"Harry, where were you?" Hermione asked him as he walked into the Gryffindor common room.

"Hello to you too, 'Mione." Harry said, sarcasm dripping from his voice. He dropped into a big armchair to face his friends.

"We were worried about you, Mate." Ron told him.

"Well you'll be happy to know that not much happened. I just almost drowned, reconciled with Draco Malfoy, and, oh yah, Dumbledore's forbidden me to date."

Hermione and Ron just stared at him. He waited for one of them to regain their posture. "You're ok though right?" Hermione said, recovering first.

"Yah I'm fine." Harry's tone had returned to normal. "Draco rescued me from the lake, and then performed CPR when I wasn't breathing." 'Why the hell am I feeling again? After Sirius' death I couldn't feel anything other than anger. But when I reconciled with Draco I was happy. Why can he always affect me like no one else can?'

"Wait, you're saying that Malfoy saved you? And since when has he been 'Draco'?" Ron was curious as to his best friend's behavior.

"Since he and I became friends. Jeeze Ron, you don't listen do you? I already told you that I reconciled with him." Harry shrugged. He didn't think anything of his new friendship.

"Harry why did you befriend our nemesis?" Hermione asked cautiously. She was still trying to process the fact that he saved Harry's life.

"Don't you mean your nemesis?" He asked coldly. "I don't need this tonight. "He turned to walk up to bed.

"Harry," he turned, "can you trust him?"

He looked both them in the eye. "He told me that he wanted to change. I believe him." With that he went to bed.

It was lunchtime the next day. Ron and Hermione had apologized for being rude to Harry the night before. They were sitting at the end of the Gryffindor table, near the doors. Ginny was sitting next to Hermione, who in turn was sitting next to Ron. Harry sat across from the three leaving the space closest to the doors, across from Ginny, open. This was their usual seat now because Harry seemed to enjoy the solitude more. The rest of the Gryffindors ignored them, save Seamus whom still visited occasionally, after harry withdrew from even the three he sat with. Harry and Ron were discussing Quidditch while Ron stuffed his face with food.

"I still can't believe you gave up the chance to captain the Quidditch team."

"Ron, for the millionth time, between Voldemort, the Order, and my extra lessons with Remus, Snape, and McGonagall I didn't need anymore stress. Besides I didn't really feel up to it." Harry's tone indicated that he wanted to drop the subject.

"I glad Professor Lupin was rehired." Hermione stressed Remus' title as she looked at Harry. No one knew that they knew him outside of school, because they were in the Order. After what had happened at the Department of Mysteries, the Order of the Phoenix decided to add Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny so that they didn't endanger anyone else with lack of information.

Ginny wasn't paying attention to the conversation. She was lost in her own thoughts of how she couldn't seem to keep a boyfriend. "None of the guys here are my type or are losers." Ginny muttered.

Hermione sitting next to her heard what she said. "What about Harry?" she whispered.

Ginny barely contained her voice to a whisper. "What! He's practically my adopted brother. Besides, he's gay."

"What's all the whispering about?" Harry asked.

"Oh, I was telling Hermione that I can't date you because I see you like a brother." Ginny said dismissivly.

"Oh, ok." Harry was glad that she said that. 'After the whole Sirius incident, I told her how I felt about her and was overjoyed when she agreed. She's always there when I needed to talk. I guess that's why I love her so much.'

"Plus the fact that you're gay."

Harry spit out the juice he had been drinking. "What!" he was using all his energy not to yell. "I'm not gay I'm bi!"

"Well from what you've told me about your experiences with Cho, I'm telling you that you're gay."

"Alright." Harry said trying to calm down. "Alright, maybe I'm gay."

Draco Malfoy chose that moment to walk in. He sat next to Harry and across from Ginny. "Hello."

"What are you doing here Ferret?"

Harry turned his blazing eyes to Ron. "Ron, do you remember what I told you last night?" He asked in a low voice.

"Yes but that doesn't mean he has to sit with us." That comment earned him a smack from Hermione followed by Ginny.

"Ronald Weasley. For Harry's sake can you at least give him a chance?" Hermione hissed at him. Then returning to a normal voice level, she turned to Draco. "Hi, if you're going to be around a lot, why don't you call me Hermione?"

As he shook her hand, Ginny jumped in. "And call me Ginny."

Draco smiled and said, "You can call me Draco, or King of Slytherin if you prefer." Everyone, including Ron, laughed.

'God, he's so beautiful and sexy when he laughs.' Harry thought sighing. 'Wait did I just think that.' Another voice inside Harry spoke. 'Well I am gay.' He mentally beat himself. 'No, bad Harry. He's your friend for fuck's sake.'

"So what were you guys talking about before I came?" Draco was curious. Just as he walked in he had thought he had heard Harry say something. He just couldn't believe it though.

"Oh, Harry just admitted something he should have a long time ago." Ginny told him.

"And what did he admit?" Draco was leaning toward Ginny, as he was very interested now.

Before Harry could perform a silencing charm on her, she said, "That he's gay."

Harry was enraged and acted without thinking. "Silencio Obscura Vison!" Instantly a haze surrounded them. It was impossible to see more than 3 feet away. The din of the Great Hall had also disappeared.

Hermione freaked out. "What just happened?" She had never heard of the spell before.

Harry rolled his eyes. "Just because you haven't heard of it doesn't mean you have to freak out. I invented it."

He turned to Ron. "You will treat Draco with respect as he is now my friend. Remember how I stood up for you, well that now applies to him as well." He spat angrily.

He finally turned to yell at Ginny. "And you. Must you spread my personal life to everyone? I don't think people in Australia heard you!"

He turned around wildly trying to find some one else to yell at. Finally he turned to Draco. "And you!" His voice dropped to a whisper that only Hermione heard. "Why the hell do you have to so god damn perfect?"

All the problems in Harry's life became too much for him as he broke. He began to cry and wail. Draco enfolded Harry in his arms but at first Harry beat against him. After a couple moments he just relaxed and sobbed against Draco's chest. Draco rocked him and murmured soothing things in his ear. "Shhhhhh……. It's ok………… just cry it all out……….. you'll never be alone………… I'll always be here for you…………. Shhhhhhhhhh."

All of Harry's friends looked on in amazement as Draco rocked Harry. Ginny felt terrible about what she had said but knew it had been the right thing. After Hermione had told her the night before of Harry's new friend, she looked back on the years. She knew Harry was unhappy, and that what he needed was unconditional love, not another friend. She also believed that, as much as she hated to admit it, Draco was the best candidate for Harry. So she planted things all through lunch, to tell Draco that Harry was gay.

Hermione knew that Harry had a crush on Draco. He had told her of the crush in their fourth year. Although he denied it, she knew that he not only still had the crush but also was beginning to have deeper feelings for him. So she knew that he had been bi, but she had always suspected that he was gay. It wasn't much a surprise to her. However she didn't know about Draco. Was he gay, or even bi? And what about Harry? She had heard rumors of how Draco had slept with almost all of their year. No doubt Harry had also heard them. She sighed. She was definitely going to talk to Draco later.

Ron was just stunned. He had just found out one of his best friends was gay. Then he defended their, no Ron's arch-enemy. Then Harry had flipped out and told Ron to treat Malfoy with respect. Then to top it all off, Harry who had faced Voldemort, the Fucking Dark Lord, without fear was now crying. And Malfoy was comforting him. What next, was Voldemort going to drop in and adopt Harry? Ron could deal with the fact that Harry was gay, as long as Harry didn't try to make a move on him, but it was going to take some time on the whole Draco thing.

Draco rocked Harry as he cried. Harry after about fifteen minutes, cried himself to sleep. It was then that the headmaster walked through the haze. "Harry?" Draco looked at Dumbledore poisonously.

"He's sleeping." Draco still had yet to let go of Harry. In fact Harry was snuggling up to Draco.

"Well shouldn't we wake him up? He does have classes."

"No." They all looked at Hermione. "I'm sorry Professor, but Harry is not going to his classes today. He just cried himself to sleep. He needs the rest. I think the stress of everything finally caught up with him." Her tone was so firm that Dumbledore didn't even think about not listening to her. "But the question is where do we let him sleep. The dorms are out as I will not have him disturbed."

"He can sleep in my chambers." Draco told them. "They are out of the way so no one will even pass by them in hall. He won't be disturbed."

"Alright then. Here." Dumbledore handed Draco a portkey. "It will transport you to your chambers. And Draco, remember, do not do anything that you'll regret."

"If you're implying that I would-"

"No. I'm just warning you to be cautious."

Before Draco could say another word he was pulled to his room by the portkey. He sighed and picked Harry up. Draco carried him to his bed. He laid him down and made sure he was comfortable. He then quietly closed the door and headed to his first class, after leaving a note on the dresser in case Harry woke up.

Dumbledore had removed the spell and the remaining three left the Great Hall for their first class. Ron and Hermione said goodbye to Ginny and continued on to Transfiguration. After class Hermione told Ron to go on without her. "I'll catch up. I have to talk to McGonagall." This wasn't true. She was planning on talking to someone but it wasn't McGonagall. She caught Draco as he was walking toward their next class.

She hauled him into an abandoned classroom. "Alright Gra- Hermione, what was that about?"

"What are your intentions toward Harry?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, do you care for him? Is he your friend or do you want him to be more?"

Draco sighed. "You don't know how complicate that question really is." He sat on one of the desks. "Let's see. What do you mean by more?"

"If I tell you a secret will you promise to never tell anyone else or at just upon it?"

Without hesitation Draco answered. "Yes."

"Harry has a crush on you that I think is developing into more." Her eyes bore into his. "And if you break his heart I will personally make sure your life is a living hell."

"Hermione, I could never break his heart." Draco looked down. "Have you ever heard the rumors that the Malfoys aren't exactly purebloods?"

"Sure, but I never listened to them."

"Well we are pure blooded magically speaking. We have never bred with any muggles or anyone with muggle blood. However, we did breed with non-wizards."

"What do you mean?"

"My family has bred with three different magical creatures. Royal elves, pure vampires and veela."

Hermione gasped. "But your 17th birthday is coming up, isn't it? Don't you need to find your mate?"

"Ummmm…… Well clarify what you mean."

"Don't you need to identify your mate?"

"No."

Hermione suddenly got angry. "So what is your purpose with this conversation then? All three creatures will love their mate unconditionally when found. If you toy with Harry then I will-"

"Hermione, stop. I said that I identified my mate not that I had done anything about it. He doesn't even know that I'm part vampire and veela with a hint of royal elf in the mixture."

"So your mate is male?"

"Yes."

"Why haven't you done anything?"

"Well, see all three creatures have one thing in common. Once your mate is realized you are affected by the mating season, which is May 1st to May 15th. I will get the urge to bond with him once my inheritance kicks in. However it isn't necessary to bond until the mating season. If he does not mate with me by the time the mating season ends I will die."

"So who is your mate?"

I can't believe you haven't figured it out. Who is this conversation about?" Draco was smiling.

"You mean…..?"

Draco took a deep breath. "Yeah, Harry's my mate."

Harry woke I a strange place. He tried to remember what had happened. 'Oh, yeah I yelled at everyone.' Then he remembered crying in Draco's arms. "Damn it, why do you have to be so perfect? I can't fall in love. Anyone I care for gets hurt by Voldemort."

He looked around and found a letter on the dresser. It was labeled "Harry".

Dear Harry,

If you are reading this, then I'm still in class. You broke down in the Great Hall, and cried yourself to sleep. Harry, please talk to me or someone and don't bottle it all up inside. I care about you, just as Hermione, Ron, and Ginny do.

I know we haven't been friends long, but I really do care for you. I would be devastated if something happened. Dumbledore has excused you from all classes today, so don't even think about going to class. You can wait in my chambers, or leave if you want, but I'm serious Harry. I had better not see you in class. The password to my rooms is "Inheritance" if you wish to leave and return or visit at any time.

Harry please don't bottle up all of your emotions. It's not healthy and you really scared me today. I know that you have issues about your godfather, Cedric and Luna but please talk to me.

Draco

Harry sighed holding back the tears. Last summer Luna Lovegood and her parents had been captured by death eaters and killed. Neville's family was now under protection from the Order as were the Weasleys and the Grangers. It seems that Voldemort was very angry about losing the prophecy. Fortunately none had heard the prophecy before it smashed.

Although harry knew it wasn't his fault he felt as though he could have done something to help her. Yes she was odd, but she was a good person and she had helped them when they needed it. Harry walked into a room that seemed to be something like a common room. Harry wondered why Draco had been given other quarters.

He decided to ask Draco later. He looked around the room and found a bookcase full of all sorts of books. He walked over to it and found that there were books on veela, vampires, elves, ancient spells, many ancient wizards, and o much more. Harry picked out a book on Godric Gryffindor.

He sat on one of the couches and opened to book. Harry found that Godric was an orphan himself, as were all the founders of Hogwarts. It went on to say that he owned a sword and that only a true Gryffindor could wield the sword. 'Odd. That's exactly what Dumbledore said. But the book is giving the impression that by a true Gryffindor it means a descendant of Gryffindor. Hmmmm. I'll ask Dumbledore later.'

The book also said that he owned a phoenix that would only burn itself in the presence of Godric or one of his descendants. The phoenix was loyal to its owner but would eventually return to one of Godric's descendents.

Harry finished the book as it wasn't very thick, and chose a book on another founder of the school. By the time Draco got back he had read the books about all the founders and was currently reading a book on the school itself. "Hello Harry. I see that you're making good use of the bookcase." Draco smiled at his mate. He fully intended on making Harry fall in love with him before telling him about his heritage. Otherwise Harry might feel obligated to bond with him.

"Oh, hey Draco. You don't mind that I read some of the books do you?"

"As long as you don't read the book with the leather binding on the top shelf, then no. Actually you can borrow any of the other books." The black leather book he was referring to was actually the history of the Malfoys. Draco didn't want Harry to read that book. Maybe someday but not yet.

Harry, thinking it was a diary, agreed. Draco sat down across from Harry and they talked until it was time to go to dinner. "Come on, Draco. We need to go down to dinner."

"We could have dinner served up here if you like."

Harry shook his head. No, it was too close to a date. Not only had Dumbledore forbade it but Harry didn't want to get to close to Draco. Because he was already beginning to fall in love with him.