Work Text:
Present(QUINN’s)
Harry chuckled softly as he stared at the red-headed reporter in front of him. Her eyes were burning with passion to hear his story but her hands were clenched tightly due to nervousness. Those letters were crumbled within those clenched hands. She was afraid that he would refuse. She wanted to know, to hear the reason why he had to let him go.
“Sit down, love” he softly invited her to the armchair in front of him as he made himself comfortable on his own vintaged green, leather armchair that reminded him of a certain someone, which, of course, is one of the reasons why he bought the armchair in the first place. The armchair was too flashy, too unsuitable for him but when he was reminded of that certain someone, he couldn’t help but bring it home with him. He takes a sip of his cup of coffee as he stares at those letters, memories flashing before his eyes. His silence filled the room for a moment. The red-headed reporter held her breath as she waited for the silence to pass. About a minute or two, she heard a quiet sight along with a question for her, “Before I tell you my story, can you please tell me how those letters ended up in your hands?”
Six Months Earlier
Quinn stared at the smooth white surface in front of her, the only thing that was separating her, and her demon of a supervisor, Greta Moneshik. She has been woken up by a phone call of Greta screaming into her ears, telling her to come visit the demon’s layer as soon as she possibly can. So, Quinn being Quinn rushes to the scene of her possible death, trying to calm herself down on the road which continued till now. And, she was anything but calm.
“ In. Out. In. Out. Quinn, she can’t do anything to you. Murder is illegal, and to the demoness, her career is everything. So, she won’t kill you. She might injure your ear but she definitely will not kill you.”
She paced back and forth, mumbling the same thoughts for about ten minutes. She placed her hands on the door handle, closed her eyes, and rushed into the office. She started frantically, “Miss Greta, I apologize if I missed anything from Mr Thomas Grant’s archive. I will go down, and sort all of it out-”
“Darling, calm down.” This was a surprise to Quinn because she was expecting a harsh reprimand for missing or messing up Thomas Grant’s archive when she sorted out the recently donated archive. Also, this was the first time Greta Moneshik called her darling. Usually, it would be “You this” or “Hey redhead, do that.” Quinn’s head shot up at the smell of compliments that would be coming her way, and she saw Miss Greta Moneshik smiling at her.
Greta Moneshik was smiling at her.
What a weird way to start a day. “Oh love,— ” Well, not that weird anymore. That woman was an absolute goddess when she smiled too. “— You’ve done a wonderful job sorting out his archive because I, no, we got something that we can fish out, and it’s nothing small.” Greta said as she waved two letters in her hand left, and right. “Here,” Greta passed a letter to Quinn as she raised her eyebrows, signaling Quinn to read the letter. Quinn, with a big doubt sitting on her shoulders, opened the letter.
Hey scarface,
It’s been quite a while and I bet on another quidditch date that you’re missing me real hard right now. I know you are probably slough on that stupid, old armchair of yours in the common room, wallowing in misery because I am not there with you. I can feel how much you miss me from here. I’d advised you not to frown too much too because that will certainly give you wrinkles. I wish I was kidding. I do not want to come back to Hogwarts and kiss that stupid, wrinkled face of yours. Oh, Scarface, stop frowning, and no, I’m not saying the fact that I, well you know. You do have to say it tho. I get the free pass, you don’t.
Anyway, try to not miss me that much. Make sure to eat, and most importantly, remember that I, Ladon, will always and forever be yours.
Sincerely,
Ladon.
“What do you think, redhead?” Greta asked slight amusement can be traced in her voice. Quinn looked at Greta, a slight frown on her face. “I think you should let me read the second letter.” A slight smirk pulled up on Greta’s face, “Well, I would but you need to give me an opinion on the first. Then, I’ll decide whether you are worthy to read the second letter.”
Quinn's frown got deeper as she stared at Greta. Her brain was telling her there was something off about this letter, something incomplete. She felt that something was interesting going on, a mystery that was screaming, calling out for her to solve. “You smell big news, I smell a big mystery. Something of a forbidden love affair” Quinn started. Greta laughed, “You get all that just from a letter, Quinn dear?”
Quinn glared at Greta as she continued, “Although, this letter seems like a cheerful letter. Normal, even. There is something that is not quite right. Especially, the last part. Looking at how they are unwilling to say the fact they miss their scarface, how are they just able to drop a big bomb and go, “Hey, just so you know, I’m yours forever.” They don’t seem like a lover bomber either. Plus, something about this letter feels like a goodbye, but I wouldn’t assume that this is a goodbye letter. This is more like.. um.. something negatively big happened in my life, and I don’t want to talk about it but I miss you so I’ll send you are short letter that is all about you, and then drop a tiny bomb at the end because I feel quite hopeless. So, Mrs Greta, I would like to read the second letter in your hand so that I can further confirm my conclusion.”
Greta stared at Quinn in silence. It has been quite a while since she was left this speechless. After a moment, Greta coughed to ease the silence. “You are… very…um,” But Greta was still at a loss for words. To let the awkwardness ease, Greta handed Quinn the second letter. As soon as the letter fell into her hands, Quinn greedily opened it. Her brain was also yelling at her to open it faster. Quinn doesn’t know where the thirst to know more about these letters came from but what she does know, is that she and Greta have just uncovered something that should have never seen the light. But, for some reason, Quinn felt that this story was something comparable to a diamond in the rough.
And a story that deserves a happier ending than how it originally ended.
`````<3`````
Dear Scarface,
I miss you. I miss you terribly. I miss your green eyes, and how they would sparkle whenever they land upon me. I cannot say how much I miss you lying on my lap as I played with your hair while reading those addictive romance novels that you would always bring for me. I can’t help but want to hear you laugh or talk about those silly shows you watched on your muggle moving machine.
Remember that one time when we went on a picnic date at our spot in the forbidden forest, and it suddenly started pouring? I was very grumpy because of how it ruined our date but you pulled me into the rain, and played that song while making me slow dance with you? I think that was one of my favorite moments with you, though, I’m afraid my toes would never recover from how much you stepped on them, I still love how the rain fall onto us, how the song makes me feel like Im falling in love with you all over again, and I just love love your green.. green eyes that shine with adoration, and love for scum like me. I think I fell in love with you all over again at that moment. You made me feel safe. Despite the cold raindrops hitting us all over, I felt warm in your embrace. Oh darling, how much I wish I could go back to that moment, dancing in the rain, and falling in love with you all over again. Just us two… no him, no responsibilities that we are obliged to.
Just us two, and falling in love.
If only I have the courage to run away with you then with no hesitation, I would but I’m too afraid of the consequences. For me, my family, and for you, the world. I know that once you win this war, then, we are all safe and sound but darling, I’m branded. Whenever, and wherever, people will know what I am. Which side I chose, and what I did. My family’s name and mine will be dirt while yours will be glorious. I could not dirty you with this brand, I dare not and most of all I don’t want to. So, my love, maybe in another universe, I wouldn’t be saying this but even if I’m always and forever yours in every reality possible, even in this, let’s end our relationship.
I will eternally love you, Harry. I will always love you, my darling… my scarface and…
… In another life, I would have liked doing laundry and taxes with you.
Yours eternally,
Ladon.
Quinn let out a loud gasp. Her eyes widened from shock, and one of her hands went over to cover her slowly gaping mouth. She looked at Greta, questioning her if this was what she thought it was. Greta nodded in response. Quinn fell onto the nearest table, still not able to overcome to shock. “This is real?” She asked Greta again.
“Green eyes,”
“Responsibility to the world,”
“The Harry..”
Quinn shot up from the couch, walked straight to Greta, and got a hold of Greta’s arms. “This is about Harry Potter, isn’t it?” She asked to confirm. Greta freed herself from Quinn’s strong hold and nodded as she spoke, “Yes, redhead. It is about Harry Potter, and that man has a secret relationship with a death eater. Did you notice how big of a new it is for us if we can find out the whole story, and who that death eater was?”
Quinn nodded because she did know what Greta was saying but her brain was overloaded with very new and very shocking information. She was in her fifth year during The Battle of Hogwarts, and she saw what the war did to people who came out of it. Loss, grief, anger, and mostly, the harsh hatred towards death eaters. Draco Malfoy was the one who got the worst hate of all. Nobody cared that he was also like them, trying to protect what was important to him. Nobody cared that he was also traumatized, and scared deeply by the war as much as the light side was. Quinn, who was a friend of Draco Malfoy, also knows that nobody gave a single fuck that he was also a boy with the wrong guidance, and influence, just afraid.
All they cared about was that Draco Malfoy was once a death eater. The people, the tabloids only cared about who he was not why he became that who. Quinn was the first to care, and the first to interview him regarding that, and she did successfully trigger a bunch of light supremacists. She celebrated that success with a cup of whiskey.
Anyway, as Greta said, this was big news. No, this was more than a piece of big news, this was a piece of genocidal news. After processing the information, Quinn started laughing. “Oh my god!,” she gasped, “this is going to be a genocide on everyone, Miss Moneshik. We are going to be ahead of everyone, even the bloody daily prophet.” A very pleasant smile once again appeared on Greta’s face when she thought about how much money they were going to make from this. “So, redhead, what do you say? You investigate this while I hunt for the possible “Ladon” in the death eaters?” Quinn nodded in response.
PRESENT (QUINN’s)
“I see..” Harry let out a tiny laugh as he said that. “So you have collected all the letters that you possibly can now?” Quinn nodded, “Well, you see, I have all the letters but it feels incomplete. The puzzle is not coming together because the two pieces are… it feels like the two pieces are far away, in the wrong position. So, Mr. Potter, this is why, I’m sincerely asking you for the complete story.”
Harry laughs, “Then, do you know who Ladon is?”
Quinn nodded, “Draco Malfoy.”
“Then, you see, for me, Draco, he was everything. Where do I begin, he is smart, humorous, gorgeous, and has a kind heart hidden deep within all those protective walls. He was just everything. My everything, and it is funny how out of character we started, and how tragic we ended. I questioned if the life I have right now is real sometimes but the teenage me, the hotblooded one and the me that was so in love with him would question the fact that I am in a reality where I’m not lying on his lap as he plays with my hair while telling me how much of a mess my hair is or us dancing in the rain, falling in love with him all over again.” Harry sighed and took a sip of coffee. A light sadness washed over his face when he heard a light rain started pouring outside his house. His head turned, and a small smile appeared on his lips, and what he was thinking became obvious to both of them.
“Ever since I started loving him, I always imagined my life with him but now, I’m living a life without him.”
`````<3`````
THREE MONTHS AGO
“GRENT!” Quinn screamed as she ran into the room. Greta looked up from her desk, annoyed. “What? I am trying to figure out who Ladon is. I don’t have time for your nonsense.” Quinn glared at Greta for a second before pulling out three letters from her bag. “I guess you don’t want to know what these letters are about then..” Greta rushed towards Quinn as fast as she could, grabbing the three letters out of Quinn’s hands. “Have you read them yet, redhead?” Quinn shook her head, and rubbed the back of her head shyly, “I wanted to read it with you.”
Greta chuckled at her cuteness while opening the first letter she asked, “Oh? I see. Well, looks like the first letter is unsealed. Shall we, Miss Petalcock?” “Not quite yet, Miss Moneshik,” Quinn grinned and moved beside Greta, ready to get herself immersed in this new part of the forbidden love story. “Now, I’m ready,” she winked at Greta before looking over to the letter.
Dear Ladon,
Love, it’s been quite a while. I miss holding you in my arms but what I miss the most is seeing you sleep comfortably on my chest and while you claim you do not drool over my chest when you sleep, I can certainly confirm that you do as I have seen in person, and have great fun watching it. You were just adorable, what can I say? Anyway, my darling, do you want to meet at the Astronomy Tower tomorrow, and have a star-watching session? You teach me about the moon, the stars, and the myths while I hug you from behind, and you know. Just appreciate you.
Also, this might be cheesy but um, darling, will you be my Valentine? I know. I know that you don’t do “kinds of stuff” like that but I really, really want to spend Valentine's with you, and shower my favorite snob with as many luxuries and love him to death. So, baby, please? Please, be my valentine.
Also, um, my darling, I miss you. It’s been a week since I met you but I miss you, your light touches, the way you mess my hair, or the way you laugh. Anyway, I miss everything about you. I know you won’t say the I M-word you but I can feel how much you miss me from miles away. Anyway, I love you so much, my dragon.
Yours,
Scarface.
“ Oh my god! Is the great Harry Potter cheesy when in front of the man he loves or what?? Reading this the second time gives me such… goosebumps. I wonder how Landon survived this.” Quinn said as she scrunched up her nose, cringing from the amount of simples thrown at them. “Anyway, I maybe read this letter before you… so I saw the Astronomy Tower here, and I visited it. After two months, I got the other two letters.” Quinn proudly shows off her achievement like a peacock.
Grent face was also scrunched up, not because she was disgusted by the cheesiness but because this letter made her feel like if she wanted to figure out who Ladon was then she should be looking at stars and myths. And those decoding books will not give the answer she seeks. This might’ve been a lot easier than she originally imagined.
“Quinn, I think I figured out how we can know who Ladon is but I’ve to go through a lot of myths, and stars. So, will you help me with it?” Quinn looked at Grent, her eyes twinkling. It doesn’t take her more than a minute to agree to Grent’s request. “Thanks, Quinn.” This was also the first time Grent thanked her instead of petting her head. However, Quinn felt that she preferred the petting on the head more than the thanks.
“So Grent, do you want to continue reading, or do you wanna know who Ladon is?” The question may seem as if it means nothing but to Grent, this was a hard choice. Finding out who Ladon meant she could enjoy the letters knowing who was writing them but she also had to put off the letter for quite a while before she could read them. So, Greta made the best possible choice she could think of. Finding out who Ladon is.
A MONTH LATER
Greta, and occasionally, Quinn comb through the books, trying to find a connection between Ladon, and the stars. It wasn't until a month later, in June that they found out who Ladon was. “YES!” Grent stood up from her swivel chair. After a month of deep diving into the world of myths, and stars, she finally found it. Hera, Ladon, Dragon, and Draco.
Draco Lucius Malfoy.
“Quinn! Come to my office, NOW!” Grent screamed through the phone, excitement rushing through her. Quinn rushed to Grent’s office. “You found out who it is?” Quinn asked.
“Yes, and Quinn, we should’ve just focused the circle on the people or families that have names connected to the stars because it’s quite easy once you figure it out. Although I won’t deny, this one was a little trickier as it has several connections,” Quinn slowly walked beside Grent, attentively listening to her talk. “Ok so Quinn, the simplest way to explain this would be, that Landon comes from Greek mythology. The goddess Hera received a golden apple tree as a present from Zeus. To protect the tree from being picked by Hesperides, Landon the dragon was placed there but the dragon was killed by Hercules. Hera, saddened by the dragon’s death, placed it along the constellation.”
“So..” Quinn turned her head, and looked at Grent, confused. Grent gave her a playful smirk. “Who do you think has a constellation name that is associated with dragon, and that dragon being Ladon from Greek myths?”
Quinn looked at Grent, dead in the eyes. “ I don’t know..” Grent lightly laughs, her whole being excluding the aura of how pleased she is with herself for figuring out who Ladon is. “Ok so,” Grent started, “Which family names themselves after the stars or constellation?”
“Black Family!” Quinn answered quickly because this was a famous fact. “Then, which blondes are part of the black family?” Grent asked. Quinn was once again sent into turmoil as she was pretty sure that most of the Black Family had black hair. Then, Quinn’s eyes widened in realization so with a wide smile, she answered, “Draco and Narcissa Malfoy!!!” Grent petted Quinn on the head before she continued asking, “So, between them, who’s name after a constellation?”
“Draco Malfoy!!” Then it hits Quinn.
“It’s Draco Malfoy? THE Draco Malfoy who sneaked death eaters via vanishing cabins? The one who was hated by the whole world even after our pity interview? The one who can’t go out of the house without getting ganged up by the light supremacists??”
Oh my god.
Oh my fucking god.
“Grent, this is real? Harry Potter, the most loved and adored savor has an explicit, secret love affair with the most hated man in the wizarding world. What the actual fuck. No wonder Draco chose to break up with Harry, no wonder. If they were to come out as lovers..” Quinn could only imagine how brutal the public opinions would be. They would’ve spread both Draco and Harry into pieces. Harry Potter’s name would be dragged through the mud with Draco Malfoy and Draco Malfoy would be charged with two crimes, one by the ministry for being part of the death eaters and another by the public for stealing their “golden boy” away.
“Oh boy, this is more than just a piece of genocidal news. Grent, if we ever released these, I’m afraid no agencies would be able to catch up with us ever again.”
“Exactly, darling.”
Grent walked towards her wall safe and took out the two remaining letters from there.
“Now, we are ready to read these two. Pour some wind if you want to, darling. This is going to be fun.”
`````<3`````
Dear Scarface,
I know that you were hurt by the fact that I refused to run away with you, but my darling, if I ran away with you then, what would become of my family? You and me, we can have our paradise but how about the people who are depending on you to survive the upcoming tragedy? How about Granger and Weasley who were willing to risk their life for you? Their whole life, with you, training for this time. Harry, my love, you have the whole world, and their expectations that burdened you, and just like you, I also have my whole world that relies on me. My family. If I were ever to run off with you, he would kill my parents after working them to the bones to search for me. I know my father, he will do anything for that monster but my mother? She will be heartbroken. I know for a fact that Mother would aid me to elope with you as she values me more than anything else in the world but that would only bring her to death’s door.
You know darling, this might be bittersweet but yesterday, I had a dream. In that dream, we were living in a small, cozy cottage somewhere in France. Both of us were in our forties but you still have those bright green eyes that love me, and we have a little kid who has your messy curls and my gray eyes. She would run around our living room, her toys scattered there. You were chasing after her while I was laughing at you two dorks playing around as I tried to clean the messy living room up. It was impossible but I loved every second of that dream. When I woke up, I started wishing it was my, and yours reality instead of the cold, dark bedroom I am in. I think, in that dream, we did have a successful attempt of eloping together, and someone, I supposed Neville, has defeated the Dark Lord.
Darling, remember our moments at the Astronomy Tower where you would snuggle up close to me, playing with my fingers as I talked about the beautiful night sky? My love, if you ever miss me, look up to the sky.
Because even if we are separated by unfortunate fate, at least we are under the same sky. The stars are always with us, and the Draco constellation will always be with you.
Eternally Yours,
Draco.
P.S. And maybe.. if you might. I’ll wait for you at the Astronomy Tower after the war. Then, will you run away with me to our little paradise in Frace? I love you, Harry James Potter.
“If I had known that there would be a name reveal here, I would not have gone through the antagonizing month of researching all those thousands of myths, and stars,” Greta grumbled as she put the letter down on the table. In response, Quinn gave her a silent stare. “Greta,” she started, “Harry Potter was ready to abandon the world to run away with a death eater, and that death eater has to convince him otherwise.” Greta let out a small grumble as her response.
“Do you think Harry Potter ever saw these two letters that Draco Malfoy had hidden in the Astronomy Tower?” Quinn asked but she felt that this was incomplete, as if something was not quite right yet. She ignored Greta’s questioning look and opened the third letter.
Dear Ladon,
My love, I apologize for being insensitive but when losing you became the consequence of me saving this world, I could not help but not want to do it. My Ladon, you are far more important to me than the world. But as you said so last week, it is my duty to save the world, and it is your duty to protect your family. So, I will save the world but after everything ends, when there is no Voldemort, when there are no burdens that are keeping us separated, will you run away with me?
I supposed we could run away to a cozy cottage in a small village in France. I remember you saying that you can conceive our child as we both have enough magic for two small babies. I think I’d be greatly honored if we had a small little daughter first. One with my “stupid mess of a hair” and your enchanting, cold grey eyes. She and I would run around all over our little place, maybe playing tag and you would sometimes scold us for messing up the place, or you would just look at us with that endearing smile of yours as you followed us around to clean our messes, picking up the toys and everything. I think that would be nice. And when the night came, we would put our daughter to sleep and then return to our living room. We would cuddle, you would play with my hair, and I would play with your fingers as we argued about whatever topic we could argue. Then, we would end our day with a loving kiss.
Draco, my love, I won’t ask for anything. After the war ends, I’ll wait for you at our usual spot in the Forbidden Forest. Please, darling, run away with me to our paradise then.
Eternally Yours,
Harry.
P.S I love you, Draco Lucius Malfoy.
The realization hit Quinn like a whirlwind. The letter in her hand dropped, and she turned and looked at Greta. “They missed each other.” She said. “Grent, they missed each other.”
“You see I found these three letters in different spots. One was hidden in the inner parts of the roof of the Astronomy Tower, and another was smartly placed between the lens and cover of the telescope. I found the bloody first letter between the crack of the titles. The tiles were their usual secret letter spot but both of them switched it up with the second, and third letters, and both stupidly assumed that the other would use the usual spot. That is why they missed each other.”
“How are you so sure that the tiles were their usual spot?”
“Because I fucking went back to see if they were more letters, and when I get there, I saw Harry Bloody Potter was looking around those fucking tiles. God, he wanted to see if there were any new letters hidden there for him. He still loves him, Greta. He never stopped loving him.” Quinn said sadly. She couldn’t help but feel sorry for their missed opportunities. Especially after she read about their fantasy of having a daughter whom they both adore so deeply. She couldn’t help but want to help them get back together.
“They are now in their thirties, and didn’t Draco Malfoy just announce his engagement to another pureblooded wizard named, Astroia Greengrass? Even if the great Harry Potter still loves him, there’s nothing we can do. They missed their opportunities, Quinn. It’s over.”
Quinn knew that, but even if she did, she could not help but feel that this was not how it was supposed to be. Like, fate gives them these letters for a reason, or how would these letters just appear in front of them in Thomas Grant’s archive? How the fuck did Thomas Grant manage to get those two letters in the first place? Quinn believes that this was fate giving Harry, and Draco a second chance, and that fate has picked her and Greta to help them not miss their second chance as they did with their first.
“Grent, we have to help them when we have the power to do so. They still love each other, I can feel it. Please, Greta.” Quinn begged. Greta sighted but she gave a slow nod to show that she agreed. How can Greta say no to those devastatingly cute puppy eyes?
`````<3`````
PRESENT (QUINN’s)
Harry couldn’t help but laugh at the girl’s silly determination. “So, you wanted to help us have our second chance?” He asked, his tone laced with a bit of spite. Quinn nodded. “Oh darling, he is officially tying the knot at three today. How do you suppose I get him back? Crash his wedding? Darling, he would hate me.”
“No, he would not, and you know that too. You are just too afraid to try again. You also know that he is going to walk down that aisle, and with each step he takes, he will only die a little bit more. No matter how much of a friend Greengrass is to him, she will never be you. Harry, you know that too.” Harry was stunned by the girl’s straightforwardness. He was not expecting her to drill him open like that. “Quinn darling, I.. I can’t.” He stumped deeper into his couch. He couldn’t help but remember that night.
May 2, 1998
The war has ended. Harry struggled out of the crowd and excitedly rushed towards their usual spot at the Forbidden Forest. As he rushed towards there, the future of how they could be appeared in front of him. Pictures of them buying their first cottage. Even if the cottage was small, it would be filled with memories. Memories of them arguing over nonsensical little things or welcoming their first child. He was pretty sure he would cry. He would also propose to Draco on the beach, and have a small wedding on that same beach. Their life would be boring but it would be safe, and warm.
Harry arrived at the spot and sat down under a tree as he waited for Draco. He would think about how he would propose to Draco, or how both of them would plan their adoringly small wedding. They would be happy. As he sat there and waited, thinking about their bright future, a bright light hit him.
It was dawn, and Draco was not here with him.
They were not on their way to France. He was under the tree of their usual spot, alone but filled with fantasy. The dawn light has shattered him awake. Draco has chosen to not run away with him.
PRESENT (QUINN’s)
“Quinn darling, listen, I am not crashing his wedding. I am not doing it.” Harry made his final decision. “But Harry, please, you need to give this a chance. You can’t waste the chance fate has given you. I found two of these letters in Thomas Grant’s archive for bloody sake.”
“How in the world did Thomas Grant get those letters?”
“Exactly, Harry. So, you need to give this a chance.” Harry sighed. He was getting pretty convinced by this redhead in front of him but he was still scared. Scared of his heart being shattered like the time when he realized that Draco would not run away with him, or when he realized that Draco did not want him anymore. “Darling, you see, I would believe it. I truly would but you know that I spoke for him at his trial, right?”
Quinn nodded. After all, when Harry Potter showed up saying that he would speak for Draco Malfoy, it was a shock to the whole world. The tabloids were on fire, and god it annoyingly went on for a month.
“After the trial, I tried to talk to him. He refused my request, and the next time I saw him, his eyes.. they were cold. Looked at me as if I were a stranger. It scared me. It broke me, Quinn. I don’t think I can experience it a second time. Especially, when he is marrying someone else.”
“Then, why do you go to the Astronomy Tower, always checking if there is a slight movement in those tiles? Or, why do you remain single for all these years? Harry, you are waiting for him to come to you but why do you not go to him?”
The room was filled with silence. Harry was unable to answer Quinn’s question. As she said, he was waiting, waiting for Draco to come to him. He wanted Draco to rush into his arms, apologize to him, and tell him why it took him so long to come back home.
He was waiting to say “Welcome Home,” when there was an option to say “I’m Home,” all along.
`````<3`````
PRESENT(GRETA’s)
Greta walked into the wedding hall, looking at Draco with a fake, polite smile she could smell from miles away. She walked to him, and patted him on the shoulder, “Malfoy.”
Draco with his polite smile turned backward, “Moneshik, I see you have arrived. Greta gave him a polite smile back, “And I see that you are still very miserable.” Draco gave her a surprised look. “Well, can I talk to you in private? I have something important to give you.” Draco excused himself from the crowd and brought her to the groom’s room. He then folded his arms and gave her a one raised brow, asking her what is it that she wanted to give him. “Before I give you this, my girlfriend found this at your usual spot. It was very hard to find but once she managed to trace your magical signature, she found that place,” she waved a letter in front of Draco. Draco almost lost his composure when he heard her mention “the usual spot” but when he saw the letter, he did lose all of his composure, and snatched the letter out of her hand.
“What? How do you get this? I never—”
Greta crackled. “You never know about this letter right? Oh, Draco, silly, dear Draco Malfoy, you are truly lucky my girlfriend is cute or this letter would’ve never have ended up at your doorstep. Well, you would maybe see it before you die, when you are filled with regrets, and go back to that usual spot of yours when you finally got over the hurt, but not now. You would’ve missed your second chance.”
“SHUT UP!” Draco shouted. His hands were shaking as he opened the letter. The once familiar feelings surge inside him again. “Oh then, you don’t want these four letters?” Greta let out an amused crackle when she saw how fast Draco’s head shot up. “There’s more?” His voice quivered as he stared heatly at those three letters. “Of course, there are but first read the one in your hands. I’ll give you the second one after.”
Draco's eyebrows furrowed, disliking the fact that this woman was making those letters seem like nothing when they were everything to him. Nonetheless, he followed her advice, and read the letter in his hands. As he read the letter, he could see that his tears were starting to dirty the already years-old letter. After he finished reading he looked up to Greta, and laughed, “He wanted to run away with me. He..We…we were so close.” He laughed his heart out but Greta could feel how heartbroken he was. Greta sighed and handed him another letter,” Sorry I’m hurting you but there are three more. Here’s another one,” He gave her a small smile, and took the second letter.
Dear Ladon,
My love, it took me a while to stop pacing back and forth and making myself overthink the reasons why you didn’t choose to run away with me. But if that is your decision then I’ll respect your choice. Like I said, you are far more important to me than anyone in the whole universe, and that’s the same for your choice. But darling, if you see this, I just want you to know that I’ll always be waiting for you. I love you, my ladon.
Love,
Your Scarface.
Draco couldn’t feel the strength in his legs anymore. It felt heavy. He felt suffocating. All those feelings that he had bottled up were coming out, and he just couldn’t handle it anymore. Greta looked at the sorry state Draco was in. She felt sorry for him but she still handed him the next letter. Surprisingly, Draco didn’t take the letter from. Instead, he looked up to her with determined eyes, and declared, “I am getting married in an hour, Moneshik. I..I cannot..,” he stopped for a moment, swallowing those feelings down. He continued, “I will not read them anymore.” He took a turn, and walked out of the room, leaving Greta stunned. She ran into the hallway and looked at his lonely, miserable back. She shouted,
“IF YOU DON’T TAKE THE CHANCE NOW, THERE WILL NEVER BE A NEXT ONE. DRACO MALFOY, GO TO HIM. HE’S WAITING FOR YOU.”
He didn’t turn back. He just walked back into the wedding hall. As if he didn’t just cry his heart out a while ago, and Greta could see it. The lonely future of this miserable man where the person he loves will always remain so close yet will be placed so far by him
.June 5, 2011
Draco looks at the house in front of him. He would be lying if he said he had no idea how he ended up here. On his thirty-first birthday, misses Harry bloody Potter so much that he drinks those feelings out of himself. Especially, when he was cleaning his old room today, and saw those two letters that he had written back to back and never sent out as he didn’t want Harry to notice that something was off with him that summer. He rang the doorbell, nervously waiting for that black-haired, clumsy fool to show up in front of him. He was nervous, and he felt himself wanting to puke all the alcohol back out.
The door finally opened, and he could feel words coming out of his throat but he was unable to process what those words were. It felt gibberish. After a while, he stopped talking gibberish and looked up, wanting to see a familiar face. But what greeted him was someone else. “Who?” A small voice came out of him. A little slurred due to his drunkness. The older man smiled at him, and answered, “Thomas Grant.”
“Thomas Grant? Doesn’t this house belong to Harry Potter?”
The man gave him a small smile, and answered, “Well, it did belong to him but he sold the house to me. So, it’s mine now.”
“Oh,” He sat down on the front stairs, feeling dejected that he couldn’t meet the person he desperately wanted to. The man accompanied him and sat beside him. After a moment of silence, the older man asked him,
“Is there anything I can do for you dear?”
“Do you know where Potter lives now?”
“I’m afraid not.” “Then, does he still come around?”
“Sometimes. About once in six months.” Draco's eyes light up, and he hands Thomas the two letters in his hands.”Please give him these two letters, Mr Grant. Thank you very much.” Thomas looked at Draco who got up.
“Dear, I might forget to give it to him. I am an old man after all, and Mr Potter only visits once about every six or seven months. The letters might not make it to him.”Draco looked down at Thomas and gave him a soft smile.
He whispered, “They will make it to him.”
The soft rain turned into a harsher one, and Hairy watched those raindrops as the time ticked by, becoming dangerously close to three. He could see Quinn looking at him, telling him to get off his couch and run or drive or do whatever he could to reach to wedding venue as quickly as he could. He listened to the clock tick by. He could feel himself getting suffocated by every tick. “Mr Potter,” he heard Quinn call him. He couldn’t pay that much attention to her, he was too focused on the clock. “I think you haven’t been to the Astronomy Tower recently?” She asked him. He gave her a mindless nod.
“You see, I recently went to the Astronomy Tower. I truly could not believe that Draco would not write to you. So, I went there, and searched around for a while,” Quinn could feel Harry’s attention on her. She continued under his intense curiosity, “So, anyway I saw an uneven tile, and under it,” she took out a letter from a nag, “I saw this letter, and I think you might like to read.” She passed the letter to Harry. Harry’s hands were shaking as he opened the letter. His eyes widened as he read, tears were on the verge of falling.
Dear my scarface,
It has been a while, my darling. I don’t know what to write to you, but you know my love when I dreamed of getting married. I thought of you, and a cute little private beach wedding. Just us and our friends. Of course, it would be after we decided to tell them that we were in fact in love, and just argued to flirt. I dreamed that I would be walking down the aisle to you. You would be waiting for me over there as my mother as me to you. To be yours for life.
When I was in rehearsal, taking the hand of the bride that was handed to me, I couldn’t help but burn with jealousy because it was supposed to be me there, and you to be here, in my place, to accept me as yours, eternally. I wanted to scream and tell them this was not how it was supposed to be. Even if I love Tori a lot, it’s not her that I desire to dedicate the rest of my life to. It is you. It made me feel like dying.
So, Harry, my darling. I’ll believe in fate for one last time. If this letter ever arrived into your hands, in however means, will you come, and take me away? I’ll be waiting.
Eternally Yours,
Draco Lucius Malfoy.
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“Quinn, grab your broom. Let’s go. I’m taking him back home.”
“Broom? Flying in this weather? Harry, are you insane?”
“Aren’t you the one who wanted us to have our second chance?”
“Yeah, but in this weather. Harry—“
“You can stay here then. Im going. This time, I will go to him.”
“Nooo! I’ll come too. I’ll be behind you!”
The rain was pouring, but Harry couldn't care less about it. It was already three and Draco was already tying the knot with another person, even if he was late, even if they finished their vows, he would take Draco home. There is nothing that can hold him back anymore. Not when Draco is there, waiting for him. He kicked off and started flying in the pouring rain. Wishing to reach the wedding venue as fast as he can.
He has already wasted enough time by not going after Draco, and holding firmly into his belief. That Draco would come home to him one day, and that he just had to wait for him with open arms. Fuck that. If Malfoy doesn’t want to come home, he will drag him back home. If Draco is waiting for him to come and get him, then even if he has to go through the fire, he will go and take his lover home. Because for both of them, the rightest place has always been with each other, and he is sick of the world for denying him of his soulmate. He will take Darco Lucius Malfoy home with him. Back into his arms.
Quinn was following closely behind after she charmed herself to avoid getting wet. Harry on the other hand though, has no time to think of that charm. He was too focused on getting to the venue in time. Quinn could see the determination on Harry’s face. She couldn’t help but feel proud of what she had accomplished. It was a long hard process but in the end, she did manage to bring back the two fated lovers together.
“Harry! The venue is there. The wedding is nearing its end. They are about to kiss.” Quinn shouted. She knew Harry could see it too but she couldn’t help but want to remind him that he needed to hurry and crash the wedding before they kissed to tie the knot.
Harry landed with brute force. He does not have the time to think as his thoughts are occupied by Quinn’s words. There were many words he wanted to say but his eyes couldn’t drift away from the most gorgeous person he knew, Draco. Draco was as ethereal as he imagined. All dressed up in white, with his hair combed back, and those red lips that were about to kiss another. It made him feel frustrated. This was how Draco was supposed to look on their wedding day. Not on the wedding of his Draco and someone else. He walked up the aisle, staring straight into Draco’s soul.
He took Draco by his arm. Grab the nearest mic he could find, and looked at the crowd. He could make out Draco’s family, the bride’s family, the friends, Hermione, Ron, and a lot of other people. He pulled Draco beside him.
“Hi,” Harry could feel his heart beating faster. He slowly moved his hand down Draco’s arm and intertwined their hands together. Draco gave him a light squeeze as an encouragement. He squeezed back to tell Draco that he got the message. He cleared his throat, and continued,
“I love him. I love Draco very much. These past years, I was waiting for him to come back into my arms and I realized how foolish I was for that. I could always come and get him, we were never broken up. we still are very much in love so I don’t know why we wasted all these years separated. Now that I’ve finally realized my mistake, I’ve come to get my lover. ” Harry turned his head to look at Draco. He has a small smile on his lips. He asked softly, “Come back home to me, love?” Draco also has a relaxed, shy smile on his face. He gave a shy nod as an answer.
Harry with Draco’s hand in his ran towards his broom. The broom took off. This time Draco was lying on his back, and he could feel Draco’s smile on his back. He flew in the cold rain for hours. Draco never once questioned where they were going. Now that they are together again, wherever they go, they are complete. Finally, he landed at a familiar place, the maple tree in the forbidden forest. Their usual spot. “Harry…,” he heard Draco say his name softly. It bring him so much joy to finally hear his name from Draco’s mouth again. “Is it..?” Harry smiled at Draco’s question. Both of them knew what was coming.
“Can I have this dance, my love?” Harry asked.
And there they were, falling in love with each other all over again.
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