Disclaimer: This story is based on J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series. No copyright infringement is intended.

Warning: Eventual slash as in male/male pairings, possibly bondage situations, and lots of angst. If you don't like any of the above well than don't read it. The little "x" at the top right corner of this box is calling your name.

A/n: The reason everyone is using cars is because I don't think it would be such a good idea to be apparating home while completely intoxicated. And I figure that after all that Harry has/will go through he might just want to spend the rest of his life in semi-solitude, you know have a normalish life.

I loved my reviews, by the way, keep it up they make me as happy as the moon is to see the sun.

Does anyone know who I love? Because I really love Rainmage… thought you all should know.

Chapter 2 – Can it be?

Harry woke up the next morning in his own bed. "Thank god for little miracles," he mumbled to himself, eyes slowly opening. But the light pouring in through the window was too bright and he shut his eyes in a hurry. With a groan he said, "I spoke too soon."

He found that as grateful as he was to be in his own home this morning, he almost wished to be waking up in Malfoy Manor and having the lord of the manor bring him a headache potion and provide him with another wonderful breakfast-because god knows how awful of a cook he was.

Groaning again at the prospect of moving, Harry stumbled slightly towards the bathroom to wash his face and brush his teeth. Still bare foot and bare-chested, he yawned while ruffling his hair until a clearing of a throat startled him and in less than a second Harry had spun around wand in hand; poised to fight, ready to defend himself against whoever was in his house.

"Relax," coaxed the smooth voice of Draco Malfoy.

Harry was dumbfounded. 'What the hell?' he thought. With too many thoughts racing through his head Harry settled on asking, "How did you get in here?"

"An acquaintance of mine told me you were at the bar again last night. I was worried about you." He replied, slightly evading the question.

"Oh. Well, you didn't need to worry. I'm alright looking out for myself."

"Are you Harry? Are you really capable of doing that? Two nights in a row you've done this. When was the last time you were sober for a full day Harry?" he said as if proposing a challenge.

Harry couldn't remember the last time he had woken up with a clear head. But he wasn't about to tell Malfoy that.

"Look," He said, "thank you for your concern. I'm sorry if I "disappointed" you, but I'm alright, I can handle myself just fine. I was planning on cutting back on everything anyway."

"Nice try Harry, but you'll understand if I don't believe you. This life you've been living-the life thrown at you-is pathetic. I'm not disappointed this time; I had no idea how badly you are actually doing. But no matter, I'm going to help you. Come now, gather whatever clothes or items you would like to bring with you to the manor and we'll—"

"Hey now," he said, holding up his hands in defense, "why would I go with you to your house? What in the world makes you think you can tell me what to do as if you know me?"

"Harry, relax. You are coming with me because I can help you. I want to help you. And if you don't come," he threatened, drawing himself into a perfect-posture position, "I'll make you."

"Look, I'm not broken. And even if I was, I have friends to help me through it. And—"

"Your friends Harry? Where are your friends now? Where were they last night? Come with me." He said gently, letting down all of his shields and presenting his honesty to the dark-haired man. "I don't see anyone else around here. Come with me Harry, I'll make everything better. You may not be broken but you are falling apart. Let me help you. Trust me."

Harry was taken aback by the sincerity in the other man's voice and eyes. Could it be that he really did want to help? Could it be true that someone was actually trying to keep him afloat?

He surprised himself by saying, "Okay" before turning his back to the blond man and returning to his room to gather his belongings.

-

Draco watched the disheveled man walk away from him and nearly gasped at the scars that marred the man's shirt-less back. It was just one more thing to add to his growing list of questions.

Last night Draco had sent out one of his servants to watch for Harry's possible arrival at the bar. He had hoped the boy wouldn't show up but was disappointed when he received the call that Harry had indeed ended up at the bar again. He found himself more disappointed at the world for not giving any help to this man, than at the man himself.

Draco had watched his school-boy rival over the four years since school had ended. Had watched him received awards, give speeches, be attacked by the media for what he was. And every article showed a picture of the boy-who-lived looking more tired and a bit thinner than before.

Draco had gotten over his grudge with the boy years ago, and came to realize that Harry wasn't just an arrogant, spoiled brat as he had always thought he was. Instead it was that Draco hadn't realized how truly amazing Harry was and how much he had effected the world

After Draco's father died in the war, the ice surrounding Draco's heart began to thaw. Without the constant pressure to be a "proper Malfoy" and with the help of his mother, Draco had slowly relearned the art of loving another person. His mother had died two years ago from an illness though, leaving the young heir alone. He had continued to live on his own ever since.

When he read the articles on Harry and heard the whispers about him, he felt himself growing a soft spot for the boy-who-lived. Everything that had happened to the man was awful. No one should ever have to deal with even the least of the challenges he had been handed in life.

The blond man really wanted to help his ex-rival. He wanted to help make a life for him and maybe then some. But if nothing else he wanted Harry to be able to turn to him in a moment, and for the man to realize Draco would always be there.

Harry came back into the room Draco had been waiting in wearing jeans, and a black hooded pullover. Bag in his hand, he patted his pockets as if to check for something forgotten and readjusted his bag so it hung off his shoulder.

"I'm ready I guess," He mumbled, voice still hoarse from sleep.

"Good, come now. Are you sure you have everything?"

"Er…wait one second." And he disappeared through a door into another room.

Draco watched the boy take two white pills and followed Harry's throat as it moved up and down in a graceful motion to swallow the pills and water.

"Sorry," he said, reentering the room, "I don't keep many potions here, and well, the aspirin works better in the end."

"No need to apologize, I understand."

"Right," he said softly, looking down at wooden floor.

Draco reached over and grabbed the boy's chin softly, looking into his face as he raised it up. "What's wrong Harry?" He asked, concern lacing his voice.

"Nothing," said Harry, attempting to look away, "It's nothing."

Draco gently turned the man's head to once again make eye contact. He could tell something was wrong, but didn't want to push it now. "Well, you'll tell me when you're ready. Come now."

Harry obediently began to follow behind the blond man. He paused when they reached the door to open the side table and withdraw four packs of cigarettes from the top drawer. Putting them into his bag he looked up to see Draco raising an eyebrow at him.

"What?" He asked, closing his bag and slipping two lighters into his pocket.

"I had never imagined you as a smoker. But I guess you can keep those, but after those four, no more. Do you understand?"

Harry looked away and mumbled, "Yes."

But Draco had a feeling that those four packs wouldn't be the end of it. Instead of commenting on Harry's promise he said, "There is a car waiting outside for us, since it's a quick ride and easier on your luggage."

Harry nodded and followed Draco out to the car and slipped in through the already opened door to be followed soon after by the graceful movements of Draco sliding in beside him.

-

It was indeed a quick ride and as he exited the car Harry was amazed by the imposing structure in front of him. He was back at Malfoy Manor and still confused about why he was here.

"Come on then, I'll show you to your room and then we can have lunch and talk. I'm sure you are curious as to why I seem so anxious to help you."

Harry nodded and allowed himself to be led up into a large room furnished in a way that reminded him of his own house. The bed was slightly smaller than Draco's, yet still rather large, it was covered in silk sheets and from the windows hung pale yellow curtains. Everything complimented each other in earthy tones. A desk stood against the far wall with what looked to be a supply of papers and quills resting on the surface. He had a wardrobe similar to Draco's and he wondered if there were any clothes hanging in it. He certainly hadn't brought many with him, only enough for three nights. Poor planning on his part, but he had had no idea how long he would be here.

He put his bag down by his bed and turned around to follow Draco to the dining hall. He sat down in the seat across from Draco and served himself some salad and a bowl of soup.

He had to admit that the food here was wonderful. "The food is amazing Draco, I'm an awful cook, which means I eat out most of the time. It's nice to have a home cooked meal. Thank you."

Draco chuckled at Harry's comment and said, "There is no need to thank me. You are my guest for the time being. I want you to be comfortable here. Speaking of food," he said to change the topic, "you have seemed to have lost a lot of weight. What's the problem?"

"Oh," said Harry, "that. Well I just don't eat sometimes. I don't get around to it, or it just doesn't stay down. I don't know, I've noticed it but it was gradual and I feel fine most of the time so I haven't been too worried." That was only partially a lie, he really felt like crap most of the time, but there wasn't anything truly wrong with him, just stress really.

Draco accepted his answer but didn't look as if he completely believed him.

'Damn man is too perceptive about lies.' Harry thought almost bitterly.

"Harry," Draco asked, "why do you do this to yourself? I mean the drinking and the smoking. Just, why?"

Harry sighed. He wanted to avoid his problems but he knew Draco had been serious about him coming here, and he knew the man would devise some way to make him stay.

"It wasn't something that happened overnight," he began, folding his napkin and putting it next to his plate. "It just happened overtime. Everything was just building up, with Voldemort gone I had nothing to do with my life, everything I was ever taught had been fashioned in a way to accomplish one goal: killing him. I had nothing useful to do, and I'm sure you remember the "scandal of the decade" how the great Harry Potter is gay. At first the only people who talked to me were Hermione and Ginny Weasely, but they eventually got Ron to come around and, well, Neville came as a packaged deal with Ginny." His voice had gone bitter at the mention of Ron's betrayal. "Of course things with them are fine again, but it was hard, you know? Even if they were the only people that mattered, it was just too much to have people going around looking for a cure." Here he gave a cynical laugh. "That was just too much."

"And then with the four of them getting together I fell to the side line I guess. I tried dating, but well, it seems all boys want is sex. And here I thought that ended once they grew up a bit. That maybe they started looking for something more substantial. I guess not though."

"So I started drinking, and it was a way to escape really, along with that came the smoking… I guess it got a little out of hand," he ended with a small sigh.

Draco looked at the man in front of him-he looked utterly defeated. Draco doubted he had opened up to anyone else before about his problems. He also thought that Harry hated his current life-hated everything he did to himself. Draco was surprised by the self-hate radiating off the boy and decided that no matter what happened, he would always be there to help Harry regardless of circumstance

"You shouldn't be bothered by the people looking for a "cure," who you are now is how you were born, it isn't something that happens overnight, or something you just decide to happen. It happens because it's there."

The unspoken "I should know," hung in the air and Harry looked up, as the two men made eye contact Draco knew Harry had understood what he was saying.

"Draco, Are you gay?"

Draco smiled slightly at the man and nodded slightly. "Yes I am, and I would never accept anyone put me down because of it. Don't be ashamed Harry, it's who you are and should people love you for it."

But Harry was amazed. He realized now how much his old classmate had changed over the years. He still had the same air of confidence around him, but now it was less threatening, more accepting and…real. He looked the same as he had at the end of seventh year, if only an inch taller, and his hair was no longer slicked back-but instead it hung to his shoulders and was tied back with a thin piece of black leather.

What Harry was most amazed by was Draco's admission. Harry was someone whom he had fought with for years, someone Draco had tried to get into trouble or inflict pain on many times, they had only been reacquainted for two days, and not even two full days. Yet he had shared his secret with Harry, had trusted him. It was more than he could take right now.

His thoughts must have shown on his face because Draco said, "Maybe that's enough talking for now. Why don't you return to your room and get settled in. There are more clothes in the wardrobe, just tap it and say "open" to gain access. There is also a book case in your room, I don't know if you noticed, but it has books on a range of topics. I will be in my study which is the door to your immediate right when you leave the dining hall, should you need anything."

"Alright, I'll just be in my room then."

The two men walked together to the end of the dining hall and then parted ways.

"If you ever need anything," Draco said, "anything, I'm here."

And Harry was starting to believe him.

A/n: I'm not sure if that was moving things along too quickly, but I thought it worked out well. Tell me what you thought love it? Hate it? Somewhere in between? Give me tips, I'd love them, really I would. Thanks guys.

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