CHAPTER 16

DISCLAIMER: I am not the owner of any of the characters that appear in this story. They're are JKR's property and WB's too. So please don't sue me ok?
RATING: PG-13
PAIRINGS: H/D R/Herm G/N
A/N: First of all thanks for the support all my faithful readers have given me. I love you guys. You're the thing that keeps me writing. Another thing. Thanks Ohood for being there as my beta and a friend. You've been a great partner ::huggles everyone::
And well, I know I said that this was going to be the final chapter, but I still got an EPILOGUE to write. That will be the last chappie. But this is not
Hope you enjoy, because I've had a great time writing.

Last thing. I recommend you to download the song "This Ain't a love song" by Bon Jovi and Michael's Nyman "The piano" soundtrack (track 9). You'd be in the right atmosphere.

**----- ** --- thoughts
"-----" --- Normal speech


Harry couldn't believe it. He was completely shocked, paralysed. The only thing his body let him do was nod. Draco's face was immediately lit by a warm smile.

The blond boy had decided to write that letter two days ago. He was having a bad time neglecting his feelings, but the worst thing was that he knew his father would soon be coming after him. Hiding would be useless if Malfoy senior wanted to find him. He was sure of that.
He looked at Harry one more time. His green eyes were sparkling beautifully. His heart ached at that moment. Such beauty could not be human at all. But there he was, holding the hand of that ethereal creature, feeling that softness against his fingers, lingering in the magic of the moment.

Harry smiled at him, shyness soon forgotten. The Gryffindor leaded his partner to the school grounds. The hall was very crowded, and eventhough he was sure of what he felt now, he didn't want to face the world yet. He wanted that sensation to last as much as possible.
He remembered his parents for no apparent reason. Maybe this was how happiness felt like.

There were a few couples scattered around the gardens. Some of them were dancing at the music's rhythm. Swaying at a soothing pace, wrapped arms, twin smiles. It seemed that the staff had already known that this was going to happen, because a few lamp lights had been put in the grounds so the people could stay there if they felt like it.
The stands of the quidditch pitch had been decorated with silver glittering lights that contrasted against the pure darkness that threathened to invade their hearts.

Draco stopped when they reached the grey willow. He was the first one to talk:

"Surprise!" said. He was very nervous. He had thought a millions things to say if that moment arrived, but everything was gone. He could only see Harry and that was enough (though that didn't help in the slightest).

To Draco's relief and surprise, Harry started laughing.

"Nice way to start the evening Drake!" said the Gryffindor, no longer laughing, but with a broad smile on his face. That expression calmed Draco, who had been dreading Harry's reaction. "And anwering your question; no I didn't expect it to be you."

Though Harry had not said the whole truth. He knew that the possibilities of Draco being the admirer were very little, but they were still there. He'd never admit that to the Slytherin.

"I'm glad you're… ok with it" the blond was looking at his feet as of they were the most interesting thing in the world.

" To tell you the truth I'm still trying to digest the fact that you.. well… that you feel something for me… I… well.. I've had some doubts during this week…" Harry's stuttering was incredibly cute to Draco, who decided that it was time for him to free all his feelings.

"That's why I've asked you to be my partner today." The blond was tempted to tell Harry about the possibilities of him being kidnapped again, but he decided not to do it. He wanted the other boy to act on his free will, not pressured by external circumstances.

He wanted it to be real.

He preferred rejection rather than pity. For he was a Malfoy, and he'd be one until the end of the times.

Draco extended his arm asking Harry to share a dance with him. He didn't mind if it was a risky movement. The black-haired boy hesitate a instant before closing the distance between them. He was trembling slightly, and he had yet to decide what was creating this reaction, if the cold or Draco's closeness.

They both wraped their arms around each other timidly, and followed the music's rhythm.

I should have seen it coming when roses died
Should have seen the end of summer in your eyes
I should have listened when you said good night
You really meant good bye
Baby, ain't it funny, how you never ever learn to fall
You're really on your knees, when you think you're standing tall
But only fools are "know-it-alls" and I played that fool for you

I cried and I cried
There were nights that died for you baby
I tried and I tried to deny that your love drove me crazy, baby


While they danced, both remembered that night they spend together dancing in that same spot.
That night one of them ended with a shattered heart, the other with a deep confusion, when hundreds of doors where opened and would never be closed again. That night when they discover what they had, but didn't know how to act, for love is a precious but mysterious thing, that can be easily created but rarely understood.

If the love that I got for you is gone
If the river I cried ain't that long
Then I'm wrong, yeah I'm wrong, this ain't a love song

Baby, I thought you and me would stand the test of time
Like we got away with the perfect crime but
We were just a legend in my mind
I guess that I was blind
Remember those nights dancing at the masquerade
The clowns wore smiles that wouldn't fade
You and I were the renegades, some things never change


Draco closed his eyes and hummed the melody of the song. He had heard it before. It was from some muggle group that had been rumoured to have wizard origins. He smiled when he recalled what his father had said.

FLASHBACK

The Malfoy family was having dinner together and the silence reigned on the room. At least it had until Draco started humming some unknown song.
It was totally forbidden to sing while eating, that's why Narcissa wasn't surprised when his husband shouted at his son. Draco looked ashamed of himself.

**Where are my manners? I haven't realised I was doing it until now. Darn song!** he thought.

"May I need to remind you that no tune would be sung during meals little Dragon?" said Lucius with a threatening tone.

Draco only nodded and continued eating silently. He thought that the conversation would end there, but it didn't.

"And wasn't that a muggle song?" the man spatted the word like it was venom to his ears. He couldn't let his son, his dear heir, sing such a horrible thing.

Draco bit his lip. That was a hell of a night for him.
He could still hear his father's voice as vivid as ever.

END OF FLASHBACK

But he knew it was not a memory anymore when Harry tensed suddenly.
The Gryffindor didn't have time to warn the blond, because they were soon separated by a livid Lucius Malfoy. The man was so angry and betrayed, that you could see the veins in his forehead pulsating like mad.

"How could you? Little Dragon, until that meeting with our Lord I didn't know you were capable of betraying your father, your family like that. But now I know that you could sink no lower" Lucius looked at his son like he was scum. Dirt that he was going to clean even if it was the last thing he did. He had to clean the Malfoy's name.

Harry fumbled attemps to find his wand were of no use, because after a few seconds he remembered that he had left it on his dorm, due to his nervousness. He really felt like an idiot, risking his life like that. But the only think he really wanted was to save Draco from his father. He knew that Voldemort would never let go of the blond if he got a hold of him.

Draco on the other hand felt dead. His father had spoilt one of the best moments he'd had in all his life, and he hadn't even spent the entire night with his love. He didn't had enough force as to fight and defeat Lucius. He'd known that this was coming, but he had wished it wouldn't have to be that night.

"Let go of him" Harry didn't stop to think what was he doing. If he had to risk his life for Draco's sake that was it.

Lucius snorted.

"You little excuse of a wizard. Return to that school of yours and cry on your headmaster's lap. He'll know what to do." An evil laughed followed his commentary.
"I'm sure he won't be pleased to know that onw of his students will be soon made a proud Death Eater and will serve Lord Voldemort faithfully until the end of his days". Lucius tightened his grip on Draco's arm while saying this last part.

"I won't serve anyone. I won't kneel in front of anybody" Draco's words sounded dead but firm. He was convinced that he'd had to choose between life or a life of servitude, and had made his choice.

"Oh, no you'll do as I say." The oldest Malfoy looked at Hary in the eye and said:
"You won't see him again, but you'll both meet in hell once Voldemort kills you and him. Have a good night"

And with that, Lucius and his son disappeared before Harry could attack.
It wasn't until ten minutes later than he reacted. Albus Dumbledore was standing behind him with a sad expression on his face.

"We've lost another innocent life"

TO BE CONTINUED