Author's Notes: I've received this review from someone. It's a good on actually. (Thank you for reviewing!) Well, it seems that people are starting to believe that this is a SLASH fic. So I'll be. Well, I'm not saying it'll be slash. I'll probably have multiple versions per chapter. I also changed the character placing so Hermione/Harry fans out there won't go berzerk on me. (In any case, I'll still continue the fic. I kinda have the drive for this one. :) I still don't know whether this one's going to be slash or not. I'll decide on it later.

Disclaimer: You know the drill. I DIS-claim.

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Chapter 3: Free

He couldn't help it. He had to do something.

"Alright. Let me help, then."

Draco noticed the surprised look at Harry's face.

//Well, what am I supposed to do? Say 'Oh, Potter, I know you saved my life but you're an insufferable git so get out of my sight.'//

To be straight to the point, Draco wasn't the old Draco anymore. Of course, anyone would've noticed right away that he seldom sneered. well, that is, compared to the old Draco. He smiles and annoys less people nowadays. That much happened but as always, Draco was his own attractive, cool and calm guy that he was. He still stood high, face looking forward, his walk, still ever so languid but much more lighter than before

He was a changed man, simply speaking. Of course, Draco didn't just change in a snap. He had to go through lots of afflictions before he reached this point of his life.

-

Harry gawked at Draco. He knew that Draco was a changed man now, but he didn't expect something like that being that Draco was a wealthy wizard who now owns lots of businesses. He expected Draco to run on Galleons, Knuts and Sickles.

"Oh. uhm. Okay." Harry almost stammered.

Another awkward silence made itself known as Harry sat on the chair beside Draco's bed. Yet again, Draco was the one who broke the stillness.

"Well? Fire away."

"Oh.Okay. Well, it all started like this."

---

Harry stayed at Draco's room for quite a long time. Well, six hours to be exact. He poured his heart out, not caring at all if it was Malfoy. Right now, he needed his release. And what started out as a sketchy tale developed into a detailed life story. Harry needed this outlet. Harry stayed there from 12 in the afternoon to six in the evening. Harry told about his relationship with Hermione mostly.

"So, we aren't really married right now. And I can't seem to gather the guts to tell her that. We have. you know. problems. Issues that actually started since 7th year! Can you believe that."

Harry sighed deeply. He can still remember the time when he and Hermione had the fight that started those 'awkward stares' between them.

-

"Harry, I know you like someone else than me. Why don't we just break up to get this over with?"

"Mione, you know I love you."

"But. the way you look at. it's so different with the way you look at me."

"You're thinking too much. It's nothing!"

"Harry. It's not that I have a problem if you're-"

"Like I said before, Mione, I am no-"

-

Harry felt someone poke on his head. He shook out of his trance and saw Draco looking intently at him.

"What?"

"Well, you obviously didn't look like you're zoning out on me. You were having such a great time that I didn't want your reminiscing to end. so I poked you. Oh wait, stop. I don't want the sheets having your drool on them." said Draco, dripping with sarcasm. Curiously, Draco grinned a little.

Harry smiled at this and even chuckled lightly. Suddenly, he said the only thing he'd never say to Draco.

"You know what? I liked you back when we were 7th year."

He didn't know why he said it. It just felt right to tell Draco. Maybe he just wanted to see if he was comfortable enough to admit his feeling for him. Whatever the reason was, he was eager to say it anyway.

He was expecting a laugh from Draco. Laugh at Harry. Harry knew Draco was a changed man, but a Malfoy was a Malfoy. And besides, anyone who'd hear that would laugh, nonetheless. Harry accepted the fact. Anyway, he didn't exactly 'like' Malfoy now.

Draco's reply came sooner than he expected. Actually, it wasn't the response he was expecting.

"Cool. I liked you too. You know, I mean like 'like'. Funny thing was. Hey, do you remember the time I asked you to meet me at the pitch back in 7th year?"

Harry felt indifference at first. How was he to react? He didn't know. Malfoy's just admitted that to him.

He did remember the time Draco asked for a meeting at the Quidditch Pitch. He could see the connection.

.Oh well, no big deal.

"Yeah, I remember."

-

As soon as Harry left, Draco lay there, contented with the day. He looked forward to seeing Harry tomorrow. Yes, Harry said he was coming tomorrow. It seemed that although Draco didn't very help much with Harry's problem, Harry enjoyed himself and knowing that made Draco sigh in satisfaction. At least now, he knew he was free. Truly free.

-------- This one deteriorated quite quickly too. Less than 800 words, I think. Well, I had to stop or else I'll just make it worse.

To clear things up, they were vaguely speaking on purpose. The next chapters are intended to clear the questions boggling your mind right now, thank you. Like the Quidditch Pitch incident between Harry and Draco, why Draco said he was "free", why Draco's really nice, etc.

I also apologize if chapters aren't polished. I don't have a beta and I get a lot of ideas for ficlets that I use up 99.9% of my drive writing them all up~!

Up next, Draco Vignette. Expect SLASH because the whole chapter IS slash. Expect death (though I think lots of you're going to like it, etc.