Disclaimer: Not mine. But you already know that.

Ch35

It seemed to Harry that Draco was trying to test his patience in every possible way. A few days before Draco had allowed him to take a glimpse at what they could have together, but that was all there was. One sweet and passionate kiss exchanged on the small football pitch near the main house of the orphanage wasn't nearly enough to put out the fire of Harry's burning libido. But Draco didn't seem to mind at all. He kept torturing Harry by keeping his distance from him but seducing him with lazy stares full of desire at the same time.

And all Harry could do was smile half-heartedly and count to ten not to lose his temper and ruin things.

There was also James to worry about. His son hadn't bothered to get in touch with him and tell him about his break-up with Lucius. He was dying to go to Hogwarts and clear up the situation, but he couldn't do that. James had no idea that he knew what was going on.

At least Ron had stopped bugging him with problems related to the company. Harry confessed that to be away from work for such a long time was really difficult for a workaholic like him. Plus, he was a control freak. Sometimes he woke up in the middle of the night with an anxiety that was hard to bear, thinking that he should go back to London because the office wouldn't work without him. This decision became a lot easier to be made when Draco ignored him. But no matter what, he had to endure it.

Harry stared at the ceiling of his bedroom and sighed heavily. It was very strange not having anything to do. It was unnerving and frustrating. He was running out of ideas at how to win Draco back. He wouldn't give up, though. He was certain that he would be rewarded at the end.

He just wished his reward would come sometime soon. After all, he wasn't a patient man.

He heard a firm knock on his door and immediately got up from the bed to see who it was. When he opened it, he smiled brightly and his green eyes sparkled with hope as he saw Draco.

The blond chuckled before saying, "Why, Potter. You look like a cute dog on the brink of being taken for a walk. That's so sweet. You really are trying your best, aren't you? I'm flattered."

Harry leaned on the door-post, crossed his arms and made a face. A few days ago that type of comment would have pissed him off. However, his general mood had improved a lot. He was a man on a mission. And he was determined to succeed no matter what.

"Laugh all you want, Malfoy. It's your loss, though. Here I am, fired up and ready for action, but you keep shutting me out. This dog might look for his mate somewhere else. Aren't you afraid of that?" Harry teased.

"Such a horny dog," Draco replied humorously. "I'm not afraid though. I have you on a very good leash, which I never thought would be possible."

Harry raised a brow, slightly irritated that Draco had hit the nail on the head. "I'm as free as a bird, Malfoy. If you keep this game for too long I might get tired of waiting… I might fly away, you know?"

He wouldn't, but he couldn't let Draco feel too secure of himself and his power over him. He had some dignity left.

"Alright, I think I have enough of animal metaphors for a while," Draco said with a charming smile. "But really, Harry, if you feel like flying away, you're free to go at anytime. I would never let a guest in my house feeling miserable and unsatisfied."

"Then do what you're supposed to under the circumstances," Harry said, taking Draco by surprise when he pulled him to his body and almost touched their lips together. "Be a good host. Entertain me."

"I'm about to do just that," Draco answered in a whisper.

"Good, because I'm burning up," Harry said before capturing Draco's lips in a breathtaking kiss.

Having Draco in his arms was pure bliss. Harry almost crushed the blond in a tight hug as his need to feel more of him got bigger and stronger. He led Draco to his bed and laid him there without ever breaking the kiss. His kiss got very demanding and needy. It was like he wanted to devour all of Draco.

"Harry…" said Draco under a weak protest. "This is not why…"

Harry sealed his mouth with another kiss, and his hands began to stroke Draco's body as his own body thrust against the blond. He couldn't stand the heat any longer. He had waited for too long. When his fingers started to unbutton Draco's jeans to caress him more intimately, the blond gripped Harry's wrist and stopped the kiss.

"Fuck… Harry, I didn't come here for this," Draco said panting.

Harry shut his eyes tightly for a moment, and when he reopened them, he was almost in pain.

"Don't deny me this moment. I'm already at my limit." Harry caught Draco's hand and put it on his hardness. "Do you feel this? I'm craving for you. Haven't I been patient enough? Haven't I done anything but to prove myself to you these days? What else do I have to do to make you mine?"

Draco licked his lips, distressed. "I've done nothing but prove myself to you ever since that horrible event… You never showed me mercy. How many years did it take for you to forgive me, Harry? Do you really expect me to give myself to you now as if nothing happened? I'm still hurt!"

Harry let go of him and sat on the bed with his hands in his head. "Why can't we just move on?"

"Because it isn't that easy. Feelings don't work that way. I don't work that way," Draco answered steadily. He sat next to Harry and made him look at him. "You said you'd do whatever it takes to win me over."

"I wasn't lying," Harry said with a sigh. "But it's really hard. I'm not used to this. I'm reckless and impatient. I'm used to having everything I want without much effort."

"You sound like a spoiled brat. I'm the spoiled rich kid here, remember?" Draco said with a sneer.

"Draco… You don't get it."

Draco raised a brow. "Of course I do."

"No, you don't! You have no idea how hard this is for me! I've suffered for so long! I struggled with myself over and over, only to realise that I was wrong about pretty much everything! I denied what was in my heart because I was afraid of my feelings. And when I finally figure that out, it's too late."

They looked at each other with sadness. Draco stroked Harry's hair tenderly and said, "It isn't too late."

"Then why won't you surrender?"

"You know why."

"I don't!"

"You do, Harry. Deep in your heart, you know exactly why. You had your epiphany. I'm still waiting for mine," Draco said. "You know I'm afraid. I have no guarantee that you won't change your mind."

"I'm here, Draco. I've practically abandoned my work to be here. What more do you want?" Harry asked almost in despair.

"Time. That's what I want," he answered. "I still need some time."

"I love you," Harry stated.

Draco closed his eyes for a moment. This time he was the one in pain.

"And I love you. But love is not enough…"

"Stop saying that! You know it isn't true!" Harry exclaimed. "Love is the only thing that matters, and I've learned that the hard way."

Draco stood up and crossed his arms as he stared at Harry. "If you love me so much like you say you do, then respect my pace."

"I do respect your pace!" Harry replied, to which Draco just frowned. "All right. I'm a jerk. I confess. But considering my personality, I have been patient enough! You want to punish me, don't you? That's what this act is all about. This is revenge. You never intended to be with me in the first place. You just want to torture me."

"Stop being silly, Harry! You came here on your own free will! I didn't call you here!" Draco said, angry not only with Harry but also with himself. Deep down Harry was right. Draco wanted revenge. But he also wanted Harry.

"You should have told me sooner that I'm not wanted here! But now that I've finally realised this, I'm going home," Harry said in a rampant.

He stood up furiously and walked to the closet so he could get his trunk. Draco stopped him by holding his arm and pulling him towards him so they could be face to face.

"You're not going anywhere! Bugger, Potter! Sit!" he ordered.

Harry was taken aback for a moment. They stared at each other for a while, wondering how the situation had gotten so bad. Harry had promised himself not to force Draco to be with him. He had promised himself not to lose his temper. He had no right to demand things from Draco. He sat on the bed, upset with his difficult temper.

"I came here to invite you to have dinner with me in one of the best restaurants in Nantes," Draco began, upset. "I want what you've promised me. I want all the silly things I thought I'd gotten over. I want romance. I want a proper date! If we're going to do this, then we're doing this my way! Isn't this the normal standard to win someone's affection and love? First dinner, then a nice conversation by the moonlight, then a sweet kiss… and eventually sex. You say you want me, but you don't do anything but act like a horny dog! And the sad thing is I do like this part of you! It's flattering to know that you desire me so much that you can't take it anymore! To be honest, I want you the same way! But I also want more! Otherwise, how is this any different from my previous proposal? You were the one who proposed this arrangement in the first place!"

After Draco's own rampant, they kept staring at each other. Draco was puffing while Harry was simply out of words.

"I'm…" Harry began carefully, as if searching for the right words to say. In the end, he decided to counter-attack, because that was just his style. "Well, how was I supposed to know that? You're the sort of person who looks cool and doesn't bother yourself with things like a "proper date"! I didn't know you wanted me to take you out to dinner so we could have sex later!"

"I didn't say we'd have sex later!" Draco replied, outraged.

"You did too!"

"Did not! I said eventually!"

"And how's that any different?"

Draco just shrugged. They were behaving like a couple of stupid teenagers. When he realised that, his irritation eased-up a little bit. Harry seemed to come to the same conclusion as he, because they made faces at the whole situation at the same time, and eventually they smiled at each other.

"You drive me nuts," Harry pointed out.

"So do you, Potter," Draco replied, this time teasingly.

Harry pulled Draco towards him gently. The blond didn't put on a fight. He let Harry stroke his hands tenderly and seductively until he was almost purring.

"All right, we'll have dinner. Then we'll talk by the moonlight…" Harry started in a whisper.

"I think it's going to rain," Draco said.

Harry made a face but decided to ignore Draco's silly provocation. "Let it rain. It will be amazingly sexy to kiss you that way. And then… we're coming back to my room. We'll end this night together on this bed."

Draco licked his lips and smiled. "Really? Aren't you overconfident?"

"I trust my powers of persuasion," Harry stated.

"And exactly what do you intend to do to convince me to end the night here?" Draco asked.

Harry gulped, and then he took a deep breath, because what he had to say would demand a lot from him.

"I intend to give myself to you just like you've always wanted," he said hoarsely.

Draco held his breath for a moment, and his eyes sparkled in anticipation and desire. He smiled naughtily before saying huskily, "Then we have a date, mon amour."

------------------------------------------------------------------------

That was it. Max had had it with James and Lucius. He couldn't stand to see both of them looking so miserable when they were apart from each other, and acting like two strangers when they happened to meet in class or for meals.

Their break-up was subject of endless gossip throughout Hogwarts. Lucius' fan club was divided. A group of girls thought it was great, but another group thought it was sad and heartbreaking to watch – which led them to furiously write stories about their romantic drama. The rest of the students, unaware of their true relationship, just thought it was a normal fall out between boys with quick tempers. It was bound to happen since Lucius and James were from different Houses.

But Max knew better, and he knew the whole truth about the episode, which only made him angrier. He decided that he would put a stop to their madness at all costs. Besides, he was fed up with the twins trying to profit with their fight in every possible way.

"Of course we want them to get back together!" they exclaimed when Max pointed that out. "But where is the harm in selling our stuff while we can? It's great stuff, you know? The girls love it!" added Vanessa with her eyes sparkling as she counted her galleons.

"It's so sad but oh so beautiful to see two boys who love each other break-up over jealousy!" pointed out Vivian. "It's always fun to add a third person to the love story! And you're perfect Max! You're sweet and adorable! It's obvious that Lucius would get jealous! James has to choose between the hot and naughty Slytherin and the loyal, smart and cute Gryffindor best friend!"

"It's classical!" said Vanessa.

"It's pure romance," Vivian added.

"You cannot expect us not to make good use of it!" they ended together. "It's perfect material for a love story!"

Max frowned. "You two are really messed-up. Can't you see that James is suffering?"

"Of course we can!" they said at once.

"Please don't tell me you think it's oh so sad but oh so beautiful…" Max said crossing his arms in disappointment.

Vanessa sighed. "We do, but that doesn't mean we want him to look like that forever. In fact, we're planning to do something about it…"

Vivian and Vanessa exchanged a meaningful look, one that told Max that they were up to something. He worried. A lot.

"Girls, I'm afraid to ask what you're up to…" Max said, biting his lower lip.

"Cheer up, Max! You worry too much. Things will be just fine!"

Max grumbled something, then turned around and left the Common Room fuming. He climbed the stairs to the dormitory and entered the room to face a gloomy James.

"James, enough is enough," he said, sitting next to James and staring at him. "When are you and Lucius going to stop being silly? He loves you. You love him. What's the matter?"

James sighed heavily. "I don't know how to apologise to him. Besides, I kept thinking about everything he said… And I've been reading some stuff too…"

Max raised a brow. "What stuff?"

Blushing, James caught a little book under his pillow and showed it to Max.

Max read the title on the cover: Friends and Lovers. It was one of Vanessa's "best sellers" according to a note at the bottom of the first page, and it was about Max and James. He reddened as he remembered the plot, as he had already read that book many times – and had shamelessly wished it would come true at some point. But that was before Mathias.

"What're you saying? That now you've realised you've loved me all along?" Max said half-jokingly.

James reddened as much as Max did.

"No. That's… Well… I don't know. I mean, I do like you a lot. So now I'm confused. And I'm angry. And sad. And depressed… Why does he have to be so stubborn and stupid and…" muttered James senselessly.

Max sighed. He blamed Lucius for that whole drama. If the Slytherin boy hadn't been so afraid of Max's and James' relationship, James would have never paid attention to those feelings. He would have forever seen Max as a dear cousin and best friend. Seeing James looking so confused and fragile was the perfect chance to pounce on him like he had always wanted. But now he had Mathias. He had gotten over his first love. He loved James, but he knew perfectly well that James and Lucius were perfect for each other. Besides, it was Mathias who made Max's heart race like there was no tomorrow.

"James… Can I do something? Do you promise not to get angry with me?" Max asked.

James stared at him puzzled. "What?"

Slowly, Max leaned close to James. The red-head blinked a few times, and held his breath as Max's lips brushed his. The soft mouth touched his, and soon their kiss deepened. James felt very warm inside, and a pleasant sensation ran through his body. And before things could get out of hand, Max broke the kiss.

They stared at each other, flushed.

"Can you see now?" Max asked softly.

James could. He nodded distractedly, and then he smiled. "It was good and tender…"

"And safe," Max finished. "And that's what we are to each other. I'll love you, and you'll love me until the end of times. But there's someone who makes your heart beat faster. There's someone else who loves you and makes you feel great and hot and…"

"Daring," James finished this time.

They smiled at each other. That was a very precious moment for both of them, one that they would remember many years later. It was the moment when they finally realised what there really was between them. It was love in its purest state, and it was a selfless kind of love. Perhaps if Lucius and Mathias hadn't come along to awake in them other types of feelings, they would have ended up together eventually. But as they were, they were better as friends. They were like brothers, and they would be so forever.

"So what are you waiting for?" Max asked.

"I'm waiting for him to apologise!" James exclaimed. "It's not just about you. It's about that stupid French boy…"

"James, think for a moment. Lucius went to extremes to be with you. He even faced your father. Do you really believe that he would jeopardise your relationship because of a past fling? He's kind of a brat sometimes, but he isn't that stupid. He loves you." Max said. "Tell me what's really bothering you."

James bit his lower lip. "I don't know. I guess… It's silly. You'll be mad at me if I tell you."

"Just let it out."

"It's just… Lucius is so perfect… He's everything to me. He made me realise so many things about myself. He made me whole. And that's scary, to think that I depend on him so much. And the thought of losing him is unbearable. So I panicked. That letter really pissed me off. It's so clear that that boy is not over him. But he can't see that. He never told me Eugene was still in touch with him. Besides, he started the whole thing about you… And I got confused, because I do love you a lot. So I acted like a fool. And now he hates me."

Max sighed. He held James tightly, and the red-head rested his head on his shoulder.

"You two are really silly. This is normal between couples, you know? Couples fight over stupid matters. But now it's past the time for you to make up."

"And I suggest that you do it fast," said Vanessa, coming into the room and sitting on the bed in front of them.

Max raised a brow as he saw Vivian do the same as her sister.

"Were you listening behind the door?" he asked angrily.

Vanessa and Vivian just shrugged.

"Like that's surprising," said Vivian, smiling at him fondly. "You two are really cute together."

Max rolled his eyes. He could almost see a love story flash before the twins' eyes. James flushed slightly.

"But it's time to go back to Lucius," Vanessa said, looking at her recently polished purple nails.

"…Or that bitch is going to steal him from you," continued Vivian, looking at her sister's nails and frowning at the colour.

James jumped from his bed. "What bitch?"

"Some girls are betting that they can steal a kiss from Lucius until the day ends, and they look quite determined to win. The one you should really fear is Paola, from Slytherin. That girl plays dirty," stated Vanessa.

"I bet she's going to wear an enchanted lip-gloss to make Lucius fall for her," pointed out Vivian.

They stared at James and said at once, "What're you going to do about it?"

James didn't know. The whole situation seemed surreal and ridiculously juvenile. Then again, they were all young and silly. They were supposed to do stupid things every now and then. How things got so out of hand he never quite understood. One moment he was confused about his feelings, and the next Max was there to make everything all right again. Now Lucius was being harassed by the girls in the school. Suddenly, James burst out laughing. The twins looked at each other confused. Max just smiled.

"Go on James. End this once and for all. And end it in style," Max said, winking at him.

James smiled at him, winked back and dashed out. When he was gone, Max stood up and looked at the twins.

"You placed the bet, didn't you?" he asked with a mischievous smile.

"Of course," Vanessa answered with a cocky attitude.

Max shook his head but smiled anyway. In a minute, they were all out of the Common Room and to the Great Hall. They wouldn't miss James and Lucius' reunion for the world.

TBC…

A/N: It's getting more and more complicated for me to update and write the story… I've been working a lot to pay for my trip to London, so I hope you forgive me for taking so long to update Lessons. Did you like the chapter? Harry and Draco are going on their pace, and James is going to confront Lucius next. It's going to be wild!

Huge thanks to Cuthrin and Kuri, my betas, and millions of kisses to my reviewers and readers!

Teaser:

"Can I make a confession?" Harry asked.

Draco nodded, amused.

"I'd like to pull you in my arms right at this instance," Harry began softly as he came near Draco. "I want to rip off your clothes, pour this wine on your body and savour it all with my tongue. Then I want to drive myself into you until you're panting and moaning and crying for more of the sweet nectar only I can provide you with."