A/N: Finally, I was able to find time to sit down and type this up. Thanks to all my reviewers! Your support gives me the incentive to write better and longer chapters! Keep it up.
The next day they had potions. Harry's eyes met Draco's as he entered the room. Draco felt a tug at his heart that confused him and made him long to touch Harry. He lowered his eyes and walked to the seat farthest from Harry. Harry didn't realize he was staring until Ron asked him what he was looking at. He just shook his head.
Snape walked into the room and the lesson began. They were making a glamour potion that altered appearance. Although easy, it was best made with a partner. Snape, being the evil control freak he was had already decided the partners. He called them out and Harry and Draco both widened their eyes when their names were announced.
Outwardly, Draco sent a despairing look at his friends, who shrugged at him. But inside he did like to be around Harry. He was so caring. Harry flashed a small smile at him and Draco did the same, not really caring if anyone saw. Fortunately though, no one did.
"Why don't you get the ingredients we need from Snape and I'll chop up the willow roots," Draco suggested.
"Okay." Harry went to get the ingredients, including dragon's blood, witch hazel bark, and cardamom seeds. They worked in silence for awhile. But finally all that was left was to let the potion simmer for ten minutes.
"Do you still want to meet tonight?" Harry asked in a whisper. Draco narrowed his eyes and appeared to be thinking.
"Of course. It's a habit." Both boys smiled at the joke and there was more than a little relief conveyed. Niether was sure where the boundaries where. And neither wanted to make the first move.
"So are Weasly and Granger going out?"
"What? No. Why?" Draco shrugged.
"They're always together."
"I think Ron likes her, but she has a thing for this Ravenclaw 7th year."
"Really? I heard she was in love with Neville."
"What are you, the gossip of Hogwarts? Where do you hear these things?"
"I suspect some slytherin makes them up for amusement purposes."
"That's sick."
"Not really. Although the rumours about you are way off base."
"What rumours?"
"Oh, that you've slept with all the Gryffinder girls. And you and Granger and Weasley are all sleeping together."
Harry was too shocked to speak. "You have too much time on your hands," He said after a moment's pause.
"I know, believe me." The timer than rang and Draco hurried to move the caldron off the fire. He labeled it with their names and the date before walking to Snape's desk and placing the bottle on it. Harry slowly cleaned the caldron as he thought about what he'd just heard.
Snape dismissed the class and Harry relunctuntly left Draco to join Ron and Hermione.
"Hey, mate. Was it bad working with Malfoy?"
"Uh... Not really. He was actually civil."
"Are you sure we're talking about the same Malfoy?" Ron joked. "But really, he could be up to something."
Hermione sighed. "Let's not talk about Malfoy."
Ron agreed and Harry nodded, knowing it was easier not to talk about him than to think about him.
The night came faster than he thought it would. He slipped out of the common room through the portrait hole and snuck down the stairs. A few turns later and he was at the door to the room. Draco was already there, and Harry was a little surprised to see some needles in the bundle on his lap.
"What's that?"
"Heroin."
"Where do you get them?"
At this, Draco smiled and looked up. "I'd tell you, but then I'd have to kill you."
"I mean it. I won't tell anyone."
Draco sighed. "I have contacts in the muggle world. I'm rich, which you already know, and my parents are never around. I just have them deliver it to the manor."
"Oh. So, why?"
"I wouldn't tell you before and I'm not gonna tell you now."
"But things are different now."
"Maybe to you." Harry's eyes filled with hurt and Draco instantly regretted his harsh words. "I just need something to relax and slow things down, you know?"
"Yeah," Harry said, even though he really didn't know, he knew Draco was indulging him and didn't want to make him admit more than he was ready to.
"No you don't." Draco snorted. "I think about a lot of stuff, all the time. It makes me very impatient."
"Have you gone to a docter?"
"A Malfoy? Have mental illness in the family? Yeah, right." Draco said this sarcastically but Harry could hear there was a lot of hate in that observance.
"So why are you here, Harry?" Draco asked. "It's only fair."
"I was lonely at the beginning. And curious about you. Now I just enjoy your company." Draco looked confused for a second, before arranging his face in a blank expression.
"That's a terrible reason."
"Why?"
"I'm the reason you're gonna be a drug addict!"
"That's not true. I chose this, not you."
"I provided the means."
"There's other reasons too."
"Really?"
"Yeah." There was a slight pause.
"So you want to try heroin?"
"Needles?"
"Don't worry, I'll do it so you won't even feel a thing."
"Okay."
Draco took out two unused syringes and took the plastic covers off. He took out a bottle of a milky white-brown liquid and put some in the syringes. He tied a scarf around Harry's upper arm, pushing his sleeve up. This brought him in very close proximity to Harry, and he caught his breath, suddenly a little nervous. "Squeeze your hand into a fist," he instructed.
Harry did as he was told, and Draco located the vein and inserted the needle. Harry looked away. A bit of blood trickled to the surface down his arm, and Draco wiped it off as he pulled out the needle. "Done."
Harry looked at his arm and admitted it hadn't hurt like he thought it would. Draco tied the scarf around his arm and injected himself, and Harry watched like he was mesmerized. And he was. The sight filled him with an ache in his soul. He knew then that he really did care deeply about Draco. Deeper than he'd ever thought possible.
He felt the euphoria rush over him and all the bad things disappear. He saw the joyful expression on Draco's face and knew he had an identical look. They sat there for awhile, silent, until they both fell asleep.