Skyphoenix: Yes, Harry and Draco are gay. Very gay. Together. Just the way I like 'em. grins I don't mean to sound harsh about it, but either the second or third kiss might've clued you in... As far as justifying you're homophobia through you're religion: I'm Catholic, so what? Think what you wanna think, not what you're church wants you to think.
dobbiessweetie: Sorry I couldn't get this out a bit sooner! But, well, I was having issues with the storyline. Issues with the fact that there wasn't one... sighs But there is now! dances Hope those withdrawal symptoms weren't too hard on you...
TheSilverLady (at 2): I'm glad you like, and I hope you've gotten to this chapter so I'm not just throwing shout-outs at empty space... blushes, grins
Jay Kamiya: Thank you! I hope you like this one, too!
Velven (at 2): Tori, a matchmaker? blinks, smiles innocently No way! laughs Actually, her real (Sophye) name is Viktori, but she stayed close to home for this assignment. And she's going to be leaving soon! sobs No, Tori!! Don't goooo!!! wails
Elenya (at 4): Um, well, it might be from Buffy... thinks But I think it was actually said by Voldemort (I think, again) at the end of the first movie. shrugs
Rakuril: Here, more! tosses out chapter And Chapter 12 is actually written, but it's more of an interlude than actual chapter. Certain things are stated that will affect the storyline, but it's not a whole lot of action. But it's still there!
Liber Creperum-Liber Diabolus: There's absolutely more!! And even more after that! In fact, the story outline from Harry's letter in this chapter is about 3 pages and nowhere near completed. There are lots of little bits where I thought it was gonna wrap up then some twist came along and said, "Nope, not yet!" oh-so-cheerfully. So, yeah, gonna be a long one. grins
Constance Malfoy: Ack, I can't wait for Ron's reaction, either! laughs Unfortunately, Ron will be a bit... um... dense, in this story, so some explanation by Hermione will be required. shrugs That's just how he is to me.
Okay, now, onto the good stuff! Enjoy!
Once back at Tori's, Harry shut himself away. He would occasionally allow Tori or Draco into the room, but besides that, he would not speak to or see anyone. He didn't deviate from the pattern until a few days later when the Dursleys returned to claim him.
"If you need anything, and I mean anything, Draco and I will be here until school starts again for you two. Just come on over, okay?" Harry nodded, smiling gratefully, and Tori pulled him into a tight hug before handing him over to Draco.
Harry stood before the blond uncertainly. "Hey." Draco stepped in to hug him, but Harry pulled away, glancing quickly over at the glowering Dursleys. "I'm sorry. There's nothing I'd love more than to touch you right now, but they don't need any more reasons to point out what a freak I am."
Draco actually had to clench his fists at his side to prevent himself from reaching out and touching the smaller boy. "You are not a freak," he growled softly, wishing desperately he could tear the family apart with his bare hands.
Harry smiled gently, as if sensing Draco's thoughts. "I know that, Dra, but I don't want to give them any excuses. I'll try to sneak away and come see you sometime, okay?" He discreetly brushed his hand along Draco's arm. Picking up his bag, he followed the rapidly exiting Dursleys. Just before the door closed behind them, Harry threw one more quick, secret smile over his shoulder to Draco.
Then the door closed completely, and Draco's smile for Harry melted into a dark scowl. "I will absolutely kill all of those Dursleys. Someday. Hopefully soon, with any luck," he muttered.
"Not without me, you won't!" Tori protested. She walked up to stand beside Draco and looped an arm around his shoulders. "Don't forget I've waited far longer than you have. I've known longer." Draco nodded, granting her at least that point.
A few days later, Draco's final school list arrived by Hogwarts owl. Not long after that, a short note from Harry appeared. Draco opened the note slowly, with Tori looking over his shoulder.
Sorry I haven't been by or anything, but the Dursleys won't let me out of their sight for a second. It's weird; normally they can't wait for me to disappear so they can forget I exist. In fact, you won't believe what I had to go through to get this letter out. That's beside the point completely, though. I actually wanted to ask if you two could get my books at Diagon Alley for me. The Dursleys won't let me leave for anything, and I can't just not get my school stuff. Thanks, and I hope to see you soon.
Love,
Harry
Tori and Draco stared at the note for a while, hoping more would just spontaneously appear. "That's it?! That's all he's going to say?" He read it through one more time, hoping he had missed something, that it actually said a lot more than 'Sorry, but get my books for me.'
Tori shook her head. "Something's not right. That doesn't even sound like him! There has to be something going on in that house that he doesn't want to tell us about." She exchanged glances with Draco, then added, "Besides the usual, of course."
Two weeks later saw Draco boarding the Hogwarts Express, Harry's new books settled in next to his own in his trunk. He'd tried to deliver them to Harry right after buying them, but the Dursleys' door had been slammed in his face at the mere mention of the boy's name. Draco had walked away, mumbling all the curses he planned to use on the family.
He'd arrived early at King's Cross, hoping Harry had done the same. Glancing into all the compartments he passed, Draco rejoiced at finding Harry finally in one of the last. Harry hadn't seen him yet, so Draco took the time to carefully study the other boy.
Dark, bruise-like circles hung under Harry's closed eyes. His shoulders hunched over as if in an attempt to protect his obviously exhausted body. He was even thinner than when he'd first arrived at Tori's early in the summer, giving him a gaunt, haggard appearance. But when he opened his eyes and met Draco's, the bright green was still shining and dancing with an inner mischief and happiness.
Draco felt his own lips curve to equal the smile playing on Harry's face. He opened the compartment door and entered, taking the seat directly across from Harry. Harry, for his part, waited until Draco seemed completely comfortable before launching himself across the seats and latching onto the blonde.
Hugging back just as tightly, Draco was nevertheless surprised; Harry wasn't generally the one to initiate any physical contact. Pulling back slightly, Harry studied Draco's face. "I think I missed you more than I thought I was going to," he said disbelievingly. Instead of replying, Draco just pulled him into another tight hug.
"And the best thing," Harry continued from Draco's shoulder, "is that I'm done with them. I never have to go back to that house again." Draco pulled Harry up into a sweet kiss, not able to express himself any other way.
Harry slipped his arms around Draco's neck and allowed him to deepen the kiss. He reveled in the feeling of Draco's hands on his waist, Draco's lips on his, Draco's tongue... When the two separated, Harry traced Draco's face with his palms, staring into Draco's deep gray eyes. "Draco?" Harry asked almost worriedly. "When we get back to school... This won't change, will it?"
Draco took Harry's fidgeting hands in his own and gave them a reassuring squeeze. "Never, Harry. We have no reason to change now, especially not to go back to the way we were." He smiled softly. "Can you believe that was actually only about three months ago?"
A moment of satisfaction settled on Harry's face before twisting once again into worry. He bit his upper lip, as he tended to do subconsciously, before speaking. "Not even if, I mean..." Draco waited for him to finish the thought, but Harry simply pulled away to sit back in his own seat. "Nevermind."