Title: Guns and Roses

Summary: AU. Harry Potter: novelist who witnesses attempted murder by the mob. Draco Malfoy: son of a mobster. What happens when Draco shows up on the morning of Harry's witness protection departure claiming to be his assigned bodyguard? DMHP.

Warning: Overly contemplative Mr. Potter.

Chapter 5: Sky's the Limit

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Flying in regular old public coach was nothing compared to riding in a private plane. At the head of the plane, there was a small pilot's cabin, in which a friendly looking middle aged man with short dirty blonde hair steered the aircraft.

But of course there had to be another person steering the plane, because honestly, Harry would be overly worried if there wasn't one. In fact he'd demand to land this damn plane, and land it now if there wasn't. But alas, the blonde man by the name of Stew was fully clad in a uniform and seemed to know his flying business.

Next, there was the main section, and it literally resembled a miniature house! There was a little sitting area with a plushy couch, wooden tables and fancy looking lamps, with a good sized television built into the wall! A small kitchen complete with fridge, stove, sink, and dinette area rested right next to it.

There was even a queen bed with bedside tables and a lounging chair to follow that. Behind the bedroom was a door that led into a bathroom furnished with a bathtub and shower, marble sinks, lighted mirrors, cabinets full of hygiene products, and a sofa as well.

Who in the world would put a sofa in a bathroom of all things?

Jesus, it was a mobile home with wings! If he owned one of these babies he'd live in it permanently and fly to every corner of the world. Meet new people…see new things…

No attachments…

Just himself, and the entire sky at his hands.

Harry sighed as he gazed outside of one of the plane's many windows. Fluffy white clouds were scattered throughout the baby blue horizon. Harry let himself drift away into the sheer beauty of the sight. Being a novelist, he tended to notice the littlest things for what they were, and what they could amount to; given the chance. He had to admit, he felt calmer than he had for days—weeks even.

After a while, Harry felt the itching in the back of his mind, the kind of sensation where you just knew that you were being watched. He turned his head to find Draco's gaze resting upon him. When Draco realized that Harry had returned his stare, he smiled.

Harry shyly smiled back at him, and looked away again, returning to the view of his uninhibited powder blue ocean on the other side of the glass window.

He wondered what Ron and Hermione were doing at this very moment. Were they worried? Were they scared? Had Mr. Perry gotten in touch with them to let them know why he had just up and left, and why he couldn't contact them—or say good-bye? Or were they not going to be told anything at all—for their own protection of not knowing?

Guilt and sadness began to eat away at his insides as he pictured Hermione's panicked face, Ron's troubled eyes, and Remus sinking back into his dank hole of depression and alcohol. He pictured little cherub faces of the godchildren that he would never know. Would he even be made their godfather now? Why couldn't he have just continued to walk down that sidewalk that night?

Why couldn't he have just left them to their own business? Sure, he put them all in jail, but was it really worth it? He was going to have to live the rest of his life in secrecy from now on, and was locking three criminals up really worth all of this hassle?

Right now, all that he had was his fewest most important possessions, memories, and Draco.

Harry looked up at the lean blonde man. He was gazing off into the distance, as if in deep thought. Harry barely knew him, but he liked his first impression. He was handsome and witty, and knew when to leave you your own space. Harry couldn't say that about a whole lot of people, sadly.

He knew that Draco was going to be the only one whom he could confide in, and he didn't really mind. In fact, he was glad that it was Draco who came with him. He decided to stop sulking and get to know this intriguing man. He was going to be living with him for a long time, it seemed, so now was as good a time as any other.

Harry cleared his throat and in an amiable voice, he asked, "Draco?"

Draco's eyes came back into focus and he righted himself from his slumped position, as if being caught with his hand in the cookie jar. He collected himself as he said, "Yes, Harry?" His lips formed that charming smile of his again.

Was it even legal to have such a smile as his?

"Well, in all the rush of things, Mr. Perry hadn't told me where I was going to be relocated. I was wondering if you could tell me?" Harry asked as he leant forward, his elbows resting on his knees; his hands clasped.

"Did he, now?" Draco frowned, "That man is losing his wit in his older years. No offense meant on his behalf, though; charming man. Anyway," his expression turned light once more, "We're on our way towards California—you now own a nice little flat under your new name of Harry Elmwood in the city of San Francisco."

Harry took a moment to reflect on this newly found information. So…he was going to start his life anew in the heart of San Francisco; not bad. Not bad at all. Harry could understand why the agency would want him to reside in a largely populated area—in a city full of faceless and nameless passerby.

He cracked a smile, "Elmwood, huh?"

"Randomly chosen from a telephone book of course. Don't worry, people won't mistake you as a type of tree, that—I can guarantee. But concerning other matters," Draco continued with an expression of the utmost seriousness, "You are free to live your life how you wish—make friends with whomever you please—I think you get the basic principle. But you cannot make yourself stand out in the limelight. You must remain as an anonymous Californian city slicker."

"Book publication is perfectly acceptable; on agreed terms. Write to your heart's desire, but use a pseudonym; and give your publishing company clear instructions of your wish to remain as an anonymous citizen."

Harry nodded in understanding. "But what about you? What are you supposed to be doing and for how long?" Harry had been dying to ask this question for the good part of an hour. He wanted to know just what he was in for with this newly acquainted blonde man.

Draco laughed softly, "Well, according to all of the messy paperwork, it says that I'm your personal bodyguard, Harry. My job is to make sure that if things actually do get sticky, and we need to relocate you; you'll live to be relocated." At Harry's expression, Draco raised his hand and said, "And I swear on my family's honor that I'll do everything in my ability to protect you, Harry."

"But, off the record, I'm here for you to have someone to confide in. I know that it's not easy holding things inside, and that especially going through something like this, you need someone to talk to. So, I'd rather that you thought of me as your friend and not just your bodyguard. And as for how long…I guess for as long as you need me." He smiled.

Harry weakly returned the gesture, but found himself biting his bottom lip and returning his gaze to the plane's window. But this time he wasn't really seeing the endless sky.

Draco had no idea how his words had affected him.

He hadn't had anyone express their genuine interest in his well being like that since his godfather died. Ron and Hermione had always been close to his heart—and he closer than ever to theirs, but there were just some things that were never said.

Harry decided it best to avoid that area of contemplation for now, and with a deep breath, he asked, "But, doesn't that hinder your life? Your friends? Your family? Surely you can't stay with me for too long."

"Look, Harry, I don't want you worrying about that. I understood the job requirements and applications before I even applied. From now on, and excuse how cheesy this sounds," Draco grinned, "My entire life revolves around you."

Harry didn't exactly know how he felt about that statement. He lightly chuckled, but then, why did his heart begin to beat faster? Was it from anticipation of the new life that awaited him, a fresh beginning?

Or was it something entirely else?

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TBC…