hogwartsexpressed | Nightmares & Revelations (CLOSED

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Nightmares & Revelations (CLOSED - for Hermione & Draco)

A lot had changed since the end of the war. Harry hadn't gone back to Ginny as so many had assumed and they were both okay with that. More than okay, if he was honest. The only one who hadn't taken it so well... okay, the only two people who hadn't taken it so well were Molly and Ron. To them, they were supposed to be this giant happy Weasley family and well, Hermione and he had other aspirations.

After those months in the tent, after Ron had left them, Hermione and he had discussed their hopes, their dreams, their fears and even shared each other's beds. After the war, they hadn't let themselves or each other simply settle for the Ministry or to just get married and start having a family. They wanted and needed something bigger, where they could do more to the benefit of their society.

He had of course told Ron that nothing happened and to this day, he wasn't sure why he had insisted that nothing happened - maybe to make everyone else happy? But after it was all said and done, he knew how pointless that had been. Not only had their society changed but they had changed.

Hogwarts would always be his first home but neither of them felt ready to return to the scene of the war. Perhaps that was putting it nicely. They were done with the manipulations from Dumbledore and knew Hogwarts would only bring up bad thoughts and memories for the both of them. Instead, they had been approached by the International Confederation of Wizards to join their next recruiting class. It would be hard work, they were told, but they were used to that. After Hermione found her parents and returned their memories, they accepted the position and headed to Rome, much to Ron's disappointment and dismay.

They'd went in on a three bedroom flat of a wizarding world apartment complex, it wasn't as if Harry was hurting for money after the will reading of Sirius and his parents (whose had been buried intentionally by Dumbledore) and taking up his lordship. They had assumed they would use the other room for an office but when they met their fellow recruits, they realized there was likely another reason for it. They hadn't been the only ones from Britain to be approached by the ICW, imagine their surprise when Draco Malfoy had shown up that first day. Not only that, but in their training exercises, the three of them had been paired up a number of times and surprisingly (and unsurprisingly) enough... they worked really well together. It didn't take Hermione and him long to approach Draco about moving into the third bedroom.

The more surprising part was that he'd accepted.

It had been just over five months since Draco had moved in with them and he could honestly say they were starting to make headway.

It was just Harry's luck that the night Hermione was out of town working on assignment was the night he had his first nightmare since before they came to Rome. It was as it always was - Sirius' death, Voldemort's annoying monstrous face and Dumbledore's ever present manipulations - losing everything he loved and cared for. What he didn't know was that he was screaming, tossing and turning in his bed and his magic getting a little bit (a lot) out of control. Normally, Hermione was home and would be alerted the moment his magic got loose or that he was having a nightmare. But tonight, he was on his own. Or he might've been had the silencing spells on his room not broken on the onslaught of his magic, alerting Draco to the situation at hand.

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"Wow, so shocked,' he taunts with a smirk, shifting to move in closer, standing toe to toe with Harry. "Listen to me, Potter. We were enemies because of others, not ourselves. We were pawns, and now we know that. We can see the world clearly, and it means fixing the past and forging on, okay?"

Because for him, that is their past and this is their life.

It wasn't every day that Harry was shocked speechless - especially in recent years. So the fact that Draco made him speechless, without the use of a spell, was a feat to be sure. He narrowed his gaze at the taunting smirk but allowed himself a wry chuckle, watching as the man stood toe to toe with him. "There were times when I do wonder what would have happened had I taken your hand that day," he admitted, watching the blonde. "And despite it taking 7-8 years, I'm glad that we can be that." And more, obviously.

He snaked an arm out and brought the other man closer. He didn't want to go too far, not without Hermione being home. But... he wanted to feel the other man close to him. "I think we forgot the scones...," he murmured with a little smile.

"You would have ended up a pawn of the Dark Lord," he says, not doubting that in the least. "My father would have treated you like a second son, and then just handed you to him on a silver platter," he says, shoulders tightening then, his chin lifting. "You know, just like he did me."

And he believes that after what his father did to him, let them do to him, they would both be dead now.

Stepping in, sliding his hand over Harry's chest as he stares into his eyes. "And you think this is going to make me move and get them?" Smiling though as he rests his brow against Harry's. "I'm glad you didn't shake my hand then. I really am."

Harry tilted his head and considered his words before nodding in agreement. "You're right about that," he said. "He would have done the same to me as he did to you. Your father really needs to be brought down," he muttered before exhaling a breath. He'd rather have this all these years later, after the war, then either or both of them dead.

"No," he admitted with a smile and lifted a hand, using his wandless and silent spell casting to take the scones out of the oven and turning it off. "Now we don't have to worry about the flat burning down," he teased him, bringing the other man in closer. Harry rested his forehead against Draco's and exhaled a soft breath. "I'm glad that I didn't either... but I'm even more glad we have this now."

He liked the way Draco felt right there in his arms and the way the other man's hand rest on his chest.

"He would have," Draco says, though Harry's words take him back, making him pause a moment. It's not that he agrees with him but that no one has worried about it. They dismiss him as a dilettante, and Draco thinks that's intentional, something he's done to ensure that no one looks at Lucius too closely. "I can't argue with you, but he's not the only one either."

It is so odd, in the best possible ways. He's not worrying, and he doesn't feel he has to watch his back all the time. Not in this flat. Not with them.

Sliding his hands along Harry's waist, just resting there and enjoying the intimacy. It's something that he's never had, not really with anyone, so this feels better than it should.

"I'm glad for that as well. Even if I know I can't kiss you like I want. Not and face Hermione's wraith. Sorry, not doing that.

Harry had spent most of his life worrying about the things that no one else thinks about - Dark Lords that he knew for a fact weren't really gone and had, came to mind. So, he knew that Lucius Malfoy was still a problem and knew there were others out there who could become a problem later on. "No, he's not. But by the time we're done with training, we'll have everything at our disposal to take care of them."

Because you can bet that Harry would do what he could to make sure those who were left didn't become a problem.

Harry smiled, enjoying this little bit of intimacy with Draco. It felt really nice. He chuckled at the mention of Hermione and her wrath. "Smart," he said with a smile, watching him fondly. "Least she'll be back today," he said with a soft exhale, sliding a hand up and down Draco's back.

He likes how Harry says that. We will have all we need. He loves hearing that from him, and is glad for that assurance that they would manage to take care of things. He's worried about it for himself alone, but he's realizing more and more that he's not in anything alone. Not anymore.

"We'll take care of them. All of them," he says, knowing he isn't the only one that wants to make that their first priority after all they've been through.

"And just what do you think we'll be doing then? Hmmm?"

There was absolutely no doubt in Harry's mind that they would have everything they need to tackle any problem that came ahead. As far as Harry saw it, the three of them (romantically or not) were a team. And honestly, a far stronger one than perhaps when Ron had been that third. If Draco wasn't going to let Harry suffer his nightmares by himself then Harry would be damned if he let Draco go through any of this by himself.

"Every single one of them," he agreed with a little smile. It was absolutely the first priority on Harry's mind. Once he explained it to Hermione (though he didn't think he would have to, she was likely thinking about the same), she would likely agree.

"Well first... we'll likely have breakfast and we'll assure her that I'm fine after the nightmare and am really glad she's home. After that... we'll have to play it by ear," he said with a cheeky sort of smile. "Unless, of course, you had other plans for your Saturday morning?"

Despite being glad that he escaped it all, he does like the hunting down of the old members of the Death Eaters and bringing them in or ending them. Whichever way it needs to go. He's okay with it either way.

Smiling at that promise, wrapping an arm around Harry's shoulders, pulling him in close and hugging him. Glad to be able to hold him, not sure he has a way to tell him how he feels about him saying that, agreeing with it, willing to help him with it.

"So I don't kiss her when she walks in? Or strut around naked? Okay, got it," he says in a soft voice, trying to be funny as he's still trying not to snuffle about it because it's all so hard and would be horrible if he was doing this alone.

Harry smiled as Draco hugged him tighter. He liked the feeling of the other man in his arms like this. He was glad (really glad, honestly) that Draco was as into them as they were into him.

"I mean, you could kiss her when she walks in. She may enjoy that," Harry mused with a soft chuckle. "The naked part may throw her off a little." He knew what the other man was trying to do but Harry wasn't going to call him out on his. Just hold him like he was.

"I have no doubt that it will be interesting around here going forward," he murmured with a soft smile. "How about we take this coffee and head to the living room?" Though he still made no effort to move, just holding onto him. Because honestly, Harry probably needed it just as much as Draco did.

There had always been a crush, especially on Harry. The boy who lived with his beautiful eyes and infuriating demeanor. Pansy had called him on it more than once. The others learned to stop mentioning. He can't help but laugh softly.

"I look amazing naked, thank you,' he says, though he pauses before adding. "Back in school, Pansy gave me shite about you and the crush I had. When I moved in here, she asked if I was pursuing that. When I mentioned Hermione lives here as well, she noted that threesomes are eautiful. I laughed at her and told her she was an idiot."

And she might be an idiot, but she hadn't been wrong about so many things apparently.

"Oh, I have no doubt about that at all," Harry assured him with a chuckle. "She has no idea about this conversation happening though."

Harry couldn't help it, a grin spread over his mouth when Draco told him about Pansy and his crush. "Hermione and Ron gave me a hard time about my crush on you as well," he admitted, though he had been absolutely sure Draco likely knew of it. He chuckled softly.

"It sounds like she approves of our living arrangements," he said, looking at the other man. It mattered to him that his friends and hopefully his mother would be okay with this, with them. First, they had to talk to Hermione when she got home. She was the most important factor of this entire thing.

"Your crush?" He asks it wide eyed, positively wicked. "So when you were stalking me it wasn't all professional, as it were?"

Though that reminds him.

"That day, on the Express," he says, ducking his head and looking away before dragging his gaze back to Harry. "I did that for your own good. I knew you were there, and realizing that you might follow us and be caught... I could have done it gentler," he admits, reaching up and tenderly stroking his cheek. "I'm sorry.

"And she does. She wants me happy. Pansy and I, we've recovered a lot from those days and worked to make our lives what we wanted, not what our parents wanted."

Harry smirked in amusement. "In the brain of a Gryffindor teenager it was definitely professional. At least, that's what I continually told them. They didn't believe a single word of it, as you can imagine."

He stayed quiet, letting Draco speak without interruption. Harry lifted a hand and cupped Draco's cheek, leaning into Draco's touch in return. "I was... upset at first but afterward, much... later, I understood. At least, I thought I understood. You've been forgiven long ago for things that happened during that time, Draco," he said, softly and looked at him. "I hope you know that."

"From what I understand, she's made herself indispensable with Dean and Seamus at their magical tattoo shop," he admitted with a chuckle. "I admit, we've been tempted to go get one of their tattoos." Harry was glad though that Draco and Pansy have made their lives into something they've wanted, what would make themselves proud to lead and not something their parents wanted. While he didn't have a parents expectation for himself, Harry knew on some level how it must feel with the wizarding world expecting things of him that he perhaps wouldn't want for himself necessarily.

"I don't think us living together now is going to do anything to make them believe back then that you weren't just madly in lust with me, Potter," he teases, smirking though as he leans into that touch.

Leaning into it, eyes closing and enjoying the sensation of Harry's touch. Even as he smiles at that, though it's a tight, sad smile. "Honestly, no. I haven't known that. You might forgive me for that one event, but the world, our world? Hasn't forgiven me and it will likely never happen for may of them. All I can do is fight what I did with what I'm doing now," he says, believing that is all he can do.

"You should. She does beautiful, magical work. She keeps trying to get me in the chair to cover up the mark," he admits, even now wearing a long sleeve sleep shirt so that it isn't shown. "She thinks she can basically reverse the magic of it but I would be her experiment so she's perfecting the magic."

"Well now I can definitely admit that there were less... professional reasons to keep watching your arse," Harry said with a smirk, watching him with a soft gaze. He desperately wanted to press a kiss to Draco's mouth but he was resisting that urge. It wouldn't be right when Hermione wasn't here.

Harry's thumb slid over the arch of Draco's cheekbone and exhaled a soft breath. "The British hold a grudge like nothing else and are perpetually stuck in the past," he said, fully aware that he was British and talking about his own people. But honestly, was it untrue? He didn't think so. "Which is why we are no longer in England and can't imagine returning for a long damn time other than to help out where requested. I've found the citizens of Rome and the ICW care less. You have made a change and we all see it."

"You should," Harry said, looking at him. "We'd go with you. Dean and Seamus have told me how far along it's coming and that it's very promising. They said she's getting really close. What would you get?"

"I'm feeling entirely entrapped this minute. Is this why you worked to get me out here in my nightclothes? Wicked man," he says with a laugh, finding such comfort in the peace between them in that moment. It's easy to have these talks, to share in this moment and not have it be about the past, even as they're talking about the past.

"I'll only go back for friends, for Pansy and to see my Mum. I have no interest in returning there. I would rather live in the states," he says, making a face. "Not that I'm rushing off for their either."

He's quiet though, considering that and what he's thought about getting. He looks away, actually blushing though it's only the slightest tinge of flush to his cheeks. "It's dumb. I mean, it's not even original. I've thought about getting a dragon," he admits.

Harry chuckled. "Oh yes, I made sure to have a nightmare so you'd wake up and stay in your nightclothes," he teased him with a smirk. He was glad that they'd come to a point where they could talk about the past and tease each other about it instead of perhaps getting defensive. Though, if he were honest, the only person who ever truly was like that was Ron Weasley. He wasn't sure what the redhead would ever think if he knew Draco was living with him but to that extent, he didn't truly care either.

He nodded. "That's fair." Harry chuckled at the face he made. "Well there's plenty of time to make a decision. We are here in training for... a few years at the very least."

Harry watched him with a curious gaze and noticed the blush. "That's not dumb at all, Draco. It fits you," he said and paused for a moment. "If it helps at all, I've thought of a phoenix."

"I figured it was all a plot," he says with a smirk. "I mean, you were probably hoping I slept in my all together and you'd get a cheap thrill of me rushing to your air starkers," he teases, because it's easy to joke like this with Harry. It has been since he moved in here and they became a household together.

"Thanks for that. I know you put in a good word with them for them to bring me in. It's the new start I needed," he points out, as if it's nothing that Harry didn't already know. "So thank you."

He smiles at that, head canting slightly and then grinning wider. "Unimaginative dork," he says, as if he isn't as well. "What's stopped you?"

"You caught onto my nefarious plot," Harry said dryly with an amused smirk, watching Draco's expressions for a long moment. The man was bloody attractive, that was for damn sure. He slid a hand up and down the length of Draco's back, bringing him in just a little closer to him.

He tilted his head and feigned ignorance. "What do you mean? Who said I said anything to them about someone who needed a fresh start," he asked. "I know no such thing." He was glad though that Draco wasn't upset or anything - he just knew the man needed a fresh start, they all did after the war. "You're welcome."

Harry shrugged a shoulder. "Hasn't been the right time and Hermione hasn't decided what she wants to get yet. Perhaps we can all go sometime and get one done. We can shut the place down."

"Yep. Just like you Potter to torture yourself and inconvenience everyone else just for what you want," he says. It's the same voice, the same accent and words, and yet it's not the same tenor of their childhood when he'd been so angry about Potter for so many reasons.

"Want to know what I know? You're a bad liar," he murmurs, stroking Harry's cheek as he leans in, kissing the same cheek softly.

"Maybe we should take a trip back home soon then," He agrees, nodding. "All three of us," he says with a nod. "If and when she's ready."

Harry chuckled. "Naturally, it's always been my number one move. It impresses everyone," he mused. Had he considered being there in their kitchen years ago, he'd have though it just being a passing fancy. Although it started off complete shit, he was glad that... it turned out the way it had. He felt as though they had broken down a few walls standing in their way. He was sure Hermione was going to be surprised when she got home later.

"Well, you know, must not tell lies and all that shite," he mused with a little smile, leaning into his touch. He presses a soft kiss to Draco's cheek and exhales a soft breath. "I thought out of anyone, you likely needed a fresh start just as much as we did."

"Agreed. This will likely get her thinking of a tattoo once we tell her. Wonder what she'll choose," he said with a hum. Wishing he had in some ways told her to come home early simply because he wanted both of them there with him (he was greedy like that sometimes) but she'd be home soon and it was nice spending this time with Draco.

It's funny now, but it hadn't been back in school when so many of their classmates had acted as if that is exactly how Harry lived his life at Hogwarts. Even then, if one looked, it was obvious that wasn't what Harry was doing, but it was also easy to twist it onto him. Both to benefit Voldemort's plans and Dumbledore's as well. Draco hadn't wanted to kill him, but he hadn't liked him then and he doesn't like him now.

His eyes narrow then, his hand taking Harry's before he can stop himself. Staring into Potter's eyes, he lifts his hand and lightly kisses it. "Not funny," he says, another time when he had played along for his family, for the Death Eaters, and he should have been there for Harry. Even if he knows logically, he couldn't.

"You should get back to bed and get a nap before she gets home," he says. "If you want I can crash in the room in case it happens again."

Harry had always been well aware about how people back at Hogwarts viewed him, especially professors who should have been looking out for him and the multitude of health problems he'd had from the Dursley's. No, his behavior was always 'attention seeking' and 'self benefiting'. He wouldn't say he'd gotten over it but it was definitely on the rather long list he was working through with his mind healer. He will never forgive either Voldemort or Dumbledore for putting him in the middle of the blood war but he had to find some way of moving on from that. If taking a position with the ICW was the way to move on, then he was going to be the best bloody Hit Wizard that he can be.

His mouth curls up in a wry smile as Draco lifts his hand up and kisses it. "It wasn't," he agreed, his voice soft. "She's being tried but if I could...," he exhaled a breath. If you asked him, She was just as evil as Voldemort had been and if anyone deserved a kiss from a Dementor, it would be her. He didn't finish the sentence, figuring Draco could probably connect the dots.

He glanced over at the clock. "It's about two now... I'd say we have a good four hours or so," he agreed and sent him a smile. "You would?"

Looking back on the world they had known, it's painful to think about. To think about the way the adults at Hogwarts had closed their eyes to things. How much Dumbledore had treated Harry as bait and a weapon, but not a child. How even Snape who had truly been on his side, and yet he tormented Harry all along while being there as well. Looking back it was obvious how bad things had been and while they had come out alive and stronger on the other side, they weren't the only ones and many of them had died because of how the adults in their lives had been. They would never do that.

He kept hold of Harry's hand, starting to back for the bedroom. "Come on. I promise, I'll behave myself but if anything happens, I'll be there," he says.

It's a vow he's making about more than here and now, but for them, for a long time.

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