Title: Embracing Chaos

Author: Me!

Disclaimer: Not mine. End of story.

A/N: I absolutely refuse to even begin writing chapter 9 unless I get 10 reviews on this chapter. Maybe that will urge all of you that are just passing through to review. I need them, and I am well aware that I'm an attention whore. Sue me. Enjoy the chapter!

Betaed by my college sweetheart (lmfao), Winter.Poem13. She is the reason why I continue writing, if only just to put a smile on her face.

Chapter 8

ONE

Draco was presently surprised when he saw that Harry's room wasn't a garish mixture of Gryffindor reds and golds. It shouldn't have surprised him that it was decorated in reds, creams and neutrals. It suited his temperament, fiery reds interspersed with calming neutral tones. He followed Harry into the sitting room and threw himself onto a leather couch that seemed to be designed for his very body. The leather was supple and it gave easily until it fit the contours of his body. He could easily lie there for hours, just inhaling the scent of sandalwood that Harry gave off. He couldn't remember when he had been more at ease.

Harry glanced at Draco and smiled at the sheer bliss that he could see on Draco's face. It was surprising how quickly Draco let down his guards, and the openness on his face was refreshingly unexpected. It soothed the normally haughty curve of his brow and with the tension out of his jaw and his lips relaxed instead of curved into his trademark sneer, he was simply breathtaking. His hair wasn't slicked back, so it fanned around his face and a wisp of it was falling into his eyes. It was an awe-inspiring view and he just wanted to sit back and enjoy it.

He was loathe to interrupt the comfortable silence that the two had fallen into, so he also fell onto a couch, and closed his eyes, loving how the smell of rain seemed to follow Draco wherever he went.

They sat there without speaking for quite some time before the comfortable silence began to get a bit awkward. Harry sat up slightly so that he could see the tip of Draco's blond head and decided to break the silence between them. "So tell me, Draco. What's your favorite thing to do on a day like this?"

Draco sat up and regarded Harry suspiciously before he remembered that he was instructed to get to know Harry a bit better. Not wanting to provoke the Gryffindor and end the uneasy truce the meeting ritual seemed to have established, he resolved to just answer the question. "I don't really have days like this. I actually do have a very busy social calendar. But before we get to the small talk, shouldn't we clear up all the malice between the two of us? If we talk it out, we might be able to move past it and get on with this farce of a relationship."

Harry nodded. It was a very good idea, and he was a bit ashamed he didn't think of it first. "Ok, Draco. Maybe you could tell me why you were such a prat when we came to school that first year."

Draco snorted. "It was purely in retaliation to your own snobbish behavior. You completely rejected my offer of friendship on the train! What was I supposed to do, grovel for your affection? Not bloody likely! I'm a Malfoy, for Merlin's sake, and not some mudblood who needs your praise. I had to save face, and to be perfectly candid, after the way you acted on the Express, I wanted nothing to do with you."

Harry stared at him as if he had grown another head. "Of course I rejected your stinking hand! You don't understand, do you? Life for the Boy Who Lived wasn't all that pleasant before September first of that year. My relatives hated me. They starved me and locked me in a cupboard without access to the loo on a regular basis. I never had much contact with other people, much less made actual friends. The only other people I ever met my age were Dudley's friends who only came over to beat me up once a week. My aunt had me home schooled because she was too ashamed of me. And then I met Ron Weasely, who was the first person ever to be kind to me, to actually speak to me without yelling. Ron was my first friend ever. And you, with your snobbish pureblood routine, insulted him in front of me. That automatically made you enemy number one in my book. You're the reason why I rejected Slytherin when the Sorting Hat was on my head!"

Draco had the decency to look sheepish during Harry's tirade. "I didn't know, and I guess I should apologize for my behavior. I also apologize for all the insults over the past six years. It was unbecoming of me, and I truly wish it didn't happen."

Harry nodded. "Fine. I accept your apology. I'm sorry too, I shouldn't have responded every single time, and I shouldn't have started a few of those arguments with you. I guess we were a pair of hot headed and immature brats back then. I see no reason why we can't start over."

Draco snorted again. "That, Harry, is the understatement of the century. Now what is this about you rejecting Slytherin? How is that even possible? I thought the Sorting Hat made the decision for you."

Harry laughed. "It generally does, but I begged it not to put me in Slytherin. Right before I got here, I met you, and everyone was positive you were a little snakeling from the time you slithered out of Narcissa. And then, on top of that, Hagrid told me that all bad wizards came out of Slytherin. I definitely didn't want to go there, so I begged it to put me anywhere else. It decided on Gryffindor, and when Ron followed me, I knew it made a good choice."

"So let me get this straight. You turned down the noblest and greatest of Hogwarts' Houses because of me?"

"Essentially, yes."

Draco smirked. "I guess I've always been pretty important to you. You base your House on me and your friends on your mutual hatred of me. Admit it, you've always wanted me," he goaded.

Teasing an Elemental who was currently fighting the impressive urge to pounce on the delectable creature sitting across from him wasn't the smartest decision Draco could've made. The bond took that as an acquiescence to solidify the bind between them and flared into full awareness at Draco's comment, causing the need to mate to increase exponentially. They couldn't have fought it even if they tried. Harry's eyes darkened as they raked over the little bit of Draco's lithe body that he could see. He growled slightly, scaring Draco and exciting him at the same time. "I don't know about before, but damn it Draco, I want you now."

Draco's heart raced at the predatory tone of Harry's voice and he couldn't help it. He wanted to hear more of that dark and delicious voice. "What do you want from me?" he purred.

Harry's eyes widened at Draco's shameless flirting with him, and his groin twitched in response. The air around them practically sizzled as his arousal began to peak. "I want you flat on your back, on your knees, on top of me, any way I can have you as long as I can sink into your tight and hot arse. Sound good to you?"

Draco felt his skin flush at Harry's suggestive comments. "What would you do if I told you that you could have it right now? Would you come get it?"

"Fuck yeah," was Harry's terse response as he bounded off the couch and stalked over to his prey. Said prey, of course, had no objections.

TWO

Severus' wards were triggered to indicate a disturbance in the temperature or in the water content of the air in the boys' rooms so that he could avert any potentially disastrous tantrums and ensure that they all survived to see the beginning of the new school year. Of course, this meant that his wards were going haywire and it all pointed to an out of control Fire Starter. He snorted. Honestly, he didn't know why this surprised him. He had hoped that the two of them could get along long enough so that this wasn't necessary, but this clearly indicated that he expected too much from the brats.

He placed a temporary stasis charm on the potion he was working on and walked out of his rooms, locking and warding it with a swish of his wand. The wards clearly indicated that the disturbance was in Harry's room, so he crossed the distance between their rooms in a few long strides and spat out the password.

Nothing could have prepared him for the sight that awaited him. Draco was lying, spread eagled on one of the couches, lightly running his hands up and down his chest. His eyes were wide, his pupils were dilated, and they were locked on something. He followed Draco's line of vision and his jaw dropped when he saw Harry standing a few feet from Draco, slowly unbuttoning his shirt, his eyes undressing the Slytherin. Severus was helpless to do anything as Harry walked over to Draco and prepared to straddle him. The sight of the Gryffindor on top of his thin godson brought his back to his senses, and he quickly assessed the situation. "Down, Mr. Potter," he said, snidely.

Harry turned to lock eyes with him, and then grinned ferally. "That's a great idea, Severus." The poor potions Master was unprepared for the new rich and husky tone that Harry's voice had acquired and he squeaked. It was completely undignified, but he couldn't help it. Harry had the cheek to look amused at Severus' predicament, before dropping to his knees and crawling over to Draco. "No, really Severus, it's a great idea. Draco, you want me to get down? I can think of some incredible things I can do from down here. I can lick you from back to front and then do it all over again," he purred.

Draco nodded enthusiastically. "How about you stop talking so much and put that mouth of yours to good use?" he countered.

Harry grinned widely, his eyes filled with dark intent. "Your wish is my command."

Severus watched in abject horror as the situation got out of control. He scanned the room frantically, trying to find a solution. Suddenly, a light bulb went on in his head, and he quickly conjured two large buckets of freezing water and poured it on the boys, hoping it would dampen their rampant ardor.

It had the expected effect on Harry. He howled his displeasure from on the floor and rolled around on his tan carpet, trying to get rid of the chill that seeped into his bones. Draco, on the other hand, howled for a completely different reason. The contact with his Element had only turned him on even more, and he began to writhe on the couch, trying to make his clothes evaporate with the water that was steadily vanishing. "Harry," he whined. "Severus got me all wet. Fix it, please. Come warm me up."

Harry glared at him from his position on the floor. "Fuck off, Malfoy. I'm cold and I'm bloody soaking wet. My erection has crawled into my body. I am so not in the mood."

The thought of his mate's displeasure acted as a dampener for Draco's arousal, and his erection faded. "I'm sorry, Harry. How can I make it better?" he asked, genuinely wanting to make Harry more comfortable.

"First, you can get rid of the evil bat that is still in my room. Then you can get me some dry clothes. And then you can dry me and dress me. That sound ok?"

Draco nodded, before turning to Severus. "You. Out."

Severus scowled at the impudent child in front of him before turning around and stalking out of the room. He really didn't get any appreciation for all the stress he went through, and he sure as hell hoped that Albus was paying him overtime for having to deal with the two boys that were assigned to him. Then again, no amount of galleons was worth the considerable amount of grey hair he was going to get out of this experience.

Once Severus was out of the rooms, Draco slid off the couch and found Harry's bedroom easily. The scent of him was more concentrated in there, and it took all he had to stop him from falling into the bed and inhaling the very essence of him. He expected Harry slept partially naked as that was the only way for the scent to be so strong. He found a trunk and began to rummage through it until he found a pair of jeans and a blue tee shirt. Obviously, Potter needed to go shopping. It wouldn't do for the mate of a Malfoy to be seen in such tatty Muggle clothing, even if said mate was Harry freaking Potter.

He found a towel in the bathroom and then walked back out to Harry. The Gryffindor was still on the floor in the fetal position. Obviously, the frigid water had affected him deeply, probably because it was the exact opposite of his Element. He had to be able to deal with warmer water, as he still showered every day, but cold water seemed to make him positively sluggish. "Harry?" he called.

"Yeah, I'm alive. Bloody miserable, but alive."

Draco smiled at his rancor. "I brought clothes and a towel. Still want me to dry you?"

Harry shook his head. "The bond is still yelling for me to claim you. If you touch me, I'm gonna flip you over and bury myself in you."

"I don't mind," he murmured.

"Of course you don't, you shameless hussy. But I do want to delay the inevitable long enough for us to get to know each other a bit, you know?"

Draco nodded. "I guess that's a better idea. I don't want to lose my virginity to a complete stranger."

"Neither do I want to give my virginity to a complete stranger. So, if you can turn around for a bit, I can get dressed and then we can talk a bit more."

Draco nodded again and turned to face the wall. He heard the sound of clothes being pulled off Harry's body and he couldn't help but wonder what color Harry's nipples were and what that body looked like after six years of Quidditch. He slowed his breathing in an attempt to quiet his rampant thoughts and then sighed. He hoped this getting to know each other process-type-thing went by quickly, because he wanted to get shagged, and he wanted to get shagged now.

After a few minutes and a few mumbled curses, Harry told Draco he could turn around. The Gryffindor was standing right in front of him, arms outstretched. "Can I hold you for a bit? That might quiet the bond for a little bit, and I want to get used to the feel of you in my arms."

Draco didn't bother answering. He merely rushed into Harry's open arms. He reflexively tightened them around the slim body pressed against him and leaned in to smell the blond hair tickling his nose. Draco smelled like rain, but underneath was the sweet scent of flowers. It wasn't a girly scent at all, it suited the Slytherin. He smiled slightly, and it broadened when he felt Draco's arms tighten around him.

Draco was in heaven. Being held by Harry was amazing. It was comforting and arousing and everything rolled up into one gentle touch. He never wanted to leave those strong arms, and he felt as if Harry would protect him from the entire world when he held him like this. He looked up and found those red eyes were already trained on him. At first, the color disconcerted him for a bit as they were so similar to Voldemort's, but he shrugged it off. It was part of his mate and he accepted it just like he accepted the rest of him. "Kiss me, please," he whispered.

Harry didn't need to be asked twice. He lowered his head and brushed his lips across Draco's. He pressed a little harder and waited until the other boy responded by opening his mouth before letting his tongue invade the cavity. Draco tasted amazing, fresh and sweet and heady and so natural that it made his head spin. Their tongues danced, and he could tell that Draco wasn't fighting him. This wasn't a battle for dominance, this was Draco submitting to his touch and letting himself be kissed. If this was what being gay was all about, Harry found that he didn't mind as much as he thought he would have. He couldn't get enough of it, and it was only the need for air that separated the two.

Draco licked his lips, relishing the taste of Harry. He tasted spicy, but in a good way, and he tasted like man. That was the only way he could explain it. It was definitely something he would never tire of. "Don't let me go," he whispered.

"I never will. They'll have to pry you from my cold, lifeless fingers."

Draco shuddered at the image of Harry dead, but he quickly shook his head and got rid of the offending picture. "Do you think we can make this work?"

"Even if we didn't have to, I want to make this work. I think if anybody can, we can. I won't lie and say I'm already madly in love with you, but we can get there eventually if we work at it. Now, I don't want to let you go, so will you be comfortable sitting on my lap for a bit while we talk?"

Draco nodded, and so Harry sat the two of them down, letting Draco arrange himself until he was sitting sidesaddle on Harry's legs. He summoned a blanket from Harry's room to cover the two of them and then snuggled into his chest. "Harry, do you think we're moving too fast?" he asked.

"Sometimes I do, but then I remember that we're not doing anything physical yet. We're still getting to know each other, so right now, we're friends who kiss and hold each other. Nothing too serious right now. That make you feel better?"

"A lot, actually. Thanks."

"No problem. Would you mind answering a question for me?"

"Sure. What is it?"

"Why was it so easy for you to switch to our side? I was expecting a bit more of a fight, or at least a few more questions."

Draco sighed. "I never wanted to be a Death Eater. It was all about doing what my father said, and doing what was right for the family. It might not look it, but purebloods are all about family. All we have is our name, our reputation, and our fortune, and all of those things are tied directly to the family. You insult one and it's like openly declaring war with the rest. And you don't disobey the Head of the family. That automatically results in being disowned and cast out. I'm sure you noticed that Black's name was burned off of the family tree. That's what would have happened to me if I even thought about not swearing my allegiance to the Dark Lord. Personally, I don't think mass murder and mayhem is the right way to try to get your views across, and being tortured and kissing someone's robes isn't my idea of a good time, but that's just me."

"I had no idea. I honestly thought you were the perfect little Death Eater in training."

"Most people think that. I don't bother correcting them. Can I ask you a question?"

"Yeah, shoot?"

"Are you gay? I noticed you kept waiting for your female mate yesterday."

"Up until yesterday, I had not even thought of being with another man. I heard mate and marriage and just assumed that it would be with a woman. I've never had sex, and my only kiss before you was with Cho Chang fifth year, and it was disastrous. I can't say whether I'm gay or straight. All I know is that I like the way you smell, and I like the way you feel in my arms, and I like kissing you. I guess that just means I prefer Dracos."

Draco chuckled. "I think that's the best answer. And before you ask, I do prefer men. I never told anybody, but I never could see myself being with a girl, sexually. Mind you, I always thought I would be on top in such a relationship, but I'm not opposed to bottoming for you as long as you take care of me."

Harry's mouth became dry all of a sudden and he swallowed reflexively a few times. "Let's not get ahead of ourselves, Draco. When we're ready for that, we'll discuss that. But thanks for telling me."

They chatted amicably for a bit longer, discussing everything from taste in music to favorite Quidditch teams to favorite color. Surprisingly, Draco's favorite color was red, which made Harry choke on absolutely nothing. What wasn't surprising was that Draco's favorite animal was the snake, but the fact that Harry agreed with him on that floored him. They even argued for a bit over the merits of Muggle liquor. Harry was an avid fan of Bailey's while Draco was a Guinness person. Of course, Harry had to point out that Guinness was the most uncouth and uncivilized drink ever, which led to Harry being sucker punched by an angry Malfoy. This in turn led to an all out tickle war between the two. It ended with Draco being pinned by Harry, crying uncle while tears of mirth trickled down his cheeks. Harry kissed each one before flopping onto the blond underneath him. They dozed off within minutes.

THREE

That was exactly how Severus found them. Loathe as he was to wake them, he knew that they had to commence training today if they wanted to cover everything by the time school started. He walked over to the two slumbering teenagers and tapped Harry lightly on the shoulder. One bleary red eye opened and he regarded Severus skeptically. "Whaddyawant?" he asked.

"Lunch is in 10 minutes. Please meet me in my room in five. Don't be late." He walked out of the room without waiting for a response.

Harry nudged Draco and waited until he opened his eyes. "We gotta go eat with Snape. Get up, Draco."

The Slytherin nodded in response and stretched languidly, causing certain parts of his anatomy to come into contact with Harry's. Harry groaned and bit his lip to try to keep it in, but Draco had already heard it. He blushed sheepishly, and pushed Harry off of him. "Come on, let's go eat."

Harry merely groaned in response and opened the door for his mate. "After you."

"You just wanna look at my arse while I walk," he retorted, swishing his hips a little bit more than normal for Harry's benefit.

Said Gryffindor didn't even bother denying it.