Slipping Away
Title: Slipping Away
Author: enchanted_jae
Characters: Harry, Draco
Rating: PG13
Warning(s): Suggestion, angsty
Word count: 660
Disclaimer: Characters are the property of JK Rowling, et al. This fic/drabble was written for fun, not for profit.
Written for: Birthday gift for ldydark1, who asked for more of Slipping Under
Summary: Draco tells Harry they have no future.
Harry waited until Ron and Hermione were rather more involved with one another to pay him any attention. While they were distracted, Harry ducked out through the portrait hole and double-timed it down the first flight of steps. Once he felt he'd made a clean get-away, he slowed his pace. Harry continued descending staircases, adroitly leaping from one to another when they moved unexpectedly. He refused to be thwarted.
By accident or sheer dumb luck, Harry managed to find the same window to the Black Lake as he had the last time he'd visited the dungeons. He stopped and stared into the darkened depths. Occasionally, a fish would swim by, illuminated in the light emanating from the window. Still, Harry watched and waited. A large shape moved past the window, barely visible in the gloomy water. Harry's breath caught, and he moved closer to the thick glass.
The shape floated by again, almost teasing Harry by remaining just beyond his ability to see clearly. Harry remained patient, even as his eyes strained for another glimpse. There! A large, silvery tail sluiced through the water. It reminded Harry of Draco's tail, but he couldn't be certain. At least he knew it wasn't a tentacled grindylow.
Several moments went by with no further sign of the creature. Harry pressed both hands to the glass and leaned so close his nose almost touched the window as his eyes scanned the water. A face popped into view directly in front of him. Harry let out a startled cry and stumbled back. His shoulders sagged with relief when he recognized Draco on the other side of the window. Harry could see that Draco was laughing at him, even under the water. He scowled and shook his fist at Draco in mock anger.
Draco's smile widened, and he performed an underwater somersault. His tail fin slapped the glass in a playful manner. He popped upright again, grinning like a madman.
Harry crooked his finger, beckoning Draco to come inside.
Draco's happy smile faded, but he nodded once and disappeared.
Harry had long moments to ponder the significance of Draco's change in mood, and he grew more worried as the minutes ticked by. Harry resumed staring out the window, lost in thought and oblivious to the aquatic creatures that swam by. He didn't turn away until he saw Draco's reflection in the glass.
Harry pivoted around and caught his breath anew. Draco was dressed simply in a jumper and jeans, and his hair was still wet from his swim. Harry wanted nothing more than to peel Draco's clothes off and shag him against the window that offered a glimpse into the water. He reined in his lust with an effort.
"You've been avoiding me," Harry said.
Draco's shoulders stiffened slightly. "I've been busy," he countered.
Harry felt angry and anxious all at once. He recognized a dismissal when he heard it. Still, he wasn't about to give up without a fight. "Are you busy now?" he asked quietly.
"Harry, I...I can't," said Draco, dropping his gaze.
"What can't you do?" Harry pressed. He leaned back against the wall, hoping to appear relaxed and non-confrontational.
Draco took a deep breath and raised his eyes to Harry's. "I can't get involved with you," he said.
Harry's stomach plummeted. They were already involved, as far as he was concerned, but now he could feel Draco pulling back.
"Why not?" he asked.
"I'm the last of my line, Harry," Draco responded. "I'm expected to marry and produce heirs."
"Doesn't your happiness count for anything?"
Draco's face looked stricken. "I'm sorry, Harry," he said, turning to leave.
Harry stood there and watched Draco go, allowing him to slip away. For now.
Author: enchanted_jae
Characters: Harry, Draco
Rating: PG13
Warning(s): Suggestion, angsty
Word count: 660
Disclaimer: Characters are the property of JK Rowling, et al. This fic/drabble was written for fun, not for profit.
Written for: Birthday gift for ldydark1, who asked for more of Slipping Under
Summary: Draco tells Harry they have no future.
Harry waited until Ron and Hermione were rather more involved with one another to pay him any attention. While they were distracted, Harry ducked out through the portrait hole and double-timed it down the first flight of steps. Once he felt he'd made a clean get-away, he slowed his pace. Harry continued descending staircases, adroitly leaping from one to another when they moved unexpectedly. He refused to be thwarted.
By accident or sheer dumb luck, Harry managed to find the same window to the Black Lake as he had the last time he'd visited the dungeons. He stopped and stared into the darkened depths. Occasionally, a fish would swim by, illuminated in the light emanating from the window. Still, Harry watched and waited. A large shape moved past the window, barely visible in the gloomy water. Harry's breath caught, and he moved closer to the thick glass.
The shape floated by again, almost teasing Harry by remaining just beyond his ability to see clearly. Harry remained patient, even as his eyes strained for another glimpse. There! A large, silvery tail sluiced through the water. It reminded Harry of Draco's tail, but he couldn't be certain. At least he knew it wasn't a tentacled grindylow.
Several moments went by with no further sign of the creature. Harry pressed both hands to the glass and leaned so close his nose almost touched the window as his eyes scanned the water. A face popped into view directly in front of him. Harry let out a startled cry and stumbled back. His shoulders sagged with relief when he recognized Draco on the other side of the window. Harry could see that Draco was laughing at him, even under the water. He scowled and shook his fist at Draco in mock anger.
Draco's smile widened, and he performed an underwater somersault. His tail fin slapped the glass in a playful manner. He popped upright again, grinning like a madman.
Harry crooked his finger, beckoning Draco to come inside.
Draco's happy smile faded, but he nodded once and disappeared.
Harry had long moments to ponder the significance of Draco's change in mood, and he grew more worried as the minutes ticked by. Harry resumed staring out the window, lost in thought and oblivious to the aquatic creatures that swam by. He didn't turn away until he saw Draco's reflection in the glass.
Harry pivoted around and caught his breath anew. Draco was dressed simply in a jumper and jeans, and his hair was still wet from his swim. Harry wanted nothing more than to peel Draco's clothes off and shag him against the window that offered a glimpse into the water. He reined in his lust with an effort.
"You've been avoiding me," Harry said.
Draco's shoulders stiffened slightly. "I've been busy," he countered.
Harry felt angry and anxious all at once. He recognized a dismissal when he heard it. Still, he wasn't about to give up without a fight. "Are you busy now?" he asked quietly.
"Harry, I...I can't," said Draco, dropping his gaze.
"What can't you do?" Harry pressed. He leaned back against the wall, hoping to appear relaxed and non-confrontational.
Draco took a deep breath and raised his eyes to Harry's. "I can't get involved with you," he said.
Harry's stomach plummeted. They were already involved, as far as he was concerned, but now he could feel Draco pulling back.
"Why not?" he asked.
"I'm the last of my line, Harry," Draco responded. "I'm expected to marry and produce heirs."
"Doesn't your happiness count for anything?"
Draco's face looked stricken. "I'm sorry, Harry," he said, turning to leave.
Harry stood there and watched Draco go, allowing him to slip away. For now.