Hey all, sorry that this has not been updated for so long, I took a hiatus but am now back set on writing fanfic. I am a little unsure as to where this story is going, and while this chapter may have a sense on being final it isn't quite yet :) This story is one I want to use to convey some ideas that have a slightly more philosophical tinge – but will have to wait and see.
Enjoy! IOMH x
The next few weeks passed in much the same way, I slowly got used to the whispers, the sidelong glances.
What I did not get used to was the days, of which there were far too many, where Draco would come back to the room somehow wounded.
But maybe the cuts and bruises were a gift in a twisted way. Before the war I had always had a 'cause', something to investigate and pour my energy into. This would provide the perfect distraction.
It started off with just walking Draco to class when possible. He got angry at first, even raising his voice to tell me he was not a 'defenceless lamb.' I won that argument, after all – ten against one are poor odds even though the blonde Syltherin had admirable skills. But one night when I found my roommate knocked unconscious in an alcove I was fortunate enough to be passing, my blood boiled.
Anger, I smiled softly as I leant over Draco to revive him. It felt so good to have something burning through my veins. As I drew my wand to cast the necessary charm, I paused briefly to look at the face of my one-time enemy. His porcelain skin marred not only by the fresh purple bruises littering his cheeks, but a hard look that never seemed to leave his elegant cheekbones. For one instant, my self-control collapsed and a tear fell softly down my cheek. I shifted my balance slightly and kissed the unconscious boys temple. His skin was soft yet I ignored the stirring in my gut.
'Now is so not the time.' I thought.
I gently revived the blonde, blushing slightly as I thought about what I had just done as he was comatose. What would he say if he knew? Disgust would adorn his face I'll bet.
He started upright when he realized where he was.
"Father?" He muttered, shielding his face with a hand.
I gently touched his shoulder, the unsurprising reaction being to flinch away.
"It's me, Harry. I found you here, unconscious, how do you feel."
He looked at me then, eyes slightly misted. But what happened next I never could have anticipated. A gentle hand came up to touch my face, brushing away the tear that still lingered on my cheek.
"Harry," his voice cracked. Then he leant forward and touched his lips to mine.
It was gentle at first, a brush at best. But then it became almost desperate. His fingers came up to tangle themselves in my hair as mine slipped around his waist. He slumped against the wall behind him and I over balanced and ended up straddling his waist, never breaking the kiss. The hunger within us poured into the other as tongues fought for dominance.
When we broke apart, panting, I tried to think. Tried to slow the rush of blood away from my brain for just a second and think about the fact Draco Malfoy, ice prince, just kissed me! But said prince just chuckled breathlessly beneath me.
"Don't think for once Harry. That is all either of us seem to do, for once, just feel."
So I did, my brain went blank as I leaned forward to recapture his lips with my own. He tasted… incredible, fresh. Like a curious mix of fruit and musk, wrapped up in something purely Draco. He bit down on my bottom lip s his hand fluttered along my collarbone, eliciting a moan from my bruised lips. I pulled away to pout indignantly, and we both laughed together.
Yes, some would say it happened to fast, we had only just made 'friends.' But to us, in that moment it felt right.
Me and him had a long way to go, many things were still locked deep inside that had to be dug out. But in that moment of shared breath something important happened. The realization that we were on the same page and that, together.
We could learn to breathe.
