GLOOM Title: Gloom Author/Artist: digthewriter Character(s): Neville, Draco, Harry Rating: R Challenge(s): Under Attack for neville100 | Temperature for mixandmatch100 Word count: 100x4 Author's notes: Unbetaed. Part 38 of Wanting Harry series.
"His income and expenses are under surveillance?" Draco asked, surprised. He didn't understand. Why weren’t his actions under severe scrutiny as well? Sure, he had to go and check in once in a while but no one asked him to show receipts of his purchases or discuss his travels. Should he also have been under attack?
He felt as if the temperature in the room dropped suddenly and he shivered.
"You okay?" Neville asked gently.
Draco wondered about what Neville thought. Was it his job to handle a crisis one lover at a time? Earlier Potter was the one freaking out and now it was Draco.
"I just…I don't know if I understand."
Potter placed the almost empty pudding bowl on the table and rubbed his hand over Draco's knee. "He's a Death Eater— Anyone that's survived and not in Azkaban is monitored—"
"But, so am I."
"You're not a Death Eater."
Draco's eyes widened. "I've got a mark on my arm that says otherwise."
"But no one blames you. It's easy to see…"
"Is it?" snapped Draco.
Harry continued to rub Draco's knee as Neville raked his fingers through Draco's hair.
"They'd asked me if you should have been monitored. And I'd said no." Harry leaned in and kissed Draco on the head. "I made Ron and Hermione support me in the decision."
"Why?" Draco asked, his voice was soft, because he was thankful for it. If he hadn't had his freedom, he wouldn't be the man he was today.
Harry gave a shy smile and then shrugged.
Neville let out a snort and Draco immediately turned to look at him.
"What?" Draco asked.
"Because he fancied you, fool," Neville said, looking amused. "He saved you from scrutiny so we could have this moment. Together."
"I wish I'd known then," said Harry, "that I was going to have this beautiful moment someday."
"But…" Draco asked, still unconvinced that he was truly free. "What does it mean for my father?"
Harry shrugged again. "I don't know. They'll continue monitoring him and bringing him in for questioning. Maybe someday they'll think he should be left alone but I think with the increase of small groups trying to rise up with the Dark Arts, it wouldn't be anytime soon."
"There would always be someone trying to rise up," said Neville.
"It's true. There would always be innocent lives lost," replied Harry.