The Alpha Dynasty (Sequel to MARKED FOR DESTINY) (Book 2 of 2)

24. At The Table

Draco watched Blaise leave, and then Harry.  He knew that Blaise was hating himself right now, and the only person who could bring him back from that was his husband.  After the doors shut, he looked at the others, wondering if he should elaborate.  He knew they were each filled with their own thoughts and concerns, and wanted them to enjoy the day for Harry's sake, and not let this get in their way.

"Did you know?", asked Narcissa.  When he looked at his mother, it wasn't him she was looking at, but at Harry's friends, Hermoine and Ron.  He swallowed and waited for them to reply.  

With tears running down her face, Hermoine shook her head.  "No.  We knew that they were strict with Harry, but he never told us in detail.  Every time we asked, he said the topic was closed for discussion.  I always wondered why, but now I know.  He feels shame, and it wasn't even his fault", came the reply.

"And you?", Narcissa asked Ron.  He looked at her with horror of what they had just heard, and shook his head.  

"Then I propose to do exactly what he has asked.  None of us speak of it again, none of us will seek revenge on his part.  We love him the way he is, no matter what, and it is his birthday.  So we will celebrate it to the full extent, and he will go to bed a happy man tonight, is that clear?", she stated.

Everyone nodded, and when she looked at her son, she saw that he was frowning.  He was feeling everything that Harry was.  But suddenly the frown made way for a smile, and at that moment, she knew that the rest of the day was going to be great.  When the two men from outside came back, she would insist that Harry start opening gifts.

Lucius was in shock.  How the hell could a magical child be treated as such.  It was disgusting, and if he had been the man he used to be, he would hurt the Dursleys back, and he would do it with a smile.  But he knew he couldn't do that.  Perhaps this muggle thing called Karma, would see to them. 

Snape was reeling.  He knew about the cupboard because Harry had spoken of it when his friends had come over to complete his Inner Circle.  He knew of the beatings, but he had not known about this.  Revulsion at the people who had done this cursed through him, but he would not linger on it because Harry had asked them not to.

Dumbledore was heartbroken.  Not being able to celebrate your birthday was like having someone steal away your breath.  Taking something so important to you, and also without asking.  He wasn't a man that liked to dwell on hate, but he thought that in this instance, he could allow it.  Just this once.

Mcgonagall was speechless.  She thought the worst was Harry being raised in a cupboard.  When all the other little things came to light, she wasn't sure which was worse.  The fact that he had been locked away, his school stuff taken away from him - because there was no such thing as magic - or the truth about his birthdays.  Blasted muggles!

Narcissa was a proud woman.  Not because she was a Malfoy.  Not because her son was an Omega, married to most powerful wizard in their world, but because of the way she had held herself when Harry had spoken.  Normally, she would have stood up and thrown a tantrum, but not in this case.  Oh Harry, she thought.  This will be the first of many happy birthdays, she made a promise to herself, and she would tell him the same thing.

Pansy was worried.  She had seen the look of sadness of Blaise's face when he had left, and knew that he was sorry for the way that he had treated Harry back at school.  He certainly was a strong young man.  She remembered all her birthdays, being gifted exactly what she wanted, all the while Harry sitting in his cupboard, not even hearing the words to wish him well.  How he must have hated his life.  But now, he was a changed man, and he loved it.

Ron and Hermoine would talk to Harry about it when they were alone again.  She had to know if there was any more that they were going to find out, but it wouldn't be today.  She felt glad that it had been said, almost as if a wound that had been festering had been opened, and all the ugly had spewed out of it.  Harry must certainly feel lighter.  She smiled at Ron and squeezed his hand.

At first, Draco had felt sadness at the way his friend had reacted.  Then when Harry left, he knew that they would resolve it outside.  Blaise and Harry shared their own special connection, and Draco knew that Blaise admired the man.  In order for you to protect your interests, it was almost as if you had to know everything about them.  And this news, had hit Blaise from out of left field, and he hadn't been prepared for it.  He had seen the look on confusion on all of their faces when Harry didn't know what today was, and he would have dealt with it, but he was glad that Harry had spoken up.

He couldn't feel pity coming from anyone.  The guilt was still there, albeit much less, and the anger had lessened considerably as well.  And for this alone, he was grateful.  Harry hated pity, which was probably the only reason that he never told his friends of the abuse when they had been younger.  Now, being a man, he could face it.  Address it.  Speak of it.  And then move on.  He was so so proud of him.  

He himself, had also not known that Harry had been berated in the manner that he had, and he had also not known about the birthday blues.  Harry had told him that he always told his family that he never wanted anything for his birthday.  So it seemed that Harry had lied to him, and this saddened him immensely.  

He wanted nothing more than to hug the life out of Harry, and wondered if there was still a possibility that Harry would help him find a place to bury the bodies.  Only they would have to know!  But he knew that the man he married would never do that, no matter the level of abuse that had been handed to him.  What exactly did that tell you about Harry Potter.  What was the lesson here?

That Harry Potter taught us that nobody should ever be locked in a cupboard.