*~*~*~*~*
'He's so cute when he blushes.'
Harry jumped. "What's that supposed to mean?" demanded Harry.
"What?"
"What you just said." It was like an encore of the conversation from the Astronomy Tower,
but with the roles reversed.
"What did I say?"
"You said that I was…erm…cute," Harry blushed darker.
"I never said that," Draco insisted, grinning flirtatiously.
"I heard you," Harry frowned.
'And when he frowns.'
"Stop it," snapped Harry.
"Stop what?"
Harry sighed dramatically and climbed warily out of bed. The healing salve had begun to take
effect and his head felt practically normal again. He turned towards the window. "Crap. It looks like
we were out cold all night." He gestured towards the morning sun pointing it out to Malfoy who was
standing next to him.
"Do you know what that means Potter?"
"No, what?"
"We missed our rendezvous last night."
'I was looking forward to that too,' thought Harry regretfully.
"So was I."
"So were you what?"
Malfoy turned towards Harry and looked pointedly into his eyes. "Looking forward to it." He lightly brushed
his lips against Harry's own. Harry immediately responded, and relaxed into the kiss, teasing Draco with his tongue.
Harry shivered slightly as they broke apart.
"What's happened to you Malfoy?" asked Harry hesitantly. Malfoy retreated to his bed and sat gracefully,
gesturing for Harry to do the same.
"What do you mean?"
"You aren't as unpleasant as you used to be," Harry clarified, sitting on the end of his own
bed. "I don't think you've insulted me or my friends once this term."
"You noticed that then?"
"I don't think Ron or Herm did. They're a bit wrapped up in their own…well, they have more
important things occupying their thoughts."
"Well…" Malfoy hesitated. "Let's just say I had a revelation." It was clear to Harry that
Malfoy didn't want to tell him what had happened, and Harry did not want to push it in case Malfoy
reverted to his old, spiteful self. He liked this new improved version. In fact, it could be said that
Harry wanted to get to know it better. Harry's thoughts were interrupted by a sharp knock on the door. It opened
slowly and the Headmaster walked in.
"Hello boys," he greeted amicably. "Feeling better?"
Harry pressed the place on the back of his head where the lump had been. "Much better Professor," Harry told
him.
"Yes thank you sir," Draco input.
"I suppose you are wondering what happened last night at the duelling club." Harry and Draco nodded.
"Well, it's quite complex really," Professor Dumbledore began. "The join between your wands was caused by
something similar to that between yours and Voldemort's, Harry. Only, instead of your wand cores being a perfect
match, I understand that it was your own personal cores that matched."
"Our cores?"
"Yes. The two of you share a magical bond. Every wizard has a perfect partner who they
share their magical essence with. However, the two rarely meet so this is a rare gift that you possess. I understand that
Arthur and Molly Weasley are such a match, as were your parents Harry."
"What does it mean?" Harry asked. He knew that he should feel disgusted by the information regarding him
and Draco, but he could not manage to arouse any feeling other than the one that had been hovering with him ever
since his birthday – lust – only now it was stronger than ever.
"Well, there are many different ways that this bond can surface. In a few cases, the two can share thoughts
and feelings – telepathy if you like, although this is a very rare example. In all cases, the partners will be able to share
their magical power. The total power is greater than the sum of the two halves. Your knowledge of spells or other
things could be shared. These skills will surface slowly, however, so don't expect too much too soon."
Harry released the breath he hadn't realised that he had been holding. This was a lot to take in.
"So, I think that clears everything up nicely," Dumbledore concluded lightheartedly, clapping his hands
together.
"How do you know all this sir?" asked Malfoy pleasantly.
"Oh, I've come across this type of thing before now," the Headmaster shrugged. "It always occurs around the
couple's sixteenth birthday; I understand both of you turned sixteen over the holidays, is that correct?"
"Yes sir."
"You can leave the Hospital Wing and return to your dormitories as soon as you feel like it. I think Madame
Pomfrey will agree that you're both well enough." Dumbledore quietly left the room and Harry listened to his footsteps
retreat.
"Wow," Draco commented. "That explains a lot."
"It does?"
"Well, hell yeah! Those dreams I've been having. I expect you have too."
"Mmm." Harry was still considering everything that the Headmaster had just told them. "You know what he
said…about telepathy?"
"Yeah, what about it?"
"Well, I wonder if we can do that." Harry felt completely at ease in Draco's company, and wasn't at all
compelled to insult him or beat him up as he would have done the previous year.
"It would clear some stuff up, wouldn't it?" Draco moved across the room and sat back down next to Harry.
"Shall we try it?"
"OK. What number am I thinking of?"
'1376'
"1376," Draco answered immediately. "Now it's my turn."
'Harry Potter has beautiful eyes.'
"Oh, thanks Draco," Harry kissed him lightly. Everything Harry had ever known had changed
and he hoped that it would stay that way.
"It's true you know," Draco smiled shyly. "You shouldn't hide them behind those glasses."
"I did think of getting contacts but I couldn't get away from the Dursleys'."
"We should get going," Draco grimaced. "Crabbe and Goyle will be wondering where I am."
"I thought they were your friends." Harry was confused.
"They were…they think they still are but I'm not so sure. Of course, I still act like they are for appearance's
sake but…I don't know. I'm not the same person as I was last year. They're all set to become Death Eaters after they
leave Hogwarts next year and I…I just don't agree with their morals any more."
Harry laughed as he retrieved his clothes that had been placed by the door. "Since when does Draco Malfoy
have morals?"
Draco frowned. "Since I saw what my father's perverse ones can do." Harry felt a wave of anger and fear
from Malfoy – he assumed that it was because of their link - and Harry paled.
"Wow, I mean, I'm sorry." Harry stuttered. "It seems…intense."
"That's one way of putting it," Draco looked upset.
"Do you wanna talk about it? It might help you know. After I told my friends what happened between
Voldemort and I that night that Cedric died I felt a little better."
"OK, you should sit down." Harry sat back down right next to Draco and placed his hand comfortingly on the
blonde's shoulder. "He kidnapped this Muggle-born witch. She was attractive – long, auburn hair, big blue eyes – I
mean, I would have thought so had I been that way inclined. Which I'm not by the way." He smiled faintly at Harry.
"She was chained in the dungeon for days. On my birthday he took me down there. She was half-starved, her eyes
were swollen with days of constant tears, she had welts and bruises covering most of her naked body. Inflicted by my
father I might add. He told me 'now you are sixteen, you are old enough to witness the power you can yield.' Then
he...he…" Draco started sobbing quietly and Harry pulled him into a warm embrace. Harry felt a fresh wave of fear
flood across the link and could hypothesize what Draco would say next. "He killed her. Not quickly or painlessly with
Avada Kadavra. No, he used curse after curse, Cruciatus and other forms of the same thing. Until, finally, her body
could take no more pain and she died. Her body hung loosely from the chains on the wall and her eyes were wide open
like glass." Draco released himself from Harry's arms and looked deep into the emerald orbs. "I swore there and then
that I would have nothing to do with my father's cause. Before, when I said that stuff to Granger and Weasley? I didn't
mean it; they were just words. I worshipped my father; I did everything he ever told me to. Now I know just how
wrong I was."
Harry wiped the tears from Draco's face and hastily blinked away the unshed ones that had formed in his own
eyes. "That's why you were so quiet on the train before," he whispered softly.
"My father doesn't know how I feel though," Draco added. "He still thinks that I'm desperate to join You-
Know-Who when I finish my N.E.W.T.s. That's why I still hang with Crabbe and Goyle. You know," he paused
thoughtfully. "Even after five years of this friendship we have, I have never called them by their first names."
Harry hugged Malfoy again. "I'll just go get changed." He swept into the bathroom and returned a few
moments later fully clothed.
"You have terrible fashion sense," grinned Malfoy cheekily. He had perked up again since telling Harry his
sob story, and clearly felt more relaxed than he had in weeks.
"Tell me about it. I never go anywhere to buy stuff so I just have to modify the hand-me-downs from Dudley
so they fit." Harry smiled sheepishly. "I'd never even thought about it before."
"I suppose my own impeccable taste must be shared along this link thingy. Who would have guessed?"
commented Draco sarcastically.
"Don't push your luck Draco," Harry laughed.
Draco picked up his own clothes and changed in the bathroom. "Harry?" he asked on his return.
"Yeah?"
"I think we should keep this…thing we have…"
"We should keep our relationship a secret? My thoughts exactly. Imagine Ron's face if I told him." Harry
grimaced and formed a mental image in his mind. He tried experimentally to push it towards Draco who promptly
burst into fits of giggles, proving that Harry had been successful.
"I just think it would be safer. Whatever would my father say if he heard that the Boy Who Is A Big Pain In
His Arse was his heir's boyfriend?"
"Boyfriend?" Harry smiled coyly at Draco.
Draco grasped Harry's hands with both of his own and staredd deep into his eyes. "Harry Potter, will you do
me the honour of being my boyfriend?"
"I most certainly will!" Harry kissed Draco firmly and wrapped his arms around the other boy's waist, and the
two spent the next few minutes memorising the contours of each other's mouths.
"We really should go," commented Draco miserably.
"I suppose so," Harry reluctantly agreed, and they kissed one last time before leaving the hospital wing and
heading towards their respective house common rooms alone.
*~*~*~*~*
'He's so cute when he blushes.'
Harry jumped. "What's that supposed to mean?" demanded Harry.
"What?"
"What you just said." It was like an encore of the conversation from the Astronomy Tower,
but with the roles reversed.
"What did I say?"
"You said that I was…erm…cute," Harry blushed darker.
"I never said that," Draco insisted, grinning flirtatiously.
"I heard you," Harry frowned.
'And when he frowns.'
"Stop it," snapped Harry.
"Stop what?"
Harry sighed dramatically and climbed warily out of bed. The healing salve had begun to take
effect and his head felt practically normal again. He turned towards the window. "Crap. It looks like
we were out cold all night." He gestured towards the morning sun pointing it out to Malfoy who was
standing next to him.
"Do you know what that means Potter?"
"No, what?"
"We missed our rendezvous last night."
'I was looking forward to that too,' thought Harry regretfully.
"So was I."
"So were you what?"
Malfoy turned towards Harry and looked pointedly into his eyes. "Looking forward to it." He lightly brushed
his lips against Harry's own. Harry immediately responded, and relaxed into the kiss, teasing Draco with his tongue.
Harry shivered slightly as they broke apart.
"What's happened to you Malfoy?" asked Harry hesitantly. Malfoy retreated to his bed and sat gracefully,
gesturing for Harry to do the same.
"What do you mean?"
"You aren't as unpleasant as you used to be," Harry clarified, sitting on the end of his own
bed. "I don't think you've insulted me or my friends once this term."
"You noticed that then?"
"I don't think Ron or Herm did. They're a bit wrapped up in their own…well, they have more
important things occupying their thoughts."
"Well…" Malfoy hesitated. "Let's just say I had a revelation." It was clear to Harry that
Malfoy didn't want to tell him what had happened, and Harry did not want to push it in case Malfoy
reverted to his old, spiteful self. He liked this new improved version. In fact, it could be said that
Harry wanted to get to know it better. Harry's thoughts were interrupted by a sharp knock on the door. It opened
slowly and the Headmaster walked in.
"Hello boys," he greeted amicably. "Feeling better?"
Harry pressed the place on the back of his head where the lump had been. "Much better Professor," Harry told
him.
"Yes thank you sir," Draco input.
"I suppose you are wondering what happened last night at the duelling club." Harry and Draco nodded.
"Well, it's quite complex really," Professor Dumbledore began. "The join between your wands was caused by
something similar to that between yours and Voldemort's, Harry. Only, instead of your wand cores being a perfect
match, I understand that it was your own personal cores that matched."
"Our cores?"
"Yes. The two of you share a magical bond. Every wizard has a perfect partner who they
share their magical essence with. However, the two rarely meet so this is a rare gift that you possess. I understand that
Arthur and Molly Weasley are such a match, as were your parents Harry."
"What does it mean?" Harry asked. He knew that he should feel disgusted by the information regarding him
and Draco, but he could not manage to arouse any feeling other than the one that had been hovering with him ever
since his birthday – lust – only now it was stronger than ever.
"Well, there are many different ways that this bond can surface. In a few cases, the two can share thoughts
and feelings – telepathy if you like, although this is a very rare example. In all cases, the partners will be able to share
their magical power. The total power is greater than the sum of the two halves. Your knowledge of spells or other
things could be shared. These skills will surface slowly, however, so don't expect too much too soon."
Harry released the breath he hadn't realised that he had been holding. This was a lot to take in.
"So, I think that clears everything up nicely," Dumbledore concluded lightheartedly, clapping his hands
together.
"How do you know all this sir?" asked Malfoy pleasantly.
"Oh, I've come across this type of thing before now," the Headmaster shrugged. "It always occurs around the
couple's sixteenth birthday; I understand both of you turned sixteen over the holidays, is that correct?"
"Yes sir."
"You can leave the Hospital Wing and return to your dormitories as soon as you feel like it. I think Madame
Pomfrey will agree that you're both well enough." Dumbledore quietly left the room and Harry listened to his footsteps
retreat.
"Wow," Draco commented. "That explains a lot."
"It does?"
"Well, hell yeah! Those dreams I've been having. I expect you have too."
"Mmm." Harry was still considering everything that the Headmaster had just told them. "You know what he
said…about telepathy?"
"Yeah, what about it?"
"Well, I wonder if we can do that." Harry felt completely at ease in Draco's company, and wasn't at all
compelled to insult him or beat him up as he would have done the previous year.
"It would clear some stuff up, wouldn't it?" Draco moved across the room and sat back down next to Harry.
"Shall we try it?"
"OK. What number am I thinking of?"
'1376'
"1376," Draco answered immediately. "Now it's my turn."
'Harry Potter has beautiful eyes.'
"Oh, thanks Draco," Harry kissed him lightly. Everything Harry had ever known had changed
and he hoped that it would stay that way.
"It's true you know," Draco smiled shyly. "You shouldn't hide them behind those glasses."
"I did think of getting contacts but I couldn't get away from the Dursleys'."
"We should get going," Draco grimaced. "Crabbe and Goyle will be wondering where I am."
"I thought they were your friends." Harry was confused.
"They were…they think they still are but I'm not so sure. Of course, I still act like they are for appearance's
sake but…I don't know. I'm not the same person as I was last year. They're all set to become Death Eaters after they
leave Hogwarts next year and I…I just don't agree with their morals any more."
Harry laughed as he retrieved his clothes that had been placed by the door. "Since when does Draco Malfoy
have morals?"
Draco frowned. "Since I saw what my father's perverse ones can do." Harry felt a wave of anger and fear
from Malfoy – he assumed that it was because of their link - and Harry paled.
"Wow, I mean, I'm sorry." Harry stuttered. "It seems…intense."
"That's one way of putting it," Draco looked upset.
"Do you wanna talk about it? It might help you know. After I told my friends what happened between
Voldemort and I that night that Cedric died I felt a little better."
"OK, you should sit down." Harry sat back down right next to Draco and placed his hand comfortingly on the
blonde's shoulder. "He kidnapped this Muggle-born witch. She was attractive – long, auburn hair, big blue eyes – I
mean, I would have thought so had I been that way inclined. Which I'm not by the way." He smiled faintly at Harry.
"She was chained in the dungeon for days. On my birthday he took me down there. She was half-starved, her eyes
were swollen with days of constant tears, she had welts and bruises covering most of her naked body. Inflicted by my
father I might add. He told me 'now you are sixteen, you are old enough to witness the power you can yield.' Then
he...he…" Draco started sobbing quietly and Harry pulled him into a warm embrace. Harry felt a fresh wave of fear
flood across the link and could hypothesize what Draco would say next. "He killed her. Not quickly or painlessly with
Avada Kadavra. No, he used curse after curse, Cruciatus and other forms of the same thing. Until, finally, her body
could take no more pain and she died. Her body hung loosely from the chains on the wall and her eyes were wide open
like glass." Draco released himself from Harry's arms and looked deep into the emerald orbs. "I swore there and then
that I would have nothing to do with my father's cause. Before, when I said that stuff to Granger and Weasley? I didn't
mean it; they were just words. I worshipped my father; I did everything he ever told me to. Now I know just how
wrong I was."
Harry wiped the tears from Draco's face and hastily blinked away the unshed ones that had formed in his own
eyes. "That's why you were so quiet on the train before," he whispered softly.
"My father doesn't know how I feel though," Draco added. "He still thinks that I'm desperate to join You-
Know-Who when I finish my N.E.W.T.s. That's why I still hang with Crabbe and Goyle. You know," he paused
thoughtfully. "Even after five years of this friendship we have, I have never called them by their first names."
Harry hugged Malfoy again. "I'll just go get changed." He swept into the bathroom and returned a few
moments later fully clothed.
"You have terrible fashion sense," grinned Malfoy cheekily. He had perked up again since telling Harry his
sob story, and clearly felt more relaxed than he had in weeks.
"Tell me about it. I never go anywhere to buy stuff so I just have to modify the hand-me-downs from Dudley
so they fit." Harry smiled sheepishly. "I'd never even thought about it before."
"I suppose my own impeccable taste must be shared along this link thingy. Who would have guessed?"
commented Draco sarcastically.
"Don't push your luck Draco," Harry laughed.
Draco picked up his own clothes and changed in the bathroom. "Harry?" he asked on his return.
"Yeah?"
"I think we should keep this…thing we have…"
"We should keep our relationship a secret? My thoughts exactly. Imagine Ron's face if I told him." Harry
grimaced and formed a mental image in his mind. He tried experimentally to push it towards Draco who promptly
burst into fits of giggles, proving that Harry had been successful.
"I just think it would be safer. Whatever would my father say if he heard that the Boy Who Is A Big Pain In
His Arse was his heir's boyfriend?"
"Boyfriend?" Harry smiled coyly at Draco.
Draco grasped Harry's hands with both of his own and staredd deep into his eyes. "Harry Potter, will you do
me the honour of being my boyfriend?"
"I most certainly will!" Harry kissed Draco firmly and wrapped his arms around the other boy's waist, and the
two spent the next few minutes memorising the contours of each other's mouths.
"We really should go," commented Draco miserably.
"I suppose so," Harry reluctantly agreed, and they kissed one last time before leaving the hospital wing and
heading towards their respective house common rooms alone.
*~*~*~*~*