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Title: Hey There Draco Chapter 12
Chapter Title: The Son and Heir and the Oracle
Author: Ruby13b
Summary: Set in the summer after 5th year. Harry and Draco are thrown together by chance and what starts as morbid curiosity turns into an adventure that neither of them will ever forget.
Warnings: Adult Language, Sexual Content, Possible Violence
Disclaimer: I own nothing and am owned by no one.
Author's Note: I know I'm a loser for not updating for so long, my life has taken a rather strange turn. Thanks to all of the people reading this story. Thanks to M.

“Right now?” Harry asked. He was starting to feel a little panicked by the idea.  He had thought he was ready to summon the Oracle, but now he was having second thoughts.

“Yes, now, Potter,” Draco insisted crossly. “When else are we going to do it?”

That was a good question. But now when it came right down to it, Harry didn’t feel prepared. Then again, what was there to prepare for? Harry had to suddenly question his own dedication to this crazy scheme. Maybe Draco had been right. Maybe this was all a mere distraction for him.

Reluctantly, Draco dragged himself out of Harry’s lap. Harry took a few deep breaths, trying to calm himself. He didn’t know why he was having so much anxiety over this all of a sudden. Maybe it was because it was starting to really feel real. Harry jumped when he felt Draco’s hand on his shoulder.

Draco rolled his eyes. “Come,” he said. “Let’s go.”

Harry nodded and followed Draco into the house. It was still raining, though not as much as it had been. Harry had to suddenly wonder how many things in his life would slip away from him like the rain.

On the way up the staircase Harry’s hand found its way into Draco’s. Draco looked for a moment like he was about to pull away; holding hands so “out in the open” was a bit risky. They could never know who might see them, or who could be watching. But then, the moment passed away like snow melting and he softened, holding Harry’s hand tightly in his own.

It was all right like this.

                                                              ~~~

Draco had been right in his assumption. Someone had been watching. Hermione Granger happened to be standing near the bottom of the staircase. She watched them intently as they made their way up the stairs. She had seen Harry’s hand slip softly into Draco’s. It had been such a small gesture, but that one gesture clarified everything for Hermione.

Hermione couldn’t say that she was surprised. She had wondered for a time if there was more to Harry and Draco’s relationship than met the eye. Nor could she say that she was even upset about it.

With her head full of thoughts, Hermione wandered back into the drawing room where Ron was sitting on the floor in front of his chess set. Hermione sighed and sat down on the couch. There was no way she could tell Ron what she had just witnessed. Ron was a good person, but he went to pieces over nothing. Ron hadn’t looked up when Hermione came in, but Hermione knew he felt her presence.

“That Malfoy git,” Ron muttered. “I don’t know what he’s playing at but he’s not fooling me.”

Hermione was silent for a time as Ron moodily poked at his chess pieces. She sighed and leaned her head back on the cushion of the couch. She needed to be delicate around Ron, especially when it had anything to do with Draco Malfoy.

“Ron,” Hermione said slowly. “Maybe it’s time to let go and see beyond what’s on the outside.”

Ron looked like he’d been smacked in the face. “Not you, too, Hermione!” he exclaimed. “Why is everyone around here so quick to trust Draco Malfoy?”

It was a concern for Hermione as well. Draco was known to be flighty. But she truly wanted to believe that Draco’s intentions were honorable.

“I don’t think he means Harry any harm.”

“Doesn’t mean any harm?” Ron questioned incredulously. “After everything that he’s done?” Ron took another jab at one of his chess pieces.

Hermione didn’t say anything for the longest time. When she finally spoke her voice came out rather soft and dry. “People do change,” she said. “And it’s the least we can do to let them.”

With not another word, Hermione left, not even looking back to see how her parting words had affected Ron. If she had glanced back, she would have seen a very perplexed expression on his face.

                                                      ~~~

Back in their bedroom, Harry shut the door tightly behind him and locked it. Draco was already rummaging through his trunk, pulling out items of one sort or another.

“So you’ve summoned the Oracle before?” Harry asked.

“Of course I haven’t,” Draco replied.

“Why not?”

“Because you’re only allowed to summon the Oracle once every fourteen years.”

“Fourteen years?” That seemed like a long time to Harry. “Why fourteen years?”

“Because seven is too short and twenty-one is too long,” Draco answered, distracted. Harry wasn’t even going to bother to ask what that meant.

Harry turned his attention to the items Draco was laying on the floor. At first glance they appeared to be ordinary enough. There was a thick, simple, white candle, two blank pieces of parchment and a feathered quill and red ink. Harry kneeled on one knee in front of the items, reaching his hand out toward the candle, but his hand was quickly slapped away by Draco.

“Don’t touch,” Draco said. “Why must you always touch?”

“Sorry,” Harry said. He decided it would be best if he retreated to the other side of the room and gave Draco some space to do… whatever it was he was doing.

Harry nervously watched as Draco took one of the pieces of parchment, laid it square in the middle of the floor and then took up the quill and ink and began drawing on the parchment. The image that Draco was drawing looked to be nothing more than a star with a circle around it.

“It’s a pentagram,” Draco offered when he caught sight of Harry’s questioning face.

“Oh,” was all Harry could say in reply.

“Right then,” Draco said, sitting back from the parchment. “All we need now is a bit of water and some salt and we’ll be all set for tonight.”

“Tonight?”

“Don’t you listen when I speak?” Draco asked crossly. “I told you earlier we would wait until everyone had gone to bed before summoning the Oracle.”

Harry did vaguely recall Draco mentioning something of the sort earlier. And now that he thought on it, it really did make more sense to wait until night to do the sort of thing they were going to do.

Harry yawned. He suddenly felt extremely knackered. He could hardly remember the last time he’d gotten a proper night of sleep. He stretched out on his bed, putting his hands behind his head. He closed his eyes even though he knew there was no way he’d be able to sleep. At the sound of some shuffling coming from the doorway, Harry frowned and opened his eyes again. Draco had one hand on the doorknob and the door was halfway open.

“Where are you going?” Harry asked.

“I was going to let you take a nap,” Draco answered.

Well, Harry hadn’t really planned on taking a nap, but it did sound like a good idea.

“Why don’t you join me?” Harry asked.

“I took a nap earlier today, if it pleases you to remember,” Draco told him lightly.

“Please?”

“Oh, all right,” Draco said, closing the door and walking over to the bed. “Do you always get your way?” he asked as he settled down in the bed next to Harry.

“Hardly ever.”

Harry cuddled up to Draco, laying his head on Draco’s chest. Draco wrapped his arms around Harry. They stayed like that for a time, neither of them saying a thing, hardly daring to breathe for fear they might break their tranquil spell.

“Talk to me, Draco,” Harry said.

“What should I say?”

“Tell me something about yourself.”

“What would like to know?”

“Tell me about your childhood.”

Draco was silent for a time, collecting his thoughts. “What’s there to say?” he finally said. “I was brought up like your average rich brat.”

“What about your parents?” Harry asked. “What were they like?”

“My parents?” Draco questioned.

“It seems that you’re very close with your mother,” Harry prodded.

“I am,” Draco said. “And that’s why I need so badly to find her.” Draco heaved a huge sigh, Harry’s head rising and falling with his chest. “I was left on my own a lot as a child, but my mother would always find some time to spend with me. She spoiled me, too. Whatever I wanted she made sure that I would have.” Draco paused for a moment. Harry held his breath, hoping Draco would continue, which he did. “I think my mother would have liked to have more children, but my father only needed a male heir and once he got one, he was done having children. I think I would have liked having a little brother or sister.”

Harry had often thought what life would have been like for him if his parents had never died. He probably would have had a little sibling. Harry had always liked that thought. It was funny that Draco had thought the same thing. They really weren’t so different, after all.

“Tell me more about your father,” Harry said.

“My father.” Draco’s voice darkened. “My father has never once told me that he loves me. To him I’m his heir and not anything else. He expects me to be perfect and is greatly displeased when I’m not.”

Harry took one of Draco’s hands in his, lacing their fingers together. Harry hoped this silent gesture gave Draco some much needed strength. It seemed to work, for Draco continued.

“But then, he would brag to all of his friends about me and all of them thought his son was the best. I was just a trophy for him. Something to prove that he had the best of everything. But what hurts me the most,” Draco went on, his voice cracking, “is that he has never once hugged me, or even touched me, other than the times he was punishing me.” Draco gave a cold, sharp laugh and added, “You can probably guess how much that happened.”

Actually, Harry had no idea how much Lucius Malfoy punished his son. Harry could see it going either one of two ways. The first was Lucius constantly picking at Draco, always hovering over his shoulder, making him behave. The second was Lucius barely ever having any time for Draco at all.

“It was a lot,” Draco said, once he realized Harry was unable to answer. “At times I would get in trouble on purpose, just so he would touch me, even if it did hurt.”

“Draco,” Harry said slowly, “that’s not healthy.”

“I know,” Draco admitted. “But all I’ve ever wanted was his love and it seems like his love is the one thing that I’ll never get.”

Harry sat up a little so that he could press his lips against Draco’s.

“Thank you,” Harry said softly.

“For what?”

“For telling me about yourself. I want to know everything about you.”

“You really are the best at spouting sappy lines, aren’t you?” Draco asked with disbelief.

Harry laughed and settled back down next to Draco.

“Get some rest,” Draco told him. “You’ll need it.”

Harry nodded and closed his eyes. He was feeling sleepier and sleepier by the second. Thinking that he would only rest his eyes for a couple of minutes, Harry fell asleep.

                                                     ~~~

The sun was just descending as Hermione walked down the hallway, heading toward her room. Hermione couldn’t say she was worried about the relationship Harry may or may not have with Draco. No, worried was not the right word. She was more…concerned…yes, that was the right word. She wanted to think Draco’s intentions were honorable, but like any good friend, she wanted to be positive. She stopped at the door to the room Harry shared with Draco. Knowing that she probably shouldn’t, which made it impossible to resist, Hermione slowly turned the doorknob and creaked the door open just a crack. What she saw made her both blush and smile at the same time. Harry and Draco were lying together on one bed. Harry had his head on Draco’s chest. Draco had one arm around Harry and one hand holding Harry’s. They both appeared to be sleeping and Hermione could see a little bit of a smile on Harry’s face. Hermione quickly shut the door as quietly as she could and scooted hastily down the hallway.

Well, at least one of her questions had been answered.

                                                    ~~~

Harry awoke to the sound of the door to the bedroom being shut softly. He sat straight up in bed. It was now dark and Harry squinted his eyes, trying to see. This night seemed to be darker than all the others before it, for Harry could not see a thing. He suddenly realized that Draco was no longer beside him in the bed.

Desperately trying once more to see through the darkness Harry called out, “Draco? Draco, where are you?”

“I’m here, Harry,” Draco answered. His voice sounded like snow falling.

Harry relaxed as Draco lit the white candle he’d pulled from his trunk earlier. Harry could now see Draco’s face illuminated in the flickering light of the candle.

“Here,” Draco said, handing him a bowl of what looked like ordinary salt. “Take this and make a circle around the room.”

Harry looked down at the bowl of salt in his hand and then back at Draco. “Why?”

“Don’t ask questions,” Draco replied irritably. “Just do it.”

Don’t ask questions. Harry had heard that before. Sighing Harry did what he was told. He sprinkled the salt all the way around the room until all the salt was gone. Once he was done, Harry paused and watched Draco sprinkle water around the piece of parchment he had laid in the middle of the floor earlier.

“Come here,” Draco said. “Give me your hand.”

Harry did, walking over to Draco and placing his right hand into Draco’s outstretched one. Draco took Harry’s hand in his, kissed it gently and muttered something unintelligible.  He then took a small, silver knife he’d been hiding in his other hand and drew it quickly across Harry’s thumb.

“Ow!” Harry exclaimed, trying to jump back, but Draco had a firm hold on him and prevented him from doing so. “What did you do that for?” Harry asked, glaring at Draco.

“We need a bit of both of our blood to summon the Oracle,” Draco explained calmly. He held Harry’s bleeding thumb over the parchment until a couple drops fell on the parchment. He then kissed Harry’s hand again and wrapped his injured appendage up in a white fabric.

“Well, you could have warned me,” Harry grumbled.

Harry watched as Draco did the same to himself, letting the drops of his blood fall on the parchment next to Harry’s. Draco then sat back, staring at the parchment. He began muttering under his breath. Harry was unable to catch most of what he was saying, but of what he could hear, it sounded like it was a different language. One that Harry had never heard before.

At last, Draco stopped. Harry waited a moment or two. Nothing happened.

“Now what do we do?” Harry asked.

“Hush,” Draco said softly. “Just wait.”

The house sounded still and quiet. Nothing could be heard inside, or out, for that matter. It was as if the whole world had held its breath as the Oracle began to emerge.

She didn’t appear suddenly in a burst of light or a cloud of smoke. No, she merely came into focus. It was a gradual appearance. First, Harry could only make out the outline of a figure, then he was able to see bits of details, like the flowing white cloak the Oracle was wearing, or that the she had the hood up so the only part of her face he could see was her mouth. Finally the Oracle stood in front of them. Though, she wasn’t really completely there. Harry bet that if he tried to touch her, his hand would go right through her. She wasn’t a ghost. She wasn’t translucent. But she wasn’t entirely solid, either.

“I am the Oracle, you have summoned me.

I am here to give you the knowledge you seek.

You may ask me one question and I will answer in rhyme.

Only one question, and only one at a time.”

Harry was a little taken aback. A rhyming Oracle? Wasn’t that a tiny bit cliché? Harry glanced at Draco, who gave him a look that said ‘Well, get on with it!’. He had a quill and parchment in hand and seemed to be prepared to scribble down whatever the Oracle had to say.

Harry looked back at the Oracle and took a deep breath.

“Where can we find Morgana?”

“Morgana’s location is hidden and always in change.

Her life for another had to be rearranged.

If you wish to find her, you must be brave,

For her soul lies not in any mere cave.

Into the forest of illumination you must go,

Lose yourself completely and reap what you sow.

Forget what you know and everything will become clear:

To seek, to answer, all you must do, is here.”

“Sorry,” Harry said, “but I don’t really follow.”

However the Oracle ignored Harry for he had already used up his question. She turned to Draco.

“Ask,” she said.

Draco turned to Harry. “I can ask whatever question you wish me to,” he said.

But Harry shook his head. “No, Draco. I’ve asked my question. The rest we’ll figure out on our own. I know something has been pressing on your mind.”

Draco nodded and turned back to the Oracle. “Where is my mother?”

“Your mother lies hidden where the waters run deep,

Ask me no more for her secrets I keep.”

Draco nodded and wrote the Oracle’s answer down.

“You have used up your questions and now, I must part.

But when you’re in doubt just follow your heart.”

With another bow of her head, the Oracle vanished. She went quicker than she came, however it was in the same manner. She simply faded into the darkness. Harry turned to Draco. For a few moments all they could do was stare at each other.

“Well,” Draco said, clutching the piece of parchment containing the Oracle’s answers in his hand. “It seems our work has only just begun.”

Harry frowned, recalling the Oracle’s words in his mind. “Did she say all we had to do was ‘hear’ or ‘here’?”

“Perhaps both,” Draco answered. “Well, let’s worry about it tomorrow. For now, it’s time to sleep.”

Harry nodded and changed into his pajamas while Draco folded up the piece of parchment and placed it in his trunk. He then changed into his pajamas as well. Harry climbed into his bed and looked expectantly at Draco. Draco was about to climb in, too, when he suddenly stopped.

“I need the toilet,” he said.

Harry nodded, not thinking twice as Draco left the room.


                                                         ~~~

In the bathroom, Draco coughed, his hand over his mouth, blood dripping through his fingers. He slid down the wall and sat with his head leaning back against the door. He wiped the blood away from the corner of his mouth with the back of his hand. Hands shaking like mad, he tried to get the blood off of his hands. Placing his hand over his chest, Draco took a few shaky breaths. Time was running out. His time was running out. And he could feel it.