Harry and Draco did not keep track of time. There was no need for them to. It was as if time did not exist in this mysterious room. How many hours or days that went by remained unknown. And that did not matter. They were in each other's company, and that was the only important thing. But other than Draco's abrupt but vague confession, their relationship remained questionable. Was it a mutual understanding? Was it friendship? Or was it something else?

"Snape will be surprised with you, Potter," Draco said. "It's a good thing you were stuck in this room with me instead of Weasley. Your Potion skills would've probably taken a nosedive."

"It couldn't have gotten any worse, you know," Harry said, pouting a bit. "And I really wasn't that bad, was I? Neville usually blows up his cauldron. And Crabbe's potions always come out smelling like rotten eggs."

"True. But you wouldn't want to be as bad as them, would you? Now go on. Thank me. Tell me how smart and wonderful I am."

"You're odd, very random, and not to mention perverted."

"I'll just pretend that I heard 'Thank you, Draco. You truly are a lovely person. Now let me compliment you further'…"

"Dream on, Malfoy. Dream on…"

Draco just laughed while chanting, "You love me, Potter. You love me" as Harry reached out and flicked his nose ("Don't hurt me! You love me!"). The blonde just continued laughing and began to pull and prod at the Gryffindor boy who just swatted back at him. After a few more minutes of horsing around, Draco put a halt to their silly antics.

"Potter, I just wanted to remind you," he said. "Remember what we agreed on once we get out of here."

"If we ever," said Harry with a bit of hopefulness to his voice.

"Don't worry. I promise that if you be a good boy, we'll get an apartment together," Draco said sarcastically but ended with a bit of a shiver. "Imagine that."

"Don't have to imagine it," Harry replied. "It's already happened. Haven't you noticed the events that occurred in the last few days?"

"Much thanks to that Sister, Sister act those Tia and Tamera-wannabes put on."

"Are we really gonna go back to acting like we hate each other?" Harry asked quietly. "Because I don't know if you've noticed… I don't exactly dislike you."

"I don't want to say that it's all for the better," said Draco. "Because it's not. You know how it is, Potter… I don't quite dislike you either."

Harry frowned but said nothing because this was how all their recent arguments started. He knew Draco was right and there was no disagreeing. But if only there was another way. Harry did not want to lose this newly gained friend…

"Don't look at me like that, Potter," Draco sighed and ran his fingers through his blonde tresses. "I don't like it any more than you do."

Harry didn't respond.

Draco reached out, hesitantly though, and placed his hand on Harry's, "It'll be okay, all right? Let's make a deal. How about I smile at you ever so often?" He grinned, hoping to make the situation seem lighter. But Harry didn't find it funny at all.

"Malfoy…"

"Don't you dare start that, Potter," Draco warned. "Don't start fluttering your green eyes at me either. Hey— and no pouting! S-stop that! It's unnerving!" Actually, it wasn't unnerving at all. Without the risk of sounding gay, he thought it was quite cute.

Harry began to pick at a snag in the lace of the armchair. Despite the unhappiness, he managed a small smile; a genuine, but small smile. "It was fun while it lasted. Right? I mean, it's not the end of things. I'll still see you around and stuff…"

Draco felt as if he could no longer resist the closeness between them. Harry's face was but inches away and all he had to do was lean forward a little… just a little.

Harry looked up to see Draco's face so near his own. He could almost hear the beat of his heart… he could feel the warmth of his skin. Harry didn't know what to say or what to do. It was going by so quickly, he felt that all there was to do was leave everything in Draco's hands.

Their lips were an inch away… just a little closer… closer…

But Draco seemed to have changed his mind during the last second. He moved his face to the right and gently placed his forehead against Harry's shoulder. "The door will open soon," he whispered hoarsely. "Don't ask me how I know, but—" he pressed himself closer against Harry. "— let's just stay like this a little longer. Okay?"

Harry felt a pang of disappointment. Why? Was it because he wasn't able to kiss Draco? No… that can't be. It was all wrong. But he allowed the boy to rest his head on his shoulder. "…Okay." It's all right… this is how it's suppose to be…

He looked down at Draco who seemed so vulnerable with his head rested against his shoulder. He could easily seize this moment and yet… he couldn't. Does that make sense? He thought. No… nothing I say makes sense. His head was clouded with thoughts that weren't there before.

Epiphany.

He wanted Draco. It took all this just to figure that out. Stupid, Harry… stupid. And very stupid on Draco's part as well. If he would've only dropped the macho act long ago they could have found a way to be… Together? Harry thought. Is that it? Well of course that's it you crazy fool!

His head was swirling with thoughts, filling with "what ifs?", thinking of every little reward and consequence, his brain was burning with the very thought of… He's capable of loving me…

"And I'm capable of loving him…" Harry whispered, not aware that he had said this out loud.

"What?" Draco sat up. He had heard the boy muttering indistinctly. "Did you say something?"

Yes. "No." Tell him. "It was nothing." It was something. "I was just thinking of how I'm gonna miss this." How I'm going to miss you. "Having these silly arguments with you." Being with you.

Draco forced a smile, "Yeah."

Suddenly, the words above the entrance began to glow brightly and the door began to rumble. The marble started to slowly move apart from each other, revealing the outside hallway. They were free…

"Bloody hell, Potter," Draco whispered in awe. "Didn't I tell you it would open? Thank Merlin, we're free!"

For a moment, Harry forgot all about the sadness in parting with Draco. He was able to finally see Ron and Hermione again! And as if it was by fate, they heard footsteps and voices down the hall.

"Fred, George! If those two never get out, I'm never speaking to the pair of you again!" Hermione yelled.

"They'll come around, you'll see," said one of the twins. "Besides, it wasn't us. It was Dumbledore."

"And you cooperated," Ron added.

"But until Harry and Malfoy come out, I'm not speaking to—" Hermione stopped abruptly as her eyes widened at the sight of an unscathed Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy, both looking at her with amusement.

"I told you they'd come around," Fred crossed his arms and beamed.

"Hello, Hermione," Harry grinned. "Hi Ron."

"Oh…" Hermione felt as if she lost her voice.

"HARRY!" Ron leapt forward and engulfed his friend in a huge bear hug. "Bloody hell, mate! We've been a mess without you! Are you all right? Did you and Malfoy fight? Did he hurt you anywhere? Want Hermione to punch him for you—"

"Oh, Harryyy!" Hermione squealed, pushing Ron out of the way. "Oh, Harry we had no part in this at all! It was Fred and George, oh, Harry! I didn't want you stuck in there with that Slytherin no more than you did… Oh Harry!"

"Hermione, will you stop that?" Ron looked a bit disgusted. "In this whole time we've been going out, not once have I gotten an "Oh Ron!" out of you."

"Well, you weren't the one that disappeared for a whole weak!" said Hermione, still clutching on to Harry's arm.

"A week?" Harry said in a low voice. "That long?"

"Yeah, McGonagall was worried sick," Ron said. Then he added as he threw a dirty glance towards Draco, "Snape looked like someone turned his mum into a fluffy bunny rabbit. He was a mess too… kinda funny…"

"Fine, then I guess I should get going to my common room," Draco turned on his heel and walked off.

"Wait. Malfoy!" Harry took a step forward.

"Don't even come near me, Potter!" Draco grimaced. "I've had enough of you already. Go back to Weasel and the Mudblood. You haven't had your daily dose of them yet…"

Harry froze but kept quiet. He heard Ron whisper, "Idiot… git… bastard…"

Ron, Hermione, and the twins spoke among themselves about Draco and how his arrogance makes him stupid. They were engrossed in their Slytherin-bashing conversation, that Draco was able to secretly make one last good-bye.

As Draco reached the end of the hall, he looked over his shoulder at Harry. His gray eyes glistened a bit – with tears? He mouthed the word, "Bye" and turned to disappear around the corner.

Harry felt his stomach clench. It was as if Draco was saying good bye forever. But it wasn't forever… right?"

"Good bye, Draco," Harry whispered. Then, he felt an arm around his shoulder.

"Ready to go, Harry?" Ron grinned at him.

"Yeah," with one last look at the mysterious room, Harry smiled sadly and walked on without another backward glance.

- -End- -

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… Mwahahaha…! I'm just kidding. There's a sequel.