Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters found in the books and the Harry Potter world. I do own any characters that I have made up, however, such as Aria Riddle [who shall appear in a few unrelated fics] and some of the random characters such as the ones at the Big Bang and/or miscellaneous Hogwarts dudes. All else belongs to JK 'cos she is the best in the world and I hope that we get to see HP and the Half Blood Prince out soon.

Author's Note: Sorry for the extremely late update. I've been really busy but already have chapters 4 and 5 written too. Please excuse any errors as it hasn't been beta-read in my haste to paste (eurgh - that sounded wrong but anyway).

I hope that you'll read and enjoy this fic – it has now been beta-read by my favourite author – Never Walk! Go her! I have also started up my own Yahoo! Group at http: groups. yahoo. com/ group/ ariarddle'sfanfiction [remove spaces] or visit my profile at tarnished halo's [http: ca. geocities. com/ Aria/Aria.html] for more NC-17 versions. Some fics will solely be published on my Yahoo group because of content or if I can't be bothered with I hope to re-update at tarnished halos soon and put my Doomed For Eternity fic back on FF soon too.

Chapter 3: Truth and Lies

"Nice one, Potts," Draco commented approvingly, as Harry took a deep breath and made his way back to his seat, where he sat, thumbs fidgeting, in the stunned silence of the headmaster's office.

Dumbledore, himself, looked slightly taken aback at Harry's outburst, before his expression became grave and serious as he addressed the boy in front of him, who was silently reprimanding himself for his stupidity in exploding at the headmaster.

"Look at me, Harry," he commanded gently.

As Harry raised his head, he vaguely wondered what on earth had possessed him to blow up at Dumbledore like that, although he couldn't help the feeling like a great weight had now been taken off of his chest at the outburst.

"I am aware of the huge burden that you carry on your shoulders, Harry, but you really should have told someone, whether it be myself, your friends or even Professor Snape here." At this Harry threw a sideways glance at Draco that wasn't unnoticed in the room as Snape glared at him, as if silently daring him to come and ask him to talk - he would probably be skinned alive.

Again, Draco snorted at the humorous thought of the Harry Potter, the Boy-Who-Lived, coming to confide in Severus Snape, hated enemy of the Potters and former Death Eater. Harry couldn't help but grin a little to himself at the thought of having friendly chit-chats over biscuits and tea down in Snape's cold rooms in the dungeons.

Feeling tired and exhausted half an hour later, Harry asked if there was a private room that he could stay for the night, as he wasn't comfortable around anyone else at the moment.

Dumbledore summoned a house elf, and ten minutes later, Harry and Draco were making there way towards a set of rooms, not too far from where Dumbledore's quarters were. Draco had been granted permission to stay with Harry at Harry's request as, although he didn't want to be around people just yet, he didn't want to be alone either.

Harry sighed as he sat down on his huge four-poster bed. Day after day after day, all summer long, he had wished that he could wake up from this eternal nightmare and come back to reality, but when he awoke, it was always the same. To him the nightmares were reality.

But now, Harry wasn't even sure if he wanted to be here, I mean sure, it bet Uncle Vernon's, but did he really want to be around so many people, and people that knew him too? Harry just wished that he and Draco could escape to a foreign island and live out the rest of their days in peace. At the moment, Harry felt the Draco was the only one that he could trust anymore.

Draco changed into his cream silk pyjama bottoms and, grabbing an extra pair for Harry, made his way into Harry's room. Draco couldn't help but think, as he entered the room that his room looked undoubtedly… sexy. Looking at Harry, he wasn't sure that he'd noticed though. The bright lights flickering from the candelabras danced merrily on the black of his hood as he sat brooding on the edge of his bed, nearly blending in with the black walls surrounding him. Along the edges of the walls were dark crimson-painted pieces of plainly rounded wood, which added to the almost 'romantic' atmosphere of the room, making Draco wonder suspiciously if this room had been picked for Harry on purpose. Under his feet lay more of the crimson colour, this time in the form of plush carpet that was nearly two inches thick. A deep red mahogany closet and bedside table added to the simple, homey comfort of the room. The dancing flames of the rose-scented aromatherapy candles reflected on the silken black sheets of the bed and its dark crimson upturned sheets and upper pillows, the second layer of pillows being a silken black too.

Looking again at the slumped figure on the bed, he walked over and sat beside him.

"Hey" he acknowledged softly as he put a comforting arm around Harry's shoulders. Harry tensed a little before leaning into the loving touch. A silence fell between them; it wasn't an embarrassing silence, just a comforting one, as if they both respected each other's private thoughts.

After awhile Harry spoke. His voice was soft and barely audible, and Draco was sure that he wouldn't have even heard it if it wasn't so close. His voice sounded sad and depressed, making Draco angry at the man that had hurt his Harry so – wait his Harry?

"Why me, Draco? What did I ever do? I only ever tried to help people. I never asked for any of this."

Harry turned his head up and tilted it towards Draco's. It felt a bit unnerving to Draco, not being able to see what Harry's expression was like underneath his hood.

In response Draco only hugged him tighter, trying not to hurt Harry too much as he wrapped both of his arms around him, pulling him a little more into his lap. Harry rested his head on Draco's chest, listening to his heart beat as Draco murmured;

"It's not your fault, Harry. You didn't do anything wrong, It's just that some people in this world don't understand. Some people are out to hurt others, or make them feel bad. Others are only greedy or power hungry, seeing something the like and taking advantage of it, claiming it as theirs."

Harry could see the hidden meaning behind these comforting words of a true friend and for what was probably the first time in his life, he felt truly safe.

Tbc...