AN: I know that everyone wants me to continue "A Very Interesting Christmas Break" and I fully intend to, but after months of being stuck with where to go in this story, it finally hit me this morning, and I had to write it all down. I may keep writing this for a little while before I get back to "Christmas Break" but don't worry, I will continue that one as well.

Deadly Secrets

After having come out in front of the whole school like we did, I have to admit that Draco and I were apprehensive to say the least. Breakfast had passed with little altercation, but we honestly didn't know if that was due to shock or not. The following few days, though, Draco and I remained inseparable. We often heard whispers that followed us around in the hallways as we walked hand in hand between classes. The Slytherins often appeared as a threat to us, whether or not they openly protested against us. Draco's flinches when we passed certain of his housemates were subtle, but I noticed them nonetheless. He tended to strengthen his grip on my hand when under the glare of any Slytherin. I was still surprised by this. Though we had made vows to each other, part of me still suspected that Draco would shun me in order to save his own pride. On the contrary, Draco seemed to cleave to me even more when faced with adversary. It remained as we originally stated, being together made us feel like we could overcome anything that came our way.

The first and last time that Draco and I had encountered any serious threat from a schoolmate was three days after we came out. Up till that point, Draco and I had been avoiding others a fair bit. We would openly be affectionate in public, but more often than not, we would hide ourselves away either in our rooms or in any secluded spot we could. I was stunned one night when Draco pulled me into the Slytherin commons room and sat me down on one of the couches next to him. We had planned to do homework together and I had assumed that we would do it in his room, not right in the midst of almost all the Slytherins. The disbelief of Draco's gall was apparent on his housemates faces. I tried not to show my fear and scooted even closed to Draco. I suspected a mass attack involving the lynching of both Draco and I. Only of Draco's housemates approached us, though, a sixth year who, despite being a year beneath us, was much larger, and I suspected older.

"Draco," the boy spat with disgust, "I knew you were a fucking traitor but I figured there were limits to how far you would go to bring disgrace to your name and house. Or are you even still calling yourself a Malfoy? Have you even told your father about your little girlfriend? I'm quite sure he'd disown you in a heartbeat. That is…if he hasn't done so already. Last I heard, your daddy dearest was looking for a new heir. I don't blame him in the least. I can't imagine that a faggot would make a very good heir. That should be reason enough, I'd wager, even if it weren't for the fact that you're nothing better than a pathetic whelp who'd sell his father's secrets to save his own neck. I don't wonder that he'd probably make me his heir as reward if I managed to off you for him. I think I may go ahead and find out."

Draco said nothing, but I felt his grip on my hand tighten. When I glanced over at him, though, I realized that it was more a result of his anger than him searching for support. I noticed his other hand reaching for his wand and I pulled out mine as well.

Before anything could happen, though, Snape came storming up to the three of us, fuming with anger. My heart sank when I realized what this might look like. I was pointing my wand straight at the Slytherin boy and neither Draco nor he had taken their wands out yet. I cringed in anticipation of the ensuing tirade from the head of Slytherin House. When it came I was stunned to realize that for once, it was not directed at me.

"Mr Malfoy," Snape roared, "I have told you before that this sort of behavior is not to be tolerated. Come with me this instant. We shall see what the Headmaster thinks of all this."

I impulsively leaned into Draco, partially shielding him with my body, but I soon realized that my actions were needless. Snape had already grabbed the other boy by his arm and was dragging him away, leaving Draco and myself long forgotten. I was about to inquire just what had happened, when Draco jumped up from the couch, pulling me with him as he ran out of the commons room and towards his bedroom. Once in his room, he finally let go of my hand and threw himself down on the bed.

I was completely stunned and at a loss for words. It suddenly occurred to me how little I knew about Draco. I had seen him, beaten and bloodied by his father's hand, but I had never asked why he had been beaten. I just had assumed that his father was an asshole, like Dudely was. I had undergone years of beatings from him, having done nothing to deserve it; it didn't occur to me that there was more to the story than what Draco had told me.

I knelt down on the bed next to Draco and saw that he was crying. When I placed my hand on the side of his face and brushed his tears with my thumb, he flinched a little, but otherwise permitted the touch.

"Draco….my love, do you want to talk about it?" was all I spoke

Draco looked up at me and moved so that his head was in my lap. I wanted for him to open up to me, but I would never force his confidence, so I sat patiently waiting, gently brushing my fingers through his hair. It seemed like we sat there for hours, with Draco silently sobbing in my lap. Though we were in the dungeon, there were high windows up on the walls that let me know that it had gotten dark on us. When I looked down at Draco I realized that he had fallen asleep. I was contemplating whether I should leave him to sleep or not when I knock came at the door. I was too shocked to be able to answer, but the door opened anyway and Professor Snape entered.

My first reaction was to make excuses for why I should be in the Slytherin dorms at this time of night, for it was definitely past curfew. Snape silenced me with a curt wave of his hand, making it clear that his interest lay in the boy asleep in my lap.

"Is he all right?" he asked with uncommon gentleness.

"I'm not sure, I tried to ask him about it, but he hasn't spoken a word. He's been crying for what seems like hours and he only just fell asleep."

"You do know of what happened between him and his father?"

"I…I know that his father beat him. A week and a half ago I healed him myself, but…he never told me exactly what had happened."

Snape sighed. "I don't know that he'll want me to be telling you this, but you ought to know. Part of the success in Voldemort's downfall was due to information we received from Draco. The general theory among a large amount of the Dark Lord's supporters is that Draco sold his fathers secrets in exchange for his own immunity. When word of this got out, Draco was despised by wizards on both sides of the battle. Naturally, the Dark Wizards wanted his head on a stake as the information he gave not only resulted in Voldemort's ruin, but in the death and imprisonment of many of his followers. That boy who threatened Draco today is Draco's cousin, Octavius Malfoy. He was entirely sincere in his threat to Draco. Octavius' father is currently in Azkaban for life due to the information received from Draco. So far the only reason that Draco's own father hasn't killed him is the fact that he is his only heir. If word does get to Lucius Malfoy that Draco is gay then the threat to his life will be even greater and he will no doubt be looking for a replacement heir, most likely Octavius."

I was overwhelmed by what Snape had told me already, yet I found myself asking for even more information.

"You said that Draco was despised by both sides. Why would the light side despise him if his information helped our success?"

"Not everyone believes that Draco is entirely innocent. There are those who even now believe that he should be sent to Azkaban. He requested immunity and was granted it by Dumbledore, but most believed that he would defect and return to the Dark Lord's side just as easily as he turned to ours. "

"They can't send him to Azkaban! I'd sooner die then let them take him. And as for the fear that he would defect, Draco would never do that! I've seen what he's suffered at his father's hand; there's no way he'd return to that sort of abuse!"

Snape smiled strangely down at me. "I wasn't entirely sure at Draco's wisdom in choosing you as a partner, Harry Potter; the threat on his life no doubt has doubled because of it, from both sides. I think, though, that my apprehension was unfounded. There are very few people left in the world who see any good in Draco Malfoy, from either Gryffindor or Slytherin. He is doubly fortunate in finding not only one of the few young men with faith in him, yet also perhaps the only young man pigheaded enough to believe that he can protect his lover from angry foes on both sides of an unfortunate war."

Snape turned to leave, but before he managed to slip out I called out after him.

"Professor, what is going to happen to that boy…Draco's cousin?"

"I had him expelled for a blatant threat on a classmate's life. If the only help I can offer Draco is to ensure his safety while in his own dorms, then I will do that much. I will leave the rest to you." With that said, Snape, much to my astonishment, bid Draco and myself goodnight.

Once again alone with Draco, I leaned down to place a kiss on his forehead. I was very much surprised, though, to find him looking up at me.

"Draco, how long have you been awake?"

"Through the whole conversation. You haven't really mastered the art of whispering, you know."

"You…you aren't upset are you? That Snape told me those things?"

"No, I'm glad you know. I was afraid of telling you myself, though. I thought you might assume that I was taking advantage of you…using you for protection or proof that I wouldn't defect or something."

"I'd never think that of you. Besides, the war is over, my love. There's nothing to defect from. But if it's all right with you, I think I'll go on protecting you anyway. Is there really no one in Slytherin you can trust?"

"No, there's still those who never joined the Dark side. Probably more than people realize. It sometimes makes no difference how many Slytherins are on your side, though, cause they generally are too pissed scared to admit it. They all know that there are those who want me dead and they probably all figure that standing up for me will get them killed as well."

"Well who needs them anyway. I'll always stand up for you. And more likely than not I'll send all of your foes home in a matchbox."

"Harry, have I told you that I love you?"

"Not in the past three hours, no."

"I love you."

I answered with a single kiss on his lips.

"Do you love me?"

I smiled down at him. "You know I love you, more than anything, more than anyone."

"I want to hear you say it."

"I love you, Draco."

"Make love to me, please."

"Are you sure? I thought you wanted to wait."

"I have waited, three whole days. Every day felt like a year. And every second I wait now feels like an eternity."

"You always have had a way of exaggerating things, haven't you?"

"You don't believe me? I swear I'll die if you don't make love to me!" He spoke melodramatically, with the back of his hand across his forehead as if he were swooning.

I laughed as he had intended to make me do, but at the same time I recognized the seriousness behind his actions. I could see that he was afraid that I didn't want him.

"I think, Draco, that I'll just have to make love to you, to save both our lives."

I saw relief flood across his face in the split second before he pulled me down on top of him, capturing my mouth in his. Despite the desperation I know we both felt, our movements never became rushed. We removed each other's clothes with slow, deliberate precision. Our bodies moved against each other with the ease and grace usually only allowed to long time practiced lovers. No one could say that we two did not belong together. Our desperation was shown in the perfection that we created in our love making. Draco came, whispering my name over and over as I spilled my seed deep within him. Even after we came, we could not part. Having once joined, we could not bear to be separated. We lay in each other's arms, myself still buried inside my lover, until we fell asleep.