Homeless - Drarry

Chapter 5 - Heroes and Villians

Published: 2/1/2021

"Harry?" Weasley said, again as Potter froze. "What's wron... Malfoy? What's he doing here?"

"I umm... invited him over... for a drink?" Harry offered.

Draco was surprised that Harry lied to Weasley to keep his secret, but he wasn't going to say anything. Gus was directly beneath him, alert at the tense atmosphere. Shadow had wandered to Weasley and then back to Harry. They were used to him.

Weasley tilted his head and looked between them. "Harry... we never let you do undercover for a reason. You suck at lying. Guess Justin wasn't lying... but I never thought you'd take advantage of a victim, Harry."

Draco's eyes widened at Weasley's accusation. Was he suggesting that Harry brought him to his home for sex?

"I didn't," Harry gasped.

Weasley raised an eyebrow.

"I just... he was upset and I...."

"Harry... I can tell when you lie," Weasley snorted.

"He invited me home because I don't have anywhere to go, Weasley," Draco murmured, stepping in, not that Harry's attempts.

Ron looked at him and back to Harry. "Really?"

"Harry's just picked me up from work," Draco explained as Harry looked down.

"Work? You work?"

"Yeah. I don't have a wand. I have to make money to live, Weasley."

"Sorry... I just... didn't expect. Harry?"

"I didn't want to tell, cause it wasn't my 온라인카지노게임 to tell," Harry mumbled.

"Harry's been nice enough to offer me a place to stay been a perfect host and a gentleman, despite an embarrassing argument with Finch-Fletchley."

"Harry, eh? You guys don't have to lie to me," Weasley said, with a laugh.

Draco smirked at his assumption, but Weasley wasn't upset like he expected. "What? It doesn't bug you?"

Ron laughed. "After walking in on Harry straddling my brother... yeah... nothing can shock me."

Draco turned to look at Harry after that announcement, but Harry was examining the cracks in the wall, red-faced. "So, did you come over for a reason?"

"Yeah... Justin showed up at my house crying. I would say no more sleeping with people I know, but I guess that'd be pointless," he scoffed and then eyed him up and down. "Alright, I'll see you tomorrow when, hopefully, you can talk, again, Harry."

Harry glared at him, but Ron laughed and stepped into the floo.

Draco's mouth was open in surprise. Was that the first civil conversation I ever had with Weasley? "Did Weasley grow up or something since the last time I've seen him?"

Harry gave him a look, too, and nodded. "After the war... he had some bad stuff to get through. Fred died in front of us. Hermione got pregnant... but she lost... her during a bad arrest. It was rough for him. Them."

"I would've thought he'd hate me more."

"Maybe... but during that raid, Theodore Nott... he stopped his dad from killing her and helped her escape. He died in the process. It shook both of them. Hermione said that the war had broken Theo. He told her something like he was already dead and he might as well make it true. She switched careers after that."

Draco nodded, somberly. "We all hid what our families and Voldemort did to us. Theo's dad failed at the Ministry, too, but he didn't get a death sentence like me. They gave him to Greyback to punish."

"They turned him?" Harry guessed, his eyes wide.

"No," Draco murmured. If Theo weren't dead, Draco would have never said anything. "Voldemort wanted to destroy his reputation, his value, not make him half-breed. Greyback liked boys."

Harry's eyebrows rose up. "What? Are you serious?"

"I'm not lying," he said.

"No... I meant... why didn't we know about this?"

"No one cared what they did to us. We're the bad guys. The Dark Asshole wanted his Death Eaters to be terrified of him. Fail and your family pays."

Harry frowned. "You said that you got a death sentence...."

Draco lowered his head. "Kill Dumbledore or die. Run or tell anyone and my mother would die. I wasn't supposed to... succeed. He even suggested to have my mum ask Snape to make an Unbreakable Vow... so he could get rid of all his problems one way or the other."

"Damn... I'm sorry."

"I had it easy... comparatively. Theo really never got over it. He was so quiet to begin with. He probably helped Hermione because his father. His dad has been killing and raping muggles since the first war."

Harry's shoulders dropped. "He saved her from that. That made him a good guy... a hero. And you saved me in the war."

"I never had the stomach for... any of it. You were destined to stop him. You couldn't die."

"Well, I did actually. I think that was enough emotional talk. There's a plate in the icebox if you're hungry."

"Thanks... but I think I'll just go to bed."

"Oh... are you sure?" Harry asked, concerned.

"Yeah," he said. He didn't want to say that he was snacking off the plates he cleaned off. He wasn't sure that he would ever feel okay about throwing out food.

"Okay... and I'll tell Ron that we aren't really... doing it."

"I don't care. Thanks for lying for me."

"For trying to. Ron's right, I was never good at lying... to him, especially."

Draco bent down and picked up Gus. They started up the stairs and he asked, brazingly, "So... which brother was it?"

Harry sighed. "Charlie."

Draco smirked. "Another seeker, eh? I would say that you have a type. Cho, Ginny... and Charlie?"

Harry went red. "Shut up."

"Interesting... since you know I was a seeker, too."

Harry looked down. "Please...."

"Can't take it, Potter?"

"No."

Draco laughed as he petted Gus. "Alright... goodnight, Harry."

"Goodnight, Draco."

He headed toward his door before turning back to look at Harry, still in the hallway. "Thank you... for picking me up from work... and talkie-thing. And I'm sorry if me being here puts you in a bad place with Weasley."

"It was nothing and it won't. Ron's been begging me to dump Justin for months," Harry sighed.

"Why didn't you?" Draco asked.

"I hate living alone and I like sex. He was easy... not that it's a nice thing to say."

"He seemed pretty desperate and controlling."

"Yeah. It's hard to find someone who doesn't just look at me as the hero... the Chosen One," Harry confessed.

"Well, to me you'll always be Potter, the scruffy-haired, clueless, hothead Gryffindor."

"Hey!"

"I'm joking, Harry. And I'm sorry. I do know how you feel. No one sees me as anything but a villain. A Death Eater...."

"I don't see you as that."

Draco lowered his head. "Maybe...."

"Hey... you're still the snarky, sassy, smart, pointy-nosed git that's always kept me on my toes. I never thought you were evil, just a pompous jerk... but you're not that anymore," Harry added, quickly.

Draco gave him a weak smile and Gus, still in his arms, licked his face. He petted him. Gus must have sensed that he was distressed.

Harry came over. Shadow was shadowing him. "You aren't, Draco. You went through a lot in the war... and after. You didn't deserve all of that."

"I don't know, Harry. I hurt people. I used Crucio and Imperio and was a bigot asshole. I think I got exactly what I deserve," Draco turned and walked into his room, shutting the door.

Gus was squirming in his arms, trying to lick him, again. Draco set him on his bed and Gus jumped up on two legs and put his front paws on his chest. He licked his chin, desperate to comfort him.

"Oh, Gus... I definitely don't deserve you," he whispered and kissed the top of his head, as he scratched behind his ears. "I'm a bad guy. You should be with Harry. He's a hero... the savior and I'm the villain. I'm not supposed to be happy... I'm supposed to suffer."

Gus just stared at him and tried to lick him, again. Draco smiled, as tears came out. He picked up the krup and sat back down on the bed. Gus settled down, right on his chest, inches from his face. His black eyes stared at him, with absolute love in them. Draco never felt such devotion, and it was only growing, he realized. Gus was strengthening their bond, trying to calm him down. He knew that he could never leave the krup, just like Potter had said.

"Thank you," he told the krup, and Gus lifted his head, his ears perked up. He tilted his head, and his paw lightly swatted his face. "Scratches for my fluffy puppy?" 

He petted Gus for a long time and slowly calmed down enough to fall asleep. Gus was still on his stomach when he woke up and he licked him as a way of a good morning. Draco liked the affection, but didn't appreciate dog breath.

"Go on... go outside while I shower."

Gus jumped down and walked through the door, apparently listening to him. Draco thoroughly showered and changed into his work clothes, though he had a few hours. He just finished his hair when there was a knock on the door. Gus and Shadow came right in though, though Shadow was looking at the door, waiting for Harry.

"Come in," he said.

Harry opened the door and he was in his Auror robes. It was Monday. "I came home early... I wasn't sure that you would call me. Are you okay?"

"Yeah... Gus cheered me up. Sorry, I didn't mean for it to get so deep last night."

"It's understandable. But Draco... no deserves to live like you were. No one deserves to be sexually assaulted and tortured. You saved me from death, Draco. You defied your father and Voldemort for me. You were trapped."

Draco turned away, embarrassed, and didn't reply.

"Alright... I'll make you breakfast... or lunch," Harry said and walked out the door. Shadow skidding after him.

He cleaned up and then went downstairs. Harry had taken off his robes and just had a shirt that said "Grateful Dead" and a weird picture on it. He didn't appreciate Potter's weird humor, but he didn't say anything.

"Draco... it's going to get better, trust me," Harry said, as he cooked.

"I trust you. It's everything and everyone else I don't trust."

"I know how that feels, but... I think you need to... let yourself heal," he murmured as he stared at the fry pan. "Forgive yourself for the things that you can't control. It was one of the things... I struggled with after the war. All my friends and family who were killed and I might have been able to prevent it... somehow."

"I was a Death Eater, though. I was part of the group that killed your friends. How can you just ignore that?"

Harry turned around. "Did you directly kill any of my friends?"

"I almost did. Weasley... Bell... Dumbledore... you? Not to mention I tortured a few Death Eaters."

"But you didn't kill anyone, Draco. Your soul is still intact."

"Not really. I've done some terrible things."

Harry flipped off the stove and came over and knelt next to him, taking his hand. "Draco... I've seen a split soul. I've had a part of one in me. I know that you aren't shattered and, if my words are enough, I have proof." Harry looked down and Gus, who was wagging his forked tail looking between them. "He bonded with you... a whole soul. Familiars have pure, natural magic. He wouldn't have been able to bond with someone evil."

Draco trembled and looked at Gus. There was some truth to Potter's words.

"And... even if you did... taint it abit... it doesn't mean that you can't change or heal it. Draco... you feel remorse, don't you?"

He looked into Harry's eyes as tears came out and he nodded. "Of course, I do."

"Draco... that's how you heal your soul. You admitted what you did and feel sorrow over it. It's ancient magic... and you will heal. It's going to hurt and you will feel it... but you'll be whole. But you've suffered enough Draco... it's time to come back. It's time to let yourself heal."

"Some don't think I've suffered enough," he whispered.

Harry squeezed his hands. "And some think I should burn in hell for being gay. Do you think I deserve to burn in hell?"

"What? No!"

"Then there's proof that there a bunch of people that are absolute morons and evil pricks. You're not going to win a popularity contest, Draco. You weren't before Voldemort came. You were a jerk and snob."

Draco frowned.

"But you still refused to kill Dumbledore... you still refused to identify me... and you feel remorse about the things you've done. Those aren't jerk things that you did, are doing. Those are things that good people do."

Draco swallowed. He wasn't sure that he believed him, but Harry got back up and finished cooking a breakfast skillet. They ate quietly and Draco sulked for a few hours before Harry took him to work. Harry made him promise to call when he was done. Ten hours later, after the asshole manager shorted him another five pounds, he called Harry, who answered and came to take him home.

"Everything go okay today?"

"Fine," he mumbled, ignoring that the manager felt him up, before he wiggled out of his grasp.

"You sure?"

"Yeah," he said, not looking at Harry.

"You hungry?"

"No, thanks," Draco said and bent down to scratch Gus as they walked into the house.

"You didn't eat last night, either."

"I'm not used to eating so much," he admitted.

"Well, eating now, will help you get used to it."

"No, thanks," he repeated.

"Alright... goodnight, Draco."

"Goodnight, Harry."

The next few nights went the same. He'd get an escort to work and call Harry to come to get him. When they got home, Harry tried to engage him in conversation, but it was so hard to open up about it. Especially when he was probably going to have to give his manager what he wanted. It seemed so simple to just tell Harry what was wrong, or even stop going, but he didn't want Harry to know why. He didn't want him to know that he used to sell himself.

It was a long hard day at work with frequent comments and touching from his boss. But when it came time to pay, he put a twenty-pound note in his hand for a twelve-hour shift.

"Please?" Draco asked.

"You know... it's been a long day, and I think that it's time you paid your tab. I did you a favor by hiring you."

Draco shook his head and stuffed the note in his pocket. He meant to keep washing the last dishes, but he heard the click of the deadbolt. The manager had locked him in. He turned and backed up a little. The front gates were already pulled down.

"You forget that you're working under the table. You can't report shit, can you?" he drawled.

Draco froze. He was in trouble, just like before.

"On your knees, slag," he growled.

He backed into the freezer. Crap... he was trapped, and the manager was a burly guy. He couldn't overpower him. The door was locked, even if Harry was outside. Harry! Draco's hand slipped into his pocket and pulled out his cell phone. He just hit send twice when his manager knocked it out of his hand. It smacked on the floor hard and then his attacker kicked it into the wall.

Harry wasn't coming. He tried to slip past his boss and get to the door, but he was pulled back and shoved to the floor. Before he could get back up, the manager started hitting him anywhere he could get.

"This ain't going to end until you open your mouth, whore!" he said and wrapped his hand around his throat. "I can beat you until you do it. You are paying up. You've been stealing food off people's plates, too, like the rat you are. But you aren't leaving here until you suck me off!"

Draco's side and face hurt terribly. He wasn't going to be able to say no. "No... please...."

"Let go of him, now!" Harry growled from the now open back door. Draco sighed in relief.

The manager let go, got up and growled, "How'd you get in here?"

"You didn't lock it correctly. Back away from him, now," Harry spat and Draco inched away from his attacker, scooting into the wall. He felt safe, but he was still afraid.

"Oh? Are you the slag's pimp? You want your cut?"

Draco cringed at that, but Harry sneered, "No... I'm his friend."

"Friend? I'm sure. Listen... I hired him because he puts out and he owes me. Now, back off."

Harry straightened up, and Draco thought he was going to pull out his wand, but no. Harry socked the guy in the nose and proceeded to beat the crap out of the guy until he was bloody and nearly unconscious, swaying on the spot.

"Prick! I outta...."

"There are cameras," Draco whispered and Harry stopped.

Harry shoved his former manager into a chair. He tied him down with plastic wrap and then disappeared into the office. Draco could hear Harry talking to someone. He came back out and taped a note to the manager. Then he shoved a biscuit into his mouth.

"Draco?" Harry called and came over to him.

Draco looked away and curled up, again.

"I'm sorry, we don't have a lot of time. Can I help you up?"

He didn't answer. Harry had heard his manager's words. He knew that he was a whore, but Harry reached over and picked up the talkie thing. He closed it and put it in his pocket.

"They're pretty durable, but Draco please... everything is going to be okay."

Draco shook his head.

"Please? Come on... I'll take you home and Gus will help you calm down."

He looked at him with the mention of his familiar.

"Yeah... come on... gimme your hand, mate," Harry urged and, slowly, he did.

Harry pulled him to his feet. The manager had already eaten through the biscuit.

"Hey! You can leave me here!" he growled and looked confused at his words. "You can leave! I've got no power to stop you!"

"Thanks, mate. Have fun talking to the bobbies," he said and gently guided him out the door just as Draco read the note.

"I tried to rape my employee that I illegally hired. Check the tapes and ask me about it," it said.

Draco smiled slightly. Harry wasn't a muggle cop, but he made sure that there would be some repercussions. Draco also realized that Harry might have slipped him some Veritaserum.

"Come on, just out of the view of the camera, and I'll take us home," Harry urged.

Draco just complied and was taken up in Harry's Apparation. Harry took him inside the house for once, making the krups go crazy. They were in the den, and Harry dropped him onto the couch. Gus was immediately on his lap and licking his face. Draco slowly wrapped his arms around the krup. Harry walked out of the room, and Draco couldn't blame him. He might kick him out now that he knew he was practically a rentboy. But Harry just came back with a tea, though Gus was still very agitated. Harry set it next to him on the table. Even Shadow had hopped onto the couch and had sat next to him.

"It's going to be alright, Draco."

He shook his head.

"Yes... it's going to be fine. You're safe, now."

It was so similar to that night in the alley when Harry made him feel safe. He wanted to look at him, but he didn't want to see the disappointment in his eyes. 

"Thanks," he whispered.

"It was nothing, Draco. Can you look at me?" Harry asked.

The tears he hated so much started coming out, again. Why was he getting so emotional?

Harry knelt in front of him, which made it harder to avoid his eyes. "It's okay."

"No... you heard him."

"Heard him?" Harry asked, confused.

Draco's cautious eyes glanced up. Harry didn't seem mad. Maybe Harry didn't believe his manager, but he had to have heard him. But he saw the flicker of understanding before he looked away.

Harry sighed. "Oh... that... listen... I don't care. Really, I don't."

Draco doubted that. Potter was an Auror. "It... I... didn't let them... go all the way. I didn't go down on him, though he asked me every night, practically. It was just before... when I needed money... when it was really cold or I needed something to eat...."

"Draco, stop!" Harry urged. "You don't have to explain. You did what you had to do... to survive."

"If you don't want me to stay here...."

"Why would you think that?" Harry said, a little anger in his voice.

Draco didn't want to look at him, but he slowly did. Harry's kind eyes were staring at him. "Most people wouldn't want... someone like me... in their home."

"I'm not most people, Draco. I'm Harry... the git who doesn't follow the rules or bow to anyone, much less societal norms. I've had to beg to be fed and, if my uncle was even more of a dirtbag, I'm sure he would have taken advantage of me even more. I can't say I understand what you went through completely... but I'm not going to judge you for it or anything else. You were the one who was hurt doing it."

Draco looked down. "It was so cold." He hugged Gus closer as the pup licked him, again.

"I'm so sorry. I won't let you go through that, again, Draco. You will always have a home here."

Draco looked at him. "I'm sure that you will change your...."

"I won't, Draco. I won't make you be out on your own, again. I won't make you beg for food and shelter. I will help you find a place in the world before you ever leave here. I wasn't going to tell you until I learned more... but Hermione is looking into your case for me."

Draco straightened up. "You... she is?"

"Yeah... you need your magic... your wand... especially if people are going to keep attacking you."

Draco leaned back, pondering that, and then smirked. "You're just getting tired of saving me."

Harry chuckled. "Yeah... it's hard work beating people up." He admired the bruises on his knuckles.

"It was more impressive when you were beating up someone other than me," Draco drawled and Harry winced, obviously remembering their fifth-year fight. "Course you had one of the Weasley's helping that time."

"Fred... but yeah... I'm sorry about that...."

"Please. I was a bit of a prick back then."

"Only a bit?" Harry huffed, but was smiling.

Draco was, too. "It was fun tormenting you... and Weasley. It was the high point of my school days. Especially catching you in that Trip Jinx."

"Fifth year... certainly had its ups and downs. It was better than our sixth year."

"Definitely agreed there. There was nothing good about that year."

"Not even breaking my nose?" Harry offered, smiling.

Draco raised an eyebrow. Was Harry trying to lighten the mood? "No. That is not a happy memory."

Harry seemed intrigued by his statement, but only smiled at him.

Draco took a deep breath. "That's the third time you saved me."

"Yeah... let's not go for a fourth, okay?" Harry said.

Draco stared at him, but slowly smiled, again. "I wouldn't want you to develop a hero complex."

"Too late," Harry scoffed.

"Well... just as long as I don't develop a villain complex, we'll be just fine."

Harry laughed "No, not a villain complex, Draco. You were never a villain... just an anti-hero."

Draco's eyes furrowed in confusion. He hadn't heard that one before. "Anti-hero?"

Harry laughed. "It's a hero... who doesn't really look and act like a hero, but still is a good guy at heart. Even if they are a prick... they still save people."

Draco grimaced. "You think I'm... like that?"

"Well... you are an asshole sometimes... but you're not a killer. You put yourself in danger rather than kill Dumbledore or betray me. You feel remorse for the bad things that you've done and you never killed anyone. It's close enough for me."

Draco frowned.

"But come on. You've had a rough night. Go shower and cuddle with Gus."

"I don't cuddle."

"Yeah... sure you don't, Malfoy. I bet you're a great cuddler."

Draco glared at him.

"I do love your scowl, but come on. Gus, Shadow, down."

The krups reluctantly got off and Draco stood up with a hand from Harry, but Harry didn't make room for him. Draco was pressed up against him, staring down into Potter's eyes. Harry didn't move, though. He seemed trapped gazing into his eyes, like Draco was. Draco eased off him, though, and Harry stepped back and muttered an apology. Draco was shaking a little as he watched Harry moved toward the stairs.

They went up and Harry stopped at his room. "Draco... can I ask you something?"

"Umm... sure...?"

"Why did you keep going back there?"

Draco looked at the floor. "It was hard enough to find that job without any muggle skills or ID... and I don't want to have to go back to doing... that."

"You don't ever have to do... that... again, Draco. I won't kick you out," Harry whispered.

Draco walked to his room and put his hand on the door frame, like a few nights ago, but didn't look at his perpetual rescuer. "Trust is hard for me, Harry."

"You can trust me, Draco."

He turned his head to look into Harry's eyes and found nothing but truth in them. "I'll try, Harry."

"Alright... I'll come home for lunch and wake you up for breakfast. Goodnight, Draco."

"Goodnight, Harry... thanks, again."