Dream Connections: Chapter 16

Sweet Dreams

"Harry, the Malfoys communicate through dream connections."

Harry waited for some sort of further explanation, but no one spoke. "What is a dream connection?"

Pansy walked over and perched her self on the edge of Draco's bed. "Remember what we were talking about before Ron and Hermione came in with that book?"

Harry nodded, and waited, but apparently Pansy thought that should have been enough. "What are you lot on about?"

Hermione looked at Pansy and shrugged. "Malfoys can contact each other and people who are close to them through their dreams. These are shared dreams, where a Malfoy and the people he or she is closest to can communicate with each other."

"And you think that Draco and I share these dreams?" Harry asked doubtfully.

"Well," Pansy started, "I believe you do, but I can get proof if you'd like. Draco keeps a dream diary. He doesn't think that I know about it, but… well, I'm a Slytherin, and what good would I be if I didn't snoop around a bit when he's not there? It'd be a waste of knowing his password if I didn't." She looked guilty, but Hermione looked even more so.

"Draco is going to kill both of you if this works." Harry sighed.

"You mean when it works, mate." Ron corrected him and smiled.

Pansy was sent to get the diary, and returned quickly with the use of the invisibility cloak and the Marauder's Map, which she was just itching to get her hands on. Once she'd delivered the diary to Harry, though, she also turned over the precious items despite her curiosity.

Harry hunched over the diary to hide it from the others' eyes, and flipped through the pages. It wasn't until halfway through the diary that Harry saw his name appear in the dreams. Scanning quickly, Harry noted that the date was around the time when he started having his dreams. Each one of the subsequent dreams was increasingly familiar to Harry, though they were from the opposite point of view. Convinced by the same gaps in dreams that he'd had, Harry tucked the diary under his arm and turned to his waiting friends. "I need to go to sleep," he said.

Twenty minutes later, Harry was laying flat on his back on a formerly empty bed in the hospital wing, his eyes clenched shut. "Guys," he said suddenly, "stop."

Harry opened his eyes to see three pairs staring back at him. "I can't get to sleep with you three watching me like that." Ron, Hermione, and Pansy looked at each other, and then backed up a few steps. Harry sat up. "That won't work either. I've got to relax and I can't take a sleeping draught because those normally put you under too far to dream. Why don't you all go to bed and come see if it worked in the morning?"

Hermione nodded and herded the other two out the door. "Good luck, Harry."

Harry sighed. He'd never be able to get to sleep knowing that he really had to. He tried counting sheep to no avail, and even attempted to relive some of Professor Binns' History of Magic classes. He was on the verge of just giving up when he suddenly felt overwhelmingly tired. Slipping into a light slumber, he had a sincere look of victory on his face.

"Harry?"

Harry groaned and clamped his eyes shut. "I can't talk now. I have to go to sleep."

"Why do you have to do that?"

"If I don't go to sleep, I'll lose Draco forever." Harry wondered who could be bothering him and peeked through a slit in his eyelids. Gray eyes looked back at him.

"Losing me wouldn't be the worst thing that ever happened." Draco sighed heavily, pulling away from Harry to lie on his back next to him.

"What are you on about, Draco? Of course it would!" Harry rolled onto his side and looked down at the other boy, who was staring off into space.

The two of them were lying at the top of the Astronomy tower, looking out over the Forbidden Forest. The sky was dark, and the stars were out.

"Harry, nothing I've ever done has amounted to anything. I'm a complete failure. I'm an embarrassment to my family, and a horrible boyfriend." Draco's eyes settled on the constellation for which he was named. "I'm worthless."

"You don't mean that!" Harry exclaimed, grabbing Draco's chin and forcing him to look into his eyes. "You are top of our class, you and Hermione! You're the best potions student that's been here in forever. I've heard Snape say so. Your mother is so very proud of you for standing up to your father and refusing to serve that creep, Voldemort. She is not the slightest bit embarrassed by you. If anything, you should be ashamed of your father! What has he ever accomplished other than driving the Malfoy name into the mud? As for being a horrible boyfriend, I don't ever want to hear you say that! I'm the one who was horrible. I was a complete prick—completely unforgivable, remember?"

Harry knew he sounded desperate, but he didn't care. He was the only one who could convince Draco to come back. He just needed to figure out how to make him see that he was needed and worth something. "Everyone needs you, Draco."

Draco snorted derisively. "Like who?"

"Hermione needs you to challenge her for the top marks in class. Ron needs you to keep him on his toes in chess. Pansy needs you to talk to and care about. But mostly I need you. I need you because apparently without you, I am an unbearable git!" Harry was gesturing wildly, but Draco still looked doubtful.

Harry waited, but Draco made no kind of response other than to shake his head dejectedly. Harry's eyes watered and he clenched them shut, hoping no tears slid out. He swiped at them, clearing the liquid, and looked blankly up into the sky. He couldn't give up. Not now… not when he finally had the opportunity to do something… anything…

There was a long and deafening silence. Then, Harry tried the only thing he could think of.

"Whatever." Harry huffed and rolled over so that he was facing away from Draco.

"What is that supposed to mean?" Draco pulled him onto his back so that he could see his face.

"I give up. You're not worth it. You said so yourself. All you do is whine all the time anyway. Frankly, I'm starting to think things might get better if you don't come back. After all, there are plenty of guys out there who are practically dying to be with me. Some of them have to be better looking, smarter, and sweeter than you. I'm sure everyone will be perfectly happy without having Draco Malfoy to put up with for the rest of their lives." Harry closed his eyes and tried to seem nonchalant. He hoped his plan was working.

Draco spluttered for a moment and then sat straight up. "I will have you know," he said, jabbing Harry in the chest, "that I do not whine. A Malfoy never whines. I voice my opinion loudly, clearly, and often enough, but I would not lower myself to whining. Also, there is not a shot in hell that there is anyone more gorgeous than I am, let alone someone as smart. And as for sweet—Malfoys don't do sweet. We do charming, and occasionally considerate, but very rarely." Draco was yelling very loudly now. "And finally, there is no way that I would ever let anyone off the hook if they thought they could live without me. I'll do what I want, when I want, and however I want—and it just so happens that I want to live, if just to spite you and everyone else!"

Harry smirked and kissed Draco quickly. "Then wake up, Draco, and prove it."

Harry immediately got out of bed, and hovered over Draco. He hoped that his provocation had worked, and that Draco would gain consciousness soon. After ten minutes, Harry sat down. After twenty, he propped his head in his hands. After thirty, he'd just about given up, when saw Draco's eyelids flutter. An alarm sounded automatically, and Madame Pomfrey came rushing from a side room in her night gown.

"Mr. Potter, what are you—oh, never mind!" Madame Pomfrey hurried to Draco's side and began checking his vitals. "He's stable!" She exclaimed, indicating his face. "And look at the color that's returning! Mr. Potter, it's a miracle!" She bustled around the hospital wing, gathering various potions.

Harry crept closer to Draco, leaning over to look into his gray eyes. "I love you, Draco."

"I love you too, Harry." Draco smiled weakly. "Don't you ever say those horrible things about me again."

"I won't." Harry grinned. "So, you know that was all real then?"

"Yeah, my father and I had an unpleasant meeting of the minds soon after he cursed me." Draco frowned, his eyes closing. "I'm dead tired."

Harry laughed harshly. "That's an understatement!"

Draco smiled again, eyes still closed. "You'll let everyone know I'm okay?"

"Of course I will, but I'm not leaving your side." Harry squeezed Draco's hand tightly in his. "—Not now, not ever."

Epilogue

A cool breeze ruffled the trees of the forbidden forest, and Harry Potter shivered with excitement. He turned and gave Ron the brightest smile he could. "I can't believe this day is finally here!"

Ron shrugged, but smiled back. He adjusted his tux, struggling with the bow tie awkwardly. "I can't believe we have to wear these things."

Harry laughed, throwing an arm around his friend's shoulders. "You know how Draco and Hermione are. They want to do everything all proper and everything."

Groaning, Ron tugged at the tie again. "Yeah, yeah… I get all that, but—honestly. We're going to wearing the ceremonial robes over these. No one is even going to see whether we're wearing the tuxes! I say we ditch 'em and go without…"

"Somehow I don't think that will go over too well with them. You can try if you want, but I value my bits and pieces." Harry grinned happily. "I'd wear your robes from fourth year if I had to—that's how important today is. Are you nervous?"

Ron gulped. "Why? Should I be nervous?" He looked left and right, checking for anyone that might be listening.

Harry's grin was plastered in place as he and Ron headed toward the pavilion that Dumbledore had erected for the occasion. "Well, Ron, anyone would be nervous in either of our positions. Best man and groom—next to bride and maid of honor, we're the ones all eyes will be on."

Ron grimaced for a moment before smiling broadly. "Draco would kill you if he heard you calling him that."

"Hey, it is the traditional name of the role… man or woman, I'm calling it the same." Harry shrugged. "Why don't you seem more excited? I've been waiting for this day for years!"

"I don't do weddings. They make me uncomfortable." Ron made a face and pulled Harry into the groom's changing tent.

"Why? Afraid of commitment, Ron?" Harry laughed heartily and slapped the red head on the back.

"No, Harry—I meant physically. I despise dressing up." Ron made a sweeping gesture toward the ceremonial robes that were hanging side by side. "Two layers of hot, itchy clothes… standing out in the hot sun in front of all those people."

"Yeah, we have done this way too often. First for Bill and Fleur, then for Ginny and Neville…" Harry smiled. "I never saw that one coming, but I'm glad it happened for them. Then a few months ago for Pansy and Seamus—how did everyone else get married before us?"

Ron shook his head. "I have no idea. I definitely thought you and Draco would've been the first."

Harry sighed. "I did too, but we had to take care of good old Tom, Lucius, and Zabini first."

"Ahhhh," Ron nodded eagerly. "Revenge before marriage—I know what you mean."

Harry and Ron slipped into a comfortable silence as they slid their robes on over the tuxes. The silence was broken moments later, however, by a flustered looking Sirius.

"You two better hurry up and get out there." Sirius ran a hand through his hair, looking harried. "I don't know which one is worse, the bride or the maid of honor!"

Ron and Harry smiled at each other. "Those are our girls." Harry laughed.

"Draco is so going to murder you." Ron chuckled, leading the way out of the tent.

"Yeah, but it's worth it." Harry ran his hands down his robes, making sure he looked perfect, then did the same for Ron.

Albus Dumbledore smiled grandly at the two young men standing at his left. It wasn't every day that he was chosen to preside over two of his favorite students' wedding. Well, it was quite a bit more often now that a few years earlier, but, the war was definitely over now. With its end came the unlikely nuptials of many of his students. This couple, however, had been inevitable. He had watched these two in particular grow strong together, fight side by side in the war, and finally, stand together in front of the altar.

Dumbledore's eyes misted over as he watched Ginny Weasley, Pansy Parkinson, and Luna Lovegood make their way down the aisle. He wiped them quickly, however, because he wanted to watch the entrance of the bride. As unusual as it was, the bride and maid of honor had made it clear that their entrance would be made together. Draco and Hermione walked slowly toward him, each beautiful in their own way. He doubted that Draco would appreciate such a sentiment, but it wasn't as though no one had every thought it before. At this, he turned to look at Harry and Ron, both with eyes shining brightly and proud smiles on their faces.

It was finally time. The bride and groom stood before Dumbledore, clasping hands, and looking lovingly into each other's eyes. Dumbledore looked past the couple to the families that had been brought together. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, with all the rest of their children and Sirius filled the first row, and some of the second, on the groom's side. Even Percy had come out for a show of support, having finally come around for the final battle. The bride's side seated a tearful Narcissa Malfoy and Mr. and Mrs. Granger. It was a strange combination, but Narcissa had been adamant in her choice of being seated with the muggles.

Dumbledore could hear the words leaving his mouth and washing over the upturned faces, but his heart and mind couldn't help but be distracted by the joy that he was feeling. It was over all too quickly, and he soon found himself pronouncing the words everyone had waited years for. "I now pronounce you Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Weasley!"

Harry sauntered casually over to the gorgeous blond man standing by the punch bowl. "I thought I'd never get you alone."

Draco smirked as he turned to meet Harry's eyes. "I was beginning to wonder how long I had to hover by the food before I got your attention." He placed his glass down on the table and reached a hand out to his love. "May I have this dance?"

Harry grinned. "I thought you'd never ask."

Draco led Harry to the dance floor, spun him once, and pulled him against his chest.

"Is this a bit strange to you?" Harry asked Draco suddenly.

Draco pulled away slightly to look directly in Harry's eyes. "What?"

"The best man should be the one to ask the maid of honor to dance, not the other way around." Harry chuckled, ducking away when Draco swung at him.

Draco pulled Harry back to his chest and kissed him softly. "That'smatron of honor to you, Potter. Get it right."

Harry grinned. "No problem there, as long as you get it right. It's Potter-Malfoy, and has been for an entire month now."

Draco smiled warmly and leaned in to kiss Harry more deeply. "I'll never forget. I love you, Mr. Potter-Malfoy."

"I love you too, Mr. Malfoy-Potter."

Author's NoteOkay, I know the end is a little cheesy and sappy, but I am a sapmonger. I love it and I know other people will too. Let me know how you like it! As always, thanks to my baby, my little sister, and my beta reader, Azu Luna, respectively. Peace!!!!!!!!