Entry tags:

harry/draco, hp, my fic, romeo

FIC: And an Owl Named Romeo Part 3 (Harry/Draco)
Title: And an Owl Named Romeo - Part 3
Author: rickey_a
Genre: Romance, Drama/Light Comedy (Dramedy?)
Word Count: ~4000 (Part 3) / 26,500 total
Rating: NC-17
Warning(s): None
Summary: Draco breeds owls, Harry's an Auror, and an owl named Romeo is going to bring them together.
Author's Notes: Thanks to the wonderful and talented sansa1970 for the beta and to my friends at FFC and I.Smith for their honest opinions, encouragement, and lovely company. :) I'm going to post this story in 5 parts + a short epilogue. The whole thing is almost done and will top out <30k words, if you're worried about length or unfinished WIPs.

Link to Part 1
Link to Part 2

And an Owl Named Romeo - Part 3

November 19, 2002

Potter,

This is Hecate. She's on her first solo flight to London. Please send her back immediately.

DM


November 19, 2002

Malfoy,

She made it to the Ministry just fine. How are you? I've wanted to call on you, but thought you might still be angry with me. How is everything going with your owls in flight training? It must be going well since you've sent one to me. Feel free to send as many as you like, either here or to Grimmauld Place.

Take care,
HP


November 22, 2002

Potter,

I'm fine. This is Banquo, another owl I'm hoping will be ready for the Ministry soon. Send him back straight away.

DM


November 22, 2002

Malfoy,

What, no small talk? Come on, I thought we were past this. Also, what's with all the Shakespearian names?

HP


November 27, 2002

Potter,

This is Perseus. It's his second solo to London. Send him back.

Did you hear my sigh as I read your preposterous question? I think they heard it in Hogsmeade. Shakespeare was a wizard, you twit. Despite being a half-blood, he was one of the most powerful wizards of his time, yet wrote his plays for both Muggles and wizardkind. Macbeth incited much controversy. The Wizengamot held a trial to determine if Shakespeare had violated the Statute of Secrecy. He was, of course, found innocent, but many wizards resented his interaction with the Muggle populace. I'm guessing you must love this story. Do us both a favor and read up on your heritage.

I've come up empty on finding any means of interfering with owl post. I know you've said that you've ruled out everything else, but I'm inclined to think that it isn't the owls.

DM


November 27, 2002

Malfoy,

I appreciate you looking into this matter for me. We have a number of good people here who are at a loss as well. Let me know if you find anything that may be useful. How are you otherwise? How are all your owls?

HP

P.S. Thanks for the history lesson. Yes, I did like that story. You were right on the mark.


December 17, 2002

Potter,

I made the first delivery of new post owls to the Ministry last week. This is Pilgrim. He's one of three more that will be ready just before the holidays. All is well, but it's getting frightfully cold out here. I had to fortify the hangar with an extra set of Warming Charms for the winter. How is Romeo? I still haven't found any useful information on owl interception. Is it even an issue for you anymore?

DM


December 17, 2002

Malfoy,

Hello. It's been a while. I was thinking that perhaps you'd had enough of me. Romeo is doing well. He keeps me company. The case from this past summer remains open, but we have a new break. I'm hoping it'll be resolved soon. We haven't had any issues recently, but I'm still not convinced there isn't some sort of breach. We're being extra cautious on this case – no owl post with any details. What are you doing for the holidays? I'll be at the Weasley's for Christmas, but I'm going to spend Boxing Day with Andromeda and Teddy. When I visited them about a week ago, she mentioned that she had recently seen you and your mother. I think that's great. She has so little family left. I know that they reconciled a few years ago, but it's nice to hear that your mother is a part of her life. Maybe I'll see you there. If not, have a happy Christmas and New Year.

Keep in touch,
HP


December 27, 2002

Draco,

It was nice to see you and your mother yesterday. I must admit that your father staying at home made the day easier. Teddy really enjoyed spending the day with you. He's growing so fast. I can tell he likes having visitors. It made me think that Romeo would enjoy a visit to the hanger. You can send him back tomorrow.

HP


December 28, 2002

Dear Harry,

Romeo enjoyed his stay. The other owls seem to be glad for his company as well. For some odd reason, I have the urge to tell you that I think you're an excellent godfather. Teddy is lucky to have you. When my mother first reconciled with Aunt Andromeda, I didn't understand her motivations. Over the past few years, I've become grateful that I've had the opportunity to come to know both Andromeda and Teddy. Perhaps some day I'll explain the bitter irony of that statement, but for now know that I am sincere. I hope you have a happy New Year.

Kindest Regards,

Draco


The Daily Prophet January 1, 2003
Gilda's Good Gossip
Auror Harry Potter (right) seen exiting Bailey's Wick, London's only public gay wizarding establishment, with unknown patron (left). An anonymous source confirms that he had an encounter of an adult nature with Auror Potter six months prior to last night's sighting. Is this behavior the result of the unbearable horrors our hero had to endure during the war? Continued on page 3.


Harry scowled at the picture of himself and his companion as they tried to hide their faces with their cloaks. Well, he really hadn't been much of a companion. He had Apparated away about five seconds after the flashbulbs started going off.

Crushing the paper into a ball, Harry tossed it into the fireplace. Owls began to arrive soon after. He received everything from indecent proposals, to letters of support from his friends, to Howlers. Thankfully Hermione and Ron came over and sat vigil by the window so Harry could crawl under his covers and take a desperately needed break.

Hermione came into his room with a cup of tea in one hand a letter in the other. "Hey sleepyhead," she said in a motherly tone.

"Hi." Harry rubbed his eyes and sat up. "What time is it?"

"Four. Here." She handed him the tea.

"Thanks."

She sat on the bed next to him and held out the small envelope. "I thought you might like to see this one."

After reading the short missive, Harry saved the letter in his bedside table drawer. "Did you read it?" he asked Hermione.

She nodded tentatively. "We've been screening everything. Burned more than half. We're saving the rest for when you're ready."

"Thanks."

"It'll get better, Harry. You'll see." She patted him on the knee and left him alone with his thoughts.

Harry pulled out the letter and read it again.

January 1, 2003

Harry,
Don't let them win. Head up high.
Draco

~ooOOOoo~

There was a light dusting of snow on the ground and frost around the edges of the hangar windows. Winter was in full swing, and Draco dreaded the cold. The drop in temperature exacerbated his chronic loneliness. At least he had the company of his owls. Deep down he knew he shouldn't complain. This was the life he had chosen.

He inspected all the nesting boxes and checked the hangar temperature to make certain the climate was adequately controlled. He liked his owls to be comfortable, especially since his Snowy Owls looked like they were preparing to start a new brood. The male was strutting along the ground with his wings spread and feathers fluffed. The female sat on a branch above him trying her best to look disinterested, but Draco could tell it wouldn't be long before they got down to business. He allowed himself to play voyeur and watched the mating ritual for a while before returning to his morning work. He was adjusting the water-repelling charm on the windows when the owlery door chime startled him.

A freezing gust of wind blew in along with Harry Potter.

"You brought the cold with you, Potter," Draco called out to him.

"I know. This is the worst winter in years," Potter said as he removed his Muggle ski hat. His hair was an absolute disaster. "How are you?"

"Good. What brings you to Wiltshire?" Draco asked, trying not to laugh at Potter's clown-like hair.

"A favor, actually."

"Another one?" Draco conjured two mugs and then poured tea from a thermos on the desk. "Tea?"

"Yes, please. I wasn't aware we were keeping score."

"Here you are." Draco handed him a steaming mug. "I'm happy to do what I can for the Ministry."

"This isn't for the Ministry. It's personal, Draco."

A chill shot down Draco's spine at Potter's use of his forename. "What is it?"

"By the way, I got your note last week. It meant a lot to me," Potter said awkwardly.

Draco wasn't entirely clear why he had sent that note, but Potter's appreciation was a welcome pay-off. "Have things quieted down?"

"Not much, but I'm okay with it. Besides, I'm going to be out of the country for a few weeks."

"Running away?"

"Auror case. Timing works out well. Which leads me to my favor. I was hoping you could take Romeo while I’m gone. I could give him to Ron and Hermione, but I’m guessing that he'd be better off here at the hangar with his old friends."

"Send him along. I don't mind."

"Thanks. One less thing for me to worry about." Potter took a cautious sip of his tea. "This is fantastic. Asian?"

"Good guess. Oolong."

"I like it." Potter took another sip. "What's new with your owls?"

"Well, it looks as if I'll have a brood of Bubo scandiacus in a few months." Draco gestured to the nearby branch where the two owls were now huddled close.

"Bubo what?"

"You once owned one, Potter."

A deep frown slowly emerged on Potter's face.

Hell. Draco winced. "Sorry. I don't mean to be callous."

"I know." Potter stared at the owls. "Whenever I see another Snowy, I'm reminded of her. She took a curse for me. I had no idea…"

"Owls are extremely loyal to their owners. They're also exceptionally noble creatures."

Potter nodded. "So, how can you tell that they're not just huddling close because of the cold?"

"You missed the enthusiastic mating dance by the male earlier, and now…" Draco gestured to the owls with a fond smile. The male was gently cleaning the female's neck feathers in his beak while the female cleaned his.

"What?" Potter asked.

"To quote one of my favorite owl texts, 'Mutual preening often leads to copulation.'"

Potter blushed and handed back the mug. "I guess I'll get going. I have a lot to do before I leave. I'll send Romeo over tomorrow. Is that okay?"

"That's fine. I'll take good care of him."

"Thanks. You take care of yourself, too."

"I should say the same to you." Draco was tempted to leave it at that, but instead added, "You do realize that your problems will still be here when you get back."

Potter shrugged with a wistful smile. "I'll see you in a few weeks."

"Good luck."

Potter spun around and was gone. Draco finished his last sip of tea and wondered if he'd ever get Harry Potter out of his life. It hardly seemed likely.


~ooOOOoo~


January 9, 2003

Draco,

I know you'll take good care of Romeo. I'm not sure where this case will lead, but I will be out of contact for at least three weeks. I'll stop by the hangar upon my return. Thank you.

HP


The Daily Prophet January 22, 2003
Gilda's Good Gossip
Where is Harry Potter? Friends of the famous Auror have been tight-lipped regarding his whereabouts since the breaking news New Year's Day. An anonymous source has come forward to say that Auror Harry Potter has left continent with his latest male paramour. Mr. Potter could not be reached for comment.


The Daily Prophet February 17, 2003
Gilda's Good Gossip
The wizarding world is still looking for Harry Potter. He Who Defeated He Who Should Not Be Named has not been seen since the public outcry over his questionable social behavior. A source inside the Ministry has informed The Daily Prophet that Harry Potter is not hiding from the public but has been out of the country on a high profile case. The MLE public liaison was quoted as saying that she will not comment on the location of any of their Aurors or the status of open cases.


The Daily Prophet March 1, 2003
AUROR HARRY POTTER IN ST. MUNGO'S
Auror Harry Potter has resurfaced at St. Mungo's Emergency Room after a two month mysterious disappearance. Auror Potter was in Madrid tracking Rabastan Lestrange, a fugitive of justice. A team of Aurors stormed Lestrange's location and after a quick battle, the Death Eater escaped. The Department of Magical Law Enforcement has put every available Auror on the case and guarantees the immediate capture of the Death Eater who has so far eluded capture. The war hero was admitted with minor burns and hex trauma. Healers anticipate that he will be released tomorrow. Continued on page 2.


~ooOOOoo~

Harry nervously stood outside the door of the hangar, his head swimming from the Apparition. Ron and Hermione had tried to convince him to go home with them, at least for a day. Instead he came directly to Draco.

"Hullo," Harry muttered, as he entered to find Draco sitting at his desk.

Draco looked up from his pile of paperwork, and Harry couldn't quite read his expression. Okay, the idea that the other man would launch himself into Harry's arms like some watery romance novel was a bit far-fetched, but Harry had expected, or at least hoped for, a warm reaction.

"The Ministry requires more than the usual pedigree paperwork. They waived most of it on the fall owls, but the record keeping on this next batch is absolutely tedious." Draco scribbled a few more things on a long scroll of parchment. He set down his quill and looked up at Harry.

"That's it?" Harry asked.

"Welcome back?" Draco quipped.

"Yes, salutations and greetings would be pleasant, nothing to effuse mind you, just the standard."

"You should try it yourself," Draco replied, coolly.

"I'm sorry," Harry said. "Hello, Draco. You're looking well. I've missed you."

Draco's expression morphed from stoic to confused at Harry's admission, and the palpable tension wrenched itself a notch tighter. A moment later, Romeo came flying across the hangar with several loud "woots" and landed on Harry's shoulder.

"I've missed you too," Harry said with a light-hearted smile. He petted Romeo's feet, while the bird chewed on Harry's wild hair.

"It seems that you are forgiven for your long absence," Draco said.

"Not by you, obviously."

"You said three weeks."

"That was my estimate at the time. The job takes what it takes." Harry held out his arm and encouraged Romeo to hop down so that he could pet him properly.

"So I've read in the papers."

"The case is still open, but my cover is blown, so I’m staying in London."

Draco stood up and walked over to Harry. "I also read that you were injured. Are you all right?"

Harry smiled at Draco's softening mood. "Yes, thanks."

"Good." Draco looked away and then casually said, "I thought about visiting."

"Why didn't you?"

"Because I thought about it." Draco sat on the corner of his desk, and Harry met his eyes.

"You were on the list."

"List?"

"The list of people who were allowed in to see me. It was a very short list."

The blush in Draco's cheeks caused a sense of relief to spread through Harry's veins. He had thought about Draco quite a lot the last few months. Alone, undercover, and incommunicado, leaves one with a surfeit of hours to think. Harry thought of the time he had spent with Draco and the letters they had written. He thought about the way Draco reverently stroked his owlets and took painstaking care of all his owls. Harry thought about that night, that drunken night that he'd kissed Draco, and how it made his heart race like chasing after a Snitch. Mountains do indeed become clearer from the plain.

"I'm— I'm glad you're all right," Draco replied nervously.

It took considerable effort, but Harry managed to shoo Romeo to a nearby branch.

"I missed you," Harry said for the second time that afternoon. Slowly, he took the few steps to the desk and stood over Draco, waiting for some sort of response from the other man. When none came, Harry leaned forward and brushed his lips against Draco's. Harry could feel Draco's short breaths against his mouth and his body shaking ever so slightly beneath him. Receiving no protests, Harry pulled Draco up to his feet and wrapped his arms around him. He deepened the kiss and was rewarded with the warm probing of Draco's tongue.

Holding Draco like one of his coveted owls, Harry stroked his hand along the sides of Draco's face and through his hair. He kissed across Draco's face and down his neck, stopping to nuzzle it.

"Draco," Harry whispered. "I missed you. I wanted…"

"Yes?" Draco inquired, low and breathy.

Harry tugged at the front of Draco's cashmere jumper and continued to kiss his neck. In between kisses he confessed, "I kept thinking of you. I wanted to come back, but every time we got close to Lestrange, he was a step ahead of us."

Kissing up to Draco's ear, Harry whispered, "It couldn't have been the owls. We weren't using them. Finally, this last time we got the jump on him. He got away, but we've got most of his things. We'll find him."

Draco stiffened in Harry's arms. "You're on the job."

Pulling back to appraise Draco's reaction, Harry shook his head. "No. No."

"Then why are there three Aurors on Malfoy property?"

"They think that Lestrange might come here, but that's not why I'm here."

"Why are you here?" Draco asked sharply.

"I thought that was apparent."

"Not so apparent, no."

"Draco," Harry said, his heart on his sleeve. "They're watching your father, not you."

"And the Ministry purchasing my owls?"

"A coincidence. You had owls to sell." Harry cupped Draco's face with both hands. "I swear to you that my being here has nothing to do with the Ministry or this case."

Harry couldn't tell if Draco believed him. The other man stared at him with a stone cold expression. Taking a chance, Harry kissed Draco again. It took a moment, but he ultimately responded and returned the kiss.

Draco pulled away first. "You should go."

"I don't want to."

"You need to. Would you like me to send Romeo back to Grimmauld Place?"

"Write me a letter," Harry said cheerfully, and reached out to touch Draco's hand.

Draco nodded, but pulled his hand away. "And your Auror friends are out of their minds if they think Lestrange would show his slimy face here."

"Why would you say that?"

"My father and Lestrange were united by an insane sister-in-law and their allegiance to the Dark Lord. They are not, nor were they ever, friends. They detested each other."

"Really?" Harry had always assumed that Lucius was close to the Lestranges.

"Yes. Father always believed that the Lestranges were beneath him. He was also incredibly jealous of the Dark Lord favoring Rabastan after his return from Azkaban."

"Why did Voldemort favor Lestrange?"

"It was Lestrange who devised the spell for detecting those who used the Dark Lord's name."

"Wait, Lestrange created that spell?"

"Yes."

"That's how he…" Harry was ecstatic. He leaned over and kissed Draco on the cheek. "Thank you. I do have to go. Send me a letter."

Harry flashed a quick smile, and then spun around and Disapparated.

~ooOOOoo~

Hermione's laboratory was in the basement of the Ministry. Harry knocked on the door and peered inside the dimly lit room.

"Hermione, you in here?"

"Harry? Is that you?" Hermione called from the far corner. "What are you doing here?"

Harry closed the door behind him and followed the sound of her voice. "Hi, I knew you'd be working late." Her hands were full, so he gave her a quick peck on the cheek.

"You're supposed to be resting," she said in a stern yet maternal tone.

"I think we're about to have a breakthrough."

"Oh, really?"

Harry nodded and looked at the table in front of them. "Is this the stuff they brought back from Madrid?"

"The most promising of it anyway."

"We finally caught him by surprise, and I think I know why."

"You look like the cat that ate the canary. Spill."

"It's the name!" Harry was so excited. He had been on the case for over a year and finally he believed that he could catch Lestrange.

"Les—"

"Don't!" He placed his hand over Hermione's mouth. She nodded and he let go. "In case he can still listen. Do you know what Draco just told me?"

"No, but I've got a good guess now."

"It was our most wanted man that created the spell that betrayed those who said Voldemort's name. He must have expanded on it. All these years, he was always a step ahead of the Aurors. The Ministry thought there was an inside man. We thought it was the owls. It was the name. I think if you say the name, he has a way of seeing what's written or hearing what's said. That's how we got to him in Madrid. We stopped using his name and only used our internal code name for him, Renegade."

Hermione looked as if she was taking it all in and then puzzling it back together.

And then something occurred to Harry. "He tried to get to his things before he left, but there were too many of us. He had to leave them behind. I bet there's something right here, right here on this table that does it."

"You're right. There needs to be a conduit and a way of communicating what's been said." She searched the contents of the table. "Look for something that looks like it could display a message: a mirror, tablet, or crystal ball."

"Yes!" Hermione exclaimed, as she held out a small crystal orb with a bluish tint. "Say his name."

"Rabastan Lestrange is wanted by the Ministry for Magic," Harry said in a professional Auror voice.

The orb lit up and his exact words could be seen in a plain text inside the crystal.

"That's it!" Hermione beamed.

"Let's hope he doesn't have a spare."

"I doubt it. This looks extremely complicated to make, maybe even as complex as the Sorcerer's Stone. Still we should let everyone involved know not to use his name just in case. Harry, this is excellent."

Their words continued to appear inside the orb.

"I wonder how long this lasts?" Harry asked.

"I can't wait to study this. Maybe I can modify the spell…"

Harry could see the wheels turning inside her head. Poor Ron. It was probable that he wouldn't be seeing much of his wife for a few weeks.

They continued to test the sensitivity of the orb and determined that the spell lasted five minutes from the time either the name Rabastan or Lestrange was uttered. When the name was written, anything written on the same sheet of parchment would be displayed. Hermione was enthralled with the magic. Harry was simply relieved. This case could end soon, leaving him with free time for other pursuits— most importantly, the pursuit of Draco Malfoy.

After an hour of experimentation, Hermione kicked him out of her lab with the non-negotiable order to go home and get in bed. His own pillow felt immensely comfortable under his head. Besides recovering from a few minor injuries, months on the road takes its toll on one's body. Harry was grateful to be home and collapsed on his bed. He was almost asleep when he heard Romeo pecking at the window.


March 2, 2003

Harry,
Romeo will be happy to be home.
Draco


~ooOOOoo~

Continued with Part 4