Fic: Promised - Chapter 34
Title: Promised
Author: neddiheht (Ashavan Doyon)
Artist: ritalaura2000
Rating: NC-17
Disclaimer: All ATWT characters the property of P&G/Telenext. Harry Potter and the characters associated with that universe belong to J. K. Rowling, Warner Brothers, and Scholastic. No copyright infringement intended. No profit made from this fiction.
Characters/Pairings: Noah/Draco, Luke/Neville, Luke/Noah, Draco/Harry. Some mention of other fun pairings not involving Luke, Noah, Draco or Harry.
Word Count: 205,207
Warnings alternate universe, graphic sex, arranged marriages, mpreg, some mention of non-consensual sex. This is a Nuke fic set largely in the Harry Potter verse and combined with a Drarry pairing.
Summary: Luciano Grimaldi was a perfectly happy young wizard. His family carefully neutral during the war, he has found happiness in the years since Voldemort's fall with herbologist, hero, and friend of the Savior, Neville Longbottom. Only he's just been informed that in the tradition of ancient pure blood families, he was promised at birth, in an offering to keep his family safe, to the son of infamous American Death Eater Winston Mayer.
Noah Mayer is a very unhappy wizard. In love for years with fellow Death Eater Draco Malfoy, the two young men have secretly found solace and love in each others arms, dreading the day they knew would come. They are promised, in the traditions of the oldest families. Promised to young wizards who didn't know. Married, for all intents and purposes, almost at birth to strangers who will doubtless hate them. Now they must surrender to duty and obligation. Now they must turn their backs on a love they know and risk everything for what might be. Noah always knew he hated pure blood traditions. This was why.
Link to Story Master Post: Yeah, it's a LOT of chapters. Worth it though, I hope!
Link to Art Master Post: Some seriously beautiful banners and photo manips!
--
Previous Chapter
--
Chapter 34
Harry took off his glasses and rubbed his eyes, setting his book aside for a moment. He reached over to the side table and lifted the glass of firewhiskey, taking a brief swig. It had been a long week. The visit with Draco had been emotional, and he still wasn't sure what to do about that kiss. The taste of Draco still lingered on his lips. His imagination, that he knew, but it still had him hungry for more of the blonde wizard.
They'd talked only briefly after, and met again for lunch. He'd had a very long talk with Draco about the notice to the paper. He hadn't liked that, but Draco was a pure blood, and it was traditional. He knew it was too much to hope for with the stiff Malfoy, but he craved the casual sort of contact he had with Remus, with the Weasleys. He wanted obvious affection, and Draco was so formal all the time. He promised that wasn't him, but Harry still wasn't getting through his formidable defenses.
There was a cry from upstairs and Harry hesitated. Shortly the sound of Kreacher singing softly could be heard. Who knew? Kreacher was actually far from the vile creature everyone had expected, and his voice, old and cracked, still held a great deal of love and caring as it sang its song softly. He'd need to remember to thank Kreacher again. He'd been distracted this week, with everything from Neville to Draco. He wondered for a moment if Draco understood or even knew. Maybe not. Probably not, it's not like the Order was sharing family arrangements with the Malfoys.
Harry took another swig of his firewhiskey, slipped his glasses back on his face, and picked up his book, casually throwing his leg over the arm of the chair and leaning against cushions to get comfortable. The lights flickered briefly and he heard mutterings from the portrait on the first floor. A floor board creaked and Harry's quickly discarded his book in favor of his wand.
He slipped quickly into the dark hallway and to the top of the stairs, his back against the wall. There was another creak and Harry was grateful for his habit of bare feet. He could be quiet as he made his way down the stairs as quickly and silently as he could manage. He froze at the sound of a louder creak that was followed by a bang as someone knocked into something. Harry took a long silent breath and exhaled, his green eyes burning. He was down the stairs in a rush then, his wand out and a curse forming on his lips. The tip of a lit wand gave him direction, and after the last time, Harry was ill-inclined to be forgiving.
"Stupefy!" cried Harry, letting loose his curse on the fumbling intruder. There was a satisfying whoosh as the air was pushed from the intruder's lungs and then two thuds, one from them hitting the wall, the other as the intruder crumpled to the floor. That sound was unfortunate, as it set off a wail from the stairs above and the pitter patter of footsteps.
"Lumos," Harry mumbled quietly, lifting his wand to give him a picture of the intruder. He was greeted by the sight of platinum blonde hair. Dammit! He rushed the crumpled body and took a deep breath. "Kreacher!"
With a crack the house elf appeared, holding a struggling five year old. "Yes, Master Potter?"
"Give him here," said Harry, and the elf handed off the young boy, who quieted almost immediately. "I need a Pepper-Up potion and a Pain Reliever potion, Kreacher."
"Master Malfoy is alright?"
"I thought he was another intruder when I heard your Mistress muttering on again."
Kreacher nodded and disappeared, returning shortly with the potions as Harry continued to soothe the little one. His unkempt hair was a mess and was currently a lovely shade of purple. He had to wonder for a moment if Tonks had gone through a phase where her hair changed color uncontrollably, and was forced to conclude she probably had. Though she probably hadn't had Teddy's uncontrollable urges for red meat so constantly. Or his overly sharp teeth. Those, along with the unkempt hair were the only vestiges of Remus in the boy. He looked like a Black... rather like Sirius, actually. Harry smoothed the boy's hair again and whispered more soothing words into his ear.
Kreacher returned with the potions and at Harry's urging poured them down the blonde's throat. Shortly he was sputtering and awake, rubbing his head. "Dammit Potter, that hurt!" he said, shaking his head.
"Thank you, Kreacher," said Harry, squatting down next to Draco. It was a challenge with the five year old at his hip. He turned his attention again to the blonde, who was shaking himself out of the daze of having been cursed. "Draco? Are you okay?"
"What was that for Potter!"
"I'm not used to unannounced guests, Draco. The property is unplottable for a reason."
"Like I didn't know that!" said Draco. "You did say I could come by at any time!"
"Well... it's late. And we've had a couple reporters try to sneak in already this week... though how they managed to find it is beyond me."
"Well. I suppose you can't be..." Draco's eyes widened as he took in the small form clutching Harry's side.
"Exactly," said Harry. "I can't be too careful." He nuzzled the boy for a moment to get his attention. "Teddy... say hello to your Uncle Draco."
"Uncle... Uncle Dwayco? Ummm, hi Dwayco. 'm Teddy." The boy turned back to Harry. "Daddy, can Kweachie wead me a stowy?"
Harry smiled. "I think Kreacher would be happy to read you a story, Teddy. But only if you promise to go to sleep right after."
"Okay. N-nice meeting you, umm. Uncle Dwayco," said the boy.
Harry kissed him lightly on the forehead and gently handed him back over to Kreacher, who bowed as best he could to the two young men and then disappeared with a pop.
"Daddy?" asked Draco quietly.
"It's one of those things we hadn't talked about yet," said Harry very quietly.
Draco shifted to sit up properly. "I..." he struggled to find his footing as Harry stood up from his squatting position next to him and held out a hand. Draco took it gratefully and a quick pull from Harry had Draco back on his feet. "That curse packed a punch."
Harry chuckled. "Well, defense was my best subject. I'm sorry I cursed you, Draco."
"I've got a bump on the back of my head Pott... Harry," said Draco. He looked Potter up and down. Bare feet, too tight jeans, and a bright orange Chudley Cannons jersey. "Orange?"
"It's Ron's. I know, it's bright. But it's comfy and I was headed to sleep soon."
"And you like to be comfortable."
Harry nodded with a smile. "Sorry again about your head."
"Merlin, Harry, if I'd known you'd been having intruders I would have announced myself better. But I wasn't sure... I mean. I don't really know the plot of the house. We pretty much just talked in that one parlor," said Draco. "I... I wouldn't have come except... you always had a reputation for being up late, and I can't figure your nightmares have gotten any better than mine, so I figured you'd be up. I didn't know..."
"About Teddy? It's okay, Draco. That's my fault. You should have. Because honestly I should have told you before. I'm... I'm a little ashamed of myself for not. I was being selfish and not thinking."
"Harry, I wanted to talk..." Draco nervously stepped forward and set a hand hesitantly on Harry's hip. "... about us."
Harry glanced at the hand and swallowed hard before looking up at the blonde's face. "What about us?"
"I... can we go someplace and actually talk," said Draco, rubbing the back of his head with his other hand. "It just feels weird doing it here in a hallway."
Harry reached down and grabbed the hand at his hip, bringing it lightly to his lips before looking at Draco. "Okay. Come on." Harry kept hold of that hand as he led Draco up several flights of stairs and then into a small family room. Harry sat down on the couch and Draco found himself pulled away from the chair opposite and down onto the couch next to Harry.
"I..." Draco started but Harry interrupted him with a quick press of a finger against Draco's lips and a tight grip of his hand.
"I like having you close," said Harry a little shyly.
"I... I rather like it too," said Draco. "But I thought you might..."
Harry shook his head. "You wanted to talk?"
"I wanted to apologize, Harry. I mean... we had that wonderful talk when you affirmed our promise. And then... I mean, all I've done really since is drown you in formality," Draco said the words quickly, as if rushing to get them out. "And I guess, that's because the formality is a defense for me, it's comfortable. But I... I didn't want it all to be formal and I don't want to mess this up."
"I know you need some of the formality, Draco. Though I admit," he said with a smirk, "I could have done without your parents trying to have tea with the Dursleys. Even tea next week with the Weasleys will have to go better than that."
"Wait... my parents are having tea with the Weasel?"
"Not with Ron... with Molly and Arthur, though I expect Hermione and Ron will be there, as they're still living at the Burrow."
"How did you get so up to date on pure blood promise ritual formalities?" asked Draco.
"Kreacher. He's really quite talkative when you get to know him," said Harry with a bit of a wicked grin. "His instructions are punctuated by rather interesting stories though. Who spilled what wine on whose dress robes at Mistress Narcissa's binding and the like. He's rather fond of you, Draco. I think that's part of why he's been so helpful."
"Harry..." Draco paused for a moment, realizing this must be a sensitive subject. "Just why do you have a son... HOW do you have a son?"
"His parents were friends who died in the war," said Harry, suddenly rather quiet, his hand clutching the arm of the couch. "Remus and Tonks. That makes him a Black, actually, so he is your family even if Uncle is a bit of a simplification."
"He called you..."
"I'm his godfather," said Harry. "And his parents are dead, so that makes me his family." Harry looked at Draco and there was a plea in his eyes.
"You're right, Harry. You should have told me. But..." he clutched hold of Harry's hand. "Not because I'm unwilling, Harry. I'm not. But because I want to know you. Not what the magazines say about you, but the real you. How you've managed to keep a son, even a godson, from the press is..."
"Well. You stupefy enough reporters and they get the hint." Harry's face contorted into a grimace. "Or not. But cursing them is cathartic all the same." Harry looked at him. "Wait... not unwilling. You..."
"Harry," said Draco, swallowing hard as he shifted closer. "I wanted to know you. I do want to know you. I promised myself to you and I meant it. We're going to be a family... you and me. And if Teddy is your son... then I want to know him too." He closed his eyes. "Merlin, Harry. I don't know anything about being a father... but if you want me to be that for Teddy, I'll learn."
"Is that what you want?" asked Harry quietly.
"I want there to be an 'us' and right now we're dancing around that," said Draco. "I can't believe you could possibly have learned the forms and not know what a promise binding means in wizarding society, what the renewal of the promise means. And yet we're still avoiding really talking about 'us' and I'd like to know why. Somehow I think Teddy was a piece of that. But he's not all of it. Tell me, Harry," he clutched Harry's hand tightly. "Please."
"I'm... I was afraid if you knew about Teddy you wouldn't... I mean, I love him, he's my son. But I'm not an idiot. I know having a five year old is... well, a lot of baggage going into a relationship. And I don't see him that way, obviously. It's a gift, to me, really. I mean, I fancy blokes, so I'm not likely to have kids. And I want a family, so at least I have... I have Teddy. But I know... I mean. Promise bindings don't really cover this, do they?"
Draco chuckled. "They do, actually."
Harry looked at Draco a bit stunned.
"What?" asked Draco, chuckling softly again. "You asked. I'm surprised you didn't ask Kreacher... though frankly I'm surprised Kreacher takes such tender care of the boy."
"He's a Black by blood," said Harry quietly. "Kreacher would take care of him out of personal loyalty to me, of course, but that he's a Black certainly helps. Kreacher loves the Black family."
"Well, since you didn't ask, I'll tell you. Children of either promised become children of both in the eyes of society at the time of the renewal of the promise. So as far as the wizarding world is concerned, we're both that boy's father," said Draco, his voice catching a little.
"I... I didn't know that... I'm. I'm sorry, Draco," said Harry, trying to keep tears from his eyes.
"I'm not angry, really I'm not. Merlin, you think I don't want a family?" Draco leaned closer in to Harry so that he could almost rest his head on Harry's shoulder. "That I haven't been panicked about having this awkward conversation with you, about children. I'm the last Malfoy, Harry. I have to think about children."
"I hadn't thought of that," said Harry softly.
"I know you're nervous about Teddy. But I want you to trust that we will work that out. I will be involved with Teddy's life as much as you both want me to be," said Draco seriously. "And I'll be honest, it scares me to death. But I'm okay with that. I'm hoping that mostly that's the shock of suddenly being a father."
"You're right. There's. Umm," Harry sighed and looked away.
"No more dancing around, Harry," said Draco, trying to focus on the hand he still had clutched in his. "Tell me."
"I... I'm scared."
"Why?"
"Mayer loves you, Draco," said Harry quietly. "And I think you love him too. So... where do I fit in?"
Draco looked down. "I do love him," said Draco, his voice a soft hoarse whisper.
"And?"
"That doesn't mean... Harry. I've loved you forever. And yes, that turned into a bit of hate somewhere down the line, with us always fighting. And you're right, I didn't know you... not the real you. But I want to, Harry. I want to. Doesn't..." Draco slid closer, reaching up to run his fingers along Harry's jaw. "I know this whole promise concept is hard for you Harry. And I won't lie and say that I'm okay with Noah pursuing Grimaldi, because honestly it hurts like hell. It's what he has to do and I know it. But this," Draco held up their clasped hands, "it isn't what I have to do, Harry. It's what I want to do. I want us to be together. I want to spend my life learning everything about you... the real you. The one maybe only Granger and the Weas... and Weasley know. Maybe," he blushed a little, "maybe even the parts you don't even tell them."
"And why do you think... I mean, you say we're dancing..."
"You haven't touched me since that night, Harry, except to lead me up the stairs."
"I'm holding your hand now," said Harry shyly.
Draco shook his head and drew very close to Harry. "In the eyes of the world, Harry, we're married... a formal bonding rite isn't the important ceremony for pure bloods. The promise renewal. The exchange of tokens... that's the marriage, really. Don't you think we could get beyond just holding hands..."
"Gods... I hope so," said Harry, his voice a little throaty and almost desperate. "I... you're getting over someone. I didn't want..."
Draco pressed a finger to Harry's lips, smoothly swinging his legs over Harry's to land on Harry's lap, looking him in the eye. "Severus was right... you have lovely eyes," said Draco seriously, pressing his forehead against Harry's.
"Draco... I..."
Draco's head tilted and his tongue darted quickly across his lips, moistening them just before he pressed them into Harry's. Harry started to tremble, but his lips moved against Draco's, and it was Harry's anxious tongue that pressed for access to Draco's mouth. They shared in the taste of each other for a time before separating, each gasping for breath. "Merlin, Harry..."
"Ssoooo good... Draco," said Harry, his hands moving to the buttons on Draco's shirt, fumbling to get them undone. "Wanna feel your skin," he said, stopping with his unbuttoning for long enough to draw his Chudley Cannon's jersey over his head before resuming the unbuttoning of Draco's shirt. He had the front unbuttoned and hanging loose and open, revealing a smooth muscular and almost translucently pale body.
Harry hissed as his hands, freely roaming against Draco's chest, caught the feel and texture of scar tissue, running faintly across Draco's front in straight slashing lines. He'd done this. "I'm sorry," he whispered miserably, following the path of the scars with his fingers.
"Shhh... Harry. I..." Draco slid himself off Harry's lap, reclining back on the couch, and pulled the shirtless Potter on top of him. "I want to stay here... like this... just snogging. It doesn't need to be any more than that..."
"I..." Harry's hands sought further underneath Draco's shirt, clutching at his back and shoulders. "I can deal with that," he breathed in a ragged whisper.
Draco leaned up to kiss Harry seriously on the lips and ran his fingers through Harry's hair, gently pulling his promised's head down so that they could continue kissing while Draco's head rested on the soft cushions of the couch. Harry was forced rather quickly to acknowledge that really, Draco was rather spectacular at snogging... brilliant in fact. He knew there were any number of things they probably should be doing to get to know each other properly, but those things all seemed to pale to insignificance with Draco's lips pressing forcefully against his, so soft and warm and wet and Draco's tongue was doing something rather spectacularly distracting against Harry's and just that instant Harry thought snogging was rather the most brilliant idea anyone had had, ever.
--
Next Chapter
--
This story is written as part of the Nuke BigBang challenge. Check out the other authors' and artists' great work!