"So, you and Potter are all chummy…" Blaise began slowly, his arms crossed over his chest as he watched Draco carefully comb back his hair. The blonde glanced at his darker friend in the mirror, not saying a word. "Have you told him that you-"

"Shut up, Blaise." The words were spat like poison, warning the Italian that he was stepping on dangerous ground. But Blaise was a Slytherin, so he merely smirked.

"Oh, I see. How long do you intend to keep this up, Draco? He may be a Gryffindor and a half blood, but even he isn't that stupid or naïve. His friend Weasley, maybe, but Potter's going to figure out eventually that you fancy him…"

The comb that had been raking through Draco fine hair was hurled at the other Slytherin with alarming force. Blaise, used to Draco's temper and his occasion tantrum, flicked his wand and sent the offending comb to the floor.

Draco, on the other hand, was glaring death at him. A few strands of his hair fell against his forehead, loose from their slick norm. Blaise sighed, tucking his wand away and stepping up to his friend, his expression going soft. He reached out, cradling the furious teen's cheek in his chocolate hands.

"You know I'm right, Draco. You're hanging around him more and more with each passing day and with each of those days, and little more of it shows through. After everything we've been through…" He stroked Draco's cheek with his thumb, "After everything you've been through, you deserve some happiness. I don't know what Potter's situation is and I don't want to see you get hurt." Blaise brushed the loose strands back up where they belonged, touching his forehead to Draco's. "You're my best friend."

Draco let out a shuddering breathing, leaning against Blaise. He knew what he was saying was right, but he was scared. Inhaling sharply, the blonde pulled away and slowly turned. "How do I look?"

Blasie smiled softly, nodding. "Brilliant, as always."

Blaise had been correct is assuming that Harry would notice Draco's behavior. He had picked up on the blushes, the quick glances and more-than-friendly smiles that momentarily slipped onto the blonde's face when they talked. Initially, Harry had thought nothing of it, putting it to the newness of their relations and the breakdown of their rivalry.

However, it was now the end of January and still these little things keep appearing. In fact, they had become more frequent. Harry had even caught Draco watching him while they were writing papers together in the library. He had looked…memorized. It was almost as if…

Harry shook his head, clearing the thought from his head before it could fully form. No, there was no way. He put a smile on his face and headed down to the Great Hall. Hermione had perfect duties and Ron was serving a detention, so he had made plans with Draco in Hogsmeade today.

As he rounded the last staircase, Harry spotted Draco standing in the Hall, observing the flow of the House points glasses. Immediately, the Gryffindor felt under dressed as Draco was sporting finely cut and no-doubt heinously expensive clothing that fit snuggly in all the right places.

"Well, aren't we the princess at the ball?" Harry teased lightly, stepping up beside the blonde. Draco looked up, a faint blush staining his well-defined cheeks as he coughed lightly.

"And you look like one of those muggle tree cutters… Are you ready?" Draco was heading towards the doors before Harry could make a comment. His movements were, uneasy today. The brunette furrowed his brow, quickening his step to catch up with Draco.

"Are you alright? You seem a bit…tense." Draco glanced at him, slowing his pace as they began the trek toward the wizarding town.

"I just…have a lot on my mind… There's something I need to tell you, but I'm…uncertain as to how to go about it." Harry put a hand on Draco's shoulder and squeezed lightly, a message to take his time and that he would help in any way he could. However the blonde looked away, bit his lip and tried to put out the burning want for Harry's hand to slid down his arm and hold his hand. He pulled away from the touch, looking back at the worried Gryffindor.

"Draco…"

"Harry, what do you consider me as?" The question was abrupt, factual, asked like a survey.

Harry blinked, "What do you mean?"

"I mean, in your mind, how do you define me as a person in my entirety." Draco's eyes were on him now, grey eyes boring the question into him with the need to know. Harry floundered, trying to put into words his thoughts of Draco Malfoy.

"Well, I, uh… I know the person I knew before the war was a mask built up to hide who you were beneath. From what I've seen these past few months, you're an aristocratic, nervous, temperamental bloke with really nice fashion taste. Ah, what's it called... Metrosexual?" The Gryffindor's hands floated along with his words, trying to make his points clearer, still unsure if he was answering Draco's question. The blonde was silent, staring ahead of them and drinking in Harry's words.

"You think I'm…straight?" Now Draco sounded unsure and Harry felt like an ass. In total honesty, he had never really considered Draco's sexuality before but if he thought about it…

"No… Actually, I would've pegged you for being bisexual." Then the brunette's quirked an eyebrow. "Why?"

Draco's pulse quickened and his breathing became shallow, he focused his sight straight ahead of him to give the illusion that he was calm and in control. "It's part of what I need to tell you…" Then Draco's gaze turned toward Harry and the words were out before he could get the chance to back out. "I'm not bisexual, Harry, I'm gay."

They were both silent, staring at each other as their feet continued to carry them down the familiar road toward Hogsmeade. Draco's face was set in a cold mask, awaiting a reaction while Harry stared at him blankly, processing the information until a single word slipped from his lips.

"Oh."

Draco swore he had never had to fight back a stronger urge to strike the Gryffindor. Instead, he set his expression to annoyed and repeated, "'Oh'? Is that all you have to say?"

Harry blinked, becoming confused. "Did…did you expect me to get offended or something?" When the Slytherin's own expression turned uncertain, Harry smiled softly. "Draco, I've seen far too much hatred in this world to have a probably with someone loving someone else simply because part of society is against it. Love is love, no matter what form it comes in. And as fruity as it sounds, it makes the world a better place the more it there is."

This time, Draco did hit Harry. He playfully whacked his arm at the pun, but there was another reason behind the strike too. For being infuriating and in one little speech, making Draco fall for him even harder. Harry chuckled, leaning away from the swat, before coming back in and bumping purposefully into Draco.

"You said that as part of what you had to tell me, so what the rest? You fancy someone?" The blonde glanced at Harry, both jealous and in awe of how easily he slid into the role of supportive.

"Y-yes…" He answered, uneasily. "Perhaps more than I should…" Harry's face tensed, alarming Draco. "What?"

"It isn't Ron, is it?" Draco's eyes got huge and he could not contain the noise of disgust that came out of his mouth.

"Sweet Merlin, NO!" The blonde exclaimed as they finally reached Hogsmeade. As they passed by couples and groups of older witches and wizards, Harry breathed a little easier. He began chuckling as Draco continued to make revolted noises at the suggestion that he could possibly be attracted to Ronald Wealsey.

"Ugh… I think I threw up a little…"

"Oh stop Draco. Now tell me, who is it?" Draco swallowed, looking at Harry. His cheeks, which had been pinked by the cold air, turned redder and his heart felt like it was trying to escape his chest.

"I..uh…It's someone you know." The moment the words slipped out, Draco wanted to smack himself.

"Do you want me to guess?" Harry offered, seeing how frustrated the Slytherin was getting. Draco nodded as they ducked inside the Three Broomsticks and ordered some butterbeer. Once seated, Harry began to rattle off names.

"Blaise?"

"No."

"Seamus?"

"Merlin, no."

"Justin?"

"Who?"

"That answers that… Umm, can't see you being attracted to Neville."

"Ew."

"Yeah, didn't think so… It is a Hogwarts student, right?"

"Yes."

"Current student?"

"Yes, Harry…"

"Hmm…"

"Harry…"

"Give me a minute to think, Draco."

"…Harry…"

Harry looked up when Draco placed his hand over his. The pale limb was trembling fiercely and Draco was gazing down at it, biting his lip. Taking in the blonde's nervous stance and the way his hand draped over his own, it finally clicked in Harry's head.

"Oh."