Kylia: To start this chapter off, I would just like to say that both Harry and Draco have been tied up at opposite ends of the room so that we (Raei and myself that is) can write in PEACE AND QUITE!!! (glares at both boy's as Raei cracks a whip in the background) Serves ya'll right!!

Raei: I'm enjoying this very much you know... (grins as she runs her fingers along the length of the whip) Mwrawrr... (smiles at the boys)

Kylia: Ummmm... ookkaayy... On with the chapter.

Voldemort stood in front of Harry, his red slit eyes casting a look of loathing and revulsion at the two motionless bodies lying at Harry's feet. The unforgivable curse Avada Kedavra, had been used twice in a span of a heartbeat, erasing two innocent lives. Staring down at the bodies Harry felt the rage build up inside him, and he moved to strike Voldemort, only to be stopped by two strong arms wrapping around his midsection. Struggling to break free, Harry was forced to watch as the Dark Lord advanced upon him, pale bony hands clutching a jagged dagger.

"NOOOO!" Harry found himself screaming, thrashing out at the person holding him tight...managing to turn in his attackers grip to throw him violently to the hard ground.

"OW! WHAT THE FUCK POTTER!?" Came a familiar voice snapping Harry out of his dreamlike trance.

Harry's attention snapped back to reality, his vision was blurred as he looked around the room. His awareness then traveled towards the boy lying in a heap on the ground, blood seeping from his forehead spoiling the white blanket. Harry's eyes widened as he slipped to the floor, reaching for Draco.

"Oh God... I'm so sorry... Are you okay?"

"Does it bloody look like I'm okay?!" Draco brushed tenderly at the large wound on his forehead. Bringing his blood-covered hand into view, Draco felt light headed. "I don't bleed well..." He slumped to the ground.

"Draco! DRACO!" Harry quickly pushed the glass coffee table out of the way and cradled Draco in his arms. "Oh God!" Harry brushed the hair away from the gash on Draco's forehead, using the blanket to wipe away the excess blood. "Ennervate..."

Moaning slightly, Draco opened his eyes searching around the room until his vision settled on the worried boy hovering over him. "What happened?"

"Nightmare... you got injured in the process."

"My nightmare?"

"No. Mine." Harry placed his fingers over Draco's forehead, letting magic percolate from his fingertips and into the wound. The skin mended itself within seconds, leaving a feeling of tingling warmth where the wound used to be.

"What did you just do?" Draco reached up to his fore head and found no trace of a cut ever being there.

"Err... wandless magic?"

"You can do that?"

"Yes." He helped Draco onto the couch, still holding onto the corner of the bloody blanket.

"What did you dream about that caused you to push me off the couch?"

Harry sat on the coffee table. "I didn't mean to."

"Was it about the war?"

Harry sat quiet for a moment twisting the blanket in his hands, blood staining his fingers. His hair fell over his eyes and blocked Draco's view of his face. Draco leant forward and cupped his hand on Harry's cheek.

"Look at me." He spoke as he kneeled infront of Harry.

Harry took a deep breath, looking utterly defeated as he spoke quietly. "Yes, it was about the war."

"Tell me?" Draco took the blanket out of Harry's hands and replaced it with his own hands. "Please?"

It all came out in an unexpected rush, "Voldemort was standing infront of me, and he looked so happy because he had just destroyed the last two people I had truly cared about. He closed in on me stepping over their bodies; he was coming to kill me. And I felt someone grab me from behind holding me still so I couldn't move..."

"Who are 'they'?"

"Ron and Hermione."

"They're... dead?"

"He killed them to get to me. He knew that they would risk their lives to save mine. Because of me, Ron and Hermione were tortured to death – and I have to live with the knowledge that they were born to die for me."

Draco didn't know what to say to that. He settled for pulling Harry into a hug, as the tears started to flow freely from Harry's emerald eyes. Emotion gripped Draco as he held the other man in his arms, rubbing his hands over Harry's back to comfort him.

Then, he said something that he would have never imagined he would say, "You still have me Harry... I'll always be here for you." He murmured as he closed the small gap between them and laid a gentle kiss on Harry's tear stained cheek.

In response Harry tightened his grip on Draco, before suddenly and roughly, pushing the other wizard away from him. Draco blinked.

"What... what's wrong?" he whispered hurt lancing through every word.

Harry balled his fists up at his side before standing abruptly, "I can't do this." Then without another word, strode from the room, towards the balcony that led to the beach. Fresh tears cascading down already damp cheeks.

Draco sat numbly on the ground, the words 'I can't do this' echoed through his mind. He felt tears prickle in his eyes; hastily wiping at them he brought his legs close to his chest, hugging his knees. Looking towards the still open balcony door, Draco felt his heart clench as he closed his eyes, praying to whatever God was listening that he would not cry. He hated to cry, it showed that he was weak, and weakness was something that the Malfoy family never permitted. Then a thought occurred to him. He was the last Malfoy, and there was no one to tell him anymore that crying was wrong, or that following your emotions was dangerous.

Re-opening his eyes, Draco gazed at the crowned ring on his finger, the white gold metal gleaming in the morning sun. Before he knew it, a single teardrop had fallen onto the shimmering surface. It reminded Draco of the previous night when he had been walking on the beach with Harry, the sea had shimmered just like the teardrop. That memory gave way to a stolen moment in the cave when Draco had almost felt Harry's lips on his own. Biting his bottom lip, which quivered, Draco let the tears fall.

Striding quickly towards the water, Harry wiped madly at his eyes. He fell into a sitting position on the large rock just a few feet from the cold water. He buried his head in his hands, angry with himself for hurting Draco. He raised his head in time to see a small flower float past his face and land in the sand infront of his feet, quickly being washed away with the tide. He watched as the flower floated away on the waves, slowly being swallowed by the current.

He wasn't sure how long he had been sitting there, but the sound of sand being turned up behind him alerted Harry that he had company. He was about to turn around and tell them to get lost, but a second before he could speak, arms wrapped loosely around him. They were holding a plate with a clumsily made sandwich, though it wasn't the food that caught Harry's attention - it was the crowned ring on the pale right thumb; it was facing outwards.

Harry opened his hands to receive the plate, and Draco complied as he set the plate down. "I thought you might be hungry." He mumbled quietly. Then with a hint of cruelty added, "Though I wouldn't want you to eat it if you can't bring yourself to." And with that, Draco's warm presence left.

Harry opened his mouth quickly to try to say something – but before he could find the words – Draco was too far to hear them. "Shit!"

Crossing his legs and resting his elbows on his knees, Draco sat on the cool sand, staring sadly into the ocean, wishing that the sea would take away his pain. Part of him wished that Harry would find a way to drop dead in the next few hours, but another; stronger part of him wished that Harry would accept his feelings. For Draco already had, he knew that for the first time in his whole life, he was right about the way he felt. There was no shame or regret.

As he idly fiddled with his ring, it suddenly became darker as a shadow fell down upon Draco, followed by Harry sitting down next to him. Close enough so that their knees touched.

Harry was holding the plate, which held one half of the sandwich that Draco had made for him. "I'm not used to sharing anything. I'm always afraid that it'll blow up in my face if I let anyone close." He paused and offered the half sandwich to Draco. "But I'll share with you, if you'll let me..."

Draco took the plate in his hand, and set it down gently infront of his knees before turning to face Harry. "I meant what I said before. You'll always have me, I'll always be here for you." Draco paused and looked down at his ring. "Why did you give me this?" Harry took Draco's hand in his and spoke quietly while stroking the heart on the ring, his voice quoting what he had memorized when he bought the ring. "Wear the ring on the right hand, the crown turned inwards and the world may see the heart is yet unoccupied. Worn on the right hand, the crown turned outwards, and it is clear that a love is being considered. But when it is worn on the left hand, the crown outwards: the two loves have become inseparable." Draco watched as Harry's thumb came to a stop over the small heart, and he held his breath. Gazing back up at Harry, Draco saw a small sad smile on the other man's features. Frowning slightly, Draco raised his free hand and brushed a strand of hair from Harry's eyes. "What's the matter?"

Harry shrugged, "I gave this ring to you when I wasn't sure what your reaction would be. I thought maybe that you would laugh at me or something. But when I saw it on your hand last night in the cave, I couldn't help but feel happy." The black haired boy continued, "You are the last friend I have Draco. I'm not about to let you go."

The two soon found themselves sitting at the kitchen table, eating a salad that had taken Draco quite a while to prepare. It had turned out to be a beautiful day, though there was s till cloud covering the sky, and Draco found himself asking what they would be doing later on.

Harry considered this for a moment, then answered in a shy kind of voice, "Well... there's this night club about, fifteen minutes from here. We could go there, or something."

Draco looked slightly alarmed at the notion of spending an entire night surrounded by loud Italian muggles, but with a quick look at Harry's drooping features, he smiled and replied, "Sure. That sounds like fun."

"Really?"

"Yes. When should we leave?"

"Well there's going to be a karaoke night at the local club, but it doesn't start until about 9... and it's," Harry glanced at his watch. "About 3... err... so we won't be leaving until about 8:30." He added with a smirk, "Unless you take that long to get ready?"

"Really? That long... hmmm..." Draco pushed a soggy crouton to the side, "Would you mind if I went out for a bit?"

"Err... should I get my jacket then?"

Draco smiled. "No. I'm just going to wander for a while by myself."

"...Oh. Okay." Harry replied, stuffing a piece of lettuce into his mouth. "That's fine."

Draco noticed the hint of disappointment in Harry's voice, but decided to push it aside. "Don't worry, I won't abandon you." He picked up his bowl as well as Harry's and placed them in the sink.

"I wasn't finished with that."

"Yes you were."

"Must you take my salads AND my scotch!?"

Draco pondered for a moment before turning and crossing his arms. "Yes." He glanced back at the dishes. "You can do the dishes while I'm gone to keep you busy."

"Uh-huh."

Draco grinned wide and walked towards the hallway, which led towards the door. "I'll be home soon, alright?"

"Uh-huh."

"Is that all you can say?" Draco spoke sourly as he put on his jacket.

Harry smirked. "Uh-huh." Knowing full well that it would piss Draco off.

Draco threw his hands up in the air. "Try not to hurt yourself while I'm gone."

"Uh-huh."

'UGH!' was all Harry heard before the slamming of the door.

Draco made his way towards the dreaded marketplace again, searching for an optical shop, fingering the piece of paper in his coat pocket as he weaved in and out of the crowd. He was glad that he had not dressed overly nice today, as a breeze blew loose dust up at him, though he had been smart enough to wear his sunglasses. In the distance Draco spotted the shop in question, once inside – he walked towards one of the many display cases, which held the newest selection of frames.

"Ciao! Come posso aiutarlo?"

"Pardon?"

"L'OH... Uomo anglofono." The shopkeeper smiled tightly. "Hello, help?"

Draco blinked at the man. He looked to the side and pushed the prescription at the man. "I need this filled."

"...Filled?" the man looked down at the paper. "Oh, Sì, Sì..." He smiled as he took the paper. "You need new frames?"

"Yes... these ones please." Draco slid a pair of rectangular plastic, black- framed frames at the man. "If it wouldn't be too troublesome?"

"Oh, no no!" The man waved his hands scooping the prescription and the frames into his hands. "Two hours?" he spoke holding up his index and middle fingers.

Draco nodded slowly. "Yes... that's fine." Fearing any sudden movements would cause the man to launch into an Italian tirade against him.

"Cash? Credit?"

"...Cash." Draco leant back slightly, narrowed his eyes, and spoke slowly as he stared at the man, whose large eyes very wide behind the thick lenses.

"Meraviglioso! Maria, viene ottiene questi e le prende alla fretta posteriore!"

Draco smiled nervously at the balding man as a pretty dark haired girl came out from the back nodding curtly first at the old man and then at Draco. Draco looked at the man and held up his fingers up. "Two hours?"

The man nodded vigorously. "Sì, Sì! Two hours! You go!" the man handed Draco a small slip of paper with the prescription information on it.

"...Super." Draco spoke under his breath, taking the paper as he turned to promptly leave the store.

The next couple of hours passed by with Draco sitting at a shaded table outside a small coffee shop, an espresso and a biscotti sitting on the mosaic table top. He had lost count of how many of the small coffee's he had ordered, but figured it was somewhere near five. He glanced at his watch, and noticed that the time read 5:12. He looked back at the coffee cups then his eyes widened as he looked back at his watch. He was supposed to have picked up the glasses 12 minutes ago. "Shit!"

Draco picked up his espresso and downed the rest of it in one shot, and nearly ran across the marketplace towards the glasses store. He twitched slightly as he reached for the door. Opening it he came across the dark haired girl again. She smiled sourly up at him and pointed to the counter.

"You're prescription is ready."

"Super! Thanks!" He smiled quickly and walked towards the counter. Leaning on it, Draco began to tap his fingernails on the glass.

Within seconds of the tapping, the small old man walked out from behind the curtain and beamed at him, "Your order is ready!"

"How much?" Draco asked as he continued to tap relentlessly on the glass, fully aware that he was annoying Maria.

"Two hundred and fifty." The man replied, his voice becoming serious. Draco knew there wouldn't be any bartering.

Nodding, Draco steadied his shaking hands long enough to pull out his leather wallet and choose the correct currency. "This should cover it." He said as he handed the folded bills to the man, who nodded and all but snatched the money.

"Have nice day!"

Draco looked at the glasses, then up at the man, then back down at the frames. "Yes. You too."

It was near six o'clock by the time he returned home, and the caffeine in his system was just beginning to subside. Toeing off his shoes, Draco listened for signs that would tell him if Harry was home. Just as he thought that Harry had gone out, Draco heard the familiar voice drifting in from the living room, alone with a loud punk rock melody.

"Don't make me listen to the stupid broken record again
The needle's skipping and repeating never reaching the end
You're bitching and complaining like you've got it so tough
I'm sick of all your crying will you ever shut up? So keep bleeding your fake blood
'Till no even sees it
if that's the best you can make out
At least act like you mean it"

Draco smirked and crossed his arms as he watched Harry jump around, singing loudly, and very well Draco thought. The taller boy's hair flew in all directions as he banged his head with the beat of the song.

"Give up the grudge
Shut your fucking mouth
Why you gotta judge everybody but yourself
Take a look around you
There ain't nobody home
I may be a loser but at least I'm not alone"

Harry head-banged harder at this time, sending Draco into a silent fit of laughter.

"Your Mercedes won't start
Now that's a crying shame
I guess 90K a year buys nothing but complaints
The people in the neighbourhood think that I'm a threat
While their boss gets richer
They get deeper in debt

So keep bleeding your fake blood
'Till no even sees it
if that's the best you can make out
At least act like you mean it

Give up the grudge
Shut your fucking mouth
Why you gotta judge everybody but yourself
Take a look around you
There ain't nobody home
I may be a loser but at least I'm not alone"

Draco raised an eyebrow at Harry now, who was now playing the air guitar furiously, causing Draco to let out a loud bolt of laughter. Harry stopped suddenly mid-thrash, as the song continued to play on.

"CHRIST!!" Harry screamed as he clutched his heart and dropped to the floor, laying flat on his back.

All Draco could do was laugh. Harry had looked every bit the part of a punk rock star, his torn jeans and faded t-shirt hanging loosely off his shoulders. The socks on his feet were different colors, both dragging slightly.

Draco managed to make his way over to the hyperventilating boy, falling to the floor beside him, still laughing.

Harry put his hands over his face and took a few deep breaths, "I...didn't...know you... were home..." he panted.

"That...was amazing!" Draco replied, then added when Harry peeked out from behind his hands to glare at him. "Seriously! You're really talented."

The comment took a while to register, and Harry had to close his eyes and take three more deep breaths, "You... mean it?"

Draco moved onto his side so that he was leaning over Harry's prone form, "Of course." He answered as he winked, "but you would look more the part with different glasses. Wire rimmed frames are so nineteen ninety three."

Harry now openly glared at Draco, "I don't wear these things by choice you know."

"Of course you don't." Draco reached into his pocket. "Close your eyes."

"What for?"

"Just do it rock star." He grinned as Harry closed his eyes. Draco took the glasses case out of his pocket, placing it on Harry's stomach. "Keep them closed!" Harry closed his eyes once more. Draco reached forward and took the old, round glasses off of Harry's face. He grinned wider when Harry made a face – scrunching his nose and forehead. Draco opened the case and gently fitted the new glasses in place. "Okay, open."

Harry opened his eyes. "Well that was rather pointless."

Draco rolled his eyes and pointed to the mirror over to the left of them. "Look in the mirror."

Harry groaned as he got up and walked towards the mirror. He didn't look up until he was standing directly infront of the mirror. His eyes shot open and he touched the frames lightly with his fingers. Turning back to Draco he spoke quickly, "Draco! You didn't have to get me new glasses!" He turned back to the mirror and smiled widely. "Oh wow! They look fabulous!"

Draco sat up and crossed his legs, smiling at Harry. "Of course I had to get you them, these..." he picked up Harry's old glasses, "look absolutely atrocious."

Harry promptly walked quickly towards Draco and pulled him from the floor into a tight embrace. Draco nearly lost his balance when Harry pulled him up, so he ended up clamping his arms around Harry's neck – causing both of them to fall back onto the couch. "Eeep!" Draco squealed as he fell on top of Harry's body. He smiled slightly as Harry blushed. "Well... this is awkward."

Harry shrugged, holding Draco's waist tighter. "As long as my glasses don't break... it's fine with me."

Draco grinned, shaking his head. "Why do I bother?" He leant forward and lightly kissed Harry's nose. Harry jerked at the sudden contact, but grinned sheepishly up at Draco as the blond leaned back once more, shifting his weight so that he was resting more between Harry's legs than right on top of him. "Mmm... maybe that's why I bother..." he trailed off as he kissed Harry's nose again before climbing off of the other boy, heading towards his bedroom.
Harry: YOU JUST LEFT ME THERE!!! THAT IS SO NOT FAIR!!

Draco: (giggling) Well I think that it's fair.

Kylia: Now, now Harry. You'll have plenty of opportunities to ravish Draco till your hearts content...

Raei: (skipping infront of Kylia, Harry and Draco) SO! Harry knows that Draco is considering love. And Draco knows that Draco is considering love. And Draco knows that Harry knows that Draco is considering love. ISN'T IT FABULOUS?! (entwines her hands together placing them under her chin fluttering her eyes)

Kylia: Ummm... (blinks at Raei) okay, so who's confused...? And is it wrong that I want to kick her?

Harry: I'm confused... and the urge to kick her is also rising in me...

Draco: Don't kick her! I'm her muse!

Harry: Your point...?

Raei: His point, is that without me – you won't have ANY love scenes. (grins, as she strokes her whip)

Kylia: (shakes head and rolls her eyes) okay... SO shouldn't have gone to see Catwoman last night. All that leather and whipage has damaged her brain (ducks head as whip flies in her direction) OKAY!! ONE MORE TIME WITH THAT THING AND I'LL STUFF IT SO FAR...

Harry and Draco: NOOO!! Without the goddess we will be damned to a life of celibacy!!

Raei: 'Zactly. (pets Draco and Harry) They need me to get laid. (nods happily)

Kylia: (looks worriedly at the audience whimpering) I'm afraid...Please fade to black!!

-FADE'S TO BLACK-

Kylia and Raei: (in the darkness- AGAIN) so...

REVIEWS!! We need reviews! We won't put up another chapter if we don't have reviews!!