Rating: this feels like a Pg:13
Pairing: yup HARRY/ DRACO all the way baby *sticks out tongue* they're not underage. So there. It *is* slash ppl I cant make that any clearer. Plz if u don't like it – don't read it.
Summary: it's 7th year and two people are in love, but neither know it. They both have one last chance. Will they take it?
Feedback: plz plz plz plz plz plz plz if you read it tell me what you think???? I REALLY need the encouragement =P thanx muchly
Thanks to: AmZ(yay), coconut-ice agent h/h (twice woop she's enthusiastic!), Ickle-Wicaa-Girl, and Aezy yet again *applauds loudly and enthusiastically* who all reviewed my 5th chap.
Disclaimer – hey I realised I don't have one of these . . .did I ever? Hmmm ne way ummm J.K. Rowling gave us all a great gift in lots of cooky characters, especially two hot boys, who like to fall in love and get up to crazy things in their spare time, they aren't mine but my mother always said never look a gifthorse in the mouth, so ill play with them for a while. MERRY CHRISTMAS! HAPPY NEW YEAR! HAPPY HANUKHA (yes I know it was ages ago but ne way . . )!!!! SAFE SOLSTICE and ummm YAY 4 YULE . . . I think ill quit while I'm ahead.
In general – I love all my reviewers =D you cant no how much ur reviews brighten my day, really, ppl tend to look at me a little strangely when I dance around the room huggin myself . . but its worth it =D
A/N – I thought I had this story cleary marked as slash as in MALE / MALE LUURVE !!!!!! and so any one who chooses to ignore my warnings and attack my writing can take their homophobic arses for a long walk of a short pier. Well that's all I have to say!
- oh and =D thanx muchly to AmZ my . . . hero lol :) this chapie is dedicated to u =P
- the scary thing there is actually quite a bit of this story to go –theres probably gonna b bout 10 chapters. =D hope it stays interesting thanku for reading and reviewing sorry about the major angstiness.
- oh and hey does ne one no how to remove reviews??? Hmmmm – this is one long-ass authors note . . .
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
~ A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words ~
He shook his head, wincing as he hit hard stone. An annoying light was burning through his tightly closed eyelids and all of his muscles ached like he'd run a few marathons last night . . oooh . . .and his head was pounding like he'd had *more* than a few too many drinks . . . this was not good, to say the least. Groaning softly, Harry clutched at his aching head, sore eyes blinking blearily open, suddenly confronted by painful amounts of early morning sunshine. Letting out a moan, and then a silent scream as he realised noise made it *worse* (if that was possible), Harry slowly made his way, by touch alone, to the window, pulling closed the red-velvet curtains and immersing himself once more in the blessed darkness.
Harry crawled back to his spot on the floor, as far as he could move in this state, and clutched a fallen pillow to his tender head, curling around it and giving himself time to return to full consciousness. Belatedly Harry realised three things – 1. It was Saturday. No school, lots of nice recovery time. Ahhhhhhh. 2. . . . He was still fully dressed . . . and couldn't remember . . . why. 3. Something was scratching annoyingly at the oversensitive skin of his arm . . . rather annoying that . . . Lifting one arm weakly to bat whatever it was away, Harry found himself with a fistful of parchment, half-wedged beneath his currently very comfortable shoulder. This would not do at all! Wiggling a little, not enough to upset his throbbing head, Harry gradually worked the parchment free and brought it up before his fuzzy, tired eyes, eyes that widened considerably when he saw what was on that innocent looking piece of parchment.
Harry sprang back in horror, his headache gone, only to be replaced by memories . . . oh gods he remembered everything.
He sank slowly to the bed, hugging himself as he relived hearing his beloved curse his name, as he remembered the pain, the sensation of his heart breaking into a million pieces . . . but that was all it was . . . a memory . . . somehow the pain wasn't quite as sharp now, and for that Harry could only be eternally grateful. Staring blankly at his lap, Harry realised that he was still clutching the parchment in his shaking hands, reverently he smoothed out the painting, caressing the exquisite representation of his love, something so special, something he had never hoped to have, everything he felt about Draco on parchment.
Harry felt the long denied tears burning behind his tightly closed lids and swiped angrily at them, dashing away the traitorous moisture. *He* might think it was a beautiful testament to his love, but Draco would probably have a heart attack if he ever saw it . . .
"Oh dear gods, he hates me!" the anguished, broken sob echoed throughout the cold, stone room.
. . . He could never let Draco see this. He would only get hurt . . . and Harry didn't know if he could take any more pain. Sighing softly, Harry held the painting to his chest, rocking back and forth like a child, longing for something he could never have.
He couldn't exactly remember *how* he had created such a beautiful thing, or how he really managed to do anything in the state he had been in, all he had was a vague impression of touching something, something new and yet . . . very old . . . he remembered learning something . . . something so very important . . . oh gods, what was it . . . something to do with Draco . . . something . . .
"Gods Damn It!!!!"
. . . no he couldn't remember, oh well, it couldn't be that important if he had forgotten it, or if it was, then surely he would remember soon enough.
But Harry was not totally destroyed at the loss of his last chance, or at least that's what he told himself, he never really had a chance to begin with if Draco hated him. Harry felt that thought as a blow to the heart, gods, he wished he could just love Draco like he deserved, but Draco didn't want that and Harry could not deal with the embarrassment, and even more the hatred and fury that would result if Draco responded badly. All of his courage and confidence was gone in one foul swoop. But at least he still had the painting, something that would keep him warm on the long nights to come, as he loved once more with no hope of love in return.
Fighting for breath against the fear and sadness building inside himself, Harry repeated over and over . . .
"Be strong. Be strong. be strong. bestrong.bestrongbestrongbestrong . . ."
Calming his speeding heart and pushing the fears deep inside, Harry reverently placed the painting on his pillow, so that it would be the last thing he saw before he went to bed that night. But it was far from night now and Harry had to start his life, no one knew about his love and no one would understand if he locked himself in his room for months to grieve. As always, Harry had to keep up appearances, put back on the mask and face the light of day. But this time, there would be no hope of salvation.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Draco awoke lying spread eagled on the mossy ground, dappled light playing across his closed eyelids, birds serenading from the trees, the scent of wild jasmine and other intoxicating flowers swirling in the warm mid-day sun. All in all it was one hell of a way to wake up. Slowly, Draco sat up on his knees, the faint buzzing in his head a little uncomfortable but nothing he couldn't handle. Stretching luxuriously, Draco heard something in his back crack and sighed contentedly, waking up in painfully slow stages. Blinking owlishly, Draco did a classic double take at the sight that met his disbelieving eyes.
There before him, the easel stood in the middle of the clearing, illuminated and almost glowing in the soft greenish light. Draco was literally stunned, speechless, without words for perhaps the first time in his life. Resting innocently on the easel was a miracle, a masterpiece, an indescribably beautiful work of art that shone with almost tangible emotion. This painting was the physical embodiment of his love, pure and beautiful, simple and yet so very captivatingly complex. It had an enchanting, almost haunting beauty that was the essence of his beloved. It was perfect.
Eyes shining, Draco looked off into the denser forest and sent out a heartfelt prayer of thanks, he may not have remembered the specifics of how he painted it, but he knew that something, or someone, had helped him, had given him hope again. With this, Harry was sure to realise how much Draco loved and needed him and how happy he could be with him. His plan would work and they would . . . live happily ever after . . . although it was a little (ok a lot) clichéd, it was how Draco felt at that very moment. He somehow knew that everything was going to be okay.
In his excitement, Draco rushed forward to collect the masterpiece and was gone from The Grove in the blink of an eye, away and running to the castle, forgetting all his superior dignity and running flat out with a twinkle in his eyes and a smile on his lips and all who saw his mad dash that day were left to wonder, who was this beautiful person who seemed to resemble the Malfoy they once knew. But that was it exactly, he wasn't "Malfoy", he was Draco, in love and happy, with hope for the first time in too long.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Harry traipsed down the stairs to the common room, trying to hide his sorrow behind the now brittle mask of happiness. Looking around the room Harry was shocked for a moment, only one other person remained in the enormous red and gold tower room, and she was sitting quietly by the fire, apparently engrossed in a thick volume with the title of "Great Apothecaries Through the Ages", although she kept shooting the occasional curios glance his way through waves of curly brown hair, waiting for him to make his move.
Hermione. He should have guessed she would be waiting for him when everyone else had gone off to lunch, which was why they weren't here. But Harry was immensely grateful for small mercies, he didn't think his façade could stand up against a mass of concerned friends and prying question. Just one concerned friend would be hard enough. Not making eye contact until he had successfully traversed the room to sit himself down in a huge, squashy chair almost identical to hers, Harry sighed resignedly and decided to get it over and done with as fast as possible. It was like pulling off a bandaid, the faster u did it the less it hurt. He hoped.
In a friendly sort of voice, with an equally pleasant, and equally fake, smile Harry greeted her, "Hey Hermione, why aren't you at lunch with the others?"
Wide chocolate-brown eyes peeped at him over the top of her book, a small smile spreading across her face. "Good afternoon Harry! Its great to see you up and about" she carefully laid the book down on her lap but when she looked up to meet his eyes again, she had the "Don't-Mess-With-Me-I'm-Your-Friend" face on, and like anyone who really knew Hermione would, Harry shook in fear of what was to come.
"Now Harry, are you going to tell me what this is all about? Why you've been acting so strange lately? Will you please tell me what's upsetting you? I'm your friend Harry, I love you and you know you can trust me with anything. Please . . ."
Normally Harry would have simply made some amusing remark and changed the subject, but the combination of the pain he still felt and Hermione's lethal puppy-dog look and he cracked. "Oh . . g-gods Hermione, I can't take it any more I just cant oh, I . . . " Harry trailed off into broken sobs, finally letting the tears flow and with a confused but tender look, Hermione jumped up and came to cradle him in her arms, rocking back and forth and whispering soothing nothings, trying to comfort her distraught friend as best she could.
"Ohhh, Harry it's alright, I'm here, everything is going to be fiiine, just let it all out, come on, thhaaattttss right, shhhhhhhh" stroking his back gently they rocked back and forth, the room silent but for the heart-wrenching sounds of Harry's sobs.
Later, when Harry calmed, Hermione tried again to coax his problems out of him, but with no success, Harry was once again hiding behind the mask, and there was nothing she could do but give him assurance that she would always be there if he needed her and when he was ready to talk, she would help him in any way that she could.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Much later, after everyone had returned from lunch, Hermione realised that she had agreed to meet Ron to study for their end-of-year exams and reluctantly gathered her things, hurrying a little as she was by then quite late, and Hermione was *never* late. Together they walked along the corridor and stood silently, staring at each other when they reached the hall where they would have to part. He refused her kind offer to join both she and Ron, because he didn't want to intrude and also because he felt he needed a little time alone. Shaking, Harry put on a brave front and assured her he would be fine, that he didn't know what had come over him, and thanked her for her friendship. He really loved her - she was his best friend.
At the last possible moment, Hermione frantically dashed the tears from her eyes, a tremulous smile and a bashful expression on her face. Gods, Harry was the one who had the problem, not her. When he needed her to be strong she get to go and get all mushy on him. But anyway, with a warm feeling deep inside, Hermione dropped her books and crushed Harry in tight hug, whispering that she would always love him and be there for him no matter what.
After she ran laughing off to class, Harry stood there a few moment, contemplating how lucky he was to have friends like that and then turned to make him slow, lonely way to the gardens for a walk. He needed some time to think, and to come to terms with his fate.
Neither noticed the gasp, or the chocked off sob that seemed to echo in the stone hallway, not even the clear sound of a heart braking, as the accidental observer fled around the corner.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Draco had flown on wings of love and hope to the castle, prepared to risk all in the hopes of winning Harry's affections from whoever his secret lover was. They were soul mates and a little embarrassment, when he inevitably announced his love to the school, could deter him. As he entered the castle, he was momentarily blinded as his eyes adjusted to the darkness but then set off for his room, anticipation making his steps quick and light. Racing through the hallways, Draco's thoughts were on all his plans for the future and he kept picturing how Harry would react to his public declaration. Dear gods, he hoped Harry could find love inside his heart for one lonely man.
Shaking his head at himself for the sentimental thoughts, Draco turned around the corner, not noticing jus who was standing there before it was too late. He made no noise, quite and still, he watched with wide eyes as Hermione embraced his beloved, and said she loved him. Stumbling back in horror, Draco saw nothing but the image of that embrace, one of passion and love, taunting him, torturing him, endlessly before his eyes.
Harry's secret lover . . . was Hermione!
Oh dear gods.
She was smart, beautiful and talented, all things Draco could handle.
But unfortunately she was also female, something could never hope to be.
If that was the kind of person Harry fell in love with . . .then Draco stood no chance.
His love was doomed and so was he.
Harry would not, could not, ever love him.
The painting could do no good. It was pointless. It was futile. It was embarrassing. Draco Malfoy had fallen for a boy who would never return his affection and would most probably laugh in his face if he ever found out, that or be violently ill, or just violent.
The painting fluttered from his nerveless grip as he turned on his heel and ran, leaving not just the masterpiece behind, but his heart too - in a million pieces on the floor.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
MWUAHAHAHAHA TBC
There is more . . .what will happen in the next exciting edition of .. A PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS
R/R and ENJOY mon amies! I love you all =D