A/N: Thank you to Tenshi Yami – Angel of Darkness, MySexyPack101 and sstark2010 – for your reviews/comments. Also a shout out to the people reading/following this story. Cheers!

Agh! Only one month until my wedding. PANIC! Still got so much to do…Anyway next chapter is ready to be read.

Chapter Two

Draco woke with 'morning glory' and was in a bad mood. Harry used to take care of his erection in the mornings. Now he was tired, missing Harry and sexually frustrated. He half heartily wanked and then dressed for the day.

He was usually one of the first to get up in the mornings. Blaise would be in bed until midday, seeing as he got in at 2am and probably spent half the morning shagging. Pansy liked her beauty sleep, Ron slept like a log – nothing could wake that man. Harry liked to lounge in bed too, normally awake but in no rush to get up.

Hermione was usually the only other one to get up early if they didn't need to. Draco was right, she was programming the coffee machine, stood in pyjama shorts and a small strappy vest top. Hair in a messy bun and unicorn slippers.

Draco smiled at her when he entered the kitchen. He actually got on really well with her. They had similar minds, intellectually and they often debated on politics, news and other affairs that no one else cared for. She also liked Potions and Arithmancy. She was funny and could handle Potter and Weasley – Draco liked her a lot. She was as close to him now as what Pansy is.

He was pleased that he had made new friends.

"Granger what have I told you about those monstrosities that you call slippers?" he playfully scolded as he placed his coffee cup next to hers.

She smiled at him, "Morning sunshine," she replied, then she frowned, "Oi these slippers are great," and she slapped him gently on the arm.

"Let me guess a present from the ginger minger." he teased.

He actually liked Ron too, he would never declare that out loud. But he was alright and he had spent many nights getting pissed and talking with him.

"Which one? I mean which ginger are you referring to? Because they were a gift from Ginny." She explained.

Draco scrunched up his nose. Even though he lived with Hermione and Ron, and is – was Harry's boyfriend – he had never warmed to Ginny. He probably used all of his tolerance on Ron, Hermione and Harry – none left for her. He never liked her and he didn't think he ever would.

"Don't screw your face up like that Draco, you look like your sucking on a lemon." She chastised.

He smoothed his features out, "You just validated my point about the slippers. She Weasel has no taste."

Hermione laughed, "Well you obviously think she has some taste. She liked Harry and you do too – same taste in men." She joked.

Draco sat at the breakfast bar.

"Argh – To think I had her sloppy seconds," he said out loud, but intended for himself.

Hermione frowned, "You sound as if it's over between you two. Is it?" she casually asked.

"You're not fooling me Granger, I know your dying to know. Nosy mare. I honestly don't know. I don't want it to be, but I gave him a choice, coming out and having me, or staying a closeted gay and losing me. He hasn't made his decision and I won't wait forever."

Hermione handed him a cup of coffee and joined him at the counter.

"Harry will reach the right decision in the end. He might go the long way around, or the most difficult road, but in the end he gets there. Just wait for him yeah? He's worth it." She said as she rubbed his arm.

Draco sighed, "I've waited two years- isn't that enough?" he then drank his coffee and retreated to his room before Harry woke.

Hermione watched Draco leave, she felt sorry for him. Draco was handing Harry the control, it was up to him, and their relationship was in Harry's hands. Harry seemed to be ignoring it and hoping it would go away. Well it wouldn't. Maybe a talk from me will sort him out. She decided.

Draco didn't want to entertain the idea that Harry would chose to lose him – that didn't bear thinking about. Harry was everything to him, but he wasn't prepared to hide their relationship forever. It wasn't fair, two years of ignoring Harry in public, of trying to pretend they were friends. Standing X amount of feet away from him just in case they were photo'd, not being able to enjoy romantic walks on the beach, romantic meals in a restaurant – many things Draco had to deal with, because Harry didn't want to come out.

Draco returned to his room and started working on his thesis for his Potions Mastership. After working for a few hours, he discovered one of the important books he needed was in Harry's room. He sighed and went to see if he was awake yet.

He entered the living room and Harry was sat on the sofa, listening to Pansy rant about her talented boyfriend and how he was so great. He looked up when Draco entered the room and he gave a small smile.

Draco wanted to savour the smiles and the fact that Harry was being nice to him. But Harry could be nice all he likes, if he wasn't prepared to come out, then Draco didn't want to know.

Pansy grinned at him and patted the spot on the sofa, the other side of her.

"Sorry Pans. I'm working on my thesis." He turned his gaze to Harry.

"I think I left an important book in your room. Can you get it?" He asked politely.

Harry shrugged, "My room's a mess and I don't know what it looks like. Come with me and you can look too." Harry stood and headed for his room.

Draco rolled his eyes, behind Harry's back. Typical really, Harry's room was always a pig sty. Draco entered and noted it wasn't too bad, messy but not a state.

He ignored Harry and headed for the desk, searching through Harry's Auror training paperwork and 'fake case files' – all trainee Aurors were given fake cases, that they had to treat as real cases, investigate, gather evidence and then declare who the criminal was. Hermione said it was like Cluedo, but Draco had no idea what she was on about.

"Harry, this bill is a fortnight overdue. You should be more organised," he scolded.

Harry snatched the bill from his hand, "This isn't book shaped. You shouldn't be looking at anything that doesn't look like your book. Anyway I got a reminder and I paid it immediately." He huffed.

Draco was always on at him about his messiness, his disorganisation and his scruffiness. It wound him up – not everyone can be perfect, neat and organised like him.

Draco didn't want to get into another argument he was meant to be studying. So he ignored Harry's snotty tone and continued his search.

"I think I was reading it the other day in bed," he said, trying to ignore the image of him sat in Harry's bed reading his book as Harry led his head on his chest and he played with Harry's hair.

Harry seemed to be struggling with the mental image Draco's words conjured too.

Draco walked over to the side of the bed he used to sleep on, when staying in Harry's room and bent down on all fours. He lowered his head and tried to look under the bed.

Harry huffed, "Just Accio the damn thing."

Draco sat back on his heels, "I didn't bring my wand. I assumed it would be easy enough to locate. Not my fault your room is a shithole," he snapped.

Harry glared at him and snatched his wand from the bedside table, "Accio Draco's potions book." He firmly called.

Nothing.

"Well it's not here. Bye." Harry said. He didn't mean to be rude, but Draco had to go bend down on all fours and make him bloody aroused, at the sight of his arse, in his tight trousers. Git.

Draco stood and brushed down his clothes, "Well that was a bit vague. I have hundreds of potions books, so that won't work," he said in a patronising tone.

Draco remembered, when he was reading it in bed, Harry had gone down on him and he forgot all about studying. He threw the book across the room, so he could grab onto Harry's hair.

"I remember, I threw it," and he walked to the direction he chucked it in.

It had landed in Harry's laundry basket, and Harry hadn't done any laundry yet so he hadn't noticed.

"Ah it's in your laundry hamper." He said as he gingerly picked it out.

Harry smiled for a moment, he also remembered Draco declaring Potions could fuck off, he'd much rather get head. Before he threw the book clear across the room.

"Well okay. Thanks for letting me get it. In fact I have a fair amount of your stuff in my room, I'll sort it out soon and return it." He sombrely told Harry before heading out.

Harry called after him.

"Draco wait."

Draco stopped and looked at him expectantly.

"I miss you," he sadly told him.

Draco looked directly at Harry, "I miss you too Harry. But..."

"No but, Draco. Just please…" Harry pleaded.

"Harry. Don't. I gave you your choices, you cannot expect me to be with you in secret forever. Two years is long enough. I'm not prepared to suffer any longer."

"Oh I'm so sorry that you see this relationship as such a catastrophe."

Draco tuned his eyes upwards, and counted to ten.

"Don't be so dramatic Harry. I never said that our relationship was a disaster. I just want what every normal couple gets. I want to hold your hand in Diagon Alley, to attend Ministry events with you, to go out on dates and not hide the fact we are on a date. I'm not being unreasonable in my request, so stop trying to make me feel guilty about it."

Harry looked stumped, Draco knew he was right and that was why Harry looked defeated.

"So you're going to risk losing what we have?" Harry seethed.

"Me. I'm risking it – No Harry that would be you. I gave you two choices, no in-between. What I don't understand, is why you care what strangers think? Yet me, someone you so called love, you don't care, you're not taking my opinion into account." His voice hard and unruffled.

"I do care Draco. I do. I just…." Harry pulled at his hair.

"I just…"

Draco snorted, "You don't have a clue what you want, and I don't want to hang around for years, waiting for you to discover it."

"I want you Draco, that's what I want. I want 'us' and …"

"Well you can have me, but you know what you have to do." Draco interrupted.

"I can't. All those people will think they can discuss my private life like they have a right, it will be in all the papers and I will get lots of howlers and nasty letters." He knew it was a weak argument, he knew he had to come out eventually, he couldn't explain it. He just wasn't ready.

"Where is your so called Gryffindor bravery? So what Harry a few letters and disapproving looks in public – deal with it. You know you are so reluctant to announce it, I'm starting to think it's not the fact your gay, that is putting you off. It is the fact your gay and with me. Perfect Potter shagging a dirty Death Eater – that is the backlash you don't want to deal with." His voice had risen and taken on a deadly tone.

Harry stared at Draco like he had grown another head.

"Whatever Harry. Fuck you." He left the room and went to his room. Locking the door with a spell and crawling back into bed, thesis forgotten.

Harry knocked on Draco's door and shouted at him to answer, but to no avail.

"Harry if you don't stop shouting I will hex you so your voice box is removed!" Blaise shouted, as he stuck his head out his door.

"Blaise it is 1pm." He said in answer.

"And," he said and slammed his door.

Hermione came out of her room, took Harry by the elbow and led him to Pansy's door. She knocked and entered when Pansy called.

"Pans, it's a Potter emergency." She told her.

Pansy shook her head and scooted over on her humongous bed. Harry and Hermione made themselves comfortable Harry prepared himself for a double lecture from the girls. When those two ganged up on you, you didn't stand a chance, and you left with ringing in your ears.

"What happened?" Pansy said despondently.

Harry grabbed a fluffy cushion from Pansy's bed and started playing with the fluff, as he looked down at his hands.

"Nothing." Harry took one look at Hermione's and Pansy's faces and sighed in defeat.

"Okay maybe something. Draco may be under the impression that I am reluctant to announce our relationship, because….how did he put it – yes, Perfect Potter is shagging a dirty Death Eater." He glumly told the girls.

Hermione gasped and Pansy rolled her eyes.

"Is it?" Pansy bluntly asked.

"Is what?" Harry asked.

She huffed in annoyance, at Harry and his slowness, "Is it the reason you are reluctant to announce your relationship?" she said.

Harry glared at her, "NO." He yelled.

"Alright, calm down," she calmly said.

"I had to ask. Did you tell Draco that?"

"Um well I was so shocked that he would think that, that I was rendered speechless. He misunderstood that and swore at me and stormed out. By the time I went after him, he had locked his door and he won't answer." He said feeling drained.

"Oh Harry." Hermione sighed.

"Idiot." Pansy offered.

Harry angrily pulled at the fluff of Pansy's cushion. "I know."

Pansy snatched the cushion away and glared at Harry.

"Well one of us will go talk to him." Pansy said, looking at Hermione.

"I'll go." Hermione offered, she wanted to look at Draco's potions thesis too.

She jumped up and wandered out.

Draco had stayed wallowing in his bed, since his spat with Potter. He's ashamed and doesn't want everyone to know that he is, sullying himself with a Death Eater.

There was a knock at his door, he ignored it. It knocked harder and more persistently.

"Fuck off Potter," he yelled.

"It's not Harry. It's me – Hermione. Open up Draco," she called.

Draco was going to ignore her, but he couldn't risk falling out with all of his flatmates. He stood and wretched the door open. She walked in confidently, not fazed by the murderous look he sent her.

She shut the door and turned to face him, arms crossed.

"You're brave, shutting the door and staying in this room alone. Not afraid that the scary Death Eater will corrupt you?" he sarcastically declared.

She smiled, "Nope. You're all bark and no bite Draco. So you plan on sulking all day?" she said, eyebrows raised.

"I'm not sulking." He was, but he wouldn't admit that to her.

"You are. Harry is acting like a kicked puppy, whining in Pansy's room. He didn't mean for you to think it was because you're an EX Death Eater," she emphasised the 'ex' part.

"Why couldn't he tell me that?" he retorted.

"He did. He was banging on your door for about an hour, until Blaise threatened to hex him. You two need to sit down and talk." She said kindly, as she uncrossed her arms and touched Draco's arm.

"What's the point? We can talk it all through, go round in circles. But that doesn't change the fact that I want our relationship in the open and he doesn't. He is aware of that and that is all that matters at the moment." He complained.

Hermione knew Draco had a point, "I know. But whilst Harry is figuring it out, you two are tearing strips off each other. Being petty, having misunderstandings and arguing. This is causing a rift, creating anger and resentment – it's not healthy." She summarised.

"Plus, it is affecting all of us. We have to live with you two." She added.

Draco looked apologetic, "I have to listen to you and Weasley bicker. Pansy and her incessant gossiping and chatter, and Blaise and his numerous fuck buddies. We all put up with a lot Hermione. But your right, Harry and I are scared of getting hurt, so we are lashing out, hurting the other first."

He sighed, "Maybe I should move out?" he offered as a solution.

"No. Draco Malfoy, you will not move out. Even if you and Harry never get back together, you are not moving out." She said as she poked his chest.

"Ow. Women, you know you hurt when you do that?"

"Yes." She simply said.

"Fine I won't move out." He was secretly pleased that Hermione really didn't want him to leave. It was nice having a true group of friends, to support him.

"Now let me see this thesis of yours?" she changed the topic, hoping that Draco's mood would be lifted by discussing his passion for potions.

He beamed at her and walked over to his desk, "Here is my hypothesis and a few notes." He handed her the stack of parchment.

She took them and sat on the edge of his bed, scanning his work so far. Her eyes bright with excitement as they devoured every word. Draco sat next to her on the bed, waiting patiently for her to finish.

She finished, looked up at him and smiled, "This is excellent Draco. You will revolutionise the potions sector"

"Hopefully. If my hypothesis is correct." He said proudly.

"I think it is. You need to run some experiments and test the theory in depth, but it's a great concept." She praised him.

"Thanks Hermione. That means a lot. You're the only one who really cares about potions, or understands my theory to be honest."

She smiled and handed the parchment back to him.

"Now come on, it is well past 1pm and you haven't had lunch. Kitchen now, you big bad Death Eater." She teased.

He pouted and then jumped up, making scary noises, as he chased her out the room and into the kitchen.

"No Draco, please." She ran, full speed to the kitchen.

She breathed a sigh of relief when she saw Ron in the kitchen. She ran up to him and hid behind him giggling.

"Save me from the big bad Death Eater Ron. He wants to tickle me." She shrieked.

Ron laughed and pointed his finger at Draco.

"Down Draco." He firmly commanded.

Draco laughed and stopped his pursuit of Hermione tickling.

Hermione relaxed, "Oh thank Merlin for that. I hate being tickled. Especially by Draco, he has really long and bony fingers that dig right in – it's horrid." She complained.

Draco laughed, "Such a girl." He teased.

Draco felt much better, Hermione had distracted him and cheered him up. It was nice and now he thought about it, he was hungry. Pleased that she suggested he get lunch.

Hermione fixed, him, her and Ron lunch and the three of them sat and ate. Chatting away and laughing. Draco couldn't believe his life sometimes, he was sat talking to two of the golden trio, and he was actually happy about it.

Blaise stumbled in with a shy girl clinging to his arm.

"Mmm food." He said as he stole the remainder of Ron's lunch.

"Oi Sir Shag-a-lot." Ron complained.

Blaise snickered, "That's Sir Shagged Out, actually." He quipped.

"I'm shattered." He added.

Draco snickered, "Well you did stumble in at 2am and then most likely didn't sleep." Draco eyed the Asian girl next to him.

She giggled and hid her face behind Blaise's back.

"How do you know it was 2am? I didn't sleep until about 5am." Blaise continued to eat Ron's food and ignoring the girl.

"I heard you come home. I was awake and you were drunk and being loud." Draco informed him.

Blaise looked apologetic, "Sorry mate. Worth it though. Right goer this one." He said as he indicated the girl.

Hermione frowned at him, Ron and Draco looked like they wanted to congratulate him.

"Does she have a name? And it is rude to talk about her like that." Hermione lectured Blaise.

"She doesn't understand English Hermione. For all she knows, I am telling you that I love her. Um I think her name is... Yuan. Maybe? Well that's what I screamed out anyway."

She smiled at Blaise and nodded, "Yuan." and nodded again and pointed to herself.

Blaise beamed, "See."

Blaise finished Ron's lunch and escorted Yuan to the floo, and she left.

He strolled back in to the kitchen, "Right little fire cracker that one. I'm going for a shower, so you plebs better not steal the hot water." He said pointing at Draco and Ron.

Hermione tutted at Blaise's retreating back.

"He is such a womaniser. I hope he catches Chlamydia or something that will teach him." She huffed.

Ron laughed, "Blaise is the supreme master of STI and protective spells Mione. He isn't taking any chances."

She softened, "At least he's being responsible."

She turned to Ron, "Right seeing as we both have today free you're taking me shopping. Come along." And she dragged a stricken Ron out the kitchen.

He looked at Draco for help, Draco just arched an eyebrow and left him to his fate.

Draco turned and started to make a coffee for him and Blaise. Blaise looked like he needed it.

He tensed ever so slightly when he heard Harry, it wouldn't be noticeable if someone was looking.

"You making coffee? Can you make me one? Please." He asked politely.

Draco grabbed Harry's favourite cup, but didn't turn to face him. He made three coffees and mumbled about taking Blaise his.

He gave a grateful Blaise his coffee and returned to the kitchen to collect his own coffee. Harry was still in the kitchen when he returned.

Draco didn't want to run off to his room, he didn't want Harry to think he was hiding from their issues. So he stayed in the kitchen and sipped his coffee.

Harry was watching him carefully, and Draco knew Harry was contemplating how best to say something.

"Where is everyone?" Harry asked instead, going for the 'avoid the issue' technique.

"Hermione has dragged Ron out shopping. Blaise is sleeping off his hang over, and Pansy is in her room where you left her – I guess." He casually answered.

Harry nodded, "Yeah Pansy said she wanted to preen, apparently the allusive musician is back tonight and she wants to be ready for him. I told her she needed more than one day to look reasonable." Harry jokingly said.

Draco didn't laugh. "Cut the small talk Harry. It's crazy to avoid the issue and pretend that we're just having a casual conversation."

Harry slammed his coffee cup down, some of the contents spilling out. "Why can't we be civil and talk to each other?" he demanded.

"Because you're avoiding the bigger issue. It's not going to go away." Draco snapped, his cool demeanour shattered by Harry's annoying civil and polite act.

"Draco you're so frustrating!" Harry yelled.

"Me. You're the most frustrating person I had the misfortune to date Harry." Draco replied, voice equally loud.

"Misfortune to date! What is that meant to mean? You regret us?" his face flushed and his fists clenched.

"Think of it what you will, because you don't fucking listen anyway. I notice you haven't denied my claim that you are ashamed to be seen dating me, a Death Eater!" he fumed.

"You're being ridiculous. I don't give two shits, that you're an ex Death Eater." He screamed, close to Draco's face.

"That wasn't my point Potter. My point is, you may not care. But your public do and you clearly don't want to upset your public – heaven forbid" he sneered.

Harry screamed in frustration and threw his cup on the floor.

"Mature." Draco drawled and left the kitchen before he too started throwing things.

Draco decided some time out of the flat was what he needed. Time away from Harry and the obvious decay of their relationship. He apparated to his favourite book store, in the wizarding part of Bristol. He loved this store, it was huge and had lots of sofas and a café.

He headed to the potions section and grabbed a stand by favourite book and settled in on a comfy chair. He also spent the time watching people. People watching was one of his hobbies, he liked observing people and the way they interacted. He would watch them, usually without their knowledge. He would imagine what they did for a living, what their relationship was to the people they were with. All sorts, he just enjoyed escaping his life and imagining other people's lives.

He and Harry would spend hours, lounging in the park or at a café and play 'people watching games'. They would play, fat or pregnant? If they saw a young girl with an older man, Mistress or daughter? Or they would pick a group sat far away, and ab-lib their conversation. Or guess who, Harry explained that muggle game. They would pick a stranger and the other had to ask questions, to guess who it was. They had lots of fun and they were fond memories for Draco.

A scruffy wizard was walking around and Draco smiled to himself. If Harry was here, they would be playing Homeless or eccentric? Trying to guess why the man was so scruffy. Draco decided he was eccentric, he was a scruffier version of Dumbledore.

Draco ordered a bottle of water and a cinnamon bun. He continued to watch the people and occasionally read his book.

An hour into his watching, a familiar red haired girl caught his eye. Draco groaned, Ginny Weasley was meant to be away playing for her stupid quidditch team. What is she doing back in London? He asked himself.

That meant she would be arranging to see Harry. She was like a fly pitching on shit, she couldn't stay away.

She spotted Draco and walked over. "Malfoy." She said through gritted teeth, as she looked around. Obviously looking for Harry.

A pang of sadness shot through him, even she assumed Harry would be with Draco, normally the two were always together.

"Where's Harry?" she demanded.

Draco didn't want her to know they were fighting, he wouldn't give her the satisfaction. "He's at the flat, working on Auror cases." He casually informed her.

"Oh." She looked down at him with disgust and walked away.

Stupid fucking cow. Draco said as he watched her flounce off.

No way was he going home now. If she went there immediately, and Draco did too, she would think Draco was paranoid and that he didn't trust Harry. Well he was fucking paranoid, but he trusted Harry, just not her. He decided to wait at least half an hour before returning home.

Draco was proud, he had lasted forty minutes before he apparated home. He went to the kitchen hoping a random flatmate was in there, so they could confirm if She Weasel was here.

No one was in the kitchen. Draco noticed Harry hadn't bothered to fix his broken mug – typical Harry. Leave everything in pieces – ignore that it's broken. Draco cast a repairo, and placed it on the counter, with a slip of parchment that read:

Fix it before it's un-repairable.

Knowing Harry would recognise his handwriting and get his double meaning – obviously referring to their relationship.

He took the stairs and headed for his bedroom, but he veered off and went to Pansy's room instead. He knocked and entered as she called, 'come in'.

He pouted and flung himself on her bed.

"Draco darling what happened now?" she said as she sat next to him and patted his leg.

"Usual, same as what's been happening these few days. We argued, I stormed out." He confessed.

"Hmm well I knew something happened as Harry asked me if you were in my room. I said no, not unless you were hiding under my bed. He said he was looking for you, but you must have left the flat."

Draco nodded, "Yeah it can be quite suffocating here sometimes, so I got out. Just for a bit."

"That was wise. If you stayed you would end up just having a bigger argument – you both needed time to cool off."

Pansy stood and opened her dressing gown to reveal that she was wearing a sexy lingerie set.

"What do you think? Do you think Zach will like it?" she asked.

Draco shrugged, "I'm gay Pansy, all that..." he indicated her body, "Has no effect on me, how would I know."

"Just because you don't like the goods, doesn't mean you can't admire or have an opinion on the wrapping. I want your opinion on the set, does the colour suit me?" she irritably asked.

Draco looked again, "Yeah. It's nice, goes well with your skin tone. It is vibrant and alluring Pansy – very sexy I'm sure. Zach would be a fool to say otherwise." He said, hoping he had avoided a Pansy tantrum.

She beamed, "Great. This is the sixth set I tried on and I'm running out of time. When Harry came in to ask about you, I had set number two on…" she pointed to the set in question.

"He said I looked like a low paid hooker and that I should get my money back. Think he was in a bad mood."

Draco eyed the set, "Well it is a bit tacky Pansy."

Pansy laughed at his face expression, "Do you remember in fifth year, when you found me on your bed in nothing but your Slytherin tie?" she teased.

At the time she was humiliated by Draco's disgust and refusal of her advances, now she could look back on it and laugh.

Draco grimaced, "Yes I do," he shivered, "Pansy you had no shame. If I remember rightly, that was the same night you forced me on the bed and planted yourself in my lap." He reminded her.

"Shhhh Draco, I don't want to be reminded of that awful night. I know I mentioned it first, but drop it. That was the night you blurted out that you were gay and you asked me to get my breasts out your face." She smiled.

Draco grinned too, "I know. They were right there, all pert and wrong. Breasts – never did it for me."

She chuckled, "I never dressed and ran so quickly in all my life."

Draco looked at his best girl friend, "That was the same night that someone saw you leave my room half naked and the rumour spread that I slept with you. I had to convince Harry that I never went there."

"I told him anyway. When we first moved in. He insulted me and told me to go crawling in your bed like the good dog that I was – well I gave him a few home truths." She said happily.

"I'm glad we all stopped our arguing and that we all get on now." Draco could sense the sincerity of her statement.

"You and Harry are good friends, aren't you." it was a rhetorical question, but she answered anyway.

"Yes. Not as close as you and I. Now you have helped me with my lingerie dilemma, I'll help you out. I'll answer the question you've been dying to ask since you came home." She arched an eyebrow at him, asking him to deny it.

"Okay – tell me." He asked.

"Well Ginny turned up about half an hour ago. Surprised Harry and me. We were in the living room chatting, when she knocked at the door." Pansy didn't really like Ginny either, but she called her by her name. Unlike he did.

"So where are they now?" he wanted to know.

"In his room. Harry told her he wasn't expecting a visit and he had Auror case files to look at. So he retreated to his room and she followed. I think he was trying to hint that he was busy, but she just said she will wait for him to finish." Pansy smiled sympathetically at him.

Draco sneered, she never takes the hint.

"I need an excuse for either you or me to go to Harry's room. Then I can see what's happening."

Pansy grinned, "I'll go. Please let me go." She begged.

Draco laughed, "Sure, you can go." He agreed.

Harry had gone after Draco after their argument, but the fucker had gone. He even asked Pansy if she'd seen him and was subjected to her in a scantily thin and barely there bra and panty set. He told her she looked cheap. She got dressed and they chilled out in the living room for a bit.

Then Ginny had turned up unannounced. He wished Ron was in, so she could be distracted by him. But no he wasn't and Harry was the only Gryffindor home, the others were Slytherin and they disliked her still.

He hinted that he was busy, but she brushed him off. So now here he was, trying to concentrate on his Auror case load, listening to Ginny prattle on for the last thirty minutes.

"So we won our last game Harry. Now I have a break in training and I'm home for a bit. Great huh?" she asked.

"Hmm sure Gin, great." He vaguely registered she was speaking.

"You've been working for ages, put that file down and come sit on the bed with me and talk." She pleaded, eyes big and innocent and face the picture of kindness. Harry wasn't fooled, he had seen how quick her moods could change and how she could conceal her true feelings.

"Ginny I told you, I have work on Monday and I'm meant to report back on these and I haven't finished them." He said short-tempered.

"I have to go to the Burrow in an hour. So you can work on them when I go. Please spend the hour with me. I've not seen you for ages." She sweetly asked.

Harry knew he wouldn't get any work done with her here anyway. He might as well give her the hour and then she'll be gone.

"Fine Gin. But I don't want to hear you slagging off Draco, or my other flatmates." He sternly told her.

"Oh great. Let's go get a coffee at the café on the corner." She ignored Harrys request to refrain from insulting Malfoy, she couldn't promise any such thing.

Before Harry could reply a knock sounded at the door.

"Come in." Harry called.

Pansy entered, she walked up to Harry, ignored Ginny. "Harry I need you! There is a huge spider in my room and I need you to get rid of it for me. Please, before Ron gets home and has a fit." She asked nicely.

Harry stood, "Excuse me a moment Ginny, I'll be right back."

Harry followed Pansy to her room, he looked around for the spider. "Are you sure you seen a spider?"

"Yes Harry. Keep looking." She whined.

Draco was going to return to his room, so Pansy could distract Harry and kept him away from Ginny for as long as possible. But Draco didn't want to leave the head case, alone in Harry's room. So he waited until, Harry entered Pansy's room and then went to Harry's room. Under the pretence he was looking for him.

Weaslette was looking at a framed photo, well glaring at it really. Draco knew what photo was in that frame and he smirked. She must hate looking at Harry with me and see him happy – well happy in that photo anyway.

The photo was taken inside this flat, they couldn't really be a couple outside – not with it being a secret. Ginny knew they were together, she promised Harry and Ron that she would keep it a secret. Draco was suspicious, he was sure eventually she would blab. Well now he wished she would – then the whole issue of Harry coming out would be sorted.

The photo was taken without them knowing it. Harry and Draco had fallen asleep on the sofa together. Both stretched out, legs entangled, Draco's head resting on Harry's arm and his own arm on Harry's chest. The picture clearly shows them cuddling and sleeping. They looked very happy and very peaceful.

Well that was until Pansy took the photo, and then Ron and Blaise, drew stupid things on their faces. Then Pansy took another photo, but the photo Harry had in the frame, was before their faces were defiled.

Draco cleared his throat and she swung around. "Oh it's you." She said with disgust.

She scoffed at the photo and put it face down on the bedside table, so Harry wouldn't see the photo.

"Harry has gone to Pansy's room. So there is no need for you to be in here." She eyed him.

Draco knew she had a point, considering he and Harry were – well not separated, just on a break. But she didn't know they were not technically together – unless Harry told her.

"Also Harry has agreed to go for a coffee with me. Alone." She added.

Draco kept a cool outer exterior, but inside he was jealous as hell and he hated that Harry would go off and be with her in public, when he never got to.

Draco was just about to call her all the nasty names he could think of, when Harry returned.

"Oh Draco." He called, surprised.

Draco winced he knew Weaslette would have noticed Harry's surprise at seeing Draco in his room.

"I wanted to talk. But you're busy," he said as he looked Ginny up and down, a sneer forming on his lips. He really wanted to reach out and snog Harry senseless and show that ginger tart, that Harry was his and she couldn't have him.

Harry looked torn. Ginny moved to Harry's side and linked her arm through his.

"You said we can go for a coffee Harry." She gently reminded him.

Draco knew Harry would go, he hated letting people down and for some reason he couldn't say no to Weaslette.

Harry sent Draco an apologetic look. Then he kissed Draco briefly on the lips before saying goodbye and leaving. Draco assumed Harry didn't want Ginny to know that they were fighting, so he acted as if they were still together. Kissing him goodbye and pretending it was all okay.

Draco was shocked, it wasn't even a proper kiss. Just a quick peck to the lips and they were gone, before Draco could really register that Harry's lips were touching his own. It didn't stop the warm feeling he got and the smile that formed on his face. He hadn't kissed Harry for days, he'd take what he could.

Draco walked over to the photo Ginny had turned over, and righted it. Then he left to go do some work on his thesis, trying to ignore the fact that Ginny and Harry were alone.