Disclaimer: Lots of legal jumbo about not owning any of the characters in this story...

Rating: 'T', rated for mature issues and some sexual themes, as well as language. The rating may go up later in the story.

Warning: This story contains slash, and features a Harry/Draco relationship. Don't like it, don't read. There will be some sexual themes later on in the story, and mature issues (as stated in the rating). Just to let you all know.

A/N: All the other information you may want, including the summary, can be found in the first chapter. I don't feel the need to repeat the summary over and over again. To everyone who reviewed (I left a note for you in Chapter 9), thank you very much. That goes to all of you who added this story to your favorites list and such, and of course, to those who simply read and enjoyed.

Beta credit goes to TheseBrokenWings, who I am extremely grateful to! Thanks!

Chapter 10 of Catalyst- The Beginning

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Draco woke up around eleven the next morning, his ribs still a bit sore from their rough treatment yesterday. With a groan he rolled over and stared up at the ceiling for a minute, before wondering why he was in bed with all his clothes on, except for his robes which were folded and put on the desk in the corner. Interesting, I distinctly remember falling asleep with my robe on last night, on top of the bed. How…? Potter. Harry. Whatever. With another groan, Malfoy rolled out of bed, and changed his outfit a bit stiffly. After brushing his hair to a shine and making sure no strands were randomly sticking up, the Slytherin walked gracefully down the hall, and stopped, staring in shock.

The living room had been completely redecorated since last night, with gold and silver streamers hanging from the ceiling and enchanted paper cranes flying about. Harry was nestled into one of the large chairs reading, although he looked up with a smile when he heard Malfoy coming down the stairs.

"What did you do to this place?" Draco asked bluntly, as he could think of nothing else to say. Harry simply shrugged.

"I figured I'd do something for your birthday, considering you'll be helping me clean this place because you can do magic now," The Gryffindor said with a smirk.

"I was thinking that my first act as a 'wizard of age' should be to hex you through the roof, actually. Who said anything about cleaning?" Draco retorted good-naturedly.

"I have breakfast ready in the kitchen, let's go eat," Harry said, standing up and laying the book down on the small coffee table. Draco followed him into the kitchen and found the table set with a pile of crepes and several other breakfast dishes. As he was eating, he noticed that Harry was in fact a very good cook.

"You don't have to help me with dishes, it's your birthday," Harry said, rinsing the plates and pans he used for breakfast in the soapy water. Draco shrugged and started drying them anyway, floating stacks of clean dishes to their proper places. Harry looked over as Draco was playing with several of them, spinning the plates rapidly in the air. "If you break one of those…" The Gryffindor said in warning. Draco let the plates drop a couple of feet before catching them again.

"….You'll what?" Malfoy taunted, finally floating the plates back into their cupboard. Harry was trying very hard not to splash a large amount of water in Draco's face. "Whatever, I'm going to go take a shower. Then I guess we'll have to figure out something to do around here."

"Er…Draco? Remus said he'd stop by and take me over to St. Mungo's, you know, to see my friends. You don't mind, do you?" Harry said, looking up into Draco's silver eyes.

"As long as Mad-Eye's not here to baby-sit me," Draco joked, turning around and exiting the kitchen. Harry heard him float the small table back into its original place before heading upstairs to the shower. Draco's comment made him wonder if Draco knew about Moody's and Lucius' rivalry. Or maybe Moody had said something to him last night…Harry sighed. Moody probably wouldn't have been too kind in the event of warning Draco. Maybe he'd shove off if I just told him why Draco's here with me, Harry thought, although he wasn't able to convince himself of it.

Draco entered his room and saw a large package placed neatly on his bed. Harry shouldn't have, Malfoy thought as he methodically un-wrapped his present, disposing of the wrapping paper in a near-by waste basket. Now unwrapped on his bed stood a gleaming cauldron and stand with yet another package tucked inside it. Malfoy picked it up, un-wrapped it and a plethora of items spilled onto the bed. There were three empty glass vials with corks in their openings, three small jars with blank labels on their lids, and fifteen jars with labeled ingredients in them. There were two silver stirring sticks, as well as a wooden one, and a small case to store the vials and jars. It was everything he needed for potion-making.

To Draco's dismay and embarrassment, he felt his eyes begin to sting as they welled up with salty water. He hadn't received such a heartfelt and thought-out gift in years. Draco's hands drifted over the smooth curves of the cauldron and finally came to rest on the rim. Several minutes later, Harry knocked lightly and entered the room to find Draco in exactly the same position.

"So, what do you think?" The Gryffindor ventured, a bit concerned when Draco didn't turn around. Suddenly, the Slytherin walked toward Harry and threw his arms around the black-haired boy's neck, resting his forehead on Harry's slender collar bone. Harry, a bit shocked but not minding the position, wrapped his arms around Draco's slim waist and gingerly traced circles on his back.

"I love it," Malfoy whispered, his voice a bit muffled by Harry's neck.

"Well, I thought it would give you something to do over the summer," The Gryffindor reasoned. Draco nodded and looked up at Harry, a different look in his eye that prepared the Gryffindor for a change of subject.

"That day when we kissed? I still think about it. I don't know why, but I just do. I think…I think I want that back," The Slytherin confessed, his cheeks turning the palest shade of pink in an almost non-existent blush. Harry's breath stopped. Draco—Draco Malfoy wanted 'that back'; wanted him. I don't believe it. I can not believe it…

"W—Why?" Harry stammered while inhaling deeply to get his blood flow circulating again. He kissed me…what? A week ago? And he wants that back… Harry was stalling. He didn't know what to say in reply to Draco's statement. He wasn't even sure he wanted that sort of affiliation with the Slytherin, not yet anyway. But a part of him wanted a relationship with him now; a part of him was ready for it. This is DRACO MALFOY! I want Malfoy! This is not how it was supposed to be! I can't love someone like that now, not while Voldemort's still a threat—

"I don't know why Harry. I just want this. I can't figure it out, but I don't know if understanding it is that important right now," Draco reasoned thoughtfully.

"I think we do need to understand it. I think we need to know what we're getting ourselves into. You need to know the danger you'll be in. I mean really understand it, not just think you understand it. It's a real threat."

"I do understand the danger of us being together. I'm willing to take a chance. This feels right to me, Harry. Not the way it felt when I was with Pansy, or anyone else," Malfoy said vehemently. Harry sighed.

"How do you know it's so right?" Harry asked, then quickly added, "Not to say it feels wrong to me; it feels different though. I wasn't quite so…confused with Cho or Ginny." Draco laughed at this comment.

"For one, they're both girls. That's a rather large difference. And I know it's right because…because I'm not in control around you," The Slytherin said, looking down at the floor. Harry gave him a confused stare, and Draco elaborated. "My whole life, up until last month, has been controlled by me. My father had a lot to do with what I temporarily became, but, in reality, I was still in control of my emotions. Around everyone, I was in control. I had my mask firmly in place, no one, no one, has seen me without it. Except you. When I broke down in your arms last week, that was when I knew I had lost complete control. I couldn't keep that shell around myself when I was with you, it simply crashed to the floor. It exposed me. Frightened me a bit, I'll admit that. I kissed you out of spontaneity. Malfoys are not spontaneous. They plan everything, they have control of every situation; they manipulate people into believing that they have meaning when they don't. I never let anyone get truly close to me at Hogwarts; I never had any real friends who knew my secrets, or fears. I was an unemotional chunk of ice. I put up walls and shields so people couldn't get to the real me. And every single barrier I had put up against the world over the last six years fell when you came after me on the street, held me, consoled me, dragged me back to your apartment. When I found that I had no control over the situation; that was when I knew there was something between us that I didn't want to ignore."

There was a long silence, with Draco wrapped up in Harry's arms and his head resting on the Gryffindor's shoulder.

"That was the sappiest thing I've ever said in my life. If it wasn't all true, I would say it's pathetic. I think I've completely lost it," Draco finally whispered.

"No, I think you've lost the precious 'Malfoy control' that has ruled your life until now," Harry whispered, holding Draco for a moment longer before dropping his arms to his sides. The blonde boy looked at him.

"Just think about what I said, alright? You don't have to give me an answer now, but promise me that you'll think about it," The Slytherin asked with a hopeful look on his face. Harry gave him a bright smile and nodded.

"I promise, Draco. Now, I believe you came up here in the first place to take a shower. I'll leave you to that." With another smile, Harry left the room to leave Draco staring at the door long after it was shut and he heard Harry's footsteps retreating down the hall. I just spilled my thoughts right into Harry's lap for the hundredth time since staying with him. I really should try to get some control back, he thought with a wry smile as he gathered some clean muggle clothes and went to take a shower.

Harry shut the door to his room and leaned against it. Now, more than ever, he wished Sirius was here so he could talk to him. The Gryffindor sighed and went to lie down on the bed. Yes, I want to be with Malfoy—Draco. Yes, I want to risk it. But do I want to risk him? Having yet another life to worry about?

You can't keep up these barriers to keep people away from you, Harry. Some people need to be let in. Harry groaned and rolled over; the little voice was back.

I don't have any barriers up! There are lots of people and friends that are in my life, Harry argued with himself.

You have barriers. You've always had them. You helped Draco shatter his, maybe he can help you bring down yours. It's a small sacrifice really.

I don't want him to be hurt again.

Take a risk Harry; he's taken one with you, one that he could have easily avoided. Return the favor, it's only fair.

Fine! I know that I want this anyway, I might as well give in, Harry thought, his conscience finally persuading him. I'm just confused. I thought I liked Cho, but she wasn't ready for a relationship after Cedric. I thought I liked Ginny, no, I did like her, but she wasn't quite what I needed. She could never relate to me. Draco can, yet I didn't just tell him 'yes! I want to be with you!' Why?

You're just not sure about this because it's Draco Malfoy you want to be with. Don't be stupid; get over any old rivalry shit you had between you and accept this, Harry. You can't just ignore your feelings. It doesn't matter how hard you try.

"Oh shut up already. I've made my decision. Don't confuse me anymore. I'll tell him tomorrow," Harry said to the ceiling, still wishing Sirius was here. Talking to him is a hell of a lot easier than talking to myself. He's less confusing too.

Lunch went without much eventfulness. No talk of their previous conversation that morning took place, and, when the two did talk, it was light and casual.

"Last night Lupin mentioned that you used to sleep in the room I inhabit now. It's a bit…Slytherin… for you, I noticed. Why didn't you sleep in one of the other rooms?" Draco asked while setting down his apple and picking up his sandwich.

"It's the nicest guest room there is for one person. I only stayed in that room when I wasn't here with Ron, Hermione and the others anyway, which wasn't all that often. When Sirius was alive he occupied his room, and I took a room with Ron and sometimes the twins in the room next to yours. And after Sirius…died, I flatly refused to go into the master bedroom. I sort of avoided it and normally slept up in the attic, or in one of the rooms in the west wing," Harry answered with a shrug. Draco nodded his satisfaction with Harry's answer. "If you want, you can explore the place while I'm gone today. The house is actually a lot bigger than it looks, with the North, South, East and West wings on the second floor, the living room, dining room, kitchen and such on the first floor, and the attic. Just be careful up in the attic, there's some…odd creatures up there sometimes. You might come across Kreacher too."

"The house elf?" Draco confirmed.

"Yeah. He hates me and just about everyone who's in this house anymore. Didn't even like Sirius. I don't think he'll have a problem with you though, being a Malfoy, as far as he knows."

"Great, another creature worshiping me because of my old name," Draco said sarcastically with a touch of bitterness.

"Don't tell him that you're technically not a Malfoy anymore; it might come in handy having someone in this house who the elf will obey willingly," Harry said with a light laugh and Draco had to smile at the Gryffindor's obvious dislike towards the creature. "But anyway, feel free to explore the place, create all sorts of vile potions, and just hang out 'till I'm back. I don't know how long I'll be there, but Remus said he'd arrange to let me stay with them longer than visiting hours if I want to. He should be here any minute now," Harry said, glancing up at the grandfather clock.

"Fine with me. I'm alright with 'hanging out' while you're visiting them," Draco said with a small laugh; he had never used that phase before. Harry stood up and began to clear their now-empty plates off the small table in the kitchen. He set them in the sink, sprayed them with water and then left the room.

"I'm going to get ready to go," He called over his shoulder. Several minutes later there was a sharp rap on the door to Harry's bedroom.

"Harry, are you ready?" Remus called through the door. Harry pulled on a jacket and stepped out in the hall, following Remus downstairs.

"Yeah, I'm set. See you later Draco," Harry called. Draco in turn set his book down and caught Harry's elbow, stalling him for a bit.

"Are you sure you don't want me to come with you?" The Slytherin whispered in his friend's ear.

"I'll be fine Draco, don't worry about it. I'll see you when I get back, okay?" Harry whispered in return as Draco let his arm go.

"Alright then. Just be careful and alert," He cautioned. Harry rolled his eyes, but nodded, and returned to Remus' side as he grabbed a handful of floo powder. Shouting 'St. Mungo's' into the fireplace, Harry disappeared with a whoosh and Draco found himself alone in the room with Remus Lupin. He glared defiantly at the older man.

"Wipe that ridiculous look off your face, Mr. Malfoy. Just listen to what I have to say. If you—"

"If I hurt Harry Potter in any way, shape, or form, you'll rip my head off with your claws and eat my body alive. I know," Draco said defensively. Remus smiled a bit.

"I see Alastor beat me to it, eh?" He asked.

"I even have a few bruises to prove it," Draco snapped, going back to his book. He heard Lupin leave the house in a bust of flame. Is everyone out to keep me away from Harry? Draco wondered subconsciously. Ahh, that's too bad. It won't work.

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Thanks for reading you guys! Don't forget, if there was something that you particularly liked about this chapter, or the story in general, I would LOVE to know. Go ahead and comment!

The Wykkyd

Souless-tears: Thanks! I had an incredibly hard time writing Draco's little speech in this chapter, so I'm glad he didn't come out too OOC. Isn't Harry's conscience a wonderful thing? laughs about insane!Harry

fifespice: Correct! Thanks for commenting, and yes, I enjoy Harry's little voices too. They're so much fun to write!

gbheart: Like I said, it was really hard to write that section of the chapter, but I'm glad you guys seem to think it went over pretty well. As for bad things….ahhh, can't tell! Thanks for commenting.

NinjaoftheDarkness: See? Everyone likes Harry's voices! Thanks!

Hyper Hippie: Thanks, I'm glad you feel I'm delving into Draco's character more.

samgurlalways: That's high praise, I hope I deserve it. And thanks!

Korogi-chan: Thank you for the compliment on my writing style. For me, knowing that someone likes my style is extremely high praise, so thanks.

WildMage1245: Yes, I'll keep going. Thanks!

Crystal Malfoy: That's all you have to say, it's really nice to know! Thank you so much.

harrysloverdracosangel: Thank you! In the beginning of this story I got quite a few comments on the character's in-characterness. I'm glad I've still got it! Thank you very much for the comment.

DrAcO/hArRyGiRL: Thanks! Slashyness coming up, I promise.

ToyoKadiyaMikayla: I think I've turned everyone against Moody in this story. Lol. Maybe I can find a way to redeem him…Thanks for the review! Ps: you were in Sweden? That is SO cool!

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Marblez: I'm working on it, I promise!

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festis: Thanks, sorry about the long wait for an update.

A/N: I'm SO sorry I haven't updated in a while; thanks for your patience. I'm having some computer trouble, but I should have Chapter 11 up fairly soon. It's time to see what Harry finds at the hospital…