CHAPTER SIX

It took the combined efforts of Hermione, Ron, Blaise, and Pansy to get Harry out the door in time for his date. When he finally stumbled into their common room, Draco was waiting. He looked up and smiled before standing and offering his arm. With a quick wave to the others, the couple were out the door.

Draco hadn't told Harry where they were going so the boy was surprise when they walked up to the Astronomy Tower. When they reached the open air, he looked up at the stars.

'This is nice.'

Draco smiled and snapped his fingers, summoning a House Elf with their dinner. The Elf bowed profusely before vanishing away. Draco laid the blanket and spread the food on top. Harry was standing near the edge of the tower, still watching the night sky. When he heard Draco call his name, Harry turned and walked over to the blanket. He looked at it for a moment before dropping gracefully into a seated position, next to Draco.

The food looked delicious. There were cold cuts of meat, fresh salad leaves, thick slices of bread, and, best of all, there was a beautiful looking treacle tart. Harry grinned at Draco before starting to fill his plate. Draco watched fondly for a moment before following suit.

They ate in silence for the most part. It wasn't until they'd almost finished the tart that Harry spoke again.

'This is fantastic, Draco.'

'Yeah?'

Harry glanced over and smiled. 'Yeah. I was so worried you'd want to go to some posh place and I'd just embarrass myself. And you. But this, this is fantastic.'

'I'm glad you're enjoying yourself, but Harry, I would like to think that I wouldn't make a date with me quite so unbearable for you.'

'Of course not, I just, well, I-'

'It's okay, I know what you meant.'

Harry snapped his mouth shut and pouted a little. Draco chuckled and leaned over to kiss his temple. With another fond smile at Harry's blush, Draco stood up and banished the remnants of their dinner.

'Where are you going?'

'Just to look at the sky. It's especially fine tonight.'

Harry nodded and got up, following Draco to the edge of the tower. They stood for a time, staring at the stars, until Draco turned to Harry. When Harry looked at him, Draco raised one hand to cup his cheek. Their faces drifted closer and closer.

'May I kiss you?'

Gulping, Harry nodded.

Draco smiled and their lips touched together.

Although the touch was brief, Harry gasped like he'd been shocked. Draco cocked his head and Harry swallowed and nodded determinedly.

Draco pressed his lips to Harry's more firmly this time, massaging the other boy's mouth. The kiss was slow and sweet. Tentatively, Harry pressed back. Draco smiled a little and tried to deepen the kiss, his hand dropping to settle low on Harry's hips. Harry made a nervous noise and Draco pulled back.

'Are you okay?'

Harry nodded but his ears were flat and his tail was twisted around his leg.

'Harry, I'm not going to leave you just because something got to be too much or you don't like something, alright? If this is going to work, I want, no, I need you to tell me if you ever want to stop something, okay? Promise me?'

'I know, I just, I feel like I want to please you all the time and it's messing with my head.'

'What do you mean?'

'Even when I'm uncomfortable, all my instincts tell me to just let you do what you want because then you'll be happy and you'll stay, but Draco, Draco, I'm-'

'No! Harry, you can't think that, ever. Harry, I give you my word, as a wizard, as the heir of the Malfoy name that I will never stop being your mate. Whether we have a sexual or romantic relationship or one that is purely platonic, I promise I won't leave you. I promise.'

Harry sucked in a breath between his teeth and seemed to be battling something inside himself. When he looked back at Draco, he grabbed the boy's hand and shook it firmly.

'Thank you.'

Draco nodded and clutched Harry's hand just as tight.

If Harry held Draco just a little tighter when they went to bed that night, neither of them commented.

When Harry woke up in the early hours of the morning, Draco was gone. When he reached out, the mattress beside him was cool. Frowning, Harry got up to look, becoming more and more distressed when he couldn't find the other boy. He settled into Draco's favourite armchair, where his smell was strongest, and tried to think. It didn't take long for him to realise what must have happened.

It was his fault.

No matter what Draco had said, Harry knew that if he'd just swallowed down his nerves and let Draco kiss him, let Draco touch him, Draco would still be here. If he'd just gone along with it all, Draco would have stayed. Harry knew Draco had little reason to hang around a freak like him, and that he'd wanted a physical relationship was almost unthinkably fantastic. If Harry had just let him-

Harry's thoughts were broken off by a knock at the door. When he opened it, Professor Dumbledore was outside.

'May I come in?'

Harry nodded and held the portrait open wider. Dumbledore had to stoop but he made it inside unscathed. He sat down and gestured for Harry to do the same.

'I imagine you have recently discovered the disappearance of Mr Malfoy.'

Harry's tail drooped.

'Don't look so morose, dear boy. Draco's father has been taken ill. It is unlikely to be fatal but he wished to have his family with him in this trying time. Both Severus and Draco have gone to him.'

'Oh, thank goodness.'

Dumbledore smiled.

'I did not wish for you to become anxious. He has loath to leave you, but he must honour his Father's needs.'

'Thanks for letting me know, sir.'

Dumbledore nodded and smiled and took his leave.

Harry was about to settle back down into the armchair and wait for Draco to come back when Dumbledore poked his head back in around the door.

'He will return at the end of the week, Saturday at the latest.'