Where The Sky and The Pen Meet

Doxa Vomica et Curo- Ch 11

2008-04-25T07:10:55Z

Title: Doxa Vomica et Curo
Authors: poutytrout & fairyeyez27
Pairing(s): Harry/Draco, Seamus/Blaise, mentions of Ron/Hermione
Story Rating: NC-17
Chapter Rating: PG-13
Genre: Romance, Drama, some Humor, (you know.. life)
Words Total (so far): 29,876
Words this Chapter: 1,579
Disclaimer: Though we sincerely wish it to be so, we neither own nor have created these most fabulous of characters. They are the property of one J.K. Rowling. We shall return them we were are finished, hopefully they will be unharmed.
Warnings: male/male (personally.. i think its a perk!)
Spoilers: Mostly follows canon through book 6.. some changes made to book 6.
Summary: It has been five years since they had left Hogwarts, four since Voldemort was killed, three since those beloved were finally put to rest, and two since the last death eater was killed. Now the survivors of the epic battle in the wizarding world were finding themselves thrown back into the normal world, surviving as they did before Voldemort came to power, or trying to..
Note: Hey, sorry for the wait.. i have to say its cuz absolutely zero comments is kinda depressing. But, bouncing away from that, I love this chapter and the next one is HOT so please read, please review, and please enjoy!

Story Index

Disclaimer: Though we severely wish it to be true, we neither own nor have created these most fabulous of characters. They are property of one J. K. Rowling. We shall return them when we are finished. Hopefully they will be unharmed.

Doxa Vomica et Curo
Chapter Eleven

Winds that Never Stop Moving

Harry waited till he was on his door step before apparating them to just outside the ground. Moving up to the large elaborate gate he ran his fingers over the padlock and it opened.

“You can’t go in the house. Or even near it.” He told Draco, locking back up after him.

Draco looked up at his home and just swallowed hard, fighting back nostalgic tears and nodded.

“This way,” Harry said, not allowing him to feel anything right now as he led Draco to Narcissa's grave. It was a long ways from the house. He stopped in the middle of a field pointing to a small patch of wildflowers.

“I remember...” he said simply as he followed and his breath caught a little as he saw her grave. He moved over and dropped down to his knees, leaning forward to place his hands over her grave. “Mama...” he said softly, swallowing hard, tears coming now. “ I’m sorry mama... I couldn’t stop him...”

Harry closed his eyes, moving away, to go and sit in the grass elsewhere. Draco shook gently as he lay down on his mother's grave, his fingers curling against the grass as he laid soaked in memories of her. The wind picked up and wrapped around Draco, stirring the grass around him, and making the soft wildflowers sway to graze his cheeks. He smiled just softly, even way out here this place felt like home... comforting.

Harry let him stay till the sun started to set. He stood up and walked a bit closer, just standing there. Draco looked up at him, shivering a little as he wasn’t wearing a jacket and sat up, sniffing and wiping his eyes a little.

“Thank you...” he said softly, gently.

Harry pulled off his hoodie and handed it to Draco before nodding and turning to walk gently through the grass. Draco watched Harry, holding the hoodie to his face for just a moment. He breathed Harry in, wondering if they'd ruined everything before he pulled it over his head and covered his possibly too slender form. He stood slowly and started to follow Harry back, pausing for a moment.

“Harry...”

Harry turned to look at him, his hair whipping about his face from the wind. Draco moved toward him, close, studying him for a moment before he stepped closer and slid his arms around him, needing a hug, and wanting one from Harry.

Harry watched him, surprised before he wrapped his arms around Draco’s frame, holding his hand on his head to hold it over his beating heart. Draco just sighed and shifted a little closer, closing his eyes as he took comfort in the hug.

“Really, thank you,” he said softly. “And I’m sorry... for everything.”

Harry nodded and placed the softest of kisses to Draco’s forehead, just holding him now. Draco shivered at the gentle kiss, it making his heart flutter a little in his chest. Harry held him for a while before he pulled back and wiped away Draco’s last tears with the cuff of his own sleeve, knowing Draco never let people see him cry. Draco smiled a little, seeing the understanding in Harry's eyes and surprised, a little, at how comforting it was just being near him.

“Were you always like this without me knowing about it?” he asked softly.

“I've been told so.” He said softly, thumbing his cheek gently before just tucking a stray strand of hair behind Draco’s ear.

Draco chuckled softly, biting his lip before he reluctantly, very reluctantly, dropped his arms. Harry smiled softly, slipping on his sunglasses again before turning. He let out a tired sigh before heading away from the house and to the gate. Draco moved to walk next to him, hands in his pockets.

“So... are you ever going to tell Blaise that you're straight?” he asked, grinning a little.

“He still hasn’t finished the challenge. I shall ruin nothing for him,” he said ambiguously.

Draco chuckled, turning to walk backwards and look at him. “Okay... are you ever going to tell me? Because once he finds out he'll just hold it over my head anyway.”

Harry narrowed his eyes a bit behind his glasses, smirking just barely but keeping silent. Draco shivered a little, liking Harry's smirk.

Harry quirked a brow at him. “You are unnaturally curious Draco,” he said simply, running his fingers through his hair. “I'm starting to suspect Blaise is bringing in reinforcements.”

Draco flushed lightly and looked down. “I wouldn't tell Blaise, and he’d feel cheated out of figuring it out himself...”

“Well then let’s not disappoint Blaise, then, huh?” He said opening the gate and closing it behind Draco, locking it again.

Draco sighed softly. “What if I wanted to know?”

Harry turned to look at him. “What do your instincts tell you?” He asked as they walked.

Draco chewed his lip. “My instincts are a little clouded…” he said though was thinking When it comes to you.

Harry watched him. “You've always been good with judgment.” He said softly.

Draco raised a brow. “Are you forgetting that I spent six years thinking you were the spawn of Satan out to ruin my life?”

“No, but you were probably right. Except for the Satan thing...” he said with another smirk.

Draco chuckled, stopping walking for a moment to look at him. “Are you sure about that one?”

“The Satan thing?” he said with a grin. “Yeah pretty sure.”

Draco grinned back. “What if I’m wrong and you get all offended?”

“Draco I’ve spent twelve years reading about me in all different kinds of tabloids. Little really offends me these days.” He said simply, turning to look at him.

Draco stepped toward him and nodded a little. “Okay...” He paused. “Are you going to tell me if I’m right?”

“No. I'm going to let your instincts decide that," he said softly, tilting his head and watching him behind his sunglasses.

Draco reached up, taking the sunglasses gently from his face so he could see his eyes.

“I think... that if you are straight, you're one of a handful that has a cuddle buddy... and can dance with a guy the way you can...” he said softly, remembering a lot more about that night then he'd let on; remembering especially the feel of Harry's body behind his. Harry gave a little self-amused smirked, blinking slowly as he let him continue. Draco sighed a little and looked down.

“Although, if you were straight, it would make my life a little less confusing,” he said, slipping Harry's sunglasses on to mask his own eyes before turning and waiting for him to start walking again.

Harry blinked and watched him walk away a bit before starting to follow. He glanced back only once before taking Draco’s hand and apparating them back to his apartment. Draco shivered when Harry took hold of his hand before it was overshadowed by the lurch of apparating. He shook his head a little to clear away the disorientation his hand still in Harry’s for the moment.

Harry watched him a moment. “I have some work to do...” he said softly, not asking for his hoodie or glasses back.

Draco pulled the glasses off so he could look at Harry. “Oh... okay...” he agreed, handing them back but leaving the hoodie on.

Harry pushed them back just barely. “Keep them,” he said softly, before tucking another strand behind Draco’s ear.

Draco shivered, biting his lip a little as he nodded. “Thanks...”

Harry nodded before kissing his forehead again and moving to open the door for him. Draco stepped through the door and turned back.

“Harry?” he started softly.

Harry looked at him, quirking a brow telling him to go on.

“Do you... do want to meet for lunch tomorrow? Just you know... as friends…?” he asked, flushing lightly and looking down.

Harry nodded and smiled a little, “I'd love to.”

He smiled back and nodded. “Cool...”

Harry nodded before waiting for him to apparate away then he closed the door, bypassing work to just sleep. He needed sleep. Lots and lots of sleep.

Draco apparated to Blaise’s house, smiling when Blaise recognized the hoodie and he just shrugged, curling up on the couch with him and Seamus and wouldn’t remove the hoodie for anything.

Doxa Vomica et Curo- Ch 10

2008-04-03T09:31:39Z

Title: Doxa Vomica et Curo
Authors: poutytrout & fairyeyez27
Pairing(s): Harry/Draco, Seamus/Blaise, mentions of Ron/Hermione
Story Rating: NC-17
Chapter Rating: PG-13
Genre: Romance, Drama, some Humor, (you know.. life)
Words Total (so far): 28,297
Words this Chapter: 1634
Disclaimer: Though we sincerely wish it to be so, we neither own nor have created these most fabulous of characters. They are the property of one J.K. Rowling. We shall return them we were are finished, hopefully they will be unharmed.
Warnings: male/male (personally.. i think its a perk!)
Spoilers: Mostly follows canon through book 6.. some changes made to book 6.
Summary: After the war Draco Malfoy was left orphaned and had to struggle to get by and keep his pride. What happens when Harry Potter stumbles into his life again?
Note: Woot! finally got a new charger for my laptop, so we should be back to the weekly updates, at least through chapter 13.. after that we all have to beg Mandy to keep editing the rest.. (Reviews do a good job of egging her towards that.) Short chapter this time around, but the next couple are goooooood. :D (oh, and i changed the summary, matches whats on fanfiction.net now :) )

Doxa Vomica et Curo
Chapter Ten

Hidden Letters and Forgotten Soup

Draco never did get to sleep that night, but he showed up at work the next day anyway, and the next, and for the next week. He called and apologized to Hermione for hanging up on her, but still refused to talk about anything... same with Blaise and otherwise avoided his friends. Harry took all his work home, doing more field work in that week just to avoid office encounters.

With Harry not coming into the ministry Draco heard a lot of rumors, it seemed Harry Potter was still the most common thing to gossip about and he shook his head, avoiding most of them. He asked his own questions though, carefully, finding out a little about what had really happened with his home, with his father. It didn’t take long to put the pieces together... he didn’t need Blaise or Hermione to tell him. Though he wished one of them would have, or better yet... Harry... though he could maybe understand why he hadn't.

Harry was currently at home, curled up in his bed on his forced day off. He was watching the tele, idly, more just staring at it. Draco went to Severus's shop after work, working more as was usual, thinking over what he'd figured out, wondering what he could do about it. Later that evening, Harry knew he had to go get some ingredients from Severus's shop. He swallowed as he dressed in darker clothes, writing what he needed. Apparating over he walked into the shop, without looking at who was in there and just simply handed the paper to Snape, not knowing Draco may be there.

Severus looked up at him, knowing the two had argued he simply stood and moved to the back, handing the list to Draco and letting him take the ingredients out. Draco looked down at the list and swallowed, recognizing the hand writing. Harry waited, not saying anything as he kept his hands in his coat pocket. Draco came out a moment later, swallowing hard when he saw Harry, the old feelings that had been building stirring again and he gently sat the ingredients down. Harry looked at the ingredients and set some money on the counter without saying a word, taking the small box and leaving the shop. Draco whimpered softly and merely turned back to move into the back of the shop.

Later that evening when Severus was organizing the money he came across a small envelope in between some bills. Frowning he looked and saw Draco’s name on it, recognizing the handwriting. “Draco...” he said softly.

Draco looked up from where he was labeling ingredients. “Yea Sev?”

Severus handed him the small envelope, backing away to let him read it in peace. Draco swallowed lightly, opening it slowly and pulling out the letter inside, shifting to better light in which to read. Draco swallowed again, recognizing the handwriting as he had earlier.

Draco,

I don't know what I can say... as an excuse... I suppose... but I am sure by now you have heard from the ministry or my friends, why I did what I did... my motive.

It seemed as though Harry had paused for a long while, because his next handwriting was a lot shakier.

I just wanted to apologize, for what I have done to you, for your past. This isn't out of pity... it was my fault... and I am, or was trying only to make up for what wrong I did to you.

He had originally signed it Harry but scribbled that out.

-Potter

He finished, the letter short and to the point. Draco swallowed lightly, tears threatening again as he leaned back.

“I have to go Severus... I’ll meet you at home...” he said softly, folding the letter carefully and sliding into his pocket before he walked out.

Severus watched him go with a small frown. He sighed. Harry had returned home, locking himself in his lab to work on a spell.

Draco took another couple of days before he could respond to Harry... and after several failed letters he waited till Harry had another day off before apparating to his door and with a deep breath he knocked softly. Hermione answered it, just looking at him before letting him in.

Draco wet his lower lip as he moved in, nervous. “Is he here...?”

She watched him a moment. “He's asleep,” she said softly. “I came over to make him some lunch.”

“Oh...” he said, looking down. “I guess... I’ll just... I’ll come back later...”

Hermione watched him. “You should just wait. If you leave I don’t think you'll come back, “ she said simply, not afraid to tell him her opinion.

He bit his lip and nodded lightly, it had taken a lot to get him here now. “Okay...”

Hermione set the soup on the stove. “I'll go see if he wants to wake up,” she said moving to his room. Crouching down she woke him softly, telling him she had lunch for him. He yawned and pulled on a hoodie over his jeans, having just stripped his shirt. Moving out he was running his fingers through his hair when he saw Draco.

Draco looked up nervously before looking to Hermione and then back to Harry.
“Hi...” he offered softly.

Harry looked down and Hermione sighed softly. “Hello,” Harry countered walking past him a moment to get a bowl of soup.

Draco swallowed and looked back to Hermione again. “Maybe this was a bad idea...”

Hermione gave him a look that clearly meant if he backed out now she wouldn’t ever talk to him again. He swallowed a whimper, making pregnant women mad wasn’t a good thing. And he half hoped she wasn’t there, the other half glad she was.

“Harry...”

Harry looked up, his eyes not angry, just... accepting. “Draco...” He said moving to sit down at his table to eat the soup.

Draco took a breath, and then decided that no, he didn’t want Hermione here for this. He looked over at her with a slightly pleading expression. She watched him, studying him before nodding and moving to clean up Harry’s room closing the door behind her. Draco took another breath before speaking.

“I don’t blame you for what happened to me,” he started softly.

Harry blew on the soup gently, drinking the broth and vegetables.

Draco sighed. “I understand why you did what you did... but because you did it behind my back, while becoming friends with me, it feels a little like you were only being nice to me because you felt guilty…”

“I wouldn't become your friend just because I felt guilty.” He said softly, taking another bite of his soup. “That would probably be the last thing I would do because I felt guilty.”

Draco nodded a little. “I know... but Harry we can't be friends if you're going to feel guilty over things in the past... and if you're going to try to do things without me knowing about them. If you wanted to help you should have told me so…”

“Like you would have let me,” he said softly, stirring his soup.

“I wouldn’t have taken the money,” he agreed softly, “but I would have loved help getting my stuff recognized, getting a job like you did... and I might have taken a loan.” He paused. “But even if I’d have refused, it would have been my choice... I had to work really hard to have the right to make my own choices about my life.”

Harry looked down, his stomach not taking well to anything at the moment so he just stirred the soup.

“I’m sorry that I yelled when I confronted you about it...” he said, looking down. “And for some of the things I said.” Draco swallowed lightly looking down and to the side a bit. “I was upset because I felt like I’d been deceived and it was worse because... because I was... for other reasons…” he said, flushed as he kept his gaze down.

Harry frowned and looked down, nodding. “I'm sorry for not telling you,” he breathed softly, almost a whisper. “I still am the only one who has authority over your assets...”

Draco sighed softly. “I don’t need them...” He swallowed and sighed. “A lot of my father’s money was blood money... or old money belonging to the family…”

Harry sighed softly, looking away still, his eyes still cast down.

“I... I don’t know if it’s possible...” Draco swallowed heavily. “But I’d like... I’d like to visit my mother's grave sometime...”

Harry looked up. Narcissa was buried in secret, the death eaters believing she could hold some magic to bring Voldemort back.

“It's on the grounds... it’s not marked... I watched them bury her...”

Harry swallowed hard, pushing his soup away before moving to his room to pull on a shirt then his hoodie back on. “I know. I was there.” He said coming back out.

“I didn’t have time to make her a marker...” Draco said softly to himself, swallowing hard again. He looked up at him, but just nodded.

“Follow me,” Harry said pulling on a pair of sun glasses to hide his eyes as he waited for Draco.

Draco turned to him, surprised they were leaving now but he just nodded, “okay...” he said softly.

___

Ch 11: Winds that Never Stop Changing

___

Author’s Notes: Drama Drama Drama… yes I know… everything still isn’t mended. But there is wonderful sweetness in the next chapter I promise.

Made From: Heart aches, stomach aches, and papercuts.

Review if you want two chapters next week! 10 reviews is the goal!

Doxa Vomica et Curo- Ch 9

2008-02-20T07:44:15Z

Title: Doxa Vomica et Curo
Authors: poutytrout and fairyeyez27
Pairing(s): Harry/Draco, Seamus/Blaise, mentions of Ron/Hermione
Story Rating: NC-17
Chapter Rating: PG-13
Genre: Romance, Drama, some Humor, (you know.. life)
Words Total (so far): 26,663
Words this Chapter: 3216
Disclaimer: Though we sincerely wish it to be so, we neither own nor have created these most fabulous of characters. They are the property of one J.K. Rowling. We shall return them we were are finished, hopefully they will be unharmed.
Warnings: male/male (personally.. i think its a perk!)
Spoilers: Mostly follows canon through book 6.. some changes made to book 6.
Summary: It has been five years since they had left Hogwarts, four since Voldemort was killed, three since those beloved were finally put to rest, and two since the last death eater was killed. Now the survivors of the epic battle in the wizarding world were finding themselves thrown back into the normal world, surviving as they did before Voldemort came to power, or trying to..
Note: Hi guys! So, the charger for my notebook computer died.. so I'm a little late getting this up, but here you are anyway! I get to go an hour and half into Eugene tomorrow just to try and fix it. Anywho, mild angstyness this chapter... yelling and all that.. why you ask? Well I guess you'll just have to read!

Story Index

Doxa Vomica et Curo

Chapter Nine
Arguments Lead to More Arguments

Draco moved to open a new account, but asked about the next lease first, frowning when he discovered it had been paid for a year and asking who had paid it. They hadn't left a name and Draco just shook his head in bewilderment before asking to open a new account.

“Mr. Malfoy, sir... you have an account. Why do you wish to open another?” The goblin asked, adjusting his tiny glasses.

“Because the ministry closed my accounts so my father couldn’t access them,” he said simply.

He licked his lip and readjusted his glasses. “It says here, the account for one Draco Malfoy has been reinstated and a deposit has been made for a thousand galleons.” He said looking up at him.

Draco frowned. “What...?” he shook his head “That doesn’t make any sense... who would do that?”

The man squinted. “Order for reinstatement was issued by a ... oh... by Harry Potter himself...” the goblin said with his crooked smile.

Draco froze. “Oh...”

The goblin blinked, not really caring for human sentiments. “What would you like to do then sir?”

“Um... could I have another key made please? To be delivered to Mr. Severus Snape.”

“Of course," he agreed with a nod, retrieving Draco’s and getting a copy made. “Anything else sir?

“No, thank you," he said softly, looking down. “Oh... wait…”

“Yes?”

Draco pulled out a piece of paper on which he'd written how much he owed Blaise. “Could you have this amount transferred to the account of Blaise Zabini? And that will be all.”

The goblin nodded. “Of course.”

Draco turned and left without another word, his brain working overtime. He took out his phone, dialing Harry's number, his mind now feeling a little bank.

Harry reached over with a pencil in his mouth, looking at the number and swallowing harshly, afraid to answer. “H-hello?” He asked as he pulled the pencil from his mouth.

“Harry? Can we talk?”

Harry swallowed, having a hard time judging the tone of his voice over the phone. “Uhm... I'm a little busy...” He said though he really wasn't all too busy.

Draco rolled his eyes; he doubted that. “It needs to be soon and in person.”

He swallowed. “U-uhm...” He said. “Sure... then if it is urgent... w-where do you want to meet?” He asked coughing away the damnable stutter in his voice.

“I don’t care, somewhere private, pick someplace.” His voice was still calm, not giving away what he was thinking.

“You're the one who wants to meet...” He said gently, not wanting to actually do this. “Anywhere you want...”

“Are you at home?”

He closed his eyes and swallowed. “Yeah.”

“Give me an apparation point I can focus on, I’ll just come there.” he said, walking to somewhere he could apparate from.

Harry swallowed. “My doorstep is concealed... you can apparate there.” He said as he bit his lip.

Draco nodded. “See you soon,” he said, hanging up.

Harry swallowed and whimpered, dropping his head into his hands before standing to straighten up his house a bit. Draco gave him about ten minutes before he apparated, knocking on his door.

Harry paused just staring at it a moment before moving to it. “Who is it?” he asked as if he didn’t know.

“Let me in Harry...” he said softly, a little annoyed by Harry's nervousness.

Harry opened the door wide so Draco could come in, chewing his lip before closing it behind Draco. Draco came in and turned to look at him, hands in his pockets.

“I’ll ask again... is there something you need to tell me Harry?”

Harry watched him, but had learned a lot over the years, one thing being the ability to keep his mouth shut.

“No, Draco...”

Draco's eyes flashed a little. That had been most definitely the wrong thing to say. Harry grit his teeth and looked away, taking quiet breaths as he moved into the kitchen. Draco was hoping Harry would give him a reason, would fess up but now his calm was slipping.

“Really? So you don’t want to explain to me what the hell give you the right to interfere in my life?” he said, his voice low.

Harry wouldn’t meet his eyes. “I have my reasons,” he said simply, softly, looking to the side with a frown on his brows.

“You have your reasons?” he demanded, voice raising a little. “I understand wanting to help with the potion, and hell I’m even grateful for the ministry job but I do not need or want your charity Potter.” he snarled.

He winced softly at the use of his last name, but took it. “It's not charity...” he said softly, though he didn’t really know if that as true or not.

“Oh really? You mean you didn't see my apartment and decide you needed to rescue me?! What do you call it then? I can take care of myself Potter, I’ve been doing it for a long time now. Where was this good will when I was living on the street during the war because my father decided to kill my mother?!” he panted softly, nearly shouting.

Harry flinched but wouldn’t spill. Seeing his apartment wasn’t REALLY the reason he did it but it finally pushed his guilt over the edge. His hands shook lightly at the mention of Lucius and how Draco had been living but still, he wouldn’t tell. He'd rather be yelled at for this than hated by Draco for the worse.

Draco shook his head in disappointment. “God, to think I was actually starting to like you, but you haven’t changed at all! You're still sticking your nose where it doesn’t belong and pushing your hero complex on those who don't want it,” he said, turning and walking out the door, slamming it behind him.

Harry swallowed and closed his eyes slowly sitting on the couch and dropping his hands, just staring at the wall across from him.

“Fucking Potter,” he growled, not apparating at he needed to walk off steam.

Hermione called Harry later that day, needing to ask him some questions about the ministry but he had gone to sit on his terrace and refused to answer his phone. She knew he was home, having a clock much like Mrs. Weasley and frowned. Dialing Draco’s number she waited.

Draco answered the phone, sounding tired as most of his anger had dissipated. “Hi Hermione.”

“Hey sweetie...” She said softly, frowning at the sound of his voice. “Are you alright?” She asked gently.

“Yea, fine.” He said simply. “What's up?”

She frowned still but learned not to push with Draco. “Do you know if Harry is alright? He's not answering his phone... and I know he's home... I’m just a bit worried is all...”

Draco growled lightly. “Don’t know, don’t care.”

Hermione blinked. “Hey now... what happened?”

Draco sighed. “We had a fight, nothing new, was there anything else you wanted?”

“Draco stop... what did you two fight about? You were getting along...” She asked.

“I don’t want to talk about it” he said, his tone allowing no argument.

Hermione wasn’t scared of that voice anymore. She humfed on the other end. “Draco...” She said in her own threatening tone. “Seeing as you seem mad at him... what did he do?”

Draco wasn't willing to budge. “It was lovely talking to you Hermione but now I must go throw darts at Potters picture, do call again soon.” he said, hanging up.

Hermione grumbled but didn’t try to call him back, instead trying to call Harry again. She sighed softly and called Seamus and Blaise, telling them to go check on the boys. Seamus found Harry but got nothing from him. Draco locked himself in his room, figuring Blaise would be coming after he got off the phone and he didn’t want to talk to him. Blaise simply alohamora’d the lock and walked in, not caring at the moment as he was annoyed with Draco for getting angry at potter for seemingly no reason.

“What is it now Draco?” He said crossing his arms over his chest.

“Go the fuck away Blaise. I have to work tomorrow and I need to sleep.”

“Like fuck you are going to sleep. All you are going to do is fume, and apparently throw darts at Harry's picture.”

“Does it look like I actually have darts? Hermione wouldn't leave me the fuck alone... but I’ll conjure some to throw at your head if you don’t get the fuck out.” Draco pulled his shirt over his head, moving to his bed.

Blaise didn’t flinch. “Don’t fuck with me Draco.” He said seriously. “What did you and Harry fight over? Did it have something to do with Gringotts?”

Draco picked up a random glass figurine and heaved it toward Blaise, hitting the wall just behind him. “Go away.”

Blaise was surprised that he did that, deep down a little hurt but just picked up something and threw it like Draco had, making it shattered against the wall. “No.”

Draco rolled his eyes and crawled in bed, turning away from Blaise and pretending like he wasn’t there.

“Why the fuck are you doing this Draco? You finally get a person who is perfect for you and you just fuck it over a fight. What happened that is making you throw away something as great as Harry?”

“If Potter is such a fucking saint, you take him,” he said, pulling the covers up over his head.

Blaise growled, tired of Draco’s immaturity. He moved and grabbed his wrist yanking him right out of the bed and dropping him to the floor, pinning him down. “If you want to act like a child, I'll treat you like a fucking child.”

Draco growled and shoved hard at Blaise's chest, rolling and pinning him himself. “I'm allowed to be angry, and I’m allowed to not fucking tell you about it right away! For fucks sake it just happened, leave me the fuck alone,” he snarled, pushing off him to stand up.

Blaise swallowed from where he was on his back and simply grit his teeth, pushing himself up and leaving, slamming all the doors he went through on his way out. Seamus had moved to sit next to Harry but didn’t even get the f-word out of him. He sighed calling Hermione.

Draco grit his teeth, he didn’t really want to fight with Blaise, he just wanted to be left alone. Hermione sighed and decided to just go over and see Harry. Seamus let her in and she moved to carefully sit next to Harry, watching him.

Draco rubbed his shoulder where Blaise had dropped him on the ground before just crawling back into bed and pulling the covers up. Blaise, angry went over to Harry’s wanting to yell at SOMEONE. He stormed in, just as Hermione started talking and started yelling about hurting Draco.

Harry flinched and Seamus pushed him back, telling him to shut up as he looked worriedly at Harry. Blaise swallowed and sobered up. Hermione glared at Blaise a moment before looking at Harry. He swallowed and looked at her a moment, knowing only she would understand WHY he did what he did.

“I reinstated his bank account... and put some money in as well as pay off the lease on the shop... for a year.” He said before pulling his legs back up.

Blaise's eyes widened slightly in understanding. “You gave money to a Slytherin?”

Hermione looked down as Harry closed his eyes. “Shut up Blaise,” Hermione said seriously to him.

Blaise swallowed and stopped talking for a moment, trying to figure out what would prompt Harry to do that. Like Draco he didn’t believe anyone just did that out of the goodness of their hearts.

Hermione looked at Harry sadly. “Harry...” She said softly, trying to rub his thigh comfortingly but he just moved it. “Harry you can’t hold onto that... it will eat you away...” She said softly, trying to catch his lowered eyes.

“What did you do?” Blaise demanded softly, knowing there had to be more to it.

Hermione looked at Blaise before looking to Harry again. “Harry...” She said softly but he just stood and apparated away. Hermione sighed heavily, bringing her hand to her forehead. She shook it gently before standing.

“Hermione...” Blaise prodded. “If I know what’s going on I can work with Draco...” he said softly.

She sighed softly and moved back inside, Seamus staying quiet but listening. She didn’t know if she should tell them this but she didn’t know any other way. “Harry...” She said gently. “Harry was the one to kill Lucius...” She said sitting on the couch and rubbing her temples.

Blaise took it in stride. “Harry's an auror... We were in war, and Lucius was already dead to Draco.”

“Yes well... after killing him he also had to clean up his mess... which consequently made Harry the one person to shut down and confiscate all the Malfoy assets... including Draco’s...” She sighed. “The ministry made him take away the estates, seize all their bank accounts, fire all their staff...” She dropped her voice as she picked at the couch. “Throw Draco out on the street...”

“Did Harry know what would happen to Draco?”

“You can take a guess what will happen.” She said softly. “I think he expected Draco to just pick himself up and move on... figured it was the Malfoy way...”

Blaise sighed and shook his head. “No one knew how bad it would be for him and Draco had a hard time finding any sort of job, no one wanted to hire him... he was 16 when his mother died and he was running from his father... But he had his money until the accounts were frozen...” he rubbed his left arm out of reflex, “Harry was just doing his job though. Draco would understand that.”

“Sure Draco would understand but Harry still feels guilty. What happened with Draco was only a snippet of what he feels guilty about but he just tries to move on. I'm sure he wishes he could have killed Lucius before he killed Narcissa. I'm sure he wishes he didn’t have to ruin Draco’s life. I'm sure he wishes a lot of things that he couldn’t have.” She said, understanding Harry from a point that Blaise and Draco would never understand.

“Harry needs to explain some of this to Draco... Draco won’t and can’t accept people messing with his life... but he understands very well righting old wrongs.”

Hermione laughed gently and shook her head. “He can’t do that Blaise. You Slytherins should know well enough.” She said, knowing her comment may be generalized. “He doesn’t want to show his faults. He’s too pressured to be perfect and the moment he slips up shit follows.” She said exasperatedly. She sighed heavily. “He can’t just go, oh, sorry Draco for fucking up your life for the past few years. He's doing what he can with what he has.” She said, cursing, which was rare for her.

Blaise looked over at Seamus, pulling him into his lap. “Harry's the fearless Gryffindor, he needs to do something because Draco won’t... even if I told him he wouldn’t approach Harry if he came over here and yelled at him.” He sighed and wrapped his arms around Seamus. “They could be so good for each other, I know they could... even just as friends.”

Hermione frowned and stood up, tired of people always making Harry do everything. “Maybe Draco should grow a fucking backbone. Sure Harry has some explaining to do but at least he didn't tear Draco to shreds.” She spat and stomped out of the house, Seamus surprised as he watched her leave.

Blaise sighed softly, “Draco doesn’t trust people often... or give anyone a second chance... he probably feels like Harry went behind his back... like he doesn’t think Draco can take care of himself...” Blaise sighed again, kissing Seamus's cheek, “Do I need to stop talking now?”

Seamus nodded. “Yeah you really aren’t helping yourself...” He sighed, a hint of bitterness in his tone, though it didn’t stay long. He kissed his forehead and stood up, moving to get something to drink.

Blaise moved to follow him, sliding his hands to Seamus's hips and pulling him back against him, pressing a kiss to the side of his neck. “Do you think they need to work it out?”

“Yeah...” He said sipping at his water and leaning back against Blaise. “But I think Draco needs to say he is sorry as much as Harry does.” He said sticking up for his friend. “I haven’t seen Harry that quiet and reclusive in a while. Draco must have done a real doozy.”

“Well... he threw a glass figurine at my head if that gives you any clue to how Draco might have been like when he was here,” he murmured, nuzzling with Seamus. He wasn't going to let Draco and Harry's fight get between what was happening with him Seamus. “And I believe he hung up on Hermione.”

Seamus sighed heavily and shook his head. Moving Blaise to the guest room he pushed him back on the bed and just snuggled up to him.

Harry had apparated to a large field in Dublin, having been there many times over, he sighed as he ran his fingers through the soft grass, unyielding tears lacing his eyes.

Draco lay awake in his bed for a long, long time, unable to fall asleep as he thought of what he'd said and what Harry had done... and the look on Harry’s face kept going through his mind. He shook his head and buried in more, the anger leaving him upset, feeling betrayed... hoodwinked was an ancient term but he felt it applied. He covered his head and gave into his first bout of tears in years.

Hermione sent Ron out to find Harry and he was where she guessed. Ron stood back a bit letting him his moment before he moved forward. “Harry...” he said softly, and crouched. Harry looked at him, wiping the tears away with a shaky hand. Ron sighed and looked around. “Come on mate... This is probably the worst place for you to be right now... “ He murmured and pulled Harry up, walking him away. Harry looked back once more, seeing this whole field covered in dead bodies, blood covering all the beautiful luscious grass, one of the bloodiest days in the war against Voldemort.

___

Chapter 10: Hidden Letters and Forgotten Soup

___

Author’s Notes: There ye go. Lots and lots of drama. I know this was one of the harder chapters for us to write. And their relationship is so fragile. It seems as though it would never work. –le sigh- As we figured out in this chapter, Harry angry = quiet. Draco angry = the f-word a lot. A lot a lot. Lol.

Made from: Tears, arguments, and a short playlist on constant shuffle.

Sooo.. angst, I know! we're not mean to them very often but we have to be mean to them every once in awhile.. So... if you want a second chapter this week to see if they start to resolve this then you have to review! Same deal as usual, ten reviews equals a second chapter, otherwise I'll see y'all next week! :-)

Doxa Vomica et Curo- Ch 8

2008-02-13T05:54:23Z

Title: Doxa Vomica et Curo
Authors:

fairyeyez27 & poutytrout
Pairing(s): Harry/Draco, Seamus/Blaise, mentions of Ron/Hermione
Story Rating: NC-17
Chapter Rating: PG-13
Genre: Romance, Drama, some Humor, (you know.. life)
Words Total (so far): 23,447
Words this Chapter: 2778
Disclaimer: Though we sincerely wish it to be so, we neither own nor have created these most fabulous of characters. They are the property of one J.K. Rowling. We shall return them we were are finished, hopefully they will be unharmed.
Warnings: male/male
Spoilers: Mostly follows canon through book 6.. some changes made to book 6.
Summary: It has been five years since they had left Hogwarts, four since Voldemort was killed, three since those beloved were finally put to rest, and two since the last death eater was killed. Now the survivors of the epic battle in the wizarding world were finding themselves thrown back into the normal world, surviving as they did before Voldemort came to power, or trying to..
Note: Hi guys! soo.. i was hoping to get this out yesterday but today and yesterday have just been nuts with job searching and audition madness.. My friend is doing this play called Heathen Valley... really intense but anyway, I needed to be at auditions tonight and last night.. but here you are! and really.. since i just gave you a chapter a few days ago i don't feel tooooo bad for you. Next chapter will be out probably next Monday unless i get ten people to review, then you'll have one out much earlier :-D. Anywho, awesome coolness this chapter.. Blaise/Seamus cuteness and some allusions to the conflict that will be coming up next chapter, oh Noooes! angst! but not till chapter 9 :-P ((oh.. it also occurred to me that 'help please' doesn't sound like chapter title.. so if you missed chapters 7.. that was probably my fault on not labeling it well..)

Story Index

Doxa Vomica et Curo

Chapter Eight
Secrets

Another week went by and Harry was once again swamped at the office. He was in a room full of artifacts, checking out each one when a man knocked at Draco’s door. His suit was nice but just a bit off, as if he were trying to look like a muggle, but failing.

Draco moved to answer the door, chuckling a little to himself at the suit. “Yes sir?”

“Mr. Malfoy.” The man said, extending his hand. “I am Frank Wellborn, from the Ministry of Magic," he said a smile on his face.

Draco nodded, shaking his hand. “Come in...”

The man thanked him as he came in. “First I’d like to congratulate you on your fantastic work this past month, Mr. Malfoy,” he said, smiling.

“Oh... you mean the removal potion?” he asked, offering the man a seat.

“Yes, for the dark mark,” he said, sitting lightly on the couch. “It really sparked an interest throughout the whole Ministry.”

“Really?” Draco asked, surprised as he sat in a chair. “I didn’t think it would hold interest for very many...”

“It's more the possibilities it opens.” He explained, still with his smile. “But that isn’t what I came for,” he said, setting his briefcase down .”What I really came for was to offer you a job at the Ministry, working as one of the lead physicians in the Apothecary...” He said, falling silent to let that information sink in.

Draco swallowed lightly, letting it sit in, it was a very prestigious position, but he couldn’t understand why they would offer it to the son of Lucius Malfoy.

“Why...?” He asked, realizing he wasn't being very formal, but at a bit of a loss.

“Because your work is fantastic, Draco.” he said, leaning forward and dropping some of the formalities. “We are trying to move past your family, we know that you haven’t followed in your fathers footsteps, rest his soul...” he added. “And that has led us to believe you will be an incredibly powerful asset to this ministry.”

Draco brought his hand to his forehead, overwhelmed. “I... I need to think about it... forgive me... but the ministry hasn’t exactly been my best friend. They left me homeless after my mother was killed and never bothered to see that I wasn't just going to die on the streets...”

The man swallowed. “Yes... your past has been an unfortunate one, but our aurors did what they had to do," he said softly. “Please... if you have any questions, just call me...” he said pulling out a card.

Draco nodded. He understood why they closed his home but he didn’t understand why they left him to fend for himself before he was even of legal age. “How much time do I have to decide?”

“As much as you need, this position isn’t offered to everyone.” He said, putting his smile back into place. He stood and moved to his front door. “Please do consider it; we've only heard fantastic things about you...” He said before nodding and leaving.

Draco sighed as he sat there, pulling his phone out while he lightly fingered the card. He sighed before he called Hermione.

“Heeelooo...” She said as he picked up, stirring something.

Draco smiled lightly, “Hermione, you'll never believe it.”

She adjusted the phone and smiled softly at the happiness she heard in his voice. “What?”

“The ministry offered me a job, as I a physician in the apothecary... isn't that where you work?”

She gasped. “Yes... well after the baby, but yes...” She laughed gently. “Oh Merlin Draco... that’s fantastic!”

Draco laughed softly, “I know right? Anyway, I was just wondering if you had anything to do with it...” he asked, chewing his nail again.

“Me? No sorry love...” She said softly.

He hadn't really thought so... “Do you think it was Harry?”

She thought about it and nodded gently to herself. “I don’t know... I haven’t been to work in a bit... taken the week off...” she said.

Draco chuckled. “But you have your suspicions... come on Hermione, this is the ministry we're talking about, they wouldn’t do anything for me without some prodding.”

She sighed. “Well he hasn’t said anything to me... directly...” She said, putting off whatever she was cooking for a moment to sit down. “I know he's been really busy at work, probably more than normal...” She sighed again, thinking it over. “And not just anybody could get you a job that easily... not even me...”

Draco smiled lightly before heaving a dramatic sigh. “I’m going to owe that boy my life if he keeps this up...” He smiled a little, “I don’t know if I should take it Hermione... it would feel really good to tell them no...”

She smiled lightly. “You can’t hold this against them forever, sweetie... I know you don’t like them, but I have my own problems with them too...” She said softly. “And I work for them,” She said with a small chuckle.

Draco smiled, “it might be worth it to work alongside you and actually get paid for it...” he mused. “I think I’ll talk to Sev before I make a decision.”

She smiled. “Okay Draco... but don’t dismiss it so easily though... it would be a big opportunity for you...”

“I know...” he said, “I’ll talk to you later ‘Mione.”

“Bye... “ She said hanging up.

Draco sighed, moving to go talk to Sev at the shop.

Harry came home that night, showered and sighed tiredly, crawling into bed even though it was early. About an hour later, Seamus, being the lonely snuggler he was, crawled in with him, making him chuckle lightly.

Draco ended up talking to Blaise as well before he made his decision. He ended up snuggling with Blaise as well... teasing him about not being with Seamus and Blaise just flushed and told him it hadn’t progressed that far.

Harry slept late on his day off, the one he had this week. Seamus smiled, kissing his forehead before moving into the kitchen to call Blaise and chat with him. Blaise woke with Draco curled next to him and chuckled as he answered his phone.

“Hey sexy…” he answered, gently waking Draco up so he could get busy taking care of things.

“Hey...” He said with a grin. “How are you doing this morning?”

“Oh good, dealing with a paranoid and bitter Draco... you?”

“Sleepy overworked Harry.” He said in return. “Dunno why he’s been working so much...” He said with a small chuckle.

Blaise moved out, leaving Draco to wake up on his own. “Well... favors don’t come cheap I guess...”

“Favor?” He asked, moving out on the porch after Harry grumbled about him being too loud.

“Draco was offered a job at the ministry,” he said, settling on his couch to talk.

Seamus was actually surprised, but he didn’t know what involvement Harry had with the Malfoy family. “Wow... is he going to take it?”

“I think so...” Blaise said. “We've all been talking about it... he knows he should.”

“And you think Harry set all this up?” he asked, looking at the man in the bed that he obviously knew very little about.

Blaise nodded. “Yea... I think so, he's the only one who could... he helped Draco get his potion recognized too... I don’t know what wrong Harry thinks he's righting, but I’m glad he is.” He paused a moment. “Either that... or he's got a big crush on Draco,” he said with a grin, wanting Seamus's reaction to give something away.

Seamus chuckled. “Dunno about that...” he said truthfully. “Wow...” he let out a breath, actually surprised about all this.

Blaise chuckled. “Well hey, I was going to take Draco out to celebrate... do you want to come?”

“Sure!” He said with a smile. “Want me to ask Harry?”

Blaise grinned. “Sure.” he said, glad Seamus had asked. “Its just lunch now... and maybe clubbing later if he's up to it.”

“I'll go see. Where do you want to meet?” He asked, looking into the apartment.

“There's this wonderful Italian restaurant in Diagon alley... inside its huge and like eating at a vineyard...”

“Oh... I know which one...” he said with a smile. “I'll meet you there then.” He said making a kissing sound before hanging up.

Blaise bit his lip and smiled lightly. “Draco... we're going out for lunch, my treat.”

“Haaaaarry...” Seamus sang softly, crawling into bed and thumbing his chin. Harry grunted something incoherent and Seamus smiled, rubbing his finger along the bridge of his nose. “We are going out to luuuunch... to celebrate Draco’s job offer...” Harry's gut did a little twist and he let out a long sigh.

Draco chuckled as he got up and got dressed, not worried because Blaise failed to mention Harry was coming. He pulled out his phone and his card, calling to accept the job before he lost his nerve. The man thanked Draco and told him that he would be doing a lot of field work instead of all lab work, if that was what he wanted. Harry was forced up by Seamus, who giggled as Harry grumbled. Soon, though, they were both waiting by the restaurant for Draco and Blaise. Harry had on dark jeans and a quidditch shirt on, topped with a black hoodie.

Draco was wearing muggle clothes as well, the fashion being very popular among many young wizards. He was wearing khakis and a simple blue long sleeved shirt, accented the little bits of blue in his eyes. He was smiling and joking with Blaise when they moved up and saw Harry and Seamus. Draco swallowed and flushed a little, shooting a slightly accusing look at Blaise

Blaise grinned. “Hey guys,” he said, leaning down to kiss Seamus's cheek.

Seamus grinned and Harry smiled lightly. “Hey...”

Draco smiled a little. “Hi Harry, Seamus... I didn’t know you guys were coming...” he said, smoothing his shirt a little and shooting another look at Blaise.

Seamus quirked a brow at Blaise and Harry looked a bit awkward.

“Well I invited them,” Blaise said as if it were the most obvious thing. “I could have sworn I told you...” he said cheekily before taking Seamus’s arm and leading all of them in.

Draco smiled a little at Harry. “Well, I’m glad you came...” he said softly to him before following the two in.

Harry smiled lightly and rested his hand on the small of Draco’s back as he held the door open for him, following him in. Draco shivered a little at the contact, dropping his head and flushing a little before he looked up as the waiter led them to a table. Harry thanked the waiter as he sat down, picking up the menu and looking over it. Draco looked over at Blaise and Seamus talking softly to each other and smiled a little, looking down at his own menu.

When the waiter came Harry ordered chicken parmagiana and just a glass of water. Draco smiled a little and ordered pasta alfredo with chicken and a glass of white wine (on Blaise's urging) and watched as they others ordered their food before he sat back.

“Sooooo... are you excited?” Seamus asked cheerfully as they waited, Harry looking down a moment as he sipped his water.

Draco chuckled, “I don’t know... its a little weird working for the ministry after... well it’s just weird, but it'll be nice I think... and after the baby's born Hermione is going to be working with me.”

“Oooohhh...” Seamus said. “What are you guys going to be doing?”

“I don’t know... the guy on the phone mentioned a lot of field work... I don’t know exactly what that means.”

“OH! Like the aurors... like what Harry does...” Seamus said turning to Harry.

Draco bit his lip and nodded. “Yea... I guess...” he said, turning his gaze to Harry.

Harry licked his bottom lip and looked up at Draco, smiling a little before he looked to Seamus who seemed to be waiting for him to speak. “You will probably be going to... different sights to try and see the magical material left behind...” He said rubbing the back of his neck.

Draco just nodded. “Yea I guess... I hope they let me work on some actual potion research though, that’s what I like to do.”

Blaise grinned, “Yea... I mean you've made two huge discoveries since the war. With your reversal potion I’m sure they will," he assured Draco, looking at him a moment before looking down.

Harry looked up. “Two?”

Draco nodded though he glared a little at Blaise for bringing up the other one. “It’s nothing... just something I had to do...”

Harry watched him a moment.

“Didn’t... didn’t you work on that one for the Longbottoms?” Seamus asked, having heard about it while working at St. Mungo’s.

Draco flushed lightly and looked down. “There was a potion for the Longbottoms?” he asked, feigning innocent.

Blaise rolled his eyes and nodded to Seamus when Draco wasn’t looking.

Seamus smirked and Harry swallowed, watching Draco for a long moment before he was cut off by their food arriving. Draco looked up when the food arrived, thankful for the distraction and taking a long drink of his wine. The lunch was slow but relaxing and enjoyable. Harry sat back, drinking his coffee at the end, and sighing softly.

“So much has happened...” He said softly, shaking his head as he thought about Hogwarts, the current topic of discussion.

Draco nodded in agreement, though for likely a different reason. “Yea...” he looked at the time, he needed to get to Gringotts at some point to open a new account.

Blaise noticed him looking. “And why are you looking at the time, this celebration is for you, you know.”

Draco smiled lightly. “I need to open a new account since I’ll actually have something to put in there.” he told him, forgetting for a moment that Seamus didn’t know he was poor.

Harry bit his lip hard and swallowed nervously, looking down as if looking into his coffee.

Blaise nodded, “Yea, that's good I guess... you could just see if they'll unfreeze your old one? Maybe they'd even unfreeze the Malfoy ones if you offer to let Harry look through it for anything dangerous.”

Draco chuckled. “I’d rather be able to get my old bed back, but I’m not really interested in fighting the ministry for accounts I don’t really need to survive...”

Harry swallowed and Seamus looked over at him, watching his small barely noticeable nervous manners. Draco noticed them too, filing them away with what he was already starting to suspect and said nothing.

“Anyway... does everyone want a drink before we go?”

Seamus smiled “Sure!” Harry nodded too.

Draco smiled and nodded, the waiter coming over to take drink orders for the four of them.

Harry ordered something strong and Seamus just got an Irish coffee. Draco raised a brow at Harry's choice but said nothing, ordering something similar for himself. When the drinks arrived, Harry took an appreciative sip and sighed softly. The four of them continued to chat lightly as they finished off their drinks before Blaise paid the bill and led them all outside. Harry took in the sunshine letting it warm his skin before he turned to the other guys.

Blaise smiled, whispering against Seamus's ear before he looked up at Harry. “Mind if I steal him away for the rest of the day?”

Harry smirked and shook his head. “Of course not,” He said with a smile.

Blaise chuckled and waved goodbye to them before pulling Seamus away.

“They look good together...” Draco said softly, smiling a little as they watched them leave.

Harry nodded. “Yeah...” He said softly, watching them as well. “Alright... well I’ll let you get to that Gringotts... errand...” he said carefully, running his fingers through his hair.

Draco frowned lightly, “Harry... is there something you want to tell me?” he asked, noticing he still seemed to be on edge after talking about his family and financial situation.

Harry swallowed and watched him a moment before shaking his head. “No...” He said softly, swallowing again. “But I have to get going too, you know... stuff to do in the lab and such...” he said starting to back away. “I'll see you around...” He said swallowing and frowning as he turned away.

Draco sighed, “Whatever it is... I wish you'd just say it...” he said softly, turning as well and starting to walk toward Gringotts. Harry cast a glance back before just apparating to his home, moving to sit on the porch and just think.

___

Chapter 9: Arguments Lead to More Arguments

___

Author’s Notes: Uh oh! What could possibly be going on?! We shall know… NEXT CHAPTER! Mooha. It’s a big thing. Don’t worry. ;) The wait will be worth it.

Made From: Pot pies and guilt.

Doxa Vomica et Cura- Ch 7

2008-02-09T00:39:26Z

Title: Doxa Vomica et Curo
Authors:

fairyeyez27 & poutytrout
Pairing(s): Harry/Draco, Seamus/Blaise, mentions of Ron/Hermione
Story Rating: NC-17
Chapter Rating: PG-13
Genre: Romance, Drama, some Humor, (you know.. life)
Words Total (so far): 20,669
Words this Chapter: 4,474
Disclaimer: Though we sincerely wish it to be so, we neither own nor have created these most fabulous of characters. They are the property of one J.K. Rowling. We shall return them we were are finished, hopefully they will be unharmed.
Warnings: male/male
Spoilers: Mostly follows canon through book 6.. some changes made to book 6.
Summary: It has been five years since they had left Hogwarts, four since Voldemort was killed, three since those beloved were finally put to rest, and two since the last death eater was killed. Now the survivors of the epic battle in the wizarding world were finding themselves thrown back into the normal world, surviving as they did before Voldemort came to power, or trying to..
Note: Well, here ya go! Told you I'd give you another update this week :-D I still only have through chapter 12 edited and ready to post, but Mandy's been inspired by the reviews so she's planning to edit some this weekend :D Hip Hip Horray! So, you got two chapters this week because i was mean and made you wait so long... but from now on its one chapter a week (probably early in the week) and if 10 people or more review you get a second chapter that week! Won't that be cool? And this one's a long one.. so please read, please review, and please enjoy!

Story Index

Disclaimer: Though we sincerely wish it to be true, we neither own nor have created these most fabulous of characters. They are property of one J. K. Rowling. We shall return them when we are finished. Hopefully they will be unharmed.

Doxa Vomica et Curo

Chapter Seven
Help Please

Draco lounged in bed for awhile, Merlin coming up to purr next to him. The cat nuzzled against his neck and Draco chuckled, stroking that cat’s soft fur.

Taking pride in dressing again Draco donned his favorite pair of everyday robes and headed out to Severus's shop, needed to get the books so he could undo the mess Severus had no doubt made of them while Draco had been distracted.

Harry cooked lunch for himself and Seamus, chatting idly with his old school mate. Seamus insisted upon going to see Hermione so Harry relented with a sigh, taking him over there. He said that he had to pick some things up in Dagon alley and thus would need to stop by afterwards.

They had their moment to coo and awe over Hermione’s belly and Harry just chuckled, pulling Seamus from the house. He waved to Hermione as they disapparated away to Diagon alley. Seamus, having not been back for a while, darted all over but stayed pretty close to Harry. Harry kept his hands in his pockets, watching Seamus but simply smirking as he opened the door for him to Sev’s shop.

Draco lifted his head as they came in, sitting behind the desk looking over the predicted mess of Severus’s books. He smiled a little... flushing just slightly when he saw Harry. Harry sighed heavily as Seamus was distracted, too distracted to move into the shop. He smiled lightly over to Draco before Seamus skipped in, smiling wide. Draco's smile faltered just slightly when he saw the Irishman with Harry but he covered it quickly.

“So apparently when the great Harry Potter says, 'see you later' he means it literally…” he said with a small smirk, sitting back in his chair.

“I forgot I needed someth-oof...” He was interrupted when Seamus poked his belly. Harry pushed him away with a smirk and walked in. “Draco, Seamus... Seamus, Draco...” he said reintroducing them.

Draco smirked softly, nodding to him as Severus came in from the back behind him, still managing to pull of his intimidating air. “Finnegan...” Sev said with a nod of his head.

Seamus laughed. “Awww you know you miss me...” He said with a laugh, shaking Snape’s hand vigorously.

Draco covered his mouth to hold back his laughs and Severus merely raised a brow.

“Indeed Mr. Finnegan, not a day has gone by when I have not missed your enlightening presence,” he said, removing his hand and casting an amused glance at Draco.

Harry smirked lightly, throwing his arm over Seamus's shoulder. “Seamus was just DYING to see you both...” he said sarcastically and Seamus grinned moving to prop himself up on the counter. He brought his hand up and slid a finger under Draco’s chin.

“I hear tell, lovely one, that your preference lies with males... “ he said with a flirtatious grin, his lip between his teeth.

Draco flushed lightly before he smirked back. “Sorry Seamus, love, I’m married to my work,” he paused a moment. “I do happen to know a very sexy Italian, though, who's available,” he said, grinning as he leaned back and away from Seamus's touch.

“Could that possibly be the one infamous Zabini that I was so hoping to meet?” He asked before turning to see said Italian smirking and speaking from the door.

“Well I don't know about the infamous part...” Blaise said with a grin.

Draco looked up at his friend, immensely glad he was there as Blaise strolled in. He leaned over toward Draco, who stubbornly turned his cheek to receive his kiss there instead.

“I’m still mad at you,” Draco declared with a pout and Blaise just smirked.

Harry watched the three interact a moment before turning and perusing the shelves. Draco sighed as he sat back, redoing Harry's introductions.

“Blaise- Seamus, Seamus- Blaise.” he said. “Hot blooded Irishman meets sexy Italian, have fun,” he said, dropping his head back to his work. The two smirked and stared talking, both flirtatious, both outgoing.

Harry turned and chewed his lip, walking over to the counter. “I need something... but...” he bit his lip more. “Your shop isn’t supposed to have it...”

Draco’s lips quirked into a small grin, “Which we both know is exactly why you’re so frequently a customer...”

“Exactly,” he said, sliding the piece of paper over. He watched Draco and nodded before stepping back.

Draco picked up it up, looking at the name and glancing up at Harry, wondering what he could need it for. “You don't shop cheap Potter...” he murmured, standing up and moving to the back.

He sighed inwardly at the continued use of his last name. “Not anymore,” he said as he turned, to look through the shelves more.

Draco hadn't realized he'd used it, he was distracted and not paying attention... and it was a force of habit. It had taken a long time to call Hermione by her name... mostly he started because calling her Hermioned because Weasley was confusing.

Blaise looked up at Harry. “He doesn't mean anything by it... Draco gets into his zones.” Harry looked at Blaise.

“I don’t know what you mean,” he said turning to move back through the shop. Both Blaise and Seamus frowned.

Draco came back out a moment later, whatever he had gotten was glamoured very well. “Here you go Harry, you're lucky we had it in stock,” he said, looking up at him.

Harry turned back and nodded taking it and slipping it into his pocket before paying Draco. “Thanks Malfoy,” He said nodding to him before turning and heading out of the shop. “Seamus, you know where I live...” he said, knowing his Irish friend wanted to stay and talk to Blaise.

Draco frowned a little in confusion and looked down then helplessly to Blaise before he sat down and opened his books again. Seamus sighed softly as he watched Harry leave before turning back to Draco and Blaise. Draco chewed his lip, his stomach feeling a little funny as he wondered what he'd done wrong to make Harry's attitude change so quickly. He closed the books and picked them up. Harry moved to the local pub, getting a drink before apparating home.

“I’m going to go home to work on these,” he said to Sev and then nodded at Blaise and Seamus. “See you later...” he said, moving out and apparating back.

Later that night, Harry was working in his mini-lab, creating a potion spell mixture. He sighed heavily, sitting on the stool and rubbing his forehead. Seamus came in, having returned from his small lunch date with Blaise, and rubbed Harry’s back looking over his work.

“What are you working on?” He asked softly.

Harry sighed and just looked at it. “A concealment remover. Some charms are actually attached to the object and they... need to be like washed off... or dissolved away...” He said with another sigh, poking at the ingredients a little.

Harry sighed again, tired both physically and emotionally. Seamus smiled and just nuzzled his cheek. “No worries, yes? It will all be alright... You're Harry Potter... you always win...”

Harry looked at him and frowned and Seamus smiled apologetically. “Sorry... that was supposed to make you smile.”

Blaise went to Draco house after leaving Seamus, finding him still working on the books, obviously trying to block everything else out and Blaise just pulled them away. “You’re upset that he called you Malfoy," he said matter-of-factly and Draco just looked up at him and blinked before he nodded.

“I don’t understand... this morning we talked on the phone... and then I don’t know. I came back from the room...” he shook his head with a sigh.

Blaise smiled lightly. “You called him Potter, when you were distracted…”

Draco sighed. “Where's my phone?” he asked, looking around. Blaise spotted it and handed it to him. “Good, now go away... just not too far...” he said, waving him away, nervous as he looked at his phone before he sighed and called Harry's number.

Seamus looked and retrieved the phone for Harry as his hands were a bit busy. “Allo?” He answered.

“Seamus?” Draco asked, frowning a little. “Is Harry there?”

“Oi yeah... his hands are just a bit full with this potion he's trying to make.” He said moving to Harry.

“Hello?” Harry asked as Seamus held the phone for him.

Draco chewed his lip. “I'm sorry” he said right away, knowing he really was.

Harry took the phone, holding it with his shoulder. “For?” He asked a bit strained as it was a little hard to hold the phone and still work.

Draco sighed. “There was this kid I knew at school... you look a lot like him, except he wore these dorky glasses and I didn’t like him very much. I guess I kind of mixed you up when I was distracted...”

Harry smiled lightly and shifted the phone a bit. “I get that a lot...” he said softly. “You remind me of an arrogant git... one I used to know... Look kind of like him too,” He said with small evident smile.

Draco chuckled lightly. “Yea... I get that a lot too... Seamus said you're working on a potion?”

Harry swallowed. “Yeah. Sort of. It’s a potion coupled with a spell.” He said cutting up some wormwood.

“Those are tricky...” he said, having worked on some himself. “How’s it coming?”

“Rubbish.” He said dropping the knife and rubbing his eye. “I got all the ingredients, I have the spell down perfect but the potion is grating on me...” He said with a sigh. “Every time I try to even read the logistics and instructions I feel like a total nitwit.” He said dropping his head to the desk. “I told the minister I’m rubbish at potions...” He murmured.

Draco chuckled. “You always were...” he chewed his lip. “I don’t suppose...”

Harry stayed quiet letting him continue.

“I don’t suppose you'd want some help... I’ve got some free time...”

Harry sat up. “That would be brilliant.” He said with a smile. “Do you know where I live?” he asked.

“No idea... and I imagine your floo doesn’t let just anyone in?”

“No.” he said with a small chuckle. “My place is probably equal in protection to Gringots...” He murmured. “I can come and get you?” He asked.

Draco smiled and bit his lip. “Sure... I’m at Sev's... Blaise is here if Seamus wants to... keep him company.”

Harry snerked when he heard Seamus giggle excitedly. “I'm sure he would. I'll be over in a bit.” He said. “Bye.” He said hanging up before washing up.

Draco smiled to himself settling back. “You can come out now Blaise.” he said, knowing his friend was listening.

Blaise grinned. “You know I knew this guy at school too... looked like you... but way more fun... and kind of frisky if you catch my drift...” Draco just stuck his tongue out at him. Blaise chuckled. “Yea... and he was kind of obsessed with this Potter kid, plotting petty revenge all the time.”

Draco threw a throw pillow at him and the let out a “Gah!” as Blaise pounced and they started mock-attacking each other.

Harry got cleaned up and he and Seamus flooed to Sev's place. He looked around, hearing the commotion and moved, knocking gently on the door. “Hello?” He asked looking down at the wrestling boys.

Draco looked up to grin before Blaise took the opportunity to pin him down and he oofed, panting softly. Blaise grinned down at him. “I was wrong, you're still frisky,” Draco glared half heartedly up at him.

“Seamus...” Draco pouted, “Will you please pin him so I can get up?”

Seamus grinned and moved, pinning him quickly. “Gladly.” He said smirking down at him.

Harry offered his hand and helped Draco up. Blaise was a little surprised by Seamus's strength, looking up at him before his lips curled into a sexy grin. Draco took Harry's hand and got up, brushing himself off. “Aw, they look so cute...” he said with a shake of his head.

Harry smirked and shook his head with a roll of his eyes. Seamus smirked back, a small glint in his eye.

“Uh... should we just leave them here?” Draco asked. “Or do you think they can keep out of trouble while we're working...?” he finished, looking up at Harry, catching his startling green eyes.

Harry looked at him and smirked a little. “Well we know they won’t stay out of trouble.” He said, turning his eye the two again. “But they will be even worse at my place...” He grinned. “I’m sure he’ll be fine.”

Draco grinned, tugging just gently at Harry's arm as he led him to the floo. The only way one was to floo to Harry's place was if Harry was actually in their presence so they got through without a hitch. Harry rubbed his brow a bit as they stepped out.

“Did you want something to drink?” He asked, the lights in his house turning on automatically as he walked through. It was all sophisticated, well furnished and wealthy looking, supplied to Harry by the ministry. Draco looked around and released a low whistle, but he should have known, really.

“Um... no I’m fine.”

Harry bit his lip, never being a big fan of the opulence supplied. “Alright. Its back here.” he said leading him to the lab.

Draco nodded, following him as he brushed a little ash from his clothes. “Aw man... even Sev would be jealous of this...” he said, looking around at the lab in awe, kind of like a little kid in a candy store as he looked through the ingredients Harry had gathered, most from the shop.

Harry rubbed the back of his neck a bit awkwardly. “It's all the ministries doing. They think a better lab will make me a better potion maker.”

Draco laughed softly. “Yea, they always were kind of backwards thinking over there.” He moved over to Harry’s failed attempt and looked through it. “I think I know what you did wrong...”

“Good.” He said pushing the instructions to him. “Because I have not a clue.” He said sighing out as if he’d failed.

Draco chuckled, “Well you can't do everything right, wouldn't be fair to the rest of us,” he said, waving his wand to clean the cauldron before he started it at the right temperature and added the base.

Harry sat in another stool first working on the spell a bit, chewing on his pencil before setting that to the side and just watched Draco work, impressed. Draco brushed his hair back from his face, working with natural ease with the ingredients, knowing when to tweak the instructions just a little for better results. He glanced over at Harry and flushed a little when he saw him watching, dropping his gaze again. Harry bit his lip and looked away standing and moving to pull a few books from the shelves and work on some other things. He swallowed and glanced up at Draco a few times before looking back at his notes. Draco looked up from his work when he needed a hand.

“Harry... can you come cut these... they have to be cut just before they're added... and I have to keep stirring.”

“Sure,” he said standing and moving over to start, chewing his lip to make sure they were cut perfect.

Draco smiled and nodded. “Good,” he said before reaching down, stirring with one hand while he placed the other over Harry's, bringing the ingredient up so they could be added at just the right rate.

Harry swallowed and worked with his hand in Draco’s, dropping in the cut up ingredients at the correct rate. Draco smiled and then grinned, his hand lingering a moment before he noticed and dropped it with a flush.

Harry chewed his lip. “Do you still need my help?” he asked softly, not able to meet his eyes.

“Um...” Draco faltered to look over at the instructions. “Probably in a moment, but you can help anyway if you like.”

He nodded, scooting over a bit to grab his book and papers, continuing to take notes. He swallowed lightly, chewing his lip and keeping his eyes to himself. Draco needed Harry's help a few more times before he finished up, setting the potion to simmer for awhile and moved back, wiping his forehead with the back of his hand.

“Here... “ he said gently, handing him a hand towel he had lying around. “And thank you.”

Draco smiled lightly and nodded. “No problem, this is what I do.” he said, waving toward the potion a little.

Harry nodded and smiled a little before moving to put the book back in its place. Draco chewed his lip for a moment, wiping his face and the back of his neck before setting the towel down and looking over at Harry.

“Hey Harry...?” he started after a moment.

Harry looked up. “Yes?” He asked gently, pushing the book in before turning to Draco.

Draco was going to ask if he wanted to have lunch with him the next day, but changed his mind at the last second. “Um, never mind, its nothing... “

Harry opened his mouth a moment but shut it, nodding. “Alright...” he said turning back to his bookshelf.

Draco bit his lip, cleaning up around the cauldron until it was done simmering. “Alright, your spell needs to be cast... then it can be bottled...”

He nodded and picked up the paper, his voice strong as he read over it once before reading it out loud.

“Ostendo sum quis es non exsisto seen. Exuro absentis atrum vestis guise. Ostendo mihi quis exuviae subter supter.”

Draco shivered, never thinking that spell work could be considered sexy but hearing Harry's voice list off that long one like that... “Interesting spell.” he said softly, translating it in his head.

The potion fizzled and hissed before changing to a completely different color. “Gratias ago vos.” he said, still in Latin, moving to look at the potion.

Draco looked as well. “Perfect... you've um... got a way with spells.” he said, moving to grab some vials.

Harry looked at him and smiled. “Thank you...” He said in English this time, cleaning up the work area. “You’re fantastic with potions.”

Draco flushed lightly. “I was the potion teacher’s favorite... and his godson.”

“You surpassed him,” he said with a small grin. “That's fantastic.”

“I don’t know... if the war hadn't... I think he would still be doing great things…”

Flashbacks to the war, fighting with Snape at his side, washed over Harry and he swallowed lightly. “Yeah...”

Draco shook his head a little. He didn’t like thinking about the war, or the years after it... When Harry had stumbled into the picture his life was actually a lot better than it had been for a while there. Harry took a moment also, lost a bit in his thoughts before turning back to cleaning up.

“Sure you don’t want something to drink?” He asked, brushing off his hands.

“Um... sure... since we're done... I’ll just finish bottling this up I guess, how much do you need?”

“All of it.” he said, opening a cabinet for him. “There are more vials in here.” He said moving to the kitchen. Grabbing a glass of whiskey for himself he downed it with a soft hiss, leaning his head against the fridge door, his eyes closed. He waited another minute before pulling back and rubbing his eye. “What would you like?” he called from the kitchen.

“I’m not really particular anymore,” he called back, continuing to bottle. “Anything is fine.”

He nodded, bringing him in some whiskey, setting it down for him. He had brought the whole bottle in, pouring himself a second cup. Draco looked at the bottle and nodded at the brand, finishing up before he would take a drink, work before fun. He did finally finish and took the glass, taking a sip of the warm liquid, letting it warm down his throat. Harry had drifted a bit as he swirled the whiskey slowly before sipping it and sighing softly.

Draco watched him for a moment, “Um... could we... sit down or something?”

“Oh yeah... sure...” he said standing and leading him to the living room. He bit his lip. “Just make yourself comfortable.” he said with a small smile.

Draco bit his lip, images flashing that he ignored as he sat down on the couch, leaning back and sipping lightly on his whiskey. “I feel I should warn you... Blaise has made his personal mission to find out your secrets.”

Harry looked at him a moment before smiling just barely and looking down at his drink. “He'll have a hard time...” he said softly though he was really thinking he doesn’t want to know them.

Draco shrugged. “Mostly I think he's determined to find out if you're straight. I’m hoping he'll get distracted by Seamus.”

He smirked. “If he's determined, he’ll get distracted but will still try...” he said with a chuckle. “Seamus can be pretty damn persuasive.”

“Does Seamus know? Because he'll probably be the first one he asks.”

Harry smirked. “Seamus knows. But if he finds out Blaise doesn’t know... he'll probably toy with him. He knows that I would have otherwise told Blaise,” he said sipping his drink.

“Oh?” Draco asked, looking up. “Then why haven't you?”

Harry looked up and held his eyes a moment. “Before it was because I don’t need the press attacking me for something as silly as my love life, but now I just enjoy tormenting Blaise.” He slowly grinned. “Call it a guilty pleasure,” he said with a smirk and another sip.

Draco chuckled a little, taking a sip himself. “Oh, well... I think he maybe likes you so... be careful... he tends to like people more when they torment him... he's a bit of a masochist like that…”

Harry smirked at him over the cup. “I'll keep that in mind.” He said with a smile. “Well what about you? Why no lover?”

“I um... didn’t spend much time around people, too busy working... and you saw where I lived, not exactly somewhere Draco Malfoy could take someone home to...” he said with a light shrug, taking a longer drink. “And I’m not really into casual lovers.”

Harry nodded, feeling much the same way. Looking at the clock he sighed, knowing he'd have to start his late shift soon.

Draco looked up. “And you...?”

“Me...?” He thought about that. “I guess it was everyone wanting to date me... it got repetitive and grating. I wasn’t able to actually just meet someone who didn't know who I was...” he said softly. “Before I saw you again, I didn’t really talk with anyone except my colleagues and only when I had to...” he said with a shrug. “I just got tired of everyone else.”

Draco nodded but was still a little surprised. “No one since Hogwarts...?”

He shook his head. “No not really. Well, once or twice during the war... but mainly just for... relief I guess you'd say. I just needed a release... but it didn’t happen often...” he said with a small sigh.

Draco chewed his lip lightly. “Who...?” he asked softly, taking another drink, finishing his glass.

He looked up and looked back down. “I'd rather not say,”he said softly, downing the rest of his whiskey. “They weren’t too proud,” he said shaking his head to clear the slight buzz from the alcohol.

“Okay...” he said softly, not pressing the issue.

Harry sighed softly, looking down still. “How long have you been so close with Blaise?”

Draco smiled softly. “Before Hogwarts... we dated for awhile, most of 4th year and part of 5th... but I don’t know, it didn’t work and now we're just good friends.”

Harry smirked softly and nodded. “Its good you two didn’t just stop talking...” he said softly.

Draco chuckled softly and shook his head. “It was never really that serious, fooling around and experimenting I guess. We acted like best friends the whole time anyway and just fooled around... eventually we figured that out and Blaise wanted to fool around with other people.”

Harry smirked softly. He was about to say something when he got a call. “Do you mind?” He asked pulling out his cell.

Draco shook his head, grabbing the bottle to pour himself another glass.

“'Ello?” He asked, looking down then looking up at the clock. “Yeah... Yeah sure... Of course... uh huh... goodbye sir.” he said hanging up and rolling his eyes. “Have to go to work early...” he said with a sigh.

“Oh... sure.” Draco said, setting the bottle down and finishing the small amount he'd poured. “I guess I should make sure Blaise and Seamus aren't going at it on my bed...” he pulled a face, standing up.

Harry laughed. “Here I have to take you back.” He said with a smirk. “The place doesn’t let you floo out either...” He said with a small laugh.

“How did Seamus get in?” he asked, confused as he let Harry lead him to the floo.

Harry laughed. “He has a key to the house...” he said with a chuckle. He stepped into the floo and put his hand on Draco’s shoulder, appearing next at Sev’s house.

Draco shivered lightly and stepped out. “Well... thanks for the drink...” he said, stepping away and turning to look at him.

Harry nodded, quirking a brow as he didn’t hear anything. “They seem to be pretty quiet... “ he said with a grin. “Just tell Seamus to go home if he’s annoying. He’ll listen.” He said with a grin.

Draco chuckled but looked apprehensively toward the rest of the house. “Maybe they're lying in wait to drag me into some twisted sex game... or worse... some scheme or another...”

“Dun dun dun...” He said before his phone vibrated. He sighed heavily in annoyance. “I'll see you later, Draco...” he said with a smile, flooing back home.

Draco looked to the flames as Harry left before he moved through the house, chuckling when he found the two curled up together and napping. Harry got home and cleaned up a bit, spelling the alcohol away before grabbing his coat and the box of vials, heading to work. Draco just shook his head as he draped a blanket over the two before sitting down, working to finish up Severus's books.

___

Chapter 8: Secrets

___

Author’s Notes: Lots and lots of dialogue. And Blaise and Seamus flirting! See Seamus ain’t so bad. Here is also a little introduction to their extensive mind angst that slowly shows itself throughout the story.

I don’t have much to say. This was a long chapter. They seem to get long sometimes…. Enjoy!

Made From: Apple juice, Cheetos, and a H/D fix.

Doxa Vomica et Curo- Ch 6

2008-02-06T08:00:53Z

Title: Doxa Vomica et Curo
Authors: fairyeyez27 & poutytrout
Pairing(s): Harry/Draco, Seamus/Blaise, mentions of Ron/Hermione
Story Rating: NC-17
Chapter Rating: PG-13
Genre: Romance, Drama, some Humor, (you know.. life)
Words Total (so far): 16,195
Words this Chapter: 2,849
Disclaimer: Though we sincerely wish it to be so, we neither own nor have created these most fabulous of characters. They are the property of one J.K. Rowling. We shall return them we were are finished, hopefully they will be unharmed.
Warnings: male/male
Spoilers: Mostly follows canon through book 6.. some changes made to book 6.
Summary: It has been five years since they had left Hogwarts, four since Voldemort was killed, three since those beloved were finally put to rest, and two since the last death eater was killed. Now the survivors of the epic battle in the wizarding world were finding themselves thrown back into the normal world, surviving as they did before Voldemort came to power, or trying to..
Note: Wow.. 14 weeks since I updated this.. -bites nails- I'm sorry! but to make it up to you I have a very clear schedule made up. I have chapters 6 through 12 ready to be posted. This week you'll get two chapters. Then once a week until I've finished posting through chapter 12 with an extra chapter posted that week if that entry gets more than ten reviews. And I'll pester Mandy to edit more so we can keep posting after those :D So please read, please review, and please Enjoy!

Story Index

Doxa Vomica et Curo

Chapter Six

The Phone Call and the Blush

A few more days and Hermione was hosting her congratulatory dinner, Draco, Blaise and Severus all over at her house. Draco chuckled softly as he was set down, everyone refusing to let him help with anything. There was gentle knocking at the front door and Ron moved to get it.

“Harry! It’s so good to see you...” you could hear down the hall.

Draco looked up at hearing his name and flushed lightly, looking over at Blaise. Blaise smiled softly then blinked and opened his mouth gently when Harry came in. Without any glasses, his eyes shone through incredibly, the sharp emerald very visible. Hermione oohed and watched him as he nervously smiled a little, rubbing the back of his neck. Draco looked up and his breath caught. Blaise had to nudge him to get him to remember to breath.

Harry looked down and smiled a little to the sitting Draco. “Draco...” he said softly, holding out his hand. “Congratulations...” he said with a smile, the whole rest of the room dead silent. “You really deserve it.”

Draco swallowed, looking at Harry's hand and being eerily reminded of first year. He shook his head to himself. He was a different person, they both were. He reached out and shook the hand firmly.

“Thank you…” he said softly. The sincerity in his thanks was a clear sign that he meant more than just for the congratulations.

Harry nodded and smiled his own thanks as he blinked, before letting his hand go and turning to Hermione. “Can I help with anything?”

Draco flexed his hand just lightly before dropping it into his lap, giving Blaise a quizzical look. Blaise smiled to him quirking a brow. Draco shook his head lightly, leaning back in his chair as he watched the others work, his eyes flitting over to Harry occasionally. Blaise merely smirked to him, watching Harry openly as he cooked some stuff on the stove, his sleeves pushed up and hair finger raked back. Draco's eyes flitted to Blaise, watching him watch Harry... worried that maybe Blaise liked Harry.

Blaise's eyes moved to Draco’s before indicating that he should look at Harry too. “He's gorgeous...” he mouthed to him before smirking and watching Draco a moment.

Draco looked over at Harry again before he flushed lightly and looked away. “He's straight…” he mouthed back.

“You really think so?” He asked in a whisper back, having his own inklings. He looked back and watched him, narrowing his eyes a bit.

Draco looked over at Harry... truth was he had no idea... though those flashbacks to dancing had visited his dreams more than once.

The evening wore on, everyone laughing and having a good time. Blaise ended up watching Harry most, determined to find out his sexuality by the end of the night. Draco watched Blaise watch Harry, wondering what his friend was up to, curious as to his interest.

By the end of the night everyone had taken to the living room and coincidently Harry had ended up sitting next to Draco, the only spot open. He sighed out and lay back on the couch, smiling. “I feel as fat as you are pregnant, 'mione...” he joked, grinning to her.

Draco wet his lip lightly as he looked over at Harry. “You don’t look fat...” He said, leaning back as he tried to make it sound nonchalant.

Harry smirked. “Good... “ he said with a small laugh. He looked over at Draco, the good times making him friendlier. “You don’t either.” He said with a wink before turning back to the group who were all chatting between themselves.

Draco shifted a little, unsure about Harry's actions, not used to the camaraderie between them he looked to Blaise for help... he was painfully awkward in social situations he wasn't familiar with anymore... and being attracted to Harry on at least a basic level wasn’t helping. Blaise was positively grinning, practically yelling at Draco to take him right there and then. Harry laughed a little with Hermione talking with Ron too.

Draco stood, saying he was going to step out for some fresh air before he left the room, his nervous energy following him. Harry looked up when he left, frowning gently. Blaise turned to join a conversation quickly, leaving only Harry to go check on him. He walked out onto the porch where he was.

“Draco?” He asked carefully, not wanting to throw him off. “You alright?”

Draco turned a little to look at him. “Yea... just... not used to being around so many people at once anymore...” He said softly turning back to looking out at the night.

Harry stepped out, shutting the door behind him. “Draco... listen...” he started carefully.

Draco looked up before scooting over a little to give Harry room to sit.

“If... If I stepped over any boundaries... that night at the club...” He said softly. “I... I apologize... I don’t really remember a lot of it...”

He said softly as he sat next to him, his hands to his sides. Draco flushed and ducked his head, grateful for the night’s low light, though with his complexion it wouldn’t hide it all.

“It’s fine...” he said softly.

He chewed his lip but didn’t press the matter, looking a bit to the side, letting his eyes catch the inside light gently.

“It was just a bit surreal...” Draco elaborated. “Dancing with you after everything... and I didn’t even know which way you swing,” he reached into a pocket and pulled out a muggle cigarette, twirling it in his fingers as he debated lighting it. “That and I hadn’t been close to anyone but Blaise... in a long time,” he said simply. “I panicked when the alcohol cleared... you didn’t do anything wrong.”

Harry nodded. “I see...” he said softly, watching the cig in his fingers. “Terrible habit...” he said with a small light smile.

His lips quirked a little, “Yea... I know” he said, twirling it still.

Harry smiled and stood, rubbing Draco’s shoulder a moment as he turned to move back in. “Come on back in when you're more comfortable... we do enjoy your company...” He said gently, moving back inside.

Draco swallowed at Harry's gentle touch... and his words. He brought the cigarette to his lips but hesitated in lightly it. Harry glanced back at him a moment more, not meeting everyone watchful gazes as he sat back down on the couch. Draco sighed and stood a moment later, putting the cigarette away and moving back inside.

The night dragged on and Harry found himself sleepy. He swallowed and yawned lightly figuring he should probably be leaving soon. Severus had already left, not wanting to get sick again and Hermione went to sleep as well. Ron laughed and joined her about an hour later, just telling the last remaining guys to lock up after they leave.

Blaise stood and stretched. “Time to head home I think... Draco did you want to crash with me tonight? You know you like to cuddle after a big meal...”

Draco flushed lightly, glaring a little at Blaise... though he couldn’t deny that sounded nice. Harry smiled softly on another yawn.

“Too cute...” He said with a grin to Blaise messing with him, knowing he had been trying to crack the secret all evening.

Blaise smirked softly, watching Harry for a moment before he pulled Draco up and kissed him deeply, nothing like his usual kisses and Draco actually whimpered as he brought his hands up to Blaise’s shoulder, taking a moment before he could push back, panting softly.

“Blaise? What the hell...?”

Harry looked away a moment before he stood.

“You two love birds have a nice night,” he said softly, smiling lightly. “Draco,” he said with a nod and a smile, passing them to head to the front door.

Blaise smirked softly before Draco pushed him away, “Blaise, what the fuck was that?” he demanded Blaise just grinned.

“Just thought you needed a knockout kiss to complete your evening of celebration,.” he said, dragging Draco so the two could follow Harry out.

Draco glared at him a little, “Okay, well next time remember that I save knock out kisses for guys I’m dating.”

“And just when do you plan on dating someone again? When have you recently?”

“Blaise you've got to mind your own fucking business. Kissing me in front of Harry is not going to push us into the whirlwind fantasy you seem to have all imagined.”

Blaise just smirked a little, pulling a resistant Draco into a hug and apparating them to his flat. Harry got home, showering in a long hot shower then crawling into bed, falling asleep quickly. Draco did end up cuddling with Blaise that night... though he had to be coaxed into it a little before he fell to sleep.

Harry woke that next morning, yawning then looking over and yelling out quickly when a grinning Seamus's face was right next to his. He jumped back as he yelled and fell right off the bed, making Seamus smirk.

“What are you doing down there, boy?” He asked with a chuckle.

Harry grumbled before Seamus pulled him up off the floor with a grin on his face.

“How’s my little baby cakes doing?” He said in cooey voice.

Harry grumbled and turned over onto his side, but Seamus just chuckled.

“Baby...” Seamus said as he hoped out of bed and moved to make him coffee.

Draco sighed as he woke, cuddling into Blaise more, forgiving him, for now, for last nights kiss.

Blaise pulled from bed awhile later and the two of them made breakfast together, a mix of muggle and magical means.

“So... why were you staring at Harry all night?” Draco demanded, sipping his own coffee over his eggs.

“Well...” he said sipping his own coffee. “He's hot...” He said simply, shrugging. “And he’s hiding something... beyond just his sexuality.” He said narrowing his eyes. “And I intend to figure it out.”

Draco rolled his eyes.

“Blaise, leave him alone, if he wants to keep it private he will... if he wants to tell you he will, don't pry.”

Blaise simply smirked. “You are just nervous he'll turn out to be straight.” He said simply, raising his eyebrows as he closed his eyes and sipped his coffee.

“It'll be easier when I know he's straight.” he said with a sigh. “But that doesn’t mean you should pry,” he moved to the couch and plopped back.

He snorted gently. “Baby... I live to pry into peoples business...” He said with a laugh sitting next to him.

Draco sighed and rested his head against Blaise's shoulder. “I don’t want to know... and no more stupid set up tricks.”

Blaise smiled and gave him the scouts honor fingers as he finished his coffee.

Draco sighed. “I think I’m going to go home and sleep longer...” He said softly, standing up. Blaise smiled and nodded, kissing his temple.

Harry yawned a couple minutes later, shuffling out and taking his cup from Seamus with a mumbled thank you as he shuffled over to sit on the couch. He sat down and sighed, sipping his coffee.

Seamus laughed and came to hop onto the couch. Harry lifted his mug with what seemed to be automatic motion, knowing he'd other wise get coffee all over himself.

Seamus watched sleepy Harry as he sipped his coffee, Seamus smiling wide while Harry just let his eyes move over to him over the rim of his mug.

Finally Harry finished his and just looked at Seamus who seemed bubblier than a bottle of shaken champagne. Harry shook his head and just shuffled back into the bedroom, and crawled into bed. Seamus chuckled and moved back in, chucking off his shoes every which way and crawling in with Harry.

Harry fell back asleep, despite the coffee. Seamus grinned and wriggled his way into Harry’s arms, falling asleep with him.

Draco smiled lightly, trying to get back that excitement about his life but finding his thoughts melancholy and turning to Harry as he apparated back to Severus's house, crawling in bed.

Harry woke and simply chuckled at finding Seamus where he was, stretching he yawned and showered before grabbing his phone. Dialing Draco’s number he chewed his lip lightly.

Draco groggily sat up and reached for his phone, not recognizing the number he answered it cautiously. “Hello?”

“Hey...” Came Harry’s warm mid morning voice. “This is Harry...” he said as he figured Draco didn’t have his number.

Draco ignored the way his heart hammered in his chest, “Oh...” he said, trying to sound calm, “Hi Harry…”

“Hey... I just called to make sure...” he didn’t know how to word this without sounding stupid. 'To make sure everything was okay last night. You seemed a bit angry at Blaise and all.”

Draco bit his lip. “Blaise is an ass, I don’t know what he was thinking...” he trailed off. “But its fine, a couple of glares and harsh words and we're back to buddy, buddy.” He frowned at himself, finding he was rambling.

Harry laughed softly into the phone before he oofed.

“Who ya talking to?” Seamus asked on the line.

“Draco...” Harry said, seemingly annoyed.

“Ohhh! Lemme see, lemme see!” he said snatching the phone from Harry’s hand before Harry could stop him. “Heeeeeeeey Draco...”

Draco frowned chewing his lip. “Hello...?”

“This is Seamus...” He said cheerily. “You probably know me best as Finnegan...” He said with a chuckle and Harry just sighed, holding him so he didn’t fall from his lap.

“Oh... hi...” he said, not sure he wanted to know why Seamus was at Harry's that morning... but the twisting in his gut wasn’t comfortable.

“Seamus, give me the phone... “ Harry said snatching it back from a whiney Seamus. “Sorry Draco...” he said softly.

“Pwwweeease Harry-poo... let me talk to hiiiim...” Harry shushed him and actually had to push him off his lap so he could talk to Draco in peace.

“Sorry about that... again…” he said softly, locking himself in a room.

“Its okay...” said Draco, chewing a nail he'd have to fix later. “He's... was he like that at school?” he asked, not remembering him as so overt.

Harry laughed gently. “Yeah... you Slytherins were just lucky you only saw him in the mornings and at night. He normally wasn’t this energetic...” he said softly.

Draco smiled a little at hearing Harry's laugh. “It’s um... nice you guys are still friends, he seems a little like Blaise.”

Harry smiled softly. “Yeah...” he said light, sitting on a bed and laying back. “Did you sleep well?” He asked, not wanting to talk about Seamus anymore.

Draco laid back a little in his own bed, very aware that he was gabbing with Harry on the phone, “Yea... Blaise is a good pillow... then I came home and slept more.”

Harry laughed softly again. “You and me both... except for the Blaise thing...” he said with another small chuckle. “I slept till late this morning... then again till right before I called you...”

Draco bit his lip as he smiled. “A Seamus pillow?” he asked cautiously.

Harry shook his head. “No... He was my alarm clock this morning though... showed up out of nowhere...” He said with a small chuckle. “Blaise ever do that to you?”

“All the time... usually when I’m unfortunate enough to be hung-over.”

Harry laughed more this time, smiling. “Oh I can just imagine it...” He said rubbing his eye.

Draco grinned, “I’ll just send him your way next time and you can see for yourself.”

“Oh please... it would be terrible of me to take him from you...” He said with a smile, biting his finger.

Draco snorted, “Please do, I need to find a way to occupy him so he'll stop trying to hook me up.”

Harry smirked. “Put him with Seamus...” he offered, the grin evident in his voice. “I'm sure they'd simply adore each other.”

Draco snorted lightly but chewed his lip, “But then I’d be taking Seamus away from you.”

He smirked. “Go ahead. I already have an alarm clock. Don't need another,” he said with a small chuckle.

“HEY I HEARD THAT!” Seamus yelled from out in the hall and Harry laughed again.

Draco smiled lightly, “Blaise and Seamus... do you really think so... is Seamus gay?”

“Let’s put it this way...he's about as straight as a wet noodle.” He said with a small chuckle.

Draco chuckled back with him and nodded. “Well, maybe we could let them meet... could prove interesting.”

“Definitely could...” he said sitting in silence for a bit, but happy that it wasn’t uncomfortable. “Alright...well I’d best get going before he destroys me out of house and home. See you later?”

Draco smiled a little. “Yea sure... later... sometime…”

Harry smiled. “Alright bye Draco.” he said before hanging up then going to save his home from the destructive Seamus. Draco smiled softly as he saved Harry's number before dropping his phone, curling into his pillow with a grin.

___

Chapter 7: Help Please

___

Author’s Notes: There ye go! Seamus is finally brought in! Ain’t he a doll? Don’t worry… if you already hate him now, you’ll love him as it goes on. He was only meant to be a transitory character but ends up staying through it all. Hehe. He’ll grow on ye, I promise.

And look! More Harry-Draco flirting. Draaacooo has a cruuuushh… hehe. Uhm… nothing too big to announce on this chapter. It’s kinda long but there’s a lot of talking so –shrugs- Enjoy!

Made From: headaches, sugar rushes, loud music, and cute glances this way and that.

And remember! Ten Reviews equals an extra chapter put up that week (which would mean three this weeks since i'm already putting two up.. hehe..) So tell your friends and make them review! or something..

Doxa Vomica et Curo- Ch 5

2007-10-29T18:29:20Z

Title: Doxa Vomica et Curo
Authors: fairyeyez & poutytrout
Pairing(s): Harry/Draco, Seamus/Blaise, mentions of Ron/Hermione
Story Rating: NC-17
Chapter Rating: PG-13
Genre: Romance, Drama, some Humor, (you know.. life)
Words Total (so far): 13, 346
Words this Chapter: 2,100
Disclaimer: Though we sincerely wish it to be so, we neither own nor have created these most fabulous of characters. They are the property of one J.K. Rowling. We shall return them we were are finished, hopefully they will be unharmed.
Warnings: male/male
Spoilers: Mostly follows canon through book 6.. some changes made to book 6.
Summary: It has been five years since they had left Hogwarts, four since Voldemort was killed, three since those beloved were finally put to rest, and two since the last death eater was killed. Now the survivors of the epic battle in the wizarding world were finding themselves thrown back into the normal world, surviving as they did before Voldemort came to power, or trying to..

Story Index

Doxa Vomica et Curo
Chapter 5- Surprises in the Mail

A week passed and a package was delivered to Draco’s apartment. The owl knocked on his window gently a rather large parcel in his beak. Draco and Blaise were sitting in his living room, packing up boxes when he got up to retrieve it.

Blaise quirked a brow and took it from him as he 'paid' the bird, cutting open the box and quirking a brow. "What do you think it is?

"I have no idea." He said, turning back to him. "I never get mail unless it’s from Sev."

Blaise opened the flaps and frowned when he saw a rolled up piece of parchment. Pulling it out, he disregarded the rest of the stuff unrolling it. He let out a small incredulous laugh as he read the paper. "Sweet Merlin, he pulled through..." He said in awe, reading it over again.

Draco had sat back down, packing potion vials by hand. "What are you on about?"

He shook his head and started reading. "By the order of the Ministry of Magic, and under the power invested to Charles McGowan... I do hereby bestow the honorary right of creation to one Draco Malfoy for the highly appreciated contribution to the Official Ministry Apothecary.”

Draco stood up, moving over to read over his shoulder. "Shit..."

Blaise shook his head still, "His work in the fields of dark magic reversal will from this date of May Twenty Second be recognized as official and true, held with full superiors by the Minister of Potions."

He swallowed shaking his head still. Draco just stared at the paper from over his shoulder.

"Congratulations and much gratitude..." He said, finishing. "And it’s signed by a bunch of ministers..."

Draco took the paper and sat down on the floor, reading it over several time. He looked up at Blaise.

"Shit..."

Blaise was still laughing incredulously as he reached into the box and pulled out a medallion, the ministry's crest stamped on it and Draco’s name engraved on the back. He reached in and found a small vial of Draco’s potion in a small glass case, elaborate metal work showing it off.

Draco was shaking his head. "Oh fuck... I’m going to owe Potter for the rest of my life," he groaned, laughing a little as he fell back.

Blaise finally laughed out fully, dropping the stuff carefully and pulling Draco into a huge hug, swinging him around. Draco lifted his feet to avoid hitting anything.

"Fuck... fuck... Blaise, take me shopping, please, please take me shopping" he begged when he was set down, pulling away from him.

Blaise laughed softly brushing the hair from Draco’s face. "Why sweets?" he said with a smile.

"I’ve have to get out of these rags" he declared, looking down at himself, "I haven’t been shopping in years" he dropped to his knees and pleaded up at him. "Please?"

"Baby..." he said lifting him. "Of course..." he laughed hugging him again, "Of course, of course!" He said laughing and cheering.

Draco laughed, pulling back and pulling Blaise from the house.

"Hurry, hurry, now, now!"

Blaise laughed and grabbed his stuff before laughing more and all but running with Draco to the shops.

"Diagon alley?" he asked, still with that giddy smile.

"Yea, there first." He said. "Then we can hit muggle London for some clubbing stuff... but I need new robes, glorious new robes."

Blaise smiled and ran his hand down Draco’s cheek before apparating them away to Dagon alley. Draco smiled, wrapping his arms around his friend and kissing him smack on the lips before he pulled away, heading toward his favorite robe shop (not Madame Malkins) before anyone noticed.

The day flew by in a mess of shopping and trying on clothes, a real Pretty Woman moment. Blaise was laughing and thanking Merlin and Harry for being able to bring some happiness back to Draco. Draco grinned at Blaise, forgetting for the day about persona as he enjoyed his victory.

"Gods, we have to tell Severus…"

Blaise nodded and shrunk all their bags before all but dragging Draco to the shop.

Severus looked up at him as he entered, taking in the packages and Draco’s new clothes. He looked to Blaise. "Is he drunk?"

Blaise laughed and spun. "Drunk on life!" He sang dancing about the shop.

Draco just laughed and moved over, kissing a stunned Severus cheek. "My potion's been recognized, I’m getting full credit, a medallion and everything!"

Severus stood looking at him incredulously. "What!?" He asked stunned.

"It was Potter, he did it all. We got the letter and the stuff this morning!"

Severus laughed gently before pulling from his chair. "Oh Merlin..." He said standing and hugging Draco tight. "Merlin!" He laughed gently.

Draco laughed and hugged him tight. "Gods, I finally did something right!" He yelled, spinning in a happy little circle.

All three of them cheered till they were exhausted. Blaise was smiling as he looked to Draco. "So... what are you going to do now?" He asked.

"I have no idea…" he said, collapsing back in his chair. "I mean, I won’t give up on this place... I think I’ll work with the potion, try some variations for removing other effects besides the dark mark."

Blaise nodded and laughed again before the bell over the shop door dinged and Hermione came in.

"Hello Severus... " She said with a smile. "Boys... "

Draco grinned, moving to her and dropping down to kiss her belly.

"Hello little one... Uncle Draco’s life isn’t so pathetic anymore..." he cooed.

She laughed gently. "What are you talking about?" She laughed looking up at them.

"My potion's being recognized, Potter pulled some strings or something because it’s official." He was still on the floor looking up at her, hands resting gently on her slightly swelling belly.

She looked down at him and laughed softly before smiling warmly. "I'm so happy for you..." She said softly, tears welling up as she knew how hard he had worked. He stood up and kissed her softly, Ron coming in a moment later.

"You're lucky I know you're a bigger poof than Blaise, Malfoy." Ron teased, moving to kiss his wife himself. "I caught most of that goodness, congratulations."

Blaise laughed watching them then smiling. "What are you here for, lovely one?” He asked in a flirtatious tone, purely to peeve Ron.

She giggled and patted her belly. "Just my regulars…”

Snape moved to get her small box that he already had ready. Draco sighed and just collapsed onto the floor.

"Draco... you’re getting your new clothes dirty."

"I’ve got magic you twit..." he said with a grin to Blaise, not moving.

Hermione smiled down at him. "How did you buy all the new clothes?" She asked looking down at him still.

"Borrowed from Blaise" he said nonchalantly, "I’ll pay him back when I get the first bit from the potion... there was this whole payment thing in the envelope explaining it."

She smiled and slowly crouched down to place a kiss on his forehead.

“I'm so happy and proud of you..." She said softly, hugging him. "You deserve this."

He smiled, lifting a hand to pet her head, "Weasley... your wife’s fawning over me."

"Yeah but it’s still my baby in her belly..." he said cheekily helping Hermione back up.

"So what shall we do to celebrate?" Hermione asked. "I can cook you something!?"

Draco smiled lightly, "I’m all celebrated for today... we can do dinner later in the week if you don't mind?"

"That’s alright... gives me time to prepare..." She said with a smile.

"What are you doing about the apartment?" Blaise asked, not knowing his plans anymore.

"It still going up, I’ll move in with Sev like planned till I can find another place... I’m looking forward to burning a lot of things... especially my clothes."

They laughed gently. Hermione got her stuff and promised Draco a celebratory dinner before starting to leave with Ron.

Draco sat up, "Oh, Hermione? Can I talk to you alone for a minute?"

She stopped in the door, turning. "Of course."

He smiled and stood, pulling her off to the side. He rubbed the back of his neck as he tried to think of how to phrase this. "I need to thank Potter... Harry... somehow... do you have any ideas?"

She swallowed and smiled to him. "Don’t." She said softly, knowing why Harry did it... or at least part of why he did it. "I don’t think he wants you to feel obligated to thank him..."

Draco sighed and shook his head. "Because of my home?"

She smiled and tilted her head. "For a lot of reasons..."

He smiled lightly. "I want to thank him, this is big... before, whatever he did, he had his reasons... was doing his job... but this was out of his way... Hermione." he tilted his head to give her a charming smile. "Please?"

She shook her head and pushed away his smile, snerking. "Don’t try that one on me..." She said but smiled anyways. "Alright..."

He smiled more. "You know you can't resist the Malfoy charm." He said with a grin before he nodded. "What can I do?"

She sighed and chewed her lip, shaking her head. "I don’t know honey..." She said softly. "Don’t buy him anything... that would be about the last thing he would want..." She said softly.

He nodded thoughtfully. "Okay... material goods not so much…”

She chewed her lip. "I'm sure just a regular thank you would be fine... just give him a ring..." She said softly.

He sighed softly. "I don’t know that I can just call him up... but thanks... I guess I’ll think of something."

He kissed her cheek and then her temple before letting her go, watching as she left the shop. Blaise smiled as he waited for the two to come back, holding the bags, about to close up shop with Snape. Draco took the bags with a thankful smile and returned home with Severus and Blaise.

~*~

There were advantages to living with Severus and Draco made use of his excellent potions lab. It had taken him a few days to figure out what he could do but then he'd locked himself away, working on the very temperamental potion to make sure it was just right.

Harry had been swamped at work, having had to take on many favors to get Draco’s potion patented. He came home that night exhausted and all but collapsed into bed.

Though the ingredients were relatively simple this potion was very expensive to buy, just because of the brewing process but by the end of the week Draco had a flawless potion... dubbed so by Severus himself. He was nervous as he sent it off in the morning with a label and a simple note saying "thank you" in Draco's neat scrawl.

Harry woke that next morning to tapping on his window, moving to get the package. He fed the bird then watched him fly off, moving to pull on his glasses as he read the note. He swallowed his shaky breath as he saw who it was from. Reading the instruction he didn’t quite know if he should drink it or not but he did. It made him drowsy and he was glad that this was his one day off because he was out for the day.

Draco took a break from the lab for a day, taking a much needed day of rest and sleeping through most of it himself. Harry blinked awake that evening, rubbing his eyes and yawning before sitting up quickly. He looked around, his heart racing as everything was clear, perfectly clear.

Draco sat up when Severus shook him awake, moving into the kitchen to eat something. There was tapping at their window later that night, an owl holding a small package as well. Draco frowned lightly, moving to take the package, feeding the owl before he moved to sit at the table to open it and Harry's old glasses fell onto Draco’s hand, no note, just his glasses. Draco smiled softly to himself, running his finger over the rims before he carefully set them on the counter, shaking his head.

Chapter 6: The Phone Call and the Blush

___

A/N: well here ya go, chapter 5 and some progress! yay! more good stuff to come.. but.. -whimpers- reviews this time please? is anyone reading this?

Doxa Vomica et Curo- Ch 4

2007-10-23T21:05:52Z

Title: Doxa Vomica et Curo
Authors: fairyeyez & poutytrout
Pairing(s): Harry/Draco, Seamus/Blaise, mentions of Ron/Hermione
Story Rating: NC-17
Chapter Rating: PG-13
Genre: Romance, Drama, some Humor, (you know.. life)
Words Total (so far): 11, 246
Words this Chapter: 1,525
Disclaimer: Though we sincerely wish it to be so, we neither own nor have created these most fabulous of characters. They are the property of one J.K. Rowling. We shall return them we were are finished, hopefully they will be unharmed.
Warnings: male/male
Spoilers: Mostly follows canon through book 6.. some changes made to book 6.
Summary: It has been five years since they had left Hogwarts, four since Voldemort was killed, three since those beloved were finally put to rest, and two since the last death eater was killed. Now the survivors of the epic battle in the wizarding world were finding themselves thrown back into the normal world, surviving as they did before Voldemort came to power, or trying to..

Story Index

Doxa Vomica et Curo

Chapter Four
Discussions

That next morning was hell until Harry was able to find a hangover potion. He groaned and just flopped back into bed, groaning again when Hermione called, cheery as a song bird.

"Hello lovellllyyyyy..."

She sang and Harry all but hung up her.

"What do you want?" He mumbled turning to curl more into his silk bed sheets.

"You don’t remember a lick of last night do you?" She asked with a giggle and Harry groaned.

"Should I?" He asked with a soft sigh.

"No... it’s fine..."

Not long after he had forced himself to get ready, having to go to work still. The potion still worked but didn’t help with the loss of memories from the night before.

Later he headed to work, stopping by Gringots for a moment. He left with a long sigh, feeling the need to do what he just did but not knowing if it was right.

Elsewhere Blaise pulled Draco up out of his bed and forced a potion down his throat. Draco just rolled back over and curled into his worn sheets and sighed softly. He shivered lightly, remembering hazy bits of the previous night, and he wasn't sure he liked it.

"Blaise... when did my life crumble?”

Blaise sighed and ran his fingers through Draco’s hair. "I don’t know love..."

"Do I have to work today?" he asked, his brain not functioning enough to work.

"No I believe Severus called to tell you he was much better..."

He said softly, sliding to be laying flush with Draco and running his fingers down his cheek softly. Draco turned and pressed into Blaise’s crisp clean smelling shirt, he'd left Hermione’s transfigured clothes on, one of the better things he owned now. Blaise kissed his lips softly, more reassuring and comforting than anything. He wrapped his arms around him and just held him close.

"What do you remember?"

"Last night? Dancing with Potter..." he shuddered softly. "Did he really look that good or was it the booze?"

"No... I’m pretty sure he looked that good... " He said with a small smile. “What was so wrong about dancing with Harry?"

"It’s Potter..." he said on a soft groan, "Harry Fucking Potter" he finished, burying his head against Blaise's chest.

Blaise smirked and simply shook his head, kissing the top of Draco’s.

"Alright, alright... old grudges never die, I get it..." He said tightening his arms.

Draco sighed, "It's not that... the rivalry is the only thing I have left... everything else is gone." He pulled back. "I’m going to have to move in with Severus..."

Blaise sighed softly and kissed his temple. "You can move in with me... if you would rather..." he said softly.

Draco shook his head. "Living with Sev means I can at least pretend like it’s my doing... just taking care of him... I should have taken the credit for that potion... but it felt like blood money."

"You can take credit for this one..." He said softly, his arm bearing lightly to Draco. "It’s amazing..."

Draco sighed, "It can't be released for the public... it probably won’t be used ever again..."

He frowned gently. "Did Harry say that?" He asked gently.

"Potter said it can’t be released... I know there's not many else who deserve it."

"I can talk to him..." He said softly. "We need to talk to him..." he said softly. “Even if there aren’t many... those who deserve it should get it."

He sighed softly and nodded, "Sure..."

He didn’t really having much faith in the system... especially when it came to working for him. Blaise smiled and reached into his pocket, pulling out his cell. He dialed in Harry’s number having gotten it from Hermione, waiting till he picked up.

Harry had arrived at his office deciding he wanted to do some field work today and was drinking coffee when his phone rang, needing the jolt of caffeine. "'Ello?"

Draco stayed silent, just lost in thoughts. Harry sighed just a bit when Blaise asked him to come over, saying they needed to talk. He agreed, though reluctantly and aparated out of Hogsmeade and into the alley next to Draco’s place. Walking up he knocked gently on the door. Draco squeaked slightly.

"You invited him here?" he demanded softly, incredulously.

"Well yeah..." He said like it was nothing moving to answer the door. Draco just rolled more into bed and pulled his blanket over his head.

Harry waited and smiled just barely, nodding to Blaise as he let him in. "He's in his room." Blaise said, inwardly smirking as he 'got Harry a drink'. Harry swallowed and nodded moving that way.

"Draco?"

He asked gently, knocking lightly on the door. Draco groaned softly. "Fucking Blaise..." he groaned from under his blankets.

Harry bit his lip. "Malfoy?" He tired, not knowing if Draco responded to Harry saying Draco.

"I’m here... I’m not coming out. Blaise is a prick." he managed, still buried under his covers.

Harry pulled back, not knowing what to do before Blaise just sighed and moved into the room. "Oh stop being such a baby." He said, but Harry still stood back.

Draco pulled back his covers enough to glare at Blaise. "You said you were going to talk to him, don’t drag me into this."

"It's your creation." He countered, setting a cup of strong coffee by his bed. Harry turned and leaned against the wall out in the hall, next to the doorway, not looking in. Draco glared at Blaise again.

"Come in Potter, Blaise wants to talk to you."

Harry swallowed and looked to the side. "I can wait out here... till you two are ready..." he said gently, not wanting to just intrude on Draco while he was in bed.

"Just come in," he said, exasperated, "I’m not getting up anytime... today... and Blaise isn't moving."

Harry sighed and nodded, turning and walking in, slow, his dress nice but low key and his hands behind his back. He swallowed as he saw Draco in bed, looking away a moment before shutting the door. Draco tucked his head back into his covers, kicking Blaise lightly to get him to talk.

Blaise smirked and turned to Harry. "We want to discuss this no public deal on Draco’s potion." He said and Harry sighed heavily, rubbing his forehead.

He looked behind him and leaned against the wall. "What do you want to discuss... it can't get out."

"We understand why it can’t be on the street... but there are people who deserve to use it... people Draco could rightfully earn money from."

Draco made an indignant squeak; Blaise shouldn’t be bringing up financial stuff. Harry swallowed and looked down, sighing gently.

"Ministry protocol says he must submit it for initial observations first, before he can even be credited for it... Then... and if the administrative apothecary signs off for it, then Draco may get some recognition for it..." he said chewing his lip.

Draco sighed, pushing his covers back and getting up to go to his bathroom.

"Just forget it," he said softly, moving into his bathroom.

Harry sighed and followed him, standing respectfully away from the door.

"Malfoy... stop..." he asked gently, wanting him to listen. “I agree with you... I think there are people... certain people who can use this," he said softly. "And you know why I can't let it out on the streets..." he said, swallowing. “I just can’t tell you anything right now..." he said softly. "Can’t promise you anything..."

Draco looked up at him for a moment.

"Its not you Potter, it’s the ministry, I don’t rely on anyone but myself." he said, closing the door to the bathroom.

Blaise sighed. "Can you blame him? He’d have to jump through hoops just for the possibility of getting recognition for a potion that normally would look like he’s just trying to get his friends out of trouble."

Harry closed his eyes, pushing down his regret and guilt to focus. "I want to help..." he said softly. “I think what you did was amazing Draco... I'll... I'll see what I can do..." He turned and started to leave, his hands in his pockets. Draco sighed, leaning against the door of the bathroom for a moment before he just shook his head, stepping up to his shower.

Blaise stood and walked Harry to the door, smiling lightly. "Oi, Potter... " he stopped him for a moment. "You never did let me in on that secret," he said with a grin.

Harry quirked a brow to him, "I thought I gave you a challenge..." he said with a small smirk himself, leaving the apartment. "I wouldn’t want to ruin that for you."

Blaise grinned a little to himself. "You toy with the heart, Potter," he said with a little groan before closing the door and moving back in to wait for Draco.

Chapter 5: Surprises in the Mail

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A/N: Wow guys.. I’m sorry this took me so long, it’s been sitting here ready to be edited for a long while… but… good news is that I have the next chapter all ready to go so if I feel the you know.. urge.. to post it.. –hint hint.. review review…- then it could be up in the next couple days.. maybe even.. –gasp- tomorrow! Hehe, let us know what you think!

Doxa Vomica et Curo- Ch 3

2007-07-14T21:59:59Z

Doxa Vomica et Curo
Chapter 3

The Dance that Started it All

Harry watched him just sit before Severus hissed and pulled out his left arm, holding his breath as the dark mark that stained his skin seemed to fizzle away, leaving not even a scar behind.

"Oh my god..." Harry said with his hand over his mouth.

Draco released a sob of relief as he watched it disappear. "Severus..."

The man seemed awestruck and just stared at his arm. Harry stood and moved slowly over as tears came to Hermione’s eyes. Severus regained some sense and pulled Draco into a fierce hug.

“Oh Merlin!" Draco cried, elated. "It worked, it worked! I can't believe it!"

Harry laughed slightly too, amazed but still working over everything in his mind. “Oh Merlin..." he said, more in awe than when Draco had said it.

Draco laughed as he pulled back. "Shit, I have to floo Blaise."

He moved away to use Severus's floo, when Harry started. Harry looked at him and watched him before stopping him. "Malfoy wait..." He ran after him as he moved into the other room. Draco paused without thinking, turning around. Harry stopped and swallowed pulling him aside. "That... that potion can’t... can’t be released to the public..." He rubbed his forehead a bit tiredly, thinking a million things through at once.

Draco just looked at him. "I know that Potter..." he said simply, a little insulted that Harry had to say it.

Harry frowned and bit his lip. He didn’t want to stop Draco from taking it to Blaise but his obligations to the ministry were telling him so.

"Potter look... Blaise was knocked unconscious and had it forced upon him, he doesn’t deserve to be marked for the rest of his life..." He turned away. "They were trying to get to me."

Harry swallowed and stopped him again. Draco turned to look at him.

"Harry... please…" he said, using his first name out of desperation, "Just Blaise I swear, I’ll give you all the rest…"

"I..." He let out a small sigh. "I just want to go with you..." he said, needing to at least supervise.

Draco swallowed, upset that he'd had to show his vulnerability... asked Harry for something.

"Yea whatever." he said, his guard coming back up as he moved to the fire dropping down and throwing powder in before stepping into the flame.

Harry frowned softly, biting his lip. "Thank you..." he said softly, before stepping into the flames with him.

Draco didn't acknowledge him, old feelings coming back as he was upset that Harry had to intrude on this. Blaise saw Draco before Harry, grinning and landing a kiss smack on his lips as he pulled him into a hug.

Harry blinked and flushed just barely, stepping from the flames, and looking away for a moment. He knew Blaise was never very fond of him, so this could be an overly awkward situation. Blaise looked over Draco's shoulder and spotted Harry.

"Draco... your new boyfriend looks suspiciously like Harry Potter... knew that obsession would turn into something..." he said, grinning at Draco who flushed.

"Blaise stop, it’s not like that... just because you're a poof doesn’t mean everyone is."

Harry bit back his blush, raising his eyes to him, and smiling momentarily.

"Hello Blaise..." he said gently, smiling and nodding to him as he stood back still.

Blaise nodded, "Harry,” he said, acknowledging him and smiling lightly at both Draco and Harry's discomfort. "So what's up?" he asked, turning to Draco.

Harry licked his lip and bit it, keeping silent as he was purely there to supervise. Draco looked over at Harry and sighed, a little annoyed that he was standing over him, making sure he didn’t do anything wrong just like in school. But then... hadn't he worked to make sure peoples perception of him hadn't changed? He pulled the second vial out.

"It works... it just worked on Severus... and I want you to take it before I tell the ministry... Potter's here to make sure I wasn’t lying to him..." he said, a tinge of bitterness tainting the words.

Harry swallowed and sighed in his own annoyance. "Slimy git." He murmured under his breath from where he was standing.

"Poster boy." Draco shot back. He didn’t have much venom against Harry anymore, but he wanted this moment with his old boyfriend/ best friend to be private.

Blaise, at the moment, was looking just a little shocked. Harry sighed and shook his head, turning and leaving the room, letting them do this alone. Draco was a little surprised when he left but he just pulled Blaise to the couch, sitting down right next to him. "Here, drink it... please." he said softly, "I can’t let you suffer for me anymore..."

Blaise kissed his cheek, "Okay doll face... for you." He took the vial and downed the potion, crying out softly when the pain ripped through him. Harry heard the potion working and sighed gently as he sat at the table in Blaise's kitchen. After a moment it passed and left his arm clean and smooth.

Draco cried softly in relief this time, letting Blaise pull him into his arms and pressing his face to his neck.

"I’m sorry it took me so long..." he whispered softly.

Harry swallowed and sighed, dropping his head to the table, just letting them have their moment. Draco and Blaise moved into the kitchen a moment later and Draco was in good enough spirits that his irritation with Harry wasn’t as pressing. Blaise spoke up after a moment, breaking the silence.

"We're going to celebrate, is the Harry Potter allowed to drink?"

Harry smirked, lifting his chin. "Well of course." He said sitting up and holding out his hand. "I'm happy for you." He said indicating to his arm.

Blaise nodded, shaking it before he grinned. “Want to be my date tonight Potter?" He asked, waggling his brows, "Draco already claimed Hermione."

Harry laughed and just shook his head. "Sure... why not..."

Blaise grinned, catching the odd look Draco gave him and just grinning. “We’ll meet you at the club then Draco... and you be careful with Hermione, I’m looking forward to delivering that baby.”

Harry smirked and shook his head, following Blaise. Draco watched them disappear into the flame headed the club before he stepped through to get Hermione, they'd have to take the longer way.

Harry sighed when they made it to fresh air, stepping out and looking around with a smirk. Blaise chuckled and hooked his arm through Harry's.

"So, am I the first handsome man you've had on your arm?" He was grinning to him coyly, not so subtly digging.

Harry let his eyes drag over to Blaise but he simply smirked, a dark tinge to him as he pulled him to the bar, needing at least SOME alcohol in his system before he would open up to anyone. Blaise held him back.

“Wait, wait, if we're going to be drinking... and dancing... we need the look first..."

This was a muggle club so he pulled Harry into the bathroom before transfiguring his clothes, giving him soft leather black pants that fit just so and then transfiguring his shirt, emerald green to match his eyes with a black phoenix outlined up the back. Harry looked up at himself and smirked.

"Nice..."

"Mm... very hot... should I do something about your hair?" He asked, examining it. "Maybe just a little..." he leaned forward and tousled his hand carefully through Harry's hair, "Ah, perfect…"

Blaise quickly transfigured an outfit for himself before he pushed Harry back out of the bathroom. Harry grinned, some of his inhibitions leaving as he got more comfortable, always a fan of clubs.

Hermione took the chance to transfigure Draco's clothes, leaving his hair loose and casual, telling him it was sexy. She gave him a pair of tight dark designer jeans that rode low on his hips and a silver muscle shirt with a dragon moving down from his right shoulder to his left hip.

"Thanks Hermione..."

Draco was in awe as he looked down at his leather accented jeans and the shirt... and the leather bands she placed around his wrists to accent the effect. She smiled and nodded, bustling him out to the car.

.Harry ordered himself some whiskey and downed it quickly, mming at the sharp burn down his throat.

Blaise watched him with a grin, downing his own. “What are the chances that this 'date' will end in a kiss?" he asked, still digging for an answer to Harry's sexuality. Harry simply grinned.

"Well I’m sure Draco will be more than willing to kiss you..." He said with a smirk still, sipping at his second whiskey.

Blaise grinned. "If only, if only... sadly Draco hasn’t wanted me like that since 5th year."

Harry grinned, only mildly surprised now. He sipped his drink and just watched him a moment. Blaise studied him too, and certainly wasn’t shy about it.

"You've grown up Harry Potter... into a mighty fine specimen…"

"Ain't bad yourself." He said this with a last smirk before he danced around Blaise and out onto the floor.

Blaise smirked, downing his drink and following him out. Draco and Hermione arrived awhile later and Draco's eyes automatically searched out Harry... Blaise... he searched out Blaise.

Harry was dancing against the many bodies, one of which being Blaise’s, with his drink in his hand. Draco swallowed as he saw them dancing, moving over to down a couple drinks himself.

"Hermione... do you know... is Potter...?"

Hermione watched them but shrugged.

"I honestly don’t know..." She said, turning to him with a wry smile. "He hasn’t ever said anything to me..."

Draco raised a brow at her. "Okay... he hasn’t said anything, but you're Hermione Granger, you figure everything out before we even know it ourselves... I was out among Slytherin 3rd year... but I bet you still would have figured it out before me if we'd been friends."

She smirked and looked to Draco. "Sorry babe... but I honestly don’t know... that boy has learned to hide everything from everyone, including us." she said sipping her Shirley temple.

"Ah..." was his only reply, letting it drop and telling himself he wasn’t really interested. "Will you be okay here by yourself?" he asked, downing another drink and letting the buzz kick in.

She smirked and nodded. "Yeah. You go and have some fun."

He smiled lightly. He didn’t go out often... and always with Blaise when he did. Moving out onto the floor he found his way up behind his friend and slid hid hand into Blaise's front pocket, rolling his body with Blaise's. Harry had his eyes closed his back against Blaise's chest, his bottom lip between his teeth as he rocked to the hard music.

"I want to fuck you like an animal..." He sang to the song.

Blaise heard him, groaning softly as he leaned back against Draco. Draco hadn't heard Harry though, singing along himself, voice low, a little louder than Harry’s.

"I want to feel you from the inside..." Draco breathed against Blaise’s neck

"I want to fuck you like an animal... my whole existence is flawed..." Harry practically moaned out, finishing his drink off.

Draco's eyes flicked to Harry, hearing him that time. He flushed and pulled back from Blaise, moving into the crowd to dance with another body, closing his eyes to lose himself to the music.

Harry didn’t know he was there in the beginning, the third glass of whiskey hitting his system and sliding through his veins. He turned and grinned, watching Blaise, knowing his secret was still a secret, though may be trickling out slowly.

Blaise smirked at him before he reached out a caught Draco's wrist, pulling him back against him. Draco shivered, keeping his eyes closed, letting the energy be all he needed... though he knew Blaise’s touch enough to know it was him and leaned back into him as he moved.

Harry lifted his eyes to Draco and grinned just barely before he backed up into the crowd. All four of them, Hermione included, drew more attention than the muggles, their magic reaching out. Harry, moving through the crowd, had people touching him and stopping him to dance more. Draco opened his eyes, watching Harry back away before Blaise’s arms came up and he saw the smooth spotless skin of his arm and smiled, leaning back into him. Harry danced his way over to Hermione, smiling and leaning down to kiss her cheek lightly.

"How are you doing?" He asked rubbing her belly

Hermione grinned. "Very wonderfully, its good to see Draco relaxed... he's never like this…"

Harry watched him and nodded with a soft smile. He let out a soft sigh, hating that his interference with the Malfoy family stopped him from becoming as close as he could with Draco.

"Harry..." she said softly, "He wouldn't blame you for his father... Draco would have killed him himself if you hadn't... or if Severus hadn't... he was right behind you in it."

"It isn’t the same, 'mione." He said softly. "I had to kill him and hide it from Draco. They told him that it was crossfire..." He swallowed. "And I had to order the restricting and confiscation of all of the Malfoy assets..."

Hermione swallowed, she hadn't known that part. "You won't know what’s possible if you don’t tell him... living on his own has been mostly good for him, though I know he misses his home."

Harry sighed and rubbed his eyes. "How can I possibly tell him that?”

"If you don’t Harry... I’m sure someone else will eventually" She said softly, sipping her drink still. "And besides, I think he at least suspects that you had something to do with it.”

He blinked and swallowed looking down. "I don’t know... "

He sighed gently, pushing away those thoughts before getting another drink and moving back out into the crowd.

Hermione sighed and settled back watching as Draco passed Harry, giving a little confused look as Harry passed him, as if he didn’t know what to make of him. He moved to Hermione and ordered another drink.

The song slowed and Harry soon found himself dancing in Blaise’s arms, drink finished and bodies moving one against the other. Draco watched the two, the alcohol spurring an odd sense of jealousy... though he didn’t understand why, he hadn’t been jealous of seeing someone with Blaise for years...

Hermione watched him. "Maybe it isn't him..." She said with her knowing smirk.

Draco cast a look in her direction but just shook his head in confusion, drinking more, wanting to work his way toward drunk. Harry had his forehead pressed to Blaise’s, his arms on his shoulder and their hips and bodies moving to the slower deeper song. Harry moaned softly, one drink ahead of Draco as he pulled Blaise just the tiniest bit closer.

"You know you want it... "He whispered to Blaise, the alcohol speaking for him.” You know you want a taste..."

Blaise smirked softly, leaning in a little. "Mmm... tastes can be deadly."

"And that only makes it better..." he said with an equal smirk, temping Blaise tempting him to break open the secret.

Blaise smirked and leaned in more, pressing his forehead to Harry's. "How much of a taste?" he whispered, low seductive.

Draco flushed lightly, downing the rest of his drink and moving back through the crowd toward them.

"How much can you take?" Harry asked coyly. "I'm pretty strong...” He whispered; the two of them mere centimeters apart. "Can you handle it?"

Blaise smirked and tilted his head, his lips just brushing Harry’s. "I always like a challenge..." he murmured before he felt Draco's hands slide around his waist, effectively pulling him into a dance.

"You may be able to... but he can’t... " Harry murmured as he almost sighed and turned to dance with a muggle.

Blaise turned his head to pout accusingly at Draco but stopped at the confused and vulnerable expression he found in Draco's eyes. Draco leaned in and pressed his forehead to Blaise’s shoulder, moving his body with him. Blaise slid an arm around his waist and pulled him close.

"Hey Potter... Draco needs a sandwich…"

Harry smirked and slithered his way back through the crowd, his chest moving to rest against Draco’s back, one hand brushing down his back. Only by the alcohol’s delicious grip on Harry’s system would he allow himself to dance like this with his once arch rival. Draco shuddered softly and allowed Blaise to alter their rhythm so that they moved with Harry.

Draco tipped his head back, grinding back just gently against Harry, letting the music and alcohol lead him at will. Harry rested his face into Draco’s neck, as he danced with both of them together, though one hand stayed oddly on Draco’s hip. Blaise watched the two as he danced, moving in such a way that the two rubbed together every so often, loving the little gasp that came over Draco's features each time he did it.

By the third song, Blaise had backed off the two and Harry had his arm around Draco’s waist. He breathed hot against Draco’s neck, dancing more and losing himself entirely to the music. Draco ground back against Harry, almost forgetting who he was dancing with; forgetting any of the implications of it was he was lost to the feel of the perfect body behind his.

Harry's other hand slid up Draco’s chest, skimming along his chest to run over the thin material of his shirt. The hand on his waist slid down and held onto his belt buckle, his thumb just under Draco’s pant line. Draco shuddered just softly and groaned, rolling back into Harry's hard body. Harry moaned just barely into Draco’s ear, his thumb running over his happy trail lightly as the other skimmed down to dip under Draco’s shirt.

"Merlin..." Draco groaned softly, it had been so long since someone had touched him... since someone felt so good pressed against him. Harry rocked himself into Draco, before his lips pressed themselves to Draco’s shoulder and neck, the hand under his shirt moving so slowly up more. Draco shuddered and moaned again.

"Harry..." he panted softly. The sound of that name on his own lips was enough to have him pulling away, panting.

"Oh fuck..." Draco groaned, pressing a hand to his head, fuzzed with alcohol.

Harry swallowed and bit his lip hard, panting just barely as well, his dance stopped. He squeezed his eyes shut, rubbing his forehead. "This... this was a bad idea..." He murmured, turning and heading back to Hermione.

Draco had already turned, fleeing as quickly as he could, moving to the street and, knowing he couldn't apparate like this, calling a muggle cab.

Harry moved to her. "I... I can’t do this 'mione..." he said kissing her cheek before dashing out as well, concealing himself before he aparated to his own flat.

Hermione sighed, sitting back against the bar as Blaise walked over to her. "Think they'll ever figure it out?" she asked, looking up at him.

He sighed and gave her an annoyed look. "I don’t know... it’s been what... twelve years? Why should they be holding back now?"

"They're both clinging to the past..." she said softly before standing up and shaking her head. She turned to him and flashed him a grin "Do I need to escort you home, you sexy thing?"

He smirked and quirked a brow at her, "You're the one who may need escorting... if I don’t at least do that Ron will kill me," he said laughing gently as they left the bar.

Harry got home, showered and just collapsed in bed, letting the alcohol drag him to sleep. He didn’t even give himself a chance to panic or even think about what had happened.

In his own apartment Draco had barely pulled himself into his bed, Merlin purring encouragingly and curling up against him as he passed out as well.

Chapter 4: Discussions

___

Well, i hope you're still enjoying this.. and please please please review, this is the product of a lot of hard work of two people and we like to know that people are enjoying it :)

Doxa Vomica et Cura- Ch. 2

2007-07-08T20:37:24Z

Title: Doxa Vomica et Curo
Authors:

fairyeyez27 & poutytrout
Pairing(s): Harry/Draco, Seamus/Blaise, mentions of Ron/Hermione
Story Rating: NC-17
Chapter Rating: PG
Genre: Romance, Drama, some Humor, (you know… life)
Words Total: 5,877

Words this Chapter: 2,508

Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.
Warnings: male/male.
Spoilers: Mostly follows canon through book 6… some changes made to book 6.
Summary: It has been five years since they had left Hogwarts, four since Voldemort was killed, three since those beloved were finally put to rest, and two since the last death eater was killed. Now the survivors of the epic battle in the wizarding world were finding themselves thrown back into the normal world, surviving as they did before Voldemort came to power.

Previous Chapters

Doxa Vomica et Curo

Chapter Two

The Potion

Draco plopped down on the couch after checking on the potion, falling into an exhausted nap.

Harry sighed as he knocked gently on Hermione’s door, waiting nervously. Hermione opened the door, hair pulled back and dressed casually as she took in Harry. She grinned. "Well... look what the cat dragged in…"

He bit his lip and smiled softly, almost scared she'd turn him away. "Hey Hermione..." he said softly.

Hermione turned her head, looking at a calendar. “Hmm, let’s see... it’s not Christmas... not Easter... that must mean Harry Potter has finally come to his senses and is visiting on a non holiday." She stepped back. "Come in, come in."

Harry looked down, shoving his hands into his pockets as he came in. Hermione grinned behind his back, shutting the door and content to let him suffer a few more seconds. He looked to the side then turned to Hermione and smiled softly. "You're mean... " He said as he pouted just barely from being guilt tripped. Hermione smiled, turning to wrap her arms around him and hug him tight.

"Yea well, I couldn't help it, I’ve missed you."

He hugged her back and sighed, missing her warm hug. "I've missed you too..." He said softly. Pulling back he kissed her forehead before dropping down and smiling as he pressed his ear to her stomach. "When are you due?"

Hermione smiled warmly. “Four months... getting close to the taking time off work stage." She said pulling back a little. "Come on, let’s sit down and you can catch me up."

He smiled and nodded, moving with her as he pulled of his shirt. "How's Ron?"

Hermione grinned as she settled on the couch, setting her feet up. "He's being Ron... you'd think the baby was coming tomorrow with the way he acts."

He laughed gently, brushing some hair from her face. He smiled to her softly before sighing out. "You're a little weasel..." He said with narrowed eyes after a moment.

She smiled lightly. “Well... I’m a Weasley if that counts…"

He gave her a look. "So when did you start working with Malfoy on potions?"

She grinned lightly. "Draco wrote to me a couple years ago apologizing for school and asking for some help on a theory... he asked me not to say anything. And how did you find out?" she asked, looking up at him.

He took in a breath. "Well..." He said scratching his head. "He's working for Severus... and I needed ingredients..."

Hermione chuckled. "And Severus is taking a page from Dumbledore's book?"

"Guess so." He said with a sigh. "I honestly never thought I’d see him again."

"I imagine he thought the same... though really, with the way you two were obsessed with each other throughout school... " She waved her hand vaguely. “And anyway, you've got it wrong, Draco owns that shop."

"What?" He asked. "We were never obsessed with each other..." He said defensively, ignoring the actually relevant information.

Hermione laughed. “Oh please, you knew every nuance of each other’s lives except that you were wrong about whom he dated."

"What do you mean I was wrong...?” He trailed off as she shook her head.

"Nope, I’m not going to sit here and give you every little detail I’ve dug up about Draco's life." she said picking up a cup of tea from earlier and settling back.

Harry scoffed and sat back, mumbling. "Not like I wanted to know anyways." He said under his breath.

Hermione smiled a little to herself. "Anyway, as I was saying, Draco owns that shop."

He blinked and frowned looking up. "But I thought Severus... " He frowned more. “Does he still work at the school?" He asked, not understanding how he seemed to get by.

Hermione shook her head. “No... Draco owns the shop and lets Severus work there... almost all the money goes to Severus's medical bills and living expenses and he keeps a tiny bit for himself... I believe he also supplies Poppy with potions."

Harry frowned and looked down. "How bad did he need lunar nectar?" He asked gently.

"Desperately…" she said, looking up at him curiously. "It’s the key ingredient to something he's working on."

He nodded. "Ah." He said sipping at his cup of tea.

She sighed softly. “I was actually hoping to hear from him soon... but I heard Severus was sick so maybe he hasn’t had time..."

Harry nodded, and rubbed his temple gently. "This is all so weird...” He murmured before sliding a bit lower in his seat.

Hermione chuckled, settling back as well. “What else did you want to know Harry... obviously there was a reason you asked me about working with Draco."

"Yeah..." he said chewing his lip a little. “Malfoy wanted me to tell you that the potion is almost ready... and that he wondered if you would like to help with the final stage..."

Hermione sat up abruptly. "Well goodness Harry, why didn't you say so?! Come on, come on."

He looked at her. "What? What are we doing?" He asked sitting up quickly too.

"We've got to go... if it’s almost ready Draco won’t wait long before he just does it himself, so come on... pregnant women can't apparate" she said, grabbing her cell phone to call Ron. “Baby? Yea... no it’s alright... I’m headed over to Draco's... yea the potions ready for me to help... I know baby, I’ll talk to you later, oh, Harry says hi."

Harry seemed more confused now than he had ever been. "What are we doing?"

"Going to Draco's!" she said in exasperation as if it were obvious.

"No I know that..." He said as he was dragged along. "But... guh...Hermiiiiiione..." he whined.

She laughed, just pulling him along. “I’m going to help him finish, this could be a breakthrough potion and I want to be there, and you're coming because Ron yells when I do anything by myself anymore."

He groaned out before following her. "How are we getting there?"

She looked over at him. “His appartment isn't connected to the floo so we're taking the car."

He sighed. He hated driving... it was so slow. "Fine... " he grumbled getting out and letting her drive there as he didn’t know how to get there.

Hermione chuckled and started her car, headed over to Draco’s. When they arrived, Harry got out nervously, looking at Hermione for a last chance escape. Hermione jumped out and just shook her head at him. "Come on Harry," she said, moving up his apartment. “Draco! I’m just coming in, okay?" she called, opening the door.

Draco woke up from his spot on the couch and rubbed his eyes. “Hey Hermione, I was wondering when you'd get here..." he said, smiling lightly. Harry stepped in carefully after her, swallowing lightly. Draco's eyes slid to Harry and he wet his lip, sliding his hand nervously through his hair.

"I would have been sooner if Harry hadn't yakked my ear off." Hermione continued, seeming as if she was oblivious to the tension in the room. She looked Draco over as she closed the door before summoning a cup of coffee. "Here... warm yourself up…" she said before bustling into the kitchen.

Harry watched Draco, holding his gaze a moment before looking away. He bit the side of his own lip nervously and stayed back a ways, even as Hermione bustled her pregnant self forward.

Draco stood up and looked Harry over for a moment. "Come on in Potter... nothing bites..." He said, taking a drink from the coffee as he moved over to Hermione. Harry took in a breath and moved in, standing a bit back still, not knowing what to do in the smallish apartment.

"Hermione... don't tell me you’re meddling too..." Draco asked softly, standing close as he gently stirred the potion, getting it ready to move into the final stage.

She smirked a little. "I wouldn’t dare." She said simply, hopping up a few ingredients.

"Do you mind if I look around a bit?" Harry asked gently, his curiosity getting a bit ahead of him.

Draco looked over at him and chewed his lip, but after a reassuring look from Hermione he nodded. "Just look out for Merlin, the cat... he tends to hide... " Harry nodded, turning and moving about the apartment, fingering things lightly but mainly just looking. Draco watched him for a moment before he shook his head and turned back to the potion, setting up a small cauldron to prepare the lunar nectar before it could be added, Hermione and him working well together

Harry moved through the house, finding Draco’s door open. He chewed his lip before looking back then heading in, fingering his bureau. Draco was lost in his work, excited as he and Hermione carefully added the final ingredient, her stirring just so as he poured at a constant rate. Harry smiled a little as he fingered Draco’s tie, saddened a bit that all his years at Hogwarts were over. He looked around and saw Draco’s old class robes, smiling as he ran his fingertips along the Slytherin crest.

Draco sat back as he watched the potion change color. "Do you think it worked?" he asked softly. Hermione smiled and nodded. "It looks right," she said with a smile.

Harry, sighed out gently, saddened by what he saw, the immense change. He stood and looked around again, sitting on the edge of Draco’s bed. Draco sighed and stepped back.

"I hope so..." Draco said softly, thinking about Severus... and Blaise.

Harry ran his fingers through his hair, blinking gently.

"Thanks for your help Hermione." He said, working to bottle the potion by hand.

She smiled. "Are you going to take credit for this one Draco?" she asked and he sent her a little grin.

"I have no idea what you're talking about."

Hermione smirked and nodded, "Alright... I can have Harry turn it in this time... people won’t be thinking you did it that way..."

Draco paused. “I need the money... from the potion, the shop isn't enough anymore." He looked away. He hated being vulnerable, hated that Hermione had to know what it was like.

She turned his head towards her, looking at him softly. "It's alright Draco..." She said softly. He smiled a little. “I know..." She pulled him into a gentle hug.

"Harry?" She called when she pulled back, looking for him. He didn’t hear her as he looked around the room again from where he was sitting on Draco’s bed.

Draco looked up, forgetting that Harry was there. "This place isn't that big... he's probably snooping in my room." He said, continuing to bottle the potion. Hermione smirked softly, moving that way.

"Harry?" She asked from the doorway.

He opened his eyes and looked at her, blushing just barely. ”Sorry..." he said gently, moving to leave the room.

Draco continued till he had it all in individual vials, setting them aside to be stored as he cleaned up his cauldrons and work area. They returned and Harry just set himself quietly on the couch as the two of them finished. He wouldn’t admit it but his eyes seemed to only want to watch Draco, study him as he worked. This was different, seeing him in normal clothes, not in his arrogant appearance that he had donned for those six years at Hogwarts.

Draco smiled and chuckled along with Hermione as they finished up, catching up on things now that they weren't working. He glanced at Harry occasionally, finding his gaze on him and he'd turn back, fighting off a flush from his pale cheeks.

Draco turned to Hermione after awhile. "Hermione... you didn’t tell him did you?" He asked, curious as to why Harry would be studying him... wondering if she told him he's gay.

She turned and shook her head. "No... Draco that’s something I figured you felt the need to tell him... If you ever tell him...” She said, looking at Harry now.

Draco shook his head. "No... The last thing I need is to give him something new to tease about."

Hermione looked back at Harry who had looked away now. "I don’t think he's going to tease you anymore... he has his own skeletons to deal with..." She said softly, turning back to Draco.

"Yea well..." he let the thought trail off, not wanting to think about Harry's demons. “I’m going to go see Severus... do you want to come?"

"Sure..." She said softly, looking at Harry.

Draco looked at him too. “He can come if he wants, but I’ll take you home if he doesn’t," he said, grabbing a couple of the vials. Harry looked at them, not listening to their quiet conversation.

Hermione spoke up. "Come on Harry..." pretty much leaving him no choice. “We are going to go see Severus."

Draco nodded, grabbing a coat. “It'll be worth the longer trip just to see his face when I walk in with two thirds of the golden trio."

Harry snerked softly, shaking his head. Hermione drove again this time and Harry still found his eyes drifting to Draco. Draco was nervous, hands holding the bottles as he didn’t notice Harry watching him this time. Hermione noticed though and inwardly smirked. Draco had to reach over and take Hermione's hand for just a moment as they moved into Severus's house, squeezing gently before he dropped it to open the door, moving into the living room. Harry saw this and licked his lip just barely, surprised by the open shows of affection.

Severus smiled and then looked surprised to see Harry and Hermione behind him. “Well, well, when did hell freeze over?"

Hermione grinned, moving forward to kiss Severus's cheeks. “Just this morning, didn’t you read about it in the prophet?"

Harry smiled and shook Severus’s hand. "Hello Severus," he said nodding to the man in respect before stepping aside to let Draco through. Draco bit his lip, moving forward. “You're looking much better," he said with a small grin.

Severus looked up at him. “The flu tends to go away... what are you all doing here?" he asked, getting straight to the point. Draco chewed his lip, pulling the vial out and handing it to him, watching recognition run through Severus as he reached forward to take it.

“It hasn't been tested..." he warned softly.

Harry swallowed, not knowing what the potion was for but seeing the awe and relief flood Snape’s face. Severus looked up at Draco and then Hermione.

“The worst that could happen?"

Hermione spoke up. “If it went terribly wrong it could put you in St. Mungo’s for a very long time... but that’s a very slim chance... Draco's done a good job. Most likely, it will work... or it won’t."

Harry swallowed and bit his lip nervously, not knowing a lick of what was going on but staying silent. Severus smiled and nodded, taking a breath before he downed the potion, gritting his teeth a little at the taste.

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Chapter 3: The Dance that Started it All

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Please don't kill us! Review and we'll put the next part up tomorrow night!

Doxa Vomica et Curo, Chapter One

2007-06-29T01:06:25Z

Title: Doxa Vomica et Curo
Authors:

fairyeyez27 & poutytrout
Pairing(s): Harry/Draco Seamus/Blaise, mentions of Ron/Hermione
Story Rating: NC-17
Chapter Rating: PG
Genre: Romance, Drama, some humor :-) (life, basically)
Words: 3369
Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.
Warnings: male/male.
Spoilers: Mostly follows canon through book 6… some changes made to book 6.
Summary: It has been five years since they had left Hogwarts, four since Voldemort was killed, three since those beloved were finally put to rest, and two since the last death eater was killed. Now the survivors of the epic battle in the wizarding world were finding themselves thrown back into the normal world, surviving as they did before Voldemort came to power.

Doxa Vomica et Curo

Chapter One
Draco's Secret Life

Harry skipped down a few steps of Diagon Alley, trying to stay under the awnings so as to keep as dry as possible. It was another wet rainy day in fall London and he sighed. Twenty three years old and he had finally gotten away from some of the glory of his Hogwarts days. He wasn't hounded all the time by the paparazzi and the autographs had finally died. People seemed to more appreciate him rather than worship him and it was a nice relief. It had been five years since he had left Hogwarts, four since he killed Voldemort, three since he had put Lupin and his godfather to final rest and two since the last death eater was killed.

Draco didn't go out much, aside from going to work. He didn't want to be in the public eye much because it meant having to pull out his least out-of-date robes and try to pass them off as vintage… which was bad enough. As it was, it meant he was closer and closer to people discovering how he really lived his life. He didn't mind what people thought of him; he preferred it that way, hiding behind the Malfoy mask his father had left, not wanting to deal with anyone or be social after the horror that was the war. Someone only needed to watch their entire world fall apart once before they realized they didn’t want to build another one to have it fall again. He was going out now though, delivering potion stocks to Hogwarts since his godfather couldn't do it himself anymore. Severus Snape was the only reason he kept trying anymore, using his meager funds to help support Severus and keep him comfortable.

Harry dodged out, deciding it was a useless race trying to beat the storm. He figured he'd get wet either way. Crossing the street, he had his head down but sensed the person walking across the sidewalk and stopped to let them pass. They seemed familiar but Harry didn’t have time to place it so he just kept going. Draco kept his head down as he walked, as well. It was rainy so he hadn’t bothered to dress up, wearing second hand robes and a hat to cover his all too recognizable hair. He would dye it but he didn’t want people to know he was actually trying to hide. He barely noticed the person he passed, avoiding eye contact as he moved into the Leaky Cauldron to use their floo service.

The next day came and went and finally it stopped raining. Harry was staying at the Leaky Cauldron for auror business and came out with a happy sigh that it was finally sunny. Draco walked down the street, toward the apothecary, needing more supplies for potions. He spotted Potter and dropped his gaze, hoping he wouldn't see him. He was dressed nicely… or anyone who didn't know fashion might think so, at least… but that didn't mean he wanted to deal with The Savior at that particular moment. Harry turned and sighed having to go to the apothecary for different supplies. Heading that way he was a bit ahead of Draco. He didn’t see him, but was walking in the same direction. Passing Snape's shop, he decided he needed to go somewhere else first before he went to visit his old professor. Draco's eyes followed Harry for a moment, curious as to why he would pause at his Godfathers shop… hoping he wouldn't be going there as he stepped into the apothecary.

Harry stepped into a dark arts shop, buying a few items. He may be the Golden Boy but he had his own tarnished side. Because he had to fight it off so many times, he found the dark arts interesting. Stepping from the shop he moved on to the apothecary, entering and looking around. "Severus...." he said gently, still having respect for his old professor that he saw at the front desk.

Draco turned his head just slightly, frowning when Harry came in and addressed Severus. He flushed and turned his head, gathering the supplies he needed. Swallowing, Harry chewed the inside of his lip, but moved in anyways. He looked at the man cautiously, nervous all of the sudden about meeting his old professor. "Hello sir..." he said softly, stepping up. He didn’t notice Draco right away but seemed to have disttracted Severus from his job with Draco, leaving it a bit unfinished. Severus nodded at him.

“Harry…" he said softly, having dropped grudges long ago.

He'd been injured in the war, his eyesight lessened, making his potion ability significantly less.

"What can I do for you?"

"I just came to see how you were…" he said softly. “And pick up a few things....” he said pulling out a list of supplies he needed, most a tad more dangerous than a normal apothecary should hold. Severus smiled a little at that, hints of the old smirk held there as he took the list.

"Ah, yes, of course, business mixed with pleasure…" He looked over at Draco. "Draco.... would you mind?" he asked, handing the list to him. "You needed some of that yourself did you not? You know where they are...."

Draco took the list, "Yes sir…" he said, not looking at Harry as he turned to the back to get them.

Harry blinked and swallowed, looking over. He chewed his lip, not even on mildly good terms with Draco. They had been fighting at the end of their 6th year before Draco went into hiding and since then the only contact Harry had had with Draco was through the death of his father. He swallowed and turned back to Severus, smiling just a moment, hiding his uncomfortable feelings. Severus looked up at him, giving him a knowing little smile.

"Honesty Harry, if I can give up a grudge surely the savior of the wizarding world could as well." he said after Draco was out of ear shot. Harry sighed and looked down. He didn’t really have anything to say to that.

“Though I suppose Draco isn't any better… proud creature that he is." There was a definite touch of fondness to his tone. "But I shouldn’t speak ill of him, something about biting the hand that feeds you I believe the muggles say." He said, standing and moving to grab a book from a shelf, setting back down to flip through the pages, looking for something. Harry smirked just softly, nodding and looking over at him.

"How are you, Severus?" he asked, concerned for the man he had grown to respect during the war.

Severus groaned dramatically. "Oh I am fine… old bones and all that." he said, hiding a smile.

Harry smirked again, shaking his head. "Still smacking patrons’ heads together like you did us students?" he asked with a quirked brow.

"Of course… can't have Longbottom thinking I’ve gone soft… he'd be visiting for tea everyday." he said, acting scandalized by the very idea.

"And we certainly can’t have that!" Harry said with a smile. "Did you hear? His parents were released from St. Mungo’s...." Harry said, relief and a bit of emotion lacing his tone.

Severus smiled a little; he knew Draco had slaved away at that potion for many months, trying to right the wrong his aunt had done. No one knew it was Draco though. Draco was convinced people would just believe he did it for the fame. "I heard something about it… a miracle potion."

He nodded. "Yeah." He said. "I had my notions that it was you…." He said tilting his head and quirking his brow. "It certainly had your signature on it. It actually worked…" Severus smirked.

"It wasn't my potion Harry." Harry narrowed his eyes a bit then flicked to the back room then back to Severus. Severus merely shook his head. "I will not betray any confidences… but yes I know who it was. I supplied the ingredients and gave a little advice here and there." He smirked slyly. "I do believe your Miss Granger might have an idea as well." he said nonchalantly, his eyes on his book as he turned the page.

Harry looked at him closely again before just sighing and looking away. He didn’t talk too much with Hermione and Ron. They were still close but Harry had ostracized himself a bit from them after the war was officially over. It was of his own choosing and he wouldn’t deny saying that he regretted doing it. Severus looked up at him again. "It’s not too late you know… to see more of them…" He didn’t elaborate and Draco chose that moment to reappear, setting Harry’s items down.

"Sorry sir…" he said to Severus, "One of the items was misplaced and I had to search it out."

Harry looked at him a moment before looking away, allowing Snape to ring the stuff up. Draco was uncomfortable; he hated being around anyone but Blaise from school. "I'll be back later for the books…" he said softly to Severus, avoiding Harry's eyes as he turned to leave, Severus just waving him off. He sighed and shook his head, finding Draco's wording funny, making it sound like he was borrowing something rather than doing Severus's finances.

Harry looked at him a moment as he passed, but just swallowed and looked back at Severus. "Alright then Harry, it looks like your all set." he said, giving him his change. Harry nodded and thanked him before leaving the shop with a sigh.

Draco had disappeared, heading quickly to the Leaky Cauldron and from there to apartment in muggle London.

Another week and Harry was at Snape’s shop again, ordering something more when the man asked him if he would mind taking something to Draco’s apartment. He agreed but knew Snape was possibly scheming just to get him to get over his grudge with Draco. Sighing he apparated to an alleyway near the apartment before heading up. He was surprised to see where Draco lived, not at all what he expected.

Despite living in a muggle apartment Draco had a number of wards set to alert him to company and he knew Harry was coming even before he reached the door. He looked out and cursed softly under his breath. "Meddlesome bastard.... worse than Dumbledore ever was." Harry kept his hand off the railing a moment as he headed up, knocking gently at the door. Draco cursed softly to himself again. "Just a minute…" he called, wishing he had time to change as he was wearing muggle clothes: jeans and t-shirt. He looked into his mirror, hair loose and casual and he just sighed before he moved to open the door.

Harry was a bit surprised to see him, so used to Draco being perfectly pristine. "Uh...."

Draco resisted the urge to roll his eyes, pulling together his Malfoy composure he sneered just lightly, though it held none of the venom it used to. "Let me guess, Dumbledore the second sent you…" He said, stepping back so he could come in.

Harry stepped in. "Well.... Severus did.... dunno if that is who you are talking about…" He said, finishing a bit slow as he looked around at his flat.

Draco mentally cringed; he'd forgotten to cast the glamours that hid the meager state of his home. It wasn’t horrible, but it was obvious he lived on limited means. "That would be him." he agreed, shutting his door and cursing Severus again.

Harry swallowed and turned his attention back to Draco. "Uhm.... Dumbledore the second sent me to give you these…" he said softly, holding out a few vials. "Said you would know what to do with them…"

Draco's eyes lit a little when he saw the ingredients. He'd been waiting for those. "Oh, thanks." he said, not even realizing what he said as he was distracted now, taking the vials and moving into his kitchen which had been converted into a potions lab. Harry followed him just looking around. He was incredibly uncomfortable being here as he knew Draco had no idea Harry had killed Lucius. He swallowed and looked to the side a bit. He had requested that fact be kept secret and the only people to know the truth were Severus, Hermione, and the late Lupin.

Draco nearly forgot Harry was there until he heard the floor squeak and he looked up. "Oh… I’m sorry." he said, realizing he'd been rude. "Err… would you like some tea? I don’t entertain guests very often…" He felt uncomfortable. He knew Harry thought that he lived in the manor just like the rest of the world… he didn’t like anyone knowing the reality.

Harry swallowed and shook his head. "Uh.... no… no I’m alright…" He said watching Draco a moment before he bit his lip and looked away. "I, um, had best be on my way, yes?" He said clapping his hands together in a slightly nervous gesture. "Uhm… I will…I’ll see you around then..." Draco took Harry's nervousness as an opportunity to study him for a moment before he nodded, dropping what he was doing and moving to the door.

"Tell Severus he sucks at meddling." he said softly, opening the door in such a way that his left arm was exposed, clean of the dark mark. For some reason he wanted Harry to know at least that much.

Harry looked at his arm, holding it in his view a moment before he brought his eyes up to Draco’s. He looked at him with what seemed like relief before ducking out of the apartment and heading down the stairs. Draco released a breath he didn't know he'd been holding before he shut his door and reset his wards. He sighed softly. "What the hell?" he murmured softly before he moved back toward his kitchen. Harry walked down the steps, rubbing his forehead. He was relieved, that Draco hadn’t followed in his father’s footsteps. He sighed out and went back to his hotel, collapsing into bed and just falling asleep.

It was another couple weeks later and Draco hadn't seen anymore of Harry. Severus had called Wednesday morning, needing Draco to run the shop as he had the flu and now, Saturday afternoon he was in the shop working on the books, business slow.

Harry walked in, needing some different items than normal, looking at his list. "Severus.... I don’t know if...." he looked up and stopped, seeing Draco at the desk. "Oh… I uhm… where is Severus?"

Draco looked up, flushing lightly. Just his luck. He swept a hand through his hair. He hadn't gotten much sleep lately between working here, tending Severus and developing potions. "He's sick…"

"You look sick...." he murmured just barely, before he bit his tongue. “Uhm… I have a list of ingredients… that I need… I don’t know if you have them..." he said, knowing they were more dangerous than even he figured Severus had.

Draco took the list from him scanning over the items, knowing them all well. "Well, Severus has a few here... a couple he could order... that one though, the lunar nectar... I haven't seen since they closed the manor... father had a lot of it in his stores."

He looked down biting his tongue hard to keep an even face. He had been one of the few aurors who had swept through the manor. He swallowed and looked back up. "That… that’s okay… I can find that one else where..." he said a bit quickly.

Draco glanced up at him, he knew the aurors hadn't found much, it was part of the reason his home was still closed to him: all his fathers’ stores would be intact. "Can't you ask the ministry?" he asked, standing and moving toward the back to get the rest, leaving the door open if Harry wanted to follow.

Harry knew that would be the only way to get it. "Yeah..." he said following him carefully to the back, tightening his coat a bit as he was still uncomfortable.

Draco resisted the urge to make anymore comments. He needed that ingredient too, but the ministry wouldn't be helping the orphaned son of a death eater any time soon. He waved his wand, gently levitating down a few of the ingredients. "Huh... what’s that doing there..." he murmured, levitating himself up to check something. "You don’t belong here..." he murmured again, pulling the vial down and placing it where it belonged. Harry watched him with a small smile before looking away. He walked over and picked up a small bottle, brushing the dust away from the label before holding his breath, just looking at it.

Draco looked down but couldn’t make out what Harry was holding. "What's that?" He licked his bottom lip before speaking. "Wolfsbane." Harry said simply, setting it gently back onto the shelf. "Oh..." he said softly, turning back to what he was doing and grabbing the last few vials Harry needed.

Harry swallowed as he cast one more glance at it before turning back to Draco. He watched the once incredibly prestigious boy now turned... dare he say it, average. "What happened?" He asked softly, though he didn’t mean to, the question coming out when he accidentally voiced his thoughts. He just couldn’t understand how Draco wasn’t able to pick himself back up.

Draco came down before Harry asked and his face turned back to the careful mask he had worn before as he handed the vials to Harry. "I’ll put an order in for the rest of those items if you'd like."

Harry bit his lip hard, cursing himself. "That'd be wonderful... thank you..." He said carefully. Draco just nodded, moving out and grinding his teeth against his lip as he rang up the ones Harry had now and wrote down the rest for an order.

Harry stood by the desk quietly, very embarrassed. When he had the bag in his hand he paused a moment. "I'm sorry.... Draco..." he said, using his first name. "It wasn't my place." Draco waved him off.

"You always were unnaturally curious about my life…" he said simply, finishing up. Harry snorted and rolled his eyes before starting for the door. Draco looked up as he was leaving. "Oh, Potter?" Harry looked back, stopping midway through the door.

"Yeah, Malfoy?"

"Could you tell Hermione that the potion is almost finished, if she still wanted to help with the final stage."

He opened his mouth a bit confused but shut it, and nodded. He bit his lip and nodded again before heading back out. Draco smirked a little to himself, still enjoying throwing Harry off his center... though what he'd said was true.

That next day, when Draco came to work there were four bottles of lunar nectar sitting on the desk, Harry having the other four bottles in his possession. Draco paused when he saw them and kind of gaped. Looking up to see Hedwig leaving, he shook his head, quickly putting the bottles out of site. They weren't actually opened on Sunday so he didn’t have much to do. Later that afternoon, Draco returned home putting the Lunar Nectar safely away before turning to the gently simmering potion.

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Chapter 2: The Potion

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Author’s Notes: This is the first chapter so bear with us. The point of view may be off in a few places but a simple email or note in the review will help and one of us will go back and edit it. J This started initially as an RP between us on Yahoo! Messenger and took a lot of work to convert into readable text. So, please don’t spear us! –cowers- Written from: a severe lack of sleep, a caffeine addiction, multiple bottles of water, some candy in the mix, and a spontaneous urge to write solely in the middle of the night.

Also, reviews are nice :-)