6 June, 2001

Harry was sitting in the training center's library, studying for the exam that was scheduled for the end of the week. He glanced down at his watch, deciding that he would give it another half hour before he quit for the day and headed to St. Mungo's.

"Hello, Harry," a voice said softly from nearby his right elbow.

He turned his head to look at Hermione for a moment before giving his attention back to his books. He knew why she was here.

"Ron sent in the big guns this soon? Normally, it takes him at least a week before he begs you to fix things for him."

Hermione sighed and sat down across from him. She was working with the Department of International Magical Cooperation, hoping to become an Ambassador in the future. Harry had no idea how she and Ron planned to work that out regarding their marriage since Ron was training to be an Auror here at home, and right now, he really didn't care too much.

"You know that he means well."

"No, as a matter of fact, I don't know that. What I know is that he thinks I should just forget about the man I love and 'move on with my life'," Harry said bitterly, making air quotes with his fingers as he said it, because he knew Hermione found that pretentious. He was so angry with the both of them, that he welcomed a fight at this point.

She ignored that, however, and spoke gently to him again. "I don't want you to forget about Draco, Harry, but you do have to face reality. And the reality is, he's been comatose for more than a year. He may not ever wake up, and even if he does, he may not be the same Draco you knew."

"Do you think I haven't thought of that!" Harry yelled, and then quieted when several other people in the library hissed hushing noises in their direction. "Do you really think that I'm not painfully aware that I may never get him back the way he was, if I get him back at all? But what am I supposed to do, Hermione? He could never wake up, but then again he could wake up tomorrow. I would hate myself if I wasn't there when he did. He has no one but me now."

"I know, I know, Harry," Hermione said, and reached her hand across the table to cover his. "Ron feels terrible about what he said."

"Yeah, well, he should," Harry said stubbornly.

"I don't think either of us realized until now exactly how much he does mean to you."

"He's everything to me," Harry said quietly, glad that his friends seemed to be finally taking his relationship seriously. "I love him, Hermione. Forever kind of love, no different than you and Ron."

"I get it, Harry, I do. We both just worry about you."

"You don't need to worry so much. I'm fine."

Hermione gave him a knowing look, which he conveniently ignored.

"So, we both know I'm going to talk you around eventually. Can we just skip to that part, so we can get it over with?" she said with a smirk worthy of a Slytherin, and playfully pinched his hand before she let it go.

"Ow," Harry said, even as he couldn't keep the grin from sliding over his face. He and Ron had really hit the jackpot when they decided to go and rescue a fellow first year from a troll. She just had a knack for making both he and Ron see sense. His anger at Ron still lingered, but he couldn't stay truly mad at either of his best friends for long. The fact was, he knew they really only had his best interests at heart, and it hurt them to see him hurting. Ron simply had no tact.

Harry heaved an exaggerated sigh. "I suppose so, but you can tell Ron that he's buying the drinks at the pub for the next month."

"You can tell him yourself. I found a new recipe for pork roast that I want to try."

Harry gathered up his books and papers and shoved them in his bag. He walked beside Hermione towards the exit doors. "Are you sure that's a wise idea, after the Cornish hen incident?"

Hermione smacked him on the arm. "That could have happened to anyone!"

Harry laughed, and it felt good to laugh, as he hadn't done so for a while now. He couldn't wait for the day when he could hear Draco's laugh again.

"No, that could only have happened to you, Mione," he teased as they headed for home.

14 February 1999

Harry sat staring intently at the chess board in front of him. He heard his opponent give a deliberate yawn, but ignored him. He would make his move when he was good and ready, damn it.

"Some time this century, Harry," Draco said in an annoying sing-song voice.

Harry just grunted in response, refusing to be rushed. He also wasn't sure what to make of the funny little twist in his belly every time Draco said his name. Finally, once he'd managed to calm his fluttering stomach, Harry made a move. He grinned up at Draco expectantly.

"Oh, Harry, Harry, Harry," Draco said, shaking his head. "You are exceptionally bad at this game." He moved one of his pieces and said, "Check."

"Damn! I'm never going to be able to beat Ron," Harry whined.

"Of course you can. Isn't that what we're doing here? I'm teaching you. Though I do have to admit, you're a terrible student," Draco said with a grin.

"Shut up, you," Harry grumbled. Together, they began moving all the pieces back to their starting positions, preparing for another round.

Harry had been grateful to Draco for keeping him company today, seeing as Ron and Hermione were being all coupley and mushy thanks to it being Valentine's Day. If Harry'd had to hear one more epically bad poem from Ron's mouth, he might have lost it completely. Normally, Hermione was a very sensible girl, but today, she was eating that mess up. It was revolting.

Now, however, as he'd gotten trounced at chess four games in a row, Harry was wishing he'd just read a book or something. There was always research to be done on the Horcruxes, after all, but no, everyone had decided to take a break for love today. Everyone but Harry, that was. He had been starting to feel a little sorry for himself when Draco made the offer for chess, so perhaps he hadn't been thinking clearly when he agreed to play against someone who never lost.

"You know what? I think I need to adjust my instruction methods. After all, if the student fails, perhaps it's because of the teacher."

"Someone should have told that to Snape," Harry muttered without thinking.

Draco smacked him on the back of the head. "Be nice to my godfather's memory," he said.

Harry immediately felt badly for what he'd said. "I'm sorry."

Draco shrugged. "It's okay. I can admit he wasn't the best teacher in the school."

Now Harry felt terrible because Draco was starting to look sad again. "So, am I a completely hopeless case, Professor Malfoy? Or can I be taught?" he asked, waggling his eyebrows in an exaggerated fashion.

"I think it will take every ounce of my skill and patience, but yes! You can be taught, Mr. Potter!" Draco said dramatically, getting into the silliness of the moment. He hopped up from his chair and came around to Harry's side of the table. "All right, here's what we're going to do. I'm going to play from your side, and as we go through turns, I'm going to talk you through the possibilities. You have to learn to think several moves ahead, Harry. And not just your own moves, but your opponent's as well."

"All right, I guess we can give it a go," Harry said. He was trying not to be distracted by the way Draco was leaning down and whispering almost directly into his ear, but it was very difficult.

After a little while, Harry managed to put Draco's nearness, and the fact that it was an issue at all, out of his mind as he concentrated on listening to the chess instructions. Then Draco casually draped his arm over Harry's shoulders and he was instantly intensely aware of Draco once again. Harry didn't know what to do. If he asked Draco to move away, he worried that it would be insulting. If Draco kept touching him like that, Harry worried that he was going to do something very embarrassing.

He hadn't even thought of the possibility that he might be attracted to boys before. Admittedly, there had been a lot of other things on his mind. But he had always been aware of Draco. No matter where they were or what they were doing, whether they'd been enemies or almost-friends, Harry had often fixated on Draco. The problem was he had no idea how Draco felt about him Sure, they'd become almost friends lately, but Harry had no clue if Draco was inclined the same way that he found himself leaning.

Determined to put this out of his mind for the moment, Harry concentrated on the instructions that Draco was giving. The constant repetition of Draco's rules seemed to be sinking in as Harry made a move that had his teacher giving a 'yes' of delight. Pleased with himself, Harry turned to grin at Draco, only to find his face mere inches from his own.

Their eyes held as if magnetized for a long heartbeat. Just as Harry was wondering if he should be the first to back away and break the moment, Draco leaned in and pressed his lips to Harry's.

It was probably the briefest kiss in the history of kisses, as Harry was so startled that he failed to respond. Draco backed away quickly and Harry saw that his face was flushed with embarrassment.

"Sorry, I'm sorry! I-I don't know why I did that," he stammered.

"I didn't mind!" Harry said quickly, because Draco was backing away and Harry definitely didn't want that. "You just, um, took me by surprise, that's all."

"Oh," Draco said, and bit his lip nervously as he looked down at the floor. When he looked back up at Harry, there was a cautious hope in his eyes.

Harry had never seen Draco Malfoy acting so unsure of himself. It was rather appealing.

"Maybe we could-" Harry started, and then broke off as he heard his name being called from the hallway.

"There you are! Hermione and I have been looking all over for you," Ron said as he and Hermione walked into the library. "Oy, Malfoy, what're you doing in here? Is he bothering you, Harry?"

Harry rolled his eyes at Ron, as Draco's face fell into the sneer that the Gryffindors were more familiar with. "Ron, don't be an idiot. He was trying to teach me how to play chess," he said as he gestured towards the board.

"Why didn't you ask me, mate? You know I'd be happy to teach you," Ron said, pouting a little.

"I was trying to get Draco to show me how to beat you," Harry said.

"That's not fair, getting lessons from a Slytherin! Did he teach you all the sneaky moves, then?"

"Honestly, Ron, you're being ridiculous," Hermione said. "I, for one, think it was nice of Draco to try and help Harry learn a bit of strategy." She gave Draco a smile and Harry wanted to hug her for trying.

Draco, still wearing his Malfoy sneer, didn't reply. Although Harry thought it was a plus that he didn't outright insult her.

"I've got potions to brew. Thanks for the entertainment, Potter," Draco said as he headed for the door.

"Hey!" Harry called. Draco paused and looked at him with a questioning lift of his brow. "I'd really like to do this again sometime." He gave Draco an intent look, hoping that his message of wanting to continue both the chess and the kissing was getting through.

To his delight, Draco grinned and winked at him. "I'll look forward to it."

Harry knew that Ron and Hermione were wondering about the silly grin on his face, but he couldn't have erased it for anything.

TBC