Remus found Severus's sitting room empty. He helped himself to a random book off the bookshelf and made himself comfortable in one of the arm chairs.

When Severus came back he found Remus sitting in his favorite arm chair, brow furrowed, reading an upper level potions textbook. He looked as though he was trying to light the book on fire with his eyes.

"Enjoying the read?" Severus said with a smirk as he put away his bag and cloak.

"Why do you keep things like this around?" Remus closed the book and put it back on the shelf, returning to his seat. "It isn't even an interesting topic."

"You may not find it interesting, but I do," Severus sat across from Remus.

"Well that's because you are good at potions, where as I am rubbish at the whole thing."

Severus cracked a small smile. "If I remember correctly you set your curtains a flame when you were practicing your potions back in school."

"How did you hear about that?" Remus's cheeks tinged pink.

"The whole school heard about it."

"Oh. Well that's just lovely," Remus huffed lightly and leaned back in his chair.

They were quiet for a while, and Remus began to wonder if he had upset Severus when he broke the silence.

"You came back," Severus said quietly.

"Of course. I said I would."

Severus nodded. "I didn't get as much work done yesterday as I hoped I would, so I have to do some today before the break."

"Oh…that's alright. Could I possibly watch or at least be in the same room as you?" Remus asked shyly.

"That doesn't sound horrible."

Remus grinned. "Excellent."

Remus had pulled a chair into Severus's potions work room and was contently watching him work.

After a while, Severus broke the silence. "There is a war ahead of us."

Remus sat up straighter. "I know. The Order has seen it coming since before Harry told us all Voldemort was back."

"Last time there was a war…it drove us farther apart," Severus took off his gloves and turned to face Remus.

"This time we won't let that happen. We both know that we are on the same side," Remus's voice was firm, confident.

"He still thinks I am loyal to him," Severus ran his hands through his hair, brushing it off his shoulders.

"You play your role well, Severus," Remus really was proud of the work Severus has done, and he let that pride seep into his voice.

Severus nodded. "If he ever found out that we were together he-"

"We are together?" Remus said hopefully.

Severus set him with a weak glare. "If he found out I had affection towards you he-"

"You have affection towards me?" Remus grinned.

"Fine! Yes, I like you, and yes I would like to date if that is what it is still called," Severus said, slightly frustrated by the interruptions.

Remus smiled. "Yes, I believe that is what it is still called. So if Voldemort ever found out we were dating?"

"Am I allowed to continue now?" Severus cocked a brow.

Remus motioned for him to continue.

Severus rolled his eyes, but the corner of his mouth twitched up. "If he found out that we were dating he could use you to hurt me. Or even use me to hurt you."

Remus nodded. "Well…we will just have to be smart and play our rolls well."

"This is dangerous."

"What's life without a little danger," Remus smirked.

HDHDHDHDHD

"They will come around. It may just take them some time," Draco wrapped his arm around Harry's waist securely. "This break will be good for them to go through their thoughts and be able to think clearly."

Harry nodded and rested his head against Draco's shoulder. They were on the train back to King's Cross, and Harry was not looking forward to saying good bye to Draco for the break. They hadn't been able to talk the day before, but a stroke of luck had been able to afford them their own compartment on the train.

"Are you going to be alright going home?" Harry asked. He was worried about the blonde being alone with his father.

"I have always managed. And before you ask, yes I will write to you when I can."

Harry nodded.

They sat in comfortable silence for the rest of the ride, simply soaking in as much of the other person as they could.

When the train came to a stop in the station the pair reluctantly stood up. Harry pulled Draco into a bone crushing hug which Draco returned.

Draco placed a gentle kiss over Harry's scar. Harry had insisted on keeping the glamour on during the train ride, just in case. Draco had agreed to make the raven-haired boy happy.

"I won't forget you," Draco said, his lips brushing Harry's forehead.

"I know."

With that, they went their separate ways for the winter holiday. Harry to the Burrow to stay with the Weasley's, Draco to the Manor to endure whatever his father had in store for him this time. Once they exited the compartment they didn't look at each other. Draco was terrified that his father would be able to pick up on the connection he now had to Harry, and though Harry wasn't ready for the whole world to know about his love life, he would have preferred to be able to check that Draco was safe, just one last time. But he didn't look, despite how badly he wanted to, his desire to make the blonde happy overpowered it.

HDHDHDHDHD

Harry couldn't find Draco anywhere on the train back to Hogwarts. Ron had helped him look, but after their second time through the compartments he has begun to complain about how hungry he was and so they found a compartment and settled in.

Ron had come around a lot during the winter break. He had decided to trust Harry's judgement.

Harry was happy for Ron's understanding, but that meant that he didn't want to give him any reason to dislike Draco. So, when Harry received no letters from anyone, he did his best to hide his disappointment.

Not being able to find Draco on the train, however, made it impossible for Harry to hide his worry and disappointment from his friends.

"Maybe he gets train sick and is in the loo," Hermione said, clearly trying to settle Harry's frayed nerves.

"Yeah," Ron nodded in agreement. "He does always seem really pale."

Harry nodded and focused his attention on the view outside the window. He wasn't sure whether he should be mad or worried when it came to Draco.

"You guys go on ahead," Harry said. They were on the platform and bringing the bags they could carry towards the school. "I just want to take my time."

"Alright," Hermione said.

"See you at dinner I guess," Ron smiled, and together they made their way back to the castle.

Harry was about half way back to the castle, walking on his own when Draco came running up from behind and walked next to Harry.

Harry eyed him carefully. "I didn't see you on the train."

"I-"

"Actually, I haven't heard from you sense before break," Harry stopped and turned to face him. "Did I do something to upset you?"

"No…" Draco had the grace to look ashamed. "I just…I don't believe that this is the best thing for us right now. This relationship. We should…break up. End it. Whatever you want to call it."

"Why?" Harry was more confused than mad at this point.

"We come from different worlds, and I just think that it would be for the best if we just went our separate ways."

"So, you don't care about me anymore?"

Draco ran a hand through his hair. "I never said that. I just…if anyone found out that we were close they could use you or they could use me to get to you. I don't want to put either of us in that position."

"Is someone pressuring you to do this?" Harry asked, still confused. "Is it your father?"

"My father doesn't know about us, and I would prefer to keep it that way."

"So why break up then?"

"Because if I don't do what they want they will kill my family and everyone I care about," Draco looked at him pointedly. "I can't have you be on that list. You are too important, and not just to me. You have bigger things to deal with than a relationship right now."

Harry thought for a moment. "If we weren't on the verge of a war, would you want to give this relationship a try?"

"Yes, of course," Draco answered immediately.

Harry nodded. "Why don't we focus on the bigger things in our lives. Let's get through this war…and then we can re-evaluate where we are at with each other."

Draco stared at him. "You are really willing to do that?"

"We both have people we have to look after," Harry shrugged. "Once this war is over we can get on with normal lives."

"Alright," Draco nodded. "That sounds like a plan."

"Take care of yourself, Draco," Harry hugged him gently. "For this to work you have to be alive in the end."

Draco hugged Harry back. "You take care of yourself too."

Harry nodded and let go continuing his walk back to the castle alone.

When he got back he told Hermione and Ron about his conversation with Draco. Hermione told Harry that she was proud of him for making such a thoughtful decision. Ron told Harry that if he ever wanted something bad to happen to Draco to just ask. Harry was glad that his friends were taking the news relatively well.

He spent about a week mourning what could have been with Draco, but eventually the war occupied his thoughts. Although his contact with Draco was cut down to almost nothing, every time Harry would see the Slytherin, he would relax a little just knowing that he was alive.

Please feel free to Review. I plan on continuing the story, starting the next chapter off after the war. If anyone has any story ideas, I am also open to them!