Rollercoaster – Part One

Flicking back long, blond hair, Draco waited impatiently at front of the Muggle theme park, along with Harry, Ron, Hermione, Blaise and Pansy.

"How much longer is this going to take?" he whined.

Hermione grinned at him, Blaise and Pansy nodded in agreement, Ron rolled his eyes, and Harry ignored him. Sighing softly, he leaned against the wall at his left side, and shut up, not wanting to aggravate Harry.

"So …" Blaise floundered, obviously uncomfortable with the silence that had settled over the six of them. "What is this place, anyway?"

"It's a theme park," Hermione explained. "It's one of the biggest Muggle tourist attractions around here."

"And why exactly do Muggles find it so interesting?" Pansy asked, eyeing a particularly muscular, hairy man smoking.

Hermione shrugged. "That's what we're here to find out isn't it?" she said, smiling at the other woman's impatience as they proceeded forward in the line, and finally made it to the counter.

A bored, 30 something year old woman sat in the little enclosure, sporadically checking her manicured nails, and doing her job with as little enthusiasm as possible.

"Tickets for six adults, please," Harry said as they all crowded around the small counter, not wasting any time with pleasantries.

Glaring at him, she named the price, and gave him the tickets as soon as he handed over the Muggle money. Harry had refused to let any of them pay for their own ticket, and had told them that if they even tried to talk their way out of it, he'd make sure they got the seeing to of a lifetime.

Draco rather thought he'd enjoy that seeing to.

Shaking the thought out of his head, he followed the others through a gate, where a Muggle man took their tickets, and suddenly, they was in the theme park.

Large buildings, in tacky colours surrounded him, and he stayed close to his friends, knowing that he'd get lost if he lost sight of them.

"The people who built these had absolutely no fashion sense," he complained. Everyone except Harry laughed, who simply shook his head in exasperation, with a small smile.

While the others decided what rides to go on, and which shows to see, Hermione slipped up to Draco's side.

"You haven't gone for it yet, I see," she observed. "I don't know what you're waiting for, Malfoy. Hundreds of other people are trying to get their hands on him."

Draco sighed. "You think I don't know that? It's just that he acts like we're not even sleeping together. I mean, I know we aren't actually going out or anything, but -" he faltered. "it would just be nice to know where I stand with him. He's sure as hell not giving me any clues about it."

Hermione shrugged. "There's only one way to find out," she advised knowingly.

"Can you just give me a hand?" he asked, exasperated.

"You need to do these sorts of things yourself, Draco." Hermione said, and left him to mull over the conversation with something akin to hopelessness.

"You're not going to chicken out, are you?" Harry teased, as Draco's eyes widened to the size of plates.

"Of course not," he scoffed, even as he stared at the rollercoaster with a mix of dread, and nausea. "And who says I'm going to be the one to chicken out, anyway? You could!"

"You're absolutely right," Harry said patronisingly, earning himself a glare from Draco.

"Oh shut up, Potter," he said, fully intending to give the other man an ear lashing.

"Will you two quit it!" Pansy interjected. "It's bad enough that we've been standing here for the last half an hour waiting our turn, without you two trying to bite each others heads off."

"But fighting with Harry soothes my soul, Pansy!" Draco replied with a grin.

"That's not what you said to me last week when you came crying to me because that fight you two had." Blaise said, and received a furious glower from Draco.

Trying to ignore Harry's curious gaze on him, Draco fidgeted, and broke eye contact with Blaise, his eyes coming to rest on Hermione. Go on, the look she sent him said. This is an opportune moment. Swallowing hard, he broke eye contact with her, too, and stared down at his shoes.

It wasn't that he didn't want to be with Harry - it was just that with so many people surrounding them, Draco really didn't want to bare his heart to Harry and risk having it trodden all over. And Draco wasn't sure that Harry liked him back, anyway. Damn it, this was so embarrassing. Why did he have to be the one to suffer from a particularly horrible case of unrequited love?

"So … Who thinks the Canons are going to win the next Quidditch Match?" Ron asked, trying to break the uneasy silence that had settled over the group. Draco was gratified to see that his method worked quite effectively.

Although Draco didn't know Ron well, and occasionally doubted he had a talent for anything, every so often Ron would proove without a doubt that he was capable of releasing the tension in a group. He was grateful this was one of those times.

hdhdhd

"Last chance to back out," Harry bantered playfully as he helped Draco lock himself into place in his chair, before locking himself into his own chair next to Draco.

"Not bloody likely, Potter," he said with a smirk thrown in the other man's direction.

"These seat things are uncomfortable!" Pansy complained from behind him.

"Suck it up," Draco replied. Next to him, Harry quietly sniggered.

He looks so good, Draco thought. He looks happy. And he truly did. Harry hadn't changed much since their final year at Hogwarts, except for a tolerance for Slytherins and what most of them had been through that slowly built until he was willing to offer friendship and support to a number of Slytherins; one of them was Draco.

And I'm so glad I didn't turn him down.

"Earth to Draco." Harry's voice penetrated through Draco's daydream, and he cleared his head, looking quizzically at Harry. "We're about to go,"

"Thanks ever so much for reminding me," Draco snapped, and tried to clamp down on the queasiness he already felt.

And they were off.

hdhdhd

"You're an evil man," Draco told Harry for the thousandth time, his voice hoarse. "A wicked, mean, evil man."

"I know, I know," Harry said, rolling his eyes.

They were sitting down at one of the restaurants, waiting for Draco to rediscover his stomach. Hermione, Pansy and Blaise would sporadically fuss over him, and every so often Ron would jokingly send him a smirk that said 'Ha, ha, suffer!'. But Harry had yet to display a single emotion about the way Draco was feeling.

This isn't bloody fair, he sulked to himself. Unrequited love sucks.

"I'm starving," Pansy suddenly exclaimed. Her declaration was followed by Ron, Hermione and Harry's agreement. Draco sent them a disgruntled look.

"You people sicken me. How can you even think of eating already?" With a moan, he plonked his head on top of his arms on the table.

Someone nudged his foot under the table. Looking up, he saw Blaise giving him a secretive glance. "Why don't you guys go ahead," Blaise said, keeping his eyes trained on Draco the entire time. "I'll be with you in a moment."

Shrugging, the other four stood up, and went to order their food.

"What is it?" the blond asked inquisitively, ignoring his queasy stomach.

Blaise leaned forward at the table. "I don't know what the hell is wrong with you, Draco. All you need to do is tell Harry that you want him. He's such a Gryffindor sap that he'll be too busy shagging you out of your body to doubt you. What's the problem?"

"What – There is no – I – Why …" Draco trailed off.

Blaise raised an eyebrow. "I'm warning you, Draco. If you don't go for him – and damn soon - someone else will."

And on that last, somewhat unhappy note, he left Draco sitting at the table, somehow feeling more nauseous than before.

"I know we're not that close, Malfoy, but you make Harry happy, so I'm willing to put up with you. The only thing is –"

"You're so sweet," Draco simpered.

Ron rolled his eyes. "I'm being serious, Malfoy. The only thing is that if you really want Harry, then you're going to have to do something about it soon. He's not going to stick around and wait, you know, and there are loads of other people who are interested in him–"

"For God's sake!" Draco yelled. "Is everyone intent on talking to me about the nonexistent relationship that I have with Harry? I want him. Is that what you want to hear? Well I'm not just saying it, it's true, too. He doesn't want me back! I can deal with it, alright! It's not like I need him or anything! So leave me alone, and let me deal with this my own way."

Ron gave him a sympathetic look.

"AND STOP LOOKING AT ME LIKE THAT!" Draco added, storming over to Pansy.

"Thank God. At least there's one other sane person around here," he rambled to her.

"What is it, sweety?" she asked distractedly, inspecting an expensive bikini set – more importantly, how it looked on her, and less importantly, the price.

"Everyone keeps talking to me about my 'relationship' with Harry, and how it's threatened!" he exclaimed, throwing his hands up in the air. "I mean, what is everyone's problem? It's not my fault he doesn't fancy me!"

"That's getting on the sulky side, there, darling." Pansy said, applying more lip gloss to her red lips before turning to face him. "Do you fancy him?" she asked, her brown eyes boring painfully into his own eyes.

Oh god, I should have known better. It's a bloody conspiracy! They're all out to get me!

"Well, yes." he said, scuffing the ground with his shoe.

"Do you want to be with him?"

"…Yeah."

"Alright then, Draco. You know, this is incredibly important to your happiness, so I'm not going to let you screw this up. I'm sick of seeing you unhappy, and if Potter's the one who can make you happy, then I'm going to make sure you get him."

"But he doesn't feel the same way, Pansy."

"You can't be sure of that, Draco. You've been shagging with him for what – four months now? You know Gryffindors get attached easily."

Slumping down, Draco nodded. "But how am I supposed to ask him? You know I'm not any good at these things. I don't even know what to say to him."

"That's all part of the master plan, honey." she winked at him, and for the first time, Draco thought that he might actually have a chance.

hdhdhd

"Thanks again, Harry," Hermione said, winking at Draco covertly, before stepping away from them, linking arms with Ronald and apparating away with a pop.

"So are you staying over tonight?" Harry asked him, filling in the silence that had taken over.

"I don't know. Do you want me to?" he replied with a smirk.

"Why not," the brunette said, shrugging. "I'm going to start cooking dinner."

Following him into the kitchen, Draco discovered once again, the fact that Harry actually was a good cook. He couldn't imagine himself doing the everyday mundane stuff Harry did. Draco had been brought up with house elves granting his every whim and wish, and as much as Hermione whinged at him and his other friends teased him about it, Draco was perfectly happy to let the house elves continue to take his orders – although now they were paid and got holidays, courtesy of Hermione's somewhat eccentric influence.

"Thanks for taking me today, Harry," Draco said, almost shyly when they were seated, the meal in front of them. He scooped up another mouthful of the beautiful pasta Harry had made them and swallowed it with glee. He loved Harry's cooking.

"I was happy to," Harry replied, before falling silent once again.

Dammit, Potter! Why do you have to make this so hard for me? Why can't you just open up a little so I know what's going on in that big, stupid, cute, adorable head of yours! YOU'RE DRIVING ME INSANE!

Draco was trying harder to get this to work than he'd ever tried in a relationship. It was so hard for him. He was a Malfoy, and usually, Malfoys were the ones who got chased, not the pursuers. Draco felt extremely vulnerable in this position, but Harry wouldn't let him get out of. He dropped every act that kept him safe from others in front of Harry even though it was often at his own expense, he regularly sent little presents, he was there for Harry whenever he needed him and he tried to stay away when he wanted to be alone. Everything he said, thought, felt and did was dependent on Harry.

And it seemed that everyone knew how Draco truly felt about Harry no matter hard he tried to reveal it. Although Draco often found this humiliating, he was coming to expect it and deal with it, simply because Harry was worth it. And though Draco might feel a little uncomfortable and out of place when with Harry, the thought of being alone was too much for him to handle, and the thought of being with anyone else was too much to stomach.

No one else could make Draco feel the things Harry made him feel. Harry was bloody brilliant, and Draco knew a lot of people thought he was too good for Draco. Nevertheless, other people's opinions had never really been of much concern to Harry and Draco was grateful for that one small blessing.

What frustrated him was the fact that no matter how hard Draco tried, Harry was never willing to go to the next level. And although he never said anything, the distance in those emerald eyes was obvious to anyone who was looking for it. He feared rejection and a fall out with Harry, and so he stayed silent, showing his affection and desire for the relationship to get serious in ways he knew Harry would find more acceptable.

Draco came out of his thoughts to see Harry looking at him in a predatory way.

"You have sauce on your lips," he explained with a completely straight face.

"I bet you can help me fix that," Draco said.

"I bet I could," Harry replied.

Leaning over, Harry kissed him gently. Draco pressed deeper into the kiss, and it became more passionate. Submitting to Harry's questing tongue, Draco felt them fumble their way to Harry's bed with a great deal of difficulty.

And it wasn't long until both were sprawled over said bed, sated and satisfied. Except for one thing ...

Draco rolled over on top of Harry, and nudged the brunette.

"What do you want?" he teased.

"Harry, you know my policy. You have to cuddle me now because I bottomed!"

"You always bottom," Harry snorted, nevertheless flinging an arm over Draco.

There was a brief silence. Then,

"Do not."

Propping himself up on one elbow, Harry raised an eyebrow. "Want me to prove that wrong?"

hdhdhd

"Just stay at home today! They don't need you at work!" Harry yelled over the top of the shower as Draco scrubbed himself as clean as he could in a short amount of time.

"Can't! My patients need me!" he yelled back.

He heard Harry's exasperated snort before the door slammed shut. Climbing out of the shower, he rubbed himself dry on a soft towel before jumping into his jeans and running out the door.

"I am so late it isn't funny," he told Harry, who had flopped back onto his bed, while pulling a jumper over his head. Kissing him chastely on the mouth before running out the door, he tried to ignore Harry calling out the things he would do for Draco, if he stayed home.

Stepping into the fireplace in Harry's lounge room after grabbing a handful of Floo Powder, Draco said clearly, "Work", and braced himself, trying to fend off disorientation before being spat out of his workplace's fireplace.

Taking a moment to regain his composure, he leant against the wall and closed his eyes.

"Master Malfoy, sir, we need a Healer down in the West Wing right away, sir. There is a witch having a serious allergic reaction to one of the potions you brewed, sir," a tiny, high pitched voice said – one of the hospital's house elves.

"Okay," Draco said tersely, waving the house elf away.

It was going to be a long day. Perhaps he should have listened to Harry after all.

hdhdhd

"Took your time getting back here," Harry complained as Draco threw himself down on Harry's couch with a sigh of exhaustion.

He peered up at Harry through his blond hair, annoyed. "Yeah, well, some of us have work to do." he snapped back.

Harry raised his eyebrows. "I see someone had a bad day."

Draco made a noncommital noise, and rolled over. "Sorry," he said somewhat sheepishly. "It was crappy, but I shouldn't take it out on you."

Harry shrugged. "Yeah, it's alright. But you better be staying over tonight." he said, and walked into the kitchen.

"I can do that." Draco replied, smiling.

"Oh, and Hermione and Ron are coming over to have dinner with us," Harry called out.

Damn. Hermione will interrogate me again. And Ron probably will, too. Interfering Gryffindors ...

"Hermione and Ron probably want you to themselves for a while," Draco said, following Harry into the kitchen. "They haven't seen you without me being nearby for almost a month, and they probably want their best friend back for a while."

Harry smiled and swooped down on Draco, kissing him softly on the lips. "You're sweet. Hermione said she wanted to go clubbing for a bit, though, so I said you'd come too. I know you love it, and you haven't been in ages."

Draco laughed, and Harry pulled him close in an embrace that shocked Draco. Harry hardly ever cuddled him or acted affectionate publically; and Draco viewed each and every singular act of affection as a reassurance that his decisions in the most recent part of his life were correct.

He sighed happily, and placed his own arms around Harry's narrow waist. "I love you," he said, and then froze -

Harry pulled back, and Draco's arms flopped back to his sides.

"Pardon?" the brunette said, far too calmly.

Draco's throat was tight, and he felt like he couldn't speak. "I-I -" he choked out -

POP!

Both Harry and Draco jumped as Ron and Hermione apparated in.

"We'll talk about it later," Harry said in a darkly promising sort of way, before greeting his best friends, and engaging in small talk.

Draco managed to nod politely at the Gryffindors, before excusing himself, and hiding in the bathroom.

He closed the door behind him, and slid down it, his back and neck resting against it as he sat on the cold tiled floor. Holy shit, I cannot believe I just said that. How the hell am I going to explain this tonight? He'll jump at me about it, I know. And he won't let it go. Draco banged his head against the door in frustration, and bit his lower lip. What's really bad is now, Harry knows how I feel about him. Why, oh why do I have to say everything that comes into my head?

hdhdhd

"You're looking nice tonight, Draco," Hermione said pleasantly, when he'd found the courage to face all three of them again.

"And you look as stunning as ever," he replied truthfully, leaning over to kiss her cheek.

He looked up to see Ron staring expectantly at him. "Don't look at me like that, I'm not going to kiss your cheek as well," he teased.

The redhead shook the expression off his face, gave Draco a dirty look, and ignored him, bringing up a conversation with Harry.

"Seems like he's in a bit of a mood," Draco commented to Hermione, and she sniffed.

"No. He's just annoyed that you haven't worked up the courage to say something to Harry yet,"

Draco stiffened. "Not tonight," he hissed angrily.

Hermione looked shocked at his quiet, but nevertheless vibrant anger, before looking thoughtful. "If you say so, Draco," she said, and both of them turned back to their own thoughts.

I wonder which nightclub Harry is going to take us to, Draco wondered, and voiced his question.

"That Muggle one we all liked," Harry replied, and Draco vaguely recalled the place.

"Ah."

"Are we going yet?" Ron asked somewhat impatiently, and Harry chuckled.

"Right away, Your Highness."

hdhdhd

"You didn't say other people were coming too!" Draco whispered into Harry's ear.

The brunette shrugged. "I'm sorry, okay? I just forgot. It's not a disaster or anything."

Draco sighed, and looked around the place. People who had attended: Ginny Weasley, Blake Zabini, Pansy Parkinson, Dean Thomas, Seamus Finnagin, Zach Smith, Neville Longbottom, the Weasley twins, Luna Lovegood, and a number of other young people Draco didn't know.

"I'm going to go and get a drink," Draco said, pushing his way through a crowd of people to the bar. "Sex on the beach and Orgasm, please," he requested.

The barmaid raised her eyebrow at him. "Just tell me when," she purred teasingly before making and handing over the drinks.

Draco blushed and laughed, taking his drink, tipping the barmaid, and turned back towards Harry to see him -

With. Another. Man.

Draco breathed in deep. You're being paranoid, he thought. Harry wouldn't ever cheat on you.

He calmed himself down, feeling a little foolish, and walked over to Harry, handing over one of the drinks.

"Oh, hey Draco." Harry said, and kissed him on the forehead. Draco felt a rush of fierce possessive giddiness, before the strange man looked from Harry to Draco.

"Oh, are you two going out?" he asked, obviously surprised and no little dissappointed.

"Yes," Draco replied -

At the same time Harry said "No."

Draco's neck snapped as he suddenly looked up at Harry.

The strange men obviously felt the tension, because he began to back away. "Shit," was all he said.

It seemed like the whole club had become silent, and he and Harry were the focus of absolutely everyone's attention.

"What?" Harry asked, puzzled at Draco's heartbroken gaze.

The strange man swore yet again, and Draco could feel his, along with many other people's sympathetic gazes resting on him.

Draco felt a tear trickle down his cheek, and he brushed it away angrily. He gently placed his drink down on a table nearby him.

"I don't know why you lead me on, then, Harry." he said softer than he had meant to; nevertheless, the dull, heartbroken tone carried throughout the complex, and Draco saw Hermione rushing to the scene, obviously with the intention of fixing the problem.

He pivoted, and strode out the room, feet coming down far less firmer than he wanted them to, his posture more defeated than he wanted it to be, sobs escaping despite his impressive attempts of self control, and will for them to stop, tears trickling from his eyes.

"Draco! Draco, wait!" he heard several voices call, but ignored them, and slammed the door behind him.

Not even checking if anyone out in the street was watching him, he apparated himself back to Harry's place with a pop.

He filched a bit of paper and a pen from Harry's office, he wrote one quick note, placing it gently on Harry's pillow in his bedroom.

That note would be his last to Harry.

hdhdhd

End of Part One.

CaitlinNicole