A/N: I super want to apologize for how long this took. I was looking for summer work a lot of the time and had an insane case of writers block the rest. Most of this chapter has been done but it wasn't long enough and I knew I needed things in the plot I just couldn't figure out what to do first.

Now for the sake of actually giving you guys a sequel rather than a sweet little epilogue, this story will have a conflict. I hope it doesn't get too angsty and I swear it will have a happy ending.

You guys rock my socks. Thank you for the lovely reviews and encouragement. I don't find the time to reply to you, I sincerely apologize. But send me an email or something if you really want a response.

Enjoy your chapter!

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A/N update: I'm sorry, I was so excited I had to share this. This doesn't have anything to do with the plot of Impact it's just my ramblings so skip to the chappie if you'd like. Anyway, since I was here posting and all that jazz, I checked my messages (that fanfic is suppose to email me about but rarely does -_-) and in a message someone commented that my story as been rec'd. Me = Shock! Where?

So I exercised my Googler to find out and I just can't believe it! I mean... I knew I had a pretty nice amount of reviews but it was just so exciting to see my random little story on a list with other stories that absolutely love! I am bouncing with happiness, like you have no idea. I don't know the people who rec'd me in different places but you rock more than my socks. I'm gonna go keep writing now, to make everyone happy.

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Chapter 6


Draco woke up every morning with a smile on his face, no matter what terrors haunted his dreams. Every morning that he opened his eyes, he gradually began to realize faster and faster that he was with Harry and they were both safe. The recognition of those bliss inducing facts was so quick these last few days it was like he'd known it even before he awoke.

The depression that'd been hanging heavy over him like a shroud was lifting. There were times when people, usually Harry or Astoria could force the dark feelings back, but they always returned. Now he felt they were leaving for good and it was liberating. Despite the fact that the world at large seemed to want him dead.

He supposed people were beginning to realize what he and Harry shared was not a fling and they were enraged. How could their hero settle with a man, and a Death Eater to boot?

A prior Death Eater. Harry's disembodied voice scolded Draco from inside his own mind. He scowled slightly. You know your partner has utter control over your heart when you scold yourself for them.

He smiled right afterwards though, knowing that if there were anyone he wanted to have utter control over his heart, it was Harry.

"Something to share, Mr. Malfoy?" Professor Brone asked.

A few people who'd been taking avid notes or staring dreamily at the young teacher were just as startled by the interjection as Draco was.

Harry nudged him gently with his knee to snap him out of it and Draco cleared his throat, "No, nothing, sir."

"Oh, I'd hope so. But perhaps you can tell me why the Cruciatus curse refused to work for Sir Beddledug the Boorish?"

Draco scoured his mind for the obscure magical history fact. He was almost 90% sure that information wasn't even covered in this course and that Brone simply wanted to shame him in front of his classmates.

"I don't know, sir," Draco said his voice soft but cold and biting like a harsh winter wind.

"Oh, you don't?" He asked sarcastically, his soft brown eyes taking on a malicious sort of glimmer, "Five points from Slytherin for inadequate study habits. Does anyone else know?" He asked looking around the room.

Many sets of eyes slid over to Hermione, but the bushy haired girl was blushing and pretending to be absorbed in her textbook. Even she didn't know.

"Well then…" Professor Brone said with a sad sigh, "Maybe that question was a little too far on the fringes of Defense Against. The answer, in case any of you are wondering, is that one cannot perform the Cruciatus curse on oneself. The other two unforgiveables have some rather wicked side-effects whenever a witch or wizard is foolhardy enough to attempt them on themselves, but the Cruciatus is entirely ineffective. It's the subconscious of the person that refuses to let the magic work. There is always a small part in each of us that wants to avoid pain. …Though maybe a few of us deserve it."

The last sentence was muttered so low Draco barely caught it but he was sure he'd caught the man's eyes glancing over at him while he said it. It made him bristle in anger. He turned to look at Harry to see the Gryffindor's reaction but the boy seemed distracted, doodling in his notebook with a faraway look in his eyes.

Draco sighed. No one else in the class seemed to notice and a haughty part of him demanded he stand up and criticize the teacher for his strange behavior. But in the past he would've used the weight of the Malfoy name to scare people into acting how he wanted them to. Now he didn't have that, so what would he say? And who would side with him?

Draco frowned and sank down into his seat.

Xx-XxX-xX

Draco was sitting in an armchair in front of the fire in Harry's room, frowning hard down at a little piece of paper in his hands. He skimmed it once more, his frown deepening further. But his eyes flicked up hurriedly when he heard someone at the door. His hand crushed the letter into a crumpled ball and he shoved it in his pocket.

Harry was coming in from Quidditch practice. But he was late, still wearing his Quidditch robes and soaking wet from head to toe. He was shivering, the tip of his nose pink, the tips of his fingers blue.

"Hey," Harry said absently, dropping his bag and standing his broom in the corner, "Somebody charmed the showers to only spray glitter and we couldn't figure out how to fix it," He explained.

Now that he mentioned it, Draco could see a few errant sparkles on Harry's face and in his hair. Draco only nodded, not realizing the frown was still on his face.

Harry noticed though and his tired eyes focused on Draco for the first time since he'd walked in, "What's got you looking like a cat dropped in an ice bath?" He asked, already beginning to untie parts of his uniform.

Draco considered lying. It was a reflex, and a strong one that he couldn't always overcome. The same as why he'd hidden the small note, even knowing he had nothing to hide. But he remembered the way Harry's eyes would harden and become as stones when he was suspicious; sharp and cutting. Draco never wanted to do anything worthy of suspicion. So he took a deep breath and forced the truth out.

"I received a note." He said, "I found it slipped into my Arithmancy book."

Harry had already dropped his heavy, waterlogged Quidditch robes to the ground and was taking a few steps towards the bedroom, and presumably, the shower. He stopped when he heard what Draco said and registered the tone of his voice. He turned around, nearly naked and shivering.

"Who was it from?"

Draco shook his head, intending to tell him not but not wanting to delay Harry's shower, "Go take a shower and warm up."

"Draco…" Harry started in a warning tone, averse to anything being hidden. Draco knew why and Harry was entitled to it. Hell, Harry was likely entitled to hating Draco for the rest of his life. But he didn't, he'd chosen not to and instead to find a way to make this work. A little rational fear of lies from a tried and true liar was only normal.

"I'll tell you." Draco promised, "But go warm up first."

Harry's mouth twisted in indecision before he nodded and went into the bedroom. Draco relaxed in the arm chair, staring wistfully into the fire and trying not to feel the weight of the note in his pocket. After a moment Draco flicked his wand and set Harry's wet robes into the laundry bin. Draco nearly laughed at himself after he'd done it, knowing a younger version of himself would've balked and claimed such a task suitable only for a house elf. But he loved Harry and knew the boy rarely made messes. What was one little flick of his wand, anyway? He didn't feel any less of a man for it. Though surely his father would've sa—

Draco cut off his train of thought abruptly and the raw energy of ignoring something so large went through his body. He nearly stood up to start pacing but forced himself to sit back down. His hands clenched and unclenched for a few moments before the moment passed and he relaxed again.

Well that was different…

Before Draco could ponder what he'd just done, Harry walked back into the living room, his skin shiny with dampness but steaming slightly from the hot water. He wore only a pair of pajama bottoms.

"I'm warm." He stated, "Now who's that note from."

Draco smiled a little and stood to walk towards him and kiss his now pleasantly warm pink cheeks. His nose and fingers were their rightful colors again.

"I didn't mean to worry you. Truly, it's not that serious." Draco said honestly.

Harry eyed him warily before a smile crept up on his lips, "Why didn't you say that in the first place? I could've spent longer in the shower."

Draco laughed, but pulled Harry over to the sofa and sat down beside him, "It was from Blaise."

Harry's eyebrows rose, "You're talking again?"

"Not exactly," Draco replied, "This is the first contact we've had since before the final battle."

"Well…" Harry looked away, "I mean… Your business if yours Draco, I won't force you to disclose everything to me but… umm… What's it say? If you want to tell me."

Draco smiled again and snuck in another quick peck to Harry's cheek, "It only said he wished to talk to me, maybe rekindle our old friendship. I'm sure he's quite lonely…"

"All of the 8th year Slytherins likely are. I bet there rooms are the same as yours, small and bare and none of them are close to each other. That's how your treat an enemy. Keep them divided and weak," Harry spat this out with the greatest disdain, obviously unhappy with the idea that anyone was being treated this way after the war was over.

He looked tired again, that creeping emotional and physical exhaustion that would slowly take over his expression every now and then. Draco pulled Harry to lie down and placed his head in his own lap. Immediately, Draco's hand went to Harry's hair, stroking and gently combing through it with his fingers, careful not to let them get too tangled. Harry made a sound very a near a purr before asking, "What else did it say?"

"Well…" Draco started slowly wondering how best to say this. Certainly he couldn't use the more colorful language Blaise had chosen, "He also ridiculed my relationship with you," Draco continued, "No doubt he's jealous. I have an in to the good side, a way to escape some of the hardships he and the others are surely facing. And even though he was one of my best friends, I haven't shared it with him."

Harry made an affirmative humming sound as his eyes slowly eased closed, "Are you going to talk to him?"

Draco sighed heavily, "I haven't decided yet."

Harry nodded weakly, obviously well on his way to sleep and Draco only smiled down at him and continued stroking his hair. He sat there for a while, content to watch as Harry's face went slack in slumber. His soft lips parting, the creases between his brows and on his forehead all but disappearing. It was beautiful to watch, truly.

Every few minutes, Draco would remind himself they needed to move to the bed but each time he attempted it, Harry would begin to frown and cling to him. And Draco assured himself they'd only stay on the sofa a few minutes longer. Surely the next time he tried to move Harry would be too deeply asleep to react so adorably.

Draco closed his eyes, telling himself he was only resting them, his hand still lazily stroking Harry's dark hair…

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Draco's eyes opened slowly. It was late, far later than when he claimed he was only resting his eyes. The sky outside the windows was a dark inky black rather than the soft midnight blue it'd been before. He stretched slightly and sighed, knowing he'd have a back ache tomorrow from sleeping this way. But his hand was already back in Harry's hair, softly stroking and he knew it was worth it.

The smile that was curling his lips stopped. There was unease in the pit of his stomach and a quiet little alarm bell going off in the back of his mind. Something was wrong.

Only now did he bother to wonder what had woken him up in the first place.

The sleepy haze he'd been in was damnably slow in lifting. But his eyes looked around the room and found nothing. The unease in his stomach was growing to a more intense discomfort by the minute.

He looked down, ready to wake Harry but he stopped when he saw his sleeping face. His features we're entirely lax just like before. Eyes closed, the lines of his face gone, his lips slightly parted, but there was something different. Something very wrong.

Draco felt as though his heart had stopped in his chest when he realized what it was.

Harry wasn't breathing.

Panicked, Draco's hands went to Harry's shoulder to shake him awake, tears already in his eyes as his mind reminded him that dead people don't wake up. But before he could even grab him Harry shot up like a bullet, gasping in air and shocking Draco so much he recoiled.

Harry held out a hand and his wand flew into it at lightning speed. Draco's eyes widened a little at the show of nonverbal, wandless magic.

"Come out!" Harry shouted, "Don't you fucking hide from me!"

Draco voice quavered as he whispered, "Harry…"

Fierce emerald eyes turned to him and Harry said in a hurried voice, "Get your wand and send a Patronus to wake up McGonagall."

Draco stood, the muscles of his thighs shivering, not in weak but wired on the adrenaline coursing through his veins. He knew, of course, after so long in a war that you don't ask questions at moments like these. You obey to save your fucking life and figure out what happened later.

Draco cursed himself mentally for sitting his wand on the bedside table earlier. He usually slept with it right next to him but of course, on this night they'd slept on the sofa so...

Before he could take more than three steps towards the bedroom, his wand came whizzing out the door and went straight into Harry's free hand. He tossed it at Draco and he caught it easily, not even bothering with thanks in his haste to cast a Patronus.

The silver eagle flew out of his wand and waited patiently, its head slightly cocked to the side while Draco said, "Harry Potter is in trouble. 4th floor, east wing, portrait of the girl in the yellow dress."

The eagle gave what looked to be a short little nod before it flew away through the wall.

Draco had his wand ready as well and now asked Harry in a hurried whisper, "What is it? What's happened?"

"He was here." Harry said absently, "He was right fucking here… How did he get in?"

"Harry?" Draco asked turning to look at him. The man was tense, his eyes flicking everywhere but never settling, his wand arm steady.

"How is he back…? How the fuck did—" Harry cut himself off with an enraged scream before shouting, "Show yourself!"

Draco's wand lowered a little and he began to question whether the problem was external or internal. After all, he'd been awake before Harry and hadn't seen anyone.

"Harry." Draco said in a loud, firm voice. The Gryffindor whipped around, his wand still steady in front of him.

"Draco." Harry sighed, "You have to go. You need to get out of here."

"I'm not leaving you alone." Draco intoned taking a few steps forward, "Now tell me, who did you see?"

"Voldemort." Harry said thoughtlessly and Draco flinched, "Sorry. You-Know-Who."

It wasn't that Draco was so much afraid of the name as much as he associated verbalizing it with pain and possible death. He could think it but saying it was too much still.

Draco's eyes move around the room cautiously. The door was still secure. They hadn't heard anything from Lisa. Nothing in the room had been disturbed.

"You have to go, Draco. He was trying to kill you."

Draco's brows shot up, "Me? Why would he want to kill me?"

"Because he'd fucking evil!" Harry shouted, "Go! Meet McGonagall halfway."

Draco shook his head, "Harry… When did you see him?"

Harry sighed, anger and impatience beginning to show on his face, "It doesn't matter, Draco. Please. Listen to me."

Part of Draco wanted to just do what Harry said. To just trust that Harry knew what he was taking about. But the unease in Draco's stomach was not due to fear of the Dark Lord, but rather fear for Harry's mental health.

"He's gone right now." Draco said slowly, "You have time to tell me when you saw him."

"I was laying right there!" Harry said, "You woke up, I heard you but I couldn't move and you weren't looking at me. My eyes were open but I—I couldn't. He was in that corner, right there, just watching us. I knew he was going to kill you, not me, you! I've been in his head before; I know what he's thinking!"

Draco felt something like dread and pity and hated himself for feeling it, "Harry…" He started, "I looked at you. Your eyes were closed."

Harry's brow furrowed for a moment and he shook his head slowly.

The door slammed open revealing McGonagall with robes thrown over a nightgown, her wand held tightly in her hand. Professor Flitwick was right behind her and there were more footsteps coming down the hall.

"Harry," The headmistress said, her eyes not even flicking to Draco in a passing glance, "What's going on here?"

Harry looked at Draco and then back at McGonagall. He no longer seemed so sure about what he'd seen. But he told her anyway.

McGonagall looked around the room just as Draco had and saw that there were no signs of anything knocked over or broken. Neither Draco nor Harry were injured or even ruffled beyond being slightly disheveled from sleep.

There came a soft yawn from the doorway and everyone turned to look. Lisa was peeking form the edge of her frame, "Why's everyone up? Harry, what's happened?"

Harry stepped forward, apparently unconscious of the fact that he was still shirtless walked out of the doorway and Draco followed. Lisa's brown skin reddened at her cheeks when her soft dark eyes saw Harry.

"Lisa," Harry said, "Did you see anyone before the Headmistress? Did anyone open, or try to open the door?"

Lisa blinked owlishly before shaking her head, "You were the last, when you came back dripping wet. No one's even walked by since then. Well… actually, Sir Nicholas floated by and wished me a good evening."

Harry's eyes fell and he turned to look at Draco before looking at McGonagall, "I saw him." He whispered, "I swear."

The stern looking woman's face softened a little and she tucked her wand into her robes, "I think a trip to Madame Pomfrey might be in order, Mr. Potter." McGonagall said in a low voice.

Professors Sprout and Slughorn had just now reached the corridor but they seemed to take in the morose atmosphere and stayed silent.

Harry's face paled and his eyes started to shine with wetness. He looked back to Draco for help but the blond could do nothing more than take Harry's hand and squeeze it in comfort.

McGonagall raised an eyebrow at Draco, obviously not expecting him to follow along, but Harry clung tightly to him and no one had the heart to try and separate them. Draco raised his wand to summon one of Harry's cloaks and placed it over his shoulders.

Lisa closed firmly over the entrance to Harry's room and promised to tell if she saw anyone as they set off down the hallway. Professors Flitwick, Sprout and Slughorn all left back to their private quarters on McGonagall's orders. But she stayed to lead the two teenaged boys to the hospital wing.

When they entered, Pomfrey was already up and tending to a few sleeping students.

"Headmistress." She greeted politely before her eyes fixed on Harry and Draco. Her mouth thinned and she gave a tense smile.

"I thought I said I didn't want to see you in the infirmary this year, Mr. Potter." The Mediwitch whispered. Harry forced a smile in return and went to go and sit on a bed. It was the bed Draco had seen him in a few times, whenever they'd both been injured from a fight. Was Harry here so often he had his own bed?

Pomfrey came over wordlessly and began waving her wand over him, mumbling spells under her breath. She didn't look at Draco, but she didn't try to remove him either.

"Well, Harry, it seems you're fine besides being a little down in spirits. What seems to be the problem?"

Harry's eyes flicked to the sleeping bodies of the children in the cots. Madame Pomfrey nodded understandingly and conjured partitions around the bed enclosing the four of them. Draco had been here often enough as well to know they cancelled noise.

Harry sighed and shook his head once before recounting the story for her but in far more detail than he had for either Draco or McGonagall, "I was sleeping with Draco, on the sofa. He was sitting up and my… head was in his lap. We'd fallen asleep like that by accident I think. I can't really remember. I wasn't feeling well since I'd been out in the rain for Quidditch practice and thought maybe I was going to catch a cold.

"I felt Draco wake up. He stretched a little and sighed before he started stroking my hair. I opened my eyes to tell him something but his head was still against the back of the couch. He wasn't looking at me. When I tried to move it was like…Someone threw a wet blanket over me. Not the body-binding hex, something different. I couldn't move other than to look around and blink. Voldemort was standing in the corner," Harry continued, he either ignored or didn't notice Draco's slight flinch.

"He was twirling Dumbledore's wand and staring at us. I knew he'd kill Draco. It wasn't exactly Legilimency but I knew it. Then Draco was looking down at me but it was like he didn't see me at all. I was trying so hard to move and when he reached out to touch me I was finally able to. I summoned my wand but he—Voldemort was gone."

Madame Pomfrey looked at Draco now as though expecting corroboration. Draco looked back at Harry.

"That's startlingly accurate." Draco whispered, shocked that Harry has picked up so much. He must've honestly been awake to remember Draco stretching and sighing.

Madame Pomfrey nodded and opened her mouth to ask Harry something else but Draco interrupted, "But it's not all correct."

All three of them looked at him now, "I did wake up. I stretched, I sighed but when I looked down at Harry, his eyes were closed. I was awoken by uneasiness. I felt something was wrong but for a few minutes I couldn't pinpoint what it was. I realized very suddenly that I woke up because he wasn't breathing. I must've realized in my sleep that I was no longer feeling or hearing him breathe."

Pomfrey's eyes widened a little and she put her hand to her mouth. The fear on Harry's face seemed to intensify.

"I wasn't breathing...?" He whispered in shock.

Draco's face nearly collapsed in worry and he squeezed Harry's hand again, "No. That's why I was so worried. But when you told me to send a Patronus… Emergencies aren't the time for second thoughts."

Harry nodded and looked at Madame Pomfrey the tears in his eyes now caught on long dark lashes, ready to fall, "I'm losing my mind, aren't I?" He asked

The witch smiled a little and shook her head, "No Mr. Potter. I don't think so. I think I know exactly what you're suffering from but I haven't seen a case of it this bad in some time."

"What is it?" McGonagall asked. Those were the first words she'd spoken since we'd reached the hospital wing.

"Sleep paralysis," Madame Pomfrey said softly, "It's less common than sleep walking but similar to it. A normal body does not allow for a person to move too much during sleep. When someone sleepwalks, their body is unable to keep them from moving and acting out dreams. Sleep paralysis is when the body is overzealous in stopping movement even in those first few moments after a person awakes. It is usually accompanied by rather terrifying half dreams that are a mixture of what the mind creates from fantasy and picks up from reality."

"Awake enough to know what Draco was doing but asleep enough to dream up Voldemort?" Harry questioned looking relieved.

Madame Pomfrey smiled, "Yes. It has nothing to do with insanity at all and more to do with stress. But that your body apparently is prone to it, and so badly you stop breathing is worrying."

Draco nodded emphatically, feeling the sick terror of realizing Harry wasn't breathing all over again. It had been agonizing in a way he hadn't felt since the final battle.

"What can I do about it?" Harry asked.

Pomfrey frowned, "I'm afraid there isn't much to do about it at all. The only magical means of fixing it is a potion that must be taken before one goes to sleep. But much like sleepwalking, sleep paralysis does not occur every night and may even go in remiss for years. Unlike the potion that stops sleepwalking, the potion you would have to take is not only very expensive but also harmful if taken over long periods of time. If after a few months it seems to be a regular occurrence, maybe then we can—"

"You mean wait for it to happen again." Harry interrupted, "Wait for this to happen again, and often, before we try to fix it."

"Harry…" Draco started.

Harry shook his head, "It's always like this. Another thing for me to suffer through that no one can fucking fix."

"I'll watch you." Draco said, "I'll watch you and wake you up."

Harry glanced at him, "And then when will you sleep?"

Draco opened his mouth and closed it again.

"I am sorry, Mr. Potter…Harry." Madame Pomfrey said reaching out to touch his shoulder, "We all have our crosses to bear and yours just happens to be the heaviest of the century. Please though, you're welcome in my ward anytime for calming draughts. However dreamless sleep would likely make the problem far worse rather than better."

"And what if we took the relaxing agent out?" Draco asked, "Maybe it'd be possible to brew it with only the dream suppressant and not the muscle relaxer."

"I'm sure you know as well as I do, that would change the very foundation of the potion and possibly make it dangerous if not lethal to ingest. The dream suppressant requires large amounts of dragon's blood and hellebore which would be dangerous if not fatal without the balancing of lavender and asphodel which combined are—"

"A potent muscle relaxer, I know." Draco finished looking put out.

Harry forced a watery smile, "It's alright, Draco. I'll be alright. I just…I'm tired. Please can we go back to our room, now?"

Both of the elder women looked worried but had no reason to stop Harry from going back to sleep if there was no cure for this ailment. McGonagall offered to escort them once more but Harry refused with a stout promise that they would return straight to their room. It wasn't like Harry would've faked this in an effort to go out after curfew and cause mischief.

So Draco and he walked alone down the dark corridors, occasionally greeted by a surprised and sleepy painting. Lisa was dozing underneath her apple tree when they returned but she bolted upright immediately, straightening her dress and pushing her chestnut curls back from where the bounced merrily around her face.

"Harry!" She said, "What happened? Everything's alright, right? No one came by, not that I'd let them in if they did! How about we change the password to something really, extra hard?"

Harry's smile wasn't so forced this time but it was still not exactly a happy one, "Tomorrow, Lisa. I think we'll be safe for tonight. Thank you though."

The girl pouted a little but nodded, smoothing her dress behind her as sat down under the tree again, "Okay then… Goodnight."

They both wished the girl good night and the portrait swung open. Harry walked in, his face still tight. His eyes looked once into the corner that he'd seen Voldemort in, then to the sofa where they'd lain.

He sighed and turned away, heading to the bedroom. Draco was careful with Harry, being gentle with him and offering himself for whatever comfort Harry needed. Whether Harry needed a shoulder to cry on, ears to listen, lips to kiss or a body to hold, Draco would be that. Whatever Harry needed, Draco would become. It was not something he usually did, but anything that helped Harry was what he wanted to do.

The dark haired savior stayed up late into the night. Draco drifted a few times but unease awoke him again and again. This time it was only because Harry was not sleeping. Draco feared the man might not sleep at all tonight, and maybe even subsequent nights for fear of more nightmares coming to him in reality while he couldn't move. Draco himself couldn't imagine a type of dream more terrifying. To dream of heinous, awful things is terrible of course, but to be awake, to know you're awake and be unable to move, while your nightmares seemingly take over reality is something entirely different. Far out of the league of normal bad dreams. And Harry's bad dreams had already been worse than normal…

Draco nudged Harry's shoulder, but the Gryffindor continued pretending he was asleep, obviously hoping Draco would give up and fall back into slumber as well.

"You can't stay awake forever." Draco whispered.

Harry's eyes opened, the tiniest bit, a sliver of emerald behind dark lashes, "I have a habit of defying the odds." He whispered back.

Draco frowned and sighed huffily, fluffing his pillow once and turning away from Harry. He felt the other man tensing behind him, afraid to lose Draco's warm hold. Draco though, was weak. When Harry's arms snaked around him, he gave in and turned back to face his love. He kissed him and pulled him close, already planning how to alter Dreamless Sleep…

Xx-XxX-xX

"Checkmate again, Malfoy," Ron said triumphantly, leaning back in his chair and crossing his arms.

Harry watched as the scowl on Draco's face deepened, "Another," He snapped, already resetting the pieces.

"No problem," Ron grinned, obviously happy to be winning, "A little failure might be good for that big head of yours."

"You're one to talk," Hermione quipped from where she was writing her 4th draft of their Transfigurations essay, not due for two weeks. Honestly, being around her was a constant guilt trip. Her daily lectures about upcoming NEWTs and how much they'd missed last year were slowly working down Harry's natural defense against schoolwork. Harry always felt like he really should be working harder and preparing more. But then in the evenings, he found himself tangled up in Draco, kissing him and relaxing and readjusting to actually feeling good.

Draco was already calling out his first move, ignoring Ron's snide comment. The redhead responded quickly for the first few moves before the game began to slow down, strategies being formed in the minds of the silent competitors. It was almost as good as Quidditch for the two of them. Almost.

But for Harry it was boring as hell to watch and he wasn't very interested in doing his essay either. So he just sort of sat there, going through the motions of hanging out with his friends. He knew he needed to spend more time with them, in fact, even craved time with them. They'd been his constant companions during the war and every so often he'd find himself asking Hermione for advice, or going to elbow Ron when he heard a joke, only to find that they weren't always there anymore. It was odd, he missed having them around, and yet only having them for these set blocks of time wasn't very fun either.

"Check."

"Check."

"…"

"…"

"Check."

It was driving Harry mad!

"I'm going to the loo," He mumbled getting up, not expecting anyone to stop him, even though he was headed for the hallway, not the small attached bathroom in Ron's room.

"The bathroom's that way, Harry." Draco pointed out helpfully causing both Ron and Hermione to look up.

"Yeah, I just want to walk a bit too."

Draco looked up from the chess game now and seemed to take a minute to judge Harry's intentions just by looking in his eyes. Whatever he saw there was enough for him because he shrugged and said, "Alright."

Hermione gave him a smile that Harry thought meant more than, "Have a good piss, then." And he puzzled over it a bit as he walked out of the room and down the hallway.

Soon though, he forgot it as he heard what was undeniably a cry of distress. Harry's legs were dragging him forward before the rest of them even knew where he was going. His wand was in his hand, though he didn't remember pulling it out of his robes and he skidded to a stop around the far corner.

At the bottom of a long flight of stairs, there was a boy on the ground, beside him, a toppled, brown wheelchair. Harry knelt by the boy and gently guided him upwards.

"Are you alright? Do you need to go the hospital wing?" He asked, all the while his skin still prickling, on guard for any dangers that might be lurking.

The brown haired boy shook his head and used his arms to try and hold himself up, "No, just this damn chair. It's supposed to be enchanted for stairs too but—" the boy finally looked up and his breath caught in his throat. He apparently hadn't expected to see Harry Potter.

"Oh! I'm sorry. I just. Wow," The boy stumbled over his words. He tried to hold out a hand for Harry to shake but nearly toppled onto his face again. Luckily Harry still had a pretty firm grip on him.

"It's not a problem. Let me help you back up," Harry said and the boy was almost eerily silent in reply. But Harry assumed it was because he was just nervous around a 'celebrity'.

Harry righted the chair, and helped the boy into it. He couldn't have been more than thirteen and was still quite slight so Harry had no trouble lifting him.

"There you are," Harry mumbled as he righted the boy and mindlessly brushed some of the dust off his robes, "You should be more careful, you know." Harry said.

"Yes," The boy nodded, "I will. Thank you."

"It's not a problem at all," Harry smiled, "What's your name?"

"E-Eli," The young boy whispered, his cheeks slowly turning pink.

"Harry," Harry said while holding out his hand. The boy shook it and the reverence only grew stronger on his face.

"Harry?" A voice asked from around the corridor and he turned to look.

Draco smiled a little when he saw him, "I beat Ron so I thought I'd come look for you."

The blond's eyes traveled over the boy in the wheelchair and his feet faltered for a moment before his smile widened.

Harry's eyebrow rose, Draco rarely smiled at him let alone strangers. He stood up from where he'd been kneeling, "This is Eli," He introduced, "We just met."

"Eli," Draco whispered like it was an answer to a riddle he finally got, "Draco Malfoy," He introduced himself just as pointlessly as Harry had. As if anyone didn't know who they were.

The boy took his hand, his eyes wide and solemn, "I never got to thank you," The boy whispered.

"No thanks required," Draco assured in a gentle voice, "Where were you headed, Eli?"

"Oh crap!" The boy said smacking his own forehead, "I'm so late! I'm sorry, got to run— well… roll, I guess."

"Do you need any help getting there?" Draco asked, further shocking Harry with how inexplicably kind he was being.

"No, no," The boy assured, already starting to roll away, "I'll be fine. Let's talk more later though, okay?"

Draco nodded, "Sure."

The boy tapped the arm of his chair with his wand and said, "Forward!" And down the hall he went. After a distant echo of, "Left", the boy disappeared around the corner.

Draco turned to Harry with a smile, "Did you find a bathroom yet?"

"I was just trying to escape the monotony of chess and studying," Harry admitted easily, "Did you know that boy?"

Draco looked at Harry briefly for a moment before sighing, "Yes, but only a little. I met him once before and we didn't exchange names."

"Oh…" Harry whispered, still confused at Draco's inexplicable kindness to a near stranger. The blond could be ornery to his once best friends, it was strange to see him give away genuine smiles to a boy he'd only seen briefly once before.

Draco's eyes were glittering in the light from the windows and Harry could tell that the man was reading his mind. Not with real Legilimency, of course but instead with his knowledge of Harry's thoughts and character.

The blond grabbed Harry's arm and said, "Walk with me."

It wasn't so much a question as it was a command and yet Harry had never quite seen Draco act like this. Authoritative and almost patronizing. It was odd and reminded Harry a bit of Lucius which in turn made him frown.

But they walked and on the way, Draco started talking about the war in hushed tones. He recounted his brief encounter with Eli and doing his best with a few elementary spells to keep him from dying. Harry listened intently, reading into Draco's mannerisms as much as his words and understanding what he meant. Draco cared about that boy, from some reason. Something in the unlucky thirteen-year-old's personality must've struck Draco because he truly and deeply cared about him. Harry realized he might end up seeing more of Eli than he'd expected.

By the time Draco had finished walking there were significantly far away from where they'd started. Strange since the story hadn't really seemed that long, but Draco's long-legged stride had always made easy work of long distances.

"It's strange," Harry said, "To see you in a protective role."

Draco raised one eyebrow, "Why is that strange?"

Harry smiled teasingly, "Well I seem to recall you saying you'd make a terrible parent and listing a few less than favorable parts of your personality."

Draco laughed, "As you so wisely said, at sixteen, who is ready to be a parent? Especially with the rather sheltered and spoiled life I'd led for most of my youth."

"But your thoughts on it have changed?" Harry asked curiously.

Draco frowned in thought, "I'm still not sure about that. Being entirely responsible for the life of another person… And what is it with you dropping serious questions in hallways?" Draco asked.

Harry laughed, "What've we got to hide?"

Draco's smile grew as he whispered, "Nothing at all," Before pulling Harry into what was meant to be a short kiss.

Harry's heart fluttered and his head was swimming pleasantly. Kisses from Draco were like the finest Ambrosia that ever existed. Delicious and sweet, soft and powerful and…perfect. Harry didn't want to end, and more often these days a primal part of him was growling for more. He was nearly as surprised as Draco at the growls his throat would emit while his grip on the other man tightened. But he couldn't help how badly he wanted him, and dear Merlin it was bad.

"Harry…" Draco whispered, trying to end the kiss but Harry refused.

"Draco," he replied seriously, hoping the Slytherin knew he did not intend to stop. One of his hands ended up in Draco's hair and he pulled making the blond moan helplessly and it made arousal pulse through Harry's body. Memories of his pale, angelic body writhing in pleasure in the silver moonlight had Harry's heart hammering rather than fluttering. God, he wanted it, needed it… He needed to know that those memories were real.

"Harry," Draco said firmly and Harry's arousal waned. It takes two for what Harry had in mind and it was obvious that only one of them was interested right now. Harry sighed internally but smiled like nothing had happened.

"Yes, love?"

"Ron and Hermione are still waiting," Draco reminded, "They're likely to come after us if we don't return soon."

"Right," Harry said, hoping he didn't sound too disappointed, "Right…"

Xx-XxX-xX

Draco stretched languidly before slipping into Harry's large bed. The Gryffindor was sitting up, his Charms book sitting open on his lap. Draco just sighed and relaxed into the softness and warmth, slipping one arm around Harry's waist.

"You need to sleep you know," He said.

"I know," Harry nodded absently, "But missing school last year has left me a little behind…"

"Your charms book isn't going anywhere," Draco continued.

Harry finally looked away from the book and smiled down at Draco, "Neither are you."

"I don't know," Draco shrugged playfully, "I'm feeling a little neglected. I might just have to leave and remind you what you'd be missing if you don't take care of me properly."

Before Draco could even finish speaking, Harry had closed the charms book and tossed it off the bed, before throwing himself quickly over the blond. Draco felt strong hands close around his wrists and hold them down. His heart thumped in anticipation and he looked up into Harry's face. The light was behind him, shadowing his face, but his eyes still caught just enough light for Draco to see the intensity in them.

"You're not going anywhere, Draco Malfoy," Harry breathed out, "I won't let you."

"Oh yeah?" Draco questioned, "And how are you going to keep me here?"

Harry swung one leg over Draco's hips, now leaning over him on all fours. He leaned down close and pressed their lips together briefly, "By the time I'm done with you, you won't ever want to leave."

Draco shivered in uncontrollable arousal but mostly, he felt nervous. Would Harry actually… Were they ready for that?

Harry seemed to pick up on Draco's hesitation, "I want to…" He whispered seriously, nothing on his face but honesty.

Draco's heart rate increased significantly, his body already far ahead of his mind.

"Are you sure?" He asked his voice weaker than a gentle breeze.

"I love you. We'll do what it takes to make this work," Harry assured, "If there's one thing I've learned it's that life is short. I… I don't want to wait."

Harry only watched him for a few seconds longer before he began to lower himself onto the other man. Draco sucked in a shaky breath when Harry's body relaxed onto his. Draco's arms moved of their own volition, coming up and wrapping around Harry's back.

One of Harry's hands let go of his wrist, his fingers trailing lightly down his arm, leaving goose bumps in their wake. Draco was breathing hard, his heart aching with sweet anticipation, his memories reminding him of what he knew Harry liked. Draco kissed him almost roughly, one of his hands sliding up Harry's spine and tangling in midnight colored hair. Harry let out a heartfelt moan, obviously relieved they were finally crossing the invisible wall that had kept them from doing this sooner.

Draco felt Harry's rough palm continued its journey down his side before resting on his hip, his thumb softly stroking back and forth. The touch felt much hotter than it should have and Draco's hips lifted a little in response. Their groins met and Draco could feel the heat between Harry's legs. His own body had already responded to the fiery kisses and teasing touches.

Harry started to kiss down Draco's neck and the blond immediately knew where the other was headed.

"Please…" He mumbled softly, not sure whether he was asking him to hurry or slow down.

Harry did neither, going at a pace he set for himself. He kissed softly at one of Draco's nipples before sucking on the small bit of flesh. Draco couldn't keep his eyes open, his blood seemed to be boiling, but Harry's hands still felt so damn hot against his skin, wherever they caressed. He hadn't felt this good in forever…

"Love you…" Harry reminded, when Draco tensed at a hand sliding up his thigh.

"God, Harry… I don't know," Draco breathed, scared once more by the intensity of his need.

"Shh…" Harry whispered as he pulled down Draco's pajama pants, causing him to hiss as the air hit his sensitive flesh.

Harry seemed to remember that he shouldn't rush past Draco's insecurity. Last year, they had been quite sure of each other's desires and while words would slip from their mouths that were rude or showed nervousness, they could still continue; both of them assured that this was what they wanted. But this year was not like last year and it would take time to build that kind of surety again.

Those emerald eyes flashed up at Draco's once and Harry bit his lip, looking hesitant, "Do you want me to stop?"

Draco swallowed, and shook his head slowly. Harry grinned and it was a beautiful expression. Draco didn't want to miss a second of it since he so rarely got to see true smiles on the other man's face these days. But then a hand was wrapped around him and his eyes fluttered shut. Harry's lips closed around him and Draco moaned low and long.

Harry moaned in return and the hand that was holding Draco's hip tightened. Harry was slow to attempt taking Draco's cock deeper, only leisurely bobbing his head, a little more disappearing into his mouth each time. Draco was losing himself in the sensation and that scared him even more. His hands fisted so hard in the sheets his knuckles began to ache, a desperate attempt to hang on to some of the control he felt he needed.

Harry released the organ and softly kissed it once, "Relax." He whispered.

Draco struggled to make himself let go; it was harder than he'd expected. Harry's hand stroked up and down his still wet cock and the touch was perfect, reminding Draco how well Harry knew his body. It was so damn good, the familiar movement of his wrist and heat of his palm.

Impassioned, Draco sat up and pulled Harry back up so they were face to face, kissing him with everything had. He shoved aside his fear, momentarily feeling brave again. He reached down, sliding his hand down Harry's stomach and into his boxers to rest between his legs. Harry shuddered and moaned loudly.

He pulled away from the kiss long enough to whisper Draco's name a few times before diving right back in, their tongues swirling in a manner somewhere between a battle and a dance. Draco stroked Harry's cock lovingly, taking pride in each and every reaction he got for his efforts, from the slightest shiver to the loudest groan.

Harry apparently got impatient with the foreplay because the next thing Draco knew he was being pushed back down onto the bed. Harry nearly ripped off his own boxers and threw them over his shoulder without a second glance. Of course, Draco was able to see them land and hang on the doorknob. On the contrary, Harry was exceedingly gentle in undressing Draco, pulling off his pajama pants like he was unwrapping the most fragile and precious gift in the world. His eyes were bright with love and excitement and he drank in the sight of the blond lying bare before him with no small amount of pleasure.

Harry placed each of his hands on the insides of Draco's thighs, slowly pushing outwards. Draco obediently spread his legs, feeling exposed and nearly jittery with nerves.

"So beautiful…" Harry whispered kissing up Draco's body again. Draco found his fingers in Harry's hair again as he felt the man's body settle between his legs.

Harry's hands were touching him everywhere, and it seemed his warm, wet mouth knew his every weakness. At first it was pleasurable— fun if not a little daunting because of their year-long separation, but then Draco began to feel anxious.

He felt Harry's fingers touch his entrance and jerked at the sensation. A dark feeling welled up inside of him and snuffed out the flame of his arousal like a wet blanket over a single match. Draco froze up like a stone statue beneath his lover.

Harry realized within seconds that his kisses were no longer receiving the responses he was looking for and began to try harder to coax a reaction out of the Slytherin. Draco felt disgust and horror both at the situation and at himself for feeling disgusted and horrified. It was an odd mix of emotions.

Harry groaned in frustration before sighing and pulling away.

"What the hell is—Draco? Are you… Hey, what's wrong?" Harry asked.

Draco shook his head, wide eyes staring up into shining emerald irises. He could see his own reflection there. He looked almost lifeless.

"I'm not ready," was all he whispered.

Watching the concern and then abject disappointment on Harry's face made Draco feel ashamed. Why wasn't he ready? Shouldn't he be?

Harry forced a smile and kissed the tip of Draco's nose, "Okay," He whispered. The Gryffindor looked a little awkward for a minute before he rolled out of bed and looked around.

"Umm… I'll just…" Harry started, jerking his thumb in the general direction of the bathroom.

"Okay," Draco replied.

Harry looked relieved to escape the room and the situation. But then Draco imagined it must be pretty awkward for only one of them to be aroused and the other, completely uninterested. He couldn't recall that ever happening before.

He sat up and raked his fingers through his hair, a little harder than usual, his fingernails actually hurting him just a little. But the sting of the scratches cleared his mind. He pulled back on his pants and turned over in bed, trying not to feel like a prudish, teasing, asshole.


...


Btw, sleep paralysis is real and that shit is scary like you would never believe.

Well would you look at that? You don't even have to press a button anymore! You can review right there in that spiffy box! See it? Do ya? Do ya! Well you might want to use it. Just saying. :]

I love all of you, sorry for my review whoring (it's a reflex at this point) but each and every one is appreciated.