"Don't make me go back," Whispered Draco "please."

There was a long silence as his parents observed him carefully. Draco was seventeen years old; he had white blond hair and matching pale skin. His eyes were a piercing grey colour and were presently gazing pleadingly at his parents.

His mother broke the silence "I'm sorry Draco," she sighed "but you'll have to return to school on the first of September."

Fear coursed through Draco – he couldn't go back. Not after what happened last year.
"Unless," his father added "you can give us a valid reason why we should transfer you."

I have a reason, thought Draco, but not one that I can share.

"No," Draco headed towards his bed room "I know a lost cause when I see one."

"Draco sweetheart," his mother reached to grab his hand "why is it you don't want to go back? You have friends, your grades are high – I can't understand."

Draco faced his parents again. He looked into his mother's worried eyes "Mother, why can't I go to Dumstrang?" he asked desperately.

"The Dark Lord wants you at Hogwarts Draco." Luscious replied evenly. "The task the Dark Lord meant for you to do has been passed onto Severus. I see no reason why you should not return."

"Draco love, what is it that's bothering you?" Narcissa implored her eyes searching Draco's face as if a hidden clue was deep within his grey eyes.

Luscious looked at his son "Draco, if for some reason you are –"

"I'm not afraid of anything." Draco said hotly. This was a lie. Draco was afraid…of himself…

"Darling you can tell us anything," Said Narcissa softly.

I don't need anyone, thought Draco.

"Look," said Draco, his temper rising "neither of you would understand so stop pestering me about it! I want it known that I'm going back to Hogwarts against my will."

"Yes thank you Draco, we realised." Luscious said icily.

o - O - o - O - o - O - o - O - o - O - o

"I'm not going back!" shouted Harry unpacking the clothes he had in his trunk from last year.
"Yes you bloody well are," his Uncle Vernon yelled back "whilst you live under this roof you follow my rules!"

Harry ran his hand through his dark hair in frustration. His green eyes were observing the scene before him.

"I thought you hated Hogwarts and Magic?" retorted Harry. Uncle Vernon winced slightly at the words Hogwarts and Magic.

"You are not staying here for a whole year boy!" his moustache twitching with rage. "And we will not pay for school fees!"

"You don't understand," he his hands up helplessly "I can't go back to school. I just can't."
Uncle Vernon began to resemble a thermometer very much as his face flushed a deep crimson "Explain to me why you can't."

"I –" Harry hesitated and swallowed nervously "it's personal."

Uncle Vernon pointed his finger at Harry "Now you listen here boy," his voice quivering with anger "Your girlfriend problems are not going to stop you going to school." He shut the door loudly as he left Harry's bedroom.

Yeah, Harry thought miserably, I wish.

How was harry supposed to go back to Hogwarts after the way things finished last term?
Harry fell back onto his bed and starred at the ceiling. He was being stupid of course; of course he would go back to Hogwarts. Staying with the Dursley's has been a childish thought. He had his friends – Ron and Hermione – his magical education and Dumbledore. Staying with the Dursley's all summer had been horrid. However The Burrow was not an option after the way Harry had ended things with Ginny…

… "Ginny?" asked Harry "Can we talk alone for a moment?"

Harry led Ginny out of Gryffindor Tower into the corridors; he didn't want to be over heard.
He turned to face her and took a deep breath as he began to speak –

"You're going to break up with me." She said in a matter-of-fact tone.

Harry blinked in surprise "How – how did you know?"

"Honestly Harry," Ginny sighed "I know you to well."

Harry felt very confused. His expression must have betrayed his thoughts as Ginny elaborated.

"Your mind's been everywhere Harry!" she exclaimed "Surely you didn't think that I didn't notice? You used to be really into it Harry and I don't just mean the sex. Don't look at me like that." She added sternly.

"Look at you like what?" Harry asked defensively.

"Like you don't believe me." She paused for a moment and then said "You used to hold my hand when we walked or light up when you saw me. These past few months you've been…I don't know! Distracted? Unfocused?"

"I have not!" Harry lied.

"You're a terrible liar Harry," Ginny said lightly amused "and you know it – you have been distracted." Ginny looked at him expectantly, her hands on her hips, resembling Mrs. Weasley.

"I'm not seeing anyone!" Harry said firmly. This was true. He was seeing anyone, but that didn't mean he wasn't thinking about someone…

"I know that Harry," Ginny smiled "You're not that type of person. It's what I love about you." She brushed a loose strand of hair behind his ear affectionately.

"But I do love you," Harry said earnestly "it's just…"

Ginny reached out and held both of his hands "I know," she said softly "and I am sad. But its okay, I'm strong."

"Yeah," smiled Harry "it's one of the things I fell in love with."

Ginny took a deep breath "Harry, whatever it is you can tell me." She said seriously.

Harry swallowed and shuffled his feet uncomfortably "I can't Gin," he shrugged sadly.
She leaned forward and kissed him on the lips for a moment and then turned back towards the Common Room.

"I really am sorry Ginny." Harry called out to her. He didn't want Ginny to feel sad, he still did love her although however differently.

"I know Harry," she said with a smile in her voice "but you're still my best friend."

Harry walked over to join her through the portrait hole "You're telling Ron," he grinned.

"Yeah, when Kneazles fly," Ginny snorted. They both entered Gryffindor Tower laughing hysterically…

Ginny wasn't the issue, it was Ron. Although both Harry and Ginny had told Ron that they were both comfortable with ending their relationship.

Friends embraced each other as they reunited from the Summer Break. Everyone was happy and excited, except for Harry. He reluctantly left sanctuary of his crriage and with his suitcases in his hands he headed towards the school in quick succession; he didn't want to be noticed.

o - O - o - O - o - O - o - O - o - O - o

On the other side of campus Draco's mother handed his suitcases "Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry." She said crisply. "Have a good year."

The sun had slipped away pulling a blanket of stars above the roof of Hogwarts. Students spilled out of hallways as they went to dinner.

"I won't keep you from dinner," said Draco's English teacher, "we'll discuss the essay tomorrow."

"Yes, sir." Draco smiled. As he turned around to head towards the Dining Hall Draco collided into another student.

"Watch wher –" Draco began his throat constricted upon seeing the person in front of him and the rest of the sentence died on his lips. Harry Potter stood facing him. The two boys surveyed each other anxiously. Draco's heart beat frantically in his chest; he wondered whether it was audible? Harry scrutinized Draco uneasily, his thoughts flashed back to last year. Had he told anyone? Fear spiked his blood as that question flashed across his head.

Draco shifted his weight onto his other foot. He felt sick, his stomach was churning. This was what he had been dreading.

Harry took a deep breath and swallowed, he couldn't let this ruin his year. He opened his mouth to say something but –

"Oi Harry!" called out a voice from a far table "Hurry up would you?"
Harry looked back at Draco a slight crease forming between his eyebrows as he studied Draco's grey eyes. Then, he allowed the commotion and bustle of dinner to separate them.
No, no one had forgotten.

School work didn't distract him as he would have liked it to. Draco punctuated his sentence with his pen and stole a glance towards the front of the classroom. He watched Harry hurriedly scrawl across his page.

Harry was nearly finished his paragraph but he didn't need to look into the mirror at the front of the room to feel Draco's stare burning into him. School work didn't distract him as he would have liked it to.

Draco wasn't sleeping. So many questions so many thoughts so many feelings. Was right the new wrong and wrong the new right?

Harry wasn't sleeping. Acceptance, approval – did he need those things? The dangerous three letter word constantly badgered him: why.

The bell had signalled lunch three minutes ago. However harry was still seated at his desk adding the last few sentences to his piece. Food had turned into a chore, an annoying human necessity these days.

Draco sighed out aloud in annoyance; he had left his exercise in the classroom. Changing his direction he headed towards the upstairs classroom. Food had begun to mean less and less to him anyway these days.

Harry put his paper into his folder as he packed up his books. He turned to leave the classroom only to find Draco in standing in the door way. The corridors were deserted, as was the building. Tension became a new element, a solid air that filled the room and flowed through both boys.
Boldly, Draco walked to his desk and picked up the book he had left. The urgent need to go but stay plagued Draco. He moved towards the door.

"Wait!" Called Harry, Draco spun around to face him.

Harry wasn't sure what he was supposed to say. "Look," Draco began with a shaky voice "about…last year."

"I don't know what happened," interjected Harry, "but it was a onetime thing." His pulse pounded in his ears. "No one needs to know," Harry continued breathlessly. "We should just forget it."
Draco felt like he was a doorway: so many emotions were trying to escape at once that nothing was getting through. He felt a sort of numbness. Perhaps this new aesthetic flowing through him was the only motive for what happened next.

Draco stepped closer Harry and was hit with a strong wave of déjà vu. This was an almost perfect replica of what happened last year, except this time it felt right.

"What if I don't want to forget it?" Draco breathed he leaned forward hesitantly, his lips brushing against Harry's. Harry could feel Draco's warm breath and closed his eyes as moved closer, giving in…