Relentless - A Dramione FanFic

Reactions & Explanations

Harry turned his eyes from Draco to the portrait of his parents just over the blonde's shoulder, focusing directly on his father, "So this is what all the 'just-give-Draco-a-chance' and 'try-to-put-the-past-behind-you' remarks were about."

James shrugged and smirked at his son.  Lily, however, smiled warmly and replied, "Yes, this is what those remarks were about.  We all agreed," Lily indicated the rest of the portraits, "To let you come to terms with Draco on your own, but your father," she shot an annoyed look at her husband, "just couldn't keep himself from butting into your business."

James dramatically feigned insult, placing his hand over his chest and retorting, "Ugh... I'm offended.  That offends me, Lily.  Honestly." Lily rolled her eyes and playfully smacked him in the arm. 

All heads sharply turned as a familiar, gravelly voice rang out from across the room, "Oh sod off, mate.  You know full well you'd have blurted out the whole truth the first night Harry visited us if Lily hadn't threatened to move to another frame for a month. Honestly, I'm surprised you didn't take that chance, seeing as how she couldn't have gone anywhere outside this room."

"Yeah, well, I couldn't rightly have her moving in with you, now could I, Sirius?" James shot back sarcastically.

"That's enough, boys," Lily reigned them back in. "As amusing as your bantering is, there's a real conversation that needs to take place, and our role is to fill in the blanks, not run it."

"Too right you are, Lily," Remus' soothing tone floated from the frame next to hers and James', "But may I just say how pleased I am that James' meddling paid off for once.  Who knows how long it might have taken for Harry to soften towards Draco had his father not encouraged him to do so."

"Thank you, Moony." James drew himself up a bit taller, putting on an heir of pride.

Remus went on to add, "That's not to say I agree with you sticking your nose in his business," James shrunk back slightly, "But I'm glad it helped speed along the process."

"I second that." As thirteen gazes turned wide-eyed to him, Draco then scrambled to clarify, "The speeding up the process part.  I have no opinion regarding you butting into Harry's business."

James gave Draco a small 'you're welcome' nod.

Harry finally seemed to find his voice again, "So all these years...all the insults...its all been an act?"

"Correct." Draco replied. "I've never actually disliked any of you.  Okay, that's not entirely true, I highly disliked Ron when he made Hermione cry at the Yule Ball, and when he eventually got together with her," Draco's heart leapt upon seeing the sparkle in his girlfriend's eyes and the blush on her cheeks. "But those instances stemmed from my feelings for her, not from prejudices or hatred.  From the first day I met you in Madam Malkin's I wanted nothing more than to be my true self around you... to be your friend... to tell you how sorry I was about what happened to you and your parents."

"I feel like I am in some sort of alternate reality right now." Harry confessed.  "I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around the words coming out of your mouth."

Draco and the two girls chuckled.  "That's understandable.  I'm sure I'd feel the same way if the roles were reversed."

Harry suddenly felt Ginny go tense beside him.  He turned to find the color had drained from her face, but before he could ask what was wrong, she opened her mouth to speak.  No one, not even the portraits were prepared for what came out.  "The Dark Mark." Her voice was barely more than a whisper.  "You were forced to become a death eater against your will."  Her eyes locked with his, and the pain she found there was all the confirmation she needed.