DISCLAIMER: lets say it together 'I DON'T OWN THEM'.
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The next day everyone began packing for Christmas break, including Ron and Hermione. Harry, who tried not to look surprised as they both strode up to him with suitcases, put on the most indifferent face he could muster.
Hermione gave a small cough to get his attention, "I'm going home for Christmas, and I'm taking Ron with me. I hope you'll have your life sorted out by the time we get back," she said a little more gently, "because really Harry, we do love you, but if you won't let us help you, then we're no good here."
Harry didn't say anything.
"Well, goodbye then," she finished uncomfortably.
He nodded and left the room before Ron could say anything.
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"I don't know what you even see in them, honestly."
Harry gave Draco a deathglare, "they're my friends. They care about me."
"But I care about you!" Draco replied with a pout.
He sighed, "you care about me in a different way. Ron and Hermione are my friends, you on the other hand, are..."
Draco raised an eyebrow, "I'm what?"
"Er... more than a friend."
"That's it? Just more than a friend?"
"What else do you want me to say?" Harry asked confusedly.
"Nothing, say whatever you want."
"Draco... you're more than just more than a friend, but you are *more* than a friend-"
"Stop talking, it's confusing. Besides, I know what you mean, even if you can't bring yourself to say it."
Harry flinched, "I'm sorry, I'm not ready for that yet..."
"Well I am. I love you, and I don't care if you say it back just yet, because I believe that you feel the same way. And for God's sake, stop worrying about Granger and Weasley, we'll tell them about us as soon as they get back. Everything will work out fine in the end, you'll see."
"Yeah, well what if it doesn't?" Harry challenged.
"And why wouldn't it? If they care as much about you as you say, then they'll understand. It might take time, but eventually, they'll come around."
Harry nodded and gave a weak smile.
"Look, in the meantime, why don't we just enjoy not having to avoid anyone to see each other? Have all of your roomates gone on holiday?"
He smirked, "why, feel like shagging in a real bed this time?"
"Of course," Draco said, already tugging him up and out of the chair he was sitting in.
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For the most part Christmas break ran smoothly, and Draco was the happiest he'd ever been during holidays. Waking up in each other's arms every morning was the best feeling either of them had ever experienced, and they now both felt completely whole.
But they new that it couldn't last for long, it was only two days before everyone returned to school, and they would have to pretend to hate each other again. But, Harry realized, Draco had promised they would tell Ron and Hermione, and maybe that would let a little bit of guilt off him. He tried to imagine how they'd react. Ron would be the most likely to be upset, because although Harry and Draco had been thought of as enemies, it was Ron and Draco that really expressed true hate toward each other. Hermione, on the other hand, wasn't as easy a guess. She was as open minded a person as Harry knew, so she'd accept him being gay, but being with Malfoy of all people would be pushing it a little bit.
Harry tossed and turned that night next to Draco, who slept quite peacefully. He was surprised, because he had been under the impression that Draco never slept anymore. He was quite glad of the change, being able to take in all of Draco without him realizing it. He gazed at the sharp, perfectly cut features of the other boy's profile, the soft, ungaurded expression on his face as he slept, and then carefully brushed the strands of platinum hair out of his closed eyes, kissing him on the forhead gently so as not to wake him.
Harry felt an unfamiliar pang in his heart, tearing at his insides and making his eyes water with unshed tears. He knew at once what the feeling was, that thing he couldn't bring himself to say days before. He wrapped his arms around the other boy tightly, waking him up.
"wassamatter?" Draco asked sleepily, rubbing at his eyes.
Harry looked down at him, "nothing it's just... Draco?"
"Yeah?"
"I love you."
Draco smiled, "good. Now that you've got that out of your system, lets go back to sleep."
Harry laughed and kissed him again, then layed his head on the pillow and fell into a deep, comfortable sleep.
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"Ron, he's probably still sleeping, why don't we just wait down here," Hermione said uncomfortably as they headed toward the dormitories.
"No, I want to surprise him. Don't you feel bad about leaving him alone at Christmas?"
"Yes, but... maybe he hasn't been alone," she muttered, but Ron didn't hear her.
The door flew open and they strode in, then stopped dead in their tracks at the scene that lay before them. Hermione let out a small gasp and Ron blanched, turning uncharacteristically pale. Harry and Draco lay sprawled out on the bed, fast asleep, the sheets barely covering their obviously naked bodies. Their faces were only inches apart, legs were intertwining, and Draco had a protective arm thrown over Harry's waist. Ron made a move to say something most likely rude and offensive but Hermione quickly ushered him out of the room and back down the steps. Draco looked up as the door swung shut, catching a glimpse of them as they left, and sat bolt upright in panic.
He shook Harry awake, his breathing coming in ragged gasps as he tried to clear his mind and think of something, anything to say to them that would make the situation any better.
Harry opened his eyes slowly and stared at Draco, "no, it's too early."
"They saw us!"
Harry jumped out of bed quickly waking up, "who? Who saw us?"
"Ron and Hermione... they must have come back early... shit! What are we going to do?"
Harry thought for a moment, "we're going to stay calm, for one thing. Remember, we were planning on them finding out anyway?"
"Yeah but not like this!" Draco breathed, "whatever happened to letting people down gently?"
"This is going to be really, really akward," Harry mumbled, more to himself, as he pulled on some clothing.
Draco got dressed as well and they both stared at the door leading downstairs.
"Well, we can't hide up here forever," Harry said finally, making a move to leave.
He looked back at Draco, who had a slight flush to his cheeks which Harry found incredibly sexy, but diminished the thought at once, it having come at a most inoportune time.
They headed down the steps quietly and stopped at the last turn, shielding themselves from view. They could hear the two talking, and both strained, taking in every word.
"I... can't bloody believe it! How could he betray us like this!"
"How can you say that Ron?" Hermione asked angrily.
He spluttered, "what do you mean?"
"This isn't even about you! It's about Harry! You honestly think he's doing it to hurt us? How thick can you get?"
"Hermione... it's ... Malfoy..."
"Draco," she corrected, "who obviously seems to care about him."
"But... how? They hate each other!"
"You really haven't been paying attention too much lately, have you?"
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"It means, maybe you wouldn't have been so shocked if you'd noticed that they've been civilized toward each other these past few weeks."
"So... you knew?"
"I had my suspicions."
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"Because I knew you'd act like this. Oh come off it Ron, stop being selfish. Can't you just look past the fact that it's Draco Malfoy, and see that he makes Harry happy? Shouldn't that be all that matters?"
Ron grew silent for awhile, obviously mulling this over in his head. Suddenly, Draco tripped over Harry's robes as he tried to lean in closer, and it sent them both tumbling down the last few steps to land directly in front of Hermione and Ron. They both looked up sheepishly and scrambled to their feet.
"Errr... decided to come back early, did you?" Harry said finally.
His friends nodded vigorously.
"So... how was your Christmas?"
They looked at each other, "fine," Hermione replied slowly.
Another akward silence filled the room. Finally, Draco got impatient, "we know what you saw."
Ron glared at him, "really? I was under the impression that even we didn't know what we saw."
Hermione gave him a warning look, but Harry cut her off before she could say anything, "we were going to tell you as soon as you got back."
"Well, you did," his friend replied crossly.
"I didn't mean for it to be like that!" Harry cried defensively.
Ron looked up at him, and Harry flinched at the hurt in his eyes, "how long has this been going on?"
"It started not long after we got to school."
"Why didn't you tell us?"
"Well, judging from what I just heard you say to Hermione, I'm glad I didn't."
"Good, then maybe we can pretend this didn't happen," Ron replied angrily, storming off.
Hermione offered them a sympathetic look, "he just needs some time."
"He can take all the time in the world, for all I care."
"Harry, you have to understand, he feels a bit betrayed. It's like you've replaced him with Draco."
Harry and Draco shuddered.
"I don't mean like that!" she cried exasperatedly, "I mean, he's the only one you've been giving attention to, you've completely ditched your best friend."
"I know Hermione, and I feel bad, but you have to admit that's not the only reason he's upset."
"Which is where the time comes in. It's not going to magically be better overnight. He'll come around sooner or later."
Harry forced a smile, "thanks... for understanding, and for defending me."
She grinned and hugged him, "someone has to be around to congratulate you both. I really am happy for you."
"I know. And... I'm sorry for what I said to you before you left. I know how hard it is to tell someone how you feel about them."
"It's okay Harry, I know you were under a lot of stress. Oh and by the way, we took your advice," she finished, blushing.
"So, you two are official, then?"
She nodded.
Harry rolled his eyes, "finally! Now if only Ron will forgive me, we can all live happily ever after, "maybe I should go talk to him..."
"No Harry, give him awhile to think about it. At least until after dinner."
Harry nodded, "alright then."
"Want me to come with you?" Draco offered nervously.
Harry and Hermione exchanged worried looks, "actually, I think it's better if I do this alone."
Draco looked extremely relieved, "alright then. I guess I'll go take a shower and see you later," he gave Harry an akward hug and looked uncertainly at Hermione for a moment before muttering a quick goodbye.
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END!!! I apologize for the extreme fluffiness of this chapter, i didn't have it in me to make to saucy scenes in a row. And I'm not making any promises on when next chappie will be out, this is the most difficult story I'm writing at the moment.
many thanks for the reviews:
Awkwardness - he'll work it out, don't worry.
ronsspawn - thank ya much! i love your stories so much too! specially the ron/draco one.
Snapes Apprentice - hehehe draco really does have an evil mind, doesn't he? you've just given me an idea for a future chapter...
Roxa - thanks!
yamichaos - if hogwarts accepted them, there would be no angsty stories! lol thanks.
Sae Mastumoto - well, here it is!
Desertrain - haha... well, i'm getting better at updating, aren't i?
temptress835 - thank you for continuing to love it!!!
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The next day everyone began packing for Christmas break, including Ron and Hermione. Harry, who tried not to look surprised as they both strode up to him with suitcases, put on the most indifferent face he could muster.
Hermione gave a small cough to get his attention, "I'm going home for Christmas, and I'm taking Ron with me. I hope you'll have your life sorted out by the time we get back," she said a little more gently, "because really Harry, we do love you, but if you won't let us help you, then we're no good here."
Harry didn't say anything.
"Well, goodbye then," she finished uncomfortably.
He nodded and left the room before Ron could say anything.
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"I don't know what you even see in them, honestly."
Harry gave Draco a deathglare, "they're my friends. They care about me."
"But I care about you!" Draco replied with a pout.
He sighed, "you care about me in a different way. Ron and Hermione are my friends, you on the other hand, are..."
Draco raised an eyebrow, "I'm what?"
"Er... more than a friend."
"That's it? Just more than a friend?"
"What else do you want me to say?" Harry asked confusedly.
"Nothing, say whatever you want."
"Draco... you're more than just more than a friend, but you are *more* than a friend-"
"Stop talking, it's confusing. Besides, I know what you mean, even if you can't bring yourself to say it."
Harry flinched, "I'm sorry, I'm not ready for that yet..."
"Well I am. I love you, and I don't care if you say it back just yet, because I believe that you feel the same way. And for God's sake, stop worrying about Granger and Weasley, we'll tell them about us as soon as they get back. Everything will work out fine in the end, you'll see."
"Yeah, well what if it doesn't?" Harry challenged.
"And why wouldn't it? If they care as much about you as you say, then they'll understand. It might take time, but eventually, they'll come around."
Harry nodded and gave a weak smile.
"Look, in the meantime, why don't we just enjoy not having to avoid anyone to see each other? Have all of your roomates gone on holiday?"
He smirked, "why, feel like shagging in a real bed this time?"
"Of course," Draco said, already tugging him up and out of the chair he was sitting in.
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For the most part Christmas break ran smoothly, and Draco was the happiest he'd ever been during holidays. Waking up in each other's arms every morning was the best feeling either of them had ever experienced, and they now both felt completely whole.
But they new that it couldn't last for long, it was only two days before everyone returned to school, and they would have to pretend to hate each other again. But, Harry realized, Draco had promised they would tell Ron and Hermione, and maybe that would let a little bit of guilt off him. He tried to imagine how they'd react. Ron would be the most likely to be upset, because although Harry and Draco had been thought of as enemies, it was Ron and Draco that really expressed true hate toward each other. Hermione, on the other hand, wasn't as easy a guess. She was as open minded a person as Harry knew, so she'd accept him being gay, but being with Malfoy of all people would be pushing it a little bit.
Harry tossed and turned that night next to Draco, who slept quite peacefully. He was surprised, because he had been under the impression that Draco never slept anymore. He was quite glad of the change, being able to take in all of Draco without him realizing it. He gazed at the sharp, perfectly cut features of the other boy's profile, the soft, ungaurded expression on his face as he slept, and then carefully brushed the strands of platinum hair out of his closed eyes, kissing him on the forhead gently so as not to wake him.
Harry felt an unfamiliar pang in his heart, tearing at his insides and making his eyes water with unshed tears. He knew at once what the feeling was, that thing he couldn't bring himself to say days before. He wrapped his arms around the other boy tightly, waking him up.
"wassamatter?" Draco asked sleepily, rubbing at his eyes.
Harry looked down at him, "nothing it's just... Draco?"
"Yeah?"
"I love you."
Draco smiled, "good. Now that you've got that out of your system, lets go back to sleep."
Harry laughed and kissed him again, then layed his head on the pillow and fell into a deep, comfortable sleep.
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"Ron, he's probably still sleeping, why don't we just wait down here," Hermione said uncomfortably as they headed toward the dormitories.
"No, I want to surprise him. Don't you feel bad about leaving him alone at Christmas?"
"Yes, but... maybe he hasn't been alone," she muttered, but Ron didn't hear her.
The door flew open and they strode in, then stopped dead in their tracks at the scene that lay before them. Hermione let out a small gasp and Ron blanched, turning uncharacteristically pale. Harry and Draco lay sprawled out on the bed, fast asleep, the sheets barely covering their obviously naked bodies. Their faces were only inches apart, legs were intertwining, and Draco had a protective arm thrown over Harry's waist. Ron made a move to say something most likely rude and offensive but Hermione quickly ushered him out of the room and back down the steps. Draco looked up as the door swung shut, catching a glimpse of them as they left, and sat bolt upright in panic.
He shook Harry awake, his breathing coming in ragged gasps as he tried to clear his mind and think of something, anything to say to them that would make the situation any better.
Harry opened his eyes slowly and stared at Draco, "no, it's too early."
"They saw us!"
Harry jumped out of bed quickly waking up, "who? Who saw us?"
"Ron and Hermione... they must have come back early... shit! What are we going to do?"
Harry thought for a moment, "we're going to stay calm, for one thing. Remember, we were planning on them finding out anyway?"
"Yeah but not like this!" Draco breathed, "whatever happened to letting people down gently?"
"This is going to be really, really akward," Harry mumbled, more to himself, as he pulled on some clothing.
Draco got dressed as well and they both stared at the door leading downstairs.
"Well, we can't hide up here forever," Harry said finally, making a move to leave.
He looked back at Draco, who had a slight flush to his cheeks which Harry found incredibly sexy, but diminished the thought at once, it having come at a most inoportune time.
They headed down the steps quietly and stopped at the last turn, shielding themselves from view. They could hear the two talking, and both strained, taking in every word.
"I... can't bloody believe it! How could he betray us like this!"
"How can you say that Ron?" Hermione asked angrily.
He spluttered, "what do you mean?"
"This isn't even about you! It's about Harry! You honestly think he's doing it to hurt us? How thick can you get?"
"Hermione... it's ... Malfoy..."
"Draco," she corrected, "who obviously seems to care about him."
"But... how? They hate each other!"
"You really haven't been paying attention too much lately, have you?"
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"It means, maybe you wouldn't have been so shocked if you'd noticed that they've been civilized toward each other these past few weeks."
"So... you knew?"
"I had my suspicions."
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"Because I knew you'd act like this. Oh come off it Ron, stop being selfish. Can't you just look past the fact that it's Draco Malfoy, and see that he makes Harry happy? Shouldn't that be all that matters?"
Ron grew silent for awhile, obviously mulling this over in his head. Suddenly, Draco tripped over Harry's robes as he tried to lean in closer, and it sent them both tumbling down the last few steps to land directly in front of Hermione and Ron. They both looked up sheepishly and scrambled to their feet.
"Errr... decided to come back early, did you?" Harry said finally.
His friends nodded vigorously.
"So... how was your Christmas?"
They looked at each other, "fine," Hermione replied slowly.
Another akward silence filled the room. Finally, Draco got impatient, "we know what you saw."
Ron glared at him, "really? I was under the impression that even we didn't know what we saw."
Hermione gave him a warning look, but Harry cut her off before she could say anything, "we were going to tell you as soon as you got back."
"Well, you did," his friend replied crossly.
"I didn't mean for it to be like that!" Harry cried defensively.
Ron looked up at him, and Harry flinched at the hurt in his eyes, "how long has this been going on?"
"It started not long after we got to school."
"Why didn't you tell us?"
"Well, judging from what I just heard you say to Hermione, I'm glad I didn't."
"Good, then maybe we can pretend this didn't happen," Ron replied angrily, storming off.
Hermione offered them a sympathetic look, "he just needs some time."
"He can take all the time in the world, for all I care."
"Harry, you have to understand, he feels a bit betrayed. It's like you've replaced him with Draco."
Harry and Draco shuddered.
"I don't mean like that!" she cried exasperatedly, "I mean, he's the only one you've been giving attention to, you've completely ditched your best friend."
"I know Hermione, and I feel bad, but you have to admit that's not the only reason he's upset."
"Which is where the time comes in. It's not going to magically be better overnight. He'll come around sooner or later."
Harry forced a smile, "thanks... for understanding, and for defending me."
She grinned and hugged him, "someone has to be around to congratulate you both. I really am happy for you."
"I know. And... I'm sorry for what I said to you before you left. I know how hard it is to tell someone how you feel about them."
"It's okay Harry, I know you were under a lot of stress. Oh and by the way, we took your advice," she finished, blushing.
"So, you two are official, then?"
She nodded.
Harry rolled his eyes, "finally! Now if only Ron will forgive me, we can all live happily ever after, "maybe I should go talk to him..."
"No Harry, give him awhile to think about it. At least until after dinner."
Harry nodded, "alright then."
"Want me to come with you?" Draco offered nervously.
Harry and Hermione exchanged worried looks, "actually, I think it's better if I do this alone."
Draco looked extremely relieved, "alright then. I guess I'll go take a shower and see you later," he gave Harry an akward hug and looked uncertainly at Hermione for a moment before muttering a quick goodbye.
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END!!! I apologize for the extreme fluffiness of this chapter, i didn't have it in me to make to saucy scenes in a row. And I'm not making any promises on when next chappie will be out, this is the most difficult story I'm writing at the moment.
many thanks for the reviews:
Awkwardness - he'll work it out, don't worry.
ronsspawn - thank ya much! i love your stories so much too! specially the ron/draco one.
Snapes Apprentice - hehehe draco really does have an evil mind, doesn't he? you've just given me an idea for a future chapter...
Roxa - thanks!
yamichaos - if hogwarts accepted them, there would be no angsty stories! lol thanks.
Sae Mastumoto - well, here it is!
Desertrain - haha... well, i'm getting better at updating, aren't i?
temptress835 - thank you for continuing to love it!!!