Author's Note: Ok, so chapter 11 was my very first sex scene. I kept it fairly tame because otherwise it wouldn't really flow with the story and also, I'm taking baby steps, lol. Anyway, I was really nervous about it, but from the reviews I've gotten, people seem to like it, which means a lot.  So anyway, I just wanted to take this opportunity to thank my fabulous reviewers, especially the ones who review a lot, you are the reason I'm motivated to continue!

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With their NEWTs coming up, Harry and Draco spent much less time alone and much more time in the library or Room of Requirement studying. They were usually joined by Ron and Hermione. Draco had similar study habits to Hermione; he poured through notes and books as if there was no tomorrow, although he was a little less panicky. Harry was quite glad of this because between Draco and Hermione there was enough of a positive study influence to balance out Ron, who was constantly trying to put the studying off until later.

Harry and Ron, both harboring ambitions of becoming auror, would have to achieve high marks in all their classes. Only the best and the brightest were accepted for auror training. Hermione had not given up on her dream to help house elves, but was indecisive as to whether she should stick with S.P.E.W. (the Society for the Protection of Elfish Welfare) or accept a job at the ministry where her talents and intellect could be put to better use. While S.P.E.W. was an admittedly admirable venture, working at the ministry would pay much better and once she climbed the ladder a bit, she would have enough influence to bring mistreatment of houselves to the forefront of public attention. Draco didn't know what career to pursue. He really didn't need to work for money, so the options were endless. He wanted to do something to restore people's faith in him, to distance himself from what his father had been. All of their ambitions rested upon how well they did in their NEWT exams.

Two weeks before their NEWTs, the four of them brought their notes outside and were studying by the lake. Harry's head was in Draco's lap and Draco ran his hands through Harry's hair while Hermione quizzed them. Ron had tried to quiz them, but Hermione hadn't let anyone else get a word in edge wise in her eagerness to answer.

It was obvious to everyone, especially their friends, that Harry and Draco were more comfortable around each other. They seemed to be almost in sync.

Hermione smiled as she noticed Draco looking down at Harry lovingly. She wondered briefly if the four of them would ever be together like this after Hogwarts. She pushed the thought out of her head; she'd never leave Hogwarts if she failed these exams.

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Harry and Draco lay in bed late at night. The NEWTs were a week a way, but they were taking some time off from studying so they wouldn't have mental break downs. Harry lay on his stomach with him arm draped over Draco, tracing patterns on his chest. Draco stroked Harry's arm gently. He lifted Harry chin up to look at him.

"Harry, I love you" Draco said softly.

"I love you too Draco" Harry smiled.

"I don't know how you were able to survive when Ginny died. When I think about losing you…" Draco trailed off.

"Draco, you don't have to worry about losing me, I plan on sticking around for a very long time." Harry said smiling, "As for Ginny, it was really hard when she died. I loved her…but I think I love you more."

"Really?" Draco asked surprised.

"Yes. And I get to be with you every day" Harry said.

"Have I mentioned that I love you" Draco said.

"I believe you may have said something about that" Harry laughed, "I think it's time we get to sleep now though, Hermione will want to start studying early tomorrow morning."

"Ugh, I can't wait for these god-forsaken exams to be over" Draco whined.

"Agreed. And I believe your birthday is the weekend after our last one. What do you say to a small party?" Harry asked.

"Hmmm…how about a very small party? You, me and no clothes" Draco asked devilishly.

"Hmmm… tell me more about this 'no clothes'" Harry said, starting to kiss Draco's neck. Draco laughed, arching his back in pleasure. Harry was still going to have a party, but Draco didn't need to know that right now.

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NEWTs went by in a haze of tiredness and stress. Harry felt his potions exam went remarkably well thanks to Draco, who had been helping him with the trickier bits of the theory behind potion making. Harry in turn helped Draco learn some of the more complicated spells in DADA.

They finished their exams fairly confident about their performance, except of course for Hermione who was convinced as usual that she had failed everything. Harry for one was glad that they had gone by considerably less eventfully than his OWLS, when he had passed out and had a vision of Lord Voldemort torturing his late god father.

The evening after their last NEWT, the four of them gathered in the Room of Requirement with some bottles of butterbeer. Hermione was of course obsessing about the exam to the annoyance of the other three.

"Oh, I just know I could have done that locator charm more effectively. I should have made it glow a different colour, or at least made it brighter…" She rambled.

"Hermione, you know we hate talking about it. We can't do anything about it now." Ron told her sternly.

"Besides, we have much better things to discuss now" Harry said, changing the subject, "such as Draco's party."

"What, no, what party? Harry, who's going to come to a birthday party for me?" Draco asked.

"We will, to begin with, plus there are plenty of people who like you now that you've stopped being such a git to everyone." Hermione informed him.

"Gee thanks" Draco said, rolling his eyes.

"Well it's true!" Hermione said unapologetically, "but any way, I've spoken to everyone in our year and they're all coming. We'll have it here in the Room of Requirement, most people know about it by now."

"And when exactly do you plan on having this party?" Draco asked, grinning a little in spite of himself.

"On Saturday." Harry informed him.

"We're getting firewhiskey smuggled in from Hogsmead." Ron added. "We have to do it in secret, even though we're of age now, because we're not aloud it in the school."

"Wow, you really have this all planned out" Draco said. He was secretly really pleased.

"Of course we do. What did you expect?" Harry said laughing.

"You are something else Potter" Draco laughed.

"I know." Harry said proudly, before leaning over and whispering in Draco's ear, "and I promise, we can still have that other party."

"Oh good, because I was looking forward to it." Draco whispered back.

"If you'd like, we could have a little preview tonight." Harry whispered suggestively.

"Hey you too, care to rejoin the group?" Ron said, throwing a pillow at them.

"Sorry guys" They replied, laughing.