A/N: Finally posted! Thank you for being patient, or if not patient, thank
you for not sending death threats! I could make excuses and say that
finals prevented me from writing but that would be a lie. I hit several
brick walls, particularly in writing a certain *cough cough* scene. *wink
wink nudge nudge* This is the first graphic scene I've ever written, so if
it's awful you'll know why.
Disclaimer: I own nothing but my mind. Aint that disturbing?
Warning: Pretty graphic slash in this chapter. Hit the back button if you can't handle it.
Draco found Harry leaning against one of the walls of the astronomy tower. His head was angled up so he could see the night sky through the enormous skylight that covered half the ceiling. Draco took an eager step towards him, and then hesitated. Something was wrong. Something in the way Harry sagged against the stone wall made him uneasy. He crossed the room quietly, stopping when he was able to gaze at Harry's face.
The moonlight coming from the skylight brought Harry's features into stark relief. His lips were pressed tightly together. His eyes were desolate green pools ringed with faint flames of anger. Noticing Draco standing before him, Harry came slowly to life and lowered his eyes from the heavens.
"They know."
"Who?" Draco gasped.
"Oh Ron, Hermione, most of the Gryffindors, probably the whole school by now." Harry's voice was filled with biting virulence.
Draco nodded slowly, his mind sorting through the consequences of this exposure. This was what he wanted, wasn't it? Draco thought. Now all he had to do was make sure his father heard about it and wait for his homophobic narrow mindedness to get him disowned. Except that instead of triumph, all he felt was worry and a dim whisper of fear, which he ruthlessly squelched.
Draco sank to the floor with unconscious grace and leaned against the wall next to Harry. "How'd they take it?"
"Pretty well," Harry's lips curved into a sarcastic smile. "Ron called me a pillow biting fairy, but other than that it went alright."
"That prick." Draco hissed, his eyes narrowed in loathing.
Harry didn't say anything. He was too angry at Ron to defend him, but he knew Ron wasn't a prick. The only reason he lashed out was because it was Draco Malfoy. If it had been anyone else he would have been more accepting, Harry reasoned.
"He is!" Draco nudged Harry. Some inner demon in Draco longed to drive the gulf between Ron and Harry deeper. It seemed that along with the unfortunate mushy feelings that love came with he was also burdened with a fierce possessiveness that itched to dispel Ron from Harry's life completely. Or perhaps, it had nothing to do with love at all. "If he was your friend he would have supported you."
"He was just shocked." Harry shifted uncomfortably. "Once he has some time to get used it he'll be perfectly fine." Harry's voice gained a hallow sort of strength as he spoke.
Draco raised one sleek eyebrow. "If you say so." His expression changed from one of polite disbelief to smug self-confidence. "Meanwhile, I know something we could do to get your mind off your 'friend.'" Draco leaned over and slowly drew Harry's glasses off his nose, turning Harry's face toward him with the tip of the frames. Harry blinked as the astronomy tower blurred. The world narrowed to Draco's face, which slowly leaned towards him, a feral smile turning up his mouth.
Draco's lips burned into Harry's, making his mind as hazy as his vision. Harry strained forward. His hand gripped Draco's thigh to keep his balance as his lips melded with the other boy's. When Draco's hands pulled down the neck of his robes and he began kissing his collarbone Harry groaned languorously. Forgetting his precarious situation his hand slipped from Draco's leg and sent him toppling on to Draco.
Draco chuckled breathily. "Eager are we?" Draco teased.
"Well…yes!" Harry's cheeks looked painfully sunburned. To prove his point and to avoid looking into Draco's mocking eyes Harry kissed him fiercely, drowning all of his residing worries. He thrust his tongue behind Draco's parted teeth and began memorizing his mouth.
Draco, who had never had much patience, grew frustrated with Harry's torture and took control. He rolled Harry underneath him and ruthlessly kissed him. His teeth grazed against Harry's lips making Harry shudder under him. Draco's eyes glinted with an unholy light as he took possession of Harry's mouth.
Harry was not content to simply submit to Draco's kisses. He allowed his hands to roam over Draco's lithe body marveling when Draco's muscles tensed under his fingers. When his hands reached Draco's nipples he felt Draco gasp above him. Feeling brave, he ground his hips into Draco's, reveling in the electrical contact between them. Draco broke off the kiss gasping.
"Jesus Harry!" He groaned when he felt Harry slide against him again. Draco's hands roughly tore Harry's robes aside, revealing a baggy green t-shirt that attempted to match Harry's eyes but didn't quite succeed. His hands slipped easily inside Harry's shirt and began dragging it up, leaving trails of tickling sensation in their wake. Harry wriggled out of the overly large top impatiently and began removing Draco's robes. Draco stopped him with a restraining hand and slowly peeled them off himself, allowing them to pool around his hips, which were locked tightly against Harry's. He was wearing an impossibly tight black t-shirt underneath.
He tugged it slowly out of his jeans, his eyes locked on Harry's luminous green orbs. Harry's eyes followed the shirt up Draco's abs. He felt his mouth lull open as Draco's slimly muscled form was uncovered. His fingers longed to taste Draco's ivory skin so he reached his hands up to caress Draco. He allowed his nails to bite lightly into Draco's back, making the Slytherin inhale sharply.
Draco leaned forward and dripped tense kisses down Harry's neck. He sunk his teeth gently into Harry's tender skin, marking him as his own. When his lips reached Harry's erect nipples he bit them lightly and felt Harry grow underneath him. He grinned against Harry's skin. There was nothing more satisfying than the knowledge that he had the power to bring another to such a state of arousal.
Draco raised his head from Harry's chest and looked into the Gryffindor's lust darkened eyes. As their eyes locked Harry recalled the revelation he had had in the common room. He loved Draco. With fervent hands he pulled Draco's head to his and kissed him with all the emotion he could not put into words. He cupped Draco's face with reverent fingers and rubbed his thumbs across Draco's cheekbones.
If Draco sensed a change in Harry's mood he did not acknowledge it, but kissed him back passionately.
Harry was soon so submerged in Draco's lips and hands that before he realized it he and Draco were naked and wrapped around each other. When Draco entered Harry he forgot all about his fight with Ron and the future. His last sight before his mind shattered was of Draco, his head thrown back, his face in an expression of pure ecstasy.
Harry shifted on the Tower floor, a lazy grin on his face. Despite the fact that his arm was being crushed under Draco's sleeping form and that the stones he was lying on were cold and uncomfortable he was filled with an unequaled sense of contentment. As he felt Draco's shallow breath tickle his skin he realized he had never seen Draco asleep before. In repose Draco's pointed features softened, making him seem almost angelic. The satiated grin his mouth was curled into, however, was one no angel ever wore.
As his skin cooled in the night air the reality that he had gone to the Tower to escape started to nibble at his mind. He was going to have to face Ron and the rest of the school tomorrow. He groaned, thinking of the whispers and funny looks he was going to have to suffer through. Why was it he couldn't seem to go through one year without creating a scandal, he thought. But just then Draco stirred against him and his star gray eyes opened and Harry thought maybe it would be worth it.
When Harry slipped into his dorm it was nearly 5:00. His ears perked for any whisper of motion from his roommates, he carefully placed his cloak in the trunk. His eyelids drooped from lack of sleep but before he allowed himself to crawl into bed he looked in on Ron. Peeking his head through the tightly drawn curtains Harry gazed at his former best friend. Ron's face was slack and wore an unconcerned smile. Looking at Ron Harry could almost believe that their argument had never happened, that a few hours from now Ron would shove him awake telling him if he didn't hurry there wasn't going to be enough time to finish his transfiguration essay before classes started.
Without warning Ron's eyes blinked open. His eyes, normally full of emotion, were stagnant blue pools reflecting nothing. Harry froze, trapped by Ron's calm gaze. After one excruciating moment, Ron turned over, releasing Harry from his lifeless glare. Harry felt all the Draco induced happiness freeze into an icy shard that lodged in his throat. He stumbled back to his bed and sank into it. Feeling chilled, he climbed under the covers, not even bothering to take off his robe. He took a deep shaky breath and detected the faint aroma of Draco. He inhaled again. Feeling slightly comforted, he wrapped his robes tightly around him and descended into an uneven sleep, plagued by fantasies and nightmares.
Draco sat in the back of the Transfiguration classroom not even attempting to listen to Professor McGonagall. He felt exposed without the protective presence of his bodyguards, who had been avoiding him like Veritaserum. In fact, his entire House had refused to come within a three- foot radius, except to trip him. So Draco stiffly sat, his eyes locked on the front of the room, his mind elsewhere. He kept thinking about breakfast, which, much to his annoyance had failed to go as he had wished.
When Harry had entered the Hall he had walked to the far end of the Gryffindor table, isolating himself completely. Draco himself had sat stubbornly in the exact middle of his table, an island of empty chairs around him. His housemates had been perturbed by the change in seating, but Draco merely smirked and dared them to move any closer. Harry had acknowledged him with as wane smile as he sat down, which sent a chorus of whispers up and down the tables. Much to the gossipers' dismay, and to Draco's as well, Harry had then proceeded to stare broodingly into his breakfast. When he did look up from his bland toast, it was either to send another pitiful smile at Draco, or (Draco fumed when he thought of this) a dejected glance at Ron.
"That screeching Weasel must have said something to Harry." Draco thought, digging his quill viciously into his Transfiguration desk. "After spending a night with me Potter should have been giving me mushy looks, not sighing after that prick. He's mine!" The quill made a particularly large gash in the desk, "After all, I'm the one who's fucking in love with him, not that indigent excuse for a human being!"
Fleeting thoughts of Ron's flaming red hair going up in real flames skipped through his mind followed by an even more satisfying idea. He and Harry had Care of Magical Creatures next. It would be the perfect opportunity to mark Harry as Malfoy property. He smirked. The Weasel would never forget this.
Herbology was no where near as fun when everyone avoided you like you had a muggle plague, Harry decided as the Snoot-Nosed Tiger Lily bit him, again. Harry picked up an unidentifiable hunk of something that Professor Sprout swore the Lilies loved, (Harry was convinced that it much preferred his fingers) and dropped into the orifice of the plant. The plant snapped up the food and made another grab for Harry's hand. Jumping away, Harry wished again that someone had been willing to partner with him. Except for Hermione, however, who had given him a fragile smile when he walked in, no one else had deigned to acknowledge his existence.
Harry considered letting the flower take off one of his fingers, just so he could go to the infirmary. The only thing that stopped him was the hope that his next class, Care of Magical Creatures would be better. At least Draco would talk to him. Sighing, he dropped another hunk of the plant food and started when the flower belched crudely. Despite himself, Harry was impressed.
Draco was the last person to arrive at Care of Magical Creatures. Although this was not an unusual occurrence, he had taken extra care to make a dramatic entrance today. When he approached Hagrid's hut his eyes immediately locked on Harry. He ignored his sharp-eyed classmates and brushed through them, intent on reaching his victim. Harry was leaning against the hut, oblivious to Draco's procession towards him and the whispering glances that followed.
"Potter." Draco said sharply. The glaze over Harry's eyes melted leaving mild confusion and pleasure.
"Dr-" The rest of the name was cut off by Draco's mouth.
The Care of Magical Creatures class fell silent. Then Seamus Finnagin gave a lone whistle which was cut off by a grunt. "Oh my god." someone whispered. Feet shuffled nervously. A few people coughed uncomfortably. Then-
"Harry!" Hagrid's rough voice boomed, startling everyone. "What de ye think you're doin'!"
Hagrid strided over and pulled Draco off Harry. Harry leaned against Hagrid's hut and gazed up at the giant, panting.
"Hagrid I-"
"Are ye feelin' well Harry?" He placed one enormous hand on Harry's forehead. "Ah, you're burnin' up! And look how flushed ye are!"
"Look Hagrid, I don't have a fever." Harry said slowly, pushing Hagrid's hand away.
"Of course ye do! Why else would ye be kissin' Malfoy?"
"What? Draco and I-"
"Draco! You're callin' him Draco! Now I know you're delirious! I better get you to the infirmary!" With that he grabbed Harry's hand and yanked the protesting boy away.
Once Hagrid had vanished all eyes swiveled to Draco, who was snorting behind his hand. The looks on his classmates' faces set Draco off. He laughed, collapsing against the hut. Every time he got himself under control the memory of Harry's panicked look as he got dragged off would start him snickering again. It was only after Hagrid came back and got the class settled down that Draco realized it was the first time he had let himself laugh all year.
"How's my fever victim?" Draco smirked, falling gracefully into a chair by Harry's infirmary bed.
"Shut up!"
"You're sure you're not still delirious?" He teased, resting his hand on Harry's brow. He casually brushed his hand down Harry's cheek making the black-haired boy shiver.
Harry blinked and remembered that he was supposed to be mad at Draco. He forced his face into an angry glare. "No. You know, this is all your fault. Madame Pomfrey has me assigned to bed rest till tomorrow morning. And she's been forcing her hideous potions down me every hour on the hour!"
"Poor Baby." He consoled, trying to look contrite but failing. Harry's hands clenched around the bed sheets. "Okay, Okay. Look, I figured you'd be stuck here, so I brought you this." Draco flicked his wand with his typical flourish. On the bedside table a collection of blackberry tarts, brownies and other sweets appeared. Harry shifted over and inhaled the sugary aroma wafting from the foods.
"These are my favorites." He said, looking puzzled, "How did you know I liked them?"
Draco shrugged, not willing to admit that he had watched Harry's eating habits with more than idle curiosity over the past few weeks. Harry gazed at Draco, his black eyebrows rising with his lips.
"I told the house elves that you were sick and they practically fell over themselves making you all this." He waved at the deserts, ignoring Harry's silent questioning. "They would have made you an entire three course meal if I had let them." He shook his head. "House elves."
Harry mouth was too busy devouring a brownie to reply so he simply nodded. He had enough experience with Dobby to last a lifetime, however grateful he was to the fashion challenged elf.
Harry swallowed and pointed to the pile of junk food. "I don't suppose you want some?"
"No." Draco grinned cheekily. "I have to watch my girlish figure."
"And I do so love that figure of yours." Harry then blushed and stared at his hand, which was worrying the corner of his bed sheet.
"Harry, are you flirting with me?" Harry's cheeks flushed deeper. Draco rose out of the chair and stood over Harry. Looking down at him Draco wanted nothing more than to ruffle his hair, and the rest of him as well. "It just so happens that I like your figure too." He placed one knee on the edge of the bed and leaned towards Harry.
Harry leaned forward to meet Draco's lips but was arrested by a dampening thought. "Draco, what if Madame Pomfrey walks in?"
"Harry you are such a prude." His head bent down to kiss, not Harry's lips, but his nose.
Harry wrinkled said nose. "I am not! I just don't want to be fed more anti-delirium potions for snogging my archenemy, that's all."
"Calm down. She was reading one of those romance novels they keep in the restricted section when I came in. I have a feeling she won't be disturbing us for a while."
Harry's lips tightened and then opened slightly to kiss Draco fully. Draco smiled triumphantly against Harry's mouth for a millisecond before focusing on much more important things.
Harry himself was focusing on Draco's robes and how to get past the irritating barriers. Unfortunately fully removing them required breaking his lips from Draco's, something he was unwilling to do. So instead his hands made do with caressing Draco's skin outside of his bloody robes. His hands snaked down Draco's flat stomach and rested on Draco's hips. Harry rubbed his thumbs slowly over Draco's hipbones. His fingers felt Draco tremor in reaction. Draco groaned huskily and pushed his growing erection into Harry's. Harry's body flinched at the intensity of friction Draco caused and he gasped into Draco's mouth. Just then the sound of something heavy hitting the floor jolted Harry out of the euphoria he was swirling in.
Harry and Draco's heads turned simultaneously to the noise. A glaringly red book was lying open on the floor. A hand, connected to the body of one Madame Pomfrey, slack in shock, trembled above the novel.
"Mr. Malfoy, I must apologize for my patient's behavior." She rushed over to Harry's bed, where Draco was still perched awkwardly. "I had thought that my delirium potion had taken effect but I was obviously mistaken." She took one look at Harry's flushed face and slightly glazed eyes and sighed. "He can't be in his right mind."
Harry's eyes widened at this. Then they narrowed speculatively, unnaturally bright, though not from fever. His lips pulled into a Draco- like smirk and then called out groggily.
"Oh Hermione!" Without warning he pulled Draco on top of him. Draco had only time to gaze at him in appalled admiration before Harry was kissing him with a passion that Madame Pomfrey had only read about in her discarded novel.
She collected herself and yanked Draco off Harry. "Mr. Potter, restrain yourself!" she snapped. Keeping a sharp eye on Harry she briskly summoned an innocuous looking blue bottle. Harry's eyes looked a great deal more clear and widened when he recognized the jar of hated potion. Thrusting her wand back in her pocket, she uncorked the jar and forced a large amount of it down Harry's throat. He gagged but managed to swallow the vile stuff.
Draco was gagging on his laughter, which was clawing up his esophagus desperate to break free. Although he managed to restrain the chortle, his eyes giggled at Harry, who looked like a cat with a very unpleasant hairball.
"Mr. Malfoy, you had better leave, unless you wish to be subjected to more of Mr. Potter's delusions." Draco did, but left anyway.
After making sure Harry's mind was under control Madame Pomfrey left the infirmary, covertly picking her book off the floor.
Harry burrowed into the brick of a pillow, pleased with himself. As he stared at the obsessively white walls his mind began to wander over Draco's performance, both in the infirmary and in Care of Magical Creatures. Every time he thought they were getting to know each other Draco would distract him with sex.
Not that Harry really minded. He was, after all a teenage boy, but the faint glimpses of himself that Draco had revealed made Harry curious. He believed there was more to Draco than the "I'm an arrogant prick" façade that he showed to the world, but what if there wasn't? Draco's walls were far too ingrained to allow him to expose much of himself. What if behind his walls there was nothing, not even the cold malicious boy Harry had once thought he was? Harry shifted in his cot, uneasy. He feared he had fallen in love with a dream fed only by snatches of personality that Draco let slip.
Harry punched the lumpy mattress. Harry couldn't seem to shake his uncertainties about Draco, however much he wanted to. He was tired of the continual muddle that seemed to surround him and Draco. He wanted a fucking normal relationship, not one with someone who he knew next to nothing.
So, Harry thought, I'll just have to get to know him. Even though ringing personal information out of Draco was like ringing blood from a stone (one that used sex as a defense mechanism) he needed to know more about him. And he would, even if he had to cast a full-body bind on him. And if that failed he could always talk to Crabbe or Goyle. Hopefully not.
A/N: So finally done. Was it worth the wait? If so, please review. If not, review anyway and tell me what you had problems with. Any constructive criticism is appreciated. Also more of Ron in the next chapter! Go Weasleys! And if you have time please read a collaborative story me and my friends wrote called A Funny Thing Happened on the Way Off the Barstool. It's a Percy/Oliver fic under Merelyn25 and it's really good, I swear!
Disclaimer: I own nothing but my mind. Aint that disturbing?
Warning: Pretty graphic slash in this chapter. Hit the back button if you can't handle it.
Draco found Harry leaning against one of the walls of the astronomy tower. His head was angled up so he could see the night sky through the enormous skylight that covered half the ceiling. Draco took an eager step towards him, and then hesitated. Something was wrong. Something in the way Harry sagged against the stone wall made him uneasy. He crossed the room quietly, stopping when he was able to gaze at Harry's face.
The moonlight coming from the skylight brought Harry's features into stark relief. His lips were pressed tightly together. His eyes were desolate green pools ringed with faint flames of anger. Noticing Draco standing before him, Harry came slowly to life and lowered his eyes from the heavens.
"They know."
"Who?" Draco gasped.
"Oh Ron, Hermione, most of the Gryffindors, probably the whole school by now." Harry's voice was filled with biting virulence.
Draco nodded slowly, his mind sorting through the consequences of this exposure. This was what he wanted, wasn't it? Draco thought. Now all he had to do was make sure his father heard about it and wait for his homophobic narrow mindedness to get him disowned. Except that instead of triumph, all he felt was worry and a dim whisper of fear, which he ruthlessly squelched.
Draco sank to the floor with unconscious grace and leaned against the wall next to Harry. "How'd they take it?"
"Pretty well," Harry's lips curved into a sarcastic smile. "Ron called me a pillow biting fairy, but other than that it went alright."
"That prick." Draco hissed, his eyes narrowed in loathing.
Harry didn't say anything. He was too angry at Ron to defend him, but he knew Ron wasn't a prick. The only reason he lashed out was because it was Draco Malfoy. If it had been anyone else he would have been more accepting, Harry reasoned.
"He is!" Draco nudged Harry. Some inner demon in Draco longed to drive the gulf between Ron and Harry deeper. It seemed that along with the unfortunate mushy feelings that love came with he was also burdened with a fierce possessiveness that itched to dispel Ron from Harry's life completely. Or perhaps, it had nothing to do with love at all. "If he was your friend he would have supported you."
"He was just shocked." Harry shifted uncomfortably. "Once he has some time to get used it he'll be perfectly fine." Harry's voice gained a hallow sort of strength as he spoke.
Draco raised one sleek eyebrow. "If you say so." His expression changed from one of polite disbelief to smug self-confidence. "Meanwhile, I know something we could do to get your mind off your 'friend.'" Draco leaned over and slowly drew Harry's glasses off his nose, turning Harry's face toward him with the tip of the frames. Harry blinked as the astronomy tower blurred. The world narrowed to Draco's face, which slowly leaned towards him, a feral smile turning up his mouth.
Draco's lips burned into Harry's, making his mind as hazy as his vision. Harry strained forward. His hand gripped Draco's thigh to keep his balance as his lips melded with the other boy's. When Draco's hands pulled down the neck of his robes and he began kissing his collarbone Harry groaned languorously. Forgetting his precarious situation his hand slipped from Draco's leg and sent him toppling on to Draco.
Draco chuckled breathily. "Eager are we?" Draco teased.
"Well…yes!" Harry's cheeks looked painfully sunburned. To prove his point and to avoid looking into Draco's mocking eyes Harry kissed him fiercely, drowning all of his residing worries. He thrust his tongue behind Draco's parted teeth and began memorizing his mouth.
Draco, who had never had much patience, grew frustrated with Harry's torture and took control. He rolled Harry underneath him and ruthlessly kissed him. His teeth grazed against Harry's lips making Harry shudder under him. Draco's eyes glinted with an unholy light as he took possession of Harry's mouth.
Harry was not content to simply submit to Draco's kisses. He allowed his hands to roam over Draco's lithe body marveling when Draco's muscles tensed under his fingers. When his hands reached Draco's nipples he felt Draco gasp above him. Feeling brave, he ground his hips into Draco's, reveling in the electrical contact between them. Draco broke off the kiss gasping.
"Jesus Harry!" He groaned when he felt Harry slide against him again. Draco's hands roughly tore Harry's robes aside, revealing a baggy green t-shirt that attempted to match Harry's eyes but didn't quite succeed. His hands slipped easily inside Harry's shirt and began dragging it up, leaving trails of tickling sensation in their wake. Harry wriggled out of the overly large top impatiently and began removing Draco's robes. Draco stopped him with a restraining hand and slowly peeled them off himself, allowing them to pool around his hips, which were locked tightly against Harry's. He was wearing an impossibly tight black t-shirt underneath.
He tugged it slowly out of his jeans, his eyes locked on Harry's luminous green orbs. Harry's eyes followed the shirt up Draco's abs. He felt his mouth lull open as Draco's slimly muscled form was uncovered. His fingers longed to taste Draco's ivory skin so he reached his hands up to caress Draco. He allowed his nails to bite lightly into Draco's back, making the Slytherin inhale sharply.
Draco leaned forward and dripped tense kisses down Harry's neck. He sunk his teeth gently into Harry's tender skin, marking him as his own. When his lips reached Harry's erect nipples he bit them lightly and felt Harry grow underneath him. He grinned against Harry's skin. There was nothing more satisfying than the knowledge that he had the power to bring another to such a state of arousal.
Draco raised his head from Harry's chest and looked into the Gryffindor's lust darkened eyes. As their eyes locked Harry recalled the revelation he had had in the common room. He loved Draco. With fervent hands he pulled Draco's head to his and kissed him with all the emotion he could not put into words. He cupped Draco's face with reverent fingers and rubbed his thumbs across Draco's cheekbones.
If Draco sensed a change in Harry's mood he did not acknowledge it, but kissed him back passionately.
Harry was soon so submerged in Draco's lips and hands that before he realized it he and Draco were naked and wrapped around each other. When Draco entered Harry he forgot all about his fight with Ron and the future. His last sight before his mind shattered was of Draco, his head thrown back, his face in an expression of pure ecstasy.
Harry shifted on the Tower floor, a lazy grin on his face. Despite the fact that his arm was being crushed under Draco's sleeping form and that the stones he was lying on were cold and uncomfortable he was filled with an unequaled sense of contentment. As he felt Draco's shallow breath tickle his skin he realized he had never seen Draco asleep before. In repose Draco's pointed features softened, making him seem almost angelic. The satiated grin his mouth was curled into, however, was one no angel ever wore.
As his skin cooled in the night air the reality that he had gone to the Tower to escape started to nibble at his mind. He was going to have to face Ron and the rest of the school tomorrow. He groaned, thinking of the whispers and funny looks he was going to have to suffer through. Why was it he couldn't seem to go through one year without creating a scandal, he thought. But just then Draco stirred against him and his star gray eyes opened and Harry thought maybe it would be worth it.
When Harry slipped into his dorm it was nearly 5:00. His ears perked for any whisper of motion from his roommates, he carefully placed his cloak in the trunk. His eyelids drooped from lack of sleep but before he allowed himself to crawl into bed he looked in on Ron. Peeking his head through the tightly drawn curtains Harry gazed at his former best friend. Ron's face was slack and wore an unconcerned smile. Looking at Ron Harry could almost believe that their argument had never happened, that a few hours from now Ron would shove him awake telling him if he didn't hurry there wasn't going to be enough time to finish his transfiguration essay before classes started.
Without warning Ron's eyes blinked open. His eyes, normally full of emotion, were stagnant blue pools reflecting nothing. Harry froze, trapped by Ron's calm gaze. After one excruciating moment, Ron turned over, releasing Harry from his lifeless glare. Harry felt all the Draco induced happiness freeze into an icy shard that lodged in his throat. He stumbled back to his bed and sank into it. Feeling chilled, he climbed under the covers, not even bothering to take off his robe. He took a deep shaky breath and detected the faint aroma of Draco. He inhaled again. Feeling slightly comforted, he wrapped his robes tightly around him and descended into an uneven sleep, plagued by fantasies and nightmares.
Draco sat in the back of the Transfiguration classroom not even attempting to listen to Professor McGonagall. He felt exposed without the protective presence of his bodyguards, who had been avoiding him like Veritaserum. In fact, his entire House had refused to come within a three- foot radius, except to trip him. So Draco stiffly sat, his eyes locked on the front of the room, his mind elsewhere. He kept thinking about breakfast, which, much to his annoyance had failed to go as he had wished.
When Harry had entered the Hall he had walked to the far end of the Gryffindor table, isolating himself completely. Draco himself had sat stubbornly in the exact middle of his table, an island of empty chairs around him. His housemates had been perturbed by the change in seating, but Draco merely smirked and dared them to move any closer. Harry had acknowledged him with as wane smile as he sat down, which sent a chorus of whispers up and down the tables. Much to the gossipers' dismay, and to Draco's as well, Harry had then proceeded to stare broodingly into his breakfast. When he did look up from his bland toast, it was either to send another pitiful smile at Draco, or (Draco fumed when he thought of this) a dejected glance at Ron.
"That screeching Weasel must have said something to Harry." Draco thought, digging his quill viciously into his Transfiguration desk. "After spending a night with me Potter should have been giving me mushy looks, not sighing after that prick. He's mine!" The quill made a particularly large gash in the desk, "After all, I'm the one who's fucking in love with him, not that indigent excuse for a human being!"
Fleeting thoughts of Ron's flaming red hair going up in real flames skipped through his mind followed by an even more satisfying idea. He and Harry had Care of Magical Creatures next. It would be the perfect opportunity to mark Harry as Malfoy property. He smirked. The Weasel would never forget this.
Herbology was no where near as fun when everyone avoided you like you had a muggle plague, Harry decided as the Snoot-Nosed Tiger Lily bit him, again. Harry picked up an unidentifiable hunk of something that Professor Sprout swore the Lilies loved, (Harry was convinced that it much preferred his fingers) and dropped into the orifice of the plant. The plant snapped up the food and made another grab for Harry's hand. Jumping away, Harry wished again that someone had been willing to partner with him. Except for Hermione, however, who had given him a fragile smile when he walked in, no one else had deigned to acknowledge his existence.
Harry considered letting the flower take off one of his fingers, just so he could go to the infirmary. The only thing that stopped him was the hope that his next class, Care of Magical Creatures would be better. At least Draco would talk to him. Sighing, he dropped another hunk of the plant food and started when the flower belched crudely. Despite himself, Harry was impressed.
Draco was the last person to arrive at Care of Magical Creatures. Although this was not an unusual occurrence, he had taken extra care to make a dramatic entrance today. When he approached Hagrid's hut his eyes immediately locked on Harry. He ignored his sharp-eyed classmates and brushed through them, intent on reaching his victim. Harry was leaning against the hut, oblivious to Draco's procession towards him and the whispering glances that followed.
"Potter." Draco said sharply. The glaze over Harry's eyes melted leaving mild confusion and pleasure.
"Dr-" The rest of the name was cut off by Draco's mouth.
The Care of Magical Creatures class fell silent. Then Seamus Finnagin gave a lone whistle which was cut off by a grunt. "Oh my god." someone whispered. Feet shuffled nervously. A few people coughed uncomfortably. Then-
"Harry!" Hagrid's rough voice boomed, startling everyone. "What de ye think you're doin'!"
Hagrid strided over and pulled Draco off Harry. Harry leaned against Hagrid's hut and gazed up at the giant, panting.
"Hagrid I-"
"Are ye feelin' well Harry?" He placed one enormous hand on Harry's forehead. "Ah, you're burnin' up! And look how flushed ye are!"
"Look Hagrid, I don't have a fever." Harry said slowly, pushing Hagrid's hand away.
"Of course ye do! Why else would ye be kissin' Malfoy?"
"What? Draco and I-"
"Draco! You're callin' him Draco! Now I know you're delirious! I better get you to the infirmary!" With that he grabbed Harry's hand and yanked the protesting boy away.
Once Hagrid had vanished all eyes swiveled to Draco, who was snorting behind his hand. The looks on his classmates' faces set Draco off. He laughed, collapsing against the hut. Every time he got himself under control the memory of Harry's panicked look as he got dragged off would start him snickering again. It was only after Hagrid came back and got the class settled down that Draco realized it was the first time he had let himself laugh all year.
"How's my fever victim?" Draco smirked, falling gracefully into a chair by Harry's infirmary bed.
"Shut up!"
"You're sure you're not still delirious?" He teased, resting his hand on Harry's brow. He casually brushed his hand down Harry's cheek making the black-haired boy shiver.
Harry blinked and remembered that he was supposed to be mad at Draco. He forced his face into an angry glare. "No. You know, this is all your fault. Madame Pomfrey has me assigned to bed rest till tomorrow morning. And she's been forcing her hideous potions down me every hour on the hour!"
"Poor Baby." He consoled, trying to look contrite but failing. Harry's hands clenched around the bed sheets. "Okay, Okay. Look, I figured you'd be stuck here, so I brought you this." Draco flicked his wand with his typical flourish. On the bedside table a collection of blackberry tarts, brownies and other sweets appeared. Harry shifted over and inhaled the sugary aroma wafting from the foods.
"These are my favorites." He said, looking puzzled, "How did you know I liked them?"
Draco shrugged, not willing to admit that he had watched Harry's eating habits with more than idle curiosity over the past few weeks. Harry gazed at Draco, his black eyebrows rising with his lips.
"I told the house elves that you were sick and they practically fell over themselves making you all this." He waved at the deserts, ignoring Harry's silent questioning. "They would have made you an entire three course meal if I had let them." He shook his head. "House elves."
Harry mouth was too busy devouring a brownie to reply so he simply nodded. He had enough experience with Dobby to last a lifetime, however grateful he was to the fashion challenged elf.
Harry swallowed and pointed to the pile of junk food. "I don't suppose you want some?"
"No." Draco grinned cheekily. "I have to watch my girlish figure."
"And I do so love that figure of yours." Harry then blushed and stared at his hand, which was worrying the corner of his bed sheet.
"Harry, are you flirting with me?" Harry's cheeks flushed deeper. Draco rose out of the chair and stood over Harry. Looking down at him Draco wanted nothing more than to ruffle his hair, and the rest of him as well. "It just so happens that I like your figure too." He placed one knee on the edge of the bed and leaned towards Harry.
Harry leaned forward to meet Draco's lips but was arrested by a dampening thought. "Draco, what if Madame Pomfrey walks in?"
"Harry you are such a prude." His head bent down to kiss, not Harry's lips, but his nose.
Harry wrinkled said nose. "I am not! I just don't want to be fed more anti-delirium potions for snogging my archenemy, that's all."
"Calm down. She was reading one of those romance novels they keep in the restricted section when I came in. I have a feeling she won't be disturbing us for a while."
Harry's lips tightened and then opened slightly to kiss Draco fully. Draco smiled triumphantly against Harry's mouth for a millisecond before focusing on much more important things.
Harry himself was focusing on Draco's robes and how to get past the irritating barriers. Unfortunately fully removing them required breaking his lips from Draco's, something he was unwilling to do. So instead his hands made do with caressing Draco's skin outside of his bloody robes. His hands snaked down Draco's flat stomach and rested on Draco's hips. Harry rubbed his thumbs slowly over Draco's hipbones. His fingers felt Draco tremor in reaction. Draco groaned huskily and pushed his growing erection into Harry's. Harry's body flinched at the intensity of friction Draco caused and he gasped into Draco's mouth. Just then the sound of something heavy hitting the floor jolted Harry out of the euphoria he was swirling in.
Harry and Draco's heads turned simultaneously to the noise. A glaringly red book was lying open on the floor. A hand, connected to the body of one Madame Pomfrey, slack in shock, trembled above the novel.
"Mr. Malfoy, I must apologize for my patient's behavior." She rushed over to Harry's bed, where Draco was still perched awkwardly. "I had thought that my delirium potion had taken effect but I was obviously mistaken." She took one look at Harry's flushed face and slightly glazed eyes and sighed. "He can't be in his right mind."
Harry's eyes widened at this. Then they narrowed speculatively, unnaturally bright, though not from fever. His lips pulled into a Draco- like smirk and then called out groggily.
"Oh Hermione!" Without warning he pulled Draco on top of him. Draco had only time to gaze at him in appalled admiration before Harry was kissing him with a passion that Madame Pomfrey had only read about in her discarded novel.
She collected herself and yanked Draco off Harry. "Mr. Potter, restrain yourself!" she snapped. Keeping a sharp eye on Harry she briskly summoned an innocuous looking blue bottle. Harry's eyes looked a great deal more clear and widened when he recognized the jar of hated potion. Thrusting her wand back in her pocket, she uncorked the jar and forced a large amount of it down Harry's throat. He gagged but managed to swallow the vile stuff.
Draco was gagging on his laughter, which was clawing up his esophagus desperate to break free. Although he managed to restrain the chortle, his eyes giggled at Harry, who looked like a cat with a very unpleasant hairball.
"Mr. Malfoy, you had better leave, unless you wish to be subjected to more of Mr. Potter's delusions." Draco did, but left anyway.
After making sure Harry's mind was under control Madame Pomfrey left the infirmary, covertly picking her book off the floor.
Harry burrowed into the brick of a pillow, pleased with himself. As he stared at the obsessively white walls his mind began to wander over Draco's performance, both in the infirmary and in Care of Magical Creatures. Every time he thought they were getting to know each other Draco would distract him with sex.
Not that Harry really minded. He was, after all a teenage boy, but the faint glimpses of himself that Draco had revealed made Harry curious. He believed there was more to Draco than the "I'm an arrogant prick" façade that he showed to the world, but what if there wasn't? Draco's walls were far too ingrained to allow him to expose much of himself. What if behind his walls there was nothing, not even the cold malicious boy Harry had once thought he was? Harry shifted in his cot, uneasy. He feared he had fallen in love with a dream fed only by snatches of personality that Draco let slip.
Harry punched the lumpy mattress. Harry couldn't seem to shake his uncertainties about Draco, however much he wanted to. He was tired of the continual muddle that seemed to surround him and Draco. He wanted a fucking normal relationship, not one with someone who he knew next to nothing.
So, Harry thought, I'll just have to get to know him. Even though ringing personal information out of Draco was like ringing blood from a stone (one that used sex as a defense mechanism) he needed to know more about him. And he would, even if he had to cast a full-body bind on him. And if that failed he could always talk to Crabbe or Goyle. Hopefully not.
A/N: So finally done. Was it worth the wait? If so, please review. If not, review anyway and tell me what you had problems with. Any constructive criticism is appreciated. Also more of Ron in the next chapter! Go Weasleys! And if you have time please read a collaborative story me and my friends wrote called A Funny Thing Happened on the Way Off the Barstool. It's a Percy/Oliver fic under Merelyn25 and it's really good, I swear!
