Okay I fixed the Lucius thing. Thanks to those who noticed it.
Ten: The Question
The portrait guarding Harry's quarters was already half open, so Draco slipped in. He smiled when he saw Harry.
Harry was relaxed in a giant over-stuffed wing chair, his expression thoughtful and he was apparently so lost that he didn't even hear Draco enter the room. Draco allowed himself a moment to simply survey his lover from a distance before coming foreword and slipping his arms around the young professor’s neck.
"What are you thinking about?" He purred into Harry's ear. For his part, Harry jerked back sharply then turned his face up to Draco and smiled affectionately. "You." He said truthfully, stretching his neck to capture Draco's lips. There was an abrupt crude whistle and Harry and Draco jerked away from each other, looking guiltily toward the door, but no one was there. There was a soft laughing and Harry rolled his eyes, groaning loudly; he had forgotten to turn the picture frame around. Once over his initial shock, and in truth, utter terror, Draco laughed, falling over the arm of the chair as Harry vacated it. "Cut that out!" He hissed at the knight. "Oh, don't worry, I won't tell a soul. Promise. I myself had some experience with the lads when I was more than a portrait you know." Harry cocked an eyebrow at the masculine knight and he laughed. It was a deep throaty laugh, warm and full. "Now, don't you go blabber that around" He warned before winking and vacating the frame. Harry sighed and shook his head in confusion as he flipped the frame so it was facing the wall. Draco was suddenly behind him, long slender arms wrapped around his waist, soft petal lips against his neck. He sighed deeply and smiled; he loved being held every now and then since he was usually the one holding. He leaned back into Draco's arms and dropped his head back on the blonde's shoulder. Draco smiled and carefully led his professor to the bed. "What are we studying tonight professor?" Harry smirked."I'm sure we could think of something..."
*~*~*~*~*
Severus was taking a much needed rest, simply relaxing in a chair when there was a tapping on his window. Severus growled at the sight of large brown school owl hovering outside his window. He considered ignoring the bird, but it continued to tap until Severus was forced to get out of his chair and open the window. The owl flew in, chattering at him for making it wait in the cold. In apology, Severus opened a bag of owl treats while he read the enclosed letter.
/Severus, please come to my office immediately. It is a matter of import. ~Albus Dumbledore~/ He sighed and left the window open a little so the owl could leave before heading to the headmaster's office.
"Gumdrop." He told the gargoyle, waiting impatiently as it stepped aside, revealing the revolving staircase. Dumbledore didn't greet him with his usual 'would you like a lolly? Or how about some tea?' rather he simply waited quietly for Severus to take his seat. As a courtesy only, he waved invitingly to the various sweets and teas set out on the table. Severus refused them with a shake of his head and Albus leaned back in his chair.
"Severus, I thought you should know that Lucius Malfoy has requested a meeting with his son. I can not refuse him this." Severus closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
"When will he be here?" He asked, but he already knew. In fact he had been expecting Draco's father. Not because Lucius had contacted him, but because it was nearing Christmas and the elder Malfoy always expected his son to be at his...parties.
"Tomorrow." Albus confirmed. "Early...also, he has requested that you and Mr. Potter also attended this meeting." The professor’s eyes narrowed.
"Why would he want that?" He asked curiously.
"I do not know. But for you own position as well as Draco's well being, I think you should attend. Perhaps you should go tell Harry?" Shocked out of his own suspicions, Severus' eyes grew wide.
"He's in the middle of a...tutoring session." Dumbledore's eyes twinkled.
"Tutoring session? May I ask whom he is tutoring?" Severus' eyes switched nervously, but he could tell by the headmaster's tone that he already knew.
"Draco." He admitted.
"Ah, so I thought. What an odd revelation...but, do I need to speak to our young professor about his professionalism?" Severus shook his head.
"No, I already spoke to him...I'll leave a message with Harry's portrait guardian...when is Lucius going to be here."
"Five." Severus chewed on his lower lip. Five; that was early, even- and especially for- Lucius Malfoy. "I guess I'll just wake Draco up early and pray no one else wakes up." Albus smiled mischievously.
"Why don't you just go pay them a little visit and have Draco stay with professor Potter tonight. So we don't have to wake the whole dorm up." Severus returned the smile.
"Of course. Wouldn't do to wake the whole dorm up...now would it?"
After a short discussion on small matters, Severus was excused and made his way to Harry's quarters.
"You might not want to go in there, professor...they're in the middle of a...tutoring session..." The portrait told him. Severus laughed.
"I know exactly what kind of...session they're into. Could you just leave Draco a message that his father is coming early tomorrow and he needs to stay with professor Potter. Also, set a wake up call for four thirty." The knight's face lit up and he promised to stop the boy if he tried to leave.
As it turned out he didn't have to.
Draco was curled against Harry's shoulder, tracing patterns across Harry's chest.
"Draco? Can I ask you a question?" Draco muttered something that sounded vaguely like assent, so he continued. "I've noticed...um...Draco...why...why are you afraid of...me...or what we do...I..." Draco had tensed dramatically against him, his hand held taunt above his chest. But, closing his eyes, Harry continued. "Draco what happened to you...?" He opened his eyes and looked down at Draco. The blonde had his eyes closed, and he looked distinctly distressed. Finally, when minutes of tense silence had passed, he opened his eyes and let his hand drop back to Harry's chest.
"I've not exactly had a perfect life, Harry...neither have you...I just...don't want to...to talk about it, okay?" Harry wanted to press him-he really did-but he could tell by Draco's expression, his tone that the topic really distressed him.
"That's alright." He whispered, pulling his lover a little closer. "You don't have to talk about anything. I'll never make you do anything you don't want to. Ever." Comforted, but still slightly distressed, Draco fell asleep against Harry's chest.
/I'll let him sleep for a few hours.../ But he too quickly fell asleep.
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