Chapter Sixteen

The Talk

Dumbledore motioned for the two boys to sit in the chairs in front of his desk while he positioned himself behind it. Each of the boys let go of the other's hand and sat slowly, glancing at one another as they did. What the fuck does the old man want us here for? thought Draco. Dumbledore finally got himself settled and looked intently at the pair in front of him. They stared back. Dumbledore took a deep breath.

"So, boys. How are your holidays going?" asked Dumbledore kindly. He's obviously trying to butter us up before ripping our heads off and shitting down our throats or something. Draco crossed his arms but replied "Fine." at the same time as Harry.

"I wanted to ask you about something that was going on at dinner this evening," said Dumbledore, a twinkle reappearing in his eyes.

Draco raised an eyebrow, not daring to look at Harry, who undoubtedly had a scared look on his face. "And what would that be, sir?" asked Draco innocently.

"You and Mister Potter seem to have forged a growing alliance. May I ask what might have prompted this?" Dumbledore looked to Harry and Draco for answers.

Draco and Harry looked at each other. Draco could see in Harry's eyes the conflict. Should they tell Dumbledore they are together? Should they just say it's because of the close quarters at the meals during the holiday to appease their headmaster? Snape knows. What the fuck. It's going to be all over school as soon as everyone gets back and they talk to the people here. He's going to find out... And maybe he'll be able to do an extra protection spell on Harry. I don't want Father to try and take him or kill him or anything... Draco turned back to Dumbledore. Young cold blue eyes met ancient twinkling ones. Draco sighed, and uncrossed his arms. He glanced back at Harry before saying, "Harry and I are seeing each other."

Both sets of eyes not belonging to him expanded to at least ten times their normal size. Harry was obviously amazed that Draco would just come out and tell Dumbledore that. Dumbledore was most likely amazed that the two boys who had been so venomous toward each other just a few months ago were indeed together. Draco bit back a laugh at the sight of Dumbledore's face. He knew that he and Harry were the only ones in the last hundred years or so to ever see Dumbledore surprised. That's rather a funny sight. Wish I had a camera. Draco settled for smirking.

"Well. Are we finished here? I'd like to get some sleep now, if that's alright with you, Headmaster. And I believe my stunned boyfriend should be doing the same." Draco stood, grabbed Harry's hand and pulled him upright. Dumbledore still sat goggling at the couple. "Goodnight, sir," said Draco cheerfully. And he dragged the wide-eyed Harry with him.

~*~*~*~

"Wait just one second, gentlemen. Don't think you can get out just by stunning me in such a fashion." Dumbledore stood and aimed his wand at the door Draco had in his hand. The door prised itself out of Draco's fingers and slammed shut. The pair at the door swung around and faced their headmaster once more. Harry sighed. He knew that was far too easy. He pulled Draco back to their seats. "I knew we wouldn't get off that easy," he murmured to Draco.

"I tried." said Draco quietly, following reluctantly.

"Now, please sit again." The boys sat. This time their hands stayed intertwined, much to the surprise of Dumbledore. "You two are seeing each other?" The boys nodded. "For how long."

The boys looked at each other and then said, "Two months plus a bit."

"I see," said Dumbledore. "And are you two serious about each other?" More nodding. "Have you spoken to your families about this relationship?" The boys shook their heads violently. "What do you think is going to happen when the whole school finds out in just over two weeks, and it somehow gets back to them?"

Harry sat in his chair. He had been pondering Sirius' reaction just that afternoon. He really didn't have a clue what his godfather's reaction would be. But he knew on thing for sure. Lucius Malfoy would not be pleased. He could tell from the look on Draco's face that he was thinking along the same lines. Draco cleared his throat.

"Father will most likely want either Harry or me dead," said Draco flatly. Harry squeezed Draco's hand lightly. "And I'm pretty sure he could do it, too."

Harry and Draco looked at each other. Harry could see his reaction to this statement reflected in his boyfriend's eyes. Fear that the other would get hurt. Harry couldn't bear the thought of losing Draco, especially after finally finding his love.

"Is there some way that we can protect ourselves from Lucius or Voldemort getting to either of us?" asked Harry, not taking his eyes away from his boyfriend. Somewhere inside of himself, Harry felt that if he took his eyes off Draco, something horrible would happen. Draco held Harry's gaze.

Dumbledore took a deep breath. "There is something. We might be able to do it, but it would require a lot from you two, with help from some of the teachers. We should alert the professors in question as to the situation, so they can prepare."

"Who?" asked Draco, eyes never wavering from Harry's.

"Well, Severus and Minerva. Professors Snape and McGonagall to you," said Dumbledore.

"Snape knows already. We just have to tell him about this spell or whatever. And McGonagall shouldn't be too hard. She is my Head of House." said Harry, finally tearing his eyes away from Draco's to glance quickly at Dumbledore. He saw a raised eyebrow at the mention of Snape.

Dumbledore nodded. "Yes, that's one reason why they both have to help. However, I want you two not to worry about any of this for now. We, the teachers, will put extra wards on the grounds to keep Lucius and Voldemort away. You two just enjoy yourselves together." Dumbledore stood. Both students followed suit.

Draco looked at the headmaster. "Thank you for your help. I know my father will be most anxious to try something against Harry as soon as he finds out about the two of us."

"Anything to keep one of my students safe, Mister Malfoy." Dumbledore's eyes twinkled once more. "Now off you go. Happy Christmas."

The boys nodded and walked to the door. As Draco was reaching for the door, Dumbledore spoke once more.

"Do try to keep your hands to yourself, though, Mister Malfoy. We don't want the younger students to get too many ideas before their times." Harry and Draco, eyes like saucers, looked back at Dumbledore, whose own eyes were twinkle-ridden again. He winked at them. He motioned for them to go on their way.

They turned back to the door. This time, it stayed in Draco's hand as he pulled it open, and Harry followed Draco out of the room and down the stairs. When they were out of earshot of the gargoyle, just in case, both let out big sighs of relief.

"I thought we were going to get in trouble," said Draco, slumping against a wall.

Harry stopped in front of Draco, lips curling. "You can get us away from Snape. But I can get us away from Dumbledore."

"Yeah, and look at all the talking you did at the beginning," said Draco, smirking back. Harry took a step closer to Draco.

"And how far did all of that get us?" said Harry, poking the ribs of his boyfriend and moving closer still.

"Well, whatever. I still almost got us out." Draco straightened as Harry came at him.

"Yeah, yeah," said Harry. He had pinned Draco's body against the wall with his own. "But how come we only got a little comment about your actions at dinner?"

"Could be because you're the Boy-Who-Lived." said Draco. Harry could feel Draco getting more and more aroused by the second. He grabbed Draco's hands and pinned them over their heads against the wall. Draco arched an eyebrow.

"What are you going to do to me, Potter?"

"Hmm. I think... Nothing." As he said this, Harry released Draco, turned and started off down the hall, like nothing had happened at all. Seconds later, Harry felt arms wrap around his waist, and the slight breeze of Draco's warm breath on his neck.

"Now that was not fair," whispered Draco.

"Who ever said I had to be fair?" asked Harry roguishly. He walked up to the Gryffindor tower, muttered the password and climbed in, all with Draco still attached at his waist. The other four Gryffindors were sitting in the two armchairs, girls on boys' laps. They all glanced up at the sound of the opening portrait.

"Can I have our room tonight, Ron?" asked Harry, already assuming the answer.

"Ergh. Yeah, I don't want to even think about what you might want to do in there with Draco." Ron winked at the pair of boys who were already at the dormitory stairs.

"Oh you know you're dying to watch, Wea-Ron." said Draco, smirking at the red-head. Harry figured Draco was still not quite used to calling Ron by his given name, and smirked. Then Harry felt Draco nudge him up the steps and into the room.

Once they got to the room, Harry unhooked Draco's hands, and they both sent the usual dozen locking spells at the door. Harry walked toward his bed and kicked off his shoes. Turning again, he faced Draco and grinned the lopsided grin he knew Draco loved.

"Alone again, at last," said Draco, advancing on Harry. My thoughts exactly, Harry thought, as he pulled Draco to him and they fell onto Harry's bed.

~*~TBC~*~