A/N: For those of you who don't know, a 'lobule' is part of the outer ear, the dangle-y part at the bottom. Think where most people get their ears pierced.
Harry didn't stay long with Draco. He wanted to, but it was getting close to curfew, and he wanted to talk to Ron and Hermione. That ended up not happening as there was a gigantic party in his honor being held in the Common Room. He was given a seat of honor, a butterbeer, a party hat, and a giant Gryffindor banner as he was entertained by various Gryffindors. He didn't see Hermione at all that night, but he did shake the hand of what felt like every Gryffindor. He would have enjoyed himself thoroughly if anyone had been willing to listen to him when he said he hadn't entered himself in the tournament.
He finally managed to make it upstairs to some relative peace and quiet, where he found Ron curled up on his bed, reading a magazine.
"Finally," Harry said. "I'm all for parties, but that was just out of control. And no one wanted to hear that I didn't put my name in the goblet, can you believe that?"
Ron snorted. Harry stared. He had started pulling his robes off but halted in the action. Ron was acting very strange. He was not looking at Harry very pointedly, with a scowl across his face. "What's wrong?" Harry asked.
Ron snorted again. "Oh, nothing. Just wondering when my friend will confide in me that's all."
"What? Who's not confiding in you?"
"You aren't, you tosser. You never tell me anything! Would it have killed you to let me enter too? And now you're lying about it. Git."
Harry gaped. "I'm not lying! Moody thinks someone entered me to get me killed! Does that sound like something that is fun to you?" He was tired of repeating himself to everyone.
Yet again, Ron snorted. "Right. Like there aren't easier ways of killing you. That man is so paranoid he should come with a straight jacket."
"Maybe. But I'm not counting on that. Someone has tried to kill me every year since I've been here. I just wanted one year where it could be someone else, is that really too much to ask?"
"Whatever. Why don't you go cry about it to your pen pal? Maybe you'll be a better friend to him than you are to me."
Harry felt cold horror eclipse him. Was he a bad friend? "I'm not a bad friend!"
"Yeah, you are, and I'm done trying with you. Go cry to your mysterious pen pal you won't tell me anything about because I'm not listening to it anymore."
With that, he shut his bed hangings, and all was quiet. Harry kicked his trunk and hopped up and down when it hurt.
Hermione at least split her time between him and Ron. He would have preferred for her to just pick a side and stick with it. He understood that she didn't want to lose a friend, however. It really sucked balls.
He had a few friends in other houses that he hung out with on occasion, but they didn't seem to think he didn't put his name in the Goblet[ML1] . The Hufflepuffs refused to so much as speak to him. Of course, he couldn't hang out with Draco, who had taken it upon himself to publicly humiliate Harry. He told Harry that it could definitely be worse and made it up in private. All in all, it was the loneliest time he had ever had at Hogwarts. At least during second year no one jeered at him, and he had Ron and Hermione then too.
During the Hogsmeade visit, Harry and Draco were having another date. Draco sat alone at their table, seemingly, with Harry under his invisibility cloak to avoid having to be seen. Being seen with Draco was a secondary goal in his opinion.
He was seen, however. Hagrid was just leaving with Professor Moody when he tapped Hagrid on the shoulder and the two made a beeline for their table. "How's that essay comin', Malfoy?" Hagrid said loudly, bending down towards the table.
"Nice cloak, Potter," Moody whispered to him.
"You can see me?" Harry asked slightly horrified. Moody's smile stretched his face.
"Yep."
"Harry," Hagrid whispered, looking somewhere past Harry. "Meet me tonight at me cabin, go' some 'in' to show yeh."
With that, they straightened and left.
"What do you think the Brute has to show you?" Draco asked after the door had swung shut behind them.
"Why do you insist on insulting absolutely everyone?"
"Well it would be rude if I left people out."
Harry covered his mouth with his hand to prevent his laughter from escaping too loudly. After several years, he finally understood Draco's humor. He constantly made nicknames, made derogatory remarks, generally poking fun at anyone and everyone. But it all was done in good fun, if it had been a good friend saying what Draco said, it would be counted as general teasing. Draco was simply snarky and sarcastic, and Harry found it charming rather than hostile as he had his first year.
"I don't know, but I hope it doesn't take long, I have the Sirius thing at one." Sirius had indeed contacted him to be in the Gryffindor Common Room at one AM that night.
"That's right. I wonder why he wants you to be there. He wouldn't be stupid enough to Floo or apparate."
"Yeah," Harry laughed then cut himself off. Would Sirius be that stupid?
He was gripped with a sense of worry for the rest of the day that even Draco had trouble distracting.
His fear hadn't left him by the time he ran to the common room panting and leaned back against the portrait panting. He had just been to see Hagrid and had run the entire way back after he learned what the first task was. Dragons. The first task was dragons. Apparently, there was one for each of the champions to…. well he wasn't sure about that part, but every idea he had was just as daunting as the last. How was he supposed to survive against dragons?
He went to go sit in his favorite chair by the fire. He couldn't believe how awful his life was right now. He had lost several friends, including his best friend, everyone else was taking every opportunity to taunt him, he was being thought of as a liar or an attention-seeking prat, and to top it all off, he was still having intimacy issues with Draco. Being with him was wonderful, and he enjoyed everything that they did together, physical or not, but every now and then, he recoiled and he hadn't quite worked out what the issue was, although the book Draco had gotten him was definitely helping. Draco was always understanding and seemed to know whether to give him space or hold him close. Harry was hard on himself, however.
He just couldn't wrap his mind around doing things with each other. He had bravely ventured further into the book Draco had gotten him and was now aware of many acts that they could be doing together. Each time he thought about them he had a strange, warm, sick, constricting feeling in his stomach. He really was scared of being with someone in that way. He was really glad he wouldn't have to face a boggart because he really didn't want to see a naked Draco trying to attack him. At least, that's how he figured the fear would materialize.
He chuckled lowly, despite himself. It was a funny thought even if it was a fear of his.
"Harry!" A voice called to him from right in front of him. He startled, then blinked hard, trying to rationalize what he was seeing. Sirius's head was in the fireplace.
"Sirius?" He asked, leaning forward to sit on the carpet in front of him.
"How are you doing, Pup?" He asked with the most sympathetic look on his face.
Harry sighed in relief. Someone actually cared about what was happening to him. "How much time do you have?" he asked.
Sirius smiled compassionately, and said, "As long as you need, Pup."
"I know you can do this, Harry." Draco said for what seemed like the thousandth time. Harry sighed in defeat. They had been trying to do the summoning charm for several hours and he wasn't having much luck. Sirius had tried to give him advice on how to handle the dragons, but Ron had come down the stairs and interrupted them before he had a chance. Harry had been furious with him.
The next day, Harry told Cedric about the dragons and Moody overheard them. Instead of getting Harry into trouble, he gave Harry some advice about how to get past the dragon he would be assigned. That was how it led to Harry and Draco practicing the summoning charm Harry was going to use to get his Firebolt into the arena where he would fly past the dragon.
After another attempt in which a pillow flopped pathetically onto the floor, Harry sighed dejectedly and threw himself onto the couch they had brought in. He buried his face into another pillow and moaned into it.
"Alright, let's take a break," Draco said more brightly than Harry thought he had any business being. Harry moaned again into the pillow, then gasped as he felt Draco climb up then lay on top of him. He tried to control the panic he felt at being crushed into the cushions. After a couple seconds, the panic mostly drained out of him and he relaxed. This wasn't so bad. Draco wasn't excited, or heavy, and his weight was more comforting than restricting. He was also enjoying the pressure on his back. It was like a massage and it was destroying the tension in his body. He felt himself melt into the couch, and he realized he was more relaxed than he could remember being.
"Is this ok?" Came a voice whispered into his ear. Harry shivered slightly at the air whipping against the shell of his ear, which was apparently pretty sensitive. He nodded and turned his head so his cheek was against the cushions and he could just barely see Draco out of the corner of his eye. Draco settled his head against Harry's, so they were nuzzling, and wrapped his arms under Harry so they were trapped.
"You feel relaxed," Draco mumbled. "I like that. You've been so tense lately." He freed one arm and rubbed it up and down Harry's and let out a breath. Harry let out a moan accidentally. The massage felt very nice and safe. He was nice and safe and warm in this little cocoon of cushion and Draco.
"Yeah," he said, a little hesitantly. It really did feel good now, but he had a feeling this was going to go in a direction he wouldn't like.
He couldn't feel Draco yet, but if things continued, he probably would. Draco started kissing the back of his neck and Harry let out a low moan. Then, just as suddenly as things had started, they stopped. Draco laid his head against Harry's and they enjoyed the slow quiet of the room.
"I think we need music in here," Draco said lowly.
"That would be nice," Harry said. "I fixed an old radio of Dudley's and I really liked listening to it for a while, but then he noticed how happy it made me and destroyed it."
Draco growled low in his throat. He kissed as far over to Harry's mouth as he could reach without moving, paused for a moment, then continued kissing over Harry's face where he could reach. Harry hummed closed mouthed, this was nice too.
He started to relax back into the couch, and Draco started moving his slow sweet kisses further down towards his neck. He moved back his collar and Harry tensed. Draco paused, and when Harry didn't move further, continued kissing further down his neck, almost to his back.
Again, he relaxed and let Draco continue with his ministrations. Draco moved his arm to rub them up and down Harry's. Harry enjoyed that too, and whispered, "that's nice."
"Good. You're ok?" Harry blushed at the reminder that he was a freak who would sometimes panic at affection. He was on edge, he could feel that any minute he could easily start panicking and his heart would start racing, but at this moment, yes, he was ok and enjoying what was happening to him.
"For now. That feels nice," he whispered. Draco freed his other hand and started massaging his other arm.
"Am I heavy?" Draco asked.
"No." Harry returned. "You're perfect." He meant it too. Draco really was perfect exactly how he was. When they had first met, Harry knew that he could be a bit of a pain in the arse. He had, however either gotten much better or Harry had gotten used to his ways. He figured it was a combination of both.
Draco hummed in response, "so are you," he whispered, and started drawing his tongue up and down Harry's ear. Harry moaned lowly and shivered again. Draco moved on to sucking his lobule into his mouth and massaging the thin skin with his lips. Harry moaned again and squirmed slightly at the tickling sensation.
With Harry under him squirming around against him, Draco began to feel very interested in what was happening. He shifted hoping to hide his interest from Harry, but he felt the moment Harry felt him. They both froze within seconds from each other. Then, Harry started shaking.
Draco jumped up as if burned. A second later, he was hesitatingly putting his arm around Harry's shoulders, who had sat up and started hugging himself. They were quiet, the only sounds in the room Harry's panting.
"I'm sorry." Draco said quietly.
Harry's head snapped up. "No." He demanded, "don't be sorry. This is my fault, my problem. I'm the one who's sorry."
Draco shook his head. "No, Harry. We're a couple, and your problems are my problems."
Harry sighed and put his head on Draco's shoulder. "It's still my issue. I'm the one that's the freak."
He had said it quietly, but Draco obviously heard him. "Hey!" He tilted Harry's chin up until their eyes met, and Harry was embarrassed to realize his were a bit wet. It was just so humiliating and difficult.
"I don't ever want to hear you call yourself a freak again. You are not anywhere near a freak, and I know freaks, you aren't one. So, shut up about that." Harry chuckled wetly, and Draco leaned forward to kiss his forehead, right on his scar. "This really isn't as big of a deal as you are making it out to be, Harry. So, you panic a little. You're getting better, and I'm getting better at realizing your triggers. We're dealing with it and that's the important thing. I don't mind taking it slow and doing whatever needs to be done to make you comfortable."
Harry bit his lip, feeling more tears brimming at his eyes. He was not one to cry. With most kids, when they cried, things happened to make them feel better. They'd get hugs and kisses, their tears wiped away lovingly, but that never happened for Harry. Tears never accomplished anything besides getting further tormented, so he didn't cry.
He tried hiding his face from Draco, but he must have been tipped off by something, for he was tilting Harry's face up to meet him again. Harry waited for a sneer, a look of disgust, a harsh remark, but it never came. Instead, a corner of Draco's mouth turned upward, his eyes full of compassion, and something else Harry wasn't that familiar with. He moved his hand to cup Harry's cheek and used his thumb to wipe at Harry's right eye. For his left, he leaned forward to place a kiss, kissing the tear away.
Harry let out a strange noise like a choke, and Draco pulled him into a tight hug. "It's ok," he whispered. He repeated that and several other comforting words several times as he rubbed Harry's back. Even though they couldn't snog intensely the way other couples do, even though he still felt like there was something seriously wrong with him, even though he had more stress than any teenager in the school, it did feel like everything at least would be ok because Draco was with him, holding him, making sure he was ok. Draco loved him, and as hard as that was to accept, he was starting to really believe it.
They hugged for a long time, Harry soaking up the comfort like a sponge. When he pulled back, he was still feeling a little raw, but definitely much better. It was so incredible having someone to be there for him. He knew he'd never take it for granted.
"It's getting late, we should probably be getting back to our dorms." Harry said as he started to get up, but Draco pulled him back.
"Harry, I love you." He said. Harry sucked in air. "I know you're not ready to say it back yet, but does it hurt you if I say it?"
Harry thought about it. "No. I just don't want you feeling bad, because I really do like you, so much, more than I like anyone. I just—"
"I know. You don't have to explain, Sweetheart. I just feel like saying it sometimes, and I want to be able to. Is that alright with you?"
Harry smiled slowly and nodded, too overwhelmed to say anything. Draco smiled as well and pulled him close for another hug.
The dorm was empty when he went up, avoiding Ron in the common room, and just to see if it would work, he tried summoning the pillow from off his bed. With absolutely no trouble, the pillow zoomed into his hand, almost painful in its exuberance. He couldn't help but grin, however. He could feel the power from behind his wand and in the pillow. He knew, somehow, that he wouldn't have any more trouble with the charm.
He was right. The next morning, he showed Hermione, who had been training him more intensely than Draco had, that he could summon his broom from the lake to the doors to the entrance Hall. Once he had done it ten times, Hermione dubbed him ready for the task. He had been satisfied after the first time.
The morning of the First task dawned brightly, a vast contrast to Harry's mood. He was nervous and practically shaking in his nerves. Just like before a quidditch match, he was unable to eat until Hermione nearly had to shove it down his throat.
Long before he was ready, it was time to head down to the arena that had been set up for the task. On the way down, he ran into Draco, literally. "Watch where you're going, Scar Head." Draco spat, which, to Harry, meant "good luck, Sweetheart." Draco shoved something in his hand as they passed each other.
"Watch yourself, Ferret," Harry returned as he pocketed what felt like a piece of parchment. He waited until he was alone in the tent, several long minutes later, after Bagman had announced that the first task was retrieving the golden egg from a selected dragon and the other champions had all left to face their respective dragons, to read the parchment.
Sweetheart,
I just wanted to wish you good luck. I know that you will kick some serious arse! I will definitely want to see you after this, if you can tear yourself away from your adoring fans.
I love you
It wasn't signed, but then Harry knew exactly who it was from.
A strange sound had him looking up towards one of the walls of the tent curiously. He made his way over and heard another, "psst!" from behind the curtained wall. "Harry?" Hermione's voice wafted over again.
"Are you ok?" She whispered.
Harry swallowed and nodded. Realizing she couldn't see him, he croaked out a "yeah" that came out much deeper than he intended.
"You've got this," Hermione said, sounding like she was trying to convince herself of this just as much as Harry.
Harry nodded again, and before he knew what was happening, the curtained wall was separating, and he had a handful of Hermione, who had thrown her arms around him. Before he had fully understood what had happened, a bright light going off, temporarily blinding him.
"Wonderful!" Came the voice of one of the last people he wanted to hear from, Rita Skeeter. She was accompanied by her short photographer, who didn't look as bored as the last time he had seen him. Part of the tournament was the 'weighing of the wands' where a wand expert made sure the champions' wands were up to snuff. Rita Skeeter had been there and interviewed Harry for an entirely inaccurate article detailing how sad he was about his parents' deaths. "A lovers' warm embrace. Care to give a quote, Harry?"
"Not to you, no," Harry said, eyeing her quill with distance. Hermione glared, but kept her distance.
"Now, now, don't be like that, Harry. Why don't you tell me all about your lovely girlfriend here?"
Harry stepped in front of Hermione, hoping to protect her at least a little. "She's not my girlfriend. You don't have my permission to write anything about me or my personal life." That had been what Draco had told him to say if Skeeter accosted him again.
A very ugly look passed across Skeeter's face. She opened her mouth, but was drowned out by a loud whistle blowing, signaling that it was Harry's turn to compete. Harry had forgotten to be nervous the last couple minutes, but his stomach dropped at how imminent facing a dragon had become.
"Good luck," Hermione whispered, briefly placing her hand on his shoulder.
"Yes, Harry, good luck. I'll see you after the task!" Rita waved as Harry exited the tent. The second he was in the arena, he took a long deep breath, releasing some of the tension he was feeling. He could do this.
The task went well. Better than well. As terrible as things had been before the task, they quickly improved immediately afterward. The entire school was cheering him on, and he hadn't run into Rita Skeeter again. He was in the medical tent for a small cut when he heard arguing coming from the mouth of the tent.
A moment later, Ron and Hermione were entering, Hermione pushing Ron lightly.
Ron glared back before turning back to Harry. His body language was very standoffish. He refused to meet Harry's eyes. Harry could feel some of his euphoria from winning quickly draining from his body. All of a sudden, he was fatigued. He didn't care how this would go, but he was tired of fighting.
"Hey." Ron said simply, staring down at his shoes scuffing the floor.
"Hey?" Harry asked. "That's all you have to say?"
Ron was quiet for several seconds before taking a deep breath. "I'm sorry I called you a liar. After seeing you face a dragon, I've realized that there's no way that you would enter this stupid tournament. Hermione's been telling me how they made you compete, or you'd lose your magic, and I just wanted to say, well…I'm sorry."
Harry nodded. It had really hurt him when he and Ron had that fight, but it had hurt more when Ron had called off their friendship. There were two things he could do here. He could tell Ron to stuff it and get on with his life with the new friends he had made and save himself the stress that came with being Ron's friend. Or, he could forgive Ron.
"Alright." He said simply. Ron smiled, Hermione scoffed.
"Boys." She whispered. Harry and Ron ignored her.
"I'm still pissed at you though." Ron was suddenly serious again.
"What?"
"You still haven't been telling us about your life. I'm still angry about that. You've got to start telling us things, mate."
Harry's jaw dropped in surprise. He couldn't believe Ron was still on this.
"What, like you tell me every little thing that goes on with you?" His eyes moved to Hermione and back, Ron got the message by gasping, spluttering and finally straightening, his jaw setting.
"Yeah, well…that's different." Hermione cocked her head to the side, curious about the direction the conversation was going.
Ron and Harry ignored her. "It's not," Harry said. "I have as much right to privacy as anyone. Being my best mate doesn't excuse you from that."
Ron sighed, then slowly nodded his head. "I didn't like the last couple weeks. I just wish you would talk to us is all."
Harry felt his heart constrict. He did too. "I will when I'm ready." He promised himself as much as them. Ron and Hermione both brightened.
The tension in the castle was released in the aftermath of the first task before quickly rising again. The day after the first task, a horrid article came out about Harry and Hermione and their torrid love affair. Harry thought the evidence would have been shaky at best, but Skeeter had apparently found the note Draco had written to Harry. It was in a still picture directly below the one where Hermione threw her arms around Harry. All in all, together it was pretty damning.
There was a brief tense moment immediately after Ron finished the article where he became surly until Hermione said how rubbish it was. He lightened immediately.
"Harry," Hermione began slowly as she took a second look at the article. "I know most of this is utter Hippogriff manure, but… this note," she pointed to the picture, "that looks very real."
Harry sipped his pumpkin juice. He couldn't believe he was so stupid as to lose the note. He and Draco were so careful, normally spelling every piece of parchment and backtracking their steps so as to not get caught.
"Harry?" Hermione repeated. "Do you have a girlfriend? Is that where you disappear off to?"
Harry sighed. There was no way to get out of that one. "I don't have a girlfriend Hermione." He stressed several syllables, hoping she would take it as a warning not to ask further.
"Oh." Hermione said, eyebrows furrowed. "Oh. Ok, Harry." After that, she became very giggly whenever Harry said he was going for a walk or to go study. Harry didn't understand it at all.
Ron wasn't that curious about the note. He seemed to have adopted a 'don't ask' to Harry's 'don't tell' policy.
One good thing the article did was dissuade girls from talking to him. He had noticed that beginning this year, there were girls giggling everywhere. When the Ball was announced, the number seemed to double. He on-impulse said no to the first several that asked him to go with them. The problem was, there was only one person he would want to go with, and it was the one person he couldn't. At their first opportunity, they agreed to just find platonic dates and do something special afterwards.
Unfortunately, he couldn't see himself saying yes to any of the girls that asked him. They were just too, well, girly. He had figured out that he was indeed attracted to the female form as well as the male's, but he just couldn't see himself with anyone other than Draco.
It was just as he was about to give up on ever finding a date that he overheard a disheartening conversation.
"…but you simply can't go together." McGonagall was saying to two girls in Harry's year. "The Ball is very traditional, and it wouldn't do." When it looked like the girls were going to argue, she continued, "I'm sorry," but in a tone of voice that was clearly a dismissal. Harry paused to watch.
McGonagall walked away with her head held high, and as soon as she turned a corner, one of the girls buried her head on the other girl's shoulder and burst into tears. The other girl wrapped her arms around her and began swaying her side to side. Harry had seen many girls hug before, it seemed to be a favorite pastime of the female species, but never like this. There was something deeply personal about the embrace. They got several looks from passing students, but the girl comforting simply glared until they were left alone.
Harry took a hesitant step forward, considering, before he took another. Decision made, he walked up to the two girls. They looked to be about the same height, but the one doing the comforting was a brunette while the girl she was holding was a blonde.
The brunette girl looked up at Harry's approach and fixed him with a cold stare. Harry was almost dissuaded by it but continued on. "Hello." He said lowly as he stood in front of them.
The blonde girl lifted her head, sniffling, from the other one's shoulder. Her makeup was running from her tears, but her eyes were pretty enough she looked beautiful instead of ugly. "Hello." The brunette girl said carefully.
Harry gave a small smile, hoping he wasn't appearing creepy rather than friendly. "Did I overhear that right? McGonagall said that you couldn't go to the ball together?"
The girls exchanged looks. "What's it to you?" The brunette asked. She handed a handkerchief to the other girl, who blew her nose.
"Well, nothing, except I think that's wrong."
At his words, the demeanor of the girls melted. They both smiled as they exchanged a much warmer look this time.
"Thank you for saying so." The blonde girl spoke finally.
"No problem. It's just, er, I need a date to the ball," the girls exchanged another look this time with raised brows, "and I was wondering if one of you would like to go with me, that way you would officially be with a boy, and then you can break off and be together."
The girls gasped, "You would do that?" the blonde girl asked.
"What's in it for you?" the brunette asked, eyes narrowing.
Harry shifted his foot. "I have my reasons. I don't want to go with any of these giggly girls, but I need a date, someone to have one dance with, and it apparently needs to be someone of a different gender." He hadn't really meant to reveal so much.
Both girls gasped, then looked to each other and started giggling. Great. He was gearing up to walk away when the blonde said, "Alright, alright, I'm game."
"I don't want to go without her," the brunette said. The blonde smiled and kissed her cheek. They smiled at each other and Harry felt a smile on his own face.
"If you like, I have a friend that could go with, well, whoever doesn't go with me." He stated awkwardly. The girls giggled again, and Harry started rethinking this whole thing.
"I'll go with you," the brunette said, "no offense, Mandy, but I'm a bit of a better dancer than you." Mandy scoffed and lightly hit her girlfriend on the arm. They were separated by this point, holding hands that were hidden by their robes.
"Great," Harry said, hoping he hadn't just made a large mistake.
"I'm Sally-Anne Perks, by the way," the brunette said, holding out a hand to shake. Harry took it.
"Harry Potter." The girls laughed full on this time.
"We know!" They said together.
The holiday break this year was more welcome than any other years. All Harry wanted to do was lay on his bed and sleep. He was still anxious about the Ball, but not as much as he had been. Finding a date was much more stressful than waiting for the Ball to happen.
He still wished he could go with Draco and the daydream got him through lots of down times.
He and Draco would enter the Ball together, hand in hand. They would be fashionably late, just late enough for everyone else to already be in the Hall. Gasps would echo around the room at seeing the two rivals together, and Harry might turn to Draco and give him a kiss on the cheek, just to make sure everyone knew what was really going on.
The orchestra, for there was a full orchestra in his fantasy, would start to play a slow song, completely unaware of what everyone was so confused about. Draco would lead Harry over to the empty dance floor and lead him in a dance together where they held each other close. The longer they danced, the more faces transformed to shock or disgust to happiness and acceptance, couples began joining them on the floor and they were just another couple in the crows. Harry saw Ron in the crowd standing next to Hermione, their hands intertwined. Ron would look blank at first, then when he caught Harry's eye, he would take a deep breath and nod once, smile on his face. Hermione would be beaming, cheering them on.
They would dance and twirl all night, getting smiles from anyone that so much as passed by them. They only had eyes for each other. They'd dance and dance, and sometimes they would take a break and eat with both of their friends. For some reason they all got along, and they would laugh and joke around together. The teachers would congratulate them, and they'd turn down anyone who wanted to separate them for a dance.
Pansy Parkinson would sometimes come up to them and try to take Harry away. Draco would yell at her, tell her that no one could take him away from Harry. She would run away in tears and Draco would look at Harry with a face of utter devotion.
Draco would escort Harry to his common room, instead of the other way around, talking about anything and everything under the moon. When they finally arrived at the Portrait of the Fat Lady, they'd say how enjoyable the night was. They'd say how they couldn't wait to see each other again, or how much they meant to each other. Then, they would kiss.
Sometimes Harry would dip Draco, sometimes Draco dipped Harry. Other times, they would cup each other's cheeks. When he was feeling particularly randy, one of them would get pushed into the wall, and their kiss would turn into many. They would sometimes end up on the floor and they would roll around.
I want you Harry, Draco would say. Yes, Harry would reply, and their clothes would be stripped off. Draco's mouth would be on him everywhere there was skin. It would be easy, wonderful, erotic. There wouldn't be any panic, no anxiety, no hesitation. They would finish and smile at each other, and kiss again. At this point they were in a bed and had been for a while. Sometimes it was the bed in Harry's dorm, other times it would be in their special classroom, or right there in the corridor outside the Fat Lady.
The fantasies would sometimes end long before the sexy parts, but when Harry would wank, that was his exclusive dream since the Ball had been announced. He had slowly continued with the book Draco had bought him, getting into the acts they could do together. He forced himself to read the instructive, dry print that made it seem like this was no big deal and would picture him and Draco doing those things. As time went on, it became easier and easier to actually see himself in these situations, and the panic he would feel at them would decline.
Finally, the day of the Ball came. It seemed like there were absolutely no girls under fourth year in the castle. It got around that all the girls spent all day getting ready for the ball. The boys were dumbfounded at this tidbit.
Harry was meeting Sally-Anne in the entrance hall. They had said 'hi' in passing, and Sally-Anne's abrasive personality was starting to grow on him. Her girlfriend, Mandy Brocklehurst, was one of the sweetest people Harry had ever met, and he found it interesting how their personalities worked together.
"How long does it take these girls to get ready?" Ron asked. Harry shrugged. He personally didn't mind waiting, he wasn't keen for the Ball to start.
"As long as it takes," came a voice from behind them. It was Sally-Anne, dressed in a pretty purple dress with a pink sash. Mandy was dressed in the same style of robes, only hers was the same color of the pink sash. Her sash was the same purple of Sally-Anne's dress.
Ron blushed at being caught. "Sorry. Are you Mandy?"
"Sally-Anne, but I usually go by Sal. This is Mandy," she said, gesturing, then her eyes hardened, "and you had better treat her well or you and I will have a problem." Ron looked positively terrified at the fist waving in his face.
Mandy laughed and grabbed the hand. "Come on, Sally, Sweetie. I'm sure he'll be a perfect gentleman."
"I like what you did with your dresses," Harry cut in, trying to change the subject, not entirely sure Ron had ever been a gentleman.
"Thanks!" Mandy beamed. "We figured since we couldn't officially go together, it was a good idea to make sure everyone knew we are actually together."
"The homophobes at this school are real. Most people are just curious, I guess, but there are a couple people that are just totally against us being happy."
Harry frowned at this. He was thankful he and Draco didn't have to deal with any negativity from outside forces, the good thing about having a secret relationship, but it didn't outweigh how much he wanted other people to know. If they were to 'come out' they could hold hands in public, walk each other to class, kiss whenever they wanted. It would be nice, even if there were people against their union.
Before long, McGonagall was calling for all the students sans the champions to get in the Hall, and the Champions and their dates to form a line. Harry did a double take at Krum's date, it was Hermione. She smiled at Harry's dropped jaw and Sally closed it from his chin.
Harry focused on walking, trying not to look like an idiot as they entered the Hall and sat down. He jumped back up when he saw Cedric pull out the chair for Cho Chang and did the same for an unimpressed Sally. Soon, the moment passed, and the dinner set forward.
"So, are you going to tell me who you wanted to ask," Sally asked in a low voice once it was apparent everyone else was deep in conversations.
Harry spluttered and choked on his butterbeer. "Guess not." Sally smirked, and it reminded him of Draco. He had very carefully avoided looking for Draco, knowing it would be a huge distraction to him.
"It's not that I don't want to tell you, it's just…"
"You're not ready to come out yet."
"Yes! That's it exactly." It was, too. Once Draco was of age, he would be out from under his father's influence and they could be together. If they lasted that long, and that actually was the plan. They hadn't discussed the future beyond the hypothetical, and Harry suddenly wondered what Draco's plans were. Would he ever go against his father?
His thoughts were interrupted by a hand on his shoulder. "I know, better than anyone, how tough it can be. I'm dreading telling my parents, they already don't like that I'm a witch. They're god-fearing Christian muggles," she explained at Harry's curious look, "and I'm sure they'll have a problem with it. But at the end of the day, I'm their daughter, and I know they love me. I'm sure that whatever problem you're picturing won't be as bad as you think."
"Thanks. It's not really homophobia I'm worried about right now, it's just…" Harry paused. It would be so good to have someone he could talk to about this, it was weighing on his heart. He thought it would be ok too, so long as he didn't mention Draco's name. Draco hadn't been upset when he had told Ron and Hermione about having a pen pal, or a new friend, he just didn't want it to get out that it was Draco specifically. He didn't give any further detail because that would be inviting them to further questions. "You can keep a secret, right?"
Sally raised her eyebrows. "I'm not one for gossip. Mandy is, but we have an understanding that we don't talk to each other about our friend's secrets. So, whatever you want to tell me, I promise I won't tell anyone."
Harry appreciated the promise. "I have a… boyfriend." He waited for her reaction, which was just a slight smile and nod. "He's great. Wonderful. He's perfect, it's just that his father wouldn't approve of our relationship. I don't know if it would bother him that I'm a boy, but it would if he knew it was me." Sally looked confused, as if wondering who would have a problem with their child dating the boy-who-lived. Harry wasn't going to explain that part. "So, we can't tell anyone that we're dating. Anyone, and I wish we could. It kills me to see him and know that I can't so much as talk to him in front of people, much less kiss him. It's really hard being in a relationship that no one can know about. I can't even whisper to my best friends, and I hate having to lie to them, especially. It's causing so many problems and I don't know what I can do to solve them, because the only thing that would help is the one thing I can't do."
Harry was slightly panting, and he took a deep breath trying to calm down. He hadn't meant to get so worked up.
"Damn." Sally said simply. "That's a lot of shit to deal with."
Harry laughed. It may have been slightly hysterically, but he felt like a weight had been lessened. It wasn't gone completely, but simply telling someone was so helpful. He knew it could cause problems, but he had a feeling that he could trust Sally. She was no-nonsense and could at least sympathize with the issues they were facing.
Sooner than he would have liked, he was standing up for the first dance. Draco and he had practiced together, taking turns leading so Harry would have some experience, and he thought he could at least not look like an idiot while doing it. He knew he didn't look as graceful as Draco, but he thought he looked better than Krum, who wasn't nearly as graceful on land as he was in the air.
Sally was a great dancer, and her dress spun in a way that made him think it was made to dance with. As he was dancing, he caught sight of Draco in the crowd. There was a strange look on his face. He looked longingly at Harry, a hard edge of jealousy on the side. They locked eyes, and Harry bit his lip. Draco shrugged out a sigh, as if saying there was nothing they could do, and Harry twirling his date around, wishing that it was Draco he was twirling around instead.
Pansy Parkinson was Draco's date, as Harry had been informed of beforehand. She had asked him after they had agreed to just take whoever, and he figured she was about as good as he could do. Harry didn't like the way she gripped his arm like it belonged to her.
Finally, there were more couples on the floor dancing. Harry caught Sally staring yearningly at Mandy one time too many and lead her over to the table she and Ron were at. Mandy sprang up and hugged her the moment they were close enough. Harry smiled at the sight and sat next to Ron, who was staring at Hermione dancing with Krum.
"You guys haven't danced yet," Sally asked, tucking Mandy under her arm as they sat.
"Maybe later," Mandy sighed, staring up at her. Harry felt his stomach clench in envy.
After a couple songs, Sally told Ron to dance with Mandy.
Ron's head snapped to stare at her. "I don't think she wants to." He said quickly.
"No, I'd like to." Mandy smiled. Ron blanched a bit, looking between her and the dance floor.
"Alright," he said finally, and held out his hand. Harry had a hard time not laughing.
"How many times do you think he'll step on her feet?" Sally asked, as if regretting pushing them.
Harry did laugh this time. "I'm sure she'll be fine. Look, I think she's leading." He spoke too soon. They could both see Mandy visibly flinch but smile reassuringly as Ron stepped back.
"I'm going to keep track, so I know how many times to punch him later."
"Do you think you two will dance together?"
Sally sighed. "I don't know. McGonagall said we couldn't go together, but I think she meant we couldn't dance together either. I looked it up, and apparently same sex couples are in and of itself more accepted than in the muggle world, but with most upscale events, it's frowned upon. Pureblood society rules are fascinating to me. So, it's totally fine to have a lover the same sex as you, but only before a marriage contract is written and after an heir is produced. Sometimes it's even allowed during the marriage if it's written into the contract or the spouse is ok with it. Which is apparently pretty common. I just don't understand why, if it's so widely accepted, it's not alright to just get married and adopt and skip that whole false marriage business. It seems more wrong to me. Of course, I'm one of those people who would benefit. In the muggle world, I think one of the main arguments against gay people is it would ruin the sanctity of marriage, in my opinion, marrying someone just to produce an heir is more devastating to the sanctity of marriage than two people who love each other who happen to have the same parts. Harry?"
She had turned to him and noticed that he was having trouble breathing. He had followed her through most of her speech, but the pureblood rules had tripped him up emotionally. Was that all he was, a fling before Draco got married? This wasn't how Draco had described the problem with them being together. Did he just not want them to be seen together so it wouldn't hurt his marriage prospects? He couldn't breathe, and he was surrounded by people.
Suddenly, a hand was pulling him up, leading him out of the Hall. The hand was warm, but too warm, too small. Draco's hand fit perfectly into Harry's, at first it was slightly too big to be comfortable, but the longer they were together, the better it felt.
"Breathe in. Good now, breathe out. Good." Sally was talking to him, and the words invaded his mind as if he was underwater then suddenly surfaced. They were against a wall around a corner from the main doors. He felt himself calm down, then embarrassment welled. No one had seen him lose it except for Draco, and he still had trouble with him seeing that.
"It's alright. I won't tell anyone." Sally-Anne was a wonderful friend. He nodded, trying to gather himself.
"Thanks, Sally." She snorted in a very un-lady like fashion.
"We're friends now. I demand that you call me Sal. Sally is so…girly." She shuddered as if this was a grievous offense.
Harry laughed, feeling the last of his panic leaving him.
"There you are!" It was Draco, and he was panting. He slid to the floor on his knees next to Harry and cupped his cheek. "Are you alright? I saw in the Hall, don't worry no one else noticed, I came as soon as I could…"
Harry felt himself freeze, Sally-Sal was still here, did Draco not notice her? "Have you been addled Malfoy?" He asked, trying to save him. He slapped Draco's hand away and made to move.
"There's no need for that, I figured it out a little while ago." Harry and Draco both turned to Sal, wondering if they were being too obvious and what she would do with that juicy bit of gossip. "Don't worry. I would never purposefully out someone who didn't want to be, and I can tell this whole thing is super complicated, so you don't have to worry about telling anyone."
Harry smiled, and leaned forward to hug Sal. Draco seemed hesitant. "I appreciate that, Ms. Perks. It would dire if anyone were to find out about us."
Sal snorted again. "Sure. I go by Sal to my friends, by the way. Anyway, I'll give your excuses, Harry, if anyone asks about you. Draco, I'll see you around. Have fun, boys." She giggled as she walked away.
Harry and Draco turned to look at each other. "Are you alright?" Draco asked.
Harry nodded. "I can't believe you came after me. Draco, you really didn't have to do that. I know how important it is that no one sees us together." A pulse of hurt came back at what he was wondering earlier.
"I know. I just panicked when I saw you in trouble. It hurts me when you're hurting." Harry felt a now familiar feeling rise in his heart, one that he had been feeling more and more frequently. Suddenly, he gasped, knowing what the unknown emotion was. "What's wrong?" Draco asked at Harry's intake of air.
Harry shook his head, still in awe. "Want to go to our room?"
Draco nodded, and helped Harry stand. They walked in silence the couple minutes it took to get there. When they entered, Harry felt his jaw drop.
There were jars and butterbeer bottles filled with white light all over the room, candles burning away merrily. There had to be at least a hundred light sources floating lightly around the room. There were icicles all over the room, hanging from every available ledge, and they were obviously enchanted, as they shone lowly, not dripping a drop of moisture. Their armchairs were pushed against the far wall, leaving room for the cushion and blanket pile in front of them. A bouquet of white poinsettias were on the table and at every corner of the room. Draco had cleared out a square area that was outlined with more jars. Their barricade blocked the door from passing eyes, but beyond that, the room had been cleaned until it was sparkling.
"I put a silencing charm on the door, and another one for dissuading people from coming in. It should last for the rest of the night." Harry took a step forward, turning to take in the sight. It was incredible, and he knew Draco couldn't go any longer without knowing. "I know it's kind of girly, but I thought it was romantic, and—"
Harry placed a finger on Draco's lips, shushing him. He took Draco's hand and pulled him further into the room. He assumed the area outlined with jars was a makeshift dance floor. That would do for what he wanted. He pulled Draco into his personal space, wrapping his arms around his neck. Draco wrapped his own arms around Harry's waist. It wasn't a traditional pose, but then, neither were they. They swayed slowly back and forth for a couple seconds before Draco got his wand out. He pointed it in the direction of their table and an old-style radio filled music in the room.
Harry melted. Draco remembered.
"This is perfect." They danced with their foreheads touching for a full song before Harry spoke. "I hated not being able to be with you tonight." Draco inclined his head, knowing that it was his fault for this. "I don't blame you, Draco. Tonight, Sal brought up some stuff about how purebloods are supposed to behave before during and after marriage, and it scared me. It scared me because I can't imagine my life without you in it. I have no idea what I'm doing after school, what my career will be, but I can see you. I see myself coming home to you, waking up next to you, fighting over the breakfast table with you," he took a deep breath, stealing himself, "making love to you. And it's only you. No one else will do, because no one else is the brilliance that is Draco Malfoy. I love you, Draco. I love you. I just wanted you to know."
Draco stared at Harry, and he realized they had come to a stop at some point. He was suddenly nervous at Draco's silence. Maybe he had said too much of his feelings. Maybe Draco really didn't intend to marry him. Maybe he did see their relationship ending after school. Maybe even if he didn't, he didn't see it going so far. Harry had implied a lot with that. He had meant for it to be sweet and real, and because he had taken so long to say it, he wanted to make it heartfelt. Maybe that was just too much. Maybe—
"I love you, so. much." Draco whispered, and then his lips were on Harry's. They were so soft, but they were also demanding. Harry felt like he was melting, and Draco was picking up all the pieces. Everything would be ok it had to be.
An unknown amount of time later, they were still kissing. They had realized through experimentation that standing made Harry feel comfortable enough they didn't need to stop suddenly. Harry gave him another lingering kiss and whispered, "I love you."
"I love you too," Draco whispered against Harry's lips. "Do you want to dance anymore?" Harry nodded. Holding Draco close sounded wonderful. As they got into position, Draco lowly asked, "what exactly did Ms. Perks say that was so scary to you?"
"Oh." Harry had mostly forgotten about that. "She said that purebloods are generally ok with same gendered relationships, but only if there's not a marriage contract in place, or after there's a kid. Like having an heir is more important than being in love."
Draco sighed. Harry felt worry settle in his stomach for the umpteenth time. "Harry, there's something you need to understand about that. To most pureblood families, continuing the line is more important than any feelings of love. To purebloods, blood is sacred, marriage, family, children, it all comes second to purity."
"Do you feel that way?" He was not pureblood, and he had never been more aware of that.
Draco stopped them and cupped Harry's face between his hands. "Harry James Potter. I am risking everything to be with you, because that is how much I love you. You are worth more to me than everything else in my life, combined. I know that we're young, and a lot of our future is undecided, but that's how I feel. When the time comes, I am going to defy everything to be with you. I am going to be a blood traitor because I would rather be that than be separated from you. I see you in my future, too, Harry. It's all I can see. I love you."
Harry felt his emotions come to the surface, and he was kissing Draco this time. Their kissing turned heated quickly, and they tumbled onto the cushions. They had perfected the position that Harry felt most comfortable with, connected from the waist up, their legs going in different directions. They stayed in that position for a long while, kissing happily and passionately. Slowly, Harry found himself climbing on top of Draco, and their bottom halves were touching. Their legs gradually intertwined, and Harry broke off from Draco's mouth to attach himself to Draco's neck. This was ok, he was fine.
Then, he felt Draco's hardened penis through his trousers. Harry stopped, but he didn't feel too much panic. "It's ok, we can stop," Draco panted.
"I…I don't want to stop." They stared at each other, both breathing heavily, then Draco leaned forward.
"Are you sure," he whispered, staring at Harry's lips.
"Yes…but, just kissing?" he asked lightly. Draco smiled and nodded, and their lips met again. They kept kissing for a long while, and it was absolutely brilliant. Finally, they got to a point where they couldn't take any more. They laid next to each other panting.
"That was…" Harry started, but he couldn't think of a good enough word.
"Yes. Yes, it was." Draco agreed, pulling Harry up under his arm. They remained quiet, just enjoying the gentle music and lights.
"Wait," Harry said suddenly, "no one has mentioned gay marriage, is it illegal in the wizard world too?"
"Yes. Well, there's all sorts of bonding ceremonies we can do, but same sex marriage is not officially recognized by the ministry."
"I—er, I um, the—bonding, us?"
Draco laughed. "Sorry, maybe I should have left it hypothetical."
"No, no, it's er, good to know! Does this mean that we, er—."
"We're not engaged Harry, calm down. It'll happen, but I think fourteen is a little young, don't you?"
"Yeah," Harry said, calming down. They could worry or relax about the future when it was happening. For now, this was plenty for him.
They ended up sleeping in their room, cuddled up in each other's arms. Harry found it interesting that no one asked where he had been.
Cedric pulled Harry aside the next day and gave him the very helpful advice of taking a bath with his golden egg. He gave him the password to the prefects' bathroom, but Harry wasn't sure he would use it. As soon as January hit, he began to feel the pressure of the second task. He did want to earn his win, if he did win, and didn't want to take Cedric's advice.
Eventually, however, he had no choice. Draco had been bugging him about the second task insistently, and he was ready to do something just to shut him up. He figured since he was taking Cedric's advice, he might as well do it in style, and decided to go to the prefect's bathroom. Draco decided he would tag along and bought Harry a swimming costume when Harry used that as an excuse not to.
Harry just didn't want Draco to see him shirtless. He was careful with his dorm mates, so they never even saw him. He knew that Draco would see his scars and he didn't want that. He could of course, wear a shirt, but then Draco would ask why he was wearing one.
However, their recent declarations of love had mellowed him out a little. Draco really did love him, and they were going to sleep together, figuratively, some time in the future, so he might as well get that over with.
When they entered the bathroom, they had fun for several minutes playing with all the taps. Harry got a bit involved with playing with all the taps, and therefore missed Draco undressing. When Draco coughed, Harry turned and gasped at the sight Draco presented.
He was absolutely flawless, pure white alabaster skin, perfection in a package. His white-blonde hair really complimented him. He was hairless on his chest, but he could see some on his stomach. He was more muscled than the other boys in his dormitory, being a quidditch player, and thinner too. He was long and lean, and Harry had never noticed how every part of him was like that, from his fingers to his toes. He looked absolutely perfect, standing there in a little black swim costume, a big smile completing the look.
Harry gulped as he moved from the giant tub. "Like what you see?" Draco asked, dripping with confidence. He nodded jerkily. "Well, your turn." When Harry nearly tripped over himself, Draco laughed lightly and said, "I'll get in the tub. Come join me when you're ready."
Harry thought this was the best way it could have happened. He undressed quickly, with Draco sitting along the side facing away from him. He was leaning his head back, eyes closed when Harry slid in. Harry made his way slowly to him, trepidation in every muscle.
"Hey gorgeous," Draco said when Harry was right in front of him. Harry let out a relieved sigh, Draco was meeting his eyes and hadn't looked down. Harry sunk further into the bubbles, alright with postponing that conversation. He had decided not to lie to Draco if he asked where the scars came from, he already knew most of it.
They swam around for a while, Draco teaching Harry a couple strokes. "We should probably get to work on that egg," Draco finally attempted.
"Yeah," Harry agreed. "Get it for me?"
Draco laughed. "You just want to look at my arse, don't you?"
Harry wasn't sure how to respond to that, so he didn't. He just didn't want Draco looking at him. Although, the suggestion did have merit, so he did watch Draco's arse as it climbed out of the tub, bent down, then climbed back in with the egg. Harry was sure the hip wiggling hadn't been necessary.
The egg screeched just as loudly every time they tried opening it. "Here, give it to me," Draco said, and tried to grab the egg. Unfortunately, it was slippery and fell through his grip. "Damn," they both swore as they felt it sink to the bottom of the tub.
"I'll get it," Harry volunteered quickly. He was astounded when he heard music. "Draco! It's a song, listen." They both ducked under the water, and before they knew it they had the song memorized between the two of them. Now the easy part, figuring out what it meant.
They went back and forth with ideas, and finally had things mostly worked out. They decided that there must be mermaids in the Black Lake, someone was going to take something from Harry, and Harry would have to get it back. "But how am I going to breathe under water for an hour?" Draco bit his lip.
"You know what? Let's worry about that later. For now, let's celebrate you winning the tournament."
Harry let out a low chuckle, "I haven't won the tournament, Draco."
"That doesn't matter. I know you will." With that, Draco gave Harry a nice big smooch, pushing him towards the wall of the tub. Oh, it felt incredible. They had never been this close before, with their legs all intertwined. Their bare chests touched, and Draco reached up to run his fingers through Harry's hair, pulling on the strands to get them impossibly closer. Harry could feel Draco's heart beating, they were so close. He felt himself grow excited and felt when Draco did as well. They stopped kissing slowly, exchanging small pecks as they slowly opened their eyes.
Draco moved his hands down so he was cupping Harry's face. "Tell me to stop...and I will." He breathed into Harry's mouth. Harry nodded, he was shaking as he felt Draco come closer, tilting his head up as Draco moved his nose under Harry's chin. Draco placed a hot, open-mouthed kiss right on his Adam's apple and moved down from there, marking his territory with sucking and bites. His chest was heaving for shaking breaths.
This was the hottest thing they had done together, ever. He wanted to feel more. He wasn't sure who moved first but all of a sudden, they were closer. A rush of arousal went up his penis and to his stomach, fluttering out to the rest of his body. They moaned together, and their mouths opened and met in a filthy kiss full of tongue and teeth. They traded breaths and curled their tongues together and clashed their teeth.
A loud gasp that wasn't from either of them had them breaking their contact with mouths to look towards the noise when they both startled. For floating on top of the taps, was Moaning Myrtle. They jumped apart, how much had she seen?
Their hands went to their own crotches, covering themselves from her prying eyes, even if the bubbles did most of the work.
"Myrtle!" Harry yelled, "what the hell are you doing here? Get out!"
A very silvery blushing Myrtle let out a wail befitting to her name and exited through the toilet in the corner.
"Well that's a damn mood killer." Draco said. Harry nodded in agreement. Fun time was over. It took a minute for him to realize that he was shaking.
"Hey," Draco muttered, "what's wrong, Sweetheart?" He swam to Harry's side and had him in his arms in under a minute.
Harry wasn't entirely sure. Usually panic attacks happened before something like that happened. This felt like a very mild one.
Draco ran a hand through his hair, "shh, it's ok," and other wonderful little platitudes on his breath. Eventually, Harry stopped shaking, then he calmed his breathing. He shut his eyes and rested his head further into Draco's shoulder, his eyes on his neck.
"All better?" Harry nodded. He still wanted to stay exactly right where he was, however.
"Thank you," he said, meaning more than the words could describe.
Draco leaned his head down to kiss the top of Harry's head. "That was much better than any of the others you've had."
"Was it?"
"Yes. I think you're getting better, Sweetheart." Harry smiled, he could believe that. "I'm so proud of you." Draco whispered into his locks. Harry melted.
They climbed out of the tub and went to get towels. Draco gasped upon seeing Harry out of the tub. His eyes raked down every inch of him.
Harry reached out and grabbed the oversized towel to wrap it around himself quickly, avoiding Draco's eyes. "I know, I'm—"
"Beautiful." Draco breathed. Harry stared. "You are so beautiful, my love." Harry felt heat fuel up inside him. He didn't want to believe him. "You are, my beautiful Harry. I love you so much."
"Draco, please." Harry blushed and looked down. "I've got so many scars, I know you see them. Not to mention I'm too skinny and short."
Draco held his hand up, pulling at Harry's towel to bring him closer. He opened it slowly. "You may see scars, but I see visual representation of all the hardships you've had to deal with. I think that each and every one of these scars," he traced one that went down over Harry's heart, "are just as beautiful and wonderful as you are. You are the perfect height to fit right into my arms, and I can wrap them all the way around you. You are exactly perfect exactly as you are."
Harry bit his lip. He didn't entirely believe Draco, but he said it perfectly calmly, looking Harry in the eye, and Harry just had a feeling he was being honest. Draco, while Harry was thinking, had started to dry Harry off with the large towel. He moved it up and down Harry's arms, around his abdomen, and got on his knees to do his legs. Harry was very touched by the sweet display and repeated the actions on Draco when he was done.
He got to his feet slowly, something about this moment was tense and intimate. The very air was practically crackling. Draco looked slightly dazed as he looked at Harry. A very pink tongue came out and licked his lips, Harry wanted to bite it.
"Did they hurt you, Harry," Draco asked, a pained expression on his face.
Harry gulped. "I sort of thought you knew. I haven't been shy about it."
Draco looked down. "I didn't want to think about it. I had hoped you were exaggerating, but looking at you, everything you've told me is a huge understatement. I'm so sorry, Harry, I should have done something sooner. I don't want you going back to that house. Is there anywhere else you can stay?"
Harry sighed and pulled Draco over to a little stool in the corner, they both sat in their towels, connected by their clasped hands. "I don't want to go back, but there's nowhere else for me to go. I stay with the Weasleys sometimes, and Sirius offered to take me when he gets free, but there's nothing I can do for now."
"I think, if you tell someone, anyone, you wouldn't have to go back there. What they're doing to you is wrong, Harry. You know that, right?"
Harry looked away. "I know it is. It hasn't been that bad since… well, since I got my first Hogwarts letter. It was addressed to the cupboard under the stairs and the Dursleys got paranoid that there were wizards watching the house, so they didn't get physical with me since."
"Wait, no, why was your letter addressed to the cupboard under the stairs? The magic shouldn't have made a mistake like that." Draco's eyes were wide and intense. Harry stared at his feet as he talked.
"Er, it may have been my bedroom, at the time." Draco let out a small breath, like a whisper and closed his eyes. He withdrew his hand from Harry's to hold his head in his hands, leaning forward, his elbows on his knees. Harry felt sick. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that. I –"
"Harry." Draco demanded, suddenly sitting up straight and putting his hands on Harry's shoulders. He had tears in his eyes. "Don't you dare apologize. I'm not angry with you, I'm angry with them. They had no right to treat you like that! I can't believe anyone would be so horrible, to a child, no less. Harry, you have no right to be as wonderful as you are. I'm serious, you should be mean and nasty to everyone you meet, but you're kind, and you genuinely care about everyone, people you've never even met. I just don't understand how you got to be so special."
Harry blinked, feeling tears welling in his own eyes. "I'm not special, Draco. I'm just like everyone else."
"But you're not, Sweetheart. You are so much better than every other human on this earth, and I am so lucky to have you. I just wish you would believe that." He pulled Harry close and they were hugging. They didn't agree, but they loved each other, and it was enough that they acknowledged the other's viewpoint. They were like that on a lot of things, not necessarily agreeing with each other, but respecting the other's opinions.
"Promise me," Draco whispered to Harry, still embracing him, "that if you ever feel unsafe there, you'll leave." Harry took in a deep breath. Draco was asking a lot of him.
"Where would I go?" That was the main problem.
"Anywhere. The Weasley's, the Leaky Cauldron, my manor would be preferable. Anywhere, so long as you're safe."
Harry nodded. "Alright. I promise I'll leave if I feel unsafe."
Draco smiled, sadly, and kissed him.
"When you're ready, I want to hear about how you got every one of those scars." Draco said quietly. Harry nodded, knowing he would.
They changed quietly, facing different directions. Harry didn't peak, and he knew Draco wouldn't either. At the door, they exchanged a quick peck before climbing under Harry's invisibility cloak.
Their path back to the Slytherin common room was uneventful, and they traded another kiss before Harry departed for his own common room.
That way was eventful. He got stuck in a vanishing step in front of Filch, Snape and Moody. Moody saved him from Snape just in time and took the map as an exchange. As soon as his head the pillow, he was asleep.
A/N: Thanks for reading so far, and to everyone who reviewed, I appreciate it.