Two days later:
Harry lay in his four-poster staring up at the canopy above and wishing that he could go back and change what had happened over the last couple of days.
~~~~~~~~
After sending his letter to Sirius, explaining all about his relationship with Draco and what had happened when he taken Draco's hand to pull him away from the Slytherin's and what Dumbledore had told him in his office, he had felt considerably better – that was until he had gone to visit Draco in the hospital wing.
When Harry had arrived he had been surprised to discover that Draco was not alone. As he approached Draco's bed he saw a figure standing next to the bed, leaning over and talking quietly to Draco. Obviously hearing Harry's footsteps, the figure raised his head and turned to face Harry. Harry gasped when he saw who it was. – Lucius Malfoy was standing next to his son, his hand on Draco's shoulder, a cold glint in his eyes.
"How very nice to see you Harry." He said coldly, moving slowly towards Harry in an almost predatory fashion. Harry found himself backing away as Lucius approached; there was something about the look in Lucius' eyes that unnerved him.
"Is there a problem Harry? I thought you had come here to see my son but now you seem to have changed your mind." Lucius tone was mocking, his eyes flashed with cruel amusement. Harry tried to look at Draco but Lucius was blocking his view.
"I just thought that maybe I should come back later, you are obviously busy." Harry said quickly, he caught Draco's expression; it looked pained as if the last thing he wanted was to be left alone with his father. Harry steeled himself to remain.
"Actually Harry your appearance is most convenient." Lucius smiled but the smile did not reach his eyes. "You see I am here because one of Draco's housemates felt it appropriate to shall we say – bring me up to speed regarding your relationship with my son. Also I must admit I am intrigued by the story I was told regarding some sort of shield forming around the two of you. Now why would something like that happen?" He looked at Harry; eyebrows raised questioningly, a small smile forming on his lips.
Harry looked Lucius directly in the eyes. "I don't know why it happened." He lied, with not a trace of discomfort.
"Oh come now Harry, you can do better than that. You do know what happened. That Muggle-loving fool, Albus Dumbledore is bound to have told you and as Draco's father I have the right to know."
"Why don't you ask Dumbledore then?" Harry said defiantly, he saw Draco grin at him over his father's shoulder.
"Because I'm asking you boy. Now answer me!" Lucius' raised his voice and Harry could see pink patches forming on his cheeks just as they did on Draco's when he got angry.
At that moment, the door to Draco's room opened and Madam Pomfrey bustled in carrying a tray with some soup and sandwiches on it.
"What is all this noise about? Can't you see this is a hospital wing?" She glared angrily at the three of them as she set the tray down on Draco's bedside table.
"If you can't behave in a manner appropriate to this environment, I suggest you leave Mr Malfoy. You can return when you feel able to conduct yourself with more decorum."
Lucius looked livid but didn't say anything; instead he picked up his travelling cloak and stalked towards the door. When he reached it he stopped and turned to face Draco and Harry.
"This discussion is not over. I will be back very soon, you mark my words." With that he turned on his heel and left the room.
Madam Pomfrey winked at Draco before leaving the room herself.
When she had gone, Draco reached over and grabbed Harry's hand.
"Dumbledore came to see me, he told me about what the force field was, pretty amazing hey?" Draco's eyes were shining; he seemed to be very happy considering that his father had just left.
"Did your father ask you about it too?" Harry asked, kissing Draco's fingertips.
"Yes but I wouldn't tell him anything, that is why he was so keen for you to tell him. Sorry about that."
"That's all right, I'm sorry I almost left you alone with him. I was just a little taken aback that's all." Harry bent down and kissed Draco softly, he felt Draco's lips part underneath his and could not resist sliding his tongue into Draco's warm mouth. Draco groaned beneath him as their kiss deepened, pulling Harry closer to him until Harry was practically lying on top of him. With a sigh, Harry pulled away, Draco looked faintly annoyed.
"I'm sorry Drac. It's just that Madam Pomfrey could come in at any minute and I can't see her being too pleased about finding us… well you know." Harry trailed off blushing. Draco grinned ferally and pulled Harry back down on top of him. Harry tried to protest but not very hard because he was enjoying the feel of Draco's mouth on his not to mention what Draco's hands were doing to his body.
The door to Draco's room opened again and Harry and Draco jumped apart – faces glowing.
Lucius Malfoy strode into the room and smiled cruelly at the pair of them as he approached the bed.
"I have ensured that we will not be disturbed – that meddling Pomfrey woman has been dealt with. So you can tell me all about that spell the two of you managed to conjure earlier." Lucius' expression was menacing as he loomed over the bed.
"So which of you is going to tell me?" Lucius smiled evilly and pointed his wand at Harry. Instinct took over and Draco reached towards Harry and took his hand. As his hand made contact with Harry, the same shield of light formed around the two of them. Lucius expression changed from anger to delight. He smirked down at his son and Harry, before muttering a couple of words under his breath. His spell hit the field of light and rebounded back towards him, he ducked and the spell missed him. When he raised his head he was smiling.
"This is very interesting isn't it?"
Inside the protection field Harry tightened his hold on Draco's hand and Draco smiled.
Lucius tried a few more spells and when they too rebounded back his smile widened.
"You see to have activated some kind of protection spell. This could be very useful."
Draco leant over and whispered in Harry's ear. "What do you think he means?" Harry shrugged.
"He seems surprisingly pleased doesn't he?" He whispered back. The two boys watched as Lucius replaced his wand and got to his feet.
"Well now that I know what this spell is, I'll be going but I wouldn't get too comfortable, this little dalliance won't last much longer. I suggest you enjoy it while you can." Lucius' tone was threatening, his expression steely. He turned on his heel and left the room without so much as a backward glance.
Harry turned to Draco. "I'd better get going too, will you be all right?" Draco nodded and Harry got to his feet.
"I have to talk to Ron and Hermione sooner or later." Harry's expression was pensive. "Did they say anything to you when they brought you up here?"
"No, Ron looked like he was in shock and Hermione looked pretty smug actually, like she had been the one to cast the spell or something. They didn't stay very long, I don't think any of us really knew what to say."
"Oh well I'd better go and face the music. Ron will have probably got over his shock by now and will be ready to practice all his worst hexes on me. But then again maybe it won't be that bad, maybe he'll just use his fists instead."
"Don't worry Harry, they're your friends they'll listen to you, it will be okay." Draco smiled reassuringly and Harry nodded.
"You're probably right. Still I can't help worrying that Ron will want to kill me for upsetting his little sister, they're a really close family you know and she is the only girl, they're all really protective of her." To Harry's surprise Draco was grinning.
"I know what it feels like to be on the receiving end of a Weasley fist remember, but I'm sure it won't come to that, anyway I've also been on the receiving end of your fist and you punch harder." Harry grinned and bent down to kiss Draco, who returned the kiss enthusiastically.
"I wish I could be." He said, "I'll come and see you again tomorrow. Sleep well love." Harry picked up his wand, which was lying on Draco's bedside cabinet and left the room.
Harry made his way back to Gryffindor Tower with not a little trepidation. He reached the portrait hole, gave the Fat Lady the password and climbed through.
As soon as he was inside, a group of people rushed towards him all questioning him excitedly.
"What happened earlier Harry?" "Is Malfoy really your boyfriend?" "What's going on?"
Harry made his way through the throng of people, heading towards the boys' dormitory, hoping he would find Ron there.