I have a valid reason for not updating! I promise! I kinda... got into a little trouble with my parents and was grounded from my computer for a month? XD But on the bright side, I now have written through CHAPTER SEVENTEEN! Now, you all know what you have to do to get me to update. AT LEAST ten reviews for each chapter! :)

Here's a big thank you to all those who reviewed since I last updated: ellie111lee, NotMoyashi, Drarryfangirling, Revengeful Desire, JN Malfoy, Kigen Dawn, bellebrooke14, Kayla O.o (guest), Kaykara, Albel Venex, maggiemoooo, and CelestiaNight.

Review, review, review! :)

Draco opened his eyes blearily and looked around in confusion. He was in his room, but… something felt different…

Oh, yeah, he thought when something on his chest moved. He glanced down at Harry as the Gryffindor shifted around until his very cold nose was pressed against Draco's neck.

Draco shivered and tightened his arms around the smaller boy's body.

"Mmm… Draco?" Harry murmured, burrowing even closer.

Draco smiled adoringly. "I'm here," he whispered into the raven locks.

Harry lay still for a little while, and Draco thought he might have gone back to sleep, but then Harry grunted softly and raised up slightly. "What time is it?" he whispered, rubbing at his eyes with a closed fist.

Draco grinned at the adorable sight, "It's just no nearing seven, I think."

Harry groaned and plopped back down, curling into Draco's warmth, "Do we have to get up yet?"

"No," Draco answered. "Breakfast doesn't officially start for another half hour. We can lie here until then."

Harry smiled at the Slytherin gratefully and snuggled down into Draco's chest, sighing happily when strong arms wrapped around him.

They laid there in contented silence for a while before Harry remembered.

He groaned lowly and rolled out of Draco's arms before sitting up and running a hand down his face.

"Harry?" Draco's brow furrowed worriedly, sitting up as well and resting a soothing hand on Harry's back.

"Sorry," Harry sighed. "I forgot that I promised Neville I would meet him at seven0thirty for an early breakfast. We are going to Hogsmeade to… erm…" he blushed furiously. "…get something to wear at the Yule Ball."

"Oh…" Draco's eyes lit up in realization and amusement. "So you're going shopping?"

"No! It's not shopping," Harry scowled.

"Then what is it?"

Harry sighed in exasperation and his scowl deepened. "It's not shopping," he insisted stubbornly.

Draco laughed and Harry's cheek. "Of course it's not," he agreed. "Mind if I come?"

"That's the thing," Harry was blushing again, and Draco found it so adorable he had to kiss Harry's cheek again. "Neville said it wouldn't be… proper for you to come with us. Something about not seeing what we're wearing until Yule. He's not letting Blaise come either."

"Oh… very well then," Draco sighed in partial mock-disappointment. "Can I at least come to breakfast with you, then?"

Harry smiled at him, "Of course you can. Let's get dressed."

"Good morning!"

Neville and Blaise both looked up at the sound of Harry's cheerful voice. They were both sitting across from each other at the Gryffindor table. Harry sat down beside Neville and Draco, Blaise. They carefully avoided looking at each other for too long, as there were a few early morning risers scattered around the hall.

"Good morning, you two," Neville answered, smiling.

"How long have you two been up?"

"Not long," Blaise answered.

Harry piled some eggs on his plate and tucked in, grimacing when he swallowed.

"Harry?" Draco asked worriedly.

"Nothing," Harry smiled reassuringly. "It just went down the wrong way."

"Okay," Draco said skeptically.

Neville and Blaise shared a look.

"So where are we going?" Harry asked Neville as they walked down the streets of Hogsmeade. They had left their boyfriends—rather reluctantly—back at Hogwarts and were now walking arm-in-arm down the street, looking for a good place to start… shopping.

"Hmm…" Neville gazed around the shops. "I don't know… what do you think of—"

"Don't ask me," Harry interrupted. "I don't shop."

"You're shopping now."

"No, I'm not," Harry argued, scowling. "I'm just the tag-along. You're the one doing the shopping."

Neville rolled his eyes and pulled Harry into a rather expensive looking shop with some fancy, French name Harry didn't even bother trying to decipher.

As soon as they walked inside, a tall woman with pin-straight, beach blond hair and striking blue eyes walked—could you even call that walking? It was more like gliding with hip movement—up to them. "Parlez-vous français?" she asked in a high, squeaky voice that grated on Harry's ears.

Harry and Neville looked at each other in confusion.

The woman sighed in exasperation. "Come with me," she instructed with a heavy French accent. She turned swiftly on her five inch heel and strutted toward the back of the shop, not even bothering to make sure they followed. The two boys scrambled after her.

"Hogwarts students?" she called.

"Yes, ma'am," Harry answered.

"You are here for the… Yule Ball?"

"Yes," Neville answered.

"Ah, yes," the woman suddenly seemed a lot more cheerful. "I 'ave had a few students to come in over the past couple of weeks. It is a masquerade, yes?"

"Yeah," Harry answered, smiling at her.

She clapped her hands in excitement. "Excellent! I just love helping people find their perfect masquerade outfit! My name is Antoinette."

"It's very nice to meet you, Antoinette," Harry smiled. "Now work you magic! Because we have no idea what we're doing."

Antoinette grinned with glee, "Well then just sit back and relax. I've got this."

Two hours later and thouroughly exhausted, Harry and Neville stumbled out of the little French shop, their arms laden with heavy shopping bags. "Do we really have to carry these back to Hogwarts?" Neville complained.

Harry rolled his eyes and called, "Dobby!"

The house elf immediately popped into existance right in front of the Gryffindors. The elf squeaked in exitement when he saw Harry. "Oh master Harry Potter, sir!" the elf squeaked, his tennis ball sized eyes bulging out of his head. "What can Dobby be doing for you today, Mr. Harry Potter?"

Harry smiled at Dobby, "Hello, Dobby. I need you to take these bags back to Hogwart for me, please. Just put them on our beds in Gryffindor Tower."

"Yes, sir!" and as fast as he had come, he was gone.

Harry shook his head in amusement.

"Will you please tell me why we're following them?"

Draco rolled his eyes in annoyance, "Well, I want to know what my boyfriend is wearing to the Yule Ball. Don't you want to see what Neville will be wearing?"

"Of course I do," Blaise huffed, "but not until the ball. If I know what he's wearing before then, it takes away from the magic."

Draco shrugged, "Whatever suits you." He peered at the pair walking down the street for a moment before ducking back around so he was hidden with Blaise in the shadows of one of the many tall buildings.

Blaise crossed his arms, "We both know that you aren't just following him to see what he'll be wearing to the ball. What is it?"

Draco sighed and scrubbed a hand over his face, "I just… I'm worried."

"About what?"

"About him… About everything."

At Blaise's questioning look, Draco sighed, "In my father's last letter he said that the Dark Lord was becoming impatient. I'm worried that he'll decide to take matters into his own hands. I'm… I'm trying to bide my time until I can figure out a way to get he and I both out of this mess. But I have less time than I thought."

Blaise was quiet for a moment, "What is your mission, Draco?"

Draco shook his head miserably, "I can't."

Blaise sighed in frustration, "Draco, maybe I can help you if—"

"No!" Draco hissed. "I will not put anyone else in danger because of this. If I tell you, he'll find out, and then he'll kiss the both of us. That will not happen."

Blaise rolled his eyes and looked past Draco toward Harry and Neville, "They're gone."

Draco whipped around and stepped out of the shadows, eyes scanning Hogsmeade's streets for the two Gryffindors. "Where are they?" he asked a tad frantically when he couldn't find them."

"Relax, idiot," Blaise huffed, pointing. "They're in there."

Draco looked to where Blaise was pointing and sighed in relief when he saw them in the window of a small French clothing store he and his father frequented.

He leaned back against the wall and crossed his arms. He watched as Harry was pulled by the woman Draco recognized as Antoinette into the back of the store. He was smiling.

"I just," Draco sighed. "He means too much to me, Blaise. I can't let him get hurt. I… I have to find a way to keep him safe."

"That's why you should tell me what's going on!" Blaise insisted. "I can help you figure it out."

Draco shook his head, "I'm not letting you get involved. What would happen if the Dark Lord found out that you know? He would torture you. He would kill you. But first he would find out about all those you care about, and then he would go after them. He would go after Neville."

Blaise was quiet.

Draco nodded, "Now you see. I can't let anyone else get involved."

Harry and Neville stepped out of the store and looked around. "Think we should head back?" Harry asked.

Neville nodded, "That would probably be best. And we told Draco and Blaise we wouldn't be long. We've been gone for three hours."

"Really?" Harry said, checking his watch.

"Yeah," Neville grinned. "Did you lose track of time because you were having so much fun shopping?"

"Shut up," Harry playfully shoved Neville's shoulder. "Let's go."

"Harry!"

Harry cursed and sped up, planting a hand on Neville's shoulder to force him to keep up. "Keep walking," he hissed.

"Is that—"

"Harry!"

Someone grabbed Harry's arms and yanked him around. Harry yanked his arm away violently and glared at his assaulter, green eyes spitting fire. "What do you want?" he spat.

Steven sneered at him, then at Neville. "Is this your date to the ball?" he asked snarkily.

Harry yanked Neville behind him and snarled, "His name is Neville and no. He has his own date."

Steven roared with laughed, "He has a date? Who? A third year Hufflepuff?"

Neville tensed and Harry squeezed his shoulder. "Fuck you," Harry spat.

"You'd like that, wouldn't you?" Steven leered, stepping close and pressing himself to Harry. "You'd like to spread your legs for me, wouldn't you?"

"You're disgusting," Harry snarled, bringing his knee swiftly up between Steven's leg.

Steven howled and dropped down onto his knees, holding his precious bits in his hands. Harry took several steps back, pulling Neville with him. Neville latched onto Harry's arm. "Let's go," he whispered.

"You bitch!" Steven squeaked, his voice quite a few octaves higher than normal. "How dare you?! Come back here and I'll teach you both how to please a man!"

Steven whipped his wand out.

Harry and Neville both instantly had their wands out and ready.

"They're finished."

Draco looked up, and sure enough, Harry and Neville were walking out of the store with smiles on their faces. Draco frowned. Why don't they have any bags?

"We should probably head back before they do," Blaise said, "Before they find out we've gone."

Draco rolled his stiff shoulders. "Probably," he agreed.

They began to walk back down the alley had come from, when they heard a shout. "Harry!"

Draco whipped back around. His eyes narrowed and he growled at what he saw. Harry and Neville were walking down the street at a fast pace, and there was someone running after them.

"Harry!"

Steven.

Steven grabbed Harry's arm and forced Harry to turn around. Harry smacked Steven's hand away and snarled something at him.

Draco started forward, but a hand on his arm stopped him. "Wait," Blaise hissed. "Wait and see what happens. Maybe they can handle it. If not, then we'll intervene."

Draco grumbled furiously under his breath, but stayed put.

They watched as Harry and Steven snarled back and forth at each other. Then, suddenly, Steven stepped up into Harry's space. Draco started forward, but Blaise's hand stopped him.

Harry's face was steadily becoming redder and redder and Neville's eyes were widening in horror. Suddenly, Steven was on the ground, yowling in pain, and clutching at his crotch. Draco let out a startled laugh when he realized what had happened.

Harry and Neville were backing up, but stopped when Steven yelled something and pulled out his wand.

"Shit," Blaise cured as he and Draco whipped their wands out as well and ran forward.

Steven was sneering at them in disgust, wand raised and ready. Harry had pulled Neville back behind him and how had a tight grip on his arm, his own wand pointed straight at Steven's chest.

"Hey!"

Harry startled when two tall figures leapt in front of he and Neville, effectively shielding them from Steven's line of fire. Harry's eyes were immediately drawn to pale blond hair.

"Draco?" he asked just as Neville said, "Blaise!"

What are they doing here?

"Ah, Malfoy!" Steven crowed. "How nice of you to join us! And—who are you? Malfoy's sidekick?"

"No," they could all hear Blaise gritting his teeth. He reached back and took Neville's hand with his free hand and linked their fingers together. "I'm Blaise Zabini, Neville's boyfriend and Harry's friend. And it just so happens that I don't much like it when people point their wands at them, so back—off."

There was a pause, and then Steven began to roar with laughter. "Oh, this is rich!" he guffawed loudly. "A Gryffindor dating a Slytherin? What? Has hell finally frozen over?" He turned to Draco, still laughing, "And you! Are you Potter's boyfriend? Are you his date to the ball?"

Harry could almost see the fury radiating around Draco, and he longed to take Draco's hand, but he knew it would probably only make matters worse, so he settled for squeezing Neville's arm tightly.

"No," Draco answered, his voice tight.

Harry felt a pang of hurt at Draco so blatantly denying him, but he understood. It was too dangerous for anyone to know about them.

Steven's laughs only got louder, "Oh, that's too bad! We all know how much you want him!"

Draco sneered, "How do you figure?"

"We all see the way you look at him!" Steven grinned maliciously. "In classes, in the corridors, in the Great Hall. You're like a lovesick puppy!"

Draco's sneer only got wider, "I'm afraid you've been mistaken."

"Oh please,' Steven rolled his eyes. "Don't bother denying it! You want a piece of that ass just as much as the rest of us! You're just mad that you'll never get any of it! But me! I've already gotten my piece! That little whore was such a good—"

Harry's eyes widened in horror at what Steven was saying, but before he could speak up, there was a blue light and Steven was lying on the ground, yowling in pain yet again. Horrible looking blue and red welts were beginning to cover his face and arms. Draco was standing over him, a malicious gleam in his silver eyes.

"Let this be a warning to you, Hawk," Draco said in a dangerous whisper. "You are not to talk to, touch, or go anywhere near Harry or Neville again or I will do worse things than this to you, and no one will ever find out. Am I understood?"

Still whimpering in pain, Steven nodded.

"Good," Draco turned to the other three. He wouldn't meet Harry's eye. "Let's go."

Draco shut his bedroom door and took Harry's hand. He sat Harry down on the bed and knelt in front of him. Sighing, he rested his head on Harry's lap.

"Draco?" Harry whispered, running his fingers through the silky blond hair.

"I was scared," Draco whispered. "I don't think he's mentally stable. I didn't know what he was going to do to you."

Harry placed his free hand on Draco's neck, messaging the tense muscles with nimble fingers. "I'm okay," he murmured. "You and Blaise saved us."

Draco quiet for a while as he traced small patterns on Harry's jean clad thigh. "Harry?" he finally whispered.

"Yes?"

Draco cleared his throat uncomfortably, "Is what he said true? About you and he… doing things?"

Harry's eyes widened in horror. "No! Merlin, no!" he cupped Draco's face in his hands and made him look at him. "Steven and I went on one date. We never did anything together." He leaned down and placed a small kiss on Draco's lips. "You were my first kiss."

Draco smiled and all the tension seemed to melt from his body. He stood and kissed Harry. "I'm honored," he whispered.

"You should be," Harry replied, grinning cheekily.

Draco growled playfully and tackled the small Gryffindor to the bed. "Draco—ahh!" Harry cried as Draco's fingers started viciously attacking his sides.

"Stop!" he laughed, squirming fruitlessly to get away. "S-stop it!"

"Never!" Draco declared.

"Stop!" Harry giggled, his face turning red. "Please!"

Draco rolled his eyes to the ceiling, as if thinking, "Hmmm… well, since you asked so nicely…" He let off and sat up so that he was sitting on his knees beside Harry.

Harry laid there for a moment to catch his breath before he turned to glare playfully at his boyfriend. "What was that for?"

Draco grinned cheekily and leaned down over Harry, pressing their chests together, "I wanted to. And I like making you laugh."

Harry rolled his eyes, but allowed Draco to twine their fingers together. "There are other ways to make me laugh, you know."

"I know," Draco said simply before giving harry a chaste kiss. "Stay with me tonight."

"Okay," Harry agreed easily.

Sirius struggled through the fog that had engulfed him, but couldn't find his way out, no matter how hard he tried. The last thing he remembered before waking up here was jumping in front of Harry—

Harry!

The thought of his godson made him fight that much harder. He had to get to Harry. He had to make sure he was alright.

Wake up, a familiar voice whispered in Sirius's head. Who was it? They need you, Sirius.

There it is! Finally! I hope you all enjoyed. :)

Review, review, review! Please? :3