𝐀 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐓 𝐒𝐎 𝐑𝐀𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐎𝐔𝐒

Chapter 43

Chapter Number/Total: 43/44
Chapter Title: Hard Truth

Harry rubbed hard at his forehead as he sat in bed with his back against the headboard, trying to concentrate on the work he'd brought home because there was so much of it. It was difficult to get done. Without Narcissa there constantly, Ron and Hermione also gone, and Draco still unable to walk very well, the twins were much harder to look after. It seemed like they cried twice as much, needed feeding twice as much, changing twice as much and everything twice as much, and it had only been a few days since Harry had gone back to work. The babies were exhausting.

Draco looked down at the papers on their bed and shook his head. It was bad enough he didn't see Harry all day, but then when Harry came home, he barely paid any attention to Draco at all. The blond sighed and hung up his dressing gown before sitting down on what was left of the mattress.

Harry was vaguely aware that Draco was there, and only looked up to make sure that he wasn't squashing anything. "Where are the boys?" he asked absently, quickly jotting down the incantation for an Obliteration Charm.

"Sleeping, for the moment," Draco said. He lay back on the bed, naked, and stretched, watching to see if Harry even noticed.

"Don't roll on that parchment, babe," Harry said, noticing the movement out of the corner of his eye but not actually looking up.

Draco scowled and sat up, throwing his legs off the bed and getting to his feet again. He reached for his robe again.

Harry did look up then, frowning. "What?"

Draco's eyes narrowed and his lips were set in a thin line as he tied the belt on his black silk dressing gown.

Harry sighed, rubbing his forehead again. "I have to get this done," he said a little sharply. "I'm sorry, but I have to."

"Then do it," Draco hissed, walking toward the door of the room.

"I will, then," Harry snapped back, not wanting to fight but unable to help it.

Draco stumbled, but managed to catch himself on the edge of the door, muttering profanity in various languages as he did. He opened the door and stalked out of the room.

Harry was not going to follow him, not only because he wasn't going to go to his knees like a puppy, but because he really did have to get the paperwork in. Did Draco not realise he was more than a bloody month behind?

Draco leaned against the wall, face in his hands. He was not going to cry, he told himself.

Harry stayed in bed, still trying to work and getting angrier because he could feel the guilt niggling at him. It made it even harder to concentrate.

Draco debated with himself. Should he go to the library and try to read, or go lie down in one of the guest rooms? He began to make his way to the stairs. He had forgot to grab his cane.

Harry wished there were a spell to block out everything except what he actually wanted to think about. He tapped his quill on the parchment, mind still on Draco and how much of a bloody prat he could be.

Standing at the top of the stairs, Draco paused. Maybe he should Apparate instead of trying them.

Harry sighed, wondering if going to find Draco to make up after their tiny squabble would help him get done faster. Merlin, he was such a bloody arse-kisser. He frowned at his own thought.

Draco held the rail and began to make his way down the stairs. As luck would have it, his legs began to tremble before he made it to the first landing, and then completely gave out a few steps later. He fell in heap, resuming his profane chant.