Title: Like A Fairytale

Author: Stardrops

Genre: Romance

Rating: PG 13: Some violence and slash, precautions only.

Summary: Faced with difficult decisions about his future, Draco forms some unlikely friendships. A passionate romance is sparked – but is not as secret as he supposed. Someone is stalking Draco at Hogwarts – suddenly, keeping himself and Harry safe is more complicated than he imagined.

Chapter Thirteen: Slapping Some Sense

Hermione left Harry's room feeling unsettled and angry. She had never really liked Draco, rather tolerated him when he'd been brought to Grimmauld Place and when he'd had no one left. She'd felt sorry for him. But now – there was nothing she wanted to do more than find him and make him sorry. No one would mess with her friends and get off that easily – not if Hermione had anything to do with it.

Harry she knew would not be pleased if she went to talk to him. But if she did, there was no reason why Harry had to know. It was definitely time for someone to inform him of just how much of a jerk he really was. And right now – she intended to have that glory.

She stormed up to Crabbe and Goyle who were standing in the Entrance Hall. They looked at her in surprise as she stood before them. "What?" grunted Crabbe.

She leveled him with an angry glare. "Where's Malfoy?" she snapped, her no nonsense glare frightening them into simply shrugging.

"Haven't you got the smallest, tiniest, most miniscule shred of intelligence inside those big, ugly heads of yours?" she snapped. Goyle blinked stupidly, and Crabbe fought furiously to think of some cutting retort. Unfortunately, none sprung to mind, and the pair of them resorted to simply cracking their knuckles threateningly and slinking off before she released her wrath on them.

Breathing a sigh of irritation, Hermione whirled around and stomped down a corridor, searching. After searching for several minutes, she sat down and thought to herself. "Where would I be if I'd just broken up with my boyfriend?" she asked herself. Smirking, she answered her own question. "Well, obviously in the library. There are not a whole lot of other places I'd go for any reason really. But he's never been one to study or lose himself in books when times are difficult …"

None the less, she headed down and across the school towards the library. Stepping quietly, she entered and looked around. Hardly anyone was there – most students were back in their common rooms as it was getting very late. At least this way there would be no one around to witness the Head Girl yelling in a probably undignified manner.

She caught sight of her prey. Ahead of her, in an uncomfortable looking wooden chair facing the wall, was a blonde haired boy. Holding her chin high and pursing her lips, she walked towards him. He held a book in his hands, but he didn't appear to be reading it. Indeed, as she got a little closer, Hermione noticed that his eyes weren't moving – rather, were glued to a single spot on the page. Ignoring this, though, she tapped him on the shoulder.

Draco, who'd been completely zoned out as he sat mournfully pretending to study, looked around with a start. When he saw Hermione's enraged face, he immediately jumped to his feet and took one step back. Being around an irate Hermione with Crabbe and Goyle present was quite one thing. Being alone when she looked so definitely murderous was quite another story.

"Granger? What are you – " he began, trying to muster a disdainful look he knew she had grown accustomed to seeing upon his expression.

WHACK. Before Draco could even finish his sentence, or indeed, completely master his expression, Hermione had lifted her hand and slapped him with all her might.

Draco touched a finger to his stinging cheek, blinking in astonishment.

"What the bloody hell was that for?" he barked, only too aware that this was not the first, or probably the last, time he'd experience a slap from the bushy haired Gryffindor.

"You know perfectly well what that was for. And what's more – you know you deserved it." Hermione whispered fiercely, looking nothing short of furious. Her eyes blazed, warning Draco to swallow the words that were on the tip of his tongue for fear of her lashing out again.

"You are a cold, callous bastard, and I wish to Merlin that I could hex you into the next century. If it weren't for the fact that I hold position as Head Girl at Hogwarts, believe me, I would have absolutely no reason not to. Even having points taken off my house is worthy of never having to see you hurt my friends again."

Draco's eyes widened and before he could pretend to know nothing of what she was talking about, he had spoken. "You've been talking to Potter."

Hermione raised her fist threateningly. "Yes, I've been talking to 'Potter', and let me tell you, if I'd known what was going on a moment before you had the chance to ruin it, I would have been only too happy to destroy your chances of hurting that boy. How dare you?!"

Draco's eyes were radiating imaginary defiance. He knew himself that what he had done deserved much more than a slap and an ear bashing from Hermione, but still, he wanted nothing more to do with anything close to Potter - for fear he might go crawling back begging Harry for forgiveness. It had been hard enough to leave Harry standing there when he knew so well that Harry would think the worst of him, but he'd made a decision. And that decision had been to keep Harry safe regardless of whatever consequences he would have to face.

"Listen, Granger - "

"No, you listen here. If you're going to go around destroying people's confidences, you at least should have a bloody good listen to your own damn faults. You are selfish, spoiled, bratty, egocentric, conceited, arrogant, smug, self-righteous, priggish, insensitive, inconsiderate, uncharitable, thoughtless, uncaring, heartless, cold, cruel and a downright arsehole. People hate you for a reason, Malfoy. You treat everyone else with contempt even though in your heart, you are completely aware of your own insignificance. And the way you treated Harry is perfectly disgraceful. I hope you are ashamed, but I know from experience that the only emotion you are capable of feeling is self-satisfaction. Don't you dare come near me, Ron or Harry ever again unless you can prove to one of us that you are worthy of anything. Otherwise, so help me, I will send you all the way to hell."

With those last words, Hermione flounced off purposefully to the exit of the library, leaving a stunned Draco to stand silently in his own shame for what seemed an age. The thing that stung him most was that every single utterance Hermione had made hit close to him. She'd been speaking nothing but the truth the whole time.

Sitting down slowly and quietly on the uncomfortable chair, he let the book he'd been holding the entire while slide to the ground where it hit the wooden floor with a hollow thump.

Harry was probably hurting much more than he was. At least Draco knew the reason why they weren't together any longer. He winced as he remember the hurt expression on Harry's face. He hated to think that it was his fault. Especially after not long before that, they'd been so close. It was really rather disconcerting to have so much guilt heaped upon him, considering he'd never really felt such emotions before.

When he was growing up, he'd always been taught that what Malfoy thinks and wants is what is best for everyone. And now he knew for certain that what his father had taught him was complete crap. As was everything to do with his father, really.

Maybe the presence of such emotions was a good thing. Perhaps this was making him a better person. He knew one thing at least. Being around Harry definitely made him a better person. He had to see him.

He owed Harry the truth at least. If he was going to cruelly dump Harry, he had to at least give him a reason that was not the generic break up excuse. He was going to find Harry and make him understand why they could no longer be together.

The next day, Draco set out resolutely. He was going to tell Harry the truth. Leaving him in the dark was not only cruel and heartless as Hermione had reminded him, but he didn't want Harry to be left thinking that Draco didn't like him anymore. That was painful for even Draco to think about, because the moment Harry stopped liking and trusting him, he knew he wouldn't really have anything else. Harry meant more to him than what he'd originally thought, and he was determined to work it out, even if it meant giving up any sense of pride.

He went down the corridor to the Hall where the tables were still set for breakfast. Looking at the wizard clock on the side of the Hall, he realised he'd slept a rather long time, and that chances of Harry still being in the Hall were remote. Chewing his lip, he looked around. Sure enough, the places Harry, Ron and Hermione usually occupied were filled with Ginny Weasley and two of her giggling friends.

Rolling his eyes, he left the Hall and walked around for a while, thinking where else to go. A thought struck him that perhaps they'd gone outside. But judging by the fact that it was still winter, this was not very likely unless they'd gone to visit Harry. A thought struck him. Had Harry told more people than just Hermione? He knew Harry and Ron were close, but for some reason, he'd never even supposed that Harry might tell Ron. It didn't seem like the sort of thing one tells someone like Ron. He didn't think Ron would be very understanding, though he didn't fully understand why he was thinking that. Ron and Harry were very close friends, and it made sense. Surely, if he'd told Hermione, he'd told Ron?

Swallowing hard, he made towards the library as a last resort. If they'd gone to Hagrids, there was no way Draco was following him all the way out there. He'd be killed by all those people, particularly if Harry had told Hagrid. Indeed – what if Harry had told everyone in the Gryffindor house? Perhaps they were all laughing at him behind his back?

Entering the library, he looked around. A table full of Gryffindor sixth years was near the door, and though some looked up when he entered, none acknowledged his presence or began to giggle and make fun. This made him feel slightly better. He knew that if Harry had spread this around as gossip, people wouldn't be being so polite about it. They would be openly jeering and making fun. This brightened his hopes slightly. Telling Hermione was one thing. Telling Ron would be completely another.

He looked around, and to his surprise, Hermione was sitting at a table by herself. The other two wouldn't have gone to see Hagrid without her, so they must be in the library too. Or at least within the Hogwarts building. He crept past her table so she wouldn't notice him, for he was certain that if he alerted her to his presence, his face would probably be being beaten to another painful pulp as it didn't take a genius to figure that she was still not pleased with him.

Looking around again, he noticed some people sitting on their own. In the corner of the darkened room, Draco could see Harry sitting at a table for two, opposite someone whose back was turned to Draco. He was looking down at a chessboard on the table, his eyes narrowed in concentration. Such a picture made the corners of Draco's mouth twitch as he looked fondly at the boy he liked so much.

Staring more closely, Draco could see the person whose back was turned. To his frustration, he realised he could see red hair on the back of their head. Harry was sitting with Ron.

Draco gritted his teeth. Oh well. It was now or never.

He stepped forward towards their corner. The library wasn't exactly quiet, but both Harry and Ron looked up immediately at the sound of footsteps.

As Ron's gaze fell upon Draco, his expression turned sour. "What the hell do you want, Malfoy?" Ron asked roughly. "Shouldn't you be off preening somewhere?"

Draco ignored him, something that always took Ron by surprise. His heart was beating fast. If Harry had told Ron, Ron's opening comment would have been something much more biting and to the point. Relief flooded him. There was nothing more difficult than being one less in a battle than Weasley who he knew would have been delighted to find out this piece of gossip and spread it around to make Draco seem more of a dickhead than the student population already believed him to be. "Potter, can I have a word?"

Harry sat, eyes wide at the sight of the person he'd been thinking of so much. Draco thought he could detect a hint of hope as Harry's eyes first met his own, but his expression was still carefully guarded, and Draco could tell that Harry was worried about getting his hopes up in case Draco had not ideas of reconciliation, but ideas that were likely to upset Harry further.

Ron yawned. "Terribly sorry, Malfoy, but Harry and I are in the middle of something here. Unlike you, Harry and I have lives and friends, so why don't you buzz off and find one of each for yourself?"

Draco balled his fists and bit the inside of his cheek to keep from retorting. "It won't take a moment, honestly. Just a quick word. Please, Potter?"

Ron's eyes widened. "My God, that sounds serious. You actually used the word 'please'. I didn't think you knew the meaning of polite manners, considering your ferrety nature. If you want to talk to Harry, either do it here in front of me, or wait til some further time, say in a thousand years, when Harry is willing to talk to you."

"No – Ron – it's okay, really. I'll go for one second." Harry refused to meet either boy's eyes, and rather stared down at the chessboard, focusing in particular on a bishop in his half of the board.

"But – Harry – the game?" Ron seemed desperately trying to keep Harry there, as though his entire work of insulting Malfoy so far that day depended upon whether or not Harry went with Draco or stayed there with him.

"Never mind that, Ron. Checkmate." Harry moved his knight forward, crushed Ron's invading bishop, and proceeded to win the game.

"No way …" Ron said slowly, his attention temporarily distracted. "That's not possible. You never win a game against me."

Harry smiled slyly. "There's always a first time."

He got up from his chair and left a bewildered looking Ron staring dejectedly at the chessboard, muttering to himself and pointing at squares as though determined to find fault in Harry's victory. Draco led Harry away, to a section of the library where the wizarding law books sat. No one ever went to that section, as the books were tediously boring and full of sentences such as: '… opposed to Section 127B where a second party may make an objection to the amendments made to any law subject to change by a third party in Section 847K (iii), Figure 756 (ii) and Section 2006F (iv) paragraph 26. Only a third party may move to alter this amendment, or first party developing in practise for the Act to ban the segregation of …" and so on.

They walked in silence, Draco slightly ahead of Harry. His heartbeat was racing once more, and he was cursing himself silently for getting himself into this mess. The following conversation was going to be nothing short of awkward and Malfoys, as a rule, were not good with the whole awkward situation thing. But then, he remembered the promise he'd made himself to become Draco – not to be a Malfoy. He held his head high and resolutely led Harry away from listening ears and curious eyes.

Walking a tiny way behind Draco, Harry was only too aware how thick the silence between them was. He held his breath and fought the panic that was bubbling inside him. What on earth could Draco want? Surely he wasn't going to try a reconciliation – was he?

Harry mentally hit himself on the side of the head. He shouldn't be getting his hopes up. The chances of anything even related to that were extremely small. Watching the back of Draco's head, he saw Draco shake his head slightly, as though to flick any stray hair out of his eyes, and walking slightly more briskly. Perhaps he was holding his head a little higher, but Draco suddenly seemed more sure of himself than Harry could remember since they'd begun their secret infatuation.

Harry felt very small walking behind the Slytherin. It seemed that the confidence flowing through Draco at the moment was being drained from Harry's own body, and that Harry was shrinking into nothing.

Suddenly, Draco stopped walking and turned around. Harry had to fling his arms out to stop himself from overbalancing. Draco inadvertently reached out and steadied him. Harry felt the heat from Draco's palm, and the warm sweat on his palms and realized Draco must have been clenching his fists as they walked.

Draco snapped his hand away – the cool, smooth skin of Harry's arm was sending thrills down his body and into his stomach. A warmth spread from the expanse of skin that had been in contact with Harry's skin through his body. He fought to keep himself from showing any signs of desire or passion as he finally looked at the face of the boy he secretly wanted so badly.

Harry himself looked uneasy. He couldn't bring himself to speak, yet the silence that surrounded them was unbearable. Draco standing there, looking so beautiful in the dim torchlight of the library was more arousing than Harry thought appropriate. He felt a familiar buzz in his stomach as he took in the expression of the boy before him.

Draco face was carefully calculated, back to the old Malfoy tricks of looking carefully bored and uninterested. But his eyes gave him away. Harry stared into the grey pools, marveling at their liquid silver appearance. And when Draco's eyes met his, a stab of longing shot through him – more desire than he could remember feeling for any one person ever.

Draco finally broke the eye contact with Harry, uncomfortable with the electricity that he felt between them. If he continued with such simple yet strangely erotic thoughts, he would end up allowing himself to let something happen between himself and the boy who stood before him.

Harry shifted nervously from one foot to the other. It became apparent that Draco was not going to be able to conjure the strength to begin the conversation, so he cleared his already dry throat and croakily said, "So."

Draco winced internally. God, even the boy's voice was turning him on. Something about the smooth, deep tone of the masculine voice made him want to hear it speak again.

"So what?"

Harry raised an eyebrow. 'What is it, Malfoy? You just pulled me away from my best friend, and now you're standing there looking all childish and awkward, and you speak now as though you did it all for no reason?' His heart was beating. He knew he was being slightly unkind, but he felt the urge to make Draco feel guilty or defensive – anything other than this blank emotionless silence.

"I … I just wanted to speak to you." Draco looked down at his feet involuntarily before realizing how meek that must make him look. He shook back his hair once more and looked at the point between Harry's eyes. At least then he wouldn't have to see the confusion, hurt and whatever else was currently in Harry's eyes. Whatever Harry was feeling would always be displayed there. He was one of the most expressive and open people Draco had ever come across. And that was something Draco admired, for he himself knew that even if he tried, he would always be too self conscious to wear his heart on his sleeve.

Harry felt a rush of spite and malice and wanted, suddenly, to hurt Draco. He wanted to make Draco feel the pain he himself was feeling, in the desperate hopes that it might lead him back to Harry. To show Draco what it meant to be betrayed.

But he could not do it. He couldn't hurt Draco. The boy he'd hated so long had suddenly become more than an enemy or rival – more than a fascination. It had become an infatuation – a lust - an obsession so crazed with passion that Harry could hardly bear to sleep or even close his eyes for a moment. He feared above all things that when he woke from a sleep, he might also wake to find that Draco's love had been a dream.

"Then speak." Harry knew he was being less than cooperative, but his irritation did not seep away at Draco's helplessness.

Draco stood, momentarily struck dumb. He reached a hand to his face and rubbed at the spot where he'd been hit by his father. He still half didn't believe it to be real, but the pain had stung for much longer after he'd woken, bringing him uncertainty when he tried to convince himself that it was not real – that it had in fact only been a dream.

Harry half smiled sadly and nodded. "Right. Well … I should get back to Ron. See ya round."

He turned to go, and Draco suddenly panicked. "Wait – Potter!"

Harry turned his head, but his feet were still facing the other way. "What, Malfoy?"

Draco fought the terror that was inside him. The dream may have seemed real, but this was real. Harry was real. And the feelings inside him that he had for this boy were also real. Even if he had to let Harry go, the only way he could would be to make him understand why. He couldn't bear the thought of Harry walking away thinking of Draco as a heartless creep. He needed to make Harry understand.

He took a deep breath and walked to Harry to stand directly in front of him, blocking Harry's escape route. "I owe you something."

Harry laughed dryly. "You don't owe me anything. I -"

"No." Draco interrupted Harry, leaving Harry slightly surprised and a little curious. "I do owe you something. I owe you the truth. I owe you an explanation. And I owe you an apology."

Harry stared right into Draco's eyes, and was astounded to see pleading in them. "Please," Draco whispered, imploring Harry to listen.

Harry looked torn. He wasn't sure he wanted to hear this – but could he go through the rest of his existence not knowing why Draco had broken it off so suddenly, and what had happened to suddenly stop him from wanting Harry?

No.

He needed to hear this. If not for anything else, at least for closure.

A/N: Yeah. Sorry it has taken so long. Writers block, slackness and school have kept me from doing it. But now the holidays are here and I may update more than that. But you will have to review if you want more. :P

Ronan Daiymo: Shut up. Lol Did this chapter raise the angst rating? Or perhaps lower it slightly? Let me know!

Kazillion: There's one of your bitchslaps. There will be another if I don't forget to put it in. Which I probably will unless you remind me in a few chapters time. Thanks heaps for your constant reviews! Luv ya!

Angel-Wings6: Here's the new installment! I know, poor Draco. He's so handsome though, when he's being all suffering and courageous don't you think? :P I imagine him to be anyway.

Zoomaphonethepirate: There may or may not be a happy reconciliation. I haven't decided. :P Glad you like – hope you continue to like!

HpAzn: So which one did you want to get sick, and which would take care of them? And how do you propose I get them away from the general population of Hogwarts to do that? If you answer these – your wish will be granted. :D

Goli Weremaster: Thanks for the uber long review! There are a few questions you asked that I cannot answer because it will ruin the story for you, but here are some harmless answers to some of the things you said: 1.Yes. I suppose the ice scene was slightly ott. But it was cute! What can I say?! Plus it was the only present I could think of that had never been done in a fanfic before as far as I could remember. 2. Petty argument? You got it. Great idea. I love it. Thank you! I shall credit you for it too, don't worry! 3. Yes, it was real. Not a dream. It's not very clear, I know. But it wasn't meant to be clear. :P I'm a confusing person so yeah. I would answer your questions but … I'm nasty. And I want to keep you in suspense. So yeah! Til next time my wonderful reviewer! hugz

Budhamley: Thanks for reviewing! Hope you continue to like.

Bluebellfairy: prods socks hehehehe they're rocking away! :P Thanks for highly recommending, and I'm glad you like it enough to put it on those lists! hugz ur cool!

Lyra Skywalker: Thanks! I was eating chocolates and it sorta put me in the mood to put it in the story. Hehehehehe I'm so random.

Rigella: Thank you my dear. And you should talk! You finally updated! rejoices sings 'Joy to the world …' Anywayz :P I need you to help with the next chappie btw.

Psychelle: Ahhhh, but that would be telling. taps nose Keep reading!