Disclaimer: I own nobody. Hmph.
Chapter 3: The Saddest Eyes.
Draco found Harry beside the large oak, which stood apart from the forbidden forest. He had known that he would be there. This was their tree. Harry's fingers lightly traced the cut at the base of the tree, the heart with Draco and Harry forever, carved in third year with the tip of Draco's penknife.
Harry sat in the snow with his knees pulled up to his chest and his head resting on the mighty tree. He looked so lost and naïve, like he'd been when Draco had saved him three years ago. Draco couldn't be angry with this Harry, his sweet, dependant Harry he was willing to put up with the hurt and anguish for. Draco slipped his thumb in and out of the hole in his sweater sleeve, created by the splinters on Harry's windowsill when he climbed through into his room to keep him company in the long hours before they could see each other again.
"Is this seat taken?" Draco felt nervous and unsure repeating the words he'd uttered once before after admiring Harry from afar.
Harry smiled faintly at the happy memory; the start of their love that was even now a secret, only then it had been from the accusing eyes of Hogwarts, not from themselves.
"It's a free world." Draco sat on the side of the tree adjacent to Harry and crossed his legs, resting his head against the trunk in an imitation of Harry. After a silence that spanned the universe, Draco felt Harry reach out for his hand. It felt cold inside Draco's balmy hand and sticky from the tears, whereas Harry's was wet from the lightly fallen snow.
"Draco, I'm sorry. I didn't mean any of what I said." Harry sighed and Draco thought he heard a soft sob. "You're right. I am scared. Everyone I love ends up getting hurt- my parents, Sirius, and Ron and Hermione would be a lot better off without me. I just…" Harry faltered and clutched at Draco's hand, like a child. "I don't want to hurt you. I love you too much."
"Harry, nothing on Earth could make me hurt more than I do now. I'd risk any pain or agony to hear you tell me that you love me. Anything." Harry squirmed around the tree trunk to get closer to Draco until they knelt in the snow with their faces inches apart. "I'd risk detention with the Umbridge for a million years if I could win you back." Harry smiled again, still weak and faded.
"You don't have to do anything but reassure me that you feel the same when I cry for your love."
Harry was far from perfect, yet the Harry Draco saw in his blinded love was flawless. Draco loved his thick, curly hair and tanned skin, so dark next to his own fair hair and pale complexion. He loved the way his glasses were constantly covered in thick white tape no matter how many times Draco fixed them. He loved the special smile he saved especially for him, with the softly upturned corners and peek of brilliant white teeth. And Harry's eyes. They were the gentle waves of the sea and the rolling thunder in the distance.
"You have the saddest eyes I have ever seen to accompany such a beautiful smile. I know that your pain runs a river inside, but if you let me I'll make the tears you'd cry today disappear and the tears you'll cry then won't fill the crevices in my hand when I lay my fingers on your cheek to soothe you. Please, let me love you."
Harry sunk into Draco's arms and rested his tired head on his chest. He slipped his finger through the hole in Draco's sleeve, worn over three years, and was comforted by Draco's warm breath in his hair.
"Yes."
There, done. I know it's cheesy, but hey. Thanks to everyone who reviewed. Reviews really do make my day.