Chapter 6
Downstairs, Draco turned his head and gazed at Harry. Their eyes met and they both smiled simultaneously. "Thank you."
Harry leaned forward, braver this time, and kissed Draco's cheek. "No need to thank me for simply caring about you."
It was impossible for Draco to stop smiling. "You know, my cheeks hurt from smiling so damn much." He noticed a slight twinkle in Harry's eye as a response. Draco licked his lips and contemplated whether to ask a certain question. In a way he truly wanted to know but, in another, the answer could be hurtful. "Harry?"
"Harry tilted his head slightly and snuggled closer to Draco. "Yes?"
The Slytherin lowered his eyes briefly and looked back up as he spoke. "Do you have any stronger feelings for me other than simply caring for me?"
Harry's heart skipped a beat and he broke the beautiful eye contact between them. His chest began to tighten and his head spun. He felt the warmth of Draco's hand on his thigh. He licked his lips and looked back into Draco's eyes. He began to speak but he choked on his words. The hand on his thigh moved slightly back and forth sending a heat throughout his body.
Draco sensed the nervousness immediately and it was clarified when sweat droplets appeared on Harry's face. "You don't have to answer."
"Yes!" Harry exclaimed.
"Is that the answer...."
Draco was cut off as Harry sprung forward and placed his lips upon Draco's. His right hand moved towards Draco's face to cradle it as he moved his lips progressively faster. His pink tongue probed lightly at Draco's mouth and found entrance into that warm cavern to dance with the other while their lips moved against each other.
Involuntarily, Draco moaned into Harry's mouth as they kissed without the taste of wine and vodka. Harry's sweet taste was a delight and he moaned again as Harry pressed closer. But, as Harry pressed even closer, Draco panicked and broke the union hastily. Gasping, he tore himself from Harry altogether, putting the couch and Harry ten feet from him.
Harry sat stunned, his lips red from the passionate kiss they shared. "What's wrong?"
While regaining his breath, Draco placed a hand on his stomach. "I can't do this." He began to back away towards the exit of the room. "I have to go." He caught one more gaze at Harry before he turned and ran the best he could from the Gryffindor house and towards his own.
Ron and Hermione stood upstairs behind the railing once again, Hermione with a sorrowful expression and Ron with a green tint to his face. They watched in silence as Harry collapsed upon the cushions distressingly, his face buried in the pillow Draco had been leaning on. They were not surprised when subtle sobs were heard from their friend.
Draco ran from the Gryffindor tower as hastily as he could. He gasped with each step, the soles of his feet throbbing, his heart breaking over the action he was forced to do. He wiped his eyes with the back of his hands and steadily came to a stop when a pain shot through his stomach. He leaned against the cold wall outside the Slytherin common room, his shoulder bruising from the weight it was supporting. Another pain ripped through him. His face wrinkled in pain and he slid down the wall, gripping his stomach. He heard distant footsteps and his mind screamed that it was probably around bedtime now, and here he was in the hallway in pain. He grimaced again. Sweat was trickling down his face and neck and the footsteps came nearer. Attempting to stand, the pain increased and he sank to the floor again. As his eyesight became blurry he noticed Professor Dumbledor stopping and squatting to wipe the sweat from his stinging grey eyes.
"Young Malfoy, Can you still hear me?"
The voice of the elderly man seemed distant but heard, and Draco nodded. He soon felt his body being swept up into the old man's arms. He cried as he was carried away, mumbling incoherently, but the old man understood him.
"Don't worry, Draco. You're child will be fine."