Chapter Seven

Draco spent the next two days over with Sirius and Severus. He had closed the shop down until further notice so he could be there when Harry woke up. Ron and Hermione had stopped by multiple times to check on their friend. The rest of the Weasley's had stopped by as well. Sirius and Draco would only leave Harry's bedside to eat or when Severus forced them to.

Draco had snuck back in and was sitting by the window in Harry's room when he heard a noise. He turned to see Harry's eyelashes fluttering. He rushed over and grasped Harry's hand in his as he watched his mate.

Draco whispered, "Harry, love, please come back to me. I need you."

The brunet groaned before finally opening his eyes all the way. The first thing he saw was Draco. Harry smiled at seeing the blonde. Even though they had fought, Draco was still around.

Harry tried to sit up and Draco wrapped an arm around him, making sure he didn't fall over. He handed the shifter a glass of water and Harry drunk it greedily. He rubbed the back of his neck and winced.

Draco noticed the motion, "I'm sure you are still a little sore."

Harry gave a small nod, "Ughhh, what happened? I remember us fighting and me running away. The last thing I do remember was standing in that pond and spotting you on the hill. After that my mind is a blank."

Draco adjusted his spot on the bed as he explained, "You were shot, love. A muggle shot you with a rifle. The bullet hit you at the base of the neck. You were lucky it managed to miss anything vital. You've been out for two days."

Harry looked around, "Are we in Sirius and Severus' house?"

Draco gave Harry a light kiss on the forehead. The brunet tried to move away from his mate but he had nowhere to go. He blushed at the affection Draco was showing.

Draco explained further, "Yes we are. I brought you here after you were injured. Severus is also a superb healer. He fixed you up in a jiffy. He fixed me up to even though I told him not to worry about it."

Harry's eyes went wide, "You were hurt to? Where, how? Let me see!"

Draco pushed his mate gently back down, "Easy Harry, don't overdo it. You are still healing. It was nothing. The bullet went right through my wing. You were the one that had the bullet lodged inside."

Harry ran his hands over Draco's shoulders. The blonde was shirtless and so he let his wings loose when he felt Harry's probing fingers. Draco placed Harry's hand over the healed up wound. Draco shuddered at the sensations he was feeling as Harry ran his fingers over his sensitized wing.

The brunet snatched his hand back at Draco's reaction. He averted his eyes and let his hands fall in his lap.

Draco traced Harry's cheek with his fingertips, "Harry I'm sorry for pushing you. I never meant to make you run away. I just wanted to talk and I still do. Please Harry."

Harry refused to look at him, "Why is it so important to you? Isn't friendship enough? I thought that is what you wanted."

"Harry your friendship means everything but we are meant to be more than that. You're my mate and I'm yours."

Harry tried to stand and with some difficulty he managed it. Draco growled at him but he ignored it.

"See, already you want to control me," Harry pointed out.

Draco threw his hands in the air, "I'm not trying to control you but you shouldn't be standing. You haven't fully healed yet."

Harry brushed him off, "I'm fine Draco and I can take care of myself. How many times do I have to tell you, I don't want a relationship? I agreed to be your friend and told you that's all I ever wanted. I've always made sure to make myself clear."

Draco glared at him, "Well then you shouldn't have said what you said five years ago. It gave me too much hope for a mate."

"What did I say to make you think otherwise?"

Draco moved closer to Harry, "After you saved me, you looked at me and said we will meet again, mate. It's the only time you ever said that to me. I thought you wanted a mate since you did save me. You could have left me there."

Harry faced him, "I didn't know it was you. You were wearing a cloak remember? Hell I didn't know it was you I was saving or else I wouldn't have done it!"

Draco went still. He glared at Harry before turning away. He said nothing as he walked out the room and headed towards his own. Harry cursed himself before following.

"Draco, I didn't mean that. I was just mad; I swear I didn't mean it."

Draco spun around and his eyes were fuming, "How dare you? I've done nothing but be nice to you. I've been patient, I even saved your life and this is how you repay me? You know what; you're going to get your wish. You were right, we don't belong together. I'm leaving and you will never have to see me again. Then you won't have to worry about accidentally saving me."

Harry grabbed Draco's shoulder, "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that. Please Draco, don't go! Let me make this up to you!"

Draco pulled a shirt over his head and stormed out the room. He paid Harry no mind and continued to head downstairs. He passed Sirius and Severus in the kitchen. At seeing Harry, the two men scrambled from their seats.

Sirius called out, "Harry" but was ignored as the blonde and brunet went to the door. Harry tried pleading with Draco again but it served nothing more than getting a door slammed in his face.

Harry slumped to the floor, his head in his hands. He body was shaking as he started to cry. Sirius and Severus moved closer and Harry looked up at them.

He clambered to his feet and looked at Severus, "You were right, I'm an ungrateful prat and I don't deserve your godson. I don't deserve anybody's love and affection. I'm sorry for letting you both down."

Severus tried to say something but Harry walked away with his shoulders slumped. He was at a loss for words as he stared at Sirius.

"What just happened? Why did my godson storm out of here and why did yours just admit something I've been telling him for years?"

Sirius shrugged, "Your guess is as good as mine. Harry obviously said something to upset Draco. I say we let them work their problems out on their own. If everybody keeps getting them together, those two are never going to form a bond with each other."

Severus nodded his consent and went to go make dinner. They saw no more of Draco or Harry for the rest of the night. Harry refused to eat and Draco wasn't picking up his phone. The next morning, Harry's bed was empty and the brunet was nowhere to be found in the house.

The two wizards were sitting down to breakfast when Sirius' cell rang. Both men hoped it was one of their godsons. As Sirius hung up the phone, Severus was waiting.

"Hermione has gone into labor. That was Ron. They are at St. Mungo's as we speak. He's called Harry and Draco but wasn't able to get a hold of either of them," said Sirius quietly.

"Well, I guess we will head to the hospital and hope the two of them show up. Maybe the birth of this child will be something they have in common and can bring them together. Lord knows they both have soft spots for children."

Sirius smiled as he pulled Severus into a kiss before they both turned and apparated to St. Mungo's.

By the end of the day, Hermione had given birth to a beautiful little girl who was named Rose. It was a gloriously happy day that was tainted by the absence of two of Hermione's dearest friends. She had prayed that both Harry and Draco would be present to see the birth of her child. Harry had been like a brother to her since her school days. Even though she and Draco had only been on speaking terms for a few months, the two had quickly bonded and she missed him as much as Harry. No one knew where the two young wizards were and they were starting to worry.

After leaving his godfather's house, Draco had returned to his flat above his potions shop and refused to come out. He had locked himself inside and everyone else out. He wished to have no contact with anyone and had shut his phone off and locked his eagle owl inside its cage. He was practically boiling over with rage. How could Harry have said that? He was a bloody Gryffindor and the savior of the Wizarding World! It was his job to protect those that couldn't protect themselves. Yet he had said he would have let Greyback torture Draco if he had known it was the blonde. Draco felt broken. He had always had a crush on Harry, ever since their first meeting in Madam Malkins.

He could still remember that day as if it had only happened yesterday. He may have been elven but when he first saw Harry walk through the doors, he had fallen fast. Even in his ridiculously oversized muggle clothes, Harry was stunning. That messy black hair and shining green eyes were the sexiest things Draco had ever seen. Draco had been furious when Harry had refused his friendship and so he had become enemies with the brunet. That way even if Harry hated him, Draco was always on Harry's mind. When Draco realized Harry was his mate, he had nearly fainted. He was going to get his dream come true, he was going to be with the boy he had always pined for. Now that dream was shattered.

Draco stood in the shower, crying his heart and soul out. He was never going to be happy. He was never going to have a family or be loved like he had always wanted. Sure, his mother loved him but he wanted more.

He croaked out, "Why me? Is this punishment for the mistakes I made when I was barely an adult? For crimes I was forced to commit! I don't understand why I deserve this!"

Draco's body was convulsing as he cried harder and harder. Eventually, he could stand no longer and fell to the floor of the shower. By now the spray of water was cold but he barely noticed. Inside, Draco was dying. Harry had refused him point blank and Draco didn't know what to do. He still wanted Harry but he would rather be alone than be with a man who wanted him dead.

Hours later, Draco lay in his bed exhausted. His body ached and his heart barely beat. He had no more tears to cry. Draco was alone in the world. He may have friends but without his mate, he was alone.

If only Draco knew that he wasn't the only one suffering. Miles away, Harry was as broken as the blonde. He had woken early and left Sirius' place without waking anyone. He had gone to Diagon Alley to Draco's shop but it was pointless. He had pounded on the door for half an hour but never got an answer. He headed home miserable.

For the first time in his life, Harry and his cat were in complete agreement about Draco, they missed him. Harry cursed himself a dozen times over for what he had said. He hadn't meant it. He would have saved Draco no matter what. He just wanted Draco to quit pestering him about the relationship thing and he had spoken before he thought. Harry would take it back in a heartbeat if he could. He couldn't explain how hard it had been to see Draco's expression after he had spoken. The blonde had looked defeated and Harry hated that it was his fault.

In all their years of knowing each other, Draco had never looked defeated. Even when he was pleading with Dumbledore on that tower, Draco had a fire in his eye. And with a few simple words, Harry had managed to extinguish that beautiful flame.

After he had come home, he did what he always did, he shifted and ran. It was the only way he could deal with his problems. In his cat form, his human problems didn't have the same intensity. His animal thought in different terms. It didn't care about the past and only worried about the present. It didn't care that Draco had once been any enemy. All it cared about was that Draco was its mate and both it and Harry needed the blonde.

Harry returned hours later, battered and bruised. He had purposely hurt himself by running into rocks and trees and even plunging into a raging river. He was punishing himself for what he had said. Similar to what Draco had done, he stood in the shower crying.

He whispered aloud, "Fine, I'll admit, it. I like him… a lot. I may even bloody love him for all I know. God, why did it have to take something like this to make me realize it?"

Later as Harry was lying in his bed, he checked his phone and was shocked at the amount of voicemails. All of them from friends and family telling him that Hermione had gone into labor. He cussed aloud at one more thing he had screwed up. He had wanted to be there to see the little girl born. He had been there for Hugo and should have been there for her as well. Could he get anything right? He promised to go visit Hermione in the morning and with that fell into a restless sleep.

The next morning was overcast and there was a light drizzle. Still, Harry went to the hospital to see his friend. When he arrived, he quickly headed to the maternity ward and instantly spotted Ron sitting in the hallway. The red head was still asleep and a trickle of drool was winding its way down his cheek. Harry shook his shoulder to wake him.

The man was disoriented but his eyes went wide when he saw Harry. He jumped up and pulled the brunet into a hug.

"Blimey Harry, where have you been? Everybody has been searching high and low for you and Malfoy? What happened?"

Harry looked away, "I don't really want to talk about it. Where's Hermione? I want to see how she is doing."

Ron's eyes grew sad, "You can't."

"What? Why?"

Ron fell back into the chair, "I don't know! The doctors just said complications arose and they have been in her room for about an hour now. They have taken about ten different potions in her room and they still won't let me see my wife!"

Harry sat beside his friend and patted him on the back, "Where's the baby?"

Ron said quietly, "Rose is in the neonatal ward with all the other newborns. Would you like to go see her?"

Harry nodded and the two men headed off. He apologized to Ron for missing Rose's birth.

He only shrugged and said, "I know you have a good reason for doing so and I trust you will tell me eventually." They had arrived and looked through the glass where they could see rows of cribs with monitors beside them. Ron pointed to one and said, "Well, that's her. Gosh, she's so tiny. I mean Hugo was tiny but Rose seems even more so."

Harry nearly started crying when he saw the baby. She had a head full of red hair and Harry could see that her eyes were a bright blue. He regretted not being there to see her come into the world.

A medi-witch walked up to them and asked, "Are you Ronald Weasley?"

Ron nodded and immediately asked, "How's my wife? Can I go see her now?"

The witch smiled, "Your wife is doing much better. She had some internal bleeding that we didn't notice but it has been stopped and she is stable. She will have to stay here for a few more days but she is quickly on the road to recovery."

Ron sagged with relief at the good news. He and Harry followed the witch to Hermione's room. The woman was pale but awake. She smiled when she saw Harry walk in behind Ron. She kissed her husband and asked about Rose but her attention was clearly on Harry. Ron understood the two wanted to talk and promised to come back later.

After he had left, Harry took a seat beside the witch. He was expecting her to be mad at him, to lecture him on missing Rose's birth.

He was shocked when she asked, "What happened between you and Draco?"

Harry tried to ignore the question by saying, "Rose is beautiful Hermione. I'm so sorry I wasn't here. I should have been and I know that."

"Yeah you should have but I'm assuming it had something to do with Draco so I'm willing to forgive you. Now again I ask, what happened between the two of you?"

Harry rubbed his hand through his hair, "Why do you assume something happened with us?"

Hermione gave him a look, "Harry both of you were absent from something you two would normally never have missed. Quit stalling and tell me."

Harry dropped his head, "I screwed up…horribly. I told him something I didn't mean and I think I ran him off for good."

Hermione placed a hand on his arm and he looked at her, "What did you say? I know Draco and he isn't going to give up on you."

Harry went to stand in front the window, "I told him that if I had known it was him I would have never saved him from Greyback."

He heard her gasp and couldn't face her, "Harry, how could you? Draco cares about you and you pretty much said you wished he was dead."

Harry still wouldn't face her, "Don't you think I know that! I didn't mean it; I just wanted him to leave me alone but I never meant for that to come out. I regretted it as soon as I said it, hell, I still regret it." He spun towards her and his eyes were livid, "Gods, I regret. If you could have seen his face, you would have hexed me. All the color left his cheeks and he shut down. The light left his eyes and he looked almost dead. I tried to apologize but he didn't want to hear it, not that I can blame him. He left right after and I haven't seen him since. I tried going to his shop but he never opened the door."

Tears were once more flowing down Harry's face. He crumpled onto the bed and Hermione pulled him to her. She rubbed circles in his back as the man broke down for the second time in a day.

In between sobs, "I never meant it. I never meant to hurt him."

Hermione whispered, "I know, Harry. I know." She picked his hand up and noticed bruising. "Harry what happened?"

He didn't have the strength to ignore her, "I punished myself. I punished myself for hurting Draco."

Tears had started to roll down Hermione's cheeks, "Oh, Harry. Don't you know that is not going to fix anything?"

He nodded his head, "Yeah but I didn't know what else to do. I'm going crazy without him. It's only been two days since I've seen him and I'm losing my mind. I've gotten so used to meeting him for lunch and talking for hours. I don't know what to do Hermione. He won't forgive me and I can't even be mad at him for it."

Hermione was at a loss of words. She couldn't see an answer to Harry's problem. Draco was a proud person and Harry had stripped him of that. He would not forgive Harry easily if ever for doing so.

Harry spoke again, "That's not even the worst part."

Hermione asked, "What do you mean?"

Harry went to the window again, "If this had happened back in school or even a few weeks ago, it wouldn't bother me that Draco hated me. In fact I would be glad he wanted nothing to do with me but that was before… before…."

Hermione asked softly, "Before what Harry?"

Harry locked eyes with her and said, "Before I fell in love with him."

Hermione's hands flew to her mouth as her eyes widened with shock, "Oh, Harry, no."

Harry sat back in the chair, all the fight gone from his body, "I get it now. I've been so afraid because the more and more time I spent with him, the more I started to like him. I was so scared. I couldn't accept the fact that I was falling for Draco. Now when I admit it, I've lost him for good. I love him Hermione but he doesn't love me."

The witch was silent. For the first time in her life, Hermione had no clever solution. She couldn't go to the library and search for the answer. No professor would be able to help her this time. She had no solution to Harry's problem and could only stare at her friend.

"I'm an idiot Hermione. I always wanted a mate. Because they turned out to be a person I didn't get along with in school, I decided to not even give them a chance. When I did, it was too late. I was so against having Draco because I was sure we weren't right for each other when in reality we are a perfect match. I'll never forgive myself for pushing him away." He looked at her, "Thanks for pushing to get to know him, even if it was for only a little while."

Hermione smiled at him and said words she didn't really believe, "Don't worry Harry, Draco will come back. If he loves you as much as I think, he will come back."

Harry laughed, "Thanks but you don't have to lie to me. We both know what I said is unforgivable."

Hermione tried to say more but Harry shook his head. He hugged her and promised to visit later and silently left the room. Ron gave him an inquiring look but Harry just walked away. He and Ron were brothers in all but blood but the red head would never understand what Harry was going through like Hermione did.

Harry left the hospital and thought about going to Draco's but decided against it. He was going to have to accept the fact that Draco had walked out of his life and wasn't coming back. There was no sense in dragging out the inevitable by going to the shop. He stopped by a local restaurant and got some food to go. He hadn't eaten in over a day and was starving.

When he returned home, Harry slumped on the couch and started to eat. He took a few bites before pushing the food away. He had lost his appetite when he realized the food was from Leonardo's, the restaurant Harry and Draco had gone to on their first date. He wiped the tears away before they could start.

To try and take his mind off things, he decided to go visit Teddy. He hadn't done so in a few weeks and missed the boy. He took a shower and performed a quick spell on his face to disappear the redness and the bags around his eyes. Teddy was a very perceptive lad and Harry didn't feel like explaining things.

When he arrived at Tonks, Teddy met him at the door. Harry immediately had his arms full of rambunctious five year old.

"Harry, I didn't know you were coming over.," Teddy said excitedly.

"I hadn't planned on it but it's been a while and I missed my godson so I figured I'd stop on by. Where's your mum?"

Teddy grabbed his hand and pulled him along while saying, "She's in the living room talking to Grandma. Can we go flying Harry? You left your Firebolt here from the last time."

Harry smiled a small smile, "Sure, if it is okay with your mum."

By now the two had reached the living room and both women looked up at the sound of footsteps. Harry hugged both of them and asked Tonks how she was doing. She was the same as always, just going through the motions of life.

"Hiya Harry, I wish I'd known you were coming, I would have made enough dinner for all of us," Tonks told him.

Harry brushed it off, "It's fine, I'm not all that hungry anyway. I just wanted to come see how you were doing and visit with Teddy for a little while. I've got work in the morning so I can't stay long anyway."

Tonks gave a small grin before resuming her conversation with her mother. Andromeda said a quiet hello to Harry and asked how we doing. The brunet lied and said he was doing fine. He then scurried off to find Teddy. The boy was in the backyard, Harry's Firebolt on the ground beside him.

Harry walked over and picked up the broom, "Ready to go Ted?"

They mounted the broom and Harry kicked off. It was a nice night to go flying since the rain had let up earlier in the day. Harry flew lazily over the countryside and listened as Teddy pointed out all sorts of things. He let his mind wander back to Draco. He couldn't stop thinking about the blonde. He was wondering where he was at the moment and what he was doing. If he was honest with himself, he was wondering if Draco missed Harry as much as Harry missed Draco.

Harry was knocked from his stupor when he heard Teddy, "Harry, Harry!"

"Sorry Ted, what's wrong," he shouted over the wind.

Teddy craned his neck to look at him, "Um, it's getting dark and I'm hungry."

With that, Harry turned the broom and headed back to Tonks. He said his goodbyes and was about to leave when Andromeda met him at the door.

"Harry, do you have a moment?"

Harry sighed. He had enjoyed his time with Teddy but he was ready to go home and didn't really care what the old witch had to say.

He put a grin on his face as he asked, "Yes ma'am."

The old witch leaned against the wall, "Now you might be able to full Teddy and Nymphadora but I know something is wrong. Care to tell me?"

Harry gaped at the woman. How had she figured that out? He had been careful to keep a mask on all day and hide how he was really feeling.

She spoke again, "Harry, hon, I've been around for a while. I can tell these things. After watching my daughter do it for half a decade, I consider myself an expert."

Harry gave a short laugh, "It's nothing that can be fixed Andromeda. I screwed up. I'm just trying to get over it but it's going to take a while."

The witch tried to get him to say more but Harry refused. He wished her a good night before taking his leave. That night, Harry had as restless a night sleep as the previous one. He woke up the next morning exhausted after tossing and turning all night. When he did sleep, his dreams had been haunted by Draco.

The day was uneventful and boring for Harry. Mr. Ollivander caught on to his mood and left him alone. Harry left as soon as his shift was over. He headed home and ate a few pieces of toast but nothing more. He thought about going running but his cat was still depressed and didn't want to. Harry curled up on the couch and stayed there until he fell asleep. The rest of the week passed in much the same manner. He visited Hermione once more before she was released from the hospital. She told Harry that Draco had dropped by but had not even mentioned Harry's name.

Before he left she told him, "He looks bad Harry. Both of you do, I'm not sure who looks worse. You have got to fix things or else you guys are going to waste away."

"What can I do Hermione? You already know he won't forgive me. So why bother? Just drop it, ok?"

Harry walked out the room and rounded a corner where he crashed into someone. Both of them fell to the ground. When Harry looked up, green eyes locked with grey. Draco sat opposite Harry and he could tell Hermione was right. The blonde's hair was disheveled and he had bags under his eyes like Harry.

Harry scrambled to his feet and muttered a quick apology before hurrying off. He looked over his shoulder once and saw Draco staring after him. Harry didn't turn back though and kept on walking. He didn't head home, instead he went to a muggle park that he enjoyed going to. He would often bring Teddy here to play or picnic. He had even brought Draco here a few times.

He settled onto one of the benches and dropped his head in his hands. He had slowly started to accept life without Draco but now everything he had lost came rushing back. He knew that no matter how much time passed, he would never be over Draco.

Harry looked up when he felt someone sit beside him and was shocked to see Draco. He couldn't even fathom an idea of why the blonde was here. The only thing Harry could come up with was Draco had come to yell at him some more.

Instead Draco said, "I think we need to talk."

"What is there to talk about Draco? I royally screwed up and you have every reason in the world to hate me."

Draco looked at him, "I don't hate you. I will admit I was completely pissed off at what you said and wanted to hex you into next year but I don't hate you. I could never hate you, no matter what you think."

Harry barked out a laugh, "Not trying to bring up old grudges but that sure didn't seem the case back at Hogwarts."

Draco smirked, "You can be very thick sometimes. I never hated you back then. I'm going to be brutally honest with you. I've had a crush on you from the very first time I saw you in Madam Malkins. When you refused my friendship, I decided I'd rather have you hate me than ignore me."

Harry shook his head unable to believe what he was hearing, "Well, can you blame me? You were sort of an arrogant git back then. Now that I think about it, I wasn't much better. I was awful to you as much as you were to me."

"That's how things usually work. That's why I saved you that night in the manor. I knew it was you from the moment I saw you. I would have died before I turned you in. I would do the same thing a thousand times over. It's the only honorable thing I ever did in that stupid War. It's one of the few things I don't regret," Draco said.

Harry could tell the blonde was telling the truth and how much the War still haunted him. Harry scooted closer and was relieved when Draco didn't move away. He thought about what to say and decided he had to be as honest as Draco.

He took a deep breath before saying, "I never did thank you properly for saving us that night. It wasn't the only honorable thing you did. You didn't kill Dumbledore; you didn't fight against me in the final battle. Those are all good things you did. You did what you had to survive. If you had have done anything different, Voldemort would have killed you and you wouldn't be here now."

"Yeah well, I guess that is true and you're welcome, by the way."

Harry continued, "Since we are being truthful, I regret a lot of things. I regret not being able to stop Voldemort sooner. I regret all the lives that were lost. I regret not being friends with you sooner but most of all I regret what I said back at Sirius'. If I could rewind that moment and do it over I would. I would have saved you no matter what. If I had have known it was you, I probably would have tried even harder. It's taken me a while but it finally dawned on me."

Draco looked up from staring at the ground, "What did?"

Harry locked his eyes with the blonde, "That I care about you. In fact, I love you. This week has been a living hell. I can't sleep; I don't eat. I feel like a zombie. I have missed you so much. I miss talking to you and having lunch with you. I miss your smile and that smirk you get when I do something dumb. I miss your presence and the comfort I feel when around you. I finally accepted the fact that I like you and I have for a while. The truth is I've liked you from the night you refused to kill Dumbledore. I knew then you weren't evil but I never understood how deep my feelings ran. I refused to accept the truth because I've been afraid."

Draco scooted closer until their thighs were touching. He took Harrys hand in his and smiled when Harry squeezed back.

Draco spoke first, "What in the world could you possibly be afraid about?"

Harry blushed, "I was afraid because it was you. I was scared that since I would be a submissive, you would make me a slave and get back at me for everything I ever did to you. I was abused my aunt and uncle my entire childhood because they hated me. I thought you would do the same thing. I assumed you would never love me but use me. The only thing I've ever wanted is a family and I knew finding my mate was the key to that dream. When you revealed I was your mate, I thought that dream went down the toilet. I understand now it was the complete opposite. My future is with you, Draco. You are my mate and I am yours." Harry looked away, "That is if you'll have me. I completely understand if you never want to see me again. What I said was horrible and…"

"Harry," the brunet looked at the blonde, "Hush, you talk too much. You don't know how long I've waited to hear you say that. Of course I want you. I always have and always will. I know you didn't mean what you said and I shouldn't have reacted how I did. I think I understand why you've resented being with me now. We have a lot to overcome but from this point on, we will do it together."

Harry's smile couldn't have been bigger as Draco hugged him. He snuggled as close as he could get to the taller man. A warm heat flowed through his body and Harry reveled in it. His cat was purring and Harry couldn't agree with the animal more. They had gotten their mate.

Draco rubbed his cheek against Harry's head and inhaled deeply. He sighed as Harry's scent overwhelmed him.

"Ahh, you smell so good, chocolate with a touch of cedar. You have such a wild scent but it suits you."

Harry laughed, "Yeah I guess it does. You always smell like cinnamon, pine, and peppermint. It's intoxicating but then again so are you. So, are we ok?"

Draco hugged him again, "We are very ok as long as you promise me one thing."

Harry gave him a skeptical look as he asked, "What am I promising?"

"You have to promise no more secrets. I know you have a lot of them and you keep them locked away because you don't want to face them but I want to help you Harry. I can't do that if you don't let me in."

Harry was silent for a moment but finally slowly nodded his head, "I promise. It will take some time but I promise not to hide from you anymore. I'm ready to try this whole couple thing even though I have no clue as to what to do."

Draco laughed, "Which is why you are absolutely adorable. Your naivety is quite attractive. I'm willing to go slow. Now, how about we go get something to eat? I'm starved."

Draco stood and pulled Harry up with him. He pulled a little too hard and Harry stumbled into him. He caught the smaller man and their eyes met. Harry licked his lip and Draco couldn't refuse the invitation. He leant his head down and caught Harry's lips in a soft kiss. It was chaste and simple but it meant so much to the both of them. As they pulled apart, they shared a knowing smile.

Draco whispered, "Thank you."

Harry replied, "I think I should be thinking you. I don't deserve you and yet you still want me. I promise not to mess things up this time."

The blonde chuckled, "Oh you probably will without meaning to but that's ok. That's what love does; it makes us blind to each other's flaws."

They grasped hands and headed out the park. Both of them lost in their thoughts and both overjoyed with how their night had turned out.

Wow, longest chapter yet and such a roller coaster. This isn't the end of the story. I still have a few secrets up my sleeve, trust me this is only the beginning. As always, thanks to all of you readers who are following and have favorited, you guys are awesome! I probably won't update for a week or more as I have tests coming up and I gots to start studying. Uggh college life but I'm sure ya'll don't care bout that. Anways, I lvoe you guys!