AN: I kind of cannot even after Harry's letter. Too many feelings. And this one doesn't improve on things much… It's been ridiculously difficult to write, so I really hope it came out okay.
-Lexi

Disclaimer: We do not own our precious, precious boys! Only the tears that flow freely down your cheeks. They are all ours, baby.

Harry,

After receiving your last letter I needed to see you, but you never seem to be home. (Please don't exhaust yourself working too hard. I understand why you're doing it, but you need to take care of yourself, otherwise I'll worry.) It has been two days now, and I still haven't been able to track you down. My mother might know where you are, but I don't want to ask; she becomes unbearable when she's smug. If I can't see you, I might as well write, so that is what I'm doing.

You said you want me to be really and truly happy, and for the first time in my life, I think that maybe I could be; maybe I already am. You also said you wouldn't hold me back if marrying a woman was what it took to make me happy, but then you trailed off. I considered asking how you were going to end that sentence, but I think that I already know.

I— I think I am choosing you, Harry.
To use your own words: 'I'm right there with you', too. You are more real than any person I've ever known; you are strong, and fragile, and warm, and vulnerable, and feisty, and hot-headed, and honest, and scared, and hopeful, and damaged, and utterly brilliant, and a complete and utter moron. And I love you. Knowing you feel the same way…. The terror hasn't abated, but it's somehow less… terrifying? I don't understand it.

I'll… I'll try to remember that I am important. But – we mentioned our childhoods; mine is not so far behind me as yours seems to be. You say you won't reject me, and I fully believe that you mean that, but… Please, don't take it to heart if I can't always believe it to be true. There are parts to me that you still don't understand; can't understand, since I haven't fully revealed them. I think I told you, once, that my mother helped me overcome a certain dark period in my life. Since I also mentioned my father at that point, you probably assumed I was referring to the war, but that is not the only struggle he put us through. My father has always been…. Well, a Slytherin, in the Weasel's sense of the word. He is not a pleasant man, and he has always made his disapproval obvious. Mother once… she talked me out of doing something I would regret; or rather, that I would be unable to regret. I never thought I would be as grateful for her interference as I am right now, but if I still can't accept that I am important, even after all you've said… Please, please don't let it discourage you. Your words mean the world to me Harry, but sometimes his words will be stronger.

I don't think I can be of much help to you, and I can't decide if that makes me lucky or not. I didn't lose many people during the war, but then not many people were ever important to me. There was only Severus, really, and his funeral was held during the trials, so I didn't have the experience of it not meaning what it should. But when Mother and I got home, we each held our own ceremonies for those we'd lost; maybe you could do the same? Honour your friends, and all the other sacrifices made, in a way that seems right to you. After that, the only way through that I can think of is to lean on those around you, and take it one day at a time.

Whenever you feel able to talk about your past, I will be here to listen. That goes for anything else that is bothering you, too.

Also – I don't mind where we go, now that we've made it here.

Feeling ridiculous about it, but missing you anyway,
Always and forever,
Draco

Cat here! Oh boy, I absolutely love where this is going! Lexi and I are soon to have a serious discussion about where we'll be taking these letters. We honestly hadn't thought much further than the boys getting together, but we had, and have, so many other things we want to get into...I think we possibly have a solution (BUT you'll have to wait and see what it is!), we just need to develop it further.

On that note, I need to seriously consider Harry's reaction to this letter...hope to have another chapter up soon!

Much love, my darlings!