A/N:

Wow! I'm trying to really go through these chapters I have drafted up so I can make up for the long wait you guys had to put up with before chapter 13! Am I doing a good job? Thanks so much for all the wonderful feedback I've gotten from you guys! And keep reading because all will be revealed and as I keep saying, Draco will get his man and there will be hot kinky slash! Read and review and enjoy! I love you all!

Chapter 16- Catching up

Draco entered the great Hall just as Harry and Alex were leaving. He put his head down and tried to pass them without having to talk to them. Harry reached out and touched his arm, making him look up.

"Have you seen Hermione?" he asked, looking deep into Draco's eyes to look for any sort of sign.

"Nope, sorry. Have you checked the library?" Draco answered, looking down at his feet and ignoring the death stare that he knew Alex was giving him.

"No, that's where we're headed!" Said Harry as Draco walked off, sitting down at the end of the Slytherin table to pick at his food.

xxx

Harry sat in the library and daydreamed as Hermione and Alex discussed students and classes at Hogwarts, compared to those at Beauxbatons.

He knew they would soon get talking about clever people stuff, so he began to contemplate which excuse to use to get back to the dorm and talk with Draco.

"I'll go and see if I can find that book I told you about." Said Alex as he stood up and walked over to the shelves.

"Thanks!" said Hermione, not looking up from the parchment she was writing on.

"So...that's Alex" she nervously, looking up at Harry.

"Yeah..." said Harry quietly.

"Hmm...I know we're probably boring you so you can go back to your room, I'll make sure Alex gets to his tower safely and you'll see him at dinner." She said, putting her hand over Harry's.

"Thanks Hermione. Some stuff Happened this morning and I need to speak to Draco about it. Hopefully he'll talk to me!" he said sighing and standing up.

"And you'll fill me in later!" she laughed as she folded up the parchment she'd been writing on. "Give this to Draco for me please?" she asked as she handed it to him.

"Okay, thanks 'Mione! We'll talk later, make sure you tell Alex where I've gone." He said as he walked off.

"And Harry!" Hermione called after him; rising from the table to speak more privately with Harry.

"Changed your password." She advised him 'There's something about that boy I don't trust.' she whispered.

xxx

Harry wandered back through the halls very slowly while he thought of what he should say to Draco. Deep down in his heart he cared for him, but he wasn't sure of those feelings and he didn't know if Draco returned his feelings.

He felt strangely sick and wanted to cry. He thought he should be happy that Alex was there with him but after all their time apart and everything that had happened that term he didn't know if he still felt the same way about him.

While he wandered slowly towards his and Draco's wing, Draco was wandering just as slowly back from lunch. They both reached the portrait at the same time and both let out a cry of surprise to see Dumbledore standing in front of it, awaiting their return.

"Professor Dumbledore! What are you doing here?" asked Harry as the three of them entered the room, Harry recalling what Hermione had said about changing the password.

"Hello boys. I wouldn't normally come down to students rooms but I just wanted to see how the happy couple were moving along!" said Dumbledore as he eased himself into an armchair.

Draco and Harry both began to speak at once.

"What, Harry and Alex? Oh they're fine! Everything's fine!" spat Draco as Harry jumped and shot out "Huh? What do you mean?"

"Ah yes..." said Dumbledore, addressing Draco's point. "Mr. Corgan's arrival this morning would have slightly changed the dynamics between the two of you, but I'm sure everything will resolve itself in the end. I've often found that strong bonds of companionship and long discussions help resolve conflicts. And remember that love is what you feel and not what you think that you should feel. Do what you want because you want to do it and you will be happy!"

Dumbledore looked at his pocket watch. "I must be off boys, remember what I said. No, no, don't get up I'll let myself out." He said as he got up out of his chair and walked out the door, stopping to look and give them a small wink before he left.

Harry and Draco looked at each other with matching looks of disbelief.

"What on earth?" they both said in unison before bursting out with laughter.

"He may well be a brilliant man, but you have to admit Harry, that man is plain weird!" said Draco, sitting back down on the couch.

"Yes, but there's always meaning to his riddles" said harry, pausing to think it over, "well, most of the time anyway!" he laughed.

They sat down together on the couch and had a good laugh, which eased them back into a comfortable conversation about Alex.

"I want you to be careful Harry," said Draco, moving closer and putting his hand over Harry's. "There's something about Alex that I just don't trust."

"Of course I'll be careful Draco, but why do you care so much all of a sudden?" asked Harry, looking deep into Draco's metallic grey eyes.

Draco looked uncomfortable for a second before he spoke. "Because I care about you Harry," he said inching closer to the boy he craved. "This punishment has showed me a totally different side of you...and a different side of myself. I find myself trying to impress you and please you. You bring out the best in me." answered Draco and looking into his eyes Harry could see that it was his most honest answer from the deepest part of his heart.

"I see that too, Draco, we've become very close. I've found a true friend in you and that's something I never thought was possible. I've spent so much time with you this term and we've been through a lot. I hope we can continue to be friends now that Alex is here." Said Harry, moving closer to Draco without thinking.

"I would never let that pathetic excuse for a blonde get in the way of our friendship Harry. You are the reason I wake up every morning, I never want to lose what we have." Said Draco as he moved into Harry and kissed him gently on the lips.

"Draco..." Harry began in a warning tone; he didn't want to hurt Alex and he was a little bit scared of what he'd do if he got too jealous.

"Harry, I know... you're with Alex and you love him. That was just a friendly kiss and besides, I'm not even gay!" explained Draco, with a slight twitch in the corner of his mouth.

A/N:

That's two chapters for tonight! Go me! I wonder if Sarah can beta and upload this tonight too! Then you'd all love me right? I'll start on typing up chapter 17 tonight but I doubt that I'll get it done! Please review! I love you all and I especially love my Sarah-angel! [Sarah – I love you too! releases the lambs]