Icarus Rising: Chapter 8 by Ryokoblue
Chapter 8: "Icarus Rising 8"
8.
Draco tugged uncomfortably on his turtleneck, frowning at his reflection in the mirror. At least it was black, he granted. Lucky for him, Hermione had the good sense to refrain from picking out any of the more unbearable hues like eggplant or ochre. Black was definitely his color. Black shirt, black trousers, black boots. He looked... handsome. "You look handsome," a voice spoke up behind him. "Now shove over, I need the mirror."
Draco scowled but stepped aside. He watched as Harry straightened the collar of his dark green silk shirt and ironed out the wrinkles with his hands. Draco placed a palm at the small of Harry's back. I don't think you need to look that good, he complained.
Harry laughed. "Afraid someone's going to steal me away?"
Not funny, Harry.
"Is the big bad Veela actually jealous?" Harry turned and wrapped his arms around Draco's neck. "Don't worry, if anybody tries anything, I'll just show them my new tattoo and they'll know to leave me alone."
Draco looked down at the man in his arms and grinned. Sliding his hand down Harry's body, he pressed where the bite mark would be under Harry's trousers. His lover let out a little gasp. "Draco," he whined. "Don't. Still sore."
But sore in a good way, right?
"Right. Sore in a good way. Every step I take I'll still be able to feel your teeth inside me."
Draco growled and reached down to grab Harry's ass, pulling him more tightly against him. Leaning down, he devoured Harry's mouth with his own, eating up Harry's every moan. Mine, the word reverberated across their link.
Harry pulled away, panting. "Come on. We don't want to be late."
Yes, we do, Draco insisted.
"No," Harry chuckled. "We don't. It's not right to be late for Hermione's birthday party. Not with all the preparations Molly's been making. Besides, aren't you excited? This is the first time you've been out of the house in two months!"
I don't care about that. Everything I want is right here.
"Now we can go places together. The Ministry's finally convinced you're not a wicked, scheming creature trying to have your sinister way with the one and only Harry Potter."
But I am a wicked, scheming creature trying to have my sinister way with the one and only Harry Potter.
"Come on, Draco," Harry pulled on his hand. "Crate Baby and let's go."
Draco dug in his heels. She's not coming?
"Of course not, you can't take a dog to a birthday party."
I don't want to crate her. She hates that. She cries. I can't stand it.
"She'll be fine. We'll be back home before she knows it."
If you're sure...
"I'm sure," Harry pecked him on the lips. "Now move it, Malfoy."
Ten minutes later, the pair Apparated together to The Burrow. Draco paused anxiously outside the door. While he had already been around most of the people inside on an individual basis, he had never been around so many at one time. The thought unnerved him. How could he protect Harry from so many potential dangers? Most of the Weasleys seemed fairly innocuous, but who knew about their guests? No, too many hazards. Had to go back home. The dog needed them.
"Draco?" Harry held on to his hand. "Draco, are you alright?"
It's not safe for you here, Harry. We should go back home.
Harry rolled his eyes. "That's just the Veela in you talking. Everyone here is perfectly harmless, you know that."
Yeah, but what about the other people invited? They could be maniacs.
"Don't be so melodramatic, now come on. One step at a time, that's it. The hard part's almost over."
Fred Weasley met them at the door. "Harry! Malfoy! Get in here! George is just about to show off our latest invention! Two words: insulting spatula."
"Can't wait to see it," Harry chuckled, dragging a reluctant Draco into the house.
The former Slytherin found himself assaulted by a sea of red hair and freckles. All the Weasleys looked alike to him. Fortunately, those he had met before remembered to keep their hands off Harry, and those who were new to him had been forewarned. Raucous laughter and cheery voices met them everywhere they stopped to greet. Everyone was used to Draco needing contact with Harry, no one batted so much as an eyelash at the sight of them holding hands.
There was one uneasy moment when Draco recognized a very pregnant Fleur Delacour (Fleur Weasley, Harry reminded himself) as one of his own. The air filled with tension as the two seemingly sized each other up. "What the--" Harry protested as he was suddenly jerked behind Draco. He peeked over his mate's shoulder to see what had gotten him so worked up. "Oh, hi, Bill! Fleur."
"Bonsoir, 'Arry. I'd love to take your hand and kiss your cheek, but you know Veela." She didn't take her eyes off of Draco. "So possessive." Draco's lip curled. Fleur leaned back against Bill, grinning. "My, ze is newborn, non? Two, maybe three years grown? 'Ow ever did you manage to collar him so soon?"
Harry could feel Draco's hand slipping from his and he gripped down on it, tightly. She's just teasing you, Draco. Don't make a scene.
"Ze looks a bit... comment vous dites, 'fractured'?" she continued.
Harry scowled. "Fleur, I would think you of all people could appreciate the abuse inflicted upon Veela during the war."
"Oui," she acknowledged solemnly. "Je suis désolé, vraiment." To Harry's great relief, Fleur turned to begin a conversation elsewhere, apparently satisfied with whatever she had been trying to size up in the other Veela.
Grateful for the reprieve, Harry pulled a still-grumbling Draco behind him to greet the birthday girl. "Harry! Draco! You made it!"
"Of course we made it. It's not every day you turn twenty-one. You old crone."
Hermione made a face. "Sure, laugh while you can, we all know you're right behind me. Ron! Harry and Draco are here!"
The redhead trotted over to them. "Hey, Malfoy! Broke out of jail, did you? What's it like being a free man?"
Draco smiled genuinely. Scary.
"Scary," Harry repeated.
"I'll bet," Ron laughed. "Well, there's food in the kitchen and pumpkin juice on the table over there, but I don't recommend it. I've seen Fred and George hovering around that area, who knows what they've done to it."
"Where do we put our gift?"
"Oh, give it to Mum. She's got a pile going somewhere."
"Hi, Harry. Malfoy," Ginny met them.
Draco tensed. Harry reached over with his free hand and lightly rubbed Draco's arm. "Hi, Ginny. Where's Lucas?"
"Couldn't come. Charlie and I are both flying solo tonight."
"Charlie's here?"
"Over there, behind you. Ogling Malfoy's arse, I think. Careful, Malfoy, Charlie has a special fondness for dragons."
Keep the charm down, Draco, Harry instructed.
I already was! That guy must be really desperate or something.
To want you? Are you trying to say something about me? Harry smirked.
What? No!
"Okay, you two are clearly doing the inner-talking thing right now, so I'm just going to go help Mum in the kitchen," Ginny smiled, departing.
She was pleasant enough.
Hm. I think we should show her your new tattoo.
Harry laughed and leaned over to kiss Draco's cheek. There's that Veela spirit.
Draco looked somewhat pacified by the display of affection. "Why don't you go give Ron's mum the present, while I have a word with Hermione," Harry spoke aloud.
You can't be serious! I'm not letting you leave my sight!
Consider it a test. To see how long we can be apart.
Nice try, but I have no desire whatsoever to figure that out.
Please, Draco? I would really like to speak to Hermione. In private.
Is it about Ron?
Umm, yeah. It's about Ron. And she'd be embarrassed if I talked about them in front of you, so go on. Molly's nice. You like her. I'll meet you back here in just a few minutes.
Draco eyed him warily. A few minutes?
"Two minutes," Harry promised.
Draco let go of Harry's hand reluctantly, already loathing the lack of communication. Harry fondly watched him walk away, until he was ripped away from his reverie by a very stern hand on his arm. "Hey!" he squawked, recognizing his attacker as the very person he meant to speak with in the first place
Hermione pulled him into a vacant hallway roughly. "I saw that kiss, Harry Potter," she whispered. "Half the room saw it! What is going on?"
Harry looked around them distractedly, dragging her into the empty downstairs lavatory. "Can you keep a secret?"
"Of course I can, but somehow I doubt this secret is much of a secret anymo-- Harry! What in Merlin's name are you doing?"
"Hush! Shut-up, Hermione!" he ordered, unzipping his pants fully and lifting his shirt up so she could see his hip.
"Harry, really, this is-- What is that on your hip?"
"That's what I'm trying to show you!"
"Are those... teeth marks?"
"Yes!" She reached out to touch the reddened flesh, inciting him to jerk back. "Don't touch it! He might smell you on me and completely freak out!"
"Oh, Harry, tell me you didn't. Please tell me you didn't."
"Didn't what?"
"You did! And you let him bite you!"
"Yeah? So?"
"You let a Veela bite you! Don't you know what this means?" Harry shrugged. "It means you can never be with anyone else ever. He'll kill anyone who lays a hand on you! He's claimed you. You're his now, Harry."
"I was already his, Hermione."
"Yes, but you always had the option of backing out if you found somebody else. Now you're stuck with him!"
Harry frowned. "I don't want to find anybody else. I want to be stuck with Draco."
"I know this looks like a little love bite to you, Harry, but Veela are dangerous creatures. Especially one as potent as Draco. He nearly ripped Fleur's head off for smirking at him and Ginny's taking her life into her hands just coming near you!"
"So he's protective. I happen to like it."
"He's not just protective, he's possessive. As far as he's concerned, you belong to him."
"Good." Harry crossed his arms. "I don't get it, Hermione, I thought you liked Draco."
"Oh, Harry, I do. I do like Draco. I just didn't want you to rush into anything. This is for life."
"I didn't rush. I talked to Remus first and everything."
"You talked to Remus about this," she echoed skeptically.
"Sort of. He didn't seem too alarmed. And anyway, wouldn't you like to be together with Ron for life?"
"I... I don't know. If he ever wakes up, maybe."
"Well, if you're not too young to settle down, then neither am I."
"Somehow I don't see 'settle down' and 'Draco Malfoy' getting on well together."
"Come on, Hermione, I thought you of all people would be happy for me."
"I will always support you, Harry, you know that. I'm just worried. For the both of you."
"Yeah, okay. Wait, Hermione, you won't tell Ron, will you? I mean, he'd lose it."
"I think you underestimate him, but if you want to be the one to tell him, I won't say a word."
"Thanks," Harry breathed a relieved sigh.
"Oh, button up your trousers already, you troublesome boy. Before Draco bursts through the door and strangles me where I stand."
"Draco... Dammit! I'm late!"
"Late? For what?"
"I'm supposed to meet Draco back in the den," he replied, hurriedly shoving his shirt back into his trousers.
"You made a date to meet in the den?"
"Err, yeah."
"Impossible. You're both impossible."
"Hey, Hermione," Harry grinned evilly.
"What?"
"Did you know Veela males have substantial--"
"Don't want to hear it!"
"--life spans?" he finished, breathless with laughter. "Why, what did you think I was going to say?"
"Harry, I swear--"
"Can Veela males really get pregnant or was Draco just teasing me?"
"Ooh, get out of here, you!" she shoved him out the lavatory door.
Harry found Draco waiting impatiently in the middle of the den, pointedly ignoring the stares of one Charlie Weasley. As soon as the green-eyed Auror came into view, Draco grabbed his hand and pulled it tightly to his side. Don't ever leave me again!
Why? What happened?
Charlie-bloody-Weasley won't stop following me around, for one. Plus, there's some former Gryffindor girl over there whom I'm sure I don't remember drooling over me like I'm a plate of rather succulent beef.
You are a plate of rather succulent beef, Harry squeezed his thigh.
Harry, are you mental? Don't attract any more attention to us than necessary!
Embarrassed to be seen with me?
Of course not!
Then prove it. Kiss me. Right here, right now.
You mean you... You want me to... You're not ashamed of me?
Harry sobered, startled. I could never be ashamed of you, Draco, or of us. Charlie Weasley can watch us go at it right here in the middle of the room for all I care, if that's what it takes to get it through his dragon-loving head that you're mine.
The Veela grinned wickedly. Well, when you put it that way...
Draco pulled Harry close, wrapping strong arms around his waist, and kissed him in front of all and sundry. Harry returned the kiss eagerly, tilting his chin up to better receive it. Draco swallowed down every reciprocal moan, bunching his fists into the fabric at the back of Harry's shirt. The two kissed for some time until a loud throat-clearing drew them back into the present. Ron stood nearby with a rather large knife in his hand.
"If you two are finished, Hermione would like to cut the cake now."
Harry, quite adorably, blushed.
>>9
8.
Draco tugged uncomfortably on his turtleneck, frowning at his reflection in the mirror. At least it was black, he granted. Lucky for him, Hermione had the good sense to refrain from picking out any of the more unbearable hues like eggplant or ochre. Black was definitely his color. Black shirt, black trousers, black boots. He looked... handsome. "You look handsome," a voice spoke up behind him. "Now shove over, I need the mirror."
Draco scowled but stepped aside. He watched as Harry straightened the collar of his dark green silk shirt and ironed out the wrinkles with his hands. Draco placed a palm at the small of Harry's back. I don't think you need to look that good, he complained.
Harry laughed. "Afraid someone's going to steal me away?"
Not funny, Harry.
"Is the big bad Veela actually jealous?" Harry turned and wrapped his arms around Draco's neck. "Don't worry, if anybody tries anything, I'll just show them my new tattoo and they'll know to leave me alone."
Draco looked down at the man in his arms and grinned. Sliding his hand down Harry's body, he pressed where the bite mark would be under Harry's trousers. His lover let out a little gasp. "Draco," he whined. "Don't. Still sore."
But sore in a good way, right?
"Right. Sore in a good way. Every step I take I'll still be able to feel your teeth inside me."
Draco growled and reached down to grab Harry's ass, pulling him more tightly against him. Leaning down, he devoured Harry's mouth with his own, eating up Harry's every moan. Mine, the word reverberated across their link.
Harry pulled away, panting. "Come on. We don't want to be late."
Yes, we do, Draco insisted.
"No," Harry chuckled. "We don't. It's not right to be late for Hermione's birthday party. Not with all the preparations Molly's been making. Besides, aren't you excited? This is the first time you've been out of the house in two months!"
I don't care about that. Everything I want is right here.
"Now we can go places together. The Ministry's finally convinced you're not a wicked, scheming creature trying to have your sinister way with the one and only Harry Potter."
But I am a wicked, scheming creature trying to have my sinister way with the one and only Harry Potter.
"Come on, Draco," Harry pulled on his hand. "Crate Baby and let's go."
Draco dug in his heels. She's not coming?
"Of course not, you can't take a dog to a birthday party."
I don't want to crate her. She hates that. She cries. I can't stand it.
"She'll be fine. We'll be back home before she knows it."
If you're sure...
"I'm sure," Harry pecked him on the lips. "Now move it, Malfoy."
Ten minutes later, the pair Apparated together to The Burrow. Draco paused anxiously outside the door. While he had already been around most of the people inside on an individual basis, he had never been around so many at one time. The thought unnerved him. How could he protect Harry from so many potential dangers? Most of the Weasleys seemed fairly innocuous, but who knew about their guests? No, too many hazards. Had to go back home. The dog needed them.
"Draco?" Harry held on to his hand. "Draco, are you alright?"
It's not safe for you here, Harry. We should go back home.
Harry rolled his eyes. "That's just the Veela in you talking. Everyone here is perfectly harmless, you know that."
Yeah, but what about the other people invited? They could be maniacs.
"Don't be so melodramatic, now come on. One step at a time, that's it. The hard part's almost over."
Fred Weasley met them at the door. "Harry! Malfoy! Get in here! George is just about to show off our latest invention! Two words: insulting spatula."
"Can't wait to see it," Harry chuckled, dragging a reluctant Draco into the house.
The former Slytherin found himself assaulted by a sea of red hair and freckles. All the Weasleys looked alike to him. Fortunately, those he had met before remembered to keep their hands off Harry, and those who were new to him had been forewarned. Raucous laughter and cheery voices met them everywhere they stopped to greet. Everyone was used to Draco needing contact with Harry, no one batted so much as an eyelash at the sight of them holding hands.
There was one uneasy moment when Draco recognized a very pregnant Fleur Delacour (Fleur Weasley, Harry reminded himself) as one of his own. The air filled with tension as the two seemingly sized each other up. "What the--" Harry protested as he was suddenly jerked behind Draco. He peeked over his mate's shoulder to see what had gotten him so worked up. "Oh, hi, Bill! Fleur."
"Bonsoir, 'Arry. I'd love to take your hand and kiss your cheek, but you know Veela." She didn't take her eyes off of Draco. "So possessive." Draco's lip curled. Fleur leaned back against Bill, grinning. "My, ze is newborn, non? Two, maybe three years grown? 'Ow ever did you manage to collar him so soon?"
Harry could feel Draco's hand slipping from his and he gripped down on it, tightly. She's just teasing you, Draco. Don't make a scene.
"Ze looks a bit... comment vous dites, 'fractured'?" she continued.
Harry scowled. "Fleur, I would think you of all people could appreciate the abuse inflicted upon Veela during the war."
"Oui," she acknowledged solemnly. "Je suis désolé, vraiment." To Harry's great relief, Fleur turned to begin a conversation elsewhere, apparently satisfied with whatever she had been trying to size up in the other Veela.
Grateful for the reprieve, Harry pulled a still-grumbling Draco behind him to greet the birthday girl. "Harry! Draco! You made it!"
"Of course we made it. It's not every day you turn twenty-one. You old crone."
Hermione made a face. "Sure, laugh while you can, we all know you're right behind me. Ron! Harry and Draco are here!"
The redhead trotted over to them. "Hey, Malfoy! Broke out of jail, did you? What's it like being a free man?"
Draco smiled genuinely. Scary.
"Scary," Harry repeated.
"I'll bet," Ron laughed. "Well, there's food in the kitchen and pumpkin juice on the table over there, but I don't recommend it. I've seen Fred and George hovering around that area, who knows what they've done to it."
"Where do we put our gift?"
"Oh, give it to Mum. She's got a pile going somewhere."
"Hi, Harry. Malfoy," Ginny met them.
Draco tensed. Harry reached over with his free hand and lightly rubbed Draco's arm. "Hi, Ginny. Where's Lucas?"
"Couldn't come. Charlie and I are both flying solo tonight."
"Charlie's here?"
"Over there, behind you. Ogling Malfoy's arse, I think. Careful, Malfoy, Charlie has a special fondness for dragons."
Keep the charm down, Draco, Harry instructed.
I already was! That guy must be really desperate or something.
To want you? Are you trying to say something about me? Harry smirked.
What? No!
"Okay, you two are clearly doing the inner-talking thing right now, so I'm just going to go help Mum in the kitchen," Ginny smiled, departing.
She was pleasant enough.
Hm. I think we should show her your new tattoo.
Harry laughed and leaned over to kiss Draco's cheek. There's that Veela spirit.
Draco looked somewhat pacified by the display of affection. "Why don't you go give Ron's mum the present, while I have a word with Hermione," Harry spoke aloud.
You can't be serious! I'm not letting you leave my sight!
Consider it a test. To see how long we can be apart.
Nice try, but I have no desire whatsoever to figure that out.
Please, Draco? I would really like to speak to Hermione. In private.
Is it about Ron?
Umm, yeah. It's about Ron. And she'd be embarrassed if I talked about them in front of you, so go on. Molly's nice. You like her. I'll meet you back here in just a few minutes.
Draco eyed him warily. A few minutes?
"Two minutes," Harry promised.
Draco let go of Harry's hand reluctantly, already loathing the lack of communication. Harry fondly watched him walk away, until he was ripped away from his reverie by a very stern hand on his arm. "Hey!" he squawked, recognizing his attacker as the very person he meant to speak with in the first place
Hermione pulled him into a vacant hallway roughly. "I saw that kiss, Harry Potter," she whispered. "Half the room saw it! What is going on?"
Harry looked around them distractedly, dragging her into the empty downstairs lavatory. "Can you keep a secret?"
"Of course I can, but somehow I doubt this secret is much of a secret anymo-- Harry! What in Merlin's name are you doing?"
"Hush! Shut-up, Hermione!" he ordered, unzipping his pants fully and lifting his shirt up so she could see his hip.
"Harry, really, this is-- What is that on your hip?"
"That's what I'm trying to show you!"
"Are those... teeth marks?"
"Yes!" She reached out to touch the reddened flesh, inciting him to jerk back. "Don't touch it! He might smell you on me and completely freak out!"
"Oh, Harry, tell me you didn't. Please tell me you didn't."
"Didn't what?"
"You did! And you let him bite you!"
"Yeah? So?"
"You let a Veela bite you! Don't you know what this means?" Harry shrugged. "It means you can never be with anyone else ever. He'll kill anyone who lays a hand on you! He's claimed you. You're his now, Harry."
"I was already his, Hermione."
"Yes, but you always had the option of backing out if you found somebody else. Now you're stuck with him!"
Harry frowned. "I don't want to find anybody else. I want to be stuck with Draco."
"I know this looks like a little love bite to you, Harry, but Veela are dangerous creatures. Especially one as potent as Draco. He nearly ripped Fleur's head off for smirking at him and Ginny's taking her life into her hands just coming near you!"
"So he's protective. I happen to like it."
"He's not just protective, he's possessive. As far as he's concerned, you belong to him."
"Good." Harry crossed his arms. "I don't get it, Hermione, I thought you liked Draco."
"Oh, Harry, I do. I do like Draco. I just didn't want you to rush into anything. This is for life."
"I didn't rush. I talked to Remus first and everything."
"You talked to Remus about this," she echoed skeptically.
"Sort of. He didn't seem too alarmed. And anyway, wouldn't you like to be together with Ron for life?"
"I... I don't know. If he ever wakes up, maybe."
"Well, if you're not too young to settle down, then neither am I."
"Somehow I don't see 'settle down' and 'Draco Malfoy' getting on well together."
"Come on, Hermione, I thought you of all people would be happy for me."
"I will always support you, Harry, you know that. I'm just worried. For the both of you."
"Yeah, okay. Wait, Hermione, you won't tell Ron, will you? I mean, he'd lose it."
"I think you underestimate him, but if you want to be the one to tell him, I won't say a word."
"Thanks," Harry breathed a relieved sigh.
"Oh, button up your trousers already, you troublesome boy. Before Draco bursts through the door and strangles me where I stand."
"Draco... Dammit! I'm late!"
"Late? For what?"
"I'm supposed to meet Draco back in the den," he replied, hurriedly shoving his shirt back into his trousers.
"You made a date to meet in the den?"
"Err, yeah."
"Impossible. You're both impossible."
"Hey, Hermione," Harry grinned evilly.
"What?"
"Did you know Veela males have substantial--"
"Don't want to hear it!"
"--life spans?" he finished, breathless with laughter. "Why, what did you think I was going to say?"
"Harry, I swear--"
"Can Veela males really get pregnant or was Draco just teasing me?"
"Ooh, get out of here, you!" she shoved him out the lavatory door.
Harry found Draco waiting impatiently in the middle of the den, pointedly ignoring the stares of one Charlie Weasley. As soon as the green-eyed Auror came into view, Draco grabbed his hand and pulled it tightly to his side. Don't ever leave me again!
Why? What happened?
Charlie-bloody-Weasley won't stop following me around, for one. Plus, there's some former Gryffindor girl over there whom I'm sure I don't remember drooling over me like I'm a plate of rather succulent beef.
You are a plate of rather succulent beef, Harry squeezed his thigh.
Harry, are you mental? Don't attract any more attention to us than necessary!
Embarrassed to be seen with me?
Of course not!
Then prove it. Kiss me. Right here, right now.
You mean you... You want me to... You're not ashamed of me?
Harry sobered, startled. I could never be ashamed of you, Draco, or of us. Charlie Weasley can watch us go at it right here in the middle of the room for all I care, if that's what it takes to get it through his dragon-loving head that you're mine.
The Veela grinned wickedly. Well, when you put it that way...
Draco pulled Harry close, wrapping strong arms around his waist, and kissed him in front of all and sundry. Harry returned the kiss eagerly, tilting his chin up to better receive it. Draco swallowed down every reciprocal moan, bunching his fists into the fabric at the back of Harry's shirt. The two kissed for some time until a loud throat-clearing drew them back into the present. Ron stood nearby with a rather large knife in his hand.
"If you two are finished, Hermione would like to cut the cake now."
Harry, quite adorably, blushed.
>>9