The trouble with enemies

There's a place so dark you can't see the end

And shock that which I can't defend

The rain then sends dripping an acidic question

Forcefully, the power of suggestion

Then with the eyes tightly shut

Looking through the rust and rot and dust

A spot of light floods the floor

And pours over the rusted world of pretend

The eyes ease open and it's dark again.

Linkin Park, Forgotten

Draco was walking back to the Slytherin dorms, happy for the first time since Harry and his friends had accepted him on the train. It was 1 am, and the halls were silent except for the sound of Draco's footsteps. He didn't care if a teacher caught him; he was so happy now that not even a detention would spoil his mood.

Then, a flash of motion, and Draco felt himself be ploughed to the floor. "What...hey…geroff!" He wrestled his attacker to the floor, and found himself looking into the face of his former pal Crabbe. "Crabbe, what the fuck?"

Crabbe glared at Draco. "You're a fucking traitor. You're the fucking scum of Slytherin. There won't be anything left of you when I'm done with you, you bastard!"

Draco glared back at Crabbe. "Okay, Crabbe. You hate me. I get it, I really do. I'm not the perfect Slytherin asshole I used to be, and guess what? I'm fucking glad. I managed to pull my sorry ass out of being Voldemort's fucking bitch, you didn't, and now you hate me. You know what? Get the fuck over it. Our parents are in Azkaban, and you're going next."

Crabbe laughed sardonically. "Azkaban? That's a fucking joke! The dementors will soon be joining Voldemort, and Azkaban will be nothing. NOTHING! And Voldemort's gonna find you, and when he does he will kill you. No, wait. Your father's gonna get out of Azkaban and kill you first. You betrayed him, and your family, and Voldemort. You'll wish that you had stayed with the Death Eaters and me. You had your chance; you were Voldemort's favorite. But guess what? Now I'M his favorite, and you're SHIT."

"You know what, Crabbe? That's great. But I don't give a fuck. I'd rather be dead than a Death Eater, following Voldemort's sorry ass, doing his bitch work. I'm free of his shit. I don't care." Draco pulled out his wand and muttered a restraining spell on Crabbe. "I'm leaving the Slytherin dorms, so you don't have to worry about me any more. Leave me the fuck alone, got it?"

Crabbe spat at Draco, who turned around and walked away. Everything he had told Crabbe was true; he really didn't give a fuck anymore about Voldemort, or his father, or the Death Eaters. They could kill him if they wanted to. At least he wouldn't be carrying on his fathers' legacy.

Draco realized that if he went back to his dorm room, one of his roommates was liable to attack him, just as Crabbe had done. At a loss for what to do, Draco began to walk towards' the headmasters' office. He arrived at the door, and remembered that he didn't know the pass code.

He looked at the gargoyle in front of the office. It was actually kind of cute. He began to speak to it, praying that it would do some good.

"Uh, look. I don't know the pass code, but I need to talk to Dumbledore. Is their any way you can help me?" The gargoyle spun on its' pedestal so its' back was facing Draco. A few seconds later, the door to Dumbledore's office slid open. The gargoyle spun back around. "Thanks for…whatever you did." Draco walked past the gargoyle into Dumbledore's office.

"Mr. Malfoy. May I help you?" came Dumbledore's deep voice from within the room. Draco looked at the desk and saw the headmaster sitting behind it. "Uh, sir, I was attacked by a member of my house when I was…" Draco realized that he had been breaking the rules, being out after curfew.

"Please continue, Mr. Malfoy." Draco sighed. "When I was walking through the corridors after my meeting with Harry." Draco expected Dumbledore to become angry with him. Instead, he merely asked, "And which member would that be?"

"Crabbe, sir. He attacked me. I put a restraining charm on him, and then came here. I fear that if I return to my dormitory, I will be attacked again." Draco sat down in a chair and put his head in his hands.

"Your fear is just, Mr. Malfoy. I do not expect you to return to your dorm. Quite to the contrary: you may go to the Gryffindor common room and sleep on a couch in there. The password is 'night fire,' you will go there tonight. A house elf will see to it that your trunk is packed and brought there tomorrow morning." Dumbledore smiled at Draco. "And don't worry about the other Gryffindors. They know that you will be residing in their tower from now on, and they welcome you."

Draco sighed with relief. He didn't need to fear another attack…for the moment. And he could sleep easily in the Gryffindor tower. "Professor…aren't I going to be punished for being out after hours?"

Dumbledore laughed gently. "No, Mr. Malfoy. I knew that when I told you to meet with Harry, you would do so tonight. I alerted the teachers to let you and Harry pass uninterrupted through the corridors. I did not realize that this would allow you to be attacked by your classmate, however. I will send Mr. Flitch and Professor McGonagall to see to it that he is punished. Now, it is late. I believe you know your way to the Gryffindor tower?"

Draco nodded, and left. He made his way up to the tower, and approached a painting of a stout lady. "Hi, are you the guard for the Gryffindor tower?" he asked the painting. "Why, yes I am, young man. Are you the Slytherin who will be staying here from now on?"

"Yes, I'm Draco. The password is 'night fire,' right?" He could not believe how polite this painting was being to him. "Yes, that is the password. Have a good night, and see you soon!" She smiled, waved, and opened for him. He walked into the common room, and was shocked at the sight before him. Their common room was homey, and comfortably furnished. He found a loveseat in front of the fire, sat on it, and promptly fell asleep.

Harry woke the next morning, earlier than his roommates. He woke up every morning earlier than his roommates; it was the only way that he had time to fly. He stretched, dressed, and exited his room.

He got as far as the common room, and then stopped. "What the hell? Is that Draco on the couch?" He walked toward it and saw that it was indeed Draco. He shook the other boy gently. "Draco? Draco, wake up!" Draco began to stir. He opened his eyes, and saw Harry standing over him. God, that was a beautiful sight to wake up to. He groaned and stretched. "Morning, Harry. What time is it?"

Harry was still shocked that Draco was laying, in all his beauty, on the couch in the common room. "It's five thirty, Draco. What are you doing in here?" Draco could see the puzzlement in Harry's eyes. "Crabbe attacked me after our…rendezvous in the Astronomy Tower last night, so Dumbledore told me to sleep in here." Draco couldn't stop looking at Harry. God, he was so sexy! Lean and hard, and smelling like grass, soap, and boy. "So here I am. Where are you off to at five thirty in the morning?"

"I go to fly for about an hour every morning. Do you want to come with me? It gets kind of lonely out there." "Do I want to go with him? That's like asking if the Pope is holy. Hell yes!" "Sure, Harry. Maybe you could teach me that move that you do? The one where you dive and then pull out of it in like two seconds?" Harry smiled at him. "Sure, Draco. Whatever you want."

Draco got off the couch, and stood next to Harry. "Shall we?" asked Draco. "We shall," said Harry. Hand in hand, they walked to the Quidditch pitch. Draco realized that he could not think of a more perfect way to begin his day.

Harry wanted revenge. How dare Crabbe attack Draco! Why would he do such a thing? Was it an indirect attack against him too? Harry didn't know the answers to these questions. What he did know was that Crabbe was Voldemort's goon in Hogwarts, and that meant trouble. Crabbe had never been a nice person, but this was ridiculous. Attacking his former best friend? "Well, maybe it was like me kissing my former enemy," thought Harry. He looked over at Draco flying next to him. God, he was beautiful! Harry's mind began to wander again, this time to the Astronomy Tower last night. All of a sudden, Harry realized that he could not fly any more.

"Hey, Draco?" asked Harry. "Yeah, what can I do for you?" replied Draco, smiling. "You know, the benches in the Gryffindor changing rooms are very comfortable. Do you want to go give them a try?" Harry grinned at Draco. Draco looked back at Harry. "If this means a repeat of last night, then hell yeah!" The two of them swooped down to the ground and made a mad dash toward the changing rooms.

Harry got their first and opened the door. Draco walked inside and sat down on the bench. "Mmm, these are comfy. Care to join me?" Harry sat down next to Draco, grabbed his face, and began to kiss him. Off went Harry's shirt; off went Draco's shirt. The two boys could not keep their hands off of each other. Draco began to kiss Harry's jaw, then his neck, and then his shoulder. Harry's hands were in Draco's hair. Draco's mouth found its' way to Harry's nipple, where it rested for a moment. Harry began to groan, so Draco nibbled on it. "Good God, Draco! Where the hell did you learn to do this?" Draco smiled, and switched sides. Harry lay down on the bench, Draco following. Harry's hands began to dig into Draco's back. Draco's mouth began to explore farther down Harry, to his navel. He then licked Harry from his navel to his neck. "Jesus, Draco…I'm gonna die!" Draco stopped and looked at Harry. "Okay then…my turn!"

Harry blushed deep red. "I might not be very good at this…I mean, I've never done this before." Draco smiled gently. "That's okay, Harry. Neither have I. Just do what you think you'd want someone to do to you." Harry took a deep breath, and then began to run his tongue along Draco's ear. Draco sighed contentedly, so Harry continued. He ran his tongue over Draco's neck, pausing at one spot that tasted sweet. He then continued down, and began to explore Draco's chest. One hand was on Draco's stomach, the other was rubbing Draco's thigh. "Watch that hand, Potter. You're getting me too excited." Harry grinned, and moved his hand farther up Draco's thigh. "Harry…you do know what you're doing, right?" Harry looked into Draco's eyes. "I know exactly what I'm doing. Is this okay with you?'' Draco almost died right there. "Okay with you? I'm going to heaven, and he's asking if this is okay with me?" Eyes half-closed, he replied, "Harry, this is just fine with me."

Harry began to undo the button on Draco's pants, and then the zipper. "Look, as I said, I have no experience with this. If I'm doing something wrong, just tell me, okay?" Harry's hands began to shake, and tears welled up in his eyes. Draco stopped him, and held his face. "Harry, are you okay?" Harry shook his head no. "What's wrong, Harry? Look, if you don't want to do this, I really have no problem with it. I don't want you to be upset or nervous or anything. If we're going to do this, then you have to want to. I will not do this if I'm not completely sure that you are okay with it."

Harry looked at Draco. "No, it's not that, it's just…. it's just that I want to do it right, okay? I want it to be perfect. I want you to feel as good as you make me feel." Draco felt his heart melt. "Oh, Harry, you always make me feel good. I don't want you to be so nervous. I've never done any of this either. Not even with a girl." Harry looked shocked. "I'm not the little man whore that everyone thinks I am. Now, look. I want to do this to you first so that you're not as nervous. I'll go slow, and if you want me to stop, I will." Harry barely managed to choke out, "thank you, Draco."

Draco gently pushed Harry back onto the bench. He undid Harry's pants, and took them off gently. He then pushed Harry's boxers over his bottom. He kissed Harry, and then took him in his mouth. "This feels so right. Like we were born for each other and no one else." Harry began to moan, and Draco sped up a little. After a few minutes, Harry's moans became more urgent. "Oh, God Draco. Oh godohgodsweetjesusohshitI'mgonnacumenow!" With that, Harry came in Draco's mouth. "Just a little sweet, not too much, just perfect…just like Harry." Harry's eyes were closed, and he was lying against the bench. "Draco…you are so good at that. Are you sure you haven't done that before?" Draco laughed. "No, I haven't. Only for you." Harry sat up and began to kiss Draco. Draco sat down on the bench, and Harry pushed him back. "Your turn now." Harry took off Draco's pants, boxers, and knelt down on the floor. "Harry…are you sure that you want to do this?" Harry looked at Draco. "There is nothing in this world that I want to do more." With that, Harry began. "And he was nervous about this? Why was he nervous about this? Oh god, he's perfect!" And just like Harry had done, Draco began to moan loudly. "Harry…that's right…that's perfect…GOD! Ah, ah…AHHH!" Draco screamed as he came in Harry's mouth. "Just a little bitter, but not too bad…strong…perfect…just like Draco." Draco slid to the floor, and Harry lay down next to him.

The two boys held each other tightly, Draco absently stroking Harry's hair, Harry running his fingers up and down Draco's arm. No words needed to be said, there was only them.

Only love can ease the pain

Of a boy caught in the rain

Only hope will remember

Burning flames in December

Only love, only love.

It's only natural

The moon is just half full

We give our best away

We give our best away

Only love.

Weezer, December

Draco turned to Harry. They smiled at one another. "Hey, Draco?" said Harry quietly. "Yes, darling," replied Draco. "Umm…was I any good? I mean, what can I change for next time?" Draco laughed good-naturedly. "Harry, you were perfect. I cannot believe that you were so worried! You were great. However, there is one thing…" "What? What is it?" asked Harry anxiously. "Don't be so nervous. You have to relax and enjoy it, okay? When you're freaking out, I'm worried that you don't want to be doing that, and I want to know that if you're doing something with me, it's because you want to." Harry smiled. "Draco, I definitely wanted to do that. I will try to relax, I promise." The two of them began to kiss, gently at first, and then with more passion. Harry pulled away after a few minutes. "Draco?" he said. "Yes, Harry?" replied Draco. "I think that I'm in love with you." Draco's heart stopped. Somebody loved him? "Oh, Harry, I love you. I really do. And I don't know what makes me worthy to have you, but I know that I can't give you up, now or ever." Harry took Draco in his arms, and held him close. "I love you for everything that you are. You are worthy of my love. Remember that, especially when times get hard." And they held each other like that for quite a long time.

Harry and Draco eventually made their way to the Great Hall for breakfast. Hermione and Ron were already sitting at the table. Hermione took one look at the two of them together and said, "Finally! I was wondering how long it would take the two of you to get your heads on straight!" Ron shot a confused look first at Hermione, then at Harry and Draco, then back at Hermione. Then he shook his head and moaned, "Oh God, no…I have to room with them. Dammit!" Draco and Harry looked at each other and laughed. Then Draco asked, "Wait a second. Hermione, what do you mean 'finally'? What are you talking about?" Hermione looked straight at Draco. "It's elementary, my dear Draco. I see how you and Harry are around one another. Long, lustuous looks in Potions. Straightening your hair when you see the other one coming. Well, it's futile for Harry, but he tries nonetheless. Many other little quirks that can only add up to one thing: you like each other. And not in the friend way."

Harry looked embarrassed. "It was that obvious that I liked him? Draco, was it that obvious to you?" Draco smiled haughtily. "Not to me, but who wouldn't love me? I'm sexy, I'm smart, I'm funny…I've got the whole package!" Harry punched him good-naturedly in the arm. "Funny, Draco, really funny. If I had any idea that you liked me, I would have saved myself a lot of stress." Hermione giggled. "Teenagers are comprised of three things: Sex, angst, and fun. And angst usually turns into fun. If not fun for the person, it's funny to their friends. Watching you two these past couple of months has been great."

Draco faked a sniffle. "So that's all I am to you now? Something funny to watch, pining over the Boy Wonder? Constantly wondering if he feels the same?" He faked another sniffle. This brought Hermione, Ron and Harry into rambunctious laughter. "Come on, Draco. You know that she's just joking. Besides, she said the same things about me. Hermione, now I could kill you for not saying anything to me. Why didn't you?"

Hermione smiled knowingly. "I knew that you two would find your own way together. Who am I to stop Fate from bringing you together her own way? By the way, what was Fate's way of bringing you together?" Draco grimaced. "Actually, it was some half-assed prediction of Trawleny's that she told to Dumbledore." Hermione faked a gasp. "Trawleny? A prediction? One that was right? Oh God, my life is over!" The whole table once again fell into laughter. Draco realized that he was completely content at the moment. Friends who could laugh at him without being mean, the boy of his dreams loving him…what could go wrong?