Author's Note: I hoped you liked the first chapter. I know that you are all aware of who the mystery artist is but oh well, it was obvious that Harry and Draco were going to get together the minute that you picked these two for a pairing so just sit back and enjoy the show without being picky. The wait in-between chapters is going to depend on whether or not I really need to pay attention in class on any given day. So please don't be upset if it takes a little while for me to update, it's only because I value school over Harry Potter fics. (did I just say that?)
Chapter 2: The mystery artistAnd that's how it began, a sorted love affair with a painting and the artist behind it.
Harry finally felt as if he had someone to confide in. It almost made it better that he didn't know who the other person was. This way he could paint anything he wanted without worrying whether or not the other party would change their opinion of him. Harry didn't feel like he needed to be the golden boy anymore. He could finally for once in his life be whomever he wanted and it felt good.
Although he liked the way things were, part of him almost needed to know who this other person was. Parts of him needed to talk to them face to face and see if they could have some sort of relationship outside of paintings.
So subconsciously Harry began to show up to the room at weird times. In the back of his mind he knew that this would at some point reveal the mystery artist.
As it turned out, he was right. On one of these occasions Harry walked in only to find that he was not alone. Someone was already in there with his back to him, completely absorbed in what they were doing. All Harry would see of them was a head of white/blond hair, which left no doubt as to who exactly this was. Draco Malfoy. A million thoughts flew into Harry's head. But all he seemed to get out was... "Who?...Wha...?...Where?"
Draco whipped around looking like a deer caught in the headlights. He stared at Harry with wide blue/gray eyes. His eyebrows had disappeared behind his hair and his mouth was so open that Harry was sure his jaw almost hit the floor. The Gryffindor couldn't help but think how adorable he looked like that. Unfortunately for him, though, Draco seemed to regain his control within seconds.
The blond flashed him a smile (which looked kind of weird on him seeing as Harry had only ever seen him smirk.) He then said in a controlled tone," Eloquent as always, Harry. I guess that just leaves why and how."
"Wait did you just call me Harry?" The poor boy was so confused. He didn't know whether to be happy, sad, relived, disgusted or what. And the fact that he really wasn't all that upset about the mystery person being the Slytherin Ice Prince himself only flustered him more.
"Well, by the was you and I have been communication lately I figured it was obvious that we should drop the last name bullshit."
"Right...but that still doesn't answer my first question."
Harry's head was spinning; he started to feel as if he had no control over anything. "I think I need to sit down."
He started to sway and Draco rushed over o him and led him over to the couch. He then congerred a glass of water and handed it to Harry. The brunette gulped down the water while trying to get a grasp on what was going on.
When he finally got his head basically clear he decided to start asking some of the questions in his head. He looked up at Draco and was mildly surprised to see concern on his face. 'Well that's one more question to add to the list.'
Taking a deep breath he began what he was sure to be a long discussion.
"Did you know it was me?"
With that one simple question Draco's features went from concerned to Guilty. It really was amazing how easy it was to read Draco's emotions.
"Honestly? Yes. You see I followed you here that first day."
"Why?"
"Well, I was taking a walk, trying to get away from Crabbe and Goyle (those morons) and I saw you coming down the hall looking so distressed that I was worried you'd do something stupid. So I followed you. When you got to the room and I saw you start to draw I was relived that you had an outlet for your emotions. After last year you seemed to really close up and that's not good. Anyway, when I looked at your drawing I was mesmerized. I saw all the pain and anguish put into it. That's why I continued it. I wanted to show you that you weren't alone." When Draco finished his speech there was silence for a moment and then Harry asked another question that had been burning inside him.
"Why do you care?"
Draco sighed and looked at Harry for a moment as if deciding what to say. His eyes dropped to his hands when he answered." You don't deserve to feel like this."
"Who are you and what have you done with Malfoy?"
"Bloody Hell, Potter! You really are stupid aren't you? I mean I know I always said it but I thought you'd at least have some sense." While he was talking he had gotten up and started to pace. He suddenly stopped and looked at Harry. "It seems that I need to spell this out for you. There is NO Malfoy. There was NEVER a Malfoy. That is all bullshit I created to appease my father."
"Oh" More silence, then "How do I know you're not going to hand me over to Voldamort? Harry was now standing with his arms crossed over his chest. Draco shrugged "Well, I could just tell you that I'm not going to and that I've actually been spying for the order of the phoenix for about a year now. Grimauld Place really isn't that bad although Mrs. Black's portrait can be really annoying."
"Oh."
"My God Harry we've got to work on your vocabulary and your wardrobe."
"Must you insult me?"
Draco sent Harry a smirk. "You're the one that got all mad when I was being sincere."
At that Harry got a bit flustered. "I guess I was hoping you'd settle somewhere in the middle. Then again you've never been one to do things half way."
Harry was again graced with one of Draco's few real smiles. "So you've noticed."
'Why am I flirting with him? This is Draco Malfoy! The guy had made my life miserable for the past 5 ½ years!'
: Actually, he's eased up a lot this year. Besides he really seems like he wants to help you and before you knew it was Malfoy you were ready to jump in bed with this person:
'He could be lying.'
: No one that paints like that is lying. You need someone to talk to, here he is:
'When did my inner voice get so annoyingly right?'
: When you got so annoyingly oblivious:
"Harry, Harry!" Draco, who again looked worried, startled the Gryffindor out of his bicker match with the voices in his head.
"Sorry, I was just thinking."
"Don't hurt yourself." Draco smirked.
"Oh please, that's the oldest line in the book. Get some new material!" The raven-haired boy rolled his eyes.
"Hey, that's a classic." Draco took on a mock offended look.
And that was the end for any hope of a serious discussion. They spent the next 3 hour talking and laughing. They spoke of safe topics like food and favorite colors. Neither mentioned the meanings of the painting or anything about friends or family.
Scene
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