Disclaimer: The Harry Potter universe is owned by J.K. Rowling, various publishers and Warner Bros. This story is based on characters and situations created by the amazing J. K. Rowling, however no money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended. This story is written for fun and all we own is the plot idea which is part of our very warped imagination.
Author's Note: Written in 1st POV. One scene makes up one chapter. Please note that the first few chapters are rather short; however let us assure you that this changes as the story progresses. Selly (Selly87) wrote Draco's POV, whilst Bru (dracosoftie) wrote Harry's POV, which considering that Bru has a soft spot for Draco, did not cause a brutal catfight between the two authors. The decision as to who writes which character was a mutual one and if you check the records of St Mungo A&E you will find none, unless of course you check for the records of one Harry Potter and one Draco Malfoy.

Chapter 37:

Draco's POV, one week later

"Snap out of it, Potter," I snarl at Harry, who has been staring at my laptop screen for nearly half an hour. I dropped by the Ministry to show him the first, very rough draft of my latest manuscript, well the first chapter of it anyway – I've started to work on a textbook for Hogwarts students just a few days ago – but instead of reading what's right in front of him, Harry is simply staring into space, clearly gone from this world. I don't know exactly what's going on, but I'm determined to find out. In the last seven days I've managed to see Harry a whopping two times – both times on his lunch break – and when I suggested that we head out to a Muggle pub in London on Friday night for a few drinks, he politely declined my offer, telling me he had a few files to catch up on. It was a ridiculous excuse and the moment he looked at me after making said excuse, he knew I wouldn't buy it. I allowed him to get away with it that one time but I'm determined to find out exactly what has crawled into Potter's pants.

I highly suspect that it's our unconventional encounter last week that is the cause for Harry's sudden need to distance himself from me, from what we have – or what we don't have – but I'm still hesitant to fully acknowledge that fact. It's so much easier to pretend to be oblivious to it all. There's less emotion involved in trying to be ignorant about what's right in front of you, it's less likely to cause me – and Potter – any pain. Though, judging by Harry's strange attitude these last few days I'm probably royally wrong. But what else was I supposed to say? I honestly don't know what Potter and I are. All I know is that I enjoy having him around – something I never ever thought I'd admit to myself. But it's true. There's some strange bond connecting the two of us and what started out as a silly, drunken proposal has turned into so much more, something really frightening. Something more powerful than both of us can or what to imagine… we're in deep, that much I'm sure of. But it doesn't make it any easier for me to try and handle the situation.

Last week I told Harry the honest truth and if he can't take it, then what's the point in elaborating? After my truthful answer – which I might add he forced out of me using unorthodox methods – he didn't feel the need to share his own thoughts about our arrangement. How am I supposed to tell him what I want when I don't even have the faintest idea about what he wants? It's fucked up, that's what it is. But despite all I cannot take Potter attitude and I've every intention of snapping him out of it. I don't really know what to do, but I'll figure something out. Hopefully…

"Huh?" Sitting back, Potter stares at me with a rather blank look on his face – even more proof of the fact that he didn't read a word of what I put right in front of him.

"I said snap out of it," I repeat calmly and rounding Potter's desk, I sit down on top of it and drawing my wand, I casually flick it and fire a Locking Charm at the door to his office. "What were you expecting last week when you asked me what we were?" I catch Harry off guard with my sudden topic change, and slipping my wand back into its holster, I give Harry a pointed look, one that should make him realize that I'm not planning to move until he's given me a satisfactory answer.

"Nothing." Potter shrugs and I raise one eyebrow at him, making him squirm uncomfortably underneath my gaze.

"Do you really expect me to buy that?" I sneer and cross my arms over my chest.

"That's entirely up to you," Harry responds, and the sulky undertone in his voice infuriates me. I've never experienced this side of him, this childish, unrelenting, silly side of him, and I'm glad that I haven't because it drives me up the wall. It's not like him to be this ridiculous.

"Well I'm not buying it, so you better come up with another explanation, one that actually makes sense," I push, and Potter glares at me. Anger and frustration are swirling around in his emerald orbs, mixed with confusion and a few other emotions that I can't quite place but know that they're there.

"What would you like me to say?" Harry asks me and leaning back in his chair, he crosses his arms over his chest – perfectly copying my own pose.

"Anything at all." I shrug, and at this stage I actually mean it. I'm scared shitless but this cannot go on. We both need to know what's going on before we lose our minds and take it out on each other. It's not going to be particularly easy – we're both as stubborn as each other – but it has to be done.

"Anything?" Harry confirms and I nod. "Like, I want more?" he pushes, and I shrug.

"Is that what you want?"

"Yes." Potter nods earnestly, and sucking in a sharp breath, I purse my lips.

"How much more do you want?" I ask. I simply need to know what he's expecting before I can tell him what I can give him.

"Some form of commitment, something that tells me I'm more than a convenient fuck to you." Harry's voice is a mere whisper and it makes me shudder. Even though his voice is quiet and he's calm, I know he means every word he says.

"You used to be," I sigh. "A convenient fuck, I mean. But that changed a good while ago. Now you're someone I like to hang out with."

"You sound like a teenager," Potter chuckles, and his amusement makes me smile, despite the seriousness of our conversation.

"I can live with that." I shrug. "But only because you and I both know that I will punish you for making that statement."

"I know. I can live with that too." Potter shrugs, and I shake my head.

"You're strange," I mumble, and Potter laughs.

"So I've been told. Apparently you're attracted to strange things."

"Apparently so. However I'm not entirely sure whether that's such a good thing."

"Well there's only one way to find out…"

"And which way is that?"

"Let's go steady?" Potter asks which such a sincere look on his face that I can't help myself but I laugh and shake my head.

"Are you asking me to be your boyfriend, Potter?" I chuckle, and Potter smirks, shrugs and give me a pointed look.

"I might be asking you just that…"

"We could certainly dare to wade into those dangerous waters…" I smile, and Potter giggles. Crooking his finger at me, he motions for me to come closer. When I don't oblige, Harry simply grabs me and pulls me onto his lap. I just about manage to suppress a shriek and glaring at Potter I poke his side, causing him to squirm. "Do that again and I'll tie you to this chair and leave you here overnight," I hiss and laughing Potter wraps his arms around my neck and draws me in for a kiss.

TBC