Dedications: As always Andrew, who will never get around to reading my work and Lady Al who helps me write it. And hey, updated now so you'd better update your fics soon!!
Guess what? Still don't own Harry Potter or Buffy/Angel. Only the elementals are mine. So don't sue ok, I'm broke enough as it is!!
Cheers to all me reviewers, especially WychFire who sent me the best two pages long review I've ever read! All you guys are the best, need more though!! Honest, it only takes a second and it makes my day!
Chapter 7
Harry followed Water and Fire as they strode towards Dumbledore's office. Without bothering to knock Fire raised one hand and the door flew open. The 2 figures within the room spun towards the door and Harry felt Draco, who was coming up behind him stiffen in shock. Sitting at his desk, was Dumbledore, his customary look of calm innocence etched upon his face. Interrupted mid stride by Fire's entrance was a tall blonde man Harry instantly recognised as Lucius Malfoy, Draco's father. Water sauntered into the room and sat lazily on the chair opposite Dumbledore, propping her feet on his desk. The high heels of her boots cracked loudly against the ancient wood, breaking the stunned silence. Turning to Malfoy elder a slow smile curved her lips. Raising an elegant eyebrow she waited for him to acknowledge her presence. As was expected of an aristocrat such as himself Lucius bowed slightly and took her hand. Raising it to his lips he smirked oily.
"Charmed to make your acquaintance miss...?"
"Aqua. Roxanne Aqua," Water purred. Fire rolled her eyes. "Nice to know some things remain consistent."
Water grinned at her. Fire grinned back before continuing. "I'll just fetch the others before I throw up, be right back." Water nodded, already turning her attention back to Malfoy. He smiled at her once more.
"So, what brings a fair beauty such as you self to such a backwards place as this."
"My business is my own Mr Malfoy, surely a gentleman such as yourself should know never to pry into a lady's affairs?" Once again her eyebrow arched in question.
"Of course, forgive me my dear. I was just leaving, Professor Dumbledore has proven most unhelpful." This last statement was spat out with poisonous venom.
"And what may I ask is the dear Professor being unhelpful about?" Water's voice never lost her seductive purr, but Harry saw her eyes glance across at Dumbledore, who met her quick gaze.
"I am simply asking for a wrong to be put right, my son and I have had some disagreements of late and I am asking for some time alone with him at Christmas. A time, surely to be spent among family."
"Mr Malfoy, why don't you give me some time with the Professor, I'm sure I will be able to sort this misunderstanding out." Water smiled softly. "I'll contact you when the decision is made."
"My lady, you are both wise and beautiful, I wish you every success with this old fool." With that Lucius bowed over her hand once more. Harry turned as the door to the headmaster's office opened and all the teachers were standing there, the other elementals barely containing their smirks. Lucius seemed put out by this interruption. "And now my lady, I must take my leave." Water nodded in acknowledgement before Lucius swept out of the room. Water breathed in sharply.
"Albus, if you let Draco go, he'll die"
"Still got it huh girl?" Earth was openly laughing now.
Water grinned, "Had you any doubt?"
Fire snorted in disgust. "How you could do that, I have no idea"
"What? How?" Harry stammered.
"You ever heard of the seductive powers of evil?" Earth asked. Harry nodded dumbly. "Well, it goes like this, beings of weak minds and evil intent are drawn to those of great power, like us."
"So that explains why newborn vampires always try and attack you first?" Buffy asked.
"They're attracted to our auras, for reasons they cannot understand. Older vampires recognise the darkness as a sign of power, but the weak, less experienced are drawn to it like a moth to a flame" Water interjected.
"Precisely." Earth continued. "That lets their guard down, allows them to be manipulated."
"We have telepathic skills anyway," Air added. "We can read what's on your mind, but no deeper than that, it's far too guarded."
"Except, if seduced by our darkness." Fire finished. "Though it is a filthy way to get information, How you can do it so often?" She asked Water who shrugged in reply. "How can you not?" Fire sighed angrily and sat on the chair next to Water, reaching inside her jacket. Drawing out a battered packet of cigarettes she passed one to Spike over her shoulder before lighting one her self. Inhaling deeply she glared at Water, who stared pointedly back
"Anyway," Air interrupted, sensing an argument. "Believe my sister in what she says Albus, she speaks the truth."
"What did you see?" Snape asked Water.
Water shuddered slightly. "Things that will scar me for life. I mean re arrange these words, Voldemort, personal and whore." She pulled a face making gagging noises.
Snape looked nauseous. "I meant, what did you see of any use, not the private life of a deatheater."
Water grinned momentarily before looking grimly at Dumbledore. "Malfoy want Draco home for Christmas to give him one last chance to join with Voldemort. If he refuses he'll be.." She hesitated. "Persuaded until he dies. You cannot agree to this."
"Don't I get a say in this?" Draco sounded remarkably calm under the circumstances.
"And what say would you like to have?" Dumbledore looked solemnly at Draco.
Draco took a deep breath. "I won't join with Voldemort, I was er... kinda put off for life when.." He looked slightly green. "Well, lets just say, what Water said, wasn't exactly a surprise. I know of my father's intimate relations with Voldemort. But maybe, by going home, I can get some information, something that will help us defeat Voldemort once and for all."
"No."
"Why not?" Draco looked at Snape. "You did."
"This is a completely different situation, you have not done anything wrong, I on the other hand..." Snape tailed off, leaving the sentence unfinished.
"I'll do it." Water sighed. "I'll screw the bad guys, get the info."
Fire curled up her lip in disgust, stubbing out her cigarette onto Dumbledore's desk. Dumbledore looked bemused at Water. "And what makes you think you will get into the Malfoy manor?"
Water shrugged. "I'll offer to accompany Draco, that way I can make sure he's safe." She smiled slightly. "And I don't think it will take much to persuade a weak minded fool, no offence Draco, to allow me in."
"Why?" McGonagall seemed sceptical. Water dropped her gaze for the first time. "We all got something to atone for." She muttered while the other elementals looked at her sharply. Dumbledore smiled benignly, "My dear, you are quite sure what it is you are undertaking."
"Quite sure, I will owl Malfoy Manor immediately, Christmas is only a week away. I will tell Lucius that Draco may go home for a few days, and that I would be honoured to accept his invitation to stay as well."
"What invitation?" Hermione asked.
"The one he offered me just now," Water grinned evilly. "I love manipulating the weak minded, never get tired of it."
"Very well, you may send one of the school owls." Dumbledore closed the matter with a finality that alarmed Harry. Water turned to go before a cough from Xander reminded her why they had come to Dumbledore's office to begin with. "Oh yeah, almost forgot, we encountered some dementors in the Friary Centre, killed them though, don't worry." McGonagall made a strangled noise in the back of her throat. Dumbledore sat up sharply. "Dementors?"
"Real ugly things with cloaks try and suck out your soul. Yep, pretty sure they were Dementors" Fire said sharply.
Water frowned. "Sweetie, you've been hanging with me too long, you're starting to steal my sarcastic streak."
"Don't worry, I'll never develop your slut streak."
"I'm not even going to answer that, there are too many names I could mention."
Fire simply looked at Water. "Babes, you're planning on sleeping with a mortal to get info. I think that qualifies you way more than me in the slut department."
"Aww, come on, it's been ages since I had a good screw. Or any kind of screw come to think about it. Give me a break ok?"
"Fine," Fire muttered. "Slut."
Water glared at Fire. Air simply rolled his eyes and looked across at Earth. "You ever feel like some kind of referee with these two?"
"Ever? Try all the time! Damn, you two need to sort out your political differences. These guys will think you hate each other or something."
Water and Fire both looked surprised. "We don't hate each other," Water sounded bewildered.
"Nah, I love this girl, she's like my sister." Fire responded.
"And we look out for each other, you know."
"Precisely. I mean, I'm just worried Water will get hurt that's all."
"Aww, thanks babes, nice to know you care," Water grinned, Fire grinned back.
"Much as I hate to brake up this Hallmark moment, can we please focus before I loose my lunch?" Spike drawled. Harry was suddenly reminded of Draco as he stared at the blonde vampire. He had lit another cigarette and was handing one to Fire, who clicked her fingers sending a shot of flame towards the ceiling. Using it to light her cigarette she inhaled deeply. "You just have no soul."
"Neither do you guys, but that doesn't seem to stop you."
"Anyway," Water interrupted. "Dementors, evil, kill, kill, kill. Don't worry we handled it."
"We kicked their ugly arses!" Fire exclaimed. Water grinned. "Yeah, that was fun. Very cool."
Buffy smiled indulgently. "Remind me to take you guys on patrol with me more often, you need to fight more."
"Just say the word!" Fire half yelled.
"And bring us with you!" Earth looked like an excited puppy; hope gleaming in his deep brown eyes. Air reached over and hugged the smaller man, who smiled back at him.
"I'll interrupt now, you two go get a room!" Xander exclaimed.
The two male elementals laughed. "As you asked so nicely," Earth said, right before he left the room, dragging Air behind him.
Water sighed. "Well, that's them busy for the next few hours. Fire and me will fill them in later."
Dumbledore chuckled. "Very well, I think that is all for now. Water if you would care to make arrangements for visiting the Malfoy's with Draco. As for the rest of you I think that is all for now. The dementors were an unexpected development, but none the less it was coped with very well. I shall be contacting our magical allies to update them on this. Harry, do you have any message for Remus Lupin and Snuffles when I owl them?"
Harry blinked, surprised. "No professor, just send them my best. I'll owl them myself if there is anything else."
"Very well. Mr Giles if you would care to contact your people in Los Angels I'm sure they would be most interested to gear of this development."
"Sure," Xander interjected. "I mean, we have no problem facing the dementors, we just send Cordy after them while we all go get pizza!"
Harry looked around them room. Everyone else save the DADA teachers looked mystified. Everyone else was smiling with glee. Dumbledore cleared his throat. "Quite. Now I believe we all have lessons to go to, that will be all."
Everyone slowly filed their way out of Dumbledore's office. Harry tried to catch Draco's eyes. He seemed paler than normal, staring at the floor. Harry felt a surge of panic at the thought of what Draco was going to do. Spend time at Malfoy Manor, was Dumbledore insane? Draco would get himself killed. Harry wasn't sure how he managed to stumble his way to potions, or survive the entire lesson with Snape bearing down on him throughout. He remembered Ron and Hermione's worried gazes and Pansy's sneering laughs as Snape took 10 points from Gryffindor for not paying attention. After what felt like a lifetime Harry finally managed to collapse in the Common room with the others. He sat dully as Hermione filled the others in on what had happened in Dumbledore's office.
"Is Draco insane?" Ron exclaimed.
"What about Water's sanity, or Dumbledore's for letting them?" Dean added, drawing Seamus close. Seamus put a comforting arm around Dean. "I'm sure it will be ok," He said, the paleness of his face betraying the confidence of his voice. "Water will protect Draco. You know how powerful she is. They'll both be fine." Harry nodded dumbly. He couldn't speak. Ron bit his lip and whispered into Hermione's ear. She nodded and stood up, motioning for the others to go with her, leaving Ron alone with his best friend.
"Harry?" Harry looked up for the first time since leaving Dumbledore's office. Ron sighed. "Seamus is right you know, it'll be ok. Ma..Draco will be ok."
Harry smiled at Ron's slip. He appreciated Ron calling Draco by his first name. "But Ron, what if it's not? Draco's already been hurt once this term, and the ones who did it haven't been caught. What if something else happens? What if Draco dies without me ever telling him how I..." He stopped sharply.
"Without telling him how you feel?" Ron smiled sadly as Harry looked away. "Then maybe you should get the guts to tell him. Harry, I don't pretend to understand why he hell, of all the guys at Hogwarts you had to fall for him, but you have and I accept that. And if something happens and Draco never finds out how you feel, you will regret that for the rest of your life. I mean, if you tell him, what's the worst that could happen?"
"He hates me and never comes near me again except to make fun of me," Harry mumbled.
"So what's new there?"
Harry smiled. "You're right, I should tell him, convince him not to go to the Malfoy Manor."
"Totally. I mean, don't ever repeat this, he's not that bad when he's not being such an arse!"
"Ronald Weasley, was that you just admitting that you don't find Draco that bad?" Harry grinned.
"You ever repeat that and I will curse you into a rat and make you spend the rest of your life as my pet to be used in any experimental spells I have to do."
Harry laughed. "Your secret dies with me."
"Good, now bed? I'm exhausted, been a long day."
"Giles and Air hard task masters?" Harry asked, referring to the DADA lesson that seemed like a life time ago, but had in fact only been this morning.
Ron groaned. "You have no idea. Scary thing is how much Giles reminds me of Mione. Damn!"
Harry laughed. "Come on then, we have Care of magical creatures tomorrow, if you're too tired you're likely to lose something. Like a limb."
The boys both went up to their room, Harry resolving to talk to Draco at the nearest opportunity. To his dismay however the week leading up to Christmas and Draco's imminent departure fled by without a single chance to speak to Draco alone. Before he knew it, it was the morning he'd been dreading. Draco would leave in less than an hour to go home.
Harry woke in a panic, and ran, heedless of his roommates' sleepy amazement to entrance Hall where Draco was waiting to leave.
"Draco." He turned at the sound of his name being called. A small smile curved his lips as he saw the famous Harry Potter standing at the top of the staircase staring pitifully down at him.
"Couldn't let me leave without saying good bye, Potter?" He drawled.
You don't have to do this." Draco tried not to gulp as Harry came slowly down the stairs. The concern in his green eyes burned into Draco, who looked away.
"I don't expect you to understand."
"Please don't do this." The pleading in Harry's voice almost brought tears to Draco's eyes. He smiled ruefully. Leaning forward he placed the softest of kisses on Harry's mouth. As Harry gasped he pulled back slightly. "See you when I get back."
Hehehe, I love leaving things on a cliffhanger! What will happen to Draco? What was meant by that kiss? Will Water sleep with Lucius? Well, as I already have about half of the new chapter written up you won't have long to find out....if enough people review. Don't ya'll just love blackmail! So go on, I feed reviews to my muse fairy, Rhianne who gives me all my ideas, and she needs reviews to survive! All flames go to my muse gremlin Elvis, who is the demon inside my computer, and creates havoc. Love you all!
Guess what? Still don't own Harry Potter or Buffy/Angel. Only the elementals are mine. So don't sue ok, I'm broke enough as it is!!
Cheers to all me reviewers, especially WychFire who sent me the best two pages long review I've ever read! All you guys are the best, need more though!! Honest, it only takes a second and it makes my day!
Chapter 7
Harry followed Water and Fire as they strode towards Dumbledore's office. Without bothering to knock Fire raised one hand and the door flew open. The 2 figures within the room spun towards the door and Harry felt Draco, who was coming up behind him stiffen in shock. Sitting at his desk, was Dumbledore, his customary look of calm innocence etched upon his face. Interrupted mid stride by Fire's entrance was a tall blonde man Harry instantly recognised as Lucius Malfoy, Draco's father. Water sauntered into the room and sat lazily on the chair opposite Dumbledore, propping her feet on his desk. The high heels of her boots cracked loudly against the ancient wood, breaking the stunned silence. Turning to Malfoy elder a slow smile curved her lips. Raising an elegant eyebrow she waited for him to acknowledge her presence. As was expected of an aristocrat such as himself Lucius bowed slightly and took her hand. Raising it to his lips he smirked oily.
"Charmed to make your acquaintance miss...?"
"Aqua. Roxanne Aqua," Water purred. Fire rolled her eyes. "Nice to know some things remain consistent."
Water grinned at her. Fire grinned back before continuing. "I'll just fetch the others before I throw up, be right back." Water nodded, already turning her attention back to Malfoy. He smiled at her once more.
"So, what brings a fair beauty such as you self to such a backwards place as this."
"My business is my own Mr Malfoy, surely a gentleman such as yourself should know never to pry into a lady's affairs?" Once again her eyebrow arched in question.
"Of course, forgive me my dear. I was just leaving, Professor Dumbledore has proven most unhelpful." This last statement was spat out with poisonous venom.
"And what may I ask is the dear Professor being unhelpful about?" Water's voice never lost her seductive purr, but Harry saw her eyes glance across at Dumbledore, who met her quick gaze.
"I am simply asking for a wrong to be put right, my son and I have had some disagreements of late and I am asking for some time alone with him at Christmas. A time, surely to be spent among family."
"Mr Malfoy, why don't you give me some time with the Professor, I'm sure I will be able to sort this misunderstanding out." Water smiled softly. "I'll contact you when the decision is made."
"My lady, you are both wise and beautiful, I wish you every success with this old fool." With that Lucius bowed over her hand once more. Harry turned as the door to the headmaster's office opened and all the teachers were standing there, the other elementals barely containing their smirks. Lucius seemed put out by this interruption. "And now my lady, I must take my leave." Water nodded in acknowledgement before Lucius swept out of the room. Water breathed in sharply.
"Albus, if you let Draco go, he'll die"
"Still got it huh girl?" Earth was openly laughing now.
Water grinned, "Had you any doubt?"
Fire snorted in disgust. "How you could do that, I have no idea"
"What? How?" Harry stammered.
"You ever heard of the seductive powers of evil?" Earth asked. Harry nodded dumbly. "Well, it goes like this, beings of weak minds and evil intent are drawn to those of great power, like us."
"So that explains why newborn vampires always try and attack you first?" Buffy asked.
"They're attracted to our auras, for reasons they cannot understand. Older vampires recognise the darkness as a sign of power, but the weak, less experienced are drawn to it like a moth to a flame" Water interjected.
"Precisely." Earth continued. "That lets their guard down, allows them to be manipulated."
"We have telepathic skills anyway," Air added. "We can read what's on your mind, but no deeper than that, it's far too guarded."
"Except, if seduced by our darkness." Fire finished. "Though it is a filthy way to get information, How you can do it so often?" She asked Water who shrugged in reply. "How can you not?" Fire sighed angrily and sat on the chair next to Water, reaching inside her jacket. Drawing out a battered packet of cigarettes she passed one to Spike over her shoulder before lighting one her self. Inhaling deeply she glared at Water, who stared pointedly back
"Anyway," Air interrupted, sensing an argument. "Believe my sister in what she says Albus, she speaks the truth."
"What did you see?" Snape asked Water.
Water shuddered slightly. "Things that will scar me for life. I mean re arrange these words, Voldemort, personal and whore." She pulled a face making gagging noises.
Snape looked nauseous. "I meant, what did you see of any use, not the private life of a deatheater."
Water grinned momentarily before looking grimly at Dumbledore. "Malfoy want Draco home for Christmas to give him one last chance to join with Voldemort. If he refuses he'll be.." She hesitated. "Persuaded until he dies. You cannot agree to this."
"Don't I get a say in this?" Draco sounded remarkably calm under the circumstances.
"And what say would you like to have?" Dumbledore looked solemnly at Draco.
Draco took a deep breath. "I won't join with Voldemort, I was er... kinda put off for life when.." He looked slightly green. "Well, lets just say, what Water said, wasn't exactly a surprise. I know of my father's intimate relations with Voldemort. But maybe, by going home, I can get some information, something that will help us defeat Voldemort once and for all."
"No."
"Why not?" Draco looked at Snape. "You did."
"This is a completely different situation, you have not done anything wrong, I on the other hand..." Snape tailed off, leaving the sentence unfinished.
"I'll do it." Water sighed. "I'll screw the bad guys, get the info."
Fire curled up her lip in disgust, stubbing out her cigarette onto Dumbledore's desk. Dumbledore looked bemused at Water. "And what makes you think you will get into the Malfoy manor?"
Water shrugged. "I'll offer to accompany Draco, that way I can make sure he's safe." She smiled slightly. "And I don't think it will take much to persuade a weak minded fool, no offence Draco, to allow me in."
"Why?" McGonagall seemed sceptical. Water dropped her gaze for the first time. "We all got something to atone for." She muttered while the other elementals looked at her sharply. Dumbledore smiled benignly, "My dear, you are quite sure what it is you are undertaking."
"Quite sure, I will owl Malfoy Manor immediately, Christmas is only a week away. I will tell Lucius that Draco may go home for a few days, and that I would be honoured to accept his invitation to stay as well."
"What invitation?" Hermione asked.
"The one he offered me just now," Water grinned evilly. "I love manipulating the weak minded, never get tired of it."
"Very well, you may send one of the school owls." Dumbledore closed the matter with a finality that alarmed Harry. Water turned to go before a cough from Xander reminded her why they had come to Dumbledore's office to begin with. "Oh yeah, almost forgot, we encountered some dementors in the Friary Centre, killed them though, don't worry." McGonagall made a strangled noise in the back of her throat. Dumbledore sat up sharply. "Dementors?"
"Real ugly things with cloaks try and suck out your soul. Yep, pretty sure they were Dementors" Fire said sharply.
Water frowned. "Sweetie, you've been hanging with me too long, you're starting to steal my sarcastic streak."
"Don't worry, I'll never develop your slut streak."
"I'm not even going to answer that, there are too many names I could mention."
Fire simply looked at Water. "Babes, you're planning on sleeping with a mortal to get info. I think that qualifies you way more than me in the slut department."
"Aww, come on, it's been ages since I had a good screw. Or any kind of screw come to think about it. Give me a break ok?"
"Fine," Fire muttered. "Slut."
Water glared at Fire. Air simply rolled his eyes and looked across at Earth. "You ever feel like some kind of referee with these two?"
"Ever? Try all the time! Damn, you two need to sort out your political differences. These guys will think you hate each other or something."
Water and Fire both looked surprised. "We don't hate each other," Water sounded bewildered.
"Nah, I love this girl, she's like my sister." Fire responded.
"And we look out for each other, you know."
"Precisely. I mean, I'm just worried Water will get hurt that's all."
"Aww, thanks babes, nice to know you care," Water grinned, Fire grinned back.
"Much as I hate to brake up this Hallmark moment, can we please focus before I loose my lunch?" Spike drawled. Harry was suddenly reminded of Draco as he stared at the blonde vampire. He had lit another cigarette and was handing one to Fire, who clicked her fingers sending a shot of flame towards the ceiling. Using it to light her cigarette she inhaled deeply. "You just have no soul."
"Neither do you guys, but that doesn't seem to stop you."
"Anyway," Water interrupted. "Dementors, evil, kill, kill, kill. Don't worry we handled it."
"We kicked their ugly arses!" Fire exclaimed. Water grinned. "Yeah, that was fun. Very cool."
Buffy smiled indulgently. "Remind me to take you guys on patrol with me more often, you need to fight more."
"Just say the word!" Fire half yelled.
"And bring us with you!" Earth looked like an excited puppy; hope gleaming in his deep brown eyes. Air reached over and hugged the smaller man, who smiled back at him.
"I'll interrupt now, you two go get a room!" Xander exclaimed.
The two male elementals laughed. "As you asked so nicely," Earth said, right before he left the room, dragging Air behind him.
Water sighed. "Well, that's them busy for the next few hours. Fire and me will fill them in later."
Dumbledore chuckled. "Very well, I think that is all for now. Water if you would care to make arrangements for visiting the Malfoy's with Draco. As for the rest of you I think that is all for now. The dementors were an unexpected development, but none the less it was coped with very well. I shall be contacting our magical allies to update them on this. Harry, do you have any message for Remus Lupin and Snuffles when I owl them?"
Harry blinked, surprised. "No professor, just send them my best. I'll owl them myself if there is anything else."
"Very well. Mr Giles if you would care to contact your people in Los Angels I'm sure they would be most interested to gear of this development."
"Sure," Xander interjected. "I mean, we have no problem facing the dementors, we just send Cordy after them while we all go get pizza!"
Harry looked around them room. Everyone else save the DADA teachers looked mystified. Everyone else was smiling with glee. Dumbledore cleared his throat. "Quite. Now I believe we all have lessons to go to, that will be all."
Everyone slowly filed their way out of Dumbledore's office. Harry tried to catch Draco's eyes. He seemed paler than normal, staring at the floor. Harry felt a surge of panic at the thought of what Draco was going to do. Spend time at Malfoy Manor, was Dumbledore insane? Draco would get himself killed. Harry wasn't sure how he managed to stumble his way to potions, or survive the entire lesson with Snape bearing down on him throughout. He remembered Ron and Hermione's worried gazes and Pansy's sneering laughs as Snape took 10 points from Gryffindor for not paying attention. After what felt like a lifetime Harry finally managed to collapse in the Common room with the others. He sat dully as Hermione filled the others in on what had happened in Dumbledore's office.
"Is Draco insane?" Ron exclaimed.
"What about Water's sanity, or Dumbledore's for letting them?" Dean added, drawing Seamus close. Seamus put a comforting arm around Dean. "I'm sure it will be ok," He said, the paleness of his face betraying the confidence of his voice. "Water will protect Draco. You know how powerful she is. They'll both be fine." Harry nodded dumbly. He couldn't speak. Ron bit his lip and whispered into Hermione's ear. She nodded and stood up, motioning for the others to go with her, leaving Ron alone with his best friend.
"Harry?" Harry looked up for the first time since leaving Dumbledore's office. Ron sighed. "Seamus is right you know, it'll be ok. Ma..Draco will be ok."
Harry smiled at Ron's slip. He appreciated Ron calling Draco by his first name. "But Ron, what if it's not? Draco's already been hurt once this term, and the ones who did it haven't been caught. What if something else happens? What if Draco dies without me ever telling him how I..." He stopped sharply.
"Without telling him how you feel?" Ron smiled sadly as Harry looked away. "Then maybe you should get the guts to tell him. Harry, I don't pretend to understand why he hell, of all the guys at Hogwarts you had to fall for him, but you have and I accept that. And if something happens and Draco never finds out how you feel, you will regret that for the rest of your life. I mean, if you tell him, what's the worst that could happen?"
"He hates me and never comes near me again except to make fun of me," Harry mumbled.
"So what's new there?"
Harry smiled. "You're right, I should tell him, convince him not to go to the Malfoy Manor."
"Totally. I mean, don't ever repeat this, he's not that bad when he's not being such an arse!"
"Ronald Weasley, was that you just admitting that you don't find Draco that bad?" Harry grinned.
"You ever repeat that and I will curse you into a rat and make you spend the rest of your life as my pet to be used in any experimental spells I have to do."
Harry laughed. "Your secret dies with me."
"Good, now bed? I'm exhausted, been a long day."
"Giles and Air hard task masters?" Harry asked, referring to the DADA lesson that seemed like a life time ago, but had in fact only been this morning.
Ron groaned. "You have no idea. Scary thing is how much Giles reminds me of Mione. Damn!"
Harry laughed. "Come on then, we have Care of magical creatures tomorrow, if you're too tired you're likely to lose something. Like a limb."
The boys both went up to their room, Harry resolving to talk to Draco at the nearest opportunity. To his dismay however the week leading up to Christmas and Draco's imminent departure fled by without a single chance to speak to Draco alone. Before he knew it, it was the morning he'd been dreading. Draco would leave in less than an hour to go home.
Harry woke in a panic, and ran, heedless of his roommates' sleepy amazement to entrance Hall where Draco was waiting to leave.
"Draco." He turned at the sound of his name being called. A small smile curved his lips as he saw the famous Harry Potter standing at the top of the staircase staring pitifully down at him.
"Couldn't let me leave without saying good bye, Potter?" He drawled.
You don't have to do this." Draco tried not to gulp as Harry came slowly down the stairs. The concern in his green eyes burned into Draco, who looked away.
"I don't expect you to understand."
"Please don't do this." The pleading in Harry's voice almost brought tears to Draco's eyes. He smiled ruefully. Leaning forward he placed the softest of kisses on Harry's mouth. As Harry gasped he pulled back slightly. "See you when I get back."
Hehehe, I love leaving things on a cliffhanger! What will happen to Draco? What was meant by that kiss? Will Water sleep with Lucius? Well, as I already have about half of the new chapter written up you won't have long to find out....if enough people review. Don't ya'll just love blackmail! So go on, I feed reviews to my muse fairy, Rhianne who gives me all my ideas, and she needs reviews to survive! All flames go to my muse gremlin Elvis, who is the demon inside my computer, and creates havoc. Love you all!