The Probability of Not Making It Out of the War
Draco up to see Harry smiling next to me. He gave him a light push saying, “you really are quite the stalker, Potter.” Harry only laughed and said, “you’re one to talk aren’t you Malfoy.” The two boys laughed and lied together in bed soaking in the moment together.
“You get enough sleep, mon amour?” Harry blushed at the nickname and questioned,” of course, why wouldn’t I have?” “Well you were out of bed pretty early this morning,” Draco pointed out. “I- well I had a nightmare.” Draco signaled for him to go on. “I-I just went to get a glass of water and well my dad was in there with Regulus. I may or may not have overheard their conversation,” Harry explained. “Are you okay,” Draco asked as he grabbed Harry’s hand and began to rub comforting circles on it.
“I hope so. I’m going to confront them today. If you could maybe do it with me,” Harry questioned looking into Draco’s eyes. “Of course I will,” Draco replied laying a soft kiss on Harry’s lips. “Are you ready for today,” Draco asked. “I’m ready for every day I spend with you.”
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After they finished eating breakfast, the couple went outside to where they found James and Lily sitting on a bench together. As they approached, the older couple turned to see look at them. “Good morning, boys,” Lily said kindly. “Morning Prongslet. Mini Malfoy,” James nodded at the two.
“I-um I need to talk to you,” Harry said with a quivering voice. “About this morning, dad.” Lily turned to her husband with a questioning glance. James looked at her then at their son and gave a small sigh. “ I think that everyone needs to be out here.” With that James sent out a stag to summon Remus, Sirius, and Regulus out to the backyard.
Within a minute the other three adults had joined them outside around the bench that James and Lily sat on. Harry and Draco sat together on the grass, hands still linked together. Remus, who had made his way out slowly with his cane allowed Sirius to help lower him to the ground to rest against a tree to which Sirius chose to sit next to Remus putting Remus’ head on his shoulder. With the full moon being the following night, Remus was already feeling its effects. Finally, Regulus had been standing next to Harry, making eye contact with James.
“So Harry you had some questions,” James started with. “Well only really one question he said,” looking from James to Regulus. Draco gave his hand a reassuring squeeze. “What’s a Horcrux?” All of the older adults took a collective intake of breath the second the question left Harry’s mouth. “How,” Sirius questioned. “It was my fault,” James said hanging his head slightly. “Last night Regulus and I were talking and Harry may or more not have overheard,” James said. “Well I guess we had to explain it eventually,” Sirius said sighing.
“Voldemort beginning to understand the odds of him losing the war started to look for other ways to win. He wanted to win, the entire time. No matter the costs, no matter the fatalities.” Regulus explained. “So he began to make Horcruxes. Dark, ancient magic only ever intended to be used once. The host would split their soul through murder in order to become immortal. Or as close as one can be. Voldemort began to work to split his soul into six pieces. Except there was a flaw in his plan. You… It was that you would stop him, be his demise. So the only thing he could think of was to go after you. The night of Hallow’s Eve your parents tried and tried to protect you, but they were unsuccessful. Lily and James stood in front of you and blocked the curse. In turn, it gave you that scar, “Regulus pointed at the lightning that cascaded down Harry’s forehead,” but he also made you his seventh and final Horcrux.”
“So I have a piece of Voldemort’s soul inside of me,” Harry questioned looking as if he were about to be sick. Draco being familiar with the look transfigured a bucket. Harry quickly turned to empty the contents of his stomach. Draco rubbed circles on his back and whispered comforting words in his ear. As soon as he finished, Draco transfigured the bucket into a cup and gave it to Harry to drink water from. Pulling Harry into his lap, he laid Harry’s head in his lap and began to run his fingers through his boyfriend’s hair.
“We understand it’s a lot to take in, cub and we’re here to help you,” Remus said. Harry gave him a small appreciative smile. “There’s more,” Lily said softly. “We’ve been able to destroy some of his Horcruxes.” Harry gained a hopeful look on his face as he looked into his Mother’s eyes. “Pandora was able to destroy Rowena’s Diadem, Regulus was able to destroy Slytherin’s Locket, Remus and Sirius were able to destroy Riddle’s Diary, and your Father and I were able to destroy the Gaunt Ring.”
Harry looked hopeful by the time his Mother finished talking. “So that leaves us one other, not including myself,” Harry questioned. Lily nodded in response. “Is- is he going to be okay?” There weren’t very many instances in his life where Draco stuttered. When he was younger if he would ever stutter he would receive a hit from his father's cane. If he would do so in public, Draco would receive the Cruciatus curse the moment they arrived back at the manor. He quickly outgrew the habit, but now he could feel his voice shake. Draco was scared for his boyfriend. He had been scared before. Voldemort had lived in his house, tried to convince him to receive his dark mark and Draco fully understand the probability of not making it out of the war. But now, at this moment with his boyfriend laying in his lap, Draco was terrified. Terrified for his lover. His lover who has had to live his entire life in fear to only find out he was a part of the man who longed for his death. Draco wanted to cry.
At his question, he could feel all of the adult's eyes’ on him. “Of Course, he will,” James said. “We’ll all make sure of it,” Sirius retorted. They all looked down fondly at the young man lying in front of them.