(no subject)
Aug. 21st, 2005 04:30 pm![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
minervaalistor.livejournal.com posting in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
bottom_dracoTitle: Safe House
Summary: Harry and Draco are put in a safe house for their own protection. Post HBP, big spoilers!
Rating: NC-17
Author: minerva alistor
Links to the rest listed after the chapter!
Harry waited almost an hour before Apparating back to the Ministry. He wanted to make sure that Draco was nowhere around. He didn’t really think he could see him again without causing some kind of scene, whether it be a crying and screaming scene or a grabbing Draco and beating him senseless scene. He felt like doing both.
He ended up outside his cubicle, eyes shut tight and ears pricked for the sound of Draco’s voice. He heard nothing. It was only seconds before Demerest was out of his office and at Harry’s side.
“Welcome back, Harry! I’m sure you must be glad to get out of that – Potter! What is the matter with you? You look horrible!”
“I’m just tired,” Harry answered.
Demerest gave him the once over and narrowed his eyes.
“Go home, Harry. Take a day or two off. You’ve been under a lot of stress.”
Harry held up his hand and shook his head.
“I’m fine, really. I, um, need to work. Sitting around at home won’t help. I’ve been inactive long enough.”
Demerest thought about it for a moment before answering.
“Fine. But you’re taking the rest of the day off. You can come back tomorrow.”
“But I –“ Harry interjected
Demerest held up his hand. “No arguing. We’ve got other Aurors. You go home now. Rest. I expect to see you here in the morning looking a little less like you’ve been run over by a thestral. Understood?”
Harry’s head bowed in defeat.
“Fine. I’ll be here early.”
Demerest started to speak again, but Harry Disapparated before he could get it out.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Hedwig actually squawked when Harry appeared in the middle of his living room.
“Hi, girl,” he said, holding out his arm. “I didn’t mean to scare you.”
The owl flew to Harry’s arm and tugged gently on his ear. She always seemed to be able to tell when he was gone for work related problems and not just ignoring her.
“Have they been taking good care of you?” he asked, stroking her head.
After feeding Hedwig some treats, using the toilet (where he looked in the mirror and found that he really did look like shit), checking the stack of mail on his kitchen table and grabbing a beer, Harry plopped down on his couch with a sigh. He was tired. Actually, he was depressed, which was worse. His body felt like it was made of marble, his head felt as if it was full of them. He put his beer down on the coffee table and lay down, thinking that a nap would be just the thing to help him escape for a while. His couch wasn’t very comfortable, it was far too short for him to stretch out fully, but it would have to do. He couldn’t stomach the idea of being alone in a bed just now.
No sooner had he gotten semi-comfortable than there was a knock on his door.
“Damn,” he muttered, pushing himself up. He walked to the door and peered through the keyhole.
“Double damn,” he swore before unlatching the lock.
Ginny Weasley stood on his stoop, looking down at her feet.
“Hi, Gin,” Harry said, trying to sound as happy as possible.
Ginny reached up and gave Harry a quick hug. He knew as soon as Ginny touched him that it wouldn’t be necessary for him to break things off with her. An unexpected wave of anger washed over him as she let him go and headed towards the armchair.
“Hi, Harry. Sorry to drop in like this,” she said. Harry could see that she was holding her key to his apartment in her hand.
For some reason, maybe because Draco had hurt him so badly so recently, he wanted to make this as difficult as possible for Ginny.
“What on earth do you mean, Gin? I’m so happy to see you! It’s been over two months. Why didn’t you just use your key? That’s what I gave it to you for,” he said, voice sappy and sweet. He sat down on the couch and patted the spot next to him. “Why are you sitting over there? Is everything okay? You haven’t written to me in a while!”
He was highly gratified to see tears well in her eyes.
“Harry, I’m sorry, I’ve just been really busy at school and –“
“But holiday started a week or so ago, didn’t it?”
Ginny covered her face with her hands and let out a small, choked sob.
“Harry, I’m sorry. You don’t deserve this –“
“Don’t deserve what?”
Ginny cried some more and Harry started to feel guilty. He got up and went to her, rubbing her back with his palm.
“Shhh, Gin, it’s alright. I’ve known for a while. It’s that Lancelot guy, isn’t it?”
Ginny looked up at him, tears streaming down her face.
“I’m so sorry. It’s just, when they locked me up inside Hogwarts, I just knew that it was never going to end. I thought after the war they would leave you alone, leave us alone, but they won’t. There were pictures of Tonks being me in the paper all the time—“
“I didn’t see any. I read all the Prophets.”
“The Ministry took them out. They didn’t want to upset you. Anyway, I just can’t do it anymore, Harry. I can’t live under a microscope like this. People following me all the time, writing my secrets on the front page every week. They’re camped out in front of the Burrow right now. Heard you were coming home today and figured you’d drop by straight away, I guess. It’s just too much.”
Harry’s feelings took a nasty turn again. Getting the it’s-not-you-but-who-you-are speech twice in one day was too much.
“Have you fucked him yet?” he asked nastily.
Ginny’s face drained of color.
“Harry!”
Harry went back to the couch and sat down, head in his hands.
“Look, I’m sorry,” Ginny said, her voice now angry. “I know this is probably a shock for you, but –“
“It’s hardly a shock. You’ve never been able to not be with a guy since you were fourteen!” Harry yelled.
Ginny stood from the chair, her fists clenched at her sides.
“Fuck you, Harry! After everything I’ve been through for you! This isn’t easy for me, you know!”
“Isn’t it? Why don’t you go on over to Lance’s place, I’m sure he’ll help ease the pain. He must be pretty good. Made you forget all about us in two bloody months!”
“I didn’t forget you! How could I, with the fucking articles in the paper staring me in the face everyday, everyone asking me ‘How’s Harry holding up?’ every five minutes when I had no idea! Do you know how weird it was to read about my shopping habits after they followed Tonks one weekend in Hogsmeade, when I hadn’t been outside in over a month? It’s too much, Harry! It’s too much for anyone!”
Harry scrubbed his hands through his hair, causing it to jut out all over.
“Yeah, okay. I get it. It’s too much trouble. It’s fine, really. I was going to break up with you anyway. I knew you were with that guy. You just saved me the trouble. That’s all.”
“Harry, I am truly sorry. I never, ever wanted to hurt you.” Ginny’s voice was soft and sincere. She came and sat beside him on the couch.
Harry let out a shaking sigh. “It’s alright, Gin. You know how my temper is. I’m sorry.”
Ginny reached up and tried to smooth Harry’s hair. He unconsciously leaned into her familiar touch.
“Harry?”
“Hmmm?”
“I hate to ask you this now, but I have to. Christmas is only a couple of days away and I don’t want you to be … well. I have a favor to ask.”
Harry pulled away from her.
“Yes?”
Ginny’s hands pulled at her purse straps.
“Is there anyway you could, um, not come to the Burrow for Christmas this year?”
Harry’s face fell. Ginny quickly went on.
“It’s just that Lance is very insecure when it comes to you and I don’t think he’d be very comfortable if you were there. He’s already nervous, what with this being the first time he’ll meet my parents and all my brothers.”
Harry stared at her in shock, then broke out in a high-pitched, mirthless laugh.
“Sure, Gin, sure. I’ll just stay home by myself, even though I've spent every Christmas at the Burrow since I was a kid. God forbid that Lance feel uncomfortable. Now, if you don’t mind, could you leave? I was just about to go to sleep.”
He rose and extended his arm towards the door.
Ginny stood.
“Harry, I’m so—“
“Sorry. Yeah, I know. Now go. Please.”
Without another word, Ginny practically ran away. Harry slammed the door behind her.
He went back to the couch, threw himself down and curled into a small ball. Before he could stop himself, he was crying quietly, something he hadn’t done in years.
“Great. Bloody great,” he said to no one in particular. Hedwig hooted dolefully from her perch.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
They didn’t get much done at the Ministry in the three days before Christmas, as several people were out of town and much of Lucius Malfoy’s information was still being investigated. Harry volunteered to work on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, collating information, investigating abandoned Death Eater camps and preparing warrants to question witnesses, but Demerest insisted that he take the days off.
By one o’clock on Christmas Eve, Harry was well on his way to being piss drunk. He had finally seen Ron and Hermione the night before and they had mentioned nothing about his not spending Christmas with the Weasleys. Harry didn’t bring it up either, figuring they were uncomfortable about the subject. They both commented that he didn’t seem himself, but he kept quiet, letting the break up with Ginny be his excuse for dismal behavior.
By seven o’clock on Christmas Eve, Harry was piss drunk and sitting at his kitchen table, trying to compose a letter to Draco. He was having considerable trouble just remaining upright, however, so stringing words together in a comprehensible fashion was really out of the question. He was balling up another failed attempt when there was a loud knock at his door.
“Whooosit?” he yelled.
“Let us in!” two voices chimed back in unison.
Harry staggered to the door with a sloppy grin on his face. It took him several minutes to operate all the locks. When he finally managed, he had to lean heavily on the frame to stay standing.
“Hey!” he yelled merrily. “Your lil’ sister say it’s okay for you to come see me, then?”
Harry threw his arms out in a welcoming gesture and the twins caught him as he fell forward.
“We came as soon as dinner was over. Brought you a couple of dishes too. We can’t believe that –“ Fred said.
“Our stupid prat of a sister told you not to come so that her pathetic excuse for a boyfriend wouldn’t be insecure. We went completely mental on her—“ George continued.
“After Ron finished going mental—“ Fred took up.
“And you should have seen poor mum!”
“Didn’t know which way to turn! She was mad as hell at Ginny, but she couldn’t bring herself to yell too much on Christmas. If she’d known Ginny had told you not to come, though, I’m sure Mum would have beaten her or something.”
“Anyway, Ron and Hermione will be over right after they open gifts. I think we ought to get you sobered up a bit.”
“Or more pissed.”
Harry had been swinging his head back and forth trying to keep up with the conversation as Fred and George dragged him into the kitchen. He wasn’t sure who was who anymore, though sober the twins were easily identifiable.
“Shut it,” he murmured, shaking his head. “You’re makin’ m’seasick.”
The twins pushed him into a chair and looked around the kitchen. They spotted the wadded up bits of parchment on the floor and exchanged dark glances.
“Who’ve you been writing, Harry? ‘Cause if it’s Ginny, I’d say don’t waste your time,” one of the twins said.
“I second that. She’s obviously a complete dolt. I love her, but I mean, that guy is a complete loser.”
Harry started to laugh. He laughed harder and harder until he couldn’t stop. He laughed so hard his eyes started to water and the twins took it for tears.
“Harry!” the cried together. One of them, Harry thought George, stepped forward while the other started digging in the cabinets.
“Hold it together, man! Fred, hurry up! Look, there’s no need to cry about it. There are plenty of birds dying to go out with you, mate. And wait till you see this guy, Harry. He’s nearly as old as dad and a bit of a pudge. I bet if you tried hard enough, she’d dump him in a second for you. I can’t see what she sees in him anyway.”
“Ah ha!” Fred cried. “I knew he had to have some. No self-respecting bachelor can live without Hangover Remedy! I’ll just get the kettle.”
Harry finally got his laughter under control and wiped his eyes.
“’M not worried ‘bout Gin,” he mumbled.
“Oh?” George asked. “Then what are you on about?”
“M’foy. I’m stupid, stinkin’, head over heels in luf with Shraco fuckin’ M’foy. Kin ya bereive it?”
As soon as Harry finished his sentence, his eyes rolled back in his head and he passed out cold.
Fred and George looked at each other in horror.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
When Harry came to, all he could see were Fred’s and George’s faces staring down at him.
“What happened?” Harry asked.
“We found out that Ginny told you not to come for Christmas. We came over as soon as we could get away,” Fred said.
“Only to find you completely knackered,” George continued.
“And writing love letters to Draco Malfoy,” they finished in unison.
Harry screwed his eyes shut and groaned.
“Did I send any of them?” he asked, eyes shooting around the floor worriedly. The twins parted as Harry sat up.
“I dunno, mate. Hard to tell. Hedwig is still here though, so I’m going to say no,” George answered.
Harry plunked down in a chair and started picking at his fingernails. Fred and George sat on either side of him, watching him intently.
“So, um, you guys want a drink? Firewhiskey? Scotch? Beer? Tea?”
Fred and George exchanged glances, their eyes starting to flicker.
“Nah, Harry. I think I speak for both of us when I say we’d rather hear about how you fell- what was it, George?”
“ ‘Stupid, stinking, head over heels in love with Draco Malfoy’, I believe.”
Harry’s eyes popped wide.
“Did I say that?”
The twins nodded. “Then, you passed out stone cold,” George informed him.
Harry squirmed in his seat.
“Look, I’d rather not talk about it, okay? I mean, it’s not like anything is ever going to come of it, so I think it’s best not to dwell on it.”
The twins leaned back in their chairs and crossed their arms over their chests, mirror images of one another.
“Sorry, mate. There is no way we’re letting something like that slip by,” Fred started.
“We can only assume that things got a little randy in the safe house,” George continued.
“And we want to hear every detail,” Fred finished.
Harry quirked an eyebrow.
“Every detail? Are you sure?”
Fred and George slowly lowered their chairs to the floor.
“Er. Not those kinds of details. But we need to get a pretty good understanding of the situation so we know whether to beat some sense into you or lend you a hand,” George said.
“What do you mean, ‘lend me a hand’?” Harry pffted, leaned his elbows on the table, and rested his head in his hands. “He’s not interested.”
“We have a complete line of some of the strongest love potions in all the wizarding world, my friend,” Fred said, patting Harry on the back. “That is, if we approve of the whole affair.”
“No pun intended,” George added.
“But Harry, one thing. We didn’t know you were gay,” Fred said.
“I don’t know that I am. I mean, I enjoyed having sex with Gin—“
Four hands flew into the air and two voices mingled at once.
“Uh huh, Potter, we don’t want to hear it!! She’s still our sister!”
“Sorry, sorry. It’s just, we were shut up in a house together, very close quarters, only one bed. Nature sort of took its course,” Harry said quickly, diverting the conversation away from Ginny completely.
“Harry, mate, I hate to tell you this, but I honestly feel like if I were locked in a house with another bloke from now until the end of time, I wouldn’t have sex with him,” George said. Fred nodded his head fervently in agreement.
Harry’s brow crinkled. “Really?”
“Well, I mean, I might let him give me a blow job, if he wanted, but that’d be about all I could stomach. And I think I would have to be pretty pissed before I could even let that happen,” George said.
“Is that all that happened, Harry? I’ve always thought Malfoy was a little poncey. I mean, was it fairly…innocent, or did you…you know?”
Harry tilted his head sideways to avoid their eyes and scratched his ear, which wasn’t itching at all.
“Um. Innocent is probably the last word I’d use to describe what we got up to,” Harry said, as casually as possible.
Fred and George exchanged wide-eyed glances, then leaned forward.
“Harry,” Fred began in a very quiet voice, “did you let him…?”
Harry jumped from his chair and went to the refrigerator. He pulled out a beer and removed the top with his wand. He took a huge swig, then wiped his mouth with the back of his hand.
“Uh, no. He let me…”
The twins’ eyes grew huge and their mouths opened in smiling gaps of glee.
“Harry! You put your willy in another boy’s bum!” Fred cried.
Harry took another swig of his beer and rubbed the back of his neck.
“Uh, yeah?”
George turned to Fred.
“It makes sense, really. Can you imagine Malfoy a top? I mean, really, he’s such—“
“A nance,” Fred finished. “Harry’s definitely the guy there.”
“We’re both guys!” Harry protested. “Draco’s not really, well, okay, he’s not that feminine. Besides, I think he’s straight.”
Fred and George burst out laughing.
“Harry, quite frankly I don’t think either one of you qualifies as straight anymore, but when you let another guy bugger you, I think you have to officially remove the word from your vocabulary!” George guffawed.
“Especially if he liked it? Did he like it, Harry? You big, hard top you?”
“Shut it,” Harry yelled, drowning out the twins’ snickering. He finished his beer in one more gulp and turned to get another one. “Look, I’m having a bit of a time with this, alright? I don’t know what you call me now, and I don’t care. All I know is that I am in love with him. If that makes me a shirt lifter or whatever, then so be it.”
The twins quieted down at once.
“We were just taking the piss, mate,” George said.
“Yeah, we’ve no problem with you being a shirt lifter. In fact, we just hired a new Potions apprentice—“
“Fred! I was thinking about him too! Harry, you’d love him, he’s fresh out of Hogwarts—“
“Very handsome. Former Slytherin, blond even. We could have you round the shop, introduce you to him…”
Harry sighed and sat back down.
“Have you two been listening? I’m in love with Draco. And I don’t know what to do about it.”
Just then, there was another knock at the door.
“That’ll be Ron and Hermione,” he muttered and stood to let them in.
They yelled “Happy Christmas” from behind a wall of gifts as soon as Harry opened the door. He helped them bring the gifts inside, gave them both big hugs and invited everyone to sit in the living room.
“You want a drink?” Harry asked.
Much to Harry’s relief, Fred and George began regaling Ron and Hermione with the story of how drunk Harry was upon their arrival. They conveniently left out the part about Draco. Soon, Harry had drinks in front of everyone. Hermione busied herself with conjuring Christmas decorations while the men talked Quidditch, then joined in a spirited discussion of how angry everyone was at Ginny’s behavior.
Things were comfortable, loud and joyous until late in the night. When all of them were practically nodding in their spots, Harry suggested they go to bed. He let Ron and Hermione have his bed, transfigured his coffee table into bunk beds for the twins, and took the couch himself. It had become his new sleeping spot, as the bed just made him more depressed.
He was nearly asleep when one of the twins quietly pssted from their beds.
“Yeah?” Harry whispered.
“What are you going to do? About Malfoy, I mean?”
The whisper came from the bottom bunk, which meant George.
“Dunno. Just try to get over it, I guess.”
“Don’t forget our love potions,” Fred whispered from the top.
“I don’t want him to want me because of a potion.”
“He won’t know he wants you because of a potion. They’re good, mate, really,” George whispered.
“I’d know, though,” Harry answered.
Both twins sighed in the dark.
“Yeah, I guess you would. Alright, mate. Good night” George said.
“Yeah Harry, good night.”
“Good night. And thanks, guys.”
The room was silent for several seconds before a snigger floated from the top bunk.
“Fudge packer,” the twins whispered together.
Harry laughed. He curled the blanket around him and smiled in the darkness.
“I suppose I am,” he sighed.
They were all asleep in minutes.
Links to other chapters:
I got a request to link up all the chapters of SH so they'd be easier to re-read. I think this is the way to do that, so here they are!
Chapter 5, Independence Day
Chapter 4, One Month Anniversary
Chapter 3, Days Ten Through Fourteen
Chapter 2, Nine Lonely Days and One Cozy Night
Chapter 1, One Day, Two Nights
The beta'd, cleaned up version is still at <a href="http://archive.skyehawke.com/authors.
Summary: Harry and Draco are put in a safe house for their own protection. Post HBP, big spoilers!
Rating: NC-17
Author: minerva alistor
Links to the rest listed after the chapter!
Harry waited almost an hour before Apparating back to the Ministry. He wanted to make sure that Draco was nowhere around. He didn’t really think he could see him again without causing some kind of scene, whether it be a crying and screaming scene or a grabbing Draco and beating him senseless scene. He felt like doing both.
He ended up outside his cubicle, eyes shut tight and ears pricked for the sound of Draco’s voice. He heard nothing. It was only seconds before Demerest was out of his office and at Harry’s side.
“Welcome back, Harry! I’m sure you must be glad to get out of that – Potter! What is the matter with you? You look horrible!”
“I’m just tired,” Harry answered.
Demerest gave him the once over and narrowed his eyes.
“Go home, Harry. Take a day or two off. You’ve been under a lot of stress.”
Harry held up his hand and shook his head.
“I’m fine, really. I, um, need to work. Sitting around at home won’t help. I’ve been inactive long enough.”
Demerest thought about it for a moment before answering.
“Fine. But you’re taking the rest of the day off. You can come back tomorrow.”
“But I –“ Harry interjected
Demerest held up his hand. “No arguing. We’ve got other Aurors. You go home now. Rest. I expect to see you here in the morning looking a little less like you’ve been run over by a thestral. Understood?”
Harry’s head bowed in defeat.
“Fine. I’ll be here early.”
Demerest started to speak again, but Harry Disapparated before he could get it out.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Hedwig actually squawked when Harry appeared in the middle of his living room.
“Hi, girl,” he said, holding out his arm. “I didn’t mean to scare you.”
The owl flew to Harry’s arm and tugged gently on his ear. She always seemed to be able to tell when he was gone for work related problems and not just ignoring her.
“Have they been taking good care of you?” he asked, stroking her head.
After feeding Hedwig some treats, using the toilet (where he looked in the mirror and found that he really did look like shit), checking the stack of mail on his kitchen table and grabbing a beer, Harry plopped down on his couch with a sigh. He was tired. Actually, he was depressed, which was worse. His body felt like it was made of marble, his head felt as if it was full of them. He put his beer down on the coffee table and lay down, thinking that a nap would be just the thing to help him escape for a while. His couch wasn’t very comfortable, it was far too short for him to stretch out fully, but it would have to do. He couldn’t stomach the idea of being alone in a bed just now.
No sooner had he gotten semi-comfortable than there was a knock on his door.
“Damn,” he muttered, pushing himself up. He walked to the door and peered through the keyhole.
“Double damn,” he swore before unlatching the lock.
Ginny Weasley stood on his stoop, looking down at her feet.
“Hi, Gin,” Harry said, trying to sound as happy as possible.
Ginny reached up and gave Harry a quick hug. He knew as soon as Ginny touched him that it wouldn’t be necessary for him to break things off with her. An unexpected wave of anger washed over him as she let him go and headed towards the armchair.
“Hi, Harry. Sorry to drop in like this,” she said. Harry could see that she was holding her key to his apartment in her hand.
For some reason, maybe because Draco had hurt him so badly so recently, he wanted to make this as difficult as possible for Ginny.
“What on earth do you mean, Gin? I’m so happy to see you! It’s been over two months. Why didn’t you just use your key? That’s what I gave it to you for,” he said, voice sappy and sweet. He sat down on the couch and patted the spot next to him. “Why are you sitting over there? Is everything okay? You haven’t written to me in a while!”
He was highly gratified to see tears well in her eyes.
“Harry, I’m sorry, I’ve just been really busy at school and –“
“But holiday started a week or so ago, didn’t it?”
Ginny covered her face with her hands and let out a small, choked sob.
“Harry, I’m sorry. You don’t deserve this –“
“Don’t deserve what?”
Ginny cried some more and Harry started to feel guilty. He got up and went to her, rubbing her back with his palm.
“Shhh, Gin, it’s alright. I’ve known for a while. It’s that Lancelot guy, isn’t it?”
Ginny looked up at him, tears streaming down her face.
“I’m so sorry. It’s just, when they locked me up inside Hogwarts, I just knew that it was never going to end. I thought after the war they would leave you alone, leave us alone, but they won’t. There were pictures of Tonks being me in the paper all the time—“
“I didn’t see any. I read all the Prophets.”
“The Ministry took them out. They didn’t want to upset you. Anyway, I just can’t do it anymore, Harry. I can’t live under a microscope like this. People following me all the time, writing my secrets on the front page every week. They’re camped out in front of the Burrow right now. Heard you were coming home today and figured you’d drop by straight away, I guess. It’s just too much.”
Harry’s feelings took a nasty turn again. Getting the it’s-not-you-but-who-you-are speech twice in one day was too much.
“Have you fucked him yet?” he asked nastily.
Ginny’s face drained of color.
“Harry!”
Harry went back to the couch and sat down, head in his hands.
“Look, I’m sorry,” Ginny said, her voice now angry. “I know this is probably a shock for you, but –“
“It’s hardly a shock. You’ve never been able to not be with a guy since you were fourteen!” Harry yelled.
Ginny stood from the chair, her fists clenched at her sides.
“Fuck you, Harry! After everything I’ve been through for you! This isn’t easy for me, you know!”
“Isn’t it? Why don’t you go on over to Lance’s place, I’m sure he’ll help ease the pain. He must be pretty good. Made you forget all about us in two bloody months!”
“I didn’t forget you! How could I, with the fucking articles in the paper staring me in the face everyday, everyone asking me ‘How’s Harry holding up?’ every five minutes when I had no idea! Do you know how weird it was to read about my shopping habits after they followed Tonks one weekend in Hogsmeade, when I hadn’t been outside in over a month? It’s too much, Harry! It’s too much for anyone!”
Harry scrubbed his hands through his hair, causing it to jut out all over.
“Yeah, okay. I get it. It’s too much trouble. It’s fine, really. I was going to break up with you anyway. I knew you were with that guy. You just saved me the trouble. That’s all.”
“Harry, I am truly sorry. I never, ever wanted to hurt you.” Ginny’s voice was soft and sincere. She came and sat beside him on the couch.
Harry let out a shaking sigh. “It’s alright, Gin. You know how my temper is. I’m sorry.”
Ginny reached up and tried to smooth Harry’s hair. He unconsciously leaned into her familiar touch.
“Harry?”
“Hmmm?”
“I hate to ask you this now, but I have to. Christmas is only a couple of days away and I don’t want you to be … well. I have a favor to ask.”
Harry pulled away from her.
“Yes?”
Ginny’s hands pulled at her purse straps.
“Is there anyway you could, um, not come to the Burrow for Christmas this year?”
Harry’s face fell. Ginny quickly went on.
“It’s just that Lance is very insecure when it comes to you and I don’t think he’d be very comfortable if you were there. He’s already nervous, what with this being the first time he’ll meet my parents and all my brothers.”
Harry stared at her in shock, then broke out in a high-pitched, mirthless laugh.
“Sure, Gin, sure. I’ll just stay home by myself, even though I've spent every Christmas at the Burrow since I was a kid. God forbid that Lance feel uncomfortable. Now, if you don’t mind, could you leave? I was just about to go to sleep.”
He rose and extended his arm towards the door.
Ginny stood.
“Harry, I’m so—“
“Sorry. Yeah, I know. Now go. Please.”
Without another word, Ginny practically ran away. Harry slammed the door behind her.
He went back to the couch, threw himself down and curled into a small ball. Before he could stop himself, he was crying quietly, something he hadn’t done in years.
“Great. Bloody great,” he said to no one in particular. Hedwig hooted dolefully from her perch.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
They didn’t get much done at the Ministry in the three days before Christmas, as several people were out of town and much of Lucius Malfoy’s information was still being investigated. Harry volunteered to work on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, collating information, investigating abandoned Death Eater camps and preparing warrants to question witnesses, but Demerest insisted that he take the days off.
By one o’clock on Christmas Eve, Harry was well on his way to being piss drunk. He had finally seen Ron and Hermione the night before and they had mentioned nothing about his not spending Christmas with the Weasleys. Harry didn’t bring it up either, figuring they were uncomfortable about the subject. They both commented that he didn’t seem himself, but he kept quiet, letting the break up with Ginny be his excuse for dismal behavior.
By seven o’clock on Christmas Eve, Harry was piss drunk and sitting at his kitchen table, trying to compose a letter to Draco. He was having considerable trouble just remaining upright, however, so stringing words together in a comprehensible fashion was really out of the question. He was balling up another failed attempt when there was a loud knock at his door.
“Whooosit?” he yelled.
“Let us in!” two voices chimed back in unison.
Harry staggered to the door with a sloppy grin on his face. It took him several minutes to operate all the locks. When he finally managed, he had to lean heavily on the frame to stay standing.
“Hey!” he yelled merrily. “Your lil’ sister say it’s okay for you to come see me, then?”
Harry threw his arms out in a welcoming gesture and the twins caught him as he fell forward.
“We came as soon as dinner was over. Brought you a couple of dishes too. We can’t believe that –“ Fred said.
“Our stupid prat of a sister told you not to come so that her pathetic excuse for a boyfriend wouldn’t be insecure. We went completely mental on her—“ George continued.
“After Ron finished going mental—“ Fred took up.
“And you should have seen poor mum!”
“Didn’t know which way to turn! She was mad as hell at Ginny, but she couldn’t bring herself to yell too much on Christmas. If she’d known Ginny had told you not to come, though, I’m sure Mum would have beaten her or something.”
“Anyway, Ron and Hermione will be over right after they open gifts. I think we ought to get you sobered up a bit.”
“Or more pissed.”
Harry had been swinging his head back and forth trying to keep up with the conversation as Fred and George dragged him into the kitchen. He wasn’t sure who was who anymore, though sober the twins were easily identifiable.
“Shut it,” he murmured, shaking his head. “You’re makin’ m’seasick.”
The twins pushed him into a chair and looked around the kitchen. They spotted the wadded up bits of parchment on the floor and exchanged dark glances.
“Who’ve you been writing, Harry? ‘Cause if it’s Ginny, I’d say don’t waste your time,” one of the twins said.
“I second that. She’s obviously a complete dolt. I love her, but I mean, that guy is a complete loser.”
Harry started to laugh. He laughed harder and harder until he couldn’t stop. He laughed so hard his eyes started to water and the twins took it for tears.
“Harry!” the cried together. One of them, Harry thought George, stepped forward while the other started digging in the cabinets.
“Hold it together, man! Fred, hurry up! Look, there’s no need to cry about it. There are plenty of birds dying to go out with you, mate. And wait till you see this guy, Harry. He’s nearly as old as dad and a bit of a pudge. I bet if you tried hard enough, she’d dump him in a second for you. I can’t see what she sees in him anyway.”
“Ah ha!” Fred cried. “I knew he had to have some. No self-respecting bachelor can live without Hangover Remedy! I’ll just get the kettle.”
Harry finally got his laughter under control and wiped his eyes.
“’M not worried ‘bout Gin,” he mumbled.
“Oh?” George asked. “Then what are you on about?”
“M’foy. I’m stupid, stinkin’, head over heels in luf with Shraco fuckin’ M’foy. Kin ya bereive it?”
As soon as Harry finished his sentence, his eyes rolled back in his head and he passed out cold.
Fred and George looked at each other in horror.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
When Harry came to, all he could see were Fred’s and George’s faces staring down at him.
“What happened?” Harry asked.
“We found out that Ginny told you not to come for Christmas. We came over as soon as we could get away,” Fred said.
“Only to find you completely knackered,” George continued.
“And writing love letters to Draco Malfoy,” they finished in unison.
Harry screwed his eyes shut and groaned.
“Did I send any of them?” he asked, eyes shooting around the floor worriedly. The twins parted as Harry sat up.
“I dunno, mate. Hard to tell. Hedwig is still here though, so I’m going to say no,” George answered.
Harry plunked down in a chair and started picking at his fingernails. Fred and George sat on either side of him, watching him intently.
“So, um, you guys want a drink? Firewhiskey? Scotch? Beer? Tea?”
Fred and George exchanged glances, their eyes starting to flicker.
“Nah, Harry. I think I speak for both of us when I say we’d rather hear about how you fell- what was it, George?”
“ ‘Stupid, stinking, head over heels in love with Draco Malfoy’, I believe.”
Harry’s eyes popped wide.
“Did I say that?”
The twins nodded. “Then, you passed out stone cold,” George informed him.
Harry squirmed in his seat.
“Look, I’d rather not talk about it, okay? I mean, it’s not like anything is ever going to come of it, so I think it’s best not to dwell on it.”
The twins leaned back in their chairs and crossed their arms over their chests, mirror images of one another.
“Sorry, mate. There is no way we’re letting something like that slip by,” Fred started.
“We can only assume that things got a little randy in the safe house,” George continued.
“And we want to hear every detail,” Fred finished.
Harry quirked an eyebrow.
“Every detail? Are you sure?”
Fred and George slowly lowered their chairs to the floor.
“Er. Not those kinds of details. But we need to get a pretty good understanding of the situation so we know whether to beat some sense into you or lend you a hand,” George said.
“What do you mean, ‘lend me a hand’?” Harry pffted, leaned his elbows on the table, and rested his head in his hands. “He’s not interested.”
“We have a complete line of some of the strongest love potions in all the wizarding world, my friend,” Fred said, patting Harry on the back. “That is, if we approve of the whole affair.”
“No pun intended,” George added.
“But Harry, one thing. We didn’t know you were gay,” Fred said.
“I don’t know that I am. I mean, I enjoyed having sex with Gin—“
Four hands flew into the air and two voices mingled at once.
“Uh huh, Potter, we don’t want to hear it!! She’s still our sister!”
“Sorry, sorry. It’s just, we were shut up in a house together, very close quarters, only one bed. Nature sort of took its course,” Harry said quickly, diverting the conversation away from Ginny completely.
“Harry, mate, I hate to tell you this, but I honestly feel like if I were locked in a house with another bloke from now until the end of time, I wouldn’t have sex with him,” George said. Fred nodded his head fervently in agreement.
Harry’s brow crinkled. “Really?”
“Well, I mean, I might let him give me a blow job, if he wanted, but that’d be about all I could stomach. And I think I would have to be pretty pissed before I could even let that happen,” George said.
“Is that all that happened, Harry? I’ve always thought Malfoy was a little poncey. I mean, was it fairly…innocent, or did you…you know?”
Harry tilted his head sideways to avoid their eyes and scratched his ear, which wasn’t itching at all.
“Um. Innocent is probably the last word I’d use to describe what we got up to,” Harry said, as casually as possible.
Fred and George exchanged wide-eyed glances, then leaned forward.
“Harry,” Fred began in a very quiet voice, “did you let him…?”
Harry jumped from his chair and went to the refrigerator. He pulled out a beer and removed the top with his wand. He took a huge swig, then wiped his mouth with the back of his hand.
“Uh, no. He let me…”
The twins’ eyes grew huge and their mouths opened in smiling gaps of glee.
“Harry! You put your willy in another boy’s bum!” Fred cried.
Harry took another swig of his beer and rubbed the back of his neck.
“Uh, yeah?”
George turned to Fred.
“It makes sense, really. Can you imagine Malfoy a top? I mean, really, he’s such—“
“A nance,” Fred finished. “Harry’s definitely the guy there.”
“We’re both guys!” Harry protested. “Draco’s not really, well, okay, he’s not that feminine. Besides, I think he’s straight.”
Fred and George burst out laughing.
“Harry, quite frankly I don’t think either one of you qualifies as straight anymore, but when you let another guy bugger you, I think you have to officially remove the word from your vocabulary!” George guffawed.
“Especially if he liked it? Did he like it, Harry? You big, hard top you?”
“Shut it,” Harry yelled, drowning out the twins’ snickering. He finished his beer in one more gulp and turned to get another one. “Look, I’m having a bit of a time with this, alright? I don’t know what you call me now, and I don’t care. All I know is that I am in love with him. If that makes me a shirt lifter or whatever, then so be it.”
The twins quieted down at once.
“We were just taking the piss, mate,” George said.
“Yeah, we’ve no problem with you being a shirt lifter. In fact, we just hired a new Potions apprentice—“
“Fred! I was thinking about him too! Harry, you’d love him, he’s fresh out of Hogwarts—“
“Very handsome. Former Slytherin, blond even. We could have you round the shop, introduce you to him…”
Harry sighed and sat back down.
“Have you two been listening? I’m in love with Draco. And I don’t know what to do about it.”
Just then, there was another knock at the door.
“That’ll be Ron and Hermione,” he muttered and stood to let them in.
They yelled “Happy Christmas” from behind a wall of gifts as soon as Harry opened the door. He helped them bring the gifts inside, gave them both big hugs and invited everyone to sit in the living room.
“You want a drink?” Harry asked.
Much to Harry’s relief, Fred and George began regaling Ron and Hermione with the story of how drunk Harry was upon their arrival. They conveniently left out the part about Draco. Soon, Harry had drinks in front of everyone. Hermione busied herself with conjuring Christmas decorations while the men talked Quidditch, then joined in a spirited discussion of how angry everyone was at Ginny’s behavior.
Things were comfortable, loud and joyous until late in the night. When all of them were practically nodding in their spots, Harry suggested they go to bed. He let Ron and Hermione have his bed, transfigured his coffee table into bunk beds for the twins, and took the couch himself. It had become his new sleeping spot, as the bed just made him more depressed.
He was nearly asleep when one of the twins quietly pssted from their beds.
“Yeah?” Harry whispered.
“What are you going to do? About Malfoy, I mean?”
The whisper came from the bottom bunk, which meant George.
“Dunno. Just try to get over it, I guess.”
“Don’t forget our love potions,” Fred whispered from the top.
“I don’t want him to want me because of a potion.”
“He won’t know he wants you because of a potion. They’re good, mate, really,” George whispered.
“I’d know, though,” Harry answered.
Both twins sighed in the dark.
“Yeah, I guess you would. Alright, mate. Good night” George said.
“Yeah Harry, good night.”
“Good night. And thanks, guys.”
The room was silent for several seconds before a snigger floated from the top bunk.
“Fudge packer,” the twins whispered together.
Harry laughed. He curled the blanket around him and smiled in the darkness.
“I suppose I am,” he sighed.
They were all asleep in minutes.
Links to other chapters:
I got a request to link up all the chapters of SH so they'd be easier to re-read. I think this is the way to do that, so here they are!
Chapter 5, Independence Day
Chapter 4, One Month Anniversary
Chapter 3, Days Ten Through Fourteen
Chapter 2, Nine Lonely Days and One Cozy Night
Chapter 1, One Day, Two Nights
The beta'd, cleaned up version is still at <a href="http://archive.skyehawke.com/authors.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2005-08-21 08:55 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-08-21 08:55 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-08-22 04:46 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-08-22 06:48 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-08-23 02:43 pm (UTC)Thanks for reading and commenting!
no subject
Date: 2005-08-22 06:48 pm (UTC)You updated, I'm soooo happy. The last two chapters were great. Very awesome. I loved Fred and George too, they are the best!! Update soon!!!
*smooches*
no subject
Date: 2005-08-23 02:37 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-08-23 03:32 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-08-23 02:33 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-08-23 04:08 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-08-23 08:33 pm (UTC)