Neville's POV:
He stumbled through the window and crashed onto his bed.
"Welcome back." A familiar voice said, making him shout. There was his grandmother, waiting for him in a chair with her arms crossed across her chest. "You really thought I wouldn't notice?"
"I'm sorry I just-"
"You're sneaking out to see that boy, aren't you?" She asks. Neville stares at her. He was glad he had his bracelet on, or he would probably start wheezing right about now. She walks over to him and sits beside him. She takes a deep breath and asks, "How do you really feel about his boy?"
Neville looks at the ground, not saying a word. She speaks again, "I want you to tell me honestly how you feel about him. I'm not here to yell, I'm here to talk."
Neville bites the inside of his cheek and mutters, "I don't know if I feel comfortable saying it."
"Let me tell you a story. When I was fifteen, I dated a boy named Rufus. He went to Durmstrang. But, when my mum and dad found out, they shouted and lectured me for a good few hours because they thought all students at Durmstrang were dark wizards. They were wrong... He was the sweetest boy I had ever met. He would help out anyone and everyone that needed it without a second of hesitation. But, because my parents didn't believe that, I wasn't able to see him anymore. And I didn't... Not for a few months at least. Until I decided to do exactly what you have been doing. I snuck out to see him, but I got caught... You wanna know why I did that, though?"
"Why?" Neville whispers.
"Because I loved him..." His grandmother smiles to herself, "I've been thinking a lot lately, especially about him and that boy you've been hanging around... I even had a chat about it at your father's grave... A thought came to me, as if your father was speaking to me. I realized just how messed up you had been and how heartbroken you looked when I told you you couldn't see him. A voice said to me, 'Let Neville see him.' I never though it was possible or natural for boys to love boys and girls to love girls... But the more I thought about it and the more I talked to my friends and family about it, the more I realized just how wrong I was. And that voice too kept ringing in my ears. Even though I am incredibly dissappointed with you sneaking out... I think I will allow you to see him again. If I know anything about my past... It seems like you love that boy and I can't take that away from you." His grandmother finishes.
"You... You're letting me see him?" Neville asks.
"Yes. But, you are grounded for a week." His grandmother says.
Neville jumps up and hugs her tight. She squeaks in surprise. "Thank you!" He shouts with a bright smile on his face.
She chuckles and pulls away from him, "I guess you want those letters I didn't let you have?"
"Yes please." He says. His grandmother walks over to the chair, reaches on the floor and hands him four pages of crinkled parchment.
"Now get to bed." His grandmother says, "And no sneaking out!" She smiles and walks away.
Draco's POV:
The things Pansy said rang in his ears. But what if she lied? Pansy was one of the more Slytherin Slytherin's in their year and it wasn't uncommon for her to do things like this for her own personal gain.
He was torn between finding Harry and telling him everything and just ignoring Pansy completely and trying to forget about what happened with Harry.
Meanwhile, his father's words also rang in his head. One's about how boys who like boys are sick, disgusting people that deserve to die with the "mudbloods." What if his father was able to get out of Azkaban and he had gotten together with Harry? He'd be dead for sure. That wouldn't be an exaggeration or a figure of speech, he would seriously be dead.
He sat on the steps of the fourth floor, hoping Harry wouldn't find him there. Much to his dismay, a voice behind him says:
"I've been looking for you everywhere!" He locks eyes with Harry who sits beside him. "I need to talk to you."
"What about?" Draco asks, turning his attention to the floor.
"I've been thinking about what happened the other day... you know, the k-kiss and uh..." Harry trails off before speaking again, "Well I talked to Pansy about it and-"
"You did?! Oh..." Draco says.
"Yeah... She kinda confirmed that you liked me and I can't stop thinking about you and I really like you." Harry blurts out. "I'm not very good at this." He says with a nervous chuckle.
Draco can feel his cheeks heat up. He could only hope Harry didn't notice, yet realistically, it would be plain as day.
"I-I've been thinking about you a lot too." Draco says.
"You know... I uh, I've realized something." Harry says.
"Yeah? What is that?" Draco asks nervously.
"Ever since third year, I always kinda thought you were... attractive." Harry gives a nervous chuckle.
Draco looks over at him, shocked by how close they were. "You did?" He says quietly.
Harry inches his face closer to Draco's, "I did." He whispers.
In a moment of courage, Draco whispers, "Kiss me."
Harry smiles softly and kisses him gently. "You know," He whispers, "I used to think about this a lot. I'd ignore it though. I thought it was just some weird intrusive thought, but I realize now that I've wanted this for a long time."
"Me too." Draco whispers. "I've always kind of liked you, although I was also just incredibly jealous of you. I mean, look at you! You're Harry Potter... of course I'd be jealous of you... But I didn't expect that I'd want to kiss you too."
"I'm not that great. I'm just like everyone else." Harry says.
"Oh, shut up." Draco says with a small smirk. "It's strange, though..." He grabs Harry's hand gently, "We've hated each other's guts for years... Well, maybe not hated but we sure acted like it. And now here we are." He smiles.
"That is pretty strange. Maybe if we weren't so stubborn maybe we could've been friends, you know."
"Maybe if I wasn't such a pretentious prat." Draco chuckles.
"That too." Harry smirks. "I really want to give us a try. I'd love to show you the love and care you deserve if you'd accept it."
Draco thinks for a while. Maybe being with Harry can make him a better person. Maybe it can change his life for the better.
He's terrified that it won't work out, but he doesn't let that stop him from saying, "I'd love to give us a try as well."
Harry interlocks their fingers and gives him a warm smile. "That's great! Would you want to keep it secret for a while until we get comfortable or..."
"A secret. I'm sorry if that upsets you but... If my father found out I'd..."
"Don't worry. I'll make sure to not let any Rita Skeeter's know." Harry jokes. "I'll make sure you're safe and happy, I promise."
"Thank you so much." Draco says, pulling Harry close to him and wrapping his arms around him.
Harry hugs him back and says, "We'll keep this a secret for as long as you need."
"Maybe we can tell a few people... Maybe Blaise and Neville. Maybe Luna too." Draco suggests.
"Of course! Would it be ok for me to tell Hermione or Ron?" Harry asks.
"Would they tell anyone?" Draco asks.
"Of course not, especially not Hermione. If it would make you feel better, I'll threaten to hex Ron if he tells." Harry jokes.
Draco chuckles, "No thank you. I wouldn't want to see Ron blown up into a balloon."
Harry laughs and they pull away. "So it's settled then. Only the few people we discussed will know unless of course we decide to make it public."
"Thank you, Harry. Thank you so so much."
"Of course! To be honest, I wouldn't be happy with the Daily Prophet discussing my love life anyways. They'd probably go ballistic over me dating a boy. I wouldn't want them attacking either of us."
"I'm just glad you're asking for my permission to tell people. If anyone knew, especially my father and he managed to get out of prison, I would be dead." Draco says with a nervous gulp.
"That's terrible. But, again, I won't let anything happen to you. Not even what you can do to yourself. Which reminds me... We are going to get that sorted out, you know." Harry says.
Draco sighs, "But it makes me feel better."
"I know it might make you feel better, but you're harming yourself! It's only a temporary release and it's a bad habit! It only leads to worse things... You can hurt yourself even worse and I don't want you to do that. I really do care about you and I've been worried sick!I know you're hurting, but there's better ways to deal with it. I'll even help you exercise better coping mechanisms. I'm here for you and I'll support you any way I can. But we need to get this sorted out before it gets any worse and you get addicted to it." Harry says.
"I can't get addicted to it. It's not like a drug or something."
"It can be! Trust me, I've heard about it. Hermione helped me research it and I think I know how we can help you until we get you professional help."
"I don't want professional help! I'll just be thrown into the hospital!" Draco exclaims.
"You won't be unless they really think you won't be able to stop yourself or that you'll continue to harm yourself. But, really, now that I'm... your b-boyfriend... if that's ok to say... I think I should focus on helping you through this." Harry says.
"You don't have to help me just because we're together now. I can handle it on my own."
"I know I don't have to but I want to. I know you weren't shown a lot of love and support and I want to be the one to give it to you. Maybe even Blaise can help out if you let him! I'm sure he'd love to help you out. And I know you're strong enough to handle things yourself, but I really think some extra support can help you. Please, just let me help." Harry begs.
"What will you do to help?" Draco asks.
"Well... From the book Hermione showed me-"
"Wait, did you tell Hermione?!" Draco asks, half in anxiety and the other in anger.
"No, I promise. I simply said that I needed to research self-harm for a friend. I never mentioned you I promise." Harry assures.
His breathing relaxes, "Ok... continue."
"So... The book said that we need to find you some healthy coping mechanisms. Some examples were to swim or exercise or even talk to someone. They also say that you need to recognise the triggers and make a plan to stop your self-harm before it starts. They also suggest distracting yourself, which could probably also tie in with a coping mechanism. I don't remember it all but I'm sure I can get the book and we can look through it."
"I don't know-"
"Please... Let's just try." Harry pleads.
"Ok... I'll try." Draco says.
"Fantastic. I'll get that book as soon as possible, ok? We'll figure this out." Harry says, kissing his cheek softly.
Oddly enough, a part of him doesn't want to get help. Why should he need to stop himself? It's not like his body matters. Nothing matters. But, he said yes for Harry. If Harry is happy, that's all that matters. That doesn't mean he'll have to do anything, right?