HP fic: mending white picket fences 4
Disclaimer: I don’t own Harry Potter, that right belongs to J. K. Rowling. I’m just playing with her characters. Please note that this is purely fiction and none of the contents are real. This fiction is created based solely on the imagination of the author and for non-profitable purpose. NO COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT INTENDED.
Previous Chapters
Part 1 * Part 2 * Part 3
Part 4
It’d been two weeks since Draco last saw his mum. Two weeks since he had decided not to return to school. It'd been two weeks since he had realised that he needed to disappear in order to help his mum settle in with her soon-to-be family. And it had been two, whole fucking weeks since he’d last seen Harry.
Damn it! It was just his luck that he had finally realised how much he liked Harry after he had decided to leave.
Draco sighed as he looked around the Muggle café he’d frequented since he had arrived. He was lonely. He missed the buzz and craziness of the Weasleys at Grimmauld Place. He missed Hermione and Theo’s intellectual banter with the twins, and Ginny and Blaise’s public displays of affections. Hell, he missed Ron and Pansy’s bickering, and even Neville’s clumsiness and Luna’s weird declarations. And Harry.
Harry’s smile. Harry’s kisses and touch.
But damn if he'd go back and ruin everything again!
He had sworn he’d make everything right, and if keeping his distance from them was the answer, he’d bravely endure it.
But that didn’t mean he couldn't go to Diagon Alley and purchase the new Potions book he had seen in the Daily Prophet yesterday. And maybe he'd pass by the twins’ shop and steal a glance at Harry, who he didn't absolutely know had been helping out in the shop every weekend.
Keeping his distance was not easy, but those little glances while under a glamour helped ease the hurt, at least for a while.
*********************
Of all the rotten luck! Draco had to bump into Neville and Luna at the Muggle café he’d just discovered. He’d been discreetly making his way out of the door when Luna tapped him on the shoulder and now he had no choice but to sit with them.
A month of hiding - worthless. Draco knew Neville would not hesitate to tell everyone where he was. But then again, maybe he’d wanted someone to discover where he'd been. He was tired of being alone.
Neville smiled at him. “I won’t tell anyone if you don’t want me to.”
“I know.” Draco smiled sadly, surprising even himself that he believed Neville was telling the truth.
“Draco.” Luna smiled dreamily. “The nargles have been following you every day. They might make you think you’re all alone and have no one to turn to, but don’t listen to them. A kiss from Harry will keep them away.”
Draco choked on his drink. Neville smiled as he patted Draco’s back. “Longbottom, your girlfriend... does not make sense at all.”
“I know,” Neville replied, looking at Luna fondly. “But that’s what makes her special. Her words might not make sense, but she knows the right words to say to make me feel better. You know what I mean.”
And surprisingly, Draco did, though looking at the way Luna smiled at Neville, their fingers entwined, made Draco’s heart ache. He had experienced that before and he’d give anything to experience that again.
“Draco,” Luna said, drawing his attention back to her, “don’t let your stubbornness get in the way of your happiness. Sometimes, all we have to do is turn around and see that what we’ve been missing has been with us all along.”
Luna stood up and Neville followed her. The Ravenclaw reached out and gave his cheek a light pat. “But if things are a little blurry, you should soak your hand in peppermint and vinegar. It’s a fool proof plan to make the Scorse fairies leave you alone.”
Draco laughed and for reasons he couldn't comprehend, he actually understood what Luna meant.
*********************
Draco looked at his hotel door in confusion. He was sure he had heard a knock a while ago, but maybe over a month of isolation had made him hallucinate. He shrugged and continued reading the Muggle book, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, he had purchased earlier. He hadn't known Muggles could write this well. Maybe Hermione could recommend some other books he could read.
There it was again, the faint sound of a fist hitting his door repeatedly. Draco placed the book on the coffee table, walked toward the door, and peeked through the peephole. He took a deep breath before opening the door and saying, “Weasel.”
“Ferret,” Ron replied. Draco smirked when he saw how unsure Ron was before Ron asked, “May I come in?”
Draco shrugged and opened the door and waited until Ron entered the room before closing the door. He ignored the muttered, “First class, figures,” and gestured to a chair before heading to the fridge and grabbing two cans of soda.
He handed one to Ron before making himself comfortable on the chaise he had been lounging on earlier. Minutes of silence passed before Ron cleared his throat.
“How are you?” Ron asked.
“Fine.”
“Good.”
Silence.
“This is awkward,” Ron commented.
“Tell me about it,” Draco replied. “How’s everyone?”
“Miserable without you,” Ron admitted. “Especially your mum and Harry.”
“Oh?”
Ron took a deep breath. “I’m sorry.”
“Why did you do it?”
“Because I saw how much effort your mum put into preparing the New Year’s dinner,” Ron explained. “I may strike some of you as stupid, but I do know when someone puts their whole heart into making something special.”
Ron’s shoulders slumped in defeat. “It was like seeing Mum all over again and I know Narcissa’s not used to doing things manually. But if you had seen her that day with Ginny, Hermione and Andromeda helping her and ignoring the burns she’d gotten while cooking, you would have understood too.”
Draco looked at Ron in disbelief. What had happened to the Weasel he had known at school? He wanted to shout at him and tell him how much his betrayal had hurt him, but he couldn't. When had everyone matured and left him behind?
“I know you probably don’t want to hear what I have to say and I know I’m not the one you really want to see right now,” Ron spoke once more, “but Dad and your mum are willing to cancel the wedding if you would just -”
“No!” Draco shouted.
“I understand.” Ron sighed. “I’ll just -”
“No! You don’t understand,” Draco said, voiced laced with panic. “My sacrifice would be in vain if they don’t get married! They have to get married or my leaving won’t make any sense!”
“Whoa! Calm down!” Ron said as he walked toward Draco and placed a hand on his shoulder. “Are you saying you left because you thought it would make everything all right?”
Draco nodded, making Ron laugh.
“What's so amusing?”
Ron took deep breaths to calm himself. “Git. How would leaving solve everything?”
“Because then you’d have your perfect family once more without me ruining your white picket fence.”
“We don’t have a picket fence.”
Draco laughed this time. “It’s a Muggle phrase which depicts a perfect family situation.”
“Oh.” Ron nodded in understanding, and then smirked. “You’ve been reading Muggle books?”
“It’s not so bad,” Draco said defensively. “You actually learn a lot from them.”
“I know, my ex-girlfriend and best friend lived in the Muggle world,” Ron said. “Is it really that hard for you to think of us as your family?”
“I -” Draco took a deep breath. “Remember what I told you when we were planning the Dungbombs?”
Ron nodded. “If that was the case, why did you leave?”
“Because I can’t bear the fact that Mum’s attention will no longer only be mine,” Draco confessed. “I’m an only child. I have a hard time sharing - and Mum... she’s the only one I have left and your family’s taking her away.”
“Prat,” Ron said, holding up his hand to stop Draco from protesting. “But I understand how you feel. I’m the sixth of seven children, and I’m not good at anything at all. How do you think I felt when I found out I would have to share Dad’s and everyone else’s attention with two more people?”
“Miserable.”
“Depressed, sad, fed up,” Ron supplied.
Draco smirked and Ron answered with a smirk of his own. “We’re a bunch of insecure prats; it’s a wonder we had a hard time getting along.”
“Much as I hate to agree with you, you’re right.” Ron mock grimaced. Draco laughed and Ron joined him.
“So, ready to go home?” Ron asked after their laughter subsided.
“Home. I like the sound of that.”
“Good, because there’s a certain war hero who’s missing you and probably driving everyone mad by now.”
“Really? I didn’t know you cared about me that much,” Draco teased.
Ron punched him playfully on the arm. “Git, I was talking about Harry.”
Draco’s face fell. “I don’t want to be his experiment.”
Ron shook his head in disbelief. “You really need to get over your insecurities. I kind of miss the pointy git who's made my life unbearable for the past ten years.”
Draco swatted Ron on the arm. “I’ll show you insecure, you prat! But first, make yourself useful and help me pack.”
Ron just laughed as Draco stomped his way to his bedroom.
*********************
Draco cleared his throat nervously to catch his mother’s attention. Narcissa gracefully turned around, dropped the flowers she had gathered and ran toward him, enveloping him in a tight hug.
“Oh Draco, my Dragon. Where have you been? I’ve been worried sick about you,” Narcissa said quickly as she fussed over him. “I’m sorry, darling. I’ll cancel the wedding if you want me to, just come back.”
“Mum,” Draco said as he untangled himself from his mum’s tight embrace, “I’m fine. Please calm down.” Draco steered Narcissa towards the nearest chair and motioned for her to sit down. Once Narcissa was finally settled, Draco kneeled in front of her and took both of her hands in his. “Don’t even think about cancelling the wedding. You deserve a second chance at happiness.”
He caressed her hands with his thumbs. “I’ve been a prat, I know, and I’m sorry. I thought that you marrying again would mean you wouldn't have time for me anymore. But I now know I was wrong. I don’t need you to remain a Malfoy for you to love me. Because whatever your surname is, I’ll always be your Dragon and you’ll always be my mum.”
“Oh, Draco, I would never abandon you.”
“I know. I’m sorry, Mum,” Draco said sincerely. “Forgive me, please.”
“There’s nothing to forgive, Dragon,” Narcissa responded. “I’m so happy you’re back.”
“So am I, Mum, so am I.”
*********************
“Draco.”
Draco froze when he heard Harry call his name. He turned around and his heart wrenched in pain when he saw how miserable Harry looked. Ron wasn’t kidding. “Potter, you look like shit.”
Harry smiled. “When did you arrive?”
“About an hour ago. I just got back from talking to Arthur and Mum.”
“That’s good,” Harry replied as he moved toward Draco, who instinctively stepped back. He immediately regretted the move when he saw the devastated expression on Harry’s face.
“I’m sorry,” Harry said as he turned to leave. “I won’t bother you again. I’m glad you’re back.”
Draco flinched when he heard the pain in Harry’s voice and reached out, pulling Harry against him. He cupped Harry’s face and poured all of his emotions into a kiss, letting his lips and tongue speak for him. He relaxed when Harry kissed him back with a passion that equalled his own. Harry’s arms encircled his waist and pulled their bodies closer.
Draco rested his forehead against Harry’s when they finally broke the kiss, glad that Harry didn't relinquish his hold.
“I won’t be your experiment,” Draco whispered a few minutes later.
Harry looked up and met his gaze. Draco’s breath caught at Harry's smile. “You’re not, I promise. I’m done experimenting. That’s what Charlie and I did last summer.”
“You mean -”
Harry silenced him with another kiss. “Yes, but that’s over. We’ve decided we’re better off as friends.”
“Good, because brother or not, I’ll hex him into the next millennium if he so much as looks at you the wrong way. I’m selfish and I don’t share.”
“I might say the same for you,” Harry replied and laughed softly at Draco’s puzzled expression. “I think Charlie fancies you. I’m not selfish, but I won’t share you with anyone. You’re mine, so you better remember that.”
Draco laughed, his heart bursting with happiness at the possessive tone in Harry’s voice. “I'll always be yours, until you don’t need me anymore.”
Fin.
Previous Chapters
Part 1 * Part 2 * Part 3
Part 4
It’d been two weeks since Draco last saw his mum. Two weeks since he had decided not to return to school. It'd been two weeks since he had realised that he needed to disappear in order to help his mum settle in with her soon-to-be family. And it had been two, whole fucking weeks since he’d last seen Harry.
Damn it! It was just his luck that he had finally realised how much he liked Harry after he had decided to leave.
Draco sighed as he looked around the Muggle café he’d frequented since he had arrived. He was lonely. He missed the buzz and craziness of the Weasleys at Grimmauld Place. He missed Hermione and Theo’s intellectual banter with the twins, and Ginny and Blaise’s public displays of affections. Hell, he missed Ron and Pansy’s bickering, and even Neville’s clumsiness and Luna’s weird declarations. And Harry.
Harry’s smile. Harry’s kisses and touch.
But damn if he'd go back and ruin everything again!
He had sworn he’d make everything right, and if keeping his distance from them was the answer, he’d bravely endure it.
But that didn’t mean he couldn't go to Diagon Alley and purchase the new Potions book he had seen in the Daily Prophet yesterday. And maybe he'd pass by the twins’ shop and steal a glance at Harry, who he didn't absolutely know had been helping out in the shop every weekend.
Keeping his distance was not easy, but those little glances while under a glamour helped ease the hurt, at least for a while.
*********************
Of all the rotten luck! Draco had to bump into Neville and Luna at the Muggle café he’d just discovered. He’d been discreetly making his way out of the door when Luna tapped him on the shoulder and now he had no choice but to sit with them.
A month of hiding - worthless. Draco knew Neville would not hesitate to tell everyone where he was. But then again, maybe he’d wanted someone to discover where he'd been. He was tired of being alone.
Neville smiled at him. “I won’t tell anyone if you don’t want me to.”
“I know.” Draco smiled sadly, surprising even himself that he believed Neville was telling the truth.
“Draco.” Luna smiled dreamily. “The nargles have been following you every day. They might make you think you’re all alone and have no one to turn to, but don’t listen to them. A kiss from Harry will keep them away.”
Draco choked on his drink. Neville smiled as he patted Draco’s back. “Longbottom, your girlfriend... does not make sense at all.”
“I know,” Neville replied, looking at Luna fondly. “But that’s what makes her special. Her words might not make sense, but she knows the right words to say to make me feel better. You know what I mean.”
And surprisingly, Draco did, though looking at the way Luna smiled at Neville, their fingers entwined, made Draco’s heart ache. He had experienced that before and he’d give anything to experience that again.
“Draco,” Luna said, drawing his attention back to her, “don’t let your stubbornness get in the way of your happiness. Sometimes, all we have to do is turn around and see that what we’ve been missing has been with us all along.”
Luna stood up and Neville followed her. The Ravenclaw reached out and gave his cheek a light pat. “But if things are a little blurry, you should soak your hand in peppermint and vinegar. It’s a fool proof plan to make the Scorse fairies leave you alone.”
Draco laughed and for reasons he couldn't comprehend, he actually understood what Luna meant.
*********************
Draco looked at his hotel door in confusion. He was sure he had heard a knock a while ago, but maybe over a month of isolation had made him hallucinate. He shrugged and continued reading the Muggle book, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, he had purchased earlier. He hadn't known Muggles could write this well. Maybe Hermione could recommend some other books he could read.
There it was again, the faint sound of a fist hitting his door repeatedly. Draco placed the book on the coffee table, walked toward the door, and peeked through the peephole. He took a deep breath before opening the door and saying, “Weasel.”
“Ferret,” Ron replied. Draco smirked when he saw how unsure Ron was before Ron asked, “May I come in?”
Draco shrugged and opened the door and waited until Ron entered the room before closing the door. He ignored the muttered, “First class, figures,” and gestured to a chair before heading to the fridge and grabbing two cans of soda.
He handed one to Ron before making himself comfortable on the chaise he had been lounging on earlier. Minutes of silence passed before Ron cleared his throat.
“How are you?” Ron asked.
“Fine.”
“Good.”
Silence.
“This is awkward,” Ron commented.
“Tell me about it,” Draco replied. “How’s everyone?”
“Miserable without you,” Ron admitted. “Especially your mum and Harry.”
“Oh?”
Ron took a deep breath. “I’m sorry.”
“Why did you do it?”
“Because I saw how much effort your mum put into preparing the New Year’s dinner,” Ron explained. “I may strike some of you as stupid, but I do know when someone puts their whole heart into making something special.”
Ron’s shoulders slumped in defeat. “It was like seeing Mum all over again and I know Narcissa’s not used to doing things manually. But if you had seen her that day with Ginny, Hermione and Andromeda helping her and ignoring the burns she’d gotten while cooking, you would have understood too.”
Draco looked at Ron in disbelief. What had happened to the Weasel he had known at school? He wanted to shout at him and tell him how much his betrayal had hurt him, but he couldn't. When had everyone matured and left him behind?
“I know you probably don’t want to hear what I have to say and I know I’m not the one you really want to see right now,” Ron spoke once more, “but Dad and your mum are willing to cancel the wedding if you would just -”
“No!” Draco shouted.
“I understand.” Ron sighed. “I’ll just -”
“No! You don’t understand,” Draco said, voiced laced with panic. “My sacrifice would be in vain if they don’t get married! They have to get married or my leaving won’t make any sense!”
“Whoa! Calm down!” Ron said as he walked toward Draco and placed a hand on his shoulder. “Are you saying you left because you thought it would make everything all right?”
Draco nodded, making Ron laugh.
“What's so amusing?”
Ron took deep breaths to calm himself. “Git. How would leaving solve everything?”
“Because then you’d have your perfect family once more without me ruining your white picket fence.”
“We don’t have a picket fence.”
Draco laughed this time. “It’s a Muggle phrase which depicts a perfect family situation.”
“Oh.” Ron nodded in understanding, and then smirked. “You’ve been reading Muggle books?”
“It’s not so bad,” Draco said defensively. “You actually learn a lot from them.”
“I know, my ex-girlfriend and best friend lived in the Muggle world,” Ron said. “Is it really that hard for you to think of us as your family?”
“I -” Draco took a deep breath. “Remember what I told you when we were planning the Dungbombs?”
Ron nodded. “If that was the case, why did you leave?”
“Because I can’t bear the fact that Mum’s attention will no longer only be mine,” Draco confessed. “I’m an only child. I have a hard time sharing - and Mum... she’s the only one I have left and your family’s taking her away.”
“Prat,” Ron said, holding up his hand to stop Draco from protesting. “But I understand how you feel. I’m the sixth of seven children, and I’m not good at anything at all. How do you think I felt when I found out I would have to share Dad’s and everyone else’s attention with two more people?”
“Miserable.”
“Depressed, sad, fed up,” Ron supplied.
Draco smirked and Ron answered with a smirk of his own. “We’re a bunch of insecure prats; it’s a wonder we had a hard time getting along.”
“Much as I hate to agree with you, you’re right.” Ron mock grimaced. Draco laughed and Ron joined him.
“So, ready to go home?” Ron asked after their laughter subsided.
“Home. I like the sound of that.”
“Good, because there’s a certain war hero who’s missing you and probably driving everyone mad by now.”
“Really? I didn’t know you cared about me that much,” Draco teased.
Ron punched him playfully on the arm. “Git, I was talking about Harry.”
Draco’s face fell. “I don’t want to be his experiment.”
Ron shook his head in disbelief. “You really need to get over your insecurities. I kind of miss the pointy git who's made my life unbearable for the past ten years.”
Draco swatted Ron on the arm. “I’ll show you insecure, you prat! But first, make yourself useful and help me pack.”
Ron just laughed as Draco stomped his way to his bedroom.
*********************
Draco cleared his throat nervously to catch his mother’s attention. Narcissa gracefully turned around, dropped the flowers she had gathered and ran toward him, enveloping him in a tight hug.
“Oh Draco, my Dragon. Where have you been? I’ve been worried sick about you,” Narcissa said quickly as she fussed over him. “I’m sorry, darling. I’ll cancel the wedding if you want me to, just come back.”
“Mum,” Draco said as he untangled himself from his mum’s tight embrace, “I’m fine. Please calm down.” Draco steered Narcissa towards the nearest chair and motioned for her to sit down. Once Narcissa was finally settled, Draco kneeled in front of her and took both of her hands in his. “Don’t even think about cancelling the wedding. You deserve a second chance at happiness.”
He caressed her hands with his thumbs. “I’ve been a prat, I know, and I’m sorry. I thought that you marrying again would mean you wouldn't have time for me anymore. But I now know I was wrong. I don’t need you to remain a Malfoy for you to love me. Because whatever your surname is, I’ll always be your Dragon and you’ll always be my mum.”
“Oh, Draco, I would never abandon you.”
“I know. I’m sorry, Mum,” Draco said sincerely. “Forgive me, please.”
“There’s nothing to forgive, Dragon,” Narcissa responded. “I’m so happy you’re back.”
“So am I, Mum, so am I.”
*********************
“Draco.”
Draco froze when he heard Harry call his name. He turned around and his heart wrenched in pain when he saw how miserable Harry looked. Ron wasn’t kidding. “Potter, you look like shit.”
Harry smiled. “When did you arrive?”
“About an hour ago. I just got back from talking to Arthur and Mum.”
“That’s good,” Harry replied as he moved toward Draco, who instinctively stepped back. He immediately regretted the move when he saw the devastated expression on Harry’s face.
“I’m sorry,” Harry said as he turned to leave. “I won’t bother you again. I’m glad you’re back.”
Draco flinched when he heard the pain in Harry’s voice and reached out, pulling Harry against him. He cupped Harry’s face and poured all of his emotions into a kiss, letting his lips and tongue speak for him. He relaxed when Harry kissed him back with a passion that equalled his own. Harry’s arms encircled his waist and pulled their bodies closer.
Draco rested his forehead against Harry’s when they finally broke the kiss, glad that Harry didn't relinquish his hold.
“I won’t be your experiment,” Draco whispered a few minutes later.
Harry looked up and met his gaze. Draco’s breath caught at Harry's smile. “You’re not, I promise. I’m done experimenting. That’s what Charlie and I did last summer.”
“You mean -”
Harry silenced him with another kiss. “Yes, but that’s over. We’ve decided we’re better off as friends.”
“Good, because brother or not, I’ll hex him into the next millennium if he so much as looks at you the wrong way. I’m selfish and I don’t share.”
“I might say the same for you,” Harry replied and laughed softly at Draco’s puzzled expression. “I think Charlie fancies you. I’m not selfish, but I won’t share you with anyone. You’re mine, so you better remember that.”
Draco laughed, his heart bursting with happiness at the possessive tone in Harry’s voice. “I'll always be yours, until you don’t need me anymore.”
Fin.