Finite Incantatem

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the original characters- all rights go to J.K Rowling and co. Really wish I did though ... :(

Summary: The wars over and Voldemort's has gone, yet Harry can't seem to see the light. When Harry goes back to confront the others, he meets something unexpected that changes his life dramatically. What will the future bring for Harry after this startling discovery? After all is said and done can things ever go back to 'normal'.

It's amazing how life changes so quickly. When I think of how my life used to be, what with the ever eminent threat of death from the serpentine creature, Voldermort, I can't seem to comprehend how much times have changed for the better. Who'd have thought that your nemesis can really bring you back from the depths of despair? I owe my sanity to a certain blonde … not that I'd ever admit that to him- wouldn't want to damage his ego. Who am I kidding? I'm in love with that damn arrogant, egotistical, snobby, pureblood son of a bitch. Draco Malfoy is the bane of my existence, my obsession, my infuriating enemy – he's the person I loved to hate, now love to love. Oh damn it, I'm such a 'Puff (Hufflepuff).

Though in this current state I wouldn't dare think of him as my enemy, I remember the days we fought furiously and mercilessly to see one another suffer. I remember the nights I spent obsessing over his whereabouts, subconsciously plotting his demise and dreaming of the day I'd finally manage to thwart him and put him in his place. It wasn't until one the night of Voldermorts' untimely, but welcomed, death that things between us changed drastically ….

Flashback ….

An eerie silence settled itself amongst the grounds of Hogwarts. The war had finally drawn to an abrupt close: the wounded were gathered together in the hall, tears falling from every broken soldier, for those who lost their lives to this unsightly battle, the silence occasionally broken only with sobs of despair from each corner of the vast lifeless room.

As Harry walked through the hall, all gazes fell intently upon him. A light sweat broke on his brow as he felt himself as the eyes bore down on him. He began to sink into the unwelcome feeling of sorrow knowing full well that he had to keep his emotions controlled, heaven forbid the wizarding world realise how broken their saviour felt at that moment in time.

He looked around in the hope to catch the eye of his best friends, he needed an escape, everything was overwhelming him and he could feel exhaustion creeping into his system. Instead of finding those whom he sought the most, he found a huddle of redheads crouched around a solitary lifeless figure. As Harry approached silently, one of the group detached themselves from the midst and flung themselves upon him.

''Harry …. Oh … Harry … I,'' The voice broke of as a sob broke through as the voice finally broke. Ginny latched her arms tightly around Harry's waist as the tears fell uncontrollably and her head sunk into the crook of his neck.

''Shhh … I'm here now … Shhh Ginny, let it all go.'' Harry whispered softly in her ear as he raised a hand to comb his fingers through her fine hair. ''He's gone, Ginny. Voldermorts dead. We're safe. It's over.''

''I … I,'' Ginny tried to regain control and steady her voice as she lifted her head and looked him in the eye. ''Fred … he's … and … I thought I'd lost you … I just … please …'' Another sob broke through as the tears arose thick and fast from the bright blue eyes. Harry pulled her forward roughly and held her in a tight embrace, letting her release the sorrow held deep within.

The one thing he loved about Ginny was how head strong she was. In moments of despair she was the one to calm him, to reassure him and to love him. The problem was, he didn't return that love. He knew he should, his heart clenched at the thought as guilt crept through, but he loved her as a sister and nothing more. He wished more than anything that he could solve her problems, love her in return and cherish her as she deserved to be cherished but he knew he couldn't. He was gay for Godrics sake, but now was not the time to tell her, now was the time to comfort and protect those who had done so much for him, so that's just what he did.

The minutes seemed to stretch on for hours as he listened to her breath beginning to even out, slow and shallow wisps catching on his neck causing him a slight tingle from the warmth.

Finally regaining control, Ginny looked up at Harry and smiled a meek, gentle smile. ''I love you Harry.'' She whispered without breaking eye contact, her eyes shining with sincerity. She wove her arm around his neck and forced their mouths to meet in a kiss filled with passion.

That was when it hit him and the world came crashing down. Everything he'd tried to keep away started to arise and he felt the tears attempting to break through.

''I … I've got to go Ginny. I'm … I'm sorry … I'm so so sorry.'' Harry said quietly, releasing Ginny and untangling their limbs he turned around and fled. He fled from the room avoiding all curious glances, not wanting to look back at Ginny in fear of seeing her break down again because of him. As he ran, he sped up, losing all sense of direction as his feet took control.

As Harry reached the main entrance he pushed the door firmly and ran outside towards the forbidden forest. He continued at a quickened pace, until his path was stopped abruptly by a solitary blonde figure obscured by the darkness.

''Potter.'' The blonde sneered, looking over Harrys broad figure in the semi-darkness.

'Just my luck that the last person I want to see manages to find me, and always at an inconvenient time. Why did I save him again? Oh blast ended screwts.' Harry thought to himself.

''Malfoy.'' He sneered in return, not making eye contact in fear of betraying his emotions. Unfortunately for him he wore his heart on his sleeve and was far too easy to read, either that or the blonde knew him far too well for his liking.

''Pot-Harry … Are you okay?'' Malfoy enquired gently, looking over Harry intently as if reading him like a book.

Startled by the extreme change of character combined with the previous hours of intense battling, overwhelming grief and deep rooted sadness, Harry fell to the floor and tucked his knees under his chin and wrapped his arms securely around them and hid his face. He then began to shake as the tears fell. Forgetting that Malfoy had addressed his by his first name Harry let the emotions take over him, rendering him incoherent.

''No … not really … no.'' Harry's voice was muffled and cracked from the tears that fell from his eyes. An internal battle had started for Harry, as his mind was berating him for being such an emotional Gryffindor when he should have been more Slytherin and kept a mask of indifference.

'You never show your enemies your weakness. Emotions are your weakness you silly boy.' The voice in Harrys head sneered at him. 'Are you stupid? He's sure to laugh at you now. You're going to regret this moment-' Harry's thoughts were interrupted as a warm hand was placed on his shoulder.

Startled, Harry looked up and his emerald eyes met those silver globes that bore into him like daggers. The usual icy glaze had disappeared and was replaced with what looked like … concern? Harry laughed inwardly … ' Stupid boy, why would he be concerned about you? He hates you remember. He's probably plotting to use this as blackmail.'

''You should be happy Harry, why aren't you happy? You did it, you killed him. We can live now. Everything's over, you did it, you won.'' Malfoy stated, a hint of accusation in his voice.

Harry stared at him incredulously, mouth open slackly, eyes open wide comically. ''You … How dare you? This was never about winning! He killed my parents! He deserved to die. Just because you and your parents worshiped him like soulless, heartless androids …''

Malfoys eyes flashed with unreadable emotions. Instantly he recoiled, taking a few large strides to distance himself from Harry. "NO! How dare you? You always succeed! You always get the best of things! My father's just been taken to Azkaban and my mother's having a mental break down as we speak! Everything I had has been taken from me- my place in this world has vanished and you sit here crying! Celebrate for Godrics sake – get your sorry arse up there and stop wallowing in your own self-pity!''

Anger rose up inside Harry as he turned and faced Malfoy, his eyes turned to slits as he stood to his fullest, towering over Malfoy.

''YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND! YOU'D NEVER UNDERSTAND. YOU HAVE NO HEART. HOW WOULD YOU KNOW WHAT IT FEELS LIKE TO HAVE THE PEOPLE YOU LOVE DIE FOR YOU.? ALL OF THIS-'' Harry hissed as he waved his arms around him, indicating the broken battlements, the few remaining dead bodies and the patches of dried blood spread in various places on the grass verges around him. ''IT'S MY FAULT! YOU DON'T CARE, YOU COULD NEVER CARE!''

Unbearable pain hit Draco squarely in the chest, not that of a curse or an act of violence, but from within himself. He felt his heart break from the words Harry had said. Mentally berating himself for not controlling his anger, the regret for his previous words settled itself in his mind. Making a split second decision and going on pure instinct he took a step towards Harry and reached his arm towards the enraged man.

''I do.'' Draco said quietly, his gaze falling to the ground as he tried to hide the hurt from Harrys words. ''Care that is … always have.''

Confused, Harry let the arm that reached for him settle, and made no attempt to remove it. The two remained silent for mere minutes as Harry tried his best to absorb Malfoys words, and Malfoy tried his best not to flee as he realised just what he had said.

''Crap … Just forget this …. Forget I said anything okay … Just-'' Malfoy mumbled as he removed his hand from Harrys arm and turned away. ''Forget it. Go cry, or whatever it was you were going to do.''

Shocked and confused, Harry reacted instantly and threw his arms out, successfully halting Malfoy in his escape and pulling him back.

''No.'' Harry ground out, the usual venomous tone had gone, replaced with curiosity. Revelations like this didn't happen every day, and Harry had learned to take his chances and go with his instinct. Right now his instinct screamed to investigate, it begged him not to give up and encouraged him to be true to his Gryffindor side and be brave. ''Tell me.''

"I …'' Draco looked at Harry with wide eyes, unsure of how to say what he felt. He had never been good with words, Malfoys didn't need words, they expressed themselves through their eyes and their body language. Now though, Draco knew these wouldn't work, Harry may be intelligent but this revelation was so complex that mere movements would not indicate the truth. Taking a deep breath Draco tried his best to be brave and mumbled quietly. "Icareaboutyou.''

Harry took a step back to look at Malfoy fully. He noted how the blonde was rigid, the tension clear from miles away. Harry smiled to himself when he realised that Malfoy had started talking again and it was clear that the blonde was scared.

''What was that?'' He asked curiously, smirking slightly as Malfoy looked directly at him, the fear evident in his eyes.

''I care about … you.'' Malfoy said simply with a slight shrug as though he commenting on the weather rather than admitting he cared about his sworn enemy. A nervous laugh escaped his lips, and for the second time that night he turned to escape.

This time, however, he was successful in his escape. The distance between the two had increased to a good few metres before Draco turned around to look at Harry. He noticed Harry was stood looking at the floor with a slight smile gracing his features, shoulders slumped in defeat, back shaking slightly with laughter.

Anger flashed in Draco's mind. He felt completely humiliated, he had thought the revelation may cause anger, or confusion, but never had he dreamt that it would be considered funny.

Just as Draco was about to storm towards Harry, the boy in question looked directly at him and raised his voice, grinning broadly at Draco.

"I care about you too … Draco. You arrogant, annoying, insufferable prat … More than I should."

End Flashback.

Hard to believe such a revelation could lead to a whirlwind romance, but it did. He saved me from the despair I felt that night- stopped me being stupid and running away from my duty. He helped me face those who lost loved ones, talk to them, comfort them and help them recover. When I broke down, he consoled me, brought me back, talked me out of numerous attempts to end my life. He taught me that my life had meaning, showed me how powerful love was. It was a crying shame I couldn't share him with others. I wanted so much to show my pride and joy to everyone. Secret relationships never work, it's sad and we know that, but we still try. We can't tell anyone for obvious reasons … Golden Boy and Death Eater don't really mix. The worlds still in turmoil and news like this could easily cause another war.

My dismissal of Ginny caused a lot of hostility between me and the Weasleys' for a short period of time. To say they were upset is an understatement. Especially for Ron, he was furious. Don't get me wrong, I love him and all, but he never does understand. He didn't help situations and for 2 weeks straight we argued like Godric and Salazar.

Eventually, we made up, with the help of Hermione of course. Well, rather her persuasive locking us in a room alone with every locking charm she knew and a shout of ''Sort this now or you will not see me again. That does account for you too Ronald. Make up or I will be obligated to carry out my threat and trust me, you do not want that. You two can't survive a day without me.'' That encouragement helped us sort through our problems, and left us with no voice for two days after we efficiently screamed our opinions until we both understood one another and made up.

Heartbreaks not easy to handle, and trust me when I say that my heart was broken a few times in the next few months. It pains me to say, but I'm sure Draco's was too, and by me no less. I suppose you want to know what happened to us after that? And you want to know how we are now? Well, you'll have to read to find out.

It all started 4 months after our initial revelations. The secret relationship was working well, and we were enjoying out bitter sweet relationship as much as we could. Then things go a little more … complicated.

_

Woo, I've finished for now. R&R please. I'll update soon.