Disclaimer: See first chapter

Beta'd by: the wonderful Cyane Snape

Chapter 6

The next morning, Harry was the first of the two lovers to wake up. He found himself in a strange room; one that he was not familiar with. Before he could panic though, he could feel a warm body beside him and the events of previous night came flooding back into his mind. He relaxed back onto the bed and a smile formed on his face. He looked down to admire the golden angel sleeping beside him. Somehow, during the night, they had moved and now it was Draco who had his head resting on Harry's shoulder. Admiring the face that had haunted his dreams for so long, Harry blushed when he remembered what happened last night. He never imagined that when he came to Draco's house that night, that he would have slept in Draco's bed after making love until the early hours of the morning.

He was telling the truth when he told Draco that he didn't want to wait any longer and Draco hadn't disappointed him. He never knew Draco could be so passionate and loving in bed, not that he was complaining. He tightened his hold on the blond and kissed his forehead as he felt Draco stirring. The moment those eyes opened and landed on him, they softened and Harry found himself lost in their silvery depths once more.

"Good morning, my love," said Harry.

"Good morning to you too, Harry," mumbled Draco who once again closed his eyes and move closer to Harry. "It's too early, Harry, go back to sleep."

Harry glanced at the clock and he gasped. "Draco, love, it's already eight in the morning. I have to go," Harry said as he quickly stood up from the bed and began to search for his clothes which were scattered all over the room. Draco sat up on the bed, admiring the beauty of his lover. "Harry, it's only eight. Why on earth do you have to leave? Nobody gets up this early, except for the staff."

"Yes, Draco. That is exactly why I have to leave. You wouldn't want anyone to catch me leaving from your room, would you? And anyway, I usually wake up earlier than this. Ronald must be very worried by now."

"Ronald? Oh you mean your butler? Didn't he know you were going to come back late yesterday?"

"Of course he did. But as you can see, apparently I didn't even return home last night; seeing that I am here, talking to you," replied Harry who was shrugging into his trousers.

Draco stood up as well, drawing the sheet and tying it around his waist. He came up to Harry from behind and wrapped his arms around his lover's waist while resting his head on his shoulder.

"What's wrong, Draco? Are you all right?" asked Harry who was in the middle of buttoning up his shirt.

Draco nuzzled Harry's neck and breathed in the now-familiar scent of his lover. "Nothing, Harry, nothing's wrong. For once, everything is fine," Draco replied and began to kiss the back of Harry's neck. Harry stopped what he was doing, and moaned when he felt Draco sucking the area near his pulse. "Draco, don't do that. I won't be able to leave if you keep doing that," came his breathless response. Draco leaned back and turned Harry around so that they were looking at each other. He sighed. "As much as it pains me to admit it, you are right. You have to leave before anybody sees you."

Harry shrugged into his coat and moved to the mirror to check his appearance. At least he now looked presentable. He turned and looked at Draco who was standing in the middle of the room. "I guess I'll see you tonight then, Draco."

"Yes. Either at all the ball or here, we will just have to see," Draco said.

Harry then moved to Draco and they kissed one last time before Harry left. When the door closed, Draco sighed. 'Just what am I suppose to do now,' he thought. All he wanted to do was to be with Harry but he knew that it was impossible. Spending too much time together would make people wonder and at the same time, he was the head of the Malfoy family and he had responsibilities. Resigned to his fate, he tugged the bellpull to summon Severus and prepared for the day.

Upon reaching his house, Harry was glad that his mother was not awake yet. Ron was the one that opened the door and Harry was once more glad that he didn't ask anything about his whereabouts the night before. Telling Ron to prepare a bath for him, Harry went straight to his room. In his room, he let his mind wander. Now that he had Draco, what would happen next? They couldn't possibly have an open relationship in public. It would be a disaster for both families. And should he tell his mother? She would be happy for him, of course, as she knew that Harry loved Draco, but at the same time, she would probably tell him to end it as there would never be a chance for a real relationship between the two of them. However, Harry hoped that their love had a chance to survive. Sooner or later, people would notice them together, but Harry prayed that that time would come in the far distant future.

For now, he would cherish the time that he and Draco had and would make the most of it. Their relationship would have to be kept secret but Harry knew that it would be worthwhile as long as he had Draco. 'That's all that I can do for now,' thought Harry. The arrival of his bath interrupted his thought and Harry prepared himself for the day.

During the day, both men were distracted as all they could think about was each other. Their butlers of course noticed this but thankfully no one said anything about it. Severus knew that Lord Potter, the Duke of Northumberland had spent the night in the Manor and deep inside he was glad because he knew that his master loved the Duke. His master didn't know that he knew about his preference and he preferred to keep it that way. As long as Draco was happy, Severus saw nothing wrong about it. He knew the hardships that Draco had faced since he was young and he was glad that he had found the one person that made his life complete. Ron on the other hand, didn't know where his master had spent the night but he didn't utter a single word about it. If his master didn't say anything then he wouldn't ask as he knew that his master valued his privacy.

Both men passed the day with their usual routine; going through their paper work. When the clock chimed and showed that it was three o'clock, both men stood up and went to left to their usual meeting place; both glad that they would be able to see each other again.