Chapter Four - A change of direction

Harry heard Malfoy get up a few hours later, so he shut his eyes as Malfoy moved over and peered down at Harry, his shaky breaths tickling his cheek as he put a hand his arm, shaking him slightly.

"Good morning, sunshine," Malfoy chortled, slowly but surely getting up. He stumbled over to his dressing table (Malfoy had a dressing table - something to tell Ron) and peered into the mirror. Harry glanced through his eyelashes, being careful not to make it obvious he was awake. It then became very apparent that Malfoy was naked. Blushing profusely, Harry pulled the covers over his head to hide the disturbing image of Malfoy naked, still careful to act like he was sleeping. He heard Malfoy whistle a Weird Sisters song as he stepped into the en suite and turned on the shower.

Harry tried not to think of last night. He had slept in the vicinity of another man, a man who happened to be naked and who had happily jerked off as Harry lay next to him. Harry had felt so embarrassed and unsure of himself that he had stayed awake the rest of the night, not daring to move in case something else happened. He wanted revenge on Malfoy for keeping him up last night...

When Malfoy came back in, Harry was sitting up in bed, grinning.

"Happy to see me?" Malfoy grinned back. He strutted over to his dresser and struggled to open the door while keeping himself covered. "Well, give me a hand with this for a minute."

Now was Harry's chance.

"I dunno, you seem pretty good with your hands by yourself," Harry said, trying to keep his face straight. Malfoy froze in horror and nearly dropped his towel, it was noticeable that he had gone very red indeed.

"You kept me up last night," Harry continued. "Couldn't sleep. Kept on hearing you sighing with pleasure..."

"ALRIGHT!" Malfoy hissed. "I jerked off. Big deal. There's nothing wrong with it."

"There is if your in bed with another guy! And you're NAKED at the time!" Harry spat.

Malfoy grinned evilly. Good. Harry had seen him this morning. He thought he was fantasising again. Malfoy watched as Harry got out of bed in his pyjamas, walked over to the window and sat on the window seat. He seemed a bit upset.

"What's wrong, Potter?" Malfoy asked.

"I just... it's nothing," Harry said quickly.

Malfoy sighed and flung open his dresser, picking out a few smart but casual clothes while Harry remained in the silk paisley pyjamas. Well, to each his own, Malfoy thought.

"Malfoy..." Harry began.

"What?" Malfoy sighed.

"Do you..." Harry trailed off, lost in a train of thought again.

Malfoy moaned impatiently and stomped over to Harry, sitting opposite him on the crushed green velvet that surrounded them.

"Do I what?" Malfoy snapped.

"...know where Hedwig is," Harry finished, although it wasn't what he was going to say. It was going to be more along the lines of "Do you fancy me?" But he didn't want to know. Not from another guy, especially not Draco Malfoy.

"She's probably in the stables or somewhere about there. Go later. First, we speak," Malfoy commanded.

"Fine. First. How did you get my address?" Harry asked.

"My father has connections in the Ministry. He got it for me back in second year. I was going to send you some curse mails, but I never got the chance," Malfoy answered simply.

Harry glared at him, his hair still messed up from waking up, his emerald eyes peering into Malfoy as he sat, hunched up, thinking things over. The sun glimmered down onto his fragile looking body, highlighting parts of his hair and the ivory skin at the opening of his pyjama shirt and on his face. He was beautiful in the morning light.

"Well - and this has been bugging me ever since I got here - why are you suddenly being so nice to me? I mean, I got your father in Azkaban, only a few months ago we were at each other's throats before Snape came along, I thought you hated me. Now you seem as gay as a puppy around me," Harry said, instantly regretting it.

"I AM NOT GAY!" Malfoy screamed. He stood up and glowered down at Harry, his blonde hair falling out of place as he clenched his fists, his teeth clenched with anger.

"Well what the fuck do you want with me? You're jerking off, parading around naked..."

"Fuck you," Malfoy suddenly snapped. "I don't need your help. I'll send the flying car round and you can fuck off home. Just because I'm not angry at you all the time, you think I'm demented or something!"

"WELL IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE!" Harry roared, standing up so quickly he had to sit back down again.

Why had everything become so confusing? His head spun hysterically and he needed to be sick. He bounded to the bathroom and chucked up in the toilet. He leant back and wiped his sweaty brow, his breathing shallow and loud. He did want to go home. Malfoy appeared by his side, still angry.

"I'd rather you didn't empty your spew into my toilet, thanks. The car is coming round in a second. You can get your ass out of my pyjamas and-"

"Malfoy. Until I get a clear explanation, you can't expect me to understand anything!" Harry sighed.

"I expected you to accept me! Did it ever occur to you I could change? Even in a few months?" Malfoy spat.

Harry stood up, wiping his mouth. He smoothed down the pyjamas, oblivious to Malfoy's request to take them off. Storming over to the window where the black Mercedes hovered, Harry turned to Malfoy. As he stared into his dim blue eyes, Harry could see Malfoy was slightly upset, but his evil persona still stuck out in Harry's head.

"No, I didn't think you could change. Right up until the end of the school year, I always saw you as a mean person with an ugly heart. I still think that's you under there, but you're just confused because of everything that's happening. Well, I hope your problem gets solved, whatever the fuck it was. Goodbye, Malfoy. See you in school," Harry muttered, opening the window and climbing into the car. He slammed the door and the car flickered until it was invisible and was gone.

Malfoy sank to the floor, breathing heavily, his heart thumping crazily. Ugly heart? How dare he! Malfoy glanced up to the spot where Harry had been.

"Harry - come back..." Malfoy whispered, tears trickling down his face.