Disclaimer: Blah, blah.

And in other news...: Sorry this took a while. To be honest, *leans in and whispers* the last couple days have sucked ass, and I've been in a bad mood. I had no time for Draco's love life. *leans back* But I'm okay now (*cheesy grin* Read all about it at http://www.deadjournal.com/users/musesofstarz.) Thanks to everyone who has reviewed. The story will get better. I've reached a pretty cool part, and Harry, Draco, and I have an understanding now.

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Close my eyes
and believe
wherever you are,
an angel for me.
--Jimmy Eat World "For Me, This Is Heaven"

Someone was shoving Draco's arm and calling his name, but he batted at the offending arm and turned away. His nostrils fill with the smell of grass, and he slowly opened his eyes.

And let out a yell.

Reubus Hagrid, the groundskeeper and half-giant baby, was standing over him. "Are yeh all right, there, Malfoy?" Struggling to his feet and trying to get his breath to normal pace, Draco looked up at him.

"I'm fine…I think…how long have I been lying there?"

"Well, yeh missed yer History class. Professor Binns caught me and told me. What are yeh doin' down here? Yer about to miss my class."

"I…felt…I felt sick so I came here to calm down and…I lost track of time," Draco said, stumbling over his words. Fragments of a dream he had during his quick nap were returning, and frightening him. "Who else saw me?" he asked, looked up at Hagrid. Hagrid glanced down the lake, where a small crowd of students was waiting at his hut for the class to start.

"Harry saw yeh lyin' down here, and was worried, so sent me. I don't think anyone else saw."

"Potter saw me?" asked Draco, paling even more. Hagrid looked at him oddly.

"Yeah. And now its time for yeh to come to class." He turned and started walked, and after a beat, Draco followed, blushing a furious shade of red. He was infuriated with himself for falling asleep for so long; his stomach told him he had missed lunch as well.

He also wondered how Potter could have found him all the way at the end of the lake? He glanced down at himself and discovered the answer; his black robes and green and silver scarf stood out prominently against the bright green grass.

Quiet happiness was nesting in Draco's heart. Potter had, not only come looking for him, but had been kind enough to get someone to check on him. Glee battled with humiliation for dominance in his brain, and as he and Hagrid reached the group and Hagrid pushed his way to the front, Draco decided glee was the winner. Potter, Granger, and Weasel kept glancing back at him, Granger and Weasel with smirks on their faces, and Potter with ill disguised concern. Draco moved over to stand beside Crabbe and Goyle and ignored Potter, scared to death his face would give him away.

The class featured Ashwinders, small, thin gray snakes that come out of magical fires. Hagrid also produced eggs and set them all to trying to freeze them. If they waited too long, there was a sudden flash of light as the grass around it lit afire and more than once Granger had to rush over to a group and douse it with water from her wand. In the end, she earned Gryffindor house thirty points, and half the class was scorched. Hagrid thought this all was delightful, and as they left, called after them "Great class, all!"

Potter lingered behind to help Hagrid put the Ashwinders back in their box, telling Granger and Weasel to go ahead to their next class with out him. Draco, who had a free period, also lingered, though he didn't know why. Hagrid nudged Potter and pointed at Draco, then said loudly "I've got the rest, Harry. You head off ter class."

Potter brushed his hands and walked over to Draco, who had his hands in his pockets and was staring at the ground. When Potter cleared his throat, he looked up and felt his insides melt. Potter had smudges of ash and dirt on his cheeks, but he glimmered with something that was all his own, and Draco felt a pang of regret. He was born with wealth; Potter had grown up with nothing and apparently was treated horrible during his summer vacations and life before Hogwarts. Yet whenever he moved, he shone with charisma and charm.

"Thanks for…for getting Hagrid to wake me up," mumbled Draco. Potter rubbed his cheeks, and Draco came dangerously close to grabbing the hand and asking to do it himself.

"No problem," Potter said, pulling at the sleeve of his robes. He spit into it and rubbed his cheeks again. Catching Draco watching him, he blushed at let his arm fall.

"I know that looks disgusting," he said, "and it probably makes me look like a pauper."

"No, no, you look fine," Draco gushed, then colored and looked away. Potter chuckled nervously.

"Thanks, I think." He glanced up at the castle. "What class do you have next?"

"Free period," Draco muttered, silently cursing himself for his stupidity and ineloquence.

"Lucky," Potter said. They both started walking towards the castle in silence, until Potter broke the ice. "Malfoy, why do you hate me?"

Draco sighed and replied, "Because you're Harry Potter, the boy who lived, and I'm Draco Malfoy, the spawn of Satan." His voice was flat and emotionless. It was the thought that he had repeated to himself every day.

"Who said that?" Potter asked. They had reached the steps into the castle, but both paused.

"Oh come off it, Potter, don't tell me you don't say that to yourself every time you see me," snorted Draco. Potter laughed.

"Ron does. I just ignore you."

"Why aren't you ignoring me now?"

"Good question." They both mulled over this for a moment, before Potter looked at his watch. "I'm late." He turned to walk away then came back. He held out his hand. "Well, Mr. Spawn of Satan, how about a truce? I don't think we need anymore fights in the hallway."

Draco stared at Potter's hand, then reached up and took it. "Fine. But this still doesn't mean I want to hang out or be all…nice…to Granger or Weasel. Or you, for that matter."

The handshake was brief, and they parted quickly. "Right," said Potter before walking into the castle and disappearing. After retrieving the books he'd hidden away, Draco walked in after him and went down to the dungeons. He gave the password and went straight to his dormitory, ignoring Pansy's shrill shriek, laid in his bed, drew the curtains around him and closed his eyes.

And smiled for the entire world like a little boy who had just met the Queen of England. He clutched the hand that had shaken Potter's and grinned. They had a truce. For one moment they had been like friends.

Draco relished in the afterglow. He missed the feelings that had rushed through him while they had been, for however short a moment, connected. It had made him complete. It had made him content, something he hadn't felt in so long.

He missed feeling content.