Chapter Five

One Exposed Slytherin

Harry could not stop staring. Was he dreaming? Was this all just a mind game he was playing with himself? He stepped forward, closing the already small distance between himself and Draco.

"Is it really you?" asked Harry shakily. "I'm not just seeing things, am I? I'm not delusional, right?"

Draco shook his head. "No, you are not seing things. And no, you aren't delusional either. It's really me."

There was no more than a foot of space seperating him from his newly uncovered mystery man. Harry extended a hand and poked lightly at Draco's shoulder to confirm for himself that Draco was not a figment of his imagination. He felt thick fabrics and far beneath the many layers of clothing lay the muscled joint. But that shoulder was solid. It was real. Harry's emerald eyes grew wide in realization and comprehesion.

Draco Malfoy really was his Delectable Mystery.

Searching green eyes met hopeful gray. Harry could almost feel the yearning that was so present in Draco's eyes. Draco really cares. He is not playing with me. He really loves me.

A smile spread across Harry's lips for the second time since Draco's unveiling. The hand that had confirmed the reality of Draco reached up and came in contact with the soft cream that was Draco's skin. Harry had been dying to feel the velvety smooth flesh that now lay under his fingertips for so long. He could hardly believe this was really happening. His fingers trailed across Draco's forehead, brushing away a wind-swept lock away. Down the pale cheek traveled Harry's fingers, coming to rest under the angled chin. Gray eyes were shuttered closed, basking in the touch. Harry held Draco's chin, running the pad of his thumb along Draco's jawline. Then he let go of the silky cream, his hand falling to meet his hip again.

Harry took a step back. He turned from Draco and walked away a few pace, outside the circle of warmth magicked there by Draco. Harry wrapped his arms around himself and a tear of joy escaped the prison that was his eye. I need a minute to recover from this…

~ " * " ~

Draco Malfoy stared at the retreating back of the only man he had ever loved. Why did Harry walk away? What's going on? He sighed heavily. I thought this was good…

His head dropped in defeat. He had failed. Harry didn't love him. I should have known. Draco inhaled deeply, willing himself to restrain the tears that were threatening to come. He could feel the tears welling up in his eyes, waiting impatiently for the chance to make a break for it.

I have nothing now, thought Draco bitterly, looking at the Gryffindor's back.

I've finally told him how I really feel about him, and what do I have to show for it? Draco felt his knees grow weak and he sank to the dirt. He could feel his whole world dissolving around himself. He brought his hands to his face and gave his tears their freedom.

Draco had not cried for a very long time, but his body obviously remembered what it entailed. The salty drops started having races down his cheeks. His breathing became ragged. His shoulders shook harder than earthquakes. Draco was miserable. But his calculations, all was lost. He did not have Harry, so now he truly had nothing.

He had no idea how he would be able to survive the rest of his days at Hogwarts. He imagined sitting in his classes, looking over at Harry, and seeing him chat happily with his friends. He imagined the look of pity that would be sent from the green jewels he loved to lose himself in. He could not handle the thought of this, and the notion of ending it all flitted through his mind.

No, Draco thought angrily. Killing yourself would be pointless. It is obvious that would never affect Harry. He does not love you, remember? A icy smile formed on Draco's lips. Of course he doesn't love me. Who am I to him? I'm only the one person that has made every day of his schooling career at Hogwarts a living hell. Why would he love me? He sighed again. His tears seemed to be subsiding.

He uncovered his tear-streaked face and gazed down at himself, kneeling in the dirt. He shook his head again. Look at me. The boy walks away from me and I crumble. There's the old Malfoy spirit. He tried to rise, but could not find the strength to support himself, or even move. Draco claimed defeat again, figuring it would not be too bad to just stay here for a moment longer, wallowing in his despair.

Draco closed his eyes once more and tried to compose himself. A moment later, he pulled his legs out from under himself and struggled to his feet. He took another shuddering breath. Then he turned to go.

He needed to leave this place. Leave behind the anguish he was feeling, and get on with his life. A life without Harry. Draco sniffled a bit and wiped away any lingering tears.

He squared his shoulders proudly and started to move. He needed to get away. Away from the lake. Away from his broken heart. Away from the boy that so plainly rejected him and everything he stood for. Just away.

After only a few steps, he felt a hand catch his wrist. Draco whirled around blindly to stare at his captor. Who dared to grab him when he needed so much to get away?

There, standing before him, fingers still encircling his wrist, was Harry Potter.

~*~TBC~*~