A Hard Story

by MickeySLee

Fate takes a different turn, Harry and Draco are friends (not that anyone knows that) before first year, only Draco begins to act differently. The two share a secret, bringing them closer as outside forces attempt to tear them apart. Their years at Hogwarts are about to get very interesting. Secret Relationship Drarry, rated M! Expanded Summary inside.

4. Year 4 Part I

A/N: Year 4 will be split up into 3 sections. Please enjoy, Part I.

Harry gasped as he woke up. This was both because he was in the middle of a dream, and because Mrs. Weasley had just shaken him awake. The dream was quickly fading, but Harry recognized some of the components from a dream he had earlier in the Summer. It involved a man named Frank, who turned into Sirius and was strangled by a large snake. At least one good thing about Divination was he now knew enough about dreams to realize what all the components meant. He had a dream about Frank and a snake earlier in the summer and he had told Ron and Hermione about it the night before. He had also told Sirius about the original dream and was worried about him. That was all easy to explain, but he wasn't quite sure why his sheets were wet. Did he have another dream before that?

He was incredibly embarrassed to feel the dampness and wished he could use magic to clear it up. Would Mrs. Weasley know what had caused it? What am I thinking, Harry thought to himself, she has six sons, of course she knows what it is. In a way, that helped calm him down enough to think of a plan. Ron was still getting up when Harry 'accidentally' knocked over a glass of water onto his bed sheets. It didn't solve the problem completely, but he managed to clean the sheets to a reasonable doubt of what caused it with a sock.

That taken care of, he set about getting ready for the day, which happened to be the day of the Quidditch World Cup! It wasn't enough excitement for any of the kids to wake up, but by the time they were setting up the tent they would be staying in, Harry at least was awake, and looking forward to later that day.

They got some exercise wandering around the campsite, then climbing what seemed like thousands of sets of purple stairs. They were in the Top Box along with the Minister for Magic, several ministry workers, and the Malfoys! Harry gasped when he saw Draco enter the box with his family. A shocked expression flashed across his face for a moment before his Slytherin Mask was back in place. Words were exchanged between Mr. Weasley, Mr. Malfoy and the Minister, but Harry was paying too much attention to Draco to listen. They exchanged heated glares throughout the match to cover for all the times they turned to stare at each other.

"What's that?" Harry asked over the noise of the crowd, pointing at a large screen at the point of the field, facing the rest of the stadium.

"It's Visiomagic! New technology, I can't believe they have it ready in time for the match! See, there are spells on these cameras that record the action and then it's magically played back on those tarps over there," Mr. Weasley pointed to the screen. "Fascinating bit of magic, that is. I can't wait to see it."

"Father, didn't you invest heavily in the Visiomagic company?" Came Draco's drawling voice from further down the row.

"Why yes, Draco, I did. It was my son that convinced me how lucrative the endeavor would be," Malfoy added to the minister. "He's becoming quite the entrepreneur." Draco smirked at Harry, who glared back.

Visiomagic was fantastic. It was like a muggle movie, only the cameras were enchanted to follow the players. It honestly got dizzying after a while watching the wobbliness. It was almost like being on a rollercoaster. Harry preferred the Omnioculars.

When the mascots came out, particularly the Veela from Bulgaria, something strange happened to the rest of the boys in the Box.

Suddenly, all the boys were standing, yelling to the Veela their accomplishments. All the boys except Harry and Draco. Hermione watched Harry with narrowed eyes after she had taken in all the other males in the area. Harry wondered momentarily if he should fake a reaction that would take her eyes off of him, but he wasn't entirely sure why all the boys were acting so strange. He didn't dare look back at Draco.

"Veela have magic that attracts members of the opposite sex to them." Hermione said clearly, and a little loudly when Harry decided to ask. "They have characteristics of birds when threatened, angered, or extreme contentment. I'm sure you'll see what I mean. It's very interesting that they are the national mascot of Bulgaria, they were mostly converging on France, I think it's because…" By that time, the demonstration was over, and Harry tuned Hermione out.

"Wait, what was that?" He asked her over the applause, he thought he had heard something interesting.

"Honestly, Harry. I said, 'their magic has been proven to not work on members of the opposite sex who are in love, it doesn't follow their sexual orientation, haven't hit puberty, or are under several types of potions.' I don't understand why I go through with answering your questions if you aren't going to pay attention to me…"

Harry avoided her eyes, still blushing from when she had said 'sex.' He knew that wasn't what she meant, but with the recent Veela's magic still in his system, that's where his mind took him. He was also looking away because he was afraid she would ask about which one he was.

"Harry?" Hermione's voice had changed, became gentler, and it startled Harry into looking up at her. Her eyes were questioning as hard as any other feature of her face, but they also had great care and compassion and Harry was reminded why he loved her.

Just then, as Hermione was opening her mouth, the game began, and Harry was quickly and violently thrown back into the game. He noticed Hermione throwing speculative glances throughout the game and later back at the campsite when the match ended. He really wasn't sure which option he would prefer she assume applied to him.

She tried to pull him aside several times, but Harry managed to luckily avoid it when the older Weasleys drunkenly refused to let him leave the table. Mr. Weasley had protested weakly when alcohol was brought in and had allowed the kids to have a goblet of firewisky mixed with juice. He had taken up a corner of the table and trying to get them to collectively sing the Hogwarts' school song.

"No, no, see… it's 'old and bold', from the top now…"

"No, dad, its 'old and bald.'"

"Oh, old and bold, or young with stabby keys."

A chorus of laughter went up around the tent.

It was a merry lot that finally went to bed or passed out at the table like Bill. Mr. Weasley had allowed the underages to have a sip of firewisky, but Harry wasn't keen on repeating the experience. Harry dreamed about being a quidditch player, flying around the pitch on his firebolt, when he was rudely shaken awake by Mr. Weasley.

"'s' matter?" he asked.

He was still rubbing his eyes when the words registered. The screams outside the tent had turned from celebratory to panicked.

He attempted to pull on clothes over his pajamas, but Mr. Weasley told him to just grab a jacket. He did so and ran out of the tent level with Ron and Hermione. The campsite was in utter chaos. There were people everywhere, screaming, running, panicking. Off in the distance, he could see four bodies in the distance being suspended midair above bonfires. The figures that were levitating them were laughing as they turned one of the muggles upside-down. Harry realized it must be Mr. Roberts and his family.

Hermione pulled him, and they were off before his nausea could catch up with him. It was dark and confusing on the way to the woods. Mr. Weasley instructed the younger lot to get to the woods and stick together while they went to help the ministry.

That was easier said than done however, because Ron tripped over his own feet and he, Ron and Hermione were separated from Fred, George and Ginny. Things calmed once in the forest, and they took a moment to look around.

To his utter surprise, there was Draco. "Hadn't you better be hurrying along, now? You wouldn't like her spotted, would you?" Ron and Hermione glared. Harry, who was a little behind them, sent a relieved smile in his direction at him being safe. Draco did not return it, but adjusted his stance leaning up against the tree to hide his slight nod.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Hermione asked defiantly.

"Granger, they're after muggles. Do you want to show off your knickers in midair? Because if you do, hang around… they're moving this way. And it would give us all a laugh." Harry could hear the underlying message, they needed to get out of here… but Harry was still confused about what was happening. Did Draco know, could he tell Harry?

"Hermione's a witch," He snarled. "Just what are you on, Malfoy?"

"Me? Nothing. I was just hoping to catch you running away like brave little Gryffindors. I think it's cute. Finally learning something from Hogwarts' greatest House. Sometimes running away, quickly, is the only way to go. Don't you agree, Potter?" Harry again heard the underlying message. What's more, he could see that Draco was risking a lot to warn them, even if he was being his arsey self about doing it, as he had to. He could see the panic in his eyes as his face stayed clear. As their eyes met, Draco's hardened and flicked in the direction they should be going and just for a second, he was pleading.

Ron and Hermione were berating Draco, and Harry realized he had just used a no-no word, Mudblood. Harry was instantly upset, Draco knew he wasn't supposed to be using that word, but maybe that was a message, too? He relaxed as he realized it must be an indicator that they really needed to get out of here. Maybe Hermione really was in danger, Harry remembered Draco telling him about Death Eaters, how his father was presumably one. That had to be the group torturing the muggles, which meant Draco was being serious and this situation could very well turn dire. It wasn't like the Death Eaters would be displeased at finding him, either.

Interrupting Ron, he cut in, "You know what, I think I hear George calling. Hope to not see you around, Malfoy." With that, he was pulling them both further into the woods. When he was certain Ron and Hermione were focused on each other, they had started arguing whether Harry was right to pull them away, he turned back to nod and send a kiss towards Draco, who sent one in return and placed a hand over his heart.

Slightly swooning, he moved forward, patting down his pockets for his wand. He wanted to light it as Ron and Hermione had done. While he was looking, panic growing as he couldn't find it, Winky, the House-Elf from the match, came running by. "There is bad wizards about!" She informed them.

"I can't find my wand!" They lost her in the resulting shuffle. He really had lost his wand.

"Maybe you left it back in the tent?" Ron asked weakly.

"Maybe it fell out of your pocket when we were running?" Hermione suggested more pessimistically. It turned out, Winky had been the one to take it back when they were sitting in the Top Box. The next few minutes were tense, as a strange symbol took to the sky, they were surrounded by Ministry officials and accused of releasing the 'Dark Mark' into the sky. Winky had been the one to do that too, and she was fired by her master, Barty Crouch, for it.

"What is the Dark Mark, anyway?" Harry asked after they were finally heading back to the tent.

"To understand that, Harry, you need to know about the Death Eaters. They are the group that-."

"I know about the Death Eaters." Harry interrupted.

"Oh? Well, that's their symbol. It's a symbol that they release after they have killed someone. People would come home during the first war, see that symbol hanging above their home, and know that a member of their family had died."

Everyone looked morose at that. Harry couldn't imagine coming home to find his spouse dead. His children were simply unfathomable. He allowed himself a minute to picture it being Draco he came home to, was married to, had children with. Soon he was picturing it in a time of peace, not war, when they were happier than they could be. It was with a smile that he finally got back in bed, terrors of the day not forgotten, but cleared from his head.

The rest of the summer passed in much the same way. They were kids, having fun over the last moments of peace and freedom before going back to school, but there was a dark cloud of worry in the elder Weasley's faces. It came out on Mrs. Weasley's face when Mr. Weasley left for work, on his face when he would read the morning paper. They tried to hide it from the teenagers, but that only made their worry more apparent.

As was becoming tradition, Malfoy came by on the Hogwarts Express to make fun of Harry and his friends. Harry knew it was his way of ribbing him and saying he missed him. Harry waited five minutes after he left before excusing himself to the bathroom. He was pulled into a cubicle before he knew what hit him.

Seconds later, Harry's lips were attacked by the sweetest mouth he had ever tasted. Not that he knew what other people's mouths tasted like, but he couldn't imagine something sweeter than Draco. Even his saliva tasted better than honey.

As Harry moved down towards his neck, Draco mumbled out, "missed you…so much. It was so hard…oh yes…seeing you…and not being able to-uh- do this to you."

Their lips met again in a passionate dance. Harry couldn't get close enough, and pulled Draco closer to him, ignoring their middles, instead wrapping his arms around his neck. He had missed Draco so much. More than anything else about Hogwarts.

Suddenly, Draco bucked his hips against Harry and Harry froze. He had felt something hard up against him and although he was in a similar state, he felt tremors go through his nerves. He had never felt Draco before, and he wasn't sure what to do now. His breathing was picking up, and his heart was beating dangerously. Draco continued his kissing for a few seconds before he realized Harry wasn't participating.

"Hey," he whispered, blinking at Harry trying to catch his eye while placing his hand on Harry's face to meet his eyes. They were both panting heavily, and Harry took a couple inches of space between them. "What's wrong, Sweetheart?"

Harry was still avoiding his eyes as he leaned back against the sink. "Sorry." He was flushed red, both from the heat from their snogging and from embarrassment.

"There's nothing to apologize for, just tell me what's wrong." Harry opened his mouth several times, trying desperately to think of something. "Harry," Draco whispered, "it's ok. Whatever it is, you can tell me."

"It's not a big deal. I'm sorry, I just-" he had to get out of there, there wasn't enough room. The bathroom was tiny, there couldn't be enough air with both of them in there. They were going to die! He made a move to the door, but Draco blocked his path. Draco was going to break up with him. He was going to make fun of him, run out into the corridor and declare him to be a loser for all to hear.

"It's ok, Harry! Calm down. Breathe with me, ok? In and out. In and out. Good, just like that." Harry realized that his breathing had indeed picked up speed until it resembled a panic attack. Maybe that was happening, because his heart was drumming in his ears and he was starting to get dizzy. He had had these before, but never in front of anyone.

Humiliation burned in his eyes as he nevertheless breathed in Draco's pattern. It was several minutes later that he finally calmed down. He had been placed on the sink by Draco, whose forehead was now resting against his own. He could not be more embarrassed.

"I love you." Draco whispered. Harry's head snapped up as he finally met Draco's eyes out of pure shock.

"What?" In the back of his mind, he registered that wasn't the right thing to say in this situation, but…

"I love you, Harry." Draco repeated. "Whatever just happened, it's fine. It doesn't matter. We don't even need to talk about it if you don't want to. I just wanted you to know, because I've been feeling this way for a while, and I know now's not a great time, and it doesn't matter if you don't feel the same way—I mean, it's fine if you don't…"

"No one's ever told me that before." Harry whispered. He didn't know what to do now. He had never said it to anyone either. He didn't know what it really felt like. He knew he liked Draco, a lot, but was it the feeling that people get married over?

"No one has ever told you 'I love you' before?" Draco whispered in return. "That's…" he cleared his throat. "Harry," he cupped Harry's face in between his palms, and Harry raised his hands to wrap around his wrists. "I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you, Harry, I love you, do you understand me?" He punctuated this with a kiss. "I will tell you every day for as long as you'll let me, just so you never forget it. Ok?"

Harry wasn't even sure if he believed him. The Dursleys certainly didn't love him, and they were supposed to. How could Draco, who by all accounts had every reason not to even like him, love him? Did he even need it? He had convinced himself at a young age that he didn't to survive.

"Draco…I…I don't…" He couldn't string two thoughts together, much less come up with something to say. Just then, Draco's face came closer to him. He was still cupping Harry's face, meeting his eyes head on. He gave him plenty of time to back away, but Harry didn't move an inch. There was thick tension in the air, but Draco was an embodiment of calm. He really was so sweet.

Their kiss was the gentlest one they had ever had. It was inviting, calming, sweet, wholesome, safe, pleasant, lovely, skillful, and brilliant. It could have lasted several seconds but it also could have been several minutes. It was a timeless kiss, whose sentiment lasted long after they gently separated.

They were still connected through their eyes. Draco's had nothing but patience and understanding. "It's ok." He reminded Harry, and he realized that it would be. Draco really was ok with what had just happened. Was that what love was? Complete and utter acceptance?

He leaned forward, pulling Draco closer, and rested his head against his chest. Draco's heartbeat drummed in his ear and it was the most wonderful sound he had ever heard. They stayed like that for a long while, with Harry just soaking up all the comfort Draco was offering him.

Draco placed a kiss on the top of his head as he gently caressed his back. Harry finally looked up. "I'm sorry, that's never happened in front of anyone."

Draco ignored the first part of the sentence, and went on, "when else has it happened?"

Harry remained silent for a moment remembering. There were times in the cupboard when he was never more alone. It was the only place he was safe, however. "Just, whenever I was especially scared or worried about something. Draco, no one has ever said that to me, and I don't know how I feel. I know I like you, but I have no frame of reference for anything else. I'm sorry."

Draco didn't look upset or even surprised. "I already told you it's ok, Harry. Say it when you mean it and not a second before. There's no pressure, because I plan on being with you for a long time. As long as you'll have me." A warmth glowed inside him at Draco's words. It was nice, this being loved thing, he could definitely get used to it. He hugged Draco close to him, enjoying the feel of him.

"Sweetie, I just need to know," Draco said gently, "was it too much earlier? Was I pushing or something? I just need to know so I won't do it again."

Harry sighed. "Honestly…I'm not entirely sure. One minute, everything was great, and I was really enjoying it, then all of a sudden, it was too much, like you said. I'm not entirely sure what it was that set me off, I'm sorry." Even he knew that he was saying that too much.

"If you say 'I'm sorry' one more time I am going to hit you. Fair warning. Do you think it was because you felt me?"

Harry blushed. He knew exactly what Draco was referring to. "Draco! What a thing to say!" He avoided looking in his eyes again.

"I think that's what happened, Harry. I'm not upset, maybe it was just too soon for you? I thought it would be ok, but I'm sorry that it wasn't. I won't do it again until you explicitly tell me it's ok." He wound his fingers through strands of Harry's hair and kissed his forehead.

This was ridiculous. They had been dating for nearly a year, serious kissing should be alright at this point. Heat engulfed Harry's face again as he thought about how much of a loser this made him. If he didn't trust Draco, he'd think that he would spread Harry's unfortunate situation all over Hogwarts.

"Hey." Draco pulled him close again. "Harry does talking about sex make you uncomfortable?"

He was wrong, this was so much more embarrassing. He struggled for a moment to try and avoid Draco and he was released immediately, given enough space he didn't feel confined while a hand stayed connected to his shoulder. "I guess." It did, but it would be awful to admit this. Draco seemed to catch on to the full sentiment, however, and gave Harry a knowing look.

"Does the idea of sex make you uncomfortable?" Harry looked down, not bothering to answer as they both knew the answer to that question now. There was silence in the tiny cubicle, and Harry wondered if he should leave. "Lots of people feel that way, Harry," Draco finally said. "It's fine that you do. We'll just take this really slow, as slow as you want, and if anything we do ever makes you uncomfortable, then all you have to do is say something and it stops. Sound good, sweetheart?"

Harry nodded, too overcome to speak. Draco released a breath and kissed his forehead again. When he went to pull away, Harry grabbed his face roughly and kissed him with all the emotions he couldn't put forth into words. Gratitude, for no one had ever treated him so sweetly. Tenderness, for his gentle handling of him. Affection, for all that Draco was. There was more, but Harry was not great at deciphering his own emotions.

Draco moaned into Harry's mouth and Harry took the opportunity to deepen the kiss. He was determined to show Draco that he wasn't a total freak. Draco must have caught on to what he was doing, however, and pulled back.

They were both panting again. "I love you, Harry. I think it is time we get back to our compartments. Our friends will be wondering where we've been." Harry nodded, slightly disappointed.

Hermione asked what took him so long the moment he opened the compartment door. Ron snickered before Harry could answer and Harry blushed red for the hundredth time. "I ran into some friends and we talked for a bit." That was true, even if they did do other stuff too. "Has anyone else been by?" They got visitors on occasion. Neville had been by while Harry was gone but no one else.

The rest of the train ride and journey to Hogwarts passed normally enough, except it was pouring rain this year. Taking advantage, Peeves had brought water balloons into the equation. Hermione employed a drying charm as they took their seats at the Gryffindor table.

Harry looked around the room. Most of the students were taking the time to dry themselves off before they sat down, so the Hall was bustling with movement. Draco seemed to be holding court over at the Slytherin table, and Harry wondered what was so important he needed to say the second they got to school. He caught Draco's eye for a second and he winked condescendingly. Harry had forgotten to ask what it was that was happening at Hogwarts this year that Draco apparently knew about.

He found out during the announcements. Hogwarts was to participate in a Tri-wizard tournament. Harry glanced at Draco during the explanation of what exactly that was, and Draco inclined his head while raising his eyebrows, looking suitably impressed.

Harry was excited for this tournament. He didn't really want to enter, so he was indifferent when it was announced that there would be an age line preventing anyone under the age of 17 to enter. He was, however, excited that he wouldn't be the center of attention this year. With a tournament happening and 3 champions to soak up all the attention of the school, he would have a nice, easy year relaxing and watching the poor souls go up against whatever dangerous perils he would be avoiding. This year was shaping up to be the best year yet.

A week later, he received a strange package in the mail. He was glad he opened the letter first. It said to wait until he was alone to open the package. Harry recognized the writing as Draco's, but he couldn't guess what he could possibly be sending him.

He found out later that night when he went to bed early. It was a book that read A Brief History of Theory of Early Magics and one that read Dealing with Anxiety. Harry couldn't fathom why Draco would be sending him the first book, but it seemed like it might be a little interesting. As for the second, he couldn't help but be embarrassed that Draco thought it necessary to give him something like that.

It wasn't. Flipping through the pages, he took out a couple sentences and could barely string them together. It was the most boring thing he had ever read. Turning to the letter that was on the inside of the package, he settled down in his bed.

Sweetheart,

I told you that everything was ok, and I wasn't lying. I just thought that these books would help you with your difficulties with intimacy, and I figured no one had bothered to give you something like The Young Wizard's Guide. You're wondering how it'll help? Just tap the book with your wand. It's enchanted to display something so boring you wouldn't want to read it even if there weren't mild charms to dissuade reading when it's not in its original form. It's similar to the enchantments we put on our letters to make it look like they are from someone else. Just remember to tap it again when you're done reading, so no one reads it. This book is the same one my Father gave to me, it's the go-to book for young wizards about relationships. It's great because there's an edition for different sexualities. I got you the bisexual one, just so you'd have everything in one place. I took some liberties here, and I'm assuming that no one has given you an honest and open Talk before, so I hope this helps. If I'm wrong, I'm really sorry, and we can just forget this ever happened. All I want is for you to be happy and comfortable when we're together. Again, if I'm overstepping here, I'm sorry. I can't wait to see you again.

I love you,

Draco

Harry was floored. On the one hand, he was embarrassed and that brought forth some self-righteous anger. On the other hand, he was truly touched that Draco would go through so much effort just for Harry's comfort.

Stealing himself, he tapped his wand against the cover of the book and the letters magically rearranged themselves until they reformed into The Young Wizards Guide to Intimacy. Harry could feel his face heating up already.

Gingerly, he opened it up to a random page. Then, after reading two sentences, Harry couldn't read anymore. He slammed the book shut and tapped it before he buried it in the bottom of his trunk. The one on anxiety actually was helpful, he read the first chapter before attempting to fall asleep.

He didn't sleep well that night. He kept tossing and turning with the passage from the Wizard's Guide burned into his retinas. He wasn't sure what his problem was exactly. He had discovered masturbating already and was fine with that. It was just when there was another person with him that he had trouble.

Knowing that he wasn't going to get back to sleep anytime soon after a particularly strange nightmare, Harry gathered up his Gryffindor courage and dug the book out of his trunk. The symphony of snores around him masked any noise he made, but he renewed the silencing charm around his bed he cast every night as he climbed into it again.

Stealing himself he started at the beginning with the foreword.

Thank you for purchasing this book. I hope that with it you will learn all the intricacies that comes from being in a relationship, having an intimate relationship with another person, and having a relationship with yourself. It is most important to remember that when you are with another person that you are just as important as the witch or wizard that you are with. I hope that you will learn many lessons from this educational book, but if there is one thing that you take away, let it be that love has many forms, many structures, many windows. It is free in a way nothing else is. Let the love that you have for yourself come first and all else will fall into place.

It really was an interesting book. It was designed to ease the reader into it, and Harry appreciated that. The further he read, the more he realized that this book really was helping his problem. There was a chapter dedicated to different issues with intimacy. He learned that he was afraid of being intimate with another person, not just Draco. It was a rather common problem for young wizards about to enter a relationship for the first time. It didn't mean that there was anything wrong with him, which he had feared. It was strange, just knowing all these things made a sense of calmness come over him. He felt like this was just a little problem that had a solution.

He read until his eyes began to droop, which didn't take long. Remembering to tap the book until it became boring again, he placed it in his trunk and finally went to sleep.

Classes were gearing up to be difficult, as if the teachers were trying to make up for all the time the students wasted over the summer. One of the better teachers turned out to be Moody, despite his strange disposition.

That's what Harry thought, at least until what came to be known as 'The Ferret Incident.' Several times a week, Draco would do something to mess with Harry. Mostly, it was a couple harmless words, Harry would retaliate, and they would all move on with their day. Harry had convinced Draco to lay off of Ron and Hermione a bit to help keep the peace between the two of them.

Despite that, Draco called out "Weasley!" as they were exiting the Great Hall one morning. He was holding that morning's Daily Prophet.

The trio stopped and turned towards Malfoy, tensing as they did. "Your dad's in the paper, Weasley!" Malfoy exclaimed. He was Malfoy with that cruel mask in place. "Listen to this!" He went on to quote the entire article, which was talking about a mistaken alarm raised by "Mad-Eye Moody" and answered by Mr. Weasley.

Harry was infuriated that Draco would bring the Weasleys specifically into their fights. In the past it had been vague, but this was too explicit.

"And there's a picture, Weasley!" said Malfoy, holding it up so the gathering crowd could see. "A picture of your parents outside their house—if you can call it a house! Your mother could do with losing a bit of weight, couldn't she?"

That was under the belt. Ron was shaking with fury. Harry and Hermione both grabbed his arms to prevent him from pummeling Malfoy.

"Get stuffed, Malfoy," Harry said. "C'mon, Ron…"

"Oh yeah, you were staying with them this summer, weren't you, Potter? So, tell me, is his mother really that porky, or is it just the picture?" His trademark sneer was in place, and it set something off in Harry.

"You know your mother, Malfoy?" asked Harry, and he could see when Draco realized how upset Harry really was. "That expression he's got, like she's got dung under her nose? Has he always looked like that, or was it just because you were with her?"

Malfoy flushed in anger. "Don't you dare insult my mother, Potter." He said dangerously. At his anger, Harry felt his start to melt away. It was still simmering, but he was already regretting his insult. It was against the rules, after all.

"Keep your fat mouth shut, then," Harry spat half-heartedly. Sometimes this secret relationship thing was really straining. He wished that they could be honest, they could be holding hands, walking to class together right now if it weren't for Draco's father.

He turned, pulling Ron along with him for several feet before there was a resounding BANG that reverberated throughout the entrance hall. Moody appeared as Harry turned, just in time to see a large white rodent start to escape through the crowd.

"OH NO YOUU DON'T, LADDIE!" Moody bellowed, and the white ferret zoomed back to the center of the large ring the crowd formed. "Did he get you?"

"What?" Harry couldn't think. Where had Draco gone? He wasn't… Oh but where else could he be? Harry felt sick. There was nothing he could do, Draco wouldn't want him saying something, but if Moody didn't turn him back soon…

"I don't think so!" Moody was roaring, and his wand was pointing to the ferret, and the ferret was suddenly ten feet in the air. "I don't like people who attack when their opponent's back's turned," growled Moody as the ferret bounced higher and higher, small squeals of pain being emitted. That was the last straw.

"Stop it!" He was yelling. When had he gotten his wand out? He didn't do anything with it, but he was yelling at Moody and he figured he at least looked a little intimidating.

Moody turned his face, glaring at Harry now, both eyes focused intently on him. He was still bouncing the ferret without looking, and Harry opened his mouth to cast a spell, any spell, when "Professor Moody!" could be heard over the laughter the horror circle was crying out.

It was McGonagall, coming down the marble staircase with her arms full of books. Harry felt hope blossom in his chest. Surely, she would do something. "What—what are you doing?" her face seemed to drain any color it had had.

"Teaching," said Moody, perfectly calmly.

"Professor!" Harry shouted, completely the opposite. "Stop him!"

"Teaching? Moody—is that a STUDENT?"

"Yep," said Moody, still perfectly calm.

"No!" McGonagall returned, and a second later, Draco Malfoy was sitting on the floor, his face bright pink, wincing in pain. Harry wanted nothing more than to go to him, throw himself down on the floor so no more harm could come to him. He stood rooted to the floor, because he knew if he moved, he would be hugging Draco within moments. He looked so pitiful, sitting there on the ground with tears in his eyes, trying hard to look dignified. Harry felt a rush of affection travel to his stomach and settle there, warming him from the inside out.

Draco met his eye from beneath his, for once, messy fringe. Harry could feel his heart breaking. His desire to go to him rose. Draco bit his lip as he looked down, and Harry's heart split in two.

Moody and McGonagall had apparently had a full conversation and now Moody was limping towards Draco.

"Potter." Harry's eyes snapped to McGonagall, who had spoken. "Are you alright?" she asked softly, leaning a little closer.

Harry nodded jerkily that probably disproved his statement more than reassured. Nonetheless, she nodded as well and turned to accompany Draco and Moody, who were walking towards the Dungeons. "One moment, Moody," she called as she hurried away.

"Where are they going?" Harry asked slightly panicked. If McGonagall wasn't following them, he would be.

"Didn't you hear?" Hermione asked. "They're going to go talk to Snape. Personally, I think he's been punished enough."

"What's wrong with you two?" Ron demanded. "That was brilliant! Bloody brilliant, and you're ruining it!"

"Ron!" Hermione exclaimed. "That was just cruel! Did you see he was crying? He could have been badly injured."

"But that's the best part!" Ron got two glares for that, and Harry felt like storming off. Draco probably did need to go to the hospital wing. He spent the rest of the day worrying and felt relieved when he saw Draco later in the day. He was suitably dignified, prim and proper with a sneer in place, slightly louder than usual to soak up his lost pride.

He didn't have to wait long in their special room before Draco showed up. Harry ran to him and buried him in a hug. He paused when Draco did nothing but tense up.

"Oh god," Harry gasped. "You're not still hurt, are you? Did I hurt you? Come sit down."

"I'm fine," Draco said tensely. He extracted himself from Harry's grasp and went to go sit in his armchair. Harry followed hesitatingly.

"That was completely wrong." Harry said, settling into his own chair. "I can't believe Moody did that to you."

Draco snorted. "I'm perfectly fine, Harry. No worse for wear. And I certainly have reason to have Moody dismissed over this."

Harry ignored that. "Still, I was so worried about you. All I wanted to do is hold you. I could barely stop myself."

At that, Draco seemed to melt a little. His steel grey eyes turned closer to silver, and he held his arms out, uncrossing his legs. "Come here." He said softly.

Harry wasted no time with climbing up on his lap. He turned sideways so he could see Draco and put an arm behind his shoulder. Draco stared at his face while he was adjusting, then tilted his head up when he settled. Harry bent to kiss him slowly, hoping to put all his feelings into it.

When they separated, Harry whispered, "Are you sure you're ok, Baby?" Draco glared at the name but nodded.

"We need to talk about what happened before that, though."

"Oh." Harry had completely forgot about the fight. It was a fight, not an argument, and it wasn't a typical encounter. "Right."

Draco sighed. "I was really disappointed when you broke our rule."

Harry felt some of the anger he had felt before return. "I wouldn't have done it if you hadn't brought Mrs. Weasley into it."

Draco frowned. "That's not against one of the rules though."

"It should be. I couldn't believe you were so cruel. What was that?"

Draco's face drained of anger, he suddenly looked very tired. His head moved forward, and he rested his forehead against Harry's shoulder. Harry ran his fingers up and down Draco's exposed back gently. It took several minutes but Draco finally spoke up. "I got a letter from home. My father was displeased about something that happened over the Holidays, that he is still bringing up in every letter. Then I got the Prophet, and Weasley's parents just looked so nice, and I just got o jealous. He gets to have a loving, happy family and all he ever does is complain about them. His parents are proud of him just for existing. He gets to be with you whenever you both want. He doesn't have to worry about anything, and I'm so tired of hearing him complain." Harry stayed silent as they both digested that. He waited, and finally, "I'm sorry."

Harry leaned forward to kiss Draco's forehead, as Draco had done to him several times. "I'm sorry, too." Harry whispered. "I should have never brought up your mum. What I said was awful, and it's not true." Draco pulled his face up to meet Harry's eyes. "It was mostly true though. That look rarely leaves her face. Like she is better than everyone and everything."

"Oh."

"Yeah." They stayed silent for a while then Draco suddenly burst out, "I just don't get it. It's not fair how they treat me. Weasley's a pureblood too, but he doesn't have to go through any of the stuff I have to go through. We're not so different, why does he always have it so good?"

Harry bit his lip. "I'm jealous of him too. I get it. It's like… he has no clue how lucky he is, and I just want to hit him over the head to get it through his thick skull: your family is brilliant, and you don't get to bemoan them unless your family is nonexistent. Or cruel." He added. They had danced around the issue of their families before but only some superficial stuff.

"Draco, what's your family like?" Draco's eyebrows lifted.

"Cold. Emotionless. Detached. Artificial. Impassive." They were quiet again for a while, Harry's hand still making its way up and down Draco's back. Draco sighed. "Harry. I don't think they like me. I think they love me in a way that all parents love their children, but they seem to be really embarrassed of me. Whenever we go out, there are a certain set of rules that have to be followed. If I don't follow them, I am punished. Inside the manor, things are a little different. They will still talk to me, and ask me questions about my life, but it's like they're doing it because they have to, not that they want to. Like they have to force themselves to care."

There was silence for a while. Then Harry started. "My relatives hate me. They literally hate me. They have told me so several times. They make disparaging comments all the time, and they have implied that they wish I was dead, that I had never come to stay with them in the first place. I wish I hadn't either. Draco, I am so alone when I'm there. I hate being there and I hate them."

Draco held him close. Harry wrapped his other arm around Draco's neck and held on. It was hard saying all that, but he was glad he was with someone who at least partially understood what he meant.

"What happened over the summer?" He finally asked.

Draco hummed. "My mother and I go to this spa resort in France every summer, we have since I was a child. I've always loved being pampered and relaxing, it's a really special thing my mother and I share, it's the only quality time we really spend together. This summer, my father got it into his head that it's not appropriate for a boy my age, his only heir, to go to a spa with his 'mummy.' We all had a bit of a row over it, and things were pretty tense for the rest of the summer. He keeps bringing up how much of a disappointment I am in his letters."

Harry frowned, feeling his heart twist over Draco's plight. "I'm so sorry, Baby. I wish there was something I could do."

Draco stayed quiet for a moment. "You can hold me." Harry did so.

Harry really didn't like Moody. As if hurting his boyfriend hadn't been enough, he decided to torture Harry further by teaching the class about the Unforgivable Curses. It had been bad enough seeing the curse that killed his parents in person, and after that he had recurring nightmares where various people he knew died in a mass of green light. One that seemed to be very popular in his head was the one where everyone he even remotely cared about blamed him for their death before dying.

He talked to Draco about it when he asked why he looked so tired. That did help a little, and he didn't have that particular nightmare for a while.

Moody also put him and the rest of the class under the Imperius curse, which allowed the caster to control the victim. He put Harry under a total of four times, until Harry could throw off the curse completely. He was the only one that managed it in the school.

A sense of excitement took the school over when it came closer for the time of the tournament to start. Conversations were mostly split between the tournament itself and the visiting schools of Beauxbatons and Durmstrang.

Before anyone knew it, the impartial judge that would choose the champions was revealed to be the Goblet of Fire, various sixth and seventh years were entering, and it was time for the champions to be selected.

The anticipation was thick in the air as the Goblet made its final decision. It turned from a whiteish-blue to searing scarlet and wisps of flame spat out a seared piece of parchment.

"The Champion for Durmstrang," Dumbledore announced after a skillful pause for suspense, "is Viktor Krum!" The Great Hall erupted into applause as a figure from the Slytherin table got up and walked to a door to the side of the Teacher's Table.

The Goblet, which had returned to whiteish-blue, turned red again and spat out another name on parchment.

"The Champion for Beauxbatons," Dumbledore again paused to build the suspense to an unbearable level, "is Fleur Delacour!" Cheers came mostly from the Ravenclaw Table this time, although Harry could see several girls crying dramatically.

It took less than a minute for the Goblet to move on to the next name, and then Dumbledore was calling out, "Cedric Diggory!" and the Hufflepuff table exploded with noise. The Hufflepuffs were stomping their feet, banging the table, and slapping Cedric on the back.

Harry, and several other Gryffindors, put hands over their ears to block out the defeating sound. Harry was still grinning, however. Cedric was a good guy, even if he had beaten Harry in a bid for the Golden Snitch in a quidditch game last year. He figured Cedric was as good a champion as any for Hogwarts, and he honestly felt like Hufflepuff could use a win. They tended to be left out, with Gryffindors getting attention for being brave and noble, Ravenclaws for being intelligent and wise, and Slytherins for being cunning and ambitious. Hufflepuffs were a group of everyone else, and while that was just fine, they didn't have crowning achievements like the other houses.

Besides, if they were going to have to watch a champion all year, the champion might as well be good looking.

"Yes, yes," Dumbledore called out. "Well, we now have our three champions. I am sure I can count upon all of you, including the remaining students from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang, to give your champions every ounce of support you can muster. By cheering your champion on, you will contribute in a very real—" He stopped, and everyone could see why. The Goblet, which had returned to white-blue during his speech, had once again turned red. Collectively, the students and teachers leaned forward in fascination.

Was this supposed to happen?

When a piece of parchment fluttered out, the Hall as one took a gasping breath and held it. Dumbledore stared at the note for several moments and the tension was thicker than it had been before any of the other names had been called. After several long seconds, Dumbledore's eyes moved upwards and to the Gryffindor table, landing on Harry, and Harry felt his stomach drop, knowing exactly what Dumbledore was going to say.

"Harry Potter."

Harry sat frozen. He couldn't move if he wanted to. There was a buzzing around his ears and he had no idea what it was.

"Harry Potter." Dumbledore repeated, giving no indication of how he was feeling. "Harry, up here please."

Someone gave him a shove, and Harry was standing. Another shove, and he was moving forward. He was really stunned, and he had no idea what to do. He felt numb.

He entered the door all the other Champions had and couldn't answer their questions. He was too shocked, he was still coming to terms with what had happened in the Hall.

"Extraordinary!" Bagman exclaimed as he entered the room. "Absolutely extraordinary! Gentlemen, lady, may I introduce – incredible though it may seem—the fourth Triwizard champion?" At that, Harry felt what little bit of hope he had left leave him. He really would have to compete, then?

This tournament had killed people before. He could die. In front of the whole school. Why do you have to do this a little voice in his head, that sounded mysteriously like Draco, said. You didn't enter, you're under no obligation. They can't force you, stand up for yourself. If my father hears about this… He snorted, taking the hysterical amusement where he could get it.

Fleur Delacour gave him a disgusted look. "'Ou can no' possibly expec' zis leetle boy to compete!"

Harry glared. Little Boy?

Before he could say anything, an almost one-sided argument broke out amongst the adults that had entered the room. "He cannot possibly compete" seemed to be the main theme. Since that was the general consensus, Harry stayed out of it. As long as he wasn't competing, he was happy.

Bagman seemed to be the only person who was happy with this outcome, defending that whoever's name came out had to compete. When Mr. Crouch was asked, he said, "we must follow the rules, and the rules state clearly that those people whose names come out of the Goblet of Fire are bound to compete in the tournament."

"But I didn't enter!" Harry finally burst out, when that appeared to be the end of it. "I don't want to compete, and you can't make me do something I didn't sign up for!" There was ultimate silence at his words. Harry matched his words with a glare, hoping that them being shut up was a good thing.

"Harry," Dumbledore finally said gently, "are you saying that you did not put your name into the Goblet of Fire?"

"Yes!"

"And you did not ask an older student to do it for you?"

"I did not." He calmed down a little, seeing as how they appeared to be getting the picture at this point.

"Your name was placed into the Goblet without your knowledge or consent?"

"Yes!" Hadn't he already said that? Then he realized Dumbledore hadn't been asking because he didn't believe Harry. He was asking to convince the people who thought he had put his name in the Goblet. Cedric, Crouch, McGonagall and Bagman were all giving him appraising looks as if they were nearly convinced. Fleur, Madam Maxime, and Karkaroff looked like they needed more convincing but were at least surprised Harry wasn't bragging. Snape and Krum were scowling, nothing novel.

"Of course, 'e would zay so!" Fleur snapped after a moment. "'E does not wish 'o geet in 'rouble!"

"Are you calling me a liar?" Harry was angry now. He didn't want to compete, and he shouldn't have to prove it to some cheese-eating surrender monkey.

"Vell, if ze Dragon- 'ide gloves fit…" Harry took a step closer to her, ready to tear her a new one, but Dumbledore held out his arm.

"I believe Harry." He said simply. Harry felt some of his anger dissipate at his words. "That does not, however, change the fact that your name came out of the Goblet of Fire, Harry."

Harry was confused now, what did it matter if it did if he didn't consent to it? He didn't know much about the law in the magical world, nor the muggle world, but he did know from Draco that magical contracts needed to have the consent of the participants or the magic wouldn't work. As he stared at Dumbledore, he realized that might not be the case here.

"But I don't want to compete!" Had he not made that clear?

"Ah, but the rules clearly state that it's 'whose name comes out.' Not whose name who has placed it in. I suppose this is a flaw in the magic of the Tournament that hasn't been discovered yet. Regardless, I fear you will have to compete, Harry."

"What happens if I don't?" There were several scoffs across the room. Harry was rather touched when McGonagall slapped Snape across the back.

"Sorry, Severus, I thought you were choking." She said crossly when he turned to glare.

Harry let a small smile cut into his face, but it quickly vanished at Dumbledore's next words. "I'm sorry, Harry." He said quietly, and Harry was astonished that his clear blue eyes seemed to be filling with tears. "It is a binding magical contract. You could lose your magic."

At that, the mood in the room plummeted. Harry felt his insides grow cold. There was no way he was losing his magic. He would do anything to keep it, including competing in a death tournament.

"Perhaps that's exactly what they're hoping for." Harry hadn't noticed Moody in the corner. When had he entered the room?

"Just who is this 'they'?" Karkaroff demanded angrily.

Moody's wooden leg echoed around the room as he came closer to the group. "'They' are whoever actually did put Potter's name in the Goblet. 'They' are the person or people who performed complex magical enchantment on the Goblet, tricking it into thinking that it had to pick four names, not three; well beyond what Potter here, or any student, is capable of. 'They' is whoever has a plan that will likely result in Potter either losing his life or his magic."

The silence was deafening after Moody's pronouncement.

"Someone tricked the Goblet?" Crouch asked.

"Yes. There's residual magic all over it. See for yourself."

Crouch nodded and left the room.

"But, 'hoo would want to keel 'im?" Fleur asked, she was looking rather pale now and Harry felt vindicated.

"Voldemort." Harry and Moody answered together. There were flinches around the room. Harry was mildly surprised even the foreigners were wincing. Apparently, Voldemort was feared in other countries as well.

"He is dead!" Karkaroff exclaimed. "Potter killed him."

Harry turned, glaring, opening his mouth, but Moody beat him to it.

"Where's his body, then? You have proof he's dead, because no one else does. Very interested, I'd be, in any insider information you have on ol' Voldemorty, Karkaroff."

Harry stared at Moody. Voldemorty?

"'E iz alive?" Madam Maxime whispered. She clutched Fleur a little closer to her.

"In a manner of speaking."

"That is enough." Dumbledore said, and his voice was solid as steel, brokering no argument. "It is getting late, and I'm sure the students have parties to attend to. Harry, Cedric, congratulations on being chosen. Despite any complications, it is an honor to have been chosen. The First Task will be held on November twenty-fourth. Barty?"

Crouch had just entered the room again and came forth. "The first task is designed to test your daring. So, we are not going to be telling you what it is. Courage in the face of the unknown is an important quality in a wizard… very important…" He paused, as if lost in thought, then shook himself out of it. "The champions are not permitted to ask for or accept help of any kind from their teachers to complete the tasks in the tournament. The champions will face the first challenge armed only with their wands. They will receive information about the second task when the first is over. Owing to the demanding and time-consuming nature of the tournament, the champions are exempted from end-of-year tests. I think that's all, isn't it, Albus?"

Dumbledore nodded, and dismissed them.

Harry left the room slowly, happening to be next to Cedric. He was lost in his thoughts, so he startled when Cedric spoke.

"You really didn't enter then?" Harry looked him in the eye.

"No. I really didn't." They walked a couple more feet in silence.

"I'm sorry. I thought all this time what a great honor it is, but I can't imagine being forced to compete. People have died, you know?" Cedric gasped after he said that. "I shouldn't have said anything. Just, anyway, I wanted to offer, I know they said we couldn't get help from teachers, but if you need to talk to anyone, you can come find me, alright?"

Cedric held out his hand, and Harry shook it after a moment. "Don't worry about me. I'm used to people trying to kill me." He did love the shock value when he surprised people. That one always got them. Cedric was nearly choking on his saliva.

"Yes, well, I had heard rumors. Um, where are you going?" He asked, trying to change the subject, apparently.

Harry looked around. He was in the Dungeons, heading towards his and Draco's meeting room. They didn't have a scheduled meet up planned, but he really wanted to talk to Draco, and he had a feeling he was here. That wasn't something he needed to tell Cedric, however.

"Er, I like the dungeons. For going on a walk. There're so many places to go, you know? Just wanted some quiet before I go up to Gryffindor." Cedric nodded, not looking convinced, but Harry didn't blame him, that was a mediocre excuse. They came to a fork in the halls and each chose one.

Draco was indeed in there, pacing, and Harry felt a rush of affection and warmth for him at the sight. The second Draco saw him, he was racing towards Harry, and threw his arms around him the moment they were close enough. Harry sighed, and let the tension that had been tensing his muscles leave him. Draco was like taking a warm bath sometimes. He relaxed and calmed Harry, washed the stressed of the day off, and made him feel clean. Well, there was a reason it was only sometimes; he made Harry feel plenty dirty on occasion.

"I was so worried about you," Draco whispered into Harry's neck. It was so nice to have someone worrying about him. "What took so long for you to get here? Did you give 'em a piece of your mind for wasting your time?" Harry could see his thought process.

"I have to compete, Draco." Horror sprang across Draco's face as he forcibly separated his face from Harry's shoulder to see if Harry was having a go at him.

"What? No, that's not. No. I know you didn't enter, Harry, any moron could see that just looking at you. If you didn't enter you didn't give magical consent and they can't make you fulfill the components of the contract. That's basic Wizarding Law."

"Apparently it doesn't matter. Maybe the magic is so old it predates the laws? I don't know. But I have to compete, or my magic gets taken away."

"No!" Draco put his hands over his mouth, "tell me you're lying. Or having me on. I can't…"

Harry pulled him into another hug, swaying him gently back and forth. It was funny, not really, but seeing Draco completely panic was actually helping him calm down. It was also wonderful having an advocate that truly cared about his wellbeing, especially after that meeting. Another year, another plot to kill him. That was how life at Hogwarts was.

A/N: Thank you for reading, and reviewing, if you have, I certainly appreciate it.