Title: Angelus an Diabolus

Author: Eris Mackenzie

Rating: M

Disclaimer: See first chapter.

A/N: Thanks to my reviewers: mimifoxlove, chaeli.meep., Yana5, raga2dope, Makalani Astral, herovillain, DemonRogue, SorrowofLoss, empath89, kat, Jujube, kt-spike-draco-fan, Stephanie, anon, shikyo66613 (Why, thank you!), i v o r y . w i n g s, amberisshoni, Manny2003, bloodNdarkness, Lily, and Eryn Galen.

banana girl: Ah! You're half right! Glad someone caught that.

Argo: Yes, I thought about that too, but Draco here is being wise for once and not saying anything. He can tell that Harry needs more time with his friends and although Draco may not love him, he does want him to be at least as happy as he can be.

Ann Lee: Your wish is my command! ;) (And I really want to see that too!)

Explanation: Okay, this is the explanation for the last chapter. What the big difference between the emotional aspects of the boys is that - (holds for suspense) - Draco doesn't feel as much as Harry. Harry, since no one caught it, feels things much stronger, and can anyone guess why? Yup, he's the dom. I'm proud of the people who figured that out. This is extremely important that you keep that in mind while reading this story. Draco doesn't feel many instinctual mate feelings. He - in a word - is unattached. He, of course, felt the need to mate before, but that was because he had just matured. Think of some animals. They can mate with one of their species, but that doesn't mean they'll stay with that one particular animal. They can mate with others also. Just keep that in mind that Draco is unattached. You'll see why later in the story.

CHAPTER TEN

"Well, Harry, we're going to have to go," Hermione said as she stood up. After she had invited the two aerials to Hogsmeade with them, they had caught up on everything that had happened since he had been away from the common room.

"Where are you going?" Harry asked as he rose from the stiff hospital bed.

"Really, Harry! Only a few short months until our major exams; we have to study!" It was typical for the brainy Gryffindor to start worrying about exams at the beginning of the school year. Merlin knew how she was the day before they actually started.

"Eight months, Hermione," Ron whined as she grabbed him by his wrist and started tugging him along. "Can't we stay a little bit longer?"

"Ronald Weasley! You know how important these tests are! And just remember your scores last year…" She shook her head. Ron couldn't do anything but grudgingly amble along behind her, but he sent a "Sorry, mate" look behind him. Harry grinned back; it was so obvious how perfect they'd be. He wondered if Hermione would bugger Ron as much as Mrs. Weasley did.

"See you, Ron, 'Mione!" Harry called after the two as they exited the stone archway. He heard Hermione call a good-bye and the redhead just waved a quickly disappearing hand behind him as he was tugged down the hall.

"Odd people, aren't they?"

"Hhm?" Harry had forgotten the other boy was there, and it was almost a surprise to see his face. "Yeah, I guess they are a bit out there, but hey, it's nice to have them around. I don't know what I'd do without them."

Draco looked at the floor and, as Harry watched attentively, he frowned.

"Yeah, I suppose you wouldn't, but then I don't really know," he answered.

"What do you mean?"

"Just that, in case you haven't noticed, I'm not exactly surrounded by people willing to die for me," he shrugged carelessly. Draco looked like he didn't have a care in the world but Harry knew that at his core he hurt. It made Harry so sad to see his mate feeling that way, and even worse that it was true.

Harry contemplated answering for a moment, then said truthfully, "I'd die for you."

Draco didn't outwardly show a sign that he heard, but his head titled slightly as Harry talked.

"...Don't say that."

He spoke so softly that Harry barely heard. Indeed, the Slytherin's mouth had hardly moved at all to indicate that he had said anything.

"Why not?" Harry's brow scrunched as he watched the blonde. All his instincts were getting mixed signals from the boy, not one of them clear.

"Because you just might."

Harry didn't know what to say back. In truth, what Draco said was plausible, actually more than just that, and it suddenly seemed like a wary thing.

"Draco - "

"Potter, don't even say anything. I honestly don't care, just leave it."

Harry wanted to say more, much more, but the previous episode before was still fresh in his mind. It was so ironic that the person he felt the most for in the entire world could feel nothing for him.

"Can't we leave yet?"

Harry looked up to see Draco slide off the bed and walk to the doorway. He looked at the desk in front and said, "Where's she at anyway?"

"Probably down in the potion's lab. She said she needed a few vials of slugburn antidote." Harry said, walking slowly behind Draco.

Draco poked his head out of the doorway one more time, and fell back again. He sighed, irritated. Madam Pomphrey still wasn't back from her rounds.

Harry stopped walking just behind Draco and as he studied the baby-fine strands of pale blonde, almost white, hair, he thought of how much he wanted just to be able to touch him, to hold him without consequence.

He wanted to be able to sift that silky hair, massage his scalp, kiss his neck, and hold him close. He wished he was back in his bedroom when he had first led the Slytherin there, to caress and pleasure him.

He was so in his daydream that he barely registered his hand going out and splaying over his mate's shoulder.

Draco immediately tensed and tried to pull away but Harry snaked his arms around Draco's waist lightning fast and held him there.

"Please," Harry whispered against Draco's shoulder, where his head was curled up. His voice cracked on the last letters, pleading, begging for just this one little touch, just once.

He felt Draco hesitate and almost pull away again, but at the last second, he stopped, staying where he was.

Although his muscles were still tense, they gradually relaxed as Harry kept his hold, allowing the Gryffindor to pull him closer.

Unknown to even Harry, Draco had to close his eyes to stop the first telltale sting of tears. He promised himself that he allowed this one simple touch, but nothing more, ever.

As the embrace went on, the feeling was bittersweet, each knowing this would have to last for a long time. Neither Harry nor Draco said a word, just concentrating on their breathing and the warmth of the other and that one moment, just that one.

They were suddenly ripped from their moment as a voice called through the air.

"Mr. Potter; Mr. Malfoy!"

They jerked away from each other, tearing the moment and making it memory. Harry was blinking rapidly while Draco pretended he just had dust in his eyes.

They both turned to see Madam Pomphrey wobbling her way into the room behind an armful of supplies including arm wraps, warming cloths, and the antidote she had originally needed restocked.

Her head appeared around the bundle, and she said, "If you want, you boys are free to go. Just make sure you take it easy for at least the rest of the day, Mr. Malfoy, and don't strain yourself tomorrow."

Both of the aerials nodded, and Draco immediately headed out, barely leaving Harry to say a quick thank you and good-bye to the nurse.

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The rest of the day passed without much interference, and the sun was setting by the time they arrived back at their rooms.

"I'm going to take a shower," Draco said as he swung the black blazer he had worn onto the burgundy bedspread.

"Your things have already been taken to the bathroom," Harry said as Draco opened the door. "All you have to do is look for them."

"I'm fine," Draco said as he bent to check one of the dark-stained cupboards under the white porcelain sink.

The bathroom was reserved compared to the bedroom, but still styled tastefully, with clean, sanitary-looking white tiles and walls and a big clear-glass shower in the corner of the room. A iron clawed tub was stationed on the other side of the room, just under a rather large curtained window, and white fluffy towels hung from silver bars all over the room.

Draco walked over to the shower, deciding that he just wanted to get to bed as quickly as possible, and opened the glass door.

True enough to what Harry had said, there was his shampoo and conditioner. Yes, the conditioner was kind of girly, but he liked to take care of himself.

He turned the chrome handle clockwise to allow the water the heat up and shut the door. He started getting undressed and let his clothes stay where they fell, deciding to just pick up his clothes after he got out.

The room soon got steamy, misting up the oval mirror above the sink and Draco opened the door.

As he got in, he sighed when the near scalding water touched his skin. His muscles were in knots from his very eventful day and he just wanted to go to sleep. He reached for the shampoo and opened the cap, pouring the spicy red clove liquid to pour over his hand. He closed his eyes as he cleaned himself and let the water fall all over him.

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By the time Draco had finished showering and gotten out of the bathroom, Harry had already changed and gotten in bed.

Draco opened the bathroom door wearing nothing but one of the over-sized white towels and shut off the light. He didn't know that Harry was sleeping and so wasn't prepared for the sudden blinding darkness and had to stop and let his eyes adjust.

When he could see a bit more clearly, he walked over to the dresser he hoped contained his clothing. After a bit of digging and searching through drawers, he found the three drawers on the right side had his pyjamas and underwear.

He glanced behind him to make sure Harry was really asleep and bent down, slipping on a pair of soft cotton boxers. Although he was used to sleeping with just his underwear on, he decided that it would be best to wear a t-shirt along with it.

Sliding one on, he walked silently over to the left side of the bed and pulled down the covers, careful not to wake the brunette sleeping on the other side. He dipped down onto the bed and lay back, trying not to let it get to him that he was sleeping with another boy, and turned so he faced the ceiling.

He was surprised when he suddenly felt strong arms slide around his waist and pull him close. He was going to say something when he turned his head and saw that Harry indeed was still asleep. Soaking in the sight of the beautiful boy sleeping, with his head laying so close to his own, Draco broke his promise and closed his eyes, snuggling closer.

Just this one more time.

A/N: Okay, I know this was supposed to be the chapter when they went to Hogsmeade, but I wanted to get this out for you all. I promise though that they WILL go to Hogsmeade in the next one. Please don't hate me for this not being the Hogsmeade scene! ;)