Your eyes are green, like summer grass

Your lips are red, like a fresh cut rose

Your hair is soft, like an Irish stream

And your voice is filled with sweet beauty

And the last words I heard him say

Were I shall return, for you, my love

On Christmas Day

That snippet of song has nothing to do with anything, but it's one of my favourite Christmas carols, and because Harry Potter is constantly on my brain, I thought it kind-of fit. Just my way of saying Happy Holidays, everyone!

I loved reading the summaries! In fact, I was stunned so many participated. I was really only looking for a few lines about the whole story, but some of you went above and beyond the call of duty! Good job to everyone, and here are my favourites!

PissedOffEskimo: Perversion at its best! : It's about two abused boys, who desperately need to have sex with each other to help them sort out the things that are wrong with their life.

TigerBlak: Best comment regarding favourite scene : Gasp! Drool! Over the nipple ring.

CocoKate: This one was exactly what I wanted! : Two years after the defeat of Voldermort and the destruction of Hogwarts, a neglected Draco finds healing in his schooltime rival, Harry Potter.

Moira McDuff: The most succinct summary of chapter seven I read.

Lady Malfoy II: The most flattering to my ego, so naturally it wins hands down (hee hee!) 'The best example of Harry and Draco's relationship on the web, as recommended by Kate!'

MysticalSoul: Too good. Why read my stuff, when you can read her summary of chapter seven? Author humbled by the talent of the reviewer.

T.K. Yuy: Laugh out loud favourite! "Holy. Bloody. Hell!", "Sweet. Mother. of. Merlin", or "Abso-bloody-lutly BRILIANT!"

Icy Flame: What can I say? I just love this one. Of course, I think I may be a little biased as I come off rather well in it! : The twists and turns never cease to amaze and please in IamtheLizardQueen's very own 'Welcome To The Real World'. With sassy commentary by both Draco Malfoy!, the boy who always has something to say and Harry Potter, the boy who is infinitely unpredictable this is defiantly not a tale to miss! So grab the popcorn and a blanket boys and girls, 'Welcome To The Real World' will leave you squealing with delight and crying for more!

TigerLily: I'm stealing her summary, as I think it's a great summary of the story thus far. Don't believe me? Go read it! It even got a thumbs up by DeLiRiUm drinks green tea.

Willowstar: What a depiction of my favourite part of chapter seven! : And fuck... monday's SUCK! So, Harry went to school... blah blah blah... came back, got a massage from Gorgeous boy which of course ended up in snog!heaven.

YoYoJo: If I posted this one, people would think I was totally conceited (I'm not, am I?) but maybe that's why I love it! : This is a superb fanfiction, by a marvelous author, who never fails to entertain.

Pip: Reminder of so many forgotten elements… And is there anything more honest then this? " They find out that they really really like each other."

Congratulations to all our 'winners'. I haven't decided how to use them yet, but I've been busy! Anyway, here's the story. Enjoy!

" Late, late, LATE!" Harry yelped, as he tried to drink his coffee while at the same time stuffing his foot into his shoe. The result was hot coffee down his shirt and a broken shoelace. " Damn it!"

Draco gave a weary sigh, and held out a clean shirt for Harry, along with a different pair of shoes.

" I told you to get up earlier, but you just had to have those five minutes more…"

" Not helping," Harry muttered. Thrusting his coffee cup at Draco, he tore off his stained shirt, threw on the one Draco was holding, and stooped to actually untie his trainers this time before trying to put them on.

" I bring you clothes, and coffee, and you tell me I'm not helping?" Draco retorted, returning from the kitchen and holding out a travel mug (with a good, tight lid) of rich, hot coffee, with just the right amount of milk.

" It's the smugness I can do without," Harry said moodily. He took a sip of coffee, and moaned in rapture. He stared at the mug intensely and said, " I love you."

" Hey! I'm the one who actually made the coffee, what do you have to say to me?"

" That you know me, and my early morning routine, eerily well?" Harry replied lightly.

" True. In fact I know exactly what you're going to say…"

" Fuck! Now I really am late," Harry said, grabbing his satchel and heading for the door. Harry hit his elbow on the doorframe as he made his hasty exit, and another outburst of colourful language flowed from his mouth, only slightly muted when the door shut behind him.

" When you look at the time," Draco finished, his words greeting only the empty apartment. Shaking his head, Draco picked up the discarded shirt, tossed the abandoned shoes in the hall closet, and returned to the kitchen. There hadn't been time for breakfast that morning, for Harry at least. Draco made himself some toast, and poured himself a cup of coffee.

Moving into the living room, Draco settled down on the couch with his drink, and a mystery novel that Harry said was a classic. Draco had to admit that he did quite like this Sherlock Holmes character, identifying with some of his lesser quirks, and he amused himself by thinking that Harry was a little like the bumbling Watson, frequently bewildered and befuddled by the events around him.

Around mid-morning, Draco uncurled himself from the cozy couch, and went to clean up the kitchen. Usually, Harry and he would eat breakfast together, and then Harry would wash up the majority of their dishes, leaving only a pan or two to soak. Today, there hadn't been any time to eat, because Harry was inordinately late, but on the plus side, there wasn't much to clean up. Draco would generally eat leftovers when he got hungry later in the day, and would then make something for the both of them to eat at dinner. At dinner, Harry would talk about his day, and Draco would listen. Then Harry would clean up the kitchen, while Draco sat nursing a cup of coffee still at the table. Harry claimed it was only fair that Draco relax while Harry cleaned, seeing as how Draco had cooked. While he washed, they talked about everything; they talked about nothing. They would talk about books, as Harry was getting good at bringing back library material of interest to Draco. They would talk about television programs, about the meal, about muggle inventions versus magical ones. Sometimes they wouldn't say anything at all and let the silence speak for them. Draco found himself looking forward to that part of the day almost more then any other.

As Draco washed out his coffee cup and set it to dry in the draining board, he was struck by just how domestic the action was. The old Draco would never have considered doing housework, and yet it had happened quite naturally – he preferred cooking in a clean kitchen, and he had more then enough free time on his hands to do the occasional act of dusting or vacuuming. What was more, he liked taking care of Harry. Draco scowled – he was getting far too sentimental for his tastes. If he had to go thinking about Harry all the time, the least he could do was think naughty, sexy thoughts, like any other normal eighteen-year-old. Yes, that was working. Harry taking off his shirt in the hallway earlier, baring that lovely chest that Draco was dying to get his hands on again. Harry bending over to tie his shoes, pulling his loose jeans snug over a backside that made Draco's pinch impulse return with a vengeance. Even the memory of the moan Harry had made when the coffee had touched his soft, pink lips, was enough to make Draco shiver deliciously.

Draco got a truly devious idea. Sure, Harry had said he wanted things to slow down, and since the massage altercation, things had been kept an even calm, but there was nothing saying that Draco couldn't at least try to seduce Harry. If the seduction didn't work, well then there was no harm done, and if it did work, then Harry would think it was all his idea in the first place. A shifty, cunning, smile adorned Draco's face; the kind-of smile that made other people wonder what you were up to. Harry would never know what hit him.

After showering, Draco stood in front of the slightly fogged bathroom mirror, a towel around his waist, and eyed himself critically. Because he had never truly been attracted to someone else before, it had never really entered into his mind that someone might be admiring his own appearance. Exploiting his ability to appeal to others physically was impossible because the concepts of lust and want were foreign to him. Or they had been until he had started drooling over Harry. Now he couldn't help wondering what Harry thought about him. From infancy, he had been told he was attractive, and it was something he had accepted without question, and he had never given it much thought. But was he attractive? And if so, how did he go about impressing this fact on certain oblivious, ebony-haired individuals?

In his mind's eye, he was too thin, too scraggly, and too pale. His chest was underdeveloped, and he was not yet back to the physique he had had at Hogwart's. Quidditch muscles were still apparent, but less defined, and his collarbones seemed to stick out oddly. His skin looked paper thin, so white that he could see small bluish veins running underneath it. Of course, he had always been rather wan – he did not tan, and even the hairs on his body were silvery-blonde, almost invisible. Was that an attractive feature? It had always been more of an annoyance to Draco then anything else, as any bruises were highly visible, the blue-black and purple marks contrasting unpleasantly with his skin. As such, he had almost exclusively worn clothes that covered as much of him as possible. Perhaps that explained why he preferred winter to summer; the sweaters and slacks of winter were more flattering then the light, skin revealing, summertime fashions. Plus, summer had the added unpleasantness of forcing individuals to wear swim-shorts and to gather in public, sunlit places like the beach. Draco had forsworn the beach from an early age; having to wear a t-shirt at all times, and vast amounts of sunscreen, was not fun, and puberty, unfortunately, had come rather late to Draco Malfoy, and therefore comparisons became grossly unfair and rather damaging to the ego.

At least, he had ended up a decent height. Just slightly smaller in both stature and structure then Harry, he could still hold Harry without too much trouble, and without looking ridiculous. He supposed he also had nice legs, quite long in relation to the rest of his body, though his knees were too knobbly, and he had lost muscle tone there as well. Not that it was his fault he had been allowed but very minimal exercise during his imprisonment. He could see to rectifying that now, though there was only so much exercise he could do indoors. Could he go outside the flat? Just a little run around the block or something, he could handle that, couldn't he? Looking straight into the mirror he had to admit that he wasn't sure he could.

Growling at his reflection in frustration, he quickly got dressed, strode into the kitchen, and began to take out some of his excess stress on a poor lump of bread dough. Soon his anger was gone, and only the dejection he felt for not being able to conquer his fear remained. After finishing the dinner preparations to his satisfaction, Draco picked up Sherlock Holmes again, and sat outside on the balcony. Harry found him still sitting there when he came home that evening.

Beautiful was the only word Harry could think of. Black turtleneck sweater, grey slacks, blond hair falling over hooded, shadowy eyes; he managed to look strong yet vulnerable all at once. Drawn forward, Harry quietly approached the balcony. It wasn't until he slid open the glass door that Draco noticed his presence, and then Draco's guarded, melancholic expression changed to one of welcome, his grey eyes shifting from cold mist, to bright silver.

Draco was about to speak, but Harry was faster, covering his mouth with lips so achingly sweet that it shocked Draco into remaining perfectly still. Harry reached one hand under Draco's chin, tipping it upwards, leaning in still closer. Draco's shock at Harry's choice of greeting lasted only long enough for him to wrap his arms around Harry's neck, and then he was kissing back with equal passion. Harry knelt, making them level, both hands now curving gently around Draco's face to hold him in position. His tongue chased Draco's back and forth between their mouths, tasting and testing, coaxing and pressing. Draco could feel his heart trying to pound its way through his chest, felt his head go dizzy, and his skin start to tingle. Draco was pressed tightly between the wall and Harry's body; the former cold and hard, the latter hot enough to burn, gentle enough that Draco welcomed it regardless. Harry was bearing down on Draco's mouth with a possessiveness that neither had expected, but which neither wanted to deny. It seemed to last forever that kiss; a raging desire that continued its fevered pitch throughout it all, right up until the end when Harry collapsed, his head dropping naturally to the crook of Draco's neck as he gasped for air. Harry felt Draco's hands in his hair and down his back, calming and protecting while they struggled for breath.

" Hello to you to," Draco said eventually, more then a little dazed. Draco was the one supposed to be doing the seducing, and yet here Harry comes and kisses the very soul from his body. Not that Draco minded, of course.

Harry raised his head, observing Draco's flushed face and dilated eyes. He smiled, and said bashfully, " I just really wanted to kiss you."

Draco placed a sweet kiss on Harry's swollen lips. " You never, ever, have to apologize for that," Draco said, voice huskier then usual. " Feel free to ravish me at any moment that is convenient for you."

" Now good?" Harry asked, eyes twinkling.

" Most certainly. Come here," Draco said, dragging Harry closer until he was sitting in Draco's lap. " Now I believe we were about here when we ran out of oxygen. Let's see how long we can make it last this time; I suggest taking a deep breath."

Draco's last coherent thought before his senses were thoroughly drugged by Harry's intoxicating mouth, was that if he didn't seduce Harry soon, he might never get the chance as Harry was doing a good enough job on his own. Not that Draco had a problem with that either.

It was sometime in the following week that Draco found himself pacing in front of the flat door, waiting for the slight ping of noise that would mean the lift was in use. Whatever reticence Draco and Harry might have shown initially in their relationship was being effectively replaced with a longing to touch, caress, and to just be as close as possible. The period of time that Harry needed before he became comfortable being touched was diminishing every day, and though they had kept to the 'above the belt' rule, there was no question that things were becoming hotter, their meetings more frequent, more hungry, and that it was getting increasingly difficult to stop.

They were changing in other ways as well. Though they went to bed with the majority of the mattress between them, they invariably woke up touching each other, possessive and protective even in sleep. Draco could not seem to keep his hands to himself, always finding excuses to run fingers through Harry's hair, to stroke his hand, or squeeze his shoulder. Harry's adjustment was to give Draco allowance to do this. Harry seemed to need to be around Draco more then usual. Whichever room Draco occupied, Harry would come and join him in, lugging in his books or his papers so that no matter what he had to do, he would still have Draco's presence near him. So Harry would sit nearby, and Draco would gravitate towards his warmth, fingers itching to touch and feel, and the result was usually them cozied up together in a tangle of limbs, all thoughts of accomplishing anything productive gone. Not a bad deal for Draco, who spent his days with nothing to do but anticipate Harry's return, but less effective for Harry who actually did have work he was expected to finish.

Draco's ears perked up at the almost imperceptible noise made by opening of the lift doors, and his attention became focussed on the fake wood grain pattern of the door. He heard footsteps approaching the front door, then the slight jingling of keys, and Draco reached eagerly for the doorknob, opening it before Harry had a chance to slide the key in the lock. Draco grabbed the front of Harry's shirt roughly, yanked him into the flat, shut the door, and then pushed Harry back against it.

If there had been any protest (and for the record, Harry was not at all about to dampen Draco's enthusiasm) it was cut short by Draco's mouth, as he attached himself to Harry in a welcome home that was becoming almost routine.

" You're late," Draco mumbled against Harry's lips, eyes closed, hands sliding under Harry's shirt with cool efficiency.

" I… had to… talk to some… not important… sorry," Harry stammered in between kisses. Draco didn't seem all that concerned about an apology anyway.

Harry began moving towards Draco's neck, licking and biting gently, an action he had first tried a few days earlier that hadn't failed yet to get Draco's attention. He felt Draco's arms wrap tightly around his shoulders, and he smirked knowing that the blond did that only when he felt his knees start to go weak.

" Damn," Draco said shakily, " You know what that does to me."

" It's why I do it," Harry said, coming back up to taste Draco's mouth. One of Draco's hands detached itself from Harry's shoulder, and returned to its former position under Harry's shirt. Draco had discovered Harry was more then a little bit ticklish, especially around his stomach, but that if you stroked him just right, you could get the most delightful moan. As though proving his point, Harry made a noise deep in his throat as Draco rubbed his fingers in a languid circle around Harry's navel. While Harry's mind was wrapped around that particular sensation, Draco reached up and gave Harry's nipple ring a gentle tug.

Harry's eyes flew open, and he broke off the kiss, to whine almost piteously, " Draco, you know what that does to me."

" It's why I do it," Draco echoed cheekily. Harry laughed. They broke apart then, though they continued to cast appreciative glances at each other throughout dinner and for the rest of the evening.

Harry was sitting at the kitchen table, several books open and book-marked with little yellow post-its, and several sheets of foolscap, some used and crumpled, others white and pristine, surrounding him. He had a term paper… well, it was actually several papers, due in the next little while, and he had been putting a lot of his university work on hold so he could have more 'quality' time with Draco. The previous term he had spent much more time actually at the university, but now he was always in a hurry to come home. Unfortunately, his lack of preparation was beginning to show in his work.

Draco refilled Harry's coffee cup, and tried not to be a nuisance. He knew Harry had to work, but Draco went all day without him, and then not to talk or laugh with him in the evenings as well, was hard to take. Maybe if he had something else to do with his time… but no, there was nothing. Draco must have sighed, because Harry looked up from his paper, and caught the look in Draco's eyes.

" I really have to get this done," Harry said apologetically.

" Of course you do," Draco said, determined not to make Harry feel guilty. It was so entirely 'Harry' to take responsibility for things completely beyond his control. " I'm going to go take a bath and then probably go to bed after, unless you need me to do something?"

" Nope, I don't need you for anything," Harry said, his mind already back on his paper. He failed to see that Draco's expression had saddened at his off-hand remark.

Draco did take a bath, knowing that the tub was a good place to think, and the lock on the door gave a semblance of privacy that was hard to find elsewhere in the small place. His plans to bring the two of them closer were not only floundering, but also sinking them still further in the mire. For while they had certainly increased the number of times they were intimate, he knew each occasion was adding more pressure on Harry. Harry was stressed for time, and it was only going to get worse when finals arrived. Would it reach the point where Harry resented Draco being around? There was not much Draco could do to alleviate the strain. He couldn't go out, and when Harry was home, Draco didn't want to leave him alone. He felt neglected, he felt weak, he felt like he had nothing to offer, and the worst feeling of all, he felt that there was nothing he could do to change any of it.

The water had long since gone cold when he pulled himself out of the bath, and put on his pyjamas. He spared a glance at Harry, who was still seated at the kitchen table, one hand tugging at his hair, propping his head up, the other hand writing furiously. Draco went to bed, not bothering to say goodnight, as it would no doubt be ignored. He watched the red glowing numbers of the alarm clock as they changed minute by minute. It was past one when he heard Harry stumble into the bedroom. Draco felt the bed sag and the covers rearrange themselves. He fancied he even heard the slight click of Harry's glasses as he put them down on the bedside table, and turned off the light. Though Draco's back was to Harry, he still knew when Harry fell asleep. Draco remained awake long after, staring into nothingness.

The weeks that flew by for Harry, limped by for Draco. Harry was spending less and less time at home; frequently spending time at the university's libraries and utilizing something he called a computer. Draco grew quieter still, devouring books with a ferocity that went unnoticed. He had worked hard at giving Harry space to work, and he had succeeded. Perhaps too well, as he found that he was missing Harry even when they shared the same space.

" Hey Draco, I have to go to the university and type something out, do you want to come? It shouldn't take me long and you can take a look around if you want," Harry suggested. Harry made the offer because he knew that something was different in the household, and he didn't mean just the desperation he felt behind Draco's welcome home kisses. He didn't know what exactly was wrong, but he made a mental note to figure things out once exams were over.

Draco's expression could have lit up most of the dark ages. " Really? You mean it?"

" Whoa, it's just the university. Hardly thrilling, I can assure you."

Draco didn't waste time arguing with Harry, he just went and got his shoes. They decided to walk, and Draco kept turning this way and that, looking at all the curiosities on display under the bright sunlight. He wanted to ask a million questions, but Harry looked preoccupied, so he kept silent. He didn't know that his silence was making Harry upset.

Harry's university was quite large, or so Draco thought, with so many buildings, and corridors, and levels, he had to stick close to Harry or risk being lost. There were also a great number of students, despite the fact that it was Sunday, and Draco found himself people-watching with ever mounting interest. Every kind-of rebellion was on display, every lifestyle imaginable represented.

They entered a large room in the basement of one of the tall buildings. Its walls were painted a sterile white, the carpet utilitarian grey, and there were row upon row of buzzing white boxes.

" Telly?" Draco asked, puzzled.

" Not exactly. Computers," Harry said, signing his name to a sheet and finding himself an empty station. Draco sat perched with some trepidation on a torn orange chair that had small little wheels on the bottom that moved at the slightest provocation.

" What are they for?" Draco asked.

" Lots of things, I suppose. They're capable of holding a vast amount of information. An entire library, I suppose is the best analogy I can give you, at the touch of a button."

Harry tried to explain the various features of the computer, but though Draco appeared interested much of it was beyond him. Harry eventually had to get to work, and he set up his page and started typing.

" So it writes for you? How is that useful?"

" Well, once I've finished typing this, I can print it out on paper. Instead of having to rewrite my first draft over and over I can do it all at once, edit at will, and this way everything I hand in is legible. Its an awful lot faster," Harry replied. Draco bit his lip, as he could tell Harry was getting tired of answering his questions. Draco amused himself with the rolling chair, even more impressed when he discovered he could spin on it.

" Must you?" Harry hissed at him. Stunned and more then a little hurt, Draco was about to reply with a scathing comment, when they were interrupted.

" I said exactly the same thing to Mike not thirty minutes ago," Tim said. He greeted Draco and Harry, and then sat himself down in front of the neighbouring computer. Tim glanced over at Harry's screen. " Hey, I have to do that also. I completely forgot about it, and nearly freaked when I found the assignment in my notes."

" Me too. Still, shouldn't take us too long to finish," Harry said. " Where's Mike?"

Tim shrugged, " Good question." Tim reached into his coat pocket and retrieved a slim black mobile phone. He hit a number, and waited for Mike to pick up. " Hey, where are you? I ran into Harry and Draco down in the east computer labs. Why don't you come meet us…"

The door to the computer lab swung open, and Mike paused slightly for dramatic effect in the doorway, before moving to join them.

" Ooh, what luck! And here I thought it was going to be a real bust of a day," Mike said loudly, completely ignoring the signs that requested the use of low voices. There were a few other students in the lab, but although they glared at the lively intrusion, Mike continued on in the same fashion, " Draco, did you know that you can spin in that chair?"

" Yes. I was told to stop acting like a child, however," Draco said, narrowing his eyes at Harry.

" Bah. Tim told me the same thing, which is why I left in the first place. But now I have you to keep me company, we can abandon Tweedle-Dum and Tweedle-Boring here, for something much more amusing. Can I have him please Harry? Pretty please?"

" Have him? What do you want to do with Draco?"

Mike opened his mouth wide, and Tim promptly clapped his hand over that mouth to stop what would have undoubtedly been an x-rated comment.

" What Mike means to say is that he would be happy to show Draco around the university while we work, isn't that right Mike?" Mike nodded his head. " And Mike is going to have Draco back safe and sound in about an hour, isn't he?" Again, Mike dutifully shook his head. " Finally, Mike is going to return Draco in the same condition he leaves in, meaning no tattoos, no alcohol, and no police records, am I correct?" Mike nodded, albeit a lot less enthusiastically then before. Tim released his grip over Mike's mouth, and Mike made an elaborate gesture of wiping at his face.

" Spoil sport," Mike muttered under his breath.

" What was that?" Tim asked.

Mike fluttered his eyelashes, " Just thinking how much I love you, sweetheart."

" I'll bet," Tim said. Mike tugged Draco out of his chair and began dragging him towards the door. Harry stood up to protest.

" Wait, Draco you don't have to go if you don't want to," Harry said gently.

" I'll be fine," Draco bit out. Mike and Draco left, and Harry could only stare after them nervously.

" What's the matter? Mike won't really make a move on Draco, you know that."

" It's not that, it's just that I've gotten used to always knowing where he is, you know?"

" No. Possessive much?" Tim asked rhetorically. Harry shrugged and turned back to his work. He found concentration was difficult, and it was taking him forever to do the simplest of tasks. He couldn't help wondering if Draco was having fun without him. What is Draco was scared? What if Draco decided he was tired of depending on Harry? What if Draco realized he didn't really need Harry at all?

Harry stood up suddenly.

" You finished already?"

" No, can you ring Mike please? Find out where they are?"

" I'm sure they're fine…"

" Please Tim?"

" If you're sure," Tim said, dialling the number, and talking briefly when Mike picked up.

" Come on, I'll go with you," Tim said. They hurried out of the computer lab, and up the stairs out onto the open campus. " They're in the athletics centre."

It only took a few minutes to reach their destination, but it was enough to make Harry frantic. He couldn't seem to shake the feeling that something was wrong. Harry had long ago given up trying to rationalize his instincts, as they usually turned out to be true. Draco and Mike were sitting in a section of deserted bleachers. Mike was staring with unabashed interest at the male members of the university's swim team. Draco's eyes were focussed on his feet, and his hands were clenched tightly on the bench. To any passer-by, Draco looked bored; to Harry, he looked terrified.

At their approach, two heads swivelled in their direction. Mike broke into an easy grin. Draco leapt out of his seat and ran straight into Harry's arms. Harry almost toppled over backwards due to the onslaught, but managed to right himself, and hold on tightly to the trembling blond.

" I tried, I really tried," Draco mumbled disconsolately in Harry's ear.

Harry stroked his back in what he hoped was a soothing manner. " It's okay."

Draco could actually feel tears pricking the corners of his eyes, and he was disgusted with himself. There was no way he was going to cry, especially not here.

" Can we go home now?"

" Yes, right now," Harry assured. Harry nodded at Mike and Tim, and then steered Draco towards the entrance.

" Well, that was odd," Mike said, after Harry and Draco were out of earshot.

" What did you do to him?" Tim accused, arms crossed, voice stern.

" Nothing! I swear. I mean I was planning on… I mean, nothing at all."

Tim seemed unconvinced. Mike stood up and threw himself at his boyfriend.

" Oof!" Tim exclaimed, wrapping his arms instinctively around the smaller man. " What was that for?"

" It worked so well for Draco, that I just figured I'd try it. Will you take me home now as well?"

" I thought you had homework too?"

" Homework? Never touch the stuff myself," Mike said, shuddering as though he had come close to something distasteful.

" Ah, you may joke, but I know I'm dating a closet-nerd," Tim said. " Come on, one hour in the library then we'll split, I promise."

Mike pouted but to no avail.

" Draco, talk to me," Harry pleaded, as they entered the flat some time later.

" What should I say? You were right, I was wrong. Boo hoo, poor Draco. Can we drop this already?" Draco sniped.

" I don't see why you're so mad at me. I told you didn't have to go with Mike."

" Oh yes, I forgot; that ever so kind invitation," Draco said sarcastically, arms crossed over his chest angrily.

" What? This is my fault?" Harry said, his voice getting louder. They had shed their coats and shoes and were now standing in the living room, glaring at each other.

" Did you have to be so damn patronizing? In front of your friends even? I feel like your watching everything I do when we go out. I don't need a bloody babysitter!"

" So throwing yourself at me after about fifteen minutes on your own, that was the picture of mental health?" Harry said, tone scathing.

" I knew it! That really is what you think, isn't it? That I'm pathetic, a loser who can't do anything!"

Harry winced, " I never said anything like that!"

" You didn't have to. You think I don't see it? The pitying looks, the sighs you make when you wish I would just go away?"

" Well maybe if you weren't ALWAYS here then I might actually miss you. I gave you that key to the flat, and its still there; you haven't even touched it! What do you do all day, sit around and wait for me to come home and entertain you? I can't even get through the door without you trying to maul me," Harry yelled at him.

The moment he had spoken, the very second the utterance had trickled past his lips, Harry regretted it. He saw the unbelievable amount of hurt that flashed in Draco's eyes, only to be masked unsuccessfully with anger.

" Well rest assured I won't be making that mistake again. I should have realized that even if I wasn't so fucked up in the head; I still wouldn't be good enough for Saint Potter. Tell you what, I'll go kill myself and solve both our problems," Draco cried out. He shoved Harry once and then fled, wanting to get out, wanting to just get away.

Harry's hand latched on strongly to his wrist. " Don't. Please, don't."

" Don't what Harry?"

" Don't leave me," Harry said piteously. He didn't understand why they were fighting, what had made him say the things he had. He just knew he was sorry, and terrified that this meant it was all over.

" But don't you remember, Potter? I'm a useless, joke of a human being. I can't leave," Draco said bleakly, before jerking his wrist free. Harry flinched when he heard the bathroom door slam shut. He let himself sink down onto the carpet, cradling his head in his hands.

Draco paced the two and a half steps the small bathroom allowed, his fists clenched, and his head turned up towards the ceiling. He tried to breath deeply and evenly, but his breath hitched in his throat. That laboured breath was soon followed by another, and then another, until he was wheezing and choking, every breath a struggle. Unable to get past the lump in his throat, he was forced to sit down. His eyes were burning, and he pressed his face to the cool tile of the floor. It didn't help.

He hadn't cried when his father had disowned him for choosing not to follow Voldemort, he hadn't cried when his father had taken him home and nobody had helped him, he hadn't cried when he was locked away and beaten, he hadn't cried when his mother died.

He was crying now.

What had been done to him wasn't fair, but he could put it behind him, if only it was over. But it wasn't over; it was still wreaking havoc on his life, keeping him from the one thing above all others that he wanted. He wanted to be with Harry, and he wanted to be worthy of that relationship. He was the way he was, and he couldn't play any position but that of an equal with Harry. But who was he now? Where was he going?

" I'm nobody," Draco muttered, closing his eyes, and relaxing against the hard floor, too exhausted to move.

The hours passed and silence reigned. Harry three times approached the bathroom door, once going so far as to raise his hand to knock, but in the end, he would always falter and leave the words unspoken. Day grew into evening, and evening to night, and still they stayed in their respective spaces, not even thinking anymore, just laying listlessly. It was very late when Harry roused himself and decided to go to bed. Dressed in his pyjamas, he finally summoned up the courage to knock.

" Draco? I'm going to bed, you can come out if you want." Silence greeted him. " Please, you can't stay in there all night, even if you do hate me now." He could hear sounds as someone moved, but Draco didn't speak. Harry sighed in resignation, and headed for his bedroom.

" I'm sorry Harry," Draco whispered.

" I'm sorry Draco," Harry said, once within the confines of his room. Neither one heard the apologies.

The next morning Harry awoke with a pounding headache. It took him a few minutes to adjust to wakefulness, and still longer to pinpoint the reason for his sense of unease. What was different was that his bed was empty; he hadn't realized how accustomed he had become to waking up with Draco next to him. He supposed it was like anything else, you don't notice something until it's gone. Gone. The word sent tremors down Harry's back, and he quickly got out of bed. The bathroom door was open, and Harry took the few steps to the living room with undo haste, nearly tripping on the carpet. Draco wasn't there anyway, and he had already ascertained that the kitchen was empty. Harry closed his eyes and tried to pretend he could still hear the sounds of someone making breakfast for him. The illusion wouldn't come; his mind wouldn't be tricked for it craved the real thing.

Still not really believing what all five senses were telling him, he strode into the hallway and checked the front door. Draco's coat and shoes were gone. The little ledge where the spare keys to the flat were kept was bare. For the first time that morning, Harry felt a little bit of hope. If Draco had taken the keys, surely he was intending to come back? Then his spirits crashed again. Maybe he was waiting for Harry to leave so that he could come back and collect the rest of his stuff.

Harry took the red mittens that rested on the closet shelf, and hid them in the pockets of his jacket. If Draco came back, he wouldn't be getting the mittens, Harry decided. He knew it was petty, but he was a little desperate. He couldn't believe that Draco was actually gone. He got dressed slowly and methodically, letting his body run on automatic. He had already missed his first class, and it didn't look like he was going to make his second. He had never felt so tired in his entire life, and his headache was only getting worse.

Finally he made it out of the flat, and down the stairs to the street. His mind was elsewhere so it was only chance that kept him from stepping on Draco. Draco looked up at him from his seat on the bottom stair, his face devoid of expression. He went back to staring at the cars that were passing by.

" You need a cigarette," Harry said quietly.

" Hmm?"

" Sitting here, it just seems you need a cigarette dangling from your mouth, or something," Harry said haltingly.

" I'll take that into consideration," Draco replied coolly.

Harry took a seat next to him, feeling the cold from the stone step leeching into his body. How long had Draco been sitting here? While not exactly cold out, it wasn't the kind-of weather that encouraged lingering outdoors.

" You really scared me. I thought I'd never see you again," Harry said, voice wavering slightly.

" Yeah well, let me put your mind at ease. This is as far as I got," Draco said caustically. He kicked at an errant stone with his shoe. " This stupid stoop is as far as I fucking got. I hate it, Harry. I can bloody well see the street in front of me, I know there's nobody that can hurt me, and I still can't do it. It's ridiculous, it's absurd, and I hate it. I'm a prisoner, and this time it's me who's the jailer as well."

" Draco," Harry began slowly, " All that stuff you said yesterday, you don't really believe that's what I think, do you?" Draco didn't answer, but he didn't have to. The answer was written all over his face. " Because I don't. I think your smart, I think your strong, I think… Draco I look forward to coming home everyday because I know you'll be there, and I'm sorry if for one second I made you think that wasn't true."

Harry reached up and stroked the back of Draco's head, letting his fingers slide through the strands of his hair.

" It's what I think that's the problem," Draco said softly. " I don't feel like myself anymore. Well, sometimes I do. But then I keep getting into these situations where I realize just how dependent on you I am. And one day you'll realize that, and I'll have nothing at all."

" That's why I've been pushing you to get out more. Believe me, I would like nothing better then to keep you away in that flat all to myself, so that you won't ever find someone better then me, but I can't do that because it's too selfish. I remember what you were like in school – so much ambition and confidence. I don't want you giving up because of what Voldemort and your father did to you."

" What if I don't think I'm ready?" Draco asked. " Is this it? The end?"

Harry leaned towards him and pulled him into a hug. It took a moment, but Draco eventually turned into the embrace, finding a comfortable position.

" Draco, I didn't mean you had to start right away. In fact, if you try, and you find out that there's nothing worth having out there, that's fine too. I just don't want you to one day resent me for holding you back. That's all I was trying to say, but unfortunately I handled the situation with my usual tact and diplomacy."

" Zero tact and sensitivity," Draco retorted, some of the colour coming back into his voice.

" I admit it, I'm a moron."

Draco sighed, " And I'm a freak. I was so mad at you this morning that I was going to storm off into the sunset and never look back. I couldn't believe it when I only got this far. Thanks for not laughing when you found me."

" We see things differently, I guess. You see how close you are to the flat, I see how far. It's an improvement," Harry said.

" Yeah for me," Draco said, unenthusiastically.

" Oh you'll be out all day and all night before you know it. And I'll be sitting at home, worrying, wondering 'why doesn't he call'?" Harry said, voice melodramatic. Draco laughed.

" Speaking of mother inspired nagging, shouldn't you be at school young man?" Draco asked, standing up and brushing himself off. He held out a hand to Harry and helped the other young man to his feet.

" Yes, I should. I just wanted to make sure we were okay. We are okay, aren't we?"

Draco tucked a wind blown strand of black hair behind Harry's ear, and placed a kiss on his mouth.

" We're good," Draco replied.

" Good," Harry said, pausing to give Draco a more passionate kiss. " You going to go back inside now? You're frozen."

" I think I'll stay awhile longer and admire my progress," Draco drawled.

Harry shrugged, and turned to go. He suddenly twisted around, a strange expression on his face,

" Draco?"

" Yes?"

" Go out with me? I mean, like a real date, with me?"

Harry looked rather adorable, face flushed, and his hands twisting nervously. Draco could have made a joke, but he didn't.

" I'd like that. Where will we go?"

" I figured we would be totally cliché, and go for dinner and a movie. Why mess with tradition, right?"

" I've never been to a movie," Draco supplied.

" Really? Never?" Draco shook his head no. " Oh. Do you think you could forget that I said it was a cliché first date thing to do? Because then I could make you believe that I was oh so clever for having thought of it."

" I can't do that, Harry."

" Damn."

" If it helps, I'd never have thought of you as clever anyway," Draco said, smirk in place.

" My boyfriend, ladies and gentleman, my boyfriend," Harry said. He kissed Draco once more on the cheek before hopping off the last step happily, and walking away. With luck, he would make his third and final class of the day.

Draco stared after him, beginning to feel the cool of the step under his feet, and the bite of the wind. Not that it detracted much from his pleasant mood. His boyfriend Harry, he mused. He liked the sound of that. And, he thought, smile descending into its more familiar smirk, surely the presents got better now that they were dating?

Ugh, I know, but it had to handled, no? Still encouragement would be much appreciated. I will try to have the next chapter out early in the New Year, and believe me you'll want to read that one. To whet the appetite (and stimulate some responses): say goodbye to the 'above the belt' rule.