If Hell exists… If Hell is suppose to be the worst place on Earth, different to everyone by adapting to their worst fears and worst sights that wear them down to exhaustion… This is my Hell.

Harry rubbed his eyes under his glasses tiredly as he thought this. Behind him were his Hell mates, or the ones that were causing him Hell. Vermon was screaming, his face red with fury, Petunia was scowling, her lips so tight together Harry thought she would neigh at any second, and Dudley was smiling with foul glee, happy by the sight of Harry's pride being torn to pieces.

"You're an ungrateful, unwanted little snot-nosed brat! You should be thankful that we brought you in those years ago. We gave you shelter, food, and this is how you repay us?"

Harry stood at the sink with the dishes in his hands, taking the words with silence. It all started when the Vermon started giving orders every three seconds, making Harry run around the house like a packrat. When he muttered some smart-alec comment back to him under his breath, Vermon's top finally exploded. Now they were all looking at him as if he was some large disappointment that had truly crossed the line of humanity. Harry had heard it all before, but for some reason today was worse. He was extremely sore from all the house work and now he was getting bitched at for it. He was close to using his wand to shut the fat pig's mouth, but he couldn't risk it. Vermon seemed to be at that time of the month because he was screaming harder than ever before. Harry was honestly sick of it.

"Thanks to you, we're an embarrassment to the whole neighborhood and we can't leave the house! We treat you like our son and then you back-sass us? So you slack off on your chores and steal food from us? What kind of boy are you? Oh, that's right, you're the unloved, loner child that no one wanted to deal with! But we took you in! Out of the courtesy of our hearts. When your parents died-"

Harry instantly snapped. He threw whatever heavy dish he had in his hands into the sink harshly, splashing dirty, soapy water all over the place. It covered the sink in a thick, disgusting coat of water while Petunia was drench in the slimy liquid. Harry whirled around, screaming, "Shut up!" He slapped a wet towel against Vermon's chest with a harsh smack as he stomped past him. When Vermon went to speak again, Harry raised his voice above his. "You talk like I'm some orphan boy who killed his parents and had to move here to change my life! Like you guys are some loving, caring family when you're not! And you treat me well? Oh, what a load of bullshit that is. I'm your bloody slave! If I'm so horrible then do your own shit, you lazy pig!"

The moment Harry spoke the words, he realized what he had started and quickly whirled away. He sprinted for the stairs as Vermon started to scream even louder, his chubby face blue from loss of air. Harry charged up the stairs, not looking back at the Pissed Papa Smurf and the smiling little brat behind him. He had started a war, of course, by screaming and he couldn't run away to avoid it. All he could do now was hide in his room yet again.

The moment he charged into his room, he froze in the door. Across from him, halfway through the window, were those golden eyes. Harry stared in disbelief, the pain and anger instantly washing away as if they were never there. He was out of breath from screaming and now he was panting, eventually slowing down as he stared. Time seemed to freeze as he stood there, watching the boy across the room. He had white hair that was silver in the dim moonlight shining beautiful rays from the window. He was dressed casually, instead of Slytherin clothes, in a button-up white shirt and black jeans. His wand was in his hand and he was smiling that crooked, sly smile. How he missed that smile, the one that was playful and teasing and sexy and cute all at once! Neither of them moved for the longest time, merely just staring as if they had walked into a dream. Finally, a shout pulled Harry back to reality.

"Shut that bloody bird up before I do!"

Harry flinched and quickly shut his door. He hadn't even noticed Hedwig was squawking and fluttering her wings like crazy from surprise. He ran by, putting a hand on her cage to settle her down, and sprinted to his window. The warm arms that wrapped around him were proof that he was awake. He buried himself into Draco's chest, feeling suddenly calm and relaxed, finally at place. His snake like fingers crawled through the brunette's hair and brushed the soft locks back. He tilted Harry's head up until the silver mixed with gold in the perfect combination. Their lips met softly at first, but as Harry came to from his dream, he kissed him harder, pulling himself up higher on his tip toes to make the feeling stronger. He had almost forgotten what it was like to kiss him, the warm peck from his soft lips that sent a tingle go shivering down his entire body, refilling him with strength and happiness. He felt like he was going to slip and fall into the utter blackness of Hell if it weren't for Draco, and he wasn't going to let go for the world.

When their lips pulled away, Harry kept his face close, unable to completely separate. "What are you doing here?" He asked in a hushed voice.

"I promised to see you, didn't I?" Draco said casually with that bounce of his eyebrows, giving him a smooth look.

Harry slowly smiled, instantly relieved of every doubtful feeling he had felt. Yet, a harsh shriek from Hedwig made him pull away. "Okay!" He said in a low voice and started shushing her. He stuck his hand in the cage and stroked her, smoothing down her ruffled feathers until she was cooing and finally fell silent. Harry glanced back as he shut the door, making sure Draco was still behind him. He was and he had even moved closer to him since he pulled away. "But.. The laws…" Harry said in confusion.

"It's my birthday." Draco spoke smoothly.

Harry stood still in surprise. "What?"

Draco looked until he found a clock by Harry's bed. "I turned seventeen… six minutes ago."

Harry looked at the clock then gave Draco a speechless look. "You… You got your inheritance… and the first spell you used… was to see me?"

Draco rolled his eyes with that playful look, lying through his teeth. "Well, I first used it for a pair of new shoes…" He walked closer, his eyelids drooping slyly and giving his glowing gold eyes a dangerous look. "What else would I use it for?"

Harry couldn't believe it. He felt so utterly happy and yet he didn't know what to do about it. He stood motionless as Draco pulled him close to him again, sliding his arms around him gently once again. Harry put his hands on his chest, feeling how warm his pale skin was through the thin shirt. "W-Well… Happy Birthday…"

Draco chuckled instantly, not expecting those words from him. Harry felt his stomach twist in a nervous knot, feeling like a loser for acting so dumbfounded. Yet, Draco's slender fingers gently touched his chin and raised his head up again. "I missed you," he said in a whisper. Harry felt all his strength fade away as Draco leaned down again as just softly reconnected their lips. It was a meaningful graze, a touch as soft as gauze that made Harry give in to him. He wrapped his arms around Draco's neck and kissed him again. Their lips parted slightly and fit together perfectly. Their tongues just barely touched and sent them each tingles of delight running down their skin. They gripped at each other tighter and kissed deeper, sucking and licking until they were out of breath. When they pulled away, their eyes met silently for a minute and they slowly smiled.

Yet, Harry was still nervous, especially when he heard a crash come from downstairs. "Um… How long have you been here?"

Draco's eyes glanced around the room. "Not long…"

"What did you hear?"

Draco looked back to the silver eyes and saw the struggle behind him. He couldn't lie to those eyes even if he had to. "Everything…"

Harry quickly dropped his head. "I'm sorry."

"Don't be." He held him close as he said this, making Harry feel completely surrounded by him. He snaked his hand down Harry's arm until his fingers tickled his palm and traced his fingers. Harry smiled again as Draco interlocked their fingers and gripped his hand tight. Harry nuzzled his head into Draco's shoulder, missing the feel of his smooth skin against his cheeks. Harry drew himself closer until there was no space between them. Draco's free hand brushed Harry's cheek, his neck, his back, every part of him that he could touch. The smooth touch made Harry feel weak and he stood there like his servant, doing whatever Draco wished him to do. He tilted his head up and Draco gave him a soft kiss on the cheek. He moved the kisses along his jaw line and down his throat. It gave him chills that made him relax and breathe easy, all the physical struggles from today vanishing. Harry ran his hand down Draco's back and around to his chest. He was so buff and so warm, feeling like some kind of attractive bodyguard. When he trailed down Draco's free arm, he felt a bump under his shirt, something rough and irregular. Draco withdrew his arm from Harry's grip, notice something queer. Yet, he hugged him tighter, reassuring him silently.

To his surprise, though, Draco soon pulled away. He kept their hands connected and started to drag him to the bed. "Come on, you're tired."

Harry took a second to take in the words as Draco sat on his bed. "What?"

"I know you're tired, so don't tell me you're not." Draco pulled at the brunette's hand until he crawled on the bed with him. He slipped off his glasses, making Harry squint from embarrassment. "You should go to sleep…"

Harry allowed Draco to remove his sweater until he was in a comfortable, loose undershirt. "But.. It's your birthday."

"So?" Draco asked, tilting his head slightly with that attractive look that always drew Harry in to him. "You look like you're gonna pass out any second," he added with a chuckle.

Harry put himself beside Draco in front of his headboard, feeling surprised and confused. "Really? I was sure… you'd want Birthday Sex or something."

Draco let out a long breath. "As tempting as it is to jump you right now…" He ran his fingers through his hair again. "All I want to do is hold you."

Harry felt touched at the words and fell back as Draco pushed him down. "But I don't want to sleep." He grabbed Draco's smooth cheek, playing with the ends of the bleached-blonde hair at his fingertips. "I-I haven't seen you for two weeks. I want to talk to you, to-to kiss you -a-and-"

Draco put a finger on his lips, making Harry feel love struck. It seemed like he was in a movie or something, where the boy always puts a finger on the girl's lips before they kissed for the first time. "We will," he said quietly and pushed his head back down. "Don't worry. I'll give you all the time in the world to talk. But for now… Just sleep."

Harry gave in once again to that soft tone, those gleaming eyes, and that gentle touch. He dug his head in Draco's shoulder while wrapping his arms around his chest. Draco scooped his arms under Harry's, drawing him as close as physically possible. Their legs twisted together, looking like two different vines twining together beautifully. It seemed uncomfortable at first, to be all tangled up like that, especially after Draco threw a blanket over them. But as Harry relaxed, he felt himself settling into the feeling, as if he was becoming addicted to it and would no longer be able to sleep unless Draco was there. It was like all the other nights they had spent together in the Hogwarts dorms; they were slowly adjusting to the other's warmth, and curling up just to be closer to them.

Harry remembered how he was going to lay there for another hour or two before falling asleep. But then he heard something, a soft thump. And another… Then two more. He lifted his head up slightly on Draco's arm, drawing closer to his chest. That's when he realized he was listening to Draco's heart beat, softly pounding in his ear. It was mesmerizing, the gentle beat next to him. He felt his own heart following the pace, along with their breathing, as if they were one.

He let out a struggling breath, one that he had when Vermon had screamed at him, one that he had when he was working like a slave, one that he had whenever he felt insecure or upset. On the next breath in, he smelled something different, a bitter-sweet scent that made his nostrils dance with pleasure. He loved this sudden scent, being drawn to it like a bee to honey. It was like lavender mixed with a fierce cologne-no, like fresh water running over rocks with the lingering scent of little white flowers lining the river's edge. Draco's scent surrounded him, his warmth completely dragged him into the darkness of the night. He listened to his heart beat and matched his breathing, knowing that the two sounds were meant to be together.

"G'night, Draco…" Harry heard himself mutter.

"Goodnight, Harry."

The sound of his voice made Harry finally close his eyes. Wrapped in Draco's arms, melting in his warmth, drowning in his scent, Harry was asleep before he knew it and it was the best night of sleep he had in years.

…...

Harry was alone when he awoke the next morning. It surprised him, although he knew he shouldn't have been surprised. It made him wonder if last night really was a dream or not. Yet, his shirt was off and so were his glasses. Though, that was his regular schedule when going to bed. He went downstairs to find the Dursley's packing.

Good, he thought as he moved silently past their rooms. Maybe they'll leave forever.

"We've decided to forgive you for last night," Petunia said quietly from the living room.

Harry gave her a little interested look and went into the fridge without a word to her. He grabbed a glass of orange juice and a muffin from the counter. The dishes were still unfinished and resting on the counter like some horrible memorial to mock him. Harry, surprisingly, felt no regret. He pushed past Petunia only to come face to face with her husband.

"If you have any consideration, you'll do the chores while we're out today."

Harry gave him a cold stare. As much as he'd like to spit in his face or even use a spell to turn him into something nasty and quiet, he choked it all down and forced out a mutter. "Yes, sir."

"Good." Vermon said with that ridiculous smirk.

Harry waited as they all past by him. He glared when Dudley chuckled vilely and said, "Have fun," as he passed. He finally breathed right when the door shut behind them. He didn't care where they went, as long as they left him alone he was glad. He trudged up to his room, yet again. He sat down to eat when he suddenly didn't feel so hungry anymore. There wasn't any mail for him today, he had lost the war with the Dursley's, and now Hedwig was screeching to be let out.

Harry groaned and rubbed his eyes tiredly under his glasses. He pet the white owl soothingly as he took her out of her cage. He unlocked his window and thrusted his arm outward, letting the owl fly freely to the bright blue sky. It was a nice day and there were people happily cruising the sidewalks, minding their own business. If he wanted, he could sneak out and have fun at night; the family wouldn't check on him if he had done all they ordered him to. It was just he rarely had the energy to from all the work and exhaustion the Hell mates gave him.

He watched Hedwig fly off, curving with the gusts of wind to disappear around the house and stretch her wings. She would return when she was satisfied with flying. Harry sometimes wished he could switch places with her. A silly thought, yes, but being caged up and slaved around in such a way, exhausted, alone. Something like flying, being out in the open air, seemed so comforting. To do whatever the bloody hell you pleased was like a gift from the Gods… That he could never attain. At least not here. So Harry shut his window and turned back to his empty room. The loneliness was irritating and made him feel like he would never escape this Hell. Slowly, he walked to his bed and collapsed on it, bouncing face down until he almost suffocated in the thick blankets.

I can't take this… He clenched onto the blankets miserably as he thought. Please… Draco, come save me….

…...

Blaise was relaxing in a thick, leather chair when the door slammed open. The family lobby was a comforting place; dim lights that cloaked the room in a musky, dark glow, heavy bookcases that gave the room an educated and formal look, fancy furniture that titled the room 'appropriately stylish', a roaring fireplace that was the main source of light and it crackled nicely in the back of the room.

Sitting by that said fire, Blaise lowered his drink when Draco stormed in. He walked not in that frustrated trudge, but that casual, sly strut that made everyone turn their heads to devote their attention to him. Blaise smiled and sat back coolly in the chair, saying smoothly, "Need something?"

"Just what exactly do you know?" Draco asked in a direct tone, one that didn't get questioned. Blaise met his dark eyes with Draco's golden ones, the yellow circles glowing from the light of the fire behind Blaise. When he remained silent, Draco smirked without fear. "You know about him, don't you?"

"Harry's a…. nice partner." Blaise said after a pause. " A Gryffindor, smart, cute… But he's also the Malfoy's number one enemy."

"You're point?" Draco snapped, irritated by his hurtful statements.

Blaise flickered his eyes around the room in a sense of boredom. "Keeping it a secret?"

"What?"

"I found out from some nervous Gryffindor kid… Mebille? Anyway, he found out from Harry, himself after your memory slip-up." He chuckled. "You're obviously hiding it from everyone, including Goyle and Crabbe."

"Don't need to tell," Draco said simply. "They find out, they find out. I don't give a shit."

Blaise smiled that devilish smile that made Draco narrow his gaze; that taunting stare that was silently challenging him. "Sleeping with the enemy isn't all that bad. Truly entertaining, I bet."

"How long have you known?" Draco asked, not responding to his games.

"Since the beginning." Blaise took a sip from his drink again.

"How come Crabbe and Goyle don't know then?"

Blaise pinched up the corner of his smile, taking Draco's side but also playing his own vile game. "Don't need to tell. They find out, they find out,…right?"

Draco glared silently for a moment, then slowly smiled. "I got my inheritance… Which means I can go anywhere I want." Blaise nodded without a word and watched Draco take a few closer steps toward him. "As far as anyone knows, when I'm gone… I'm with you. Got it?"

Blaise narrowed his eyes in a cold stare. This was his game, using him as a pawn yet again. Like he cared. It wasn't his business, but he was still playing the cover-up card. He grabbed his drink again and looked away, muttering, "Whatever."

Draco smiled, pleased with himself and the new game they were going to play. He had his pieces and the board was set up, now all he needed to do was roll the dice. He knew it would eventually get to that point where he would lose his turn of luck, but until then he was going to enjoy this new game. He was going to run into Hell and come out with a new prize, one that he wanted to collect ever since school ended. Now was his chance and he was diving in head first.

Gosh, sorry this took so long. School is coming up and I'm so not prepared. The next chapter will be up sooner than this one, I'm so sorry.