Drarry Texts

Thirty Six

Harry was able to leave the infirmary in time for graduation. He wasn't in the best headspace, but he kept insisting that he would be able to handle it. Draco, of course, assured Madame Pomfrey that he would be next to Harry the entire night. The bruises had failed to heal, leaving a large portion of Harry's face to be covered in black and blue spots. The cuts along his body are easy to cover, but when they're alone, Draco prefers Harry not to cover them, wanting to tell him that he's still beautiful.

Currently, the two were sitting in the Great Hall. Harry had been on edge the entire night, not wanting to run into Hermione, knowing he wouldn't be able to handle it if she tried to talk to him. He also didn't want to see Sirius and Remus. They were going to be there tonight, so it was inevitable that they would see him. Harry just hoped they wouldn't ask what had happened until they weren't at Hogwarts. Not that there's anyone at Hogwarts who doesn't know what happened to him.

He was ashamed of himself. Ashamed of the reality that Ryker had raped him in front of Draco. Harry hated the scars and words littered on his skin because of Ryker. And he hated the bruises that covered his face. He was currently too weak to keep up a glamour, so he knew everyone was staring at the bruises. Word spread fast in the Wizarding World. The day after Harry had been placed in the Hospital Wing, an article had been wrote in the Daily Prophet. Most of it was wrong, as most stories in the wizard newspaper was. This had angered Draco. If it hadn't been for Harry, the author of the article would have gotten more than an angry howler.

McGonagall was up at the podium giving a speech that welcomed the families of the soon to be graduated Hogwarts students. This year, there were more people graduating, given the mix of seventh and eighth years. The entire Weasley family was in the front; Arthur had a camera with him ("No, Molly, dear, this one comes from the muggles world. When you take the picture, nothing moves.") Harry saw that Remus and Sirius we're sitting next to them, looking around worridly for Harry. In response, Harry only put his head down, hoping they wouldn't see him.

"It is now my honor," McGonagall wrapped up the speech, "to begin calling the names of our eighth year graduates." A polite applause filled the room and Draco forced Harry to get up and walk to be with everyone else. McGonagall was calling up names one at a time. "Potter, Harry." Harry took a deep breath and walked up to her. His head was held down, but when he turned to the crowd, his eyes locked with Sirius'. His eyes were wide when he saw his godson. Even from where Harry was standing, he could see Sirius squeeze Remus's hand. The two adults looked at him, quietly wondering more now what had happened.

Harry walked off quickly so that he wouldn't cry in front of everyone. Draco had gotten his diploma before Harry did, and was waiting for him. When everyone had finished, Draco walked Harry over to a corner where Sirius and Remus were standing. Once Harry realized where they were going, he struggled, trying to get away. Sirius ran up, though, and hugged Harry tightly. As soon as the man's arms wrapped around him, he let his tears fall, remembering everything he had gone through. "Cub," Sirius asked, "what happened?"

"I . . . can't explain here. You both will know eventually," Harry wiped the years off his face. Draco laced their hands together. Sirius and Remus only nodded in understanding. Pretty soon, their friends began crowding around Harry. It was the first time they had really been able to see him, as Madame Pomfrey never was one for visitors. Especially in bad cases like Harry. None of them brought up what had happened, which Harry was happy about.

After a while of talking, they were about to leave when a cough broke them out of it. Everyone turned to see Hermione standing there. Harry felt a new set of tears form in his eyes when she walked up to him. Draco wrapped his arm protectively around him as Hermione got closer. "Harry, I'm so sorry," Hermione began. "I know I was a shitty friend, but I never meant to be. I-I know there's no real excuse for my actions, but it's kept me up at night thinking about how wrong I was. Can you please just forgive me?"

"Hermione," Harry sighed. "You know what I went through at the Dursley's. You knew what I went through when I went to muggle school. You knew almost everything bad that's happened to me. More than most people do. So you losing faith in me.... It really hurt. And hearing that you turned everyone else against me still being alive too, that just dug the knife deeper." At the analogy, Harry clearly flinched, but he shrugged it off and continued. "Because of that, I can't bring myself to forgive you. I've been hurt too many times by so many people."

Hermione frowned, but nodded. "I get that. Take care, Harry." With that, walked away. Draco pulled Harry in for a hug. When they pulled away, they began leaving the school. Once they were off school grounds, the group of them apparated to Grimmauld Place. When they were inside, Draco pulled Harry in front of everyone. They all knew what Draco was planning except for Harry, of course.

Harry opened his mouth to say something, but Draco kissed him. "Hey, Harry," Draco smiled down at the boy. "I love you. I love you so much. I've seen you cry, I've seen you laugh, and I've seen you do everything in between. I love seeing you laugh and smile. I love helping you get happier when you're upset. And I want to help you get through this trauma you've recently faced. I don't ever want to leave you. So Harry, I want to promise this to you. When you're feeling better, I want to marry you. For now, though, I want to be there for you whenever you need me. I want to be the one you go to whenever you're upset. So Harry, will you allow me to do that for you?"

Draco pulled out a ring. It wasn't an engagement ring, just a thin gray ring with two circles, one red, the other green. Inside of it said the word Promise. Harry smiled widely. A true smile. One he'd never had since coming from the Chamber of Secrets. "Of course, Dray." The words weren't more than a whisper, but Draco heard them. He slipped the ring on to Harry's finger and pulled him in for a kiss. Everyone clapped and Harry let tears fall. They were happy and much needed. He couldn't wait to see what their future holds.

And that's the end of this one, but by - very enthusiastic agreement - there will be a sequel that'll be up in a few days. So don't worry, it's not the end of it yet :)))