Harry Potter - Series Fan Fiction ❯ A New Beginning ❯ Starting Over ( Chapter 3 )

Title: After the War
Chapter: 3 / 4 + E?
Author: Katrina Carter
Pairings: Draco/Harry, some Lupin/Snape
Warnings: Snogging, Angst, Lemons (Lupin/Snape, Draco/Harry), Bastard/Abusive-Ron, Bitchy-Ginny, Understanding-Hermione, Horny-Snape Ravished by Lupin up against a wall
Rating: Ranges from NC-17
Archived: MuggleNet, Restricted Section
Disclaimer: If I owned them I would be rich, not sitting here typing this… Understand? This is why JK Rowling is famous and I'm not.
Feedback: PLEASE REPLY!!!!!
Beta: LavaKissezx3

<i>AN: This is the first Harry Potter fic I have ever written. Please give me criticism... good or bad... I'm a big girl, I can take it! **Gets the fire place ready for flames, so she can stay warm**

AN 2: If you wish to post this fic on your site. Drop me a line. My contact details are attached to my name on the site.</i>

Starting Over

It took a week to get all the supplies and necessities to start the green house garden, and Harry could not be happier. Remus, Draco and Severus had built the green house while he and Hermione were in town. Seeing the huge structure, Harry had radiated in happiness. As he finished planting the last seed, Harry smiled at the thoughtfulness that Draco had shown. He got Hermione to tell him that Draco wanted to do something to cheer him up when he needed a pick me up. When she had mentioned the garden, Draco had immediately thought of several uses for the garden, and made it useful for everyone in the house. Hermione loved it for the peace and sheer beauty of the place; Draco, Severus and Remus needed it for potions and time to themselves; and Harry just loved to go in and tend to the plants. Having several sections for the plants and herbs, Harry had a place just for flowers that Hermione loved to see, pick and smell. The green house was a sanctuary for all of them, and Harry would not want it any other way. However, their peace was broken a few weeks later when Molly sent a floo call that she would like to visit, and Ron wanted to come as well.

Seeing that Hermione and Harry both looked at each other worriedly, Draco told Molly that they were welcome, but if Ron caused any discomfort to Harry or Hermione while he was here, they would have to force him to leave. Agreeing to the terms, Molly told them that they would be there with in the hour, and Harry retreated to the kitchen. Seeing his discomfort, Draco followed him and hugged him from behind. “Harry is everything alright? If you don't feel up to this visit, you could always ask her to come by another day.” Smiling at Draco's concern, Harry shook his head. He explained that he needed to do this, and Draco simply kissed the top of his head. “If you need me, I'll be in the green house.” Harry stood there stunned for a moment and then smiled softly. Maybe things would work out for the best, even though Ron was coming over. For the rest of the time that he waited, Harry had a small, happy smile on his lips, and he never saw Hermione come and go from the room with a smile of her own.

Molly came through the fireplace first and hugged Harry and Hermione. Smiling warmly to the other occupants of the room, she sat in the chair that Draco gave her. Ron came in just as Molly thanked Draco for the seat, and he nodded to the people of the room with a blank look on his face. Harry still felt some pain that Ron was being such a bastard, but he still tried to have a pleasant afternoon. However, that was shot when Ron spoke for the first time. “You know that Ginny will never forgive you for leading her on. You choose a man over her; she wasn't happy with that at all.” The smile on Harry's lips died and he leveled Ron with a look of distaste. “I told her that we were through. I also told her that there would be a very small chance that we would get back together. She decided to lead herself on and because she could not let go of a childish crush, she hurt herself. I had told her it was over, and both you and `Mione heard what I said to her word for word.” Ron snorted and shook his head. Letting a cruel smirk grace his lips, he looked at Draco, “So, are you dating Harry yet? He said he fancied you, so do you enjoy that your Malfoy name got you something else as well?” The slap that sounded in the room silenced every retort that could have come to Draco's lips and the anger in Molly's eyes would scare even Voldemort.

“Ronald Weasley! How dare you say such a thing when you were invited despite your feud with Draco, your rejection of Harry, and your abuse towards Hermione! I am ashamed of your actions, and your father will hear of this when we get home!” Ron's face paled somewhat, but he kept his composure. Crossing his arms, he sat back, but did not have time to get comfortable, since Remus grabbed his collar. “Get out of this house, and if you ever want to come back, it better be to grovel at Harry and Draco's feet for forgiveness. If not, then I'll lock you in a room with me, when I transform on the full moon.” Ron glared at the wolf and left, not before stating, “I wouldn't come back if you dragged me here half dead.” Harry excused himself and left the room, not seeing the worry on every face in the room. Getting up, Draco followed him and found Harry in his green house. “Harry, do you want to talk about it?” A bitter and hollow laugh reached his ears, and he quickly followed the sound. Seeing Harry sitting by the flowers he had planted for Hermione, Draco squatted in front of the distraught young man, and waited.

His patience was rewarded when Harry began to speak in a small voice. “Am I that bad of a person? Why does he want to hurt me so badly?” Dulled emerald green eyes looked at Draco, and the only thing that came to mind was to hold Harry. Rocking him in comfort he replied, “He's jealous that you can get so much when he's tried so hard to get what he has only to have it taken away from him. He wanted you to believe that he was your best friend, and his sister was the best person for you. However, when you came back saying you were gay, he only wanted you to stay in the circle of Gryffindors that were also gay. When you said that you wanted to be with a Slytherin, one that he never liked in the first place, his plotting was shot to shit because you didn't do what he had planned for you.” Harry stilled in Draco's arms and looked up with a passive face. “I was a pawn to him? One that he could bend and twist to his will?” Draco nodded sadly, but spoke before Harry could let his anger surface. “But I would never treat you like a pawn. If you still want to, I'd like to court you.”

It took several moments before Harry calmed down enough to realize what Draco was saying. Looking up at the blond-haired person that he had come to love since his time with Snape, he smiled and nodded his agreement. “I'd really like that. I have never had anyone want to be with me just to be with me. They all want Harry bloody Potter, the Saviour of the Wizarding World.” Giving a weak smile to Draco, Harry had to wonder how long Draco actually saw behind the “Boy-Who-Lived” and saw Harry Potter, an ordinary boy. Draco looked at Harry and felt a flash of anger that people were so callous about the boy in front of him. Harry was one of the most selfless people he knew and always tried to cheer someone up. He knew that Harry had a terrible childhood and was amazed that such a caring person could come from a household of that much abuse.

Standing up, Draco held out his hand for Harry to take and lead him back to the house. Remus and Severus were talking with Molly and Hermione about how to deal with Ron and Ginny, and how to keep them from hurting Harry more than he already was. Molly suggested that Harry have a respected journalist come in for an interview so that all the facts can be given out at once, and this way it looks like Ginny and Ron being selfish and cruel, and to protect Harry from other types of verbal abuse. With the four in agreement, Remus went to find Harry and ask him, considering it would protect him later from more lashings that he did not need. He knew a secluded place where the interview would take place, so that they did not know where Harry was really living. Finding Harry and Draco entering the house he explained the situation and Harry agreed, only after Draco explained how bad it could get if Ginny and Ron got to the people first.

Within three days, the best reporter from the Daily Prophet had come to Remus' old home and was interviewing Harry about his life and battles against Voldemort. Jeffery De Montang let Harry tell his tale, and asked a few questions if some places were too vague for the section that would be posted in the next edition of the Daily Prophet. Harry spoke in a detached tone, trying not to let the memories engulf him. However, the memories of the Last Battle and the betrayal of Ron and Ginny Weasley caused Harry to loose some of his composure. As Jeffery left with the best story he would ever write, he looked at Harry for the first time with new eyes. “Mr. Potter, I must say that you're story is one that I have never had the honour of hearing, and I can only pray that I do you justice. Trust me when I say that almost nothing in this paper will be changed, the only things that might be is some of the more “delicate” words that aren't suitable for most audiences. But you're tale will be written to the letter for everything else, you have my Oath as a Wizard.” Harry smiled and thanked the man, apparating home and wearily making his way to his room. Hermione spotted him and dragged him, reluctantly, to the kitchen where everyone was waiting.

“How did it go Harry?” Severus asked after a moment of silence, and Draco getting Harry some pumpkin juice. Shrugging, he looked at the collective faces. “He swore that nothing that I said would be changed except for the swearing and some rearranging of words. He promised that my story would not be altered and that I would be pleased with the results. I suggest you read it, it might help you understand some things in my past more if you do.” With that, he finished his glass and walked out to the garden. Draco bit his lip and looked at Hermione. “Did you know almost everything about Harry?” Shaking her head, Hermione looked at the people seated around the table. “Harry's going to be emotionally fragile for a few days, so we need to be careful about what we say at times. If he starts to close off get him to speak, it will be beneficial to him and it will help you understand truly what is wrong. I'm going to go check on him, Draco make him dinner tonight, and have a romantic dinner for two.” Winking she left to help her friend with the reopening of old wounds.

Hermione found Harry in the garden, tending to the various herbs and flowers. Seeing the sad look on his face, she knew he was worried that something would go wrong and his article would be published quite differently. Gathering her own courage, she made her way towards her best friend. “Harry, are you sure you're ok? I would understand if you were not. That is a lot of dark memories that you had to dig up, and I know that the person writing the article will keep his word. If he doesn't he can be thrown in Azkaban for his deceit.” Harry looked at her from over his shoulder and motioned her closer. Waving a stool for her to sit on, Harry turned to look at his best friend. “Why does Draco want to be with me? I know he will not after what he reads tomorrow. I know I'm a freak, and now the whole wizarding world will know it too.” He gave a bitter laugh and looked at Hermione with defeated eyes. “He'll hate me tomorrow, I know he will.” Hermione shook her head and held Harry. “He won't hate you Harry, he loves you too much to let you past change things. I believe that your tale will show and enlighten him to how dreadful and serious your life has always been. He'll help you from now on Harry, trust me please.”

Harry looked at Hermione with lost green eyes and she thought that she was going to cry. “I trust Draco, Hermione. I do not trust the fickle world. They'll believe anything and if Ron and Ginny do try to say them, I'm sure that the people would believe them just as quickly.” Before Hermione could comfort Harry, a snort was heard from the doorway. “This is not the Harry Potter I know, and even then, he would never allow anyone to make him feel like this. Voldemort could not dampen your spirits, why should the two youngest Weasley's? Because they were the first family that loved you? There are other people that can take their places, considering they abandoned you; you have every right to forget them.” Severus stepped out of the shadows and squatted before Harry. “Weasley and his sister made their own choices Harry. Yes, those choices hurt you, but do not let them rule you. Do not let them kill your spirit and love for everyone that you meet. They will see that they were wrong one day and that will be all that matters.” Harry looked at Severus and Hermione, both were giving him a semblance of reassurance and he was grateful for it. “Thank you Severus, Hermione; you don't know how much your words mean to me.” With that, he hugged his best friend and his mentor before leaving the greenhouse with a stronger stride and with more confidence than when he left the main hall.