A handful of seventh years wove through the hallways with their noses in a book. Not entirely strange, since they were Ravenclaws, but they collectively read identical, massive volumes. Their intense perusing caused multiple student collisions, with more than one bottle of spilled ink staining the flagstones.
Only Luna Lovegood seemed entirely unaffected by the stress her fellow housemates were under, and her own hands were empty as she walked, humming, from breakfast.
Lost in his own thoughts, as he often was, Harry gave a start once he noticed Luna at his elbow. "Oh! Good morning, Luna."
"Lovely morning," Luna paused her hummed tune to greet him. "Where are you headed?"
"Potions, you?"
"History of Magic," She replied, "We have a test today. That's why all the Ravenclaws are studying right now. Wonderfully intelligent, you know, but awful procrastinators."
"You studied earlier, then?" Harry asked.
"Oh, no. I don't study for non-practical tests," Luna said airily, "Especially if they're multiple choice. I'm a good guesser." She beamed.
"I see…" Harry's footsteps slowed; the pair was coming up on a stairwell, where Harry would have to descend into the dungeons and leave Luna behind. "Good luck, then."
"Hold on, Harry," Luna said suddenly. "There's a reason I came to talk to you," She murmured, tapping her chin thoughtfully. Under her breath, she sang a quick strain of the same wordless tune she had been humming before. Apparently, this refreshed Luna's memory, and she stated, "Ginny and I are coming out today."
"Really?" Harry leaned a bit closer and lowered his voice so the surrounding students wouldn't hear. "To the whole school?"
Luna shook her head vigorously, making her hair swish against her robes. "No, just to you, Ron, and Hermione. And Draco, I suppose. I should check with Ginny," She added, mostly to herself. "I wanted to let you know so you can act properly surprised when the time comes."
"Sure." Harry felt a slight twinge of guilt at deceiving his friends, but at least after today, they'd all be in on this particular secret. "Er, Luna, before you go…Is Ginny mad at me?" Ever since she found out about him and Draco, Ginny had been decidedly chilly towards Harry. She was civil enough to him, especially during Quidditch practice, but had seemingly avoided talking to him any more than she had to.
Luna shook her head again. "I don't think so. She feels…a bit betrayed, I think. You started dating Draco, someone whom she used to despise, rather out of the blue. Soon after you two broke up, no less."
"She broke up with me in the first place," Harry grumbled, thinking this explanation a bit nonsensical, and Luna only shrugged elegantly in response.
"Honestly, I don't know what Ginny's thinking half the time, either," Luna professed, "But perhaps some girls are simply like that. Hard to read."
Harry nodded emphatically. "Exactly."
"But she's certainly worth a little trouble," Luna said with a conspiratorial grin. A loud clanging noise punctuated the end of her sentence - the bell for their first period had begun to ring. "See you later, Harry," Luna waved as she drifted towards the staircase.
"See you." Harry sped off towards the dungeons, slowing slightly on the slimy steps so as not to slip. He took careful note of the number of chimes, hoping to make it to class before the ninth. Professor Slughorn gave out tardy-related detentions as unpredictably as his mood changed.
The final gong reverberated through the cold depths of the dungeon as Harry skidded to a halt in front of the classroom's entrance. He quickly twisted the handle and slipped inside, panting. Thankfully, the rest of the class was still chattering as they lay textbooks next to their cauldrons, and Harry's rushed appearance went mostly unnoticed. Even Hermione, whom Harry knew would otherwise throw him a scolding look for tardiness, talked animatedly with Ron and paid him no notice. Professor Slughorn had his back turned, rifling through his notes in preparation to write on the board.
Only Draco eyed his companion with a mixture of disapproval and interest as Harry took the seat next to him and hastily retrieved his copy of Recipes for the Advanced Potioneer.
"Took your time getting here, Potter?" Draco drawled, his mouth twitching with the shadow of a smile. "You missed what we're doing today," He chastised as Professor Slughorn waved his wand, causing chalked terms to appear on the board.
"Anything to inconvenience you, Malfoy," Harry replied, a shade louder than usual. Beneath the desk, he accidentally-on-purpose brushed his knee against Draco's, their long robes shielding the affectionate gesture from students sitting behind. Draco's smile became more pronounced, and he covered his mouth to make it look like he was thinking hard.
"We're taking notes on a brief lecture," Draco muttered, nodding at their professor, "And then brewing a Manegro Potion, page 252."
"Thanks," Harry said under his breath, reaching for a quill and a roll of spare parchment.
As Professor Slughorn began to talk at length about the effects of various vegetable roots, Harry's mind started to wander. Ever since the Valentine's outing a few days ago, he had realized that he knew a lot less about Draco than he thought. There was a whole eighteen years of a life Harry had not been privy to, and vice versa with Draco - unfortunately, there seemed to be less time than ever to discuss any of it. Even as their relationship deepened, Harry and Draco reached an unspoken agreement to act relatively indifferent to each other in public, for fear of revealing too much. It didn't help that, besides rare outbursts of emotion, Draco tended to clam up and steer the conversation in a different direction whenever Harry got too personal.
As he wondered whether Draco would ever open up to him, Harry found himself staring absentmindedly at him. Today, Draco appeared to have applied less hair gel than usual, causing a section of blond locks to drape adorably over his forehead. This observation registered dimly in the back of Harry's mind, and it was with a start that he realized he'd stopped taking notes entirely, and instead began to admire his partner's finer features.
Abruptly, Draco looked up to meet Harry's eyes, and the Slytherin mouthed, you're staring. Feeling his face grow warm, Harry pulled his gaze away and fixed it resolutely on the board, though he knew, without looking, that Draco was smirking.
The quills' scratching slowed to a halt as Professor Slughorn finished his lecture and instructed them to light their cauldrons. "You all know the drill," He said genially, "Begin brewing, stick to the page, and I'll be around to answer any questions." With a general sweep of his arm, clothed in forest-green robes, he signaled the class to begin.
Harry flipped to the correct page as Draco pored over his own book, making a note of the ingredients. With a flick of his wand, Draco caused cobalt flames to erupt beneath their iron-heavy cauldron.
"I'll get the eucalyptus and fairy tears from the stores," Draco stated, "And you can chop up the licorice root."
"Okay." Harry knelt beneath their workstation for the root, counting out the stalks and setting them upon a cutting board. He had just gotten out his silver dagger when Draco returned with a vial and a bell jar.
"Wait a moment." Draco placed the ingredients on the counter and slid over his textbook, brow furrowing as he thought of something. "Cut the licorice into slivers, Potter. As thin as you can."
Harry knew the textbook called for rough cubes, but he had learned to trust Draco's potion instincts over the months. "Alright…if you say so."
Draco nodded curtly, procured a mortar and pestle, and began to the eucalyptus leaves. Harry sliced the licorice root accordingly, careful not to cut himself on the dagger's keen edge.
The pair worked in relative silence and coordination, speaking only in whispers to pass ingredients and various tools. Before long, the surface of their potion settled to a bright shade of silver, with lilac vapor rising from the top. Except for Hermione and Ron's potion, the rest of the class hadn't achieved such results - the worst was a cauldron shared by Pansy Parkinson and Anaya Carrow, which somehow emitted navy-colored smoke that smelled overwhelmingly of peppermint. Pansy caught Draco's criticizing look and glared at him with such loathing it sent a chill down Harry's spine.
"She's only sore because I won't help her out anymore," Draco murmured, unable to keep the mocking out of his tone. He was right, however. Anaya, darkly sullen and indifferent to Pansy's frustration, didn't even flinch at the obviously botched potion.
Slughorn had begun his customary rounds of the classroom, peering into cauldrons to see if the concoctions were fit to be tested. He gave Hermione and Ron an approving nod, Henrietta's solitarily brewed potion an appreciative sniff, and the rest of the cauldrons a combination of raised eyebrows or outright grimacing. As he peered into Draco's and Harry's cauldron, a smile spread across Professor Slughorn's lined face.
"Excellent work, as usual," He commended. Draco smiled smugly as Pansy threw both he and Harry a dirty look from across the dungeon.
With the ringing of the bell, Harry and Draco met Ron and Hermione just outside of the classroom. "Nice potion," Hermione told them as the group headed down the hallway. "You two always manage to do perfectly."
"Come off it, Hermione, too much praise and their heads will explode," Ron joked, but his expression quickly grew solemn when he realized who he was talking to. "Um, no offense, Malfoy."
"None taken, that was funny," Draco said with a half-shrug. Harry knew he was being sincere, though he wasn't sure if Hermione and Ron could tell - thankfully, Ron looked somewhat mollified.
"I'd better get going," Hermione declared as they ascended to the ground floor. She gave Ron a quick kiss on the cheek and a brief wave to the other two before rushing off to Muggle Studies.
"Where d'you want to go?" Ron said, his stroll leisurely as he contemplated the free hour before them.
"Dunno, anywhere is fine with me. The Tower, maybe. Malfoy?"
"I'm off to the library," Draco said airily, "That end-of-year essay isn't going to write itself."
"Blimey, you sound like Hermione," Ron remarked, genuinely concerned at this proof of their similarities.
Draco only smiled wryly in response as they parted ways. A fragment of regret rose through Harry's chest as he watched him go - he was happy, of course, to hang out with his best mate, but a part of him couldn't help but imagine a reality where Draco could openly spare a kiss of farewell just as Hermione had.
• • •
The smell of rotting leaves followed the eighth-year students as they exited Greenhouse Five, each of them gratefully taking great gulps of fresh February air. Most teens walked briskly from the greenhouse without looking back, wanting to put as much distance as possible between them and the horrors lurking behind the glass. Others took no such precautions but made a point to brush the various bits of plant matter from their clothes and hair as they left.
"Urgh, I never want to work with those again," Hermione groaned, combing through her thick mane for stray twigs.
"Same," Ron said, and Harry nodded, grimacing. "Missed a spot, Hermione," He told his girlfriend and pulled a raggedy leaf from the back of her head.
"Thanks." Hermione spotted the leaf, which seemed to be glimmering with ooze, as Ron flicked it away. "Urgh," She repeated.
"Yes," Ron agreed. "Merlin, what a freak show. Straight to the common room, yeah? Nature's not particularly agreeable at the moment." He lowered his gaze, presumably to eye the grass, but came face to face with a beaming person instead.
Ron actually yelped at Luna's appearance at his elbow, which was sudden enough to startle. "Hello, Ron," Luna said, quite unperturbed at his reaction. "Harry, Hermione."
"I-I'm sorry, Luna," Ron stammered, clutching his chest as his friends greeted the Ravenclaw. "Bit on edge, you know, after Herbology…"
"Oh? Why?"
"Resurrecting Corpse Squashes," Harry explained as Ron rubbed his chest fervently as if forcing his heartbeat to slow down. "Sprang up unexpectedly just yesterday, so Professor Sprout had us replant them. They're the weirdest-"
"Scariest," Hermione offered with a shudder.
"- and scariest plants I've ever seen," Harry amended. "Like mini Inferi," He spoke aloud the comparison that popped into his head, and it seemed to fit. "But with more leaves."
"And sludgy seed juice," Ron added.
"Yeah, that too."
"Sounds gruesome," Luna said with a mildly intrigued expression. "Well, I hope you can get over your shock soon because there may be another one coming."
"What are you talking about?" Ron asked, concerned at her suggestion.
"Nothing involving zombie-like plants," Luna continued reassuringly. "Come on, we'll meet Ginny at Gryffindor Tower."
"What's going on at Gryffindor Tower?" Came a new, curious voice, and Ron yelled in shock again as Draco emerged from the greenhouses' shade to join them.
"Stop sneaking!" Ron moaned, covering his face and giving a strange little shake.
Draco ignored him and moved to walk beside Harry. The least squeamish of the class, he had stayed behind to help Professor Sprout clean the debris from their lesson, and subsequently was unimpressed with Ron's fearful reactions.
"You ought to come as well, Draco," Luna said thoughtfully as the fivesome arrived at the castle's interior.
"For what?" Draco inquired, but Luna only smiled serenely and answered no more questions until they had all reached the painting of the Fat Lady.
The hefty woman herself was wide awake, as the hallways were busiest right after school. She smoothed her pink dress and smiled genially as they approached, but then her eyes fell on Draco's green and silver tie.
"No," She said adamantly once the group had gathered before the painting. "No Slytherins; I won't have it."
"We're allowed to go to any house's common room before curfew," Hermione piped up, "So long as we know the password."
"He doesn't know it," The Fat Lady said, jutting her wobbly chin at Draco.
"I don't know it either," Luna said reasonably.
"Ravenclaws are fine," Said the painted figure, "But I won't have his kind wrecking the place."
Draco, who had fallen silent, stared at the ground, his face utterly blank. The rest of the students stayed in place, not leaving the Slytherin behind but equally reluctant to defend him. Cold anger reared its head within Harry's chest - hadn't McGonagall began the year with a speech mentioning inter-house friendship?
"Falcon's nest," Harry declared, stepping forward. "That's the password, right? And now Malfoy knows it anyway, so just let us in."
The Fat Lady pressed her mouth into a thin line.
"He's as much of a Hogwarts student as any of us!" Fury raised Harry's voice, and he noticed Draco's bowed head lift up. He didn't understand why he was getting so angry - he simply felt it. The painting did not budge; the Fat Lady's arms were crossed. "Falcon's nest, for goodness's sake, if you don't," He thrust his hand into his robes, and Hermione gasped, "Open up, I'll-"
The portrait swung open, but not of the inhabitant's own volition; Ginny poked her fiery head through, eyeing them worriedly.
"Thought I heard you shouting, Harry," Ginny said. "Were you about to pull your wand on Esther?"
"That's her name, then?" Ron murmured as Harry withdrew his hand from his robes and ran it through his hair.
"Er…"
"He might have," Esther said grumpily, "If you hadn't opened the door. I suppose you're going to let them all in, then? Even the dangerous one?"
"He's not…!" Harry began but was quelled by a hand on his shoulder. Draco gave a tiny shake of the head, wearing a look that clearly said, enough.
"Malfoy happens to be Luna's friend," Ginny said, without looking at him. "Come in, you lot."
Ignoring Esther's protests, the five friends clambered through and entered the Gryffindor common room. The bright tapestries, flickering fireplace, and soft sofas scattered about usually made Harry feel right at home, but he was still fuming about the Fat Lady's display of anti-Slytherin sentiment.
"It's so cozy," Draco muttered to himself, his silver eyes sweeping the room with interest. He fell back from the group to have a proper look around, and Harry followed suit, wanting to address what just happened.
"You okay?" Harry asked quietly as he let the others move ahead.
"Are you asking because of what the painted lady said?" Draco said dismissively. "Please. I've been a Slytherin for eight years now. We get used to that. Mostly, anyway." His face fell, and Harry wished to take his hand, but there were too many eyes watching.
"It shouldn't be normal," Harry said fiercely. "Even before I came here, I automatically considered Slytherin to be the 'evil' house. Which obviously isn't true."
"Not so obvious," Draco contradicted softly, but before Harry could argue the point, Ginny waved impatiently at them.
The six students settled in a secluded corner of the room, the presence of a Slytherin having spooked a couple of nearby younger Gryffindors away. Ginny and Luna sat close together, and after a moment's hesitation, Ginny took her girlfriend's hand. There was no outward reaction from the other four, though Harry exchanged a meaningful glance with Luna as Ginny began to speak.
"Luna and I have an announcement," Ginny said slowly, making eye contact with each of the four in turn. "And…well, no sense in delaying it. We're dating."
Harry saw Draco's silver eyes widen, and he mimicked him, feigning surprise. Ron's eyebrows shot up into his red hair. Hermione, a smile growing across her face, was the first to say anything.
"Congratulations, you two!" She said excitedly. "How long have you been together?"
"Official since October, I believe?" Ginny looked at Luna, who nodded.
"Yeah, congratulations," Harry echoed, his grin genuine. Luna smiled at him.
"Surely you don't need my approval," Draco said, "But you have it, I suppose."
Ginny looked surprised at this, but she thanked all three, nevertheless.
Luna's gaze fell upon Ron, who seemed to be in deep thought. "You alright, Ron?"
"I don't remember you liking any girls ever, Ginny," Ron said abruptly, making his sister's face flush.
"Just because you don't pay attention to my preferences enough doesn't make them any less valid," Ginny said, brown eyes narrowing.
"No! No, of course not, I'm okay with it," Ron said quickly. "A bit unexpected, that's all."
"Yes, you kept it hidden quite well," Hermione added as Ginny softened. "But I'm glad you two finally told us. I can't speak for the rest of Hogwarts, but we've no objections to same-sex couples."
"Although it goes without saying," Ron said sternly, "That if you break Ginny's heart, you'll have her brothers to answer to."
Luna, sweet and kind Luna, giggled heartily at this. "How could I? I'm just lucky to be with her."
"Don't be silly," Ginny replied, blushing, "You're amazing."
"You're amazing, petal."
"We get it now, you're perfect for each other," Ron remarked, wearing an expression that was a mixture of annoyance and relief. "Blimey, Harry, I bet you thought you'd end up with Ginny."
"Oh, er…I dunno," Harry stammered as Hermione berated her boyfriend for his lack of tact. He and Draco looked meaningfully at each other, and he knew they were both wondering the same thing: How would Ron react if he found out Harry had moved on to an ex-Death Eater instead?
This silent exchange did not go unnoticed by Ginny, who looked between Draco and Harry. Hermione and Ron began to bicker, as they were wont to do, and Ginny whispered something to Luna, who nodded.
Then, after a pause in which Ginny did some swift thinking, she said loudly, "Hermione, Ron, are you two still prefects?"
Hermione shook her head. "There aren't any prefects in eighth year, there's not enough students."
"Oh," Ginny said, looking a bit dismayed. "Er, well, I suppose you still have some authority. To the younger years, at least. You see, there's been some incidents recently in the boys' dormitory - I heard about it from a few classmates. I think a fourth-year got a hold of some bootleg Wheezes products, and they've been turning their dorm mates into animals in their sleep by force-feeding them Creature Creams."
"So, what do you want us to do?" Ron said, who lit up at the mention of Creature Creams.
"Well, no one's been able to find the box yet," Ginny said seriously, "And I figured if anyone could, it'd be you and Hermione."
"I guess it wouldn't hurt to take a look," Hermione said. "Want to come with, Harry?"
"We don't need three people for this," Ron replied, standing up, and Hermione followed suit. "I'll save you some if we find them," He told Harry with a grin, and his girlfriend threw him a disapproving look as they left for the dormitories.
"Is that story true, Ginny?" Harry asked once they were out of earshot.
"No," She admitted point-blank. "Well, it might be. Who knows what the younger boys get up to? Anyway, they'll be gone long enough for us to talk."
"Sneaky," Draco said appreciatively. "You'd make a fine Slytherin."
Ginny looked a bit taken aback at this but decided to take it as a compliment. "Thanks."
"So, what did you want to talk about?" Harry inquired.
"You know…" Ginny looked pointedly at Draco. "About you two."
"What about us two?" Draco said defensively, and it was with a sinking feeling that Harry remembered he never told him that Luna had found out.
"You didn't tell him?" Luna asked Harry.
"Tell me what?" The pitch of Draco's voice had gone up a few increments, as it did whenever he got anxious.
Luna leaned forward and lowered her voice so the Gryffindors chatting in the common room wouldn't hear. "We know you're dating Harry."
"That's preposterous." Draco had become very still. "I don't know what you're talking about."
"Draco, it's okay," Harry lay a comforting hand on his arm. "Ginny and Luna know already. They can keep a secret."
"Not here," Draco hissed, and Harry rolled his eyes but ceased touching him. "How'd you find out?" He demanded.
"Luna's observant," Ginny said simply. "And to be honest, once she told me, it made sense. I can see it in the way you guys act around each other."
"Only the way we act…!" Draco spluttered, distressed over their blown cover.
"Calm down," Ginny said firmly, and Draco reluctantly stopped talking. "See, you wouldn't be this upset if you were already out to everyone. Then there's no secrets to hide."
"How would you know, you came out two seconds ago-"
"And look how well it went," Luna cut across him, in a very un-Luna-like way. "Draco, Harry, you can't live in the dark like this."
"I agree," Harry said, and he turned to his companion, whose brows were knitted together in worry. "Ron and Hermione will be fine with it, sooner or later. Ginny was."
"Not at first," Ginny corrected. "I'm still not used to the idea. But fuck it, eh? If you like each other, you like each other."
Harry yearned to take Draco's hands. Instead, he tried to reach him with his eyes as he spoke sincerely. "Keeping us a secret…it hurts. Doesn't it?"
Draco nodded slowly. Luna smiled encouragingly. "I'm sorry," He whispered. "I'm not ready, I can't do it yet. I'm not brave like you."
"Yes, you are," Harry said insistently. "We both know how much you're risking just being with me. Hell, you know that more than I do."
Draco nodded. His pale eyes were swimming with tears, and he seemed to be fighting not to let them fall. "I'm just really scared," He admitted, with a glance at Luna and Ginny as if they'd make fun of him, but the couple wore expressions of empathy.
"Me too," Harry said, though he was painfully aware that Draco had more to fear.
"Hey," Ginny said suddenly, "Hermione and Ron don't know you're bisexual, do they?"
"How do you know I'm bisexual?" Harry countered. "For all you know, I could be gay."
"You're not gay," Ginny said, raising an eyebrow. "You've kissed me before, I can tell you're definitely into girls."
Harry turned red at this; even Luna and Draco looked a bit flustered. "Okay, yes, I'm bisexual," He confessed, "And they don't know."
"Start with that, then," Ginny suggested. "Come out to them as bi first, so they're not completely surprised when you tell them you're dating. Small steps."
"I suppose that works," Harry said. "What do you think, Malfoy?"
"As long as I don't have to come out for a while yet," Draco replied, looking relieved.
Pleased that they had come up with a plan, at least for the short term, Harry stopped pressing the issue. Draco wiped his eyes surreptitiously on his sleeve and assumed his mask of indifference just as Ron and Hermione returned.
"Nothing." Hermione shook her head, making her frizzy hair bounce. "Either fourth years know enough magic to make objects immune from Summoning Charms, or they've gotten rid of it already."
"Probably the latter," Ginny said reasonably. "Oh, well. Worth a shot."
The homework load from that day was low enough that not even Hermione objected to staying and chatting for a while. The six students enjoyed each other's company until the tower's windows grew red with sunset. A few curious glances were spared for the odd Ravenclaw and Slytherin within the group; fortunately, surrounding Gryffindors decided not to say anything when they saw Harry, Ron, and Hermione with them.
Draco hadn't yet emerged out of his shell entirely, but Christmas and the following weeks had made the Slytherin considerably warmer to the others, and they to him. In fact, he did a better job of hiding his stress than Harry did; the Gryffindor talked much less than usual, his mind mulling over ways to come out to his best friends. Ought he wait a couple weeks so they could get over the shock of Ginny and Luna? Or should he do it as soon as possible to get it over with? Harry wanted to plan the conversation word-by-word so he wouldn't mess it up - but at the same time, he felt he shouldn't make so much fanfare over it.
Hermione noticed Harry's strange behavior; he could feel her eyes on him every time he didn't notice someone speaking to him. But try as he might, he couldn't stop fretting over the inevitable. The Chosen One had dodged dragons, killed a basilisk, and dueled with the Dark Lord, but telling his friends he liked boys seemed just as alien and uncomfortable. No use in overthinking it, Harry told himself. I've just got to grit my teeth and do it.
• • •
In the end, it was Draco who calmed Harry's frantic brain waves. The rest of the Slytherins and eighth years had gone to bed close to midnight. The Black Lake pressed darkly against the windows, the crescent moon sparing no luminescence for its depths. Thus, it was by the warm green light of the enchanted sconces that Draco pulled Harry aside and sat with him on one of the room's many black leather couches.
"You're nervous," Draco stated.
Harry rubbed his hands up and down his thighs to keep them from shaking; he didn't deny it. "And it's not even the day yet."
"Come out tomorrow," Draco said, "The sooner, the better."
Harry nodded once. "Yes."
"After school."
"Okay."
"By yourself."
"Why?"
The shadows threw both their faces into statue-like relief, and Draco's eyes gleamed like diamonds in the firelight. "It'd look too suspicious if I came with you. Granger would probably put two and two together."
"True." Harry quit moving his hands and instead clenched them together in his lap, so tightly that the brown skin became several shades paler.
"It'll turn out fine," Draco said softly, and he slid his arm over Harry's shoulders, pulling him closer. "You have wonderful friends."
There was a hint of envy in his words, and Draco's fingers tightened almost imperceptibly on Harry's arm. Harry titled his head up to look at him; Draco stared straight ahead; his expression impassive.
"They're your friends, too."
"Friendly acquaintances, maybe."
"Do I count as a wonderful friend?" Harry asked hopefully, and Draco smiled.
"I suppose so, Potter."
Heat emanated from Draco's body. He'd shed his outer robes, leaving the vest and dress shirt underneath. Harry tried not to stare, but he couldn't help noticing the details.
"One might say…" Harry took a breath, anticipating Draco's reaction. "That I'm your boyfriend."
Draco looked at him then, their faces close. "Oh? And why might one say that?"
"Multiple reasons," Harry said nonchalantly, though his heart hammered. "First off, I'm the only one who gets to do this." He sat up and pressed his lips to Draco's.
It was a thrilling feeling, being in Draco's arms, sliding a hand to his slender waist as his fingers tangled in messy hair. Harry realized just how long it had been since they'd kissed, properly kissed, and he didn't want to lose that feeling. Unyielding, Harry parted Draco's lips with his tongue and felt the him respond in kind. Suddenly Harry found himself tugging at Draco's tie, loosening it, a part of him hungry to strip him until there was nothing left but pale skin. But even as Harry's body sought to finish what they'd started on New Year's Eve, his mind recoiled at unexplored territory.
Thankfully, Draco seemed to be thinking the same thing, and he pulled back an inch, so their mouths no longer touched, but their noses brushed each other. Harry thought he glimpsed something in those silver eyes - lust? It was too unfamiliar to tell - but it disappeared as quickly as it came.
"Potter…"
"Too fast?"
"Too fast," Draco agreed, and he flung himself back onto the sofa in a breathless fashion. "You're so…" He muttered, and the last words were indistinct.
"Sorry?"
"Nothing." Draco flushed. "Nothing bad, anyway."
Harry decided to take Draco's word for it.
Darkness like ink crept in closer as the fire began to die down. Harry stared at Draco for a few minutes, freely admiring his tapered yet handsome features, slightly mussed blond hair, his luminous eyes as they gazed into his own. Like he had weeks earlier, Harry felt inebriated, but not with alcohol. He felt woozy with desire and admiration of the person in front of him - someone undoubtedly flawed, but all the more beautiful for their imperfections, both inside and out.
In a kind of trance, Harry reached over and pulled at the loosened tie around Draco's collar.
"What are you…" Draco trailed off as Harry carefully undid the knot, sliding the fabric off and dropping it on the cushions.
"Can I keep going?" Harry asked, and Draco nodded mutely, eyes widening. "Tell me when to stop."
With Draco's help, Harry pulled the green-edged vest over his head. With slightly trembling hands, Harry started to unbutton the crisp, white shirt, exposing inch after inch of creamy skin.
Once he'd reached the middle of Draco's chest, the blond murmured, "Stop."
Harry's hands removed themselves from the buttons. His fingertips hesitantly reached forward, brushing Draco's skin. It was then, in the dim light, that he glimpsed the pale, slightly raised lines.
Hot guilt rose in Harry's throat. He recalled porcelain and glass shattering, curses flying across the bathroom, blood dripping onto wet tile as the sixteen-year-old knelt in pain...
"Sectumsempra," Harry whispered. "I…I thought Snape fixed it."
"The cuts on my face weren't as deep as these," Draco said. His tone was not accusatory but composed. "Madam Pomfrey said that dittany wasn't enough to erase the scars entirely. I'll always have them."
"I'm sorry." To his embarrassment and Draco's surprise, tears began to fall into Harry's lap - he had bowed his head, unable to look Draco in the eye. "I d-didn't know what the spell did, I didn't mean to…"
"Yes, I gathered as much from your reaction that day. Potter, I was going to use the Cruciatus Curse on you!" Draco said, tone rising in alarm as Harry wept openly.
"B-but pain is temporary, and you'll have those forever, it's m-my fault," Harry cried, feeling ashamed at both the marks he'd made on Draco and his naive tears.
"For Merlin's sake, pull yourself together!" Draco said sharply, and Harry looked up at him in shock, green eyes watery. "It's not your fault." Draco's tone softened, and he took Harry's face in both hands, thumbs wiping away his tears. "Potter. Potter, look at me." Harry did. "You didn't know. And trust me," it was Draco's turn to look guilty now, "I would have done worse."
Harry sniffed. "I'm sorry." He repeated.
"Don't apologize." Draco leaned forward and kissed Harry's forehead, right beside his scar. Harry thought he'd melt into a puddle right then and there. "Come on, let's go to bed. It's been a long day."
"You can say that again," Harry sighed. The pair stood from the couch, Draco gathering his garments.
"I ought to thank you, Potter," Draco said lightly, "I'm already half-undressed, it'll be easier to get ready for bed now."
Harry laughed. "Anytime, Malfoy."
It has been a long day, Harry thought wearily as he clambered into bed. The dormitory was nearly pitch-black, and he fumbled for the nightstand to place his glasses upon it. Harry had imagined his life would be a whole lot easier after defeating Voldemort - and though the threat of the strange Asian wizards still existed, Harry no longer feared for his life. But school, friends, and a boyfriend succeeded in making his life complicated, anyway.
A boyfriend. Harry didn't bother to try to squash the wide grin that spread across his face as he lay in bed, the blanket pulled to his chin against the castle's chill. I have a boyfriend. He held the word to his chest like a precious jewel, falling asleep with a smile still lingering on his lips.