It takes me a few minutes the next morning to remember that I am actually allowed to stare at Draco's peacefully sleeping face in the morning now. I smile to myself and let my eyes rake over his face; from the gently lowered eyelids to the slightly parted lips.

I can't believe everything he's been through. After hearing his story the night before, I now realize just how hard this situation must have been for him. His greatest fear is obviously turning out just like his father, and by being with me, that fear is now a possible reality for him. I was right when I said that he was scared, but it was for the wrong reasons, he's not scared of what it'll do to him, but of what it might do to me.

I smile and shift a bit closer before closing my eyes once more.

I'm not worried about Draco. I trust him. As much as the thought surprises me, I know that it's true. Amari gave him a name meaning 'follow the right road,' and I know Draco will live up to it. I've seen how much the blond cares and it fills me with comfort. He is not his father. He is a man in his own right.

I open my eyes when I feel Draco's breathing alter slightly, and I see those grey/blue eyes staring back at me.

I hope he doesn't freak out and regret everything that's happened. What if he decides I'm not worth it? What if-

A sleepily pleasant smile and the gentle press of his lips to my own is my answer.

"Hi." I smile in return, relieved. "Sleep well?"

Draco smiles and yawns, removing his arms from around me and stretching them over his head. "Very well," he says, voice still hoarse with sleep.

"Good." I turn over onto my back and indulge in a nice luxurious stretch myself. "These bunk beds are so much better then those horrible floor mats."

"And it doesn't hurt that we're helping each other stay warm as well," Draco smirks, sitting up and staring down at me.

I grin up at him, my eyes just begging for him to kiss me.

Draco glances at the door then shakes his head at me.

I frown and sit up next to him, looking to the cell door. The guards are now patrolling past, setting up for the morning count. I sigh and swing my legs over the side of the bed. I neatly leap down to the floor and walk over to wash my face and hands at the sink, preparing for yet another day in Grace.

Draco comes up beside me and leans his shoulder against mine as we wash. I flash him a quick smile and bump his shoulder gently to let him know I appreciate the gesture. I wash as quickly as possible with the icy cold water then tuck my reddened hands into my pockets for warmth.

"Um, Draco?" I ask hesitantly as we stand in wait for the door to open.

"Yeah?"

"What do you want to tell the others about…us?"

He frowns. "Why do we have to tell them anything?"

"Don't you think they'll notice?" I say, turning to him.

"No, because we're not going to act any differently in public than we were before."

"Oh, right." I nod, knowing that what he's saying makes sense.

"Harry." He sighs. "You know we can't let anyone know about this. If it got out into the press, it would reflect badly on us and on our chances of being released. You know the Ministry doesn't approve of – of gay people. It could ruin everything."

"I know," I reply defensively.

"I don't think you do," he says. "You can't tell anybody, not even Jack."

I ignore him and stare out at the main hall through the bars of our cell.

"Are you pouting, Potter?" Draco finally asks, exasperated.

Saying no would just sound petulant, so I remain silent.

"Harry…" Draco sighs again.

"What about when we're released?" I ask suddenly.

"What?" He frowns.

"Will you still want to keep it a secret once we're out of here and back in the wizarding world?"

"I…I don't know. I haven't really thought that far ahead," he replies carefully.

"Well, let's just say for arguments sake, that we are still together when we're released and that we're deliriously happy as a couple – what then? Would you still want to keep it a secret?"

"Harry, that's not really fair."

"So that's a no, then?" I say, feeling hurt and disappointed.

He turns towards me and waits until I'm looking at him before speaking. "There are other things to consider, like my spying on Voldemort for instance. If he knew we were together, he would know that I wasn't as faithful as he thought, or he would try to use me against you."

"Fine," I say. "Let's say that we're released, and I kill Voldemort the second I return to the wizarding world – then what?"

"And we're still deliriously happy?" Draco smiles.

"Yes." I try to keep from smiling back and fail miserably.

"Then yes; I would shout it from the rooftops and snog you in front of the Minister of Magic himself."

"I'm going to hold you to that, you know." I laugh in amusement.

Draco laughs and crosses his heart with his finger. "I swear."

The door slides open with a metallic screech and we step forward into line. Our lone cellmate suddenly jumps up from his bed and joins us, still rubbing sleep from his eyes.

"So, I guess that was our first official relationship fight, eh?" Draco mutters out of the corner of his mouth.

I smile, keeping my eyes front. "Guess so. And we don't even get a make-up snog."

"I thought the usual tradition was make-up sex?"

I snort and bite my lip. "Jumping the gun a little, aren't you?"

"Considering that last night was technically our first date and we slept together, then I would have to say no."

"Special circumstances?" I snigger quietly.

"Yeah."

We both smile to ourselves as we make our way down the stairs and off through the corridors to the dining hall. I spot Jack sitting at our usual table and Draco and I make our way over.

"Mornin' boys," Jack greets us heartily.

"Hullo." I smile in greeting at everyone around table.

Draco quickly takes the seat next to Jack, leaving me to sit on the opposite side of the table from them.

Real subtle, I think to myself as I walk around the table and slip into the empty spot.

Draco smirks at me before pulling his breakfast tray towards him and tucking in.

I roll my eyes and dig into my own disgusting plate of mush. I think it's supposed to be porridge, but I could be wrong.

"So boys, what's your job this week?" Little Slick asks us around a mouthful of food.

"Um, kitchen duty, I think," I say, scrunching my face in thought.

"Yep," Draco confirms with a nod.

"Wouldn't want to trade, would you?" Little Slick asks with a raised brow.

"What do you have?" I ask curiously.

"I'm venturing into the wonderful world of urinal cleaning this week. Jealous?"

"No way." I laugh.

"Don't knock it 'til you've tried it." Jack winks.

"No thanks," Draco grimaces in disgust, carefully inspecting his forkful of grey mush.

"Hannigan."

We all look up to see one of the guards standing behind us, dark eyes glaring down at Jack.

"Yes?" Jack replies easily.

"Come with me," the guard sneers, lip curling in distaste.

"And what is this in regards to?" Jack asks pleasantly.

"You're wanted in court today, Hannigan."

"It's so nice to be wanted." Jack pulls his long legs from under the table and stands.

A worried frown knits my brows as I watch with mounting trepidation.

Jack sends me a reassuring grin and one last wink before he is led off.

My stomach instantly ties itself into knots as Jack disappears from view. I feel sick. This can't be happening again. Not again…

Draco's foot gently nudging my ankle brings me back to reality. I glance across at my…boyfriend? Lover? And he sends me a look that's compassionate and reassuring all at once. I send him a weak smile in return and take a deep breath to calm my racing nerves.

"Do you think he'll be alright?" I'm finally able to ask Little Slick.

"He's Jack, isn't he?" He grins back.

I try to find comfort in the confidence everyone else seems to have in Jack returning to us, but it's just too hard. The memory of Amari is still too fresh in my mind.

"Come on, Harry," Draco says, standing. "We should get going. Dishes to wash and so on."

I nod and push my full tray away from me before rising.

"We'll meet you boys in the yard later," Harshad says. "See if we can't find out something about Jack before then to tell you."

"Yeah. Thanks." I nod again and trail after Draco as he leads the way to the kitchens.

We are soon set to work washing and drying endless piles of dishes and utensils. Strangely enough, the monotonous chore is just what I need. Draco and I don't speak at all as we work, I think he knows there's nothing he can say to reassure me, and I have nothing to say to him. I force all of my energy on picking up the next dish or fork or spoon, and cleaning it of any excess water, then placing it in orderly piles or into waiting buckets.

I try not to think of what could be happening with Jack in that court room, instead I use every ounce of hope that I have to send him good luck and furiously wish for everything to turn out alright.

"Harry?"

I look up as I place the last clean plate on top of the large stack beside me. "Yeah?"

"We're just about done now, can you help me carry this bucket over to the other room?" Draco asks, wiping one hand across his sweaty brow.

"Sure."

I toss my damp towel onto the counter and walk over to take one side of the heavy bucket of silver utensils. We both lift at the same time and awkwardly make our way to the smaller room where the clean dishes and things are kept.

Draco quickly closes the door behind us and turns to face me.

"What are you doing?" I frown.

Draco approaches and draws me into a tight hug. "I've been wanting to do this ever since I saw your face when they took Jack away."

I smile into his shoulder and wrap my arms around him in return. "Thanks. I knew there was a reason I wanted to be with you."

"You mean besides my devastatingly handsome good looks?"

I chuckle and close my eyes as I lay my head on his shoulder. "That's just a bonus."

I sigh, and can feel some of the tension ease out of my body.

"I don't know what I'd do without you," I say honestly.

"Same here," Draco murmurs into my hair, holding me close.

"I thought…" I stop and bite my lip.

"What?"

I take a deep breath and press on. "I thought it would take you longer to go from trying to hate me to being so…caring, I guess."

Draco pulls back a little and smiles at me. "This is years of repressed feelings finally able to come out, Harry. Forgive me if I seem a little anxious to play Romeo. Plus, I'm seventeen." He shrugs.

I grin and shake my head. "Hey, I don't have a problem with it."

"But if you even think of telling anyone I've gone soft…" he warns.

"Wouldn't dream of it," I promise, still grinning. "I like my bad-ass boyfriend."

Draco rolls his eyes as I lean up to kiss him on the cheek.

"Come on, we should get going before someone notices we're missing."

I nod in agreement and we walk back out, keeping a safe distance between us.

Draco and I both rush through the musty corridors and burst out into the windy yard, immediately searching the crowd of inmates and patrolling guards for Little Slick or Harshad. And in my case of wishful thinking – Jack.

"Harry!"

I see Little Slick waving to me from across the yard and I take off towards him at full speed, with Draco right behind.

"So? Have you heard anything?" I pant, coming to a halt before him and resting my hands on my knees as I try to regain my breath.

"He did it. The bastard did it."

"What? What did he do?" I demand impatiently.

"He's free." Little Slick's eyes are alight with energy and unmistakeable pride.

"He's…free?" I repeat, unable to believe it. "He's…oh my god…"

I grin and suddenly grab Little Slick in a fierce hug. He laughs and swings me around in jubilation.

"So I take it Jack got out?"

Little Slick sets me down and we look over to see Harshad walking towards our little group, an inquisitive smile on his face.

"Yep," I say proudly.

Draco and I both laugh as Little Slick grabs the usually sedate Harshad and swings him into an energetic embrace.

"Put me down you brute," Harshad demands in a panic.

I grin and look over at Draco. He flashes me a smile, his grey eyes looking more blue than grey, and shining with unmistakeable happiness – for Jack and for me.

I give his hand a quick squeeze while Little Slick and Harshad are looking the other way, wishing I could do more.

Draco squeezes back in understanding.

Harshad pushes Little Slick away from him and tries to straighten his uniform with dignity.

"So what was he in for?" Draco asks them. "He never did tell us."

"Nor us," Harshad answers.

"Even you?" I ask Little Slick in surprise. "Even though the two of you were sharing a cell?"

"Even me," he confirms with a nod. "Jack is a man of mystery, and I think he likes it that way."

"He once told me that he was guilty," I say with a fond smile, remembering.

"Did he now? I wouldn't doubt it."

We spend the rest of our free time talking about Jack and listening to stories of what he did here in Grace before Draco and I arrived. I don't think I've laughed this hard for a very long time. We cap off the hour with a game of Stones, in Jack's honour.

The whistle finally blows and we all part with a smile still etched onto our faces.

I walk over to the tiny sink in our cell and brace myself before sticking my hands under the cold water to wash my face and rinse out my mouth. Draco leans against the wall beside me, waiting.

"Happy?" he asks with a teasing smirk as I continue to smile at nothing.

"How can you tell?" I laugh, wiping my hands on my trousers.

"You're so transparent, Potter," he says, doing his own washing now. "You'd make a horrible spy."

"Good thing I'm not one, then."

Draco shuts off the water and shakes his hands off over the basin, water droplets flying in all directions.

"Is that smile permanent?" he asks, glancing up.

"'Fraid so." I stick my tongue out at him and cross my arms over my chest.

The blond raises a brow and his eyes watch me with a seductive gleam. "I bet I can wipe that smile off your face."

"Oh really?" I ask casually. "And just how do you plan on doing that?"

"You'll have to wait." Draco walks over to the door and pauses, glancing over his shoulder at me. "I'm going to take a shower – you coming?"

I try not to think about the double entendre in his words as I gulp and nod. I follow closely behind Draco as we walk down the stairs and head for the shower room. I force down that apprehensive shudder as I enter the locker room, trying to forget about the attack and focus on my gorgeous boyfriend who is sending me these seductively arousing little glances every so often.

"Let's get some towels," he suggests meaningfully.

I try to hide my smirk as I follow him into the towel room. Luckily the tiny space is empty. I walk up behind Draco and trap him against the shelves.

"Did you want something?" he asks nonchalantly, turning around in my arms.

"Yes – you!" I crush my lips to his and his smirk quickly fades as he moans appreciatively and presses his lips back against mine.

He opens his mouth and I moan in response as his tongue strokes against mine for the first time. I press the full length of my body up against his and run my hands up his back and into his soft hair.

I know we can't do more than snog for a few minutes now, but it's definitely worth it. It feels wonderful, and so perfect how we fit together like this. One of his hands drifts down to cup my arse and all coherent thought is immediately driven out of my head. All I know is that I just want to keep kissing Draco forever – on and on and on…

Dangerously, we both let our guard slip as we become hopelessly wrapped up in the other's warm hands and lips. The clicking of a camera is lost amidst the sighs and moans coming from our throats, and the presence of another person standing in the doorway goes completely undetected.

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A/N - Sorry I didn't do personal review responses this time, but my energy just isn't there yet. Turns out I have bronchitis, which is a lot of fun (heavy sarcasm implied), but I should be better soon and I promise to put personal responses back in for the next time. I'm a little sad that this story is so close to the end now. I think my medicine is making me extra weepy, or the fact the I just watched Finding Neverland. sniff. Anyway, thanks to everyone who reviewed! I just want you to know that you allput a smile on my face. Cheers!