The lion and The Snake - a drarry fanfic

Chapter 28:

Harry's Pov:

The days have been growing longer, the summer warmer, but Draco more absent as he furiously revises for his N.E.W.Ts. Often Hermione is found by his side, after we found the truth about Pansy we have been avoiding her, thus concluding in me and Ron practicing quidditch besides the giant lake. Currently I'm procrastinating. Anything rather than Slughorn's essay on the moral implications of the love potion - I honestly couldn't care less.

Someone coughs awkwardly behind me. I raise my head from the mahogany desk in the Gryffindor common room. A 2nd year starts to speak.

"No." I interrupt. "What gives you the right to disturb my studying?" The boy gives a whimper.

"Studying, do you mean sleeping?" Neville jibes. "Ignore him Peter. The boy who lived comes with a huge helping of sass. Draco is outside Harry. That is what Peter was going to tell you."

"Sorry Peter, I get grumpy when people disturb my studying."

"Sleep." Neville corrected.

"It's okay Harry!" He says in an innocent voice and scuttles off back to the 2nd year's corner. I exchange in a small amount of banter with Neville, say goodbye and then run to the common room door.

Draco is sitting on the stairs; oblivious to my arrival. Making the most of the opportunity I creep towards his back with a careful tread to avoid making any noise; holding my breath I move my face next to his; I scream at the top of my lungs. Draco flies down the stairs in a state of panic. When he realises it was me he doesn't laugh, just stares at me, eyes brimming with emotions.

"Sorry Draco." I mutter. I walk down the stairs and hug him, placing his narrow frame into my board shoulders. "What's wrong?" I tentatively whisper in his ear.

"Let's talk by the lake." His voice is weak. We walk hand in hand. No one is bothered by us anymore.

Outside the sun warms our backs but the air provides a cool breeze - it would've been rather delightful besides Draco's slumping shoulders indicating that something has gone terribly wrong. We perch underneath a huge oak tree, with the lake to our left and the Hagrid's hut far off to the right.

"My mother..." Draco starts to speak but his voice breaks off. I put my hand on his knee to comfort him. He sniffs and starts again. "My mother, she sent this letter. I can't explain it. You read it." He pulls out an envelope ruined but two people's tear stains; black from his mother's mascara and clear from his grey eyes. Draco stuffs it on my lap and starts shaking uncontrollably. Before I open the letter I need to ensure that my Slytherin is okay. My hand moves around his back, pulls his body down so his head is resting on my lap and gently strokes his beautiful blonde hair.

"No matter what this says Draco, no matter what. I will always love you. Yeah?" He sobs back I love you, although it's barely audible.

I open the letter; expecting nothing good to come of it.

"Dear Draco, my son.

You must stay away from Harry Potter and wed Astoria Greengrass. I have tried to prevent it, even your father has, but it is no use Hyperion Greengrass will kill us all (Harry, you, me and your father) if you don't not comply.

Don't try and change this Draco. It's too late, your father unwillingly made the deal. To protect Harry, you stay away from him. Hyperion is prepared to kill anyone in his way. Don't be stupid Draco. I almost lost you to Voldemort. I can lose you to Hyperion.

With love and regret,
Your mother."

The wind stopped. The lake froze. The Sun went out. All the background noise of 1st years screaming and Hagrid gardening were silenced. The letter dropped from my hand and fluttered innocently onto Draco's face. My head fell back; hitting the trunk of the old oak. This time Draco moved to comfort me, although I was vaguely aware of his touch.

"You will love me always. I will love you always. I'm not going to marry the bitch. I want you. Yeah?" Draco is shaking me; begging for a response.

"No."

"No?" He cries.

"We will find our way around this, but you must marry her - keep you and your family safe. I have this mirror, that used to belong to Sirius and my father, which will allow us to communicate."

"Please Harry don't do this." Draco is begging. I kiss him on the forehead and wrap my entire body around him.

"Let's meet in the room of requirements at 8 o'clock." I kiss him one last time. Regretfully I leave him sobbing by the tree. Alone I walk to Hagrid - I could do with some company.

Behind me I sense movement. I turn my head slightly to each side. It takes me a while to notice him but Hyperion Greengrass is following me. I pick up my pace to avoid danger. I'm practically running when I burst into Hagrid's hut.

"Hullo Harry. Rock cake?" He bellows.

"Yes please."