Title: In Bitter Hands
Author: Ashley (Nov.02)
Rating: PG-13
Pairing: Ron/Draco
Feedback: I'd love me some of it!
Summary: Justice has finally been carried out. However, it can't always be served.
Spoilers: None...I guess…
Warning: rape, angst, and character death.
Distribution: Ask and you shall receive!
Disclaimer: I don't own anything Harry Potter or HP related. pout
A/N: CHRISTMAS!
Thanks: To zysciru! Thanks for the holiday beta work!
In Bitter Hands
1
Draco awoke with an ever annoying and persistent ache throughout his body. He soon realized his surrounding. He wasn't in his lavish rooms. He certainly wasn't sinking into his posh bed, surrounded by his warm blankets. In fact he was sitting upright. Of course. That explained why he felt the way he did. But why-?
The blonde's eyes focused on the sleeping form across from him. The too-tall figure was curled on his side, a comforter wrapped around him tightly, and his face was slackened with peaceful rest. He was in the Weasleys' living room. All night.
"Damn," Draco whispered as his warm hand massaged his neck. What would his father and mother say once they realized that he wasn't seated in his normal seating area at breakfast? He could have easily lied and said he was at Goyle's or Crabbe's, Parkinson's, or whomever's but he had spent most of his time with those people. And in meaning 'those people', he was with Ron. It was getting quite suspicious – he always being off, spending nights or whole days with the same people. He'd get an earful.
Ron shifted on the sofa. He woke slightly, turning over with his back to Draco. He promptly fell back asleep. This sight broke Draco's heart, though he'd never say so. Ron deserved a bed to sleep in…a room of his own. His previous one was taken by force. His older brother had made sure of that. Perhaps he could find some ingenious magical bedding mechanism that was compact so Ron's nights would be spent in some form of comfort.
Draco was sure it was quite early. The sunlight was quite pale, very weak. The room was chilled and no one was awake. Tugging off the blanket Ginny gave him last night, Malfoy maneuvered over to the small window near the crooked staircase.
Dewy. Fresh, green, and dewy. He crossed the small living room and entered the kitchen. He had the silly notion to cook something but that was impossible. For one, it would show that he had a general concern for the nourishment of the Weasley clan, though misconstrued. He never did anything halfway. So, why not this? He would, in the process of ensuring that Ron eat something, he would cook way too much, thus feeding everyone else whom was there. Draco couldn't do that. He was a Malfoy. He didn't like the prospect of teasing or the expectation of more mornings like that. When you expect nothing, one doesn't get let down. Then there was two: he didn't know how to cook.
He unlocked the top portion of the Dutch door and swung the window open. A gentle and brisk breeze fluttered in. "What vigor." He commented. This was not directed to the picturesque scene of the morning or the airflow but at the regal eagle owl soaring towards him. The owl fluttered towards the small ledge, perching itself securely before sticking out its leg.
Draco apprehensively took the scroll and gently stroked the owl's beak. He took a deep breath and unrolled it.
Nothing less than what was expected. His mother was upset at his lack of returning from his day trip with Crabbe. After checking with all possible contacts, his mother became worried (which shocked him more than anything else did) and upon checking his suite, was thoroughly anxious. He scribbled down some excuse about meeting up with some old day-care companion and getting carried away. Once through, he wrapped his reply on the owl's awaiting leg and watched it fly off.
This was not a good day.
He went back over to Ron. He took the blanket that was now on the floor, wrapped himself in it, and sat down on the floor. Draco smiled as he placed his hand on Ron's back. He couldn't let others know how genuine this was for him. He rubbed the sleeping young man's back absently as he just sat.
"Hmm." Ron moaned as he pressed a little closer. "Go on."
Draco scoffed. "Morning."
"You're still here." Yawned Weasley, rolling over onto his back.
"Not for much longer. My father has just written and wanted to know where the heck I was."
Ron awoke fully. "You didn't give him some place or activity you would be at?"
"No."
"Oh no. You'll probably get into trouble. What a waste. Didn't even get anything out of last night."
"No."
"Oh well. Go wank off somewhere and leave." He grinned.
"Nice. Really."
"For someone who must have been up for some time, you truly are speaking in short syllabic words."
"Yes." Draco laughed. "Go back to sleep."
"Wake me before you leave? If you're leaving soon."
"Will do. Now sleep."
"'Kay," Ron pulled the blanket tighter to him as he drifted back to sleep.
Draco just shook his head as he turned around, back to the edge of the sofa. He didn't know for how long but time elapsed and someone creaked down the stairs.
"Come, Malfoy. We need to talk." It was Arthur Weasley, shuffling over to the kitchen.
Silently, Draco followed him to the table, either sitting across from the other.
In a whisper Draco spoke first. "He's asleep. What do we need to talk about?"
"What are your intentions with my son?"
Draco leaned forward, elbows on the table, fingers steepled. "You mean sexually?"
"Of course…and other things."
"Well, I'm not planning to destroy him, your older son managed to do that. Even if I wanted to, don't you think I would have done it sooner? Now back to what was at hand. Sex. Have we had it? No. Did we last night? No. Have we ever? No. Will we? I hope so. There's no need to lie. I've been with your son for about six months. I don't plan on leaving now."
"That's good to hear. He really trusts you. Why? No one knows." Arthur stated.
"Do you mean back in the very beginning?"
Mr. Weasley hitched his eyebrow. "What else?"
"He told me that he trusted me because I had never and will never treat him any differently. What happened to him is unbelievable and I hope I will one day get my hands around Percy's neck. I will not treat him like some fragile glass figurine. He is, was and will forever be that same Weasley who fought with me. He is still strong and a genius at chess. In the beginning of all this, I never treated him special. I watched him to make sure all was fine but other than that? Nothing. He was still that boy who I disliked."
"Then how did you two end up dating?"
Draco sighed. He didn't want to get into everything here and now. He had to get home soon. "The long and short of it is simple. There were only two people in that Infirmary. We were forced to talk, converse and whatnot. An attraction sprung from some bond we had formed. I care about him, though I know it doesn't seem like it."
"I see it. I was just worried about last night. He is working through so much right now. We all are. I wanted to make sure that all those around him were there for the right reasons." Mr. Weasley stood up and began to make some tea.
"Understandable. How did you react to hearing that Ron was gay? If I may ask?"
"Of course you may. You are his…partner right now. I don't know what you want to call it." Arthur turned 'round once he heated up his water. Upon seeing Arthur's, Draco remembered that his wand was in this robe pocket. Mr. Weasley smiled at Draco. "Boyfriend, perhaps?"
"That's what we say. Nothing of great pomp."
"Hope that didn't sound too rude."
"No."
"Good. Didn't want to offend my son's new boyfriend."
Involuntarily, Draco grinned minutely. "Back to the question."
"Oh yes. We were all stunned. The whole family except Ginny was shocked. She said she knew that something was different with Ron. Female intuition or something she said. Us boys all thought he fancied Hermione."
Draco instantly snarled at the thought of Ron and Hermione together.
Arthur chuckled. "Malfoys must really be possessive. Anyhow," he poured the water into his mug and let the tealeaves bloom, "want some?"
"No thanks."
"We were all thrown for a loop. I will admit I was disappointed. A parent has hopes and dreams for their children. A father always imagines the perfect wife for each son and the grandchildren. But that was torn from us. There would be no picturesque wedding or house or family. Being gay is a bit different, even for us in our world. Not bad but not what was expected."
"Then you get the shock of your life. Your gay son is dating your natural born enemy's son."
"Exactly. And then the molestation. It was too much in such a short amount of time. But we all accept him for who he is and what happened."
Draco rolled his eyes. He thought things were going pretty well. Until now. He never mentioned a thing about him. "You haven't accepted me yet."
"Frankly, no. No one has. And you know why. Your father and yourself have tormented my family, my son and his friends. You hate us. We certainly hate you."
"Father, definitely. Me, not at all. I didn't know who I was hating, I only knew what I was suppose to hate."
"Understandable. I feel sorry for you. You didn't-"
Draco interrupted. "No disrespect, sir, but I'm happy where I was brought up. My father is definitely not the best out there but he was what I had and he did well. He instilled some things good and bad in me. You'd be surprised to know that he doesn't stand for rape. It's lowly and cowardly." He didn't mean to stand up for his father but he hated with others who knew nothing tried to rationalize his life.
"He forces himself on others in many ways."
"But not sexually. He uses Dark Magic, yes, but he does that because he is too weak to stand up for himself. He does what he's told."
"Like you."
Draco remained quiet. After a while of watching the man across from him sip his tea, Draco spoke up. "Not necessarily."
"Good to hear. You may go."
The graduated Slytherin stood up and ran his fingers through his slept-on hair. He went over to Ron. He pinched his nose shut. A few seconds later, Ron huffed and sat up abruptly.
"Whatcha do that for!"
"I think I'm going to leave."
Ron stretched. He then moved over and yanked Draco down next to him. "Don't. Stay for breakfast at least. Think of it as your last meal."
"Thanks. Your confidence is overwhelming."
They settled into an easy silence.
"Not really. I kind of take back what I said last night. The whole love thing."
"You can't. It was said and I'm not forgetting about it."
"I can make you."
"Try it."
"Malfoy." Ron sighed.
"Surnames? Serious."
"I'm being serious. What I said last night was rash. I just-"
Draco placed three fingers on Ron's lips. "Shut it. You're ruining a good moment."
Ron smiled, leaning against Draco's shoulder.
"You need a bed."
"Then buy me one, moneybags."
"Can't. We'll have to christen it." Draco said, wishing he had bit that one back.
"Charming."
"Sorry."
Nov.02: HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!!!!!!
Draco: Humbug!
Ron: COOKIES! HAPPY CHRISTMAS AND HANAKAH AND KWANZA AND RAMADAN, THOUGH IT'S PASSED, AND EVERYTHING ELSE THAT I DIDN'T MENTION! SOLTICE!
Nov.02: Sorry. Way too many treats for him.
Draco: Yes…indeed.
Nov.02: So here I am with yet another sequel. Let's all hope for a holiday miracle and I may finish this one. I'm on chapter 7 on this one. It won't be long so I'm making good progress.
Draco: Blah Blah Blah!
Nov.02: I hate you so! Now, I don't feel so bad about what will probably happen.
Draco: What are you going to do?
Nov.02: looks as Ron
Draco: You wouldn't.
Nov.02: Though I love him more than my new shoes which is a lot, I would!
Draco: evil glare I loathe you.
Nov.02: Just do the pervious stories thank yous.
Draco: Fine you evil wench! Thank you Angel Reid Wait. You love Percy? I take back that thank you.
Anyway…I begin again. Thank you Karla Maria His father would never do such a thing. Never…Percy is just that dispicable.
I truly want to thank Katerater It was certainly not the end. There is a sequel!
Thank you ever so oOWeasleyWizardWheezesOo Nov loves Band Geeks. They're her favorite. Here is a sequel; let's hope she finishes it.
Hey, it's StrangeMi, she's our beta!
Ron: Sugar wearing off…must say something to fans before crashing. Thanks Burnt Reflections I'm sad to see Unknown over and – wait! It's not! YAY! I love Draco and I too!
tHnX nippynoodles - not signed in Yes, a sex scene would have been awesome but it just didn't fit. I was just raped after all…a year later. People heal differently. There will be sex but maybe not a full scene printed here.
Thankies SundelinYou can have my happy energy, though it's leaving me quickly. But don't be sad, there's a sequel to be read!
Thank you mucho I-freddy-luvsDraco I like your manners. They make me feel special!
Draco: Go lay down.
Ron: leaning on couch I will. Night all! Goes upstairs.
Draco: Thanks to topps Um…GREAT!?!
Thank you so much Without permission Glad to see you appreciate the thought and effort put in. I tried to resist myself. It's more believable that way.
Thank you Jackie Malfoy Ah, yes. Alexander was never defeat except by Hephestion's thighs. Gorgeous…anyone would fall to Jared Leto's beauty. The fan fiction out there is great.
Thanks Desiree K Troy That was my favorite scene as well. Very happy to see that you enjoyed it. I hope this sequel will be just as good.
Thanks you ever so Bakura Tricky but once you actually think about it, it all makes sense. Took Nov. a while to figure that out.
Nov.02: You will die!
Draco: Blah! And thanks to XnovemberX You gave her the push to change the title to what she really wanted.
Nov.02: Well, night! Enjoy!
Hugs&Kisses