Author: Bell Pie toggledog@yahoo.com

Fandom: Harry Potter

Pairing: Harry/Draco, a hint of Remus/Sirius

Rating: NC17

Warnings: Very Angsty, contains suggestions of rape, hurt/comfort

Spoilers: All four books, particularly PoA

Summary: After Draco claims to have been raped by Sirius Black, Harry investigates.

Disclaimer: Owned by the wonderful J K Rowling

Author’s Notes: I have decided to rework this from the original story. To everyone that liked it- thanks!!!  To all the people that wrote (and even flamed) saying Draco would not want intimate physical affection after his attack, I thank you. I am, admittedly, a little shamed of the naiveté in my writing and apologize if I have offended anyone. I have altered the story somewhat to take this into account and am pleased with the results. In fact, I feel it is a better fic for it. In terms of the affection he does receive, I feel he would accept a small amount of affection from Harry, as long as he felt in control.

I am considering writing a sequel, dealing with, of course, H/D's evolving relationship, but also Draco (Hagrid, Madam Pomfrey and Harry, called in by the defense) testifying against the rapist in 'wizard court'. Yay or nay? Please R&R.
 
 
 

As soon as Harry stepped into the hall, he sensed the other students were watching him. This was not entirely unusual. As the reason for Lord Voldemort’s down fall sixteen years before, and because of his innate ability to save the school from dark forces, he was used to the trappings of celebrity.

But, he sensed a different vibe this chilly winter’s day. The occasional surreptitious glare was followed by whispers, even (though this was not entirely unusual) glares from a few of the Slytherin contingent. As his least favorite teacher, Snape, strode past, black robes swishing behind him; Harry could not help but gasp in astonishment. Snape (usually the master of poisonous looks) aimed an expression at Harry that sent a diamond bullet straight into his chest. He put his head down, feeling a flush rise to his cheeks.

Just get to the library.

 After two hours of early morning, bitterly cold Quidditch practice, even organizing his University course for the next year seemed like jolly good fun. As Hogwarts now catered for higher learning, also, Harry was determined to study there. He found Ron and Hermione seated behind a large pile of books. Hermione’s head was stuck in a novel, her Head Girl badge gleaming off reflected rays filtering through the stained glass window above. Ron was doodling on paper, lips pursed in a thoroughly bored expression. Harry flopped down next to him. The attractive redhead stared at Harry, his blue eyes betraying his anxiety. As Hermione lifted her head from her book, momentarily, their eyes caught, blue on brown.

"I think he’s lying", Ron suddenly turned to Harry. "You know Malfoy. Anything for attention."

Harry’s green eyes crinkled, as he felt anger rise within him

What has that bastard said about me?

This swiftly changed to bewilderment when Hermione spoke.

"Ron! Rape victims should never be ‘not believed'. It’s only-"

"Excuse me, sorry." Harry interrupted her. "What are you talking about?"

Ron stared at him as if he had suddenly grown an attractive new nose on his ear. Hermione frowned, yet sympathy showed in her dark eyes.

"You mean you don’t know?" Ron asked

"Mr. Potter."

Harry turned to the slender, bespectacled Professor McGonagall behind him.

"Dumbledore would like to see you in his office. Miss Granger, Mr. Weasley, you can come too."

Harry dared not ask anything, as he was lead up the stone staircase. As Dumbledore opened the door to his office; Harry was struck by its homeliness. He had been in his office a few times in the past seven years, but would never tire of its curious little noises, spindle-legged tables with silver instruments (of which Harry never figured what were for) and the phoenix, Fawkes, seated on his gold perch behind the door, his red-gold plumage adding a vibrant splash of colour to the room.

Dumbledore waved Harry, Ron and Hermione to a large, comfy couch before his desk.

The wizard looked at Harry and smiled, but his smile held no humour. Instead, his eyes looked wearily sad.

"No doubt you’ve heard the rumours circulating the school, concerning Mr. Draco Malfoy."

Harry stared back, totally puzzled

"I shall tell you what is the absolute truth." He stopped a moment, staring at his fingers, which tapped together, following a monotonous, silent beat. "This morning, Hagrid found Mr. Malfoy in the forbidden forest, stumbling towards his cabin. He was naked and bore various marks that indicated physical abuse and signs of sexual abuse. He was adamant that… Sirius Black had attacked him."

Harry had a bizarre moment of disconnecting from the room, the chair plummeting away from him. For a moment, Dumbledore’s face faded from view.

"These are very serious allegations. It is obvious that Mr. Malfoy was very viciously assaulted by someone."

"Do you think it was Sirius?" Harry asked, unable to keep the tremble from his voice.

"What I think doesn’t matter. What only matters is what Mr. Malfoy believes."

"What was he doing in the forest in the first place?"

Dumbledore smiled. "Practical joke for another Slytherin boy. Draco, apparently got lost, however."

Ron would have smirked, had the seriousness of the situation not called for it.

"Can I see him?" Harry asked, suddenly. Ron and Hermione stared at him.

"Of course. Professor McGonagall will take you."

As the three friends stood up, Dumbledore offered parting words.

"There was evidence that could convict Sirius, when he is found."
 
 

Harry did not know why he was so determined to see the blonde Slytherin.

A mixture of reasons. He finally decided. Proof, I guess. I need to see for myself.

Madam Pomfrey frowned at the three students as they walked through the hospital wing doors.

"To see Mr. Malfoy, I presume?" Her heel tapped on the ground.

"Permission from Dumbledore," McGonagall stated, stepping into the room behind them.

"Very well, then."

Draco was the only patient in the room. He lay the furthermost from the door, his two goons, Crabbe and Goyle, stood at the end of the bed.

Like soldiers, watching guard, Harry thought. He noticed the occasional, stray, worried glances they gave Draco.

"What do you want, Potter?" Draco’s harsh voice rang out before he could even reach the bed. "Here to gloat? ‘My Godfather gave it to Malfoy good’" His voice, though filled with bitter anguish, was still unnervingly accurate in its depiction of Harry. "But you’d know all about that, wouldn’t you? I bet he sticks it up-"

"Shut up, Malfoy!" Harry said, his tone not unkindly. He looked over the boy. Faded bruises coloured his alabaster skin a myriad of colours and his silver hair was discoloured by the streaks of blood. The obscure patterns of damaged tissue reached a crescendo on his neck  and shoulders where the skin appeared at war as to what texture and colour it would be. Harry felt a sickening twist in his stomach when  he realized the reason.

Bite marks. Dozens of them. I’m sorry, he wanted to say. I’m so utterly, completely… how could anyone do such a thing?

He also wanted to scream, to laugh, to jeer, to say words he didn’t mean, if only to dispel his frustration. You deserved this! This is what you get for seven years of... just being Draco.

Draco’s wounded grey eyes ceased any words. They locked eyes a moment. No one was able to say anything. Harry could sense Ron, Hermione, Crabbe and Goyle watching them, but couldn’t look away. Draco eventually broke contact as a familiar, irritated voice rang out through the corridor.

"This is an absolute disgrace! You can tell that hack Dumbledore he’ll be lucky to get a job cleaning muggle’s toilets!"

The doors to the hospital wing burst open and Lucius Malfoy strode through.

"You!" He pointed at Harry and took out his wand, but Madam Pomfrey was faster.

"Expelliarmus!"

The wand shot from Lucius hand and she caught it.

"Harry, Ron, Hermione, leave." Madam Pomfrey ordered, eyeing Lucius as though he was about to explode the entire wing.

"Why hasn’t this boy been expelled?"

Harry hurried away from Draco’s bedside, casting a stray look to the boy, who flushed red, his eyes turned from both him and his father.

"He should be in Azkaban!" Lucius raged as Harry hurried past. "Aiding a convicted rapist-murderer!"

Don’t say anything. Just leave.

As Harry, Ron and Hermione exited the room, Harry stole a glance back though the door’s circular window.  Crabbe and Goyle stood awkwardly to one side, as Lucius knelt by his son’s bed, stroking the youth’s turned head, in what looked like an awkward attempt at comfort. His body was shaking with silent weeping.
 
 

"That little pretty boy prick tease got what he deserved. I’m just sorry I wasn’t there to watch!"

It was two days later. Draco was to be released from the hospital wing that afternoon. Harry had not been able to eat all day, dreading seeing the familiar elven face in Hogwarts' classes and halls again. Marcus Flint’s remark, as he passed the Griffindor table, was not entirely unusual. For the past few days, Harry had heard a lot of talk on the subject of Draco’s attack. Some of the students reciprocated the boy’s view. To Harry’s horror, one of them was Ron.

"What happened was disgraceful, terribly shocking", he once told Harry. "I’m simply saying that he had racked up a lot of bad karma points."

Ron’s brother’s, Fred and George, (who had stayed on to study Business in the hopes of eventually opening a Joke store) appeared to take the opposite stance to Ron.

"He’s so pretty."

In the past few months, the twins had made a concerted effort, every time they spotted Draco throughout the school, to publicly swoon and make crooning remarks. When Ron disgustedly asked them why, both simply shrugged and said. "My dear Ron. Malfoy is the prettiest boy in this school."

It was them that now defended Draco, to Marcus Flint.

"Still upset over his humiliation of you on Valentine’s day?" George smiled, noting Marcus’ face redden

"Did you honestly think he would ever even touch you with his broomstick?" Fred chipped in.

His friends trailing behind him laughed, until Marcus’ stare ceased them. Fred and George leant forward in their chairs, facing the Griffindor table again; toothy grins plastered on their faces.

The hairs on the back of Harry’s neck stood up, as though a light breath had ruffled them. Harry turned; thinking Peeves was annoying him. Snape’s vulpine stare, even across the room, was enough to make even an unconscious reaction in Harry. Harry had dreaded going to potion’s class the past two days, with good reason. Snape had been even bitterer than Harry had ever seen him. In the first day, Snape had taken two hundred points off Griffindor, fifty of them for Harry sneezing too loudly and breaking his beaker. Snape had harassed Neville to the extent he ran, wailing, from the room. He then took twenty points off Griffindor for him leaving.

Harry avoided the potion master’s gaze, instead concentrating on the feast before him.

"Did you hear?" Seamus Finnigan whispered to the table. "Dumbledore’s facing an enquiry."

"Why?" Neville asked, eyes still puffing from crying.

"Lucius Malfoy is insisting. He says Dumbledore has been irresponsible, not putting up enough protection against Sirius Black."

Harry allowed his gaze to wander over to the Head master. Dumbledore smiled at him, but he noticed the deep bruises under his eyes.

There’s been a mistake. Harry thought, desperately. It can’t be Sirius. What is going on?
 
 

Snape was in the process of belittling Harry in the next potions lesson, when Draco walked into the class. Everyone instantly froze. It was as though all the air had been vacuumed out of the room. Harry could almost physically feel it, his head pounding with the pressure. Draco simply walked over to his usual chair between Crabbe and Goyle, and sat down, staring up at Snape to proceed. A slight curl developed in the potion master's lips and he stepped back over to the front, away from Harry, to continue his discussion about bewitching princes to not turn into toads, using the Bewiticus potion. Ron looked at Harry, eyebrows raised Harry shrugged back. Harry dreaded the rest of the lesson, waiting for Draco to say something, any snide remark. But, the blonde Slytherin said nothing. He simply copied notes onto his parchment, seemingly oblivious to anything else.

Harry was thankful when the class ended. As students began filing out of the room, Snape stopped Draco, pulling him a little away from the others. Harry could see Snape talking to him softly. The blonde simply nodded. Snape touched his arm with a measure of affection Harry did not think possible from such a bitterly cynical man.

"What do you think Snape said?" Ron asked Harry as the three friends hurried down the corridor to their next class. Harry was about to tell him about Snape’s friendly gesture, when a voice rang out, with the blaring decibels of when Draco was usually trying to humiliate Harry.

"Hey, little Dragon, now you’ve been loosened up for me, how ‘bout we go into the boy’s toilets and you can compare my cock to his?"

Xander Stevens, a burly second University year Griffindor, had slammed Draco against the wall, hands cupping his face. Crabbe and Goyle stood to one side, apparently unsure of what to do. Draco simply stared at him, grey eyes wide and terrified. Any usual witty comeback appeared to have died in his throat.

"Leave him alone."

Neville appeared, seemingly from nowhere. Xander laughed.

"Or what? You’ll take me on? I’ll send you to the hospital wing for the next three months, where your lover will be joining you, after I’ve finished with him."

"I’d like to see you take on all three of us." Neville warned, pointing to Crabbe and Goyle, who suddenly stood erect, puffing their chests out, galvanized into action

Xander stepped away from Draco, casting a glare at Neville, before sauntering down the corridor. Draco, still leaning against the wall, stared at Neville.

"You’re welcome," Neville smiled at him, then continued down the hall, himself.

"Thank you for your support," Draco’s voice was dripping in sarcasm. Crabbe and Goyle appeared to find their shoes very interesting.

"Next time Darwin’s missing link harasses me, I’ll be thrilled to know my friends will be stand right next to me with the same gaumless expression on their faces."

He suddenly cast a disdainful look in Harry’s direction. Harry did not break eye contact. As with the last time, Draco looked away first, before taking off down the hall.

"Malfoy!" Harry ran after him. The blonde stopped, turned sharply. "What happened?"

"Get off on this, do  you, Potter", Draco smirked. "You truly are sick."

Harry could feel Ron and Hermione behind him. "I just need to know what he did." He whispered.

Draco  stared at him, expression unreadable. He turned his back to Harry.

"It couldn't have been Sirius Black! You  know that!"

Draco simply looked at him a moment, eyes blazing, before launching himself on the Griffindor, going for his face and neck with his fists and nails,  kicking at his shins painfully with his feet. Although  taller,   Harry  had trouble throwing the boy off.  He could hear murmured exclamations before him and knew that other students were watching Famous  Harry Potter get his ass kicked. Draco thrashed wildly about, determined to still get to him as Oliver  Wood pulled him off Harry. They  faced each other a moment, before Draco stalked off, his goons meekly following.
 
 

Hagrid’s cabin by the forbidden forest was always warm and inviting. Harry, Ron and Hermione were settled in over thick armchairs, before a warm log fire, as the large man bustled around the room, preparing a dinner for his cowardly dog, Fang. Thunder rattled the windows, which were steadily pelted with rain.

Harry remembered the freezing temperatures the morning of Draco’s attack, and shivered.

Did he notice the cold? Did it add to his misery? Or was he too numb to even feel the physical world?

Fang greedily gobbled up his dead chicken mixed with dried pumpkin and jelly, as Hagrid settled his large frame in a chair beside Ron, who was trying to avoid looking at the dog eating beside him.

"It can’t be Sirius Black!" Harry complained.

"An’ why no’?" Hagrid asked, astonished. Harry said nothing. The only people in the school who knew the truth about Sirius Black were him, Hermione, Ron and Dumbledore. He looked into Hagrid’s warm brown eyes. He trusted him enough to tell him, but… couldn’t. It was too dangerous.

The least people who know, the better for Sirius, for now.

"I just know he didn’t do it."

"Hagrid, is it possible for us to somehow prove it wasn’t Sirius Black?" Hermione asked

"Why would you wanna do tha’?"

"Because if it wasn’t him, that means someone else has gotten away with it. Someone who may attack again."

Hagrid’s eyes widened slightly, as thought his was a concept he had not considered before.

"Bu’ who else would wanna do i’?" His eyes misted over. "I don’ even like tha’ boy, bu’ wha’ ‘appened… ‘o would do such a thing?"

"You said it yourself. You don’t like him. Draco is not very well liked."

"No", Harry looked adamant. "’e was convinced. Looked ‘im straigh’ in the eye, I did. ‘e was telling the truth."

"What did he say, exactly?" Hermione leant forward in her chair, slightly, face tense. Harry bit his bottom lip.

Hagrid sighed, took out the fire poker beside him and poked the fire, even though it was now roaring enough to almost make the room stifling.

"I saw ‘im crawling along the groun’" His voice cracked as he continued, tears running down his face. "Jus’ ou’side the forbidden fores’. I jus’ ran up to ‘im, lifted ‘im into my arms, I did. ‘e was crying an’ naked an’ shivering. ‘e couldn’t even speak, a’ firs’. I told ‘im I’d take ‘im to Madam Pomfrey. ‘e was bleeding all over the place. Dumbledore gave me permission to use magic to clean the blood."

Harry shook his head of the images that raped his mind.

"When ‘e could speak, ‘e shou’ed a’ me. Can’ blame ‘im. ‘e was distraugh’. I wen’ with i’. Finally, ‘e gave up. An then, ‘e apologized."

"He apologized?" Harry exclaimed

"For yelling a’ me. I asked ‘im wha’ ‘appened. I remember ‘is exac’ words. ‘e said ‘Sirius Black, ‘e… ‘e grabbed me. I tried to figh’ ‘im bu’ ‘e was bigger. I tried to use magic. ‘e snapped me wand.'" Hagrid could barely talk through sobs. Harry could feel the steady hard thump of his heart, the ugly feeling in his stomach. Ron’s face was twisted in revulsion. "'e said Black...'ad  'im. An' when 'e was done, 'e begged 'im to le' 'im go. Black then took ou' a knife an' told 'im 'e'd sli' 'is throa' if 'e didn' co-opera'e. . After tha’, I took ‘im to Madam Pomfrey. ‘e didn’t say anymore to me. Jus’ kept crying. I was there when Dumbledore go' ou' of 'im wha' Black did. I'm telling you, i' was worse than a lo' of things V-" Harry  knew what he was about to say.  Hagrid stoked the fire more, stroking his beard, then continued. "'e kept 'im there for abou' two hours, jus' continually raping an' bea'ing 'im."

No one said anything a moment. Harry had to force himself to breathe.

"Hagrid". Hagrid turned his weeping eyes to Hermione. "Did Sirius…." She glanced at Harry, quickly. "Was there any… evidence that it was Sirius Black who attacked Draco?"

Hagrid frowned. "Plen’y. Madam Pomfrey collected i’. Draco wan’ed to take a shower. I told ‘im no. Then there’d be no proof tha’ i’ was Sirius."

Harry and Ron looked at Hermione, suddenly remembering Dumbledore’s parting words.
 
 
 

Harry didn‘t notice the boy until he was almost up to the Griffindor table.

"A word, Potter."

Harry turned to look into the sneering face of his arch-nemesis. Crabbe and Goyle stood on the side, grinning inanely

"What do you want, Malfoy?" Harry sighed.

Draco opened his mouth to speak when a fifth year Griffindor suddenly spoke up.

"So, this is the slutva?"

Draco shot him a look of such venom, it would have equaled Snape’s usual disposition

"Potter?"

"Sorry, hon. Potter doesn’t go for kinky." Anther sixth year student said. A few around him, including some Ravenclaws on the parallel table , laughed.

‘What?" Harry asked, exasperated

A first University year Ravenclaw suddenly stood beside the Slytherin, cupping a hand to his ear, his mouth moving in a lascivious whisper. At the teacher's table, Harry noticed Snape's dark eyes fixed to the proceedings. Harry doubted he would have heard the catcalls directed to Draco over the general buzz of the room. Malfoy's visibly shocked reaction to the Ravenclaw's attentions was obvious, however. Dumbledore caught Harry's eye and nodded to Ron beside him.

"Petrificus Totalus!"

The Ravenclaw’s arms suddenly pinned to his side, before he keeled over backwards, arms frozen in position. Harry turned in shock to see Ron holding his wand out.

"What a sicko." Ron declared

"Ron Weasley!" Mcgonagall stood up from her chair, but Dumbledore reached across and touched her hand, shaking his head. She sat down once more. Harry noted him talking softly to her, then turned to Madam Ponter, the new head of Ravenclaw house.

Draco, still shaken, face flushed with humiliation, turned and stared at the frozen man.

"Maybe, one day, you’ll find a muggle half-dog breed ripe enough to suit you. I wouldn’t count on it."

He glanced at Harry, his pale skin flushing once more at the sympathy in his eyes.

Owls suddenly screeched through the hall, dropping parcels and letters. Harry was knocked on the nose by a letter and moaned, rubbing his offended body part.

Draco hesitated, opened his mouth to speak to Ron, hesitated once more.

"Thank you."

He walked away before Ron had the chance to close his surprised mouth.

Harry noticed this dully, but was too interested by the letter.

Tomorrow, Seven o’clock in the morning

"Who’s it from?" Ron asked

"Just an ad for ‘Magic Beetles,’" Harry replied, stashing the letter into his pocket.
 
 

As the students filed out of the room, Mcgonagall swiftly caught up with Ron at the entrance to the hall.

"Five points deducted." Ron nodded, suddenly finding his shoes interesting.

"However," Mcgonagall continued. "I will grant fifteen points for defending your enemy. Yes, we are quite aware of both the alliances and disparities in the school. The Ravenclaw boy, I'm assuming what he said to Mr. Malfoy was related to his attack?"

Harry, who hadn't heard the boy's words, was somewhat shocked by the ferocity in Ron's eyes.

"I can't repeat it, Professor. It really was vulgar."

"In that case, I would prefer not to know. I am also awarding you twenty points, Neville." Harry did not even know the blushing boy was hovering behind them. "And Dumbledore, himself would like to see you in his office."

Neville's face swiftly changed from red to white. "Why?"

"He would like to commend you personally for defending Mr. Malfoy in the hall the other day."

Snape sauntered behind Mcgonagall, casting a dark look her way. She cleared her throat  and scurried away. Severus then favoured Harry, Ron, Hermione and Neville a separate glare each as he past.

"What do you think it would take to make that man smile?" Ron asked, as they began to walk down the hall.

Harry was tempted to ask what the Ravenclaw boy had said, but was unsure if he wanted to know the answer.

"Don't get me wrong, Harry." Ron's lips were pulling down into his chest. "I still think Malfoy's a total prat. But  what that boy said... he just crossed a line. I don't know why I defended him, really. You know that if the situation were reversed, Malfoy would be the one saying all those sick remarks to us."

Harry secretly agreed, but wouldn't give  Ron the satisfaction of knowing that.

"We don't know that, do we?" Hermione snapped. "And he should be defended. Someone who's gone through a trauma like that should be helped, not bullied. Even if it is Malfoy."

A trauma like that.  Harry frowned, for the first time doubting himself. Maybe I have been wrong. Maybe Sirius did do it. How well do I really know my God  father?
 
 
 
 
 

The dim lights streaked across the woodland, filtering down through the elm trees, thick branches creating obscure shadows across Harry’s face. A rustling ahead drew his eyes upward. The familiar, ebony haired man walked silently towards him, with a grace that, to Harry, paralleled Draco’s movements. Sirius had chopped off his long hair and his face had filled out since Harry last saw him.

"Sirius, I-"

Sirius held his hand up to silence him, smiling. "I bought Remus along."

Remus Lupin appeared in view in the distance. He hurried forward on the open path, leading to the tree, the sun’s increasing embers catching his light brown hair. As he moved closer, Harry was thankful to see that he looked well. He stood next to Sirius, his concern pouring out of his light brown eyes. Harry noted that he was wearing a leather jacket, very similar to, if not, what he saw on Sirius, the last time they met.

"Lupin!" Despite the extreme circumstances, Harry was always happy to see him. They embraced, Harry noticing that he was now taller by an inch or so. Harry then looked to Sirius. As the man pulled him into an embrace, he could not help but stiffen a little

"Sirius did not do it, Harry" Lupin told him, his voice gentle. "You disbelieved him once. Don’t do it again."

Sirius’ dark eyes were blazing. He started to pace across the damp grass.

"Dumbledore is going to be fired", Harry informed them. "They think Hogwarts hasn't got enough protection. That no one outside the school should have access onto the grounds."

"The ministry must be very annoyed that Voldermort has re-appropriated all the dementors." Sirius snarled. Remus reached out a hand and touched his wrist to steady him. He stopped pacing, chastened. Harry caught the look that passed between them but paid it no heed. He puzzled over this new news.

"There is a way to prove it wasn’t Sirius", Remus explained. "It will, however, involve going to Snape, with a lock of Sirius’ hair. There is a rather complicated potion that involves comparing Sirius’ hair with any semen collected from the perpetrator. It-"

"I don’t believe this!"

The loud, drawling voice was heard before the boy stepped out of the bushes behind them. Harry cursed himself.  Draco whipped out his wand and held it towards Sirius. Harry took out his own wand, stepping before his Godfather

"Consorting with the enemy, Potter?" Draco’s voice was shaking. "You’ll be put in Azkaban for this. I'll see to it."

"Malfoy, Sirius didn’t kill those people."

"I know, Potter!"

This silenced Harry. He was tempted to ask how he knew. Sirius and Remus simply looked at each other.

"Step out of the way, Potter, or I’ll use the Cruciatus curse on you."

Sirius suddenly raced forward, pushing Harry out of the way.

"Sirius, no!" Remus screamed.

"Cru-" Draco started to say, when Sirius ran up to him and slapped him hard across the face, knocking the wand from his hands. Draco stilled, as Sirius leant over him.

"Why? Why did you lie about me? Why?"

Harry lay clutching his foot, which was pained from where it had been twisted when he hit the ground. Remus ran to help him up. Draco was cringing away from the man, sobbing.

He’s going to admit it! Harry thought, bewildered. He’s going to admit he set Sirius up.

"Don’t touch me!" Draco stumbled back, fell harshly to the ground. His cheeks were wet with tears. "Harry! Don’t let him hurt me! You bastard! You filthy mudblood!" He screamed at Sirius.

Harry rushed forward, pain throbbing down his ankle with every step. He had to reach Draco. Something in his terrified yet angry tone moved him to him. Remus ran up to stand beside Sirius, whose dark eyes now blazed with horrored recognition. He didn’t move, simply stood before the screaming youth, face fixed in an expression of dismayed horror.

Harry reached Draco and pulled him into his arms. Draco struggled to break free, but this only caused Harry to hold him tighter, stroking his hair lightly.

"It’s ok. It’s ok. Sirius wasn’t the one who hurt you."

Pain exploded in his stomach where Draco’s fist connected and he fell down, winded.

"Draco", Remus held his hand out. At first, Harry couldn’t understand what he was offering

"What’s that?" Draco snarled, regaining a little of his confidence. "The pubic hairs of the muggle you just choked on?"

"Proof that Sirius couldn’t have done it."

"I don’t need proof. I think I got a pretty good look at the man who raped me. You made sure of that, didn’t you?" He raged at Sirius.

Though Remus’ face betrayed no emotion, his eyes crinkled slightly, the light of knowledge suddenly shining in them.

"Draco. I think I can prove that Sirius wasn’t the one who attacked you. But it will involve him taking off his pants."

"What?" Sirius stared at Remus.

"I don't want to be involved in any family adventure involving the absence of pants, thank you very much," Draco sneered.

Harry recovered enough to rise shakily to his feet.

"Looks like Potter might like some, though."

"Sirius has a… er… tattoo on his inner thigh." Lupin ignored Draco's outburst.  "A little black dog. Your dad got a stag", he explained to Harry. "I’m betting the real man who raped you didn’t have such a tattoo."

"It proves nothing. He could have had it put on a few days ago."

Harry felt his heart drop into his stomach. Draco stepped up to Sirius, lean body trembling. Sirius jumped a little as the youth unbuttoned and unzipped his jeans, holding eye contact, before pulling them down to his ankles. Harry looked away, flushing, as he saw his Godfather’s cock. Draco stepped back and looked down.

Then collapsed, weeping.

Flushing deep purple, Sirius pulled his jeans up and did up the fly. Harry walked up to Remus and took Sirius’ hair strand off him, stashing it in his pocket, before kneeling in front of the blonde Slytherin. Sirius and Remus respectfully stepped back. Harry wasn’t sure of what to do. All he was aware of was his overwhelming desire to comfort his arch nemesis. He settled on placing a hand on his shoulder. Draco lifted his head up, his face devoid of all arrogance and spite, leaving only pain and dread.

The twins are right. He is beautiful.

"The man who… he had a scar across the bottom of his stomach, right near… it was an ugly black thing. Every time he made me… I saw this scar", He broke down again. Hearing movement behind him, Harry turned. Sirius and Lupin had left. .

Harry had never seen anyone look quite so demeaned as the boy now curled up into a tight ball before him, a visible tremor running through his slender frame, hands covering his face as though in  shame for the broken escaped sobs. The Griffindor placed an awkward hand on his shoulder, not knowing what to do, how to comfort him,  even if he could.

"Draco? Can  I hug you?" He felt bizarre asking. He had never been much of a hug giver. The Dursley's showed  their affection in the form of harsh words  and, on occasion, harsher slaps. But it seemed the only thing he could do.

The boy tilted his head forward in answer, so the distance between  him and Harry closed somewhat. Harry tentatively placed a hand on his back, before removing it as  Draco tensed.

"No, please..."

The Slytherin looked up with such imploring eyes. Harry wrapped his arms around the boy, resting them softly on his robes. Draco leant forward, till the tip  of his head just touched Harry's chest. He allowed his own hands to rest on   his knees as he continued to give in to the sobs that jolted Harry's heart with each quivering intake of breathe.

Gradually, the sobs lessened, the trembling dissipated. Harry closed his eyes against the whirlwind of emotion whipping through him, not the least of which was a biting guilt, fed by a warm pleasure of the sudden intimacy. Draco shifted slightly against him and he opened his eyes to the ephemeral deep grey staring back. Slowly the Slytherin moved forward, eyes focused on Harry's. Though Harry knew what would happen, he was wont to contain  his fluttering heart rate. He closed his eyes as they touched lips, confusion slicing a clean path through his addled emotions as his tongue gently reciprocated the other boy's softness in his mouth. Draco moved closer, tentatively pressing his chest against Harry's. The raven-haired boy clenched his muscles against pulling the other boy even closer to him, his hands curling into fists from the tension. It was only until  the silver blonde placed one knee a little forward, that Harry realized there was one 'muscle'  he could not control. Indeed, as soon as Draco felt the hardness against his thigh, he scrambled back, so swiftly that Harry almost fell  over into the mud. For a few moments, he seemed unable to control the terror in his eyes.

"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry, Draco." Harry could feel the heat on his face.

What is wrong with you? He scolded himself.  Here's a boy that's just been brutally raped and you're getting an erection just from kissing him. You must be sick.

Malfoy's face had required its usual superiority, which clashed with the tears still standing in his eyes and the hands pulling roughly at the tangled hair  from their earlier dealings with Sirius.

"Come on." Harry stood up, glad at least that his 'problem' had disappeared. "Let's go back."
 
 

Neither said anything on the way back to the school grounds. Though Harry had a lot of questions to ask, he wasn’t sure where to begin. His head was spinning, face still flushed from the feel of Draco's mouth against his own.

I must be crazy! I must be crazy! I must be crazy!...Only you've been sort of secretly been watching him for a year or so, his mind interrupted his deliberate thought pattern.

Hermione and Ron raced up to them as soon as they reached the corridor to the stairs leading to the great hall.

"Where have you been, Harry?"

Both stopped and looked to each other uncertainly as they noticed Draco next to Harry. Draco stared back, face set in his usual stubborn expression

"Harry, we need to talk to you."

"Draco! Draco! We-" Crabbe stopped short, gaping as he noticed his friend walking alongside Harry Potter.

"Yes, Crabbe, Goyle". Draco said. "I’ll meet you later. Right now, I’m busy". He turned to Ron and Hermione. "Anything you say to Harry Potter, if it’s concerning me, you also say to me."

Ron and Hermione stared at Harry. Harry shrugged. He was still not entirely at Hogwarts. A part of him had been left on the grass, controlling the urge to moan under Draco’s expert kiss.

"Fine then" Hermione said. "Come with us."

They followed the familiar route to the restricted section of the library, where, under Madame Pinch’s stern eye, Hermione directed them to a small pile of books by a foot high shelf, out of place from the two inch high shelf next to it, or the shoe shaped shelf beneath. Harry looked at the titles, green eyes widening. Every one was about transformation. A couple concentrated, in particular on transforming into someone of human form. Harry picked up a stray book and opened a page at random

It takes a lot of courage to transform into your prospective human. If one doesn’t have anything of item from them, the chances of success are lessened.

Remembering the time, five years before, when he’d transformed into Goyle for a short period of time, Harry glanced at Draco. He had picked up a book and was going through it.

"Everyone knows what Sirius Black looks like. Who hasn’t seen a picture of him? All Marcus needed was a photo of him. He used these books to do the rest."

Draco’s head shot up, looking straight at Ron. Harry grabbed each book, turned to the last page on each. Each had the small, printed name ‘Marcus Flint’ with a take out date of a month before Draco was attacked.

Draco suddenly leant over the desk, as though in pain.

"It’s because I humiliated him, isn’t it? He came onto me in the corridor and I laughed in his face. And so did everyone else."

"No!" Hermione said so sharply, everyone stared at her, chastened. "He did it because he’s a sick, evil man."

"Where are we going?" Harry asked, still a little in shock over their discovery.

"Where else? To find Marcus Flint."
 
 
 

The burley brunette stared solemnly forward, dark eyes glittering with unholy rage. The other team members got changed quickly, as though desperate to be away from his opaque gaze.

"Good practice today" A pretty black haired boy smiled uneasily. The brunette simply nodded in response. The boy snatched up his bag and hurried out of the room. Outside, he passed Harry, Draco, Ron and Hermione, casting them a curious look.

Ron took in a deep breath and placed his hand on the door leading to the change room.

"Hold it there, ‘sudden peril boy’." Draco suddenly stepped before him. "I’ll confront him." Harry opened his mouth to protest, when he continued. "With Potter. And only Potter. It’s going to look rather pathetic if we all go charging in there. This requires only two people."

Ron took in his pale, pointed face, the light grey eyes boring into him and felt his resolve weaken. He glanced at Harry, clutching a hand to his ribs. He could not explain the tightening of his stomach at Harry’s expression while looking at the Slytherin.

Malfoy? Malfoy?! He stepped away from the door, shaking his head. Can’t be true. Surely.

Marcus looked up as soon as Draco and Harry entered the room, eyes narrowing suspiciously.

"What do you want?"

Draco simply stepped up close, staring down at him. Harry remained back, unsure of what to do, or what Draco would do.

"What do you want, Malfoy?"

Draco smiled, slowly, then took out his wand and aimed it at the boy. Marcus cried out and dived for his bag, where his own wand lay

"Nukimus!" Draco commanded. Instantly, Marcus’ clothes disappeared. The boy screamed, reached for his bag again.

"Expelliamus!"

The bag lifted and flew across the room, landing a foot to the left of Harry, contents spilling all over the concrete floor. Marcus stood up, eyes blazing into Draco’s.

‘What are game are you playing, little boy?"

Draco looked down, looked up again. Noticing a tremble violate his calm composure, Harry trailed his eyes down Marcus’ body.

He has it! The scar!

The dim light of the changeroom’s was still enough to reflect the black strip slicing across his stomach. Marcus was attempting to cover it (and other embarrassing body parts) with his hands.

"Stop that!" Draco commanded. "It’s not as though I haven’t seen it before!"

Comprehension dawned in Marcus’ cold dark eyes. "Did Snape tell you?"

"Snape knows?"

Draco risked a glance at Harry, who looked back, equally baffled.

"He’s suspected for a while, now." He suddenly lost his self-consciousness, and began pacing. "Kept trying to get me to own up. It seems he’s rather upset over his favorite slut student getting the rough fucking he deserved."

"Rough fucking he deserved!" Harry stepped forward, feeling a pulse beat in his forehead so rapidly, he thought it would explode. He reached for his wand. Draco stilled him with a touch on his hand. Marcus smiled, enjoying Harry’s anger.

"You were the best I had, boy. Got real talent". Draco continued to stare at him, his trembling getting worse, a flush appearing across his face. Both deepened as Marcus continued. "What are you going to do? Tell Dumbledore? How can you prove it wasn’t Sirius? He left proof of his ownership all over you, in that pretty blonde hair, down that pretty throat, up that tight raw ass. Again and again. Whew, boy, you just lasted for hours". His hand moved to his cock, stroking it, gently. "Didn’t know you’d have the stamina. Should have slit that pretty fucking throat, though. Would have saved me a lot of trouble."

"Marcus Flint. I knew you’d slip up, sooner or later."

The cold, disembodied voice made everyone jump. Harry recognized it straight away.

Severus Snape tore of the invisibility cloak before handing it to Harry.

"You shouldn't leave things just lying around, Potter." He never left his eyes off Marcus. Even so, Harry noticed his snarl.

"How did you know?" Draco asked, grey eyes wide.

"Even Sirius Black isn’t fool enough to come back to Hogwarts. I suspected it to be one of the students, using a Holyotis charm to look like him. When I asked Madame Pince", his snarl deepened at the mention of her name, "If any students seemed very interested in Aminagation, she informed me that Marcus Flint had taken books out on the subject the month before, for an extra credit research assignment. Dumbledore verified this. I was still unconvinced. I followed him, waiting for him to slip up. So, acquired the invisibility cloak, then followed you, Mr. Potter, knowing you would lead straight to him. Really, Miss Granger being such a brain, it did take you so long to work out."

"You can’t prove anything!" Marcus stammered.

"You silly, silly boy. Holyotis charms only give the appearance of the person. The body fluids remain the same. Madam Pomfrey obtained some samples of your semen", he grimaced.

That was why he had the scar. Harry realized. Because Flint didn’t know what Sirius’s’ naked body looks like. He only knows what he’s seen from pictures.

"Now, for your punishment." Snape rubbed his fingers together, eyes narrowing. Marcus’ face drained of colour. "What do you think, Draco? What would avenge the two hours he stole from you?" Snape was attempting to control his fury but Harry was forced to step back. The man emanated thick, dark, unyielding hatred and anger, so pure, it was almost in a tangible form.

"Suspension, definitely. A spell in Askaban." Snape continued.

Harry could barely breathe for the tension on the air. Draco smiled, his own furious eyes on Marcus, who shaking from fear.

Snape pointed his wand at the boy. Marcus' eyes grew wide.

"Anti-nukidimus!"

As the clothes instantly reappeared on the shocked boy, Harry's mind went back to the day he had seen Draco in the hospital. Hagrid had gone into the Forbidden Forest and had found Draco's robes and other clothes. Or, what was left of them. The fabric had apparently been torn to shreds.

Why? Harry wondered. If he could have used the nukidimus spell? But then, that would have taken away from his fun. Wouldn't it be more terrifying to have one's clothes ripped off than magicked off?

Harry pictured himself in a similar situation.

Yes, it would be more terrifying. Bastard.

"You’ll be leaving, now," Snape stepped forward, placing a hand on Draco’s shoulder, "and going straight to Dumbledore’s office."

Marcus nodded, still shaking. "And tell Miss Granger and Mr. Weasley that Mr. Potter will meet them in class."

Marcus exited the room, the door slamming behind him. Snape surprised Harry by kneeling before Draco, hands on his shoulders. Harry stepped back until he was up against the bathroom sink, uncomfortable with the sudden intimacy between the pair.

"Are you alright?"

Draco nodded. Harry could see the unwashed tears that shone in his eyes.

"Thank you", he said, so softly, Harry barely heard it.

Snape stood up, dusted his clothes, as though ashamed of his sudden change in character and cast a look at disdain at Harry.

"I’ll see you at the hall", he said to Draco. He favoured Harry with another unsavory glare, then strode out of the door.

Harry reached into his pocket for Sirius' hair, relief flooding over him.

We don't need this.

He replaced it.

Maybe I'll keep it, any way.

Draco stepped forward, then stopped, leant so far forward, Harry could only see the top of his head. He moved away from the sink to stand before the boy, unsure of what to do or say. Malfoy looked up and Harry noticed the tears that ran down his cheeks. He had the sudden urge to wipe them off with his fingers.

Or my tongue.

He blushed, looked away. A warm hand on his chest forced him to look up.

"This shouldn't have happened."

Draco through his head back and laughed, though without humour. Indeed, the sound carried a melancholic irony, intermixed with anger and frustration.

"You're frustrating, Potter."  Draco favoured him with a stare that was doing uncomfortable things to Harry's lower intestines. "Why is it that you're always so good? Even with me, you always have to be the hero, don't you?"

"No." Harry shook his head vehemently. "He shouldn't have done that."

Draco's words were not undercut by his usual sarcasm and spiteful tone. Instead, they contained a weary sadness.

"You helped me out so you could clear Sirius' name."

Harry opened his mouth to deny this, when Draco continued.

"Tell me... Harry, what do you think of me? Do you think I'm mean? Cruel? A lot of people seem to be of the opinion that I deserved this-"

"Shut up!" Harry amazed himself with the anger in which the words came out. Draco closed his mouth, eyes flinching a little. Harry took a few deep breaths to calm himself before continuing. "No one deserved that! And how dare you compare me to other people. I am not other people. I'm Harry Potter. And, yes, I did want to clear Sirius' name. But I also wanted, no needed to know how someone could do such a thing."

"Or perhaps how I could let them do it." Harry's anger dissolved  at the broken hurt in his voice. "I just let him have me. How could I do that? All it took was a couple of thumps and I did everything he told me to."

Harry stepped closer, so he was near enough that he could reach out and touch Draco if he wanted, but was not in his personal body space.

"He had a knife." Harry said, quietly. "He could have killed you. I would have done the same thing."

"You're Harry Potter."  The spite was returning to his tone. "You would have been able to escape, or you would have been saved by someone. The whole time, I was begging for someone to come and save me, like in some stupid muggle film. No such saviour for me. And everything would be alright, because I wouldn't be traumatized and my father would be able to look me in the eye and not have to listen to the people at the Ministry of Magic ridiculing him because of what Sirius Black did to his son."

"But we found who did it-"

"So what?" He affixed Harry with his blazing eyes. "Everyday, when I wake up, I remember what happened. And I think, it's now been so many days since someone forced themselves inside of me. And all it makes me want to do is end it. So tell me, Boy who Lived, how does discovering that, oh, it was, in fact, Marcus who shoved me face down in the mud, rather than Sirius black, make a difference?"

Harry closed his eyes, leaning up against the sinks for support. For once, they were respectfully silent, for which Harry was grateful.

"I guess it doesn't." Was all he could say.

Draco  closed his eyes and touched his forehead as though in pain. Before Harry consciously realized what he was doing, he reached over and touched his arm, stroking down the soft fabric of his robes. He could sense Draco watching him, before the blonde leant forward and kissed him softly on the cheek. Harry could feel the skin  tingle, as though he had left his own personal mark. He dropped his hand, confusion marring his fine features.

"Why, Draco?"

He smiled, reaching up to softly touch Harry's cheek, curving his thumb around to his chin. "Everyone loves you so much."

Harry caught the unspoken words.

"But you hate me."

"I did. For a long time. You were always so... good. You  still are. And I don't take lightly to being upstaged."

He smiled in a way that knotted Harry's stomach.

What is happening? I hate him.... don't I?

Draco moved his hand up to his hair, softly running white fingers through black strands.

"I've always wanted to do this." He said, without embarrassment, before leaning forward and softly pressing his lips to Harry's, his tongue lightly outlining the rim of his mouth, slipping over his teeth to softly caress his gums. Harry could not suppress a moan and tenderly placed a hand on his back, drawing it up to rest on his shoulder, drawing him forward so their bodies touched. He withdrew from  their lip lock to focus on the Slytherin's neck, the now flawless alabaster skin.

Thank you Madame Pomfrey.

Harry placed his lips against the softness, Draco's  scent filling his nostrils, a mixture of spicy cologne, fruity shampoo and something else, something unmistakably Draco himself. Harry moaned once more, in his passion pulling the Slytherin roughly to him, sucking eagerly on the tantalizing flesh. Draco stiffened in his arms.

"Harry, no..."

Malfoy roughly pushed Harry off him, causing him to collide into the sink behind, which grumbled in annoyance.

"I'm sorry." Harry was inwardly cursing himself for his stupidity.

"Can I meet you?" A tremor had overtaken the boy's body, to correspond to his shaky voice.

"Anywhere." Harry found himself trembling slightly in response.  Draco smiled at him once more, causing Harry's own lips to upturn in response.
 
 

"Didn't I tell you?" Harry asked.

"Shut up. This is really good." Draco replied, though not unkindly. Harry smiled to himself. They sat before the lake, under a grumpy oak  that not many students went near to because of its rumoured viciousness, allowing the two grateful isolation. Harry's head was placed against the Slytherin's stomach. Malfoy was intently pouring through a muggle novel Hermione had leant Harry the week before. One of Draco's hands held the book, the other lightly ruffled Harry's hair, sending tremors up his spine. Harry closed his eyes, enjoying the warm sun caressing his skin, the oak's thankful silence, for the time being.

Who would believe I would have fallen for my arch-nemesis? He thought lazily. In the past two weeks, Harry had found various excuses to leave Ron and Hermione to meet Draco. He was aware that Hermione in particular  knew something was up. It felt clandestine, yet, to Harry's immense frustration, nothing ever happened to warrant the secrecy. Most of their time was spent talking and occasionally having heated discussions over the various issues they took direct opposition in. Draco would only accept the occasional kiss or caress if he initiated it and, even then, would  pull back if it got too intimate. One time, while bestowing light feathery kisses across Harry's shoulder, Draco tentatively reached down to touch Harry's erection through  the layers of cloth that made up his robes. When Harry placed his hand down to reciprocate, Malfoy pulled away and wouldn't touch him the rest of the time they were together that day. Harry wanted nothing more than to make love to Draco, to kiss every inch of the alabaster skin. Intertwined with the frustrated desire was anger and guilt for his own impatience.

A rustling ahead startled Harry from his thoughts. Both looked up at the same time to see the Weasley twins stepping across the leaf sprinkled ground, too intent on their conversation to notice them at first. Harry was immensely surprised Draco didn't immediately jump up. The Slytherin had instead turned to cold marble, his hand frozen in Harry's dark locks.

"Just something small, a going away present for old Marcus boy-"

Fred stopped when he noticed the two boys. George grumbled when he ran into the back of him, then opened his mouth in an identical expression of surprise. Both abruptly closed their mouths at the same time, before their lips curved up into identical smiles.

"Well, hello, Harry. Didn't expect to see you here." Fred remarked.

"But then we're not surprised either." George concluded.

Draco shook Harry off him and threw the book back at him, before moving to walk away.

"Ah...Malfoy?" Both twins now wore earnest expressions that, to Harry, looked odd on them.

To his immense surprise, Draco stopped, looking up at the older boys expectantly.

"You know when we would say things to you in the hall-"

"We were only kidding. Well, it's not as if we didn't mean them-"

"What we mean is we were having fun with you-"

"But we didn't mean to make you uncomfortable, so if we did-"

"We're sorry. We think what Marcus did was-"

"Was the sickest thing we had ever heard of."

"We're really sorry it happened."

"So am I." Draco said evenly.

Both twins frowned, the downturned lips at odds with their usual upturned countenance. Everyone was silent a moment.

"Well, we'll be off, then"

"Tell Ron he's a total utter git for us." George wacked Harry on the shoulder.

"And good work, sonny."

Harry inwardly groaned, catching Fred's telling brow raise. He suspected he would have a lot to tell them later.
 
 

"What I don’t understand is why?" Harry asked Dumbledore. He sat on a chair in the elderly wizard's office, the leather of which giggled every time he moved. Dumbledore had just told him Marcus had been sent to Askaban to await trial. "Why did he do it in the first place? A few months before, he cornered Draco in the hall."

He stopped, suddenly realized he’d used the ‘D’ word, rather than the surname.

Dumbledore smiled, the familiar knowing glint in his eye.

"It had nothing to do with Draco’s humiliation of him in the hall. Called him a ‘pea-brained, jock-strapped moron’, didn’t he?" Dumbledore chuckled a little, before sobering. "The real reason is there is no reason. We make the choice between good and evil every day. The simple fact is, it is harder to be good. How easy would it be to break into someone’s house and steal their socks, or, for a frustrated boy, who is full of hate, to force it onto another, the crudest way he knows how. But, the difference is, we don’t. That’s what brings us above evil. Being a wizard, that takes a bit of learning. Being human, that goes beyond giving in to our dark side, elevating us to something more pure."

"I still don't understand." Harry looked down at his hands. "I could never do something like that."

"You have not the capacity to. Not many people do. But Marcus, his hatred and rage was so overpowering... on that day, I sensed something was wrong but did not know what it was. Indeed, I feel some share of the blame. If I was only able to clear my muddled brain. I had drunk a little too much butterbeer at the annual Headmaster's convention the night before." Harry's brow raised. He didn't think Dumbledore the type to drink. "Even in the weeks to follow, I could have done more. I was distracted by the news of Voldermort's forces growing in the West and his truce with the Dementors. No excuse."

"What I don't understand is, why didn't any creatures of the forest help him? The Centaurs?"

Dumbledore affixed him with a heavy gaze through his round spectacles.

"The Centaurs did hear Draco's cries." Harry could not contain the look of disgust creeping onto his face. "They rushed to the area,  but Marcus had erected a Dissolusias Field, learnt in class just the week before." A bitter smile touched his lips. "Professor Mcgonagall suffers her own guilt for that." Harry opened his mouth to protest in her sake, but Dumbledore continued. "No living thing could penetrate  the area until he took it off. The Centaurs could see what was happening but were powerless to stop it."

Harry made a mental list in his head as to how many people this had affected. As Draco's lover (?) he counted himself as one, seeing the boy's obvious anguish and being helpless to stop it. The only thing he could do, the only thing he could ever do was take him in his arms, whispering that he was there, that he was safe, as the boy was wracked with flashbacks, reliving the anguish once more. Dumbledore bore the guilt of not foreseeing such an event, Mcgonagall, likewise for simply teaching a class. From what Harry had learnt,  Lucius and Narcissa had focused all of their rage into intent for revenge. Even the twins were more somber, Ron had required a pitiful view towards Draco, Neville had somehow found courage. The Centaurs, seeing Draco being violated and being powerless to stop it. Severus Snape. The list went on.

"If only there was a way to..." A glimmer suddenly shot forth from Harry's virulent eyes. "The pocket watch! I could go back in time, stop it from happening!"

Dumbledore smiled sadly and shook his head. "It is too late,  now, Harry to change anything. There are too many people involved, affected."

"No, it can't be too late! It can never be too late!" Harry blinked back angry tears. It was the first time in the seven years he was at Hogwarts that he had felt angry at Dumbledore.

 "If I could simply go back in time to change things, there are a lot of things that would be different now." Dumbledore regarded Harry sadly. "So many things."

Harry finally understood what he meant.

"He does not necessarily have to be permanently scarred from this. If he has someone to help him through his anguish, he will one day be somewhat like his old self again."

Harry could not resist smiling.

Like his old self. I don't know if that's such a good thing...

"Harry, Harry." Dumbledore grinned. "I wouldn't be so quick to judge. There are aspects of Mr. Malfoy you have totally overlooked, basing your assumptions of him on your first impression."

"Sorry, sir, but I disagree. He has always been, well, quite a prick to me."

"Yes, and it is true, but it isn't. For Mr. Malfoy does have a vicious side, I don't deny it. But there are complications to his character that are harder to see. Though I suspect you see them now"

And then he actually winked at Harry.
 
 
 

Harry glanced at Draco across the Griffindor and Slytherin tables in the great hall. The blonde smiled back, before resuming conversation with Goyle.

"I have a few things to say", Dumbledore tapped the side of the glass, to quieten everyone. "Cabbage and Perfume. Now that’s out of the way, I’d like to announce the threat to this school has been dealt with."

Harry returned his gaze to Malfoy. He was looking down, his alabaster skin turned red.

"There is no doubt that he will receive the highest of punishments." Dean stated.

" Lucius Malfoy is pushing for it." Seamus whispered across the table.

The entire room erupted in applause, startling Harry from his thoughts, as Dumbledore announced he would return the next year. Harry looked at Snape, who was clapping loudly as well, his face twisted in a very slight smile, though still stony.

Good enough, Harry thought, then joined his fellow Griffindors in cheering.
 
 
 

Even the thought of the summer at the Dursley’s couldn’t contain Harry’s excitement. He smiled to himself, staring outside the train at the rushing landscape, cupping the button in his hand. Ron looked at him, frowning a little. Hermione had taken off to help Neville search for a stray, enchanted, singing wand.

Draco’s button from his cloak

The thought caused a shiver to traverse down his spine

"Why didn’t you tell me, Harry?"

He looked up in surprise, heart thumping. Ron didn’t look angry, merely hurt.

"How did you-?"’

"There were rumours. Finally, I asked the twins."

Damn them!

Harry was thinking of what to say to them next time he saw them, when Ron interrupted him.

"Don’t be angry at them. I forced it out of them, told them I'd tell Professor McGonagall that Marcus turning bright blue the day he left was actually no accident."

"I thought you’d be angry with me", Harry admitted

"Why?" Ron asked, astonished

"You know. It’s Malfoy." Harry continued." We’re meant to hate him."

Ron surprised Harry by laughing. "We’re not meant to be anything to anyone, Harry."

He smiled, almost lovingly at his friend. Harry smiled back, remembering what Dumbledore told him.

We make choices between good and evil every day.

"I’m a little surprised. Actually, I’m VERY surprised. But, I trust your judgement. You’ve obviously found something in M- Draco, apart from his looks."

Harry's mind cast back to the giving of the button, sitting by the oak that had grown accustomed to them, on the last day of school.

"Maybe I should magically sew it to your head, so you don't lose it." Draco scoffed, placing it into Harry's hand. Harry stared at it a moment, marveling at the refracted rainbow colours where sunbeams hit the corners of the plastic. He could sense Draco staring at him and was unsurprised when he felt soft lips touch his ear, a hand softly tucking stray raven strands away from his face.

"So you're sure this will take me to your house? I'm not going to end up in some strange village in the Australian outback, will I?" He joked, then sobered when he saw the seriousness in Draco's eyes.

"Harry, what do you think of me? Do you think I'm a slutva?" Harry looked up, anger and surprise jolting his slim frame with small tremors. "What I mean is, before... Everyone else seemed to think I could outdo Wizard Wendell with my sexual shenanigans. Did you?"

Harry caught his eyes with a nervous look. "To tell you the truth... I didn't... ah... care enough to make up my mind."

Harry veritably winced, expecting to see the hurt in Draco's eyes, hear anger in his voice. Draco laughed, then leant forward to chastely kiss Harry on the lips. He pulled back suddenly, eyes blazing hatred in his stony face.

"I'm so angry, Harry. I'm so... I feel like Askaban isn't good enough for Marcus, not with the Dementors gone. How dare he think he could… how dare he even look at me!"

"Draco." Harry lightly caressed his arm, moved his hand up to softly run through the translucent hair strands. "I'm here if you ever need to talk about it."

Draco stiffened, pulled Harry's hand away. "Harry, there's something I need to tell you."

Harry sat, waited. Tried to ignore his heart throbbing up into his throat.

He's going to tell me he won't see me again, isn't he?

Malfoy closed his eyes.

"I ah…" Pink dotted his cheeks. "I would like to…my mind tells me I would like to make love to you. But I can't. I think the act itself would make me sick. My body can't bear the thought of even you... touching me  like that."

"I know-"

"No, you don't. I don't think you understand. I won't ever be able to." He was shaking now. "Because the act itself will always be associated  with what happened." He opened his eyes directed his gaze down, laughed humorlessly. "And to think I turned down so many offers, from both boys and girls, because I wanted my first to be special.  It was special alright."

Harry's anger towards Marcus had reached unfathomable new heights. His emotions told him to find the son of a bitch and... but no, he had to see to Draco.

Harry gently placed a finger under the pointed chin, tilting it so they were looking into each other's eyes.

"I can't say that I don't want to. But I can wait. I can wait for as long as it takes. I can wait years, even. Because I can't stand the thought of not even having you stand near me. I am more than content with what we have now. And there is no need to rush. But I hate Marcus even more, now, for taking that away from  you, too. It can be beautiful, Draco. One day, we'll experience it, together. But not soon. And that's ok."

Draco was silent a while, simply looking into Harry's eyes, his own glittering orbs turbulent with emotion.  He finally grinned. "I'll just die if it was Weasley, or Granger."

Harry laughed and blushed. "Actually, it was... ah... Seamus."

"Finnigan!"

"And the twins!"

"You are a  regular slutva, Potter." He said, goofy grin plastered over  his face.

"I went through a bit of an experimental stage."

"What were they like?" He asked, soberly.

"They weren't you." Harry said. "And I didn't love them."

They leant forward, kissing in a perfect movement of slick tongues and teeth.

"Feelings annoyingly mutual, Mr. Potter."  Draco said when they released, then smiled.
 
 

Harry took out the letter Draco had serupticiously given him before he climbed aboard the Hogwarts Express and handed it to Ron, before settling beside him to read over his shoulder.

Dear Harry,

I told Crabbe and Goyle about us. They aren’t too bothered. I could tell them I root pigs often, then slit their throats and smother myself in their blood and they’d still smile and grunt like the morons they are. (I’m glad finally to be able to talk to someone that I can hold a CONVERSATION with).

Everything I told you over the past month or so is the absolute truth. No, I wasn't trying to assuage what Sicko Boy Marcus did by way of affection of the Boy Who Lived. Nor was I using you for any reason (that I am consciously aware of, anyway). Things are a little weird, right now, to say the least. While still dealing with the worst thing that ever happened to me, I found you, the best thing that has happened. Sometimes, life is so ironic as to make me want to choke.

So, 'The Boy who Lived', has become for me, a Boy who Made me Live, of sorts. I can't deny that I still don't wake up every morning and relive what happened and either want to cut myself or someone else. I have also seriously considered ending it. In fact, something Dumbledore undoubtedly didn't tell you, the morning that you visited me, I had been sleeping off a 50 Bone Repair Capsules Cocktail. But, with you, there is some light in my dark tunnel. When I'm with you, some of the pain decimates. I don't want to end it, anymore. Always have to be the hero, don't you?

So, use the button (sooner than later) I'm sure you'd be desperate to get away from those things you call your muggle relatives. It does get rather boring in the Malfoy Manor- Father has been playing his Merlin Wizard records constantly every time I go back. If I have to listen to 'Hag Blues' one more time, there may be an 'accidental' record slaying.

Hello, Weasley. I know Harry will allow you to read this. Your friendship is of the annoying type to allow no secrets. If you use the contents of this letter against me, in the ‘friendliest’ of terms, I'll cut your head off and feed it to Fang. Now that Harry and I are together, at least I can help you out a little in style. Sentimental value is nice and all. But it doesn’t mean you have to wear something. We’ll have to go shopping, so I can relieve you of your hideous hand me downs.

I hope that doesn’t offend you

Yours in Love, Harry

Draco

"Doesn’t offend? Even when he’s trying not to be offensive, he’s offensive!" Ron spat, then caught Harry’s face. "You’re grinning like an idiot."

"Are you sure you’re alright with this?" Harry asked, serious.

"Form the look on your face, I couldn’t be more happy."

Both friends grinned as the Hogwarts Express pulled up to platform nine and three quarters.