An Incomplete Picture (H/D, PG-13)

[sesheta66]

Title:   An Incomplete Picture
Author:   sesheta_66 
Rating:   PG-13
Word Count:   1177
Pairing/Characters:   Harry/Draco
Challenge:   AWDT challenge "Read my mind" and  hd_angst  prompt "Pensieve"
Warnings:   No beta.
Summary:   Draco knows what he saw - but was it the whole picture?
Disclaimer:   The characters contained herein are not mine. They belong to JK Rowling and her publishers. No money is being made from this fiction, which is presented for entertainment purposes only.

"What exactly is your problem?" Harry screamed at Draco.

"You are."

"And why is that?"

"What were you doing with Zacharius Smith tonight?"

"Nothing. We had a discussion. That's all."

"Really, because that's not what it looked like."

"And what exactly did it look like?"

"I don't know Potter. Why don't you tell me. Everyone I talked to said that you practically dragged him into the back room, and that it didn't look like you were going to have a chat."

"Everyone you talked to? And who might that have been? And why the hell would you talk to other people instead of me?"

"Maybe because they'll tell me the truth," he ventured. The words weren't even out of his mouth before Draco knew he had crossed the line.

"And what, might I ask, do you think I will tell you?" Harry asked, moving closer to Draco, eyes flashing menacingly. "Do you think I'm lying to you?"

"Are you?"

"Let's see. You get information from others, storm out of the pub, refuse to talk to me, accuse me of lying, and now you are asking me if you are right. Have I got that straight?"

"Just tell me the truth Harry. Why were you so interested in getting Smith alone?"

"I told you, we talked. I needed to have a few words with him, I did, and that's it."

Draco, knowing what he saw with his own two eyes, couldn't accept what Harry was saying to him. The image of Harry kissing Smith would forever remain etched in his mind. Harry grasping Smith's shirt, Smith pulling him in closer. It was too much for him. He knew Harry was abysmal at Occlumency, and he needed to know why Harry had done this to him ... he just needed to.

"No!" Harry screamed as the first images of the encounter between Harry and Smith flashed before Draco's eyes. He pushed Draco back, angrier than Draco had ever seen him before. "You want to read my mind, do you Draco? Fine then!" Harry went to the cupboard, pulled out his Pensieve, and placed it on the table. He took his wand, removed a few strands of memory, and gave Draco a venomous stare. "There you go. Enjoy the show!" Harry put on his cloak and told Draco, "I'm leaving." With the familiar crack of Apparition, he was gone.

Now that he was face-to-face with the memory, Draco wasn't so sure he wanted to see it. He didn't know if he could stand witnessing Harry's betrayal again, this time with the conversation that went along with it. He left the room to get a cup of tea and steel his nerves for what was to come. He wanted his mind clear when he watched the memories. He didn't want to have to see it more than once, so he didn't want to dull the edges with alcohol. There would be plenty of time to drown his sorrows later.

After almost half an hour, he went back into the room, figuring he was as ready as he would ever be. He swirled the contents with his wand, then leaned into the memories. He was back at the pub, and Harry was approaching Smith quickly. "Smith. Back room. Now!" he barked at the blonde. Smith looked surprised, but rather delighted. As he left the room, he smiled and winked at several onlookers. Bastard!

Draco followed the two into the back room, where Harry locked the door and put up a silencing charm. Oh, God. I don't want to hear this. "What the fuck is your problem Smith?"

"I'm sure I don't know what you're talking about," came the reply. He held his usual confident stance, but his face told another story. He was worried.

"I'm sure you do, you sneaky bastard! What are you trying to do to Draco? Is it some sort of blackmail you are planning? I know you've been snooping around in his past, his family's past. I know you've been gathering information about him. What's your game, Smith?" Draco recognized the pent-up anger in Harry, as he watched him keep his cool, keep his distance, clenching and unclenching his fists as they hung at his sides. He was ready to blow.

"I was having him investigated for you, if you must know."

"What?!?"

"For you, Harry. You must know that he's no good for you. I know it. My friends know it. Most of our former classmates know it. Half of the bloody wizarding world knows it. Apparently, you're one of the few that doesn't. So I was trying to enlighten you." A look of triumph came over his face, as though he had just made the most important discovery known to wizard kind.

"Listen you slimy little bastard," Harry began, inching his way towards Smith. "There is nothing - I repeat, nothing - that you could tell me about Draco Malfoy that I don't already know, or that he would feel the need to keep from me." Draco was distracted by the image of himself peering in through a back door that Harry hadn't bothered locking. Harry moved closer to Smith. "You don't know Draco. You know nothing about him," he continued. "And you know what, Smith?" Harry growled ominously. Smith just shook his head. "You are not fit to lick his boots."

"Oh, but I would never lower myself to do such a thing," Smith countered. "However, there are a few places on you I would gladly lick," he told Harry. At that, Harry grabbed Smith by the shirt, shoving him hard against the wall.

"Is that what this is about?" he breathed into the other man's face. "You would ruin a man's reputation because you wanted to make a move on his -- " Harry didn't have the chance to finish his sentence before Smith wrapped his arms around him, pulled him close, and slammed his mouth down over Harry's. Draco watched as his own image walked away from the door.

Harry threw Smith off him, slamming him into the wall and breaking all contact. "Never. Touch. Me. Again." He wiped off his mouth with the back of his sleeve. "You make me sick. You would ruin a man's life for your own personal gain, without any thought. You are a low life, Smith. I want everything - I mean everything delivered to me tonight. There will be no record of what you dug up on Draco. You have one hour. You don't need any more time than that, so don't even bother asking. If you don't do as I say, I promise you, you will pay. You may not have heard, but I am actually a very powerful wizard. You'd do best not to test me. Now get the fuck out of my sight, before I hex your balls off."

The memory faded, and Draco found himself, once again, back in their flat. Alone. "Harry!" he called, knowing he wasn't going to get an answer. "Harry?" Still nothing. Oh God, what have I done?

Comments

[faynia.livejournal.com]

Why is it Draco who is always in need of snuggles in these fics. Even when he's wrong, you still feel worse for him than Harry.

[sesheta-66.livejournal.com]

Hmmm ... I dunno. I think Harry deserves some serious hugs here, because he was wronged (by Smith), misunderstood (by the onlookers, thanks to Smith), and not believed by his boyfriend. He was trying to do the best thing for Draco, and didn't feel like he should have to defend himself. Draco didn't tell Harry what he personally saw, so what's Harry supposed to think?

But, yes, I'll agree ... Draco needs some hugs too, because his own actions have caused him to drive Harry away (for now).

Maybe you feel worse for Draco because he's SAD at the end, but Harry is still ANGRY ... and it's instinctive to want to comfort a sad person? *ponders*

Thanks for reading, btw. How's the hpslashnotsmut fic coming? I scrapped mine, and completely re-wrote it. Still not done (although ideas are bouncing around in my head, yet to be committed to cyber-paper), but should be tonight. Yeesh! I had planned on getting it out to a beta a week ago. Not good. :o(

[faynia.livejournal.com]

It's at 7,000 words and climbing this thing is going to be lengthy I think i just barely hit 1/5 of the way in 0.o and I have less than two weeks left? Shite *cowers in a corner where things are nice and pleasant*

And because of you I went over to read the challenge and suddenly started writing trio smut....yeah I know....how does "Read my Mind" bounce to trio smut is beyond me. I need a slave driver or something or I'll keep getting distracted and never finish my hpslashnotsmut fic on time and then I'll hate myself for about a month.

[sesheta-66.livejournal.com]

Mine is at about 4,300 words currently and also climbing. When you say "less than two weeks," you mean "one week," right?

[faynia.livejournal.com]

Don't freak me out like that!!!!!! There's nine days left. I should be able to finish it by Tuesday, should being the key word. I only have to write 3000 ish words a day. I can do that. I can, really!

[sesheta-66.livejournal.com]

Sorry ... I had put in my calendar to post by the 24th ... one week from today. So then I have an extra two days. *does happy dance*

[ruinithil.livejournal.com]

I hate it when Draco is too stupid to see that Harry wouldn't do that to him! Poor Harry :( But poor Draco too...mostly poor Harry. *hugs*

[sesheta-66.livejournal.com]

Awww ... I don't think Draco is so much stupid as he is insecure. He's been hearing how he's not good enough for Harry (Smith was saying the same thing to Harry) for a long time, so he always has that thought in the back of his mind. Then he sees a kiss, and it breaks his heart. *hugs Draco close*

Naturally, I feel for Harry, because he was definitely the 'wronged' one here. *big squishes for Harry*

Hopefully the two of them will talk it out later.

[ruinithil.livejournal.com]

Oh, they better. *cuddles them*

[mtranc3.livejournal.com]

I knew Harry would never cheat on Draco! *happy dance* I think poor Draco is just insecure and that's why he jumps to conclusions... ts ts he should have known Harry better than that *g*

Great angst-y piece :)

[sesheta-66.livejournal.com]

Who in their right mind would cheat on Draco? I mean, have you seen him? *winks*

I dunno ... I might jump to a conclusion or two if I saw my man kissing someone else. Of course, I'd actually TELL him I saw it! Silly boys.

Thanks.

[charmed310.livejournal.com]

WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY boy!!!!

Son of a bitch! - there IS a sequel, right???

[sesheta-66.livejournal.com]

Um ... hadn't specifically planned one, but it sorta sets one up. Let's see if I have time for a part 2.

[dracoluvah.livejournal.com]

I want to give hugs and loves to both of them.
My poor boys!

[sesheta-66.livejournal.com]

Me too. *squishes them both*

I have confidence that, after everything else they've been through, they will manage to get through this too. *nods*

Oooh ... the new boardgame is up! Hint: if you start while it's still the 17th, your magic orb move of 9 spaces will get you to "double your points." Thought you might want to know. (Yes, I just kick-started my game for that very reason). Must go work some more on my slashnotsmut fic. G'night.

[dracoluvah.livejournal.com]

Yes ... I see the two of them getting past this
:-)

PS ... thanks for the heads up on the game ... clockwise? counterclockwise?

[sesheta-66.livejournal.com]

Hey! You ARE playing for another team ... how much help am I supposed to give you?!? Kidding ... it doesn't matter, because 9 will get you to that in either direction.

[dracoluvah.livejournal.com]

So I switch to another house to help even things out ... but did it really make a difference?

I figured out that both directions would get me there ... so I went the way of the smut for tonight.

OK ... I'm really going to bed now.

[lackofmendacity.livejournal.com]

Poor Draco! He must feel so terrible after all that :( And poor Harry too, being all angry at Smith and then for Draco to be suspicious of him *offers both boys a cuddle*

Back to angst again?!

Haha, seriously though, that was very intense and enjoyable, though I'm hoping you make everything better in a sequel *pleading look* You can't leave it like that! *sniffles*

[sesheta-66.livejournal.com]

Back to angst again?!

But of course, dahling! You know I must have my fill of angst, and it's been all about the fluff lately!

Sequel ... we'll see when I can get to that ... lots of other stuff currently in the works. But yes, I have to agree ... it's a bit of a nasty spot to leave them, isn't it? Muahaha!

[irresistableplx.livejournal.com]

Theres got to be a continuation of this somewhere............

[sesheta-66.livejournal.com]

There might be in the future ...

[drusillas-rain.livejournal.com]

oh, so sad *sniff*

*thwaps Draco with rolled-up newspaper*

Will there be a sequel?

[sesheta-66.livejournal.com]

Well, it would seem that a sequel is definitely called for. We'll see when I can fit it in.

[acromantular.livejournal.com]

Beautiful angst- nicely done!
I loved Draco's attempts at Legilimancy, and the use of the Pensieve.
Boy, does Harry ever have a good reason to be self-righteous...

[sesheta-66.livejournal.com]

Thank you. I do so love my angst! And yes, Harry definitely has a good reason.

[abremaline.livejournal.com]

Oh. I hope they're okay!

[sesheta-66.livejournal.com]

Considering everything else they've been through, I would hope this is something they could eventually work out in the end.

[nomeci.livejournal.com]

what an awesome fic! will there be a follow up to this one? again - awesome work!

[sesheta-66.livejournal.com]

Thanks so much. I'm glad you liked it. Yes, I think I'll eventually get around to a sequel. Can't leave the boys like this, I suppose. Just not sure when I'll be able to get to it. Thanks again ♥

Icon love, by the way ... ♥

[nomeci.livejournal.com]

hehe thanks I made it a couple weeks ago... :)