Thanks for all your reviews! Sorry this has taken so long!! There is an
Epilogue that will be posted in the next day or so!! Please let me know if
you would like to see more fic from me!!
Hermione and Ron quietly walked into Harry's apartment. It was in complete disarray as Harry had not finished unpacking when everything had happened. Still they managed to find some bedding packed away in one of the boxes and set up a bed for the night.
Hermione did not feel like sharing a bed with Ron that night. She was still hurt and upset over the things that had transpired since Harry's fateful tumble down the stairs, but there was not enough bedding to sleep separately. They curled up under the blankets and Hermione tried to keep as far away from Ron as possible, but there was a dull ache in her heart. She hated the feel of sleeping without Ron's arms wrapped around her. She felt so safe, warm, loved and protected there. She always had, and it was only one of the reasons in the millions that she loved him so much, but he had behaved so badly towards her and she didn't know how to get past it. The parts that hurt the most were Ron's blow up when he learned that Harry had waken up but was withdrawn. She had needed nothing more in that moment than for Ron to pull her into his arms and tell her that it was okay, that everything was okay because at least Harry was awake, but he hadn't. Instead Ron had proceeded to yell and blow up, practically blaming her for Harry's state. The other part that was a stab at her heart was the flirting with the nurse. It felt like a betrayal and even though it was harmless flirting it still felt that way. Hermione knew that she was not the most beautiful woman in the world, and despite all her cleverness and wisdom she still had her insecurities. She was only human after all. When they were still at Hogwarts she used to marvel in the fact that Ron had chosen her. He was so handsome with his fiery red hair, flawless creamy skin and a body that was toned in all the right places how could she not secretly feel good at the envious stares she received? Still she could remember the times when certain girls would make a pass at him and rage would course through her veins. It didn't help that sometimes Ron was so oblivious that he would smile and laugh with them not realizing what they were trying to do. She was not the prettiest girl after all and she was deathly afraid that one day Ron would realize it too, but that day had never come and instead she was on the verge of marrying him. Still it hurt to know that Ron intentionally flirted to get what he wanted, and it brought all of her schoolgirl aged fears and insecurities to the surface. She sighed, she had no idea what to think or what to do.
Ron couldn't sleep. There was something not right. Hermione. He couldn't sleep without Hermione being in his arms. He wanted to reach out to her, but he didn't know if she was ready for that yet or not. There had been some harsh words and actions on both their parts and he didn't know if they should try and deal with it just yet, but they had to deal with it soon. Ron refused to lose the cleverest and most beautiful witch that he had ever set eyes on. Hermione was absolutely everything to him. There were times when his job at the Ministry was almost too much to bear so he would walk down to Mione's office. The minute that he walked through the door she would smile at him and instantly whatever was stressing him out would disappear. Merlin, how he loved her. His Hermione who could light up his day with one smile, a smile reserved only for him and no one else in the world. He knew that some wouldn't consider her beautiful but for Ron Weasley there was nothing more beautiful than her cinnamon eyes, her slightly bushy brown hair and her small and delicate frame. It was true that at Hogwarts he could have hooked up with Lavender, Parvati or countless other girls. Girls that some would consider more beautiful, but there was no one else for him, no one more beautiful than Hermione. The girl he had loved since their second year. He sighed, his body was aching to hold her, to make the world right again, but how? His thoughts drifted to Harry, his best friend, who was just next door waiting for Malfoy to wake up. He had not been willing to admit it to himself, but there was no avoiding it. Those two loved each other with all of their hearts, minds, bodies and souls. The exact way in which he and Hermione loved each other. It was sad to think that something they could have talked through ripped them apart. Malfoy could have drawn from Harry's strength and love once and for all and this situation could have been avoided. Ron's heart stopped. Harry and Malfoy had lost each other over something that they refused to deal with. He and Hermione were not dealing with all that had happened. NO! He wouldn't let he and Hermione meet the same fate as his best friend and Malfoy. He had to try, he had to reach out to her now and make her see how much she meant to him. He had to make her see how sorry he was for his behavior.
"Mione? Are you asleep?"
"No. Why?"
"I-I, well I have some stuff that I need to tell you"
Hermione turned to face him. Her cinnamon colored eyes were tinged with curiosity.
"What is it?"
"You know that I love you right?"
Hermione sighed. "Yes Ron I know that you love me"
"No Mione, I mean I love you, I REALLY REALLY love you. You know you are my absolute world. I don't know what I ever did to get so lucky, I can't believe that of all the wizards in the world I am the one that you chose. I thank Merlin everyday the most beautiful and clever witch I have ever met decided that she wanted to spend the rest of her life with me. I have behaved like a prat, and I'm so sorry, I promise I will make it up to you, everyday for the rest of my life Mione because you are my life"
Hermione was crying. She could not believe the words that had just come out of Ron's mouth. They weren't eloquent, but they were heartfelt and they were honest and true.
"Oh, Ron. I really really love you too"
The quarrelling couple embraced happy to be back in the arms of the person that they loved.
"Ron?"
"Yes?"
"Did you really mean it when you said you would make all this up to me?"
"Of course I did"
"Good because I have a way that you could start right now" Hermione grinned at Ron wickedly, he needed no further invitation, and with that Hermione and Ron happily broke in Harry's new apartment for him.
**Draco's flat**
Draco groaned as the early morning sunlight filtered into his bedroom. His body ached from the torture he had inflicted upon it the previous night. The worst ache of all though was the one in his heart. Harry had rejected him and it had killed him. He wished Weasley and Granger would have let him die instead of helping him. Merlin knew he was dead after what Harry had said to him.
Draco turned around in his bed and gasped in surprise. Two emerald green eyes stared back at him.
"H-Harry? What are you doing here? Why aren't you in the hospital?"
"We need to talk Draco"
Draco wanted to talk to Harry as well, but Harry's words still stung and rang in his ears and his retort was bitter.
"About what? My clever plan to kill you? Perhaps we need to talk about the secret Death Eater meetings I still attend? What do we possibly have left to say to each other Potter?"
Harry flinched. He knew he deserved that, but Draco was not guilt free in this mess. He had still betrayed him two years ago.
"I know what I said yesterday was harsh, I know what I said two years ago was awful too, and I'm-"
"Save it Potter, I don't need your apologies" Draco stood up from the bed and walked over to the window. He tried to concentrate on the blue sky and the puffy white clouds in the sky.
"Please don't do this" Harry whispered "Please don't push me away, haven't we pushed each other away enough times in our lives already?"
Harry walked over to Draco and placed a hand on his shoulder. Sparks of electricity shot through both of them. It had been so terribly long.
Draco turned and looked at Harry. His emerald eyes were sparkling with unshed tears. He was so beautiful, it was taking all of Draco's strength not to fall into his arms and hold on for dear life, but it was too late, there was far too much between them. Too many harsh words, too many betrayals, just too much bad in general. Draco knew in that moment that he had to let Harry go. Harry deserved to be free of him, yes his words had hurt him, but he could only imagine how much more his betrayal hurt him.
"Draco, talk to me, what is going on in your head?" Harry brought a hand to Draco's face and caressed his cheek.
"It's too much Harry, there's too much between us. I betrayed you, I disappeared for two years, I pushed you down the stairs"
"Yes, you did betray me. It shattered me when you did, I'm not going to lie. Yes, you disappeared for two years, but I know you never became a Death Eater and I know that I was able to surprise Voldemort and defeat him because you risked your life on more than one occasion to make sure I was always one step ahead"
Draco looked at Harry in shock. Only Dumbledore and Snape knew about his role in Voldemort's downfall.
"Madame Pomfrey's granddaughter was a nurse at the hospital I was in, apparently Madame Pomfrey knew exactly what was going on, but never let Dumbledore and Snape know"
"I-I-" Draco could not form a coherent thought.
"My fall down the stairs wasn't your fault. We just decided to resolve two years of hurt in a rather precarious place is all. I know you never meant to hurt me."
"Harry, I don't deserve you. Please leave, just get out of here. Go on and live your life, forget about me, find someone who deserves you, because I don't."
"No you're right, you probably don't deserve me, but I never stopped loving you Draco. I still love you just as much as I did two years ago you stupid git. Being the clever Slytherin that you are, you should have figured that out" Harry grinned at him
Draco couldn't believe it. After everything Harry still loved him, but how could he ever begin to atone for all he had put him through?
"Harry, how can you still love me? HOW? I was horrible to you. I need to atone, I need to suffer"
"I don't want to suffer anymore Draco. I've suffered enough. I'm 20 years old and I have faced so much more and suffered so much more than most people do in their entire lifetime. I just want to be happy now."
"I am part of that suffering Harry"
"Yes, but you're also my happiness" Harry's arms encircled Draco's waist and he pulled the pale man to him.
Draco melted into Harry's embrace, he simply could not resist anymore. Harry was right they had suffered too much, and in that moment Draco remembered his original vow to himself that he would make sure that Harry stayed in his life. He decided that he would stick to it after all, and even if it took the rest of his life he would atone for all the suffering he had caused him, but he still had one question.
"Harry?"
"Hmmm?"
"Where do we begin?"
"Well let's start with what has been going on with us for the past two years. I know what you have been through up until the moment you left the wizarding world, but I don't know what you have been doing since you left"
"Well-"
"Wait"
"What?"
"I'm starving, do you think we could talk in the kitchen?"
Draco laughed, his first real laugh since that terrible day two years ago.
"Sure, not sure that will do much good though being that I haven't been grocery shopping"
Harry groaned, followed by his stomach.
"Sorry" he smiled at Draco
"Why don't I go and get breakfast at the café and then we can continue"
"Okay, oh and Draco?"
"Yes?"
"Take the lift, I don't think stairs bode well for us"
Draco grinned and hugged Harry tighter. "Cracked ribs Draco"
"Sorry!" Draco went red and hurried out the door to get breakfast.
Harry smiled to himself, it seemed that after two years things might finally be looking up.
"Harry?"
Harry turned to find his best friends, looking a little rumpled, but still glowing all the same. He groaned inwardly, they had very obviously christened his apartment for him, but at least they weren't fighting anymore.
"Hey Mione, Hey Ron"
"Has Draco woken up yet?" Hermione asked
"Yes, he's downstairs getting breakfast at the café"
"So you made up then?"
"I think so, but we still have some talking to do, hopefully nothing will go wrong"
"Harry, I haven't wanted to admit it to myself, but it's unavoidable, Malfoy loves you."
Harry smiled.
"Ever the observant one aren't you Weasley?" Draco drawled
"Sod off Malfoy"
"Well, Ron and I will be next door if either of you need anything, don't hesitate to ask" Hermione said as she dragged Ron from the apartment leaving Harry and Draco alone.
"So where were we?"
"You were about to tell me what happened after you left the wizarding world"
"Right, after I left I apparated here, I got a job as a professor of literature and that's what I have been doing. On breaks I would lock myself up in here and let myself drown in my memories, not exactly healthy, but I had no friends, and I certainly wasn't on the prowl for a relationship so that's my life as a muggle. What about you?"
"How did you get all the necessary paperwork to teach literature? You're only 20"
"Ah yes, but as you said, I am ever the cunning Slytherin and I was able to obtain some, credentials, shall we say that allow me to teach"
Harry grinned. That was the Draco he had fallen hopelessly in love with.
"What have you been doing?"
"I haven't been doing much of anything really. After I defeated Voldemort I was in a bit of shock that I actually had a future and I couldn't decide what I wanted it to be so I wandered a bit. I tried to track you down, to find out if you were dead or alive, I hung around the Burrow, did a few stints filling in as the DADA professor at Hogwarts, and then I couldn't handle the wizarding world so I decided to try the muggle one again and here I am"
"Harry, did you, you know did you meet anyone in the last two years?"
Harry sighed. "No, the very thought of kissing, hugging, or making love to someone that wasn't you made me ill. I told you long ago during our first Christmas together, that I was yours, and I am Draco"
"I'm yours too Harry, yours and only yours. I love you Harry, I'll spend the rest of my life making up every hurtful thing I ever did to you. Just tell me what you want."
"You Draco, I want you. I love you too"
"You've always had me" Draco leaned in and gently pressed his lips against Harry's. The kiss was soft and tender, but it soon turned more passionate. Draco's hands were tangled in Harry's raven colored hair, while Harry's hands roamed freely over Draco's body. The two lovers felt alive again and before they knew it they had made it to the bedroom, both desperate to taste what they hadn't tasted in two long years.
The sounds of their lovemaking echoed throughout Draco's apartment. Their whispers and declarations of love filled the rooms finally chasing away the emptiness that had lived within the walls and within themselves.
**The next morning**
Harry looked down at the sleeping man in his arms. He couldn't remember a time in the last two years when he had woken up so sated and so blissfully happy. He kissed Draco's silver hair, stirring his sleeping lover.
"It wasn't a dream then?"
"No, it wasn't Draco, it was real, real and perfect"
"Harry are you sure we are going to be able to get over the last two years?"
"We're here together aren't we? It's a definite start"
Draco smiled. He was so happy. He didn't ever want to get out of bed. He wanted to stay in Harry's arms forever.
"What can I say I'm irresistible"
"I love you Draco. I know we have a ways to go, but I know that we can get through it because our love is strong enough, we are strong enough"
Draco reached up and placed a tender kiss on Harry's soft warm lips.
"I love you too Harry, and I meant it, I am going to make up every bad thing that I did to you. We'll get through this."
Harry and Draco smiled at each other. Yes, they had a lot to sort through, but they would do it together. They had many sins to atone for but they would face atonement united. Their pasts were tainted with darkness, but their future was strong, pure, filled with light, and love.
Hermione and Ron quietly walked into Harry's apartment. It was in complete disarray as Harry had not finished unpacking when everything had happened. Still they managed to find some bedding packed away in one of the boxes and set up a bed for the night.
Hermione did not feel like sharing a bed with Ron that night. She was still hurt and upset over the things that had transpired since Harry's fateful tumble down the stairs, but there was not enough bedding to sleep separately. They curled up under the blankets and Hermione tried to keep as far away from Ron as possible, but there was a dull ache in her heart. She hated the feel of sleeping without Ron's arms wrapped around her. She felt so safe, warm, loved and protected there. She always had, and it was only one of the reasons in the millions that she loved him so much, but he had behaved so badly towards her and she didn't know how to get past it. The parts that hurt the most were Ron's blow up when he learned that Harry had waken up but was withdrawn. She had needed nothing more in that moment than for Ron to pull her into his arms and tell her that it was okay, that everything was okay because at least Harry was awake, but he hadn't. Instead Ron had proceeded to yell and blow up, practically blaming her for Harry's state. The other part that was a stab at her heart was the flirting with the nurse. It felt like a betrayal and even though it was harmless flirting it still felt that way. Hermione knew that she was not the most beautiful woman in the world, and despite all her cleverness and wisdom she still had her insecurities. She was only human after all. When they were still at Hogwarts she used to marvel in the fact that Ron had chosen her. He was so handsome with his fiery red hair, flawless creamy skin and a body that was toned in all the right places how could she not secretly feel good at the envious stares she received? Still she could remember the times when certain girls would make a pass at him and rage would course through her veins. It didn't help that sometimes Ron was so oblivious that he would smile and laugh with them not realizing what they were trying to do. She was not the prettiest girl after all and she was deathly afraid that one day Ron would realize it too, but that day had never come and instead she was on the verge of marrying him. Still it hurt to know that Ron intentionally flirted to get what he wanted, and it brought all of her schoolgirl aged fears and insecurities to the surface. She sighed, she had no idea what to think or what to do.
Ron couldn't sleep. There was something not right. Hermione. He couldn't sleep without Hermione being in his arms. He wanted to reach out to her, but he didn't know if she was ready for that yet or not. There had been some harsh words and actions on both their parts and he didn't know if they should try and deal with it just yet, but they had to deal with it soon. Ron refused to lose the cleverest and most beautiful witch that he had ever set eyes on. Hermione was absolutely everything to him. There were times when his job at the Ministry was almost too much to bear so he would walk down to Mione's office. The minute that he walked through the door she would smile at him and instantly whatever was stressing him out would disappear. Merlin, how he loved her. His Hermione who could light up his day with one smile, a smile reserved only for him and no one else in the world. He knew that some wouldn't consider her beautiful but for Ron Weasley there was nothing more beautiful than her cinnamon eyes, her slightly bushy brown hair and her small and delicate frame. It was true that at Hogwarts he could have hooked up with Lavender, Parvati or countless other girls. Girls that some would consider more beautiful, but there was no one else for him, no one more beautiful than Hermione. The girl he had loved since their second year. He sighed, his body was aching to hold her, to make the world right again, but how? His thoughts drifted to Harry, his best friend, who was just next door waiting for Malfoy to wake up. He had not been willing to admit it to himself, but there was no avoiding it. Those two loved each other with all of their hearts, minds, bodies and souls. The exact way in which he and Hermione loved each other. It was sad to think that something they could have talked through ripped them apart. Malfoy could have drawn from Harry's strength and love once and for all and this situation could have been avoided. Ron's heart stopped. Harry and Malfoy had lost each other over something that they refused to deal with. He and Hermione were not dealing with all that had happened. NO! He wouldn't let he and Hermione meet the same fate as his best friend and Malfoy. He had to try, he had to reach out to her now and make her see how much she meant to him. He had to make her see how sorry he was for his behavior.
"Mione? Are you asleep?"
"No. Why?"
"I-I, well I have some stuff that I need to tell you"
Hermione turned to face him. Her cinnamon colored eyes were tinged with curiosity.
"What is it?"
"You know that I love you right?"
Hermione sighed. "Yes Ron I know that you love me"
"No Mione, I mean I love you, I REALLY REALLY love you. You know you are my absolute world. I don't know what I ever did to get so lucky, I can't believe that of all the wizards in the world I am the one that you chose. I thank Merlin everyday the most beautiful and clever witch I have ever met decided that she wanted to spend the rest of her life with me. I have behaved like a prat, and I'm so sorry, I promise I will make it up to you, everyday for the rest of my life Mione because you are my life"
Hermione was crying. She could not believe the words that had just come out of Ron's mouth. They weren't eloquent, but they were heartfelt and they were honest and true.
"Oh, Ron. I really really love you too"
The quarrelling couple embraced happy to be back in the arms of the person that they loved.
"Ron?"
"Yes?"
"Did you really mean it when you said you would make all this up to me?"
"Of course I did"
"Good because I have a way that you could start right now" Hermione grinned at Ron wickedly, he needed no further invitation, and with that Hermione and Ron happily broke in Harry's new apartment for him.
**Draco's flat**
Draco groaned as the early morning sunlight filtered into his bedroom. His body ached from the torture he had inflicted upon it the previous night. The worst ache of all though was the one in his heart. Harry had rejected him and it had killed him. He wished Weasley and Granger would have let him die instead of helping him. Merlin knew he was dead after what Harry had said to him.
Draco turned around in his bed and gasped in surprise. Two emerald green eyes stared back at him.
"H-Harry? What are you doing here? Why aren't you in the hospital?"
"We need to talk Draco"
Draco wanted to talk to Harry as well, but Harry's words still stung and rang in his ears and his retort was bitter.
"About what? My clever plan to kill you? Perhaps we need to talk about the secret Death Eater meetings I still attend? What do we possibly have left to say to each other Potter?"
Harry flinched. He knew he deserved that, but Draco was not guilt free in this mess. He had still betrayed him two years ago.
"I know what I said yesterday was harsh, I know what I said two years ago was awful too, and I'm-"
"Save it Potter, I don't need your apologies" Draco stood up from the bed and walked over to the window. He tried to concentrate on the blue sky and the puffy white clouds in the sky.
"Please don't do this" Harry whispered "Please don't push me away, haven't we pushed each other away enough times in our lives already?"
Harry walked over to Draco and placed a hand on his shoulder. Sparks of electricity shot through both of them. It had been so terribly long.
Draco turned and looked at Harry. His emerald eyes were sparkling with unshed tears. He was so beautiful, it was taking all of Draco's strength not to fall into his arms and hold on for dear life, but it was too late, there was far too much between them. Too many harsh words, too many betrayals, just too much bad in general. Draco knew in that moment that he had to let Harry go. Harry deserved to be free of him, yes his words had hurt him, but he could only imagine how much more his betrayal hurt him.
"Draco, talk to me, what is going on in your head?" Harry brought a hand to Draco's face and caressed his cheek.
"It's too much Harry, there's too much between us. I betrayed you, I disappeared for two years, I pushed you down the stairs"
"Yes, you did betray me. It shattered me when you did, I'm not going to lie. Yes, you disappeared for two years, but I know you never became a Death Eater and I know that I was able to surprise Voldemort and defeat him because you risked your life on more than one occasion to make sure I was always one step ahead"
Draco looked at Harry in shock. Only Dumbledore and Snape knew about his role in Voldemort's downfall.
"Madame Pomfrey's granddaughter was a nurse at the hospital I was in, apparently Madame Pomfrey knew exactly what was going on, but never let Dumbledore and Snape know"
"I-I-" Draco could not form a coherent thought.
"My fall down the stairs wasn't your fault. We just decided to resolve two years of hurt in a rather precarious place is all. I know you never meant to hurt me."
"Harry, I don't deserve you. Please leave, just get out of here. Go on and live your life, forget about me, find someone who deserves you, because I don't."
"No you're right, you probably don't deserve me, but I never stopped loving you Draco. I still love you just as much as I did two years ago you stupid git. Being the clever Slytherin that you are, you should have figured that out" Harry grinned at him
Draco couldn't believe it. After everything Harry still loved him, but how could he ever begin to atone for all he had put him through?
"Harry, how can you still love me? HOW? I was horrible to you. I need to atone, I need to suffer"
"I don't want to suffer anymore Draco. I've suffered enough. I'm 20 years old and I have faced so much more and suffered so much more than most people do in their entire lifetime. I just want to be happy now."
"I am part of that suffering Harry"
"Yes, but you're also my happiness" Harry's arms encircled Draco's waist and he pulled the pale man to him.
Draco melted into Harry's embrace, he simply could not resist anymore. Harry was right they had suffered too much, and in that moment Draco remembered his original vow to himself that he would make sure that Harry stayed in his life. He decided that he would stick to it after all, and even if it took the rest of his life he would atone for all the suffering he had caused him, but he still had one question.
"Harry?"
"Hmmm?"
"Where do we begin?"
"Well let's start with what has been going on with us for the past two years. I know what you have been through up until the moment you left the wizarding world, but I don't know what you have been doing since you left"
"Well-"
"Wait"
"What?"
"I'm starving, do you think we could talk in the kitchen?"
Draco laughed, his first real laugh since that terrible day two years ago.
"Sure, not sure that will do much good though being that I haven't been grocery shopping"
Harry groaned, followed by his stomach.
"Sorry" he smiled at Draco
"Why don't I go and get breakfast at the café and then we can continue"
"Okay, oh and Draco?"
"Yes?"
"Take the lift, I don't think stairs bode well for us"
Draco grinned and hugged Harry tighter. "Cracked ribs Draco"
"Sorry!" Draco went red and hurried out the door to get breakfast.
Harry smiled to himself, it seemed that after two years things might finally be looking up.
"Harry?"
Harry turned to find his best friends, looking a little rumpled, but still glowing all the same. He groaned inwardly, they had very obviously christened his apartment for him, but at least they weren't fighting anymore.
"Hey Mione, Hey Ron"
"Has Draco woken up yet?" Hermione asked
"Yes, he's downstairs getting breakfast at the café"
"So you made up then?"
"I think so, but we still have some talking to do, hopefully nothing will go wrong"
"Harry, I haven't wanted to admit it to myself, but it's unavoidable, Malfoy loves you."
Harry smiled.
"Ever the observant one aren't you Weasley?" Draco drawled
"Sod off Malfoy"
"Well, Ron and I will be next door if either of you need anything, don't hesitate to ask" Hermione said as she dragged Ron from the apartment leaving Harry and Draco alone.
"So where were we?"
"You were about to tell me what happened after you left the wizarding world"
"Right, after I left I apparated here, I got a job as a professor of literature and that's what I have been doing. On breaks I would lock myself up in here and let myself drown in my memories, not exactly healthy, but I had no friends, and I certainly wasn't on the prowl for a relationship so that's my life as a muggle. What about you?"
"How did you get all the necessary paperwork to teach literature? You're only 20"
"Ah yes, but as you said, I am ever the cunning Slytherin and I was able to obtain some, credentials, shall we say that allow me to teach"
Harry grinned. That was the Draco he had fallen hopelessly in love with.
"What have you been doing?"
"I haven't been doing much of anything really. After I defeated Voldemort I was in a bit of shock that I actually had a future and I couldn't decide what I wanted it to be so I wandered a bit. I tried to track you down, to find out if you were dead or alive, I hung around the Burrow, did a few stints filling in as the DADA professor at Hogwarts, and then I couldn't handle the wizarding world so I decided to try the muggle one again and here I am"
"Harry, did you, you know did you meet anyone in the last two years?"
Harry sighed. "No, the very thought of kissing, hugging, or making love to someone that wasn't you made me ill. I told you long ago during our first Christmas together, that I was yours, and I am Draco"
"I'm yours too Harry, yours and only yours. I love you Harry, I'll spend the rest of my life making up every hurtful thing I ever did to you. Just tell me what you want."
"You Draco, I want you. I love you too"
"You've always had me" Draco leaned in and gently pressed his lips against Harry's. The kiss was soft and tender, but it soon turned more passionate. Draco's hands were tangled in Harry's raven colored hair, while Harry's hands roamed freely over Draco's body. The two lovers felt alive again and before they knew it they had made it to the bedroom, both desperate to taste what they hadn't tasted in two long years.
The sounds of their lovemaking echoed throughout Draco's apartment. Their whispers and declarations of love filled the rooms finally chasing away the emptiness that had lived within the walls and within themselves.
**The next morning**
Harry looked down at the sleeping man in his arms. He couldn't remember a time in the last two years when he had woken up so sated and so blissfully happy. He kissed Draco's silver hair, stirring his sleeping lover.
"It wasn't a dream then?"
"No, it wasn't Draco, it was real, real and perfect"
"Harry are you sure we are going to be able to get over the last two years?"
"We're here together aren't we? It's a definite start"
Draco smiled. He was so happy. He didn't ever want to get out of bed. He wanted to stay in Harry's arms forever.
"What can I say I'm irresistible"
"I love you Draco. I know we have a ways to go, but I know that we can get through it because our love is strong enough, we are strong enough"
Draco reached up and placed a tender kiss on Harry's soft warm lips.
"I love you too Harry, and I meant it, I am going to make up every bad thing that I did to you. We'll get through this."
Harry and Draco smiled at each other. Yes, they had a lot to sort through, but they would do it together. They had many sins to atone for but they would face atonement united. Their pasts were tainted with darkness, but their future was strong, pure, filled with light, and love.