𝐃𝐑𝐀𝐑𝐑𝐘 𝐇/𝐃/𝐒 𝐁𝐄𝐋𝐓𝐀𝐍𝐄 2008

Splintered (4/4)

Chapter 4: Splintered (4/4)

Chapter Text

Splintered (4/4)

Charlie came over for a few beers that night, something for which Harry was grateful. He knew he shouldn't say much, as his job demanded a certain sense of confidentiality, but Draco had given him leave to tell his gay friend about Draco. Little did Draco know that his supposed gay friend was both a front for himself, and a reality.

"How've you been, Harry?" Charlie asked as he shook Harry's hand.

"Alright," Harry replied. "Been working an interesting case...its kind of shocking, really." Harry watched Charlie carefully...he wanted to talk about it, but he didn't want to just come out and say it either.

"Oh?" Charlie grinned good naturedly. "Spill."

Harry grinned. He should have known better, Charlie was pretty sharp. He picked up on Harry's need to talk right away. "You don't have to if you don't want to, I know you have to keep things confidential," Charlie added.

Harry sighed. "I do, usually. But this is different. It involves something that is relevant to our conversations of late and...well, I kind of got permission to share a piece of very interesting information with you," Harry said, retrieving beers for both of them.

"Oh? So what's this all about, Harry?" Charlie settled in to listen.

"Okay, so Draco Malfoy was attacked last week in Knockturn Alley. Nothing was stolen from him, but he was basically left to die, and his wand was snapped to boot."

"Shite, that's rough," Charlie said. "So what does it have to do with us?"

"Well...it turns out that Draco is gay." Harry was interrupted by Charlie choking on his beer.

"You're joking," he said, still coughing to clear his throat. "The poster boy for pureblood prejudice is a fairy?"

Harry couldn't help but chuckle along with Charlie. "Yeah, it came as a bit of a surprise. To be honest, I don't think it's set in yet."

"I can imagine. So what happened?"

"It seems that Draco was desperate for a shag, came on to the wrong bloke and got beaten almost to death for his trouble."

"Fuck me," Charlie said. "That's...wow, our world is very strongly against homosexuality, but I've never heard of anything like that before. He was attacked because he's gay?" Charlie was clearly floored.

"Yeah," Harry said. "It's pretty shocking. It used to happen a lot with Muggles but, unlike wizards, they got over it...for the most part. It was pretty rare in the Muggle world now, as far as I know."

"I knew it was bad, but this is beyond," Charlie looked thoughtful, watching Harry closely.

"I know," Harry said. "It's sick is what it is. I had no idea...I mean, how are we supposed to be happy if we have to live under the threat of death if we should let it out? Are we supposed to flee to the Muggle world?"

Charlie sighed. "No, we're not supposed to run away, Harry. Magic is too precious and rare when you think of how few of us there are compared to the Muggles. But we're not supposed to be happy either. We're not supposed to exist, in their eyes. And if we do, we should keep quiet about it, get married and produce more magical children. They don't care how we feel about it."

Harry buried his head in his hands, gripping his hair so tightly that his eyes began to water. He had no clue when he'd come out to Ginny just what it would mean for the rest of his life. All he could now see in his future was loneliness, paranoia and fear of discovery. He knew a grand total of two other gay wizards, one of whom was like a brother to him. He was attracted to Draco, it was true. What were the chances that they could find love and be happy together?