Chapter Summary: A scar is worth a thousand words and Draco and Harry have many stories written across their skin.
AN: Hello! Sorry for the long wait with this one, but I hope it was worth it. *Smiles Deviously* Enjoy!
After the Rain Falls
Chapter 10: Everything's Coming up Roses
"Nothing is working!" Harry growled, and he dropped his quill atop the desk before angrily crossing his arms. He stared at the cage in front of him, where all ten of their mice were in various stages of sleep. They were so still that Harry might have mistaken them for dead, if not for the occasional rise and fall of their furry bellies. Draco frowned next to him, looking equally as frustrated and more than a little perplexed by their results. They had managed to get the potion to last for extended periods of time, however, the caveat of inducing sleep for the entirety of that time made it largely useless for their purposes.
"I don't understand why we can't find the right balance for this," Draco muttered. "We've tried so many different variations of the concoction. It's either completely ineffective, or too strong to the point of practically putting someone in a coma." Draco shook his head and breathed out, pulling his notes towards him regrettably as he wrote down their results. "We're so close," Draco whispered as he looked over their various concoctions. "I think we're just missing a single ingredient. Something that will mitigate the relaxant properties of the valerian we need while not suppressing them entirely." It was too bad he had no idea what that ingredient might be, or if such a thing even existed.
Harry let his head fall atop the desk, and he reached up and tugged at the hair on the back of his head. His glasses pressed angrily into the bridge of his nose, but Harry ignored the uncomfortable sensation, instead doing his best to come up with any kind of suggestion that they hadn't already attempted. What were they missing? Why couldn't he think?
The pain behind his eyes made him wince and his hair pulling turned into gentle rubs as a rather fierce migraine chose that moment to make itself known. He whined slightly, and twisted in his seat, only relaxing when Draco's hand found its way into his hair and a soothing sensation seeped into his muscles. Harry sighed and turned to look at him slightly, grateful for the relief. How was it that he always knew? Harry got lost in Draco's concerned gaze for a moment, and then jolted up from his chair when Snape popped into the portrait at his side and sneered at him.
"I would have thought my students might at least possess some intelligent thought by their final year," Snape drawled. He stared down his hooked nose at them distastefully, and then tilted his head back in an obnoxious manner. "Were you, or were you not, provided with a full list of herbs and ingredients in fourth year that have the unique property of acting as both a relaxant and stimulant, depending on various combinations."
Harry frowned and Draco tapped his quill against his parchment before speaking. "We've gone through all those-,"
"Have you," Snape interrupted. He rolled his eyes and tugged his sleeves back from his wrists. "Must I hold your hands throughout this entire process," he drawled sarcastically. The two of them looked at him blankly, and he crossed his arms, peering down at them with a raised eyebrow. "Is there not a plant that was well documented by the Chinese alchemist Dzou Yen for increasing vitality…known to have caused mysterious bouts of longevity and strength in ancient times, and curiously, possessing five separate flavours when ingested."
Snape watched them as they searched their minds for the answer, tapping his fingers impatiently as the two of them shared a glance and a sudden burst of realization. "Schisandra Berries!" they blurted in unison, and Snape pursed his lips in annoyance.
"A competent potions master would have taken a tenth of the time to come to that conclusion," Snape claimed. His jibe went largely ignored as both Harry and Draco flipped through their texts in search of more information on the ingredient in question. Snape was right. The berries did have unusual properties. And they might just do the trick.
"But…where are we supposed to get them from, they aren't native to this area at all," Harry wondered.
"Not my concern," Snape drawled, and then he twisted in the frame and left it immediately for another. Harry stared at the empty portrait in irritation, trying to push aside the overwhelming urge to deface his art in some way. Snape had been helpful, in his annoyingly pompous way. He supposed he should be grateful for that.
After several moments Draco muttered, "I know where we can find them," and when Harry looked up at him he was grimacing uncomfortably. As though he almost regretted making the admission. Draco's grey eyes dropped for a moment and then they met Harry's searching gaze. He sighed, and ran his fingers through his hair. "Among a large variety of other perennial vine plants typically native to different regions in the world, they are mysteriously able to grow in one place very local to us. And one place only," Draco said quietly. "The Forbidden Forest."
"I can't believe you conned me into this," Draco hissed as Harry dragged him down a winding path leading into the thick twisted trees of the Forbidden Forest. They ducked branches and jumped over exposed roots as they made their way deeper into the woods.
"What, doesn't it bring back good memories?" Harry teased, but even his shoulders were tense as they became more and more surrounded by the looming darkness.
"Good…hah."
Despite Draco's complaints, Harry was glad to have him present. There was no way he would have been able to do this alone. Harry had been just as hesitant to return, if not more so. He'd…died in this forest once, after all. It wasn't something he particularly wanted to revisit.
"No nasty dark wizards feasting on unicorns anymore," Harry said. "At least I hope." He stopped walking for a moment, lighting a quick flame in the lantern hanging from his fingers. It was getting too dark to see without even the light of the moon able to make its way between the tightly tangled branches above. "Besides, we need schisandra berries, and this is the only place they grow in Europe, according to you."
"And I fully regret mentioning it," Draco muttered under his breath.
Their footsteps crunched atop the hardened soil, and though there was very little snow so deep inside the woods, the air was still cold, and Harry tugged at his scarf and shivered beneath his heavy winter robes. They walked side by side in silence, searching for any sign of the vines. They were unlikely to have sprouted berries at this time of year, but the vines preferred the cold, and it was possible they had started to bud in the late winter months. With any luck, they could cultivate the berries in one of Professor Sprout's greenhouses in time for their next batch of testers.
The pathway had all but disappeared, and Harry climbed up a rather steep incline, holding on to a heavy branch to stay upright. He slipped on the soil, but pulled himself up into a more open area and stared around at their surroundings warily. He frowned slightly, holding the lantern close. There was something about the clearing up ahead that had Harry pausing in his steps. It wasn't the same one from the war, they were nowhere near the Acromantula's Hollow, but still, he wavered, and his throat closed in as he was inundated with memories. He could visualize the ghosts of his loved ones, encouraging him and giving him strength, the place he'd dropped the Resurrection Stone, hoping it might disappear forever. He remembered walking knowingly to his death, and everything that came after, and he shuddered.
Draco was at his side in an instant, holding on to his arm and offering support. "Are you alright?" He asked quickly, tucking his palm beneath Harry's elbow as he pulled the lantern from his unsteady fingers. "We don't have to-,"
"I'm fine," Harry uttered. "I'm fine, really." He took a deep breath, and then stepped forwards, glad that Draco continued to walk with him and light the way.
"Shouldn't be far now," Draco mentioned, holding the lantern out to examine some of the vines clinging to the nearby clusters of stone and thick tree trunks. Harry paused, peering at the plants intently, and then he knelt down and reached out when he spotted a cluster of berries, pushing back some leaves to inspect them closer.
"Not that one!" Draco shouted, swatting his hands away, hastily. Harry startled, and then Draco was pulling him close, kneeling at his side. "That's daphne, it's poisonous! We won't find schisandra in land quite this dry," Draco chastised him.
Harry looked down sheepishly, watching as Draco set the lantern on the forest floor between their knees. "See, this is why you needed to come with me," Harry muttered. He heard Draco sigh, and then he was pulling a pouch out of his pocket and searching it hastily for supplies.
"Here, give me your hands," Draco insisted. He dragged a cloth over each of Harry's fingers with care, making sure not to miss anything. Then he twisted Harry's fingers towards the light, inspecting them for any sign of open wounds. Draco tilted Harry's hands around, grunting in satisfaction, and then he paused when he caught sight of the silvery lines etched beneath his knuckles. Despite having long since healed, the words Umbridge had forced on him were still very much there, and Harry suspected, he'd always be able to see them under direct light.
"Kinda unsightly isn't it," Harry whispered. Draco ran his thumb over the scars gently. He studied the words for a long while, as if committing the sight of them on Harry's skin to memory.
"All of us have scars, but at least yours are worth wearing," Draco commented. "Earned as a result of bravery instead of cowardice."
Harry frowned as he was reminded of the scars he'd left on Draco, and his eyes drifted unwittingly towards Draco's chest. He couldn't see them in that moment, but he knew they were there. Winding and twisting marks that would never fully disappear. He yanked his hands free of Draco's and stared at him in regret. Draco followed his gaze, and then he lifted Harry's chin with his hand. "Hey, don't do that."
"Don't do what?"
"Wallow," Draco said. He stared at Harry intently and brushed his dark hair back. The tip of his ear was red from the cold, and Draco rubbed at it gently, urging the warmth to return to his skin. "We could go back and forth for days about who's hurt the other worse, but what good would it do us now," Draco added. "Besides, I deserved it."
"Draco…,"
"I nearly cast an unforgivable on you," Draco muttered. "There's no coming back from that. I'm grateful you stopped me."
Harry blinked at him and then nibbled at his lip. "You know…I didn't even know what that spell did when I cast it," Harry admitted. He looked up at Draco's surprised expression, and immediately ducked his head. "Stupid, right?"
Draco didn't say anything in agreement, but after a short pause he asked, "Why'd you cast it then?"
Harry fiddled with his fingers and he pulled his sleeves up over them nervously as he stared down at his feet between his bent knees. "It said it was for enemies."
There was a lengthy silence, and Harry listened to the leaves lightly rustling around them and the strange creaking of the trees. And then Draco put a single finger beneath his chin again and urged his head back up, forcing Harry to meet his gaze. "We were, weren't we," Draco said, as he eyed Harry thoughtfully.
But that felt wrong to Harry, and he shook his head atop the finger, curls swishing at his temples. "I don't think I ever really thought of you as an enemy."
Draco's finger fell away slightly and instead his palm settled against Harry's neck in a gentle caress. Harry leaned into the touch, and then he looked back towards Draco's chest. No matter how much he tried, he just couldn't stop thinking of it. He reached out, dragging his fingers down Draco's front, against the thick fabric of his robes and then asked, "Can I see it?"
It was perhaps not the most ideal place for such a thing, but Draco seemed to consider it. He looked around, almost like he expected someone to be watching them, but they were naturally alone so deep within the forest. Draco shifted then, unlatching his robes and letting them hang back over his shoulders. His fingers fought with a few of his buttons, struggling to open the collar of his shirt against the cold. He let the fabric hang loose when he was done, just enough that Harry could see the top of the scar, and Harry immediately reached out and pressed his fingertips against Draco's chest. The sudden touch made Draco's muscles twitch, and Harry blinked at him when he let out a shaky breath of air. The pads of Harry's thumbs traced over the raised ridges of Draco's scar, and then he dragged his hands down, popping the next button free along the way. Several more followed in its wake, until Draco's shirt hung limply, completely open down his middle.
Harry breathed in deeply, taking in the exposed skin with greedy eyes. Draco was…very toned. And though the scar covered nearly the entirety of his torso, it did little to take away from his appearance. If anything…it made him all the more attractive. Harry was slightly ashamed to think so, having been the one to have caused him this pain in the first place, but he couldn't help but stare openly in appreciation.
The flame from their lantern flickered gently, casting strange shadows across Draco's bared skin, and Harry watched the way the scar caught the light when Draco shifted slightly in front of him. Harry pressed his hands fully against the scarring, following the jagged lines where they ran out over Draco's chest randomly. Gooseflesh rose to the surface as the chill of the air met with Draco's skin, and Harry smiled shyly and looked up into his eyes. Draco was watching him carefully, looking more than a little tense. His jaw was clenched tightly shut, and the muscles in his face shifted visibly, as if he was struggling against some kind of unimaginable force.
"Why are you so handsome," Harry blurted, almost accusingly, and he flushed and looked away when Draco raised his brow curiously and directed a puzzled smile at him. Harry was more than a little mortified that he let that particular thought slip out.
Draco's chest moved as he breathed in and out, and Harry kept his hands pressed against his skin, letting the rhythmic motion soothe him. He wanted to press his face against him, to even more embarrassingly, run his tongue along the raised flesh and see just how sensitive it was. Merlin, what was wrong with him? Draco would probably think he was completely insane.
He didn't have much time to consider it before Draco's fingers were in his hair, pulling him forward on his knees. Draco kissed him hard, drawing out a whimper from Harry's lips as a large hand grasped the back of his head tightly. Harry's fingers clenched against Draco's chest, searching for something to grab hold of, only to end up scratching at the skin slightly instead. When one of Harry's fingers grazed a hardened nipple, Draco pulled away, looking down at him for a second with lust blown eyes before kissing him again. Harry's knees knocked into the lantern and Draco reached between them to steady it, not pausing for a single second as he continued to devour Harry's mouth.
This couldn't possibly be normal. This level of intensity. It was like he was being consumed by a force way beyond his control. He lost all sense of time, couldn't think or move or do much of anything at all other than let the feelings Draco evoked inside him overtake his body. And he wanted to let it happen. He didn't want to fight it. Didn't consider it for even a single second. He just let himself become immersed in everything Draco. In Draco's lips pressed urgently against his skin. In Draco's hand clenched tightly in his hair. In Draco's arm wrapped steadily around his back. Draco, Draco, Draco.
There was a howl in the distance, loud and menacing, and Draco startled and pulled away. His eyes were wide as he searched the dark forest around them and Harry stared at him with tousled hair and kiss swollen lips. Draco looked just as dishevelled, blinking frightfully out at the trees. Harry chuckled slightly and he reached up to cover his mouth when Draco glared at him.
"Shut up," Draco hissed, though it lacked any sort of menace.
Harry grinned at him, letting himself fall back on his haunches. "It's not a full moon, you don't have to worry about werewolves," Harry said.
"Bold of you to think that's the only dangerous creature to be found in these woods," Draco argued.
Harry ducked his head and looked up at him through his eyelashes. "You're right, sorry," he yielded. There were a number of things in the forest that Harry didn't particularly care to encounter. It was…probably not the best place to fool around. Even so, Draco looked torn, and his gaze shifted towards Harry's lips, then to the ground, and back out at the darkness before returning to his reddened face once again. The air was suddenly much cooler than before, and Harry shivered and buried his hands in his scarf. That seemed to make up Draco's mind, and Harry watched as he struggled to do up the buttons on his shirt. "Let's just…find the schisandra and get out of here," Draco muttered quietly, a matching flush still visible high on his cheeks.
"Okay, okay," Harry conceded, and he giggled a bit and stood again to look around. As he leaned down to pick up the lantern he couldn't resist adding, "Excuse me for wanting to make out with my boyfriend."
Harry stared out into the trees and then started making his way in the same direction as before, lantern dangling loosely beside his thigh. He focused intently on the plants and consistency of the soil, doing his best to locate the schisandra vines, completely oblivious to Draco's stunned expression, or the way he mouthed a particular word while staring after Harry in disbelief. Draco's gaze softened, and his fingers fumbled awkwardly with the fabric of his shirt as he trailed along behind him, and it wasn't until much later that he looked down and noticed the misaligned buttons, cursing under his breath before redoing them entirely.
Draco sighed as he strolled through the halls swiftly, his shoes clacking against the stone below while his Slytherin robes billowed out beside his tall form. He ignored the looks sent his way from other students, a mix of awe, curiosity, and fear that had persisted throughout the school year. He figured he'd always be on the receiving end of such stares, at least to a certain extent. There was only so much one could do to make people forget who you once were. Especially when the press was hell-bent on convincing them it was who you still are.
He had more important things to worry about anyway, like how he was going to pass all of his exams at the end of the year, or the insane amount of drills Urquhart had scheduled for their next Quidditch practice. Draco was pretty sure the guy was a sadist. But, most prevalent amongst his thoughts, and most importantly, he needed to figure out what he was going to do about a certain boy who lived. The saviour of the wizarding world himself. The Gryffindor hero. Or as Draco had come to see him, just Harry.
It wasn't that there was anything wrong. Oh no. Rather, everything…was far too right. He'd always been somewhat drawn to Harry, but in recent months, he'd also come to realize that Harry was actually everything he'd ever wanted in a partner. More perfect than any dream companion he could have possibly conjured up.
He was magically strong, persistent, and stubborn to a fault, and yet there was a fragility there that Draco was undeniably attracted to. He was kind, and gentle, disgustingly so, to the point that Draco had always assumed it was a front. But it wasn't. He really was…that good. The sort who saw the best in people, no matter their past actions. Even in someone like him. Someone Harry had every right to hate for the rest of time.
Harry was inherently beautiful, inside and out. His hair consistently made him look as though he'd just been manhandled up against a wall. Dishevelled, and messy, easy to grab. It hung around his face in soft curls that Draco adored. And he always teetered on his feet in such a cute way whenever Draco looked down at him, and when Draco leaned in close to his face his skin would become a very lovely shade of red. His lips were soft and so very kissable, and Draco wanted to know what it would be like to see more, to have more.
He thought about how receptive Harry had been so far, to everything he'd thrown at him, melting in his arms like he was meant to be there. The sweet little sounds he made when Draco pressed their bodies together, the way he squirmed as if asking for more. It was a reaction that was…very unexpected. It woke that inner demon inside of Draco that wanted to dominate, to control, and consume, and take. To make Harry entirely his. But…he couldn't push it. Or more accurately, he didn't want to, and then end up royally fucking it all up.
Because this was important to him. Maybe more important than anything else ever had been. Sure, there were moments in his life he cherished. Like his mother's praises, when he'd cast his first spell successfully. Or the first time he'd flown on his own, while his father watched on. Receiving his Hogwarts letter in the summer before first year had been especially gratifying. And every time he managed to come up with a brand new incantation from scratch it was more than a little satisfying.
But nothing affected him quite like the way Harry looked at him. Like he…mattered. Draco often found himself on the other end of his ardent gaze. Looking into those wide green eyes, feeling stripped bare by Harry's searching stare, but not judged by it. It was enough to drive someone mad. He didn't deserve to be on the other end of such a devoted expression. But he wasn't about to throw it all away. No, he was going to hold on to this with every inch of his being.
He just wasn't really sure how to…express how all of this made him feel. To make sure Harry knew. Without sounding like a complete and utter dolt, or inadvertently scaring him off. He thought about just outright saying it. Admitting what this feeling was. But if he couldn't even do so in his head, how on earth was he meant to say the words aloud. His instinct was to showcase his feelings in a more…physical way. But he worried that it was the wrong approach with someone like Harry. Someone who quite often needed to have things spelled out for him in great detail lest the intent become muddled or lost in translation.
Draco adjusted the strap of his book bag, lifting it off his shoulder briefly before putting it back down. Pansy would have made an absolute mockery of him had she been there. Thankfully, she was preoccupied with other things, and he could let his thoughts and feelings linger on his face for longer than normal without facing ridicule. Just this once.
He came to a stop when he heard the crack of a spell and several screams. It wasn't an uncommon occurrence within Hogwarts. And a quick glance down the hall revealed nothing, but not long after, several students turned the corner at the end and ran down the corridor towards him looking scared out of their wits. Draco watched them run by with narrowed eyes and strode the rest of the way down the hall. When he turned in the direction the students had come from he immediately faltered, spotting three figures standing with their wands out, disguised in familiar robes and masks that made him shudder in surprise. Then he saw Harry crouched on the ground, shaking in fear, and he growled and rushed towards them.
"Expelliarmus!" Draco shouted, clenching his hand around the three wands that immediately shot towards him. He waved his wand, swishing the disguises away from the students and then he yelled something fowl across the hall when he recognized them from Slytherin. The three students startled, standing at attention as he strode towards them angrily. Fourth years. He couldn't believe it. But then he was struck with a sudden flashback, of himself, Vincent, and Gregory, pretending to be a Dementor with the sole intent to incite fear, not far off in age. He hated that he couldn't take all of it back.
He looked at the students angrily, his face the picture of disgust, both at himself and at them, but shook himself free of it. These students weren't pretending to be Dementors. What they were doing, was somehow…even more sinister.
"Think that's funny do you?" Draco sneered, looking down at the three of them with an angry scowl. "Pretending to be Death Eaters." The three of them trembled at the bite in his tone, looking down at their feet as he stepped right up in front of them. "It's fucking not," Draco hissed, quiet and close to their ears. They flinched and Draco crowded them back against the wall. "Hundreds of people died. Trying to fight the very thing you're dressing up as. Friends of mine died."
One of them glanced up at him, eyes wide in surprise, but quickly looked away when Draco met his gaze.
"War isn't a game!" he shouted. It echoed throughout the hallway, and Draco stood there, breathing heavily as he tried to keep himself from doing something that would land him in detention or with a permanent expulsion. He breathed in deeply, calming himself down enough to speak. "It ruins lives. And those of us who survived have to live with the after effects for the rest of ours," Draco said. "Imagine watching your best friend burn alive. Your family tortured under the cruciatus curse. Having your own flesh torn outwards, piece by piece as the result of a hex."
The students eyes were watery as they listened, and Draco frowned at them one by one. "You have no idea, the sacrifices that people have made," he uttered, then gestured towards where Harry sat silently on the floor opposite them. "That he has made, to ensure a better world for you. So that you may not have to wake up one day and watched your loved ones take their last breath in a war. So that you do not have to wear this mark," Draco finished, and he dragged his sleeve back, showing them the remnants of his dark mark. All three of them gasped at the sight of it, looking up at him in poorly disguised fear. It wasn't the reaction he wanted from people within his own house. But if they were going to play at being Death Eaters, he was going to make sure they understood the realities.
"I'll ask you again. Do you think it's funny?" Draco spoke calmly, each word stated with decisive care, and he was glad when the three students shook their heads in unison.
"N-no, sir," they stuttered, fingers grasping at their school robes nervously.
"Then do not make a mockery of those atrocities again."
"Y-yes sir."
Draco handed them their wands back, watching as they were received by shaking fingers. When the students remained slumped in front of him for some time, he scowled, and cuffed each of them lightly on the head. "Are you Slytherins or not? Stand tall, stand proud. Show some dignity, and respect, and get to class," he ordered. They bowed and scurried away with muffled apologies, and Draco watched them go until they disappeared around the corner at the end of the corridor. For the first time ever, he wished he had the power to take points away from his own house.
Draco let his shoulders fall slightly, and then he turned, making his way to Harry's side. He had managed to stand, and was leaning against the wall with a hand pressed against his chest. "Are you alright?" Draco asked, peering down at him as his hand hovered just over Harry's head.
"They just used a tripping jinx, I'm fine," Harry insisted. His voice was quiet, but stable, and Draco relaxed slightly and let out a relieved breath of air. "Can you see my glasses?"
Draco took a quick look around, finding them close by, and then he bent to pick them up, grimacing at the cracked glass and shattered nose bridge. He handed them to Harry regardless with a regretful, "They're broken."
Harry twisted them between his fingers before muttering a well-practised spell, and Draco watched as the metal frame snapped back into place and the glass smoothed itself out. He raised his eyebrows in surprise, watching as Harry put them on and pushed them back in place.
"Can't believe I let a group of fourth years get the better of me," Harry complained. "Looks like you're the hero today. Are you sure you were sorted in the right house? You wouldn't be half bad in Gryffindor," Harry teased, though his voice was a bit softer than usual.
"Ugh, don't make me gag."
Draco touched the side of Harry's face, lifting it slightly to check him over. He looked fine, physically, and he was smiling so sweetly that Draco nearly didn't notice anything off at all. But then he spotted the slight trembles in Harry's shoulders, and the way he was biting the inside of his lip to keep it from shaking. "Hey, are you really okay?" Draco asked lowly. He brushed Harry's hair back, staring into his eyes intently.
Harry's face crumpled slightly, and then his nostrils flared, and suddenly he was crying. "Shit," Draco muttered frantically. He hadn't noticed Harry's rushed breaths, or the light sheen of sweat upon his skin, the way his eyes weren't quite focusing. He was having another panic attack. Draco dragged him back behind a pillar, away from the open space of the hallway and any potential onlookers. He pulled him close, tucking Harry's body into his chest as he rubbed gently at his back and whispered a charm to help soothe him.
"I'm sorry," Harry blurted. "I'm stupid, I'm sorry."
"It's not stupid, you're not stupid," Draco insisted. He could feel Harry's tears soaking into his shirt, and he closed his eyes before resting his chin on the top of his head. "Remember to count." He felt the slight nod, and then listened to the disjointed numbers Harry muttered between their bodies. Draco waited with him patiently, until his shoulders stopped shaking, and his breathing evened out. "Better?" he asked, pulling away to take in Harry's face. His eyes were wet and red rimmed, but he nodded and smiled and Draco nearly melted at the sight of it. He tucked Harry's hair behind his ear, watching him fondly, and then his heart stuttered in his chest when Harry stood up on his toes and pulled him down by his neck to kiss him softly. It was the gentlest touch he'd ever felt. Just a single brief press of lips against his own. Gone before he really had the chance to fully take it in.
"Draco," Harry whispered against him, his breath tickling at Draco's chin. He said his name like he was painting it on the wind. Draco stood there in stunned silence, trying to make sense of the feelings swirling in his chest. Just one kiss. Just one. And he was left reeling and breathless and devoid of all intelligible thought.
Harry was looking at him intently, his hands resting lightly over Draco's collar. He dragged his fingers up, framing Draco's face between his palms carefully. The touch was so light against his skin that Draco wasn't entirely sure it was real. He stood there unsteadily, looking into Harry's vivid green irises, desperately trying to figure out what on earth Harry possibly saw in him to justify such obvious warmth and care.
"Harry what-,"
"Don't," Harry muttered quietly. "Just let me…let me kiss you."
And Draco did. He had to bend low so that Harry could properly reach him, and he stood hunched, with one hand just barely grazing Harry's lower back in gentle support. He remained impossibly still as Harry leaned back in, controlling his breathing as their lips grazed against each other slowly. It was tentative, and sweet, and light as air, and every little bit of contact set Draco's nerve endings on fire. It was a struggle for him not to push back against it, to deepen, and take control. He wanted to badly, but there was such vulnerability in the way Harry kissed him, he didn't want to take it for granted.
He could hear students walking by in the hall nearby, their footsteps and voices echoing throughout the corridor. But all of that felt as though it was from another place, galaxies away. Like he was in a dream unreachable to the living world. And Harry kept kissing him like that, like he mattered, like he was important, like he was worth something. It made his heart ache with yearning.
Then Harry stopped, far too soon, pressing one last peck against Draco's lips before pushing his nose against his temple. His hands were in Draco's hair, caressing, feeling, holding, and Draco stared at the stone pillar behind Harry blankly, not quite sure how to react.
"Thank you," Harry whispered. He pulled away, looking up at Draco through droopy eyes. "Hurry, or you'll be late for class."
Harry left him then, backing away shyly with a few fleeting glances before he disappeared into the hall. And Draco stood there stunned. His heart was pounding so hard he was afraid it might jump free of his chest. He leaned against the stone supports and threw his head back into the wall, hardly even registering the pain that came from the impact.
He was completely in love. Completely and totally in love.
"Shit."
Just a few weeks after they cultivated the schisandra berries in Greenhouse two, their next testing session for the potion arrived, and Draco and Harry eyed the mice in the cage searchingly, looking for any sign of something amiss. It had been a full day since they'd administered their latest batch, and all of the mice were still seizure free and remarkably awake. The results were well beyond what they'd expected, and Draco swallowed as he hastily wrote down some notes, while Harry fidgeted nervously at his side.
"I think it's ready," Draco said, his voice laced with excitement.
Harry grinned shakily, still looking ahead with disbelieving eyes. "I can't believe it," he muttered quietly.
"Still has to pass through human trials. It's likely the effectiveness won't be nearly as high once it does," Draco mentioned. "But, this is a really good sign."
Harry nodded and looked down at his lap. He squeezed his hands together tightly and said, "Even if it can only guarantee an hour or two seizure free, it could be helpful."
The two of them finished writing their notes and bottled several samples of their concoction along with a complete list of ingredients and instructions for brewing. Draco spent the rest of the class compiling notes for their final presentation, while Harry prepared further ingredients to begin brewing an additional batch for final evaluation. They worked in comfortable silence, equal parts relieved and excited. If everything went well, Snape would approve their potion for submission to the ministry and they would pass with flying colours. There was always the chance he woke up on the wrong side of the portrait and failed them regardless, but there was nothing they could do about that.
As they walked through the halls together after class Draco glanced down at Harry, glad to see him looking relaxed and at ease. He smiled slightly and then shifted the strap of his bag before asking, "Will you come? To the game tomorrow?" He turned away when Harry's expression shifted, wondering if it was a bad idea to ask. Harry was probably still upset that he couldn't play for his team. And with the frequency of his seizures as of late, he'd been avoiding crowds even more than usual. Draco swallowed nervously and took a deep breath. He wanted Harry to watch him fly, but not if it would only cause him pain. "You don't have to…if…,"
"I will," Harry blurted suddenly. "I…want to watch you play."
Draco turned towards him, taking in the slight flush on his cheeks intently. If not for the crowds of students walking by them, he would have kissed him then and there. All along the bridge of his reddening nose. Instead he studied him intently, and imagined what it might be like to be alone with him. Truly alone.
"What do I get if we win," Draco asked impulsively, barely audible amongst the sound of the students bustling through the halls. But Harry clearly heard him, as he looked up at Draco's eyes searchingly. Draco smirked playfully, and Harry opened his mouth and lowered his gaze in a surprisingly alluring manner.
"What do you want?"
Draco blinked at him, trying to decipher Harry's tone. He thought his voice sounded somewhat mischievous, and Draco hoped he wasn't misinterpreting the teasing lilt. Harry was actively avoiding looking at him directly and Draco narrowed his eyes and took a steadying breath. The two of them reached the courtyard and Draco inched out into the square, grabbing Harry by the wrist and leading him down the pathway towards the boathouse for a little privacy. Once they were well away from other students he pulled Harry close, backing him into the wooden fence lining the walkway. Draco eyed him carefully, and then dragged a finger down his shirt, catching a button. He slid it free, and let his fingers drag down the skin of Harry's chest just beneath his collar bone. Harry let out a gasp and Draco grinned. He leaned in close, pressing a light kiss to Harry's temple before whispering, "Whatever you're offering."
Harry's breathing quickened and Draco watched as he shuddered slightly before reaching out to grab Draco's robes. Harry glanced up at him then, and stood on his toes to speak directly into his ear. "You can have whatever you like, Draco," Harry started. He paused, looking at Draco directly, even going so far as to lick his lips enticingly. "If you catch the snitch, and win, with a two hundred point lead."
Harry fell back then, and Draco eyed him, feeling breathless at the mere thought of what that promise could entail. Obviously the possibilities were somewhat limited purely by their presence within a school. But he couldn't help but wonder, and there was absolutely no way he was going to let this opportunity pass him by. It seemed that Draco needed to have some words with the rest of the Slytherin team.
Half the crowd cheered as Slytherin scored another goal, while the rest moaned loudly, and Harry's hands clenched against the railing as he watched Draco circle the pitch, his gaze intense as he focused on the match with every inch of his being. It hadn't been as difficult as he thought to watch the game. Perhaps because Gryffindor wasn't playing. It still stung a bit, just knowing he wouldn't be able to fly in Gryffindor's next match, but he enjoyed watching Draco play regardless. Much like Harry, it was apparent that Draco got a real thrill out of flying and chasing after the snitch.
On this particular day however, he was somewhat tense, constantly sending signals out to the rest of his team as he kept a careful eye on the entirety of the pitch. Draco had spotted the snitch ages ago, and Harry knew he was determinedly watching it circle the field, while keeping Hufflepuff's seeker distracted and unaware of its presence. He'd flown right past it several times already, going so far as to block vision of it with his body, and on one occasion, even nudging it away with his elbow.
Harry ducked his head into his arms and leaned over the railing trying not to laugh. It was funny, how determined Draco was to meet Harry's stipulations. He must have really wanted the reward. Harry flushed a bit and tightened his fingers in the fabric around his upper arms. He was a bit nervous. But more than anything, he was excited at the prospect of finding out exactly what Draco might want, given the opportunity to take.
"Why isn't he catching it?" Ron muttered where he leaned over the railing beside Harry. "They could win, it's right there. And I know he saw it. Look! He's looking right at it!" The snitch was practically taunting Draco, inching up right next to his sleeve and lingering near where his fingers held tightly onto his broomstick. It flittered about the loose fabric of his cloak, even inching inside so that the wings tickled at Draco's skin. It was almost comical the way Draco shook it free, persistently ignoring it as he glared at his teammates in obvious frustration. And Harry snickered without remorse.
He watched the scoreboard anxiously, nibbling at his lip whenever Hufflepuff scored, and breathing in and out steadily as Slytherin slowly took the lead. They just needed to score once more to make the difference great enough. Slytherin's team soared around the pitch, working as a unit and seamlessly falling into position for a scoring manoeuvre, and Harry watched with baited breath. The snitch chose that moment to jolt across the pitch, and Draco dashed after it, his hair whipping around his face wildly as he flattened himself atop his broom.
The crowd screamed as Gregory knocked the quaffle away from Hufflepuff's chaser with a bludger, and then it was in Urquhart's hands, and he flew across the pitch hurriedly while Draco advanced on the snitch. Harry stood on his toes, fingers now gripped tightly around the railing. He watched as Draco glanced behind him, checking the distance between the goal post and Urquhart's placement over the pitch. He frowned and dove after the snitch with renewed energy, and Harry gritted his teeth, gaze flicking between the two players anxiously. Draco was determinedly chasing the snitch, clearly banking on a successful goal. But if Urquhart missed…
He watched the quaffle soar through the air, right as a bludger rammed into Hufflepuff's keeper, knocking him into the goalposts forcefully. Harry winced, and then his eyes widened as the quaffle flew through the ring. He whipped his head around towards Draco, just in time to catch his long fingers reaching out and tightening about the snitch. And then the whistle blew.
"Slytherin scores! And Draco Malfoy catches the snitch!" the announcer shouted, and the crowd burst into various screams and cheers. Harry's gaze latched onto Draco, and he smiled softly, startling when Draco stopped and searched for him in the crowd. Their eyes met, and Harry flushed, dropping his gaze shyly as he remembered his promise.
"Slytherin wins by-,"
"Two hundred points," Harry whispered. "He really did it."
Hermione glanced towards him curiously then narrowed her eyes. "What's that Harry?" she asked, but he just shrugged her off.
"Nothing," he muttered. Harry lifted his head, watching as Draco landed and became surrounded by teammates and the bulk of Slytherin house.
"Blimey, at this rate Slytherin will win the cup," Ron grumbled and Harry offered him a regretful tilt of his head, but he was rather distracted by other things at that particular moment. Draco was holding the snitch up high in triumph, smirking in that self-assured way of his, and despite the mass of students surrounding him and offering their congratulations, he didn't take his eyes off Harry for a single second.
He didn't meet Draco right away. Instead Harry was struck with an unfortunate seizure, short in length thankfully, but enough to knock him off his feet for a few hours. He hadn't meant to nap for quite so long, but by the time he woke it was well into the evening. Harry sighed regretfully and pouted down at his bed sheets. He figured Draco was probably busy with his housemates anyway, celebrating. Still, Harry padded over to his trunk and pulled out the Marauder's Map. With a tap of his wand and familiar whispered words the carefully drawn floor plan appeared, and to his surprise, Draco wasn't anywhere near the Slytherin Dungeon. Rather, he was wandering around just a few halls away from Gryffindor Tower. The little banner with his name written over it retraced its steps several times, almost like he was…pacing. Harry's fingers tightened in the well-worn parchment, and then he rushed to get dressed, pulling on a jumper and slacks, before running out through the common room.
He made his way to the corridor he last saw Draco in, peering around corners carefully. There were just a few students in the halls, and Harry did his best to avoid them, until he finally spotted Draco leaning heavily against a tapestry. He was slightly hunched, looking down at his shoes, brow furrowed as his palm pressed against the woven fabric. And he was alone. Perfect.
Harry snuck up on him, and then yanked him by the sleeve and started dragging him through the corridor. "Wha-!?," Draco blurted, and then his eyes widened when he caught sight of Harry. He let Harry pull him along until the two of them were tucked away in an alcove. "Harry, where've you...," Draco began, but he stopped suddenly and narrowed his eyes before touching Harry's face. "Did you have-,"
"I'm fine," Harry interrupted. He fidgeted a bit, tucking his hair behind his ears as he teetered back and forth on the balls of his feet. "Mrm…sorry if you've been waiting." The two of them stood there awkwardly staring at each other in silence. There was a strange expression on Draco's face, and Harry wondered what he was thinking about quite so intently. He looked relieved, but also worried somehow, and his fingers just barely grazed the skin of Harry's cheek, like he was hesitant to touch him.
"Come with me," Harry suddenly said, and then he pulled Draco through the hallway behind him. Technically it wasn't past curfew yet, but he didn't want to be seen, so he pushed Draco behind pillars and around corners sneakily, catching sight of Draco's bewildered expression each time they stalled. The two of them hurried down hidden staircases, jogging through the lesser known pathways on each floor. Midway down the Serpentine Corridor Harry tugged Draco back into a recess, the very same place he had found him on All Hallows' Eve. Several students walked up the staircase as they stood there, and Harry held his finger to Draco's lips to keep him quiet. Draco eyed him curiously, but Harry avoided his searching grey eyes, focusing on the rise and fall of his chest instead.
Once the voices turned to faint echoes he let go of Draco's hand and leaned back, placing himself up against the stones of the wall. Draco watched as he reached up and yanked down on a candlestick, and then his body disappeared into the wall, falling through on the other side. Harry stumbled a bit as he always did whenever he visited this particular space, and he stood there in the hidden room, watching the wall nervously until Draco fell through behind him with widened eyes. Draco composed himself quickly, taking in the space around them carefully, and Harry cast a spell to light the lanterns hanging throughout.
It was a very old room, isolated from the rest of the castle, and clearly abandoned for quite some time. There were cobwebs and dust on every surface, and though Harry had visited often, he'd made no effort to clean the space.
"What is this place?" Draco asked.
Harry shrugged and muttered, "Found it by accident," and Draco took a moment to look around, walking over towards the many bookshelves lining the walls. He wiped the dust off the spines, and ran his fingers over the titles. There was a lot of history in this room. Many secrets. Though Harry hadn't cared much to delve into them. He simply wanted a space to call his own. To lose his thoughts in. To be alone, if he needed. He figured Draco might find it intriguing. That he would feel compelled to explore it further in the future. At current though, Harry was hoping Draco's focus might return to…other things.
Harry walked over to the wooden writing desk and cast a spell to clean it off before hoisting himself atop it. He leaned back, and watched Draco circle the room. He let him explore for a few moments in silence while his gaze ran up and down Draco's form. He'd clearly showered since the match. His hair was styled, though it was slightly mussed, likely from Draco running his fingers through it endlessly. He was dressed nicely too, in a well fitted button down and dress pants beneath his robes. Harry wondered if all that was for him. He thought it might be. He clasped his hands together in his lap and smiled gently, glad that Draco had tried to search him out.
When Draco finally returned his attention to Harry he paused, standing in the corner of the room and staring at him where he kicked his legs back and forth over the edge of the desk. The two of them watched each other in the low lighting, and then Draco walked over, settling between Harry's legs and leaning close. "How many secret places do you know about in this castle?" Draco asked, eyes shining along with the flickering flames.
"Just about all of them."
Draco put his arms down on the desk, framing Harry's hips. He tilted his head slightly and stared. "And do others know as well?" he whispered.
Harry swallowed nervously under the intense scrutiny and shook his head. "Not this one, Just me, and now you," he promised. And it was true. This particular room wasn't even listed on his map. Harry played with his fingers in his lap, trying not to wither beneath Draco's scrutiny. Even when he was sitting atop the desk, Draco was still slightly taller. It was intimidating, as always, to be the sole focus of his attention, but it was also exactly what Harry wanted. He looked up into Draco's eyes and flushed despite his best efforts not to. "You caught the snitch," Harry mentioned. He wanted it to sound casual, but he stumbled over the words, unable to get rid of the nervous feeling beginning to settle in his stomach.
"I did."
"And won by two hundred points."
"Mm, yes, I do believe you're correct," Draco drawled. "Quite the challenge you gave me." He smirked, and looked down at Harry's lips. "Thank goodness my team is competent. Though I think they wanted to murder me when I told them my stipulations for catching the snitch."
Harry shifted atop the wooden desk slightly, and looked towards Draco's jaw. It tensed and shifted, and then Harry watched as Draco's tongue slipped out to moisten his lower lip with longing in his gaze. "Did you tell them why?"
"Not in exact terms. I merely made it clear that something very…precious to me rested on those conditions, and if anyone should cause them not to be met, they might find themselves lacking certain body parts come the following morning," Draco uttered. He was so very close. Harry could feel his quick breaths against his skin.
"Oh, is that all."
Their noses touched lightly, and both of them spent several seconds studying each other's face. It wasn't as if they hadn't already done so, but it was different somehow this time. Unrushed. And welcome. Like neither of them had anything left to hide. Harry relaxed slightly, and he sighed as Draco's fingers found their way into his hair, dragging down the back of his head before finding a home at the base of his jaw.
"Are you feeling okay?"
The words were soft, spoken with such care, and Harry practically melted. He smiled and nodded quickly, and even though he still had a bit of the strange heaviness lingering in his head, he whispered, "Better than okay." And then Draco was kissing him in that all-consuming way of his.
Harry's heart skipped, and his skin tingled. He opened his mouth and sank fully into Draco's hold. It was always such a wonderful feeling. To be held by him like this. He liked that he could capture Draco's attention so wholly. That these kisses were just for him. And perhaps it was because he hadn't ever had much to call his own, but he certainly liked the idea that all of this was his, and his alone.
He yelped when Draco pulled him forward by his waist, right to the edge of the desk, pressing their bodies together at their groins. Harry gasped into the kiss, overwhelmed by new sensations as Draco kissed him almost aggressively. It was refreshing not having to worry about onlookers. To be able to truly let go.
Something tickled at the skin of Harry's waist, and he realized that Draco's fingers had edged beneath his jumper. The touch was faint, but enough to make Harry jerk upwards in surprise. Their kiss broke, and Draco pulled back, looking at Harry briefly before he eased the fabric up the front of Harry's torso. It was pulled over his head, but not completely off, and Draco pushed the fabric back over Harry's shoulders before running his hands down the sides of his trapped arms. Harry shivered as Draco's fingers pressed into his skin, goose bumps rising to the surface as Draco's hands made their way back up his shoulders slowly. It was the first time Draco had seen him like this, and he felt the flush burning in his cheeks, slowly making its way down his neck and towards his chest. He peered off to the side while Draco studied him, and closed his eyes when Draco began kissing along the edge of his jaw. Then those gentle touches inched down his neck, towards his collarbone, and beyond.
His breathing quickened, and he blinked out at the room in a daze. He couldn't believe Draco was touching him like this. Kissing him like this. "Dra-Draco," he stuttered, leaning into the kisses eagerly. Warm fingers dragged down his front, pausing to play with his nipples a bit, which had Harry jerking in surprise and tightening his legs around Draco's hips. He was met with a loud groan muffled in his chest, and then Draco stood tall and pulled him in, holding him firm against his body.
"I'm going to take what I want now, as promised," Draco drawled, and Harry shivered as the words tickled at his ear. There was a brief pause, and then softly, "Is that okay?" The question surprised him, but he supposed it shouldn't have. Draco had been like this every step of the way. Assertive, but careful. Always making certain that Harry was comfortable with everything they did. Harry's fingers tightened in Draco's robes, and he nodded with a nervous swallow. "I need you to say it," Draco insisted.
Harry blinked up at him, and smiled as he assured, "Yes, it's okay."
Draco stood back then, his hands falling away from Harry as he shrugged his cloak off his shoulders and folded it carefully. He took his time draping it over one of the chairs inside the room, and Harry shivered as his skin grew cold in his absence. Harry pressed his knees together, and wrapped his arms around his bare torso, trying not to feel embarrassed beneath Draco's dark gaze. It was a difficult thing for certain, but he was comforted by the desire he saw there, even if he didn't understand it. Draco unbuttoned his sleeve cuffs, shrugging them up and away from his wrists, and finally, he stepped close again. His hands pressed down on Harry's thighs, urging them apart, and then he reached for Harry's waist and began unbuckling his belt. Harry reached out instinctively, elbows catching on the fabric of his shirt, and Draco paused before tugging the jumper down further and bunching the fabric around Harry's wrists. It locked his arms behind his back, and Harry breathed in quickly at the feeling of being confined in such a way. His eyes flittered about unsurely, but he felt his pants grow tighter as the flush in his cheeks deepened.
"Keep them there," Draco ordered, and Harry's breath hitched, but he nodded. As Draco's fingers returned to his belt, sliding the leather free of the buckle, Harry was met with gentle kisses that sent tingles down his skin and into his belly and lower. He heard the belt buckle fall against the floor, and he pulled back suddenly, breaking their kiss as Draco's fingers inched inside the waistband of his slacks. Draco paused and looked at him carefully. "What is it?"
"I've just…never done anything like this," Harry admitted.
Draco didn't remove his intruding hand, but he did raise the other to the side of Harry's face, dragging his thumb across the ridge of Harry's cheek bone. He brushed his fingers through Harry's hair, and then gripped him gently at the base of his neck. "Do you want to stop?"
The question was sincere, and Harry knew, if he said so, Draco would. He would pull free, he would wait, and he wouldn't push. But Harry didn't want to stop. He was ready for this. Whatever it was.
"No."
Draco's expression softened and he raised his lips slightly in a pleased grin before kissing Harry on the bridge of his nose. "Tell me if that changes." Then his fingers snapped the button of Harry's trousers open, the zip was lowered, and Harry shuddered as Draco pulled him free of his briefs. Draco eyed him for a moment, then eased his pants the rest of the way off, hoisting Harry up from the desk briefly as he did so. The trousers, much like his belt, flopped to the ground beneath Harry's dangling legs, and his shoes and shocks followed shortly thereafter. Harry heard Draco's quick intake of air, and couldn't bring himself to meet his gaze. He felt exposed, sitting there naked, wearing nothing but his glasses, with Draco's hands running soothingly over his thighs.
"Do you know how pretty you look like this?"
Harry faltered, heart pounding in his chest as he processed the words. He stared at his knees, knobbly and awkward looking as always. Tiny scars littered his skin, imperfections, and marks of war that would forever remain. Pretty wasn't a word he would use to describe himself, but when Draco said it like that, he almost believed it. And he kind of liked it. He kept his chin lowered until Draco forced him to tilt it upwards. "You're always pretty, but fuck, Harry," Draco breathed, and then he kissed Harry gently, lips moving over his in a slow but demanding way, one arm reaching around Harry's lower back to encase him entirely. His glasses were pulled from his face gently and set down somewhere nearby, and Harry blinked ahead owlishly until his eyes focused on the details of Draco's smooth skin. Draco kissed over his eyelids, and Harry peered at him through slightly blurred vision as Draco peppered kisses across his cheeks before biting delicately at his lips.
The ache in Harry's shoulders was just enough to keep him from falling into a distant haze. But as Draco slipped away from his lips and started kissing a trail down his neck and chest he let his head fall back as a strange weightless feeling overcame him. The path continued down his belly, and Harry was sure that the muscles there were shifting all over the place as he tensed and squirmed beneath the light touches against his skin. He spread his legs shakily as Draco knelt between them and kissed the inside of one of his thighs. When he hazarded a quick look, Draco was staring up at him heatedly, and Harry whined longingly in return. He sucked his lower lip in when he saw just how hard he was, his cock leaking embarrassingly and dripping down onto the floor.
But then Draco dragged his fingers down his calves and held on to his dangling feet before muttering, "So perfect," under his breath. Harry gasped as his legs were pushed open further, and then Draco smirked at him deviously before licking a stripe up the underside of his cock.
"Ah fuck, Dra-," Harry blurted, and the words caught in his throat as Draco suddenly swallowed him entirely. He let out a choked noise as Draco sucked him off rhythmically. This was…not what Harry had expected at all, but he certainly wasn't complaining. His legs shook as he writhed atop the desk, his arms jerking against their binding as he diligently held them in place. He wasn't sure how long it went on like that, but he was hanging right at the edge when Draco stood and started unbuckling his own belt. Harry missed the wet warmth around his cock, but he was too wrecked to complain as he watched Draco pull himself free through dazed eyes.
There were tears running down Harry's cheeks, and his lips had gone dry from his heavy breathing. His legs hung limply over the desk, and he nearly fell backwards atop it, but Draco reached out in time to stop him from teetering away. Fingers grasped at Harry's jaw, and he groaned when Draco pressed their arousals together and squeezed his hand around them tightly. He stroked them at a steady pace, slick fingers running up and down, up and down, up and down, and Harry got lost in the slippery sensation against his skin.
"D-Draco, if you want, I can…," he stuttered half-heartedly, but then Draco tightened his hold, and pulled Harry by his neck against his chest.
"I want you right here," he said, fingers clenched tightly in the hair at the back of Harry's scalp. And Harry gave in without much thought. Both of them were leaking, and each time Draco's palm ran over their tips, it dragged more of the shiny liquid down, coating them and creating a sticky mess between Harry's legs. Draco was thicker and longer than him, and Harry briefly considered how unfair that was, but the thought was gone moments later as Draco's cock grazed against the underside of his own in a particularly satisfying way. Harry whimpered at the slick slide, and his mouth fell open as he panted against Draco's chest. He turned his face towards Draco, leaving tear tracks and spit stains on his fancy shirt, and glanced up towards Draco's stormy eyes desperately. Draco was staring right back, a deep crease between his brows as he watched Harry with gritted teeth. He looked tense, like he was fighting against every bone in his body.
"I want to hold you," Harry breathed, softly, between pants, then let out a frantic, "Please." And Draco stopped for a moment, his hand faltering where it wrapped around both of them. He stared at Harry and then scrambled to free his wrists from the bunched up jumper, and the moment they were loose Harry's arms wrapped around him. His fingers practically clawed at him, and Draco's chin pressed hard into the juncture at Harry's neck and shoulder, breathing heavily against his ear.
"So fucking pretty," Draco muttered. "So good for me."
The praise had Harry trembling in his hold, and with just a few more strokes he shuddered against Draco with a whimper. He felt Draco's muscles stiffen, and then he grunted into Harry's mop of dark hair, spilling his release along with Harry. The two of them slumped against each other wearily. Still, Harry didn't let go, and if anything, his grip became even tighter. He was shaking from the aftershocks of such an intense climax, and Draco was clinging to him, nuzzling at his hair, and kissing behind his ear.
It took several minutes for Harry to come back from the haze. And with his return came the shock of cool air upon his skin, the roughness of the desk beneath his legs, and the lingering ache in his shoulders. He shifted slightly, tucking his head against Draco's collarbone as he tried to steady his breathing. Draco was oddly quiet, and there was a sticky mess between them that Harry was far too aware of. He hated how insecure he felt in the sudden silence. "Did you…did you like your gift?" Harry asked shakily, and Draco squeezed him tightly in response.
To Harry's relief, Draco whispered, "Very much so," his voice dry and gravelly, and then followed it up with a reverent, "Thank you." Harry didn't really know why he was thanking him, when Draco was the one who did all the work. But he closed his eyes and accepted the recognition regardless when Draco lifted his head by the chin to press a chaste kiss against his lips. It lingered, their lips clinging together tackily amidst the sweat and spit that coated them.
Draco stood there holding him for a long while, seemingly uncaring of the stains deepening in his robes. His hands dragged gently across Harry's shoulders and back, rubbing against his stiff muscles. He pressed several kisses into Harry's hair, then a single long one affectionately against his scar, and Harry's heart skipped at the tenderness behind it. He met Draco's gaze with droopy eyes, and couldn't help but think that he would have given him more, had he asked for it.
Finally Draco cast some spells to clean them, tucked himself away, and stood back so that Harry could ease himself down from the table on unsteady legs. He watched as Harry dressed, gaze unblinking and somewhat regretful as more of his skin was covered one piece of clothing at a time. Harry slid his glasses back on timidly and tugged his sleeves down over his wrists. He didn't want to leave, and so he took his time, pretending to straighten out the fabric of his slacks, carefully fastening his belt, retying his shoes. Eventually he closed his eyes and let out a soft sigh when he could no longer find reason to stall. He turned to find Draco still watching him, patient gaze fixated on Harry's face. He made no move to urge him on, but when Harry approached, he held out his arm, beckoning Harry to grab it.
The walk back to Gryffindor Tower was quiet, despite Draco's presence at Harry's side the entire way. For some reason he hadn't split off at the junction that would lead him towards the Dungeons, instead walking Harry back to the portrait diligently. An unspoken tension lingered in the air between them. A result of whatever had shifted between them in that secret room. It was something Harry couldn't quite name. It wasn't bad, or uncomfortable, or undesired. It just felt…different, than before.
Like…like more.
Before Harry uttered the password to enter his common room Draco grabbed his hand, kissing over the scars as he looked him in the eyes. The castle was dark now, the shadows long and stark upon his skin He seemed reluctant to let Harry go, holding on to his wrist tightly as he studied his face intently. And Harry found he didn't want him to either. Not just yet.
And then it suddenly hit him. This feeling in his chest, wasn't just a simple like.
He wanted to stay with Draco always. To fall into bed together and sleep at his side. To wake up with him, and eat breakfast with him, and have tea in the afternoon, before napping quietly together in leisure. He wanted to make a home with him, have a family, a future. To give him everything he could offer and more. And Harry's eyes watered slightly as he was struck by the sudden revelation.
This was…love.
It had happened so fast. Or perhaps…not so fast after all. But rather it had been building between them for years, and only just now allowed the freedom to truly blossom. He was afraid to say it out loud, lest he somehow ruin everything. Because, what if…what if it was only him who felt this way? And he watched Draco carefully, tried to communicate it silently. He opened his mouth, but closed it straight away, the words left unsaid, and he cursed himself for acting a coward, so unlike the traits of the house he supposedly belonged in.
Draco watched him curiously, behind somewhat guarded eyes. He tilted his head, clasping Harry's hand tightly between his own. Then slowly, and with utmost care, he kissed Harry's fingers one by one, then his palm, and lastly, the inside of his wrist. His lips stayed there, pressed against the sensitive skin for a long while as he watched Harry in the darkness of the hallway.
When Draco finally dropped his hand and walked away into the castle, Harry missed his touch instantly.
AN: Thanks so much for reading and being patient with this update! I hope you enjoyed it :).