Title: Star-Crossed
Chapter: 16/?
Author: Lady B
Pairing(s): Harry Potter/Draco Malfoy, Severus Snape/Remus Lupin, other pairings to follow
Genre: AU Fantasy
Rating: this chapter – PG13
Warnings: M/M relationship, character death, OOC, descriptive sexual acts between persons of the same sex
Summary: Summary is long, see full story notes for details.
Disclaimer: All recognizable characters and plots from the Harry Potterverse belong to JK Rowling and various publishing companies and movie studios. I am not making any money from this. I am simply doing this for the fun of it. Any plot devices and original characters belong to me alone and are simply a figment of my imagination.
Author's Note for this chapter: Six Degrees of Separation Part 2

- - -
Chapter 16
- - -

After Harry and Ron sorted themselves out, James and Lucius moved to one of the couches to discuss things. Lily went to check on supper, leaving Harry and Ron under the watchful gaze of the Slytherin Queen.

"Come sit with me a moment, Harry." Narcissa smiled at him. Gulping nervously, Harry joined her on the opposite side of the room.

"It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Your Majesty." Harry stated.

"Nonsense. Please, sit." She pointed to the spot next to her and he sat down, "Draco told me how you've saved each others lives. I'm a grateful to you for the life of my only son." She poured them some tea and handed a cup to him.

"You're welcome."

"So tell me, young man. How long have you been in love with my son?" Harry, having just taken a sip of his drink, promptly choked.

"I beg your pardon?" he managed a few minutes later.

"I don't think I need to repeat myself, do you?"

"No, Your Majesty."

"So answer my question, young man."

"I honestly don't know. It just...happened." Harry stated in a bewildered tone, realizing for the first time what he was feeling whenever he was around Draco. "He completes me in a way I've never even realized. Does that sound strange?"

"Love is a strange and beautiful thing, Your Highness." Narcissa stated. "It makes the impossible possible and guides you through the darkest of times. It lights up that part of you that remained hidden in the dark for so long, it's a wonder you remember it was there in the first place. Once you fall under its spell, there is nothing you can not accomplish for the one your heart has chosen to be with."

"That's it exactly." Harry agreed. Narcissa smiled warmly and patted his hand.

"You will be a great asset to my son, and he to you."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

"Narcissa, please. Or Mum if you prefer. We are going to be related after all."

- - -

Lucius watched his wife interact with his future son-in-law before turning to look at his cousin (distantly related, of course).

"James, why didn't you tell me who your son was?"

"Would you still have requested my help for Draco if you knew?" James retorted.

"You know I wouldn't have. Risking his safety like that was thoughtless on your part."

James carelessly shrugged. "You must understand something, Lucius. Harry was not like other royals his age. He had this...passionate desire to be something other than the Heir of Gryffindor, to prove that he was worthy of the title that was his birthright. When he asked Lils and I to attend Hogwarts, we had a million and one reasons why we didn't want him to go, his safety being the most important. But he gave us a million and two reasons why he should go. To not only prove to our people that he was fit to be that Heir they wanted, but to prove to himself and to us, that he could be someone he, and by extension, us, could and should be proud of. And make no mistake, we are very proud of Harry and all that he's accomplished in his young life. He's has proved, many times over, that he is fit to be the future king, and able to lead our people into the next great adventure."

"Now you sound like Dumbledore." Lucius chuckled.

"But it is the truth." James grinned. Lucius stared at him steadily for a few moments.

"He is a very capable young man. I would be proud to have him join our two families." Lucius and James shook hands as Lily stepped back into the room.

"Supper is ready. Harry, Ron will escort you back to your room."

"Dumbledore again?" Harry asked. Lily gave him a sad smile and he sighed. "I hope once this marriage takes place he will stop interfering in my life."

"He is your grandfather. He can't help himself." she laughed. He grinned, kissing her cheek before he and Ron moved to leave. He was stopped at the door by Lucius.

"Welcome to our family, Your Highness." Lucius bowed.

"It is an honor, sir." Harry nodded, before leaving the room.

- - -

Dinner was a strange affair, Draco thought a few hours late as he stood staring out of the window from the room he had been given on the opposite side of the castle. It had an excellent view of the lake below, and the opposite turrets. He had seen a light go on in one of the high towers some time ago, and stood there watching it for a time, sure that it was Harry's room he was looking at.

His thoughts drifted back to how Dumbledore had kept staring at him, as if trying to peer into his thoughts. Draco kept his gaze firmly on some point over the man's shoulder whenever he spoke to him. He wasn't taking any chances.

There was a knock on his door.

"Enter." he called, turning away from the window for a moment. A young maid stepped into the room and bowed.

"Your mother is here to see you, Your Highness."

"Please send her in." he replied, turning back to the window. He watched the light across the way go out and sighed.

"A sickle for your thoughts, my son?" his mother asked. He saw her reflection in the window, standing just behind him.

"I'm fine, mother."

"You are not, Draco, so do not lie to me. Now tell me what's bothering you." For a moment he was so silent, she didn't think he was going to speak.

"They won't let me see him." he said so quietly she almost missed it. She bit back the smile that threatened to split her face.

"See who?"

"Harry."

"Why not? You're a Prince of the Line. Surely they obey your orders as well as any person of royal lineage here!"

"I haven't tried, to be honest."

"Draco..." Narcissa sighed.

"Besides," he continued, "I don't even know what to say to him once I do see him."

"I don't see what the problem is."

"Mother, I'm supposed to marry the Prince...not engage in illicit affairs with the hired help!" Draco exclaimed.

"Oh, I see." she stated. Draco turned to look at her, seeing the calculating look on her face.

"What is that look for?"

"Did I ever tell you about King James?" Draco was confused.

"I'm sorry?"

"Oh it was quite the scandal in our day, the future King of Gryffindor caught canoodling with the future bride of the up and coming Slytherin King..."

"Mother!" Draco exclaimed, realizing the implications of that.

"What? We were young once, too...totally opposed to marrying people we never met. But over time, we realized we were better friends then lovers. James married Lily, I married your father and we were all happy. I debated on whether being with James was right, then I realized I didn't care what people thought...being with James at that time was right for us and we never regretted our relationship. It's made us better friends than anything."

"But what about Father?"

"Surprisingly, he understood it – seeing as how he and Lily had a thing once."

"What!" Draco squawked.

"Do close your mouth, son. It's unattractive." Narcissa laughed. Draco closed his mouth with a snap.

"Why have you never told me this before?"

"You were too young to understand."

"And now?"

"Now, you're a man coming into your own. I have seen you when you're passionate about things and people you care about. You care for young Harry with a single minded determination. You should take that happiness for yourself before you lose it forever."

"But it's not right. It feels like cheating."

"You're not married yet, Draco. What makes you think the Prince hasn't slept with anyone else before you?" she arched an eyebrow. Draco gaped at her again, he hadn't really thought about the Prince that way.

"Oh." he stated, suddenly feeling very foolish. Then with a determined look on his face, he looked at his mother.

"So how do I get to Harry's rooms?"


TBC...

Next chapter...SMEXXING!!