𝐀 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐓 𝐒𝐎 𝐑𝐀𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐎𝐔𝐒

Chapter 14

Chapter Number/Total: 14/44
Chapter Title: Leaving




Harry was staring ahead without actually looking at anything, thinking as he did. He combed slowly through Draco's hair with his fingers, comfortable with the warm weight pressed against his chest as they sat on the sofa. A quiet week had gone by since their trip to the portrait gallery in London. They hadn't done much except stay at home with each other, with which Harry really was fine, but ... seeing the Weasleys, and not just Ron, but all of them had felt ... right? Well, yes it had. He felt bad for completely shutting them out of his life for as long as he had. Mostly, it had been because seeing the Weasleys at the Burrow meant it was out of the question for Draco to go with him. Neither of them were very comfortable with that. And it was also true that Harry had been afraid to go over there because, well, he didn't think they would want to see him. But now he didn't have that excuse. Things had gone well with the Weasleys. Not only did he want to let them know that he didn't want to sever ties, but it was also still so close to when Fred had died. He did want to know how they were doing.

He released a small sigh, still stroking Draco's hair. "You know what?" he said quietly.

Draco was reading, but only just. His eyes kept closing as he enjoyed the feel of Harry's fingers in his hair. He felt drowsy, warm and happy. He blinked and looked up. "What?"

Harry's fingers stilled and then he brought them down, smiling softly as he traced Draco's nose. He didn't want to upset him, even though he knew he might. "I've been wondering how the Weasleys are doing." He was careful not to hesitate or show his own fear of the thought.

Draco tilted his head back, looking up at Harry. "You have?"

"Yeah," Harry said with a few nods. "Since I saw them last week."

Draco arched an eyebrow questioningly as he laid his book open against his chest, focusing on Harry. "Tell me," he whispered.

"I ... miss them," Harry said after a moment. So much for not hesitating. "And Fred died last year, just last week. I know I've been feeling bad about it, so they must be feeling a million times worse."

"You want to go visit them," Draco said softly. It wasn't a question. His heart sped up and he took a deep breath.

Harry brought his arms down around Draco's chest, moving the book aside to pull him tighter. "I know ... we haven't been apart since - for a while, and I don't want to be apart, but ...."

"I know," Draco said quietly, lying his hands on Harry's arms. "You should go see them."

"You ... would be okay here?" Harry asked, frowning a little.

Draco shrugged, not wanting to admit to it making him nervous. "You can't stay home forever," he said.

"No, I guess not," Harry whispered, kissing Draco's hair.

He smiled weakly up at Harry again. "I should be safe here."

Harry felt his own heart speed up then. "It's still protected," he said, as much to Draco as to himself. "And ... Kreacher's here." He would take any small comfort he could get.

Draco smiled crookedly, affectionate and amused. "Yes, I should be fine," he assured him. "I can focus on my potion experiments while you go visit your friends."

Harry nodded. "Only a few hours, and then back home with you," he said.

***

Some people probably wouldn't believe how difficult leaving the house could be. It was completely irrational to think that Draco wouldn't be home when Harry got back, but that didn't mean the thought wouldn't cross Harry's mind. It did cross his mind, several times in fact, as he got ready to leave for the Burrow. He couldn't help the thoughts, so he simply tried to push them back. Draco was right. He couldn't stay home forever, not if he actually wanted to keep the other people he cared about.

It didn't take him long to dress, despite the fact that he actually took his time. He was ready to leave except ... not. He knew he was being stupid, and that was what bothered him the most. "I guess I'm ready to go," he said to Draco, standing in the doorway of their bedroom.

Draco had dressed in simple, comfortable clothes as he usually did on days he was working in the lab. That, combined with Harry's hesitation, meant that he had been dressed first and watching his lover. "I see that," he said softly, amusement warring with nerves.

Harry shrugged and sighed heavily. He could feel the words 'Are you sure you're going to be okay?' on the tip of his tongue, but he didn't want to say them, thinking it might make them both more nervous. So he said, "Is this stupid?" which was probably worse.

"Seeing the Weasleys?" Draco teased, then rolled his eyes. "Or being afraid to leave me alone?" He sighed and stood up, holding a hand out to Harry.

"I think you know," Harry said, managing a small half-smile as he took Draco's hand and threaded their fingers.

"I'll be fine," Draco assured him, drawing him close and sliding an arm around Harry's waist.

"I know," Harry answered, closing his eyes for a few seconds. "And I'm going, I just ... It's only a few hours."

"Would it help if I promised not to even open the front door while you're gone?" Draco asked, kissing his forehead.

"Maybe," Harry said, rolling his eyes - though, that didn't really sound so bad. "I'm sure I'll be fine once I'm there."

"I should be worried about you," Draco whispered. "But I know you can handle yourself." He smirked at that.

Harry rolled his eyes again. "Well, I don't think you can't handle yourself, I just don't -" He huffed. "You'll be fine and I'll be home in a few hours." He wondered how many times he could say it without it making an ounce of difference in his feelings.

Part of Draco just wanted to pull Harry back in bed and never let him out of his sight. Yet he knew, for Harry's sake, he had to push him to go. "That's good, maybe I will get some potions work done," he said with a huff.

Harry took a deep breath. "Okay, I'm leaving now," he said, but his hand was still in Draco's while the other rested on the small of Draco's back.

Draco shook his head, and laughed softly. He released Harry's hand and stepped back, literally pushing him gently. "Yes, you are."

"No, wait," Harry said, pulling Draco up close to him again and pressing their lips together.

Draco returned the kiss eagerly, feeling his resolve weakening.

"Okay," Harry whispered into his mouth. "I'm leaving."

"Yes," Draco whispered, but didn't move away again. The longer Harry delayed, the more difficult he was finding it to push him.

"Okay," Harry repeated, nodding as he forced himself back. "I'll see you in a bit."

Draco nodded, swallowing hard. "Yes, soon."

Harry nodded again. "Love you," he said, walking backwards slowly.

"I know," Draco said, smirking as he stood in place with his hands on his hips.

Harry smiled, raising his hand in a brief not-quite-wave as he turned and exited their room.

Draco stayed in place, listening to Harry's footfalls as he moved down the stairs. Only after he'd heard the door close did he relax, stumbling back to the bed. He sat there, breathing deeply and getting his nerves to calm down. Eventually, he did make his way to his potions lab.

***

Harry might not have been inside the house, but he remained standing on the front step for certainly longer than he needed. He took a giant of a breath, feeling stupid again, and made his way down the few stairs. He looked back and watched the house disappear from sight before taking yet another deep breath, shoving hands into his pockets, and beginning on his way down a few streets to the safe Apparation point. Once there he stalled again, bending to tie his shoe - aside from the fact that the laces weren't actually loose. He shook his head at himself, even though his heart was beating madly and he really would've been quite happy to turn right around and go home. He knew he would just end up feeling bad about not leaving and have to leave anyway. He was already this far; all he had to do now was Apparate.

He closed his eyes and rubbed his forehead, taking one last deep breath, and then Apparated before he could change his mind.

It had been so sadly long since he'd been in the Weasleys' backyard, but his body clenched when he thought of how far he'd just gone from Draco. He forced himself to begin forward, moving towards the house and then raising his hand to knock.

It took a few moments for someone to answer, but he was met with the sight of Mrs. Weasley as she opened the door. She looked surprised, blinking a few times. "Harry?"

Harry smiled in a grimacing way and shrugged. "Hi," he said. "Care to let me in?"

Mrs. Weasley shook her head at him, smiling as she pulled him inside and then into a hug.

Harry smiled softly too as he felt his nervousness ebb slightly.

"What on earth are you doing here?" she asked, pulling back and patting his arm. "It's been ages."

"Erm, well, I thought I'd just come to see how everyone's doing," Harry answered.

Her smile turned a little sadder then, but Harry pretended not to notice. "How have you been?" she asked as she reached behind him to shut the door.

"I've been fine," Harry nodded. "Just, you know, staying home a lot. Trying to change that a little."

Mrs. Weasley nodded too.

They both stood and stared at each other for a few lingering moments before Mrs. Weasley said, "Why don't we sit and have a chat in here for a bit? We haven't talked in months."

Harry was surprised. "Oh," he said. "Er, Okay." He had been expecting her to lead him out to everyone else... He walked over to the kitchen table, taking a seat in one of the wooden chairs.

"Something to drink?" she asked. "Tea?"

"Yeah, sure," Harry answered, quietly tapping his fingers.

Mrs. Weasley bustled about making the tea and every time Harry caught sight of her face he thought it looked a little odd. He could tell that whatever talk she wanted to have was bound to be an uncomfortable one. It made him feel nervous again. At the gallery she'd been nothing but insistent upon him seeing her often ... of course, that place hadn't really been ideal for a conversation.

She finally brought two mugs over to the table and sat down across from Harry, smiling, but that strange look was still there too.

Harry took his tea, to which Mrs. Weasley had already added the sugar, sipping it.

Mrs. Weasley sighed quietly. "Harry," she began. "You know we consider you practically one of our own, don't you?"

Harry looked up at her and gave a small smile.

She returned the smile. "Well, we do," she said. "We love you like a son and... it's still true despite - well, despite what happened."

Harry winced. Oh, Merlin, they were going to talk about that?

She reached across the table and patted one of Harry's hands. "I know," she said. "All I want to do is let you know that we really do still love you, Harry. We know why you stayed away. I understand it."

Harry was still wincing.

"It's been so long since all of this happened and I wouldn't bring it up at all if I didn't think we needed to get it out in the open," she continued. "Now, I - I am Ginny's mother. I was worried about her and her feelings, and ... well, dear, we were all a little confused when we found out it was Draco Malfoy you were with ...."

Harry's face flushed. "Mrs. Weasley -"

"I'm not lecturing, Harry," she said gently. "I don't want to do that. You're perfectly able to choose your own ... boyfriend. Given the things that have happened in the past with the Malfoys ... Arthur and I - we didn't really understand at first ... I suppose if I'm perfectly honest, we still don't really see it, but, Harry, we trust you. We know you must see things we don't, and you certainly must know him better than any of us."

Harry was still flushed. He hadn't planned on talking about Ginny or any of this, though he probably shouldn't have been surprised. They hadn't, after all, talked since the break-up.

"I do think things could have been handled better with Ginny," Mrs. Weasley went on, patting Harry's hand again. "But I suppose that's happened already, so -" She sighed again. "I just want you to know that you don't have to stay away because of that. I know there might be ... other reasons for staying away, but I wanted to make sure that was clear. No one's angry with you, Harry."

Yes, there were other reasons why Harry hadn't come over in so long. Indeed, being away from Draco was one of them. He'd almost not come that day, but it was nice to hear her words anyway. "I'm sorry for what I did to her," he said quietly. "I didn't mean for it to get so ... for it to go so far. I didn't, and before I knew what was happening it had already been weeks and -"

"You don't have to explain," said Mrs. Weasley, shaking her head. "It doesn't excuse it, but we know you."

Harry sighed in relief. "I'm sorry," he said again.

Mrs. Weasley smiled. "I know you are," she said.

They sat staring at each other at the table, but Harry felt better again.

"And, Harry," Mrs. Weasley said quietly. "We ... we were all so worried when ...."

Harry grimaced.

"I wanted to come to the hospital, but then we didn't know if ... he was too badly injured." She shook her head. "There isn't any excuse. We didn't know if you would want to see us and we had Ron tell us if everything was okay. Oh, Harry, I'm sorry."

"No, Mrs. Weasley," said Harry. "It's fine. Honestly ... it's probably better that not everyone came up. I - I don't know if either of us were ready to deal with ... a lot of people right then."

Mrs. Weasley sighed and nodded. "And you're doing better?" she asked. "Both of you?"

Harry wasn't entirely sure what the correct answer for that was. Were they doing better since it had happened initially? Well, yes, that was true. He nodded. "Yes, we're ... we are doing better."

"Good," she said firmly.

Harry gave her another small smile.

"Well," Mrs. Weasley said, "the others are in the sitting room. Let's go and let them know you're here." She stood, taking Harry's empty mug.

Harry stood as well, waiting for her to put the mugs in the sink before heading into the sitting room with her.

Mr. Weasley, Ron, and George were there. The three men looked up when Harry and Mrs. Weasley entered.

"Harry," said Ron, sounding surprised. "What are you doing here?"

Harry smiled at him. "Just visiting," he answered.

Mr. Weasley smiled and nodded, getting to his feet to give him a hug and a handshake. "How have you been?" the man asked.

Harry sighed with more relief as he sat down on the sofa. "I've been fine," he answered, and he realised that he'd been letting his nerves get the best of him, like it seemed he'd been doing for a long while now. He was glad it had all been for no reason.

***

Harry sat listening to Mr. Weasley with the others. He was telling them all about the mess an old warlock had made by enchanting a pair of trousers to stick to whomever put them on. Harry laughed at the description of the Muggle man that had ended up wearing the trousers, but then, "Harry," came a quiet voice in his ear, and when Harry turned, he saw that it was George. It was still difficult to get used to the man being so quiet all the time. "Yeah?" he said.

"Mind if we talk for a second?" George asked.

Harry didn't know what George would want to talk about, but he nodded, standing from the sofa.

Ron raised an eyebrow in question.

Harry shrugged, and George, who had seen, waved his brother off, leading Harry into the nearby hallway.

Harry stood against the wall and suddenly remembered the last time he had been - mostly - alone with George. Draco had been there too.

"You're okay, right?" George asked, looking strangely past Harry, at the wall. "I read the article in the paper, so I know that -"

"Yes, I'm fine," Harry interjected.

George sighed and nodded, meeting Harry's eyes then. "I suppose I want to apologise," he said.

"Apologise?" asked Harry, frowning. "For what?"

"We haven't really talked since Christmas," George said pointedly. "I knew I was being an arse - though you did deserve it."

Harry winced and nodded. "Probably deserved worse," he admitted.

George smiled crookedly. "Yeah," he agreed. "Probably." He shook his head, slipping his hands into his pockets. "I guess I was a little hard on you though. I just ...."

Harry shook his own head then. "No," he said. "You were right. I knew it then and I know it now. Plus, she's your sister. I mean, how else were you supposed to act?"

George shrugged. "Why did you do it that way?" he asked after a moment.

Harry frowned. "I don't know ... It wasn't easy to do," he said quietly. "I was ... being a coward mostly."

George nodded again, waiting a minute. "I don't understand why you'd pick him but ...." He snorted. "We're okay then?"

Harry huffed but smiled. "I am if you are."

George held his hand out and Harry shook it.

George smiled back then. "Good," he said, turning to head into the sitting room, but Harry grasped his shoulder.

"Wait," he said. "How the hell did you pick up on us at Christmas? I didn't think we were that obvious. Been wondering about it."

George snorted again. "Me and ... Fred ... were always in on the gossip. Never know what might come in handy. We knew Malfoy was into blokes, so I just wondered about it when you said you'd been hanging around him. It would have been obvious to everyone else as well if they'd known what I did."

"Ahh," said Harry, shaking his head. "I should've known."

George chuckled. "Ready to head back now?" he asked after they had stood there for another few moments.

"Yeah," said Harry, "but, George?"

George looked at him.

Harry was lost for words for a few short moments. He didn't want to say something that might bring up pain. "How ... how are you?"

George's face fell, but he gave a sad smile after a second. "I think it's easier over here," he said. "Being with everyone else helps."

"That's good," Harry said, smiling sadly as well.

"And anyway," George continued, "he wouldn't want me to be a loner. That's the last thing Fred was. He'd probably take the piss for me hugging up on his dirty socks or something."

Harry chuckled. "Probably," he agreed quietly.

"Yeah," George said with a true smile, and they left to rejoin the others.