Chapter Six- Blossoming Love

Both boys left the forest separately, but with identical smiles. They had had an enjoyable race that Draco had won as he was slightly taller than Harry. Harry suggested getting together during lunch tomorrow to which Draco eagerly agreed. Draco was also looking forward to getting his horn tomorrow as well as being in Harry's company. He was in love and it was a wonderful feeling.

Draco ran a hand along the length of his horn, delighted to finally have it. He also wanted to see his boyfriend, perhaps spend lunchtime in the forest. Since Care of Magical Creatures was before lunch, this was doable- if they can get away from their friends. Pansy lamented about Draco's horn all the way to breakfast, but he hardly listened for he caught sight of Harry at his own table. Harry had turned to talk to Weasley, but his eyes were locked on Draco. He smiled at him before sitting at the Slytherin table.

Harry's eyes landed on Draco when the Slytherin boy entered the Great Hall. His silver horn was just as cool as his own, and he wanted to feel it later on. Yes, time during lunch would be perfect.

"Harry, are you listening?" came Ron's voice.

Harry blinked. "Sorry, Ron. I was staring at Malfoy. I just can't believe he's half-unicorn like me."

"Yeah, that is surprising, but you look better than he does."

Harry nodded, but personally thought Ron was wrong. Both of them were cute in their own way. He thought Draco's charm were in his ears and tail; something he had noticed yesterday. It seemed like Draco's feelings showed in his tail's movements. Yes, his tail is very expressive.

Draco was likewise thinking about Harry in the same manner. He believed Harry's charms lied in his ears and horn. He felt the ears were telling of Harry's emotions. He found it hard to focus in Charms class when he wanted to get to lunch. It seemed to take forever for Charms and break to end so he could head to Care of Magical Creatures class, seeing that the Gryffindors had already gathered since they have Herbology with the Hufflepuffs. He caught Harry's eye as he approached and gave a tiny nod which he received in turn.

Class passed in a blur and Draco shook off his friends, saying he left his book behind and headed back, slipping into the forest once out of sight. He stood in the shadow of the trees until Harry had entered. His tail swished happily as he stepped forward and put his arms around Harry's back and felt Harry arms encircle his back.

Harry looked up at Draco before running his horn along the length of Draco's horn. Draco hummed contently at the feel of Harry's horn as his fingers stroked Harry's mane. "Draco, I want you to know that your ears and tail are charming to me. Your tail's very expressive."

"Is that so? I think you charms are in the ears and horn. Your emotions are shown in your ears." He looked at the ears and saw them slicked back. "And right now, they hint at worry or anxiety."

"Right on both counts. I worry what my friends will think about our relationship and I feel more like concern of what my aunt and uncle will think when they see me or even the Muggles at the station."

Draco's tail twitched in agitation at Harry's blight. "Good points. You may want to talk to Dumbledore about that." And I may want to write to Mother and Father so that I don't shock them when I come home for Easter in a couple of months. They probably would accept that I'm half-unicorn, but I need to be absolutely sure. Once I have that, I may confess my love for Harry, explaining that he likes me.

Both boys went through the rest of the day, preoccupied with their relationship, their hybrid states, their friends' possible learning of their relationship and acceptance of it or lack thereof. Harry's concern of his living arrangement worried him so much that he actually approached Dumbledore at the Staff Table as soon as he finished eating. "Professor, I need to talk with you."

"Certainly, Harry. Wait by the gargoyle. I'll be there as soon as possible."

Harry immediately left and waited anxiously for the headmaster to arrive. He paced restlessly and his tail swung back and forth rapidly. He paused in his pacing when he heard footsteps and looked up to see Dumbledore approaching. He smiled benignly at him before speaking the password. The gargoyle leaped aside, the wall opened, and Dumbledore stepped onto the stairs with Harry right behind him.

They entered the office and the headmaster sat behind his desk while Harry sat in the chair in front of it. "So, Harry. What do you want to talk about?"

"It's my relatives, sir. How can I go back to them like this?" He gestured to himself.

"A valid concern. Well, you're welcome to stay at Hogwarts or maybe you would like to stay with the Weasleys. I would suggest asking Molly for permission first." He looked at Harry over his glasses. "Now, is there anything else you wish to tell me?"

Harry shifted uneasily. "It's kind of a secret," he said slowly. Dumbledore gave an indulgent smile and Harry felt bolstered by it. "Draco Malfoy and I are in love," he blurted out. "We admitted it yesterday."

"I thought as much. The two of you seemed to be looking at each other quite often. Believe me Harry, I won't tell anyone. I'm happy for you and Draco."

"I am worried about what Ron and Hermione will think."

"That I do not know, but if they are true friends, they will accept and understand your feelings about Draco."

Harry nodded as he bid Dumbledore good night. He knew they would understand he was in love, but accepting that it was Draco? Well, Hermione might understand, Ron he wasn't sure about. He reached the end of the corridor and stopped when he saw Draco waiting for him.

"I wanted to know if everything is all right now."

"I'm given a choice to either stay at Hogwarts or with Ron. I plan to send an owl to Mrs. Weasley to ask permission. I'm pretty sure she'll say yes. I…told Dumbledore about us and apparently he already figured it out."

Draco nodded. "He seems to know practically anything that goes on around here."

"I want to tell Hermione and Ron about us. Is that okay with you? You can tell your friends if you want."

"You can tell them. I'll keep our relationship to myself. I don't think my housemates would understand."

Harry nodded before giving Draco a hug. "Good night, Draco."

The Slytherin boy returned the gesture. "Night, Harry." The two parted and headed for their respective Houses.

"Everything all right, Harry?" Ron asked as the half-unicorn entered the Common Room and found his friends in one corner and went over to them. "You seemed upset earlier."

"Concerned was more like it," Harry replied as he sat down. "But some of it is straightened out."

"Some?" Ron asked.

"I was concerned about going back to the Dursleys like this. They wouldn't understand or accept and neither would the Muggles at the station or my neighborhood. Dumbledore suggested I either stay at Hogwarts for the summer or stay with you, Ron."

"Oh, stay with me, Harry! Mum would love it!"

"Dumbledore suggests I send her an owl asking for permission, though I know she would say yes. I plan to send the owl before breakfast tomorrow."

"There was something else you spoke to Dumbledore about, right?" Hermione said.

"Right. I'm in love. I have been since yesterday."

"Oh, Harry, that's wonderful!" Hermione exclaimed. "Is it Cho Chang? The Ravenclaw Seeker?"

"No. It's…Draco Malfoy," Harry said quickly.