Things Can Change In Love
Chapter Two—Things Can Change In Love
Harry stared sadly out of the window, yearning to go outside. Though the situation was fundamentally different, he felt as if he was stuck back in the Dursley household, being kept within the quiet four walls surrounding him while, outside the door, everyone else was enjoying summer.
The two situations were incomparable, however. The Dursleys had kept him in to hide him away in the house to avoid the neighbours finding out about his 'freakishness', to make him do all their chores, and because they loathed every bone in his body. But Oscar didn't want to do that to him. In fact, he didn't really have to do any of the chores if he did not want to—Oscar would do them when he came back from work if it wasn't done; he was sweet like that—but having to stay at home was rather boring and cleaning up was one of the only means of entertainment. And Oscar just wanted to keep him safe from harm, really.
Harry winced as he recalled the day when he had been seriously injured in one of his first Auror Raids. Oscar had been so worried and overprotective of him after that. But perhaps it was for the better. Maybe Oscar had had the right idea to get Harry to quit his job—though to the rest of the Wizarding World, he was just on temporary leave—using their recent engagement as the best time to do so.
It was because Oscar wanted to keep Harry to himself. Harry knew that that was at least one of the reasons. But he only wanted to do that because he loved Harry. Which was good. Because Harry loved him too. He did.
He just wished Oscar would give him a bit of freedom once in awhile though.
Just enough time to leave the house for a stroll in the park, so that he could feel the brush of warm sunlight against his face. Or lunch with Hermione and Ron.
That would be rather enjoyable. But Harry shouldn't be complaining. He still got a lot of what he wanted. Including love. Especially love.
Harry bit his lip as tears started to well up in his eyes. Not many people loved him. Not him, as just Harry. Everyone just saw him as the heroic Harry Potter, the one to put on the pedestal to be looked at with admiration and envy. But never an equal, never someone to be loved as a human being. Just a character to be revered in everybody's mind. Only Oscar truly loved him for whom he was (in the romantic way, he knew Hermione and Ron cared about him deeply as well). No one else could possibly love him.
And that's why even though his and Oscar's relationship have changed rather drastically from before, when Oscar would constantly bring him out for dates and introduce him to his many friends, to now when Oscar would keep him locked away like a frail damsel in her tower, Harry have never once considered leaving. Why would he? The reasons he loved Oscar was still there. He was still sweet, caring, smart, witty…Oscar was still the same where it counted, regardless of the way he showed it to Harry now.
Ron and Hermione approved of him too, as did the Weasley family, which was a bonus in and of itself.
Everything was great. Now Harry just had to repeat it as many times as possible to relieve the boredom.
Sighing, he stood up and went in search for something to do. Then he would prepare Oscar's favourite meal for dinner and maybe, just maybe, gain permission to go outside.
"Are you certain?" Narcissa asked warily, eyebrows raised in suspicion. "It doesn't seem very likely…"
"I'm extremely certain," Lucius repeated confidently for the umpteenth time. Really, how hard was it for Narcissa to believe him? Sure, he had maybe made some bad decisions in the past—that, fine, impacted his family negatively in a huge way, but he was trying to make up for it now—but his wife should have some trust in him, shouldn't she? Instead of constantly shooting him looks of disbelief. Then again, she was the one who had tried to convince him not to return to the Dark Lord's side…and that turned out rather dandy.
"I mean, it makes sense doesn't it?" He continued. "Draco started acting out of character about the time when Potter and his Mud—" Lucius stopped himself. If this action plan were going to work, he would have to cease using the word Mudblood. At least, not verbally. He might be inviting one to join his family, after all. And this would probably be the best way to start.
Lucius sighed mentally. The things I do for you Draco. You better buck up after this.
"—Muggleborn started dating. And with the addition evidence I witnessed just a few hours before, I believe that I have reached the correct conclusion. It makes sense too. Of course, Draco didn't court his mate because he thought he would disappoint us, what with his instincts choosing a Muggleborn male instead of a proper Pureblood lady. But we will show him that these things do not matter" much "to us anymore."
It can also show the Wizarding World that we're repentant, which could help our integration back into society. It might seem rather unseemly to think about ways to rebuild the Malfoy reputation again while also contemplating his son's future but what could Lucius say? He was an opportunist and this was a great way to kill two birds with one stone.
That is, if Narcissa would stop doubting him.
"But you believe Potter's partner to be Draco's mate? And not Potter himself?" Narcissa wondered. "Why?"
Lucius snorted. He knew his son better than that. Draco would never choose Potter of all people.
"Please Narcissa. I know our son. He's been rivals with Potter since I could remember. There's no way Potter would be his mate. Draco hates him. Really, you should know better," Lucius lightly chided, laughing internally at the very thought of Potter and Draco ever being together.
Scowling, Narcissa persisted on, "And I knowmy son as well. Their rivalry and Draco's so-called 'hatred' of Potter could very well be an indication of strong feelings between the two of them. Which could be a sign of early manifestation of a mate bond."
Lucius would have rolled his eyes, but that might have resulted in anger on Narcissa's part and that never ended well.
"How about we confront the Muggleborn first? Since that is the most likely choice. And if I am wrong, we will go see Potter." Lucius said, seeking a compromise that wouldn't end up with him sleeping in another bedchamber for the night.
"Fine," Narcissa finally replied after a long period of silence.
"Although I still think Potter is more likely," she muttered under her breath. Which Lucius promptly ignored.
He was too busy plotting to worry about Narcissa's worries.