Third Place - Angst

It was the knocking that woke Harry the next morning. He looked up blearily at the large bed and saw that Draco was still asleep, but wouldn't be for long if the knocking continued. Quickly getting to his feet and putting on his glasses, Harry went to open the door. He moved with a slight limp caused by his bruised hip. The stone floor made an awful mattress.

The door opened without a sound and Harry was met with the sight of a bushytailed bright-eyed headmaster.

"Good morning, Harry," Dumbledore said in a cheery booming voice. Harry winced and put his finger to his lips in a bid to quiet the professor down. Dumbledore looked toward the bed, noticed the wad of blankets on the floor that had comprised Harry's sleeping arrangement and wisely nodded. He leaned in closer to Harry.

"How are you, Harry?" he asked with concern. Harry shrugged his shoulders.

"I'm okay, Professor."

"Truly, Harry? I know that we are limited in our capacity to help, but I would still like to know how you are. And I am always available to listen." Dumbledore gave Harry a kind smile. Harry nodded his head in understanding and acknowledgement.

"Thank you, sir. But, I'm fine. I think..." Harry thought about how to phrase his thoughts. "I think we're learning how to deal with each other a bit better." Dumbledore placed his hand on Harry's shoulder.

"I'm glad to hear it, my boy. When I had been informed that you had 'thrown in the towel' I must admit I was quite concerned."

"I can't run from myself, sir." Dumbledore smiled brightly and patted Harry's shoulder.

"It takes a wise man to understand and admit that, Harry." He looked toward the bed again. "Now, there is something that we must discuss. I will endeavor to tread carefully for your sake, Harry." He brushed past Harry and came to the foot of the bed. Harry closed the door and stood nervously watching.

"Mr. Malfoy? Would you be kind enough to join us in the waking world?"

Draco grunted and rolled over. He glanced at the empty nest of blankets on the floor and immediately sat up. Catching sight of Harry by the door, he visibly relaxed and then noticed Dumbledore.

"Ugh. It's not a school day. What?" His voice was surly and rough. Dumbledore congenially ignored the rude tone.

"I've come to discuss today's activities. Were you planning on venturing to Hogsmeade this weekend?"

Still standing by the door, Harry started at the mention of the planned outing. He couldn't believe that just five days ago he had made plans to spend Saturday in Hogsmeade with his friends. Now he had to wait and see if Draco would even let him go. The voice was not happy that Dumbledore had gone to Draco about the issue instead of him, but the desire to please was only too happy to go wherever Draco wanted to go.

Draco smirked. "Why? You're not trying to stop me are you?"

"Oh no, dear boy, quite the opposite. I think it would be good for you both to get out for a bit. That is what these trips are all about, you know. No, I was merely going to discuss with you some important points." Dumbledore could not be anymore jolly.

"Yeah?" Draco said insolently. "What makes you think I'd let him go?" Draco said pointing his chin in Harry's direction.

"That is, of course, your decision. But if you do decide, you should know that the press will be waiting for you."

"The press?" Harry said in mounting horror. Dumbledore sent an apologetic look over his shoulder before returning his focus on the now casually reclining young man in bed.

"Yes. I've been able to keep them out of the school and not talking to the other students, but once they are in Hogsmeade you and they will be fair game. And, the media will wish to speak to the two of you."

Draco glared. "My father is not going to be pleased."

"No, I expect not. But I'm sure that he knew bringing a Ministry order would attract attention. Once the school knew I am sure the parents knew and, well, there you have it." Dumbledore made a gesture that showed that it was out of his hands.

"Fine. Then we deal with it. But they are not talking to Harry." Draco looked towards the door. "Do you understand, Potter? You have a nasty habit of blabbing to the press so if I catch you talking to any of them it will be the worse for you."

"Yes, Draco," Harry said, secretly relieved to have the decision taken away from him. The voice was not happy with him for that, but Harry really did not want to talk to the press and he knew that otherwise he would have been forced into it. And then what would he say? Speak about how awful and terrible it is and possibly endure Draco's wrath for it, or explain that, no, he was quite content to be a kept pet, and earn the world's anger and pity. It was far simpler to be told to keep quiet.

"Ah, good. Then that is settled." Dumbledore rubbed his hands together. "Now, there are just two more things I would like to discuss. But I am afraid they are of a delicate nature."

"You're standing here talking to me while I'm lying in bed naked and my sub is standing in an old shirt of mine and no underwear. I think if you had any embarrassment about sensitive subjects you would be blushing and stammering. So spill it." Draco was just this side of being beyond rude, but again, Dumbledore carried on as if they were old friends and not Headmaster and pupil.

"Quite right, my boy. Quite right. Well then, I would like to ask what your intentions are. First with future sleeping arrangements for Harry. You are, of course, being allowed the continued use of the private room for the rest of the school year."

"Of course, I am." Draco said smugly. "And he will stay here with me."

The voice was not going to let that pass. "I want to stay in Gryffindor and come here only when you-you need me."

"I don't care what you want, Potter," Draco said in a nasty voice. "You'll do as your told."

"But I am a Gryffindor and I want to stay with my friends. You don't own me, Malfoy." Harry immediately slapped his hands over his mouth, eyes wide. The voice was quite proud of itself. The desire to please, though, was terrified that he had just argued and challenged a Supero.

"Come over here," Draco said silkily. Harry was not happy about that tone. It meant danger. He decided he better fix this and fast. He really did not want to be hit in front of his mentor.

"I'm sorry, Draco," he said, lowering his head. "Please forgive me. I did not mean to challenge you or be disrespectful. I'm sorry."

"Come. Over. Here." Draco was obviously enraged. Biting his lip, breathing fast, Harry made his way slowly to the side of the bed. Reaching it he immediately fell to his knees.

"I'm sorry," he whispered. Fingers fisted in his hair and tugged his head up hard. He was forced to look into Draco's face. His lips were tight in anger and silver eyes were flashing cold fire.

"Do you think because Dumbledore is here that you can speak to me like that?"

Harry would have shaken his head if he could have. "No, Draco."

"Do you think that because it might embarrass him, that I won't beat you here, right now?"

"No, Draco."

"Then I suggest you go over and apologize to him for your behavior." Draco flung him away and Harry landed on his elbows. But he quickly got to his feet and stood before the headmaster. He could see Draco smirking at Dumbledore but the older man ignored this and smiled kindly at Harry.

Bowing his head, Harry made his apologies, ignoring the voice screaming at him to not embarrass himself like this, that this was only a way for Draco to show up the Headmaster. "I'm sorry, sir, for my disrespectful behavior."

"It is always best to think before one speaks, I have always found." Dumbledore patted Harry on the head and then turned back to Draco. Harry walked to stand near the side of the bed Draco was nearest.

"He stays here," Draco said firmly.

"Very well. I shall inform the house-elves to move his things."

"I said he stays here. I don't want his rubbish around as well."

"Of course. But you must admit that he will need changes of clothing. And, certainly his school things. Other than that I am told that Harry has very little else."

Draco narrowed his eyes. "Fine. What else do you want to discuss."

"Yes. As you know, Lustrum is only a few days away." Harry's ears perked up at this. He raised his head and focused an intent gaze on the headmaster. What with learning about how to stay on the good side of a Supero, Harry and Hermione had yet to learn about and discuss Lustrum.

"What of it?" Draco asked with hostility.

"I would hope that you would consider Harry's youth in this. And the need for him to finish school."

"Oh? And why is there a need for him to finish school?" Draco asked smoothly. "After we leave this rat trap he will live to serve me and only me."

"But I was going to..." Harry trailed off once he realized he was speaking aloud. Draco turned to look at him with sharp eyes.

"Yes? What were you saying?" he asked pleasantly.

Harry swallowed and looked desperately at Dumbledore who nodded encouragingly. He took a deep breath and answered. "I was hoping to study snakes. To be a herpetologist, maybe."

"Now that is a fine career, Harry," Dumbledore enthused. "And with your keen insight you would be exceedingly good at it. Why, I foresee you making quite the name for yourself and possibly become the leading authority. Can you imagine, Draco, the people who would be desperate to speak to Harry for his expertise?"

Draco looked back and forth between the two of them with narrowed eyes, obviously calculating the possibilities. Finally, he came to a decision. "Fine, he needs to finish school. What does his youth have to do with it?"

"I would hate for his body to take on a burden it is not matured enough to handle."

"There you are wrong. He reached maturity about a year ago."

Harry's curiosity got the better of him and again he spoke aloud. "Maturity for what? What burden?"

Draco looked at him with obvious delight. "I shall have to speak to Granger. Her skills are slipping if you don't know." He paused, relishing his next words. "Lustrum is mating season, Potter. Now why do you think there is such a thing, hmm?"

Harry frowned in confusion. He and Draco were already 'mating' so it couldn't have anything to do with that. Although it would be nice to have to only sleep with him once a year. But if it had nothing to do with the act then it had to with... the... results. Harry looked up in dawning comprehension.

"There you go," Draco said facetiously. "I knew you could figure it out." He turned back to Dumbledore. "His body is perfectly capable of breeding. In addition I would employ the finest medi-wizards and witches the world had to offer. So please do not bring up that pathetic excuse."

"But are you ready to start a family, Draco?" Dumbledore asked.

"I assure you that we Malfoys are always prepared to carry on the line," Draco stated.

Dumbledore sighed. "Very well. It is, of course, your decision." He turned to smile at Harry. "I shall leave you then. I hope you both enjoy your outing. And if you need anything at all in the future do not hesitate to call on me." Nodding to Draco, he seemed to float out of the room.

"Of course, you old prick. You'd bend over backwards, wouldn't you?" Draco spoke snidely to himself as he got out of bed and walked to the armoire.

"Draco?"

"What, Potter?" he snapped.

"Are you really... I mean, we aren't going to have any... children, are we?" Harry's hands twisted in anxiousness. Draco turned back to study him.

"Why?" he asked bluntly.

"Well, they are a big responsibility and we are kind of young."

"Not for our species."

"But, we're still human and I don't know if I'm ready for kids." Let alone to carry them in his own body, he added silently.

Draco went back to pulling clothes from the drawers. "You don't have a say in it, Potter. Now go back to your tower, get dressed, say good bye to your roommates and meet me at the Main Gates in ninety minutes." With that statement Draco walked into the bathroom and shut the door. Harry stood there for a moment before dragging on his pants left on the floor, covering himself in his school robe and rushing out into the corridor.

Indago - Chapter 21

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