Harry was enjoying his sandwhich, seated across from Ron and Hermione as always. He'd been in a particularly chipper mood since Potions, and Ron was enjoying the time spent with non-angsty Harry. They cracked jokes, laughing hard enough to spew pumpkin juice across the table. Hermione played as if she was annoyed at their immaturity, but beneath her facade the boys could tell she was amused.
"You're in a good mood, aren't you, Harry?" Hermione speculated innocently, testing her theory.
"Yeah, I suppose I am," Harry answered vaguely, taking another bite before something landed upon the table in front of him. It was a note, dropped there by one of the school owls no doubt. Harry unfolded it, perplexed and curious.
In a familiar, neat cursive were the words
"Meet me by the whomping willow after your last class."
Harry tried to contain his excitement, folding up the note and placing it in his pocket rapidly.
"What was it?" Ron questioned, taking another bite himself.
"Oh, um, nothing really. Just about potions tutoring."
"Of course it is!" Hermione scoffed. "You missed nearly half of class today!"
"Oh yeah, I heard about those eggs, mate," Ron added, "they messed me up too. Nearly missed all of Professor Binns! Not like I missed much, really." Harry chuckled. "And if 'Mione lets me use her notes I'll be sure to pass!"
"Ronald Weasley!" Hermione barked, and Harry shook his head as the two playfully bickered about Ron's responsibilities. With his friends distracted, he was free to let his thoughts drift to the note in his pocket.
Harry spent the rest of the school day fantasizing about the morning. Several times he had to stop himself, unable to contain the giddiness that bubbled within. McGonnagall's transfiguration class had proven particularly challenging; it was the only class whose lesson required Potter's utmost attention. Twice he had accidentally transformed his tea cup into an awkward looking bird, a LOON, instead of the broom he was intending to. He gave the Gryffindor Head of House a sheepish smile, shrugging his shoulders as the bird cocked its head stupidly. There was a cackle two seats down as Seamus made to mock him, but his laugh was quickly stifled by his own tea cup spontaneously combusting. How Seamus had managed to light another subject on fire was beyond Harry, but he laughed along with the class heartily. The whole ordeal had put him a few minutes behind, but Harry exited his last lesson with a pep in his step. Now, he headed toward the whomping willow, excited to relay the story to a waiting Draco.
When he arrived, however, Draco was nowhere to be found.
Draco was trying his damndest to focus on his arithmancy lesson, but memories of butterflies, of kisses slow and deep, fluttered into focus. He couldn't help but notice as he daydreamed that a certain pair of eyes were burning into him, certainly more often than usual. Across the room sat Granger, who was typically absorbed in her studies, but today who seemed to watch Draco curiously. At one point, their gaze met, and she hurriedly glanced away while her face turned hot pink. Hmmm. Draco contemplated her reaction, but outside of Potter spilling the beans, he saw no way for her to know of their meet. And he highly doubted that the Chosen One was out of the closet, even to his closest friends. He'd have to mention that to Harry when they met, in say- Draco checked the time incessantly- 13 minutes now.
Class ended soon enough, and Draco bustled into the hallway with the others. He sped up his pace, heading down the corridor excitedly when he heard the familiar drawl of Professor Snape.
"Draco. My office. Immediately." The voice was behind him, and Draco let a painful expression cross his face before turning around. Snape was already walking in the opposite direction, and Draco knew he had no choice but to follow.
"Your mother wrote me today," Snape confessed after shutting the door to his office. Immediately, Draco's stomach dropped well beneath his feet. His mother, the one person he'd been afraid to lose in all this. Heart pounding, he asked his Godfather what remained at the forefront of his mind: "Is she alright?"
"Yes. I'm afraid that it is you who she is worried about."
Draco's pupils dilated in understanding. His voice was barely above a whisper: "What happened?"
Snape handed over a piece of parchment, and Draco recognized the curly cues of his mother's script instantly.
Severus,
I do hope that this letter finds you well. I have come to ask you a favor, though I understand it is a large one. It is Draco, Severus. I fear for him. Lucius suspects that he is lying about his position in the Dark Lord's mission. If this is true, he will surely be punished, if not worse... please keep an eye on him. Please protect him. I trust no one more in this than you. Whatever his actions, know that I love my son. Know that he is more important.
Thank you, Severus. I am forever in your debt.
Dearly,
Narcissa
Draco glanced up from the parchment to his Godfather, who looked serious as ever.
"But...how?"
"I don't know. Unless you've been spilling your secrets to someone, that is." Snape's stare was boiling into him, but Draco was resilient.
"Of course not. I'm not daft." Harry's face flashed through his mind, but he shoved that thought away. He wasn't ready to confess his new relationship with the boy, not even to his Godfather. Especially to his Godfather. Besides, Harry could be trusted...Right?
"I thought not. I don't know what has led your father to lose faith in you, but I suggest that you do not leave this castle until-" Snape placed both palms on his desk, leaning toward Draco intimidatingly-"it is restored."
"But break is in a few months, sir. What shall I do then?"
"At that point we will re-evaluate. In the mean time,try NOT to do anything self-incriminating?" Snape raised his eyebrows in that condescending way that only he could do. Draco nodded, and Snape moved to open the door. And then he left, a million questions running through his mind. He made his way, slowly this time, to meet Harry.
Had Draco changed his mind? Harry contemplated the boy's earlier absence as he picked at his pork roast in the Great Hall. He had waited all of twenty minutes before giving up and heading back to the castle. His gut tugged uncomfortably, and Harry worried that Draco was somehow in trouble. All fears were quelled, however, as he saw Draco enter the Hall and join the rest of the Slytherins for supper. He appeared worn, creases of worry visible along his eyes and forehead. For a moment, Harry was overcome with relief. Shortly thereafter, however, a seed of doubt began to take root within his psyche. Maybe Draco really had changed his mind. Maybe he was good after all, but Harry just wasn't his type. Immediately, Harry noticed him speaking to Parkinson, and jealousy grumbled from deep within his gut. This was crazy, absolutely bloody mad. Jealous of Parkinson? Well, then again, he had just finished snogging sodding Malfoy that morning. It seemed that for Harry, the world truly had turned upside down.
Draco was disappointed to see that Harry had already vacated their meeting place by the time he arrived. Disheartened, he headed to the dungeons to freshen up before supper.
When he entered the Great Hall, Pansy had saved his usual spot at the Slytherin table.
"Come, love!" She patted the empty seat next to her. Blaise was already stationed across from him, shoving down pork roast ravenously.
"So, I've been thinking, darling. Well, we've been thinking." She gestured across the table as Blaise swallowed. "You've been uptight lately, and you've hardly been spending time with me...us. So, we've come up with something to relax you!"
Draco didn't say a word, so she continued vivaciously. "Friday after next. The common room. Nothing to do but hang out with your friends and a bottle of Firewhiskey." She winked.
"Yeah, sure. Sounds good." Draco agreed apathetically, glancing toward the Gryffindor table. There he was, grazing a fork across his plate, clearly without appetite. Draco sighed internally, positive that Harry was pissed about his earlier absence. Ah, well. He'd just have to make up for it tonight.
Harry was seated by himself in the common room, attempting to study but mostly reflecting on the day's events. Ron and Hermione were visiting Hagrid before sunset, and he had politely refused in favor of hitting the books. There was a light tap on the window nearest him, and he glanced up from his text to see one of the school owls trying to beak its way through the glass. Hopeful, Harry unlatched the window and was greeted by the owl dropping a note in front of him. He patted the owl, giving it a quick treat before it left just as quickly as it had come.
Harry unfolded the note hastily, intent on reading its contents. In Draco's handwriting were the words "The astronomy tower. 10 o'clock. I'm sorry."
Exhilarated, Harry let out a sigh of relief. There must've been a logical excuse for his absence, and he would find out tonight what that was. As he crumpled up the note, he found himself smiling again.
The astronomy tower was chilly in the October night air. Draco paced back and forth, awaiting Harry's arrival. Finally, he sat down on the edge, biding time. He had shown early after all, but it wasn't long before he heard footsteps approaching. Behind him, the steps increased in severity as they drew nearer but, to Draco's bewilderment, there was no one there. Puzzled, Draco was about to draw his wand when he saw a chuckling Harry emerge from his invisibility cloak.
"Merlin, Harry! I forgot you owned one of those!"
Harry giggled and took a seat next to Draco. "The look on your face was priceless!"
"Yes, Yes, I'm sure it was. Prat." Draco smiled, happy to have Harry alone again. That warm fuzzy feeling was back; he could feel it blooming from the center of his chest. Harry tilted his head, returning his gaze as his laughter calmed into a soft grin.
"Hey, Draco."
"Hey."
And then they were softly chuckling again, an outlet for the day's pent up giddiness.
"Look, Harry, I'm sorry about earlier." Draco's expression turned from soft to stone. "I was on my way to meet you when Snape pulled me aside."
"Is everything ok?" The worry was back, and Harry wanted nothing more than to console Draco, protect him.
"Not really, no. My mother's afraid for me. Apparently my father doesn't believe I'm a true Death Eater, or whatever. He doesn't trust me. She fears for my life."
Harry's jaw dropped. He had never known his parents, and had felt sorry for himself on a multitude of occasions for being orphaned. But he had never, ever imagined that someone would have to fear their father causing their own death. A revelation occurred to Harry at just how terrible Draco's childhood must have been. If anything, the Malfoy's could've been worse than the Dursley's. His stomach clenched at the thought.
"Draco, you can't go back there. You can come home with me on break. We'll go to Grimmauld Place. They won't be able to find you there! We'll hide. Everything will be okay, I promise." There was a desperate edge to his voice, begging Draco not to put himself in harm's way. Somehow, Harry knew that if he were to lose this boy, he'd lose a part of himself as well.
"I appreciate the effort, Harry. And that is a good idea, actually. Isn't that the place you inherited from my mother's family?" Harry nodded. "Well, we'll have to see. But this Is my fight, Harry, not yours. If they find out for sure that I've changed alliances, the Death Eaters will be after me. And I don't want to lead them to you."
"Since when did you become a bloody Gryffindor, Draco? This is OUR fight, because when there's you, there's me. Voldemort wants me dead anyway. They'll be looking for me regardless of you being there."
Draco was silent. He stared into his palms, contemplating the situation. That's when he felt Harry lean closer to him, whispering in his right ear. "I can't lose you, Draco. I won't let myself lose you."
Draco turned towards his voice, touched. Their faces were hovering inches from each other, and this time it was Harry's turn to reach his hand to Draco's. He brushed a lock of white blonde hair back, taking in the broken Draco before him. The boys had much more in common than Harry had initially thought, two sides of the same coin. And with so much suffering, much more than anyone should bear.
Harry leaned in, pressing his lips gently to Draco's. This kiss wasn't as urgent as their first one had been; no, this one was comforting and secure. It was reassurance, as Draco knew immediately that his trust in Harry would never waver. It was healing, melting away all of Harry's silly jealousies of Pansy. Draco's lips parted, and Harry's tongue slipped inside, gliding against Draco's and weaving unspoken promises together. It wasn't long before Draco's right hand had found the back of Harry's head, tugging him deeper into their kiss and silently asking for more. Harry obliged, leaning forward even more so until Draco had to prop himself with his left hand behind him. Harry smiled, realizing what was happening as Draco pulled his legs from over the edge of the tower and sprawled them forward, beneath him. Harry continued to kiss Draco as he continued this path, pressing his body gently forward until he was positioned atop the blonde. Draco rested his head back on the cool surface of the floor, and Harry followed, placing his arms on either side of Draco's shoulders for support. Oh, god, Harry was on top of him, quite literally, and Draco couldn't help but feel aroused. Harry had a way with his tongue, licking Draco's lips and then softly biting when he reciprocated. It was so much, too much, and Draco could feel his pants tightening. He only hoped that Harry felt the same.
Harry nestled into the natural curve of Draco's body, placing crotch to crotch and resting comfortably. Mmm, the feeling of Draco held against him was irresistible. He felt a pressing sensation to his thigh and knew immediately that Draco had an erection. He wasn't alone, and Harry found himself thrusting his own erection into Draco's pelvis. Things were heating up quickly, and a small groan emerged from Draco's throat at the sudden contact. For Harry, the sound was erotic, and he continued to thrust himself against his partner. Draco was breathing heavy now, bringing both hands up to cradle Harry's face. He began lifting himself up until both boys were seated, Harry's legs wrapped around Draco's waist. His arms were entangling Draco torso, pulling them chest to chest.
"Oh, God, Harry," Draco spoke, panting from heated desire. He glanced downward, gesturing toward their matching elections that were currently touching through zipped pants. Harry groaned himself, pressing their lips together once more.
"We should probably stop if we don't want this going further," Harry observed, stating the obvious but almost wishing he hadn't. Draco nodded, leaning forehead to forehead.
"Harry, have you ever...?"
"No. Not even close, actually. I kissed Cho Chang once last year. But that's it."
"That filthy girl? I expected better from you, Potter." He smirked at Harry, who smiled and gave him a look.
"And Parkinson's any better?"
Draco's face contorted into disgust. "I wouldn't touch Pansy with a 10 foot stick! She's a great friend, loyal and all. But God, she's just so... Pansy." Harry chuckled, relieved at his opinion of the other Slytherin.
"You know, she predicted this."
Harry felt his face flush, and he separated from Draco as he made sense of the words. "She knows about us?"
Images of Pansy running around, spreading the gossip of the Chosen One and his gay love affair flashed through his mind.
"No, of course not." Draco placed a hand on Harry's shoulder before untwisting their bodies. Harry scooted next to Draco and they sat side by side, Draco's knees bent into his chest and Harry's legs spread forward in front of him. "I'm not ready for anyone to find out about us, either. I'm pretty sure if my father thought we were shagging he'd be hard to convince of my innocence." Draco gazed ahead of them, arms draped over his knees.
"One day, we won't have to hide. Until then, I'll be here." Harry placed an arm around his shoulders, satisfying the internal need to console. "So tell me exactly," he continued, "How in the hell did Pansy predict this one?"
Draco laughed, and dove in to the story of Pansy's prophecy and total devotion to the subject of divination. Harry just about lost it, especially at Pansy's total confidence that she was Draco's practically- soul mate.
"God, I wish I could tell Hermione," Harry stated between fits of laughter, "She can't stand divination. Says it's complete bullocks. She'd die if she heard what you told me."
"You know, I used to think the same thing," Draco replied, "but, damn, if she didn't get this one right."
Silence clouded the two of them, the promise of Draco's statement hanging in the air around them. Harry stared longingly at Draco, appreciating all of the details that one could only notice this close. The hook of his nose, the sharp curve of his jaw line, the elegance of his highly placed cheek bones; all of these aspects of Draco were intoxicating to him. It was a shame that he didn't fully appreciate them until recently.
Draco met his stare, and soon their lips were interlocked again. There were plenty of more kisses that night, along with long talks about the past and present. Harry relayed the happenings of transfiguration class, and Draco almost snorted at Seamus's misfortune. The next few hours were spent giggling and bonding, each boy forgetting that the weight of the world was on his shoulders for just a little while.
