Chapter 06
Harry turned slowly, ready to face the person who had spoken. He didn't recognize the person, but everyone here was talking to him as if he owed them something. As if it was normal for him to do what was expected of him, just because he had defeated Voldemort, he had to be the Hero of Light, pure and kind, ready to sacrifice everything for people he didn't know and who had considered it normal to leave their lives in the hands of a child - who became a teenager at the end of the war - without doing anything on their side. Who had not tried to protect themselves and their families. Oh, of course some of them had fought, sometimes even on Harry's side. But for the majority, they had decided to leave everything in the hands of a child who knew nothing about the world of Wizards. They took his image as a role model. Used him in books that told nothing but lies. And waited for him to come into their world to rid them of Voldemort without lifting a finger or even asking his opinion. So Harry had decided not to let it happen again, to live his life as he saw fit and let it be known to anyone who dared to ask anything of him now that he had done what had been asked of him for too long.
« Yes? » He asked falsely innocent, « what can I do for you? »
« Why are you hanging out with those filthy Death Eaters? You're Harry Potter, act like it! » Shouted the person who hadn't seen fit to introduce himself - not that Harry gives a damn, but still... It was a polite thing to say what one's name was before attacking someone! -
« I don't see how that's any of your business. » Harry replied calmly as Draco had put Gabriel back in the arms of Pansy, who was trying as best he could to hide him.
« What you do and who you do it with is our business! You're the savior of our world. You've defeated You-Know-Who! You owe us an explanation! »
« I don't owe you anything. »
« You are the role model for the children of our world! Why do you hang out with traitors who killed and tortured people?! Why don't you take your role more seriously?! » Exclaimed another person - a woman, this time. -
Harry answered nothing, and there was a silence on the Chemin de Traverse, something which everyone thought impossible, it was, after all, an extremely busy street, and total silence was not something you could see every day. The brunette had everyone's attention, he made his gaze travel through the crowd, seeming to probe deep into their souls. Without letting anything show through, he saw the "groups" that had formed. Those who supported him, smaller than the other group, but very present. Those who didn't care and were only there for the show, and last but not least, those who agreed with what the two people had reproached Harry for.
« I don't know if you are aware of it, » he began coldly, « but you have decided to leave your LIFES in the hands of an eleven-year-old child, without that child having the right to choose whether or not he wanted to fight for a world he didn't know. And I did. I fought for years without you doing anything but praying for my success. You made me a hero when all I wanted was to live my life normally and in peace. »
« It was YOU who had to do it! »
« No, » Harry replied firmly, « it wasn't up to ME. I had to fight Voldemort - Oh for God's sake he's DEAD! - to survive. That's the end of it. I don't have to fight Deaths Eaters who have nothing to do with me. I must not protect people I don't know and turn against me with the slightest excuse. I owe you NOTHING. »
« How dare you say that? » Asked the flabbergasted man.
« I fought for my friends, » an almost freezing cold made the crowd there shiver, « for me. Not for you. You think you have the right to dictate my every move, but you don't. I'm the only one who can decide my life, the only one who can make decisions for me. You don't! It has been made very clear that Draco Malfoy had nothing to do with the Death Eaters except the misfortune of being the son of Lucius Malfoy and having to, like all of you here, survive this war where he was on the front lines unlike YOU. »
« How-»
« Like everyone else during the war he was scared. Scared of what would happen if he didn't do what he had to do. And if I forgave him for trying to kill me, then YOU have to do it too! As for Blaise Zabini, it was a known and acknowledged fact that he was neutral during this war. »
Everyone was listening to what Harry was saying with his eyes wide open. Not daring to answer, barely breathing. Emerald green eyes met those of the man who had called him and stared at him for long minutes. The man in question was beginning to regret talking somewhat, he could feel the power coming from Harry. He finally remembered exactly who he had spoken to. This Man had the power to destroy one of the greatest Dark Lords that ever existed. He had the political power, the wealth and the magical power to make his life a hell on Earth, and he, like an idiot, had decided to confront him.
« I would not allow complete strangers to insult my life choices and my family, » he says coldly, « what I do with my life is my own business. I did what was expected of me and I got rid of Voldemort, with the help of people who were precious to me. now that the war is over, I owe you absolutely nothing. I never owed you anything, and I never will. I didn't fight for you. I fought for me and my family and my friends. I did it for my parents and my godfather and everyone else who died protecting me. For me, who only wanted a simple life. But not for you. Never for you. You want a role model for your children? Become one. You want someone to worship? It won't be me. I'm done.Don't look for the hero in me. Don't look for a culprit in all the misfortunes of the world. Take responsibility for your own bullshit, fight for yourself. Because I won't do that anymore. »
And on these words, Harry took Draco's hand in his, then with a nod to Blaise and Pansy, they left, leaving the crowd too shocked to say anything. However, before disappearing from view, he turned to them one last time.
« I won't be so nice the next time someone decides it's okay to insult my family and friends in my presence. You have absolutely no idea what I am capable of. » Finish Harry, « oh and if you think you can do it even when I'm not with them, know that I know everything. I always do. Don't test me. »
And the four adults and the child disappeared before their eyes. Many of those present were offended by what Harry had said, but knew that there was nothing they could do about it, because deep down everyone knew that the brunette was right. Nobody could tell him what to do anymore. Unless they wanted him to leave the country again, but this time without ever setting foot in it again. However, there were many other people who agreed with him. Harry could do whatever he wanted with his life. He was free. And they were happy that he could finally find someone who could - at last - make him happy and give him a world without war, without blood and without death. He had done enough for the Wizard world. But one thing was certain, it would be on the front page of the gazette the next day.
On the side of the little family and friends, they decided not to linger here any longer than necessary, and went shopping as quickly as possible. Gabriel wanted to go home, having been too scared by what people were saying to his dad to really appreciate being here, Harry and Draco all just wanted to go in the quiet of their home. Blaise and Pansy were just going along for the ride. It had been a hectic day and none of the adults present doubted that the Weasleys would come and confront Harry and Draco when they saw the paper the next day. They had to be ready. And to do that, they had to get some rest.
Harry knew it was going to happen, and he was ready for it when they decided to move back to Britain. They knew they'd have to go through it if they wanted to live in relative peace. And he didn't regret his choice. But he wouldn't let it happen again. He wouldn't let himself be stepped on again. He would fight back and protect his family at any cost. And one day, he knew that one day, it would blow over. The question was, when?
As they had planned, the Prophet was happy to tell - in detail - what happened on Diagon Alley. Harry smiled as he put the newspaper down as Draco entered the kitchen before kissing him gently and going for coffee.
« It was to be expected, » he told his husband.
« Hm, » replied Harry, « it's still annoying. But there's nothing we can do about it now. We were prepared for that. »
« I'm going to drop Gab' off at my mother's, » spoke the blond man, « I've had a call from Fred saying that the rest of the Weasley family knows about this and there's a good chance they'll try to find us by any means necessary. »
« They can't find the house, » Harry replied.
« True, but I think Fred and George should take them - without telling them where the house is now - otherwise they'll just make a scandal wherever they look for us, and I honestly don't want to clean up the mess behind them.... » Draco explained.
« You're not wrong, » sighed the brunette, « I'd better go get ready, right? They said what time they'd bring them here? Because I know what you just said sounded like a suggestion, but actually you've already told the twins to do it that way. »
« You know me so well love, » Draco laughed softly, « they said in the early afternoon, to give us time to get ready and drop Gab' at my mother's before they arrived. »
« So generous of them, » Harry mumbled as he got up, « I guess I'll go take a shower while you're at the Manor. See if Narcissa can't watch Gabriel for the night, it'll make the kid happy and give us a little more rest. Cause I don't know why, but I have a feeling they're gonna be here a long time... »
« I thought about it, but I wasn't sure. I'll check with my mother, » smiles Draco, « go take a shower. It's going to be a long afternoon. »
Harry kissed Draco quickly before heading to the bathroom to get ready. As for the blond man, he quietly went to look for Gabriel who was happily playing in his room, blind to what was going on around him.
« Hey, baby, » Draco said softly
« Daddy! »
« How would you like to go to Grandma Cissa's? »
« Grandma? » Asked the child innocently.
« Hm, and you can even go to sleep with her! »
« Yeeeeees! »
« Awesome buddy, we'll go then. »
After getting Gabriel's things ready for the night, the blond man walked to the chimney towards the Manor, where he knew his mother would be more than happy to welcome her grandson for the night.
Shortly after eating, the twins arrived with the rest of the Weasleys as planned. The couple were in the living room, waiting quietly for them. No one spoke for a while, as the Weasleys settled in as if they were totally welcome in the house, and everything was normal before Hermione spoke.
« Harry James Potter, » she began, « could you tell us what this is all about! »
« A newspaper, Hermione. »
« I can see it's a newspaper, what I want to know is why are you on the front page? And why did you do this?! »
« Because I had a right to do it, and it was the right thing to do. »
« No it wasn't, » says Molly instead of her stepdaughter, « Harry it could have negative consequences for you! »
« Such as...? »
« Everybody could turn their back on you! »
« It wouldn't be the first time, Molly. And then at least I'd finally have the peace I want. »
« You just don't get it! » Exclaimed Ginny, « you're an important person, Harry. Your reputation will follow you the rest of your life! Don't you understand that being with Malfoy is going to hurt you! »
« I don't see how, » the brunette said calmly, « I chose to be with Draco knowing what it meant, and I decided I didn't care. »
« How can you say that? »
« Because I do, » sighed Harry, « I don't owe anything to anyone. Not even to you. I really wish you understood that. »
« But Harry how- »
« Hermione, I want to live my life as I see fit. This is the last time I'm telling you, if you don't want to understand, don't even bother trying to talk to me anymore, » Harry cut in, « I thought I made it clear that I would stay with Draco no matter what people think. I don't want this pseudo-famous celebrity. I don't want to be followed everywhere. I don't want to be a war hero. I just want to be myself and be happy. Draco brings all that to me. It's important to me. »
« More than us? » Asked Ginny.
« More than you. »
- But-»
« I'm not going back on what I just said, Ginny. You've got to get it through your head that you and I are never going to make it. I really wish I could bring you back into my life, believe me. You really meant a lot to me, and it wasn't an easy decision, but I won't change my mind. My life is with Draco and my son, and if you don't understand that, it's over. »
« I don't want to get along with Malfoy," Ron spat, « nor do I want to have to put up with him.
« I'm not asking you to be friends with him Ronald," Harry said coldly, « or even to have a big conversation with him. Just to accept that my life is now with him, and that if you want me in your daily life, you must face the truth and accept it. Being polite to my husband is no big deal.
« Why should we have to make the effort? Asked Hermione proudly.
« First of all, because you're the one who wants me in your lives. And secondly because Draco is trying so hard with you and you know it as well as I do. You are not the center of the world, Weasley family, remember that YOU want to get back in touch with me. That it was YOU who came to see me. Not the other way around. If you want our relationship to improve again, you have to accept MY rules, because I won't play by yours any more.
Tired of feeling as if he was talking into the void - again - Harry got up and left the room. The Weasleys tried to stop him or even follow him, but Draco stopped them - with the help of the twins -.
« Why are you stopping us from following him, Malfoy? » Hermione asked coldly.
« Because if he has left the room, it means he wants to be alone, » Draco answered just as coldly, « it's not hard to understand, he will come back when he has calmed down. »
« And you think you're telling us what to do because...? »
« Because I'm in MY house. Because I'm married to Harry, and even if you could say that you knew him better than anyone else during the war - and even then I'm not sure that's true - in the present I'm the person who knows him best. »
« Stop talking bullshit, » Ron spat.
« He's right, » cut Fred, « Harry and Draco have been together for almost six years now. As much as you might have bragged about knowing him better than anyone before, as Draco said, that's not the case anymore. And you should be aware of that. »
« I agree with Fred, » Arthur replied to everyone's surprise, « Draco has been around Harry every day for years now. He has more right to him than we do. We should respect that. »
« But Dad- »
« No, Ginny, it's a fact. »
No one answered Arthur. Oh, Molly wanted to, but even she knew it wasn't the best thing to do right now.
« Why agree to be courteous to us when you were the first person to insult my children in years? » She asked softly.
« For Harry, » Draco replied simply, « even though he doesn't want you in his life anymore if you don't change a little, he still has a kind of affection for you, and for him I'm willing to make all the efforts in the world. Even to be in the same room with you without insulting you. »
« You've... Changed. » Said Hermione hesitantly.
« A war can do that to you, indeed, » sighed Draco, « Look, before we got together, Harry and I talked a great deal. We understood many things. We've worked hard to get where we are right now. And if to avoid destroying everything I have to agree to be in your presence, I will. I don't forget what you did for him during the war, just as he will never forget what you did for him. »
« Then why would he-»
« Hermione, the war is over. And everyone changes during or after a war of this scale. All Harry's life, he's had somebody telling him everything he should and shouldn't do. He followed what they wanted him to do. He fought because he wasn't given a choice. Now it's over, there's no more war. He's grown up. He finally has the right to make his own choices. And if you really are his friends, like Fred and George, or even Pansy and Blaise, instead of trying to reason with him, you will understand him and help him. Simply because that's what friends do. » He explained softly.
Hermione was shocked. Draco had changed. Dramatically. And even though she wouldn't admit it, he was absolutely right. They had done everything they could to dictate Harry's choices and movements. And as the blond man said, that's not what friends do. Had they been wrong all along? Was there still a way to change things, for the better?
Ron wanted to scream his lungs out. Malfoy. Of all the people Harry could have chosen, he had taken Draco Malfoy. Ron didn't understand. He probably never would. And it was killing him. It was killing him to admit that the ferret might be right. That instead of getting Harry back the way they wanted him, they were scaring him off. Because even though it didn't show, even though they'd made mistakes and lost sight of what was really important, Harry was important to them.
Molly sighed as she looked at her family... The twins had been right all along. She'd been wrong and it hurt. Maybe she could come to terms with it, given time. At least for Harry's sake. She had to try. She could see that Arthur, Ron and Hermione already understood that things wouldn't change. They were beginning to make decisions.
However, their biggest problem, and everyone knew it, was Ginny. She couldn't accept the relationship between the brunette and the blonde. Maybe someday. But not for a long time. It was going to be complicated.
Some time later, while the room was still quiet, Harry returned, looking calmer... He raised an eyebrow at his husband, wondering what he had done to make the whole Weasley family seem to think so intensely...
Is this the beginning of change? Will the Weasleys finally open their eyes and understand? What will happen now...?