FIC: UP THE ROAD, H/D 6/?
Title: Up The Road
Pairing: H/D
Rating: NC-17
Disclaimer: JK owns these pretty boys.
A/N: This is chapter six. I'm going to try and finish this by June. I think there'll be a little over ten chapters.
Harry's mind spun. He just couldn't imagine what Snape had meant by "now the fun begins." The nervous tick in Draco's half-smile wasn't helping matters. Snape cleared his throat and Harry looked up at him, away from Draco.
"Potter, pay attention," said Snape, anger veiling his words.
"Sorry, sir," said Harry. He heard Draco snicker beside him, and kicked out.
"Five points from Gryffindor," said Snape, tapping his wand against one hand. "Really, Potter, I'm right here. If you're going to attack a Slytherin, at least make an effort."
"Sir?" asked Harry.
"Don't do it right in front of me," explained Snape.
"I only kicked him," muttered Harry, but was quietly silenced as Snape went on.
The Potions master walked around the room, circling the two chairs that Harry and Draco were currently occupying. Harry leaned back in his chair instinctively - there was just something extra-threatening about Snape now, something he knew. Harry couldn't understand it, but he could sense it.
"Mr. Malfoy tells me you've seen his Mark," said Snape, his voice cold and soft.
Harry nodded. Draco kicked him. When Harry looked over, Draco inclined his head towards Snape and mouthed the words "speak up."
"Oh, er...I mean, yes, that's right," said Harry.
Snape was in front of him then, his lips curled into an awkward smile that Harry hadn't ever seen before. "Yes. Mr. Malfoy has quite a flair for the dramatic where that mark is concerned."
"I don't-" began Draco, but was abruptly cut off by a warning look from his head of house. Harry felt anger well up within him at the hurt look Draco gave at being silenced.
"Be that as it may," continued Snape, as if no interruption had been made. "He will need your help, just as you will need his."
"You mean to trust each other," said Harry, beginning to feel bored and somewhat unnerved. It felt as if they'd already had this conversation and were just going in circles. Was Snape ever going to tell him what was going on or would it turn out to be like all his conversations with Dumbledore, laced with half-answers and twinkling eyes?
Snape's eyes did not twinkle. "Just listen, Potter. I know it's difficult, but just be quiet for a few moments." Harry bristled but Snape droned on yet again. "Draco has a mark - and yes, I know you've seen it. And you have that mark on your forehead. Neither mark is doing you any good. In fact, it is making both of you weaker."
Harry felt confused. "I seem to be getting better in my magical abilities though," he said, his voice questioning.
Snape smirked again. "You are only feeling the energy that the Dark Lord feels. Your own strength is dwindling, just as Mr. Malfoy's is."
Harry turned to look at Draco then. He saw the same fear in the grey eyes as he felt within his own heart. He wanted to run, to hide, to pretend that Snape's words were just a trick. However, the more he thought about it, the more plausible it seemed. When he'd tried to perform crucio on Bellatrix, he hadn't ever felt as strong as then. The only reason he couldn't carry it out is because his conviction hadn't been strong enough. Even Bellatrix had known that. But that meant...
"I can't," said Harry, shaking his head, feeling the tears begin to sting. He already felt doomed somehow, moreso than ever before. All the years he'd been learning, he'd only been siphoning off Voldemort's strength. Nothing had really been done by him...
But then, maybe Snape was lying. He could go to Dumbledore - to ask him.
It was as if Snape had read his mind. "You will find a letter from the headmaster here for your inspection, Potter," he said acidly as he handed Harry a sealed parchment. As Harry unsealed and read through the silver-inked words, he could hear Snape pacing. He looked up when he was done, tears threatening harder than ever to fall. He felt a hand on his and looked down to find pale skin covering his own.
He didn't look at Draco, even as he asked the question that had been bothering him from the start. "I need to get stronger. But...what does Malfoy need?"
Snape walked over and grabbed Draco's hand, removing it from Harry's. He pulled up the sleeve. "This."
"The mark?" asked Harry, feeling stupid. "I thought he didn't need that."
Snape made a face, nearly sending Harry into fits of dangerous laughter. "He needs it removed, Potter."
"But-" began Harry, then stopped to think. He racked his mind for answers. He'd never known anyone who'd gotten a mark and had it removed. Hermione had done some reading on the subject after they'd talked about which side Snape was really on. So that only meant that it must either involve Dark magic or else Snape was lying to him.
"That's impossible," said Harry.
"It isn't," came Draco's voice, soft. The blonde looked at Snape and licked his lips, which had gone dry. "It isn't," he repeated, scooting up in his chair, his knees touching Harry's once more. "But you'll have to grow weaker."
Now Harry felt thoroughly confused. He thought he'd gotten hold of the conversation before, but now it was completely beyond him. Snape must have sensed his confusion because he took over speaking for Draco.
"Mr. Potter, you have a choice. You can either work on growing stronger as Dumbledore has instructed you, or...you can grow weaker and save Mr. Malfoy." Snape walked to the back of the room, his words hanging in the air where he'd just been standing. Harry looked at the empty space blankly. The question "how?" kept flaring in his mind.
How would he save Draco? How would being weaker help? Would that mean that he could no longer save his firneds, his family, his fellow students from Voldemort?
"Please," whispered Draco. The word was like a shard of glass pricking through Harry's stomach and heart. He didn't want to grow weaker, even though he'd been doing so for years now. He wasn't sure how he'd have the ability to grow stronger, but that's what he wanted. He wanted to help everyone.
But he also wanted to help Draco.
He rose from his chair and looked at the floor. "I'll have to think about this."
+++
Harry couldn't focus on anything but Draco's plea for the next few days. That was the thing about Draco: he got under Harry's skin, made him feel as if there was nothing else to worry about. That if he took care of the blonde, Harry would have no other problems. That Draco was all he needed to finally feel complete, unlike the other years of his life, being taunted by the Dursleys and then put up on a pedestal by wizards he didn't even know. Draco saw him for who he was - Harry was sure of it.
Yet something deep within fought against what he realised he wanted to do. He knew there would be sacrifice involved. From the moment Snape had talked about becoming weaker, Harry knew he'd have to give up certain things. He'd been avoiding Ron and Hermione, wanting to think about everything on his own.
It felt so lonely sometimes. Colin Creevey had walked around with him until Harry had finally "accidentally" set the other boy's camera on fire with a well-aimed spell. He couldn't take the pressure of being with people. He needed solitude, but he loathed being alone.
Days passed.
+++
"Harry Potter? Wake up, Harry Potter," said a high-pitched voice.
Harry rubbed at his eyes and put his glasses on his face. It was nighttime, and he had been having awkward dreams of Death Eaters laying Draco out on a table, as if attending a banquet, arguing over which parts of him they were going to eat. He realised he was shaking and wrapped his arms around himself.
"Is that you, Dobby?" he asked.
"Yes, sir," squeaked the elf. "Harry Potter must come with me. Professy Dumbledore wants to see him."
"All right, all right," grumbled Harry, putting his shoes on and following the elf outside.
Dobby lit the way with a candle and rambled on about how life was treating him in the kitchens as they walked. Harry nodded and "uh-huh"d were polite until they came to the door he'd seen before. Dobby uttered the password and Harry stepped onto the staircase as it revolved and spun higher.
When it stopped he tapped on the door to the headmaster's office. "Come in," said a tired voice.
"Ah, Harry," said Professor Dumbledore, his quill raised mid-air as if he were in the middle of writing. He put it down and crossed his fingers together, letting them lay in his lap. "Sit down."
Harry chose a chair and sat. He said nothing. Even with the late hour, he felt awake, though he wasn't sure what he was supposed to say.
Dumbledore smiled at him. "I suppose if I offered you a sweet, you'd refuse," he said bemusedly. Harry half-smiled. Dumbledore prodded open a desk drawer and began unwrapping a lollipop. He looked at it thoughtfully as he spoke. "Professor Snape has been to see me."
Harry remained silent.
Dumblodore gave a few hearty licks to the pop before considering Harry once more. "He tells me he offered you a second option. One contrary to what my letter stated."
Harry decided to answer this time. "Yes, sir."
Dumbledore seemed to relax in his chair. "Have you considered it?"
"Sir?" asked Harry.
"I did not want to burden you with that alternative, Harry," said the older wizard. He sighed. "It isn't an easy path to follow. Many wizards have attempted to do what Snape asks of you, and nearly all have met an ill end."
"Could you guarantee survival with your method?" asked Harry, unsure of the answer.
"No, I could not," answered Dumbledore, blue eyes piercing as they regarded Harry with something akin to admiration or surprise. "Neither is what I would call an opportunity, Harry. Both ways involve a sacrifice. Though Professor Snape's way involves not just a sacrifice of the body, but of the mind."
"But sir," interrupted Harry. Dumbledore chose to stick the lollipop in his mouth as Harry spoke. "If I've been growing weaker all this time, how will I know the difference? I mean to say, if I've been doing it Snape's way all this time, will I even know it's a sacrifice?"
"Harry," spoke Dumbledore. "Till now, you have been using Voldemort's powers just as he has been using yours. You are still in charge of your mind and body because you have not chosen a path. You have been taught only in a general sense." The blue eyes were clear and sad. "You must make a choice. And this choice will determine how you are taught from now on. You will feel the sacrifice because it will be a different sort of learning."
"And Draco?" asked Harry.
Dumbledore chuckled. "Finally we come to that point. Tell me, Harry, what are your thoughts about young Mr. Malfoy?"
Harry sucked in a breath. "Er...I don't really know," he said finally.
"I see. Well, you will have to figure that out before you agree to anything."
"Why is that, sir?"
Dumbledore stood and began pacing, reminding Harry of how Snape had walked around the room days before, when he'd found out about the new directions his study would be taking. "You see, Harry, Snape takes great pride in his house. He was furious when he saw what Draco had been forced to do."
"I didn't have a choice," came Draco's words in Harry's head.
"He wants to reverse the spell for Draco Malfoy, if he can. For you, that means becoming weaker, letting go of the way you'd known yourself and your world up until now. It means you will sacrifice all that you were so that Draco can have another chance at making his own way in the world."
Harry's brow wrinkled. "He'd do that for Draco? But why not on himself - why not rid himself of the Dark Mark?"
Dumbledore smiled knowingly. "Only one sacrifice can be made. Snape has already resigned himself to what he feels is his fate. He doesn't want Draco to trace the same path he's been forced to in his life."
Dumbledore edged Harry's chair back and Harry rose, edging towards the door. "The decision is yours, Harry."
"Youd didn't give me a choice, though," said Harry hollowly. "Snape provided the second option, not you," he explained. "Why is that?"
"I didn't think you were ready," said Dumbledore, his voice thin, his eyes avoidant.
"There isn't time for 'ready' anymore," said Harry, storming out, his hands shaking, his body trembling once more.
+++
The halls were dark and without Dobby's light or his wand, Harry kept bumping into things. It wasn't until he felt a warm arm and a familiar scent that he began to relax.
"Draco."
"Potter? What are you doing up this bloody late?" asked the blonde, igniting his wand. His pale, pointed face was framed, making him appear silvery as his skin contrasted with the glow.
"I...I had to see Professor Dumbledore."
Draco's face took on a panicked look. "You didn't tell him about-"
"He already knew," said Harry.
"Oh." Draco stood still, his mind obviously in deep thought.
"Er...can you walk me to my common room? I don't have a wand."
Draco looked at Harry. He looked angry. Grabbing Harry's arm angrily, he began walking in the opposite direction necessary.
"Er...where are we going?" asked Harry after a few minutes.
"I don't know," grumbled Draco. "I've no idea how to get to your common room."
Harry laughed. He wrapped his fingers around Draco's, around the wand. "Here, I'll lead. Don't worry, I won't take your wand. I'll simply guide you, all right?"
"All right," agreed Draco.
They walked along in silence, and the shadows that had seemed dark and forboding earlier now seemed almost playful. Draco's grip loosened and Harry took the opportunity to edge closer as they walked, attempting to align their bodies.
He hadn't spoken to Draco since the meeting. Even now, he wasn't sure what his decision was, and that is what had kept him from attempting to speak to the Slytherin earlier. As soon as Dumbledore had told him that it was Snape who had thought it best to give Harry a second decision, Harry realised he'd have to seek out Draco to make his decision. He felt furious at the headmaster for not trusting him, for treating him as if he knew nothing even though he'd spent so much time learning whatever the old wizard thought was necessary. Yet he didn't want to give Snape the satisfaction of knowing that his suggestion was taken.
And that left Draco as the only other part of the equation to consider.
Harry stopped as they reached the common room portrait - the way to get into the dormitories. He looked at Draco, eyes shining in the dull light.
Draco looked at him. "I should go."
Harry held tightly onto Draco. "I want to do it. I want to do this for you."
Draco stared, lips shut tightly. "Don't be stupid."
"You wanted me to do this before!" said Harry, feeling peeved.
"If it takes you this long to decide..."
"I just...I had to sort some things out for myself, all right?" said Harry, his voice rising. "It isn't everyday you sacrifice yourself!"
"Sacrifice?" asked Draco blankly.
Harry looked at the blonde: Draco didn't know. And there was no reason to tell him. It would only make things harder, he felt, if Draco knew. Already the blonde seemed at least a little at odds with himself for asking Harry to grow weaker.
Harry forced a laugh. "Spending hours alone with you is supposed to be a rakishly good time?" he joked half-heartedly.
Draco scowled. "And being with you is always such a joy, Potter."
Harry felt his heartbeat quicken. "I want to kiss you goodnight."
Draco smirked. "What if your Mudblood friend catches us?"
"Don't call her that," said Harry, his voice low and threatening.
"My, my - I seem to have pushed a button of yours," said Draco, laughter in his eyes. Though when Harry took a closer look, he could see indecision behind them.
Before he could think about what he was doing, he pushed Draco against the wall, using one leg to worm his way between the blonde's legs. He pressed his lips to the pink mouth, kissing and devouring, his body screaming for more. He felt an echoed noise of surprise in his mouth as his hand found Draco's erection, and Draco's hand slipped into trousers. Both hands, his and Draco's, worked feverishly as their mouths worked, biting and kissing one another. Harry felt Draco come first, shooting in hot spurts over his hand, coating his fingers. Draco pulled faster, kissing Harry harder, using his other hands to move lower, to Harry's arse. The blonde let one finger run down Harry's backside, between his cheeks, pressing teasingly at his entrance through the fabric of Harry's pajamas.
As Draco pushed, Harry came, letting out a relieved cry into Draco's mouth, feeling his body orgasm, sending shocks through his body, convulsing him as he kept spilling, spilling, Draco's scent overpowering his senses.
They pulled away from each other, Draco uttering the same cleansing charm as before. Harry still felt sheepish and wondered if he would ever feel natural doing this instead of rushed and frenzied...or if he would even be allowed the luxury of time to get used to such a thing.
"Well...night," said Harry as he uttered the password and stepped inside.
"Thank you," whispered Draco, his words seeping into the walls softly, almost unheard by Harry as he closed the entrance behind him.
+++
TO BE CONTINUED...
Pairing: H/D
Rating: NC-17
Disclaimer: JK owns these pretty boys.
A/N: This is chapter six. I'm going to try and finish this by June. I think there'll be a little over ten chapters.
Harry's mind spun. He just couldn't imagine what Snape had meant by "now the fun begins." The nervous tick in Draco's half-smile wasn't helping matters. Snape cleared his throat and Harry looked up at him, away from Draco.
"Potter, pay attention," said Snape, anger veiling his words.
"Sorry, sir," said Harry. He heard Draco snicker beside him, and kicked out.
"Five points from Gryffindor," said Snape, tapping his wand against one hand. "Really, Potter, I'm right here. If you're going to attack a Slytherin, at least make an effort."
"Sir?" asked Harry.
"Don't do it right in front of me," explained Snape.
"I only kicked him," muttered Harry, but was quietly silenced as Snape went on.
The Potions master walked around the room, circling the two chairs that Harry and Draco were currently occupying. Harry leaned back in his chair instinctively - there was just something extra-threatening about Snape now, something he knew. Harry couldn't understand it, but he could sense it.
"Mr. Malfoy tells me you've seen his Mark," said Snape, his voice cold and soft.
Harry nodded. Draco kicked him. When Harry looked over, Draco inclined his head towards Snape and mouthed the words "speak up."
"Oh, er...I mean, yes, that's right," said Harry.
Snape was in front of him then, his lips curled into an awkward smile that Harry hadn't ever seen before. "Yes. Mr. Malfoy has quite a flair for the dramatic where that mark is concerned."
"I don't-" began Draco, but was abruptly cut off by a warning look from his head of house. Harry felt anger well up within him at the hurt look Draco gave at being silenced.
"Be that as it may," continued Snape, as if no interruption had been made. "He will need your help, just as you will need his."
"You mean to trust each other," said Harry, beginning to feel bored and somewhat unnerved. It felt as if they'd already had this conversation and were just going in circles. Was Snape ever going to tell him what was going on or would it turn out to be like all his conversations with Dumbledore, laced with half-answers and twinkling eyes?
Snape's eyes did not twinkle. "Just listen, Potter. I know it's difficult, but just be quiet for a few moments." Harry bristled but Snape droned on yet again. "Draco has a mark - and yes, I know you've seen it. And you have that mark on your forehead. Neither mark is doing you any good. In fact, it is making both of you weaker."
Harry felt confused. "I seem to be getting better in my magical abilities though," he said, his voice questioning.
Snape smirked again. "You are only feeling the energy that the Dark Lord feels. Your own strength is dwindling, just as Mr. Malfoy's is."
Harry turned to look at Draco then. He saw the same fear in the grey eyes as he felt within his own heart. He wanted to run, to hide, to pretend that Snape's words were just a trick. However, the more he thought about it, the more plausible it seemed. When he'd tried to perform crucio on Bellatrix, he hadn't ever felt as strong as then. The only reason he couldn't carry it out is because his conviction hadn't been strong enough. Even Bellatrix had known that. But that meant...
"I can't," said Harry, shaking his head, feeling the tears begin to sting. He already felt doomed somehow, moreso than ever before. All the years he'd been learning, he'd only been siphoning off Voldemort's strength. Nothing had really been done by him...
But then, maybe Snape was lying. He could go to Dumbledore - to ask him.
It was as if Snape had read his mind. "You will find a letter from the headmaster here for your inspection, Potter," he said acidly as he handed Harry a sealed parchment. As Harry unsealed and read through the silver-inked words, he could hear Snape pacing. He looked up when he was done, tears threatening harder than ever to fall. He felt a hand on his and looked down to find pale skin covering his own.
He didn't look at Draco, even as he asked the question that had been bothering him from the start. "I need to get stronger. But...what does Malfoy need?"
Snape walked over and grabbed Draco's hand, removing it from Harry's. He pulled up the sleeve. "This."
"The mark?" asked Harry, feeling stupid. "I thought he didn't need that."
Snape made a face, nearly sending Harry into fits of dangerous laughter. "He needs it removed, Potter."
"But-" began Harry, then stopped to think. He racked his mind for answers. He'd never known anyone who'd gotten a mark and had it removed. Hermione had done some reading on the subject after they'd talked about which side Snape was really on. So that only meant that it must either involve Dark magic or else Snape was lying to him.
"That's impossible," said Harry.
"It isn't," came Draco's voice, soft. The blonde looked at Snape and licked his lips, which had gone dry. "It isn't," he repeated, scooting up in his chair, his knees touching Harry's once more. "But you'll have to grow weaker."
Now Harry felt thoroughly confused. He thought he'd gotten hold of the conversation before, but now it was completely beyond him. Snape must have sensed his confusion because he took over speaking for Draco.
"Mr. Potter, you have a choice. You can either work on growing stronger as Dumbledore has instructed you, or...you can grow weaker and save Mr. Malfoy." Snape walked to the back of the room, his words hanging in the air where he'd just been standing. Harry looked at the empty space blankly. The question "how?" kept flaring in his mind.
How would he save Draco? How would being weaker help? Would that mean that he could no longer save his firneds, his family, his fellow students from Voldemort?
"Please," whispered Draco. The word was like a shard of glass pricking through Harry's stomach and heart. He didn't want to grow weaker, even though he'd been doing so for years now. He wasn't sure how he'd have the ability to grow stronger, but that's what he wanted. He wanted to help everyone.
But he also wanted to help Draco.
He rose from his chair and looked at the floor. "I'll have to think about this."
+++
Harry couldn't focus on anything but Draco's plea for the next few days. That was the thing about Draco: he got under Harry's skin, made him feel as if there was nothing else to worry about. That if he took care of the blonde, Harry would have no other problems. That Draco was all he needed to finally feel complete, unlike the other years of his life, being taunted by the Dursleys and then put up on a pedestal by wizards he didn't even know. Draco saw him for who he was - Harry was sure of it.
Yet something deep within fought against what he realised he wanted to do. He knew there would be sacrifice involved. From the moment Snape had talked about becoming weaker, Harry knew he'd have to give up certain things. He'd been avoiding Ron and Hermione, wanting to think about everything on his own.
It felt so lonely sometimes. Colin Creevey had walked around with him until Harry had finally "accidentally" set the other boy's camera on fire with a well-aimed spell. He couldn't take the pressure of being with people. He needed solitude, but he loathed being alone.
Days passed.
+++
"Harry Potter? Wake up, Harry Potter," said a high-pitched voice.
Harry rubbed at his eyes and put his glasses on his face. It was nighttime, and he had been having awkward dreams of Death Eaters laying Draco out on a table, as if attending a banquet, arguing over which parts of him they were going to eat. He realised he was shaking and wrapped his arms around himself.
"Is that you, Dobby?" he asked.
"Yes, sir," squeaked the elf. "Harry Potter must come with me. Professy Dumbledore wants to see him."
"All right, all right," grumbled Harry, putting his shoes on and following the elf outside.
Dobby lit the way with a candle and rambled on about how life was treating him in the kitchens as they walked. Harry nodded and "uh-huh"d were polite until they came to the door he'd seen before. Dobby uttered the password and Harry stepped onto the staircase as it revolved and spun higher.
When it stopped he tapped on the door to the headmaster's office. "Come in," said a tired voice.
"Ah, Harry," said Professor Dumbledore, his quill raised mid-air as if he were in the middle of writing. He put it down and crossed his fingers together, letting them lay in his lap. "Sit down."
Harry chose a chair and sat. He said nothing. Even with the late hour, he felt awake, though he wasn't sure what he was supposed to say.
Dumbledore smiled at him. "I suppose if I offered you a sweet, you'd refuse," he said bemusedly. Harry half-smiled. Dumbledore prodded open a desk drawer and began unwrapping a lollipop. He looked at it thoughtfully as he spoke. "Professor Snape has been to see me."
Harry remained silent.
Dumblodore gave a few hearty licks to the pop before considering Harry once more. "He tells me he offered you a second option. One contrary to what my letter stated."
Harry decided to answer this time. "Yes, sir."
Dumbledore seemed to relax in his chair. "Have you considered it?"
"Sir?" asked Harry.
"I did not want to burden you with that alternative, Harry," said the older wizard. He sighed. "It isn't an easy path to follow. Many wizards have attempted to do what Snape asks of you, and nearly all have met an ill end."
"Could you guarantee survival with your method?" asked Harry, unsure of the answer.
"No, I could not," answered Dumbledore, blue eyes piercing as they regarded Harry with something akin to admiration or surprise. "Neither is what I would call an opportunity, Harry. Both ways involve a sacrifice. Though Professor Snape's way involves not just a sacrifice of the body, but of the mind."
"But sir," interrupted Harry. Dumbledore chose to stick the lollipop in his mouth as Harry spoke. "If I've been growing weaker all this time, how will I know the difference? I mean to say, if I've been doing it Snape's way all this time, will I even know it's a sacrifice?"
"Harry," spoke Dumbledore. "Till now, you have been using Voldemort's powers just as he has been using yours. You are still in charge of your mind and body because you have not chosen a path. You have been taught only in a general sense." The blue eyes were clear and sad. "You must make a choice. And this choice will determine how you are taught from now on. You will feel the sacrifice because it will be a different sort of learning."
"And Draco?" asked Harry.
Dumbledore chuckled. "Finally we come to that point. Tell me, Harry, what are your thoughts about young Mr. Malfoy?"
Harry sucked in a breath. "Er...I don't really know," he said finally.
"I see. Well, you will have to figure that out before you agree to anything."
"Why is that, sir?"
Dumbledore stood and began pacing, reminding Harry of how Snape had walked around the room days before, when he'd found out about the new directions his study would be taking. "You see, Harry, Snape takes great pride in his house. He was furious when he saw what Draco had been forced to do."
"I didn't have a choice," came Draco's words in Harry's head.
"He wants to reverse the spell for Draco Malfoy, if he can. For you, that means becoming weaker, letting go of the way you'd known yourself and your world up until now. It means you will sacrifice all that you were so that Draco can have another chance at making his own way in the world."
Harry's brow wrinkled. "He'd do that for Draco? But why not on himself - why not rid himself of the Dark Mark?"
Dumbledore smiled knowingly. "Only one sacrifice can be made. Snape has already resigned himself to what he feels is his fate. He doesn't want Draco to trace the same path he's been forced to in his life."
Dumbledore edged Harry's chair back and Harry rose, edging towards the door. "The decision is yours, Harry."
"Youd didn't give me a choice, though," said Harry hollowly. "Snape provided the second option, not you," he explained. "Why is that?"
"I didn't think you were ready," said Dumbledore, his voice thin, his eyes avoidant.
"There isn't time for 'ready' anymore," said Harry, storming out, his hands shaking, his body trembling once more.
+++
The halls were dark and without Dobby's light or his wand, Harry kept bumping into things. It wasn't until he felt a warm arm and a familiar scent that he began to relax.
"Draco."
"Potter? What are you doing up this bloody late?" asked the blonde, igniting his wand. His pale, pointed face was framed, making him appear silvery as his skin contrasted with the glow.
"I...I had to see Professor Dumbledore."
Draco's face took on a panicked look. "You didn't tell him about-"
"He already knew," said Harry.
"Oh." Draco stood still, his mind obviously in deep thought.
"Er...can you walk me to my common room? I don't have a wand."
Draco looked at Harry. He looked angry. Grabbing Harry's arm angrily, he began walking in the opposite direction necessary.
"Er...where are we going?" asked Harry after a few minutes.
"I don't know," grumbled Draco. "I've no idea how to get to your common room."
Harry laughed. He wrapped his fingers around Draco's, around the wand. "Here, I'll lead. Don't worry, I won't take your wand. I'll simply guide you, all right?"
"All right," agreed Draco.
They walked along in silence, and the shadows that had seemed dark and forboding earlier now seemed almost playful. Draco's grip loosened and Harry took the opportunity to edge closer as they walked, attempting to align their bodies.
He hadn't spoken to Draco since the meeting. Even now, he wasn't sure what his decision was, and that is what had kept him from attempting to speak to the Slytherin earlier. As soon as Dumbledore had told him that it was Snape who had thought it best to give Harry a second decision, Harry realised he'd have to seek out Draco to make his decision. He felt furious at the headmaster for not trusting him, for treating him as if he knew nothing even though he'd spent so much time learning whatever the old wizard thought was necessary. Yet he didn't want to give Snape the satisfaction of knowing that his suggestion was taken.
And that left Draco as the only other part of the equation to consider.
Harry stopped as they reached the common room portrait - the way to get into the dormitories. He looked at Draco, eyes shining in the dull light.
Draco looked at him. "I should go."
Harry held tightly onto Draco. "I want to do it. I want to do this for you."
Draco stared, lips shut tightly. "Don't be stupid."
"You wanted me to do this before!" said Harry, feeling peeved.
"If it takes you this long to decide..."
"I just...I had to sort some things out for myself, all right?" said Harry, his voice rising. "It isn't everyday you sacrifice yourself!"
"Sacrifice?" asked Draco blankly.
Harry looked at the blonde: Draco didn't know. And there was no reason to tell him. It would only make things harder, he felt, if Draco knew. Already the blonde seemed at least a little at odds with himself for asking Harry to grow weaker.
Harry forced a laugh. "Spending hours alone with you is supposed to be a rakishly good time?" he joked half-heartedly.
Draco scowled. "And being with you is always such a joy, Potter."
Harry felt his heartbeat quicken. "I want to kiss you goodnight."
Draco smirked. "What if your Mudblood friend catches us?"
"Don't call her that," said Harry, his voice low and threatening.
"My, my - I seem to have pushed a button of yours," said Draco, laughter in his eyes. Though when Harry took a closer look, he could see indecision behind them.
Before he could think about what he was doing, he pushed Draco against the wall, using one leg to worm his way between the blonde's legs. He pressed his lips to the pink mouth, kissing and devouring, his body screaming for more. He felt an echoed noise of surprise in his mouth as his hand found Draco's erection, and Draco's hand slipped into trousers. Both hands, his and Draco's, worked feverishly as their mouths worked, biting and kissing one another. Harry felt Draco come first, shooting in hot spurts over his hand, coating his fingers. Draco pulled faster, kissing Harry harder, using his other hands to move lower, to Harry's arse. The blonde let one finger run down Harry's backside, between his cheeks, pressing teasingly at his entrance through the fabric of Harry's pajamas.
As Draco pushed, Harry came, letting out a relieved cry into Draco's mouth, feeling his body orgasm, sending shocks through his body, convulsing him as he kept spilling, spilling, Draco's scent overpowering his senses.
They pulled away from each other, Draco uttering the same cleansing charm as before. Harry still felt sheepish and wondered if he would ever feel natural doing this instead of rushed and frenzied...or if he would even be allowed the luxury of time to get used to such a thing.
"Well...night," said Harry as he uttered the password and stepped inside.
"Thank you," whispered Draco, his words seeping into the walls softly, almost unheard by Harry as he closed the entrance behind him.
+++
TO BE CONTINUED...