Draco finished off his bottle of fire whiskey, cast a sobering charm upon himself and then rose, almost putting Blaise in the floor, "I have to go."
Blaise pouted, "Why, Drake? You don't have anything to go back to at the Tower. Nothing but the Potty."
The blonde beauty brought his body close, rubbing up against Draco and staring into his eyes. The man leaned his face closer, and just as he was about to brush his lips against Draco's the other Slytherin took a step back.
"I have to go."Draco said again in his Malfoy sneer. He then side-stepped Blaise and left the Slytherin Common Room.
Once outside he had to lean up against the wall and catch his breath. After a few moments Draco went back up to the Tower, and slipped in quietly. When he opened Harry's door he walked in and knelt down beside the bed. It didn't surprise him to find Harry awake, the man hardly ever slept soundly.
For a moment the two just stared at each other in the moonlight, "Harry, I'm sorry."
Harry smile slightly.
"Me too."
He reached out and grasped Draco's hand in his.
"I'll try to not be such a girl and be difficult." Harry smiled a little wider when he said this.
"So.... you gonna stay out there all night or do wanna get into bed?" Harry said mischieviously.
Draco smiled slightly before climbing under the covers. Harry curled up against him and toyed with Draco's collar.
He then shifted up so that his head rested on the same pillow as Draco and that they looked into each other's eyes.
The Slytherin brought one finger up to gentle trace the outline of Harry's face. Moving down the strong jaw bone, to the scar upon his forehead, and then down to the tip of his nose.
After sliding his fingers down Harry's lips and then neck Draco softly pressed his lips against the Gryffindor's, drawing forth a soft moan from Harry's delicious mouth. Draco turned Harry onto his back, and then moved to where he was straddling the man's waist. One knee on either side.
Giving Harry a passion-filled kiss, Draco ran his hands up under Harry's shirt trailing his fingers lightly over the man's chest.
Draco's cool hands against his heated skin caused him to shiver, relishing in the feel of it all. He moved his own hands to rest on Draco's hips, stroking the fabric of his top softly before running his hands up Draco's back.
He pushed his hips up ever so slightly and pressed his lips harder against the blonde's. He heard Draco return his moans and sighs, and pulled the Slytherin closer to him.
Oh I am definitely apologizing in the future if this is the reaction.
He trailed his hands round to Draco's chest before pulling his hands out from under the t-shirt and resting them on Draco's rear.
"Mmm.."Draco smiled and moved Harry's hands up above his head, so that he was able to remove the Gryffindor's shirt. When he was finished he replaced them back in their previous position. For a minute the Slytherin just stared at the toned and muscled chest, but what distracted him the most were the faint white scars that ran across the tan skin.
When Harry began to look unsure Draco traced one of the scars with his finger before leaning down to place a soft kiss and trace it with his tongue.
Harry both smiled and moaned at the same time. 6 years of attacks, mental breakdowns, and burdens no teenager should have to endure didn't happen without leaving a mark not just mentally but physically, And Harry had been afraid that Draco would've been put off.
He ran his hands up into Draco's hair as Draco proceeded to trace his sensitive skin. He ran them back down his back to pull off his top, Draco stopping momentarily as it was pulled over his head.
He then pulled the blonde back down and felt electricity go through him as skin touched skin. He enjoyed the silky feeling of his boyfriend's skin against his fingertips and placed a kiss on Draco's collarbone, exactly where he had first kissed him when he started flirting with him.
Draco's jaw dropped and he moaned when Harry's soft mouth left a kiss on his collarbone. He moved off of his boyfriend and moved to where the Gryffindor could be on top, but not before giving Harry a playful nibble on the ear.
Harry laughed gently when Draco nibbled his ear the blonde's breathe tickling his neck causing him to squirm playfully. He pulled Draco back up so that they were face to face and just looked into his eyes, stroking Draco's face gently with his thumbs.
He began to slowly trace his fingers around Draco's face, memorizing every feature, every dip of a dimple or the elegant arch of his eyebrows. Then he slowly traced up to Draco�s forehead, stroking in exactly the same spot as where, on his own forehead, his scar would be.
"Untouched." He whispered more to himself than anything. The blonde looked up at Harry�s scar and traced the famous mark with his eyes, and leaning up he placed a tender kiss on the spot. As Draco looked up into two green orbs he was cloaked in a peaceful warmth. This was where he always wanted to be .. with Harry.
�I love you my little lion.� He said gently while running his finger down Harry�s jawbone.
Harry had shivered when Draco had kissed his scar. He'd never realized it was that sensitive before but then again no one had kissed it before.
"Little?" He said feigning insult. "I assure you I am rather-MMMMMPH...."
Draco had cut him off with a laughing kiss, Harry chuckling silently as he moved his lips against Dracos.
Then it hit him. What Draco had said! He pulled back with a smile.
"You love me?" he said. Draco had probably thought Harry was upset as he blushed and began to look embarrassed. His fears though were quelled when
Harry placed a small kiss at the corner of his mouth.
"I love you too my gentle dragon."
~*~
The next morning dawned too soon for Draco. Rather than open his eyes to the cheery sunshine he moved to get a better grip around his Harry.
Harry and Draco's physical relationship was odd for the Slytherin. He never thought he could be so physical and _not_ have sex.(Although Draco knew people thought he had, the truth was he was still a virgin.) With Harry for the moment he was just glad to have a little snogging time and then be able to cuddle with him as they slept.
Harry was at that stage in the morning when your mind is awake but your body refuses to move. He felt Draco grip him more tightly and a soft, tired smile reached Harry's lips. He forced his eyes open and turned ever so slightly to slip an arm around his boyfriend's waist.
"Morning, my Slytherin Prince."
He snuggled his face into the juncture of Draco's neck and shoulder, huffing a little, causing the blonde to giggle slightly.
Last night to him had been perfect, considering it had started as an argument. He wasn't ready to have sex and yet he had had the most erotic night he'd ever had in his 16 years. They'd been very 'hands on' and had managed to keep their virginity intact. Which was fine with him. Wouldn't mind a replay tonight. He thought rather wickedly, his body slowly catching up with his mind.
Draco watched as Harry's face turned a light shade of pink. Now I wonder.. The Slytherin placed a soft kiss on Harry's lips and smiled, "Now tell me, what could be going through your mind to make you blush so?" Harry blanched and his blush deepened. Trust me to get caught having dirty thoughts. He sat up and put on a face of mock insult.
"Pull your mind out of the gutter, Malfoy, I wasn't thinking of anything pornographic, only simply that I would much like to have a repeat episode of last night which isn't a sexual fantasy but a rather lovely fact," He stated with a bold English accent.
Draco laughed heartily and Harry felt his stomach flip with excitement.
He's my boyfriend., and Harry began to laugh along with Draco.
A lovely fact indeed. Draco thought as he smiled. He also wished for the same 'act' and decided that if Harry done nothing he would see that it happened again. Sighing in contentment he cast his gaze to the right and his eyes fell on the calendar. With a groan he realized his 17th birthday was coming along soon, and so was the Dark Mark.
He knew that soon his father would send for him and give Dumbledore some kind of lame excuse, and Lucius plainly knew that Dumbledore wasn't in the dark about what would be happening.
Draco had already been spoken to by Severus and Albus and knew that even though they said he would be protected in the castle if he didn't take the mark; he knew he couldn't live in hiding. He would rather take the Dark Mark and become a spy to protect the man he loved.
Harry felt the air change from playful to serious and frowned.
"Love, you ok?" he asked attentively, placing his arms round Draco's waist. He turned his eyes to follow Draco's line of view and only saw the calender by his bed. His frown deepened in confusion. Somethings going on that I'm not sure I'm gonna like.
"Love?"
Draco's head snapped to look at Harry's confused emerald orbs. Forcing a small smile Draco answered, "It's nothing I was just thinking about not wanting to get up from here and go face the world as the biggest Slytherin git, but, hey, I'm good at it." He finished in a teasing smile, but inside he felt bad lying to his boyfriend. However, he wasn't up for upsetting Harry, and honestly he didn't feel like talking about it.
Harry looked unconvinced but decided to let it drop. When Draco was ready he'd tell him what was really upsetting him. He leant down to give Draco a reassuring kiss.
"Ok, well I'm going to have a shower." As he got up and walked towards the bathroom he was struck with a rather brilliant idea, and placing one hand upon the door frame he turned his delicate frame ever so slightly and called over his shoulder to the blonde. "You�re welcome to join me of course." he said in a low seductive voice and left the door slightly ajar as he went in.
Draco arched one eyebrow, "As if I would decline." He smiled and rose from the bed, following his boyfriend into the shower where things were sure to be steamy, and not from the water...
~*~
"Professor Hagrid Draco Malfoy is wanted in the Headmaster's office." The giant professor looked down at the messenger. After looking over to see Malfoy sneering at the newest creature he had in he grunted, "Malfoy yer' wanted in tha' Headmaster's offeece."
Draco instantly knew what was going on and glanced over at Harry, before grabbing his bag and starting up the lawn towards the castle.
Entering the castle was a great delight from the humid outdoors, and those disgusting creatures his Care of Magical Creatures Professor had brought in. It didn't take long for the Slytherin to make his way to the gargoyle which protected the way to the Headmaster's office.
"Eh .. lemon drops .. droobles .. cockroach clusters .. berty botts .. three muskateers?"
Upon hearing the last _muggle_ candy the gargoyle stepped aside and the door opened to reveal a spiral staircase that was slowly revolving upwards. Stepping on to the stairway Draco wandered what Dumbledore would have to say about his father's letter. It didn't take long to find out, for within seconds he was in the Headmaster's office, told to sit down and then offered a lemon drop. To which he refused.
"Well, Mr.Malfoy, I think you know why we are here. I have received the letter from your father asking for your presence at home for the celebration of your coming of age. I also know that all Slytherins coming of age party is ended with the branding of the Dark Mark. Draco, you have heard us say before, and I say again, please rethink your decision to go home. You will have to live with the Dark Mark until Voldemort is killed, and only Mr. Potter can do that. Harry is not yet ready to go and face the Dark Lord and expect to actually kill him. We need more time, but we can promise you protection here at the castle."
Draco shook his head, "No. I don't want to be cooped up in this castle while everyone else is outside fighting for what they think is right. By recieving the Dark Mark I can spy as Sev..Professor Snape does and help the Order." Dumbledor's twinkle dimmed then, and his eyes become a hard grey, "I suppose you don't know that Mr. Potter has stayed here at Hogwarts since this Sixth year. Beyond walking the grounds, escorted mind you, he has not left Hogwarts since. His books and supplies are gathered by the other professor's. During his time here in the summer he is being trained by Aurors, and sometimes visited by a certain werewolf, who loves to help with his Defense Against the Dark Arts."
"What I am getting at is that, if you stayed here you wouldn't be alone, and if Harry can do it so can you Mr.Malfoy."
The Slytherin sneered, "What you forget, Headmaster, is that I am not Potter and I have no wish to be cooped up with him until he can get up the nerve to defeat the Dark Lord. If you'll excuse me Headmaster I have packing to do."
As Draco stood Dumbledore sighed, "Be careful."
Ignoring the man's words the young man slipped from the office and headed back to the Tower. ~*~
Harry had watched as Draco had been called to the Headmaster's office and felt a feeling of dread build up in his stomach. Maybe it has something to do with this morning. Harry sighed in anxiety.
"Don't worry mate, Your boyfriend is fine." Ron mutterd.
Harry nodded his head, before coming to a full stop of any movement. He whipped his head round to face a smirking Ron Weasley.
"Wha...ho....I Mean....'Mione?" He managed to squeak out, casting a furtive glance at Hermione but she too had a look of shock on her face.
"When the hell did you find out." She whispered harshly. Harry was currently struck dumb.
"Oh please, Harry mate I've known you for, what, 6 years? I know you inside out and I'm sorry but you have this....gay..vibe thing about you. Throw the slightly lost looks you and Draco share into the equation and even I can figure it out."
Harry laughed, actually LAUGHED as he felt relief wash over him. This made him feel a little better about the whole 'secret' Draco seemed to have.
"Well anyways, now you too have stopped gawking at me, what�s going on?" Ron asked.
"I don't know Ron but I'm gonna ask once I get back to the tower........You know I love you Ron, your so unpredictable sometimes its funny!" Harry smiled at him, and it was returned.
"Well,yeah, go now, we'll cover for you."
So picking up his things Harry walked off stealthily, but with a slight spring in his step, back to the Tower to await Draco's return. He smiled in gratitude to his two friends.
~*~
When Draco gave the Tower password and stepped through he portrait's entrance he was surprised greatly to see Harry waiting for him. With a forced smile the Slytherin came to sit by him on the large squashy couch. Putting an arm around Harry's waist Draco drew him near, "How did you get out of class so early?" He was going to try and steer the conversation away from the subject of him leaving, but he knew it would get quite obvious when he went upstairs and packed his trunk.
Harry raised an ebony eyebrow but played along.
"Ron covered for me, he told me to go found out what was wrong with my boyfriend."
He felt Draco tense and so leant into him further to try to relax him. He didn't want to interrogate Draco but it was becoming a little too worrying.
"Draco, Dragon, _please_ tell me what is happening. I don't want to have everything revealed to me when something goes wrong. They did that to me with Sirius, I didn't know what everyone was doing or guarding and the next thing I know someone I love is dead....Don't do it to me again."
Harry turned pleading eyes towards the blonde and tried to show everything he was feeling in a look.
The Slytherin sighed and closed his eyes to avoid the look in his boyfriend's emerald eyes. When he opened them they were a dull gray rather than their normal icy blue silver. "In two days I will be seven-teen years old, and when a Slytherin turns seven-teen he is asked home for their coming of age part, but everyone knows that they will be receiving the Dark Mark and not a celebration. Along with the Dark Mark comes the initiation of being a Death Eater, which no one will tell me of."
Draco was very tense as he was joining the group that had killed Harry's parants and Godfather, and he knew that he could be protected, but he just couldn't, no wouldn't, live like that.
Harry was shocked and could only coherently think to hug the blonde closer.
"If you know what is happening then why are you going? What do you hope to achieve?"
Harry was getting more and more hysterical at the situation but tried to reign it all in.
Harry frowned but then looked up at the tired face of his boyfriend.
"I'm....I'm glad you told me though." He whispered gently, placing another small kiss on the corner of Draco's lips.
Draco wrapped his arm more tightly around the slim body of his boyfriend , before emitting a small sigh, "I was offered the same protection that you have. To be in the castle, pretty much, until you defeat him, but I'm sorry Harry I can't be cooped up that long. Not knowing that everybody else is out there fighting and doing something, and I am safe and sound doing nothing. "I'm not saying that you don't have a purpose here, you do! You need more training so that you will be able to defeat the Dark Lord, but I am not his target, and if I become a Death Eater I may be able to help the Order, and stop some innocent people from being killed."
Harry frowned but tried to look at him from Draco's point of view. He too needed to do something he couldn't just sit on the side lines of the inevitable war.
"Well I'm not saying that I like it but I know where your coming from. I know what it's like to want to help but be shot down 'cause your either 'too young' or 'shouldn't have to worry'......I'm here if it gets too much for you though." He added quietly. "Promise me on ething though. If you are going to be a spy don't become as grumpy as Snape," He smirked, feeling the tenseness lessen slightly," otherwise I _will_ kick your ass."
Draco growled affectionately, "Does that involve us with no clothes?" When Harry seemed to consider the question the Slytherin guffawed in laughter, stopping to wipe tears. "Ah, I would like to stay for your answer, but I have to go get my trunk packed and then over to the Headmaster's office so that I can floo to the Manor."
The blonde became quiet and rose from the couch going into his room to start packing his clothes, wand, and broom. He dismissed the trembling of his hands as sign of the chill in the room, and was quickly back with his trunk floating lightly behind him. Harry watched every move Draco made as if trying to engrave it on his mind. He stood and walked over to his beautiful lover, stroking every feature; the dip of his one slight dimple, the faint line on his eyelid, all the things that people would call imperfection but to him was more perfect than life.
He felt the trembles that shook Draco lightly and fighting the lump in his throat he closed the space between them and passionately kissed Draco, one that was returned.
Taking Draco's hand in his own he placed it so that they both traced his scar, he himself trembling at the sensitivity of the wound before pressing his forehead against Dracos. He felt his eyes itch with unshed tears and he saw the glassy look in Draco's own. He kissed him again.
"You remember that when it gets too much, do you hear me?" He said, his voice trembling slightly as he stroked the blonde's hair, finding it harder and harder to fight tears when he felt the slight fear in his dragon, although of course Draco would never admit it.
"I love you, Harry." Draco stared into the emerald orbs that had become a constant state of contentment, and sighed softly when Harry softly spoke back, "I love you too, my dragon."
The Slytherin had to slip away then and out of the Common Room. If he didn't he would never leave and he would never accomplish his purpose. Draco quickly moved down the corridor and in the direction of the Headmaster's office, stopping when Snape rounded a corner and stopped him, "Mr. Malfoy I want to wish you a happy Coming of Age, and want you to remember that heroics are not necessary."
Draco shook his head, "No, Professor, they are. Thank you for the happy wishes, good day to you." With a slight incline of his head Draco was away and to the Headmaster's office.
"Well, Draco, are you ready?"
"Yes sir." Draco took a handful of Floo Powder and cast it into the roaring fire that warmed the old man's office.
"Be careful." Was the last words Dumbledore uttered before Draco spoke
"Malfoy Manor" and was gone.
As Draco stepped elegantly out of the fireplace Lucius felt an odd mix of fear that the boy would mess it all up and pride that his son had been chosen to follow in his work.
He walked over and embraced the boy, a fatherly act to those around but he hissed sharply in to Draco's ear "Don't mess this up boy and answer at the appropriate times." He pulled away and led Draco down to the main hall where his wife Narcissa was waiting.
Although she tried hard to hide it, anyone who looked close enough could see the heartbreak and pain she was feeling at handing her only child over to a man made of pure hatred. Draco walked beside of his father, head high, and noted in grim satisfaction that he was a few inches taller than his father. Well, it's about time the man is like a tower.
The Slytherin first walked over to her mother, to whom he gave a large hug and whispered soothingly in her ear. Next, he shook hands with Crabbe and Goyle's parents, and then the room stood silent. Draco slightly winced as a pop exploded into the room, causing the three Death Eaters to put on their cloaks and masks.
"Floo to the Riddle Manor."
Draco nodded and took a pinch of Floo Powder, casting it into the fire he stepped into the warm green flames, that reminded him so much of his Gryffindor's eyes. "Riddle Manor."
As the Slytherin whirled towards the Riddle Manor fire place, he was glad that his voice had come out strong, clear, and steady.
He arrived and stumbled out of the fire place, straightening his robes when he regained his footing. Draco kept himself from shivering, knowing the Dark Lord like no sign of weakness in his followers. In a few moments Crabbe, Goyle, Lucius and Narcissa were stumbling into the room.
"Come Draco." His father still had his mask on, but by the white blonde hair that trailed down his back, it was quite noticable which one was which. Draco still couldn't believe his father was out of Azkaban, but Lucius Malfoy had great influence and he had told the story that he had gone after the gang of young people for their protection and had been put under the Imperius Curse. Amazingly, he had gone free.
"My Lord." Draco stopped suddenly as his father was bowing to kiss the hem of Lord Voldemort's robe. When the other Death Eaters had done the same Draco bent and placed a kiss on the robe. Waiting for Voldemort's command to rise.
"Ah, dear Draco. Your father has told me many wondrous things about you. I've been told that at school you are known as the Slytherin Prince. That is very .. very nice." Draco tensed at the look in the Lord's eye as he looked him up and down, "If you become the Death Eater that your father is I will be very pleased with you." Voldemort pulled forth his wand, "Come here, Draco."
Draco, cold inside and out from the fear, rose calmly and walked over to his soon-to-be Lord. "Give me your left arm." The Slytherin complied and almost hissed as one deathly white hand came foreward to hold his arm in place, "Now .. Deatheis Marciuos." The Dark Lord hissed, and gently laid his wand on the boy's arm. However what came afterwards was not so gentle. Draco was rocked by an amazing sear pain in his left arm, feeling as though someone had taken a knife and etched the Dark Mark into his skin.
When the pain had subsided the Dark Mark glowed freshly on the blonde's skin.
It slowly came to dawn on Draco that the Dark Lord's hand wasn't moving from his arm. His first instinct was to pull away but he had to ignore it. The spidery fingers traced itself up Draco's arm to rest upon his face. Harry had done this many times but with Voldermort it felt all wrong, like the calm before a storm.
"You will do anything to please your master won't you 'Prince'?" The way the cold tongue hissed his title made Draco tremble a little in fear but he nodded anyway.
"Good boy. Now just lie still and you'll be rewarded." The Dark Lord said in a hushed even voice which was more terrifying then if he had shouted it. The white hands pushed the robes from Draco's body and like a lightning bolt Draco was struck with the knowledge of what was to occur. He tensed and even ventured to utter "No" quietly but Voldermort missed it.
No, no, no! It was meant to be _Harry_ . I'm Harry's. Stop. Stop please. His mind was screaming to an empty room, he couldn't voice what he was thinking and the fear and shock of what was occurring had rendered him immobile, save for the trembles that raked his body. He didn't notice when the world began to tilt and his bare back hit the floor, his shirt now in tatters as it appeared Riddle's patience was thinning out, he was growing more rough and forceful.
When the sharp cold of the floor touched his back it was like a wake up. He began to feel tears slide down his cheeks as his trousers were removed roughly, He wanted to fight, to scream to his father who stood watching in indifference to save him. He wanted Harry.
"No, no, no." He sobbed quietly which only seemed to spur the Lord on, the feeling of power acting as a drug and bringing a harsher gleam to his eye. Draco's body began to act upon itself, tensing and hands grasped at the thin shoulders, attempting to push him away but finding it a lost cause. His silent tears intensified as he lay naked upon the floor, Riddle's cold and sharp hands roughly rubbing down his body. As arousal was taking over the Dark Lord, Voldermort ordered the other Death-eaters away. "Leave us.Now." He whispered harshly as desire diluted his pupils. He turned back to the sobbing boy as he rid himself of his robes. He placed his hands upon the boy's cheeks and turned the tear stained face towards his, easily over-riding the teenager's resistance.
"Be a good boy now."
And then he stole Draco's virginity away from him as painfully as possible. Draco by now was screaming in agony, but he had enough power to push the Dark Lord's face away whenever he tried to kiss him. His only coherent thoughts being that his kisses belonged to Harry only. Thoughts of Harry only made the ache in his heart and the pain of his body intensify, until all he had left was to escape into a region of his mind, his eyes becoming expressionless as the tears fell slowly down his cheeks, his body roughly shaking with every thrust the man put into him, the grunts and surroundings blurring as he in a sense left his body. It was his last defense.