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Smoke filled his lungs as he leaned against the cold stone. His eyes feathering closed as he exhales and allows his mind to wander. This very patio is where just two weeks earlier Draco Malfoy had sucked his brain out through his cock. The Yule Ball felt like another life. His night with the Patil twin and Draco's own date with the sleek and soft Astoria Greengrass. The brunette witch that always looked at Harry like she saw through him. Like she knew him.
Maybe she did.
He couldn't say what Draco shared. All he told Harry himself was the two of them had one of those Pureblood arrangements and he'd owe her an heir eventually. But Harry didn't get that. Them. She seemed like she was his closest confidant in Slytherin so why was she so amenable? Why weren't they the ones doing what Draco and he had been doing in the dark?
“Knut for your thoughts, Potter?”
His voice was unexpected but not unwelcome and Harry knew he had been deep in his own head. H es takes another drag from the fag hanging from his lips. “I was thinking of Astoria Greengrass. Just curious how much she knows. Sometimes she…it feels like she may know me as well as you.” He admitted.
Draco quirks an eyebrow.
“I'd hope not. Considering my knowledge comes from hours spent turning one another inside out.” He says amused. His eyes betrayed his own mirth. “Tori is my closest friend and she knows a lot about me, but I wager about you she can only guess. Suspect. We've been convincing but she is astute when she chooses to be. Far more observant than most Lords would want of their future Ladies.”
Harry smirks.
“But you aren't most Lords. You don't suffer fools of either sex.” He replies easily.
Draco nods mutely.
“I am indeed not like most Lords. I require a partner with a mind as good or better than my own. Inquisitive and well versed in the game of politics. I don't believe myself better than her due to having a dick. She'll be just as important to the House of Malfoy as I. The mother of my Heir and the politically savvy and intelligent Lady able to infiltrate and influence those I cannot.”
This didn't surprise Harry at all. Draco was all about power and control.
“She can know, I don't mind. You trust her and I trust you. Besides, if you tell her she'll know you trust her. It'll help in a multitude of ways.” He pointed out.
Draco hums in agreement and plucks the lit cigarette from his lips and takes a drag of his own. The act caused Harry's brows to join his hairline.
“I agree. She'll be very useful in covering any missing time where I am unseen. She likes you enough to do so.” He tells the raven with a smirk.
Harry's eyes bulge at this. Another Slytherin that found him amenable company? He shouldn't be too surprised. Despite never speaking, Astoria had never been Hostile like most Slythrins. Even her elder sister Daphne had shot him a glare or two. But nevertheless he was as muggles said, mindblown.
“I think she can tell. About your core.” Draco continues.
That news didn't help Harry at all. It was nowhere near as reassuring as Draco clearly thought it'd be.
“Calm down Potter. Harry please. It isn't a big deal. Not to a Slytherin. A dark core is a boon. A blessing. It means the ability to perform all types of magic. To thrive!” He says softly. Soothingly.
Harry scoffs.
“Forgive me if I find that hard to believe but other than you, people haven't reacted well.” He spits bitterly. Hurt registering in his words and on his face plainly enough.
“Cousin Sirius still hasn't written.” He states more than asked.
He knew Harry had been so excited to have a Godfather with a dark core. Someone that would surely accept him with open arms. Draco knew he'd learned his affinity in Second Year during the chamber fiasco but…Harry couldn't have known the self loathing Sirius Black had been through over his family and yes, the affinity of his very own magic. Black hadn't written a word since Harry told him which the blonde knew was worse in Harry's eyes than being shamed or condemned. It meant in his mind that Sirius didn't care enough to feel even anger or shame.
“I wish you had taken my hand before the sorting. I wish you had listened to the hat when it tried to place you with us. We would have taken care of you. Nurtured you in the way only dark aligned can.” He whispered softly looking away from the boy-who-lived.
Harry nods slowly.
“Sometimes I wish I had too.” He admitted.
There was a voice in his head. One he'd ignored since The Chamber. One that said it wasn't too late. That Harry could still be great. Powerful. Accepted. The thoughts made Harry pause. Frown. He wanted that. All of it now that he was older and knew how the world worked…and Draco had all of these things in Slytherin. Draco knew Harry better than Ron or Hermione these days. Better than Harry knew himself on others.
“What is he telling you?” Draco asked him quietly. He'd known about it since almost the beginning of…whatever this was between them. It felt safer than telling the other two thirds of the golden trio. “It is Tom again isn't it? He's speaking to you?” He whispers.
The response was a jerky and stiff up nod of Harry's head. The raven teen biting at his lower lip in consideration. He could. He could embrace this part of himself instead of becoming his Godfather. He could surround himself with people that wouldn't condemn him for who and what he was and…Harry was so tired of being alone.
“He says it isn't too late.” He admitted. Eyes sliding shut as the stumpy but of the cigarette lays forgotten between them. “That I could still be great. Powerful. Seen…and I want it Draco. I…I don't want to be alone anymore.” He adds breaking eye contact as he feels his watering. Ron and Hermione were so far gone away from him now that he didn't know if he wanted them back and Gryffindor?
He leans against Draco. Body sagging into the blonde and instantly he feels arms wrap around him.
“Okay. We'll go together. We'll figure this out Harry…you're not alone. You've never been alone.”
Harry looks up at Draco through his lashes as tears stain his Carmel skin.
“Go where?” He whispers almost mutely even though he feels in his heart. His soul, that he already knows.
Draco looks down into his eyes with a soft, genuine smile. One that promises safety and acceptance.
“The Snake Pit, my Lion. The snake pit.”