Title: Save Me From The Dark
Author: Princesspepper
Rating: I think I can get away with R.
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters in this story. They belong to J.K. Rowling.
Pairing: Harry/Draco (suggestion of Ron/Hermione, but, of course, that is not important).
WARNINGS: Sexual content (later), adult language, self-harm (cutting, more specifically—it says suicide, but it doesn't get that far), kinda dark, and some Ron-bashing in later chapters.
(A/N): Uh, it may seem weird that they're suddenly so friendly to each other, but let's just chalk it up to a silent agreement they made the night before. Harry started to accept his feelings, and that was why he comforted Draco the previous night. Uh, I really hope that makes sense. -Bites her nails- Remember, I completely re-wrote the last two chapters, so that's why it's kinda inconsistent. Sorry!
This chapter is dedicated to adina, KioneThan, driven to insanity, ozumas girl, JAML, angelomaledato, personz-of-da-dungoen, and MishapsErrors! Thank you!
(Chapter Six: Slowly But Surely)
When Harry woke up the following morning, the hangings of his bed were still closed and the silencing charm was still placed. Draco was lying next to him, their arms sill around each other. Draco was looking perfectly angelic with his long blonde hair fanned out on the pillow, and his pale eyelids shut. His mouth was turned up in a rare smile and he looked at peace with the world. 'No more nightmares, huh Draco?' Harry thought to himself and smiled.
Slowly, slowly, he eased his arm out from under Draco's sleeping form and sat up. He knew the rest of his dorm was still fast asleep so it was a good time for Draco to make a clean getaway, but he just didn't want to wake him up, he looked so peaceful. Finally Harry got up the courage, seized Draco's shoulders, and gently shook him.
Draco muttered something incoherent, but turned over onto his back and slowly opened his stormy gray eyes. As he set those eyes upon Harry's, his deliciously pink lips turned upwards into a sleepy smile.
"Morning Harry," Draco muttered sleepily. Harry smiled right back at him and fought the urge to kiss him on the cheek.
"Good morning Draco," Harry whispered. Draco moaned and tried to catch Harry's lips in a full and proper kiss, and Harry almost gave in, but he pulled away at the last second and murmured "No… I can't…"
Draco got mad. Now, normally when Draco got this mad he would storm out of the room in a rage, but he made an exception. After all, this was Harry Potter, the boy he had been dreaming about for quite a while. He wasn't about to blow it. He'd get a real kiss sooner or later… most preferably sooner.
"Why?" he complained, "you kissed me last night!"
Harry sighed. "I told you; I kind of regret it now. I'm really not ready for this. Please, just… give me some time." Harry winced. He felt bad for not giving Draco a real reason, but he didn't want to tell him. As it turned out, the last time Harry had been in a relationship with somebody, she used him for a few months and then dumped him. But, that was a whole other story.
"Fine. What will it take?" he said eagerly.
"I feel like I've just met you," Harry said softly, "you're acting so different now that I'm seeing this vulnerable side of you. I need time to get to know you better."
"Okay. Well, go ahead. Ask me questions."
"Sorry, but you have got to leave now. My roommates will be waking up any minute, now is your last chance to make it back to your dorm unnoticed." Harry said sounding quite sad that his new… friend had to leave so soon.
Draco pouted but slowly started to get up. He put his feet on the carpet and rose so that he was supporting himself. Harry watched carefully, making sure Draco was steady enough to walk. He thought he was, but then Draco's knees slightly gave way and he fell back onto the bed. Harry rushed over to see if he was all right, and cradled Draco's head in his lap.
"Oh gods, how are we going to do this?" Harry moaned. He sat there and thought for a minute and then sprang up, dropping Draco's head back onto the bed. "Oh, sorry…" Harry muttered, now digging through his trunk for his invisibility cloak again.
"Come on, let me help you up." Whispered Harry as he carried the silvery cloak over to where Draco was laying. Draco slowly sat up and Harry threw the cloak over the pair of them. Harry put his arm around Draco, and Draco did the same to Harry as they began to walk. As they were slowly creeping past Ron's bed, he made a distinct snort that made Draco jump, which caused both himself and Harry to go tumbling to the floor, making quite a racket.
Harry thought they would be fine, since they were under the invisibility cloak, but oh how wrong he was. The cloak had gotten wrapped around a bedpost, and when Harry and Draco fell to the ground, it got yanked off the top halves of their bodies. And to Harry's horror, Ron turned over to face them. And he had his eyes open. Looking straight at them.
Harry froze, trying to think up an excuse and worrying about Draco at the same time. Ron was just staring. 'He must be in shock I suppose…' Harry thought grimly. "Uh, Ron? You see…" Harry had begun to say, but Harry noticed that as he stood up, Ron's eyes didn't follow him. Ron had been sleeping with his eyes open.
Harry let out a huge sigh of relief and retrieved the cloak, picking up Draco and throwing it over them once again. The rest of the trip to Draco's room was uneventful, except for the time Draco stumbled and almost stepped on Mrs. Norris's tail. When they reached his room at last, Draco flung off the invisibility cloak and gave Harry a quick embarrassed "thanks" before darting inside and slamming the door. But then Draco had second thoughts and yanked open the portrait hole again.
"Harry! Psst, Harry?" Draco whispered into the seemingly empty corridor. Harry took the invisibility cloak off his head for the sake of Draco to be able to see what he was talking to.
"Yes, what is it?" Harry said, sounding confused.
"I will be seeing you again won't I? We can be friends now, can't we?" Draco said with an upset look on his face, hoping against hope that Harry would say yes.
Harry considered this for a minute, but then turned back to Draco. "I'm sorry Draco, but if we are all friendly in public, people will get suspicious." Harry said sadly. "We must be very gradual about this… we could wind up regretting it."
"But I can still talk to you and be friends right? Even if it's just when nobody else is watching?" Draco said hopefully.
"Well, yes, but then and only then." Harry answered gently.
Draco nodded miserably, turned back into his room, and shut the door behind him. Harry silently marveled at how needy Draco was being. 'Oh well,' he thought, 'I was needy too when I used to cut…'
The next week progressed very slowly. Draco and Harry didn't act noticeably different towards one another, but they didn't fight as much either. There was the occasional tiff when they were forced to work together, but at the end of the period, one always gave the other an apologetic smile before leaving the classroom.
It wasn't long before Hermione got fed up and confronted Harry.
"SO!" she said, clapping a hand on Harry's shoulder as soon as she was sure Ron was out of earshot. Harry was sitting on his favorite armchair in the common room, reading a book for his homework, and Hermione… she had just been waiting for the room to clear out.
Harry winced when he felt her presence. "Yes, what is it?" he said irritably.
"You know… how did it go with Draco? You never did tell me what happened."
Harry told her about Draco's nightmare, and how he woke up screaming. Then, he reluctantly told her about their kiss.
Her eyes widened, and Harry saw something strange glint behind them. "So… remind me why you aren't in his room making out right now?"
Harry rolled his eyes. "I'm not ready for that! Everybody's trying to pressure me into going off with him, but I'm scared!" he exclaimed. "I mean, I've just come to terms with the fact that I have feelings for him… not to mention, I just realized that I'm gay. I'm not ready to have a full fledged relationship with my ENEMY!"
"He's not your enemy anymore!" Hermione argued.
"You're right. But still! You remember what happened last time I rushed into things!"
"But this is different, Harry," Hermione said quietly, knowing she was touching on a sensitive subject. "He's not going to do that to you."
"How do you know that? I sure as hell don't! I feel like I'm just meeting him! That's what I told him, at least. I mean, he's being nice, and it's SCARING me. I'm used to him being a prat."
Hermione nodded. "Fine. Just… give him a chance, okay? I'm sure he means well," and with that, she went up to bed.
On Monday morning when Harry woke up, the first thing he saw was a white envelope sitting on his night table. He picked it up curiously, wondering who had written him.
He opened it cautiously; afraid of what might be inside. To his relief, it was just a letter. He read over it carefully…
H,
Meet me in the empty charms classroom during lunch. Looking forward to it. Can't wait.
D.
Harry got very happy very suddenly after reading Draco's note. Now he had something to look forward to the whole day! The bad part was the day would seem so much longer if he were waiting for lunch…
After what felt like a year, it was finally lunchtime. Harry dashed up the stairs to his room to quickly drop off his things, only keeping his wand in his pocket. He rushed back down and ran all the way to the charms corridor. He was quite keen on seeing Draco, and he wasn't planning on adding any more time to what had already seemed like forever. Finally, he reached the door and opened it slowly. Draco was sitting atop Professor Flitwick's desk, nervously moving his leg up and down in quick, jerky motions. He stopped immediately at the sight of Harry walking in and jumped off the desk. He ran towards Harry and captured him in a heartfelt embrace, which (after a moment of hesitation) Harry returned just as enthusiastically.
"Was it just me or did today seem to drag on forever?" Draco said, sounding exasperated and relieved at the same time.
"Oh no, you are definitely not alone." Harry said sweetly and tightened the embrace. Harry knew this was driving Draco completely up the wall, for Draco wanted more than a friendly hug. Not that Harry didn't, but he just couldn't rush into things lately. What with after last time and all…
But now Draco was talking, which interrupted Harry from his dismal thoughts. "Listen Harry," Draco began tentatively, as if he were walking on eggshells and trying not to break them, "I respect your feelings. I know you don't want to rush into anything. But… aaargh, why do you have to be such a prude!" he said, suddenly reverting back to his impatient drawl. He chuckled at Harry's angered expression. "Just kidding. But, seriously, when are you going to let me…?" He let the question hang in the air, yet managed to make it clear to Harry that he meant business.
Harry gave Draco a weakened smile and shrugged his shoulders nervously. "Uh… I don't know when I'll be ready. The thing is… I've had some things happen to me in the past… and I'm not sure it would be wise for me to rush into anything. For my own mental health I mean."
"You and your sodding mental health!" Draco lashed out suddenly with these words, sounding as if his patience had been tested for the final time. "I don't give a shit what the bloody hell happened in your last relationship! Harry, does this mean you don't trust me? Are you afraid I'm going to dump you? Well I'm not! Does that make you feel any better? I'M NOT!" Draco screamed these last words with such intensity that Harry felt the need to take a step backwards.
At these words, Harry felt his own rage boiling up inside of him. He gritted his teeth angrily, unconsciously making a threatening gnashing noise that made Draco twitch. "You self-absorbed, ungrateful, lying, scheming, traitor." Harry said evenly in a deathly calm voice, taking a threatening step towards the blond, who was sneering back at him. "You selfish TOSSER. Do you think that, just because you have a problem, I'll be able to forget all of mine in order to make you HAPPY? WELL, if THAT'S what you think, you are SORELY mistaken!" he bellowed, shifting his stance so that he was leaning on his front foot.
Draco decided now wasn't a good time to instigate, so he took a step back. "Harry," he breathed, looking his friend in the eye, "calm down. I didn't mean it like that. S-sorry."
"SHUT UP!" Harry screamed, shoving one of the desks in the room against the wall. "Sorry isn't good enough sometimes, Malfoy! Did it ever once occur to you that this might be a bit of a sensitive subject for me! DID IT!"
Draco cast his gaze towards the ground, willing himself not to look at Harry until he was done ranting. When he seemed that he was finished and waiting for Draco to answer him, he finally looked up. "Alright, I get it. I know I'm not the only one with issues, okay?" He took a few steps forward so that there were but a couple of inches between himself and Harry. Draco tentatively raised his hand from where it hung by his side in order to shakily place it on Harry's shoulder in a calming gesture.
Harry's erratic breathing seemed to be slowly returning to a normal speed, and his eyes began to stop bulging. He met Draco's eyes and looked at him uneasily, as if he still wasn't sure weather or not he was being genuine.
"Can I speak now without you freaking out?" Draco asked dryly, letting his hand drop from Harry's shoulder and raising a questioning eyebrow. Harry nodded, slightly apologetically, and sat on the desk that he had previously shoved.
"Good," Draco said a moment later, sitting next to Harry on the desk. "Listen, I know things haven't exactly been easy for you. Hell, that's a huge understatement even. You being… who you are and all, I mean." He said, slightly afraid of the look on Harry's face. To Draco's surprise, Harry seemed to be listening patiently, his green eyes focused on Draco's face. "Anyway, all of your emotions—and I know you have a lot—seem to come out as anger. I know you're going to ask how I know that," Draco said, cutting Harry off from whatever he was going to say, "but let's just say that you learn a lot from obsessing over someone for six years."
Harry looked slightly stricken from these words. "Obsessing?" he said incredulously.
"Of course. What'd you think? It's not normal for someone who supposedly hates someone to try to be near them so much."
"Are you admitting to stalking me?"
"I wouldn't go that far," Draco muttered, wringing his hands nervously. "Anyway," he said, thinking it was quite a good time for a subject change. "Do you feel any better? I promise I won't blow up at you again like that. I understand that you need time."
Harry smiled half-heartedly. "Yeah, I do feel a bit better. We best be going then, huh?"
Draco smiled back at him, relief flooding his features. Green locked with silver and, without speaking a word, the both knew that they jumped over a huge hurdle in their relationship.
"See you later, then." Draco said. Sliding off the desk and turning back around to face Harry, who was now getting off the desk as well. Draco made to kiss Harry on the cheek, this time not leaving any room for wondering if he was trying to do something more. And that moment was when Harry knew it was time.
Harry turned his head so instead of Draco meeting Harry's cheek, he met his lips. Harry found his hands seemingly involuntarily rising from their spot hanging on either side of him to rest on Draco's shoulders, pulling the other boy closer. Draco rested his hands on Harry's waist as they opened their mouths to one another, allowing their tongues to brush tantalizingly.
Each boy forgot where he was and what he was doing there. All he could concentrate on was the other person whose mouth he was attached to.
Harry allowed Draco to further explore his mouth with his tongue, and Draco complied without hesitation. He ran his tongue over Harry's bottom teeth, then slowly caressed the roof of his mouth. 'I always wondered what he tasted like,' Draco thought, 'but never did I imagine it would be as good as this.' Harry's hands slid up into Draco's hair, which, to his surprise, was very soft; like phoenix feathers. Draco's hands slid up as well, underneath Harry's shirt. He felt the toned muscles on Harry's back and lifted his hands up higher, nearly lifting the material off of him altogether. In fact, that is what he was trying to do, but Harry wasn't ready for that yet. His hands untangled themselves from Draco's hair and he grabbed his arms, letting him know he didn't want that now. Draco had no problem with that; they would go there when Harry was ready.
When the kiss ended, the two boys exchanged dazed smiles, not looking forward to the inevitable moment when the relaxed, sated mood in the room would dissipate.
"Harry…" Draco whispered, still in his trance, "Thank you."
Harry responded by blushing lightly and avoiding the blonde's eyes. He then took Draco's hand and they strolled out of the empty classroom, only letting go of one another when they realized people were coming.
"But Harry, I thought you said you were going to take it slow?" Hermione was saying to Harry during Transfiguration class an hour later, while chasing a cricket around with her wand, trying to perform the charm on it.
"Well yes, I did say that," replied Harry thoughtfully, "but things changed. He made me feel comfortable Hermione. He deserves to be trusted." Harry said seriously as he followed his insect about.
"Well why the change of heart? I know it takes more than a pair of silver eyes to break you, Harry." Hermione continued curiously.
"Well, he said something that got me really mad, but then he was able to effectively calm me down. Which not many people can do, mind you. When I was completely calm, he talked to me a bit and asked me if I felt better after venting my anger. When we were about to leave, he went to give me a kiss on the cheek. That's how I knew it was time, see? He was respecting my wishes. So I decided that I could trust him."
Hermione smiled girlishly and said, "Well I guess that makes sense. But how are you going to hide this relationship from the whole school? You know things like this always end in tragedy." Hermione KNOWS her clichés.
Harry felt dread spill into his stomach like ice water. "Er, well yes, we are going to erm, go public eventually. God, why did you have to bring that up? I don't want to think about it now!" Harry said impatiently, nearly stabbing his bug with the end of his wand. "I don't even know if I consider me and him an 'us,' if you know what I mean."
Hermione smirked mischievously and said, "Oh don't worry Harry, you'll know when you're a couple. Plus, the time will come when you'll know it's a good time to tell people." And with that and an expert flick of her wrist, she became the first in the class to successfully turn a bug into a turnip.
It was nearly dinnertime on Saturday evening and Draco was in his room, reading peacefully. He was thoroughly engrossed in the horror novel he was reading, and was aware of little else in the room. Just as he was getting to the scary part, he heard a loud knock on his door.
Draco let out a loud shriek and promptly dropped his book. Then realizing there was somebody at the door, his face turned red at the thought that he or she probably heard him scream. He collected himself and strutted over to the portrait hole, opening it quickly but feeling quite shell-shocked.
When Draco peered outside and saw nobody, he got very impatient and made to slam the door, but then he heard faint laughter coming from somewhere. He whipped around to face the inside of his room, but saw no one. He closed his portrait hole up and sat back down on his chair, retrieving his book. Which presented itself to be a bad idea because he was now very spooked. But, being Draco, he ignored the feeling completely and kept on reading.
Until he felt something grab him from behind.
For the second time that day, Draco let out a high-pitched scream and dropped the book at his feet, whipping around. Nothing. He was just about to turn back around when he heard distinct yet muffled laughter coming from behind him.
But he was not frightened. He let a smirk play across his lips and grabbed at what looked like just air until his fist closed around what felt like silky material. Draco yanked what was in his hand to reveal Harry, standing clad in what Harry clearly thought was a nice pair of trousers and a dress shirt. At this instant Harry could not contain himself anymore. He burst out laughing, falling to the floor and rolling around clutching his stomach like a crazy person.
"Harry!" Draco yelped. "That's not funny! You might have given me a bloody heart attack. Stupid prat…" Draco was muttering nonsense words at his hysterical friend, but couldn't be serious for any longer. Soon after, Draco found himself chuckling lightly just at the look of Harry on the floor like that. It wasn't too long before the flood gates opened, and he laughed loudly and thoroughly.
Finally, the laughter subsided and Draco sat up from his awkward position to wipe his eyes, which had been tearing from the hilarity. He took a moment to notice the getup his friend was in and managed to ask, "Hmph, what's the occasion, Potter." Still trying to sound pissed, although anger was the farthest thing from his mind.
"So kind of you to notice, dear." Harry said sarcastically, rolling his eyes melodramatically. "I'm taking you on a real date tonight. In Hogsmeade." Harry announced proudly, dusting off his trousers from rolling on the floor.
Draco smirked. "That's very sweet of you, but you don't expect to wear that do you?" Draco said with disgust. Clearly the boy had no fashion sense. And he claimed to be gay. Pfft.
"Hey, what's wrong with it?" Harry said, sounding bewildered as he plucked the material he was wearing on his chest.
"Everything," Draco declared emphatically. "You seem about my size, I'll fix you up with some real clothes." Draco said, and with that, he took Harry's hand and dragged him to the bedroom.
(End Of Chapter Six)
(A/N): Eurgh, I didn't like that at all. It's so… fluffy. If you're reading this story, you probably don't like fluff. My apologies. But I did re-write like, half of this chapter. If this is your first time reading this, I'll tell you that in the original version, Harry ended up crying in the classroom scene instead of blowing up. XD I was so young and naïve when I wrote this. I hope you liked it anyway, and feedback is appreciated!
XOXO Princesspepper OXOX