Abomination
Draco and Harry entered the busy and bustling church, Draco with a tray of sliced rum cake in his hands, and Harry just… being Harry. Draco has found that all the things that used to annoy him about Harry- his glasses, his hair, the way he walks and stands- they are all rather endearing as of late. Especially as of late.
“So… what’s special about today’s service, again?”
“We’re currently in Advent,” Draco responded. “We have been in Advent. The last few services have been, er, more special… It’s just for the holidays.
“Well, yes I do know what Advent is. I’ve heard of it. I’ve just never had it explained. So I don’t understand why it’s so important, only that it’s to do with Christmas.”
Draco approached the dessert table, putting his tray down beside a pitcher of water. “According to Maggie- I’m sure you remember her. She also brings sweets every week- today is about Joy.”
Today was, in fact, about joy. Though there was a substitute for Father Swain. He must be down with a cold, Draco thinks. It had happened a time or two before, so it wasn’t all too unfamiliar for Draco, and it certainly didn’t stop the service from being exactly what he felt he needed.
"The Lord has done great things for us; we are glad.”
Draco once again noticed Harry making a concerted effort to participate. Draco’s heart squeezed a bit as he watched Harry stand and sit and flip through bible pages, always a beat behind. He knew that Harry was doing this for him, and it made his stomach do funny things. Tentatively, Draco reached out to hold Harry’s hand. To show his gratitude. He didn’t miss Harry’s blush at that.
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."
Throughout the mass, Draco could feel the atmosphere liven with each passing moment. He could feel himself becoming lighter, in a sense.
“Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
With every note of the church choir and every chord of the organ, he could feel himself breathing easier, feel his problems fading into the background. Today was good. It felt good.
As the service ended and people began to make their way to the weekly snacks and sweets, Draco found himself becoming nervous. His hand was still joined with Harry’s, and the mass had thankfully prevented him from actively acknowledging it as they both had other things to focus on. Now, however…
“Your hands are always so cold,” Harry chuckled softly. It was Draco’s turn to blush. The pews continued to clear out.
“I think it’s because I’m thin,” he said rather dumbly. And when has his eloquence ever left him over something so silly as a hand?
He caught a glimpse of the substitute walking to join the rest at the food table. “Perhaps we should grab a bite, now,” he suggested. He and Harry stood.
“Alright.”
Just then, he saw a couple more eyes on them. He let go of Harry’s hand, feeling very suddenly nervous. He straightened his tie. “Let’s see what other sweets there are besides mine.”
When they arrived to where the rest of the congregation was, he caught sight of Maggie eating some bread, then Longbottom and Abbott, speaking to each other in hushed tones, looking rather displeased with each other. He decided to stay as far away from that as possible. Thankfully, it seemed Harry did not see them, otherwise he knew he would have had to interact.
Harry said he was going to go to the table, and just as Draco went to follow, he felt a hand on his shoulder. Behind him stood the substitute pastor.
“Oh, Hello, Father…”
“Father Thompson. Hello. Draco, yes?” Draco nodded. “I was hoping we could speak a moment.”
“Of course.” Draco walked with Father Thompson to an area less full. “Mass today was quite lovely,” he complimented.
“Thank you, my good boy,” Father Thomson said with a small chuckle. “Say, my son. How are you? I can’t help but have noticed you and that boy with brown hair were quite taken by the service.” Draco followed Father Thompson’s gaze to Harry, who was, at present, pouring himself a cup of water. He felt the corners of his lips turning upwards as he looked at him.
“Yes. We- uh, well, he is still rather new to it all, but yes. We did enjoy today’s service.” He turned to Father Thompson. His expression was not what Draco had expected to see. One of concern, and disappointment. Draco’s own expression fell.
“Remember that the confessional is always open should you or your… friend… wish to use it, my son.”
“Pardon?” Draco furrowed his brows, confused.
“Jesus always has room in his heart for those who have lost their way. Even if they are to commit an abomination.”
“I’m sorry, Father, I don’t understand,” Draco admitted, resisting the urge to look back to Harry. Did this substitute pastor somehow know about his involvement in the murders? Is he not a Muggle like Father Swain? Is he implying that Harry is wrong for trying to protect Draco from God’s Wrath?
“Remember the book of Leviticus, my son. ‘If a man lies with a male as with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination.” Draco’s entire expression went slack, wondering how he’d not heard that verse before. He wasn’t unfamiliar with the book of Leviticus. Father Swain had mentioned it at least a few times. But he never sat down to simply read the Bible. Maybe that was the issue. Draco opened his mouth as if to speak, until-
“Draco, you need to make this again one day.” He turned to see Harry with a hefty slice of rum cake. Spiced Rum Cake. He turned to look back at Father Thompson, but he’d gone. He turned back to Harry, unsure of what to say or do, or how to even react, really. His mind was reeling. He watched rather dumbly as Harry took another bite. “It’s delicious.”
“Thank you.” Draco's focus on any and all happening in the church was dwindling rapidly as he turned the previous interaction over in his head like a strange stone. That can’t mean…
“Are you ready to go?” Harry was looking at him a bit odd, now.
An abomination…
Draco blinked. “Yes. Uhm, but first.” Draco looked around, trying to find Father Thompson. He spotted him towards the front of the church. He walked up to him, not looking to see if Harry followed.
Both of them have committed an abomination…
“Er- Father. I was hoping that you might have a bible I could take home with me?” Because Draco just- he needed to figure this out. Right now. He needed to. No doubt.
Father Thompson looked at Draco with an expression that showed pity. Draco wanted, ridiculously, to blurt out that he’s good. Or at least trying. Because he was. He’s been trying so damnedhard. And whatever this is he will fix it. Because all he wants is to just be better, be good.
“Of course, my boy.” Draco followed him to a room off to the side, ignoring the feel of Harry's gaze on him. He just knew that Harry must be confused, if not concerned. Father Swain handed him the bible with a “God be with you”.
Draco responded “And with you”, walking from the church rather numbly, not paying much attention to Harry’s hushed questions.
As soon as they were out in the front, Harry grabbed at his wrist.
“Hey. Are you… Would…” Harry paused. Draco watched as he puzzled through what he was going to say, feeling a silly tug in his stomach as the thought crossed his mind that Harry looked, in his concern, well- cute. He kept his own face impassive. Harry finally spoke again. “Let’s… let’s go somewhere before we get home, yeah?”
Draco didn’t protest as Harry sidealong-apparated them to a location unbeknownst to him.