Thank you so much for all those who left me a review, I love them :)

Thank you Ardchoile for your beta/ encouragement!

This chapter had a mind of its own, I tell ya. Don't you just love magic? :D

xxx

'Harry?'

Harry looked up at the sound of his name accompanied by a soft knock on his door.

'Come on in Luc,' he called.

Luc stepped into the room and whistled appreciatively.

'And I thought I had a fancy room. Très chic mon ami, très chic!'

Harry looked around the main room warily.

'I know right? I think it used to be his grandfather's room or something. His name was Abraxas, wasn't it?' Harry sighed. 'I tried to talk him out of it when he showed me the rooms, but he just smiled pleasantly and then proceeded to ignore me'.

'Rooms? As in rooms plural?' Luc enquired.

Harry nodded.

Luc wandered in and started opening doors, checking out the other rooms. There were two bedrooms, a second living room, an office, a library and of course a huge bathroom.

Luc looked very impressed as he walked back into the room.

'You know you have a pool instead of a tub in your bathroom there? Not to mention that shower that I'm sure is as big as the communal one in the Quidditch locker rooms back at Beauxbatons'.

'Don't remind me,' Harry groaned.

'Oh come on Harry! It's lovely of Draco to pick this suite of rooms for you isn't it? Then again, he is a lovely bloke. Quite fit as well, wouldn't you say Harry?'

Harry glared at his friend, clearly not amused.

'Yeah alright Luc, rub it in why don't you. You could have just told me you know,' Harry said accusingly.

'What?' asked Luc with innocent eyes.

'You knew I was… well… getting closer to Draco. You knew it before I did,' Harry said with narrowed eyes.

'Getting closer? You and Draco? Somehow I got the impression that you'd like to get a hell of a lot closer than you've managed to get so far,' Luc answered with a wicked smirk.

'Oh ha bloody ha Luc. You're absolutely hilarious,' Harry grumbled.

Luc laughed heartily, sat down next to Harry and nudged him with his shoulder.

'Relax Harry. So you like Draco, what's the big deal? If it helps, I think you have excellent taste,' Luc said gleefully.

But as he noticed Harry's glum expression, Luc turned serious.

'Harry? Why is this so upsetting for you? Go on, whatever it is, you can tell me', the French wizard said kindly.

Harry sighed miserably.

'It's nothing. I guess it's just unexpected that's all. I can't believe I'm suddenly fancying blokes now. Where the fuck did that come from?' Harry complained.

'What exactly is it that is bothering you?' Luc enquired. 'Is it the "bloke" thing, the "Draco" thing or just that you fancy someone at all that's the problem?'

Harry thought for a moment before replying: 'Honestly? I suppose it's all three'.

'Hmmm…' Luc nodded. 'Alright, let's start with the "fancying someone" thing. Tell me how you feel about that'.

'Freaked out,' was Harry's immediate response. 'I never really gave it much thought, but I'm hardly experienced in these matters now am I? The only serious relationship I've ever been in was with Ginny and that ended disastrously. I've told you about that, right?'

Luc nodded.

'And ever since I've been in France, my love life has been pitiful at best, wouldn't you say?' Harry continued.

'I'm afraid you have a point. Remember that disaster with Sabine?' Luc asked.

Harry shuddered.

'I'd forgotten about that. I think the whole village could hear her shrieking. I've always been a bit of a disaster when it comes to women. Even back in Hogwarts,' Harry admitted.

'So… maybe it's a good thing that you're into blokes now? At least this way you won't make a fool of yourself…,' Luc tried.

Harry laughed bitterly.

'Oh I'm pretty sure I'll make a fool of myself regardless. With Draco, I somehow always manage to put my foot right in it'

Luc grinned.

'You do seem to have a particular talent for that, yes. So I guess it's not that you make a fool of yourself with women , it's that you make a fool of yourself when you're around someone you sort of… like?' Luc asked gingerly.

'Oh fuck, I think you might be right,' Harry groaned miserably.

'Courage mon ami. Surely it's not as bad as all that. Do you have any idea how he feels about you?' Luc asked.

Harry shrugged.

'Not a clue. Anyway, you're the smart and insightful one, what do you think?' he muttered.

'Not sure really…'Luc pondered. 'He always seems so in control of his emotion, doesn't let much show… Perhaps you should just ask him?'

'Not bloody likely! I'm not asking Draco about anything like that. He's barely hanging in there as it is, can't you tell?' Harry asked.

Luc looked startled.

'But you have to talk about this with Draco. What, are you just going to pretend everything is fine, nothing out of the ordinary?' Luc asked with incredulity.

'That's right,' Harry confirmed, determination dripping from his every word.

'But…' Luc started.

'Leave it Luc,' Harry warned.

Luc opened his mouth to protest, but changed his mind after a stern look from Harry.

'Alright Harry, if that's the way you want it…' Luc said, raising his hands in mock surrender.

'It is,' Harry answered shortly.

xxx

Harry sighed happily and nestled himself deeper in the soft pillows. He'd never been this comfortable in his life. He buried himself a little deeper underneath the soft duvet, sniffling at the crisp, clean sheets appreciatively. He was determined to stay awake just a little bit longer. It seemed like a waste to just go right to sleep in such a bed, Harry thought. Although he did suppose that that's what it was made for. Well, that and…

Harry blushed. Merlin he was pathetic. Just an hour ago he'd been insisting to Luc how he'd have no problem acting like everything was normal, ignoring his attraction to Draco, just go on as usual… And now here he was, trying to not fantasise about having Draco in his bed. Not thinking about how Draco would look, how he'd feel against him, what his scent would be like…

Harry hid his head under the duvet and groaned. Splendid. Just lovely. Now he'd have no trouble staying awake, that was for sure. Every single part of him felt searing with life, with fire, with lust… Harry ground his teeth together and squeezed his eyes shut. He forced himself to control his physical reaction to the vivid image of Draco, stretched out next to him, wearing nothing but one of those cocky little smirks…

'Aaaaargh! Get out of my head you stupid, gorgeous, irritating blonde… menace!' Harry cried into his pillow.

Harry threw the duvet off, sat up straight and looked accusingly at the bed beneath him. Earlier, he'd been convinced there was some sort of magic at work in the enormous four poster bed. No Muggle bed could ever be this soft yet firm, cool yet warm, soothing yet invigorating. Harry didn't know if it was in the hangings, the pillows, the mattress, the sheets, but he could definitely feel the hum of magic buzzing around the beautiful piece of furniture. Now though, he started to suspect that the powerful magic did a little more than just make the occupant feel comfortable. Harry was sure the bed somehow enhanced his budding feelings, making it impossible for Harry to not think of the blonde wizard...

Harry lay back down and closed his eyes with a heavy sigh. He focussed on his breathing, in and out… in and out… in… out… and in… Yes, this was working, Harry thought, more than a little bit relieved. He felt himself relax, the tension drift out of him… He was about to slip into a light sleep, when suddenly something startled him. A very soft, almost inaudible, desperate kind of whining sound reached his ears. It sounded like some kind of animal in distress. Harry stiffened and held his breath. He focussed on the sound, trying to locate its source…

There! There it was again! It came from his right, Harry felt pretty sure about that now. Grabbing for his wand and his glasses, Harry cast a quick Lumos and then almost choked. There, in the middle of the wall, was a door that had not been there before. The door was massive, made of a very dark, shiny kind of wood that looked like ebony. It had subtle gold details that made the wood look warm and inviting.

But Harry wasn't fooled. Whatever was making that noise, was obviously on the other side of that door. Harry wasn't so sure he wanted to find out just what was causing it to make that heart wrenching sound.

Harry held his breath again. Yes, the sound was still there. Rolling his eyes at himself, he scrambled out of bed and headed for the door. Holding his wand at the ready, Harry quietly turned the knob and waited. Instantly, the lock gave a soft click and then slowly drifted open.

Harry peeked around the corner, letting the light at the tip of his wand glide through the room. It took him only half a second to realise just what room he was in. It took him even less to conclude that it was in fact Draco making those soft, whimpering noises. Draco looked so pale against the white pillows, his face contorted in obvious distress. His body was rolled up into a little ball and his hands gripped the blankets so tightly that his knuckles had turned white.

Without a second thought, Harry rushed over to the bed and clambered onto it to reach Draco.

'Draco?' Harry asked quietly, placing a gentle hand on the blonde's arm.

Draco cringed back from the touch. The whimpering stopped and was replaced by quick, anxious breaths.

'Draco?' Harry insisted. 'Come on Draco, wake up! It's just a dream, I swear. Please wake up…'

Draco covered his head with his arms and pleaded quietly: 'No… please no… not again… please…'

Harry's throat constricted and his skin broke out in goose bumps. Draco needed to wake up, he needed to wake up now!

'Wake up Draco,' he shouted harshly, shaking the blonde violently.

Draco's eyes flew open and he gasped his breath in shock. Harry sat back and withdrew his hands. Only now did he realise what an awkward possession he was in, in Draco's room, on Draco's bed even, without being invited.

Grey eyes in a tear streaked face slowly focussed on him.

'Harry?' Draco asked, his confusion clear.

'Yeah,' Harry answered, not knowing what else to say.

'What are you doing here?' the blonde continued.

Harry hesitated.

'I… I heard you. I didn't know what to do. I'm sorry…' Harry whispered.

'No, no, that's ok… I'm glad you woke me up'. Draco shuddered and sat up. 'I get these dreams sometimes. They feel so… real somehow. But they're not, I know they're not. My room is real, the Manor is real, all my things, you are real… I know that'.

Draco's quiet words seemed aimed at himself mostly, so Harry didn't respond.

After sitting together silently for a few moments, both lost in their own thoughts, Draco suddenly looked up at Harry.

'Wait. How did you get in here? The entrance to my suite is warded against anyone entering without my knowledge'.

'I came through there,' Harry answered, indicating the ebony door with a nod.

When Draco saw the door, he seemed to grow even paler.

'I don't understand this…' he whispered desperately.

'I know,' Harry agreed. 'I'm sure it wasn't there before. And although my suite is in the same wing as yours, I didn't think they were adjacent'.

Draco shook his head.

'They're not, only the bedrooms are. I'd almost forgotten, but I've seen this door before…' Draco mumbled.

Harry said nothing, waiting quietly for Draco to continue on with his story.

'The suite you're staying in? It used to be my Grandfathers suite. I loved Grandfather Abraxas, and he doted on me. I remember waking up early on weekends and sneaking through that same door. My parents didn't want to be disturbed before nine, but my Grandfather was always happy to see me, no matter what the hour. He used to summon Krinkey and made him bring up a lavish breakfast. We'd eat, talk, he'd teach me to play wizard chess…'

Draco smiled weakly before going on: 'The door was always there back then. It disappeared the day he died, I haven't seen it since. I was about eight years old at the time. I still miss him…'

Draco looked at the door and swallowed.

'I can't believe it came back, just like that… What do you think it means?' Draco asked wonderingly.

'I don't know,' Harry answered honestly.

'I'm going to have to check out the archive, I'm sure I can find some sort of an answer there…' Draco pondered.

'I'm sure you can. Is it alright if we get some sleep first though?' Harry enquired dryly.

Draco smiled and nodded, stifling a yawn.

'Good point. Night Harry,' Draco said, his voice already slightly sleepy.

Harry smiled at the blonde, slid off the bed and walked back to the door.

'Oh Harry?' he heard as he was about to step into his own room again.

'Yeah?' Harry said, turning back to face a now very sleepy Draco.

Draco hesitated for a moment, before continuing: 'Just leave the door open, alright?'

'Alright,' Harry agreed. 'Night Draco'.

'Mmmm…'

xxx

Reviews still very much welcome!