Disclaimer: Harry Potter was once mine, in a dream, when I was 10...it's been a while, but I think I still have it in me to dream such nice things.

Written by: KillerInADress.

Special thanks to ThatDarnNinja. THE WOMAN CAN COOK, DAMN IT!

Free cupcakes for everyone who reviewed!

*Smiles*

Chapter 10: It was only a kiss.

But he wasn't frightened…which, of course, was off. Still, the last thought that past through his mind as it all faded to nothingness and Potter's pleading voice was all he heard before it too, faded. Was that this, had been very, very odd.

The first thing Draco noticed, was that he was warm, not wholly uncomfortable, and in a bed that was certainly not his because the sheets were cotton, not silk.

The second thing Draco became aware of, was how gay it sounded to know the difference between cotton and silk,

And the third thing, (which Draco now thought should have been the first), was the loud, annoying wailing that could only Pansy Parkinson throwing a world-class, drama queen show for all to see.

The sound pounded through his eardrums and then continued to thump in his already aching head and Draco had no trouble figuring out that her insufferable cries had been what had awoken him. There were other voices and noise, of course, but Pansy's insistent whining was drowning out the rest as she screeched things like "BUT MY DARLING DRACO IS ILL!" and "I WANT HIM BETTER RIGHT NOW, YOU OLD HAG!"

Draco winced. If she was shouting at Madam Pomfrey like that, he didn't want to even think of what she would say to him when she found out he was back from the dreamland where he now longed to be.

Then memories flooded his mind and Draco found the longing growing into a physical, aching need for Harry to be his. He hurt. More than just the sore hearing and pounding head; his heart, having a taste of what he wanted, it hurt to know that as soon as he opened his eyes, it was gone. Harry was still with that Ravenclaw tosser and Draco…well Draco was left jealously pinning after boy of his affections for so many years.

Suddenly, the blonde was left to question just how deep his feelings for Harry Potter actually went. Was it really still just a small crush that he'd always believed it to be? No. After that dream, Draco couldn't lie to himself anymore. He knew the truth. And, it scared him.

"Now Miss Parkinson, please control yourself! Mr. Malfoy is still very weak and if you can not keep it down, I will have to ask you to leave my infirmary."

-I am not weak, you old bat!- Draco thought indigently. But when he tried to open his mouth to say as much, he found it felt like his jaw had been locked shut.

Inwardly frowning, Draco focused on opening his eyes, but again, it felt like they were glued closed, too heavy to so much as blink. –Odd…- Draco wiggled his fingers and toes...

Nothing.

Draco shook his head, but it didn't budge. He inhaled as much as he could and prepared to clear his throat. Yet, it felt like there was a bolder atop his chest, and not a sound came out.

-Oh shit. Oh shit. Oh shit. - Draco thought wildly, forgetting entirely that he was a Malfoy and choosing, instead, to panic. He tried to scream. He tried to jerk his body in any direction, and he even tried to simply move his tongue even the slightest bit… but nothing happened. He was frozen.

"BUT MY DRAKIE-POO IS-"

"Oh, Pansy, do shut up."

Draco stopped his attempts to move his lifeless body. If that shudder of utter revulsion did not make it through his body at the disgusting name Pansy had just called him, nothing would.

Surprisingly, at Blaise's request, Pansy fell silent, and Draco was sure, (had he not been so afraid he would never move again), he would have kissed Blaise right on his chocolaty, play-boy mouth for shutting Pansy's red-lipstick covered one… He did not need to even open his eyes to know that Pansy was still as 'make-upped' as ever, or that her curls were probably falling limp and slightly frizzed because she had tugged on them throughout her tantrum…-good old Pansy. – The blonde mused.

"Thank you, Mr. Zabini." Madam Pomfrey's voice was laced with some much gratitude that it made Draco wonder just how long had Pansy been in there, pitching a fit before if finally had woken him.

-Oh…oh god.- Draco felt his stomach twist unpleasantly. –Please, Merlin, do not let Harry Potter have heard! Please let him have left…been at dinner, or gone to the loo. Anything! Just don't let him have heard…that!-

"Professor, will Draco be…okay?" The worried tone of Blaise's made Draco feel worse than Pansy's shouting. If Blaise was scared, Draco most certainly should be.

"After Mr. Tyler explained what happened between them, I was able to heal and fix any wounds Mr. Malfoy received. However, he had quite the blow to the head and I expect he'll feel nauseous and weak for a few days. As soon as he is awake I'll give him a set of headache cures and some sleeping tonic. "

-I'm already awake you, blind higglewig!- Draco felt like he was suffocating. –Can't you hear my irregular breathing?! What kind of Medi-witch are you?!-

"Where, uh, is Tyler… anyhow?" Blaise asked offhandedly.

Draco scowled to himself. -You prick. Your best friend is lying before you after being seriously injured by your new little 'boy-toy' and all you care about is that stupid Ravenclaw? See if I'll ever help you out of another one of your sticky situations, Zabini….bastard.-

"He is escorting Mr. Potter back to his common room. I suspect he'll want to spend as much time with him as he can before his punishments kick in." The matron sounded rather bitter as she this.

"Oh…" Blaise mumbled, and his disappointment mirrored Draco's perfectly.

-Stupid Tyler. He's probably up there right now telling Harry that he- - his angry thoughts were cut short as he heard a rumble. It sounded strangely similar to the one he had heard that morning when Potter's stomach had grumbled for food in the broom cupboard and Draco would have thought it was Harry's this time as well if it hadn't been for the distinct vibration he felt coming from his own abdomen.

Draco, torn between embarrassment and relief that he finally got their attention; felt his face heat up and for once in his life, Draco was thankful his body blushed with or without his command.

"Mr. Malfoy, can you hear me?" Madam Pomfrey's warm wrinkled hands were suddenly gripping his and Draco felt like he might cry.

"Draco, sweetie, are you okay?" Pansy slipped her own hands into his hair in a soothing motion that quickly stopped when he tried to reply but no noise came out. "What's wrong with him?" She asked in sudden distress. "Why isn't he moving?"

"Mr. Malfoy, can't you move at all?" The matron waited a heartbeat before she lifted his right eyelid gently.

Light. Blazing light burned his iris and he got a glimpse of Pomfrey's white medical hat and Pansy's brown curls that were thrown into disarray before his eyelid was released and slid back into a closed position.

Then, there was the sound of a cork being popped out of a bottle. "This is going to taste vile but you must swallow it." She said sternly before the thick round top of a fat potion bottle was shoved past his lips and the liquid tipped into his mouth.

She had been right; it was a foul, chalky substance that burned, not unlike firewhisky, but the flavor was that similar to prunes mixed with powered hippogriff nails that left an aftertaste of copper. And Draco recognized it immediately as 'The Wiggedreld Solution' the brother draught of 'Wiggenweld's Potion'. The color of lilac; it acts as an 'Anti-Paralysis Potion' that turns a leafy green when it touches the tongue of a person effect by a charmed suit of armor or a nasty side effect of a potion.

From the moment the fluid coated his mouth, Draco was freed from his petrified state and his body shot up, choking and spluttering on the offensive concoction that was cutting off his airways.

He barely opened his eyes and took in a great lungful of air when a goblet of water was pushed into his shaky hand. Draco raised the cold liquid to his cracked lips and gulped down the much needed cleansing drink in-between lungful of fresh, clean air. At least, until Pansy decided to attack Draco while he was doing all he could to clean his mouth of the disgusting medicine. Pansy has leaped down upon him and dragged him into a tearful hug, making it harder to breathe through her thick perfume and messy hair.

"Pans, get'off!" Came his muffled shout from somewhere buried in Pansy's chest.

Blaise took hold of younger girls' shoulders and pulled her back so Draco was freed. Draco, though thankful, did not so quickly forget that Blaise was more concerned for Tyler than he was for his best friend and he shot him a warning glare.

"Mr. Malfoy, how do you feel?" Madam Pomfrey asked, taking the empty glass from his hands while simultaneously waving her wand to do a checking spell.

"Better, now you've released me from that horrid body-bind curse." Draco snapped.

"That, Mr. Malfoy, was no 'body-bind'. I do believe you had a nasty reaction to the headache cure I gave you yesterday afternoon. Rare, but it has been known to happen with occ-"

"Yesterday?!" Draco shouted suddenly, cutting the matron off as his mind wrapped around the idea that he hadn't spent just a few hours in the Hospital Wing as he had originally thought, but an entire night. –On cotton sheets, no less!-

"Yes." Pomfrey replied shortly. "You've been here nearly twenty nine hours."

Draco gave an involuntary shudder of disgust. –Why hadn't Pansy come in here screeching like a bloody banshee earlier?! At least then I'd have some dignity left. - Dark thoughts were once more interrupt by an empty stomach. "When's dinner?" Draco inquired promptly.

"It ended an hour ago, darling. But I'll be happy to ring up a house-elf for you, Drakie." Pansy cooed as she shook off Blaise and tried to resume her comforting stroking of the blondes' hair. But Draco caught her wrist before it made it that far.

"Don't." He warned in a hushed tone. Sharp gray eyes giving her a pricing glower.

Pansy looked taken aback by his cold stare and with drew her hand slowly as she unconsciously took a step closer to Blaise for protection.

"Let's not forget that if you hadn't lied to me about the wand, I wouldn't be-" He trailed off, eyes shifting to he's dark friends face as Blaise shook his head as much as he dared, silently begging Draco to shut up before Pomfrey caught on.

The Matron seemed to be a bit too busy checking her spell results to have noticed anything strange between the three Slytherin's, but Draco knew better than to press his luck. Besides, Pansy looked close to tears and the last thing Draco wanted at this moment was her insistent wailing to burst his eardrums.

-That would do nothing for my pounding headache and fragile nerves, in any case. - Draco decided blandly as he closed his eyes and rubbed the bridge of his nose with his thumb and forefinger.

"Very well, Mr. Malfoy." Madam Pomfrey said slowly, giving her list one last lingering look. "Everything seems to be in order, but I still want to keep you here an extra night, just in case."

Draco's eyes snapped open and he sent her a disbelieving look. "You what?!" He demanded.

Pomfrey sent him a stern look. "I will be needing you to stay where you are for another night, Mr. Malfoy." She answered, pushing him back onto the bed when Draco made to stand.

"If you think," Draco started, rubbing his chest irritably where the Medi-witch had shoved him. "That I will be staying in here another minute much less a whole night, then you are off your rocker, old coon." And he tried to stand up again, but this time, his path was blocked by a broad-shouldered Italian play-boy.

"Draco, I think Madam Pomfrey is right. You should stay here." He put his hands on the blondes' shoulders, keeping him from moving. Draco opened his mouth to tell Zabini off for thinking he knew what was best for him when sliver met chocolate and he saw deep meaning in Zabini's eyes. "It's for the best. Really." Blaise's tone was suggestive, trying to tell him something and Draco guessed that whatever was happening outside those double doors would probably be the cause of Blaise's eagerness to keep his best friend in the infirmary.

Draco huffed. "Fine." He agreed bitterly, shaking off the other boys' hold and leaning back on the lumpy pillows. "I stay an additional bloody night."

"Right then," Pomfrey's voice was full of relief as she turned towards the doors of her hospital wing. "I shall call to the kitchens and have them deliver some dinner for you, Mr. Malfoy. I dare say you'll need your strength. Thin as a bone. Honestly." Her words dropped off to a whisper as she shook her head. "Miss Parkinson, Mr. Zabini, your friend needs rest. I'll walk you out, shall I?" She piped up, turning her attention to them.

They both gave Draco one last look before Pomfrey exhaled impatiently and grabbed in arm in each of her gentle hands. "He'll be fine." Draco heard her saying as she dragged his friends out the double doors and into the hallway behind.

The moment the doors closed, Draco threw the blankets from him and swung his legs over the side of his bed. No matter what Blaise had been trying to warn him about, Draco was done sitting around. His eyes landed on Potter's bed and he paused, thoughts swirling in a jumbled rush inside his head. "I'm not going to give him up." Draco decided, the dream replying in his minds' eye. "He's mine, Tyler. Mine!" Words echoing around the empty ward, Draco set his feet on the floor and pushed himself off the mattress.

At once, the world became a spinning top that left Draco disoriented and his stomach churning unpleasantly. He fell back on the white bed sheets almost instantly as he forced himself not to be sick. –Fuck.- was the only coherent thought he had before his head hit the pillows at an awkward angle and he fell into darkness.

Draco awoke with a start. He was no longer lying at an awkward angle, but straight on his back with the covers drawn right up to his chin. It was not clear on what had roused him so suddenly and he decided to chalk it up to a bad dream as he groaned and turned over onto his left side, eyes automatically landing on Potter's empty bed.

Except, that Potter's bed wasn't empty at all.

"Shite! Potter!" Draco jumped violently and his voice came out cracked from his dry throat. "What, in the name of Salazar, are you doing here?" He barked. Turning a glare on the dark-haired boy for giving him such a fright.

"Sorry," He mumbled apologetically. "I just wanted to see how you were." The room was dark, but the small candle that had been lit and was sitting atop Draco's bed stand was enough light to make out Potter's concerned face.

"I just had a bloody heart attack no thanks to someone." He scuffed crossly.

Harry's face fell and turned away, looking guilty. Draco felt his own heart wretch at the sight. –Damn him.-

Draco coughed. "Still," He went on, feeling butterflies flutter to life when Harry's green jewels snapped back onto him with barely hidden hope resting inside their depths. "I feel a bit touched. I didn't know you cared enough for me to come sneaking in here in the dead of night-hang on, how did you get in here?" Draco asked, narrowing his eyes in what he hoped would look like suspicion, while really, he was trying to see better in case Potter had any cuts or bruises.

"Uh-I erm-I just…was out for a walk and thought I'd…" He trailed off, eyes avoiding the blondes' as he searched the room for any lie that would be convincing. Draco smirked.

"A walk?" The blonde repeated, faking surprise. "At this time of night? Surly it must be passed curfew and even if I'm not on duty, I am still a prefect, Potter. I'm going to have take points from you, you know."

Harry scowled.

There was a stretch of silence before Draco finally broke it. "Well now, how many points should I take…" He mused to himself with a smug expression as he tapped his chin, pretending to think hard. "First, there is the walking around school after hours, that's usually around fifteen points. Then, you tried think up an excuse, so I think another fifteen points would do for that. And, let's not forget the sneaking into the hospital wing and giving a patient a heart attack…that's worthy of, what? Twenty points? Twenty-five points? How am I doing so far, Potter?" He asked, smiling wickedly as Harry's scowl darkened.

"You know," He grumbled. "I liked you a lot better when you were still loopy from hitting your head."

"Hey!" Draco replied hotly, all amusement lost at those words. "I did not hit my head, Potty. Your muscle-headed bully of a boyfriend shoved me into a bloody brick wall! …or did he forget to mention that?"

Harry grimaced. "I'm sorry. He shouldn't have lost his temper like that. He was just stressed out because of me and…"

That look of regret on Harry's face would be his death, the Slytherin decided. He sighed. "Not that I don't appreciate the apologies, Potter. But really, you shouldn't be making excuses for Tyler. He's a big boy; I think he knows well enough what he should and shouldn't do."

Harry's face darkened and he shifted his gaze to the far wall behind Draco, making the blonde believe that it wasn't directed towards him. "Yeah," He muttered distractedly.

Silence fall once again and Draco was so drawn into Harry's eyes that he jumped slightly when Potter shook himself free of his thoughts and returned his attention to the blonde. The moment their eyes met, Harry's expression softened and Draco felt like he would melt into a pile of HufflePuff goo. –Good lord, I've gone soft!- He thought a bit desperately. Malfoy shot a glare in Harry's direction, just to make himself feel better.

"What?" He snapped grumpily when Potter continued to stare.

"You look better." He responded unabashedly. "Better than yesterday, I mean." He added quickly when Draco sent him a puzzled look.

It was then that Draco noticed the dark rings under the green eyes hidden behind hideous glasses, and the pale tint to his golden tanned skin. "You don't." He stated.

"Ah, well I...I ate some bad tart at dinner. 'Tis all."

"Had anyone ever told you how horrible a liar you are?" Draco smirked when Potter blushed.

Harry cleared his throat; cheeks still stained a bright pink that was slowly seeping to his ears. "I…I wanted to talk to you, Malfoy." He began, hastily changing the subject and causing Draco's smirk to grow impossibly wider.

"We are already talking, Potter. How do you tie your shoelaces with a brain like that?"

"You know what I mean." Potter growled.

"Fine, fine," Draco said easily with a dismissive wave of his hand. "What is it you wish to discuss at such an unwelcome hour of night?"

Harry shuffled around uncomfortably a few times before he inhaled deeply. "About what happened yesterday?" He started, sounding a little unsure.

Now, if Draco had been a bit more awake than he was, he might have remembered the other things in the days' events. As it was, the only thing Draco could bring to the front of his mind, was the dream he's had in which he's not only questioned why everything was so odd, but also, just how deep his own feelings for the messy-haired Gryffindor actually went. "Wh—what do you mean?" His voice lifted an octave and he cleared his throat to try again. "I mean, what is there to talk about? Nothing really-"

"What do you mean, nothing to talk about?! There is-"

"-It was only a kiss."

"-You have to explain! And I for one-wait…what?!" Harry blinked. Took a breath, then, lost his temper. "You kissed my boyfriend?! No wonder he threw you against the wall! Bloody hell, Malfoy, what were you thinking?!"

Draco took a moment to recover from the disgusting image of Tyler's lips anywhere near his. "I'd never touch that Ravenclaw! I do have some respect for myself, after all!"

"You're awful, Malfoy. To think, if Parkinson had known what you did, she might have just come in screaming at you instead of Pomfrey."

Draco felt himself tense. "You…you heard that?" He asked in a low whisper. Half hoping Potter wouldn't hear him.

"How could I not? She was yelling so loud I had to cover my ears. In fact, if Rory hadn't saved me, she'd probably have successfully taken my head off."

"Why would she take your head off?" Draco asked suddenly confused.

"Because my boyfriend gave you a concussion! Why else would she come stalking in here, shrieking like a banshee?" Taking in a deep breath to calm himself, Harry looked away with something akin to shame in his expression. "Sorry, I didn't mean…I know Parkinson means a lot to you. And actually, thank Nott for me, will you?"

"Thank him? For what?" Draco was feeling more bewildered by the second.

"He brought Rory in for me while he tried to calm down Parkinson. He saved me…and, to be honest, he saved her too as I was about five more words away from hexing her into next week." Of course, Harry left out the part of him feeling extremely jealous when Parkinson had sat down and started stroking Draco's hair like she…like she was his girlfriend.

Draco shook his head. "Potter, listen, I…" Gritting his teeth, Draco forced out the next word as if it would take away ten years of his life. "…promise. I would never kiss that bas- your boyfriend." He ended, bitterly.

Harry watched Draco closely for a while before stiffly nodding. "Alright then, what kiss are you talking about?"

Draco gulped. "Uh," He looked away as a blush crept up his neck. "Actually, it was a…a dream I had…not important." Draco held up a hand to silence Harry's sputtered argument. "What did YOU want to talk about, scar-head?"

Harry scowled, but accepted to leave it alone for now because he really did want answers to his original question. "I wanted to know about this 'disagreement' yesterday that caused Rory to get so upset." He made quotation marks in the air around the word disagreement; to show that he didn't truly believe that was all there was to it. "If you didn't…" Shuddering at the thought, (although, as to whom this jealousy was directed towards, he didn't know), Harry continued. "Kiss him. Then, what happened?"

Draco sighed heavily before returned his gaze to Harry. "Maybe," He drawled in the most convincingly bored tone he could muster. "You should ask your boyfriend that question."

"Rory told me it was a dispute about Quidditch, but I don't believe it…sure, you're competitive to a fault, but I don't actually think you'd pull your wand out over a foul play that happened years ago between-what the hell is so funny, Malfoy?"

It took a few moments before Draco had clamed himself down to a few chuckles. "He said that?" He chortled in disbelief. "Of all the excuses in the world, he had to choose Quidditch!" Draco lifted his slivery orbs to look into the Golden Boys' befuddled green ones, and the blonde slipped back into another fit of laughter.

"For Godric's sake, Malfoy!" The raven-haired teen snapped in a harsh whisper as he lifted his wand and cast a silencing spell over Madam Pomfrey's office door.

Draco didn't bother to apologize. He laughed himself into small silent hiccups, feeling all the tension leaving him as he slowly came back to earth with a light-hearted sigh. Smiling a little dazedly at the ceiling of the Hospital Wing, Draco tried to remember the last time he'd laughed a real, deep belly laugh.

"If you're quite finished," Harry bit out shortly.

The blonde turned his head to face his 'arch-rival turned crush' and gave him a real, bona fide smile that slowly grew into a smirk when the emerald orbs widened comically and Harry gave a great impression of a gold fish as he tried to recall what he was about to say before Draco shot him such a beautiful grin.

"Yes, I do believe I am." Mused to the smirking Slytherin.

Running a hand through his ruffled hair, Potter cleared his throat. "Right, well if you-" But what he was going to say, Draco never found out. The Gryffindor froze, sitting up straighter than the blonde had ever seen him do before when quick as a flash, Potter had dove to the ground and shimmied under the hospital bed. Draco just got a glimpse of a flowy fabric in his hands before Harry had rolled under the bed and was gone.

The doors to Pomfrey's office opened with a creak and it took Draco a whole eight seconds to grasp that this was why Harry had suddenly taken off. The medi-witch gave him a rant about proper sleep and then did her standard tests and charms before handing him a sleeping potion and heading back into her room. Draco got comfortable, he pondered how Potter had seemed to just disappear from thin air before the potion took effect and he felt himself slipping off into sleeps warm hands. Just moments before he lost total consciousness, Draco swore he felt a hand run gently through his hair and a whispered voice begging him to get better.

Draco spent the majority of the next the morning be subjected to tests and spells and potions. Finally, around mid-morning, Madam Pomfrey seemed satisfied in her findings, told him he was free to rest until lunch, and gave him a note that explained why he wasn't at his classes yesterday or this morning.

Draco had just got his school robes buttoned when the Hospital Wing doors burst open, and in walked a very sour looking Rory Tyler.

The Ravenclaw made for Draco's bed but found Pomfrey blocking his path. "Now, Mr. Tyler," The medi-witch began, and though she was much shorter and smaller than Tyler, her tone seem to make him cower slightly. "When I asked you here, I got your word that you would not cause any problems or stress for Mr. Malfoy. You will not make me regret this second chance, understand?"

"Yes, of course, Professor." He gave her a winning smile that made her cheeks blush faintly.

"Right, then, I'll be in my office, should you need me." She announced before turning away and leaving the two boys alone in the empty ward.

The blonde sneered as the 7th year took a seat on what Draco stilled deemed, 'Harry's bed.'

"I'm sorry, Malfoy." Rory said tonelessly.

He didn't sound like he meant it all, and Draco found he really didn't care. "Apology not accepted. Now, if you'll excuse me-"

"Hang on there, Malfoy. I have something else I want to…discuss." Tyler finished in disgust, as if discussing anything with the younger boy was as horrible an idea as picking up hippogriff droppings.

Draco's only reply was a raised eyebrow.

Clearing his throat, Tyler had the decency to look as ill at ease as Draco felt. "I only apologized because I promised Harry I would, but if you tell him about what happened, I swear, I'll do more to you than give you a concussion."

Grey eyes narrowed in hatred. "Tell him about what, Tyler? About you being jealous of me? Or maybe, about you and Blaise snogging in some abounded corridor?"

The older boy growled in the back of his throat, fisting his hands in an attempt to keep himself in check. "I'm giving you fair warning now, Malfoy. If you say anything…anything about what happened between Blaise -Zabini -and I, I'll make sure Harry knows it was you who put him up to it." The way he said 'Zabini' caught Draco's attention. It was almost as if it was after thought to add the last name.

"And," Tyler went on, looking smug when Draco's glare faltered as he pondered what relationship the Ravenclaw and his best friend really shared that morning two days ago. "I'll tell him that it was you who planned the broom cupboard incident and that it was all some elaborate plan to break us up so you could break his heart for the fun of it. And honestly, who do you think he'll believe? So, you don't say anything, and I won't say anything."

Draco saw red. If Tyler hadn't stood at that moment and bid Malfoy a farewell, Draco was sure he would have launched himself at the older boy and beat, kicked, and punched any part of him he could reach. As it was, by the time he got a hold on his seething anger, the Ravenclaw was already opening one of the great oak doors that separated the wing from the hallway beyond.

"Oh, and Malfoy," Tyler called over his shoulder at the blonde who was still livid with fury. "Stay the fuck away from my Harry." And with one last smug look, Tyler disappeared.

Draco was shaking with so much suppressed rage that he couldn't even lace up his dragon-hide boots as he struggled to control him. –His-HIS HARRY?! That-That bastard! That bloody bastard thinks he can just blackmail me! A MALFOY?!- Frustrated beyond belief, Draco snatched his wand from the bedside table and spelled his shoes laced and tied as he stood and stalked out into the castle. His temper was still has dangerous as ever when he finally reached stone wall entrance to the Slytherin common room, but he could keep enough in check to at least find the one person who might be able to help him destroy that sneaky snake in bird clothing.

"BLAISE" The blonde bellowed the moment he stepped through the wall. "BLAISE ZABINI, YOU GET YOUR DARK ASRE IN MY PRESSENCE BEFORE I HEX EVERY LAST-"

"P-please, sir," Piped up a Slytherin second year who looked utterly frightened by the Ice Princes' out burst. "Mr. Za-Zabini is in the-the library with-"

But Draco didn't stay to hear the rest of her stammering, instead, he spun 'round and stormed out, leaving alarmed students skittering out of his way as he rushed out of the dungeon hallways and up to the Library.

He reached the library doors and, with one last breath, he steeled his control and gracefully swaggered inside. Upon entering the silent library, Draco noticed that there were only three students in here at the moment, and no sign of Madam Prince could be seen anywhere. Unfortunately, Draco didn't see Blaise, either. There were two forth-year looking students sitting at a table together, one a Ravenclaw and the other, a Slytherin that Draco didn't know the names of, and the Gryffindor bookworm, Hermione Granger, was sitting at another table a little further away. She had looked up at Draco's entrance and was now giving the blonde a quizzical look as he continued to stand there in the doorway looking a little out of place.

Debating if it was worth the risk to shout Blaise's name, Draco ventured deeper into the library and stopped just short of the table that Granger was using. She motioned for him to take a seat to her left but Draco merely shook his head. "Have you seen Blaise?" He asked, perhaps a bit sharper than he meant to.

Hermione pursed her lips, but didn't comment. "The last I saw of Zabini, he was over in the charms section, near the back." She gave a wave of her hand towards the shelves and Draco saw, near the very corner, stuck out a sign marked 'Charms'

"Right, thanks." He said stiffly. But he offered her a small smile before turning on his heel and marching to the back corner with purpose.

As he rounded the corner of the charms section, the flaxen-haired wizard opened his mouth to tell Blaise off for not being around when he needed him, when a sight met his eyes and his jaw dropped all the way down.

"What the fuck?!" Draco shouted, not caring that a few books 'shushed' him. "What, the actual, fuck, Tyler!" It was more of a growled accusation as Draco felt the red returning to blur his vision.

Tyler made to move away at the sound of Draco's voice, but Blaise held tightly to his waist, keeping him in place as he turned chocolaty eyes on his best friend. "Draco, darling, have finally come for that threesome I offered?" And then Blaise winked.

The pale Slytherin turned and left the section, completely ignoring Blaise's calls that he was only joking. Closing his eyes, Draco tried to scrub away the image of his best friend and his crushes' boyfriend rutting against each other and snogging so skillfully, one is surprised that they hadn't kissed each others' faces off. Shirts, trousers, and robes lying forgotten in god knows' where with-with- Draco shuddered. Opening his eyes just in time to stop himself from running headlong in to Granger, who was rushing at him with a look of concern.

"Malfoy! Why are you yelling in library! Don't you know that…" She trailed off, taking in Draco's pale face and clammy hands. "If everything okay? Did…did something happen?"

Draco was facing, (dare he say), the toughest choice in his life? He had two options.

1: He could let Granger go around the corner and find her best friends' boyfriend doing merlin only knows what to Draco's best friend. (Possibly scarring her for life). But at least then, she could run off and tell Harry all about it, and Harry would have to believe her word over Tyler's and then Draco would be in the clear. And it wouldn't hurt to have his future boyfriends' best friend on his side, either.

However, If Tyler still spilled that Draco had set up the broom cupboard deal, and Granger could confirm it because of him and his damn mouth in that stupid empty class room. Would Potter hate him more than he already does? Would he even have half a chance if Potter thought he'd done it because he knew about the Gryffindor's childhood?

Well, there was always…

2: He could tell Granger that it was nothing and distract her with something until he was sure the other two boys were dressed, and then dash away and find Tyler later, on his own and confront him about this new information he had attained… Maybe, he could even get Tyler to back off Harry of his own accord and then Draco would be free to swoop in and work his Malfoy charms until Potter fell into his arms like a love-sick teen girl.

Then again, what if Tyler doesn't? What if Draco seeing him like this has made Tyler want to tell Potter about Draco's involvement with the broom cubby and Harry is so mad that he won't listen to a word Draco had to say?

Okay, so both options had ups, and downs. Except, he had about ten more seconds to make his mind or else, the choice would be made for him. Either Granger would let that golden trio curiosity get the better of her and she would check things out herself, or the two boys in the charms section would have found the sense to get dress.

Draco worried his lower lip, mind working feverishly over what he should do. Time seemed to stop for hours. Days, even.

Finally, Hermione gave a great huff and a whispered, "Honestly," Before she made for the charms section. Draco instinctively reached out and caught hold of her arm, halting her from going any further. Turning her head to look him in the eyes, the bushy-haired witch sent Draco a quizzical look, patiently waiting him to explain his actions.

-This is it,- Draco thought feebly as he loosened his hold on Granger's arm and took a deep breath. –this is the choice that will change mine and Harry's relationship, forever.-

Draco opened his mouth to speak, and prayed to anyone who would listen, that this was the right choice.

Authors Notes: OMG! I actually updated?! CALL THE NEWSPAPERS! IT'S MAGIC, I TELL YOU!

Alright, I'm sorry! I really am. But! I really hope this makes up for it. ^^ And, it's the longest chapter so far so I hope this soothes your annoyance with my long awaited update. Also, I want your opinions, which choice do you think Draco should choose?

1: Let Granger look for herself and be honest about what Rory and Draco were fighting about in front of the Hospital wing.

Or,

2: Keep it to himself, be a sneaky Slytherin, and pray he has bigger and better blackmail than Tyler.

Orrrr,

3: He waits too long and the universe *Cough*author*Cough* decides.

I've started writing an opening for all three options so it's up to you guys now. Which one do you think would be the better route for Draco Malfoy to take?

Anyways, thank you all for the reviews! You guys are so charming and I'm so happy so have some many people enjoying this story. I really am. ^^