Can you tell this story is bugging me to be written? Already on a fourth chapter... I have a feeling you guys will like this one.


The next few days were quiet. Malfoy had discovered the array of books Harry had in the drawing room, and had spent most of his time in his room reading. Harry didn't bother him much, and they ate together if not in absolute silence. He knew that Malfoy would get his act together when he was ready, and he was in peace being able to get his work done without the blond always there. Not that he was before. He found his mind wandering more and more to the other, however, wondering about his past now. He had a taste of how Malfoy had lived before now, and he was even more curious. So far a rock had been cast at the pane that was all Harry knew of Malfoy. He wasn't spoiled as a child. Rather forced in a caste of perfection. He wasn't sure why it bothered him so much, but it did. Perhaps it was because their pasts now seemed similar.

Although he was never abused to the point of scarring by the Durselys, Harry knew well enough he had been abused. He had been starved and on occasions beat, by his cousin and his uncle. One day, the rain poured outside, as dismal as the day Malfoy had first come to this house. Harry was painting the stair banister a new, lighter color, a color he was planning to color the archways between doors and the stairs as well.

Thunder rolled as me brushed the paint on the banister with ease. It was a monotonous task,the kind he enjoyed because it allowed his mind to wander, to think on situations he didn't really think about often. Currently, it was on Ginny. Today the Weaselys would be coming, and he'd see her again. His heart leaped at the idea. He missed her so much, her company, her soft kisses. A smile touched his lips as he painted. Lightning cracked, and the lights in the house flickered.

"Kreacher is not liking this storm..." Kreacher mumbled to himself, as he dragged a feather duster on a table. "Perhaps the blood traitor Weasleys won't be able to come. Yes what a nice thought. Them and their m-mu... dirty blooded girl..."

Harry smirked to himself. He had told Kreacher to stop calling Hermione a mudblood, although he still tried on occasion. He called down to Kreacher, the house elf coming up the stairs and bowing.

"Kreacher, the Weasleys are coming,"

"Kreacher already knew, sir,"

"Yes, but you aren't allowed to insult them." Harry ordered. The elf paled and sputtered, Harry adding "While they're here." He knew Kreacher would go insane not being able to mouth of at all, but it was rare he said really mean things about the Weasleys now. Kreacher narrowed his eyes and grumbled as he stalked away, obviously displeased at his new binding on his tongue. Harry chuckled to himself, continuing to paint.

o~o

By the end of his job, he couldn't get the fumes from the paint from his nose, and his head hurt. And that was only the first coat. At least it looked better then it had before. He walked to the bathroom for a shower, peering in the drawing room to see Malfoy enraptured in some book. He couldn't make out the title, but it was obviously something old. Satisfied the blond was busy, he took off to get clean.

When he got out, he checked the time. The Weaselys were due any moment. Figuring he should go remind Draco of their company, he towled off his hair, slipped on simple clothes and went to the Drawing room, where Draco still was.

Draco was looking out a window at the street below that was being slammed by the summers' rain once again. He was on the body chair still, book on the floor, silent tears trickling down his face as he looked through the people below. Harry leaned against the door frame, not catching the blonds attention as he watched. Malfoy sighed, his breath ragged but still not making any whimpers or sniffles as he cried. Harry walked in quietly, but as he caught a lose floorboard, Draco whipped his head around, shocked gray eyes staring into Harrys bright green ones. Fear, He had been caught crying and being vulnerable. Fear turned to anger, narrowing and shifting in his chair to stand.

He was so vulnerable. So... almost adorable. An emotion burned in his chest, and before he could think anything through, he took longer strides. Kneeling with a knee on the chair, he filled his hands with Draco's soft hair. He tilted the blonds head towards his own, closing his eyes has he delivered a passionate kiss. Draco was stiff, but he loosened up, wrapping an arm around Harry and running his hands through the brunettes still damp hair. Harry straddled the other, kissing him again. Draco pulled away, his warm breath in Harrys face.

"Potter, what are you doing?" He asked, eyes still puffy and red. Harry cradled the others' head in his hands, thumbing away a loose tear.

"I... I don't know... exactly," He replied, breathless from their kiss. Draco smiled faintly, a familiar smirk, and he quirked his brows in that all too familiar fashion.

The blond pulled Harry into another kiss, more fierce then brunettes kisses. Burning desire came off from his lips, hungry for more. Harry was caught off guard by the hunger, and he felt a heat in his own stomach begin to burn. Draco kissed him more and more fervently, pressing himself closer to Harry. He wanted more, Harry wanted more, too, but part of him still held off, resisting.

"I-I dont think we should..." Harry said, pulling himself away as Draco began to feel up Harry's shirt. Malfoy snorted, nuzzling Harry's neck.

"You don't think so? Last I checked, you came on to me," He said, nibbling at Harry's neck. Harry shivered, goosebumps erupting all over his body. "Never even knew you fancied blokes."

"I don't," Harry said adamantly, pulling away. Malfoy looked at him with pure doubt in his eyes. "Never knew you fancied blokes, either," He combated, hoping to deter attention.

"I've been bouncing between the boys and girls since third year," Malfoy replied casually with a shrug.

"And you're parents were perfectly alright with it?" Harry asked, regretting it the second it came out of his mouth. Draco's face fell and he looked away, brows knit together.

"I never told them," He replied. Harry was quiet, all heat between them suddenly extinguished.

"The Weasleys will be here any-" Harry started after a moment of silence, but he was interrupted by a knock. "Shit."

Malfoy pushed Harry off him and regained his composure, fixing his hair with a brow quirk at Harry. Harry nodded and went downstairs, their short moment still burning in his mind... Shit. Ginny. He started down the stairs, nose filled with paint fumes as he thought about his girlfriend. It was just a few kisses right? There was nothing between them. He didn't need to feel guilty. She didn't have to know, after all... Putting on a beaming smile, Harry pulled the door open for the Weasleys to get out of the rain.

Molly and her husband Arther were the first to come in, Molly grabbing Harry into a tight and warm – if not wet – hug. Arther seemed to be looking around the house for something. Or perhaps someone...

"Oh Harry, it's so nice to see you again! You really ought to send more letters you know..." She chastened, holding his shoulders to get a good look at him. "You look very well! And the house is coming along nicely, I see."

She pulled away to allow the others to come in, while inspecting the house. Mr. Weasley smiled, and shook Harrys hand.

"How have you been, Harry?"

"Pretty good, Mr. Weasley," He replied. Arthur pulled him closer to whisper to him.

"I'm not exactly fond of your housing Draco Malfoy, Harry, and I would like explanation later," He didn't sound angry or threatening, but he did seem tense. He clapped Harry on the back as the last three people came in.

Hermione pulled Harry into a hug, saying "Harry, I got your letter. It did confuse me a bit-"

"ahem, Hermione, he is my boyfriend, can I get a bit of a hug in?" Ginny piped up with a joking smile. Hermione stepped back, Ron putting an arm around her as Ginny proceeded to wrap her arms around Harry and give him a surprise kiss. It was tender and soft, like her kisses were, but to Harrys shock, they didn't inspire the same feeling as before. He kissed back, laughing against her lips as Ron grunted and looked away.

"Ginny, how've you been?" Harry asked, pulling her into a tight hug.

"I've been good. The family has been good. Our new house is impressive, and I'm all ready to go back to Hogwarts in September. But... it won't be the same..." She said, trailing off with a sad smile. Harry nodded. He knew it would be very different, although once again safe. Professor McGonagall had taken residence of Headmistress, and all summer the school had been rebuilt by the staff and volunteers. But it wouldn't have the same quality as before.

The stair creaked behind him, and Rons eyes narrowed dangerously. It definitely wasn't Kreacher coming down the stairs.

"No need to be rude, Weasley. Im as much a guest as you are," Malfoy said coldly. His voice brought a shiver to Harry's back. Something that hadn't happened before. He looked to the blond, and felt a heat rise to his face. Looking away, he heard Malfoy chuckle from the stairs.

"For some reason that we don't know," Ron combated. "Besides, we're his real friends. We have privilege."

"Really, Ron?" Hermione asked, mouth hanging open slightly at his childish behavior.

"Sure me and Potter here haven't suddenly become friends? Things can change in an instant," Draco said slyly. "Besides, Saint Potter couldn't resist my pleas for help."

Malfoy added the last part breathlessly, surprisingly more like himself with the Weasleys here. Harry turned around, face red from anger this time. He detested the names Malfoy came up for him. Saint Potter was one he especially didn't like.

"Okay, I get it. I'll go to my room while the company mingle," Malfoy said, holding his hands up. He went back up the stairs, leaving Harry to sigh. It was going to be a long visit.