rescue Harry, or are you in love with Malfoy, too?”
“Drop your wand, Ginny. It’s over.”
Ginny barked a laugh. “I don’t think so.” Her wand spat orange fire and Granger countered it with a Shield Charm, but the orange bolt sizzled through the invisible barrier and hit Granger in the chest. She screamed and sank to one knee. Ginny laughed harshly. “See what I mean? I’m an Unspeakable, remember? I know many things that you don’t.”
Unable to locate Potter’s wand, Draco gave up and tore at the bonds once more. If he could free his wings, he could at least take Potter to safety and come back for Granger. He mentally willed Granger to get up and cast something particularly nasty at the ginger-haired girl, because he had quite had enough of the despicable little bint.
Thankfully, Granger did. “A modified Cruciatus?” Granger snapped as she climbed to her feet. “Is that supposed to make it less illegal?”
“No, I just enjoy the side effects,” Ginny commented as Granger went down again, legs seeming to collapse beneath her. Ginny nodded at her horrified look. “Yes, it disrupts all motor functions. Unfortunately, it’s still experimental and quite unpredictable. Sometime it causes blindness, sometimes immobility. Here, have another!” She cast again, but Granger cast a blueish bolt that hit the orange dead centre and sent it ricocheting into the wall.
Draco tore a long strip free of his right wing, taking a single white feather with it. He grimaced as he flung the rope-like substance aside. Granger sent several more hexes at Ginny, who deflected or dodged them and returned her own.
“Potter, please wake up,” Draco muttered and shook him with one hand while the other ripped at another section of sticky binding. “Harry, we could use your help.”
Potter shifted and muttered, but his eyes remained closed.
“Harry!” Draco hissed, not wanting to draw attention to himself. Movement other than bright bolts of magic caught his eye and he saw Molly Weasley sit up. “Harry for fucks’ sake, Voldemort is back!”
Potter’s eyes snapped open and Draco felt immense relief as the Auror’s gaze fixed on him. “Draco?” he asked.
“You might want to locate your wand,” Draco said and contorted his shoulder to reach the topmost section of his wing and yank free another piece of the tarlike substance. Potter reached out to help, wincing as he tore away a black tendril as though it had torn his own skin.
They both looked up when Granger shrieked. Draco saw her enveloped in a greyish cloud—Merlin knew what it was doing to her. Ginny was down on one knee, hair tangled and blood streaming from a gash on one cheek, but she held her wand steady, obviously directing the spell.
“Potter, your wand!” Draco said urgently and then spotted the edge of it—underneath Potter.
Potter reached for it and sent a hex flying at Ginny, but another spell hit her first. She cried out as she lurched sideways and lay still.
“Ron?” Potter asked incredulously. The single word was echoed by Molly Weasley, whose gaze travelled from her son to her daughter and back again. She was on her feet, but looking as unsteady as Greg had earlier.
“Hey, Harry,” Ron called as he dispelled the cloud around Granger with a burst of air and then glided in his chair to park next to her prone form. “Mum, what are you doing here? Are you mixed up in this, too?”
“Ron, you shouldn’t be here!” Molly hurried over to crouch at Ginny’s side. She looked panicked and wild, hands flailing. She reminded Draco of someone and after a moment he realized who it was. His Aunt Bellatrix.
“Keep an eye on her, Potter. She seems to have left sanity behind.”
Potter looked at him and then his eyes widened. “Duck, Draco!”
He did it without thinking, pushing himself to the floor in response to Potter’s urgent words. Something whooshed over his head with a violent displacement of air, and then Potter lifted his wand and cast. Draco turned to see Greg fall backward as the chair leg he had been about to bludgeon him with skidded across the floor.
“I think you need better friends,” Potter commented.
Draco nodded and got to his feet. Molly was still arguing with her son.
“You should go back home and let us deal with this, Ron. You’re in no condition to be out—“
“Apparently, I should have been out long before this. I’ve been too wrapped up in my own self-pity to see what’s been going on under my own nose. I should have known when you let Goyle come to the Burrow that something wasn’t right. I ignored my own instincts because of you, Mum!” Ron threw her a glare and then reached down to touch Granger’s face. “Hermione, are you all right?”
“I did it for you, Ron,” Molly said with a sob, cradling Ginny in her arms. “You and Bill and… and Fred.”
“How could this possibly benefit any of us?” Ron snapped. He used his wand to Ennervate Granger, who writhed for a moment and then began to cough. Draco felt a moment of relief at the sound, thankful that she was alive. It was possible he rather liked her these days.
“All our troubles started with him!” Molly cried and flung an accusatory finger in Draco’s direction. “He let the Death Eaters into the school to attack my Bill and that led to every terrible thing that followed. Fred would still be alive if not for the Malfoys and you would not be in that chair! Now he’s even turned Harry against us!”
“Mum, that’s crazy. It was war! You can’t blame everything on Malfoy. We all made mistakes. We keep making mistakes, but you can’t go round turning people into creatures and trying to kill them!”
Molly just shook her head and cried into Ginny’s hair. “I just want my family back. I want it back the way it was.”
Potter rose, holding his forearm tightly to his side. Draco stepped closer and put an arm around him before cradling him protectively with one wing. Potter threw him a grateful look and leaned against his side.
“You need to get to St Mungo’s,” Draco said quietly.
Potter nodded, but he lifted his wand and Accioed each of the loose wands in the room, starting with Molly’s and ending with Greg’s. Draco’s borrowed wand lifted itself from Ginny’s clothing and whisked into Potter’s hand before he gave it to Draco. “I wonder what they did with your wand? This one belongs to your Mum, yeah?”
“Hopefully they didn’t break it,” Draco said and meant it. His old wand had been through a lot, including playing a part in the downfall of Voldemort. He wanted it for its connection to Potter, if nothing else.
Granger lifted a hand and placed it over Ron’s, which Draco took as a sign she was feeling better. Sure enough, she crawled to her feet, using Ron’s chair as support.
“I’ll take them to the Ministry,” Potter said. “We’ll sort it out there.” He moved away from Draco and limped over to give Hermione a hug before solemnly shaking Ron’s hand. “Glad to have you back, mate.”
Ron shrugged and then sent a worried glance at his mother, who kept mumbling, “You don’t understand. No one understands.” He lifted his wand and cast a Sleeping Charm on her before looking back at Potter. “She’ll be all right, yeah?”
Potter nodded. “We’ll take her to St Mungo’s.”
“I’ll do it,” Granger said hoarsely. “I think I need a potion for my lungs. It hurts to breathe.”
She walked over and pulled Molly away from Ginny’s still form after checking to make sure the ginger girl was still breathing. Granger propped Molly against herself and then looked at Ron. “Will you stop by my place tonight? I think we need to talk.”
Ron blushed, but nodded. Granger gave him a tentative smile, waved at Potter and Draco, and Disapparated.
“I’ll take Goyle to the Ministry and come back for Ginny,” Potter said.
“You’re in no condition to make two trips!” Draco protested.
“I’ll take Ginny,” Ron said and they both looked at him.
“He can do it,” Draco said quickly, remembering that Ron had transported Granger earlier without mishap. “I’ll help him.”
Potter looked uncertain, but then he nodded. “All right.” He walked over and crouched next to Greg, although "staggered to his knees" was a more apt description.
Draco glared at him. “Take Greg to the Ministry and then get yourself healed, Potter. You’ve played the hero enough today.”
Potter barked a laugh. “Some hero. I had to be rescued.” He smiled. “Thank you, by the way. For saving me. You, too, Ron!”
“Yeah, well, I’m out of practice, but still useful, maybe?” Ron muttered.
“I’ve been trying to tell you that for a long time, mate.”
Ron nodded. “I guess I’m finally ready to listen.”
Potter grinned and then bound Greg with several spells to keep him immobile. Draco marched over and picked up Greg so Potter wouldn’t be foolish enough to try it. He propped his former friend against Potter, who swayed a bit beneath the weight. “I’ll, um… I’ll be over later?”
Draco felt a rush of warmth. “I’ll wait up.” They exchanged a look that Draco thought might be meaningful, and then Potter leaned forward and pressed a kiss to Draco’s lips. After only a moment of gentle suction, Potter stepped back and Disapparated, taking Greg with him.
Draco ignored Ron and walked over to Ginny. He lifted her easily, using both hands to avoid trying to explain his feat of strength to Ron. He carried her unconscious form over and deposited her into Ron’s lap. Ron jostled her for a moment and then stared at Draco owlishly.
“So. You and Harry?”
Draco shrugged. “It seems that way. It’s up to him, of course.”
“Why is it up to him? Don’t you like him?”
“Of course I like him!” Draco snapped and then his eyes widened as he realized he was still under the influence of Veritaserum.
“How much do you like him? Are you in love with him?”
Draco glared, not at all willing to disclose his feelings for Potter to the man’s ex-best friend, or reinstated best friend, or whatever the hell Weasley was now. Still, the potion did not allow him to refrain from answering. “Yes,” he snapped.
Weasley blinked at him. “And does he love you?”
“Yes,” he admitted in a tone of amazement.
Weasley sighed. “Damn it, I suppose I need to stop hiding at home and get back to keeping an eye on Harry. Merlin, I stay out of his life for a few bloody months and look what happens? He falls for you, of all people!”
Draco scowled, but nodded. “I don’t deserve him.”
Weasley sighed. “I’m starting to think none of us deserves anyone. Maybe we just have to do the best we can and hope they put up with us, yeah?”
“That almost sounded intelligent, Weasley,” Draco said with a smirk.
“I still don’t like you very much,” he snapped.
“The feeling is mutual.”
Weasley nodded as if satisfied. “Of course, if you hurt Harry I’ll cut your damned wings off and shove them up your arse.” He gave Draco a pointed stare, nodded once, and Disapparated.
Strangely, Draco wasn’t upset that Potter’s triad seemed to be once more intact. Some things were just meant to be, it seemed.
He considered Disapparating, but instead took the stairs out of the basement and made his way outside through the front door. The stiff wind felt good whipping through his hair and plucking at his clothing. Draco spread his wings and took to the sky.
~~ O ~~
Draco refused to pace in his room and wait for Potter to arrive, so he forced himself to put on a pair of soft green pyjama bottoms and prop himself in bed with a book, reading by the light of a single oil lamp. Even so, he kept rereading the same paragraph over and over, distracted with wondering what had happened at the Ministry, and half-fearing that Potter was more badly injured than he had suspected.
Finally, he heard the French doors open in the other room. Giving up all pretence of nonchalance, Draco tossed the book aside and slid off the bed. He was only halfway to the door when Potter appeared in the doorway. Draco felt his heart leap at the sight of him. Harry wore standard Auror robes, likely picked up at the Ministry, and several fluffy bits of snow were visible on his shoulders and in his hair, glittering as they melted. Potter--Harry smiled wryly and scraped at his hair with his fingers, only to muss it over his brow and grimace when his hand came away wet. Fuck me, Draco thought in bemusement. I really am in love with him.
“Hi,” Harry said in a shy tone.
“Hi,” Draco breathed and then took several steps forward to embrace him with arms and wings both, just before kissing him possessively. Harry melted against him with a sigh that seemed both grateful and bone-deep. The visions were barely noticeable this time, a quick blur that held more sensation than images. Draco was far more interested in the kiss than the portents, but he cut it short in order to pull back and look at Harry critically. “Are you all right?”
Harry nodded and his hands slid over Draco’s bare back. “All healed. I had a few broken ribs and they gave me some potions for the pain. I think one of them contained a sedative.”
“You’re exhausted. It’s been a very long day. Would you like a massage? I’ll try not to use my full strength on your puny muscles.”
Harry laughed. “That sounds brilliant, but perhaps later. Right now I’d really like you to come and fly with me. The frigid air might wake me up.”
Draco frowned. “But you’re tired.”
Harry stopped trailing his hands over Draco’s back to reach up and cup his face with both hands. He leaned forward and sucked at Draco’s lips, first the upper and then the lower. His gaze was earnest when he said, “I would really like to stay awake for a bit longer.”
Draco’s pulse raced and he nodded, suddenly more than willing to go for a quick flight if it meant Harry would be awake. The Auror’s answering grin was breathtaking before he turned and made his way back to the balcony doors. Draco followed him outside, to find the snow falling softly, as it had been the first time Harry had kissed him. So much had happened it seemed like weeks had passed.
“I’ll Apparate home and get my broom,” Harry said. “I’ll be right back.”
Draco’s hand caught his wrist before he could disappear. “You don’t need a broom to fly with me.” He pulled Harry closer and guided Harry’s hands to the back of his neck. Draco wrapped his arms around Harry’s waist and held him tightly. “Ready?” he asked.
Harry nodded and then Draco’s wings launched them into the air with a powerful sweep, sending snow flying from the railing in a shower of powder. Draco felt Harry’s legs lift and wrap around his hips.
“This is a promising development,” Draco said against Harry’s ear.
“Very,” Harry replied and buried his face in Draco’s neck. Draco moved his hands lower, gripping Harry’s arse to keep him from sliding off as he took them toward the clouds. “Where are we going?”
“Up to the moon,” Draco said. The Manor grew smaller and smaller and disappeared completely into the darkness and enveloping clouds. Harry clung to him, shivering, as Draco pushed through the clouds and finally burst out into the moonlight. He stopped and tipped backward until he lay in a reclining position, lazily moving his wings to keep them aloft.
Harry lifted his head and looked around in amazement. “How are you doing that?”
“Magic, Potter. Now cast a Warming Charm on yourself before you freeze.”
Harry let go of Draco’s neck to reach for his wand and stop his teeth from chattering with a spell that sent a tingle of warmth over them both. Harry sat up a bit to gaze around more completely.
“It’s so beautiful and peaceful up here. Why haven’t I spent more time flying above the clouds?”
Draco bit back a retort about Harry’s busy Auror schedule. Barbed insults seemed out of place here, and they no longer carried any potency now that Draco’s feeling had changed so radically. He was glad of his silence when Harry turned back to stare down at him.
“You’re even more lovely,” Harry said and touched his face with a smile that made Draco wonder why they had left the house, with the bedroom so delightfully close.
“Have you been nipping at the Veritaserum again?” Draco asked in amusement, but his hands caressed Harry’s arse, kneading them as he pressed Harry upward just a bit, to show him the direction of his thoughts.
“Maybe,” Harry admitted. “Can we go back? I’m wide awake now.” He leaned down to press his lips against Draco’s and maintained contact even as Draco let them fall back down through the clouds, until the wind whistled against them and turned Harry’s clothes and Draco’s wings into fluttering staccatos of sound. Draco waited for Harry to panic, but he seemed to implicitly trust that Draco would not allow them to plough into the snow-covered ground.
Draco slowed their descent without half trying, spreading his wings and rolling them back into a near-upright position before carrying them back to the balcony. He dropped gently to the white stone and Harry slowly detached his legs from Draco’s hips and even more slowly detached their lips.
“Still awake?” Draco asked hopefully as Harry stood on his own, once again gathering snowflakes with his unruly hair. One landed on the tip of his nose and Draco kissed it, flushing slightly with embarrassment at the silly gesture.
“Very awake,” Harry said. “Do you mind if I spend the night?”
“I was ready to tie you to the bed if you had other plans,” Draco said as he opened the door to let them inside.
Harry stumbled inside and his eyes went very wide. “You were?”
Draco’s cock, already partially hard from Harry’s kisses, stiffened completely at the obvious interest blatant in Harry’s tone. Merlin, the very thought of tying him to the bed… “Have you ever been tied to a bed before?” Draco asked before he could stop himself, suddenly throbbing with lust and a flood of jealousy.
“No, of course not! Who would I trust? But I’d be… you know. Willing to try. With you.”
Draco was rendered speechless by Harry’s innocent words. Who would he trust, indeed? Only Draco. Which would have been considered all sorts of wrong in the eyes of nearly everyone outside of the room they currently occupied. Draco locked the door with a spell and pulled Harry into another embrace, this time to give him a wry smile. “Sometimes you really are larger than life, Potter.”
Harry snorted a laugh and poked a finger into Draco’s abdomen.. “No, not me. I’m just Harry.”
Draco shook his head fondly, finally accepting that Harry truly believed it. “Well, just Harry. I plan to take you to bed now. Are you ready?”
“More than ready,” Harry said.
~~ O ~~
Harry followed Draco into the bedroom, fighting a sense of unreality. The flight had been amazing, but even with the Warming Charm, Harry was chilled. His fingers shook as he unbuttoned his Auror robes, although he admitted it also might be due to slight nervousness.
Draco pushed his hands aside and worked the buttons through the holes for him. “Cold?”
Harry nodded. “A bit.”
“I’ll warm you.”
Harry felt a blush rise into his face and admitted to himself that it was already working, although most of the heat in his body seemed to be pooling in one area. The memory of their earlier lovemaking hurried the process along. When Draco’s hands reached Harry’s groin, they paused. A familiar smirk curved Draco’s lips and his grey eyes seemed to smoulder with sudden heat.
He said nothing, only brushed the knuckles of one hand over Harry’s hardness, earning a groan. The sound seemed to jolt Draco into movement. He leaned in for another kiss and His wings wrapped around Harry like a possessive blanket. Harry reached up and slid his hands over the soft edges, caressing in a long sweep.
Draco left off rubbing Harry’s cock through his jeans and gripped his hipbones to pull him closer—Draco’s answering hardness felt delightful against Harry’s erection and he suddenly needed their clothing to be gone.
Harry fumbled for his wand for a moment, located it, and then Vanished his clothing with one spell. He had probably sent the replacement Auror robes to Timbuktu and would get an earful from Kingsley for losing them, but at the moment it was the least of his worries.
“Mmmm, better,” Draco said against his lips.
Harry didn’t dare to Vanish Draco’s pyjama pants, but those were simple enough to slide over his lean hips until they dropped to his ankles, allowing him to step out of them. “I approve of your general lack of clothing,” Harry commented. “And your bare feet are incredibly sexy.”
“A foot fetish, Harry? Who would have guessed?” Draco’s tone was sardonic, but his breathing was less that steady, likely thanks to Harry’s hand wrapping around his cock to give it an experimental squeeze.
“I think I only like them because they are attached to you,” Harry admitted.
“Like the wings?”
“Mmm, I like those, too.” Harry had not actually removed his left hand from Draco’s feathers, adoring the feel of them. A fierce sense of pride gripped him at the knowledge that no one had ever been allowed to touch them but him. “It is possible I have a feather fetish.”
Draco made a mock gasp, echoed by Harry, reacting to Draco’s hand finding his cock and stroking in rhythm with Harry’s movements. Their knuckles banged together for a moment, until they found the same cadence. “A feather fetish? That’s even odder than having a thing for feet. What would people say?”
“I’ve never cared before what people would say. I’m not about to start now.” Harry could barely string the sentence together properly—the mutual wanking made it difficult to think. As delightful as it was, however, he wanted more. “Bed?”
Draco nodded and let go of Harry, who made his way to the bed and sat down on the edge before trailing a hand over the soft coverlet. “It isn’t green,” Harry commented with a smile. The bedding and fabrics in the room were a pleasant blend of terra-cotta, pale blue and dark beige.
Draco pounced, sprawling atop Harry and forcing him onto his back with a surprised yelp. “I’ve been out of school for a long time, Harry. I don’t always identify with Slytherin, you know.”
“I knew there was Hufflepuff under there, somewhere.”
Draco growled and sank his teeth into Harry’s shoulder. Harry yelped and then laughed aloud before gripping Draco’s hair and pulling him into a proper kiss. They battled for domination for a few long minutes, until the competition became secondary to sensation as their bodies rubbed together.
“Harry,” Draco whispered.
“Evil Hufflepuff,” Harry amended. “You know what that does to me.”
“You’ll stop saying that word, Potter, if you know what’s good for you.”
Harry chuckled. “Or what?”
“Or I’ll stop doing this,” Draco threatened and squeezed his cock with a delicious twisting motion.
“Never shall that word pass my lips again,” Harry promised on a moan.
“Good.”
Harry swept his hands over the ridges of Draco’s wings. “Draco. I don’t think we’ll ever be able to get rid of your wings.”
“Don’t sound so guilty. It isn’t your fault, you know.”
“I know, but do you hate them overly much?”
“You like them, don’t you?”
Harry flushed and rubbed his hands over the white softness once more. “You know I do.”
“Well, then, perhaps they aren’t so bad.”
Harry let out a pent-up breath and then forced himself to keep speaking, even though the pressure on his groin was making thought processes difficult. “It’s all going to become public knowledge, you know, with the arrest of the Weasleys. Frankly, your parents are going to be the worst obstacle and I really don’t know—”
“Potter,” Draco said warningly.
“Yes?”
“You are talking too much.” With that, Draco silenced him with a kiss.
~~ O ~~
In truth, Harry’s words disturbed him, but the amazing sensation of having Harry beneath him was too distracting. They would deal with their problems later—right now it was time for other things, such as reducing Harry Potter to incoherency.
He reached between them and took Harry’s cock in hand, earning an erotic moan that was trapped in their mouths. Draco rewarded him by sliding his tongue over Harry’s again while twisting his hand and dragging it over the head of Harry’s erection.
Harry’s hips bucked, sending his length more firmly into Draco’s hand.
Merlin, Draco thought, there is nothing better than this. It was worth nearly dying for, and the wings, and everything.
“You,” he said against Harry’s lips, unable to express more than that.
“No, you,” Harry replied and swept his hands down Draco’s wings to his backside, where he gripped Draco’s arse and squeezed. “I need you.”
He did not have to say it twice. Draco left him for only a moment, realizing with surprise that although he did not feel cold, he could most definitely feel Harry’s warmth, which was something of a revelation as he returned to it after snatching a jar of lubricant from the bedside drawer.
Harry levered himself onto an elbow and watched as Draco uncapped it. Draco smirked and Harry laughed aloud as the scent filled the air.
“Orange, Draco?”
“I might have had a house-elf fetch this for me after you mentioned you liked it.”
Harry’s hand skated over Draco’s brow, pushing his hair aside. The look in Harry’s eyes was something worth dying for. Draco swallowed hard and then concentrated on coating the important bits with the cool oil.
He prepared Harry with his fingers, moving down to take Harry’s cock into his mouth while he stretched and teased with his digits. He flicked his tongue lazily over the head of Harry’s cock, loving every gasp and moan. The polished Auror was gone, leaving only Harry—his Harry.
Draco left off playing when Harry’s cries reached the desperate stage and one of his hands tugged almost painfully at Draco’s feathers. He slowly fit himself into the prepared space, sliding in blissfully, taking care that Harry was not discomforted in any way. Judging by his adoring expression, he was fine. Draco smiled.
“I never expected to find you adorable.”
“Should I thank the wing potion?” Harry asked. He tugged at Draco’s wing once more.
Draco snorted. “That might not be remiss. I would never have had the courage to approach you, otherwise.”
Harry nodded. “Nor I, you. Although their methods and reasoning were deplorable, I cannot fault the end result. I regret that you hate what you have become, but, by Merlin, Draco, I think you’re wonderful.”
“Now who's the Hufflepuff?” Draco asked, pushing forward with a sharp thrust to forestall Harry’s response. “And it’s possible I don’t hate myself as much as I did, thanks to you. In fact, I rather enjoy having the ability to do this.”
Draco wrapped his arms around Harry, held on tightly, and then lifted them until they were upright, balanced by Draco’s magical ability to hover. Harry still held one wing, but flapping was unnecessary.
Harry let go with a gasp, eyes wide and brilliant. Draco leaned back a bit, thankful that the ceiling in his room was high, and Harry slid more firmly onto his cock. He gripped Draco’s shoulders with both hands and levered himself upward, catching on quickly.
“You are very creative,” Harry said in an approving tone. “I’m the luckiest man alive.” He braced himself with hands and legs, flexing his muscles in a way that he would probably regret the next day, but it felt so amazing that Draco couldn’t bear to change their positions. He only hoped he wouldn’t lose his concentration and send them crashing back to the bed.
Harry lifted himself and fell, over and over, nearly pulling free of Draco’s cock each time before impaling himself. Draco helped, hands on Harry’s hips, using his strength to lift and hoping he didn’t leave too many bruises. Harry’s breath quickened in time with Draco’s.
Not much longer… He let go of Harry’s hip with one hand in order to wrap it around Harry’s cock, which slapped against his abdomen with every downward movement. It was still slick with lubricant and slipped through his hand easily. His thumb and forefinger caught on the head before riding over it and then back down.
“Draco, oh Draco, Draco,” Harry chanted and then his body was tensing completely, wrapping even more tightly around Draco’s cock, squeezing around him and sending an orgasm exploding through his body. It was even more intense than the first time they had made love, which Draco had thought to be impossible.
Draco flipped them over and allowed them to fall back to the bed, with Harry on the bottom this time to spare his wings.
“Wow,” Harry said.
“Agreed.”
“Will it always be like this?” Harry asked.
“I’m not sure. We’ll have to see what it’s like when you top.”
Draco laughed when Harry’s eyes widened. Logistically, it shouldn’t be difficult, especially when they were airborne.
“Give me a few minutes,” Harry said and Draco laughed again, burying his face in Harry’s neck. They chuckled together for long moments, until the room went quiet and their breathing steadied.
Draco thought Harry had fallen asleep until he asked, “Are you really all right? With your wings, I mean?”
“Yes. I think I am, Harry,” he replied. “I am still alive and I have you. I did not always believe it, but now I think I made the right choice. In fact, I have something for you.” Draco shifted away from Harry’s warmth and reached down to fumble in his discarded clothing. He returned to his place with two items and placed them both in Harry’s palm.
“What is this?” Harry asked, squinting in the dim light of the lamp.
“The poison that Greg and the others left in the well with me. I considered taking it several times since that day. Frankly, it was always the thought of you that stopped me.”
Harry’s hand clenched around it. “I’m glad,” he said. “You won’t need it now.”
Draco shook his head. “No, I don’t think I will.”
The other item was the feather and chain Harry had worn around his neck. Draco had repaired the chain while waiting for Harry to complete his Auror duties.
“I missed this,” Harry said. “Will you put it on for me?”
Draco nodded and unhooked the clasp to place it around Harry’s neck. The gesture felt important, somehow, and the solemnity was reflected in Harry’s eyes. It felt like a promise.
Before Harry could say anything that would lead Draco into babbling foolish nonsense in return, Draco said, “You know, you still owe me a favour.”
Harry blinked, obviously not expecting those words. “What?”
Draco nodded solemnly. “Yes, when we were in Pokeby’s house, you said you owed me a favour and I told you I planned to collect.”
“Then… what do you want?”
Draco smirked. “I will let you know. Goodnight, Harry. Sleep well.”
Harry spluttered as Draco dropped his head onto Harry’s chest and snuggled closer, but it did not stop him from carding one hand through Draco’s hair and the other over one wing. “Merlin, you will never cease to be an adventure, will you?”
“Not on your life,” Draco mumbled. Harry was still muttering about “unfair, wicked Slytherins” and “how am I supposed to sleep, now?” when Draco drifted off to sleep, feeling more contented than he could ever recall.
Somehow, he knew everything would be all right.
~~ EPILOGUE ~~
alaana_fair for the beta and formatting and byaghro for the inspiration! Miss the beginning? Start here: PROLOGUE
Chapter Sixteen
To fly as fast as thought,
you must begin by knowing
that you have already arrived.
-Richard Bach
Draco fought the blackness licking at his senses, amazed that he was even partially conscious. Stunners were usually instantaneous; he had never known anyone to counter one. Potter reared back and reached a hand out to him. The chain rattled through the ring on the floor—and stopped. The shackle they had removed from Harry’s wrist was too large to fit through the hole. Harry was still effectively manacled by his other wrist. And he couldn’t reach Draco’s wand.
Draco’s vision went dark, but he forced it back and tried to focus on Molly Weasley, who crouched over her daughter and cast Ennervate to revive her.
“Molly, what are you doing?” Potter cried. “There’s something you don’t know! Ginny is trying to kill us! She’s working with Goyle to destroy us!”
Molly sent him an ugly look and cast a succession of spells on Ginny before helping her to her feet. “You check on Greg, dear. I’ll deal with Harry.”
Draco nearly groaned as his worst fears were realized. She was in league with the others. Potter, thankfully, figured it out at the same time. “Oh, Godric, not you, too.”
Molly walked forward, holding her wand steady. “You had such promise, Harry. Where did it all go wrong? Was it fighting He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named? Is that what turned you from us?”
“What are you talking about?”
The darkness gripping Draco began to lift and the terrible weight that seemed to hold him in place eased. He stretched his fingers slowly toward his wand, moving carefully so he would not draw Molly’s attention. If she had any idea he was not unconscious, she would hit him with another Stunner and he didn’t think he could fight a second one.
“I tried not to blame you, Harry, I really did. I thought you were innocent when it came to Fred’s death, and maybe it was an accident, even though it was you they were after. They were always after you. Everyone else, especially my Fred, just… got in the way.” Her voice hitched and Draco heard the chain rasp as Potter tugged on it. Draco stretched his fingers and the tips brushed the edge of his wand.
“Molly, no,” Potter breathed.
“And then Ron! My beautiful Ron, trapped forever in a chair, drinking himself insensible and hating everything and everyone! How could you do it, Harry? How could you let it happen?”
Draco stretched until he thought the tendons in his shoulder would pull free. He shifted his gaze to Ginny Weasley, crouched over Greg, who would doubtless be back in action in a moment. Draco needed to free Potter quickly.
“I tried,” Harry said in a barely audible tone. “I tried to save Ron. I tried to save them all.”
Molly shook her head. “And then, to add insult to injury, you break up with Ginny, who was always there for you! Always pining for you! She used to cry in her room while holding your photo. Did you know?” Molly’s voice was turning ugly and Draco pressed his fingertips carefully to his wand and began to slide it toward himself, taking extreme care not to roll it and send it skittering away. He was thankful the wood made little sound on the stone floor.
“And now she tells me you’re nothing but a bloody shirtlifter! How could you, Harry? How could you do this to my family? To me? I practically took you in when you were a lad! I tried to become the mother you never knew! And this is how you repay me?”
“I’m sorry,” Potter said and Draco felt a surge of rage toward the woman. None of them had survived the war unscathed, and Potter had done all he could to keep them from a future grimmer than she could possibly imagine.
“And it all started with that pile of dung there!” she cried. “He let the Death Eaters into the school! He’s the one that made it possible for Greyback to hurt my Bill! It’s his fault Dumbledore wasn’t around to protect my boys! Turning him into an animal wasn’t nearly enough! The Malfoys always had the luck, didn’t they? My family struggles to put food on the table while the Malfoys live like kings! And look at him now! That potion killed everyone else that ever drank it, but not him! Not the spawn of Lucius Malfoy!”
“What are you saying?” Potter demanded.
“He was supposed to die!” she screamed.
“You meant to kill him?” Potter asked, voice tinged with disbelief.
“I meant for him to kill himself,” she corrected. “He should have done what any decent pureblood would have done and taken the poison. Trust Draco Malfoy to get even that wrong.”
Draco felt the poison vial in question, still nestled in the pocket where he had placed it earlier. It seemed like days had passed since then.
“I didn’t expect you to get involved, Harry. Even after all you’ve done, I would have spared you. If only you would have left his case to someone else. We thought you hated him. Why would you offer to help a horrid freak like him?”
“He’s not a freak,” Potter said in an even tone, enunciating each word. “Now, I think you should put the wand down and let me go. This has already gone too far.”
Save your breath, Potter, Draco thought. She’s obviously beyond salvage.
“No, Harry, I’d say it hasn’t gone far enough,” Ginny Weasley interjected. Draco shifted his attention back to her. Greg stood next to her shakily, looking confused and swaying a bit. “Mum, you have to kill Malfoy. It’s the only way. We can Obliviate Harry so he won’t remember any of this foolishness, but Malfoy has to die.”
Molly Weasley frowned at her and Draco took the opportunity to close his fingers completely around his wand, lift it slightly, and whisper a spell. Potter’s last shackle split and fell away.
“Harry is in love with him, Mum!” Ginny went on. “Ask him! We gave him Veritaserum, so he has to answer honestly. Ask him!”
Potter quickly shifted his position to cover the fact that he was now freed. Good Auror, Draco thought approvingly.
“Are you in love with Draco Malfoy?” Ginny demanded, apparently not willing to wait for her mother.
“Yes!” Potter snapped.
She lifted her wand with a half-sob and yelled, “Oh, Harry. How could you?" Her features twisted as she glared at Draco. "I hate you!” She directed her wand at Draco, wrenching him out of the stasis induced by Potter’s single-word answer. He did not wait for her to cast a Killing Curse, but took to the air, snatching up Potter in passing. His arms wrapped around Potter’s waist, trying to be gentle against his broken ribs, but knowing it was more important that they get out of the line of fire. Unfortunately, the ceiling was not overly high and there was only one exit from the room. He headed that way anyway, hoping they could make it.
A spell seared through one wing, nearly causing him to cry out in pain. He lurched sideways, thrown off-balance, which was fortuitous—another spell passed over their heads and exploded part of the ceiling. Potter’s former adopted family was pulling no punches.
“Your ex-girlfriend seems upset,” Draco commented and then something snared in his wings and sent him dropping like a stone. He let go of Potter, who landed hard, but rolled away. Draco's knee hit the stone and he scraped one palm while trying to keep his face from slamming into the floor. He flexed his wings and tried to rise, but he was tangled in something netlike, black and sticky as tar. Fuck! He threw himself sideways as another spell nearly hit him. Pieces of stone sprayed him from the small crater in the floor. The crazy bitches meant to turn him into mincemeat.
Hands touched him and he looked up into Potter’s worried face. Draco shoved his wand into Potter’s hands. “Here! Defend yourself. I can get out of this.”
Potter hastily erected a Shield Charm and Draco gripped one of the rope-like sections. He pulled hard and it gradually tore away from his feathers, feeling like a bandage coming away from a raw wound.
“Avada K—”
Potter shouted, “Expelliarmus!”
Potter’s countermeasure must have worked, since Draco was still breathing. He tore at another sticky binding, gritting his teeth.
“Molly! Ginny, stop this, please!” Potter yelled.
“It’s too late, Harry.”
Draco glanced at Ginny, who raced for her fallen wand, but Potter hit it with another spell that sent it sliding across the floor. The wand landed near Greg, who was still in the same stance, gazing at them blankly. Thank Salazar whatever spell had hit him was still in effect. They were in enough trouble as it was. The thought was confirmed when Molly Weasley barked another spell. Draco suppressed a shout as Potter went down.
Molly’s voice was disturbingly calm. “I should have known you wouldn’t go down easily, Harry, but this is all for the best. You’ll see. You’ll get over this idiotic affliction once we fix up your memory and set you right. Say goodbye to Malfoy.”
Draco glared at her as she lifted her wand, but a shout from the doorway sent her down in a crumpled heap. Draco’s attention snapped to his rescuer.
“It’s about fucking time!” he called. “What the hell were you doing out there? Taking in the sights?”
“Molly reset the wards when she entered,” Granger explained. “Took me the devil’s own time to get through them without alerting her. And I had to make sure she was part of this and not just visiting at a very inconvenient time. Is Harry all right?”
Draco crawled over to Potter, who lay unmoving, but a quick hand to his throat disclosed a welcome pulse. Draco looked for his wand, but it was not immediately in sight. He scanned the floor nearby, knowing it could not have fallen far when Potter went down.
“I should have known you would turn up,” Ginny yelled with a sneer. “Coming to rescue Harry, or are you in love with Malfoy, too?”
“Drop your wand, Ginny. It’s over.”
Ginny barked a laugh. “I don’t think so.” Her wand spat orange fire and Granger countered it with a Shield Charm, but the orange bolt sizzled through the invisible barrier and hit Granger in the chest. She screamed and sank to one knee. Ginny laughed harshly. “See what I mean? I’m an Unspeakable, remember? I know many things that you don’t.”
Unable to locate Potter’s wand, Draco gave up and tore at the bonds once more. If he could free his wings, he could at least take Potter to safety and come back for Granger. He mentally willed Granger to get up and cast something particularly nasty at the ginger-haired girl, because he had quite had enough of the despicable little bint.
Thankfully, Granger did. “A modified Cruciatus?” Granger snapped as she climbed to her feet. “Is that supposed to make it less illegal?”
“No, I just enjoy the side effects,” Ginny commented as Granger went down again, legs seeming to collapse beneath her. Ginny nodded at her horrified look. “Yes, it disrupts all motor functions. Unfortunately, it’s still experimental and quite unpredictable. Sometime it causes blindness, sometimes immobility. Here, have another!” She cast again, but Granger cast a blueish bolt that hit the orange dead centre and sent it ricocheting into the wall.
Draco tore a long strip free of his right wing, taking a single white feather with it. He grimaced as he flung the rope-like substance aside. Granger sent several more hexes at Ginny, who deflected or dodged them and returned her own.
“Potter, please wake up,” Draco muttered and shook him with one hand while the other ripped at another section of sticky binding. “Harry, we could use your help.”
Potter shifted and muttered, but his eyes remained closed.
“Harry!” Draco hissed, not wanting to draw attention to himself. Movement other than bright bolts of magic caught his eye and he saw Molly Weasley sit up. “Harry for fucks’ sake, Voldemort is back!”
Potter’s eyes snapped open and Draco felt immense relief as the Auror’s gaze fixed on him. “Draco?” he asked.
“You might want to locate your wand,” Draco said and contorted his shoulder to reach the topmost section of his wing and yank free another piece of the tarlike substance. Potter reached out to help, wincing as he tore away a black tendril as though it had torn his own skin.
They both looked up when Granger shrieked. Draco saw her enveloped in a greyish cloud—Merlin knew what it was doing to her. Ginny was down on one knee, hair tangled and blood streaming from a gash on one cheek, but she held her wand steady, obviously directing the spell.
“Potter, your wand!” Draco said urgently and then spotted the edge of it—underneath Potter.
Potter reached for it and sent a hex flying at Ginny, but another spell hit her first. She cried out as she lurched sideways and lay still.
“Ron?” Potter asked incredulously. The single word was echoed by Molly Weasley, whose gaze travelled from her son to her daughter and back again. She was on her feet, but looking as unsteady as Greg had earlier.
“Hey, Harry,” Ron called as he dispelled the cloud around Granger with a burst of air and then glided in his chair to park next to her prone form. “Mum, what are you doing here? Are you mixed up in this, too?”
“Ron, you shouldn’t be here!” Molly hurried over to crouch at Ginny’s side. She looked panicked and wild, hands flailing. She reminded Draco of someone and after a moment he realized who it was. His Aunt Bellatrix.
“Keep an eye on her, Potter. She seems to have left sanity behind.”
Potter looked at him and then his eyes widened. “Duck, Draco!”
He did it without thinking, pushing himself to the floor in response to Potter’s urgent words. Something whooshed over his head with a violent displacement of air, and then Potter lifted his wand and cast. Draco turned to see Greg fall backward as the chair leg he had been about to bludgeon him with skidded across the floor.
“I think you need better friends,” Potter commented.
Draco nodded and got to his feet. Molly was still arguing with her son.
“You should go back home and let us deal with this, Ron. You’re in no condition to be out—“
“Apparently, I should have been out long before this. I’ve been too wrapped up in my own self-pity to see what’s been going on under my own nose. I should have known when you let Goyle come to the Burrow that something wasn’t right. I ignored my own instincts because of you, Mum!” Ron threw her a glare and then reached down to touch Granger’s face. “Hermione, are you all right?”
“I did it for you, Ron,” Molly said with a sob, cradling Ginny in her arms. “You and Bill and… and Fred.”
“How could this possibly benefit any of us?” Ron snapped. He used his wand to Ennervate Granger, who writhed for a moment and then began to cough. Draco felt a moment of relief at the sound, thankful that she was alive. It was possible he rather liked her these days.
“All our troubles started with him!” Molly cried and flung an accusatory finger in Draco’s direction. “He let the Death Eaters into the school to attack my Bill and that led to every terrible thing that followed. Fred would still be alive if not for the Malfoys and you would not be in that chair! Now he’s even turned Harry against us!”
“Mum, that’s crazy. It was war! You can’t blame everything on Malfoy. We all made mistakes. We keep making mistakes, but you can’t go round turning people into creatures and trying to kill them!”
Molly just shook her head and cried into Ginny’s hair. “I just want my family back. I want it back the way it was.”
Potter rose, holding his forearm tightly to his side. Draco stepped closer and put an arm around him before cradling him protectively with one wing. Potter threw him a grateful look and leaned against his side.
“You need to get to St Mungo’s,” Draco said quietly.
Potter nodded, but he lifted his wand and Accioed each of the loose wands in the room, starting with Molly’s and ending with Greg’s. Draco’s borrowed wand lifted itself from Ginny’s clothing and whisked into Potter’s hand before he gave it to Draco. “I wonder what they did with your wand? This one belongs to your Mum, yeah?”
“Hopefully they didn’t break it,” Draco said and meant it. His old wand had been through a lot, including playing a part in the downfall of Voldemort. He wanted it for its connection to Potter, if nothing else.
Granger lifted a hand and placed it over Ron’s, which Draco took as a sign she was feeling better. Sure enough, she crawled to her feet, using Ron’s chair as support.
“I’ll take them to the Ministry,” Potter said. “We’ll sort it out there.” He moved away from Draco and limped over to give Hermione a hug before solemnly shaking Ron’s hand. “Glad to have you back, mate.”
Ron shrugged and then sent a worried glance at his mother, who kept mumbling, “You don’t understand. No one understands.” He lifted his wand and cast a Sleeping Charm on her before looking back at Potter. “She’ll be all right, yeah?”
Potter nodded. “We’ll take her to St Mungo’s.”
“I’ll do it,” Granger said hoarsely. “I think I need a potion for my lungs. It hurts to breathe.”
She walked over and pulled Molly away from Ginny’s still form after checking to make sure the ginger girl was still breathing. Granger propped Molly against herself and then looked at Ron. “Will you stop by my place tonight? I think we need to talk.”
Ron blushed, but nodded. Granger gave him a tentative smile, waved at Potter and Draco, and Disapparated.
“I’ll take Goyle to the Ministry and come back for Ginny,” Potter said.
“You’re in no condition to make two trips!” Draco protested.
“I’ll take Ginny,” Ron said and they both looked at him.
“He can do it,” Draco said quickly, remembering that Ron had transported Granger earlier without mishap. “I’ll help him.”
Potter looked uncertain, but then he nodded. “All right.” He walked over and crouched next to Greg, although "staggered to his knees" was a more apt description.
Draco glared at him. “Take Greg to the Ministry and then get yourself healed, Potter. You’ve played the hero enough today.”
Potter barked a laugh. “Some hero. I had to be rescued.” He smiled. “Thank you, by the way. For saving me. You, too, Ron!”
“Yeah, well, I’m out of practice, but still useful, maybe?” Ron muttered.
“I’ve been trying to tell you that for a long time, mate.”
Ron nodded. “I guess I’m finally ready to listen.”
Potter grinned and then bound Greg with several spells to keep him immobile. Draco marched over and picked up Greg so Potter wouldn’t be foolish enough to try it. He propped his former friend against Potter, who swayed a bit beneath the weight. “I’ll, um… I’ll be over later?”
Draco felt a rush of warmth. “I’ll wait up.” They exchanged a look that Draco thought might be meaningful, and then Potter leaned forward and pressed a kiss to Draco’s lips. After only a moment of gentle suction, Potter stepped back and Disapparated, taking Greg with him.
Draco ignored Ron and walked over to Ginny. He lifted her easily, using both hands to avoid trying to explain his feat of strength to Ron. He carried her unconscious form over and deposited her into Ron’s lap. Ron jostled her for a moment and then stared at Draco owlishly.
“So. You and Harry?”
Draco shrugged. “It seems that way. It’s up to him, of course.”
“Why is it up to him? Don’t you like him?”
“Of course I like him!” Draco snapped and then his eyes widened as he realized he was still under the influence of Veritaserum.
“How much do you like him? Are you in love with him?”
Draco glared, not at all willing to disclose his feelings for Potter to the man’s ex-best friend, or reinstated best friend, or whatever the hell Weasley was now. Still, the potion did not allow him to refrain from answering. “Yes,” he snapped.
Weasley blinked at him. “And does he love you?”
“Yes,” he admitted in a tone of amazement.
Weasley sighed. “Damn it, I suppose I need to stop hiding at home and get back to keeping an eye on Harry. Merlin, I stay out of his life for a few bloody months and look what happens? He falls for you, of all people!”
Draco scowled, but nodded. “I don’t deserve him.”
Weasley sighed. “I’m starting to think none of us deserves anyone. Maybe we just have to do the best we can and hope they put up with us, yeah?”
“That almost sounded intelligent, Weasley,” Draco said with a smirk.
“I still don’t like you very much,” he snapped.
“The feeling is mutual.”
Weasley nodded as if satisfied. “Of course, if you hurt Harry I’ll cut your damned wings off and shove them up your arse.” He gave Draco a pointed stare, nodded once, and Disapparated.
Strangely, Draco wasn’t upset that Potter’s triad seemed to be once more intact. Some things were just meant to be, it seemed.
He considered Disapparating, but instead took the stairs out of the basement and made his way outside through the front door. The stiff wind felt good whipping through his hair and plucking at his clothing. Draco spread his wings and took to the sky.
Draco refused to pace in his room and wait for Potter to arrive, so he forced himself to put on a pair of soft green pyjama bottoms and prop himself in bed with a book, reading by the light of a single oil lamp. Even so, he kept rereading the same paragraph over and over, distracted with wondering what had happened at the Ministry, and half-fearing that Potter was more badly injured than he had suspected.
Finally, he heard the French doors open in the other room. Giving up all pretence of nonchalance, Draco tossed the book aside and slid off the bed. He was only halfway to the door when Potter appeared in the doorway. Draco felt his heart leap at the sight of him. Harry wore standard Auror robes, likely picked up at the Ministry, and several fluffy bits of snow were visible on his shoulders and in his hair, glittering as they melted. Potter--Harry smiled wryly and scraped at his hair with his fingers, only to muss it over his brow and grimace when his hand came away wet. Fuck me, Draco thought in bemusement. I really am in love with him.
“Hi,” Harry said in a shy tone.
“Hi,” Draco breathed and then took several steps forward to embrace him with arms and wings both, just before kissing him possessively. Harry melted against him with a sigh that seemed both grateful and bone-deep. The visions were barely noticeable this time, a quick blur that held more sensation than images. Draco was far more interested in the kiss than the portents, but he cut it short in order to pull back and look at Harry critically. “Are you all right?”
Harry nodded and his hands slid over Draco’s bare back. “All healed. I had a few broken ribs and they gave me some potions for the pain. I think one of them contained a sedative.”
“You’re exhausted. It’s been a very long day. Would you like a massage? I’ll try not to use my full strength on your puny muscles.”
Harry laughed. “That sounds brilliant, but perhaps later. Right now I’d really like you to come and fly with me. The frigid air might wake me up.”
Draco frowned. “But you’re tired.”
Harry stopped trailing his hands over Draco’s back to reach up and cup his face with both hands. He leaned forward and sucked at Draco’s lips, first the upper and then the lower. His gaze was earnest when he said, “I would really like to stay awake for a bit longer.”
Draco’s pulse raced and he nodded, suddenly more than willing to go for a quick flight if it meant Harry would be awake. The Auror’s answering grin was breathtaking before he turned and made his way back to the balcony doors. Draco followed him outside, to find the snow falling softly, as it had been the first time Harry had kissed him. So much had happened it seemed like weeks had passed.
“I’ll Apparate home and get my broom,” Harry said. “I’ll be right back.”
Draco’s hand caught his wrist before he could disappear. “You don’t need a broom to fly with me.” He pulled Harry closer and guided Harry’s hands to the back of his neck. Draco wrapped his arms around Harry’s waist and held him tightly. “Ready?” he asked.
Harry nodded and then Draco’s wings launched them into the air with a powerful sweep, sending snow flying from the railing in a shower of powder. Draco felt Harry’s legs lift and wrap around his hips.
“This is a promising development,” Draco said against Harry’s ear.
“Very,” Harry replied and buried his face in Draco’s neck. Draco moved his hands lower, gripping Harry’s arse to keep him from sliding off as he took them toward the clouds. “Where are we going?”
“Up to the moon,” Draco said. The Manor grew smaller and smaller and disappeared completely into the darkness and enveloping clouds. Harry clung to him, shivering, as Draco pushed through the clouds and finally burst out into the moonlight. He stopped and tipped backward until he lay in a reclining position, lazily moving his wings to keep them aloft.
Harry lifted his head and looked around in amazement. “How are you doing that?”
“Magic, Potter. Now cast a Warming Charm on yourself before you freeze.”
Harry let go of Draco’s neck to reach for his wand and stop his teeth from chattering with a spell that sent a tingle of warmth over them both. Harry sat up a bit to gaze around more completely.
“It’s so beautiful and peaceful up here. Why haven’t I spent more time flying above the clouds?”
Draco bit back a retort about Harry’s busy Auror schedule. Barbed insults seemed out of place here, and they no longer carried any potency now that Draco’s feeling had changed so radically. He was glad of his silence when Harry turned back to stare down at him.
“You’re even more lovely,” Harry said and touched his face with a smile that made Draco wonder why they had left the house, with the bedroom so delightfully close.
“Have you been nipping at the Veritaserum again?” Draco asked in amusement, but his hands caressed Harry’s arse, kneading them as he pressed Harry upward just a bit, to show him the direction of his thoughts.
“Maybe,” Harry admitted. “Can we go back? I’m wide awake now.” He leaned down to press his lips against Draco’s and maintained contact even as Draco let them fall back down through the clouds, until the wind whistled against them and turned Harry’s clothes and Draco’s wings into fluttering staccatos of sound. Draco waited for Harry to panic, but he seemed to implicitly trust that Draco would not allow them to plough into the snow-covered ground.
Draco slowed their descent without half trying, spreading his wings and rolling them back into a near-upright position before carrying them back to the balcony. He dropped gently to the white stone and Harry slowly detached his legs from Draco’s hips and even more slowly detached their lips.
“Still awake?” Draco asked hopefully as Harry stood on his own, once again gathering snowflakes with his unruly hair. One landed on the tip of his nose and Draco kissed it, flushing slightly with embarrassment at the silly gesture.
“Very awake,” Harry said. “Do you mind if I spend the night?”
“I was ready to tie you to the bed if you had other plans,” Draco said as he opened the door to let them inside.
Harry stumbled inside and his eyes went very wide. “You were?”
Draco’s cock, already partially hard from Harry’s kisses, stiffened completely at the obvious interest blatant in Harry’s tone. Merlin, the very thought of tying him to the bed… “Have you ever been tied to a bed before?” Draco asked before he could stop himself, suddenly throbbing with lust and a flood of jealousy.
“No, of course not! Who would I trust? But I’d be… you know. Willing to try. With you.”
Draco was rendered speechless by Harry’s innocent words. Who would he trust, indeed? Only Draco. Which would have been considered all sorts of wrong in the eyes of nearly everyone outside of the room they currently occupied. Draco locked the door with a spell and pulled Harry into another embrace, this time to give him a wry smile. “Sometimes you really are larger than life, Potter.”
Harry snorted a laugh and poked a finger into Draco’s abdomen.. “No, not me. I’m just Harry.”
Draco shook his head fondly, finally accepting that Harry truly believed it. “Well, just Harry. I plan to take you to bed now. Are you ready?”
“More than ready,” Harry said.
Harry followed Draco into the bedroom, fighting a sense of unreality. The flight had been amazing, but even with the Warming Charm, Harry was chilled. His fingers shook as he unbuttoned his Auror robes, although he admitted it also might be due to slight nervousness.
Draco pushed his hands aside and worked the buttons through the holes for him. “Cold?”
Harry nodded. “A bit.”
“I’ll warm you.”
Harry felt a blush rise into his face and admitted to himself that it was already working, although most of the heat in his body seemed to be pooling in one area. The memory of their earlier lovemaking hurried the process along. When Draco’s hands reached Harry’s groin, they paused. A familiar smirk curved Draco’s lips and his grey eyes seemed to smoulder with sudden heat.
He said nothing, only brushed the knuckles of one hand over Harry’s hardness, earning a groan. The sound seemed to jolt Draco into movement. He leaned in for another kiss and His wings wrapped around Harry like a possessive blanket. Harry reached up and slid his hands over the soft edges, caressing in a long sweep.
Draco left off rubbing Harry’s cock through his jeans and gripped his hipbones to pull him closer—Draco’s answering hardness felt delightful against Harry’s erection and he suddenly needed their clothing to be gone.
Harry fumbled for his wand for a moment, located it, and then Vanished his clothing with one spell. He had probably sent the replacement Auror robes to Timbuktu and would get an earful from Kingsley for losing them, but at the moment it was the least of his worries.
“Mmmm, better,” Draco said against his lips.
Harry didn’t dare to Vanish Draco’s pyjama pants, but those were simple enough to slide over his lean hips until they dropped to his ankles, allowing him to step out of them. “I approve of your general lack of clothing,” Harry commented. “And your bare feet are incredibly sexy.”
“A foot fetish, Harry? Who would have guessed?” Draco’s tone was sardonic, but his breathing was less that steady, likely thanks to Harry’s hand wrapping around his cock to give it an experimental squeeze.
“I think I only like them because they are attached to you,” Harry admitted.
“Like the wings?”
“Mmm, I like those, too.” Harry had not actually removed his left hand from Draco’s feathers, adoring the feel of them. A fierce sense of pride gripped him at the knowledge that no one had ever been allowed to touch them but him. “It is possible I have a feather fetish.”
Draco made a mock gasp, echoed by Harry, reacting to Draco’s hand finding his cock and stroking in rhythm with Harry’s movements. Their knuckles banged together for a moment, until they found the same cadence. “A feather fetish? That’s even odder than having a thing for feet. What would people say?”
“I’ve never cared before what people would say. I’m not about to start now.” Harry could barely string the sentence together properly—the mutual wanking made it difficult to think. As delightful as it was, however, he wanted more. “Bed?”
Draco nodded and let go of Harry, who made his way to the bed and sat down on the edge before trailing a hand over the soft coverlet. “It isn’t green,” Harry commented with a smile. The bedding and fabrics in the room were a pleasant blend of terra-cotta, pale blue and dark beige.
Draco pounced, sprawling atop Harry and forcing him onto his back with a surprised yelp. “I’ve been out of school for a long time, Harry. I don’t always identify with Slytherin, you know.”
“I knew there was Hufflepuff under there, somewhere.”
Draco growled and sank his teeth into Harry’s shoulder. Harry yelped and then laughed aloud before gripping Draco’s hair and pulling him into a proper kiss. They battled for domination for a few long minutes, until the competition became secondary to sensation as their bodies rubbed together.
“Harry,” Draco whispered.
“Evil Hufflepuff,” Harry amended. “You know what that does to me.”
“You’ll stop saying that word, Potter, if you know what’s good for you.”
Harry chuckled. “Or what?”
“Or I’ll stop doing this,” Draco threatened and squeezed his cock with a delicious twisting motion.
“Never shall that word pass my lips again,” Harry promised on a moan.
“Good.”
Harry swept his hands over the ridges of Draco’s wings. “Draco. I don’t think we’ll ever be able to get rid of your wings.”
“Don’t sound so guilty. It isn’t your fault, you know.”
“I know, but do you hate them overly much?”
“You like them, don’t you?”
Harry flushed and rubbed his hands over the white softness once more. “You know I do.”
“Well, then, perhaps they aren’t so bad.”
Harry let out a pent-up breath and then forced himself to keep speaking, even though the pressure on his groin was making thought processes difficult. “It’s all going to become public knowledge, you know, with the arrest of the Weasleys. Frankly, your parents are going to be the worst obstacle and I really don’t know—”
“Potter,” Draco said warningly.
“Yes?”
“You are talking too much.” With that, Draco silenced him with a kiss.
In truth, Harry’s words disturbed him, but the amazing sensation of having Harry beneath him was too distracting. They would deal with their problems later—right now it was time for other things, such as reducing Harry Potter to incoherency.
He reached between them and took Harry’s cock in hand, earning an erotic moan that was trapped in their mouths. Draco rewarded him by sliding his tongue over Harry’s again while twisting his hand and dragging it over the head of Harry’s erection.
Harry’s hips bucked, sending his length more firmly into Draco’s hand.
Merlin, Draco thought, there is nothing better than this. It was worth nearly dying for, and the wings, and everything.
“You,” he said against Harry’s lips, unable to express more than that.
“No, you,” Harry replied and swept his hands down Draco’s wings to his backside, where he gripped Draco’s arse and squeezed. “I need you.”
He did not have to say it twice. Draco left him for only a moment, realizing with surprise that although he did not feel cold, he could most definitely feel Harry’s warmth, which was something of a revelation as he returned to it after snatching a jar of lubricant from the bedside drawer.
Harry levered himself onto an elbow and watched as Draco uncapped it. Draco smirked and Harry laughed aloud as the scent filled the air.
“Orange, Draco?”
“I might have had a house-elf fetch this for me after you mentioned you liked it.”
Harry’s hand skated over Draco’s brow, pushing his hair aside. The look in Harry’s eyes was something worth dying for. Draco swallowed hard and then concentrated on coating the important bits with the cool oil.
He prepared Harry with his fingers, moving down to take Harry’s cock into his mouth while he stretched and teased with his digits. He flicked his tongue lazily over the head of Harry’s cock, loving every gasp and moan. The polished Auror was gone, leaving only Harry—his Harry.
Draco left off playing when Harry’s cries reached the desperate stage and one of his hands tugged almost painfully at Draco’s feathers. He slowly fit himself into the prepared space, sliding in blissfully, taking care that Harry was not discomforted in any way. Judging by his adoring expression, he was fine. Draco smiled.
“I never expected to find you adorable.”
“Should I thank the wing potion?” Harry asked. He tugged at Draco’s wing once more.
Draco snorted. “That might not be remiss. I would never have had the courage to approach you, otherwise.”
Harry nodded. “Nor I, you. Although their methods and reasoning were deplorable, I cannot fault the end result. I regret that you hate what you have become, but, by Merlin, Draco, I think you’re wonderful.”
“Now who's the Hufflepuff?” Draco asked, pushing forward with a sharp thrust to forestall Harry’s response. “And it’s possible I don’t hate myself as much as I did, thanks to you. In fact, I rather enjoy having the ability to do this.”
Draco wrapped his arms around Harry, held on tightly, and then lifted them until they were upright, balanced by Draco’s magical ability to hover. Harry still held one wing, but flapping was unnecessary.
Harry let go with a gasp, eyes wide and brilliant. Draco leaned back a bit, thankful that the ceiling in his room was high, and Harry slid more firmly onto his cock. He gripped Draco’s shoulders with both hands and levered himself upward, catching on quickly.
“You are very creative,” Harry said in an approving tone. “I’m the luckiest man alive.” He braced himself with hands and legs, flexing his muscles in a way that he would probably regret the next day, but it felt so amazing that Draco couldn’t bear to change their positions. He only hoped he wouldn’t lose his concentration and send them crashing back to the bed.
Harry lifted himself and fell, over and over, nearly pulling free of Draco’s cock each time before impaling himself. Draco helped, hands on Harry’s hips, using his strength to lift and hoping he didn’t leave too many bruises. Harry’s breath quickened in time with Draco’s.
Not much longer… He let go of Harry’s hip with one hand in order to wrap it around Harry’s cock, which slapped against his abdomen with every downward movement. It was still slick with lubricant and slipped through his hand easily. His thumb and forefinger caught on the head before riding over it and then back down.
“Draco, oh Draco, Draco,” Harry chanted and then his body was tensing completely, wrapping even more tightly around Draco’s cock, squeezing around him and sending an orgasm exploding through his body. It was even more intense than the first time they had made love, which Draco had thought to be impossible.
Draco flipped them over and allowed them to fall back to the bed, with Harry on the bottom this time to spare his wings.
“Wow,” Harry said.
“Agreed.”
“Will it always be like this?” Harry asked.
“I’m not sure. We’ll have to see what it’s like when you top.”
Draco laughed when Harry’s eyes widened. Logistically, it shouldn’t be difficult, especially when they were airborne.
“Give me a few minutes,” Harry said and Draco laughed again, burying his face in Harry’s neck. They chuckled together for long moments, until the room went quiet and their breathing steadied.
Draco thought Harry had fallen asleep until he asked, “Are you really all right? With your wings, I mean?”
“Yes. I think I am, Harry,” he replied. “I am still alive and I have you. I did not always believe it, but now I think I made the right choice. In fact, I have something for you.” Draco shifted away from Harry’s warmth and reached down to fumble in his discarded clothing. He returned to his place with two items and placed them both in Harry’s palm.
“What is this?” Harry asked, squinting in the dim light of the lamp.
“The poison that Greg and the others left in the well with me. I considered taking it several times since that day. Frankly, it was always the thought of you that stopped me.”
Harry’s hand clenched around it. “I’m glad,” he said. “You won’t need it now.”
Draco shook his head. “No, I don’t think I will.”
The other item was the feather and chain Harry had worn around his neck. Draco had repaired the chain while waiting for Harry to complete his Auror duties.
“I missed this,” Harry said. “Will you put it on for me?”
Draco nodded and unhooked the clasp to place it around Harry’s neck. The gesture felt important, somehow, and the solemnity was reflected in Harry’s eyes. It felt like a promise.
Before Harry could say anything that would lead Draco into babbling foolish nonsense in return, Draco said, “You know, you still owe me a favour.”
Harry blinked, obviously not expecting those words. “What?”
Draco nodded solemnly. “Yes, when we were in Pokeby’s house, you said you owed me a favour and I told you I planned to collect.”
“Then… what do you want?”
Draco smirked. “I will let you know. Goodnight, Harry. Sleep well.”
Harry spluttered as Draco dropped his head onto Harry’s chest and snuggled closer, but it did not stop him from carding one hand through Draco’s hair and the other over one wing. “Merlin, you will never cease to be an adventure, will you?”
“Not on your life,” Draco mumbled. Harry was still muttering about “unfair, wicked Slytherins” and “how am I supposed to sleep, now?” when Draco drifted off to sleep, feeling more contented than he could ever recall.
Somehow, he knew everything would be all right.