A/N: All I can say is holy shit it's been forever since I updated and I am so sorry!!! The biggest reason why is because I finally got a real teaching job so I've been extremely busy with that. I'm hoping that this weekend, being Labor Day weekend, I'll be able to get mostly caught up! This is one of my favorite chapters that I've written so far for this story. To all of you who responded last chapter, thank you so much! It was amazing the amount of reviews and adds I got! Without further adieu here is the next chapter of this story. Thanks!

Chapter 9: The Perfect Day Off

I'm kissing Draco Malfoy. Gods, I'm kissing Draco Malfoy! My mind was screaming at me. Was this even possible? Could this really be happening? Was I dreaming again? If I was, this was the most realistic and beautiful dream I'd ever had. I couldn't believe that his feelings were reciprocated. I had no idea that Draco could possibly like me too. I was a crack pot though and I suddenly felt this sinking feeling in my stomach. Was he kissing me because he wanted to or because he felt sorry for the crazy, gay boy? Oh, Merlin, I could feel my breakfast churning in my stomach. I tried to push the thoughts away, but it just wasn't happening.

I pushed against his chest again and he gripped me harder so I pushed back harder. He finally let me go and stepped away looking at me with guarded, confused eyes. I brought my hand to my mouth again where I could still feel the tingle of his lips on mine. I continued to feel bile coming up my throat. My eyes widened and I turned running quickly from the room. I heard Draco following, but I didn't stop as I flew into my bathroom and retched into my toilet. Draco was there rubbing my back and hopefully holding his breath. It continued to come in waves. What the hell is wrong with me?

"Harry, shh, it's okay. I didn't realize kissing me was going to make you throw up," he joked, half serious.

"Neither did I," I muttered through breaks in my retching. I felt him stop rubbing my back and then he stepped away from me.

"Did I really make you throw up?" he asked in a horrified voice.

Oh, this just wasn't going well at all. I had royally screwed up my first kiss with him because of my stupid insecurities. "No, it's me. Just my stupid head," I muttered angrily. My anger wasn't directed at him of course, but I doubted he knew that.

"Okay, well what did your 'stupid head' tell you?" Draco asked unsurely. He wet a rag and handed it to me and I gratefully wiped my face and flushed the toilet. I stood up on shaky legs and wobbled precariously where I stood and Draco instinctively reached out and grabbed my arm to steady me. I gave him a grateful smile and turned to my sink. I brushed my teeth quickly before responding to him. He stood patiently in my doorway and waited for me to finish up.

When I was finished I walked past him and climbed onto my bed, lying on my stomach, with a pillow tucked underneath me. Draco walked over and sat at the end of my bed. "I'm sorry. It was definitely not you kissing me that made me sick, well not technically," I murmured.

Draco looked over at me looking confused and hurt. "What does not technically mean?" he demanded as he breathed into his hand and sniffed finding nothing that was suspicious.

I closed my eyes. How could I explain my feelings to him? Just come out and tell him it was my stupid insecurities that got in the way? I sighed and rubbed my face. "It was just my insecurities," I whispered, slightly ashamed.

Draco stared at me, his eyebrows scrunched in confusion. "You're insecurities? What are you talking about?"

"About why you kissed me," I replied.

"I kissed you because I wanted to," Draco replied indignantly.

"Well, yeah, but why?" I asked him, trying to understand his reasons.

Draco looked away and ran a hand through his hair. "Do I have to have a reason to kiss you?"

I shrugged. "Typically when you kiss someone, there's a reason behind it. Did you do it because you like me? Because you feel sorry for me? Because you're horny? To make fun of my gayness?" I questioned.

Draco jerked his head back to me and glared at me. "Wow, remind me never to kiss you again," he said heatedly.

My face fell and I looked away feeling tears pricking at the corner of my eyes. I heard him sigh and then shift his body to face me further.

"I kissed you because I do like you, a lot. I don't feel sorry for you in the sense of it being a reason for kissing you and no, I wasn't just horny either. You'll know when I'm horny, I can guarantee that. And there definitely is going to be no making fun of you about being gay because I'm equally the same. Girls don't do it for me, just green-eyed, heroes of the Wizarding World," he replied cheekily and sincerely.

I nodded and smiled slightly at him. "Well, I… I'm sorry then for getting all weirded out by it. I mean, it was bloody brilliant," I commented.

"But?" Draco asked.

"I don't know. I, well, I don't know," I stammered. I wasn't sure what I was trying to say. I knew I wanted Draco just as much as he wanted me, but I didn't think it would be fair to pull him into my crazy life more than I already had.

"Too much, too soon?" he asked.

I looked up at his sincere gray eyes and I knew that he would understand. "Yeah. It's just, a lot has happened to me the past couple of days and I just want to take things slow. I want something to happen between us, but well, just slowly, I guess," I explained or tried to explain anyway.

He stared at me for several moments, appearing to think things over. I felt that nervous feeling coming back and I wasn't sure if I had said something that was going to push us back even further again.

"You're right. I was just so thrilled to hear that maybe my feelings were reciprocated that I pushed it a bit too far. I apologize. I should let you get some rest and enjoy your day off. I'll see you soon," Draco said as he stood up from my bed. He walked towards my bedroom door and I felt myself wanting to leap out of bed and pull him back.

"No! Wait, don't leave," I called out. Draco stopped and turned to look at me. "Please stay. I'd like to spend the day with you, if you're not busy or have other plans," I said shyly.

"Well, I suppose I could grant your request. I did clear my schedule after all for you," he replied with a wink.

I smiled and rolled off my bed. My stomach felt better, but I felt a bit chilly. I shook with the cold and Draco stepped up next to me with concern. I felt my stomach warm at his proximity and wondered if I was making the right choice to take things slowly. I shook the thought from my mind deciding to stick with my decision. I didn't want to confuse Draco with changing my mind.

"Are you okay?" he asked me as I mulled over my decision.

"Yeah, just a bit chilly is all," I replied as I walked over to my wardrobe and rummaged through it looking for my favorite jumper. I let out a triumphant cry as I pulled it out and slipped it over my head. I realized that it was the same one I had been wearing when Draco had come back to see me after my breakdown. I smelled it as I put it on and I could smell the distinctive scent of Draco. I grinned and turned to look at him. From the look in his eyes I could tell that he recognized the jumper as well.

"That's a nice jumper," he commented quietly.

I looked down and nodded. "It's my favorite," I replied. Just because I wanted to take things slowly didn't mean I couldn't relish in being in his company.

"So, um, what do you want to do?" he asked, shifting his weight nervously. I grinned. This was going to be the first day that we actually spent together without any crazy breakdowns, well for the most part anyway.

"Well, let's finish breakfast and then maybe we could play a game or watch a movie or something," I suggested.

"A movie? What's that?" he asked curiously.

"You don't know what a movie is? Well, I can't say that I'm not surprised. We'll watch a movie then after breakfast," I replied. I walked past him and he turned to follow, his jaw line set.

"And what exactly does that mean, Potter?" he asked, crossing his arms angrily and glaring over at me. I looked up at him from the table and chuckled.

"You're a Pureblood wizard who has barely dealt with Muggle stuff. A movie is mostly a Muggle thing thus I'm not surprised you don't know what it is," I responded.

He glowered down at me so I crossed my arms as well and glared back fighting the smirk that I wanted to give him. We had a staring contest for what seemed like several minutes until he finally broke my gaze and sat down regally across from me. I smirked and shook my head.

"Well, that may be so, but it's not like you know a bunch of Pureblood stuff," he pointed out.

I nodded in agreement. "Yes, that is true, but I'm perfectly fine admitting that. I know I don't know everything."

"And I act as if I do?" he replied haughtily.

I snorted and started to laugh. He glared at me and crossed his arms tighter across his chest. This look made me laugh even more and I nearly fell out of my seat.

"I'm glad I amuse you, Potter," Draco drawled.

This caused me to laugh even more and this time I really did fall out of my seat. I caught a glimpse of concern in Draco's eyes as he looked over the side of the table at me, but when he caught me looking he just glared and looked away. I could see the corners of his mouth twitching to form a smile if not laugh.

I pulled myself up and back into my seat. I took several deep breaths to calm my laughter and finally had it under control enough to look at Draco without laughing. He had lifted one eyebrow at me and I grinned at him.

"May I ask what was so funny?" he questioned.

I shrugged my shoulders. "I don't remember now."

He rolled his eyes and shook his head, but smiled at me. "Finish your breakfast. I feel a bit overdressed in your presence though," he said gesturing to my ruffled jumper and my pajama bottoms. I looked down at my clothes and then over to his. He was wearing a cashmere sweater and black pants. Ever the, dressed to a T, Malfoy. He looked damn sexy so I truly didn't mind.

"I think you look really sexy," I chimed. He blushed at my comment making him look even sexier. I grinned and returned to my scone, nibbling at it. I looked up at him and I saw him gasp and his eyes darken. He stared at me for a moment and I blinked my eyes and it seemed that his eyes darkened further.

"Thank you. Um, I think I might go change into something more comfortable though," he replied as he shifted in his chair. I grinned recognizing the shift. He stood from the table and started walking to the door.

"You could always borrow something of mine, if you want," I suggested shyly. He whirled around to look at me and the look on his face made me blush. His eyes softened and he looked at me in a way that made my stomach do flip flops.

"You'd let me borrow something?" he asked quietly.

I wasn't sure why he was asking me something like that, but I shrugged and nodded. "Yeah, course. I'm sure I've got something in there that would work for you," I told him.

He smiled warmly at me and blushed. "Sorry, no one has ever offered to let me borrow something like that. It's stupid, I know," he said in embarrassment.

I grinned and wondered once again what kind of life he was brought up in aside from what I had seen during school. "You never shared clothes with your friends?" I asked.

He shook his head. "Definitely not. It's considered not taboo, but inappropriate I guess," he explained unsurely.

"Hmm, well, I suppose it's more of a girl thing, but I've let my friends borrow my clothes if they were in a pinch, but if you'd feel more comfortable going up to your flat and getting your own, I understand," I told him.

"No, I mean, no it's fine. Um, where should I look?" Draco replied still looking uncomfortable.

I looked towards my bedroom as I thought about where he'd find something comfortable that was clean. "Um, the second drawer of my dresser. I've got some pajama bottoms and plain t-shirts in there. Basically my pajama drawer," I replied with a smile.

He smiled at me and turned towards my bedroom. When he got in there I heard him rummaging through my dresser. "Oh yeah, don't open my top drawer, you may not like what you see," I called out. I heard him stop rummaging and grinned to myself. I waited to see if he'd take the bait. I was pretty sure that his curiosity would win over and he'd have a peek. Sure enough I heard several pops and a yelp coming from the room and I buried myself in my arms as I started laughing hysterically. He had found my Weasley Wizard Wheezes drawer full of suspicious things that George or Ron would always leave at my place when they came for a visit.

I pounded my fist on the table as I continued to laugh. I laughed until Draco cleared his throat next to me. I stopped and looked up slowly. My breath caught as I took in the sight of him. He was wearing a pair of my gray sleep pants that stopped just at his ankles and a plain black t-shirt that was just a smidgen short and showed just a bit of skin around his stomach. I gulped as I looked him over and wondered if I really should retract my decision to take things slow. The rational part of my brain that sounded a lot like Hermione told me that I needed to stick to it. I gulped and then looked up into his eyes. His expression was bordering on amused and annoyed.

"I warned you," I whispered deciding that I wanted to tackle the annoyed look first. He obviously was amused by me checking him out.

"You warned me on purpose, Potter," he replied.

I blushed and cowered into my chair and gave him a sheepish smile. "You know, you've called me Potter three times already," I pointed out.

"You've annoyed me three times today. I feel the need to call you Potter when you do that," he responded.

I grinned and stood up from the table. "I think I might like it just as much as you calling me Harry," I replied cheekily as I walked past him and over to my movie collection. His eyes followed me and he turned to face me. "By the way, my clothes look good on you." I looked over my shoulder at him and smiled at him. He blushed and walked over to sit down on the couch.

"You know if I didn't know better I'd think you were flirting with me," he commented.

"What's to say I'm not?" I questioned. I gave him a lopsided grin and watched as his cheeks flushed. Oh, he was too easy.

I put in the movie and then took a seat next to him. I wasn't sure what to do with my hands so I just placed them on either side of my thighs. I could feel the heat of Draco's hand next to mine and I found it very hard to focus on the movie. Draco on the other hand looked completely focused. I wasn't entirely surprised since I knew he had never seen a movie before. I kept stealing glances at him to see if he realized that my hand was next to his. I wasn't sure if I should just move over a bit more and take a hold or if I should let him do it, if he even wanted to.

I shifted a bit closer thus brushing my hand against his. I stole a glance and noticed his cheeks coloring slightly and his attention momentarily moved from the movie. I played with a string on my couch with my other hand trying to relax myself. Finally, I sighed and slouched down on my couch and put my feet up on the ottoman in front of me. Draco's feet were up on it as well. I stared at our feet for several seconds. We were both wearing socks, but for some reason it made me wonder what his feet looked like. I wondered if they were elegant like his hands. It brought my attention back to his hand that was very close to mine.

I took a deep breath and gathered up my Gryffindor courage. I lifted my hand ever so slightly and placed it over the top of Draco's hand. I felt him tense next to me and suck in a breath. I waited for a moment wondering if I had gone too far even if it was just to hold his hand. He didn't reciprocate so I pulled my hand back and placed it on my leg, my cheeks flushing.

I tried to focus on the movie, but I couldn't. I was embarrassed surely. I was about ready to pull back into myself when I felt a warm hand over mine, linking our fingers together. My eyes widened and I looked over at Draco who was giving me a small, shy smile. He lifted my hand and brought it to his lips. He pressed a gentle kiss to the back of my hand and then set our joined hands between us. He returned his gaze to the movie and I did as well. I found myself swelling with warmth again and I was finally able to focus mostly on the movie.

After awhile I felt my eyes start to droop. I knew that I had drifted off and snapped my head up a few times. Draco looked over at me and nudged my leg with our joined hands.

"You're falling asleep there," he said quietly.

"Yeah, I know. I'm sorry. Like I said, I didn't sleep well last night," I responded as I yawned. The credits were going on the movie and I clicked off summoning another one to put in. "Do you want to watch another one?" I asked gesturing to the TV.

"Yeah, sure. Why didn't you sleep well last night?" he asked me. I could hear the worry in his voice probably thinking that not showing up for dinner had caused me to not sleep very well.

"It had nothing to do with you so don't worry about that," I replied. I directed the movie into the DVD player and pressed play from the controller. I settled back into the couch and yawned again. I reached for Draco's hand again and felt warm again once his fingers wrapped around mine.

"Would you tell me what kept you awake?" he asked again. I looked over at the sincerity in his voice. He released my hand and pushed my shoulder down. I gave him a quizzical look, but allowed him to push me to rest my head on his thigh. I brought my legs up onto the couch and stretched out. I couldn't help feeling the heat radiating from his thigh. He summoned a blanket and placed it over me and rested one hand on my arm and the other was running through my hair. I was instantly relaxed. I closed my eyes.

"It was just a nightmare," I replied. I wasn't avoiding his question. I just felt very relaxed and safe in his presence.

"What was it about?" he asked quietly.

"The war, death, crying, the usual," I replied quietly as I drifted off to sleep. I could vaguely feel his fingers running through my hair and my heart fluttering with each pass he made through it. For the first time in years, I felt completely at ease. All thanks to Draco Malfoy, who would have thought?