The morning whistle jerks me awake from my restless sleep, and my eyes feel scratchy and dry as I open them and blearily squint around at my surroundings.

I have not forgotten about what happened yesterday, that heavy weight around my heart is an instant reminder, and with a sigh to match, I heave myself off of the bed and jump down to the ground.

Draco is already awake and sitting up. He glances at me, but I ignore him and stand by the cell door. Draco looks like hell, like he didn't sleep at all last night, or about as well as I did at any rate.

I can't find it in myself to care, though.

"Potter."

I turn my head and he is suddenly beside me.

"What?" I answer emotionlessly.

He looks out into the main room beyond as he replies. "I'm sorry about Amari."

"Is that all?" I snap, not really knowing why I'm bothering to bait him.

Draco frowns and turns to look at me. "What?"

"Are you sorry about Amari, or are you including your physical assault on me in your apology as well?"

His grey eyes flicker to my reddened cheek then quickly skitter away, as if afraid to acknowledge the bruised skin. "I'm not apologizing for anything, Potter. I know how much you liked the man and I only wanted to say that he didn't deserve to be put in Azkaban."

"Maybe they should've taken you instead," I mumble, not really meaning it, but feeling rather unforgivable this morning.

"What the fuck is your problem?"

"You." I walk around him as the cell door slides open and I stand out on the deck, avoiding his probing gaze.

"Potter-" he starts, sounding aggravated.

"Look." I whirl to face him. "You won't accept my apology for what I did to you, and you don't want to be friends, so why not just leave it at that? I liked it better when you weren't speaking to me."

"Fine." Draco's voice sounds a little taken aback, but when I glance at him, his face is a mask of indifference.

We are hustled down to the dining hall after the morning count is completed, and I hurry over to join Jack, Harshad, and Little Slick at our usual table.

I slip into the vacant seat next to Jack as Draco sits on the opposite side further down the bench. Meaning, as far away from me as possible.

"Hey there, Potter," Jack greets me with a sad smile and gives my shoulder a squeeze. "How ya doin'?"

"M'okay." I shrug, trying to ignore the fact that he didn't call me Bakari like he usually does. I guess it would feel wrong with Amari not here and all, but it will now serve as a constant reminder of his absence.

Jack nods and turns back to his breakfast. He lifts his cup of water and holds it aloft. "To Amari and Trip," he says.

We all do the same, and as I drink down the rusty tasting water of Grace, I feel as though someone has died, as though we're toasting their memory instead of the fact that they are no longer in this building with us.

I foolishly hope that the fact that they're not dead will be of some comfort.

The rest of breakfast is a very quiet affair, with everyone lost in their own thoughts. Probably wondering if the same thing will happen to them in time. I know that's what I'm thinking.

Amari's sentence is like a dose of reality. No one is safe in here, especially it seems, are the innocent.

I glance over at Draco. He's pushing his food around with his fork. He's probably wondering the same thing. If he is innocent, that is…

I shake my head and rub my eyes. I'm not starting that suspicious line of thinking again, it won't get me anywhere, especially as I've told him not to talk to me anymore.

Why did I say that? I do want him to talk to me again. Was he offering a truce this morning, or was it just pity? Why must I always act before thinking? Why is he trying to be nice to me all of a sudden?

I feel like I'm going mad with all these unanswerable questions.

"Come on, Potter." Jack slings an arm around my shoulders and stands up, wanting me to follow. "Let's take a walk."

I nod mutely and push my untouched breakfast tray away from me before trailing after him.

Jack leads me outside onto the damp grounds and we slowly walk the perimeter of the yard.

"Jack?"

"Yeah, kiddo?" He shoves his hands into his pockets as he strolls beside me.

"What are you in here for?"

He smiles up at the sky, as if reminiscing. "You don't want to know."

"So…you're guilty?" I ask quietly.

"Yes and no."

I wait for him to explain.

He glances down at me and chuckles. "Let's just say that I'm guilty of the crime they accused me of, but the so-called 'crime' is not really a crime at all. Or rather, shouldn't be."

"According to you," I say with a snort.

"According to any intelligent wizard - which includes myself," he replies smugly.

"So you're really not going to tell me?"

"Don't want to give you nightmares, kiddo." He winks. "But put your mind at ease, it wasn't murder or anything like that. I'm not a hardened criminal like you, Harry Potter."

I laugh and look up into his teasing blue gaze. He takes a pack of cigarettes from his pocket as we continue.

"Can I have one?" I ask suddenly.

He eyes me for a second then shrugs. "Sure, why not?"

I grin and pull one of the tiny cylinders from the crinkled pack.

"Put it in your mouth," Jack instructs.

I immediately do and Jack holds a lit match to the end.

"Now, hold it with your fingers and start puffing away."

I inhale once and immediately choke.

Jack smirks and claps me on the back, then begins to chuckle as my eyes start watering.

I take the cigarette from my mouth and a horrid taste is left on my tongue.

Jack notices my grimace. "You'll get used to it."

I don't think I want to, I almost say in return, but we are rounding the yard and drawing near the rest of the group that have now ventured out of doors. Including Draco.

I quickly put the cigarette back in my mouth and try to look nonchalant, as if I smoke every day.

Draco looks up and it almost seems as though he's glaring at me.

I shoot him a smug look, then refocus on Little Slick. "Hey, you wanna play Stones?" I ask him.

"Sure, Potter." Little Slick grins, showing his crooked front teeth.

I plop down onto the ground and wait for him to set up the game. I take the cigarette out of my mouth, barely managing to keep myself from coughing, and tap the loose ash from the tip. I slip it back between my lips and try to keep from inhaling.

"You move first."

I pick up my first stone and we begin a lengthy match that lasts for almost forty-five minutes. I ultimately win.

"Nice job," Little Slick concedes cheerfully.

"Who's next?" I ask with a feigned pompous air.

Jack chuckles and shakes his head as Slick moves aside.

"I'll play."

I turn and watch Draco instantly take up Little Slick's spot. He sits cross-legged and places his elbows on his knees, staring at me intently.

"Alright," I say casually. I know I don't stand a chance against Malfoy, but I'm going to try my hardest to beat him.

I clear the stones away from the previous game and look up at him. "You move first."

Draco inclines his head in acknowledgment and picks up his first stone, weighing it in his hand as he carefully plots out his move.

This game lasts even longer than the last one. After an hour and a half, a smile slowly stretches my face as I realize that I have him. I'm going to win. I've beat Malfoy. It was almost too easy…

I glance up at him sharply. Is he letting me win? He's never lost a game, not even against Jack, and he's much better than I am.

I finish off my last move and clear the board.

"Congratulations," Draco says, smiling a little.

"Thanks," I reply in a clipped tone. "I'll think I'll watch now. Jack? Why don't you play Harshad?"

"Alright." Jack stubs out his cigarette and takes my place as Harshad replaces Draco.

I sit a few paces away, half watching the game. Draco sits beside me, not saying anything.

I frown and want to reach out and strangle the blond. He has got to be the most confusing individual that I have ever met. First he hates me, then he tolerates me, then he's my friend, then he kisses me back, then he hates me, and now he's…actually, I don't know what he's doing now.

"Something wrong?" Draco suddenly asks, and I realize that I must've sighed out loud.

I decide to go with the truth. "You are the most infuriatingly confusing person that I've ever met."

"Oh? And why's that?" he asks breezily.

I put my head in my hands and grip fistfuls of my hair in frustration. I really want to yell right about now.

"Can you just tell me something?" I ask, my voice somewhat muffled.

"What?"

"Do you hate me or not?" I lift my head to look at him.

Draco stares out across the yard, the light breeze ruffling his blond hair slightly and his gaze looks very far away.

"Yes."

"Yes you hate me?" I clarify, feeling oddly disappointed.

"Yes." He turns to me, and his grey eyes are dark and intense.

"Then why are you sitting beside me?" I demand angrily.

"I dunno…" He shrugs, returning his gaze to the game as Jack whoops joyfully.

I roll my eyes and am about to put my head back into my hands when one of the guards calls to me from across the yard.

It seems I have another visitor.

"Social butterfly, aren't you, Potter?" Jack smirks.

"Shut up." I give him the finger behind my back as I walk away. I can hear his laughter as I am being cuffed and led away. I glance back over my shoulder and am surprised to see that Draco looks….sad. Then he is out of view as I round the corner and enter the building.

I forget about Malfoy and am eagerly anticipating my visitor, hoping against hope that it's Remus. I really don't want it to be Ron or Hermione right now.

"Harry."

I practically glow when I see that warm smile and those light brown eyes surveying me with affection.

"Remus!" I practically throw myself into his arms when I am released.

Remus hugs me back in surprise, stumbling back a few steps from my enthusiasm.

"Are you okay, Harry?"

"Not really." I give him an extra squeeze. "I'm so glad you're here."

Remus smiles and takes a step back to hold me at arm's length. "What's wrong?"

I sigh and sit down in one of the chairs. Remus quickly draws another one out and up to sit in front of me.

"One of my cellmates, Amari – did I tell you about him?"

"No."

"Well," I continue. "He was really nice, and just a…a really good friend. He even gave me a nickname." I smile a little. "But…he was sent to Azkaban yesterday."

"Oh Harry…" Remus places his hand over mine.

"He was innocent, and he has a family out there, too." I'm glad that I got my tears out of the way last night, or else I know I would've broken down, especially with Remus looking so sympathetic.

"Anyway," I try to move on. "Now he's gone and I'm left with Malfoy."

"Not Draco anymore?" Remus notices immediately.

"Yeah." I run a nervous hand through my hair. "We sort of had a fight, and now we're not really speaking to each other."

"I thought that you had been getting on well with each other as of late," Remus says.

"We were." I nod. "But…I guess you could say I fucked it up."

Remus' eyes search my face. "Do you want to talk about it?" he asks.

"No." I shake my head. "It doesn't matter now."

"Harry." Remus puts his other hand on my shoulder. "I think that you need to work out whatever problems you are having with him. Why don't you try apologizing?"

"I have," I say in irritation. "He's just so…stubborn! And…and frustrating!"

Remus tries to hide a smile. "Try talking to him again. Maybe he's had time to think about it, and will be in a more forgiving mood now."

"Yeah, right." I roll my eyes and sit back in the chair. "His temper is worse than mine, and he never lets go of a grudge. I should know."

"Why don't you just tell me what you did to make him so angry?"

I sigh and look away. I can't tell Remus, I just can't. Although…he did once say that it would be okay if I was gay. I just don't know if I can tell him, if I can say those words out loud. I feel so ashamed, and I'm ashamed of being ashamed.

"Harry?"

I look up into his open and caring amber eyes. "Did you mean it when you told me that it's okay?" I hear myself asking.

"That what's…?" Remus trails off and he suddenly smiles softly at my nervousness. "Yes, Harry, I meant it. With all my heart."

I smile a little and fidget with a loose thread on my grey uniform. "You are talking about what I think you're talking about, right?" I ask hesitantly.

"I believe so." Remus chuckles. "So you told Mr Malfoy that you liked him, and that's what made him so angry?"

"No." I flush even more and look down at my hands. "I kissed him," I mumble almost incoherently.

But apparently Remus' hearing is sharp enough to pick it up.

"What?" he gasps.

"Yeah." I shift awkwardly in my seat.

"Harry, I… I don't know what to say. You should have told him of your feelings before you ambush him like that. Especially if you're not sure of his feelings in return. Are you certain that he's gay?"

I can't help but laugh as I answer, feeling so utterly and completely foolish. "No, he told me that he wasn't gay. He told me that he hates gay people, that he has since he was fourteen, and that he lost his virginity to a girl at Hogwarts."

"Harry," Remus begins seriously, then suddenly starts to laugh, the sound slowly building in volume. "I'm sorry, Harry," he pants. "But that's one hell of a tough case you picked out for yourself. I know you never do anything the easy way in life, but did you really need to pick out a straight-as-they-come Slytherin who's also a Malfoy and a gay basher?"

"I know." I continue to laugh helplessly. "I really don't know what I was thinking."

"You can't recruit players to the other side, believe me, Harry."

"Huh? Are you…?" I ask, startled.

"No, but I knew someone in school who was, and he had the most horrible crush on me. I felt awful about the whole thing, but he was very persistent."

"So you kissed him one night?" I ask, leaning forward.

"Er…"

My eyes widen. "You slept with him?"

Remus shrugs coolly. "I just wanted to see what it was like. I'm not sorry I did it, and he knew that it was probably just going to be a one time thing."

"So…what was it like?" I ask eagerly.

"Uh…it was okay. It felt good, but the passion wasn't there. On my side anyway."

"Maybe it was just the guy, maybe if you had the right man with you, you would've liked it."

"That could be true. I don't know, I've never really focused on relationships too much because of my condition. I just figured no girl – or man – would be interested."

"That's not true, Remus. Any person would be happy to be with you. You're hot." I wink.

He rolls his eyes with a smirk. "Sure, Harry. I think you've been in here too long. And now that we're finished with this little distraction tactic of yours, we will talk about you and Malfoy again."

I smile at his perceptiveness, and return to the subject of the elusive Draco once more. "I know you think that I'm incredibly stupid for doing what I did, but sometimes I got the feeling that there was something there between us – and not just on my side either. I would catch him staring at me, and there were times when we'd laugh and suddenly there was this…feeling in the air. Plus, he closed his eyes when I kissed him."

"Oh?" Remus sits back, thinking. "Well, that sounds…strange. Did he kiss you back, Harry?"

"I don't know," I answer with frustration. "I thought he did, but now I'm not so sure."

Remus absently strokes his jaw as he continues to frown in concentration. "Well, it sounds to me like what you really need to do is just sit down with him for a calm and serious chat. Tell him everything you told me, and just plain ask him if he's interested or if he ever could be interested. And if not, then tell him that you want to be friends and promise not to jump him again."

"Thanks," I say sarcastically.

There's a loud banging on the door to remind us that our time is up.

Remus stands and I hug him one last time.

"I promise that I'll try to talk to him," I say into his chest.

"Good. Let me know how it turns out next time I visit."

I nod and turn away from him to walk to the door.

"Harry?"

"Yeah?"

"You didn't ask about your case," he says.

"What for? Nothing is happening."

"I wouldn't say that," Remus replies secretively.

"What?" I demand. "Why didn't you tell me earlier?"

"I didn't want to get your hopes up, but maybe it will put Mr Malfoy in a better mood for you. I have a meeting with Fudge scheduled for some time next week, and we're going to discuss the possibility of releasing the two of you on probation until the case is brought back to court."

"Really?" I can't help but grin in excitement.

"But I haven't spoken to them yet, so don't get too excited. Dumbledore will be there with me as well, and they will respect what he has to say. Fudge listens to Albus more than that Kaplan bloke."

The guard enters the visitor's room then and proceeds to place my wrists in handcuffs.

I barely notice.

"Thanks, Remus!" I call as I am led out the door. "For everything!"

I see him smile before I am whipped out of sight and forced along the corridor towards my cell.

I try not to let the sight of Amari's empty bed bother me as I step inside and walk past it to the window. My heart feels loads lighter than this morning.

I hear the door slide open behind me, and I turn, ready to face Draco.

"Where are our two batty roommates?" I ask, secretly relieved that they're absent.

"Showers, I think," he answers offhandedly.

I take a deep breath. "Can I talk to you for a minute?"

Draco considers the request for a few seconds then shrugs in acquiescence. He sits down on the bottom bunk.

I join him, but keep my distance.

"First, I want to apologize for being so rude this morning. You didn't deserve that, you were being very considerate – maybe for the first time in your life-" I can't help adding, "But it was a nice gesture and I'm sorry that I brushed it off."

"And second?" Draco asks, looking up at me.

This is harder then I thought.

"Um…did you really mean it when you said that you hated me?"

"Yes," he replies evenly.

I'm not really sure what to say to that. "Do you think that you could possibly put that aside and we could try being friends again? Or at least be civil to each other until we're out of here?"

He sighs heavily, but doesn't break eye contact. "I can promise to make an attempt at civility, but that's all."

"Well that's something," I mutter.

"But one more…slip up on your part and I swear-"

"Alright," I interrupt swiftly. "I get it."

This isn't going as planned at all.

"You kissed me back!" I suddenly blurt out. I clap a hand over my mouth in shock, my eyes wide, staring at the blond.

"What?" he says with quiet fury.

I slowly remove my hand. "You had your eyes closed and you kissed me back," I whisper, digging myself deeper and deeper.

"Are you trying to say that I enjoyed your sexual harassment, Potter?"

"Yes, and I think you're trying to hide who you really are because you're scared to admit it," I say.

"I am not a fucking queer," he whispers, his voice dripping with venom. "I told you, I slept with a girl."

"But it was just a part of the act wasn't it?" I push.

His eyes widen and I can see him trying to rein in his anger. "Just because you have obviously become obsessed with me, it does not make it right for you to throw these wild accusations around."

I decide to try for complete honesty. "I'm not obsessed, Draco. I think you can be nice when you let your guard down, you're attractive, protective, competitive, loyal, smart, and have a twisted sense of humour – which I generally enjoy. I like being with you. That's all."

Draco looks stunned.

"Why don't we try that kiss again, and then you can make up your mind?" I suggest boldly.

Draco's lips part in surprise and he glances behind him.

"No one's there," I say reassuringly, as though speaking to a frightened animal.

Draco's eyes keep flicking down to my lips and up to my eyes. He definitely looks like a deer caught in headlights.

"It's okay," I murmur, leaning closer. "Just…one…little…kiss."

I watch in satisfaction as Draco's eyes flutter shut, then I close my own as my lips draw nearer. I tilt my head to the right and softly touch my lips to his.

Draco's lips are warm and soft beneath my own, and it feels so very good. And so very right. I can feel him moving back against me this time, and I tentatively open my mouth a little.

I want to reach out and touch him, but refrain, not wanting to scare him.

My body feels warm and tingly. So much better than when Colin and I snogged that one time.

I almost jump in surprise when Draco's tongue touches mine, and a hand comes up to cup my cheek. I moan softly and tell my brain to fuck off as I reach out and slide a hand behind his neck and stroke his probing tongue with my own. His moan in response almost pushes me over the edge, and I can feel the rest of my body taking an interest in Draco's apparent skill.

I lick along his bottom lip and proceed to drag my lips across his jaw line and cheek, placing tender kisses over the smooth skin. Draco tilts his head back, eyes closed, and another soft moan emits from his open mouth. I immediately dip down and attack his long throat with enthusiasm, wanting to give him as much pleasure as possible. His hands become entangled in my hair as I stop to suck lightly on one particularly delicious spot.

He pulls me back up by my hair and kisses me deeply.

The whistle for the end of work duty suddenly breaks the bubble surrounding our little escape from reality.

Draco pulls away, his hands falling from my cheek and hair.

I sigh, and don't want to open my eyes to see what expression is on his face. But I know have to eventually, so I reluctantly drag them open.

Draco's fingers are lightly touching his lips as though in shock.

I'm afraid to move, let alone speak. I'm afraid that a smile will scare him off at this point.

Turns out I didn't have to do anything. He's able to scare himself off just fine on his own.

"Harry…"

I know that tone is not a good sign.

I sigh in resignation. "You regret it."

"No, not exactly. I just…" He sighs, too, but it sounds wistful and sad. "I just don't want to be gay, alright? Can you understand that?"

"Sure."

I stand abruptly and he grabs my wrist.

"Look, we can be friends if you want, but…that's all. It'll be better this way."

"How?" I ask dully.

"Trust me."

I pull my wrist from his grasp. "I wish I could."

I turn and walk over to the cell door. I tap on the bars and wait.

"Where are you going?" Draco asks from behind me.

"I'm going to take a shower."

One of the guards finally walks over and I tell him where I'm going before he lets me out. I don't even glance back at Draco as I walk away with the guard following closely.

I can't believe I was that close to getting what I wanted. He kissed me back, there's no mistaking it this time, and it was wonderful. Heavenly. Doesn't he realize that we could have that in here, that one spot of happiness and comfort amidst the frightening unknown?

Merlin, I just want to kiss those soft, sweet lips once more…

I'm already addicted.

I wish he would just tell me why he's so scared. Seeing his father having sex with another man couldn't have frightened him that much. Sure, it must have been shocking, but traumatizing?

I enter the change room, not even noticing where I'm going. I automatically open a locker and start to undress. My thoughts still swirling in a mad circle round my head.

Maybe he'll change his mind. If I just lay off him for awhile, and don't mention the kiss again, then maybe he'll see what I see. He looked so fragile and vulnerable, I've never seen him look like that in my life. Like I ripped away every layer that he has and bared his soul for all the world to see. I just wish he'd get over this and accept the truth, I can only be rejected so many times…

I'm so wrapped up in my own thoughts that I don't even see it coming.

Something heavy strikes the back of my head and a strong hand comes around to clamp over my mouth, silencing my screams.