VI – To Love…

"To love is to make of one's heart a swinging door." –Howard Thurman

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"Dumbledore, I'm afraid he doesn't trust me."

Dumbledore twirled his long, white beard, peering back at Malfoy. "Maybe it's just because you don't want him to."

"What?" Malfoy replied, blinking owlishly.

The murmuring of the other Headmasters framed on the wall did not disturb either Malfoy or Dumbledore. The two were at their same places in the Headmaster's office, seated across the table, with mint tea and sugar cakes. The current Headmaster was on his third. Malfoy had not touched his.

"Draco, why do you say he does not trust you?"

Dumbledore sat patiently as Malfoy continued to stare.

Malfoy was surprised to realize that he was having talks with the headmaster time and time again, knowing that long before he had detested him. His father had always commented on Dumbledore being a grey, old loon. And Malfoy had believed it.

But now as he looked at the tall, wizened professor, he noticed his "Malfoy eyes" were peeling off; he began to see what others saw, a good and sincere man.

"Well, Potter keeps pestering me for answers," Said Malfoy, grudgingly, "thinking I've got another motive for doing all these things."

"So why are you doing these things?"

"I—I—You… You know why." Malfoy said, shooting an accusing look. He felt heat quickly blooming on his cheeks and ears. He knew he was already turning red. His heart began beating profusely.

"Yes, Draco. And you know why too. So speak up. Why are you doing these things?"

"To protect Potter."

It was Dumbledore who looked amused; his lips were curling into a smile. "Why Harry?"

Malfoy could not believe Dumbledore wanted to hear it again; he opened his mouth several times before muttering, "Because he is…"

Silence. The blonde boy looked down to his shiny black shoes.

"Because I love him…?"

Nothing happened for just a moment, as if the air itself settled into the confines of the motionless room, but then Malfoy glanced back to the professor, blushing enigmatically though looking surly.

"—but it still does not make him trust me."

"At least now you have spoken the truth without the Veritaserum." Nodded Dumbledore, approving the development, "So go and tell him."

Malfoy's eyes boggled.

"What?"

"Tell him the truth. It will not make him trust you, because he already does. He is merely concerned about you. He wants to be there for you, Draco. He wants you to trust him."

A/N: Hello everyone! Firstly I'd like to note that I'm sorry for Harry's complacent nature in the story, I know I didn't give him any spunk but I just wanted him as innocent as possible. It's my first time trying to do a story so sweetly. Is it too cheesy?

I would also just like to say thank you to all those who bothered to review. I can't believe it's actually been hell trying to reach these reviews or update; it has been gruesomely hard to take a peek during computer class, or take a ride to a mall, or asking friends to see the reviews. But I am entirely grateful for the few minutes you gave me, whether it be to express praise, critique, threat (eek . ) or total abomination. And even if I can't name you all personally, and email you all (which, actually, I do want to do…Stop looking doubtfully at me!) at least I get to thank you here. I find the reviews all worth it, and all heart-warming, and that's why I still go through all the trouble. Hehe. So since you've converted me to a total sap and rendered me your slave, what would you like me to do? suggestive hint