Hi guys. I'm starting this today (10/5), but I don't know if I'll be able to finish/post it today, too. Anyway, thanks for all your comments – I really appreciate them.

Guinevere-wolfgirl, I'm really happy about your comment regarding Snape – I was a little worried that I was unable to accurately capture his character, but you made me feel better about that. By the way, I'm also thinking about making this fic about him too. Not him/Draco/Harry – that's nasty, but him and someone else. Anyway, that idea is still in progress, but do you think it might be a good idea?

Mon2, I think I mentioned somewhere that 7 years has passed by... or not. I'm not sure about the time frame – is it really important to you? I think that Draco and Harry are in their early/mid (maybe) twenties... All your other questions will be answered (I promise) in the following few chapters. I also promise that I will update frequently; I know what it's like having to wait for an author who takes forever to update. I also appreciate all of your suggestions. I already have a plot in my head, and it is very similar to what you have initiated in the discussion. A little preview: Draco's father will eventually make an appearance; we will also discover something surprising (once again not that original) about Draco's family... Oh, and possibly a better development of Snape's character – see my comments to Guinevere-wolfgirl. Also, thanks a lot for suggesting that I post on other sites; that' in the process of being done.

Tarshil, in regards to your question (I'm sure you know which one I mean), I don't know yet, but things should start happening pretty soon.

Everyone else: thanks for reviewing; I appreciate all of your suggestions!

Now, on with the story...

It was Dumbledore's turn to frown, "Severus, please tell me what happened between them" Snape closed his eyes, sighed and began his story.

"I know that you did not wonder about Draco's absence from the Hogwart's express; he was, after all, staying at the school. But have you ever wondered why Draco had decided to support our side – Potter's side?" Dumbledore remained quite, knowing, from years of talking with Severus, that most of his questions were rhetorical.

"More importantly, have you ever asked Potter about it? I doubt he would have told you..." Snape's eyes glittered dangerously. "I also doubt that you were able to guess the right reason, even if you have pondered the situation. I was as close with Draco as you were with Potter, and even I was shocked by the turn of events." Here, Snape paused – perhaps for effect or simply because he was still having trouble believing what has happened. Dumbledore looked serene; he had his ideas about what had happened (and despite what Snape claimed he was probably right), but he never liked to interrupt anyone's story.

"They were lovers" Snape chuckled at the widening of Dumbledore's eyes, and the Headmaster was genuinely surprised: this was one of the first ideas he'd dismissed from his mind (Perhaps I am getting too old...) "Ah, Albus, you should've seen my reaction when Draco told me. I didn't know if it was appropriate to laugh or to cry. Although, I doubt that Draco would have told me so soon – at the time the incident happened, they have only been ... uh, together for a few months. I think the reason Draco turned to me was because he was devastated; Potter was somehow able – and I will never understand how: it must have been a love potion – to make Draco fall in love. The bastard was also cunning enough to break Draco's heart."

After hearing this, Dumbledore was unable to stay quite "Severus, I can believe you if you tell me that they'd had a fight, but I will not let you accuse Harry of being a heart breaker. The boy had suffered for years living without affection – he would never have been able to trick someone he loved!"

"Love is an alien concept to Potter" spat Snape "maybe he had affectionate feelings for Granger and Weasly, they had been friends for years. Draco, however, was Potter's worst enemy; Harry never had any real feelings for him!"

"Think Albus, you've told Potter that Draco was planning to rebel against his father; Potter was simply testing him. And can you think of a better way to test an old enemy than by pretending to love him, and making him fall in love with you. Draco refused his father to remain with Potter!"

Dumbledore frowned – he was confused. Could Harry have really done this – his Harry? The same boy who had been so shy in his first few year of school, because he was afraid to hurt the people who loved him? Dumbledore remembered Harry's reaction to Sirius's death – someone who had felt such grief would never have been able to wound another so profoundly. On the other hand, they had been enemies for almost 8 years... "Severus, please, tell me what actually happened between them?"

"I never told him" came Draco's soft response from the doorway. The Headmaster and Snape have been too preoccupied with their argument to notice that someone was ascending the stairs to Dumbledore's office. "I guess, now, I'm glad I didn't" Draco's voice became somewhat playful "But don't worry, Sev, I still trust you. If you were telling all this to someone else though..." he raised his eyebrows suggestively.

"But, since both of you want to know what really happened, I will tell you myself. And afterwards, Headmaster, perhaps you can think of another place that will obscure me from Voldemort and his Death Eaters."

Dumbledore watched Draco as he made his way to an armchair and sat down; his movements were fluid and graceful. Albus could clearly see why anyone might be fascinated by the young man. However, the Headmaster still had trouble believing that Harry was capable of inflicting that kind of hurt on another human being.

"Albus, Severus, you both undoubtedly have your own ideas about why I chose to never support Voldemort. I know what you are thinking right now; however, before I tell you what happened between Harry and me, I want to tell you my reasons for never aligning myself with my father." Draco's eyes were clear and serious – it was easy to see his honesty. "I think that I grew to hate Voldemort when I was in the 6th year. I had returned home for the winter break to find my mother alone in the caste and frantic with worry. My father had been gone for two days, and he had not informed her of his plans. Despite what many believe, my parents are very close – my father would never have disappeared for so long without consulting my mother."

"I remember that I had stayed up to wait with my mother; I wanted to be there if something should happen to her, or ... I was afraid for my father. He did return that night, but he was in a dreadful condition. He had bruises and wounds everywhere, and he couldn't stop shaking. I was able to find out (from my mother) that Voldemort had wanted me to join his Death Eaters that year –during my vacation – but my father disagreed. Well, I'm sure you can imagine the rest." The corners of Draco's mouth turned downward with distaste, and his eyes burned with hatred.

"I probably made my decision then, and the next two years just reaffirmed it. I discovered my sexual preferences at the end of 7th year; I also knew what opinion Voldemort held regarding homosexuals. If I would have agreed to join him, I would never have been able to be myself. The last reason, and this one will be difficult for you to comprehend, is actually very simple: I simply abhor torture and violence. I'm sure both of you are aware of Voldemort's hobbies" Draco let his mouth ease into a sad smile.

"I hope you can believe me when I tell you that it was not Potter's great ability in the sack that made me 'switch sides'. I have more depth than that. In fact, he did not know about my allegiance when we started dating" Draco raised his eyebrows at Snape's expression and chuckled quietly. "It's been so may years, Sev, and you still have a problem with it"

"Not with it, Draco. I simply have a problem with Potter. I do, however, want to know what he has done to hurt you"

"I'm surprised you haven't figured it our. I had been with Harry for three months when I finalized my decision about Voldemort. It was the end of my last year at Hogwarts and I did not fear my father's wrath anymore. Perhaps it did have something to do with Harry, but I will not explore that issue any longer. I was on my way to meet him at the room of requirements" Draco blushed when he noticed the twinkle in Dumbledore's eyes; Snape looked disgusted "when I heard voices in the classroom across the hall. I recognized one as Harry's; my natural Slytherin curiosity led me to want to discover the identity of the other. I had made it through the door in time to see Harry lock lips with someone from his own house."

Both Dumbledore and Snape imagined what happened after; however, they respected Draco and didn't ask him to continue.

"Draco, I'm very sorry that Harry hurt you, but I cannot allow you to leave Hogwarts" Dumbledore raised his hand to silence Draco's protests. "You are important and dear to others; you need to be properly protected"

Draco sighed and rolled his eyes "Well, Albus, to tell the truth I don't want to die either. Can you imagine how disappointed the editors of the Witch Weakly will be?" The two men laughed; Snape allowed a smile to linger on his physiognomy.

Draco looked at the clock on Dumbledore's desk; he was tired. He smoothly straightened his body and made his excuses.

Hope you enjoyed it. I promise that the nest chapter will have what all of you've been waiting for – and encounter between Harry and Draco. Unfortunately the new chapter won't appear for a few days; I'm sorry. By the way, how can I change the settings so that the readers don't have to sign in to review?