A/N: Wow, you guys rock! I got 11 whole reviews! Thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you, and just to beat it into the ground, THANK YOU!! I feel so special, being the person who's getting the reviews instead of the person writing them. Personal thank yous are at the bottom. By the way, I'm looking for a beta, so if anyone's interested, just put in a review. I'm kind of surprised that this story got as much support as it did. I thought that if any story of mine was going to be popular, it would be 'Forgotten Love', my Legolas/Aragorn story. I actually thought it was better, but maybe not. If you have time, y'all, please read it and tell me if I should continue it, or just delete it. I don't want to leave it hanging out there if it's a bad story. Or maybe I just need to write the first chapter. Perhaps Prologues don't get much attention. Oh, and the reason Draco opened up to Harry so easily was because he was really tired of holding all his emotions in and hiding them from his friends. Sorry for the confusion! Oh, and a quick question. What name should I call Draco in my fic? Malfoy seems meaner, somehow, and Draco seems kinder. Tell me in a review. In this chapter I'll alternate between calling him Draco and Malfoy. I just want to clarify something, and I'll include it in my bio when I have time. I will always finish my stories. This much I promise you. It might take me a million years, and it might be a bad ending, but I will always eventually close up my stories. I know how much it sucks when you're reading a story and it just stops, so you never get to find out the ending. But don't worry about the million years thing, or bad endings. Right now I have plenty of inspiration. If I hit a dry patch, I'll mention it in my bio. Expect weekly updates of this story. I have enough time in the mornings and on weekends to write, so don't worry; I'm not (at least right now) the type of writer who keeps you waiting for a month, unless I have no inspiration. Whoa, how long have I blabbed on. There's just so much I want to say (which is probably why my choir director always yells at me for talking too much. Cringes). If anyone doesn't want me to leave such long A/Ns, put it in a review. In fact, if you want to say anything put it in a review. I need to mention one more thing before the story. I always write my A/Ns before I write the actual story. Just so you know. And by the way, I absolutely no clue where this story is going, or what I want to do with it. Any suggestions? R&R. Please. Also, I'm bumping up the rating to R for slight mention of drug use. Don't worry; nothing extreme. I'm just putting it in b/c it fits with the story. Adios!

-CatJetRat

Dedication: I am dedicating this chapter to L Moonshade, because you caught the one line in my first chapter that I was really proud of.

Chapter 2

The Party

Harry's POV

Harry frowned at Malfoy, surprised by this abrupt (and suspiciously nice) offer. Malfoy looked up at Harry, his trademark smirk playing around the corners of his mouth. But for the first time since Harry had known Malfoy, it was a friendly smirk, not one which was hiding a cruel insult.

"I dunno..." Harry said, stalling for time while his brain worked out whether this was a trap or not. "What type of party?"

Malfoy shrugged. "The type that I like to call 'Typical American'."

"Meaning?"

"Meaning that we all get drunk, and some kids pass around weed, we have sex with willing girls, that sort of thing," Malfoy said carelessly.

Harry looked back at Malfoy, eyes wide. "There are parties like that at Hogwarts?!" he said incredulously.

Malfoy rolled his eyes, looking slightly annoyed. "Of course there are, Potter, where have you been? Oh, but you're in Gryffindor. I bet the closest thing to alcohol you have at your parties is butterbeer. You don't really party. Come with me and I'll show you what it means to party." Malfoy made to pull Harry out of the bush, but Harry drew away.

"I don't think so," Harry said nervously.

"Oh come on Potter, don't be a wimp. It'll be fine, I'll protect you."

Harry snorted. "Trust you to protect me? Yeah right. Up until about ten minutes ago we were mortal enemies. Now, because we shared a few intimate moments of revealing our worst secrets to each other, you want me to trust you? It'll take a bit more than that."

Draco looked frustrated. "Well, then what do you want me to do? Listen, I might have done a lot to you, but I've never lied to you. You have no real reason not to believe me when I swear to protect you."

"Fine," said Harry in a grudging voice. "I believe you. But I still don't know if I want to come to this party."

Draco looked like he was about to scream, most unlike him. His normally well-kept hair was slightly mussed up and in tangles. "God, is this the way you act with all of your friends? How do they get you to do anything?"

Harry stared at him, and smiled slightly. "We're friends?"

Draco groaned. "Yes, Potter, no need to get all mushy about it. We're friends, which means that you no longer need to call me Malfoy, or insult my friends, and I have no reason to insult yours."

Harry nodded uncertainly. He liked the way Draco was acting at the moment, but disliked the fact that they had become friends so easily. He didn't really understand how some one could be so cruel to you in all the time that you've known them, and then just suddenly become nice. "And you can call me Harry. But...you're acting really different," he commented. "For so long you seemed like the type of person who had no heart, and who was cruel. But now you seem like almost a completely different person. A nicer person. Why?"

"Hmm...an interesting question, Harry. I'm surprised you even noticed. You didn't really seem like the type to pay much attention to the actions of those around you."

Harry's eyes narrowed. "You're right. I didn't even realize until this summer that Ron and Hermione were dating because I saw them going at it on Ron's bed."

Draco broke out laughing. In between gasps, he said, "You...didn't...see how...totally in love they were?" he finished, still choking back laughter. "I saw, and I'm their enemy. You're their friend and you didn't see? God, how blind are you?"

Harry felt himself turning red, and avoided Draco's eyes. "I just...they fought all the time...."

Draco sighed, and spoke patronizingly, as though explaining to a child why one plus two equals three. "That's precisely why everyone knew they were in love. They always fought like an old married couple, so it was just so obvious to everyone that they loved each other. And couldn't you tell that they loved each other by how angry Weasley was when Granger showed up at the Yule Ball with Viktor Krum?"

Harry shrugged. "Yeah, I guess a part of me always sort of knew. But what about you? Why are you being so nice?"

"Oh. That," Draco sobered quickly. He looked down, avoiding Harry's eyes. Harry noticed that Draco did that a lot, and briefly wondered why. "I knew that Crabbe and Goyle weren't really my friends. God, those idiots," Draco said in disgust. "Thought that they were being clever, pretending to be my best friends, while secretly reporting my every action to my father. They were horrid actors, always coming up with some foolish lie as to why they were going away at night. They made up all sorts of things, such as they were going for a walk, going to set up traps for the Gryffindors, that sort of thing. I knew what they really doing, and to confirm my belief I followed them one night. It was exactly the way I thought it would be," he said dully. "They were sending owls to my father, telling him what had happened that day, what I had said, what I'd done. So I knew that to please my father I had to act like I worshiped him, hated muggle-borns, and hated you. Basically, I had to be the perfect son, or else he would beat me when I came home. It actually relieved me when you sent him to prison. I couldn't ct like I was happy, in case he ever got out. However, I was giddy inside. I thought, 'At last the beatings are over'. But, well, you know what happened."

Harry looked intently, yet silently at Draco. He wanted to comfort Draco, hold him and tell him everything would be okay. But how could he make a promise like that to some one in such a precarious situation? Then a thought hit him harder than any other that night. He had wanted to hold MALFOY? What was wrong with him? 'Stupid fool,' he chided himself. 'Malfoy acts all soft and kind for one minute and you start to feel mushy and kind towards him'. Nevertheless, it didn't get rid of his feeling of wanting to comfort Malfoy. "I'm sorry," he said, reaching out and grasping Malfoy's hand. It was as cold as ice. Malfoy froze, and then carefully pulled his hand out of Harry's.

"It's not you fault," muttered Draco. "Now let's just stop talking and go to this party."

And Harry, having never been taught how to really resist peer pressure, agreed to go to Malfoy's 'Typical American' party.

Both POVs

Draco snuck out of the thorny bush, only getting scratched a couple of times. Harry got out (much more gracefully) after Draco had fully left the entrance of the bush. Draco glanced back at Harry and saw the Gryffindor Prince looking around nervously, as though afraid something was going to jump out and eat him. Draco snickered, and Harry looked back at him defensively.

"Well, it's really dark out, and you never know," snapped Harry. "Where is this party, anyway?"

Draco nodded towards the forbidden forest, now dark as the night, and just as forbidding as ever. It loomed above their heads, like an evil monster just waiting to swallow them.

"In...WHAT?! Are you crazy? Don't you remember what happened the last time we were both in there? And now, for your information, it is filled with a bunch of arrow-happy, human-hating centaurs. Why on earth would you want to have a party in there?!"

Draco rolled his eyes for what seemed like the millionth time that night. "Think about it for one second Potter. Where would you suggest we have a party with drinking and drugs and teenage wannabe whores? The castle? Where a teacher could come along at any moment? Or the edge of the forest, where no teacher ever hears us, sees us, or bothers to check if we're even there?"

Harry shrugged. "The edge of the forest is smarter, I guess," he mumbled.

"Precisely. It was my idea in the first place, of course," said Draco, a hint of his old snobbishness coming back.

"Of course," said Harry, holding back laughter.

"Well, come on, the party's just getting started, and I told Blaise and Pansy that I'd only be gone for a few minutes," Draco said, and turned towards the forest. He began walking rapidly towards it, and Harry reluctantly hurried to catch up.

"How are you going to explain me to them?" Harry panted, hurrying alongside Draco.

Draco shrugged. "I dunno... I'll probably just tell them to shut up and that if I want you there no one can hurt you."

"Wonderful plan," Harry muttered grumpily. "By tomorrow morning I'll be little more than a bloody speck on the ground."

"Oh, stop being so cheerful," said Malfoy dismissively. "It won't be that much fun."

Harry snorted, and the two of them walked in silence the rest of the way to the forest. When they were upon the edge of it, Draco walked alongside it, frowning and muttering a few words. His expression suddenly cleared. "Ah, it's this way," he said, and promptly proceeded into the forest. Harry hesitated, pondering whether or not he should just turn around and go back to Gryffindor Tower, where it was safe; where he wouldn't be surrounded in a dark secluded place by a bunch of drunken Slytherins who hated his guts. He was on the point of leaving when Malfoy's voice came floating out of the darkness.

"Are you coming or what, Potter?"

Harry relented. He couldn't let Draco down. Why this was he wasn't exactly sure, but for whatever reason Harry just couldn't leave the blonde.

"Coming!" he called out, and walked into the surrounding darkness, which swallowed him up in a matter of seconds. Anyone bothering to look closely enough would have said that it was as though the teen had Apparated, he disappeared so quickly.

Harry emerged into a large clearing, filled with about fifty or so students, almost all of them Slytherins. There were a few from Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw, and even a couple from Gryffindor. But the main population was Slytherin. Obviously, since, from Draco's comments, it was basically his party. There was some loud American music blasting from a large stereo. Harry figured that to divert any unwanted visitors there were probably silencing spells placed around the clearing, and maybe even invisibility spells too. Oddly, the music was pleasant enough. Right now there was some rap music on, by someone Harry believed was called Usher. There were blue and white lights flashing on and off, creating a mystical feel to the party. Coupled with the smoke coming from smoke makers, there party looked and sounded awesome. There was a dark, secluded corner, where Harry could just make out several couples, both heterosexual and homosexual, snogging in there. There was a table set up, with cokes, and other drinks, but there was also a huge keg right beside the table, and several more behind it. Harry stared around on fascination. He had never been to a party like this before, and it was wonderful. He briefly wondered why he'd never been to a party like this before, and turned to Draco.

"How come I've never heard about parties like these before?" he asked curiously. Surely he would have heard about it from somebody; if Gryffindors were going then they would have passed it around to friends, who might have told Harry.

Draco shrugged, frowning. "Well, I only just started having them at the end of last year, so it might not have gotten around to you yet, but..." he paused, as thought wondering whether or not to tell Harry something.

"But what?" Harry pressed.

"Weasley and Granger haven't told you about them?" he said, staring at Harry, an odd expression on his face.

Harry shook his head. "No," he said slowly. "But how would they know..." A darkened expression came over his face. "They've been to these parties, haven't they?" he asked, avoiding Draco's eyes.

Draco nodded. "Yes, they have, and they've snogged here quite a few times too. I can't imagine why they wouldn't tell you."

"I can," said Harry, his hands slowly curling into fists. "'Oh Harry,'" he said, mimicking Hermione's voice. "'Are you okay? Are you sure you're alright? You mustn't stress yourself, just get plenty of rest' blah blah blah." Harry felt furious. "They think I can't handle myself, that I'm too weak to do anything. Why can't they let me decide what I'm capable of?!"

"They're probably just trying to help you, Harry," said Draco, in an uncharacteristically kind tone.

"But the thing is, they aren't," said Harry unhappily. "They're just making it harder to deal with."

Draco shrugged. "Well, Harry, I can't—" Draco began, but was suddenly cut off.

"Draco! There you are! We've all been worried sick, come on, the party is just getting started!" Exclaimed a very excitable Blaise Zabini. He froze at the point of taking Draco's arm when he saw Harry. "And why is he here?" Blaise asked in a hostile tone.

"He is here because I want him to be here," Draco said in a hostile tone, plainly stating that if Blaise argued it would end up unfortunately for him.

Blaise shrugged and muttered that he didn't care, before dragging Draco off to talk with Pansy. Harry took a few tentative steps after them, uncertain of what to do. He felt naked without Draco there to protect him. Not that he normally needed protection, but he was beginning to get noticed by a few additional Slytherins who looked none to happy to see him. He hurried after Draco and Blaise, avoiding the gazes of the other students.

"And so we were thinking," Blaise rambled on, unaware of the fact that Draco was getting more and more irritated the longer Blaise was hanging onto him. "Do you think that maybe we should have a costume party for Halloween? I know it is two months away, but still, no harm in thinking ahead. Pansy thought maybe we should have themes for all our parties, it might add to the enjoyment of all. But I was worried that it might make some students not want to come, because they would feel like they had to dress up. And—"

"Blaise!" Draco exclaimed, now thoroughly displeased. "I appreciate your enthusiasm, but must we discuss these things during the party? I already gave you two meetings a week to discuss it to your heart's content, but right now, I want to have fun, so go chat with Pansy some more about this while I get good and drunk."

"Fine," Blaise sulked, and stalked away.

Draco breathed a sigh of relief and looked around for, Harry, quickly spotting him standing a few feet away, an evil grin on his face.

"You have two meetings a week just planning these parties?" he asked, laughing.

"Oh, shut up," Draco snapped. "I had to find some way to keep Blaise from constantly bugging me about them. Alas, it appears that I have been unsuccessful," he said crossly, glancing over his shoulder, as though afraid Blaise might be lurking back there.

Harry laughed, and motioned for Draco to follow him. "Come on," he said, heading over to the table where the drinks were. "Let's get something to drink."

Harry grabbed a paper cup and filled it with beer, before taking a sip. "Didn't know you drank," Draco commented, filling up his own cup.

"I don't," said Harry, grimacing at the horrid taste, before trading his beer in for a Dr. Pepper. It took several gulps before the taste would get out of his mouth.

"You should," Draco said softly. "It helps to dull the pain of real life."

Harry glanced at him, wanting to say wise words of comfort, and yet unable to. He had never been very good at speaking to people, probably due to his abusive childhood. So instead he merely placed a comforting hand on Draco's shoulder and didn't say anything. They stood there in silence, Draco feeling an odd sensation as Harry's hand rested on his shoulder. There was more care in that one touch than he had ever received from either of his parents in his entire life. He doubted very much if they loved him at all. He had never really minded that before, not having any love in his life, and it felt strange, having someone at least act like they cared a little bit for him. He drained his cup before glancing up at Harry.

"Thanks," he said softly. Harry's eyes glittered softly behind his glasses. Not really wise eyes, but intelligent ones. Kind and strong eyes. Draco felt strangely weak under the gaze of the other boy, something he had never felt before. Harry carefully began leaning towards Draco, when—

"Hey! You two! You're blocking the keg! Get out of the way!" An annoyed 7th year snapped this, and both Harry and Draco blushed, before hurrying out of the way. Normally Draco would have snarled at the girl, but he felt too mentally drained to do this. Instead, he grabbed one of the larger paper cups and filled it with beer, determined to get drunk no matter what.

Harry had quickly rushed away from Draco when the girl had shouted at them to move. He hurried back towards the dance floor, trying to ignore the feelings that were churning inside of him. What was going on? He had never ever thought that he would feel that way about Malfoy, and now.... What had changed? Why was everything so different? Was Harry gay? He hadn't even known that he had turned that way when he had been leaning towards Draco, as if to kiss him. It had just felt like the right thing to do. Well, if he was gay, that would certainly explain his lack of attraction to girls, and why it had felt so unpleasant when Cho had kissed him.

Harry realized that people were giving him weird looks, and knew why. He was smack dab in the middle of the dance floor, and he wasn't even dancing. Harry quickly began to dance, realizing that he actually liked the song that was on. It was Sk8ter Boi, by Avril Lavigne. He felt quite relieved that it wasn't a slow song, as he had no one to dance with.

Harry danced to a few more of her songs, and was finally beginning to relax and loosen up, when he felt a tap on his shoulder. He turned around, and saw that it was a very clearly drunk Draco. "Can I talk to you?" Draco said, his voice slurring slightly.

Harry couldn't really hear him, the music being so loud. "What?!" he shouted, leaning closer to Draco. Draco grabbed Harry's arm and dragged him over to a more secluded area, away from all the lights and sounds and people.

"Harry," said Draco in a wavering voice, which was unsurprising, since Draco himself was wavering drunkenly on the spot.

"What is it, Draco?" Harry asked, feeling slightly worried about the blonde.

"I just thought you should know, I really like you, Harry," said Draco, before leaning forward and kissing an astonished Harry Potter on the lips.

A/N: Okay, that's all I can write; I'm exhausted. But hey, I got it done, 6 ¼ pages of it, I might add. And if any of you say that this chapter is too short I will find you. Evil snicker. Okay, I'm done being mean. YAY! This chapter is over! It was really hard to write, because it is basically the transition for Harry and Draco from friends too more. If you can't tell, I'm really bad at transitions and suspense. I like to just get right into the action, which is weird, because I really like to read slow moving fics. But don't worry. If you're like me I have some great ideas for suspense builders after this chapter.

Teaser:

The shouts of the teachers who had busted their party slowly died away as Harry and a sobered Draco ran deeper into the forest. They hid underneath a bush and collapsed on top of each other, both breathing heavily. Draco's head rested on Harry's stomach as their breathing slowed, and then quickened as they both realized the position they were in.

Draco made to sit up, but Harry held him back.

"No, stay, it's okay," Harry said softly.

"Are you sure?" Draco said nervously.

"Yes, I'm sure," Harry said, before leaning down and tentatively kissing Draco.

A/N: Oh, fun fun fun! I love torturing you guys. Now for review responses! Yay! We all cheer! (No, I am not five). Reviewers' names are in bold. I love you all!

blue meridian-Here you go, hope you like it! Here are cupcakes! I hope you like them. They are what ever flavor you want!

L Moonshade-I absolutely loved that line too. I wrote it, began to write more, stopped, and just read that line over and over again going 'Wow, where did that come from?' I dedicated this chapter to you because you were the one person who seemed to appreciate that line as much as I did.

Enelya Aldarion-Thanks for reviewing! Please review more, it makes me feel so special!

zoomaphonethepirate-I updated and I will give you cupcakes! Here, enjoy!

harrypotter,move over-I've continued! Don't hurt me! Lol. And it's spelled 'schizophrenic'. Just so you know! Hope you like both story and cupcakes!

Blulily19-Here you go! Hope you like! You get cupcakes too,. Wee!

Sanguis Mangia-Yes, I really like Avril Lavigne and try to fit her songs in wherever and whenever I can. But the lyrics were actually kind of a last-minute thing, I just realized they would fit in right before I posted it. Draco does open up to Harry because he likes him, but Draco doesn't know that, at least not at the time. He has no real clue why he's telling Harry these things. Here, have cupcakes!

Morena Evensong-Being evil is very fun, I hope you liked this teaser. I also hoped you like this party. I have no social like, so I basically imagined everything I put in there. Hope it was good! Enjoy cupcakes!

witchintraining-I need a beta, I really do, as you might have noticed. You didn't give me your whole email address, so I don't know what to do. I just joined fanfic, so I don't know all the ropes. How does one beta? Do I just send you the update of my story, you edit it, and then send it back to me, or what? Tell me in a review! You get chocolate cupcakes!

Lucky Dragon Smile-aw, I hope this chapter was awesome and rocked on. Have cupcakes!

Princesspepper-Wow, so enthusiastic, thanx! I feel so special and happy! I give you cupcakes, hope that you like! I also hope you like the chapter!

A/N: Special thanks to harrypotter,move over, and to Sanguis Mangia, who both put me on their favorites list. And to all the people who put me on author alert, but didn't review. Thanks, but it means so much more to me if you review. But still, thanks for putting me on author alert. That makes me feel so special! Ok y'all, I'm out. 'Member to read my L/A piece and tell me if I should just take it down. Adios!

-CatJetRat