"Ron. . .please, you have to eat something." Blaize said.

"Why? My love is gone . . .what is left for me?" Ron questioned.

During Harry's two-week absence, Ron had grown secluded and depressed. He refused to leave bed or eat, and the Hamleters had grown concerned. They understood that it was partially their fault that Ron was in such pain. Each of them took turns visiting him, making sure that he took proper care of himself.

"Stop saying that! What would Harry think if he saw you like this? Would he want you to simply give up?" Blaize asked.

"N-no . . .but he's . . .gone. Up in that horrible place . . .forever." Ron said.

"You cannot stop living, Ron. You know that he wouldn't want this. Harry loved you . . .he gave himself to the fortress so you could live, Ron. Do not let his sacrifice be in vain." Blaize replied.

"I know . . .I know." Ron said, tears forming in his eyes.

"Then you have to keep living." Blaize said.

"I just miss him so much . . .I love him." Ron whispered.

Blaize sighed, "I know you do . . .I miss him too, he was my friend. But we must learn to move on."

"I can't!" Ron sobbed. "I can't just keep moving on, knowing he's up in that place! All alone . . .scared and helpless. Suffering . . ."

Blaize sat beside his friend on the bed, and wrapped an arm around him. "Harry isn't suffering, Ron. He's . . .dead. You have to accept that."

"No he's not. I . . .I can't explain it, but I know he's alive. And he's trapped in that terrible place . . .and God knows what that . . .what that monster is doing to him!"

"Ron . . ." Blaize didn't know how to reply.

"It sounds crazy, but I know. Harry's is alive." Ron stated.

Blaize sighed in defeat, "Alright then . . .if that's what you believe. But please, Ron, you've got to start taking care of yourself."

Ron gave the softest of nods, "OK."

He sighed as Blaize handed him a bowl of soup. He ate slowly; the substance had lost its taste. All food had. Everything Ron ate felt like eating dirt. The only cooking he wanted was Harry's. The only voice he wanted to hear was Harry's. The only person he wanted to see was Harry. Ron missed his lover desperately. He just wanted to have him back; to hold him in his arms and live happily with him. He would have given anything just to have Harry back.

Ron stared out the window when he had finished his dinner. He wondered if Harry had eaten at all that day. He wondered how Harry was being treated. Were they hurting him? Was he being held in a dungeon? Ron let out a sob, as he thought of his precious Harry, cold and alone in the fortress. He prayed desperately that he was being treated well. He couldn't stand the thought of anyone hurting Harry; he was so sweet and innocent. He didn't deserve to be in pain.

"I'll never see him again." He whispered.

"Hey . . .don't think like that. Everything's going to be alright." Blaize replied. "Look . . .maybe you should just get some sleep."

Ron sighed and nodded, "OK then."

He laid himself down and stared up at the ceiling. After a while he heard Blaize leave, and finally allowed himself to break down completely. He sobbed hysterically, wishing that Harry would return to him. He grabbed the blankets and piled them together, then held onto them as though they were Harry. He cried himself to sleep.

Harry kept his eyes on the table as he ate his dinner. He wasn't sure whether or not to be ashamed that he had been lured out so easily. From what he understood, it was nearly impossible for any human to resist when a talented Valkier used their hypnotic ability. Still, he got the feeling that Draco was angry with him for it.

"You need to be more careful." Draco stated suddenly. "If it happens again I might not get there in time to save you."

"I'm sorry. I'll stay in my room from now on if you'd like . . ." Harry trailed off. He didn't want to stay in his room; he hated being confined to one place.

"No . . .it wasn't your fault, after all. You just need to be watched more carefully. I won't make you sit inside all day if you don't want to." Draco replied.

"Thank-you." Harry whispered.

Draco merely nodded. He didn't want Harry to think he was angry at him. He was just upset that three rogues had dared to try stealing from him. Not only that, but he still wasn't getting anywhere with Harry. Their relationship had barely progressed at all since their first meeting. He knew that most, if not all, of the progression was due to the evening's earlier events. Unfortunately, he had no idea where to go from there.

Late that night Harry was lying awake in bed, staring up at the ceiling. He wanted to give Draco a chance, but he wasn't sure how he could possibly befriend him. Draco was always quiet and distant, almost as though he lived in another world. They ate dinner together every night. Then, they would go into the sitting room for a while; Draco would sit in his chair and read, while Harry would lie on the couch and watch him, Padfoot walking back and forth, unable to choose which he wanted to sit with. During this time together, Draco hardly spoke a word to Harry.

He sat up and pulled back the bed drapes, then got out of the bed. He walked over to his balcony and stepped outside, leaning on the stone rail and looking out. He shivered as the night's cool breeze hit his skin, but stayed where he was. He had a good view of the farming area from his balcony. He could see the hen cottage, the stable, the different pens, and the rows of vegetable gardens.

After a long while, Harry saw a figure walking around outside. He looked carefully, eventually realizing that it was Draco. He watched as the strange man walked around in the moonlight, then entered the stable.

Harry stared at the stable for a moment, then went back into his room. He lit a candle that rested on his vanity, pulled a dark green cloak over his black nightshirt, and then quietly slipped out of his room. Using only the small candle for light, he made his way downstairs and outside. Slowly and quietly he walked to the stable and peaked inside.

There were three stallions asleep inside; the two blacks ones that had pulled the carriage on the first day, and Remus. A soft whinnying sound echoed through the stable, and Harry looked towards it. By the far wall stood another stallion, this one light gray. Draco was sitting on a large wooden crate, softly petting the stallion.

"You should be in bed." Draco said without looking up. "You'll catch cold if you stay out here."

"I'm alright." Harry replied, stepping fully into the stable.

Draco shrugged, "If you insist. What're you even doing out here this late?"

"I . . .I couldn't sleep."

"So you decided to follow me into the stable." Draco finished for him.

"Uh . . .yeah."

"Well then, you may as well come and sit down. And put that candle out or you'll burn the place down. The moon is bright enough for you to see by." Draco said.

Harry blew out the candle and cautiously walked over to Draco. He sat down at the edge of the crate, watching as Draco continued to affectionately pet the stallion. Harry reached out to touch the animal, stopping halfway.

"May I . . .?" He asked.

Draco gave a slight nod, "You may."

Harry closed the gap and gently stroked the mare's face, earning a soft neighing sound. He smiled and laughed softly as the mare leaned into his touch.

"She's a beauty, isn't she?" Draco asked. Harry nodded. "Her name is Maia, and she's very special to me."

"Why's that?"

"Her grandmother was my mother's favorite mare." Draco replied. "She'll outrun Remus one day. Jump higher than Vance; carry heavier loads than Clarence. One day when she's fully grown, Maia will be the best mare alive."

"How do you know that?" Harry asked.

"She even rides well already." Draco continued, not answering the question. "Trots nicely, but can move into a gallop well. She's an excellent mare; willful, but loyal and obedient. Even you would be able to ride her."

"Not me. I don't know how." Harry said.

"You don't?" Draco questioned, glancing at him.

Harry shook his head, "No." He paused for a moment, then gathered all the courage he had in him. "W-would you teach me?" He asked.

Draco wordlessly got up and walked to the back of the stable. Harry waited for a moment, until Draco returned with a saddle. Harry stared as Draco placed the saddle on Maia, then set it up properly. He turned and grabbed Harry's arm, and pulled him to his feet.

"W-wait I . . .I didn't mean right now." Harry said.

"Why not? Now's when we're out here. I can't come out during the day." Draco replied.

He picked Harry up and sat him in Maia's saddle, and she straightened herself out, preparing to move. Draco grabbed her bit and began to put it on her properly. When everything was set, he took hold of the reigns and tugged lightly. He began to walk around the stable, Maia following happily.

"Just relax." He said, looking up at Harry. "That's one of the most important things. If a mare knows you're afraid, you won't be the one in control; the mare will. Maia's a gentle girl, she's not going to hurt you."

Harry swallowed hard, but nodded, "OK . . .r-right."

Draco pulled Maia around for another few minutes, then guided her back to where they had started. He took her bit off and set it down on its hook, then carefully pulled Harry off of her. He removed her saddle and allowed her to walk back to her own stall.

"I'll teach you to ride another time . . .after dinner maybe. She'll get too tired if we don't let her rest." Draco said.

"Alright." Harry replied.

He took a step forward, but ended up slipping and falling over. Draco instinctively moved closer, catching him before he could hurt himself. Harry found himself wrapped in Draco's strong arms, pressed up against his well-muscled chest. Draco held Harry tighter, his small and fragile body giving off a powerful warmth. They stayed that way for a long time, neither of them wanting to move.

Draco cleared his throat, "Well um . . .you uh . . .y-you should get some . . .some uh . . .some sleep."

"R-right . . .um . . .s-sleep . . ." Harry stuttered.

Draco helped Harry to straighten himself out, and they walked out of the stable. Draco walked slightly faster, making certain to politely hold the door open for Harry. The smaller of the two couldn't help but smile at the gesture. Draco walked Harry all the way up to his bedroom, and even opened his door for him.

"Uh . . .Harry. . ." He started as Harry stepped into the room.

Harry turned and looked up at him, "Hmm?"

"Um . . .goodnight." Draco said.

"Goodnight, Draco." Harry replied quietly, gently closing his door with a soft smile.

Draco couldn't stop the grin from spreading over his face as he walked back to his own room. From their hiding place around the corner of the hall, Old Pansy, and Neville exchanged and excited glance.

"Well," Old Pansy began with a smile, "it's about time they broke the ice."

………………………………………………………………………………………………

"Just hold it like this . . .yeah, that's it! You've got it now." Draco said.

"Am I getting any better?" Harry asked shyly.

Draco smiled at him, "Much better."

It had been just over a week since Draco began teaching Harry to ride. They went out every day as soon as the sun had set. At first it had been difficult, but after a few days Harry had gotten pretty good at it.

"Come on, let's head in . . .dinner should be ready about now." Draco said.

"Alright." Harry replied as Draco helped him off of Maia's back.

They watched her trot happily back to the barn before they began to walk back up to the fortress. They were barely halfway there when Draco suddenly stopped, appearing fatigued. Harry noticed that he was paler than usual.

"What's wrong?" Harry asked, his voice filled with concern.

"N-nothing . . .I just need to c-catch my . . .my breath." Draco panted.

"You need blood, don't you?" Harry questioned.

"Yes . . .it's no big deal, don't even worry about it." Draco replied.

"I can't not worry about it." Harry said. He tilted his head to the side, exposing the soft flesh of his neck. "You need blood, so take it."

"Harry, you don't have to do that." Draco said.

"It's what I was brought here for. There's no sense in taking someone else from the Hamlet. Besides, I don't mind." Harry replied.

Draco sighed, unable to find any argument against Harry's logic. He pulled Harry close to him and gently pressed his lips to his neck. He kissed a few times, then allowed his fangs to sink into Harry's neck, opening the vein pulsing beneath the skin.

Harry gasped slightly as he felt his blood pouring out of him for the second time. He could feel Draco's arms tighten around him as he drank the red liquid. When he was finished, Draco gently pressed his palm to Harry's neck, preventing any more blood from leaking out. Draco picked Harry up and carried him into the fortress. He walked up to Harry's bedroom, then gently tucked him into his bed.

Draco couldn't help but smile as Harry snuggled into the bed, too exhausted to get up. He went back downstairs and walked into the kitchen.

"Harry is going to be in bed for the rest of the night. Bring his dinner up to him." He said.

"Alright then." One of his servants replied.

The next morning Harry awoke with a dull pain in his neck. He rubbed it softly, feeling two newly formed scabs where Draco had bitten into him. He blushed faintly as he recalled the previous day's events; how Draco had held him as he drank, how good it had felt being wrapped in his arms. Harry couldn't tell whether or not it was wrong to be thinking so fondly of Draco. After all, he couldn't just forget about Ron.

"I . . .wonder what he's doing now." He thought aloud.

He allowed a few tears to make their way down his face as he thought about his beloved Ron. Had he found someone new? Or was he heartbroken and depressed? Harry couldn't stand the thought of Ron constantly grieving over him. He didn't have much time to dwell on his thoughts as the door opened and Old Pansy and Hermione stepped in.

"Good morning, dear. Sleep well?" Old Pansy asked cheerfully.

"Yes, thank-you." Harry replied.

"See, I told you it would get easier." Hermione said with a bright smile.

"Come on then, let's get you cleaned up." Old Pansy said, helping Harry out of his bed.

She led him into the bathroom, then filled the tub with hot water. Gently he lowered himself down into the water, sighing as the warmth caused his muscles to slowly relax. He sighed softly as Old Pansy ran a cloth gently over his skin.

"Missing Ron again, dear?" She asked.

"Yes." Harry sighed.

"Well, that's to be expected, I suppose. But you know, dear, you need to let him go." Old Pansy replied.

"I . . .I can't; I love him so much." Harry said.

"I know you do, but you'll just hurt more if you cling onto him too much. Don't forget him, just move on. Would he want you to be so miserable?" Old Pansy asked.

Harry sniffed, "No."

"Exactly. You need to keep moving forward, or you'll go insane." Old Pansy replied.

Harry smiled softly and nodded, "OK."

"All clean." Old Pansy announced.

She helped him out of the tub and dried him. They walked back into the bedroom and Harry stood in front of the mirror, allowing Old Pansy to dress him. Today he wore a long dark green shirt with long sleeves that were loose around his wrists. She sat him down at his vanity and began brushing his hair, now almost reaching his shoulders.

"I suppose we'll need to cut this . . .you don't mind do you?" she asked.

"No, not at all. I was actually going to ask about that." Harry replied.

"Well then let's get to it." Old Pansy said, reaching into the drawer. "Just hold still, dear." She said as she pulled out a pair of scissors.

Harry gave a slight nod, "OK then."

He watched in the mirror as Old Pansy carefully cut away his hair, making sure to keep it as even as possible. When she finished, Harry's hair was back to its short spiky cut, as it had just a few days after he had arrived.

"How's that, dear?" Old Pansy asked.

Harry smiled, "Perfect."

"Good, good. So, feel like spending the day in the garden again?" Old Pansy asked. "It's going to snow soon, so there won't be much more time to spend out there until next spring."

Harry nodded, "Sounds good to me."

Draco watched from the shadows on his balcony as Harry played with Padfoot in the garden. He smiled softly as he watched them playing; it was an adorable sight. Harry was just so cute and innocent, Draco couldn't help but want to be with him.

"Well, I haven't seen you smile like that in a while." Old Pansy said from behind him, Neville beside her.

"I can't help it." Draco replied. "I mean . . .just look at him."

Old Pansy nodded, "I know, I know. He just seems to brighten up everything."

"Old Pansy . . .I . . .I want to do something for him. But . . .I don't know what I can do." Draco said.

"You're already teaching him to ride. That's something." Neville said.

"I know, but I want to do more. What else can I do?" Draco asked.

"Well, there's always the usual," Neville replied, "flowers, chocolates, promises you don't intend to keep."

"No, no!" Old Pansy scolded. "It has to be something real, something special. Something that will spark his interest." She paused for a moment, lost in her thoughts, "Oh! I've got it!"

"Draco, where're we going?" Harry asked.

"Just wait, you'll see." Draco replied.

After they had eaten dinner, instead of going into the sitting room, Draco had taken Harry to the other side of the fortress. He led him down to a large door at the end of a hall, then finally stopped and turned back to him.

"First, you have to close your eyes." Draco said. Harry stared at him suspiciously for a moment, so he quickly added, "It's a surprise."

Harry stared at him for another minute, then obediently closed his eyes. He felt Draco take hold of his hands, and he followed him through the doors. When they stopped walked, Harry was fairly sure that they were standing in the middle of the room.

"Can I open them?" He asked as Draco let go of his hands.
"No, not yet." Draco said.
Harry heard Draco's footsteps moving away from him, followed by what sounded like torches being lit. He could vaguely tell that the room was getting lighter. Curiosity gripped him, and he began to grow impatient.

"Now can I open them?" He asked.

"Alright, now." Draco replied.

Harry opened his eyes, and was left utterly speechless, "I . . .oh wow."
After his first day in the fortress, he had completely forgotten about wanting to see the library. And it was more than he had ever expected. The room was gigantic, the marble walls covered in books. There was a green couch in the middle of the room, in front of a long table with several books on top of it.
"Do you like it?" Draco asked.

"It's wonderful! I . . .I've never seen so many books in my life!" Harry exclaimed.

"Then it's yours." Draco said.

"This whole room?" Harry questioned.

"This whole room." Draco replied. "You can come in here any time you like, take any book you like."
"Th-thank-you." Harry was at an utter loss for words.

"Well I . . .I just wanted to make you feel more comfortable, more . . . at home." Draco said.

Harry smiled at him, "Are you sure you're the same Draco from last month? I don't think that Draco was this sweet."

Draco let out a short laugh, "Yeah well, that's just the effect you have on people."

………………………………………………………………………………………………
"It's cold." Harry stated.
"Snow usually is." Draco replied.

"I know . . .I'm just saying." Harry said.

Draco laughed and shook his head. Three days after Draco had given Harry the library, it had snowed, completely coating the fortress grounds in white. Draco and Harry were sitting outside, watching Padfoot run around happily and getting himself buried in the snow.

"How old are you?" Harry asked after a long, content silence.

"One hundred and eighteen years." Draco answered.
Harry stared at him in shock, "O-one hundred and e-eighteen?"
"Yes. And that's very, very young for a Valkier." Draco added.

"Young? Oh wow . . .that's insane." Harry said.

Draco shrugged, "I suppose."
"Draco . . .um . . .w-what happened to your parents?" Harry asked quietly.

Draco was silent for a long time before he replied, "They died. We were in the wood, and we lost track of time. The sun came out. They pushed me into the shadows, but they couldn't get away themselves. I was thirteen."

"Oh . . .I . . .I'm so sorry." Harry said. "I . . .I shouldn't have asked."

"No, it's alright. I don't mind so much anymore, I've uh . . .I've worked it out. They died for me, and I don't intend to waste that." Draco replied.

"You're incredible." Harry whispered.
"So are you." Draco said.
Harry inched closer to Draco, until their shoulders were touching. After an awkward moment of not knowing what to do, Draco reached down and laced their fingers together. Harry looked up at him with a shy smile, blushing deeply. They stared lovingly at one another for a moment, before they leaned toward each other.
Their lips were barely touching, when a big ball of black fur pounced on them, and Padfoot was barking happily, his tail wagging. Draco sighed in annoyance, as Harry laughed at the crazy dog's excitement.

"You need to learn timing, Padfoot." Draco muttered.

"What?" Harry asked.

"Nothing. Let's go inside." Draco said, helping Harry up.

They walked into the fortress, Padfoot trailing behind them. Draco and Harry entered the sitting room, and Draco gently pulled Harry's cloak off of him. They sat down together on the floor in front of the fireplace. Draco gently wrapped his arm around Harry's waist, pulling him into his lap. The two of them sat there in contented silence, watching the flames flicker and spark.

There you go! I sorted out the whole Stallion/ mare debacle! It was just I was going to write the horse as a stallion but changed my mind and forgot to change it later sorry!

Spiffy